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Volume: 119 No.167, July 25, 2022

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1

SO DESPERATE • Two Bahamians held in smuggling tragedy • 17 die with eight missing and 25 rescued

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net TWO Bahamian men are in police custody after 17 suspected Haitian migrants, including a minor, died when their boat capsized in rough seas early yesterday morning during a suspected “human smuggling operation”.

Police said the ill-fated vessel – a twin engine speed boat - was carrying somewhere between 50 to 60 passengers when it left a docking facility off West Bay Street around 1am on Sunday.

Officials suspect the boat was headed to Miami, Florida.

However, the trip took a turn for the worse after the vessel overturned just seven miles off New Providence near Blackbeard’s Cay, resulting in the

deaths of nearly 20 of the people on board.

While conducting search and recovery efforts, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force found 17 bodies – including 15 women, one man and a girl believed to be four or five years of age - near the boat’s hull.

Twenty-five people, including two Bahamian men, were also rescued following the accident, while officials believe eight people or more are still missing. It was a heartbreaking scene at the RBDF’s base on East Bay Street, where both survivors and the deceased were taken in the aftermath of the boat tragedy.

The Tribune witnessed numerous wrapped bodies being transferred into several funeral hearses before being driven away.

SEE PAGE THREE

A BODY is taken from the scene yesterday after at least 17 migrants died after a boat capsized off New Providence.

Photo: Leandra Rolle/ Tribune Staff

ADDS VAT TO MEMBERS’ FEES

FORMER MP’S HOME DESTROYED BY BLAZE

BAHAMIANS have been alerted that LinkedIn, the professional networking

A FORMER member of Parliament for Long Island is left devastated by the loss

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

app, has become the latest digital economy app to impose 10 percent VAT from July 21, 2022.

The move has caused consternation among several local LinkedIn users,

with one telling Tribune Business yesterday he will not be renewing his annual subscription given that it appears this payment, too, has now become VAT-able.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

of his family island home in a fire over the weekend.

Larry Cartwright’s home at Gray’s, Long Island, burned to the ground early on Friday morning.

In an interview with The

SHOT DEAD WAITING FOR GAS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was shot dead as he waited at a pump for gas at the Esso Service Station at Carmichael Road and Faith Avenue yesterday.

During a press conference at the scene of the incident, Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, officer in charge of the criminal investigations department, said

THE SCENE of yesterday’s fatal shooting.

Photo: Austin Fernander the killing happened sometime after noon.

Chief Superintendent

Johnson told the press the victim was waiting for gas near his car when two men got out of a white Japanese vehicle and opened fire on him. The shooter then reportedly fled the scene in a westerly direction.

“Sometime shortly after 12pm this afternoon the occupant of a sedan vehicle pulled up at this service station,” Chief Superintendent Johnson said.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

Tribune yesterday, Mr Cartwright, a former diplomat, described the harrowing experience of witnessing his home disintegrate before his eyes while he and SEE PAGE TWO

INSIGHT

A HERO OF THE FORCE SEE PAGE TEN

PAGE 2, Monday, July 25, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

FORMER MP’S HOME DESTROYED BY BLAZE

from page one his wife, Theresa Ann, watched helplessly from the sidelines.

“The fire happened roughly around 7.30am on July 22. No one was in the house. My wife had gone across the street, I was in the garden in the back and no appliances were being used, no stoves were being used. Nothing was in use, except one light on in the kitchen. And the fire started in the corner near the stove.

It started in the tiled area of the kitchen,” Mr Cartwright said.

“The fire wasn’t really put

out. The house just burned down and by the time the fire department came there was just the eastern wall left standing. And they had some challenges in getting there and, of course, my cell phone, my wife’s cell phone and we had no communication and we live away from everybody else off the main road.

“By the time the neighbours saw the smoke and came out there the house was engulfed in flames and they called the police and by the time the police got their water truck down there, there was nothing they could do to save it.”

While police are currently investigating the matter, the cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Both the former MP and his wife are currently staying with Mrs Cartwright’s sister in Goodman’s Cay. Although thankfully neither the former MP nor his wife reported any physical injuries from the blaze, Mr Cartwright said that he is left feeling depressed from the whole ordeal.

He said he and his wife had just finished remodelling their home and that they both, now retirees, find their lives once again upended just as they were starting to settle back down.

“It’s depressing. It’s not a good feeling to see your life’s work, to see it go up in smoke before your eyes.

THE AFTERMATH of the fire, top fore the blaze.

We just finished renovating the building, putting in new furniture, painting it up and everything, just beginning to enjoy the benefits of being back home and having everything did up and getting ready to get insurance for it, but not in time.

“But it’s very depressing.

It’s a sad situation, but we are not persons who mourn material things, they can be replaced. We are both

and middle, and the house besenior citizens unable to get a job at this age, so we have to rely on our savings that we have to rebuild.”

Despite recent hardships Mr Cartwright, a lifelong resident of Long Island, expressed his intentions to persevere and remain on his home island to rebuild.

A Gofundme account has been set up to assist the couple in their rebuilding efforts.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, July 25, 2022, PAGE 3

17 die with eight missing and 25 rescued from page one The tragic incident later prompted officials to hold an emergency press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday afternoon.

Among those in attendance included Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis, Labour and Immigration Minister Keith Bell, Attorney General and Acting Health Minister Ryan Pinder and Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander.

Prime Minister Davis described the incident as a “tragedy at sea”, saying a multi-agency investigation has been launched to determine exactly what happened.

“My government since coming to office has continuously warned against these treacherous voyages,” he said. “We have increased surveillance on land and sea and have intensified patrols.

We take this opportunity to strongly condemn the organisation of smuggling

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander. operations which risk human life and compromise national security.

“Those found to be involved will face prosecution.”

The prime minister also said while he understood the situation many migrants face, they should still not put their lives at risk and refrain from considering such voyages.

For his part, Commissioner Fernander said

police continue to be on high alert for people involved in human smuggling operations, adding the two men in custody following the boating tragedy have been known to officers “for various offences”.

He could not confirm whether the two had been arrested for human smuggling in the past, but noted they were assisting police in their investigations.

As for the costs of the

BODIES being removed after yesterday’s tragedy.

‘WORLD WANTS US TO ABSORB ALL WHO LEAVE HAITI’ - PM

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said despite the world suggesting that The Bahamas “should absorb all of those who leave Haiti”, the government will not open the country’s borders to irregular migration.

He said this is because we do not have the resources to do so.

Prime Minister Davis was asked about his government’s position on irregular migration and how they plan to tackle the issue after over a dozen Haitian migrants died after their boat capsized early Sunday.

Officials believe the group were en route to Florida from The Bahamas in a “suspected human smuggling operation.”

It is not clear how they arrived into the country or whether they were documented or not.

Yesterday, Mr Davis expressed confidence in the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s efforts to protect the country’s borders and prevent human smuggling.

“The world is suggesting that we should absorb all

of those who leave Haiti.

That’s what they will say to me,” Mr Davis said during a press conference yesterday.

“When I was at the summit of Americas, they wanted me to sign onto an irregular migration declaration but we have our own peculiar circumstances which I keep reminding the world of. We’re unable to open our borders to irregular migration and our refugees either because of are own limited resources and because they ask us to do things, but at the end of the day, who foot’s the bill?

You, the taxpayers so we have a delicate balance that we are going through so in so far as exiting, between the police force and the immigration department, they are collaborating to ensure that we assist in preventing the exiting of the irregular migrants here who loosely head to the north.”

Mr Davis also raised concern about the state of turmoil in Haiti and noted that regional leaders were looking at how best to resolve some of the issues in Haiti.

“CARICOM has appointed myself, as prime minister of The Bahamas, and the prime minister of Jamaica and I think the

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaking yesterday.

prime minister as the committee to look into how we could resolve the issues in Haiti,” he said.

“We just had a resolution – part of that resolution was finally passed about two weeks or about a week and a half ago so that we continue the presence of the UN peacekeepers on the ground. The question is whether there will be any intervention.”

Mr Davis continued: “You know our mission of CARICOM has always been that the solution has to be a Haitian solution rather than an imposed suit. That continues to be our position and we are to engage very soon in attempting to bring the factions together.”

“At the moment, it’s just the gang wars and it’s a failed state as we speak and efforts to bring the warring parties, and when I say the gang leaders together, are in train as I speak.”

“And so we’re just going to keep our fingers crossed.

The situation in Haiti is really serious and we don’t know what the answer will be. There are talks about imposing the will of other countries onto the people, but again, as I said, we want it to be a Haitian solution, but where that is possible.”

Photo: Moise Amisial

ill-fated trip, immigration officials said survivors told them that they paid between $3,000 to $8,000 for the voyage.

“Twenty persons have been turned over to immigration,” Mr Bell said yesterday. “They are at the detention centre.”

The remaining survivors were said to be in hospital at last report after suffering from symptoms associated with nearly drowning.

Mr Bell added: “As the commissioner indicated, interviews have commenced and as I’m advised by the director, those persons have indicated that they would’ve paid somewhere between three and eight thousand dollars for this fateful voyage and so we anticipate that that information would be turned over to police.”

Mr Pinder added that officials will wait to see the final report of police investigations to determine the next course of legal action.

“To the extent that those investigations reveal criminal culpability, there will be no resistance from the government of The Bahamas in bringing the necessary criminal actions and criminal enforcement actions against those who are deserving for so,” Mr Pinder said.

A BODY being removed from the scene yesterday.

Photos: Moise Amisial Sunday’s tragedy also elicited condolences from government officials, opposition members and the wider Bahamian public.

In a statement, Free National Movement leader, Michael Pintard said: “Our prayers are with the families of the deceased and

injured. It is difficult to fully grasp the suffering experienced by so many who embark on a perilous journey in search of a better life and then to experience the horror we saw unfold.”

“We are resolute in opposition to any form of human smuggling and support swift and deliberate justice for victims and punishment for any perpetrators.”

Police are appealing to anyone with information on the tragedy or who suspect their loved one was involved to contact them.

Government officials are also communicating with Haitian community leaders to help identify the deceased.

Meanwhile, rescue operations are said to be continuing.

PAGE 4, Monday, July 25, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

COVID vaccine doses for children as young as five arrive in The Bahamas

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net PAEDIATRIC doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will arrive on Saturday and could be administered in The Bahamas as early as Monday, Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville announced.

He said that vaccinations would be voluntary and not mandatory.

“The paediatric vaccine is on its way,” he said in Grand Bahama during an Appreciation Dinner on Thursday evening to thank the 60 volunteers and healthcare workers for their commitment in the battle against the COVID pandemic since the outbreak in March 2020.

Minister Darville said the vaccine will arrive in Nassau on Saturday at 10am.

“I am excited because Gina and I were in Geneva and struggled to get this vaccine, and the vaccine will be here,” he said.

In June, Dr Darville announced that the Bahamas had secured 20,000 paediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine following negotiations between the government and the World Health Organization (WHO) subsidiary for the acquisition of the doses.

The doses are for children aged five to 11 years.

Pfizer is the only vaccine approved for children. In May 2021, it received the US Food and Drug Agency’s (FDA) emergency use authorisation for children aged 12 to 17 years.

In October, it received the authorisation for use in children five to 11 years after safety trials in 3,100 children in that age range.

The FDA had reported that “no serious” side effects were detected.

While speaking in Freeport, Minister Darville said: “This vaccine is not

THE DOSES of COVID vaccine for children arrive and, right, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville addressing the media.

Photos: Moise Amisial mandatory; this vaccine is realised I was still alive. in the country called long support that you truly need, including Gina Archer, Dr completely voluntary for “It actually changed my COVID, and it has affected but we felt it would be Danny Davis, Dr Frank our children, and for us who life. Sickness, death, and many Bahamians who were neglectful for us if we do Bartlett, head of COVIDwant our children to have dying change your whole infected. And we want to not bring you together as a 19 Taskforce in Grand the vaccine. perspective on life. But, I bring it to the forefront and team, and to say thank you. Bahama; Hospital Adminis“We are not pushing this was fortunate enough to start to do something about “Thank you for what you trator Sharon Williams, and down anyone’s throat,” he survive,” said Dr Darville, it in our health cases. We have done, thank you for Principal Nursing Officer said. “For those who want who spent ten days in ICU must!” your commitment, thank Cheryl Bain. it, it is our responsibility (as) and lost 40 pounds.

The health minister you for your community Also in attendance was the government to bring it, “I was very weak and urged volunteers and health service,” he said.

Obie Wilchcombe, Minisand we intend to start vacci- fragile, probably the weak- care workers that there is “Thank you for the gift ter of Social Services and nating our paediatric doses est I have been in my life,” will more work ahead. of love, for your dedication, Urban Development. He the following Monday.” he recalled.

“So, it is not business as for helping those who could said that volunteers and Mr Darville commended Dr Darville thanked the usual. This is a very serious not have helped them- healthcare workers are the volunteers for helping nurses who took care of job, and as you begin to do selves. And, for clarity in the real “heroes and heroto vaccinate citizens. him after he collapsed on it, I want you to do it with the midst of confusion at a ines” on the frontline of the “We need to give it up the bathroom floor. He also an open mind, and be very time when our country was coronavirus. for our vaccination crew,” thankful to his family for vigilant.” in turmoil. Thank you for...

