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‘EXCELLENT’ RESULTS IN CRIME FIGHT By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net A HIGH-powered rifle capable of firing 200 rounds of ammunition, more than $35,000 and nearly 85 lbs of marijuana were some of the substantive discoveries of the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Operation Ceasefire. The special operation was launched nearly three weeks ago in response to gang wars that sparked an increase in murders in New Providence in March. According to Acting Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander yesterday, the operation has yielded “excellent” results, adding that police
will continue to apply pressure on criminals who persist in committing illegal activities through saturation patrols in hot spots. However, Mr Fernander admitted that law enforcement faced a double fold concern in that there continued to be an ease attached to the illegal import of dangerous weapons and repeat offenders continued to be granted bail. As he gave insight into the face-off between police and the criminal element, the acting commissioner noted 183 arrests; the recovery of 13 firearms — including high-powered rifles and 251 rounds of SEE PAGE THREE
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ACTING Commissioner Clayton Fernander.
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville indicated that in the last two weeks, officials have watched the COVID19 numbers “double”. The revelation comes after Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis revealed on Monday that remaining mask mandates in the country could be totally lifted by the summer, but highlighted the concern of “proper air ventilation” for some indoor venues. However, yesterday Dr Darville said while officials SEE PAGE FOUR
‘APOLOGY WAS PROMISED TO OSBORNE’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
...BUT ARMED ROBBERIES ON RISE By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net ARMED robberies are on the rise in New Providence, according to Acting Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander who urged people to be vigilant as they move about. The incidents have not been concentrated in any one area of the island, he said, and victims have been hit while at ATMs, gas stations and food stores. “It’s spread wide from all over,” Mr Fernander said. “That’s why we want to alert everybody. We just completed our weekly COMPSTAT meeting where all the commanders are present
and they give a report on all the crime activities. We have a mapping of all of the armed robberies from January to today’s date (yesterday) and the general area. “It’s really all over. It’s not just in one or two particular areas. Sometimes it happens at the food store. If you’re leaving the food store if you’re not paying attention and as you move to the parking lots to get into your vehicles. “As I’ve said, the ATM machines that are spread all over with the banks and even some of the service stations where machines are when people are leaving.” SEE PAGE THREE
‘NO EVIDENCE’ TO BACK GOVT RUM CAY CLAIM By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A SUPREME Court judge has potentially paved the way for Rum Cay’s revival by finding there was “no evidence” to support the government’s assertion it was the rightful owner of “accreted land” belonging to a marina asset. Justice Indra Charles said it was “difficult to digest” the Prime Minister’s Office would assert a 15-acre parcel at Sumner Point Marina
COVID CASES DOUBLED IN TWO WEEKS
THE LAND at Rum Cay. was Crown Land when this totally contradicted evidence from the government’s own surveyors. She said the stance - first asserted under the last
Ingraham administration - was contrary to multiple findings by Department of Lands and Survey personnel who confirmed the tract had accreted over the years as a result of the sea receding. Rejecting evidence by former acting surveyor general Thomas Ferguson, she instead granted a certificate of title to trustees representing the late purchaser who had bought five lots from Sumner Point Marina - three of which lie on the disputed 15-acre tract. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
FORMER Works Minister Desmond Bannister allegedly promised to publicly apologise for the “wrong information” he gave about Darnell Osborne, but never did so, a former Bahamas Power and Light consultant claims in a new witness statement. The statement of C McMahon Campbell, a former BPL public relations consultant, comes as lawyers prepare for trial after Mrs Osborne, Nick Dean and Nicola Thompson, former BPL board members, sued the government for wrongful dismissal, misfeasance and slander. SEE PAGE TWO
‘PRAY’ PRICES SPIKE DOESN’T LAST 3 YEARS By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMIANS were yesterday urged to “hope and pray” that the World Bank’s forecast of high food and energy costs lasting three years does not come true, with cooking oil and other staples increasing by up to 80 percent in recent months. Philip Beneby, the Retail Grocers Association’s president, said he has never experienced such food price volatility before. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
PAGE 2, Wednesday, April 27, 2022
BPL chairwoman Darnell Osborne.
THE TRIBUNE
‘Apology was promised to Osborne’ In her witness statement last week, Mrs Osborne claimed Mr Bannister’s allegations about her caused distress and significant damage to her professional reputation. BPL’s former board disintegrated into two factions over several issues in 2018, including the Shell North America deal, hiring practices, travel practices of senior executives and the requirements of the executive director role. Mrs Osborne’s faction was forced off the board. After she criticised Mr Bannister and accused the Minnis administration of interference, Mr Bannister claimed he intervened to stop BPL from paying her personal bills, including make-up services and the installation of a home security system. Later, it was revealed that the make-up services were for a BPL photoshoot and that other top BPL officials encouraged Mrs Osborne to set up a home security system after another board member mentioned a security incident at his home. Mr Campbell, in his witness statement, claims he met Mr Bannister and the permanent secretary to discuss the allegations about Mrs Osborne. “In that meeting,” he says, “I disclosed a timesheet with the names of female employees of BPL that ‘got their make-up done’ for a BPL public relations photoshoot. “I showed Minister Bannister where Darnell’s name appeared at the bottom of the group one roster with a total of about 31 women, including Darnell. The total invoice for the makeup work for the 31 women was $1,500 which was paid by BPL. “I also explained to Minister Bannister that the $750 that he was floating around as a personal makeup expense of Darnell belonged to the women in group two which did not include Darnell. I also explained that BPL did not pay $750 for the makeup work for group two and that the $750 expense for the makeup for group two was paid from my salary.” Mr Campbell’s statement continued: “Minister Bannister acknowledged to me that he was given wrong
FORMER Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister. information, and he promised to ‘apologise publicly.’ I suggested that Minister Bannister avoid ‘all the back and forth and apologise on Saturday so that the matter with Osborne and the other BPL board members would go away quickly in the news cycle.’ I promised to assist him. Minister Bannister told me he would apologise at the appropriate time. On the next occasion that I saw Minister Bannister on television he did not apologise as he promised, but said that he was ‘told’ to stay silent on this matter.” Former Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) President Paul Maynard has also given a witness statement in the case. Mr Maynard claims that in April 2018, Mr Bannister told him he was considering removing three board members because the “board wasn’t getting along.” Mr Maynard claims he told him doing this would be difficult because the board “was an autonomous board by an Act of Parliament and the members once appointed had to resign in order to be removed before the agreed term was done.” Mr Maynard’s statement noted: “More than a week later I again talked to Minister Bannister, he informed me that Darnell was one of the board members who
the Cabinet wanted to replace. Again, I expressed my disappointment with this situation as the chairman did not deserve to be dismissed especially in favour of Whitney Heastie. In addition, Mrs Osborne was responsible for critical financial funding for the FNM. Although I’m PLP, this was a concern for me as, in my opinion, it was vicious and uncalled for. “The prime minister, Dr Minnis, also spoke to me on at least two occasions and I conveyed my extreme disappointment with the situation, and I opined at the time to the prime minister that this wasn’t going to end well for the FNM government.” When contacted yesterday about the allegations, Mr Bannister told The Tribune he had “not seen” any of the witness statements and could not comment on them in any event “since the matter is subjudice”. “Accordingly, I am prohibited from publicly providing my views on the evidence,” Mr Bannister said. He added: “The plaintiffs have withdrawn their action against me so I am no longer a defendant, but I will still be a witness, and my witness statement will be for use in the court where the action will be litigated, not in the media.”
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 27, 2022, PAGE 3
‘Excellent’ results in crime fight from page one
quantity of marijuana was found and officers got a warrant and went to the ammunition; 84.9lbs of mar- residence and on the search ijuana; five stolen vehicles a large quantity of marirecovered and 1,419 vehi- juana, you could see in the cle searches. Additionally, front of us was recovered. there were 3,012 people Just over 33 pounds. “The searched and $35,452 street value is just over seized. $30,000.” There was also a subIn another incident, stantial number of weapons he said that on one day a found and seized in the man had been found with south-central area of New two weapons in separate Providence. incidents. Mr Fernander said on “There was an indiMonday night, suspects vidual charged about a threw a high-powered week ago in the Big Pond weapon out of a window area. He was chased by the during a high-speed chase. police. He dropped a bag “I just want to highlight and was able to get away two significant matters and in checking that bag that occurred overnight,” a weapon was recovered. he said during a meeting We knew who the individthe press event held via ual was and we had teams Zoom. “Shortly after mid- all day checking into the night early this morning, night. Officers were able the operation team was in to arrest him along with the area of Kennedy Sub, others in the Wilson Tract that’s between Pinewood area and on this person, Gardens and the same Kennedy individual Sub, when ‘(That) has always who had they noticed been the question, dropped the rapid gun- how the weapons bag in the shots and Big Pond saw a vehi- are getting into area, was cle speeding the country and found with away in that what we are doing. a second general area. weapon. We are doing a “Offic“We ers pursued lot and working charged him it. There closely with our and lo and was a short behold, just chase and US counterparts days later he the driver of with whom we is now right that vehicle among us on have an excellent threw out a bail. It was high pow- relationship. I a concern ered weapon must say.’ for us. It is from that a concern. I vehicle. They were able to try to encourage the officstop that vehicle a short dis- ers just to remain focused tance away. An adult male and we will continue to go was arrested and taken at him. But two weapons back into that area where the same day, back-to-back that high-powered rifle was it is a concern, but that will thrown and on checking not deter us from what we we discovered this weapon are doing to ensure that (pictured) and I just want to the Bahamian people are show the Bahamian people safe. what our law enforcement “We just will turn up the officers are up against. notch and continue to turn “This is a high-powered it up.” rifle with two drum barrels Mr Fernander said offiand you could see two drum cials are concerned about barrels and each one of the how weapons are enterbarrels could hold up to 100 ing the country. However, rounds. So you are looking he said, their “hands are at 200 rounds. Just with this on the pulse” in interweapon. That’s over 200 cepting the weapons with lives because this is a very the help of United States dangerous weapon. As we counterparts. said, a high-powered rifle. “(That) has always been “They were able to the question, how the weaprecover this and on check- ons are getting into the ing the vehicle, a small country and what we are
ACTING Commissioner Clayton Fernander pictured holding a high-powered rifle with two drum barrels, each barrel able to hold 100 rounds, seized during the police operation, in this image from the Zoom meeting call yesterday. doing. We are doing a lot and working closely with our US counterparts with whom we have an excellent relationship. I must say. “We also have our liaison officer on the customs side of it and the police side stationed in Florida who is also communicating with our US partners on that end. We have a meeting as soon
...BUT ARMED ROBBERIES ON RISE from page one
He said on Monday night, a woman sitting inside her vehicle near a pump was approached by three armed men who held her at bay and took the car. The assailants were pursued by police a short time later. “The occupants of the vehicle abandoned that vehicle and they all ran in separate directions. Officers gave chase and that area was saturated with additional officers and they were able to come up with two of the individuals and they are now in custody. “The vehicle was recovered and there were no injuries during that arrest and I want to assure members of the public and want them to be on the alert that the armed robberies we have noted that there is a lil’ uptick with respect to armed robberies where individuals are being robbed of their vehicles. So, please I’m saying to members of the public let’s try to be vigilant as you move
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about. As you’re coming home, call somebody ahead that they could be up to ensure that you’re home safe.” Tourists have also been hit by armed robbers, Mr Fernander said. Four of these incidents were pinpointed in a recent United States crime advisory to its citizens. He said this was concerning, adding some tourists had also been robbed while at a golf course recently. “Every right-thinking Bahamian should be very concerned about that and if they know who the culprit is with respect to that recent matter on the golf course they should turn him in and turn him in now. Because that is our bread and butter. If the tourists
stop coming then we are finished and we will not stand by and let a handful of individuals destroy our country and Bahamian people have to understand we may say they are the criminals killing up one another. No. The picture is bigger than that. It’s a country that they are destroying. “Every right-thinking Bahamian’s hands should be on board.” Police are urging people to not visit ATM machines at night and not to leave vehicles running unattended. He said homeowners should also ensure trees are trimmed and people should visit the nearest police station when they do not feel safe while driving.
as we leave from here. We have a meeting now with our DPP office and our US partners. So, we are putting some things in place. We have our hands on the pulse and as you could see a few months ago we were successful in seizing a number of firearms that came in from the US. First it was nine rifles and then came
back just a day or two later and got eight weapons but there (are) a lot of initiatives we have in place. “We are focusing too on a number of the Family Islands where we believe that they are coming in through Family Islands and then make (their) way here to the capital where most of the high crime areas (are).
