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Key: Loretta a troublemaker JUNE 2016
...and Rollins needs another slap, says Abaco FNM MP
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net CENTRAL and South Abaco MP Edison Key launched into a blistering attack on some of his Free National Movement colleagues yesterday, branding Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner a “troublemaker” who will be dealt with by her constituents, adding that Ft Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins needed another slap from her to set him straight. Mr Key also defended Dr Hubert Minnis’ performance during the recent budget debate, telling The Tribune that Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant “ought to be ashamed of
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Perry Christie said yesterday he anticipates that the government will be invited at some point to begin consideration of what it has to do to facilitate construction permits and “whatever else” China Construction America (CCA) needs in place to complete the unopened $3.5bn Baha Mar resort. SEE PAGE SIX
HISTORIC ROLE FOR RBDF RANGERS
himself” for criticising the party leader. His comments came when contacted yesterday about a critical email Mr Grant wrote to Dr Minnis about his performance during the committee stage of the budget debate last week when parliamentarians went through the line items of the budget. Mr Grant said it was apparent that Dr Minnis had not studied the budget, calling his behaviour “most disturbing” and “disrespectful”. As exclusively reported by The Tribune, he also accused Dr Minnis of being mostly absent from SEE PAGE THREE
SANDS: I’LL QUIT SENATE IF MINNIS STAYS AS LEADER DUANE SANDS announced last night that he will resign from the Senate if Dr Hubert Minnis wins the leadership contest at next month’s Free National Movement (FNM) convention. Dr Sands - who was appointed to the Senate by the FNM’s leader only last month - has said he is running for the post of deputy leader on a ticket with Loretta Butler-Turner, who will vie for leader, when the party elections take place at the end of
PM EXPECTS BAHA MAR TALKS - BUT NO DETAILS
July. They are challenging the incumbent leadership team of Dr Minnis and K Peter Turnquest. Last night, he told a radio talk show that if the present leaders were victorious at the convention he would step down from the Senate. Dr Sands, who replaced Lanisha Rolle when she resigned her Senate seat in mid-May after becoming embroiled in controversy over criticising fellow FNM SEE PAGE THREE
MEMBERS of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers will be re-enacting historical military drills in full uniform at Fort Charlotte as part of a link-up with the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation. See page two for the full story and more photographs. Photo: Derek Smith/BIS
POWER COMPANY HAS NO PLANS TO WRITE OFF CUSTOMER DEBTS By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Power and Light currently has no plans to write off any of its numerous delinquent accounts, an official from the utility provider said yesterday. However, the official would not say whether the corporation has been engaged in discussions with the Christie administration about a programme that would facilitate such an endeavour, or say if BPL has plans to implement any kind of debt forgiveness
plan in the foreseeable future. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis announced that the government is working on a series of operational agreements with BPL with hopes of getting the corporation to forgive the debts of consumers who have been unable to settle balances for prolonged periods of time. Mr Davis, who has ministerial responsibility for BPL, said he had been informed that some 3,000 persons have fallen into this classification, insisting that officials now have to look at
these clients on a case-bycase basis to determine how best to resolve each matter. When contacted by The Tribune to ascertain the particulars of such operational agreements and a possible timeline for implementation, a BPL official said: “Our official statement is we don’t have any plans to do that at this time.” The official, who did not want to be named, then instructed The Tribune to refer any additional queries to Mr Davis. SEE PAGE SIX
PILOT KILLED IN BIMINI CRASH HAD NO LICENCE By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net AN official at the Department of Civil Aviation
has defended the agency’s practices after it was revealed that the pilot who died in a crash in Bimini last week was not licensed, telling The Tribune it was
the pilot’s responsibility to ensure he had the needed documentation. Acting Director at the
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE SIX
MAN ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED SEX ATTACK ON 12-YEAR-OLD By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of the attempted sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. Renardo William Pinder, 25, appeared before Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes facing two counts of attempted sexual assault on the child. The alleged incidents occurred on June 12 and 19, 2016. Pinder was informed that, due to the nature of the offences, he would not be allowed to enter a plea until he is formally arraigned before a Supreme Court judge. The accused was told SEE PAGE SIX
PAGE 2, Wednesday, June 29, 2016
THE ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force Rangers practice the re-enactment of historical military drills at Fort Charlotte, above and below.
A STEP BACK IN TIME FOR RBDF RANGERS THE Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers have formed a partnership that will have the Rangers re-enacting historical military drills in full uniform at Fort Charlotte that includes the firing of the cannon. The RBDF Rangers have been in training at the fort since May 8 and will continue until the end of June. Deon Simms, the tour and special programmes coordinator for the AMMC said: “The corporation is committed to providing a reason for Bahamians to come back and rediscover the forts in Nassau as well as the other properties we manage and also we are looking to provide a quality experience for any visitors that may be coming to our shores. “I feel that with what we are doing here now with the RBDF Rangers we have a winner.” The new initiative will be launched in early July and
should prove to be both entertaining and educational. Mr Simms explained that the partnership between the RBDF and the AMMC is a perfect fit. “We (the AMMC) were looking to build a programme, and to build such a programme as this, you need people with certain things going on already and with certain traits. “They need discipline, a willingness to learn and here it is you have this group of young men and women that have been in a programme which requires the utmost discipline and requires they learn a lot.” He added: “So this is an opportunity for us to provide them with the next step. Some of them are going to go into the RBDF and some of them are not, but if we can benefit from that and they can benefit from it why not? Plus we wanted to get some strong young candidates and we figured that the defence force had what we needed.”
He said when the joint project is actually launched it will be in two parts. There will be Rangers in actual period uniforms posted around the site, and there will be drill displays. Secondly, there will be Rangers wearing what “is referred to as number twos, which are the green pants with the yellow stripes and white shirt, green berets,” he said. They also will be tour guides taking visitors around the site. During the training the RBDF Rangers are also learning the history not only of Fort Charlotte but of the whole Bahamas. According to Able Seaman Rangers Cyril Miller of the RBDF Ranger Programme, the Rangers have drills on Friday and Saturday. “We have morning colours, we have firing of the cannon, we do a little ceremonial drill and that leads right into the firing of the cannon. Then we have evening colours and the March Pass.”
THE TRIBUNE
Photos: Derek Smith/BIS
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, June 29, 2016, PAGE 3
Sands stands by the timing of deputy leader announcement By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement Senator Dr Duane Sands said yesterday that he stands by his decision to announce his plans to contest the deputy leader post at the party’s national convention next month despite criticism that the move was premature. On June 19, Dr Sands announced that he intended to run as a team with Long Island MP Loretta ButlerTurner vying for leader. However, Mrs Butler-Turner has not made a formal announcement. The two were unsuccessful at the party’s last convention in 2014, where they ran separate campaigns for the same posts. He said the upcoming convention was a test run for the next general election on political maturity and skill that will see the party politically rebuked by the electorate if it fails. “It’s not premature, not at all,” he said. “Certainly even as a member of a team I would have made a decision for reasons that I’m aware of and, good and bad,
I stand by that decision. I’ve seen the comments, I’ve seen and heard the criticism and politics in the Bahamas is a blood sport. “There’s been a lot of talk, speculation, conspiracy theories, about what does this all mean. People are looking at where the tea leaves have settled trying to determine whether it points in the direction of the sun, moon and stars. I can assure you that Loretta Butler-Turner is very much in control of everything that there is to do about Loretta Butler-Turner and the narrative I’m sure will be her narrative.” Dr Sands added: “Notwithstanding comments, questions, concerns, etc, in most team sports the narrative is always to play your game, don’t be drawn into anybody else’s offence or defence. Run your own race.” The FNM’s national convention is set for July 27-29, pushed up from its initial November date after a group of six parliamentarians threatened to remove Dr Hubert Minnis as Official Opposition leader if he did not accept an earlier date. According to Mrs Butler-Turner, Dr Minnis has since said that he plans
DR DUANE SANDS, who is running for deputy leadership of the FNM. to “deal with” dissenting parliamentarians after he successfully defends his post. Although Dr Sands
was not a part of the faction that issued the ultimatum, he acknowledged yesterday that his political future was
SANDS: I’LL QUIT SENATE IF MINNIS STAYS AS LEADER from page one
MPs, said that his push to be deputy leader was started with the aim of uniting the party and advancing the best possible platform ahead of the 2017 general election. On Sunday, he told The Tribune he was “amazed and confused” to be told that former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham had said last week that he had recommended Dr Sands’ appointment for the past four years. Dr Sands said the delay to appoint him to the upper chamber, despite countless calls by “respected persons” within the party, shows that the organisation’s current leadership is not focused on putting the “best effort forward”. Sources in the party have suggested that the move to name Dr Sands to the Senate had been “tossed about” but was delayed for some time out of fear that appointing the surgeon would give him a stronger platform to
challenge the current leadership duo at the party’s upcoming convention. One Central Council representative, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the internal belief for several months has been that the party was doing what it could to push people “all on board with (Dr) Minnis)” while “slowing the advancement of all those that aren’t a sure thing”. When asked about this, Dr Sands told The Tribune: “It is time we get beyond this. We in the FNM have a job before us. We have a government doing very little to improve our country. You have to keep their feet to the fire. You have to put the right persons in place to ensure that we can emerge victorious come election time. “We have to do what is necessary to work as a team and that has always been my point when I have had any discussion with any and everyone associated with this great party. Personally, I don’t have an issue with Dr Minnis or the Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest. From early on in this pro-
cess I have held to the belief that skills - fundamentally sound individuals in specific areas - would have to play key roles in moving this party forward. “If you look around, the bashing and criticising isn’t being encouraged by this side. Personally, I don’t think the FNM has had an effective team concept developed to this point. It could be because Dr Minnis sees some of us as challengers or however you describe it. But as a leader, it is your job to walk into the room and get everyone on the same page and moving in one direction.” In an email chain that was leaked in early May, Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins urged Dr Minnis to remove Kwasi Thompson from the Senate and appoint Dr Sands in his place. According to the leaked emails, Long Island MP Mrs Butler-Turner, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman and Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn all backed Dr Rollins’ comments. The FNM’s convention is scheduled for July 27 to 29.
uncertain despite having already been ratified as the party’s standard-bearer for Elizabeth. “I’m not convinced that the current leader and/ or his deputy makes for the strongest team and for that reason I am offering instead. I recognise that there are others who don’t share that view, but again you have to make decisions based on what you believe. “I am prepared to accept whatever consequences arise out of my decision,” he said. “I don’t think that there is any point in me catching feelings about whether I ought to have a nomination or not.” Dr Sands noted that Bahamian politics differed from the American system, where it was traditional for presidential hopefuls to “rough up each other” and then put aside differences to unite behind a single candidate. He insisted that after four years, the FNM was still not a united party. He said that realisation paired with the party’s inability to generate
sufficient sums of money, must be laid at the feet of Dr Minnis. When asked whether he could support Dr Minnis if he is again re-elected as leader, Dr Sands said: “I have done so sincerely and legitimately and honestly for the last four years, as have many of the MPs who have now raised concerns. I don’t think you could have found more supportive team members. “I think this [convention] is a test of our political maturity, and the test of our ability to seek common ground. If we pass this test we will have no difficulty reaching out to disaffected PLPs and DNA supporters in the community because we would have learned to move from entrenched inflexible positions to find conciliatory compromise, common ground. “I believe this is a test run for the general election. This is our dress rehearsal, not necessarily on the issues but on our political skills, on our ability to be statesmen and stateswomen.”
