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Cruise lines miss out on port project Global targets 25-year contract with $250m plan By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE cruise lines were yesterday reassured they will not face excessive port fees after the government selected Global Ports Holding’s $250m bid to redevelop Prince George Wharf. Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar said he wanted to increase passenger spending in Nassau by at least 20-30 percent, and urged cruise lines not to be fearful after their port bid was rejected. Mr D’Aguilar, pictured right, said that concerns over the potential conflict of interest resulting from the cruise lines owning the Nassau port operator while also being its main customers was the main reason why the industry’s alliance with the Bahamian investor group, Cruise Ports International, was turned down. Comparing such a situation to “the airlines running Lynden Pindling International Airport”, Mr D’Aguilar said questions would inevitably arise at times as to whether the
cruise lines were acting in their - or the Nassau cruise port’s - best interests.He added that selecting the cruise line-backed bid would have been unacceptable to the Bahamian people, given rising concerns about whether it has too much power over The Bahamas given that the majority of the economic benefits appear to be retained by the industry itself. Asked why the government selected Global Ports Holding’s offer, Mr D’Aguilar said: “It was far more transformative, far more iconic. We felt this proposal allowed for, offered the best possibility to as many hardworking Bahamians as possible to become shareholders. “It’s a concern of every Bahamian to have the cruise companies running your port. Are they looking out for their best interests or the best interests of the port? That was the main reason. We don’t think having the cruise lines run the port would be acceptable to the Bahamian people. ” FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
HOW the new waterfront could look, according to plans submitted in the Global Ports Holding proposal.
NOW TRIO ACCUSE POLICE OF TORTURE By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Royal Bahamas Police Force is being sued for allegedly torturing three innocent people in a bid to secure confessions from them. Two men and a woman in Eleuthera, who were questioned at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station in January, 2018, say they were bound, beaten and fish-bagged before being released without charge. One claimed police poured hot sauce into his eyes. The trio made formal complaints at the
THE TRIO: Dale Gibson Jr, Chavette Strachan and Kenton Fines. Complaints and Corruption branch of the Force but, after hearing nothing for more than a year, they are pursuing their case in court. The Tribune is reporting their story for the first time after an in-depth investigation. On January 18, 2018,
armed men robbed the C and AA Service Station at Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, shooting Joel Stubbs, an employee of the station, before escaping with a large sum of cash. The Eleutheran newspaper
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE THREE
SURVIVAL RATE SHOCK FOR KIDS CANCERS By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas faces a massive uphill battle to improve survival rates for children with cancer and other auto-immune diseases. Complicating the problem is the fact that 87 percent of the Princess Margaret Hospital’s children’s wards have been closed since Hurricane Matthew in 2016 — forcing patients to wait in the accident and emergency department for days for a bed in its only operational paediatric ward. SEE PAGE FIVE
PAGE 2, Monday, February 25, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
4c’s pair set to go to court By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net 4C’S ADVENTURES owner Clayton Smith and one of his captains, Roderick Watson, are to stand trial over allegations they caused the death of an American woman and injured nine other people due to negligence when their charter boat burst
into flames last year. The two men, of Stuart Manor, Exuma, pleaded not guilty to one count each of manslaughter by negligence and nine counts of causing negligent harm when charged before Justice Bernard Turner on Friday concerning the deadly explosion in waters off Barraterre, Exuma, on June 30, 2018. A trial date was not set. Instead, Justice Turner
transferred the matter to judge Carolita Bethel. The two men, who are free on $10,000 bail each, will return to Justice Bethel’s court on March 8 for a mention hearing and a trial date may be set. Watson and Smith must report to the George Town, Exuma, police station every Wednesday before 6pm as part of their bail conditions until they appear before Justice Bethel.
4C’s Adventures owner Clayton Smith, left, and one of his captains, Roderick Watson. It is alleged the pair’s negligence caused the death of Tennessee native Maleka Johnson, and also negligently caused harm to her husband of 15 years, Tiran Jackson, who had to have one of his legs amputated. Similarly, the pair was accused of negligently causing harm to 22-year-old Vermont-native Stephanie Schaffer, who had to have both of her legs amputated. Smith and Watson
are further alleged to have caused negligent harm to Stephanie Schaffer’s sister, Brooke Schaffer, her mother, Stacey Bender, and Paul Bender, her mother’s husband. Smith and Watson are also alleged to have negligently caused harm to John Inman, Sheila Jones, Haiden Jones, and Kyle Ackerman. Shortly after 9am on June 30 last year, a 40ft chartered tour boat was
travelling in waters off Barraterre, Exuma, with ten tourists and two Bahamians on board, when an engine exploded, causing the boat to catch fire. The ten people on board the vessel were injured and taken to the mini hospital in George Town. One of those injured, Mrs Jackson, died of her injuries, while several others were airlifted for further medical treatment.
LABOUR DAY DRIVER DENIES NEGLIGENCE AFTER FOUR DIE
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
THE man whose truck mowed into a crowd during last year’s Labour Day parade has denied allegations that he negligently caused the death of four women and injured eight other people as a result. Travis Lamar Sawyer denied all four counts of manslaughter by negligence and eight additional counts of negligently causing harm when formally charged before Justice Bernard Turner on Friday. Justice Turner transferred the matter to Justice Gregory Hilton, and Sawyer will return to court on February 28 for a mention hearing and to possibly receive a trial date. His $8,000 bail, granted by Justice Turner in September, continues until that time. It is alleged that on June 1, 2018, Sawyer, by means of unlawful harm, negligently caused the deaths of 41-year-old Tabitha Haye, 48-year-old Tami Patrice Gibson, 51-yearold Kathleen Fernander and 55-year-old Dianna Gray-Ferguson.
TRAVIS Lamar Sawyer at an earlier hearing. It is also alleged that he negligently caused harm to eight other persons – Annabelle Gibson, Allez Lightbourne, Christine Adderley, Kimberlin Johnson, Kyren Johnson, Makeba Ford, Ruth Stuart and Philippa Forbes. Shortly after 10am on the date in question, the annual Labour Day parade was walking north on East Street in the vicinity of Shirley Street, when a green Ford F150 truck, which was a part of the parade, descended the hill towards Shirley Street.
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The vehicle, which at the time had no driver, ran into a number of people who were a part of the parade, resulting in them receiving injuries. The vehicle came to a stop after hitting a Nissan vehicle, parked in a nearby parking lot. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene, while 26 others were taken to hospital. Two women later died at the hospital, which was forced into mass casualty mode. Sawyer is represented by lawyer Barry Sawyer and Renaldo Toote.
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Monday, February 25, 2019, PAGE 3
Police accused of torture
from page one
reported that according to police, three men were taken into custody in connection with the incident, with a team of Central Detective Unit officers from New Providence assisting on the island. On January 26, 2018 the newspaper provided an update: according to police, the men were released from custody without being charged along with two other people who had been arrested, a woman and a man. Among them were Chavette Strachan, 29, Dale Gibson Jr, 29, and Kenton Fines, 27, who have since taken legal action against the RBPF. On February 8, 2018, police arrested and charged different people with attempted murder and armed robbery: Lamar Wilchombe, 18, from Eleuthera and a 17-yearold boy from Rock Sound. They were accused of stealing $1,800 and four cartons of Backwood cigars from the gas station and of stealing Mr Stubbs’ I-Phone 8, valued at $954. The men were allegedly part of a ring responsible for a spree of robberies between July 2017 and January 2018. A neighbour of the three told The Tribune she saw when police arrested the two men and took them from their homes around 3am on January 19, 2018. Speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation, she recalled her encounter with Ms Strachan when the trio were released from custody on January 23, 2018. “When (Chavette) got out she came over to show me the marks on her skin,” she said. “She lifted up her shirt to show bruise marks. I said ‘Chavette, you are a lady, those officers are male, they weren’t even supposed to be touching you.’ She told me how they poured hot sauce in Kenton’s eye and it got to the point where his eye started to get pussy. She was really hurt about all of it. She was crying.” According to Ms Strachan, she was arrested about 12 hours after the two men and was initially placed in a cell adjacent to one of the cells holding Mr Fines. She said officers removed her from the cell, put her in a room and questioned her. “One officer said we’ll play hang man,” she said. “He said depending on how I answer the question I’ll be hanging myself. At that point I was completely calm, answering intelligently. That seemed to (unnerve) them because they said why I so calm? Next thing I know, they yucked me up, put handcuffs on me and escorted me to a backroom. Two or three officers were standing by the doors. I stood in the middle of the floor and an officer told me lay down, pointing to the ground. I went to my knees and the next thing I knew he kicked me on the ground and started asking me what I did. I felt I was in a mob movie.” Ms Strachan said the officer had a fish-kit
They fish-bagged me until I blacked out three times. I was kicking, trying to get out. I had to go to the clinic to get X-ray check of my head Dale Gibson Jr
bag. “He got on my back and put the bag over my heard,” she said. “He would hold it until I couldn’t breathe. This man was playing with my life in his hand. At one point when he took the bag off, I was like ‘sir, if this is the day you choose to kill me, at least let me talk to my mummy.’ He continued doing it. He would stop, take the bag off and question me.” Ms Strachan said the officer asked her the location of a gun used during the armed robbery. “They would put me back in the cell,” she said. “They would come for the guys one by one, doing it more with them than with me. I could hear those guys screaming. I could feel their pain from my cell.” When the trio were in custody, their families reached out to lawyers for help. At least two lawyers, Barry Sawyer and Lennox Colbey, confirmed to The Tribune a connection to the incident. Mr Colbey said he was retained to help a fourth man who was with the trio, but who ultimately did not pursue legal action against the RBPF. “I saw and was retained to represent one but I realised if I represented him properly all the others should be ready to come out because they had nothing to do with the incident,” Mr Colbey said on Friday. “It was impossible for that crew to have anything to do with the robbery. “(My client),” he added, “said it was an experience
They poured hot sauce in my eyes and I am still having problems with my eye, like blurred vision, burning
He put the bag over my head. This man was playing with my life in his hands
Kenton Fines
Chavette Strachan
he went through in there that he would never want to experience. He made allegations of being brutalized and there was evidence that he was because he is a yellow fella. But he was just happy to get out and didn’t pursue it any further.” Speaking of his experience, Mr Fines said he was traumatised. “They poured hot sauce in my eyes and I am still having problems with my eye, like blurred vision, sometimes burning,” he said. “At a certain time of the day I can’t be outside without sunglasses, I don’t leave home without shades.” According to a Writ of Summons filed by Mr Fines’ lawyer, Allan Emmanuel, $80,000 is being sought from the government for the man’s injuries. The summons said: “… On 25th of January, 2018, the plaintiff attended Dr KJ Rodgers Clinic at Harbour Bay Shopping Centre, Nassau, the Bahamas for the injuries he received from police.” Mr Fines said: “They poured enough hot sauce that when I closed my eyes I could feel the liquid on my eye lashes. One of the officers said eventually I had to open my eyes so they poured some of the sauce in the bag and then they put the bag over my head. Automatically when I gasped for breath I opened my eyes. They suspected us as suspects in the armed robbery and they wanted answers like who had the weapon. When they put me in the office, they let me sit