“So, we are clogging the area. We have our hands on the pulse. You will continue to see individuals going to court,” he said. He added that there were ongoing talks with the director of public prosecutions centred around amending laws to charge people with international arms trafficking.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, April 27, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
Public to see liveable wage proposals ‘this year’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net LABOUR Minister Keith Bell said he expects legislation to introduce a liveable wage in The Bahamas to be presented to the public this year. On March 14, Mr Bell said his ministry expected to receive recommendations from the National Tripartite Council on an increase in the minimum wage within two weeks. That deadline has long since passed. Last week, council chairman Robert Farquharson told The Tribune the report is in its final stages and will be presented to the government soon. Deputy chairman Peter Goudie, however, appeared to differ, saying in a separate interview that the council wants to do more research before presenting their recommendations. Yesterday, Mr Bell said:
“In respect to the minimum wage, as you would know in our Blueprint for Change we indicated that we would have eliminated the minimum wage and introduce a liveable wage. I am pleased to report that the Department of Labour, the National Tripartite Council, they’re just about completed with their report and from all indications I could say everything looks promising. “As the matter has to go before the Cabinet, I am unable to say what it is, but I think that all of us in the Bahamian society will be very proud of what the council has been able to achieve. “Of course, once it goes to Cabinet there will be widespread dialogue and consultation to make sure that we speak with our employers, certainly we’ll speak with the employers and the wider Bahamian community.
“The final stage will be for legislation to be introduced. I anticipate that we will be seeing it sometime during this year. “We’re gonna run a very aggressive campaign and, of course, we want to make sure that we dot our I’s and cross our T’s, to make sure that we get it right. When I travelled recently to Barbados, a number of the ministers from the other areas of the region, they were very interested to see what we would do in The Bahamas so it is important that we get it right because the entire Caribbean is watching.” Mr Bell does not believe the liveable wage will have to be phased in. “It just has to be introduced,” he said. “What it is in terms of what they are able to do is another question. I don’t think it can be phased.” The current minimum wage is $210 per week.
considered first. “Yesterday, the prime minister did say that we are looking at removing the mask mandate and we’re optimistic about it. With that being said over the last two weeks we’ve been watching our numbers, our
RT PCR test, and our numbers have doubled - that is of concern. “Secondly, we’re also noticing in the United States, in states where tourists come to The Bahamas, the numbers have been going up as well and
LABOUR Minister Keith Bell.
Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
COVID CASES DOUBLED IN TWO WEEKS
from page one
are hopeful about removing remaining mask restrictions, the issue of imported cases from travel and increased cases in the United States have to be monitored and
then a judge in South Florida, there’s an issue with the removal of the mask mandate in public transportation as well as on aircrafts — that’s another concern,” the minister said yesterday. “So while we are mindful and wishful to remove the mask mandate, we must take into consideration the scientific factors that could potentiate the possibility of imported cases coming into the country. The EOC along with us at the Ministry of Health and Wellness are watching these various different parameters and hopefully if we are able to see our cases begin to go on a downward trend that would mean that the issue of (the) mask mandate would be taken into consideration sooner than later.” The minister told The Tribune on Sunday that Ministry of Health and Wellness officials were monitoring the “slight increase” in positive PCR test results. He said concerns about this would be discussed at an EOC meeting this week. Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper predicted
last week a further ease to virus restrictions in the days and weeks ahead. Asked if the EOC was considering relaxing any other restrictions, Dr Darville replied: “At this time, no. I’ve indicated that in the last two weeks we’ve watched our numbers double. That is of concern. We’re analysing those numbers. We’re looking at the numbers as a result of imported cases versus the possibility of community spread. “So, we would look at it scientifically and we will make decisions based on the science while at the same time mindful that we have an economy to run and we’re watching what’s going on in other parts of the region and we will make those decisions that is in the best interest of the Bahamian people while taking into consideration the economic environment that we’re in.” As for the possibility of travel restrictions being tightened, he said: “There’s no plan at this particular time. What we’re doing is watching the numbers. We’re looking at imported
MINISTER of Health and Wellness Michael Darville yesterday.
cases. We’re a tourist country and our policy is to try to ensure our tourism sector thrives which means that we need people to come in to spend money. We’re watching. We cannot make a determination at this particular time, but I can tell you that some of the cases are travel related and it is of concern.” The summer months are approaching, a period where Bahamians travel for vacation, typically to America. Dr Darville said there is a plan officials intend to put in place as “we begin to see how things unfold” when asked about worries of another wave during the summer period. “We’re always concerned. We’re watching very closely. This situation is extremely fluid. It’s very difficult to predict but I can tell you cases are now going up in the United States. The majority of our tourists are from the United States. The majority of our students and family who go on summer vacations go to the United States and we have a plan that we intend to put in place as we begin to see how things unfold.”
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 27, 2022, PAGE 5
Food kitchens are planned throughout Family Islands By PAVEL BAILEY
AGRICULTURE, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Minister Clay Sweeting said his ministry is working with other government entities to promote national food sustainability and to introduce food kitchens throughout the Family Islands. Mr Sweeting said he has been working with the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation to improve farming in the Family Islands. He also said that his ministry is working towards establishing food kitchens throughout the country. “BAIC, who has the control over food processing, has started and continues a programme whereby they are teaching persons throughout The Bahamas how to process food,” Mr Sweeting said. “However, the Ministry of Agriculture is also working towards placing food kitchens in a
strategic approach across the country. “So these food kitchens will assist farmers who have produce that is rotten or produce that cannot be sold to the packing house and we understand the need to add value to our product here.” He said that his ministry will help BAIC in creating food processing facilities throughout the Family Islands to fulfil promises the Progressive Liberal Party made during their election campaign. “So the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources will help facilitate that, will help introduce that to the packing houses to create these full service facilities we’ve been speaking about since we came to office.” He said these initiatives to modernise farming will help Bahamians get into agriculture adding that these food processing units will help Family Island farmers find a way to can their goods before they spoil.
MINISTER of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting.
Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
$400,000 DONATED TO ENCOURAGE BACKYARD FARMING
By PAVEL BAILEY
THE Agricultural Development Organisation and Solutions AE donated nearly $400,000 to churches to promote backyard farming yesterday. Representatives of the FTX funded ADO, American company Solutions AE Inc, as well as Minister of Agriculture Clay Sweeting and various church leaders were in attendance at the Balmoral Club where two cheques amounting to $394,000 were presented to the Church Commercial Farming Group. The donation will be spread among 300 local congregations. ADO chairman Phillip Smith said the country has a major hunger problem and he hopes the donation will help get thousands of Bahamians into backyard farming. “It is our hope that through this donation to backyard farming, unprecedented in both scope and goal, thousands of Bahamians and residents of The Bahamas through as many as 300 churches will experience the satisfaction of farm-to-table and today we can say we are taking one more giant step toward truly beginning to eradicate hunger in The Bahamas,” Mr Smith said. Dr Ana Everett, a representative of Solutions AE, explained that Goodforus, a faith based digital payment platform using debit and credit cards, helped her organisation match the ADO’s donation to aid in Bahamian backyard farming as well as other outreach programmes. “In doing that we are able
to make the commitments of $197,000 to opportunities like this to support food insecurity. It’s not the only area that we support, our goal is to support the faith community in kingdom building activities that span from education to agricultural projects.” Ms Everett said. “So we are committed to this community. We’ve made a $197,000 commitment and our next commitment is for $2.8m for a youth development centre with Living Waters with Bishop Wells. And our goal is to do about $5m a year in The Bahamas from our payment infrastructure to support kingdom building activities.” Both Reverend Patrick Miller of Bahamas Assemblies of God and Dr Dave Burrows of Bahamas Faith Ministries, who attended the event, gave thanks for the donation. Yesterday, Mr Sweeting said that the donation would aid in promoting backyard farming as well as agriculture. “It speaks towards facilitating backyard farming, which is a way where we can feed ourselves and help get Bahamians interested in farming once again. It was once part of our culture in years past and we’re getting back to that. “During the pandemic a lot of persons did that as a part time when they were home during the lockdowns and this will help to facilitate that and help move towards persons seeing the need to feed ourselves. And hopefully young persons and women as well were trying to get them involved in the agricultural sector.”
PHILIP SMITH, executive director of the Agricultural Development Organisation.
THE CHEQUE presentation ceremony to promote backyard farming yesterday.
PAGE 6, Wednesday, April 27, 2022
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Seizing the weapons - but we need to stop the flow ACTING Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander is eager to show the successes police are securing on the street. Yesterday, he showed off some of the weapons seized recently by officers on the streets. Some of them are truly frightening – such as the high-powered rifle that had two drums of ammunition attached to it, each capable of holding 100 rounds. As he said: “You are looking at 200 rounds. Just with this weapon. That’s over 200 lives because this is a very dangerous weapon. As we said, a highpowered rifle.” That these successes are welcome cannot be overstated – the damage such a weapon could inflict is the stuff of nightmares. We have been fortunate in The Bahamas that we have not seen mass shooting incidents such as have become almost commonplace in the United States, but this is the kind of weapon capable of inflicting mass casualties in a small amount of time, and it is better off the streets. It was one of a number of weapons showcased by the Acting Commissioner – but more crucially the question is, of course, how such weapons continue to get here in the first place, and what we can do to stem the flow, stopping them before they get into the hands of criminals, or worse, being used against civilians and police. Mr Fernander is aware of that need too – saying that “hands are on the pulse” when it comes to intercepting weapons, and highlighting the relationship with law enforcement counterparts in the US. That is the good side of things – but as we have seen, the country is still experiencing killings. We must applaud the work of officers when victories such as these are achieved – but we must also give officers the tools they need to stop the weapons at source. That may be resources in terms of manpower and equipment – but it may also be changes in legislation to increase the penalties for possession of such weapons. There is no excuse for the kind of double ammunition barrel attached to a high-powered weapon. No one
needs that for anything except criminal activity. So perhaps we might revisit our laws to make it clear anyone in possession of such a weapon can expect a long stretch in prison. Every weapon such as that has one purpose alone – crime. All it can do is cause havoc in our society, and end lives. Why should we show any mercy in sentencing when it comes to people in possession of such a weapon? So well done, officers, in getting these weapons off the streets. Now what can we do to get the criminals in possession of them off the streets too?
