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The Tribune

Volume:115 No.103, APRIL 20TH, 2018

Established 1903

Weekend

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Weekend

WEEKEND: BRINGING CHIVALRY BACK TO THE BAHAMAS

Friday, April 20, 2018

A TRIP TO

MOROCCO Page 8 & 9

Making a gentleman

Chivalry service seeks to refine

Bahamian men Fashion, 14 & 15

Blackout - explosion hits island’s power

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

MINUTES after Bahamas Power and Light’s CEO Whitney Heastie outlined steps BPL plans to scale down service disruptions in anticipation of the hot summer, New Providence was struck by an island wide power outage.

In its first of many press statements yesterday updating customers of the situation, the company said the outage happened around 11.30am yesterday because of an equipment failure at one of the substations at the Blue Hills Power Plant.

However, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union President Paul Maynard said the disruption in

RAISING A ROYAL SMILE

service was due to an explosion at substation eight in the Blue Hills Plant.

By 1pm, BPL said downtown Nassau, hospitals, the Royal Bahamas Police Force Headquarters, the Hilton Hotel, Collins Avenue North and surrounding areas had been restored. A short while later the electricity provider said 45 percent of the island was reconnected, while thanking customers for their patience.

When it updated consumers at 4pm, BPL said 75 percent of the island’s power was restored. At this time the Soldier Road area, Lyford Cay, Coral Harbour and Cable Beach were the only areas left for restoration, BPL said.

SEE PAGE THREE

...JUST AS BPL UNVEIL JOB CUTS

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Power and Light Ltd plans to soon begin a “rightsizing” exercise, which could see nearly 300 of the electricity provider’s 1,050 employees sent home.

BPL’s Deputy Chairman Patrick Rollins confirmed yesterday during a press conference that the power provider was in the discussion and planning phase of this exercise, although he

did not reveal the extent of the staff reduction or when it was projected to begin.

Unions representing workers at BPL said yesterday that the company has said 233 workers have to be made redundant and questioned who these employees will be.

The unions also said they have yet to see the company’s full business plan.

BPL’s former management company PowerSecure stated in its SEE PAGE THREE

FLAVOR UP FOR FREE !

GET YOUR FIRST TOPPING FREE ON ANY LARGE CUSTOM PIZZA.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis meeting Queen Elizabeth yesterday. See page six for more photographs of the PM’s visit to London.

195 BODIES IN MORGUE - WHY FEES MUST GO UP

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ONE hundred and ninetyfive dead bodies are being kept at Princess Margaret Hospital’s Morgue as of Wednesday – triple the number the facility was built to maintain, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands.

Many dead bodies are never collected - as the government discovered

DR DUANE SANDS MP on gaining office - and the maintenance cost to the Public Hospitals Authority for acquiring coolers, ensuring uninterrupted

power and covering “pauper burials” for uncollected bodies is considerable.

Dr Sands revealed this information yesterday while explaining to The Tribune why the PHA, burdened to cover such costs through its annual budget, must begin to charge fees to raise money so people can be provided with adequate healthcare services.

Saunders Beach & Prince Charles Shopping Centre Tel: 603-3333 | www.pizzahutnassau.com

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

CORPORATION TAX OUT AS MOVE TO MEET EURO RULES

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Government has stripped corporate taxation from its anti-blacklisting response, as attorney Michael Paton yesterday warned: “Time is not our friend.”

Mr Paton warned it will be “a long summer” as The Bahamas seeks to meet demands.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

PAGE 2, Friday, April 20, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

GBPA vice chairman, Sarah St George discussed the Coral Vita Farm project with Gator Hepburn of Coral Vita and UOB guest at the University of The Bahamas’ Sustainable Grand Bahama event last week.

Photos: Coral Vita for Barefoot Marketing

Coral farm project gains GBPA support A BID to establish a commercial coral farm on Grand Bahama has garnered the support of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the Grand Bahama Development Company with the pilot project poised to be the first in a global network boosting preservation efforts.

The initiative by international coral reef restoration company Coral Vita is expected to bolster underwater eco-systems that act as natural barriers to storms and natural disasters, and shore up eco-tourism on Grand Bahama by increasing stock in the multi-billion dollar global industry.

The project has self-raised $1.5m from international financiers for the construction of their pilot coral farm, which they hope will be the first in a global network of large-scale farms working in tandem with preservation initiatives around the world.

“Grand Bahama has endured the many ravages of hurricanes, and so the importance of protecting our natural storm barriers cannot be overstated,” said Rupert Hayward, GBPA director.

“We jumped at the opportunity to support Coral Vita, not only in raising awareness about the importance of our reefs but to be a part of efforts to oversee the regrowth of miles of coral reefs in and around Grand Bahama.

“The Coral Vita facility, in addition to reviving the reef systems, is intended to serve as a hands-on learning tool, which we hope will peak the interest of future marine biologists and environmentalists.”

He added: “We are excited be at the forefront of the fight to address this major environmental concern.”

Founded by long time dive enthusiast Sam Teicher and his business partner Gator Halpern, Coral Vita has dedicated its resources to scaling up the science and impact of coral farming.

Through its partnership, Coral Vita will

use land in Freeport to support restoration projects of any size, and by extension paving the way for economic development through a community-based approach which integrates local stakeholders into the initiative.

The plan to launch their commercial coral farm on Grand Bahama was announced at the University of the Bahamas’ Sustainable Grand Bahama event last week.

Olethea Gardiner, GBPA’s environmental inspector of the Building and Development Services Department, confirmed University of the Bahamas will also be involved with the project.

The process uses a scalable land-based farming model to accelerate coral growth by up to 50 times faster while enhancing their resiliency to the warming and acidifying ocean conditions that threaten their survival. These methods were developed

by Coral Vita’s advisors at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, and incorporated into Coral Vita’s business model underpin their work to help preserve reefs for future generations.

Mr Teicher said: “I’ve been a diver since I was a kid, so this cause is one that is very personal to me.

“Outside of the ecological wonder of reefs though, coral reef survival is extremely important for communities around the world, and their loss is a major socio-economic catastrophe,” he continued.

“The GBPA and DEVCO are guiding us through the process to launch the farm. We have submitted our environmental impact assessment to GBPA, and soon to the government to hopefully have our coral farm operational here before the end of summer.

“Our farm will grow corals to restore reefs, serve as a new eco-tourism attraction, integrate the local community into our project through educational programming, and make the Bahamas a flagship for ecosystem protection, marine technology, and sustainable development.”

CORAL Vita divers inspect the health of local coral reefs ahead of their planned restoration initiative to be completed in partnership with the GBPA.

CORAL Vita co-founder Gator Halpern going over site plans with GBPA environmental inspector Olethea Gardiner and project manager Derek Gape.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 20, 2018, PAGE 3

Blackout - explosion hits island’s power from page one Officials predicted the restoration efforts would have begun in about four to five hours from the start of the outage, however the first areas were reconnected in about an hour.

Consumers reacted on social media with questions and frustrations regarding the outage.

One Facebook user said:

“I’m still trying to understand how a sub-station failure had the whole island out...”

Another user complained: “Meanwhile there are accidents happening in almost every ghetto neighbourhood because the stop lights off and nobody wants to let anyone through.”

Another angry resident wrote: “I hope we get a discount; it seems that when

the power is off the metre spins faster because when the bill comes out the bill is higher not lower.”

As he spoke to reporters yesterday, Mr Heastie said while there will be issues, steps are being taken to correct certain problems specifically in New Providence, Abaco and Bimini.

He said: “When we look at New Providence there are a number of issues in

THE BAHAMAS Power and Light head office.

New Providence starting from the generation system all the way through the distribution network, including the transmission. We’ve been working aggressively on the generation facilities making sure that all of the major overhauls are completed in time for summer, these are engines as with any engine be it a car, do require routine and major (maintenance) and so we are working aggressively to

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

...JUST AS BPL UNVEIL JOB CUTS from page one

business plan, which was released last year, that it wanted an approximate “30 per cent reduction in staff by year three of the plan.”

That figure would have represented 315 BPL workers and was projected to reduce “the cost of service to customers by an estimated $0.013 per kilowatt hour as a result” the business plan further said.

The Minnis administration severed ties with PowerSecure in September 2017.

Insiders told The Tribune yesterday it was hoped other industry stakeholders would absorb the workers who would be made jobless.

Despite the staff cuts being foreshadowed, the Bahamas Electrical Utility Union and Bahamas

Electrical Workers Union were angered by the impending move.

In a press statement issued yesterday, both unions said they would not be “pushed around” and put the country on notice that if the board and executive management attempt to intimidate them, then it would be a “very dark and hot summer”.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr Rollins said the need to “rightsize” was due to plans to implement new automated procedures.

He said: “All the stakeholders agree that 1,050 employees, especially as we implement new automated procedures, there is going to be a need to right size. We are in discussions now, in (the) planning stage (and) discussions to at some point have a rightsizing exercise in the organisation.

“We have 1,050 employees at present and our goal is to build a world class organisation with our Bahamian team. We are blessed to have a lot of talented individuals in our company, but there are still some missing skill sets and we are working to fill these missing skill sets and add them to our staff so we can be a first in class utility company,” Mr Rollins also said.

“To fill these positions, we first look inside the organisation. Then we go to The Bahamas we look for a Bahamian somewhere in The Bahamas.

