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TARGET STATES SENDING GUNS Rolle says police have identified key suppliers for Bahamas criminals

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE Royal Bahamas Police Force has pinpointed three US states as points of origin for illegal guns that are turning up in The Bahamas.

According to Police Commissioner Paul Rolle, “literally all of the illegal weapons that we have recovered are traced back to” either Florida, Atlanta

or Texas.

Despite best efforts to get a hold of the problem, Mr Rolle admitted the gun situation is a revolving door because “as you get them, the next shipment of guns is there”.

A part of the issue has come down to some Bahamians engaging in straw purchasing to acquire the weapons. A straw purchase is an illegal act in which a SEE PAGE THREE

MINNIS FIRES OFF LETTER AT SANDS ‘INTERFERENCE’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement chairman Dr Duane Sands yesterday staunchly defended his role in the party’s leadership, calling accusations that he interfered in the internal affairs of former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’constituency as

nothing but an “unnecessary distraction.”

Dr Sands was contacted after he was accused

by Dr Minnis of acting “unconstitutionally” over exercising his power as the party’s chairman.

Dr Minnis raised concerns about the issue in a letter dated June 27, 2022, which was leaked to the media.

SEE PAGE THREE

STUDENTS TURNED SCIENTISTS SEVEN students from LN Coakley High School in Exuma have been helping researchers from the Beneath the Waves organisation to tag sharks - and also enjoying a snorkel trip aboard the research vessel Tigress. See PAGE SEVEN for the full story.

FORMER PM TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has tested positive for COVID-19.

Dr Minnis was tested for

the virus yesterday.

He told The Tribune that he is being cared for at home by his two sons who are both doctors.

The Killarney MP said: “(I am) having chills, fever, SEE PAGE FOUR

NURSES HOLD LICENCE FOR STRIKE ACTION BAHAMAS Nurses Union president Amancha Williams confirmed to The Tribune that the union received a strike certificate yesterday.

“At this present time, the nurses union has no

plans to strike. We are in negotiation right now with PHA and the Department of Health. We wait to hear from them, we haven’t heard from them as yet,” she told The Tribune.

SEE PAGE FOUR

MURDER VICTIM WAS CLEARED OF TEACHER’S DEATH

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A MAN whose conviction was overturned in relation to the murder of a Queen’s College teacher was himself killed on Tuesday, The Tribune was told.

Armando Sargent, accused of being involved in the murder of Joyelle McIntosh in 2015, was killed in a shooting.

Police said the incident happened shortly after

ARMANDO Sargent outside court previously. midnight at the intersection of Beatrice Avenue and Charles Saunders Highway when three men became

involved in an argument at the traffic lights on the highway.

During the altercation, one of the men produced a firearm and fired shots in the direction of the two men. Both men ran north along Beatrice Avenue, however one later collapsed and was pronounced dead.

This homicide was one of three separate killings that happened less than 24 hours apart between Monday and Tuesday.

SEE PAGE TWO

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

FRONT PORCH: WHAT FUTURE FOR THE BRITISH MONARCHY?

- SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Thursday, June 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

MURDER VICTIM WAS CLEARED OF TEACHER’S DEATH from page one

JOYELLE MCINTOSH

It was reported in December 2021 that the Court of Appeal had overturned the convictions of three men who were accused of murdering Ms McIntosh, an elementary school teacher.

Mr Sargent, Johnny Mackey, and a man who was arraigned when he was a juvenile were charged with murdering the mother,

attempting to murder her son, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and attempted armed robbery.

The third intended appellant, who has not been named since he was charged as a minor, was accused of actually shooting McIntosh.

Mackey and the third intended appellant were later convicted of all of the offences while Sargent was convicted of manslaughter, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and

attempted armed robbery.

The men filed an application for an extension of time to appeal their applications.

Ultimately, the Court of Appeal approved Sargent and Mackey’s applications for an extension of time, quashed their convictions and did not order a retrial.

They approved the third man’s application for an extension of time, quashed his convictions and sentences and ordered a retrial.

SHAUNAE Miller-Uibo with double medal winner Vashni Thompson.

MILLER-UIBO JOINS SPECIAL OLYMPIANS AT RECEPTION

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development’s National Commission for Persons with Disabilities hosted a reception for Special Olympics athletes and medalists.

The reception was held at Superclubs Breezes, with a surprise visit by two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

Mrs Miller-Uibo made a tribute to the achievements of the Special Olympians and took photos with them.

“It is indeed an honour for me to be amont our Special Olympians and to show them my love and recognition for their achievements,” said MillerUibo. “They have achieved world-renown recognition for their performances in the same way that all Olympians do for our country.”

At the games, more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean gathered in competition in front of a spectator audience of 125,000 people.

Gilbert Williams, national director of Special Olympics, said the recognition of the athletes’ achievement marks the beginning of greater things to come.

“This recognition of our athletes’ achievements is a long time in coming,” he said. “It only marks the beginning of greater things to come in the spirit of equality and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.

“It is hoped that The

Bahamas will soon be the host country of several Regional, Special Olympics competitions.”

In attendance at the reception was Social Services and Urban Development Minister Obediah Wilchcombe, Education Minister Glenys HannaMartin, Housing and Transport Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis and Senator Kirk Russell from Grand Bahama.

Mr Wilchcombe congratulated the members of the team and their coaches.

He said: “I am so very proud of our Special Olympics Athletes and Coaches and I congratulate each and every one of them. It is their hard work, perseverance, dedication and love of the sport that has led them to become international champions, and this is a proud day for us all in The Bahamas, as we celebrate their victory.

“I want to especially thank Mrs Shaunae MillerUibo, who should be commended for taking the time to celebrate with us this evening and show the Special Olympians that they are included as part of the Bahamian Athletic Community.”

The 2022 Special Olympics Team comprised nine delegates and 14 athletes who competed in the USA Games in Orlando, Florida from June 5 to June 11, 2022.

The official medal count breakdown includes individual medals, two team medals, four gold and two bronze medals.

SIR ‘SONNY’ RAMPHAL RELEASES PAPERS DETAILING PUBLIC LIFE CARIBBEAN and Commonwealth elder statesman, Sir Shridath Ramphal, has released papers on the internet, covering 72 years of public life in the Caribbean, the Commonwealth and internationally.

In his distinguished career, Sir Shridath ‘Sonny’ Ramphal has served as Assistant Attorney-General of the West Indies Federation, Minister of Justice and Foreign Affairs of Guyana, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and concurrently Chancellor of the University of Guyana, the University of the West Indies and Warwick University.

He is the only person to have served on all the Global Commissions that produced pioneering reports on the environment, development and disarmament, between 1980 and 1995. He was also Chairman of the West Indian Commission, whose 1992 report, “Time for Action”, is still regarded today as the seminal blueprint for Caribbean Development.

Sir Shridath was called to service in many other

capacities, including President of the World Conservation Union, Special Adviser to the UN Conference on Environment and Development, Chief Negotiator for the Caribbean on External Economic Relations and as a mediator and facilitator in elections and constitutional crises.

As the longest-serving Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral from 1975 to 1990, Sir Shridath played a lead role in ending institutional racism in Southern Africa, particularly in terminating Apartheid in South Africa.

Nelson Mandela said of him: “He is one of those men who have become famous because, in their fight for human justice, they have chosen the whole world as their theatre”.

The website, giving free access to Sir Shridath’s speeches and other submissions from 1950 to 2022, is available to the public of the international community, including universities, libraries, researchers and academics as well as interested readers at: www. sirshridathramphal.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 30, 2022, PAGE 3

STRANDED AT SEA - THEN RESCUED BY A PRIVATE CHEF

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

DANIEL VILLORESI, Anna Narcise, Julia Raine, Aiden Narcise, Haley Braunstein.

A NORMAL family day out at sea ended with a twist after a group of cousins rescued a man who was stranded on on Atholl Island.

The man turned out to be the private chef of one of the owner of a multi-billion company.

On Saturday, Julia Raine and her cousins took their family’s boat out to explore Rose Island.

Ms Raine was excited to show her cousins Haley Braunstein, Daniel Villoresi, Aiden Narcise,

Anna Narcise and Mackenzie McDowall around the island since they were visiting from New Jersey.

They had planned a normal summer day out, which would include shell collecting, observing sea turtles and enjoying the treasures of island life.

However, things took an unexpected turn on the group’s return home to Paradise Island.

Mr Narcise said on the way back he noticed a man in a kayak waving his hands anxiously signalling for help.

“At first, I thought he was just waving at me, but then I looked back and I was like

‘oh no he has two hands up he’s waving us down’. We decided to go back to see what was wrong,” Mr Narcise said.

The group changed course and headed down to Athol Island where the man was stranded.

The man said he had been stranded alone for over two hours with no water or help.

“His kayak was busted and he couldn’t float in it anymore. He said he was hailing down people, like five boats had gone by and no one really stopped. So, he was really thankful we did, “ Ms Raine said.

The unknown man had

taken the day off to go for a kayak ride but unfortunately the ride became a nightmare when his boat hit some rocks.

The damage from the rocks had made the kayak unable to float or to paddle back to Paradise Island where he was staying.

Ms Raine and her cousins decided to give the man a ride back to Paradise Island. On the way back home, the he revealed his identity of his employer.

“I couldn’t believe as we were taking him back, he was pointing to one of the biggest houses right on the shore,” Mr Narcise said.

Target states sending guns from page one gun is bought by one person on behalf of someone else who is legally unable to make the purchase themselves.

Given that the majority of murders in the country are the result of gun violence, Mr Rolle said a major focus of his administration has been to crack down on illegal guns.

In 2021, the police discovered or seized in The Bahamas 277 firearms.

The police chief contended the issue does not solely lie with the police.

“We are doing our job,” Mr Rolle said of the fight against gun trafficking in a reflection of his stint as Commissioner of Police, a post he took in 2020. He will retire on July 5.

“Are we going to get all the guns? No, but the frustrating thing is as soon as you get them, the next shipment of guns are there. So, it’s an ongoing thing.

“That’s not a police responsibility.

Someone else is responsible to interdict those doggone guns coming into this country.

Not the police. But, everybody is saying ‘well, what is the police doing’.

“I don’t hear anybody blaming anyone else.

Nobody is holding anyone else to account, but if we are getting 300 illegal guns off the street today the police are certainly doing their jobs. How are these guns getting in here?

“Are you saying that the police are supposed to stop these guns from getting in here? Certainly we have a role to play, but we don’t deal with borders. These things are being shipped in here somehow. Maybe we need to have a conversation with some of the other agencies and let them tell us what they are doing to mitigate and prevent.”

He continued: “What we have done in my time is we trace all of our firearms and I could give the history on the gun. I could safely say that literally all of the illegal weapons that we have recovered are traced back to the United States.

“Either in Florida, Texas or Atlanta. They are the hotspots where we tend to find persons purchasing guns and they smuggle them into The Bahamas.

“So, what I’ve done is we have partnered with other agencies in the United States and we have been targeting those persons

because you see when you do the trace, some of the same names are showing up.”

Based on the information that turns up in these traces, Mr Rolle said investigators have been able to narrow down some gun traffickers.

It is an issue that Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he would raise at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, California earlier this month.

Mr Rolle went on to note the measures that allies in the US have taken to assist in The Bahamas’ fight.

“You see a lot of the discussion going on now and even the prime minister is saying that we need to do more. So, what they are doing now is making it a little more difficult for youngsters to get guns because they have been having their problems with these mass shootings.

“That’s one issue, but the issue for us in many instances are the straw purchases. So, you go to the states and you can’t buy but your friend lives there and you say ‘man I need these guns. Let’s go to the pawn shop and gun show’ and he could purchase the gun because you can’t and then he gives it to you.

POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle.

“What we have been asking them to do is make it a little more difficult for him to go and buy the gun in the first place.

“So, he now has to go and submit documents.

He then has to wait. The waiting period allows the authorities in the states to check him and find out who he is. We said you can only purchase two in a month’s time, but we notice that this fella has been buying guns regularly, Why is he buying these guns? I am saying that is a part of the investigation to help mitigate.

“It’s not only The Bahamas, you know? It’s the Caribbean. All of these countries are doing that. So, it’s an enterprising thing.”

Earlier this month, the prime minister said: “All we want the Americans to do is as they promote their right to bear arms to take into account that the right to bear arms in our view ought not to be a right to traffic arms.”

He also said: “Yes, I intend to raise that in the margins whereas it’s not a subject, clearly equitable growth and prosperity and

Photo: Moise Amisial strong and inclusive democracies are undermined and compromised by violence and gun violence in any democracy and so to have a safe and secure country this issue of gun violence has to come under control and we know where the guns come from.”

The comments came after National Security Minister Wayne Munroe told Parliament there was an 18 percent overall rise in crime in The Bahamas.

Homicides also increased by 26 percent, the Free Town MP said at the time.

MINNIS FIRES OFF LETTER AT SANDS ‘INTERFERENCE’ from page one

In the letter, the Killarney MP said Dr Sands had interfered twice to cause delays to two scheduled association elections in his constituency “without just cause or even any reasonable explanation”.

Dr Minnis also alleged that “it is unheard of for the party, through the chairman, to directly interfere in the internal administration of a constituency association” since he, the elected MP, is in good standing with the party.

“I, as the MP for Killarney and the first named Member of Killarney Constituency association pursuant to Article 17 of the Constitution, regard this series of arbitrary acts of interference, and the proposed incursion into the constituency that I represent in Parliament, as hostile and needlessly divisive acts, which also happen to be unconstitutional,” according to the letter.

“I suggest that you kindly govern yourself accordingly, and permit the responsible deputy chairman and secretary general to perform their constitutional duties, without further unwarranted and unconstitutional interference by you.”

When contacted by The Tribune, Dr Sands said it was his first time reading the letter, which he called unfortunate and an unnecessary distraction.

“The first time I saw the letter or any of its contents was on the post to Eyewitness News so I think we can assume that it was leaked by the person who penned the letter,” he said.

He also dismissed the claims that his actions were untoward, insisting he was only doing his job

as outlined in the amended FNM constitution.

“It’s important for us to understand the roles of persons in any organisation,” Dr Sands said. “The role of the chairman of the Free National Movement is very clearly articulated in the recently revised constitution and I can assure you that I function with that as my guide.

“And that means as chairman, I am ultimately responsible for every election in the Free National

Movement and it’s something that I take very seriously. Anyone who either seeks to represent the FNM or represents the FNM is a franchisee, okay.

“They are the standard bearers that have been ratified to be the standard bearer for the Free National Movement and as such, the party plays a pivotal role in every single association and organisation throughout the country.”

“That’s how it should have always been.”

Asked to respond to concerns that Dr Minnis’ letter showed there was disunity in the party, Dr Sands replied: “This is a very unfortunate distraction from the things that Bahamians find important and that FNM’s find important. The leadership of the Free National Movement is on a process of rebuilding the organisation and restoring public confidence and trust and the concept of a team is one that we take very

very seriously, and I’ll just leave it at that.”

