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VOLUME:117 No.155, JULY 8TH, 2020

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

INSIDE: 12 PAGES OF PUZZLES FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND

‘WE DON’T WANT CONFRONTATION’

ALICIA WALLACE DO WE LISTEN IN DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS?

SEE PAGE EIGHT

Police chief warns public not to break holiday beach ban

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net COMMISSIONER of Police Paul Rolle expects “people to stay home” after the prime minister’s order to close three islands’ beaches for the Independence Day weekend.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on Monday of the closure of beaches and parks on New Providence, Paradise Island and Grand Bahama from Thursday at 10pm to Monday 5am. While

speaking to reporters yesterday, the commissioner made it clear police will be out in full force. He asked people to obey the rule as he has to enforce them and does not want “any unnecessary confrontation” with the public.

“I can’t (say) how we plan to enforce this,” he said. “I expect people to stay home.

There’s an executive order that the beaches will be closed, the beaches will be closed and I’d ask persons to abide and hopefully we’ll SEE PAGE THREE

FUSION TAKES $6M HIT THREE DEAD IN HORROR SMASH - ‘BUT WE’LL BE BACK’ THREE people died in Grand Bahama after a traffic accident involving two vehicles.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Fusion Superplex yesterday revealed it has “lost north of $6m” in revenues due to its COVID-19 enforced closure but pledged: “We’ll definitely be back.”

Carlos Foulkes, the cinema and entertainment complex’s chief executive, told Tribune Business the pandemic’s impact has been “devastating” for its financial health with the

government yet to give permission for it and similar businesses to re-open.

While Fusion Superplex had hoped to resume operations this month, Mr Foulkes said he was now hearing that the competent authority - meaning the Prime Minister’s Office may not give the go-ahead before August.

He added that the 350 furloughed staff will be recalled in phases based on consumer demand.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Full report - Page 2

NIB STRIVING TO RESOLVE UNIVERSITY STAFF’S FEARS ALL PAYMENT PROBLEMS OVER GB CAMPUS FUTURE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net AMID concerns over lengthy delays in receiving unemployment payments, National Insurance Board Minister Brensil Rolle said officials are working to resolve all issues to ensure

workers receive their contributions.

He insisted that “anyone who is entitled” to NIB benefits will receive them.

Speaking ahead of a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Mr Rolle told reporters: “NIB is doing a very good job.

SEE PAGE TWO

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net FACULTY and staff at University of The Bahamas-North are concerned over unconfirmed speculation of a proposal to discontinue operations in Grand Bahama. This comes

even as the university has accepted an insurance settlement claim for Hurricane Dorian damage of the northern campus in East Grand Bahama. There is speculation the university will be converted to a virtual campus.

SEE PAGE FOUR

FOLLOWING IN HER FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS TECHNOLOGY

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller is not the only member of his family chasing a Progressive Liberal Party nomination for the 2022 general election –– his daughter Leslia Brice is vying to be the party’s CANDIDATE: Leslia Brice representative for the Sea Breeze constituency as well. reason for him to step Mr Miller recently told aside as his daughter starts The Tribune there is no her political career.

“She answers to her husband, not to her father, as you can appreciate,” he said. “If my daughter isn’t good enough to be a candidate on her own accord, she will not be a candidate.

She’s probably more experienced than most of the candidates they will have because she’s worked in different constituencies. She knows her ins and outs.

“I did not encourage her

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FOUR

HOW ZOOM BECAME SO BIG, SO FAST SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

NIB STRIVING TO RESOLVE ALL PAYMENT PROBLEMS

from page one

There are some hiccups in the road though. When you are trying to provide a benefit for 40,000 individuals to the NIB system, they will have some challenges.

“Primarily, the challenges come from individuals who work for the small business companies. We’re trying to address most of those. We’re doing a major cheque run this week and we anticipate that a lot of the concerns that individuals have had will be addressed.”

To date, more than $60m has been paid out in unemployment benefits to over 34,000 people. In a statement

released last week, NIB said the number continues to grow daily. However, there have been concerns in recent weeks over why some workers have already received the much-needed payments since the COVID-19 pandemic, while others have not.

Addressing the issue yesterday, Mr Rolle suggested that some workers may have not received the payments as yet due to some employers’ failing to pay NIB contributions on behalf of their employees.

Situations like those, the minister said, can prolong the process of benefit payouts. He said officials are committed to addressing the issue.

“There’s two sides to a story,” he said. “Individuals may say that they have not received a cheque but they may not have paid or their employer may not have paid so we’re looking at those challenges and the government took the opportunity last week to try to address some of those individuals who are not fully qualified for this assistance and they will come in through a programme initiated by the Ministry of Finance. And NIB will be the vehicle to which we try to address some of those issues.”

Asked yesterday when can people expect to receive the payments, the minister refrained from giving a definitive deadline,

only saying he urged people to patient. He said: “There’s a lot of noise in the market.

Individuals sometimes expect more than they get.

Pensioners, for example, feel once the government said we should give you $800, they want $800 notwithstanding the fact that the policy is we’ll split you the difference between your pension and the $800.

“So, yes, like I said, there have been some noise in the market. I urge the public to calm down. We will not, we will not not do our job and (we will) make sure anyone who is entitled to a benefit will get it.”

Meanwhile, as it relates to those employers who have not kept up to date

Three dead after two-car horror crash

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THREE people are dead in Grand Bahama after a horrific traffic accident in the West End area involving two vehicles late on Monday evening. The accident occurred about 30 minutes before the 10pm COVID-19 curfew, and officials say speed was a factor in the crash. A 23-year-old, 29-year-old, and 39-yearold - all residents of Grand Bahama - were killed.

Police did not release the names of the deceased. It is reported that two men

and a woman died at the scene. Loved ones on social media identified the male victims as Marciano Morley and Roderick Pinder. The female victim was identified by loved ones as Shenelle Curtis.

Superintendent Terecita Pinder said police received information of a two-car collision shortly after 9pm at the junction of Queen’s Highway and Windsor Drive in Bootle Bay, West End. A black 2007 Mazda SUV and a champagne 2006 Chevy Cavalier involved in the accident were extensively damaged. The entire front section of one vehicle

was ripped apart during the crash, and other vehicle overturned and flipped onto its roof.

Supt Pinder said two occupants were in the Mazda SUV, and a lone driver was in the Cavalier.

At the scene of the crash on Monday, Superintendent Jeremy Henfield, officerin-charge of the Traffic Division, confirmed to reporters that “excessive speed” was a contributing factor in the crash.

He reported that around 9.20pm officers responded to information of an accident at Queen’s Highway in the area of Bootle Bay.

According to preliminary investigations, Supt Henfield noted that the Chevy was exiting Windsor Drive at Bootle Bay, while the Mazda was traveling west on the highway, resulting in a collision. He said: “Based on physical evidence we would have seen, we can tell you speed would have played a factor in this accident, and we would have lost three lives. We again appeal to the motoring public as we normally do to drive to arrive alive.

There is no place in Grand Bahama that we need to be doing excess speeding. If you leave home in sufficient

with their NIB payments, Mr Rolle was firm that NIB will deal with those companies as necessary.

He added: “We’ve taken the position that if the employer as the rule says if the employer did not make the contribution to NIB, NIB will go after the employer.”

“But that process takes a little bit longer than for individuals who checked all the boxes and have made their contributions. We have said to individuals it is our duty to go after the employer, we will do our best to make sure that our employees get the benefit that they deserve and the social support that is necessary to keep them going.”

The minister was also asked if he was concerned about NIB experiencing insolvency problems since no additional funds were being injected into the agency by the Ministry of Finance.

However, he replied: “Absolutely not, the system is that NIB is obligated by law to make 13 weeks of unemployment assistance. The government has taken the position that assistance and support needs to be extended and so this a government’s effort. This is separate and apart from NIB. NIB is not going insolvent. NIB is a very strong, strong, strong organisation and we will do our job.

THREEE men, all from Grand Bahama, died in the accident which happened 30 minutes before the 10pm curfew.

Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

time, you will get where you need to go and arrive there safely. Tonight is a tragic night, and we give our condolences to the families who would have lost loved ones.”

He said the Traffic Division will continue to remain visible on the streets to crack down on traffic offenders, especially people breaking the speed limit.

“As you can see this accident occurred before the curfew and we want to say again, slow down,” urged Supt Henfield.

Police are also urging people to wear a seatbelt.

In May, 77-year-old

Holmes Rock resident Ednamae Emmanuel was also killed in a traffic accident on Queen’s Highway.

Speed is also believed to have been a factor in that accident as well.

That accident occurred around 5pm on Queen’s Highway and Holmes Rock Avenue, involving a red Honda coupe, a purple Acura XS, and a grey Pontiac. Emmanuel was driving a Pontiac west on the highway and was turning onto Holmes Rock Avenue when a collision occurred. The other two vehicles were traveling east on Queen’s Highway.

THE TRIBUNE from page one soon get out of this pandemic and they’ll be able to go on the beaches and enjoy themselves on the beaches and I’d say to them do not go to the beach because we’re not going to allow you to go to the beach.

“I have to enforce it and I want members of the public to know that is now the law and we don’t want any unnecessary confrontation with members of the public.”

He also warned people not to participate in any motorcades to save themselves from “unnecessary heartache”. He said there have been a few requests for motorcades and demonstrations, the police chief has not approved them.

“I did not approve them and based on Article 15 of the emergency orders they cannot happen and they will not happen. So I say to members of the Bahamas do not go out, do not

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, PAGE 3

Don’t break beach ban, warns Rolle attempt to go out and participate in any motorcade.

They were not approved.

We’ll allow motorcades later but unfortunately we’re unable to do that now and I encourage people to abide by the rules and save us and save themselves a lot of unnecessary heartache.”

The country is still under a 10pm to 5am curfew, but it is expected Dr Minnis will announce changes to this soon. Some have complained about the curfew extending in July, despite no new COVID-19 cases

being reported for some three weeks. Some people are speculating that the extension of the curfew is to help decrease crime.

However, Commissioner Rolle said he never signed any curfew orders and is rolling out a policing plan which he expects will help to keep the Bahamian people safe.

“The curfew is in response to COVID-19, and I would hope that the Bahamian people would understand that …..the intent is to keep persons safe. If a sidebar of that is to

help crime then sure but I don’t know if that’s the purpose of it.”

The police chief warned a man also named Paul Rolle not to go ahead with any action in Rawson Square or in front of Government House in the coming days.

Speaking to reporters, he had a message for the person in question: “. . .I’m the Commissioner and I’m going to invite you to come in to Central Police Station and see me otherwise we going to come, but you’re not

going to go to Government House because I’ll be there waiting for you or not going to go into Rawson Square to mess with Queen Victoria.

“I received a request and I denied it and y’all still defy my orders and went in front of Government House….. we have rules in this country and I will enforce them regardless of who they are.”

His comments came after a video circulated on Facebook showing two men, one who identified himself as Paul Rolle, in front of Christopher

Columbus’ statue outside Government House. In the video Mr Rolle, who said he is with Coaliton to Save The Bahamas, said the group was fighting against “injustice against all people of colour around the world.” Holding a chain in his hands, Mr Rolle said on July 10 the group will remove the Columbus statue as well as the statue of Queen Victoria from Rawson Square which they view as symbols of oppression.

Editorial View - Page 6

POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle opened a Sergeants, Inspectors and combined Law Enforcement Management Course at Police Headquarters yesterday where the RBPF band played; Far left: Constables Raymono Deveaux and 4385 Margo Brice.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Police chief aiming to improve discipline

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net COMMISSIONER of Police Paul Rolle admitted the force has seen the level of discipline reduce over the years, something he wants to restore to higher levels.

“The discipline over the years we’ve seen a reduction simply because I think we should have the training with particularly the sergeant and that particular aspect where the discipline has eroded. I’m trying to bring it back,” he told reporters yesterday.

While speaking at Paul Farquharson Conference Centre at police

headquarters, he told the audience that this an “extraordinary time” to be a police officer.

According to him, it is necessary to respond to the calls from citizens, residents, and businesses for better service. He pointed to public awareness at its highest due to round the clock press coverage and social media. He added: “The public demands a police force that is responsive to needs. . .particularly where quality of life exist.

Over the last few years though, we have moved the goal post of discipline in the Royal Bahamas Police Force and it is my intention to realign the

markers so that the practice of discipline, as we knew, it is returned.”

He explained the expectations and tasks of corporals and sergeants in upholding certain standards. “New corporals must accept their responsibility as first line supervisors and (perform) the task required to ensure that every constable fully understands his or her role in this organisation as I believe some have lost their way plus we’re going to train you with those supervisory skills that are required for you to do your job,” Commissioner Rolle said. “….Sergeants you are the disciplinarian of the force.

You must be to work early

and be prepared to take action when necessary. For too long, breaches in discipline have been allowed to go unchecked. You are also the quality control officer for the Royal Bahamas Police Force.”

The commissioner called sergeants “the backbone” of force and the “most feared rank” as they play a pivotal role in keeping the organisation together.

He also spoke about the need to have more officers as there is a shortage - a need for 300 constables.

Commissioner Paul Rolle’s policing plan that was tabled in the House of Assembly last week noted 35 senior police officers and

MAN FOUND DEAD WITH GUNSHOT WOUNDS

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was found dead yesterday morning with a gunshot wound to the head.

This comes after three people were killed last week.

ASP Audley Peters told The Tribune the victim is in his late 30s, and is known to the police. However his identity was not released.

He said shortly after 6am, a group of people were walking through a track road off Scott Street west of West Street when they

discovered a male’s body lying on the ground.

“The police were called in and upon their arrival they discovered a male who had gunshots to the head and EMS was called in. Following their examination of the body, they pronounced the body unresponsive… from all indication it was a single gunshot to the head,” the officer said.

According to this newspaper’s records, this killing pushed the country’s murder count this year to 35.

