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BPL RESUMES DISCONNECTIONS AFTER DELAY FOR STORM RELIEF

BY SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net  BAHAMAS Power and Light has resumed disconnections of past due accounts, Corporate Communications Manager Arnette Ingraham confirmed yesterday.

However, Mrs Ingraham said the company is only “disconnecting accounts SEE PAGE SIX

Police ‘are the only gang that matters’

BY SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net  DESPITE recording three murders and several “serious� shooting incidents in 48 hours, Officerin-Charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said the public has “no need to be afraid�.

In an interview with The Tribune, Chief Supt Fernander responded to messages on social media that warned Bahamians to stay inside their homes this weekend, because a “gang war� had erupted.

Chief Supt Fernander said the entire country is in “safe hands� and the only gang that matters is the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).

The rumours began af-

ter a woman was killed and two people, a woman and a man, were hospitalised following a drive by shooting at the Sand Trap off West Bay Street around 8pm on Monday.

The shooting took the country’s murder count to 90 for the year and was the third homicide since Sunday.

Chief Supt Fernander said police do not have a motive for the killing at this time, but said they do not believe the women victims were the intended targets, but were simply in the “wrong place at the wrong time�.

The male victim from Monday night’s shooting, according to Chief Supt Fernander is “very well known� to police.

SEE PAGE SIX

JAH CURE IN COURT OVER FIGHT - BUT ACCUSATION IS DROPPED

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

JAMAICAN reggae star Jah Cure found himself in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of committing a misdemeanour that stemmed from an argument that was captured on video and shared thousands of times on social media.

The singer, 39, whose real name is Siccature Alcock, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney

alongside his 26-year-old countryman Terefe Mason to face a single charge of “fighting in a public place� in an incident at Paradise Island on Sunday, November 13.

A third named accused, 22-year-old Bahamian national Trevor Thompson, was not present at the arraignment.

However, the singer was later discharged of the offence.

SEE PAGE SIX

JEFF Lloyd speaking last night at his ratification for the FNM, alongside fellow candidates Renward Wells and Reuben Rahming.

Photo: Yontalay Bowe

ENERGY PLAN REVEALED PINEWOOD FNMS OBJECT AS CANDIDATES RATIFIED TO CHOICE OF RAHMING

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WHILE officially launching three of his party’s final six New Providence candidates last night, Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis revealed his plans to tackle energy reform in the country through the implementation of a national solar power initiative.

This programme, he told scores of party supporters, will not only remedy the high cost of electricity, but will allow customers

to receive money or credit toward account balances from electricity provider Bahamas Power and Light (BPL).

The initiative also aims to create much needed jobs in an economy where unemployment remains at unsavoury levels, Dr Minnis said.

He further repeated plans to stop, review and cancel any secret deals the party discovers that hands over the Bahamas’ precious natural resources to foreign interests.

SEE PAGE TEN

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement’s Pinewood Gardens Constituency Association has branded the party “deceitful� and “disrespectful� amid accusations that FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis broke assurances of support for talk show host Lincoln Bain as the party’s standard-bearer for this seat and chose Reuben Rahming, as the candidate for the 2017 general election. While the party was in

the process of organising its candidate’s launch last night, where Mr Rahming was officially ratified, executives of the association were drafting a stinging critism of Dr Minnis and rejecting the new candidate.

And in the strongest form of dismissal, several of the constituency association’s members attended last night’s event donning florescent orange signs and placards in support of Mr Bain and bashing Dr Minnis.

SEE PAGE TWO

TURNQUEST: BOUNDARY CHANGES ‘A WASTE OF TIME’

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FORMER National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest yesterday called potential changes to the boundary lines a “waste of time�, taking aim at suggestions of an increase in constituencies ahead of the 2017 general election.

Mr Turnquest, the minister with responsibility for elections in the last Ingraham administration and a two-time member of the Constituencies Commission, said there was not enough statistical data to justify any changes given the low voter registration numbers.

Reflecting on the issue of gerrymandering, however, he ultimately

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expressed confidence in the independence of the commission’s Vice-Chair Justice Stephen Isaacs. “When it’s time for you to go, you can do whatever nonsense you want – no chance trying to fool around with the constituency line,� Mr Turnquest said when contacted by The Tribune.

SEE PAGE THREE

PAGE 2, Wednesday, November 16, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

PINEWOOD FNMS OBJECT TO CHOICE OF RAHMING from page one

PROTESTS outside last night’s FNM ratification event.

However, attempts to display their displeasure centre stage at the event were thwarted by Royal Bahamas Police Force officers, who contained the group a few feet away from the platform.

According to a letter obtained by The Tribune and sent to FNM executives, the Pinewood Gardens association said they were concerned that the leadership of the FNM were not acting in an equitable manner and requested a full inquiry into matters related to Mr Bain’s candidacy.

The association, in the letter, further insisted it was of the view that this situa-

tion was “personal” against Mr Bain and the result of Dr Minnis’ “strange and inexplicable relationship” with former Senator Lanisha Rolle.

Mrs Rolle resigned from the Senate earlier this year after a series of stories were published in The Tribune focusing on a secret recorded conversation between she and Mr Bain.

In the recording, she not only spoke disparagingly of key FNM members, but she revealed to Mr Bain that he would not receive the nod from the party for a candidacy and spoke freely of Dr Minnis’ purported strategies regarding internal party politics.

“We the executive of the Pinewood Constituency Association write to express our extreme disappointment and concern in regard to the behaviour of the leadership of the party regarding the selection of a candidate for our area as well as the high level of disregard, disrespect and outright deceitfulness levied towards the executives of the association,” the letter dated Novermber 12, 2016 read.

“On several occasions, we met with Dr Minnis and his team inclusive of Michael Foulkes (FNM Secretary General), Sidney Collie (FNM Chairman) and Joshua Sears. The most recent meeting was held on October 20, 2016, which ended with an agreement from Dr Minnis and Mr Collie that Lincoln’s name would be submitted to the council on October 27, 2016 as candidate for the Pinewood Constituency.

“Dr Minnis advised that he would remain neutral during the voting process.

During this meeting another meeting in September, Dr Minnis asked us to consider mr Reuben Rahming as the candidate for Pinewood. Our association unanimously rejected Mr Rahming because we truly prefer Mr Lincoln Bain to be our standard bearer for our constituency.

“On the afternoon of October 27th, we submitted a letter to the Chairman, requesting that it be read to the council in support of Lincoln. Many of the association executives waited patiently outside the council meeting that evening to hear the results of the vote that we expected to take place that evening.

“To our surprise and disbelief, the vote never occurred and our letter was not read to the council.

Instead, our chairman received a casual, verbal notification in the parking lot of the headquarters at the end of the council from both Mr Collie and Dr Minnis that the letter was not read to the council and that the matter was deferred. In addition, she was advised by Dr Minnis that whatever decision was made we needed to accept it.”

Upon meeting with Dr Minnis, Mr Collie and Mr Foulkes, in a follow up

POSTERS being held up by protestors last night. meeting on November 8, convention and the issues the constituency associa- that arose during that contion said it was informed vention and I had say some that the decision had been things. Tonight we have made for Mr Bain to be some issues. See I don’t bewithdrawn as a potential lieve in hiding things. There candidate. However, no are some issues,” he told the reason was given for the crowd of FNM supporters. change, the letter read.

“But I want to say to “We all then asked Dr those people who may feel Minnis what happened to that it didn’t work out in his agreement to have Mr your favour. I want you to Bain’s name put forth to first remember that we all the council. He indicated Bahamians before anythin that the executives decided else and if you believe in that there were too many is- this country that we love sues with Lincoln and they called The Bahamas then decided to put forward an- you must know that the other candidate to council. PLP is not good for this He did not state who the country and so sometimes candidate was. We have we are disappointed, things been informed that at the don’t always go our way but last executives meeting the we must focus on what is executive did not withdraw best for this country and we Mr Bain’s name as a candi- know in this 2016, with all date. of the parties and individu“Further we were in- als out there vying for your formed that the executives support that the Free Nadid not vote on another tional Movement is unquescandidate for Pinewood to tionably the best solution be presented at the next for this Bahamas.” council meeting. Further He continued: “So we the executives are disap- must put our personal pointed the Mr Bain’s name hurts, our disappoints, put would be presented again to them aside. Recognise that party executive after he had we are one party that we already passed that process. are one people, we are one The executives and asso- Bahamas and we must all ciation of Pinewood are dis- work together for the futrue gusted and appalled at the of this county. So I want deceitfulness of the leader.” to invite all those who feel “Please note that since disenfranchised to join us last year and again earlier in this grand party. Join us this year, every matter re- to ensure that we put this garding Lincoln was ex- country back on the right plained and settled once he foot towards the path of was questioned about them. progress.”

There was nothing hidden This is the latest sign of from the Vetting Commit- discord in the party since St tee, the leadership or the Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman in early October anassociation executives.

“So in the absence of a nounced that he withdrew credible explanation from his name from considerathe leader, we are only left tion for renomination in his to assume that there is a constituency, saying it was deliberate and malicious clear the leader no longer effort to discredit Mr Bain wanted his contribution.

While stressing that he as a viable candidate for the FNM,” the letter continued. has had “differences” with Addressiong this issue, Dr Minnis in the past, he FNM Deputy Leader Peter said political parties comTurnquest said despite feel- mitted to democracy rouings of disappointment, the tinely have such debates. group had to focus on the However, under Dr Minnis’ common goal of the party, leadership, these types of which he said was remov- disagreements are met with ing the Progressive Liberal animosity.

Party (PLP) led governUnder Dr Minnis’ leaderment. ship, Mr Chipman said, dis“FNMs, I think most agreements were “far too of you will remember our often met with resentment.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 16, 2016, PAGE 3

Voter registration ‘increasing slowly’ says Commissioner

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net VOTER registration has picked up in recent weeks following public expressions of concern about low registration rate, Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall said yesterday.

“It’s increasingly slowly,” he told The Tribune, noting that the daily rate has increased “to about 300 and 400”.

The increase coincides with a decision by the Parliamentary Registration Department to relax registration requirements.

Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson told The Tribune last week that Mr Hall accepted legal advice that will allow Bahamians to use their voter’s cards from a previous election to register to vote for next year’s general election without requiring a passport or a birth certificate,

unless the commissioner specifically demands that one be produced.

Confirming this yesterday, Mr Hall said: “Once we check our database to determine a card was achieved legitimately, they can be registered.”

More than 57,000 people have registered so far to vote in next year’s election, considerably lower compared to this period prior to the 2012 general election.

The 2012 voter registry

consisted of 172,000 voters, 134,000 of whom had registered by this point in 2011.

Among other things, the number of registered voters is expected to impact the work of the Constituencies Commission, mandated to review constituencies every five years to report on whether changes should be made, such as creating new constituencies or expanding or restricting existing ones.

The Tribune reported

Tuesday that the Constituencies Commission is set to finalise its report by the end of the month.

Sources say the commission had “agreed in principle” for an additional two seats in New Providence and an additional three seats in the Family Islands.

They are considering splitting the MICAL constituency into two seats, with Inagua and Mayaguana to form one constituency and Acklins, Crooked

Island and Long Cay the other.

Other considerations include splitting up the Exuma seat; splitting put the Rum Cay, Cat Island, and San Salvador seat; creating a new seat for Bimini and the Berry Islands; and a third new constituency for New Providence.

In 2011, the commission recommended that three seats be cut from the 41 in Parliament at the time, bringing the total to 38.

TURNQUEST: BOUNDARY CHANGES ‘A WASTE OF TIME’ from page one

“It’s a waste of time, just have the election on the existing boundary line. People aren’t going to move from where they live now.

