12212018 NEWS

FRIDAY i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 81ºF LOW 64ºF

The Tribune

Volume:116 No.2, DECEMBER 21ST, 2018

Established 1903

Weekend

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1 art books film fashion music

Weekend

WEEKEND: SANTA’S SECRETS - HAVE YOU BEEN NAUGHTY OR NICE?

I’m dreaming of a lights-on Christmas Power outages sweep island ahead of holiday

By RASHAD ROLLE & RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporters

A WIDESPREAD power outage struck New Providence yesterday due to a cable fault at Bahamas Power and Light’s Big Pond substation, leaving many residents without electricity for hours and delaying flights at Lynden Pindling International Airport.

When contacted about the problem, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union President Paul Maynard said it was a case of BPL’s aging equipment breaking down. He told The Tribune: “It’s a miracle we get through the summer.”

BPL released a statement after 7pm about the incident

which said a cable fault developed around 2.47pm that caused power outages to portions of central, north and west New Providence.

BPL said affected areas included Albany, Paradise Island, Gladstone Road, Grove West, Cable Beach, East Hill, Collins Avenue, Grants Town and Big Pond.

BPL said generation had been restored to more than 50 percent of affected customers and apologised for the inconvenience.

BPL also said the company’s goal is to provide power at the lowest rates possible.

The power failure left many people irate. “Might as well say power is off

THE US is interested in sealing an open skies agreement with The Bahamas as many of the conditions for such a deal are already in place, a cabinet minister has revealed.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, told Tribune Business that US officials pushed the

Page 17

Santa’s secrets

Have you been naughty or nice? pages 4 & 5

SUSPECT SHOT DEAD

BY POLICE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was shot dead after a fatal runin with police who were looking for an active shooter.

The man, who emerged from bushes before he was killed, was reportedly ordered to stop but instead reached for an object from his pants.

According to police, two teams of officers responded to reports an armed man was firing shots in the area of Quintine Alley off Wulff Road shortly after 10pm.

According to relatives, the deceased is 29-year-old Barry McPhee, who often ran when he saw police.

“As the officers were checking the area,” a police SEE PAGE FIVE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE THREE

issue when they met the Bahamian delegation he led at a recent global conference held in Kenya.

He added that bids from companies seeking to manage/administer the overflight fees regime on The Bahamas’ behalf were expected next month, and estimated that it could generate between $40-$50m in extra annual revenues for the country.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

12-HOUR PARTY

RISE IN RAPES: WE MUST GET SERIOUS

OVERFLIGHT FEES ‘UP TO $50M PER YEAR’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Friday, December 21, 2018

history gardening food puzzles

EYES LOVE IT A CHRISTMAS treat was served up by the Salvation Army yesterday, with the traditional lunch for senior citizens enjoyed by many. See page 13 for more. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE 12 percent increase in rapes this year is not only “alarming” but is evidence The Bahamas has not given enough attention to “very serious” gender inequality issues, Attorney Marion Bethel said yesterday.

On Wednesday, the Royal Bahamas Police Force released statistics that revealed the increase.

This year as of December 18, there were 55 reported rape incidents, up six from the 49 cases in 2017.

While this is not surprising, Ms Bethel, who currently serves on the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEDAW), said it is troubling the government SEE PAGE SIX

OFFICER TOLD ME THEY TOOK MARVIN

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

HUMAN rights group Rights Bahamas filed a writ of habeas corpus in the Supreme Court yesterday seeking to compel the Royal Bahamas Police Force to produce Marvin Pratt, 40, a Gambier Village resident police deny having in custody.

Mr Pratt’s family insists police arrested him more

MARVIN PRATT than two weeks ago, a claim Police Commissioner

Anthony Ferguson has rejected.

In an affidavit filed yesterday, Mr Pratt’s mother, Barbara Saunders, alleges an officer told the family her son was taken into custody.

“A friend of the family who is employed by the Royal Bahamas Police Force – in the Forensics Unit – informed me and I verily believe that he saw Marvin in the custody at the

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

A COMIC’S VIEW

T’WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, 2018 ...

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Friday, December 21, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

BUCKETS 10 PIECE CHICKEN 2 LARGE SIDES 4 BISCUITS

8 PIECE CHICKEN 1 LARGE SIDE 4 BISCUITS

15 PIECE CHICKEN 3 LARGE SIDES 6 BISCUITS

20

STARTING AT

$

(INCL. VAT)

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

PM visits $45m site in Harbour Island

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis visited the site of a $45m development during a stop in Harbour Island yesterday.

The development, the Harbour Island Resort, is the project of Michael Wiener, principal of 4M Harbour Island Limited.

The government signed a heads of agreement with Mr Wiener in March.

The agreement has not been released to the public even though the prime minister said it would be tabled in the House of Assembly.

The project manager of the development showed Dr Minnis, his wife Patricia Minnis and North Eleuthera representative Rickey Mackey designs for the project.

In a video posted to his Facebook page, Dr Minnis was told the development would produce 200 jobs.

In March, Dr Minnis said the project would employ 150 people during the construction stage, adding 72 permanent positions when construction is complete.

“Today confirms my government’s commitment to accelerate the growth of the economy of The Bahamas and in so doing uplift the living standards of the people of The Bahamas, particularly those living in our Family Islands,” he said at the time. “This is part

of our desire to provide greater opportunities in the Family Islands. It will serve to encourage Family Island residents to remain on the island of their birth, enjoy a sustainable future and provide for the needs of their families.

“The $45m Harbour Island resort and marina development, due to be completed in two and half years, will enhance the natural attributes of Harbour Island, invigorate and stimulate the economy of Harbour Island and the surrounding Eleuthera communities.

“Mr Wiener’s vision for the transformation and revitalisation of the vintage property will bring a unique appeal to the southwest coast of Harbour Island.

The marina property will be redesigned into a world class, state of the art luxury mega yacht based resort community with a wide array of amenities consisting of a marina, club house, restaurants, a retail and a resort residential community to include single and two-story town homes with a total of 28 guest rooms, ten villas and a swimming pool,” Dr Minnis said previously.

“The 55-slip marina and resort will be distinctly different with an architectural loyalist style design reflecting the historic roots of the Dunmore Town settlement and will enhance the product offering on Harbour Island,” Dr Minnis said.

PAGE 4, Friday, December 21, 2018

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-

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

Happy Christmas to all our readers AS ALWAYS at this time of year we are delighted to wish our readers season’s greetings while across the globe Christians celebrate the birth of their Saviour. In a world beset by division and conflict, it is heart-warming that the festive season brings people together, with families and friends gathering in a spirit of goodwill and harmony.

This is also an occasion to reflect on events here at home during the past year. Despite inevitable differences within our body politic and the FNM government’s continuing programme of austerity that it claims will reinforce the country’s long-term economic viability, we believe Bahamians have much for which to be grateful.

We are blessed with the beauty of nature in a unique geographical environment which we need continuously to nurture and protect. We also live in a stable democracy under the rule of law; and, although crime - in particular the current appalling murder rate - remains at an unacceptably high level that government ministers attempt to play down, the vast majority of our citizens pursue their lives protected by the law and order that exists in our generally peaceful archipelagic nation.

Nonetheless, for those of us enjoying relative prosperity and a good quality of life it is all too easy to forget - or to ignore - that high levels of poverty and social deprivation exist in our country.

The casual observer of the apparent affluence in our capital Nassau and its environs may be misled by so much upmarket property, well stocked shops and frenetic Christmas shopping and luxury cars stuck in endless traffic jams.

