09052023 NEWS AND BUSINESS

PLEA OVER DORIAN DEATH CERTIFICATES reunited after the

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FOUR years after her mother and brother died during Hurricane Dorian, Sitha Silien says she just wants to find peace and move on with her life – a dream that would only be made possible after she obtains her loved ones’ death certificates.

“Until now, I haven’t gotten any death certificate from my brother and my mom,” the 31-year-old Abaco resident told The

Tribune. “That killing me.”

But, like many others, Silien would have to wait until the Coroner’s Court holds another inquest that would see more people who went missing after the storm declared dead.

Silien claimed that her mother, Elvitha Charles, died when a piece of plywood struck her head as winds intensified and water surged inland.

Her brother, Siverlien Silien, also suffered a cruel death during the storm

fnm: stop playing games on hurricane commission

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis continues to “titillate” the Bahamian public with the possibility of a commission of inquiry over Hurricane Dorian.

“If he believes that a commission of inquiry is the

best way to address these issues and to answer unanswered questions he should get on with the business and stop playing games with the Bahamian people,” Mr Pintard said yesterday.

When in opposition, Mr Davis asserted that an independent inquiry either by outside police investigators or through a commission of inquiry should be held

summer

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LEADERS of the opposition political parties accused Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday of being “afraid” to make the tough decisions, calling his decision to reassign Keith Bell instead of firing him “cowardice”.

“If Keith Bell was in my Cabinet, Keith Bell would’ve been a backbencher but the Prime Minister is scared to make decisions,” said former

WOMAN LEFT UNABLE TO SEE AFTER police officer ‘punched me in eye’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN is pursuing legal action after a highranking male police officer in plain clothes allegedly punched her in the eyeleaving her unable to see through her left eye.

The punch resulted in Latique Perpall having a detached retina. It is not determined yet if she has

YOURI KEMP Tribune Business

Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM is showing “record growth” according to a new report from the Central Bank of The Bahamas - while economic growth continues at a moderate pace.

been permanently blinded in that eye. She identified the officer to The Tribune as an assistant superintendent of police.

The 29-year-old said her ordeal started on Friday when the officer made a lewd comment to her.

“I was walking coming

page eight

‘I just want peace and to move on’ after mother and brother were killed

CHILDREN at St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School in New Providence playing together at school after the summer break came to an end with pupils returning to the classroom. See page two for more photographs.

Photo: Moise Amisial

on eyelid and cheek seen here allegedly caused by a police

Kids return to school at St Cecilia’s Catholic School

CREATIVE MINDS COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS TO DESIGN LOGO FOR CONSUMER PROTEC TION COMMISSION

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

STUDENTS throughout The Bahamas have the chance to win some $850 and other prizes by entering a competition to create a logo for the Consumer Protection Commission.

In conjunction with the Ministry of Education, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) officially launched its Creative Minds Logo Competition at a press conference yesterday, for students ages 12-17.

The competition will run from August 15 to September 20. The prize for first place is $500 and other prizes, the second-place

prize is $250 and other prizes and third place will receive $100 and other prizes.

The purpose of the competition is to engage young people in knowing what the CPC does while also revamping the department’s logo. Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said the competition would give students the chance to be stimulated artistically and educate them from a young age on what their rights are as a consumer.

“First of all, it gives our young people an opportunity to compete artistically and it will stimulate a great burst of competitive artwork across our high

schools nationwide, which will be able to capture the messaging that the department requires to get the word out.

“Secondly, it will help to educate our young people on the fact that they do have rights as consumers, and that we all do. There are standards that are in play in our country.

She added: “The legislative agenda does anticipate new legislation on this issue, which will be a paradigm shift in this nation, which will protect consumers at every level, in terms of a whole array of transactions and also as it relates to standards. So this is a very critical, equalising paradigm that we are

anticipating with the new legislation.

“We are appreciative that you have included in the embrace, our young people, so that they can be activated into this concept that as consumers, out there in the marketplace. There are certain standards or rights that exist that they are able to vitiate through the department or elsewhere.

“So, I think this is a very important intervention and represents a sort of deepening of the civilisation of our nation, in terms of the fact that someone who goes in a store and spends money, that they’re able to get redress and not find themselves at a loss in the deep blue sea and with no transparency in the matter,” she said.

Sharmie Farrington, executive director of the Consumer Protection Commission, said the department partnered with the Ministry of Education in order to be able to engage with students both in New Providence and the family islands, both now and on future projects.

“We really want to be a blessing to young students,” Ms Farrington said. “We want to encourage them to be creative in designing a new logo for the CPC.

“I thought that we should redesign our logo to ensure that the consumer is properly represented, so that when people are looking at our logo, they can immediately know that we are about consumer rights.

“So we want to engage our young people, we think they are creative, we think they are innovative, we think they are very well versed with technology.

“So we’re requiring them to do some research on the Consumer Protection Act, so that they in turn will be educated about what it is that we do,” she said.

Students are able to submit entries for the competition to the CPC office located on Tonique Williams-Darling Highway (west). More details and other criteria for the competition can also be found at www.cpcbahamas.gov.bs.

242-357-7898.

The CPC also has 24-hour hotline to serve consumers at

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin is working with the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) to offer students a reward to produce the winning logo design for the CPC.

Photo: Moise Amisial

READY for a new year, to see old freinds and make new ones, children returned to the calssroom at St Cecilia’s Catholic School.

Photos: Moise Amisial

Woman left unable to see after police officer ‘punched me in eye’

from page one

from ordering my food and someone came up behind me and told me ‘Your p**** fat’.”

“I was like mister who the **** you is and he was like ‘oh carry your fat p****’. So I start to argue back with him. I tell him ‘Oh no carry your little d***’ so he got mad because people through the corner was laughing.”

Before she went to her yard, a police truck pulled up in front of her yard.

“He point at me and say her lock her up. He say carry her to my station. They carry me to The Grove. When I went there, they start to book me.

“He said ‘ain’t I tell y’all to take her to my station’... bear in mind I still do not know who this man is. I still didn’t even know he was an officer at the time.”

“I was in handcuff.

Before I got carried… he yuck me at the police truck, punch me in my eye while I was in handcuff. Then put me back in there and ram my head against the police truck door.”

She went to the hospital on Saturday and remembered being there for almost a whole day. The ambulance came for her from the hospital.

“The doctor told me there’s a hole in my retina of my eye and the bone in my eye is broken – my

muscle is wrapped around the bone. Cannot see out my left eye right now. My whole face feels like it numb – swollen.”

Ms Perpall said the situation makes her feel “bad”.

“You have your boyfriend who you love. You have your family – that means you can’t walk nowhere with these man jumping in ear thinking your a prostitute just because you have a nice shape.”

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said he had not heard complaints of the matter but admitted the officer could be criminally charged if the allegations are found to be true.

He said: “If somebody makes an allegation of police defaulting in their behaviour like that, they have to make a complaint to complaints and corruption. If necessary, the complaints and corruption will show that the matter is bound to be proved – can escalate it to a criminal charge.”

In 2021, the Supreme Court awarded $82,856 in damages to Pedro Morley after a police officer punched him in his mouth, damaging eight of his teeth.

Police Constable Courtney Hall, who The Tribune understood was still on the Royal Bahamas Police Force at the time, pleaded guilty to the allegations when it came before the Police Tribunal.

BOWLEG EMBRACES IDEAS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND PROMOTION OF BAHAMIAN CULTURE

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg embraced suggestions for improvements his ministry should consider, including the rebirth of the Botanical Gardens, murals throughout downtown Nassau and rigorous and intentional advertisements of local arts and culture professionals.

Last week, The Tribune invited several guest editorial writers to answer the question of what they would change about The Bahamas.

Amanda Coulson, who is the former executive director at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) as well as the founding director of TERN Gallery and an art scholar, critic and curator, posed several suggestions.

Ms Coulson, in her editorial for The Tribune last week, suggested: “The rebirth of our Botanical Gardens with more information on native flora and fauna.

“Extensive public murals that brand different places, historic areas and islands, creating sites of interest and edification, teaching our history for both the general populace and any visitors.

“A rigorous and intentional public ad campaign that uplifts our successful arts and

culture professionals, as we do our politicians and athletes.”

Yesterday, speaking to The Tribune , Mr Bowleg said he welcomes these changes and supports them “for a new way forward” adding that these are things that his ministry is working on now.

“They are things that we are working on now. Even during the summer programme, there were murals being done by some of the high school students, even right there at CV Bethel Senior High School.

“Those things are things that definitely for the NAGB and people in the art community, I would agree.”

He also agreed that the Botanical Gardens should be “brought back to life most definitely. I would agree with that also”.

He said the artwork done by local artists and artisans needs to be promoted “at the highest level possible”.

He said: “Anything we do, we talk about empowering and uplifting young people, as it relates to those who are in that field.

“They definitely are that good and that work should be seen throughout the length and breadth of The Bahamas and in major places such as Rawson Square and other major places.”

PHOTO’s of a woman who claims to be the victim of an abusive police officer shows some of the bruising she allegedly received from him.

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg embraced suggestions for improvements his ministry should consider.

accused of cowardice

as Bell stays in Cabinet

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

“Once you accept the job of Prime Minister, you must also accept the responsibility that goes with it meaning that you must make difficult decisions, decisions that are in the best interest of the country and not yourself.”’

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Independents leader Lincoln Bain said he was disappointed the Prime Minister didn’t take more “decisive action” against Mr Bell. Their comments came a day after Mr Davis announced changes to his Cabinet, including seven new ministerial appointments and portfolio adjustments.

Mr Bell, who has faced controversy for overseeing a citizenship swearing-in ceremony at a funeral among other actions, was among those moved to new ministries. He will become the new Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, while Alfred Sears will take over the Ministry of Immigration and National Insurance.

“To take Keith Bell after all of what has been out there against him, to remove him from immigration and put him to another place that is contract intensive. That’s very concerning to a lot of Bahamians,” Mr Bain added.

“To put him in charge of housing whether its a serious area of trust and also with urban renewal where there’s a situation of a lot of contracts that are issued for urban renewal. Quite frankly, I don’t think a lot

of people trust him to be in such a area.”

“It seems like a furtherance of his agenda to one do a lot of things that he did in immigration and two, is he going to be getting housing for these people who he did favours for in the last years.”

Other notable changes include the re-assignment of Clay Sweeting, who will now become the Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs and Jomo Campbell

who will take over the role of Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources.

Pia Glover-Rolle, the Minister of State for Public Service, has been promoted to Minister of Labour and Public Service, while Transport and Housing Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis will serve as Minister of Energy and Transport.

Dr Minnis criticised the new appointments yesterday, saying it “will do nothing to help improve the

lives of Bahamians.”

“We’ve simply moved around a group of failed ministers and the prime minister still has no plan to reduce crime. He still has no answer to the sky high electricity prices and he has no solution to all those Bahamians who would’ve lost as a result of the prime minister’s fault with BPL,” he said.

FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands echoed similar comments, likening the

shuffle to “putting lipstick on a pig.”

“The two most disappointing moves have to be Coleby-Davis and Bell. Coleby-Davis is well known as legal counsel to an oil drilling scam. She has been at the centre of controversy and scandals at housing and transport. BPL is a disaster so perhaps Prime Minister Davis’ plan is to make it even worse,” Dr Sands.

“Certainly Bahamians have no reason to believe

that she having created chaos everywhere else will bring relief to BPL.”

He said “only time will tell” if the ministers were set up for failure.

The government also issued a statement yesterday to say that the changes in Cabinet will take effect once ministers receive their official letters of appointment, and that a revised portfolio list will be made available by the Cabinet Office.

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunmedia.net

UNION leaders welcomed Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ changes to his Cabinet yesterday, despite a shaky start with some ministers.

President of The Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) Wesley Ferguson was happy that Housing and Transport Minister JoBeth ColebyDavis remained in the transport ministry after the shuffle - despite having called for her to resign in January, claiming that her decisions since assuming office have caused utter “chaos” and “turmoil” in the industry.

The union said Mrs Coleby-Davis’ decision

to issue hundreds of taxi plates last year resulted in their past grievances towards her.

However, when T he Tribune contacted Mr Ferguson yesterday he said he was satisfied with the work that has been done with Mrs Coleby–Davis so far, adding that readjusting to a new minister would have been a setback.

