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WHAT KILLED THREE TOURISTS IN EXUMA? SPECULATION THAT AIR CONDITIONING LEAK MAY HAVE CAUSED DEATHS

By LEANDRA ROLLE and EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporters AN investigation is ongoing into the deaths of three American tourists who were found dead at the luxury Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in Exuma on Friday after they were reportedly stricken by an unknown illness.

A fourth tourist survived and was taken to hospital.

Although speculation pointing to various causes of death swirled in the days that followed, including the possibility of poisoning from an air-conditioning leak, officials have not yet said what caused the deaths.

It has dealt a “heartbreaking” blow to the son of one of the couples who died. The couple was

visiting The Bahamas to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Acting Prime Minister and Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper confirmed the deceased victims were two men and a woman.

According to international news reports, one of the victims was Vincent Chiarella, 65, of Birmingham, Alabama. His wife, Donnis Chiarella, was the fourth victim that survived.

She was airlifted to the United States over the weekend, after initially being taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Mr Cooper said while the cause of death was unknown, he was advised that foul play was not suspected.

SEE PAGE THREE

THE SANDALS Emerald Bay Resort in Exuma.

MAJORITY OF NEW VIRUS CASES 70 PERMANENT JOBS EXPECTED WERE TRANSMITTED LOCALLY AT NEW $100M ECO-RESORT

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A LOCAL infectious disease expert said 65 percent of the new COVID-19 cases in the last epidemiological week were transmitted locally.

Ministry of Health and Wellness’ National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme

director Dr Nikkiah Forbes explained yesterday that officials look at these things from week to week.

Her comments came as Free National Movement Chairman and former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands last week raised concerns about the recent uptick of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the SEE PAGE FOUR

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A NEW $100m resort in Exuma is set to create 70 permanent jobs in the world’s first eco-friendly resort.

Victor Barrett, chief executive officer of Silent Resorts, the company behind Club Ki’ama Bahamas in Exuma, told

Tribune Business he is “super excited” for the launch of this new $100m resort, which he says will be “a first” in the world in many respects.

Club Ki’ama will be the world’s first equity club to offer ultra-sustainable solar residences and carbon neutral solar yachts along with a fully solar marina.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

COVID OUTBREAK AT OFFICE OF PRIME MINISTER INSIGHT AFTER contracting COVID-19 last week, Latrae Rahming, director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, says the worst of his symptoms are over.

Rahming was one of three senior staff members in the Office of the Prime Minister who contracted the virus. The other two are press secretary Clint Watson and senior speech writer, policy and communications advisor Ian Poitier.

PRESS secretary Clint Watson is one of those to have tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement released Friday, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said

both Mr Rahming and Mr Poitier tested positive for the virus ahead of a workrelated travel commitment on Thursday.

Following the initial positive result, as a precaution, other members of staff took COVID tests and received negative results.

Among them was Mr Watson.

However, despite that initial negative test ahead of Thursday’s OPM press

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FOUR

ABORTION IS A WOMAN’S RIGHT LEGALISE IT

SEE PAGE 11

PAGE 2, Monday, May 9, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

‘Early start’ to rainy season Memorial Mass For Marie Ann Louis

will be held on Saturday, June 11th, 2022, 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shirley Street.

COVID-19 restrictions will be in effect.

Masks must be worn.

A ROAD becomes a river as heavy rain brings flooding to areas of New Providence over the weekend.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net SPORADIC severe weather over the weekend signaled what a forecaster has called “an early start to the rainy season”.

Duty forecaster Ian McKenzie told The Tribune yesterday there was an estimated 1.44 inches of rainfall from Friday to Saturday.

“We kind of got an early start to the rainy season,” he said in an interview Sunday.

Some parts of the country experienced a downpour and a few instances of cloudy skies over the weekend.

Mr McKenzie explained: “Well the environment you had prefrontal activity coupled with moist and unstable environment. As a result of that, we had bouts of severe weather activity concentrated mainly across portions of the northwest and central Bahamas.”

He added winds were generally out of the southwest.

“That it is a warm flow.

So, winds out of the south to

southwest. Anything with a southerly component would give you a warm flow, which kind of inputs with this type of activity around this time of year.”

As for weather conditions expected this week, he noted that once the front clears the area drying conditions can be expected.

“So, we would start seeing this from tomorrow notwithstanding that there is still possibly a few lingering showers, possible thunderstorms would mainly be in the vicinity of the frontal boundary.

“So, as the front treks to southeast of New Providence that will be concentrated to the central islands and into eventually the southeast Bahamas and that would be like from Tuesday onwards, but we would see generally clearing from tomorrow across the northwest Bahamas, New Providence area.

“But we do expect a lowpressure system to be north of the area and this would generate some hazardous beaching and boating conditions beginning Tuesday.”

POLICE SEEK MAN IN MURDER PROBE

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama Police are searching for a man who is wanted for questioning in connection with a murder investigation.

An all-points bulletin has been issued for Lawrence Bevans, 37, of 23 Duke Drive. He is medium build and has dark brown

complexion. He speaks with a Bahamian accent.

Police are warning that Bevans should be approached with extreme caution as he is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is asked to contact police at 352-1919, 350-3106/9, 242300-8476, 350 3014/6, or 911.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 9, 2022, PAGE 3

What killed three tourists in Exuma? from page one In a statement, police said they were alerted to the incident shortly after 9am on Friday.

“Police at the George Town Police Station were informed by staff of a local resort that the body of a male was found in one of the villas unresponsive,” police said in a statement on Friday.

“Officers were dispatched and while enroute to the scene they were informed that an additional male and female were found unresponsive in another villa.

“On their arrival at the scene, they were directed to the first villa. On entering a bedroom, they found a Caucasian male lying on the ground unresponsive. An examination of the body was conducted, there were no signs of trauma found.

The local doctor later pronounced the victim dead.”

“The officers were then directed to the second villa,” the police said further, “where they found a Caucasian male slumped against a wall in a bathroom unresponsive. A Caucasian female was also found in a bedroom on a bed. She too was unresponsive. Both showed signs of convulsion.

“The officers examined the bodies and found no signs of trauma. The local doctor later pronounced both persons dead.”

Police said initial investigations revealed that the couple found in the second villa complained of illness the previous evening. They attended the local medical facility and on completion of receiving treatment, they returned to their lodging.

Police said the coroner was appraised of the facts surrounding both scenes.

Police said they will await the results of autopsies

before reporting the cause of death.

They are also awaiting confirmation by next of kin before proceeding with public identification.

The Chiarella’s son, Austin Chiarella, described his father’s death as heartbreaking in an interview with ABC News. However, when contacted by The Tribune yesterday, he would not give many details other than to say he did not know what led to his father’s death.

He told station ABC that he was alerted to the incident by US embassy officials on Friday and later contacted his mother, who complained about being ill on Thursday.

Mr Chiarella said his mother told him that she was feeling fine after being released from the clinic.

“She woke up and my dad was laying there on the floor, and she couldn’t move,” he

told ABC news. “Her legs and arms was swollen and she couldn’t move and she screamed to get someone to come in the door.”

The Chiarellas were visiting The Bahamas to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

I am just so heartbroken right now… My dad was everything to me,” he said.

On Friday, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville told The Tribune that two of the visitors were treated at the island’s clinic.

He said: “To my understanding, (Thursday) two of the individuals presented to the healthcare facility in Exuma experiencing nausea and vomiting,” Dr Darville said. “They were treated at the facility. The doctor on-call made a recommendation for them to be airlifted to New Providence and subsequently

they refused.

“So, this morning officials from the Ministry of Health were called to Sandals Resort for an investigation where three of the individuals were pronounced dead.”

Dr Darville said to his knowledge, the incident was not COVID-19 related.

Regarding the airlifted woman, Dr Darville said: “To my understanding, and it’s very sketchy, they were subsequently taken to the mini hospital in Exuma. They received oxygen therapy as well as various different medication and there were signs of improvements prior to being airlifted.”

Dr Darville said he planned to fly to the island to be a part of a full investigation into the incident along with other agencies.

“At 5:45pm, we have a team from the Ministry of Health, the Department of

Environmental Health, the Ministry of Works, and the PHA who will be enroute at Sandals on Exuma for a full investigation along with the Royal Bahamas Police Force,” he said.

In a press statement issued not long after the incident, the resort expressed “deep sadness”.

“Nothing is more important to Sandals Resorts than the safety of our guests,” the statement read. “It is with deep sadness that we can confirm the passing of three guests at Emerald Bay Resort on May 6, 2022.”

“A health emergency was initially reported and following our protocols we immediately alerted emergency medical professionals and relevant local authorities to provide support and investigate the situation.

We are actively working to support both the investigation as well as the guests’

families in every way possible during this difficult time. Out of respect for the privacy of our guests, we cannot disclose further information at this time.”

The US Embassy in Nassau has also offered condolences to family members of the victims, adding that officials are working with local authorities to assist loved ones in whatever way possible.

Meanwhile, government officials said investigations into the incident are continuing. Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis has also been briefed on the matter.

“Once the remains have been legally identified, the pathologist can begin the process of identifying the cause of death,” Mr Cooper said in a statement on Sunday.

“We will provide further updates once more information is available.”

ISLAND OFFICIALS WARY OF IMPACT OF RESORT TRAGEDY

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AFTER three American tourists were found dead at a local resort on Exuma over the weekend, the island’s administrator said officials are remaining hopeful that the unfortunate incident will not negatively impact the island’s economic recovery.

“Persons, they are going about their daily duties,” Cristian Palacious told The Tribune yesterday. “We have a lot of tourists on the island as we speak. We’re just being hopeful and prayerful that this does not affect the island in any negative way.”

“Exuma is known for its beauty. It’s known for its hospitable people and we’re just continuing to keep those things the way they are so people could

continue to come and enjoy those things.”

According to Ms Palacious, Exuma is rebounding stronger than ever, with many tourist operators booked and busy.

“Everything else is going fine,” she said. “We have a lot of tourists. We have a lot of our rental cars booked.

A lot of our tours that are booked so we’re just remaining prayerful and hopeful that this does not have a negative effect on the island itself.”

This comes as the island faces heavy media attention both locally and internationally after three American visitors - two men and a woman - were found dead at the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in Exuma on Friday after falling ill from unknown causes.

It is not clear what led to the victims’ deaths, however officials said foul play

has not been suspected.

Sandals Resorts said all protocols were followed after the health emergency was initially reported to resort officials. However, the resort said it could not offer further information about the incident “out of respect for the privacy of our guests.”

One of the deceased victims has been identified as Vincent Chiarella, according to international reports.

His wife, Donnis Chiarella, was reportedly airlifted to the US over the weekend after being treated at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

The identity of the other two deceased victims were not clear up to press time.

The incident has sparked concern that the deaths could seriously affect the island’s tourism product.

When asked about the matter yesterday, Ms

Palacious said: “Residents are I think they are bit more sympathetic to this unfortunate situation as opposed to worrying about its effects.”

In a statement released Sunday, Exuma and Ragged Island MP and Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper said he contacted the families of all victims to offer condolences.

“First in our thoughts are the grieving families,” he said. “As a native of Exuma and the Member of Parliament, I have reached out personally to the families to offer condolences on behalf of the people of Exuma and The Bahamas”.

“Since Saturday, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Ministry of

Health, the Ministry of Tourism and officials from the US Embassy have been working together, including collaborating to expedite the process for the formal identification of the deceased.

“Once the remains have been legally identified, the pathologist can begin the process of identifying the cause of death.”

PAGE 4, Monday, May 9, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Govt following guidance on Johnson & Johnson vaccine

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said local officials have stopped administering the Johnson & Johnson for some time now following a United States regulator’s advisory that it is limiting use of the jab.

The US Food and Drug Administration limited the authorised use of the vaccine to individuals 18 and older for people authorised or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, and to individuals 18 and older who elect to receive the J&J COVID-19 Vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

“After conducting an updated analysis, evaluation and investigation of reported cases, the FDA has determined that the risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), a syndrome of rare and potentially lifethreatening blood clots in combination with low levels

of blood platelets with onset of symptoms approximately one to two weeks following administration of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, warrants limiting the authorized use of the vaccine,” a statement by the FDA said. Dr Darville

told The Tribune officials have stopped administering Johnson and Johnson vaccine locally for “sometime now”, but his ministry has not received blood clot risk from any Bahamians to his knowledge at that point.

Asked how long ago

he estimated the country stopped administering the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, the minister said he thought it was the latter part of last year.

“Well as it stands right now we are not administering any Johnson & Johnson

vaccines in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” the minister said.”We had supplies of the Johnson & Johnson and there was very little appetite in the country for that particular vaccine.

“We know that there is some thrombosis, acute

thrombosis associated with that vaccine that the FDA has highlighted. For The Bahamas, we have about 11,800 individuals who received it locally. We know that the symptoms associated with the Johnson and Johnson is an acute symptom that would manifest itself within three weeks of being administered.

“For us, fortunately, we have stopped administering Johnson and Johnson locally for sometime now.

For those individuals who have been vaccinated, the symptoms would be more than long term. So, we are not too concerned but from that notification the question is whether we would use it in the country again.

You never say never but as we stand right now the vaccination committee are following the guidelines outlined by the FDA.” The vaccine tracker as of April 30, 2022, shows 165,653 persons have been fully vaccinated, including J&J. This total includes Bahamians and residents who were fully vaccinated aboard and registered on the vax.gov.bs platform.

MAJORITY OF NEW VIRUS CASES WERE TRANSMITTED LOCALLY from page one

country, insisting the true number of infections could be higher.

He claimed that this is due to “a substantial number” of unreported positive rapid antigen tests.

Dr Forbes acknowledged that officials have noticed an uptick in the average number of cases that are being diagnosed.

Asked if the country is facing a surge, Dr Forbes answered: “We have to monitor the situation because certainly COVID and what’s happening in the global space and at home here (is) changing.

“So, we know that there are emerging variants certainly. We have these omicron and omicron subvariants that we know that are even more infectious.

“And so, we do have to

watch that and we do have to be mindful as we see surges in other locations that we need to consider that this uptick might result in one but what we do now makes a difference. How we, for example, adhere to recommendations but we are monitoring it. There has been a slight increase over a number of weeks now.

“The majority of cases are actually local transmission. They’re not mainly travel related. There are some travel related cases.”

“When looked in the last epidemiological week, it was 65 percent,” she said when asked about the percentage of local transmissions.

“When you consider that, remember that these things can vary. We look at these things from week to week.

Then again, the percentage of positive from whichever various sources that also varies.”

As for Dr Sands’ claims regarding antigen tests, Dr Forbes said the dashboard only reflects PCR positive cases and that’s always been the case from the beginning of reporting of the COVID situation in the country.

But surveillance information that officials monitor is fully inclusive of all of the tests that are mandatorily reported into the ministry - whether PCR or rapid antigen.

“The dashboard does not include rapid antigen testing, but certainly the Ministry of Health does monitor the COVID-19 situation in new cases per day, average number cases per week, deaths, hospitalisations and we look at PCR and rapid antigen tests and that has been something that is and has been reported into the Ministry of Health.

“From the beginning of

the pandemic and from when antigen tests were made available, all labs are mandated to report on that.

So, to answer the first part your question, yes, we do see that there is an uptick in the number of cases, the average number of cases that are being diagnosed,” she explained The FNM chairman said it is now time for the government to consider including positive results of antigen tests in the nation’s daily dashboard to provide Bahamians with an accurate picture of the nation’s true COVID state.

Probed on the possibility of adding the antigen test, she pointed to what would need to be done.

“In the beginning of the pandemic, PCR (was) what was widely available and there has to be a consensus upon on what is reported and then would need to be

adjusted back overtime to prevent, for example, if we were to report antigen test now there would be change in the way that it is being reported and so it certainly could be reported,” Dr Forbes said.

“We have discussed in many (spaces) and certainly it could appear in the dashboard as additional information but the context of that would not be that all of a sudden cases suddenly increase it would just mean that the definition of what is reported has changed.”

Asked whether not reflected antigen test results on the daily dashboard is a true reflection of the current situation, she said: “The answer no, but it’s a little more complicated than that. First of all, the cases on the dashboard are always lower than the actual true number of cases in the country because one

it does not include the rapid antigen test and second of all there are persons who do not come forward for testing. They may have mild symptoms… they may not present for testing.

