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Minnis attacks Davis govt for giving no-bid contract - having blasted FNM on same issue By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the Davis administration’s decision to give a no-bid contract to Colina Insurance Limited for services under the Bahamas Travel Health Visa programme “was more than hypocritical”. He said it is not fair to compare that contract award with his administration’s decision to give Kanoo Pays a no-bid contract for payment processing services under the same scheme. “You (are) trying to
compare apples with grapes,” he said. “I think it’s more than hypocritical because we were in an emergency situation when we did that, they were not in an emergency situation when they did this.” Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said on Tuesday there was no tendering process for the insurance contract because of time constraints. He said the previous provider, CG Atlantic, was not forthcoming with details about the performance of its programme and Colina offered the government a better rate. SEE PAGE SEVEN
TURNQUEST: COUNTRY IS GOING BACKWARDS By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest last night castigated the government’s performance in office, saying the country is already seeing “signs of regression” over the last six “short” months since the party was elected to government. Mr Turnquest was speaking at the FNM convention held at Atlantis Grand Ballroom where scores
gathered to support the various contenders in the election race. One hundred and one people have nominated for party positions, ranging from deputy leader to deputy protocol officer. Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and FNM leader, Michael Pintard were among those who attended last night’s event. Yesterday, Mr Turnquest urged party supporters to remain on guard and united and to also hold the SEE PAGE THREE
CLEAN UP GOING WELL? A BLAZE at a debris site in Abaco yesterday in this image posted to social media has sparked fears more waste will burn and put the health of residents at risk as temperatures rise approaching summer. See PAGE TWO for the full story.
INFANT LEFT DEAD IN 3-CAR COLLISION AN INFANT is dead following a traffic accident in New Providence yesterday. Police said they received reports of the accident shortly before 9am, which occurred at the intersection of Prince Charles Drive and Soldier Road. On the arrival of Traffic Accident Investigators, it
was discovered the incident was a three-car collision. The vehicles involved were a silver coloured Honda Civic, a burgundy 2011 Suzuki Solio van and a white Suzuki Swift, which had left the scene before officers arrived. SEE PAGE TWO
‘SWITCHING BANKS HAS TO BE MADE EASIER’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas must make it easier for customers to switch banks and thereby boost competition, a senior banker agreed yesterday, as he likened the current process to “giving birth”.
Gowon Bowe, of Fidelity Bank, said transferring accounts to another financial institution will be made much easier if it became accepted practice that a Know Your Customer allclear provided by one bank was accepted at all others.
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
ACTION NEEDED TO HALT NURSES EXODUS LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Nurses Union president Amancha Williams says as many as 60 nurses have left the public healthcare system since the start of the year because of low staff morale and unresolved labour issues. In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, the BNU president described the loss of healthcare workers as disheartening and predicted
AMANCHA WILLIAMS there will be more resignations from the nursing workforce in the days ahead.
She also appealed for the government to meet with the union to resolve outstanding issues that are affecting staff morale. Chief among these problems is the workers’ labour contract, which expired in 2020, according to Ms Williams. “We are waiting to go the table for our industrial agreement because we’re losing too many nurses to America, Canada and the UK.”
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE FOUR
STATESIDE PUTIN’S DREAM OF A RUSSIAN EMPIRE AS WAR BEGINS IN UKRAINE
- SEE PAGES NINE & ELEVEN
PAGE 2, Thursday, February 24, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
CLEAN UP GOING WELL? By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FIRE at a debris site in Abaco sparked concerns yesterday that more of the waste will burn and potentially endanger the health of residents as temperatures heat up moving into the summer. Alex Storr, chairman of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority, said the fire in Spring City, Abaco, was extinguished after about an hour. “There seemed to be a fire started due to internal combustion from the site,” he said. “The operators of the site were able to call in additional equipment and with the help of the volunteer and local firefighters in Abaco, as well as some well-intentioned citizens, they were able to get the fire under control and extinguished and the operators are going to take additional measures to make sure that it doesn’t flare up again.” One measure, he said, will involve the use of fire retardants that will be sprayed on the sites as a preventative measure. “I think it may be just the second fire in Abaco, but as we near into the summer months where the temperatures will increase there is a danger there could be additional fires so that’s why we’re working feverishly to come up with a solution to reduce the size of those sites,” he said. We expect to have talks with Department of Environmental Health next week as well as some experts in the field to come up with a solution that can be enacted as soon as possible.
ONE of the pictures of the blaze on social media yesterday. “The fire-retardant solution will be good enough for now but you know as we get into the summer months where we got temperatures near 100 degrees each day it will become more difficult so that’s why we’re trying to come up with a solution to at least reduce the size and to minimise those chances.” Mr Storr recently said the DRA is investigating several contracts for the management of dribs sites in Abaco and Grand Bahama after finding red flags. “Those contracts we are looking at the $400,000 was in reference to a contract on Grand Bahama and the story with the $300,000 is Abaco,” he said. “But what it actually is is they have contracts to manage the debris management sites. “Now the contracts are not for a set amount. What they do is they bill monthly for the work and I have to be careful how I say this. They bill monthly for work that is supposedly done and so sometimes the amounts for different sites could be around $150,000 and sometimes, as in the case of Grand Bahama, the amount skyrocketed to $400,000 or even $500,000.” “There were numerous red flags.”
INFANT LEFT DEAD IN 3-CAR COLLISION from page one
Further investigations revealed the occupants of the Burgundy coloured van who were a man, woman and male infant were
injured. They were taken to hospital for further medical attention. However, the infant died of his injuries. Police said investigations are ongoing.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, February 24, 2022, PAGE 3
Turnquest: Country is going backwards from page one government’s feet to the fire while in office. He said: “Today in opposition, there is credible evidence to suggest that this destructive mentality is back with unjustifiable terminations of service and employment contracts, particularly in beaches and park and social services after much ado about nothing. Yes FNMs, tribal politics is back on full display by the masters of the game and we must continue to be vigilant, expose and discourage it; we must continue to fight for equality of access for our foot soldiers.” The deputy leader also took aim at the Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper about recent comments he made about the Davis administration giving a no-bid contract to Colina Insurance Limited. The contract was an agreement for the company to provide insurance services under the Bahamas Travel Health Visa programme. However, in response, Mr Turnquest said: “You know it was laughable to hear the deputy prime minister and minister of tourism and aviation try to justify and explain the granting of a no bid contract for the travel visa programme that he criticised so heavily while in opposition. Remember his tirades about Kanoo and Atlantic Medical. Well, according to the DPM, his No Bid contract was justified because of the urgency of the decision
SENATOR Michaela BarnettEllis speaking last night. to change insurance contractors. I wonder what was the urgency since he saw no benefit in the programme anyway? “The DPM went on to say that the Ministry of Tourism is not subject to the government’s procurement rules and thus he does not have to follow them. I suggest the DPM have another look at the Act because the provisions are clear. Besides it’s just good business practice as I’m sure he is aware.” He further criticised the Davis administration’s decision-making pertaining to the country’s economic recovery, noting signs of “regression”. “FNMs, during our last term we place much emphasis on sustaining and growing our principal industries, tourism and financial services with some level of success. We also initiated new programmes to develop and grow small businesses, education, social and physical infrastructure,” the former parliamentarian said. “In six short months however, we are already seeing signs of regression
ADRIAN Gibson MP at last night’s convention.
under this new administration, whose stubborn pride will not permit them to adjust course in the face of overwhelming evidence to justify doing so. “For instance, it’s a shame this government did not recognise early on that the former administration was on the right path with its initiatives and policies to mitigate expected increases to cost of living due to global supply chain issues.’ “If they had listened to the voice of caution from the opposition, University of the Bahamas economic researchers, the Central Bank and leading retailers and experts, they would have delayed the disastrous one hundred percent tax increase on breadbasket items and medicines, which, combined with rising import prices is proving to be a heavy burden on the backs of struggling Bahamians. Indeed, this policy decision is making our situation much worse than it has to be.” His comments followed what newly appointed FNM senator Michela Barnett-Ellis described as too many “confusing” messages from the government over the issue of marital rape. She went on to urge the Davis administration to “do the right thing” and criminalise the act. Her comments came a day after Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis told reporters that “rape is rape” and it was possible that his administration would address the topic by legislative means before their first term ended.
FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest last night. Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff However, as she addressed FNMs condemning marital rape last night, the FNM senator said it was time for the country to prioritise legislation that protects women against violence and pledged to hold the government’s feet to the fire on the issue. She also called on the Davis administration to state their stance as it relates to marital rape and gender-based violence. Mrs Barnett-Ellis said women are entitled to equal protection under the law, but sadly no steps were taken by the former admin- FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister speaking istration to address the to FNM supporters last night. issue.
CHRISTIAN MASSIVE, one of several entertainers at last night’s FNM convention.
PAGE 4, Thursday, February 24, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
PAHO: BAHAMAS CAREFUL IN IMPLEMENTING MEASURES By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
PAHO director of health emergencies Dr Ciro Ugarte says The Bahamas has been “careful” in the way it implements measures to fight COVID-19. The Pan American Health Organisation official made the comment in response to a question from The Tribune as to whether local officials have taken a measured approach in relaxing restrictions as many countries in the world have done. The government recently relaxed restrictions on social gatherings, indoor dining and churches in response to the continued decline of COVID-19 cases. At a press briefing yesterday, Dr Ugarte said countries are advised to assess and plan mass gatherings in general based on the epidemiological situation and the health system capacity and to
DR CIRO UGARTE respond to COVID-19 surges or increases of cases in locations or the entire country. He said: But there are different drivers and the risk
tolerance of the communities and the economic impact is something that we are seeing in many countries are also topics to be considered when a decision is being taken. “Particularly, it is necessary to conduct a risk assessment. We say that we have to follow all the epidemiological situations but also the capacity of the health services. By doing that, countries are advised to regularly adjust their responses strategies according to what is the situation.” He pointed out that in order to analyse the situation there is a need to have a proper surveillance system, notification system, implementation and measuring what are the impact or benefits of the social measures among other things. “In that regard, The Bahamas has been demonstrating that these measures have been taken in a careful way and all the information that we’ve received are
following, for example the availability of tests to timely identify the new cases and also adjust those measures are considered, okay,” Dr Ugarte said. He also noted some nations were considering holding Carnival events. He said where countries decide to hold these events participants should be aware of the requirements and adhere to public health measures. “For example, when they are in public when they are in a situation where they are enjoying Carnival or other mass gatherings many of the participants do not use their masks properly. They take off their masks. Of course, sometimes they shout happily or so. These are the types of conditions where the risks of transmission increases dramatically. So, every time there is a mass gathering planned there is a need to analyse which are the measures that will be implemented to mitigate the risk of
transmission and also to implement the surveillance measures to identify early enough cases that may arrive after those mass gatherings. Something we have learned during the pandemic is when we relax the measures and when we are in low transmission levels usually in one or two weeks after the number of cases increases rapidly and, of course, also later on the number of tests. “So, the public health measures need to be implemented and I understand that many countries in the Caribbean are considering Carnival fetes this year, but some countries are delaying and pushing for the summer.” Meanwhile, director of PAHO Dr Carissa Etienne said the virus continues to hit vulnerable groups in The Bahamas. “It is estimated that some 10 percent of healthcare workers are currently in quarantine due to COVID related exposures,” she said.
‘LOW VACCINATION RATE MUST BE ADDRESSED TO STOP SPREAD’ A PAN American Health Organisation official has warned that low vaccination coverage in many Caribbean countries must be urgently addressed to stop the spread of COVID-19. PAHO director Dr Carissa F Etienne added that health care workers and the elderly remain particularly at risk in these countries. Out of the 13 countries and territories in the Americas that have still not reached 40 percent vaccine coverage, 10 are in the Caribbean, Dr Etienne said during a media briefing on Wednesday. Vaccine hesitancy, a lack of vaccination centres in remote areas, insufficient staff numbers, and limited cold-chain infrastructure remain huge barriers to vaccination in many islands, she said, noting that there were now tools available “to turn the tide on vaccinations in the Caribbean.” With 700 million people now vaccinated in Latin America and the Caribbean, there are “real-word data to show that vaccines are safe and effective against COVID-19,” the PAHO director said. However, she said, interventions must now be tailored to the needs of those that remain vulnerable in each country. In some countries, this means ensuring that health
care workers are provided with the information they need to get vaccinated, including on potential side effects and how long the benefits of the vaccine will last. “These are legitimate questions that must be acknowledged and addressed so that we can better protect our health care workers and everyone else,” Dr Etienne said during the media briefing. In other countries, PAHO is working with governments to ensure that vaccination centres are closer to the people who need them the most, and that hours of operation are convenient for those who work. The director also urged countries to work with trusted voices and community leaders to create spaces for dialogue to address concerns around vaccination. A recent survey by PAHO and UNICEF, supported by USAID, showed that 51 percent of vaccine hesitant people in the Eastern Caribbean were open to changing their minds after seeing more scientific and medical evidence to support vaccination. “Dialogue, trust and outreach are the tools we must rely on to get more vaccines into arms and ultimately save lives,” the director also said. Dr Etienne also made a special appeal: “As a doctor
from the Caribbean who has dedicated her life to public health, the best decision you can make for your health right now is to get a vaccine against COVID.” “The pandemic is not over, and a new variant can emerge at any point,” she continued. “We have the power as a community to overcome these barriers and reduce the toll of this virus on our people.” Turning to the COVID19 situation in the region, new cases declined by 28 percent from the previous week, to 2.2 million. Deaths also fell for the first time since the beginning of the Omicron wave to 29,000 – a 9 percent drop. Overall cases dropped by a third across North America, and while deaths declined in the United States, the rates remain among the highest seen during the pandemic. With the exception of Honduras, deaths also dropped by 17 percent in Central America though Nicaragua experienced a surge in new infections. In South America, deaths decreased by 13 percent, with spikes remaining in some areas, including Chile. In the Caribbean, new infections fell by 44 percent, yet eight countries and territories reported an increase in deaths.
