04222024 NEWS AND SPORT

Dr Sands: transparency needed on catastrophic healthcare programme

By

FORMER Health Minister Dr Duane Sands has called for greater transparency surrounding the government’s catastrophic healthcare fund, about which little has been said even though it was a significant policy initiative of the Davis administration. A total of $10m was allocated to help Bahamians pay for life-threatening healthcare services. Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said in July 2022 that the programme would be fully audited and that “serious” guidelines would be established for how the money is spent. He said the fund is for Bahamians who lack the

RASTA LEADERS WANT FREE CANNABIS GROWING LICENCES

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

RASTAFARIAN leaders want free cannabis cultivation licences as reparations for years of being criminalised for marijuana possession.

Rithmond McKinney, the High Priest of the local Rastafarian Bobo Shanti Tribe, said yesterday: “I think that’s supposed to be a part of retribution because of all discrimination and the profiling the Rasta went through over the years.” “Every time the police see a Rasta, they are searching him, saying he is going for some cannabis or he has some cannabis on him. We been incarcerated so much and being searched

Archdeacon urges politicians to work together against crime in sermon at Saunders’ funeral

By KEILE CAMPBELL kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

ARCHDEACON Keith Cartwright implored the prime minister and leader of the opposition to work together against crime during his sermon at the state-recognised funeral service for former Deputy House Speaker and Member of Parliament (MP) for Tall Pines Donald Lamond Saunders.

Mr Saunders was murdered during a robbery attempt at Rags Bar in Gambier Village last month.

“Too many people put party over country, too many party people – that can’t be right. More than ever before we need maturity in national life. We’ve got to work together,” Mr Cartwright said. “We’ve got to lay aside these for the greater good, people. We do not have only good FNMs, there are plenty good PLPs. Yes, there are plenty bad FNMS and there are plenty bad PLPs.”

it

Mr Cartwright said that despite the murderer’s having “ripped” the silver cross chain neckless off the late Saunders which he always wore in dedication to his faith, “they cannot rip

He said “far too many” persons get into politics for the wrong reasons, stating that those who do not seek to give true service to “get out and stay out”. “We do not need greedy and crooked men and women at the helm of our nation,” the archdeacon said during the service held at St. Agnes Anglican Church on Baillou Hill Road.

from his heart”. He underlined the selfsacrificing nature of Mr Saunders in his dedication to his community, church, and country, which included his involvement with his

TIFFANY SAUNDERS, wife of former MP Donald “Don” Saunders, lays a rose on the casket.

FAMILY members attend the funeral of former MP Donald “Don” Saunders at St Agnes Anglican Church on Friday.

DON SAUNDERS II, son of former MP Donald “Don” Saunders, lays a rose on his father’s casket.

DION SAUNDERS, twin brother of former MP Donald “Don” Saunders, offers a final salute during the internment of the late MP at St Agnes Cemetery on Friday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

FNM: How are health funds being spent?

financial means to access lifesaving medical treatments. He suggested each case go to Cabinet for approval. The administration wants the fund to precede catastrophic healthcare insurance, a long-held promise of the Progressive Liberal Party, which introduced National Health Insurance in 2016.

However, it is not clear when the fund will be audited, and the guidelines for spending the money or accessing the service have not been released publicly. Dr Darville did not respond to several calls and messages seeking comment yesterday.

Dr Sands, who said he supports the initiative and

ARCHDEACON URGES POLITICIANS TO WORK TOGETHER AGAINST CRIME IN SERMON AT SAUNDERS’ FUNERAL

from page two

family in the church.

“Look at our last national census – go find it out. The only demographic that is growing in our population are those who say that they are not part of any church. Somethings got to be wrong with this,” Mr Cartwright said.

“Don was a truly family man. He loved his wife, he loved his children, he loved his mother, he loved his sister, he loved his brothers, he would do anything for them. Family meant the world to Don. He brought – he didn’t send the family to church, he got his family involved in all aspects of the community, he took his responsibilities seriously.”

Mr Cartwright went on to condemn the crime issue in the country, opining that the answer is for Bahamians returning to focusing on home and family life.

“These killers are someone’s sons, they belong to some ma out there, to some pa out there, they are someone’s grandson or granddaughter. Look at their faces, church. They are our children, and the sum total of the high crime rate is the very foundation of our nation is cracking. It has crumbled because home and family life is no more. No examples in the home, no fathers present, no mothers now event present, no discipline in the home. Children doing as they like as they feel like. There’s no guidance, no teaching of right and

wrong,” he said. “And then we holler for the government, we holler for the police, we holler for the defence force, but it is us. Look at yourself in the mirror. Where are your children? Where are your grandchildren? There’s no accountability.”

Prime Minister Philip Davis recalled being a political mentor to Mr Saunders, noting the bond the two shared that “went beyond our time in Parliament” as both were members of St. Christopher’s Church.

Mr Davis said he witnessed the former Tall Pines MP’s faith, conviction, and humility firsthand through Mr Saunders’ involvement in the church from an early age from being an alter boy to a founding member of the Anglican Church Men group at the church.

“I watched him grow week by week, year by year as he flourished into the leader he would ultimately become,” Mr Davis said.

“Although I would much prefer it he liked the color yellow a bit more than he liked the color red, it was obvious that he had enormous potential as a politician and as a leader among men. He was an obvious asset to any political organization he chose to join and I fully expected to see him achieve great success.”

Mr Davis condemned the ongoing “pointless and senseless violence” in the country that his administration has made

a mandated effort to quell as he lamented how the nation’s crime issue “can so suddenly and unexpectedly steal away our best and brightest” and being too commonplace, calling for Bahamians to come together to handle the issue.

Leader of the Opposition and Free National Movement (FNM) Michael Pintard described Mr Saunders as a patriot and a nationalist who, despite being a member of the FNM, loved all Bahamians no matter which political persuasion and sought to look past political lines in favor of the overall benefit of The Bahamas.

Mr Pintard gave condolences to the family of the late Don Saunders, mentioning a conversation he had with Don’s twin brother Dion where the sibling underlined his late brother’s love for his country.

Mr Pintard echoed the prime minister’s sentiments on the crime issue and the duty of Bahamians to come together to address the matter.

“The village did produce a Don Saunders, but this village also produced the shooter, the murderer of Don Saunders,” Mr Pinder said.

“How do we fix those things that produce so many young men like the one that killed Don and so many other talented Bahamians? We can’t do it alone, so we should be turning as a nation to each other instead of on each other,” Mr Pintard said.

believes it could be a game changer, said there are lingering questions.

“Who qualifies?” he asked yesterday. “Who makes the determination and so on and so forth, because you’re talking about $10m of the public’s money. We would like to know how much of that money has been spent. How much has been spent weekly? How much is spent monthly?”

“How many times can you go to the well, and if you go to the well, is there a limit to how much one person can get? Because you’re only talking $10m, right? So what if somebody needs $1m?”

Dr Sands said he knows several patients who have benefitted from the

programme, the latest being a 29-year-old man with no health insurance who underwent emergency open heart surgery and is now doing fine. He said hospital and surgeons’ fees for that operation cost around $80,000. “But I don’t know who else got money,” he said, “nor does the public know who else got money and so, yes, the programme is doing incredible things for some people, and I can attest to it because I have had patients who have benefited from it.”

Dr Sands does not believe the government should reveal people’s private medical information, but wants officials to disclose the demographics of

the beneficiaries, among other things.

“Even though there is a potential to be tremendously impactful, that potential is reduced because the terms, the rules, the adjudication process, is not clear for all the stakeholders,” he said.

“In the instances where we have referred patients to get assistance, some patients have definitely gotten assistance, lifesaving care and certainly in those instances, the fund worked as intended, but notwithstanding that, I think there needs to be a whole lot more transparency to avoid even the perception that there is not a fair level playing ground in terms of accessing funds.”

ARCHDEACON Keith Cartwright speaks at the funeral of the late former MP Donald ‘Don’ Saunders on Friday. Photos: Dante Carrer

FNM CHAIRMAN DR DUANE SANDS

Police say traffic deaths ‘unusually high’ as two more die over weekend

where a silver coloured Nissan March and a white BYD vehicle collided.

Both drivers –– a Filipino national and a 46-year-old Bahamian identified as Donald Deveaux –– had to be extracted from their vehicles with jaws of life and were pronounced dead at the scene. Superintendent Coran Jennning, second in command of the Royal Bahamas Police Force traffic division, said the number of traffic fatalities this year is concerning.

“By this time of year, we don’t have those kind of numbers, but for the majority of our fatalities, speed was a factor, and we always encourage the public to slow it down,” he told The Tribune yesterday. “It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, whether it’s night or day, you should still adhere to the speed limit. “Not because it’s dark and the road is empty means you exceed the speed limit and I think that played a big factor in that fatality based on the damage we saw.” Supt Jenning said none of the weekend accidents appeared connected to

popular parties or events. “From what we see on a daily basis, we would have up to 15 to 20 traffic accidents ranging from serious to minor,” he added.

“In total from (Saturday) to now, there was about 16 accidents and it’s going to be more at the end of the day. I can’t say by how much but that’s a normal number.”

By May 31, 2023, 22 people had been killed in traffic accidents, prompting Transport Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis to call the trend “worrying”. The country is already exceeding that pace in 2024.

Ultimately, there were 51 traffic fatalities in 2023, down from 59 in 2022. There were 46 traffic fatalities in 2021.

In 2022, there were 10,586 road accident reports. There were 11,023 such reports in 2023.

“Safety week starts on Friday,” said Supt Jenning. “We’re going to do a live remote giving out some safety tips and speaking about drinking and driving and encouraging persons that there are nonalcoholic beverages such as Heineken Zero. We’re going to take that opportunity to speak to the public.”

GEORGE BASTIAN, 56, was on his way home from the Fish Fry in Eight Mile Rock when the vehicle he was in crashed into a tree killing him over the previous weekend. This weekend two more people were killed in a traffic accident in New Providence bringing the number of fatalities to 20 on the year, which police say is unusually high. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

PM: Lawyers to meet as GB deadline looms

As some criticise the timing of his administration’s tactics, Mr Davis said there would be no better time to force the GBPA to live up to its Hawksbill Creek Agreement obligations.

“Who holds time?” he said. “Who is to determine when is the best time?”

“What I do know is the state of our country is such that the Bahamian people can no longer afford to subsidise the port authority.

“As I have said before, the government is doing what the Port Authority ought to be doing by the arrangements that were entered into in the Hawskbill Agreement, and if they are doing it, then what is the role of the Port Authority?

