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The Tribune Established 1903

Volume:116 No.225, NOVEMBER 15TH, 2019

Weekend

WEEKEND: SOCIETY LADIES ALL IN A FLAP FOR A CAUSE

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH, art books film fashion music 2019 society gardening history puzzles

Weekend

By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net

THE father of one of two Bahamian men who died under mysterious circumstances while on a trip to Italy said relatives still have unanswered questions, claiming the credit card of one victim was still in use after his death.

Randolph John, father of Blair John, told The Tribune he still wants justice for his son and Alrae Ramsey.

He has long maintained his disbelief that his son and Mr Ramsey, a foreign service officer, did not just drown in Italy, but that they were murdered.

He said the family heard someone had been questioned over the credit card use, but then nothing else materialised.

The bodies of Mr Ramsey,

29, and Mr John, 28, were found in the Po River in Turin, Italy on June 4 and 5 respectively. Italian officials cited accidental drowning as the cause of death.

Mr John says he refuses to believe that his 6’4” son, a strong swimmer, and Mr Ramsey, who both attended St Augustine’s College, died due to an accidental drowning.

“The information put out in the public against my son and Alrae, saying they probably fell into the river and you know some of the foolishness; and other nonsense saying Alrae went to take a leak in the river because when they retrieved the body his zip was down, so he probably fell in the river and Blair went in to rescue him and drowned. I mean it’s so

THE lead investigator in former Cabinet minister Shane Gibson’s bribery case yesterday admitted she was wrong to have jointly interviewed a local businessman and a woman to “synchronise” their claims against the former parliamentarian.

Assistant Superintendent Debra Thompson said in hindsight, she acted improperly in arranging to

SEE PAGE FIVE

DPP AFRICAN LAWYERS CAN’T WORK IN COURTS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

TWO Africans hired to top positions at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions have been denied admission to the Bahamian Bar, preventing them from arguing cases in court.

Bar Association President Khalil Parker said the Bar Council was not satisfied they met legal requirements for admission to the Bar. For six months, Nigerian Nikiruka Jones-Nebo and Ugandan David Bakibinga have respectively served as deputy director of public prosecutions and assistant director of public prosecutions but they have not represented the government in court like expected of the roles.

$30M SMART METERS WILL HELP MONITOR BPL’S BILLS

SEE PAGE THREE

meet with both Jonathan Ash and Deborah Bastian to “clear up the ambiguities” in their respective statements against the former labour minister.

The officer also admitted that during the meeting, Mr Ash’s and Ms Bastian’s statements were both altered to accommodate the other, and that whatever parts weren’t in sync were “cut out” and discarded altogether.

pages 14, 15 & 27

SEE PAGE THREE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

GIBSON DETECTIVE WE MADE MISTAKES

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

Page 11

A roaring good time

BHS celebrates 95 years

Credit card used after Italy deaths

SOCA STARS IN CONCERT

CATCHING THE EYE MISS World 2018, Vanessa Ponce de Leon from Mexico, dropped in on some school children on a visit to The Bahamas yesterday. Picture Special - Page 2 Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

BAHAMAS Power & Light will invest $30m in rolling-out Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) it sees as critical to slashing delinquent private sector debts, its chairman revealed yesterday.

Dr Donovan Moxey said that the funding has already been budgeted, and contractor selected, for an initiative that will “put the power to manage” energy consumption in the hands of BPL’s consumers. The AMI initiative will introduce the concept of pre-paid metering to the Bahamian electricity industry for the first time.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

NYGARD - ‘JAIL HIM FOR NINE MONTHS’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A SAVE the Bays lawyer argued yesterday that Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard should spend nine months in prison for his latest contempt of court conviction. Justice Ruth Bowe Darville is expected to rule on that today.

Mr Nygard was found in contempt of court last month for breaching an

PETER NYGARD injunction preventing him from publishing emails that were stolen from the

environmental group.

Although Justice Bowe Darville ordered he be present for yesterday’s mitigation and sentencing hearing, the wealthy Lyford Cay resident did not appear.

A lawyer for the fashion mogul sought an adjournment, arguing they had insufficient time to prepare for litigation and that Mr Nygard was too ill to attend the hearing.

SEE PAGE THREE

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

A COMIC’S VIEW TIME FOR THIS MODERN-DAY VAMPIRE TO GO

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Friday, November 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

OUT OF THIS WORLD MISS World Bahamas Nyah Bandelier, above right, and Miss World Vanessa Ponce de Leonm left, visit Cleveland Eneas Primary school yesterday.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 15, 2019, PAGE 3

DPP’S AFRICAN LAWYERS CAN’T WORK IN COURTS from page one

Some lawyers, upset about the hires, felt local lawyers should have filled the positions.

The Tribune understands that last week on Thursday the Bar Council determined the applicants did not have the certifications for the Bar that are specified in the first schedule of the Legal Profession Act. The provision specifies which countries’ legal certifications are

recognised in The Bahamas. It is understood that Mrs Jones-Nebo and Mr Bakibinga did not have certificates from recognised countries and, alternatively, did not have a legal education certificate from the Council of Legal Education of the West Indies.

Mr Parker said the episode shows the importance of consultation between the government and the Bar Council.

“The need for meaningful and robust consultation between the government and Bar Council

regarding all appointments to public offices to which persons are required to possess legal qualifications is clear and critical,” he said in response to questions from The Tribune. “It is too often the case that both the Bar Council and the wider legal community only discover appointments to judicial and legal public offices by publication of the same in the local daily newspapers. There is an urgent need for transparency and meritocracy to ensure greater and

continued public confidence in the administration of justice and respect for the rule of law in the Bahamas. Vacancies ought to be publicly and routinely advertised to bring an end to the vexing and corrosive perception that high judicial or legal public office is within any politician’s or political party’s gift.”

In June, Cecilia Strachan, permanent secretary for the Office of the Attorney General, said the vacancies were first advertised in the press in January 2017 and that

those who applied did not meet the criteria. She said the positions were then advertised internationally in January 2018. She said six people applied and were interviewed by senior OAG officials.

The Judicial and Legal Services Commission reviewed their recommendation and made a final decision.

Attorney General Carl Bethel declined to comment yesterday.

Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin could not be reached.

Credit card used after Italy deaths from page one

asinine. We want justice for our sons, I don’t believe that it was an accident,” he said.

He claimed Mr Ramsey’s credit card was still being used after his death, suggesting there are other avenues for officials to investigate.