“I’m pretty comfortable with the minister retaining her position because I’d rather deal with the same person that we have a history with and understanding with than to try to start all over again,” Mr Ferguson said. “Because all that is a major setback.”

BTCU’s president explained the progress with Mrs Coleby-Davis, noting their relationship has improved since his call for her to resign.

“In the light of the fact that we have the code of conduct that is right on the horizon that we need to roll out. We have the taxi increase that is scheduled for this month. To start over again with a new minister who may have a different idea on a different agenda that would just be a setback. And only cause a bone of contention between the taxi union and the Minister of Transport.”

Meanwhile, State Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle, who was promoted to Minister of Public Service and Labour, came under fire just under a year after taking office after she accused some finance officers of adjusting the system to increase their pay rates. The Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU), which represents the group of workers, later demanded that Minister Glover-Rolle either provide proof of her claims or retract the statements. But she never did.

Most recently, in July, the BPSU criticized Mrs Glover-Rolle for failing

to properly communicate with the union on promotional exercises a claim she called erroneous” and “disingenuous”.

Yesterday, BPSU president Kimsley Ferguson said he expects the union’s relationship with Mrs Glover-Rolle to improve. He also congratulated Mrs Glover-Rolle on her promotion, saying it was well-deserved.

“We see the amalgamation of labour and public service which will put us in a very good position to ensure that whatever the issues are, we can probably do case management even before we get to conciliation,” the BPSU president said.

“I would like to say that I believe that the former honourable minister of state would’ve been well deserving of a promotion. She has been doing a tremendous job. I believe that the relationship with The Bahamas Public Service Union can be enhanced. Our initial concern there was that the information wasn’t forthcoming. And we were learning things in the media and so we are of the view that’s going to be mended moving forward and we look forward to a very good relationship with her,” he added.

For his part, Social Services and Urban Development Minister Obie Wilchcombe, who will now serve as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, said he was honoured with his new post.

“As we serve at the pleasure of the Prime Minister, I am honoured to have responsibility for a portfolio that incorporates broadcasting, a fundamental vehicle in the social, political, and educational development of The Bahamas. I look forward to working with the professionals at the corporation and introducing new creative, cultural, and informative programmes.”

Union leaders say they are ‘pretty comfortable’ with cabinet shUffle

LEADERS of the opposition political parties accused Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday of being “afraid” to make the tough decisions, calling his decision to reassign Keith Bell instead of firing him “cowardice”.

Family plea over Hurricane Dorian death certificates

from page one

when the roof of a church he went to collapsed on him and several other people.

To this day, the family has yet to find their bodies, leaving Silien and her father’s lives in limbo.

She said DNA swabs were taken from her, but no match was found with bodies located after the storm.

And because they are unable to prove her mother and brother’s death, Silien said she is unable to apply for a Bahamian passport, while her father is unable to remarry.

“The citizenship what I did put in for and yes I know I wait long but when mummy dead that’s when I really wanted to put it because I need my passport but the people say because she dead, I need a death certificate,” she said. “That killing me because I born here and I cannot get my document because I need my mother’s death certificate and I have everything.”

The 31-year-old, who works in the construction field, said she needs her documents to work. “I can’t go to work there because I don’t have the document so I’m working part-time.”

She said her father who

now lives in Haiti also wants to move forward with his life.

“My daddy ready to get married again but he can’t get married again because they said he need a death certificate to clarify that he wife died. Whew! It been tough,” Silien added.

Hurricane Dorian struck

The Bahamas on September 1, 2019 as a Category Five storm, killing more than 70 people in Abaco and Grand Bahama.

However, many more are believed to be missing.

In 2021, the Coroner’s Court held an inquest into the presumed deaths of people reported missing after Hurricane Dorian.

At the end of that inquest, then-Coroner Jeanine Weech-Gomez declared dead 22 people who were reported missing after the deadly storm.

A copy of the list showing the names of the people declared dead by the Coroner’s Court – which was seen by The Tribune - does not include the names of Silien’s mother and brother.

A Coroner’s Court official, who spoke to this newspaper on the condition of anonymity, explained that Silien’s relatives were likely not on the list because she nor other family members testified during the 2021 inquest.

The official said only

those who testify about the circumstances surrounding the presumed death of their family member can begin the process of getting their birth certificate after the courts would’ve declare them dead.

“There has to be an inquest,” the official said. “Only half of family members who reported their loved ones as missing, the half that we found – those are the persons who we went through trial with.”

The official said undocumented people with missing loved ones need not fear deportation when visiting the Coroner’s Court, believing this to be a factor why many have not yet testified.

“It’s still open. If these people start to come forward now, the new coroner would now have to go and continue the second part of the case, but bear in mind that the trial will have to start all over again.”

However, when The Tribune spoke to Silien, she did not appear to be aware of this process.

She only said that efforts to retrieve her family member’s death certificates have been tiring and costly.

“Four months, I been to Nassau and these people running me round and round and in March, I been to Nassau again and they

give me another story and I haven’t got no death certificate yet,” the Abaco resident said.

“I went to the (registry) to get the death certificate and they sent me to the Coroner’s

FNM: STOP PLAYING GA MES ON HURRICA NE COMMISSION

from page one conclude the matter. However, he noted that a commission of inquiry should not primarily focus on periods of when the FNM was in office.

to determine the fate of those missing in Abaco and Grand Bahama after the Category 5 storm.

Most recently, he said the option has not been ruled out as officials await the police report to make further determination.

“We have not ruled out the possibility of a commission of inquiry in respect to Dorian, the Dorian episode and trauma, because I feel that there are lessons to be learned from the experiences of what to do, what not to do in times of trials and tribulations visited by external shocks like a hurricane of the nature and size of Dorian,” Mr Davis said.

There was considerable confusion at the time over the number of people still missing after the storm. In June 2020, then National Security Minister Marvin Dames said in a press statement that 279 people were missing. However, then Assistant Commissioner of Police Solomon Cash said 33 people were still missing.

It was reported in October 2021 that an ongoing assessment of the impact and recovery efforts of the storm would determine if an inquiry is needed.

Mr Pintard noted that the FNM is “more than happy” to cooperate with the Davis administration to

“Any such commission of inquiry should not only include the period that we were in office but should also cover the period that

since he has come to the office,” Mr Pintard said yesterday.

“Because quite frankly, over the last almost two years their performance has been absolutely miserable with respect to providing concrete relief for persons who have been afflicted by Dorian.”

Court. When I was at the Coroner’s Court, they sent me to CDU and, yes, I did speak to the lady from CDU because she did been to Abaco to see me, and she had the list there.”

“The information what I gave a copy of her passport, my brother’s birth certificate, they have their picture. They have them on the list, but these people would not give their death certificate.”

Memorial Service for Bishop Sterling Lindbergh Moss, J.P., 65

Of Elizabeth Estates, will be held at 7:00 p.m on Wednesday 6th September 2023, at The Church of God of Prophecy, East Street Tabernacle

Officiating: Pastor Stephen Greene.

He survived by his Faithful & Loving Wife of 40 years: Minister Barbara Moss née Ferguson; Children: Valencia and Valentino (Vantae) Moss, Vernita (Gordon) Coakley; Brothers: Wilfred Rahming, Christopher, Basil Moss, Leroy Armbrister (predeceased) and John Stafford Rahming (predeceased); Sisters: Rose (Arthur) Maycock (predeceased), Laura Williams (JamesPredeceased), Hannah (Thomas) Grant (predeceased) and Loletha Gaitor. Other sisters: Minerva Edwards, Lovetha Johnson, Lulamae Rolle, Mygriean Moss; Brothers & Sisters-in-law: Wayne Gaitor, Lehimzar, Elder Rufus (Nehemie), Deacon Zendal (Henrietta), Apostle Phalmon (Elder Sophia) & Minister Wayne (Tammy) Ferguson, Cynthia Armbrister, Vivian Rahming, Linda & Pamela Moss, Minister Margie Taylor, Minister Janice (Bishop Anthony) Johnson, Minister Jennetta (Shorn) Gibson; Aunts & Uncles: Rev. Benjamin & Alice Ferguson of Freeport, Grand Bahama; Halcie Hanna, Ruthmae Rolle, Myrtle Gibson, Eulamae & Marina Rolle, Naaman, Roland, Harold, Leonard & Kenneth Rolle and their families. Numerous Nieces and Nephews including: Leroy, Herman, Patrick (Tony), Audley, Lynden, Dereo, Richmond and Mark Maycock, Euricka Rolle, Christine Heastie and Joy Dean, Paula Clarke, Patricia, Stephanie, Dwight and Richard Rahming, Judd, Kera, Jenson & Jochlano Williams, Thomas Jr. & Zhorrah Grant, Christopher Jr., Deangelo, Nicara, Lynden, Kevin, Joy, Candia, Keyshawn, Alicia, Latrell, Brittany & Mya Moss, Matthew & Wayne Gaitor, Ruby Mae Russell, Myrtle Stubbs, Sharon Farrington, Rosalee Dean, Genesta Bethel, Bridgette Armbrister, Terrence, Andrew and Ricardo McPhee, Kendra Simmons, Inga Rahming, Angie, Sharon Thompson, Latoya Marshall, Samantha Wood, Children of Cornelius Stubbs, Children of Reuben Stubbs, Children of Bertram Rahming & Family, Family of Ruth Rahming, Edmund Stubbs and Family, Children of Janet Stubbs, Children of Monet Stubbs, Keturah Pinder, Kendinique and Lee Ferguson Jr.; Veronique Miller, Janeen (Dwight), Kaylisa, Lejon, Shaunique, Shaundira and Shauna; Mckaizer (Tara), Marissa (Delwin), Michael, Latoya, Zhivargo, Densil, Glenwood, Deno and Zendal Jr., Tennille, Jason, Anthony Jr. and Emmanuel, Phalmon Jr. (Alex), Alexis and Jeremy, Tawanna; Katrina, Janell and Percival Taylor III. A host of other relatives and friends, including but not limited to, COGOP Presiding Bishop, International Presbyters, National Bishop, District Supervisors, All COGOP Bishops & Pastors, the entire Church of God of Prophecy family including: Pastor Stephen (Jancy) Greene & the entire Meadow Street, Gambier, and Baillou Hill Road church families. COGOP Long Island, Acklins & Crooked Island, and Ragged Island Districts, COGOP Seagrape, Rev. Patrick Paul, Dr. Barbara Williams, Ray Clarke, Franklin Neely, Minister Diane Culmer, Pastor Tennielle Cooper, The Road Traffic Department, Bain & Grants Town Community Association, Elizabeth Estates Community, Montague Beach Association, Driving School Association and so many other friends too numerous to mention.

Scheduled Dates, Time and Locations for additional Viewing Opportunities: Thursday 7th September, 2023 from 11:00 am – 4:00p.m . at the Church of God of Prophecy, Meadow Street.

Friday 8th, September 2023 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at The Jasper Suite, Rock of Ages Funeral Chapel Wullf Road and Pinedale.

SITHA Silein’s brother Siverlien Silien and her mother Elvitha Charles.

The Tribune Limited

We owe Dorian survivors the truth

WITH talk of a commission of inquiry into the events surrounding Hurricane Dorian and its aftermath still swirling, the FNM has effectively told the government to get on with it.

After Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis suggested that an independent inquiry – either by police or a commission of inquiry – has not been ruled out, the FNM weighed in yesterday. If it was a game of poker, this would be a call, but it’s not a game, and the hurricane and its devastation are not a political toy to be played with.

The truth is, there absolutely should be a thorough inquiry into Dorian – and a commission of inquiry would be the proper way to do it.

The trauma and aftermath of the storm still resonates throughout The Bahamas. There are those who lived through it, there are those who were displaced by it, there are those trying to rebuild, and there are those who have lost close friends and family, and whose grief in too many cases remain unresolved.

In today’s Tribune, you can read of one family stuck waiting for death certificates – and they are not alone.

Sitha Silien tells of how the wait for a death certificate for her mother and brother have left the rest of the family unable to move on. She is unable to proceed with her citizenship application because a death certificate is needed for her mother – while her father is unable to remarry.

Still others are afraid to come forward at all because of a fear that they do not have the right documents and could risk deportation if they try to determine the simple truth of who has died and who has not.

Four years on, people are still left unable to rebuild their lives – and sometimes not even knowing the process they have to go through to be able to move on. One official told The Tribune yesterday about the process people need to go through to establish that a family

member has died and to receive a death certificate – but many are unaware of this process, including Sitha Silien, who said she did not know.