“And what we are saying, is that it is time for us to sit down, and everyone has agreed that the promise of Grand Bahama has not been fulfilled and that promise is continuing to depreciate and any hope of it ever reaching its potential

is perhaps now almost nonexistent under the present structure, under the present ownership, and going forth there has to be a paradigm shift and that is where my thinking is.”

Mr Davis said the Bahamian people will not bear the burden of the feud. “Right now, the Bahamian people are paying for services in Grand Bahama in the Port for which the Port should be paying.” he said. “Should we continue that? That’s the question you ought to ask themselves.”

The GBPA has said the government’s payment demand is ill-founded, arguing that Freeport’s $200m annual tax revenues far exceed the government’s investments in the city.

Some, including former Free National Movement (FNM) Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, have argued that if the GBPA is forced to pay the government, the burden will fall on Freeport residents through increased fees.

RASTA LEADERS WANT FREE CANNABIS GROWING LICENCES

from page one

and victimised so much for it and they know the Rasta was the one who was firmly saying this is a sacrament to us and it’s also a medicinal medicine.”

Mr McKinney said members of his community expect to meet Attorney General Ryan Pinder soon before the legislation is tabled in the House of Assembly next month.

Religion members want to ensure the government amends the original draft, which had elements they opposed.

That legislation would let Rastafarian organisations get a religious use licence to distribute cannabis to members as a sacrament, but the substance could only be used on the premises for which the licence or exempt event permit is issued.

According to the regulations, people with a religious use licence could permit the smoking or other use of cannabis to members of that place of

worship as a sacrament within that place. However, Rastafarians say this infringes on their religious freedom and forces them to adjust their practices because the majority of practitioners do not use cannabis at their place of worship.

People with a religious use licence could apply for a cultivation licence. However, only people who have never been convicted of an offence under the Dangerous Drugs Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act, or the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation Act) would be eligible for a licence. This has also drawn the ire of Rastafarians, who said many were convicted under these laws while trying to practice their fatih. “We still want to see how far the government have it with the Rasta community to be involved and how many licences they would allow us to have within our community,” Mr McKinney said. “Maybe, I don’t know

one, two, three? I’m not sure. Of course, not everybody in the Rastafarian community could be able to get a licence so if they give us two for our community that would be good or maybe more.

“But we don’t know exactly what they have in place for us as yet so we still want to have a next consultation with them so we could know exactly whether we agree with what’s going on.”

In February, Mr McKinney said Rastafarians with small amounts of marijuana experienced a decline in arrests. “The minister of national security did assure us that he was going to speak to the commissioner of police concerning that matter,” he said at the time. “So, as of late, we see a slow down on our members being arrested.”

However, he said yesterday that despite assurances from National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, some continue to be arrested.

BTVI EXPANDS TO ELEUTHERA TO BRING ITS FIRST PHYSICAL CAMPUS TO A FAMILY ISLAND

THE Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) has expanded to Green Castle, Eleuthera, the first physical extension to the Family Islands. BTVI has a campus in New Providence and a branch in Grand Bahama and also operates out of the Huntley Christie High School in North Andros. The government gifted BTVI the building in Eleuthera and islander Lyle Hall was the contractor, refurbishing the building at a cost of nearly $100.000.

Education and Technical and Vocational Training Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin told guests that the government is determined to make technical and vocational education and training a priority. She said: “That is because it is understood in two ways. One, the global importance of technical and vocational education for building skills and secondly because of the skills gap we have in our own country. What we see rolling out here today is a commitment to building capacity in this nation that our young people can equally participate in this economy with anyone and they don’t have to sit on the sidelines and watch as third parties come in and participate because it is said we do not have the ability or capacity.”

Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Clay Sweeting, MP

for Central and South Eleuthera, encouraged Eleutherans to take advantage of the opportunity to learn a new skill. He said: “Become certified in your area of choice to take advantage of opportunities that exist today and in the future. The growth that you see on the island today is not going to decrease. The demand for more development will continue to grow and we will continue to need more skilled professionals.”

BTVI president Dr Linda Davis said the Eleuthera extension is a strategic thrust to nationally advance technical and vocational education. “Today, as we open this extension of BTVI, we do so understanding that

BTVI has a national imperative that must be carried out. Our board, management, instructors and staff are on a mission to capitalise on its mandate and strategically move the institution forward,” said Dr Davis. “This structure is needed. The skills learned here are needed. We have come to Eleuthera for such a time as this and my heart is full … it is our hope that BTVI Eleuthera will become the heart of Eleuthera. After all, once the ribbon is cut and the building dedicated, this space will become one of exploration for those seeking to learn a skill or upgrade existing skills. This facility stands as a catalyst for possibilities,” she said.

RITHMOND MCKINNEY, THE HIGH PRIEST OF THE LOCAL RASTAFARIAN BOBO SHANTI TRIBE

EDUCATION and Technical and Vocational Training Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin and Clay Sweeting, MP for Central and South Eleuthera cut the ribbon for the new BTVI Campus at Green Castle, Eleuthera.

Photo: BTVI

Are future engineers ready for ethical issues of AI?

A CHATBOT turns hostile. A test version of a Roomba vacuum collects images of users in private situations. A Black woman is falsely identified as a suspect on the basis of facial recognition software, which tends to be less accurate at identifying women and people of color. These incidents are not just glitches, but examples of more fundamental problems. As artificial intelligence and machine learning tools become more integrated into daily life, ethical considerations are growing, from privacy issues and race and gender biases in coding to the spread of misinformation.

The general public depends on software engineers and computer scientists to ensure these technologies are created in a safe and ethical manner. As a sociologist and doctoral candidate interested in science, technology, engineering and math education, we are currently researching how engineers in many different fields learn and understand their responsibilities to the public.

Yet our recent research, as well as that of other scholars, points to a troubling reality: The next generation of engineers often seem unprepared to grapple with the social implications of their work. What’s more, some appear apathetic about the moral dilemmas their careers may bring – just as advances in AI intensify such dilemmas.

As part of our ongoing research, we interviewed more than 60 electrical engineering and computer science masters students at a top engineering program in the United States. We asked students about their experiences with ethical challenges in engineering, their knowledge of ethical dilemmas in the field and how they would respond to scenarios in the future.

First, the good news: Most students recognized potential dangers of AI and expressed concern about personal privacy and the potential to cause harm – like how race and gender biases can be written into algorithms, intentionally or unintentionally.

One student, for example, expressed dismay at the environmental impact of AI, saying AI companies are using “more and more greenhouse power, [for] minimal benefits.” Others discussed concerns about where and how AIs are being applied, including for military technology and to generate falsified information and images.

When asked, however, “Do you feel equipped to respond in concerning or unethical situations?” students often said no. “Flat out no. … It is kind of scary,” one student replied. “Do YOU know who I’m supposed to go to?”

Another was troubled by the lack of training: “I [would be] dealing with that with no experience. … Who knows how I’ll react.”

Other researchers have similarly found that many engineering students do not feel satisfied with the ethics training they do receive. Common training usually emphasizes professional codes of conduct, rather than the complex socio-technical factors underlying ethical decision-making. Research suggests that even when presented with particular scenarios or case studies, engineering students often struggle to recognize ethical dilemmas.

Accredited engineering programs are required to “include topics related to professional and ethical responsibilities” in some capacity.

Yet ethics training is rarely emphasized in the formal curricula. A study assessing undergraduate STEM curricula in the U.S. found that coverage of ethical issues varied greatly in terms of content, amount

and how seriously it is presented. Additionally, an analysis of academic literature about engineering education found that ethics is often considered nonessential training.

Many engineering faculty express dissatisfaction with students’ understanding, but report feeling pressure from engineering colleagues and students themselves to prioritize technical skills in their limited class time.

Researchers in one 2018 study interviewed over 50 engineering faculty and documented hesitancy – and sometimes even outright resistance – toward incorporating public welfare issues into their engineering classes. More than a quarter of professors they interviewed saw ethics and societal impacts as outside “real” engineering work.

About a third of students we interviewed in our ongoing research project share this seeming apathy toward ethics training, referring to ethics classes as “just a box to check off.”

“If I’m paying money to attend ethics class as an engineer, I’m going to be furious,” one said.

These attitudes sometimes extend to how students view engineers’ role in society. One interviewee in our current study, for example, said that an engineer’s “responsibility is just to create that thing, design that thing and … tell people how to use it. [Misusage] issues are not their concern.”

One of us, Erin Cech, followed a cohort of 326 engineering students from four U.S. colleges. This research, published in 2014, suggested that engineers actually became less concerned over the course of their degree about their ethical responsibilities and understanding the public consequences of technology. Following them after they left college, we found that their concerns regarding ethics did not rebound once these new graduates entered the workforce.

When engineers do receive ethics training as part of their degree, it seems to work.

Along with engineering professor Cynthia Finelli, we conducted a survey of over 500 employed engineers. Engineers who received formal ethics and public welfare training in school are more likely to understand their responsibility to the public in their professional roles, and recognize the need for collective problem solving. Compared to engineers who did not receive training, they were 30% more likely to have noticed an ethical issue in their workplace and 52% more likely to have taken action.

Over a quarter of these practicing engineers reported encountering a concerning ethical situation at work. Yet approximately one-third said they have never received training in public welfare –not during their education, and not during their career.

This gap in ethics education raises serious questions about how well-prepared the next generation of engineers will be to navigate the complex ethical landscape of their field, especially when it comes to AI.

To be sure, the burden of watching out for public welfare is not shouldered by engineers, designers and programmers alone. Companies and legislators share the responsibility.

But the people who are designing, testing and fine-tuning this technology are the public’s first line of defense. We believe educational programs owe it to them –and the rest of us – to take this training seriously.

Elana Goldenkoff and Erin A. Cech, University of Michigan

EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS A Digital Transformation Consultant of Bahamian descent residing overseas, with a keen aspiration to witness the flourishing of my homeland, allow me to commence with the first of several letters. These missives will centre on individuals addressing the promising resurgence of the Bahamian Economy, highlighting the pivotal role of Grand Bahama in this revitalization.

Rupert Hayward’s recent presentation at the Grand Bahama Business Outlook offered a refreshingly candid assessment of Freeport’s current state and a pragmatic roadmap for its economic revival. His insights demand the attention of all stakeholders vested in the city’s success.

While nearly $2 billion in investments are poised to begin the reinvigoration of Freeport’s economy, Hayward rightly cautioned against complacency. He envisions a far grander potential, where the city could attract a staggering $100 billion in investments with the right strategies in place.

However, this ambitious goal necessitates an honest reckoning with past missteps and a willingness to implement fundamental changes.