KEY: LORETTA BUTLER-TURNER A TROUBLEMAKER from page one
the floor of the House of Assembly and suggested that he feigned illness to leave Parliament at 2.30am last Thursday while other FNMs stayed behind. Mr Key said yesterday: “He (Mr Grant) ought to be ashamed of himself to be criticising the leader of the party. What is he planning? He don’t mind the PLP winning and the FNM losing?” Asked about the substantive concerns raised by Mr Grant, he said: “Dr Minnis performed very well. All the (others) did was jump up and ask a bunch of foolish questions.”
Referring to the FNM parliamentarians who have been critical of Dr Minnis’ performance as leader, he said: “Those six dissidents have just lost it. They are not on this planet at all politically.” “Dr Minnis is more capable than Neko Grant,” he added. “Grant was in the House of Assembly for several terms. You don’t turn your back on your friends when your enemies are there with a dagger to take you out. If you have a problem with your leader, go sit down with him and talk about it.” Without being prompted, Mr Key referred to Dr Rollins who, after being brought into the party by Dr Min-
nis last year, has gone on to criticise the Killarney MP’s leadership. He recalled the 2013 incident when Mrs Butler-Turner slapped Dr Rollins, then a member of the Progressive Liberal Party, in the House of Assembly. Mr Key said: “(Loretta Butler-Turner) slapped him so hard and his eyes was swelled up like a loaf of bread. Looks like she need to slap him on the other side to bring his head into the centre. He’s a lost soul.” He also lashed out at Mrs Butler-Turner, who plans to challenge Dr Minnis for his post at the party’s convention next month. “She is just a troublemak-
er and the people in Long Island going to deal with her when the time is right. They are fed up with her loud mouth in the House of Assembly and her threatening people. She better take it easy.” Yesterday, former FNM South Abaco MP Robert Sweeting contacted The Tribune to weigh in on Mr Grant’s strong words for Dr Minnis. Mr Sweeting, who served in Parliament from 1997-2007, said Mr Grant’s critique of Dr Minnis was “totally ridiculous”. He questioned if Mr Grant, a senior FNM MP in the House of Assembly, was feeling “insecure” because he has been outshined by
the likes of East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest and others. “Does he need some Pampers and a baby bottle?” Mr Sweeting asked, adding that he could not imagine anyone attacking former FNM Leader Hubert Ingraham in that manner. “Neko can’t demand what the leader does. In my humble opinion you don’t make that kind of statement about your leader.” Mr Sweeting, who served as shadow minister of agriculture and fisheries while the FNM was last in opposition, said he recalled an instance when he was left alone in the House of Assembly to face attacks from the PLP.
And as the Killarney MP faces a barrage of internal criticism about his capabilities to lead the Official Opposition, Mr Sweeting said he is “110 per cent” behind Dr Minnis. Meanwhile, Mr Key’s harsh comments mark the FNM’s continued descent into chaos as fractures have emerged in the divided party. On Tuesday, The Tribune reported that the party is having problems finding the hundreds of thousands of dollars that will be required to host next month’s convention. Asked about this, Mr Key said: “When the time comes the people will find the money.”
JUDICIAL REVIEW AMID FNM FORT CHARLOTTE CONCERNS By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
AN ORDER for a judicial review was granted yesterday against FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, party Chairman Sidney Collie and FNM Secretary General Michael Foulkes over a “tainted and fraudulent” election process in the Fort Charlotte constituency, according to documents filed in the Supreme Court. Karen Brown, the former chairperson of the FNM Fort Charlotte Constituency Association, brought an application for leave to apply for judicial review before Justice Indra Charles last week. According to the application, reprieve is being sought by Ms Brown regarding the decision of Mr Collie to dissolve the
association’s officer corps “at the behest of Dr Minnis” and call an early reelection. The application was filed in the Supreme Court on June 23, 2016 and obtained by The Tribune. It is also alleged that Mr Collie denied at least 75 members of the FNM the right to bring themselves into good standing in order to participate in the re-election process. The documents said it is hoped that these decisions are quashed and that members elected in a “wrongful” election be barred from executing all powers in addition to other relief. They are also seeking costs. “On or about the April 29, 2016 I was summoned to a meeting at the FNM party headquarters to meet with, among others, the new Chairman Mr Sydney
Collie,” Ms Brown said in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court on June 23, 2016. “Mr Collie announced to me that he had been charged by the Leader Dr Hubert Minnis and the executive committee of the FNM with the special mandate of urgently dissolving the officer corps in the Fort Charlotte FNM Association and replacing it with new faces. “Though this meeting was characterised to me as a meeting between the chairman and the association’s executive, I was shocked to see members of the association rank and file who I recognised as being vocal supporters of Dr Minnis in attendance. At that moment I realised that Mr Collie, a mandarin in the party of some standing, had been brought in as a special bureaucrat to remake the or-
ganisation in the image of the leader.” The affidavit continued: “The position is that at least 75 persons or more were disfranchised at the election of officers of the executive of the FNM Fort Charlotte Association held on May 31, 2016. I was so disgusted with the process I did not attend the elections. “I view them as highly irregular and flawed. I regard Mr Collie as having orchestrated a sham. It is my humble contention that the elections process was so irremediably flawed that the outcome of the poll on May 31, 2016 is not a safe, satisfactory or democratic result. In my respectful view as the chairperson of a constituency association for eight years, the management of the affairs of the FNM in relation to the Fort Charlotte denigrated to a kind of abattoir of admin-
istration. “Mr Collie was on a mission not consistent with the normal precepts of democracy. The entire elections process in Fort Charlotte is tainted with fraud and must be set aside.” According to the order, the officers elected on May 31 are restrained from carrying out any official functions associated with their elected positions until a judgment is made.
A directions hearing is expected to take place on July 26. Attorney Michael Scott will represent Ms Brown, while Senator Carl Bethel will appear on behalf of the party executives.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, June 29, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
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Global warming threatens the world’s special places THE most precious places on the planet are under siege by climate change. From Venice being slowly consumed by the sea to rising temperatures stressing out Uganda’s famous gorillas, history and the natural world are facing a threat unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before. On the eve of America’s Memorial Day and the unofficial start to summer tourism season, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and the United Nations have put out a report chronicling the risks climate change poses to cultural and natural treasures around the planet. The report looks at a handful of the 981 World Heritage Sites listed by UNESCO as having exceptional cultural or natural value. In all cases, climate change is exerting pressures that could permanently alter some of the most spectacular places on earth unless carbon emissions are cut. “We say we want to preserve these sites for the future of humankind, but unless we act, they will be destroyed by our own hands,” Adam Markham, the deputy director of the UCS climate and energy programme who led the report, said. It’s not just about losing places, either. It’s about losing tourism dollars that are vitally important to the communities living around these places, particularly in developing countries. Tourism accounts for 9 per cent of the global GDP. In the U.S., tourism to National Parks pumped $15.7 billion into local economies in 2014. Natural resources are already being impacted. The recent global coral bleaching event — driven by rising ocean temperatures coupled with this winter’s strong El Niño — is one of the starkest examples of how climate change is already devastating World Heritage Sites. More than 93 per cent of the Great Barrier Reef bleached this winter, which scientists said was up to 175 times more likely because of climate change. Elsewhere, rising temperatures on land have already contributed to changes in the forest fire season in and around Yellowstone National Park, another World Heritage Site. The region has seen a tenfold increase in the number of large wildfires and they now burn roughly 45 times more area each season than they did in 1970. Further changes could permanently
alter the ecosystems in the park that drew 4 million visitors last year. The threat to cultural sites is even more pronounced. More than three-quarters of all World Heritage Sites preserve pieces of human history, adding a sense of urgency to protecting them. Coastal areas in particular are facing a clear and direct challenge from rising seas and more intense storm surge. The Statue of Liberty is a prime example of both the risks posed and the responses needed to deal with more climatic extremes. When Hurricane Sandy roared into New York Harbour in 2012, it inundated 75 per cent of Liberty Island. The storm caused $77 million in damage there and at Ellis Island and shut down both sites for months on end to repair the damage. The biggest impact was to electric, telephone and heat and cooling systems, which all sat in basements that flooded when the storm surge hit. In response, park managers have rebuilt the electrical system up to 20 feet above current sea level to minimize damage from rising seas and future storms. In Venice, $6 billion floodgates are being installed to keep the Adriatic Sea at bay, though Markham warned the protection still might not be enough to protect the city from future sea levels and storm surge. World Heritage Sites can also be a part of the solution. Beyond the tourism value, these places can also be tools in combating climate change. The large tracts of forest and coastal swamps and wetlands already store vast amounts of carbon and properly managing them could help further their carbon sequestration benefits. “They’re one of the best solutions that nature provides to tackling global climate change,” Tim Badman, the director of the World Heritage programme at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, said. On a more meta level, they offer inspiration for what could be lost if world leaders fail to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to well below 2°C (3.6°F). “We’re about to lose a huge part of human history,” said Marcy Rockman, a cultural resources specialist with the National Park Service. “Humans centuries into the future will never be able to consult that, they’ll never be able to know.”
Just go, Mr Christie! EDITOR, The Tribune.
ON June 23, 2016, the British public voted in a referendum to leave the European Union. The objective was either to leave the EU or to remain. Brexit, namely the term used for Britain to exit the EU was voted in favour of roughly 51 per cent to exit and 49 per cent to remain. The people of Britain voted against remaining in the EU against the wishes of most of the members of parliament and the Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron. As soon as the results were known, David Cameron announced immediately that as a result of the failed referendum that he would step down as Prime Minister. This was the honourable thing to do and is in keeping with Westminster conventions and democratic principles. David Cameron took responsibility and moved decisively to ensure that there would be a smooth transition from the results of the plebiscite. He assured the public that he would not hinder Britain’s march forward, nor would he stand in the way to prevent the wishes of the people being executed Indeed, David Cameron stated that the UK needed fresh leadership. He also said that the will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered. He further retorted that he had made it clear that the referendum was about this and this alone, (that Britain was stronger, safer and better within the EU) not the future of any single politician, including him-
self. Notwithstanding that, David Cameron informed everyone that he was going and would stay on only for another three months. He did not make an asinine comment about his name not being on the ballot. He did the honourable thing and resigned. He, nor his minions, blamed the failed result on anyone, nor did they in turn call the British people, those that voted to exit, unintelligent. They accepted the right of the people to exercise their franchise the way their conscience dictated. Compare the UK Prime Minister’s conduct with that of our current Prime Minister, Mr Christie. On June 7th 2016 the Bahamian people voted in a referendum dubbed equality referendum. This referendum was supposed to give men and women equal rights under the constitution. The narrative was that this was a vote for “your future, your children and your children’s children”. Mr Christie fully supported the referendum and ensured that more than one million dollars was spent to secure the “yes” vote. However, it failed and failed miserably. This was just another of a myriad of flops by Mr Christie and his government. Now after the failed referendum what does Mr Christie do, he blames Dr Minnis for not overtly supporting the “yes” campaign, he blames the Bahamian people for wanting to “pay them back” for campaigning against a similar referendum in 2002 and for not keeping his word in the failed referendum of 2013. He blamed the Bahamian
people for not trusting him and his minions when it was clear that they are untrustworthy. To add insult to injury, he makes an asinine comment about his name not being on the ballot of June 7th 2016. The honourable thing for Mr Christie to do is to resign, even though some time has passed since the failed referendum. He should still take the principled decision and follow the respectable stand taken by David Cameron and GO. In 2002, after the failed referendum put forward by the then government of Mr Ingraham both Fred Mitchell and Dr Nottage called for Mr Ingraham to resign. The call was disingenuous as the referendum of 2002 was held in February of that year and general elections were in May of that year. Mr Mitchell in his usual tired hubris encouraged all and sundry to vote no. Thereafter they called for Mr Ingraham’s resignation. Interestingly enough we have not heard the call from Dr Nottage for Mr Christie to resign nor have we heard the call from Mr Mitchell for Mr Christie to resign. The silence is deafening. One has to wonder if the cat has gotten their tongues. We submit that Mr Christie must resign if he is an honourable man. If he did, he would comply with Westminster conventions and best parliamentary practices. Mr Christie, in the name of everything that is good and decent “JUST GO”. RAYMOND A ROLLE Nassau, June 27, 2016.
