07252023 NEWS AND SPORT

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Volume: 120 No.140, July 25, 2023

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‘Did Bell tell truth over citizenship?’

Former PM suggests facts do not support minister’s explanation

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Min-

ister Dr Hubert Minnis is questioning whether Immigration Minister Keith Bell told the truth about receiving a call in Switzerland from a dying man who wanted his wife

and children to get Bahamian citizenship.

Mr Bell was criticised last month for overseeing the unorthodox swearing-in ceremony of three people at the funeral of Franck Racine.

In response to the controversy, Mr Bell said he was fulfilling Mr Racine’s

SEE PAGE THREE

former minister: intervention could have been unlawful

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson said the Immigration Act and accompanying regulations give ministers limited freedom to interfere in the administrative and operational affairs of the Department of Immigration.

He argued that a minister intervening to approve a work permit for someone facing deportation or preventing people from being processed following established procedures could be unlawful. His comments came as the Free National Movement intensified its scrutiny of Immigration

SEE PAGE THREE

BCA calls

transparency’ on ‘irregularities’ with Chinese workers

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE BAHAMIAN Contractors Association’s (BCA) president yesterday called for “greater transparency and management” in the work permit process amid the ongoing controversy over “irregularities” involving Chinese construction workers.

Leonard Sands told

Tribune Business it was vital that the Immigration laws are applied evenly, and that there are no double standards where the rules are different for certain developers and contractors, after it emerged that only three of the 65 Chinese workers found at the British Colonial could produce identity documents when asked by officials.

Speaking after it was revealed that Immigration

officers were instructed to “stand down” less than one hour after they began an enforcement operation to determine whether the Chinese were in The Bahamas legally, and had the necessary work permits, the BCA chief said the revelations and ensuing controversy were “no surprise” for the industry given similar situations that have occurred previously.

Gibson’s trial delayed after Pl P Protest

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE corruption trial of Long Island MP Adrian Gibson was delayed again after a protest by Progressive Liberal Party supporters caused the judge concern about how their SEE PAGE FIVE FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

MINISTER of Immigration Keith Bell was seen hugging supporters outside Parliament yesterday.

Photo: Lendra Rolle

McCrispy Chicken Sandwiches

Bowleg tours summer camps

THE MINISTRY of Youth, Sports and Culture held a tour of summer camps yesterday, with Minister Mario Bowleg in attendance. Camps visited included locations such as Fox Hill Community Centre and schools including Stephen Dillett, CR Walker, HO Nash, Garvin Tynes, CV Bethel, SC McPherson, CI Gibson and RM Bailey.

Photos: Austin Fernander

Former minister: Intervention could have been unlawful

from page one

Minister Keith Bell, alleging multiple instances in which his direction superseded the conclusions of senior immigration officials.

Privately, some defenders of Mr Bell said such directives are common and have happened in multiple administrations.

Critics have also long acknowledged the wideranging powers ministers are legally granted.

However, Mr Johnson insisted some interventions by politicians are breaches of the law. He said he never intervened to help someone facing deportation get a work permit.

“You went home,” he said. “I never did that. As a matter of fact, I was requested to do that by someone very powerful, and I said no. As a matter of fact, I know it was a Chinese in charge, and there were persons who were rumbling that they should get some immigration status or designation, but the immigration director drafted the deportation orders and I signed it. There were some persons who were very hurt about that.”

“Under the Immigration Act, there is a board of ministers that is chaired by the prime minister, and the minister has general superintendence of the department, but administration is done by the director.

“The minister operates at a policy level, and that is why you have an efficient public service which is basically headed by the permanent secretary. The minister, the board or the prime minister can give general or specific directions to the director of immigration, but the act requires that it is done in accordance with the provisions of the act.

“The immigration officers are given the powers of a police officer to conduct their duties, and anyone preventing them from conducting their duties can be held liable for that. The minister, the board or the prime minister cannot give the director of immigration instructions that are adverse to the provisions of the act.”

Immigration Director Keturah Ferguson expressed deep disapproval when Mr Bell intervened to release 65 Chinese

nationals staying at the British Colonial Hilton in January, saying the intervention undermined her department’s work, including its ability to counter human trafficking.

Mr Bell reportedly said he was acting at the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper.

During a press conference on Sunday, FNM leader Michael Pintard outlined several other examples of Mr Bell allegedly interfering with the work of immigration officials to help people who would have otherwise been deported or denied status.

“A number of concerns have been raised with respect to several immigration enforcement matters,” the Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement yesterday. “We take such concerns seriously; Bahamians deserve the facts. We are working to pull together detailed answers to address these concerns and look forward to releasing those in short order.”

Nonetheless, Mr Johnson said it is concerning that Director Ferguson felt strongly enough to express her

concerns as she did in her January 18 letter.

“She identified a real concern that those persons may have been trafficking,” he said. “There’s an international convention that we’ve signed on to,

and there’s a Convention of Trafficking Act that outlaws trafficking, so if they are performing their legitimate duties, no minister has the authority, even though he has some degree of discretion, to invite the director

and the persons appointed to breach the act.”

“It should never be that the director has taken a stance and the director is embarrassed by the minister. You don’t do that to your men and women.”

‘Di D Bell tell truth over citizenship?’

from page one

and so, in those circumstances, he asked, he called me on his deathbed and said he would want his wife sworn in as a citizen in his presence. Unfortunately, he died before I got back from Switzerland.”

Dr Minnis said the facts show the man died before Mr Bell travelled to Switzerland.

“Racine died on the 29th,” he said. “Parliamentary record reflects that Keith Bell was in Parliament

on the 31st. According to Cable 12 news, Keith Bell said himself that the man called him in Switzerland. Keith Bell could not have been in Switzerland because the conference didn’t start until the fifth.

“It is quite evident that Keith Bell is not telling the truth. He is being dishonest to the entire population. If he cannot prove he went to Switzerland and received that call, and then came back to Nassau on the 31st, Keith Bell should be asked to resign for lying and giving

More leaks of iMMigration

false information to the entire Bahamas.

“He obviously was talking to a dead man. Only he could tell us how it was possible for him to talk to a

dead man.”

Dr Minnis tabled 31 questions about the matter in the House of Assembly yesterday. His comments came as

FNM supporters protested Mr Bell outside the House of Assembly, chanting: “Bell got to go.”

As the FNM supporters protested, Progressive

Liberal party supporters showed up in a motorcade and counter protested. Some greeted Mr Bell and called for Long Island Adrian Gibson to resign.

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

COALITION of Independents Leader Lincoln Bain said his party may seek judicial review of the Davis administration’s immigration activities.

During a press conference at the COI headquarters yesterday, Mr Bain leaked additional information about a January 17 incident in which Mr Bell is alleged to have intervened to release dozens of Chinese nationals working with irregularities at the British Colonial Hotel.

He also leaked Mr Bell’s voice message to a senior immigration official. In that clip, Mr Bell said Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper directed that immigration officials not proceed against the Chinese nationals.

In a January 18, 2023 letter, Chad Adams, the chief immigration officer, wrote that only three of 65 Chinese nationals produced identification documents. He wrote that those three overstayed their time in the country.

The letter is addressed to Fausteen MajorSmith, deputy director of immigration.

“On arrival at the hotel, we observed lighting and clothing hung in the windows of some of the rooms,” Mr Adams wrote. “Shortly thereafter, we noted an Asian male in the window of one of the rooms.”

Mr Adams said the deputy director of immigration instructed him to arrest and detain the subjects. However, this decision was overturned by the director of immigration.

“Madame, as you are aware, I contacted you and your instruction was to have all subjects arrested and detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre,” he wrote. “However, I would have received a phone call from the director to hold on taking persons into custody.

“All subjects were left at the property as instructed.”

According to the letter, the three people who overstayed in the country did so by nine months, four months and 24 days, respectively.

Yesterday, Mr Bain said: “We’re going to continue to let the Bahamian people see the skulduggery that is going on right now in our immigration department and we’re going to make further announcement as to what our way forward is with this.”

‘irregularities’ with chinese workers revealeD By coi

COALITION of Independents Leader Lincoln Bain.

Photo: Austin Fernander

A GROUP of FNM supporters gathered in Rawson Square calling for Immigration Minister Keith Bell’s resignation or removal.

Photo: Leandra Rolle

FORMER Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson said the Immigration Act and accompanying regulations give ministers limited freedom to interfere in the administrative and operational affairs of the Department of Immigration.

Thirty-nine receive their doctor’s coat at oath swearing ceremony at UWI

THIRTY-Nine men and women of the University of the West Indies (UWI) School of Clinical Medicine and Research were bestowed their doctor’s coat at the Oath Swearing and Awards Ceremony for the graduating Class of 2023. The event held at Baha Mar Convention Center yesterday was an historic occasion as this year marked the 75th anniversary of the University and 25 years for School of Clinical Medicine and Research. Giving remarks were Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PA SSES RESOLUTION TO JOIN INTER- PA RLI A MENTA RY UNION

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE House of Assembly passed a resolution yesterday to join the Inter-Parliamentary Union. State Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle described joining the union “as a key step in joining countries around the globe in advancing and promoting peace, democracy, human rights, sustainable development, and the development of effective, representative, and accountable parliaments.”

“Joining the IPU will enable all Bahamian parliamentarians and the parliament itself to connect with and learn from parliaments and parliamentarians from 179 jurisdictions. The

Bahamas will become part of an expansive network of parliaments who work together to strengthen the institution of their individual parliaments through access to information and expertise, as well as a network of parliamentarians through which a mutual exchange of knowledge can flow.”

“IPU meetings will also provide a forum for our nation to advance its agenda on the world stage, allowing us to lobby and partner with parliamentary representatives from other jurisdictions to advance causes that are important to us, such as climate change and climate resilience funding.”

According to the resolution, a committee of five people will be responsible for organising relations with the IPU.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that WINDY SAINTVIL of of Home Stead Street, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 25th day of July, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that SYDLEANE JOSEPH of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 18th day of July, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

The Public is hereby advised that I, CRAIG HERLE COOPER of Yamacraw Beach Shore, Nassau, Bahamas, intend to change my name to CRAIG COOPER If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Offcer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that CHRISTINA ROWE of #3 Allen Drive, Carmichael Road, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 18th day of July, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

to the Governor General Cynthia Pratt attended the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Employee Recognition Awards 2023 Sapphire Ball recognizing employees for long service and performance excellence on Saturday at St Joseph’s Parish Hall. In attendance were Minister of Health and Wellness Michael Darville and Minister of State Myles LaRoda, who gave congratulatory remarks on behalf of Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis. Long Service Awards were presented for 30 or more years of service; and Performance Excellence Awards for outstanding work function. The theme - ‘PHA Gems Celebrating 50 Years and Beyond.’ In the group photo, Mrs. Pratt presents an ‘Employee of the Year’ award to Gandhi Frazier, with Minister Darville, third left; Minister of State LaRoda, second right; and PHA officials.

/BIS

SIR CORNEL IUS SMITH, Governor General (centre) received the President and Executives of the Bahamas Chinese Dragon Boat Association during a courtesy call yesterday at the Office of the Governor General. Also pictured from left: Dr Williamson Chea; Dr Christine Chin, president; Susie Chan; and Windy Gardiner.

Patrick

NOTICE is hereby given that WALSON VALMY of #11 Ponce De Leon Drive, Freeport, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 18th day of July, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

Darville and Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin.

Photo: Austin Fernander

DEPUTY

Photo: Patrick Hanna

Photo:

Hanna/BIS

STATE Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle

Gibson’s trial delayed after PLP Protest

activity could prejudice the case. When Mr Gibson and his co-accused walked inside the courtroom yesterday, a group of people in PLP paraphernalia could be heard chanting, “Gibson gotta go”.

Justice Cheryl GrantThompson expressed concern about how such behaviour could prejudice the defendants’ right to a fair trial.

She told potential jurors she could not empanel a new jury as scheduled because of “the events”.

“I have disquiet, and my disquiet is such that it would not allow me to allow a jury to be selected from you all,” she said. “I have had an opportunity to speak to the bailiff of

the court and he indicated to me that some of you had been present from 9 o’clock and you had indicated to him that you needed some refreshment and he had advised you to get some coffee.”

“So I am concerned that some of you may have left the courtroom, and so, therefore, may have been exposed to the events that I informed was going on in the square this morning.”

Damian Gomez, KC, now represents Mr Gibson, joining Murrio Ducille, KC. Mr Gomez asked for a gag order to be imposed as a result of the demonstration, a request Justice GrantThompson granted.

The order prevents the media from reporting trial dates.

Since last June, when

the defendants were charged, Mr Gibson’s trial has been delayed many times, primarily because of legal challenges.

In September, Mr Ducille objected to having the matter before Justice Grant-Thomson, arguing that her deceased husband’s political alignment with the Progressive Liberal Party prevented her from being impartial. The judge denied his application.