If we can’t find a Bahamian in The Bahamas we go international and look for Bahamians. Only then after we have exhausted those avenues that we look for a non-Bahamian to fill those positions and when we bring a non-Bahamian in, that non-Bahamian is

EASTERN ROAD PAVING COMPLETE

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net EASTERN Road is officially paved, Works Minister Desmond Bannister confirmed to The Tribune yesterday.

“The Eastern Road paving exercise has been completed,” he said.

“They will clean up tomorrow (Friday) and then move on to others.”

Resurfacing work on Eastern Road began nearly two weeks ago and was originally scheduled to finish last Monday.

However, a series of delays prevented the project from being completed on time. Previous issues that have affected the roadworks include Water and Sewerage Corporation works and BTC lines that had to be repaired.

On Sunday night, Mr Bannister promised he would hold utility companies accountable for the “embarrassing” delays on such a busy road that he said he pushed the finish date to the end of this week.

On Monday, Mr Bannister attributed the last set of delays to “a sewer leak from a private residence.”

The sewage leak came from the Dick’s Point sewage pipes. This resulted in crews having to excavate approximately ten feet of road to access the pipes and effect repairs – resulting in more delays.

“It is not our fault, but we have to deal with it,” he told The Tribune earlier this week.

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assigned to a Bahamian so they could understudy them, so we can have a transfer of knowledge. So, when they go home we’ll have Bahamians filling those positions.

“We’ve heard a lot of talk over the last few days about Grand Bahama Power Company bringing people in. I just want to say many of the people who we got from GBPC are people who were born and grew up in Nassau.”

He said BPL is looking for Bahamians to fill vacancies because executives are confident Bahamians could solve the problems of the company.

make sure we meet (this) not only schedule, but . . . to keep these engines running during the high summer months.”

On the transmission side, he said BPL was working on what it considered the soft spots, including Stapledon Gardens where BPL workers have gone through and looked at the poles and wires to make sure there were no failing mechanisms as lack of

maintenance does not cause electricity to be interrupted.

There are 90,000 BPL customers in the capital, representing the lion’s share of BPL customers.

He also said: “I don’t anticipate there won’t be issues. We will have issues, but we do anticipate that as they occur that we would understand a bit better what they are and can attack them in a systematic and responsible way.”

PAGE 4, Friday, April 20, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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The Trump enigma - has he found the way to handle dictators?

LESS than a week ago, a coalition of the US, Britain and France was poised to launch airstrikes on Syria in response to the deployment of chemical weapons.

Their joint assessment was that it was highly likely the Assad regime, with the connivance of Russia, had used these weapons against its own people and that this was part of a pattern of behaviour. Days later, targeted and effective bombing attacks took place on chemical weapons sites and facilities in order to alleviate humanitarian suffering by degrading the regime’s capability to manufacture and deploy such weapons and to deter it from doing so in the future. But there was no question of seeking to secure regime change or of involvement in Syria’s civil war.

This crisis, which includes the real threat of escalation into a wider conflict because of the Russians’ involvement on the ground, has inevitably been in the international media spotlight. Now, as there appears to be no overt action so far by Russia in retaliation for what it has termed an act of reckless aggression against a sovereign state, the world’s attention has turned abruptly to the sudden announcement of recent highlevel talks between the US and North Korea as a prelude to a possible bilateral presidential summit in the coming weeks to discuss denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Another significant issue currently in the news is a potential trade war between the US and China following President Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel and China’s immediate response of placing tariffs on a range of American imports. But, as recently as last week, President Xi Jinping made what is seen as a conciliatory gesture amid rising trade tensions by lowering tariffs on certain products like vehicles.

These three important developments have prompted commentators to ponder about the effectiveness of old-fashioned diplomacy compared with the more direct and aggressive manner of the current US president with his well-known braggadocio, bluster and threats in pursuing what he perceives as the nation’s interests on the world stage.

The eternal dilemma in dealing with dictators determined to have their own way is whether to pursue one’s goals by negotiation and appeasement or with force. It has always been accepted that appeasement can be used as an instrument of diplomacy if a long-term objective might be more effectively secured through compromise and concession. But appeasement has acquired a pejorative meaning because of its

association with the notorious Munich Conference in 1938 at which Britain and France failed to stand up to Hitler when his aggressive intentions were evident, and the term is now regarded as a sign of irresolution. Nonetheless, negotiation always remains preferable to the use of force as a last resort.

Dictators deride weakness but fear a forceful reaction as they calculate how to achieve their aims without serious opposition. Diplomacy has been thwarted in the case of Syria because at the UN Security Council Russia has used its veto to block the perpetrators from being held to account. So, since this option was exhausted, urgent and direct action by the coalition was needed to defend and uphold the global consensus that chemical weapons should never be used and to bring humanitarian relief to those in extreme distress; but the force applied had to be both proportionate and limited.

According to reports, Mr Putin was taken aback by the strong and concerted response of the international community to the Syrian atrocity as well as, earlier, to the nerve agent attack against the former Russian spy and his daughter in England. Equally, Mr Trump’s tough rhetoric and threats about North Korea’s nuclear programme after years of patient diplomacy has sent a strong message to its leaders that the US now means business in so far as it is prepared to use force. Be that as it may, despite a breakthrough in relations at the top level, careful diplomacy will be required to consolidate any meeting of minds and to secure any lasting commitment to denuclearisation.

To many people, the President’s belligerent approach in dealing with any threat to the rules-based global system is a welcome development because it appears to be working – at least in the short-term – in a world that, ironically, has now become more dangerous than during the Cold War. One possible explanation is that because of his impulsiveness and unpredictability other leaders are genuinely afraid he could follow up his threats and unleash on them the overwhelming might of US military power.

It remains puzzling to some observers that someone who prides himself on doing deals should not utilize better his claimed negotiating skills rather than issue threats in the conduct of international affairs. But perhaps he really believes confrontation and intimidation are more effective in handling dictators – and maybe he is right, but only time will tell.

Press secretary EDITOR, The Tribune.

OPM Press Secretary continues to amaze me that he makes statements which are challenged, I wish the journalists would challenge him, are inaccurate and shows that he has not read public documents such as the Heads of Agreement of OBAN Energies.

Even the AG put his money on Article: 5.1 page 8…Environmental Protection and Preservation of Antiquities.

May I quote as it might educate the Press Secretary that misspeaking is a mistake and is all part of

the reason the Domain Poll found results as they did… there is a considerable level of unpopularity of the FNM Government. “…The parties agree that the Government shall not have the right to terminate these Heads of Agreement based upon any EIA Report, but instead shall work with the developer to mitigate any concerns.”

Are we not missing the essential principle of this Heads of Agreement? I see that the Government of Hubert Minnis has approved the principle to build a refinery – that in itself at the

location proposed is beyond any imagination. A resort development, yes, but a refinery?

Corruption in the Civil Service – Minister Lloyd had better recall his past comments praising the Civil Service and especially his Ministerial staff for their excellence, etc, etc, in his usual verbose manner.

Well. Minister they can’t be both - make your mind up!

It seems they are now the total opposite - lazy, inefficient and lacking purpose!

ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau, April 18, 2018.

Lima gaffe EDITOR, The Tribune.

ON a recent trip to Lima Peru, the Prime Minister made comments in an international forum that both confused and astounded me.

On the one hand he sought

to attract potential investors to our country, and on the other he cited the extent of government corruption estimated by him to be $200m per year. It sends a duplicitous message that we are a corrupt country that is

seeking investors.

I suspect that was not his intent, but it is another in a series of unnecessary gaffes.

JB Nassau, April 18, 2018.

Oft attire!

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net EDITOR, The Tribune.

FIRSTLY, I’m not professing to be an authority on proper attire and when, but, my Hospitality training over the last 50 years still holds firm today, and having been told on many occasions with the numerous number of seminars, courses, I have attended throughout the United States, becoming a Certified Hospitality Trainer from the American Hotel Motel Association, I believe I’m qualified to speak on proper attire. etiquette, table manners, and proper grooming, and standards that never change!

I have suppressed myself over the last several months in commenting on the way our so-called leaders deport themselves in the Global world and at home. It’s unbelievable as the photo depicts the Protocol Officer with the Prime Minister’s delegation, in his oft attire that leave me no choice but to bring this observation to the attention of what we are faced with, as Protocol Officer you would think he’s well versed in proper attire, which should have been a dark suit, not a light, light blue suit. Also it’s

dark colours after 6pm, give those light coloured suits to the Red Cross or Salvation Army!

I have on many occasions had to speak to a few of our leaders on their deportment that were well received, and in some cases improvements were made, I was totally confounded a few months ago when one of the representatives at CARICOM rested his hat on the table, also you would see many of them giving Press statements and they put “Donald Trump” to shame with their coats unbuttoned, looking so boorish.

When they are not in brown or tan suits, they’re wearing checkered brown. I’m tired of seeing our leaders embarrass us abroad, those of you who are guilty, please turn yourselves in, you know who you are?

Are these people are just ignorant to proper deportment and etiquette, I sometimes shudder to

imagine them at a “7” seven course meal, which will eventually happen during their time in office. They will be totally lost. They will make the Bahamas the laughing stock among their more cultured and exposed colleagues.

Please seek help, if you don’t know, it’s no sin or shame in admitting you don’t know, you’re on the big stage now, You have graduated from the Bamboo Shack. Kentucky, and Burger King era.

Let me recommend two qualified professionals right there among you in Nassau who can be of great assistance in helping you from further embarrassing yourselves and our country.

Brendan Foulkes and Phyllis “Albury” Garraway, please seek them out!

KELLY D BURROWS Freeport, Grand Bahama, April 15, 2018.