Don’t kill the messenger EDITOR, The Tribune. IN 1903 Pierre Dupuch’s grandfather, Leon Dupuch, decided to risk his treasure, his reputation and the ire of the British colonial masters and set up a newspaper that has now published continuously for the past 113 years. The grand-père Dupuch set an extremely high bar for himself when he incorporated as his paper’s motto the lofty goal: “Being bound to swear to the dogmas of no master”. With that The Tribune decreed that it will never bend a knee to anyone. The heirs and successors have jealously guarded that guiding principle ever since. Leon Dupuch started the paper but it was Pierre’s dad, fearless human rights campaigner the late Sir Etienne Dupuch who built it into an internationally respected journalistic institution. Sir Etienne’s unshakeable faith in the Bahamian people was as strong as the metaphorical coat of armor he wore to deflect what was heavy criticism from the colonial establishment, then from the Bay Street Boys, then the UBP, and ultimately from the PLP. Pierre took us on a nostalgic stroll down a Dupuch family memory lane by reciting what must have been a delightful time growing up with the great man, Sir Etienne. Pity Pierre seems to have conveniently forgotten much of what his journalistic warrior father surely would have instilled in him about not shooting the messenger. It was Sir Etienne’s creed that neither he nor his newspaper should ever become the story. He insisted that The Tribune report the news without fear or favour. There were times, of course, when Sir Etienne’s principles just could not be bought or silenced and he had to become the story – one such instance being his fierce and successful advocacy to end racial discrimination in our country. For that we posthumously owe Sir Etienne our abiding respect and gratitude. Indeed Pierre’s reporting that his father’s contributions are not being widely taught in schools is both sad and appalling. No compendium of the history of the Bahamas would be complete if the name Dupuch is excluded. Pierre’s siblings know well that Sir Etienne would never allow himself to be sidetracked over the byline on a story or letter to
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the editor. Discrediting the messenger was a clever ruse used by the likes of the late Sir Lynden Pindling to distract voters from the negative essence of a news story and in so doing cause the focus to shift away from the meat and potatoes of what the writer had to say. Long before Donald Trump gave unsavory monikers to his political foes, Sir Lynden was vilifying the likes of famed cricketer turned Fleet Street writer Ivan Johnson (now of The Punch but previously of The Tribune) in an attempt to discredit Ivan’s biting journalism and unflattering stories on his government. Sir Lynden wanted us to not believe the story simply because Ivan wrote it. Never mind its veracity. Pierre seems to be following that same old PLP playbook. This time he has it in for this writer. And like his friend and mine Tennyson Wells, he has given me a presumed identity. I am not who he may think I am. Pierre should stop trying to make me out to be who his fertile imagination wants me to be. No one has sent me. I see a Bahamian who has decided to get involved staring back at me whenever I look in the mirror. Like Sir Etienne, I carry membership cards for no political party. I write of the principles in which I believe and espouse the philosophies that I think can make this country better. Participatory democracy and two-way citizenship are examples of time-tested doctrines. Vetting those who serve or seek to serve in government is a sound journalistic principle. The late US President John F Kennedy’s exultation to “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”, excited my imagination many years ago and that candle still burns. If Pierre and Tennyson can’t stand the political heat then they should stay out of the public kitchen. I am an observer of governmental behavioUr and political activity. I invite all and sundry to disagree with my analyses. Feel free to join this very public debate. But bring facts not fairytales. Come with ideas not idioms. Policy suggestions not propaganda. Democracy demands that we have robust political
parties – one to govern and the other to keep the fire toasting the feet of those in power. Last month’s FNM caucus implosion proves that there is a crisis of leadership in the party. Pierre and Tennyson believe that because Dr. Hubert Minnis was elected by the FNM delegates that he should remain in his position untested and unchallenged while the party’s electoral prospects slip even further from its grasp. Leaders are not perfect. That is why democracy allows us to remove bad leaders. Political party byelaws permit challenges to the leader anytime he is not up to the task. In fact, the council of the FNM has a solemn responsibility to ensure that the party is battle ready for the next election. That means the leader commands the respect, grudging or otherwise, of the followers. I happen to believe that Dr. Minnis is the wrong man to take on Perry Christie and the PLP. He is apparently a likeable guy, so likeable in fact that all sorts of people want to have a stew fish with him. I do not think Dr. Minnis has the capacity to lead a cabinet in shaping the kind of answers to this country’s challenges. Pierre begs to differ with me. His argument is no further strengthened because he signs his name when communicating with the Editor, any more than my argument is diminished by my election not so to do. The tiny number of delegates who can vote for the FNM leader pale into trivial insignificance when stacked up against the general population that will elect the next government. If delegates keep their heads in the sand and think only of what they want then the Bahamian people will keep the FNM out of power for another five years. Five more years for Perry Christie to struggle in reverse gear instead of driving us forward. By forcing the FNM into critical self-analysis the party can roar back into relevance and in so doing deepen our democracy. Come on Pierre. This is the kind of debate your forefathers would have relished. From what I am told Sir Etienne never paid short shrift to anyone with a serious argument to make. What’s your excuse Pierre? Tennyson got your tongue? THE GRADUATE Nassau, June 28, 2016.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, June 29, 2016, PAGE 5
Butler-Turner: Failure to raise funds is down to party leader By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE FNM’s reported struggle to raise funds for its upcoming national convention could foreshadow trouble ahead for the party’s general election campaign, according to Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, who placed responsibility for the matter squarely at the feet of leader Dr Hubert Minnis. Mrs Butler-Turner noted that she wasn’t a part of the convention process, as she remained tight-lipped over her own leadership bid. “I haven’t been invited to be a part of that (convention planning),” she said. “My take on convention is simple, it is the responsibility of leadership to lead their party in all ways. As far as I’m concerned, whether the convention is in November or any other month, the leader has responsibility to lead and to rally his troops, and be able to get the necessary collateral to meet obligations. “It’s clear to me if we have a convention on the horizon, and if the leader
isn’t able to raise the funds, we have a much bigger problem. That problem is we have a general election coming up, where is the funding going to come from for that?” The FNM’s national convention is set for July 27-29, which was pushed up from its initial November date after a group of six parliamentarians threatened to remove Dr Minnis as Official Opposition leader if he did not accept an earlier date. Mrs Butler-Turner was a part of the group, which also issued a scathing rebuke of Dr Minnis to the party’s Central Council in support of their call for an earlier convention. On Monday, insiders told The Tribune that the party was struggling to find the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed to host next month’s convention amid debate over who is responsible for finding the funds. Sources told The Tribune that the FNM’s big financial backers have refrained from providing money because of discontent with Dr Minnis.
Some, like former FNM Cabinet minister Tennyson Wells, have argued that those who fought for an early convention should find the funds to host it. While others, like former Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, said that the responsibility lies with the party’s leader. A convention was estimated to cost around $300,000. On June 19, FNM Senator Duane Sands confirmed his plans to run again for deputy leader on a ticket with Mrs Butler-Turner vying for leader. At the time, Mrs Butler-Turner told The Tribune she endorsed all Dr Sands had to say about the matter. However, the Long Island MP has since declined further comment and held off from making a formal announcement. Her silence has fuelled rumours that she will withdraw her bid in the event that former FNM Leader Hubert Ingraham enters the race. Responding to speculation that she has backtracked from Dr Sands’ pronouncement, Mrs Butler Turner said: “There has not been any backtrack, I
LORETTA Butler-Turner said that the shortage of funds to host a convention was a smaller problem in comparison to the funds needed for the general election. just haven’t made any announcement. I know this game of trying to find out and preempt me. “I can only speak for Loretta Butler-Turner, I cannot speak for Mr Ingraham,
Dr Minnis, or anyone except for myself and I have made it patently clear. I’m not speaking today; I will make my formal announcement.” She added: “I have a
plan and I’m sticking to the plan.” In 2014, both Mrs ButlerTurner and Dr Sands lost their bids to become FNM leader and deputy leader respectively.
McWEENEY: CREATORS OF CONSTITUTION WOULD DO IT DIFFERENTLY IF THEY SAW HOW HARD IT WAS TO CHANGE By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net CONSTITUTIONAL Commission Chairman Sean McWeeney thinks the framers of the country’s supreme law would have avoided making it so difficult to amend the document if they foresaw how challenging it would be to pursue constitutional change. The work of another Constitutional Commission appears to have come and gone, performing exhaustive research along the way without any sign that its work will produce practical results. The commission’s 248page report, released in 2013, came several years after another well-researched report by the Adderley-Tynes commission was released to the public. “The commission is waiting for some indication as to what the powers that be, the government and opposition, would wish to see hap-
pen,” Mr McWeeney told The Tribune on Monday. “Do they want to see it put on ice now or move to a new agenda? There’s not much time left in the current cycle. The odds are low that another referendum will be held before the next general election.” Most provisions of the Constitution are either entrenched or specially entrenched, meaning that in addition to requiring a referendum, they respectively require two-thirds and three-quarters of each House of Parliament to pass the bills that would amend the law. Reforming the requirements for constitutional change was among the commission’s recommendations in 2013, although Mr McWeeney believes there is no chance Bahamians would have voted in favour of it. “It’s a major hindrance,” he said. “If the framers could’ve seen just how high that puts the bar, they would’ve avoided it.” With the June 7 ref-
erendum failure, some fear that other important changes will not see the light of day. Popular reforms that would have mandated greater transparency and accountability in government were among those that the commission recommended, for instance. They included a constitutional requirement that laws be created for the “establishment, regulation and funding of political parties.” The group also recommended the creation of a “mechanism for members of Parliament to be accountable to their constituents for the performance of their duties” and to be overseen by an agency like the Integrity Commission. Although the Christie administration never indicated that it supported such recommendations, the failure of the June 7 referendum likely means these issues and the pursuit of them will be placed on the backburner, although
ordinary legislation could bring much of them into fruition. “One of the more substantial changes would’ve involved the devolution of the attorney general’s power through the Department of Public Prosecutions,” Mr McWeeney said. “Though it’s substantial, it doesn’t require a referendum. It didn’t appear to me that there was much interest from either the government or opposition for it. It’s not that they disagreed with it. I just don’t think they saw it as being something particularly pressing.” Mr McWeeney said he doesn’t feel his time as chairman of the commission was wasted, noting that its recommendations were substantive enough to serve as a blueprint for constitutional change for generations to come. “There’s temptation to feel like time was wasted,” he said. “I don’t feel that way. It’s a learning experience for the country and reminder that the people are the bosses.”