ACTION NEEDED TO HALT NURSES EXODUS from page one “We have lost between 50 to 60 nurses as of January and it’s getting worse,” she said. “We have been asking and have written a paper on retention plans. We have asked this government to look at this plan that we’ve written. We asked them to quickly sign the industrial agreement and we’re not asking for anything outrageous.” “We’re asking them to bring up the salary. The professional body is discouraged because the salary is at the bottom for persons who have bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees
and post graduate degrees in special areas.” “And when they go to the States, they don’t have to be running no government down for a couple of little dollars. What overtime they have, they get paid. They don’t have to be running the government down for pay slips and DPH (Department of Public Health) is terrible.” “The pay slips can’t come out on time and the people can’t get paid versus PMH (Princess Margaret Hospital) or PHA (Public Hospital Authority). The nurses there getting paid for overtime and they’re getting paid for their educational increments and so forth, but at DPH, nothing.” Ms Williams said in view of these issues, the country now needs to do a “serious assessment” of working conditions in public health, including workers’ pay. Health Minister Dr Michael Darville has previously acknowledged the critical nursing shortage in the country, saying the Davis administration was committed to addressing
the issue. Last month, the government welcomed some 50 Cuban nurses into the country to help alleviate the strain placed on local nurses. Ms Williams said while the Cuban nurses have been a great help, local officials still have to ensure the foreign workers are following proper protocols. She also noted the issue of language barriers. “You ask the question; do you think the Cubans are helping? We are grateful because they have made a sacrifice and we appreciate them, but the flip-side is that we still have to teach and ensure that what they’re doing is (following) protocols. So, when you look at it, you’re still adding a little more pressure on us. “We do have a little issue with the language barrier because they don’t speak fluent English. When they came in, they were assessed and assisted with those challenges, but we still find a little problem. But, like I said, we are very grateful they are here,” Ms Williams said.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, February 24, 2022, PAGE 5
Call to report cruise discharge findings By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net A LEADING environmentalist hopes the findings of government’s probe into Carnival Cruise Lines’ alleged discharge of sewage and food waste in Bahamian waters will be published now that Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis - a vocal proponent of the investigation when he was in opposition - is leader. A US court mandated report in 2019 found Carnival ships dumped hundreds of thousands of gallons of
treated sewage and more than 8,000 gallons of food waste in Bahamian waters in 2017. In doing so, the court found Carnival violated the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) which specifies how food waste and sewage must be disposed. The Ministry of Transport and Local Government said it found the allegations disturbing and that the Port Department and the Bahamas Maritime Authority would investigate the allegations. Three years later, however, the public has yet to
learn the outcome of the investigation. Transport Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis did not respond to requests for information. Jacqueline Simmons, the recently appointed chair of the Bahamas Maritime Authority, said yesterday she will make inquiries about the matter. In opposition, Mr Davis urged the government to assess the damage done and remedy potential damage at Carnival’s cost. “It is an alarming revelation that our waters have been polluted and I would hope that some assessment
could be made to determine what impact it would have had on our ecology and if there is any consequence and if there is an impact that further assessments could be made to determine how it could be remedied at the cost of Carnival,” he said. Yesterday, Sam Duncombe, executive director of reEarth, said the government’s silence on the matter over the past several years is predictable and unfortunate. “I remember when it had been announced and during COVID when the anchors were driving all along the seabed, I reminded the
Minnis government that they had promised to do an investigation and I asked what had happened and, of course, nobody said anything and unfortunately that’s standard operating procedure,” she said. “To say I’m disappointed, disgusted and disillusioned is an understatement.” Carnival paid a $40m fine in the United States in 2016 after admitting to dumping waste into the ocean and covering it up. As part of the settlement, the company was required to serve a five-year probation and be supervised by a court appointed monitor. Last
year, Carnival’s Princess cruise Lines LTD agreed to pay a $1m fine on top of the $20m penalty it received two years ago. Since the appointment of a monitor, Carnival has nonetheless said it is experiencing a decline in sewage discharge and has embraced wide ranging measures to improve its environmental safety record. A top company official told local reporters in 2020 that it will invest $48m over a two-year period to address the issue after pleading guilty to environmental violations several years before.
YOUNG BOYS URGED TO ‘KNOW YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE’
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg encouraged young boys attending the 15th annual Reach Out Youth Organisation’s Boys to Men Conference in Freeport to find their passion and do it to the best of their ability. “You must understand and know your purpose in life” he said. “Understanding your purpose is knowing your passion and what you do best.” Minister Bowleg officially opened the youth conference for boys at the Tabernacle Baptist Academy yesterday. He commended ROYO founder Dudley Seide and his team for their consistent efforts to mentor young boys. “With organisations such as Reach Out you will grow into successful positive contributing members of our society. That is why I am here to endorse the 15 annual Boys to Men Conference. “Mr Dudley Seide and his team are on the right
MINISTER of Youth, Sport and Culture Mario Bowleg addressing the 15th annual Reach Out Youth Organisation Boys to Men Conference in Grand Bahama. Photo: Andrew Miller/BIS track by hosting a conference such as this to address the issues that our young men face. I commend you for holding this event for 15 years. It shows how consistent you are in ensuring that the young men of Grand Bahama are guided in the right direction.” The conference was held this year under the theme, The Sky’s the Limit. Due to COVID-19 protocols, Mr Seide said they will visit schools individually to
reach other young boys. During his keynote address, Mr Bowleg told participants that life is short and what they do with their time on earth will determine their success and the impact that will be made on the country and its citizens. “You determine your destination and what happens to you in life. Everything you do in life determines your future. So, the good, bad and the ugly you do now and later will
determine your future,” he said. He also pointed out that in their journey they will come upon obstacles. “Don’t be disappointed that’s a part of life,” he said. The minster also shared with the participants how he was three times denied joining the Royal Bahamas Police Force. “Because I was denied, I took a job as a security officer at Commonwealth Bank and started to study
and got my first degree… in Computer Science,” he recalled. Mr Bowleg said he later obtained a second degree and was eventually promoted to manager. “It is not where you start,” the minister said. “Young men, where you go in life is determined by you - nobody else. I stand before you as the Minister of Youth Sports and Culture, starting my career path as a security officer,” he said. Mr Bowleg said if he had become a police officer, he would never have had the opportunity to coach basketball. “The schedule and shifts would not allow me time to mentor youth. My passion was always about the youth, and mentoring men and women. That was the reason I spent 20 years coaching basketball,” he said. Mr Bowleg said he did not know he would become a politician. “I am here as Minister Youth Sports and Culture; I had no idea I would ever enter a life of politics. But I am where I am supposed to be because of the things
I did mentoring young boys through sports, and through Junkanoo, not knowing that at some point those things would give me the qualifications to be Minister of Youth Sports and Culture,” he said. He warned: “A lot of great talents are buried in the grave. Live life to the fullest… but at the same time you must be purposeful.” Minister Bowleg said their presence at the conference is a testament that they are prepared to build and grow. He encouraged participants to believe they can achieve all they aspire to. “I know you may face challenges and obstacles, but you can overcome them all,” he said. Assistant director in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Norris Bain, former principal of Tabernacle Baptist Academy, also spoke to participants. He told them to always strive for excellence. Other speakers were Assistant Superintendent of Police Wendell Clarke, and Mr Seide’s son, Dudley Seide Jr., and Pastor Bruce Russell, of Calvary Temple Church.
PAGE 6, Thursday, February 24, 2022
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Look farther afield to help fix nursing issues THE president of the Bahamas Nurses Union, Amancha Williams, says that nurses are calling it quits and seeking work elsewhere. Since the start of the year, she says as many as 60 nurses have left because of low morale and unresolved labour issues. To be clear, we should not forget we are still in a pandemic and that maintaining the levels of staff necessary to deal with any future surges is critical. So what do we do to deal with this exodus of nursing staff? Well, let’s look at what’s going on, for starters. One of the things that Ms Williams points out is that “we’re losing too many nurses to America, Canada and the UK”. Throughout the pandemic, there have been high salaries on offer from a number of healthcare systems, such as in the US, for nurses to help fill the number of posts needed to deal with wave after wave of virus cases. It is little surprise that some Bahamian nurses might find themselves able to take advantage of that bump in their pay packets and sign up. There has always been the case though that Bahamian nurses might find an avenue to go and work in the US, so it’s a long-standing situation exacerbated by the current pandemic. Ms Williams talks of needing a pay increase, an industrial agreement and so on, but there have been some measures already put in place to try to increase the number of nurses. Last month, 50 Cuban nurses arrived to help ease the strain. Ms Williams welcomes those nurses but with a grumble about needing to “teach and ensure
that what they’re doing is (following) protocols”. She added: “We do have a little issue with the language barrier because they don’t speak fluent English.” We should be grateful – as Ms Williams says nurses are – for the arrival of nurses from a nation with as strong a medical reputation as Cuba. Cuba has developed a strong reputation for the strength of its medical training – and we’re lucky to have these nurses. Indeed, perhaps this is a sign of what we should be doing in future. Just as our nurses find themselves in demand in the US, should we not be trying to do the same by attracting nursing staff from other nations? There are plenty of nations we might be able to draw from in the Caribbean region alone, but perhaps there might be specific nations further afield we might be able to draw recruits from. Rather than lamenting the departure of those going on to opportunities elsewhere, we should make the most of opportunities that can be offered here. Increasing wages and completing industrial agreements shouldn’t be the be all and end all of negotiations here – rather let’s consider what can be done to remedy staffing issues long-term. That will still see our best rewarded and encouraged to stay here, but giving them the support they need from elsewhere. Visit many US or UK hospitals and you’ll find workers from around the world, all delivering top-class healthcare. There’s no reason we cannot take a page from their book.
Forgetful when it suits them EDITOR, The Tribune.
IT AMAZES this writer just how conveniently forgetful our politicians are when it suits them … I recall with the sale of the Hotel Corp property on Cable Beach to Arison and the building of The Crystal Palace, Carnival were granted, as I recall, a large amount of Government land in Andros and required to grow produce… I believe the Hon Loftus Roker insisted and proposed this. What is significant if this was a total utter failure, a failure which is of enormous significance as Carnival contracted top Israeli agriconsultants and it still failed … If I remember correctly the last agri-product that Carnival grew in Andros were cucumbers and even that failed - failed because of draft and mildew. This backyard gardening has any person in Agriculture cost the growing of 100lbs of tomatoes - threedozen cabbage - let’s say three-six dozen lettuce heads against the price in the supermarket? No, as we, especially the politicians keep on this charade this pie-in-the sky without a large capital investment in modern hydroponics there is zero chance of growing anything that will be cost effective.
Christie spent what was it?- $20 plus million on BAMSI? The premise of the project was a total failure as the concept was flawed. It was in living history that Exuma and Eleuthera grew excellent Bermuda onions … imagine instead of being sold directly to our homes in Nassau they were sent on the freight boat to Miami and our supermarkets bought “our own” onions and sold them in our markets! Pineapples, yes, ours are the sweetest ones around - how many MP’s realise that to get a pineapple to fruit you need two years … annually we dump local mangoes on the dock our farmers cannot sell more than $15,000 to the packing house when reality is why can’t the farmers sell direct to the wholesalers in Nassau - be paid on the spot and able to go back out to purchase more seed and equipment – no we have to work through the antiquated Packing house system - a totally failed entity. Yes, there are certain agri-related products that we could produce and reduce the food bill again the all essential feed is a cost issue and we can’t produce a local supply. Fisheries - great potential, but costs and the capital required for new
technically equipped vessels make that difficult. Local Honey is a typical local product … MPO’s go to your local market and check precisely how much more expensive is the local. Honey to the imported which has to pay duties? Go check before you talk uneducated gibberish. Historic facts The Bahamas was the sole British Empire possession where the plantation system was a total failure … Editor, yes I support any diversification, but I refuse to be stupid - if agriculture was feasible and had financial potential you think the likes of Sir Stafford Sands would not have jumped on it and acquired as much Crown land to create farms and up agriproduction - no they didn’t and I suggest they knew. My ten plus tomato plants produce delicious fruit totally organic, but I am no fool I know they cost more than what I can buy from the market. Talking about tomatoes ask hotels their requirements sizing for example - in a bushel you can’t have 20 different sizes – they want a standard size…same goes for greens…local cabbage is small to mega, nothing uniform. Truly if only we can. SIMEON SMITH Nassau, February 16, 2022.