Hayward outlined four crucial pillars for

sustained prosperity: close cooperation among all stakeholders, including the Bahamas Government and the Grand Bahama Port Authority; transforming the Port Authority into a world-class entity; updating Freeport’s regulatory framework to enhance global competitiveness; and integrating climate resilience into the island’s economic model. Of these pillars, the collaborative partnership between the Government and the Port Authority stands as the most critical. For too long, their divergent agendas have erected formidable obstacles to investment and entrepreneurship, breeding unnecessary bureaucracy and compounding tax burdens. This adversarial dynamic has effectively stifled Freeport’s ease of doing business, undermining its ability to compete with other free trade zones worldwide.

Hayward’s clarion call for genuine cooperation between these two entities is spot on. Freeport’s progress, and by extension, the prosperity of its people, hinges on the Government and the Port Authority’s commitment

to work hand in hand, fostering an environment conducive to international capital investment.

I commend Hayward, a proud Bahamian and an even prouder son of Grand Bahama, for his visionary leadership and earnestly hope that his recommendations – and the example he set – will resonate with all key stakeholders shaping the island’s future.

In this vein, I was heartened to see Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey recently unveiling the ‘Coming Home’ initiative, designed to reverse brain drain and cultivate a “critical mass” of Bahamians living and working on the island. This aligns with Hayward’s emphasis on this concept, signaling the government’s alignment with his vision.

For the first time in many years, I have begun to harbour genuine hope for Freeport and by extension Grand Bahama’s future, but only if the critical players heed Hayward’s warning and seize this golden opportunity through collaborative efforts.

Will they rise to the occasion, or squander yet another chance at revitalisation?

A JOHNSON, II

Grand Bahama. March 19,

WOMEN wait to cast their votes during the first round of voting of India’s national election in Behror, Rajasthan state, India, Friday. Nearly 970 million voters will elect 543 members for the lower house of Parliament for five years, during staggered elections that will run until June 1.

Photo: Manish Swarup/AP

PINDER: TOURISM NUMBERS NEAR

PRE-DORIAN LEVELS IN ABACO

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

CENTRAL and South Abaco MP John Pinder said tourism on the island is nearing pre-Dorian levels, with the first two months of 2024 up 13 per cent from last year. “Abaco’s numbers from last year show that we have a significant investment almost to 2019 levels,” Mr Pinder said.

“And in terms of stopover visitors not including cruises, we don’t have many cruises in Abaco but in terms of stop-over visitors we’re number two in the country.” With the second busiest airport in the country, Mr Pinder said the economy has also benefitted from the tourism boom.

“You’ll see it everywhere, you’ll see new businesses opening, you’ll see help wanted signs everywhere.”

“Unfortunately after Dorian, after we have been taken off the map there had been misconceptions of Abaco coming back, but, what I have been doing is driving for over two years and putting Abaco back on the map and showing them that our facilities are being rebuilt back to a better level than they were before.” Mr Pinder said the yachting industry is also exceeding pre-Dorian numbers with expectations of an uptick during the island’s peak summer season.

Despite the negative publicity given the travel advisory issued by the United States in January, tourism numbers remain strong. Tourism Minister Chester Cooper previously said the January hotel occupancy rate was 76.8 percent and air arrivals were up by 13.3 percent overall.

While acknowledging rebuilding efforts, Mr Pinder said: “Well Abaco has always been a beautiful place.

MAN ACCUSED OF INJURING EX-GIRLFRIEND GRANTED BAIL

A 44-YEAR-OLD man was granted $1,500 bail on Friday after he allegedly injured his ex-girlfriend last month. Phillip McPhee Jr appeared before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, in shackles Friday accused of grievous harm. Police alleged that he injured his ex-girlfiend – an employee at the Office of the Prime Minister - during a fight on March 17 in New Providence. However, the defendant denied the offence during Friday’s hearing. He was granted bail at $1,500 with one suretor and the matter was adjourned to June 3 for trial. Glendon Rolle and Terrel Butler represented the accused.

CANADIAN MAN ACCUSED OF INJURING MAN GRANTED BAIL

A CANADIAN man who denied injuring a man earlier this year was granted bail ahead of his trial. Philippe Gagnon, 55, appeared in court Friday accused of causing harm to Spencer Charrington on January 1. He denied the allegation during his hearing before Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr and his case was adjourned to June 3 for trial. In the meantime, Gagnon was released on $1,500 bail.

AMERICAN MAN FINED $1,000 FOR HAVING NINE GRAMS OF HEROIN

AN American man was fined $1,000 in the Magistrate’s Court Friday after admitting to having nine grams of heroin in his possession.

Jordan Smith, 34, from Indiana, was arrested on Thursday after police found the drugs on him at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. After Smith pleaded guilty to the offence, he was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 or risk three months behind bars.

NCP Donates $2m to Agriculture towards food security projects

THE Nassau Cruise Port has donated $1.95m towards food security projects by the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources.

Cruise port CEO Mike Maura made the donation at the ministry’s offices recently, with minister Jomo Campbell in attendance, along with Minister of Labour Pia Glover-Rolle, and Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell. Mr Maura listened to presentations, including for a poultry programme for schools, a chicken broiler production programme, the redevelopment of the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market and an authentic Bahamian cultural concept store. Mr Maura said: “I had the privilege to listen to the presentations and review presentations that touched on food security and the need for us to be self-sufficient, which, as a Bahamian, I support completely. At the Nassau Cruise Port, we get excited about the prospects of offering more authentic food to the millions of visitors that we have each year.

“And then, in addition to that, we had presentations around the further development of our artisans, which is so important to us as well. The guests visiting

our shores are looking for something that really touches The Bahamas and can’t be found somewhere else. The Nassau Cruise Port has made a pledge to BAIC and its affiliates. We will be supporting the projects that were presented and we can’t wait to get started.”

Ms Glover-Rolle praised Nassau Cruise Port as a “great community partner”. The Golden Gates MP said: “Our Minister of Agriculture has a goal of reducing food imports by 25 per cent by the year 2025 and our project in the Golden Gates community speaks to that. “We have a number of backyard farmers, farmers and fishers in our community in Golden Gates. Being able to use the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market, which is going to be dubbed the ‘Fish Fry of the South,’ as a hub for food security, but also a hub where artisans and handicraft persons can come and sell their wares is wonderful. So, we are happy that you have agreed to partner with us and we look forward to a partnership and we hope to welcome some of your visitors when this amazing renovation is done.”

CENTRAL AND SOUTH ABACO MP JOHN PINDER

Earth Day 2024, another squandered opportunity

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

EVERY year, on April 22, the world marks Earth Day – to some extent or another.

The day is a US creation – way back in 1970 organisers wanted to throw a spotlight on the environmental problems facing the country. It has expanded far and beyond since.

Here in The Bahamas, you would be forgiven if you had not noticed much about the day.

To be fair, there are efforts each year on the part of non-governmental organisations, particularly. This weekend, the Bahamas National Trust set about publicising the opportunity for Bahamians to explore our national parks for free, while various other groups held activities such as litter picks and so on.

But as an event itself, it seems that Earth Day is just like one of those many other national or international days that come and go with little to actually show for them.

I can be fond of National Pi Day, for example, on March 14 (3.14) but I’m sure not many of you went out of your way to sit down to play on National Scrabble Day on April 14. There are plenty of other so-called national holidays of equal merit, or lack thereof.

Of course, then there are substantial ones too – such as International Women’s Day last month, which was marked here in The Bahamas by the usual speeches and press releases about how important women are and how we must celebrate them.

Since then, we have seen the prime minister obfuscating about the issue of marital rape, saying that yes, “rape is rape” but then seeming to act confused about why we would need to describe rape, as if the law does not actually do that already (the words “who is not his spouse” being the description that stops raped wives being able to get justice). Then there is the thunderous lack of action on building shelters – note the plural – for abused women.

‘But just as with International Women’s Day, don’t expect us to listen to fne words and then watch as there is zero action.’

Back in July last year, Social Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe was talking about the first of four shelters being weeks away. None of those have been built and the government is apparently still in negotiations over the first one. Clearly, it has not been a priority.

Nor has legislation to give women the same rights as men when it comes to citizenship. Despite the government frequently being asked about such a move, it seems to be eternally being kicked down the road, women’s rights less important to this government than its sparring match with the Grand Bahama Port Authority, said to be hugely important, but not important enough to show the public the report on which its $357m demand is based.

So, accepting that so much that is said on these national or international days is nothing more than lip service, we can note that barely anything has been said about Earth Day or its build-up by this administration, and accept that even less will be done – if it is possible to have less than zero. But should that be the

case? After all, our leader, Philip “Brave” Davis, has made climate change and the environment his calling card. Internationally, he came to prominence with his speech about how “we cannot out-run your carbon emissions; we cannot outrun the hurricanes which are becoming more powerful; and we cannot out-run the rising sea levels as our islands disappear beneath the seas”.

Mr Davis became the face – for a while – of the fight against climate change, a figurehead for smaller nations holding larger nations to account.

In that sense, Earth Day should be a chance to reiterate such demands, and of showcasing what we are doing to play our part.

The trouble is, we do not seem to be doing much.

The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Planet vs Plastics – and for a nation that has such a large amount of sea, and the sea life that can be harmed by plastics, we do surprisingly little to deal with the problem.

Legislation was brought in to get rid of single-use plastics, sure, but how often do we still see people toting their food with their plastic

fork? Few of us bother to try to separate out plastics from other garbage – because there is no real effort to separate those nationally when garbage is collected. Recycling is not even an afterthought for most. For those of us who have lived elsewhere, such separation of items into different garbage bins has become second nature, to the point where it feels strange and wrong putting it all into one bin here at home.

It is not that people don’t want to help, either. Again, for those of us who have lived overseas, one thing that is welcome here at home is the number of people and organisations who actually do their part in trying to clean up our environment. This weekend, there will have been litter picks and beach clean-ups as part of Earth Day events – but it is not as if that is an uncommon occurrence. Quite regularly, we see volunteers working to clear up our beaches and roads –although, admittedly, there are plenty of others in our country happy to toss their garbage onto the tarmac and sand for others to clean up afterwards.

If we were to truly embrace Earth Day, including and perhaps especially politically, it could play a signature part in our campaign to call other nations to account for climate change. Earth Day could be the day we lay legislation to tackle issues to show we are serious. Instead, I will bet you will barely hear a whimper from our Environment Minister, let alone a rallying cry. Quick test – what meaningful contribution on environment issues can you remember the minister offering?

I was reading recently about Songkran – the water festival in Thailand which sees pretty much the whole nation marking the end of the rice festival and the new year by a countrywide water fight. It lasts for days, with people using squirt guns and water buckets to splash one another.

