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VOLUME:117 No.28, JANUARY 2ND, 2020

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SPORTS: GARDINER NAMED ATHLETE OF 2019 - PAGE 13

Night of the Saxons

A SAXONS dancer strikes a pose as the group marches to victory in the New Year parade.

By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE 2020 New Year’s Day parade ended with an overwhelming victorious win for the Saxons Superstars, who captured the unofficial winner title with an indigenous “Bahamian or Nuttin, Dis We Tings” theme.

With top performances in the best music, best banner, best step down, best lead costume, choreograph and free dance categories, the Saxons Superstars amassed a total of 84.62 points, defeating the unofficial 2019 Boxing Day winner

– the Valley Boys, who finished second with an overall 81.44 points under the theme “The Games We Play”. The Valley Boys won 2019’s New Year’s Day parade.

One Family, with its theme “Some Like it Hot, Some like it Cold”, took third spot with 81.10 points and was followed by Roots who fell to fourth with 76.39 points with a “Splendor of the Mayans” theme.

The unofficial results were released at the Trinity Methodist Church yesterday by parade management team chairman Anthen SEE PAGE FIVE

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

‘MY HONOUR’S DESERVED MINNIS’ TARGETS FOR - AND IT’S LONG OVERDUE’ ‘SEVEN MORE YEARS’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net BUSINESSMAN and former Olympian Godfrey Kelly, 91, yesterday defended his knighthood saying he expected the award “earlier” and views it as government making “amends” for neglecting to recommend it after his decades of contributions to the country.

Over the weekend, it was announced the former United Bahamian Party education minister would be bestowed Queen Elizabeth’s 2020 New Year’s Honour of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (KCMG). In this instance, the award was for Mr Kelly’s contributions SEE PAGE THREE

By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to stop income inequality and to create more job opportunities for Bahamians in the country.

This, according to Dr Minnis, is a part of the

MILLER WINS RULING IN $66M LEASE BATTLE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER Cabinet minister may seek more than $66m in damages after the Supreme Court found that the Government’s lease of his shopping plaza is “valid and binding”, it was revealed yesterday.

Damian Gomez QC confirmed to Tribune Business that Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson had given a verbal pre-Christmas

FORMER MP Leslie Miller. ruling in favour of Leslie Miller’s claim of an “unlawful conspiracy” by the Government and Bank of The Bahamas to seize his

Summerwinds Shopping Plaza off Tonique Williams Highway.

He said the Government and BISX-listed bank’s conduct had been “really catastrophic” for Mr Miller and his companies, with the former’s failure to finance contractually-agreed upgrades under the lease’s terms - as well as the loss of rental income and triggering of a loan default - all set to factor into damages.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

government’s New Year resolution for 2020. “…I have seven more years (left in office)… What I’m concentrating now is to close the gap of inequality to allow more of the poor and the indigent to share in the wealth,” he told reporters during yesterday’s junkanoo parade.

Dr Minnis made these SEE PAGE THREE

FATHER OF FOUR SHOT DEAD ON FIRST DAY OF YEAR

THE first day of 2020 was marked by the first murder of the year, with a father of four shot dead on Third Street.

The shooting took place shortly before 9pm last night. The victim has not been officially named by police as yet, but is believed to be Marco Meadows, a 36-year-old man whose SEE PAGE TWO

PAGE 2, Thursday, January 2, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

96 killed in 2019 as murder count increases by five percent

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE country’s murder count in 2019 was pushed to 96, according to The Tribune’s records, a 5.5 percent increase over 2018’s 91 killings.

While this count did not fall in line with National Security Minister Marvin Dames’ ambitious goal of seeing the year close out with less than 85 murders, it signalled the second consecutive year that such crimes were less than 100 since 2010.

It is also a considerable decrease of 21 percent from 2017’s high of 122 murders.

Although last year’s murders represent a minimal increase over 2018, officials have already attributed the change to police resources being stretched thin in dealing with the aftermath of

ANTHONY FERGUSON, Commissioner of Police.

Hurricane Dorian. to be optimistic about these In an interview with things but you have to reporters early Wednesday appreciate and understand morning, Police Commis- that only the good Lord can sioner Anthony Ferguson predict the future,” the comsaid he thought the Royal missioner said of the murder Bahamas Police Force did count on the sidelines of “exceptionally” well tack- Wednesday’s New Year’s ling murders despite having Day Junkanoo Parade. to adjust its policing plan to “But I believe that I can suit urgent circumstances. say the officers performed “You can always say the exceptionally well. I had things that you would like indicated in a much earlier to do and I think you have report that up to the 1st of

September the murder count was at 61 and once hurricane Dorian hit and we had to adjust our policing strategy and so September and October we saw some increases in there but immediately after we adjusted our programme and you see the numbers went extremely down and we managed it from October straight into the very last day in the year.”

However, according to this newspaper’s records the nation was at 61 murders by August 25 with two more murders to follow on August 30.

The month of September then saw 15 murders, with one in Grand Bahama and October had 10 killings.

There were then three fatal incidents in November and five in December including one in Grand Bahama.

He continued: “So I am very pleased. I cannot ask

for anything else out of the officers. They performed exceptionally well having to police New Providence and the Hurricane Dorian tragedy in Abaco.”

The final murder of 2019 happened early Monday morning when a man was shot dead in Coconut Grove. Police have yet to release his identity.

Police said shortly before 2am officers received reports of gunshots in the Robinson Road area.

Shortly afterwards a man’s body was found lying on the ground at Second Street, Coconut Grove, with injuries.

Paramedics were called to the scene and attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead.

Prior to this a motherof-six, Cleo Lockhart, was found shot to death on a track road in Nassau

Village, marking the country’s 95th murder.

Well-known religious leader Bishop Simeon Hall has said in order to curb the escalating homicides in the capital, the country needs to stop “playing the blame game” and instead inspire more fear into the minds of criminals.

“As a society, we’ve done miserably in placing fear in the minds of criminals.

Most hardened criminals in our country are not afraid of the police and believe they could beat the court system,” Bishop Hall said. “…We must match this culture of death with a national approach where the fear of crime by the public will be outdistanced by the fear to commit crime by criminals...We need to send a strong message that if you do the crime, you will do the time.”

THE BODY of last night’s shooting victim is taken from the scene.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

FATHER OF FOUR SHOT DEAD ON FIRST DAY OF YEAR from page one youngest child is just 11 days old.

Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash said at the scene last night: “Police received a call of a gun

report at Third Street, just south of Palm Tree Avenue.

Once officers arrived on the scene, they met the body of a male lying just inside Third Street suffering from gunshot wounds.

“EMS were called in and examined him and pronounced him deceased on the scene.”