DISPLACED people watch the United Nations helicopter carrying Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix land in Bunia, eastern Congo, on Tuesday. Lacroix replaced UN’s General Secretary Antonio Guterres who had to cancel the three-day visit to the region and return to New York in view of the situation in Ukraine. Photo: Moses Sawasawa/AP
Democracy needs you OVER half a century ago on a chilly morning in March, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” Though change may be slow and difficult — whether on racial justice, democratic reform, or economic equality — progress is possible when like-minded people, institutions, and governments join forces to bend the moral arc toward justice. This Friday, February 25, the US Embassy in The Bahamas welcomes a Good Governance conference hosted by the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG). The event will bring together over 100 participants from government, the private sector, and civil society committed to transparency and accountability in The Bahamas. The hope is that this conference will support democracy, spark community discussions, and encourage good governance, integrity, and equity. ORG has made 30 inperson slots available to the general public, and invites all interested Bahamians to register to attend. Registration can be made at www.orgbahamas.com/ GoodGovernanceSymposium. Those who cannot attend in person are invited to participate virtually by visiting https://bit.ly/GoodGovernanceBahamas between 8:30am and 5:00pm on Friday, February 25. Democracy, transparency, and accountability can only flourish when we all come together and participate. I want to thank all the Bahamians who lend your voices to the conversation daily at home with family, at work with colleagues, and in your free time with friends and loved
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net ones. There are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in the conversation. For example, in addition to Friday’s conference, ORG will be hosting a series of events on democracy titled ‘Freedom School,’ and a series of Freedom of Information Sessions in the Family Islands for those outside of New Providence, so visit their website at www.orgbahamas.com for details on those events. It is thanks to active, engaged citizens like you that democracy can continue to flourish in The Bahamas and around the world. The Good Governance conference and the ongoing conversation on democracy come as the need to bolster people’s faith in government and democracy has never been greater. Democracies around the world face challenges from both criminal organizations and authoritarian leaders. During the COVID pandemic in particular, drug trafficking has thrived and global cybercrime by both criminals and state-actors has blossomed. Corruption facilitates transnational crime of all kinds and undermines democracy at its core by eating away at public trust and the ability of governments to deliver for their citizens. The worst examples are when political, economic, and social elites — at times working with criminal organizations — buy (or rent) judges and/ or police and threaten independent and courageous judicial actors. As is true with many of the most pressing challenges we face, the United States cannot succeed in the fight for transparency
and accountability alone. Enduring partnerships with other democracies like The Bahamas are a crucial part of bending that long moral arc towards justice. This week’s conference is just one piece of ongoing efforts to assist The Bahamas in strengthening institutions, countering transnational crime, and enabling the rule of law. We are acting on the global stage as well. In December, during the Biden Administration’s Summit for Democracy — which The Bahamas also attended — the United States announced the US Strategy on Countering Corruption, committing $424m to working with global partners to strengthen our collective response to corruption, crime, authoritarianism and discrimination. The strategy will be in the spotlight again during the Summit of the Americas, which the United States will host this June for the first time in over 25 years. Leaders from around Latin America and the Caribbean will come together to uphold our shared commitment to democracy and human rights, and to combating crime and corruption. Much work remains to be done. Democratic values are under pressure around the world — including in the United States. The arc of the moral universe is not only long, it also meanders, climbs, stumbles, and sometimes falls. But I am confident that by working together with partners like The Bahamas, who share our values, the moral arc will indeed consistently bend towards justice. US CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES USHA PITTS Nassau February 23, 2022
Is PM Davis serious? EDITOR, The Tribune.
THE Law requires statutory fiscal reporting by I believe February 24th… who cares why comply with the Law… we will accommodate the FNM so they can scream at the Government at their convention! Are we serious? What spin will Press Officer put
on this now? Reading Barbados newspapers see the same delegation from Saudi Arabia who visited here went there and guess what - Promised The Same! PR spin by Press office? Time will tell. Laughing at we self more often now! Seriously, PM Davis hasn’t been in a
supermarket probably for years … PM got to visit and see the increase in prices of produce and other items … don’t miss the Bahamian-made products’ price leaders sky high against US made … paid Duty … we laugh. JEROME ALBURY Nassau, February 22, 2022.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, February 24, 2022, PAGE 7
REGISTRATION for the Free National Movement’s convention at FNM headquarters yesterday. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
Minnis attacks Davis govt for giving no-bid contract having blasted FNM on same issue from page one Dr Minnis said: “I see them say Atlantic did not answer certain questions or whatever, but only time will tell whether Atlantic did submit or not under these new circumstances.” In his audit of the visa programme released last week, Auditor General Terrance Bastian criticised the lack of competitive bidding that has characterised the visa programme since its inception. In addition to the insurance and payment processing services, there was no competitive bidding originally for companies that completed the software for the online platform, provided rapid antigen tests on day five of arrival and managed the approved testing labs and Day 5 tests. Mr Bastian acknowledged the time pressures officials faced in executing the visa programme, but said the services should have gone out to tender, particularly the insurance service given the significant costs associated with that service. Yesterday, Dr Minnis said: “When we did that, the contract, we had two weeks to open the country.
We had already sent out notices that we were opening the country. We had a decision to make. If we didn’t open, having sent out notices around the world, The Bahamas would get a black eye and it would set our industry backwards and it would subsequently affect our economy moving forward. We had to make quick decisions within two weeks. “We had called around, all the various different insurance companies, inclusive of BAF. Nobody wanted to bid. We subsequently called Atlantic and Atlantic was interested and they submitted and that’s how we ended up with Atlantic. We had to do that route because we had to get the country open and, yes, we had to utilise the Promotion of Tourism Act to ensure that we were still within the framework of the law. “Now, they have gone for a no-bid, they had sufficient time, unlike us, we were in an emergency situation. Two, they would know exactly what Atlantic is being paid in terms of insurance and therefore they could cherry pick and pick a company and say can
$75,000 GIFT TO HUMANE SOCIETY FTX Digital Markets yesterday donated $75,000 to the Bahamas Humane Society. BHS president Kim Aranha said the sizeable donation would be used to keep the animal shelter on Dunmore Avenue “afloat”. “They made a donation of $75,000 and obviously we are tremendously grateful and very excited and we hope that this is the beginning of a very long and fruitful relationship,” she told The Tribune. Asked what the money would be used for, she expressed regret that their current circumstances did not allow officials there to put the money into a fund for use to build a new facility. Currently, the BHS is at full capacity. “Well, I wish we could put it away for building a
new shelter, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to use it to just buy food and medication for the animals that are in residence now because we just have so many animals still,” the BHS president said. “I mean nothing would make me happier than to have more people adopt and be able to get the shelter down to a more manageable number but it’s just a never-ending stream. “Right now, its mothers with puppies and this could all be avoided if people would spay and neuter their dogs, but there is some sort of cultural block on doing that and it’s such a pity because the only suffering is the animals. “So, I wish I could tell you that it would go into a fund, but we’re going to need it to just stay afloat.”
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you beat what Atlantic is doing.”
FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.
PAGE 8, Thursday, February 24, 2022
“BUT although the cliché says that power always corrupts, what is seldom said ... is that power always reveals. When a man is climbing, trying to persuade others to give him power, concealment is necessary. ... But as a man obtains more power, camouflage becomes less necessary.” - Robert Caro, Biographer of Lyndon B Johnson WHAT Lord Acton actually said in a letter to an Anglican Bishop is: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Acton, an English Catholic, was a politician, historian and writer with extraordinary insight into political power. For decades, journalist and author Robert Caro has painstakingly explored such power by meticulously researching and chronicling the lives of two seminal figures including Robert Moses, a public official, who indelibly transformed New York City’s landscape over a 44-year public career, during which he ruthlessly wielded power. Though failing to win elections to the governorship of New York and mayoralty of New York City because of his brutal public manner, Moses, a rabid racist who thought ill of poor people, got laws enacted that entrenched his positions as head of various commissions. Obsessively dictatorial and thin-skinned, he often had more budgetary and
statute power than successive mayors and governors, whom he outflanked with his brilliant imagination, work habits and urban vision.
PATRONAGE
Though incorrupt in terms of personal financial gain, Moses presided over a system of ingrained patron-
THE TRIBUNE
THE LURE AND EXERCISE OF POLITICAL POWER Power reveals the charin various jurisdictions. Yet, many of these same acter, for good and ill, as individuals sometimes well as the admixture of simultaneously beseech personal and larger ambipoliticians for this very tions of those who rise to same patronage and favour. the top. Caro observes how power brings As Caro would out mostly the note, this is how ‘Power reveals worst in some. power works in the character, The Johnson actuality. biographer also Caro has for good and believes power conducted brings out the thousands of ill, as well as the admixture best in some interviews, and cleanses scoured hun- of personal the ambitions of dreds of and larger others like Al thousands Smith. Smith, of pages of ambitions of the four-term archival mate- those who rise Governor of rial and read scores of books to the top. Caro New York State, the first Roman in his relent- observes how Catholic nomiless pursuit of power brings nated on a major telling details party ticket, and insight to out mostly the present a multi- worst in some.’ the Democratic Party, for the US dimensional and presidency. fair portrayal of his subHe sought to tame jects, and the true nature of power typically not found as much as possible the notorious Tammany Hall in civics texts. Caro’s other outsized political machine in New and titanic figure is York, which was known Lyndon Baines for vast corruption and for Johnson (LBJ), stealing elections. Smith the alternat- introduced sweeping legisingly volcanic lative and other measures ROBERT MOSES, and deeply to improve significantly top, and US the healthcare, education, charmage President Lyndon ing 36th housing and social welfare which he B Johnson. President of of New York State. dispensed to In a Texas Monthly artithe United control and States, whose cle, Jan Jarboe Russell cajole politiGreat Society noted of LBJ: “Part of him cians, business wanted great power for the accomplishments people, attorneys, were historic and glory of helping others on contractors, state and transforming a mass scale. Another part city bureaucrats and others. expansive, Historically, some, education, health care and of him wanted power so that he could satisfy rawer including business people, social welfare. In The Passage to Power, instincts, including… the religious leaders and media figures and journalists Caro writes movingly of thrill of dominating others.” have bemoaned patronage LBJ’s civil rights and racial equality accomplishments: “It was Abraham Lincoln who struck off the The drug cum intoxicant chains of black Americans, of power has attracted all but it was Lyndon Johnson manner of men and women. who led them into voting Some have grabbed for it booths, closed democracy’s mostly to satisfy financial, sacred curtain behind them, psychological and physical placed their hands upon the and lustful desires. lever that gave them a hold Some of the pathoon their own destiny, made logically egomaniacal them, at last and forever, desperately need power a true part of American to anaesthetise or ease political life. deep-seated and chronic “How true a part? Forty- insecurities, which can three years later, a mere never be externally blink of history’s eye, a quenched. Power, like other black American, Barack addictions, craves even Obama, was sitting behind more and greater fixes. the desk in the Oval The loss of such power can Office.” be depressive and deeply Tragically, Johnson, who wounding. died young for a former In The Passage to President at 64 - just four Power, Caro emphasises a years after leaving the part of Johnson’s characWhite House - lived out his ter revealed after reaching remaining years haunted the summit of power, and by his and America’s colos- on the eve of an address sal failures in the Vietnam to a Joint Session of the quagmire. US Congress and a trauHe could not silence matised nation days after in his mind the chants he the assassination of John heard from the streets, F Kennedy. It occurred which reverberated in at a meeting in his home the White House as the as his aides prepared his war raged in Southeast remarks: Asia, killing and maiming “ ‘One of the wise, practiVietnamese civilians, and cal people around the table’ combatants on all sides, urged Johnson not to press including young Americans for civil rights in his first soldiers returning home in speech, because there was body bags: “Hey, Hey, LBJ; no chance of passage, and How many kids did you kill a President shouldn’t waste today?” his power on lost causes – no matter how worthy the cause might be. “‘The presidency has Caro explains that only a certain amount of though the ruthless John- coinage to expend, and you son is a fascinating figure, oughtn’t to expend it on he is more interested in this,’ he said. ‘Well, what how the latter amassed the hell’s the presidency Lyndon Johnson and utilized power. He has for?’ written four literary and replied.” His essential plea novelistic-like volumes on might also be translated the exercise of power, with as: “What the hell is power LBJ as the lead character for!?” The ruthless Johnson, but with political power as a Southerner and former the master theme. He avers: “I’m not Senate Majority Leader obsessed with Lyndon achieved stunning legislaJohnson. I’m interested tive success that Kennedy in how power works in a would likely not have achieved and would have democracy.” The volumes include: envied: “[He] began by enactThe Years of Lyndon Johnson: The Path to Power, ing long-stalled legislation The Years of Lyndon John- such as Medicare and fedson: Means of Ascent, The eral aid to education and Years of Lyndon Johnson: then moved into other Master of the Senate, The areas, including high-speed Years of Lyndon Johnson: mass transit, rental suppleThe Passage of Power. ments, truth in packaging, There is a final unpublished environmental safety legvolume in this master study islation, new provisions for and class on the intricacies mental health facilities, the Teacher Corps, manpower of power.