straight on the floor. There was a point I was flat, my body unresponsive. I tried to tell myself move and I couldn’t move. At some point it got the point where I had to fight back, thinking they either gon’ kill me or they gon’ let me go. As a result I ended up kicking a hole in the door and breaking the desk in the office. They dragged me from there, put me in the bathroom and they started waterboarding me. They took a pants, wrapped it around my head, stuck my head under the shower which you know basically simulates drowning.” Mr Fines filed a complaint with the RBPF on February 3, 2018, he said. Ms Strachan said she and Mr Gibson told officers from the corruption and complaints branch what happened on February 14, 2018. Months later, they were brought to Nassau and were shown photos and were asked to identify the people responsible. “I can’t get the man’s face out my head,” Ms Strachan said. Mr Emmanuel, the lawyer of Mr Fines, said he sent two letters to Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson on June 18, 2018 and December 11, 2018 concerning the incident, but has not received a response. For his part, Mr Gibson said he was held at the Rock Sound station for two days before he was taken to Governor’s Harbour police station. “They fish-bagged me until I blacked out three
times,” he said. “When they yucked the bag off, I was kicking, trying to get out. I had to go to the clinic to get X-ray check of my head.” Mr Gibson said the officers who “abused” them wore no uniform and came from Nassau. “All the officers in the station heard us hollering and didn’t do anything,” he said. “They knew what was happening.” Commissioner Anthony Ferguson declined to comment when contacted yesterday because he said the matter is before the courts. Nevertheless, on Saturday, Ms Strachan said she received a summons dated February 18, 2019 to appear before the Police Disciplinary Tribunal in Eleuthera to give evidence against an officer involved in the alleged incident. The torture claims came as no surprise to defense lawyers interviewed by this
newspaper, all of whom said top law enforcement and political figures have historically made little effort to address what is a grave human rights problem. The story comes days after Shavar Bain, Sr, a man whose child was kidnapped, alleged that he was beaten while in custody to get him to confess to a role in kidnapping his own son. Claims of brutality in police custody, including reports of plastic bags and waterboarding, are not rare. Often, the people making the claims are charged before the courts. At least seven defence lawyers, most speaking anonymously to The Tribune in the past week, said torture for confessions is an historical problem. Mr Emmanuel, the lawyer for Mr Fines, said: “Top officials are aware of what’s going on. They don’t take part in it, but they are aware of it.” Noting some people lie about being beaten in custody, Mr Colbey, a lawyer for the man who did not pursue legal action, said: “My concern is fellas are appearing before court with allegations against police and for many years they’ve been talking about this plastic bag and this body bag in CDU. Have you seen the courts do anything? They just dismiss what these fellas are saying and it can’t be that all of them are lying. It calls for some kind of investigation because in this day and time, there is no need to beat a man for a confession.” Attorney Fred Smith said: “Beating and torturing confessions out of suspects has been a terrible affliction which The Bahamas has suffered for decades. It has sometimes, unfortunately, been the preferred and easiest way of extracting a confession and I know that for many, many of the cases I used to do when I was in the criminal law practice, accusations of police beating were the norm rather than the exception. I urge the judiciary, particularly in the magistrate courts, to refuse to admit confessions which have any taint of oppression. I also urge the government to establish a statutory, independent police, immigration and defence force complaint commission which would have representatives from police, civil society, the Bench and Bar.”
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Allegations of police brutality - is anyone listening? THE story we report on today’s front page is deeply troubling for The Bahamas. Three people claim they were tortured by police in Eleuthera – with the methods including being bound and beaten, a fish bag put over their heads, hot sauce poured into the eye and even being waterboarded, all in an attempt to force a confession. This all took place more than a year ago, and the people involved were released. Innocent of the crimes the police arrested them for. Since then, three of those arrested have made formal complaints to the police – complaints that seemed to fall on deaf ears, with no response from the police in a year. They turned to the courts after no one seemed to take their complaint seriously. The allegations are horrific and yet - to so many defence lawyers to whom our reporter spoke – unsurprising. Wellknown QC Fred Smith says accusations of police beating were “the norm rather than the exception” during his days in criminal law practice, while lawyer Lennox Colbey lamented that despite all the allegations against police, the courts have done little about it. “They just dismiss what these fellas are saying,” he said, “and it can’t be that all of them are lying.” There are two problems here – first,
of course, there is the horrific prospect that you or I or anyone could be picked up by police and subjected to this kind of torture. That three innocent people were reportedly subjected to this treatment is of course appalling, but we must not lose sight of the fact that this behaviour is unacceptable full stop – innocent or guilty. The second problem is the apparent lack of seriousness with which the police take the claims. This should be treated for what it is – a crime. If a criminal broke into someone’s home and committed this kind of act, it would be treated as an assault, and we would expect the police to respond quickly, not more than a year later and only when we have taken to the courts to find justice for ourselves. That this is not dealt with more swiftly at the least implies a lack of concern by the police to root out such behaviour; and at worst condones it. If this kind of treatment is being handed out as routinely as defence lawyers believe – and it follows allegations last week of the father of a kidnapped child being beaten in custody – then it must be taken seriously. This kind of behaviour is not law enforcement – this is an abuse of human rights, and it must not only stop, but it must be treated as a criminal act. Our police should not be criminals.
Now show us you’re worth it, Global THE decision over the future management of the cruise port in Nassau has been a huge one, and Global Ports has won the approval of the government. A column in last week’s Tribune described this decision as a “last stand” for Bahamians against the cruise lines, which were also vying for control of the port against Global’s bid. Well, now that Global has won, it is time for it to stand up for Bahamians in return. This could be the moment that
kick-starts a much-needed revolution in Downtown Nassau. We long for a revitalised Downtown and a port that can make tourists feel they are visiting the jewel of the region, not a rundown stopover that many might skip. This is a crucial moment – and Global will need to forge strong partnerships as it moves ahead with its plans. We fervently hope the government and business community rise to help Global meet the challenge ahead.
We need to avoid general ignorance EDITOR, The Tribune. Please allow space in your column for the following letter to the Editor of the Nassau Guardian:Dear Guardian Editor, YOUR Editorial of Saturday February 23 featured a headline (“The Complexity of Bahamian Unemployment”) that was encouraging to anyone who tires of the oversimplified and just plain ignorant presentation of facts and statistics in Bahamian media. It then dove headlong into one of the worst examples of both genres. In the third paragraph you suggest that the rise in unemployment from 10 percent in May of 2018 to 10.7 percent in November of the same year represents an upward trend in unemployment. It does not. Because no intelligent analysis of unemployment trends can be based upon a comparison of May to November. Rather, you would have to compare May 2018 to May 2017 or October 2018 to October 2017 to make an informed determination as to whether unemployment is rising or falling. The Guardian should know that the reason the
census is taken twice a year is because unemployment is cyclical, with May representing the high point and November the low point of employment every year. Yet every year it repeats the same mistake, with unemployment falling in May and rising in November. It is equivalent to reporting in December that, because temperatures are noticeably lower than they were last June, there has commenced a period of Global Cooling. This is why policymakers in every other country on earth know to compare corresponding months or quarters of successive years. That journalists, politicians, talk-show hosts and the general public of the Bahamas seem not to know this confirms just how informationally deficient a culture we are. This in turn leads to bad policy. A few days ago a young lady was on television presenting the government’s reasons for believing (wrongly) that there is a sensible case for us to join the WTO. Here was a government spokesperson (presumably with access to all government statistics) arguing, with a straight face, that a country with a completely open
economy, which imports 90 percent of what it consumes (and exports nothing) needs desperately to join an organization that exists solely to force members to open their economies to imports. The absurdity of the principal argument for joining the WTO is laughable when placed in context. Proponents suggest that a country that has unilaterally achieved a far higher level of openness and global integration than virtually any member of the WTO risks being ‘left behind’ if it does not join them. Yet how many Bahamians are sufficiently acquainted with the facts and statistics to understand that context? Apparently not even the young lady presented as a government spokesperson. This and other bad and informationally baseless ideas only persist because the media and civil society do not keep the public sufficiently informed of even the most basic facts and features of the country. The Guardian can and should do better than adding to the atmosphere of general ignorance that bedevils this country. ANDREW ALLEN Nassau February 23, 2019
Arinthia the right choice for DNA EDITOR, The Tribune I WRITE to congratulate the newly elected Leader of the Democratic National Alliance, Mrs Arinthia Komolafe. The DNA party held their convention Feb 22 – 23, where history was made by delegates electing the first female to a major political party. I do not consider this great accomplishment as breaking the glass ceiling, that feat will occur at the next General Elections, on or before May 7, 2022. However, this is still a great day for The Bahamas, as we are catching up to the rest of the Caribbean in regards to women in politics. Mrs. Komolafe has etched her name next to women like Dame Janet Bostwick (first elected to House of Parliament), Dame Doris Johnson (first appointed as Cabinet Minister), Dame Ivy Dumont (first female Governor General), Cynthia “Mother” Pratt (first female to hold position as Deputy PM and Loretta ButlerTurner (first female leader of Opposition). These women are celebrated for
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net their achievements, not only as parliamentarians, but as women in business, as mothers and leaders within their communities. Notwithstanding the role these women participated to the growth and development of this country, I’ve noticed the subtle head of misogyny from an unexpected section of the population. Usually its surreptitious, but most recently, many have become very vocal in their objection to a woman in leadership. To my surprise and unfortunately, this idea is being spread by mostly women. One would think they have forgotten the struggles of Doris Johnson, Mabel Walker, Althea Mortimer, Eugenia Lockhart, Mary Ingraham, Georgiana Symonette and Albertha Isaacs. While I admit, I am by far a supporter of feminism or ideas being pushed by the CEDAW convention, I think it is
a ridiculous assertion to suggest a percentage of any party or parliament should be reserved for one gender or the other. I consider that antidemocratic and, in my view, unconstitutional; it takes away free choice. I am however, in favour of the best and brightest people running our country; people with integrity, who also possess good judgment. Gender should be inconsequential in politics. I repeat, gender should be inconsequential in politics. Only the best people, with the best Ideas and temperament should be elected to parliament. And it is time the men and women in this country understand that. Any Bahamian vying for political office should be judged by the content of their character and not based on their race, colour, religion and definitely not their sex. Or expect this same type of governance for the next 50 years. KISHON TURNER Former DNA Candidate, Tall Pines Nassau, February 24, 2018.