“Alrae’s credit card was still being used after they were found dead, and this was happening before the bodies were shipped back,” he said. “We got word that the Italian authorities took into custody someone who was using his card and we heard nothing about what came out of that. So, there’s still a lot of unanswered questions.”

The Bahamas government has launched an independent investigation into the matter by engaging a law firm in Italy.

But the construction engineer says that concerned family members have not gotten any more information on the investigation. “The government promised that it is being done, and yes, it is being done so at the end of the day, you cannot say that they (the government) did not do it. We would like updates, we would like to actually have some say in the process. Since this began, we want to know what the progress is, what has happened,” Mr John said.

He added that he relatives have yet to see the toxicology report for the two men. He also wants to have a detailed death certificate. “Almost six months or so later we still do not have the toxicology report, we have not gotten a copy.

The death certificate was sent in Italian, they (Italian officials) didn’t even have

THE BODIES of Blair John, below left, and Alrae Ramsey, below right, were found in the Po River, main picture, in Turin, Italy in June

THE FATHER OF ONE OF TWO BAHAMIANS WHO DIED WHILE ON A TRIP TO TURIN SAYS THERE ARE STILL UNANSWERED QUESTIONS the decency to send it in English,” said Mr John.

Attorney General Carl Bethel told the media that Bahamian officials have communication with Italian authorities and

made a formal international request for assistance in obtaining the reports and their findings on the mysterious deaths. “We are intent that the government will leave no stone

JAIL NYGARD FOR NINE MONTHS, URGES LAWYER from page one However, Justice Bowe Darville shot down his arguments, insisting the lawyer was inexcusably ill-prepared for the proceedings.

This development springs from events that followed an injunction that was previously granted preventing Mr Nygard from perusing, publishing or disseminating correspondences belonging to attorney Fred Smith and STB. Mr Nygard was found in contempt of court after his lawyers in the United States tried to publish those documents in New York proceedings.

STB lawyer Julian Malins argued yesterday that Mr Nygard’s conduct constituted “flagrant breaches.”

He said in addition to a nine-month prison sentence,

the judge should order that Mr Nygard pay $25,000 for each day until he withdraws those documents in the New York court and that he pay $10,000 for each day until he returns to this country for his sentencing proceedings.

On Monday Nygard’s lawyers alleged in the New York court that he is a victim of a massive conspiracy spun by billionaire Louis Bacon.

He says the conspiracy involves huge criminal activities, including bribing women to make false claims about his private life.

His critics say his claims are an attempt to stall a major investigation the New York Times has been carrying out for at least nine months concerning his behaviour toward women.

Editorial View - Page 4

unturned in finding out the truth of what happened to our young men,” Mr Bethel said.

“Further, we are advised that in order for the Bahamas to obtain not just the

reports, but also the background and documentation which would in a sense support or otherwise the findings in the report,” he also said.

Mr John was a Saint

Mary’s University graduate student and was in Italy attending a psychology conference. His friend Mr Ramsey was a diplomat on study leave in Vienna.

IN LOVING MEMORY T R I B U T E

Claudette Juanita Russell Sunrise: October 16, 1950 Sunset: Nov 15, 2017

Gone But Not Forgotten. A day has never passed without feeling you in spirit. The love that we have for you is unconditional and will forever remain in our hearts until we meet again.

Sleep In Peace Our Love From your Children: Cecil Jr Charisse Kwame Grandchildren: Wayne Wynton Dylan Trevante Rashaldra Nathan Kobe Keynai Teshawn Aiden Tremaine Nicholas a host of other relatives

PAGE 4, Friday, November 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

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We need to wake up to Dorian’s warning THE dilemma a small national like The Bahamas faces in tackling the effects of global warning was exposed by the Prime Minister yesterday when he spoke at an international conference in Brussels and called for nations to urgently intensify their response to the looming crisis.

Anyone seen any urgent intensification of our preparedness to deal with rising sea levels and more violent hurricanes?

Even after Dorian laid waste to Abaco and parts of Grand Bahama nothing much seems to have changed.

The building crews are on both islands racing to clear debris so that businesses can reopen and homes can be rebuilt.

But shouldn’t someone be putting their foot on the ball here and asking, ‘Hey, wait a minute. If we build exactly the same properties in the same places were just going to go through the same again if another Dorian comes through.’

It a noble idea but it goes to the heart of the problem. Life has to go on.

We’re sure everyone would love to have their homes moved to higher ground or raised to where the flood waters wouldn’t wash away their homes.

But today with lives in ruins everyone is looking to get back to normal as fast as they can, putting aside the thought of it could happen again.

The same issue of life must go on we see in our need for an affordable and reliable national power supply.

With the whole world scrambling to get away from fossil fuels what are we doing? Plugging in more up to date fossil fuel generators and putting our faith in the Shell US liquid natural gas plant coming on stream at some point in the future. (While we mention it how come a Heads of Agreement for this still hasn’t been signed? Something anyone wants to tell us about?)

Our columnist Richard Coulson yesterday highlighted the activities of

Bahamas Petroleum Company which is about to start drilling its first test well in our southern waters hoping to strike commercial amounts of oil.

Where does this fit in with the “increased urgency” Dr Minnis demands of the world in reducing the causes of global warming?

There’s that dilemma again. Oil - if it’s there and the inevitable environmentalist objections are overcome - it could provide a cure-all for our struggling economy. Many countries have faced this question before us - save the planet or sink the well? We don’t have to tell you what the answer turned out to be - immediate gratification for all our onthe-day needs and fingers crossed we’re not around when the world heats up beyond the point of no return.

We don’t know what the answer is but what we do believe is we need more than a few words calling for action when in reality we are doing very little ourselves.

You can read inside today on Page 10 that some countries are leading by example. Wales, part of the UK, has set its sights on a zero carbon foot print by 2050. Ambitious certainly and in comparison anyone know of such a similar ambition being declared here?

Interesting 2050 featured in the mostread story on the Tribune’s website in the last two weeks. It was a report compiled by many of the world’s leading scientists warning the danger of rising sea levels was three times worse than anyone had thought before They produced a frightening interactive map where you can set the year, our response to global warming in the future (bad is our guess) and then see what’s left of The Bahamas.

It’s frightening and the sort of thing that really should motivate a urgent intensification to do something.

Dorian made us among the first most obvious victims of this environmental war.

If we don’t wake up we won’t be the last.

Nygard can’t hide from justice SADLY a few more trees are going to be lost through the deforestation caused

by Peter Nygard’s continued battle in the Bahamian courts.