“Every instance where there has been this whole suggestion that lines have been changed to try and give the governing party an advantage, has caused the governing party to lose, with the exception of 1997.

“The old adage that you can change the lines but you can’t change the minds, holds true,” he added.

“Obviously we were not successful in terms of boundaries, or maybe we were and just not successful in the election because they [boundary changes] made sense because they were supported by registration numbers and census numbers,” he said.

Constituencies Commission Chair and House Speaker Dr Kendal Major confirmed to The Tribune that the Progressive Liberal Party government has made clear its intention to create additional seats. Dr Major explained that the commission was using data from the 2010 census that had been extrapolated in a 2016 report prepared by the Department of Statistics.

“The census is done every 10 years,” Dr Major told The Tribune yesterday, “but the Department of Statistics did for the parliamentary office what the number of persons who are Bahamians, who are eligible to vote (based on age) and certain groups who are eligible to vote. So we have the numbers of people in the various constituencies up to last year extrapolated as to what the numbers ought to be based on census numbers.

“It’s not an exact science but it’s helpful and it’s all we have,” Dr Major added.

However, Mr Turnquest - a commission member before the 2002 and 2012 general elections - insisted that those projections were not strong enough to justify boundary changes in the absence of a robust voter registration.

“There was a census in 2010, and we used that along with registration numbers to make our case,” Mr Turnquest said.

“I’m not sure how they can use those numbers, you can extrapolate those numbers and say there’s been a shift but without registration numbers how are you able to extrapolate those figures? That is the difficulty I have.”

Gerrymandering

Underscoring that the House Speaker was still a part of the governing party, Mr Turnquest noted yesterday that the only independent commission member is Justice Isaacs.

He said it was up to the remaining members to convince Justice Isaacs of the need for adjustments.

“Adjustments have to be based on something,” Mr Turnquest said, “the adjustments are done on the basis of one person, one vote, and taking into account the constitutional aspect of the archipelagic nature of the Bahamas where you may decide that because of the far flung islands and difficulty to get to them that there could be a case for adjustment.”

Mr Turnquest explained that the ideal was to ensure that constituency populations were same where it was reasonably practical, but that the scattered Family Islands presented some

SEARCH FOR THE BRIGHTEST PRIMARY STUDENTS LAUNCHED THE annual search for the best and brightest primary school students in The Bahamas has been launched this month.

The Board of the Directors of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation and the Executive Board of the Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council announced that a three-month, nationwide search is underway.

The prestigious competition was established in 1997 to recognise young, talented grade 6 students throughout the country for their high scholastic and extra-curricular achievements. Each school has been given the opportunity to nominate one student

from among their ranks for the 2017 award.

Nominees will be judged on wide criteria: contribution to school life, academic achievement, extra-curricular achievement, community involvement and overall presentation of the portfolio submitted.

An independent distinguished Panel of Judges will review applications and determine the overall winner and finalists.

The Foundation hopes that each primary school on New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands will take advantage to have their student to be listed among the “Who’s Who in Primary Schools in The Bahamas”.

challenge.

“The Constitution of the Bahamas makes provisions for those types of circumstances,” he said. “The difficulty that I see with the low voter registration numbers is that there’s no justification to argue that there has been any population shift over the years.

“There has been a demographic shift to the southwest, people have moved out of the traditional innercity to the suburbs. Look at the Carmichael corridor,” Mr Turnquest said, “in 1992 there was one seat. Now there are six so there’s no gerrymandering there.”

The Constitution mandates that the Constituencies Commission review the number and boundaries of constituencies in The Bahamas at least every five years and report on whether changes should be made, such as creating additional constituencies or expanding or restricting existing ones.

Notwithstanding the Commission’s recommendations, the Constitution gives the prime minister veto power over the changes once he provides justification.

Accusations of gerrymandering are par for the course during the election season as it is widely held that the decisions are made in hopes of producing favourable results for the governing party.

Historically, PLP-led administrations have favoured seat additions, while subsequent FNM administrations have reduced the number of seats.

The PLP increased the number of seats in the lower House to 43, up from 38, in 1977. The number of seats was then raised to 49 in 1987.

The FNM did not win the government until 1992, and

subsequently reduced the number of seats to 40 ahead of the 1997 election. However, the party lost the 2002 term, and the PLP added just one seat for the 2007 election. The FNM won the government in 2007.

When the commission’s report was tabled in December 2011, Opposition MPs vilified the changes and accused the then-FNM government of manipulating the boundary lines for political gain. The change saw the number of seats in the House of Assembly shrink from 41 to 38.

Bain and Grants Town MP Dr Bernard Nottage, in opposition at the time, said the commission should be independent and that changes should be based on the number of people per constituency and not the number of registered voters.

Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin suggested that Parliament enact a law that would allow for a legal challenge to the commission’s recommendations.

“I recommend that we commit ourselves to doing so,” Mrs Hanna-Martin said, “so that we move away from this narrow culture where politicians seek to hold on to power at all costs.”

Yesterday, Dr Major said: “(Tommy Turnquest) knows better than anybody that the government’s decision to add or subtract constituencies, it’s not merely

TOMMY TURNQUEST based on numbers, it’s based on the government’s agenda.

“We don’t need to beat around the bush with that.

I’m a neutral party but the government has stated its intention is to add seats and they want an odd number.”

Dr Major said the desire for an odd number of seats stemmed from the historic tie between the PLP and the United Bahamian Party in the 1967 general election.

Both parties won 18 seats, but the PLP went on to become the first black-led government with the support of Labour Party MP Randol Fawkes.

A likely argument against the addition of new seats will be the issue of expenditure for MPs’ salaries.

Dr Major yesterday said that while the cost argument has not come up yet, Opposition member K Pe-

ter Turnquest has already indicated that he does not see the justification for increasing the seats.

To this, the former National Security Minister said: “The PLP government is not concerned about expense. Look at the way they govern, their formula for governing is spend as much money as they can.”

When asked for his views on the state of his own party, the FNM, which has undergone a considerable shakeup over this term, Mr Turnquest said: “Those of us who have given blood sweat and tears must make sure that the FNM wins.”

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PAGE 4, Wednesday, November 16, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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

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Fred Mitchell and the Inter-American Human Rights AFTER local authorities constantly ignored their complaints that their lives were in danger, five members of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association turned in desperation to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights with the request that it urge the Bahamas government to “adopt precautionary measures to prevent irreparable harm to their lives.”

After satisfying itself of the facts by its own investigation, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in a November 4 communication to the Bahamas government informed it that five members of Save the Bays were in “a serious and urgent situation since their lives and personal integrity face an imminent risk of irreparable harm”.

The Commission requested the Bahamas government to adopt the necessary measures to protect the lives of these men and their families, to ensure that they could “pursue their work as human rights defenders without being subject to threats, harassment or intimidation, and to agree with the petitioners on the measures to be adopted and to report on investigative actions taken.”

In a terse reply, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration regretted that the IACHR had granted the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association its petition. We can just imagine a fuming Fred Mitchell, nursing his injured pride and boiling with indignation that an outside body should dare demand an accounting from his ministry.

The reply sent from his Ministry to the IACHR said that its review of the allegations made by Mr Fred Smith, QC, “and the other petitioners found they were not properly grounded in facts and were without evidentiary support or legal merit.”

The Ministry said it found it especially regrettable that the IACHR made its decision despite periodic communication from the Government that while the matter was under review a formal response was being finalised and would be issued soon.”

What is “soon” in Mr Mitchell’s lexicon of words? Need we remind him that we are still awaiting the results of the behind-closed doors hearings of the Cuban detainees at the Carmichael Detention Centre about three years ago who were allegedly beaten by some of their guards?

On that occasion, the detainees had smuggled out a video, re-enacting scenes of beatings they had had to endure. This video was played over a Miami radio station. It was Minister Mitchell no less who declared it “a fake.” Unfortunately the video was very real.

On that occasion, Mr Mitchell had said that the matter was under investigation.

“I wish to say that no one from the Bahamas government has admitted that there was any abuse of detainees by the Bahamas government,” he said in an August 18, 2013 statement.

One of the detainees, Alexander Vasquez, in his own statement claimed he suffered a punctured lung from two broken ribs and had to be hospitalised. His brother required 17 stitches for a head wound. When the Cubans were repatriated, according to the Miami Democracy Movement that received them, a pregnant woman was in the group. She claimed she had been impregnated by one of her Bahamian guards.

The hearing of this case was to be be-

hind closed doors, but no more has been heard from it, although a panel was appointed to hear it. We don’t believe there was ever a hearing because the Cubans were repatriated so quickly that they were not here to give evidence and we doubt that anyone went to Miami to take their testimony.

Maybe the IACHR would like to add this case to their enquiries to test just how far the truth telling goes in this government.

We also wonder how long Mr Mitchell’s ministry now plans to take in its investigation before it reports to IACHR in this present case and says what protection it plans to give to the complainants. If the Cubans’ case is any example, this too will slip over the horizon if the environmentalists don’t persist in their complaint.

Earlier, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade had wondered why the Save the Bays environmental group did not come to him earlier about the death threats. This whole ugly dispute has mushroomed out of a piece of Crown land, claimed by fashion designer Peter Nygard, which the environmentalists say belongs to the Bahamian people.

Commissioner Greenslade wondered why the environmentalists had brought in a private investigator instead of coming to him a year ago. Either someone was keeping the Commissioner in the dark, or he was under political pressure, because his behaviour at that time was not that of the fearless Ellison Greenslade that we once knew.

The five environmentalists were forced to bring in a private investigator because they went to our Bahamian police with their complaints, but nothing was done.

Hate rallies were organised against them with paid demonstrators and inflammatory placards, one of their law offices was broke into and his home vandalised, there were confrontational attacks in the street and explicit death threats, one of their cars was set on fire, and so the harassment continued, but without any police investigation. That was when the environmentalists brought in a private investigator and decided to conduct their own investigation. They tried to find out who was behind the death threats. Their persistence unearthed two criminals – “Toggie” and “Bobo” – and the two told a story, supported by tapes that would make your blood run cold. That is when these environmentalists knew that they were indeed marked men. If our own police force had taken their complaints seriously, and done the police work that they should have done, they would have made this discovery themselves.

In view of all the evidence that can be verified with photos and tapes, how Fred Mitchell’s Ministry could have told IACHR that its review of the allegations by Mr Smith and the other petitioners found they “were not properly grounded in facts and were without evidentiary support or legal merit,” defies the imagination.

“The Ministry,” it added, “finds it especially regrettable that the IACHR made its decision despite periodic communication from the Government that while the matter was under review a formal response was being finalised and would be issued soon.”

We hope that IACHR will not let Mr Mitchell’s “soon” report become like the Cuban video, which, according to Mr Mitchell, never existed.

Please don’t dabble with hotel purchase EDITOR, The Tribune.

DID I hear correctly the Rt Hon Perry Christie as Head of Government is even discussing the possibility of purchasing the Our Lucaya property?

PM: surely the past experience of Government dabbling where they should never walk should keep this off the agenda.

The Our Lucaya Hotel and complex cost approx.

$1.2 billion - it is a fine hotel but it should never have been built on Grand Bahama in the form it was... far too large.

It is well known that probably over the 15 years it has been open it never made a profit in fact had massive losses - estimates heard over $40m annually.

Hutchinson-Whampao recently put the property out to offers - the proper-

ty, $1.2 billion, is probably not worth or could attract offers over $80m and that would be high based on the lack of any revenue and profits.

Prime Minister - assure us Government is not thinking or even discussing the possibility of purchasing this property.

W THOMPSON Nassau, November 15, 2016.

Learn from the storm EDITOR, The Tribune ABOUT three days after the storm, a BEC/BPL assessment person came to my area to look at downed wires.