Internationally, it draws headlines – and visitors –and also draws the nation together. Could we draw ourselves together by standing united on Earth Day? To make it have meaning. To become a symbol of how we wish to lead the way

on environment issues. On holding up The Bahamas as a shining example of the best that we can be?

To show the world why our clear seas matter, or why our lands should be clean, our beaches perfect, our efforts to improve the environment at the heart of our national being?

We could set the agenda on renewable energy. We could be world-leading on recycling. We could. But we are not even at the starting line on such issues let alone leading the field.

So this Earth Day, as you read whatever press releases are put out, whatever words officials say, make a note to come back to the issue in a month’s time and see if anything has happened since, or whether it was just words for the sake of saying words.

We could do more. We could set our sights on the next Earth Day and really embrace it. We won’t.

But just as with International Women’s Day, don’t expect us to listen to fine words and then watch as there is zero action. We can see through that. And with an election starting to appear on the distant horizon, don’t get us used to seeing through you.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaks at the COP27 UN Climate Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in 2022. Photo: Peter Dejong/AP

Conversation and compromise:

Elevating the youth voice in climate action

ASHAWNTÉ Russell, a biology major with a minor in chemistry at University of The Bahamas (UB), is painfully aware that The Bahamas is under threat and her recent year-long service in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) reinforced that certainty. It also opened doors for the youth voice – hers included – to be elevated in national and global conversations about climate change. “We have a beautiful country, we have an amazing country, but our country is threatened by something bigger than us,” says Ashawnté, who recently concluded her term as one of two Bahamas Climate Youth Ambassadors in the OPM’s Climate Change and Environmental Advisory Unit.

Saddened by Hurricane Dorian’s impact on The Bahamas and the world in 2019, she was inspired to act and has become an advocate for climate resilience and justice. Ashawnté has been involved in some of the most high-profile conversations related to climate change. She was present for the last two United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27 and COP28). She also served as a delegate for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)-Youth4Climate Conference in Milan, Italy.

During 2023, she and her colleague, Climate Youth Ambassador Stephen Hunter II, worked diligently to shape and lead initiatives, programmes, and other crucial discussions. When the US Secretary of the

GAIN AN EDGE

Navy (SecNav) Carlos Del Toro visited The Bahamas in March 2023, she moderated a conversation with him held at UB. “I’ve learnt that through collaboration,

transparency, and passion, you can actually get a lot of things done,” says Ashawnté. “And it’s one thing to hear this so much and to say this so much, but to actually be able to see it, to carry it out, to

embody it, it’s a whole different experience.

“Serving as a youth climate ambassador, I was able to not just act as a bridge between two different generations in the space of climate activism

and environmental justice, but I also was able to act as the conduit for change. And in doing so, I learnt so much more from individuals and was able to give back in the same way.”

As the world’s leaders and biggest players prepare for COP29 in November, Ashawnté is hoping to see meaningful progress when she attends. Until then, her work continues. She serves as the NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) Project Youth Ambassador for Care About Climate for The Bahamas and EarthDay.org My Future My Voice Youth Ambassador for The Bahamas, as well as the Caribbean Front Coordinator for the World’s Youth for Climate Justice. “If there is one thing

that I could change, it would be the relationship that we in the global space have towards each other with us being accountable, responsible, and transparent with each other,” she says. “Because if we can bypass this proverbial bump we’ve been knocking into for decades, we would come to realise that a lot of the world’s problems could actually be solved with a conversation and the willingness to compromise.”

“Gain An Edge” is a collaboration of Lyford Cay Foundations, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) and University of The Bahamas (UB) aimed at promoting a national dialogue on issues surrounding education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia. net.

ASHAWNTÉ RUSSELL, Climate Resilience and Justice Advocate, UB biology with minor in chemistry major.

The vanishing sun

THE recent solar eclipse lasted just four minutes. During those four minutes, many parts of the world were cast into total darkness and, collectively, we were all reminded of the awe and mystery of this planet. In those moments, I couldn’t help but wonder what our ancestors thought of such a phenomenon. One can safely assume they didn’t have safety eyewear to protect their confused gazes as the day’s light suddenly disappeared without explanation. They also didn’t have the comfort of knowing that the acute darkness was fleeting. So, while four minutes for us felt short and we wished it could last longer. For them it must have been terrifyingly long. We do not often stop to think about how far we have come in our ability to spread a message like why the sun has vanished.

In the early 1900s, there was no way for anyone to broadcast what was happening. Neighbours likely congregated and speculated amongst themselves over the causes. The telephone hadn’t been invented; a heartbreaking scenario for a wife and mother whose husband and kids were not at home. Then when the eclipse was over and all seemed well, I’d imagine that for months on end, it replaced all manner of typical gossip fodder and became the prevailing topic of conversation. But after the vanishing sun re-emerged and the world didn’t end, how many people took that opportunity to change their lives for the better? Every new year across the world, resolutions are made and goals set for some form of life improvement, but few who make them stay the course.

Old habits are not easily broken but since fear is a great motivator, I think it’s safe to assume that watching the sky turn black in the middle of the day made at least some of our ancestors more appreciative of life. Thinking you may die at any moment can do that.

And yet, I see so many patients on a daily basis who face burgeoning health challenges but refuse to address the reason why they became sick. The younger the patient, the more hubris in expecting to defy the odds and escape death; a sense of immortality is the right of the young who ignore the reality of the obituaries. With age comes wisdom and although he’s just 38, Aristotle, the patient featured in today’s story, has gained a lot of wisdom through life experience that he’d like to share. Just as our ancestors were likely changed by the experience of seeing the sun vanish,

Aristotle will never forget the fateful night two years ago that changed his life forever. Aristotle (his real name) was born in 1985 in West Palm Beach, Florida, to a white mother and black father who was already well into his fifth decade. Both of them were ill-prepared to care for another child and at two weeks of age, Aristotle’s father gave him to his younger brother, who lived in The Bahamas and already had seven children of his own. He was still more than happy to open his home and heart to another child. For Aristotle, it was his saving grace. The family lived on Kemp Road and he recalls his youth being filled with a lot of laughter, playing with his cousins (who he refers to as his brothers and sisters) and fishing in Abaco during summer breaks. Though genetically biracial, he was the only white-looking child in the neighbourhood. While his complexion made him stand out, he always felt like he was amongst family. After high school, Aristotle went to Canada to study marine engineering and he ended up in the maritime field working on small yachts and giving charter tours. It was a simple and happy life and his future was filled with countless possibilities until Christmas night, December 2021. He was walking home from work and ran into a man (hereafter referred to as Damien) who he’d seen many times before in their neighbourhood.

Damien asked Aristotle for some money. When Aristotle refused, Damien became agitated, that agitation growing as seconds, then moments, passed, until it turned to panic and desperation. Aristotle tried to walk away. Enraged, and without warning, Damien took out a knife and stabbed Aristotle at the back of his neck. The force of that initial blow was so powerful that Aristotle fell to his knees. A shockwave of pain exploded within Aristotle’s head and neck before descending towards his lower torso. Aristotle was frozen and laid in shock as Damien stabbed him repeatedly in his back yelling and screaming with each hammered strike before running away under the cover of darkness. It was 11pm, Christmas night, so the street was completely empty and remained that way until morning. Aristotle laid

there choking on his blood as tears rolled from one eye and into the other. He couldn’t feel any pain and that worried him more than anything. Clinging to the hope that someone would soon find him, he stayed awake for about an hour before losing consciousness. It wasn’t until 7am the following morning that police sojourned the side road where his body lay and found his bloodied body barely clinging to life.

Aristotle regained consciousness one month later in the intensive care unit at Princess Margaret Hospital and he spent another year on the ward of the hospital recovering from his injuries. For the first six months following his attack, he was completely paralyzed from the neck down but shortly thereafter, through prayer and hard work, he regained movement in his upper body. From then until now, he’s seen no progress in his lower body. Aristotle admits that the hardest adjustment following his attack was the loss of his independence. He has at last learned to feed himself and use the restroom, major accomplishments. He prays that someday he’ll be able to walk.

As soon as Aristotle regained consciousness he told police who stabbed him, but with no proof, Damien was never charged and is free today roaming the same neighbourhood. Aristotle says that he hasn’t seen him since that night of the attack and even if he did, he’s not sure what he’d say to him. His take home message to everyone else is to take advantage of everyday because anything can happen. He also reminds us to be careful of the people around you and to always be on guard when walking alone.

Aristotle plans to get a second opinion when funds allow with a specialist abroad who may have had more cases similar to his and can recommend a course of rehab and treatment that will allow him to walk once more. His support system is in full effect and he is incredibly grateful for his adopted mother (aunt) and all his siblings (cousins). Unfortunately, his uncle (adopted father) died a few years ago as did his biological parents and his two biological siblings who lived in the US.

and Earth and in a rare moment of cosmic grandeur, day is turned into night. If nothing else, it reminds us all that there is still so much that we don’t know or understand about our planet and human existence and provides an opportunity for us all to reflect on our lives. Because when

This is The KDK Report.

Nicknamed ‘The Prince of Podiatry’, Dr Kenneth D Kemp is the founder and medical director of Bahamas Foot and Ankle located in Caves Village, Western New Providence. He served as the deputy chairman for the Health Council for five years and he currently sits on the board of directors for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation in his role as co-vice-chairman.

the sun vanishes, there is never a guarantee that it will return. Similarly, no day is promised and when we wake up each morning, there is no guarantee that we will live to see nightfall. When asked how he’s doing, Aristotle responds that he is very grateful to be alive. This chapter of his life is still being written and miracles happen every day. Everyone has moments of darkness he says, but always remember that through God’s love and grace, solar eclipses don’t last and even without any guarantees, he remains hopeful that in time the sun will shine again.

THE MOON covers the sun during a total solar eclipse, as seen from Eagle Pass, Texas, Monday, April 8, 2024. Photo: Eric Gay/AP

By DR KENNETH D KEMP

Is Ecuador’s expulsion from the UN really the answer to the diplomatic crisis with Mexico?

THE Mexican government has taken the significant step of asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to “suspend Ecuador as member of the United Nations” and also to “initiate the process of expulsion under article 6 of the United Nations Charter”.

Mexico took this action in response to the forced entry by Ecuadorian police into its embassy in Quito on April 5. Acting under direct orders from the Ecuadorian government, the police sought to arrest Jorge Glas, a former Vice President who had been granted refuge in the embassy.