He was due to appear yesterday for sentencing for one of his numerous convictions for contempt of court.

We said here yesterday we never imagined he would attend. He’s locked the doors to Nygard Cay, turned out the lights and scuttled off to Canada to

hide beneath his lawyers and doctors’ notes.

To be frank we’re a little bit torn between wanting to see him in the dock to pay for his sins or simply never hearing his name again.

Seriously though, the allegations being made about the activities in his private life - which he claims are all lies and part of a Louis Bacon-funded conspiracy - demand he face justice if true.

Pandering to new wave of xenophobia EDITOR, The Tribune I ADMIRE the unwavering patriotism of members and executives of the lobby group Operation Sovereign Bahamas.

Like all right.-thinking Bahamians, this group is spot on in desiring to see the Free National Movement (FNM) government put aggressive (and hopefully humane) measures in place to end the influx of illegal immigrants pouring into The Bahamas. Left unabated, The Bahamas would simply be overrun with hundreds of thousands of Haitians, when one takes into account the Republic of Haiti’s massive population of over 11 million -- 28

times the size of the current Bahamian population.

In all things considered, The Bahamas is unable to subsume the entire Haitian population. With the displacement of thousands of Grand Bahamians and Abaconians in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the FNM administration, with its limited resources, decided to house many of the Bahamian and Haitian evacuees at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium. I commend the Minnis administration for this humanitarian gesture.

What I will not applaud, however, is Operation Sovereign Bahamas’ attempts to pander to the wave of xenophobia and prejudice

against the illegal Haitian immigrants housed at the gymnasium.

The protest at the gymnasium is indicative of the lack of human empathy many Nassauvians seem to have towards Grand Bahamians and Abaconians who recently endured Dorian’s unmitigated wrath. I suspect that the founder of this lobby group has political aspirations, and is simply using his sheeple as a means to a political end.

The protest, in my opinion, is a new low in the neverending battle against illegal immigration.

KEVIN EVANS Grand Bahama November 13, 2019

No, we are not a Christian nation EDITOR, The Tribune PLEASE, Bahamians.

Please, people like Senator Jasmin Turner - Dareus, and all you so-called “Christians”, who suddenly remember to be Christian whenever the issue of the day is homosexuality and the Bahamas’ fledgling LGBTQI community.

Just stop it already.

Stop with this whole “Christian nation” claim.

You are only lying to yourselves, your God, and His Son, Jesus Christ. We are not a Christian nation. Far from it. For us to make such an outrageous claim, only goes to show just how truly delusional we are with regards to our loyalty to God. To all the “Christians” and “Prayer Warriors” in this great nation called the Commonwealth Of The Bahamas, who are convinced that the so-called “gay agenda” is taking over the Bahamas, I ask you: Where were you when your fellowman of the cloth, Bishop Randy Fraser, was charged, convicted, and sentenced for statutory rape of an under aged girl, to which he was sentenced to a mere three years for his repugnant crime?

Where was your outrage, when a number of female tourists, guests to our country, were allegedly sexually

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net assaulted on our beaches by jet ski operators?

Where were you, when Fifty Shades Of Grey, a movie whose entire plot involves sexual fornication, was shown at movie theatres in this country? You blocked Brokeback Mountain (we all know why), why not this particular movie?

Where is your outrage over teen pregnancy? Isn’t premarital sex a sin, as well?

Grown men preying on children; almost every day, you read about some wretched soul hauled before the courts, charged with inappropriate contact with a child, usually an underage girl. Where’s the outrage regarding these cases? Isn’t paedophilia a sin as well?

We say “cleanliness is next to Godliness”. If this is indeed true, then we are all going to hell in a dumpster, because our most populated island, New Providence, is absolutely filthy. Where’s your “Christian outrage” over this?

Murder, rape, stealing, adultery, heterosexual fornication, abuse of women and children, abuse of

power, corruption, and false prophesy are rampant in this minuscule, archipelagic nation, yet they’re all ignored and swept under the rug. It truly amazes me how so many people in this country can claim to be “Christian”, yet either forget, or chose to ignore, the two most important lessons of Christianity: 1: the Golden Rule: “do unto others as you would them do unto you,” or, in other words, treat people as you would want to be treated.

And 2: “judge not, lest ye be judged.” Two wonderfully fundamental rules to living a righteous life, and yet far too many Bahamians do the exact opposite.

Christian nation? No. We only hide behind the Cross, using God’s eternal symbol of love to justify our own bigotry and intolerance.

And if you’re wondering, no, I am not gay or LGBTQI in any way. Just an “ordinary” man who is tired of the blatant hypocrisy, double standards, and intolerance that are becoming epidemic in my country.

Stop being selective in your faith, and open your mouths when and where it really matters.

EMPATHETIC OBSERVER Nassau November 12, 2019

Leave it to the experts EDITOR, The Tribune

YOUR headline on Friday read, “We Won’t Pay” referring to the UB negotiations with the lecturers could well be a headline for the situation with BPL or BEC. We are told there are unpaid bills amounting to $90m to $100m and BPL is having trouble collecting this money. It would seem to me that with that amount outstanding everyone in the Bahamas must be delinquent and at night there would be no light shining from any house or office. But that is not so.

I would suggest a weekly table in the newspaper indicating the total amount outstanding and the weekly reduction. At least we can all see what progress is or is not being made.

Meanwhile the Government is borrowing a large sum of money under what is called a “Rate Reduction Bond” which seems to me to be a Rate Increase Bond

as those of us who pay our bills, a little later than we used to because they are growing monthly, are to be penalised to cover the interest and capital cost of the bond on behalf of those who do not and perhaps in many cases cannot pay. This is where “We Won’t Pay” raises its ugly head. More households will be unable to pay or refuse to pay, so the number not paying increases and eventually there is no money to run the generators or pay the rate reduction Bond. Power in any country is absolutely essential in today’s world and cheap power is essential for businesses to compete and the poorer among us to have a comfortable life. The cost of electricity in the Bahamas is among the most expensive per unit in the world if not the most expensive so now it is going to cost more.

Where are we Mr Bannister - has anyone thought this out?? To say that the utility

“can no longer be lax and complacent with the people’s money” to quote the Minister suggests they have been which is disgraceful.

On top of this the Government is moaning about the position the Bahamas holds in the world for ease of doing business. No wonder with electricity costs sky-high, D is Depressing for education so no educated work force and an Immigration Department that has never been able to drag itself into the 21st century, I am surprised we are even on the charts.