I saw a humble face, embossed with beads of sweat.

He seemed so tired that he did not have the capacity to even wipe away the sweat that was periodically dripping into his eyes, because he knew he would have to build up the strength to repeat the action many times over.

In times of disaster we look for someone to blame, because if we can find that someone, we believe we can get relief. All we want is relief. Relief to shower, to use bathroom facilities, to occupy the kids, to turn on a fan.

We just want bloody relief.

When we say there are no trucks to be seen, it is because the presence of a truck gives us hope for the return to normalcy. But the unintended assertion is that if we don’t see a truck, there must not be any trucks anywhere.

I will absorb the venom from those who are in their thirteenth day of the “dark” ages at the time of this post, but I would rather absorb the anger than have it channelled to those that are working doggedly to make

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the angry whole again.

BEC is a near century old bankrupt entity. Matthew or no Matthew, it is akin to inheriting a fleet of taxis from Cuba. You just never know when it is going to break down. The fact that the US has normalised relations with Cuba does not improve the fleet overnight, because there is no money to buy new cars.

Prior to Matthew’s snarling ravage through the Bahamas, BEC was an antiquated entity, with poorly maintained equipment, and management that was hindered by political interference. It was and is broke.

The installation of new rental generators was only just beginning to allow for the refurbishment of some of the old generating plant.

But there was one asset that BEC had that remained in place. The worker. I have long hit hard at these men and women, who some would say have the best compensation package of all government entities, but when it comes to what we are being confronted with, they are there for us. I probably will be angry again

when they try a Christmas strike as leverage to get what they want, but this is not the time. They are busting their butts and someone has to say it.

Reports are coming out that say that despite the anger, these men and women refuse to stop working.

Only this past Sunday’s torrential rain stopped them, as some of them wanted to press on in near suicidal conditions.

Yes , those who are without power have every single right they can muster up to be angry. Angry at the inconvenience, Angry at successive governments that have allowed for the inefficient provision of energy to wreak havoc on our economy and our pockets, and angry at the sense of “powerlessness” we feel, but please do not channel any anger at the men and women who in this moment are working so hard that the beads of sweat blend into each other seamlessly.

We will learn from this and hopefully the biggest lesson is how political mismanagement for generations can so severely and cruelly impact our lives.

ED FIELDS Nassau, November 8, 2016.

FNM candidate selection EDITOR The Tribune.

I MUST say that I am very pleased with slate of candidates approved and ratified by the Free National Movement to date.

There is little doubt that the electorate want to see fresh and new faces - new potential political leaders in our Bahamas today.

Indeed, it is a strong sentiment that, we need to move on from the Leadership of the past and take the country into a new direction - a new vision and a new start.

Many of the persons nominated thus far by Dr Minnis and the FNM Team are from varied backgrounds, demographics, economic, social, professional, business, civil service, advocacy and age-bracket. They represent a true cross-section of our community and who we are as Bahamians.

Noteworthy, and a good thing, is that to date, none of the nominated candidates were standard bearers for the party when it won for the first time in 1992 almost 25 years ago! That is a remarkable achievement by the party because it is a prevalent view that persons who have been running for the party for the past 25 years, a quarter of a century, need to give others an opportunity to serve. That way, the party would soon be looking to even a newer generation of Leaders - giving them an opportunity to come forward and to serve.

But, it starts with now.

It appears, not only 1992 but even 1997, no candidate who offered either year for the FNM has been nominated to date. There is only one constituency remaining in New Providence where there is such an issue and that is Yamacraw. I saw an

article about two weeks ago in one of the dailies indicating that Ellsworth Johnson, President of the Bahamas Bar Association might be interested - if that is so, he would make a good choice.

Most of the New Providence constituencies now have ratified candidates with few exceptions and there is a lot of talk that a few more will be nominated next week.

The FNM is on the move now, people are feeling good about the slate of candidates, its chances for success in 2017, it is getting traction in the public, Dr Minnis is getting stronger and the people cannot wait for an opportunity to VOTE OUT this corrupt and uncaring Christie-led PLP government!

A pleased FNM supporter.

FNM SUPPORTER Nassau,

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 16, 2016, PAGE 5

QUEUING IN LINE DAY AFTER DAY AT ROAD TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF BROKEN MACHINE

PEOPLE queuing outside the Road Traffic Department on Monday.

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net DISGRUNTLED motorists yesterday lamented the long waiting time to obtain their driver’s licences, amid concerns that the Road Traffic Department’s driver’s licence printing machine is not working.

A number of motorists at the department’s temporary Thomas A Robinson Stadium location yesterday morning, though wishing to remain anonymous, told The Tribune of their troubles in obtaining a new copy of their driver’s licence, which senior Road Traffic officials confirmed was due

to malfunctioning printing machines.

One man told The Tribune that he had returned to the stadium every day since Thursday to obtain his licence, only to be told to come back at a later date each time. Complaining to The Tribune while in line at the stadium yesterday, the man said he was unsure what he would be told once he reached the service window.

Road Traffic Controller Ross Smith told The Tribune that while he acknowledges the matter can be “frustrating”, the issues with the printing machines are “age old”, and actually highlights the need for the department to shift to its

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff new $8m automated system.

“People are complaining about it, but that is an ageold problem,” Mr Smith said yesterday. “That didn’t just start yesterday. That has been the problem in the department for ages. It seems as if people just trying to talk about negative things as we try to roll out the new and more up-todate system.

“It can be frustrating, and I am not running away from that. But I don’t want people to believe that it’s something that just happened overnight. This is something that has been happening for a very long time.”

He added: “The problem will be fixed with the new

system, which will be rolled out in December. But we must not look at it as something that has just happened yesterday or just happened this week. It has always been like that. And we will seek to correct that.”

When asked what the department would do to combat the issue, Mr Ross said: “What we’re doing about it, we stay here late at nights to ensure that as many persons as we can accommodate are taken care of.

“We stay till about 10 o’clock every night. If the machine goes down, we can come in on weekends as well, and make sure that we get as many of those in as well. (Monday) night we

fire from irate motorists for the lack of direction displayed at every stage of the implementation process.

Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin has defended the new system as a major and critical investment, and has maintained that while the initial launch exercise may be frustrating to deal with, the temporary inconveniences would pay off in the long run with its implementation.

The department has been relocated temporarily to the National Stadium’s eastern grandstand after damage to the Clarence A Bain building following Hurricane Matthew.

left at 10 o’clock,” he said adding that staff would do the same thing last night.

“We will try not to put people at risk. If people come to us and tell us they have a medical issue and they’re travelling, we’ll do those ones first. So we look after the customer. But we would like for them to know that this is not a recent issue, it’s been with us for a very, very long time.”

The implementation of the Road Traffic Department’s $8m automated system, which eliminates handwritten vehicle information discs in a bid to streamline the licensing and registration processes, has repeatedly come under

Governor praises efforts by banks to aid hurricane victims

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net WITH rebuilding efforts still underway after Hurricane Matthew, Central Bank Governor John Rolle said he has recognised efforts by commercial banks to relay his institution’s “relaxed” lending criteria to their respective clients.

Detailing the status of lending initiatives throughout the country in the wake of Matthew, Mr Rolle highlighted that clients of commercial banks attempting to finance repair efforts through loans have benefited from some form of a “hurricane relief programme.”

In the weeks since the passage of Matthew, residents have been vocal about the sheer devastation experienced in the wake of the massive category four storm.

There have been calls for financial institutions to do

more to allow their clients to obtain financing to assist with repairs.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) estimates that 100 homes were completely destroyed in Grand Bahama and 50 in North Andros.

Further to that, NEMA reports show 500 homes received major damage in Grand Bahama and roughly another 500 received minor damage on that island.

These figures do not address the scores of homes lost or damaged throughout New Providence, another island hard hit by Matthew.

However, not specifying any commercial institution in particular, Mr Rolle asserted that immediately after the passage of Hurricane Matthew early last month, the Central Bank temporarily relaxed certain lending criteria for commercial banks.

He indicated that the Central Bank pointedly increased the total debt ser-

vice ratio (TDR) from the usual 40 per cent through 45 per cent range, all the way up to 55 per cent.

TDR is the metric most lenders refer to when determining the borrower’s ability to handle a loan, viewing total family income in comparison to the total amount being spent monthly expenses.

In addition to the increase in the TDR metric, the Central Bank also waived the 15 per cent mandatory equity or down payment required on all personal loans.

Mr Rolle said once the moves were announced, commercial banks throughout the country, with a view of policy changes “implemented some form of hurricane relief programme to assist staff and customers with financing of repairs to property and/or replacement of appliances and furnishings lost from the hurricane.”

He added: “These did not

require any direct approval or sanction from the Central Bank.”

According to Mr Rolle, common features of these programmes include a three to six month wavier of interest and/or principal payments on existing loans - inclusive of mortgages; waiver of administrative fees for loans negotiated during a specified period after the hurricane and the refinancing of existing loans up to the lower of either the original amount borrowed or a specified limit - $5,000 to $10,000.

Additionally, customers

der for them to qualify for such accommodations.

According to Prime Minister Perry Christie, the damage caused by Matthew are estimated at $600m.

Last month, the government moved a resolution in Parliament to allow for the acquisition of $150m loan to aid in rebuilding efforts.

with total debt service ratio at or under a specified threshold (45 per cent), or within the Central Bank’s temporary relaxed prudential limit, are eligible for unsecured loans up to a pre-determined amount of $10,000 and at a relatively lower interest rate; and extension of overdraft facilities to help customers with meeting the required insurance deductible, where insurance claims were made.

However, Mr Rolle indicated that some banks may subject borrowers to other terms and conditions in or-

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PAGE 6, Wednesday, November 16, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

‘No need to be afraid of crime’ from page one

He said that police have launched an island-wide hunt for the culprits behind the shooting but currently there are no suspects in custody.

“The female victims were unfortunately, in the wrong place at the wrong time. It could have been anyone; it could have been you or I. That area is a relaxation spot with stalls and tables there was no one who could have predicted that a vehicle with four persons would have pulled up and shot into the crowd,” Chief Supt Fernander said.

“We have heard the rumours of persons talking about retaliation this weekend but this is no time for alarm. We are out there, the

SAND TRAP, where a woman was shot and killed on Monday. police are on the streets and there and continue to go we are in the fight. These after these persons who people will put anything on believe they can break the social media to cause panic law.” and to put people in fear.

Chief Supt Fernander We are in control of this also appealed to members country, not these gangs. of the public to continue to We will continue to be out assist police in their investi-

gations.

“No one is above the law, we want to assure members of the public that the entire country is safe. We are out here, we will make this country safe and its citizens and its tourists. We need the public to continue to assist us,” Chief Supt Fernander said.

“You know the persons out there who are committing these crimes. They are your brothers and sister and cousins. You know they are involved in criminal activities so please speak to them. This is our country and we cannot let a handful of individuals destroy it.”

Early on Monday morning, a 21-year-old man was shot in the head during an argument outside a nightclub shortly after midnight on Arundel Street.

According to police, officers received information that gunshots were heard in the Centreville area. When police arrived, they discovered the lifeless body of a man with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim has been identified as Coleman Edgecombe, aka “Coldest”, of Soursop Street in Pinewood Gardens.

He was on the Bahamas Most Wanted List last year.

Meanwhile, Chief Supt Fernander said police are still appealing to the public to assist in locating a silver coloured Honda Accord, licence plate number 215220, which police believe to be involved in the death of Albert Rahming, a resident of High Vista.

The 52-year-old father

of three and owner of the popular downtown nightspot Via Caffe was shot dead and his bullet-riddled body found slumped in a black Mercedes Benz in the parking lot east of the Nassau Sailing Club on the Montagu foreshore around 7.30am on Sunday.