She tells instead of “these people running me round and round” as she tries to get answers.

A commission of inquiry ought to take place to establish where the failings were as the storm hit and in the rescue attempts afterwards – although we must acknowledge that this was a monster storm and there was no way to truly protect against its devastation. Still, lessons can be learned – and must be learned as we face a future of greater risk of storms from climate change.

More than that, though, we need to help the survivors to deal with the hurdles they still face.

Some of that can simply come down to an information campaign to let people know exactly what they need to do.

But perhaps the creation of some organisation, perhaps non-governmental, to bring people together to help them to get the answers they need without the fear of risking deportation could be another way forward.

For every answer these families have not received is also an answer that we as a nation have not received.

We still do not know for sure the true number of those who died. We still have questions about bodies recovered after the storm.

Perhaps we might never know for sure – but we should do all we can to establish the facts, and to know how to deal with such a situation should it ever, heaven forbid, happen again.

We may fear a future storm. We may fear another Dorian the next time such a storm tilts towards our islands. But we should never fear the truth – and we should do all we can to strive to ensure it is revealed.

We owe it to all those affected by the storm – and we should take extraordinary steps to ensure we support all our brothers and sisters devastated by Dorian.

Su fer the little children

EDITOR, The Tribune.

HOW long has the abuse of women and children existed on this planet? Hundreds of years? Thousands? Since the beginning? But now, transparency is beginning to happen.

For as long as memory can reach back, corruption at the top levels of society made sure abuse remained hidden. The rich saw to it that the truth never made it into the newspapers. But now, transparency is beginning to happen.

And now, we are learning of horrors that we never imagined could happen, and compassion is finding a home in the hearts of many.

The old axiom was, if you have enough money, power, or influence, you can keep everything hidden or pay for it to go away. That has stopped in recent times. How many famous people are going to jail for what they did in the past? The numbers are increasing daily. What has been seen in long past times is not acceptable anymore.

Now there is a turning point in human history, and also in this country. It’s the beginning of the clean-up. So many things will come to light, all across this planet, exposing the horrors of widespread abuse of children, kidnapped off the streets, never to see them again, sold into sexual slavery.

Some are even bred for bearing and giving birth to other children. What can be more horrible!? Some have even had their stomachs ripped open to obtain the child they’re bearing to be used for medical purposes, like stem cell therapy. What can be more horrible!?

Right here is this nation, not long ago, this heinous crime was perpetrated against young girls by a well-known demonic individual. It was going on for a long time right under the noses of many. These crimes were committed in the underground protected by the influential, or celebrities, or even the filthy rich, where no one can touch them.

Now, we must come together to expose perpetrators and secure our future, our children’s future, and our grandchildren’s future. All shall be exposed. Human

consciousness cannot any longer conceal the extent of tragedies against women and children in this nation. Does the number of women now reaching the higher ranks of leadership not speak to a change of compassionate direction for our women and children?

Mother Earth can no longer tolerate the abuse of her children; the consciousness of humanity neither can allow such crimes against the most vulnerable. This is the beginning of the clean-up and the beginning of light across this planet; but it will probably take a generation before we can look back and see the dramatic results.

Community partners now will act as catalysts, bringing about resolutions to these age-old crimes, serving as a refuge where victims can find the care, love, warmth and solace they so deserve. Compassion is beginning to happen in our society. We all need to become aware, be courageous, fearless in pursing the demons who prey on our women and children.

We have only just recently passed into law the necessary instrument to deal with those who prey on children, namely Marco’s law. However, we still lack the fortitude, or ‘cojones’, to institute the accompanying tool of a sexual offenders list. This may be the next step of courage –to be unmindful of those in high places who may have historically offended in this regard.

We need to be eternally mindful of the poignant warning given by Marian Edelman when she writes: “Inattention to children by society poses a greater threat to our society, harmony and productivity than any external enemy.”

We are presently smack in the midst of this reality with the daily birthing of more and more internal enemies of the state. Yes, our children are the ‘darlings’ of the nation. But they can so easily become the demons unless they are properly nurtured and cared for.

Call them ‘darlings’ only when we have done everything in our power to assure that every child in our land becomes an esteemed, proud, loved, cherished and cared-for individual. When we have made certain he/she is securely set on the path of self-esteem, self-worth and productivity, then and only then, can we claim them as our darlings. We need to be even more vigilant now as many families, in this very rich country, can only afford one meal per day for their children. What a tragedy this is, as it sets the stage for further sexual molestation of women and children, who are lured by unconscionable criminals with the promise of food and money. And I end with this powerful admonition of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who witnesses daily the scourge of absolute poverty in his country:

“A church that is in solidarity with the poor can never be a wealthy church. It must sell all, in a sense, to follow the Master. It must use its wealth and resources for the sake of the least of Christ’s brethren.” Tithing was never meant to enrich the ecclesiastical gang. And who is the church? WE ARE THE CHURCH! “Suffer the little children to come to me for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Or will we continue setting them on a path of suffering and want, where no tender and caring hands reach out to them and lead them into the Arms of Jesus?

Our blessed women and children need a holy place where even the angels find a home, a fortress to which our children and even those above childhood age, can find refuge. It is a home of benevolence augmenting the metamorphosis of a place where all children are safe.

Those who welcome souls into this abode are showers of the way, the bearers of the light of enlightened consciousness. We pray that our nation, after years of growth and independence, can become a shining light for many other nations to follow.

SUMMER camper Stevenique Johnson finds a shell during a snorkel expedition in a mangrove area. See PAGE 15 for more.

BPSU signs industrial agreement with UB

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunmedia.net

THE Bahamas Public Services Union signed an industrial agreement with the University of The Bahamas yesterday, with roughly 250 employees of UB staff to benefit.

BPSU president Kimsley Ferguson said the agreement included a salary review, salary increases, lump sum payments, and other benefits.

“We’re really happy and pleased this morning to be signing this phenomenal industrial agreement. The benefits associated with it were the lump sum payments that do stand out,”

Mr Ferguson said. “But I want to assure people as

well that there are salary increases that are associated with it.”

Mr Ferguson said officials were able to secure a $4,000 lump sum payment which was paid in December 2022 and $2000 which was paid in July 2023.

The salary scales of employees were widened from 19 to 30, allowing staff at UB to receive an increase incrementally.

“We were also able to increase all of the low skills and the increments from $400 to $600 per annum. And that will be retroactive from July of 2019,” Mr Ferguson said.

Mr Ferguson noted a salary review will be established for employees that will result in some adjustments and salary

MAN ACCUSED OF GROPING YOUNG GIRL GRANT ED BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted $8,500 bail yesterday after he was accused of groping an underaged girl inappropriately earlier this year.

Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Tareves Eneas, 27, with two counts of indecent assault.

Eneas allegedly inappropriately groped a 13-year-old girl’s breasts

and hip area between March 1 and April 30 in New Providence. Eneas is accused of once again groping the same minor on July 7.

After pleading not guilty to the charge, Eneas was warned not to interfere with any witnesses in this matter or approach the girl’s home under the conditions of his bail. The defendant’s trial begins on February 19, 2024.

BAIL VIOLATION BY M AN ACCUSED OF MURDER LANDS HIM IN PRISON

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN on bail for murder was sentenced to four months in prison yesterday after he admitted to failing to charge his ankle monitor. He was further accused of threatening two people with a gun in Nassau Village last week.

Magistrate Raquel

Whyms charged D’Quille Edgecombe, 28, with two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to put another in fear and three counts of violation of bail conditions.

Edgecombe was on release for a pending murder charge before the Supreme Court over the fatal shooting of Ricky Charlton, Jr, in Nassau Village on November 7, 2015.

Edgecombe failed to charge his court ordered monitoring device on three occasions between March 1 and July 21.

Edgecombe was previously fined $2,500 and placed on 18 months probation for a similar bail violation in February.

The accused was further charged with threatening Linda Campbell and Leonardo Williams with a handgun on Bishop Street in Nassau Village on August 25.

While Edgecombe pleaded guilty to the bail offences, he pleaded not guilty to the gun threats. The accused was sentenced to four months in prison for the bail breach and informed that his trial for the gun charges will start on September 29.

MAN CHARGED WITH ST E ALING a woman’s car granted bail

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted $7,000 bail after he was accused of stealing a woman’s car last week.

Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged Sherrad Russell, 38, with stealing and receiving.

Russell is accused of stealing a black 2013 Honda Fit valued at $8,500, belonging to Brittney

increases. “We also agreed on the implementation of a salary review for all positions again, which will bring increases to salaries. We also ask that this exercise be retroactive to 2019.”

A cost of living policy of five per cent and an increase in gas mileage from $2 to $3 per mile were other benefits implemented.

In terms, of when the salary increases will be effective officials said the salary review process will have to be completed first. However, incremental increases were effective from July 2023.

The agreement expires in 2024, it was a four-year agreement.

Mr Ferguson said some employees started benefiting from the agreement in 2022.

For her part, acting UB president Janyne Hodder expressed excitement about the agreement.

“I want to thank our partners at BPSU for the work that we’ve done together and that we intend to continue to do together. I want to thank the negotiating teams for bringing us to this very happy day,” she said.

Ms Hodder marked the

Darville on August 29 in New Providence. Russell was reportedly found by police with the stolen vehicle the following day.

After pleading not guilty to the charge, the accused was informed that he would be fitted with an ankle monitor as a condition of his bail. He is also expected to sign in at the Nassau Street Police Station every Sunday by 6pm. Russell’s trial is to begin on November 1.

EL EUTHERA MAN ACCUSED OF HOUSEBRE AKING GRANT ED BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted $5,000 bail after he was accused of a recent housebreaking in Eleuthera.

Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged Terrance Whylly, 29, with housebreaking.

Whylly is accused of breaking into the residence of Fredricka Watson in

Green Castle, Eleuthera, sometime between 11pm on August 25 and 2.30am on August 26.

After pleading not guilty to the offence, Whylly was informed that he would be fitted with a monitoring device as a condition of his bail. He is also expected to sign in at the Rock Sound Police Station.

Whylly’s trial is set for October 23.

signing of the agreement as a “happy moment”, noting UB is still working on other matters such as its path to accreditation.

A MAN and a woman were injured in a shooting last night at Karl Road, off Claridge Road. The victims were reported by police to be alert and emergency medical services were at the scene. At the time of going to press, no further information had been released by police regarding the incident.

Photo: Moise Amisial

From Snow Hill, to Capitol Hill, to Mount Fitzwilliam - CA Smith shares his journey

SNOW Hill is an inconspicuous little town in northern Long Island, not often heard of when more popular settlements are mentioned. Yet it was right in the heart of Snow Hill that Cornelius A Smith would be welcomed into the world, where he would be nurtured, and where he would be given the humble island foundation that would serve him well in life, as he rose to occupy the highest state post in the country.

Just a couple days after emitting the office of the Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, His Excellency Cornelius A Smith spoke with me about his tenure. His appointment as Governor General was the culmination of a stellar career in public service.

He started at a very early age. The young Cornelius spent his formative years attending Glinton All-Age School. Long Island has always been known for producing some of the most exceptional teachers in The Bahamas, so it was no surprise that he, with good grades, would be accepted to the Teacher’s Training College in Nassau once he graduated from Glinton All Age.

After graduating college, he went on to serve as teacher at Southern Junior and Western Junior public schools. In those days, teachers were given the responsibility of instructing in a wide range of subjects. The young Cornelius’ intelligence and wit shone as he aptly instructed in foundation, vocational, and extra curricular subjects.

He then had the opportunity to travel to Grand Bahama, where he taught at Smith’s Point All Age School, positively impacting

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

the lives of young Bahamians there. Cornelius always had a passion for youth empowerment and it showed in his work ethic and commitment to teaching young kinds with bright futures.

His talent did not go unnoticed. At the tender age of 20, Cornelius was given the responsibility of serving as the principal of Victoria Point All Age School in Mangrove Cay, Andros.

Two years later, he would marry the love of his life Clara, whom he had met a year earlier.

Eventually, his career path would take a turn. He was on summer break from school one year, when he was seconded to the Customs Department. Once again, his work ethic and talent was noticed. He was offered the opportunity to travel to Panama to study the operations of The Colon Free Zone - the largest Free Trade Zone in the Western Hemisphere. The information that he and others on the study trip would garner from Panama would be utilised in developing policies for The Bahamas’ own Free Trade Zone in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

One of the individuals on that trip was Frank Watson, a friend with whom he had spent time growing up in Long Island. They excelled and because of it, Cornelius was transferred from education to customs as the Department grew.