STUDENT MAKES NECKLACES TO SUPPORT THE BNT
JADE Macvean, a fifth grade student at St Andrew’s School, surprised and delighted the Bahamas National Trust recently by making a donation of the funds she raised from making necklaces. She made her own necklaces and sold them for a dollar at the St Andrew’s School Earth Day event. “With great pride she gave us $41 to help with mangrove conservation,” said BNT Education Director Portia Sweeting. “We feel so encouraged by this special gift.”
JADE Macvean at the Bahamas National Trust making her donation with BNT Education Director Portia Sweeting, her father Jeremy Macvean and BNT Executive Director Eric Carey.
SEAN MCWEENEY QC, chairman of the Constitutional Commission, pictured as the House of Assembly debated bills for constitutional reform.
PAGE 6, Wednesday, June 29, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
PM EXPECTS BAHA MAR TALKS - BUT NO DETAILS from page one
However, he did not go into detail over what concessions would be under consideration. Until this takes place, Mr Christie said that his administration is in a “wait position” as Baha Mar’s receiver managers continue discussions with CCA and the Export Import Bank of China. His comments come amid allegations that the government colluded with the Chinese to shun developer Sarkis Izmirlian from involvement with the shuttered resort. It was also reported that Chinese investors have asked for economic citizenships as a concession to restart construction and to complete Baha Mar. Mr Christie has vehemently denied that any citizenships were granted, however he has been quiet over any other demands for concessions. “Very simply, officials of the government have been in touch with all of the parties,” the prime minister
said when he was asked to give an update on the progress of negotiations, adding that a conference call between the EXIM Bank, the receiver managers and CCA had taken place this weekend. He continued: “The matter is in the hands now of the receiver managers (and) Ray Winder, a Bahamian, is a part of that team. They are in final negotiations with the contracting company with a view to settling
the way forward. “The government will be invited in some stage to begin consideration of what it has to do to facilitate construction permits and whatever else the contractor needs in place. Under the Hotel Encouragement Act there are certain concessions they can get so we are in the process of waiting really for a communication from the receiver managers who have the responsibility and who will advise us as
JOB OPPORTUNITY
SENIOR CASE OFFICER - ECONOMICS ABOUT THE COMPANY: The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (“URCA”) of The Bahamas came into effect on 1 August 2009 as the converged regulator for the Electronic Communications Sector (ECS) – covering broadcasting, radio spectrum and electronic communications. On January 28, 2016 URCA became the regulator of the Electricity Sector (ES) in The Bahamas. The new sector was added to URCA’s responsibilities with the passing of the Electricity Act 2015 (EA) and the URCA (Amendment) Act 2015 on December 31, 2015. URCA is further strengthening its capacity and is seeking to employ a suitably qualified individual to fill the post of Senior Case Officer, Economics in the Utilities and Energy department with the requisite competencies and experience. The position will be based in The Bahamas and will report to the Director of Utilities and Energy. SENIOR CASE OFFICER - ECONOMICS CORE DUTIES: • Analyze/monitor/evaluate the financial, economic and operational performance of utilities in the Electricity Sector and assess whether the utilities are likely to meet economic regulation conditions set out in their licences and relevant regulatory measures • Research best practices in utilities regulation and recommend policy • Lead the assessment of the development plans for the electricity sector • Develop and monitor standards for the electricity industry • Assist URCA in ensuring that the operation of the sector is fair and transparent and that Plants are utilized in the most efficient and cost effective manner • Assist in the development of the regulatory framework for and take the lead in implementing economic regulation of the Electricity sector • Assist in enforcement of regulations and licence conditions • Evaluate rate applications for Electricity • Any other relevant duties which may be assigned from time to time • Work in close liaison with URCA team members in the performance of various regulatory activities • Research, develop and maintain awareness of best practices in utility regulation analysis and disseminate findings to staff • Make recommendations on the optimal development plan for the electricity sector • Make recommendations to on standards for the efficient performance of the electricity sector • Monitor the financial and operational performance of the electricity market to ensure that objectives are realized and efficiency maintained • Prepare and submit periodic reports as required and assist in ensuring that the Annual Report is completed on time in accordance with established procedure • Perform the detailed work for the economic regulation of the Electricity market and provide advice and support • Monitor international utility input costs and prices to consumers, particularly in countries having similar economic conditions to The Bahamas • Supervise staff as assigned • Provide assistance and training to develop regulatory expertise of case officers • Provide assistance in the economic regulation of other sectors regulated by URCA as required by the Director of Utilities and Energy and other executive members from time to time QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE • Master degree in Economics, Engineering or Regulation • A minimum of Eight (8) years post-graduate experience with at least five (5) years of experience working in utility regulation either with company or regulatory agency with increasing responsibilities and demonstrated technical competencies • Outstanding leadership skills in the areas of planning, organizing, coordinating and controlling, etc. • Demonstrated outstanding analytical and research capabilities • Demonstrated understanding of the financial, and economic/ technical factors underpinning the performance of all Utilities, but in particular Electricity, in order to develop pricing models • Strong theoretical and practical appreciation of critical regulatory issues • Good strategic thinking, analytical, technical report writing skills • Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with senior industry and government personnel • Knowledge of the URCA Act, other relevant Acts and government policies relating to the regulated sectors • Working knowledge of international utility regulatory bodies • Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and data base tools REMUNERATION & DEADLINE: URCA is a performance driven organization and offers a competitive and attractive remuneration and benefits package along with opportunities for further training and career experience. For an expanded version of the requirements of the role and more information about URCA, please visit our website: www.urcabahamas.bs INTERESTED?
Interested applicants should email their resume to: hr@urcabahamas.bs
Applications should be received on or before July 8, 2016. URCA thanks all applicants for their interest but only applicants who have been short-listed and have the qualifications and experience will be contacted.
to where they are and what they would wish us now to deal with.” Last Wednesday in the House of Assembly, Mr Christie revealed that two firms, one with ties to Bahamian investors, were shortlisted as the receivers of the project moved closer to deciding which entity will acquire the West Bay Street development. However, he said the final decision was solely at the discretion of the receiver managers. At the time Mr Christie confirmed they were in Beijing, China negotiating a contract to remobilise and complete the project as soon as possible. Mr Christie said China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) along with CCA, its subsidiary, were also participating in the talks.
He did not name the two shortlisted groups, but said neither involved Mr Izmirlian. He added that the government of the Bahamas was not privy to the content of the ongoing discussions in China. Given the immense speculation regarding the government’s involvement in Baha Mar’s current state, Mr Christie also last week read into the record of the lower chamber legal advice the government received from its international lawyers regarding Mr Izmirlian’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing one year ago. He was referring to advice from US law firm Hogan Lovells and UK firm Charles Russell Speechlys LL. The UK based attorneys pointed out that Mr Izmirlian was without funds and his promises of funding were without foundation. Hogan Lovells added that the filings enabled the developer to temporarily retain control of Baha Mar rather than relinquishing control to independent liquidators or receivers. The firm argued that had the Chapter 11 case continued, the filings would have enabled the Baha Mar debtors to assume or reject continuing contracts, deciding which to retain and which to discard generally leaving the counter parties to discarded contracts with nothing more than unsecured damage claims.
This has drawn criticism from both Mr Izmirlian and Long Island MP Loretta Butler Turner. The developer, BMD Holdings, responded last week saying it was “astounding” that nearly one year after engaging with CCA and the EXIM Bank in “sabotaging” the resort’s Chapter 11 case in the United States, the Christie administration suddenly paid two law firms to craft hypothetical justifications for the government’s “ready-fireaim” actions concerning the $3.5bn resort. Meanwhile Mrs ButlerTurner has accused Mr Christie of attempting to remove himself from the “enormous disaster” his administration created over Baha Mar and has castigated the government for making decisions based on certain specific interests. The former FNM deputy leader said the prime minister was locked in a desperate effort to be re-elected and therefore resorted to telling a “selective” history of his government’s colossal mistake in pushing Baha Mar into liquidation. She maintained that despite the Progressive Liberal Party’s claims that the governing party was the defender of this country’s sovereignty, government’s legal manoeuvring did greater harm to this very element. Today marks one year since Baha Mar filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States.
POWER COMPANY HAS NO PLANS TO WRITE OFF CUSTOMER DEBTS
from page one
The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) launched an electricity assistance programme in June 2013 in an effort to reconnect more than 7,000 delinquent residential customers. BEC, which was renamed BPL earlier this year, ran another programme that month that offered residential customers in arrears who paid their outstanding bill in full a 10 per cent discount. Residential customers who continued to pay their
bills on time in June, July and August 2013 received a two per cent discount on each of those bills. Last year, Mr Davis said after PowerSecure’s management deal was finalised, Bahamians could expect a 40 per cent reduction in electricity costs “immediately.” During a signing of a fiveyear management services agreement for BPL in February, Prime Minister Perry Christie also said he was “hopeful that the signing would reduce the cost for electricity for consumers in a significant way.” However, amidst weeks of
almost daily power outages as the corporation works to meet demand, some have charged that the new deal for the utility provider had resulted in no improvement in electrical services despite assurances by the government. However, Mr Davis has maintained that the government has received a plan of action from PowerSecure. Mr Davis has also said the potential to forgive outstanding consumer balances remains just one aspect of ongoing discussions between the Christie administration and PowerSecure.