Dr Darville observed a he said. “I could go on and nursing him back to health “We are not in the gov- where we are today.” moment of silence for the on to cite examples of your after being discharged from ernment to really award He also thanked the Min- nurses, doctors, and others volunteerism. You operate the hospital. you with all of the monetary istry of Health professionals, who died of COVID-19. from a gift of love.”

Dr Darville said he had The minister shared his suffered a relapse to long near-death ordeal after COVID, experiencing contracting COVID-19, various symptoms, includ“I say that in the camera, Bahama and wonders which allowed him as a ing heart palpitations, BY DENISE MAYCOCK doctor to be more sensitive neurological symptoms, and Tribune Freeport Reporter and I am that bold. You whether a new hospital will dmaycock@tribunemedia.net are going hold me to this be built after talking about to patients and to appreci- a deficit in cognitive skills. word, and I don’t say it it for 15 years. ate healthcare workers for “I was not clear, and I MINISTER of Health lightly unless I have subEven though the Rand what they do. was like that for six months “I had COVID, and I after being discharged,” he and Wellness Dr Michael stance behind what I am Memorial Hospital after revealed that speaking,” Dorian went through a almost died of COVID. I explained, adding that it was Darville Dr Darville noted that transformation and metawas in the Intensive Care challenge for him even after government has secured Unit, and I blacked out he had returned to his duties the money to build a new they are moving quickly to morphosis, he said it still state-of-the-art hospital for bring it into reality. has challenges. while in the emergency as a Senator in the Senate.

“I am dedicated to it. I “What we are going to room, only to wake up in “And so, the reason I Grand Bahama.

“We have the money live it, I breathe it every- do to is improve manpower the ICU… confused, not want to bring it up is that certain where I was, and there is this thing that is real for the construction of this day, he said. And today I resources, he said. facility,” he told healthcare am pleased to announce “We, in this adminisworkers and volunteers for that the land that we have tration is going to build a COVID vaccinations in been looking at, we now state-of-the-art hospital for Grand Bahama at an appre- finished the geotechnical the residents of GB,” Dr ciation dinner on Thursday studies. I have spoken to Darville stressed. evening. When you have the the geologist, and it is high The Rand Memorial Hosmoney that is the number ground. pital sustained significant one thing.”

“It is a good selection damage during Hurricane “We have the money, and of land, it is about a little Dorian in September 2019.

I want to say to the residents over 30 acres and we have The public health care facilof GB in front of the wit- been working very aggres- ity was flooded by storm nesses from the Ministry of sively with our healthcare surge, and lost equipment, Health and our volunteers planners.” supplies and beds. that we will build a state-ofThe minister said that he The former Minnis the-art hospital in GB, and is aware that everyone is administration had spent I am going to break ground concerned about the health $20m to renovate the on it very soon. care service in Grand hospital.

DARVILLE: FUNDING FOR GB HOSPITAL

EXUMA COVE TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST FOR CLEAN-UP

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Old Navy Base cove in Exuma will remain closed until August 10 as workers clean up the remaining diesel from the water and prepare to remove sand for further testing.

Dr Rhianna NeelyMurphy, director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), said at the Office of the Prime Minister’s weekly Press Conference that the Old Navy Base cove in Exuma is “almost back to normal” as the clean-up crews from last week’s oil spill continue working around the clock to clear the cove of the remaining diesel.

Dr Neely-Murphy also said: “Sand is also being removed from the site, we had some boreholes placed last night to determine if and where we had diesel that would have breached the sand bar onto the sand.

We did find diesel, so we’re going to start the activity of removing the sand from the site as well. And that is, of course, as a result of the wave action.”

She continued, “So today, most of the product has been actively removed and the beach is looking closer to normal than it did on Wednesday. It’s not back to normal, but progress is being made and the beach is going to remain closed until August 10, when we would conduct another

assessment to determine whether or not to safeguard the public’s use.”

Wednesday’s diesel spill was contained quickly and within two days more than 80 percent of the spill that washed into the cove was removed with no further spillage downstream to adjacent coves and bays.

The environmental damage is still being quantified as well as blame being assessed. “We’re looking into the government’s options with respect to damages and liability. And once those investigations have been completed, then we will be advised to pursue damages,” Dr Neely-Murphy said.

She added: “According to the legislation, there are options for just illegal discharge and then there are fines. The Sun Oil and the companies involved would have to pay for any and all remediation activities that the government would have paid for up until this point and those moving into the future, so those will be court matters.”

At best, Sun Oil and the companies involved would face a maximum fine of $20,000 as per the DEPP Act, 2019, if found in breach of the law.

The DEPP is also still quantifying the level of the damage and expenses already incurred by the government, but estimates from people involved on the ground range from $20,000 to $30,000 having been already spent,

inclusive of pumping equipment, Bobcat logistics, trailer use, carrying the diesel back to the Sun Oil Limited ship and manpower. By the end of the cleanup the figure could be nearer to $60,000 if the efforts stretch to another three full days.

Dr Neely-Murphy also said: “We are still in the initial phases of the assessment so I wouldn’t want to be reckless and give you any kind of a number. But as soon as the numbers become available, we will advise.”

The long-term effect on the ecosystem is clear as the country’s marine resources are vital, particularly in the Family Islands and there are numerous microorganisms that live in the sand and near the shoreline.

“The sand, of course, will have to be removed and treated and if not treated, disposed of at the landfill or to another facility,” Dr Neely-Murphy said.

“We haven’t noticed any coral reef and the seagrass or anything of that nature in the area, I haven’t gotten any reports yet of any bird life or mammals that will have been impacted.

“So in that regard, we are a bit lucky that this was a very small cove and that the wave action was able to contain it in that area and we were able to use the oilspill technology to continue to contain it and have as little negative impacts on the environment as a diesel spill could.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, July 25, 2022, PAGE 5

PM disappointed over US trafficking report

By LEANDRA ROLLE and JADE RUSSELL

PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis yesterday expressed disappointment in observations made in a recent US Trafficking in Persons Report concerning his government’s recruitment of Cuban nurses.

The newly released 2022 State Department Report on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) had raised concerns about the possibility of some 50 Cuban medical professionals who were hired by the government being forced to work by the Cuban government.

The workers entered the system back in January at a critical time during the pandemic when 116 Bahamian nurses were inactive due to COVID-19 exposure.

The report noted that while The Bahamas maintained its Tier 1 Status, there could be stronger efforts to protect potential

victims of trafficking The report said: “In January 2022, the government signed an official agreement with the Cuban government to temporarily host 50 nurses to provide medical care during the pandemic. Cuban medical professionals may have been forced to work by the Cuban government. The high unemployment rate — reported to have exceeded 40 percent — resulting from the pandemic may have increased vulnerabilities for potential victims.”

The report also noted that “the government did not report screening Cuban medical workers for trafficking indicators” and recommended increasef efforts to investigate, prosecute and convict traffickers, including officials complicit in sex or labour trafficking, and to impose sufficient sentences.

Other suggestions included: “Improve efforts

to identify victims and refer them to services, particularly among vulnerable groups, including underserved stateless persons, migrants and asylum-seekers from Haiti and Venezuela, LGBTQI+ individuals, and Cuban nationals working on government-sponsored programmes.”

Responding to the report at a press conference yesterday, Mr Davis insisted that all protocols were followed to recruit nurses from Cuba, adding that no one was “coerced” to work in the country.

“In so far as that report is concerned… it’s laughable to me because they’re speaking about the Cuban nurses that we recruited and I’ve said to the United Sates and I said on behalf of the CARICOM region that our nurses are being lured away from us after we would’ve educated and trained them,” he said.

“They’re being lured away from us by the United States and Canada because their economies are able to pay them much more than what we could afford so a nurse might be making $30,000 a year and they’re being offered up to $100,000 a year or $80,000 a year to go and work in the United States.”

The Prime Minister continued: “And in the midst of our pandemic, we have seen an exodus of nurses to the United States so we ask help us and send us some nurses at least to tide us through this pandemic but they haven’t and so we went where we could find nurses and they are working at their own free will.

“They were recruited properly and they’re being paid properly and they could decide to go home whenever they wish so there’s no coercion in respect to these nurses so I was really disappointed that

an observation could’ve been made or would’ve been made that the Cuban nurses here may be near some cloud of trafficking to them.”

In the report, experts also lamented the government’s lack of progress to initiate any new prosecutions, identifying fewer victims and not having a comprehensive implementation of the country’s victim identification protocol, especially among at risk groups, including Haitian migrants.

The lack of judges and prosecutors in the country contributed to significant backlogs in all cases, the 2022 report noted.

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe told reporters on Friday that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been issues in tracking all crime across the board.

“Nowhere in the world has there been prosecutions over the last two years,

including the US. The restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic has affected that.

“So, while we are mindful of the observation. I am quite sure that the US state department of government will be mindful that we’re all confronted with what they are confronted with and that is delays in the trail process, and everything from murder, which is the most serious matter on our calendar, right down to matters of trafficking in persons and sexual offences.

“We are trying to get through the system as well,” Mr Munroe underscored.

Mr Munroe added that they accept all criticism and are giving their best efforts to address the backlog in the criminal system.

He noted that he has spoken to the incoming Chief Justice about the system’s challenges and has made recommendations to address the issue.

AFTER TWO MURDERS WITHIN A DAY, MINISTER AIMS TO AID AT-RISK YOUTH

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net AFTER two murders within 24 hours last week, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe says his ministry is seeking to establish programmes to target at risk youth.

Early last Thursday, an 18-year-old youth was shot and killed at his home. The victim was in his house around 12.25am when he was approached and shot by a man wearing a black ski mask, black jacket, blue jeans and black tennis shoes.

Later the same day, a man was fatally stabbed on Paradise Island in the area of the docking terminal.

According to police “the deceased got into an argument with the suspect and was subsequently stabbed

in his upper body.”

“We are looking at programmes to address what we call youth at risk,” Mr Munroe said Friday.

“Currently Lieutenant Commander Delvonne Duncombe on the Royal Bahamas Defence Force is looking at transition programmes to track young people. Moving from primary school to high school who may be off course with a view to getting them into diversionary programmes to try to get them back on course.

Then tracking them from junior high school up, seeing how we redirected them or are they still on the path they were on. And if they are then we will have to increase the intervention on that.”

He underscored these programmes would be used to intervene in efforts to assist to divert youth at risk from criminal behaviour.

The minister made the comments during the rededication of chapels at the Maximum & Medium Security facilities.

“We talk about reintegration and rehabilitation here. That’s a concept that you have departed from the norms we expect of you.

Stabbing people that’s not acceptable, shooting people that’s not acceptable,” Mr Munroe said.

“Once you are now caught you are brought here. We have to programme you now to be a responsible citizen. Because clearly in your upbringing to that point you didn’t get it. You didn’t get that you shouldn’t be stabbing people and you shouldn’t be shooting people. In the Vision2040 it is pointed out that we have to move with socialising people properly.”

THREE SHOT BY POLICE DURING CHASE A MAN and two juveniles were shot by police yesterday flowing a highspeed chase.

Preliminary reports indicate that shortly after 1am officers attached to the operation stopped a dark coloured Chevy Cruze occupied by four men.

It is reported the suspects, pulled over; however,

as the police got out of their vehicle the driver sped off which resulted in the police pursuing the vehicle.

It is further reported that during the pursuit, one of the occupants produced a handgun and fired gunshots at the police which resulted in the police discharging their service weapons.

The pursuit reportedly

ended in the area of Celery Drive and Baillou Hill Road, where one suspect was able to make good his escape.

Officers recovered from the vehicle a handgun and a large quantity of ammunition and are actively searching for the fourth suspect in this incident.

Investigations continue.

STORE OWNER TIED UP BY ROBBERS

A WOMAN foodstore owner was forced into her vehicle and driven to a bushy area in the Coral Harbour area where she was tied up, forced to sign a cheque and robbed.

The incident happened on Friday shortly before 9am at the store in western New Providence when two men, both armed with handguns, approached the woman as she attempted to open her business.

The men reportedly forced the woman back into her vehicle and drove her to a bushy area on Coral Harbour Road, where they robbed her of an undisclosed amount of cash, forced her to sign a cheque and subsequently tied her with tape.

The woman was able to untie herself and subsequently reported the matter to police.

Later, at around 11am, police arrested a

23-year-old woman while she attempted to cash the cheque at a banking institution in southwestern New Providence. Police said they are continuing to search for the two men connected to the incident.

In another incident, police said a male business owner was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash by two armed men at around 1pm. They fled the scene in a black Chevrolet SUV LP# AT9753.

Police arrested a man, of Fleming Street, in connection with the incident shortly after 2 pm in the area of Rosedale and Mackey Streets.

Active police investigations continue.

Meanwhile, police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating two men responsible for robbing a man of his iPhone and an undisclosed amount of cash.

The incident reportedly occurred around 2am on Thursday, July 21, at a home in western New Providence.

According to reports, the victim was with a female friend at an apartment on Sherman Avenue when he was approached and subsequently robbed by two men who were armed with handguns.