Chief Supt Fernander said police did not know the motive for the killing of the former bodybuilder and ex-shareholder in the Fantasy Games gaming house chain, but said robbery is a line of inquiry they are following.

Anyone with information on any of these homicides is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS. Investigations continue.

JAH CURE IN COURT OVER FIGHT BUT ACCUSATION IS DROPPED from page one

It was alleged that the trio, “while at Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, New Providence and being concerned together with others, did disturb the peace by fighting.”

A conviction for the misdemeanour carries a $150 fine.

The artist, who was in the country for a concert last weekend, pleaded not guilty to the charge when called on by the magistrate during his arraignment.

Mason admitted guilt and was fined $150. If he fails to pay the fine, his alternative punishment would be a month’s incarceration at the Department of Correctional Services.

Jah Cure was subsequently discharged and the matter was adjourned to November 23 when the case will proceed against Thompson.

Police Sgt 603 Moss is prosecuting the matter.

In the video of a portion of the fight circulating online, a woman was seen being thrown to the ground as one of the men who she tried to stop from fighting is pushed down on top of her.

She later shrieks as another man in a white shirt is also pushed onto the ground on top of her. She continues to try to stop the fight, trying to physically restrain the men as she best she could.

For the majority of the video, Jah Cure could be

seen with his arms outstretched, apparently trying to quell the confrontation along with another man wearing a green shirt.

The artist is later seen trying to evade a barrage of blows from another man near the hotel’s automatic sliding doors, who strikes at him relentlessly. Towards the end of the video, numerous persons, possibly hotel officials, could be seen standing in one of the doorways to the outside of the hotel, with Jah Cure seemingly lying unconscious at their feet.

At a press conference on Monday, the singer said he was not involved in the fight but was trying to be a peacemaker and stop the argument.

BPL RESUMES DISCONNECTIONS AFTER DELAY FOR STORM from page one

with outstanding balances prior to Hurricane Matthew.”

She said customers with an overdue balance from August’s billing period or prior “are subject to our usual disconnection practice”.

Last month, BPL temporarily suspended disconnections on overdue accounts in an effort to provide relief to customers after the passage of Hurricane Matthew, which devastated parts of the country in early October.

At the time, the company also encouraged customers to “pay their bills by the due date” to avoid an interruption in supply when disconnection activities resume.

Mrs Ingraham told The Tribune that BPL extended the payment deadline for that billing cycle to give customers “more time to pay.”

Yesterday, she said going forward customers have 45 days to pay their bill for September’s consumption.

“For most people these bills will be due the last week in November or the first week in December. We have also started billing for October’s consumption. We expect that these bills will be lower depending on how many days the customer was without service during and after Hurricane Matthew,” Mrs Ingraham said.

“To reiterate, we are only disconnecting accounts with outstanding balances from August’s billing period or prior. BPL has given its customers as much reprieve as it possibly can.

As a result of the storm, we suspended disconnections for approximately six weeks beginning the first week of October (prior to the storm). We continue to encourage our customers who have difficulty paying to visit any of our customer service centres in New Providence or the Family Islands so that we can discuss affordable payment arrangement terms that will allow them to maintain their service, especially during this

very difficult period.”

Several irate BPL customers complained that despite not having electricity for a prolonged period after the passage of Hurricane Matthew, their electricity bills have “increased” for this month.

Mrs Ingraham said the last bill would have been an estimate “using the average consumption” because employees were not able to read meters during the first few days of October, as is customary, because of the passage of Matthew.

The difference of the consumption, whether higher or lower, would be reflected in Octobers bill, after the meters would have been read.

“We estimated the bills because we could not read meters as a result of the storm. For most people those bills were lower than their traditional September bill; however, for some it may have been higher as we used the account’s lifetime average to estimate,” she said.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 16, 2016, PAGE 7

Minnis: Does PM back Andros plan?

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday renewed his call for Prime Minister Perry Christie to reveal whether he supports the proposed $2.1bn agri-fisheries venture with Chinese investors, as he said Mr Christie’s “stony silence” suggests the government may very well “go forward with this theft of our birthright”.

Dr Minnis, in a statement, said Mr Christie’s relative silence on the matter, a little over two weeks since its revelation, is “outrageous” and “disturbing”.

He said Bahamians deserve to know whether the proposal “is worth the risk for a quick dollar that everyday Bahamians will never see”.

Even more “outrageous”, Dr Minnis said, is Mr Christie’s “refusal to stop these negotiations,” which the Killarney MP said has the potential to see Bahamian’s “precious heritage recklessly given away to the PLP’s foreign pay masters and business partners”.

And, referring to concerns raised over the proposal’s incompatibility with this country’s current commercial fisheries legislation

by University of The Bahamas professors, Dr Min-

nis accused the Christie administration of “ignoring” the cries of concerned Bahamians that the proposal could be devastating for the fishing industry.

The proposal reportedly projects a $2.1bn injection into the local economy over ten years through an equal partnership between Bahamians and the People’s Republic of China. The proposal also reportedly included the option to lease 10,000 acres of Crown land in Andros.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister V Alfred Gray has admitted that he gave Bahamas Ambassador to China Paul “Andy” Gomez the go-ahead to have discussions on the proposal, but has stressed that the matter is not before the government for consideration.

He has said the ideas put forth in the proposal came from Mr Gomez and not Chinese investors.

Amid the controversy, Mr Christie has said that he is not “easy” when it comes to Crown land approvals, and that any major development that takes place on Andros would not be because the government “imported foreign labour,” but the result of Bahamian labour.

Mr Christie has also said that while his administration continues to be accused by critics on the matter, he would soon release

every proposal that was submitted to the government in relation to Andros, dating back to the very first administration.

Yesterday, however, Dr Minnis said it is “time” for Mr Christie to “finally address this ill-advised, illconceived and shady deal directly”.

Dr Minnis said: “The people want to know: what did the prime minister know; and when did he know it. The people want to know whether he knew about it before it was leaked to the media and supported it, or did he find out about Minister Gray’s proposed deal the same way that we all did – through the media?

“His stony silence to all manner of questions on this is starting to indicate a disturbing answer, an answer that does not bode well for Bahamians. He cannot allow his minister and his government to go forward with this theft of our birthright. He must join us and the people and put an end to it now.”

On Monday, this newspaper reported how Lisa Benjamin and Dr Adelle Thomas, assistant professors and co-founders of the Climate Change Initiative at the University of The Bahamas, said that “significant gaps” exist in The Bahamas’ commercial legislative policies, so much so

LEADER of the FNM Dr Hubert Minnis. that it “is hard to imagine” this,” Dr Minnis said, referthat the “scale of commer- ring to the article by The cial fishing and processing Tribune. “They haven’t enterprises anticipated by even confirmed if the outthe proposal would abide going prime minister was by the limits currently set aware of these harmful negotiations, let alone stop out in legislation”.

The professors said with- them.”

He added: “The peoout regulations on matters such as catch or vessel sizes, ple want - and deserve - to or the capacity to enforce any know if the outgoing prime of those restrictions, the Ba- minister and his PLP govhamas could join the “long ernment think their deal is list of failed fisheries sectors” worth the risk for a quick in the Caribbean “well with- dollar that everyday Bahamians will never see. We do in a ten-year period”.

“Of course the govern- not believe that this ill-conment has not thought about ceived proposal is right for

The Bahamas, especially with the sensitive state of our fisheries.

“Even though respectable environmental groups are opposed to their (proposal) - the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation, the Bahamas National Trust, and the Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance, among others the PLP has ignored all of them. “When will this government start to listen and end their abuser secret proposal that will do irreversible harm to our country?”

MCCARTNEY DEMANDS DUE DILIGENCE OVER BAHA MAR BUYER

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday demanded the Christie administration reveal to Bahamians whether it has done due diligence in probing the dealings and business connections of proposed Baha Mar purchaser Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE).

While CTFE was said to be highly qualified to purchase and operate the $3.5bn resort, Mr McCartney raised concerns over the enterprise’s alleged “deep rooted relationships to elements of organised crime” that continue to come to light.

The former Bamboo Town MP insisted that Bahamians deserve to know who is being brought into the country in the name of foreign direct investment.

He said the Progressive Liberal Party government was duty bound to make public the track record of CTFE and its past relationships.

The family of the late Cheng Yu Tung, who was a jewellery tycoon and a Hong Kong billionaire, owns CTFE. It has been speculated that the Cheng family is linked to another Chinese billionaire, Stanley Ho. This relationship was the subject of an exposé published in Australia’s Sunday Morning Herald in August 2014.

Mr McCartney said in a press statement yesterday: “The DNA notes that the responses from Chow Tai Fook and members of our government have been to try to whitewash the facts and concerns of the public by simply suggesting that the principal owners of Chow Tai Fook, who are the Cheng family, are simply investors in enterprises of another onetime rumoured purchaser of the Baha Mar, Stanley Ho. Ho, as was published locally, has had regulatory and legal issues worldwide, including the United States, with respect to his alleged criminal associations.

“However, it appears that our bumbling PLP government, in their zeal to have this resort com-

pleted and opened before the next general election, has failed to do their due diligence on Cheng, as this excuse of being nothing more than a passive investor in Stanley Ho’s casinos is specious at best.

“Beyond his substantial investment—and directorship—in the Ho casinos which he has held for 34 years, Cheng holds no fewer than six partnerships with Ho in Macau, including Heng Seng Bank, the target of a United States investigation of money laundering for North Korea, as well as Macau’s dog race track, its horse racing track, its sports book, and ferry lines. The public record is crystal clear on all of these relationships.

“If Cheng is only an ‘investor’ in these enterprises, what does this say about their lack of due diligence?”

At that time of the published article in 2014, CTFE was part of a joint venture to bid for the Queen’s Wharf Casino in Brisbane.

Cheng Yu Tung acquired a 10 per cent stake in STDM, the Macau group which operates about half of the legal casinos in Macau, in 1982 and still holds this stake today.

A company owned by Mr Cheng’s family also recently spent $1 billion to buy the largest casino junket operator in Macau.

The article states that Mr Ho owns a majority controlling stake in STDM, of which Cheng Yu Tung owns a 10 per cent stake, and other assets in Macau and Hong Kong. It said furthered that Mr Ho and his associates have been unsuccessful in attempts to expand gaming interests into Australia, Canada and other countries, and that the repeated rejection by casino regulators in Australian states and Canada was based on reports from “law enforcement agencies and other sources that have found him to be associated with Chinese triad gangs in his Macau casinos.”

“We have seen what corruption and the drug trade did to our beloved country under the reign of Sir Lynden Pindling in the 1980’s,” Mr McCartney added. “It now appears that this PLP government, under the stewardship of Prime Minister Perry

Christie is attempting to one-up his political mentor as he continues to shuffle his way through in what can assure him will be his last few months of public office.

“The DNA is once again raising the alarm as to this administration’s instance on Chinese investment, at the detriment to our national sovereignty.

“The PLP should come clean with the Bahamian people, reveal all their secret dealings with the Chinese, and announce the date for the next general election, so we can finally put these dark years of 2012-2016 behind us.

“The DNA stands ready to provide good governance to the people of this country, and we invite the Bahamian people to stand against this administration that is clearly not governing in our best interest.”

Mr McCartney is the latest politician to raise questions over CTFE’s business dealings.

Last month, former Baha Mar Director Dionisio D’Aguilar and Free National Movement candidate for Montagu, declared that CTFE is “unsuited to invest in The Bahamas.”

In a missive directed at PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts, Mr D’Aguilar pointed to CTFE owners’ reported inability to obtain casino licensing in two US states, and its alleged “welldocumented connection to organised crime in Asia.”