D’Aguilar could be the surprise leader EDITOR, The Tribune THERE are times in politics when a rising star hits the jackpot. I suspect the interview or panel Jerome Sawyer had last evening might have been one of those occasions. Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar became a potential alternative to one Hubert A. Minnis to be leader of the FNM before the next election. An FNM under D’Aguilar would have a chance at the polls, whilst under Minnis as like the
PLP under Christie in 2017, would be dead in the water. A massive loss! D’Aguilar for leader of the FNM should be the triumphant shout, from the benchers of the FNM. What a cost to the ethics if that is still appropriate in the world of politics! Westminster tradition bush crack gone. D’Aguilar’s empathic total support to Ministers Sands and Dames was in total contrast to a D’Aguilar prior to 2017 – especially when he was
Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce when he ripped through the PLP. Time and power changes the political beast! Watch out Minnis, you have created a political potential, who could easily lead the FNM to victory –- something which you would not be able to do. D’Aguilar for Leader and Prime Minister! W THOMPSON Nassau, February 22, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, February 25, 2019, PAGE 5
from page one
Bahamas faces massive battle to improve cancer survival rates for children
Compared with children in the US and Canada, Bahamian children – and those in other Caribbean countries – could be as much as 50 percent more likely to die from cancers which children in developed countries survive. Health Minister Duane Sands yesterday conceded The Bahamas has “much to do” in improving survival rates, noting it is only now that the country is gathering robust data on the issue. In 2013, University of Toronto Professor of Paediatrics Dr Upton Allen launched an initiative to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and blood disorders in Caribbean children. Known as the CaribbeanSickKids Paediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Project, the programme focuses on six countries in the region — including the Bahamas, Barbados, and Jamaica. Dr Allen serves as co-chair of the project. “If a child is born with leukaemia in Canada, it is believed they have between an 80 to 90 percent chance of surviving the disease,” Dr Allen told Global News Canada in an interview leading up to the project’s launch. “If that same child is born in Kingston, Jamaica, they have about a 50 percent survival rate. And if that child is diagnosed in any of the other Caribbean countries, they have less than a 50 per cent chance of surviving the disease.” Dr Allen has declined to speak to The Tribune to discuss his findings. While Dr Sands did not provide an exact figure regarding the survival rate for children with cancer in The Bahamas, he told The Tribune yesterday the issue of child cancer survival rates here had many aspects. “We have only one paediatric haematologist/ oncologist and serious infrastructural challenges to optimal paediatric cancer care especially the management of leukaemias,” he said. “Many of these are treated collaboratively with other institutions. While there is yeoman’s efforts... we have much to do. “... Delays in diagnosis; availability of diagnostic and therapeutic options, especially newer and more expensive modalities; cultural reluctance to certain treatments and access challenges”. Noting the fact that the SickKids project was launched in 2013, Dr Sands
COMPLICATING the problem is the fact that 87 percent of Princess Margaret Hospital’s children’s wards have been closed since Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Left: Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands. was asked if he thinks any strides have been made in improving cancer survival rates in the last few years. “Not really,” he replied. However, he noted there is a discrepancy between public and private patient outcomes — “a problem that is an embarrassing national reality”, he said. “The Sanigest report confirms mortality rates for public patients are significantly higher than private patients across almost all diagnoses,” Dr Sands added. Furthermore, according
MARIJUANA SWOOP BY POLICE AFTER TIP OFF FROM PUBLIC POLICE seized a quantity of suspected marijuana in a swoop on Thursday evening. Officers from the flying squad searched the exterior of a residence in Bonaby Alley, off Kemp Road, shortly before 6pm, and found a box containing 68 foil packages in a plastic bag and six additional packages of suspected marijuana. A police spokesperson said that the officers were acting on information and that the seizure was done thanks to the assistance of the public. A group of men were in the area at the time of the search and ran away upon seeing police. No suspect was arrested. • Two men are being hunted after an armed
robbery on Thursday night. Shortly before 10pm, a man was robbed at his residence in Lumumba Lane in southern Nassau. Police said he was approached by two men, one armed with a firearm, who robbed him of a black iPhone 7 Plus, before getting into a silver vehicle and speeding away. • A series of road checks across New Providence by police resulted in 112 fixed penalty notices being issued for various traffic offences including driving uninsured vehicles, and a further 20 for failing to obey traffic signals. In addition, 18 people were arrested for outstanding criminal warrants, deceit of a police officer and shop breaking.
MAN’S BODY FOUND IN WELL ON CAT ISLAND
THE body of a man was found in a well on Cat Island on Thursday night. Police were called to the residence in The Bluff at about 5pm after a man was found unresponsive in the property’s well. His body was pulled from the well and examined by the island’s medical team, who pronounced him dead. A police spokesperson said that an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Officers from the Central Detective Unit and the Coroner will travel to Cat Island to continue investigations.
to the SickKids Project website, these diseases are often fatal because of this shortage of health-care professionals and resources. This means that some children across the region are not diagnosed until it is too late to save them. Additionally, those who are diagnosed when the disease is still in the early stages often have difficulty accessing the treatment they need. When asked if this is the case for The Bahamas, Dr Sands noted it is “probably true”. However, he added
although it is yet to be finalised, The Bahamas is crafting a relationship with Johns Hopkins University hospital and as this developed patient treatment and survival rates should improve. Furthermore, a cancer registry “to get robust data on cancer incidences and outcomes” was established last month. “The registry is up and running. It is in the Marcus Cooper building on Village Road. It is staffed, it has been a long time coming but it is actually running,” Dr Sands said.
PAGE 6, Monday, February 25, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Minnis planning his second term By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told jubilant party supporters in Grand Bahama that before retiring he will serve a second term as prime minister. Dr Minnis expressed confidence in his party’s victory at the polls in 2022 at the FNM’s headquarters in Freeport, where he received a resounding welcome on his arrival at a special meeting on Friday evening. He told those gathered that under his administration Grand Bahama is well on its way to a revival of jobs, and business and entrepreneurial opportunities for Bahamians. “Just before elections before we win the next election taking me into my second term, after which I will retire, and I am certain, you will give these young people the opportunity to carry on. So, GB, let me ask you tonight after I am finished with my second term, will you give my young people the benefit of taking it on,” he shouted. “Will you support Kwasi Thompson, Michael Pintard, Peter Turnquest, Iram Lewis, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, Shanandor Cartwright, Frankie Campbell, and Jasmin Dareus? So, I know that in eight years as I depart the scene, I would have left the country in good hands,” Dr Minnis said. He did not mention Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, who was the only GB MP not present at the meeting.The prime minister criticized Opposition Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and the PLP on their “corrupt legacy” during their governance that was bogged down with scandals and corruption.
