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VOLUME:116 No.101, MAY 20TH, 2019
HO US E & 16 THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1
SPORT: MEDALS FOR BAHAMAS IN MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Don’t shoot, don’t shoot, children in here
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WORDS: KHRISNA RUSSELL
PICTURES: TERREL W CAREY SR
ABOVE: A door riddled with bullet holes. Below, the house where the incident happened and, right, a blood-stained door.
Families dispute police account of deadly dawn raid “DON’T shoot, children in here!” a young boy has recounted as being among the last words of one of three men fatally shot by police on Friday. When officers stormed the sprawling pink and white house just off Eastern Road in the early morning raid, there were six children inside. Two of them, with the permission of relatives, gave a chilling account of
what unfolded when the armed officers entered the house where they slept. The Tribune has decided not to reveal any identifying factors related to the boys in order to preserve their identities. “He looked at me and took his last breath and mummy was crying,” the younger of the two boys said. “The police came and he did say, ‘don’t shoot my children in here’.
“I thought my daddy would be around until I was 18,” he said sadly. “He was saying don’t shoot, don’t shoot,” the
older boy said. “He was holding me and police start saying, ‘put the boy down’, so he put me down and the police come up the stairs
and round him and shoot him in his back. “And I had blood on my clothes ‘cause I fell down in the blood on the floor.”
Asked if they trusted the police, both boys said they did not. In the aftermath of the fatal shootings, bloodstains and bullet holes feature prominently at the Newgate and Commonwealth Road house where relatives yesterday questioned why police allegedly ambushed “unarmed” Jamaal Penn, Valentino Pratt and Trevor Cooper. SEE PAGE THREE
DAVIS FEARS BUDGET CUTS AND TAXES By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION leader Philip Davis yesterday released predictions for the upcoming 2019-2020 budget, questioning if there will be an increase in taxes as well as a drastic cut to recurrent and capital expenditure. The Progressive Liberal Party leader insisted the government’s options for the budget are limited
OPPOSITION leader Philip Davis and further forecasted economic challenges will hasten the country’s descent
into a recession. At a press conference at the PLP’s headquarters, Mr Davis said his party has no confidence in the Free National Movement’s ability to effectively and practically manage the public’s finances. He said this is “because they have missed critical fiscal targets for the last two budgetary cycles and because they have failed to present realistic budget estimates”. SEE PAGE SIX
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
INSIGHT FRED SMITH: USE RB. WE ARE NOT THE ENEMY
SEE PAGE SEVEN
PAGE 2, Monday, May 20, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
MINNIS TO MAKE THIRD NATIONAL REPORT TONIGHT PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will deliver his third and final national report for the year tonight. In his report, the prime minister will bring important updates to the public regarding land reform, environment, energy reform, general infrastructure and digital transformation and modernisation. Particularly, his remarks will highlight major reform efforts underway to digitise and modernise government services and the implementation of a system to clear the land application backlog and restructure the application process for Crown land. An overview of the extensive ongoing roadworks programme throughout New Providence and
the rest of the country, major capital works projects, progress on the New Providence Landfill and environmental conservation initiatives also will be highlighted. The report to the nation series is part of the government’s commitment and responsibility to provide timely, accurate, clear and complete information about its programmes, services and initiatives to citizens and residents. The reports, aimed at providing important updates and information to the people of the Bahamas on a range of issues, will be broadcast on ZNS, REVTV, ILTV and the Jones Communications Network. Dr Minnis’ last national report was delivered in March.
TYA members alongside FNM chairman Carl Culmer, centre, with TYA president Carlyle Bethel, second right and TYA chairwoman Denielle Miller, right.
FNM’S YOUTH MOVEMENT READY FOR CONVENTION THE Free National Movement’s youth arm, the Torchbearers Youth Association, will hold a convention in August which aims to share “the plans and policies” the government has introduced for young people. Ahead of the convention, the TYA will host “A Road to Convention” rally on Wednesday, May 29 at the party’s Mackey Street headquarters. Throughout June, TYA will host a series of town hall meetings that will focus on breaking down the details of the government’s 2019-2020 budget that are relevant to young people while providing an opportunity for youth to ask questions on key issues, policies and programmes, according to TYA president Carlyle Bethel. The convention will be held at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort at 7pm on August 15 and 16. TYA
THE FLAVOR THAT CHANGES IT ALL.
chairman Denielle Miller said the event will highlight three focal priorities – education, entrepreneurship and employability. The evening sessions will be open to the public and will be broadcast live on TV and Facebook. The closed day sessions for TYA members in good standing will revolve around policy creation, leadership, political training and campaign organising. “TYA is not an association of one,” Mr Bethel. said. “We have a diverse group of humble, dedicated and committed members who work tirelessly to help TYA achieve all that it has and will in the future. We invite all young people who are interested in getting involved in nation building to reach out to us via Facebook or Instagram or come out to one of our monthly general body meetings on the last Wednesday of each month at 7pm.”
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 20, 2019, PAGE 3
FAMILIES’ ANGER AFTER THREE MEN FATALLY SHOT IN EARLY MORNING RAID
THE SCENES over the weekend at the house just off Eastern Road. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff from page one Relatives of the deceased alleged police entered the gates of the home and first shot one man sleeping in the garage in a Nissan Note vehicle. From there they claimed officers barged into a small room in the garage and opened fire on a man hiding underneath a wooden twin bed. Officers then went inside the main house and up the staircase to the bedroom where the third man was fatally shot, it was alleged. As it remains unclear to them why police descended on the home, they also vehemently denied that there was any gunfire on police from any of the three men. Police have said at least two of them opened fire on officers. The home’s residents claimed this was particularly the case regarding Penn, telling The Tribune he would have never put his wife, children and elderly wheelchair-bound mother-in-law, who also slept inside the house early that morning, in harm’s way. They have also expressed worry about the integrity of evidence, claiming the same officers who shot the men are also investigating the incident. One of the residents of the home, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said yesterday: “Yes they had (court) cases and stuff before and no one is saying, ‘oh my good child’ but why did they do that? “Previously they came in and searched the home and arrested one of them, but they didn’t find any weapons so he was released. So now all of a sudden they findings guns? “Something is fishy with this. How it is that they charged (arrested) people, came back twice yesterday (Saturday) with them and then again today they are here talking about they bringing people for clothes, gone inside with just one woman and no female police officer?” The relatives further claim a pregnant woman was arrested, denied medical attention and are advocating for her release from police custody. It is also alleged that one family dog was shot dead and another taken to an undisclosed location. On Friday, authorities said the men were killed in an exchange of gunfire. According to Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash, police discovered 22lbs of marijuana and two additional firearms afterwards in a search of the property. In total, police said three weapons were recovered. At the time, several people were arrested. Police said this was the result of a manhunt operation
I thought my daddy would be around until I was 18, says boy in the area to locate a wanted suspect for a recent homicide and recent shootings in New Providence. Officers were able to enter the property because they were granted a search warrant, CSP Cash told reporters. He said on Friday: “Sometime around 2.30am this morning police received information relative to a wanted suspect for the most recent homicide in New Providence. As a result of this information officers executed a search warrant on a property. Once officers entered the property they were confronted by two armed suspects who opened fire on the officers.
