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Gunmen open fire on group outside home on Peardale Street

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net TWO men were killed and a child was shot after three gunmen ambushed a group of people standing outside a home off Peardale Street, near Wulff Road yesterday afternoon.

Roland Telusnor, the father of one victim who died at the scene, identified his son as McKenzie Telusnor.

The second man died later in hospital. Their deaths raise the homicide total to 74 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

Mr Telusnor, who seemed to have not yet come to grips with the death of his son when he spoke to The Tribune, said he was shocked to learn of his son’s tragic death. He said he didn’t know how to break the news to his wife, who was at the time at a local laundromat in the area and did not know of her son’s death. “I love my son. I take care of my son even though he 22 year (old). I still take care of him,� Mr Telusnor, who struggled to speak English said. “You know when

these young people walking all about you can’t stop them so when he (was) going out I don’t know where he going.�

Asked if he was shocked by the news, “Yeah�, he replied. “He worked hard. Sometimes he take care of his family when he got couple dollars. His mommy don’t know nothing about this here because she go washhouse. I don’t know exactly what washhouse she go. She can’t hear this now. “I feel sad about this because he my son.�

McKenzie Telusnor was also the father of a twoyear-old son.

Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander, officer in charge of the Central Detective Unit said the incident happened shortly before 7pm. He said police were continuing to probe the case to determine a motive for the shooting.

He said: “A group of men were standing here at Peardale when three individuals emerged from nearby bushes all armed with handguns. They fired a number of shots into the SEE PAGE TWO

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Two men dead, child injured after shooting L! ADS SEL PHOTO 351 002 / 502-2

FITZGERALD SAYS ALL BAHAMIAN BAHA MAR CREDITORS ‘WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net EDUCATION Minister Jerome Fitzgerald, one of the government’s lead negotiators in the effort to remobilise construction at Baha Mar and pay creditors, objected to criticism yesterday that JEROME there are discrepancies FITZGERALD between Prime Minister Perry Christie’s confident pronouncements that all Bahamian creditors will receive money owed to them and the Claims Committee’s assertion that payment is not guaranteed.

On the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of its website, the Claims Committee says no creditor of Baha Mar is guaranteed payment, emphasising that its claims process will be carried out on an ex-gratia basis and is not part of a forSEE PAGE SIX

THE body of McKenzie Telusnor is removed from the scene as Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander (inset), officer in charge of the Central Detective Unit, speaks to the media.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff

SENIOR PLPS BACK PM TO WIN LEADERSHIP CONTEST

V ALFRED GRAY

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  TWO senior Progressive Liberal Party Cabinet ministers are certain that Prime Minister Perry Christie will emerge undefeated at the PLP’s November convention, one of them going so far as to suggest that Mr Chris-

tie could not be replaced as leader.

This position was taken

by Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister V Alfred Gray, who insisted that the prime minister was “entrenched� in the party’s top post. He also took a dig at former Attorney General Alfred Sears, saying he would have advised him ahead of

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

state, Social Services Minister Melanie Griffin said yesterday.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mrs Griffin said once all the necessary medical precautions are taken, if no one has come forward to claim the baby, he will be taken to a chilSEE PAGE SIX

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BABY FOUND IN BUSHES WILL STAY IN HOSPITAL FOR EIGHT WEEKS

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net  THE newborn baby boy, found in bushes in southwest New Providence last week, will remain in the Princess Margaret Hospital for eight weeks before becoming a ward of the

making public his intention to contest the leadership position of the governing party “not to run to lose.�

A win for Mr Sears, the MICAL MP said, is a “long shot.� He said he doubted the party would “genuflect� and change its leadership months before the 2017 general election.

THE battle over parliamentary privilege is now before the Court of Appeal as Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald has filed his appeal to have the landmark ruling and fine ordered by

Supreme Court Justice Indra Charles overturned.

Mr Fitzgerald, with Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson listed as the second appellant, is seeking to establish that Justice Charles was “wrong,� and “erred in fact and in law� when she ruled SEE PAGE SIX

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PAGE 2, Wednesday, September 14, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

TWO MEN DEAD, CHILD INJURED AFTER SHOOTING FROM PAGE ONE

POLICE on Peardale Street after last night’s shooting. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff

ROLAND TELUSNOR, the father of one victim who died at the scene.

crowd.”

“As a result two adult males were shot to the body along with a young child who was also shot.

One of the adult males died on the scene.

“The young child and the second adult were taken to the hospital by private vehicle.”

A statement released later by police revealed the second man, who was in critical condition, had also died. The child, who is in stable condition, is said to be around 10 years old.

Mr Fernander said the involvement of this young victim

was of concern.

“This is a community where kids are always up and about and it appears that he had just left a pump in the general area.

This is a well knitted community.”

This comes after 35-year-old C W Saunders Baptist School teacher Marisha Bowen was found murdered in her home earlier this week. The Guyanese national was three months pregnant at the time of her death.

Police are appealing to members of the public to come forward with any information they might have to assist with both cases.

SENIOR PLPS BACK PM TO WIN LEADERSHIP CONTEST FROM PAGE ONE

Meanwhile, Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson said while it is good for people to see democracy at work during the convention where all posts will be open for challenge, she was “quite sure” and “firm” that Mr Christie will win hands down.

The last PLP convention was held in 2009.

“Mr Sears has a right to contest the leadership of the party.

My personal view is that he may not succeed,” Mr Gray said yesterday morning before Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

“I wish him well, but Mr Christie is entrenched as the leader of the party and I don’t think that at this late stage prior to the elections the party is going to genuflect and change its leadership to accommodate Mr Sears.

“But he’s my friend,” Mr Gray added. “I would personally have advised him not to run to lose. I don’t run to lose. If you in it, you got to be in it to win it. I don’t think there is a path that I can see that he succeeds. He will probably get some votes, I expect that, but winning it is a long shot, but I do wish him well.”

PRIME Minister Perry Christie

Mr Gray said, in comparing both the PLP and Free National Movement, the electorate is able to see that the Official Opposition does not have it together.

“I expect Mr Christie to win and to take us into the next election with victory,” he said. “If you look at both parties anyone with a juvenile intelligence will

see the FNM just doesn’t have it together. I can’t see anybody going against the PLP, with all the things we have been able to do and are doing.

“I think people change when they think they could get something better. Now popularity might play a major role in the upcoming elections so my advice

to MPs running again is to ensure in their constituencies they are as popular as they should be to ensure 50 per cent plus one.

“With several parties running, the PLP will win again. Maybe some casualties, not least of which might be my own, but I’m in it to win it.

“We’re not going to do this for the fun. This is political warfare and we’re in it to win it.”

For her part, Mrs MaynardGibson said she was looking forward to Mr Christie winning the PLP’s leadership race, adding that he is the right man for the job.

She said: “The PLP is not just a political party. It is a movement.

“It is in the hearts and souls of the Bahamian people and I believe it is a democratic movement. To the extent that someone wishes to run for anything in the PLP, that has always been their right and for the rules to allow for it.

“It’s good for people to see democracy flourishing in our organisation. I’m quite sure that Mr Christie will win hands down and I’m looking forward to him winning hands down and I firmly believe that he is the

right man for the job. (I) firmly believe that.”

Initially, the PLP’s convention was planned for November 2015, but was rescheduled for April 2016 because of the devastation left by Hurricane Joaquin in the Family Islands and recovery efforts that were underway at the time.

The April date was then rescheduled until later this year to give attention to the June referendum on gender equality.

In July, Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller and former Cabinet minister George Smith said they wanted the PLP to hold a convention this month and not in November, arguing that sooner rather than later the party needed to organise itself and excite its base in preparation for the next general election.

However, party Chairman Bradley Roberts blasted both veteran MPs for attempting to “wash the party’s linens in public” and said they both know the proper procedure to have their concerns heard and addressed internally.

So far, only Mr Sears has announced his intent to challenge Mr Christie for the PLP’s top post.

The Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited is profoundly saddened at the death of Mrs. Juliette J. Barnwell, LVO, JP, a founding member of our organization.

During her tenure on the Board of Directors, Mrs. Barnwell contributed greatly to the growth and development of Public Workers’. She made it her business to ensure that Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union had one of the most customer-friendly environments possible.

Mrs. Barnwell resigned as a Board member in July 2005, but continued to be actively involved in the affairs of her beloved credit union, up until her demise.

Mrs. Barnwell believed in the ‘poor man’. Her objective was to always promote financial awareness among Bahamians. Even after her retirement from the Board, Mrs. Barnwell encouraged members to save towards their future. One of Mrs. Barnwell’s more famous lines was: “Bahamians need to save more, and spend less!”

She had a genuine passion for the Co-operative Movement and, as a result, was affectionately referred to as “Mrs. Credit Union”.

Mrs. Barnwell was well-known for her contributions to the Co-operative Movement in the Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean.

She provided training for newly-elected officers of the Board of Directors, the various Committees and staff members.

Mrs. Barnwell was regarded, and accepted, as the “Mother of the Co-operative Movement”.

She served as: (i) President of the Bahamas Co-operative League Limited (ii) Secretary of the Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited (iii) Chairman of the Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited (iv) President of the Advisory Council Committee on Credit Unions in the Bahamas Mrs. Barnwell was an outspoken advocate of the credit unions’ philosophy of “People helping People to help themselves”.

In one of her last contributions during the 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited, Mrs. Barnwell stated the following, “…The whole idea of the Movement is to recruit new members to credit unions; to increase their savings; thereby allowing members to become economically-strong.”

She was a person of integrity, who was highly-respected and highly-regarded by all those who came into contact with her; and, she usually left an indelible impression on those persons.