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis “They are no good for Grand Bahama and cannot be allowed back in office,” he said, recalling the controversy at BAMSI concerning contracts that were not tendered, and the uninsured dormitory fire. The prime minister highlighted several of the new significant developments that are underway in Grand Bahama, including a $10 million medical school, $4 million CGI investment, $2 million GB Power solar plant project, and $100 million Carnival cruise port in East Grand Bahama, among the many business expansions and new businesses that are coming on stream. “So, GB and FNMs, I ask you tonight what time it is? Whose time is it? Dr Minnis asked the gathering, which replied, “The People’s Time.” The atmosphere and energy of the meeting took on the tune of a minirally, with catchy ‘Roc with Doc’ FNM campaign songs and phrases. Dr Minnis indicated that the unveiling of the long-awaited Carnival cruise
port would play a leading role in the revival of job and business opportunities, and a new spirit for GB. Admitting that things had bot been easy in Grand Bahama for a long time, the prime minister said they would continue to fight to ensure the success of the island and residents here. He noted that he is aware of the challenges faced by residents, particularly with qualifying for housing. Dr Minnis indicated that GB has always been a part of the backbone of the FNM. “GB, I love you; I ask you do you love me? Nassau, Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, and Crooked Island, Bimini, Eleuthera and Andros, speak for them in the GB, do they love me, and the FNM?” “We know that it has not been easy; you have been struggling for a long time; we know what you have been going through, but we are fighting for you. Your FNM team in GB is fighting for you, and we will keep fighting for you, and we must fight to keep them blank (PLP) cats out. “I could have filled in the blank; I won’t fill in the blank. Nassau will fill in blank because they will keep them cats out. Andros will fill in the blank because they will keep them cats out. And Bimini, Eleuthera and MICAL are waiting to fill in the blank because they are using capital letters keeping those capital cats out. He said that PLPs are desperate for power and to get their hands around, on, and in the cookie jar. “They (the PLP) don’t mean you well. Things are getting better for you GB; the tide is turning. The GB revival has begun and will get even better. We will not rest until there is a new day for you and all Bahamians,” he said.
MITCHELL: PLP BOYCOTT GOES ON By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PLP chairman Fred Mitchell said party officials have not decided when they will end their boycott of parliament and the senate. The politicians are protesting, saying they believe the Minnis administration pressured authorities to launch criminal investigations and prosecutions against well known PLPs from the Christie government. They have also called for the resignation of National Security Minister Marvin Dames and Health Minister Dr Duane Sands for the role they played in the Frank Smith bribery case. Mr Smith was acquitted last month.
Works Minister Desmond Bannister called their boycott a “dereliction of duty” on Wednesday while Tall Pines MP Don Saunders said it is a “disgrace” and “a crying shame.” On Thursday, the party chairman said they will end their boycott when they believe their point has been adequately made. “It’s a lot of rubbish the FNM is running on with,” Mr Mitchell said. “We were really shocked yesterday by the stuff that the deputy speaker (Mr Saunders) is running on with. Tell these people, you can’t clap with one hand. If they want to run a one-party state, a oneparty government, go right ahead. The point is we’re working on the grounds to defeat them in the next election. The Minister of
Works really has the nerve to get up to talk about boycott and dereliction of duty. What a joke. If you go back to your newspaper in 2013, you’d see he led the same thing, saying because the then leader of the opposition was being excluded from the House, senators were going to boycott the senate until that issue was resolved.” Mr Mitchell was referring to the FNM’s boycott of parliament and the senate in 2013 after Dr Hubert Minnis was suspended for comments he made about then Prime Minister Perry Christie and his relationship to Peter Nygard. Mr Mitchell said: “What does (Dr Minnis) have in principle against a boycott? What we want to tell the Bahamian public is
this, let’s study Dr Martin Luther King and what he did; the whole point is civil disobedience, that’s what you do in a civilised country. You don’t go out in the streets with guns and blast things up but there are several ways that opposition organisations can bring to the public the fact that something is wrong. We say the administration of justice has gone wonky in this country when two ministers sit in the government after being judicially condemned. “We are making the point on behalf of our followers and when we judge it appropriately to go back, that the point has been sufficiently made, we will do so, but we will never stop calling for them to leave.”
LARGE SUPPORT FOR EXPANSION OF NHI TO FUND HEALTH CARE By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
NEARLY 90 percent of respondents in a new survey support the expansion of NHI to provide affordable coverage for high cost medical care — including treatment for widespread cancers, dialysis and heart attacks. Furthermore, nearly 60 percent of respondents said a combination of employers, employees and the government should pay for universal healthcare. These results were revealed in a NHIA press statement, which pointed to a new Public Domain survey that canvassed 1,043 Bahamian residents between February 6-18. National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) chairman Dr Robin Roberts praised the “overwhelming support” illustrated by this recent poll. “Over the past few months, the NHIA has met with hundreds of Bahamians who have expressed their support for the new direction of NHI Bahamas,” Dr Roberts said. “Time and time again we’ve heard stories of Bahamians who have avoided getting treatment for illness due to high costs which has led to devastating outcomes. Now we have an opportunity to improve access to affordable, quality healthcare services for all Bahamians. “The overwhelming support gathered through this latest poll further demonstrates the need for NHI and shows us that we are on the right path towards achieving universal healthcare in The Bahamas.” There are nearly 50,000 beneficiaries currently enrolled in NHI Bahamas, according to the NHIA statement released yesterday. “A public opinion poll conducted by Public Domain has revealed that 87 per cent of respondents support the expansion of NHI Bahamas to provide affordable coverage for high cost medical care, such as treatment for prevalent adult cancers and paediatric cancers, heart attack and dialysis with no co-pays or deductibles,” the statement reads. “In addition, more than half (57 per cent) of respondents said a combination of government, employees and employers should pay for universal healthcare. This was higher among NHI beneficiaries, of which 65 per cent of respondents said a combination of government, employees and employers should pay.” The statement noted
1,879 beneficiaries were surveyed by the NHIA in a separate poll between February 5-12th. “With regards to the National Health Insurance Authority’s policy proposal, over three-quarters (78 percent) of respondents support the proposal for NHI, which will ensure all Bahamians get access to a standard package of health benefits, including primary care, coverage for major cancers, dialysis and heart attacks,” the statement continues. It also noted 96 percent of respondents supported the “principle that all Bahamians should have access to affordable care regardless of their personal health circumstances”. “In total, 91 percent of respondents completely agreed (83 percent) or somewhat agreed (8 per cent) with the statement: “Current private health insurance plans are too expensive for average Bahamians”
DR ROBIN ROBERTS “In total, 91 per cent of respondents completely agreed (86 percent) or somewhat agreed (5 per cent) with the statement: “The cost of health or medical services without insurance is too expensive for average Bahamians” “Over half (55 per cent) of respondents decided not to access healthcare services in the past when they were ill due to cost.” The statement added “this was higher among NHI beneficiaries who predominantly do not have private health insurance, of which 68 percent of respondents chose not to access healthcare services in the past due to cost”. “The public consultation paper for NHI Bahamas, which takes into account the feedback received during the consultation period, outlines policy changes that have been incorporated into the final policy proposal which is being submitted to Cabinet for consideration,” the statement concluded.
The days of our lives can be full of love or hate. But the man that gives love is wise.
~Betty Taylor ~
Original Author
For more original and inspirational quotes, please get a copy of the book “Hold On To Life and Love”at Logos Bookstore, located in the Harbour Bay Shopping Centre.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2019
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
Hands off our judiciary, Mr Davis
PLP leader Philip Davis talking to the media after former PLP Senator Frank Smith, behind, is acquitted of all charges in his bribery and corruption trial. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
by Malcolm Strachan
O
N THE heels of the Frank Smith acquittal, the Progressive Liberal Party has green lit its campaign for election in 2022. Although dwarfed in numbers in Parliament, the “fiery four” have certainly not been afraid to cause a spectacle with their latest boycott of the House of Assembly. Obviously more interested in showmanship than substance, her majesty’s Official Opposition has abandoned its post, thus muzzling the voices of their constituents in Parliament – effectively wasting the Bahamian people’s time and money. During a press conference at their headquarters, Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip Davis said: “I announce with no pleasure that the PLP parliamentary caucus will boycott the House of Assembly for a period in protest to mark the seriousness of where we find ourselves as a nation. We will not rest until the tyrannical attitudes and practices are forever vanquished from this society. “The current government appears determined to use the prosecutorial powers of the Crown to go after members of the opposing political party at whatever cost. That’s not democracy, that’s not justice, that’s not The Bahamas – or at least it never has been until now.” Whichever side of the political line you stand, these are some very strong
allegations made by the former deputy prime minister. While the argument can be made the allegations made by the Opposition leader are not lacking credence, his credibility as the one making the claim as the Progressive Liberal Party has entered campaign mode is suspect to say the least. Let us not forget that Davis also placed his support behind former Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald amid the surfacing of emails between him and the former Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirlian. Davis, without batting an eye, told party supporters Fitzgerald was their man for Marathon. Even after losing the election, Fitzgerald has not been banished from the party, which begs the question: How does Brave Davis expect to be taken seriously? Last week, when he spoke with the media, Davis said: “I’m not here to defend anyone, ever, who takes money from the Bahamian people. “As far as I’m concerned, if you take a dollar from the public treasury, you’re taking it from our kids, from our hospitals, from our future. “So you show me evidence of corruption, I stand ready to condemn you, no matter your party, but you can’t skip over the evidence part.” Sure. That all sounds great when emotions are running high and people want heads in the Minnis administration to roll. However, his support for an accused minister on his own
PLP leader Philip Davis leads the walkout of the House.
side casts matters in a different light. Dangerously, Davis is forgetting a very important point, which is that government is continuous. And with the trend of the electorate voting against rather than voting for government, the Progressive Liberal Party always has a 50 percent chance to become the government on election day. The tactics the PLP are using – decrying the government of using political victimisation – are essentially suggesting the government is weaponising the judiciary, exacting its own form of victor’s justice. Through the PLP’s own efforts to sully the reputation of the government, they, too, are blurring the lines between the executive, legislative and judicial arms of the government. Such tactics should not be used so irresponsibly, as they can cause the electorate to see the judiciary through political lenses and lose confidence in the entire system – a system in which, if elected in 2022, the PLP will likely be expected to overhaul based on the assertions they’re making today. Can you imagine how vulnerable the average citizen would be in a judicial system that blows with the political wind. I shudder at the thought! With all of the social ills already plaguing the country, both sides of the divide must be aware we cannot risk the public losing confidence in the judicial arm of the government. It, like
its sister arms, are a banner of our democracy, and any attempt to obfuscate its utility and use it as a political football is dangerously irresponsible and a dereliction of duty. As both major parties enter into campaign mode, the silliness of this season should not pre-empt social responsibility. Playing on the emotions of the Bahamian people will do far more than promote political tribalism. To a much more damaging extent, it
can destabilise our entire democracy. Surely, we can all agree that scoring some political points aren’t worth it. The leaders of both major political parties must act with prudence and avoid sacrificing our democracy simply to one-up each other on the road to the next election. Davis, in particular, who is renowned as one having a great mind in the legal community, must be mindful to promote conditions that he,
too, is comfortable living in whether in government or as a citizen. As his quest to become the nation’s next prime minister gets into full gear, the Bahamian people hope to see a more meaningful effort on the part of the Opposition, else, it may be another runaway victory for the current government to be re-elected. The Bahamian people have made it quite clear to the previous government they do not want more of the same.