“The rapid antigen test is not just the test for symptomatic people will seek.

It’s also a test, for example, for travel or for screening after say an exposure and so there could be a large number of antigen tests that are done for example, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all of those tests were done for screening of people with symptoms.

“As a matter of fact, when I’m looking at the dashboard from the latest period as it relates COVID-19 this last epidemiological week, the rapid antigen the percentage of the number of tests that are positive is actually a little lower than the (weeks) before,” she said.

COVID OUTBREAK AT OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER from page one

briefing, Mr Watson tested positive on Friday by a rapid antigen test.

The news comes as the country is seeing a slight uptick in COVID cases.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Rahming said this was his first

time contracting the virus.

He said his symptoms included a sore throat, cough, fever, chills, headaches and loss of taste.

“We are certainly at

the point in the pandemic where there is a possibility that we all will eventually contract or be exposed to the virus sooner or later,” he said.

“This is my first time catching the virus. The Office of the Prime Minister has a very strict mask wearing requirement for senior contacts to the prime minister. I am fully

vaccinated and the worst of my symptoms are over.

I have been fortunate to receive immediate medical attention following my confirmed positive status,” he said.

Mr Rahming said even though he tested positive for the virus while being fully vaccinated, he still believes the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweighs the

disadvantages.

“Vaccines remain our best defense from COVID19 to avoid the worst possible outcomes of the virus. I encourage Bahamians to consult with their private health physicians and get the jab.”

Over 165,600 people in the country were said to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of April 30.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 9, 2022, PAGE 5

Pintard: pay contractors what they are owed FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard has urged government to bring closure to the outstanding payments that are owed to some small contractors.

And as hurricane season approaches, Mr Pintard questioned how long people in need of housing repairs will have to wait to receive much-needed help.

Mr Pintard also criticised government, saying there was concern by members of the public that it had not prioritised its plan for the country’s revenue.

“The new day government is bragging about the $210m in revenue that it has collected ahead of schedule,” the Marco City MP said in an audio recording released by the party.

“The public however is concerned about the priorities of this government and whether or not the millions of dollars being collected will be properly utilised to meet the real demands and needs that Bahamians have.

“We are outraged that Urban Renewal workers are fired

and yet they are not settled financially; that some of the contractors at beaches and parks still await final payment; that many small contractors throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas are awaiting badly needed cheques as these families are in pain because of rising food costs, gas costs and soon electricity costs.”

He continued: “Prime Minister settle the bills for those Bahamians who are vulnerable and waiting on monies owed by the government.

“In Abaco and Grand Bahama as this Hurricane season approaches there are hundreds of Bahamians who for the last seven months were waiting for the relief promised by the new day government so that they are able to seal their homes from the many leaks they experience and for others to have a chance at getting back into a home.

“Hundreds of residents have been approved for repairs or reconstruction.

How much longer will you make them wait?”

FNM leader Michael Pintard in Parliament.

POLICE ISSUE WARNING OVER FRAUD SCHEMES IN OPERATION THE Royal Bahamas Police Force has advised the public to be alert to fraud trends that are taking place in the country - one of which uses web shops to funnel money, while another lures victims under the guise of companionship and love.

On Friday, the police said fraudsters have been making contact with potential victims usually through social media advertising products like vehicles and boats and services.

Police said the fraudsters show photos and other documents to give the impression of proof of validity and authenticity and ask victims for

the funds to be wired or deposited onto web shop accounts.

“After the funds are deposited contact is severed and efforts to reach to fraudster are fruitless,” police said in a press statement on Friday. “Members of the public are advised to be aware of products offered online by persons who require funds to be deposited onto web shop accounts.

“Legitimate businesses do not operate their finances via those means.”

In another method, police said fraudsters have been soliciting funds from foreign nationals for various applicant services like

work permits, residency permits, account openings, etc.

Due to language barriers, oftentimes foreign nationals are not comfortable with the application process. So, fraudsters present themselves as facilitators offering to assist the victims in obtaining permits.

However, police said after receiving funds from victims they disappear.

Police are reminding members of the public that there are standard application procedures, many of them offered online for government permits.

“There are also legitimate companies that offer

their services to assist applicants in applying for those permits,” police said.

Additionally, fraudsters from other jurisdictions have been reaching out to unsuspecting victims via social media under the guise of friendship, companionship, and love.

Police said expensive gifts are promised with the

condition of some sort of fee for processing/customs.

Victims eager for these gifts send funds, usually via money transfer services to jurisdictions outside of The Bahamas.

If funds are sent, additional funds are usually requested again and again.

Police advised members of the public to be cautious

about their social media and online activity.

“Be careful with the amount and type of information that is posted by you, as this information can be utilised by fraudsters looking to exploit it. Furthermore, customs fees are never paid to an outside jurisdiction via money transfer,” police said.

PAGE 6, Monday, May 9, 2022

The Tribune Limited

THE TRIBUNE

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NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

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Stop COVID rise from becoming a surge THE announcement of a wave of cases of COVID-19 involving senior staff members at the Office of the Prime Minister comes amid a rising number of infections in the nation.

Director of communications Latrae Rahming, press secretary Clint Watson and speech writer Ian Poitier all tested positive last week – although thankfully the first of those, Mr Rahming, is already reporting that the worst of his symptoms are over. We wish a speedy recovery to all three.

Last week, former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands was ringing the alarm about the number of cases going upwards – and the news of it reaching the Prime Minister’s office is as loud an alarm as we should need.

One of the concerns Dr Sands raised was that the cases reported on the daily dashboard might not give the full picture, as it doesn’t include rapid antigen tests.

However, expert Dr Nikkiah Forbes, who has been a steady voice throughout the pandemic, said that while the official figures only show the results of PCR tests, officials have access to surveillance information that includes all tests, whether PCR or rapid antigen.

That clears up worries about a possible hole in our understanding of how much the nation is being affected, but she confirmed that we are indeed seeing an uptick in numbers of new cases.

She said: “We have these omicron and omicron sub-variants that we know that are even more infectious.

“And so, we do have to watch that and we do have to be mindful as we see surges in other locations that we need t consider that this uptick might result in one but what we do now makes a difference. How we, for example, adhere to recommendations but we are monitoring it. There has been a slight increase over a number of weeks now.”

And where are these cases originating? Right here. Dr Forbes said 65 percent of cases – more than three in five – have been transmitted locally, and not involving travel.

So that means the virus – not that it ever quite went away – is right here

among us, and we need to be on our guard as the cases rise again.

It’s the wrong time to be taking our foot off the pedal. We should be listening more than ever to the experts in what restrictions should be in place – and it seems the wrong time to be easing those any further.

The last thing we want is this rise to become a full-blown surge and shut down our schools as students hit exam time, and put the rest of us back to square one.

We have preached it often here – but keep following the guidelines about wearing masks, keeping your distance, using sanitiser and so on. Is it essential to meet up with someone? Then perhaps make it a phone call rather than a face-to-face chat. Think safety first, and avoid spreading the virus to someone who might be vulnerable.

Last week, The Tribune reported that vaccinations do not seem to be making much progress – well, now’s the time if you’ve held off previously.

If we take precautions, we can slow down this rise, or even turn it around.

And that might well be a matter of life and death.

Exuma tragedy

The news of the terrible tragedy in Exuma involving the deaths of three American tourists, and the hospitalisation of a fourth has been abuzz across news outlets here and abroad, and social media across The Bahamas.

The telephone has been ringing with people speculating about what the cause of the death might have been. Was it the air conditioning? Was it food poisoning?

Was it something else?

It is important to be cautious in such matters, and let the coroners do their work.

The loss will be felt no less keenly by the families of those who died regardless of the cause – but it is important for many reasons to learn what led to this tragedy, not least of all to ensure such a tragedy should not be repeated.

So let us be patient, listen to what is uncovered – and then act to prevent it if possible.

The right use of official titles EDITOR, The Tribune.

TITLES - right to use prefixes before ones name an issue as there is unfortunately many who abuse and are never corrected.

Inherited from colonial times... the big deal the knighthood ‘Sir’… few and far between Governor’s General and maybe ten from the public have the right to use that prefix, but there are abusers. I recall there is even a limit as to how many a government may put forward in The Queen’s Birthday or New Year’s Honours requests - sort of one in a calendar year.

The Catholic Church give knighthoods of varying Orders, but protocol does not allow them to use the prefix - they may use an abbreviation of initials following their surnames denoting they are a knight of what particular Order. A breach of all protocols if they use the prefix ‘Sir‘ or ‘Dame’... that designation is solely and exclusively granted with an award from Her Majesty.

Our National Awards... over the past four-years we became accustomed

with the use of “The Most Honourable”... the lower National Awards unsure whether they provide for a prefix probably provide for an abbreviation after their name.

Oh, the question of the use of ‘Honourable or Hon’... assigned to a sitting Minister in Cabinet for the term he/she is a Minister and only if that person completes two full terms as a Minister may they continue to use that prefix for the rest of their days with us.

The Senate... protocol provides during a person’s term as a Senator they are entitled to use by privilege, Senator, actually Honourable Senator, but that stops once your term as a Senator is concluded - nowhere can I find that you may continue to use the Senator prefix, some do and are not corrected amazingly journalists don’t follow the correct line.

Will awards from the Queen continue if The Bahamas was to take Republic status? No, as The Bahamas would no longer recognise Her Majesty as Queen over The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

If The Bahamas drops Her Majesty citizens may continue to receive honours of Her Majesty, but in an honorary status, I believe subject to pre-obtaining approval of the Prime Minister as with any award from any sovereign State.

Rt Hon... assigned to those who are Privy Council members.... once assigned that is for life.

I believe today only Rt Hon Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie have that distinction.

Use of His/Her Excellency persons who have been AmbassadorsHigh Commissioners as much as we like it, sorry, I suggest incorrect… only good whilst appointed.

As we discuss Republic status just a thought as I have to suggest in the minds of many these trappings of colonialism are of extreme importance to be retained for personal prestige, but with the taking of Republic status sorry folks - bush-crack they are gone.

J BURROWS Nassau, May 6, 2022.

A RESCUE worker and his search dog are transported on the shovel of an earthmover to search for survivors at the site of a deadly explosion two days prior that destroyed the five-star Hotel Saratoga in Old Havana, Cuba, yesterday.

Photo: Ismael Francisco/AP

Sentencing on guns must be addressed EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT IS almost laughable to read the daily editorials, columnists and social commentators agonising about the need to address the root causes of crime in our country, when we are apparently incapable of treating even the surface symptoms – like the widespread availability of guns.

The ultimate causes of high violent crime rates are complex. But the immediate cause is not. It relates directly to our judiciary’s inability/unwillingness to keep dangerous people behind bars once they are caught by the police.

Among the agonising headlines about the need to get serious on crime are almost daily reports of judges and magistrates treating the possession of illegal firearms as a trivial offence and handing out sentences that should outrage any society bedeviled by gun crime. Somehow in The Bahamas it doesn’t.

Jamaica just enacted a minimum sentence of 15 years for anyone found in possession of an illegal firearm, with a recommended further 5 years for failing to

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net disclose from whom it was obtained.

In Jamaica, too, news editors severely criticize the Judiciary where it makes decisions that harm society. In The Bahamas, our politicians have many of us believing that the conduct of the judiciary is somehow above the control or even none of the business of the citizenry. For their part, judges frequently misunderstand and abuse the doctrine of “contempt”, compounding this sense.

As he travels the country promoting his book, Hubert Ingraham should take a few minutes to reflect publicly on the results of his decision (yet to be reversed by his successors) to remove minimum sentencing for the possession of firearms – a decision taken (typically) with no genuine public consultation, but in deference to a small, privileged professional lobby.

I can even help him to reflect: In one example from just last week, a young man was given a mere two year sentence

for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition by Magistrate Samuel McKinney. It turns out that just four years ago (in 2018), the same man was convicted of possession of an illegal firearm.

In any of our sister jurisdictions, the second offence would not have occurred because the sentence for the first would not yet be half over. Here in the Bahamas, it is anyone’s guess what other criminal activity involving that same gun may have transpired in the intermediate years. And nobody cares.

If we are serious about addressing the root causes of crime, then we must also be serious about addressing its immediate causes.

Any move to seriously reduce crime in the immediate term must begin by addressing our courts’ normalisation of firearm possession in Bahamian society – and our politicians’ failure to remove from them a discretion that they have handled with deadly incompetence.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, May 6, 2022.

Blocking mangroves EDITOR, The Tribune.

TEN years ago, a foreign developer was allowed to destroy thousands of acres of mangrove forest in North Bimini without needing any special permit from the government to do so. Today, concerned Bahamians trying to regrow these rare and vital natural resources, are being blocked by the powers that be, and told they need a permit. It really is the height of irony.

Even worse, the permits that we supposedly now need to protect and defend our precious environment, are being withheld without good reason or adequate explanation, while mangroves and other precious marine and terrestrial resources continue to disappear before our very eyes.

The ecological disaster in

Bimini is a glaring example of a trend that has played out around the country for decades. Foreign developers and private landowners who are connected with the ‘right people’ in government, have been allowed to destroy mangrove forests with impunity.

Mangroves are critical to our coastal ecosystem.

They prevent erosion, serve as the birthplace and nursery for many of our most precious marine resources, and protect human populations from the impact of hurricanes. Studies have shown that mangroves significantly reduce the incidence and level of flooding, as well as the severity of damage caused by flooding, during catastrophic weather events.

So just imagine: the terrible destruction suffered

by the victims of Hurricane Dorian might have been lessened, if acre upon acre of mangrove had not been removed from Abaco and Grand Bahama in the decades leading up to that terrible national catastrophe.

And now, when Bahamians in Abaco and Grand Bahama, or in Nassau, Eleuthera and Andros for that matter, try to replant and regrow the mangroves, try to protect themselves and each other with the threat of ever more powerful storms looming on the horizon, those in positions of power are preventing them from doing so.

It really is the height of irony.

RICKY JOHNSON Nassau, May 2, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

Man is jailed for stealing car battery

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sent to prison on Friday after admitting to stealing a woman’s car battery and an assortment of items from a local grocery store last month.

Antonio McCartney, 35, appeared before Magistrate Kendra Kelly, charged with two counts of stealing, one count each of trespassing and unlawful possession.

The charges stem from allegations that he trespassed at Lil General’s Convenience Store sometime between April 25-26 and stole $1,665 worth of household and food items from the store while being concerned with others.

Police also alleged that on May 5, the accused stole a car battery from Cherdisha Hinsey’s Toyota

Passo while in the Marathon Road area and was found in possession of an epic car battery and clarion CD player, which were suspected to have been stolen.

McCartney pleaded guilty to all of the charges during his hearing on Friday.

However, his sentencing was deferred to Wednesday and he was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) until that time.

Leon Bain, 33, also appeared in a Magistrate’s Court accused of stealing.

The Andros resident was arrested after he was accused of stealing Sharlene Sargent’s Nissan car on April 29.

He is further charged with stealing $150 cash from Sargent and some $350 worth of groceries belonging to Nakisha Anderson.

At Friday’s hearing, Bain

denied the allegations and the case was adjourned to June 16 for trial.

The accused was granted $5,000 bail with one or two sureties. He was also ordered to report to the island’s police station once a week.

In a separate case, Paul Farquharson, 29, was arraigned on charges of housebreaking after police allege that he broke into Edith Roach’s South Beach home on November 2017 with intent to steal.

After pleading not guilty to the offence, the accused was granted $8,000 bail with one or two sureties.

He was also ordered to be outfitted with an ankle monitoring device and to report to the police station nearest to him once a week to the police station nearest him.

Farquharson returns to court in June.

BAIL FOR MAN ACCUSED OF HANDSAW ATTACK

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A 32-YEAR-OLD man who denied assaulting another man with a handsaw nearly two months ago was granted $5,000 bail before his trial.

Michael Louis was charged with assault with a dangerous instrument and causing grievous harm during his hearing before Magistrate Samuel McKinney Friday.

The charges stem from allegations that he

attacked Clayton Orneus with a handsaw on March 18, causing serious injuries.

However, the accused denied the allegations, insisting that Orneus and two other men had attacked him at work.

“They started punching me and jooking me,” he told the court.

He also claimed that Orneus’ injuries were selfinflicted and not caused by him.