He said that the victim was walking along Third Street when he was approached by two men in a black vehicle. They emerged from the vehicle and opened fire, fatally injuring the victim who was

shot multiple times about the body.

Supt Cash said: “We don’t know the motive for this homicide but of course we have detectives on the ground.”

He added: “The year just began. There’s always a concern when we lose a life on the streets of New Providence or in The Bahamas so the police will remain focused. We have our strategies in place and we will continue to move with our strategies. Hopefully, we prevent incidents like this from happening.”

FAMILY members grieve at the scene of last night’s shooting.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 2, 2020, PAGE 3

Minnis’ targets for ‘seven more years’ from page one statements when asked about his campaign reform plans, given the fact he only has two years left in office.

However, while noting his plans to focus on the poor, the Killarney MP suggested to reporters that he would be re-elected by the Bahamian people for another term. “(I want) to close the gap in income inequality and to create more job opportunities for the poor and indigent and to uplift the inner city,” he said.

These areas of focus, the

prime minister said, were part of his administration’s New Year resolutions.

However, Dr Minnis is not the only member in Free National Movement who has set ambitious goals for this year.

Also outlining the government’s goals this year was Deputy Prime Minister Mr Peter Turnquest.

Speaking to reporter’s yesterday, Mr Turnquest noted one of the government’s goals for the year include helping those displaced by Hurricane Dorian return to a life of normalcy.

“We’ve gone through a tremendous traumatic

event that has long term consequences to the country and its going to be a long road to recovery,” he said. “… And the first order is going to put back those institutions that will facilitate residents coming back and being able to access the services that they need. “(Those include) the police, the healthcare, the financial institutions and the government services to make sure all those things that provide for an orderly society are in place. Then we will assist residents as best we can to get back into their homes.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister Mr Jefferey Lloyd added: “This year, (we want) greater efficiency, greater response. We got to be more responsive for the Bahamian people. We’ve got to cut down on the timelines.

“We’ve got to get people results to them, whatever that is, whether you have to be paid or make a request of the ministry that (you) want (your) grades or diploma or transcripts or so on. So instead of having to wait two weeks, we want to cut it down to one week.”

He continued: “Instead of having to wait one week,

we want to cut it down to two and three days because the Bahamian people deserve it and…. So that’s why in this year we’re going to be having in the ministry a 100 day challenge and every department is going to establish those goals and in that 100 day, we are going to exceed those goals.”

Speaking on his ministry’s resolutions for 2020, Social Service Minister Frankie Campbell said he hopes to finalise several important matters.

“There are some welfare and working conditions within the ministry that I

want to address…. We are (also) looking to introduce legislation. We are in the final stages of the older persons protection bill as a matter of fact, we’ve sent it back to the attorney general’s office, hoping that they will put the final touches on it.

“We’ve also presented to the attorney general office the amendments for the persons with the disabilities act because we thought in order to bring the right regulations, we needed to make some amendments....I’m optimistic that we’re going to have a good year.”

‘MY HONOUR’S DESERVED AND IT’S LONG OVERDUE’

from page one

in the business and sports communities.

The award has come under fire from the Progressive Liberal Party, its Leader Philip “Brave” Davis saying he was “appalled” by government’s recommendation to knight Mr Kelly.

Yesterday, the former minister in Sir Roland Symonette’s Cabinet said he doubted the Opposition’s criticisms would get them more support.

“Well you know when Sir Geoffrey (Johnstone) got his I should have gotten mine. I just got a CMG and he got a KCMG so they made amends,” Mr Kelly told The Tribune.

“I expected it earlier,” he said when asked if he saw the honour as long overdue. “I am quite happy.

Even though I have already won I can’t jump around (because) I’m 91.”

Speaking of his contributions over the years, Mr Kelly said he has long “given a lot” to the Royal Bahamas Police Force and was an attorney for 66 years, adding he retired not long before his knighthood was announced.

He’s also contributed much to sports, particularly in the sailing arena.

“I have always helped,” he said.

Responding to the PLP, Mr Kelly suggested he was not surprised by the party’s attacks. “Well, of course,” he said when told the opposition felt he was undeserving of this award. “You can’t stop the opposition. They say everything that they can to hurt you. They should have been more gracious.

“I don’t think they are going to get anymore votes

by hammering me.”

His wife Sonia said she believed he deserved the recognition, noting she had been by his side through years of sacrifice and hard work.

She said: “Well I am very thrilled for him, absolutely.

It’s too bad it’s so late in coming, but better late than never.”

On Monday, Mr Davis told The Nassau Guardian the situation raised questions over what the governing party was saying to Bahamians. He also questioned whether the knighthood was an effort by the Free National Movement to rewrite history or award people with ideologies that treated Bahamians like second-class citizens.

Mr Davis said those with knowledge of the UBP’s educational policies during Mr Kelly’s tenure as minister “would be appalled that

ORDER of Distinction honouree Godfrey Kelly, who is to be a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff he is being awarded such a prestigious award”.

PLP chairman Fred Mitchell also chimed in saying he disagreed with the recommendation.

Former National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest was among the 2020 honours for Commander of the Most Excellent Order of The British Empire (CBE) and FNM chairman Carl Culmer received the British Empire Medal for service in politics.

In a statement Mr Mitchell said the nomination of Mr Culmer and Mr Kelly displayed a government

that is driven by “shameless partisanship” since there was “no objective evidence” to support their awards.

“It appears that Mr Culmer is being rewarded by the prime minister for his very harmful brand of personal political attacks, diatribe and invective while unwittingly providing political cover and justification for every corrupt misdeed by this FNM administration,” the statement read.

He added: “The knighthood for Godfrey Kelly is a continued and studied

attempt to rewrite Bahamian history. This is the man who presided as minister of education in the last ignoble UBP administration and was responsible for the education policies that retarded the country’s growth and national development, under educating the black majority in the country. What has he done since then to make national amends?”

He insisted that history should not be rewritten and urged the government to “cease trying to make right what was wrong”.

‘DECRIMINALISING MARIJUANA WILL CAUSE MORAL DESTRUCTION’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BISHOP Walter Hanchell has denounced marijuana decriminalisation, saying it will cause moral destruction, a spike in criminal activity and greater social ills.

“The decriminalisation of marijuana and legalisation for medicinal use is all about the mighty dollar, money,” he said in a statement by Citizens for Justice Bahamas. It is not clear how many people are a part of the group.

“Marijuana is a mindaltering drug and not food or a product to be sold in our stores. Proponents for the legalisation of recreational marijuana have been sharing their version while advocates wait in the wings to invest in their pot shops.

The government is looking at income that may be derived from taxes on this drug.”

Bishop Hanchell wants a national education programme on marijuana “before the findings for the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana’s

Report is debated in Parliament”.