Responding, CTFE later denied these assertions and stated its commitment to integrity and good governance in business operations worldwide.

CTFE said it has never applied for a casino licence in the United States, and as such, has never been denied by that jurisdiction.

It further emphasised that it is a privately held business that identified the Bahamas as a “unique growth opportunity,” seeking to address suggestions that it had links to the Chinese government.

The Hong Kong based firm revealed last month that it was in talks over the shuttered Cable Beach resort.

However, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, with responsibility for gaming, has said the government has yet to receive a letter of intent from CTFE to operate

a casino in the country.

He has told The Tribune that the government

intends to ensure due diligence takes place before any licence to operate Baha

Mar is issued. This, he said, is expected to take around three weeks to complete.

PAGE 8, Wednesday, November 16, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Dynamic duo lead huge relief effort in West End Denise Maycock finds community spirits raised as residents, Rotary and foreign visitors help restore life after Hurricane Matthew

THROUGH generous assistance and donations, West End native Keith Cooper has been distributing much needed relief supplies to residents in the devastated area of Grand Bahama.

There are still telltale signs of destruction visible in the hurricane-battered community, which experienced the full onslaught of Hurricane Matthew almost seven weeks ago.

But there are also signs of hope and resilience among the people there, some of whom have not allowed the grim circumstance and devastation of their community to shake their determination and faith, and to help others who are in need.

When The Tribune travelled into West End yesterday, Mr Cooper, along with Loney Wilkinson, and his wife, Jennifer, of West End, were there. They have helped bring relief to hundreds of the residents in their community following the storm.

The two men, who can be best described as a dynamic duo, were able to come together and help many people immediately after the storm.

Mr Wilkinson, who has a water pump in his backyard, allowed residents access to the device to get water freely. Mr Cooper was moved by Mr Wilkinson’s act of kindness and the two men connected.

“We needed water to wash our clothes so I come over here. And he (Mr Wilkinson) was giving away all this water to people for free. I said ‘man, this is nice what you are doing’ and it inspired me to talk to him about what me and my wife, Linda, are doing with James Sarles and the Grand Bahama Sunrise Rotary Club,” he said.

Mr Cooper had been contacted by Rotarian James Sarles, who brought a vehicle full of food and relief supplies to West End for distribution to residents.

“We had distributed so much stuff to residents in a day and a half, and when Rotary realised what we did with the first batch of food items, they brought $30,000

of food to us to distribute here in a more orderly fashion,” he said.

A 20ft trailer was donated by Jeremy Cafferata to Mr Cooper for storage. It is being stored at Mr Wilkinson’s property for safekeeping. Mr Cooper also fills up brand new buckets from Home Depot, donated by Joseph Darville, with food items and gives it to residents.

He said that in addition to food items, they have been distributing detergent, feminine napkins, baby items and toys. There is also equipment for home building repairs, building materials, generators and cots being distributed.

In addition to Mr Sarles and Rotary, Mr Cooper said other people have helped him and have brought relief items to West End, such as Canadian Ken Williams, who donated a truck to help him with his relief distribution in the community.

Second homeowner Richard Hepburn, he said, has also brought thousands of dollars of items to distribute.

“I am so grateful to everyone who has come onboard to help us out here in West End,” he said. “People from the Netherlands are also committed to helping the relief effort here. They have collected money from their own citizens and came here and purchased items locally at BWA (Bahamas wholesale Agency) - they are spending and buying stuff here locally to help us.”

Mr Cooper said they are hoping to receive more supplies and toys for distribution ahead of Christmas.

“We slowed down for the last five weeks and are now going to be doing individual give-outs to the elderly and families with children and babies, because quantities have dropped and donations have dropped,” he explained.

He indicated that Mr Williams, a Canadian businessman, has promised to return to West End in December with toys for a Christmas celebration and distribution on December 21.

Mr Cooper said NEMA has been very co-operative in clearing relief items that were brought in for distribution. There has been some distribution of relief supplies at the parish hall by the Catholic Church in West End and by the government, but not on the massive scale as Mr Cooper has done.

“We just felt compelled

LONEY Wilkinson (standing) and Keith Cooper have been bringing relief to hundreds of residents in West End, Grand Bahama.

Photo: Denise Maycock/Tribune Staff “I want to also thank what they are doing here to give to people as much has been very positive.

“The residents really ap- in the community to help chef Sean and wife, Jillian, as we can give them, and from Freeport who came the donors are satisfied preciate it very much. They residents.”

Mr Wilkinson said al- down here a few times and with what we have done have been very responsive and we have been transpar- whenever we sent word out though many residents are brought hot meals for resient and have posted photos that we are going to be is- still hurting, they remain in dents, and a lady from Pinon Facebook,” he said. Mr suing relief items and sup- high spirits. He noted that der’s Point; we are grateful they have witnessed many to them,” he said.

Wilkinson commended Mr plies,” he said.

“I would really like acts of kindness from peoCooper and his wife for dmaycock@ what they are doing. He said to extend thanks to Mr ple coming to assist them tribunemedia.net the response from residents Cooper and Linda, for following the disaster.

CROWN WITHDRAWS APPEAL AGAINST TWO-YEAR SENTENCE

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE Crown withdrew its appeal yesterday against a 24-month sentence a judge imposed on a man for an at-

tempted carjacking.

Vernal Collie appeared for the Office of The Attorney General in its appeal of the decision of Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs to sentence 23-year-old Kirby Jean Pierre to 24 months

in prison for the April 28, 2015 attempted armed robbery of Paulette Knowles.

However, Mr Collie indicated that the Crown wished to withdraw its challenge to the sentence that was handed down last year.

As a result, the application was formally dismissed by the Court of Appeal and the 24-month sentence affirmed.

Last September, Pierre had appeared before Senior Justice Isaacs for a bail

hearing as he sought to be released from custody ahead of his fixed January 2017 trial.

However, after an objection by prosecutor Kendra Kelly on the basis that the accused had been allegedly caught red-handed and pinned down by a relative of the victim until police arrived and arrested him, Pierre opted to change his plea and forgo a trial.

Notwithstanding his early plea of guilt, Ms Kelly

recommended a sentence of 10 years to 15 years given that Pierre had a prior conviction for stealing. Pierre, when asked if he had anything to say before the sentence was passed on him, asked the court for mercy and said he had a four-yearold daughter to support.

The judge imposed a twoyear sentence and further deducted the four months Pierre had spent on remand at the Department of Correctional Services.

SUSPECT DENIED BAIL OVER FIREARM OFFENCES

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after he was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court on two firearms related offences.

Wayne Terrance Rolle, 35, appeared before Magistrate Constance Delancy facing a count each of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition concerning an alleged seizure on Saturday, November 12.

It is alleged that Rolle was found with a black Sig Sauer 9mm pistol and 16

live rounds of ammunition for the weapon without being the holder of a certificate or license to possess the items.

Rolle, when called on to enter a plea to the charges, denied committing any crime.

He returns to Magistrate’s Court on January 17, 2017 for the start of his case.

He was denied bail, however, and remanded to the Department of Correctional Services.

Rolle does have the right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

He was unrepresented in yesterday’s arraignment.

THE THETRIBUNE TRIBUNE THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 16, 2016,PAGE PAGEA9 9 Wednesday, November 9th 2016, Wednesday, November 9th 2016, PAGE A9

REACH OUT AND TOUCH SAMSUNG IN A FURTHER SPIN OVER WASHING MACHINE RECALL

CAN THE venerable fixing typos in documents, thumbnails of individual to that found on mobile for 15 inches. laptop keyboard get more selecting email to delete tabs for easy switching be- devices. You still have Meanwhile, the 10touchy-feely ... and in a and even editing photos, tween websites. But that to type in your password inch Yoga Book (about good way? my trackpad is generally changes to playattorneys and pauserepresenting occasionally as a secuconsumers between$500 2011for andAndroid, this year. $600 They We are about to find more precise than my fat if you’re watching Netflix, rity measure, but you can for Windows) retains attorneys representing consumers between 2011 and this The year.

They in Texas, Indiana and Georgia who were sold at Best Buy, Home out. Higher-end models fingers on the screen. A while your name ad-Indiana avoid doing so most the the clamshell design of a in and Texas, and Georgia who ofDepot, were sold at Best Buy, The Home claimed their washing machines “exLowes, Sears and other claimed their being washing machines “ex- a stores Depot,for Lowes, Sears other of Apple’s MacBook Pro stylus helps, but I’m prone dress pop up ploded” as choices time used. when resuming seslaptop has aand second while pricesbut between $450 and ploded” while sion being stores touch for prices between $450the and now come with a nar- to misplacing it. when filling out orused. installing new softscreen where In online a statement , the US Consumer $1,500.

In a statement , the US Consumer $1,500. row touch screen above Largely for these rea- forms. Apple’s Product Maps app keyboard normally goes.

Safetyware.

Commission cited Meanwhile, a Samsung phone user ANOTHER blow to one sons, of the Apple that country.

Product Safety Commission cited Meanwhile, apop-up Samsung phone user theIN regular keyboard has shunned offers one-touch access The MacBook Pro in has Unlike touch key733 reports of Samsung machines France says her Galaxy J5 smartIN ANOTHER blowfor to one of the that world’s leading consumer brands, Thecountry. company launched an earlier,businesses 733 experienced reports ofa Samsung machines inisFrance saysfire her Galaxy J5 smartquick access to common touch screens on its noteto nearby or larger trackpad and board in tablets, this one that “excessive” vibraphone caught and exploded world’s leading brands, The company an earlier, that experienced “excessive” vibra- phone caught fire and exploded on US authorities haveconsumer announced a re- unrelated recall oflaunched washing machines on nine related inju- than Sunday.doesn’t The model is different from settings and tasks, while books.

But its high-end directions.

Mailtion andand Meslighterreports and of thinner block the main US authorities have announced a reunrelated recall of washing machines call of nearly three million Samsung in Australia in 2013, after authorities tion and nine related reports of injuSunday.

The model is different from ries, including previous a broken jaw and anthanks the Galaxy Noteas7 you that type. has been reLenovo’s Yogathree Book lap- Samsung MacBooks are getting sages offer auto-complete models, display Withcall of nearly million in Australia in 2013, after authorities washing machines following several said an electrical problem in certain ries, including a broken jaw and an called the Galaxy Note 7 that has been reshoulder. worldwide. top losesofthe physical key- several separate, stripproblem suggestions you type, in part to shorter keys that out physical keys, the dewashing machines said narrow anwas electrical in certainas injured reports injuries - following including aa bromodels causing fires.

Australian injured shoulder. called worldwide. thefeel problem ocLamya Bouyirdane she board entirely. that replaces the top row called plusthat a probbutton forSamsung emojis, said don’t awkward. vice is just 0.38said inchthat thick, reports of injuries - including vibraa bromodels was causing fires.

Australian ken jaw - due to “excessive authorities last year Samsung the problem oc- noticed Lamya said that she curred when asaid high-speed spin cycle theBouyirdane phone was very hot after ken jaw due to “excessive vibraauthorities last year called that probSo how do the new of function keys you’ll similar to what you would You no longer get reguor about two-thirds the tion”. lem “a major safety failure” after re- was curred when a high-speed spin cycle she noticed theher phone was very hot after used to wash bedding or other asked four-year-old son to tion”. lem “a complaints major safetythat failure” after re- and touch features find most keyboards. find on iPhones iPads.to wash lar USB ports or an SD thickness of the new MacThe move comesimprove a month after theon ceiving the company was used bedding or comother she it asked four-year-old son to bulky items.