PILOT KILLED IN BIMINI CRASH HAD NO LICENCE from page one Department of Civil Aviation Keith Major also said officials at the Department of Civil Aviation are unsure whether the pilot was “test driving” his plane or about to operate a charter at the time of the accident. Airplane mechanic, Anthony Smith, nicknamed “Scrubby”, was also on the plane and died in the crash. The Tribune understands Gibson was incarcerated and released from prison six months ago, which may be the reason his license was not renewed. This comes a day after Civil Aviation Department lead investigator Delvin Major told The Nassau Guardian that Gibson’s license was revoked in 2001 and that the deceased was en route to Abaco to charter a flight before he died. “We don’t understand why he would not have gotten a new licence,” Keith Major said yesterday. “Anyone flying an aircraft needs one, it’s like a driver’s licence. If it expires and you say nothing about it, we would not know that it has expired.” “You have a responsibly to ensure it is current, no one ever knows your driver’s licence is expired unless you get into an accident or get pulled over and similarly we will not know if your pilot’s licence expired until you come to us. “We do not go on planes
and check every license, that is not required anywhere in the world. We ensure that persons flying are qualified, you need to be responsible, you need to renew it. Now if we have knowledge of it we will check.” The acting director also said the accident report is not complete and investigators at this point are not sure if the plane was being tested or if it was en route to pick up passengers. “We have no information that he was picking up passengers, the investigation is ongoing and being actively conducted,” Keith Major said. “I don’t know the status of the plane, I don’t know of any charter flight, once we have all the information about the accident it will be released.” On Monday, an official revealed to The Tribune that the crash that killed the two men was caused when the pilot lost control of the aircraft while attempting to avoid hitting another plane that was taxiing on the runway. Delvin Major told The Tribune that based on the department’s investigations, the Piper Aztec 27 did not crash because of engine failure, as was originally reported, but rather was caused “after the pilot turned too deep and as was unable to come out of a nose dive”. Last Monday, Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said the small plane crash at the
South Bimini Airport was likely to have been caused by engine failure. However, Keith Major said yesterday the minister was not given the “additional information” on the crash and reported to the media what she was told by investigators. When contacted yesterday for comment, Mrs Hanna Martin said she will issue a statement along with recommendations after the accident report is completed, which should be in a week’s time. A witness to the crash who wished to remain anonymous said he saw the plane take a nosedive and was not able to “pull out of it” after swerving to avoid hitting the plane on the runway. “They took off and then came back around dropping low to the runway but another plane was on the runway and the pilot panicked,” the witness said on Monday. “The plane took a 40 degree turn, which is too much for an Aztec and so the plane stalled and went into a nosedive. I saw the plane: it was a Cherokee 6 and I don’t think the guys on the plane had a headset and they were not able to communicate.” At 4.15pm on June 19, aviation officials at South Bimini Airport received a report of smoke in bushes near the airport. Officials previously reported that the crashed plane had departed Bimini’s airport minutes before the tragedy.
MAN ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED SEX ATTACK ON 12-YEAR-OLD from page one
that his case would be fasttracked to the higher court upon his return to Magis-
trate’s Court on July 29. A person arraigned on an indictable offence in Magistrate’s Court cannot be considered for bail and Pinder was remanded to the
Department of Correctional Services until the conclusion of his case. However, he was informed of his right to apply to the Supreme Court for pre-trial release.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, June 29, 2016, PAGE 7
PARTICIPANT IN VISITOR LEADERSHIP SCHEME WELCOMED AT US EMBASSY ON Friday June 24, US Chargé d’Affaires Lisa Johnson met Kendra Bowe, a recent participant in the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Ms Bowe, who currently serves as executive director at the Simpson C Penn Foundation, was nominated to participate in the programme due to her role working with at-risk youth. The IVLP exchange held in May 2016 focused on “Youth and Community Conflict Resolution”. During the three-week exchange, she shared best practices with her US counterparts and other participants representing a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences from a number of countries including Thailand, Ukraine, Australia, Cameroon, Gaza Strip, Hungary, India, Jordan,
Kenya, Kosovo, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe. The group visited Washington, DC; Jackson, Wyoming; Reno, Nevada; Los Angeles, California and New Orleans, Louisiana. During her courtesy call on Chargé Johnson at the US Embassy in Nassau, Ms Bowe discussed her plans to apply her experience to her work with The Simpson C Penn Foundation. She also shared her ideas about future partnerships and ideas for programming to share the knowledge gained from the programme. Ms Bowe obtained an associate’s degree in accounting from the College of The Bahamas and certifications in child psychology, counseling, anger management, leadership and pro-literacy and America volunteer tutor training.
KENDRA Bowe pays a courtesy call on US Chargé d’Affaires Lisa Johnson at the US Embassy.
‘Increase in Cuban detainees trying to reach United States’ By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net IMMIGRATION Minister Fred Mitchell said the country is seeing an increase in the number of Cuban migrants illegally entering the Bahamian jurisdiction in their attempts to reach the United States. The wave of migrants from Cuba, he said, is being driven by rumours and the feeling that the law in the US is going to soon change regarding the ‘wet foot, dry foot’ policy. “As far as we know there is not any anticipated change (in that US policy),” Mr Mitchell told The Tribune on Tuesday when contacted about the frequent interdictions of Cuban migrants in the Cay Sal Bank area. Nearly 60 Cuban migrants have been intercepted by the US Coast Guard at Cay Sal Bank and brought to Grand Bahama so far this month. According to immigration officials, in each group processed there have been repeat offenders who have been repatriated previously from The Bahamas. The latest group of six was apprehended and brought to Grand Bahama on Saturday on board the US Coast Guard Cutter Bernard Webber.
Mr Mitchell said that the Cubans will not stop in their attempts to reach the United States. “There has been an uptick in the number of Cubans trying to get into the Bahamas. The analysis has not been provided to me to say that there have been repeats, and that’s possibly so. And what we have been advised by our international partners about what is driving this is the feeling that the law in the US is going to change with regard to the ‘wet foot, dry foot’ policy, and so people are trying to get into the States before that change of policy. “As far as we know there is not any anticipated change and I would guess given the structure of the legislature and the US that that is not a possibility because they are the ones who are going to have to change it. But that is what they say is driving it - the rumours.” He added: “What the effect of that law is, is once you get to the US you basically get permanent residence or the right to reside, whereas other nationalities don’t have to go through any procedures, so there’s special procedures which apply to Cubans only. “So this is why for example there was a bit of back and forth in the press with regards to the two people (Carlos Pupa and Lazaro
Seara – the Cuban men imprisoned in The Bahamas for three years) who the US said they did not want back in the US… it is again because of that policy - once you get there it is very difficult to be expelled; so whether you were there unlawfully before, whether they did not want you there, once you get on land in the US the law says that you can stay,” he explained. Mr Mitchell stated that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force partners with the US Coast Guard and assets are positioned in such a way to take care of any eventuality in the Cay Sal Bank area. “What I would say also is that we are in the preliminary stages of seeking additional talks with the Cubans because we still think that the turnaround time for Cuban migrants leaving this country is just still too long - part of it is administrative delay on our side and part of it is administrative delay on the other side. “But we have reduced the time down to about three weeks, when really it should be down to 72 hours; but there are various procedures which government say has to be done in terms of identifying their citizens.” Mr Mitchell said the Cubans are a security problem at the Carmichael Road
FRED MITCHELL, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, said there has been an increase in the number of Cuban migrants illegally entering The Bahamas. It is believed that the Detention Centre and not- seen an increase in the ed that several times in the number of Chinese, Brazil- influx of illegal migrants last few months they had to ians, Filipinos, and other would stop if the Bahamas send in special police units nationalities coming to the had tougher laws against there to assist the defence Bahamas legally on visi- illegal entry like Cuba or force to make sure there is tor’s visas, overstaying their Mexico where it is a felony time, and taking prepara- and there are penalties up order in the facility. Immigration officials in tory steps to be illegally to 10 years and two years, respectively. Grand Bahama have also smuggled into the US.
FOUL PLAY NOT SUSPECTED IN DEATH By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net POLICE stressed yesterday that they do not suspect foul play in the death of a local government official from Mayaguana who was found dead in a home in eastern New Providence on Saturday. They have ruled it a sudden death until an autopsy has been completed. “We did not see anything, no marks or anything on the body
that would suggest foul play despite all the rumours on social media,” head of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said yesterday. “We are investigating this incident as a sudden death unless an autopsy or a pathologist says anything different.” The deceased, identified as Mayaguana Chief Councillor Shandika Charlton, was in the capital for an awards banquet. She was married with one
daughter. According to police, Mrs Charlton’s lifeless body was discovered in the bathroom of a home at Benson and Crouch Close in Dan Nottage Estates shortly before 5pm. In a statement released on Sunday, Financial Services and Local Government Minister Hope Strachan confirmed Mrs Charlton’s death. The Sea Breeze MP said she and local government officials were “shocked and extremely
saddened” to learn of the sudden passing of Mrs Charlton while she was in New Providence. Less than 24 hours before the discovery of her body, Mrs Charlton was being honoured at the Local Government 20th Anniversary Awards Ceremony for her dedicated efforts toward the advancement of local government. Mrs Charlton had served on the District Council for the island of Mayaguana from 2005.
17 CUBANS DETAINED
SEVENTEEN Cuban migrants are being detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre after being apprehended in Bahamian waters by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on Monday morning. Acting on information received, HMBS Lignum Vitae, commanded by Senior Lieutenant Bertram Bowleg, spotted and boarded an 18-foot makeshift aluminum motor driven vessel approximately six miles off the coast of Cay Lobos at around 9.45am. A further search of the vessel revealed the 12 males and five females, who were then taken aboard the Lignum Vitae and brought to Nassau yesterday afternoon, where they were handed over to Immigration officials.
PAIR DENY CHARGES OVER $1.4M MARIJUANA HAUL By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
TWO men denied having knowledge or custody of $1.4m worth of marijuana seized on Sunday from a rental unit of a quiet residential community off Tonique Williams Highway. Dennis Earnest, 41, and Dundas Munnings, 34, appeared before Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes yesterday facing charges of conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent
to supply and in fact possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. Munnings faced an addition count of the latter charge concerning a lesser amount of Indian hemp allegedly found in his possession. Both men pleaded not guilty to allegations that they were found with 1,389 pounds of marijuana on June 26. On the day in question, Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) officers acted on a tip, which led them to a rental property at the
rear of Pikkano Properties around 9.15am where two men were allegedly discovered with 1,389 pounds of marijuana at various stages of packaging. The haul of marijuana was housed in a small efficiency attached to the three-story rental property, which had the appearance of a drug processing facility with different sections of the structure representing specialised production areas. Earnest and Munnings were told that they would stand trial on September
29 and were remanded to the Department of Correctional Services because the offences are not eligible for bail. However, they were advised of their right to apply to the Supreme Court for a bond if they wished to be released from custody before their trial. Earnest has retained attorney Jomo Campbell to represent him. Munnings was not represented in yesterday’s arraignment. In a separate arraignment, 32-year-old Ayvan
Arty faced a single charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply stemming from a seizure of 24 pounds of suspected marijuana in Freeport, Grand Bahama. It is alleged that he had knowledge and custody of Indian hemp on Friday, June 24. However, the accused denied the allegation. According to police reports, officers of Operation Turf Sweep searched a residence on Pearl Way Drive, Sea Horse Village, and discovered a large black gar-
bage bag containing four sealed packages of suspected marijuana. A man and woman were arrested and taken into police custody. Arty, who was also remanded to prison, will stand trial in New Providence and not Grand Bahama as the chief magistrate said he did not intend to transfer the matter to that jurisdiction. Arty’s lawyer, Carlson Shurland expressed his reservations, but the court’s decision for a September 19 trial in the capital was not changed.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, June 29, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Minnis slams govt over promises on education By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday criticised the government for its “failed” investments in education, further slamming the Christie administration for failing to build “one single high school” during its two nonconsecutive terms in office. He said a government led by him would provide full scholarships and housing for Family Island students to attend the College of the Bahamas as well as a monthly stipend. Dr Minnis also questioned the government’s adding of $1.6bn to The Bahamas’ national debt over the past three years, as well as the dramatic increase in the Office of the Prime Minister’s contingency provision from $29,000 the previous fiscal year to $2m, all while “we still do not have a much needed new high school.”