The BNCM recommends decriminalisation of up to one ounce of marijuana, according to its draft preliminary report leaked to the media.

As part of its work, the BNCM surveyed Bahamians’ views through several town-hall meetings. Nonetheless, Bishop Hanchell said: “We will not allow the government to ram this down our throats as was done by the former PLP administration after losing the gambling referendum. It

is our request that the government of the Bahamas conduct widespread public consultation and nationally broadcasted town meetings in each constituency. Speakers will debate the pros and cons of marijuana use. The views of the people should be heard before parliamentarians begin debate in the House of Assembly.”

Bishop Hanchell said he is awaiting the position and recommendations of the Bahamas Christian Council on this matter.

Council president Bishop Delton Fernander said

BPL REMINDER OVER POWER CHARGE

By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Power and Light has reminded customers about an upcoming change to bills in 2020, saying that in the midst of this the company is committed to correcting their many challenges.

A statement issued by BPL read: “We are confident in the long-term plans to improve BPL’s operating performance and our service delivery to our customers. However, in the short term, we must address the failures and neglect that have plagued BPL for many years.”

By March 2020, customers will see a new line labelled ‘National Utility Charge’ on their monthly bills.

The power provider said it hopes that the new fee structure that comes along with an increase for customers will help in reducing energy costs in the future.

“By our initial estimates, however most, if not all of any cost increase to consumers will be offset by savings resulting from our

new cheaper energy generation within the next year.

Meanwhile, this fee will allow BPL to service a bond that restructures about $321m in debt while allowing us to invest in new and more efficient generation capacity,” the statement read.

In rectifying what BPL is calling ‘legacy issues’, the company said it is already preparing for the high peak seasons. BPL said that they will continue to update customers on their progress and answer any concerns.

BPL’s statement also said: “In order to invest in the future and deliver more reliable energy that is less costly over time, BPL must service this debt now to make investments for the future. The summer load shedding was a prime example of what happens when a company fails to maintain existing equipment or invest in new, more efficient generators. Doing nothing will only make things far worse as we have already seen.

The best way to restructure the debt while continuing to upgrade our generation

capacity and modernise our control systems is through the National Utility Investment Bond.”

The House of Assembly passed the Electricity Rate Reduction Bond Act 2019 last month that allowed BPL to be bailed out by customers paying a rate reduction bond fee in monthly bills.

In November, Works Minister Desmond Bannister told parliament that the government is seeking to raise $650m for the cash-strapped corporation. “We will safeguard the stability of BPL by refinancing existing legacy debt owed by BEC and

BPL to commercial banks of approximately $320m which falls due in December 2019. This permits the debt to be repaid on more flexible terms over a period of 20 to 30 years as opposed to the current short-term rolling debt,” he said.

Mr Bannister continued: “We will fund critical infrastructure investments of approximately $220m which will stabilise the electricity system of The Bahamas, expand generation capacity, reduce the cost of fuel, help meet government solar objectives, and improve metering collections.”

Monday he will refrain from commenting until the official report of the marijuana commission is released.

“Everything America and Europe does, our leaders somehow believe that they are obligated to follow,” Bishop Hanchell said.

“They have no vision for a prosperous, godly and safe Bahamas. We do not need to follow the crowd, nor should we as a nation allow ourselves to be bullied or intimidated by the United Nations, the European Union, the United

States of America or any of their agencies. The Bahamas must truly remain a sovereign nation under God and different from other nations.”

“What the Bahamas needs now more than anything else are leaders who care and have a heart for the people. We need leaders who are smart enough to understand that they are servants of the people and not their masters. May God give us wise, humble and caring leaders with courage and integrity in the church and in government.”

PAGE 4, Thursday, January 2, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

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What can true ambition achieve?

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is nothing if not ambitious.

In today’s Tribune, he talks of his plans for his remaining seven years in office. Voters, of course, might have their own say on that matter - and not since the 1990s has any party had more than one consecutive term in office.

But let’s peer through this looking glass into an FNM-led future, what would a stable government bring?

The first goal Dr Minnis mentions is closing the gap of inequality – “to allow more of the poor and the indigent to share in the wealth”.

He says he wants to create more job opportunities for the poor, and also wants to “uplift the inner city”.

Certainly the inner city has been part of Dr Minnis’ focus since being elected – between tax-free areas being set up and the creation of economic empowerment zones.

These have met with mixed success – earlier this year The Tribune reported on the slow uptake of concessions for the Over-the-Hill zone, but Dr Minnis responded that “it’s amazing that the inner city was neglected for 50 years and you want resolution in one. That’s impossible”.

The programme also includes goals such as creating a food market for native products, eliminating outside toilet use by 2025, creating an auto-mechanic cluster to eliminate roadside mechanics in residential areas, building a community centre offering care for children and so on.

These are the goals that, presumably, a successful prime minister would be looking back on at the end of his two terms.

It’s good to have such resolutions – and New Year is always a good time to reiterate such resolutions, although we might say such goals are rather hazy.

Let’s put some definite figures on those goals – what unemployment rate

are we aiming for? What exactly does uplift mean for people living in the inner city? Improving education results?

Increasing wages?

And how is the wealth to be shared out? What will stop a greater share of wealth being gobbled up by the already wealthy and how will he ensure the poor see their share grow? After all, the poor will have been hit hardest by the increase in VAT. Toss the new BPL charge onto people’s shoulders too and the climb isn’t looking any easier yet.

These things are easy to say but harder to do – and leaving goals hazy means the slightest increase can be claimed as a victory. A two-term government, one would hope, would be looking for more than slight margins.

And while few expect success in one year, people are going to need to feel the start of the benefits before the next election if Dr Minnis is to have a hope of carrying through his plans and not seeing his government replaced.

So we applaud a goal of closing the gap between rich and poor, while noting the challenge facing any government of trying to reach such goals while flipping between parties from one election to the other.

If only we could be more non-partisan in some of the goals we aim for as a nation. The Vision2040 document was one such effort to create a road map for the future of The Bahamas, but that was jettisoned by the Minnis government once it took office.

Instead, we have Minnis’ Vision 2027 – which might or might not last beyond 2022.

Imagine if we could agree on goals for beyond each of those years, goals that all sides found worthy and aimed towards.

Goals to tackle poverty, climate change, job creation and more.

After all, why settle for a vision for the next seven years when you can aim for the next 20?

Love thy neighbour EDITOR, The Tribune.

CLEARLY 2019 will be remembered for that mega Gurricane Dorian and the devastation.

We, the Bahamian public, showed a side of our demeanour that was being challenged, the charitable donations were impressive — the roll–up–the–sleeve persons were admirable – let’s hope this continues through 2020. More love thy neighbour will stop crime.