In memory a statement, the pass over her during a family gatherThe move comes a month after the ceiving complaints that the company typing and computing?

This Touch Bar offers Because I use it frecard slot for phoBooks.

The touch keySouth Korean manufacturer recalled was offering repairs but not a refund pany’s bulky items.

In a statement, theworkcom- ing passat ither over during a family US subsidiary said it’s home in Pau, southgatherwestSouth manufacturer was offering repairs but not by a refund ManyKorean Windows laptops the same functions, but quently, I made the tos.and That means board also doubles asthe a millions of its Galaxy Note 7recalled smartor replacement, as required Auspany’s US subsidiary said it’s work-buying ing France. at her home in Pau, south ing with retailers the commisern She said she threwwestmillions of its Galaxy Note 7 instead smartor replacement,

by Ausand tablets with physical of hitting or required screenshot function a deadapters to connect older handwriting pad for notes phones from consumers around the tralian law. F11 as ing to with retailers and theabout commisern France.

She said she threw the sion inform consumers the phone away when she realised it had phonesbecause from consumers around theto tralian law.volume, world, of a mysterious probThe current recall fault comesicon. afterI’veproblem. keyboard accessories have F12 change alsoto disand doodling with the sion informprinters, consumers scanners about the “swollen phone and away when realised itinhad up” and she emitting smoke. world, because of ascreens. mysterious probTheyou recallbetween comes Samafter problem. lem that caused the phones’ batteries weeks ofcurrent discussions “swollen up” and emitting smoke. long had touch for instance, tap the covered functions I the never your iPhone to the new cluded stylus.

In current recall, the company The phone then caught fire and the lem that caused the phones’ batteries weeksand of US discussions Samto overheat and catch fire. Since then, sung authorities about re- such Inas thethe current recall,aports. the company The phone then caught fire and the You still type primarily speaker icon to bring up a between knew existed, USB-C On the plus Yoga provides consumers choice beback blewThe off.

Her partner quickly to overheat and catch producing fire. Since then, sung that and the USdrums authorities abouttopre- isis offering the company stopped that slider. ports inability certain offering choice beback blew Her partner quickly on a traditional keyboard, volume to highlight text in consumers side,and youaacan nowtoconnect bothoff. and audio tween a free repair rebate extinguished it.tactile the company stopped producing that ports that the drums in certain topdevice entirely, whilescreen estimating You the can loading washing machine models tweenthe acolfree repair and a rebate to-on extinguished it. in when but you can poke fix up to four Preview with different the power charger eifeedback you hit ward purchase of a new washing Samsung said a statement that device entirely, estimating the can loading washing machine models debacle willmenus cost while it $5.3 billion.icons become unbalanced andThe cause ward purchase a new washing it on Samsung said aalthough statement that icons and directly in can place; the initial ours.

Touch Barthe will ther ofside, depending thecomment keys,in on machine.

Consumers who purchased cannot the case it’s yet debacle will cost it $5.3 billion. become unbalanced and cause Samsung saidinstead that its in some machine.

Consumers who purchased it cannot on yet affected model in the last 30 daysis. And because thecomment company hasthe not inveswith your finger of washing defaults severe are vibration, brightness, becases morecaususefulan for those where the outlet still easy to miss thecase ones Samsung said that its washing severe vibration, in some cases causmachine recall would also extend to ing the top of the machine to detach are anthe affected model in therefund. last 30 The days because the company hasfor. not invesbeing offered a full tigated it. navigating with a mouse volume, mute and the Siri who look down at keys the MacBook retains a you’re aiming Anmachine recall would also extend it to from ing the of the machine detach models sold in Canada, although thetop chassis.

Samsung towas hit recall are being offered a fullof refund.

The tigated it. BRANDON BAILEY 34headphone models top-loadorsaid trackpad. voice The rest ofSamsung typing. jack, some- noyingly, it takes BAILEY longer models sold inhad Canada, although froma the chassis. was by hit recallaffects no injuries been reported initassistant. with lawsuit over thewhen summer affects 34 models of top-loadBRANDON ing washing machines manufactured Associated This can be useful for the strip changes based on The Mac now turns on thing the latest iPhones to type because of allPress the said no injuries had been reported in with a lawsuit over the summer by ing washing machines manufactured Associated Press basic tasks such as opening context. automatically when you dropped. typos. apps, moving the cursor to When you’re using the open the lid. In place of The Touch Bar models the search bar and reboot- Safari browser, for in- a power button is a fin- start at about $1,800 for a ANICK JESDANUN ing the machine. But when stance, you typically get gerprint scanner, similar 13-inch screen and $2,400 Associated Press

A REVOLUTION IN DIGITISING YOUR OLD PHOTOGRAPHS?

DUBAI DUBAI BIDS BIDS FOR FOR FIRST FIRST HYPERLOOP HYPERLOOP TRANSPORT TRANSPORT SYSTEM SYSTEM

THE futuristic city-state of Dubai anTHE futuristic city-state of Los Dubai announced a deal yesterday with Angelesnounced a deal yesterday with the Lospotential Angelesbased Hyperloop One to study based Hyperloop One to study theUnited potential for building a line linking it to the for building a line linking it toDhabi. the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Arab Emirates capital oftravel Abu Dhabi.

Organisers suggest the time from Organisers suggestbythe travel time from Dubai to Abu Dhabi hyperloop would Dubai Dhabi by hyperloop would be only to 12Abu minutes, significantly shorter be only minutes, significantly than the 12 hour-plus journey it now shorter takes than hour-plus journey it now takes by carthe between the two cities.

Hyperloop by car between twosuggested cities. Hyperloop co-founder Josh the Giegel the cost co-founder Josh Giegel suggested would be “somewhere between the the costcost of would be “somewhere between therail”. cost of putting a road in and a high-speed putting a road in a high-speed rail”.

A hyperloop hasand levitating pods which A hyperloop pods which GOOGLE wants to said scanning photos with carry passengershas andlevitating cargo powered by carry passengers and cargo powered make digitising your many traditional scanners takes electricity and magnetism that hurtle by electricity and magnetism that hurtle through low-friction pipes at a top speed of boxes of old photograph time, while third-party through 760 mph. low-friction pipes at a top speed of prints as easy as opening digitising services cost 760 In mph.

October, Dubai hosted a competian app. money and require you hosted a competitionIntoOctober, design aDubai hyperloop track, at which The PhotoScan app to part with your photos tion to design a hyperloop track, at which designers presented ideas for a possible for UBER iPhones Android temporarily, risking loss is and taking its ride-hailing app down a frequently ordered destinations as “shortcuts”. designers presented ideas for a possible track between Al Maktoum International UBER is taking its ride-hailing app down a frequently ordered destinations as “shortcuts”. phones, yesterdamage. new roadreleased in an effort to make and it smarter, simpler In another time-saving move that will test track between AlWorld Maktoum International at Dubai Central, Dubai newmore roaduse in an effort to make itThe smarter, Inmuch another time-saving move that willcomtest Airport and fun to use. users trust the San Francisco day, will the phone’s free simpler app willhow work Airport at Dubai World Central, Dubai International Airport and Fujairah Internaand more fun to use. how much users trust the San Francisco comThe redesigned also will to mine pany awith their personal information, users will camera to capture app an old withseek photos on a table, International Airport and Fujairah International Airport.

The redesigned app also will seek to mine pany with their personal information, users will personal information stored on smartphones in be able to give the app access to their calendars photo in four sections and picture frame and an altional Airport.

Under their plans, the hyperloop trip of information stored on smartphones in so beaddresses able to give theinapp to their calendars apersonal change could raise privacy concerns, listed an access entry can automatically stitch themthat together, much bum.

It will even also digitise Underover theira plans, the hyperloop trip of 90 miles mountain range to would a change that could raise privacy concerns, even so addresses listed in an entry can automatically THE PHOTOSCAN app is demonstrated yesterday in New York.

Google wants makebe digitisthough it will be up to individual users to let Uber appear in the Uber app near the time of the ap90minutes miles over a mountain range would be like a itpanorama shot. slides when projected on in the Uber app near the time of the ap- 10 or less, compared to the current though will be up to individual users to let Uber appear ingAlso yourstarting old photo prints as easy as opening an app. peer into their calendars and address books. pointment. in December, Uber will 10 minutes or less, compared to the current Google says this approach a wall.

Ms Winn said the hour and 20 minutes by road. The deal anpeer into theirrepresents calendars the and addressoverhaul books. in also pointment.

Also starting December, Uber will Theeliminate change seekterday, access to users’inpersonal so hour andrest 20 minutes by road.

The deal an-date. oversaturating the of around including the maincontacts and helps glare thatthebiggest resolution of theindigitised yesterday would belocation far simpler. change represents biggest overhaul alsocan seek to users’ personal so nounced fourThe years to Uber’s popular app, which is used they askaccess for a ride to where a friendcontacts currently nounced yesterday would be far simpler. the photo, and “skin tone” Google Photos app getOne is called “Lullaby” can mar attempts to digphoto will be comparaThere would be several stations throughfour years to app, cars whichinismore used is, they can a ride to where a friend by millions of Uber’s peoplepopular to summon even if ask the for friend is not at home.

If thiscurrently would be that several stations throughtofeature adjust only the colours additional editing collect pictures itise a print by simply blefortorides thatthat outThere Dubai connecting thewill hyperloop system by millions people to world summon cars infrom more even ifting the friend is not home.

If this feature than 450 citiesofaround the area flatbed isis,activated, Uber’s app willatcontact the friend to out Dubai connecting the hyperloop systemand on skins. to Abu Dhabi.

The pods would then be controls.

There are new of your sleeping baby photographing the whole scanner. than 450 cities around the world for rides that are is activated, Uber’s app will contact the friend to usually cheaper than traditional taxis. ask if he or she is willing to share the current loto Abu Dhabi.

Theset pods would then be able towill carry passengers and cargo between The also usually cheaper than taxis.can ask if he or is towho share the Uber current lo-service forwilling those them to quiet music. It photo. storeto digitised The new design andtraditional features,You which began cation.

If filters theshe friend doesn’t havelike the app, able togenerate carry passengers and cargo between the cities.

Yesterday, Hyperloop officials The new design and features, which began to cation.

If the friend doesn’t have the Uber app, automatically automation and more will have another around The app will make miversions on your phone or roll out last week, are designed to save passen- the request will be sent through a text message the cities.

Yesterday, Hyperloop officials showedofseveral station models for comrolladjustments out last are designed save Google passen- Photos the will be sent through aaddress text additional message types videocircular granular controls Christmas that will nor to restore the to online gers time andweek, money. to therequest mobile number listed in the for book. showedincluding several circular station models for at Emirates gers and money. toUber the mobile listed in the address book. Dubai, highlights, with including back- one those who prefer manual bine imagesTowers and on clips colour in faded photos service, has unlimAs time part of the new and look, Uber will which spell out says it number doesn’t expect privacy objections Dubai, one at Emirates Towers on Dubai’s main artery, Sheikh Zayed Road.

As part of the new look, Uber will spell out Uber says it doesn’t expect privacy objections ground music, from your editing. new manual from Christmases past. tomore aligned itedand storage for photos of users clearlycorners how longwhen it will take how much because will The have to agree to allow the app Dubai’s main artery, Sheikh Zayed Road. no financial terms were immeclearly longa itdestination will take how much to because users will have to agree to books. allowcollection the app of However, photos and itmore will cost tohow reach in megapixels. different scan their calendars and address options include “deep the photo print is bent. up toand 16 However, no financial were immediately discussed and ANICK the terms technology itself itJulia willofWinn, cost to areach a destination in different to scan their calendars and address books. types available cars.

The app will also recomvideos.