Nurse shifts EDITOR, The Tribune.

the union is demanding is they be paid a premium for Re: your article the unsocial hours which are patient must come first. In late shifts and night shifts.

The Tribune, dated April How dare you say “what 12, 2018. a nurse needs to understand YOUR article started of - if in fact she is a true very well re the Princess nurse. The patients’ needs Margaret Hospital issues come first”. Which is true? then in one of your last Nurses know that, and they paragraph you made the go above and beyond for comment. And I quote: their patients.

The Bahamas nurses You also said the hospital union was threatening should be free to recruit as industrial action you said many foreign nurse as are that foreign nurses are will- needed to take care of suffering to work 12 hours shifts. ing Bahamian patients. True, And the nurses are working but these foreign nurses need four on and four off. I must a fair shift and to be paid for point out to you this is only unsocial hours as well. night duty. All other shift All nurses need to be are eight hours shifts. paid properly. You’re sitting The 12 hours shift you back writing this article. I’m mentioned was never sure making a decent salary offered, and was never an to take care of your family. option. The nurses were But you have not looked asked to work eight hour for the facts, nor have shift across the board. All you spoken to the union

president to get the facts.

You just write whatever you please about the nurses. Try getting the facts from the president.

Nurses have families too, not only you. Nurses are single mothers. They have bills to pay. When they are out working as on holidays, late shifts, and nights.

You are home in your bed.

When they are being verbally abused by relatives who leave their loved ones in hospital as boarders.

Where are you?

So get the facts right before you sit at your computer to write about Nurses of whom you know nothing about. Talk to a true nurse.

Try getting the facts.

HEALTH WORKER Nassau, April 13, 2018.

CARE

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 20, 2018, PAGE 5

195 bodies in morgue - why fees must go up from page one To adequately fund its operations, PHA must raise as much as $30m per year beyond the more than $200m it receives from the Consolidated Fund annually, Dr Sands believes. The PHA intends to charge morgue storage fees, among others, in the next fiscal year and will charge a penalty to keep bodies at the morgue beyond a specified time frame. The fees relate to a variety of PHA services.

Dr Sands said at any given time, between 180 and 200 bodies are kept at the Rand Morgue. Many of the bodies have been there since before the FNM were elected in May last year.

“In general, the idea is that individuals do not feel any urgency to remove their loved ones and part of this ties into the cultural requirement for a funeral,” he added. “A funeral is no less than $3,000 and that’s for a barebones funeral; typically, you’re looking at $5,000 or $6,000 more. Many simply don’t have the means. The situation has been a longstanding vexing issue.”

Under the Health Services (Tobacco Advertising and Sales) Rules Act, the cost for keeping bodies at the morgue for public purposes is $50, but the fee has not been charged over the years.

Meanwhile, Dr Sands said the government pays undertakers $750 per adult and $150 per infant for “pauper” burials.

He said: “These longstanding issues point to a fiscal policy based on a wing and a prayer. If you know you have got to provide $10 per service then you must be able to find the $10. If you are trying to provide $10 per service and you budget only for $8, you cannot provide decent, reasonable, safe service.

If we are going to provide a reasonable and safe service and there is a variance between expenditure and funding, there are only several things that you can do.

“Either decrease expenditure, increase funding or do a little bit of both. What we have decided to do is define the needs of the Bahamian people and to provide those needs as efficiently and safely and appropriately

as possible. Some of the funding will be provided through the taxes that come ultimately from the people through the Consolidated Fund. “Some of the funding will come from the revenue generated through the private services of the PHA. Some of the funds will have to come directly from user fees. You cannot allow inefficiency, shrinkage, losses to divert funds from provision of necessary services because that constitutes a direct tax on the people who are least able to afford it. Moving forward we have to acknowledge there is no free lunch. While most of us believe in a powerful God who can make many things happen, hope is not an effective fiscal strategy. Without adequate

funding, significant maintenance can’t be scheduled, upgrades are delayed, supplies are difficult to purchase, etc.”

Fees for numerous medical services at public hospitals were legislated in the late 1970s but have never been charged.

“In truth, hospital authorities have been remiss in terms of duty to collect the treasury’s funds,” Dr Sands said. “Now in part that’s because they were enabled or instructed by the political narrative that healthcare is free.”

Officials are trying to determine how much money PHA would have collected per year had the fees been charged as mandated.

Dr Sands said the

fees that will be charged will be nominal. And contrary to some social media reports, the fees have not yet been applied.

To maintain so many bodies in a morgue designed to house far fewer, the government has purchased extra coolers over the years.

Of the bodies in the morgue now, 35 are of infants that died during childbirth. They are kept in the morgue’s main cooler; 61 are adults kept in the morgue’s main and satellite extension coolers; five remains are kept in compartment coolers and 94 burnt or decomposed bodies are kept for police/ court case purposes in a trailer and/or spill over cooler.

WITNESS ANONYMITY BILL ‘EITHER DUMB OR DANGEROUS’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

CALLING parliamentarians “either very dumb or very dangerous,” attorney Wayne Munroe, QC, said the Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Amendment Bill 2018 will almost certainly be struck down as unconstitutional by the courts.

The bill empowers a judge, upon application from a prosecutor or defendant, “to permit a witness to be seen and heard in his natural voice by a magistrate, magistrate’s panel or by the judges, but not by the prosecutor, the defendant or his attorney or by the jury”.

The bill was passed by the House of Assembly Wednesday.

Mr Munroe said the bill contravenes Article 20 of the Constitution, which entitles accused people to a fair trial. He noted the United Kingdom’s House of Lords ruled in 2008 that Ian Davis, a man convicted of a gun killing on the basis of evidence by an anonymous witness, did not receive a fair trial.

The man had been jailed in 2004 for murdering two men at a New Year’s Eve party after three witnesses identified him as the gunman.

The law lords said in their ruling: “No conviction should be based solely or to a decisive extent upon the statements and testimony

ATTORNEY WAYNE MUNROE, QC. of anonymous witnesses.”

The UK’s Parliament subsequently changed its law, allowing anonymous witness testimony while putting in place safeguards to protect the rights of the defendant.

Their law mandated that before a judge could approve such an application, consideration must be given to the “general right of a defendant in criminal proceedings to know the identity of a witness; the extent to which the credibility of the witness concerned would be a relevant factor when the weight of his or her evidence comes to be assessed; whether evidence given by

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

the witness might be the sole or decisive evidence implicating the defendant; whether the witness’ evidence could be properly tested without his or her identity being disclosed; whether there is any reason to believe the witness has a tendency to be dishonest or has any motive to be dishonest in the circumstances of the case” and “whether it would be reasonably practicable to protect the witness by any other means other than my making a witness anonymity order specifying the measures that are under consideration by the court.”

The Bahamas’ Criminal Evidence (Witness

TURNQUEST CONFIDENT AFTER SOUTHWESTERN INCIDENT

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMASAIR Chairman Tommy Turnquest yesterday expressed full confidence in the airline’s safety and maintenance programme as he moved to temper concerns over the Boeing 737s in its fleet following the recent Southwestern Airlines engine explosion and emergency landing.

The twin-engine of SA’s Boeing 737 bound from New York to Dallas exploded on April 17, igniting speculation of whether its fan blade failure signalled a deeper manufacturing defect.

The engine malfunction shot pieces of metal shrapnel into the plane and passenger Jennifer Riordan was sucked into a smashed window, according to CNN. She was later pulled back into the plane by passengers but later died.

When contacted yesterday about local concerns about Bahamasair’ fleet, Mr Turnquest said: “I’m satisfied that our maintenance programme is such where we’re doing all the necessary testing and

maintenance review and we are in strict compliance with that.

“Those checks required every 24 months are done, one of our jets is just concluding one now and we just had one in December.

We’re doing whatever we can.”

Metal fatigue was evident in preliminary investigations, according to the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board, which explained one of the engine’s fan blades had broken off from the point where it joined the rotating hub.

Bahamasair has three 737s in its fleet, and is looking to acquire another one, according to Mr Turnquest.

Yesterday, he told The Tribune he had similar concerns after reading news reports on the crash but was advised the incident was an anomaly given that signs of fatigue should have been picked up during maintenance checks.

“I saw the story, quite naturally as a nontechnical person I had to ask some questions. Based on my inquiries, most of the narrow body jets fly some variant of that type of engine, and the routine airworthiness standards

require you check these fan blades. All of the narrow body jets have some form of that fan configuration as a part of the engine,” Mr Turnquest said.

“Routinely there are supposed to be checks before it gets to the stage where it would disengage. They would do all sorts of testing, nondestructive testing, ultrasound checks, to make sure there are no cracks in the blade and normally would be able to pick up on it before it got to that stage.

“It seems to have been somewhat of an anomaly so we continue to do our testing. Bahamasair prides itself on its safety record and maintenance schedule.”

The BBC reported that the Federal Aviation Administration Fan has said blades that have undergone a certain number of flights will have to be given ultrasonic tests.

“It added that the ‘airworthiness directive,’ which will require inspections of a large number of CFM567B engines, would be issued within the next two weeks,” the BBC noted.

“The CFM56-7B engine is in use on more than 8,000 Boeing 737 planes worldwide, the manufacturer says.”

Anonymity) Act, passed in 2011, requires a judge to consider these issues.

Nonetheless, Mr Munroe said even if such safeguards are in place, they could be challenged for being insufficient.