The officers being in fear of their life returned fire. Both suspects were shot fatally. The officers then proceeded to the interior of the building, which they breached. “As they breached the interior they were
JAMAAL PENN
confronted by a third armed suspect. As a result of that, officers being in fear of their life opened fire, which resulted in the third suspect being shot and fatally injured. I can tell you once the gunfire subsided the officers were able to recover three weapons.” Coroner Jeanine Weech Gomez visited the scene. CSP Cash has said at least one of the deceased men was known to police. Attempts to reach CSP Cash and Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson for comment on the allegations were unsuccessful yesterday. Editorial View - Page 4
PAGE 4, Monday, May 20, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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Money talks when it comes to US v China THE Bahamas has found itself in the middle of an international squabble recently. On one side has been the US, with President Donald Trump, with his White House talking about the “predatory economic practices” of China. On the other hand, the Chinese have been a significant source of investment for The Bahamas in recent years. In response, China has talked of “irresponsible accusations” – and diplomatic relations between the two countries are tense amid battles over trade tariffs, imports and more. For businesses here, of course, the key factor is this: Money talks. Businesses, investors and the government turn to China for one simple reason – the money is there to put into projects. If the US wants to counter China’s influence, then talk is cheap, it needs to put money on the table. That could be happening – in today’s paper, we hear that talks are to take place this week to spark investment in The Bahamas by the US. That’s welcome – though the fact that the representative also harked back to a meeting two years ago as evidence of the US desire to invest is less encouraging. The US is one of The Bahamas’ oldest partners – in business and in friendship. Our near neighbour to the north sends us our biggest share of the tourism sector. It is where Bahamians flock to in order to shop. Our children are scattered across many colleges over the water. They are a logical partner. But while an old friend, it is not our only friend, and China has put money into projects here while US funding was absent. It is not for The Bahamas to choose sides as the international squabble rages
– but if the US wonders why investors turn their eyes to China instead of the US, it is in part because that’s where their projects can find support. The US needs to back up its words with increased investment – it’s really as simple as that.
Answers needed after shooting THE early morning raid by police that left three people shot dead has raised many questions. That is nothing new, of course. In the early stages of any investigation, there is much to be learned. On Friday, we heard the police put their side of the story of what went on inside the house. Today, others in the house have given another side. What we know is this – after two double homicides in less than 12 hours, Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said the police was setting up a special team to “look closely at certain persons” and within ten days three suspects are shot dead by police. Any police shooting needs to be carefully examined to ensure it has been justified – a triple shooting by police even more so. Guns reportedly found at the scene should be carefully checked by forensics experts to see if they match shots fired in the house. Angles at which victims were shot should be examined. The other side of the story should be carefully listened to. There is nothing wrong with a rigorous examination of what took place – indeed, if the police have acted appropriately, it will enhance the reputation of the force. We must make sure the truth is clear – a triple shooting requires nothing less.
Not the First Lady EDITOR, The Tribune BEFORE this gets out of hand - empathically the wife of the Most Honourable Dr Hubert A Minnis is not the “First Lady” nor is she a holder of the title “Lady”. People posting on Facebook please be educated and understanding she is the wife-spouse of the Most Honourable Hubert A Minnis, nothing more and nothing less. PMH - basic simple cleanliness - in the wards which have not been renovated,
the air-conditioning ducts in the wards are exceptionally dirty - dusty. My estimate a good bucket of warm water and some good detergent you could have them sparkling in 10-minutes so I ask, why? PHA Supervision. including the Directors - the Supervision and management of PMH - the Matron - the Ward Sisters - head of Maintenance have to be totally blind to dirt. Air-conditioning is very well known to be the means that virus infections enter a hospital and those
viruses kill. This is basic, very basic hygiene…We can’t do that? I suggest it is so bad the Department of Health needs to inspect and declare whether these older Wards are up to minimum standard and can be used as a hospital? Toilets ‘Out of Order’. Minister, who at PHA is responsible for PMH? Which Board member is? ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau May 12, 2019
We need to find the skills EDITOR, The Tribune THE Minister of Labour, Hon Dion Foulkes, in a news story in The Nassau Guardian this Tuesday reportedly stated that there are a number of issues relating to Bahamian workers lacking skills and skills they really ought and need to have a greater opportunity to be employed. He indicated that this “is a very serious issue”. He noted that as early as 2012 there was an IDB report identifying some of the same issues, that is the need for specific skills, soft skills, numeracy and literacy skills. We are now in 2019, the question is,
what is the Minnis government doing about it and what has it done about it over the past two years? According to the story, the Minister acknowledges that the situation is serious but also that, “the government of The Bahamas is extremely concerned about the lack of skilled Bahamians to take advantage of certain jobs in The Bahamas”. It is surprising that the Hon Minister did not mention any solution to what he described as a serious matter and one that the government of The Bahamas is “extremely concerned about”. Not
only did he not offer any solution, he offered nothing that the Ministry was working on or doing now to effectively deal with what is a serious matter as he described it. No solution is mentioned, no remedy is mentioned, no mention about a plan to deal with the issue and no mention of what is being done now by the Ministry to improve the situation, today or tomorrow. Has the Hon Minister thrown-up his hands? It surely seems that way! VERY DISAPPOINTED Nassau May 16, 2019
Erase this yes, sir, boss mentality EDITOR, The Tribune What is WTO? It is the World Trade Organization comprised of some very large countries and organisations controlling the economies of smaller countries. Is that not colonisation? They flatter us by telling us that we would be able to negotiate various positions which would be good for our country. Are they kidding? That’s like an ant crawling up an elephant’s leg with the intention of rape! They don’t ask you what to do, they tell you what you must do. Today the government is overspending as did government’s before them. The WTO says that they must stop overspending or the dollar will weaken. Do we need the WTO to tell us that? Don’t we have the guts or the knowledge to do what is right? They say we must join the WTO to tell us it is best to reduce import duties so that prices can decrease? Do we need the WTO to tell us this and demand that we do it? Does our government have a “yes, sir, boss” mentality? Many years ago when I was in the House of Assembly we got a direct order from Washington saying that “bearer bonds” were immoral and should be made illegal. They didn’t bother saying that their state of Delaware
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net was thriving on “bearer bonds” and that we were giving them a run for their money. I suggested that we tell them that when they outlawed bearer bonds in Delaware, we would outlaw them here. Yes, you guessed it. We said “yes, sir, boss” and outlawed bearer bonds here and Delaware is still thriving on them. And we want to join the WTO? Will it help us or will it help the big boys? We are sitting on some of the most valuable assets in the world. But to make anything successful in commerce three things must be present: (1) production, (2) transportation, (3) marketing. Bonefishing on the flats of Andros is a multi-billion dollar business. The Bahamians there have the knowledge of production, Bahamasair could provide the proper transportation and the Ministry of Tourism could supply the marketing. Is that difficult? Or do we need to join the WTO so that they can do it for us? Inagua has the largest colony of flamingoes in the world. The National Trust says that there are 60,000 there. The people of Inagua have the product, Bahamasair could supply the