He added: “The country is currently challenged with ineffective and somewhat rudderless leadership right now and I think Bahamians already have a level of bias remorse so this distraction is both untimely and unfortunate and I can assure those persons who expect much from the FNM that we acknowledge this a little more than an unnecessary distraction.”

Dr Minnis yesterday

denied that he leaked the letter to the media.

In last September’s election, the FNM suffered a crushing defeat, winning only seven seats, its worst performance since 1977 when it won only two seats.

Since the election, the party – under the leadership of Marco City MP Michael Pintard - has sought to become more unified and reconnect with their base who they believe felt abandoned by the previous Minnis administration.

PAGE 4, Thursday, June 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

PAHO: Prepare now for post-COVID

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net PAN American Health Organisation (PAHO) director Carissa Etienne has urged countries in the region to prepare health systems now on how to deal with post COVID -19 conditions.

During a virtual briefing yesterday, Dr Etienne said many individuals who suffered from COVID-19 or continue to experience symptoms are going through a postCOVID condition known as “long COVID”.

“Whether they experienced mild, severe, or

FORMER PM TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID from page one

sweating, headaches and coughing. Fortunately, I have two sons who are doctors. So, they are caring for me at home.”

Asked if he had to be admitted into hospital, Dr Minnis replied: “No, I asked one of them to bring an IV line to make sure to hydrate me.”

He added: “I’m weak and tired and exhausted, but I’m in good hands with the two of them.”

critical COVID-19, they continue to experience COVID-like symptoms for three months or more after their initial infection,” Dr Etienne said.

These are the people with post-COVID condition,” she noted.

Some studies have estimated that 10-20 percent of people who had COVID may develop the condition.

The best way to avoid being affected by the condition is by taking the necessary precautions to prevent being infected by COVID-19.

The most common symptom is severe and persistent fatigue.

“People may also experience shortness of breath, loss of taste and smell, and other respiratory, cognitive, and sensory symptoms,” Dr Etienne also said.

It was revealed that persons with underlying health issues, who are

SUSTAINABILITY PLAN AT BREWERY

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

COMMONWEALTH Brewery Limited is exploring solar energy and eco-friendly packaging to advance the company’s sustainability agenda.

The company is examining their value chain and product packaging design to ensure it takes a holistic approach to becoming climate positive and investing in eco-friendly products.

CBL began their green energy transition as part of its Environmental and Responsibility Strategy by onboarding Electric Vehicles (EVs) into its Nassau fleet.

“Incorporating clean energy technology into our operations remains a priority, particularly with the increased frequency of hurricanes and impending climate impacts,” said Kendria Ferguson, corporate relations and sustainability manager.

“Establishing a reliable and resilient energy network for our operations is critical to maintaining jobs and contributing to the local economy.”

Engineering manager, Edbert Beneby, said CBL is

committed to aligning with the current world standards.

He said: “CBL is committed to aligning with the current world standards of reducing its carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. Electrical power is crucial to our production processes and contributes up to 40% of our total power requirements.

“The current high cost of electrical power and the looming potential of continuing cost increases presents CBL with the opportunity to invest in renewable energy sources, which will help control operating costs, keeping our company viable and competitive in the local market.”

CBL’s Clifton Pier location is where several well known customers’ favorites are brewed, bottled and packaged, including KALIK, Guinness, Eclipse, Ricardo Rum and Vitamalt.

In 2021, CBL transitioned to a ‘one-way’ glass bottle which uses up to 30 percent less glass to produce and is more environmentally friendly, as the previous glass return programme presented low return rates and sun-baked labels, rendering most of the bottles unusable.

Philippa Huyler, procurement manager, said the company is adopting eco-friendly materials that allow them to maintain the look and feel that consumers value.

“We live our Heineken values of ‘care for people and planet’.

Keeping sustainability at the forefront of our innovations extends throughout our Procurement processes.

Therefore, we are adopting eco-friendly materials that allow us to maintain the look and feel of our packaging and the value that we all love,” Ms Huyler said.

CBL’s investment in renewable energy is one of several initiatives the Brewery is implementing to reduce its carbon emissions and contribute to Heineken’s global ambition to decarbonise its production by 2030 and its total value chain by 2040.

The brewery remains committed to doing its part to assist the country and government in fulfilling its sustainable development goals, strengthening the local energy sector and reducing the negative environmental impacts of waste products.

unvaccinated, and with other risk factors such as asthma, and those who smoke or vape are particularly at risk for this condition.

“WHO has identified three “Rs” to guide our actions. The first “R” is recognition. We must actively identify people who are suffering from post- COVID condition, so they can get the care and support they need.

“The impact of postCOVID condition is broad, but there is still stigma around it, and not enough healthcare workers are trained to recognise the condition. And even fewer have the expertise to help someone manage their symptoms.

“This is a real condition, and it must be dealt with by applying robust policies and guidance. It is also crucial that we recognise the impact that post COVID

condition has on people’s lives and work alongside those affected to ensure that their voices are heard, and that they play an active role to guide national and regional responses.

“The second “R” is rehabilitation. We must ensure our health workforce can support the sizable population who will experience post-COVID symptoms.

“This includes supporting the training and development of physical therapists, occupational and speech therapists. mental health professionals, nurses and doctors who can work together to address postCOVID condition in a holistic manner.

“Because the symptoms are so varied, managing post-COVID condition requires a multidisciplinary approach.

“PAHO has established a working group to develop patient care guidance and

rehabilitation guides to help advance health workers’ knowledge of these conditions. We plan to launch these .

“And the last “R” is research. We still do not know enough about postCOVID condition,” she said.

In addition, health officials reported that in the Caribbean COVID-19 weekly cases have been plateauing for the past two consecutive weeks.

There was a 3.2% increase observed during the last week and deaths rose some 13.3 percent.

The latest COVID number of new infections in The Bahamas was 21 on June 27. Nineteen cases were recorded at New Providence and two at Grand Bahama.

With the increase of COVID-19 cases PAHO stressed the pandemic is not over and that there is still much work to be done.

NURSES HOLD LICENCE FOR STRIKE ACTION

from page one

“Please be reminded if we see that it’s not going in the favour that we want it to go we will utilize our strike certificate, but we will do that on our terms - on nobody else’s terms but the Bahamas Nurses Union and its members.”

Issuing of the strike certificate came after the majority of nurses who voted in a poll earlier this month cast ballots in favour of industrial action.

Heath and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville has said a negotiating team has been given the mandate

to bring resolution to the BNU’s grievances as soon as possible.

The minister told reporters the nurses have many concerns - some associated with the state of infrastructure at some clinics and hospitals. He said there is a budgetary allocation in the 2022/2023 budget to address many of the concerns.

“As far as union contracts are concerned, they are at the table. We have our consultant negotiation who’s working very closely with the nurses union and we will stay at the table because it’s important for us to ensure

that many of these long standing issues are sorted so that our nurses can be in a proper environment and some of the issues as it relates to promotions are being addressed,” he said.

“All of these things are things that I met when I came to the office and it is my responsibility to work with the unions.

Not only the nurses union, with the junior doctors union as well as the consultants union to make sure that we have our professional staff satisfied with being able to do what they need to do at institutions.”

TWO ACCUSED OVER INDIAN HEMP

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were granted $5,000 bail in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday after

being arrested for allegedly having almost $15,000 worth of Indian Hemp.

Khambrel Deveaux, 37, of Andros, and Deangelo Schroter, 30, of New Providence, both represented

by Attorney Ian Cargill appeared before Magistrate Shaka Serville on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

On June 27, the accused were arrested in New Providence after they were found with 14.55 pounds of Indian Hemp.

The drugs were reportedly contained in 24 clear plastic wraps and have an estimated street value of $14,550.

Deveaux pleaded guilty to the charge, while Schroter pleaded not guilty.

Due to the prosecution and the defendant’s legal counsel having outside mediation it was determined that a ruling in this matter would be deferred to tomorrow.

When it came to the consideration of bail, Mr Cargill said Deveaux had a clean record and as such asked that the court only impose a maximum of $5,000 bail. Magistrate Serville agreed to this request and set the bail for both accused at $5,000 with one or two sureties.

Deveaux and Schroter are expected to return to court tomorrow.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 30, 2022, PAGE 5

Man shot dead in 70th murder of year

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was shot dead in the Pinedale Road area Wednesday night leaving the local community reeling from the nation’s 70th murder this year.

At the scene of the incident, Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters told the press that shortly before 8pm police were dispatched to an apartment complex on Pinedale Road where a man had died from apparent gunshot wounds.

ASP Peters indicated that two gunmen approached the victim in his car and opened fire on him. While the shooting victim exited his vehicle and briefly escaped his assailants he was eventually gunned down in the back of the building near a chain link fence.

ASP Peters was joined

by Chief Superintendent

ASSISTANT Superintendent Audley Peters.

Michael Johnson and his assistant Superintendent Alfred Dean.

“Shortly before 8pm police were called to Pinedale as a result of a shooting incident. On the arrival of our officers they were directed to the rear

of an apartment complex and next to a fence they found a male laying on the ground with wounds that we believe that are gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services visited the scene and assessed that male and determined that

there was no signs of life following their assessment,” Peters said.

“Our investigations thus far indicates to us that the male was seated at the front of the apartment in a vehicle when he was approached by two gunmen who shot him and then he managed to get out of the vehicle and run behind the building where they continued firing at him and he then succumbed to his injuries there on scene.”

While the identity of the victim has been withheld from the press at this time, police indicate that the male victim was in his late 20s or early 30s.

This murder comes from on the heels of a string of three murders in the span of 24 hours earlier this week leaving three men dead from a fatal stabbing and two separate shooting incidents.

In addition to asking members of the community who have information that

can assist with police investigations to come forward, Peters said that although authorities currently have no leads, the area of the latest murder the area was historically a hotspot for violent crime.

“This area is historically somewhat of a volatile area for the police in that there was a number of factions of groups who were warring against one another. In this instance we cannot say what was the reason and so we will not speculate. The evidence must lead us to come to a conclusion and we will make no conclusion until we can get all the facts in place.”

Peters ended by mentioning that authorities arrested two persons in an unrelated seizure of an illegal firearm.

After attributing this successful arrest to persons tipping off police on the matter, ASP Peters called on more members of the public to break their silence and share information with authorities that can save lives.

“But, again I will appeal to family, friends or whoever is associated with these individuals you are aware that someone is in possession of firearms say something to the police so that we can take action. This community is hurting today as a result of the silence of someone, so you have to break it speak up and say something so we can act on it.

“And I made a comment the other night and just today about girlfriends talking about their friends just today we arrested a young lady and a male in a vehicle with a firearm. So, it proves to us that someone knows what is going on, who has these firearms.”

Police are asking that any member of the public that has information that can insist with this investigation or reveal any illegal firearms to contact them at Criminal Investigations Department at 502-9991/2, Crime stoppers at 328- TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station.

SMALL HOME REPAIR SCHEME TO START NEXT MONTH LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

DISASTER Reconstruction Authority executive chairman Alex Storr said officials plan to start the first phase of the Small Home Repair Programme by early next month.

He said the first phase will consist of the DRA assessing the needs of storm impacted victims before the official relaunch of the programme.

“That’s one of the things we hope to restart shortly,” he told The Tribune yesterday. “The first phase will be re-assessments and we hope to have that started before the middle of next month. We want to assess the level of assistance people need and make sure it is still needed, or in some cases, they may need more assistance, so we want to do re-assessments before we actually re-start the programme.”

The housing repair programme was launched by

the Minnis administration in February 2020 to help residents in Abaco and Grand Bahama repair their storm ravaged homes following the passage of Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

The initiative allowed for vouchers to be dispersed to victims to purchase building materials and other items related to home restoration.

Yesterday, Mr Storr was unable to say whether the DRA will still hand out vouchers as a means to provide assistance as was done in the past.

“We are still finalising how we can do that because we want to do something different to make sure that we’re more effective and that people who actually need help will receive it so we’re going to slightly revamp how it was done in the past but we will make an announcement about that closer to the time,” the DRA official said.

In late March, Minister of State Myles Laroda, who has responsibility for the DRA, revealed that

over 1,000 homeowners were still waiting to receive funding approval from the agency to continue their post-Dorian home repairs.

At the time, Mr Laroda said he planned to seek approval from Cabinet, adding” I expect that to be done pretty shortly.”

In the meantime, the DRA is still working to find alternative housing for Abaco residents who are still living in the domes.

Yesterday, Mr Storr said the agency was hoping to have dome dwellers transitioned into more permanent suitable homes before the end of the summer.

“No definite date has been given yet,” he added.

“We are still in talks with the various agencies to see how best we can facilitate a smooth transition moving from the domes to whatever is next for them and so meetings and consultations are ongoing.”

“Then, it is proposed that we will meet with the individual occupants and then make a decision, but no

definite date has been given as yet for them to move out. The thought is for the process to be as smooth for the residents as possible and not to cause any more unnecessary hardship on them.”

Earlier this month, The Tribune reported that some families allocated domes in the wake of Hurricane Dorian have been renting them to pocket the money.

There have also been reports that dome

structures were being used as brothels.

Yesterday, the DRA chairman was asked to respond to reports that officials are planning to prosecute those responsible for mismanaging and using the dome structures for illicit purposes.

However, he only said: “There may have been another agency that went in there and conducted some other type of operation but the DRA was not a part of that so we aren’t aware of

any intended prosecutions or anything else. I know I just heard rumors like everything else on what was ongoing. I can’t confirm or deny that criminal activity was going on.”

“I just heard that another agency went in and they were able to find some things. We weren’t a part of that action that was taken when they went in there on previous occasions.”

The dome project is said to have cost the government more than $6m.

PAGE 6, Thursday, June 30, 2022

The Tribune Limited

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Gloves are off for Minnis vs Sands IT’S the FNM fight you’ve all been waiting for… in the red corner, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, and in the other red corner, his former Health Minister, Dr Duane Sands.

While the report on the front of today’s Tribune may be about internal wrangling within the FNM, it feels like it is a long-standing disagreement bubbling to the surface.

Dr Minnis wrote a sharp letter outlining two occasions he says the now FNM chairman interfered to cause delays to association elections in his constituency. He called the alleged interference “and the proposed incursion into the constituency – hostile and needlessly divisive acts, which also happen to be unconstitutional”.

In short, he’s telling Dr Sands to get off his land. The letter itself was leaked to the media. Dr Sands says it wasn’t him who leaked it, Dr Minnis says the same.

For his part, Dr Sands says he’s responsible for every election within the party, regardless of whose constituency that happens to be in.

The details here are pure internal party politics, it’s the bitterness that’s the real story to be seen here.

Ever since Dr Sands offered his resignation over his actions related to six permanent Bahamas residents who landed in the country during lockdown with COVID-19 testing supplies and were allowed to quarantine at home, there have been some elements of that saga that seemed unresolved.

At first, Dr Sands said he wouldn’t resign. Then he offered his resignation letter. A document purporting to be from Dr Sands circulated on social media saying that Dr Sands had offered his resignation but Dr Minnis had “graciously refused to accept it”. Dr Sands said the statement on social media was not legitimate. And then Dr Minnis accepted his resignation in a very brief note.