“How do they justify passing something they know is unconstitutional?” he asked. “What do they say? We know this is unconstitutional, we know this breaks our supreme law but we in Parliament are going to pass laws that go against our supreme law? That is irresponsible. “What you end up saying is that I know this material is going to offend the supreme law, the Constitution but as a

government we are going to set a legislative course purposely to offend the Constitution. That is a very dangerous government.

“Extrajudicial killings offend the Constitution and if they are willing in a public case to offend the Constitution to pass a bill why won’t they offend the Constitution by ordering extrajudicial killings?

That’s the next step hey?

We can’t convince these people according to the court system so we just going to kill them? That’s the attitude that these folks appear to have. It’s dangerous. They either very dumb or they very dangerous.”

He said any defence lawyer “worth his salt” will challenge the amendment through a constitutional motion that would have to be ruled on by the Supreme Court and no doubt end up in the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council.

“In the meantime, I suppose they won’t prosecute any cases upon which they say it requires this screening so you will set back by five or eight years prosecutions and at the end of the day I don’t expect the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council will say anything different than the House of Lords said in setting aside the Davis ruling, that it is unfair and the accused and the counsel must be able to see the witness.”

He said those accused of crimes have the right to confront an accuser.

“Let’s say somebody is screened from me and has his voice changed so I don’t know who it is. This could be somebody who has borne a grudge against me all his life but I won’t know that. I can’t put anything of that nature to the witness.

Let’s assume it’s a homicide. My case is I didn’t kill the person, somebody else did and the witness is that person who actually did the killing. I can’t see him or her. Or you may have had a vibe with me all your life that is well documented.

You may have lied on me before in a way that I can prove. But I don’t know who you are so I have no way of bringing that to the attention of the tribunal of fact.

“Could you imagine if the anonymous witness is my friend wife or sweetheart and I don’t know that? These people are just ridiculous. Dumbness is being elevated to an art in this country. Let’s assume I say I see (a politician) kill someone and I scared of what he gon’ do me so I say I need you to screen me from everybody. Would he think that is fair? If not, why would you inflict that on someone less fortunate in this country?”

On Wednesday, some parliamentarians noted witnesses have been killed before. Mr Munroe, however, said people must be careful drawing a connection between a witness’ death and their status as a witness.

PAGE 6, Friday, April 20, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

QUEEN ELIZABETH II MAY HAVE OPENED HER LAST CHOGM

By LINDSAY THOMPSON QUEEN Elizabeth II is expected to step down as head of the Commonwealth of Nations, but not before urging leaders to secure a more sustainable and prosperous world for future generations.

And although the role is not hereditary, it seems, she hinted at passing the baton on to her son, Charles, Prince of Wales, who along with other members of the Royal Family attended the formal opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) yesterday.

The Queen delivered the keynote address in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace.

“It remains a great pleasure and honour to serve you as head of the Commonwealth and to observe with pride and satisfaction that this is a flourishing network,” she said.

She expressed the wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations and that, one day, the Prince of Wales would carry on the important work started by her father in 1949.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government will meet in retreat for two days to discuss matters relating to the theme: “Towards a Common future.” Such matters include ocean conservation, cyber security and trade between the countries.

The Bahamas delegation is led by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, who

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert A Minnis meets British Prime Minister Theresa May and Baroness Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary General of the Commonwealth. will engage in high-level dialogues with other Commonwealth leaders. The Bahamas joined the Commonwealth in 1973.

The opening ceremony was also addressed by Prince Charles; Prime Minister of Great Britain Theresa May; Joseph Muscat, prime minister of Malta; and Patricia Scotland QC, Commonwealth secretary-general who all thanked the Queen for her dedicated service to the Commonwealth.

The Queen noted that

having on so many occasions been welcomed at opening ceremonies around the Commonwealth, it was a pleasure to welcome heads to her home.

“Here at Buckingham Palace, in 1949, my father met the heads of government when they ratified the London Declaration, which created the Commonwealth as we know it today. At that time, the Commonwealth comprised just eight nations.”

She continued: “Who then, or in 1952 when I

became head of the Commonwealth, would have guessed that the gathering of its member states would one day number 53 or that it would comprise 2.4 billion people.”

She described the Commonwealth as one of the world’s great convening powers, a global association of volunteers who believe in the tangible benefit that flows from the exchanging of ideas and experiences and respecting each other’s point of view.

“And we seem to be growing stronger year by year. The advantages are plain to see. An increasing emphasis on trade between our countries is helping us all to discover exciting new ways of doing business.”

She said she was also glad to see young people connecting through technology, and becoming ever more involved in that area.

The Queen said in meeting young people of this century, she remembered her own life-long commitment, made in South Africa in 1947 at the age of 21.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert A Minnis departs St James’s Palace for Lancaster House on foot yesterday. Photos: Yontalay Bowe “As another birthday approaches (April 21) this week, I am reminded of the extraordinary journey we have been on and how much good has been achieved.”

She concluded: “By continuing to invigorate our associations and activities, I believe we will secure a safer more prosperous and sustainable world for those

who follow us, a world where the Commonwealth generosity of spirit can bring its gentle touch of healing and hope to all.”

Outside Buckingham Palace, more than 100 officers and soldiers of the Coldstream Guards were in honour guard, wearing scarlet tunics and bearskins, as a 53-gun salute marked the formal opening.

Funeral Service For HARRIS COLLIE, 78 of Trinadad Avenue, Elizabeth Estates and formerly of Moran Bay, Acklins, will be held on Saturday, April 21st, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Baptist Church, Farrington Road. Officiating will be Rev. Clinton Minnis, assisted by Pastor Cedric Farquharson, Pastor A. Geoffrey Wood, Min. Pauline Zonicle-Claude and Min. Shernell Zonicle-Gardiner. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road.

Harris was pre-deceased by his Eldest Son: Harris Collie Jr.; Brothers: Leon Hanna and Floyd Collie.

Fond memories will forever live in the hearts of his Beloved Wife of fifty-two years: Annie Catherine Collie; Children: Sharon (Vincent) Coakley, Dellarese (Christopher) King, Antonio (Elva) Collie, Pamela (William) Braynen, Deidre, Anita and Shantell Collie; Grandchildren: Dashana Darling, Vinceia Coakley, Kai Carey, Nikyleo Collie, Raven, Mitzi & Starr Jones, Shantavio Thurston, Hubert Ingraham, Glenville Ormsby, Tarj Richards, Kylie Collie, Wyatt, Wyllan & Willow Braynen, Shayla Pinder and Amarri King; Great-grandchild: Nevaeh Nairn; Sister-in-Law: Sarah Collie; Brothers-in-Law: Rev. Cedric (Beverley) Farquharson, Raymond Farquharson, Charles (Sandra) Farquharson; Nieces: Bernadette, Renee, Felicia Arty, Elizabeth, Margurette Ferguson, Ruby Lewis, Elizabeth Collie, Leanna Collie, Dorina Smith, Claudella Watson, Maxine Michalski, Claudette, Sherell, Erica, Bernice, Christina, Leah, Luann, Olive Collie, Ismae Ferguson, Hellen Douglas, Anita Collie-Pratt, Driskell Rolle, Charla & Chara Farquharson, Raenya Mackey, Elizabeth Browning (USA), Anita Collins (USA), Vernom Dick (USA), Wendy and Cathy; Nephews: Eric, Edward, Errol, Harris Collins (USA), Normon Collie, David Collie, Dale, Prince, Bishop Gregory (Min. Stephanie) Collie, Cedric Jr. & Raynaldo Farquharson; Other Relatives and Friends: Carnetta Rolle & family, Catherine Rolle & family, Aunt Rose and Family Miami, Florida, Aunty Rose and Family (USA), Clothilda Williams & family, Doreen Williams & family, Althea Ferguson & family, Curlean Clarke & family, Prescola Williamson & family, Kendal Farquharson & Family, Glen Farquharson & family, Arnold Farquharson & family, Robert Farquharson & family, Ednal Farquharson & family, Mable Farquharson & family, Joseph Henry, Valentine Farquharson, Verdie Lelah Cunningham, Mildred Farquharson and Family, Linda Burrows and Family, Tamika Roberts, Sterlin Knowles, Leonie Smith, Luther Smith, Sheila Ferguson & family, Beatrice Davis, Edna Pennerman & family, Bro. Vivian Rolle & family, Israel & Stacia Williams, Perlene Williams & family, Elder Sarah Ferguson & family, Jack Allen & family, Vernie Davis & family, Gloria & family, Mrs. Culmer & family, Bishop Joseph Zonicle and Providence Baptist church family, Bishop Victor Cooper and the New Bethany Baptist Cathedral church family, Rev. Dr. Silbert Mills and the Friendship Tabernacle church family, Bishop Chadwick James, I and the Medaddish Ministries International church family, Apostle Inez Rolle and the Wings as Eagles Redemption Ministry church family, Nurse Coakley and the Elizabeth Estates Clinic, Dr. Deanna Bain, Bahamas Law Enforcement Co-operative Credit Union Ltd, Shoreline Distributor, Public Treasury Dept., Billing and Collection Dept.; PMH, Swiss America Securities, Exuma District Council, NIB Inspectorate Dept.; Wullf Road, Trinidad Avenue and Elizabeth Estates communities, Acklins and Crooked Island communities.

Viewing will be held in the Perpetual Suite at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Roads on Friday (TODAY) from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

YESTERDAY saw the formal opening of CHOGM. The opening ceremony was held in the ballroom in Buckingham Palace prior to the first executive session at Lancaster House. The opening marks the official start to CHOGM.