After listening to the accused’s explanation, Magistrate McKinney granted him $5,000 bail with

CUBAN MIGRANTS FOUND IN FREEPORT APARTMENT

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

TWENTY-five illegal Cuban migrants, including five children, were discovered at an apartment in the Freeport area on Friday, police reported.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle reported that the Cuban group consisted of ten men, nine women, four boys, and one girl, along with a Mexican Captain.

According to reports, on Friday, May 6, shortly before 11am, a team of officers from the Marine Support Unit, Intelligence Unit, the Bahamas Department of Immigration and Bahamas Customs, acting on information, went to the area of Xanadu Beach, where they saw two

Caucasian men walking towards a vessel that was docked in the canal.

The officers approached the men, one was Cuban the other was Mexican. The officers searched the vessel and found a small quantity of suspected marijuana.

It was also discovered that the vessel did not clear Bahamas Customs on entering the Bahamas.

ASP Rolle said that officers later went to an apartment complex on Pinta Avenue, South Bahamia, where they searched the apartment unit and found 25 illegal migrants.

The migrants were arrested and handed over to Bahamas Department of Immigration for further investigation and deportation.

Investigations are continuing.

CABLE SERVICES OUTAGE AFTER MAJOR POWER SURGE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net SCORES of Cable Bahamas customers experienced disruptions with internet and television service as a result of a major power surge caused by the “local power provider”, the cable provider said Friday.

The disruption happened just before midnight on Thursday.

“The Cable Bahamas teams worked diligently through the night and service restoration began shortly before 5am Friday morning,” the cable provider said in a statement.

“As of noon, all internet and a majority of TV services have been fully restored, the team continues to resolve any remaining customer disruptions.

“Cable Bahamas

sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused to customers and is working with relevant external stakeholders and vendors to mitigate similar instances in the future as we understand the reliance and trust our customers have in our services.”

Meanwhile, Bahamas Power and Light said on its Facebook page on Thursday that they were working to resolve an issue.

“Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd. advises customers in Eastern New Providence that a crew is currently working to restore power to the areas impacted in an unplanned outage. Currently, no estimated restoration time is available. Updates will be shared as more information is given. We apologise for the inconvenience,” BPL said.

one surety. His case was adjourned to August 5 for trial.

Monday, May 9, 2022, PAGE 7

JOURNALISTS MARK PRESS FREEDOM DAY

ATTENDEES at the Bahamas Press Club event to mark World Press Freedom Day. THE Bahamas Press Club 2014 recently held an event to mark World Press Freedom Day. Under the theme, “Journalism Under Surveillance”, the forum - hosted in conjunction with the US Embassy, it focused on the digital era’s impact on freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, and access to information and privacy.

It was held in the American Corner of the Harry C Moore Library at the University of The Bahamas on Tuesday last week.

Club president Anthony Capron welcomed guests, saying: “Unquestionably, freedom of the press and expression are fundamental human rights. Consequently, free media is necessary for the development and growth of democracy.

“The press in The Bahamas, as in many countries, is often criticised for their news reports. The degree to which criticism comes across depends on which political party occupies the seat of government. So, categorically stating that the press in The Bahamas is free would in some estimations be untrue.”

The event’s guest speaker, executive director of the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) Matt Aubry, referenced the Freedom of Information Act as a marker for where the country is headed.

He said: “Sometimes as we look at long-term efforts, it is also important to note progress that has been made. This year, ORG was very proud to work with the Freedom of Information commissioner and his team to launch a series of FOIA town halls and there was a commitment that freedom of information would be rolled out in ten agencies.”

Media partners British High Commissioner Sarah Dickson, American representatives and local media professionals Shenique Miller, Khrisna Russell and Gerrino Saunders shared messages on the importance of press and the changing culture. During an open mic session, veteran journalists Tanya SmithCartwright and Debbie Bartlett gave their take on the global theme and their experience with media surveillance.

US Embassy public affairs officer Daniel Durazo thanked the Press Club for existing and for bringing members of the press in The Bahamas together to have this discussion, which “helps to ferment partnership and camaraderie amongst Bahamian journalists”.

“Creating organisations like this one that help bring media organisations together is more important than ever,” Durazo said. For more details about the club, visit it on Facebook or at www. bahamaspressclub.org.

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

Minding my own business while the world’s a mess

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

SOME days I just sit and try to mind my own business. It isn’t always easy.

I was trying to do that on Thursday night when, blink, off went the internet and the cable TV. My phone starts beeping with people on Whatsapp asking hey, is your cable off too?

A power surge, Cable Bahamas told us all the next day, and promptly

gave everyone access to the full package of cable channels for the weekend as a way of saying sorry.

So I go back to sitting and trying to mind my own business.

Then Bahamas Power & Light decides to get in on the act. Blink, off goes the power on Friday. And Saturday. It seems to have become a weekly event now. I thought our power problems were supposed to be long gone by now but no, so I sit here in the dark

and try to mind my own business.

Then I read about disclosures and how a bunch of first-time politicians didn’t know they had to make financial disclosures.

I wonder how that can be, since every year it’s a topic for discussion in the newspapers, on social media and across the domino table.

Anyone wanting to be in parliament would, you would think, have more than a passing interest in such things.

I hear how press secre- forward to say they met the tary Clint Watson says that letter of the law. I assume parliamentarians were told they’ll be along to do so any it was a requirement to time now, and in the meansubmit their financial disclo- time, I sit here and mind my sures during parliamentary own business. training, but I guess they Then I read about Envimust not have been paying ronment Minister Vaughn attention that day. Perhaps Miller, who gave serious it was a warm day, and their thought to breaking the law, thoughts it seems. were driftHe was ing like the ‘We have fed up over high school infrastructure Crown land kids dream- problems in both applicaing right now tions. He’d of the end of cable and electricity, made several exam season we have politicians applications and the start who seem to be – starting of summer. out for the Mr Watson able to choose church, of all said he sus- which laws they do things. But pects failing or do not follow, when he got to disclose nowhere, for was just a we have COVID the church or “simple over- still running loose for himself, sight” and around the country his thoughts I take note turned to of that as a and a vaccination crime. line to try campaign that’s I would next time the going nowhere fast. have thought police want a man wantto know if Oh, and the murders ing to be I’m driving are still going on.’ a political a car withleader would out a licence or insurance. have found other avenues It’s just simple oversight, first. Perhaps a letter to the officer, doesn’t really matter local newspapers calling for that I’m breaking the law, change. Anyone seen one of right? those? Perhaps a campaign A bunch of MPs have with other like-minded been asked if they have souls demanding reform submitted so let’s be kind – but I guess I missed that and rule out the ones that leaflet. No, rather than that, say they met the deadline – it seems he thought about so that’s Pia Glover-Rolle, moving onto Crown land Dr Hubert Minnis, Dr without permission.

Michael Darville, Glenys He says he decided not Hanna Martin, Leon to, so I guess we should be Lundy, Wayne Munroe, thankful, and just go back John Pinder, Shanendon to minding our own busiCartwright, Adrian White, ness while he minds the Clay Sweeting and Keith laws of the country.

Bell.

Then comes the worryThat’s not many names ing news that senior staffers – there are an awful lot at the Office of the Prime of MPs who haven’t come Minister, including Mr

Watson, have tested positive for COVID-19.

I think to myself how I wish them well, and I wonder where they could have caught COVID in the first place. Then as I sit here wearing my mask, I think about all the events where politicians and those around them seem to not have to wear masks whenever a photo opportunity is available, and I go back to minding my own business.

At least efforts to improve vaccination are going well, aren’t they? Oh no, I read that they are not – and incentives to encourage vaccination have barely moved the needle.

Interestingly, a number of prizes were being offered to encourage people to get their shots, but The Tribune reports that “it is unclear if anyone ever walked away with any of the prizes.”

I wonder where some of those prizes ended up, but, of course, that’s not my business as a taxpayer, is it?

Still, as I look back on the week, it seems we have infrastructure problems in both cable and electricity, we have politicians who seem to be able to choose which laws they do or do not follow, we have COVID still running loose around the country and a vaccination campaign that’s going nowhere fast. Oh, and the murders are still going on.

So if I sit here minding my own business, be aware it is because I do not trust any of those running things to be minding it for me.

I’ll close the door to keep the COVID and the door-knocking politicians out, and I’ll pray the power stays on.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 PAGE 9

Even bright stars fall THROUGHOUT the course of our lifetime, there is an unwavering and universal truth that we must all accept. This truth is that everyone, including those closest to us, at some point will die and life, like the heat of the sun on a chilly day, is fleeting. The inevitability of death is our only certainty. But in the end what endures are the memories of our journey throughout life, which blanket our sorrow with all the warmth of a happy yesterday and provide solace during our darkest days.

The death of an elderly relative or friend is hard enough. The death of a child, however, is the most profound grief imaginable and any memories of that child, at least initially, can exacerbate this pain. This is in part because it upends the natural order of life.

Parents always envision and hope for a future where their children live and thrive long after they are gone and, in the best of circumstances, become more successful than they ever were. When the opposite occurs and a mother is now forced to see her lifeless child in a coffin and then lowered into a grave, the sorrow is boundless. This is the child that grew inside of her for almost a year, the child that she saw breathe for the first time, the child that she protected, worried about, bled for and sacrificed for. So, when it occurs twice, that same dejection is now infinitely multiplied and this imposed agony becomes debilitating. I’ve personally seen this level of sorrow up close far too many times.

Two weeks ago, on Easter Monday, my cousin died three months following his 52nd birthday. It was the second time that my aunt, who was like a surrogate mother to all of her siblings, nieces and nephews, had lost a child in less than ten years.

My cousin’s health issues

By DR KENNETH D KEMP

started innocuously two again he decided to return years ago when he expe- home, spend as much rienced mild chest pain time as possible with his during low impact exer- mother, wife and kids and cise. He initially attributed then follow-up at the hosit to indigestion and over pital in a few months. He time he suspected it was never got the opportunity a nagging muscle strain. to return because not long But when the pain became after that, the COVID-19 progressively travel restricworse and ‘Every single day tions were more concern- that he awoke, he implemented ing, he sought globally. had a beaming treatment From that from a family smile on his face day forward, doctor. every single because he was After a brief day that he still alive. He examination, awoke, he had he was advised lived knowing a beaming to take an oral that at any smile on his anti-inflammaface because tory, a muscle moment his aorta he was still relaxer and could rupture alive. He lived to focus on and kill him knowing that improving his at any moment diet. He was instantaneously. his aorta could overweight, rupture and So, for the so his doctor kill him instanfollowing two also advotaneously. So, cated for him years, he got up for the followto resume his every morning, ing two years, exercise rouhe got up tine once his determined to every morning, pain subsided. live his life with determined to Unfortunately, joy and love.’ live his life with the pain never joy and love, really went away and in fact even when others didn’t became incrementally more reciprocate his kindness. torturous over the ensuing He spent more time with weeks. his children, he danced with Worried and in near his wife of nearly 30 years constant pain, he sought a and they held hands when second opinion in the US visiting, and relaxing on, and underwent rigorous many of the family islands testing. He was told that his that make up the beautiful aorta, the main artery that Bahamian archipelago. He transports blood away from was no longer concerned his heart to the rest of the about the things that he body, was alarmingly weak couldn’t control and instead and close to tearing. concentrated on the things They suggested that he that mattered most to him have surgery immediately in life, his family and their but also told him that there wellbeing. Only his wife was a high probability that and children knew that he he could die on the oper- was dying. He no longer ating table. Afraid that he hesitated to tell people might never see his children how much he cared for and

Funeral Service For Debbieann Felicia Darville, 61

of #5 Fairfax Street, Ridgeland Park West will be held at 11:00am at First Baptist Church, Market Street and Coconut Grove Avenue on Thursday, May 12th, 2022. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Diana Francis assisted by other Ministers of the Gospel. Interment will follow at the Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road.

Debbieann is survived by her sisters: Yvonne Darville, Quincey Fisher, Candice Williams and Katrice Sweeting; brothers-in-law: Lernix Williams and Ingleberth Sweeting; nephews: Kendrick Fisher, Lernix Williams II, Loren Williams, Ian Sweeting, Dennis Williams and Omar Williams; nieces: Patrice Fisher, Yvette Cargill and Felice Williams; uncle: Lincoln Major; aunt: Lorinda Smith; grand nieces and nephews: Xavier Dei Fisher, Earlin, Evan and Ynise Cargill, Alexis McKinney, Wesmond, Faith and J’Vonna Williams, Donovan Lightbourne and Ricardo Stuart; adopted brothers: Freddie (Keva) Rolle, John (Nicola) Rolle, Anthony (Icelyn) Rolle, James (Ernestine) Rolle, Norris (Gina) Rolle, David (Diane) Rolle, Randy (Suzanne) Rolle and Richard Rolle; Steve (Vernita) Pennerman, Haggard (Jelita) Pennerman and Massie Robert (Nickia) Pennerman and their families; numerous other relatives and friends including: Marcia “Susan” Williams, Loran Coleby, Eurydice, Leslie, Roger, Colin, Edward Dean and Family; Val Major, Sandy Kinkaid, Jackie Burrows, Joyce Rivere and Family; Wendy Smith, Wanda, Gail, Kevan, Kennon, Lester, Ashwood Darville and Family; Judith Cooper, Father Kirkley and Christine Sands, Dulcita Austin, Joshua and Julian Smith, and Family; Rev. Paulette Cartwright, Carmelita Treco, Toinette Major, Julianna Bullard, Dr. Elkanah Major and Family; Clarkston Darville, Coleman Darville, Collonna Burrows and Family; Maris Darville and Family; Wendall and Lillian Rigby and Family; Teresa Forbes and Family; Elsie Burrows and Family; Isaac and Troyann Rolle; Dr. Marjorie Francis and Family; Sandra Moncur, Gregory Williams, Patrick Williams and The Entire Williams Family; Calvin and Royann Rolle and Family; Rosalie Sweeting and Family; The Pennerman Family; the entire Ridgeland Park Community; The Coral Lakes Community; Rev. Dr. Diana Francis and The First Baptist Church Family; Saint Augustine’s College Class of 1977, The Bahamas Development Bank Family and many others too numerous to mention.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Cedar Crest Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd, Robinson and Baillou Hill Roads on Wednesday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

appreciated them. It was a slow, humble walk to the grave and he did it every day with immense dignity, gratitude and courage.

On Good Friday, he woke up and looked forward to spending the day with his family but he felt a sharp pain in his chest and immediately worried it could be his last day on Earth. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye so, wasting no time, his family escorted him to the hospital.

He was quickly evaluated by a renowned and respected local cardiac surgeon but was advised that his situation was dire and he’d have to be transferred to the hospital in the US for surgical intervention to save his life.

That hospital, however, demanded a $500,000 down payment so a hospital in The Cayman Islands, which required a fraction of that cost, was suggested as an alternative. It took two days to arrange for him to be airlifted and to cover the $34,000 air transportation fee.

The morning that he was airlifted, he was in serious but stable condition. It was Easter Monday and he called me and another cousin, my mom, his mom, wife and children and he was then transported alone to the airplane. His wife and daughter

took a separate commercial flight. I received emails from his air transportation carrier alerting me when they left the hospital, when they took off from Nassau and when they landed in The Cayman Islands.

A few minutes after they landed, however, they called me directly to tell me that immediately upon landing my cousin’s aorta had ruptured. He went into cardiac arrest and despite every effort to save him, he died on the way to the hospital.

I was the first person to know and had to call his daughter to notify her of his death. Telling a family member that their loved one has died is a heavy cross that so many doctors must bear and it never gets any easier. Those moments stay with you forever and it’s why it’s so important to have a support system that you can count on and speak to every night as reassurance that there are better days ahead.

My cousin was always polite and succeeded every response by saying ma’am and sir. He loved to watch movies, he was loyal, quiet, never liked crowds, enjoyed travelling and he was fiercely protective of the people he loved. In that regard, our

souls were the same. He was also humble, laughed often and he was incredibly grateful for even the most fractionated representation of kindness directed toward him and his children.

When my father and brother died, my cousin told me that even the brightest stars fall but their light shines on forever because it burns brightly inside of everyone they love. That light now burns a hole in the heart of his grieving mother.