Oh, those single use plastic bags.. I know the environmentalists will scream but really this is a

political knee-jerk exercise... is there any definitive stat which inclines how many supermarket plastic bags end up in the seas around our islands? I doubt it is very high.

Look, plastic bags 30 years ago should have been banned, but who sells the liquid which makes the bags? The arch polluter of the globe the global Oil Companies and Government are still willing to do business with them.

Was it Minister Ferreira who mentioned recently that evidence has been found that our fresh fish

come with an unfriendly component — fine fibre plastic — surely the Ministry of Fisheries and Health should have a serious health warning to the consuming public.

The supermarkets in the transition should have been required to provide free the cloth bags as they will be saving the costs of purchasing the plastic banned bags.

No we have to buy them.

Will we see some price reduction in the supermarkets? Hell no.

W THOMPSON Nassau, December 30, 2019.

Ondaatje book Off the grid a bargain in many ways EDITOR, The Tribune.

The 400-page hardcover book, Profiles in Literature, by Christopher Ondaatje, on sale at The Tribune for only $20 per copy, is the buy of the Century!

Of course, being a 6th-generation Bahamian, I went straight to the chapter about the famous murder in Nassau. I was well rewarded!

RONALD LIGHTBOURN Nassau, December 31, 2019.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Re: Dionisio - We Need To Raise Our Game.

The Tribune, December 30, 2019.

WE might be more successful if we promoted ourselves with honesty as an ‘OffThe-Grid’ tourism destination - complete with domes of course.

KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, December 30, 2019.

Where does the buck stop?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

SEVERAL weeks ago I was interviewed on the Steve McKinney show. It was a wide-ranging interview. Among other things, the performance of the present government, and in particular, the performance of the Hon Carl Bethel, QC, was discussed.

It concerned the Government being sued for over $186m for alleged breach of contract and the way it is being handled. I said that the Hon Carl Bethel, QC. should resign or be fired, and pointed out that in any civilised country he would have been long gone.

Never once did I mention my brother’s case. Even I, who am not a lawyer, much less a QC, knows that the details of any case before the courts are not supposed to be discussed outside the court. I always understood that to do so would be contempt of court.

But the Hon Carl Bethel, QC, in all his glory and might has now done this on two occasions, first in the Smith or Gibson case and now in my brother’s case. And oddly enough, the Attorney General was not brought before the court and charged with contempt.

I do admit, however, it was my brother’s case that brought me to investigate what was going on.

On investigation, I found a large, rotten can of worms, and that can of worms showed that the Government is being sued for more than $186m for contracts which, it is claimed, they have refused to pay.

I could not believe it but was told by three different people that the Attorney General told them that he would squeeze them and force them to sue and then

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net have the case stretched out for five years. The business, which held a claim against the government, would be overwhelmed by legal fees, etc and eventually be brought to its knees.

True? It seems to be.

Just read the Kingman Ingraham case, which has recently been published in The Tribune.

Some people say that this is the Attorney General’s way of negotiating.

Negotiating? I would call that blackmail or extortion. I’ll give you examples of extortion/blackmail, negotiating, and you can be the judge.

The first example is of a person who walks into a grocery store, sees an apple on the shelf and a sign that says $10.00. The person picks it up, eats it and says to the store manager: “I’m only going to pay you $5.00 for this”. When the store manager objects, the person says: “If you don’t like it take me to court and furthermore, I’ll see that your licence to sell groceries is taken from you”.

Faced with large legal fees and being put out of business, the store manager relents and accepts the $5.00.

Is this extortion/blackmail, or negotiating? I say extortion/blackmail. You be the judge!

The second example is of a person who walks into a grocery store, sees an apple on the shelf and a sign that says $10.00. The person picks it up, eats it and says to the store manager: “I liked the apple, would you give a 10% discount if I bought 50 apples from you?” The store manager

says: “I will only give you a 5% discount”. “What about 7%”, says the person?

“OK,” says the store manager, “it’s a deal”.

Is this extortion/blackmail or negotiating? I say negotiating. You be the judge.

Which scenario fits the case of the $186m?

It is curious to note that in the statement the Attorney General, The Hon Carl Bethel QC, made in my brother’s case, and the Ingraham case, was that he had been “advised by lawyers” that there was no case.

Let me remind this brilliant QC that the boss always takes the blame.

After all, the final decision is his. He’s a QC; he should know better. Sometimes I think he must have gotten his QC in a grab bag.

If he is so certain of his decisions, he would be anxious that the cases were brought to court immediately.

I was always taught to believe that the Court, not the Attorney General, made the decision as to who was wrong and who was right.

But, I suppose, the Hon Carl Bethel, QC, will blame this tardiness on the Judges.

The Attorney General does not seem to be man enough to take the blame for something for which he is responsible.

Finally, a word to the Prime Minister; remember that Harry Truman said, “The buck stops here”, as he pointed to himself.

PIERRE V L DUPUCH Former MP, Nassau, September 30, 2019.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 2, 2020, PAGE 5

Night of the Saxons

from page one

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis rushing with Saxons.

Mortimer, who also confirmed that Junkanoo groups Genesis and The Prodigal Sons did not participate in the ‘A’ group category in this event.

It is unclear, however, why the respective groups did not participate at the 2020 parade.

Speaking on the matter to reporters yesterday, Mr Mortimer said: “There was no group that was disqualified for the New Year.

Genesis was here, but they decided not to parade.

Prodigal Sons, I cannot comment on that because they actually did not show up to the parade.”

Up to press time, calls to representatives from each group were unsuccessful.

Speaking of the Saxons’ victory, Kendenique Campbell-Moss, the group’s public relations director, told The Tribune that they felt the win was “well-deserved” and “well-fought” for.

“The Saxons Superstars did a wonderful job on Bay Street. We brought the views that is indigenous to the islands of The Bahamas and…we are grateful because it’s been a while and it’s been quite some time (since we won) and the group has been through great transitioning and we will not stand here and say that this win wasn’t heartfelt,” she said.

Her comments come amidst controversy surrounding the 2019 Boxing Day parade, which had unofficially declared the Valley Boys as the winners.

PERFORMERS with the Saxons group on their way to victory in the New Year parade. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff On Monday, Junkanoo Corporation New Providence (JCNP) chairman Mr Dion Miller revealed to The Tribune that four to six groups will be contesting the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade results.

When asked if the Saxons felt that the win compensated for their loss during the Boxing Day parade, Mrs Campbell-Moss replied: “In a way, it makes up and in a way, it gives us an opportunity to look forward and forecast for better results, and it gives us an opportunity to do that... Junkanoo is evolving and we must evolve with the culture and

the craftsmanship of Junkanoo so we will do what we have to do in our efforts to do just that.:” Meanwhile, in the B category, Colours Entertainment continued its domination of the Junkanoo parades, capturing the unofficial top spot with a total of 78.33 points. Finishing second with 64.94 points was The Original Congos.