INSIGHT
PAGE 8 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2019
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
T Overspill of Haiti’s
HIS commentary, being written on Thursday, February 21, is about troubling developments in Haiti and the constraints upon the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that prohibit them from playing a meaningful role in averting further violence. Since the time of writing, the feared escalation might have occurred. The 13 independent states that, along with Haiti, comprise CARICOM, have a vested interest in events in that country. Not least among these interests is the right that CARICOM membership bestows on Haitian nationals to enter CARICOM countries without visas. Already, several CARICOM countries have experienced Haitians remaining illegally after their allowable six-month stay has expired. If economic conditions in Haiti worsen as a consequence of deadly protests that have been continuous since February 7, Haitians will continue to seek refuge everywhere. Of the CARICOM countries, given its nearness to Haiti, The Bahamas will be the first and biggest destination for Haitian refugees, placing a further strain on that country’s capacity to cope with what is now an ongoing and mounting problem. In the aftermath of the present wave of violent street protests, as a humanitarian gesture, and to its credit, the Bahamas government implemented a temporary halt on all Haitian deportations. But, Foreign Minister, Darren Henfield, has stressed the halt is only temporary, and he suggested CARICOM will need to discuss how, as a region, it can help Haiti with its economic calamities and population migration. Of course, the challenges Haiti poses for CARICOM countries relate not only to economic decay and refugees; they are also directly
persistent problems
DEMONSTRATORS arrive in front of the National Palace carrying a coffin containing the body of a protester who was killed during the week’s previous protests, as national police stop them, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti last Friday. Inset, Foreign Minister, Darren Henfield.
connected to resolving the conflicts within the country and the process of governance. When good governance is not institutionalised in a transparent manner, conflict will continue and so too will economic decline and migration. The economic crisis is worsening by the day. Inflation reached 15 percent in
January amid the depreciating Haitian currency against the US dollar. On February 16, in an effort to stem the rising tide of mass discontent of people whose per capita income is the lowest in the region at $789, Prime Minister Jean Henry Céant announced nine measures, including: a 30 percent reduction in the price of rice; a 30 percent reduction
in the budget of the prime minister’s office; abolition of “unnecessary privileges” of senior state officials; and promises to discuss improving the minimum wage. It is left to be seen whether these measures will lower the political temperature and cool the heat of the mass protests. Few believe they will. CARICOM cannot sit-by if confrontation and violence escalate in Haiti. It has a responsibility to the Haitian people and a duty to the people of its own countries and those of the wider hemisphere to offer its good offices to mediate difficulties. Further, if CARICOM does not act, none of its member states, nor Haiti, can justifiably complain if other nations seek to intervene, particularly as several such states have had to carry the burden both of peace-keeping and delivering humanitarian assistance for decades. Conscious of this obligation to Haiti and to the hemisphere, CARICOM, as a group, has clearly indicated its concerns to the Haitian government at several levels, and expressed its readiness to be helpful. The current Chair of the CARICOM Heads of Government, Prime Minister Timothy Harris of St Kitts-Nevis, published a statement on February 12 in which he stressed that: “The Community calls for calm and a cessation of the violence, appealing to all involved to engage in constructive dialogue and to respect the Constitution, the rule of law and
democratic processes so that issues can be resolved in a peaceful atmosphere and allow for the return to a state of normalcy”. But, CARICOM efforts to engage Haiti have not yielded a positive response, and neither CARICOM, as an organization, nor any of its member states can do more than to make the Haitian authorities aware of their willingness to help; they cannot impose themselves upon Haiti, especially as they strictly adhere to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states. In part, the lack of response to CARICOM’s approaches, originates in the prejudiced view of Haiti’s political elite and business class that CARICOM countries are a group of small states without the economic resources or political clout to matter. Haitian authorities are investing their attention on bigger nations, particularly the United States and France, and to a lesser extent, Canada. These latter three countries, along with the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Brazil, Germany, Spain, the European Union, and the Special Representative of the Organization of American States, comprise what is called “the core group” – a group that has been active in Haitian internal affairs, albeit to the irritation of political parties. This group has also called on “Haitian society actors, and primarily the country’s leaders, to engage in a constructive and inclusive
dialogue in order to identify and implement realistic and lasting solutions to the political and economic crisis facing Haiti”. Essentially, in this statement, they have said nothing different from CARICOM, but they have also called for all electoral laws, including a Budget, to be adopted to facilitate elections that are constitutionally due in October 2019. No one would quarrel with the importance of elections which are more easily achievable (though not easy) than another equally significant observation by the core group. That observation is: “The Government (must) accelerate its structural reforms aimed at promoting better management of the State’s resources, improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable, fight inequalities, and foster a conducive investment climate to stimulate the productive sectors – essential to catalyzing the country’s economic growth”. That is much more easily said than done. For Haiti has demonstrated a pattern of both internal political conflict and resistance to external intervention in its affairs. Helping it, therefore, is no simple task. Helping it to implement the reforms, outlined by the core group, is a mammoth undertaking. Despite all this, CARICOM must continue to offer its hand to Haiti to help resolve its internal disorder. CARICOM countries owe that effort as much to the history of black liberation, as to creating conditions that would stem the flow of Haitian refugees. The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com
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INSIGHT
MONDAY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, PAGE 9
By CLIFFORD JOHNSON Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California
I
T HAS been said many times that the Marvel movie “Black Panther” is an important landmark. I’m not referring to its deserved critical and box office success worldwide, the many awards it has won, or the fact it is the first film in the superhero genre to be nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards. Instead, I’m focusing on a key aspect of its cultural impact that is less frequently discussed. Finally a feature film starring a black superhero character became part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe – a successful run of intertwined movies that began with “Iron Man” in 2008. While there have been other superhero movies with a black lead character – “Hancock” (2008), “Blade” (1998), “Spawn” (1997) or even “The Meteor Man” (1993) – this film is significant because of the recent remarkable rise of the superhero film from the nerdish fringe to part of mainstream culture. Huge audiences saw a black lead character – not a sidekick or part of a team – in a superhero movie by a major studio, with a black director (Ryan Coogler), black writers and a majority black cast. This is a significant step toward diversifying our culture by improving the lacklustre representation of minorities in our major media. It’s also a filmmaking landmark because black creators have been given access to the resources and platforms needed to bring different storytelling perspectives into our mainstream culture. 2017’s “Wonder Woman” forged a similar path. In that case, a major studio finally decided to commit resources to a superhero film headlined by a female character and directed by a woman, Patty Jenkins. Female directors are a minority in the movie industry. Jenkins brought a new perspective to this kind of action movie, and there was a huge positive response from audiences in theatres worldwide. And beyond all this, “Black Panther” also broke additional ground in a way most people may not realise: In the comics, the character is actually a scientist and engineer. Moreover, in the inevitable (and somewhat ridiculous) ranking of scientific prowess that happens in the comic book world, he’s been portrayed as at least the equal of the two most famous “top scientists” in the Marvel universe: Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Reed Richards (Mr Fantastic). A black headlining superhero character written and directed by black artists is rare enough from a major studio. But making him – and his sister Shuri – successful scientists and engineers as well is another level of rarity. I’m a scientist who cares about increased engagement with science by the general public. I’ve worked
Black Panther and its science role models inspire more than just movie awards as a science adviser on many film and TV projects (though not “Black Panther”). When the opportunity arises, I’ve helped broaden the diversity of scientist characters portrayed onscreen. I’ve also recently published a non-fiction graphic book for general audiences called “The Dialogues: Conversations about the Nature of the Universe”. Its characters include male and female black scientists, discussing aspects of my own field of theoretical physics – where black scientists are unfortunately very rare. So the opportunity that the “Black Panther” movie presents to inform and inspire vast audiences is of great interest to me. The history and evolution of the Black Panther character and his scientific back story is a fascinating example of turning a problematic past into a positive opportunity. Created in 1966 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, he’s the first black superhero character in mainstream comics, originally appearing as a guest in a “Fantastic Four” Marvel comic. As a black character created and initially written by nonblack authors, guest-starring in the pages of a book headlined by white characters, he had many of the classic attributes of what is now sometimes controversially known as the “magical negro” in American cultural criticism: He ranked extremely highly in every sphere that mattered, to the point of being almost too unreal even for the comics of the time. Black Panther is T’Challa, king of the fictional African country Wakanda, which is fathomlessly wealthy and remarkably advanced, scientifically and technologically. Even Marvel’s legendary master scientist – Reed Richards of the superhero team Fantastic Four – is befuddled by and full of admiration for Wakanda’s scientific capabilities.