The service initialJESDANUN product Google announced blue” to give skies and wadiately discussed and the technology itself remains under testing.

Referencing longtypes of available cars.

The app will also recommend thefor bestthe places be picked up in congested MICHAEL ly organisedremains imagesunder onlytesting. withoutLIEDTKE Associated Press manager newtoapp, other photo features yes- ter more colour, Referencing longhaul carrier Emirates and Dubai’s driverless mend the best places to be picked up in congested MICHAEL LIEDTKE areas and study a rider’s travelling history, listing Associated Press haul carrier Emirates and Dubai’s driverless the longest in the world, Hyperloop areas and study a rider’s travelling history, listing Associated Press metro, metro, theLloyd longest in the world, Hyperloop CEO Rob said: “This has become a CEO Rob Lloyd become a transportation hubsaid: and“This leaderhas in the world. transportation hub and leader in the world.

In the Emirates, we believe everything is In the Emirates, we believe everything is possible.”

OSCAR-winning film direcin unfiltered intimacy and mately good format for artist possible.”

Already, government-backed operaFACETIME and Skyface-to-face with friends pensive new phones or have text, voice and video lion voice callsport every day. in unfiltered intimacy and expression.” mately good format for artist tor OSCAR-winning Ang Lee believesfilm thedirecnew background scenery so detailed government-backed port operator Already, DP World hasThe signed an is agreement with pe have a new rival in and family, regardless live in countries with the calls all baked into one. app also popular tor Ang Lee believes the new background scenery so detailed expression.” faster frames-per-second tech- it seemed artificial.

The faster format has other tor DP World signed agreement with Hyperloop Onehas toamong explorean the feasibility of the video-chat - of itwhether they are us- viewbest cellular Apple, Microusers concerned faster frames-per-second techseemed artificial.

Thenetworks.” faster format has otherGoogle, nology that makes market for hyperLee, however, wants advocates.

Peter Jackson tried Hyperloop One to explore the feasibility of the using the technology at Dubai’s sprawlWhatsApp. ing Android, iPhone and To place a video call, soft and Yahoo also offer with privacy and secunology that makes for hyperLee, however, wants viewadvocates.

Peter Jackson tried realistic action is worth try- ers to watch the film - about at 48 frames-per-second with the man-made using the technology at Dubai’s sprawling, Jebel Ali Port. realistic action is worth tryers to watch the film about at 48 frames-per-second with The maker of the Windows devices. users merely open a chat, video chatting, which they rity, thanks to its ability ing again and will use it in his an American soldier’s public- “The Hobbit” trilogy, and ing, man-made Jebel Ali Port.

Formore now usthough, contining again andthe will use itmovie in his relations an American soldier’s public“Thephone Hobbit” and hugely popular messag“We’re introducing click the icon, hope will attract toHyperloop provide One end-to-end next project, boxing tour after fighting in James Cameron hastrilogy, said he will For now in though, Hyperloop One continues its tests the Nevada desert.

“We do next project, the boxing movie relations tour after fighting in James Cameron has said he will ing and voice app said this feature because we choose the video call ers to their mobile propencryption.

“Thrilla in Manila”. the Iraq war and which comes use it in “Avatar” sequels. ues itstotests in the the world’s Nevadafirst desert.

“We do aspire build hyperloop “Thrilla in Manila”. the Iraq war and which comes use it in “Avatar” sequels. on Monday it will Amerisoon know option in“Thrilla the menu and erties.

The Emirates,” Facebook-owned The Taiwanese-born out in that the USsometimes this week - with in Manila” is a film aspire theArab world’s first hyperloop in to thebuild United Lloyd The Taiwanese-born Ameri- voice outopen in the USjust week - start with talking.

“Thrillafor in Manila” isFounded a the film here the ability to place and text in in the 2009, app reached a milestone canadd director shot “Billy Lynn’s an mind. “thisaren’t scheduled 2018 about here United Arab Emirates,” Lloyd said. can director shot “Billy Lynn’s an open mind. “ scheduled for 2018 about the Long in 3D, enough,” I think it’s a lot said to take in. freeHalftime video Walk” calls from WhatsApp The final app isfight thebetween latest ex-Muhammad WhatsApp said. started in February when it of an“That is out our aspiration.

We have a lot Long Halftime Walk” in 3D, I think it’s a lot to take in. final fight between Muhammad 4Kwithin resolution, at 120 should and tech Joe Frazier “That is our aspiration. have reached a lot of the app.

Theframesfea- inIadon’t blog think post. we “And we make ample Ali of the indus- in the as aPhilbasic work text-messagnounced We it had to do.”

4K resolution, at 120 the framesI don’t think yet we should Ali andcapital Joe Frazier in the Philper-second, five is times tra- want up our mind because it’s love ippines in 1975. to do.” ture, which expected to make these fea- make try’s affair with video ing app butwork rolled out the one billion users per-second, five times the tra- something up our mind because it’s ippines capital in 1975. ditional 24available frames perinsecond. thattoyet just begin,”chat he to be the tures available everyapps.

Other messaga voice-calling feature mark. JON GAMBRELL ditional 24 frames per second. something that just begin,” he The result isdays, sometimes-jarring said,not noting newness the apps, like Facebook ANGELAlast CHEN JON GAMBRELL coming will allow one, just the those who of year, which is now STEVEN MUSILPress Associated The result is actors’ sometimes-jarring said, noting newness ofing the ANGELA CHEN realism, with faces seen can technology.

“Ithe think it’s a legitiAssociated Press Associated Press the app’s users to speak afford the most exMessenger and Snapchat, used to place 100 milcnet.com realism, with actors’ faces seen technology. “I think it’s a legitiAssociated Press

UBER UBER HAILS HAILS NEW NEW DIRECTION DIRECTION FOR FOR TAXI TAXI APP APP

WHATSAPP AIMS TOON TAKE A FRAMES-PER-SECOND BITE OUT OF FACETIME AND SKYPE MARKET DIRECTOR 1120 DIRECTOR FOCUSES FOCUSES ON 20 FRAMES-PER-SECOND

TECHTALK TECHTALK

• LG IS stepping up its Android • LG IS stepping its Android GOOGLE is promising that its game, beginning the up rollout of Angame,7.0 beginning thethe rollout of Anwidely used translation service is droid Nougat to G5 smartdroid 7.0more Nougat to the G5 smartphone yesterday. now even fluent, thanks to an phone yesterday.

The G5 is the first non-Google advance that is enabling its comThe is thethe first non-Google phone to toG5 receive update.

Meanputers interpret complete senphonethe to receive the update.

Meanwhile, recent Google Pixel and tences. while, the recent Google Pixel and LG’s V20 were shipped NouWhile that may soundwith simple, it LG’s V20 were shipped with Nougat.taken years of engineering to has gat. in Google’s South Korea pullLG off.said UntilG5s now, techG5s infirst, South Korea willLG get said the update with the nology analysed phrases in pieces will get the update first, with the Americas and Asia getting Nougat and then cobbled together aNougat someAmericas andto Asia getting “in the weeks come”.

Samsung, times stilted translation. “in the weeks to come”.

Samsung, meanwhile, will begin a public beta meanwhile, will begin public beta Now that Google’s machines test for Nougat on itsaGalaxy S7 test forEdge Nougat on sentences, its Galaxy the S7 can interpret entire and S7 phones today. and S7 Edge today. translations ofphones extended passages Google’s new operating systems Google’s new operating systems ofhave text should read and sound much until now launched with Nexhave until nowlast launched Nexmore like a like native speaker. us phones, year’s with 6P, while us phones, like users last year’s while other Android have6P, had to Starting yesterday, the technolother Android have had to wait until their phone manogy ismonths being be users used to translate wait months until their phone manufacturer and/or network carrier phrases to and from English and ufacturer and/or network carrier pushes out an update. eight other languages - French, pushes outbrings an update.

Nougat new features like German, Spanish, Portuguese, Nougat brings new features like the Google Assistant, Korean Instant Apps Chinese, Japanese, and the better Googlemulti-window Assistant, Instant Apps and support.

Turkish. and better multi-window support.

• THE Obama administration is NINTENDO is administration ending in • THE Obama is designating roughly 25,000sales miles Japan of its Wii U home console designating roughly 25,000 miles of US highways as “electric vehicle of USand highways asannouncements “electric vehicle “soon” similar charging corridors” where drivers charging corridors” where are expected in other regions. will never be more than 50 drivers miles will never be which more than 50 The the Wiiclosest U, wentstation. onmiles sale from charging from the closest charging station. from lateWhite 2012,House is beingsays replaced by The the netTheof White House the run netSwitch, set to on salesays globally in work 48 gocorridors will work 2017. of35 48 corridors willvideo run through states.

The federal govMarch, The Japanese through 35developing states. The federal government is signs to game manufacturer behind thehelp Suernment is developing signs to like help drivers find charging stations, per Mario and Pokemon franchises drivers findones charging stations, like the existing for gas, has Wiifood U and mathealready existing shipped ones for gas, food and motels. chines for US sales up to March, a motels.

Creating the corridors requires company spokesman said.

Creating thestations. corridors more charging Therequires White more charging stations.

The White House says General Electric, NisNEW hybrid and electric cars House says General Electric, and Nissan, Pacific Gas & Electric are required to make noise when san, Pacific Gas & Electric and others will help expand the numtravelling at low thatnumpeothers will helpspeeds expandsothe ber of stations. ber of stations. destrians, especially those who are blind or have poor will • SAMSUNG sayseyesight, it will offer SAMSUNG says it will offer hear them coming. an •artificial intelligence assistant an Theartificial new passed on assistant Monday service in rule itsintelligence forthcoming flagservice in its forthcoming flagcould help prevent about 2,400 pedesship Galaxy S8 smartphone - due ship Galaxy S8 smartphone due to launch ina year Spring, 2017 as- the trian injuries in the US- once all to launch in road Spring, 2017 - as the South Korean firm are seeks recovery hybrids on the equipped to South firm seeks from itsKorean global smartphone recalls. make noise, according to therecovery Nationfrom smartphone recalls.

Theits S8global will let users order food al Highway Traffic AdminisThe S8 will let Safety users order food or perform other tasks without tration.

Hybrid other vehicles use without a gasoor perform tasks going through a third-party apline engine and an electric motor. going through a third-party application but by simply asking the Electric motors, however, very plication but by simply make asking the phone’s virtual assistant, Samsung little noise.virtual The rule requires hybrid phone’s assistant, Samsung said on Sunday. The artificial inteland electric vehicles toalso make said on service Sunday.

The artificial intelligence will beaudible made noise when in other reverse or ligence service will also be made available intravelling Samsung’s conforward at speeds upproducts, to about 19mph. available in Samsung’s other consumer electronics such as sumer electronics such as Manufacturers haveproducts, until September refrigerators.

1, refrigerators.

2019, to comply.

• MICROSOFT is adding a new • MICROSOFT is adding a new PRESIDENT-elect Donald programme called “Teams” to its programme called “Teams” to on its Trump is suite pledging restraint Office 365 of internet producOffice 365 suite of internet productivity software to match competing Twitter when he moves into the tivityHouse. software to match online services like Slack,competing which let White online services likeshare Slack,informawhich let workers chat and He told “60 Minutes” on Sunday workers chat and share information on the job. hetion is going tojob. be “very restrained, on the provides a central if I “Teams” use it at all” before going place on to “Teams” provides a central place online for “tremendous” workplace groups to call Twitter and said online forfiles workplace groups to chat, share and perform other social is “where it’s at”.other chat,media share files and also perform tasks.

“Teams” can incorpoMr artificially Trump said media tasks.