So it can be hard to realise the gap between rich and poor appears to be growing. This problem is brought into sharper focus by the juxtaposition of riches and poverty on our small island of New Providence. The answer is not to condemn the wealthy or to penalise them with higher taxation, as some people wish to do, but for politicians and the private sector to work together in developing meaningful and effective measures to try to alleviate the poverty in our midst.

Overall, we believe that, after more than 18 months in office, the most charitable judgment about the FNM administration is the past year has not lived up to expectations. This is not the time to reiterate the government’s many failings which have been examined and criticised ad nauseam, but there is clearly widespread disappointment that too many of the 2017 election promises remain unfulfilled. Above all, the preelection hype about it now being the ‘people’s time’ has proved to be something of a chimera so that, despite the pledge of a new beginning and a more enlightened and honest approach to governance, the electorate has been served up with the old ‘politics as usual’.

This is profoundly disillusioning to far too many people.

So, we are prompted, in a mood of optimism and warmed by some welcome Christmas cheer, to urge the Prime Minister and his colleagues to take serious stock of the government’s performance up to now and determine what it wants to achieve in the coming year. They should also take steps to communicate better with the electorate.

In face of a weakened Opposition unable to mount an effective challenge, they have a huge responsibility to govern fairly and efficiently in the interests of all Bahamians and to bring about greater national unity. They need to reassure the populace that it is indeed being put first in accordance with the FNM’s much vaunted election slogan.

But, in doing all this, they should surely be aware of the famous warning

by French diplomat and political scientist Alexis de Tocqueville about the tyranny of the majority and the need to guard against the exercise of unlimited power by any government.

Meanwhile, as we hope for better times ahead, we also have a responsibility ourselves to work together as fellow citizens for the good of our nation. We need to learn to love one another more as human beings and to show gratitude for our many blessings in a spirit of peace and goodwill.

We wish our readership a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

After three double murders, time to resume hanging EDITOR, The Tribune THE Bahamas has had three execution styled double murders in a three week span, for a grand total of 89 murders in 2018 thus far. There are arguments for and against the death penalty, but philosophising alone does not produce tangible results in reducing criminality and murder.

My personal opinion is that the government should resume hanging, but not as a knee jerk reaction to the reckless rampant taking of human life we have been witnessing.

Whether or not hanging reduces murder rates in this country can easily be tested to settle the matter once and for all. Start with those persons now on death row. Persons already guilty of murder committed by armed robberies, home invasions, domestic violence and execution style killings, where guilt has been upheld by the

Privy council or our Court of Appeals should be first on the list! The Privy Council has already determined that in the Trinidad case of Jay Chandler, the mandatory death penalty can be upheld, unless a person can prove that they were not responsible for the act (diminished responsibility).

This government can simply resume hanging for a period of time (maybe one-two years) and objectively end the debate. We already have the statistics on the murder rates without the enforcement of the death penalty. If it is found that hanging reduces murder rates then we should apply it using our objective evidence as a response to the protests of intrusive so-called human rights groups and foreign governments.

After all, we do not have their culture, levels of education and resources for public indoctrination and

education that contributes to their reduced per capita murder rates. We cannot get their results by simply half heartedly adopting their strategies in what is a very different and less educated culture here, but that should be obvious!

The Prime Minister is duty bound to use all means at his disposal to address the out of control murder rate in this country, especially after his pre-election support of hanging and his recent laughable gaffe about Bahamians not being afraid with escalating murder rates. If he chooses not to do so, it will be another nail in the coffin (pun intended) of his short an unremarkable political career. Even without the high murder rates many of the Bahamian people too are ready to dispose of him right now!

JB Nassau December 20, 2018

Adrian Gibson, our shining star EDITOR, The Tribune THE year 2018 is about to end and I felt it would be remiss of me to go into 2019 without giving kudos to Long Island’s Member of Parliament, Mr Adrian Gibson, who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the residents of Long Island since he took office as their representative in May of 2017.

I am not a Long Island resident, but I was welcomed into a social media group of Long Islanders just before the 2017 election and I observed over these many months, the work that Mr Gibson has done on their behalf.

It is obvious to me that Long Island residents do not ease up in their demands for proper representation. They are without a doubt, an unrestrained group of supporters. Mr Gibson, however, has shown not only a sincere and unrelenting desire to

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net meet the needs of the residents in every way possible, but has already, or is about to meet many of those needs.

From Mr Gibson’s follow-up of the oil spill disaster when a barge ran aground in Long Island last year, to other environmental concerns, to helping to address the serious issues of poaching, to improving health care and education, and most recently fulfilling a long-awaited need for a potable water pipeline extension on the island, he has certainly stepped up to the plate! Mr Gibson has also fought tooth and nail to get a badly needed new airport on the island, and from all indication, he will accomplish that as well, with the help of the powers

that be. In addition to all of these tasks, Mr Gibson has been hands-on in upgrading the level of service as Executive Chairman at The Water & Sewerage Corporation, and has insisted on, and exercised accountability, transparency and fiscal prudence in the day-to-day running of the Corporation.

The country’s leader, Prime Minister, Dr the Most Hon Hubert A Minnis certainly made an excellent choice when he endorsed Mr Gibson as candidate and Executive Chairman and I am looking forward to a great political future for Mr Adrian Gibson, as one of the younger members of Parliament, an attorney-atlaw, experienced educator, entrepreneur and columnist. He certainly shines as one of its brightest stars!

BARBARA WILSON Nassau December 20, 2018

Best choice is clear to me EDITOR, The Tribune

GLOBAL Holdings and APD/Arawak Port Development must have got a shock of their lives when the PS, Finance read out that a Mega Cruise Line group - Carnival - RCL NCL -Disney had put in a bid for the Port of Nassau.

This is very significant, although individually cruise lines have Port operations, Falmouth-Jamaica with Global being the private operator.

Did this move by the

Cruise Lines send a signal of their dissatisfaction as to how ports of call for their ships were being managed?

Or…The cruise lines realised how much Global was profiting off the presence of their ships in ports Global manages - whichever way a slam in Global’s face and posturing.

If the Cruise Line group won the Nassau Port some say conflict of interest…collectively they more than are the majority of cruise lines sailing the seas so that is eliminated.

The key is only the Cruise Lines, can change a itinerary - which ships’ ports at which end of the cruise - Global can’t. There is a very clear economic reason why the Cruise Line Group should be considered as the best choice…conditional they deliver three-mega ships to Nassau every week having not visited more than one port pre-arriving at Nassau.

H SAWYER Nassau December 20, 2018

Disembarkation is the key EDITOR, The Tribune PORT of Nassau RFP. When has The Chamber of Commerce ever been partisan in supporting any proposer-candidate to develop anything?

News-NB12 this evening Wednesday… location The Chamber conference room - introducing one of the principals, a Mr Beckles, identified as a Vice President of The Chamber, certainly crossed the line.

Question…did The Chamber have a members meeting and the majority committed to support…Global Holdings Proposal? What is funny no mention that the JV partner is Arawak Port Development & Co in which Government owns, I believe, the majority shares.

Where was Mike Maura - President of

The Chamber and conveniently the top executive of Arawak Port Holdings, but obviously he could not appear in this deliberate PR using the offices of The Chamber.

Chamber membership should call an immediate General Meetings and demand resignations…in my opinion this is abuse of neutrality of The Chamber.

The 100% question can Global increase the disembarkation of passengers with their plan? Two three percent increase in arrivals will not sustain any further major increase in the all important visitor spend.

