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AG SLAMS CRUISE LINE’S DEMANDS Leaked WhatsApp shows Bethel said Royal Caribbean was being ‘unreasonable’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE attorney general previously admitted to the Bahamian developer battling for a Paradise Island crown land lease that Royal Caribbean was being “unreasonable” with its rival demands. Carl Bethel QC, in a WhatsApp message sent to Toby Smith, Paradise Island Lighthouse and Beach Club Company’s principal, also informed the entrepreneur that the cruise giant was “apparently upset” the Government appeared
to be favouring him as opposed to their proposed Royal Beach Club destination. “They are unreasonable, and are apparently upset at our preference towards you,” Mr Bethel wrote to Mr Smith on March 1, 2020. “The one thing they can’t do is stop their guests patronising you. Or stop you bringing any other tourists to your property. You should take the deal. That’s my view. But it’s up to you.” He added that he was not directly involved in the Royal Caribbean negotiations. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
MINISTER PLAYS DOWN TALK OF EARLY ELECTION By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames urged people not “to read too deeply” into a Royal Bahamas Defence Force memo that directs departments to prepare for the possibility of an early election. The memo, signed by Acting Captain Shawn Adderley, was sent in
response to a memo from the Parliamentary Registration Department, according to RBDF Commodore Raymond King. While some see it as evidence that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is gearing up for an early election, Mr Dames said this is not necessarily the case. “Only one person can decide that and that is the Prime Minister of The SEE PAGE TWO
‘WE’RE READY TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO ON SHANTY TOWNS’ By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net TOMORROW marks 28 days since occupants of shanty town structures in The Farm in Abaco were told demolition was imminent and Works Minister Desmond Bannister said officials are ready to “do what they have to do”. In a joint sting operation last month, residents of that unregulated community received notices from the government advising that action was to be taken in instances where people inhabited structures in violation of the Building Regulations Act. SEE PAGE FIVE
WE MUST DEAL WITH ISSUES BEHIND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
SEE PAGE EIGHT
WEATHER TO BLAME FOR CONCH CASES
MOURNING AFTER THE BLAZE
PEOPLE looking through the debris after a blaze that killed a man and damaged four businesses and a church at a property on Seventh Avenue and Fritz Lane. See page three for the full story. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
DOCTORS CHIEF: WE CAN’T SIT AND DO NOTHING By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
WITH COVID-19 cases and deaths growing, the president of the Consultant Physicians Staff Association says modified restrictive measures may work, but “sitting around doing nothing is irresponsible”. Dr Sabriquet PinderButler spoke to The Tribune after 26 new cases of COVID-19 were
DR SABRIQUET PINDER-BUTLER reported, bringing the total cases up to 10,602. Two hundred and eleven people have died from the virus, with a new death reported yesterday. Officials say the
victim is a 92-year-old Long Island man who died on May 2. Twenty-four additional deaths are under investigation. Dr Pinder-Butler is still holding to the association’s position that members should be consulted by government health officials as they are the ones on the frontline of the battle against the coronavirus.
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE FOUR
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net INFECTIOUS disease expert Dr Nikkiah Forbes said warm weather is to blame for the bacteria causing conch poisoning in the country, not the sanitary practices of vendors. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has confirmed at least ten cases of conch poisoning that are believed to be caused by the bacteria vibrio parahaemolyticus. SEE PAGE FIVE
TECHNOLOGY TAXI WITHOUT A DRIVER?
SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Wednesday, May 5, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
MINISTER PLAYS DOWN TALK OF EARLY ELECTION
from page one
Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” he said. “Now we know that these agencies would often prepare earlier than most. That is not out of the ordinary and so I won’t read too deeply into that. This is a normal occurrence. Only one person could determine the date of the election and he hasn’t yet done so. “Everybody is
speculating…(the) prime minister makes that decision and when he does, we wanna make certain that these agencies are ready in advance.” The memo, which was signed on April 29, says: “Be advised that in preparation for the possibility of an early general election, you are directed to provide a listing of all personnel in your purview voting in the advanced poll and forward the same to the base
executive officer’s office by Thursday, 6 May 2021.” Acting Parliamentary Commissioner Lavardo Duncanson said yesterday that his department is being as proactive as possible in preparing for the next election, which he said is “scheduled on or before May 22 (2022)”. He declined to speak about the language in the RBDF memo, particularly its reference to an early election.
Commodore Raymond King told The Tribune on Monday night that the memo spoke in “like terms to the memo sent by the Parliamentary Registration” Department. “I would not speak to any inter-agency communications, but I can say that as far as the Parliamentary Registration Department, our efforts continue to be proactive as we prepare for an upcoming general election,” Commodore King said.
“So, there’s a greater appreciation of this without speaking to inter-agency communications, as it relates to the advanced poll, you have an amendment to the Parliamentary Elections Act that has increased the amount of individuals who are eligible to apply to vote during an advanced poll. “You have persons who fall in the category of being 65 and older; those individuals comprise some 26,000 voters. Bearing in mind the amount
PORTRAITS of the HMBS Flamingo and the four marines who died when the vessel was bombed and sank unveiled yesterday.
of individuals who are eligible to apply, the Parliamentary Department is being proactive in seeking to confirm as much information as possible concerning an advanced poll or a general election.” Mr Duncanson said 189,346 people are currently registered for the next election, including 27,997 in the Family Islands and 30,233 in Grand Bahama. Dr Minnis has repeatedly brushed off talk of an early vote.
Photos: Racardo Thomas
Remembering the Flamingo PORTRAITS of the four marines who died during the bombing and sinking of HMBS Flamingo were unveiled yesterday. The images of Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup, Marine Seaman Austin Rudolph Smith, Marine Seaman David Tucker and Marine Seaman Edward Williams were unveiled during a ceremony in Rawson Square yesterday. All four lost their lives on May 10, 1980, during
WYNTON Smith (nephew) unveils the portrait of Marine Seaman Austin Smith.
EDWARD Williams Jr (son) unveils the portrait of Marine Seaman Edward Williams.
the sinking of the HMBS Flamingo. Deputy Commander Shonedel Pinder spoke at the event, giving a brief account of the event and other plans to commemorate the sinking. “On Wednesday 5th May, there will be a tree-planting ceremony onboard Coral Harbour base to commemorate members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force who would have lost their
lives in the line of duty over the years,” said Captain Pinder. “Additionally, there is the HMBS Flamingo Memorial Ribbon to commemorate the four fallen marines. This ribbon will be worn during the month of May, with proceeds of the ribbon used to give financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the Bahamas’ military.” The portraits will remain on display this month.
JOAN Knowles (sister) unveils the portrait of Ma- KARRAN Sturrup (sister) unveils the portrait of rine Seaman David Tucker. Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup.
CONTAMINATED FUEL TO BLAME FOR BPL ENGINE PROBLEMS By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
PUBLIC Works Minister Desmond Bannister has said the cause of Bahamas Power and Light’s recent challenges is a batch of contaminated fuel the power provider recently received, causing engine problems. This is why BPL on Monday said there were issues with fuel logistics at the Blue Hills Power Plant. BPL in a statement at the time said Sun Oil, the supplier, assured them that all the necessary steps were being taken to remedy
the matter and work was underway jointly to stabilise power supply while corrective action was being taken. BPL also raised the possibility of there being “short” disruptions in service as a result, adding that customers will be advised on social media, its website bplco. com, or local media if this is the case. Yesterday, the minister said if any outages occur, it is anticipated that they’ll be short and in isolated areas. “We are hoping that there are no challenges and outages, but I think that as a precaution BPL has to advise the public,” Mr
Bannister said. “What happens is this: BPL contracts the provision of fuel out to various companies. It’s some companies in The Bahamas that have had these contracts for many, many years and have provided fuel on a reliable basis over those years. So, that has happened for many many years, for decades. “There is a batch of fuel that came in recently that BPL suspects was contaminated. It was not provided by BPL. It was provided by suppliers. When BPL used this fuel, it caused some challenges with their engines.
“They have gone through a whole bunch of parts — replacing of parts, replacing filters and other challenges — because of this fuel. So, they have to get this fuel out of their engines and be able to get more fuel in quickly and that has been the challenge that they have been facing so they are working now with the supplier to seek to get fuel that is not contaminated. Get it in the system and we are anticipating that things will work out okay. “If there are outages, they’ll be short, they’ll be in isolated areas, but we don’t anticipate that there is
going to be any widespread outages,” he added. Asked if the supplier will reimburse BPL for its challenges, Mr Bannister said issues like this are always worked out appropriately. “You have reputable Bahamian companies that have done it for years and BPL will work with them to ensure that whatever the challenges are financially they’ll be worked out. We are more concerned with being able to guide the public and advise the public of possible challenges.” The company is in the process of analysing how much money it has had to
spend in recent weeks to remedy the issue, he said. He said there are “a lot of new engines in the country” and added that even at the height of the COVID19 pandemic, the country faced no chronic outages over last summer. “We had a wonderful summer. Everybody was home in the pandemic burning air-conditioning in their houses and we didn’t have the kind of challenges we’ve had in summers past. “So, we are anticipating the same kind of summer. We just have to work through this challenge,” Mr Bannister said yesterday.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 5, 2021, PAGE 3
MOURNING AFTER THE BLAZE
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net AN early morning blaze at a seven-unit two story structure at Seventh Terrace and Fritz Lane yesterday killed one person. Police press liaison officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters said a preliminary investigation revealed four businesses located at the bottom of the building and a church upstairs were affected by the fire. He added evidence suggests the deceased was the only person residing in that portion of the building. Sometime around 3am on Tuesday, the fire department received reports of a fire. “Units responded and on their arrival, they met the top portion of a sevenunit two-story structure
engulfed in flames,” ASP Peters said. “The officers proceeded to extinguish the fire. Sometime around 6am that process was completed and they conducted a search of the building and discovered the body—charred remains in a bathroom door of an unidentified person.” He said officers are unable to say the exact cause of the fire at this time but are continuing investigations. He called the tragedy a “sad situation” and highlighted the fact that this is the second major fire to happen within the last few days. On Sunday, a massive fire on Jennie Street destroyed six structures and left four partially damaged. ASP Peters said the recent fires are a concern. “It is a concern because in this instance a life has been lost. We’re fortunate
in the prior one we didn’t have a life lost,” he said. “However, citizens and residents must take precaution because we’re coming into the fire season within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the temperatures are actually rising and so we have to take the necessary precautions to mitigate fires. We know that in our archipelago the wind and all the other elements can cause a fire to rage swiftly within the communities. “We want to encourage individuals to put smoke alarms and smoke detectors rather in their buildings so as to assist in mitigating fires of this nature. We also want to encourage individuals to not light candles before going to bed or to leave their electric appliances in a position where the electric shortages may not occur.”