But I offer this one solitary comfort to his wife, his mother and his children; his legacy will continue to live on through them and the rest of his beloved family and together, this extensive confederacy of people who loved him unconditionally will steadfastly ensure that his legacy withstands the vigor of time. May we each live our lives with the same graciousness that he extolled in the final years of his life and may he now rest in eternal peace cradled by our Christian saviour and happily surrounded by all those we’ve lost before him.

This is the KDK Report.

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

PAGE 8 MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Russia may declare war on Ukraine today

By MICHAEL A ALLEN Boise State University

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin arrives to attend the Victory Day military parade in 2019.

Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

THE Russian government has consistently called its war on Ukraine a “special military operation.”

But on May 9, 2022, Russia may officially declare war on Ukraine, Western officials have warned – more than two months after Russia first invaded.

Ukrainians have also expressed fear that Russia could use May 9, a day celebrated in commemoration of Soviet triumph over the Nazis during World War II, to escalate attacks on Ukraine.

Russia’s actually declaring war would represent a major shift in how Russian President Vladimir Putin and his colleagues publicly address the conflict. We asked international relations scholar Michael Allen five questions about what an actual war declaration would mean, and why it matters.

1. What is important about May 9?

May 9, known as Victory Day in Russia, commemorates the formal surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945.

While Victory Day celebrations date back to the 1960s in Russia, Putin has made the event an elaborate show of military troops and vehicles on parade, as well as military aircraft flybys that are broadcast live to millions of Russians.

2. Why would Putin declare war on Victory Day? One key reason Putin might declare war on Victory Day is that Putin has falsely sold this war to the Russian military and people as a war against Nazis. Putin has incorrectly argued that Nazis run Ukraine, and Russia is intervening to “denazify” the country by removing them from power.

This annual celebration is now another a way to convince Russian people that

the high costs of war – both financial and the number of lives lost – are justified.

Second, United States officials believe Putin wanted to celebrate Victory Day in 2022 by announcing victory in Ukraine.

However, the Russian military has underperformed and has not met this expectation of quickly capturing the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

Instead, Ukrainian intelligence expects that Russia may showcase the besieged eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol as part of the Victory Day celebrations.

Instead of being confronted with Russian military setbacks, Putin can use Victory Day as a call to arms and potentially to rally Russian people to support a larger, and more prolonged, war.

3. Is Russia’s invasion not already a war?

Conflict scholars have different definitions of war, but most definitions would classify the current Ukrainian conflict as a war.

One of the more commonly used definitions of war is from the Correlates of War project, an initiative led by US scholars that tries to identify and measure different kinds of conflict.

This project defines a war between countries as a conflict that “must involve sustained combat, involving organised armed forces, resulting in a minimum of 1,000 battle-related combatant fatalities within a twelve month period.” It must also have effective resistance on both sides.

This definition does not include sporadic fighting, low-intensity conflict and one-sided massacres by a government, for example – but the Russian-Ukrainian conflict matches this technical description.

Still, Russia has yet to call the conflict a war.

4. Why hasn’t Russia already declared war?

A declaration of war

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creates a legally defined war.

Few countries have ever legally declared war. The US, for example, has fought 13 wars since 1816, but Congress declared war in only four of those conflicts.

Countries avoid declaring war for a variety of reasons.

Domestically, populations are less likely to support a conflict if it is likely to be expensive and result in many lost lives of soldiers and civilians.

However, if a population sees a conflict as limited and quick, then people are more likely to support it.

Research has found that public support does depend on how costly the war appears to be – though this is less true for people who are nationalistic and likely to support a war under any conditions.

A Russian acknowledgment that it is in a formal state of war could invite additional international scrutiny. Some international treaties and international organisations have tried to define when a war is legal or illegal.

Under international law, engaging in a war of aggression against a sovereign country is one of the more significant crimes a country can commit. Both the United Nations Charter and the International Criminal Court seek to outlaw and punish wars of aggression – meaning, conflicts waged without the justification of self-defence.

A formal war would also make it harder for Russia supporters like China to deny that Russia has invaded Ukraine and is at war. Other countries may find it harder to remain neutral.

5. What would change if Russia declares war?

The Ukraine conflict’s becoming an official war, instead of a special military operation, would mean that Putin can justify expanding conscription and institute a draft of Russians into the military.

Russia is facing severe personnel losses in soldier fatalities, with an estimated 7,000 to 15,000 Russian soldiers or more killed as of early April.

The Ukraine war is less than three months old and Russia has lost more soldiers now than during the ten-year Afghanistan war that it started in 1979.

Russia’s human and material losses are so great that Putin has been forced to scale down the Victory Day celebration this year with fewer military vehicles.

Russia also faces difficulties in both securing additional financial resources, as well as soldiers. It has even turned to foreign fighters to continue the conflict in Ukraine.

Drafting Russian men could help fill this key gap in military personnel during the Ukraine war.

A declaration of war would allow Russia to mobilise its population to fight a longer war, which Putin initially assumed he would have won by now. A declaration of war would help Putin prolong an already costly war.

• Originally published on www.theconversation.com

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EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 PAGE 9

Abortion is a woman’s right - legalise it THE right of women in the United States to have an abortion, which has existed for 49 years, has now become a matter of contention.

This right, which was accorded by the US Supreme Court on January 22, 1973, and essentially upheld again in 1992 and 2016, has come to be known as Roe v Wade. The short-hand name is derived from the original case before the Court in which “Jane Roe” — a fictional name used to protect the identity of Norma McCorvey — brought the federal action against Henry Wade, the district attorney of Dallas county, Texas.

It is important to understand the background to the action by McCorvey. Abortions were legal in Texas at the time, but only for the purpose of saving a woman’s life. Therefore, women who wanted an abortion for any reason other than saving their lives, including rape and economic circumstances, were compelled to have the child. However, women with the financial means could obtain abortions by travelling to other countries where the procedure was safe and legal or pay a large fee to a doctor willing to secretly perform an abortion. These

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

options were beyond the means of poorer women such as McCorvey.

Consequently, many women resorted to illegal, dangerous, “back-alley” abortions or self-induced abortions. In the 1950s and 1960s, the estimated number of illegal abortions in the US ranged from 200,000 to 1.2 million per year.

It was only after trying unsuccessfully to get an illegal abortion that, with the help of willing lawyers, McCorvey challenged the Texas law in the US Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court by a 7-2 decision, struck down the Texas law banning abortion, effectively legalising the procedure across the US. The Court also declared that a woman’s right to an abortion was implicit in the right to privacy protected by the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.

This right is now threatened by an opinion, allegedly drafted by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Samuel Alito, who is said to be one of the most conservative members of the court. The opinion was leaked on May 2, and he has not denied authorship.

As President Joe Biden has pointed out, “we do not know whether this draft is genuine, or whether it reflects the final decision of the Court”, but there is strong anecdotal evidence that the draft is genuine.

Therefore, it has ignited protests across the major cities in the US. It has also brought a sharp response from President Biden and his Vice President Kamala Harris, both of whom, within 24 hours, issued statements defending “a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion”, and declaring that “basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned”.

Public Viewing For

Blakely Alfred Shurland, 68 of Hawkins Hill Road.

Family and friends may pay their last respect at “Serenity Suite” Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Roads on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022 at 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

The Black Caucus of the US Congress also reacted strongly, pointing out that, overturning the existing law “will have disproportionately devastating impacts on communities of colour, marginalised groups already facing discriminatory obstacles to health care and, will resonate globally”. Maxine Waters, the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, summed up the view of the black members of the US Congress when she declared, “women must fight with every breath of life, to resist, resist, resist”.

The fear that now permeates the US is that the Supreme Court, which comprises a majority of right-wing judges appointed

by Republican Presidents, including Donald Trump, will overturn the 1973 abortion law, making it impossible for poorer women, especially black and low-income women, to get safe and legal abortions. Fundamentally, women would also lose the right to govern their bodies.

This matter is now a raging political issue in the US. It will escalate as the nation proceeds to mid-term elections for the US Congress in November. President Biden has appealed to voters to protect abortion rights by backing candidates who support them in November’s mid-term elections.

The discussion will

inevitably migrate to the Caribbean where women are today far better educated than in the past and where they have climbed the ladder of decision-making in government and in the private sector. Caribbean women, too, rightly want the right to make a choice about abortions. They do not accept that any Court or legislature should make that choice for them. Anti-abortion laws have also worsened the economic condition for poorer women whose circumstances force them to become single mothers, trapping them in a life of struggle and deprivation.

In many CARICOM countries, abortion is not an option available to women, except to “save a woman’s life” as in Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, or to “preserve health” which applies in the Bahamas, Grenada, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Haiti, Jamaica and Suriname prohibit abortion altogether.

Only three countries have a more progressive stance on this issue: Guyana allows abortions on request up to a gestational limit of eight weeks, and Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines allow abortions for “broad social or economic grounds, rape, incest and foetal impairment”.

But it is an open secret that abortions are performed, as a matter of

practice, throughout the Caribbean. By maintaining the existing laws, women are being criminalised, and so, too, are the doctors who perform abortions.

Undoubtedly, apart from women deeply inculcated with religious dogma that oppose abortions, the time cannot be far off when women, throughout the Caribbean, like the women of the US, will use their voting power to demand their right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. Men who share the responsibility for unwanted pregnancies, in and out of wedlock, should also join the fight to safeguard women’s right to choose.

Caribbean governments and legislators should open their ears to the position of women on this issue. It is their bodies, their health and their future that are at stake. They should be heard.

• Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of America and the Organization of American States.

He is also a senior fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto.

PAGE 12, Monday, May 9, 2022

PAMELA STUART

PAMELA STUART DIES, AGED 91 MISS Pamela Stuart, 91, died at her Ridgeway, Eastern Road home just before midnight on Friday.

Her funeral services will be announced later.

Miss Stuart, who was born in Nassau on October 11, 1930, was the daughter of the late Neville Stuart, noted for

starting the Anchors Aweigh Hotel in Bimini in 1955 at the instigation of author Ernest Hemingway, who spent much of his time in Bimini.

In 1955, Mr Stuart built the Big Game Club, whose marina was The Bahamas’ sports fishing headquarters for many years.

THE TRIBUNE

Bought to help hurricane-hit islands - but found in New Providence

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net MINISTER for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey said that supplies purchased under Special Economic Recovery Zone Order (SERZ) are only intended to benefit the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco that were affected by Hurricane Dorian.

She was responding to questions raised about the discovery of supplies that were purchased under SERZ that Bahamas Customs identified at the Potter’s Cay dock in New Providence.

Ms Moxey explained that

while vehicles purchased under SERZ by persons in those affected islands are permitted to be relocated with the individuals, building supplies purchases are not.

According to news reports, Bahamas Customs identified a number of goods at Potter’s Cay dock and other ports that were imported under the SERZ concession for Abaco and Grand Bahama that should have stayed on those islands.

The illegal operation was revealed during a press conference at the Department of Inland Revenue held earlier this week.

When asked to comment on this, Minister Moxey said she was not aware of it.

“That is news to me, but it is intended for affected islands, and I am sure Customs will take care of that,” she said.

“With SERZ, you are allowed to take vehicles to other islands, but not supplies. It is specifically for GB and Abaco. You had people who were affected and lost everything, but they moved to another island to work because there weren’t jobs and they were given opportunity to take their vehicle they got with SERZ and pay no duty when they left the island,” Minister Moxey explained.

“That is the only thing it is for, not for building supplies. So that is not what

MINISTER for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey. was intended,” she said.

When asked for an update on Grand Lucayan Resort, Minister Moxey indicated that an announcement is coming “pretty soon”.

“We had determined and selected the buyer, and so it just a matter of time before the announcement is made.

We are right there,” she said.

The government recently announced that a buyer was identified but has not revealed the bidder or any details. Initially five bidders were invited to present their proposals to the Lucayan Renewal Holdings Board.

The sale of the Grand Lucayan is expected to rejuvenate the Grand Bahama tourism sector, which has been struggling for many years.

Tourism Minister Chester Cooper said that the resort will be “fully on stream by 2024”, with parts of the redeveloped property open sooner, and pledged that the Davis-Cooper administration would be just as swift in moving to repair Grand Bahama International Airport given that its status as the island’s leading stopover gateway is vital to the Grand Lucayan’s success.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 9, 2022, PAGE 13

30 DEAD IN CUBA HOTEL BLAST

ROOMS are exposed at the five-star Hotel Saratoga and, right, a body is recovered from the site in Old Havana, Cuba, on Friday.

Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP HAVANA Associated Press SEARCH crews with dogs yesterday hunted through the ruins of a luxury hotel in Cuba’s capital for survivors of a devastating explosion while officials raised the number of known dead to 30.

The Hotel Saratoga, a five-star 96-room hotel in Old Havana, was preparing to reopen after being closed for two years when an apparent gas leak ignited, blowing the outer walls into the busy, midmorning streets just a block from the country’s Capitol building on Friday.

Cuban officials yesterday raised the known death toll to 30 from 27 even as crews continued to search for victims buried beneath piles of shattered concrete. Several nearby structures also were damaged, including the historic Marti Theater and the Calvary Baptist Church, headquarters for

the denomination in western Cuba.

The church said on its Facebook page that the building suffered “significant structural damage, with several collapsed or cracked walls and columns (and) the ceiling partially collapsed,” though no church workers were hurt.

The Health Ministry said 84 people had been injured in Friday’s explosion. The dead included four minors, a pregnant woman and a Spanish tourist, whose companion was seriously injured.

The ministry on Sunday also released the names of those who died. Some 24 people remained hospitalised.

On Saturday, a representative of Grupo de Turismo Gaviota SA, which owns the hotel, said 13 of its workers remained missing. Gov Reinaldo García Zapata said on Saturday evening that 19 families had reported loved ones missing

and that rescue efforts would continue.

Authorities said the cause of the explosion was still under investigation, but believed it to have been caused by a gas leak.

A large crane hoisted a charred gas tanker out of the rubble on Saturday.

Burials for victims have begun, according to

municipal authorities. But some were still waiting for news of missing friends and relatives.

“We are hoping that something will be known about my cousin’s mother,” Angela Acosta told The Associated Press near the site of the explosion. Her relative, María de la Concepción Alard, lived in an

apartment adjacent to the hotel with a black Labrador, which was rescued along with another dog Sunday.

Crews have worked to clean up streets around the hotel and by late Saturday, substantial pedestrian traffic had resumed.

“There are mothers who are without their children today,” Matha Verde, a

manicurist who was walking near the Saratoga, said yesterday, when Mother’s Day was celebrated in Cuba. She said she tells women who lost their sons or daughters in the explosion that they “have to keep going.”

The Saratoga, which had been closed through the pandemic, was one of the elite lodgings in Havana.

SCORES FEARED DEAD AS UKRAINE SCHOOL BOMBED ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine Associated Press

SCORES of Ukrainians were feared dead yesterday after a Russian bomb flattened a school where about 90 people were taking shelter in the basement, while Ukrainian fighters held out inside Mariupol’s steel plant as Moscow’s forces apparently raced to capture the city ahead of Russia’s Victory Day holiday.

Emergency crews found two bodies and rescued 30 people at the school in the village of Bilohorivka after Saturday’s bombing, according to the governor of Luhansk province, part of the eastern industrial heartland known as the Donbas.

“Most likely, all 60 people who remain under the rubble are now dead,” Gov Serhiy Haidai wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Russian shelling also killed two boys, ages 11 and 14, in the nearby town of Pryvillia, he said.

As Moscow prepared to celebrate the 1945 surrender of Nazi Germany with a Victory Day military parade on Monday, a lineup of Western leaders and celebrities made surprise visits to Ukraine in a show of support.

US first lady Jill Biden met with her Ukrainian counterpart. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised his country’s flag at its embassy in Kyiv. And U2’s Bono, alongside bandmate The Edge, performed in a Kyiv subway station that had been used as a bomb shelter, singing the 1960s song “Stand by Me”.

The newly appointed acting US ambassador to

Ukraine, Kristina Kvien, posted a picture of herself at the American Embassy, trumpeting plans for the eventual US return to the Ukrainian capital after Moscow’s forces abandoned their effort to storm Kyiv weeks ago and began focusing on the capture of the Donbas.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and others warned in recent days that Russian attacks would only worsen in the lead-up to Victory Day, and some cities declared curfews or cautioned people against gathering in public.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is believed to want to proclaim some kind of triumph in Ukraine when he addresses the troops on Red Square.