Shame on The Chamber management… resignations necessary.

W THOMPSON Nassau December 19, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 21, 2018, PAGE 5

Officer told me they took Marvin, says his mother from page one

Drug Enforcement Unit/ Central Detective Unit and he appeared to be battered and bruised,” she said. “I am in fear that if I reveal the identity or the source of this information that he may be victimised by the respondents as they continue to deny having custody of my son.”

Ms Saunders adds: “On Saturday, December 8, 2018, my granddaughter, Robyn Noel, and I after not hearing from or seeing Marvin, went to the Drug Enforcement Unit on Thompson Blvd looking for him because we were concerned about his welfare. I asked the officer at the station ‘do y’all have a Marvin Saunders or Marvin Pratt’ and the officer responded ‘y’all come to sign his bail ay’ to which I responded ‘yes’ and he went in the back.

“When the officer returned he had a face only a mother could love and he immediately changed his tone about Marvin being in custody. I said to the officer ‘but you just asked me if I came to sign his bail, that means he is here.’ The officer began speaking to me and my granddaughter in an aggressive manner saying Marvin was not in custody. We became afraid and we left and went to the Central Detective Unit which was located next door.”

Ms Saunders says she told a CDU officer she was looking for her son. The officer then took a statement concerning her whereabouts on December 4 and the last time she saw Mr Pratt.

“At the conclusion of the statement he asked me to sign, which I did, and he said that he needed a picture of my son in order to complete a missing person

MARVIN Pratt is still being treated as a missing person, says Commissioner Anthony Ferguson report,” she says in the affidavit. “I told the officer that I was not filing a missing person’s report because I knew they had my son in custody there. The officer insisted I bring a picture of Marvin and I keep refusing because I knew the officers were well aware of how my son looked as he was no stranger to the police.”

Ms Saunders alleges that

after her visit to CDU, a female officer from the Cable Beach police station called and asked if Mr Pratt came home yet.

“I responded ‘how could he come home if y’all have him?’” she says. “I know within my heart, that if Marvin was released by the respondents he would have come home or tried to reach out to his family. This

SUSPECT SHOT DEAD BY POLICE from page one

report read, “they observed the armed suspect on a roof.

He pointed a firearm at the officers and discharged several shots before escaping from the roof and ran towards Woods Alley.

“A second team of officers were on Woods Alley when they observed a male emerge from nearby bushes, running towards them.”

The report continued: “The male was ordered to stop, instead he reached for an object from his trousers. Officers being in fear for their lives, withdrew their service weapons and

fired at the man, injuring him.

“He was transported to hospital and later succumbed to his injuries.”

In an interview with Our News last night, McPhee’s mother said her son often ran away from police.

“He was alright,” she said. “He wasn’t one of the best, but he was alright.”

McPhee had a child, she said, with another one the way. His mother claimed he had been shot three times in the past year.

The man’s father, Barry McPhee Sr, said he suspected it was his son shot when he heard the shooting,

knowing his son to run from police.

McPhee’s mother said his death is more painful because she lost another son last year.

“I ain’ even over one, now next one gone,” McPhee’s mother said.

Police reportedly recovered a plastic bag with a quantity of dangerous drugs from the scene, however they did not say if a weapon was recovered from the scene.

The matter has been forwarded to the coroner for investigation.

It is the 11th fatal policeinvolved shooting for the year, according to this newspaper’s records.

is the longest period of time Marvin has been away from home without us knowing his whereabouts.”

In her affidavit, a neighbour, Rose Francis, alleges she was walking home from work on Holly Hock Road on December 5 around

10am when she saw officers near Mr Pratt’s home.

She says: “I saw Marvin in the back of his yard and I shouted ‘Marvin, run, run, run, the man, the man.’ I am certain they were police officers because their vests were marked ‘DEU’ which

I understand to mean Drug Enforcement Unit. Also, it is not uncommon for them to frequent the area, as a result I am very familiar with them. When Marvin heard me shouting he began to run, however the police officers gave chase and eventually captured him. I was standing right next to the officers (about three feet) when they violently shoved Marvin into the Drug Enforcement Unit bus, handcuffed. After shoving Marvin into the bus one of the officers shouted at me saying ‘if you open your (expletive) mouth I will kill you.’ That was the last time I saw Marvin. When I heard that the family had not seen or heard from Marvin since the arrest, I told them that I witnessed Marvin being arrested by officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.”

However, Commissioner Ferguson has suggested it is irresponsible to report Ms Saunders and Ms Francis’ claims.

During a meeting with the press on Wednesday, he said: “I want to make it clear that anyone of you who have someone make accusations against you that is not founded, I believe you would feel really hurt to know someone is scandalizing your name and I think as press corps you have to be responsible in analysing the things that you hear and make some sense out of it in a way that you can really report accurately. We don’t want to put fear in our people.”

He later told The Tribune Mr Pratt is still being treated as a missing person.

Up to press time yesterday, Mr Pratt’s family said they still don’t know his whereabouts.

PAGE 6, Friday, December 21, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

RISE IN RAPES: WE MUST GET SERIOUS from page one

has not taken the issue seriously.

“It’s not just a question of the police force doing its work, it’s an overall government social problem that needs to be addressed in a multi-sectorial level and the government is obligated under the CEDAW convention to prevent rape,” Ms Bethel told The Tribune yesterday.

“The government was supposed to set up a gender-based violence authority at least two years ago.

I don’t think that has happened as yet to provide an overall strategy as to how to address the issue of rape, which is really a serious problem for women and girls and so we really need to take this seriously. The government needs to take its state obligation seriously; we as a society really need

to address this problem because it affects women’s productivity in the work place, it affects our homes, it affects women in the streets and it affects us at the employment level.

“It is a very serious problem that keeps getting skirted over when we talk about overall crime down.”

She continued: “So I am really saddened by this because it really speaks to the questions about what the government is doing under its obligation and what we as a society are doing to prevent and stop rape. There should be a zero tolerance to rape and this speaks to gender inequality.

“Rape and sexual assault against women are linked to gender inequality and the lack of empowerment economic and social empowerment of women.

So if we move towards rectifying

ATTORNEY MARION BETHEL the issue of gender inequality we also begin to address this issue of sexual violence and sexual assault.

“Predominantly women are raped. Predominantly women are assaulted and that is because

of the imbalance of power with men and women. This needs to be really addressed and the root causes of gender based violence against women needs to be addressed in this country. We need to do it now.”

The latest reported incident happened Saturday when an elderly woman was sexually assaulted during an armed robbery attack. The incident took place shortly after 2pm in a home in the eastern district of New Providence. Police said the woman was held at bay, robbed of cash and sexually assaulted before the assailant fled the house.

Police believe the incident was random and not connected to any other recent instance of sexual assault.

Though rare, sexual crimes against the elderly are not

unprecedented. In 2014, a Royal Bahamas Defence Force officer was charged with attempting to rape a 78-year-old woman. That same year, a man was found guilty and sentenced to 11 years in prison for raping a 69-year-old woman.

The National Task Force for Gender Based Violence determined in 2016 that the Bahamas ranks number one for recorded rapes in the Caribbean region.

From 2008 to 2012, annual police reports documented 9,045 instances where women were assaulted.

From 2003 to 2013, there were 1,109 reported rapes, The Tribune reported in 2016.

In January of this year, police said reported cases of unlawful sexual intercourse increased between 2016 and 2017 from 87 to 107.

Two men charged with murders

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday, charged with two of the country’s most recent homicides.