He spent five years as a customs officer with Mr. Watson before he finally left the public service and joined a private company called Syntax Pharmaceuticals - a company for which he served in senior management for many years.

While climbing the professional ladder, a budding political career also emerged for Cornelius A Smith.

It was in 1982 that CA Smith, as he is often referred, first threw his hat into the ring to become a Member of Parliament.

Prior to that, he was a strong supporter for Maurice Moore, eventually running his election campaign and serving as campaign general.

In 1967, the year of Majority Rule, Cornelius helped Mr Moore secure the victory. He was one of the original members of the Progressive Liberal Party when they won the government in 1967. It was the very first time in history that a black political party had won the majority of the votes in the history of the country.

Eventually, Mr Moore would become one of the Dissident Eight, who left the governing Progrressive Liberal Party and formed the Free National Movement.

Cecil V Wallace-Whitfield, Maurice Moore, Arthur Foulkes and others would make the decision to chart a path they felt was better aligned with their vision for the country.

With CA Smith as

campaign general, Mr Moore won his seat in 1967. He lost in 1972 but won again in 1977, 1982, 1987, and again in 1992. Meantime, Smith was already bitten by the political bug.

He offered himself up for election in 1982 in Grand Bahama in the Marco City constituency. With political experience under his belt, he had the savvy and the knowhow, and most of all, he won the hearts of the people in the area. In 1987, Marco City’s name was changed to Pineridge. Very little changes were made, he said, to the actual boundary.

From 1982 to 2002, the people of Grand Bahama put their faith and trust in Cornelius A Smith that he could get the job done and represent their best interests. Ten of those years he served in opposition and ten as a part of the ruling party.

When asked why he believed he had such a successful political career, Mr Smith said: “I think they felt I provided them with good representation. I stayed very close to my constituents. When we (in the FNM) had the opportunity to serve as the governing party, we were able to provide them with three new schools in that constituency. They were a real need at the time. Healthcare facilities and local government were also brought to these Grand Bahama natives. We were also able to bring other services to Grand Bahama which allowed people to get passports, police certificates and others right on the island. I spent a lot of time serving the needs of the people, and they rewarded me with their vote.”

Not only was he a faithful MP, Mr Smith also served as a Cabinet Minister. He served as the Minister of Education, Minister of Public Safety and Immigration, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Transport and Local Government.

He offered service to his country at a high level. Even after he hung up his political hat, Mr Smith continued to serve the country; this timeline in the post of ambassador.

He was Ambassador to the United States starting on his appointment on 24 September 2007, as well as Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States and Non-Resident Ambassador to Mexico, Malaysia, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

While serving in Washington, DC, Mr Smith had the opportunity to serve his country and liaise with the United States Government under the Presidency of George W Bush, Jr, as well as Barak Obama. A far way from Snow Hill, Cornelius stood on Capitol Hill and could look back at a life well-accomplished and worth living well. He conversed with both presidents on many occasions about affairs related to The Bahamas. This rare opportunity is only trumped by the fact that he would go on to serve as Governor General under both Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles - a chance

very few people in the world would ever have.

“internationally, we have a tremendous presence for the size of our country,” he told me.

“It’s not something that shot up overnight. It was the result of the caliber of the people who made up the Diplomatic Corps that the Government of The Bahamas sent around the world. They are intelligent, and very well accomplished for their posts. They were doing everything they could to sell The Bahamas in a very good light.”

On June 29, 2019, Cornelius A Smith became the 11th Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. He also received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II and would become known as Sir Cornelius, or Sir CA. His four years of service as Governor General give him much to be proud of. Government House was given an “overhaul - not a facelift” that was absolutely necessary for its survival. Ancient plumbing infrastructure throughout the grounds had to be completely redesigned. All of the electrical wiring had to be overhauled and brought up to code. The Windsor Wing was also extensively upgraded all to bring the “state house of The Bahamas”, as he called it, up to appropriate modern day standards.

When asked what it would be like visiting Government House grounds since his tenure, Sir Cornelius said one would see a “renewed facility”. He even spearheaded the development of a special area in Government House where all of its official documents and keepsake paraphernalia are now archived in a special temperature controlled room.

In addition to the buildings that are up at Government House, Sir Cornelius was also focused on the actual grounds. Plans are already in motion for an amphitheatre where schools, artists and other groups could gather and perform. The goal was to have an event held once a week on the grounds in the gardens.

Hurricane Dorian happened during his tenure as Governor General. Although it was heart wrenching, and one of the most difficult things for any leader to deal with, Sir Cornelius points out that Bahamians got together and showed their indomitable spirit greater than ever before. Voluteerism, he said, has risen to new heights in The Bahamas due to Dorian, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic - a double whammy that taught many the importance of working together and helping their fellow man. As Governor General, he said, he promoted volunteerism strongly and hopes that the culture continues long after these tragedies are behind us.

While serving as Governor General, he also continued his charitable work with the CA Smith Foundation. Once again, his commitment to friendship materialised into another great venture for

the country. Sir Cornelius has a friendship with Dr. William Pickard that dates back five decades. While Dr Pickard, a very successful businessman, was busy helping young people in his hometown of Detroit, Sir Cornelius was doing the same thing in The Bahamas. They embarked on different careers in different countries. But their solid friendship crystallised their focus and individual commitments to academics and agriculture for their countries.

With 50 years of friendship, two men in two different countries came together with a singular vision for young people. The Smith-Pickard Friendship & Alliance Scholarship was born.

While serving as Governor General, Sir Cornelius saw the need to zone in on some specific areas on which he hoped college and university aspirants would focus. He wanted them to study in fields where The Bahamas, he felt, needed the most development. He also obliged them to return home and work in their respective fields to fulfil the honour of the scholarship and its intent to build The Bahamas.

The areas are: agriculture, climate change, and hospitality. At least ten students have attended university under this Smith-Pickard Friendship & Alliance since he became Governor General. Several of those students will be having lunch with him today and speaking with the press about what they have achieved with the help of their scholarship, and their aspirations to contribute to a better Bahamas. The Alliance has a strong relationship with the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), where several of the students have received tertiary studies. The Dean of Agriculture for the school is Dr. Robert Taylor, a former Face to Face with Felicity interviewee. Dr Taylor, who has written extensive scientific reports on Bahamian agriculture, especially its soil profile, will be in attendance at the lunch today, and has made a commitment to work with the Ministry of Agriculture as it augments its capacity going forward. A number of local and international dignitaries also will be in attendance.

Fresh from his tenure as Governor General on Mount Fitzwilliam, Sir Cornelius is already thinking about the days he will spend fishing and enjoying time right back in little Snow Hill, Long Island. He will also continue to inspire young people and source scholarships for them, ensuring that avenues are there to make the country’s future a little bit brighter.

He feels he has left Government House in the capable hands of Cynthia “Mother” Pratt.

“Governor Pratt has served this country with distinction in the past and will bring dedication, experience, and loyalty to the Office,” he said, “And I wish her every success!”

FORMER Governor General Cornelius A Smith and his wife Clara Smith.

HOW dispiriting it was to learn about the Nobel Foundation’s recent decision to invite the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran to this year’s Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm in December after excluding them in 2022.

The case for continuing the ban in order to send a message about their countries’ prolonged actions in Ukraine now looks even stronger than a year ago. Belarus is continuing to support Russia, and Iran is supplying drones as well as intensifying its harsh crackdown on anti-government protestors at home. So the news in the last few days that the Nobel Foundation has backtracked and U-turned by re-imposing the ban in reaction to the outrage provoked by its initial decision was equally encouraging and satisfying.

This rapid reversal of its original controversial decision to rescind last year’s ban has already been widely welcomed.

This incident illustrates once again how opinions vary about how to deal with aggressors and dictators on the world stage – should it be kid gloves and friendly persuasion or meeting force with strength and vigorous

condemnation in order to deter those with continued hostile intent? Such considerations inevitably induce reflection about the controversial issue of appeasement in international affairs which, since the 1930s in the leadup to the Second World War, has got a bad name. Indeed, it has almost become a pejorative term in the context of diplomacy as a result of the failure of the then British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, to stop the German dictator Adolph Hitler on his brutal

rampage through Europe despite making concessions to him, by which Czechoslovakia had to surrender the Sudeten border region as part of the Munich Agreement in 1938.

Nonetheless, appeasement has historically been a legitimate tool of diplomacy -- if making short-term concessions to an aggressive power to avoid conflict was in the interests of a country in order to buy time, for instance, to re-arm. The trick was to judge when and how this should be used and, indeed, whether it should be used at all in the face of a determined aggressor. Chamberlain was vilified by many of his own countrymen for being so naïve as to have trusted – and been duped by -- the villainous and murderous leader of Nazi Germany.

In my view, the initial stance by the Nobel Foundation was at the very least misguided. Its justification for giving recognition to Russia and Belarus by inviting their ambassadors this year was based on what it termed the ‘need to increase dialogue between states amid deepening geopolitical division’ and that in a ‘world increasingly divided into spheres, dialogue between those with

ANNIVERSARY OF START OF WORLD CONFLICT

HISTORIANS regard this time of year as significant in so far as it marks the anniversary of what many consider was the outbreak of the Second World War (WW2) when Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939 following its invasion of Poland two days earlier. The latter was the final trigger for war in Europe.

Conflict had already broken out in the Far East with Japan’s invasion of China in 1937. This was the start of the Second SinoJapanese War which lasted until 1945. In addition, in 1938 Hitler annexed both Austria and then the Sudetenland before occupying Czechoslovakia. But September 3, 1939 is widely acknowledged as the start of the global conflict which lasted until 1945 and was considered to be the deadliest war in the history of the world.

What also interests historians is the extent to which WW2 was a continuation of the First World War (WW1) – also known as the Great War - from 1914 to 1918. The debate about this is endless, and it would

be impossible to do justice to the issue within the confines of today’s column. But it might be interesting to look at it briefly.

It is argued that for all practical purposes WW2 was not simply a continuation of war after a 20-year ceasefire but a result of various consequences arising from WW1, a terrible conflict that had produced unprecedented carnage.

Nobody wanted another global conflict but certain factors ensured that renewed fighting would break out again sooner or later. Some historians believe that the two wars were part of a vast global conflict, and Winston Churchill referred to this in the preface to his book ‘The Gathering Storm’, published in 1946, when he spoke of another Thirty Years War – the 17th century series of wars in Europe fought by various nations for a number of different reasons.

The main factor, of course, was the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 which set out the terms for the ending of WW1 but, in the view of many, laid the

BAHAMAS BEGINS NEW TRADE COOPERATION WITH BRITAIN

WITH support from the British High Commission in Nassau, Bassett’s rum, which is produced by the Bahamas Distilling Company in Freeport, has secured a contract for this product to be distributed widely in the UK by Chelsea Vintners, a prestigious British wine and spirits wholesaler, importer and distributor. Reportedly, Chelsea Vintners believe that this Bahamian rum will succeed in the UK market - especially in the specialist high-end bracket - and it intends to promote it accordingly, concentrating on famous hotels in London like, for example, the Ritz and the Savoy.

Co-founder and chairman of the Bahamas Distilling Company Alan Bassett is quoted as saying that the whole team at the company ‘is excited and proud to send out Bassett’s rum, as a representation of the Amazing Bahamas. We hope that in some small way we have captured the essence of what makes the islands, the people and the culture so very special’.

It appears that, as part of its strategy to bring British and Bahamian companies together under the UK-Caribbean Economic

Partnership Agreement which allows no and low duty exports from The Bahamas to the UK -- and in cooperation with The Bahamas High Commission in London – the British High Commission has been supporting several Bahamian rum producers and helping them in their efforts to access the British market.

This achievement by Bassett’s rum is impressive. Reading between the lines, I suspect it has been due in no small part to the drive and enthusiasm of the High Commissioner, Thomas Hartley, himself who has spoken of work going on to organize export seminars and trade promotion events – and that is surely to be much welcomed by all concerned.

differing views is being reduced’ so it wanted ‘to involve even those who do not share the values of the Nobel Prize’.