“They have nothing to celebrate tomorrow,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the United Nations, told CNN. “They have not succeeded in defeating the Ukrainians.

They have not succeeded in dividing the world or dividing NATO. And they have only succeeded in isolating themselves internationally and becoming a pariah state around the globe.”

Russian forces struggled to complete their takeover of Mariupol, which has been largely reduced to rubble. The sprawling seaside steel mill where an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters were making what appeared to be their last stand was the only part of the city not under Russian control.

The last of the women, children and older civilians who were taking shelter with the fighters in the Azovstal plant were

evacuated on Saturday.

Buses carrying over 170 evacuees from the steelworks and other parts of Mariupol arrived in the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia yesterday, UN officials said.

The Ukrainian defenders in the steel mill have rejected deadlines set by the Russians for laying down their arms.

Capt Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of the Ukrainian Azov Regiment, a unit holding the steel mill, said the site was targeted overnight by warplanes, artillery and tanks.

“We are under constant shelling,” he said online, adding that Russian ground troops tried to storm the plant — a claim Russian officials denied in recent days — and lay mines.

Palamar reported a “multitude of casualties”.

Lt Illya Samoilenko, another member of the Azov Regiment, said there were a couple of hundred wounded soldiers at the plant but declined to reveal how many ablebodied fighters remained.

He said fighters didn’t have lifesaving equipment and had to dig by hand to free people from bunkers that had collapsed under the shelling.

“Surrender for us is unacceptable because we cannot grant such a gift to the enemy,” Samoilenko said.

The Ukrainian government has reached out to international organisations to try to secure safe passage for the defenders.

On the economic front, leaders from the Group of Seven industrial democracies pledged to ban or phase out imports of Russian oil.

JILL BIDEN IN SURPRISE VISIT TO UKRAINE

UZHHOROD, Ukraine Associated Press JILL Biden made an unannounced visit to western Ukraine yesterday, holding a surprise Mother’s Day meeting with first lady Olena Zelenska, pictured, to show US support for the embattled nation as Russia presses its punishing war in the eastern regions.

She became the latest high-profile American to enter Ukraine during the war, while Zalenska’s public appearance was her first since since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

“I wanted to come on Mother’s Day,” the US first lady told Zelenska.

“I thought it was important to show the Ukrainian people that this war has to stop and this war has been brutal and that the people of the United States stand with the people of Ukraine.”

Biden spent about two hours in Ukraine, traveling by vehicle to the town of Uzhhorod, about a ten-minute drive from a Slovakian border village where she had toured a border processing facility.

Zelenska thanked Biden for her

“courageous act” and said, “We understand what it takes for the US first lady to come here during a war when military actions are taking place every day, where the air sirens are happening every day - even today.”

The first ladies met at a school being used to temporarily house Ukrainian migrants. Zalenska arrived first and waited in her black SUV until Biden arrived in similar fashion. The women stepped out of their vehicles and embraced, with Biden — who wore a wrist corsage for Mother’s Day — handing over a bouquet of flowers before they entered the school.

The women came together in a small classroom, sitting on either side of a wooden table and greeting each other in front of reporters before they met in private. Zelenska and her two children have been staying at an undisclosed location for their safety.

The visit allowed Biden to conduct the kind of personal diplomacy that her husband would like to do himself.

President Joe Biden said when he visited Poland in March that he was disappointed he could not cross the border.

SPORTS PAGE 14

A-ROD’S NEPHEW DUNAND HR IN DEBUT, MARLINS END SKID

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Joe Dunand, the nephew of Alex Rodriguez, homered on the third pitch he saw as a big leaguer and then doubled as the Miami Marlins beat the San Diego Padres 8-0 on Saturday night to end a six-game losing streak.

Jorge Soler hit his first career grand slam and Pablo López pitched eight strong innings for Miami.

Dunand hit a 1-1 pitch from left-hander Sean Manaea into the first row in left-center with one out in the third just hours after his contract was selected from Triple-A Jacksonville.

“I blacked out, I think.

I don’t remember much.

I just remember my game plan. I was looking for the ball up and hit it hard up the middle, and I think I picked back up running around second.

It was a great feeling,” Dunand said. A-Rod tweeted, “WOW! First

SEE PAGE 18

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr hits solo home run

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jorge Alfaro hit a pinch-hit three-run home run with two outs in the ninth to give the San Diego Padres a 3-2 win yesterday against his former team, the Miami Marlins.

Alfaro went deep to centre field on the first pitch he saw from Cole Sulser (0-1), sending Petco Park into a frenzy and earning him a curtain call.

He was purchased from the Marlins for cash in December.

Until the ninth, it appeared that the Padres were headed for a second straight shutout. But Trent Grisham and CJ Abrams got on base ahead of Alfaro, who tossed his bat aside and brushed one hand across the “Padres” on the front of his jersey before starting his trot. It was his second homer.

Jazz Chisholm homered for the Marlins, who have lost seven of eight games.

Manny Machado extended his on-base streak to 18 games, but

SEE PAGE 19

But Alfaro mashes pinch-hit 3-run HR in 9th for 3-2 Padres win

MIAMI Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr, of The Bahamas, celebrates while crossing home plate after hitting a solo home run against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning of a baseball game yesterday in San Diego.

(AP Photo/Mike McGinnis)

WNBA: Jones and Sun lose opener

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahamian native Jonquel Jones and her Connecticut Sun suffered a heart-breaking loss to the New York Liberty as they opened their Women’s National Basketball Association 2022 season on Saturday.

Playing away at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York, the Sun dropped a 81-79 decision to Liberty as Jones finished with 15 points, including a clutch three-pointer for their final margin to go along with seven rebounds, but it wasn’t enough.

Alyssa Thomas paced Connecticut with 25 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Jasmine Thomas scored 13, Brionna Jones added 11 points and DiJonai Carrington ended up with 10 points.

Sabrina Ionescu led New York with a game high 25 points and six assists, while Natasha Howard added 16 points, Sami Whitcomb added 25 points and five assists and Jocelyn Willoughby, the No.10 overall selection in the 2020 WNBA draft, chipped in with 13 points as she made her return from a torn left Achilles

tendon that sidelined her last season.

Jones, the reigning league most valuable player, tried to rally Connecticut, who couldn’t get its 3-pointers to fall throughout the game, going 4 of 17 (23.5%) from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, New York made 10 of 25 attempts, good for a 40% clip from deep.

The Sun, coached by general manager Curt Miller, the 2021 Coach of the Year, played without Courtney Williams, who was serving the first game of a two-game suspension from an incident over the offseason, and DeWanna Bonner, still competing overseas in Turkey with her timeline to return to the team unclear.

In their absence, the Sun held their own at the beginning of the game, opening up a 19-11 advantage at the end of the first quarter, The Liberty, however, responded to snatch a commanding 38-30 lead at the half.

Jones, coming off her sensational off season in the Russian Basketball League before the war against Ukraine got started, only contributed nine points up to that point. But while the 6-foot, 6-inch forward was aggressive on the defensive

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Physical basketball plays are suddenly coming into question with emotions at an all-time high during these playoffs: So, what becomes too much on the big stage when stars hit the floor hard or get hurt?

Golden State guard Gary Payton II went down and is sidelined indefinitely with a broken left elbow after Dillon Brooks clobbered him over the head on a fast break layup attempt last week in Memphis.

Ja Morant injured his right knee

again during the Grizzlies’ 142-112 Game 3 loss on Saturday night that gave the Warriors a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals.

Morant took to Twitter to express his disgust that Jordan Poole “broke the code” by grabbing his knee — then the Grizzlies guard promptly deleted his post.

Poole said he was simply trying to get the ball.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr had said Brooks, suspended for Game 3 for a Flagrant 2 foul on Payton, had broken an NBA code when he sent Payton to the ground, thus Morant’s use of the phrase.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said yesterday he doesn’t expect Morant to play tonight in Game 4.

“As I said last night, just trying to be matter of fact here, and this is what Ja says, what our medical team has said after reviewing the play, Ja was playing great, feeling great all game and that the grab of the knee is what triggered the potential injury and why we took Ja out of the game. Nothing’s changed from there,” Jenkins said.

“That’s the play that triggered this and he’s got further evaluation going on. ... There’s probably a really good chance he doesn’t play tomorrow.”

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net AHMARD Harvey was the latest Bahamian collegiate basketball prospect to land with a new programme following his time in the NCAA transfer portal.

Harvey recently announced his commitment to join the High Point Panthers of the Big South Conference for the HARVEY upcoming Fall 2022 campaign.

The 67’ wing joins a programme led by G.G. Smith and finished 14-18 last season, 7-9 in the Big South.

The Grand Bahama native transferred from the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers of the Sun Belt Conference, where he spent the previous three seasons of his collegiate basketball career. His tenure with the

SEE PAGE 15

THOMAS A TOP RELIEVER, MURRAY AND SAUNDERS PRODUCE AT PLATE

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Morant, who limped off with 6:19 remaining in the game, was unable to do any basketball activity yesterday, Jenkins said.

Kerr shrugged several times when asked about the play yesterday and said he saw no need to discuss the latest back-and-forth between the franchises.

“I don’t have a take. Nothing to comment on. I watched the tape,” Kerr said. “... No, I don’t take it personally.

I watched the play, there’s nothing to comment on.”

Brooks will be back today.

SEE PAGE 16

SEE PAGE 15

throws from Carrington at the 1:12 mark. On a Liberty turnover at 36.9, Jones got open for a clear threepoint shot, but the ball bounced off the tip of the rim.

Ten seconds later on an offensive rebound from Carrington, Jones got the pass and on a step back jumper, she missed again.

New York extended their lead on two free throws from Willoughby, 80-76, with 12.6 on the clock.

MEMPHIS STAR MORANT’S GAME 4 STATUS IN DOUBT WITH HURT KNEE

By JANIE MCCAULEY AP Sports Writer

COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL PROSPECT A. HARVEY COMMITS TO HIGH POINT

TAHNAJ Thomas has excelled in his role as a reliever in AA baseball, while Warren Saunders and BJ Murray overcame slow starts to the season to produce recent productive streaks at the plate for their respective clubs.

Through eight games this season, Thomas has gone 2-1 in 9.2 innings pitched, with nine strikeouts and a 0.93 ERA for the Altoona Curve, the Pitsburgh Pirates’ Double-A affiliate.

In his latest appearance, Thomas suffered his first loss of the year in a 2-1 decision to the Eerie Seawolves Saturday in 10 innings, May 7 at UPMC Park in Eerie, Pennsylvania.

Thomas gave up two hits as the Curve fell to 11-15, but the 22-year-old 6’5” right hand pitcher, currently ranked no.13 in the Pirates organisation according to MLB Pipeline, has delivered a series of impressive performances.

He had a season high three strikeouts in two innings of an 11-5 win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on April 21 and got his first win of the season in the series finale against the Fisher Cats on April 24.

He picked up his second win of the season in the current series opener against the Seawolves on May 3.

Thomas was one of the club’s non-roster invitees to major league Spring Training in Bradenton, Florida last month.

He spent last season at the High A level for the first time with the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Saunders is in his first season at the High-A level

CONNECTICUT Sun forward Jonquel Jones (35) runs down a loose ball against the New York Liberty in the second half during a WNBA basketball game on Saturday in New York. The Liberty won 81-79.

(AP Photo/Adam Hunger) end, Jones stepped up her offence in the second half as Connecticut made a gallant comeback.

Outscoring New York 29-20 in the third quarter, Connecticut took a slim 59-58 margin into the fourth. Both teams traded the lead until the Liberty went up 78-74 on Willoughby’s driving finger roll lay-up with one minute and 53 seconds to play.

Connecticut came within two, 78-76 on a pair of free

After Thomas missed a three-point attempt with 9.7 remaining, she converted the first of her pair of free throws for a 81-76 lead for Liberty. Then with 3.3 to go, Jones canned another three to chip the deficit to 81-79 before the final buzzer sounded.

Despite the loss, Miller, who was named the Coach of the Year last year, said he still has high expectations for his Sun over the horizon.

“While the result is disappointing, it’s the start of our journey this year,” Miller said. “New rosters and new teammates, new dreams, and so I’m excited about this start and what could be this year.”

The Sun, who finished as the top seeds in the 2021 regular season before they got eliminated 3-2 in the semifinals by the Phoenix Mercury, will be back in action at 7pm on Saturday, May 14.

At that time, Connecticut will host their first home game as they celebrate their 20th season in the league against the Los Angeles Sparks, who opened their season on Friday with a 98-91 win over the Chicago Sky. In 2919, Connecticut reached the WNBA playoff finals for the first time since 2005.

Madrid Open, PAGE 15

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 9, 2022, PAGE 15

Impressive Alcaraz wins in Madrid for 4th title of year

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — When Carlos Alcaraz played in his first Madrid Open as an 18-year-old, his goal was to gain experience and learn from the top players.

Only a year later, Alcaraz already feels he belongs among the best.

The Spanish teenage sensation capped another impressive week with a straight-set victory over Alexander Zverev yesterday to win the Madrid Open and become the second-youngest player to win two Masters 1000 titles.

His comfortable 6-3, 6-1 win over Zverev followed victories over his idol Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals and top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

“Last year I was going through these experiences for the first time, playing against the best players, playing in the Masters 1000, and I learned a lot,” Alcaraz said.

“Now it’s different. I go onto the court knowing that I can win, with the confidence that I can win at any moment.”

Alcaraz became the youngest winner in Madrid, and the second youngest to win two Masters 1000 trophies after Nadal won in Monte Carlo and Rome in 2005. Alcaraz had already become the youngest to enter the top 10 since Nadal did it in 2005.

“It feels great to be able to beat these players,” the 19-year-old Alcaraz said.

“To beat two of the best players in history and then Zverev, the world No. 3. He is a great player. I would say this is the best week of my life.”

CARLOS ALCARAZ, of Spain, celebrates after winning the final match against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, at the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Paul White) It was the seventh straight win over a top-10 player for Alcaraz, and his tour-leading fourth title of the year. He also has the most wins this season with 28, one more than Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Zverev was trying to win his second consecutive Madrid title, and third overall.

He had only praise for Alcaraz after the match.

“Right now you are the best player in the world,” Zverev said before the trophy ceremony and joked about his opponent’s age.

“Even though you are still 5 years old, you are still beating us all, so great to see for tennis that we have such a new superstar who is going to win many Grand Slams, who is going to be No. 1 and is going to win this tournament many times.”

Alcaraz had won his first Masters 1000 tournament in Miami earlier this year.

He had also won in Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona. His first career title came in Umag last year.

Alcaraz’s three losses this season came against

Sebastian Korda in Monte Carlo, Nadal in Indian Wells and Matteo Berrettini in the Australian Open.

After long three-set wins over Nadal and Djokovic, the seventh-seeded Alcaraz kept his high energy from the start against Zverev and was in control throughout the match at the “Caja Mágica” center court.

He didn’t face any break points and converted four of the eight he had against the second-seeded Zverev.

Alcaraz had 11 unforced errors compared to 25 by Zverev.

“I am 19 years old, which I think is the key to be able to play long and tough matches in a row. I am feeling great physically,” Alcaraz said.

He said it was special to win in Madrid, where he first started watching tennis at an early age.

“Watching Rafa lift this trophy gave me a lot of power to work hard for this moment,” Alcaraz said. “It is a great moment for me. It is the first tournament I watched, so lifting the trophy today is so emotional.”

STERLING PUTS CITY 3 POINTS CLEAR OF LIVERPOOL IN TITLE BID

By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City started celebrations to mark a decade since its first Premier League title by trying to prevent the sixth success being as tense or dramatic with a rout started and ended by Raheem Sterling.

What had been a tight title race is now more firmly in City’s control after a 5-0 victory over Newcastle sent the champions three points clear of Liverpool yesterday.

How costly Liverpool only drawing with Tottenham on Saturday could prove to be, with City now also holding a superior goal difference of plus-4 over its rival with three games to go.

Between a pair of goals from Sterling, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri and Phil Foden also found the net.

The stylish win ensured City could even have the luxury of dropping points in a remaining game and still win a sixth English title in 10 years.

Surely City won’t take clinching the trophy down to injury time of the final game like in 2012 — a moment immortalized in

T-shirts worn by the 2022 squad before kickoff on Sunday featuring “Agueroooo 93:20” to mark the moment Sergio Aguero scored the title-winning goal.