T’Challa himself is portrayed as an extraordinary “genius” in physics and other scientific fields, a peerless tactician, a remarkable athlete and a master of numerous forms of martial arts. And he is noble to a fault. Of course, he grows to become a powerful ally of the Fantastic Four and other Marvel superheroes over many adventures. The key point here is that the superlative scientific ability of our hero, and that of his country, has its origins in the well-meaning, but problematic, practice of inventing near or beyond perfect black characters to support stories starring primarily white protagonists. But this is a lemons-to-lemonade story. Black Panther eventually got to star in his own series of comics. He was turned into a nuanced and complex character, moving well away from the tropes of his beginnings. Writer Don McGregor’s work started this development as early as 1973, but Black Panther’s journey to the multilayered character you see on screen was greatly advanced by the efforts of several writers with diverse perspectives. Perhaps most notably, in the context of the film, these include Christopher Priest (late 1990s) and Ta-Nehisi Coates (starting in 2016), along with Roxane Gay and Yona Harvey, writing in “World of Wakanda” (2016). Coates and Gay, already best-selling literary writers before coming to the character, helped bring him to wider attention beyond normal comic book fandom, partly paving the way for the movie. Through all of the improved writing of T’Challa and his world, his spectacular scientific ability has remained prominent. Wakanda continues to be a successful African nation with astonishing science and technology. Furthermore, and very importantly, T’Challa is not portrayed as an anomaly among
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his people in this regard. There are many great scientists and engineers in the Wakanda of the comics, including his sister Shuri. In some accounts, she (in the continued scientistranking business of comics) is an even greater intellect than he is. In the movie, T’Challa’s science and engineering abilities are referred to, but it is his sister Shuri who takes center stage in this role, having taken over to design the new tools and weapons he uses in the field. She also uses Wakandan science to heal wounds that would have been fatal elsewhere in the world. As a scientist who cares about inspiring more people – including underrepresented minorities and women – to engage with science, I think that showing a
little of this scientific landscape in “Black Panther” potentially amplifies the movie’s cultural impact. Vast audiences see black heroes – both men and women – using their scientific ability to solve problems and make their way in the world, at an unrivaled level. Research has shown that such representation can have a positive effect on the interests, outlook and career trajectories of viewers. Improving science education for all is a core endeavor in a nation’s competitiveness and overall health, but outcomes are limited if people aren’t inspired to take an interest in science in the first place. There simply are not enough images of black scientists – male or female
– in our media and entertainment to help inspire. Many people from underrepresented groups end up genuinely believing that scientific investigation is not a career path open to them. Moreover, many people still see the dedication and study needed to excel in science as “nerdy.” A cultural injection of Black Panther heroics helps continue to erode the crumbling tropes that science is only for white men or reserved for people with a special “science gene.” The widespread success of “Black Panther”, showcasing T’Challa, Shuri and other Wakandans as highly accomplished scientists, remains one of the most significant boosts for science engagement in recent times. theconvesation.com
PAGE 10, Monday, February 25, 2019 By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE approval process is underway for interested buyers for the former Royal Oasis property and the International Bazaar in Grand Bahama, said Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson on Thursday. Mr Thompson had been speaking at the Grand Bahama Business Outlook in Freeport –- but did not mention either Royal Oasis or the Bazaar in his address. Explaining why he had not gone into detail on the future of the properties, he said: “We are not at a stage where we can begin to talk about it. But there are persons who are interested in the purchase of the Harcourt properties, and the International Bazaar. They are going through the process of the approval, so I cannot speak further on it.” In the meantime, Mr Thompson assured his listeners that the government is working to correct and improve laws on how to deal with dilapidated buildings that are neglected by the owners, and go through the process of allowing someone who is interested to purchase and redevelop. While taking questions on Thursday, he was asked about what is being done about the unsightly buildings at the Bazaar, and the rundown hotel property owned by the Harcourt Development Group. Mr Thompson agreed that the hotel property owned by Harcourt, in addition to the nearby Bazaar, must be dealt with if the island is to recover completely. “The Bazaar and Royal Oasis, in fact, all the Harcourt properties are a huge challenge – they cannot remain the way they are,” he insisted. “We in GB, I believe will never feel as though we have completely recovered until the Harcourt property, including International Bazaar, have been dealt with.”
THE TRIBUNE
Offers expected soon on International Bazaar
THE INTERNATIONAL Bazaar as it is today and, inset, in its heyday. In 2004, the old Royal Oasis properties sustained severe hurricane damage by Hurricane Frances. The initial owners, the Driftwood Group, decided to close the property, leaving more than 1,000 hotel workers jobless. At the time, the 500room tower hotel, and the 900-room country club and timeshare, was the island’s premier anchor resort property for many years. The casino was the main attraction and visitors flew in from the US to gamble and enjoy Freeport’s
nightlife, while staying at the hotel. Although the properties were purchased in 2007 by the Harcourt Group for $33m, the developers’ plans to redevelop the property did not happen due to the economic crash of 2008. The property has deteriorated over the past decade, and remains in a state of disrepair. Successive governments have been unable to get Harcourt to live up to its obligation. The nearby International Bazaar, a once premier
shopping mecca, was subsequently affected by the hotel’s closure, forcing some 80-plus merchants to close their stores or relocate. Today, only a handful of straw vendors remain at the Bazaar. When the Minnis administration was elected to office in May 2016, they met with the principals of Harcourt about whether they would resume plans to develop the property. The property consists of a 300,000sq ft hotel, as well as a 45,000sq ft casino, and
55,000sq ft convention facility. In addition, the tower hotel covers 350,000sq ft with 650 timeshare units. The property, on the main city thoroughfare of Ranfurly Circus and the Mall Drive, is now considered an eyesore. Mr Thompson indicated that the government is working with the GB Port Authority through a Dilapidated Buildings Committee which has been meeting for the past several months, assessing and making recommendations on how to
address, not just the International Bazaar, but all of the dilapidated buildings. “We will be receiving recommendations on the buildings themselves individually, and on the laws that would need to be changed in order for us to address that situation,” he explained. In addition to the Royal Oasis and Bazaar properties, Mr Thompson said there are also two hugely challenging buildings in downtown Freeport which are also being looked at, but there are legal challenges that must be addressed. “The law is a challenge in how those things can be addressed by the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the government,” he said. “So, we are working along with the Port Authority in how we change those laws for us to be able to address those kinds of buildings, and included in the recommendations would be how we address the International Bazaar as well.”
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, February 25, 2019, PAGE 11
NYGARD FILES NEW COURT ACTION AGAINST BACON By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PETER Nygard has filed new court action in the United States against Lois Bacon, according to US reports. The Winnipeg Free Press reported: “Court documents filed February 19 with the US federal court in Manhattan state Nygard alleges Bacon hired private investigators to find and
bribe witnesses in 2015 and 2016 to testify that Nygard had ‘prepared a hit list to murder’ several individuals, had hired individuals to commit arson, and other criminal activities. The (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) complaint appears to be an extension of a lawsuit and counter-suit from 2016 between Nygard and Bacon and other legal actions in the US, which allege similar wrongdoing. The lawsuits
are part of an ongoing dispute between the two men over how Nygard expanded his island property using illegal dredging. A spokesman for Bacon told the Free PressNygard’s claims in the RICO complaint are baseless and have been dismissed by the courts previously. ‘It is unfortunate that Peter Nygard insists on burdening the courts by repeatedly repackaging and recycling these baseless
claims, when nearly identical claims have already been dismissed,’” Mr Bacon’s spokesman said. ‘This new suit is just more of the same from Mr Nygard, who tries again and again to smear his victims with outrageous legal claims that end up going nowhere.’” A local warrant is out for Mr Nygard’s arrest after he failed to appear for sentencing on January 28 for two counts of contempt of court for failing to comply
PETER NYGARD
with court orders prohibiting dredging activities. Through his representative, Mr Nygard claimed he was too ill to travel. In recent weeks, The Tribune has reported that Mr Nygard’s fleet of cars and boat have been transferred out of the Bahamas. Last week, two vehicles were joined by a speed boat, Humvee and an open-top vintage sports car on the deck of a ferry in Arawak harbour.
Alternative products cut BTC’s energy use THE Bahamas Telecommunications Co. (BTC) has recorded a more than 30 percent reduction in energy consumption after switching to alternative energy products at 12 facilities. In a press statement, the communications provider credited its energy conservation to the introduction of LED Lighting and Solar Thermal Air Conditioning Technology by PowerPlus Bahamas, a Bahamian-owned alternative energy business. “We utilised the Soldier Rd facility as our pilot project,” said Robert Williams, BTC Cable & Wireless Vice President of Engineering, “PowerPlus projected a 51% daytime efficiency, but they actually achieved 63%!” “Implementation of these technologies resulted in an average 32% reduction of energy consumption for each of these buildings over a two-year period,” BTC’s statement read.
“BTC’s Camperdown facility in Nassau achieved a 40% reduction and all the buildings combined resulted in a return on investment of 2.1 years. PowerPlus Bahamas launched in 2011, and works with international partners to provide unique and exclusive alternative products for many businesses looking to reduce their daily operating expenses. “Reduce Before You Produce,” said PowerPlus Sales and Technical Consultant, Greg Uptagrafft, “we encourage our customers to let us do the hard work for them and refuse to sell them solutions that do not work.” PowerPlus introduced and implemented energy saving technologies to numerous businesses including The Grand Bahama Shipyard, Bahamas Electricity Corporation, Abaco Beach Resort, Grand Bahama Port Authority, Kelly’s Freeport Ltd., and Dolly Madison Home Centre.