In May, the trial was delayed by a constitutional motion seeking a stay of court proceedings after Mr Gibson and his co-accused claimed that their rights to a fair trial had been breached. That motion was also rejected.

On June 28, the case was delayed again when the initial jury was discharged

after two members were dismissed for breaching court protocol.

Gibson is facing corruption charges in connection with his tenure as executive chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation under the Minnis administration.

The charges stem from Mr Gibson’s alleged failure to declare his interest in contracts awarded by the WSC.

The FNM politician is charged with WSC’s former general manager, Elwood Donaldson, Jr, Rashae Gibson, Gibson’s cousin, Joan Knowles, Peaches Farquharson and Jerome Missick.

Together, the group face 98 charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, fraud, receiving and money laundering.

FORMER POLICE COMMISSIONER PAUL FARQUHARSON DEAD AT 74

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Police Commissioner

Paul Farquharson died yesterday at 74.

Mr Farquharson joined the Royal Bahamas Police Force on December 12, 1966, and served as commissioner for eight years.

He recently served as head of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee.

“His life and work truly embodied his belief that ‘only by working together can the public and police improve the quality of life for everyone within our nation,” Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday following his death.

“The Bahamas has lost a titan who dedicated his life to our nation’s safety, prosperity, and advancement. Let us honour Mr Farquharson’s memory by continuing to work together, upholding the principles he so passionately championed, to make The Bahamas safer for all.”

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said Mr Farquharson piloted the organisation’s community policing programme and led its transformation into an intelligence-led policing department.

“Mr Farquharson was an innovator and always sought ways in which the police could improve its services to the Bahamian people,” he said. “Hence, he appointed numerous consultative committees throughout the various policing divisions in an effort to formulate new strategies that would enable the organisation to police effectively and efficiently.”

According to Commissioner Fernander, Mr Farquharson held a Bachelor of Applied Science degree and a diploma in applied criminology and police studies from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard joined in grieving the loss of the former commissioner of police, saying his contributions have left an enduring impact.

“Please know that the entire Free National Movement joins you in grieving the loss of a remarkable individual who left an indelible mark on the nation he served with dedication and distinction,” he said.

“As an aspiring police officer, Mr Farquharson displayed a unique commitment to personal growth and self-improvement. This decision shaped the trajectory of his career and paved the way for his remarkable rise through the ranks of the police force.”

Additionally, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said he has lost “another solid citizen friend”, expressing appreciation for his workmanship.

He said: “We first met when he was an aide to the late Governor General Sir Gerald Cash. I have pointed to him to my present aides about what being an aide can lead to in life.

“He served in his public roles with equanimity and rationality. He was a policeman’s policeman.

“As public service minister, I worked latterly with him as a member of the Police Service Commission.

I appreciated his work for King and country.”

WOMAN CRIES W HILE TESTIF YING THAT BUS DRIVER SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HER

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A YOUNG woman cried while testifying about how a bus driver allegedly threatened her with a hammer, dragged her back into a bus and sexually assaulted her outside the Mall at Marathon in 2021.

The 21-year-old victim said on the evening of March 7, 2021, she asked Douglas Edey, 37, to use his phone while a passenger in his number 15 bus. She said she used his phone to call a friend because her phone didn’t have a SIM card.

She said later, Edey allegedly pulled out a hammer and threatened her outside the bus near Kelly’s Home Centre at the Mall at Marathon. She says Edey forced her into the bus and attempted to sexually assault her. She was overwhelmed with emotion during her testimony. She said as she fought the man, she “felt it” when he put the tip of his penis inside her. She claimed the accused rubbed her privates, and she saw him put on a condom.

She said she tried to hide in a black car near Wendy’s at the mall after escaping the bus. She said while she tried

to flee into the nearby KFC where her mother worked, Edey allegedly grabbed and dragged her back to the bus.

Julian Brown, a bus driver, testified that he saw the alleged victim get pulled into the bus through his rearview mirror.

When he pulled alongside Edey’s bus window to investigate, he heard the alleged victim scream, “please help me, please help me”. He said when he confronted Edey, the man told him the woman was his girlfriend.

He said when he noticed the frightened look of the alleged victim, he offered to take her to her mother, but Edey refused.

Mr Brown alleged that he saw a hammer with a brownish handle near the gear shift of the bus.

He said he called the police after Edey left the

scene.

He said later that night, he saw the defendant get arrested near Kelly’s Lumber Yard on East Street. He said the young woman still appeared visibly shaken.

Mr Brown said he told officers about the hammer he saw in a subsequent police interview.

Attorney Nathan Smith represents Edey.

During cross-examination, Mr Smith suggested the alleged victim stole his client’s phone and $379, but the complainant denied this.

Mr Smith also suggested no hammer was involved and that the two people were dating. The victim denied these suggestions as well.

Justice Guillimina ArcherMinns presides over the trial, which continues later this week.

DAMIAN G OMEZ, KC, (right) who now represents Adrian Gibson (centre), joining Murrio Ducille, KC (left), asked for a gag order to be imposed as a result of the PLP’s demonstration, a request Justice Grant-Thompson granted. The order prevents the media from reporting trial dates.

Photo: Moise Amisial

The Tribune Limited

Urgent need for banks on the islands

EDITOR,

I AM writing to shed light on a matter that holds significant importance for the residents of our beloved family island, Andros. The absence of adequate banking infrastructure and services is posing numerous challenges and hindrances to the growth and development of our community; particularly North and Central Andros.

Bell must answer questions, but investigation needed

THE succession of claims of irregularities at Immigration under the watch of Minister Keith Bell is continuing to mount up.

Mr Bell, who has promised to answer the accusations against him when he speaks in the House tomorrow, first ran into difficulties over a citizenship ceremony he admits he administered at a funeral for the family members of the man who was being buried.

In the House of Assembly yesterday, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis dissected Mr Bell’s answers on the subject, raising further questions over that incident. Part of Mr Bell’s response to that will come down to exactly what he has said previously on that issue and whether any of his previous statements do not quite add up to the timeline laid out previously.

Then there is the issue of the Chinese nationals who were released from detention who had been housed at the British Colonial Hilton.

A letter dated January 18 of this year said that an apprehension exercise was carried out on January 17 at about 20.00 hours (8pm). By about 20.59 hours (8.59pm), directives were said to have been received from Mr Bell to have the immigration officers stand down. The letter claimed this request was made by Chester Cooper, who was Acting Prime Minister at the time.

Within an hour of an operation being initiated that evening, Mr Bell had directed it to be discontinued, supposedly at the behest of the leader of the country at the time.

For those of us with experience of dealing with Immigration, getting a response during working hours can be a challenge, so it would seem any complaint went over and above the standard protocols.

Of those detained in that instance, only three had any documents to prove their identity – and it appears all three of those had overstayed their time in this country.

Where the rest of the documents were for the workers is a matter that ought to be answered too – did they

have access to their identity and travel documents?

Then there are the other questions raised about immigration issues by the FNM – such as the woman who somehow managed to make a work permit application from the detention centre, get it approved and have the fees waived for the years she allegedly worked without a permit.

Or the reported cases of people getting approvals without an interview, or employers who did not have the financial means to support an employee being given approval.

Then there are the claims of employers without a business licence being granted approvals, or other claims of detainees being released at the order of the minister.

Mr Bell has admitted to some unorthodox actions but reading the litany of allegations, one wonders how often he managed to do things the orthodox way at all.

Of course, allegations have to be proven – and calls have come from both the FNM and the Coalition of Independents for a more substantial investigation.

That should be the bare minimum –with such a range of allegations being made, finding out the truth or otherwise of those claims is of tantamount importance.

For the businesses and individuals doing things by the book, there is a frustration that others can seemingly bypass the proper methods. Is it because – as in the case of the man whose funeral the citizenship ceremony was conducted – they had the minister’s phone number? The appearance that political connections supersede standard process undermines the whole system. Why does everyone else have to wait while the favoured get to the front of the queue – seemingly within an hour in the Hilton case?

Mr Bell’s answers had best be thorough – but a deeper investigation is certainly merited. We a wait tomorrow’s session at the House with interest.

First and foremost, the need for a stable and accessible banking infrastructure arises from the ever-growing demand of residents, businesses, and tourists alike. Our family island, with its unique natural beauty and rich heritage, has witnessed a gradual increase in population and tourism inclusive of winter residents over the years. Unfortunately, the current arrangement of a single ATM serving both North and Central Andros has proven to be highly inadequate, leaving residents facing significant hardships and inconveniences.

One of the major challenges is the long wait times that residents have to endure while standing in line outside in the scorching sun or heavy rain. The limited access to financial services forces people to travel long distances from various parts of the island to utilise the ATM. These individuals often have to endure exhausting journeys only to discover that the ATM is either out of service or out of cash. This not only wastes valuable time and resources but also hampers their every day lives, affecting their ability to conduct basic financial transactions in a timely manner. The situation is particularly alarming for businesses

operating on the island as they heavily rely on prompt and accessible banking services. The lack of a local banking infrastructure impedes their ability to make regular deposits, access loans, and efficiently manage their financial operations. This not only hinders their growth prospects but also limits their capacity to contribute fully to the island’s economic development.

The establishment of a banking institution on our family island will bring about numerous benefits, not only for residents but also for the bank itself. Here are a few reasons why such an infrastructure is crucial:

1. Enhanced convenience: with a local banking branch, residents will have easy access to essential banking services, including deposits, withdrawals, loans, and other financial transactions. This will save time and money, which currently gets spent on traveling to the nearest banking facilities on the mainland.

2. Encouraging Local Economic Development: A local banking infrastructure will support the growth of small businesses, enabling entrepreneurs to establish and expand their enterprises. Additionally, it will attract investments, facilitate financial planning, and enable successful implementation of large-scale development projects on our family island.

3. Tourism support: Our family island is known for its scenic beauty and draws tourists annually. A local bank

will allow visitors to access convenient financial services, exchange currencies, and utilise credit/debit cards without any inconvenience. This will help in promoting tourism and ensuring a delightful experience for travellers.

4. Strengthened Trust and Customer Base: by establishing a local presence, a bank can build trust within the community and develop long-lasting customer relationships. This will not only foster loyalty, but also enhance the bank’s reputation, leading to a broader customer base. Increased customer satisfaction will further contribute to the overall growth and profitability of the bank.

In conclusion, the absence of a reliable banking infrastructure on our family island severely hampers our progress and potential. The current arrangement with a single ATM for North and Central Andros, brings about unnecessary hardships for residents, who have to endure long wait times and travel difficulties. Establishing a local banking branch will not only cater to the growing needs of the residents and businesses but also prove mutually beneficial for the bank operating on the island.

I urge concerned authorities and banking institutions to take immediate action and consider investing in our community’s financial future. The benefits will be far-reaching and positively impact the lives of all those residing on our family island.

CONCERNED CITIZENS OF NORTH AND CENTRAL ANDROS

July 21, 2023.

EDITOR, The Tribune, HAPPY 50th Bahamas, we have so much to be thankful for since gaining our “sovereignty”, some of which are, but not limited to:

1. Potholes the size of blue holes.

2. Telecommunication systems less advanced and reliable than rotary dial.

3. Power that stays on for six contiguous minutes and yet charges the highest rate on the planet (by 50+%).

4. Consecutive governments that have trampled, demeaned and sold the Bahamian people out to wealthy elites.

5. An administration who on their first day in office lowered VAT (12% to 10%) on multi-million homes for the wealthy.

6. An administration that has thrust 41 pieces of legislation, most of which is to tax the Bahamian people into permanent poverty and bankruptcy, while providing all but amnesty for their crony and wealthy elites.

7. Traffic lights so advanced, Red, Yellow and Green are apparently no longer needed. Just guess when you approach the intersection.

8. An alleged parasitic Bolshevik in the Ministry of Finance so hell bent on screwing, eliminating and taxing any quality of life for the average Bahamian. I’m told firsthand this character makes Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong blush.

9. Consecutive administrations taking your money, (yes, money the people and

businesses paid into) out of NIB only to now cry broke and now going to milk you for another 5% for an insolvent fund.

10. Alleged government corruption so rampant it makes a certain neighbouring leader look like Mother Teresa.

11. A government that travels more than Delta. He’s known as Traveling Gnome (with our money by the way).

12. Hundreds of a young population who in my 30 years of asking the question and can’t give the correct answer of “what’s 20% of $100.00”? Only two to date have been correct. Fine Government Ivy League education.

13. Consecutive governments taking property from Bahamians only to gift it to international mega conglomerates.

14. Managing to get a woman has a Bahamian mother, Bahamian husband(s), Bahamian children, 100% Bahamian employees, yet her Bahamian citizenship took 55 (half a century) years! This after constant applications to immigration!

15. Bahamas Government continually allowing financial institutions to charge some of the highest fees in the entire world, completely screwing Bahamians yet again and yet refuses to take cash thereby making our monthly fees even higher to the greedy banks.

