Category Archives: Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Iram Lewis yesterday outlined his ministrys plan to reintroduce the Bahamas Games with the hope of providing exposure for Family Island athletes.

During his contribution to the 2021-22 fiscal budget communication in Parliament, Lewis said the plans for the sixth edition of the Bahamas Games have already begun and that a launch date would be announced in the very near future.

I am excited to announce that my ministry is preparing for the sixth edition of the Bahamas Games, a national, Olympic-style, multisport program designed to promote national unity among the people of The Bahamas, Lewis said.

The first Bahamas Games were held in 1989, and the last one in 2001, some 20 years ago. The attempt to host such an event every two or three years was interrupted by the economic and physical impact of a number of hurricanes and other international events.

All previous versions of the games were successful in their intent as reflected by the revelation of world-class talent in Nassau and in the Family Islands. It is our chance to bring them to Nassau and give them the exposure theyll need to develop. The upcoming edition of the Bahamas Games will coincide with the anniversary of our nations golden jubilee, or 50th anniversary of Independence in July 2023.

To be as inclusive as possible, Lewis said the ministry will put together a Bahamas Games secretariat, which will be made up of volunteers from sporting federations and associations around the country.

We will not be able to host these games without the support of every Bahamian and corporate Bahamas. I encourage everyone from every party to step up to the plate, Lewis added.

Previous versions of the Bahamas Games featured several sporting disciplines, including track and field, baseball and basketball. Athletes represented their respective islands and competed against other islands.

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Lewis says Bahamas Games will return in 2023 Eye Witness News - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme DrNikkiah Forbessaid yesterday that slowing of new coronavirus cases in The Bahamas was a positive sign, but it was too early to determine if the country was turning the curve of the third wave.

In an interview with Eyewitness News, Forbes said other indicators such as the positivity rate, the seven-day average to eliminate daily variability; hospitalizations, as well as COVID-related deaths, gave pause for continued concern.

Those are some of the other metrics that we monitor to have an idea of what is happening in the outbreak.

As you have correctly identified, over the past two weeks there has been a slight decrease in the number of cases as it relates to weekly number of cases.

However, let me point out that there is a percentage positivity rate this last week of 11 percent down from 14 percent, so there is a slight improvement in that.

But hospitalizations are unchanged. Hospitalizations tend to lag behind and were still recording deaths.

The deaths are still continuing to be recorded that gives us an indication when youre having persons who are critically ill and dying we know there are other numbers of persons who are asymptomatic with mild disease who may not be coming forward.

In the last week, 149 new infections have been recorded 37 last Wednesday, 42 last Thursday, 15 last Friday, 17 on Saturday, 20 on Sunday, three on Monday and 25 on Tuesday.

In the week before, 246 new infections were recorded, a decline of 39 percent.

However, 41 cases remain hospitalized, three of which were in the Intensive Cre Unit at Doctors Hospital.

Two more people, a 64-year-old woman of New Providence, and a 62-year-old man from Abaco, died last Wednesday and on Sunday respectively as a result of the virus.

The latest deaths pushed total COVID-related deaths in the nation to 234.

Another 55 cases died from other illnesses and 28 deaths remain under investigation.

A total of 100,530 RT PCR COVID tests have been performed In The Bahamas to date.

According to the Ministry of Health, 353 tests were performed on Tuesday, of which five were repeated tests and four had inconclusive results.

This placed the nations positivity rate for the virus on Tuesday at just over seven percent, more than the World Health Organizations recommended five percent.

The Bahamas positivity rate earlier stood at around 14 percent in recent weeks, however, as pointed out by Forbes.

It is good that the seven-day average or the weekly cases are going down a bit, but were not out of the woods yet because there are still metrics that are concerning, said Forbes, who noted that adherence to public health measures and vaccinations will go a long way.

More than 62,000 people have been vaccinated.

Of the 12,052 total cases since the onset of the pandemic in mid-March 2020, 654 remain active.

The Bahamas flattened the curve of the second wave in February.