THE DAMAGE after the fire, top, and people looking through the debris afterwards. Photos: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
FIRE CHIEF: WATER NEVER AN ISSUE IN DEALING WITH BLAZE By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
FIRE Services Chief Superintendent Kendrick Morris yesterday defended efforts to fight a massive blaze at Jennie Street on Sunday, insisting “water was never an issue”. While he admitted that fire fighters faced an issue with pressure from a hydrant, he said water was available. On Monday, residents of the area who returned to rummage through the rubble for anything salvageable told The Tribune they believed their homes could have been saved. They blamed issues with water for there not being a better outcome. Six homes burned to the ground and four others were damaged in the blaze. Responding, CSP Morris said: “With any fire there are challenges. Like I’ve said, pressure was a problem coming from the hydrant, but we were getting water. The pressure
A FILLED water tank during Fire Department inspection. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff was not what we would headquarters, that’s a quick have liked for it to have response. been, but water was never “When the officers arrive an issue.” on the scene, each fire He was also asked about hydrant supplies 1,000 galthe response time of trucks lons of water at any given to the scene. time. “The first fire truck “Feel free to visit the fire arrived at the scene within department at any given four minutes of the call. I time and I will show you don’t know if you would what goes on here. call that a delay. Four “The trucks after every minutes from the police call do not come back to
base without doing a fill up. So, that is never an issue. The truck cannot be parked at base without water so whenever they respond they respond with water at any given time. “We have three trucks in service, and they carry 1,000 gallons of water. We also have a pumper that carries 2,000 gallons of water.” Similar claims about water were also made by vendors at Potter’s Cay when they faced devastation last month. However, the fire chief dispelled these claims. “At Potter’s Cay Dock we were hooked up to a fire hydrant and we had unlimited supply of water. So, water was not an issue there.” As for maintenance of water hydrants, CSP Morris said issues, once discovered, are reported to the Ministry of Public Works. His department also has a team of officers who regularly check hydrants. “Now that’s the Ministry of Works’ responsibility to
service and maintain those hydrants, but we have a water supply crew within the fire department that checks those also and if we have any concerns, we usually report it to Ministry of Works right away, but we have a team of officers that checks them on a regular basis and the ministry has a team that checks them on a regular basis. “But, like I say, sometimes the pressure may not be ideal or what you would like it to be, but we know which ones are working and which ones are not working. Once we discover ones that are not working, we report it and the Ministry of Works along with us in a timely fashion fix it.” Robyn Rolle was among those Jennie Street residents who believed her home could have been saved on Sunday. Ms Rolle told this newspaper on Monday: “When I came here at two o’clock (Sunday) I met two fire engines leaving and I was told that they came and they wasn’t accessible to
water and then we pulled up that’s when the third fire truck came, and they were looking for a fire hydrant, but we have one that’s exactly across the road from our house. “With them doing no checks for that, it’s been empty apparently for years. So, when they did get it open, just dust and rust came out of it,” she claimed. “So, somebody I feel should be held accountable because our house could’ve been saved. I’m not saying it’s political… What sense it makes having an empty fire hydrant? It makes no sense or sending fire trucks that can’t (access) to water.” Stephen Swaby also made a similar claim. He lost everything in the fire. “I think (the) person who’s in charge when they bring the fire engine, they should’ve bring enough water because my understanding, the truck came without no water, but then someone said the truck came but only with little bit of water,” he said.
13 ASSISTED BY GOVERNMENT AFTER FIRE DAMAGES HOMES By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net AFTER a massive blaze on Sunday ripped through several homes, Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell said the government has assisted at least 13 people so far. He said his ministry has helped the affected with temporary accommodation. “The Ministry and the Department of Social
Services responded immediately,” Mr Campbell said. “A number of those persons were given temporary housing the following day. The Urban Renewal and the department conducted a walkabout and at least 13 persons thus far have been assisted.” He added: “I made a call to the Fire Department. It is important that a report from the Fire Department is given so that further assistance could be had and I’ve
been given the undertaking that once those persons go in, they have to go in and initiate because each person will have something different to report that they would’ve lost and the fire report needs to state what was lost… so once they go in, they’re waiting for them to expedite those reports.” But Mr Campbell said the assistance is “immediate and short-term” when asked about the long-term fix from the government.
“We need to acknowledge that there is a limit to the assistance and so the assistance is emergency. The assistance is immediate and short-term. These are incidents that might need to cause us to reflect. Might need to cause us to engage insurance companies and I know the thought of insurance is expensive but there are options for insurance. There are options for contents. There are options for just your roof.
“There are options that need to be considered but if we expect in every incident that the government will make us whole — that is not realistic — but as the humanitarian arm of the government I do commit that to the extent that we’re able and to the extent that needs continue to exist we will continue to assist.” He added: “However, I say to people there is a process. We’re trying to eliminate as much of the
bureaucracy as much as possible. There are some persons who feel like they need not answer questions when they are seeking assistance; that is necessary. We need to document. At the end of the day we, in the department, need to give an account for the funds that we have.” Several families were left homeless after the fire on Jennie Street completely destroyed six structures and left four partially damaged.
TRIBUTES PAID TO DR JOHN LUNN, ‘A PHYSICIAN’S PHYSICIAN’ LOCAL oncologist Dr John Lunn died at the age of 85 yesterday. In a tribute posted on Facebook, former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands lamented the death as the passing of “another Bahamian icon”. “He was a physician’s physician,” Dr Sands wrote. “He was a giant in healthcare for decades — at the Princess Margaret Hospital and in the private sector. “Dr Lunn, along with other medical icons, provided expert care to thousands of Bahamians while mentoring countless young clinicians.
DR JOHN LUNN “He made invaluable contributions to the development of healthcare services in the Bahamas and was a true national treasure who practised
medicine and did seminal clinical research,” he added, offering condolences to Dr Lunn’s family and colleagues. Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said he and Dr Lunn enjoyed a “cordial’’ lawyerclient relationship. “With the blessing of long life, Dr Lunn, an internist and oncologist, spent most of his adult life caring for others as he consistently delivered expert health care to literally thousands of Bahamians in both the private and public sectors,” Mr Davis said in a statement. “In the process, he made
an invaluable contribution to the development of the country’s healthcare sector and infrastructure. “Dr Lunn and I enjoyed a very cordial lawyer-client relationship and over the years we became quite close. I have fond memories of our time spent together working on various projects. “Dr Lunn was a good man; he ran a good race and has transitioned to receive his just and eternal reward. We who remain have a moral obligation to continue his legacy of service and excellence. “We thank him for
his contributions to the national development of this country he truly loved,” Mr Davis said. After completing his medical studies abroad, Dr Lunn returned to the country in 1966 as The Bahamas’ second medical specialist. At the time, leprosy was the prevalent disease of the previous years when the drug dapsone became the first effective anti-leprosy drug. In his book, “Healthcare in The Bahamas – 200 years of Growth and Development”, Dr Harold Munnings records that although the drug seemed
to be effective, three new cases were recorded. On Dr Lunn’s return, he “upgraded the standard therapy to a new multidrug regime and leprosy cases evaporated from our annual statistical reports,” the book states. Dr Lunn was one of a small group of Bahamian doctors who formed the Bahamas Medical Association in 1969, which later became the Medical Association of The Bahamas. He was president of the body from 1974-1975. Dr Lunn leaves behind his wife Sonja and children, Adrian, Mark and Toby.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, May 5, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Doctors chief: we can’t sit and do nothing from page one Although there has been no invitation, she said her members will continue to impart wisdom to people on how to manage themselves in this pandemic. “We need to certainly look at what helped us before,” Dr Pinder-Butler said. “And, if we find that those measures helped us before then we need to see what we could learn from those measures and sometimes we have to modify things to make it work for your country and to put things in context. “With certain restrictive measures, we may not need all of them, we may need to modify them, but I don’t think we can just sit around and do nothing, because that to me is irresponsible. “Since our last statement, we have not been invited to the table related to any other matters related to COVID at the level of the Ministry of Health. That has not changed, unfortunately. Regardless, we will continue to spread wise words to the Bahamian population as it relates to measures that can safeguard all of us and that can help the healthcare workers as we continued to fight this
pandemic at this time.” Fifty-one people are in hospital, sick with the virus, with four of them in the Intensive Care Unit. Dr Pinder-Butler said taking measures to ensure the healthcare system is not overwhelmed is a necessity. “The Pan American Health Organization representative reiterated what is happening in other Caribbean countries that sometimes we have to be proactive and take measures that we may not want to take but will safeguard us from having a healthcare system that collapses,” she continued. “That is definitely not something that we would want to happen. We really need to be mindful of that because it is happening around us. “I think that our healthcare system already has challenges related to capacity and staffing. Those challenges still exist so when you have a situation in the country where your COVID cases continue to rise and you also know that we are having more persons at this time that are being hospitalised for various reasons, then we know that within it will put a strain on our healthcare system. “We pray that we can learn lessons from other
countries which are much more overwhelmed than we are and that we don’t get to that place. This is why we continue to try to press upon our healthcare leaders to properly engage those of us who are in the institutions working diligently.” She mentioned what could have caused the spike we are now seeing in COVID-19 cases, indicative of a third wave. “We have community spreads,” the CPSA president said. “We know that even schools have closed. Cases have been seen in younger age groups, especially in children. So while the ministry may not seek to engage us, which is unfortunate because we are at the helm and on the battle ground, we will continue to do our endeavour best to try to get the message out to safeguard our people. “In some instances we have not restricted movements of persons. We have not restricted businesses and other things so once those things are going on and you have a battle where you are fighting a virus that you cannot see and one that is now more easily transmittable to persons, it is very likely that we will continue
TOTAL CASES
TOTAL DEATHS
NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES MONDAY 26 CASES
RECENTLY CONFIRMED DEATHS
10,602 211 NEW PROVIDENCE GRAND BAHAMA BERRY ISLANDS EXUMA ANDROS
TOTAL TESTS
88,187
• A 92-YEAR-OLD NEW PROVIDENCE MAN ON MAY 2.