Police are investigating and appealing to members of the public who may have information that can assist in locating the suspects to contact police at 911, 919 or the Criminal Investigation Department at 502-9991/2.

Police said they also recovered a stolen blue 2008 Nissan Fuga which was reported stolen on Monday, July 4,2022.

The car was found on July 21 at Burial Ground Corner. No arrests have been made in this matter, police said.

70-YEAR-OLD WOMAN DIES IN CAR ACCIDENT A 70-YEAR-OLD woman is dead after a traffic accident on Saturday.

Police said the incident happened at around 9.15pm at Mackey Street, north of Wulff Road.

According to reports,

the woman was driving a burgundy-coloured Nissan March in the area of Rosedale Street when she reportedly lost control of the vehicle and ran into a utility pole.

The victim, whose vehicle

received minimal damage, was taken to the hospital by EMS where she died of her injuries. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Police investigations continue.

MINISTER of National Security Wayne Munroe speaking to the press outside the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

Photo: Austin Fernander

PAGE 6, Monday, July 25, 2022

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Criminals have no fear of the law THE deaths of at least 17 people after a boat capsized in rough seas yesterday is more than a tragedy, it is a crime.

A twin-engine speed boat packed full with between 50 and 60 passengers setting off in the dead of night is the hallmark of a human smuggling operation. These people will have paid large sums of money with the goal of being smuggled into, most likely, Florida.

So where did this night-time smuggling operation set off from? A secluded cove somewhere? Far from it, a docking facility off West Bay Street.

At about 1am on Sunday morning, that will have been just along from the busy Arawak Cay area – and at a time when police are telling us they are clamping down on crime amid the surge of gang murders, how did a crowd of 60 people gather not far from a New Providence hotspot without any kind of attention from police patrols?

New Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said police continue to be on high alert over human smuggling, but in our high alert state, these people gathered on West Bay Street, were loaded up without interruption on the speed boat and then sped off into the night.

Only a short time later, the boat overturned seven miles off New Providence, near Blackbeard’s Cay. 25 people were rescued, but eight are still missing.

Of the dead, 15 were women, one was a man, and one was just a little girl, around four or five years old.

Two men have been arrested, with Commissioner Fernander saying that the pair were known to officers “for various offences.”

Labour and Immigration Minister Keith Bell said that survivors said they paid between $3,000 and $8,000 for the voyage. That’s between $150,000 and $400,000 for 50 passengers in a single

trip. More if the number of passengers was higher.

This is crime at the highest level. This is criminals packing people onto a boat unsuitable for the number of people on board and setting out in poor conditions, leading the unstable boat to overturn and kill those on board. This is human smuggling, but it is inhuman treatment and exploitation of desperate people.

It will also likely be far beyond the resources of just two men. This will be part of a smuggling chain, more than likely, bringing people through The Bahamas and on towards the US. It is not a new crime. It is a crime that has plagued us for a long time. And it is the brazen way in which the criminals set off from a location where they could easily have been discovered that shows how little fear those involved have for the law.

Brazen is also a word that could be used to describe the killers involved in the country’s latest murder yesterday.

The victim had pulled up at a service station to get gas. As he waited, two gunmen got out of another vehicle, shot him and fled.

Once again, the victim was out on bail for a criminal offence.

Opening fire in broad daylight, at a gas station, where a stray bullet hitting a pump could mean an even greater catastrophe. And the criminals got away.

Again, there is no fear from the criminal element that they will be caught, no fear that they will face a trial and a court and a judge and a jury. Indeed, at the current rate of people being killed while out on bail, it seems far likelier to meet that fate than a judge’s gavel.

Commissioner Fernander has his work cut out for him. He faces this surge in murders, a gang turf war and longentrenched organised crime. It will be no easy task, but our nation needs to win this battle.

ALPHAJETS of the Patrouille de France fly over the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees as the riders pass during the twenty-first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 72 miles with start in Paris la Defense Arena and finish on the Champs Elysees in Paris, France, on Sunday.

Photo: Daniel Cole/AP

Battle with unions in The Bahamas EDITOR, The Tribune

I AM a life long supporter of the rights or workers and their amalgamation into unions for the collective rights and respect due to them. Having said that, the question must be asked and sensibly answered: “Are unions now acting as a shadow administration in blatant attempts to coerce or strong arm the constitutional and duly elected government of The Bahamas?

Recent labour “unrest” and now the strident and insulting “threat“ of Mrs. Belinda Wilson, the “forever“ President of The Bahamas Teachers’ Union, has thrown down the gauntlet to the Davis administration – You will bend or break, so to speak.

While historically successive administrations appear to drag their feet on labour negotiations, my position is clear, especially during these trying times.

The Bahamas has been battered by Dorian and COVID. The economy is creeping back, but crutches are still needed. This is no time for unions and their putative ‘leaders’ to appear to adopt a demanding or else posture. If the Davis administration were to unilaterally capitulate to the demands of Madam Wilson, et al, a bad precedent would be set. Bahamians are in no position to suffer any more economic dislocation.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Teachers are a special breed and I fully support them being paid decently and being able to perform in optimum levels. We are all products of our teachers in large measure. Like nurses; law enforcement officers; customs and immigration, et al, they go out on a limb for us each and every day. In times of national emergencies, however, such as the inflation and soaring fuel charges we need to keep the financial engine ticking. Unions probably make up 15 percent of ordinary workers. Is it logical or sensible to allow such a relatively small group to hold the rest of Bahamians hostage while they seek to extract whatever it is that they say that they want?

Today’s trade unionists really need to go to their memberships and clearly tell them what is happening on the ground. I personally know of union members whose dues would have been deducted from their salaries and wages for eons, yet when some members apply for benefits or reasonable loans they are denied or rebuffed. What are the annual incomes of union leaders and who sets the same? Are there any perks and enhancements being offered and paid?

What about union owned buildings that need to get repaired much less completed? There is a huge ‘white elephant’ of a building on Bethel Avenue that has been under renovations for many months.

There are other buildings in Grand Bahama and other islands that are on endless ‘renovations’? Who are the contractors; how were they selected or appointed and what are the known costs of these contracts?

Lastly, union leaders seemed to have adopted the attitude that once elected initially, they are to offer for the rest of their lives.

Union leadership has morphed into lifetime sinecures at good pay while members often languish. Many of these so-called union leaders also use their positions as spring boards into the halls of parliament and even into cabinet ranks.

Politicians, alas, also have fallen into the trap of musical chairs.

The Bahamian people are not pawns in some deadly chess game. I urge union leaders to go and tell it clearly, what the stark fiscal positions exist on the ground at this time. Let’s all act and behave as adults until we are able to emerge a little bit further. For now I also urge Madam Wilson, et al, to shut up and sit small.

ORTLAND H. BODIE, Jr. Nassau, July 24, 2022.

Listen to Labour EDITOR, The Tribune.

MY word of advice to the present government (which, unlike its predecessor, is clearly progressive in its intentions) is to accede as much as possible to the demands of organized labour, which will be coming in fast and furious as the western proxy-war on Russia pays dividends in price-inflation around the world.

The inevitable effects on The Bahamas’ already high cost of living risk eroding any benefits delivered by our present economic model.

It is nonsense to pretend that we cannot afford to increase public sector wages while we retain the luxury of not taxing the wealthier income brackets or even local corporations on their income and a tax cap on the most expensive foreign-owned properties.

These are almost uniquely Bahamian policies

(inherited from an openly regressive pre-1967 regime).

They confer absolutely no economic benefit and rightly attract the criticism of international observers and agencies. Moreover, they are paid for by crippling taxes on the poor and on consumption itself – the fuel of our domestic economy.

All of our major problems in The Bahamas are ultimately the result of the inequalities produced by this structural setup. Economic and employment growth in the domestic economy are hampered by wages that are low relative to prices; crime is fed by slum conditions and low social spending and disparities in health, education and housing are exacerbated by bottom-heavy taxes and minimal public sector investment relative to our national wealth (a mere 17% of GDP is spent on our population, against an international norm of

35% to 45%).

Good management does not correct the defects of an erroneous system.

That’s because the defects are both the historical aim and the natural consequence of the system itself.

Good management merely makes it more marginally tolerable, prolonging its longevity.

If we are serious about real change for the better (across a broad spectrum of fronts) then we need a government that restructures rather than just manages the system we have inherited.

A good place to start would be to work with organised labour as it quite naturally reacts to the rising cost of living. In a country that has yet to join the rest of the world in levying progressive taxation, paying for it is literally the easy part.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, July 24, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, July 25, 2022, PAGE 7

Chapel rededicated at prison

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Department of Correctional Services hosted the rededication of the maximum and medium security chapels on Friday.

Before the rededication on Friday, the chapel was out of operation, however, it went under renovations thanks to donations and the hard work of the inmates.

In his address, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said The Bahamas strives to be a Christian nation therefore it is only fair for us to walk the walk.

He is pleased to report that all institutions under the preview of the Ministry of National Security has a chaplaincy department.

“In this area of correction, man is body, mind, and spirit. In this Bahamas Department of Correction, we intend to seek to address all three - body, mind, and spirit. As we seek to reprogramme persons for re-entry into the wider community it is important that we know that we must correct behaviour. Fundamentally crime broken

AN INMATE choir at the Bahamas Department of Corrections and, top, the chapel being blessed. down to its very finer detail it will free them from the captivity of their minds. is nothing but sin,” he said.

He said: “When you go to Mr Munroe encourages the inmates to take full church it will open the gates advantage of the chapel as of your mind and free you

18-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF UNLAWFUL SEX

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN 18-YEAR-OLD male was charged in Magistrate’s Court on Friday with having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-yearold girl.

Shawn Ferrier, 18, represented by Attorney Ian Cargill, stood before Magistrate Shaka Serville charged with three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse.

Between June 1 and June 30 in New Providence, Ferrier is accused of sleeping with a 14-year-old girl twice in that timeframe. The accused is further accused of sleeping with the same teenager again on July 18 by which time she had turned 15.

Due to the nature of the offence, Ferrier was not required to enter a plea in court. He was informed that his case would proceed

by way of Voluntary Bill of Indictment (VBI).

Although the accused was denied bail that day, he was told of his right to apply for bail through the Supreme Court, where his trial will be held.

Until bail is granted, Ferrier will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Ferrier is expected to be served his VBI on October 3.

$3,500 FINES OVER INDIAN HEMP

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was ordered to pay $3,500 in fines in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday after pleading guilty to possessing more than 10lbs of Indian hemp.

Jason Rolle, 36, faced Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on charges of possession of dangerous drugs with intent

to supply and simple possession of dangerous drugs.

On July 20 in New Providence, Rolle was arrested after he was found with 10.5lbs of Indian hemp. On the same day the accused was found with an additional five grammes of marijuana.

In court, Rolle pleaded guilty to both charges.

Magistrate Vogt-Evans fined him $3,000 for the 10.5lbs of drugs and an

additional $500 for the five grammes of marijuana.

The magistrate also ordered that Rolle pay $2,000 of his fine that day before his release with the balance to be paid off by September 23.

Should the accused fail to pay his fine, Rolle will face an eight-month sentence in the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for each charge which would be served concurrently.

‘9MM PISTOL FOUND’ IN MAN’S CAR

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted $7,000 bail in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday on firearm and ammunition charges.

Artheo Culmer, 21, appeared before Magistrate

Shaka Serville on charges of having in his possession an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

On July 20 in New Providence, Culmer was allegedly found with a black Taurus G2C 9mm pistol. The accused was also found with an additional five live rounds of 9mm

ammunition. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The prosecution had no objections to Culmer’s bail as he had no previous charges.

The magistrate set the accused’s bail at $7,000 with one or two sureties. Culmer’s trial in the matter is scheduled for October 3.

$3,000 BAIL FOR THEFT SUSPECT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted $3,000 bail in Magistrate’s Court on Friday after being accused of stealing a woman’s iPhone and $300 of her cash.

Brent Penn, 18, stood

before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on a charge of stealing.

On July 19 in Fox Hill North, Penn is accused of stealing the woman’s $899 red iPhone 11.

The accused is further said to have stolen $300 cash belonging to her. In court, the accused pleaded not

guilty to the charge.

As there was no objection to bail, $3,000 was granted with one or two sureties.

Under the conditions of his bail, Penn is expected to sign in at Wulff Road Police Station on the last Sunday of every month by 7pm.

Penn’s trial in the case is to begin on October 17.

MAN ACCUSED OF INDECENT ASSAULT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted $5,000 bail in Magistrate’s Court on Friday accused of indecently assaulting a woman.

Byron Neely, 56, appeared before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on a charge of indecent assault.

On June 17, Neely reportedly indecently assaulted a 47-year-old woman. In court, the accused pleaded not guilty.

With there being no objections to bail, the magistrate granted it to Neely in the sum of $5,000 with one or two sureties.

The accused is expected to return to court for trial on October 7.

THREE HELD OVER GUN AND DRUGS TWO men and a woman are in police custody after officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit found them with a handgun and ammunition, along with a quantity of suspected marijuana.

Police said at around 8.30pm on Friday, DEU officers with a search

warrant entered a home at Milton Street, off East Street and confiscated the items.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $720, police said.

Authorities also confiscated a high-powered weapon, with over 40 rounds of ammunition.