transportation and again the Ministry of Tourism could supply the marketing. Is that difficult? Or do we need to join the WTO so that they can do it for us? The Bahamas could feed itself. We have any number of ripening seasons, what is blossoming in Abaco is ripening in Inagua. The farmers on the islands can produce. Reliable transportation is for all intents and purposes nonexistent. Marketing does not exist. Is that difficult to make happen? Or do we need to join the WTO so that they can do it for us? It would seem that this government only knows how to tax, not to build! A most recent report says that our people are underproductive and overpaid. Is this telling us something? Immigration laws have made it easier to bring people in. Is it a stretch to say that since the successive governments have failed, the large corporations of the WTO should be able to come in here, bring in their workers, take their profits out and leave us and our grandchildren to wallow in the sludge left here by the likes of Carnival Cruise Line? Wake up Bahamians! We’re being taken! PIERRE DUPUCH Nassau May 19, 2019
Explain yourself, minister EDITOR, The Tribune THE military funeral for the late Warrant Officer Perpall who met his death on guard duty at Government House from the TV News showed that the Minister for National Security was absent and Minister Lloyd stood in his place. I have to ask as the Ministry for National
Security and the Command of the RBDF would have been very involved in the organising of this full military funeral the Minister would have known days in advance when the funeral was to be held so why didn’t he feel obliged to alter his travel schedule to show respect to the fallen Officer who fell onduty and at the official
residence of our Governor General? Minister you need to explain your absence and publicly apologise to the country and the Perpall family. Explain Minister. .... another strike against you. G MOSS Nassau May 17, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 20, 2019, PAGE 5
‘LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR RAPISTS AND MURDERERS’
By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net
BISHOP Simeon Hall has called for elected parliamentarians to “place more fear in the hearts of gang members and criminals” by implementing life with no parole for murderers and rapists. The prominent pastor made the call in a press statement in which he said the criminal mind is hardly impressed or frightened by statistics. In an interview with The Tribune, Bishop Hall, pastor emeritus at New Covenant Baptist Church, said politicians need to stop using
the murder and crime rates as a political football. He said: “What a party says about crime in opposition is not the same when (they) get into government and both parties have proven that. “I’ve personally raised some good children, but they have to interact with your bad child with a gun. I have to try my best to make the whole country as good as possible, so we just need to be wise and proactive.” Bishop Hall added: “We boast about the statistical reduction in certain crimes, particularly homicides, then only days later there are multiple slayings. In fact, some persons are so demonic and depraved that the recent
BISHOP Simeon Hall announcement of relatively positive crime statistics might have motivated some with criminal intent.
“Both the ghastly act of rape and the nefarious intentional murder of a human being qualifies as the worst of the worst in my book - the United Kingdom’s Privy Council’s position notwithstanding. “We are far too passive in this country for certain matters and we must not accept wanton acts of crime as our new normal. Anyone rightly convicted through the judicial system of rape and/or murder should be removed from civilised society for the rest of his or her natural life.” Bishop Hall said he believes in second chances but also believes some men are impervious to change.
“Unfortunately, I am also convinced that there are some who are impervious to the best that society offers, and they should be permanently removed from civilisation,” he added. “A life sentence without parole protects public safety, while sparing the barbarity of killing our own. It sends the strongest message that violent acts will be severely punished.” According to The Tribune’s records, there have been 30 murders so far this year. Last year, police reported a six percent rise in reported rapes, noting there were 55 cases in 2018 compared with 52 in 2017.
Bimini car wash owner shot dead By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE shooting death of a Bimini man early yesterday morning has left the entire close-knit island community of North Bimini in shock. Police have not released the victim’s name, but The Tribune understands the deceased is Adrian Duncombe, a well-known resident of Bailey Town, who was shot dead shortly after 3am on Sunday at his residence. This is the second murder on Bimini for the year. Duncombe, the father of several children, owned a car wash business. He lived with his grandmother, well known business proprietor Suzie Duncombe, operator of Suzie and Joy Variety Store. According to sources, Ms Duncombe was away in Florida with a relative shopping at the time of the incident. Efforts to reach other family members, including his uncle, Percy Duncombe, proved fruitless up to press-time on Sunday.
Officers from the Central Detective Unit in Grand Bahama are in Bimini investigating the matter. The Tribune has learned that a male resident of Bimini is being held for questioning. According to Assistant Superintendent Terecita Pinder, police received reports of gunshots and proceeded to Bailey Town where they discovered a male dead, with gunshot wounds to the upper body. She said officers are appealing to anyone with information that can assist in the investigation to call Bimini police. According to a Bimini resident, Duncombe and another man were involved in an argument on Saturday. “The man told Adrian that he was going to shoot him, and so police are holding that man now for the shooting,” the resident, who asked not to be named, alleged. “It is unfortunate, and everyone is taking it hard,” the resident said. “We are a close-knit island
THE VICTIM is believed to be Adrian Duncombe, a well-known resident of Bailey Town. community and so people are upset about what has happened. And, we just had another shooting here on the island.” Duncombe washed cars for a living and made handicraft products. “Every week he would wash my vehicles and he had hired two other men to
TWO IN HOSPITAL AFTER SHOOTING INCIDENTS
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
GRAND Bahama police are investigating two separate shooting incidents in Freeport that have left two men injured and in hospital. According to reports, the first incident occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday at an establishment on Queen’s Highway. ASP Terecita Pinder reported that a man told police that while at a business, he was involved in an argument with another man who pulled out a handgun and shot him several times in his body. He was taken in a private vehicle to Rand Memorial Hospital where he was seen by a doctor. He is listed in stable condition.
In a second incident, police received reports of a shooting shortly after 4am on Saturday in the area of East Settler’s Way. ASP Pinder said a man told police that while travelling in his vehicle, a dark coloured car pulled alongside and shot at him, injuring his hand and causing damage to his vehicle. Grand Bahama police also discovered a quantity of dangerous drugs hidden in an unoccupied building in the Eight Mile Rock area. Police said a team of officers went to a building on Fire Hydrant Corner in Pinedale, EMR, last week where they found in the ceiling two clear plastic bags of suspected marijuana. ASP Pinder reported that
the drugs weighed 2.68lbs and have a estimated street value of $2,400. A 32-year-old man was arrested in connection with the discovery. Police on Grand Bahama also want to speak with 35-year-old Neil Perry Pintard for help with an ongoing drug investigation. Mr Pintard is a resident of Shaftbury Apartments on Shaftbury Avenue, Grand Bahama. He is about five feet, 11 inches tall, 245 pounds, with a dark brown complexion and average build. Anyone with information is asked to call the Drug Enforcement Unit at 350-3125 or the Central Detective Unit at 350-3107 through 12, 911, 919 or the nearest police station.