Court wrangles The length of time that court cases drag on through The Bahamas’ legal system is sometimes mind-boggling. In yesterday’s Tribune, we reported on a lawsuit that stretched back 17 years in a wrangle over disputed fees at a condo complex. Today, we report on a dispute over the ownership of accreted land that goes back to the last Ingraham administration. Worse, Justice Indra Charles’ verdict suggests that the government’s stance in the case contradicted its own surveyors. It is hard to fathom quite why this case was pursued at such length with such flimsy supporting evidence – but it sums up the difficulties so many citizens find themselves in. Imagine being held back from your plans and goals for so long as you wait for a resolution. Worse, for the nation, imagine those investors outside looking in wondering why on Earth they would get involved with such a system if it’s just going to tangle them up in court dates and red tape for years on end. Untangling the knots of our legal system would do the world of good for our country – both financially and on the front line against crime. We’re sure officers who find those they arrest still going through the court system years later would agree, including for those criminals being caught in the current crackdown on weapons. Justice delayed serves no one.
Unvaccinated lives matter EDITOR, The Tribune. BAHAMIANS are now cautiously optimistic that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is finally behind us, with declining infections and hospitalisations. Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis’ statement to the Press that mask mandates might be totally removed by this summer is welcome news to persons who are mentally exhausted from the pandemic. But there’s one more vexing issue relating to COVID which should’ve been addressed months ago by the Progressive Liberal Party government. It is the continued discrimination of unvaccinated persons by certain business establishments in New Providence and Grand Bahama.
I visited a fast-food eatery and was informed that unvaccinated patrons aren’t allowed to dine in, even if they have a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result. This is a stupid policy that mirrors the racial segregation laws in Bull Connor’s Birmingham that Martin Luther King, Jr and his Southern Christian Leadership Conference fought tooth and nail against. If an unvaccinated person is producing a PCR test that shows that he is COVID19 negative, why would you prevent him from dining in, while a vaccinated person, who is positive, is allowed to? Make it make sense! This policy is stupid and discriminatory. It would appear that this COVID19 pandemic has caused certain business persons to take leave of their senses.
Science has proven that vaccinated persons can also become infected. Yet the policy of affording them dining privileges seems to be an attempt to make unvaccinated persons feel that they’re somehow inferior, despite their dollar having the same purchasing power of the dollar of their vaccinated counterparts. If unvaccinated persons stop patronising these restaurants that are engaging in blatant discrimination, their businesses would immediately go belly up. These business persons must be made to understand via government intervention that unvaccinated lives matter too. KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama April 26, 2022.
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A SOVIET-era monument to a friendship between Ukrainian and Russian nations is seen during its demolition, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in central Kyiv, Ukraine, yesterday. Photo: Efrem Lukatsky/AP
Restoring Nassau’s glory days EDITOR, The Tribune. EVERY time I drive through downtown Nassau it depresses me. Downtown Nassau used to be a beautiful place with fine shops where gifts from all over the world could be purchased at duty free prices. There were nice arcades filled with shops and decor. There was the famed Bernard Sunley Arcade with its beautiful water fountain. Only an empty fountain and statues remain and only visible through Scotia Bank offices. There were fine restaurants with local and international cuisine. The Straw Market consisted of 100 percent Bahamian handicrafts from straw work to woodwork among others. Straw vendors in addition to being in the Market also sold wares on the side of the streets. Downtown Nassau has lost its charm consisting of mostly jewellery and T-Shirt shops. Back in the day you could buy fine china, crystal, figurines, cameras, duty free liquors, beauty products, toiletries, watches, fine fashions - all from top brand name
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net companies. There is a T-shirt shop near where Mademoiselle used to be, called the Mad Hatter selling souvenirs from the Bahamas. The sign painted is the most horrible colour. Could they have not come up with a better name something more authentically Bahamian? There is a Port Market Place opposite Rawson Square. It is not very attractive looking. At Christmas time there was a beautiful Christmas display that was phenomenal and enjoyed by many tourists and Bahamians. Could they not set up a display of something nice maybe in a Bahamian theme that could be year-round?Travelling along Bay Street heading east is a real eyesore. Many of those buildings need to be knocked down. Taxi drivers taking people on tours and I think what is there really for them to see? The history of Bay Street has not been restored. I applaud the
Gazzorolli family for the development on Delancey Street, which includes the Bahamas Heritage Museum. I keep hearing about the redevelopment plan of Bay Street, but nothing seems to be happening. The only stores remaining from Bay Street’s glorious past are Coin of the Realm, John Bull and the Perfume Bar - even the Stop ‘N Shop, where everything was available, is no more! Bay Street to return to its glory days - Bay Street was the centre of Nassau. Bring back Goombay Summer when Bay Street came alive at night with stores and restaurants staying open late with local vendors coming out showcasing their wares. Like at Marina Village on weekends they could have a Junkanoo rush out. We need more for our tourists. Our tourism slogan says “It’s Better in the Bahamas!” – well let’s make it Better in the Bahamas. Let’s restore Bay Street to what it once was. A BAHAMIAN OBSERVER Nassau, April, 2022.
Baha Mar snub EDITOR, The Tribune.
BAHA MAR... snubbed By PM! Years open incredible success but celebration snubbed by Prime Minister - Deputy Prime MinisterMinister of Tourism and virtually all of Cabinet as they were off to Regatta! A massive red-letter day... massive investor confidence, but No. We could have ended up with a white elephant... an empty massive hotel... No Import Export Bank of China prudently found a suitable investor who has been incredible and that is very short of their corporate and community posturing they have shown, especially over the past two
years even with COVID but Exuma Regatta seems to be of a higher priority! The largest hospitality employer... the employer who during COVID paid all of their line-staff at least something and covered them for health and issued free COVID tests to all is this the correct way to snub such a corporate investor? Thank you, Graeme Davis, thank you the Tokk Family if the officials, or as they like to be called “dignitaries” “who in this case certainly were not very dignified” didn’t give you all the glory and support you earned and merited... a fantastic job done. Talk about investor confidence - in the midst of
shut-down for two-years the Tokk Family invested over US$300m in Baha Mar’s new water park and seemingly nine-months in of a so-called New Day we back to normal... show disrespect and suffer. Thank you, Baha Mar… thank you Sarkis for the concept, thank you Graeme Davis and his extraordinary team from top to bottom each and everyone. Sad, Mr Prime Minister - Minister of Tourism/ Investment sad.... am sure the 6000 Baha Mar employees all voters witnessed and will remember! J T HUTCHINSON Nassau, April 24, 2022.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 27, 2022, PAGE 7
THE CHILDREN’s Emergency Hostel.
Boy tells of crying after being beaten by caretaker By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A BOY testified in court yesterday how he cried after being beaten by a caretaker at a local care home as punishment for a “simple” act he committed. The child, age 11, reported the remarks during the ongoing child cruelty trial involving six former employees of Children’s Emergency Hostel. Magistrate Kendra Kelly is presiding over the case. The accused women are Eloise Canter, Carmetta Woods, Natasha Pratt, Occonelle Gordon, Sabrina Smith and Shawn Seymour. The former staff members are accused of unlawfully physically abusing nine boys and two girls in a way that caused them unnecessary suffering on September 22, 2020. However, Seymour is solely accused of failing to report the abuse of the minors — who range from ages seven to 11 — to the appropriate officials on the day in question. All of the women have denied the allegations. After taking the witness stand yesterday, the 11-year-old child recalled being beaten by one of the workers, who he identified as Smith, and not feeling well after the incident. The minor said he and a group of other children were in the dining room when caretakers told them
to stop making noise. However, he said, some of the children, including himself, continued to be loud, prompting disciplinary action from the workers. He said the action came after he went to dispose of his food and look at a centipede with another child. He said while doing so, he and other children at the home were told by workers to stand in a line. While he could not say where he got hit, the boy claimed it was not the first beating children at the home endured. The boy was asked how he felt after the incident. “I didn’t feel good because I was getting beaten for a simple thing,” he replied. Asked if anything was said by caretakers after the incident, the child said he was told to sweep the tamarind switch off the floor. In cross-examination, attorney Wallace Rolle, who represents Smith, asked the child if he was being beaten for not following instructions, but the boy claimed he was. However, he later admitted that he kept making noise even after being told by workers to remain silent. Mr Rolle then asked him if he believed the children should be spanked for bad behaviour. The boy said: “Yes, but I wasn’t doing anything that bad.”
He also claimed the spanking wasn’t normal and that his noises weren’t as loud. Asked if he suffered as a result of the incident, the sixth grader replied that he didn’t. The child also said that while he didn’t suffer any bruises, he didn’t feel good about the punishment which he suggested was too severe. “I didn’t feel good – because we was only talking and we got beating just for that,” the boy said. The child was also asked about his perception of Smith. He agreed that she was nice sometimes and cared for children at the home. The next witness to testify was an 11-year-old boy, who gave similar testimony. The sixth grader testified how he felt pain for a few minutes after being beaten on the buttocks by Smith, though he said he didn’t cry. He also admitted that he was making noise at the home on the day in question. Asked if he felt the action was cruel, the child was unable to say. “I don’t know,” he said. He was also asked if the spanking caused unnecessary suffering, to which he replied, “No, sir.” Asked how he felt after the incident, the child said he couldn’t describe the
TRIO ON FIREARM CHARGES By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THREE men who denied gun-related charges were remanded to prison yesterday. Clayzdon McDonald, 34, Shivarro Miller, 27 and Lucendre Paul, 21, were arrested after police allegedly found them with an unlicensed firearm and a quantity of ammunition in separate incidents on the weekend. Police said they discovered a black and green 9mm Taurus G2C pistol on Miller and Paul while they
were together on April 24. Five unfired rounds of ammunition were also found, police claimed. However, the men denied allegations during their hearing before Magistrate Kendra Kelly yesterday. When the question of bail was mentioned, the prosecutor objected to the men’s release, saying he wanted to check to see whether the accused had any pending criminal matters. Magistrate Kelly ultimately acceded to his request and deferred bail to today. Meanwhile, McDonald was accused of being in
possession of a black G3C Taurus pistol, 22 unfired rounds of ammunition and a 9mm magazine on April 24. The 34-year-old also pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Crown prosecutor also objected to the accused’s bail due to alleged concerns about his safety, claiming the charges stemmed from an altercation involving McDonald. The prosecutor also told the court he wanted to see whether the accused had any pending matters. As a result, bail was also deferred to today.