Many in the diplomatic community, including myself, strongly supported Mexico in condemning Ecuador’s incursion into the Mexican Embassy. We also empathised with Mexico’s decision on April 6 to sever diplomatic relations over the ‘flagrant and serious violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, specifically, the violations pertaining to the principle of inviolability of Mexico’s diplomatic premises and personnel, along with the basic rules of international coexistence. That strong collective response underscored the gravity of the breach of such a fundamental international norm. At the very least, the Ecuadorian government should have apologized for its breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and customary international law. As my colleague and friend Héctor Arce Zaconeta, the Ambassador of Bolivia, emphasized in an article in La Razón on April 17, the normalization of such events could erode one of the fundamental pillars of international law: the absolute inviolability of diplomatic premises, thereby undermining the progress made in international law thus far.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Ecuador has not issued an apology. In the absence of such an acknowledgment, Mexico’s decision

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

to seek redress at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is justified. However, the proposal to expel Ecuador from the United Nations should be considered carefully. Such a drastic measure requires a mature approach, balancing the need for accountability with the broader implications for international relations.

Moving forward, a sincere apology from Ecuador for invading the Embassy would be a crucial first step in mending the fractured relations between the two countries. At the same time, the ancillary issue regarding the legality of the asylum granted by Mexico to Jorge Glas, the former Vice President of Ecuador, also needs to be tackled. The Ecuadorian government contests the legality of this asylum, citing an outstanding arrest warrant against Glas for ongoing corruption allegations.

This complex issue, entangled with claims of political persecution versus criminal evasion, should rightly be adjudicated by the ICJ. However, in its application to the ICJ to institute proceedings against Ecuador and its request for provisional measures, Mexico is asking the Court, “to suspend Ecuador as a member of the United Nations” until it issues a public apology recognizing its violations to the fundamental principles and norms of international law”.

The Government of Ecuador should spare itself and the Court the agony of examining this matter by issuing an apology for the invasion of the Embassy. It would be the right thing to do and would go a far way in easing the tension between the two countries and setting the pathway to normalising

their relations.

In its submission, Mexico is also asking the ICJ “to set a precedent stating that a State or nation that acts as Ecuador did in the present case will ultimately be expelled from the United Nations in accordance with the procedure foreseen under Article 6 of the United Nations Charter”.

It would be truly regrettable if the dispute between Mexico and Ecuador intensified to such an extent, particularly as Article 6 states: “A Member of the United Nations which has persistently violated the Principles contained in the present Charter may be expelled from the Organization by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.” The Article clearly envisaged that the decision to expel a member state would be a political decision residing first in a recommendation of the Security Council and a vote by the General Assembly, based on “persistent violations of the UN Charter”.

It is difficult to imagine the ICJ abrogating to itself an authority that the UN Charter gives only to the member states, particularly as the incident of invading the Mexican Embassy, while wholly egregious and unacceptable, has not happened in Ecuador before and is hardly a “persistent violation” of the UN Charter; it is more a demonstration of a badly considered political decision, which could be remedied by an appropriate apology and reparation for any damage done to the Embassy. The Court will hold hearings on April 30 and May 1 to consider Mexico’s request for provisional measures

POLICE leave the prison, Centro de Privacion de Libertad Zonal 8, after returning former Vice President Jorge Glas to the prison after he was temporarily discharged to be attended at a hospital, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Police broke into Mexico’s embassy in Ecuador on April 5 to arrest Glas, a convicted criminal and fugitive who had been living there since December.

Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. The views expressed are entirely his own).

against Ecuador pending a final judgment in the case. There is still time for Ecuador to step forward with an apology and for both nations to seek the Court’s arbitration, concerning the status of Jorge Glas and the validity of granting him political asylum. It is notable that Mexico and Ecuador have no history of hostilities or tensions prior to this incident. There is every basis for a mature approach to resolving this matter if Ecuador accepts responsibility and apologises for the invasion of the Mexican Embassy, and the two governments seek legal arbitration concerning their differing interpretations of the law concerning political asylum. Within the international community, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean need inclusivity and unity of purpose to advance their collective interests. All should work to help Ecuador and Mexico to resolve this issue in the collective interest of the peoples of the area.

Photo: Cesar Munoz/AP

Govt ‘concern’ over odour after complaints in GB

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip Davis said his administration is concerned about nuisance odours from the industrial park that are impacting nearby residential communities in Grand Bahama.

He said that the Ministry of Environment is

investigating the recent incident and complaints by residents in Pinder’s Point over the weekend. “We are concerned about any issue which impacts our environment, and I know that the Ministry of Environment they are looking into the matter,” he told reporters on Thursday in Grand Bahama.

Mr Davis said that some time ago that a previous

PLP administration had met with Buckeye to address the matter.

“Sensors were put in strategic locations to monitor the quality of the air, and that was one solution we arrived at that time,” he added.

“What has happened since then, and only in recent times, we are hearing what I call a new outcry with respect to the odours.

But I do know, yes, in the past, there were these concerns.” Pinder’s Point residents have complained of headaches, nausea, eye, skin, nose and throat, and respiratory irritations. Students and teachers of Lewis Yard Primary School were relocated to the St Vincent de Paul campus following complaints of odours.

Kim Pratt, manager of

government relations at Buckeye, said strong winds might spread odours to neighboring communities.

However, she claimed that the odour is not toxic, and monitors have been installed to test the area’s air quality.

Lowell Pinder, a resident in the area, reported that several residents went to hospital after they began feeling sick late Saturday

evening. He said residents want Buckeye to cease its operations until alleged issues at the plant can be resolved. Concerns over emissions have been an ongoing problem for many years in Pinder’s Point and surrounding areas near the industrial sector. Environmental groups have previously agitated for the relocation of residents.

IHOP CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY WITH FUN DAY

FOAM TO HELP JOB SEEKERS EXPUNGE RECORDS AT JOB FAIR

FAMILIES Of All Murder Victims (FOAM) organisation is empowering the community one step at a time, by hosting a job fair inclusive of legal assistance to expunge minor infractions from people’s police records, free legal and immigration consultation, along with other services geared towards gainful employment. The event will be held on May 11 at RM Bailey Park 11am-4pm under the theme “Empowering You for the Future.” Khandi Gibson, founder and president of FOAM said on Friday there is a large number of people who are seeking employment

but don’t have the necessary resources to apply for a job or be qualified. Ms Gibson highlighted some individuals are unemployed because they’re unable to get a minor infraction expunged from their police record, leaving them in a vulnerable state. However, she said Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe along with officials from the expunge record team are expected to offer assistance at the fair. Several attorneys will also facilitate legal advice to those who may be having troubles but can’t afford to hire a legal professional.

Additionally, Job seekers will be able to apply for jobs on the spot with the

various businesses who’ve partnered up with FOAM for the event. These businesses include Island Luck, Aetos Holding Limited, and AML Foods Limited. The National Training Agency and National Health Insurance (NHI) will also provide services. In terms of health, there will be a free health screening.

Other free services offered are creating resumes, signing of passports, and pictures. Ms Gibson urged the public to take advantage of the number of free services. “Come on down your life will never be the same. Because FOAM cares we want you to be there,” she said.

IHOP Bahamas celebrated its 1 year anniversay on April 4, then held a family fun day on Saturday, April 6. The fun day included music, free and discounted food, special giveaways, Junkanoo, and entertainment for kids. There was a clown, IHOP dolls, a stilt walker, and face painting.

10 years of an undersea kingdom EARTH DAY 2024

THE Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden and Coral Nursery (CRSG) - a testament to a decade of unwavering commitment to marine conservation and environmental stewardship.

Established in 2014, BREEF says the garden stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, embodying the intersection of art, education, and conservation.

tall and weighing 60 tonnes.

Ocean Atlas depicts a Bahamian girl holding the future of the ocean on her shoulders, and symbolises a call to protect our oceans for future generations.

These sculptures pay homage to both the natural beauty and cultural heritage of The Bahamas.

in the water column, and these fragments are later outplanted on adjacent reefs to restore diversity and structural complexity.

Conceived as a living art gallery and underwater classroom, the CRSG has flourished into a thriving ecosystem, fostering the growth of coral, fish, and invertebrates while serving as a vital educational resource for both locals and visitors.

The brainchild of Bahamian artist Willicey Tynes, the CRSG was brought to life through a collaboration with renowned sculptors Jason DeCaires Taylor and Andret John.

Three breathtaking sculptures — Ocean Atlas (Taylor), Virtuoso Man (Tynes), and Lucayan Face (John) — now grace the ocean floor, alongside 66 reef balls, each providing structure to help sustain the rich biodiversity of the area. At the heart of the CRSG stands Ocean Atlas, the largest underwater statue in the world, 18 feet

In addition to installing the sculptures in 2014, in 2015 BREEF installed coral propagation units within the garden, and has been growing corals in an underwater coral nursery at the site ever since. This coral nursery serves as a flagship site for coral propagation and restoration that has been replicated around the country. Endangered staghorn coral is grown suspended

Coral reefs are vital underwater ecosystems that provide food and shelter to an incredible diversity of marine life including key species such as the Nassau grouper, queen conch, and spiny lobster.

Coral reefs are also the nation’s first line of defence against storms and hurricanes, breaking up to 97 percent of wave energy before it reaches land.

Coral reefs in The Bahamas and around the world are facing catastrophic bleaching due to warming waters from climate change.

In addition to coral bleaching, coral reefs are also impacted by pollution from land and physical damage from boat anchors and ship groundings, especially in heavily trafficked areas such as around Western New Providence.

The CRSG is located in the waters off Clifton Heritage Park and within Southwest Marine Managed Area and it is intended to serve as a sanctuary for marine life, and a beacon of hope for coral restoration initiatives.

As BREEF celebrates this significant milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to promoting the conservation of the Bahamian marine environment for future generations. The CRSG stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity, and conservation in safeguarding our precious marine ecosystems.

Join BREEF in celebrating Earth Day and the ten-year anniversary of the Coral Reef Sculpture Garden by visiting breef. org to learn more about how you can contribute to ocean conservation efforts.

BLEACHED coral during last summer’s underwater heatwave.

THE VIRTUOSO Man sculpture and, top, eaglerays swim past Ocean Atlas.

Måkïñg åñ ïmpåçt

OPENING to guests in

June 2024, Disney Cruise Line’s all-new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point celebrates the rich culture and natural beauty of The Bahamas, with signature Disney entertainment, local port adventures, nature trails and more.

In celebration of Earth Day, the cruise line shared an inside look at some of the impressive conservation and sustainability work it’s doing to continue Disney’s long-standing commitment to protecting the natural beauty of The Bahamas.

Sustainable Design

Disney Cruise Line has developed less than 16 percent of the site, leaving the overwhelming majority of land in its natural state. For the areas Disney developed, the company focused on sustainable design and building practices like elevated walkways that reduce impacts to the natural environment; other details like the placement of the beach chairs were thoughtfully considered to not impact natural sand dunes.