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work with him,” according to the resident. When asked about his relatives, another resident said that Duncombe lived with his grandmother but had just finished his new house. “He is the father of three or four children, the oldest I think is probably about 10 years old,” the resident said.
Some residents also took to social media to express shock and grief over the homicide. “Rest in peace lil’ bro. . .real true friend, took care of my kids as if they were his own in my absence while I’m in Jamaica. Will return the favour one million times in your absence.
. .,” one person wrote on Facebook. Another friend posted: “I can’t stop the tears, we had a lil’ talk Thursday. . .I never thought it would be my last conversation wow.” Police in Bimini are also still investigating the late April shooting death of well-known American businessman Alain Perez at his residence at Bimini Bay, opposite Resorts World. Perez, 47, was a native of Miami, Florida, and owned Big John’s Bar and Grill in Alice Town, Bimini. He was shot multiple times in the upper part of the body on Sunday, April 28. He was taken to a local clinic but succumbed to his injuries. No one has been arrested in connection with that shooting. Police are appealing to anyone with information who can assist with those matters to call the Bimini police at 347-3144 or the Central Detective Unit in Grand Bahama at 350-3107 through 12, 911/919, or call the nearest police station.
PAGE 6, Monday, May 20, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
from page one He said the increase in value added tax last year, “shook consumer and investor confidence and promptly hampered both investment and consumption” during the fiscal year. Mr Davis said: “As a result, the modest economy recovery has stalled, and unemployment remains stubbornly high due partly to labour policies of government. Crime is still a huge problem, indicating a level of desperation of our people in their economic circumstances. “We again point out and underscore the importance of the Central Bank’s survey that 50 percent of Bahamians earning $30,000 or less annually…cannot make ends meet. “The government has refused to increase minimum wage, notwithstanding imposing a 60 percent increase (in) VAT last year.” Mr Davis said the Department of Statistics recently confirmed an economic growth rate of 1.6 percent, well below the more than two percent projected by the government. He also said the Department of Customs’ revenue is down compared with last year at the end of the third quarter. “Overall, the government’s revenue is also down against projections at the end of the third quarter primarily because of the ill-considered 60 percent increase in the VAT rate imposed during last year’s budget and meddling with tax structure of the web shop gaming industry,” Mr Davis said. “The dismantling of the Revenue Enhancement Unit within the Ministry of Finance was another poor politically motivated policy decision. Empirical data and objective research revealed that there was over $400m in uncollected taxes and hundreds of high-end properties unregistered and no taxes were being paid on these properties. No explanation was given for this rookie mistake.” According to Mr Davis, the National Insurance Board is also at risk partly due to the changing demographics of our population. “More importantly because of the ill-advised policy of delinking business licence renewals from NIB compliance, a policy designed to assist the oligarchs.
Davis fears budget cuts and taxes As a result, the minister for national insurance is warning that contributions must go up sooner rather than later,” he said. “The government’s inability to meet its revenue targets has resulted in the government’s failing to meet many of its expense obligations on a timely basis. This is imposing a secret and invisible tax on those affected businesses and individuals who can at least afford it. This phenomenon has an add-on effect to the misery index.” He added: “The government can only extract so much funding from businesses and consumers through these payment deferments, the unaltered truth
about the fiscal and economic health of the country must be revealed sooner than later. As no lie lasts forever.” Mr Davis said the FNM has abandoned the “well-considered plans” for the modernisation of The Bahamas left in place by the last PLP administration. He claimed the government will, in the upcoming fiscal year, transfer public buildings to a fund to “minimise the ability of other Bahamian individuals and entities such as the National Insurance Board, churches and ordinary Bahamians” from renting to the government; eliminate business licence fees for all banks; and ensure that business licence and
VAT is calculated on the same tax base to reduce the business licence fees of large food stores, pharmacies, Morton Salt and others with large zero-rated or exempt supplies. He also said the government will “reduce the deficit to one percent of GDP in the absence of a pro-growth strategy - that is, reduce and starve much needed recurrent and capital expenditures by approximately $100 million.” The opposition leader asked, “Will there be an increase in taxes to offset this revenue loss as a result of the promises listed above? Will VAT be increased to 15 percent as a result?”
He also said: “The above proposition represents a foolish list, which could send the economy reeling into a prolonged recession. “With 1.6 per cent economic growth, a looming and real trade war between the two largest global economies, US and China, and with no money on the ground nor short term strategic growth prospects on the horizon by this government domestically, this is clearly not the best of times. “The Bahamian economy, notwithstanding the one-time uplift in tourism arrivals and expenditure because of the opening and operations of Baha Mar coupled with a strong US economy, is not doing well.”
