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When a reporter attempted to nudge Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard to give a response on whether or not Rick Fox was running on the FNM ticket since Fox announced his plans to run in the next general election, Pintard didn’t deny any assertions, but he leaned in.

“I think he has a tremendous amount that he can contribute to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” he said of Fox outside of Parliament on Wednesday.

“It’s regrettable that the deputy prime minister and the PLP would have taken potshots at him, referencing, again, his time competing for Canada. We have many Bahamians across the globe who are doing incredible things, and some have done some things under different banners, but they’ve remained loyal to The Bahamas, and we should reward that.”

“We are prepared to talk to Bahamians locally and abroad who wish to contribute to the empowerment of Bahamians.”

It seems Pintard is quietly signaling that the Free National Movement is courting Fox to become one of its candidates in the next general election.

Pintard praised Fox for his “tremendous amount” of contributions to the Bahamas.

If the FNM did not consider Fox, Pintard would have disassociated himself with Fox. But Pintard is signaling his party’s openness to a Fox partnership. Voters can now imagine Fox under the FNM banner

Pintard defended Fox strongly and sharply criticized the Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper and the PLP for taking “potshots” at Fox over competing for Canada.

Cooper said last week, he thought Fox, an ambassador-at-large and appointed by the PLP, was Canadian.

By defending Fox publicly, Pintard demonstrates that he values Fox and protects it. That is not something he would do if Fox were to head to the PLP or run as an independent. Neither would Cooper have said that.

Pintard then broadened the conversation to a bigger message: “We welcome Bahamians abroad.”

The line worth highlighting is: “We are prepared to talk to Bahamians locally and abroad who wish to contribute.”

It widens the scope from Rick Fox to the idea of recruiting voters from the diaspora, which suggests that Fox could be part of a strategy to bring high-profile Bahamians under the FNM banner.

Based on Fox’s criticism of the Progressive Liberal Party and Cooper’s off-putting statement about Fox, and Pintard’s defense of him, it could be concluded that Fox is very likely joining the FNM.

In celebration of her heritage, WNBA superstar Jonquel Jones teamed up with Nike to launch the KD-17 “Bahamas” sneakers, homage to her Bahamian roots and a tribute to the islands.

The sneakers were released on Thursday.

The KD-17 “Bahamas” edition, is inspired by the waters and lush greenery of the Bahamas. The turquoise upper, interlaced with clear wavy overlays, suggests the seas surrounding the islands, while the seafoam green accents on the Swoosh and midsole evokes the vibrant tropical foliage.

The coral-shaded laces add a pop of color, reminiscent of the coral reefs.

The heel of the KD-17 “Bahamas” showcases a debossed map of the Bahamas, a personal touch that signifies Jones’ pride in her heritage.

It is priced at $150 and offer a unique blend of performance and style, suitable for the court and the streets.

Bahamians have joined Jones in celebration of the new sneaker release.

Bahamian Professional Basketball Player Jonquel Jones is planning to marry her girlfriend of more than two years after she proposed.

Jones’ girlfriend said ‘Yes!’ as well-wishers congratulated the couple.

Jones who plays center for the New York Liberty in the Women’s National Basketball Association, announced the engagement to her partner ‘Nesha’ on Instagram while showing the ring and the photoshoot.

“My fiance and I,” Jones happily announced.

Jones grew up in Freeport, Grand Bahama and was named WNBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2021.

The 29-year-old fully embraced her identity as a lesbian in 2019 and showed up at the WNBA All-Star Game dressed in masculine wear.

“I’m openly out and dressing differently,” she said.

Last year though, the gay player expressed to ESPN that her identity may have played a role in her inability to renew a contract with the Bahamas Telecommunications Company, considering an impressive performance on the basketball court in the United States.

Jones’ fiance is a nail technician in the United States. Jones said the pair prays and reads the Bible together every day.

“I just have to take the time to really find God for myself and not what other people tell me who God is,” she told ESPN.

The couple did not say when they would be married, but if they do, it will not be recognized in the Bahamas since same-sex marriage is not constitutional in the country, a departure from trends in the United States.

As Russia steps up its relentless attacks on Ukraine, Bahamian professional Basketball player Jonquel Jones has fled the Putin-led country for Turkey.

28-year-old Jones took to social media today, announcing her flight’s arrival in Turkey.

“Just landed in Turkey,” she said.  “And all I want to do is cry.

“That situation was way more stressful than I realized.  Thank God for always watching over and protecting me.”

Leaving Russia was a quick change since last week Jones who plays for Connecticut Suns, suggested she felt safe in Russia though family and friends were urging her to leave.

“No changes on my end. If it wasn’t for family members messaging me and me following the news, I really wouldn’t be able to tell,” she said on Thursday.

But today she is thanking friends for ensuring her safety.

“To everyone that messaged me, checked on me, asked a friend about me while I was in Russia. I really want to say thank you. I felt for the love.”

The big problem

Despite sanctions and rebukes, Vladimir Putin has ramped up attacks on Ukraine, whose President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleads for international assistance as talks resume for a peaceful end to the war tactics.

According to the United Nations, more than 800,000 refugees have fled Ukraine for safety as Russia invades the neighboring country.

Why it matters

Russians have protested President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, many assembling in Saint Petersburg, shouting, “No to war.”

Many sporting organizations are cutting ties with Russia as Motion Picture Association follows suit.

Bahamian-born professional basketball player Jonquel Jones says she feels safe in Russia though President Vladimir Putin launched an “unprovoked” attack on its neighbor Ukraine.

The 28-year-old WNBA player who plays for Connecticut Sun, took to social media to say, “No changes on my end. If it wasn’t for family members messaging me and me following the news, I really wouldn’t be able to tell.”

But concerned family members are urging her to leave the country.

Jones says her brother advised her to “may case come home and get out dem people yard.”

Other posters on Twitter joined the chorus pressing her to leave Russia as the war intensifies.

Bobbi tells her, “I am glad to hear you all are safe as can be in this situation.  I thought that things on the Russian end wouldn’t escalate immediately. Continue to be aware of all that is going on.”

Patti Talahongva advises, “Come home. Remember the WNBA is so important. We need all of our players safe.”

Another tells her, “Make haste.”

Last week, as tension grew between Russia and Ukraine, the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Bahamians to leave Ukraine.

Jones, though raised in the Bahamas,  has Bosnian citizenship.

Bahamian professional basketball player Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns returned home on Friday after playing in the 2021 NBA championship finals.

Executives of the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation and the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture welcomed him home.

In the group photo, from left: Eldece Clarke, Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Senior Manager; Reginald Saunders, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism & Aviation; Deandre Ayton, Professional Basketball player for the Phoenix Suns; Timothy Munnings, Director of Sports; and Quinton Brennen, General Manager, National Sports Authority (NSA).

(BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)