The second wave began in early July 2020.

Breaches of the emergency orders, international travel and the presence of new strains have been attributed in part to the third wave of the virus.

The Bahamas has yet to determine which additional COVID variants or variants exist in-country, though health officials have said it is believed certain strains arrived on the countrys shores as of March.

Asked how concerning was this, Forbes said: We have to determine if these variant strains are in-country. There are countries where these strains are undermining progress in the fight against COVID-19 including vaccinations, so we do need to have that information, so we can mitigate against that.

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NOT THERE YET: Forbes says The Bahamas remains in third wave, despite positive signs - EyeWitness News

6-Banner Sunday is Inside the Halls weekly newsletter in partnership withThe Assembly Call. Nearly 8,000 Indiana fans receive the newsletter each week. In addition to appearing each week on the site, you can also opt to receive 6-Banner Sunday by email. A form to subscribe via email is available at the bottom of this weeks 6-Banner Sunday.

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production betweenThe Assembly CallandInside the Hallwhere we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

Indianas offseason continues to hum along this week with more good news surrounding the Hoosier basketball program. The biggest item we learned is Indiana is headed on a mid-August trip to the Bahamas for a pair of exhibition games.

We also have a closer look at incoming freshman Logan Duncomb, Tamar Batess arrival in Bloomington, some official recruiting visits set for June and an NCAA rule change.

Also, on this weeks Assembly Call Radio, we are joined by special guest Mark Titus to discuss Mike Krzyzewskis retirement and IUs offseason in general.

Indiana is headed to the Bahamas Freshman Focus: Logan Duncomb Tamar Scoop Bates arrives in Bloomington Four class of 2022 official visits set for June NCAA rules change allows non-coaching staff members to work with players Hoosier Roundup

In easily the biggest news of the week, the Hoosiers are headed to the Bahamas for a pair of exhibition games in August.

This is a great chance for the new staff to get some extra practice time in and for the players to gain some experience playing together before the season begins.

Inside the Hall took a closer look at incoming freshmen Logan Duncomb this week. Duncomb is the 6-foot-10 big man from Cincinnati Moeller High School. Duncombs arrival provides the Hoosiers some much-needed depth in the frontcourt.

Before Indiana made the change from Miller to Woodson, it looked likely that Duncomb would play a major role as a freshman. Jackson-Davis seemed to be on his way to pursue a professional career, which would have thrust Duncomb into a prominent role in his first season.

But Woodsons ability to keep Jackson-Davis in the fold, retain Thompson and add Durr should give Duncomb a chance for some development time as a freshman.

There is some speculation that Duncomb may have a hard time competing for minutes as a freshman, but the opportunity is going to be there for him to earn his way into the rotation. Having frontcourt depth is always a good thing. Foul trouble and injuries can sneak up on a team, and having another big to plug into the frontcourt is a luxury.

Tamar Scoop Bates arrived in Bloomington this week, ready to begin his career as an Indiana Hoosier. It was refreshing to see how Scoop and his family are already embracing the Hoosier fanbase. So refreshing that I (Matt Moore) wrote a story about it for Busting Brackets. All indications are that Scoop is going to be an instant fan favorite in Bloomington.

Scoop also made an appearance on AJ Guytons podcast, House of Hoosier. If you get a chance, take a little time to listen to the episode.

The month of June is going to be a big recruiting month for the Indiana coaching staff. Four 2022 recruits have visits scheduled for June.

Among the prospects scheduled to visit are Kaleb Banks, Justin Taylor, Kyle Filipowski and Jalen Hood-Schifino.

This week the NCAA announced a waiver that will allow non-coaching staff members to provide instruction to players this summer.

The decision was made to allow the coaching staff to be on the road recruiting during the summer recruiting period this year while ensuring the players will continue to receive instruction. It will be interesting to see how Indiana is able to leverage this waiver.