HENFIELD CHAIRS WINDRUSH MEETING

By LINDSAY THOMPSON

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield chaired a caucus between the Caribbean Community and the British government on the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting after Britain faced severe criticism over the treatment of the “Windrush generation” of British residents.

The concern was that the British Home Office can “sometimes lose sight of the individual” or those who came to Britain from the Commonwealth after the Second World War. Dubbed the “Windrush generation” after the cruise ship that brought one of the first large groups of West Indians to Britain, anyone who entered the UK before 1973 was legally entitled to live in the country. However, despite having been in the UK for most of their lives, the group of British residents began to experience issues as a result of tightened UK immigration requirements.

It has seen some Windrush generation residents, who might never have felt the need to apply for a UK passport before, left without the documentation now required by officials.

Mr Henfield, who is the incoming chair of the Council for Foreign and

Community Relations of the Caribbean Community, said, “We are satisfied that the United Kingdom is doing all in its power to ameliorate these unfortunate circumstances.”

Mr Henfield also attended a Commonwealth Small States meeting where issues discussed related to sustainability and environmental protection. Climate change is always a concern for small island developing states such as The Bahamas: the country has suffered in the past three consecutive years from devastating hurricanes.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean estimated that the Bahamas suffered damage in the amount of $700m as a result of the consecutive hurricanes.

“So we impress upon our Commonwealth brothers and sisters that there must be some other form of measurement to attract ODA (Official Development Assistance) and concessionary loans for rebuilding,” Mr Henfield said.

“We have not yet finished rebuilding in the first cycle of three years and we are now approaching another cycle of the hurricane season and those loans and overseas development assistance are based upon

your GNP and GDP per capita.

“Our GNP and GDP per capita are in the same company with China but we always put forward this argument that there should be consideration for vulnerability because you can make all kinds of grand plans as a country to do the public good, (develop) infrastructure, to build schools, to build clinics and in one fell swoop (a hurricane) will come and displace all those plans.”

Mr Henfield said he sensed a move by the Commonwealth to re-engage member states more deliberately, especially in the wake of Brexit. “This deliberate re-engagement by the Commonwealth and the United Kingdom can only bode well for the Bahamas and CARICOM as a whole. So, we are looking at a more sustainable and more prosperous and more secure future in the Caribbean region.”

The Commonwealth foreign ministers also discussed the issue of cyber security, a concern for the Bahamas, which seeks to participate in the digital economy and environment.

Mr Henfield also attended meetings on ocean conservation and trade between the countries.

THE TRIBUNE

Decision is delayed in murder appeal

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE COURT of Appeal has deferred its decision on whether it will accede to a man’s legal bid to be acquitted of the 2011 murder of a former most wanted suspect.

The appellant was previously sentenced to 45 years in prison for murdering the victim seven years ago.

Rolin Alexis’ case was heard before Court of Appeal President Sir Hartman Longley, along with fellow Justice Jon Isaacs and Sir Michael Barnett (acting) concerning the 2011 murder of Deslin Nichols.

Though the judges will provide their decision at a later date, a recurring issue during yesterday’s proceedings was the trial judge allowing a sketch of the alleged assailant to be tendered into evidence, and if that judge gave sufficient direction to the jury on the reliability of the sketch.

That issue, and others, were what Alexis’ attorney Stanley Rolle used to support his contention that Alexis’ conviction for murder be quashed and he be acquitted of the crime.

Mr Rolle had further submitted that the appellate judges not order a retrial based on the “quality of the evidence.”

According to the Crown’s case, around 6.40am on July 21, 2011, Nichols was in his vehicle on Florida Court waiting for Anastasia Ellis.

Ms Ellis, while walking to the front of the vehicle, noticed two men standing further up the street on Florida Court.

One of the men wore a dark blue hoodie and blue, long pants. His back was facing her at the time so she couldn’t see his face.

However, the man was said to be 5’4” to 5’5” tall. The other man wore a white piece of cloth over his head, and stood as if he were looking through the corner. That man was about 5’6” to 5’7” tall.

Both men had dark complexions.

In her statement to police, Ms Ellis stated she didn’t pay much attention to the men because she thought they were going to work. However, she said as soon as she got in the car and closed the door, and

Nichols reached to close his door, the man in the white t-shirt ran up to the car and pointed a gun directly at Nichols’ head before firing.

Ms Ellis said she noticed the gunman wearing Oakley shades with orange lenses.

She said she tried to get out of the car, but the other man started shooting at her as well. Nonetheless, she managed to get out of the vehicle and subsequently hid behind it.

The men started to run away and while doing so, Ms Ellis glimpsed the face of the man who wore the white t-shirt. She went back to the car where she found Nichols alive, still breathing, but with a gunshot wound to the head.

Ms Ellis said she would be able to identify the man who wore the white t-shirt.

She also described the gun that man had as a “mini-type machine gun with a long clip”.

According to Mr Rolle, the Crown’s case relied on an alleged confession statement by Alexis, a video recording and a composite sketch of the alleged assailant. Mr Rolle said there was no other evidence linking Alexis to the crime.

Alexis, meanwhile, maintained his innocence, stating that he did not shoot Nichols because he was at the Corner Motel at the time.

He also maintained that the alleged confession statement was obtained by force and also allegedly told police to conduct an identification parade to prove if he really was the person Ms Ellis said she saw on the morning in question.

However, Mr Rolle said there was no evidence of an identification parade ever taking place.

Nonetheless, a Supreme Court jury convicted Alexis of Nichols’ murder in May 2015. Two months later, Justice Bernard Turner sentenced Alexis to 45 years in prison for the crime.

His sentence was shortened to 42 years and eight months after Justice Turner took into consideration the amount of time Alexis spent in custody—two years and four months.

Justice Turner also took into account Alexis being a “young man” with a “clean criminal history” prior to the incident in question and “being gainfully employed”.

In making his submissions yesterday, however, Mr Rolle claimed that some specific illegality or irregularity, substantially affected the merits of the case and the fairness of the trial, was committed in the course of the trial.

Specifically, Mr Rolle contended that the trial judge failed to address the evidence concerning identification in the trial and to “point out any inconsistency between that of the witness…with the actual appearance of the appellant and any other support that lends to a reliable identification.”

According to Mr Rolle, forensic artist Ernest Pratt created a composite sketch of the alleged assailant based on information he received from Ms Ellis. However, Mr Rolle said Mr Pratt explained at the time that a composite sketch is “not 100 per cent identification”.

However, Mr Rolle contended that no description of the alleged assailant given by Ms Ellis was tendered into evidence by Mr Pratt. And neither did that officer provide the forensic information fact sheet along with the exhibit.

Thus, Mr Rolle said the jury was left to “speculate” on the composite sketch, and should not have had to do so since they should have been properly cautioned on the issue during the judge’s summation.

Mr Rolle further submitted there was no explanation as to why an identification parade was not held, and further, why a composite sketch was the preferred method of identification over an identification parade.

Sir Michael, in particular, repeatedly questioned Crown counsel on what the trial judge said in his summation about the sketch in question, bearing in mind it was drawn based on what someone else said, and that the person who gave the information would have previously stated she could identify the assailant if given the opportunity.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Vernal Collie, in response, submitted that the sketch wasn’t prejudicial, and was more of an aide than a crutch to the trial.

Mr Collie submitted that as the sketch was created

BID TO RAISE ACID ATTACK SENTENCE DISMISSED

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE COURT of Appeal yesterday dismissed the Crown’s legal challenge of the “unduly lenient” punishment imposed on a woman who threw acid on her lover, his wife and the couple’s son three years ago.

Appellate President Sir Hartman Longley, and fellow Justices Stella Crane-Scott and Roy Jones, dismissed the Crown’s challenge of the $8,700 compensation order imposed on D’Nika Mackey for the late-2015 attack at her lover’s Fox Dale home.

The attack occurred on December 13, 2015, the day after the married couple celebrated their wedding anniversary on Paradise Island. Mackey had an affair with the woman’s husband for two years, but he made amends with his wife of six years in October 2015. The couple still lived apart with their parents, despite the move to salvage the marriage.

Around 1.30pm on the day in question, Mackey confronted them and their three-year-old son outside the man’s home in Fox Dale in eastern New Providence.

Mackey called out to her lover, who ignored her, and, in anger, she threw acid, causing injuries. The wife’s injuries were the most severe as she received acid burns to the side of her face and arm.

At the time of her arrest, Mackey took responsibility for her actions and said she was angry because she was still in a relationship with the married man.

She admitted to the crimes before Magistrate Samuel McKinney in September 2016, who consequently opted to not impose a custodial sentence, but rather ordered Mackey to keep the peace for one year or face six months in prison.

He also imposed a compensation order against Mackey.

The Crown thus sought to appeal Magistrate McKinney’s decision to impose a compensation order, arguing it was too lenient, especially given the magistrate attaching no consequences if the restitution was not made.

Yesterday, the Crown submitted it was seeking to have the Court of Appeal overturn the magistrate’s decision and impose a custodial sentence on Mackey, charging her punishment should have been four years

imprisonment.

The Crown also noted todate, Mackey has not fully honoured the compensation order.

However, Sir Hartman stated if Mackey has not completed her payments as ordered, the complainants are at liberty to pursue the issue as a civil debt.

“They are not without remedy,” the appellate president said.

After brief legal arguments, the Crown submitted the “best course of action” would be for the appellate court to amend the compensation order to reflect a penalty because it has not been fully honoured.