In recognition of Mrs. Barnwell’s contributions to Public Workers’, on April 8th, 2011, the credit union’s Boardroom was renamed the “JULIETTE J. BARNWELL BOARDROOM” Additionally, on October 2nd, 2015, Mrs. Barnwell travelled to Freeport, Grand Bahama to cut the ribbon, officially opening the new Freeport Office building of the credit union.

On behalf of the Chairman and the Board of Directors, the Supervisory, Credit and Education Committees, staff and the entire membership of the Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union, we wish to extend our sincere condolences to Cordelia Fernander (daughter), Chase and Courtney Fernander (grand-sons) and the entire Barnwell and Walker families on the passing of Mrs. Juliette J. Barnwell, LVO, JP.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 14, 2016, PAGE 3

FNM ‘WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK’ TO VET CANDIDATES

FNM Chairman Sidney Collie.

FNM’S HIDDEN BAHA MAR DOCUMENTS PETITION ‘GATHERS 1,092 SIGNATURES’

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement’s online petition to measure Bahamians’ level of displeasure over the hidden Baha Mar negotiation documents has to date gathered 1,092 signatures, The Tribune was told.

Since launching the online form earlier this month, there were 5,068 visits to its website. Of this number, there was a 23 per cent participation rate, an FNM official said.

The party anticipates well over 20,000 signatures when the petition is closed by the end of the month.

Last week, FNM Chairman Sidney Collie said Bahamians were “shocked and dismayed” that the Christie administration allowed the deal made with the Chinese to be sealed. He urged all Bahamians to endorse the petition and reiterated the party’s stance that Prime Minister Perry Christie was duty-bound to make the

agreement public.

Mr Christie has said that the court documents were sealed at the request of the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM).

“This petition gives the people a tangible way to voice their disgust at how the prime minister shrouded his secret deal with the Chinese, unwilling to allow the people to review the contents and see for themselves what has been decided about their future,” Mr Collie added.

“Bahamians if you are concerned about your future, the future of your children and grandchildren, the Free National Movement urges you to sign this petition.”

Mr Christie announced that a deal had been reached between the government and CEXIM to remobilise the stalled resort during a nationally televised press conference last month.

However, he did not provide any clarity on a possible buyer or sale price, or details on how unsecured

creditors will be paid.

The FNM has railed against the secrecy surrounding the deal, citing mounting public distrust in the Christie-led government amid speculation over the concessions given by the government.

The online petition states: “We request that Prime Minister Perry Christie immediately unseal all the documents related to the secret Baha Mar deal he made with the Chinese. We have lost faith in the prime minister and cannot just trust him to tell us what is in the deal. We are concerned about our future and just want to know what the government gave away to the Chinese in this deal.”

Mr Christie has repeatedly defended the move to keep the court documents sealed.

Recently, he maintained that such a process was standard and that global businesses cannot be expected to conduct their “sensitive negotiations” in the media.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER MARIJUANA FOUND POLICE arrested a man in Andros after finding him with a quantity of marijuana on Sunday.

According to police reports, shortly after 6.30pm officers in Andros, acting on information, went to the residence of an adult male located at Red Bays, where they conducted a search of a Chevy vehicle and found one pound of marijuana.

The man was taken into custody and is expected to appear in court in New Prov-

TROPICAL STORM JULIA FORMS ALONG COAST OF FLORIDA MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Julia has formed along the northeastern coast of Florida.

The National Hurricane Center says the slowmoving storm is expected to bring heavy rain and possible flash flooding. A tropical storm warning was issued Tuesday night for Ponte Vera Beach north to the Altamaha Sound in Georgia.

At 11 p.m. Tuesday, Julia was 5 miles (10 kilometers) west of Jacksonville and moving north-northwest at 9 mph (15 kph). It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph). The storm is expected to weaken to a tropical depression by late Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Ian has grown slightly stronger but still was no threat to land over the central Atlantic. In the Pacific, Hurricane Orlene continues to weaken, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph).

idence today to be formally charged.

Police also reported that a man was arrested on Monday for possession of a stolen vehicle.

Shortly after 6.30pm, officers from the Southwestern Division, on routine patrol in the area of the Southwest Plaza on Carmichael Road, arrested the adult male after finding him driving a Kia Sportage that was recently reported stolen.

Investigations continue.

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie said since the party’s July convention more than 30 additional persons have submitted applications in a bid to run on the FNM’s ticket in the 2017 general election.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Collie said the party’s Candidates Committee has been working around the clock to investigate and vet almost 140 potential candidates.

He said the party is in no way “scrapping for candidates” and is nowhere near “done or broken.”

Mr Collie said 15 persons have already been ratified and several others will be revealed on Thursday night.

“This is the most interest we have had in recent times,” he added. “Prior to the convention we had 110 maybe 115 persons apply, now we have an additional 30 or so more,” Mr Collie said.

“We were far ahead in this process but now because we have additional applications, the search and vetting committee is working around the clock. There is quite a lot of interest much more than in ordinary times and we are getting

‘Almost 140 people’ have submitted applications applications from persons from all walks of life. So we are in no means scrapping for persons, the convention drew a lot more persons to the party.”

On Monday, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney said his party will not be forming a coalition with the FNM, despite pleas from persons inside and outside the Official Opposition.

During a press conference at his law chambers, Mr McCartney said the FNM is a “broke and sinking ship” and a union between the two groups would help the FNM, but hurt the third party.

In response, Mr Collie said it would have been “ideal” for all opposition parties to join together and oust the Progressive Liberal Party, but since that is not possible, the FNM is “fully capable of doing the job” on its own.

“In the present environment, one single massive combined force against the government would be the ideal scenario,” Mr Collie said.

“It is obvious that is not going to happen right now and I know the effort was made but for a number of reasons that is not going to happen. Now without responding to Mr McCartney directly I will say this, the FNM is the only opposition in the country that has seats in Parliament and has a distinguished record of accomplishment. We are the only opposition with a full complement of candidates. We are in the middle of finishing our manifesto and visiting communities and not at all concerned about the noise in the market.”

On Monday, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said despite several candidates deciding not to run in the next election, the FNM is stronger than ever.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, September 14, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

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C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Investigation: Unique Utah Zika case remains medical mystery SALT LAKE CITY — After months of investigation, health officials still aren’t sure how a Utah man caught the Zika virus after caring for his infected father in a transmission unlike others seen before, according to a new report released Tuesday.

The case is the only one in the continental U.S. where it remains unclear exactly how it was spread, Utah Department of Health officials said.

The son kissed and hugged his dying father and helped care for him in a hospital, but he didn’t travel to an affected area or have sex with anyone who did, the report said.

The father caught the mosquito-borne virus abroad and had an extremely high level of the virus in his blood when he died on June 25. One possibility is that he transmitted the virus to his son through a bodily fluid in a way that hasn’t been recognized with Zika yet, officials said.

Investigators couldn’t test the unidentified Salt Lake County man because he had already been cremated by the time he was diagnosed, said Angela Dunn with the Utah Department of Health. Signs of Zika have been found in blood, urine, semen and saliva, and the case could direct new research into whether it can also be carried in things like tears or stools, she said.

No other cases have yet been found among the family or health workers. It’s unclear whether the case points to a potentially common mode of transmission, said Alex Kallen with the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. “I don’t think we know the answer to that right now,” he said.

The son has since recovered. The virus causes only a mild illness in most people. But during recent outbreaks in Latin America, scientists discovered that infection during pregnancy has led to severe brain-related birth defects.

Health officials also haven’t found any of the tropical mosquitoes that mainly spread the virus in the area or evidence that local mosquitoes are carrying the virus, according to the report released by the CDC. The son didn’t report touching any bodily fluids, and other family members had similar interactions with the father without getting sick, Dunn said. “We

weren’t able to identify anything he did that was different,” she said.

It’s not uncommon to be unable to identify a key thing a patient did or didn’t do before catching an illness like Zika, Kallen said. Small, even unremembered, factors can often make a big difference, he said.

The father died of septic shock with multiple organ failure, the report states.

His was the first Zika-related death in the continental U.S. The CDC report cautions other family caregivers that the virus can be spread by blood and bodily fluids of Zika patients.

More than 2,900 Zika illnesses have been reported in continental U.S. and Hawaii, including 13 in Utah, according to health officials.

(This article is by Lindsay Whitehurst of the Associated Press)

August Ties July as Hottest Month Ever on Record IN what has become a common refrain this year, last month ranked as the hottest August on record, according to NASA data released Monday. Not only that, but the month tied July as the hottest month the world has seen in the last 136 years.

August came in at 1.76˚F (0.98˚C) above the average from 1951-1980, 0.16C above August 2014, the previous record holder.

The record keeps 2016 on track to be the hottest year in the books by a fair margin.

Watch global temperatures rise over time, culminating in the streak of record hot months of 2016, including July and August, the two hottest months on record, according to NASA Earth Observatory.

That August continued the streak of record hot months this year and tied July as the hottest month was somewhat unexpected. The seasonal temperature cycle generally reaches a peak in July, as it did this year. But August was so anomalously warm — more so even than July — that it tied that month’s overall temperature.

It was also thought that July would likely be the last record hot month of the year, given the dissipation of El Niño.

(This article is by the Associated Press)

The PM’s promise EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT is often said that a promise is a comfort to a fool. In no way do I think our political leaders are fools, but it is no secret that the Leader of the PLP has promised to support so many of his colleagues in their quests to replace him as leader: Philip “Brave” Davis, Obie Wilchcombe, Alfred Sears, Jerome Fitzgerald, Michael Halkitis and Kenred Dorsett! The only advice –- “just wait”.

No wonder all of these potential leaders are singing for their supper! Christie’s survival gives hope to their leadership aspirations.

The only catch though is that there is only ONE post of leader and oh so many promised!