TEENAGER ACCUSED OF GUNPOINT ROBBERY By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
AN 18-year-old boy accused of robbing a man of his vehicle at gunpoint last week was denied bail yesterday. Damien Reckley was charged with two counts of armed robbery in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday for allegedly robbing two people at gunpoint
while being concerned with others on April 20. In the first instance, police said the accused robbed Matthew Bethel of his burgundy coloured 2011 Nissan Cube and cellphone — together valued at $8,350 — while in the area of Zion Blvd Basketball Park. Police also allege that the teenager used a handgun to rob Milfort Sainlice of his pink XR cellphone and of
$250 cash in the area on the same day. Due to the nature of the charges, Reckley was not required to enter a plea and the case was adjourned to July 22 for presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment. Reckley was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time. However, he has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
emotions. The child witnesses’ testimony came a day after two other boys gave evidence against the accused women, detailing a similar account of what happened that day. Three other child witnesses were also supposed
to testify in the trial this week, but were unable to give evidence after being considered incompetent by the magistrate. The attorneys in the case include Larell Hanchell who represents Seymour; Wallace Rolle who
represents Smith, Ian Cargill who represents Pratt, Rysard Humes who represents Woods, and Barry Sawyer for Canter. Sgt Vernon Pyfrom is prosecuting. The case continues today at noon.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, April 27, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
How to make groups work online - and what to avoid THIS week, I joined two working groups on separate thematic areas, and these groups are meant to produce reports within a short time period. The groups were initially formed three weeks ago, but individuals were being added at random throughout this period. With no information about the way the groups were functioning, I was sent links to join them on a specific platform. Both groups are large, each with more than 100 members. Once I joined, I spent about an hour in each group, just reading earlier communication, all in chat format. One was much easier to make sense of than the other because there was an agreed upon structure that the members followed, and that structure was also reiterated regularly. The first group seemed to decide on a spokesperson, to attend the in-person event and present the report, with ease. It also had a rapporteur who developed a simple form through which they receive inputs from the members. Everyone could access and download the draft, and then use the short form to submit recommendations. A poll was taken to determine the most convenient day and time, and a Zoom meeting has been scheduled to be held two days after the deadline for inputs, and the final document is to be sent on the deadline. It is easy to see who the active participants are, and they all began their engagement with short introductions. The group also developed an internal document on its operation which makes it easy for newcomers to orient themselves and become active participants. In the other group,
By Alicia Wallace there was more passive aggression and ego than progress. One person dominated the space, often shutting other people down. I saw numerous
strong recommendations that this person dismissed. Anyone viewing the chat without context would have thought that person was the group leader, though a
terrible one. Several people asked, on more than one occasion, for a meeting to discuss the priorities of the group and the potential for working in smaller groups. The bad “leader” insisted there was no need to meet because they have been through this process in previous years, and all anyone else needs to do is give recommendations. They shared a PDF with their own recommendations and called on others to send their own to be added. Noticeably and predictably, participation in the chat decreased and that PDF, badly written by one person without group input, became the draft. Calls for a shared document were ignored, and the group is largely inactive. It is not difficult to see the root causes of the issues with the second working group, especially when compared with the progress being made by the first group. One of the biggest failures of the organisation that brought these groups together is the lack of moderation and the expectation that these large groups could be “self-managed” when there are people from different countries, a language barrier, and competing priorities. A set of guidelines would have been incredibly helpful, but instead, the groups are racing against a deadline without knowing exactly what they are meant to produce. Large groups are difficult to manage, and it is ideal for them to be able to function independently. For that to happen, there has to be high-level coordination — not micromanagement — and an appropriate workspace (which can be virtual). Here are a few practices that can help large groups to function: 1. Make time for introductions. When there are more tasks ahead than it seems time will allow for, it is tempting to dive right in. Everyone wants to get to work, make the submission, and move on. It becomes difficult, however, to work with people without knowing who they are, what they do, and how they can contribute to the work. It is important to take some time to learn a bit about each other. More and more, employers are using personality tests and work style assessments to help teams to understand each other and work together better. This is not often feasible for short-term projects, due to time constraints and the associated costs, but we can use what we already know. Name and designation are great to know, but short bios are even better for giving some context to each person’s work. It is also helpful to know why people
are a part of the process and what they think they are bringing to the table. It is just as important to know how people normally work and the methods of communication and collaboration they prefer. Some people are happy to do the research and share documents with the team. Others want to be able to brainstorm in a small group. Some think it is important for the entire group to meet on a regular basis to exchange ideas and make decisions at critical points. Some people prefer to work via email while others want to use productivity tools and project management platforms. All of this information can be shared at the start if people are invited to introduce themselves with their names, designations, reasons for being in the room, relevant strengths or contributions they expect to make, and their work style. The facilitator can offer questions or prompts to help team members to share this information, and someone should take notes that can help with forming smaller teams and setting methods of work. 2. Set guidelines for interaction. People need to know how to interact and to be clear on the expectations. How many people are in the group? Will the group, at some point, be divided into small groups? Will there be leads on particular segments? Have they already been identified, or will that decision be made by the group? How much time will be spent in meetings and how much of it will be set aside for independent work? When are the break times? Are there people in other time zones who may need additional allowances? Is the expectation that cameras be turned on during meetings? How does the use of cameras affect internet connectivity? Will decisions be made by consensus or majority vote? How will disagreements be handled? The more questions are answered before issues arise, the easier it will be to prevent and to resolve issues. 3. Divide the work into segments. Especially for large teams, it is helpful to divide tasks into more manageable work streams so that smaller, more specialized teams can work on them. If, for example, the team needs to produce a document, small teams can each focus on one drafting one section or chapter. This, of course, does not prevent the larger team from working together to determine the format, sources of information, and general position of the document before forming small teams. 4. Identify useful roles. Some teams are able to manage themselves and
share duties, but this is more difficult to do in larger numbers. There is also the issue of more vocal people dominating the space and assuming positions of leadership. Based on the information shared in the introductions, teams can determine who is bestsuited for specific roles, and people can self-nominate. These roles may include rapporteuring and internal communications. There is always a need for notetaking, and there has to be a person on the team who can send emails to everyone and schedule meetings. It is also often helpful to have a designated person to handle conflict resolution. That way, people know who to privately message if a situation arises, and that person should have some tools for de-escalating and resolving conflict. 5. Set milestones. The final deadline is good to have, but a project timeline with deadlines along the way, with milestones and deliverables, ensures that progress is steady. It also creates the opportunity for teams to celebrate small wins, check in with each other, and make necessary adjustments as they move toward the next key point on the timeline. 6. Determine the best ways to contribute. Every platform is not good for every activity or type of group. A group may use Zoom for meetings, Google Docs for collaborative work on a draft, Dropbox for file-sharing, and Asana for task management. Another group may have one powerful productivity tool that can handle all of it. Some groups function well using email only. It depends on what needs to get done and who is working together. Beyond the tools, it is also important to discuss the way people want to work together. How can someone give feedback? How late are people willing to work? What is the blackout time for instant messaging? What if someone wants to share an idea that is a better fit for a different small group? Figure it out before getting started with the tasks, and prevent time loss during the work period. 7. Agree on a meeting schedule. One of the most frustrating things is trying to schedule a meeting with a group of busy people, especially when it is short notice. In many cases, it is best to set a standing meeting, whether it is weekly, biweekly, or monthly, just so that there is something on the calendar and people have the opportunity to share ideas, give and receive feedback, report on progress, and determine next steps together.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 27, 2022, PAGE 9
US DRONE COMPANY ZIPLINE DELIVERING MEDICINE IN JAPAN By YURI KAGEYAMA AP Business Writer
TOKYO (AP) — Zipline, an American company that specialises in using autonomously flying drones to deliver medical supplies, has taken off in Japan. They started flying last week across the tiny Goto Islands, off the western coast of Kyushu, in southwestern Japan, delivering to pharmacies and hospitals. Other parts of Japan may follow, including urban areas, although the biggest needs tend to be in isolated rural areas. Zipline, founded six years ago, already is in service in the U.S., where it has partnered with Walmart Inc. to deliver other products at the retail chain as well as drugs. It is also delivering medical goods in Ghana and Rwanda. Its takeoff in Japan is in partnership with Toyota Tsusho, a group company of Japan’s top automaker Toyota Motor Corp. “You can totally transform the way that you react to pandemics, treat patients and do things like home health care delivery,” Zipline Chief Executive Keller Rinaudo told The Associated Press. Although drones have been used in Japan for photography and aerial exhibitions, such as the Tokyo Olympics last year, they’re not in wide use, especially in urban areas because of regulations. It remains to be seen if Zipline’s health care service will help win over sceptics. Rinaudo was optimistic the technology will be accepted in a nation known for robotics prowess, which has a large elderly population but
IN this photo provided by Zipline, a drone makes a package drop during a demonstration at Zipline’s Northern California hub in 2021. Zipline, an American company that specialises in using autonomously flying drones to deliver medical supplies, has taken off in Japan. (Zipline via AP)
needs better health care in isolated areas. Medical services are the focus because “there was a real moral imperative to get that right first,” he said. “Communities will deeply understand the value of the service. And it was also easier to get regulators comfortable with what we were doing when every flight was potentially saving a human life,” Rinaudo said.
By delivering medicine precisely, the service helps reduce stockpiles and, potentially, waste. The zeroemission quiet flights can go as far as 300 kilometres (186 miles) and are inexpensive compared to other modes of transport, according to Zipline, based in South San Francisco, California. The coronavirus pandemic has made deliveries of vaccines more pressing than ever, Rinaudo said. Blood supplies, insulin and cancer
treatment have also been delivered with Zipline drones. A subsidiary called Sora-iina will carry out the operations, managing a distribution center and flight services from Fukue Port on Goto Islands. It’s the first distribution centre in Asia, and 14th in the world to operate Zipline’s “autonomous instant logistics” technology. Three major Japanese distributors of pharmaceuticals have agreed to be partners.