Last week saw a spate of homicides. On Sunday

June 28, Godfrey “Rob” Sawyer, 40, was fatally shot in Nassau Village while Tuesday, June 30, had two separate killings.

One of the victims was found unresponsive with injuries in St Joseph’s cemetery while the second man was found shot dead at Scott Street last week.

These incidents come as the country experiences relaxed measures of the COVID-19 emergency orders. When asked if there were concerns these relaxations will contribute to an uptick in murders, Commissioner of

Police Paul Rolle said the force will make sure the community is safe while encouraging members of the public to “behave themselves”.

“The Royal Bahamas Police Force are here and we will be able to respond to any eventualities. The reality is that... much of the lockdown is now over is so people are now interacting and I would wish to encourage members of the public to behave themselves.

Whether it’s an uptick or not, we are going to be here to do and to make sure that the community is safe.”

90 contracted officers are expected to retire soon; 275 officers are also expected to recruited during the year.

He told the press that he would like to increase some of the officers in some of the Family Islands.

“With Nassau, we’re almost where we want to be but we’re not there yet… and we’ll possibly never be there but thing is to make a step towards it as we have retirement you gotta keep placing them,” he said. “..Many of us who joined in the 80s, you could

appreciate the clock is running and I recall when I graduated there was a period of about four to five years when there was no recruitment. That’s what is the scary thing for me right now because there’s going to be almost an avalanche when those in my era leave and so if we don’t act now you’re gonna have a big vacuum which is going to be almost 250 to 300 officers and so to head that off I’m trying to fix it because I know it’s coming…You’ll see that in about two-three years.”

PAGE 4, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

LESLIA FOLLOWING IN HER FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS from page one

FATHER: Leslie Miller

to look for any position in the PLP. I was surprised when she said she wants to go for it. I said ‘It’s up for you, I can’t get in your business. Do what’s in your best interest.’ But don’t confuse my daughter with me. She’s married with children. She will do what’s in the best interest of the Bahamian people, just like her daddy.

She has nothing to do with

me and one has nothing to do with the other. Once ya married the bible say a man and woman is one, hey, it ain’ daddy and daughter, it’s husband and wife, so call him and ask him what he thinks. He said I do, I didn’t say I do.”

He added: “The PLP is looking for young women who could make a contribution to the party and the country. She was persuaded by members of the party and she wrote in to say she

had an interest. She went through the seminar process. I was the last person to give her the go ahead. Certainly she would not have an interest in my constituency but under no circumstances will I not run just because she is running. Right now they have no one to replace me and the minute anyone says Tall Pines, people say ‘that’s Miller seat,’ so they ain’ going there.”

Mrs Brice declined to comment.

Some in the PLP want the party to run as few past candidates as possible. Mr Miller, however, says if he is denied a nomination in the Tall Pines constituency, he will run without the PLP. “As one who has been there three times before and as a senior member who expects to get my nomination, I don’t expect any problems at all,” he said. “If not with the PLP, I will be there

when the polls close at 6pm, I will be on the ballot. My people, they want me. One more shot, this it for me. There’s no reason in the world why Leslie Miller shouldn’t get his. I’ve given my life to the party, I’ve been a loyal soldier. What about Alfred Sears, what about Obie Wilchcombe, what about Damian Gomez, what about Alfred Gray?

You need a combination of rookies and veterans.”

35 doctors get warm welcome into their new lifes ELIZABETH Turner, daughter of attorney Edward Turner and former leader of the opposition Loretta Butler-Turner, has successfully completed her course of study in medicine.

She graduated this past weekend from the University of the West Indies School of Clinical Medicine and Research, Bahamas along with 34 other Bahamian doctors.

The medical oath swearing ceremony took place at Government House on Sunday. Ms Turner will undertake her medical internship at Princess Margaret Hospital. Upon completion, she plans to pursue postgraduate studies in paediatrics.

Ms Turner, pictured, studied at St Andrew’s high school in New Providence and the University of

Western Ontario in Canada before pursuing her medical degree.

At Sunday’s ceremony, Governor General Cornelius A Smith told graduates that their success is the result of the commitment and sacrifices of the Bahamian people.

“Translated into financial terms, your fiveyear training and education compute to an estimated threemillion-dollar investment by the citizens and residents of this Commonwealth of islands,” he said.

The Governor General stated that the 35 graduates, of whom some 80 percent are female, are being entrusted with the future of healthcare delivery in The Bahamas.

“Some of you are the first

GRADUATION day for 35 doctos from the University of the West Indies School of Clinical Medicine and Research, Bahamas.

in your family to become doctors. I can feel your parents’ and guardians’ hearts bursting with pride today. I share in their joy.”

He told the new doctors that their profession is rooted in the ideals of compassion, empathy, confidentiality and a commitment to improving the lives of others.

He said these are ideals that nurture and cement the relationship between a patient and his or her doctor.

Prime Minister and Minister of Health Dr Hubert Minnis told the graduates that when they take the oath, they are agreeing to demonstrate complete

honesty and discipline throughout their entire career.

“As you examine a patient, you might find that the patient has what is classified as a terminal illness

STAFF ‘DISHEARTENED’ BY RUMOURS OVER THE FUTURE OF GB’S UNIVERSITY CAMPUS from page one

Staff are “disheartened” by the rumours and opposed to any possible closure of the campus, which is now temporarily relocated at a building complex in Freeport.

They find the proposition “disturbing” after being assured last year by UB president Dr Rodney Smith following his postDorian visit that the north campus would be rebuilt and returned to downtown Freeport.

The staff is calling for the university president and the board of trustees to address their concerns regarding the future of the northern campus.

A letter addressed to the president and board of trustees read: “This letter reflects the collective views of faculty and staff of the great UB-North. We are writing to you to reaffirm our commitment to quality tertiary education in the Northern Bahamas, which began over 40 years ago and to emphasise our dedication to increasing access to higher education throughout our archipelago, as is enshrined in the UB Act of 2016. But we are also writing to express our profound opposition to the alleged proposal to discontinue operations at the University of The Bahamas Northern Campus.

We find this proposition to be short-sighted and most disturbing.”

Referring to a statement made by the UB president on July 5, staff indicated that there were subtle references to the issue. “Our small and closeknit community remains

disheartened by these rumours, which, to date, have not been officially confirmed nor dispelled by the UB administration or the board of trustees.”

It was noted that UBNorth has maintained consistent enrolment and steady growth in recent years. Staff said for the upcoming fall semester application numbers have increased. It was also noted that before Hurricane Dorian, the residence hall’s occupancy doubled in a single year.

UB’s $12m campus in East Grand Bahama sustained severe flood damage as a result of a 25ft storm surge during Dorian. The entire ground floor was destroyed, resulting in a significant loss of equipment and furniture.

Additionally, the newly built $3m student residence Hawksbill Hall built and opened last May was also damaged. The Grand Bahama Port Authority had donated 50 acres of land in East Grand Bahama to the university for the development of the north campus.

In the letter, it was noted that in the aftermath of Dorian, the UB-North faculty was left with very sub-standard teaching conditions.

The current campus consists of two small classrooms which they said has reduced the ability to offer an adequate number of daytime courses, and a small, 24-hour computer lab with unreliable air-conditioning that often malfunctioned due to overuse.

“We must, therefore, move swiftly to rebuild the campus as the faculty and staff have patiently endured

some extremely challenging working conditions for almost one year now,” the letter noted. “Faculty have been without offices to properly assist and advise students or hold student conferences.

Staff has been faithfully working in cramped, common workspaces shared by multiple departments as well as from workstations located in hallways. Yet, we have still provided consistent quality service. A new campus that addresses these concerns is imperative, as we must also now co-exist with COVID19 and its new health and safety challenges.”

It was also mentioned that UB-North had submitted a strategic plan that was approved by the board of trustees, concerning the relocation of the UB-North campus as the first of seven strategic goals.

“We were further informed that this would be accomplished with the funds from the Hurricane Dorian insurance claim. To this end, a downtown facility was identified, and UB North Vice President Dr Ian Strachan presented an engineer’s report confirming the structural integrity of this facility,” the letter noted.

When contacted by The Tribune yesterday regarding a possible closure of the north campus, Dr Ian Strachan, vice president of UB North said that he could neither confirm nor deny whether university officials are contemplating such action as “a cost-saving measure.”

“I fully understand the anxiety such an idea would create,” Dr Strachan said.

“My focus is rebuilding UBNorth and I believe that

is a no-brainer. I want to remind people that before Dorian hit we had over 500 students enrolled last August that represented a 15 percent to 20 percent increase over the previous year.”

Dr Strachan believes that an investment in a new downtown campus could mean tens of millions of dollars circulating in the Grand Bahama economy over the next four years.

“With the right decisions UB-North can have 800 to 1,000 students a year,” he stated.

He also noted that before the storm UB-North was very close to signing a multi-million dollar agreement with an industrial sector company that would have revolutionised the way the university and the private sector collaborate to improve the Bahamian way of life.

“Companies and universities worldwide are willing and able to help rebuild UB-North. We are certain of this. People need hope.

Education gives hope. And the opportunity for a better life. Grand Bahamians, Biminites and Abaconians deserve hope and opportunity,” said Dr Strachan, who noted that UB has had a physical presence in Grand Bahama for over 30 years.

“Dorian and COVID are offering us a beautiful silver lining and that’s a new campus downtown.

Despite the very difficult economic times the nation is facing, believe it or not, this is an excellent time to invest in education and our team believes that here in Grand Bahama, a reimagined UB-North can be a valuable tool in the island’s recovery.

such as stage four cancer.

It is your job to tell them the truth; you cannot withhold that information from them,” Dr Minnis said.

“But it is also your job to give them hope. Yes, you

must explain to them that they have stage four cancer, but you can recall individuals who have been in similar situations but have gone on to live for a long, long time.”

DAVIS CRITICISES GOVT CUT TO SCHOLARSHIPS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis knocked the Minnis administration yesterday for cutting scholarship grants and subventions to University of The Bahamas, calling the policy an assault on education.

In a recent interview with Our News, Education Minister Jeff Loyd said “there will be no external scholarships awarded this year only.”

“All ministries and departments have by mandate of the Ministry of Finance a 20 percent reduction in their budget and obviously $15 million, $16 million scholarship budget has necessarily been affected,” he said.

During a PLP press conference yesterday, Mr Davis said slashing scholarship budgets goes against the promise of a governance in an independent Bahamas: to empower people.

“If we are to meet the challenges of the health and economic crises facing us, if we are to be able to seize the opportunities for a better Bahamas, we need to continue and expand that investment in education,” Mr Davis said. “When our country has expanded educational opportunities, Bahamians have made the most of them, responding with determination and ingenuity. Bahamians have started small businesses, built first-class companies, become nurses and teachers, judges and musicians, coaches and scientists.

“We all know how serious our country’s challenges are

right now. But no matter how hard things get, we cannot give up on creating opportunities for Bahamians. Sadly, the choices being made by the present government threaten to turn the clock back on all that has been achieved. Even worse, the slashes in our current education budget threaten to slash the opportunities of the next generation.”

Mr Davis said the administration does not understand that education is an investment, not a cost. He called “cuts of over $16.1 million” to University of The Bahamas savage, saying they are cuts on top of previous costs.

“And, as is typical of this government, the cuts have been imposed without consultation with the officials of the university,” he said. “This is not wise. Our policy position is very clear.

There should be no budget cuts at the University of The Bahamas. These cuts undermine the continued viability of the University of The Bahamas.”

He continued: “And why is the government cutting the public scholars programme, frustrating the aspirations of the next generation of students? The arithmetic is plain for all to see. Massive cuts in scholarships and funding for the University of The Bahamas will deny thousands of students a tertiary education.

This is not only regressive, but totally reprehensible.

Only education and training can power our growth and resilience. Instead, the government is moving in the opposite direction, hurting young Bahamians in ways that are likely to last long past this current crisis.”

THE TRIBUNE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net ANY non-governmental organisation found employing or helping undocumented migrants build illegal structures on government land will be dealt with according to the law, according to Works Minister Desmond Bannister.

His comments came after he told reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting yesterday about the government’s plans to halt further unregulated development of shanty towns on Abaco. The issue of shanty towns resurfaced last week after aerial photos circulated online, showing new construction taking place in a shanty town community known as the Farm Road.

Yesterday, the minister questioned where shanty town dwellers may have gotten the “resources” to erect the unsanctioned structures.

He said: “The challenge that I have throughout the country right now is that these people are having the resources to put these buildings up and the questions I have to ask is where

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, PAGE 5

Minister warning over shanty towns are they getting these resources from?

“Who is employing undocumented agents throughout the country where they get resources that they can have these buildings put up throughout the country and it’s not just Abaco. It’s happening in a lot of countries and in New Providence.

“And we as Bahamians as we look forward to celebrating our independence this week, we have to take a hard look at what we’re doing in our own country because at one hand we are giving people money to be able to do things and then the other hand, when they’re putting up these buildings, we’re trying to

ask the government to stop it. “ In an interview with The Tribune last week, chairman of Treasure Cay local government Stephanie Hield said she believed shanty town dwellers were receiving building supplies from different NGOs and second homeowners on the island.

Some sources close to The Tribune have also noted that some were even being employed by the NGOs to assist with the recovery efforts on the island.

Asked about the matter yesterday, Mr Bannister said he was not aware of the situation, but will have the issue looked into.

“That’s the first time that I heard that and I will certainly raise that with my colleagues,” he said.

“But I don’t know of that happening and certainly if NGOs are not complying with the laws of The Bahamas, appropriate action will be taken because we can’t have anyone coming into the country and doing things that are against our laws.”

Before Hurricane Dorian decimated them last year, shanty towns across Abaco had more than 1,000 homes and an estimated population size of 3,500, according to government reports.

However, two weeks after the storm hit the island, the government

issued an immediate ban on the construction of any new buildings in the four major shanty towns on Abaco.