Police said at around 10.15am, officers of the Mobile Division acting on information went into the Foxdale Subdivision where a weapon was retrieved from a residence.

No arrests were made.

Active investigations continue.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

from the captivity of your mind and you may well find that when you apply yourself properly it does have an impact on the quality of your stay here.”

“Make good use of the chapel, don’t worry about your earthly time, because that’s short, be concerned about things eternal. As the Bible says don’t be too concerned about who can destroy the body, but ye who can condemn you completely. So, inmates, I would encourage you to use the chapel as it is a valuable resource.”

The ceremony involved

MINISTER of National Security Wayne Munroe opening the medium security chapel at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

Photos: Austin Fernander inmates and various reli- you enter this gate, and gious leaders such as some officers believe that,” Reverend Dr William he said.

Thompson, who currently He said the function of stands in the capacity of the Department of Correccorrections chaplain. tions stands in the acronym Keynote speaker Dr COCO-Custody, Order, Elliston Rahming, former Care, and Opportunity.

Superintendent of Prisons, “The acronym COCO said that while those who has its underpinning in the are incarcerated are meant holy scripture - Do unto to lose their liberty, they are others, as you would have not meant to lose their dig- them do onto you and nity or humanity. treat your neighbour as “The court expects that yourself.” while many privileges may Rahming explained be taken away from the per- various adversities in sons they send here, those prison, while suggesting persons still enjoy certain solutions he hopes to see fundamental rights. You do implemented in the near not lose certain rights when future.

SHOT DEAD WAITING FOR GAS from page one

“He went out on the inside to purchase an item then he parked on the pump.”

Police said that as he was waiting to get gas, the occupant of a small white vehicle, thought to be a Toyota Passo, pulled up.

Two men exited that vehicle and approached the victim and shot him multiple times. The gunmen then got back into that vehicle and then proceeded west on Carmichael Road.”

While the identity of the victim has been withheld

from the press at this time, police indicate that the male victim was in his mid 20s. He is believed to be on bail. Police also confirmed there was no damage to the gas station pumps or the victim’s car as a result of stray bullets from the deadly shooting.

As investigations into the matter are just underway, police were unable to confirm as to what specific firearms were used in the gas station attack at this time.

Chief Superintendent Johnson called on any witnesses to step forward with

any information that can assist in apprehending the gunman.

“We are appealing to members of the public who were in this area and who may have seen anything to contact your nearest police station or the crime tipsters or the criminal investigations department at 502–9992.”

Police say that members of the public with information that can assist with this investigation can also contact them at Criminal Investigations Department at 502-9991, or Crime stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477).

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2022

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

EXUMA after the diesel spill and, below, after the clean-up effort began.

WHAT LESSONS WILL BE LEARNED FROM EXUMA DIESEL SPILL?

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

in for show and then move on. Hopefully, that date will be extended if needed to THE diesel spill at the ensure a full clean-up – but Old Navy Base cove last there’s been no evidence so week turned all eyes on far the spill is being lightly Exuma – and once more treated. brought the discussion Which brings us to the about how well we are pro- second point, the seritecting our environment to ousness in which the the fore. government reacted.

In many ways, it feels Deputy Prime Minislike it’s too soon to talk ter Chester Cooper won about everything surround- a lot of praise after his ing the Exuma situation announcement for swiftly – we still need to know a lot travelling to the scene and more about how the spill taking charge. happened, and what reperHe doesn’t seem to be in cussions there will be for the mood to let anything those involved. slide with regard It is encourag- ‘Should there to the incident. ing, though, to “Should there be penalties? see two things – be penalties? first, the speed at Well, there was Well, there was which the clean- recklessness. recklessness. In up has begun, my view, there In my view, and secondly, the should be penalseriousness with there should be ties,” he told the which the matter penalties.’ press. appears to be “We were forDeputy Prime being treated. tunate that it Starting with Minister was contained the first of those, Chester Cooper but we have an within two days, obligation to more than 80 percent of ensure that sort of thing the spill had been removed, doesn’t keep happenwe are told, with no further ing; and the government, spillage along to adjacent through all of its arms, is coves and bays. Some of going to make sure that we that will have been the easy manage this process a little part of the clean-up where bit better going forward in the fuel was still on the the future.” surface and hadn’t seeped How well the penalties into cracks or hard to clear currently place will discourplaces. But still, it shows age another such event is a that the clean-up opera- different matter. tion was ready to swing The problem happened into action, containing the when the MT Arabian was pollution where it was and offloading fuel to Baharemoving it swiftly. mas Power and Light. It It was also announced was supposed to offload the cove with remain closed 115,000 gallons but 35,000 until August 10 as the gallons was missing. Apparclean-up continues – again ently, there was a breach encouraging as it shows the in the hose that ran from clean-up wasn’t just a swoop the supply ship. Quite how

35,000 gallons could leak unnoticed when people said they could smell it from far away from the scene is a question for investigators.

It sounds at the very least as if there was a lack of monitoring during the transfer.

Quite what the recklessness was that Mr Cooper refers to is something again that hopefully the investigation will show.

But the director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, in saying that the cove was “almost back to normal” said: “According to the legislation, there are options for just illegal discharge and then there are fines. Sun Oil and the companies involved would have to pay for any and all remediation activities that the government would have paid for up until this point and those moving into the future, so those will be court matters.”

What is that fine? Under the DEPP Act from 2019, it’s a maximum fine of $20,000.

That amount of money and more has already been spent in dealing with the damage. That fine is tiny even in comparison with the cost of the lost fuel – Sun Oil general manager Clinton Rolle said on Wednesday that the fuel has a value of $4 per gallon, so about $140,000 worth

SIR FRANKLYN WILSON into the sea. vessel? If I have a car crash, How can we really take there’s no use in me checkseriously our system of fines ing if I’m insured after I run when the cost is so low to into another vehicle – you the polluter that it is out- need to know that before weighed by the lost fuel you put the key in the itself? ignition.

There was another conSurely as part of the cern that might have been hiring process, Sun Oil lost in the mix during the should have required the spill – the chairman of contractor to send a copy FOCOL Holdings, Sir of the valid insurance cerFranklyn Wilson, said Sun tificate, which they would Oil was “investigating” have on file the moment whether the company con- anything went wrong. tracted for the delivery had For that matter, and this the necessary insurance. is something beyond my Shouldn’t that have been knowledge, is it Sun Oil known before one drop of that should have the insurfuel was loaded onto the ance or the contractor they

hire? These are matters that should be picked through in legal proceedings.

It is encouraging though that there is talk of such legal proceedings and of fines being applied. They may not be enough, but it doesn’t seem as if such obligations are being shirked.

Credit to Sun Oil for stepping up and putting resources in play to deal with the clean-up, and to pledge to “do whatever’s necessary to stop it happening again”.

We got lucky in many ways with this spill – with its location, with the tides, with the wind. We can’t trust to get lucky next time. If there are lessons to be learned, we must learn them. If there is recklessness involved, the penalties must be severe enough to discourage such a casual approach to handling a potential pollutant.

If that means revising the penalties that can be imposed under the law, so be it.

As I said earlier, it feels too soon to draw too strong conclusions over what comes next as a result of this spill – but we do need to learn from it. It shouldn’t just become a footnote that we never hear about again. It will be interesting to revisit the situation once the investigation is complete – and once any court cases begin.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2022 PAGE 9

e d i s In e th w o d n i w ne pa

JUST before sunset, the yellow, red and orange of the horizon are kissed by the dusk of a glooming nightfall. In those moments, light, for the final time that day, quickly but majestically peaks through the window pane.

For individuals with the presence of mind to acknowledge it, those timeless, quiet and warm-filled seconds graciously offer the promise of rest. Just then, there is an ever-present regret of unfulfilled goals that’s soon replaced with the boundless hope that only a new day’s dawn can provide. But with so many distractions readily available throughout the day, unfortunately very few people take the time to truly appreciate this phenomenal evening sunlight dance.

During this time, adults are in particular focused on preparing dinner and spending time with their family.

But children, and in the case of this report; one specific autistic child, can see things that we rarely do and help us to appreciate humanity in ways that we never have.

Autism is a life-long developmental disability and neurobiological disorder with many subtypes, meaning that every case is different. But for the most part it represents a broad category of conditions wherein children, along a spectrum, face challenges with reference to social skills, speech, repetitive behaviours and non-verbal communication.

The World Health Organization estimates that one in 100 children worldwide have autism. In the US, the rate is far greater, measuring one in 34 boys and one in 145 girls. Similarly, in The Bahamas, boys are four times as likely as girls to be

By DR KENNETH D KEMP

diagnosed as somewhere along the spectrum.

What’s even more of a challenge to the WHO and the Centres for Disease Control is determining the cause of this steady climb in numbers.

Despite their best efforts, discovering the etiology of its development continues to elude researchers.

The patient discussed in today’s report, hereafter named Rosie, gave birth to her first son, Joe, at the age of 33. She, her husband and their extended family all enjoy optimum health, are not on any medications and have never undergone any previous surgeries. Joe was delivered via C-section at age 37-weeks. Rosie monitored him closely with the loving watchful eye of a new mother and soon started to notice deficiencies that others, including his paediatrician, were quick to dismiss. She first noticed he couldn’t clap or use other hand gestures but because he made good eye contact no one but Rosie considered this concerning.

He additionally exhibited feeding and swallowing hindrances and would often gag, choke and vomit food if it wasn’t perfectly smooth.

Rosie, sensing something was wrong, began researching possible causes, which is when she recognised that her son displayed other characteristics indicative of autism like an intense visual inspection of objects and repetitive blinking when overwhelmed. He’d sit for hours tearing pieces

of paper into neat strips.

Other than those behaviours, and showing little interest in playing with other children, there were no overt symptoms. He didn’t walk on his toes. He responded when called.

By age two, however, his delays became more pronounced.

At this point, Joe was still non-verbal and would look at his mother’s finger rather than at the object that she was pointing to.

Rosie remained hopeful that enrolling him in school would augment these deficits. It took a while for him to start school because he suffered with severe separation anxiety and he was unable to attend until one month after he turned three.

Unfortunately, six months after starting, schools were shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the phone and shortly after shutdown, one of the school directors advised Rosie that she suspected Joe had autism. Rosie had mixed emotions. On one hand, she was relieved someone else saw the signs she’d been seeing, but on the other she and her husband were heartbroken. They were also afraid that with school, speech therapy and occupational therapy now closed, Joe would regress.

Months later, after several restrictions were lifted, Joe was able to continue with therapy. His speech didn’t improve so Rosie sought advice from another mother

in her community. Based on her advice, she and her husband enrolled Joe in applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy five times per week where among other topics, he’s taught self-help, daily living, social, motor and communication skills.

From the time he started, his progress has been absolutely amazing.

He’s developed functional speech and now exhibits basic joint speech. Joe was non-verbal until the week before he turned four so the first time he said his mother, father and grandmother’s names was an incredibly emotional celebration.

Understanding his speech will remain limited if he doesn’t have the words to express himself, Rosie has doubled down on his therapy by teaching him vocabulary at home.

Although his speech is not yet fully developed, his vocabulary is on target for his age according to his latest assessment and he’s now able to express his preferences, feelings and thoughts. Recently, while it was raining, he commented that the clouds were vomiting. He describes the music in his grandmother’s car as sleeping if she forgets to turn the radio on.

It helps that he has a community of support from his parents, grandparents and his two uncles. Rosie also credits the non-profit organisation REACH for providing free services like summer camps and speech

therapy to families with autistic children, particularly in The Bahamas where the services are not readily affordable and, in most cases, simply unavailable.

Rosie admits she’s learned a lot throughout this process and takes nothing for granted. Now that Joe is five, she acknowledges her own development.

Over the years she’s accumulated boundless reserves of strength, sensitivity, patience, resiliency, understanding and compassion.

The take home message Rosie wants to impart is people with special needs have a lot to offer. Early diagnosis and intervention improve outcomes. They may require more assistance but their lives are just as valuable as any other.

She poignantly reiterates a quote from autistic professor Temple Grandin that people with autism are different but never less. Her message to other parents of autistic children is that even if things are difficult, they will improve.

Rosie and her husband now have another son and they’re watching him closely for any developmental delays. Joe is a very picky eater. He doesn’t like small spaces, crowds, haircuts and thong slippers but he loves ice cream, chocolate milk, music, going to the beach, being outdoors, the ‘Despicable Me’ movies and he loves his brother. People often assume autistic kids are not loving and affectionate but Joe has a sensitive

soul. He loves hugs, kisses and cuddles and often says I love you with excitement.

Throughout the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of meeting, interacting with and treating several autistic children.

It’s taught me patience, gratitude and how to stop, examine and appreciate my surroundings.

Case in point, one of my autistic patients would often stare out my front lobby window. After three years, on an early evening after we closed, I knelt on the floor to try and imagine what he was seeing. I assumed a bird would pass by and capture my attention but as I got closer to the floor, I saw the most amazing light display bouncing off the silver-polished window pane.

It felt biblical because it reminded me of the rays of light shining through the stained-glass windows of my church during morning mass. He saw and marvelled routinely at this miraculous display, which was so easily ignored by all those around him.