The Fancy Dancers placed third with 64.45 points, followed by Conquerors for Christ, Body of Christ and Redland Soldiers who finished at fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

PAGE 6, Thursday, January 2, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

VALLEY BOYS

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

KALIKERS

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 2, 2020, PAGE 7

ONE FAMILY

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

PAPER BOYS

WULFF ROAD SOUTHSIDE BOYS

PAGE 8, Thursday, January 2, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

ROOTS

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

PHI BETA SIGMA

STING

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 2, 2020, PAGE 9

ONE of the individual pieces teases Environment Minister Romi Ferreira for his comments after Hurricane Dorian about the “three birds, one goat” affected by the oil spill in Grand Bahama.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

COLOURS

CONQUERORS FOR CHRIST

PAGE 10, Thursday, January 2, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

We’ve read this script before - now for Bush read Trump

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

AS AMERICANS awoke on New Year’s Day, their thoughts may have initially been of a reflective nature, contemplating the end of one astonishing decade in their recent history and legitimately wondering what the next ten years might bring to top the tumult and turmoil to which they have unfortunately become accustomed.

Not so fast.

Yesterday’s headlines reminded Americans and the world that Washington’s decisions and actions taken over 15 years ago have consequences far beyond the immediate daily TV news cycle. In invading Iraq and toppling Saddam Hussein in 2003, the US made several huge errors.

First, the pretext for the invasion was spurious. Remember the whole Weapons of Mass Destruction search? And in any case, the real target after 9/11 was Afghanistan and its border regions with Pakistan, which afforded a safe harbour for Osama bin Laden and his malevolent colleagues.

Then the US compounded its initial error by clumsily dispatching many of the elements that could have helped to resurrect a viable, even democratic Iraq. Iran and its surrogates moved gratefully into the ensuing vacuum and have gradually resumed the level of influence in

Baghdad that they enjoyed before Saddam Hussein consolidated his position in a bloody conflict with Iran from 1980-88.

Now, though, Iran seems to be back in earnest. The world saw images this week showing presumably Tehran-backed mobs breaching the perimeter security of the huge fortress-like American Embassy in Baghdad that were eerily and most uncomfortably reminiscent of scenes from over four decades ago.

Flags were burned. Banners were hung on fences.

Insults were shouted. Fists were clenched and thrust into the air. There was anger everywhere.

On November 4, 1979, the US Embassy in Iran’s capital was stormed and overrun by Iranian mobs angered by America’s continuing embrace of the repressive and corrupt regime of the Shah of Iran.

The US suffered the humiliation of dozens of its staff members being held hostage for 444 days, literally until the day when newlyelected American President Ronald Reagan took office in January 1981. Predecessor Jimmy Carter had to slink out of Washington, his bid for a second term as president at least partially undone by the Iranians.

The Iranian government was then taken over in a revolution by militant Muslim clerics whose

successors continue in power today in Tehran.

Engaged in 1979 - as now in an uneasy but mutually beneficial relationship with Moscow, the Iranian religious leaders will still not yield to America – four decades ago - as now - dubbed The Great Satan.

Many will recall that when Barack Obama took office in 2009, one of his diplomatic goals was to engage in fruitful and respectful dialogue with “rogue” nations like Iran.

Eventually, this approach helped to produce the Iran Nuclear Deal which was implemented four years ago. Among the signatories to that deal were Russia and China.

US President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to disavow that multilateral attempt to bring Iran more compatibly into the cooperative company of the West, upon whose trade dollars Iran depends for the foreign exchange that helps to quiet its restive middle class. Trump kept that campaign promise, withdrawing America from the nuclear deal even as the other signatories vainly protested.

While Trump has occasionally flirted with reaching out to Iran to practice his own brand of personal public diplomacy, he has mostly demonised the Islamic republic.

But Trump also

Funeral Service For

Ms. Deanne Marsha Bain, 65 a resident of #2 Lewis Street, Nassau Village, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 3rd, 2020 at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Church and Shirley Streets. Officiating will be Canon Crossley Walkine assisted by other Ministers of the Gospel.

Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.

She is survived by her children: Dr. Chervon Mackey-Morley; son-in-law: Ishmael Morley; son: Leonard Roberts; grandson: Michael Morley; siblings: Cheryl Fernander, Craig (Candice) Bain, Lamar (Algernon) Cargill, Carla and Stephen (Markella) Bain; nephews: Andrew, Marvin, Anthony Hutchinson, Alexis, Craig, Makale and Stephen Jr. Bain, Dr. Algernon, Aldyn, and Alvan Cargill; nieces: Raquel Anderson, Cutelle Bain-Nelson, Chavasse and Skylar Bain, Dr. Alaina Cargill; grandnieces and nephews: Ethan Hutchinson, Caylee and Chasey Nelson, Elle, Logan, Aubrey and Alvan-Alexander Cargill; additional siblings: Arnold Jr., Sunetta, Rhonda, Emily, Gaylene, Patricia, Curlene, John and Collin Bain; cousins and relatives including: Sylvia, Veronica, Nancy, Evangeline and Charles Forbes, Harold Longley, Dorothy Martin, Vincent Clarke, Harry Haygard, Dawn Ferguson, Charlene Rolle, Vernon Forde, Wendy Duncanson, Carol John, Jane and Anita Miller, Betty and Virginia Robinson, Cynthia Khan and Family; other relatives and friends including: Lewis White and Family, Shantel Hutchinson and Family, Ena Stubbs and Family, Charlamae Forbes and Family, Iris Finlayson and Family, Winifred Butler and Family, Mary Ferguson and Family, Monqiue Forbes and Family, Lisa Adderley and Family, Vivian Francis and Family, Angela White and Family, Sandra Francis and Family, Barbara Carroll and Family, Kim and Family, Garth Strachan and Family, Connie Daxon and Family, Pandora Darling and Family, Karen Jervis and Family, Pauline Bastian and Family, Mae Roberts and Family, The Christie Family, Glen Mackey and Family, The Morley Family, Madge Cargill and Family, Sophie Moss and Family, Kim Outten-Stubbs and Family, Dorothy Horton and Family, Linda Burrows and Family, Members of the Friendship Tabernacle Church, Ministry of Education Family, the clergy Family including: Canon Crosley and Janet Walkine, Reverend Angela and Father James Palacious, Canon Sebastian Campbell, Rev. Chitan Thompson, Father Don Haynes, Father James Moultrie, Father Andrew Toppin, Father Lynden Douglas, St. Matthew’s Church Family, St. Matthew’s Sr. Choir, St. Matthew’s Girls’ Brigade Family, St. Matthew’s Cursillo Movement Family, Holy Cross Church Family, Christ the King Church Family, St. Gregory’s Church Family, Bahamas Customs Family, and many more relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Cedar Crest Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd, Robinson and Baillou Hill Roads, on Thursday from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m., and at the church, on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

AN IRAQI soldier stands guard in front of smoke rising from a fire set by pro-Iranian militiamen and their supporters in the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq.