To assist with the debris removal in the communities, the Minnis administration awarded contracts to several companies last year. Several shanty towns, including The Mudd, Pigeon Peas, Sandbanks, has since been cleared.

However, officials have faced obstacles in clearing the Farm Road community due to it being occupied by a number of inhabitants.

Noting that government is dealing with the situation lawfully, Mr Bannister said: “My offices from the ministry (in) Abaco has

gone to everyone one of those new construction and affixed a notice on it. The law requires that we follow a particular process and so the first step in that process is to put notices on the buildings.

“After we follow that step, then there’s another step for us to follow and you will recall that when the government did not follow these steps was where the courts intervened, so we have to strictly follow the steps that the law requires.

“We have to ensure that we are ourselves law abiding even though the persons who put the shanty town buildings are not.”

Editorial View - Page 6

BPL ANNOUNCES PLAN TO RESUME DISCONNECTIONS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BPL chairman Donovan Moxey

Bannister: No load shedding this summer

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday expressed confidence that there will be no load shedding across New Providence this summer.

He said “we have more generation than we need” to put an end to the country’s longstanding electricity woes.

Speaking ahead of a Cabinet meeting, the minister commended Bahamas Power and Light for the progress it has made in resolving legacy generation issues.

He said: “This time last year, everybody was on me about load shedding and we’ve had no load shedding. So, let’s look at the successes that BPL has had. These are hard earned successes.

“It’s been 20 years since we’ve had a summer where we can say we have had no load shedding and we’ve had none so far this summer and I want us to look at the progress that’s been made and let’s celebrate those progresses also.”

He continued: “They’ve

been hard ones. They’ve been huge challenges and the country is moving forward now in a sector where energy has begun to become reliable for the first time since some of you have known yourselves.”

“Some of y’all are very young and every summer, y’all have been accustomed to this. This is a huge change, and this is the kind of thing that we have to celebrate also.”

Last summer, residents in New Providence suffered almost daily load shedding since June 19. In an effort to end load shedding in the capital, the power provider added a new engine to its Blue Hills Power Station in March in a move officials said would help improve the country’s energy production.

At the time, BPL chairman Donovan Moxey called the new GE TM2500 engine a “game changer” for BPL and the Bahamian people, adding it will aid in fixing long-standing problems experienced by BPL consumers.

However, in recent months, there have been several power outages across New Providence.

DESMOND BANNISTER In April, for example, lightning strikes on the company’s overhead system caused outages in areas including Nassau East, Star Estates, McKinney Drive and Carmichael Road.

A month later, the capital experienced an island-wide blackout and the fault was traced to a substation on Skyline Drive. The Tribune understands it was caused by an operator switching error.

Blaming recent outages on either bad weather, transmission issues or human error, Mr Bannister noted that such power failures were not uncommon in more advanced countries around the world.

He made the comment

when asked how confident he is there will be no load shedding this year given the fact that summer had just started and there were already several outages so far for the year.

To this, the Carmichael MP replied: “You’ve had outages related to the weather, you’ve had outages related to transmission and distribution. You’ve had outages related to human strikes and you’ve have outages regrettably related to human error.

“There have been several in the east and there have been three or four in the west. Even the great cities in the world have those kinds of outages and we have to improve transmission and distribution at BPL and that’s a next target, but we can’t fix them all at one time. We targeted generation this last year.”

He continued: “Now we have more generation than we need this summer and I want you to ask me that same question at the end of the summer and at the end of the hurricane season.

You’re going to come and say ‘Mr Bannister, we had no load shedding. What happened?’”

BAHAMAS Power and Light announced yesterday that it will immediately resume disconnection of electricity services of residential customers who have $500 or more in arrears for more than 90 days as of April 1.

“Any customers with a balance more than 90 days in arrears since April 1, 2020, have 21 days (or until July 28, 2020) to bring their accounts current or to enroll in a payment plan,” BPL said in a notice. “After that, they will be eligible for disconnection. For customers who enrolled in the BPL COVID-19 relief programme, we note they now have 21 days to bring their accounts current, or to enroll in a payment plan.

After that, they will be eligible for disconnection.

BPL has made this decision after consultation with the government of The Bahamas. For our commercial customers we are proceeding as normal.”

As thousands of Bahamians stayed home to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus and as many lost their jobs, BPL suspended disconnections. In early April,

CEO Whitney Heastie said disconnections would be suspended for as long as the government maintained its emergency orders.

He said at the time: “Again, we recognise this is a difficult time. That’s why together with the government we have introduced deferred payments for those directly affected by COVID-19. Our COVID19 relief programme covers three categories of persons: residential customers who are diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus, residential customers who are in quarantine due to the virus, and residential customers have been laid off as a result of the virus.”

As part of his emergency orders, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis suspended the obligation to pay insurance premiums with respect to health, medical and life insurance policies until the end of the state of emergency and 60 days afterward. He also suspended requirements to file documents with, pay fees to, to renew licenses, visas or permits issued by a government entity, statutory body or regulator, though this did not apply to customs, value-added tax, real property tax or national insurance payments.

EMERGENCY POWERS ARE STILL IN EFFECT - BETHEL ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel said the emergency powers and the state of emergency declaration are still in full effect and accused anyone saying the contrary of exposing Bahamians to harm.

“I wish to advise the Bahamian people that there is absolutely no confusion as to the legal status of the proclamation of emergency and the emergency powers regulations or any of the orders made pursuant to the proclamation of emergency made on the 29th of June 2020 by the Governor General,” Mr Bethel said yesterday. “All of these documents. . .were lawfully tabled and constitutionally tabled in the Senate of The Bahamas on the afternoon of the third day of July 2020. After a proclamation summoning the Senate to meet was read, then the Senate opened.”

He also said: “Any person who is suggesting that there is some confusion about this is misguided and intentionally or otherwise is exposing Bahamian people to harm, because people if they are confused will err in favour of doing what they wish to do.”

He said COVID-19 curfews and social distancing measures are still lawfully in effect.

On June 29, Mr Bethel apologised after his office failed to deliver a resolution extending emergency orders in time for a prior sitting of the House of Assembly, causing the Governor General’s original proclamation of emergency to end at midnight that day.

GG CA Smith nonetheless signed a new proclamation on the evening of June 29, in time for the COVID-19 curfew and restrictions to remain in place.

NASSAU ST ROADWORKS NASSAU Street will be closed to undergo road works starting today.

The scheduled milling and paving will take place from 6pm to 2am today and tomorrow and will resume on Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 7.30pm. The work will take place on the roadway between Poinciana Drive and West Bay Street, which will be closed during the repair.

All northbound traffic

will be diverted onto Pitt Road and then onto Boyd Road then Chippingham Road, which will allow motorists to connect to West Bay Street.

Southbound traffic will be detoured to West Bay Street to Market Street and then on to Poinciana Drive.

All connecting roads along Nassau Street will be closed. Provisions for access will only be made for area residents where necessary.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

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Knocking down shanty towns alone won’t solve anything IMMIGRATION and work permits have been thrown again into the spotlight – not least by the arrival of more than 100 Mexican workers bound for employment at Baker’s Bay, and the concern from the public over whether those were jobs that could have been done by Bahamians instead.

Today, we report on claims that undocumented migrants are employed in Abaco, amid worries over the reconstruction of shanty towns there.

Let’s be frank – we’d be surprised if there weren’t undocumented migrants employed in Abaco. We know there are plenty here in New Providence.

In yesterday’s Tribune, Minister of Works Desmond Bannister said that Bahamians should not hire undocumented migrants as he talked about the process of clearing those shanty towns.

“You have to ask yourself, where are these illegal residents working, what jobs are they going to, who’s hiring them? How do they have money to do these things?”

There’s little mystery to it. After all, for all the talk about shutting down shanty towns how often do you see an employer penalised for doing the hiring?

It’s easy to point the finger of blame at the migrants themselves, but where is the action to clamp down on those who employed them? Where are the heavy penalties for hiring people who don’t have the right documentation? People go where the work is – if the work isn’t there, they’ll go elsewhere. Shut off the tap and people will stop coming to it.

Here’s the thing, though – our society needs those workers. Whether you agree with the decision to give Baker’s Bay those work permits for Mexican

contractors or not, the resort had work that needed to be done, and a shortage of people to do it.

Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce chief, Ken Hutton, this week warned that the island is struggling to find workers, with a lack of qualified contractors and skilled trades persons.

How many New Providence residents are willing to up sticks and move to one of the islands for a prolonged period of time to do the work that is needed to rebuild after Hurricane Dorian? That’s not counting the less skilled jobs where employers are hiring undocumented migrants because it’s cheaper and they don’t have to pay for the relocation of staff from elsewhere.

There are many more facets to this debate – such as the lack of training or education to ensure we have a workforce already equipped for some of these areas, but at the root of it is that if some people offer money, others will take it.

Those people then need somewhere to live, and so we come back to the shanty towns that are again springing up.

You can knock down a shack but the person inside will need somewhere else to live and you can bet that before long another shack will appear.

We should think carefully about this situation– after all, if we need the services of people and they are contributing a role in the workforce, should we not be considering bringing them out of the fringes of our society? If some are rebuilding our nation, should they be given a place in it?

One thing is certain. Tackling just one part of this problem is a surefire way to ensure that we won’t solve this problem at all.

Policing the beaches POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle expects “people to stay home” and off the beaches this Independence weekend.

Well, he’s just doing his job. It’s the Prime Minister who has given the order, it would be unusual indeed for the police chief not to enforce it.

The move to shut the beaches again has brought widespread criticism. It seems odd indeed to say it’s too dangerous to open the beaches, but it’s safe to open the country. It’s the visitors from places such as the US that could bring the virus – according to medics here, there is no community transmission going on right now.

Commissioner Rolle sees the side benefits for his job, saying that if “a sidebar of that is to help crime then sure but I don’t know if that’s the purpose of it”.

Let’s focus on the “I don’t know” there a moment, because that’s part of the trouble. Even some of those backing the PM’s decision have admitted the government is having a problem with its communications over this. So

it’s not surprising that the commissioner and many of the rest of us “don’t know” what the purpose of these actions are.

Dr Minnis himself has merely indicated problems in the US as the reason for shutting the beaches, yet he’s the one who opened the country again to people from those locations.

Why is it not safe to visit a beach this coming weekend when it was apparently safe to do so last weekend? There have been no more cases of COVID-19 announced. It should not be too much to expect answers from the government as to why particular liberties should be curbed. Indeed, the current approach just hands talking points to the Opposition, who will be gleeful at the lack of communication.

All that said, we hope people respect the law and don’t cause issues for the police this weekend. They have enough to handle as it is. That doesn’t diminish the need for the government to be more forthcoming, however. They should be – and without delay.

We should back PM over decision to close beaches EDITOR, The Tribune YES, we have brought our community spread under control, thanks to the herculean efforts of this government. However, we also opened our borders last week to the United States, where the virus continues to rage and is only in its first stages according to experts. Even more to the point, the vast majority of our tourists come from the frenzied COVID hotspots of New York and South Florida, where thousands upon thousands of new cases continue to be recorded each day.

We know that some time ago, Jamaica also brought their community spread under control. Then, they opened up to flights from the United States and recorded 14 new cases within a 24-hour period. It is silly to just assume the same won’t happen here, regardless of our safety protocols. Certainly, mandating that Americans test negative within seven days of coming to the Bahamas and taking their temperature upon arrival are good ideas. But it is not a foolproof system. Such a system does not exist.

With symptoms taking up to 14 says to manifest, a

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net traveller from Miami could test negative seven days before travelling to the Bahamas, and then have plenty of time to go out and contract COVID 19 on the streets of their city before landing in Nassau with no symptoms whatsoever. This will undoubtedly happen in multiple cases. We should not fool ourselves into complacency.

And if even just one of those asymptomatic travellers, or an unsuspecting Bahamian they may have infected in the meantime, sets foot on the terminally crowded beaches of a holiday weekend, we are back to square 1, or even worse, as thousands of people could be infected and our healthcare system overwhelmed.

Near the beginning of the outbreak of COVID 19, South Korea stabilized its case number at 30.

They thought everything was under control. But a single patient, known as “Patient 31” attended several crowded events and became a “super-spreader”.

Almost overnight, South Korea was dealing with

thousands upon thousands of cases - most of them traced back to that single patient. It goes to show that under certain conditions, it only takes one infected person to start a huge outbreak. Crowded beaches, combined with travellers from COVID spike areas in the United States are exactly the right combination to spell disaster for the Bahamas.

I find the Tribune’s editorial to be shortsighted, irresponsible and uninformed. It is exactly the kind of attitude that got the United States into the mess they are in now. The Tribune editor thinks that the Prime Minister is setting us up for a miserable Independence celebration?

Imagine the misery 14 says later if the beaches had been open. We would reap the bitter harvest of unthinking impatience and myopia.

The govenment has done an excellent job in shepherding us through this unpresidented danger so far, we should continue to have patience and trust that they are working on our behalf. They have earned the benefit of the doubt.

RICARDO JOHNSON Nassau, July 7, 2020.

Replace your advisers Teachers are crucial EDITOR, The Tribune I DO not know the owners of the fabled Compass Point but it seems to me that they are being badly advised. Whoever those advisers are they should be replaced as soon as possible. It is most insulting and a non compliance with protocol.

One of the principals regularly places full page ads in the dailies seemingly demanding a meeting with the Minister of Tourism & Aviation and some other nebulous demands.

This is not the way foreign

investors/residents publicly behave. The owners have gone so far as to say that they will close the place down and to hell with it all if their demands are not realised.

I am all for Foreign Direct Investment and God knows we need a dray load of that right now. No Bahamian government, on behalf of our people should ever cave into a foreign entity in these circumstances. If the owners were to leave I am certain that there would be tremendous interest by local and international investors to

acquire it and bring it back to its former glory.