To many people, that looked to be pusillanimous in the extreme, given that Russia had precipitated a war in Ukraine that was unprovoked. The Foundation was condemned by Ukrainians as weak and hypocritical at a time when ‘millions suffer… and the Russian regime is not punished for its crimes’ even though the extent and brutality of its actions are well documented. Ukraine has said that inviting ambassadors would have emboldened Russia and bolstered the Kremlin’s ‘sense of impunity’ about their egregious conduct and acts of evil that are so serious that Putin has already been indicted by the International Criminal Court on war crime allegations.

There is surely now little doubt that Putin himself is not susceptible to, or even interested in, diplomacy. Moreover, some people also wonder how the Nobel Foundation still wanted to offer an olive branch to Russia and Belarus after both had reacted fiercely to previous winners.

Last year, Human Rights

groups from both countries accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in documenting war crimes and abuse of power. In his acceptance speech the Russian laureate called the Ukraine war ‘insane and criminal’, while Belarus has imprisoned its own human rights activist laureate.

Furthermore, the Russian authorities have designated Dmitry Muratov as ‘a foreign agent’ in an attempt to silence him as part of their overall crackdown on a free press and on civil society more generally. He is a Russian journalist and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate who was recognized for his work to promote freedom of speech and the circulation of information.

The Western stance since the invasion of Ukraine has been consistent. Governments developed a diplomatic campaign to isolate Russia and imposed sanctions. Cultural and sporting institutions have followed their lead; for example, the governing body of world football has indefinitely suspended the Russian national team, while the International Olympic Committee said it would not invite Russian and Belarusian teams to the 2024 Olympics in

Paris, though some citizens of both countries might be able to participate as independent athletes.

Consistent stance needed in relations involving Russia, Belarus and Iran The Peter Young column

The Nobel Foundation bestows some of the world’s most prestigious prizes in the fields of science, economics, literature and, of course, peace. But some commentators now fear that the reputation of Nobel Prizes may have been tarnished by these latest developments; though, of course, in the past there has anyway been a degree of scepticism about the Nobel Peace Prize -- for example, when former US president Barack Obama was awarded it in 2009 for ‘his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples’ when he had only been in office for twelve days before the nominations deadline.

Although ambassadors from Russia, Belarus and Iran will not now be invited to the Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm, according to reports their invitation to a parallel ceremony in Oslo for the Peace Prize still stands. If that is true, one wonders what the further reaction will be on the part of those who had earlier expressed their outrage.

foundations for WW2. It was widely considered to be too punitive and did not represent reasonable peace terms but, rather, was an ‘armistice for 20 years’. The treaty was predicated on Germany’s guilt for the war and on blaming and punishing the nation severely as being responsible for it. Germany was forced not only to accept blame but also to give up its overseas colonies and some of its European territory, limit the size of its army and navy and pay substantial war reparations. The latter crippled its economy by contributing

to the reduction of industrial output and producing hyper-inflation – all of which was made worse by the Great Depression.

Many Germans saw this as a humiliation, not least because none of those defeated, which included Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, was allowed to weigh in to negotiate peace terms or even to participate at all. Germany, in particular, was upset by what it saw as the harsh terms of the treaty which Hitler and his supporters later vowed to undo.

Interestingly, the Treaty of Versailles also advocated establishment of the League of Nations as

proposed by US President Woodrow Wilson. This was based on the idea of collective security so that the invasion of one country would be treated as a threat to the whole group. But the League failed largely because it required unanimous agreement before taking action which limited its ability to intervene – for example, after Japan invaded the Chinese region of Manchuria in 1931 and Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1933.

In a nutshell, by placing the burden of war guilt entirely on Germany and imposing harshly punitive reparations payments -- while also creating an increasingly

unstable collection of smaller nations in Europe -- it can be said that the Treaty of Versailles partly contributed to the rise of nationalism in Germany and helped unwittingly to pave the way for another massive conflict 20 years later – and commentators point out how much more effectively the Allies managed the ending of WW2 and its aftermath. IT WAS good to learn recently about a significant development in the trading relationship between The Bahamas and Britain. A rum from Grand Bahama has won the race to become the first Bahamian rum ever to be distributed in the UK.

Putin: Won’t renew the grain deal until the West meets his demands. The West says it has

Associated Press

RUSSIAN President

Vladimir Putin said Monday that a landmark deal allowing Ukraine to export grain safely through the Black Sea amid the war won’t be restored until the West meets Moscow’s demands on its own agricultural exports.

Ukraine and its Western allies have dismissed the Kremlin’s demands as a ploy to advance its own interests.

Still, Putin’s remarks dashed hopes that his talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could revive an agreement seen as vital for global food supplies, especially in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Russia refused to extend the deal in July, complaining that a parallel agreement promising to remove obstacles to Russian exports of food and fertilizer hadn’t been honoured. It said restrictions on shipping and insurance hampered its agricultural trade, though it has shipped record amounts of wheat since last year.

Putin reiterated those complaints Monday, while also telling reporters that if those commitments were honoured, Russia could return to the deal “within days.”

Erdogan also expressed hope that a breakthrough could come soon. He said Turkey and the UN — which both brokered the original deal — have put together a new package of proposals to unblock the issue.

“We believe that we will reach a solution that will meet the expectations in a short time,” Erdogan said at the news conference held

with Putin in the Russian resort of Sochi.

Earlier, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock lashed out, saying Putin’s “game with the grain agreement is cynical.”

“It’s only because of Putin that the freighters don’t have free passage again,” she told reporters in Berlin.

A lot is riding on the negotiation. Ukraine and Russia are major suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other goods that developing nations rely on.

Data from the Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul, which organized shipments under the deal, show that 57% of the grain from Ukraine went to developing nations, with the top destination being China.

Grain prices shot up after Russia pulled out of the deal but have since fallen back, indicating that there isn’t a big crunch in the market for the moment.

But failure to revive the agreement will have “drastic impacts” in countries such as Somalia and Egypt that rely heavily on Black Sea grain, according to Galip Dalay, an associate fellow at the Chatham House think tank in London.

Putin is looking for some relief from sanctions and at the same time is engaged in a “war of narratives,” Dalay said, because the Russian leader “doesn’t want to come across as the bad guy in the eyes of the global south as a result of this food insecurity.”

Ukraine and its allies have often noted that Russia’s move left many developing nations in the lurch, since so many were recipients of the grain.

Perhaps in an effort to

address that accusation, Putin said Monday that Russia was close to finalizing an agreement to provide free grain to six African countries. Last month, he promised shipments to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea and Central African Republic.

The Russian leader added that the country will ship 1 million metric tons (1.1 million tons) of cheap grain to Turkey for processing and delivery to poor countries.

In addition to pulling out of the grain deal, Russia has repeatedly attacked the Odesa region, where Ukraine’s main Black Sea port is. Hours before the Sochi meeting, the Kremlin’s forces launched a second barrage in two days on the area. The Ukrainian air force said it intercepted 23 of 32 drones that targeted the Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions. It did not specify damage caused by those that got through.

Russia may be hoping it can use its power over Ukraine’s Black Sea exports as a bargaining chip to reduce Western economic sanctions.

Some companies have been wary of doing business with Russia because of those sanctions, even though Western allies have made assurances that food and fertilizer are exempt. Still, Moscow remains unsatisfied.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Monday urged Moscow to return to the deal, insisting “there were no legal and political grounds for Russia to withdraw from the agreement.”

Monday’s talks took place against a backdrop of

Ukraine’s recent counteroffensive against the Kremlin’s invasion forces.

In the latest development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov would be replaced this week. The job requires “new approaches,” Zelenskyy said, without elaborating. Reznikov on Monday published a photo of his resignation letter.

Putin and Erdogan — authoritarian leaders who have both been in power for more than two decades — are said to have a close rapport, fostered in the wake of a failed coup against Erdogan in 2016 when Putin was the first major leader to offer his support.

The Turkish president has maintained those during the 18-month war in Ukraine. Turkey hasn’t joined Western sanctions against Russia following its invasion,

emerging as a main trading partner and logistical hub for Russia’s overseas trade.

At the same time, Turkey, a member of NATO, has also supported Ukraine, sending arms, meeting Zelenskyy and backing Kyiv’s bid to join the Western alliance.

Russia, meanwhile, has taken steps to strengthen its military ties with North Korea. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who travelled to Pyongyang last month, said Monday that the two countries may hold joint war games. US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson noted that Shoigu sought to persuade North Korea during his trip to sell artillery ammunition to Russia.

The US has reason to think North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un “expects these discussions to continue” and “to include leader-level

diplomatic engagement in Russia,” Watson said Monday. Another US official, who was not authorized to address the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the US expects Kim will travel to Russia within the month. The official said the US isn’t sure exactly where or when the meeting would take place, but the Pacific port city of Vladivostok would be a likely possibility given its relative proximity to North Korea.

The White House reported last week that it had intelligence indicating that Putin and Kim swapped letters following Shoigu’s visit. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the letters were “more at the surface level” but that Russian and North Korean talks on a weapons sale were advancing.

THE ROLLING S TONES WILL RELEA SE T HEIR FIRST ST UDIO ALBUM IN 18 YEA RS, ‘Hackney DiamonDs’

band “The Rolling Stones,” performs onstage during the last concert of their “Sixty” European tour in Berlin, Germany, August 3, 2022. Yesterday the Rolling Stones announced they will release their first album of original material in 18 years. Titled “Hackney Diamonds,” the legendary rock band will reveal the full details on tomorrow at an event in Hackney in East London.

Los Angeles Associated Press

THE wait is over: The Rolling Stones will soon release new music.

On Monday, the band announced they are preparing to release their first album of original material in 18 years — since 2005’s “A Bigger Bang.”

Titled “Hackney Diamonds,” the band will share details of the release at an event in East London’s Hackney district on Wednesday, where Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood will be interviewed live by “The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon.

The event will be livestreamed exclusively on

YouTube on Wednesday at 2:30 pm BST, 9:30 am EST and 6:30 am PST.

“Hackney may be at the heart of Hackney Diamonds, but this is a truly global moment we want to share with fans around the world via YouTube,” the Rolling Stones shared in a statement.

The announcement of “Hackney Diamonds” follows a cryptic teaser campaign, in which the band’s iconic mouth and tongue logo was projected onto the façade of major landmarks in cities around the world, including New York, London and Paris. The album is also the Stones’ first since the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021.

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin, right, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talk to each other during talks at Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, yesterday.

Photo: Sergei Karpukhin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool/AP

MICK Jagger of the

Photo: Michael Sohn/AP

‘Knucklehead’ Johnson Invitational next month

Cross country invite on October 21

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Bahamas men’s national 1,500 metre record holder William ‘Knucklehead’ Johnson is delighted that there will be a continuation of the cross country invitational in his honour.

But he’s a little disappointed that his 44-year-old national record of three minutes and 45.72 seconds that he established on May 17, 1983 in Austin, Texas in his senior year at Texas Christian University is still on the books.

Johnson’s long-time friend and rival Rupert Gardiner is organising the cross country invitational that will be staged on Saturday, October 21, starting at 7:30am at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center.

“It’s a good event for the high schools and clubs during the cross country season,” Johnson said. “I know the University of the Bahamas is having one on September 21, so to come back with the William Johnson Invitational is great.

“We need to focus a little more on our distance running programme so that we can get more distance runners competing at the international level.”

This is the sixth year that the event has been staged and Gardiner said they are looking forward to having some participation from Grand Bahama and the Family Islands.

Johnson, now a fixture as an administrator at St Augustine’s College where he’s also a member of the coaching staff of the Big Red Machine track team, said he’s looking forward to the invitational. “I’m just immensely humbled that the guys would continue

COACH DEVEN MOVES TO EXUMA

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER conducting a successful physical education programme in the Catholic Primary Schools for the past 19 years, Deven Johnson has made the switch to the government schools and has now been relocated to Exuma. In his transfer from New Providence, Johnson is now overseeing the physical education programme for primary schools in George Town, Mount Thompson, Moss Town and William’s Town. “It’s something that I have to get used to,” Johnson said. “The culture is something different, but I have to adjust to this island life.”

Johnson’s last posting in New Providence was at St Cecilia’s where he coached the Strikers to a runnersup position against the St Thomas More Sparks in the last Catholic Diocesan Basketball League played three years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that having made his presence felt wherever he coached, he’s hoping to do the same in his new role in Exuma.

to do it, but more importantly than anything else, this cross country season is important for the distance running programme,” Johnson said.