16. Crime that makes the streets of Chicago look like

Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

17. Implementing systems at customs and road and traffic causing complete chaos and disaster. However, it’s interesting if anyone at the Ministry of Finance might have interests in the expensive software being coerced on small businesses. It is now obvious it is the intention of government to eliminate small business in the Bahamas.

18. A government that has sold out our sovereignty to the WEF and new world order motto “you will own nothing, eat nothing, drive nothing and be happy”. Pindling would have never considered such betrayal on the Bahamian people.

19. A government that allows our marine resources to be stripped by international charters.

20. Forcing Bahamians out of their homes with insane, unrealistic property tax assessments to the point where Karl Marx is embarrassed.

21. Eliminating the $500,000 threshold for first time Bahamian home buyers in relation to VAT.

We could go on and on until we have 50 reasons to be thankful on our 50th year, however the Ministry would find a way to tax us on it.

Happy 50th Bahamas. Let’s enjoy, celebrate and bring in the New Day! CHRISTOPHER ARMALY

Nassau, July 20, 2023.

Woman experiences complications and dies as Immigration repatriates 143 migrants

ONE

the

MAN CHARGED FOR MURDER OF Teran Taylor pleads ‘noT guilT y’

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was charged with killing Teran Taylor in Sunset Park on July 10, 2021.

Justice Cheryl GrantThompson charged Perdallion Moxey, 30, with murder.

Moxey allegedly shot and killed Taylor who was standing on Sunset Park on Palmetto Road around 7am.

He pleaded not guilty.

He is expected to return to court on July 26 to get a trial date before Justice Guillimina Archer-Minns.

Three other men were also arraigned in connection with a separate murder that occurred last October.

Justice

Grant-Thompson charged Ahamand Clarke, 25, Ashton Wilson, 22, and Omar Atkinson, 22, with murder.

Troy Kellman represented the accused as they appeared in court.

The accused were charged with killing Fred Lifaite in a drive-by shooting on Sixth Street and Poinciana Avenue on October 29, 2022.

At the time of his death, Lifaite was on bail for his alleged involvement in the killing of Dave Miller on Coconut Drive on February 15, 2016.

The trio all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

They will remain on remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until they return to court on July 26 for a trial date.

Man gran T ed $50k bail on charge of $300k of cocaine

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted $50,000 bail after police allegedly found $294,000 worth of cocaine in his house last week. Fifty rounds of live ammunition were also seized during the raid.

Senior Magistrate Derrence Rolle Davis charged Damiko Bootle, 40, with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and possession of ammunition with intent to supply.

Bootle allegedly had 14.7lb of cocaine which police discovered in his residence on Ixora Avenue in Gardens Hill during a raid around

6.20am on July 18. Police, acting on a search warrant, also reportedly found 50 rounds of .40 ammunition.

The drugs allegedly confiscated had an estimated street value of $294,000. A further $80,000 in cash was seized from Bootle.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was granted $50,000 bail for the drug charge and $7,000 for the ammunition charge. Under the conditions of this bail, the accused is expected to sign in at the Grove Police Station every Monday and Wednesday by 6pm. He must also be fitted with an Electronic Monitoring Device.

Bootle’s trial is set to begin on September 18.

Man accused of raping young woM an held un T il T rial

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded after he was charged with allegedly raping a young woman in New Providence earlier this month.

Acting Chief Magistrate

Roberto Reckley charged Valdez Lopez, 41, with

rape for the alleged sexual assault of a 28-year-old woman on July 11.

He was sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. His case will be transferred to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment set for service on October 19.

hundred and forty-three Haitian migrants were repatriated yesterday. Immigration officials invited the press to observe the exercise. During the process, the aircraft abruptly returned when one of

women passengers experienced health complications. Immigration officials later revealed that the woman had died.

Photos: Moise Amisial

Bahamian Diaspora Awards celebrate the story of our people around the globe

BAHAMIANS are known for leaving indelible marks wherever they go. Amazing stories of Bahamians who are excelling in various fields and making a positive impact in their communities come from every corner of the globe.

This trademark of success dates way back to the 1870s when Bahamians migrated to South Florida and established some of the oldest neighbourhoods there. Bahamian seeking new lives and bright futures became the first black residents in South Florida. Bahamians are the pioneers of the city of Miami. One third of the signatories of the Charter for the city of Miami were Bahamian, according to Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, because they had the ability to read and write. Descendants of these pioneers, friends of The Bahamas who have made a lasting impact on the country, as well as Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, were all honoured during the second annual Bahamas Diaspora Awards Gala in Miami, Florida, on Saturday.

The event honoured Bahamians currently blazing trails in the United States of America, while paying homage to those who paved the way. In the late 1800s, Bahamians found work at places like the Peacock Inn, which served as a major hub for the growing community that surrounded it. With an air of distinction and self-pride, they made a positive impact on all they encountered.

Bahamians developed communities such as Coconut Grove, founding the city’s oldest historically black community, today called the West Grove or, more recently, Village West. They also developed Lemon City, Cutler, and many others, and were some of the earliest residents in areas like the Florida Keys and Tarpon Springs.

In 1943, “The Contract” was formed - a farm labour programme developed through an agreement between The Bahamas and the US government. The Contract allowed thousands of Bahamian men and women from throughout the archipelago work in America, cultivating and harvesting a variety of crops; for example: tobacco in Tennessee; peaches in Georgia; corn in Minnesota; citrus in Florida; and peanuts in North Carolina. When The Contract was over, some workers returned to The Bahamas, while others settled throughout the United States, particularly in the state of Florida and New York.

In Miami, 150 years of history has been

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

solidified with the naming of Little Bahamas. This area includes landmarks like the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church; the Coconut Grove Cemetery; the Coloured Library (Odd Fellows Hall); the Nassau Daddy Peacock; and the Mariah Brown House, which is named for its first homeowners, Mariah and Ernest Brown. The couple was among the earliest black Bahamians to establish the community, and their home remains nearly unchanged since it was constructed in 1890. Bahamians built homes that have stood the test of time and survived hurricanes, built with coral rock and Dade County Pine. People flock from around the world to attend the Miami Bahamas Junkanoo Festival, also known as the Coconut Grove Bahamian Goombay Festival.

“Bahamians has brought Miami to where it is today - a bustling center for tourism, commerce and the arts,” said Rosie Gomez, president of the National Association of The Bahamas, as she spoke at The Bahamas Diaspora Awards Gala.

“It is the biggest economy in the south western hemisphere - a tribute to the foundational work done by Bahamians.”

The Bahamas Diaspora Association, in conjunction with the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD), the National Association of The Bahamas and the Curtis Foundation, hosted the event at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, where hundreds gathered to pay tribute to the honourees. The Bahamas Diaspora Association event celebrated The Bahamas 50th Independence anniversary, and was held under the theme: “Working together to empower the Diaspora while committed to Nation Building”.

During the awards gala, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, of the US House of Representatives, a Bahamian descendant, presented Mr Davis with the Leadership and Political Award. She pointed out that Mr Davis has become a leading voice for Small Island Development States on matters of climate change and sustainability on the global stage, he has repositioned the country

as a global leader in digital assets, and he has appointed a record number of women to his Cabinet, among other notable achievements.

“It is an honour to be amongst such a distinguished group - a community continuing to grow and make contributions to your adopted homeland,” said Mr Davis.

“It is a testament to the bond that unites us, regardless of geographical borders. The Bahamas Diaspora Association was born out of a vision to support our country. These hold special significance as we commemorate our 50th Independence.”

“You have shown immense dedication to your local communities. Your impact transcends borders. You are global citizens making positive changes. We recognise and applaud those who have rallied to support Bahamians - especially during Hurricane Dorian. It is your generous compassion that reminds us that the Bahamian spirit knows no barriers. Today, we are stronger, ready to face any obstacles that come our way.”

“We cannot overlook those who, in early 19th century, set foot in the United States of America and helped build the foundation for our growth. The community of Coconut Grove shows that we have a history of making significant contributions wherever we go. Today, our diaspora is a proud, adaptable and auspicious group. You are motivated, broadcasting the rich cultural heritage of our islands wherever you go. Continue to forge new paths and create history in places you now call home.”

Seven other awardees were celebrated at the event, including: Dr William Pickard - Diaspora Education; Rob Ceravolo - The Bahamas Diaspora Relief Award; Yolanda CashJackson - The Garth Basil Coleridge Reeves Sr Philanthropic Award; HT Smith - The M Athalie RangeCommunity Service Award; Leona Cooper-Baker - The Dr Enid C Pinkney Historic Preservation Award; Dewey Knight III - the EWF Stirrup Sr Entrepreneurship and Community Development Award; and Will and Heather Packerthe Diaspora Philanthropic Award.

Dr Pickard is a highly successful entrepreneur

with a long track record of business acumen. He has invested in numerous industries and has become a leader in Detroit, empowering the African American community for decades. He has extended his goodwill to The Bahamas, supporting young Bahamians in their educational aspirations in the state of Michigan, where he was once named “Michiganian of the Year”.

Rob Cerevalo is the founder of Tropic Ocean Airways, a commuter seaplane airline headquartered in Florida, servicing Florida, The Bahamas and the Northeast USA. Tropic Ocean Airways’ dedication was exemplified in the dire aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in 2019, when the team worked tirelessly for 18 consecutive days, providing relief efforts and support to those affected.

Yolanda Cash-Jackson is among the power elite when it comes to lawyer lobbyists in Florida. This agent of change with Bahamian roots has an extensive list of accolades, including being recognised by the Miami Herald as one of only 50 statewide influencers for 2019 election coverage, and the Daily Business Review named her a “Most Effective Lawyer” in 2019.

HT Smith is MiamiDade County’s first African American assistant Public Defender and the first African American assistant County Attorney. This Bahamian descendant was voted the Top Trial Lawyer in 2017 by the Dade County Bar Association, and the National Law Journal recognized him as one of America’s Top Ten Trial Lawyers of the Year. He has been inducted into the “Legal Legends” of Miami-Dade County, and he is listed in the Best Lawyers of America, Florida Super Lawyers, and Law and Leading American Attorneys. Leona Cooper-Baker has been gathering and recording historical biographies of the pioneering black women settlers of Coconut Grove, Miami, as well as Coral Gables, Florida. Her

efforts have resulted in the only oral record available, along with valuable photographs of these women in their dwellings. This Eleuthera descendant’s work has resulted in the implementation of exhibits, working with the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, which reflect the history of Coconut Grove.

Dewey Knight II is a descendant of the wellregarded Brown family, some of Miami’s first generation Bahamian settlers. He is a fifth-generation Miami resident with a rich legacy of community builders. He continued the legacy of uplifting the people of Miami, including pouring into underserved youth. Knight went on to form a franchise with four other partners - WorldWide Concessions, which has grown to serve counties outside of Miami, providing jobs and training to hundreds of people.

Will and Heather Packer are often referred to as one of the most influential power couples in the entertainment industry. They have given generously to provide food, clothing, housing, and scholarship assistance to individuals across America as well as The Bahamas, their adopted country. They have supported many Bahamians as well as community causes in the country, including the 2022 Exuma Island New Year’s Celebrations, the Exuma Community Softball and Parks Association, and the 2023 Bahamas Independence Celebrations in Exuma.

The Bahamas National Independence Secretariat provided gifts for some fo the attendees of The Bahamas Diaspora Awards Gala, who were grateful to have a token from their homeland as they celebrate the country’s Golden Jubilee. Protocol Officer Terry Archer lended his expertise to ensure a seamless event.

Founder and president of the Bahamas Diaspora Association Dr Andy Ingraham said the event serves to solidify the significance of the Bahamas Diaspora Association as a

formidable entity, bringing Bahamians throughout the Diaspora together. By networking and celebrating one another, he added, Bahamian Diasporans and their friends have an opportunity to shape their future success and that of The Bahamas in ways that would bring about lasting change.

Dr Ingraham is also the founder, president and CEO of NABHOOD, and is descended from island of Eleuthera. He is a formidable Bahamian American with a distinguished track record of success in the hospitality and media industries. The Bahamas Diaspora Awards Gala was held on the heels of NABHOOD’s 27th annual International African American Hotel Ownership and Investment Summit and Trade Show (July 19-21). That event coincided with the 10th Annual International Multicultural and Heritage Tourism Summit and Trade Show (July 21-23), headed by Andy’s daughter, PJ Douglas Sands. All three events served to promote not only the interests of black Americans and other ethnic groups, but is also vital for Caribbean interests, and many were represented at the conferences.

This years’ series of events attracted top tier speakers, such as: Sheila Johnson, America’s first black female billionaire and founder of the Salamander Collection; Cheryl Campbell, acting assistant secretary for administration at US Department of Health and Human Services; Levar Stoney, Mayor of Richmond, Virginia; Melonie Ducre Johnson, president/CEO, MGM National Harbour, MGM Resorts; R Donahue Peebles,

Oliver Gil-

chairman

Miami Dade County; Curt Hollingsworth, Consul General of The Bahamas (Miami); and Dr Enid C Pinkney, president of the Curtis Foundation, a 91-yearold community leader and

of the Peebles Corporation;

bert,

of

noted historian.