By Aaron (Ari) Shifron

Baseball closed their disappointing end to the season on a high note with a victory over Maryland. However, it was too little too late to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament. As a result, the Hoosiers will not participate in postseason play for just the second time in eight years. On a happier note, several players were honored by the Big Ten.

Mens Soccer had two athletes awarded CoSIDA Academic Honors. One of those players announced they will be back at IU for another year.

Womens Soccer had their goalie earn a similar academic honor.

Womens Basketball had a player named to represent Australia in the U19 World Cup Selection Camp

Football had the Scholar Athlete of the Month and a former all-time great put on the College Football Hall of Fame Ballot.

Several Hoosiers were selected to USA Divings High Performance Squad.

Mens Golf had a participant selected a PING All-Region Honor.

Water Polo had three Hoosiers earn ACWPC All-American Honors.

The Hoosiers as a whole are in 14th place in the Learfield Directors Cup when all 24 sports are combined.

Thanks for your continued support for The Assembly Call. Well be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Matt Moore (@MattHoopsGuy1)Staff WriterThe Assembly Call

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6-Banner Sunday: Indiana set for Bahamas trip and recruiting heats up this month - Inside the Hall

The past weekend was about as good as it gets for USMNT fans. The result top of mind will be the exhilarating, tumultuous triumph against Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League final. But there was another interesting result that happened in the Caribbean that American fans might have missed.

Trinidad and Tobago has been eliminated from World Cup contention.

The country that has haunted the dreams of American soccer fans for the past four years cant hurt the USMNT anymore. Shockingly, Trinidad and Tobago fell at the first hurdle of Concacafs World Cup qualification process after failing to top its respective group.

Trinidad and Tobago had the highest FIFA ranking in Group F, sitting at 103 in the world. Filling out the rest of Group F were elite soccer nations like St. Kitts and Nevis (135), Guyana (165), Puerto Rico (178) and the Bahamas (201).

In an odd twist of fate, Trinidad and Tobago needed a result against bottom of the group Bahamas to have a chance to advance to the next round. A win against Bahamas would've set up a winner-takes-all showdown against St. Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday.

The situation was eerily similar to the USMNTs failure against Trinidad and Tobago four years ago. Get a result against the team bottom of the group and hope to advance. The Bahamas had nothing to play for. The ninth-worst soccer nation in the world had failed to score a single goal in qualification and had a -15 goal differential.

But the Bahamas national team dug their heels into their native soil and held off every Trinidad onslaught that came their way. Incredibly, the minnows of the Caribbean thwarted the favorites at every twist and turn. One last Trinidad and Tobago attack fell short and just like that, the group favorites were eliminated.

Americans can finally rest easy knowing that 2022 World Cup qualifying wont see the USMNT have to travel back to Trinidad and Tobago.

To celebrate the incredible defensive performance of the Bahamas, I shall play A$AP Mobs song "Bahamas".

Way to go Bahamas. The United States sends its regards.

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USMNT Fans No Longer Have To Sleep With One Eye Open; Trinidad Has Been Slain - The18

(Photo : SpaceX)

SpaceX's most prolific and veteran drone ship finally departed Port Canaveral several days right after the preparations seem to have begun. It is a few-thousand-mile travel period starting from Florida, with California as the leading destination.

The drone ship is famous for its name -- Of Course, I Still Love You (OCISLY).

Its name came from one of the late Iain Banks' books called "Culture Universe." This specific drone ship took part in supporting its first Falcon booster landing back in March 2016, and it successfully recovered one booster after two months.

Within the span of five years after its inaugural ocean landing, OCISLY has successfully assisted 52 attempted Falcon booster landings. It also recovered Falcon 9's first stages 45 times, and all of its recoveries occurred in the deep areas of the Atlantic Ocean.

Before OCISLY's launch, another drone ship called Just Read The Instructions (JRTI) was transferred from the Port of Los Angeles to Port Canaveral. It was then inspected and gravely upgraded from August 2019 to May 2020.

SpaceXrelocated it to give their East Coast fleet a new pair of drone ships, enabling a launch boost that is otherwise unachievable. This decision ultimately allowed SpaceXto use both of the drone ships efficiently.