BUSINESSMEN BACK ON EARTH AFTER CHARTER TRIP TO SPACE STATION
By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Three rich businessmen returned from the International Space Station with their astronaut escort Monday, wrapping up a pricey trip that marked NASA’s debut as a B&B host. Flying back in a SpaceX capsule, they splashed down in the Atlantic off the Florida coast to close out a 17-day tour that cost them $55 million apiece. The trip was supposed to last a little over a week, but dicey weather kept the visitors in orbit almost twice as long as intended. “Welcome back to planet Earth,” radioed SpaceX Mission Control from Southern California. “We hope you enjoyed the extra few days in space.” “Amazing mission,” said real estate tycoon Larry Connor. Before departing the space station Sunday night, the group thanked their seven hosts, including three NASA astronauts whose own mission is nearing an end. It was the first time NASA opened its space hatches to tourists after shunning the practice perfected over the decades by Russia. Last fall, a Russian film crew flew up, followed by a Japanese fashion mogul and his assistant. In each case, an active-duty cosmonaut travelled with
THIS photo provided by SpaceX shows the SpaceX crew seated in the Dragon spacecraft on Friday, April 8 in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Axiom handled the logistics for the trip. From left are Canadian private equity CEO Mark Pathy, American real estate tycoon Larry Connor; Michael Lopez-Alegria, an Axiom vice president who flew to space four times while a NASA astronaut, and Israeli investor Eytan Stibbe of Tel Aviv. They returned to Earth on Monday after a trip to the International Space Station. (SpaceX via AP, File) them. The latest guests were accompanied by a former NASA astronaut now working for Axiom Space, the Houston company in charge of the flight, making it the first fully private trip to the space station. After hosting longer than expected, NASA was itching to make room for the next crew. SpaceX will attempt to launch three NASA astronauts and one Italian to the space station as soon as Wednesday. They’ll replace the three Americans and
a German up there since November who will head back to Earth in their own SpaceX capsule. The pace is blazingly fast by NASA standards. SpaceX’s Benji Reed said the company launched its first passengers — a pair of NASA test pilots — two years ago and just completed its first private flight to the space station using the same capsule. Axiom handled the logistics for the trip for its three paying customers: Connor from Dayton, Ohio;
Canadian private equity CEO Mark Pathy; and Israeli investor Eytan Stibbe of Tel Aviv. Their chaperone was Michael Lopez-Alegria, an Axiom vice president who flew to space four times while a NASA astronaut. It was an “amazing adventure that we’ve had, even longer and more exciting than we thought,” LopezAlegria said after departing the space station. Axiom teamed up with SpaceX for the journey that began with an April 8 liftoff from NASA’s
Kennedy Space Center. It was SpaceX’s second private flight, coming just months after a billionaire’s orbital jaunt with contest winners. While in space, the visitors did experiments and peered back at Earth. “It’s been eye-opening in so many ways,” Pathy said, “that I think will have such a lasting impact on my life.” The experience was especially personal for Stibbe. He served as a fighter pilot under Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut who died aboard space shuttle Columbia in 2003. Stibbe flew copies of the surviving pages of Ramon’s space diary, as well as artwork and music created by Ramon’s children. He celebrated Passover with matzah bread he took up and gefilte fish offered by the station’s Russians. Axiom’s second flight is set for next spring as the company looks ahead to having its own space station by 2030. “There were a lot of eyes on this mission just to see if it was practical,” Derek Hassmann, Axiom’s operations director, said after the splashdown. “Everybody understood it was possible,” but wondered if amateurs could pull this off with abbreviated training, without disturbing the space station crew. “I think we proved we could do that,” Hassmann said.
TECHTALK
GM TO OFFER ELECTRIFIED CORVETTE AS EARLY AS NEXT YEAR
By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer GENERAL Motors says it will offer an electrified Chevrolet Corvette as early as next year. President Mark Reuss said in a statement on LinkedIn Monday that the automaker will also sell a fully electric Corvette sometime in the future. An electrified vehicle generally means a gaselectric hybrid or a plug-in rechargeable hybrid, but more details on the vehicles are expected at a later date. Interest in electric vehicles is increasing among consumers as demand for an electric Corvette has been building among the sports car’s fan base. Last August President Joe Biden even discussed how he’d had a conversation with General Motors CEO Mary Barra about wanting to test drive an electric Corvette once it is built. Earlier this month GM and Honda announced that they are planning to co-develop some affordable electric vehicles that will use GM’s next-generation Ultium battery technology. The vehicles, which will include a compact Chevrolet Equinox SUV that will sell for around $30,000. It’s expected to go sale in North America next year. In January GM said that it plans to spend nearly $7 billion to convert a factory to make electric pickup trucks and to build a new battery cell plant. GM has set a goal of building only electric passenger vehicles by 2035. It has pledged to have 30 electric vehicle models for sale globally by 2025.
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PAGE 10, Wednesday, April 27, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
US urges more arms for Ukraine TORETSK, Ukraine Associated Press
THE US pressed its allies yesterday to move “heaven and earth” to keep Kyiv well-supplied with weapons as Russian forces rained fire on eastern and southern Ukraine amid growing new fears the war could spill over the country’s borders. For the second day in a row, explosions rocked the separatist region of TransDniester in neighboring Moldova, knocking out two powerful radio antennas close to the Ukrainian border. No one claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Ukraine all but blamed Russia. In other developments, Poland and Bulgaria said the Kremlin is cutting off natural gas supplies to the two NATO countries starting Wednesday, the first such actions of the war. Both nations had refused Russia’s demands that they pay in rubles. Poland has been a major
ROBERTO MARQUEZ, a Mexican artist living in the United States, paints a work inspired by Picasso’s canvas of Guernica, the Basque city bombed on April 26, 1937, on a bridge destroyed in Irpin, near Kyiv, yesterday. Photo: Emilio Morenatti/AP gateway for the delivery of on Russian energy. Bulgaria fast. weapons to Ukraine and gets over 90% of its gas US Defence Secretary confirmed this week that from Russia, and officials Lloyd Austin convened it is sending the country said they were working to a meeting yesterday of find other sources. tanks. officials from about 40 Two months into the countries at the US air base The potential effect of the cutoff was not imme- fighting, Western arms at Ramstein, Germany, and diately clear. Poland said it have helped Ukraine stall said more help is on the was well-prepared for such Russia’s invasion, but the way. a move after working for country’s leaders have said “This gathering reflects years to reduce its reliance they need more support the galvanised world,”
Austin said, adding that he wanted officials to leave the meeting “with a common and transparent understanding of Ukraine’s near-term security requirements because we’re going to keep moving heaven and earth so that we can meet them.” After unexpectedly fierce resistance by Ukrainian forces thwarted Russia’s attempt to take Ukraine’s capital, Moscow now says its focus is the capture of the Donbas, the mostly Russian-speaking industrial region in eastern Ukraine. In the small city of Toretsk in the Donbas, residents are struggling to survive, collecting rainwater for washing up and fervently hoping for an end to the fighting. “It’s bad. Very bad. Hopeless,” said Andriy Cheromushkin. “You feel so helpless that you don’t know what you should do or shouldn’t do. Because if you want to do something, you need some money, and
there is no money now.” Russian advances and heavy fighting were reported in the Donbas, with one town, Kreminna, apparently falling after days of street-by-street fighting, according to the British military. In the gutted southern port city of Mariupol, authorities said Russian forces hit the Azovstal steel plant with 35 airstrikes over the past 24 hours. The plant is the last known stronghold of Ukrainian fighters in the city. About 1,000 civilians were said to be taking shelter there with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. “Russia has drastically intensified strikes over the past 24 hours and is using heavy bunker bombs,” said Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to Mariupol’s mayor. “The number of those wounded will be clear once the rubble is cleared.” He also accused Russian forces of shelling a route it had offered as an escape corridor from the steel mill.
VIDEOS SHOW AFTERMATH OF FILM-SET SHOOTING SANTA FE, New Mexico Associated Press
THE sheriff investigating the fatal film-set shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin described complacency, disorganisation and neglected safety measures on the New Mexico set of the lowbudget movie “Rust”. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Menda said yesterday he’s waiting on a forensic analysis of the weapon, projectile, fingerprints and more from the FBI and state medical examiners before turning the six-month-old case over to local prosecutors to decide whether criminal charges are appropriate. “There is a degree of neglect: Whether that reaches the criminal level, that will be up to the district attorney to determine,” the sheriff told “Good Morning America”. A day after, he released virtually the entire case file of the investigation after a live round of ammunition killed Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza during an October rehearsal. Filming took place at a ranch on the outskirts of the city of Santa Fe. The vast trove of newly released law enforcement files include lapel camera video of the mortally wounded Hutchins
GN-2705
IN this image from video released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, Alec Baldwin gestures while talking with investigators following a fatal shooting last year on a movie set in Santa Fe, New Mexico. slipping in and out of con- Baldwin, still in 19th censciousness as an evacuation tury costume. Newly published docuhelicopter arrives on the set of the Western movie set ments show authorities have for “Rust”. Witness inter- scraped cellphone accounts rogations, email threads, for text messages, images text conversations, inven- and audio files linked the tories of ammunition and cast, crew and munitions hundreds of photographs suppliers for “Rust”. Text round out the collection of messages recount two firearms misfires on the set evidence. In one newly released prior to the deadly shootvideo, a sheriff’s deputy ing, though none involved arrives on the “Rust” movie live ammunition. Other videos show invesset as medics attempt attend to Hutchins inside a small tigators as they debrief wooden church where she Baldwin within hours of the was shot during a rehearsal fatal shooting, talking with him inside a compact office in preparation for filming. “Halyna, deep breath. — and rehearsal clips that There you go, good girl,” show Baldwin in costume says a medic, urging Hutch- as he practices a quick-draw ins to take in air through an maneuver with a gun. An attorney for Baldwin oxygen mask. Outside, a medical evacu- says the newly released files ation helicopter lands in the corroborate that the actor desert. A law enforcement and Rust co-producer was officer keeps watch over careful with guns on the set.
CDC: THREE IN FOUR KIDS HAVE HAD CORONAVIRUS NEW YORK Associated Press
THREE out of every four US children have been infected with the coronavirus and more than half of all Americans had signs of previous infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers estimated in a report yesterday. The researchers examined blood samples from more than 200,000 Americans and looked for virus-fighting antibodies made from infections, not vaccines. They found that signs of past infection rose dramatically between December and February, when the more contagious omicron variant surged through the US. For Americans of all ages, about 34 percent had signs of prior infection in December. Just two months later, 58 percent did. “I did expect it to increase. I did not expect it to increase quite this much,” said Dr Kristie Clarke, co-leader of a CDC team that tracks the extent of coronavirus infections. The news came as Pfizer sought permission to offer a booster dose to kids ages five to 11, just like people 12 and older can get. In the CDC report, the most striking increase was in children. The percentage of those 17 and under with antibodies rose from about 45 percent in December to about 75 percent in February. The older people were, the less likely they had
evidence of past infections. That may be because older adults have higher vaccination rates and they may be more likely to take other COVID-19 precautions, such as wearing masks and avoiding crowds, Clarke said. Reported COVID-19 cases had a huge surge in December and January, then fell almost as dramatically as they had risen. But daily case counts have been trending up again in recent weeks. The case numbers are believed to be an undercount, but officials do think recent increases reflect a true rise in infections. Many COVID-19 infections are mild enough that patients do not seek care or confirmatory lab tests. CDC officials say they plan to release a study soon that estimates that in recent months there were three infections for every reported case. Another recent trend: US health officials say they have seen two weeks of increases in COVID-19 hospitalisations, though the numbers remain relatively low. Hospital admissions number about 1,600 per day, a 9 percent increase in the prior week, the CDC reported. Available evidence nevertheless offers reason to be hopeful about how the pandemic is going, officials suggested. “We are not anticipating more severe disease from some of these subvariants, but we are actively studying them,” CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky said Tuesday.