Photo: Nasser Nasser/AP campaigned on a prom- come out second best in generally commands wideise to pull US troops any dispute. He will surely spread allegiance among back from unwise over- remember Jimmy Carter’s American voters. He might seas commitments and to fate in dealing with Iran. remember the lesson of But on the other hand, George W Bush, whose avoid getting involved in any more “stupid foreign what if Trump sees no way errors in Iraq led to the wars”. He is a man who to avoid seeming weak current mess, but who was likes to keep his campaign except to initiate a military nonetheless re-elected escalation that would surely in 2004 – as a wartime promises.

So now, Trump faces per- threaten a wider conflict president. haps his most significant in the highly combustible It’s enough to take your international challenge. Middle East? No more mind off impeachment for On the one hand, he “stupid wars”. a while. That might be just But he might also recall what the doctor ordered for clearly wishes to avoid ever appearing weak or having that a wartime president Trump.

BRADY AND THE PLAYOFF BUNCH MEANWHILE, the NFL regular season is complete, and the playoff field is set – as usual, with no participation from either New York or Washington.

Nor from Chicago or Los Angeles or Dallas. League executives who watch television ratings might feel a bit uneasy at the absence of these large markets from the 2019 post-season line-up.

Saturday will feature two AFC games. In the early contest, the Buffalo Bills visit Houston. The Bills have a sturdy defence but an inconsistent quarterback. The Texans are playoff battle-tested and are likely to have defensive star JJ Watt active for this game. Houston’s Deshaun Watson is much the superior quarterback.

Later, shockingly, perennial division winner and six-time Super Bowl champion New England is playing on the first playoff weekend for the first time in a decade. The Patriots will host the upstart Tennessee Titans, who are led by the league’s leading rusher Derrick Henry. This season has been full of hand-wringing by the sports punditry about Pats QB Tom Brady, who is now 42-years-old. Is this finally when age catches up with him? Likely not this weekend.

On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints host Minnesota in the first game. The Saints, long touted in this space, are heavy favourites. Their own 40-year-old future Hall of Famer, Drew Brees is reassuringly back at the helm after an

injury sidelined him for five Saints wins earlier in the season. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has a history of playing small in big games.

Later, the Seattle Seahawks travel all across the country to visit Philadelphia and are the only road betting favourites of the weekend. The banged-up Eagles are noble warriors and nimble opportunists, but they are champions of the NFL’s weakest division. The Seahawks came literally within inches Sunday night of winning the league’s toughest division.

Resting and waiting to play next weekend are the four top teams in this year’s standings, Baltimore and Kansas City in the AFC and San Francisco and Green Bay in the NFC.

THE GREATEST LEAGUE ON EARTH NOW let’s turn to the world’s best, most exciting league in any sport. The NBA and the NFL surely command devoted followings in far-flung regions well beyond American frontiers.

The NFL may expand with teams in London and Mexico City during this decade. And basketball has gained a solid footing in China and Europe and is successfully pursuing an expanded global footprint.

But soccer is the world’s sport, and the English Premier League is its best club showcase. This season has lacked suspense at the top of the league standings, as current European Champions League titleholders Liverpool have not lost since last January in the EPL and currently enjoy a seemingly insurmountable

lead en route to their first league title in 30 years.

No suspense at the top, but no matter. As the EPL’s teams battle each other in draconian dogfights throughout the “festive” Christmas period while the other major European leagues take a mid-season break, the real struggle is for the three 2020 Champions League places available alongside Liverpool.

Leicester and Manchester City seem poised to take two of those lucrative slots.

They can’t run with Liverpool, which may be one of the half dozen best clubs ever assembled. But they can certainly beat anyone else in the EPL. Both have shown skill and resiliency so far, but have also stumbled against lesser teams with much lower payrolls.

Indeed, upsets have become almost routine this season as an emerging middle class of teams is challenging the Big Six of Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and Man City.

Chelsea holds the last Champions League position today, but the Blues have a very young squad and a new manager in long-time club star Frank Lampard.

It’s less certain they can sustain a season-long pursuit of a top four position.

Arsenal and Tottenham have both replaced their managers this season, and while the new men will likely improve the teams’ performances, these venerable North London clubs may have to settle for rebuilding this season.

Happy New Year to all!

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 2, 2020, PAGE 11

BEWARE OF THE SMART DEVICE: WAYS TO STAY PRIVATE AND SAFE

By ANICK JESDANUN AP Technology Writer

it defeats the purpose of having a security camera.

NEW YORK (AP) — Did someone invite a spy into your home over the holidays? Maybe so, if a friend or family member gave you a voicecontrolled speaker or some other smart device.

It’s easy to forget, but everything from internet-connected speakers with voice assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa to television sets with built-in Netflix can be always listening — and sometimes watching, too. As with almost all new technology, installing such devices means balancing privacy risks with the conveniences they offer.

The research firm IDC estimates worldwide shipments of 815 million smart speakers, security cameras and other devices in 2019, up 23% from 2018. Many of the sales are for gifts.

You could sidestep the risks altogether by returning the devices right away. But if you decide to keep them — and the artificial intelligence behind them — there are a few things you can do to minimise their eavesdropping potential.

ARE SMART LOCKS SMART? Smart locks let you unlock doors with an app, so you can let in guests even when you’re not home. Burglars might try to hack the system, though it’s often easier for them to just break a window.

As a precaution, disable any capabilities to unlock doors through a smart speaker voice command, especially if you have prankster kids — or teens who might want to sneak someone in.

Though digital keys can be convenient for letting in guests and contractors, they can also leave a digital trail. In a child-custody dispute, for instance, your ex might subpoena the records to learn that you’ve been staying out late on school nights. If you rent and create a guest key that’s used daily, the landlord might suspect an unauthorised occupant.

THE SPEAKERS LISTEN ...

AND WATCH Smart speakers such as Amazon’s Echo and Google Home let you check weather and appointments with simple voice commands. Fancier versions come with cameras and screens.

Many of these devices listen constantly for commands and connect to corporate servers to carry them out. Typically, they will ignore private chatter and transmit sound recordings only when you trigger the device, such as by pressing a button or speaking a command phrase like “OK Google.” Some gadgets also have a mute button to disable the microphones completely.

But there’s no easy way for consumers to verify those safeguards. In one case, the Alexa assistant in an Echo device misheard background conversation as a command to send the chatter to an acquitance — and so it did.