INTOXICANT
RUTHLESS
training, the Head Start programme, aid to urban mass transit, a demonstration cities programme, a housing act that included rental subsidies, and an act for higher education.” Of the 87 bills Johnson submitted to Congress, he was able to sign 84, or 96 percent, perhaps “the most successful legislative agenda in US congressional history.”
EGOMANIA
Johnson craved power, which satiated his egomania and personal ambition. But he also wanted power to do big things, including substantially reducing poverty, which he knew from hardscrabble personal experience because of his father’s bankruptcy and the subsequent loss of the family farm in the Texas Hill Country. Sadly, history is replete with many politicians who sought power for its own narrow sake, including the satisfaction of the basest of needs or for personal selfaggrandisement, and who mostly leave office with few accomplishments. There are many lessons that may be derived from Johnson’s political genius, including for politicians at home who could learn a great deal from history and literature about the nature of power. As an observer noted: “Johnson tried to win over his political enemies by going overboard to be nice to them.” The tactile and backslapping Johnson was a notorious flatterer, who enjoyed buttonholing others in his legendary charm offences. He spent as much time with his allies as he did with supposed and real opponents. Only the most insecure politicians shun and refuse to court opponents, real and imagined. Politics is more about building coalitions and fostering shifting alliances rather than keeping potential allies perpetually at bay. Johnson and Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) despised each other. Yet Johnson asked him to remain as Attorney General after John Kennedy’s (JFK) assassination. The older Kennedy, also disdainful of Johnson, had the political sense and maturity to choose Johnson as his Vice Presidential running mate, which RFK petulantly opposed. The addition of Johnson played a part in helping JFK to win a close election against Republican Richard Nixon. Johnson, like JFK, surrounded himself with highly capable people. The gathering of such talent buoyed them. Weaker and more insecure leaders are more comfortable with obsequious advisors who are often less capable than the principal. This is typically a recipe for disaster as a leader or politician may not access the best advice possible from a mix of advisors. “When a man is climbing, trying to persuade others to give him power, concealment is necessary... But as a man obtains more power, camouflage becomes less necessary,” Caro instructs. The better politicians appreciate this. They try to be clear-eyed about their flaws and inadequacies, compensating for them through restraint and the avoidance of a bunker mentality. Such restraint and perspective are typically best achieved through the advice of family, friends and advisors who constantly try to keep them grounded as power tends to inebriate many if not most of those who drink from the fountain of its intoxicating nectar.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, February 24, 2022, PAGE 9
Putin’s dream of a Russian empire rising again could be a costly fantasy THE American Secretary of State and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister held a joint, televised news conference earlier this week after Russian troops and artillery began what looks very much like the start of a general invasion of Ukraine. Both spoke solemnly and articulately as they fielded questions from American and European reporters. The Ukrainian was especially eloquent in describing Russian aggression against his country and the urgent need for the West in general and American in particular to hit back against Moscow with tough sanctions as soon as possible. At the end of their lengthy joint appearance, the two foreign ministers walked off the stage together. The American, Tony Blinken, threw his arm over the shoulder of the Ukrainian, Dmytro Kuleba in a gesture that seemed to epitomize the evolving relationship between the two nations. It certainly looked like big brother Blinken was fraternally protecting and aligning with younger brother Kuleba. The Ukrainian has been making the rounds in Washington after a big multilateral security conference in Munich where Western support for Ukraine appeared to solidify under American and German leadership. As this quintessentially European crisis deepens with every passing day, it’s important to keep in mind the central role in Eastern Europe that Germany has played on this regional stage for over 150 years and continues to play today. From at least the mid19th Century up to the present, German economic and commercial power and influence throughout Eastern Europe and Russia has been profound. Despite being on the losing side in both World War I and World War II, Germany
STATESIDE
with Charlie Harper
- aided significantly in its economic recovery after 1945 by the United States and its Marshall Plan - has continued to be a regional economic giant. Trade between Germany, now reunified for over 30 years, and Eastern Europe is paramount for both sides. When the Germans announced their solidarity with the US and other NATO allies in agreeing to sidetrack the new Nord Stream II gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, and in the process put at risk its continuing dependence on Russian energy to sustain its mighty industrial base, this was a genuinely significant step in the reunification of NATO and the European Union against Russian aggression. The EU announced on Tuesday it will sanction all 351 members of the Russian legislature who authorized Putin to deploy his armed forces outside Russian borders, in addition to “27 individuals and entities who are playing a role in undermining or threatening Ukrainian territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.”
WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN FOR US?
First of all, oil prices will rise. International benchmark indicator Brent crude is already up more than one percent; West Texas Intermediate crude, the US benchmark, has risen by 1.3 percent. Overall, it is
estimated Russia produces about ten percent of the world’s oil supply - about the same percentage as the US and Saudi Arabia. Analysts on both sides of the Atlantic are forecasting long-term “pressure” on oil supplies. That means higher prices at the pump. But it also means the cost of consumer goods transportation will rise. Taken together with the accumulated effects on the North American trucking industry of COVID-19 personnel losses and the philosophical disagreement by large numbers of truck drivers over mask mandates, we’re going to pay potentially quite a bit more for almost everything we consume. Annual inflation has already been projected at around seven percent in the US for 2022. It’s little wonder that bond prices are rising steadily in the US as its stock market approaches a condition known as “correction,” which basically means a sustained downward trend. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is now hovering around 33,000. For perspective, though, we can recall that when Donald Trump was sworn in as the American President in January 2017, that same average stood at 20,000, and at around 30,000 when Joe Biden took the oath of office four years later as Trump’s successor. Until recently, inflation has not been a significant modifying or qualifying factor in assessing these relative numbers.
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Speaking of Trump, he is still spectacularly newsworthy. It’s likely that only those readers most desperate for some words of wisdom from and lavish praise for the former President have ever heard of the “Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show”. Sexton is a long-time right-wing talker; Travis was most recently seen on Fox Sports co-hosting a sports betting show. Their show is a syndicated three-hour daily gabfest which for many participating radio stations has replaced the Rush Limbaugh show. (Limbaugh, you may recall, died shortly after Trump astonishingly awarded him the highest American civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.) It makes perfect sense, then, that Trump would grant a rant-interview to Travis and Sexton and break his silence on developments in Ukraine. “This is genius,” Trump said of Putin’s decision on Monday to officially recognize the breakaway provinces and authorize the use of Russian military personnel to assist them. “Putin is now saying it’s independent - a large section of Ukraine. I said, how smart is that? And he’s gonna go in and be a peacekeeper. We could use that on our southern border. That’s the strongest peace force I’ve ever seen. There were more army tanks than I’ve ever seen. They’re gonna keep the peace, all right.”
Trump has of course long praised Putin’s strategic acumen, noting especially Putin’s implicit intention to “rebuild the Russian Empire”. When asked to react to Trump’s comments, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said wryly that “we try not to take advice from anyone who praises President Putin and his military strategy. She also recalled how Trump had sided with Russia when it annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 before America elected him as resident. “There’s a bit of a different approach,” she said. But Trump is absolutely right that Putin is indeed determined to reconstruct as much of the Soviet empire as he feels the West will allow him to do. Why is that? The New York Times reached out to Bill Clinton’s first Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, for an answer. Albright was the first senior official to speak at length with Putin when he emerged from relative obscurity to great sudden prominence in the Russian government in 2000. Albright is a noted diplomatic history scholar who has been for many years closely associated with Georgetown University’s foreign service school in Washington. Albright explained to the Times that Putin has long been fixated on restoring Russia to “greatness”. As he made clear to her in their first meeting, he views the break-up of the Soviet Union as “an embarrassment - a wrong he’s determined to make right”. “Mr Putin’s revisionist and absurd assertion that Ukraine was a Russian creation and effectively stolen from the Russian empire is fully in keeping with his warped worldview,” Albright said.
“Most disturbing to me: It was his attempt to establish the pretext for a full-scale invasion.” While Putin might see taking Ukraine as a step toward attaining that ultimate goal, perhaps his obsession has blinded him to the reality. For, as Albright writes, he’s poised to make a grave miscalculation. “Instead of paving Russia’s path to greatness, invading Ukraine will ensure Mr Putin’s own infamy by leaving his country diplomatically isolated, economically crippled and strategically vulnerable in the face of a stronger, more united Western alliance,” Albright concluded. The former Secretary of State is looking prescient these days. The West has already announced new sanctions and promised more could come, and President Biden has announced plans to move more troops to the Baltics, to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank. Maybe Putin is a genius, as Trump continues to suggest. Maybe he is maniacally misunderstanding not only the history of his own country and misjudging the resolve of the West to resist his aggression, as Albright believes. But it is beyond dispute the Russian President has now enmeshed America, its European allies and much more far-flung allies such as Australia and Japan in a border dispute verging on all-out war that poses grave risks for the entire world. We’re just spectators at this point. But warfare, especially today’s televised version, is a riveting phenomenon, so we’ll likely soon be able to witness widespread suffering and carnage from a seemingly and remote vantage point. Only skyrocketing prices will remind us that we’re involved in this, too.
PAGE 10, Thursday, February 24, 2022
CORRECTIONS OFFICER GUILTY OVER INTENT TO SUPPLY DRUGS by PAVEL BAILEY
A BAHAMAS Department of Corrections officer was yesterday found guilty of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. Kevan Seymour, 49, and his partner of 15-years, Suzette Smith, 47, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney for sentencing in their trial after they were arrested for drugs on May 15, 2020. On that day, RBPF officers went to the Fire Trail Road apartment where the corrections officer had helped arrange for Smith and her son to live. Acting on a search warrant the officers entered the premises after Seymour, who was visiting, opened the door. During their search, officers, with the assistance of a sniffer dog, discovered suspected drugs in a bedroom under the mattress on which Smith was lying. A further search of the premises uncovered a plastic bag containing more suspected drugs hidden under towels in a dresser. Police then arrested both Seymour and Smith acting on the assumption that they
had intended to sell the drugs. Police later identified the drugs as marijuana with a combined weight of 317.3 grams and an estimated value of $1,900. During questioning, the suspects gave conflicting reports as to why Seymour was at Smith’s residence at the time of the police search. While the corrections officer indicated he had spent the night before there, Smith said he hadn’t. Smith’s son had already appeared in court on his own charges in connection with this incident, but had been granted a discharge. In court yesterday, Magistrate McKinney found both suspects guilty of possession of drugs with intent to supply despite both maintaining their innocence. The defendants’ legal counsel asked for leniency for her clients saying that Seymour had worked with the Department of Corrections for 29 years earning two commendations and saying he was just “an inch shy away from earning his pension”. She then described how Seymour was both the father of a four-year-old child and an
exemplary citizen with no prior antecedents. She also explained it was only due to their relationship that Seymour was visiting Smith’s apartment at the time of their arrest as he went there daily. Seymour’s counsel implored the Magistrate to take these factors into consideration as she asked that the court exercise its judicial discretion and grant Seymour an absolute discharge. Smith also maintained her innocence after the Magistrate’s verdict stating she doesn’t smoke or sell drugs and that she is a working woman. She also went on to say she never took any suspicious packages to prison on Seymour’s behalf. While Magistrate McKinney noted neither defendant had taken responsibility for their actions or appeared remorseful after his guilty verdict, he elected not to give either of them a custodial sentence. Instead, both accused were ordered to pay separate fines of $1,500 each or spend three months in custody. The magistrate gave them until Wednesday, March 2, to pay the fines in full.
THE TRIBUNE
WOMAN ACCUSED OF DRUG SMUGGLING by PAVEL BAILEY A MAGISTRATE’S court yesterday determined whether there was sufficient evidence for a woman to face charges of smuggling drugs into the country. Leondra Adderley, 21, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney facing two counts of alleged possession and importation of dangerous drugs with intent to supply in connection with an incident that occurred on March 1, 2020. On the day in question officers conducting surveillance at LPIA customs informed Adderley that she had been selected for a random search of her luggage. She was then taken to the Airport Police Station. It was there that officers
discovered one of her two bags had a false bottom and a black compressed package was found. Further analysis of the package revealed it contained 13.1 lbs of cocaine with an estimated street value of $90,000. After the drugs were discovered Adderley broke down in tears. She is alleged to have told officers she had no idea she was carrying drugs and that she was only told to contact someone when she arrived outside the airport. She went on to explain that while she was travelling back from Jamaica on Caribbean Airlines someone she identified as “Shanice” - a woman who was introduced to her by a friend - paid for her trip. While on a layover in
Trinidad she received the bags from a man named “Trent”. Adderley further explained that she was instructed by these people to carry the bags for them. She was then told to contact another stranger in The Bahamas to collect the bags when she arrived. Having evaluated the evidence Magistrate McKinney found there was sufficient evidence to answer to both counts against at trial. When asked if she wanted to present her own testimony in court or elect witnesses to speak in her defence, Adderley elected to remain silent and be allowed time to gather her witnesses. The case was adjourned to April 26.