US PLANNING MORE INVESTMENT IN CARIBBEAN BASIN By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
DISCUSSIONS are scheduled to take place this week in the country
aimed at possibly sparking increased United States Bahamian investment, according to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs,
Cynthia Kierscht. She said collaboration and cooperation on this matter is clear and will continue. The comments came during her readout of the 8th Caribbean-US Security
Cooperation Dialogue during a telephone briefing on Friday. “As you are indeed aware, there has been an expanded engagement under this administration with the
Caribbean in general and specifically with The Bahamas, with President Trump hosting the leaders of The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and St Lucia at Mar-aLago in March and then in April, we invited all of the Caribbean countries to SouthCom where our deputy secretary of state launched the new US-Caribbean Resilience Partnership in Miami with 18 Caribbean governments,” Ms Kierscht said when asked by The Tribune whether the US was planning more outreach and investment in the Caribbean, particularly The Bahamas, to counter China’s investments. “As I understand, there will be an upcoming visit by OPIC (Overseas Private Investment Corporation) to The Bahamas next week even, to discuss potential forms of increased investment and that will hopefully bring new avenues as well.” “The United States is right now the Caribbean’s primary trading partner, and we understand the mutual benefit of a prosperous Caribbean Basin. “To that end, we held a Caribbean prosperity roundtable with Caribbean policymakers and members of the US private sector in 2017 to spur investment and address obstacles and opportunities for economic cooperation. We will also be holding a trade fair for the Caribbean next month in Miami. We will continue to engage Caribbean partners to promote sustainable economic policies, private sector led growth and job creation. “We are also supporting young entrepreneurs through US government exchange programmes including the Young Leaders of the Americas initiative. In 2018, 60 nationals from across the Caribbean participated in the Young Leaders of the Americas initiative engaging with US private and public sector partners and ventures ranging from digital commerce to food and beverage. So, yes, I would say our cooperation and collaboration on
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers these issues is clear and will continue.” In March, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers said in a statement that leaders should choose “high-quality, transparent, and inclusive foreign investment” and ensure they are getting the best deal for their respective citizens in the long-term. Her comments came in response to a scathing statement from her counterpart, Chinese Chargé d’Affaires Haigang Yin who accused the US government of trying to “disintegrate solidarity and cooperation between China and other developing countries.” He also slammed the US’ “predatory” label placed on China’s activities in the Caribbean, dismissing it as completely baseless, unreasonable and contradictory to the facts. The verbal joust also came ahead of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ and other regional leaders’ meeting with US President Donald Trump at his MarA-Lago estate in Florida. Ms Bowers said at the time: “Economic engagement should meet international best practises in terms of transparency, debt sustainability and the needs and concerns of local communities. “We encourage all leaders to choose high-quality, transparent, and inclusive foreign investment, and we want to ensure development financing does not result in unsustainable debt. When evaluating types of partnerships and investment relationships, leaders must ensure they are getting the best deal for their country and their people over the long-term.” Editorial View - Page 4
MONDAY, MAY 20, 2019
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
By FREDERICK R M SMITH, QC
T
HE presentation by Rights Bahamas (RB) and Robert F Kennedy Human Rights to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (Commission) in Jamaica on May 12 was unfortunately not reported in context by the local media except for The Tribune, the only organisation that bothered to send a journalist to this important international hearing and cover what actually happened. Reporting by other media houses was based on selective extraction of content from the government’s presentation and the Commissioner’s comments. This resulted in an erroneous perception the RB presented a malicious, untrue and damaging report about the conditions of migrants in The Bahamas for the purpose of intentionally harming the country’s international reputation. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact the very opposite occurred. RB was allotted 15 minutes and within that time, Stephanie St Fleur, President; Louby Georges, International Affairs Director; and Dawrin Thompson, Education Committee Chairman presented. They spoke against the backdrop of a video showing a half naked woman being abused by Immigration officers, as well as a series of photographs showing migrants and their treatment in The Bahamas. RB Vice President Joseph Darville and Legal Director Fred Smith were part of the delegation, but were not slated to present. The government’s presentation, by Minister of Legal Affairs Elsworth Johnson, was not a response to RB as was called for, but rather a litany of defences for anticipated attacks by RB and technical objections to the jurisdiction of the Commission. In addition, Minister Johnson presented to the Commission and repeatedly referred to a booklet entitled Know Your Rights, printed 18 months ago by RB. He complained the booklet misrepresented the facts, as some of the photos were not taken in The Bahamas. This is misleading. The booklet was not intended, nor does it claim to be a historical record of incidents that occurred in The Bahamas. It is a compendium in Spanish, Creole and English, in which people’s rights are explained with photos dramatising events. The booklet contains photographs from The Bahamas, South Africa, the United States and elsewhere which are for illustrative purposes regarding whichever relevant “right” is being explained in each instance. RB stands by the booklet and its contents. But we emphasise for the record that the booklet was presented by the government to the Commission, NOT by RB. For their part, the Commissioners seemed not at all moved by the repeated references to the photos, and they did notquestion RB about any aspect of its presentation or conduct in general, as they did the government. Minister Johnson took no issue with the video and photos in the RB power point presentation. After the government’s presentation, various Commissioners expressed views on a number of matters such as the ongoing use of detention contrary to
You have citizens of your own country who want to help you do better. Use us!
We are not the enemy
RIGHTS Bahamas and Robert F Kennedy Human Rights attended the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (Commission) in Jamaica on May 12. Top right: Minister of Legal Affairs Elsworth Johnson.
international trends and Inter-American standards; statelessness; the right of children to education; and gender equality. These views have resulted from the Commissioner’s independent investigations and their own knowledge, and they requested the government to address these issues. It is important to note this is the second hearing in a continuing investigation started in 2015 when the Commission requested The Bahamas ameliorate and mitigate the harsh challenges facing migrants. The government sought to defend the perceived criticism by the Commissioners of The Bahamas. The Commissioners reminded the government this was not an adversarial forum and it was their intention to urge constructive dialogues and cooperation between the Commission, the government and civil society. To this end the Commission accepted The Bahamas’ invitation for the Commission to conduct an on-site visit to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre. In this continuing spirit of cooperation, I was then given a five-minute opportunity to respond by the Commissioners. In summary, I congratulated the current administration for its efforts in preventing sex tourism and human trafficking (a matter which had been raised by one of the Commissioners); acknowledged the current administration
as more enlightened than its predecessors; emphasised RB’s commitment to cooperate; implored the government to distinguish between illegal migrants and those born in The Bahamas who are entitled to status; begged for an avoidance of unnecessary detention; and, referring to an historical paroling of Cubans into the community, suggested many migrants could be permitted to work instead of being detained, rather than continuing to be a financial burden on The Bahamas. (After all, decades of research have shown that migrant workers, do not ‘take’ jobs from local workers, and boost rather than harm the host economy generally.) I also asked Minister Johnson to allow RB and other human rights organisations to visit the Detention Centre with the Commission and ended by urging The Bahamas, as part of the global community, to end its fear of foreigners and welcome them to help develop the country which, although it has a small population, is geographically large. Johnson responded for the government but once again focused on the photographs in the booklet and, to the obvious consternation of the Commissioners, dramatically rejected by saying “never”, to RB joining the Commission on its visit to the Detention Centre. Clearly as a result of the continued defence of the indefensible by The
Bahamas, having regard to its international obligations, the Commissioners once again raised issues of statelessness, gender inequality and unnecessary detention. For the record, every statement in the presentation by RB was true and correct and was supported by evidence. RB was not adversarial; we simply presented facts, identified areas where The Bahamas is not in compliance with its international obligations and offered to cooperate. In fact, on behalf of each member of the delegation, I emphasised how as citizens of The Bahamas they love their country, and do not wish its international reputation to be sullied. Here is the full text of my response: “Good afternoon Commissioners. I have been working along with Mr Joseph Darville for 43 years in The Bahamas on human rights and environmental issues, and we do have a huge human trafficking and sex tourism issue that this government is doing a lot about, I must congratulate them for that. But insofar as the issues relating to migrants in The Bahamas, I’d like to distinguish between those Haitians who are illegally coming into The Bahamas, which is a challenge for our government, as opposed to the many thousands of people who, Madame President, because of Jus Soli not applying in The Bahamas, they’re born in The
Bahamas, and they have been there five, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 years I know in some cases, and they don’t have documentation. “And so the criticism that we level against our government, and in which we are prepared to cooperate with them – we understand it should be cooperation between civil society and the government – we implore The Bahamas government to stop treating those who are born in The Bahamas and who have lived there all of their lives as if they are illegal migrants and to find a way, even if you don’t have to pass a referendum, pass just a law in Parliament giving all those who are born in The Bahamas the right to remain in The Bahamas and not subject to the terror – real terror – of being picked up at random, held in detention indefinitely and deported. And so that is a very simple and quick fix, it doesn’t need a referendum. “The second issue is that the conditions at the Carmichael Immigration Detention Facility have been intolerably inhuman and degrading for decades. Let’s not play with this situation. “And so, all of the members of our delegation, all five of us, including RFK with Kacey Mordecai, we love our country; we don’t want to beat it internationally. We want to be proud of The Bahamas. And so we implore the government, work with us as well.