However, Sir Hartman decided it best not to interfere with the magistrate’s decision, and instead suggested the Crown advise the complainants of their rights to take civil action against Mackey.

In light of Sir Hartman’s proposition, the Crown indicated they would withdraw the appeal, resulting in the appellate court dismissing the matter by default.

Mackey, meanwhile was notably absent during yesterday’s proceedings, and it was revealed by counsel she is out of the jurisdiction.

Thus, the appeal proceeded in her absence.

Friday, April 20, 2018, PAGE 7

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

and consequently produced by an officer involved in the matter, it is thus admissible.

He further submitted that the sketch was tendered into evidence without objection from defence counsel at the time and was thus available to the jury when it retired to deliberate.

Mr Collie also charged that the sketch in question is akin to a photograph which the jury could use to determine whether or not it bore any resemblance to Alexis.

However, Sir Michael

challenged Mr Collie’s position, stating hypothetically that had the jury looked at the sketch, decided it looked like Alexis and consequently convicted him, it could be prejudicial in all the circumstances.

Justice Isaacs, meanwhile, questioned if in the absence of any factual descriptive information, the information Ms Ellis gave to Officer Pratt for him to create the sketch was hearsay.

“I could have produced a drawing of Mickey Mouse,”

Justice Isaacs suggested.

Prior to his death, Nichols was reportedly charged with murder after eluding police for some three years.

Nichols was accused of the murder of Kirk “Tank Dog” Ferguson in the early 2000s along with Randino Pratt.

Police reportedly also previously issued an allpoints bulletin for Nichols in May of 2011. He was reportedly wanted for questioning in connection with a shooting that took place that month.

PAGE 8, Friday, April 20, 2018

The irony in transparency as Prime Minister travels

THE TRIBUNE

irony noun 1. the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. “‘Don’t go overboard with the gratitude,’ he rejoined with heavy irony.”

Synonyms: sarcasm, sardonicism, dryness, causticity, sharpness, acerbity, acid, bitterness, trenchancy, mordancy, cynicism.

• a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often wryly amusing as a result. plural noun: ironies “the irony is that I thought he could help me”.

Synonyms: paradox, paradoxical nature, incongruity, incongruousness, peculiarity “the irony of the situation hit her”.

• a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character’s words or actions is clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.noun: dramatic irony; plural noun: tragic irony.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis at St James’ Palace, London, UK. Photo: Yontalay Bowe/OPM to basically haemorrhage away.”

Also, Minnis never sourced or provided information as to where and how he got to the figure of $200m.

O

NCE again that word “irony” essential to any comedian’s repertoire, has resurfaced on our local political scene.

Courtesy of none other than our Prime Minister, Dr Hubert Minnis himself.

Minnis was in Lima, Peru, along with his select FNM entourage, attending the eighth CEO Summit of The Americas. The summit focused on transparency and combating corruption.

While there, Minnis took the opportunity to let all and sundry know, as he made his rounds at the summit, that The Bahamas

loses over $200m a year due to corruption.

“Corruption itself accounts for about five to ten percent of loss of GDP revenue, you are talking about over $200m possibly lost in the Bahamian populace as a result of corruption. It is a form of taxation on the poor to benefit a few.”

“So it is an illegal taxation on the poor to benefit the few and it is something that has to be stopped.

That $200m that is lost in revenue, in the Bahamian system annually, represents road repairs, schools, hospitals [and] education. We can correct a lot of things but instead it continues

Funeral Service For Mr. Kendal C. Moss, 51 a resident of Dominica Way, Golden Gates, will be held at Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries, Carmichael Road, on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Bishop Ros Davis, assisted by Other Ministers. Interment follows in Lakeview Memorial Gardens & Mausoleums, John F. Kennedy Drive.

Left to cherish precious memories are his wife: Mrs. Clarice Moss; Four Children: Kenrick, Kenricka, Frankie and Kendesha Moss; Three Grand Children: Kenrick Jr., Frankie Jr. and Shanique Moss; One Adopted son: Marvin Missick; Mother: Mrs. Clothilda Moss; Four Brothers: Sgt. Lewis Moss of West Germany, Whitfield, Trevor, and Anthony Moss (The Royal Bahamas Defence Force; Five Sisters: Elcina Davis, Jacqueline Moxey, Inez, Angela and Christina Moss; Aunts: Cynthia Adderley, Julie McIntosh and Inez Moss; Nephews: Kelwin, Troy, Roel, Kenneth, Tyrone, Jerome, Micheal, Alexander, Andrew, Valentino, Amaziah, Chunglee, Amari, Shaquielle, Jamal, Alexander Jr., Tyrone Jr., Mark Jr., Ishmeal, Orien, Kavon, Kavon Bastian, Kerim and Anthony Gaitor; Neices: Shelia Moss of West Germony, Valistha, Shakera, Kenya, Jenine, Gabrielle, Hasstovia, Alyssia, Antonia, Raydesha, Ryeisha, Vanessa, Shanelle, Tianna, Lauryn, Avrielle, Christen, Angel, Chasity, Shanlia, Jade, Jasmaine, Janae, Maya, Nakella, Nevah, Markela and Kadesha; In-Laws: Abraham Davis, Philip Moxey, Sharon, Anne, and Bridgette Moss of West Germany, Mary and Joycelyn Adderley of New York, U.S.A, Joshua McIntosh, Edith & David Rolle, Pearline & Austin Rolle, Sonia & Misper Gaitor, Jasonette Davis, Olive & Nevelon Gaitor, Doralyn Bastian, Clifton Gaitor, Ivan Belle and Amanda Moss; Cousins: Benjamin, Jennifer, Samuel, Bendesha, B.J., Maine Moss, Agatha Rolle, Eronjha McIntosh, Granville, Frankie, Katherine & Olivia McMinnis, Beatrice, Alfred Ferguson, Valerie, Vanda, Gia, Beverley Moss, Brenda Adderley, Wanda, Demetrie, Deborah, Dwayne, Ethlyn, Charlie Moss, Carolyn, Monica, Micheal, Debbie, Kim, Jennifer, Jessie and Madlyn; Special Friends: Micheal & Deborah Cleare, Sgt. Antoine Hamilton, Gerad Rolle, Vincent Francis, Smurf & Sleepy, Vashti McKenzie; Other Relatives include: Bishop Ross & Althea Davisand the entire Golden Gates Outreach Ministries, Bishop Lawrence Rolle & Family, Arlington Cox & Family, Betty Johns & Family, The Golden Gates Community, Mariam Johnson & Family, The Monroe Family, Toni’s Convenient Store, Fritz the come and go ‘Bar’ friends, The Brice & Barry Family, Brenda Moss-Smith Family, Mandy, Vanessa & Shauna of West Germany Family, Helena Whyms & Doris Poitier Family, The Lyford Cay Property Owners Association, St. Gregory’s Anglican Church Family, The Rhoda Family, The Gaitor Family, Micheal Cleare & Family, The Roots Junkanoo Group and The Barabas Tribe Junkanoo Group Family.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 1-6:00 p.m. on Friday & on Saturday at the church from 1:00 p.m. until service time.

IRONY #1 How ironic the PM would focus on corruption, considering over the years, corruption has allegedly been an arm’s length away for “Doc”.

We all remember the dubious Stat Care rental agreement between the government and Dr Minnis, all while Minnis was minister of health.

He was an arm’s length away from “Toogie” and “Bobo” and the fish of course, can’t forget fish, “Doc’s” favourite dish.

Minnis was mere inches away from Peter Krieger, as the non-executive chairman of Oban Energies, signed a heads of agreement on February 19, using “Satpal Dhunna” the name of the company’s president.

The very same Oban agreement, that has the nation, especially Freeport, up in arms.

Including allegations, and swirling rumors, that have social media buzzing.

Not to mention the fact, that the Oban project is in close proximity to three protected national parks.

And it’s also the same Oban agreement, that mysteriously vanished into thin air the other day.

“Don’t steal, don’t lie, and don’t cheat.

The government hates competition.”

Lenny Bruce, comedian.

IRONY #2 Why would Prime Minister Minnis, spew about corruption in The Bahamas, on an international stage?

Minnis knew full well, that earlier this month, just prior to his South American jaunt, Deputy Prime Minsiter K P Turnquest, told Tribune Business that the Government was “following up with EU officials on the 28-nation’s “Code of Conduct Group” to determine whether The Bahamas removal will happen on April 12.

“We’re hoping we’ll be dealt with on April 12.

If not in full, at least the technical committee are satisfied, and we move on to the full ECOFIN (finance ministers) on May 25, which will then hopefully be a formality in terms of a review.”

We all know news travels, I pray it doesn’t travel all the way to Brussels!

The Bahamas desperately needs to be removed from the EU’s blacklist, as fast as humanly possible.

We can’t afford to drop the ball, or shoot ourselves in the foot as a nation, because we have a politically naive, pontificating PM. Getting “delisted” from the EU’s blacklist, would provide a much-needed spark for both the Minnis administration and the stagnating Bahamian financial services industry.

So please mister prime minister, try to remember the old adage “loose lips, sinks ships” next time you “feeling yourself” and want to “pop off” in front of the international community.

IRONY #3 I wonder at times if Dr Minnis forgot he appointed a “press secretary”.

And one of the best, I might add.

Mr Anthony Newbold has done wonders with what the FNM has given him to work with.

Considering the multiple failed deliveries on their campaign promises,

in addition to the Oban and EU fiascos. To go along with less than favorable results, in a recent public opinion poll.