FNM leader Hubert Minnis.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
SENIOR CASE OFFICER - TECHNICAL ABOUT THE COMPANY: The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (“URCA”) of The Bahamas came into effect on 1 August 2009 as the converged regulator for the Electronic Communications Sector (ECS) – covering broadcasting, radio spectrum and electronic communications. On January 28, 2016 URCA became the regulator of the Electricity Sector (ES) in The Bahamas. The new sector was added to URCA’s responsibilities with the passing of the Electricity Act 2015 (EA) and the URCA (Amendment) Act 2015 on December 31, 2015. URCA is further strengthening its capacity and is seeking to employ a suitably qualified individual to fill the post of Senior Case officer - Technical in the Utilities and Energy department with the requisite competencies and experience. The position will be based in The Bahamas and will report to the Director of Utilities and Energy. While the primary responsibilities will relate to regulation within the Electricity Sector and other utilities sectors SENIOR CASE OFFICER - TECHNICAL CORE DUTIES: • Analyze/monitor/evaluate the technical and operational performance of Electricity Sector and assess whether the regulated entities are compliant with regulatory conditions set out in the licences and relevant regulatory legislation. • Assist URCA in ensuring that long term and investment plans are developed to provide adequate service levels • Develop standards for utility operations • Keep abreast of developments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in order to advise on the implementation of regulatory mechanisms to promote the sustainable implementation of these technologies in the Bahamas • Keep abreast with technological advancement in order to advice on impact on the regulatory framework • Monitors/evaluates the technical performance of the Utilities • Provides Technical advice and support • Maintains Records and provide Reports • Undertake any other related duties which may be assigned from time to time • Supervise staff as assigned • Provide assistance and training to develop regulatory expertise of case officers and engineers • Provide assistance in the technical regulation of other sectors regulated by URCA as required by the Director of Utilities and Energy and other executive members from time to time.
“This PLP continues to talk about doubling the investment in education, yet this government has not built one single high school in its two terms in office; not one high school in nine years,” Dr Minnis said in a statement. “Where did the money go? Where did the $1.6b of borrowed money go? We know the prime minister was able to give himself a $2m slush fund to use in this election year, yet we still do not have a much needed new high school.” Dr Minnis also lamented the current modus operandi of the public school system, charging that it graduates “far too many students with a D grade average.” “We have to stop social promotion,” Dr Minnis said. “If a child cannot read or write, sending he or she forward to a higher class only breeds anger and frustration. We have to stop this notion that every child should go into a purely academic stream. No child should leave grade two without knowing how to
read and write and do basic arithmetic.” He added: “The public education system must provide programmes to ensure that every child emerges from grade 12 with a marketable skill. The FNM will initiate properly staffed, active community centres, where enterprise, music, art, seamanship and various marketable skills are provided free of cost to our young and not so young citizens. “Every Bahamian child must have equal access to the best quality education that the country provides,” Dr Minnis added. “Family Island students should not be denied access to a college education because of geography and/or financial circumstances, hence the FNM will provide full scholarships, and housing to qualified Family Island students to attend the College of the Bahamas campus in Nassau and/or Freeport. In addition, Family Island students will be provided with a monthly stipend.”
DEAF PASSENGERS ON SHIP CAUGHT UP IN STORM FILE LAWSUIT AN AMERICAN lawyer has filed a separate lawsuit on behalf of five deaf passengers who were aboard the cruise ship Anthem of the Seas when it sailed into hurricane-force winds on a voyage from New Jersey to the Bahamas earlier this year. In February, a proposed class action lawsuit was filed in Miami federal court against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd for subjecting more than 4,000 passengers to calamitous weather conditions, without appropriate policies in place to deal with the impending danger. That lawsuit claims the cruise line was aware, or should have been aware, of the weather warnings before setting sail. Attorney Michael Winkleman of Lipcon, Margulies, Alsina & Winkleman (LMAW) in Miami said yesterday that despite the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration’s forecast of hurricaneforce winds, Royal Caribbean chose to continue with the journey “because they want to stay on schedule, because they want to get to their ports because that’s how they make their money”. This time, however, the choice to stay on-track placed the lives of thousands of passengers in grave danger. Now, a new lawsuit has been filed as five deaf passengers take on Royal Caribbean for failing to ensure that they were kept up-to-date with important safety information during this near disaster. The complaint states that Royal Caribbean “did not utilise any qualified ASL interpreter during this period of time, or any other form of auxiliary aid, to communicate critical updates to the Plaintiffs, that the other passengers could ac-
cess.” Information included “safety, storm-status, meals and delivery of water, the Captain’s Orders, and when it was finally safe to leave their cabins.” One passenger described the February 6 experience “like being on a roller coaster you could not get off, and without any seatbelt”. As the Complaint also alleges, the sheer terror of the event “was exponentially amplified because these deaf passengers were kept completely in the dark as to what was going on and what [Royal Caribbean] was doing (if anything) to keep them safe.” LMAW has provided legal assistance to those who have been harmed or victimised in a cruise-related incident for 40 years and is nationally and internationally recognised for its commitment to bring justice to passengers and crew members.
QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE • Master Degree in Engineering (electrical, mechanical, energy) • Professional Engineering registration in The Bahamas • A minimum of seven to ten (7-10) years progressive experience in utilities operation, engineering and/or planning functions • Experience in electric utility regulation would be a distinct advantage • Experience/knowledge of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency programmes will be a distinct advantage • Some commercial knowledge, including a demonstrable understanding of accounting and financial issues and economic analysis • Outstanding leadership skills in the areas of planning, organizing, coordinating and controlling, etc. • Demonstrated outstanding analytical and research capabilities. • Strong theoretical and practical appreciation of critical regulatory issues • Excellent strategic thinking, analytical, technical report writing skills • Excellent inter-personal skills • Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with senior industry and government personnel • Knowledge of the URCA Act, other relevant Acts and government policies relating to the regulated sectors • Working knowledge of international utility regulatory bodies • Excellent computer skills, with competency in software for power system planning, least cost development and economic dispatch of Plants and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point REMUNERATION & DEADLINE: URCA is a performance driven organization and offers a competitive and attractive remuneration and benefits package along with opportunities for further training and career experience. For an expanded version of the requirements of the role and more information about URCA, please visit our website: www.urcabahamas.bs INTERESTED?
Interested applicants should email their resume to: hr@urcabahamas.bs Applications should be received on or before July 8, 2016. URCA thanks all applicants for their interest but only applicants who have been short-listed and have the qualifications and experience will be contacted.
YOUR
CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019
THE THETRIBUNE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, June 2016, PAGE Wednesday, June 22,29, 2016, PAGE A99
SMARTWATCHES CARS BUILT BY STUDENTS, ARE GETTING POWERED BY THE SUN SMARTER . . . SLOWLY
ST JOHN’S College is continuing its commitment to solar power as theAPPLE studentsand prepare to take part in Android smartwatchthe 2017getting Solar better Car Challenge at the es are as their makers fix the frustrations of inmany early Texas Motor Speedway Dallas. adopters the next improvements are For one- but week month, the small steps a long journey to constudents willinrace a solar powered vincedesigned people they computer car, and need builta by them, on their wrist. against other schools in the United The Apple Watch, for instance, States. promises faster app launching and a Under the guidance of Physics one-button 911 Shazz call. Android Wear teacher, Father Turnquest, a watches will soon let you track gym group of 20 students aged 15 to 18 workouts such as weight training. are working to build a soBoth systemstogether will let you swipe-write lar powered car.finger. Fr Turnquest texts with your All are said nifty the project is nothing a chance for to“kids features - just likely turn good with their as well neas a smartwatch intohands” the day-to-day students who are good science. cessity a smartphone hasat become. HeApple says that kids all the and “the Google aredo scheduled work on out thefree car”software and areupdates assessed to push in thethe coming months. by judges in Texas without help from their teachers. As well as sciAPPLE WATCH this project entific development FASTER: With the upcoming also helps build the student’s interwatchOS 3 software, your favourite personal and organisational skills. apps will this launch automatically and Earlier month, St John’s unload data in the background. You no veiled its solar panel system for the longer have to wait several seconds pool area and solar car project for the app to the start up and retrieve builds on the school’s ambition of data from the phone. being sustainable. Fr Turnquest EASIER NAVIGATION: Apsaid the school was “trying to prople Watch currently offers favourite mote solar power The Bahaapps through Glance,inbut it gives you mas” andinformation said that it and was ridiculous limited works only from watch solar face. The Glance reto notthe develop power as “we placement, called Dock, gets you full apps from any screen with a press of the side button. Meanwhile, swiping up will soon get you frequently used settings, and message replies will be possible without first hitting “reply.” BEYOND VOICE: With Scribble, you’ll use your finger to write
characters on the screen one at a time. The watch translates them into computerised text. You’ll still have the current options for voice or preconfigured replies like “yes” and “no”. CATCHING UP: You’ll be able to skip the password screen on Macs when wearing your Apple Watch, which will also let you challenge friends on fitness, something Fitbit and other fitness devices already offer. NEW FEATURES: With SOS, you can hold the side button for a few seconds to call 911 - or the equivalent when travelling abroad. The so watch will also message your have much sun”. If successful, St emergency contact and display key John’s will besuch the first school from information as your allergies the Caribbean take part a on the screen. Ato new watch appinwill competition ofthrough this nature. also guide you breathing exThe to Solar Car Challenge beercises help reduce stress. ganBOTTOM in 1993 asLINE: a high Apple school Watch extra curricular the has come aprogramme long way innamed 14 months and its starting price has droppedIts to “Winston Solar Challenge.” popularity hasstill since grown $300. But it’s tough to rapidly explain to friends anditsfamily why they need and become own non-profit enone. More than 161 schools in 32 tity.
US states now take part and leadWEAR ingANDROID teachers from across the counFASTER: The upcoming Antry have put their minds together droid Wear 2.0 software will let to make the Solar Car Challenge apps run directly on the watch, so one thecommunicate most engaging and motheyof can directly with
they can communicate directly with remote servers through the watch’s Wi-Fi or cellular connection, if it has one. Information might arrive faster because it doesn’t need to go through the phone first. Apps need to be updated to take advantage of this standalone capability.