Now every day as the warm, near-eclipsed, light bounces off that same window pane, I remember that rampant beauty is all around us if, with an open heart, we simply have the will and the courage to find it.

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

PAGE 10 MONDAY, JULY 25, 2022

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

High marks from a hero of the force

PAUL THOMPSON, the oldest living former Commisioner of Police, celebrating his 95th birthday at the police headquarters.

Photos: Austin Fernander

COMMISSIONER of Police Clayton Fernander giving a toast at Paul Thompson’s 95th birthday celebration.

By FELICITY DARVILLE

the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Despite strained DESPITE the alarming resources, manpower and incidents of murder and Commissioner crime in the country, the funding, officers of the Royal Baha- Thompson advises that mas Police Force are doing officers continue coma “phenomenal job” – they munity work and creating are simply overwhelmed lasting friendships with and need more support community leaders to keep and resources, according peace on the streets.

“I solved a lot of crimes,” to a former Assistant he said.

Commissioner.

“I took it as a challenge.

Police today are overwhelmed with the workload If someone committed a they undertake, but their crime, I went after them. efforts to combat crime are I solved a lot of crime to be commended, accord- because I was very friendly ing to highly-decorated with a lot of Bahamian people. They helped me, retired Assistant and they helped Commissioner me discreetly.

‘I took it as of Police Paul Nobody got to Rupert Thomp- a challenge. know who was son, Sr. If someone helping me.”

“I give the Ninety-fivecommitted a Royal Bahamas year-old retired Police Force crime, I went Commissioner (RBPF) high after them. I Paul Thompmarks,” he said. son celebrated solved a lot of “They are his birthday very good; they crime because at the Paul H have done well. I was very Farquharson They are overover whelmed – but friendly with a centre weekend. they are doing lot of Bahamian the There, top brass well.” people. They of the RBPF Mr Thompwas in attendhelped me, and son received ance, including countless com- they helped Commissioner mendations and of Police Clayawards during me discreetly. ton Fernander; Nobody got to his 39 years Comof service to know who was Deputy missioner of the RBPF and Police Leamond because of it, helping me.’

Deleveaux; he continues to serve as a mentor, advisor Deputy Commissioner of and even father figure to Police Dr Loretta Mackey; many. He remains invested Assistant Commissioner of in seeing the crime situa- Police in charge of Public tion improved and seeing Safety and Operational Craig Stubbs; the groundwork that he Support Commissioner laid serve a purpose as Assistant today’s officers tackle of Police in charge of Corcrime and social ills. His porate Services Kirkwood work rewarded him with Andrews and others.

Commissioner Fernander more than 25 commendacalled Mr Thompson a tions, awards and medals, including the Queen’s “living legend” who has Police Medal, the Colo- “made a huge impact” on nial Police Medal, and a the careers of many police commendation from the officers.

“He made it possible Federal Bureau of Investifor many police officers to gation (FBI). Of his nearly four decades of service, he receive training in England; spent 25 years attached to I am one of the recipients of that,” Commissioner

BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson says the opening prayer at Paul Thompson’s 95th birthday celebration.

FROM left, ACP Craig Stubbs, Deputy Commissioner Loretta Mackey, Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander, former Commissioner Paul Thompson, Deputy Commissioner of Police Lamond Delevaux, ACP Kirkwood Andrews, and ACP Kenwood Taylor. called Mr Thompson a lays out a rich experience “hero to our country”. Mr serving on the RBPF. He Thompson is a native of speaks about the historic Trinidad. He answered the Commission of Inquiry call for police officers in which took place in Nassau, The Bahamas from Trini- and his testimony of incidad in 1951. In April of that dents, including a drug raid year, a squad of 18 young in Bimini. He served under men passed out as the latest Commissioners, including recruits of the RBPF. Of former Commissioner Salathat squad, two became thiel Thompson, who was Assistant Commissioners also attached to CID for a – Mr Thompson and Law- period of time. Mr Thomprence Major, a Bahamian. son helped to establish Three of them became a formal Record of PerSuperintendants.

There formance and Legacy for were less than 200 officers Police Officers. on the RBPF at the time.

Mr Thompson set a “Coming to The Bahamas high standard of excelwas the best choice I could lence at the Police Training have made in my entire College, and selected perlife,” he said as he reflected sonnel to be trained in the on his professional career United Kingdom, at the while surrounded by family, FBI Academy, and other friends and colleagues. police training institutions EDCUATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin and Commissioner of Former Commissioner around the world. His Police Clayton Fernander.

Paul H Farquharson also expertise was utilised in Fernander said. honesty with criticism, and spoke at the event, and the development of Baha“He spent most of his demanding, but fair. Even Minister of Education and mian legislation, including senior years on the force after he left the force, he Vocational Training Glenys the Elections Act; Fraudufinding innovative ways to continued to support the Hanna-Martin was among lent Breach of Trust and invited guests. fraudulent Conversion; boost the morale of police organisation in many ways special Birthday toasts came from Libel; false Pretenses, Forofficers. He was instrumen- with recommendations to tal in the establishment of assist with the fight against several sectors of society gery, Uttering and Fraud; including: Henry Wemyss and Judges Rules and the police staff association. crime.”

He is gracious with praise, Commissioner Fernander on behalf of security com- Administration. panies; Irving Taylor and He noted many of his Eddie Ford for survivors of recommendations are still the Commonwealth Wan- useful today, including in derers; Davin Wenn for the the areas of shanty town Myers Group of Restau- and immigration; crime and rants; Rodney Moncur for tourism; major disasters; the media; Fred Munnings changing police systems; for musicians; and Janet police shootings and bruThompson, Dianne Miller tality; powers of arrest and Tracy Coakley for the with and without warfamily. rants; domestic violence; In his book “A Police- and crime prevention and man’s Story”, Mr Thompson neighbourhood watch.

RODNEY Moncur giving a toast at Paul Thompson’s 95th birthday celebration.

COMMISSIONER of Police Clayton Fernander giving his predecessor Paul Thompson a gift on behalf of the force.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2022 PAGE 11

Will lethal heatwaves bring long delayed action on climate change?

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

OVER the last few weeks, global warming has caused the deaths of thousands of people in Europe, and it has dislocated communities in the United States.

Suddenly, climate change is a big item on major news programmes and talk shows in the international media.

It is tempting to say, “Thank God for it”, and to recall that when worse conditions decimated entire nations in the Caribbean and the Pacific, scarce attention was paid to them.

But suffering is unacceptable, even in circumstances where people, by their own irresponsibility, contributed to the extreme weather conditions that now plague them.

More than 100 million Americans are now being roasted by record temperatures. More than a dozen wildfires are engulfing areas from Texas to California and Alaska. The inhabitants of San Antonio, Texas endured more than 12 days of temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona hit 104 Fahrenheit, causing heat-related deaths.

And, in Fort Worth, Texas, a “red flag” warning has been in place as temperatures soared as high as 109 Fahrenheit.

Today, the situation is so serious that, on July 20, President Joe Biden, in language usually used by leaders of small island states, told the American people: “Climate Change is literally an existential threat to our nation and to the world.”

Small states must welcome the US to the club.

Climate change has long been an existential threat for their people for decades.

But they received little more than lip service as hurricanes, droughts and flooding hit them year after year.

President Biden announced an investment of $2.3 billion to help adapt to climate change and global warming. That money is for Americans only. It is to help “communities across the country build infrastructure that is designed to withstand the full range of disasters we’ve been seeing up to today -– extreme heat, drought, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes”.

And, just to help “millions of people suffering from extreme heat at home”, the President is working with his team “to deploy $385m right now” to pay for air conditioners in homes and to set up “community cooling centres in schools where people can get through these extreme heat crises”.

It is good America has the resources to so instantly respond to the suffering climate change is causing; developing countries, especially small island states, don’t have that capacity.

The US is the second largest contributor to the global CO2 emissions that cause climate change. In 2020, its CO2 emissions was 14 percent, second only to China which holds the dubious number one position at 29 percent. India produces seven percent.

Therefore, between these three countries, they are responsible for 50 percent of all CO2 emissions. But the US has been the greatest CO2 emitter for a century, and so the longest and biggest contributor to the world’s current circumstances.

To be fair to President Biden, he came into office determined to change the situation. His job was made tougher by the four years of encouragement given by former President Donald Trump to Corporate America, which made huge profits from activity that emitted 416,738 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2020 – the highest global figure in that year.

A climate package that

Biden put to the US Congress was thwarted by Republicans. The President complained publicly that, “Not a single Republican in Congress stepped up to support my climate plan.

Not one.”

Countries in Western Europe, which, over the past three decades, have done more than any other region in the world to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, have suffered greatly in recent weeks.

A blistering heatwave engulfed Spain and Portugal as wildfires destroyed vast stretches of Western European forestland.

Temperatures rose to an unaccustomed 104 degrees Fahrenheit. In southwestern France a wildfire raged for days, ripping through 1,000 hectares of pine trees, prompting the evacuation of 150 residents from their homes. In Britain, an “amber” alert — the second highest of three levels — was issued, indicating the extreme heat will have a “high impact” on daily life and people. A British climate official said there was every chance of a new British record, beating the highest recorded temperature of 101.7 Fahrenheit recorded on July 25, 2019.

And, it’s all expected to get worse, according to World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman Clare Nullis. She said, it has also been “a very bad season for the glaciers”.

This month, an avalanche killed 11 people. It was triggered by the collapse of the largest glacier in the Italian Alps, due to unusually warm temperatures.

More than 1,500 people have already died from the effects of the heat.

Given all this, the Europeans would be right in pointing fingers at the world’s largest polluters who are causing their current grief.

Maybe now, with so many people in Europe and the US feeling the pain of climate change, the pressure will build on their governments and legislatures to do what small island states have been urging for decades – save us all by curbing the causes of climate change.

There really is no time left. At the 2015 Paris Accord, it was agreed that rising temperatures could not, in any circumstances be allowed to rise beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius over preindustrial levels. It is now at 1.1 degrees.

As President Biden told his citizens on July 20, “Climate change is an emergency”. He promised that “in the coming weeks, I’m going to use the power I have as President to turn these words into formal, official government actions through the appropriate proclamations, executive orders, and regulatory power that a President possesses”. The world must wish him well.

The problem, which small states have long warned is threatening their existence, has started to strangle people in the big countries.

Like COVID-19 – it knows no boundaries, respects no power, and does not discriminate between rich and poor.

Now perhaps President Biden might get greater success in the US, and then, perhaps, China, India, Japan and Canada will intensify and accelerate their own actions.

Dare we hold our breath?

• Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of America and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto)

JENNIFER PAGAN, left, sprays water on friends from an open fire hydrant in The Bronx in New York on Friday. Dangerously high temperatures threatened much of the North-East and Deep South as millions of Americans sought comfort from air-conditioners, fire hydrants, fountains and cooling centres.

Photo: Seth Wenig/AP

PAGE 12, Monday, July 25, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

JAPAN ALERT AS VOLCANO ERUPTS TOKYO Associated Press

A VOLCANO on Japan’s main southern island of Kyushu erupted Sunday night, spewing ash and rocks. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns but residents were advised to evacuate.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency said Sakurajima volcano erupted at around 8:05 p.m., blowing off large rocks as far as 1.5 miles away in the southern prefecture of Kagoshima.

Footage on Japan’s NHK public television showed orange flames flashing near the crater and dark smoke of ash billowing from the mountaintop high up into the night sky.

“We will put the people’s lives first and do our utmost to assess the situation and

THIS long exposure image shows the eruption of volcano Sakurajima on Sunday night, in Japan.

respond to any emergency,” Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki told reporters. He called on residents in the area to pay close attention to the latest update from the local authorities to protect their lives.

The agency said it has raised the eruption alert to the highest level of five and about 120 residents in two towns facing the volcano were advised to leave their homes.

The agency warned of falling volcanic rocks in areas within 1.8 miles of the crater and possible flow of lava, ash and searing gas within 1.2 miles.

Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanos in Japan and has repeatedly erupted. It used to be an island but became a peninsula following an eruption in 1914.

UN health chief declares monkeypox emergency LONDON Associated Press THE expanding monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries is an “extraordinary” situation that qualifies as a global emergency, the World Health Organization chief said on Saturday, a declaration that could spur further investment in treating the once-rare disease and worsen the scramble for scarce vaccines.

A global emergency is WHO’s highest level of alert but the designation does not necessarily mean a disease is particularly transmissible or lethal.

Similar declarations were made for the Zika virus in 2016 in Latin America and the ongoing effort to eradicate polio, in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the decision on calling monkeypox a global emergency despite a lack of consensus among experts on the UN health agency’s emergency committee, saying he acted as “a tiebreaker.” It was the first time a UN health agency chief has unilaterally made such a decision without an expert recommendation.

“We have an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly through new modes of transmission, about which we understand too little,” Tedros said. “I know this has not been an easy or straightforward process and that there are divergent views.”

WHO’s emergencies

A 1997 image showing symptoms of monkeypox. chief, Dr Michael Ryan, said the director-general declared monkeypox a global emergency to ensure that the world takes the current outbreaks seriously.