What hasn’t changed in the 10 years — for all the Premier League titles won — is the search for Champions League glory.

But after a collapse at Real Madrid on Wednesday denied City a spot in a second successive final, Pep Guardiola’s side made an effortless return to domestic duties.

“We’ve bounced back perfectly,” City attacker Jack Grealish said. “We’ve stuck together as a team and as a unit the last few days which was needed and now we’ll just try to finish the season strongly.”

In years to come, it could be Newcastle challenging City for honors not just in the Premier League but in Europe too.

“We’re richer than you,” Newcastle fans mockingly taunted their City counterparts.

But City showed the advantage of 14 years of Abu Dhabi funding over a Newcastle side that has had only one transfer window since being bought by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign

wealth fund and spent to avoid relegation.

Once Chris Wood’s tame header wasted a chance to give Newcastle the lead, João Cancelo headed across the face of the visiting goal and Sterling nodded City in front in the 19th minute.

Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka’s inability to hold off Ilkay Gündogan’s strike from outside the penalty area eventually allowed Laporte to pounce for the second goal in the 38th. That goal came from a corner, as did the third in the 61st when Rodri headed in from Kevin De Bruyne’s delivery.

The gloss on the win came when Jack Grealish set up Oleksandr Zinchenko for a shot that was turned in by Foden in the 90th. And in the third minute of stoppage time, Grealish teed up Sterling to sweep in his second goal.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHASE The Champions League is preparing to welcome back Arsenal after a fiveseason absence.

The north London club is close to sealing fourth place and a return to Europe’s elite and lucrative competition after a

2-1 victory over Leeds on Sunday pulled the team four points clear of Tottenham with three games to go.

The first of those is at Tottenham on Thursday and a victory in the north London derby would clinch fourth place.

It was Eddie Nketiah’s double in the opening 10 minutes that ultimately secured the win over Leeds, which had captain Luke Ayling sent off in the 27th minute for a two-footed challenge on Gabriel Martinelli. Diego Llorente’s second-half goal for Leeds couldn’t spark a comeback.

Arsenal qualified for the Champions League for 19 consecutive seasons under Arsene Wenger before two years of failing to do so led to the manager’s departure in 2018.

RELEGATION SCRAP Losing at Arsenal sent Leeds into the drop zone alongside alreadyrelegated Watford and Norwich, while Everton jumped out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win at Leicester.

Mason Holgate’s header clinched the win for Everton on the half-hour after Vitalii Mykolenko’s volley had been canceled out by

Leicester forward Patson Daka. Jordan Pickford’s saves for Everton made sure of the three points in the second half.

Frank Lampard’s Everton has the advantage of having three games remaining while Burnley and Leeds, which are a point below Everton, have one match fewer.

EUROPA PURSUIT Manchester United’s worst-ever Premier League season — typified by a 4-0 collapse at Brighton on Saturday — has given West Ham hope of dislodging the fallen giant from sixth place.

A 4-0 victory over lastplace Norwich kept West Ham in seventh place — enough for Europa Conference League qualification — but David Moyes’ side is only three points from sixth with two games remaining and one in hand on United in the final Europa League spot.

Said Benrahma’s double, a Michail Antonio strike and Manuel Lanzini’s second-half penalty secured the emphatic win for West Ham, which was denied a place in this season’s Europa League final by Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday. with a home run, double, an RBI and three runs scored in the Pelicans’ 9-1 win over the Columbia Fireflies, April 30 at TicketReturn. com Field in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Murray began his day with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning. He also doubled in the fourth inning.

He had his second multi hit game of the season in the series opener against the Red Sox on May 4 when he went 3-4 with two doubles, five RBI and four runs in a 24-6 win.

Murray was selected by the Cubs with the 22nd pick in the 15th round, no. 454 overall in the 2021 MLB Draft and spent his first season in the Arizona Complex League.

AA BASEBALL FROM PAGE 14

with the New York Mets affiliate, the Brooklyn Cyclones. He doubled in yesterday’s 4-3 loss to the Aberdeen IronBirds at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland, to extend his hit streak to five games and bring his batting average to .222.

After starting the season 3-28 through the first nine games, he had a strong conclusion to conclude April in the series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

In game two, he went 2-4 with a pair of doubles on April 28 and took that momentum into the series against Aberdeen when he had his multi-hit game.

The 23-year old 6’3” utility

BJ Murray.

TAHNAJ Thomas.

WARREN Saunders.

player has a .300 OBP with 10 hits and two RBI thus far this season.

In the preseason, Saunders received the call up to join the New York Mets for Spring Training in the Grapefruit League with a sharp line drive to left field for his first hit with the big league club. In 2021, he spent the season with the

St.Lucie Mets in the Low-A Southwest League where he hit .249 with a .632 OPS, 44 RBI and three home runs.

Murray had an 0-8 start to his first season at the Low-A level with the Myrtle beach Pelicans, but the Chicago Cubs prospect has now tallied hits in seven of his last nine games, including his second multi

hit game in the current series against the WinstonSalem Red Sox. He appeared as a designated hitter and finished 2-3 with two runs in Saturday (May 7) night’s 9-6 win over the Red Sox. The Pelicans improved to 18-7. He previously earned Player of the Game honours when he finished 2-3

OLESEN REPEATS EAGLE-BIRDIE FINISH TO WIN BRITISH MASTERS SUTTON COLDFIELD, England (AP) — Thorbjorn Olesen finished eagle-birdie for the second straight day to win the British Masters by one shot in a dramatic fashion yesterday, earning his first European tour title in nearly four years and igniting his career after a damaging court case.

Olesen shot 1-over 73 to finish a stroke ahead of Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg (68) at the Belfry.

Soderberg ended 9-under 279 overall which had looked enough for the win.

South Africa’s Justin Walters (71) and Scottish pair Connor Syme (70) and Richie Ramsay (71) shared a three-way tie for third.

Olesen had taken a threestroke lead into the final round but struggled yesterday before his brilliant finish, including an eagle on the par-5 17th hole by holing from 28 feet, followed by 35 feet across the green on the last.

On Saturday Olesen tapped in from two feet at No. 17 for a second eagle of the day and holed a birdie putt from 23 feet at the last.

The Danish golfer’s previous win was at the Italian Open in June 2018. He was suspended by the European tour the following year after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman and being intoxicated on a flight following a World Golf Championships event in Tennessee.

Olesen was acquitted by a court in December after saying he had no memory of his behaviour because he had been drinking alcohol and taking sleeping tablets. He said the case had a “devastating impact” on his career, having plunged down the ranking from his position at No. 62 at the time of the incidents.

Olesen is ranked No. 376 and had not previously finished higher than a tie for 12th on the European tour this year.

AHMARD HARVEY COMMITS TO HIGH POINT FROM PAGE 14 Chanticleers was marked by inconsistent playing time and a lack of opportunities on the floor As a true freshman, Harvey played sparing and made 17 appearances at just over six minuter per game.

He scored a season-high seven points in a road win at Delaware State.

As a sophomore he made 21 appearances and scored in double figures twice - 10 points against Greensboro and again against Troy. He averaged 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game on 55 percent shooting from the field.

As a junior last season, he played in just seven games and had the opportunity to play at home when the Chanticleers were a participant in the Nassau Championship of the inaugural Baha Mar Hoops. Off the court, he made the 2021 Fall Dean’s least Prior to Coastal Carolina, Harvey completed his high school career with the Aspire Basketball Academy Wizards in Louisville, Kentucky.

As a senior, he averaged 13.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

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PAGE 16, Monday, May 9, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

MVP Jonquel Jones embraces role as a new face of the WNBA

By PAT EATON-ROBB AP Sports Writer UNCASVILLE, Conn.

(AP) — Jonquel Jones had experienced a certain level of anonymity off the basketball court, only occasionally recognised outside the Mohegan Sun arena as one of the best players in the WNBA. That’s all changing.

Thanks in part to an MVP season and a popular insurance commercial, the 6-foot-6 forward from the Bahamas is being introduced to a much wider audience.

“I’m happy to be a face of the league,” Jones said.

“It comes with the territory. It comes with the hard work and everything that I’ve put in.”

Jones was not a big name in college at George Washington, but she has been traveling the road to stardom since she was selected in the first round of the 2016 draft. She has gone from role player, to the WNBA’s most improved player in 2017 to the league’s sixth player of the year in 2018, to the anchor of a title-contending team.

“You just could always see it in her from her

rookie year,” Sun guard Jasmine Thomas said. “I still feel like she still hasn’t even tapped into all of her greatness and her potential. I’m just super proud of her and happy to see how she handles it all with so much grace.”

She enters Saturday’s season opener at New York as the reigning MVP, coming off a season in which she averaged 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

The versatile Jones has 3-point range, can post up inside and shut down her opponent on defense.

“She truly is a workaholic when it comes to adding tools to her tool bag,” said Curt Miller, the Sun’s coach and general manager. “Every single year since being in the WNBA, she’s come back and added something.”

While she’s widely respected by players and coaches, she hasn’t been a marquee name. Jones and others noted on Twitter in December that months after being named MVP, her jersey wasn’t even for sale in the WNBA’s online store.

She put herself in the spotlight in 2019, helping

MORANT’S GAME 4 STATUS IN DOUBT FROM PAGE 14

CONNECTICUT Sun’s Jonquel Jones (35) goes up for a shot against Chicago Sky’s Courtney Vandersloot (22) and Candace Parker right, during the second half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinal on Octpber 6, 2021, in Chicago. Jones says she’s had a certain level of anonymity off of the basketball court, only occasionally being recognised outside the Mohegan Sun arena as one of the best players in the WNBA. But now, thanks in part to an MVP season and a popular insurance commercial, the 6-foot-6 forward from the Bahamas is being introduced to a much wider audience.

(AP Photo/Paul Beaty) raise money for relief State Farm, a sponsor of compelling stories that I efforts when Hurricane both the NBA and WNBA, think the fans really love.”

Dorian slammed into the has had a long relationship Jones acknowledged Bahamas. with NBA guard Chris Paul she’s gotten some teasAnd now she is getting and last year paired him in ing over the commercial, noticed for a State Farm spots with New York Lib- especially if she’s reaching Insurance commercial, erty guard Sabrina Ionescu. for something on a shelf, during which she helps Patty Morris, the compa- but she’s happy with the Atlanta Hawks All-Star ny’s assistant vice president recognition. guard Trae Young get some of brand and acquisition, “I believe this is just the pickles off a high shelf at said the idea of both ads is start and that JJ is very, a food warehouse store, to appeal to both male and very marketable,” Miller only to need help herself female basketball fans and said. from 7-4 Dallas Mavericks show the respect the playBut as her visibility center Boban Marjanović ers in both leagues have for increases, Jones said she to get a jar of mustard. each other. also wants people, espeJones got the call to “We’re happy to bring cially girls, to realise how make the ad while Con- WNBA players into that much work it has taken to necticut was in the stretch because it does represent get where she is. run last season. With per- the broader landscape of “I want to make sure mission from the team, basketball,” she said. “You they understand that is part she flew to Los Angeles at see them really support of it too,” Jones said, “and 3 a.m. after a home game, each other and encourage not just give them sunshine shot the commercial and each other, so it makes it and rainbows all the time.” then took a red-eye flight really easy as a sponsor Hard work is certainly back across the country. to put them together in paying off for Jones.

BUCKS EDGE CELTICS 103-101 AFTER FRANTIC FINAL SECOND

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo found a way to get better shots and recapture his peak form just in time to help the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks regain the lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

But it was the Boston Celtics’ bad timing that made the difference in the end.

Antetokounmpo bounced back from a rare subpar performance by scoring 42 points and making the go-ahead basket with 44.3 seconds left in a 103-101 victory Saturday. The Bucks lead the best-of-7 series 2-1, with Game 4 tonight in Milwaukee.

“I know what my strengths are” Antetokounmpo said. “Just try to read what’s in front of me and just play with my instincts. Sometimes I’m going to make the right play and sometimes I’m going to make the wrong play, but as long as I play within my strengths, we’re going to be in a good place.”

The victory wasn’t secure until replays confirmed that Al Horford’s potential tying putback –- capping a wild sequence after Marcus Smart intentionally missed a free throw — came just after the buzzer.

“I saw Al tip it, and I saw the red outline go off on the backboard,” Bucks center Brook Lopez said.

“It was very close.”

Boston trailed 103-100 when officials determined Marcus Smart was fouled

by Jrue Holiday just before attempting a potential tying 3-pointer with 4.6 seconds remaining. Because it was a non-shooting foul, Smart got just two freethrow attempts.

Smart made the first free throw, then missed the second intentionally — flinging a shot that went hard off the backboard before hitting the rim.

That’s when things got wild.

Smart got the rebound, but missed his putback attempt. Boston’s Robert Williams charged toward the basket and sent the ball up and off the glass.

Horford was waiting on the right side with a putback attempt that also went off the glass. Horford then

As the Bucks and Celtics also prepared to resume their series with Milwaukee home and up 2-1, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer was asked about a “code” and he acknowledged he didn’t know what that meant while asking for more information — then was told of Morant’s injury.

“There’s a competitiveness and a physicality that’s respected, that’s expected, and then if it crosses the line I think that some of the language that league uses is good,” Budenholzer said.

“If it’s excessive, if it’s dangerous, those are the types of things that are breaking the code. The players, these guys they’re trying to win.

It’s competitive, the blood is boiling, but these guys all know this is a profession, this what they do for a living. Nobody wants to be on the other end of something that’s excessive and dangerous or crossing the code or cracking the code or whatever it is.”

There were several notable physical plays in the Bucks-Celtics series, too, such as Boston’s Robert Williams being elbowed in the face by Bobby Portis as both tangled under the basket while pursuing the ball. Williams went to the locker room but returned to the game.

In San Francisco, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson quickly came to Poole’s defence.

“It’s unfortunate that that’s a conversation right now because obviously nobody wants to see anybody get hurt,” Curry said.

“But there’s nothing malicious about what Jordan did. There’s no comparison to what Dillon did or Draymond, like nothing in that vein. So it’s not a joking matter that Ja is hurt but all the rest it is total B.S. in terms of the conversation right now.”

AP SOURCE: KINGS HIRE MIKE BROWN AS NEW COACH

By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer

MILWAUKEE Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks past Boston Celtics’ Payton Pritchard during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series on Saturday in Milwaukee.

(AP Photo/Morry Gash) got his own rebound and left before storming back. the day, if you keep with Bobby Portis as they tanbanked it in, but his final The Celtics pulled ahead it and you stay with it and gled under the basket while shot came just after the 100-99 and took their first you stay on course, you’re pursuing the ball. Williams buzzer sounded. lead since early in their going to succeed,” Ante- returned later in the third.

“Missed it perfectly,” third quarter on Brown’s tokounmpo said. “If you ... Reserve forward Sam Smart said. “Nobody was two free throws with 1:49 don’t stay on course, you’re Hauser, who had played ready, (but) our guys were. remaining. not going to succeed. It’s as two minutes in each of the Got it up on the rim. We Both teams failed simple as that.” series’ first two games, was had a few chances at it. Just to score on their next Antetokounmpo made unavailable Saturday due didn’t work out for us.” possessions before Ante- sure the Bucks weren’t to an injured right shoulThe Celtics believed tokounmpo put the Bucks thrown off course in their der. Udoka said Hauser Smart should have had an back ahead. Antetok- title defense. took a fall in practice. opportunity to tie the game ounmpo then blocked TATUM’S “He’ll be OK long-term,” at the line. Celtics coach Brown’s driving layup TOUGH Udoka said. “It’s just someIme Udoka and Smart attempt, leading to HoliDAY thing where he could be said it should have been a day’s basket that made it On a day when Brown out a few weeks based on shooting foul on Holiday.

103-100 with 11.2 seconds and Horford both pro- that.”