TECHTALK
FATHER Shazz Turnquest in an electricalpowered race car being used as a demonstration model for students to assist them with building their own solar cars. THE Apple Watch and Android Wear. EASIER NAVIGATION: Cur-
tivating high school science rently, you swipe up and downprofor grammes in existence today. notifications, but left and right for The Solar Car Challenge is deactions like replies. signed to motivate students in The update will eliminate the zigscience, engineering and alternazagging and present everything in one energy. vertical Students feed. Message tive learnnotificahow to tions will also turnbuild into and mini-chat design, engineer, race apps. roadworthy solar cars. Workshops, Currently,materials, your chat and notification curriculum on-site disappears after you reply, even if visits help support the teams. The you have more to end product of say. each education BEYOND VOICE: The watch cycle is the Solar Car Challenge: will now have aevent full keyboard with a closed-track at the world predictive texting, similar to phones. famous Texas Motor Speedway, It will also support handwriting simor cross country eventMore designed ilara to Apple’s Scribble. apps to an opportunity to willgive getstudents pre-configured replies that
‘AVATAR’ MOBILE GAME LANDS AHEAD OF FILM SEQUELS
Photo: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff as weather info or stock quotes.
show theWatch country of Android appsthe willproduct also have their darkerefforts. backgrounds, as Apple Watch Following lectures apps do now, atoseries makeofthe watch and less classes given by engineers one annoying in dark settings from like cinof Nassau’s leading electrical firms, emas. FEATURES: FrNEW Turnquest’s interest wasAndroid pricked Wearhewill soon asupport weightliftand attended workshop in Daling,insquats push-ups. And the las whichand he found out about watch’sCar redesigned appThe launcher will Solar Challenge. school is make fuller use of circular screens. attempting to raise $50,000 to help BOTTOM LINE: The two-yearfund testing, building, shipping and old Android Wear system has inracing of their vehicle. The children troduced significant and Fr Turnquest areimprovements seeking supalong the way, including the ability port from local businesses help to work with iPhones, whichto mostly fund limit their you toproject. notifications and fitness Alexandernavigation Hawkins - there’s no turn-by-turn
you can select, and choices will vary on the watch, for instance. The stand-alone capability should based on context. Voice dictation rechange that, giving iPhone users a vimains an option. CATCHING UP: Android joins able alternative to Apple Watch. Apple Watch in getting complicaANICK JESDANUN tions on watch faces. There are little bits ofHIGH-powered customisable data, thermal such Associated Press “We are sending a clear mes-
THERMAL CAMERAS TO CATCH HIDDEN MOTORS IN TOUR DE FRANCE BIKES
cameras using atomic research sage, which is that there is litBEFORE moviegoers return to Resources Development Administratechnology will be used on the erally nowhere to hide for anyPandora, they will be able visit the tion and the blue-skinned alien race Tour de France to help eradi- one foolish enough to attempt exotic alien world from “Avatar” on Na’vi of Pandora. The film sequels cate the threat of riders using to cheat in this way,” UCI their smartphones. will explore Pandora’s other environhidden motors inside their bi- president Brian Cookson said. Lightstorm Entertainment and ments and cultures. cycles. In April, French television 20th Century Fox have enlisted game The game will not only rely on the A leading French science program Stade 2 claimed to studio Kabam to develop an “Avatar” first movie for inspiration. For the and technology research body have detected so-called ‘memobile game for release ahead of the past year, the developers at Kabam into atomic energy, called the chanical doping’ at two Italian next four film sequels. have been collaborating with artists CEA, will provide the tech- races by using roadside ther“The idea is to extend the world and others working on the next “Avanology required for the test- mal cameras. The UCI previbeyond the big screen and create an tar” installments at Lightstorm. ing, France’s junior minister ously said its magnetic resistexperience that will true to what be a creature or Mueller“There said themight company GERMAN car bemanufor sports Thierry Braillard ance test is more effective than James Cameron did inplans makingwould the RDA that was not in the first need aircraft more electric facturer Volkswagen said on Monday. “flawed” heat-seeking tests, most technologically advanced film movie we designed for the seto meetthat increasingly to ramp up its offerings of vehicles Thermal cameras help to which it said were only effecof its time,” said Kabam COO Kent quels that’slimits part ofon the texture of the tight government electric vehicles as it fights detect the heat produced by tive if bikes are filmed close up Wakeford. “That’s what we want to films,” said “Avatar” a small hidden motor, even if from motorcycles. to bounce back from a scan- emissions of carbon dioxide, producer and do game.” Lightstorm Jon Landau. “If it gasCOO blamed dalwith overthis diesel cars rigged to the greenhouse the motor is turned off. CEAA magnetic resistance test is The multiplayer strategy game is set doesn’t reveal a story point from the provided cameras were used at carried out with a tablet comby scientists for global warmcheat on emissions tests. for release in 2018 before the second films, why not share that with Kathe French championships last puter using software to scan a ing, and other pollutants. The electric “Avatar” film hitscampaign cinemas. is Mr Wakbam and allow them to use it in that weekend and further research bike, and it can detect motors, He said, however, that part of a wide-ranging eford said Kabam plans to update space?” is ongoing. magnets and batteries in a bithe company would review of the comthe game as “Avatar” sequels unfurl The four sequels are scheduled to TaihuLight, THE Sunway a new Chinese is seen in Wuxi, eastern Mr Braillard saidsupercomputer, a new cycle’s frame, wheel hubsChina’s and keep a major fopany’s strategy Jiangsu Province. A supercomputer from China has topped a less global list 30 of the fastest every other year until 2023. be simultaneously filmed. Mr Landau law will be submitted to parrims in than seconds. cus on developing that also includes Kabam previously released mobile said screenwriters are closesystems to finishfor a seventh straight and for the first time the winner, liament for year, approval later The UCI Sunway banned Taihucycloincreasing profitLight, Chinese-designed processors instead of U.S. technology. games based on such franchises as ing and theirselling scriptsinterand filming withuses the only this year, whereby “sporting cross rider Femke Van Den nal combustion ability, investing “Star Wars”, Marvel and “Fast & Fu- principal cast, which includes Sam AP) fraud” of this nature is punish- Driessche(LiofXiang/Xinhua Belgium via from engines. and Zoe Saldana, is set in newMrways of rious.” Wakeford said the budget Worthington able by law. cycling for six years. She was A CHINESE supercomputer has list, with none ranked in the top 30, the Volkswagen getting to produce around the “Avatar” game will be to begin in early 2017. The International Cy- caught using a hidden motor has come further and faster than topped a list of the world’s fastest com- nation bet heavily on diethat do not necessubstantially more than $14 million, Landau said the mobile game’s plot the history ofrace, supercling Union has other at acountry world in championship puters for the seventh straightadded year - that and it any sarily involve the average cost ownof Kabam’s previous sels will to be meeting separate car from thefor“Avatar” enough resources carry computing,” out and the imposed said in thesanction TOP500 -organisers the first time the winner usestoonly emissions goals. Butallow that players ing a car, and making titles. films and will to align Chinese-designed instead of Tour, in a statement Monday. up processors to 4,000 tests at the April - on was a first using rules Thecompany’s original 2009 film centred on together make decisions will strategy suffered and a blow after the management This on year’s champion is the Sunway USthat technology. which begins on Saturday. mechanical doping. the company discovered more open and trustworthy. the conflict between the human-led affect was the narrative. Last year’s Chinese winner in the TaihuLight at the National SupercomTOP500 ranking maintained by re- puting Center in Wuxi, west of Shanghai, CEO Matthias Muel- last September to have met ler said the company plans emissions tests using engine searchers in the United States and Ger- according to TOP500. It was developed to introduce more than 30 control software that turned many slipped to second, followed by a by China’s National Research Center of computer at the US government’s Oak Parallel Computer Engineering & Techelectric-powered vehicles by emission controls on when Ridge National Laboratory in Tennes- nology using entirely Chinese-designed the car wasthan on ayears. test stand 2025, and to sell between SCIENTISTS using facial recrather reef,” said Ove Hoegh-Guldberg,ShenWei reallyprocessors. need to know what’s in the see. two and three million of and turned them off in eveognition technology and 360-deCoral reefs are essential to food director of the Global Change Incupboard to is begin with. The TaihuLight capable of 93That’s petaAlso this year, China displaced the rydaysupplies, driving. natural environmentUnited themunderwater a year. To support gree photos that have deand States stitute at the University ofasQueenswhat this technology does.” per secflops, or quadrillion calculations for the first time the ambitious the to comcompany has until veloped newplan, software quickly The coastal economies the world country over, land for the pro-ond, according Scientiststohave neverItbefore capTOP500. is intended with and the lead mostscientist supercomputers June according 28 to work out a set-who attendpany wants to increase assess coral bleaching anditsother to scientists ject. most of usJapan on the tured a comprehensive in such engineering and researchpicinin the top 500“So - 167 to 165. wasplanet a for use in-housetoexpertise in battery tlement withweek’s US authorities damage the world’s imperiled ed last International Coral don’twith know a coral reef reallycluding ture climate, of reef health - and hope weather, lifethey sciences, distant third 29 what systems. technology. Improving bat- to repair or replace insome and data anareefs. Reef Symposium Hawaii. is, and thereby, if you knowadvanced it will manufacturing lead to the discovery of new Supercomputers are one of adon’t series National Oceanic and crewprobalso partnered about something, are you phenomena on reefs, said Ruth tery range is expected to Atmosbe 500,000The carssurvey with the of technologies targeted byhow China’s rul- go-lytics. for development top speed is about that lematic Some View 11 to ing a key Administration factor in gettingofficials more say pheric withsoftware. Google Street pro-Communist ing to feelParty compelled to protect it?” Its Gates, president of five the times InternaRidge’s Titan, which uses Cray, the technology will provide videcars interactive reefhave received The dataheavy on damage is critically tional Society for Reef Studies and and financial sup- of Oak million were soldunderwater with people to buy electric cars. an unandofOpteron technology. port. Such systems are used for matched resource assessing experiences for users all around important because it weather provides aNVIDIA director the Hawaii Institute of The new plan for includes a the the software worldwide. second-fastest computer, the designing nuclear growing problem. theset world. with the clickforecasting, of a baseline for much ofweapons, the world’s The Marine Biology. focus on digital mobility, It has asideNow, at least 16.2 the Nationalcan Supercomputer analysing oilfields and other Researchers at the things XL Catlin mouse immerse themundocumented reef,specialised Mr Hoegh-Tianhe-2 Theattechnology process the which could include billion eurospeople ($18.1can billion) thetimes southern Guangpurposes. Global Reef Record said that crein a world they Guldberg said. “As we see great-Center datain900 fastercity thanofprevious from selves last year’s earnings to may never like ride-sharing or car-sharis capable ofits 33 accuracy petaflops.rivals It uses “Considering that from just 10 years change, ago, zhou, ating the virtual reality scenes alhave been able to see. er impacts climate methods, and a ing based on smartphone cover the costs of recalls and chips made by Intel Corp. China claimed a mere 28 systems on the lows hundreds of thousands of im“Less than one per cent of huthings like larger cyclones, mass human expert, said Richard Vevers, apps, for instance. fixes. ages to be analysed within weeks manity has been diving on a coral bleaching events and so on, we project director of the survey.
VOLKSWAGEN TO LAUNCH MORE ELECTRIC CARS AFTER DIESEL SCANDAL
CHINA DOMINATES GLOBAL SUPERCOMPUTER SPEED LIST
NEW TECHNOLOGY SPEEDS MASSIVE CORAL REEF SURVEY
SOME users • A FACEFacebook representing “rolling on the laughing” to anddo a looking forfloor something inhand realtaking life can now get a selfie are suggesamong 72 new emojis that network. will soon tions from the social make way to your smart-is The their company says a team phone. together lists of things putting Thein California-based to do 10 US cities withUnithe code ofConsortium, whichstay congoal helping users in trols emoji has the know aboutstandards, what’s happenreleased a list of the new charing where they live. The events acters. Otherseveral highlights include will include categories, emojis representing a pregnant like family, educational, comwoman and Mrs Claus. munity and entertainment. One proposed emoji was that now, ofFor a rifle as the part lists of a are grouponly of available on iOS in Olympic Boston, emojis representing Chicago, Dallas, Los sports before theHouston, Rio Games Angeles, Miami, New BuzzYork this summer. However, feed News reported that ApCity, San Francisco, Seattle and ple Washington, and MicrosoftDC. both argued against including the rifle.