We want to work with our government to try and find solutions. We are not the enemy. We love our Bahamas as each different government does when it gets into power. Work with us! “And so, although the government hasn’t extended the invitation to us, Rights Bahamas, RFK Centre for Justice and Human Rights, but it has extended it to the Commission, we ask the representatives of The Bahamas government if they will now extend the same invitation to the human rights organisations in The Bahamas, to inspect the Carmichael Detention Centre regularly. We don’t have to wait for commissioners from an international forum to come and police our own nation. You have citizens of your own country who want to help you do better. Use us! We are not the enemy. “We would like to work with the government to help ameliorate the conditions at the Detention Centre, and also as the Commissioners have said, detention ought not to apply to immigrants. So the reality is, just as the government for hundreds of Cubans years ago, bailed them out and allowed them to go into the community on condition that the members of the community returned them, many many Haitian migrants or those waiting for documentation can live and be constructive and productive members of society, instead of it costing the government hundreds of millions of dollars, as you say, to keep them in an illegal detention centre. Let them out and let them work in the community. “The Bahamas is a small country, but we need hundreds of thousands more people to make it grow and produce. Geographically it’s a huge country. We should stop focusing on the fact that we have a small population and recognise that we are a member of a much larger global community and that immigrants are not criminals. They are human beings like each one of us, trying to make a better life. And so the whole mentality, the visceral hatred and xenophobia that exists in The Bahamas has to be… your government is a much more enlightened one than many of the previous ones, I beg you work with civil society to help change this mindset that foreigners, in particular Haitian migrants, are some kind of disease that must be banished from The Bahamas.” The full text of the presentations by Ms St Fleur, Messrs Georges and Thompson can be found on the Facebook page: Human Rights Bahamas
PAGE 8 MONDAY, MAY 20, 2019
By Malcolm Strachan
T
HE Bible has told us much about sparing “the rod of correction”. In turn, we have bastardised what refers to guidance and discipline to justify downright child abuse. While some of us, many of whom have turned out to be productive citizens, reflect fondly on the days of taking the walk to what felt like the gallows to pick the switch off the tree, it is time to have a serious discussion on why this is still culturally accepted in our country. Two very different, but intersecting issues that occurred in the news last week have brought this conversation to the forefront. First, surely our timelines would have been filled with commentary by the social media mob who would have turned the now locally famous “Muffin” into pancakes and the like – once again, exhibiting how insensitive we can be as a people in the face of very serious issues. How easy it is for us to simply discard one another over a few seconds – a mere snapshot – that goes viral over social media. That’s all it takes for everyone to become the expert, offering their flawed opinions on how they would perpetuate a destructive cycle. The voices of reason on such issues, unfortunately, are drowned out by negative input from our brothers and sisters. Which is why it is so disappointing that those with the platform continue to make mischief and bring unwarranted shame on their country when their energies can be focused on areas that need it most. Rights Bahamas, the ironically-named organisation concerned predominantly with the rights of immigrants, Haitians in particular, ignored where
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Why is corporal punishment still accepted in this country?
RIGHTS Bahamas had the government called to the 172nd session of the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights in Jamaica. they were needed right here at home - just as they were having the government called to the 172nd session of the Inter-American
Commission of Human Rights in Jamaica to respond to a petition on the treatment of migrants. This is especially concerning
this was done while the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill is currently out for consultation. If that had not been enough to question the organisation’s motives, scouring through their Facebook posts last week, there was no mention of the child abuses that took place last week. Absolutely none. One would think that an organisation formed to argue the rights of “Bahamians” would be leading the charge in this regard. It is frustrating to continually stomach how we refuse to mature as a nation. Have we not considered the damning effects for children growing up experiencing such trauma? We do not have all of the facts in Muffin’s case. However, we do know that an adult was the person recording a child visibly upset and refusing to obey a command. Are we simply to surmise that a child is “stinking rude”, and not for a second, question the intentions of the person recording the child?
As noted earlier, we love to reference, “spare the rod, spoil the child”. But what about another scripture: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord?” Where are the organisations championing these causes – the rights of our children? In March of this year, Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell made a plea to parents and the wider community to be more vigilant in keeping our children safe. This was done in response to the spate of child abductions taking place. We’ve yet to hear an official statement from the minister on this latest issue. Though senior assistant director of the Children and Family Division of Social Services Charlamae Fernander called into question our cultural beliefs on the issue of corporal punishment. “I don’t know if it’s because of cultural beliefs or whatever, but people
MINISTER of Education Jeff Lloyd. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
often don’t know where the line is between discipline and abuse,” she said. Also, drawing the comparison between discipline and punishment, Fernander said: “Punishment means that you do not care if the person learns anything, you just want to strike out and punish them. Discipline is meant to be a teaching method…” It would seem that this sums it up. Too often, we are insensitive about how another is affected by a situation. It’s as if we see each other as subhuman. Was it too much to wonder what Muffin has gone through in her young life to have that much anger? That much frustration? No question, this was a child who has become hardened and obviously fed up. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that we accept “stinking rude” behaviour. Not at all. Rather, we truly practice what the Bible teaches us in Proverbs 13:24 – the true meaning. It says: “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” It is our responsibility, as the adults who care for these children to love, nurture and guide them showing them the way that they should go about life. Discipline them through loving instruction, as being a parent or guardian requires patience. Choosing punishment is a dangerous game of roulette – where we’re potentially building young people who are callous and filled with hate and resentment. Who wants to grow old in a world like that? Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd confirmed police are now involved as the person recording the ordeal is likely being interrogated on the grounds of recording and publishing material with a minor on social media. Hopefully, this creates a forum to discuss the child abuse that potentially takes place in many homes across this nation. Just because many of us have grown up to be functioning citizens in society, it is lost on us when we’re grappling with the many issues we face in this country. Perhaps, we need to look no further than in the mirror. Not until we begin to question the vicious cycles we’ve been a part of and consider how we can break them for the better will we get serious about change.
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
INSIGHT
MONDAY, MAY 20, 2019 PAGE 9
SECRETARY General of the Organization of American States Luis Almagro Miguel speaks during a joint statement with Bolivia’s president at the government palace in La Paz, Bolivia at the weekend. Almagro is in Bolivia on an official visit.