Since then, it hasn’t seemed as if the two have been close, to say the least.

And now a new row, with Dr Minnis doggedly guarding his constituency – despite previously having suggested that had he won the election it would have been his last term as leader anyway.

Such determination to show who’s boss doesn’t suggest Dr Minnis is planning to go away from the parliamentary

scene any time soon, despite a style that has seen him lose his job as Prime Minister once, and as Opposition leader twice.

In the past, not least of all with the Rebel Seven FNM MPs, he has upset sections of the party – and so when Dr Sands talks of the party leadership “rebuilding the organisation and restoring public confidence and trust and the concept of a team”, those comments are pointed.

So while this may be a soft fight, perhaps it’s a sign there may be more disagreements to come. If there’s a team, we’re not sure Dr Minnis is on it.

Illegal guns Florida, Atlanta and Texas – that’s where the majority of the guns coming into our country are from.

That’s according to Police Commissioner Paul Rolle, who says that “literally all of the illegal weapons that we have recovered” trace back to those locations. The guns are largely bought illegally, smuggled illegally and possessed illegally. Last year, police seized 277 guns, but as Commissioner Rolle says, it’s a revolving door and “as you get them, the next shipment of guns is there”.

The question is what is being done about it at source – in the US. The commissioner says that police are partnering with agencies over there and tracing the locations – and the people involved. The same names keep coming up, he says.

We can ask the US to help, of course, but it has its own issues politically with limiting the sales of guns – you only have to look at the reaction every time there’s another mass shooting. The fact that you can say “every time” about mass shootings and that one isn’t enough to cause a clampdown and outrage is mystifying but that is America’s issue to deal with.

We can only work with them as best we can to tackle those same names in the illegal sales, and to intercept the smugglers as they bring the guns over here.

When guns are as easily available in the US as they are, it’s no easy task to stop that flow – but the commissioner is right, we must do what we can. It feels, however, like that may never be enough.

Dancing on the streets EDITOR, The Tribune.

OH, BACK come Goombay Summer and dajunkanoo...well it’s New Day/PLP why wouldn’t they organise an expensive event to keep us natives happy through summer? Why? Didn’t dare call it Carnival - remember that Siorn fiasco? When is Tourism going to understand visitors are not interested in junkanoo... the 2021-2022 season Christmas and New Year’s this year. No parades hotels full to overflowing!

Yes, ZNS will scour weekends to film visitors and then exaggerate attendance – there will be a few agreed, but balancing so small an amount it is beyond joking. Great! a summer occupation for the natives!

Tourism numbers ... probably only one Minister has been sensible enough to admit our numbers are totally artificial - oh, yes, sounds great seven-million

visitors, but in reality we still have I.4-1.6 visitors who stay at hotels, condo/ apartment rentals.....those matter... the chunk of the remaining actually never come off the cruise boats and sit on the enormous ships in Nassau harbour... what they say 4.6 cruise, but only 45-49%. Only 2+111 of those visitors hit Bay Street - Minister Vanderpool Wallace told us as it was.

Sports Tourism and spending millions on repair and upgrades? Wasn’t there Junior Track and Field over the weekend – Stadium empty... only Collegiate Basketball works Tourism... forget American Football that’s a loser before you start - IAA Relays also loser. Editor, for events to make sense you must have all hotels full with people intent on partying and playing Thursday through Sunday night. Athletes don’t indulge - go to bed early - don’t gamble. Again, the same old ‘mistruth’.

Leisa Miller loved the painted flag poles... thinking about Independence, the Budget for our 50th anniversary of $5 million has to be a typo.... $15-2025 million that’s more like it....watch that creep up out of control... watch the State Balls, State Visits - Boy dis going to make me remember that day in 1973 all over again. Wonder if they going to paint the place up - possibly one of the Brits Princes coming. Will Government House be finished? Anyone know how much those renovations have cost? Hear $10 pus million!

Oh, well, no one sure are we required to wear masks - COVID Law has not been changed, but if you watch Ministers, you’d think so - new cases rising, who cares we free at last!

Truly it is all funny, but darn serious!

MARCIA MURPHY Nassau, June 26, 2022.

FISHERMEN follow a statue of Saint Peter being carried on a boat, centre, as part of his feast day procession on the Pacific Ocean in honor of the Catholic patron Saint of fishermen in Pucusana, Peru, yesterday.

Photo: Martin Mejia/AP

The Marxist Leninist neighbour EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE month of June saw an uptick in the number of Cuban migrants being apprehended by Defence Force and US Coast Guard personnel. According to The Tribune, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said at the 2022 Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles that the Cuban immigration situation poses an existential threat to Bahamian national security. In two separate interdictions, 23 and 13 Cubans were caught, respectively. The Tribune mentioned an additional 192 being apprehended in the months of January and February.

Seventy-three were repatriated some weeks back. Cuba’s population is 11.4 million. Left unchecked, Cuban migrants can easily overwhelm The Bahamas.

South Florida, particularly Little Havana, is the preferred destination of these distressed migrants. From an ideological standpoint, Cubans live in a Marxist-Leninist universe, some 245 miles from Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, where Bahamians have the constitutional right to freely express themselves and to vote for whomever they desire every five years.

Fidel Castro once told a televised audience that he will be a Marxist-Leninist until the end of his life.

That was in 1961 -- the year the US severed diplomatic ties with Cuba.

That was also the year of the Bay of Pigs. This was two years removed from the Cuban Revolution, when Castro and his Socialist rebels overthrew the Fulgencio Batista administration. Castro ruled Cuba from 1959 until his retirement in 2008. When Castro died in November 2016, I wondered if the Cubans would successfully overthrow the People’s Power

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net of Cuba (PPC), which is the only political party in Cuba. Opposition parties are illegal. In Cuba, political detentions are common. In 2019, there were 3,157 political arrests made, according to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights. Dissenters are also subjected to beatings, torture and other forms of abuse. Cubans are restricted in their relocation. They must obtain authorisation from the Communist regime to move to Havana. There’s no freedom of the press.

The Communist state owns the formal media.

Journalists who are deemed anti-PPC are barred from traveling abroad and are under constant surveillance by the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution. This particular agency is ubiquitous in Cuba. The internet is also restricted.

Freedom of assembly and expression are severely restricted. In Cuba, there’s a law known as Law 88, nicknamed the muzzle law. Criticising the Cuban Communist regime is dangerous. There are no private schools or universities. The cost of passports is exorbitant. Opportunities to work in the private sector are also restricted.

The average monthly wage is about $87, even for a PhD. This is pittance; however, the Cuban state provides its oppressed denizens with free healthcare, housing and education, in a feeble attempt to live out its collectivism ideals.

The Council of State, one branch of the government, has complete control of the judiciary. The electoral process is a farce. Cubans get to vote in the National Assembly and municipality

elections, although the candidates are presumably all members of the PPC. Furthermore, there are no campaigns or rallies during their election season. The Cuban president is Miguel Díaz-Canel. He succeeded Raúl Castro in 2018. DíazCanel would also succeed Castro as First Secretary of the Central Committee of Communist Party of Cuba in 2021. The real leader of Cuba holds this important position.

The prime minister of Cuba is Manuel Marrero.

While atheism is the official religion of Cuba, with 23 percent of Cuban adherents; 59 percent of Cubans are Roman Catholics, while five percent are Protestants. When Castro died in 2016, he had amassed a net worth of $900 million.

His jaw-dropping wealth screamed bourgeoisie and capitalism. This would have made the proletarian Karl Marx to roll over in his grave and Vladimir Lenin to roll over in his mausoleum. It is these two who Castro idolised. Lenin, who murdered three million Russians, would lead the bloody Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. I believe the 1959 Cuban revolt was Castro’s emulation of the Lenin’s overthrow of the government of Tsar Nicholas II 42 years earlier.

Marx, along with Friedrich Engels, authored The Communist Manifesto, the Bible of Marxists. Until the Marxist-Leninist system is uprooted, illegal Cuban migrants will continue to pose an “existential threat to our national security.”

Dialoguing with the Díaz-Canel administration would only serve as a cosmetic approach, while the underlying problem remains deeply entrenched.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama June 29, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 30, 2022, PAGE 7

Students turned scientists IN THE Bahamas, one of the first countries in the world to protect sharks, seven students from a small high school jumped aboard and in the water without a second thought to help tag Caribbean reef and nurse sharks under the watchful eye and professional guidance of research scientists from Beneath the Waves.

The recent expedition was part of long-term research efforts to monitor the health and behavior of sharks in Bahamas waters, deemed critical to the health of coral reefs, marine resources and the oceans.

Beneath the Waves, a nonprofit, non-governmental body whose scientists have studied The Bahamas for more than a decade, have assisted with management and creation of conservation policies in the country, including the shark sanctuary legislation making the 100,000 square miles of

STUDENTS from LN Coakley High School in Exuma tag sharks with research scientists from Beneath the Waves aboard the R/V Tigress off the coast of Great Exuma.

Photo: Sami Kattan/Beneath the Waves open ocean in the archipelagic nation a safe haven for sharks in 2011.

The students floated on the surface while Beneath the Waves’ scientists installed an acoustic

receiver underwater on SCUBA. The receiver is part of a network around the Exumas that the team from Beneath the Waves maintains year-round, collecting data on the presence

and movement of any acoustically tagged sharks in the area.

“What was so interesting was the students’ response.

No one demonstrated any sense of fear or fright,” said Jamie Fitzgerald, Beneath the Waves Managing Director. “Students wanted to get close, touch the shark and do their part to advance the science.”

Beneath the Waves lead scientist Dr Austin Gallagher agreed.

“It was wonderful to see these bright young Bahamian students from a biology class interact with our divers as they retrieved and replaced an acoustic receiver on which we had been storing data,” said Dr Gallagher. “They were fascinated by how we could trace each shark’s movements and were even more interested in helping with the tagging itself. Inspiring generational impact with

local communities is key in which education can play a role such that sharks are seen as friend not foe.”

That generational difference showed in the contrast of reactions between teacher Keisha Fletcher and biology students. “I was so surprised at how enthusiastic they were,” said Ms Fletcher. “I think I was the only one who was nervous.”

Student Jaiden Cash called it an “awesome and informative time.”

“I had lots of fun,” said the 11th grader, “swimming, joking around, but most importantly, learning.

It was a unique experience because I have never seen a shark so close up before.

The thing that I remembered for sure was me helping Dr Shipley to swab the clasper on the shark.”

For Marvinette Adderley, a 10th grader at LN Coakley High School in Exuma, the 5-hour trip out to sea

off the coastline of Emerald Bay aboard the research vessel R/V Tigress was an eye-opener.

“I learned that you have to get the data out of the water to start to track the sharks. I also learned that you can’t just catch the shark without knowing what you are doing.

You have to measure the shark and tag it with sensitive instruments and I also learned that it takes teamwork and you have to know how to communicate.”

While most efforts that day focused on Caribbean reef sharks, students from the school in Central Exuma also witnessed the brief capture, tagging and release of a large male nurse shark.

More trips with students are planned for later this year and interested teachers and education professional are invited to reach out to Beneath the Waves.

ANGER MANAGEMENT ORDERED MAN ACCUSED OVER GUN AND AMMO AFTER ATTACK ON MAN’S PARTNER

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was ordered to attend anger management courses by a Magistrate’s Court yesterday after admitting to assaulting his female business partner.

Marthial Paul, 37, appeared before Magistrate Shaka Serville on charges of threats of death and assault.

On June 25 in New Providence the accused reportedly threatened and assaulted his business partner, Shamatie Lockhart.

Paul pleaded guilty to the offences.

The accused told the magistrate that on the day of the incident he and Lockhart, who together

sell children’s clothing, started arguing in the car.

It was during this drive that Ms Lockhart allegedly poked him in the arm for not speaking to her, which caused the argument to heat up and caused Paul to lose his temper and put his hands on her.

Lockhart then said it was only after the complainant got out of the vehicle that things got physical he yelled at her to get back in the car, going so far as to curse her to do so.

The accused had no prior convictions and immediately admitted the offence to the police.

He also admitted to being in a relationship with her.

However, after this recent incident he indicated that he is uncertain of their

current status.

In addition to Paul admitting that his actions were a poor choice, he accepted Magistrate Serville’s offer to seek help to manage his anger.

As a result he was placed on conditional discharge where he is to attend anger management courses at the CCAC during his sixmonths probation.

Should Paul default on these conditions or the court receive an unsatisfactory report at the end of the classes, his conviction will be recorded. The accused would also face two weeks in remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

The accused is to return to court for mention on December 6.

A MAN was granted bail in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday after facing firearm and ammunition charges.

Patrick Sweeting, 23, represented by Attorney Troy Kelman, faced Magistrate Shaka Serville on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

On June 27 in New Providence, Sweeting was reportedly found with a black Hellcat 9mm pistol with seven live rounds of ammunition. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Bail was unopposed but the prosecution moved to have the accused fitted with an ankle monitor to which Attorney Kelman objected.

Sweeting’s counsel cited that an ankle monitor would be a serious disruption to

his client’s life and that as a father of a three-year-old child it would make finding a job far more difficult.

In view of this, the magistrate granted the defendant bail at $7,000 with one or two sureties, with the only stipulation being that Sweeting sign in at Wulff Road Police Station every Monday by 7pm.

The defendant’s trial is set to begin on September 28.

BAIL GRANTED IN BOTTLE ATTACK CASE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday for allegedly attacking another man with a glass bottle.

Samuel McCoy, 32, stood before Magistrate

Kendra Kelly on charges of grievous harm and assault with a dangerous instrument.

On June 27 at Mackey Street, the accused allegedly attacked Lorenzo Davis with a glass bottle causing him serious injuries.

McCoy pleaded not guilty to both charges.

As there was no objection to bail, it was granted to the accused at $4,000 with one or two sureties.

Under the conditions of his bail McCoy is expected to sign in at Wulff Road Police Station every Wednesday by 6pm.

The defendant’s trial is set to begin on August 23.

PAGE 8, Thursday, June 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

WHAT FUTURE LIES AHEAD FOR THE BRITISH MONARCHY?

PRINCE Charles speaks during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, at the Commonwealth Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, on June 24.

Photo: Dan Kitwood/AP “The alternative is to former imperial power per- in the brutal colonial and slave-owning history of throw the Empire overboard forms so brilliantly.

The nonagenarian Queen Great Britain. and reduce England to a Despite Orwell’s hypercold and unimportant little made her ritual Buckisland where we should all ingham Palace balcony bole, Britain would be a have to work very hard and appearance to a cheering shell of itself had it not live mainly on herrings and throng and nation as the indulged in centuries of Royal Air Force did a flyo- imperial conquest and potatoes.”

– George Orwell on the ver. To many, it all felt so control. wonderful, brimming with role of empire in Britain the nostalgia of imperial BESET by economic glory. There are few nations woes including rising that can put on such a dazIn Empireland: How inflation, low growth and zling show.