“You can clearly see remaining. duced double-doubles, The Celtics lost despite it,” Udoka said. “I saw it Antetokounmpo’s win- the Celtics still lost in having a major edge at the in person, but also on the ning plays in the final part because of All-Star foul line. The Celtics were film. I just went and looked minute highlighted his forward Jayson Tatum’s 28 of 33 and the Bucks at it. It’s a shot. He’s curling bounce-back performance. struggles. Tatum shot 4 of 14 of 17 on free-throw into his shot. He’s getting After shooting 38.5% (20 19 overall and missed all attempts. fouled on the way up. Bad of 52) in the first two games six of his 3-point attempts Bucks: Reserve guard missed call.” of this series, Antetok- before finishing with 10 George Hill played for the Holiday disagreed. ounmpo went 16 of 30 on points. first time this postseason “Honestly, it looked like Saturday. He made 62.5% Tatum said his left wrist after recovering from a he was still facing the side- of his attempts (15 of 24) was bothering him but strained abdominal muscle. line,” said Holiday, who from two-point range. He added that it didn’t impact ... Grayson Allen made his scored 25 points. “That’s had 12 rebounds and eight his play. first career playoff start and not a shooting motion. He assists to go along with his “I was probably think- Portis moved into a bench wasn’t facing the rim.”

42 points. ing a little bit too much,” role.

Jaylen Brown led the It was a major upgrade Tatum said. “It all comes The Bucks overcame a Celtics with 27 points and from his Game 2 outing, down to I’ve got to make major free-throw dispar12 rebounds. Horford had when he went 2 of 12 and better reads.” ity. The Celtics were 28 of 22 points, 15 rebounds and scored just five points in TIP-INS 33 and the Bucks 14 of 17 five assists. the first half before finishCeltics: Robert Wil- on free-throw attempts. ...

Boston trailed by 14 late ing with 28 in the Bucks’ liams went to the locker Lopez had 13 points and 10 in the third quarter and 109-86 loss. room in the third quarter rebounds. He had totaled was facing a 13-point deficit “There’s going to be after taking an elbow to eight points in the first two with less than 10 minutes struggles, but at the end of the face from Milwaukee’s games of this series.

THE Sacramento Kings have agreed to hire Golden State assistant Mike Brown as their head coach.

A person familiar with the decision confirmed yesterday that Brown will take over the franchise with the longest playoff drought in NBA history. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the hiring.

ESPN first reported that Brown would get the job.

Brown previously had two stints as head coach in Cleveland where he guided the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007 and had one stint as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Brown is expected to remain with the Warriors for the rest of their playoff run before making the short move to Sacramento where he will be the latest former Golden State coach to take over the Kings.

Kings owner Vivek Ranadive took over the franchise in 2013 after being a minority owner with the Warriors and immediately hired Michael Malone off Golden State’s staff as his first head coach.

Ranadive then hired former Warriors assistant Luke Walton has head coach in 2019 and promoted former Warriors assistant Alvin Gentry to interim coach after Walton was fired last November.

None of the moves have led to success for the NBA’s worst-performing franchise of the past 16 years.

The Kings have failed to make the playoffs in each of those seasons, setting the record for the longest drought in NBA history.

They went 30-52 this past season under Walton and Gentry with their .366 winning percentage their worst since the 2017-18 season.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 9, 2022, PAGE 17

Doncic, Mavs beat foul-plagued Paul, Suns to even series 2-2

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic tumbled toward the baseline after getting bumped by Chris Paul just before the halftime buzzer, the apprentice showing he has watched one of the masters at drawing fouls.

The trick spurred a critical fourth foul on Paul, setting up the Dallas Mavericks to get even in the Western Conference semifinals.

Doncic scored 26 points while helping Dallas take advantage of foul trouble for Paul to beat the Phoenix Suns 111-101 on Sunday for a 2-2 series tie.

“I saw he was going for the rebound and I was surprised,” Doncic said. “He said to me, ‘Did I push you that hard?’ I said, ‘No, not that hard. But it was a smart play.’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I know.’”

Paul ended up being out of Game 4 early in the fourth quarter, the period when he often dominated the Mavericks during an 11-game winning streak that ended with consecutive home victories for Dallas. Game 5 is Tuesday night in Phoenix.

Dorian Finney-Smith scored a playoff careerhigh 24 points on the most 3-pointers he’s had, regular season or playoffs. He was 8 of 12 from deep, including consecutive 3s for a 14-point lead midway through the fourth.

Dallas matched its 20 3s (20 of 44) from a Mother’s Day rout of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011, a win that completed a fourgame sweep in the second round on the way to the

championship. The Mavericks are playing beyond the first round for the first time since then.

Devin Booker scored 35 points for the Suns, who dropped two straight on the road with a 2-0 lead just as they did in last year’s NBA Finals. Milwaukee won the last four to take the title.

Top-seeded Phoenix lost consecutive games for the first time in the playoffs.

“Last year was a learning experience for us,” Booker said.

“We went to six games last year with the Lakers, six games with the Clippers, six with the Bucks, six with New Orleans (this year). We understand that it’s a series. It’s the playoffs for a reason.”

Turnovers were the story with Paul in Dallas’ Game 3 win, when the 37-year-old had the most in any half of his playoff career with seven before halftime.

This time it was fouls, and it started when coach Monty Williams put him back in the game with three in the final minute of the first half.

Paul drove to try to score in the final seconds but left the shot short, then made the ill-fated decision to chase the rebound.

“I’ve got to look back at it,” Paul said. “I mean, I can’t put myself in the situation to give them that ability to do that. I’ve just got to look at myself and figure out how to do better.”

Just 2 1/2 minutes into the second half, Williams had no choice but to use his challenge when Paul stopped and backed into Jalen Brunson as Paul started bringing the ball up

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer

PHOENIX Suns guard Cameron Payne defends as Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) takes a shot in the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series yesterday in Dallas.

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) the court. The fifth foul was upheld on review.

The sixth also came against Brunson just a minute and a half after Paul had returned in the fourth. Paul finished with five points.

“We’re talking about a lot,” Brunson said. “When we know a player’s in foul trouble, no matter who it is, we’re trying to apply the pressure that way. He’s so crucial to that team. If we can get him out of the game, obviously in a clean way, we’re trying to exploit that.”

Booker kept the Suns close into the fourth quarter despite long stretches without his backcourt mate, but Doncic eventually wore

them down with post-ups and other drives for buckets or assists.

With the Suns down six midway through the fourth quarter, Doncic backed down the defense for a short bank shot, followed

by Finney’s back-to-back 3s.

Then the lead was back down to eight when Doncic drove twice and kicked out to the 3-point line both times. Reggie Bullock hit the first and Brunson the second for a 105-95 lead with 2:52 remaining. Eight of Doncic’s 11 assists were on 3s.

“Luka told me when I had five 3s, he told me, ‘You’re about to get some more,’” said Finney-Smith,

who finished one shy of the Dallas franchise playoff record of 9 3s by Jason Terry in the Mother’s Day rout of the Lakers. “When LD tells you you’re about to get some more 3s, I figured I was going to get some.”

UNHAPPY PAUL It was unclear what Paul was addressing after the game when he tweeted about a player’s family being accosted by fans in Dallas. He wasn’t asked about it by reporters after the game. “Wanna fine players for saying stuff to the fans but the fans can put they hands on our families,” Paul wrote before adding an expletive.

Curry, Thompson lead Warriors past Morant, Grizzlies 142-112

By JANIE MCCAULEY AP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Now, Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies are calling out the Golden State Warriors for causing unnecessary injury.

Morant re-injured his troublesome right knee late in the game when Jordan Poole grabbed it as they fought for a loose ball late in the Warriors’ 142-112 victory that embarrassed the Grizzlies on Saturday night and gave Golden State a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

Morant left Chase Center without speaking to reporters but posted and later deleted a video of the play on his Twitter feed with the words “broke the code,” a reference Warriors coach Steve Kerr had used five days earlier when Dillon Brooks’ hard foul in Game 2 sidelined Gary Payton II. Poole and Andrew Wiggins swarmed Morant as he dribbled at the top of the 3-point arc when Morant struggled to keep possession — and Poole described it as “a basketball play.”

“When we doubled him, I hit the ball, l was going for the ball. Obviously, you don’t want to see anybody get hurt, I’m not even that type of player,” Poole said. “I respect everybody.

Obviously hopefully he gets better and we can see him out there next game. “ Brooks was suspended for his Flagrant 2 foul in the first quarter Tuesday night when he pounded the head of a driving Payton, who landed awkwardly and fractured his left elbow.

He will be sidelined indefinitely, also with ligament and muscle damage.

Kerr said the play was “dirty” and broke an NBA “code” injuring someone and threatening his career, while Memphis coach

Taylor Jenkins and his Grizzlies players defended their hard-nosed style as not dirty at all.

Draymond Green and Golden State kept cool from the opening tip — methodically running away with it. Instead, Memphis forward Kyle Anderson got ejected with 6:19 left for arguing an offensive foul.

Stephen Curry scored 30 points, Klay Thompson had 21 and nine rebounds and Golden State shut down Morant’s supporting cast.

A 3 by Morant just before the halftime buzzer got the Grizzlies to 64-57 at the break and gave him 17 of his 34 points after a 47-point performance in Game 2. But Morant couldn’t do it alone for Memphis, and he was done after rubbing his tender right knee and limping off with 6:19 to play before heading to the locker room.

“He’s getting evaluated now. Nothing further. We just watched the replay,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. “He was going after a dribble and Jordan Poole actually grabbed his knee and yanked it, which kind of triggered whatever happened, so I’m actually going to be very curious to see what happens after that.”

Kerr said he “didn’t even notice the play.”

Brooks will be back for Game 4 on Monday night at Chase Center, where the raucous sellout crowd included two women holding signs of Payton’s face insisting the Warriors “Win it for Gary.” It’s unclear if Morant will be fine to play.

“I’ve been through a tough knee injury, and I don’t think there’s any malicious intent from Jordan,” Thompson said.

“I don’t even think he’s strong enough to affect somebody’s knee. But we’re not out there trying to hurt people or trying to

HARDEN, EMBIID POWER 76ERS PAST HEAT, EVEN SERIES 2-2

GOLDEN State Warriors’ Jordan Poole, left, and Andrew Wiggins defends against Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant during the fourth quarter in Game 3 of NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference semifinal in San Francisco on Saturday.

(Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) club people in the back of the head on a fast break.

We play the game the right way and I’m going to have his back.”

Golden State dominated with a balanced attack and energy on both ends after Green called for the offense to do more to better the defense. He dished out eight assists, five points and five rebounds.

“The shot selection was much improved,” Kerr said.

Poole scored 27 points off the bench and Andrew Wiggins added 17 points for Golden State, which used a 10-0 run out of halftime to take command for good.

“We’ve got another game on Monday,” Poole said when asked what he expects next given the latest back-and-forth between the rivals.

Rookie Jonathan Kuminga provided a spark starting in Payton’s place, while Ziare Williams was in for Brooks.

Curry missed his initial two shots then scored his

first points of the game by making a big 3 with 0.9 left in the first as the Warriors trailed 28-26.

Morant hit a 31-foot 3-pointer midway through the first and Williams dunked shortly after for a 21-8 lead and Memphis made 6 of 9 shots to start the game. But the Grizzlies went cold and made only 3 of the next 12 and watched the Warriors close the quarter with an 18-7 burst.

“We were just too frenetic to start off the game,” Kerr said.

THOMPSON’S TOUCH Curry’s Splash Brother, Thompson shot 8 for 13 with four 3-pointers in a solid shooting night.

He had been 11 for 38 from the floor, including 5 of 22 on 3-pointers, so far in the series before finding a better groove. Kerr figured it would happen soon enough. “When we’re getting good shots, the chances of Klay getting hot are much greater, and when he gets hot, our team takes on a different look,”

Kerr said. “We just become much tougher to guard.”

ADAMS’ ABSENCE Grizzlies center Steven Adams was available to play for the first time this series series after coming out of the league health and safety protocols but the big man didn’t play until the game was out of hand.

TIP-INS Grizzlies: G Desmond Bane’s troublesome back was sore during Game 2 but has improved. “His back is progressing. I don’t think he’s at full strength like he was in the regular season but he’s the ultimate competitor,” Jenkins said.

Bane had 16 points in 29 minutes. ... Memphis shot 6 of 11 from 3-point range in the opening quarter.

Warriors: The Warriors outrebounded the Grizzlies 21-14 in the first half and 53-37 overall. ... Golden State is 4-0 playing at home during this postseason and 49-11 dating to the 2015 title run that ended with the franchise’s first championship in 40 years.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden scored 31 points, Joel Embiid had 24 points and 11 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Miami Heat 116-108 last night in Game 4 to even the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The Heat won the first two games in Miami with Embiid out with a right orbital fracture and mild concussion.

The 76ers won Games 3 and 4 at home with Embiid and his mask in the lineup.

Game 5 is Tuesday night in Miami.

Embiid is ready. So is Harden.

And if the Heat can’t figure out those two, the next thing they face could be the offseason.

The Heat pecked away at the lead and got within five until Harden sank his fifth 3-pointer of the game with three minutes left. Harden crushed the Heat on catchand-shoot 3s and hit one clutch shot after another in the fourth.

He at last played in the postseason like the threetime scoring champion the Sixers needed when they traded for him in February.

Harden drilled a stepback 3 for a 114-103 lead that sent the crowd into a frenzy — and the Sixers off to Miami with new life.

Jimmy Butler scored 40 points and nearly one-man willed the Heat to victory.

The Heat missed 28 of 35 3-pointers.

Embiid worked out the Game 3 cobwebs and returned to the dominant form that earned him season-long “MVP!” chants from the Philly diehards.

His first quarter was about as good as it gets for the centre.

He made 5 of 6 shots, including a 3-pointer, and scored 15 points to put the Sixers ahead.

Worn out in Game 3 from days of inactivity because of the concussion, Embiid played all 12 minutes in the quarter.

“He’s really weathering the storm and getting through stuff,” coach Doc Rivers said before the game.

Harden took over the next quarter. After a scoreless first quarter, Harden scored 13 in the second. He missed his first four shots of the game until he buried a 3 and then got rolling. He scored a bucket in transition during a 15-2 run and then waved his arms toward the crowd, calling on the to get louder.

Philadelphia shot 64% from the floor in the half.

But 10 turnovers — that Miami converted into 13 points — kept the Sixers from stretching the lead well into double digits. The Sixers made nine 3s in the half to Miami’s four.

76ERS FINED $50,000 FOR EMBIID INJURY STATUS VIOLATION NEW YORK (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers were fined $50,000 by the NBA on Saturday for violating league injury reporting rules in failing to disclose Joel Embiid’s participation status in an accurate and timely manner.

Embiid returned Friday night after missing the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Miami because of a right orbital fracture and a mild concussion.

PAGE 18, Monday, May 9, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

80-1 shot Rich Strike races to huge upset in Kentucky Derby

By BETH HARRIS AP Racing Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Anyone anticipating a return to normalcy in the Kentucky Derby got a dose of crazy on Saturday when an 80-1 shot came charging up the rail to win at Churchill Downs.

As favorite Epicenter and Zandon engaged in a duel at the front, Rich Strike stole the show with the second-biggest upset in the Derby’s 148-year history.

The chestnut colt beat 4-1 favorite Epicenter by three-quarters of a length.

Zandon finished another three-quarters of a length back in third.

“I about fell down in the paddock when he hit the wire,” winning trainer Eric Reed said. “I about passed out.”

Rich Strike paid $163.60.

Only Donerail in 1913 had a higher payout of $184.90.

“What a crazy Derby,” said trainer Kenny McPeek, whose horses finished eighth and ninth.

Rich Strike wasn’t even in the Derby until Friday when Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas scratched Ethereal Road, making room for the chestnut colt that had just one previous win in his career.

“We found out about 30 seconds before the deadline on Friday,” owner Rick Dawson said. “It put

us in the race and really we always felt if we just got in we’ve got a shot.”

Rich Strike ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.61. After taking a bite out of his much costlier competition, he playfully chomped on the pony guiding him to the winner’s circle.

“I can’t believe it after Epicenter’s effort,” said losing trainer Steve Asmussen, who fell to 0 for 24 in the Derby. “I got beat by the horse that just got in.”

Jockey Sonny Leon and Rich Strike had just two horses beat in the early going. Leon eventually guided his mount between horses and to the inside rail. Rich Strike made a deft move around Messier in the stretch and went right back to the rail intent on picking off Epicenter and Zandon.

“When I was in the last 70 yards, I said, ‘I think I got this race,’” Leon said.

Both Leon, who is from Venezuela, and Reed were in their first Derby. Reed endured a tragedy five years ago when he lost nearly two dozen horses in a barn fire at his training center in Lexington.