19 4 1 1 1
HOSPITALISED
to have cases of COVID for a while to come. “There is a significant change and that might have occurred because we have opened up the country, persons are travelling a lot now internationally, and
51
CASES IN ICU
4
inter-island. Perhaps there have been more social gatherings in large numbers; some of those things would have been seen on social media. Sometimes, unfortunately, persons forget to follow preventative
RECOVERED
9,651
measures which have been found to help us mitigate the spread of COVID-19.” Dr Pinder-Butler also said some people just have COVID fatigue and when that happens, they let their guard down.
D’AGUILAR: MORE VISITORS EVERY MONTH By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
TOURISM Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said yesterday that visitor arrivals to The Bahamas are increasing “every month” after 64,047 non-residents bought travel health visas to the country in April. This represents about a six percent increase from the month before, however the travel numbers are far below pre-pandemic levels. According to the latest data released by tourism officials, in November 2020, 13,994 foreign visitors bought travel health visas; 32,061 foreign visitors made visa purchases in December 2020; 20,768 did in January 2021 and 28,425 did in February. March saw 60,497 people
purchasing the travel visas, while April had 64,047. However, this comes after a recent Central Bank report revealed that total foreign arrivals in the country declined by nearly 80 percent in March. Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet yesterday, Mr D’Aguilar said while the numbers are still a far cry from what the country saw prior to COVID, the figures indicate that The Bahamas is making some progress. However, he also noted it will take some time before the nation fully recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. “The good news is the number of foreign arrivals (is) increasing every month so it’s heading in the right direction. The bad news is it’s still 20, 30, 40 percent of
what it used to be,” he said before going to a Cabinet meeting. “So, I think it’s always important to put in perspective that we are nowhere (near our) 2019 numbers and that’s understandable and we’re still in the throes of this pandemic and it’s going to take time as persons get vaccinated and feel safe enough to travel for them to think about a holiday. “But, I could say the numbers are ever increasing and persons are obviously interested in a warm weather destination and they’re choosing the Bahamas but it’s still going to take some time for us to get back where we used to be but the good news is it’s heading in the right direction.” According to the
country’s latest travel amendments, fully vaccinated visitors who have passed the two-week immunity period are now allowed entry to The Bahamas without having to take a COVID test. Fully vaccinated travellers are also exempted from testing requirements when travelling domestically from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera to any other island. Asked if officials have seen an uptick in travel applications since the latest travel announcements, Mr D’Aguilar replied that it’s still too early to tell. He told reporters: “So, if I look at the health visa as an indicator and the number of applications that we’re receiving every day, that number is ever increasing
so while it’s too early to tell (as) we’re only on day four, I think the indication is that more and more people are applying for a health visa based on the fact that they’re vaccinated. “What is interesting is once people have gotten vaccinated, they want to get ahead of the decision to travel or not to travel to the Bahamas and they’re making applications for health visas months in advance and that’s begging to add traffic to the application process. “We are not there yet but once you have determined to be vaccinated, every time you apply for a health visa, the system will look to see that you have been vaccinated and your vaccination records have been vetted and you’ll be automatically approved for travel,
thereby reducing the need to check every single travel request as they come into the country.” In an interview with The Tribune on Sunday, Mr D’Aguilar raised concern about the possibility of people uploading false vaccination documents, given the fact that many US states and other countries use different vaccination cards. However, yesterday he reiterated that officials are currently working on a method to ensure visitors are not seeking to enter the country by fraudulent means when applying for travel health visas. “But, for the time being, we think that the records that people are presenting are genuine and we’re just developing a mechanism on how best to validate that,” he added.
CAREGIVER TELLS COURT OF RELATIVE’S THREAT
By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A CAREGIVER terday testified that daughter-in-law of elderly woman she
yesthe the was
hired to look after threatened to harm her earlier this year. In February, Brenhilda
Lightbourne was accused of cursing and threatening to cause harm to Olive Dyer. When she first appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis, she denied the allegation and the matter was adjourned for trial. Yesterday, when Ms Dyer took the stand to testify against Lightbourne, she said she and the accused lived at the same premises, although she lived on the second story of the building while the accused resided in a unit downstairs. Ms Dyer said on the day in question, she went downstairs to collect a package from a friend. She said when she passed Lightbourne’s door, the woman asked her where she was going leaving her mother-in-law in the house by herself. Ms Dyer said she chose not to answer
Lightbourne and instead returned upstairs when she realised that the man who was supposed to bring the package to her had not arrived as yet. She said when she called him to find out where he was, he told her to come back downstairs again, but when she did, Lightbourne began questioning her once more. “She said, ‘Why you leave my mother-in-law in the house by herself?’ So I call my boss and when she reach, the two of them started arguing, but I went back upstairs,” Ms Dyer said. “Around 3pm when I was preparing dinner I heard Brenhilda come upstairs and tell me ‘Olive if you know what’s good for you you will stay upstairs because if you come down, I will (expletive) you up.’ She made me feel very scared
so I called my boss and ask her to take me to the Grove (Police) Station.” During the hearing Lightbourne was represented by attorney Kendal Wright. During his cross-examination of Ms Dyer, he contended that she was “never threatened” by his client. “I put it to you that it was long before 3pm when there was a young man coming upstairs to you and Brenhilda would have said ‘Why are you exposing my mother-in-law to people who were not wearing masks,’” he asserted. “I put it to you that you (then) said ‘Mind your own business or I will (expletive) you up.’” In response, Ms Dyer vehemently denied the accusations and maintained her original story. The case continues on June 2.
WARNING OVER COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY THE Financial Crimes Investigations Branch has recently seen an increase in counterfeit currency reports, particularly on Harbour Island. The branch’s director, Chief Superintendent Matthew Edgecombe said a number of Bahamian $50 and $20 notes were recently seized on that island, however, no arrests have been made.
“In our investigations, we take note that fraudsters use various techniques to generate counterfeit notes, and they are creative in finding ways to pass them off on unsuspecting victims or business establishments,” CSP Edgecombe said. “We want to remind the general public that it is an offence to be in possession of counterfeit currency which can result in a prison term for
up to five years. “If you become aware of the whereabouts of any counterfeit currency, please contact the nearest police station to have the same turned over. We also encourage persons to invest in counterfeit detection devices to assist them in identifying these fraudulent bank notes to prevent losses to them or their businesses.”
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 5, 2021, PAGE 5
‘We’re ready to do what we have to on shanty towns’ from page one “We are going into the third phase this week,” Mr Bannister told The Tribune yesterday in response to a question about progress on shanty towns in the country. “Thursday makes 28 days. We couldn’t go into occupied structures until 28 days had passed and so we are going into the third phase beginning this week. “Our people are mobilised and ready to do what they have to do.” The deputy prime minister said he has tried not to speak on the issue publicly in an effort to “protect” the dignity of those involved.
However, he said the law must be enforced. “I’m very, very concerned about the impact, the health issues impacting our people as a result of what I see out there and you could be assured that in the next week or so you’re going to see some action that is going to happen.” Last Friday, Fred Smith, QC, who represents 177 shanty town respondents and Respect Our Homes Ltd, appealed to the government to cease further demolition until a judge has ruled on a shanty town judicial review that has lingered on for some time. In response, Crown attorney Kayla Green-Smith insisted that building had continued despite a court order mandating that
construction of unregulated homes cease. She said any action taken now by the government was against people not involved in the ongoing court action. Mr Bannister agreed. He said there continued to be a violation of the law. “They raised that before the courts. That is not an issue that impacts this particular situation. The court ordered, and I tabled this in the House of Assembly, the court ordered that nobody was supposed to go and construct any shanty town structures. It was very clear,” he said. “There is an injunction against building any structures and that’s been in place for almost two years. So how do we get hundreds of structures that people
are living in in violation of the law? “Believe me, if they sit there for a couple years, they are going to be able to go to the Supreme Court and get title to that land and own that land. You as a Bahamian can’t do that. You want to go out there and be able to acquire your land properly, own it properly in accordance with the law and live in a safe manner.” He continued: “Those structures are not safe. If a hurricane comes around, many of them are going to blow away again. If you have fires again you are going to have problems and challenges. You have faeces seeping into the ground water table, so I am concerned about the health of
people in Abaco and other areas. “We have many challenges with those structures, but every one of those structures, except for 30 of them, there are 30 of them that we won’t touch. “All of those other structures were built in violation of a direct court order that said nobody was to build any structures or add to them. “It’s a blatant violation of the law.” Last month, Mr Bannister defended the sting operation. He said residents in the Abaco shanty town had continuously broken the law, adding they were able to do so with the help of complicit Bahamians, who will face prosecution if
identified. At the time, he said there were Bahamians who benefited financially by unlawfully providing services to unregulated communities by facilitating breaches of the law. An example of this he said was the nightly provision of heavy equipment to construct roads, thereby enabling the construction of even more unregulated structures, in addition to unregulated shops and the sale of stolen goods. He also said people in the community had been stealing electrical wires from Bahamas Power and Light and haphazardly strung them up to provide electricity to shanty houses among other dangerous infractions.