Compass Point is the crown jewel of the West Strip. God has given us an invaluable patrimony. We have no problem with foreign investors et al enjoying a slice of the same with us but you cannot simply tell the government of a sovereign nation to put up or shut up. No, sir. To God then in all of these things be the glory.

ORTLAND H. BODIE, JR. Nassau, July 7, 2020.

EDITOR, The Tribune IT SHOULD be highly appreciated that teachers play a crucial role in societies. They are committed to educating and developing leaders and builders of enterprises who create value for their stakeholders and society at large, develop ideas and leaders that transform the world, they create environments where students are supported, inspired and helped to achieve their fullest potential. They cultivate students not for only an appreciation for the great

achievements of human beings but also a disciplined sensibility to the poverty, injustice and oppression that burden the lives of so many.

Teachers also educate students for a life of fulfilment and accomplishment, create and translate knowledge to meet global and societal needs. Teachers are responsible for bringing out our students’ talents to broaden their interests and to develop their personal qualities. They aim to foster confidence, perseverance, tolerance and integrity; to enhance

communication skills; to embrace creativity; to encourage teamwork; and to promote an open-minded and outward-looking mentality so that students are ready to make a really positive contribution to their wider communities. We should deeply value, respect, cherish the roles discharged by teachers particularly during this difficult time of COVID 19.

HANDSEN CHIKOWORE London, July 4, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, PAGE 7

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net CARLOS Brown is now a free man after a Supreme Court jury yesterday found him not guilty of murdering Renaldo Bullard in 2018.

Mr Brown was accused of shooting and killing the man, before burying his body in a shallow grave on a piece of property his mother owned.

A day after Crown and defence counsel presented their closing arguments, a jury of three men and nine women brought back unanimous not guilty verdicts on the single count of murder brought against Mr Brown.

The hearing began with a summation of the case

by Justice Cheryl GrantThompson. The matter was then turned over to the jury shortly before 3pm for deliberation. The jurors returned around 4.20pm with the verdict of 12-0 not guilty on the murder charge.

As a result, Mr Brown was acquitted and told he was free to go. The jury was also thanked for their service over the course of the trial.

Mr Brown was initially accused of murdering Bullard, whose body was found with injuries and partly covered with branches in a bushy area on Martin’s Close off Cowpen Road. Police said the incident occurred sometime between October 25 and 28 of 2018.

The Crown’s case relied on circumstantial evidence, including the account of Desir Gibson, a witness who identified Brown as one of the men he saw acting suspiciously the day he heard gunshots.

Crown attorney Jacklyn Munnings said Mr Gibson was in his backyard with his girlfriend and a friend playing dominoes on October 26, 2018. At the time, Mr Gibson said he heard three bangs which sounded like gunshots, so he got up to investigate. When he did, he said he heard two more gunshots. During crossexamination, he also told the police that he stood on an old gas tank and peered over a nine-foot wall. That is when he saw two men walking out of some bushes.

According to Mr Gibson, one of the men was 5’6”

Defendant thanks jury after he’s found not guilty of murder and had a dark complexion while the other man stood at 6’3”. Mr Gibson said he saw both men head towards a vehicle before the short one went to the trunk to look for something. He said at the time, he noticed that the short man had something in his hand which looked like a gun.

During the course of the trial, Tico Bridgewater, the forensic pathologist who pronounced Bullard dead, also took the stand to give evidence. He testified that one of the bullets that hit the victim entered through his left eye and exited through the left side of his head. He also said that the other bullet entered through the upperleft region of Bullard’s back and exited through the right interior of his chest wall.

Mr Bridgewater said the third bullet that hit Bullard was recovered from tissue in his left shoulder. He also noted that Bullard’s “right little finger” was completely amputated.

In his closing argument yesterday, Mr Brown’s attorney, Nathan Smith, noted that when Mr Gibson gave a description of his client, he claimed the person was bareback and had a hat with a brim on. He said, “considering the vantage point,” the jury could not rely on that evidence, since Mr Gibson did not describe any “distinguishable characteristics like body hair or tattoos.” He also noted that Mr Gibson was the “sole person” to say he heard gunshots on October 26, 2018 and said he found it “eerily suspicious” that Mr Gibson’s girlfriend or friend did not get up to observe the scene as well.

Mr Smith further asserted that Mr Brown admitted to being on the property the day Bullard’s body was discovered. He argued that the fact that his client did not attempt to evade the question,

JAMAICAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF DRUGS A JAMAICAN man was charged in Freeport last week with possession of dangerous drugs.

George Anthony Ellis, 30, of St Andrew’s, Jamaica, pleaded guilty in Magistrate’s Court to the drug possession charge and was ordered to pay a fine of

$400. After paying his fine, he was handed over to local immigration authorities for deportation to Jamaica.

According to police reports, Ellis was arrested shortly after noon on July 1 at the Victoria Inn Hotel on Midshipman Road, Lucaya, Grand Bahama.

JOB OPPORTUNITY Property Superintendent – to oversee day-to-day operations of a commercial property in Nassau. The Property Superintendent is responsible for overseeing all daily maintenance, repairs, security, janitorial services, landscaping, etc. and to handle tenant maintenance complaints. Responsible for performing periodic property inspections to ensure tenant compliance with leases, scheduling routine service and maintenance on equipment and proper upkeep of the property.

The following qualities are desirable for job selection:exceptional communication and organizational skills, details oriented, customer service experience, ability to work under pressure, self-motivated, self-directed, assertive, group problem solving and the ability to take direction and be an effective part of a property management team.

Project or property management experience required.

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BY JULY 15TH, 2020.

proved he was innocent.

He claimed that a man who had just killed somebody would have denied being on the scene in question in the first place. He also said since Mr Brown continued to visit the

property, his behaviour signified the “acts of an innocent man.”

After being acquitted of the charge yesterday, Mr Brown, who tuned into the hearing from the Bahamas Department of

Correctional Services via video link, exhaled with a small smile on his face.

“Thank you very much,” he told Justice GrantThompson. “Thank you everybody,” he said to the jury.

PAGE 8, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

When we are having a difficult conversation are we really listening?

OVER the past few months, I have been facilitator and participant in scores of conversations. In most cases, they were informal, but generative. They gave attention to issues and root causes, but also invited participants to explore different ways of addressing them that could lead to solutions. Still, it was not unusual for someone to point out that “all we’re

The

Alicia Wallace column doing is talking” or “we need to do more than talk”.

It seems as though people

are not only interested in seeing someone else drive action — because they are

not taking it upon themselves to do it — but they want to skip the important exercise that is conversation. It is not just about spewing words. Through conversations about human rights, justice, equality and creating change, we are able to build community, learn about each other’s interests and skills, establish trust, share ideas, identify the nonnegotiable matters and collaborate on direct action.

Even in movements that begin with rapid response, conversation plays an important role. Its usefulness is often underestimated and people tire of it quickly. This may be a signal that we need to move toward a different, more fluid form of organising that allows conversations to happen while action is underway, even in the early stages.

There is always frustration about the amount of time change seems to require. It is possible the “change takes time” rhetoric has been a tool to keep us complacent. Maybe it has been an excuse for us to take it easy and do the minimum, thinking that more effort would not bring more reward.

Change can take less time if we have more of the other ingredients. More people, more energy, more action, more dedication, more willingness to be uncomfortable and unpopular.

Our desire for change has to be great enough for us to commit to doing the work and our commitment has to be greater than the competing desire for comfort. We have to be more uncomfortable with injustice and inequality than we are with the sacrifice required to wipe them out.

Among our unfortunate comforts is ignorance. Far too many people would rather pretend to know than ask a question, read an article, or watch a video to get to the answer.

Another damaging comfort is what can be termed oppositional contempt. This is the pessimistic view of all people who are not clearly and decidedly on the same side, whether or not they are in the moveable middle — the people who hold a position loosely and can be persuaded to move toward either side. Oppositional contempt leads people to shut conversations down right before a transformational engagement can take place. An example of this is fresh in my mind because I saw what could have been an unfortunate exchange on Monday.

When a question is really a quest for knowledge Darren shared a post about discrimination against Haitian migrants regarding access to Bahamian citizenship. The post made Darren’s position clear — that children born in The Bahamas should be able to apply for Bahamian citizenship. Whatever your views on the issue, put them aside for now so that you don’t miss the point.

Janae replied with questions about what this might look like in practical terms and how we would establish boundaries. Her questions boiled down to: 1. If you designed the system, how would it work?

2. What would be the requirements and restrictions?

Janae was seeking understanding. She could not picture a version of The Bahamas in which the children of Haitian migrants could access Bahamian citizenship. It is likely that, when she tried, she

envisioned crowded classrooms and public clinics which is a predictable picture because education and healthcare are the two services Bahamians frequently cry are being monopolised

by Haitian people.

She wanted to know how, if we extend these human rights, we would manage our resources in a way that allows us to continue to function at the same level.

This basic question is one that governments have to answer all the time. Our government contended with this issue when it implemented a lockdown.

With so many people unable to work and receive pay - and with the government’s obligation to provide for its people - how would it be able to meet its other obligations when money has to be spent differently because of the unexpected situation?

These kinds of changes to budget, legislation and policy are infrequent at this scale and level of visibility, but not unheard of.

The public is not typically involved in these processes, so Janae’s questions, while possibly frustrating, are not invalid.

Some interruptions are fissures, meant to disconnect Myrtle came along and decided to intervene with what we like to call “attitude”. She asked a rhetorical question meant to make Janae feel embarrassed for asking a question Myrtle obviously considered offensive. Janae stayed the course, however, and clearly stated that she was not seeking to cause offence, but to get a better understanding of Darren’s point of view.

Myrtle had already successfully derailed the conversation and the next few responses were to questions Janae did not ask.

Janae then said that she had seen these conversations before and has never seen anyone propose a solution. She wanted to support Haitian migrants in their fight for human rights, but needed to understand the end goal. She added that, given the limited resources of the country, she would like to know if and how The Bahamas, if it grants access to citizenship, could reasonably state that it can no longer accept applications for citizenship.

Janae’s engagement remained respectful in the face of a toxic politeness — the skilful use of careful tone and wording adopted by someone who knows they are being aggressive and do not want anyone to be able to call them out on it — even when Myrtle came back to tell her she was unfairly burdening Darren with her questions and should seek out an organisation, activist, policymaker or academic instead.

Interestingly, Darren is an activist, personally known to Myrtle and perfectly capable of saying he was not interested in having the conversation. He, however, is a consistent and active participant in these conversations, often starting them on his own. Myrtle noted that she knows Darren and would prefer to engage him and understand his perspective.

Some interruptions are bridges, meant to (re) connect At this point, Darren stated there was no simple answer and pointed to systemic issues of political and economic exploitation which directly impacts migration, the need for migrant labor and the usefulness of a focus on controlling migration rather than attempting to stop it completely.

These are valid points, but did not quite answer the questions, so it was a relief to see Rufina enter the conversation and deliver seven helpful points which included action steps including regularisation of people already here and a direct challenge to the idea that migrants are a strain on resources. If a standing ovation was possible on Facebook, it would have happened at this moment.

Someone read the conversation, saw the questions asked in sincerity, chose not to lambaste or embarrass anyone, and provided thoughtful responses.

We like to believe we are ready for change. That change should not take such a long time. That we spend too much time talking.

That we need to get to the action. Somehow, however, we prove every single day that we are not on the same page. We are not prepared to engage one another with respect and share knowledge, even when it is to the benefit of the communities we care about.

The issue of immigration is one example, but there are many other issues on which we do not agree.

There have been thousands of conversations that could have resulted in conversation, but participants gave in to oppositional contempt or toxic politeness rather than doing the work — the action — of sharing information and ideas with a person in the middle who could be moved by what they said.

If we are not prepared to properly engage even the moveable middle, then no action we take will be successful. We cannot rush to move when we leave behind the people who make a movement. Conversation matters — the content, the tone and the motivations of the people in it.

To be the smartest, the loudest, or the one with the hardest shutdown should never be the goal. We have to move the middle.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, PAGE 9

ZOOM GOT BIG FAST

TECHTALK VIRGIN GALACTIC PREPARES TO UNVEIL SPACESHIP’S INTERIOR

THEN VIDEOBOMBERS MADE IT REWORK SECURITY

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Technology Writer

SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — Back in March as the coronavirus pandemic gathered steam in the U.S., a largely unheralded videoconferencing service suddenly found itself in the spotlight.

And just as quickly as Zoom became a household name for connecting work colleagues, church and school groups, friends, family, book clubs and others during stayat-home lockdowns, it also gained a reputation for lax security as intrusive “videobombers” barged into private meetings or just spied on intimate conversations.

On April 1, following a wave of lawsuits over privacy breaches, CEO Eric Yuan ordered a halt to work on new features and vowed to fix the service’s weaknesses in 90 days.

That time is up, and Zoom is ready to take a bow.

The work on “security and privacy is never going to be done, but it is now embedded in how we approach everything we do at Zoom now,” the company’s chief financial officer, Kelly Steckelberg, told The Associated Press in a recent interview.

Zoom hailed some of the strides that it says it has made in a blog post last week.

The most visible changes included a switch that automatically protected all meetings with passwords and kept all participants in a digital waiting room until the meeting host let them in.

Behind the scenes, Yuan began meeting regularly with a council consisting of top security executives in the tech industry and brought in former Yahoo and Facebook executive Alex Stamos as a special consultant. He also conferred with other supportive executives such as

Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who took the unusual step of posting a video hailing Zoom as an “essential service.”

(Perhaps not coincidentally, Zoom relies on Oracle and Amazon for much of the computing power it needs to handle an expected two trillion minutes of meetings — the equivalent of 38,000 centuries — this year.)

The biggest security leap is still to come. Zoom has promised to make it virtually impossible for anyone outside a meeting to eavesdrop by scrambling conversations via end-toend encryption.