An innovative, opentrestle pier extends to deep water and did not require dredging a ship channel. The location of the pier was based on a scientific assessment to avoid areas where coral reefs were present, and viable corals within the pier’s footprint were expertly relocated to improve the health of coral reefs in the area. Disney has also committed to sending zero waste to landfill, and 90% of the destination’s energy demand will be from renewable sources.

Wildlife Conservation

The island destination is

from the shores of Stokes Beach, Sandyport Beach, Cabbage Beach, Yamacraw Beach, Montague Beach, Saunders Beach, Caves Beach, South Beach, Coral

Harbour, and Arawak Cay Beach.

Ariannah Wells, project manager, said: “We are overwhelmed by the response and dedication of our participants. The success of this event reaffirms our belief in the power of community action

“The Beachlink Project is committed to ongoing projects and initiatives that will continue to benefit New Providence and its residents, but also we’re super excited about the opportunity to expand into a national initiative. We extend a heartfelt thanks to all participants, partners, and supporters who made this event a resounding success. We look forward to the positive impact we can create together in the future.”

The Beachlink Project thanked corporate and community partners

The Bahamas Red Cross, Asurewin, The Newball Foundation, The Organization for Responsible Governance, Flo Bahamas, Sustainable Me, Rise Bahamas, The Bahamas Conservation Connection, RS Trucking, Bellewood by Design, and Soul and Soil.

full of unique native animal and plant species, and Disney’s team of conservation experts have been working for many years to help create a cruise destination where nature can continue to thrive. This work began with one of the most comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) ever conducted in The Bahamas to ensure the development and operation of the island destination would not result in loss of terrestrial or marine biodiversity. Disney’s team of Bahamian wildlife experts continues to implement a variety of long-standing conservation initiatives like coral restoration projects, bird tagging programs, native plant preservation and more.

Community Involvement

For the past 25 years, the Disney Conservation Fund has provided more than 80 grants to nonprofit

SCENES from Saturday’s Beachlink Project cleanups.

EARTH DAY 2024

Young reporters focus on the environment

THE Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) has announced Dejae Woods, 19, from the University of the Bahamas is the first-place winner of its 2024 Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) National Competition. The winning photo entry “Confronting the Devastating Effects of Marine Pollution in The Bahamas“ focused on marine pollution. Ms Woods, highlighted the socioeconomic consequences of marine pollution.

Things to Come”, which looked at destruction of natural ecosystems such as mangrove wetlands under the ‘Loss of Biodiversity’ theme.

“Marine pollution diminishes the visual appeal of beaches and coastal areas, deterring visitors and impact ing local economies heavily reliant on tourism revenue,” she wrote. Ms. Woods will receive a laptop and a Bahamas Under water book gifted by BREEF to support and inspire her future in environmental reporting.

CR Walker student Shania Higgs, 16, won the second place prize, a cell phone and a Bahamas Underwater book for her photo, “The Shape of

In third place, the climate change campaign video “For Our Islands, For Our Planet: Voices of The Bahamas” by Lauren Scriven, 16, looked at strong hurricanes and sea level rise in The Bahamas. She wins an underwater camera and a Bahamas Underwater book. These three winners will now represent The Bahamas in the 2024 Young Reporters for the Environment International Competition hosted by the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE).

Crystal Darling-Sargent, national operator for the young reporters for the environment, said: “The YRE programme supports youth who are passionate about the environment to give nature a voice in such a fun and creative way.

“The YRE National Competition is a key part of the programme, however, throughout the year students can engage with nature and feel inspired to share what they have learned as they enhance their storytelling skills through this initiative.”

Ms Woods said: “My motivation to protect nature stems from a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. I recognise that the health of our planet directly impacts our well-being and the survival of countless species.”

The Young Reporters for the Environment programme was launched in The Bahamas with the support of Moore Bahamas Foundation, The Builders Initiative and Primat Foundation. To learn more, visit www. breef.org.

A PHOTO by Shania Higgs titled The Shape of Things to Come.

LAUREN SCRIVEN

EARTH DAY 2024

Joining forces with the world

THE Bahamas Mangrove Alliance (BMA) has announced its affiliation with the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) - as well as welcoming Friends of the Environment and Cape Eleuthera Institute at The Island School into its fold.

Founded on Earth Day 2023 by Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT), Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS), and Waterkeepers Bahamas (WKB), the BMA is dedicated to championing mangrove conservation and restoration across The Bahamas. Mangrove forests are vital ecosystems, serving as natural buffers against coastal erosion, providing habitats for diverse marine life, and playing a pivotal role in carbon sequestration.

The GMA, established at the World Ocean Summit in 2018, fosters collaboration among NGOs, governments, scientists, industry, local communities, and funders to conserve and restore mangrove ecosystems worldwide. Jim McDuffie, president of BTT, said: “The BMA is pleased to join the community of organisations and other partners working to restore and conserve mangroves around the world. Our participation in the GMA is pivotal in amplifying our collective impact on mangrove conservation efforts. Together, we can leverage our resources, expertise, and networks to safeguard these critical ecosystems for future generations.”

Dr Craig Dahlgren, executive director of PIMS, said:

“The partnership between the BMA and the GMA signifies a powerful commitment to preserving and restoring mangrove ecosystems. This collaboration will undoubtedly enhance our ability to address the multifaceted challenges facing mangroves and foster sustainable solutions.”

Welcoming the BMA into the GMA, Emily Landis, climate and ocean director at The Nature Conservancy and a member of the GMA steering committee, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the BMA into our global network as our newest national chapter. “Their dedication to mangrove conservation aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are excited to collaborate with them to drive meaningful change.”

Rashema Ingraham, executive director of WKB, said: “The inclusion of Friends of the Environment and Cape Eleuthera further underscores the collaborative nature of the BMA. By uniting diverse organisations and stakeholders under a common goal, we can address the complex challenges facing mangrove habitats and work towards sustainable solutions. We look forward to working closely with our new members to advance our shared mission.”

“The Cape Eleuthera Institute at The Island School is proud to join forces with the BMA and the GMA in the fight for mangrove conservation”, said Dr Nicholas Higgs director of research and innovation. “As we face the urgent challenges of our

time, including climate change, preserving mangrove ecosystems is paramount. Together, we stand committed to protecting these vital habitats, ensuring a sustainable future for our planet and all who call it home.”

“We are happy to join forces with the BMA in their vital mission to conserve and restore mangrove ecosystems. With our ongoing mangrove outreach programs, it was a natural partnership to make,” said Friends of the Environment executive director Olivia Patterson-Maura. “Mangroves are integral to the health of

our coastal environment, and through collaboration with BMA and its partners, we are confident in our ability to make a meaningful difference in protecting these essential habitats.”

BMA mangrove restoration and community engagement activities are made possible with support from the Global Environment Facility, Small Grants Program, The Nature Conservancy, Builders Initiative and other funding partners.

YES Giants national basketball champions

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

CONGO TOWN, South Andros - It was quite a phenomenal week for the Your Essential Store (YES) Giants as they repeated as the division two champions of the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) National Round Robin Tournament in South Andros just a few days after successfully defending their division two title in the New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA).

The YES Giants closed out their tourney experience on Saturday night at the newly-built South Andros Gymnasium with a dominant win over the Harbour Island Panthers 100-53. The champions remained unbeaten in the tournament, winning all five of the games played.

Championship Game

The YES Giants came out the gate firing on all cylinders in the opening quarter of the championship game. They advanced 19-9 on the scoreboard with

less than 2:00 on the clock and proceeded to outscore the Panthers 23-11 going into the second period. The Panthers managed to hang around in the ball game until the YES Giants switched to a triangle-andtwo defence which stalled their offence. While the Panthers were struggling offensively, the champions were kicking it into high gear with Most Valuable Player (MVP) Brandon Strachan leading the way. He powered his way to a game-high 21 points complemented by 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. Strachan was one of four Giants to score in double digits in the contest. Anderias Black was also special for the Giants. He turned in a double-double performance of 14 points, 12 rebounds along with three steals.

With the team running like a well-oiled machine, the division two champions surged ahead by 20 (47-27) going into the locker rooms and never looked back.

YES Giants head coach Mark Hanna was proud to

THE SPORTS CALENDAR

BOXING RAY MINUS JR DAY

FAMILY and friends of the late Ray Minus Jr are scheduled to hold a Ray Minus Jr Day on Saturday. The event will kick off at 10am with a wreath laying at Minus Jr’s photo at the Walk of Fame on the outside of the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Then, starting at 6pm, in the National Boxing Gymnasium at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, the inaugural Ray Minus Jr Boxing Show is all set to take place. Tickets are priced at $20. For more information, persons can call 468-8916 or email raylaminus@gmail.com

REACH FUN/RUN WALK

Date: April 27

Time: 6am Registration Fee: $30 per person

April, 2024

Route: Beginning at Montagu Beach travelling west on Shirley Street, north on Church Street to Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge, east to Paradise Island Bridge, south to East Bay Street and east to return to Montagu Beach foreshore. The event is geared towards raising awareness for autism to close out Autism Awareness Month.

FAST TRACK INVITATIONAL FAST Track Athletics announced that its third annual Spring Invitational will take place over the weekend of May 10 and May 11 at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex. The entry fee will be $10 for adults

SEE PAGE 19

take home the hardware for a third consecutive year.

“We won three straight in Nassau and three straight in the nationals so it feels very good, especially after you work hard a whole year. We played some really good series in Nassau and that prepared us for this so we came over here mentally and physically ready. It was a very good tournament. We really enjoyed ourselves, hats off to the federation, they did a good job with this,” coach Hanna said.

After playing the Panthers earlier in the tournament, Hanna said the key to the championship win was exploiting their flaws.

“We played them earlier in this tournament and beat them by about 25 points. We found some flaws in their big man, he couldn’t shoot.

“We went with the triangle-and-two defence and pressured the guards and played zone with the big men and the

was over,” he said.

STEVEN GARDINER LEADING THE WAY

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AS quarter-miler Steven Gardiner led a host of Bahamians competing in the United States, hurdler Devynne Charlton and sprinter Anthonique Strachan were in action at the start of the Wanda Diamond League in Xiamen, China. At the Louisiana State University’s Gold Meet at the Bernie Moore Track Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Gardiner surged to the front of the pack in the men’s 400 metres in a sizzling time of 44.45, well off the 28-year-old Abaco native’s lifetime best of 43.49 to clinch the world title in 2019. In the process, he surpassed the qualifying standard of 45.00 for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, as he goes in as the defending champion from the last games in 2020 held in Tokyo, Japan.“It went pretty good. It was my season opener and my first 400 metres since I got injured,”

said Gardiner of the injury that he suffered at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where he didn’t finish his 400m semifinal race.