Brave Davis was promised that Prime Minister Christie would retire midway through this term and pass the baton on to him. Mr Davis was the engine that ensured a PLP victory in 2012 and was to be rewarded accordingly. Unfortunately for him he is still holding his hand out for the baton while Mr Christie clutches it tighter than ever.

Mr Wilchcombe has been promised time and time again. However, no one truly believes that he will

receive the Christie blessing at the end of the day.

Mr Wilchcombe need not think back any further than the 2009 PLP convention when he thought he had Mr Christie’s support only to watch him line up with Mr Davis and help to secure his defeat as Deputy Leader.

Jerome Fitzgerald seems to be Christie’s new blue eyed boy however he needs only look to the experiences of Mr Davis and Mr Wilchcombe to realise how Mr Christie uses “promises” to fortify his support and hold of the party’s leadership. It is doubtful that Mr Fitzgerald could ever be as close to Mr Christie as Mr Davis was, yet Mr Davis is still waiting. He should note that Mr Christie touts the competence and leadership abilities of Mr Halkitis, Mr Dorsett and Khaalis Rolle as well. Alfred Sears has also received “the promise”.

There is no doubting his ability and potential however unlike the others he has determined to take his destiny in his own hands. No one concedes power voluntarily.

History states that the most likely scenarios in which Mr Christie will give up power is a convention defeat or an election

defeat -which seems more like a reality these days. In the case of the latter all the promised leaders, should they themselves survive politically will most likely be fighting to be Leader of The Opposition considering Mr Christie’s undeniable growing unpopularity and the national appetite for change.

By some miracle should a Christie-led government be re-elected can we truly expect him early in the next term to relinquish power after being duly elected for another five year term? History and experience says heck NO! Ironically, most Bahamians believe that the PLP would win the next election by a landslide with new leadership!

Several years ago, Mr Christie joked that he is encouraged by the experience of Sir John Compton of St Lucia. Mr Compton was reelected as Prime Minister of St Lucia at the age of 81 and died in that post. I need not say much more to the potential contenders! Perhaps the reference to Sir John Compton was not a joke after all!

FOOLED NO MORE Nassau, September 13, 2016.

A vulture fund to benefit the Chinese bank EDITOR, The Tribune SINCE the worldwide financial crisis of 2006-2007, a new predatory animal in the financial world has surfaced - the “vulture fund”.

As the name suggests, vulture funds circle a distressed economic situation, waiting just for the right time to swoop in and feed off the carcass, in this case the debt unsecured creditors of Baha Mar hold.

These vultures wait for debt holders to be so desperate to monetise their debt that they then sell the debt to the vulture for a small fraction of the original value.

The vulture, who can afford to be patient with their debt, then turns around and sells the debt for more than it paid, ultimately realising an undeserved windfall profit at the expense of the debt holders.

Recently, countries and domains like Argentina and Puerto Rico, who have been victimised by these vultures, as well as members of the US Congress, have been railing against this predatory, speculative behaviour, which ends up simply diverting money from desperate people to wealthy financiers.

Sadly, this is what we now have here in the Bahamas, only much worse!

In this case, it is not spec-

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net ulative investors looking to make a quick buck, but a party that has been supported and endorsed by the Prime Minister and his government.

But, of course, as someone who has continually deceived his constituents, the Prime Minister and the Chinese do not want to call it a “vulture” fund so they have called it instead “The Baha Mar Claims Committee”, or its official name “Perfect Luck Claims Ltd” (one can only assume the Bank is referring to how lucky they are to get away with this one-sided deal).

Initially, the Prime Minister tried to disguise it in his August 22 announcement, saying that this socalled committee would be a venue for Bahamian creditors to submit their claims for monies owed them in connection with Baha Mar (better to use actual language/quote, if possible) and certainly through his words left the impression that all those Bahamians owed monies would be paid.

In other words, a lot of sweet-talking rhetoric but no real details.

Those details, however, have subsequently emerged

through the government posting of two FAQs - apparently the first FAQ was deficient - and various comments by the PM’s own ministers.

What we have subsequently learned is that this committee is not going to pay all Bahamians owed monies.

In fact any party owed money by committee member CCA - good luck!

And those who do fill out the forms and supply the documentation the Committee requires, if they should have the “perfect luck” to receive any kind of payment, they should not expect to get all that they are owed, but instead some fraction of that amount!

So - through the Committee - the Chinese bank committee member buys the debt on the cheap and is in a position to reap an amount greater than that when it sells Baha Mar. That is a ‘Vulture”.

Make no mistake about it, Bahamians, it is my opinion that our government and PM are now “partners” in a vulture fund where the winner can only possibly be the Chinese bank.

ITTING AND NOT S HOLDING MY BREATH Nassau September 13, 2016

Irrational actions

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I FIND it more than a little disturbing the irrational and irresponsible actions displayed by Union Leader Obie Ferguson within recent weeks.

His latest threat to shut down the country and his open disrespect for the Prime Minister, does not lend itself to a proper public image.

I fear that such disruptive elements in society will only work against rather than in the interest of Bahamians, particularly those who have found themselves out of work, and those in the hospitality industry.

The approach adopted in the Sandals matter was woeful and unbecoming.

I understand that the union encour-

aged its agents within the company to do all sorts of distasteful things in front of guests, and that sends a poor message of who we are.

The country must recognise such persons for who they are; archaic and cancerous growths that threaten the future.

Obie Ferguson seems to care about Obie only - and that is sad.

I hope that his members wake up and smell the coffee sooner rather than later, and I hope the Prime Minister and his government show a bit more fortitude in dealing with this ‘gentleman’.

TED Nassau, September 12, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 14, 2016, PAGE 5

AG’s office yet to decide how it will proceed on Kofhe Goodman case

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Allyson Maynard-Gibson said yesterday that her office has not yet decided how it will proceed in handling the Court of Appeal’s recent overturning of the conviction and death sentence of Kofhe Goodman.

She was asked if her office would appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling to the country’s highest court - the London-based Privy Council.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson also dismissed suggestions that the influence of local media - including social media - is not a legitimate reason to have trials reheard.

Her comments came a little under two weeks after the Court of Appeal ordered a retrial for Goodman, who was previously sentenced to death concerning the murder of Marco Archer, 11, of Brougham Street in 2011.

The court ultimately concluded that adverse pre-trial publicity, misconduct of Goodman’s defense lawyer and a jury irregularity were major grounds for Goodman’s case to be reheard in the Supreme Court.

Justices Jon Isaacs and Stella Crane-Scott both agreed that Goodman’s chances at a fair trial had been hampered by adverse coverage which included National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage’s announcement of “Marco’s Law” two weeks before the start of trial in April 2013, notwithstanding that the case had no evidence or charge concerning kidnappings or sexual assault.

Court of Appeal President Dame Anita Allen dissented from the opinion of her fellow justices, however, stating that the jury had the benefit of a “sound and thorough” warning on the potential impact of pre-trial publicity, a warning she said “we must assume the jury followed in their deliberations.”

A retrial was ordered for as soon as possible.

Goodman, however, had sought a deferment of a retrial if the court were to allow the appeal against his murder conviction and death sentence.

Nonetheless, shortly after the news broke of Goodman’s conviction and

KOFHE GOODMAN, pictured at an earlier court hearing. sentence being overturned, disgruntled Bahamians took to social media to vilify the judiciary, Goodman and his lawyer and questioned whether victims of crime could receive justice.

When asked if she felt it is primitive to dismiss cases because of the impact of local and social media, Mrs Maynard-Gibson, without references to the Court of Appeal’s ruling, said: “I think, of course, it always depends on the facts. I’m very, very grateful that we have such competent judges who are aware of the modern realities that you’re faced and are able to balance the interest of justice given the prevalence of social media and given the ease at which information travels from one place around the world, not just within our community.”

Last week, veteran lawyer Wayne Munroe, QC, called on critics of the court’s decision to read the entire judgment before their hasty actions and angry comments result in a permanent stay of a retrial.

Mr Munroe, the court appointed

lawyer who successfully argued on Goodman’s behalf in the Court of Appeal, charged that whoever is retained by Goodman for the retrial can very well gather the prejudicial and non-factual comments that have been published and make a case as to why a retrial is not possible as has been done in otter jurisdictions, including the United States.

“If indeed we were ever to get to the point where execution is decided by a jury as I’ve recommended in the past, then we would and should want an accused person to have a fair, unprejudiced and robust trial so that if a conviction is reached and execution is decided, there would be no arguments that a fair trial did not occur,” Mr Munroe said at the time. “That’s what the whole process of right to a fair trial is about.

“The comments by those individuals show that they don’t understand and more importantly, a lot of their comments are factually incorrect,” he added.

BAHAMIAN AWAITING SENTENCING FOR HACKING CELEBRITIES ‘PLANNING TO WRITE BOOK’ A BAHAMIAN who pleaded guilty to hacking over 100 celebrities and stealing unreleased movie and TV scripts, social security numbers and private sex videos, is reportedly planning to write a book on celebrity secrets.

Alonzo Knowles, of Freeport, Grand Bahama, had been scheduled to be sentenced yesterday in a Manhattan court for hacking into celebrity email accounts but it was adjourned until September 30. Knowles could face up to 33 months in prison for cyber crime.

According to a report by TMZ, a leading entertainment website, 24-year-old Knowles has bragged to inmates that he has more knowledge and content than what was leaked online.

While prosecutors were ready to ask for a lighter sentence if Knowles gave up his computer, he has refused and chosen to stay longer in prison to finish his book that will make him rich, TMZ reported, citing documents files by the US Attorney.

“Yo, when I get out dog, I’m going to be a millionaire dog, trust me when I say that ... I’m gonna be rich as hell,” legal documents say Knowles told his brother.

Prosecutors were reportedly looking to ask the judge to impose a harsher sentence than provided by federal guidelines, as Knowles shows no remorse over his actions.