SPORTS PAGE 11
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2022
Coaches Hall of Fame: Greene to be inducted By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
T
here’s a saying that it’s better late than never. For Bahamian Rolando “Lonnie” Greene, it couldn’t be any better as he looks forward to his induction into the Drake Relays Coaches Hall of Fame. Greene, who has coached athletes at both Purdue and Kentucky universities to more than 34 championship titles, will be enshrined on Thursday, April 28 at the Courtside Club in the Shivers Basketball Practice Facility on the Drake campus. He will go in with three-time Olympian Jenny Simpson, who also
captured a gold medal in the 1,500 metres at the 2011 World Championships, Aubrey Herring, a seventime NCAA All-American hurdler from Indiana State, as she will be inducted into the Drake Relays Athletes Hall of Fame. Greene, who is in his fourth season as head of the track and field and cross-country programmes at Kentucky after six seasons coaching the men’s and women’s teams at Purdue, will be the 89th inductee into the Coaches Hall of Fame. The Coaches Hall of Fame was established in 1977 with charter members John L Griffith (Drake), Harry Gill (Illinois), Tom E Jones (Wisconsin), Clyde Littlefield (Texas), Leo Johnson (Illinois) and
ROLANDO ‘Lonnie’ Greene. Bill Easton (Drake and Kansas). “Anytime you’re invited to be enshrined into an
organisation or something that is way before you and you are included in it forever, it’s a blessing,” Greene said. “You get into this business not to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but just to be a blessing to someone else. “So for someone to recognise you for your efforts, it’s mind blowing. I can’t wait for that day to come. I don’t know if I would cry. But I am very honoured that they have selected me to be honoured.” While this is his first induction, Greene said it’s definitely “better late than before” because he remembers how his boss at Arkansas, Lance Harter, was blessed to be enshrined in quite a few inductions, he always told him not to
stop looking yet because your time is coming.” The 55-year-old Greene is a former Bahamian versatile track athlete at Murray State. He has been coaching for more than 20 years, but noted that this honour is something that he will be able to tell his children’s children long after he’s completed his tenure in the sport. Greene will become the first Kentucky coach to be inducted and the third who coached at Purdue, following Dave Rankin in 1995 and Mike Poehlein in 1998. The 34 relays titles under Greene’s tutelage all have come in a seven-year period starting in 2013, his first season at Purdue. He took the Kentucky job in
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School cricket ‘in its infancy stage’ By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WHEN Corey Edwards was appointed as the new development officer for the Bahamas Cricket Association, one of the first initiatives he felt was needed was to get the sport included into the school curriculum that will be expanded with a national youth programme. Edwards, who has been in town since February and has already travelled with the men’s national cricket team, said while the programme is just in its infancy stage, he anticipates that it will grow bigger and better as they seek to get more Bahamians playing the sport once again. “I noticed that the men were up and running, but there was a need for the youth,” said Edwards, as he officially launched the youth programme last week at the AF Adderley Gymnasium. “So we are launching today, the official start of the youth programme throughout the Bahamas. “I was pleasantly surprised when I went to the schools. The kids and the teachers were very keen about learning a new sport, some of them knew about it already, but we wanted the enthusiasm and that is what I was looking for.” The initial programme was opened to students and coaches from AF Adderley
TWO All England Club officials defended during a news conference yesterday the “intensely tough and agonising decision” to bar players from Russia and Belarus from Wimbledon this year because of the invasion of Ukraine. Citing the club’s “responsibility to play our part in limiting the possibility of Wimbledon being used to justify the harm being done to others by the Russian regime,” Chief Executive Sally Bolton said, “we believe that this decision is the only viable option for Wimbledon.” As much as Bolton and All England Chairman Ian
STARS TO ATTEND DEREK JETER CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL GALA AT BAHA MAR LEGENDARY professional baseball player turned executive Derek Jeter will hold his inaugural Derek Jeter Celebrity Invitational (DJCI) Gala at Baha Mar’s Performing Arts & Convention Center in The Bahamas on Saturday, April 30. Grammy award winning artist Pitbull will headline the star-studded event, and acclaimed radio personality, author, hip hop artist and actress Angie Martinez will emcee the evening. This year’s DJCI will kick off Thursday, April 28, with a private welcome reception at Marcus at Baha Mar Fish and Chop House hosted by Angie Martinez, featuring music by legendary, award-winning artist, DJ, and philanthropist D-Nice. The two-round Celebrity-Amateur tournament, which pairs one celebrity with three amateur participants, will begin Friday, April 29 at the 18-hole Royal Blue Golf Course and conclude Saturday, April 30. Since the event launched in Las Vegas in 2015, DJCI has contributed more than $8 million to The Turn 2
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COREY EDWARDS, Bahamas Cricket Association development officer, poses with primary and junior high school students and physical education teachers. He says while the cricket programme is just in its infancy stage, he anticipates that it will grow bigger and better as they seek to get more Bahamians playing the sport once again. and SC McPherson Junior High Schools along with CW Sawyer, Sybil Strachan, Yellow Elder and Ridgeland Primary Schools. The programme, designed for boys and girls, will play some internal matches before they play against each other. Edwards, however, said once they get the primary and junior high schools up and running, the goal is to expand the programme to include the senior high schools. He noted that there is also a plan to include the private schools. He thanked BCA’s president Greg Taylor and his
executive and members for allowing him to begin the programme. At the official launch, Edwards presented the physical education teachers with their starter kits after he gave a demonstration of how easy it is for them to host their games, using some of the student-athletes on hand as participants. At least three of the students were eager about their participation in the programme. Jasmine Moss, a 12-yearold student of Sybil Strachan Primary, said she found out that the sport
is a lot of fun and it’s educational. “The fun part is running,” said Moss, who decided to get into the sport because she likes running and being active. “I am just a fast learner. I like when I run because I like track, so it’s a lot of fun playing the sport.” Jason Guerrier, a eighth grader at SC McPherson, said when he heard about it at his school, he decided to try it. “I like to hit the ball, drop the bat and run,” said Guerrier, who never played any other sport. “I would like to continue playing the sport.”
And Latora Fox, a 13-year-old seventh grader, said when she was in their physical education class, they got an opportunity to practice the sport and she liked it. “I missed all of the shots, but I still like it,” she said. “I would like to go very far because I know you can get a scholarship. So I want to play it.” Nakita Henfield, a physical education teacher at SC McPherson, said when she was introduced to Edwards when he came to share the programme, she decided to get involved.
Hewitt touted Wimbledon’s return to “normal” this year — a word they used repeatedly, mainly with regard to COVID19, during a briefing about a tournament that begins June 27 — the questions and answers about the historic Russia policy dominated yesterday’s session with the media. Among the prominent players affected by the ban announced last week are reigning US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who recently reached No. 1 in the rankings and is currently No. 2; No. 8 Andrey Rublev; No. 4 Aryna Sabalenka, a Wimbledon semifinalist last year; Victoria Azarenka, a former No. 1 who has won the
Australian Open twice; and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the French Open runnerup last year. Medvedev, Rublev and Pavlyuchenkova are from Russia; Sabalenka and Azarenka are from Belarus. After Russia attacked Ukraine in February — with help from Belarus — tennis players from Russia and Belarus were able to continue competing but as “neutral” athletes not formally representing their nations. Russia’s athletes were prevented from participating in several other sports; its national men’s soccer team, for example, was kept out of the World Cup qualifying playoffs for the tournament in Qatar later this year.
The WTA and ATP tennis tours publicly criticised the All England Club’s decision and reportedly have considered threatening to not award rankings points for Wimbledon. Bolton would not directly address that possibility, but she said there are discussions with the tours “on a day-to-day basis at this point.” “We think they understand what a challenging position we’re in,” Hewitt said. In outlining “the factors behind this intensely tough and agonizing decision” in what Hewitt called “an extreme and exceptional situation,” he and Bolton emphasized the role of the British government’s
SOUNDERS CHASE HISTORY IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer
guidance about limiting Russia’s influence. “We recognise that whatever decision we took, we’ll be setting a precedent,” Bolton said. “We made our judgement in the context of the scale of the response to an international war, the consequences of which reach far wider than the sport of tennis. We appreciate that this is an immensely difficult decision on which people have different views, which we respect and we understand, and we are deeply regretful of the impact that this will have on every single player who is affected.” Asked about the possibility of allowing players
TUKWILA, Wash. (AP) — It was probably not the intent of Seattle Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer to create an unfiltered catch phrase in the aftermath of a historic accomplishment by his club. “This is a massive (expletive) deal for the club, OK? This is a big deal,” Schmetzer said in the locker room after the Sounders advanced to the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time in club history. That short little sound bite has become the marketing cornerstone for the Sounders heading into the first leg of the final against LigaMX club Pumas tonight in Mexico City. Schmetzer is right. It is a big deal. Even Marshawn Lynch thinks so, cutting a promo for the team using Schmetzer’s words. It’s big because no Major League Soccer team has won the CCL since its current format was adopted in 2008 and Seattle may have the best shot of any league team to date. “Sigi (Schmid) always used to say, ‘We want to be the first team to do this. We want to be the first team to do that,’ because we’re Seattle Sounders,” Schmetzer
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WIMBLEDON DEFENDS ‘AGONISING DECISION’ TO BAN RUSSIANS By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
NBA Playoffs, PAGE 13
PAGE 12, Wednesday, April 27, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
SERBIA TO FACE SPAIN IN DAVIS CUP FINALS GROUP STAGE MADRID (AP) — Serbia and Spain will square off in the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals, organisers said after holding a draw yesterday. That could mean a matchup of Novak Djokovic against Rafael Nadal when their nations play as part of Group B along with Canada and South Korea in Valencia September 14-18. Nadal did not play for Spain last year; Djokovic helped Serbia reach the semifinals. Group A, hosted by Bologna, will include Croatia — last year’s runner-up — along with Italy, Argentina and Sweden. Group C, in Hamburg, will pit Germany against France, Belgium and Australia. Britain, the United States, Kazakhstan, and the Netherlands will play in Group D in Glasgow. Serbia was in the draw to replace Russia, last year’s champion, after it was expelled by the International Tennis Federation for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The top two teams of each group will advance to the knockout rounds, including quarterfinals, semifinals and final to be played in Málaga November 21-27. The entire competition between men’s national teams will be played on indoor hard courts.
Annual Tim’s Refrigeration Eleuthera Doubles Tennis Tournament a success THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) congratulates coach Artie Johnson and team on another successful completion of the annual Tim’s Refrigeration Eleuthera Doubles Tennis Tournament. Organiser and recent Hall of Famer coach Artie Johnson reports on the event below: The 15th Annual Tim’s Refrigeration Eleuthera Doubles Tennis Tournament was once again a success, with teams coming from Abaco, Nassau, Spanish Wells,
South Eleuthera, and the regular players from Central Eleuthera, including lots of homeowner residents. We would like to thank our sponsor Mr Tim Dames, Ms Darnette Weir for sponsoring the trophies, Barbara Johnson for all of the hard work putting the cook-out together with help from SonnyMan and Arthur Bethel and all who donated, we thank you. The results are as follows: Men’s Doubles - Kevin Carey & Charles Rolle def. Vernon Russell & Macquel McDonald.
Consolation - Roy Ravera & Shawn def Tim Dames & Eugene. Ladies Doubles - Cameel McDonald & Chavonnne Reid def Tracy Penfound & Michelle Walker. Consolation - Jennifer Psumpus & Mary Atwood- Culmer. Mix Doubles - Macquel McDonald & Cameel McDonald def. Vernon Russell & Chavonnne Reid. Consolation - Craig Gibson & Tracy Penfound.
The tournament director was coach Artie Johnson, assisted by Jackie Percentie, Elva Nixon and Rob Atwood. Winners of the Brent & Eulona Johnson memorial trophy for the top junior Male and Female tennis players: Male - Ayia Bethel. Runner up Johnny Psumpas. Female - Alathea - Lele Psumpas. Thanks to all who sponsored the food and the live streaming tech team led by Martin Gator and Carlton Moss.