“I feel good about it, especially qualifying for the individual 400 metres at the Olympics again. It was a good day yesterday for me out there.” American Vernon Norwood was second in 44.94 and Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith was third in 45.00.

“I just went out there. My coach (Gary Evans) wanted me to see where I was in training,” Gardiner said. “The main focus was just to finish the race. I felt pretty good about it.”

game

CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE: The Your Essential Store (YES) Giants dominated the Harbour Island Panthers 100-53 en route to an easy championship victory at the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) National Round Robin Tournament.

Photos: Dominique Fernander/Bahamas Basketball Federation

MVP PERFORMANCE: Brandon Strachan, of the Your Essential Store Giants, was named the Championship MVP after amassing 21 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks against the Harbour Island Panthers.

The Giants dominated the rebound category with 67 compared to 48 by the Panthers. They scored 42 points from turnovers while the Panthers scored 15. The second unit also played a pivotal role, scoring 57 points compared to seven. Christopher Grant pitched in a team-high 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Panthers in the loss. Strachan, the Championship MVP, was all smiles as he expressed how it felt to take home the trophy.

“It feels good. We practiced every day and it feels good to win it with my team. For three years we have been together and put in the effort and hard work,” the MVP said. He was thankful to teammates for passing him the ball in the best spots.

Third place

The South Andros Defenders utilised the home crowd to their advantage in the third place game against the Mangrove Cay Sharks. The Defenders defended their home turf

with a resounding 87-51 victory over the Sharks. Aaron Rolle, head coach of the Defenders, is hoping to one day make it out of the third place position but, for now, the team will take the win. “We will take it. For the past 6-7 years we have not been able to get over this hump with third place. It is a learning experience but I am just happy that the guys showed some heart at the end of the tournament,” he said.

Six Defenders scored in double digits with Rickhinson Francis at the helm.

Francis gave the Sharks’ defence problems all night long as he turned in a gamehigh 22 points to pair with 10 rebounds. The Sharks had a slim two-point lead to put a lid on the opening period ahead 17-15. Both teams were locked 24 apiece late in the second quarter until Jeffrey Francis made an easy layup to put the Defenders ahead by two.

Francis picked up three points at the charity stripe

GAME ON: The division two teams battled for the crown at the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s (BBF) National Round Robin Tournament hosted at the newly built South Andros Gymnasium. The Your Essential Store (YES) Giants dominated the Harbour Island Panthers 100-53 en route to

Photos: Dominique Fernander/Bahamas Basketball Federation

Top swimmers making a splash

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

familiar territory for their local swim meets.

The swimmers got to make their first splash in a meet since the nine-month renovations to the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex for the hosting of the CARIFTA swim championships over the Easter holiday weekend.

McKenzie, a member of Mako Aquatics, posted a triple dose of victories in the girls’ 13-14 1,500m freestyle in 19 minutes and 52,43 seconds, the 800m free in 10:30.22 and the 400m free in 5:05.01.

The 13-year-old St

Anne’s eighth grader said the meet provided a rare opportunity to test her skills in the long-distance events and she took advantage of it.

“I wanted to try out the distance events. I think I did good, so I might just try it in the nationals (in June),” said McKenzie, who attained the qualifying standard for the Bahamas Aquatics’ National Open Championships in June in both the 800 and 400m.

As for the 1,500m, she said she was just thrilled to complete the gruelling lap race.

“It was painful, but I pushed through it,” said McKenzie, who competed in the event for the first time.

Isaacs, representing Alpha Aquatics, was victorious in the girls’ 13-14 100m free in 1:05.75 and was second in 1500 free in 19:54.57, 800m free in 10:34.09, 50 back in 35.61 and 400 free in 5:05.93, all behind McKenzie.

“I think I could have done better at CARIFTA, but overall my races in this meet went very well,” said Isaacs, a 13-year-old eighth grader at Windsor School. “I’m looking forward to continuing to improve on my performances the rest of the season.”

Both McKenzie and Isaacs were members of Team Bahamas, which won the CARIFTA title for the sixth consecutive year and were a part of the relay teams that earned medals to the overall tally. There was limited participation from the local clubs as some of the swimmers went to Florida to compete in a meet there. But across the board, there were some other performances of note.

Alpha Aquatics’ Skyler Smith, going undefeated in the girls’ 11-12 with six victories and team-mate Kaalen Ferguson, in the boys’ 11-12, winning four of his six events and getting second place in the other two and Michael Fox in the boys’ 15-17 with three victories, a pair of second place and a fourth.

Barracuda’s Madison Gilbert in the girls’ 13-14 division, splitting her six events with three victories

“I thought to myself, ‘should I stop on the last lap,’ but I decided to just push through it. I went through the last lap and when I finished, I touched the wall. Thank God I made it.”

and as many second place finishes; Kyana Higgs in the girls 15-17 division with three wins and a third place and Kieran Sealy with four victories, a second and a third in the boys’ 125-17 division.

Black Marlins’ Fraser Menzies in the boys 9-10 division with three victories and as many second places; Lyall Menzies in the boys 9-10 as well with four wins, a second and a third and Alanna Murray with a victory and five second places in the girls 15-17 division.

Blue Waves’ Zeni Dorsett with a first, second and third in the girls 8-andunder and Dylan Musgrove in the boys 9-10 with a pair of victories and a third place.

Lyford Cay Club was led by Katie Goulandris in the girls 15-17 division with two first, a second and a fourth place; Jaylah Threadgill in the girls 13-14 with two victories, three thirds and a fifth place.

Mako Aquatics’ Isabella Munrow with four victories

KIX Academy under-11s emerged as the winners of the under-11 division at the Renegades Champions Cup on Saturday, topping a division that included eight teams. Tyrell Ferguson Jr had three goals in the

MILWAUKEE (AP)

Mako’s coach Travano McPhee, who served as the head coach for Team Bahamas as they completed the unprecedented sixth straight championship victory at CARIFTA, concurred with Forbes.

“I know we focused a lot on our top swimmers, especially at CARIFTA, but it was good to see the younger swimmers get back in the 50m pool,” McPhee said.

“I think the 8-and under and 9-and-under and those older ones who didn’t get to swim at CARIFTA really enjoyed competing in the meet. We still have some more meets to go this year, so they will only get to improve their performances and hopefully some of them will get to qualify for the Goodwill Games and the Nationals.”

Up next on the calendar will be the Blue Waves Swim Meet, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex. Three meets will be held in May and then the season will close out with the Nationals June 20-23.

in the girls 9-10 division; Skyrah Chambers in the girls 8-and-under with four wins and a second place finish; Hannah Astwood had three victories, a second and two third places in the girls 9-19; Nai’a Belton in the girls 11-12 with three victories and two second place finishes; Kyrie Smith with five victories and a second lace in the boys 8-and[under and Damari Butler in the boys 13-14 division with four first and two second place finishes. Mantas Swim & Water Polo Club was led by Asher Bastian with a pair of second place and a fourth place finish in the boys 9-10 division, while Caylen Brown had a first, third and seventh in the boys 13-14 division. And the Sea Waves’ highest performance came from Tristan Johnson in the boys 13-14 division with a third, seventh, eighth, 10th and two 12 places. Latahara Forbes, one of the assistant coaches for Alpha, said she felt their swimmers performed very well. “We had a lot of best times, about 87 percent best times, so in the middle of hard training, I think they performed outstanding,” Forbes said. “We were extremely excited and the kids were excited to get back into this brand new state-of-the-art facility. “So we were very excited, very happy to be back in the 50m pool. It can only get better from here because we are now training again in the big pool, so it’s going to be very exciting the rest of the season.”

— Damian Lillard scored all 35 of his points before halftime and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo to defeat the Indiana Pacers 109-94 last night in their Eastern Conference playoff opener. The Bucks needed Lillard to step up without Antetokounmpo, whose return date is uncertain as he deals with a strained left calf that also caused him to miss Milwaukee’s final three regular-season games. With Antetokounmpo watching from the bench, Lillard came through by setting a Bucks record for points in either half of a playoff game.

Pascal Siakam had 36 points and 13 rebounds for the Pacers, who hadn’t scored fewer than 99 points in the regular season while averaging a league-high 123.3 points per game. The Pacers shot 8 of 39 from 3-point range.

Indiana is making its first playoff appearance since 2020 and is seeking to get beyond the opening round for the first time since 2014. Khris Middleton had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, while Bobby Portis added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Game 2 is Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Lillard had 19 points in the opening period, the highest first-quarter point total by any player in a playoff opener since at least 1997. He had the highest first-half point total for any player in a postseason contest since Kevin Durant had 38 at the break for the Golden State Warriors in a 2019 first-round game with the Los Angeles Clippers.

He then got some help from his teammates while taking a well-deserved breather. Milwaukee outscored Indiana 14-3 while Lillard was on the bench for nearly the first five minutes of the second quarter.

Once Lillard returned, he picked up right where he’d left off. He sank a 3-pointer while getting fouled and completed a four-point play to extend Milwaukee’s lead to 65-35. The Bucks were ahead 69-42 at halftime.

The Pacers made a game of it in the second half as they finally shut down Lillard, who shot 0 for 5 after halftime. Indiana closed the third quarter with nine straight points to get Milwaukee’s lead down to 83-71.

But the Bucks regained control from there. Jae Crowder and Malik Beasley made 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to start an 8-0 run that extended Milwaukee’s lead to 99-77 with 8:10 left. Milwaukee stayed ahead by at least 14 the rest of the way.

MAN UNITED BACK IN ANOTHER FA CUP FINAL AGAINST MAN CITY

MANCHESTER

United set up another FA Cup final against fierce rival Manchester City in a way no one could ever have imagined. In a semifinal match on Sunday that will live long in the memory, United blew a three-goal lead against second-tier Coventry, was saved by the narrowest of offside calls by the VAR in stoppage time of extra time to keep the score at 3-3, then came from behind in a penalty shootout to advance to the May 25 title match back at Wembley Stadium. United’s celebrations after Rasmus Hojlund converted the clinching spot kick for a 4-2

win in the shootout were as much of relief as joy. Indeed, United’s players looked sheepish — almost embarrassed — as they left the field at England’s national stadium compared to their Coventry counterparts, who received the adulation of their proud, flag-waving, blue-clad fans. Advancing to the final in this manner will do nothing to quell the growing uncertainty around the position of United manager Erik ten Hag, whose job might not be saved even by beating City. United, the grandest club in England, is languishing in seventh place in the Premier League.