CARICOM must unify to resist the imposition of OAS chief R EADERS of this commentary, particularly those in small countries, might wonder why they should be concerned about who is the chief executive officer (CEO) of any multilateral or international organisation. It could be claimed the disposition of the person holding such an office, is far removed from the existence of people who are focussed on the necessities of living and improving their lives. They would be wrong to dismiss interest in the holders of these positions. Caribbean small states are already marginalised in the world with little account being taken of the significant threats posed to their well-being. Among those threats are climate change, global warming, exclusion from access to concessional funds for development, very poor terms of trade, increasing erosion of their sovereign rights over matters such as the rate of taxes they charge and the incentives they offer to businesses so as to remain globally competitive in the industries that provide employment and the opportunity for ownership. In this context, it is vitally important to people in small and vulnerable countries that the CEOs of intergovernmental organisations are people with a commitment to reducing poverty, advancing economic development, improving access to education and training, and promoting international arrangements that allow developing countries to compete in the global community. It is also important such CEOs be genuinely interested in safeguarding human rights, protecting citizens from abuse by governments, and upholding democracy and freedom of expression. These are the qualities that heads of multilateral and international organisations should possess if they are to serve the interests of the global community, particularly the people of small and vulnerable nations. Inevitably, however, governments of larger and more powerful countries dictate who ends up in these positions. These governments select candidates who serve their interests and, using their greater financial resources and capacity to pressure others, they ensure their appointments. In the cases of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the
European Union and the US have long since arrogated the posts of heads of these organisations to themselves through an understanding between them that the US will hold the headship of the Bank and the Europeans the headship of the Fund. Invariably, the holders of these posts are then in thrall to their patrons and, over the decades of the existence of the two organisations, few of them have strayed far from the positions of their sponsors. There are only a few organisations in which Caribbean countries have a genuine opportunity to influence who is elected as their chief executive. The Organisation of American States (OAS) is one of them. Repeatedly, I have called for the 14 member states of the Caribbean community (CARICOM), that are also members of the OAS, to nominate one suitably qualified Caribbean candidate for the post of SecretaryGeneral or to agree on a non-Caribbean person who would be mindful of the importance of Caribbean interests. It is alarming that, counter to all electoral arrangements that have ever been instituted for the election of the OAS Secretary-General, certain governments are busy promoting the idea that, at the OAS General Assembly in Colombia in June, 18 countries should force through the re-election of the incumbent, Luis Almagro, for a second term – one year before such an election is due, and for which no proper arrangements have been made. This process is usually called “rigging”. Such an action would be as unprecedented as it would be wrong. A forced re-election of Mr Almagro, one year before an election is due, would be highly improper. But, it could be done. The rules allow for the nomination of a candidate up to the morning of the day an election is held. And if, as has been the recent experience, 18 countries vote to hold such an election at the General Assembly in June, it can be done. In this way, any possibility of an unprepared CARICOM nominating a
single Caribbean candidate or coalescing behind an approved non-Caribbean candidate, would be scuttled. The decision of the 18 would prevail and the interests of the Caribbean and the Caribbean people would be swept aside. That is why Caribbean people should be interested in this matter and in the position their governments take. The behaviour of Mr Almagro as SecretaryGeneral of the OAS has left much to be desired. He is a very bright and clever man and with a different attitude he might have served well the OAS and all its member-states. But, instead of ending divisions by building bridges between states and working to garner consensus within the organisation, Mr Almagro has become a divisive figure. Further, his disregard for the Permanent Council, which is comprised of the representatives of governments, and his readiness to pronounce his own strongly-held views in the name of the OAS, have compromised the organisation, depriving it of a role in resolving conflicts within member states of the organisation and between them. Additionally, the Caribbean has suffered under his stewardship through the absence of any advocacy on his part to maintain funding for Caribbean programmes. Beyond the necessity for a challenge to him, given his record, his forced re-election by any foisted process would leave the OAS in tatters. It may even cause some member states to reassess the value of their continued membership of an organisation which is ruled by the will of a simple majority and the officers they impose. For previous elections of a Secretary-General, including Mr Almagro’s own election, the Permanent Council of the OAS put rules and procedures in place. Among those rules were that a date for elections would be set by the Permanent Council and member states would nominate candidates who would make public presentations to the Organisation on their proposals and initiatives prior to the elections. It has never been envisaged, as is being
done now by some governments, that the preparation for elections of the Secretary-General would not follow established rules and that a fully democratic process would not be adopted. CARICOM states will have to assert themselves immediately in the OAS in nothing short of full
“
regional solidarity and unity to insist on a Permanent Council meeting that sets the rules for the elections on a democratic and consensus basis. Anything less than full CARICOM unity will hurt the region’s interests.
The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to
the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com
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PAGE 10 MONDAY, MAY 20, 2019
GAIN AN EDGE A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Kathy’s message for her students - there’s hope for your dream GAIN AN EDGE
A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
KATHY Pinder was a ‘creative’ way before the term became popular. In fact, she began her informal fashion design career at the age of 13 while using the remnant fabric from her father’s drapery store. “My sister was my dummy. I experimented on her and the neighbours. It was my passion. I would visualise things; I even envisioned being a model,” said Ms Pinder. That passion for fashion was supported by her father, Max Hamilton, who once owned Draperies Etc. “He was an artist and understood my passion although some people thought it was taboo back then. He supported my dream and fully funded me,” she said. Ms Pinder furthered her talent while as a student of Queen’s College High School, after which she studied at Bauder Fashion College and American College for the Applied Arts in Atlanta, Georgia then the American College based in London. For the past 26 years, Ms. Pinder has been a faculty member of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) and is currently serving as Chair of Fashion for the second non-consecutive time. Throughout these nearly three decades, her focus remains the students. “Once they graduate, I still work with them. I keep in mind BTVI’s mission statement; I want them to become entrepreneurs. I don’t want to go to the Wendy’s window and see them working. I want them to not only become entrepreneurs, but to employ others. Sometimes I even learn from my students,” she stated. Ms Pinder explained why it is so important to help her students. “They mean a whole lot to me. I have two children and people gave to my children. Someone gave my son a car for a dollar and my daughter practically went off to school for free. I must help others,” she said. Besides spending many hours at BTVI with her students, Ms Pinder has her own label: Kathy of Nassau. The fashion designer believes when she creates a piece, she is creating a work of art. “I don’t just take a client and make a dress. I get into their
CHAIR of BTVI’s Fashion programme, Kathy Pinder, take a moment to smile for the camera while helping a student.
personality, what colour suits them and the silhouette that best suits them too. I take the attention off their flaws. I even help with accessories, hair, make-up, ensuring they are complete,” she explained. Furthermore, Ms Pinder spoke of her preferred taste when designing clothes. “I like monochromatic schemes, which is using different shades of one colour and my clothing is tailored. I like feminine twists. I like to make flowers, cut shapes and paint on fabrics. I like to create the fabric, making it original – not anything that is already made up and pretty. It becomes my own,” she said.