MAN ACCUSED OF POSSESSION OF DRUGS by PAVEL BAILEY
A MAN was charged in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with possession of drugs with intent to supply. Kevin Deleveaux, 27, of 15 Jumbay Street, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney after his arrest by police and charged with being found with dangerous drugs. On February 21, officers
on patrol near Bishop Way allegedly saw the accused in a hoodie in a bushy area acting suspiciously. Upon spotting the police Deleveaux fled the area, but was later apprehended by authorities. When the police went back to search the bushes, they uncovered suspected drugs in clear plastic baggies. Further analysis of the substance identified it as
eight ounces of Indian Hemp with an estimated street value of $640. In court, Deleveaux pleaded guilty to the charges against him despite having denied the charges in his initial police interview. Prior to this incident he had no prior convictions. Magistrate McKinney gave Deleveaux the choice of paying a $500 fine or spending three months in prison.
FREEPORT WOMAN GUILTY OF MINI MALL BLAZE By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A 26-YEAR-OLD Freeport woman accused of setting fire to a business establishment pleaded guilty to arson in the Supreme Court in Grand Bahama early this week.
Jerzeel Marlone, 26, of No 82 Carissa Street, appeared before Justice Andrew Forbes on the charge of arson of a building. The accused pleaded guilty to the charge and the matter was adjourned to May 31 for sentencing. The judge ordered that Marlone undergo psychological
evaluation before sentence is passed. The incident occurred on February 27, 2019, when the fire department was called to a blaze at the Rachel’s Britannia Mini Mall in Caravel Beach. The fire caused significant damage to the building, which was valued at some $800,000.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, February 24, 2022, PAGE 11
Russia attacks Ukraine MOSCOW Associated Press
RUSSIAN troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday morning, as President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions, warning other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to “consequences you have never seen”. Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of an Russian invasion that could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced martial law, saying Russia has targeted Ukraine’s military infrastructure and explosions are heard across the country. Zelenskyy said he had just talked to President Joe Biden and the US was rallying international support for Ukraine. He urged Ukrainians to stay home and not to panic. Biden pledged new sanctions meant to punish Russia for an act of aggression that the international community had for weeks anticipated but could not prevent through diplomacy. Putin justified it all in a televised address, asserting the attack was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine — a false claim the US had predicted he would make as a pretext for an invasion. He accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees, and credulously claimed that Russia doesn’t intend to occupy Ukraine but will move to “demilitarise” it and bring those who committed crimes to justice. Biden in a written statement condemned the “unprovoked and unjustified attack” on Ukraine and
he promised the US and its allies “will hold Russia accountable.” Biden said he planned to speak to Americans on Thursday after a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders. More sanctions against Russia were expected to be announced Thursday. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described the action as a “full-scale invasion of Ukraine” and a “war of aggression,” adding, “Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.” The Russian military said it has struck Ukrainian air bases and other military assets and hasn’t targeted populated areas. The Russian Defense Ministry statement said the military is using precision weapons to target Ukrainian air bases, air defense assets and other military infrastructure. It claimed that “there is no threat to civilian population”. Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister, said on Facebook that the Russian military has launched missile strikes on Ukrainian military command facilities, air bases and military depots in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro. After the initial explosions in Kyiv, people could be heard shouting in the streets. But then a sense of normality returned, with cars circulating and people walking in the streets as a pre-dawn commute appeared to be starting in relative calm. Beyond casualties that could overwhelm Ukraine’s government, the consequences of the conflict and resulting sanctions levied on Russia could reverberate throughout the world, affecting energy supplies in Europe, jolting global financial markets and threatening the postCold War balance on the continent. Anticipating international condemnation and
countermeasures, Putin issued a stark warning to other countries not to meddle, saying, “whoever tries to impede us, let alone create threats for our country and its people, must know that the Russian response will be immediate and lead to the consequences you have never seen in history”.
Putin urged Ukrainian servicemen to “immediately put down arms and go home”. In a stark reminder of Russia’s nuclear power, Putin warned that “no one should have any doubts that a direct attack on our country will lead to the destruction and horrible consequences for any potential aggressor”.
A UKRAINIAN serviceman at his position at the line of separation between Ukraine-held territory and rebel-held territory near Svitlodarsk, eastern Ukraine, yesterday. Photo: Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
PAGE 12, Thursday, February 24, 2022
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Thursday, February 24, 2022, PAGE 13
SPORTS PAGE 14
ITF TENNIS: BAHAMAS IN THE WIN COLUMN
By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas continued play at the International Tennis Federation’s North Central American and Caribbean Pre- Qualifying World Junior Tennis Tournament yesterday in Santa Tecla, El Salvador. The boys’ team advanced to the quarterfinals with another 3-0 afternoon and a win over Barbados. “We should fare well,” head coach Bradley Bain said. “We have a fairly strong team with good interchangeable parts as you saw [against Barbados] when we played different players, so we are looking forward to the quarterfinals.” The boys’ team has gone 6-0 in the two matches thus far. Jerald Caroll led the way against Barbados in singles play with a 6-3, 6-1 over Dimitri Kirton and William McCartney followed up with another win 6-0, 6-1 over Aiden Clarke. The doubles pairing of Carroll and Jackson Mactaggart capped the tie with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Clarke and Ethan Warner. The Bahamas remains the top seeded team in Group C, but fourth overall behind the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Guatemala. In the girls’ draw, Team Bahamas suffered a 3-0 loss to Costa Rica. Sarai Clarke lost 6-4, 6-2 to Isabella Segnini while Breann Ferguson suffered a lost 7-5, 6-1 loss to Valentina Obregon. In doubles, Clarke and Ferguson lost 6-1, 6-3 to Obregon and Maripaz Aguero. “The level of play is always high at the World Juniors competition so the results our athletes are achieving is indicative of the hard work that they have all put in,” said Perry Newton, BLTA president. “We knew the teams that the BLTA fielded were a talented group both on the boys and girls side. We are pleased that the athletes are taking advantage of this opportunity to exhibit their talent on a regional level. Bahamas Tennis continues to improve and this is positive for the future of tennis in The Bahamas.” The winner of the tournament will advance to the next round in Mexico in May where they get a chance to play against the United States, Mexico and Canada for two qualifying spots to play in the World Championships for under14s in Europe.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022
Jones, Page 20
National basketball team named By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
T
he Bahamas Basketball Federation has named its senior men’s national team roster for the second window of the FIBA Americas World Cup 2023 qualifiers. This weekend, The Bahamas is slated to face The US Virgin Islands on February 26 and The Dominican Republic on February 27 in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic. Returning from the first window will be national team veterans Travis Munnings, Mychel Thompson, JR Cadot, Radshad Davis and Willis Mackey Jr. The remainder of the roster includes Tavario Miller, Danrad Knowles, Robert Joseph, Dajhon Wildgoose and Sebastian Gray. Moses Johnson Jr returns as the head coach assisted by John-Marc Nutt and Steve Barnes. The team manager is Elvardo Kemp, Alicia Greene is the athletic trainer and Rodney Wilson is the head of the delegation. “Continuity is so important because it builds upon what you have already, so to bring that continuity to the former windows with guys that have played in those last windows and now some of the other guys that may not have played but have been a part of the nucleus for some time,”
TRAVIS Munnings
DANRAD Knowles
JR Cadot
DAJHON Wildgoose
RADSHAD Davis
ROBERT Joseph
SEBASTIAN Gray
TAVARIO Miller
WILLIS Mackey Jr
Johnson said. “That will help us going forward because now you don’t have to reinforce the things you have done for the past few years.” The team underwent their first practice session yesterday since they arrived in The Dominican Republic.
“Good practice, we’re getting our legs underneath us getting acclimated to the weather and climate. The guys went out and gave their best effort and I think it was a great practice,” Johnson said. “We are starting to build on some of the stuff that will be executed on
Saturday and Sunday. The guys are enthusiastic, it was a great effort out there and they are in high spirits, they are starting to synergise which is important. “We have four days, but we are looking forward to the challenge and I’m sure we are going to be ready to compete.”
MYCHEL Thompson Team Bahamas was drawn into Group C alongside Canada, The Dominican Republic and The US Virgin Islands. In November’s first window, The Bahamas suffered a 115-73 loss to Canada in the first game of a back-to-back in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic. Dominick Bridgewater led the Bahamas with 13 points, David Nesbitt scored 12, Mychel Thompson scored 11 and JR Cadot finished with nine. Canada took a decisive 113-77 win in the second game. David Nesbitt led The Bahamas with 18 points, Travis Munnings had 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Mychel Thompson and Dominick Bridgewater each finished with 12 points. In the third and final window, The Bahamas will have its second matchup against The USVI on July 1 and will conclude with the second matchup against The Dominican Republic on July 4.
Olympics say goodbye to Asia
FIREWORKS light up the sky over Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics on Sunday, February 20, 2022, in Beijing. SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 16 (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
MLB: Season will be shortened if no deal by end of Monday By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer JUPITER, Florida (AP) — Major League Baseball said only five days remain to salvage March 31 openers and a full season, telling locked out players that games would be cancelled if a labour contract is not agreed to by the end of Monday. After the third straight day of negotiations with little movement, MLB went public with what it had told the union on February 12. “A deadline is a deadline. Missed games are missed games. Salary will not be paid for those games,” an MLB spokesman said after yesterday’s bargaining ended. The spokesman spoke on behalf of MLB on the condition the spokesman
not be identified by name. Players have not accepted Monday as a deadline and have suggested any missed games could be made up as part of doubleheaders, a method MLB said it will not agree to. The union told MLB that if games are missed and salaries are lost, clubs should not expect players to agree to management’s proposals to expand the postseason and to allow advertisements on uniforms and helmets. Bargaining is scheduled to continue today, and both sides said they are prepared to meet through Monday. A shortened season would be baseball’s second in three years following a 2020 schedule cut from 162 games to 60 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The last seasons truncated by labour strife
were during the strike that ended the 1994 schedule on August 12 and caused the start of the following season to be delayed from April 2 to April 25. The 1995 schedule was cut from 162 games to 144. Players are paid only during the regular season, accruing 1/162nd of their salary daily. Players would be subject to losing as much as $232,975 daily in the case of Mets pitcher Max Scherzer, or as little as $3,441 for a player at a $640,000 minimum. Baseball’s work stoppage was in its 84th day, and the three sessions this week increased the total on core economic issues to just nine since the stoppage began December 2. Spring training workouts had been scheduled to start
on February 16, and MLB already has cancelled the first week of exhibitions, which were schedule to begin Friday. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said on February 10 that a minimum of four weeks of training are needed before starting the season. A deal by Monday would allow that plus a few days for players to report to camps in Arizona and Florida. Manfred has spoken publicly just once since the day the lockout began and union head Tony Clark not at all. MLB’s public statement was interpreted as a pressure tactic by the union, which was angered that payrolls decreased during the expired five-year deal
SEE PAGE 15
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Thursday, February 24, 2022, PAGE 15
F1 speculation swirls as Herta heads into IndyCar opener By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Colton Herta laughed when he saw the tweet from Mario Andretti. Suddenly, the spotlight was on the 21-year-old driver on the eve of a new IndyCar season. Andretti last week revealed his son, Michael, has applied for an expansion Formula One team. Andretti Global was ready to go, wrote the 1978 F1 champion, and could be on the grid in 2024. What did that mean for Herta? Oh, just another frenzied round of speculation surrounding the future of the talented Californian. The Andrettis believe Herta is the next great American F1 driver. Had Michael last year succeeded in purchasing a team, he planned
to move Herta to Europe to compete in the global motorsports juggernaut. When the deal collapsed, Herta publicly admitted he wants a shot in F1. So now he has nowhere to hide and the best Herta can do is focus on Sunday’s season-opening IndyCar race through the streets of downtown St Petersburg. Herta is the defending race winner. “If I get destroyed in IndyCar the next two years, I don’t think (Andretti) would want to take me, so no, this is not a given,” Herta told The Associated Press. “I think maybe at this moment, as far as if they want an American, I’m probably the lead candidate. But I can definitely get that taken away from me.” Of course, Andretti doesn’t actually have an F1 team yet.
Andretti has said “control issues” sank last fall’s deal with the Sauber team, but Herta told AP it was so close to going through that a plan to get Herta the licence he needed to compete had already been put in motion. Herta was going to be the Sauber driver during F1 first practice sessions to earn FIA approval to compete this year. It was all happening. Until it wasn’t. This time, Herta will sit back and watch how the process unfolds. “Michael’s told me a little bit, but you know, never too much because it’s never a certainty,” Herta said. “As we saw with Sauber, I think Michael thought that was a done deal and one day everything just switched up. And Michael’s not a BS’er, I really trust his word.
“So if he says he can do this and he has the funds in place, I completely believe him and we’ll see what happens.” Expectations for Herta are high as he starts his fourth full season. Although his three wins, five podiums and 391 laps led were all career highs, Herta finished fifth in the final standings. This was two spots lower than he did in 2020. He’s rated too high to not be a serious title contender and Herta’s stock has risen dramatically the last few months - Herta was the closer on his winning class entry at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, then teamed with Jimmie Johnson a week later near the Arctic Circle to lead the United States to a surprising runner-up finish in the Race of Champions.