Imperialism Has Shaped The British have masincreasing labour unrest Modern Britain, Sathnam - and an unpopular Boris tered the performative art Sanhera, who is British with Johnson whom most of how to display and rein- Indian heritage, explores voters would like to exit force power structures, how “the British empire ran Number 10 posthaste - the including through a well- for centuries and covered recent Platinum Jubilee established honours system, vast swathes of the world”. extravaganza in the United replete with various orders He writes how this “is Kingdom, celebrating the and medals, including the fundamental to understandreign of Queen Elizabeth Order of the British Empire ing modern Britain: from II, was arguably the sort of and copious knighthoods. the feeling that we can go Empire is at the heart of gin and tonic that Britain it alone when it comes to British history, culture and temporarily needed. everything from Brexit to There was a four-day identity. This is especially global pandemics – and our holiday weekend, street so for older citizens, who particular form of racism.” parties, a grand concert, see themselves as a part Human beings need and the Trooping the Colours, of a glorious past, much of crave hierarchy. We delight a thanksgiving service at St which is embodied in the in nationalism, often and Paul’s Cathedral and other Monarchy, which played a especially when it metaspublic pageantry that the starring and essential role tasizes into chauvinism,

EMPIRE

racism and other forms of grandiosity and superiority.

The British proved exceptionally adept at these, justifying its murderous and plundering conquests in the name of Christianity and British exceptionalism, with refrains of “God, Queen and country” as it was subjecting mostly black and brown people to some of the vilest and most vicious subjugations in human history.

In an incisive guest essay for The New York Times entitled, “The Imperial Fictions Behind the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee”, Caroline Elkins, a professor at Harvard University, demythologises and deconstructs the conceits of Britain’s imperial past and the residual romanticism for such glory-filled centuries: “For well over a century, Britain’s claims to global greatness were rooted in its empire, thought to be unique among all others.

Sprawling over a quarter of the world’s landmass, the British Empire was the largest in history.

“Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne, the platinum jubilee is pregnant with meaning about the nation’s imperial past and the monarchy’s overdetermined role in it.”

SWAN SONG

Despite the riot and revelry of Union Jack-festooned celebrations, the Jubilee year is a swan song for Elizabeth II, whose health challenges did not permit her appearance at most of the events. UK Guardian columnist Marina Hyde, observing her on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in a pale blue dress with white trimming, and walking cane in hand, likened her to a “fragile Wedgwood vase”.

Is her fragility a partial metaphor for the transition in the Monarchy? It remains sentimentally precious for the British. It will likely last, but without the majesty of the past, remaining mostly ornamental, useful for mostly diplomatic and ceremonial displays, projecting British soft power at home and abroad.

In her stead at public events has been her heir, Prince Charles, 73, who has represented the Queen at recent state events including jubilee celebrations,

the State opening of Parliament and the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference (CHOGM) in Rwanda.

There is a transition in the British Monarchy in the person of the Monarch and the Monarchy’s role in Britain and the Commonwealth. Prince Charles reportedly wants a pared monarchy. While there remains deep affection for Elizabeth II, younger subjects in the country find less relevance in the institution.

A changing, younger, increasingly more liberal and more cosmopolitan Britain has been undergoing transformation for some time, accelerated by Britain’s declining global power, and movements such as Black Lives Matter.

Britain retains certain vital power and global reach as described in some detail in leading international affairs think-tank Chatham House’s Undercurrents podcast titled, “Reflections at 100: UK foreign policy”.

ECONOMY

Britain is the fifth largest global economy, enjoying one of the world’s most vibrant financial services sector. It is a member of the UN Security Council and the G-7. It retains some hard power and considerable soft power, and tremendous reach in intelligence and diplomacy.

The UK boasts some of the best talent and universities in the world, bolstered by a large pool of foreign nationals. One of the leading vaccines during the pandemic was produced by the Oxford-AstraZeneca collaboration, exemplifying its scientific and technological capacity and sophistication.

But Britain’s power is increasingly even more relative in relation to other powers, with which it must collaborate to achieve certain ends. The history of Brexit may record its departure from the European Union as mostly an economic and political failure.

Though many economic arguments were aggressively advanced for Brexit, much if not most of the narrow Leave vote, mostly supported by older citizens, was decidedly cultural, driven by a penchant for a certain isolationism and a pining exceptionalism, as well as a desire for a purer British identity that is decidedly white and AngloSaxon. Brexit is having a deleterious effect on the UK economy, which will likely worsen.

Meanwhile, Britain is increasingly debating, reckoning with its colonial past, including injustices done to waves of immigrants from black and brown countries, including Caribbean people who came as part of the Windrush generation from 1948 to 1971.

The howls of disgust over the allegation that a member of the Royal Family reportedly questioned what colour would

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be the children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should not mask that quite a number of Brits likely privately shared the sentiment.

Some reportedly wondered whether it was Prince Charles who asked.

The Prince of Wales’ full name is Charles Philip Arthur George. He may use any of these for his regnal name, with George VII perhaps a leading contender.

Ironically, given the reckoning and the moment, Prince Charles, by necessity, may be well-placed in significant ways for the coming monarchical transition.

The heir to the throne does not share the gravitas nor affection his mother enjoys. He is sometimes gaffe-prone, awkward, injudicious and lacking in magnetism. He may be personally wrestling with the matter of race. Still, he may be able to say and do things Elizabeth II could not because of her times and inclination.

On her 21st birthday in 1947 she famously announced: “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.” It was into the 1960s that Elizabeth Regina still referred to the empire in her Christmas message.

RECONCILIATION

Speaking at CHOGM in Kigali, Charles joined in the international conversation on the need for acknowledgement and reconciliation as the global commons continues to debate the dark history and legacy of colonialism. This dialogue includes the movement for reparations and restitution.

The Prince of Wales stated: “To achieve this potential for good, however, and to unlock the power of our common future, we must also acknowledge the wrongs which have shaped our past. Many of those wrongs belong to an earlier age with different – and, in some ways lesser – values.

“In Canada recently, my wife and I were deeply touched to meet many of those engaged in the ongoing process of reconciliation – indigenous and non-indigenous peoples reflecting honestly and openly on the darkest aspects of history.

“As challenging as that conversation can be, people across Canada are approaching it with courage and unwavering commitment.”

He emphasized: “I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many, as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery’s enduring impact.”

Professor Elkins offers further thoughts on the coming transition in the UK: “As the Queen is feted for fulfilling her youthful commitment, the monarchy and its perennial source of imperial power hang in the balance.

“Whether or not heirs to the throne can recraft its image and purpose, toeing a fine line between familial fictions and the institution’s imperially charged and developmentalist lifeblood, is anyone’s guess.”

The potentially George VII is now engaged in dialogue on the brutal legacy of empire and slavery. He is passionate about environmental preservation and climate change.

Is it possible, given the global moment and needs, that Elizabeth’s heir, by inclination arrived at by personal reckoning and other influences, may be well-placed and better suited than his mother for the times?

And, might he, in significant ways, be more consequential than his mother, despite what will be a shorter and less storied and glamorous reign?

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 30, 2022, PAGE 9

Flip side of abortion ruling could throw Democrats a lifeline

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

YOU may revere him.

You may revile him. You may just yearn for his disappearance from American public life. But to deny that ex-President Donald Trump was uncannily wise at anticipating emotionally-charged socio-political trends in the thinking of voters in the US is to overlook an important aspect of recent American political life.

He may have just scored another bulls-eye. More about that in a moment.

Trump had a very public political apprenticeship. He was for many of his New York City socialite years a Democrat, pro-choice and a gun control advocate. All of these positions changed when he identified subliminal American resistance to a newly-elected black President and a yearning for the imposition of more conservative, even libertarian values.

He realised his clearest path to power was via the Republican Party. And as his candidacy for President began to gather momentum in 2015, he foresaw the forces at work in Britain that led in June 2016 to the dramatic “Brexit” vote that led to the UK’s departure from the European Union.

He correctly judged that the isolationism and nationalism at work in the Brexit vote were also widely present in the American electorate.

Trump masterfully identified weaknesses in his Republican primary opponents in 2016 and emphasised them in campaign speeches and debates.

Remember “Lyin’ Ted” Cruz? How about “Little Marco” Rubio? Tall, imposing and full of swagger, Trump dispatched over a dozen 2016 challengers. In the general election, Trump recognized voters in the US were weary of family political dynasties, from the Kennedys and Rockefellers to the Bushes and Clintons.

He was able to overcome the reluctance of voters who focused on the content of his diatribes by winning over those who concentrated on their emotional content.

Trump’s 2016 triumph unleashed and legitimised

long-suppressed stirrings in the American body politic. There’s little public evidence that he actually cared about most issues like Second Amendment gun rights or a woman’s freedom of choice to make the wrenching choice to abort a pregnancy. But he was a clever opportunist and largely delivered on campaign promises in such areas of contentious social policy.

Trump also foresaw, fatefully, that his only really dangerous opponent in his 2020 re-election bid would be Joe Biden. Who is to say Trump’s repeated public declarations of this belief did not contribute to the startling transformation of Biden’s flagging campaign in March 2020 into the powerful, irresistible juggernaut that carried “Sleepy Joe” to the Democratic nomination and then to the White House.

Now Trump has done it again. When the activist conservative justices who now control the US Supreme Court delivered their widely-anticipated but much-dreaded decision overturning federal protection for abortion rights in the US and handing management of the issue back to the states, they may have given the Democrats hope for the coming November elections. Before the court’s decision, it was frankly difficult to see the Dems not at least losing control of the US House of Representatives and even more state legislatures and governorships around the country.

Maintaining control of the Senate was no sure thing either.

After a draft copy of the court’s decision on Roe v Wade was leaked to the press on May 2, Trump reportedly began telling friends and advisers that it would certainly alienate suburban women, a group whose support undeniably helped to elect Biden two years ago. Trump also told allies this defection from his 2016 successful coalition would lead to a backlash against Republicans in the November midterm elections, and seriously imperil their expected triumph.

A Gallup survey this month revealed the share of Americans identifying as “pro-choice” had jumped to 55 percent after hovering between 45 percent and 50 percent for a decade. That sentiment was “the highest Gallup has measured since 1995, while the 39 percent who identified as ‘pro-life’ was “the lowest since 1996,” the famed polling firm reported.

Furthermore, a May survey conducted for CNN found that 66 percent of the people questioned said they believed Roe v Wade should not be overturned.

Even allowing for the hypocritical prevarications of politicians like Senator Susan Collins of Maine and her dubious claims about having been misled

by Justices Gorsuch and Cavanagh during pre-confirmation meetings, it does seem that a distinct majority of American women are outraged by the Supreme Court action.

And, of course, everyone in politics is trying to raise money on passions surrounding the issue. Here is but a brief sample: From House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi: “This is our oncein-a-lifetime shot to build the biggest Democratic Majorities in HISTORY -- but only if I launch an immediate response.

I need an OVERWHELMING surge of support to thwart their plans and make sure Republicans NEVER hold power again. I will do everything I can to stop Republicans from stripping women across the nation of their fundamental reproductive rights. But I can’t do this without you, not when Republicans are flushed with $90 MILLION to destroy our Majorities. Is there any way I could count on you to confirm your 2022 Democratic Membership with $15 to help me launch my response?“ Here’s part of a fundraising missive from the Florida Christian Family Coalition, based in Miami: “Today’s decision is almost 50 years in the making. It’s an incredible victory for life and a great day in American history. All of us in the pro-life

WHILE most of the nation’s legal attention is focused on Roe v Wade, the highest US court has been handing down other decisions that appear to further blur the onceclear lines of separation of church and state that were famously enunciated by Thomas Jefferson in 1802.

In the ensuing 220 years, US courts have generally ruled that Jefferson’s reference to the “establishment clause” of the First Amendment to the American constitution basically enshrined the separation of church and state.

The present conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court is now challenging that concept, and some politicians are in strong support.

Radical-right congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado recently proclaimed that “the church is supposed to direct the government. The government is not supposed to direct

the church.”

For some, the door to American theocracy is open

wider than ever. And no one knows what will now pass through that door.

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT THERE WAS LIGHT AHEAD..

FORMER President Donald Trump speaks to supporters at a gathering in Phoenix last year.

Photo: Ross D Franklin/AP movement have been working and praying for this moment for nearly half a century. Elections have consequences, and the 2016 presidential election results in Florida helped elect President Trump, which made the difference in the appointment of three prolife justices. The Supreme Court has righted a terrible wrong by overturning the most egregious example of judicial overreach in the nation’s history,” said Christian Family Coalition (CFC) Florida Founder and Executive Director Anthony Verdugo.”

And finally, here are some excerpts from Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, who’s trying to unseat hard-right incumbent Greg Abbot: “Just two days ago, the Supreme Court stripped

women of the right to an abortion. In Texas, Governor Abbott already has an automatic trigger law in place that will now be able to outlaw abortion at any point with no exception for rape or incest.

“Our only option moving forward is to elect Beto as the next governor of Texas.

We have to get really serious about political power and what it’s going to take to win this race.

“We set a goal of raising $4,000,000 by the end of this month. It’s ambitious but it matches the urgent moment we’re in right now.

Every single dollar we raise helps us reach more voters across all 254 counties so we can win this race and protect reproductive freedom for Texas women.”

The Democrats are latching onto the abortion

rights issue as their best hope to cling to power in Washington and overcome the significant disadvantages facing Biden and the national Democratic party. Those issues continue to include persistent inflation epitomised by stubbornly high gasoline prices at the pump; rising gun violence across the country and heightened sensational media coverage of that violence, and a general sense that Biden seems to act old enough, often enough, to make people genuinely wonder about his capabilities to continue to lead the country.

The Democrats are still facing long odds to avoid a November rout. But as he has done before, Donald Trump could be pointing the way.

PAGE 10, Thursday, June 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Calvary Deliverance celebrates 40 years

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net CALVARY Deliverance Church started 40 years ago in the home of its founding pastor. Today the church stands committed shepherding the spiritual lives of those that walk through its doors and being a resource of hope for those in the community.

Starting this Sunday - July 6th, Calvary Deliverance will celebrate its 40th Annual Convention under the theme: “We will not be detoured: We are determined to win the race.”

The speakers for the event will include host Pastor, Bishop Dr James Newry, Bishop Moses Johnson; Church of God, Bishop Branson Gibson; Church of God of Prophecy, Bishop V G Clarke – Senior Pastor Emeritus, and Suffragan Bishop Dr Anthony Farrington; Transformation Ministries Int’l.

The church invites members of the public to come and celebrate with them during this monumental achievement of 40 years.

The Sunday morning services will commence with its Morning Worship Explosion Service at 9am and every evening at 7.30 pm.

This year is particularly special as it culminates 40 years of prayer, faith, and the growth of a ministry that started in the home of its founding pastor.

“It is the changing of a generation, where many founding members are now deceased, but their children and grandchildren carry on the work they started. After going through the pressure and burdens of a pandemic, two disastrous hurricanes, and the loss of so many lives, this is a celebration of the faithful and love of God for both us as a church, congregation, and people of this beautiful Bahama land,” said Calvary Deliverance’s administrator Terez Newry.