In a sentencing memo filed on Monday, prosecutors said that Knowles had a document on his laptop that contained the phone numbers and email addresses of at least 130 celebrities but has not forfeited the computer.

“Knowles’ refusal to forfeit his computer demonstrates his failure to accept responsibility for the criminal conduct to which he has pled guilty,” prosecutors wrote.

In a response, Knowles’ lawyer claimed the boasts were only “escapist fantasies of an impecunious young man sitting in a foreign jail ...

There is no evidence that Mr Knowles has the means or in-

tention to act on his big-talk and at least one message the government quotes is clearly a joke,” the attorney wrote.

In May, Knowles pleaded guilty to hacking over 100 celebrities and stealing unreleased movie and TV scripts, social security numbers and private sex videos.

Prosecutors said the hacks could have caused great harm to networks and movie studios if Knowles had succeeded in selling them for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Knowles pleaded guilty in federal court to criminal copyright infringement and identity theft charges, bringing a speedy conclusion to a case that resulted in his December, 2015, arrest in Manhattan.

Prosecutors said he was peddling personal information from at least 130 celebrities in the entertainment, sports and media industries and claimed he also could sell private sexually explicit photographs and videos.

Knowles flew from the Bahamas to New York City to sell 15 scripts and personal information on several celebrities for $80,000 to a law enforcement agent posing as an interested buyer. Prosecutors said he showed the agent sexually explicit materials of one celebrity as he revealed samples of materials he hoped to sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The government said the investigation began after Knowles contacted a radio show host offering to sell scripts to a popular television show.

The host contacted the show and the network, and those entities contacted law enforcement.

As part of the plea, Knowles also agreed to forfeit 25 unpublished TV and movie scripts, along with unpublished music.

He has remained incarcerated since his arrest.

The celebrities and the TV shows have not been identified.

At an earlier hearing, Assistant US Attorney Kristy

Greenberg said prosecutors had reached out to television and movie studios and learned that the scripts had great value, particularly scripts of one network’s top show.

She said that after substantial production costs, networks would have been left deciding whether to scrap programmes and start fresh or whether “to continue knowing that the viewership would be down because the secrets are out”.

At the same hearing, Judge Paul A Engelmayer indicated he took the crime seriously, saying it was alleged Knowles proposed to sell “life-changing, private information” belonging to a large number of people.

Prosecutors say Knowles - who called himself Jeff Moxey - stole the information by infecting the computers of victims with a virus or by falsely notifying them through social networks that their computers had been hacked and telling them they need to provide their login credentials to undo the harm.

JUSTICE SYSTEM SET FOR NEW PROCEDURES TO HANDLE JUVENILES

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net NEW judicial procedures that govern the way juveniles would be processed and handled by the justice system going forward should be implemented “soon”, according to Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson.

On Tuesday Mrs Maynard-Gibson, addressing the Court of Appeal’s recent ruling which aims to clarify the way police officers and judges deal with children that come into contact with the justice system, said her office is already at work drafting those new rules.

She indicated that Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin has for some time now been working directly on the project.

“We have experts advising us how to improve our system,” she said. “(We’ve) been meeting to discuss this very same issue and we expect in short order, in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth to be making some announcements.”

When pressed by reporters for a firm date for the implementation of the new procedures, Mrs MaynardGibson said while any last word on a potential implementation date would have to come from the Department of Public Prosecutions she expects they will be rolled out soon.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson said that her office will invite the public to work along with officials in the coming weeks to improve the system.

She maintained that mechanisms such as the recently announced drug rehab court, are expected to be the crux of this new system.

“It’s just a matter of how we deal with it,” she said.

“So those who may be a little off track could be given an opportunity to get back on track.

ATTORNEY General Allyson Maynard-Gibson “And so they are not dealt with in the traditional criminal justice process like Fox Hill prison and are given a second chance through probation orders and community service orders, these kinds of things and it’s something we’re looking at and I have to say the judgment is prodding us a little bit to make the announcements and to start implementing.”

The Court of Appeal ruling, handed down earlier this month, indicated that children - including those charged with serious crimes - cannot be remanded to prison unless certain conditions are met.

Those conditions include sworn testimony that a child was of so “unruly a character that he could not be safely committed to a juvenile correction centre” or “is so depraved a character that he was not fit to be so detained.”

The ruling was spurred by a case involving a juvenile who, charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in November 2014. Child rights advocates have celebrated the ruling, with many affirming its importance to addressing the welfare of children involved in legal matters.

STATUS HEARING FOR MAN ACCUSED OF RAPE

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN awaiting trial in the knifepoint robbery and sexual assault of a woman during a home invasion in 2008 appeared in the Supreme Court for a status hearing yesterday.

Antonio Hanna, 28, appeared before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs for a hearing to ensure that the matter is still to proceed after the case was fixed for February 20, 2017.

Hanna faces a charge each of burglary, armed robbery and rape. He denied the allegations when formally arraigned in the Su-

preme Court.

It is alleged that around 1am on October 16, 2008, he entered a woman’s home on Wulff Road and robbed her at knifepoint of a cell phone and $30 cash.

It is further alleged that he had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

In yesterday’s hearing, Hanna’s lawyer, Walton Bain, told the judge that the defence had still not received a police report and photo albums the prosecution will be relying on for their case against his client.

Another status hearing will be fixed for a date in November.

Darell Taylor appeared for the Crown.

WOMAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH GUN SEIZURE

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN was remanded to prison yesterday after she was arraigned in connection with a recent gun seizure by police.

Latisa Rolle, 23, of Knowles Alley stood before Magistrate Constance Delancy facing a charge each of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

It is alleged that she was found with a black Austria 9mm pistol and five live rounds of ammunition without being the holder of a special license or certificate from the authorities to possess the items.

Rolle pleaded not guilty

to both charges, as did coaccused 22-year-old Leander Bell during his arraignment on Monday.

Police allegedly found the pistol and bullets in the centre console of Bell’s car on September 9.

As the magistrate told Bell at Monday’s arraignment, Rolle could not be considered for or granted bail in Magistrate’s Court given the nature of the offence.

However, she was advised of her right to seek bail in the Supreme Court.

Rolle, who is represented

by Glendon Rolle and Nathan Smith, returns to court on October 4 for the start of her trial.

In another arraignment before Magistrate Delancy, 22-year-old Timothy Clarke

was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

It is alleged that the Murphy Town, Abaco resident was found with a FEG Hungary .380 pistol and eight rounds of .380 bullets on June 25 of this year.

Clarke pleaded not guilty to both charges and is set to stand trial on November 18.

He, too, was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial.

Clarke was not represented in yesterday’s arraignment.

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PAGE 6, Wednesday, September 14, 2016

BABY FOUND IN BUSHES WILL STAY IN HOSPITAL FOR EIGHT WEEKS FROM PAGE ONE dren’s home and/or placed in foster care.

Last Friday, the baby boy was found alive in bushes off Carmichael Road with his umbilical cord still attached.

According to police, the infant was discovered shortly after 7am by a good Samaritan. Area residents reportedly found the abandoned baby after they said they heard crying all through the rainy night.

The baby was taken to the hospital where, Mrs Griffin said, he is thriving and healthy. She thanked members of the public for donating clothing and food items to the infant - who has yet to be officially named.

“The normal procedure is once we are ensured that everything is okay and the baby is in good health, the next step would be for the child to be placed in the care of the minister or care of the state,” Mrs Griffin said.

“The child will then be cared for by one of the children’s homes. The next procedure would be to wait and see what the result of the police investigation is. If the child is not claimed then there is a process for placement which can be done through an adoption agency. We already have persons who have been vetted as possible adoptive parents, but we also have children’s homes that the baby can be placed in.”

Mrs Griffin appealed to persons who may be thinking of abandoning their baby or having second thoughts about being a parent to reach out to Social Services for assistance.

“We want persons to know if they are unable to take care of an infant or a child to come to us and we will walk you through the process of what it takes to put your child in the care of the state,” she said.

“No one is advising persons to leave babies in the hospital but some mothers have done it and in those cases Social Services have stepped in. You can leave your baby in the hospital but not just up and leave you can speak to someone before or after having the child about placing the child in the care of the state.

“There are options. We appreciate all the help we have received from the public and everything persons have donated to assist with the child. He is healthy and happy and doing very well.”

Police are still searching for the infant’s mother.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

THE TRIBUNE

FITZGERALD SAYS ALL BAHAMIAN BAHA MAR CREDITORS ‘WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF’

FROM PAGE ONE mal liquidation process where it would be subject to certain legal considerations.

Outside Cabinet, Mr Fitzgerald said yesterday that this does not apply to Baha Mar’s Bahamian creditors.

He stressed that “there’s been no language changes” between what the prime minister has said and what the Claims Committee has announced.

“The creditors for Baha Mar are both Bahamian and non-Bahamian,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “We have made it clear from day one that we the Bahamas government are concerned about Bahamian creditors.

The committee is taking all claims, Bahamian and non-Bahamian.

Some of those will not get much; they’re non-Bahamian. There’s no guarantee. There’s nothing inconsistent at all. We’re going to take care of Bahamians.”

Mr Fitzgerald also knocked down a key Free National Movement talking point - the idea that the government and the Export Import Bank of China (CEXIM) ignored an offer by Baha Mar’s original developer, Sarkis Izmirlian, to pay creditors 100 per cent of what they are owed and to fund the remobilisation and completion of the project in favour of an agreement with less guarantees. “(Mr Izmirlian) never, never

brought one red cent forward,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “Never a letter from a bank, never a guarantee, just words. The government of the Bahamas is not working on words when it comes to this matter. We are working on money where it is located, where we can specify it and where we can see it. Mr Izmirlian has never, ever done that and if he can send you something where he showed the government that he is able to come up with a couple hundred million dollars to ensure the creditors are paid and that he can finish the project, then you print it.”