Again it is political interference in every aspect of our lives that causes a lot of the problems. Please members of the political class free this country from the yoke of political interference and let the experts try to mend the broken fences.

PATRICK H THOMSON Nassau November 9, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 15, 2019, PAGE 5

Gibson detective: We made mistakes

SHANE GIBSON, left, and Assistant Superintendent Debra Thompson, right, outside court earlier this week.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff from page one

That was evidenced in her being quoted as saying during the meeting in question: “I’m going to take some stuff out of it and just clear up one or two points,” as well as “…It’s just up to the part with the meeting now where I got to cut out a lot of stuff surrounding that.”

ASP Thompson also admitted that during the interview, the lawyers for Mr Ash and Ms Bastian, Alecia Bowe and Raymond Rolle respectively, “intervened” on any number of occasions and instructed their clients on how to give their statements.

Despite her claims that lawyers doing so isn’t unheard of, Gibson’s lead attorney Keith Knight, QC, accused ASP Thompson of violating “the principles laid down in the manual of the Royal Bahamas Police Force,” a manual she said she only saw for the first time yesterday.

“You now know that is wrong?” Mr Knight asked.

“In hindsight, I’m now aware. Yes,” she replied.

However, ASP Thompson subsequently maintained that while her decision to hold the interview was inappropriate in hindsight, her reasoning for holding the meeting was not improper.

“It wasn’t wrong. I didn’t perceive it as being wrong when I did it. It’s common for us to have meetings between (more than one witness),” she maintained, adding that the “substantive core” of Mr Ash’s and Ms Bastian’s statements “never changed”.

ASP Thompson’s admissions came moments after she agreed with Mr Knight’s suggestions that one witness statement should not be taken in the presence of another witness, and that witnesses are to give their statements independently.

They also came a day after she admitted to altering the original statement she took from Mr Ash by adding in a pivotal allegation against the former labour minister some three months after it was taken and signed.

At the time, she admitted that the initial June 28, 2017 statement she took from Mr Ash contained no allegations that he was required to “forego” $250,000 in order to be paid the $1m he was owed by the Christie administration for Hurricane Matthew cleanup work.

Instead, ASP Thompson said that allegation was mentioned months later when she met with Mr Ash in September of that year. But instead of taking another statement from Mr Ash, ASP Thompson simply made the change and kept the June 2017 date because the alteration was “minor” in her view.

But despite that, ASP Thompson conceded that the issue of Mr Ash allegedly being required to “forego” any payments was, and still is, an important part of the current case, and further admitted that her actions could have misled the defence.

During yesterday’s proceedings, Mr Knight built upon that line of interrogation, and added that her seeking to subsequently “synchronise” Mr Ash’s and Ms Bastian’s statements could have undermined the defence’s case.

“When you synchronise evidence in people giving two different accounts, it makes it difficult for the defence to bore holes because you have it synchronised,” Mr Knight asserted.

However, ASP Thompson responded: “I disagree with you. Like I explained, the purpose of me holding the meeting was to clear up some ambiguities.”

She further explained what she meant by

“synchronise”, which was: “I meant, when I said synchronise, it was to clear it up. That’s what I meant by that.”

Nonetheless, Mr Knight subsequently drew her attention to the fact that earlier on in the proceedings, she agreed with his suggestion that what she did was wrong.

However, ASP Thompson maintained that her error only extended to her holding the meeting in the first place, and not to what she ultimately did with the statements.

“At the time I did not perceive it as being wrong,” she maintained.

“In my view, I wanted to clear up the ambiguities.”

But Mr Knight insisted that what she did was “dangerous” and brought the entire investigative process “into disrepute”.

Mr Knight further asserted that ASP Thompson’s actions were “deliberate” and “calculated”.

“No sir, it was not a deliberate act,” she retorted.

“I already explained to you the purpose of the meeting.

The substantive core of their statements never changed. They maintained that account. Except for the areas that I wanted to clear up, is where the ambiguities were.”

However, Mr Knight finished his cross examination by admonishing ASP Thompson: “…If you ever have to investigate a case again, if sinners entice you, consent you not.”

ASP Thompson added that Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson, who at the time was a deputy commissioner, as well as Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin, were “apprised” of her decision to conduct the joint interview.

Gibson is charged with 15 counts of bribery. The former minister, who is on bail, has denied the allegations.

The case continues on Tuesday.

PAGE 6, Friday, November 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

STUDENTS AFFECTED

BY DORIAN GET HELP FROM IIE

ABOVE and below:Prime Minister Hubert Minnis at the the 925th Meeting of the Committee of Ambassadors of the Africa Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States at ACP House in Brussels yesterday.

Photos: Yontalay Bowe/BIS

VULNERABLE areas in the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States must collectively and urgently intensify their response to the climate emergency, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told ACP ambassadors yesterday.

He made the plea while addressing the 925th Meeting of the Committee of Ambassadors of the ACP at ACP House.

Pointing to Category Five Hurricane Dorian that destroyed swathes of Abaco and Grand Bahama, and the Category Three Tropical Cyclone Idai – one of the worst storms to hit the African nations of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi – Prime Minister Minnis said the impact of the global climate emergency is especially felt in the most vulnerable areas of the ACP, including the Caribbean region.

“The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report recognises that the choices we make now will dictate how we are affected by and respond to more storms like Hurricane Dorian and Idai,” he said.

Researchers have concluded that the largest and most damaging hurricanes are now three times more frequent than they were 100 years ago, and have determined that there is a correlation between the intense storms and increased global warming, said Dr Minnis.

“We are painfully aware of the warnings of the impact of climate change on all of our states, including rising sea levels and the threats to agriculture and fisheries,” he said.

Initial assessment by the Inter-American

Smaller countries must work together to combat climate change, says Minnis

Development Bank and ECLAC on the effects and impact of Hurricane Dorian estimated total damages at $2.4 billion, with an additional cost estimated to be $200 million and losses of over $700 million.

The Bahamian economy was expected to grow by

2.2 percent in 2019. Following the catastrophic storm, the projected GDP growth rate is now 1.1 percent, Dr Minnis said. He noted the ACP’s plans to highlight the concerns of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at its upcoming Ninth Summit of ACP Heads

of State and Government in December in Nairobi, Kenya.

The ACP is pushing to ensure that its development partners are sensitised to the particular vulnerabilities faced

by SIDS, including recent developments in international trade and finance and

the frequency of destructive weather events.