Although monkeypox has been established in parts of central and west Africa for decades, it was not known to spark large outbreaks beyond the continent or to spread widely among people until May, when authorities detected dozens of epidemics in Europe, North America and elsewhere.

Last month, WHO’s expert committee said the monkeypox outbreak did not yet amount to an international emergency, but the panel convened this week to reevaluate the situation.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 74 countries since about May.

To date, monkeypox deaths have only been reported in Africa, where a more dangerous version of the virus is spreading, mainly in Nigeria and Congo.

In Africa, monkeypox mainly spreads to people by infected wild animals like rodents in limited outbreaks that typically have not crossed borders. In Europe, North America and elsewhere, however, monkeypox is spreading among people with no links to animals or recent travel to Africa.

WHO’s top monkeypox expert, Dr Rosamund Lewis, said this week that 99% of all the monkeypox cases beyond Africa were in men and that of those, 98% involved men who have sex with men. Experts suspect the monkeypox outbreaks in Europe and North America were spread via sex at two raves in Belgium and Spain.

“Although I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern for the moment, this is an outbreak that is concentrated among men who have sex with men, especially those with multiple sexual partners,” Tedros said. “That means that this is an outbreak that can be stopped with the right strategies.”

Britain recently downgraded its assessment of monkeypox after seeing no signs of widespread transmission beyond men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men and noting the disease does not spread easily or cause severe illness.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was “supportive” of WHO’s emergency declaration and hoped it would galvanize international action to stamp out the outbreaks.

The US has reported more

than 2,800 monkeypox cases and sent more than 370,000 vaccine doses to US states reporting cases.

Some experts had questioned whether such a declaration would help, arguing the disease isn’t severe enough to warrant the attention and that rich countries battling monkeypox already have the funds to do so. Most people recover without needing medical attention, although the lesions may be painful.

Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at Southampton University, said WHO’s emergency declaration could help donors like the World Bank make funds available to stop the outbreaks both in the West and in Africa.

In the US, some experts have speculated whether monkeypox might be on the verge of becoming an entrenched sexually transmitted disease in the country, like gonorrhea, herpes and HIV. “The bottom line is we’ve seen a shift in the epidemiology of monkeypox where there’s now widespread, unexpected transmission,” said Dr Albert Ko, a professor of public health and epidemiology at Yale University. “There are some genetic mutations in the virus that suggest why that may be happening, but we do need a globally-coordinated response to get it under control.”

Ko called for testing to be immediately scaled up, saying there are significant gaps in surveillance.

“The cases we are seeing are just the tip of the

iceberg,” he said. “The window has probably closed for us to quickly stop the outbreaks in Europe and the US, but it’s not too late to stop monkeypox from causing huge damage to poorer countries without the resources to handle it.”

WHO’s Tedros called for the world to “act together in solidarity” regarding the distribution of treatments, tests and vaccines. for monkeypox. The UN agency has previously said it’s working to create a vaccine-sharing mechanism for the mostaffected countries, but offered few details of how it might work. Unlike the numerous companies that made COVID-19 vaccines, there is only one maker for the vaccine used against monkeypox, Denmark’s Bavarian Nordic.

Dr Placide Mbala, a virologist who directs the global health department at Congo’s Institute of National Biomedical Research, said he hoped any global efforts to stop monkeypox would be equitable. Although countries including Britain, Canada, Germany and the US have ordered millions of monkeypox vaccine doses, none have gone to Africa.

“The solution needs to be global,” Mbala said, adding that any vaccines sent to Africa would be used to target those at highest risk, like hunters in rural areas.

“Vaccination in the West might help stop the outbreak there, but there will still be cases in Africa,” he said. “Unless the problem is solved here, the risk to the rest of the world will remain.”

FIVE DEAD, 674 RESCUED FROM PACKED DRIFTING FISHING BOAT MILAN Associated Press ITALIAN vessels have recovered five bodies and rescued 674 people packed on a fishing boat adrift in the Mediterranean off the Libyan coast, the Italian Coast Guard said Sunday, while European charities reported saving more than 500 more.

Some of the survivors had to be plucked from the sea in the Italian operation Saturday that was carried out 120 miles off the coast of Calabria by a Navy mercantile ship, three Coast Guard patrol boats and a financial police boat. All of those rescued were brought to ports in Calabria and Sicily.

The causes of death for the five dead were not immediately known.

The Coast Guard said it was just one in a series

of rescues in recent days in the Italian search and rescue area of the central Mediterranean, as desperate people fleeing poverty or oppression seek a better life in Europe.

In one case, a helicopter was called to evacuate a woman in need of medical treatment from a migrant boat in a precarious condition, the Coast Guard said.

In separate operations, the German charity SeaWatch said it rescued 444 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean on overcrowded, rickety smugglers’ boats.

The Sea-Watch 3 vessel carried out the five operations over 24 hours, and said the rescued included a pregnant woman and a man who had suffered severe burns.

The charity is asking for permission to bring the rescued people to a safe port, as the rescue ship is unable to accommodate so many people.

In addition, the European charity SOS Mediterannee said its rescue ship Ocean Viking have saved 87 people, including 57 unaccompanied minors, from an overcrowded rubber boat off the Libyan coast. None had life jackets, the charity said.

Migrant arrivals in Italy are up by nearly onequarter from 2021, with 34,013 recorded through Friday.

While still notably fewer than the 2015 peak year, the crossings remain deadly, with 1,234 people recorded dead or missing at sea by the U.N. refugee agency this year, 823 of those in the perilous central Mediterranean.

THE GERMAN charity Sea-Watch 3 with 444 people on board in the central Mediterranean on Sunday. Ships in the Mediterranean Sea have rescued over 1,100 people struggling to reach Europe in rickety smugglers boats and found five bodies. The Italian Coast Guard says Sunday that Italian vessels recovered the bodies Saturday as it rescued 674 people packed on a fishing boat adrift in the Mediterranean off the Libyan coast.

Photo: Nora Boerding/Sea-Watch via AP

SPORTS PAGE 13

Ken Mullings, page 15

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2022

Crowning glory GOLDEN MOMENT: Shaunae Miller-Uibo, of The Bahamas, celebrates after winning the final of the women’s 400-metre run at the World Athletics Championships on Friday, July 22, 2022, in Eugene, Oregon. As she tacked on the final piece missing from her glaring crown, Miller-Uibo completed what she called her final global 400 metres by finally adding the World Championships title to her illustrious career that now has her pegged as one of the greatest ever. (AP Photos/Ashley Landis, top, and Charlie Riedel, above) SEE THE FULL STORY AND MORE PHOTOS ON PAGES 16 & 17

SHAUNAE MILLER-UIBO WINS 4OO METRE GOLD AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN EUGENE, OREGON

Felix comes out of Jonas Vingegaard, king of the mountains, retirement, helps 4x400 relay into final wins Tour de France

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN AP Sports Writer KING of the mountains. Champion on the Champs-Elysees.

Jonas Vingegaard blossomed from a talented rookie to a dominant leader in his own right over three weeks of epic racing to win his first Tour de France title yesterday.

The former fish factory worker from Denmark dethroned defending champion Tadej Pogacar with memorable performances in the mountains in cycling’s biggest race.

The 25-year-old Vingegaard, who was runner-up to Pogacar in his first Tour last year, excelled in the scorching heat that enveloped France this month and came

out on top of a thrilling duel with Pogacar, the big favourite at the start of the race.

Vingegaard competed last year as a replacement for Tom Dumoulin in the Jumbo-Visma squad.

It was a revelation for Vingegaard as he realised that he could VINGEGAARD fight for the overall (AP) title after dropping Pogacar in the famed Mont Ventoux climb, but his Slovenian rival was at the top of his game and largely untouchable.

SEE PAGE 14

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer

EUGENE, Oregon (AP) — Enjoying retired life, Allyson Felix was eating hot wings and sipping on a root beer float in Los Angeles when the phone rang.

She was needed back in Oregon for the prelims of the 4x400 women’s relay.

Could she return to world championships?

The most decorated sprinter in US history was on her way. She jumped on a plane and was on the track Saturday night for the “last” time to help the Americans advance to

the final. Back into retirement she goes. She said she would watch the final of the women’s 4x400 yesterday from the seats.

That’s the plan — for now. She did have the fastest one-lap split of her teammates as the US posted the fastest qualifying time of 3 minutes, 23.38 seconds.

“From what I know,” the 36-year-old Felix said of whether this is really the end. “But you know, what do I know?”

Last Friday, she went through an emotional send-off after helping the 4x400 mixed relay team to

a bronze medal. That was supposed to be it.

She went back to Los Angeles for the ESPY Awards and was a few hot wings in when she was summoned to the track for an encore performance.

Talitha Diggs ran the opening leg for the US before handing off to Felix.

She powered around the track and gave the baton to Kaylin Whitney, the sprinter who grew up idolising Felix. Jaide Stepter Baynes brought it home.

“It’s kind of coming full circle, literally,” Whitney

SEE PAGE 15

PAGE 14, Monday, July 25, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Archdeacon William Thompson Softball Park rededicated

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis assured the public that his administration will not allow the public parks to go into the deteriorating state that previous administrations left the Southern Recreation Grounds in.

As a part of the Overthe-Hill rejuvenation programme, under the former Free National Movement led Hubert Minnis government, the park got started, but Davis and his Progressive Liberal Party government completed the final upgrade to the park and the Archdeacon William Thompson Softball Park.

Dedicated to his memory on May 13, 1995 under the then Minister of Sports, Algernon Allen, Davis said successive governments have been guilty of allowing the facility to fall in disrepair, which brings dishonour to the life, legacy and work of the late Thompson.

“Governments must do a better job, generally of maintaining public infrastructure and superstructures,” Davis said.

“A word to the wise is sufficient. The Minister of Works is here, the chairman of the Beaches and Parks is here and you have heard what I’ve said.

“There are a number of public structures named after prominent Bahamians

to mark their contributions to nation building and national development.

“The manner in which we maintain these public offices and assets is a direct reflection of how we view the contributions and legacies of these heroes in whose names and honour these public structures are named and dedicated.”

Davis said his government is turning over the facility to the surrounding communities and sporting organisations as a show of commitment to the development of young people as he officially rededicated and reopened the Archdeacon William Thompson Softball Park.

The ceremony was attended by Dame Marguerite Pindling, wife of the late former Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, family members of the late Archdeacon William Thompson and a number of parliamentarians, who all participated in the ribbon cutting to mark the celebrated occasion.

Davis, in a profound and highly spirited address, said it’s important for the Bahamas to continue to recognise and remember the commitment and dedication of those heroes and heroines who make significant sacrifices for the good of the country.

One such person, he said was Thompson, whom he developed a personal relationship with from the time he attended the former St John’s College, which was

PRIME Minister Philip Davis located just across from the park. He said he was delighted to rededicate and reopen the park because of Thompson’s contribution to his development that led to him becoming the fifth Prime Minister of the Bahamas.

“He had five years of my life as I was forming myself to who I was going to be and I owe much to him,” said Davis, who previously served as Deputy Prime Minister under the second term of the Perry Christie led administration from 2012-2017.

Davis thanked Public Works Minister Alfred Sears and his technical team, acting minister of youth, sports and culture Keith Bell, Bahamas Striping Company for finally completing the scope of work in time for the rededication and reopening of the park just in time for the return and the start of the New Providence Oldtimers

Softball Association’s 2022 season on Saturday.

The Masters Softball League, for players 60 years and above, also utilises the field as their home.

The 45-year-old facility, according to Sears, was beautifully designed by architect Nitera Lightbourne with civil engineer Mario Smith, mechanical and electrical senior engineer Mark Hanna and quality surveyor Christopher Farquharson.

The redevelopment includes the renovation of the existing restrooms, concession stands, scorer’s booth and VIP lounge, new bleachers and home and away dugouts, renovation of the softball field with a new irrigation and drainage systems, resorting of the grass and the installation of a baseball diamond with appropriate soil mix.

Additionally, there is proper parking on Market Street and Blue Hill Road with solar panel lights erected for the completion of night games, a commercial scoreboard, foul ball poles and safety nets to prevent the balls from leaving the park.

Tommy Stubbs, a former journalist turned successful businessman at Buttons Formal Wear, is now the president of the NPOTSA. He noted his first vision in taking over the helm was to see the complete restoration of the park and it’s now a reality. However, he pleaded with those culprits, who ceased the opportunity

to steal equipment and appliances from the facility to cease and desist before any appropriate legal action is taken against them in the protection of the newly renovated property.

Stubbs also thanked his executive team that continues to herald the league, which is called oldtimers for players 40 years and older, but whom he say should be known as “prime” time as they enjoy playing the game for the rest of their lives.

“We are not a professional league where persons are paid salaries, although some of us think we are and should be paid,” Stubbs said. “We have some very good athletes and softball players, who have graced this field over the years.

“Some are common citizens and others have risen to become prominent leaders in our communities, including one who became Prime Minister, second baseman Brave Davis. Be advised your son is now in the league. He is 41.”

As elected leaders of the league, Stubbs said they pledge to do their best to operate with equal fairness to all who participate to a successful season that will operate with a total of nine teams, including the KC Raiders, SWD Da Boys, Dozer Heavy Equipment Pros, Q Club Divers, BTC Vibes, Lone Rebels, Corner Boys, Yelrom Home Boys and the Masqueraders.