The technique would lock up conversations so that even Zoom couldn’t play them back. Law enforcement generally opposes such encryption — already in use on apps such as iMessage, WhatsApp and others — saying it impedes legitimate police investigations.

Such a security feature would give the company an even bigger advantage over competing services from Google, Microsoft, Cisco Systems and Facebook, said Rory Mir, a grassroots advocacy organiser for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights group.

“People don’t have a lot of great options right now, but Zoom is kind of leading the charge to make these improvements,” said Mir, who uses they/them pronouns.

Zoom hasn’t said when end-toend encryption will be ready, but it’s already had to expand on its original plan to make it available only to paid subscribers. The day after its original announcement, faced with a backlash, Zoom agreed to extend the encryption to free plans as well.

The San Jose, California, company expects paid subscribers to generate $1.8 billion in revenue for the company this year, triple what

A SIGN for Zoom Video Communications ahead of the company’s Nasdaq IPO in New York in 2019. Now that Zoom has emerged as one of the most popular ways to get together virtually while the coronavirus pandemic keeps people apart, the company is trying to build a more secure fortress around the billions of conversations occurring on its videoconferencing service daily.

(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) Zoom pulled in last year.

If Zoom wants to prove it puts the privacy of its users first, Mir believes it will have to show it’s willing to fight requests from law enforcement and other government agencies trying to pry into the conversations on its service. The Zoom CEO has said he wanted to limit the use of end-to-end encryption so that the company could continue to work with law enforcement; the company later said he was referring to efforts intended to prevent Zoom from being used for child pornography.

“Some activists now believe Zoom is like a cop,” Mir said.

In a familiar refrain among tech companies operating around the

world, Steckelberg said Zoom complies with local laws in each of the more than 80 countries where its service is used.

More privacy issues could loom if, as some analysts anticipate, Zoom decides to start showing ads on the free version of is service to boost its profit.

Steckelberg said the company doesn’t have any immediate plans to sell ads, but didn’t rule out that possibility.

If Zoom goes down that road, Mir believes it will be difficult to resist the opportunity to mine the personal information it’s collecting because, they said, “data is the new oil. But it also can be toxic.”

UPHAM, N.M. (AP) — Virgin Galactic is preparing to unveil the cabin interior of its spaceship as final testing of the craft nears completion at Spaceport America in southern New Mexico.

The space tourism company last week announced that the cabin’s interior will be revealed during a virtual event planned for July 28 that will be streamed on YouTube.

Company officials consider the cabin of SpaceShipTwo the centrepiece of a customer’s journey, saying it was designed to provide a level of intimacy as customers are launched into the lower fringes of space where they can experience weightlessness and get a view of the Earth below.

Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides said in a statement that one of the defining hallmarks of the Virgin brand has been pioneering design that revolves around creating a special experience for the customer. He said Virgin Galactic has been faithful to that tradition, from the futuristic design of the hangar at Spaceport America to the elegance of the cabin’s interior.

Whitesides said the cabin combines beauty, function and safety.

The streamed unveiling will feature a virtual walkthrough of the cabin. And due to current restrictions on travel and large gatherings stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, the company will be releasing digital platforms to share the experience with aspiring space tourists.

More than 600 customers from around the world have purchased tickets for a flight aboard Virgin Galactic’s spacecship. The suborbital flights are designed to reach an altitude of at least 50 miles (80.5 kilometres) before gliding to a landing.

Officials have yet to offer a date for the start of commercial flights, saying final testing is ongoing. The next round tests will involve rocket-powered flights.

NASA ADDS MORE SAFETY FIXES FOR BOEING’S CREW CAPSULE

By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA has added more safety fixes for Boeing’s space capsule before it can fly astronauts following a pair of close calls during last year’s test flight.

In closing out the sevenmonth investigation, NASA officials said Tuesday they have now identified 80 corrective actions, mostly involving software and testing, that must be done before the Starliner capsule launches again.

The previous count was 61.

“It’s a bit of a wake-up call for NASA and its contractors” across the board, said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s commercial crew program.

During its space debut last December with no one on board, the Starliner ended up in the wrong orbit and BOEING, NASA, and U.S. Army personnel work around the Boeing Starliner spacecraft could not reach the Internashortly after it landed in White Sands, N.M. in December, 2019. Yesterday, NASA officials said they have identified 80 corrective actions for safety, mostly involving software, that must tional Space Station. Ground controllers barely had time be implemented before the Starliner capsule launches again. The previous count was 61.

(Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP) to solve another software

problem that could have destroyed the capsule at flight’s end.

Boeing will repeat the flight later this year before attempting to launch astronauts next spring.

SpaceX, meanwhile, successfully launched two NASA astronauts to the space station in May. They will return home next month aboard their Dragon capsule, splashing down off the Florida coast.

In hindsight, NASA did not focus enough on the software portion of the Boeing flight, Stich said.

The space agency instead probably concentrated more on SpaceX because of its non-traditional approach to software development, he acknowledged.

Boeing had plenty of experience working on large NASA projects like the space shuttle and space station, and so NASA was “a little more used to the Boeing process,” Stich said.

“It’s often natural for a

human being to spend more time on that newer approach, and maybe we didn’t quite take the time we needed with the more traditional approach,” he added.

NASA has since added more of its own staff to monitor software development at both Boeing and SpaceX. NASA is also borrowing SpaceX’s “robust” approach to software, which involves going back to the designers following testing for feedback, said Kathy Lueders, NASA’s new human spaceflight chief who until a month ago managed commercial crew.

She wants to see more of that type of approach across other NASA programs.

Boeing will need several more months to complete its software upgrades and tests before repeating the first test flight, officials said. SpaceX plans to launch a second crew later this summer or early fall.

“This has been a big learning experience for us,” Lueders said.

PAGE 10, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Why a bunch of coconuts might not be so lovely after all

By ERIK MEIJAARD Adj unc t Profes so r of Conservation, Universit y of Kent BORN in the Netherlands and brought up in Germany, it wasn’t until I was 21 that I met my first coconut. It was on a beach in Thailand where I ended up during a oneyear sojourn away from home, trying to grow up.

With nothing better to do, I picked up a husky fruit lying in the sand, and spent the next few hours trying to open it with my bare hands.

A few scratches and broken fingernails later, I managed to get to the nut’s core.

It was dry inside, no water. It had probably been steaming in the sun for a long time. That coconut was among my early disappointments, but it taught me to look beyond an enticing shell.

Years later, working as a conservation scientist studying orangutans in Indonesia, one thing started to bug me. I had been doing a lot of work on another tropical crop, the infamous oil palm, whose plantations are the scourge of tropical wildlife. If social media is anything to go by, people hate oil palm, but they love products from the coconut palm.

Supermarket shelves are stacked with coconut water, tubs of coconut oil and cream, coconut and chocolate bars. Like palm oil, coconut seems to be used in almost everything, from hair conditioner to mosquito repellent. So why is one palm loved and the other hated?

Oil crops and biodiversity The oil palm tree is slightly more heavy-set, but otherwise indistinguishable from its coconut cousin.

Oil palm is often associated with orangutans and other tropical species, because the role of plantations in destroying forest habitat is well known.

When interviewing people about oil palm cultivation in 2018, I found that well over half answered that it must be negative, or even extremely negative, for the environment.

Coconut, on the other hand, appears to enjoy a sunnier reputation, with 53 percent of consumers in a global poll citing coconut oil’s health benefits, but few identifying its environmental impact. After all, it grows along tropical beaches that people pay a lot of money to visit, so how could it be bad?

The latest estimates indicate that there are 20 million hectares of planted oil palm in the world, and 12.5 million hectares of coconut. But coconut palms are mostly grown on tropical islands, many of which possess remarkable numbers of species found nowhere else on Earth. So despite its benign reputation, coconut has a surprisingly large negative impact on tropical biodiversity.

Per volume of oil produced, coconut production affects more species than any other oil crop, including oil palm. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), coconut threatens some 20.2 species per million metric tonnes of oil produced, followed by olive with 4.1 species, oil palm with 3.8 and soybean, 1.3.

In fact, coconut cultivation has directly contributed to the extinction of some species. Oil palm so far hasn’t, as far as we know.

These species include a bird called the Marianne whiteeye (Zosterops semiflavus) of Marianne Island in the Seychelles, and the Solomon Islands’ Ontong Java flying fox (Pteropus howensis). Neither have been seen since 1945, but they were once found on islands that were mostly converted to coconut plantations.

Other species threatened by coconut production include the Balabac

mouse-deer (Tragulus nigricans), endemic to three Philippine islands; the Sangihe tarsier (Tarsius sangirensis), an endemic primate of the Indonesian island of Sangihe; and the Cerulean paradise flycatcher (Eutrichomyias rowleyi), also endemic to Sangihe.

Sustainable nutrition As I am writing this at my desk in Brunei, I’m watching the local coconut harvesters collecting today’s ripe crop from palms in front of our apartment.

One skilfully shimmies up the trunk, and within 20 seconds, is up in the palm’s canopy. Harvesting and consuming coconuts has a long tradition in the Asian Pacific, and should be cherished.

Rather than add coconut to the growing list of products to be avoided by conscientious consumers, we should understand that all crops and commodities have environmental consequences. The Spanish olive harvest reportedly killed 2.6 million birds in 2019, as agricultural workers vacuumed up both olives and roosting birds at night.

But the production of olive oil rarely raises concerns among consumers and environmentalists.

Like the production of any commodity, the coconut can be grown in a manner that minimises environmental impacts and maximises the social benefits for local people, as well as the health of those that consume it.

If people want to boycott palm oil due to its contribution to deforestation, perhaps they should also shun coffee, chocolate and, indeed, coconut.

All food products must be sustainably grown and for that to happen, we must understand that food systems need systemic change, not a fixation on a few bad apples.

theconversation.com

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, PAGE 11

US NOTIFIES UN OF WITHDRAWAL FROM WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION WASHINGTON Associated Press

THE Trump administration has formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, although the pullout won’t take effect until next year, meaning it could be rescinded under a new administration or if circumstances change.

Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive

Democratic presidential nominee, said he would reverse the decision on his first day in office if elected.

The withdrawal notification makes good on President Donald Trump’s vow in late May to terminate US participation in the WHO, which he has harshly criticized for its response to the coronavirus pandemic and accused of bowing to Chinese influence.

The move was immediately assailed by health

officials and critics of the administration, including numerous Democrats who said it would cost the US influence in the global arena.

Biden has said in the past he supports the WHO and pledged yesterday to rejoin the WHO if he defeats Trump in November. “Americans are safer when America is engaged in strengthening global health. On my first day as president, I will rejoin the

WHO and restore our leadership on the world stage,” he said.

Trump is trailing Biden in multiple polls and has sought to deflect criticism of his administration’s handling of the virus by aggressively attacking China and the WHO. The withdrawal notice was sent to UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres on Monday and will take effect in a year, on July 6, 2021, the State Department

and the United Nations said.

The State Department said the US would continue to seek reform of the WHO, but referred to Trump’s June 15 response when asked if the administration might change its mind. “I’m not reconsidering, unless they get their act together, and I’m not sure they can at this point,” Trump said.

Guterres, in his capacity as depositary of the 1946 WHO constitution,

Brazil’s president tests positive for coronavirus RIO DE JANEIRO Associated Press Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro yesterday said he has tested positive for the new coronavirus after months of downplaying its severity while deaths mounted rapidly inside the country.

The 65-year-old right-wing populist who has been known to mingle in crowds without covering his face confirmed the results while wearing a mask and speaking to reporters huddled close in front of him in the capital, Brasilia.

He said he is taking hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug that he, like President Donald Trump, has been promoting even though it has not been proven effective against COVID-19.

“I’m, well, normal. I even want to take a walk around here, but I can’t due to medical recommendations,” Bolsonaro said. “I thought I had it before, given my very dynamic activity. I’m president and on the combat lines. I like to be in the middle of the people.”

Brazil, the world’s sixth-biggest nation, with more than 210 million people, is one of the outbreak’s most lethal hot spots. More than 65,000 Brazilians have died from COVID-19, and over 1.5 million have been infected.

Both numbers are the world’s

PRESIDENT Jair Bolsonaro second-highest totals, behind those of the US, though the true figures are believed to be higher because of a lack of widespread testing.

Yesterday alone, 1,254 deaths were confirmed.

Other world leaders who have had bouts with COVID-19 include British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Britain’s Prince Charles, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández.

Bolsonaro is “the democratic leader who has most denied the seriousness of this pandemic,” said Maurício Santoro, a political science professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. “Him

getting infected is a blow to his credibility. It will be seen as another example of the failure of his coronavirus response.”

Bolsonaro has often appeared in public to shake hands with supporters and mingle with crowds, at times without a mask. He has said that his history as an athlete would protect him from the virus and that it would be nothing more than a “little flu” if he were to contract it.

He has also repeatedly said that there is no way to prevent 70% of the population falling ill with COVID-19 and that local authorities’ efforts to shut down economic activity would ultimately cause more hardship than allowing the virus to run its course.

For nearly two months, Brazil’s fight against COVID-19 has been in the hands of an interim health minister with no health experience before April. He took over after his predecessor, a doctor and health care consultant, quit in protest over Bolsonaro’s support for hydroxychloroquine.

Bolsonaro likened the virus to a rain that will fall on most people and said that some, like the elderly, must take greater care. “You can’t just talk about the consequences of the virus that you have to worry about. Life goes on. Brazil needs to produce. You need to get the economy in gear,” he said.

A NEW species of seaweed covers dead a coral reef at Pearl and Hermes Atoll

AGGRESSIVE SEAWEED SMOTHERS ONE OF WORLD’S MOST REMOTE REEFS HONOLULU Associated Press

RESEARCHERS say a recently discovered species of seaweed is killing large patches of coral on oncepristine reefs and is rapidly spreading across one of the most remote and protected ocean environments on earth.