60 SEEK RECORDS EXPUNGED By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net CHAIRMAN of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee Paul Farquharson said the group is currently reviewing some 60 applications from Bahamians seeking to have their criminal records expunged. He also said the committee will meet today to interview several applicants as part of its consideration process. Mr Farquharson’s comments came hours after National Security Minister Marvin Dames told reporters that the number of people seeking clean records in the country is increasing “by the day”. When called for comment yesterday, the committee chairman agreed that officials continue to see increased requests for record expungement on various offences. “Over the last month, we have had 26 applications pending in New Providence, 20 in Grand Bahama, and 15 in Bimini and for the very first time, we have had an expungement of record in Exuma for possession of small amounts (of marijuana). We gave that applicant his instrument a week ago and he was most elated,” Mr Farquharson told this newspaper. However, Mr Farquharson was unable to say how many applications have been submitted to the committee so far for the year as the information was not readily available to him at the time of the interview. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Amendment) 2015, people who have committed murder, manslaughter, treason, armed robbery, rape or possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply 10 pounds of marijuana
or two pounds of cocaine cannot have their records expunged. But after five years, most others are eligible if they are first-time offenders or were younger than 21 at the time of their first conviction. These offences can also be considered by the Prerogative of Mercy. In February, Mr Farquharson told reporters that 11 people had their records expunged so far for the year. However, it is unclear what this figure is today. Speaking to reporters before yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Mr Dames said officials continue to work to improve the rehabilitative justice system. “It’s increasing by the day,” he said. “Persons are making applications to have their records expunged and then we’re continuing our efforts as well to alleviate the overcrowding at the Bahamas Department of Corrections and so our Prerogative of Mercy Committee continues to meet to consider applications for clemency.” Asked how many people have made requests for clemency to date, the minister replied: “We’re in the hundreds. It’s never been done before in this country and as you know, we would’ve just recently started the expungement and that’s going extremely well and we continue to ask those persons out there who feel as if they are a fit candidate for expungements to make those applications. The committee has been working assiduously to expunge the (records) of those persons who are fit and who have properly re-entered society and are doing well.” Last year, the Prerogative of Mercy Committee approved 147 requests for clemency and one for record expungement.
NO THEFT AT CHILDREN’S HOSTEL By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net SOCIAL Services Minister Frankie Campbell yesterday shot down rumours of theft at the Children’s Emergency Hostel, insisting officials have not received any complaints despite widely circulated reports saying otherwise. He was responding to claims on social media, which alleged workers there stole thousands of funds donated to the care home by an unnamed donor. The report claimed the matter was brought to the attention of Mr Campbell, who allegedly then contacted police to conduct an investigation. Yesterday, Mr Campbell vehemently denied the reports and insisted he gave no such directives. He said when he contacted the home’s board members about the reports, he was told no theft complaints had been made. “Something circulated on social media suggesting some impropriety at the Children’s Emergency Hostel and the message suggested that I gave some
instructions. No instructions were given,” Mr Campbell said before going to a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. “I communicated with the board of the Children’s Emergency Hostel. I was advised that they are not aware, and they have not received any complaints from any donor that any funds were stolen, but the board and I are in agreement that wherever there is a report of any impropriety that we will deal with it and so everybody knows that Frankie Campbell is not afraid to call the police and if it’s necessary, the police will be called in.” This is not the first time the care home has been under public spotlight. In January, shocking surveillance footage at the home emerged on social media, showing numerous children at the care home being severely beaten. The incident resulted in four female former staff members being “relieved of their duties.” Six women were later charged in February in connection with the incident. They all denied the offences of which they were accused.
CONCH being prepared at a Potter’s Cay stall.
Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
WEATHER TO BLAME FOR CONCH CASES from page one
Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Dr Forbes said: “The bacteria that generally causes this usually causes diarrhoea illnesses, gastroenteritis among other things. It is a seafood related diarrhoea illness. What it means is the organism lives in the marine environment usually. “It is usually found in the shallow part of the salty water environment. This bacteria increases in the environment as the water temperature increases. In hot, salty water it causes seafood to get contaminated. Raw conch, oysters and seafood like that usually get contaminated. “People have to be aware that you’re at risk for infection if you consume underwater seafood, particularly in hot summer months. That’s why conch poisoning comes up from time to time in hot water. If you put seafood in shallow containers,
in hot salty water, the bacteria could multiply considerably and cause cross contamination. Cooked conch is different. “Freezing conch and cooking conch in warm temperatures kills the bacteria, so vendors have to be careful. “The bacteria comes on the conch. You could have really good hygiene practice and there could just be a lot of this bacteria in the water and you could still get food poisoning.” Dr Forbes’ comments come as some have called for vendors to undergo training that lead to better sanitary practices. Paul Maillis, director of the Bahamas Fisheries Association, recently told The Tribune there should be mandatory sanitary certifications for fishery suppliers. Last week, the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority cautioned consumers to avoid eating fresh conch or conch that they suspect was not properly handled
and/or prepared until the source of the contamination can be determined. “Signs of infection may be in the form of watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache and bloody diarrhoea and usually occurs within 24 hours after ingesting the suspect food but may range between four to 96 hours,” BAHFSA said. “This may last from one to seven days and although in most instances treatment may not be necessary, infected persons who are experiencing any of these symptoms should seek medical attention at their local clinic or nearest medical facility.” Officials said reporting an illness is critical in conducting a trace-back investigation to determine the point of contamination and the pathogen at fault. Conch vendors should follow industry best practices to avoid food borne illnesses due to conch contamination, it was advised.
ST GEORGE WELCOMES AIRPORT SALE By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE acquisition of the Grand Bahama International Airport by the government of the Bahamas is long overdue and welcomed, said Sarah St George, acting chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority. She noted that discussions were held with previous governments and also with the Hawksbill Creek Review Committee in 2015 about acquiring the airport. GBIA was initially commissioned by the GBPA in 1958 and became a premier private airport in the region. In 2000, Hutchison Whampoa Group entered into a joint venture partnership in the airport with the GBPA. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar were in Freeport for the contract signing last week. The privately-owned and operated airport was purchased for $1 from the Freeport Harbour Company, which is a subsidiary of Hutchison Port Holding of the Hutchison Whampoa Group. The government has also assumed a portion of staff related costs which are not expected to exceed $1m. “The acquisition of the Grand
Bahama Airport by the government of the Bahamas heralds a new era of aviation in Freeport. And I’d like to thank and congratulate the prime minister, and his government for this very tangible demonstration of their commitment to the future of the island of Grand Bahama,” Ms St George said last week. “In terms of the past, though this particular transition was wrought by the tragic events of Hurricane Dorian, which no one would have wished on our island, this new step today has also been presaged over the years. It is not a new idea plucked out of the ether, as it were. GB Airport transferred the operation of the control tower to the government, some 10 years ago. The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority has full sovereignty over all aviation matters, and over air space, as you would rightly expect. “There were even discussions with previous administrations, and also with the government Hawksbill Creek Review Committee five years ago in 2015. So it is, in many ways, a natural progression, and a logical one. And we are very grateful for it.” She believes that from the national standpoint the airport purchase represents an opportunity to promote, coordinate and integrate airlift
into Grand Bahama with the wider Bahamas. She noted that potential synergies under the government ownership are infinite, including a possible reduction in airfares. “It will no longer be a stand-alone facility. This will drive new policies, and economies of scale, to spur passenger and tourist arrivals to Grand Bahama by air in a collaborative way with Nassau and other islands. Systems and new technologies can be integrated. Bulk purchase of aviation fuel could be more cost-effective. Potentially, airfares could decrease,” she said. “Post-COVID-19, we all look forward to this signing today as a key driver for our local hotels, businesses, industrial operations, residents, and homeowners. I believe we have all heard loud and clear especially since Hurricane Dorian – this acquisition is long overdue, and it is welcome.” Alan Dixon, the new CEO of Freeport Harbour, Freeport Container Port, and incumbent CEO of the airport, will facilitate the smooth physical handover of the facility over the next few weeks. Ms St George also acknowledged Hutchison’s commitment and contribution to the airport for two decades.