Dr Minnis thanked ACP Secretary-General Dr Patrick Gomes and member-states of the ACP for their expressions of solidarity and support in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

He also reiterated the commitment of The Bahamas to the ideals and objectives of the ACP since its inception in 1975.

“This commitment has recently manifested itself in the establishment of our opening of an embassy here in Belgium, as we seek to further engage and strengthen cooperation among our fellow memberstates and our European Union partners,” Dr Minnis said.

The new Bahamas ambassador to Belgium, Maria O’Brien, serves on the ACP Caribbean Bureau of Ambassadors.

Editorial View - Page 4 How Wales is leading the way - Page 10

THE Institute of International Education (IIE) is distributing $150,000 in one-time grants to 42 Bahamian students enrolled in higher education institutions in the United States who were affected by Hurricane Dorian.

This funding comes from IIE’s Bahamas-Emergency Student Fund (BahamasESF). Students will receive between $2,000-$5,000 to help cover tuition, room and board, and other expenses necessary to continue their studies. These grants were supported by an additional special gift from the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) and the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation (CTCF).

Hurricane Dorian was the strongest storm in recorded history to strike the Bahamas and many Bahamian students in the United States are at risk of not being able to continue their educations for financial reasons because of the hardships their loved ones and support networks have suffered due to this storm.

“On behalf of the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation, we are pleased to work with IIE on the Bahamas-ESF,” said William L Gertz, CTCF trustee and chairman of AIFS. “Hurricane Dorian created such a high level of need in the Bahamas and CTCF is proud to be able to help Bahamian students.

Thanks to our partnership with IIE, we are making a difference in the lives of international students who will now be able to continue their studies in the United States.”

Bahamas-ESF funding will go to outstanding Bahamian students attending 28 two and four-year institutions in the United States. Host institutions will also provide additional financial aid to grant recipients to offer them further support. Some are contributing matching funds, other additional work study opportunities and free meal plans.

Nele Feldmann, head of IIE’s Student Emergencies Initiative, said, “From the destruction of their family homes to the loss of family members, students that were nominated for the Bahamas-ESF face incredible financial and emotional hardship. We are most grateful to AIFS and the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation for providing this critical funding that made the Bahamas-ESF possible.”

More than 2,000 Bahamian students were enrolled in US colleges and universities during the 2017/18 academic year, according to Open Doors: Report on International Educational Exchange 2018, making it the secondhighest place of origin of international students in the United States from the Caribbean region.

SALVATION ARMY LAUNCHES RED KETTLE DRIVE FOR CHRISTMAS

By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net

WITH the holiday season fast approaching, many organisations across the country are trying to get people in the Christmas spirit of giving in an effort to help those in need.

One of them is the Salvation Army.

Yesterday, the non-profit group launched its annual Red Kettle Campaign, which is an age-old tradition that signals the arrival of the holiday season.

Speaking at the campaign launch yesterday morning, Felix Stubbs, chairman of the Salvation Army advisory board, noted the importance of giving and fighting for good in one’s community.

“The ringing of the red kettle bell transcends the

physical sound of a bell; it is a call to fight for good, representing the sound of feeding the hungry, providing comfort to children in need, shelter and provisions for the homeless,” he said. “(And) the reason we ring our bells is because we’re looking for support from the public to help raise monies to address the needs of those persons who go through a Christmas season without getting anything at all.”

Through the funds raised, the campaign aims to support a number of programmes that include providing meals to individuals and families who are in need and donating toys and clothing for disadvantaged children.

And as a result of the devastation left in Dorian’s wake, Mr Stubbs said, the

need for support this year is even greater.

“Because of this need, we’re calling on (the public) to ensure that we’re able to meet the needs of as many people as possible to ensure that they not only have a reasonable Christmas season but that those who were impacted by the storm will find refuge in the work of the Salvation Army whether it’s food, clothing or housing..,” he added.

In his address, Mr Stubbs also commended Doctors Hospital for being the first to donate to this year’s campaign.

Doctors Hospital has been supporting the work of the Salvation Army for over a decade. And, this year, the hospital donated $2,000 to support the efforts of the iconic Red Kettle Campaign.

PICTURED from left: Charles Sealy, Doctors Hospital CEO; Major Clarence Ingram, Salvation Army divisional commander; and Felix Stubbs, advisory board chairman, Salvation Army.

Chief Executive Officer of Doctors Hospital Charles Sealy said: “By donating to the Salvation Army, we are effectively helping thousands of

individuals and families across the country who turn to this organisation in their time of need. “...And we look forward for any additional ways

that we can come alongside the salvation army and the work they do here in The Bahamas.”

The 2019 Christmas Kettle Campaign is expected to run from November 23 to December 24.

The red kettles can be seen outside many businesses this year including Super Value food stores, Kelly’s Home Centre, Lowe’s Pharmacy and John Bull.

“We want everybody to experience Christmas in a special way so that they can feel family, so that they could feel encouraged and to encourage one another during the Christmas season and the Christmas kettles enables us to do that,” said Major Clarence Ingram, the divisional commander for the Salvation Army.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 15, 2019, PAGE 7

ANOTHER 113 HAITIANS FLOWN BACK HOME

By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 100 convicted Haitian migrants were repatriated to Portau-Prince yesterday under a deportation order, according to immigration officials.

A press statement released by the Department of Immigration noted that a joint team of law enforcement officers departed Lynden Pindling International Airport at 8.08am yesterday with 113 Haitians onboard a Bahamasair flight.

This group, including 97 males, 13 females and three minors, was led by Denaj Wilchcombe along with RBDF officers.

This came a day after 87 Haitian migrants, inclusive of 26 women, 59 men and two minors were turned over to the Department of Immigration at Mathew Town, Inagua. This group was detected by Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) while on a routine patrol in waters on the southeastern end of Great Inagua. Some were found at sea and others hiding

in bushes on the Inagua coastline.

Last month, Haitian Charge d’Affaires Dorval Darlier said the Minnis administration should consider suspending the repatriation of migrants “because of the political situation” in Haiti.

Weeks of unrest, violent protests and political turmoil have added to Haiti’s longstanding economic crisis which fuels illegal migration.

“That’s the reason I think this is not the best time right now,” Mr Darlier told

The Nassau Guardian in early October.

“What I’m going to do is I’m going to sit with the government to see the best they can assist Haiti in that way…If you are illegal, I cannot tell the Bahamian immigration department [not to] do their job.” Darlier noted that he could not force the government to stop its repatriations.

“I’m not going to tell them what to do,” he said.