One more catch: Voice commands sent over the internet are typically

5

A GOOGLE HOME HUB: Many of these internet-connected speaker devices listen constantly for commands and connect to corporate servers to carry them out.

Typically, they will ignore private chatter and transmit sound recordings only when you trigger the device, such as by pressing a button or speaking a command phrase like ‘OK Google.’ Some gadgets also have a mute button to disable the microphones completely. But there’s no easy way for consumers to verify those safeguards. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) stored indefinitely and may include conversations in the background.

They can be sought in lawsuits and investigations.

Reputable companies let you review and delete your voice history, Amazon now lets you request automatic deletions after three or 18 months — but you need to set that up, and there’s no option to keep Amazon from saving your command history at all.

Until recently, tech companies allowed employees and contractors to review the voice interactions for quality control — and some of those details leaked. Following a backlash, many companies are at least making it clearer and easier to opt out of human review. Pay attention to your choices.

If you have kids, set up a passcode for shopping if your speaker allows it. Otherwise, it can be child’s play for a kid to order toys and other goodies through Alexa.

As for those screen models, many also have cameras for video chats.

When you’re not using the device, consider turning it around to face

the wall, especially in the bedroom and other private settings. Or stick a bandage or some tape over the camera. It shouldn’t be recording, but why tempt fate?

SECURITY WITH SECURITY VIDEO Online security cameras let you check in on your pets or kids when you’re not home. Amazon’s Ring doorbell lets you check who’s at the door without getting up.

Here’s the rub: If you can view video on an app, it’s possible that a skilled hacker can, too.

When you use the same password at multiple services, a hacker stealing your password from one place can try it on the camera service, too.

So don’t reuse password. When available, enable two-factor authentication, which requires you to enter a temporary code sent as a text to ensure it’s you.

Again, you might want to turn the camera to face the wall when you’re home. It’s a pain, though, and if you forget to turn it back when you leave,

ABOUT THOSE TVs Many smart TVs and TV streaming devices come with mics for voice-activated playback controls and video search. That means having audio snippets transmitted over the internet.

The same warnings for smart speakers apply here.

There’s a simple fix if you aren’t using the internet features on your smart TV: Just don’t connect the TV to your Wi-Fi in the first place. Of course, this won’t work if you’re not using a separate gadget for streaming video.

TOYS THAT TALK Kids might get a kick out of dolls and other toys that talk back. But if the toy is connected to the internet, pay attention to how much control it’s giving parents and whether it’s letting kids connect to the outside world.

You can check online to see if other parents or consumer groups have identified problems.

And be sure to install the latest apps and other software updates, as they may come with fixes for flaws that can otherwise be exploited by hackers.

TIPS TO OPTIMISE YOUR GAMING EXPERIENCE

(BPT) You’ve just defeated the final boss in a game you’ve spent hours on.

You’re happy and ecstatic that your battle has been won and right before the game saves, your console shuts off. It’s all gone! If you love gaming, chances are there are plenty of things you don’t love when they happen - like freezing, glitches and crashing altogether. In order to have the best gaming experience possible, and to avoid some of the worst problems that can pop up, there are some things you can do - from low-tech to high-tech solutions - to ensure your hardware is up to whatever game you want to throw at it.

1. P REVENT OVERHEATING This may seem like a no-brainer, but when your computer overheats, it’s really bad for your system, potentially causing harm to your

video card and other parts of your equipment. Make sure your PC has adequate ventilation - and that nothing is blocking it.

In addition, you should clean your PC regularly to keep it from building up too much dust, which can also cause your system to overheat.

2. UPDATE DRIVERS If your graphics card driver isn’t up-to-date, you could start seeing artifacts and other visual glitches.

And if you haven’t done so already, upgrading to a dedicated graphics card can also improve your gaming experience.

Upgrading your CPU (processor) can make a big difference, too - especially in fast-moving games that need a lot of processor speed.

3. U PGRADE YOUR HARD DRIVE AND MEMORY If you’re playing on an older computer with an HDD

hard drive, consider upgrading to a Solid State Drive (SSD). This will help amp up your load times.

Likewise, installing more RAM will make everything run more smoothly. Without enough RAM, your games may stutter or not even run at all. Making sure you’re not running any other programs - and shutting down background programs running on your computer - can also help free up RAM and boost CPU power.

4. I NVEST IN A CUTTING-EDGE MONITOR Having a top-of-the-line monitor not only enhances the entire visual gaming experience, but it also prevents issues like tearing, which happens when the feed the video card sends to the monitor doesn’t sync up with the refresh rate of its display.

LG Electronic’s UltraGear Nano IPS NVIDIA G-SYNC gaming monitor is the world’s first 1 millisecond (ms) IPS

display. It can utilise Nano IPS technology to achieve phenomenal colour reproduction, an ultra-fast 1ms response time and a refresh rate of 144Hz, overclockable to 175Hz. It supports both the NVIDIA G-SYNC processor and VESA DisplayHDR 400 and is certified by NVIDIA through over 300 tests for performance and image quality to provide a great gaming experience. As a result, it can deliver smooth motion without tearing or stuttering, providing blazing speed and stunning picture quality for the most immersive gaming experience yet. The new gaming monitor is available in 38- and 27-inch screen sizes (models 38GL950G and 27GL850, respectively) and is the first IPS display capable of achieving 1ms Gray-to-Gray response time.

5. C HECK YOUR NETWORK CONNECTION For online gaming, ensure you have a good internet

connection to prevent lag.

If you’re using Wi-Fi, try switching to using an Ethernet connection instead. Stop or close any tasks sucking up bandwidth on your connection, like video streams or downloads, during your game play. You should also shut off any automatic updates that could slow down or interrupt your gaming.

If you’re using Windows 10, an easy fix is to activate Game Mode, and adjust the visual effects for “best performance.” Keeping your Windows system updated and getting rid of unnecessary programs will also help your machine run at top efficiency.

Maximising your gaming experience, so you can immerse yourself in the visuals and enjoy fast action free from glitches and stutters that mess up your game, requires at the very least a little maintenance, and at most, getting the best hardware available.

To check out the latest gaming monitors, visit LG.com.

TECHTALK BETTER BY DESIGN: SENIOR TECH BENEFITS FROM USER INPUT

(BPT) - The technology market for older users is booming. With the world’s 65-plus population poised to hit one billion by 2030, manufacturers are scrambling to find new ways to put digital products into the hands of this lucrative market.

But while they may be purchasing laptops, smartphones and tablets, many older users say they still don’t feel confident about using them. Researchers at the University of California at San Diego Health Sciences department found that many times frustration with new technology made older adults unsure of their ability to use it, leaving them unmotivated to even try.