In the first matter, Paul Adderley, 26, of Acklins Street, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, charged with one count each of murder, armed robbery, possession of unlicenced firearm and possession of ammunition.

All of the charges stem from the December 12 murder of Mario Cartwright, a security guard who was shot unexpectedly as he entered a corner store at First Street and Palm Tree Avenue.

It is alleged that Adderley, on that date, being concerned with another and armed with a firearm, robbed Manda’s Variety Store and Wholesale Snacks of $200 in cash.

It is further alleged that a fleeing Adderley shot and killed Cartwright as the two crossed paths at the store’s entrance. Cartwright died on the scene. Three

days later, on December 15, police said they took Adderley into custody while he was in possession of Jimenez 9mm pistol and six rounds of ammunition.

In court yesterday, Adderley claimed he was forced to confess to the charge of murder, alleging officers at the time of his interview at the Central Dectective Unit placed a plastic bag over his head and repeatedly stomped him in the chest. Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt noted his claim and said she would have the matter looked into.

Adderley was not required to enter a plea to any of the charges and the matter was adjourned to February 21, 2019, for service of a voluntary bill of indictment. Adderley was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services but can apply to the Supreme Court in the interim for bail.

In the second matter, Franklyn Edgecombe, 50, of Mason’s Addition, also appeared before Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt, charged with the December 12 murder of Rico Ricardo Archer. It is alleged that on that date, Edgecombe

Recruiting Trainee Health, Safety and Environmental Manager and ISO Internal Auditor Qualifications / Requirements: • Graduate In Occupational Health and

Safety or Engineering • Advanced computer literacy essential • Effective social skills to interact with staff,

clients, customers, officials and contractors • Detailed orientated person • Strong communication skills • Ability to work independently Job Description We will provide training to the recruit.

1.

Protect Employees, customers and the

environment 2.

Conduct risk assessments 3.

Inspections 4.

Manage training processes and identify

requirements 5.

Make recommendations for improvements 6.

Draft Health, Safety and Environmental

policies, procedures 7.

Maintain records and reporting of 8.

Investigate incidents to find root cause and

implement improvements.

9.

Conduct internal audits for company

Health, safety, Environment and QA/QC

Compliance to its procedures.

10. Develop audit plans and schedules 11. Evaluate processes / improvements for

compliance with requirements Location Based in Nassau, but travel to the islands will be required.

Please send your resume to jobvacancybs@gmail.com by January 4th 2018.

PAUL ADDERLEY, 26, was charged with the murder of Mario Cartwright. unlawfully caused the death of Archer.

Archer, the older brother of 11-year-old murder victim Marco Archer, was shot multiple times outside of his mother’s Fort Fincastle home. While in court yesterday, Edgecombe alleged that he was also beaten while in custody.

Edgecombe also alleged that he was being falsely accused, telling the court he

was released from prison in October, and had only learned of Archer’s death when he was taken into custody.

Edgecombe was not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to February 21, 2019, for service of a voluntary bill of indictment. Edgecombe was remanded to prison, but can also apply to the Supreme Court for bail in the interim.

FRANKLYN EDGECOMBE, 50, was charged with the murder of Rico Ricardo Archer. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

To advertise in The Tribune contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 21, 2018, PAGE 7

Bimini basketball team hit by thieves in Florida

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net MISFORTUNE struck a Bimini basketball team’s trip to Orlando after the team’s van was broken into and several items were stolen — including some players’ passports.

No one was injured in the incident, as the group was eating in a restaurant while the robbery occurred. The team will be traveling to Miami today to collect emergency travel documents from the embassy and is currently set to return home on schedule.

Twelve players and three chaperones from Gateway Christian Academy in

Bailey Town, Bimini, travelled to Orlando, Florida, to participate in the Deep South Christian Classic tournament, principal and coach Gilbert Rolle Jr told The Tribune yesterday. Mr Rolle is one of the chaperones on the trip.

The majority of students are between the ages of 15-17, with one 13-year-old player, Mr Rolle said. This is the group’s second year attending this tournament.

The group arrived in Orlando on December 14 and was scheduled to return home on December 22.

The tournament took place from December 17-19.

The school posted about the incident on its Facebook page late Wednesday night.

“Update: An unfortunate incident occurred tonight in Orlando, Florida where the GCA Eagles basketball team’s vehicle was broken into and some personal items were stolen,” the post reads.

“However, all students and chaperones are safe.

No one was put in harm’s way. All parents and guardians have been informed of the incident. We are currently working together with law enforcement in the Orlando area to ensure that the matter is resolved.

“We are also receiving assistance from the Bahamian embassy to ensure that all students can return safely.

“God is indeed our protector! Thank you for your

prayers and concern.”

Mr Rolle elaborated on the incident in an interview with The Tribune yesterday. “(The robbery happened) after the game around 7pm,” he said. “We arrived to IHOP, upon leaving at 8.30 we notice busted glass.

“After noticing four bags were (taken) with personal belongings clothes,

shoes, and passports…we contacted the police immediately and they assisted.

Investigation is underway.”

Mr Rolle added three players’ passports were in one of the stolen gym bags.

“Incident reports were filed and we are headed to Miami tomorrow to obtain emergency travel documents from the embassy.”

When asked how the students are handling the ordeal, Mr Rolle said they are still in good spirits.

“Outside the passports they didn’t lose no cash or nothing much of value so we shook off that disappointment and finish enjoying the trip,” he said.

“The boys are in good (spirits).”

Funeral Service For Mildred Minerva Hanna, 45

GRADUATION DAY AT POLICE COLLEGE POLICE officers showed off their skills yesterday during the graduation day ceremony at the police training college.

Officers demonstrated their agility skills and their ability to handle weapons during the event.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

of St. Vincent Road, will be held on Saturday, December 22nd, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Ebenezer Mission Baptist Evangelistic Church, St. Charles Vincent Street. Officiating will be Rev. Michael J. Symonette, assisted by Rev. Ricardo Symonette, Bishop Vernal C. Hanna, Rev, Prenell Taylor, Rev, Helen Miller and other Ministers, Deacons, Evangelists of the Gospel. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John. F. Kennedy and Gladstone Road.