During the pandemic

the church did not allow its services to stop, and did its best to offer whatever assistance it could to those who needed it.

“The church still followed the Christian creed to love our neighbors as ourselves, where during the strained resources of the pandemic, we could still feed and give to many in the neighborhood.

“Whether they were members of our congregation or not during the pandemic did not matter, we understood many had lost their jobs and could not financially support themselves. As children of God, our responsibility was to be our brother’s keeper,” she said.

After 40 years of service in Christ, Calvary Deliverance Church has grown by leaps and bounds. It has been supported and nurtured with the love and determination of its leaders, founders, supporters, and congressional family throughout its tenure.

Calvary Deliverance Church was born on July 17th, 1982, under the leadership of Reverend Clementina Stubbs. The Ministry began at the home of Rev. Stubbs, where the

membership consisted of 20 adults. With God’s guidance, the work grew, and in approximately three (3) years, the congregation could purchase property in East Street South and Malcolm Allotment. The hard-working and faithful members of this body stuck together with one purpose: to build and promote the kingdom of God. Since its groundbreaking on Sunday, 3rd February 1985, the assembly has grown and become an integral part of its surrounding community. Truly living by the creed that “faith without works is dead,” Calvary Deliverance offers not just spiritual blessings in the form of prayer, healing, outreach, and evangelism but also gives to those in need while providing comfort and counsel with love.

On June 26, 1993, Bishop V G Clarke was appointed pastor. Under his leadership, the church experienced further advancement and tremendous growth. The addition of an administrative office and a pre-school: Calvary Deliverance Christian Academy, which began in August 1999.

The church also started

its media expansion, which enabled it to spread the message of God’s power to many in the nation and worldwide. The television ministry was introduced in November 2005. Further expansions included the refurbished edifice on September 26, 2004, and the expanded seating, which can accommodate up to one thousand persons, a Book Store, various conference rooms, a library, and a lower chapel that now houses the children’s service.

The passing of founding pastor, Rev “Mother” Clementina Stubbs’ on April 22, 2006, was a solemn day for Calvary Deliverance. Upon the retirement of Bishop Clarke on December 2, 2012, Calvary Deliverance Church, built on its legacy and installed Pastor James Newry as its third Senior Pastor on January 28, 2013.

One of the driving forces behind the church’s legacy is keep God at the forefront of its affairs and allowing him to lead the way.

“The church started with only 20 persons who were determined not just to worship God but to be a source of God’s light and love in this world and country. It

has not been an easy journey with many challenges, but God has shown us the truth of who He is in our lives for every obstacle and challenge. Each challenge was an opportunity to exercise our faith and, with the Holy Spirit’s encouragement, strive for the vision passed to each senior pastor and every member, past and present. The driving vision has not changed; where Calvary Deliverance is still a church where our ministry’s focus is to bless many in word, deed and love, impact and empower the younger generation and continue to build on the foundation of prayer for this house shall be called a house of prayer,” she said.

Calvary Deliverance Church’s main objectives have not changed as a church. The church remains committed to spreading the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ to the nation and world.

The hope to continue equipping the next generation with teachings and practical skills that will enable them to live a progressive life.

“Our foundation is Christ, but our future is our young people and youth. It is an investment in people, especially our young people, that will continue. Our passion is not just for a church that grows in numbers, wisdom, and knowledge, but a church whose love for God, one another, community, country, and world is boundless.

Family, fellowship and brotherhood are characteristics the church has lived by over the past 40 years.

Those mantras are seen through various initiatives the church engages.

Its women’s ministry event this year celebrates women in the congregation and its daughters with a purpose workshop, where young women for two days are given a direct opportunity to be mentored, have their questions answered and instructed.

“Recently, we did a community giveaway where we provided 300 families in the community with groceries and an additional two hundred for our members. We understand that these are trying times and understand the importance of caring for one another. We are a community, and they are us. If they suffer, so do we. So, we can only try to lighten their burden as much as we can.

One of the most endearing events recently was our family fun day, where we had different teams representing our founding members. It was not the competition but the friendship and fellowship that was most impressive. Although everyone strived for superiority in the games, the atmosphere of friendship and love made it special. We understand the importance of building and developing our community.”

One of the future endeavours of the church is the building of Faith Village.

This will be a communitybased project that will be utilised to further service the community with feeding programs, counselling and housing programs. It will also be a place where persons can grow in the knowledge of Christ while having their earthly needs met in grace and service.

“We have several other events still scheduled for this year which include our Fine Ministry’s drama production, and dance fest scheduled later in the year, a steak-out to raise funds for the church and community, a marriage ministry conference, prophetic conference, pastoral anniversary services and also our Mortgage Retirement Relief Campaign continues. With our Mortgage Retirement Relief, we are looking to finally pay off the church’s mortgage, which is in the amount of $600,000 needed, which will financially free us up to do more for our community and congregation as their needs may arise.”

NATIONAL TRUST AND DEFENCE FORCE SIGN MEMORANDUM

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

MARKING their continued partnership, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Bahamas National Trust has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to protect The Bahamas’ natural resources.

The MOU acknowledges the continued cooperation of the RBDF at the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park (ECLSP), the oldest land and sea park in the world and one of the first marine protected areas in the Caribbean.

ECLSP is a reservoir for

marine biodiversity and a refuge for some of the most invaluable and culturally significant marine resources.

The park’s 174,194-acre boundary protects reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and other vital ecosystems in the country.

Under no circumstances is any fishing, shelling, conching, or lobstering permitted in this park.

The BNT serves as stewards of The Bahamas national parks , its duties include managing national parks to protect The Bahamas’ invaluable natural resources through science, education, conservation, and enforcement.

The

RBDF has supported the BNT’s mission by assisting in protecting these natural resources.

BNT’s executive director Eric Carey said: “National parks are sanctuaries for some of The Bahamas’ most invaluable and unique natural resources. Many species depend on these areas, like the ECLSP, in order to survive; and we as Bahamians depend on these species as well. That makes the management and enforcement of these areas critically important. It’s our job as the stewards of national parks to protect The Bahamas’ natural treasures for now and tomorrow, but there

are 32 national parks across the country, and it would be impossible to do it all on our own.

“Our very important mandate would not be possible without the assistance of the RBDF, whose own work is also vital to the integrity of our country. One of our goals for the ECLSP for this year and beyond is to create capacity for enhanced enforcement of the park, so we’ll be relying on the RBDF even more. In light of that, this MOU signing comes at an opportune time in our plans. We thank the RBDF for their service in support of protecting

national parks, and we’re happy to finally officially have this MOU signifying our commitment to working together after all these years.”

Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Dr Raymond King added he has been involved in the BNTRBDF partnership since its inception. He recounted his times as a sub-lieutenant and captain of one of RBDF’s smaller vessels, which is when he met then-ECLSP Warden Ray Darville. The two meeting each other was the start of the BNT and RBDF developing their partnership together.

Commodore King said: “We thank Mr Carey and the BNT for agreeing to partner with the RBDF through the signing of this MOU. It is seen as a vital tool to the RBDF as we continue in the execution of our duties of enforcing the laws of The Bahamas with respect to our wildlife and natural resources.

“We also see this as an opportunity for the RBDF to gain more training and education in wildlife enforcement and conservation; and for us to continue in the mandate of guarding our heritage. We’re most grateful.”

EY BAHAMAS’ NEW OFFICE IN FREEPORT ‘POSITIVE ADDITION’

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Ltd. has announced that EY Bahamas Ltd will open a new office in Freeport.

The GBPA has approved a business licence for the firm, which provides assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and

transactions services to businesses, countries and entrepreneurs. EY has more than 300,000 employees globally.

It is believed there will be significant economic impact from this investment, including the need for local housing, food and beverage, entertainment, and transportation, etc.

Ian Rolle, GBPA president, said EY is “a positive

addition” to the Freeport business community.

“We are pleased to welcome EY to Freeport,” he said in a press statement.

“GBPA has been working with EY to take advantage of the BH-1B Visa program, which provides a significant opportunity for us to welcome more people to our city.”

“We are looking forward to the economic boost to

local businesses, including grocery stores, taxis, car rentals, the housing market, restaurants and more. The ripple effects as a result of EY’s new footprint in Freeport will be a positive addition to our business community.”

GBPA and EY began serious discussions in 2019 prior to Hurricane Dorian about the benefits of operating in Freeport’s Special

Economic Zone.

Since then, GBPA continued building a relationship with the firm. The benefits of the BH-1B visa allows EY to use Freeport to support its client’s needs across the region and globe.

EY was attracted to Freeport because of its proximity to North America, its safe environment, technology infrastructure among other things.

EY has operated in The Bahamas for decades and provided rewarding careers for Bahamians. At its new Freeport location, EY will offer clients solutions utilizing global talent, while creating new opportunities for employment and training for Grand Bahamians.

President Rolle said the GBPA will continue to promote the best Freeport has to offer.

R KELLY JAILED FOR 30 YEARS FOR SEX TRAFFICKING NEW YORK Associated Press

DISGRACED R&B superstar R Kelly was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in prison for using his fame to sexually abuse young fans, including some who were just children, in a systematic scheme that went on for decades.

Through tears and anger, several of Kelly’s accusers told a court in New York City, and the singer himself, that he had misled and preyed upon them.

“You made me do things that broke my spirit. I literally wished I would die because of how low you

R KELLY pictured previously in court. made me feel,” said one unnamed survivor, directly addressing Kelly, who kept his hands folded and his eyes downcast.

“Do you remember that?” she asked.

Kelly, 55, didn’t give a statement and showed

no reaction on hearing his penalty, which also included a $100,000 fine.

He has denied wrongdoing, and he plans to appeal his conviction.

The Grammy-winning, multiplatinum-selling songwriter was found guilty last year of racketeering and sex trafficking at a trial that gave voice to accusers who had previously wondered if their stories were being ignored because they were Black women.

Victims “are no longer the preyed-on individuals we once were”, another one of his accusers said at the sentencing.

“There wasn’t a day

in my life, up until this moment, that I actually believed that the judicial system would come through for black and brown girls,” she added outside court.

A third woman, sobbing and sniffling as she addressed the court, also said Kelly’s conviction renewed her faith in the legal system.

The woman said Kelly victimised her after she went to a concert when she was 17.

“I was afraid, naive and didn’t know how to handle the situation,” she said, so she didn’t speak up at the time.

“Silence,” she said, “is a very lonely place.”

Kelly’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, said he was “devastated” by the sentence and saddened by what he had heard.

“He’s a human being. He feels what other people are feeling. But that doesn’t mean that he can accept responsibility in the way that the government would like him to and other people would like him to.

Because he disagrees with the characterisations that have been made about him,” she said.

The sentence caps a slow-motion fall for Kelly, who is known for work

including the 1996 hit “I Believe I Can Fly” and the cult classic “Trapped in the Closet,” a multipart tale of sexual betrayal and intrigue.

He was adored by legions of fans and sold millions of albums even after allegations about his abuse of young girls began circulating publicly in the 1990s.

He beat child pornography charges in Chicago in 2008, when a jury acquitted him.

Widespread outrage over Kelly’s sexual misconduct didn’t emerge until the #MeToo reckoning, reaching a crescendo after the release of the documentary “Surviving R Kelly.”

SPORTS PAGE 11

T

he NBA free agency period begins in earnest today (see sidebar) and the contract situation between Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns remains one of the most speculated on the market.

Earlier this week, the Suns tendered a $16.4 million qualifying offer to Ayton, which will make him a restricted free agent on July 1.

With the offer, the Suns now have the ability to match any offer sheet Ayton may sign with another franchise.

Teams may officially begin negotiating with free agents beginning today at 6pm and can begin signing them to contracts as early as July 6.

Page 16

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

Suns make qualifying offer to Ayton

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Jazz,

Should Ayton accept the qualifying offer, he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The fourth-year centre, at the end of his rookie deal, has been linked in several sign and trade scenarios or team’s outright offering the max contract his representation seeks.

During the NBA Draft Combine in May, Ayton’s agent Bill Duffy discussed his client’s future on SiriusXM’s NBA show.

“We’re disappointed. We wanted a max contract,” Duffy said. “He went out and was a soldier the whole year, played well, improved his statistics. So, we’re proud of him. A lot of guys handle things differently, but he was very mature about it. Things will work out for Deandre. He’s a valuable player. There’s other teams in the league as well. He’s a restricted

DEANDRE AYTON free agent, so we’ll see how this process unfolds.”

Suns general manager James Jones reiterated his organisation’s desire to keep its former no.1 overall pick under contract moving forward.

“Nothing has changed on our end. We haven’t said anything different.

DA remains a huge part of what we do and he’s a

free agent. So we’ll talk about free agency when that time comes, but that hasn’t changed,” Jones said following last week’s NBA Draft.

“I think you hear his teammates. They echo the same sentiment that we have. This team is a really good team and we’re going to keep it together.”

As a restricted free agent, Ayton is free to sign an offer sheet with another franchise but the Suns would still have the ability to match the deal and retain his rights if they choose to do so.

In his fourth season, the 23-year-old centre averaged 17.2 points on a career high 63 percent from the field and 10.2 rebounds per game in 58 appearances.

Contract negotiations between Ayton and the Suns reached an impasse last April after both sides

failed to reach an agreement on a rookie contract extension.

He was eligible for a five-year, $172.5 million extension that could have reached as much as $207 million if he reached benchmarks and incentives.

Ayton appeared in only 17 minutes of the Suns’ 123-90 elimination loss to the Dallas Mavericks in game seven of the Western Conference semifinals.

Several players in Ayton’s 2018 NBA draft class have received max contract extensions, including Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jaren Jackson Jr of the Memphis Grizzlies, Kevin Huerter of the Atlanta Hawks and Michael Porter Jr of the Denver Nuggets.

GOROSPE DOMINATES CARIBBEAN AMATEUR JUNIOR GOLF AIDEN Gorospe continues to be the top performer thus far for Team Bahamas at the 34th Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships in Humacao, Puerto Rico.

In the Boys U13 division, he shot a second round 79 yesterday and remains second in the division, five strokes behind Evan Peña of Puerto Rico.

Both players shot an opening round 73 on day one, but Peña took sole possession of first place with a score of 74 on day two. He leads the field with a total gross of 147, followed by Gorospe’s 152.

Kerrington Rolle followed up an opening round 78 and followed with an 88 in round two. He is tied for fifth place with a total gross of 166 with Marcos Betances of the Dominican Republic.

In the Girls U13, Haley Hall is tied for fourth place

SEE PAGE 16

TEAM Bahamas suffered another lopsided loss to Puerto Rico and remains winless headed into the bronze medal game today at the FIBA Centrobasket Under-15 Championships for women at the Fernando Hernandez Colesium in Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Team Bahamas suffers another lopsided loss TEAM Bahamas suffered another lopsided loss to Puerto Rico and remains winless headed into the bronze medal game at the FIBA Centrobasket Under-15 Championships for women.