AN experimental solar• MICHELLE powered airplane Obama landedhas in joined completing the social an media app Spain, unprecSnapchatthree-day to promote her across forthedented flight coming trip to Africa and Euthe Atlantic in the latest leg of rope to encouragevoyage. girls’ educaits globe-circling tion. The Solar Impulse 2 landed The White House says the acincount Seville in southern launched yesterdaySpain will last Thursday morning, after make it easy for students to keepa 71-hour from New York tabs on flight the first lady’s travels. City. Ither was the first time a Follow at “MichelleObama”. solar-powered plane wife has plans made The US President’s such a journey using zero fuel to spend next week highlighting the fact an estimated 62 miland zerothat emissions, organisers lion adolescent girls around the said. The aircraft was reported not attending school. toworld haveare flown 4,204 miles at a maximum height of 28,000 feet TWITTER now letting and• average speedis of 59 mph. itsItusers waspost thevideos 15th that legareofupa to 140 seconds long, an increase planned around-the-world from which its previous 30-second flight began in March, limit. from Abu Dhabi in the 2015, The move is part of the soUnited Arab Emirates. cial media company’s efforts to attract a broader set of users, SCIENTISTS have desome of whom feel confined by ployed acoustic buoy 22 its limitsan on the length of tweets miles the coast of likely New as welloff as videos. It’s also York’s to monitor to help Fire usersIsland make money from several species greatatwhales, such videos andof comes a time when online videos are becomeavesdropping on their songs increasingly widespread and toingbetter understand and safepopulartheir on the platforms ofnear riguard movements valsbusy such shipping as Facebook. two lanes. Videos will four also befeet longer The buoy, in on diVine, Twitter’s video-sharing ameter with a mast standing social network. Twitter said that six feet above the sea surface it is starting with Island, a “small group” south of Long is conof Vine creators who will “be nected by “stretch hoses” to able to add a video to their Vine, aturning weighted frame that sits 125 the six-second Vine into feet below thestory”. sea floor. a trailer for aon bigger
The frame features high-tech listening devices connectedairto • A SOLAR-powered an underwater plane has begunmicrophone. its trans-AtlanticThe flight on thewill latest legon of obits devices focus taining data on the sounds of globe-circling voyage. The species Swiss-made Solar Imseveral of baleen whales pulse 2 took John F because they off are from endangered, Kennedy Airport in New York said Dr Mark Baumgartner, of at Woods 2.30am Hole on Monday and is the Oceanographto land in Seville in icscheduled Institution.
Spain tomorrow. The Solar Impulse 2’s wide AN American sailor has wings equipped with 17,000 tappedare into cloud-based techsolar cells that power propellers nology for batteries. mobile phones to and charge The plane make it stored easierenergy to have volunruns on at night.
teers take turns driving drunk friends home, an initiative • NINTENDO is puttingthat all has curtailed driving of its faith in drunken “The Legend of among USof Navy ranks. the Zelda: the Breath the Wild,” latest of the 30-year The installment Saferide service, tested ataction-adventure the Naval Sea Systems Comseries starring iconic adventurer Link. South mand in Charleston, After delaying title from Carolina, sincethe February, last year, “Breath of the Wild” could also help ease tensions is set release next March for on thefor Japanese island of Okthe Wii U console. It will also be inawa, where public outrage available Nintendo’s yet-tohas flaredfor because of the perbe-revealed NX system, schedception that the large US miliuledpresence to debut inhas 2017. tary led to more The most noticeable change crime, drunken drivis thatincluding Link awakens after a ing. 100-year-long slumber in a Petty Officerrendition Michaelof Daigle freewheeling Hystarted his Saferide service, usrule featuring sweeping vistas, ing San Diego-based Voxox’s castles, forests, temples and Cloud Phone, which costs just volcanoes. The pointy-eared protagonist won’t strong or $15 a month. Thebetechnology works like a hotline, well-equipped enough allowing to reach every point atsailors the outset, he’sa intoxicated to but call not bound by walls or restricted single number, which has been to aup linear story so line.that Thethe series’ set digitally call treasure-filled dungeons have goes to the various sailors on been replaced by puzzle-laden standby, who have volunteered shrines. ahead of time to drive.
PAGE 10, Wednesday, June 29, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
‘NO SMOKING GUN’ POINTS TO CLINTON ON BENGHAZI WASHINGTON Associated Press
HOUSE Republicans on Tuesday concluded their $7m, two-year investigation into the deadly attacks in Benghazi, Libya, with fresh accusations of lethal mistakes by the Obama administration but no “smoking gun” pointing to wrongdoing by Hillary Clinton, then secretary of state and now the Democrats’ presumptive presidential nominee. After the long investigation, none of the new revelations highlighted by the House Benghazi committee in its 800-page report pointed specifically to Clinton’s actions before, during or after the Sept 11, 2012, attacks on the US diplomatic outpost and CIA annex in the eastern Libyan city. Four Americans, including US Ambassador Chris Stevens, died in the attacks. Allegations against Clinton were a main impetus behind the House Republicans’ creation of the politically charged, Watergate-style select committee. Clinton testified before the panel for nearly 11 hours last fall. While the panel’s GOP members took shots at Clinton on Tuesday, Rep Trey Gowdy, R-SC, the chairman, summed up the document by asking “the American people to read this report for themselves, look at the evidence we have collected and reach their own conclusions”. In Denver, Clinton dismissed the report as an echo of previous probes with no new discoveries. “I think it’s pretty clear it’s time to move on,” she said during a campaign stop. The committee interviewed more than 100 witnesses and reviewed some 75,000 pages of documents. The GOP report severely criticises the military, CIA and administration officials for their response as the attacks unfolded, and their subsequent explanations to the American people.
PASSENGERS embrace each other at the entrance to Istanbul’s Ataturk airport yesterday following their evacuation after the attack on the location.
DOZENS DEAD IN ATTACK ON ISTANBUL AIRPORT ISTANBUL Associated Press
SUICIDE attackers killed dozens and wounded more than 140 at Istanbul’s busy Ataturk Airport, as Turkish officials blamed Tuesday’s massacre at the international terminal on three suspected Islamic State group militants. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said 36 were dead as well as the three suicide bombers. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said 147 were wounded. Another senior government official told The Associated Press the death toll could climb much higher. The senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol, at first said close to 50 people had already died, but later said that the figure was expected to rise to close to 50. Hundreds of frightened passengers streamed out
of the airport, fleeing the latest of several bombings to strike Turkey in recent months. The attacks on a key partner in the US-led coalition against IS and a NATO member have increased in scale and frequency. They have scared off tourists and hurt the Turkish economy, which relies heavily on tourism. Hevin Zini, 12, had just arrived from Duesseldorf, Germany, with her family and was in tears from the shock. “There was blood on the ground,” she told The Associated Press. “Everything was blown up to bits... if we had arrived two minutes earlier, it could have been us.” Yildirim, speaking to reporters at the airport, said all initial indications suggested the Islamic State group was behind the attacks. “The findings of our security forces point at the
Daesh organisation as the perpetrators of this terror attack,” Yildirim said, using the Arabic name for IS. “Even though the indications suggest Daesh, our investigations are continuing.” Turkey shares long, porous borders with Syria and Iraq, war-torn countries where IS controls large pockets of territory. Authorities have blamed IS for several major bombings over the past year, including on the capital Ankara, as well as attacks on tourists in Istanbul. Turkey has stepped up controls at airports and land borders and deported thousands of foreign fighters, but has struggled to tackle the threat of IS militants while also conducting vast security operations against Kurdish rebels, who have also been blamed for recent deadly attacks. The devastation at Istanbul’s airport follows the
March attack on Brussels Airport, where two suicide bombings ripped through check-in counters, killing 16 people. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for that attack, as well as a subsequent explosion at a Brussels subway station that killed 16 more people. Yildirim said air traffic at Ataturk Airport, which was suspended after the attack, had resumed to normal early Wednesday. A stoppage of flights to and from the United States and Istanbul lasted several hours but was later lifted, said a US official who spoke on background to discuss sensitive security issues. Yildirim said the attackers arrived at the airport in a taxi and blew themselves up after opening fire. Asked whether a fourth attacker might have escaped, he said authorities have no such assessment but are considering every possibility. Another Turkish official
said two of the attackers detonated explosives at the entrance of the international arrivals terminal after police fired at them, while the third blew himself up in the parking lot. The official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations, cited interior ministry information and said that none of the attackers managed to get past security checks at the terminal’s entrance. Turkish airports have security checks at both the entrance of terminal buildings and then later before entry to departure gates. Roads around the airport were sealed off for regular traffic after the attack and several ambulances could be seen driving back and forth. Passengers were left sitting on the grass outside the airport. The wounded, among them police officers, were transferred to Bakirkoy State Hospital.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, June 29, 2016, PAGE 11
PRIME Minister Perry Christie pictured during the tour of new low-cost housing units being built in the Ardastra Gardens Subdivision.
Photos: Peter Ramsay/BIS
PM tours housing units being built in Ardastra Gardens By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday toured the Ardastra Gardens Subdivision where 61 new government low-cost housing units are under construction. Arawak Homes, which subcontracted the building project to an estimated 30 to 40 contractors, is managing the overall process. The cost per unit is $150,00 to $160,000, officials said. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr Christie said the completion of these new homes signifies a new model, public/private partnership that will be continued by the government. Housing Minister Kenred Dorsett added that this agreement assists the government in meeting the
significant demands for homes in The Bahamas with a view to driving down construction costs. He said persons who were traditionally turned down for housing because they could not financially qualify can now be accommodated. In addition, this removes the risk of shoddy work and will allow homeowner to “choke the neck” of the developer. Mr Christie said: “We are going to be making a massive, discernible, something you can see, touch and feel effort to stimulate the economy through public sector capital funding as well as using the private sector to really respond to the demand for homes out there. “And so really the minister of housing will be encouraged by the government to really expand what is happening here using
more contractors and using more developers who have the capacity to enter into a public/private partnerships in the way Arawak Homes has. Clearly Arawak Homes now has this down pat, right to the fine tune and I suspect that they will pick up another 100 homes in a hurry elsewhere or right here to make this happen.” Arawak Homes president Franon Wilson said the government did not spend any taxpayer dollars up front as he touted the development’s state of the art anti-flooding mechanisms. Mr Wilson said Arawak homes will be paid by the government in three phases, the first of these when the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation begins to assign the new units. This includes a pond that will collect excess rainwater in a recreation area for residents of the subdivision.
PRIME Minister Perry Christie speaking to Franklyn Wilson during the tour.