As a result, they got a total of 35 successful booster recoveries in just 12 months ever since JRTI entered the mission, together with OCISLY on the East Coast.

However, the private space agency once again needs a drone ship on the West Coast to support their rising polar Starlink launches, and missions for the U.S. government. It is essential to know that they just finished two launches outside Vandenberg Air/Space Force Base or VAFB within the last 24 months.

Read Also: SpaceX's Starlink to Power and Improve In-Flight WiFi, Talks with 'Several' Airlines - Aviation Satellite-Powered Internet Coming?

According to Teslarati, SpaceX targets one VAFB launch each month. The first phase of the Starlink constellation, 4,400 satellites, will need at least two dozens of dedicated Falcon 9 launches to complete three shells of polar-orbiting spacecraft.

When the constellation is finally hooked with laser interlinks, the polar-orbiting Starlink satellites will officially assist SpaceX in delivering internet anywhere within the Earth's vicinity. At the same time, they can also start enabling access to rising markets focused on in-flight and maritime connections.

Teslarati mentioned that NextSpaceFlight and SpaceXFleet.com's Michael Baylor recently confirmed that the OCISLY drone ship would travel to the Bahamas right before flying to the Panama Canal.

Based on his statement, he added that OCISLY would be transferred by a semi-submersible, heavy-lift apparatus called Mighty Servant One.

Despite having usual duties such as lifting numerous stacked barges and building-sized gas and oil equipment, Mighty Servant One will now transport the drone shop throughout the Panama Canal, going to Port of Long Beach.

The reason behind it is not precisely apparent.

However, using a transporter such as Mighty Servant One could expedite the entire journey by at least 30% despite being expensive. It also makes placing a 53-meter-wide barge right through a 55-meter-wide canal easier to process. The trip also allows SpaceXto stay true to their schedule, kicking off West Coast Starlink by July.

Related Article: Sirius XM Digital Radio Satellite Successfully Returned by Falcon 9, Acing Nighttime Landing at Sea

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Fran Sanders

2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

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SpaceX Drone Ship Travels to the Bahamas Before Flying to California - Tech Times

SportsJelani BecklesSaturday 5 June 2021TT men's football team coach Terry Fenwick (fifth from right) speaks to his squad during a training session at Nassau, Bahamas on Thursday. - TTFA Media

SOCA Warriors were eliminated in the first round of the 2022 World Cup-qualifying campaign after a 0-0 draw against the Bahamas at the Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas, on Saturday.TT needed a win to stay in contention in Group F, but Saturdays result means the Soca Warriors have five points after earning one win and two draws. St Kitts/Nevis will advance as the group winner as the tiny Caribbean island are on nine points with one match remaining.The match between TT and St Kitts/Nevis on Tuesday will be a warm-up match for the latter as they prepare for the next round of competition. TT squandered several opportunities against a well organised Bahamas outfit.

The Bahamas packed their defence which worked for the team ranked 201st in the world. Bahamas goalkeeper Ian Lowe was one of the players of the match as he kept TT at bay throughout the contest. TT wasted numerous opportunities to take the lead in the first half including an effort by Andre Fortune in the 35th minute. Fortune collected the ball from just outside the box but his shot just missed the target.

The Bahamas created chances of their own as in the 36th minute Lesly St Fleur almost gave the home team the lead with a brilliant solo effort. He evaded three TT players, but his attempt went wide.With five minutes left in the first half, Lowe continued to be the hero for the Bahamas with two more incredible saves. In the final minute of the half, Marcel Josephs effort was just outside the box forced TT goalkeeper Adrian Foncette to make a top save.

The second half was similar to the first half as TT continued to attack without any luck. TT midfielder Duane Muckette got two chances in the first six minutes, the second a shot from outside the box that failed to hit the target.Bahamas maintained the same strategy that worked for them in the first half by defending in numbers and hitting TT on the counterattack. TT continued to press with TT head coach Terry Fenwick introducing many substitutes in an attempt to salvage a goal. Khaleem Hyland, TTs captain in earlier qualifying matches, along with Judah Garcia, Daniel Phillips and Daniel Carr came on.