In between the rededication service, there was a series of games played,

including a 14-13 win by the BTC Vibes over the Lone Rebels. In that game, the Vibes got a game-winning home run from shortstop Shawn Henfield for the first homer of the season.

“I have been waiting for 40 years to hit one out of that park,” Henfield said.

“I was coming out here from a little boy, picking up bats as a bat boy. Couldn’t wait until I reached 40 to put one out. It’s a special moment for me.”

Also during the day, the Yelrom Home Boys doubled up the SWD Boyz 20-10, while the Dozer Heavy Equipment Pros did the same to the Masqueraders in their 12-6 decision.

Yesterday, the Yelrom Home Boys knocked off the KC Raiders 20-10, while the SWD Da Boyz nipped the Corner Boys 27-26 in nine innings.

The season is expected to run until the end of October with the playoffs and championships scheduled for November. Games are played every Saturday, starting at 10am and from 2pm on Sundays.

The league, however, will take a break because of a tournament being staged at the park this weekend

by Member of Parliament Wayde Watson and his Bain and Grants Town constituency. Stubbs is urging the NPOTSA teams to assist the young players participating in the tournament.

The NPOTSA will resume competition over the weekend of August 6-7.

Jazz: I can’t run at full speed right now but I can swing’

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net A LINGERING back issue that originally sent Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr to the 10-day injured list will sideline the Miami Marlins’ infielder for an extended period of time.

The Miami Herald first reported that a CT scan revealed a stress fracture in Chisholm’s back that will force the All-Star second baseman to miss approximately six weeks with the injury. September is targeted as the earliest timetable for a possible return.

The Marlins concluded their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday with a 6-5 win that brought their record to 45-50, fourth in the National League East. They remain six games behind in the fight for a wild card spot in the second half of the season.

Marlins’ manager Don Mattingly addressed

TOUR

FROM PAGE 13 A year later, Vingegaard stood on top of the podium after building his triumph with two phenomenal rides in the Alps and the Pyrenees.

Chisholm’s situation prior to Friday’s season opener against the Pirates.

“You feel bad,” he said.

“He’s having a really good year, and obviously made the All-Star team. You got a feeling something was wrong when he wasn’t able to get to that All-Star Game and be able to play because we knew it was something that he would have pushed himself to get to be able to play.”

Chisholm discussed his injury progress last week on Fox Sports’ coverage of the All-Star Game and was medically ruled out despite his best efforts to take the field at Dodger Stadium.

“Honestly, I can still swing. I can’t run at full speed right now but I can swing,” he said.

“So I was really asking them, just let me get in there and jog to first base.

I can catch a ground ball I can move on defence a little bit so let me just go and play a little defence, let me get an at-bat at least, let me

show off a little something, I’m here for it.”

The back injury has been the only blemish to Chisholm’s historic All-Star season thus far.

Despite missing 34 games this year, he leads the Marlins in home-runs (14), RBI (45), and OPS (.860).

Through 60 games, he has a .254 batting average, slugging .325 with a .535 OBP. He is the first-ever Bahamian-born All-Star and from the Marlins’ perspective, he joined Hanley Ramírez, Dee Strange-Gordon, Marcell Ozuna, Gary Sheffield, and Giancarlo Stanton as the only Marlins to be fan-elected starters.

One of Chisholm’s many highlights this season came during a four-game stretch following a “players only” meeting that addressed several clubhouse concerns, one of which reportedly centred around Chisolm’s personality and approach to the game.

He responded by hitting .375 with four homers, nine

RBI, and seven runs scored over the course of the next four games, all wins for Miami.

Immediately following the June 8 meeting, Chisholm blasted two home runs, including his first grand slam and a careerhigh six high RBI to power the Marlins’ 12-2 win over the Nationals at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.

He discussed his approach to criticism with the MLB Tonight crew on MLB Network.

“I think have a tool that’s called ‘I don’t care’ and I use it to my fullest potential. I just go out there and have fun,” he said.

“The game blesses me every day to come out here and be able to enjoy it and especially a place like Miami where anybody would kill to live so to play a professional sport here is even more amazing so I just go out there with that attitude because I don’t care what anyone else has to say, I’m just out here living my

NATIONAL League second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., left, and pitcher Sandy Alcantara, both of the Miami Marlins, are introduced prior to the MLB All-Star baseball game against the American League, Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill) life and enjoying the game. as the Marlins hosted its The game doesn’t owe second “Bahamian Heritanyone anything and it’s age Night” on June 27. given me a lot so I just have A crowd of 18,722 filled fun with it.” the stadium, the third largChisholm has taken the est crowd of any Marlins Miami, Florida area by home game this season, as storm with his bright blue opposed to the 7,500 that coloured hair and his spec- attended the first Bahamian tacular performance as a Heritage night in 2021. starting infielder at shortChisholm wore Bahastop and second base. mian flag themed cleats, Inspired by his play and batting gloves, and a bancharisma, Bahamian cul- danna to commemorate the ture took centre stage occasion.

Three weeks ago in Copenhagen, the JumboVisma team started the race with two leaders — Vingegaard and three-time Spanish Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic. But Roglic’s challenge took a blow when he suffered a dislocated shoulder and lost more than two minutes to Pogacar

on the cobbled fifth stage of the race, leaving Vingegaard in a sole leader’s role.

Vingegaard more than exceeded expectations from that moment.

He made his intentions clear in the first big mountain stage up the Col du Granon to seize the race leader’s yellow jersey from Pogacar, who fell more than two minutes behind that day.

Having claimed the famed tunic during a stage featuring three monster Alpine climbs, Vingegaard kept it until the end.

With the help of teammates including the versatile Wout Van Aert, Vingegaard responded to the relentless attacks launched by Pogacar day in, day out. His supremacy in the mountains was such that, in addition to his overall win, Vingegaard also claimed the jersey for king of the mountains — not bad for a rider who comes from a country whose highest point is barely 170 metres above sea level.

Vingegaard and Pogacar were clearly in a class of their own this year as their closest rival, 2018 Tour champion Geraint Thomas,

was reduced to a mere spectator in the leaders’ fight.

Thomas finished in third place.

Vingegaard delivered his decisive blow in the Pyrenees, posting a second stage win at the Hautacam ski resort. There the Dane responded to a series of attacks from Pogacar and ultimately dropped the Slovenian in the last big mountain stage of this year’s race to increase his overall lead to more than three minutes.

Pogacar cracked about four kilometres (2 1/2 miles) from the finish in the final ascent, with his hopes of winning a third consecutive title all but over.

He fought until the very end but Vingegaard was again the strongest in Saturday’s individual time trial to effectively secure the title.

“The battle between me and Jonas for the yellow jersey has been very special,” Pogacar said.

“I think we have some very interesting next two or three years ahead of us.

Jonas has stepped up his game this year.”

The light-framed Vingegaard is not perhaps as naturally gifted as Pogacar, who has shown over the

past couple of years that he is capable of winning Grand Tours and the most prestigious one-day classics as well.

But Vingegaard surely learns fast.

Vingegaard did not experience his first ascent before he was already 16. His climbing skills would not remain unnoticed for long, though.

After he posted a record time on the Coll de Rates climb during a training camp in Spain with his former team ColoQuick, he joined Jumbo-Visma in 2019 and rapidly improved.

In his first Tour last year, he showed proper leadership skills after Roglic crashed out of the race, and followed up with a coldblooded ride to victory this summer.

The growing rivalry between Pogacar and Vingegaard has brought new race scenarios that have delighted fans.

Both men were equipped with strong teams capable of controlling the race in the mountains, an essential element that was a trademark of the mighty Ineos teams in the past decade.

But on many occasions, both Pogacar and

Vingegaard were left just counting on themselves in high altitude, fighting each other on equal terms.

Pogacar also brought a sense of old-fashioned romanticism with his longrange attacks. At 23, the UAE-Emirates Team has a bright future.

Vingegaard became the first Dane to win the Tour since Bjarne Riis achieved the feat in 1996 during a time when doping was widespread in cycling.

Following his retirement from cycling, Riis admitted in 2007 to using the bloodbooster EPO from 1993-98, including during his Tour victory.

Asked whether his team should be trusted, Vingegaard said he and his teammates “are totally clean, every one of us.”

“No one of us is taking anything illegal,” he added.

“I think why we’re so good is the preparation that we do. We take altitude camps to the next step.”

Jasper Philipsen won yesterday’s last stage — a mainly processional ride around Paris to the Champs-Elysees — in a sprint ahead of Dylan Groenewegen and Alexander Kristoff.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, July 25, 2022, PAGE 15

DEVYNNE CHARLTON BREAKS HER NATIONAL RECORD IN 100M HURDLES

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WITH history being made by Nigeria’s new world record holder Tobi Amusan in the middle of the race, Bahamian national record holder Devynne Charlton slipped down the stretch on the outside for seventh place in the final of the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the World Championships.

Charlton, running out of lane eight next to Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn in seven, got out to a great start, but with the final three of the 10 flights of hurdles left in Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, she lost

her technique in the 12.23 in a photo finish race and a podium spot with Camacho-Quinn, slipped away from her. who had to hold onto At the finish line, the bronze. the 26-year-old CharlWith a national ton had to settle for a record breaking pertime of 12.53, leaving formance of 12.40, former world chamCharlton powered pion Kendra Harrison her way into the final in last place after she during the semifinal got disqualified when earlier in the evening she clipped one of her after she picked up final three hurdles. a second place finish By then, Amusan behind American Alia had already surged DEVYNNE CHARLTON Armstrong, who won through the line in the heat in a lifetime a wind-aided 12.06 for the first best of 12.43. medal for the African nation in Amusan, however, clocked the event that saw Jamaican Bri- 12.12 for the world record, erasing tany Anderson secure the silver in Harrison’s previous mark of 12.20

from July 22, 2016 at the Olympic Games in London, England.

Harrison had to settle for second behind Amusan in the heat in a season’s best of 12.27.

They were the top two qualifiers for the final, while Charlton went in with the seventh best time. Charlton also had the seventh best personal best by all of the competitors in the final, which made it even more difficult for her to get on the podium out of lane eight. Charlton came into the championships having won a silver medal at the World Indoors in Belgrade, Serbia, in the 60m hurdles in 7.81 after she made her debut in 2018 in Birmingham, Great Britain. She was sixth in

her first Olympic appearance in Tokyo, Japan after she qualified, but had to sit out of competition in the games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016.

In the heats on Saturday, Charlton raced to a second place finish in her heat in 12.69 to trail Camacho-Quinn, the winner in 12.52. While Camacho-Quinn had the third fastest qualifying time, Charlton was pegged at number seven. But after being denied a medal at the championships, Charlton is now expected to head to Birmingham, England, this week where she hopes to redeem herself at the Commonwealth Games that will be staged from July 27 to August 7.

DECATHLETE KEN MULLINGS MAKES HISTORY

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@trivbunemedia.net KEN Mullings’ global debut turned out to be a Bahamian record-breaking performance as he had to settle for 17th place overall in the men’s decathlon at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

The first Bahamian to compete in the gruelling two-day, 10-event competition over the final two days of competition in the Hayward Field posted a total of 7,866 points to smash his previous mark of 7,734 that he established on June 27, 2021 at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

In closing out the competition yesterday in the 1,500m, the 25-year-old four-time national champion clocked a season’s best of four minutes and 52.85 seconds for 16th place overall. Kevin Mayer of France was the winner of the 1,500m in 4:41.44.

Mayer emerged as the world champion with 8,816, while Pierce LePage of Canada got the silver with 8,701 and American Zachary Ziemek clinched the bronze with 8,676 points.

FELIX

FROM PAGE 13 said of taking the baton from Felix.

“To be able to run alongside her, as well as these other great ladies, is always a privilege. I can’t be happier.”

Soon after her run, Felix crouched down by the scoreboard and then sat on

KEN MULLINGS, of The Bahamas, competes in the decathlon event during the World Athletics Championships on Saturday, July 23, in Eugene, Oregon.

(AP Photos/Charlie Riedel)

Estonia’s Maicel Uibo, the wife of Bahamian women’s 400m gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo, was seventh with 8,425 points.

“I would describe this performance as damn near

close to perfect,” Mullings said. “I had PBs (personal best) and SBs (season’s best) straight through my final day. The only event that was off was my long jump. “But all around, I can’t complain. This was the best performance I’ve ever done and the competition was there to help pull me though, especially the running events in the 100m, the hurdles, 400 and

the 1,500m. These events helped pull me through.”

Mullings’ personal coach Ednal Rolle got a chance to travel to Eugene just in time for the competition and he could only state that “it feels good” when asked about Mullings’ historic national record breaking performance.

“It was a bitter sweet moment,” Rolle summed up.

the grass to watch. When it was over, she hugged her teammates.

“I was well on my way (to retirement),” said Felix, who had her Saysh spikes — a footwear company she launched — dangling from her shoulder.

“I had no plans to be back here for the rest of the meet. But things happen. I felt good. It was really cool to run when the stadium

was full and just get all the love, and run with this amazing group of women.

It’s really set the team up to go after the title.”