Regardless, Mr Fitzgerald stressed that it would be up to the EXIM Bank to decide whether it would want to do business with Mr Izmirlian in the future.

However, on April 12, the same day that Mr Izmirlian, in a letter, had renewed his bid to CEXIM for Baha Mar, Mr Christie had said: “Clearly he (Mr Izmirlian) is deserving of every consideration and it’s a question of the bank being in a position to determine what they are going to do.”

In the letter to CEXIM, Mr Izmirlian had said that his team had the “best chance” of opening Baha Mar “quickly and successfully” and encouraged the bank to accept his offer.

He added that the current sale process that was launched by the receivers is “fraught with obstacles and irregularities”.

The April letter was a follow-up to an offer that Mr Izmirlian had made to CEXIM Bank in January.

He said he is now prepared to invest the further funds necessary to open Baha Mar. Mr Christie said at the time that while he has not seen Mr Izmirlian’s offer, he can only assume that it is an attractive one.

“Clearly Izmirlian comes from a family that isn’t short on money,” Mr Christie had said at the time. “... I think it’s a question of the bank making the right decision on what’s best for them and The Bahamas. What Mr. Izmirlian has advised me is that he has put in an offer or offers that will not cause the bank to lose money.”

This exchange was published in April this year.

Mr Fitzgerald also reacted to criticism of why a representative of China Construction America (CCA), Tiger Wu, is a member of the Claims Committee that was established to administer claims to Baha Mar creditors and former employees despite the fact that CCA’s creditors will not receive payouts during the claims process.

CCA is Baha Mar’s general contractor.

“The project at the end of the

day has to be managed by CCA,” he said. “There was a concern that there may be conflicting claims made and that the committee, not having any understanding or appreciation for the construction itself, will want to ensure that the claims are legitimate and that there weren’t going to be double claims with someone making claims against Baha Mar and also having a claim at CCA level. We wanted to ensure there was no overlap or double payments being made. It was thought it would be good to have someone on the committee who had intimate knowledge of the job site and of what was required. (Mr Wu) was perceived as being the best person for that.”

Mr Fitzgerald emphasised that creditors of CCA will be paid through a process designed by that company.

“CCA is not in liquidation,” he said. “CCA is a legal entity that’s going on. That’s not been the centre of our concern. CCA is a very wealthy company. So we have met with CCA and they indicated to us that they will satisfy reasonable and credible claims before they move forward and we will hold them to that.”

FITZGERALD FILES APPEAL OVER RULING

FROM PAGE ONE

that he infringed on constitutional rights when he tabled the private emails of environmental action group Save The Bays in Parliament, and therefore could not be protected by parliamentary privilege.

Justice Charles also ordered Mr Fitzgerald to pay $150,000 in damages for the breach – a decision the Marathon MP contends was made in error because he was “at all times acting in the public interest.”

The notice of appeal motion was filed last Friday.

In it, the appellants maintain that Mr Fitzgerald’s statements in Parliament were protected from legal liability by way of constitutional provision, parliamentary privilege, and also legislatively under the Powers and Privileges Act. Insisting that Mr Fitzgerald’s statements – whether inside or outside Parlia-

ment – did not infringe on constitutional rights, the notice said that any potential legal liability would be a matter of private law.

The appeal notice read: “The judge was wrong to find that the first appellant (Mr Fitzgerald) conducted a search of the respondents’ property.

“He did not, and there was no evidence to support the judge’s conclusion that he did.

“The evidence did not demonstrate that the copies of the emails with which the case is concerned were the property of the first (Coalition to Protect Clifton) or the second respondent (Zachary Bacon) when they came into the possession of the first appellant, having regard in particular to their wide and/or unrestricted dissemination.”

It continued: “The judge proceeded on the basis that she was dealing with interference with the respond-

ents’ electronic documents.

In so doing, with respect, she was wrong. There was no evidence that the first appellant had searched or had anything whatsoever to do with the electronic versions of their documents, with their computers, email servers or otherwise.”

Mr Fitzgerald also argued that Justice Charles erred in fact and law when she determined that his actions were attributable to the government because of his ministerial position.

“There was no evidence to support a finding that Cabinet ministers, including the first appellant, either acted, or made the statements with which this case is concerned, as ministers on behalf of the government, or otherwise than in their capacity as members of Parliament.

“The judge referred, in support of her conclusion that the matters complained of (including the actions and statements of the first appellant) were attributable to the government, to the fact that a minister can in certain circumstances, bind the

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state as a matter of international law, for example if he signs a treaty on behalf of the Bahamas. With respect, this had no relevance or application to the facts of the present case, where the evidence demonstrated that the actions and statements complained of were not made by ministers (including the first appellant) on behalf of the government or the ministry concerned.”

In March, Mr Fitzgerald, the minister of education, accused STB of being a political organisation seeking to “overthrow” the Progressive Liberal Party government under the guise of an environmental group.

In the House of Assembly, Mr Fitzgerald read private emails from STB members and others, which he said bolstered his claims.

Speaking outside Parliament, Mr Fitzgerald later warned members of the environmental group to “batten down” because a “category five” hurricane was on its way, as he threatened to table “every single” email and bank statement in his possession if needed to protect his integrity and parliamentary privilege.

Additionally, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell claimed in Parliament in March that some $8.25m has been filtered through various organisa-

9/9/16 6:27 PM

tions connected with STB – locally and internationally - from 2013 to 2015.

Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay (Save the Bays) and Zachary Bacon, the brother of hedge fund billionaire Louis Bacon, a resident of Lyford Cay, brought action against Mr Fitzgerald, Mr Mitchell and the attorney general.

However, Justice Charles found that there was no case against Mr Mitchell concerning breach of the group’s constitutional rights.

In her August 2 ruling, Justice Charles permanently banned Mr Fitzgerald from disclosure and publication of any further material belonging to STB, and ordered him to delete all electronic and hard copy material within 14 days.

In the appeal notice, Mr Fitzgerald argues that Justice Charles was wrong to order an injunction over the matter because the existence of electronic records was never established, and the hard copies tabled in the House of Assembly were not within the custody or control of the Marathon MP, but in the safekeeping of the House Speaker Dr Kendal Major.

The notice asks that the respondents, Coalition to Protect Clifton and Zachary Bacon, be made to pay the costs for the appeal.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 14, 2016, PAGE 7

FACEBOOK SCAM USES LABOUR MINISTER’S IDENTITY

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR Minister Shane Gibson is raising the alarm about a Facebook scam that is conning Bahamians out of money while using his identity.

Fake Facebook profiles featuring his name and image have been made within the last several months, he said.

Those using the fake profiles have requested money from residents of his Golden Gates constituency.

The scammers have asked people to give money as a process fee in order to receive more money from a United Nations money grant, Mr Gibson said.

At least four people have been successfully conned, he added, with at least one of those persons, a woman, giving $620 to the scammer.

“I want to sensitise the public to this.

Be careful when you see accounts being abused where persons are soliciting money for any reason. If a person wants to give you money let them give it to you.”

Labour Minister Shane Gibson

“For some reason a couple of them (gave the) money and I don’t know why,” he told reporters yesterday, noting that the money was transferred by way of Money Gram.

“I want to sensitise the public to this. Be careful when you see accounts being abused where persons are soliciting money for any reason. If a person wants to give you money let them

SAMSUNG PLANNING SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR OVERHEATING NOTE 7s SAMSUNG, the world’s largest smartphone maker, plans to issue a software update for its recalled Galaxy Note 7s that will prevent them from overheating by limiting battery recharges to 60 per cent.

The South Korean company announced the move yesterday following its unprecedented global recall of 2.5 million of the smartphones two weeks after their launch after dozens of cases in which batteries exploded or caught fire.

Samsung is urging consumers worldwide to stop using Note 7 smartphones immediately and exchange them as soon as possible, as more reports of the waterproof, large screen phones catching fire emerged.

Aviation regulators and airlines have deemed the Note 7 a flight hazard. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) urged users to switch the Note 7 off and not to use or charge it during a flight. Several airlines around the world asked travellers not switch on the jumbo smartphone or put it in checked baggage, with some carriers banning the phone on flights.

Samsung announced the software update for any users of the Note 7 who may be disregarding its recall notice and continuing to use the smartphone. Analysts said the software update appears to be a lastditch effort to contain the crisis, one calling it a “desperate measure”. Samsung “has to contain the battery explosions but people are not returning the phones,” said Peter Yu, an analyst at BNP Paribas.

The company did not say how many more battery fires in the Note 7 have been reported since September 1, when 35 cases were confirmed. There are more cases that Samsung said it is aware of - one at a hotel in Perth, Australia, and

give it to you. I don’t understand why you would have to give them a couple dollars as fee for them to give you something they say you are entitled to.

“It’s happened five

times,” he continued. “One in May and four within the past three to four weeks.

It is a concern. In one instance a young lady said she sent $620 over time. I think the (scammer) was trying to get $1,000 (from her). I don’t know why she didn’t just walk around to my office and ask me if it’s my account. From the Golden Gates Foundation’s point of view, we will never be soliciting the public’s funds in order to give you funds back.”

Mr Gibson said he has

DANGEROUS SMARTPHONES: WHAT NOTE 7 OWNERS SHOULD DO SAMSUNG plans a software update for its Galaxy Note 7 designed to prevent the battery in the mobile phone from exploding or catching fire. The company is also offering replacements for the 2.5 million phones it’s sold globally, but a new Note 7 is not available yet. Here are three things Note 7 owners should do: TURN IT OFF Samsung has said that the phone should be turned off immediately. The company has said that of the 35 known cases where the phone has caught fire, as of Sept. 1, most happened while the phone was charging.