DNDN McKenzie and Siann Isaacs turned in some of the top performances over the weekend as swimmers in Bahamas Aquatics finally returned to

DNDN McKenzie SIANN Isaacs

row, kneeling: Cairo Gilles, Adom Kwakye, Zamar Richardson. Middle row: Alexander

Deantoin Bostwick, Makai Sturrup, Zaryan Boodansingh. Back row: Coach Raymorn Sturrup.

Bahamas finishes fourth at Jr Davis Cup qualifiers

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ trio of Jerald Carroll, Jackson Mactaggart and William McCartney finished fourth at the World Junior Tennis (WJT) Junior Davis Cup/ Junior Billie Jean King Cup North, Central American and Caribbean Final Qualifying Tournament in Orlando, Florida, over the weekend.

Despite not advancing to the Junior Davis Cup Finals, Team Bahamas ended the qualifiers on a high note, securing a 2-1 victory over Mexico on Friday at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Campus. Mactaggart delivered a loss to Mexico’s Guillermo Antonio Narcio Vasquez in an intense three-set thriller. The Bahamas got the edge 6-3 in the first set. Vasquez retaliated in the second set and knocked off Mactaggart 3-6. However, in the final set of three, Mactaggart gave Team Bahamas a boost, winning 6-4 against his opponent. Carroll went headto-head with Mexican Mauricio Schtulman Gasca in singles competition. The former fought hard but fell to Mexico 4-6 in the opening set. In set two, Gasca downed Carroll 2-6 to tie the matches at one apiece. The doubles would decide The Bahamas’ fate and Carroll along with Mactaggart rose to the occasion. The duo claimed set one 6-4 but then fell 2-6 to Gasca and Vasquez. In the end, The Bahamas prevailed 10-7 to take the match 2-1 overall. Although the team came up short, team captain Phillip Major Jr was proud of their efforts in the Junior Davis Cup Final Qualifying

Tournament. “We definitely ended on a high note. The boys got better each match. We barely missed the cut to make it to the finals in Spain by a few sets. “It is amazing to see that they are right there with those guys. The Bahamas’

under-16 Junior Davis Cup team has sent a message to the world because now, when the world hears about that tie, they have to mention that The Bahamas was in contention to go to Spain. Everyday they got better and the camaraderie

with those kids is unbelievable. They have a lot of history together and they all played their roles to the best of their ability. It was an honour for me to be a part of such a dynamic team and it was great,” Major said.

He added that Team Bahamas faced some obstacles ahead of the competition, which included being the last team to arrive and not knowing what type of court they would be playing on, but were able to overcome them.

“I think they got a little more comfortable on the surface they were playing on. They got better everyday but I feel like our preparation leading up could have been a lot better and managed better than it was.

“They got better as time went on because they were able to play more matches, spend more time on the clay and find their groove.

“Our team was on par with any of those teams however, our team was having a struggle converting.

“You are only as good as your preparation and that is why, for me, it is a big kudos to those guys. They did the best they could with what was presented to them,” he said.

The Bahamas was locked into a three-way tie with Mexico and Canada but came just a few sets short of advancing to the Junior Davis Cup Finals scheduled for November.

Major hopes that The Bahamas’ experience in the competition can be used as a stepping stone in the tennis community.

“The results that they were able to produce shows how much gifts we have in the tennis community and in The Bahamas.

“I am so proud of those kids for doing what they did and opening the eyes of not only me but hopefully other people in the world.

“Hopefully, moving forward we can continue this momentum to assist not only these kids but other kids that are up and coming. This is a stepping stone for tennis in The Bahamas,” he said.

Mexico and the United States of America advanced to the Junior Davis Cup Finals scheduled for November.

DEVYNNE CHARLTON, ANTHONIQUE STRACHAN HIT THE TRACK AT START OF WANDA DIAMOND LEAGUE IN CHINA

FROM PAGE 15

picked up third place in the women’s 200m invitational in 23.23 behind the Tiger Olympians’ duo of Candice Hill (22.76) and Kennedi Blackmon (23.07).

In the men’s 200m invitational, Ian Kerr got third in 20.74. Winning the event was Jeremiah Curry of Fast Unlimited in 20.57.

Brandon Hicklin of Tiger Olympians was second in 20.60.

Pedrya Seymour, making her way back to the international scene after she last competed in 2021, finished 12th in the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.35 with junior sensation Nia Richards 34th in 14.51. Mariam AbdulRashid of Athletics Canada was the winner in 12.83.

Three Bahamianas were entered in the women’s 100m invitational with Camille Rutherford getting the highest finish in sixth in 11.18. Shayann Demeritte was 16th in 11.68 and Pedrya Seymour showed her versatility for 18th 12.03. American Aleia Hobbs of Tigers Olympians won the event in 10.88. The men’s 100m invitational had five Bahamians entered as they came in one behind the other from seventh to 11th. Samalie Farrington led the way with 10.33, Samson Colebrooke did 10.36, Ian Kerr 10.40, Carlos Brown 10.48 and Jeremiah Adderley 10.55.

On the field, Calea Jackson, competing for the University of Miami, ended up sixth in the women’s discus with her best heave of 159-feet, 9-inches or 48.71 metres. The winning toss was 201-04 (61.37m) by Veronica Farley of Vanderbilt.

In preparation for the World Relays here at the

newly refurbished Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, a few relay teams represented the Bahamas at the meet. The Bahamas men’s 4 x 100m relay team of Samson Colebrooke, Carlos Brown, Samalie Farrington and Ian Kerr got third in 39.83. Athletics Canada, anchored by Malachi MJurray, took the win in 38.54 with the host LSU posting a collegiate leading time of 38.55 for second. The women’s 4 x 100m relay team of Pedrya Seymour, Camille Richardson, Shayann Demeritte and Printassia Johnson was sixth in 45.17. The Tiger Olympians, anchored by Candice Hill, won in 42.77. Athletics Canada, with Crystal Emmanuel bringing the baton home, was second in 43.30.

Charlton’s season best Charlton, in her season’s best performance, led with a clean slate through the first nine sets of the women’s 100m hurdles before she was caught on the 10th and final hurdle and passed by reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico in the sprint to the finish line at the Xiemen Egerd Stadium. While the taller 27-yearold Camacho-Quinn used her strength in lane five to comeback to snatch the victory in a meet record of 12.45, Charlton, 28, trailed in lane six in her season’s best of 12.49, which was just shy of her personal best of 12.45. “I’m satisfied to just be a couple of hundredths of a second off my PR in my first race of the season,” said Charlton, who is coming off her gold medal world indoor record breaking performance at the

World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland in March.

“I’m feeling pretty good about that. I would love to continue that momentum to keep me in good shape for the Paris Olympics.”

In what could be considered a prelude to the showdown in Paris in August, Cyrena SabaMayela of France was third in a national record of 12.55, followed by last year’s world champion Danielle Willaims of Jamaica in fourth in 12.56 and world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria in fifth in 12.58, both season’s best. Strachan, the 30-yearold sixth place finisher at last year’s World

Championships, faded off the curve and ended up in ninth place in 24.21, her season’s best, but well off her lifetime best of 22.15. Australia’s Torrie Lewis powered from lane nine with a surprise victory in a meet record of 22.96, just short of her personal best of 22.94 as she upset American world 100m champion and 200m bronze medallist Sha’Carri Richardson in second in her season’s best of 22.99. American Tamara Clark was third in 23.01. Miller wins in Jamaica Wendell Miller, training with the MVP Track Club in Kingston, Jamaica, won the men’s A 400m final, lowering his personal best from 45.81 to 45.69 with his

victory at the Velocity Fest at Ashenhelm Stadium at the Jamaica College. The 21-year-old Miller held off Jamaican Assinie Wilson of the Titans, who got second in a season’s best of 46.07. Amal Glasgow of St Vincent and the Grenadines was third in 46.44.

Cartwright won in Virginia At the Virginia Grand Prix at the Lannigan Field at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, Bahamian Indea Cartwright, a junior at Liberty, won the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.51. Tyra Thomas, a junior at Marshall, trailed in 13.90 for second.

Cartwright was also fourth in the 400m hurdles

in 1:02.78. Emily Alexandru ran a season’s best of 59.71 for the win. Stubbs tops at Arkansas

At the Arkansas Spring Invitational at the John McDonnell Field at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Keityhwood Stubbs, a junior at Oral Roberts University, placed 11th in the men’s long jump with his best leap of 20-1` 3/4 (6.14m). Winning the event was Blair Anderson, a junior at Oklahoma State, with 25-1¾ (7.66m).

Ethan Hanna, a senior at Oral Roberts University, was 20th in the men’s 400m in

Folson, a sophomore at Indian Hills (Iowa). Seymour-Stamps back in action

Quarter-miler/hurdler Katrina Seymour-Stamps, now competing for Sanctuary Athletics, got fifth in the women’s 400m at the Pure Athletics Spring Invitational at the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida in 57.59. The race was won by Junelle Bromfield of Adidas in 52.13.. Seymour-Stamps, 31, has not competed since 2020. She opened her season at the Percy Beard Track in Gainesville, Florida on March 29 where she ran the 400m hurdles in 1:00.03. She followed that with a pair of appearances in the 200m and 400m at the University of South Florida Track and Field Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on April 6 where she ran 25.12 and 57.53 respectively.

THE BAHAMAS’ Junior Davis Cup team knocked off Mexico 2-1 on the final day of competiton at the World Junior Tennis Junior Davis Cup North, Central American and Caribbean Final Qualifying Tournament in Orlando, Florida.

PUERTO Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quin in her comeback to beat Bahamian Devynne Charlton.

THE BAHAMAS men’s 4 x 100 metre relay team of Samalie Farrington, Samson Colebrooke, Ian Kerr, Carlos Brown and Jeremiah Adderley at the LSU meet.

SWEEPS TWO DIVISIONS AT FLAG FOOTBALL HIGH SCHOOL TOURNEY

the weekend.

SAC defeated the Queen’s College Comets 24-6 in the under-14 division.

In the over 14 division, it was a different opponent but same result for The Big Red Machine. They triumphed over the Kingsway Academy Saints 22-8.

A total of 11 teams participated in this year’s tournament including competitors from SAC, Queen’s College, Kingsway Academy, Doris Johnson, CV Bethel and Windsor in the junior and senior divisions.

THE St Augustine’s College (SAC) Big Red Machine swept both divisions at the second edition of the Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) High School Tournament over

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg makes the opening pass to commence the second Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) High School Tournament.

THE ST Augustine’s College (SAC) under-14 and over 14 teams secured championship victories against the Queen’s College Comets and Kingsway Academy Saints respectively.