PINTARD TO HOST BARC CLOSED TOWN MEETING By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
AGRICULTURE and Marine Resources Minister Michael Pintard will be hosting a closed town meeting in North Andros today to assist BARC residents with securing “varied size crown grants” for the land they occupy. Mr Pintard told Parliament last week the government had made the decision to assist some 16 families connected to the original occupants of the land, commonly known as the Bahamas Agriculture Research Community (BARC). “My proposal to Cabinet was simply that we allocate five acres of land... for the dwellings that are on the property,” he told The Tribune. “And so there are two categories of land: one is the 5 acre fee simple title to be allocated and the first right of refusal to lease the difference between the original allocation and now — so in other words, to lease the 35 or to lease the 75 acres, if they have a clear plan of action with means of execution,” he continued. “The second category would be persons who on the surface of it, have not been doing agriculture but are descendants of those families, have had a dwelling on the property, have been living in the dwelling, to at a minimum, allocate one acre to them, fee simple title, free and clear crown grant. Mr Pintard said: “And to for a one year period ask them to show commitment to developing the other four acres for agriculture purposes, at which time that lease arrangement on the four acres could be converted into a crown lease and they too will have a right to lease the additional property - whether it’s 35 or 75 or some variation of that…to put under cultivation.”
At an earlier town meeting, Mr Pintard said the “vast majority” of residents indicated they wanted fee simple title to land, although he said he got the “distinct impression” that most people accepted the land was not being used for agriculture purposes. The matter stems back to the 1970s, when USAID expressed interest in working with the Bahamian government. “So there was an initiative between ‘73-‘78 where they were looking to assist the government of the Bahamas in developing agriculture as a significant part of its economy,” Mr Pintard said. “It was a joint effort between the US and Bahamian government with assistance from universities. It was conceived that they would set up agriculture plots and encourage families to occupy those plots. “So what you would essentially have was about 16 families who would reside on the property and also develop this acreage allocated to them for agricultural purposes. There were two categories of acreage—one was 40 acres, another was 80 acres.” Mr Pintard noted this was crown land, and while 2,000 acres were originally allocated for this purpose ultimately only 1,500 acres were used. “That 2,000 acres at the end of the program would have been turned over to the government, resources would have been made available for a number of things including trying to build a community around this agriculture experiment. “At the end of 21 years for those persons who occupied the land continuously and farmed it, they could have received a crown title to the property.”
WE utilized the Soldier Rd facility as our pilot project, said Robert Williams, BTC Cable & Wireless Vice President of Engineering,
PAGE 12, Monday, February 25, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
QC Munroe poised to launch class-action against Cable Bahamas
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
ATTORNEY Wayne Munroe wants to launch a class-action lawsuit against Cable Bahamas, hoping to force the service provider to provide customers with
all they pay for, or supply credits when it can’t do so. Mr Munroe, in Facebook posts, invited disgruntled customers to join his suit. He told The Tribune: “I don’t watch a lot of TV because I’m not home a lot but it’s annoying that you go to a channel you want to
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watch and it’s temporarily off air. “In my case, I watched five or six channels and the issue came to a head over the weekend where I had an issue where channels were out for almost two weeks and on the weekend, most of them went out. Somebody called Cable Bahamas from my house; a representative said they would see if they could get someone there about three, four days later. “It struck me that here it is that’s ten percent of the month without a service and they don’t compensate us when they don’t provide the service you contracted for. Bahamas Power & Light is different because when the power out you’re not charged because you’re not consuming electricity.” Mr Munroe said his action would hopefully force companies like Cable Bahamas to hire the number of staff needed to ensure it does not take days for representatives to respond to concerns. He said: “If they had to give you credit for the time when they aren’t providing a service, they might keep on more staff. I don’t know whether they’re able to see that two of the 30 channels Munroe is paying for are out so they can work on that even before I call them, but if they cannot do that, why? Is it that the technology doesn’t exist? Maybe the technology costs a bit of money so they can get away without buying it. That’s the thinking behind holding them to the strict contract they have entered into with us.” Mr Munroe said a number of people have expressed interest in joining a lawsuit. “URCA should force them,” he said, “by saying if
you’re not giving the service pay for, give a credit to customers. Then I don’t care if it takes two weeks to come to my house because then I don’t have to pay them for the two weeks the service isn’t being provided. But it can’t be right that they take three days to come and we have to pay them for the three days. We know that if you’re a day late in paying them, they cut you off, right?” Mr Munroe said a lawsuit would be a service to the community. “As a lawyer, I now see there is something wrong cuz I witness it,” he said. “Having witnessed it, I can’t sit back and let it continue because what good will that do? How right would it be that they may put an alert in the system so that when I call them they come deal with my issue so I won’t sue them, but they don’t do the same to all the rest of the people who are paying and not getting the service?”
QC Wayne Munroe
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
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THE TRIBUNE
Monday, February 25, 2019, PAGE 13
RBDF duo step down after long service
THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force bid farewell to Chief Petty Officers (CPO) Nelson Strachan and Brian Miller, who both retired after serving a combined 62 years of active service. A 32-year veteran, CPO Strachan gave his final farewell on Parade immediately following the morning flag raising ceremony held every morning at Coral Harbour Base. He officially retired on February 6. CPO Nelson Strachan was a member of New Entry 18, enlisting as a Marine Recruit on June 23, 1986. Departments in which he has served over the course of his career have included Military Operations Platoon, Squadron Department aboard HMBS NASSAU, the Supply Department, and his final assignment in the Military Police and Force Protection (MPFP) Unit. He was also a participant in the peacekeeping mission to Haiti in 1995 as a member of the RBDF CARICOM contingent. With his wife and church
members in attendance, he encouraged those in attendance to remain vigilant and always maintain their integrity. Lieutenant Byron McClain, Executive Officer of MPFP commended Chief Petty Officer Strachan for his hard work and dedication over the years, and wished him success in his transition. CPO Brian Miller enlisted as a Marine Recruit on January 9, 1989 as a member of New Entry 23. He officially retired on February 14, 2019. Attached to the Engineering Department, he has served onboard several classes vessels, which included HMBS David Tucker, HMBS Bahamas, HMBS Leon L. Smith, the Dauntless Class vessels, Harbour Patrol Unit and Technical Training section. His final assignment was with the Transport Workshop. With his wife and children in attendance, CPO Miller thanked Commander Defence Force Commodore Tellis Bethel and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for allowing him to have a successful career on the
CPO Brian Miller along with his wife and children, Officers and Warrant Officer of the Engineering Department. Inset: CPO Nelson Strachan
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Defence Force. As he mentioned the numerous places he has traveled during his 30-year career, he admonished those in attendance to always put God first in everything they do.
REALTOR PRISON SENTENCE REDUCED BY TWO YEARS
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
THE Court of Appeal has shaved two years off of a former realtor’s prison sentence for swindling 21 people out of over $144,000 between 2007 and 2008 as part of a property scam. Daisymae Johnson will now serve four years as opposed to six for stealing $144,000 worth of cash deposits for real estate she never delivered between December 2007 and December 2008. The new sentence is to run from January 27, 2017, when she was initially imprisoned over the entire affair. Johnson, who operated a real estate company without a licence, stole $144,785.34 from 21 people who made deposits to her on homes and lots that she never delivered between December 2007 and December 2008. The Crown said at the time that Gibraltar Real Estate and Land Development Company Limited, which was located at Logwood Road in Grand Bahama, commenced operation sometime in 2008. Johnson, who was operating the company, applied to the Grand Bahama Development Company to develop 22 lots in the Heritage West Subdivision, but her request was denied. Despite not having a licence, Johnson went ahead with the company and offered house and lot packages, ranging from $109,000 to $179,000, to the public. People making deposits to Johnson on the homes were given receipts and promised the homes would be constructed in three months. However, the police received 21 complaints of theft by Johnson between March 23, 2009 and November 13, 2009. Prosecutor Darrell Taylor said at the time that during the course of police investigations, it was discovered Gibraltar did not own the properties and was not authorised to sell them. Ms Taylor also said it was further discovered that six of the properties Johnson showed clients and had offered for sale were owned by Coral KFL Contractors. And although the
company never gave Gibraltar Real Estate company authorisation to sell the six properties or conduct business on their behalf, Ms Taylor said Johnson went ahead anyway. On March 13, 2012, Johnson was arraigned before Sir Hartman Longley, then a senior Supreme Court judge, on 21 counts of stealing by reason of service. She pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, some six months later, on September 20, Johnson entered into a plea agreement whereby it was agreed that in exchange for her pleading guilty to the 21 charges, the Crown would make a recommendation that she repay the sum of $144,785.34 over within 22 months. It was further recommended in the plea agreement that if she defaulted on three consecutive monthly payments, the Crown would not oppose a request by her that six years would be an appropriate sentence for the disposition of the case. On January 30, 2013, Johnson and the Crown entered into an amended plea agreement in which all of the aforementioned terms were again agreed to; however, an agreed payment schedule outlining the monthly payments were to be disbursed to the 21 complainants. Johnson paid roughly half of the $144,785.34 before becoming delinquent in making the payments. On July 13, 2016, the court gave her 90 days within which to pay the balance of $72,635.84. After Johnson failed to pay that sum within 90 days, on January 27, 2017, she appeared before Justice Estelle Gray-Evans pursuant to a summons and an affidavit filed by the Crown, which requested the agreement be rescinded and a six-year sentence imposed. Justice Gray-Evans ultimately acceded to the Crown’s application and sentenced her to six years in prison. However, Johnson, via her attorney Christina Galanos, appealed Justice Gray-Evans’ decision to accede to the Crown’s request on the basis she erred in her interpretation of the plea agreement during the
sentencing exercise, and that the sentence passed was thus unduly severe. During the hearing of the substantive appeal, Ms Galanos submitted the agreement mandated that her client was only liable to be sentenced after missing three consecutive monthly payments, and that in the event she requested a six-year sentence, the prosecutor would not oppose that request. Furthermore, Ms Galanos asserted that the agreement not to oppose a request by her that six years is an appropriate sentence for the disposition of the case implied that whenever Johnson would have breached the agreement, there would be a “discussion” to determine what would be an appropriate sentence. Ms Galanos further submitted that notwithstanding that the maximum penalty for the offences in question is 10 years imprisonment, her client had no previous convictions; pled guilty so as to not waste the court’s time and repaid roughly half of the stolen funds. Thus, she said a sentence towards the higher end of the spectrum was unwarranted. Ms Galanos further asserted that when the plea agreement was first struck, and before Johnson made any payments pursuant to the agreement, it was “clear” that both parties were “somewhat comfortable” with a sixyear sentence. However, she said once Johnson defaulted on her monthly payments, the circumstances had “clearly changed” as she had paid roughly half of what was owed. Thus, Ms Galanos said Justice Gray-Evans ought to have taken that fact into consideration, reduced the sentence mentioned by one-half and thereby sentenced Johnson to three years imprisonment. The appellate court, particularly Justice Isaacs, concurred with Ms Galanos’ submissions, and in a written ruling, said he was satisfied that Justice GrayEvans “failed to take into consideration those matters which she ought to have taken into consideration and took into consideration matter which he or she ought not to have taken into consideration.”