PICTURED (left to right) Dr Andy Ingraham, President, Bahamas Diaspora Association; US Congresswoman Frederica Wilson; Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis; Mrs Ann Marie Davis, Office of the Spouse; Rosie Gomez, National Association of The Bahamas; Jerry C Butler, host, Bahamas Diaspora Awards Gala.

YOLANDA CASH-JACKSON, Bahamian descendant and noted Florida attorney, received The Garth Basil Coleridge Reeves Sr Philanthropic Award from Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis.

WILL PACKER, American film producer, on stage with Ken Fearn, chairman of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD).

Travelling is great, but ‘oh so nice to wander back’

LEGENDARY American entertainer Frank Sinatra famously sang about how nice it was to go travelling but that it was “oh so nice to wander back”. With that in mind, what a pleasure it is to be in harness again today with my weekly column after a short absence while on a visit to England to catch up with family and friends. It is easy to see what he meant. Despite the pleasure of a three-week trip it is good to be home again and back in the old familiar routine.

It was disappointing to have to miss the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of independence but it was heartening to read the warm message of congratulations and support from King Charles even though he was unable personally to attend the celebrations – and I found it interesting to reflect on the iconic photograph of the Governor General and Prime Minister in close conversation with him at a reception at Buckingham Palace after the Coronation. To many, this will have sent a symbolic message of the existing deep relationship between The Bahamas and Britain and augurs well for the future.

Because of the pandemic restrictions my wife and I had been unable to travel to England since 2019. So, for us, the visit this time was significant on a personal basis. In particular, we were conscious of the dictum attributed to Samuel Johnson, the 18th century English writer, essayist, poet, biographer and editor who was often called Dr Johnson. He was famous for his admonition

The Peter Young column

that a man should “keep his friendships in good repair”. This is as relevant today as it was in his time, though in the modern age, of course, it applies equally to women as it does to family members as well as friends. Ideally, it requires regular contact. On this trip, not only were we able to stay with family and catch up on so much news but also to attend a three-day gathering of a small group of long-term friends from university days. We had sworn eternal allegiance to one another all those years ago and have somehow remained close and kept the bonds of friendship going – people who still empathise with one another, ‘warts and all’. Telephone calls, emails and Zoom meetings are all very well, but Dr Johnson – ignorant as he was of such aids to communication more than two centuries in the future - was indeed

surely talking about personal contact. It was also rewarding to be able to listen to the exploits of family members and to those of godchildren and the grandchildren of our hosts who enthusiastically recounted their achievements of the last few years and told us of their hopes and aspirations for the future. Having been away for so long, it was heartening during an initial three-hour car journey from Heathrow to the home of family in deepest Herefordshire, close to the Welsh border, to see the English countryside looking in such fine shape in high summer. While speeding along on

country roads that seemed not to have changed much over the years, we observed the endless abundance of trees and luxuriant foliage together with evidence of the good stewardship of farmland and property in a pleasing rural environment.

Later, our hosts ensured we were kept busy with a tour of the magnificent Aynhoe Park, a 17th century stately private country house and estate in the village of Aynho in Northamptonshire on the edge of the Cotswolds overlooking the Cherwell valley. The estate is set in lovely countryside with views of the rolling green hills of Oxfordshire bathed in summer sunshine.

Next came a visit to a famous 400-year-old Tudor manor house preserved and managed by the National Trust and one evening we attended a choral concert at the church in the local large village of Deddington which boasts pubs, a hotel, shops and a post office together with a quintessential village green at its centre – all of which contribute to high local property prices!

Added to all that, we were taken on a tour of the incomparable Cotswolds that feature fine countryside and farmland with a plethora of pretty villages and attractive houses built with the local warm, lightcoloured Cotswold stone. Meanwhile, there were

banking matters and other business to deal with, but also time to watch on TV the tennis at Wimbledon and a famous Ashes cricket match between England and Australia.

So, all in all, it was a most enjoyable whirlwind visit which, in the circumstances, could ideally have been longer. But a loyal little dog was biding his time in kennels awaiting our return, and, good as the trip was, I was beginning to think towards the end that Frank Sinatra had indeed got it right – no more travelling, packing and unpacking or airport hassle, and the prospect of sleeping in one’s own bed again had suddenly become most appealing!

UNCERTAINTY IN BRITISH POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

WHILE my wife and I were in the UK these past weeks, it was interesting to discuss with various people the current uncertain local political situation and to study the local press. The general view seems to be that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government remains deeply unpopular and that the electorate has hardly ever been as febrile as it is today.

What dominated the news last week was the three by-elections forced on the government by the resignations of the sitting Tory MPs in each constituency, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson who was forced out in June as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip after the Partygate affair. These byelections were a real test for Sunak who has been in office for nine months following last autumn’s chaos over the Conservative Party leadership succession.

Two of the three byelections resulted in overwhelming defeats for the ruling Conservatives.

The Labour Party overturned a massive Tory majority to win the northern seat of Selby and Ainsty while the Liberal Democrats trounced the Tories in Somerton and Frome in southwest England. In both cases, what appeared to be unassailable majorities were destroyed on the back of colossal swings. In suburban Uxbridge, the Conservatives managed to defy expectations by hanging on with a wafer-thin majority after a recount. Labour, who claimed that a win for them in Boris Johnson’s old constituency would have been a humiliating blow for the Tories, suggested that they only won because of the unpopularity of London’s ultra-low emission zone which imposes an extra daily charge on motorists driving older cars into the city.

Many say that there is often a temptation to view by-election results as indicating dramatic change in a country’s political landscape. But

political scientists are normally reluctant to read too much into the results of mid-term local elections or by-elections because voters tend to use these to indicate dissatisfaction with a sitting government and to send a message to their political leaders in the comfortable knowledge that their government at the national level will not be toppled. Moreover, turnout at such elections tends to be low and, in the case of the Tories at Selby many voters simply stayed away. Overall, across the three contests the Tory vote was down by 21 percentage points. Nonetheless, this time more and more people are saying the government should sit up and listen. The evidence is that voters are concerned about the cost of living, mortgage costs, strikes and record National Health Service waiting lists – and the perception is that the government seems to have few answers to the nation’s problems. Sunak says he is working hard in relation to his five priorities

to halve inflation, restore growth, reduce debt, cut hospital waiting lists and stop the immigrant boats crossing the Channel. It is becoming clear, however, that unless his government changes tack the Tories will lose the next general election that is due no later than January, 2025 but is likely to take place in 2024.

His own MPs are urging him to go for a more ‘trueblue agenda’. This means tackling illegal immigration more effectively, bringing in ‘zero-tolerance policing’ against Just Stop Oil protesters, and stopping the headlong net-zero push in relation to climate change that is burdening UK tax payers. It also means being more vocal and courageous in the culture wars and speaking out against extremism while stressing the importance of free speech. But, above all, millions have made it clear they want more emphasis on commonsense in public life.

From what is now being said, the Tories need to

win back the trust and confidence of their own supporters. Most importantly, they need to cut taxes. Traditionally, Conservatives have had a reputation for sound economic and financial management. One of their principles has been to allow people, when possible, to keep more of their own money; and now, it is argued, is the time for some bold new tax initiatives.

Moreover, now that Brexit is a fait accompli, many believe the government should do more to show the advantages of leaving

the EU and to talk up positive developments like the recent announcement of a major investment by the multi-national Tata Group in building an electric car battery plant in the UK.

The future for Prime Minister Sunak is fraught with difficulty. But his Party defied expectations in Uxbridge and many observers consider there is time for him to return to Conservative principles and, with better economic news around the corner, secure victory at the next general election.

T HE QUESTION THAT REM AINS - WILL UKRAINE JOIN NATO?

DURING our visit to England described elsewhere on this page it was instructive to be able to follow more closely than usual an international event like the NATO Summit held earlier this month in Vilnius, the capital of the Baltic state of Lithuania.

Despite the ready supply to Ukraine of weapons and military equipment by NATO countries in response to Russia’s invasion in February last year, how its members should respond to the nation’s wish to join the organization presents them with a dilemma – and this was all too evident at the Vilnius meeting.

Since Western countries do not want to provoke Russia into a wider war, some of them are reluctant

to see Ukraine in NATO because they would be required under its Article 5 provision to come directly to Ukraine’s aid. It is said that the US is lukewarm towards Ukraine’s membership while Germany, in particular, is among some leading NATO countries prepared to veto Ukraine’s membership for fear of triggering a war with Russia.

This is not unexpected given that NATO’s encroachment on Russia’s borders has been cited by the Kremlin as one of the reasons for its invasion of Ukraine. However, the irony is that had Ukraine already been in NATO it is doubtful whether Putin would have risked a war with the US and the rest of the alliance by mounting

his invasion. But his actions have precipitated precisely what he was trying to avoid -- namely, the recent expansion of NATO. Now, with Finland and Sweden as new members – more NATO in the Baltic – this expansion must surely be seen as a setback and another headache for him.

Western analysts consider that Ukraine will continue to be crucial to the security of Europe in the foreseeable future. But such security will only be achieved when Putin is made to understand that sovereign states will always be defended. As was clear at the Vilnius summit, these are important current issues and it might be interesting to examine them in more detail in a future column.

A VIEW of a village in the Cotswolds

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK

UKRAINE’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses a media conference at a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. The United States and other major industrialized nations are pledging long-term security assistance for Ukraine as it continues to fight Russia’s invasion.

Photo: Pavel Golovkin/AP

North Korea fires 2 short-range ballistic missiles after US submarine arrives in South Korea

SEOUL

Associated Press

NORTH Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea, South Korea’s military said Tuesday, adding to a recent streak in weapons testing that is apparently in protest of the US sending major naval assets to South Korea in a show of force.

In its third round of launches since last week, North Korea fired the missiles just before midnight from an area near its capital, Pyongyang, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. It said both missiles travelled around 400 kilo meters (248 miles) before landing in waters off the Korean Peninsula’s eastern coast. Its statement called North Korea’s missile launches a “grave provocation” that threatens regional peace and stability.

The launches came hours after South Korea’s navy said a nuclear-propelled US submarine — the USS Annapolis — arrived at a port on Jeju Island. That underscored the allies’ efforts to boost the visibility of US strategic assets in the region to intimidate the North.

Last week, the USS Kentucky became the first US nuclear-armed submarine to come to South Korea since the 1980s. North Korea reacted to its arrival by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles last week in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes on South Korea and deployed US naval vessels.

Also on Monday, the American-led UN Command said it has started “a conversation” with North Korea about a US soldier who ran into the North last week across one of the world’s most heavily

fortified borders.

Andrew Harrison, a British lieutenant general who is deputy commander at the UN Command, which oversees implementation of the 1953 armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War, declined to comment about the state of the inquiry to North Korea or say what the command knows about Pvt. Travis King’s condition.

“I am in life an optimist, and I remain optimistic,” Harrison said during a news conference in Seoul.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said North Korea had only “acknowledged” receiving the UN message last week and had not provided any information or commented further since then.

There have been no new contacts since last week,” Miller said, adding that North Korea also had not responded to messages sent

by US civilian or military officials.

North Korea has remained publicly silent about King, who crossed the border during a tour of Panmunjom while he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

The US still has not been able to ascertain King’s condition, a senior administration official said Monday in Washington. Asked if US officials had a better understanding of whether King intended to defect, the official said they still had “no indication about what was going on in his mind that day.” The official was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Analysts say North Korea may wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information

about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to US efforts to secure his release. Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea.

King’s crossing came at a time of high tensions in the Korean Peninsula, where the pace of both North Korea’s weapons demonstrations and the United

States’ combined military exercises have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle. In between the ballistic and cruise missile launches last week, North Korea’s defence minister also issued a veiled threat, saying the Kentucky’s docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it. North Korea has used similar rhetoric before, but the statement underscored how strained relations are now.

The United States and South Korea have expanded their combined military exercises and increased regional deployments of US aircraft and ships, including bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines to counter the nuclear threats posed by North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.

The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but is armed with conventional weapons. The sub mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies, but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson for South Korea’s navy, said the US and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel.

The Koreas are still technically at war since a peace

treaty was never signed. Their armistice becomes 70 years old Thursday, an anniversary South Korea will mark with solemn ceremonies honouring the dead that will involve invited foreign war veterans.

North Korea, which celebrates the date as victory day for the “great Fatherland Liberation War,” plans huge festivities that will likely include a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, where leader Kim Jong Un may showcase his nuclear-capable missiles designed to target regional rivals and the United States.

North Korea’s staterun Korean Central News Agency said Monday that a Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the standing committee of the country’s National People’s Congress, would attend the celebrations.