DJOKOVIC CAN PLAY AT WIMBLEDON, NO VACCINATION REQUIRED By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer NOVAK Djokovic will be allowed to defend his title at Wimbledon, despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19, because the shots are not required to enter Britain, All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton said yesterday. Djokovic, a 34-year-old Serb who is ranked No. 1, missed the Australian Open in January after being deported from that country because he was not vaccinated against the illness caused by the coronavirus that has led to the deaths of millions during the pandemic that began in 2020. During the annual spring briefing ahead of Wimbledon, which starts on June 27, Bolton said that “whilst, of course, it is encouraged” that all players get vaccinated, “it will not be a condition of entry to compete” at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament this year. Djokovic, in addition to being unable to defend his championship at Melbourne Park after an 11-day legal saga over whether he could remain in Australia, had to sit out tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami because he couldn’t travel to the United States as a foreigner who is unvaccinated. The US Tennis Association has said that it will follow whatever governmental rules are in place regarding COVID-19 vaccination status when the US Open is held starting in late August. Djokovic — who has said he got COVID-19 twice, once each in 2020 and 2021 — owns 20 Grand Slam singles titles, tied with Roger Federer for the second-most for a man. They trail Rafael Nadal, who won his 21st at the Australian Open. The next major event is the French Open, which begins on May 22, and tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said last month there was nothing preventing Djokovic from defending his 2021 title in Paris. The Italian Open, a claycourt tune-up for Roland Garros, also has said Djokovic can play there next month.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 27, 2022, PAGE 13
SUNS COACH MONTY WILLIAMS FINED $15K FOR CRITICISING REFEREES
MORANT’S LAST-SECOND LAYUP GIVES GRIZZLIES 3-2 SERIES LEAD By TERESA M WALKER AP Sports Writer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant scored on a layup with a second left, and the Memphis Grizzlies rallied from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to edge the Minnesota Timberwolves 111109 last night and grab a 3-2 lead in their first-round Western Conference series. Morant, named the NBA’s most improved player on Monday, struggled mightily much of the game. But he turned it on in the fourth quarter, scoring 18 points — including 9 of 10 at the free-throw line. Morant came from the low post as the Grizzlies inbounded the ball with 3.7 seconds left and lost Anthony Edwards at the top of the key. That left him an open lane into the paint that he’s so rarely had in this series, beating Jarred Vanderbilt with his left hand on an underhanded layup. Morant finished with 30 and had 13 rebounds and nine assists. Desmond Bane added 25 points, and Brandon Clarke had 21 off the bench for Memphis, and Jaren Jackson Jr added 12 before fouling out. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Anthony Edwards had 22, and D’Angelo Russell added 12 and Taurean Prince 10. Game 6 is Friday night in Minnesota. The Timberwolves led 99-88 with 6:58 left after three free throws by Towns and Jackson fouling out for a second straight game. The Grizzlies responded with a 10-0 run to set up a thrilling finish to what had been an ugly game with plenty of poor shooting. Edwards tied it up at 109 for Minnesota with a 3 with 3.7 seconds left. That set up Morant for the final drive to the basket for the game-winner.
GREENE
FROM PAGE 11 the summer of 2018 and brought an outstanding group of athletes to the 2019 Drake Relays, the Wildcats’ first appearance in the meet since 1988. They made quite a splash. Greene’s athletes won eight events, highlighted by Daniel Roberts’ victory over world and Olympic gold medallist Omar McLeod – his former training partner – in the World Showdown Invitational 110 hurdles. “I have viewed coach Greene as a role model since I was a teenager,” Boldon said. “In addition to his many coaching accolades, he is one of the most personable coaches in the country and Drake Relays fans are always excited to watch his athletes perform.” Kentucky’s Faith Ross became just the third runner and first since 2004 to sweep the university-college 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles and was voted the Outstanding Performer in the women’s division. The Wildcats also swept the men’s and women’s 4x200 relays. With All-American Abby Steiner anchoring the women’s team, a Greene-coached foursome prevailed in that event for the fourth straight year. His Purdue teams won the women’s 4x200 in 2016-17-18. With Greene in charge, Kentucky athletes have earned All-America recognition 51 times at the NCAA Indoor Championships, including 23 this year, and 49 times at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. At this year’s NCAA Indoor Championships, the
CRICKET
FROM PAGE 11 “It’s not a core sport for us, so because it’s new, children tend to pick it up very quickly and so we will just focus on the club aspect of the sport,” she said. “We don’t know how we will fit it into the curriculum, but we will figure that out as time goes on. “The kids are loving it. As a matter of fact, I’m loving it. I didn’t play sports, I didn’t know anything about the sport, but since
MIAMI Heat guard Victor Oladipo (4) drives to the basket against Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series last night in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Heat hold off Hawks 97-94, reach Eastern semifinals By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer MIAMI (AP) — Victor Oladipo scored 23 points, Bam Adebayo added 20 points and 11 rebounds, and the Miami Heat moved into the Eastern Conference semifinals by beating the Atlanta Hawks 97-94 last night. Tyler Herro scored 16, Max Strus scored 15 and Caleb Martin added 10 for the top-seeded Heat, who ousted the eighthseeded Hawks in five games. And Miami got the series-clincher without Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry, both of whom sat out last night with injuries. Trae Young’s rough series for Atlanta remained that way: He finished 2 for 12 from the floor, scoring just 11 points. For the series, the Hawks’ guard shot 32%
against Miami’s swarming defence. De’Andre Hunter scored 35 for Atlanta, which got 12 apiece from Kevin Huerter and Danilo Gallinari. Hunter fouled out with 41.6 seconds left, Miami clinging to a three-point lead at the time. The Hawks got a stop, taking over with 29.2 seconds remaining, and retained possession after a missed shot from Gallinari went out of bounds off Miami. The Hawks never got another shot off, time expired and Miami moved on. Onyeka Okongwu’s three-point play got Atlanta within 79-76 early in the fourth, the Hawks clawing back after being down by as many as 15. But Herro hit a higharcing jumper from the lane, Miami got a stop, and Oladipo hit a leftwing 3 on the next Heat
possession to push the lead back to eight with 7:29 remaining. That’s how the final minutes went: Atlanta made a charge, Miami would hold it off, all the way to the end. And now, the Heat get nearly a week off before facing either Philadelphia or Toronto in the East semis. Game 1 will be Monday in Miami. The Heat already knew they’d be without Lowry, who missed his second consecutive game with a strained left hamstring. The surprise was Butler, who reported knee soreness to the team on Monday and didn’t see enough improvement to play on Tuesday. It was the fourth time the Heat had to play without both Butler and Lowry this season, after going 1-2 in that scenario during the regular season — one of those
losses being the finale in Orlando where Miami sat most of its rotation players. And Butler and Lowry spent the final few minutes of the first half particularly enjoying what was happening. A 17-0 Miami run — including 10 in a row from Strus in a span of 67 seconds — turned a three-point deficit into a 54-40 lead late in the second quarter. Miami pushed the lead out to 67-52 on a score by Adebayo with 2:55 left in the third, and the lead was 75-64 going into the fourth. Atlanta had one last charge to make, getting within two in the final moments — but no closer. UP NEXT Miami will play host to Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Philadelphia or Toronto on Monday.
Kentucky women had 13 first-team All-Americans, including Steiner, who won the 200 for the second straight year in a meet record 22.16 seconds. The Kentucky women placed third in the team standings, matching the best finish in programme history. “We’ve been having a good year. We were third at the NCAAs Indoor Championships as a team on the women’s side,” Greene said. “It’s the first national trophy that I’ve ever won as a Bahamian head coach. “I think it’s the first time that a Bahamian has ever won a trophy, but I think we have a big shot to make a run at the title. Drake is our last regular season meet and then we enter into what I call championship cycle. We have SEC and then Nationals, so our goal right now is just to keep everybody healthy.” Greene’s Kentucky athletes also have won nine Southeastern Conference indoor championships, including three by Steiner in the 200, and five outdoor titles. Steiner won the indoor 200 this year in a blazing 22.09, the fastest in US history, the fastest in the world this year and the second-fastest ever, trailing only the 21.87 run in 1993 by Merlene Ottey, a member of the Drake Relays Athletes Hall of Fame. Greene reinvigorated the track and field programme at Purdue, coaching 38 athletes who earned a total of 86 All-America honours, including 21 who earned first-team recognition in 60 events. His athletes won 11 individual men’s Big Ten championships (four indoors, seven outdoors) and 20 individual women’s titles (11 indoors, nine outdoors).
The Boilermakers also won six Big Ten women’s relay titles during his tenure. He was the Big Ten women’s indoor coach of the year in 2017 and guided Purdue to the women’s conference outdoor championship later that year. His women’s team finished eighth at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships, the school’s highest finish ever. At the Drake Relays in 2018, his Purdue athletes orchestrated one of the greatest performances ever at the meet by winning 11 events, including seven during the Saturday session. The Purdue women won the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and sprint medley relays -- setting a meet record of 3:28.42 in the 4x400 -and captured the Hy-Vee Cup. The Boilermakers also got victories from Brionna Thomas in the 200, Savannah Roberson in the 100 hurdles, Janae Moffitt in the high jump and Micaela Hazelwood in the discus. On the men’s side, Justin Veteto won the university-college 110 hurdles, freshman Rahman Minor won the high jump and Purdue won the 4x200. With the victories by Veteto and Roberson, Purdue became the first school to sweep the high hurdles races. In all, Purdue athletes won 28 Drake Relays titles under Greene, including consecutive victories in the women’s university-college 400 hurdles (2016 and 2017) by Symone Black. Black had a chance to become the first to win the event three times, but chose to run in the Invitational 400 hurdles in 2018. She finished seventh in 57.24, a time that would have won the collegiate race by 1 ½ seconds.
Prior to Purdue and Kentucky, Greene spent 16 seasons with the women’s programme at Arkansas, eventually becoming associate head coach in charge of sprints, hurdles, horizontal jumps and multi-events from 2000-12. He was named the national assistant coach of the year in 2004. Before joining the Arkansas staff, Greene was an assistant coach at Missouri State (1991-95) and Minnesota (1995-96). In April, Greene got his second opportunity to travel as a coach on the Bahamas national team when he went to Belgrade, Serbia for the World Athletics’ Indoor Championships when his protégé Devynne Charlton clinched the silver in the women’s 100m hurdles and Shaunae Miller-Uibo claimed the gold in the women’s 400m. “To see how Devynne performed, I was proud as a peacock,” said Greene, who previously served as an assistant coach for the NACAC team in San Antonio in 2000. “I was not only proud to serve the Bahamas, but to be there to see one of my athletes perform so well. In my mind, it was a long time coming. I hope to do it again.” With Drake Relays being what he called an “athletes’-friendly meet,” Greene said he makes it a point every year to take his team there to compete, not as an option, but as an executive decision to prepare them for the “championship cycle.” While Greene’s induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, members of his Kentucky’s track team will be in action on Friday and Saturday, along with a few other Bahamian collegiate and elite athletes.
we started it, I caught on very fast and we all have been having a good time.” Henfield said Edwards makes it a lot of fun so the players are catching on quite well. Edwards conducts sessions for the junior high school students on Fridays from 4-6 pm, while the primary schools will be in action on Saturday mornings from 9-11 am at Haynes Oval. It’s expected that the programme will be ongoing even when the students are on break for the summer.