The American contingent in the final figures to be 400-metre hurdle world champion Sydney McLaughlin, fresh off her world-record performance Friday, and Dalilah Muhammad, who won bronze in the race.

They were on the winning 4x400 team at the Tokyo Games.

So were Felix and Athing Mu. But Mu has the final of the 800 on the same day.

Any chance Felix may leave the seats to run again?

“I was asked to run in the prelim,” Felix said.

Should the group bring home a medal — the team is a big favorite — it would be Felix’s 20th medal at world

MCLAUGHLIN ANCHORS US ON RECORD-SETTING DAY AT WORLDS

By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer EUGENE, Oregon (AP) — Sydney McLaughlin took the last victorious lap of an All-American world championships yesterday, pulling away in the 4x400 relay to close a US runaway and give the Americans their record 33rd medal for the meet.

McLaughlin turned a .73-second lead into a 2.93-second runaway on the anchor lap, adding this

burst of speed to the world record she set two nights earlier in the 400 hurdles.

Two more world records went down yesterday — in the very first and very last action of the last session at Hayward Field.

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan opened the evening by setting the record for the 100-metre hurdles in the semifinals: 12.12 seconds.

She came back about 90 minutes later to win the gold medal. Her winning time was actually faster

— 12.06 — but the wind was too strong, so that mark doesn’t go in the books.

And after McLaughlin was done with her last lap, pole vaulter Armand Duplantis of Sweden cleared 6.21 metres (20 feet, 4 1/2 inches) to best his world record by .01.

He gave Sweden its first gold medal of the meet.

That was 12 fewer than the Americans. The last was especially sweet, as it also marked the 14th and final world gold for 36-year-old

Allyson Felix, who came out of retirement to run in the preliminary of the 4x400 and, so, gets a medal.

She finishes her career with a record 20 world medals, overall.

“We’re a family, we stick together,” McLaughlin said. “Allyson came out of retirement to get us here, so we wanted to do this.”

The US won the women’s race in 3 minutes, 17.79 seconds. The 33 medals was three more than the US collected in 2017.

Just before the 1,500m during the final session on the final day of competition, Mullings turned in another season’s best in getting sixth in his group in the javelin with 186-9 (56.92m) for sixth overall for 692 points.

Mullings opened the early session of the final day of competition by taking the tape in the 110m hurdles for fifth overall with a personal best of 14.02 for 972 points.

He came back and got ninth in his group for 124th overall in the discus with 140-1 (42.70m) and closed out it out with 11th place in his group and 17th overall with a season’s best of 14-9 (4.50m) in the pole vault.

At the end of the first day, Mullings sat in 17th place with a total of 4,120 points.

He opened the competition with ninth place in the 100m in 10.83 for 899 points.

However he slipped down the radar with 17th place in the long jump with a season’s best of 22-10 (6.96m) for 804 points and 19th in the shot put with 45-4 1/2 (13.83m) for 718 points.

However, he got back on track with a tie for seventh place in the high jump with 6-8 ¾ (2.05m) for 850 points, but ended the day in 17th in the 400m in 49.25 for second in his heat for 849 points.

championships, extending a record she already held.

She also has 11 Olympic medals.

“It was just about being a team player and putting

them in position to run their best (Sunday),” Felix said.

Her immediate plans revolve around one thing — more hot wings.

PAGE 16, Monday, July 25, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

SHAUNAE MILLER-UIBO WINS 4OO METRE GOLD

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A

s she tacked on the final piece missing from her glaring crown, Shaunae Miller-Uibo completed what she called her final global 400 metres by finally adding the World Championships title to her illustrious career that now has her pegged as one of the greatest ever.

On Friday in Eugene, Oregon, the 28-year-old Miller-Uibo used her imposing 6-foot, one-inch frame to circle around the Hayward Field in a blaze of glory for the gold medal in a world-leading time of 49.11 seconds.

She led a Caribbean sweep, with Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic taking the silver in 49.60 and Sada Williams of Barbados snatching the bronze with a national record of 49.75.

“It has been a long time coming and the main thing for us this season was the world championships and a gold medal,” said MillerUibo, who began the trek this year by earning her first world indoor title in Belgrade, Serbia.

“That’s one thing we were missing, so I ran a very tactical race. To go out with the gold, I am very proud.”

The historic journey for Miller-Uibo began in 2010 when she crossed the finish line as the world under-18 champion, world under-20 champion, two-time world championship silver medallist and a fourth place as well as twice the Olympic champion.

But in saving her best for the last as she powered from lane three to take control of the race on the back stretch, Miller-Uibo was all business as she came off the curve with a substantial lead that she maintained down the home stretch.

It was poetry in motion and as the celebrations began, Miller-Uibo was greeted with a hug from her husband, Maicel Uibo of Estonia, who was competing in the decathlon and her mother, May Miller, who draped her with the Bahamian flag.

Don’t expect to see any further attempt to go after another title at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, August 19-27 or the Olympics in 2024 in Paris, France, July 21 to August 11.

Making it emphatically clear that she’s done with the one-lap race, MillerUibo said the focus will shift back to the 200m where she will attempt to put her stamp of approval on her quest to also establish herself as one of the greatest 200/400 champions on the planet. “That’s it for me running the 400m,” stressed Miller-Uibo, who got to avenge her only loss this season to Paulino and Jamaica’s Stephanie Ann McPherson on May 13 at the Ooredoo Doha Meeting.

“The plans for me are the 200m, which has always been my first love, and get back into that.”

It was the first medal for the Bahamas at this year’s championships - the island nation got to continue its streak of earning at least one in every championships since 2012.

BRINGING HOME THE GOLD: Shaunae MillerUibo, of The Bahamas, celebrates after winning the final of the women’s 400-metre run at the World Athletics Championships on Friday, July 22 in Eugene, Oregon.

(AP Photos/Ashley Landis and Charlie Riedel) SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 17

Miller-Uibo was also listed to run if the women’s 4 x 400 relay team had advanced out of the heats on Saturday.

But according to assistant head coach Shaun

Miller Jr, some members of the team got ill and while they wanted to gut it out, it was determined by the team doctor at the last minute that they were “too ill” to run, so the team

was scratched. There was also unconfirmed reports that head coach Rupert Gardiner also took ill and had to be treated at a local hospital for an undisclosed condition.

SHAUNAE MILLER-UIBO, of The Bahamas, celebrates after winning the final of the women’s 400-metres at the World Athletics Championships on Friday, July 22. (AP Photos)

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, July 25, 2022, PAGE 17

AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN EUGENE, OREGON

MY GOLDEN GIRL: Shaunae Miller-Uibo, of The Bahamas, celebrates with her mother, May Miller, who draped her daughter with the Bahamian flag after she won the final of the 400 metres at the World Athletics Championships on Friday, July 22 in Eugene, Oregon.

As she tacked on the final piece missing from her glaring crown, Miller-Uibo completed what she called her final global 400 metres by finally adding the World Championships title to her illustrious career that now has her pegged as one of the greatest ever. (AP Photos/ Ashley Landis and Charlie Riedel) SEE THE FULL STORY AND MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 16

SHAUNAE MILLER-UIBO, of The Bahamas, wins the final of the 400-metres at the World Athletics Championships on Friday.

(AP Photo/David J Phillip)

T X S J H C N E B K R O W T

PAGE 18, Monday, July 25, 2022

R E P P O T S K H M C Z K H

X G O G G L E S W T N A E E

U R F V R I U U J H X I R R

H R F L P Q U X S N Z F B M

F L N P W A H I B O D O D O

G G V E P T D W S E T Q F M

O A S X R I T E S T T U B E

L W F G R P S M L T C K N T

R Y E T N B P E O E W S U E

F P E L E O A W X P J A R R

THE TRIBUNE

DX1ST

4

LABORATORY

Daily Express Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Puzzles

Find all the terms listed below in Solution tomorrow

BEAKER ● BOTTLE ● BURNER ●

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J W N S G C X O R A G N A M Z O OTAR H G J B Q M X N R H TIM O

YEST

THE ALPHABEATER

TARGET

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● The Target uses words in the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition)

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? in making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. no plurals.

Verb forms ending in s permitted.

TODAY’S TARGET Good 24; very good 37; excellent 49 (or more). Solution tomorrow

call 0907 181 2585 for today’s target solution *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

BATTLESHIPS FIND where the fleet of ships shown is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off.

Solution tomorrow 1

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Solution tomorrow

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, July 25, 2022, PAGE 19

BAHAMAS TEAMS BOUND FOR THE BRANSON WORLD SERIES

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas will field a pair of teams set to participate in the Babe Ruth League’s Cal Ripken Baseball Major/70 World Series.

Hosted August 4-13 at the Ballparks of America in Branson, Missouri, the event will feature 28 of the top teams representing various regions across the United States and countries around the world.

Eight teams will compete in the International Bracket, including both Bahamian teams - the gold medallists from Babe Ruth Regional Championships which will represent the “Caribbean Region” and the other listed as “Team Bahamas” which had an automatic bid into this year’s field.

The Caribbean Region champions won the gold medal and advanced to the World Series with a 3-0 shutout win over Cuba when The Bahamas hosted the regional qualifier at the Baillou Hills Complex.

The team, managed by Javier Bowe, opened tournament play with a 6-5 win over Cuba followed by a 2-1 win over Aruba and a 4-0 loss to the Bahamas Tournament team.

They recovered from the pair of losses and ended the tournament with three consecutive wins, 7-0 over Puerto Rico, 7-4 over Aruba in the semifinal and the win in the final over Cuba to finish the tournament with a 4-2 record.

Antwon Bain was named MVP while Chishard Thompson Jr was the winning pitcher of the title game and was named the top defensive player.

The Caribbean Region team will be placed in International Pool F in Branson, alongside Canada, Mexico and Aruba.

Team Bahamas won the bronze at the regionals with an 8-0 win over Aruba.

They finished the tournament with a 6-1 record.

The team, managed by Lionel Ferguson Jr, had the number one seed in tournament play after five consecutive wins, 20-0 over the Cayman Islands, 6-0 over Puerto Rico, 4-0 over Bahamas Host, 5-0 over Cuba and 3-2 over Aruba.

They lost 7-2 to Cuba in the semifinals before the bronze medal win.

They will be placed in International Pool E in Branson and will be

grouped with Puerto Rico, Australia and Taiwan.

Pools A, B, C and D will feature 20 American teams grouped by regions.

Teams begin pool play on August 5 when the Caribbean Region will face Aruba at 2pm followed by Bahamas vs Australia at 4:30pm.

The Bahamas will face Mexico on August 6 at 7pm and the Caribbean Region will take on Taiwan the following day at 2pm on August 7.

Both teams will be in action on August 8 when The Bahamas faces Puerto Rico at 4:30pm and the Caribbean Region faces Mexico at 5pm.

Pool play concludes on August 9 when The Bahamas faces Taiwan at 11:30am and the Caribbean Region faces Canada at 4:30pm.

Bracket play games will be hosted August 10-12 followed by Championship Day on August 13.

In 2021, The Bahamas finished fourth in the International Bracket.

The Bahamas was also represented outside the lines of play as Greg Burrows Sr was named a member of the World Series Task Force and Martin Burrows served as an umpire throughout the event.

Major/70 is a level of baseball beyond Little League but before professional baseball that allows players to play on 70-foot base paths with a 50-foot pitching distance.

It also allows runners to take leads and steal for the first time, playing mainly by official baseball rules.

The Bahamas has a rich tradition of success in the Cal Ripken Baseball tournament after winning the 2010 Southeast Regional Championship and the 2010 Major/60 World Series.

Four players from that roster - Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr (Miami Marlins), Lucius Fox Jr (Washington Nationals), Chavez Young (Toronto Blue Jays) and Quinton Rolle (Cincinnati Reds) - went on to have professional careers at various levels of baseball.

Chisholm eventually became the eighth Bahamian to advance to the Major League and is currently an All-Star second baseman for the Miami Marlins while Fox was the ninth to advance to the MLB and is currently in AAA baseball alongside Young.

TEAM Bahamas is all set to compete in the Babe Ruth League’s Cal Ripken Baseball Major/70 World Series August 4-13 at the Ballparks of America in Branson, Missouri. The event is expected to feature 28 of the top teams representing various regions across the United States and countries around the world.

PAGE 20, Monday, July 25, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

JASRADO CHISHOLM JR EXPECTED TO BE SIDELINED SIX MORE WEEKS (AP) — Miami Marlins All-Star second baseman Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr likely will be out through the end of August.

Tests revealed Chisholm Jr has a stress reaction in his lower back, the Marlins said. He is expected to miss six weeks.

Chisholm, 24, was selected to the National League All-Star team for the first time in his career.

However, he was forced to miss the game at Los Angeles.

He has been on the injured list since June 29 with what was called a right lower back strain.

“He was really pushing hard to get to that All-Star

JASRADO Chisholm Jr stands with manager Don Mattingly before a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 14 in Miami.

SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 14 (AP Photo Lynne Sladky) Game, so we knew there had to be something more seriously wrong when he couldn’t make it,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said before his team played

the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“Now, it’s time to take the steps for him to get it right and go through that process. You feel bad for Jazz.

He’s having a great year.”