Visits by foreign guests to North Korea have been extremely rare since the start of the pandemic, which prompted the North to seal its borders to protect its poor healthcare system. North Korea since last year has been gradually reopening trade with China in an apparent effort to salvage a crippled economy damaged further by the pandemicrelated border controls.

With ‘BarBie,’ Greta GerW iG Breaks a Box office record for female directors

Associated Press

“BARBIE” didn’t just break the opening weekend record for 2023; It also shattered the first weekend record for a film directed by a woman.

With $162 million in ticket sales from North American theatres, according to studio totals Monday, “Barbie” catapulted past both “Captain Marvel,” which was co-directed by Anna Boden and opened to $153.4 million in 2019, and “Wonder Woman,” Patty Jenkins ‘ 2017 film that debuted to $103.3 million. Boasting a reported price tag of $145 million, “Barbie” also cost less to produce than “Captain Marvel” ($152 million) and “Wonder Woman” ($200 million).

Globally, it far surpassed “Wonder Woman’s” debut with over $337 million versus $228.3 million, though “Captain Marvel’s” global launch was higher at $455 million.

“Barbie’s” debut, $7 million higher than estimated on Sunday, is also significant because its audience was 65% women — not a surprise in and of itself, but as far as box office history is concerned, movies that open over $100 million often have a majority male audience (including both “Captain Marvel” and “Wonder Woman”). This, many have noted, is perhaps less a rule and more of a lack of big films that have been made and promoted with a blockbuster female audience in minds.

A close, but imperfect comparison is “Fifty Shades of Grey,” which was directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, and made $85 million in its first three days. The R-rated adaptation opened on Presidents Day weekend in 2017 for a five-day haul of $93 million.

“Barbie” also earned the title of the third biggest July debut ever, surpassing Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” and “The Dark Knight Rises” — not adjusted for inflation — and trailing only the liveaction “The Lion King” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”

Gerwig co-wrote and directed “Barbie” which is intended to be the first of many Mattel-inspired spinoffs. And in just one weekend it’s already surpassed the domestic grosses her last two films, “Little Women,” which earned $108.1 million and “Lady Bird,” with $49 million. In 2018, Gerwig also made history by becoming the fifth woman to be nominated for the best director Oscar (for “Lady Bird” ). As of 2023, there have now been seven women nominated for best director, and some are already predicting that Gerwig will notch another nod for next year’s ceremony. “Barbie” and Gerwig’s success was celebrated widely online with many in Hollywood pausing to reflect on the moment.

Reese Witherspoon posted “way to go, GG!” on Instagram, while director Ry Russo-Young wrote that “’Barbie’ and its success looms as a beacon of hope” amid the strikes and widely shut-down productions.

“It’s wildly original, feminist, giant in scope and swing, and feels singular to a perspective,” RussoYoung wrote. “These are rare qualities for big movies these days. I hope to see more made like this in the coming years.”

Filmmaker

Nancy

Meyers also celebrated the “triumph” on Instagram, but bristled at the focus on the glass ceiling aspect asking if “Christopher Nolan has ever once

in his life been referred to as a male director.” Meyers and Nolan are among only a handful of writer-directors who have had two or more of their original films gross over $100 million domestically.

“Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’ accomplished something so profound,” Melissa Silverstein, the founder of the blog Women and Hollywood and the artistic director of the Athena Film Festival, wrote in an email Monday. “The fact that she made a funny, entertaining feminist critique and broke so many box office records with a movie about a doll that has been such a lightning rod in our culture is a monumental feat that should not be underestimated.”

Now it’s a question of how high “Barbie” can go and if it can outgross other top films directed by women. In North America, to get the No. 1 spot, “Barbie” will have to earn more than “Frozen II,” co-directed by Jennifer Lee, which tallied out with $477.4 million. “Captain Marvel” is in second place with $426.8 million.

With good reviews and audience scores in its arsenal, word-of-mouth enthusiasm and watercooler buzz, as well as no direct new competition on the calendar, it’s likely that “Barbie” will have “long legs,” a common phrase in the exhibition business that means a movie will continue selling significant numbers of tickets far past its opening weekend.

“This film is working everywhere,” said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ head of domestic distribution. ‘This historic result reflects the intense heat, interest and enthusiasm for ‘Barbie.’”

THIS image released by Warner Brothers Pictures shows Margot Robbie in a scene from “Barbie.”

Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures/AP

IN this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, South Korean navy sailors wave as the USS nuclear-powered submarine USS Annapolis arrives at a South Korean naval base on Jeju Island, South Korea yesterday. The nuclear-propelled US submarine has arrived in South Korea in the second deployment of a major US naval asset to the Korean Peninsula this month, South Korea’s military said yesterday, adding to the allies’ show of force to counter North Korean nuclear threats.

Photo: South Korea Defense Ministry/AP

Ranger takes over as president of the New Providence Referee Association

By LEESHAN MORLEY Tribune Intern

LONG-time referee Darrell Ranger has replaced Travis Sawyer as the new president of the New Providence Referee Association. He was elected two months ago and will serve for the next four years.

Although Ranger was not on the previous board, he decided to run for president

because he felt that the association needed “someone stronger.”

“I felt like we needed someone stronger. Not that he wasn’t doing a good job, I feel like people will respect me more knowing what I bring to the game and what I stand for,” explained Ranger.

Ranger elaborated on the plans that he has for the next four years in office.

“My plan is to try to get more referees on the board, try to get them certified, and get more of them in the professional ranks.” says Ranger. He further went on to say that he would like to increase the number of members from 25 to 50. With this increase, the association can make sure that there are enough referees to cover The Bahamas

and help persons to be more knowledgeable on the rules. His long-term goal is to obtain more referees and help others to see it as a business.

For persons interested in becoming a referee, Ranger explained the steps to get yourself into the profession. You would have to attend a seven-day clinic to be able to be familiar and learn FIBA rules.

Following this, you must pass a physical and written test and also an on-court test to learn what you would have to do on the court and where you would need to be. He also expressed that with being a referee, you have to realise that you are working with humans, so you have to be able to make rational decisions based on FIBA rules and have tough skin. “You’re damned if you

do and damned if you don’t but be damned your way,” he emphasised. There are currently two referees’ associations in New Providence and Ranger expressed his desire to see the two bodies being unified. He said that uniting the associations would be a plus and the diversity will allow them to be stronger and there will also be more referees to choose from.

ARUBA GOES HOME WITH THE GOLD, PUERTO RICO TAKES SILVER, BAHAMAS GETS BRONZE

FROM PAGE 16

and six walks for the win before he was relieved by J. Werleman.

Puerto Rico used three pitchers, but could not stop Aruba’s attack.

JOB

DONE: In the 16-and-under invitational segment of the tournament, played in the new Andre Rodgers National

Seahawks, Uchenna Nwosu agree on a 3-year extension worth up to $59 million

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer

RENTON, Washington (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks have locked up edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu for the next three seasons, agreeing to an extension worth up to $59 million on the cusp of training camp.

Nwosu’s deal includes $32 million guaranteed

and was confirmed to The Associated Press by his agents from Rosenhaus Sports Representation last night.

Seattle’s players report for camp on Tuesday with the first on-field work slated for Wednesday.

Nwosu thrived in 2022, his first season with the Seahawks. He started all 17 games and set career

highs in sacks with 9 1/2 and tackles with 66. Nwosu had 12 tackles for loss, forced three fumbles and recovered two.

Nwosu had three twosack games, and the Seahawks were 7-0 when he recorded at least a half-sack. The 26-year-old spent his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Nwosu signed a twoyear deal worth $19 million with the Seahawks before last season in the hope he could become an anchor for their redesigned defensive front.

Nwosu could be in line for an even bigger role this season, as a result of Seattle planning to play more of a 3-4 defensive alignment.

“I think I could have thrown more strikes, but I am happy that we won it,” said 12-year-old Erasmus, who lost in their first game to Puerto Rico. “We just have to get ready for the World Series.”

Puerto Rico’s manager Efraen Suarez said they lost out to a very good team with good pitching.

“They had good pitching all through the game. Our hitting was not here today,” he said.

“We had a good time being here in the Bahamas, but we would like to have won.”

Suarez, however, said they are heading to Branson, so they have to get their pitchers ready and improve on their batting if they intend to be a contender for the title.

Cuba picked up the bronze medal by blanking Curacao 10-0 on a two-hit, four strikeouts, one walk performance from winning pitcher H Ianmarco. Shortstop AC Miguel led their offensive attack by going 3-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored.

Host Bahamas had to settle for fifth place.

In the 16-and-under invitational segment of the tournament, played in the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, the Bahamas feared much better, winning the bronze medal with an 8-0 whitewashing of North Netherlands last night.

In identical fashion as the 12U, Aruba and Puerto Rico played for the gold in the 16U invitational. Their match was still going on up to press time last night. No results were available.

Earlier in the day in the playoffs, Puerto Rico beat North Netherlands 10-0 and Aruba nipped the Bahamas 6-5. With their victories, Aruba and Puerto Rico advanced to the final, while the Bahamas and North Netherlands had to play for bronze.

PUERTO Rico’s 12U silver medal team at the Babe Ruth Caribbean Championships.

ARUBA’s 12U gold medal team in the Babe Ruth Caribbean Championship yesterday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

SEATTLE Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) walks on the field at the NFL football team’s facilities in Renton, Washington. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

WELL

Baseball Stadium, the Bahamas feared much better, winning the bronze medal with an 8-0 whitewashing of North Netherlands last night.

Photos: Ernesto G Williams

The gap is closing at the Women’s World Cup as the underdogs rise up

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer

SYDNEY (AP) — The underdogs are rising up at the Women’s World Cup.

Jamaica’s 0-0 draw with one of the tournament favourites in France on Sunday was the latest evidence the gap is closing in international soccer.

There were enough examples of that during the men’s World Cup in Qatar last year with Saudi Arabia beating eventual champion Argentina, while Morocco became the first African team to advance to the semifinals.

“Smaller countries are getting that understanding. We might not have the resources the bigger countries do in terms of equipment and travelling and games, but I think there’s an understanding there with coaches and technical staff and everything that our preparation is a little bit better all around,” Jamaica coach Lorne Donaldson said.

“Once upon a time the US by far was very, very dominant and you can just see the gap is closing. I think the smaller nations are jumping on the bandwagon and saying, ‘We can do this too.’”

France coach Hervé Renard, who led Saudi Arabia’s men to that unforgettable win against Lionel Messi and Argentina, agrees. “The French are used to having the upper hand during the opening games, but this is something that is going to change because things are getting a lot closer,” he said.

While that goalless draw was one of the most surprising results of the tournament so far, it followed a growing pattern at this year’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand upset Ada Hegerberg’s Norway with a 1-0 win in the opening match, while Australia struggled to see off debutant Ireland and needed a penalty to seal a win by the same score.

European champion England beat another debutant, Haiti, 1-0 and again needed a penalty to break the deadlock.

Olympic champion Canada was held by 0-0 by Nigeria.

One reason why the traditionally smaller nations are providing such competition for their bigger rivals is the undoubted quality they now boast.

Khadija Shaw, a Manchester City forward, was outstanding for Jamaica and will be a big loss when her team faces Panama on Saturday, after picking up a red card late in the game against France.

Nineteen-year-old Haiti forward Melchie Dumornay looks set to become a star.

“The players are developing,” Donaldson said. “They are getting a chance, some of these players, to go and play in the top leagues and they are taking it.”

While upsets are becoming more commonplace in international soccer, it remains to be seen if one of the underdogs can go all the way at a major tournament.

The men’s World Cup final ended up with Messi and Argentina facing off against then-defending champion France with Kylian Mbappe leading its attack. The United States is aiming for a three-peat at the Women’s World Cup and is the favourite to become the first nation to do so.

England and Australia were pushed close, but are still well-placed to advance from the group stage after winning their

POPP RETURNS IN SCORING FORM FOR GERMANY

By EMILY DOZIER Associated Press

Melbourne, Australia (AP) — Alexandra Popp made an impressive return to the international stage with a pair of goals in Germany’s 6-0 win over Morocco in its opening game at the Women’s World Cup. The veteran striker missed the loss to England in the 2022 European Championship final after experiencing muscular problems prior to the match. She’d scored in each of Germany’s previous matches in the competition, becoming the first player to score in five consecutive games in the women’s tournament.

“For me, personally, I’ve been happy I’ve been healthy all year,” Popp said. “I can support my team. That is important to me, and that gives me strength, and I hope that stays the same throughout the tournament.”

opening games. Both will be expected to improve — especially Australia if forward Sam Kerr can recover from a calf injury.

And Renard, who has won two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, has no doubts about France’s ability to build from a disappointing start.

“I’m satisfied with the mindset of my girls,” he said. “They showed fighting spirit and this will be very useful for us in what comes next. “I think we need to keep a cool head. I have full faith in my girls and this is how I tend to function. We are going to move forward all together and we are on the right track.”