Riviera has a new president and big events headed its way By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Megan Watanabe first showed up at Riviera when her family bought the club in 1989. She took golf lessons and tennis lessons in the summer, left Japan to attend middle school and eventually went to Pepperdine to study art. She never imagined where it would lead. Watanabe is the first woman to be president of the fabled club. And while Riviera already is regarded as among the best courses on the PGA Tour, it’s about to get a lot more traffic. Riviera celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026 by hosting the US Women’s Open, its first women’s championship. Golf has been confirmed for the Olympics programme for Los Angeles in 2028 and will be played at Riviera. “We’ve always sought majors,” said Watanabe, who spent 10 years as vice president before taking over from her father, Noboru. “In 2017, we had the US Amateur and we continued to look for opportunities. We haven’t had the US Open since 1948.” She said John Bodenhamer, the chief championships officer for the USGA, mentioned changes coming to the US Women’s Open with a big boost in purses and going to more historic clubs. “The things he talked about really interested me,” Watanabe said. “Because we have never hosted a women’s championship, it made sense. Also for the Olympics. I wanted the women to be comfortable and experience Riviera before the Olympics.” Since that 1948 US Open won by Ben Hogan, Riviera has hosted the PGA Championship twice and a US Senior Open. Watanabe has not ruled out another US Open, which would seem like a long shot with the limited property at Riviera for the massive build-out the championship requires.
MLB
FROM PAGE 14 and that an increased number of teams jettisoned higher-salaries veterans and went into rebuilding mode. A day after the union made only small moves in response to management’s incremental proposal of a day earlier, MLB offered players only one change: Teams offered to increase the minimum salary from $570,500 to $640,000, up from their previous proposal of $630,000. The minimum would increase by an additional $10,000 each season during a five-year agreement.
Riviera was on the verge of hosting the US Open in December 2020 with no fans during the peak of the pandemic until the British Open was postponed and the US Open moved from June to September and stayed at Winged Foot. Next year, the US Open goes down the road from Riviera to Los Angeles Country Club, which has 36 holes and ample room. Watanabe preferred a comparison on the other side of the country. Merion had the 2013 US Open and will host again in 2030 and 2050. “Merion is probably about the same size we are. My thinking is if they can do it, I think we can do it,” she said. “Yes, parking is always an issue. If we can have extra property to put in a merchandise tent and corporate tents, it would be great. At the same time, I would pitch a smaller, premium-sized US Open. That might work. That’s what we do well here.” RYDER CUP COMMITTEE Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were part of the first Ryder Cup committee that came out of the infamous task force following the 2014 matches. Woods has been among the three players on the six-member committee ever since as part of a veteran crew. Now the committee is going younger. Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have been added to the committee that includes PGA of America president Jim Richerson, vice president John Lindert and CEO Seth Waugh. Thomas, who has played on the last two teams, said he was surprised to be approached and felt it was an honour. “I feel like it’s important to me,” he said. “I hope to be playing the Ryder Cup the next 20 years. At least if I’m not playing, which I hope to be, I want to be part of it somehow to help us win.” Spieth has played every Ryder Cup since Gleneagles in 2014. “Very excited,” Spieth said. “The job is mainly
Clubs withdrew their proposal for a tiered minimum, which players opposed. Players have asked for $775,000 in 2022 and additional $30,000 jumps each succeeding season. The union evaluated MLB’s proposal as adding $5 million annually to salaries. There was no discussion yesterday on the key issue of luxury tax thresholds and rates, but players voiced their concern over a lack of competition and the need for younger players to get higher salaries earlier in their big league careers. The union proposed a $115 million pool of money that would go to
JOAQUIN NIEMANN, left, of Chile, poses with his trophy next to Megan Watanabe, centre, president of The Riviera Country Club, and Tiger Woods, right, on the 18th green after winning the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, on Sunday in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang) more helping to pick the captain, talk about the players’ experience on and off the golf course, how it can be improved, what frees us up to play our best golf. It was nice having the last Ryder Cup, being on the side of knowing what was successful. I think I can provide useful input having been on four teams.” Spieth said the first meeting was two weeks ago during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. “A lot of them were asking questions to me and Justin,” he said. “The cool part about it was the questions they asked of us, and we were blatantly honest, from clothes we were wearing to ceremonies to how many dinners we’re doing, what kind of recovery tools and methods we had and access to that. It was a good start.” MASTERS CHANGES Tucked away in the annual media guide for the Masters were a few changes to Augusta National that will add 35 yards to the card, extending the course to 7,510 yards. The club said the par-4 11th hole has a tee that
has been moved back 15 yards and to the left, making it play 520 yards. The fairway has been recontoured and several trees have been removed on the right side. The par-5 15th hole has a new tee 20 yards back with the fairway recontoured. That means the par-4 11th will play longer than the par-5 13th, which remains unchanged at 510 yards. There has been speculation the 13th would be lengthened after Augusta National purchased acreage behind it at Augusta Country Club. But while the 11th is longer, Rory McIlroy says that doesn’t mean it will be harder. “I do know they’ve taken the tee back and to the left, so it’s more of a straighter tee shot than a dogleg right,” he said. “They’ve widened the fairway and taken a lot of trees out. Even though it’s a longer hole, they made the tee shot and the second shot a touch easier.” He thought the bigger change was a steeper depression to the right of the green, meaning
players missing there will be a few feet lower than the putting surface. “It will make it trickier,” he said. Asked if he was happy the 13th wasn’t changed, McIlroy smiled and said, “I’d be happy if they left everything alone.” OLYMPICS AT RIVIERA Riviera was the choice for golf in the Olympics. The first step was making sure the Olympics wanted golf. The International Olympic Committee announced ahead of the Beijing Games that golf will be part of the 2028 programme. Among the guests at the Genesis Invitational was Antony Scanlon, executive director of the International Golf Federation. The next question for 2028 is whether Riviera will host two tournaments in one year. LA’s PGA Tour event was held at Valencia in 1998 when Riviera had the US Senior Open. The Los Angeles Open went to Rancho Park in 1983 as Riviera prepared for the PGA Championship. But the PGA Tour and a major were held the same year at Riviera in 1948 (US Open) and 1995 (PGA Championship). The bigger question is whether golf can expand its format to include a mixed-team event. The IOC did not want any changes for Paris in 2024. Los Angeles would be the next chance. STAT OF THE WEEK Jon Rahm had a 73 in the second round at Riviera, ending his streak of 34 consecutive rounds at par or better on the PGA Tour dating to his 71 in the first round at the British Open. During his streak, he had three rounds over par in Spain on the European Tour. FINAL WORD “I can’t wait two or three years. I got to do it fairly soon.” — Bernhard Langer, 64, on trying to break Hale Irwin’s record of 45 wins on the PGA Tour Champions. He won the Chubb Classic for his 43rd title.
MAJOR League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark, left, and chief negotiator Bruce Meyer arrive for contract negotiations at Roger Dean Stadium in Florida yesterday. (Greg Lovett/The Palm Beach Post via AP) 115 pre-arbitration players annually, while the clubs
offered $20 million that would be distributed to 30.
Yankees pitchers Gerrit Cole and Zack Britton joined the talks, two of six members on hand from the union’s executive subcommittee, which supervises the negotiations. They were joined by Scherzer, free agent pitcher Andrew Miller, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, and Houston catcher Jason Castro. Texas infielder Marcus Semien and Boston pitcher James Paxton, the other two members, have not been seen during the talks at Roger Dean Stadium, the vacant spring training home of the Miami Marlins and St Louis Cardinals. After meeting at the start of the day, the sides
NO. 12 UCLA AT OREGON TOPS THE WEEK IN PAC-12 HOOPS THINGS to watch this week in Pac-12 Conference basketball: GAME OF THE WEEK No. 12 UCLA at Oregon, today. The Bruins (20-4, 12-4 Pac-12) have bounced back from a three-point loss to rival No. 16 Southern California with three straight wins to keep conference-leading Arizona within reach. UCLA pulled off an impressive 14-point win over Arizona State on Monday night despite playing without point guard Tyger Campbell (shoulder) and Peyton Watson (knee). The Ducks (17-10, 10-6) are in big need of a win. They seemed to be rounding into form by winning 10 of 11, but have since lost three straight, including an ugly loss to California and a sweep by the Arizona schools. LOOKING AHEAD No. 2 Arizona’s bid for its first regular-season title since 2018 and a No. 1 seed in the Pac-12 tournament goes through the mountain schools this week. The Wildcats (24-2, 14-1), who have a 2 1/2-game lead over UCLA and USC, play Utah on Thursday and Colorado on Saturday. ... Washington and Washington State, rivals clinging to NCAA Tournament hopes, play twice this week, Wednesday in Pullman and Saturday in Seattle. ... Stanford and Cal also renew their rivalry Saturday in Berkeley. The Cardinal won the first game 57-50. INSIDE THE NUMBERS Arizona leads the Pac-12 and is third nationally with 84.8 points per game. ... Utah leads the league in free throw percentage at 78.2. ... Oregon State, which reached the Elite Eight last season, has lost 12 straight games and is 1-14 in Pac-12 play. ... Cal’s Andre Kelly is 11th nationally in shooting percentage at 60.7. PLAYER TO WATCH Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona. The explosive sophomore guard from Montreal was named the Pac-12 player of the week after averaging 22 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in wins over the Oregon schools. It was Arizona’s fifth player of the week honor this season, matching its most in a season. ON THE WOMEN’S SIDE No. 2 Stanford (23-3, 14-0) kept its perfect conference record in tact with a 62-60 win over No. 25 Oregon. The reigning national champions have won 29 straight games against Pac-12 opponents with games against the Washington schools this week to close out the regular season. The Cardinal have already clinched their 25th Pac-12 title and will be the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. ... Washington State’s Johanna Teder was named the Pac-12 player of the week after averaging 20.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in wins over the Arizona schools.
caucused and then had a smaller group meeting that included Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem, Colorado CEO Dick Monfort, Scherzer and Miller. Teams have told the union they will not decrease revenue sharing and will not add new methods for players to accrue service time, which players said are needed to prevent teams from holding players back to delay free agency. Clubs also are refusing to increase arbitration eligibility among players with at least two years of service and less than three, of which the top 22% by service time are eligible. The union wants it expanded to 75%.
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Cavs escape LeBron’s shadow as NBA’s biggest surprise By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — There were sceptics, and they included pretty much anyone who watched the Cavaliers struggle the past three years, who wondered about the team’s “Let ‘Em Know” theme heading into the 2021-22 season. It hardly made sense. After all, the Cavs had plummeted from elite status and back to irrelevancy after LeBron James left for the second time as a free agent following the 2018 season. With just 60 total wins since then, expectations were low. Now, Cleveland’s back in contention. Thanks to a young nucleus led by All-Star guard Darius Garland and rookie sensation Evan Mobley, the acquisition of All-Star centre Jarrett Allen and Kevin Love’s rebirth as a reserve, the Cavaliers are among the Eastern Conference’s elite teams. Even long-time nemesis Draymond Green is impressed. “The biggest surprise team to me is Cleveland, for sure,” the talkative Golden State forward said during All-Star weekend, when the entire league got a glimpse at the Cavs’ talented core. “I don’t think anyone expected them to be this good, and they’re really putting it together. “Obviously in finding a young star in Darius Garland, who is leading the charge. Evan Mobley. They have a great young group of guys. ... They’re going to be good for years to come.” Yes, these Cavs appear to be built to last. They are young, hungry and determined to cut their own path. And they’re certainly way ahead of schedule.
Cleveland hit the AllStar break at 35-23 and fourth in the East. However, the Cavs’ record doesn’t fully reflect what’s been a challenging return to respectability. Like every NBA team, they’ve dealt with their share of COVID-19 issues, injuries, scheduling quirks and the typical season grind. However, the Cavs have persevered despite both leading scorer Collin Sexton and veteran guard Ricky Rubio suffering season-ending knee injuries — losses that threatened to derail this young team. Instead, the adversity has only strengthened the Cavs. At the heart of their renaissance is a toughness and togetherness, values often preached and not always embraced. They have played connected — on offence, defence, and in the locker room. “I haven’t been around a group who doesn’t want to disappoint each other the way this group doesn’t want to disappoint each other,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said following a comeback win last week. “I haven’t been around a group that one through as many guys we’ve had here this year, has celebrated one another the way that this group celebrates one another. “So it’s truly special. And we have to make sure that we keep fostering and helping it grow.” More than any player, Garland’s growth has driven the Cavs’ stunning rise. The baby-faced 22-yearold has developed into one of the league’s best point guards, a combination scorer/playmaker capable of dissecting a defence with his dribble or spreading the
CLEVELAND Cavaliers’ Darius Garland (10) celebrates with teammates Evan Mobley (4) and Jarrett Allen as they hold up their trophies after winning the team shooting part during the skills challenge competition, part of NBA All-Star basketball game weekend, on Saturday in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) floor by knocking down a because it has one of the The Cavs showed during 3-pointer. best players on the planet. the All-Star weekend One of just four players The Cavs are poised to why they intend to do averaging at least 20 points make their first playoff more than just make the and eight assists, Garland’s appearance without James postseason. game took off this summer since 1998. Mobley, the frontrunwhen he played for the “Our guys want to make ner for Rookie of the USA Select Team and our own legacy,” Garland Year, calmly sank a halfagainst the US Olympic said during All-Star Week- court shot to win the squad as it prepared for the end. “I mean, just putting Skills Challenge on Friday. delayed Tokyo Games. Cleveland on the map with- Afterward, he, Garland “When we scrimmaged out LeBron would mean a and Allen posed for photos against the main team, lot to all of us. A rebuild, while holding trophies over that’s where you saw a rebirth in Cleveland. It’s a their heads. different Darius,” said new look, a new feel.” Garland then scored 13 Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Growing pains are points in his All-Star Game who coached Garland. almost certainly ahead for debut, when he and Allen “He was playing extremely a team lacking overall play- were on the floor during well, and everybody in the off experience. the crucial closing minutes gym noticed it, to the point The schedule appears of Team LeBron’s win. when they had injuries they favourable with 14 more They’ve already pulled selected him to continue regular-season games at off one big surprise, and on.” Rocket Mortgage Field- the Cavs believe they just With Garland leading the House, where the roar is might have a few more in way, the Cavs have finally back to LeBron-era levels. them before it’s all over. crawled from the rubble And with their interior size “We have all the pieces left by James’ departure. and relentless defence, the and team chemistry that Cleveland is again a bas- Cavs could be a tough draw we need to go as far as we ketball city, and not just for any team in the East. want,” Mobley said.