Through the programme, Edwards said it’s hoped that many of the players would be able to earn athletic scholarships in schools in England, South Africa and New Zealand. He said he hopes that there will be some players who can go on and play the sport at a professional level. And not just in the region, but around the world. Edwards had the opportunity to head the men’s national team that recently returned from the Cayman Islands where they played
in a few T-20 international matches earlier this month. Looking back at the performance of the men’s team, Edwards said it was a learning process. “Looking at what happened, the future looks bright for the Bahamas,” he said. “On that tour, we had a 16-yearold and a 17-year-old from Anatol Rodgers and CC Sweeting, who both went along to gain a lot of experience. “So really and truly, the future is bright. Let I say to all of the parents in our chat group. ‘Welcome to the future.’”
NEW YORK (AP) — Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams has been fined $15,000 for publicly criticising the officiating in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans, the NBA announced yesterday. Williams made his comments to the media following the Suns’ 118-103 road loss Sunday. He said he did not want to take away from the Pelicans’ effort, but he was upset by the disparity in foul shots. “Forty-two to 15 in free throws — slice it any way you like to, in a playoff game that’s physical, that’s amazing,” Williams said. “Coaches shouldn’t have to come up to the microphone and feel like they’re going to get their head cut off for speaking the truth.
SUNS head coach Monty Williams argues a call in the first half of Game 4 against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
It’s not like we didn’t attack the basket. That’s really hard to do. They outplayed us and they deserved to win, but that’s a free-throw disparity.” It’s the third $15,000 fine assessed in the past two days by the NBA for reactions to a disparity in free throws favouring the home team. Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins and Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid were fined Monday.
JETER
FROM PAGE 11 Foundation. Established in 1996, Turn 2 supports initiatives that promote leadership development, academic achievement, positive behaviour, healthy lifestyles and social change among young people. This year’s event partners include Baha Mar, ICON International, JP Sports + Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Among the stars joining Jeter are Sharlee Jeter, Pitbull, Anthony Anderson, Tiki Barber, Reggie Bush, Kevin Dillon, D-Nice, Joey Fatone, Tom Felton, Cliff Floyd, Jennie Finch, Ken Griffey Jr, Andruw Jones, Angie Martinez, Tino Martinez, Jorge Posada, Patrick Peterson, Ahmad Rashad, CC Sabathia, Paige Spiranac, Tanyon Sturtze, Jason Taylor and Joe Torre. Since its launch in December 1996, The Turn 2 Foundation has created and supported programmes and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and “Turn 2” healthy lifestyles. Through various specialised programmes and events, the Foundation works with youth in New York City, West Michigan and Tampa, empowering them to reach their full potential. Its signature Jeter’s Leaders initiative is a four-year leadership development programme that fosters academic achievement, positive behaviour and social change among high school students. During its 26-year history, Turn 2 has given back more than $35 million, funding its signature programmes as well as organisations that support its mission.
PAGE 14, Wednesday, April 27, 2022
WIMBLEDON FROM PAGE 11
Russia or Belarus to enter Wimbledon if they submitted a written declaration distancing themselves from Russian President Vladimir Putin — as proposed by British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston — Hewitt said: “There would still be the serious risk of participation and success of players being used to support the propaganda machine of the Russian regime. And we know that they do have a history of using sport to advance their cause. And that is a serious matter for us which we could not accept Wimbledon being part of.” The French Open is the next Grand Slam tournament, beginning May 22, and is expected to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to play as “neutral” participants. The US Tennis Association, which runs the US Open, has not made a decision about players from Russia and Belarus; that tournament starts August 29. The All England Club said fans from Russia and Belarus can attend Wimbledon, but media from those countries will not receive credentials. No decision has been made about Russian and Belarusian coaches or other support staff who work with players from other nations.
THE TRIBUNE
RUGBY SEVENS QUALIFIERS ROCK NASSAU
RUGBY Americas North (RAN) hosted its Sevens Qualifiers over the weekend as the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium hosted the top programmes in the region looking to advance in further international competition. Canada won both the men’s and women’s Cup Championships while Team Bahamas finished the tournament with a 1-4 win loss record. On day one, The Bahamas suffered a 34-0 loss to The Cayman Islands, a hard fought 20-19 loss to the Turks and Caicos Islands and 36-7 loss to Mexico to fall to 0-3. On day two, The Bahamas opened play with their highest scoring match and lone win of the tournament, a 26-12 decision over The British Virgin Islands. Kevin Deveaux was one of the top offensive threats for The Bahamas with the lone try scored against Mexico and a pair of tries against BVI. Team Bahamas concluded their run in the tournament with a 31-21 loss to Guyana. The tournament is a qualifier for a pair of major upcoming events including the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa in September, and the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, England in July. A total of 19 programmes (13 men’s teams and five women’s teams) competed in 46 matches, over the last two days at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Other participating men’s teams included Jamaica, Curacao, Guyana, The British Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Turks and Caicos, Bermuda, Belize, and Barbados. Women’s teams included Jamaica, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, and The Cayman Islands.
Photos:
Racardo Thomas/ Tribune Staff
SOUNDERS FROM PAGE 11
said this week before the team departed for Mexico. “Not because we’re part of MLS, but that was our inherent culture that we continue to try and build. “I would echo Sigi’s words. We want to be the first one to capture a CCL title. It’s a big, massive opportunity.” Seattle is the fifth MLS team to make the CCL final, joining Real Salt Lake (2011), CF Montreal (2015), Toronto FC (2018) and LAFC (2020). MLS has come close to breaking through in those previous opportunities. RSL lost the second leg at home to Monterrey 1-0 in 2011 after a 2-2 draw in Mexico. Montreal played Club América to a 1-1 draw at Estadio Azteca before losing 4-2 at home. Toronto reached a penalty shootout against Chivas de Guadalajara before losing 4-2 on PKs. And LAFC in a one-game final in 2020 led 1-0 before two goals from Tigres inside the final 20 minutes. The Sounders may have the best chance to end the drought for MLS. Seattle will host the second leg on May 4, the first time the CCL final has been decided over two games since 2019. And unlike the earlier rounds of the tournament, road goals are not a tiebreaker in the final. “You want to win things. You want to win trophies. That’s what you’re going to remember after your career,” Seattle midfielder Albert Rusnák said. “This is not only for myself, but for everybody here. We’re aware of the fact that no MLS team has won it before. All these things. We might not say it as often as you guys would like but everybody is aware of it.” The Sounders have made the Champions League a priority for most of their time since joining MLS in 2009. This year is the seventh time the Sounders have appeared in the tournament and the fifth time they have advanced to at least the quarterfinals. Before this season, Seattle’s best result was reaching the semifinals in 2013 before losing to Santos Laguna. While it lacks the clout of the UEFA Champions League, which features the top clubs from the best leagues in Europe, winning the CONCACAF version is the pathway to the FIFA Club World Cup and the opportunity to play some of the world’s best club teams in a competitive match. Even though Seattle has the advantage of hosting the second leg at home, Rusnák said the approach today will be the same as it was for earlier road matches in the tournament. “We’re not going there to get a tie, or not to lose the game by a couple of goals. We’re going there to win the game,” Rusnák said.
Villarreal faces next giant at Liverpool in CL semifinals By JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Juventus and Bayern Munich learned the hard way that Villarreal, despite its modest reputation, is no pushover even in Europe’s elite competition. Now the club from a small town of 50,000 inhabitants in eastern Spain must slay one more giant standing in the way of a dream appearance in its first Champions League final. Liverpool hosts Villarreal today at the always intimidating Anfield. Villarreal will hope to reproduce the upsets that it pulled off against Juventus in the round-of-16 and Bayern in the quarterfinals, or at least avoid a definitive defeat, before it hosts the return leg next week. “They are the favourites, but we have our strengths that will allow us to compete,” Unai Emery, whose strength as a coach is strategising for knockout competition, said yesterday. “We are here because we have our credentials after having gotten through the previous rounds against important rivals. The challenge is even greater now after Juventus and Bayern Munich, and we have to work hard to play our best both collectively and individually.” Relatively unknown among casual soccer fans outside Spain, Villarreal has for years established a
reputation for being one of the best-run Spanish clubs. Regardless of the coach or the squad members, the team known domestically as “The Yellow Submarine” for its bright banana-coloured uniforms, continually produces attractive, attack-first teams, which like to have the ball. Owner Fernando Roig, a billionaire businessman who owns a local ceramics company and a share of a highly successful supermarket chain, is credited with having built and maintained a stable club with a great eye for bringing in talented players without breaking the budget. Villarreal reached its only other Champions League semifinals in 2009 and finished the Spanish league in second place in 2008 under Manuel Pellegrini. But it reached its top glory last season when Emery steered it to the Europa League title, its first major trophy in club history, after beating Manchester United on penalties in the final. That was Emery’s fourth Europa League title as a coach, after winning Europe’s second-tier tournament three times with Sevilla. But eliminating Juventus and Bayern back-to-back is arguably his greatest achievement, and comes as he rebuilds his reputation at Villarreal following a tough time at Arsenal.
LIVERPOOL’s Virgil van Dijk attends a training session ahead of today’s Champions League, first-leg semifinal soccer match against Villareal, at the AXA Training Centre, Liverpool, England, yesterday. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP) “(Emery) is a detail- opponent in great shape,” obsessed manager,” his Villarreal midfielder Dani Liverpool counterpart, Parejo said yesterday. Jurgen Klopp, said yes- “We’re going there with all terday. “Different ways to the confidence in the world, press and react to differ- we are strong together. ent results. A world-class We made history last year coach doing an incredible by winning the (Europa job.” League) and we are making Villarreal has lost only history this year too, and once in its entire Cham- that’s no coincidence. It is pions League campaign having confidence in a prothis season, a 2-0 defeat to ject that has been in place United in the group phase. for years.” Otherwise, it has overaVillarreal will arrive to chieved. Its 3-0 victory at the game after eight days Juventus last month was of rest, compared to Livone its fans will relish for erpool’s three. And while years. Liverpool is also fighting “We’re looking for- for the Premier League ward to a game against an title, Villarreal is focused
on its historic chance in Europe while sitting seventh in Spain. “There might have been a little advantage in their last two games — maybe Juve or Bayern underestimated them,” Klopp said of Villarreal. “But that will never happen to us.” The backbone of Villarreal is formed by Parejo, Spain striker Gerard Moreno, and centreback pair Raúl Albiol and Pau Torres. But Villarreal has also given second chances to players who didn’t make it in England. Midfielders Giovani Lo Celso and Etienne Capoue and right back Juan Foyth have found in Villarreal a place to finally shine after frustrating stints at Tottenham. Emery’s main dilemma before kickoff is the readiness of Gerard. The Spain striker injured his right leg two weeks ago after scoring and setting up a goal in a 2-1 win over Getafe. If Gerard is not available, the scoring burden will fall to Arnaut Danjuma, who a season after playing in England’s second-tier with Bournemouth now leads Villarreal with 16 goals across all competitions. Samuel Chukwueze is one of la Liga’s top dribblers and the winger arrives on a high after his late goal in Munich ousted the Bundesliga powerhouse. Liverpool’s only absentee is striker Roberto Firmino, who is still hampered by a foot injury.