MOROCCO SHIFTS FOCUS TO NEXT GAME AFTER A BIG LOSS IN ITS WOMEN’S WORLD CUP DEBUT

By CASSIDY HETTESHEIMER

Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Morocco’s debut game at the Women’s World Cup ended in a 6-0 loss to two-time champion Germany in what head coach Reynald Pedros described as a “David versus Goliath” contest.

Germany is ranked No. 2 and the Atlas Lionesses are No. 72 and the first Arab or North African team to qualify. The margin of defeat yesterday was the

biggest so far at the tournament where Morocco is one of eight teams on debut.

Pedros has made it clear the opening game is now history, and Morocco’s focus must shift swiftly to the next game against South Korea.

“Our objective is obviously to as quickly as possible get back to work,” he said.

“We’re still going to stay positive, that’s extremely important.”

A large contingent of Morocco fans, many gathered in the southwest

corner of the stadium in Melbourne, cheered vocally for the recent Africa Cup of Nations finalists.

“We were coming up against a team that’s extremely high level,” Pedros said.

“We could have avoided some of the goals we conceded.

“But I think we gave it our all, and we’re in a competition that’s a high-level competition.”

Throughout the match, Morocco struggled defending crosses and corner kicks.

Germany opened its scoring with captain Alexandra Popp finding the back of the net with two first-half headers serviced from out wide. In the second half, Klara Bühl and Lea Schüller added to Germany’s tally, bookending two own goals that bounced off Morocco’s Hanane Aït El Haj and Yasmin Mrabet after German corners. Pedros described the third goal – coming from Bühl just 23 seconds into the second half – as a “hard blow,” noting that if the team could have scored

after Popp’s opening wo goals, the end result may have been different.

The Atlas Lionesses will look to earn crucial points against No. 17-ranked South Korea on Sunday, before finishing the group stage against No. 25 Colombia on Aug. 3.

“As soon as one (goal) goes in, and you don’t really gain momentum after that against a team like Germany, it’s always going to be hard,” Morocco forward Rosella Ayane said. “We have the spirit, we have the fight, and we’ll regroup.”

Against Morocco, Popp showed why she is such a crucial piece of a German team that was considered one of the pre-tournament favorites.

She scored the first two goals of the night, heading in goals in the 11th and 39th minutes and celebrating the second by “calling” home and pointing to the sky. She borrowed the idea from the 1980s move E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

“I ‘phone home’ because I’m a long way from home,” she said. “It’s not just for the people who sit in front of the TV at home, but also the people who can’t be with us anymore.”

With the brace, Popp tied Inka Grings as Germany’s third all-time leading scorer with 64 goals. She now has five goals across the four World Cups she has played in.

Popp finished her recent season with Wolfsburg as the top scorer in the Frauen-Bundesliga with 16 goals. The club was unable to capture the league championship last season, although Popp has helped them capture seven titles since her debut in 2012.

In 2016, Popp won her first Olympic gold medal, helping Germany beat Sweden.

And Germany fans will hope that Popp can continue to show the form she showed in Melbourne as it pursues its third World Cup title.

“She’s an amazing player, and I think you could also see today on the pitch that she’s always there,” teammate Sara Däbritz said. “She scored two goals, two important ones. So we’re very happy to have her on our team. She’s one of the leaders.”

BORGES AND ZANERATTO GOALS HIGHLIGHT BRAZIL’S 4-0 WIN OVER PANAMA AT WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

ADELAIDE, Australia

(AP) — Bia Zaneratto’s spectacular finish will take some beating for goal of the tournament at the Women’s World Cup. And on the evidence of its 4-0 win over Panama yesterday, Brazil will take some beating for the title.

Ary Borges scored a hat trick on her World Cup debut, but it was her assist for Zaneratto’s second-half strike that was the standout moment of the match in Adelaide and arguably the

tournament so far. When Debinha’s cross landed at Borges’ feet toward the end of a sweeping move, the forward, who had struck twice in the first half, looked set to add a third.

Instead, she checked, wrong-footed Panama’s defence and backheeled to Zaneratto, who lifted her shot into the top corner.

It was a goal full of the flair that Brazilian soccer is famed for.

Following on from Germany’s 6-0 rout of Morocco earlier Monday, Pia Sundhage’s Brazilian lineup produced a statement performance.

“The first game is always difficult. Four goals and sometimes we played quite well,” Sundhage said, in a clearly understated assessment of her team’s opening match.

It means a win against France on Saturday will

ensure Brazil advances to the knockout stages from Group F.

Panama, making its debut at the tournament, could do little to keep the 2007

runners-up at bay, with Borges ruthless in front of goal.

For Borges, her introduction to the World Cup could hardly have been more emphatic.

She struck twice in the first half and completed her hat trick in the 70th minute after providing her inspired assist for Zaneratto.

Borges headed Brazil in front in the 19th from close range after meeting a cross from Debinha.

She got her second in the 39th when turning in the rebound after her initial header was saved by Panama goalkeeper Yenith Bailey.

Her third was another header, this time from Geyse’s cross.

“I’ve waited a long time for this moment. It’s a dream to be able to be here, playing in a World Cup,” Borges said. “It’s one

of the best days of my life. I’m very, very happy for the three goals, but the main thing was a debut in which we imposed ourselves.

“It was a lot of emotion, remembering everything I did to be here. It was a mixture of feelings. I was happy, I cried, anxious to start the game. Being here is truly a dream.” Borges was replaced by Brazil legend Marta late in the match.

It was the 37-year-old Marta’s sixth World Cup and she is the competition’s all-time leading scorer with 17 goals.

Borges has a long way to get close to that mark, but she’s off to a good start.

WHAT’S NEXT

Brazil plays France in Brisbane on Saturday when a win would see it qualify from Group F. Panama plays Jamaica in Perth on the same day.

JAMAICA players celebrate after the Women’s World Cup Group F soccer match between France and Jamaica at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.

(AP Photo/Mark Baker)

BRAZIL’s Ary Borges celebrates her hat trick goal during the Women’s World Cup Group F soccer match between Brazil and Panama in Adelaide, Australia, yesterday. (AP Photo/ James Elsby)

Team Bahamas falls short of the bronze-medal game

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ under11 national baseball team to the 2023 Pony Baseball Bronco-II World Series fell short of getting into the bronze-medal game yesterday in Chesterfield, Virginia.

The Bahamas, managed by Javier ‘Sonic’ Bowe, dropped a 3-2 decision to West Raleigh in the East Zone Championship game on Sunday night to get eliminated from the tournament with Colman Darville pitching a superb game in a losing effort.

West Raleigh avenged their 8-3 opening loss to the Bahamas before they eventually lost 9-1 in their semifinal match to Orange, CA. Orange also blanked the Bahamas 16-0 in their match-up during the tournament.

Despite not getting into the medal round, Team Bahamas collected some post-tournament awards as Bosfield Butler was named the best catcher of the tournament; Kamdynn Miller finished as the runner up in the home run derby and the Bahamas also got second in the base running competition.

The other team members were Gianno Newball and Isaac Richardson from Freedom Farm; Trevonte Saunders, Emmanuel

Smith, Hasan Mitchel and James Bethel from the Grand Bahama Little League and Andrew Gibson, Geralle Gabriel, Michael Wilson, Rhamelo Bethel and Kymani Rolle from the Junior Baseball League of Nassau. Bowe, who was joined by coaches Jaiden Cartwright

and James Clarke, felt that Team Bahamas gave it their best shot, but fell short against some stiff competition.

“We performed very well. We ran into some competition, especially the pitching that we have not seen at this level,” Bowe said. “We played as best as we could,

but it was very tough for us. The competition was really tough.”

As they prepare to return home, Bowe said they just simply have to play more baseball in the Bahamas if any team that leaves the country for international competition is going to be successful.

GUERRERO JR HITTING WELL AFTER HIS DERBY VICTORY

By NOAH TRISTER AP Baseball Writer

VLADIMIR Guerrero Jr is hitting just fine after winning the All-Star Home Run Derby.

The Toronto slugger went deep Sunday for the fourth time in nine games since the break, which should quell whatever concerns exist about whether the Derby messes with players’ swings. In fact, Guerrero has shown more power in the past couple weeks than he was before his big victory in Seattle.

Guerrero had only 13 homers in his first 88 games this year and entered the break with a .787 OPS. He’s raised that mark over .800 now, and if he hits like he did two years ago — when his 48 home runs earned him an MVP runner-up finish — it would go a long way toward helping the Blue Jays secure a postseason spot.

But although they didn’t play as many games as their opponents in the United States, Bowe said the players still gave a very good account of themselves.

And the Bahamas should be proud of their efforts, he added.

The team is expected to return home today.

Rookie Cowser’s bat, arm lift AL East-leading Orioles to 3-2 win over Phillies

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— Rookie Colton Cowser hit a tiebreaking double in the ninth inning after helping to throw out the potential go-ahead run in the eighth, lifting the surging Baltimore Orioles to a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies last night.

Ryan Mountcastle and Jordan Westburg homered for the AL-East leading Orioles, who have won 13 of 16 games and moved 2 1/2 games ahead of idle Tampa Bay.

Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber drove in runs for the defending NL champion Phillies.

Philadelphia has lost five of six.

Cowser entered as a defensive replacement for Aaron Hicks in the third inning after Hicks was hurt making a diving catch. In the ninth, he lofted a flyball to left against Craig Kimbrel (6-2) that went off the glove of diving left fielder Schwarber.

Bryan Baker (4-3) got the win in relief of Dean Kremer, who allowed one run on three hits in seven innings. Cionel Pérez pitched out of trouble in the ninth for his first save.

BREWERS 3, REDS 2

MILWAUKEE (AP)

— Christian Yelich hit a game-ending single, Sal Frelick launched his first major league home run and Milwaukee beat Cincinnati.

Milwaukee overcame a 456-foot,l two-run homer by Elly De La Cruz, who was robbed of a home run earlier on a leaping catch by center fielder Joey Wiemer.

Despite going 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position, the first-place Brewers moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Cincinnati, which had won five straight.

All-Star closer Alexis Díaz (3-2) entered in the bottom of the ninth inning and didn’t get an out.

He walked Blake Perkins and allowed a single to pinch-hitter Jesse Winker before Yelich drove in

Perkins with a grounder into right field.

Devin Williams (5-2) pitched a perfect ninth for Milwaukee.

ASTROS 10, RANGERS 9

HOUSTON (AP) —

Chas McCormick homered and drove in a career-high six runs, and Yanier Díaz’s game-ending RBI single in the ninth lifted Houston over AL West rival Texas.

The Astros moved within two games of the divisionleading Rangers.

Rookie Alex Speas (0-2) walked Kyle Tucker to start the ninth. McCormick walked with one out. Díaz then lined his single to right field and Tucker slid in just before the tag. The play was upheld after a video review.

Ryan Pressly (3-2) pitched a scoreless ninth. The Rangers led 9-6 when Aroldis Chapman walked consecutive batters with one out in the seventh. McCormick tied it with a three-run shot to left-center.

ROYALS 5, GUARDIANS 3

CLEVELAND (AP) —

Salvador Perez became the 10th player in major league history to hit 200 homers as a catcher and Ryan Yarbrough allowed one run in six innings, lifting Kansas City over Cleveland.

Perez hit a two-run shot in the sixth off Logan Allen (4-3) to put Kansas City ahead 4-0. He has 240 homers overall in 12 seasons. Hall of Famer Mike Piazza holds the big league record for homers as a catcher with 396.

Yarbrough (3-5) won at Cleveland for the second time in 15 days. Scott Barlow gave up two hits in the ninth before picking up his 12th save.

Kansas City ended a fivegame skid while Cleveland fell four games behind firstplace Minnesota in the AL Central.

10,

6

homer, Alan Trejo had a double and three singles, and Colorado beat Washington.

Karl Kauffman (1-3) pitched four-plus innings of one-run relief for his first major league win as last-place Colorado (40-60) improved to 6-3 since the All-Star break.

Jeimer Candelario had a three-run homer and a double for the Nationals, who were looking for their first four-game winning streak of the season.

Patrick Corbin (6-11) gave up six runs — five earned — and 10 hits over 6 1/3 innings.

TWINS 4, MARINERS 3 10 INNINGS MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

— Carlos Correa’s flare to right field evaded a sliding Teoscar Hernández and scored automatic runner Donovan Solano in the 10th as Minnesota won its second straight game in extra innings.

Solano moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Christian Vázquez against Paul Sewald (3-1), and Ryan Jeffers reached when no Seattle player covered

first base on another bunt. Correa then sent a soft liner to right that Hernández couldn’t catch. Jorge Lopez (4-2) retired all three batters he faced in

the top of the 10th for Minnesota, which is 9-2 since the All-Star break.

Max Kepler had an RBI double in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game for the

Right now, that 2021 season is an outlier on Guerrero’s résumé. Maybe it’s not realistic for him to hit at that level every season, but his career overall has been closer to this year than that one.