TT attacked and attacked some more with Neveal Hackshaw hitting the post with a header in the 80th minute. Carr also missed a header in the 86th minute as time started to run out on TTs chances of staying alive in World Cup qualifying. It was not meant to be as the Bahamas held on for the draw.Following the match, Fenwick said, First of all I have got to hand to Bahamas...they wore their hearts on their sleeve, they fought for every ball and they grinded out a result. I am very disappointed for us in TT, squandering multiple opportunities with the quality of players that weve got in the squad this is a big disappointment.

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Published in[UPDATE] Trinidad and Tobago knocked out World Cup qualifying by Bahamas - TT Newsday

GLENNETT Fowler delivering the commencement address.

GRADUATES of the University of The Bahamas North in Grand Bahama have overcome tremendous adversity to complete their academic journeys and become members of the 2021 Commencement Class.

Thursday, June 3, was a proud day for those graduates, their families and friends as UB celebrated their achievements and sacrifices in a virtual commencement ceremony.

UB North Campus president Dr Ian Strachan praised the graduates and challenged them to use their knowledge and university experiences to make a positive difference in the world. He called them victorious for having tapped into new springs of energy, ingenuity and resolve. The new grads had to overcome the upheaval of being relocated from their East Grand Bahama campus, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Dorian, and had to quickly adapt to remote education as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal of a university education is not to get you a job as some may think at the heart of it, your educations deeper purpose has been to train your mind, to teach you how to think, to build in you the capacity to problem solve and to invent for yourself and for your generation, better ways of being and doing, he said.

Your country needs you, your world needs you. It is a divided world. It is a world where different versions of truth wage war, and where power is too often heartless and over proud. UB believes in you. I believe you.

Graduates completed programmes in the schools of business and hospitality management, education, chemistry, environmental and life sciences and social sciences.

Glennett Fowler, commencement guest speaker, president and CEO of FOWLCO Ltd, a marine logistics company, encouraged the newest members of the UB alumni community to use their creativity as a beacon to guide their next pursuits and to solve problems.

You must resolve that you will create your own opportunities. Everyone does not have to become an entrepreneur to lead or to create. In whatever path chosen you must not settle for the accepted pattern, but bring change to the way business is done and create change through your work and its execution, she said. Rethink industries. Look at what we are not maximising or look at what does not exist. Create, innovate and watch them celebrate you.

She shared insights as a wife, mother and corporate leader to encourage the commencement class to set and achieve goals that will bring about transformation.

We can no longer afford to be left behind because of an unwillingness to change and adapt to the opportunities that will soon present themselves to us. Believe that in this moment, as you receive your degree, that your world will change for better, said Mrs Fowler. Do not miss out on what life has to offer you because you are watching what it offers someone else. Create the future that you want and be mindful that we need each of you to be a catalyst and a renegade for a better, brighter and more prosperous Bahamas.

Primary education graduate Dion McKinney, who earned the UB-North Campus Award for Academic Excellence, delivered impassioned reflections on behalf of the commencement class.

He praised the tenacity and perseverance of his fellow graduates and challenged them to embrace challenge and change.

Class of 2021, it is important to note that whatever we do and wherever we go on this journey called life, we must take time out for ourselves. Talk to yourself, work on yourself and empower yourself. Just think about it; there is no one on planet Earth with the exact genetic make-up as you, so out of every single person in this world no one is exactly like you and for that, graduates, you are a treasure, he noted.

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A long journey - but University of the Bahamas graduates reach their commencement - Bahamas Tribune

Excitement reigns as we are just days away from a cruise restart from the Bahamas. Royal Caribbeans Adventure of the Seas sailed into the port of Nassau on Tuesday in preparation of what can be reasonably called a significant moment in the restart of cruises in North America.