She was joy personified and her memory will be forever treasured in the hearts of her 2 SONS: Norman Waldron and Jason Sweeting; 2 DAUGHTERS: Alphrize Waldron and Janae Sweeting; PARENTS: Alfred and Rev. Madeline Hanna; SISTERS: Marion, Idamae, Katherine and Charlene Hanna of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Deborah Smith of Freeport, Prophetess Michelle Crump of Coral Springs, Florida, Perline Wright and Anastasia Tyson of Vero Beach, Florida; SISTERIN-LAW: Laura Hanna; BROTHERS-IN-LAW: Rollington Hanna and Deondrey Tyson of Vero Beach, Florida; ADOPTED SISTER: Priscilla Johnson; NIECES: Yendricka, Randa and Manty Hanna, Alexandria Pyfrom, Sherlene and Kita Wright, Pereaka Stubbs, Reshan, Roshan and Scarlette Munroe, Shaquashia Franklyn, Jonelle Rollins, Kim Cabbagestack, Queenie Davies and McKia Jones; NEPHEWS: Kiko Hanna, Glenroy Brown, Jamal Hanna, Dustin (Valencia) Hanna Jr, Roland Riveiere Jr., Bernard Thomas, Larry, and Jimmy Franklyn, Kendal Jr, Amara, Donovan Jr, Devon and Jamal (Shantel) Hanna, Travis Wright, Keyon LaFrance, Darrantae Murray and Brian Dees; GRAND NIECES: Jomontae Miller, Shawnae Rollins, DeShean, Devonte and Destiny Hanna, Jerrinique and Jernique Glinton, Dacoyua Burrows, Lavonya Farrington and Skyla Forbes, Makhya and Amin Jones; GRAND NEPHEWS: Jadin Hanna; AUNTS: Angeline Morley, Mildred Hanna, Iris Hanna, Vernice Wright, Emmerita Burrows, Marina Burrows, Ineka Finlayson, Sallymae Wright of Vero Beach, Florida, Lucymae Wright; UNCLES: Rev. Clayton Hanna, Elder Hayward Wright of Vero Beach, Florida and Elder John Wright; GRAND AUNT: Vernice Nottage; GODMOTHER: Genevieve Ingraham; COUSINS: Deacon John and Dr. Carolyn Rolle, Sharon Seymour, Alvin and Dianne Turnquest, Leslie and Nursing Officer Fiona St. Albord, Alfred and Victoria Williams,Casinlee, Ritchrell, Ria and Maylene Williams, Kim and Nurse Vernetha Gomez, Iona Symonette, Lynford and Karen Scavella, Jermaine and Minister Virginia Delveaux, Deandra, Kenneth, Kirk, Veronique, Garnet Nursing Officer Bertha and Gary Sands, Monique, Keith, Mark, Coramae and Kendrick Morley, Rojae Gibson, Bridgette Hanna, Dennis and Nurse Eleanor Poitier, Zelma Saunders, Reuben and Brenda Gibson, Clifton and Melvern Miller, Esthermae Larrimore, Ruthlyn Timothy, Ethlyn Wong, Mirthlyn Armbrister, Iona Martin, Barbara Woodside, Dellarese, Vanria and Shawanda Hanna, Cicely Finlay, Ida Brown and Stephanie Cefort, Sam, Ulric, Cecil and Dwayne Williams, Elma and Raymond Moss, Rodney, Marcus, Michael, Anthony and David Hanna, Pastor Derrick and Monique Maycock, Donny, Denny and Stepahnie Wright, Trevor, Shantweeka, Antionette, Dedrie, Tory, Lynden, Anthony, Natanya, Joy, Clyde, Trevor and Ken Burrows, Sheena Ferguson, Johnette Strachan, Carlton Smith, Valencia Longley, Valdez Miller, Altamease and Ray Darling, Charlene, Delerese, Samantha, Asthon, Terrico, Ishmond and Dwayne Smith, Mya, Wendy, Monique and Cola Davis, Debbiann Jones; OTHER RELATIVES AND FRIENDS: Jason Sweeting Sr., Alfred Waldron, Pricilla Johnson, Holly Cummings, Oneike Seymour, Glenroy Hanna, Rev. Ricardo, Olga, Carolyn, Conrad and Denika Symonette, Roland, Kelita and Rojae Gibson, Bishop Vernal C. Hanna, Euralene Cayard, Verstra Fernander, Minister Justin and Tania Jones, Stefan Rahming, Jeffrey Thompson, Viola Roxbury, Deaconess Dorcas Williams, Stephen and Deaconess Carmen Clarke, John Burrows, Monique Scavella, Ricardo Knowles, Averly Collie, Maria Kelley, Inez Johnson, Cleveland and Sarah Duncombe, Marjorie Farquharson, Mazel Deveaux, Inease Murphy, Minister Ianthe Forbes, Deaconess Dotley Moss, Evelyn and Rachel Moss, Cecilia Cooper, Rose Ferguson, Agatha Rodgers, Verda, Michael and Bernard Hanna, Gwendolyn and Johnson, Eunice Roxbury, Esterlyn Pickstock, Monique and Charles Duncan, Dashanaire and Rudolph LaFleur, Candice Hopkins, Jarvis and Stephanie Rolle, Reyneldo and Renee Roxbury, The Shirley Club, The Birthday Club, Phoenix Chapter 7 International Free and Accepted Modern Mason and Order of Eastern Star, The Principal, Staff and Students of S.C. McPherson Junior High School, 007 Family, Pastor Michael J. Symonette and The Ebenezer Mission Baptist Church Family, Pastor T. G. and Sister Royanne Morrison and Zion Baptist Church Family, Rev. Anthony and Michelle, Neighbours of Beldock Avenue, Bel Air Estate, Ken and Hazel Ellis, Allan and Linda Wallace, Gloria Taylor, Rev. Ozel and Viola Miller, Annabell Rolle, Bridgette Musgrove, Cora Colebrooke, Mizapha Bannister, Beverly Forbes, Althea Hanna, Rev. Marrietta Moss, Rev. and Sister Randolph Beneby, The Ebenezer Baptist Girls’ Auxiliary, Pandora Thompson, Petrona Johnson, Hartlyn Forbes, Polena Pratt and many others too numerous to mention.

Viewing will be held in the “Perpetual Suite” at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Limited, Robinson and Soldier Roads on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until service time.

PAGE 8, Friday, December 21, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

THREE wise men: Ferreira, Symonette and The Doc.

T’was the Night Before Christmas, 2018 T’was the night before Christmas when all through the House,

Mortimer mumbled something ‘bout DNA and “one last stand .”

Every MP was stirring, from ‘super hero’ to ‘louse’.

Laneisha stood up, crying in her tissue,

The stockings were hung in the smokers’ room with care, Hoping an ‘official’ OBAN deal would finally be here; Junior ministers, and ‘suspect senators’ avoided their beds, As visions of WTO money danced in their heads.

Doc sat in the kitchen, bouncing Anthony, no longer ‘Ace’ on his lap, Saying “A year later, and they still say, I talking crap”; When out of the blue there arose such a clatter, And Brent screamed “Don’t forget my Post Office matter,” Away to the window Symonette flew like ‘red flash’, Tore open the shutters, and started counting his new cash.

“They done move me, without even a bye or we ga miss you !”

Travis sprung up, and just broke of running, “I thought I was smart, dudes round here cunning.”

Peter was in the corner, playing blind, dumb and deaf!

Thinking, “When da IMF finish, we’ne ga have nuttin left!”

Doc stood, his mouth twisted up like a bow.

The hair on his head white as snow!

He started shaking, and jiggling like a bowl full of jelly, Saying, “Man, I red the media once, now the Press all in my belly!”

The moon peered down on Bahamaland below,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself,

As Doc gazed up wondering, “Why Ferreira still, so slurry and slow?”

And slowly put the Mace back on top of the shelf;

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear?

The look in his eye, and a twist of his head,

Four PLP MPs plotting a return, in the rear.

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

With a brave-hearted leader, so lively and quick!

He spoke not a word, but sat down all forlorn,

Saying, “No PLPs goin’ to jail, we far to slick,”

Then said, “Mudoes, next election I could gone?”

And faster than ‘Freddie Mac’ stopped towing the party line , Doc shouted, “That Our Lucayan deal , sounds mighty fine!”

“Now Dionisio! Now Jeff! On Duane! Carl ! and Marvin!

Brave rode away, like the down of a thistle, Saying, “These FNMs just as wutless, so you point and I’ll whistle!”

“Just do what I say and you and yours won’t end up starving!”

Doc got in bed, then BPL cut off all our light -

Meanwhile, green with envy, spying grinch like from way across the land,

Merry Christmas everyone, and remember to lock your doors tight!

GN 2156

To advertise in The Tribune contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 21, 2018, PAGE 9

Valley Boys looking forward to celebrating their 60th birthday

By FARRAH JOHNSON THE Valley Boys Junkanoo group held a press conference yesterday to announce the group’s themes for the upcoming Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Junkanoo celebrations, which will highlight the group’s 60th anniversary.