Puerto Rico took an 83-37 win over The Bahamas last night at the Fernando Hernandez Colesium in Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Terell McCoy led the team with a double double - 14 points and a game high 11 rebounds - while Savannah Turnquest scored 12.

Dwaynae Knowles finished with six points, seven rebounds, seven assists and five steals.

Desirek Nieves led Puerto Rico with a game high 18 points while Mia Canales scored 10.

The Bahamas won the rebounding edge for the first time all tournament, 49-43.

They also had their most productive period in the tournament when they were outscored by just seven in the fourth quarter, 23-16.

Puerto Rico took an early 17-7

lead at the end of one and took a 45-18 lead at the half.

Andica Curtis’ lone basket of the game was The Bahamas only field goal in the third quarter when they were outscored 15-3.

They trailed 60-21 headed into the fourth.

The Bahamas is now slated to face the Dominican Republic in the bronze medal game at 5:15pm today local time. Mexico and Puerto Rico will follow with the gold medal game at 8pm.

The top three teams in the championships will qualify for the FIBA ​​Under-16 Women’s Americas Championship in 2023.

In the first meeting against the Dominican Republic, The Bahamas suffered a 79-45 loss.

On Sunday, the Bahamas opened up tournament play with a 101-20 loss to Puerto Rico, before the loss to the DR. They followed with a 119-19 loss to Mexico prior to yesterday’s playoff round.

NBA FREE AGENCY OPENS TODAY, STARTING DEAL-MAKING SEASON

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer LET the talking begin.

The trading, too, and eventually the signing.

Free agency officially opens today in the NBA, with teams able to begin negotiating at 6pm Eastern with players who are not under contract — although, in reality, free agency and the slew of offseason movement is already off and running.

James Harden declined his $47 million option for next season with Philadelphia yesterday and became a free agent — but told the team he intends to stay on a new deal that will allow the 76ers the flexibility they need to sign other players this summer, according to a person with direct knowledge of that situation.

The person spoke to The

SEE PAGE 16

Wimbledon lookahead: WNBA star Griner’s release still uncertain as her trial Nadal, Gauff, Swiatek begins in a Russian court set to play on Day 4 WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — LOOKAHEAD TO TODAY RAFAEL Nadal, Coco Gauff and 2021 runner-up Karolina Pliskova are scheduled to play second-round matches on Centre COCO Gauff Court on Day 4 at Wimbledon.

Top-seeded Iga Swiatek is also in action. The sixth-seeded Pliskova will face British player Katie Boulter in the first match in the main stadium. Then it’s second-seeded Nadal against Ricardas Berankis. The Spaniard has won the

past two Grand Slam tournaments as part of his 22 major titles overall.

The 11th-seeded Gauff then faces Mihaela Buzarnescu of Romania. The 18-year-old American was runner-up at the French Open earlier this month.

Swiatek, the champion at Roland Garros, puts her 36-match winning streak on the line against Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove of the Netherlands.

They’ll play on No. 1 Court.

TODAY’S FORECAST Cloudy. High of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).

WEDNESDAY’S KEY RESULTS Women’s First Round: No. 6 Karolina Pliskova beat Tereza Martincova 7-6 (1),

SEE PAGE 14

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Rokeshia Renné Ashley, Florida International University (THE CONVERSATION) Although a Russian court ruled that WNBA star Brittney Griner’s detention may be extended for six more months, her trial on alleged drug charges begins on July 1, 2022, and gives her supporters a glimmer of hope that her release is still possible. Since her arrest on February 17, Griner has

BRITTNEY Griner been locked up in a Russian prison. She was charged with drug smuggling after Russian officials allegedly

found vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis in her luggage.

She faces up to 10 years in prison.

It’s a stark contrast to her life as a millionaire athlete playing in professional basketball leagues in both the United States and, for the past seven years, Russia, where she earns nearly four times as much as her nearly US$282,000 annual WNBA salary.

Speculation on the reason for Griner’s arrestcentres on Russian President

SEE PAGE 14

PAGE 12, Thursday, June 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

ATLANTIS hosted a golf clinic for 70 participants in the Governor General’s Youth Award as a part of its weekend of activities which culminated in the 20th Annual Duke of Edinburgh Cup Bahamas Semifinals Charity Golf Tournament at Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island. Pictured here are participants with Atlantis officials.

Photos courtesy of Bahamas Visual Services/Atlantis

GGYA participants bag free Ocean Club golf lesson WHEN Makelia Moxey arrived at Ocean Club Gulf Course for the start of a golf clinic hosted by Atlantis, little could she imagine leaving with a new iPhone 13 courtesy of Aliv.

“I was shocked. I was very proud of myself. I tend to have good luck by the Lord, but this is the best prize I’ve ever won,” said the 16-year-old student of C.C. Sweeting Senior High.

The rising 12th grader was one of 70 participants in the Governor General Youth Award (GGYA) who flocked to the 18-hole par 72 championship course, stretching over 7,100 yards on Paradise Island to take full advantage of the free lesson provided Saturday by Class A golf professional, Mike Simms, Ocean Club’s director of instruction.

The experience was part of a weekend of activities affiliated with the 20th Annual Duke of Edinburgh Cup Bahamas Semifinals Charity Golf Tournament.

It was held this past Sunday under the patronage of Governor General Sir Cornelius A Smith, and Lady Clara Smith in conjunction with Atlantis, Paradise Island.

Proceeds raised from the event go to fund GGYA, the name by which the Duke of Edinburgh International Award is known in The Bahamas.

Hundreds of registered participants work through 38 units on seven islands with over 100 volunteers helping to power the programme open to persons 14-24 years old.

Each participant in the Award learns a skill, must improve their physical fitness, volunteer in their community and experience a team adventure in an unfamiliar environment.

Saturday’s golf clinic came about as Atlantis sought to do something different to mark the momentous anniversary of GGYA’s biggest fundraising initiative.

“We wanted to introduce an element that brings students into the tournament itself and provide them with

exposure to golf that they would not have necessarily had previously,” said Viana Gardiner, vice president of public affairs and special projects at Atlantis.

“We also thought participants could use the time in fulfillment of their physical activity component of their programme. Plus, there was the opportunity to engage with golf professionals and Atlantis executives. All of it is to benefit their personal development. As many positive seeds as we are able to plant in them that’s what we want to do.”

Young people took in the session – along with the amazing greens, spectacular views and immaculate fairways. Golf pro Simms maximised the tee time with an overview of the GOLF clinic prize winners were Raphelita Hanna (third), Prishae Smith (second) and Makelia Moxey (first) pictured with Vaughn Roberts, senior vice president of government affairs and special projects at Atlantis. Moxey won a new iPhone 13 courtesy of Aliv, while Smith and Hanna each received two passes to Altantis’ Aquaventure water park. basics - ball position, alignment and how to finish the golf swing. Still, it’s only so much one could teach in a single lesson.

“To learn a golf swing it takes time and you should never rush it. You should aways get professional help when you first start. It’s really essential if you want to play well,” he advised.

Simms kept it fun and for Moxey, parts of the lesson stuck. She didn’t score a hole-in-one, but she came the closest, which bagged her the first-place prize in the friendly but fierce competition capping off the golf clinic. “We have so many world-class athletes that are Bahamian – in basketball, baseball. You never know where the next Tiger Woods could come from. It could be from The Bahamas, and

it could have started right here at Ocean Club Gulf Course this morning,” said Gardiner.

Second and third place winners, C.C. Sweeting’s Prishae Smith and Kingsway’s Raphelita Hanna, received two passes each to Altantis’ popular water park, Aquaventure, which features thrilling slides and other attractions. GGYA participants Hallel Dixon and Ian Davis didn’t win prizes, yet it remained a rewarding experience for both. “This was something new for me. I was excited when I heard about it. I definitely wanted to come out,” said Dixon, a rising 12th grader at Kingsway Academy. “After this, I think I might try golf out.”

Davis, a 2022 graduate of St John’s, echoed a similar

sentiment. “It was my firsttime golfing. I thought it was amazing. It’s a fun and relaxing sport.”

According to GGYA’S national director, Jacquetta Lightbourne-Maycock, the Award is all about challenging youth to discover their potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world. That comes through broadening their horizon.

“Ninety-nine percent of them had never participated in golf prior to this experience. This was a first for them.

“This is one of our main goals, supporting nonformal education which enhances young people as individuals. This golf clinic definitely challenged young people to discover something new.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 30, 2022, PAGE 13

Azariah Smith gets the opportunity of a lifetime

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net PREP basketball player Azariah Smith received the opportunity of a lifetime when she was awarded a scholarship to one of the most prestigious sports academies in Florida.

Smith is headed to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida next fall, as one of six full scholarship recipients through the programme’s Women In Sports Committee (WISC).

The committee included broadcast journalist Cari Champion, co-owner of the XFL Dany Garcia, former tennis pro Lindsay Davenport, former Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn, former sportscaster Michele Tafoya, and television broadcaster Robin Roberts.

Smith, who recently completed the ninth grade at St Augustine’s College, was selected by Roberts, who will serve as her mentor for the remainder of her high school athletic and academic career.

“Talent is universal, opportunity is not,” Roberts said. “These young girls are going to know - we hear you, we see you and we care about you.”

Smith previously attended the IMG summer basketball camp and began to build a relationship with the programme. She added that it was an honour to be selected by Roberts.

“I’m honoured to be chosen by such an amazing icon. The fact that she chose a small island girl out of so many candidates from all over the world was surprising and provided motivation for me. I look forward to her guiding me along my basketball journey,” Smith said.

“I enjoyed the experience and I decided to apply to the school. I did not plan to go this year but we knew we couldn’t afford it. My mother kept in touch with the basketball advisor at IMG and she nominated me to the WISC committee. Two months later after I had already given up on the scholarship, my mother got the news that we got in.”

The committee was established to develop

AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP TO THE IMG ACADEMY IN FLORIDA NEXT FALL programmes and initiatives for improving accessibility and participation of young women in sports. They identified scholarship candidates across a number of sports who met certain IMG Academy and committee criteria. Committee members then narrowed the list of submissions to six finalists and each selected a student-athlete to honour with a full scholarship.

Scholarships will begin in fall 2022 and continue through the individual’s high school graduation at IMG Academy.

Smith, a member of the class of 2025, joins fellow basketball player Sienna Dauer (2024) of Fairview, Pennsylvania; golfer Alessandra Carranza (2027) of Las Vegas, Nevada; track and field athlete Tiana Welbon (2027) of Germantown, Maryland; lacrosse player Olivia Doyen (2025) of Prior Lake, Minnesota; and tennis player Sophia Cedeno (2025) of Lakeland, Florida.

“I expect to interact and bond with students from all around the world and I expect to create a sport family. Most importantly, I’m a high honour student so I expect to continue to excel in my academics because I know they come first,” Smith said.

“On the court, I expect to improve on my skills like my ball-handling, shooting, teamwork and basketball IQ to become a smarter guard.”

She lists Skylar Diggins-Smith of the Phoenix Mercury and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors as her basketball inspirations, but patterns her game after Zia Cooke of the South Carolina Gamecocks.

PREP basketball player Azariah Smith is headed to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida next fall as one of six full scholarship recipients.

“When I watch her play it reminds me of myself,” she said of Cooke.

“She’s humble, she’s passionate, she plays shooting guard but can also play the point if she has to.”

With little organised basketball in the country since the COVID-19 pandemic began, she relied on a strong support system at home to remain sharp and keep her skills intact.

“We didn’t have many practices due to lockdowns but I was able to play at home to maintain my skills,” she said. “Once the country opened back up I had practice with my coach at SAC - Mrs Moultrie and as things opened more and more I was able to work more and more with my different coaches.”

Her mother Raygail Smith added: “What we

did as a family to keep her interested was alot of family activities.

During basketball and exercise time we would go outside for a specific time to keep her motivation going.

“We did a lot of basketball drills and we made it entertaining.”

IMG Academy is one of the world’s leading multi-sport training and educational institutions.

IMG Academy also serves as a training and competition venue for amateur and professional teams, a host site for a variety of events, and a hub for sports performance research and innovation.

Additionally, IMG Academy’s leading college recruiting services provider, Next College Student Athlete (NCSA),

is the world’s largest and most successful collegiate athletic recruiting network.

NCSA leverages proprietary technology and data with professional expertise and personal relationships to connect tens of thousands of college-bound student-athletes to more than 35,000 college coaches nationwide across 37 sports each year.

“We are honoured to welcome this inaugural class of scholarship recipients alongside our Women in Sports Committee members,” said Brent Richard, the president of IMG Academy.

“After a long and thorough process, we’ve selected six incredible young women, and we look forward to being a part of their high school journey,” he added.

ALIYAH BOSTON IS THE TOP FEMALE COLLEGE ATHLETE LOS ANGELES (AP) — South Carolina basketball star Aliyah Boston was named the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year on Monday night.

She received the Honda Cup in a ceremony at Galen Center on the University of Southern California campus. Boston’s coach, Dawn Staley, won the award in 1991 as a basketball player at Virginia.

The junior forward is the first basketball player to win the award since Breanna Stewart in 2016. Overall, 16 basketball players have won the Honda Cup — the most of any sport.

“It means a lot. A lot of these women are my role models,” Boston said.

“Coach Staley was a past winner. Candace Parker was my role model since I was nine years old.”

Boston helped South Carolina to its second national championship this past spring and was the AP women’s basketball Player of the Year.

The other finalists for the award were Oklahoma softball senior Jocelyn Alo and Florida gymnast Trinity Thomas.

“All these women on the stage help each sport they play,” Boston said.

The top three were selected by voting of nearly 1,000 NCAA member schools, and the winner was chosen by the Board of Directors of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards program.

“The Honda Class of 2022 is truly an extraordinary group of women who have achieved notable accomplishments in their sports and in the classrooms across the nation,” said Chris Voelz, executive director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards. “We are thrilled to have them join our elite family of the ‘best of the best.’

“To Aliyah Boston, this year’s Honda Cup winner, we commend and congratulate you on your remarkable achievements which led to your selection as the Cup winner and welcome you to this rare sisterhood, being named the very best female collegiate athlete in the nation.”

PLUM HAS BEEN MAJOR REASON FOR ACES SUCCESS THIS SEASON

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer KELSEY Plum views her improved play this season to just having more time on the court.

The Las Vegas guard is averaging a career-high 20.7 points and 5.7 assists this year to help the Aces to the best record in the league.

She’s playing a career-best 34.7 minutes a game — nine more than last year when she won the league’s Sixth Woman of the Year award.

“I think if you look at the numbers, points per minute and assists per minute they are pretty close” to last season, Plum said. “Really it’s about opportunity.

Coach has me in a little bit of a different role.”

Aces coach Becky Hammon has worked hard to have Plum understand she can be a really good facilitator as well as scorer.

“Her most growth has come with just her willingness to pass and play with her teammates,” Hammon said. “That makes her unguardable since she does so many other things. She understands the pass can be a valuable tool to her offensive game.”