“No, this is not my country. I am not going to force them. I’m not going to tell

them what to do. It’s up to the government.”

However, immigration officials remain firm in their stance to uphold the laws of the country.

“The Department will continue its commitment to carrying out the mandates of our agency to combat illegal migration by establishing effective border control management in compliance with the statute laws of our country,” officials said in the press statement yesterday.

Last month, the Office of the United Nations High

RBDF arrests Dominican poachers with huge catch

By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net DOMINICAN poachers who were arrested by Royal Bahamas Defence Force officials and the US Coast Guard this week were carrying some 30,000 pounds of illegally harvested marine products.

On Wednesday, HMBS Cascarilla under the command of Senior Lieutenant Samantha Hart along with the US Coast Guard arrested 17 suspected poachers on board the 76-foot Gerchard II in waters near the Cochinos Bank. The seized boat came into port yesterday at the RBDF Coral Harbour Base.

Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Michael Pintard told reporters at a press conference the poachers will have to face the brunt of the law.

“The vessel contained a catch estimated at 30,000 lbs of marine products illegally harvested. The RBDF expects to have the boat and its catch in port at the Coral Harbour Base by noon today (Thursday). Officers from our enforcement unit of the Department of Marine Resources will be on hand to process the catch,” Mr Pintard said.

The Tribune understands that the catch is worth in excess of a quarter million dollars in the Bahamian

market and even more on the international market.

The Bahamas National Trust has described poaching by commercial fishermen from the Dominican Republic as “the greatest single threat to Bahamian seafood resources”. Mr Pintard believes the country has suffered “substantial” losses to its economy due to illegal poaching based on previous vessels that have been interdicted in Bahamian waters, but he says the government plans on using strict legislation to crack down on the crime.

“We assure the public and in particular, the fishing community that the government of The Bahamas will prosecute these offences to the fullest extent. Our work to the Fisheries Act, while ongoing, will be coming to Parliament very soon and will include provisions that deal with these types offences severely,” he said.

Mr Pintard previously announced that boats seized from Dominican poachers are being distributed to Bahamian fishermen affected by Hurricane Dorian. There are 36 vessels in total, some vessels are expected go to those in the sponging industry and five vessels are allocated to the national dive programme to increase Bahamian divers in the sector and others to fishermen.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called on The Bahamas to halt deportations of Haitians and other undocumented migrants in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. It insisted there had been no individual assessments and due process guarantees – entitlements under international law.

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said deportations had been carried out consistent with international standards, specifically human rights norms.

TOP: Dominican Poachers Vessel (GERCHARD II) arriving at HMBS Coral Harbour base; left: RBDF marines transporting apprehended Dominican poachers; above: Minister of Agriculture Michael Pintard and Senior Lieutenant Samantha Hart, Commanding Officer HMBS Cascarilla.

Photos: Marine Seaman Wellington S Ramsey

NOTICE

TO OUR VALUED CLIENTS This is to advise that the

Betty K. Agency is in FULL SERVICE

The accident on Friday with ONE of our vessels did NOT impact our operation.

We are operating on FULL SERVICE arriving into Nasssu as usual on Monday, Wednesday and Friday WEEKLY! Thank you for your continued support!

Signed: Management

PAGE 8, Friday, November 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Now is not the time to play victim,

Mr Nygard

It’s time we rid The Bahamas of this modern-day vampire WHEN I read an article in this week’s Tribune, in which Canadian billionaire and fashion magnet Peter Nygard, claimed to be the victim of a ‘conspiracy’ I almost expired from the fit of laughter that over took my entire body.

Ah the irony!

This can’t be the same Nygard, that bragged all over social media of his feud with American billionaire and fellow Lyford Cay resident, Louis Bacon?

Now is not the time to play victim, Mr Nygard.

The entire Bahamas, and probably the world at this point, knows that both you and Mr Bacon engaged in a grandiose ‘urination contest’ over numerous petty, trivial matters.

Leaving countless Bahamians as collateral damage, in their wake.

I must say I’ve watched fictional dastardly ‘villain millionaires’ over the years very keenly.

From stooping to the

lowest levels, showing no conscience or remorse while pulling off the most cunning deals (Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots is a perfect example) quite a few have aligned themselves with the most unusual allies.

Namely, the politically influential and upstanding, as well as powerful grassroot gangsters, who operate with lawless abandon.

Asa Buchanan, Palmer Cortland and Adam Chandler ruled the daytime soap operas with similar ruthless tactics. (Yes in my college days I would watch ‘All My Children’, ‘One Life to Live’ and ‘General

Hospital’ before basketball practice. Our coach did also, so it was team orientated.)

Taking into account all of the wheeling and dealing, the total disrespect toward our Prime Ministers, immediate past and present, as well as other high ranking government officials, the denials and finger pointing, the innuendos, the foul-mouthed rants, the sinister allegations (as well as characters such as ‘Toggie’ and ‘Bobo’ enjoying their 15 minutes of fame) in our own Bahamian scandal, all masterminded by Nygard, makes the above mentioned villains look like saints.

At some point, somebody

needs to reign in our own hometown antagonists.

It needs to be done before we as a nation suffer the consequences of these characters’ selfish actions.

Since Mr Nygard brought up ‘conspiracies’ it reminded me of a few ‘conspiracies’ attached to Mr Nygard.

We all remember a post PLP election victory in 2012, the viral videos of Nygard entertaining members of the new PLP government at the infamous ‘Nygard Cay’ bragging how ‘they took our country back.’

Then came the viral videos of Nygard bragging about a certain $5 million campaign contribution and then PM Perry Christie moonlighting as a ‘proctologist’.

Not to mention the sordid allegations from numerous young women in regards to their stays at Nygard Cay. Mr Nygard is subject to numerous contempt orders

here in The Bahamas. As a matter of fact, Nygard was due in court yesterday to be sentenced for contempt in a case centering on the theft of emails from QC Fred Smith’s law firm which will be represented

by Julian Malins, QC, from London and Ferron Bethel.

(And we all know Fred Smith doesn’t lose.)

Instead of using the courts to stall the legal process and delay the inevitable, I suggest Mr Nygard return the land he acquired illegally, as order by the courts. (Yet another contempt.)

Or as Mr Nygard himself, called for current Prime Minister Hubert Minnis removal as leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition back in 2012, now ‘Doc’ can do all of us a favour and give Mr Nygard a dose of his own medicine.

allegedly illegally obtained at his Lyford Cay residence, ‘Nygard Cay’.