A study from the University of Hawaii and others says the seaweed is spreading more rapidly than anything they’ve seen in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, a nature reserve that stretches more than 1,300 miles north of the main Hawaiian Islands.

The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE yesterday. The algae easily breaks off and rolls across the ocean floor like tumbleweed, scientists say, covering nearby reefs in thick vegetation that outcompetes coral for space, sunlight and nutrients.

“This is a highly destructive seaweed with the

potential to overgrow entire reefs,” said biologist Heather Spalding, a study co-author and longtime Hawaii algae researcher.

“We need to figure out where it’s currently found, and what we can do to manage it.”

In 2016, government researchers were on a routine survey of Pearl and Hermes Atoll when they found small clumps of seaweed they’d never seen before.

Last summer, they returned to find algae had taken over huge areas of the reef — in some areas covering “everything, as far as the eye could see” — with seaweed nearly 8 inches (20 centimeters) thick, said Spalding, who was among the divers there.

“Everything underneath of it was dead,” she said.

The area was mostly devoid of large schools of tropical fish and other marine life that usually cruise the vibrant reef, and fish that typically eat algae

were not grazing on the new seaweed, researchers said.

Dives along the outer reef of the 15-mile atoll revealed the seaweed in varying densities and depths.

Scientists say the actual coverage area is likely much larger than documented because they couldn’t survey many sites during their brief visit.

Close to Midway Atoll, site of a pivotal World War II air and sea battle, Pearl and Hermes Atoll is midPacific about 2,000 miles from Asia and North America. The uninhabited atoll is in the 600,000-squaremile Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, one of the world’s largest protected marine environments.

Noting that individual mats of seaweed were as big as several soccer fields, researchers say the algae could dramatically alter Pearl and Herme’s reef and threaten the entire Hawaiian archipelago if it spreads.

• FOR his first foreign trip as president, Mexico’s Andrés Manuel López Obrador travels to Washington to meet with President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly taken shots at Mexico and Mexican migrants to rally his base. The visit, coming just four months before US elections, has many Mexicans cringing. Trump has insulted them, threatened crippling tariffs to strongarm Mexico into playing an uncomfortable role in US immigration policy and insisted they will pay for a border wall meant to keep migrants out of the US. But López Obrador has had a surprisingly warm relationship with Trump. He likes to point out that more recently Trump helped Mexico reach a deal with other oilproducing nations to cut production and aided Mexico in obtaining more ventilators to face the coronavirus pandemic. Both presidents talk about a blossoming friendship that seems to stem from their pursuit of nationalist agendas.

López Obrador hints at the real reason for the trip when he reels off US economic statistics — the size of the US pandemic stimulus package, the number of jobs the US got back in June. Mexico’s economy was in recession before the pandemic, has shed about 1 million jobs since and is forecast to contract this year by as much as 10%.

“is in the process of verifying with the World Health Organization whether all the conditions for such withdrawal are met,” his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said.

Under the terms of the withdrawal, the US must meet its financial obligations to the WHO before it can be finalized. The U.S., which is the agency’s largest donor and provides it with more than $450 million per year,

NEW BOOK’S SCATHING PORTRAYAL OF TRUMP

NEW YORK Associated Press

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s niece offers a scathing portrayal of her uncle in a new book, blaming a toxic family for raising a narcissistic, damaged man who poses an immediate danger to the public.

Mary L Trump, a psychologist, writes that Trump’s reelection would be catastrophic and that “lying, playing to the lowest common denominator, cheating, and sowing division are all he knows.”

“By the time this book is published, hundreds of thousands of American lives will have been sacrificed on the altar of Donald’s hubris and willful ignorance. If he is afforded a second term, it would be the end of American Democracy,” she writes in “Too Much and Never Enough, How My Family Created The World’s Most Dangerous Man.” The book is the second account in two months to paint an unflattering portrait of the president, following the release of former national security adviser John Bolton’s bestseller.

SPORTS SECTION E

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2020

Basketball players get ready for the Big Shots Tournament

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

F

or the first time since they were members of the Temple Christian Suns about two years ago, coach Jamal Smith got a chance once again to work with point guard Deyton Albury and forward Garrett Edgecombe.

The trio hooked up last week to participate in the first in a series of AAU basketball tournaments for boys in the United States. As a part of the Carolina Defenders, they went 3-0 in a tournament in North Carolina.

This weekend, the Carolina Defenders will be back in action at the Big Shots Tournament at the Myrtle Beach Sports Center in South Carolina. They start playing on Thursday with games shown live on demand at BallerTV.com.

“This is like a reunion because when we were at Temple Christian, we had an awesome team,” said Smith, who spent the past year in the United States coaching basketball.

“These guys in particular showed a lot of promise and that they had the ability to play at the next level. So being in a position where I am in a position with the Carolina Defenders, I am glad that I could give them the platform to display their skills.”

Smith, who relished the days he coached the duo at Temple Christian, said Albury and Edgecombe will have a chance to play against some of the top high school players who have been recruited by division one basketball this year.

“For Deyton, in particular, I think he had a very strong year at Sunrise Christian Academy and so I expect him him to just build on that,” Smith said.

“The competition level is good for him. I think he will rise to the occasion and be the player that we have known him to be. He just has an awesome weekend and an even awesome month.

“When it comes to Garrett, I expect him to be the same kind of defensive force that he was when he played for Temple Christian.

This is going to be an adjustment period for him because with his size, he will have to play more on the wing, but I think he can adjust to it.”

After being sidelined from his Sunrise Academy team since March due to the spread of the coronavirus that halted all sporting events worldwide, Albury said it was good to be back in the United States and playing again.

BACK TOGETHER AGAIN: Shown (l-r) are Deyton Albury, coach Jamal Smith and Garrett Edgecombe.

“I was happy to get back on the court and playing basketball again,” said the 18-year-old Albury, who left town on July 1 when the borders reopened to get acclimated with his new team.

During the month of July, the Carolina Defenders are expected to participate in at least five tournaments and at least 30-40 games.

Hopefully, they will be successful where they can end up playing in another tournament in August to wrap up the tour.

“A lot of the tournament directors are taking the necessary preventive measures. They check your temperatures at the door and you must wear your mask to get in,” Smith said.

“The spectators are limited because they are only allowing a few to come in and watch their team when they play and you have to leave the gym when you are done. So they are trying to deal with the social distancing to prevent any outbursts.”

With all of the safety measures in place, Albury, who was a twosport star at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel-Aire, Kansas where he was featured on their state championship football team, said he’s just concentrating on playing basketball.

“I’m just happy to be on the court,” stated the 6-foot, two-inch guard.

“I’m not worrying about it. I’m wearing my mask and sanitising, so I’m good. I feel safe in the environment we’re playing in.”

As for his performance so far where he averaged about eight assists, seven steals and 12 points, Albury said he just wanted to get back in the flow of things as he reunited with Edgecombe and Smith as they prepare for the Big Shots Tournament this weekend.

“We’ve been playing together for a long time, so the chemistry was always there between us,” said Albury of teaming up with Edgecombe on the court. “It’s just a matter of getting into the rotation with the other guys and seeing how they play.”

Edgecombe, an 18-year-old six-foot, three-inch forward, said it was good to be playing with Albury again, especially since they haven’t done anything since the start of COVID-19.

“Every player on our team has been holding up their end of the bargain,” Edgecombe said. “I feel like me and Deyton will make a big difference on this team because we know how each other play.

“The tempo is a lot faster than I expected, but I’ve made the adjustment. It just feels great to be back on the hardware floor playing basketball again. I’m liking it.”

Albury, who graduated from Sunrise Academy with a 3.50 grade

point average, said when they got the news that they would also be playing for coach Smith, they got even more excited because they remember the success they enjoyed at Temple Christian.

And Edgecombe said despite the fact that there’s very little fans in the stands to cheer them on, they feed off each other and that has been one of the reasons for their success so far.

“For the tournament coming up, I expect that we will finish on top and we can go as far as we can go as a team,” Edgecombe said.

“Coach Smith has really been a big inspiration for us too.”

While Albury left Temple Christian to complete his high school days at Sunrise Christian Academy, Edgecombe moved on to Galilee Academy. Both are looking at playing at two different prep schools in South Carolina over the next year before they look at entering the collegiate ranks.

Carolina Defenders, according to Smith, have about four players who combined have already received over 30 division one offers. He said they have an allaround team that can shoot the ball and play solid defence.

So based on the personnel they have with the addition of Albury and Edgecombe, they should be able to continue the winning streak that they started last week.

‘Hooping by the Park’ cancelled due to COVID-19

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net COVID-19 has had a drastic effect on sporting events globally.

Here at home, a number of organisations are still trying to come to grips with the fact that they may not be able to hold any activities in quite a while due to the health risk involved.

Hooping by the Park, a nonprofit organisation started by former basketball player Jabari Wilmott to provide some social activities for the residents and visitors of the community of Fox Hill, is one of those affected.

Wilmott announced that his organising committee has decided to cancel this year’s tournament, which was to culminate with the annual Fox Hill Day festivities on Freedom Park.

The tournament, the brainchild of Wilmott and Keron Pratt as their way of giving back to the community, featured competition for boys in the under-16 age group, the open men and a church division.

Since coming on stream in 2018, the tournament became a staple event, replacing the defunct park league, which provided some

JABARI Wilmott with an array of awards and jerseys for the Hooping by the Park tournmernt that has been canceled this year due to Covid-19..jpg wholesome activities for the men in the community.

“Our goal is to firstly provide a basketball experience that showcases our youths’ talents and more importantly use the game to bring our communities together,” said Wilmott, a former player for the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine who went on to play for the Johnnies at St John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota where he graduated in 2016.

“Over the last two years, we have had the privilege to work with over 150 young males from various communities. Many travelled to the historic Fox Hill Park from neighbourhoods such as Bain

Town, Carmichael, and Pinewood, all sharing one common passion, which is the game of basketbal.”

Wilmott, however, said since they will not be able to stage this year’s event, which was expected to get started next month, his committee is now focused on trying to get the third tournament off in 2021. “Some new features to be expected in 2021 are, the addition of a women’s division, which we tried unsuccessfully to host last year, as well as charity initiatives within the Fox Hill community,” he said.

“Our team is committed to finding ways to incorporate more than basketball. Basketball cultivates a

spirit of comradeship. “Hooping

By The Park represents togetherness and creates everlasting memories.”

With the spread of the coronavirus and the rules of social distancing imposed by the Ministry of Health, Wilmott said it was just not feasible for his committee to consider putting on the event this year.

The Bahamas Government continues to ensure that everybody is safe in the reopening of the economy, and has provided the assurance to the community that Hooping by the Park will be back.

“Our team encourages everyone to like and follow our social media pages ‘Hooping by the Park’ for further updates and announcements over the next 12 months,” he stated. “We want everybody to be safe in these unpredictable times and know that their health and safety is more important at this time than putting on a basketball tournament.”

Wilmott thanked all of the sponsors who had made a commitment to support this year’s event and advised them that while they have had to cancel the event, his committee is still looking for their contribution when they re-brand in 2021.

MLB, PAGE 14

MLS TO RESUME SEASON WITH ONE LESS TEAM AMID GROWING VIRUS CONCERN

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer MAJOR League Soccer is about to resume its season — in a state that has seen a huge spike in coronavirus infections, with one team absent because of a COVID-19 outbreak, and with plenty of worry about what will happen next.

The MLS is Back tournament starts today in Florida. The league’s teams are sequestered in resorts for the duration of the World Cup-style tournament, which will be played without fans at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World.

FC Dallas withdrew from the tournament on Monday after 10 players and a coach tested positive for the virus.

Yesterday, Nashville SC’s status was thrown into doubt with five confirmed positive tests.

“It’s a strange time, because on one hand you’re focused to get ready for this tournament, and get pumped up and get excited about it because the the tournament sounds a lot of fun, World Cup-style,” Real Salt Lake veteran Kyle Beckerman said. “But then on the other hand you’re thinking, ‘Is this even going to happen?’ So there’s mixed emotions going on.”

The tournament kicks off with a match between Orlando City and expansion Inter Miami, a nod to the host state.

Nashville was supposed to play Chicago in the second game tonight, but it has been postponed.

Additionally, Toronto FC’s opening game against D.C. United was moved from Friday evening to Sunday morning. Toronto was supposed to depart on

SEE PAGE 13

GB FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION GRATEFUL FOR DONATION Freeport, Bahamas – Whether you call it soccer or football, the game has gained a reputation as one of the world’s most popular team sports.

With a history that dates back some three thousand years, football is played by 250 million players in over 200 countries - including The Bahamas.

On Grand Bahama Island, and throughout the country, the Bahamas Football Association has led the charge in making the game widely accessible to hundreds of young athletes.

Founded in 1967 the organisation has welcomed men, women and children interested in the sport and became officially affiliated with FIFA in 1968.

In its 53rd year, the BFA continues to serve as the nation’s official football federation and as part of its mandate, has built a platform of inclusion that allows its members access to resources from around the world.

In late August 2019, the Bahamas Football Association (BFA), under the leadership of Anton Sealey, formed a partnership with the Scottish Football Association (SFA). Under this partnership, and with the approval of UEFA Assist, the associations designed a cohesive programme to

SEE PAGE 13

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, PAGE 13

Athletes ‘will be allowed to return’ to Purdue University

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THERE has been much concern about the effect of student athletes travelling to the United States to continue their education in the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, the US Department of Homeland Security announced temporary exemptions for non-immigrant students for the fall 2020 semester, which indicated that students currently enrolled in schools and/or programmes that are fully online will either have to depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in person instructions to remain in lawful status.

When contacted to get their take on these new requirements, at least one coach, Bahamian Norbert Elliott at Purdue University, said the rule will not affect the Bahamian athletes currently enrolled there.