Guerrero is certainly dependable, having played in almost every game for the past 3 1/2 seasons, but this year Toronto’s offence has been pretty ordinary, ranking 15th in the majors in runs scored. George Springer producing a career-worst .740 OPS isn’t helping, and catcher Alejandro Kirk’s production has slipped as well.

The bright spot for the 2023 Blue Jays has been on the pitching side, despite Alek Manoah’s struggles and Hyun Jin Ryu’s post-Tommy John surgery absence. Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi have each made at least 20 starts with an ERA under 4.00.

Twins. Kolten Wong hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer with two outs in the top of the inning for the Mariners.

TIGERS 5, GIANTS 1 DETROIT (AP) — Tarik Skubal struck out nine while recording his first victory in over a year and Detroit handed San Francisco its season-worst sixth straight loss.

Skubal (1-1) held the Giants scoreless on two hits in five innings in a game that was a makeup of an April 16 postponement. His previous victory came against Oakland on July 21 last season. He had flexor tendon surgery in August.

Zack Short hit a two-run homer and Kerry Carpenter also drove in two runs for Detroit.

Ross Stripling (0-4) gave up three runs and 10 hits in six-plus innings.

PHILADELPHIA Phillies’ Bryce Harper, top, is tagged out by Baltimore Orioles’ James McCann, bottom, during the eighth inning last night in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

THE Bahamas under-11 national baseball team at the Pony Baseball Bronco-II World Series in Chesterfield, Virginia.

McLaughlin-Levrone, Biles, Ledecky all look for Olympic encores in Paris

By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer

THE city itself will be one of the brightest stars at the Paris Olympics, with ceremonies on the Seine, beach volleyball by the Eiffel Tower and a marathon route that passes through Versailles.

In the end, though, it will be the 10,500 athletes who will grab the spotlight once the festivities begin one year from Wednesday (July 26). Simone Biles is on a comeback, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone never left. A skateboarder who also likes to surf named Sky Brown is in contention to win gold medals in two events some 9,000 miles apart (more on that in a moment) and Katie Ledecky is still swimming strong heading into her fourth Olympics.

Some athletes to watch next year in Paris include:

SIMONE BILES

Biles will be 27 by the time the Paris Games open, which is considered retirement age for most American female gymnasts. But Biles has been redefining what’s possible ever since she burst onto the scene 10 years ago. Her game-changing legacy included the decision to exit the competition at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago, conceding her mental health was not where it needed to be to risk her life in pursuit of an Olympic gold medal. Over the last two years, Biles took time off and got married. She recently committed to a comeback, and her first competition on that road is set for August 5. That and a few other meets this year will give the world a sense of where Biles stands, but if she makes the Olympic team, she will go in as its biggest star.

SKY BROWN

When Brown won a bronze medal in skateboarding in Tokyo at age 13, she was exactly what the Olympics were looking for in their long-running effort to reshape their image for a new generation. In 2024, the Japanese-born prodigy, who competes for Britain, will try to take her game(s) to an entirely new level. The Summer Games’ action-sports icon will also try to qualify in surfing, an event that will be held more than 9,500 miles away in Tahiti. The

CHINA WINS TWO GOLD MEDALS AT SWIMMING WORLDS

FROM PAGE 16

schedule presumably lines up for Brown to try this intercontinental double, though waves can often dictate the pacing of a surf contest, which would be first up if Brown makes it. She recently told olympics. org that if she could pick a superpower, “I think teleporting would be real cool.” Given her goals for 2024, it would be very useful, as well.

KATIE LEDECKY

Ledecky burst onto the Olympic scene as a teenager. She’s now 27 and swimming against women she inspired to get into the sport. “I’ve looked up to her for so long,”

17-year-old US swimmer

Jillian Cox said after finishing second to Ledecky last month at U.S. nationals. Ledecky already has 10 Olympic medals, seven of them gold. She won two gold and two silver in Tokyo and was the most decorated U.S. female athlete for the second straight Olympics. If she’s vulnerable anywhere, it’s in the shorter freestyle races, but it’s hard to bet against her anytime she dives into the pool.

SYDNEY McLAUGHLIN-

LEVRONE

Whether it’s breaking her own world record or competing in a new event, every time McLaughlinLevrone steps onto the track, she has a chance to make history. McLaughlnLevrone has set the record in the 400 metre hurdles four times, most recently lowering it to 50.68 seconds at last year’s world championships. The 50-second barrier beckons, though it’s no sure thing McLaughlinLevrone will go for that in Paris. This year, she has been running in the 400metre flat races, where earlier this month she won the national championship in the year’s best time, 48.74 seconds. Whether she’ll go for one, or both, gold medals in Paris has yet to be seen. Either way, it seems she’ll be a favourite.

AN SAN

In Tokyo, South Korea’s An San became the first archer to win three gold medals at the same games since 1904. She has won world championships and the World Cup finals since then, and finished first in the world ranking in 2022.

South Korea has won every women’s team event at the

Olympics since the event was introduced for the Seoul Games in 1988.

YUASA AMI

Breakdancing, known officially as breaking, makes its debut in Paris, which puts Ami onto centre stage. Japan’s top breaker won the inaugural BC One title in 2018, the breaking World Championship title a year later and took gold at the World Games last year. “B-Girl Ami” got into hip-hop dancing as a kid, but saw breaking and immediately knew that was her thing. She was perfecting moves within a week of first trying them. “Winning a battle, of course, is so amazing, but at the same time, meeting people from all over the world has become an inspiration for me,” she said in a recent interview in Forbes. “These precious encounters and

experiences with different dancers means so much to me.”

ERRIYON KNIGHTON Everything about the American 200-metre specialist screams “This is the future of track.” He holds the world under-18 record (19.84 seconds) and the world under-20 record (19.69), both marks that were held by Usain Bolt before Knighton broke them. Knighton is the newly crowned US champion at 200 metres. The 19-year-old is also the first person to win the World Athletics male rising star of the year award not once, but twice. He won the bronze medal at world championships last year. Standing in his way — Noah Lyles, who ran 19.31 last year at world championships to topple Michael

Johnson’s hallowed American record and hold off Knighton for yet another year. They’ll meet again at worlds in August, and the Knighton-Lyles showdown is expected to be one of the best races in Paris.

REBECA ANDRADE Brazilian finished runner-up to America’s Sunisa Lee in Tokyo and won the 2022 world allaround title in Liverpool, becoming the first world gymnastics champion from South America. Inspired by Brazil’s great gymnast of the early 2000s, Daiane dos Santos, Andrade suffered through three major knee injuries in the lead-up to Tokyo — an experience that taught her to listen to her body more as she goes through the rigors of training. Andrade could go into Paris as the favourite to win the all-around.

two years after placing fourth in the event at the Tokyo Olympics. The women’s race was a rematch of the final two years ago at the Tokyo Games. The top four finishers in Tokyo were separated by only 14 hundredths of a second. That race went to MacNeil, followed by Zhang and Australian swimmer Emma McKeon. Huske was .01 behind McKeon and missed out on a medal.

“This is my first gold medal in the world championships,” Zhang said, calling her competitors MacNeil, McKeon and Huske “my old friends.”

Zhang said she’s changed her racing style, holding back on the first leg “and then going as fast as I can on the last 50.”

Qin was never challenged in the 100 breaststroke and finished in 57.69. Three men tied for second in 58,72: Nic Fink of the United States, Nicolo Martinenghi of Italy and Arno Kamming of the Netherlands.

“Everything just went the way I was thinking,” Qin said. “And also this is just a start for me. I’m hoping for three gold.”

He’ll go in the 50 and 200. In the 200, he’ll be up against rising French star Leon Marchand, who obliterated Michael Phelps’ 400 IM record on Sunday, and Zac Stubblety-Cook — the world champion, Olympic champ and world-record holder from Australia. His world record is 2:05.95.

The men’s 100 breaststroke was partly defined by who did not compete. Adam Peaty, a two-time Olympic champion and world-record holder from Britain, is taking a break and is not swimming in Japan. He has said in interviews that he’s taking time away for “mental health issues.”

Peaty is one of the most dominant swimmers in his discipline and holds 19 of the top 20 times in the 100 breaststroke. His record is 56.88 seconds.

Thomas Ceccon of Italy won the men’s 50 butterfly, which is not an Olympic event, in 22.68. He finished ahead of Diogo Matos Ribeiro of Portugal in 22.80 and Maxime Grousset of France in 22.82.

Ceccon won the race 20 minutes after winning a 100 backstroke semifinal.

“There is no preparation for this,” he said. “Just go all out.”

AUSTRALIAN TITMUS SETS WORLD RECORD IN 400 METRE FREESTYLE

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer

FUKUOKA, Japan

(AP) — Australian Ariarne

Titmus had only one tactic in mind to reclaim her women’s 400-metre freestyle world record on Sunday’s opening day of the World Aquatics Championships.

Start fast and hang on.

It worked. Titmus won in 3 minutes, 55.38 seconds with silver for American Katie Ledecky in 3:58.73 and bronze for Erika Fairweather of New Zealand in 3:59.59.

Canadian 16-year-old Summer McIntosh, who held the record after taking it four months ago from Titmus, was fourth in 3:59.94. Her old mark was 3:56.08.

“It wasn’t something (breaking the record) that I had my mind on for this meet,” Titmus said. “I just wanted to come here and try and swim the way I know I’m capable of. I knew the only way to win — I believed — was to try to take it out (fast) and whoever had as much fight left at the end was going to win it.”

Despite it falling on the first day, the race was seen

by many as the most compelling matchup of the eight-day championships in southwestern Japan with 22-year-old Titmus and 26-year-old Ledecky both having held the world record before McIntosh.

Ledecky, one of the greatest freestylers in history, sounded content with her race and now looks to the 800 and 1,500 where she is almost unbeatable. She said the record seemed inevitable.

“I think you could see a world record coming,” she said. “Once a couple of people do something more people start doing it.

It’s been a very fast year of swimming and it was predictable that it will be a really fast field.”

Ledecky has almost never gone home from a race in the world championships or Olympics with less than a gold or silver medal. She finished fifth in the 200 metres at the delayed Tokyo Olympics, her only other sub-gold or silver performance.

She entered these worlds with 32 gold or silver medals in the Olympics and worlds.

The race by the three superstar women

overshadowed the worldrecord performance of rising French star Leon Marchand. Marchand won the 400 IM in 4:02.50 breaking the previous mark of 4:03.84 set by American Michael Phelps in 2008.

The 400 IM record was the last individual mark held by Phelps. “That was insane,” Marchand said after the race, obliterating Phelps’ record by more than a second. “That was

one of the most painful things. That was just amazing to do it here. I mean, the time is crazy.”

Marchand then added: “The best is yet to come.”

Phelps, in Japan to comment for television, presented the gold medal to Marchand. He said Phelps offered a tip, which was to finish his freestyle leg faster.

“He (Phelps) was very impressed by the time,” Marchand said. “He was

commenting the race. It was pretty cool to see that.”

Marchand is coached at Arizona State University by Bob Bowman, who is also the head coach of the American team at the worlds and also coached Phelps.

Marchand said he’s prepared for the pressure of next year’s Paris Olympics where he is sure to be the face of the French Games.

“I think I can handle the

pressure pretty well right now,” Marchand said. “It’s not perfect and I can get better and I have one year to improve.”

Unlike the 400, Marchand’s race was never in doubt. He assumed the lead 40 metres in and steamed home the rest of the way.

American Carson Foster (4:06.56) picked up the silver, while Daiya Seto of Japan (4:09.41) collected the bronze.

In other medal races on the first day in Japan, Sam Short of Australia won the men’s 400 in 3:40.68 with silver for Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia (3:40.70) and bronze for Lukas Martens of Germany (3:42.20).

In the 4x100 men’s freestyle relay, Australia took the gold in 3:10.16, with Italy earning the silver (3:10.49) and the United States the bronze (3:10.81).

In the 4x100 women’s freestyle relay, Australia set a world record of 3:27.96 in a dominating win. The United States took second in 3:31.93, while China rounded out the podium with 3:32.40.

The top three finishers in each relay automatically qualified for next summer’s Paris Olympics.

GOLD medallist Ariarne Titmus of Australia, center, is flanked by silver medallist Katie Ledecky of the United States, and bronze medallist Erika Fairweather of New Zealand as they pose with their medals after winning Women 400m Freestyle finals at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Sunday, July 23, 2023.

(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

SYDNEY McLaughlin-Levrone waves to the crowd after winning the women’s 400 meters during the U.S. track and field championships in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, July 8, 2023. (AP Photos/Ashley Landis)

ERRIYON KNIGHTON, of the United States, wins a heat in the men’s 200 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on July 18, 2022.

Rising after the storm

ANGIA Russell survived the monstrous Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Although displaced due to flooding, she was determined to complete her Office Assistant Certificate at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) by the following year.