It has been a long 15 months since we saw ships sailing from the Bahamas, and the arrival of Adventure of the Seas is received with a warm Bahamian welcome.

Adventure of the Seas will sail on a series of 7-Night Bahamas & Perfect Day cruises from Nassau starting June 12, the first ship in the fleet to sail in North America since March of 2020. The arrival of the ship was fittingly celebrated by the port of Nassau with a traditional water salute from the Nassau Harbor Pilots Association.

Nassau, Bahamas Travel Tips: What You Need to Know

Mike Maura, the CEO of Nassau Port, reported the following: We couldnt be happier. This vessel and all the hope that this first voyage will carry out to sea on Saturday have been a long time in the making. We are very appreciative that Royal Caribbean has chosen to partner with us, with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and all our industry partners to make this home port launch from Nassau possible. As you can imagine, we are all extremely excited and working overtime to ensure that this launch is successful.

Passengers can expect to experience a genuine Bahamian welcome with a Party In da Backyard when they arrive at the port this Saturday. The welcome will involve live music, junkanoo performances, drills by the students of the LJM Maritime Academy, and of course, ice-cold Bahamian Kalik beers.

The arrival also means Bahamians can experience the cruise ship for themselves while not traveling to the mainland USA.

The Bahamas is for a great deal dependent on tourism for its income, and the return of cruising will bring a restart of tourists arriving at the islands in more significant numbers once again.

Maura continued to say, This is our time to shine and to put Nassau on the map as a homeporting destination of choice. We will do so with immense pride, making the Bahamian people proud and making our guests and cruise line partners excited that they chose to start and end their cruise in Nassau. This is the beginning of an incredible voyage for us all.

Cruisers can expect to see a port that is undergoing a complete makeover; the cruise port already made significant updates to its facilities and will be able to accommodate three Oasis-class ships at the same time by November 2021.

Royal Caribbean has been preparing for a restart in North America for many months now, and the company is taking full advantage of the chances it is getting. The cruise line plans to be sailing with twelve ships by the end of August this year.

Worth Reading: Six Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships to Restart This Summer out of Florida and Texas

Cruises in the United States will kick off on July 2nd when Freedom of the Seas starts sailing from Miami on a Fourth of July weekend sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay. Other ships that are lined up for a restart in the United States are Odyssey of the Seas which will sail six- and eight-night Southern and Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, starting July 3, and Serenade of the Seas which will sail from Seattle on seven-night Alaska sailings starting July 19.

Adventure of the Seas will be sailing on 7-night cruises from Nassau in June and July which will call in Nassau, Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, Cozumel, Mexico, and Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas before returning to Nassau, Bahamas

In this day and age, it comes as no surprise that cruises onboard Adventure of the Seas come with increased health requirements to ensure all have a safe voyage and time onboard. Royal Caribbean launched its revised health protocols a while ago for Bahamas cruises and these include a number of protocols:

Also Read: Royal Caribbean Releases Health Protocols for Bahamas Sailings

While Adventure of the Seas prepares for her sailings, you can follow the fun during a live coverage through the Nassau Cruise Port Facebook page.

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Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship to Begin Cruises from Nassau This Weekend! - Cruise Hive

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Human Rights Bahamas (HRB) yesterday expressed dismay over the sharp increase in public criticism and attacks on Supreme Court rulings by members of the executive branch of government.

It follows public statements from Attorney General Carl Bethel and Public Works minister Desmond Bannister over the recent Supreme Court ruling to extend its shantytown injunction to the entirety of Abaco.

This decision prevents the government from destroying shantytown communities without bringing evidence of a breach of the law to the court first.

Supreme CourtJustice Cheryl Grant-Thompson handed down her ruling yesterday morning.

In our view, this very disturbing trend poses a serious threat to judicial independence and the rule of law in The Bahamas, the HRB statement read.