1. Remove Nygard from the alleged Crown Land he

No conspiracy, and problem solved.

2. Remove the negative publicity associated with ‘Nygard Cay’ and the Bahamas brought on by the CBC ‘Fifth Estate’ special edition “Larger Than Life” and numerous articles on the prestigious website Businessinsider.com regarding all the alleged sordid events parties and other mysterious goings on at ‘Nygard Cay’ and the lawsuits left behind.

3.Remove Peter Nygard and his personal agendas from The Bahamas.

Rid The Bahamas of this modern-day vampire, slowly trying to suck the life out of The Bahamas for his own selfish personal gain, leaving a trail of bloodless political souls in his wake.

WHY NOT MENTION CLIMATE CHANGE? AFTER Shell North America confirmed it is willing to permit Bahamian ownership in part of its New Providence power plant project, readers posted their reactions on tribune242.com.

Concerned799 asked: “No mention of climate change in this piece?

Didn’t know we had time to run out another 50 year lifespan power plant before we finally had to act. Must be something in all those alarming UN reports I missed that says still time to build more fossil fuel plants?”

Realitycheck242 said: “Going forward, every new critical infrastructure built on this chain of islands should be elevated 30 feet minimum above sea level.

That includes airports, power stations, hospitals, clinics, water pumping stations, important government offices and the like. Have you readers

ever wondered why the Americans bought the highest land in Nassau city and are building their new embassy on the highest point in downtown Nassau?

Do you think they know something that we don’t?

Hint, hint – they have many supercomputers in their universities and they have ran simulations on what climate change will do year-by-year going forward.

Dorian was a baby compared to their results.”

John asked: “So what is the difference between Bahamians owning shares in the Shell plant and owing shares in BPL? From what talks are being floated around, Shell will construct the plant and operate, just

like Wartsilla is doing.

They will sell power to BPL. So if you purchase shares in Shell, then your interest will be based on power production only at that plant, unless others are constructed in the future. If BPL sold shares, it will be on the wholesale purchase of power and distribution.

And it will not be limited to the one Shell plant.”

And the news that a $30m project to transform the government’s digital/ IT infrastructure was being branded “one of the most revolutionary things that has happened in the country for decades”, prompted this comment from BahamaPundit: “If this was a Chinese or Indian country, digitising the Bahamian Government would probably cost around 1 million dollars.

Computer hardware is dirt cheap. Once again, politicians spending like drunken sailors, when much cheaper

solutions likely exist.”

That view was supported

by ThisIsOurs: “Agree completely. Getting a real breakdown of how this money was used will be really interesting. Just saying, for example, ‘5 million for equipment’ is too vague, what equipment what brand, which servers, what configuration, which personnel, which specialties, who’s the vendor, where was the bidding process? These are ‘where the VAT money gone’ questions.”

And there was this from Proudloudandfnm: “100% waste of money.

The Bahamian government cannot and will never ever be able to utilise computers . . . cancel this programme immediately and put the money towards the recovery effort . . .

Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

Thinking of you - all the way from Virginia

THE TRIBUNE

ANNA Grimm, a third grade teacher from Penn Laird, Virginia, and her class have been thinking about The Bahamas since Hurriane Dorian struck.

Here is what she had to say: “I teach at Cub Run Elementary school within the Shenandoah Valley. I am

Friday, November 15, 2019, PAGE 9

writing to share with you a class project that my students did a couple of weeks ago in response to Hurricane Dorian. I shared with them the impact Dorian had on The Bahamas and my family. We have been learning about ways to show kindness to others all

year and how small acts of kindness can go a long way in helping to bring joy to those who are suffering.

“In an attempt to bring joy to people in The Bahamas, my class decided to create a card and write small notes of encouragement. They drew the flag,

researched the map of the islands and drew the islands within the flag to symbolise unity after the storm. We discussed how, even though The Bahamas is far away from us and there was a lot of damage, we can use technology and resources to get our card to The Bahamas

without using air mail. My class came up with many other ideas of how to support Bahamians; cards, letters, poetry, videos, sending books, etc. We are working on the logistics of these things for now, but to see their hearts go out to people they have never

met is so encouraging! They often ask how The Bahamas is doing and we try to keep up to date on progress being made to restore the islands.

“I’ve included a picture of my class with the card they created. One student cannot be photographed and therefore has a smiley face.”

PAGE 10, Friday, November 15, 2019

By FILIPPOS PROEDROU Research Fellow, University of South Wales

E

FFORTS to tackle climate change often focus on international agreements and the actions of large countries such as the US and China. But most of the world’s countries or autonomous states have fewer than 10 million people.

What happens in small states is critical to the world’s transition to lowcarbon energy. This isn’t necessarily because of the amount of emissions small states can cut (although that is important). Instead, their policies can help develop the renewable energy infrastructure the whole world needs, and send important signals to other governments, private investors and the general population about how the fight against climate change is developing.

The Welsh government recently became the latest small state authority to announce an ambition to become carbon neutral by 2050. Looking at what Wales is already doing and what it still needs to do to reach its carbon targets can provide some useful lessons for other small states hoping to decarbonise.

First, Wales has not just an ambitious target but also a unique legislative framework for climate policy through the Well-being of Futures Generation (Wales) Act 2015. This act emphasises the value of preventing problems from occurring rather than addressing them after they emerge. It aims to merge policy issues, such as public health, climate change and economic prosperity, and mandates that all policy must contribute to sustainability and not undermine long-term goals.

And it says people must be seen as part of the solution to climate change, not part of the problem.

This framework is a perfect fit for ambitious climate policy, as it takes

THE TRIBUNE

How small states can cut carbon emissions to zero

THE WELSH government recently became the latest small state authority to announce an ambition to become carbon neutral by 2050. Pictured is Snowdonia, in the north of the country a long-term perspective, engages citizens and prioritises sustainability.

Climate policies are easier to develop when seen as flowing from such prior commitments.

Other states could take a similar approach to provide the basis for more ambitious climate goals and policy.

But Wales’s experience also shows that a forward-looking legislative framework doesn’t automatically lead to a bolder climate policy. Similarly, the Welsh government’s grand political commitment of declaring a climate emergency in April 2019 hasn’t been backed up with

concrete policy innovation.

More specifically, current Welsh climate policy has a lack of urgency, tending to favour waiting for more information rather than acting now. It relies too much on a top-down approach of government inadequately regulating and providing economic incentives to the markets, rather than directly supporting the population to produce and consume clean energy in efficient ways. There is also no strategic plan that will set out how much clean energy Wales needs to fully decarbonise its economy over the next two to three decades, and bewilderment

over how to start decarbonising the transport sector.