“Those students, who don’t have a visa, they can’t come in the fall (August), they will have to come in the spring (January),” said Elliott, a former Olympic triple jumper who competed for the University of Texas at El Paso following his graduation from St Augustine’s College.

At present, Elliott has three Bahamians on athletic scholarships with the Boilermaker track team at Purdue. They are sprinter Samson Colebrooke and jumpers Tamar Greene and Vinajah Adderley.

“Since they are currently enrolled as international student athletes, they are not affected,” Elliott said.

“Vinajah and Tamar are

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provide developmental, technical support and coaching education and for players in The Bahamas.

Unfortunately, the passage of Hurricane Dorian in September quickly sidelined the initiatives planned. Determined to lend its assistance, however, the Scottish Football Association shifted its focus to meet the immediate needs of local athletes.

“We were so moved when the team from SFA inquired about ways they could assist our islands in the wake of the storm,” said Carl Lynch, BFA deputy general secretary. “We agreed that equipment would be the highest priority in rebooting the grassroots programmes in Abaco and Grand Bahama.”

The work of ordering and shipping began immediately but sadly was hindered by restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19. As restrictions have relaxed, both the BFA and SFA have worked to solidify all the elements of its assistance programme. “We’re happy to announce that the shipment of donated equipment has arrived on Grand Bahama Island and today is being made available to players through the various summer sports programmes,” Lynch said.

During a press conference held on Grand Bahama this week, representatives from the Freeport Rugby Football Club, The GB Soccer Club, and the GB Secondary and Primary School Athletic Association received donations that included proper metal large, medium and small goals. Training pop up goals, flags, sports bags, cones, and new footballs.

The donations will be immediately followed up by assessments to determine how additional resources can be provided to help get the various football (soccer) programmes back on track.

“Our association is so grateful for this wonderful donation for our schools and our football programme,” said Gia Walker, president of the

both home on vacation in the Bahamas and they will be allowed to return without any interruption and join Samson on the team.

Samson is already here. He stayed for summer school.

“For our international students, we’ve never advised them to take online courses. The university is not resorting to that. I know some schools are doing it. Harvard University is doing it for the fall for all online courses, but Purdue is going to do some partial online and some face-to-face classes.

So those international athletes wont be affected by those new US Government regulations.”

Elliott, however, said those athletes who have not yet received their student visas will definitely be affected this fall.

He noted that they were trying to get an athlete in from Trinidad & Tobago for their freshman year this fall, but that won’t happen until the spring because of the new restrictions.

“These restrictions are changing every day as regards to COVID-19,” Elliott noted.

“Right now, we are having some online classes and some face-to-face classes, but I think we will be okay with the international students that we have on our roster.

“We are really monitoring that very closely, but it shouldn’t be a problem for them. They are not issuing any new student visas and I think that is probably the case with most schools.

The US Government is not issuing any new visas for student-athletes. So that will pose some difficulties.”

With so many studentathletes looking at the

GB Principal and VicePrincipal Association.

“Our programmes have progressed so far but were wiped out by Dorian and have now been curtailed by COVID-19. We hope that this equipment will allow our season to kick into full gear when school resumes.”

In the coming weeks, The Bahamas Football Association will also expand its work with their Scottish partners on the

COACH Norbert Elliott shares a special moment with Tamar Greene (on his right) and Samson Colebrooke. scholarships available to colleges and universities in the United States, not just in track and field, but across the board, Elliott said it’s going to be difficult to comply to the social distancing and the wearing of the mask. “We have a new study out that shows that this COVID-19 is affecting more of the younger generation,” Elliott said.

“So it’s going to be hard to keep them in place, especially those who are attending colleges and universities because they are

development of the BFA Center of Excellence based in New Providence.

The initiative was also unveiled at the press conference and will recognise top-rated male and female players in the country, providing them with additional selection opportunities for national and international teams.

The programme will work to encourage athletic excellence while teaching

more adventurous. So if those students can’t come on campus and train, this will really modify what we do this season in all sports across the board. Right now, they are looking at pushing the start time for basketball and football, the bigger sports, further back to the spring as opposed to the fall.”

Athletic directors in all of the schools are on pins and needles as they work from home trying to figure out how to make the adjustments to their

character building and life skills as well.

“Again, due to the impact of COVID 19, we had to cancel the Samuel P Haven Jr High School Soccer Nationals,” said Anya James, BFA executive vice president. “We are looking to have all our programmes back up and on track by the start of the school year, as well as national and international games playing as soon as

programmes and when this pandemic will end.

Purdue University is scheduled to open up on August 24 and their fall semester will actually end on November 24, which means that all of their holidays and regular breaks will be cut out this year.

“What they don’t want is to take a break and having students going to parties and coming back with the virus,” Elliott stated. “So they are really condensing the school year to compact anything into a shorter space of time.

“In that way, the schools will try to eliminate the spread and the contact tracing of the virus because once the students are in school, there will be no need for them to have to do all of the things that they did off the campus like they did in the past.”

In Lafeyette, Indiana where Purdue is located, Elliott said they have contained the virus so far, but a lot of the southern states around them are not so fortunate. So he’s encouraging his athletes to do their part to try and control the spread of the virus by following the guidelines and the protocols that are in place.

While there has been a vast increase in cases of the coronavirus in Florida to more than 214,000 and over 3,000 deaths, there are about 49,000 cases in Indiana with over 2,000 deaths.

The United States has confirmed more than three million cases and over 133,000 deaths.

Worldwide, there are over 11 million cases and more than 539,000 deaths.

The Bahamas has 104 cases, 89 of which were recovered, with 11 deaths.

possible – but this will be dependent on COVID regulations and social distancing necessities.”

The donation from SFA is estimated to have cost over $40,000 and was shipped by Skyway Shipping Solutions and stored for free by Freeport Ship Services in Grand Bahama.

Robert Speller, FRFC president, was thrilled to receive and help facilitate donations in GB. “This

MLS TO RESUME SEASON WITH ONE LESS TEAM FROM PAGE 12 Friday, but additional testing meant the Reds didn’t arrive until Monday.

MLS shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic on March 12, after the league’s teams had each played two regular-season games.

Commissioner Don Garber said that despite the disappointment about Dallas, the case shows that the league’s extensive testing in its so-called bubble is working. “We knew when we created this tournament that we would experience some impact of some of the coronavirus,” Garber told The Associated Press.

“We’re all learning to live with COVID-19 and to adapt to the pandemic and to ensure that we’re taking care of each other and taking care of ourselves and following the health and safety protocols as closely as possible. We also knew that when we launched this tournament, there would be an element of risk.”

Also troubling are the rising cases in Florida. Yesterday, the state reported 7,347 new infections and 380 new hospitalisations.

Portland Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese said it’s important to be vigilant.

“I think MLS has worked very hard to try to create a safe environment,” Savarese said. “But nevertheless, we still have to continue to make sure that we take always as a priority the health of the players, and making sure that they’re safe.”

While there are legitimate concerns, most of the teams are looking forward to getting back on the field and the feeling of a bit of normalcy. “We are proud of Major League Soccer, and we want to show our game to the world,” Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja said.

“We’re committed to that.”

will get our club back on track for our football teams, camps, and ongoing programmes,” said Speller.

“We have spent the last 10 months repairing our club, rebuilding our pitch, and we had lost most of our equipment.

“So, our huge thanks to SFA, UEFA Assist, and our own BFA who are making it possible for us to keep our regular programmes on course.”

PAGE 14, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

More positive tests, cancelled workouts add to MLB unease

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer AS baseball nears the two-week countdown to the start of its delayed season, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep more players, including Boston Red Sox projected opening day starter Eduardo Rodriguez, off the field.

Yesterday, one day after Major League Baseball released its 60-game schedule, there was continued evidence of the difficulties caused by the pandemic.

The San Francisco Giants suspended workouts at Oracle Park as they awaited the results of weekend tests for the coronavirus. The Chicago Cubs’ workout was delayed.

Oakland left-hander Jake Diekman, who has ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition, said teams having to call off workouts because of delays in test results “just can’t happen.”

“I know they’re trying their hardest, but I don’t know if that’s good enough for right now,” Diekman said yesterday.

“It’s a little worrisome.

Say we go on a 10-day road trip and we only get results one time. That’s not very good with 45 or 50 people in a clubhouse at one time.”

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said one missed day wouldn’t put his club behind. He said he expects the testing process to improve.

“I feel as confident today as I did yesterday,” Kapler said.

“I understand that there are going to be hiccups along the way. ... I think more than anything I just maintain a level of empathy for everybody that’s working really hard to get our

camp up and running but also across the league and for all the clubs that are working really hard to put their players in a position to have success. Nobody expected this to be easy and everybody is doing the best that they can.”

The Giants already have had prospect Hunter Bishop and pitcher Luis Madero test positive.

Rodriguez, who broke out in 2019 as a star, and Red Sox prospect Bobby Dalbec tested positive for the virus.

Rodriguez had not reported to camp after informing the team that he had been around relatives who had been ill. Dalbec, a third baseman, also is home and is asymptomatic.

Manager Ron Roenicke said it is “just unfortunate” the positive test could jeopardise Rodriguez’s chances to start on opening day.

Rodriguez had career-best numbers with 19 wins and a 3.81 ERA in 2019.

Also, the Kansas City Royals announced righthander Brad Keller and first baseman Ryan O’Hearn had positive tests and gave the team permission to announce the results.

Keller, 24, said he has “minor symptoms that remind me more of an allergy attack.”

The threat of an infection was enough for the Cleveland Indians to keep outfielder Franmil Reyes away from camp.

Reyes was told to stay home after he was seen on social media attending a weekend holiday party without wearing a mask.

It was an example that off-field activities can affect a player’s status.

Manager Terry Francona said Reyes would

A PLAYER stands on the Major League Baseball logo on April 24, 2013. As baseball nears the twoweek countdown to the start of its delayed season, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep more players off the field. (AP) be re-tested “when it’s appropriate.”

Francona said Reyes could have exposed himself and his teammates to the virus by not practicing social distancing or wearing a mask. Francona said he has used the incident as a teaching point for other players.

He said Reyes has apologised.

“This is not to poke at Franmil,” Francona said, adding Reyes is “a wonderful kid and I don’t ever want that to be disputed. But we have gone around to the other players and talked to them about it.”

The Cubs’ workout was delayed a few hours as the team awaited test results.

On Monday, Cubs slugger Kris Bryant criticised the lack of frequency of the tests and delays in getting results.

Manager David Ross said yesterday’s delay “isn’t a huge deal” and seemed bigger “with what’s been going on with some teams the last day or so.”

“We can’t just crush MLB because this is new to them, too, and the testing facility,” Ross said.

The two teams from last year’s World Series, the champion Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros, resumed workouts after cancelling practices on Monday because of testing delays.

“They’re still trying to iron out the bugs,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said.

“No one’s happy about it — the players, the MLB, probably the testing site.

But the tests came back today, and we were able to work.”

Some Washington players did not take part in

workouts, including Starlin Castro, Juan Soto, Howie Kendrick and Victor Robles.

General manager Mike Rizzo said two unidentified players tested positive for the coronavirus.

Any players and staff who came into contact with the two players had to be re-tested.

Braves manager Brian Snitker, eager for a quiet day, embraced “our first normal feel day since we’ve been back.”

Four Atlanta players, including first baseman Freddie Freeman and one of the team’s top relievers, Will Smith, have tested positive. Two veterans, outfielder Nick Markakis and right-hander Félix Hernández, have decided to sit out the season.

On Tuesday, Snitker had his first chance to address

his full squad at Truist Park as he made plans for a situational scrimmage today and the team’s first intrasquad game on Monday.

Before Tuesday, only small groups had been on the field as the team practiced social distancing.

“I told the guys I’ve never felt so detached from the team in all my life because we’ve been here, there and everywhere,” Snitker said.

“I feel like today is the start of something that we’re all kind of getting back in the swing of these things.”

Among Braves pitchers scheduled to throw on Wednesday are Mike Soroka, Max Fried, Josh Tomlin and Shane Greene.

The Baltimore Orioles will play their first intrasquad game tonight at Camden Yards. Left-hander Tommy Milone and righthander Tom Eshelman will start in the game, which is scheduled for 7 1/2 innings.

“Everyone’s getting tired of going through the daily workout and ready to play some meaningless games, at least where pitchers face hitters in a game environment,” manager Brandon Hyde said.

The intrasquad games and workouts give top prospects opportunities to show they belong.

In a matchup of the Marlins’ last two first-round picks, right-hander Max Meyer faced right fielder JJ Bleday in batting practice. Both hope to make the majors this season.

“Everyone has to be ready to go,” Meyer said.

“COVID could go through the locker room. You never know what’s going to happen, especially the time we’re in right now. So all of us are getting ready.”

SAFE AT HOME? OFF-FIELD BEHAVIOUR WILL BE DECISIVE FOR BASEBALL

By STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writer MIAMI (AP) — Reliever Nick Vincent signed last week with the Miami Marlins and settled in for two days of quarantine in his hotel room while awaiting clearance to join workouts.

“That was a little bit different,” he said. “In 48 hours, you’re definitely a little stir-crazy.”

Vincent spent a lot of time watching TV, including

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the news, which reinforced that it was wise to lay low with the coronavirus crisis worsening in Florida and much of the country.

And as Major League Baseball attempts to salvage the 2020 season, behaviour away from the ballpark will help determine the outcome. Just like on the field, success will depend on how many players are safe at home.

“That’s going to be the biggest challenge for this

game to move forward — the off-the-field stuff and what guys do,” said Vincent, an eight-year major league veteran. “It’s just going to take one team to mess it up for everybody. I hope everybody gets that.

It’ll take five guys to get a whole team sick, and then if a whole team is sick, that could end the season for everybody else.”

Multiple issues could sabotage baseball’s relaunch.