Its latest software update is meant to protect those consumers who are continuing to use the phone. The update for users in South Korea will start Sept. 20, and the company hasn’t said when it will be available in other countries.

TURN IT IN The company has set up an exchange for people to replace their Note 7s. But the replacement phones won’t be available until

another in St Petersburg, Florida, where a family reported that a Galaxy Note 7 left charging in their Jeep had caught fire, destroying the vehicle. The New York Post reported that a sixyear-old boy in New York was burned while watching videos when the Note 7 burst in his hands. The device is also suspected as the cause of a garage fire in South Carolina.

In announcing a recall on Monday, the Canadian government said one case was confirmed there while Samsung received more than 70 reported cases in the United States. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is considering an official product recall after urging owners of the phone to turn them off and leave them off.

A recall by the safety commission would allow the FAA to ban passengers from carrying the phones on planes. The three biggest US airlines - American, Delta and United have said flight attendants will remind passengers of the FAA warning, but it was unclear how they would make sure that passengers keep the Samsung devices

powered off.

Scandinavian Airlines has prohibited passengers from using the Galaxy Note 7 on its flights because of concerns about fires while Singapore Airlines has also banned the use or charging of the device during flights.

Samsung said yesterday the software update for South Korean users will start on September 20. It was not clear when the update may be issued overseas. Also unclear was whether it will be forced on existing Note 7 phones regardless of user consent.

Samsung plans to begin issuing new Note 7s with batteries it says will not be prone to overheating starting on September 19 in South Korea, blaming the problem on a manufacturing glitch in the rechargeable lithium batteries. The company has urged consumers to immediately turn off the phones and get them replaced with the new Note 7.

But implementing such a large-scale recall is a challenge. Consumers have to visit Samsung service centres or retailers twice, once to get a replacement phone - not a Galaxy Note 7 - and

US ELECTION

OBAMA: CLINTON ‘STEADY,’ TRUMP ‘NOT FIT’ TO LEAD PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Acvideo struggling to stay on her feet. cusing Republicans of fanning hate, Her campaign later said she been President Barack Obama on Tuesdiagnosed with pneumonia. day stepped in to defend a bruised Clinton canceled campaign and temporarily benched Hillary events this week to recover, but is Clinton, hoping to reassure Demdue back on the trail Thursday. ocrats nervous both about their Her campaign said she spent presidential candidate’s health and Tuesday reading briefing material, her handling of fresh trouble on her making calls and watching Obacampaign. ma’s speech on television.

Speaking at an outdoor rally in The incident and the campaign’s US PRESIDENT a Democratic stronghold, Obama attempt to keep the diagnosis seBarack Obama praised Clinton as the most qualicret revived long-held concerns fied candidate ever to seek the ofabout Clinton’s tendency to hunker fice and mocked her opponent Donald Trump down during a crisis, making matters worse. as “not fit in any way” to lead. He suggested To an audience of roughly 6,000 supportClinton was again the victim of unfair treat- ers in downtown Philadelphia, Obama arment and a scandal machine that has dogged gued that Clinton has been more transparher throughout her long political career. ent in providing health and financial records “What sets Hillary apart is that through than her rival, as well as releasing her past it all she just keeps on going and she doesn’t tax returns while Trump refuses to release stop caring and she doesn’t stop trying and his. she never stops fighting for us even if we Obama said the Clinton Foundation has haven’t always appreciated it,” Obama said. “saved countless lives around the world,” “I understand, we’re a young country, we are while Trump used his charity to buy “a sixa restless country. foot-tall painting of himself,” Obama said, “We always like the new shiny thing. I ben- referencing a Washington Post investigation efited from that when I was a candidate, and of Trump’s charity. we take for granted sometimes what is steady “I mean, you know, he had the taste not to and true. And Hillary Clinton is steady and go for the 10-foot version,” he said. she is true.”

Obama is seeking to generate momentum The remarks were the closest Obama came — and some passion — for Clinton in a race to mentioning Clinton’s rough weekend, dur- that has become uncomfortably close for ing which she disparaged “half” of Trump many Democratic supporters. The latest poll supporters and then backtracked some- by Quinnipiac University found her with a 5 what on her remarks. She also was forced to percentage-point edge over Trump in Pennabruptly leave an event because of an illness sylvania. she had not disclosed. Clinton was caught on Obama’s event at an outdoor plaza in front

spoken with police officers about the matter.

“They said they spoke with Facebook on several occasions about similar matters,” he said. “They said there is difficulty with Facebook cooperating with these. (However), when reported to Facebook, they would usually pull down the accounts right away.”

Chief Police Superintendent Clayton Fernander said yesterday that he was not aware whether the matter was being investigated by police.

have a safety check of their existing Note 7, and a second time to get a new Note 7.

Keeping the battery level low could reduce the risk

Sept. 19 in South Korea, and it’s unclear when they’ll be available in the U.S. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has said it’s working with Samsung on an official recall, and the agency is figuring out if the replacement phones are an acceptable replacement for the dangerous ones.

But Samsung says U.S. users can replace Note 7s now with a different model — either a temporary one until the new Note 7 is available or a permanent switch for the company’s Galaxy series. Owners should do the swap at the store where they bought the phone or, if bought online, call the company at 1-800-726-7864 (that’s 1-800-Samsung).

AND MOST OF ALL, DO NOT USE ON A PLANE The Federal Aviation Administration has warned passengers not to use the phone or charge it during a flight, and to keep it turned off.

Several airlines have also banned the phone, or asked passengers not to check it with their bags.

of overheating, but would be equivalent to getting a downgrade of a top-of-theline phone, said Kim Young Woo, an analyst at SK Securities. The Galaxy Note

series are among the most expensive handsets made

by Samsung. “It means that the phone has not been optimised before the release,” Mr Kim said.

PAGE 8, Wednesday, September 14, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Inequality threatens crisis and a failed state

A

MERICAN presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had to apologise recently for calling some of her opponent’s supporters “deplorable”, meaning they are racist, sexist, homophobic or xenophobic.

In fairness, she did add that many Trump supporters were desperate for change because they felt let down by the system. Still, it is never a good idea for candidates to denigrate voters during an election campaign.

Just think back to the 2012 Republican nominee’s comment that 47 per cent of voters who take government handouts would support Barack Obama “no matter what”. Mitt Romney effectively wrote off half the American electorate with that comment.

And of course, we are all familiar with Donald

“The Bahamas has yet to see the rise of a populist leader who can skilfully exploit the fears and resentments of the masses to effectively attack the status quo.”

Trump’s persistent alienation of non-white voters.

These voters are an increasingly important factor in American presidential elections, but Trump has focused more on exploiting the anger and vitriol of the white working class.

According to well-known geopolitical analyst George Friedman, white workers have become a disaffected group in the United States - due largely to the collapse of their living standards combined with the changing values of a more diverse so-

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFPs) The College of The Bahamas is seeking competitive proposals from suitably qualified Bahamian contractors to repaint the exterior of the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre at the Oakes Field Campus.

The scope of work to be undertaken is considered nonstructural and requires a pre-construction site visit for review and assessment.

RFP packages should be collected between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from the: Office of the Vice President, Operations Keva M. Bethel Building The College of The Bahamas Oakes Field Campus Nassau, The Bahamas The deadline for the collection of RFP proposals is 5:00 p.m. EST Friday, September 16th, 2016.

Pre-construction inspection date: Monday, September 19th, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.

Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre The College of The Bahamas Oakes Field Campus The College of The Bahamas reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals.

ciety. They see the political elite as near criminal and entirely incompetent, with politicians saying whatever they need to say, while ignoring the problems that affect those earning below the median income level.

These lower middle class Americans are increasingly unable to live the life they could have expected a generation ago, which breeds resentment. And things are similar in Europe, where the governing elites seem oblivious to the rising potential for social and political upheaval.

“When those who have skills and are prepared to work can’t get a job that will allow their families to live reasonably well, this is a problem,” Friedman says. “When vast numbers of people are entering this condition, this is a crisis.

When there is a crisis, these people will turn to politicians who speak to them and give them hope.”

The general facts on rising inequality are clear. The world’s richest one per cent now own more than the rest of us combined. Power is being used to skew the economic system to increase the gap between the richest and the rest.

As French analyst Philippe Maze-Sencier wrote, people are worried: “Their world is in turmoil, their children’s future suddenly uncertain, their way of living under threat. The perceived impotence of traditional parties (has) contributed to making ... hard-right populist movements acceptable if not mainstream.”

I would argue that there are clear parallels to this trend in the Bahamas, but we have yet to see the rise of a populist leader who can skilfully exploit the fears and resentments of the masses to effectively attack the status quo.

Many Bahamians view our political parties as bands of brothers organised to protect special interests and avert any seri-

APOLOGY: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. (AP)

ous change. They hold all the cards, promote their own bipartisan interests, restrain attempts at serious reform and trample on the rights of ordinary people.

Indeed, Friedman’s description of white working class anger in the US could easily be applied to the black working class in the Bahamas: “They see the political elite as near criminal and entirely incompetent, with politicians saying whatever they need to say.”

Of course, politicians are not the only members of the governing elite. Important businessmen, wealthy lawyers, doctors and financiers, high-level civil servants, and union leaders are able to exert significant influence over government decisions.

To avoid political and social upheaval, our leaders need to focus on ways to create a better life for most people. This means economic growth and jobs, especially for youth. We have far too much political gamesmanship, lack of accountability, and gravy train corruption - and too little effort to make things better.

Take tourism, for exam-

ple. It is our biggest economic driver, but we are not growing, adapting or improving this industry. We take it for granted, but the cultural product we market to visitors has deteriorated.

And there are no more hotel beds being occupied today than there were a generation ago.

The inevitable result is structural high unemployment. But what is the cause? Is it our inflexible labour markets, where unions regularly threaten to shut the country down? Is it bureaucratic inertia? Is it a lack of private investment?