“Teams” can social also incorporate intelligent “bots” helped him software win intelligent races in “bots” states rate other artificially and programmes where vastly outspent, and and he other software programmes created bywas outside developers. developers. hecreated thinksbyheoutside has proved that the medium can be Motors more has powerful • GENERAL startGENERAL startthan Some of Mr has Trump’s ed •money. making the Motors Chevrolet Bolt ed making the Chevrolet Bolt most provocative comments his hatchback, which can go morein than hatchback, which can go more than election campaigns came fromand his 200 miles on battery power 200 less miles on battery power and costs than the new vetweets, often late ataverage night. costsin less than average say newthe vehicle the US.the Analysts hicle in the US.range Analysts the Bolt’s 238-mile on a say single SAMSUNG’S $8 billion acquiBolt’s 238-mile single charge, netrange price on of aaround sition of plus the aUS auto electronics charge, plus a net price of attracaround $30,000, should make it an company Harman willit an instantly $30,000, should tive alternative tomake cars with attracintertransform the South Korean tech tive alternative to cars with internal-combustion engines. company into a major player in nal-combustion engines. the •highly competitive and rapidly CHINA’S plans for a permagrowing market for remain auto • CHINA’S plans for ainfotainpermanent space station firmly ment, software and connected car nent space remainlaunch firmly on track withstation the successful onits track the successful launch technology. of newwith heavy-lift Long March its newthat heavy-lift Long March Samsung announced on Monday 5of rocket will enable ambi5 acquisition rocket enable ambiitstious ofwill Harman, which futurethat missions, including a tious touch future missions, including makes that controla planned trip toscreens Mars. The towering planned tripblasted to Mars.

The towering vehicle functions andoff infotainment rocket that last week rocket that blasted off last week from the Wenchang launch systems and is dominant incentre autofrom Wenchang centre will bethe used tosystems launchlaunch components motive sound with brands willthe used to launch components for Tiangong 2 space station such asbeHarman Kardon, JBL, Infor the Tiangong 2 space and other massive payloads. station finity and Mark Levinson. and other massive payloads.

China launched the Tiangong Sophisticated telematics systems China launched theSeptember Tiangong 2 precursor facility in are expected to be in most new cars 2 precursor facility in September senttoupsupport two astronauts in midbyand 2020 over-the-interand sent to up live two astronauts October aboard it in formid30 net software updates and other October to live aboard it for 30 days. functions. days.

PAGE 10, Wednesday, November 16, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR BAHAMAS PRESS CLUB AWARDS THE nominees for the second annual Bahamas Press Club Media Awards, to be presented at the British Colonial Hilton on Saturday, were announced yesterday.

Calsey Johnson, Bahamas High Commissioner to Canada, former broadcast journalist and general manager of the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas, has already been announced as the recipient of the Sir Etienne Dupuch

Lifetime Achievement Award; now 12 nominees have been selected across a range of categories.

The awards dinner and ceremony, in the Governor’s Ballroom at the Hilton, will be held under the patronage of Governor General, Dame Marguerite Pindling.

P J Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, is the keynote speaker and Perry Christie, Prime Minister, will also bring remarks.

The awards were held

for the first time last year to honour the trailblazers in the field of Journalism and Mass Communications.

This year, the Press Club said the Media Awards are more inclusive in recognising the work of media professionals. An independent panel of judges was appointed to sift the entries, which had to have been published and or aired between January and November 2016.

The 2016 nominees are Clint Watson, News Re-

porter, ZNS; Ahvia Campbell, Photojournalist, The Nassau Guardian; Andrew J Burrows, Executive News Director, ZNS; Ianthia Smith, Journalist/TV Host; Jimenita Swain, News Reporter, ZNS; Khrisna Virgil, Deputy Chief Reporter, The Tribune; Sheldon Longley, Sports Editor, The Nassau Guardian; Karissma Robinson, News Reporter, ZNS; Lamech Johnson, Reporter, The Tribune; Torrell Glinton,

Photographer, The Nassau Guardian; Shawn Hanna, Photographer, The Tribune; and Tosheena RobinsonBlair, Writer, Dupuch Publications.

There are also entries for awards for the Best Website, and the Best Newspaper Design and Layout.

The Awards are named after the late Sir Etienne Dupuch, Publisher and Editor, The Tribune; the Late Leon Turnquest, former Sports Editor, The

Nassau Guardian; the Late Cyril Stevenson, former editor, publisher and Head of Bahamas Information Services; the Late Kenneth Nathaniel Francis, former publisher The Nassau Guardian; Feature writer Leslie Higgs; and Bursell Bradshaw, former news photographer.

The 2016 Bahamas Press Club Media Awards are being sponsored by Platinum Sponsor BTC and Aliv, Gold Sponsor.

ENERGY PLAN REVEALED AS CANDIDATES RATIFIED from page one

Before providing a glimpse of his plans should the party be elected to office in the 2017 general election, the new candidates – radio talk show host and attorney Jeff Lloyd, for South Beach, founder of the Public Transit Association Reuben Rahming, for Pinewood Gardens, and Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells, for the same constituency – each took the stage.

All stressed that the FNM is the only viable option to govern this country.

“We must invest in Bahamian entrepreneurs who can provide employment in the renewable energy industry by creating a national solarisation initiative,” Dr Minnis said during the event at the FNM Headquarters on Mackey Street.

“Our energy policy will include a national solarisation programme beginning with residential and small businesses where, through net billing, these homes can receive quarterly, six-monthly or even yearly checks or credit on their accounts from the major power company.

That’s what your FNM government will do for you.”

He added: “We will also have advanced metering infrastructure to include prepayment. We will create a new Building Bahamian Entrepreneurs initiative, which is a public-private partner-

THREE candidates were ratified by the FNM last night - Jeff Lloyd, Reuben Rahming and Renward Wells, for South Beach, Pinewood, and Bamboo Town respectively. ship that will focus on giv- that we see throughout New the Chinese people. The ing Bahamian entrepreneurs Providence after Hurricane Bahamas has good relations opportunities to develop and Matthew. And fifth, our anti- with China and that will not corruption initiative will be a change under this FNM provide services.

“We will allow these Ba- priority. There are too many government. However, let hamians who provide the crooks. These crooks must be me state for the record that we in the opposition stand best proposal for develop- dealt with.”

Regarding the govern- united with the people comment and employment the opportunity to manage cer- ment’s relationship with the pletely opposed to the PLP tain services, which the gov- Chinese, Dr Minnis said giving away our birthright ernment presently provides. despite the government’s to the Chinese.

“And we put the Chinese “We will introduce a strong, attempts to “give away” vibrant and effective local Bahamians’ birthright, the government on notice that, upon coming to office, we government to New Provi- FNM would not allow it.

“The Free National will immediately and vigordence. Imagine for a second what this would have done Movement respects the ously review and cancel any to the clean up programme Chinese government and secret agreement or deal, which proposes to give away our land or rights to our fishing grounds to theirs or to any foreign government.

The FNM will always protect our natural resources,” Dr Minnis said.

FNM supporters out in the rain last night.

RENWARD Wells speaking at his ratification last night.

Photos: Yontalay Bowe

BTC CEO Leon Williams and the top 14 BJC achievers at H O Nash Junior High School

SCHOOL HONOURED FOR ACHIEVEMENT H O NASH Junior High School has been recognised for outstanding achievements in the recent Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) examinations.

Each of the 14 overachievers in the BJC examinations received mobile phones and a gift pack from the school’s long standing corporate sponsor, BTC, while the two top achievers - Christa Petty and Carmetta Barry - received laptops and BTC

branded backpacks. These top achievers also managed the highest national results in the BJC examinations.

BTC CEO Leon Williams encouraged students to be the best and spoke from the school’s theme for 2016 “D I V E”, daring the students to be different and innovative in order to achieve excellence. Mr Williams also pledged that BTC will “continue to ensure that we keep the school

on the cutting edge of technology. We are proud to say that we have placed fibre services at the school.” In addition, BTC also outfitted the school’s computer laboratory with 15 new computers.

H O Nash Junior High School has been adopted

by BTC for more than two decades. Recently, BTC provided the school with a bus and funds the school’s Marching Band.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 16, 2016, PAGE 11

LUCAYAN BONES UNEARTHED

THE remains of two Lucayans, the people who inhabited The Bahamas from the year 600 to the 1500s, have been discovered in graves in Long Island.

Officials from the Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation (AMMC) announced the historically significant discovery of ancient Lucayan skeletons - the first to be found in sand dunes - yesterday. The bones were located in two distinct graves in what an American archaeologist described as potentially “the first prehistoric cemetery in all of The Bahamas”.

Long Island resident Nick Constantakis found the first set of bones of what appears to be the remains of an elderly Lucayan male, buried face down in the sand dunes near Clarence Town.

Another discovery by Mr Constantakis and Anthony Maillis, of Clarence Town, revealed a second burial approximately 25 feet away from where the original bones were located. Local residents, in turn, reached out to Dr Keith Tinker, Director of AMMC, once the bones were determined to be of historical significance.

The second burial held the remains of a Lucayan female, buried face down. The excavation team indicated that the remains appear to be an elderly female at the time of her death. Directly under the second burial, the team also uncovered a third set of remains in a bundle with limbs removed of what could possibly be the bones of a younger female relative

of the older female found in the burial site.

Last month, a team from AMMC and the Florida Museum of Natural History travelled to Long Island to conduct preliminary excavation exercises. Under the existing memorandum between the two, the Florida-based museum is committed to fully support the AMMC with research of historical discoveries.

According to Dr Michael Pateman, Assistant Director at AMMC, the recent finds are significant to understanding Bahamian prehistory. “This is the first time we have ever excavated multiple Lucayan burials on a beach dune,” he said. “Previously, all burials found in the Bahamas have either been in caves or discovered in blue holes.

From our preliminary investigations, we were able to discern that these are the remains of Lucayans because the skulls all have cranial flattening, which was a common practice to flattened both the front and back of their heads.

“These recent discoveries will allow us to further examine the lifestyle, diet, occupations and overall way of life of this group of people. We will also be able to examine specific burial practices and aspects of their spirituality. It is our intention to return to Long Island to conduct a larger survey project in December 2016.”

The project is supported

by AMMC through a partnership with the Florida Museum of Natural His-

DR William Keegan (left) and Anthony Maillis excavate burial site to preserve remains of ancient Lucayan bones found in the sand dunes near beaches in Clarence Town, Long Island.

tory. Dr William Keegan, lead archaeologist on the Florida team, said the goal of the first phase of the project is to define the prehistoric landscape of the area.

“We need to understand where and when people were using the area in relation to the burials,” he said. “We will also try to identify additional burials.

A long-standing question is where the prehistoric inhabitants of the Bahamas, called Lucayans, buried their dead. There are a few burials known from caves and sinkholes, but they are too few to account for all of the people who lived and died over the approximately 1,000 years The Bahamas was occupied.

“A couple of possible dune burials have been reported, but this is the first location to be professionally excavated. If there are more burials in this area, then this would be the first prehistoric cemetery in all of The Bahamas.”

Archaeologists have discovered more duhos (wooden ceremonial stools) in The Bahamas than in any other Caribbean country, with the majority in Long Island. Determined to let the “bones tell the story”, on completion of the studies, the team will publish findings and eventually set up a full exhibit at the Long Island Museum to tell the full story of the island’s connection to the Lucayan people.

Based on the second round of excavations, if additional burial sites are found, the team will work to secure additional grants and funding for expanded research. The Corporation encourages the public to notify AMMC officials should they suspect they have uncovered ancient artifacts or potential burial tombs so that sites can be properly excavated to preserve the integrity of the items discovered.

Island law enforcement officers were notified of the discoveries.

REMAINS found in Lucayan burial site near Clarence Town, Long Island.