Coaches, players and fans around the league are taking notice as Plum earned her first All-Star nod, being chosen as a starter.

Despite Plum’s solid play, the Aces dropped two of three games and fell behind Chicago in the AP WNBA power poll Tuesday.

POWER POLL This week’s WNBA poll:

CHICAGO Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot, right, fouls Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

(AP Photo/John Locher) 1. Chicago (13-5): A record rally over Las Vegas moved the Sky up the power poll. Chicago came back from a 28-point deficit — the most in league history.

The Sky followed it up with a last-second win over Minnesota after nearly blowing a double-digit lead.

“This was a huge week for us,” Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot said.

“It really showed what we’re capable of, that we’re always in a game and that we can finish tight ones.”

2. Las Vegas (14-4): The Aces dropped two games in a row for the first time this season before rebounding with a win over Los Angeles on Monday night.

Las Vegas welcomed the return of guard Riquna Williams for the first time in a month after dealing with a

foot injury in the win over Los Angeles.

3. Connecticut (13-6): The Sun’s offence has sputtered the last three games as they’ve averaged just 70.7 points — 20 less than their previous seven games this month.

4. Washington (12-9): in a good sign for the Mystics, Elena Delle Donne played in consecutive road games for the first time this season. She was dominant in both of them.

5. Seattle (11-7): The Storm bolstered their roster by signing Tina Charles, who left Phoenix in a “contract-divorce” last week.

The veteran centre provides more offensive scoring punch in the post for the Storm.

6. New York (8-10): A pair of road wins helped the Liberty continue to

rebound from a 1-7 start; New York is 7-3 since stumbling out out of the gate.

Sabrina Ionescu continues to play well, averaging nearly a triple-double each night.

7. Dallas (9-10): Teaira McCowan has provided a strong inside presence for the Wings over the last few games with the absence of Satou Sabally, who has a bone bruise on her right knee.

8. Phoenix (8-12): The Mercury seemed to have been galvanised by Tina Charles’ leaving. They’ve won both games since her departure.

9. Los Angeles (7-11): The Sparks haven’t gotten much out of their two major offseason acquisitions.

Liz Cambage reached double-figures scoring for the first time this month in

Monday’s loss to Las Vegas.

Chennedy Carter lately hasn’t gotten much playing time.

10. Atlanta (8-10): The Dream are 3-7 in the month and have missed guard Erica Wheeler (foot injury).

She hasn’t played since June 7.

11. Minnesota (5-14): Sylvia Fowles returned from a knee injury and the Lynx are playing better.

They enter a pivotal stretch with eight of 10 at home.

12. Indiana (5-15): It’s a busy week for the struggling Fever with games in Phoenix before travelling to Seattle on Friday night.

Indiana has gone 2-7 on the road this year.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK Courtney Vandersloot of Chicago was voted the AP Player of the Week.

She averaged 18.3 points, 5 assists and 3.7 rebounds to help the Sky win all three of their games.

She hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Sky to a win over Minnesota.

Breanna Stewart of Seattle and Nneka Ogwumike of Los Angeles also received votes.

GAME OF THE WEEK: Mercury at Sky, Saturday.

Phoenix has been on a roll the last few games and will be tested when they visit Chicago.

PAGE 14, Thursday, June 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray loses in the 2nd round

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — The recurring cries of “Come on, Andy!” at Centre Court meandered somewhere along the continuum from pushing to pleading as two-time champion Andy Murray’s shortest stay at Wimbledon came to a close.

Unable to overcome big John Isner’s big serves, the way he always has in the past, the revered Murray lost in the second round to the 20th-seeded American 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 6-4 last night at the All England Club, capping a disappointing afternoon and evening in the grass-court Grand Slam tournament’s main stadium for the locals.

Prior to Murray vs. Isner, the host country’s other leading player, reigning US Open champion Emma Raducanu, was eliminated

by Caroline Garcia of France 6-3, 6-3.

Asked whether he plans to be back a year from now, the 35-year-old Murray replied: “It depends on how I am physically. If physically I feel good, we’ll try to keep playing.

“But it’s extremely difficult, with the problems I’ve had with my body the last few years, to make predictions.”

Murray needed multiple operations on his hip and now has an artificial joint.

He also recently dealt with an abdominal issue that

GRINER

FROM PAGE 11 Vladimir Putin’s alleged desire to use the American star as a geopolitical pawn at a time when U.S.-Russian relations were at their lowest point since the Cold War. And then the Russian invasion of Ukraine occurred, and U.S.-Russian relations have become worse.

Another American, Paul Whelan, who is white, remains in Russian detention after his 2020 conviction on espionage charges.

The unexpected release of Trevor Reed on April 28, 2022, was a positive sign for Griner’s supporters.

A former U.S. Marine, Reed was held for the past three years in Russia on charges stemming from an alleged fight with a Russian police officer. He was exchanged for Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot serving a 20-year federal sentence for conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the United States.

Such an exchange may be in the works with Griner.

Russian state media has reported that the government would free Griner in exchange for convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout, also known as “the Merchant of Death.”

Bout was arrested in Thailand in 2008, extradited to the U.S. and sentenced to 25 years.

U.S. officials are not saying there is a prisoner swap in the works for Griner but are instead offering more general assurances.

“I’ve got no higher priority than making sure that Americans who are being illegally detained in one way or another around the world come home,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN on June 26.

“That includes Paul Whelan, that includes Brittney Griner, that includes people in a number of other countries.”

Griner’s detention has sparked a wave of support among dozens of organisations in the U.S., including the NAACP, GLAAD, the National Urban League and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, which have all urged President Joe Biden to

hampered his preparations last week.

In addition to becoming Britain’s first men’s singles title winner in 77 years at Wimbledon when he claimed the trophy in 2013 — and adding another in 2016 — Murray always had managed to make it to at least the third round in his 13 prior appearances. He lost that early twice, in his 2005 debut and in 2021.

“It’s no secret that I am most definitely not a better tennis player than Andy Murray. I might have been just a little bit better than him today. It was an incredible honour to play him on this court, in front of this crowd,” said the 37-yearold Isner, who won the longest match in tennis history by a 70-68 score in the fifth set at Wimbledon in 2010 and reached the semifinals there in 2018. “At the age I’m at now, I need to relish these moments. This was one of the biggest wins of my career.”

Murray can still hit crisp, clean groundstrokes, and he accumulated merely 13 unforced errors to 39 winners against the 6-foot-10 (2.08-meter) Isner. And Murray can still return about as well as anyone, often getting serves topping 130 mph (210 kph) back over the net. But he could not quite do that enough: Isner hit 36 aces — moving him four away from Ivo Karlovic’s total of 13,728, a record since the ATP began tracking work out an exchange deal to release Griner.

Missing Black women After nearly three months of silence on Griner after her arrest, the Biden administration on May 3 declared that Griner had been “wrongfully detained” and, as such, the U.S. government would work more aggressively to secure her release even while the Russian legal case against Griner proceeds.

As a scholar of Black women’s bodies, one of my primary concerns for Griner is whether her identity as a gay Black woman makes her a good or bad pawn.

Historically and even now, Black women have been represented as less than normal by white feminine standards, making the value of Black gay women even less. And given the lack of media attention focused on the disappearance of Black girls and women – estimated in the U.S. to total 90,000 in 2021 – it appeared that Griner’s case would never achieve the publicity that is emerging now.

Started in May 2022 on Change.org, a petition drive calling for Griner’s release has nearly reached its goal of 150,000 signatures.

In addition, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he is working “side by side” with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on bringing Griner home.

“We’ve been in touch with the White House, the State Department, hostage negotiators, every level of government, and also through the private sector as well,” Silver said during an interview on ESPN. “Our No. 1 priority is her health and safety and making sure that she gets out of Russia.”

The Griner case gained more attention when Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, joined the team of negotiators.

Richardson has worked privately for years as an international hostage negotiator and helped secure the release of Reed.

An international star At 6 feet, 8 inches tall, Griner, 31, stands out in a crowd. In her book, “In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court,” Griner details her life as an extremely tall Black woman

ANDY Murray waves after losing the singles tennis match against John Isner of the US yesterday.

(AP Photo/Alastair Grant) that stat in 1991 — and delivered another 60 unreturned serves across the match’s nearly 3 1/2 hours.

Murray, who entered the day 8-0 against Isner, only managed to obtain two break points. Both came after about a dozen minutes of play, right after Isner broke to go up 2-1 in the opening set.

Isner erased the first with a drop volley winner, part of a tremendous display of deft touch up at the net,

where he won the point on 43 of 61 trips forward.

“This is why I still play,” Isner said. “This is why I work hard.”

When the second break chance for Murray arrived moments later, Isner got out of the game this way: 128 mph (206 kph) ace, 126 mph (203 kph) ace, 134 mph (216 kph) service winner.

Murray made things interesting by taking the third-set tiebreaker, celebrating by hopping around and shouting and pumping his right fist while the crowd rose and roared.

But Isner quickly broke to go up 3-2 in the fourth and that, essentially, was that.

How did Isner hold off any chance of a comeback

by Murray?

“I served,” Isner said with a laugh. “That’s really all it came down to. I guess I didn’t give him many opportunities to spin his web and get me tangled up in it. If I got embroiled in too many rallies with him, it just wasn’t going to go well for me. I had an incredible serving day and I needed every single bit of it to beat him.”

Next for Isner is a thirdround matchup against No. 10 seed Jannik Sinner.

Other men who won Wednesday included threetime defending champion Novak Djokovic and No. 5 Carlos Alcaraz, while No. 3 Casper Ruud — the runner-up to Rafael

Nadal at the French Open — lost 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 to Ugo Humbert, and No. 15 Reilly Opelka was defeated

by Tim Van Rijthoven 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4).

Only four of the top 11 men in the ATP rankings are in the bracket after Day 3.

In addition to No. 10 Raducanu’s exit, No. 2 Anett Kontaveit lost to Juke Niemeier of Germany 6-4, 6-0, and No. 9 Garbiñe Muguruza, the champion at Wimbledon in 2017 and the French Open in 2016, was beaten by Greet Minnen 6-4, 6-0.

Women’s winners included 2021 runner-up Karolina Pliskova, No. 8 Jessica Pegula, three-time major champion Angelique Kerber and 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.

Raducanu won the championship at Flushing Meadows in September as an unseeded player who went through qualifying at age 18.

Since then, she’s had a birthday — and has not made it past the second round at a major.

“There’s no pressure.

Like, why is there any pressure? I’m still 19. Like, it’s a joke. I literally won a Slam,” Raducanu said.

“Yes, I have had attention.

But I’m a Slam champion, so no one’s going to take that away from me. Yeah, if anything, the pressure is on those who haven’t done that.”

WIMBLEDON FROM PAGE 11

7-5; No. 8 Jessica Pegula beat Donna Vekic 6-3, 7-6 (2); Greet Minnen beat No. 9 Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-0.

Women’s Second Round: Jule Niemeier beat No. 2 Anett Kontaveit 6-4, 6-0; No. 3 Ons Jabeur beat Katarzyna Kawa 6-4, 6-0; No. 5 Maria Sakkari beat Viktoriya Tomova 6-4, 6-3; Caroline Garcia beat No. 10 Emma Raducanu 6-3, 6-3; No. 12 Jelena Ostapenko beat Yanina Wickmaye 6-2, 6-2; No. 15 Angelique Kerber beat Magda Linette 6-3, 6-3.

Men’s Second Round: No. 1 Novak Djokovic beat Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-1, 6-4, 6-2; Ugo Humbert beat No. 3 Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4; No. 5 Carlos Alcaraz beat Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-6 (0), 6-3; No. 9 Cameron Norrie beat Jaume Munar 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-0, 6-2; No. 10 Jannik Sinner beat Mikael Ymer 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2; Tim van Rijthoven beat No. 15 Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4); No. 20 John Isner beat Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 6-4; No. 23 Frances Tiafoe beat Maximilian Marterer 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (3); No. 30 Tommy Paul beat Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.

STAT OF THE DAY 0 — The number of times two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray had lost before the third round at the All England Club in 13 previous appearances.

QUOTE OF THE DAY “It breaks my heart to see what’s happening to him. I can only imagine how hard it is for his family members.” — Djokovic speaking about former coach Boris Becker, who was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison in Britain for illicitly transferring large amounts of money and hiding assets after he was declared bankrupt.

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medallist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia, on Monday, June 27. More than four months after she was arrested at a Moscow airport for cannabis possession, American basketball star Brittney Griner appeared in court Monday for a preliminary hearing ahead of her trial.

(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) wearing size 17 men’s shoes, whose outstretched arms measure 88 inches from fingertip to fingertip.

She also wrote about the stigma she endured as a gay woman.

During her time at Baylor University, the private Christian university banned homosexual behaviour.

“It was hard,” Griner said in an interview.

“Just being picked on for being different, just being bigger, my sexuality, everything.”

“I overcame it and got over it,” she continued.

“Definitely something that I am very passionate about.

I want to work with kids and bring recognition to the problem, especially with the LGBT community.”

Since those early days in college, Griner has become a leading advocate for the LGBTQ community, publicly speaking about gender, body image, self-esteem and sexuality.

It didn’t hurt that Griner is considered one of the world’s best women’s basketball players.

Her résumé includes an NCAA championship in 2012 with Baylor, a 2014

WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury, two Olympic gold medals for the U.S., three Russia Women’s Basketball Premier League championships and four EuroLeague championships.

In her seventh season in Russia, Griner’s last game with the Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg was on January 29, nearly three weeks before her arrest.

Breaking the silence Part of the initial silence in the Griner case was the reluctance among U.S. State Department officials to publicly discuss it.

The so-called strategic silence by the Biden administration has also played out among Griner’s supporters, including Engelbert, the WNBA commissioner, who said supporters heeded advice to remain low key.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat representing Griner’s home state of Texas, was one of the few who wasn’t silent and demanded her release.

“Under the circumstances,” Lee said on March 3, “I’m obviously concerned and believe the actions of the Russian

federal customs officers was unnecessary. And it was, in my perspective, targeted and purposeful.”

Meanwhile, at a brief hearing on May 13, 2022, a handcuffed Griner appeared in Russian court wearing an orange hoodie with her face down. Her detention was extended another month before a trial.

Her attorney, Alexander Boykov, told The Associated Press that Griner did not express “any complaints about the detention conditions” during the hearing.

In an earlier statement, Ned Price, a spokesperson for the State Department, said that Griner received a consular visit on March 23 and was in “good condition” and “doing as well as can be expected under these very difficult circumstances.”

Nonetheless, there remains uncertainty about how hard the U.S. will fight for a high-profile gay Black woman at a time of deteriorating relations with Russia.

In my view, the U.S. government has ignored Black women, LGBTQ people and those who exist

at the intersections for a long time, but the U.S. will acknowledge and address situations where citizens are white, male and not public figures.

The U.S. must now decide how to protect a citizen who is a Black gay woman.

Prominent sports writer Jemele Hill suggested at this point in U.S.-Russian relations that it would be ironic if Griner’s work in Russia gave her the benefit of the doubt in Russian court.