Is it political rent-seeking, corruption and nepotism?

Is it because growth and development do not benefit those in control?

Probably a combination of all these factors. But one thing is clear - if we do not find a way to move things forward, reduce our inefficiencies, reform our institutions and dramatically improve the lives of a majority of our citizens, at some point we could be facing a failed state.

What do you think? Send comments to lsmith@tribunemedia.net or visit www. bahamapundit.com

Protection from a Zika epidemic

W

hen Zika and other mosquitoborne viruses such as Dengue and Chikungunya invade a region without prior immunity, between 25 and 65 per cent of the population will become exposed.

So there’s no point counting confirmed cases. Doctors say the current Zika outbreak in the Bahamas should reasonably be expected to affect tens of thousands of people. And as a result, the Centers for

Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta has issued a travel alert.

The virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, but it is also spread from mother to baby during pregnancy and during sexual intercourse. The CDC has advised pregnant women not to travel to the Bahamas, and travellers are being encouraged to use condoms or not have sex at all while in the Bahamas.

According to Tourism Director Joy Jibrilu, “when it comes to the management

of threats to public health, we must (act) with transparency and openness. We are keenly aware of what the implications are.”

Zika has been recognised for decades in Africa, so a significant proportion of the population there has been exposed and is therefore immune. Unless the virus mutates, only sporadic cases will continue to occur.

But the Bahamas - and other countries in the Western Hemisphere and Europe - have never been previously exposed and so are fertile ground for the Zika virus, as long as the mosquito vectors are around.

“We see cyclical infections with Dengue as the number of non-immune people grows between epidemics,” one local doctor told me. “Hopefully, this epidemic will pass within the next 12 months or so, but until it does the government should focus on discouraging women from becoming pregnant.”

This is because the major complication from this generally mild disease is the effect it can have on a developing foetus. There is evidence that Zika infection in pregnancy causes birth defects, including brain abnormalities.

Scientists are working on 18 different vaccines, but only one has made it to testing phase. An effective vaccine is not expected to be ready before 2018.

The best way to protect yourself is to use mosquito repellents and remove breeding sites - which means any outdoor container filled with water. Public health authorities are also fogging communities with pesticides.

What do you think? Send comments to lsmith@tribunemedia.net or visit www. bahamapundit.com

THE TRIBUNE THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 14, 2016, PAGE 9 Wednesday, September 14th, 2016, PAGE A9

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE

TECHTALK

iPHONE 7 APPLE’S new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are clearly improvements on their predecessors, even if the biggest change is actually an omission of the traditional headphone jack. But are they improved enough to justify an upgrade?

If you have the iPhone 6S or its plus-sized cousin, you probably don’t need to rush out for the 7. But the 7 includes enough cumulative iPhone improvements from the past two years to tempt anyone still clinging to an older model.

For instance, the iPhone 7 is seriously water resistant. It’s got louder speakers, a brighter screen and, in the larger 7 Plus, a second camera lens - a low-powered but useful zoom. Add to that a sharper 12 megapixel camera introduced with the 6S. All iPhone 7 models come with twice the storage as the comparable 6S, at mostly the same price. That’s “mostly” because the $769 starting price for the larger iPhone 7 Plus is $20 more than comparable past models. The regular iPhone 7 stays at $649.

Both entry-level phones now have 32 gigabytes rather than 16.

LISTENING WIRED Without the traditional headphone jack, wired headphones plug into the lightning port normally used for charging. But the jack’s disappearance doesn’t present the problem you might expect, given that iPhone 7 comes with a 3-inch-long adapter for your old headphones.

To charge your phone while listening, you need a $99 battery case or a thirdparty adapter. Neither is included. Also, your iPhone 7 headphones won’t work with any other device that uses the old-fashioned jack.

LISTENING UNWIRED You can go wireless, as Apple would love you to do.

Its upcoming $159 AirPods are two tiny inch-and-a-half Bluetooth earpieces designed to integrate with Apple’s software. Setting them up involves little more than opening the case near your

ability to deliver audio digitally.

AirPods will work with older iPhones once they get the free iOS 10 software upgrade. Connect them once, and they’ll work on iPads and Macs on the same iCloud account, too.

BETTER IMAGES While smartphone cameras have long offered zooming, these are typically done with software tricks that degrade image quality. The iPhone 7 Plus has a second lens that offers 2X optical zoom without any image degradation.

Twice the magnification might not sound like much, but it makes a big difference when you’re zeroing in on

THE new iPhone 7 Messages app. (AP) phone and tapping “Connect”.

Audio plays automatically when you’re wearing them, and pauses when you pop one out to talk to someone. Double tapping on an earpiece let me ask the Siri voice assistant to change the volume, rewind or check the weather.

The AirPods picked up my voice pretty well, even when I spoke softly, and calls sounded fine in controlled environments. The AirPods did stay in my ears through one bike ride and eight runs, though one dropped out as I changed my shirt.

Apple promises five hours of continuous use; I got well over that, although voice calls will eat up their tiny batteries much faster. You can also double your listening by using one AirPod at a time. The AirPods come in a case which also recharges the earpieces, extending usage to 24 hours. The lightning charging cord for your phone can recharge the case, too.

But the AirPods still seem remarkably easy to lose.

The wired headphones that come with the 7 work fine and will still cost $30 to replace. Apple isn’t promising better sound - for now despite the lightning port’s

6

THE dual camera feature on an iPhone 7 Plus. (AP) one aspect of a scene.

If you then need “digital zoom” you’re at least starting out with a sharper image.

For close-ups, the zoom lens lets you step back to keep your shadow out of the shot.

The selfie camera also got better in the iPhone 7.

Resolution increases from 5 to 7 megapixels, so the selfie camera no longer feels inferior.

have stereo speakers and play audio twice as loud as before. The screens are also brighter, which could help in direct sunlight.

Apple says battery life improves by an hour or two, thanks to higher capacity and efficiencies.

No battery is ever going to be enough, but Apple promises 12 to 15 hours of internet use.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS The new iPhones now

ANICK JESDANUN Associated Press

KEY THINGS ABOUT APPLE’S IOS 10 SOFTWARE

NEW GESTURES Swiping up from the bottom edge still gets you the Control Center with quick access to the flashlight, airplane mode and other frequent functions. But it’s now split into multiple screens. Once Control Center is open, swipe to the left to get audio and video controls. Swipe left once more to control lights and other accessories through Apple’s HomeKit automation system.

From the lock screen, you used to be able to access the camera by pulling up from the bottom right corner. Now, you swipe left from the right edge.

Swiping down from the top edge still gets you recent notifications, but your widgets and calendars have moved. Now, you get those by swiping right from the left edge.

LOCK SCREEN ADD ONS The screen now turns on automatically when you lift your phone. You can do much more from the lock screen, such as viewing a photo from a friend or listening to a voice message.

COMMUNICATIONS The Messages app has been redesigned to offer more expression options. After you type your message, hold the blue “up” arrow. You can give the message a “loud” effect, so that it briefly appears huge to the recipient. “Invisible ink” hides the message until the recipient rubs a finger over it.

You can send animated doodles (hit the heart icon) and handwritten notes (turn your screen horizontally).

APP INTEGRATION The Messages app now has its own app

store to get additional functionality, sometimes for a fee. Just hit the “A’’ icon above the keyboard.

You can slide an app up from the bottom without leaving Messages. A new tab called “Ride” appears alongside “Drive”, ‘’Walk” and “Transit”.

Siri now works with third-party apps for messaging.

REDESIGNED APPS The interface for Maps has improved. A prominent button for “Directions” appears once you type in a destination. You can slide the card up for basics such as phone numbers and Yelp reviews.

This used to require an extra tap or two.

As you’re travelling, you can tap on the bottom strip to find gas stations, restaurants and other businesses along your route. For drivers, there’s now an option to avoid tolls, matching Google Maps.

The new Mail interface takes adjustment. The most recent messages are now at the bottom rather than the top in a single stream - so be careful when replying to make sure it’s going to the intended recipient.

TINY DISCOVERIES The Clock app’s new Bedtime feature encourages you to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.

The flashlight on the Control Center lets you adjust brightness if you have an iPhone 6S or 7. Just press hard on the icon.

And the Photos app has more options for searching and viewing highlights.

Apple’s iOS 10 software update was released yesterday

CUSTOM COMPUTERS HELPS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE NEARLY a year after Hurricane Joaquin devastated the southern islands of the Bahamas, efforts to rebuild those communities continue to be steadfast.

Recently, Custom Computers worked with the Lyford Cay Foundations in their drive to provide relief to 15 public schools severely affected by the storm.

Among the educational institutions benefitting from the Foundations’ generosity is Mangrove Bush Primary of Long Island, which - in spite of having lost virtually everything to Joaquin - won the prize in the Custom Computers ‘A’s for Excellence’ campaign this summer as the Family Island school with the most ‘A’ grades entered.

On learning of the damage, representatives of the Foundations toured several schools to assess the areas most in need, which resulted in a donation of $80,000 of technology and

supplies. Thanks to the contributions made by donors to the Foundations, approximately 1,000 students will benefit from new projectors, laptops, desktop computers, printers, laminators, photocopiers and other learning tools.

Custom Computers, assisted by Hewlett-Packard, provided the most competitive pricing to the Foundations for 29 HP laptops and six HP desktop computers, including critical software installation and free shipping to the respective islands.

“The road to recovery following this hurricane has been long and difficult, so when we learned of the Foundations’ cause, we were more than happy to take part,” said Custom Computers Sales Manager Tammie Thompson. “We believe that supporting the education of our young people is of primary concern, and that includes implementing the latest technology to advance learning.”