“This is a good opportunity for the distance runners to get into condition. There was no cross country season in my day, so these kids are fortunate and they should embrace the opportunity to get out there on the weekend and use these events to get in shape. That is what takes you to the next level.”

Johnson, a former member of the Bahamas Pioneers Track Club, was one of the premier distance runners during his era at AF Adderley that ended with his graduation in 1978.

A year later in 1979 in Kingston, Jamaica, Johnson captured the gold medal in the under-20 boys 1,500m when he ran 3:57.24 for both the CARIFTA Games and his first Bahamas national record, the latter feat he improved on in Texas.

In thanking Gardiner and the Silver Lightning

Track Club for putting on the invitational, Johnson said there’s been some improvement in the performances of the distance runners, but he would like to see a lot more.

“The distance running programme is still lagging behind the sprints and the jumps,” Johnson said. “We have had some bright spots, but we’re still lagging behind in the distance programme. “We would like to see more participation from the distance runners at the CAC (Central American and Caribbean) and Pan Am Games. Yes, they are at CARIFTA, but we need to see them step it up at the bigger meets on the world stage.”

Rugby World Cup teams gather across France ahead of tournament’s start this week

PARIS (AP) — The All Blacks perform the haka at a cemetery in northern France as a tribute to soldiers from New Zealand killed during World War I.

Fiji’s squad gather on a stage in the centre of a town in the Bordeaux suburbs to sing a song for the locals.

Ireland’s players spread out on a training field in Tours and do the Viking Thunder Clap — made famous by Iceland at soccer’s European Championship in 2016 — in front of 12,000 people at an open practice session.

And Wales players are treated to a royal welcome at Versailles, once home to Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette.

With the start of the Rugby World Cup only days away, the participating teams have arrived in villages, towns and cities across France and are finalising their preparations for

the tournament. “It was 200 years ago that our sport was born,” World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said yesterday, “and there can be no better place to celebrate our birthday than here in France.

“We’ve received incredible support from the highest office to the smallest villages.

“Never has a nation been so ready and so excited to host.”

Beaumont said about 600,000 overseas fans will be travelling for the tournament that is being held in France for the second time, after 2007.

It marks the start of a big year of sports in France, which is also hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris in 2024.

L’Equipe newspaper reported that several hundreds of fans gathered at the Versailles town hall to wait for the bus carrying

the Welsh players and their coach, Warren Gatland. They then attended a welcome reception.

“I know my French isn’t perfect, but if you can be patient with me, it’ll be easier,” Dan Biggar, who plays for French club Toulon, was quoted

as saying in the local language.

“It’s a great honour for all of us to be here, to come and play in a World Cup,” he said. “I think this World Cup is going to be incredible.

As for the 1,500m record, Johnson said while he’s surprised that it’s still on the books, he can’t believe that no Bahamian has won a 1,500m gold medal in the under-20 boys division since he did it in 1979.

“We’ve had under-17 boys who won the 1,500m and we’ve had under-20 boys who won the 5,000, but none of them have won the 1,500 in the under-20 boys division,” Johnson said.

“The record is still there, but it should be gone. Hopefully we would eventually see that record eclipse. It’s been around for a long time. It should be gone. There’s no way that it should still exist after 40 years.”

“My expectations are pretty high,” he said. “I’m going to try to see if I can implement some things that are not here in terms of sports in the schools and see if I can get an interschool league here as well.

“I see some kids here already who have the potential, so there’s a lot of work that I can do to get things going here.”

In addition to coaching at St Cecilia’s, Joghnson also spent some time at St Francis/Joseph where he coached the Shockers to a number of titles and he also coached the Big Red Machine at St Augustine’s College.

This year, Johnson also formed the 242 Ballers Basketball Club, which made a successful debut in a tournament in the Turks and Caicos Islands and last

SEE PAGE 13

CARLOS ALCARAZ ROLLS OVER UNSEEDED ITALIAN AND INTO US OPEN QUARTERFINALS

By JAMES MARTINEZ Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) —

Carlos Alcaraz had little trouble beating unseeded Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 yesterday to reach the US Open quarterfinals, the third time in as many appearances he’s gotten at least that far at Flushing Meadows.

The No. 1-seeded Alcaraz, who is seeking to defend his title after winning Wimbledon in July, said afterward that he now prefers hard courts over any other surface and also likes playing under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof.

He enjoyed both against the 61st-ranked Arnaldi, an Italian who proved little match for Alcaraz’s power, which produced 31 winners and 22 unforced errors.

By advancing to the round of eight, the 20-yearold Spaniard became the youngest player to reach

three US Open quarterfinals in the open era that dates to 1968 and the only player other than Andre Agassi to do so before turning 21. Alcaraz next faces the winner of the night match on Ashe between sixthseeded Jannik Sinner and No. 12 Alexander Zverev.

In Louis Armstrong Stadium, eighth-seeded Andrey Rublev of Russia and Jack Draper of Britain also were playing for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Rublev is trying to advance to his fourth US Open quarterfinals and the ninth Grand Slam quarterfinals of his career.

Earlier, Madison Keys overpowered fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour to book her spot in the quarterfinals.

Keys, the No. 17 seed and 2017 runner-up at Flushing Meadows, converted on

WALES’ DEWI LAKE, centre, scores a try during the Rugby Championship test between South Africa and Wales at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, on July 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

NATHAN DUNCAN, far left, shares a moment with Steven Gardiner, Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Maicel Uibo at the Silver Lightning Cross Country Championships in 2019.

WILLIAM JOHNSON

Tennis coach Ricardo Demeritte passes international course

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association congratulates coach Ricardo Demeritte who recently participated in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Level 2 Coaching Advanced Players Course which was held in Trinidad and Tobago in August.

At the end of this intensive 12-day course, it is expected that the coach would understand and be able to apply the necessary training principles for coaching beginner, intermediate and advanced players and plan the training and competition programme for advanced

FROM PAGE 12

month, they captured the inaugural Caribbean Hoopfest title. “I started the programme to see if I could get some of these boys off to school,” Johnson said. “The programme has been successful so far because we got three players off to high school and another is now in college.”

Those players who secured scholarships to play in the US are Marcian Pickstock, Michael Munnings, Laterro Young, who will all be going to Life Prep, while Jamerolston Vil is heading to United International College. In his departure for Exuma, Johnson left Mario OPickstock and Bob Hudson to run the programme until he gets a chance to return to New Providence to help

players. The course was led by the development officer for the Caribbean, John Goede. Demeritte shared his views on the course and how he hopes to utilise the knowledge obtained.

“Heading to Trinidad to participate in the ITF Level 2 – CAP Course, I was extremely nervous due to the setup/schedule of the course.

“The course is typically 12 packed days filled with many hours on court also in the classroom.

“It was a lot of information to absorb, process, and test during on-court

practicals, pop-up tests, and assignments. I would say that the main reason I was successful in passing the course were my amazing classmates and ITF tutors. They presented information through various articles, discussions, case studies, statistics and real-life experiences in the tennis industry.”

Three of my biggest takeaways from the course are: effectively assess, analyse and correct advanced players. more efficient and effective

ways to create training plans for advanced players. clear and effective communication between players, coaches and parents.

“I intend to use the knowledge and tools gained from the course to start a training programme for advanced junior players and also for our collegiate players.

“I also would like to establish a coaches’ association. As coaches are the most important elements in tennis, it is paramount that we work together to develop tennis at various levels.”

MARLINS, D’BACKS, GIANTS AND REDS KEEPING EACH OTHER IN PLAYOFF RACE

By NOAH TRISTER AP Baseball Writer

THE race for final wild card in the National League is shaping up to be a tight one.

What it hasn’t been — at least lately — is particularly good baseball.

BLTA President Perry Newton expressed his excitement of another Level 2 coach being added to the coaching pool in The Bahamas.

“We can only grow and develop our players in tandem with the development and growth of quality coaches. This course is a challenging course and we congratulate coach Demeritte on his successful completion,” Newton said.

“I am very proud of him.

We are also thankful to the ITF for all the opportunities, as we work to develop tennis on all levels.”

At the end of Sunday’s games, Arizona, Miami and San Francisco were tied for that last postseason spot at 70-67. Cincinnati was percentage points behind at 71-68.

None of those four teams, however, has a positive run differential. And none of them has a winning record since the All-Star break.

In fact, that quartet has gone 77-109 since the break. Because none of those teams has played particularly well, none of them have fallen out of contention.

The Marlins are 17-28 since the All-Star game, even after completing a four-game sweep of Washington this past weekend. Arizona endured a 7-25 stretch from July 2 through Aug. 11 before righting the ship a bit.

The Giants have lost 16 of their last 24 games and the Reds have dropped 19 of 31.

The result of all this mediocrity is that Philadelphia (75-61) is now in solid shape as the NL’s top wild card.

The Chicago Cubs, who were 6 1/2 games out of a playoff spot at the break, have made up all that ground and more. They’re 2 1/2 games behind the Phillies in the second wild card.

San Diego’s disappointing season looks even more exasperating as the bar for reaching the playoffs in the NL sinks lower and lower.

out. Johnson also served as the last president of the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association. He

noted that the league will have to conduct elections to establish a new slate of officers. In Exuma, he

Swimming sets ‘strict’ rules for individual Russians to return to competition before Paris Olympics

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer

GENEVA (AP) — Individual Russian swimmers will be allowed to compete in international events, including the Paris Olympics, if they meet a set of “strict criteria” that include not talking to the media, the sport’s governing body said yesterday.

The World Aquatics governing body published its criteria yesterday for Russian and Belarusian athletes, coaches and officials to return to competition as neutrals after being banned because of their countries’ war in Ukraine.

The criteria follow the International Olympic Committee’s guidelines that only individual athletes from Russia and Belarus — no teams — can be allowed to compete in Paris, and that they must not have shown any public support for the war.

World Aquatics said only one Russian and Belarusian athlete will be allowed to enter in each swimming and diving event. They cannot take part in any relays, artistic swimming, synchronised diving, or water polo.

World Aquatics has appointed a panel to vet athletes, coaches and officials to make sure they have not shown any support for the war — such as statements, social media posts or taking part in pro-war demonstrations — since the invasion started in February 2022.

That could bar swimmer Evgeny Rylov, a two-time gold medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, who was suspended last year for wearing a “Z” symbol at a pro-war rally in Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

World Aquatics said the rules took effect yesterday though it is unclear how long vetting will take after athletes apply for neutral status.

Individual athletes still have to qualify for the Olympics in order to compete in Paris next summer. Main events on the swim calendar before then include three World Cup meets in October in Berlin, Athens and Budapest and the 2024 aquatics world championships next February in Doha, Qatar.

Russian and Belarusian flags and anthems will not be allowed and approved

athletes and support staff must wear all-white uniforms and equipment, World Aquatics said.

“They will also not be allowed to give any interviews to media during such competitions,” the world swim body said, also barring athletes from news conferences and post-race mixed zones where journalists can ask questions.

World Aquatics is the latest Olympic sports body to detail its response to the International Olympic Committee’s advice to find a way for neutral Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competition.

The IOC initially urged sports to exclude Russia from world sports within days of the war starting, but that advice changed in December despite Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging a full exclusion of Russia. Track and field’s World Athletics has taken the strongest stance in continuing to ban Russians, while the country’s athletes are unlikely to return in other Olympic sports until next year. World Aquatics also put limits on how Russians

said he will be looking at ways in which he can help to resurrect the women’s basketball programme,

especially from what he saw from their participation in the sixth Bahamas Games in July.

The Padres are 6-22 in one-run games and 0-11 in extra innings, but they’re still only 5 1/2 games out of a postseason spot. There isn’t much time left, though.

SEE PAGE 16

and Belarusians can try to qualify for the main competitions, including undergoing four doping controls by recognised antidoping agencies in the year prior to applying for neutral status. Any qualifying time or performance also must be achieved at a competition held outside Russia and Belarus.

“Despite the challenges we face on the international stage, we acknowledge our responsibility to foster a competitive, fair, and inclusive environment for every competitor,” World Aquatics president Husain al Musallam said in a statement.

Swimmers and divers who show “discriminatory behaviour” toward their Russian and Belarusian opponents will face disciplinary action, World Aquatics said.

EVGENY RYLOV, of the Russian Olympic Committee, poses with his gold medal for the men’s 100-metre backstroke final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.

(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

242 Ballers Basketball Club.

COACH Ricardo Demeritte and ITF Level 2 participants.