Olympics say goodbye to Asia after a star-crossed run By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer BEIJING (AP) — The Olympics have said goodbye to Asia after a star-crossed run, and it’s unclear when they’ll be back after the continent hosted four of the last eight Games. The earliest the Summer Games could return is 2036, and the favourite could be the world’s most populous country — not China, as you might expect, but India. India’s population is expected to overtake China’s 1.4 billion in the next decade, and it is lobbying for the western city of Ahmedabad to be the host city for 2036, with events elsewhere, including New Delhi, the capital. “India is in a race for hosting 2036,” Narinder Batra, president of the Indian Olympic Committee, told The Associated Press. He offered few other details. In a show of support, the IOC has scheduled the annual meeting of its full membership for next year in the western Indian metropolis of Mumbai. It’s a signal the courting has begun. Delivering the pitch: Indian IOC member Nita Ambani, who is married to Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of India’s multinational conglomerate Reliance Industries. The family fortune has been estimated at $100 billion. As it did with China, the IOC can envision India as a new frontier that will yield deep-pocketed sponsors, television rights deals and generous government support. Departing Asia means returning to familiar terrain: the Summer Games in Paris in 2024, the 2026
Winter Games in MilanCortina, and the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. Brisbane is also lined up for the 2032 Summer Olympics, a return to Australia 32 years after Sydney. Brisbane is certain to add cricket to its sports menu and, of course, it would stay in place for India, where the sport has the world’s most fervent following. The Asia focus started with the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a grand comingout party that many hoped would change China. Instead, China used to Games to change how it was viewed. The Asia run enriched the IOC with lucrative billion-dollar sponsorship deals with China’s Alibaba and Japan’s Toyota, put down roots in the world’s most populous continent and featured a return to South Korea 30 years after the 1988 Seoul Olympics were credited with helping to usher in democracy. Asia has also generated consistently bad public relations for the IOC. This includes a state-sponsored doping scandal from the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics that lingers and surfaced again with allegations in Beijing against Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva. There was IOC vote-buying linked to the award of the Tokyo Olympics, which forced the resignation of the head of Japan’s Olympic Committee, Tsunekazu Takeda, and a diplomatic boycott of the just-finished Beijing Games centered on human rights abuses that also dogged Beijing in 2008. Add in the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. This was another nontraditional stop that caused problems.
BANGLADESH RECOVERS TO BEAT AFGHANISTAN IN ODI SERIES OPENER CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (AP) — Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan combined for a national record 174-run partnership in an unbroken seventh wicket stand as Bangladesh recovered from 45-6 to beat Afghanistan by four wickets in the first one-day international yesterday. Both players hit their career-best knocks in the process to frustrate Afghanistan. Afif posted an unbeaten 93, his maiden 50-plus output, and Mehidy added 81 not out as Bangladesh raced to victory with seven balls to spare after Afghanistan was bowled out for 215 in 49.1 overs. “Honestly, I did not believe we could win after 45-6,” Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal said. “But I’m very proud and happy for the two for their incredible innings. Afghanistan have a brilliant attack but Mehidy and Afif did well.” Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi — described by Tamim Iqbal as world’s best — could take only two wickets, with Afif and Mehidy keeping them at bay. Playing only his second ODI, pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi left Bangladesh 18-4 as Afghanistan appeared to have closed the game. Mujeeb (1-32) took the wicket of Shakib (10), who was the only one of Bangladesh’s top six to reach double digits. Rashid Khan (1-30) then claimed the wicket of Mahmudullah with a half tracker, edging Afghanistan closer to its seventh straight ODI victory. But Afif and Mehidy rose when it mattered most. Their strategy to play with caution and aggression served them well and frustrated Afghanistan as the evening dew largely kept the Afghan spin trio ineffective. Afif cut Rashid for a single to reach his half-century off 64 balls. Mehidy pulled pacer Yamin Ahmadzai for boundary through square leg to bring up his second half-century off 79 balls. Farooqi, who finished with 4-54, came back in his second spell hoping to provide the breakthrough but he was also denied as Afif and Mehidy finished the game in style with the former pulling Gulbadin Naib for a boundary though mid-wicket.
ALABAMA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE TRANSGENDER STUDENTS BATHROOM BAN THE ITALIAN flag, right, flies next to Greece, center, and China during the closing ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics on Sunday in Beijing. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) It saw the organising committee face bankruptcy and Carlos Nuzman, the head of the committee, convicted of corruption, money laundering and tax evasion. The former IOC member is appealing. “The IOC I think is viewed as a villain globally at this time, and they have to do something to change their image,” said Robert Baade, a sports economist at Lake Forest College outside Chicago. “I’m not sure that’s going to happen at any time soon.” Baade is the co-author of “Going for Gold: The Economics of the Olympics,” a study that looks at the costs and benefits of the Games. “It’s these little things, the five-star hotels, the elitism, the privilege that the IOC displays — and its eurocentrism,” Baade added. Christophe Dubi, the Olympic Games’ executive director, acknowledged India has expressed strong interest, but declined to
name other countries that have. Several Chinese cities have been mentioned as possibilities, along with Jakarta, Indonesia, Seoul and others. “We have to respect that some are speaking confidentially to us because the public authorities are not fully on board, or sometimes governments are interested but it’s not the right timing,” Dubi said. The IOC no longer runs a wide-open bidding process, instead selecting cities in which it has interest — and vice versa. It puts the selection in the hands of the IOC leadership rather than with IOC members. The 2036 host is unlikely to be picked until after the next IOC presidential election in 2025. The other return to Asia could come with the 2030 Winter Olympics, where Sapporo, Japan — the 1972 Winter host — is probably the favourite. Also in the mix could be Vancouver, Salt Lake City
and a Spanish bid, perhaps from Barcelona. The Japanese news agency Kyodo, citing unidentified sources, has reported that Sapporo and the IOC are in talks and a decision could come before the end of the year. The city has put the cost at $2.4 billion to $2.6 billion. The IOC owes Japan a favour after the one-year delay of the 2020 Olympics cost organisers an added $2 billion. Dubi would not confirm any of this but said the IOC was lucky to have Japan and China organising the last two Olympics in the middle of the pandemic. “I think we were very fortunate to have them as partners,” Dubi said. “I don’t say that others could not have done it. But if you had to pick two countries where it was always doable and where you wouldn’t have doubts that they could pull it off — it’s those two.”
By KIM CHANDLER Associated Press MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday night approved legislation that would bar transgender students from using school bathrooms and locker rooms that match their current gender identity. The bill mandates K-12 schools require students to use multi-person restrooms and locker rooms that match the sex on their original birth certificate. The Alabama House of Representatives voted 74-24 for the bill after two hours of contentious debate where Republicans said it would address an ongoing problem in public schools but opponents said it targets trans youth to score political points. The bill now moves to the Alabama Senate. “Right now, you’ve got males who are dressing up as females, who are identifying themselves as females, and wanting to use the female bathrooms,” Republican Rep. Scott Stadthagen of Hartselle told lawmakers.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, February 24, 2022, PAGE 17
Zverev kicked out of Mexican Open after angry outburst By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ AP Sports Writer ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — Third-ranked Alexander Zverev was thrown out of the Mexican Open for violently smashing his racket on the umpire’s chair moments after losing a doubles match. The incident took place after Zverev and Marcelo Melo lost to Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara 6-2, 4-6, 10-6 on Tuesday night in Acapulco. Zverev struck the umpire’s chair three times, sat for a moment, then got back up and yelled at umpire Alessandro Germani that he “destroyed the whole (expletive) match” and struck the chair once more with his racket as the umpire climbed down. Germani had pulled his feet back at one point for fear of being hit. Minutes earlier, Zverev had received a code violation after yelling and swearing in protest of a shot that was ruled in, setting up match point. Glasspool then ended the match with an ace. “Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco,” the ATP said on Twitter early yesterday. The 24-year-old German was the defending champion in the singles. The ATP website shows that his second-round opponent, Peter Gojowczyk, has been given a walkover. As the crowd booed, Zverev handed his damaged racket to a child in the front row. Zverev apologised in a statement posted on his Instagram account yesterday. “It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behaviour during and after the doubles match yesterday,” he wrote. “I have privately apologised to the chair umpire because my outburst towards him was wrong and unacceptable, and I am only disappointed in myself. It just should not have happened and there is no excuse.” With a possible suspension looming, Zverev also apologised to fans, the tournament, and “the sport that I love.” “As you know, I leave everything on the court,”
ALEXANDER ZVEREV, of Germany, reacts during a match against to Jenson Brooksby of the US at the Mexican Open tennis tournament in Acapulco, Mexico, on Tuesday.
RAFAEL NADAL, of Spain, salutes cheering fans after defeating Denis Kudla of the US at the Mexican Open tennis tournament in Acapulco, Mexico, on Tuesday. (AP Photos/Eduardo Verdugo) he continued. “Yesterday, I left too much. I am going to take the coming days to reflect — on my actions and how I can ensure that it will not happen again. I am sorry for letting you down.” Zverev was playing in Mexico for the fifth time in his career, having won the title in 2021 by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. “It´s a shame for the tournament and for the fans what happened yesterday,” said tournament director Raul Zurutuza. “However, unsportsmanlike conducts are unacceptable. The rule book is clear about it and it has to be enforced.”
Earlier, Daniil Medvedev continued his pursuit of the No. 1 ranking with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Benoit Paire to move into the second round. The 26-year-old Russian can overtake Novak Djokovic for the top spot in the men’s rankings if he wins the title here. Medvedev, who won the 2021 US Open and was a runner-up to Rafael Nadal last month at the Australian Open, is playing in Mexico for the first time. “It’s not easy to come back after some rest and some time off competition,” said Medvedev, who rallied from a break down in the second set. “I managed to fight until the end
Djokovic beats Khachanov in Dubai for 2nd win of year DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Topranked Novak Djokovic won his second match — and first tiebreaker — of the year when he beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (2) yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Dubai Championships. Djokovic couldn’t defend his Australian Open title last month because he was deported from the country for not being vaccinated against the coronavirus. The 34-year-old Serb said he’s missed playing competitively. “This is my life, this is what I’ve known to do and I still keep on going for the last 20 years almost,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview after beating his Russian opponent. “Professional tennis is my love. I enjoy travelling, I enjoy playing, I enjoy hopefully bringing some positive emotions and memories to people that come to watch.”
SERBIA’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after he beats Russia’s Karen Khachanov during a match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, yesterday. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) Djokovic is a five-time winner at the event. He will next play Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely, who advanced by beating eighth-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-4. American qualifier Mackenzie McDonald beat Filip Krajinovic 6-4, 7-6 (7) to set up a quarterfinal against second-seeded
Andrey Rublev of Russia. McDonald had upset another Russian, seventhseeded Aslan Karatsev, in the first round. Rublev, who won the Open 13 tournament in Marseille on Sunday, reached the quarterfinals by beating Soonwoo Kwon 4-6, 6-0, 6-3.
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against a very tough opponent and I’m happy that I managed to win.” He next plays Pablo Andujar, who beat Alex Hernandez 6-0, 6-1. If Medvedev wins this tournament, or if he reaches the Acapulco final and Djokovic does not win the title at Dubai, he will become the first player other than Djokovic, Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray to hold the top spot since 2004. He said he’s thinking about the milestone, but acknowledged that it might not happen next week. “I know that in the next three tournaments it can be a possibility and that’s
why I’m going to try to do this, because it’s not a dream anymore, it’s a goal,” he said. “And I will try to play well in the next three tournaments to achieve it.” The likely biggest challenge for Medvedev in Mexico could be fourthseeded Nadal, who opened with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Denis Kudla. Nadal, who has won titles in Acapulco in 2005, ‘13 and ‘20, faced Stefan Kozlov last night. Medvedev could meet Nadal for the first time since the Australian Open final in the Acapulco semifinals. Nadal rallied to win the final at Melbourne Park in five sets to capture a men’s-record 21st Grand Slam singles title, breaking a tie with Federer and Djokovic. It also prevented Medvedev from becoming the first man in the Open era to win his second major title at the very next Grand Slam event. Nadal initially said after winning the Australian title that he was considering skipping Acapulco to rest his body in order to play at Indian Wells but later decided to travel to Mexico once again. “In the last few years I have played less tournaments ... and now I do it where I feel like, and at this stage in my career, this is a place (that) leaves me feeling good,” Nadal said. Unlike Medvedev, the 35-year-old Nadal said the top ranking is no longer something he craves. “That time has passed for me. I think that all my physical problems took that chance away from me and I´m no longer chasing that goal. It would be a mistake for me to chase it,” he said. “If I can do it while playing only on the tournaments that I can, I would be very happy.” He said that’s unlikely, given the number and quality of the younger players who can participate in more tournaments than he can. In other matches Tuesday, Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Laslo Djere 7-6 (7) 7-6 (4), Tommy Paul advanced to a meeting with Dusan Lajovic when fifth-seeded Matteo Berrettini retired from their match in the second set because of an abdominal injury, and Yoshihito Nishioka beat Feliciano Lopez 2-6, 6-0, 6-4.