Brian Adderley, chairman of the group, revealed the Valley Boys will celebrate a Diamond anniversary under the theme: “Glitz & Glamour – Celebrating our Diamond Jubilee in Grand Style” on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Speaking about the group’s Boxing Day festivities, he stated: “We thought it would only be fitting for us to put on a grand display to commemorate this milestone. A celebration is a time to show off, so we’re going to be showing off on Boxing Day, and as the theme says we’re going to be celebrating in grand style.”

Mr Adderley said of plans to celebrate the milestone: “We paid a courtesy call to the governor general, we had several church services and thanksgiving services, we had a basketball tournament (and) we had a fun-run walk… so what we’re doing on Bay Street is we’re going to be re-enacting some of these celebrations that we had for the year,” he explained.

He added that through the “synchronisation” of their music, costumes and choreography, the Valley Boys will celebrate like the rich and famous, and will be sporting the “finest clothes” while consuming the “finest foods and beverages.”

Members of the group will arrive at the parade in “fancy cars”, and costumes displaying “precious gems and bling” in recognition of their Diamond Jubilee, will also be on full display for all to see.

The group’s presentation for this theme will end with an extravaganza that will take place at Baha Mar. Elaborating on the grand event he stated: “We’re going to be entertained by the best of the best that the world has to offer in entertainment. We’re going to be doing a real live Valley Boys reality show.”

As for the Valley Boys’ New Year’s Day celebration, Mr Adderley said they plan to “pay homage” to God for the mercy and grace He has given them.

“We are mindful of the fact that we could not produce Junkanoo for over 60 years without blessings from God. God has given us the talents to produce wonderful costumes, beautiful dance and melodious music,” he said.

THE Valley Boys Junkanoo group and chairman Brian Adderley, right, getting ready for this year’s celebrations.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

The Valley Boys will also pay tribute to some of the group’s members, both past and present, who have contributed to their success over the years.

“It is their shoulders that we stand on, and one of the features of the New Year’s Day parade will be a lead costume that depicts Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper, who’s our founding leader that passed away,” he stated.

Mr Adderley explained that the group was founded in 1958 “on the wall” of St George’s Anglican Church, which quickly became the place where community members gathered for church and sporting activities.

He noted that Gus Cooper and his friends formed the Valley Boys there and asserted that the group is an organisation that “puts God first” and is “dedicated to the pursuit of excellence.”

In commemoration of its anniversary, the group will also release a documentary and a book capturing the Valley Boys’ journey with “sights and sounds”, with a preview of the video to be released just before the Boxing Day Parade.

Stating the group looks forward to the upcoming parades, Mr Adderley added: “We’re going to bring a performance that you’ve never seen before. When we turn on that current on Bay Street, when we bring that electricity, BPL will be able to tap into some of that and power The Bahamas for the rest of Christmas.”

He also said he was grateful for the support of the group’s sponsors, members and fans and emphasised that the Valley Boys are “fired-up and ready to go to Bay!”

NOTICE

THE CLEARING BANKS

ASSOCIATION Announces

Christmas and New Year’s Holiday Banking Hours Friday, December 21, 2018 Normal Banking Hours Saturday, December 22, 2018 Normal Saturday Banking Hours Monday, December 24, 2018 Branch Operations Close at 1:00pm Tuesday, December 25, 2018 Wednesday, December 26, 2018 CLOSED Thursday, December 27, 2018 Normal Banking Hours Resume Saturday, December 29, 2018 Normal Saturday Banking Hours, except Commonwealth Bank Limited - CLOSED

Monday, December 31, 2018 Branch Operations Close at 1:00pm Tuesday, January 1, 2019 CLOSED Wednesday, January 2, 2019 Normal Banking Hours Resume Bank of The Bahamas Limited Citibank, N.A. CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Commonwealth Bank Limited Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited Scotiabank (Bahamas) Limited

PAGE 10, Friday, December 21, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

We may lack a little luck but we never lose hope

ALWAYS photogenic, the image of The Bahamas that greets the world is enticing - but how do we view the country we live in?

ANOTHER day, another week, goes by and before you know it, you look up and another year has gone by. And you wonder, how did it go so fast, no wonder they say time flies, what did I get done? How did the world change and my world with it? For a moment, you wish that was imbued with the annoying trait that normally drives you crazy in people – you wish it would just stand still and procrastinate. Put off ticking.

C’mon, just for a little while and let me finish my to-do list.

But, alas, time is the one resource that is not renewable and much as you wish you could get it to stop, it pushes ahead in its relentless pursuit to defeat your most ambitious plans.

And that’s the other thing about time. It is democratic.

The most powerful and the most meager among us face the same clock and get the same amount of time doled out to them. Little does wealth or physical stature matter. We are all equal in the eyes of time.

We approach the holidays wondering how they got here suddenly, surprisingly, even though we have had a year to prepare. We eye the end of this year and spy the beginning of the next and

By Diane Phillips say what did we accomplish, who did we befriend, how did we make our family happier, our world better?

And if we don’t ask those questions, we ask ourselves why are we not asking the important questions?

So how did we do this year – as a country, as a people, as a player in the eyes of the world?

I think as a country we struggled but remained, as we always do, hopeful.

That is one thing about Bahamians. We may be all out of luck but we never run out of hope.

Like a kid who already spent next week’s allowance, we tried to find money for the things we needed today - for fighting crime, improving education, enhancing social services, repairing aging infrastructure, for building technology capacity.

We did the most expedient thing, we raised taxes, leaping from 7.5 percent to

12 percent VAT with some forgiveness in Customs duties, including corned beef, which inspired the most collectible t-shirts of the year. The economy showed slight signs of growth, but unemployment remained in the doubledigit territory while next door in the US there was nearly full employment with agriculture interests pleading to bring in more foreign workers.

In Nassau and Grand Bahama, people you trusted, especially in local retail sales, said it was the worst year in a decade though there were some exceptions, including the high-end real estate market.

Tourism and airlift enjoyed a banner year.

Grand Bahama continued to hurt though buoyed

by Grand Bahama Shipyard business and hopeful for a re-sale of the Grand Lucayan.

How did we appear in

the eyes of the world? Like an obedient servant without option, bowing to the requirements of the world in financial transparency because we had no choice and because we continue to pay for the abuses of what seems a distant past of secret deals and suitcase banks.

The important issue is whether or not, no matter how much we concede, there will be more demands for us to bow to or whether foreign regulators will finally say, Bahamas, you’re good. And we will take a deep breath and utter an even deeper sigh of relief and move on.

While the state of our financial services industry grabs headlines locally and feels all-important to us, most of the world still sees The Bahamas as a stunningly beautiful, glamorous and romantic place to be.

For the rich and famous, we are a favourite escape.

Celebrities choose the sprawling chain of rhinestone isles for hideaway weddings, hidden honeymoons and private island ownership. Yachtsmen love it for the waters, divers for the coral reefs, diners for the delicacies, golfers for the greens and fairways, most against a backdrop of

blue skies and even bluer waters.

Cameras love The Bahamas.

If that is how the world views The Bahamas, how do we view ourselves as individuals? What are the deeply personal questions we should be asking ourselves? Who did we reach out to this year? Whose life did we make just a little bit easier, whose pain did we lessen, whose children did we strengthen?

What did we do to make life in The Bahamas better?

What can we as individuals and our leaders do to solve some of the easier issues?