We condemn the growing tendency of Cabinet Ministers to lash out against judges, in hostile and inflammatory tones, whenever they do not like the contents of a ruling. The Bahamas is a parliamentary democracy where freedom of speech is protected. However, Ministers must remember that they are not ordinary citizens and that their public statements are extremely influential with political supporters and the public at large. It is no mistake that the increasingly aggressive tone of Ministers has been accompanied by a rise in open hostility and threatening language against judges on social media.

Outside Cabinet on Tuesday, Bannister referred to the courts decision as nonsense and not worth the paper it is written on.

HRB noted the publication of his comments were accompanied by a host of online attacks accusing the judge of political bias and questioning her patriotism and nationality, demanding to see her birth certificate, etc.

The statement continued: HRB agrees with Legal Director Frederick Smith, QC, and also with Wayne Munroe, QC, who respectively referred to Bannisters comments as scandalous and inappropriate. We call upon elected officials to tone down the anti-judiciary rhetoric which if continued, could have the effect of intimidating judges and ultimately threatening the rule of law in The Bahamas.

The Judiciary in The Bahamas is already forced to operate under duress. Judges do not have proper security of tenure and can be forced into retirement or else have their appointment extended, based on the governments whim. If they are non-citizens, judges are often denied any form of permanent immigration status, with their families and personal lives left in limbo as a result.

Meanwhile, the government routinely ignores rulings of the court, for example, the 2015 decision that should have seen the Blackbeards Cay unregulated development shut down, but which was never enforced.

The statement read: In the face of these formidable challenges, the Judiciary has nevertheless maintained courageous independence from the Executive Branch, never shying away from correcting elected officials when they overstep the boundaries of the law. This is the central role and most sacred function of the courts: to serve as a check on unbridled power and ensure that the rule of law is upheld.

In many dictatorships and failed states around the world, the judiciary has been effectively undermined by strong-arm tactics, threats and intimidation, to the extreme detriment of civil society and the public at large. The Bahamas does not want to go there. We urge the government to back off, cease and desist from denigrating the decisions of judges, and let justice take its course in accordance with the Constitution.

HRB added: There are few things so important to the preservation of democratic institutions as an independent judiciary. Almost always, where democracy breaks down, it is because those who hold political power overstep their official roles and begin to act outside of the law. Our judges are the last line of defence against such tyranny. All right-thinking Bahamians who love the rule of law should stand behind the judiciary, support their independence and condemn government aggression against judges.

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MIND YOUR TONE: Human Rights group accuses Government of threatening the rule of law - EyeWitness News

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas got a chance to produce times for three relay teams for the first time this year heading into the Olympic Games, while individual qualifiers - hurdler Pedrya Seymour and sprinter Tynia Gaither - are preparing for their trip to Tokyo, Japan, this summer.

The performances, along with sprinter Teray Smith, quarter-miler Alonzo Russell and jumpers Tamara Myers and Kendrick Thompson, came at the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) New Life Invitational Track and Field Meet at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida, on Saturday.

NACAC provided an opportunity for relay teams in the region, who didnt get a chance to go to the World Relays in Poland earlier this year, to get a chance to post a team for consideration for a lane at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

It also enabled those athletes, who didnt have a chance to go overseas to compete in the international events staged in Europe, to compete and also attain the standard for the Olympics, scheduled for July 23 to August 8, before the deadline at the end of the month.The Bahamas mens team of Wendell Miller, Michael Mathieu, Wanya McCoy and Alonzo Russell won the 4 x 400m relay in three minutes and 03.51 seconds. Mexico, the only other team entered, trailed in 3:04.17.

In the womens 4 x 100m, the quartet of Denisha Cartwright, Tynia Gaither, Pedrya Seymour and Paige Archer ran 44.41 for second place behind Trinidad & Tobago, who won in 43.96.

However, they were the only two countries who participated.

And in the mens 4 x 100m relay, Karon Dean, Keanu Pennerman, Ian Kerr and Kendrick Thompson had to settle for fourth in 40.49. Jamaica won in 39.22, followed by Trinidad & Tobago A and B teams in 39.75 and 40.30 respectively.