World Cup quarterfinals start today

BRING A SECOND CHANCE FOR USA BASKETBALL

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MANILA, Philippines

(AP) — If there was a silver lining to the US World Cup team losing to Lithuania, it’s this: The Americans now truly know how painful it is to watch another national team line up against a nation that has won four consecutive Olympic gold medals and celebrate in its face.

As one might guess, they didn’t enjoy that feeling.

And if it happens again at this World Cup, it’ll be much, much worse.

Yesterday was a back-toreality day for the US, one day after its undefeated summer run ended with a 110-104 loss to Lithuania to end the second round of the World Cup. A quarterfinal game against Italy awaits today, with the US — like all the teams in the Round of 8 — knowing the only way to win gold in Manila is to win every game the rest of the way.

“It makes it real,” US guard Austin Reaves said. “Obviously, now, it’s lose or go home. We see the reactions. We obviously know that everybody wants to beat us in particular. We see the joy that they get from that. That taste in your mouth, it don’t feel good.”

There was much to work on and much to critically discuss yesterday. Another bad start — these have been a trend for the US throughout the tournament, and none was worse than falling behind 31-12 after one quarter Sunday — was lamented, as was another night where rebounding was a problem.

“We need to jump on guys early like they jump on us,” US forward Bobby Portis said. “That’s a big thing. It’s a grown-man game here. A dog-eat-dog world. Got to get off to a better start.”

The Americans have talked plenty about what must change. Talk needs to become action now, or else.

The US saw medal hopes end in China four years ago

ALCARAZ

FROM PAGE 12

with a loss in the World Cup quarterfinals, and Italy will try to make the Americans face that same fate today.

“Every player that plays for USA Basketball, they have to recognise what they’re up against and it’s not enough for us to just tell them. They’ve got to feel it,” US coach Steve Kerr said. “I think they’ve felt it in the last couple games.”

77% of her first-serve points and used powerful ground strokes to keep rallies short — a little over three strokes on average — to make quick work of her third-seeded opponent and close friend.

For Pegula, it marked yet another Grand Slam disappointment. She has advanced to the quarterfinals in each major tournament but has yet to reach the final four.

Keys’ quarterfinals opponent will be ninth-seeded Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, who came back to beat unseeded American Peyton Stearns 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-2 to keep her dream alive of a second straight Grand Slam title after winning Wimbledon in July.

“I actually didn’t expect it after Wimby, there was a lot of pressure,” Vondrousova said in her postmatch interview. “Let’s see what happens next.”

Other fourth-round action on a Labour Day that saw rain sprinkles

Kerr has experienced this before. As an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich for the 2019 World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics that were delayed a year until 2021, Kerr was on the staff for losses in both tournaments.

The World Cup team lost in the quarterfinals and sputtered to a seventh-place finish. The Olympic team

lost its tournament-opener to France and won gold after never losing again.

Kerr’s experience is that US teams come out with “a little more edge” after losses, he said, and he’s hoping to see that mentality against Italy.

“There’s a little more ‘appropriate fear,’ as Pop likes to say,” Kerr said. “And that’s what’s needed.”

And even though the scenario would be the same even if the US beat Lithuania — a 3-0 record the rest of the way is still the only way to win gold — a loss could serve as the proverbial wake-up call that some teams tend to need.

“It has to be,” US captain and point guard Jalen Brunson said. “We have no other choice.”

RUGBY

FROM PAGE 12

I’ve said that to all the players. France is a special place, there are lots of big stadiums, very beautiful cities, the people are very nice, the French are like the Welsh, except for the language. We can’t wait to start the tournament.”

Organisers said 1.8 million tickets have been sold to date, with 55% of them going to French fans who hope to see Les Tricolores win the World Cup for the first time. France plays the opening match of the tournament against New Zealand at the Stade de France outside Paris on Friday.

“This French team has the ability to put a smile on the face of the nation, to excite, to show that we can be united — that we can be a nation, to use the words of the

PAOLO VS ITALY

There is a subplot for the US-Italy quarterfinal game, that being American forward Paolo Banchero going up against the team that wanted him to play in their colours this summer. Banchero, whose father has Italian heritage, ultimately decided to play for the US — in large part because his mother also played for the US national team.

“I’ll treat it like any other game,” Banchero said.

OTHER

QUARTERFINALS

Lithuania (5-0) vs. Serbia (4-1), Tuesday: The Lithuanians are trying to go undefeated in a major international tournament for the first time since winning EuroBasket in 2003, and will be riding high after topping the Americans.

Serbia is shooting 55% to lead the World Cup, just ahead of No. 2 Lithuania (53.8%).

Winner here gets the Canada-Slovenia winner in Friday’s semifinals. Loser gets the Canada-Slovenia loser in a consolation playoff game Thursday.

Germany (5-0) vs. Latvia (4-1), Wednesday: Germany is one of only two teams to get this far unbeaten in this World Cup, and will take on a Latvian team that is on a dream run through its first appearance in FIBA’s biggest event.

Winner here gets the US-Italy winner in Friday’s semifinals. Loser gets the US-Italy loser in a consolation playoff game Thursday. Canada (4-1) vs. Slovenia (4-1), Wednesday: The only two All-NBA players in this tournament from last season will go head-tohead, with Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander facing off against Slovenia’s Luka Doncic.

Canada is already assured of its best World Cup finish since at least 1994.

Winner here gets the Lithuania-Serbia winner in Friday’s semifinals.

Loser gets the Lithuania-Serbia winner in a consolation playoff game Thursday.

president of the republic,” said Florian Grill, president of the French Rugby Federation. “It’s the most wonderful mission of all, and you can see that the players and staff are completely committed to it. They understand it is so important for the country.”

Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, France’s Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, did not reveal the full details of the security plan devised by police but said 5,500 security personnel will be deployed every day of the tournament.

“On some days, there will be 7,000,” she said. “They will complement the 5,000 private security guards in the stadiums of the nine host cities for the duration of the competition, as well as resources organised by local authorities themselves to provide security in the ‘fan zones’ that will be the Rugby Villages.”

UNITED States guard Tyrese Haliburton (4) leads the team off the court after a loss to Lithuania in a Basketball World Cup secondround match in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

GERMANY guard Dennis Schroder (17) tries to take a selfie with a fan’s mobile phone after the team defeated Slovenia in their Basketball World Cup group K match in Okinawa, southern Japan, on Sunday.

(AP Photos/ Hiro Komae)

SLOVENIA guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts while playing against Germany in the first half of their Basketball World Cup group K match in Okinawa, southern Japan.

LITHUANIA celebrates after defeating the United States in a Basketball World Cup second-round match in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

SERBIA team celebrate after winning against Dominican Republic during their Basketball World Cup second round match at the Araneta Coliseum, Manila, Philippines, on Sunday.

(AP Photo/ Aaron Favila)

at Flushing Meadows includes Aryna Sabalenka, who will become the new No. 1 in the WTA rankings after the loss of top-seeded Iga

Swiatek, against 13th-seeded Daria Kasatkina, and the third-seeded man, Daniil Medvedev, facing No. 13 Alex de Minaur.

CARLOS ALCARAZ, of Spain, returns to Matteo Arnaldi, of Italy, during the fourth round of the US Open tennis championships yesterday in New York. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

World Cup quarterfinals start today

BRING A SECOND CHANCE FOR USA BASKETBALL

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MANILA, Philippines

(AP) — If there was a silver lining to the US World Cup team losing to Lithuania, it’s this: The Americans now truly know how painful it is to watch another national team line up against a nation that has won four consecutive Olympic gold medals and celebrate in its face.

As one might guess, they didn’t enjoy that feeling.

And if it happens again at this World Cup, it’ll be much, much worse.

Yesterday was a back-toreality day for the US, one day after its undefeated summer run ended with a 110-104 loss to Lithuania to end the second round of the World Cup. A quarterfinal game against Italy awaits today, with the US — like all the teams in the Round of 8 — knowing the only way to win gold in Manila is to win every game the rest of the way.

“It makes it real,” US guard Austin Reaves said. “Obviously, now, it’s lose or go home. We see the reactions. We obviously know that everybody wants to beat us in particular. We see the joy that they get from that. That taste in your mouth, it don’t feel good.”

There was much to work on and much to critically discuss yesterday. Another bad start — these have been a trend for the US throughout the tournament, and none was worse than falling behind 31-12 after one quarter Sunday — was lamented, as was another night where rebounding was a problem.

“We need to jump on guys early like they jump on us,” US forward Bobby Portis said. “That’s a big thing. It’s a grown-man game here. A dog-eat-dog world. Got to get off to a better start.”

The Americans have talked plenty about what must change. Talk needs to become action now, or else.

The US saw medal hopes end in China four years ago

ALCARAZ

FROM PAGE 12

with a loss in the World Cup quarterfinals, and Italy will try to make the Americans face that same fate today.

“Every player that plays for USA Basketball, they have to recognise what they’re up against and it’s not enough for us to just tell them. They’ve got to feel it,” US coach Steve Kerr said. “I think they’ve felt it in the last couple games.”

77% of her first-serve points and used powerful ground strokes to keep rallies short — a little over three strokes on average — to make quick work of her third-seeded opponent and close friend.

For Pegula, it marked yet another Grand Slam disappointment. She has advanced to the quarterfinals in each major tournament but has yet to reach the final four.

Keys’ quarterfinals opponent will be ninth-seeded Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, who came back to beat unseeded American Peyton Stearns 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-2 to keep her dream alive of a second straight Grand Slam title after winning Wimbledon in July.

“I actually didn’t expect it after Wimby, there was a lot of pressure,” Vondrousova said in her postmatch interview. “Let’s see what happens next.”

Other fourth-round action on a Labour Day that saw rain sprinkles

Kerr has experienced this before. As an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich for the 2019 World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics that were delayed a year until 2021, Kerr was on the staff for losses in both tournaments.

The World Cup team lost in the quarterfinals and sputtered to a seventh-place finish. The Olympic team

lost its tournament-opener to France and won gold after never losing again.

Kerr’s experience is that US teams come out with “a little more edge” after losses, he said, and he’s hoping to see that mentality against Italy.

“There’s a little more ‘appropriate fear,’ as Pop likes to say,” Kerr said. “And that’s what’s needed.”

And even though the scenario would be the same even if the US beat Lithuania — a 3-0 record the rest of the way is still the only way to win gold — a loss could serve as the proverbial wake-up call that some teams tend to need.

“It has to be,” US captain and point guard Jalen Brunson said. “We have no other choice.”

RUGBY

FROM PAGE 12

I’ve said that to all the players. France is a special place, there are lots of big stadiums, very beautiful cities, the people are very nice, the French are like the Welsh, except for the language. We can’t wait to start the tournament.”

Organisers said 1.8 million tickets have been sold to date, with 55% of them going to French fans who hope to see Les Tricolores win the World Cup for the first time. France plays the opening match of the tournament against New Zealand at the Stade de France outside Paris on Friday.

“This French team has the ability to put a smile on the face of the nation, to excite, to show that we can be united — that we can be a nation, to use the words of the

PAOLO VS ITALY

There is a subplot for the US-Italy quarterfinal game, that being American forward Paolo Banchero going up against the team that wanted him to play in their colours this summer. Banchero, whose father has Italian heritage, ultimately decided to play for the US — in large part because his mother also played for the US national team.

“I’ll treat it like any other game,” Banchero said.

OTHER

QUARTERFINALS

Lithuania (5-0) vs. Serbia (4-1), Tuesday: The Lithuanians are trying to go undefeated in a major international tournament for the first time since winning EuroBasket in 2003, and will be riding high after topping the Americans.

Serbia is shooting 55% to lead the World Cup, just ahead of No. 2 Lithuania (53.8%).

Winner here gets the Canada-Slovenia winner in Friday’s semifinals. Loser gets the Canada-Slovenia loser in a consolation playoff game Thursday.

Germany (5-0) vs. Latvia (4-1), Wednesday: Germany is one of only two teams to get this far unbeaten in this World Cup, and will take on a Latvian team that is on a dream run through its first appearance in FIBA’s biggest event.

Winner here gets the US-Italy winner in Friday’s semifinals. Loser gets the US-Italy loser in a consolation playoff game Thursday. Canada (4-1) vs. Slovenia (4-1), Wednesday: The only two All-NBA players in this tournament from last season will go head-tohead, with Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander facing off against Slovenia’s Luka Doncic.