EMMA RADUCANU, of Britain, in action. (AP Photo/Refugio Ruiz)
RESTRAINING ORDER FOR STALKER OF TENNIS STAR RADUCANU LONDON (AP) — A man who was found guilty of stalking US Open tennis champion Emma Raducanu was given a five-year restraining order yesterday. Amrit Magar, a 35-yearold former delivery driver from London, also was sentenced to an 18-month community service order that includes 200 hours of unpaid work. He will be under curfew for eight weeks and monitored by an electronic tag. Magar went to the 19-year-old Raducanu’s home on three separate dates late last year, loitered outside, left unwanted gifts and cards, and stole property from the porch, a trial heard last month. On one occasion, he decorated a tree in the front garden with Christmas lights. He also left a bouquet of flowers with a personal note. Another time, he drew a map to show the 23 miles (37 kilometres) he had walked from his home. Magar was arrested after Raducanu’s father was alerted by a doorbell camera, finding his shoe had been taken from the porch. He was found guilty at the trial at Bromley Magistrates’ Court. Raducanu shot to fame last year by winning the US Open as a qualifier in September, for one of the most unlikely sporting achievements of all time. Two months earlier, she had reached the fourth round of Wimbledon, also as a qualifier. The trial heard that Magar told police officers he had been drawn to Raducanu “because of her high-profile status after her victory in the US Open” and had taken the shoe believing it belonged to her as a “souvenir.” The order bans Magar from contacting Raducanu or her parents, coming within a mile of their street and attending any sports ground, stadium or training facility where she is in competition or attending to practice.
PAGE 18, Thursday, February 24, 2022
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BFA returns, hosts Love of Soccer Valentine’s Cup 8v8 tournament THE Bahamas Football Association has returned to competitive local soccer play with the hosting of the Love of Soccer Valentine’s Cup 8v8 Tournament that started this weekend at the Roscow AL Davies Soccer Complex. The last competitive matches played locally were on March 15, 2020 when COVID-19 arrived on our shores, according to a BFA press release. “Since then, the BFA and its members have been working hard at staying safe and following the government’s COVID-19 protocols. Clubs and officials are excited to return to play and are adhering to the regulations outlined in the tournament rules and regulations. “The tournament is a vaccination event and all players, officials, organisers, referees and limited spectators had to be fully vaccinated and provide a negative antigen test to participate in the event,” said the release. “Additionally, the event is a masked one where participants must wear masks if they are not actively involved in play on the pitch. “Social distancing and sanitising protocols are being enforced. There were a number of spectators who watched the matches through the fence.” The tournament format is a round robin affair of small sided games with modified times. “There were men’s, womens, under-18 boys and under-17 girls teams participants taking part in the two-weekend tournament. The 8v8 games were exciting and fast moving,” said the release. The tournament is expected to conclude the weekend of March 6 with the playoffs and finals being held and awards being handed out at the end. “Following this event, the Bahamas Football Association then turns their attention to the under 15 and 13 age groups. In addition, this tournament saw the return of women’s soccer after years of non-play.
LIVERPOOL WITHIN THREE POINTS OF CITY IN EPL AFTER ROUTING LEEDS By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer
PLAY ACTION: Aspiring soccer players compete in the Bahamas Football Association’s Love of Soccer Valentine’s Cup 8v8 Tournament that got started this past weekend at the Roscow AL Davies Soccer Complex. Photos: Guilden Gilbert
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LIVERPOOL hasn’t been this close to Manchester City since Christmas Day. The gap is now down to three points in the Premier League title race — which once looked heavily in favour of City — after Liverpool demolished Leeds 6-0 yesterday. Mohamed Salah, naturally, inflicted most of the damage by scoring two goals from the penalty spot and playing a part in two more. Sadio Mane also scored twice. Liverpool has finally caught up to City in games — they’ve both played 26 in the 38-game season — and nearly on points. With Liverpool still to visit City’s Etihad Stadium on April 10, there’s little to choose between the top two — the last two winners of English football’s biggest prize. At one stage in the middle of January, City held a 13-point lead, though Liverpool always had games in hand and just needed to keep in sight of the defending champions. On a run of six straight victories, Jurgen Klopp’s team has done just that and looks in prime shape heading into Sunday’s League Cup final against Chelsea. “I think for people outside, it is better to have three or six-point gap than to have a 20 or 30-point gap so it is more exciting,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said of the title race, “but we have to win a lot of the games against all the difficult opponents and that will be a tricky task. “We will give it a try.” Salah’s league-high goal total is up to 19 after being gifted two penalty chances by Leeds’ frail defence that has now conceded 16 goals in the team’s last four games. Stuart Dallas blocked Andrew Robertson’s cross with his hand to give away the first spot kick that was dispatched by Salah in the 15th minute. Salah slipped in Joel Matip, marauding forward from centre back, for the second goal in the 30th and then converted a second penalty five minutes later after Luke Ayling tripped Sadio Mane, who was bearing down on goal. Mane added two late goals while there was also time for Virgil van Dijk to head home a corner in the third minute of stoppage time.
Manchester United scores late to salvage 1-1 draw with Atlético By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — Atlético Madrid got nearly everything it wanted against Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday — except for the win. Atlético kept old foe Cristiano Ronaldo in check and got a stellar performance from his Portugal teammate João Félix, but a defensive lapse near the end meant Diego Simeone’s team had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the round of 16. Félix — once touted as the next Ronaldo — was the most dangerous forward and put the hosts ahead with a diving header seven minutes into the match, but substitute Anthony Elanga equalized in the 80th shortly after coming off the bench in one of the few times the Atlético defense broke down. “I think it was my first touch,” said Elanga, who became United’s youngestever scorer in the knockout stage at 19 years, 302 days. “I’ve dreamt of moments like this, scoring in the Champions League against a top team like Atlético Madrid.” Atlético was in control during most of the match at the Wanda Metropolitano and twice hit the crossbar, including with an 86thminute shot by Antoine Griezmann. “They took advantage of a mistake in what was a very good game for us,” Simeone said. “We did almost everything right the entire match. We couldn’t win but I’m happy with how we played and it’s all wide open for the second game.”
MANCHESTER United’s Anthony Elanga, bottom, celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the Champions League, round of 16, first leg soccer match against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) The return leg will be on Champions League goal March 15 in England. against United since RonIn the other round-of-16 aldo found the net for match Wednesday, Ben- Juventus against the Engfica and Ajax drew 2-2 in lish side in November 2018. Portugal. It was Félix’s seventh “After the performance Champions League goal in the first half it could only in 20 appearances in the get better,” United coach competition, and first since Ralf Rangnick said. “What 2020. we played in the first half With the 37-year-old — I still can’t believe it. We Ronaldo well defended and played without conviction not being able to connect and the necessary aggres- with his teammates, United sion against the ball.” seemed beaten until Elanga Ronaldo, who several broke free to find the net times ended Atlético’s from inside the area after a title hopes in the Champi- nice through ball from playons League when he was maker Bruno Fernandes, with crosstown rival Real the competition’s assists Madrid, struggled through- leader with seven. out the match and was Elanga had entered the visibly frustrated. Isolated match five minutes earup front, he was booed by lier and took advantage of the Atlético fans nearly the rare space given up by every time he touched the the Atlético defence, scorball at the Metropolitano. ing United’s 500th goal in Félix was much more the competition previously dangerous for Atlético, known as the European constantly threatening with Cup. his quick turns and strong “We are a bit disapruns. pointed, we didn’t deserve The 21-year-old forward a draw,” Atlético defender opened the scoring with José María Giménez said. a powerful header off a “We did everything we had well-placed cross by Renan to do to win. We defended Lodi. The ball came off well and created scoring the post before going in to chances in attack. They make Félix the first Por- scored on a casual goal and tuguese player to score a we didn’t deserve that.”
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, February 24, 2022, PAGE 19
LASHANN Higgs finished with a season high 20 points and seven rebounds for her team, Lointek Gernika Bizkaia, right.
Lashann Higgs scores season high 20 points By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net LASHANN Higgs had her most productive outing of the season since she made her return to the Liga Femenina Endesa - the top division of women’s basketball in Spain. Higgs finished with a season high 20 points and seven rebounds for Lointek Gernika Bizkaia in a 68-63 loss to Estudiantes. Gernika fell to 8-8 on the season, just outside of the playoff picture - ninth in the standings. In nine games with the club since she was signed as a mid-season acquisition, Higgs is averaging 9.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in just over 18 minutes per game. Some of her top performances have included 15 points in a 72-62 loss to Valencia, 10 points and four rebounds in a 85-61 win over Leganes and nine points against her former team Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre PDM. The Harbour Island native began the year playing in Germany before the move to Spain. She played just two games with Rutronik Stars Keltern Damen-Basketball-
Bundesliga (DBBL), the premier women’s basketball league in Germany. Higgs averaged just 10.5 minutes per game in the two contests and scored 3.5 points per game for a Rutronik team that claimed the 2020-21 title with a 21-3 regular season record and an undefeated 7-0 run in the playoffs. She spent her rookie season of pro basketball last year with Bembibre PDM in the Liga Femenina Endesa. Higgs, the team’s most valuable player, earned several Player of the Week honours and finished as the third leading scorer in the league at 15.8 points per game on 54 percent shooting from the field. She also shot 33 percent from threepoint range, 76 percent from the free throw line and was third on the team at 4.2 rebounds per game. Higgs, the former Texas Longhorn, signed with Sports International Group (SiG) following an accolade-filled collegiate career. She played in 137 games as a Longhorn with 52 as a starter. She ranked as the seventh all-time in Longhorns’ history for games played and 28th in career points scored with a total of 1,288.
PAGE 20, Thursday, February 24, 2022
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EuroLeague: Jonquel Jones leads the Foxes to undefeated season By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net JONQUEL Jones led UMMC Ekaterinburg to an undefeated regular season and the top overall seed in FIBA EuroLeague Women’s play. Jones finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds in Ekaterinburg’s 104-65 win over MBA Moscow yesterday at UMMC Sport Palace in Ekaterinburg, Russia. The reigning WNBA MVP shot an efficient 9-12
from the field, 1-2 from beyond the arc, and was a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line. In 11 EuroLeague games, Jones is averaging a teamleading 17.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. She currently has the best efficiency rating among all players at 23.5. Ekaterinburg finished the regular season 14-0 as the EuroLeague’s only undefeated team and at the top of the Group A Standings. The EuroLeague
quarterfinals is scheduled for March 8-16 with the semifinals on April 8 and final on April 10. The Foxes, favoured to repeat as EuroLeague champions for the seventh consecutive year, boasts a roster that also includes Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm), Allie Quigley (Chicago Sky) and Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky). Jones’ extended offseason last year included three championship titles with
JONQUEL Jones finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds in Ekaterinburg’s 104-65 win over MBA Moscow at UMMC Sport Palace in Ekaterinburg, Russia, yesterday. the Foxes. They claimed their sixth FIBA Women’s EuroLeague title. The Foxes’ season of milestones also included the Russian Premier League title for the 15th time in club history, and for the 13th consecutive season, along with the RFB Super Cup. Jones’ return to UMMC follows her leading her Bosnia and Herzegovina programme to a FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 qualification. Jones led BIH to a 1-1 record and was named TISSOT MVP and a member of the All-Tournament team at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament last weekend in Osaka, Japan. The reigning WNBA MVP continues to solidify
her place as one of the best players in the world and averaged 25.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 52 percent from the field and 44 percent from three. In game one she finished with 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in a 96-64 loss to Canada. In the tournament clincher, she finished with 36 points and 23 rebounds in an 87-82 win over the host country. She shot 14-24 from the field, 2-6 from three-point range and also added four assists in 39 minutes. Despite her recent success and staking a claim as the best women’s basketball player in the world, Jones took to social media to
voice her displeasure on the lack of opportunities she has received. “It’s all a popularity contest and politics in [women’s basketball]. In [men’s basketball] you just gottah be the best. In [women’s basketball] you gottah be the best player, best looking, most marketable, most IG followers, just to sit at the endorsement table. Thank God for [playing] overseas because my bag would’ve been fumbled. “I’m glad they pay me what I’m worth and see the value in me simply being one of the best at my craft,” Jones said in a series of tweets. “Not to mention me being a black lesbian woman. Lord the seats disappearing from the table as I speak.”