The result is a significant shift in design philosophy for tech companies. The UCSD study stressed the need to “educate technology creators about older adults ... through pragmatic exercises that involve partnering with older adults to design future technologies.” Many have responded by shifting from a traditional “top down” model focused on technical development toward one that engages users in the design process to anticipate and overcome potential barriers.

One of the first to hit that sweet spot between technological innovation and user convenience is GrandPad, a unique tablet from wireless carrier Consumer Cellular designed specifically for users over age 75. Utilising large icons and intuitive touchscreen technology on a customised Android platform, it provides easy access to video messaging, internet browsing, music streaming, games and other essential functions.

It also offers caretakers and family members opportunities to interact with the user online or by using a companion smartphone app.

“Modern wireless technology offers really effective remedies for isolation and loneliness, which can debilitate our loved ones as they age,” noted Consumer Cellular CEO and co-founder John Marick. “But to get there, we have to recognise that standard technology design won’t always fit the bill.

It requires a new way of looking at things.”

GrandPad’s development model is slowly being mirrored by a wide range of other products designed to aid aging in place, allowing older adults to stay in their own homes longer.

“Technologies, including internet of things (IoT), Ambient/Active Assisted Living (AAL) robots and other artificial intelligence (AI), can support independent living,” the authors of the UC San Diego study wrote.

The key is finding ways to make this technology userfriendly and accessible so both consumers and caretakers derive maximum benefit.

For example, to aid its developers, GrandPad employs a chief gerontologist who offers critical insights during the design process to keep development focused on the needs and challenges of older adults.

It’s a practice being more widely deployed as products like wearable devices, home monitoring systems, automated medication dispensers and other in-home aids gain popularity in the marketplace.

PAGE 12, Thursday, January 2, 2020

POPE SAYS SORRY AFTER SLAPPING HAND OF WOMAN VATICAN CITY Associated Press POPE Francis has apologised for hitting the hand of a well-wisher who grabbed him and yanked him toward her.

In his new year’s wishes to the public in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday, Francis confessed to losing his patience with the woman while he was strolling in the square Tuesday night to admire the Vatican’s Nativity scene.

Cameras captured the scene when the woman, from behind a barrier, reached out and grabbed the pope’s hand, pulling him violently toward her.

Francis reacted sharply, exclaimed something and then slapped her hand so she would let him go.

Frowning in anger, he turned and strode away.

In his impromptu remarks Wednesday, Francis said “so many times we lose patience. Me, too.”

He then added “I say ‘excuse me’ for the bad example” he gave in the incident on Tuesday.

THE TRIBUNE

Militia backs off after US Embassy clashes BAGHDAD Associated Press IRAN-BACKED militiamen withdrew from the US Embassy compound in Baghdad on Wednesday after two days of clashes with American security forces, but US-Iran tensions remain high and could spill over into further violence.

The withdrawal followed calls from the government and senior militia leaders.

It ended a two-day crisis marked by the breach of the largest and one of the most heavily fortified US diplomatic missions in the world.

The attack and its volatile aftermath prompted the Pentagon to send hundreds of additional troops to the Middle East and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to delay a European and Central Asian trip.

In an orchestrated assault, hundreds of militiamen and their supporters broke into the embassy compound, destroying a reception area, smashing

IRAQI army soldiers are deployed in front of the US Embassy, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday. last week that killed a US windows and spraying fighters.

The US blamed the mili- contractor. graffiti on walls to protest The protesters set up a US airstrikes against an tia for a rocket attack on Iran-backed militia over an Iraqi military base in tent camp overnight and on the weekend that killed 25 the northern city of Kirkuk Wednesday set fire to the reception area and hurled stones at US Marines guarding the compound, who responded with tear gas. There were no injuries on either side and no American staff were evacuated from the compound.

The Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group of state-allied militias — many backed by Iran — called on its supporters to withdraw in response to an appeal by the Iraqi government, saying “your message has been received”.

By late afternoon the tents had been taken down and the protesters relocated to the opposite side of the Tigris River, outside the so-called Green Zone housing government offices and foreign embassies. US Apache helicopters circled overhead.

“After achieving the intended aim, we pulled out from this place triumphantly,” said Fadhil al-Gezzi, a militia supporter.

“We rubbed America’s nose in the dirt.”

Trump has vowed to exact a “big price” for an attack he blamed squarely on Iran.

Kataeb Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia targeted by the US airstrikes, initially refused to leave but later bowed to demands to disperse. The militia is separate from the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, though both are backed by Iran.

“We don’t care about these planes that are flying over the heads of

Photo: Nasser Nasser/AP the picketers. Neither do we care about the news that America will bring Marines,” said Mohammed Mohy, a spokesman for Kataeb Hezbollah. “On the contrary, this shows a psychological defeat and a big mental breakdown that the American administration is suffering from,” he said, before withdrawing from the area.

The violence came as Iran and its allies across the region have faced unprecedented mass protests in recent months and heavy US sanctions have cratered Iran’s economy.

Iraq has been gripped by anti-government protests since October fueled by anger at widespread corruption and economic mismanagement, as well as Iran’s heavy influence over the country’s affairs.

Those protesters were not involved in the embassy attack.

The Pentagon sent an infantry battalion of about 750 soldiers to the Middle East. A US official familiar with the decision said they would go to Kuwait.

Pompeo postponed a trip that was scheduled to start in Ukraine late Thursday so that he can monitor developments in Iraq and “ensure the safety and security of Americans in the Middle East,” said State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus.

Iran denied involvement in the attack on the embassy. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted by media as saying that “if the Islamic Republic makes a decision to confront any country, it will do it directly”.

A HELICOPTER tackles a wildfire in Victoria state, Australia.

WILDFIRE DEATH TOLL RISES PERTH, Australia Associated Press

AUSTRALIA deployed military ships and aircraft yesterday to help communities ravaged by apocalyptic wildfires that have left at least 17 people dead nationwide and sent thousands of residents and holidaymakers fleeing to the shoreline.

Navy ships and military aircraft were bringing water, food and fuel to towns where supplies were depleted and roads were cut off by the fires. Authorities confirmed three bodies were found on Wednesday at Lake Conjola on the south coast of New South Wales, bringing the death toll in the state to 15.

More than 175 homes have been destroyed in the region.

Some 4,000 people in the coastal town of Mallacoota fled to the shore as winds pushed a fire toward their homes under a sky darkened by smoke and turned blood-red by flames.

Stranded residents and vacationers slept in their cars, and gas stations and surf clubs transformed into evacuation areas. Dozens of homes burned before winds changed direction late Tuesday, sparing the rest of the town.

Victoria Emergency Commissioner Andrew Crisp told reporters the Australian Defence Force was moving naval assets to Mallacoota on a supply mission that would last two weeks and helicopters would also fly in more firefighters since roads were inaccessible.