PAGE 6, Wednesday, May 5, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
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Facebook Trump decision could have wider impact SINCE the day after the deadly January 6 riots on the US Capitol, former President Donald Trump’s social media accounts have been silent — muzzled for inciting violence using the platforms as online megaphones. On Wednesday, his fate on Facebook, the biggest social platform around, will be decided. The company’s quasi-independent Oversight Board will announce its ruling around 9am ET. If it rules in Trump’s favor, Facebook has seven days to reinstate the account. If the board upholds Facebook’s decision, Trump will remain “indefinitely” suspended. Politicians, free speech experts and activists around the world are watching the decision closely. It has implications not only for Trump but for tech companies, world leaders and people across the political spectrum — many of whom have wildly conflicting views of the proper role for technology companies when it comes to regulating online speech and protecting people from abuse and misinformation. After years of handling Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric with a light touch, Facebook and Instagram took the drastic step of silencing his accounts in January. In announcing the unprecedented move, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the risk of allowing Trump to continue using the platform was too great. “The shocking events of the last 24 hours clearly demonstrate that President Donald Trump intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden,” Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page on January 7. A day before the announcement, Trump unveiled a new blog on his personal website, “From the Desk of Donald J Trump.” While the page includes a dramatic video claiming, “A BEACON OF FREEDOM ARISES” and hailing “A PLACE TO SPEAK FREELY AND SAFELY”, the page is little more than a displays of Trump’s recent statements — available elsewhere on the website — that can be easily shared on Facebook and Twitter, the platforms that banished him after the riot. While Trump aides have spent months teasing his plans to launch his own social media platform, his spokesman Jason Miller said the blog was something separate. “President Trump’s website is a great resource to find his latest statements and highlights from his first term in office, but this is not a new social media platform,” he tweeted. “We’ll have
additional information coming on that front in the very near future.” Barred from social media, Trump has embraced other platforms for getting his message out. He does frequent interviews with friendly news outlets and has emailed a flurry of statements to reporters through his official office and political group. Trump has even said he prefers the statements to his old tweets, often describing them as more “elegant”. Facebook created the oversight panel to rule on thorny content on its platforms following widespread criticism of its difficulty responding swiftly and effectively to misinformation, hate speech and nefarious influence campaigns. Its decisions so far — all nine of them — have tended to favor free expression over the restriction of content. In its first rulings, the panel overturned four out of five decisions by the social network to take down questionable material. It ordered Facebook to restore posts by users that the company said broke standards on adult nudity, hate speech, or dangerous individuals. Critics of Facebook, however, worry that the Oversight Board is a mere distraction from the company’s deeper problems — ones that can’t be addressed in a handful of high-profile cases by a semi-independent body of experts. “Facebook set the rules, are judge, jury and executioner and control their own appeals court and their own Supreme Court. The decisions they make have an impact on our democracies, national security and biosecurity and cannot be left to their own in house theatre of the absurd,” said Imran Ahmed, CEO Center for Countering Digital Hate, a nonprofit critical of Facebook. “Whatever the judgement tomorrow, this whole fiasco shows why we need democratic regulation of Big Tech.” Gautam Hans, a technology law and free speech expert and professor at Vanderbilt University, said he finds the Oversight Board structure to be “frustrating and a bit of a sideshow from the larger policy and social questions that we have about these companies.” “To some degree, Facebook is trying to create an accountability mechanism that I think undermines efforts to have government regulation and legislation,” Hans said. “If any other company decided, well, we’re just going to outsource our decision-making to some quasi-independent body, that would be thought of as ridiculous.” By BARBARA ORTUTAY, AP Technology Writer
Readers have say online READERS have been posting their views on the stories making the news on tribune242.com. • Nassau Cruise Port’s top executive Michael Maura said “more work is definitely needed” after the Bahamian capital and Freeport were ranked in the world’s top five ports for “washwater pollution” discharges. That prompted this response from The_Oracle: “While COVID shut the cruise industry down, it would have been prudent to really analyse the loss of revenue due to that specific shut down. It may have been found that we would be better off without them. It would have presented the opportunity to actually claw back the giveaway deals they got from Ingraham et al. Would have been a good time to realise that the loss of revenue pressure on the cruise lines may have been greater than the loss of revenue pressure on the Treasury. For example, how much money did the
Treasury NOT rebate back to the cruiselines? There are many other angles to look at. But they ain’t looking nor can they see.” • The Royal Bahamas Defence Force has asked its department heads to prepare “for the possibility of an early General Election” by providing a list of people who will vote in an advanced poll. John had this to say on the election: “So what if one was to take a cue from the Governor of the Central Bank? He claims that the next few months will be very crucial for the government of The Bahamas. There will have to be a lot of heavy lifting and a lot of heavy borrowing (increased taxes is not recommended but may be necessary) if
government is to complete the bridge between a collapsed, pandemic economy to a rebuild and recovery. He also believes government still has enough leg room to wiggle some loans and is not yet at its maximum. So will government attempt to snap an election before it attempts to immerse itself deeper in debt? Additional burden on the backs of the taxpayers? So they buy themselves some time by calling elections first, than taking out additional loans and having another five years to pay it off. But the great advantage this country has is investor confidence is high. Especially those waiting for the tourism sector to reopen and to bounce back. There are lots of construction projects in the pipeline. Should the government be more patient with the tourism industry and focus more on getting these construction projects moving? That should create a good and pleasant atmosphere for an election.”
Water and Sewerage suppliers EDITOR, The Tribune. There have been a number of reports in the newspapers about the deteriorating relationship between the Water & Sewerage Corporation and its water suppliers. Headlining in the past week has been the threat from Aqua Design Bahamas to stop production and take their equipment away due to unpaid bills that have run into millions and unsigned contracts for water supply in South Eleuthera, about 5,000 people. Moreover, the union at Water & Sewerage have said there is no one trained, amongst their ranks, who can run these plants. My question to the management of Water & Sewerage is, who gave
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net you permission to play “chicken” with taxpayers water supply? How could you let a relationship with such an important entity get so bad that they must threaten to pull out their equipment and leave people stranded without water? What kind of business model are you following when you can sign a contract for payment for a job, run up a huge bill and then renege? Is it because you are a government entity? Why has Aqua Design Bahamas not been paid for services rendered? Have they not fulfilled their obligations?
Sirs, you represent Bahamian taxpayers in this relationship and are being paid by them. This is not the way we want you to conduct business for such a critical service. Know that your responsibility to not just to people for water but for the wider business community, who are watching. If we mess up this relationship who will want to do business with us? I know who, the kind of folks who will see we don’t honour contracts therefore we will have to pay much more for their trouble. Please tell us what is Water & Sewerage doing to remedy this situation? JOANNE SMITH Nassau, May 2, 2021
Davis is a man for all seasons EDITOR, The Tribune. MANY Bahamians often wonder about my politics. Some say that I am an FNM while others say that I would die the death of a thousand cuts to preserve and promote the Hon Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, QC, (PLP-Cat Island). Whatever my political preference maybe, there are a few members of the House of Assembly, whom I support regardless of party labels. The Hon Shannendon Cartwright (FNM-St Barnabas) is definitely one of them. Brother Cartwright has done a wonderful job at representing the good people and residents of St Barnabas over the last four years. He demonstrates empathy and
solidarity with his constituents regardless of political affiliation. The New PLP is sending another good young Bahamian, the Hon Michael Halkitis up against brother Cartwright. This may well prove a problem for the constituents who are torn between the New PLP due to traditional party loyalty and with the stellar representation provided by Cartwright. They are both dedicated individuals who are committed to good representation. Dr Cartwright is also to be commended on the great job that he has done as Chairman of Beaches & Parks. The majority of those, especially here in New Providence are well kept and maintained. Green spaces are
popping up all over the place and I am particularly impressed and pleased with the Edmund Moxey Park adjacent to the National Insurance Board Building on Blue Hill Road. Recently, Cartwright was recognised by Pierce University, his alma mater over in the USA by being awarded an honoree doctor of laws degree so he is now Dr Cartwright! This is fitting and it is hoped that even thou it has been said that a prophet has no honour in his own country that this will not apply to Shannendon. Congratulations and continue to do well. Truly, he is a man for all seasons. ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, April 27, 2021.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 5, 2021, PAGE 7
Omar Archer launches legal challenge over criminal libel By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net OMAR Archer, Sr, has appealed a Supreme Court judge’s decision to dismiss his motion for constitutional relief concerning a criminal libel charge that was brought against him six years ago. In April 2015, Archer was accused of publishing defamatory material on his Facebook page about a local reporter. According to court documents, “over the course of several days,” Archer and the female journalist became embroiled in an “acrimonious exchange” on Facebook. During the disagreement, the woman called Archer a “pathetic turd” and said that a “cockroach could beat him in an election”. She also said his mother may have tried to “induce an abortion which made him retarded instead”. In response, Archer wrote several allegations about the reporter. After she reported the matter to the police, Archer was arrested and charged with intentional libel. However, in the middle of the proceedings, he argued that the law that he was charged under was unconstitutional and requested the matter be referred to the Supreme Court. His attorney, Frederick Smith, QC, later filed a
OMAR ARCHER SR motion for constitutional with Article 23(1) rights,” relief, seeking a declara- could not be considered tion from the court that unconstitutional as it was a the “laying of the charge, “saved law within the meanprosecution, trial and liabil- ing of Article 30(1)”. ity of Archer to conviction Archer has since and sentence to a fine and/ appealed the judge’s or imprisonment for up to decision. two years for the offence of During a virtual hearing intentional libel were void, before Justices Sir Michael illegal and of no effect,” as Barnett, Roy Jones and they breached his constitu- Carolita Bethell yesterday, tional right to freedom of Mr Smith on behalf of his expression. client, still contended that Nevertheless, in his judge- Section 315(2) “in and of ment Justice Loren Klein itself” was unconstitutional dismissed the constitutional and should be “stricken”. challenge after ruling that He said that if their “fronSection 315(2) of the Penal tal challenge and attack” Code, “though admittedly on the law was unsuccessa prima facie interference ful, then they would argue
that the section ought to be “modified to remove the mischief that has afflicted Mr Archer”. “In summary, his lordship Justice Klein accepted that prima facie, the provision under which Mr Archer was charged under the Penal Code, Section 315(2) was a breach of his Article 23 constitutional rights,” he stated. “And his decision was that had it not been for Article 30 sub paragraph 1, which immunised laws that existed before 1973 which might be deemed unconstitutional, he would have stricken the section down and would have given the relief sought in the motion to prevent any further prosecution of Mr Archer.” Mr Smith noted that in his judgement, Justice Klein found that it was “common ground between the parties that criminal libel constituted a prima facie interference with freedom of expression”. He also noted how Justice Klein referred to a submission by the defendant when he stated: “‘It is not surprising that the defendants would make this concession in light of the centrality of the Worme decision. Their lordships, in Worme, readily concluded in that case that it was ‘common ground that the crime of criminal libel constitutes a hindrance to citizens’ enjoyment of their freedom of expression
under section 10(1) of the Grenada Constitution.’” Mr Smith continued to quote Justice Klein when he said: “And then he says, ‘It is virtually indistinguishable from Article 23 of the Bahamian Constitution but even if it were not common ground between the parties that criminal libel was a prima facie interference with the right of free speech, I would be prepared to hold so.’” In response, Sir Michael told Mr Smith the judge’s comments seemed to suggest that although he agreed with Mr Smith’s arguments, he was being held bound by the case of Worme and therefore could not grant Archer the relief that he sought. Still, Mr Smith asserted the judge was wrong “in holding that he was bound by Worme”. “I say that when the court looks at Worme, it was a wholesale challenge to the criminal libel laws, and it had no regard to any particular facts as applied in this case. And the Privy Council in Worme in my recollection, held that there was a valid constitutional role to be played by criminal libel in the scheme of things,” he said. “And I think in (the case of) Worme especially because of the breadth and the nature of the defenses that were available in Grenada, I would suggest that
this should be contrasted with his lordship Justice Klein’s careful findings in respect of the disproportionality of applying 315(2) to the facts in this case.” Mr Smith insisted The Bahamas was not bound by a Privy Council decision from any other jurisdiction. He also said that nothing in the case of Worme would have prevented the judge from “using all of the tools at his disposal under Article 28” to provide a “remedy” for Archer. During his submissions, Basil Cumberbatch, who represents the commissioner of police and the attorney general in the matter, maintained that Section 315(2) is in fact constitutional. “My learned friend made arguments in relation to the offence when it was initially enacted or in relation to the 1973 Constitution and my lords, he referred to modification, I believe. My lord, any offence only requires modification if it’s not constitutional, and my lords we say that it is constitutional and therefore it doesn’t require any modification,” he said. “My learned friend’s defence is that it isn’t constitutional and that is his whole argument right there. But, my lords, we humbly submit that it is constitutional, and this appeal ought not to be allowed.”