Newbold has made the FNM look way better than they should.

Look at this gem, by deflecting the FNM’s failures thus far, and poor results in a national, public opinion poll.

“Things happen that throw you, any number of things have happened, beginning with the hurricanes.

So you get side-tracked because things happen.

There is always an agenda. Are we communicating that as best we can, no. I don’t think anyone thinks that we do, and its all of our fault for doing that.”

Just let “Ace do he job”.

Read what “Ace” writes!

No add libing, no impromptu monologues, no crazy fishing references, etc.

That way you avoid contracting “foot in mouth disease” again.

Yes, again, we haven’t forgotten, “NPO”, “Tears for Dominica”, and now the convenient $200m corruption figure being thrown out there.

Stick to the script “Doc” and you should be fine.

IRONY #4 As Russia and Syria prepare for war against Britain and France, why is our PM, so far away from home?

All the way in the UK, visiting her majesty Queen Elizabeth, chit chatting, taking “selfies” all while trading “fish and chip” recipes.

Meanwhile, The Bahamas burns.

Until next week, I will leave you with this awesome quote from President Abraham Lincoln.

“It is far better to be thought a fool, than to open ones mouth and prove it.”

Brazil’s first black justice considers presidential run SAO PAULO Associated Press BRAZIL’S first black Supreme Court justice said yesterday he is considering a run for president, which could be a significant turn since the widely known retired justice appeals to both supporters and detractors of the current front-runner, jailed former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Many people had floated former justice Joaquim Barbosa’s name as a contender for October’s election, but he had never publicly spoken about it before.

But, though he raised the possibility of being a candidate, Barbosa added, “I still haven’t managed to convince myself.”

The comments came as Barbosa talked with journalists during a meeting in Brasilia of the Brazilian Socialist Party, which he joined early in April to give himself a base for a campaign.

The 63-year-old Barbosa, who retired from the Supreme Court in 2014, has never run for office.

Da Silva, a popular leftist who still leads preference

polls after being imprisoned this month on a corruption conviction, won’t likely be allowed to run by the electoral court.

On Sunday, a Datafolha institute poll gave Barbosa at least eight percent support. He called that figure “very good”. Brazil’s presidential election is expected to draw up to 16 candidates, splintering the vote.

It was unclear whether the Brazilian Socialist Party can gather enough support for Barbosa to qualify as a presidential candidate.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 20, 2018, PAGE 9

Leaks, infestation and broken windows in govt housing

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net A MOTHER living in government-assisted housing in the Kemp Road area is deeply disturbed by her living conditions.

Abigail Moss-Rolle, 38, has been living in the government rental units on Sutton Street since February 2015.

Her home has many issues, including a major leak, an infestation of vermin, broken windows, overgrown weeds and monkey tamarind.

In an interview with The Tribune, Ms Rolle described the problems with her home and the lack of assistance she has received, despite the fact that rent is automatically deducted from her weekly salary— leaving her with only $30 a week to provide for her family.

Ms Rolle is a 12-year Social Services employee who is also studying for an associate’s degree at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute.

A mother of four, she lives in her three-bedroom, one bath, two-storey home with her 16-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son.

Taking The Tribune on a tour of her apartment, Ms Rolle pointed out the numerous issues, starting with the kitchen.

The front window has been broken since Hurricane Matthew. She has been asking for it to be repaired, to no avail.

“I had to put the fridge by the window to stop people from intruding in the night-time. It’s unsafe,” she said.

“And I told them about the window because I have a 16-year-old daughter in here.”

Ms Rolle added she sleeps by the front door as added protection.

Other windows in the home have been broken, with no handles, since she moved in back in 2015.

“And it’s very hot up here… but due to one or two financial situations I wasn’t able to afford a fan,” Ms Rolle added.

The plumbing is also a major problem in the home.

“The toilet always acting up, the face bowl was just clog up.

ABIGAIL MOSS-ROLLE, a single parent living on a weekly salary, who is in need of assistance with repairs in her apartment and, below, some of the damage inside.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff “The water (gets stuck) everything. So we put eve- housing situation, Ms Rolle said she feels “robbed”. up here. When we take a rything in the fridge.”

“Every week $75 is shower or bathe, it doesn’t Centipedes, mice, and go out, and it runs down- cankerworms are other deducted out my $220, stairs under the kitchen vermin in the home. besides my bank payment is sink and it runs all about.”

“It’s very hazardous for $106 and my insurance. So I The leak causes the water me in here,” she said. leave with $30.12 balance.” to run into her bedroom, Although she receives Furthermore, there is an which has caused the door electrical problem in the $147 a month in grocery to swell, warp, and no house. The plugs are not coupons to get food for longer work properly. working and an electrical her family, Ms Rolle still It has also stained the issue caused problems with struggles, and knows her tiles and caused mould in the water heater, which also circumstances affect her the home. children. has a leak.

Ms Rolle said she has “You know they can’t go “They haven’t fixed it, the to put her own blanket on only thing they fix was the to Fun Day, can’t afford the ground to soak up the breaker,” Ms Rolle said. to pay dress up for them, water.

“They say they took the we are not on no health The water also has a hot water heater off the insurance, no medical, no strange scent, she said. breaker, the 15 amp and put nothing.”

“I don’t know if it’s it on its own amp by itself.

She said her daughter coming from the bathroom “The electrician that was doesn’t complain, but Ms tub or if it’s coming from here say it was a major mal- Rolle says she communithe toilet bowl.” cates her disappointment Because of the leak, function because I keep on nonverbally. having glitches.” which has been going on “She says it with her eyes Outside, the yard is overfor two months, everyone in when there’s no lunch and run with overgrown weeds the home is limited to twono bus and we have to walk and monkey tamarind. minute showers. to and fro all the time. Sees “No-one weed the yard The leak has also damher mother crying about from last year April.

They aged the Formica on stuff, (but) the people normally have people weed the kitchen table and are not helping. They’re the yard every two weeks cupboards. just delinquent, dragging “The water lift it up and and take the garbage to the their foot where we are road.

No one came to weed start to tear it away. It swell concerned. it just like how it swell the the yard. The monkey tam“I barely could afford arind is rude. door.” lunch for my kids. So I “I can’t even get to the Insects now hide in these feel helpless and hopeless. line to hang up my clothes spaces, Ms Rolle said. “Big roaches. All the cupboards, because the weed is… so But I have a job.”

Attempts to reach offieverything full, roach crawl- high and the monkey tamacials from the Department rind is everywhere.” ing all over the place.

When asked what she of Social Services were “You can’t save nothing because the roach would say to government unsuccessful up to press will actually bite through officials regarding her time.

GAMBLING SYMPOSIUM HELD THE serious effects of gambling and its impact on the well-being of a person’s mental and physical health and productivity in the workplace were some of the items discussed at the recently held Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre’s Overcoming Gambling Addiction Symposium held last week.

The symposium was designed to raise the level of awareness surrounding gambling in the workplace and community and bring together clinicians from various health sectors and addiction fields to develop a better understanding of what problem gambling and gambling disorders are. Organisers also aimed to assess how to better serve individuals and families experiencing gambling problems; and to advocate for clinical training opportunities to increase problem gambling treatment capacity locally; and ultimately to seek to provide individuals and families with the basic tools and resources to respond to problem gambling in their lives.

Eighty eight participants from the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, Princess Margaret Hospital, Department of Public Health and members of the public attended the symposium.

Internationally renowned psychiatrist and therapist Dr David Allen was the featured presenter, addressing the topic “Harmful Effects & Prevalence of Gambling Addiction in the Bahamas.”

He commended the event

ATTENDEES of a gambling addiction symposium hosted by Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.

DR David Allen speaking at the symposium. organisers, encouraging them to continue forums that provide information and engage the public. Dr Allen further urged mental health professionals to “take the initiative into the community setting in order

to reach the larger population of patients requiring urgent intervention and assistance.” Putting words into action, he announced that his practice, The Renascence Institute International, is now offering a free compulsive gambling confidential treatment programme for persons facing the disorder and desiring treatment.

The symposium was hosted by the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre’s addiction professionals in conjunction with the Training and Development Department. In a continuing initiative, addiction professionals are advocating for specialised training in the field of addiction in order to adequately meet the needs of this large overlooked population, and as a first step they are proposing to make this symposium an annual event.

PAGE 10, Friday, April 20, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

TWO BLACK MEN ARRESTED AT STARBUCKS GET AN APOLOGY FROM POLICE

Raul Castro retires as Cuban president, outlines future

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rashon Nelson initially brushed it off when the Starbucks manager told him he couldn’t use the restroom because he wasn’t a paying customer.

He thought nothing of it when he and his childhood friend and business partner, Donte Robinson, were approached at their table and were asked if they needed help. The 23-year-old entrepreneurs declined, explaining they were just waiting for a business meeting.

A few minutes later, they hardly noticed when the police came into the coffee shop — until officers started walking in their direction.

“That’s when we knew she called the police on us,” Nelson told The Associated Press in the first interview by the two black men since video of their April 12 trespassing arrests touched off a furor around the US over racial profiling or what has been dubbed “retail racism” or “shopping while black”.

Nelson and Robinson were led away in handcuffs from the shop in the city’s well-to-do Rittenhouse Square neighborhood in an incident recorded on a white customer’s cellphone.

In the week since, the men have met with Starbucks’ apologetic CEO and have started pushing for lasting change at the coffee shop chain, including new policies on discrimination and ejecting customers.