Instead, Wales and other small countries should opt for a bottom-up energy transition built around citizens taking action. This boils down to encouraging and opening up energy efficiency schemes and small-scale and community energy generation.

And it means exploiting the benefits of a decentralised, integrated electricity system, such as using people’s electric car batteries to store renewable electricity overnight.

To overhaul the transport sector, Wales needs to install a large number

of fast charging points to encourage people to buy electric vehicles. This should be relatively easy in the country’s densely populated south-east, but more challenging in its more sparsely populated and rural regions.

All these things need an upgraded electricity grid and an increase in clean energy.

As things stand, Wales’s dependence on centralised UK-wide financing remains a significant barrier. For example, a proposed tidal lagoon scheme was recently cancelled by the UK government. Independent states, of course, will have more freedom in this area.

But something Wales could do is establish a public energy company to oversee a reduction in energy demand, rolling out smart meters, financing smart, energy efficient appliances, and audit residential energy consumption to where it is most inefficient. This innovative proposal was debated by the National Assembly for Wales but rejected by the Welsh government.

Another particular challenge for Wales – and many other small states – is the significance of agriculture to its economy. The UK government’s advisory Committee on Climate Change has argued that Wales should only target a 95 percent reduction in carbon emissions because its agriculture would make it too difficult to reach net zero emissions. Agriculture emissions can’t be eliminated so, to overcome this challenge, Wales will need more schemes to absorb carbon dioxide, such as forest planting.

Despite the country’s small size and carbon footprint, Wales’s climate policy is critical for supporting the wider climate agenda and the same is true for other small autonomous states and countries.

Wales’s experience shows how an innovative legislative framework can lay the ground for policy breakthroughs, but countries still need strategic plans and a sense of urgency to make an impact.

theconversation.com

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 15, 2019, PAGE 11

Thanksgiving service held

by Urban Renewal THE URBAN Renewal hosted a thanksgiving service and grocery distribution yesterday at Pilgrim Bapist Church.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

PAGE 12, Friday, November 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

MORALES CAN’T RUN IN NEW VOTE

CHINA PUTS MARS LANDER ON SHOW HUAILAI, China Associated Press CHINA showed off its Mars spacecraft during a landing test yesterday as the country pushes for inclusion in more global space projects. The demonstration of hovering, obstacle avoidance and deceleration capabilities was conducted at a site outside Beijing simulating conditions on the red planet, where the pull of gravity is about one-third that of Earth.

China plans to launch a lander and rover to Mars next year, one of four scheduled missions. The US and Europe are also sending rovers to Mars, and the United Arab Emirates plans to launch an orbiter.

LA PAZ, Bolivia Associated Press

A LANDER is lifted during a test of hovering, obstacle avoidance and deceleration capabilities at a facility in China yesterday

Student kills two in school gun attack SANTA CLARITA, California Associated Press A STUDENT pulled a gun from his backpack and opened fire at a Southern California high school yesterday, killing two students and wounding three others before shooting and gravely injuring himself on his 16th birthday.

The gunfire began around 7.30 am at Saugus High School in suburban Santa Clarita, where Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies responding to a torrent of 911 calls found all six students in a quad area.

Security video showed the last thing the attacker did was shoot himself with the final bullet in the .45-caliber handgun, sheriff’s homicide Capt. Kent Wegener said.

A 16-year-old girl and a 14-yearold boy died. Two girls, ages 14 and 15, and a 14-year-old boy were hospitalized, officials said.

“At this point in time, we have no indication of motivation or ideology,” said Paul Delacourt, the agent in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office. Santa Clarita is a city of more than 200,000 about 30 miles northwest of downtown LA. The sound of gunfire sent some students running while others and staff followed recently practiced security procedures.

Kyra Stapp, 17, was watching a documentary in class when she heard two gunshots. Panicked students ran in and reported the shooting.

Stapp’s class and others were herded into a teacher break room where they locked the door and turned off the lights.

Kyra texted her mother and tried not make any noise. They exchanged messages as sirens screamed and helicopters and deputies carrying rifles and shotguns swarmed the campus. Then Kyra fell silent while officers escorted

BOLIVIA’S former President Evo Morales cannot run as a candidate in any new elections, the country’s interim leader said yesterday, as supporters of the ousted president demonstrated for his return from asylum in Mexico.

“Evo: Friend, the people are with you!” shouted protesters in the city of Sacaba.

They had come overnight from Chapare, a coca-growing region where Morales became a prominent union leader before his rise to the presidency.

In the capital of La Paz, some gasoline stations ran out of supply because of street blockades in the nearby city of El Alto, a pro-Morales stronghold that is a major distribution point for fuel.

Jeanine Añez, a Senate deputy leader who claimed the interim presidency, was struggling to establish authority in the turbulent country. She announced that Morales, who resigned after allegations of election fraud, could not participate in elections again and criticized Mexico’s government for allowing Morales to rally support from Mexico City.

“We have to let the Mexican government know that cannot be happening,” said Añez, who says she wants to restore stability in Bolivia but has been accused of a power grab by Morales supporters.

MAN, 70, DIES AS PROTESTS CONTINUE

HONG KONG Associated Press

AN INJURED young man is helped into an ambulance outside Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California, above, while students are escorted away after the shootings, left. students out. “She’s been texting me and all of a sudden she’s not,” Tracy Stapp said. “That was like the worst 10 minutes of my life, I swear.”

Shauna Orandi, 16, said she was in her Spanish class doing homework when she heard four gunshots that she initially mistook as instruments from a band class. She said a student burst into the room saying he’d seen the gunman, and her classmates were stunned into silence. “My worst nightmare actually came true,” she said later as she left a nearby park with her father.

“This is it. I’m gonna die.”

A 70-YEAR-OLD man has died in Hong Kong after being struck on the head during clashes between government supporters and protesters.

Officials said the man was on a lunch break from his job as a cleaner when he was hit in the head by “hard objects hurled by masked rioters”.

Video purported to be of the incident shows two groups throwing bricks at each other before the man falls to the ground after being struck on the head.

It comes as China’s president Xi Jinping said the “one country, two systems” system was being “challenged”.

Hong Kong has been dogged by more than five months of political unrest.

Less than a week ago, Alex Chow, a 22-year-old student, died after falling from a building during a police operation.