Some players — including

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David Price of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals — decided not to take part because of the health risk, and testing glitches further raised concerns. Positive tests for four Atlanta Braves, including four-time All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, underscored the fragility of MLB’s plan to navigate the pandemic.

There’s also worry regarding what happens

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when players are away from work and beyond whatever bubble can be created at the ballpark.

“Guys are 23, 24. They’re young. They’re in a sense bullet-proof,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.

“But if we’re going to run around at night and do whatever we want to do, we’re going to put everybody’s family at risk.”

Long lines of cars at the virus testing site at the Marlins’ ballpark provide the team with a daily reminder of the hazards off the field.

Players broadly acknowledge they must police themselves — and each other. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw said he trusts his teammates to act responsibly away from the ballpark, but he acknowledged it might be harder for players who are single or living in confined spaces like apartments.

“Everyone has to take accountability for being as safe as possible, and I have trust in that,” Kershaw said. “If you want to see the season through, if you want to give it the best shot, you can’t be stupid.”

MLB has given players guidance regarding off-thefield conduct during the pandemic, discouraging the sort of after-the-game activities that have been part of baseball since before Babe Ruth toasted his first home run.

Or, as Chicago Cubs manager David Ross put it: “We’re not going to be able to go out to bars. That would be an extremely selfish move.”

Potential repercussions extend beyond any player seeking a thirst-quencher to his family, teammates, opponents and even the sport’s ability to continue.

Part of the motivation for good behaviour might be the same thing that drives most things in baseball — wins and losses.

The defending NL East champion Braves were rocked at the start of camp by the positive tests. Their setback underscored the new weight of the annual preseason mantra, “If we can stay healthy ...”.

“I think we all recognise that the team that is hit the least hard by the virus, that’s able to keep themselves healthy out there, is going to have the best chance to compete,” Houston Astros general manager James Click said.

For a major leaguer, it’s counterintuitive: Avoid crowds.

Teamwork can help players adopt an appropriately low-key lifestyle.

“I just make Christian Yelich get me everything, man,” Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun said.

“That’s my strategy. I send him text messages with my grocery requests, all my food requests.”

Braun was joking, of course, but Brewers manager Craig Counsell said each player must decide how seriously to take the virus.

“Everybody treats COVID differently,” Counsell said. Everyone has their own viewpoint of it. In this case, we all have to understand what can happen if there’s a number of positive tests — it’s not going to work. So, we have to all do this together.

“It’s not something I’m going to have to plead with them about. They’re fully aware of it. They are the ones that are going to be pleading with each other.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, PAGE 15

EUROPEAN SOCCER CLUBS FACE $4.5B INCOME DROP OVER NEXT YEAR

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — European soccer clubs expect to lose 4 billion euros ($4.5 billion) in revenue over the next year because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a study released yesterday by the European Club Association.

The ECA estimated clubs in 55 countries face a collective shortfall of 1.6 billion euros ($1.8 billion) this season and 2.4 billion euros ($2.7 billion) in the 2020-21

campaign. The analysis excluded possible transfer market profits.

“The results demonstrate that the financial impact of COVID-19 on European clubs … is already a seismic shock,” ECA chief executive Charlie Marshall said.

ECA chairman Andrea Agnelli, who is also the president of Italian club Juventus, has called the pandemic “a real existential threat” to the soccer industry.

FIFA has committed hundreds of millions of dollars from its financial reserves to make grants

and interest-free loans to member federations, which can choose to invest in club soccer.

The pandemic has affected broadcasting deals around the world and forced games to be played with few or no fans in stadiums, hurting club revenue.

In the 10 leagues researched by the ECA — including the five wealthiest of England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain — clubs face losing 400 million euros ($450 million) in ticket sales this season and 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion)

next season. “The financial impact does not stop when the game resumes,” Marshall said.

“Rather, it will continue into the next season and we must take measures to create a more sustainable football industry in the long run.”

Spending 60 per cent of revenue on salaries is typically seen as a balanced benchmark for top clubs.

The ECA, which has 246 members, predicts that ratio will rise from 59.6 per cent last season in

the top five leagues to 69.3 per cent next season.

In lower-ranked leagues, clubs spending more than their total revenue on salaries “could become even more widespread,” the ECA predicted.

“The upcoming transfer market will give us the next indication of economic motivation and the state of football’s health,” Marshall said, “but time should also be taken now to examine more fundamental operating cost structures.”

Chelsea into 3rd place, Arsenal held by Leicester

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer ON a night of spectacular goals in the Premier League, it was a pair of tackles that had the most significant impact on the hardfought race for Champions League qualification.

Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Crystal Palace was only secured thanks to a remarkable last-ditch challenge by centre back Kurt Zouma, who somehow made up ground to divert the ball away as Christian Benteke was about to shoot late in stoppage time.

Then, hours later at a rainsoaked Emirates Stadium, Arsenal was leading 1-0 against Leicester and on course for a win that would have thrown open the fight for a finish in the top four when substitute striker Eddie Nketiah was handed a straight red card in the 75th minute for a studs-first lunge on James Justin.

Jamie Vardy equalised nine minutes later — with a goal that took a while to be confirmed by the video assistant referee — to seal a 1-1 draw, dealing a huge setback to Arsenal’s improbable hopes of climbing into the top five.

The two results left Chelsea in third place and a point clear of Leicester, which finally dropped to fourth after a poor run of results in the league since late January.

Manchester United is four points back in fifth place, which will secure qualification for the Champions League if second-place Manchester City fails to overturn its two-year European ban.

CRYSTAL Palace’s Christian Benteke, right, is tackled by Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma during their English Premier League soccer match at Selhurst Park, in London, England, yesterday. (AP) Arsenal stayed seventh, five points behind United with only four games remaining. United’s game in hand is against Aston Villa on Thursday.

ARSENAL BLOW It was a contrasting night for two of Arsenal’s bright young hopes as the team’s Champions League ambitions took a hit.

Bukayo Saka, a talented 18-yearold winger, enhanced his reputation with a superb pass to tee up PierreEmerick Aubameyang in the 21st minute for the striker’s 20th league goal of the season.

Arsenal delivered one of its best halves under Mikel Arteta and should have been further ahead by the time another highly rated youngster, 21-year-old Nketiah, came on as a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette and showed

poor discipline by lunging at Justin in the centre of the field four minutes later.

The referee initially showed a yellow card but changed his decision to a red after viewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.

“I know Eddie, he is not an aggressive player,” Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said.

“He slipped and did not want to injure him, and the red card is harsh.”

Vardy’s goal was his leagueleading 22nd of the season and left Leicester seven points clear of sixth-place Wolverhampton, which plays its game in hand against Sheffield United today.

RELIEVED LAMPARD Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was more relieved than overjoyed after his team just about

managed to hold onto its lead against Palace.

Moments before the tackle from Zouma, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had flung himself to his right to tip onto the post a header from Scott Dann.

“Not good for your nerves,” Lampard said.

Chelsea rushed into a 2-0 lead by the 27th minute at Selhurst Park through goals by Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic, the American winger’s third in five games to maintain his great form since the restart.

After Wilfried Zaha pulled a goal back with a 25-metre screamer, substitute Tammy Abraham regained the two-goal advantage for Chelsea only for Benteke to set up what proved to be a frantic finale by scoring a home goal for the first time since April 2018.

NORWICH DOOMED Last-place Norwich could be relegated as early as Saturday after squandering an early lead to lose 2-1 at Watford and slip 10 points adrift of safety with only four matches remaining.

For Watford, it was a huge win — its first since the restart — that moved the fourth-from-last team four points clear of the relegation zone. Danny Welbeck scored the winning goal with an overhead kick from near the penalty spot in the 55th minute. Watford battled back from conceding a fourth-minute goal to Emiliano Buendia, with Craig Dawson scoring the equaliser from a corner in the 10th.

JUVENTUS LETS 2-GOAL LEAD SLIP IN 4-2 LOSS AT MILAN

By DANIELLA MATAR Associated Press MILAN (AP) — Juventus missed the chance to take a big step toward a ninth successive Serie A title as it let a two-goal lead slip away in a surprising 4-2 loss at AC Milan yesterday.

After second-place Lazio lost 2-1 at relegation-threatened Lecce earlier, Juventus could have extended its lead at the top of the table to 10 points with a win.

A tight first half finished scoreless after Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a goal ruled out for offside shortly before the break.

But Adrien Rabiot broke the deadlock two minutes after the restart by curling a strike into the top right corner.

And Cristiano Ronaldo doubled Juve’s lead six minutes later.

However, Milan turned the match around completely in the space of five minutes.

First Ibrahimovic converted a penalty in the 62nd minute following a handball from Leonardo Bonucci.

Then came quickfire goals from Franck Kessié and substitute Rafael Leão.

PAGE 16, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

NBA teams on the cusp of having real practices again

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer PRACTICE facilities in the NBA have been open for a couple of months, with one major element missing from them.

No team has had an actual practice yet.

Most of the work that has gone on in those buildings during the NBA’s shutdown has been voluntary, and all of it has been of the individual variety — one player working at one basket with one ball. That changes starting Thursday, when the first handful of teams at the Disney complex will be permitted to have full-fledged practices again.

“Every day will be an adventure, a little bit of, ‘OK, here’s where we are today, this practice will reflect this, tomorrow’s practice might be totally different,’” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said.

“And that’s what makes it interesting. It makes it fun. But it’s a little bit like a training camp. Every year you know you lay out all these grand plans and about the third practice you go, ‘Ooop, they’re out.’”

The teams that arrived at Disney yesterday, assuming quarantines are completed and other issues haven’t popped up, will likely be permitted to practice sometime Thursday.

More teams arrive today and Thursday, so their first practice sessions, in theory, would be as early as Friday and Saturday respectively.

Teams will be assigned a three-hour window and be able to run practice on a pair of side-by-side courts, with training and weight rooms nearby.

Disney staff will clean and disinfect everything

after one team leaves, preparing it for the next team to arrive.

“Just like with probably everything the league is doing, I think it’d be wise to have a degree of flexibility sprinkled in with everything that you’re planning, a degree of being able to either back off or turn it up a little bit, either way,” Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer said.

“But to be honest with you, that happens a lot even in the normal season. There’s a plan for the first practice and we’ll see how it goes.”

Players haven’t even been allowed to play 1-on-1 yet at team facilities, per the rules of the individual workouts. That all changes at Disney, where teams will be able to practice for about two weeks before a series of three scrimmages begin on July 22.

The season resumes on July 30. Players have said throughout the shutdown that having only three weeks of actual practice to get ready for game action may not be enough — but that’s what the league ultimately decided the schedule would allow.

Most NBA coaches — D’Antoni, Budenholzer, Dallas’ Rick Carlisle and more — are going into this believing that plans have to be flexible.

“It’s not going to be a typical training camp where you jump in on day one and just go full-bore,” Carlisle said. “Our players have done a great job of working on their individual conditioning with individual workouts with the coaches on the floor on a 1-to-1 basis ... so I feel really good about where we’re at. But this is a different situation, it’s a different time, it’s a different set of circumstances.”

LAKERS forward Anthony Davis celebrates after scoring against the Philadelphia 76ers March 3 in Los Angeles. Jusuf Nurkic is back and healthy. So are Zach Collins, Meyers Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and plenty of others. If the four-month NBA shutdown had a silver lining, it’s that a lot of ailing players got well. (AP) Toronto, the reigning NBA champion, has been on the road for a couple of weeks already, getting their individual work in at a pre-camp of sorts in Fort Myers, Florida.

The Raptors couldn’t get their pre-Disney work in at home because of travel restrictions that would have applied to players coming into Canada from the US. Raptors coach Nick Nurse said his players haven’t dreaded the 1-on-0 work that they’ve been limited to so far, saying his team has approached these weeks with “great professionalism” and that his

plans for Disney are fairly loose right now. “I don’t really know where we’re at,” Nurse said. “I can see individually. I think we look really good. But, what will that translate to when we get back into, you know, calling plays and running defences and doing some things? ... I know that I’m sensing they really want to play basketball.”

The Los Angeles Lakers arrive at Disney on Thursday, and while coach Frank Vogel isn’t looking forward to weeks and potentially months away from his family, he believes the individual workouts have gotten the Western

Conference leaders ready.

He said those solo sessions have been designed in large part to get players back into some sort of practice shape, with the hope of being able to hit the ground running when everyone can finally be together again at Disney.

“We just want it to be as high as possible to minimise risk of injury and just further the conditioning along as much as we can,” Vogel said. “So, guys have been able to work pretty diligently the last few days or so. And, you know, we’re looking forward to wrapping this up and getting on that plane.”

WIZARDS’ BEAL, NETS’ DINWIDDIE TO MISS REST OF SEASON WASHINGTON (AP) — Wizards leading scorer Bradley Beal and Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie won’t take part in the restart of the NBA season, two significant absences in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Beal is out because of a right rotator cuff injury; Dinwiddie announced that he is still testing positive for coronavirus and won’t participate.

Washington, Orlando and Brooklyn are the three teams left in the chase for the final two playoff spots in the East. If the Wizards finish within four games of whichever club finishes eighth, then two games will be played to determine the No. 8 seed.

Washington will also be without forward Davis Bertans, who decided to opt out of playing as a pending free agent, and injured guard John Wall. With Beal and Bertans out, a Wizards team that has been without Wall all season will have to replace more than 40 points per game if it is to somehow get into that postseason mix.

Beal averaged 30.5 points a game this season, almost twice as much as Bertans, the Wizards’ No. 2 scorer.

The 27-year-old was preparing to play, even while the decision was up in the air.

Beal’s absence also allbut clinches the NBA scoring title for Houston’s James Harden, who would be mathematically assured of staying ahead of Beal by scoring a total of 12 points in the seeding games. If Harden sits out any of Houston’s last eight games, that would also be enough to ensure his average — 34.4 points per game — does not fall below Beal.