He briefly considered the fire might be a signal for him to leave the sport.

“People I hadn’t seen, people I haven’t talked to in years, my best friends were there in the morning to pick me up,” Reed recalled.

“It let me know there’s so much good out there, and then I just decided I wasn’t going to let it take me out.”

Leon regularly rides on some of the country’s smallest circuits, where the horse flesh is inexpensive and the purse money modest.

But he matched wits with such veteran riders as Joel Rosario, aboard Epicenter, and Mike Smith, aboard Messier.

Leon’s rail ride was reminiscent of jockey Calvin Borel’s stealth move aboard Mine That Bird in 2009. Mine That Bird sprang what was then the Derby’s third-biggest upset, paying $103.20 to win.

Reed had no argument with the bettors ignoring his colt, whose victory surely inspired little guys everywhere.

“Small trainer, small rider, small stable, he should have been 80-1,” Reed said. “And so anybody that’s in this business, lightening can strike.”

Rich Strike was purchased by Dawson, who races as RED TR-Racing LLC, for $30,000 last fall when the colt was entered in a low-level claiming race by his former owner.

Calumet Farm head Brad Kelley might be ruing that decision now. Calumet Farm has won a record eight Kentucky Derbies but none since 1968, when Forward Pass was placed

OLIVEIRA DEFEATS GAETHJE, ESPARZA EARNS TITLE AT UFC 274

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Sports Writer

RICH Strike (21), with Sonny Leon aboard, wins the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) disqualified after nine first via disqualification.

Rich Strike earned $1.86 months, having failed a million for his first stakes post-race drug test that led to six-time Derby-winning victory.

The colt lost to Zandon trainer Bob Baffert being in his most recent start last banned from Churchill month and was beat by Downs for two years.

The 2021 Derby was Epicenter in the John Battback to its usual spot on the aglia Memorial in March.

Simplification finished calendar with attendance fourth and Mo Donegal limited to about 52,000.

The bourbon was flowwas fifth.

Churchill Downs ing again Saturday, cigar returned to full capacity, smoke curled in the air on including former President a cloudy and unusually cool Donald Trump, on the first day, and fans strutted in Saturday in May for the their huge hats, floral-print dresses and seersucker first time in three years.

But the final result was suits.

Then came Rich Strike the more upheaval for America’s greatest horse thundering along the rail and all heck broke loose. race.

A few days ago, Reed In 2019, winner Maximum Security was sent Dawson a photo of disqualified for interfer- the colt sprawled in his ence after 22 minutes and straw-covered stall with his runner-up Country House handlers laying on him, all wore the garland of red of them napping.

Reed typed, “I think our roses.

In 2020, an eerie silence horse is cool and ready to enveloped the track when run.”

Dawson responded, “If no fans were allowed because of the COVID-19 we can wake him up.”

Did they ever. pandemic and the race was “I feel like the luckiest pushed to September.

Last year’s winner, man alive,” Dawson said, Medina Spirit, was grinning.

Alvarez faces questions after his first loss in nearly a decade

By TIM DAHLBERG AP Sports Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — Canelo Alvarez paused on his way to the ring to pose with his right fist high in the air, basking in the adulation of thousands of his frenzied fans expecting nothing more on this Cinco de Mayo weekend than another big win by a fighter already considered one of Mexico’s all-time greats.

He left 12 rounds later with his first loss in nine years, seemingly as stunned by the unexpected outcome as the sold-out crowd that came to watch.

Dmitry Bivol didn’t just beat Alvarez Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena on the glittering Strip. He gave him a beating in a light heavyweight fight that wasn’t nearly as close as the identical 115113 cards turned in by the three ringside judges.

And now the questions begin. Did Alvarez take too big of a risk moving up to 175 pounds to take on a tough champion in Bivol?

Did the loss to the Russian damage the legacy Alvarez

has built in the last decade along with his status as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world?

And, perhaps more importantly, what becomes of his third fight with Gennadiy Golovkin, a long-awaited mega bout that now surely won’t be happening in September as planned, if at all?

No, one bad night may not wreck Alvarez’s career.

He has accomplished way too much for that.

But after perhaps his worst outing as a pro, there’s work to be done before he’s talked about in such elevated terms again.

“You have to expect it.

It is boxing. No excuses,” said Alvarez, who hadn’t lost in 16 fights since dropping a decision in 2013 to Floyd Mayweather Jr. “I lost today and he won. He’s a really good fighter.”

Bivol was more than that on this night. He was a bigger, slicker fighter who did what Alvarez usually does to his opponents — impose his will on the man across the ring from him.

A 5-1 underdog despite being an undefeated

DMITRY BIVOL, right, of Kyrgyzstan, throws a punch against Canelo Alvarez, of Mexico, during a light heavyweight title boxing match on Saturday in Las Vegas.

(AP Photo/John Locher) champion, Bivol consistently beat Alvarez to the punch and wasn’t afraid to trade inside with him. He was credited with landing 152 punches to just 85 for Alvarez, and out landed him in every round.

Fighting at 175 pounds always seemed a stretch for Alvarez, who beat Sergey Kovalev in his only other bout at light heavy. Fighting an unbeaten 175-pound champion turned out to be a bridge too far.

“We talked going into this fight how good Dmitry Bivol is, how tough this fight was and it was a punch-perfect performance,” said Eddie Hearn, who promotes Alvarez.

“He had to box exactly the way he did to win the fight.

Did Canelo look a little bit flat? Did he look tired? I think it was the brilliance of Dmitry Bivol.”

Alvarez admitted in the week before the fight that he was taking a big chance

against Bivol but wanted fights that challenged him. Acutely aware of his legacy — particularly in Mexico — he was confident he could wear Bivol down over the course of the fight, just as he did before knocking Kovalev out in the 11th round of their 2019 fight.

But Kovalev was an aging fighter who was on the downside of his career.

Bivol, on the other hand, was unbeaten and had never been in the kind of ring war that wears fighters down.

Instead, it was Alvarez who was marked up and looked the worse for wear when the bell sounded to end the final round.

Alvarez said afterward he thought he did enough to win the bout, but the only real question for those watching in the arena and on pay-per-view was how much the judges might be swayed by Alvarez’ reputation and the screams of his

supporters every time he landed a punch.

The judges got it right, but barely. Perhaps intimidated by the crowd, they scored the first four rounds for Alvarez even as Bivol kept landing more punches.

Curiously, all three had every round scored the same, something unheard of in any fight, much less a big championship bout.

And if all three hadn’t given the last three rounds to Bivol, Alvarez would have escaped to fight another night with his huge fight planned for September with Golovkin still intact. “Sorry I broke your plans with Gennadiy Golovkin,” Bivol said.

Now there will be new plans, including a possible rematch that Alvarez was talking about even before he left the ring.

Yes, he lost. But even in a bad loss there’s always a path forward. “It doesn’t end like this,” Alvarez said.

PHOENIX (AP) — Charles Oliveira went to the canvas on two hard punches and another on a takedown, all in the first round.

Each time, Justin Gaethje let him back up, hoping to inflict more damage and get the Brazilian to give up.

Giving up is no longer a part of Oliveira’s makeup.

Fighting back — and winning — is.

Shaking off two big punches from Gaethje, Oliveira choked him out in the first round to win by submission in the lightweight division at UFC 274 on Saturday night.

“This is a message to the entire division,” Oliveira said through an interpreter.

“I am a problem for this division.”

Oliveira (33-6, 1 no-contest) had to vacate the title after missing the 155-pound limit by a half-pound at Friday’s weigh-in, leaving Gaethje (24-4) as the only fighter who could take the championship belt.

It may not have been a title fight, but it certainly had plenty of action, including two knockdowns and a takedown by Gaethje.

The Arizona native allowed Oliveira up each time and it backfired when the jiu-jitsu specialist knocked him to the ground and took his back, submitting him at 3:22 of the opening round.

“It was what I expected, what we all expected,” UFC President Dana White said.

“It was an incredible fight.”

Carla Esparza (20-6) took the strawweight title eight years after losing it in the co-main event, working a patient fight to beat Rose Namajunas (12-5) in a split decision.

Esparza had trouble not only taking down Namajunas, but pulling her into range. She managed to get in a few solid strikes, some low leg kicks and a couple of brief takedowns to earn the title she had been waiting so long for.

“I can’t believe after all these years I have the belt back,” Esparza said. “I went through so much to get the belt both times.”

A fan favourite from eastern Arizona, Gaethje promised a few “car crashes” in a bid to make Oliveira back down.

He smashed into Oliveira early and often, dropping the Brazilian with punches twice in the first round, letting him up both times so he could keep punching. Gaethje added in a takedown and again let Oliveira get back up.

Like he did after getting wobbled by Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier the previous two fights, Oliveira rebounded and attacked.

His face bloodied, Oliveira knocked Gaethje down with a hard right and took his back. Gaethje briefly appeared as if he would escape, but Oliveira got a arm under his chin and forced him to tap out with a rear-naked choke hold.

“Look at this team, look at me, I am the champion,” Oliveira said.

A-ROD’S NEPHEW DUNAND HR IN DEBUT, MARLINS END SKID FROM PAGE 14 MLB at-bat HOME RUN. Lets go Joe!!!” The tweet was accompanied by a video of some adults celebrating wildly.

“I haven’t looked at my phone.

I’m sure it’s blowing up,” Dunand said.

“But I’m sure I’ll watch it. I’m sure he went crazy.”

Dunand is 695 home runs behind his uncle, who is fourth on the all-time list after a career tainted by steroid use.

Dunand did not receive the silent treatment in the dugout after the homer, but he was doused in a wild clubhouse celebration.

He also got the ball back from the kid who caught it, who asked

to meet Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. “The kid wanted to meet Jazz and Jazz said, ‘I got you,’ so he went and met him and got me the ball. So thank you, Jazz,” Dunand said.

Dunand was promoted from Triple-A Jacksonville after Jon Berti was placed on the injured list. Dunand had been on the taxi squad for this trip through San Diego and Arizona. He started at third base and batted ninth.

The 26-year-old Dunand doubled to left in his second at-bat and scored on Garrett Cooper’s two-run double.

“I think he’s taking after his uncle,” Cooper said.

“That’s a big first A-B. Good for him. That’s a memory he’ll always

have, off a good All-Star pitcher.

To come up with a double after, that’s huge for him and that’s a huge start for us to get that first run and take the lead early. Can’t say enough about the job he did in his first game.”

Cooper struck out leading off the eighth and was ejected by plate umpire D.J. Reyburn.

Soler’s grand slam highlighted the five-run ninth against San Diego’s bullpen. It was his fourth homer this season.

Jazz Chisholm Jr had an RBI double.

Lopez (4-1) shut down the Padres on five hits while striking out five and walking two. He has a 1.00 ERA after six starts.

The Padres were shut out for the first time this season.

Manny Machado singled in the Padres first to extend his on-base streak to 17 games.

Manaea (2-3) allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings, struck out eight and walked one.

BIG NUMBERS Machado’s .382 average and .458 on-base percentage are the best in baseball and teammate Eric Hosmer’s .371 average and .451 OBP rank second. It’s the first time two teammates were ranked first and second in both categories after a team had played at least 27 games into a season since Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers led in both categories through May 23, 1951, which was 34 games into that season.

FIRST PITCH San Diegan Chris Olave threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The wide receiver from Ohio State was the 11th pick overall by the New Orleans Saints in last week’s NFL Draft.

TRAINER’S ROOM Marlins: Placed INF/OF Berti on the injured list and selected Dunand’s contract.

Padres: RF Matt Beaty came out of the game after making a diving attempt at Miguel Rojas’ double in the second. ... Placed LHP Tim Hill on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Thursday, with left shoulder inflammation and recalled LHP Ray Kerr from Triple-A El Paso.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 9, 2022, PAGE 19

Bahamian athletes take spotlight at Arkansas Twilight

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net PRO athlete LaQuan Nairn returned to his alma mater, while hurdler Indea Cartwright led a Bahamian connection at Oral Roberts as they both posted third-place finishes at the Arkansas Twilight in Fayetteville, Arkansas, over the weekend.

LaQuan, competing again at the John McDonnell Field University of Arkansas after he ended his tenure for the Razorbacks in 2020, ended up third in the men’s long jump with a leap of 25-feet, 2 1/./2inches or 7.68 metres.

American Jarrion Lawson won the event with 26-6 ¾ (8.02m), while another American Will Williams was third with 25-9 ½ (7.86m).

Cartwright, now in her senior year for the Golden Eagles at Oral Roberts University, came through with a third place finish in the women’s 400 metre hurdles in a time of one minute and 2.22 seconds.

Britton Wilson, a sophomore from Arkansas, posted a meet record of 55.41 for the win.

Gabrielle Gibson, coming off her second Athlete of the Week honours last week, finished fourth in the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.83.

Cindy Sember of Great Britain took the title in a meet record of 12.70.

Senior Chanice Forbes placed sixth in the women’s 400m in 58.25.

Britton Wilson, a sophomore at Arkansas, clocked a meet record of 50.97 for the win. Lakelle Kinteh, a

LAQUAN Nairn

INDEA Cartwright

LAKELL Kinteh

CHANICE Forbes

junior, was 11th in the women’s 100m in 12.39 to miss making it to the final that saw American Marybeth Sant-Price win in a meet record of 11.26.

Two male competitors, Bradley Dormeus and Keithwood Stubbs, are also on Oral Roberts University’s team that is coached

by Joe Dial, but they didn’t compete over the weekend.

Dial, by the way, will be stepping down at the end of the season after serving for nearly 30 years as the head coach.

Rutherford and Bethel at Tom Tellez Invitational Camille Rutherford, competing for the University of Houston, got a third place finish in the women’s 100m 11.38, while Brianne Bethel, a former teammate,

was fourth in 11.46 as they went head-to-head at the Tom Tellez Invitational at the University of Houston over the weekend.

Tristan Evelyn, competing for API Athletics, won the race in 11.24 with Candyce Mcgrone of Aw1-Elite second in 11.25.

Bethel, the Grand Bahamian native, came back in the 200m and got third in 23.09. Evelyn got another win in 22.89 and Mcgrone was second in 22.98.

Meanwhile, Rutherford’s cousin, Alexis TilfordRutherford, also picked up a third place finish in the women’s long jump with her leap of 19-4 (5.89m).

Samiya Samuels, competing unattached, won with 21-0 (6.40m). Jayla Fields of Houston was second with 19-5 ¼ (5.92m).

MIAMI Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr celebrates with teammate Jesus Aguilar after hitting a solo home run against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning of a baseball game yesterday in San Diego.

(AP Photo/Mike McGinnis)

‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr hits solo home run FROM PAGE 14 neither he nor Eric Hosmer — two of the best hitters in baseball this season — could deliver a big blow for the Padres.

Rogers got Hosmer to pop up with two runners on to end both the third and fifth innings.

After Kim Ha-seong hit a fly ball to the warning track in the left-field corner for the second out in the fifth with a runner on, Machado drove a ball down the line that curved foul then singled before Hosmer popped up.

Machado was batting .381 and Hosmer .355 coming in.

The next-best Padres regular was batting .238, and four were below .200.

Rogers held San Diego to five hits in five innings while striking out three and walking two. Cole Sulser pitched the ninth for his second save in as many chances, retiring former .

San Diego’s Joe Musgrove threw a season-high 108 pitches in seven strong innings. He held the Marlins to two runs and five hits while striking out eight and walking one.

Robert Suarez (2-1) got the win for the Padres, working two innings with a strikeout and no hits.

TRAINER’S ROOM Marlins: Placed LHP Richard Bleier on the

MIAMI Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm throws to first base to retire San Diego Padres’ Trent Grisham during the second inning yesterday.

(AP Photo/Mike McGinnis) injured (undisclosed) and selected INF Erik Gonzalez from Triple-A Jacksonville.

UP NEXT Marlins: RHP Elieser Hernandez (2-1, 6.66) is scheduled to start tonight in the opener of a three-game series at Arizona, which will counter with RHP Humberto Castellanos (2-1, 4.12).

Padres: Rookie LHP MacKenzie Gore (2-0, 1.71) is scheduled to start Monday night in the opener of a three-game home series against RHP Kyle Hendricks (1-3, 5.64) and the Chicago Cubs.

BRIANNE Bethel.

CAMILLE Rutherford.

ALEXIS Tilford-Rutherford.