‘STAY OUT OF TROUBLE FOR 30 DAYS OR GO TO JAIL FOR A WEEK’ By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 27-YEAR-OLD woman who admitted acting disorderly when she was pulled over by
officers must stay out of trouble for 30 days to avoid spending a week behind bars. Bianca Johnson was charged after she failed to comply with the requests of officers who stopped her for
a traffic violation on April 8. The court was told that when the police pulled Johnson over that day, she became angry and began to throw her hands in the air and raise her voice at
the officers. The prosecution said when they warned her to stop, she refused and pulled away from the officer who had tried to arrest her. Johnson was eventually detained and taken to a nearby station where she
denied all of the allegations. However, during her arraignment before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain, Johnson owned up to the offence. After accepting her guilty plea, Magistrate
Swain ordered the accused to be of good behaviour for 30 days. She told Johnson if she was convicted of an offence within that timeframe, she would be sentenced to seven days in prison.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, May 5, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
We cannot end sexual violence until we understand the issues THE #MeToo movement brought issues of sexual harrassment to the fore - but it is only the start of dealing with many issues surrounding sexual assault and how women are treated in society. DURING the month of April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I participated in numerous events including panels and group discussions about sexual violence against women and girls. In most of these conversations, the questions posed made the knowledge gap clear. There is confusion about the age of consent, uncertainty about available healthcare services and resources available to survivors, and, still, the tendency to victim-blame. The questions and comments made it clear that, while sexual violence is a term everyone seems to understand on a very basic level, there is a lack of knowledge about sexual violence as a spectrum, its impact on survivors, and the work that needs to be done to end it.
By Alicia Wallace In recent months, I have been encouraging people participating in conversations about sexual and reproductive health and rights to consider the relationship between societal attitudes toward sex and sexuality and the proliferation of sexual violence in The Bahamas. We will not be able to end sexual violence without changing the way we talk about gender, sexuality, and sex. Gender, different from sex, refers to the socially constructed characteristics
based on sex (organs). They way we interact with each other — based on the genders we are assigned — and the way we assign rights and responsibilities are known as gender relations. They are impacted by other factors including religion and complicated by other identity markers such as race, class, sexuality, and nationality. Sexuality refers to sexual thoughts, feelings, attraction, and behavior. Gender relations are all around us, making its presence known in the home,
at work, in social activities, has been normalised and and in the law. Who takes women have been made care of the children, and responsible for increasing why? Who works at the proximity to men. front desk, who leads the Women are made client meetings, and who responsible for our own works overtime? Why? protection. The burden is Who plans social events, consistently put on us to who has to leave first, and prevent violence against us. why? Whose ability to pass We are discouraged from on citizenship is limited? living full lives, being visWhy? ible, and accessing public Gender relations are space. We need to move real-life effects of our quickly and quietly in the beliefs about each other attempt to go unnoticed. based on the rules we have When we are noticed (by learned and continue to men), we are at risk. Concling to about gender. They stant messages are sent to are directly related to the us, telling us not to go out conditions we live within, at night, to travel in groups, including the high rate to dress conservatively, to of sexual violence. Many abstain from alcohol, and people believe women carry something that can and men are opposites, be used as a weapon. We or that women and men know women are unsafe, “complement” just by being each other. ‘We need women living They have to continue in a patriarchal, very different misogynistic to focus on assignments world. Still, that rarely, if consent, what the focus is ever, intersect. it looks and on telling In The Bahawomen what mas, common sounds like, how we need to do gender ide- it works, and be a little less ologies include the conditions unsafe — and the classificaI use this awktion of women under which ward phrasing as objects and it exists. For intentionally prey, naturally instead of example, there — skilled and addressing the inclined to nur- is no consent systems and ture others, when a person gender ideology and expected produces is not conscious that to marry and men who are submit to men. and consent can predators. Given the belief be withdrawn Tied to that women gender ideology at any time.’ and men are is the expecopposites or tation that complementary, this must women show no interest in mean that men are preda- sex and hide all evidence of tors, meant to possess sexuality unless in service women, have natural domi- to a man. Sex continues to nance, and are to be in be discussed as a service charge of women. women provide to men, Objectification and sub- whether out of obligation, jugation of women have kindness, love, or compenworked together with sation, deriving no pleasure paternalism, creating an from it ourselves. environment in which Little has been done to women need to be pro- change the narrative of sex tected (from men) by men. as a man’s pleasure and Fathers perceive themselves woman’s duty. Let it be to have ownership of their known: sexual pleasure is daughters until they “give for women too. them away” for marriage. In recent years, we have Men respect other men’s worked to focus conversaownership of women more tions about sexual violence than they respect women. A and, more specifically, woman is the daughter of a identifying acts of sexual man or the sister of a man violence, on consent. This until she is the girlfriend or is important because with wife of a man. As long as consent, sex does not take she has a clear relationship place. Any sexual activity to a man, she has some illu- without consent is a violasion of protection. Without tion of the person or people proximity to men, women who did not give consent. are particularly vulnerable, We need to continue to and this has been the case focus on consent, what it for such a long time that it looks and sounds like, how
it works, and the conditions under which it exists. For example, there is no consent when a person is not conscious and consent can be withdrawn at any time. As we continue to talk about consent as mandatory, we need to encourage the prioritisation of pleasure and affirm diverse sexualities. Everyone needs to understand that sex is not to be endured by women, but enjoyed. Women are not possession and do not owe sex anyone, but have the right to engage in consensual sexual activity and experience pleasure. Expanding our conversations, understanding, and practices related to sex to include pleasure requires sex positivity. We cannot be afraid to acknowledge sexuality, and we have to understand that equipping young people with accurate information and resources helps them to make better choices for themselves and treat others with more respect and care. With consent and pleasure at the center sexuality education, we can more quickly and easily make distinctions between sex and rape. When we understand pleasure as integral to sex, we also understand the importance of enthusiastic consent. Comprehensive sexuality education is critical and needs to be in all schools at all grade levels. Each year should build on the foundation of previous years. The “Good Touch, Bad Touch” program is delivered to younger students, and many of them receive no further information about their bodies, sex, or sexuality until much later. They are left to hear and overhear, sift through misinformation, and try to figure things out for themselves. Ignoring sex, sexuality, and the hormonal changes teenager experience do not make them go away, and they definitely do not protect them. When they understand that sex should be a good, enjoyable experience for everyone involved, they are better able to identify when an interaction is unsafe. When they are made aware of the services and resources available to them, they know how to report sexual violence and get the support needed.