“We do want to make sure it doesn’t happen to anybody again,” Robinson said. “What if it wasn’t us sitting there? What if it was the kid that didn’t know somebody that knew somebody?

Do they make it to jail? Do they die? What happens?”

Yesterday, they also got an apology from Philadelphia police commissioner Richard Ross, a black man who at first staunchly defended his officers’ handling of the encounter.

“I should have said the officers acted within the scope of the law, and not that they didn’t do anything wrong,” Ross said. “Words are very important.”

At a news conference, a sombre Ross said he “failed miserably” in addressing the arrests. He said that the issue of race is not lost on him and that he shouldn’t be the person making things worse.

HAVANA Associated Press RAUL Castro stepped down as president of Cuba yesterday, handing power to a 57-year-old successor he said would hold power until 2031, a plan that would place the state the Castro brothers founded and ruled for six decades in the hands of a Communist Party official who remains little known to most people on the island.

Castro’s 90-minute valedictory speech offered his first clear vision for the nation’s future power structure under new President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez. Castro said he foresees the white-haired electronics engineer serving two five-year terms as leader of the Cuban government, and taking the helm of the Communist Party, the country’s ultimate authority, when Castro leaves the powerful position in 2021.

“From that point on, I will be just another soldier defending this revolution,” Castro said. The 86-year-old general broke frequently from his prepared remarks to joke and banter with officials on the dais in the National Assembly, saying he looked forward to having more time to travel the country.

In his own half-hour speech to the nation, DiazCanel pledged to preserve Cuba’s communist system while gradually reforming

CUBA’s new president Miguel Diaz-Canel, left, and former president Raul Castro, raise their arms after Diaz-Canel was elected as the island nation’s new president, at the National Assembly in Havana, Cuba. Castro left the presidency after 12 years in office when the National Assembly approved Diaz-Canel’s nomination as the candidate for the top government position.

Photo: Irene Perez/Cubadebate via AP the economy and making the government more responsive to the people.

“There’s no space here for a transition that ignores or destroys the legacy of so many years of struggle,” Diaz-Canel said. “For us, it’s totally clear that only the Communist Party of Cuba, the guiding force of society and the state, guarantees the unity of the nation of Cuba.”

He said he would work to implement a long-term plan laid out by the National

Assembly and Communist Party to permit moderate growth of private enterprises like restaurants and taxis, while leaving the economy’s most important sectors — energy, mining, telecommunications, medical services and rum and cigar production — in the hands of the state.

“The people have given this assembly the mandate to provide continuity to the Cuban Revolution during a crucial, historic moment that will be defined

by all that we achieve in the advance of the modernization of our social and economic model,” DiazCanel said.

Cubans said they expected their new president to deliver improvements to the island’s economy, which remains stagnant, dominated by inefficient state-run enterprises that are unable to provide salaries high enough to cover basic needs. The average monthly pay for state workers is roughly $30 a month, forcing many to steal from their workplaces and depend on remittances from relatives abroad.

“I hope that Diaz-Canel brings prosperity,” said Richard Perez, a souvenir salesman in Old Havana. “I want to see changes, above all economic changes allowing people to have their own businesses, without the state in charge of so many things.”

But in Miami, CubanAmericans said they didn’t expect much from Diaz-Canel.

Sixty-five-year-old Lourdes Diaz, who left Cuba as a child in 1955 before Fidel Castro, said life on the island will be “exactly” the same under the new president. Julio Cesar Alfonso, president of Solidarity Without Borders, called the change of leadership a “farce”.

“It’s a cosmetic change,” said Wilfriedo Allen, a

66-year-old lawyer in Miami who emigrated from Cuba in 1961. “The reality is that Raul Castro is still controlling the Communist Party.

We are very far from having a democratic Cuba.”

After formally taking over from his brother, Fidel Castro, in 2008, Raul Castro launched a series of reforms that led to rapid expansion of Cuba’s private sector and burgeoning use of cellphones and internet.

Cuba today has a vibrant real estate market and one of the world’s fastestgrowing airports. Tourism numbers have more than doubled since Castro and President Barack Obama re-established diplomatic relations in 2015, making Cuba a destination for nearly five million visitors a year, despite a plunge in relations under the Trump administration.

Still, the Soviet-style command economy employs three of every four Cuban workers and produces little, while private sector growth has been largely frozen since last year. Foreign investment remains anemic and the island’s infrastructure is falling deeper into disrepair. The election of President Donald Trump dashed dreams of detente with the US, and after two decades of getting Venezuelan subsidies totaling more than $6bn a year, Cuba’s patron has collapsed economically, with no replacement in the wings.

IMF’S LAGARDE: TRADE TENSIONS THREATEN GLOBAL ECONOMY

WASHINGTON Associated Press

THE HEAD of the International Monetary Fund warned yesterday that the healthiest global economy in years is threatened by rising debt levels, volatile financial markets and a simmering trade dispute between the world’s two biggest economies.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde told reporters a US - China trade war “will not be something that will affect only the two countries because the world is so interconnected. It will affect the global economy”.

For now, the IMF expects the global economy to grow 3.9 percent this year, the fastest since 2011.

But Lagarde says “we are

seeing more clouds accumulating on the horizon”.

She cited trade tensions and rising global debts, which have hit a record $164tn. She noted that government debt in advanced economies is at the highest level since World War II. Lagarde’s comments came at a news conference to open the spring meetings of the 189-nation IMF and its sister lending organisation, the World Bank.

The three days of talks will also include discussions among the Group of 20 major economies, which account for more than 80 percent of global economic output.

The United States is being represented by Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal

INTERNATIONAL Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AP Reserve chairman Jerome Powell.

Mnuchin insisted on Thursday that the administration’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and its consideration of penalty tariffs on up to $150bn of

Chinese imports were part of a strategy to level the playing field on trade and reduce America’s huge trade deficits with China and other nations.

“Our objective with China is to have free and fair and reciprocal trade,”

Mnuchin said in an interview with the Fox Business Network.

The spring meetings are occurring as the global economy enjoys a broadbased rebound — with most regions recording growth — for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis sent the world into a deep recession.

But Lagarde said the expansion was vulnerable.

Stock prices are unusually high but have been battered recently over growing concerns about President Donald Trump’s aggressive America First trade policies. The turbulence comes as the Federal Reserve ratchets up US interest rates from the record low levels where they had been in the decade after the financial crisis.

Fired FBI deputy chief Andrew McCabe faces criminal referral WASHINGTON Associated Press

THE JUSTICE Department’s inspector general has sent a criminal referral about fired FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe to federal prosecutors in Washington, his lawyer said yesterday.

The referral to the US attorney’s office for the District of Columbia does not mean McCabe will ever be charged, but it does raise the prospect that the long-time law enforcement official could face a criminal investigation into whether he illegally misled officials about his authorisation of a news media disclosure.

Prosecutors could decide to charge him if they conclude he intentionally lied.

McCabe’s lawyer, Michael Bromwich, said the standard for an inspector general referral is very low and he expected McCabe to avoid prosecution.

“We are confident that, unless there is inappropriate pressure from high levels of the administration, the US Attorney’s Office will conclude that it should decline to prosecute,” Bromwich said in a statement.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired McCabe last month, less than two days before his scheduled retirement, on the recommendation of FBI disciplinary officials who said McCabe had been dishonest in interviews with investigators.

FIRED FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe.

Justice Department officials declined to comment yesterday.

A report from the watchdog office released last week concluded that McCabe had misled investigators and his own boss, then-Director James Comey, about his role in an October 2016 Wall Street Journal article on an FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation.

The report said McCabe authorised FBI officials to share non-public information with a reporter and then denied having done so when questioned about it under oath.

McCabe has denied misleading anyone. He said that as FBI deputy director, he had the authority to share information with the media and that he permitted subordinates to do so in this case to correct a false narrative that he had tried to stymie an FBI probe into

the Clinton Foundation.

McCabe told the inspector general’s office that he told Comey after the article was published that he had allowed the officials to share the information and that Comey thought it was a “good” idea to rebut a one-sided narrative.

But Comey is quoted in the report as saying McCabe didn’t tell him he had approved sharing details of the call and, in fact, had left him with the opposite impression.

“I don’t remember exactly how, but I remember some form or fashion and it could have been like ‘Can you believe this crap? How does this stuff get out’ kind of thing?”

Comey is quoted as saying in the report. “But I took from whatever communication we had that he wasn’t involved in it.”

Comey said in an interview on CNN on yesterday that he felt “conflicted” about the inspector general’s findings that McCabe had lied.

“I like him very much as a person, but sometimes even good people do things they shouldn’t do,” Comey said. “I’ve read the report.

I’m not the judge in the case. I’m not the discipline decision-maker in the case.

I think it is accountability mechanisms working, and they should work because it’s not acceptable in the FBI or the Justice Department for people to lack candor.”

THE TRIBUNE

By KATHRYN CAMPBELL THE toddlers seemed oblivious to the scorching sun as they sang, listened to ‘Once Upon A Time’ stories and played on the courtyard of Willard Patton School as the Department

Toddlers have fun at Literacy Fair

of Education hosted a literacy fair on Wednesday in observance of Pre-School Week.

Twenty-two government pre-schools and one private pre-school participated in the literacy fair. The day’s activities included a puppet show, music and movement,

bingo, gingerbread show and story time.

Andrea Burrows, chairwoman of Pre-School Week, said each student will receive a book and the objective of the week is to expose the children to reading, letters, words, sounds, which will be achieved through playing.

Friday, April 20, 2018, PAGE 11