SENIOR INTERNAL AUDITOR Commonwealth Bank is the premier Bahamian Bank with branches located in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Eleuthera. We are committed to delivering superior quality service, to training and developing our employees, to creating value for our shareholders and to promoting economic growth and stability in the community.
ROLE OVERVIEW The Senior Internal Auditor is an important role within the Bank responsible for managing the day-to-day execution of internal audit projects, while ensuring quality reporting standards are maintained and adhered to in accordance with Commonwealth Bank Internal Audit Methodology. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES The Senior Internal Auditor provides assistance in the leadership and coordination of Internal Audit functions; including Audit Planning, Audit Execution, Audit Reporting, Issues & People Management, and Remediation. QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE • Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Accounting or equivalent qualification from a recognized tertiary institution. • Internal audit professional certification or related qualifications (CIA, CPA). • At least four (4) years’ internal or external audit experience within similar/ related industry (2 years at supervisory level). KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Knowledge: The incumbent must have proficient knowledge in the following areas: • Good knowledge of the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. • Advanced knowledge of Accounting, Financial Reporting and Internal Auditing Standards and best practices. • Strong understanding of business ethics concepts and demonstration of integrity, credibility and confidentiality. • Intermediate knowledge of data analytics software. • Central Bank, Securities and Insurance Commission guidelines, Bahamas regulations, Financial Services best practices. • Identify and use analysis techniques that quickly identify process gaps. Skills: The incumbent must demonstrate the following skills: • Good organizational and people management skills. • Good written communication and presentation skills. • Strong Leadership skills. • Effective time management skills. • Integrity, credibility and confidentiality • Ability to work independently • Proficiency in Microsoft Office. • Sound problem-solving, analytical and decision making skills. REMUNERATION PACKAGE: Commonwealth Bank is a Great place to work! We offer an exciting work environment with the opportunity for growth and development. We also offer a competitive compensation package, reflecting the successful applicant’s experience and qualifications, including a performance based incentive plan, health, vision, dental and life insurances and a pension plan. Qualified individuals should complete the online application @ www.combankltd.com no later than Friday March 1, 2019.
“ Commonwealth Bank sincerely thanks all applicants for their interest in becoming a part of our team, however, only those applications being considered will be contacted.”
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, February 25, 2019, PAGE 15
MADURO OPPONENTS BOOST MILITARY RHETORIC IN VENEZUELA CRISIS CUCUTA, Colombia Associated Press OPPOSITION leader Juan Guaido has called on the international community to consider “all options” to resolve Venezuela’s crisis, a dramatic escalation in rhetoric that echoes comments from the Trump administration hinting at potential US military involvement. Guaido’s comments came after a tumultuous day that saw President Nicolas Maduro’s forces fire tear gas and buckshot on activists trying to deliver humanitarian aid in violent clashes that
left two people dead and some 300 injured. For weeks, the US and regional allies had been amassing emergency food and medical kits on Venezuela’s borders in anticipation of carrying out a “humanitarian avalanche” by land and sea to undermine Maduro’s rule. With activists failing to penetrate government blockades and deliver the aid, Guaido announced late Saturday that he would escalate his appeal to the international community — beginning with a meeting Monday in Colombia’s capital with US
Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of an emergency summit of leaders of the so-called Lima Group to discuss Venezuela’s crisis. He said he would urge the international community to keep “all options open” in the fight to restore Venezuela’s democracy, using identical language to that of President Donald Trump, who in his public statements has repeatedly refused to rule out force and reportedly even secretly pressed aides as early as 2017 about the possibility of a military incursion. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also stepped up the
belligerent rhetoric, saying on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Maduro’s “days are numbered”. A close Guadio ally, Julio Borges, the exiled leader of congress who is Guaido’s ambassador to the Lima Group, was even more explicit in urging a military option. “We are going to demand an escalation of diplomatic pressure ... and the use of force against Nicolas Maduro’s dictatorship,” he said yesterday. It’s a prospect that analysts warn risks fracturing a hard-won coalition of Latin American nations who’ve come together to pressure Maduro’s socialist government.
Most Latin American governments, even conservative ones like those in neighboring Colombia and Brazil, are on the record opposing a military solution and would face huge dissent should they back any military action led by the US, whose interventions in the region during the Cold War remain an open wound. “These governments know they would face a huge tide of internal opinion greatly offended by a US-led invasion for historical and political reasons,” said Ivan Briscoe, the Latin America director for the Crisis Group, a Belgium-based think tank.
BANGLADESH PLANE HIJACKER SHOT DEAD DHAKA, Bangladesh Associated Press
AN IMAGE of Freddie Mercury appears on screen as Brian May, left, and Adam Lambert of Queen performed at the Oscars last night.
In an upset, Green Book wins best picture at Oscars LOS ANGELES Associated Press
THE segregation-era road-trip drama “Green Book” was crowned best picture at the 91st Academy Awards last night, handing Hollywood’s top award to a film seen as a feel-good throwback by some and ridiculed as an outdated inversion of “Driving Miss Daisy” by others. In a year where Hollywood could have made history by bestowing best-picture on Netflix (“Roma”) or Marvel (“Black Panther”) for the first time, the motion picture academy instead threw its fullest support behind a traditional interracial
buddy tale that proved as popular as it was divisive. But Peter Farrelly’s “Green Book” weathered criticism that it was retrograde and inauthentic to triumph over more acclaimed films and bigger box-office successes. It was an unexpected finale to a brisk, hostless ceremony awash in historic wins for diversity, including Spike Lee’s first competitive Oscar. Lee, whose “Do the Right Thing” came out the same year that “Driving Miss Daisy” won best picture, was among those most visibly upset by the award handed to “Green Book.” After presenter Julia Roberts announced it, Lee stood up, waved his hands in disgust and started
pacing up and down the aisles. “Green Book” also won best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali and best original screenplay. The Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles otherwise spread awards around for Ryan Coogler’s superhero sensation “Black Panther,” Alfonso Cuaron’s black-and-white personal epic “Roma,” and the Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Lee’s win for best adapted screenplay for his white supremacist drama “BlacKkKlansman,” an award he shared with three co-writers, gave the Dolby Theatre ceremony Sunday its signature moment. The
crowd rose in a standing ovation, Lee leapt into the arms of presenter Samuel L. Jackson and even the backstage press room burst into applause. One of the biggest surprises of the night was in the best actress category. Olivia Colman won for her Queen Anne in the royal romp “The Favourite,” denying Glenn Close her first Oscar. Close remains the most-nominated living actor never to win, with seven nominations. “Ooo. It’s genuinely quite stressful,” said a staggered Colman, who later turned to Close to say she was her idol, “And this is not how I wanted it to be.” “Bohemian Rhapsody,”
which kicked off the ABC telecast with a performance by Queen, won four awards despite pans from many critics and sexual assault allegations against its director, Bryan Singer, who was fired in mid-production. Its star, Rami Malek, won best actor for his full-bodied and prosthetic teeth-aided performance, and the film was honored for editing, sound mixing and sound editing. “We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant who lived his life unapologetically himself,” said Malek. “We’re longing for stories like this. I am the son of immigrants from Egypt. I’m a first-generation American, and part of my story is being written right now.”
A FLIGHT bound for Dubai from Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, made an emergency landing yesterday in Chittagong, Bangladesh, after a man attempted to hijack the plane, officials said. The suspect, a Bangladeshi, asked to speak to the country’s prime minister before dying from injuries in an exchange of gunfire with military commandos, officials said. The flight, operated by state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines, took off from Dhaka at 4.35 p.m. for the trip to Dubai via Chittagong. The pilot made the emergency landing in Chittagong about 40 minutes later, after a crew member reported “suspicious behavior” by the man, said an official with the Bangladeshi military’s inter-service public affairs office.
POPE VOWS TO END ABUSE COVER-UPS VATICAN CITY Associated Press
POPE Francis closed out his summit on preventing clergy sex abuse by vowing yesterday to confront abusers with “the wrath of God” felt by the faithful, end the cover-ups by their superiors and prioritise the victims of this “brazen, aggressive and destructive evil”. But his failure to offer a concrete action plan to hold bishops accountable when they failed to protect their flocks from predators disappointed survivors, who had expected more from the first-ever global Catholic summit of its kind. Francis delivered his remarks before 190 Catholic bishops and religious superiors.