Pedrya Seymour, coming off her 7th place finish in the womens 100m hurdles in 13.57 at the Wanda Diamond League in Gateshead on May 23, was third on Saturday in 12.81, but if it wasnt wind-aided, it would have surpassed the Olympic qualifying time of 12.84.

Nigerian Tobi Amusan won in 12.44 and Andrea Vargas of Costa Rica was second in 12.76.

It was a good performance, but Im not feeling ready to compete and execute, said Seymour, who qualified for the Olympics prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Before or at other meets, I was still learning and working on a few things, so I was thinking a lot in races instead of just competing.

Today was the first time this season I was actually able to run freely. I had a great time competing with the 4 x 100m ladies. We prayed before we ran that we would qualify and just build chemistry. We got part of the job done. This trip was so much fun just being around Bahamians.

Seymour, who is training out of Alabama, said it was so good to see so many Bahamians cheering them on. For her, it felt like a mini Carifta Games.

In the womens 200m, Tynia Gaither was fourth in 23.10, the time as third place finisher Jodie Williams of Great Britain.

Jamaican Elaine Thompson won in 22.54 with Kyra Jefferson of the USA coming in second in 22.77 as they both went under the Olympic qualifying time of 22.80.

Gaither, 28, also competed in the heats of the 100m, running the sixth fastest qualifying time of 11.19 as Thompson emerged on top of the field in 10.92. The times were wind-aided in the heats as they went over the allowable reading +2.1m/per second.

However, Gaither didnt contest the final as Thompson took the tape in a legal time of 10.87 with the next three other finishers joining her in running below the Olympic qualifying time of 11.15.

The others were American Tianna Bartoletta (10.96), Jamaican Brianna Williams (10.97) and Trinidad & Tobagos Michelle-Lee Ayhe (11.04).

It was really good. It was good to be around the team. It was a really good meet, Gaither stated. I enjoyed it. Ive been competing a lot these past few weeks, so I just wanted to use this meet as training.

Im not where I want to be as far as my fitness goes. Ive doubled a lot in the past few meets, so I just decided today to run the preliminaries of the 100m and sit the final out if I made it and just try to focus on the 200m.

The mens 200m saw Grand Bahamian Teray Smith pick up third place in 20.92. American Deveon Collins won in 20.73, while Kyle Greaux was second in 20.84. The mens half-lap times, however, were wind-aided, going over the allowable reading of +2.1m/s

It was good to compete in a regional meet. It was my first professional race for the season. Ive been dealing with a little hamstring/hip injury for the past two months, but its good to come and compete and feel no pain,: Smith said.

So Im just trying to get myself prepared for the nationals. I didnt have any time in mind. I just wanted to execute my race and finish and move onto the3 next one because of the leg injury. So finishing healthy is good enough for me.

The 26-year-old, now training with MVP International in Boca Raton, Florida under Bahamian coach Henry Rolle, said his ultimate goal is to come home for the nationals and qualify for the Olympics.

In the mens 400m, Grand Bahamian Alonzo Russell got third in 46.44. Trinidad & Tobagos Deon Lendore won in 45.58 and American Lashawn Merritt was second in 46.22. Neither of the competitors did the Olympic standard of 44.90.

In the men's 110m hurdles, Xavier Coakley missed out of a place in the finals when he placed ninth in the preliminaries in 14.08. American Michael Dickson had the fastest qualifying time of 13.37 before he took the final in 13.16, both wind-aided.

On the field, Tamara Myers soared 45-feet, 10 1/2-inches for third place in the womens triple jump. While her performance was legal, Ana Tima of the Dominican Republic cleared 46-10 1/4 (14.28m) and American Amani Oliver did 46-2 (14.06m) for first and second, but they were both wind-aided.

And in the mens long jump, Kendrick Thompson did 23-5 1/4 (7.14m) as American Demarcus Simpson won with 26-5 1/2 (8.06m), but all of the marks in the competition were wind-aided.

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Bahamas relay teams hit the track - Bahamas Tribune