Recommendations 1. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley. This young adult novel is about Daunis Fontaine, an 18-year-old biracial woman growing up in the Ojibwe community in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. While it follows her closely, the book captures several issues affecting Native American and other indigenous communities including violence against women and addiction. It highlights the closeness of the communities, value of indigenous ancestral knowledge, and
the joy of tradition. 2. Sex Education. This Netflix series is a good one to watch with your children to spark conversation and, hopefully, make it a bit easier to approach the topic of sex and sexuality in an open, positive way. Otis’ mother is a sex therapist, so he starts his own sex therapy clinic at school. 3. Prepare for what you know is coming. Sometimes we hope for the best or simply try to ignore the truth, and end up uncomfortable because
of failure to prepare (even if there are other factors involved). We have seen, for example, that BPL struggles to provide electricity in the best of times, and this week it announced fuel issues. We should not have to prepare for electricity outages. This is unacceptable. While we express our annoyance, it’s a good idea to keep devices charged, store water if you depend on electricity for it, and do whatever else might increase your comfort during an outage.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 5, 2021, PAGE 9
BAIDU ROLLS OUT PAID DRIVERLESS TAXI SERVICE IN BEIJING
TECHTALK SPACEX RETURNS FOUR ASTRONAUTS TO EARTH; RARE NIGHT SPLASHDOWN
By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer
BAIDU Apollo Robotaxis move on a street at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Sunday. Chinese tech giant Baidu rolled out its paid driverless taxi service on Sunday, making it the first company that commercialised autonomous driving operations in China. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) BEIJING (AP) — Chinese tech giant Baidu rolled out its paid driverless taxi service on Sunday, making it the first company to commercialise autonomous driving operations in China. Unlike previous Baidu autonomous driving demonstrations in Beijing, this was the first time there was no safety driver sitting behind the wheel. Instead, a safety member was seated in the front passenger seat to deal with any emergencies. Up to 10 Apollo “robotaxis” are now operating simultaneously in an area of about three square kilometres (1.2 square miles), picking up and dropping off passengers at eight stops in Shougang Park in western Beijing. Each ride costs 30 yuan ($4.60), and is open to passengers
ages 18 to 60. The park is a former site of iron and steel plants that’s been redeveloped into a sightseeing destination and a future venue for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Although traffic flows aren’t heavy, an influx of tourists was seen in the park on the second day of China’s international labour day holiday. The robotaxis were repeatedly forced to brake when encountering jaywalkers or curious tourists who came close to the vehicles for photos. Kelly Wang and her husband, who both work in the artificial intelligence industry, said they had a smooth riding experience. “I would recommend people experience this. There is a strong sense of technology, because nobody is in the
driver’s seat,” Wang said. Her husband was even considering buying such a car for their household. Passengers can order a robotaxi on an app called Apollo Go. When the taxi arrives, passengers must have their identities verified before getting in. The taxi will start to move after it detects the passengers have fastened their seat belts. One visitor, Amy Li, still had concerns about autonomous driving, because driving behavior on the road can be complex. “We’ve all had experiences such as other cars jumping the queue or making a sudden lane change. People have emotions while robots don’t, at least at present,” she said “The robots may not be able to deal with such changes.”
Baidu, known for its search engines, has been testing autonomous driving on the open road since last year. Its Apollo Go robotaxi service has carried more than 210,000 passengers in three cities across China and aims to expand to 30 cities in the next three years, the company said in a press release. “In the future, Baidu Apollo will launch driverless robotaxis in more cities, enabling the public to access greener, low-carbon and convenient travel services, while continuing to improve the unmanned service process and user experience,” said Wang, vice president and general manager of autonomous driving technology at Baidu in a statement.
3D-PRINTED HOME IN DUTCH CITY EXPANDS HOUSING OPTIONS EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) — Elize Lutz and Harrie Dekkers’ new home is a 94-square metre (1,011square foot) two-bedroom bungalow that resembles a boulder with windows. The curving lines of its gray concrete walls look and feel natural. But they are actually at the cutting edge of housing construction technology in the Netherlands and around the world: They were 3D printed at a nearby factory. “It’s special. It’s a form that’s unusual, and when I saw it for the first time, it reminds me of something you knew when you were young,” Lutz said Friday. She will rent the house with Dekkers for six months for 800 euros ($970) per month. The house, for now, looks strange with its layers of printed concrete clearly visible — even a few places where printing problems caused imperfections. In the future, as the Netherlands seeks ways to tackle a chronic housing shortage, such construction could become commonplace. The country needs to build hundreds of thousands of new homes this decade to accommodate a growing population. Theo Salet, a professor
EXTERIOR view showing the printer layers of the 3D-printed 94-square metres (1,011-square feet) two-bedroom bungalow resembling a boulder with windows in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The fluid, curving lines of its gray walls look natural. But they are actually at the cutting edge of housing construction in the Netherlands and around the world. They were 3D printed at a nearby factory. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) at Eindhoven’s Technical University, is working in 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, to find ways of making concrete construction more sustainable. He figures houses can be 3D printed in the future using 30% less material. “Why? The answer is sustainability,” he said. “And the first way to do that is by cutting down the amount of concrete that we use.” He explained that 3D printing can deposit the material only where you need it. A new generation of startups in the United States also
are among the companies looking to bring 3D-printed homes into the mainstream. Fittingly, Lutz and Dekkers’ new house is in Eindhoven, a city that markets itself as a centre of innovation. The home is made up of 24 concrete elements “printed” by a machine that squirts layer upon layer of concrete at a factory in the city before being trucked to a neighbourhood of other new homes. There, the finishing touches — including a roof — were added. The layers give a ribbed
texture to its walls, inside and out. The house complies with all Dutch construction codes and the printing process took just 120 hours. The home is the product of collaboration between city hall, Eindhoven’s Technical University and construction companies called Project Milestone. They are planning to build a total of five houses, honing their techniques with each one. Future homes will have more than one floor. The process uses concrete the consistency of toothpaste,
Salet said. That ensures it is strong enough to build with but also wet enough so the layers stick to another. The printed elements are hollow and filled with insulation material. The hope is that such homes, which are quicker to build than traditional houses and use less concrete, could become a factor in solving housing shortages in a nation that is one-third of the size of Florida with a population of 17.4 million people and rising. In a report this month, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency said that education and innovation can spur the construction industry in the long term. But other measures are needed to tackle Dutch housing shortages, including reforming zoning. Salet believes 3D printing can help by digitising the design and production of houses. “If you ask me, ‘will we build one million of the houses, as you see here?’ The answer is no. But will we use this technology as part of other houses combined with wooden structures? Combined with other materials? Then my answer is yes,” he said.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX safely returned four astronauts from the International Space Station on Sunday, making the first U.S. crew splashdown in darkness since the Apollo 8 moonshot. The Dragon capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City, Florida, just before 3 a.m., ending the second astronaut flight for Elon Musk’s company. It was an express trip home, lasting just 6 1/2 hours. The astronauts, three American and one Japanese, flew back in the same capsule — named Resilience — in which they launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in November. “We welcome you back to planet Earth and thanks for flying SpaceX,” SpaceX’s Mission Control radioed moments after splashdown. “For those of you enrolled in our frequent flyer programme, you’ve earned 68 million miles on this voyage.”
SUPPORT teams work around the SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft shortly after it landed with NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Shannon Walker, and Victor Glover, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi aboard in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City, Florida, Sunday. (Bill Ingalls/ NASA via AP) “We’ll take those miles,” said spacecraft commander Mike Hopkins. “Are they transferrable?” SpaceX replied that the astronauts would have to check with the company’s marketing department. Within a half-hour of splashdown, the charred capsule — resembling a giant toasted marshmallow — had been hoisted onto the recovery ship, with the astronauts exiting soon afterward. NASA and SpaceX managers marvelled at how fast and smooth the operation went. The company’s senior adviser, Hans Koenigsmann, said “it looked more like a race car pit stop than anything else.” Hopkins was the first one out, doing a little dance as he emerged under the intense spotlights. “It’s amazing what can be accomplished when people come together,” he told SpaceX flight controllers at company headquarters in Hawthorne, California. “Quite frankly, you all are changing the world. Congratulations. It’s great to be back.”
PAGE 10, Wednesday, May 5, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
AMERICA’S NEW NORMAL: A DEGREE HOTTER THAN TWO DECADES AGO
IN this Wednesday, August 3, 2011 file photo, the remains of a carp are seen on the dry lake bed of OC Fisher Lake in San Angelo, Texas. According to data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the new United States normal is not just hotter, but wetter in the eastern and central parts of the nation and considerably drier in the West than just a decade earlier. Photo: Tony Gutierrez/AP By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer AMERICA’S new normal temperature is a degree hotter than it was just two decades ago. Scientists have long talked about climate change — hotter temperatures, changes in rain and snowfall and more extreme weather — being the “new normal”. Data released Tuesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration put hard figures on the cliche. The new United States normal is not just hotter, but wetter in the eastern and central parts of the nation and considerably drier in the West than just a decade earlier. Meteorologists calculate climate normals based on 30 years of data to limit the random swings of daily weather. It’s a standard set by the World Meteorological Organization. Every ten years, NOAA updates normal for the country as a whole, states and cities — by year, month and season. For the entire nation, the yearly normal temperature is now 53.3 degrees (11.8 degrees Celsius) based on weather station data from 1991 to 2020, nearly half a degree warmer than a decade ago. Twenty years ago, normal was 52.3 degrees (11.3 degrees Celsius) based on data from 1971 to 2000. The average US temperature for the 20th century was 52 degrees (11.1 degrees Celsius). The new normal annual US temperature is 1.7 degrees (0.9 Celsius) hotter than the first normal calculated for 1901 to 1930. “Almost every place in the US has warmed from the 1981 to 2010 normal to the 1991 to 2020 normal,” said Michael Palecki, NOAA’s normals project manager. Fargo, North Dakota, where the new normal is a tenth of a degree cooler
IN this Sunday, September 16, 2018 file photo, a member of the North Carolina Task Force urban search and rescue team wades through a flooded neighborhood looking for residents who stayed behind as Hurricane Florence dumped heavy rain in Fayetteville. Photo: David Goldman/AP than the old one, is an exception, but more than 90 percent of the US has warmer normal temperatures now than ten years ago, Palecki said. In Chicago and Asheville, North Carolina, the new yearly normal temperature jumped 1.5 degrees in a decade. Seattle, Atlanta, Boston and Phoenix had their normal annual temperature rise by at least half a degree in the last decade. Charlottesville, Virginia, saw the biggest jump in normal temperatures among 739 major weather stations. Other large changes were in California, Texas, Virginia, Indiana, Arizona, Oregon, Arkansas, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina and Alaska. New normals are warmer because the burning of fossil fuels is making the last decade “a much hotter time period for much of the globe than the decades” before, said Cornell University climate scientist Natalie Mahowald. For Phoenix, the biggest change in normal came in precipitation. The normal annual rainfall for Phoenix dropped ten percent down to 7.2 inches (18.2 centimeters). Rainfall in Los Angeles dropped 4.6 percent.