Canada is already assured of its best World Cup finish since at least 1994.

Winner here gets the Lithuania-Serbia winner in Friday’s semifinals.

Loser gets the Lithuania-Serbia winner in a consolation playoff game Thursday.

president of the republic,” said Florian Grill, president of the French Rugby Federation. “It’s the most wonderful mission of all, and you can see that the players and staff are completely committed to it. They understand it is so important for the country.”

Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, France’s Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, did not reveal the full details of the security plan devised by police but said 5,500 security personnel will be deployed every day of the tournament.

“On some days, there will be 7,000,” she said. “They will complement the 5,000 private security guards in the stadiums of the nine host cities for the duration of the competition, as well as resources organised by local authorities themselves to provide security in the ‘fan zones’ that will be the Rugby Villages.”

UNITED States guard Tyrese Haliburton (4) leads the team off the court after a loss to Lithuania in a Basketball World Cup secondround match in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

GERMANY guard Dennis Schroder (17) tries to take a selfie with a fan’s mobile phone after the team defeated Slovenia in their Basketball World Cup group K match in Okinawa, southern Japan, on Sunday.

(AP Photos/ Hiro Komae)

SLOVENIA guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts while playing against Germany in the first half of their Basketball World Cup group K match in Okinawa, southern Japan.

LITHUANIA celebrates after defeating the United States in a Basketball World Cup second-round match in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

SERBIA team celebrate after winning against Dominican Republic during their Basketball World Cup second round match at the Araneta Coliseum, Manila, Philippines, on Sunday.

(AP Photo/ Aaron Favila)

at Flushing Meadows includes Aryna Sabalenka, who will become the new No. 1 in the WTA rankings after the loss of top-seeded Iga

Swiatek, against 13th-seeded Daria Kasatkina, and the third-seeded man, Daniil Medvedev, facing No. 13 Alex de Minaur.

CARLOS ALCARAZ, of Spain, returns to Matteo Arnaldi, of Italy, during the fourth round of the US Open tennis championships yesterday in New York. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Zooming to a new career

WITH access to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) expanding across the archipelago, more people are taking advantage of remaining on their island while learning a trade. Lashanda Johnson is one of them.

The BTVI Story

“I completed my esthetician programme fully via Zoom. My experience was good, as I expected,” said Ms Johnson, a resident of Abaco.

In Fall 2022, Ms Johnson began the Esthetics course at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) and finished in Spring 2023 with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.72. She was able to do this while working and balancing single parenting.

Originally from Grand Bahama, Ms Johnson said she moved to Abaco after the economic downturn following the devastation of Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

“With God’s love, grace and mercy, I survived Hurricane Dorian and COVID19. After going through that experience, I

noticed that the landscape of life had changed not just in The Bahamas but all over the world,” she said. Not shy about being in her 40s, Ms. Johnson said her teenage daughter inspired her to learn a trade.

“My daughter, Lavender Johnson, is currently taking up cosmetology at Jack Hayward Senior High. It made me think about someday working for myself and doing the mother/daughter duo by opening a business together,” said Ms Johnson. Meantime, Ms Johnson is already seeing the benefits of having a skill. Though she trained virtually, BTVI is weaving a network of satellite campuses across the chain of Bahama islands, including at the former Dundas and Murphy Town Primary School site which will spring up to become BTVI Abaco.

“Having a trade in these times is a financial game changer. Though I am still in the growing phase of my business, Sweet Relief Spa, it has been a game changer in terms of

CHEVENING SCHOLARSHIP FOR BNT STAR ANN-MARIE

AN education officer with the Bahamas National Trust hopes to prepare Bahamians for “serious climate-driven threats” after being awarded a Chevening scholarship.

Ann-Marie Carroll has been working with the BNT for the past five years, and has been awarded a fullyfunded Master of Science degree in environmental management at the University of Stirling in Stirling, Scotland.

She said: “Sustainable development, environmental education, and environmental stewardship are my passions. I want to help equip Bahamians with the tools needed to survive and thrive in the face of serious climate-driven threats, while teaching the next generation about the fundamental importance of environmental preservation and natural resource management.”

Her Chevening Award is being funded by the Charles Hayward Foundation as part of the first Bahamian partnership with the scholarship programme. The scholarship includes tuition, accommodation, stipend, and return air travel.

Ann-Marie said: “I will gain an in-depth understanding of cutting-edge strategies being tested around the world to combat sea level rise, ocean warming, stronger storms and other devastating consequences of climate change.

The aim is to bring this expertise back and help The Bahamas create its own plan for a secure and prosperous future through sustainability and environmental preservation.”

In 2011, Ann-Marie received a Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholar (BESS) award to attend the Island School in Eleuthera. She went on

to graduate from the University of the West Indies with an undergraduate degree in biology. She also created an educational blog in 2020 called EcoTings where she provides free environmental education and resources to the Bahamian public.

High Commissioner Thomas Hartley said: “Let me wish Ann-Marie the best of luck – she will have so much fun in the UK. And I’m excited about the next application window for Chevening scholarships, which opens next week ready for 2024.”

The Charles Hayward Foundation Chevening Award will fund one scholarship per year for three academic years.

Rupert Hayward, director of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and great grandson of the Foundation’s founder, said: “I could not have hoped of a better recipient of the inaugural Charles Hayward Foundation Chevening Award. This experience will allow her to gain the expertise necessary to lead the way in finding solutions for the climate crisis and other ecological challenges which disproportionately impact The Bahamas as a low-lying coastal nation.”

a second income as a single parent,” said Ms Johnson. Ms Johnson gives credit to BTVI for opening the door for her to learn esthetics and to do so virtually.

“I was amazed. I learned how to make skincare treatments from scratch from what you can find in your kitchen pantry, I understand how to use machines and LED colour lights for treating skin contradictions and the importance of keeping and adhering to the highest standards of sanitisation with treatment rooms, tools and proper labeling of products,” said Ms Johnson. With her ultimate goal to become a medical aesthetician, Ms Johnson said she is enjoying practicing her skill.

“I’m learning different techniques and services that I can add to my service menu. I’m enjoying helping others while providing a service. I love how I can consult with clients and treat different skin conditions, helping them to better understand and take care of their skin needs, from young to mature skin,” she stated.

• 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.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Learning with fun

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Programme held a summer camp at Kamalame Cay, for twenty-two students aged eight to fourteen years from North Andros.

The students participating in the annual Kamalame Cay Sea Camp were engaged in an immersive outdoor learning experience, allowing them to embrace the natural environment while having fun. An outdoor classroom is used as a teaching tool, helping students to understand the value of protecting and caring for the ocean.

Attendees had a chance to understand the critical roles that mangroves and coral reefs play in the Bahamian environment, especially for fisheries, tourism, and shoreline protection. Presentations about local sea creatures were followed by snorkels and boat expeditions where students were able to identify the marine areas and organisms they learned about during presentations.

Students also learned about threats facing our marine environment including warming waters that especially affect our fragile Bahamian coral reefs.

A key component of Sea Camp is teaching children

practical water skills that inspire them to be environmental stewards. Students learned how to manoeuvre in the outdoor environment as they snorkelled through mangroves and corals, learning about the value of the underwater world around them.

Dwayne Munnings, age ten, said: “I had a lot of fun learning about the mangroves and fish; and I found lots of interesting things in the ocean.”

Stevenique Johnson, age 10, said she enjoyed snorkelling with others and learning about new types of fish she had never seen before. She said: “When we went into the mangroves I didn’t know there were so many fish that live there, I found a lot of interesting things that my teacher told me all about.”

Heather Brockbank, BREEF outreach assistant, said her goal was to ensure

students get the opportunity to interact with our marine environment.

She said: “We really like to engage kids from other islands, we want them to snorkel and see what’s under the water and feel comfortable while they are doing it.

“If young people are exposed to the environment they will care more about it and spread the word, not only to their parents but to the community, and use that opportunity to make a difference for the future.”

Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, BREEF executive director, said: “Ninety-five percent of the territory of The Bahamas is underwater. There is such a tremendous opportunity to use the underwater world as a living classroom and expose children to career opportunities connected with the ocean.”

KENECE Edgecombe, above, graduated from Gateway Christian Academy, Bimini as the Valedictorian. She received numerous awards including the Valedictorian Award; Honour Roll Award; Most Outstanding Student in Bible; College Prep, Accounting, Mathematics, English, Biology, Anatomy, Keyboarding and Physical Education. She will be attending Barry University to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Pre-Dental. Alexandria Culmer, below, graduated from Central Eleuthera High School with Honours. She received the Most Outstanding Student in Civics and Craft; Honourable Mention in History, Mathematics, Religious Studies and Language Arts and the Cumulative Principal’s List.

She was enrolled in The University of The Bahamas’ Jumpstart Programme from 2022 and will be continuing her studies at the university to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree.

• Do you know a student you’d like to nominate for Student Spotlight? Email details to jsimmons@ tribunemedia.net.

ABACO resident Lashanda Johnson pursued her certificate in Esthetics fully online with the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).

ANN-Marie Carroll with Rupert Hayward.

DWAYNE Munnings with a sand dollar.

CHISHOLM JR AND MARLINS OPEN SERIES WITH LA DODGERS TODAY

MLB FROM PAGE 13

RISING

What happens when the best team in baseball suddenly turns it up a notch?

The Atlanta Braves took three of four from the Los Angeles Dodgers and are now 44 games over .500. Ronald Acuña Jr got married Thursday and then became the charter member of the 30-homer, 60-steal club that night. He’s now up to 32 home runs and 63 stolen bases on the season.

ALSO RISING, SORT OF Everything is relative, and for the Oakland Athletics this constitutes a bit of a surge. They’ve won four of five and eight of 13. For a while it looked like the A’s might challenge the New York Mets’ modern

record of 120 losses, but now they’d have to lose every game the rest of the way just to tie the mark.

In fact, the A’s (42-95) no longer have baseball’s worst record this year. They’ve moved a half-game ahead of Kansas City (42-96).

TRIVIA TIME

How many teams made the postseason last year despite a losing record after the All-Star break?

LINE OF THE WEEK

Miguel Cabrera’s career is winding down, but at age 40 he’s still capable of an occasional highlight. On Saturday night he had four hits and three RBIs in Detroit’s 10-0 win over the Chicago White Sox. Cabrera is one of seven players to reach 3,000 hits and 500 home runs — and his career batting average of .307 is the highest of anyone in that club.

COMEBACK OF THE WEEK

St Louis trailed San Diego by a run in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday with two out and nobody on. The Padres had a win probability of 95.6% according to Baseball Savant, but they’ve been losing these types of games all year and this was no exception. Masyn Winn doubled off Josh Hader and then Tommy Edman hit a two-run homer to give the Cardinals a 5-4 victory. Edman also had a walkoff hit off Hader the previous night, when his 10th-inning single won that game 6-5.

TRIVIA ANSWER

None, although the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays were exactly .500 (35-35) after the break and made the playoffs.

BFA HOSTS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY TO KICK OFF NEW SCHOOL YEAR

THE Bahamas Football Association kicked off the new school year by once again hosting the professional development day for the primary schools.

The event got started with the BFA presenting to the teachers the format of the upcoming tournament and taking them through the subtle changes to take place.

After the presentation, the floor was turned over to the local facilitators of the Concacaf initiative, Generation Amazing. The project was a collaboration between Concacaf and the Asian Football

Confederation which was formalised in 2017 and paved the way for a strategic partnership between Concacaf and the Qatar Football Association.

The programme is a blended approach of online and in-person learning.

Generation Amazing will contribute to workshops to produce coach education training for all coaches.

- There are four pillars making up the education component:

ing sport for development and child protection

and facilitating F4 D sessions -

cal football session booklet

Schools involved: 24

Kids involved: 25 per programme

Age targeted : Grassroots (under 12)

Local facilitators are Kermit Romer, Krystal Evans and Codisha Brown. Equipment presented to participants, including president of the NPPPSSA Latoya Sturrup and MOE assistant director Dwayne Higgins. Bruce Swan, Technical Director

MIAMI Marlins’ Jasrado Chisholm Jr in action during a baseball game against Washington Nationals on Saturday in Washington. Jazz and the Marlins open a series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at 6:40pm today. The Marlins are 17-28 since the All-Star game, even after completing a four-game sweep of Washington this past weekend.

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

BFA officials present soccer equipment to primary school teachers.