“If Griner has even a modest amount of leverage in Russia,” Hill writes, “it’s because she has had an extraordinary career with Ekaterinburg.”

Ironic or not, one thing is clear: U.S. public support for her release is finally gaining momentum and is symbolised by the WNBA’s decision in May 2022 to place a floor decal of Griner’s initials and No. 42, her uniform number, on the home court sideline of all 12 of its teams.

While this is a good show of support, will the U.S. help Brittney Griner the way it helped Trevor Reed?

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 30, 2022, PAGE 15

THE RECEPTION in celebration of the 2022 Special Olympics team was held at Superclubs Breezes in Nassau.

Ministry of Social Services hosts reception for Special Olympians THE Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development’s National Commission for Persons with Disabilities hosted a reception for returning Special Olympics medallists and athletes who competed at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida.

At the games more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean gathered in competition in front of a spectator audience of 125,000 people.

The reception in celebration of the 2022 Special Olympics team was held at Superclubs Breezes (Nassau).

The event was attended by the Special Olympics athletes, coaches, family and friends, government officials, NGO’s and supporters.

The highlight of the evening for the team was a surprise visit by two-time Olympic gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

Miller-Uibo made tribute to the achievements of the Special Olympians and took photos with them prior to her appearance at The Bahamas Nationals track and field events.

“It is indeed an honour for me to be amongst our Special Olympians and to show them my love and recognition for their achievements,” said Miller-Uibo.

“They have achieved world-renowned recognition for their performances in the same way that all Olympians do for our country,” said Miller-Uibo.

Special Olympics ‘Team Bahamas’ won individual medals, two team medals, and six other medals - four gold and two bronze.

The official medal count breakdown for the 2022 Special Olympics Team is as follows: 1. Athletics - Deron Forbes, 400m gold. 200m 5th place.

2. Bowling - Bronson Aranha - bronze (singles), division M12. Austin Green

TWO-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST SHAUNAE MILLER-UIBO MAKES SURPRISE VISIT TO ATHLETES AT SUPERCLUBS BREEZES

THE HIGHLIGHT of the evening for the team was a surprise visit by two-time Olympic gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

- 4th place (singles(division M5) 7th place doubles.

3. Bocce - Vashni Thompson - bronze (f singles).

Stephen Russell ( Grand Bahama) - gold (m singles).

Doubles - gold (Vashni/ Stephen).

Gilbert Williams, national director of Special Olympics, said the soccer team (mostly Grand Bahama delegates) had a win/loss record of 2-2.

He said the team defeated the Special Olympics from Ohio 4-3, giving them the gold medal in their division.

“This recognition of our athletes’ achievements is a long time coming! It only marks the beginning of greater things to come in the spirit of equality and

inclusion of persons with disabilities.”

The national director said it is hoped that The Bahamas will soon be the host country of several regional, Special Olympics competitions.

In attendance at the reception honouring and celebrating the performances of The Bahamas 2022 Special Olympics Team was Obediah Wilchcombe, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, who represented Prime Minister Philip Davis, Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technology, Jobeth Coleby-Davis, Minister of Housing and Transport, and Senator Kirk Russell

THE EVENT was attended by the Special Olympics’ athletes, coaches, family and friends, and government officials, including Minister of Social Services and Urban Development Obediah Wilchcombe. from Grand Bahama. “I am so very proud of our Special Olympics athletes and coaches and I congratulate each and every one of them,” said Minister Wilchcombe.

“It is their hard work, perseverance, dedication and love of the sport that has led them to become international champions,

and this is a proud day for us all in The Bahamas, as we celebrate their victory.”

Minister Wilchcombe said: “I want to especially thank Mrs Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who should be commended for taking the time to celebrate with us this evening and show the Special Olympians that they are included as part

of the Bahamian athletic community.”

The 2022 Special Olympics team comprised nine delegates and 14 athletes who competed internationally, representing The Bahamas on the world stage at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida, June 5-11.

PAGE 16, Thursday, June 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr placed on 10-day injured list with ‘a nagging back issue’

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net JASRADO “Jazz” Chisholm Jr continues to struggle with a nagging back issue that has forced him to the injured list.

The Miami Marlins placed Chisholm Jr on the 10-day IL last night after the star second baseman struggled with back spasms for the last two series against the New York Mets and St Louis Cardinals respectively.

According to Christina de Nicola of MLB.com, Chisholm was sent for an MRI after he exited Tuesday night’s 5-3 loss to the Cardinals.

“Around the same (level of discomfort as this past

weekend), so we’re going to check it out,” Chisholm told MLB.com following yesterday’s game. “Everybody knows I’m not one to ever come out of games. I never want to come out of the game, especially when it’s only the first inning and actually try and hit again or something. But today, just had to get out of there.”

Chisholm originally injured the back early in the season on a slide and recently re-aggravated it last week which forced him out of the lineup last Friday in the series opener against the Mets.

He returned to the field the following game and doubled on “Bahamian Heritage Night” but returned to the sidelines the following day in the series

finale. He also missed the series opener against the Cardinals on Monday night.

Today is the final day of voting for the first phase of the 2022 MLB All-Star ballots.

Chisholm remains the leading vote getter for National League second baseman after the second returns with 1,066,927 votes.

Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves is second with 984,846 votes and Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets 3rd with 945,335.

Chisholm will need to finish among the top two at the position through the first phase of fan-voting which concludes today.

Ballots can be cast on MLB.com up to five times a day every 24 hours.

MIAMI Marlins second baseman Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr runs from the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets on Saturday in Miami.

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

GRICHUK, DIAZ HOMER, ROCKIES ROUGH UP KERSHAW, DODGERS 7-4

By JACK MAGRUDER Associated Press DENVER (AP) — Randall Grichuk and Elias Diaz homered and the Colorado Rockies continued their Coors Field mastery of Clayton Kershaw with a 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.

The Rockies roughed up Kershaw for six runs and nine hits in four innings, his shortest outing in Colorado since he gave up five runs in three innings in his first career start there on July 22, 2008.

“I thought we did a good job of recognising balls and strikes

— being ready to hit but laying off the borderline pitches,” Colorado manager Bud Black said.

“Aggressive on strikes, taking balls. That’s a good approach.”

Charlie Blackmon had four hits and scored twice and Brandon Rodgers had two hits and two RBIs as the Rockies clinched their second series victory over the Dodgers this season, the first time they have won consecutive home series against the Dodgers since 2016.

“I thought we did a good job from a team offence perspective,” said Blackmon, who is 21 for 69 against Kershaw since their first

meetings in 2011. “We worked some walks.

For the most part laid off some of his really good pitches to get ourselves into better counts.

“He throws a lot of strikes. He’s aggressive. He’s really good. He’s struck me out a lot. Sometimes it goes the other way.”

Kershaw (5-2) struck out four and walked four after issuing only seven walks in his previous eight starts this season. He is 11-7 with a 4.81 ERA in 25 career starts at Coors Field, his highest ERA at any venue.

“I’m going to go with, just not overthink it and just say I sucked

today,” Kershaw said. “Thankfully, they’ll let me do it again in five days. But not a lot of positives today for sure.

“I don’t really think about Coors Field. I don’t think I would have pitched well anywhere today.”

Hanser Alberto, Max Muncy and Trea Turner hit bases-empty homers for the Dodgers, who had won five of six entering the series.

Colorado left-hander Kyle Freeland (4-5) gave up six hits and three runs in six innings, with five strikeouts and three walks, the fourth quality start in his last five.

“The offence was doing their thing, kind of allowing me to find my groove and get to it,” Freeland said.

“You can’t take Kershaw lightly.

He’s a Hall of Fame pitcher.

“He’s a guy you have to get on early and take his confidence and take wind out of his sails, and our offence did a really good job of that tonight.”

Freddie Freeman had two hits, and he singled, stole second and scored on Justin Turner’s single for a quick 1-0 lead in the first.

Alberto’s second homer of the season made it 2-1 in the second inning.

NBA

JR GOLF

Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither Harden nor the 76ers confirmed those plans publicly.

And Harden’s decision came almost simultaneously Wednesday with another massive move — the San Antonio Spurs are trading All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks for Danilo Gallinari and three firstround picks, according to another person with direct knowledge of the terms of that deal who spoke to AP with anonymity because the trade had not been announced by either side. ESPN first reported the completion of that deal, which pairs Murray with another All-Star in Trae Young in the Hawks’ backcourt.

Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook have already made their decisions; both could have been free agents this summer and found a combined 84 million reasons not to hit the open market — $47 million for Westbrook to opt-in for the last year of his deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, and nearly $37 million for Irving to do the same with the Brooklyn Nets.

Jalen Brunson will be in demand early, with the expectation that he’ll quickly agree to leave Dallas and become the new point guard in New York.

And there will be players who might decide to look elsewhere, or accept huge $200-million-plus deals with their current teams — opportunities that are presenting themselves to Zach LaVine with Chicago and Bradley Beal with Washington.

The largest deal, in terms of actual dollars, coming in the next few days almost certainly won’t have anything to do with a free agent: All signs point to two-time reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic being offered a supermax extension in the $260 million range by the Denver Nuggets. The only question there will be how quickly he finds a pen to put to that paper.

with Mariella Young of Barbados. Hall followed up an opening round 86 with yesterday’s second round score of 94.

Team captain Heathcliffe Kane is tied for no.7 in the Boys U18 with his total gross of 156, tied with Aman Dhiman of Jamaica.

Kane shot an 81 yesterday to follow his opening round 75.

Alexander Dupuch is ranked No.15 in the division with a score of 166. He improved to an 82 yesterday after his opening round 82.

Chemari Pratt had the biggest improvement of Team Bahamas on day two but remains in the no.9 spot in the Girls U15. After her opening score of 101, she shot an 85 on day two for a total gross of 186.

In the Girls U18, Tyesha Tynes is in 10th place with a score of 184. After an opening round 94 she improved her score to 90 on day two.

In the Boys U15, Jackson Mactaggart is ranked no.8, Camdyn Forbes is at no.13 and Rhan Miller is at no.17.

McTaggart followed up his opening round 79 followed by an 88 yesterday for a score of 167. Forbes shot a 94 yesterday to bring his total score to to 184 while Miller shot a 104 for a score of 204.

The 54-hole championship includes a field of 89 golfers. Eight countries, The Bahamas, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands are vying to top the leaderboard for the team trophy — the Hank James trophy — and six age-group trophies.

The James Moss-Solomon Trophy goes to the winner 18U division.

The team manager is Gina Gonzalez-Rolle and the head coach is Lemon Gorospe, assisted by Georgette Rolle-Harris and Frederick Taylor.

In 2021, the team placed fourth in the race for the Hank James and was just a few points shy of third.

FROM PAGE 11

FROM PAGE 11

PHILADELPHIA 76ers’ James Harden gestures during the first half of Game 3 of the team’s NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, May 6 in Philadelphia. A person familiar with the situation said Harden chose not to exercise his $47.4 million option for next season and will become a free agent — but with no designs on leaving Philadelphia. Harden made the decision to allow the 76ers the flexibility they need to sign other players this summer, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side confirmed those plans publicly.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Minnesota can give $6.4 million exception to II among them — who just Zion Williamson situation Karl-Anthony Towns a sign Wall, and that figure last week were enjoying a in New Orleans will be supermax of about $210 matches the money that parade through San Fran- interesting, as the Pelicans million this summer, as Wall gave back to make the cisco and are now free to decide how much to offer can Phoenix with Devin buyout of what would have go elsewhere if the oppor- to — or safely structure Booker. been the final year of his tunities and dollars are a deal for — a No. 1 pick Other players are contract happen. right. who has missed the majorrestricted free agents, “We’ll see what happens “We still do need to sur- ity of his first three NBA meaning their current as free agency opens up round the team with vets seasons because of injury teams will have the right and everything else,” Clip- and that’s the plan in free issues. Miami is planning to to match offers from other pers owner Steve Ballmer agency,” Warriors general offer sixth man of the year clubs. said. “I think the sky’s the manager Bob Myers said. Tyler Herro an extension, The most notable name limit for our team. The “It’s easier to get some of though the Heat will have on that list is Deandre sky is the limit. ... And of the older players, we think, to determine what number Ayton, the Phoenix center course, you’ve got to have in free agency than young makes the most sense for who was the No. 1 pick in a little bit of luck to win players. Young players them going forward. the 2018 draft but watched the Larry O’Brien Trophy, are probably the most inAnd, of course, there is a others in his draft class get which is what we’d really demand in free agency.”

LeBron James angle: The their first extensions last like.”

True, and that’s another Los Angeles Lakers were a summer.

That will be everyone’s element of this time of disaster last season and will Some players will be free goal come 6 p.m. Thursday, year: Young players, and aim to revamp their roster, agents in name only. John to find ways to get closer to not grabbing them in free plus can give James a twoWall, for example, will get the Larry O’Brien, whether agency this year, but keep- year extension in August $41 million in a buyout that’s in 2023 or beyond. ing them out of free agency worth nearly $100 million. from the Houston Rockets, Such thinking even in future years.

But before he signs, they and has already decided applies to the champion Ja Morant will surely have far more pressing that he wants to play for Golden State Warriors, be offered a max rookie concerns. the Los Angeles Clippers who have a slew of rotation extension by Memphis, Officially, it all starts next season. The Clip- players — Kevon Looney, one that will kick in with today. A new season is pers are expected to use a Otto Porter, Gary Payton the 2023-24 season. The already here.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 30, 2022, PAGE 17

JONES POSTS 6TH DOUBLE-DOUBLE OF SEASON (AP) – BAHAMIAN WNBA star Jonquel Jones scored 24 points with 11 rebounds and five steals but it wasn’t enough as the Chicago Sky beat the Connecticut Sun 91-83 yesterday.

It was Jones’ sixth doubledouble of the season for Connecticut (13-7).

Candace Parker had a season-high 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, Kahleah Copper scored 15 points and the Sky got the win over the Sun 91-83 for their fourth straight victory.

Parker made a no-look pass to Kahleah Copper

with 33.5 seconds left before halftime to become the eighth player in WNBA history to reach 1,500 career assists. Parker is the only player in WNBA history to eclipse 6,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 1,500 assists in a career.

Chicago went on a 31-9 run in the first half and led by as many as 23 points. The Sky shot 83.3% (20 of 24) in the first half, while the Sun shot 30% (12 of 40).

Connecticut went on a 7-0 run to get within 82-74 with 2:18 left in the fourth quarter. But Rebekah Gardner ended Chicago’s drought

with a 3-pointer and Emma Meesseman made two free throws on the Sky’s next possession for an 87-76 lead.

Allie Quigley added 13 points for Chicago (145), which is off to its best 19-game start in franchise history. Azura Stevens and Gardner each scored 10 points, and Courtney Vandersloot had nine points and six assists. For the Sun, Alyssa Thomas added 23 points and Brionna Jones scored 18. DeWanna Bonner was held to eight points on 3-of-12 shooting and Courtney Williams was 2 of 10 for six points.

PAGE 18, Thursday, June 30, 2022

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