At the same time, Asheville saw a nearly nine pecent increase in rainfall, while New York City’s rainfall rose six percent. Seattle’s normal is five percent wetter than it used to be. Climate scientists are split about how useful or misleading newly calculated normals are. Mahowald and University of Oklahoma meteorology professor Jason Furtado said updating normal calculations helps city and regional planners to prepare for flooding and drought, farmers to decide what and when to plant, energy companies to meet changing demands and doctors to tackle public health issues arising from climate change. But Pennsylvania State University climate scientist Michael Mann said he prefers a constant baseline such as 1951 to 1980, which is what NASA uses. Adjusting normal every ten years “perverts the meaning of ‘normal’ and ‘normalises’ away climate change,” he said in an email. North Carolina’s state climatologist Kathie Dello said, “It seems odd to still call them normals because 1991-2020 was anything but normal climate-wise.”
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 5, 2021, PAGE 11
AT LEAST 24 DEAD IN MEXICO OVERPASS COLLAPSE
AN AERIAL view of subway cars dangling from a collapsed elevated section of the metro in Mexico City. MEXICO CITY Associated Press THE death toll from the collapse of an overpass on the Mexico City metro rose to 24 yesterday as crews untangled train carriages from the steel and concrete
wreckage that fell onto a roadway. Monday night’s accident was one of the deadliest in the history of the subway, and questions quickly arose about the structural integrity of the mass transit system, among the world’s
busiest. Another 27 people remained hospitalised of the more than 70 injured when the support beams collapsed about 10.30pm as a train passed along the elevated section, said Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum.
Yesterday, a crane carefully lowered a train car containing four bodies to the ground. Of the 24 killed, 21 died at the scene, while the others died at hospitals. Only five have been identified so far. Children were
Photo: Fernando Llano/AP among the fatalities, Sheinbaum said. Initial analysis pointed to a “presumed structural failure”, Sheinbaum said, promising a thorough and independent inquiry. She added that a Norwegian firm had been hired to
investigate. “I did not have any report nor alert of any problem that could have led us to this situation,” she said. The overpass was about five meters (16ft) above the road in the borough of Tlahuac.
Biden aims to vaccinate 70% of American adults by July 4 WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Joe Biden yesterday set a new vaccination goal to deliver at least one shot to 70 percent of adult Americans by July 4 as he tackles the vexing problem of winning over the “doubters” and those unmotivated to get inoculated. Demand for vaccines has dropped off markedly nationwide, with some states leaving more than half their available doses unordered. Biden called for states to make vaccines available on a walk-in basis and he will direct many pharmacies to do likewise. His administration for the first time also is moving to shift doses from states with weaker demand to areas with stronger interest in the shots. “You do need to get vaccinated,” Biden said from the White House. “Even if your chance of getting seriously ill is low, why take the risk? It could save your life or the lives of somebody you love.” Biden’s goal equates to delivering at least the first shot to 181 million adults and fully vaccinating 160 million. It’s a tacit acknowledgment of the declining interest in shots. Already more than 56 percent of American adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and nearly 105 million are fully vaccinated. The US is currently administering first doses at a rate of about 965,000 per day — half the rate of three weeks ago, but almost twice as fast as needed to meet Biden’s
PRESIDENT Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 vaccination programme yesterday. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP target. once federal authorities away from setting a target “I’d like to get it 100 per- approve vaccination for for the US to reach “herd cent, but I think realistically that age group. immunity”, instead focuswe can get to that place Acknowledging that “the ing on delivering as many between now and July 4th,” pace of vaccination is slow- shots into arms as possible. Biden said. ing,” Biden predicted the Officials said Biden’s vacHe said the administra- inoculation effort is “going cination target would result tion would focus on three to be harder” when it comes in a significant reduction in areas as it tries to ramp up to convincing “doubters” of COVID-19 cases heading the pace of vaccinations: the need to get their shots. into the summer. • Adults who need more He said the most effective To that end, the Biden convincing to take the argument to those people administration is shiftvaccine. would be to protect those ing the government’s • Those who have strug- they love. “This is your focus toward expanding gled or are in no hurry to choice: It’s life and death.” smaller and mobile vacobtain a shot. Biden’s push comes as his cination clinics to deliver • Adolescents aged 12-15 administration has shifted doses to harder-to-reach
communities. It is also spending hundreds of millions of dollars to try to boost interest in vaccines through education campaigns and greater access to shots through community organisations that can help bring people to clinics. Biden touted creative efforts to make it “easier and more fun” to get vaccinated, such as grocery stores offering discounts to shoppers who come to get shots and sports leagues that hold promotions to gets shots for their fans. Ahead of the Food and Drug Administration’s expected authorisation of the Pfizer vaccine for kids aged 12-15, the White House is developing plans to speed vaccinations for that age group. Biden urged states to administer at least one dose to adolescents by July 4 and work to deliver doses to pediatricians’ offices and other trusted locations, with the aim of getting many of them fully vaccinated by the start of the next school year. While younger people are at dramatically lower risk of serious complications from COVID-19, they have made up a larger share of new virus cases as a majority of US adults have been at least partially vaccinated and as higher-risk activities like indoor dining and contact sports have resumed in most of the country. Officials hope that extending vaccinations to teens — who could get the first dose in one location and the second elsewhere, if necessary — will further accelerate the nation’s reduced virus caseload and allow schools to reopen
with minimal disruptions this fall. The urgency to expand the pool of those getting the shots is rooted in hopes of stamping out the development of new variants that could emerge from unchecked outbreaks and helping the country further reopen by the symbolic moment of Independence Day, exactly two months away. Though White House officials privately acknowledge the steep challenge, Biden sounded an optimistic note. “The light at the end of the tunnel is actually growing brighter and brighter,” Biden said. Biden’s speech comes as the White House announced a shift away from a strict allocation of vaccines by state population. The administration says that when states decline to take all the vaccine they have been allocated, that surplus will shift to states still awaiting doses to meet demand. Governors were informed of the change by the White House yesterday morning. This week, Iowa turned down nearly three quarters of the vaccine doses available to the state for next week from the federal government because demand for the shots remains weak. Louisiana, meanwhile, hasn’t drawn down its full vaccine allocation from the federal government for the last few weeks. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Louisiana’s coronavirus vaccination rate is well behind most states.
NETANYAHU’S POLITICAL FUTURE IN QUESTION AFTER MISSED DEADLINE JERUSALEM Associated Press
ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday failed to meet a midnight deadline to put together a new governing coalition, raising the possibility that his Likud party could be pushed into the opposition for the first time in 12 years. The deadline closed a four-week window granted to Netanyahu by Israel’s figurehead president. The matter now bounces back to President Reuven Rivlin, who announced just after
midnight that he would contact on Wednesday the 13 parties with seats in parliament to discuss “the continuation of the process of forming a government”. Rivlin is expected in the coming days to give one of Netanyahu’s opponents a chance to form an alternative coalition government. He also could ask the parliament to select one of its own members as prime minister. If all else fails, the country would be forced into another election this fall — the fifth in just over two years. The turmoil does not
mean that Netanyahu will immediately be forced out as prime minister. But he now faces a serious threat to his lengthy rule. His opponents, despite deep ideological differences, already have been holding informal talks in recent weeks in hopes of forging a power-sharing agreement. Netanyahu had struggled to secure a parliamentary majority since March 23 — when elections ended in deadlock for the fourth consecutive time in the past two years. Despite repeated meetings with many of his rivals and unprecedented
outreach to the leader of a small Islamist Arab party, Netanyahu was unable to close a deal. Rivlin gave Netanyahu the first chance to form a coalition after 52 members of parliament endorsed him as prime minister last month. That was short of a majority, but the highest number for any party leader. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who received the backing of 45 lawmakers, now seems to be the most likely candidate to get a chance to form a government. Naftali Bennett, head
of the small religious, nationalist Yamina party, is also a possibility. Bennett, a former Netanyahu ally turned rival, controls just seven seats in parliament, but he has emerged as a kingmaker of sorts and appears to carry the votes that Lapid would need to secure a parliamentary majority. Lapid already has said he is ready to share the prime minister’s job with Bennett, with Bennett serving first in a rotation. So far, they have not reached any firm agreements. In a brief statement,
Netanyahu’s Likud party blamed Bennett for the prime minister’s failure. “Because of Bennett’s refusal to commit to a right-wing government, something that would have certainly lead to the formation of a government along with other members of Knesset, Prime Minister Netanyahu returned the mandate to the president,” the statement said. Defence Minister Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, called on Netanyahu’s opponents to line up behind Lapid.