The BTVI Story

“It was a scary experience leaving my parents and moving to another island for the first time in my life. However, I was fortunate enough to stay with my aunties who cared for me throughout my stay in Nassau,” said Ms Russell, a native of Grand Bahama.

By summer 2020, she was done and headed back to Grand Bahama, where she graduated. Ms. Russell was not satisfied with a certificate, however. She wanted more and began studies towards an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Office Administration, going to school part-time while working at BTVI Grand Bahama, a journey which began as a student worker.

“Working at BTVI provided me with real-world work experience before I completed my programmes, helping me succeed in my internships. It also gave me the opportunity to meet a

wide variety of people beyond my classmates,” said Ms. Russell, who is a Finance Clerk.

Earlier this month, Ms Russell graduated as Most Outstanding Overall Graduate, Grand Bahama and on the Honours List. She was elated.

“Overjoyed doesn’t even begin to describe the emotions I felt. Throughout this entire journey, my main goal was to make my parents proud. Their pride and happiness were my driving forces. When I found out I was named top student, I cried tears of joy, knowing that I had accomplished something that made them incredibly proud,” said Ms. Russell whose cumulative grade point average was 3.69.

Questioned as to why BTVI was a consideration for higher learning, Ms Russell, whose career goal is to be a Nurse Administrator, explained that her initial plan was to go to nursing school after high school.

“Due to financial constraints, I couldn’t pursue that path immediately. I didn’t want to waste my time, so when I learned about the government tuition grant, I decided to enroll in the Office Assistant

CHANGING THE TUNE WITH A REVOLUTIONARY CAMP

By FAY SIMMONS jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE Change the Tune (CTT) Summer Camp in partnership with the Leadership Academy is a Harvard Award-winning camp that aims to “revolutionise the learning space”.

The four-week camp is currently hosting students aged seven to fourteen focuses on youth, sports and culture. Students participate in activities such as yoga, art and gardening and learning leadership, entrepreneurship, mindfulness, social and emotional skills.

Dr Charli Kemp, camp coordinator explained that the camp is in its fourth year and aims to develop the leadership skills of both students and teachers.

She said “The goal is to revolutionise the learning space and to create

powerful learning experiences that develops both students and teaches as leaders.”

Dr Kemp added that students work in teams to form business plans that are presented in a business pitch competition at the end of the camp.

“The signatures project for students is they learn about the sustainable development goals with an emphasis on climate justice and food justice and then students work in groups to form social justice business plans.”

“The programme culminates with families and businesses leaders joining students to watch a business pitch competition”

The CTT camp is free for students and funded through donations and sponsorships. If you would like more information on the camp visit www.changethetune.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @ changethetune.

programme. I was fortunate to receive the grant,” she stated.

Reflecting on her time as a BTVI student, Ms Russell admitted that it has been challenging, yet rewarding.

“There were times when I loved it, and times it felt overwhelming. Overall, it was a valuable learning and growth experience. One highlight was serving as Treasurer of the Student Government at the Grand Bahama Campus and being a member while at the New Providence Campus. It provided me with a taste of on-campus college life. I am grateful for my overall experience at BTVI,” said Ms. Russell.

“Further, the core knowledge and education you receive at BTVI prepares you for higher goals. Attending BTVI has enriched my educational and social experiences, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she concluded.

• The BTVI Story” is a bi-weekly column which highlights the who, what and why of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), a tertiary institution where individuals ‘Discover the Possibilities’ related to various trades. The column is produced by BTVI’s Office of Public Relations.

ANGIA RUSSELL

ELEUTHERA CAMP AIMS TO HELP BOOST LITERACY

EXCEPTIONAL Education

Outreach (EEO) launched Camp

Sea Biscuit, a new camp with a holistic approach to literacy, experiential and problem-based learning.

The four-week camp in South Eleuthera focuses on literacy and reading interventions, problem solving and other subject areas such as science, art, math, design, language arts and comprehension.

Students at the camp worked together to solve problems around food security. One team of students created an in-house food lab featuring fruits and vegetables that could be grown easily at-home and in gardens and farms while also creating models of what their ideal farm would look like. The other team was given the scenario that their favorite foods could no longer be purchased from abroad or in restaurants. This group of students ran a test kitchen to make their selected meals and compiled a cookbook of their favorite recipes which includes number one picks

from the test kitchen. The camp, hosted students

between grades three and nine and provided them an opportunity to connect, learn and work together.

Tiffany Bain, camp coordinator said she is proud of the camp’s ability to facilitate a level of intercommunity engagement among the students before their high school years. She said: “So many of our students do not get to spend time in other parts of their island. Even though the settlements are small, the culture and demographics of each is actually really distinct. Giving students a chance to build relationships, work together and appreciate their levels of diversity is perhaps Camp Sea Biscuit’s best outcome.”

EEO Bahamas is a non-profit organisation and was able to hold Camp Sea Biscuit due to donations from supporters such as Lyford Cay Foundation, Cotton Bay Foundation and community partners.

WHITE DOVE CAMP TEACHES MARTIAL ARTS

THE White Dove Organisation is holding its annual martial arts summer camp at the Columbus Primary School.

The camp runs for two to three months and includes academic, athletic and religious activities such as martial arts, health and wellness, bible, English language and mathematics. Students also participate in arts and craft, conflict resolution and national pride building.

The White Dove Organisation was started about 20 years ago and aims to provide inner-city students with a peaceful alternative to many of the social ills they face.

CAMPERS visiting Ardastra Gardens.

AQUAPONICS lesson with Mia Avril who shows off lobster research.

SENIOR CARIBBEAN VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Men’s national team win opener against Curacao

By BRENT STUBBS Senior sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

After watching the women’s national team go the distance to hold off host Suriname in their opener on Sunday night, the men’s national volleyball team didn’t want to take any chances against Curacao yesterday.

Playing in the Senior Caribbean Volleyball Championships in Paramaribo, Suriname, the men’s team pulled off a 25-20, 25-21, 13-25 and 25-8 win in their opener before they get set to play Trinidad & Tobago in their next game today.

Members of Team Bahamas were captain and middle blocker Byron Ferguson Jr, middle blockers Shonari Hepburn and Donovan Wilmott, libero Jamaal Ferguson, setters Renaldo Knowles and Je’Vaughn Saunders, right side hitter Eugene Stuart and outside hitter Jesse Delancy.

“The team played excellent (yesterday),” said head coach Lloyd Davis, who was assisted by Tonny Simon. “We got too relaxed in the third set, but we were able to rebound and come back and take the fourth set.”

With the team that the Bahamas Volleyball Federation has assembled, Davis said it’s solid, but they have two reinforcements in setter Gaege Smith and outside hitter Prince Wilson, who should help to cement their chances to win the title.

“We’re going to take it one game at a time and try to make our country proud,” Davis said.

Ladies hold off host Suriname

ARUBA GOES HOME WITH THE GOLD

By BRENT STUBBS Senior sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ARUBA blanked Puerto Rico 11-0 to win the 12-and-under division of the Babe Ruth Caribbean Championship yesterday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

In the process, the two teams advanced to the Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series at Ballparks of America in Branson, Missouri, in a couple of weeks.

It was revenge for Aruba, who suffered their only loss in the tournament to Puerto Rico. Manager Revelino Maduro said they did what they had to do.

“It was great. We had some good pitching, our catcher played very smart, our defence held up and we got some very good hits,” he said.

As they look ahead to Branson, Maduro said the tournament will help them to see what they need to work on.

He said their pitchers will have to get a little more sharp but, other than that, “we are ready.”

Shortstop K Leer went 3-for-4 with four runs batted in (RBI) and scored twice, while second baseman X Maduro was 1-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored and J Reed was 2-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored to lead Aruba’s offensive attack.

By MALIQUE WALLACE Tribune Intern

THE Bahamas Bodybuilding Wellness and Fitness Federation’s inaugural youth bodybuilding championship on Saturday at the University of the Bahamas was a success.

“Downtown” Natasha Brown, the first and only Bahamian female fitness pro, hosted the event.

She says that she was glad there are kids still out there that were able to participate in the event.

She explained that because many other kids and their families were travelling, there were only about a dozen, which was the final number she could gather up.

Brown congratulated

Eva Hilton, New Providence Classical and CW Sawyer, who came out on top with their athletes and showed determination as they performed. Her expectation was to kick-start the event and get it on right away. She was asked if her kids and or parents want to get started with exercise or into sports, would she recommend this type of environment?

WINNING START: The

“All of the teams are pretty even from what we’ve seen so far. We’re about one hour and-a-half from the venue and our hotel. “So when we are finished playing, we go back to the hotel to get off our feet and get some rest.

We’re going to take it one game at a time, but the goal is for us to win the title.”

The women’s team, coached by Jason Saunders and Glen Rolle, consist of

national

pulled off the victory in their opener against Curacao yesterday at the Senior Caribbean Volleyball Championships in Paramaribo, Suriname. The team is scheduled to play Trinidad & Tobago today.

middle blocker/right side hitter Sari Albury, outside hitters Melinda Bastian and Brittany Bonamy, middle blocker/right side hitter La’Tavia Braynen, right side hitters Jannelle Curtis, Raechel Knowles and Venessa Sawyer, setters Laval Sands and Je’Nae Saunders (captain), middle blocker Ashley Webb and liberos Franceska McBride and Chandra Mackey.

After taking a day off, the ladies will be back in action today when they play Trinidad & Tobago as well. They will then play Barbados on Wednesday and wrap up round robin play against Jamaica on Thursday. The playoffs will get started on Friday and run through Sunday when the medal round will take place.

The men, on the other hand, will close out round robin play on Wednesday against Jamaica.

Their playoffs will get started on Thursday and the championship will be contested on Sunday.

Also travelling with the team are Augusto Sabbitini, an assistant coach and trainer, Lanza Miller, referee and Kurkwood Greene, the head of the delegation.

Inaugural youth bodybuilding championship ‘was a success’

She responded by saying “it’s not just for children who play sports or who don’t play sports. We already know the long-time benefits of exercise. It’s going to help children fight diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure.

“All these different things that kids are now contracting, adults with onset heart diseases, but the most important thing that I know and I’m challenging parents, let’s find a correlation between exercise and academics,” Brown said. Brown also said a lot of the kids that came up and performed, she recognised that their posture changed. Saying that if the kids are having problems sitting up in classrooms and not paying attention to the teacher, this is going to be one of the benefits they are going to gain, and their grades will improve at the end of the day.

Asia Moss, who was one of the participants in the event, said she felt very excited and that it will benefit her in the long run. She said the different workouts helped her realise the difference in what she

thought the exercises were going to be.

Moss recommends kids her age, who want to get started in a different sport or just all-around exercise, come to this kind of environment.

She said her mom felt great that her daughter participated and was very proud of her and is expecting great things from her in the future. She also recommends parents to get their children into fitness

because it doesn’t just keep their bodies healthy, it also develops their minds and keeps them focused.

Selia Bullard, another participant in the event, said that she really enjoyed the event, and it helped her have a better mental state with fitness and to be more athletic.

She says that the workouts she did were beneficial for her. She added that you would not only learn about exercise but other things

as well and that the people around you would help you like it even more.

Bullard’s mother was with her at the event, and she said she was glad that her daughter participated, saying that since it’s summer a lot of kids are inactive, sitting at home watching TV, so getting her involved with this event was beneficial.

“Selia had a reason to wake up every day and get active.”

Kevin Erasmus pitched 4.2 innings, giving up three hits with eight strikeouts

SEE PAGE 11

CHINA WINS TWO GOLD MEDALS AT SWIMMING WORLDS

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer

FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) — China won just a single gold medal at last year’s swimming world championships in Hungary. But on the second day of this year’s competition in Japan, the Chinese claimed two golds in about 10 minutes to open the session.

And they are sure to win more with six days to go in the pool.

The American pair of Kate Douglas and Alex Walsh, college teammates at the University of Virginia, later went 1-2 in the 200-metre individual medley with Yu Yiting of China taking bronze.

It was the Americans first gold.

“That was a huge honour for me to do it tonight,” said Douglass, who overtook Walsh in the final 50-metre freestyle leg to finish in 2 minutes, 07.17 seconds.

“I really just wanted to get the gold for Team USA tonight, and I’m so happy I did that.”

Walsh finished in 2:07.97 and Yu in 2:08.74.

The Chinese sweep saw Zhang Yufei win the women’s 100 butterfly and Qin Haiyang go wire-to-wire in the men’s 100 breaststroke. Zhang rallied over the final 15 metres, touching in 56.12 seconds. Maggie MacNeil of Canada finished second in 56.45, and Torri Huske of the United States clocked 56.61 for third just

men’s

volleyball team

PARTICIPANTS with their certificates at the Bahamas Bodybuilding Wellness and Fitness Federation’s inaugural youth bodybuilding championship at the University of the Bahamas on Saturday.