We are an inefficient nation with a bloated civil service pockmarked by some who work very hard and others who hardly work at all. If we only make it our business to improve the systems with which we operate, making more services available online, dishing out traffic violations as caught on camera by CCTV and issuing reasonable tickets payable online tying that and insurance to registration and license renewal, for instance, and requiring proof of sale or change of vehicle prior to cancelling insurance, if we only achieve half a dozen goals like those in

the first six months of 2019 we will be off to a good start. In operations, it’s called low-hanging fruit and sometimes you have to settle for that until you can reach higher. In the cases of improving ease of doing business, that low-hanging fruit will make all our lives less stressful.

If we respect our environment, if we ban Styrofoam and reduce single use plastic, if we landscape even a few parts of the inner city with the kind of flowering beauty we see at the roundabouts of Baha Mar Boulevard, if we allow vertical construction east of East Street and begin the revitalization of historic Nassau and the creation of a living city, if we celebrate the distinct culture of our Family Islands, we will come to the end of next year proud and smiling. On the other hand, we could do exactly as we did this year and ask where did the time go?

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and year in which, when time flies, you are on its wings.

And asking for a small favour, please…if you know someone who lost a loved one this year, please call them, reach out to them, make sure they know you care.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 21, 2018, PAGE 11

Submersible completes 4,000m dive off Abaco

LEFT, Titan under tow to a dive; above, a storm rolling over Titan in The Bahamas; right, inside Titan.

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net OCEANGATE, the world’s leading manned submersible operation, has successfully completed a 4,000 metre dive in waters off Abaco.

The Washington-based operation whose chief executive officer and co-founder, Stockton Rush, has hinted at plans to establish a secondary facility in this country, hit the milestone in the company’s final test-dive of its five-person Titan submersible ahead of its “Titanic Survey Expedition” scheduled for 2019.

The 4,000 metre depth mark is identical to the wreck site for the famed

STATES TO SUE OVER OCEAN SOUND BLASTS NEW JERSEY Associated Press

A GROUP of East Coast states is attempting to prevent oil and natural gas drilling off their coasts by suing to knock out the first step in the exploration process.

Nine states filed a lawsuit yesterday aimed at reversing federal approval for underwater seismic testing that involves blasting the sea bed with sound waves.

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said the idea is to prevent drilling from ever happening by blocking the first step in oil exploration — the sonic testing that looks for buried oil or gas deposits.

Last month the National Marine Fisheries Service allowed five companies to conduct such testing, despite potential risks to marine life.

“The federal government’s decision is flat-out wrong, and offshore drilling will harm our pristine coast and the residents and industries that rely on it,” he said at a news conference in Belmar, one of the state’s most popular beaches.

“Now it is also clear the (Trump) administration is willing to harm over 300,000 marine mammals, even endangered species, in pursuit of its fossil fuel agenda.”

New Jersey joins Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina and Virginia in their suit against sound testing. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and the National Marine Fisheries Service are among the defendants.

“Approving these blasting tests paves the way for the Trump administration to open up the Atlantic coast to drilling and poses a severe threat to our coastal communities, our fishing industry, and the health of the ocean,” Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said.

Titanic ocean-liner which sank in the North Atlantic in 1912. “This deep dive is a major milestone for OceanGate,” Mr Rush said in a press release issued last week.

He added: “It validates our innovative engineering and the repeated use of our carbon fibre and titanium hull. Titan can provide access to half of the world’s ocean depths for up to five people at a time.”

According to Mr Rush, the dive took place on Monday, December 10, about 12 miles east of Little Harbour Cay, Abaco and was the culmination of a testing programme that began in 2016 with pressure tests of a scale model.

The development efforts included testing in Puget Sound, with 20 shallow manned dives, followed by uncrewed

dives in The Bahamas this past June to test the pressure hall.

The dive took a total of seven hours, according to OceanGate’s statement, as it included multiple pauses during the descent to assess the integrity of the hull.

“The system uses acoustic sensors to detect sounds emitted by the carbon fibre material as it responds to the external pressure, and also employs strain gauges to measure the physical deflection,” the statement added.

The Titanic Expedition had originally been scheduled for a 2018 launch, but was pushed back to 2019 after lightning damaged electronic components of the Titan.

OceanGate hopes to conduct the first manned-expeditions to the Titanic since the 2012.

The Titan has been tested in several bodies of water in recent months. Back in February, Mr Rush in an interview with The Tribune said the company, in less than 30 days, completed expeditions in the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.

Mr Rush said the ideal waters of the Bahamas ultimately proved to be the best testing ground. “Much of what we do was always in line of discovery, deep water discovery. When one thinks water, deep pristine and beautiful waters, you think the islands of The Bahamas,” he said.

“The way we are designing our vessels now, is to push the limits on what is possible, and considering our successes here in The Bahamas, it hard not to consider The Bahamas as a place to do just that.”

PAGE 12, Friday, December 21, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Simply the best

THE 14 Marines who were recipients of the Departmental Marine of the Year Award along with Commodore Tellis Bethel, Commander Defence Force; Commodore (Retired) Livingston Smith and his wife, Helen Smith; and the RBDF executive command.

Photos: Marine Seaman Michael Turner/RBDF THREE Marines from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force were recipients of the Marine of the Year Award in their respective categories at the force’s annual event.

Under the programme, each of the force’s 14 departments presents a marine from among which are selected the Livingstone Smith Marine of the Year Award for the Leading, Able and Marine Seaman Rate categories.

Leading Seaman William Burns (Harbour Patrol Unit), Able Mechanic Joevonne Simmons (Base Maintenance Team) and Woman Marine Hermeka Knowles (Operations Department) are the latest recipients of the Leon L Smith Award.

The awards were presented for outstanding and dedicated services throughout the year.

In previous years, one overall winner was selected from among the Leading, Able and Marine Seaman rates for the Leon Livingstone Smith Marine of the Year. This year’s format

included one overall winner from each of the three categories.

Runners-up in these categories included: Leading Woman Marine Natasha Major, Able Seaman Glen Bullard and Marine Mechanic Cyncarreo Collie.

The Leo L. Smith prize is named in honor of the first Bahamian Commodore, who led the Defence Force from 1983–1997.

Both Commodore Smith and his wife, Helen, were in attendance to present the award.

Commodore Tellis Bethel, commander of the Defence Force. commended the recipients for their performances. He also thanked the officers and marines for their contributions.

Staff, faculty, parents and students from Gambier and Adelaide Primary Schools were also guests at the annual carol service.

The schools, adopted by the RBDF, made their presence felt with musical and poem selections. The students were presented with Christmas gifts from the RBDF afterwards.

STUDENTS from Gambier Primary School performing a musical selection at the Defence Force Christmas carol service and awards ceremony.

LEADING Seaman William Burns receiving the Leon L Smith Marine of the Year Award. From left, Senior Lieutenant Andrew Bowe, Commanding Officer, Harbour Patrol Unit; Commodore (Retired) Leon Smith; Leading Seaman Burns; Commodore Tellis Bethel and Captain Adrian Chriswell, Captain Coral Harbour (Acting).

STUDENTS from the Adelaide Primary School performing a chorus selection chorus at the Defence Force Christmas carol service.

A STUDENT of the Adelaide Primary School receiving a Christmas gift.

RBDF personnel at the Defence Force Christmas carol service.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 21, 2018, PAGE 13

A festive treat THE SALVATION Army held a Christmas lunch yesterday at their Mackey Street location.