Ms Thompson (left) is pictured with Lyford Cay Foundations Managing Director Maureen French, Minister of Education, Science and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald, Foundations Chairman Basil Gou-

landris, Foundations Vice Chair Sarah Farrington, and Custom Computers Store Manager Latoya Miller at the Custom Computers KnowHow Store in Harbour Bay. Photo: Disha Fraser

• LG is unveiling the first phone to ship with Google’s new Android Nougat software in the hope of appealing to people who like to take and share photos and video.

Nougat is already available as a free upgrade on some Google phones under the Nexus brand but the new V20 would be the first with Nougat already installed.

The most obvious changes include the ability to run two apps side by side, something Samsung and LG have offered on their phones on a limited basis. Nougat will also let people reply to messages within notifications, something Apple already offers on iPhones.

• GENERAL Motors is recalling about four million vehicles worldwide to fix an airbag software defect that has been linked to one death.

The company said that in rare cases, the car’s computers can go into test mode and the front air bags won’t inflate in a crash. The seat belts also may not function.

The recall involves the 20142016 Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet SS and Spark EV; the 2014-2017 Buick Encore, GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Corvette, Trax, Caprice and Silverado; and the 2015-2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban and Silverado HD, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL and Sierra HD and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV. A TEAM of West Virginia University engineering students has won the $750,000 top prize in a NASA robotics competition.

WVU’s Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources said that the 10 students earned the most points by successfully navigating a robot to win the Level 2 competition for the Sample Robot Return Challenge as part of NASA’s Centennial Challenges.

• FLYING burritos will soon be a reality over Virginia Tech. Chipotle is taking part in a test this month that will let some of the university’s students and staff have their favourite tortilla-wrapped meal delivered by drone.

Virginia Tech is conducting the test with Project Wing, a unit of Google owner Alphabet Inc, which makes self-flying devices that deliver food, medicine and other goods.

• PANDORA will soon take on Spotify, Apple Music and others in a competitive field with its own, $10 monthly streaming music service, and a cheaper version as well.

The Internet radio company did not release details about the actual cost for the lowerpriced service, saying only that it would be “mid-priced.” The new services will launch before the end of the year, the company said.

• SONY is unveiling a slimmer, lighter, cheaper version of its PlayStation 4, as well as a Pro device targeted at hardcore gamers that features highresolution images and a 1-terabyte hard drive.

The slimmer, more energyefficient PS4 will cost $300 and go on sale tomorrow in most markets.

The PlayStation Pro will cost $400 and go on sale on November 10. It will offer 4K gaming, displaying hyper-realistic graphics and immersive visuals - as long as it is hooked up to a high dynamic range TV.

PAGE 10, Wednesday, September 14, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

MARCO CITY FNMS HOST BACK-TO-SCHOOL FUN DAY

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MEMBERS of the Marco City Free National Movement Association, along with former party Chairman Michael Pintard, hosted a back-to-school fun day and giveaway for hundreds of children at the Jack Hayward Gymnasium on September 3.

The youngsters enjoyed face painting and a bouncing castle, and were treated to food and drinks along with sweet treats such as snow cones and cotton candy, along with popcorn.

The event culminated with the distribution of school supplies and backpacks to more than 200 students of all ages, from kindergarten to senior high.

The older students also received a copy of Mr Pintard’s book, ‘Still Standing,’ which is used by BGCSE students.

“He wanted to help ease the financial burden some parents experience during these difficult times. This was one of several initiatives planned by the association along with Mr Pintard to jump start the new school year,” said association Chairman Kendal Culmer.

“We intend to sponsor

other events, and in other cases support financially and otherwise a variety of community projects and programmes.”

Mr Pintard and the association are planning to launch a back to school basketball tournament that is being organised by the young people in the Marco City community.

This non-partisan event will take place next week at the Errol Bodie Park featuring approximately 16 teams in both junior and

senior divisions.

Following the tournament, there will be a motivational session held some time within the next four weeks, which would challenge students to excel in school.

Mr Pintard, a former senator who hopes to run in the next election, stated that he intends to continue working with and on behalf of residents regardless of their political persuasion in addressing the critical issues affecting them.

PLP WOMEN’S BRANCH SPEAKS OUT OVER RECENT MURDER AND ABANDONED BABY AFTER a woman was found murdered in her apartment and a newborn baby was abandoned in bushes in New Providence on Friday, the Progressive Liberal Party’s Women’s Branch said these incidents should “sensitise” the public to the need to educate society and not make snap judgments.

“In today’s society we are quick to judge situations and circumstances we know nothing about,” the PLP Women’s Branch said in a statement.

“We tend to evaluate them at face value without realising the need for a deeper look to understand the root cause and causal factors that drove the event.

“Many of our young and older women are made to endure unimaginable circumstances simply because of the environment they are raised in, lack of knowledge or just plain fear of ridicule and embarrassment.

“Often times our communities are quite aware of troubling situations that exist but choose not to speak up because it doesn’t involve them or the protection of the so-called ‘family’s secret’ is more important than the victim’s rights.

We have become insensitive to the needs of many that are hurting and mute to the situations that should be immediately addressed.

“Gone are the days when we should keep up the tra-

dition of being a ‘hush society’. We must collectively decide to stand against and address the ills that plague us daily. Women and children should be informed of the unalienable rights available to them whether the case is domestic violence, rape, incest, molestation, unplanned pregnancies, adoption options, postpartum and depression.”

The organisation said there needs to be more focused attention devoted to informing people of the many avenues and options available when “unfortunate circumstances” like the incidents on Friday occur.

Police discovered the dead body of Marisha Bowen, a 35-year-old C W Saunders School teacher, in her apartment on Friday morning. Police said she had a wound to her upper body.

Police sources have told The Tribune that they were investigating a possible love triangle as a motive for the killing.

Also on Friday, a good Samaritan found a newborn baby boy alive in bushes in southwestern New Providence with its umbilical cord still attached. At last report, the infant was still in hospital, however, the child’s mother had not come forward.

Both incidents have been heavily discussed on social media over the past few days.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 14, 2016, PAGE 11

THE SOUTH BEACH POOLS have been out of use this summer while maintenance and repairs have been carried out.

SOUTH BEACH POOLS COMPLEX TO REOPEN AFTER REPAIRS THE South Beach Pools complex off East Street South is expected to be fully operational this week, after months of disrepair and mismanagement.

The improvements and repairs were confirmed by operators of the swimming club which uses the facility weekly throughout the academic year.

A spokesperson for the Sea Waves Aquatic Team indicated to The Tribune that a new water pump system

had been procured and was awaiting installation, adding that once the repair was made, the facility would return to normal working arrangements.

The recreational centre is used by several governmentsponsored activities and at times rented out for private functions.

It has been closed duirng the school summer holidays for repairs ready for the new academic year swim programmes.

PAGE 12, Wednesday, September 14, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

ROTARY CLUB MAKES ‘TIMELY’ DONATION OF ULTRASOUND TO PHA

CHAIRMAN of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Board of Directors, Frank Smith, described the donation of ultrasound and electrotherapy equipment by the Rotary Club of SouthEast Nassau to the authority’s rehabilitation services as “timely” yesterday.

Mr Smith said that, like public health services across the country, the Rehabilitation Services Department faces demand from persons with physical injuries, but also an increasing number of patients requiring the intervention of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists among others, following

“Ultrasound and electro therapies have been used to repair tissue, stimulate muscles and increase sensations and muscle strength. I would like to assure the Rotary Club that this generous donation will help the outstanding staff of Rehabilitation Therapy Services to improve the health, and speed the recovery, of hundreds of patients each year.”

Hannah Gray, PHA deputy managing director

ELSA BARRETT, Senior Physiotherapist; Dr Bridgette Rolle, Rotary Club of South-East Nassau; Frank Smith, Chairman PHA; Hannah Gray, Deputy Managing Director PHA; and Millicent Rollins, Deputy Director Rehabilitation Services, at the presentation yesterday.

Photo: Tim Clarke

debilitating medical complications of strokes and heart attacks.

“In this context of increased demand,” he said, “any development that

peutic interventions in a one-on-one case management basis.”

Hannah Gray, PHA deputy managing director, said: “Today, the

enhances Rehabilitative Services makes a dramatic impact not only for the patients seeking care, but also for the amazing staff who deliver quality thera-

SENIOR physiotherapist Elsa Barrett and Millicent Rollins assembling their new ultrasound equipment.

Public Hospitals Authority is delighted to accept the generous donation of an Intelect Color Combo Electrotherapy and Ultrasound Therapy unit for use by the Rehabilitation Therapy Services Department - an act which will certainly positively impact the patients and staff of this important clinical area.”

She said the Rotary Club of South-East Nassau acquired the equipment specifically for the benefit of patients undergoing physiotherapy through PHA’s Rehabilitation Services.

“The skilled therapists in our Rehabilitation Services work with patients with disabilities or injuries to achieve the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life possible by providing training and clinical therapy.

“They provide the support, encouragement and professional skills necessary to restore the individual to optimal health, function and wellbeing.”

Explaining the use of the equipment, Mrs Gray noted that “ultrasound

and electro therapies have been used to repair tissue, stimulate muscles and increase sensations and muscle strength. I would like to assure the Rotary Club that this generous donation will help the outstanding staff of Rehabilitation Therapy Services to improve the health, and speed the recovery, of hundreds of patients each year.”

In thanking the Rotary organisation, Mr Smith said this was far from the first time the Rotary Club of South-East Nassau has made a positive difference in the lives of patients.

Last December, he noted, the residents of the Robert Smith Ward at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre received gifts and a special Christmas luncheon from the club.

“Indeed, I am advised that Literacy, Hunger and Health are long-standing priorities of the SouthEast Nassau Club and the Authority is both pleased and grateful that we continue to be an avenue of community involvement for you and good works,” he said.

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