Among those present at the event was Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell, while First Caribbean bank made a donation of $3,000 to the Salvation Army.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff

PAGE 14, Friday, December 21, 2018

LANDER PUTS MONITOR ON MARS CAPE CANAVERAL Associated Press NASA’s new Mars lander has placed a quake monitor on the planet’s dusty red surface, just a few weeks after its arrival.

Mars InSight ‘s robotic arm removed the seismometer from the spacecraft deck and set it on the ground on Wednesday to monitor Mars quakes.

Project manager Tom Hoffman called the milestone “an awesome Christmas present”.

It’s the first time a robotic arm has lowered an experiment onto the Martian surface. The ground is slightly tilted, and so flight controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, still need to make the seismometer level.

Next month, InSight’s arm will put a wind cover over the seismometer and set down another experiment. The heat probe, dubbed the mole, will burrow up to 16 feet into Mars to measure internal temperatures.

THE TRIBUNE

Chaos as drones shut major London airport LONDON Associated Press DRONES buzzing over the runway forced the shutdown of London’s Gatwick Airport on Thursday during one of the busiest times of the year, stranding or delaying tens of thousands of Christmas-season travelers and setting off a hunt for the operator of the intruding aircraft.

The prospect of a deadly collision between what police described as industrial-grade drones and an airliner led authorities to stop all flights in and out.

Police said they had no doubt the intrusion was a deliberate attempt to disrupt operations at the airport during a peak period, but there were “absolutely no indications to suggest this is terror-related”.

About 20 police units from two forces tried to zero in on the drone operator after the first sighting over Gatwick on Wednesday evening.

Police told airport officials it was too risky to try to shoot down the two drones — stray bullets might kill someone.

“Each time we believe we get

PEOPLE wait in the departure area at Gatwick as the airport remains closed. close to the operator, the drone disappears. When we look to reopen the airfield, the drone reappears,” said Sussex Police Superintendent Justin Burtenshaw. He said the newer-generation drones are bigger and have more range, making it harder for police to locate the person controlling the device.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the military would be deployed to help police. He said the armed forces would bring “unique capabilities” but gave no details.

With drones booming in popularity and becoming increasingly affordable, aviation authorities have been warning in recent years

GN 2155

about the risk of a catastrophic collision with an airliner, and Britain — and the US — have tightened restrictions. Drones could get sucked into a jet engine or crash through a windshield, incapacitating the pilot.

The crisis at Gatwick had a ripple effect on air travel in Britain, continental Europe and beyond as incoming flights were sent to other locations and outgoing ones were grounded. British authorities said they would lift some night-flight noise restrictions at other airports to ease the congestion.

Travellers described freezing conditions overnight at Gatwick as hundreds slept on benches and floors, and passengers and their families complained they weren’t being kept informed about rerouted flights. “We understand it’s an emergency situation, but the lack of information is really surprising,” said Vanessa Avila, an American based in Britain who works for the US military. Her mother was on a flight from Florida to Gatwick that ended up landing in the northern English city of Manchester.

MATTIS LEAVING AS PENTAGON CHIEF AFTER CLASHES WITH TRUMP WASHINGTON Associated Press

GN-2154

DEFENCE Secretary Jim Mattis abruptly said he was resigning yesterday, a day after President Donald Trump overruled his advice against pulling troops out of Syria and pressed forward on discussions to withdraw forces from Afghanistan.

Mattis, perhaps the most respected foreign policy official in Trump’s administration, will leave by the end of February after two tumultuous years struggling to soften and moderate the president’s hardline and sometimes sharply changing policies. He told Trump in a letter that he was leaving because “you have a right to have a Secretary of Defence whose views are better aligned with yours.”

Trump said in a tweet that Mattis was retiring, but that’s not what Mattis said.

The announcement came a day after Trump surprised US allies and members of Congress by announcing the withdrawal of all US troops from Syria, and as he continues to consider shrinking the American deployment in Afghanistan.

Trump’s decision to pull troops out of Syria has been sharply criticised for abandoning America’s Kurdish allies, who may well face a Turkish assault once US troops leave, and had been staunchly opposed by the Pentagon.

Mattis, in his resignation letter, emphasised the importance of standing up for US allies — an implicit

JIM MATTIS criticism of the president’s decision on this issue and others.

“While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies,” Mattis wrote.

His departure was quickly lamented by foreign policy hands on both sides of the aisle, who viewed him as a sober voice of experience in the ear of a president who had never before held political office or served in the military.

Last year, Republican Sen. Bob Corker — a frequent Trump critic — said Mattis, along with White House chief of staff John Kelly and then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, were helping “separate our country from chaos.”

Tillerson was fired early this year. Kelly is to leave the White House in the coming days.

HOUSE SET FOR VOTE ON WALL MONEY AS SHUTDOWN LOOMS WASHINGTON Associated Press

AFTER a rare lashing from conservatives, President Donald Trump declared yesterday he would not sign a bill to keep funding the government because it fails to provide billions for a border wall with Mexico, throwing Congress into deep disarray and risking a federal shutdown this weekend.

Conservatives want to keep fighting for the money to pay for the wall as a last act of the GOP-led Congress before Democrats take House control in January. They warn that “caving” on Trump’s repeated wall promises could hurt his 2020 reelection chances, and other Republicans’ as well.

Within hours of Trump’s statement, the

Republican-controlled House voted along party lines to add $5.7 billion to the stopgap spending bill, along with a nearly $8 billion disaster aid package that many lawmakers support for coastal hurricanes and California wildfires.

Congress must act before a midnight deadline tonight to fund parts of the government or risk a partial shutdown just before Christmas.

The Senate has already approved a streamlined version of the bill, which would fund the government through Feb. 8.

A House vote to approve the newly expanded bill would send the package to the Senate, where its prospects are grim amid strong opposition from Democrats. Sixty votes are needed to approve the bill there.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 21, 2018, PAGE 15

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

PUTIN WARNS OF NUCLEAR WAR RISK MOSCOW Associated Press

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin issued a chilling warning yesterday about the rising threat of a nuclear war, putting the blame squarely on the US, which he accused of irresponsibly pulling out of arms control treaties.

Speaking at his annual news conference, Putin warned that “it could lead to the destruction of civilisation as a whole and maybe even our planet”.

He pointed at Washington’s intention to walk away from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, or INF, and its reluctance to negotiate the extension of the 2010 New START agreement, which expires in 2021 unless the two countries agree to extend it. “We are witnessing the breakup of the arms control system,” he said.

Moscow and Washington have been at loggerheads over the INF, which bans an entire class of weapons — all nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles of intermediate range. US officials say Washington’s withdrawal from the pact was prompted by Russian violations of the treaty, which Moscow vehemently denies.

Earlier this month NATO, at US request formally declared Russia to be in violation of the INF and demanded that it halt activity that breaches it. The move put the full weight of the alliance behind the

RUSSIAN president Vladimir Putin.

US, which has given Russia until February to come into compliance or trigger Washington’s withdrawal from the treaty.

Officials in both Russia and the US have given mixed signals about the future of the New START treaty, signed by President Barack Obama and then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev amid a brief thaw in Russia-US ties. US-Russian strategic nuclear weapons — those capable of striking each other’s territory — are governed by New Start.

During the nearly fourhour news conference, Putin maintained Russia was not interested in “gaining unilateral advantages.

We aren’t seeking advantages, we are trying to preserve the balance and ensure our security”.

Russia-US ties have sunk to their lowest levels since the Cold war times over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and the allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, among other disputes.

PAGE 16, Friday, December 21, 2018

THE TRIBUNE