Back in 2014, Ms Pinder was one of 14 Bahamian designers whose work sizzled on the runway at the Red Dress Soirée, with proceeds benefiting The Bahamas
AIDS Foundation. Her fashion inspirations includes Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier, Ralph Lauren and Alexander McQueen. Ms Pinder believes the fashion business will always thrive. “There will always be work to do such as brides, mothers of the bride, maternity wear with women showing off their bump, christenings, funerals, birthdays etc. People are really hungry for this type of work. Bahamians are people who like to celebrate,” she said. Ms Pinder went on to encourage anyone who is interested in fashion to, “Go for it”. “There is money to be made
and lots of opportunities. Find your niche. There is a hope for that dream. People back in the day disrespected the profession. Nowadays, there is respect for it. It was considered menial, but some people who sew can do better than highly paid people,” she added. Meanwhile, Ms Pinder said besides teaching her students hard skills, soft skills are a must. “One thing I tell my students, ‘You might be good at what you do, but if you don’t have good work ethics, you kill it. When dealing with clients, have good work ethics’,” she stated.
WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY TO BE SAFE FROM CRIME BE vigilant and help keep your community safe from crime.
Community safety and inseparability is a team effort and it starts with you.
No place is immune to crime, team work with members in your community and family members can make a difference to minimise it
Know your neighbours. Being able to recognise who lives in your neighbourhood goes a long way in recognising when there
is a suspicious person in the area. Be aware of your neighbour’s habits, such as when they are generally at work, if they have small children or teenagers, if they are elderly and may need extra assistance from time to time. This awareness will make the neighbourhood a much tighter community, and everyone will be able to better prevent crime. Get your children well acquainted with the community Take walks with your children frequently and show them around the neighbourhood during the day or on the weekends. If they are ever lost or stumble across a neighbour’s child who may be lost, they can easily find their way home safely. Also, inform them of potential unsafe areas so that they know to avoid getting close to them. Encourage your children to frequent public areas and avoid alleyways or areas where they can easily be kidnapped, attacked or cornered. Violence in our communities is killing our children and destroying families. It is time that all citizens, residents and visitors feel safe from crime. It is
a challenge each of us can do something about. Let us reclaim our communities, because this violence is ripping our community apart. Too many lives lost and injured and this violence such as murders are more likely between people who know each other than between strangers. We often wonder why someone turns to violence. It is my opinion that people turn to violence because of: • Peer pressure • To boosts self-esteem through violence • The lack of inability to control attitudes, emotions, and reactions • Other family members and/or friends that are into violence • Lack of love and attention in the home from parents Let us all come together in this fight against violence and crime and create safer communities. Report suspicious persons hanging around in your community and report crime as soon as possible by calling the police at 919, 911 or CRIME STOPPERS at 328-TIPS (8477) (New Providence) or 1-242-3008476 (Family Islands)
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THE TRIBUNE By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net POLICE will continue to focus on high visibility throughout the capital, according to Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash, who expressed concerns over the recent downtown abduction and sexual assault of two young women. CSP Cash called the abduction an isolated incident, telling The Tribune that what began as an armed robbery – a crime of opportunity – led to several other crimes. “You need to be concerned about where you go,” Mr Cash said on Friday, “how you park, particularly if you are far away from where you are going. It makes you vulnerable prey. “It is a concern when you have incidents like this happen in the downtown area, high areas where we have a lot of social activities. We want people to be cognisant of their surroundings, particularly where they park, especially when it’s far away.” The young women were taken from the area of Nassau Court near McDonald’s downtown around 11.30pm on Wednesday. During the three-hour ordeal, one of the women was raped and the other was forced to perform a sexual act on the men, according to unofficial reports. The women are believed to be around 18 and were headed to a bar in downtown Nassau when the incident happened, The Tribune was told. The men allegedly attempted to get a
Monday, May 20, 2019, PAGE 11
High visibility policing is key, says CSP Cash after two girls attacked i’m lovin’ it!
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Volume:116 No.100, MAY 17TH, 2019
A SECOND man has had his hopes of contesting his conviction for attempting to murder another man during a botched armed robbery seven years ago dashed by the Court of Appeal. The appellate court dismissed Rashad McPhee’s application for more time to appeal a jury’s finding that he tried to kill Hueton Lloyd Jr while trying to rob him of his Honda Accord in 2012. That comes less than a year after Errol Knowles, McPhee’s cousin and the one who eventually killed Lloyd, had his application for more time, and consequently his intended appeal, dismissed. It is alleged Lloyd was seated in his red Honda Accord around 2am on Key West Street when Knowles and McPhee tried to rob him at gunpoint. Lloyd was shot multiple times after resisting the robbery attempt. According to McPhee’s statement that he gave to police under caution, on May 12, 2012, he, Knowles and another individual named Carlos Darville were travelling west on Key West Street after having left the Village Pub because a group of boys had confronted them. He said the trio ended up encountering Lloyd, who was in a red Honda Accord. McPhee said Knowles subsequently approached Lloyd and told him to get out of the car. Lloyd refused. McPhee said Knowles then pulled out a gun. Lloyd then got out of the car. However, McPhee said when Lloyd reached for his waist, Knowles shot him. McPhee said Lloyd consequently ran from his car and away from Knowles, but the latter ran behind him and shot him five times. McPhee said afterwards, he and Knowles went to Lloyd’s car and Knowles attempted to start it. However, it didn’t start, and the trio took off running, eventually splitting up in the process. McPhee said a few days later, Knowles told him not
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warning US citizens that WEEKEND: JONATHAN FINDING FAME IN THE BIG APPLE violent crime such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault were common in tourist areas in New Providence. ‘PLP NEEDS CREDIBLE CANDIDATES’ The alert noted the vast Friends grabbed by gunmen and majority of crimes occurred held for ransom in the capital and Grand Bahama, but added the Police statistics indicate Family Islands were not HUNG JURY crime-free. reported TAXI PLATE CHANGErapes increasedIN WOMAN’S TO BEAT HACKERS last year by six percent overMURDER CSP Cash continued: “Our primary objective is 2017. GRIEF TURNS ANGER On Friday,TOCSP Cash was to prevent crime, and one asked whether the incident of the strategies is police MOTHER PRATT’S MANDELA HONOUR indicated a need for increased presence throughout the police presence in the down- entire city, not in one partown area. He declined to ticular area. “It’s one of the things comment on whether its proximity to high tourist traf- in our policing strategy to fic spot will prompt renewed have high visibility of officsecurity warnings from the ers, so we will continue to focus on that.” US embassy. On Thursday, police said In February, the US State Department issued three men were being held a “Level Two: Exercise for questioning in connecIncreased Caution” alert tion to the incident. All the world’s a stage
Teenage girls’ rape nightmare
Rising Bahamian star takes
on New York
pages 4 & 5
A COMIC’S VIEW WHAT NOT TO DO AT YOUR OFFICE SUMMER PARTY
SEE PAGE EIGHT
By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE harrowing abduction and sexual assault of two young women yesterday morning has led police to detain three men for questioning, officials confirmed yesterday. The women are believed to be around 18 and were headed to a bar in downtown Nassau when the incident happened, The Tribune understands.
By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
THERE are “roughly 5,000” self-drive licence plates in circulation, according to Road Traffic Controller Bradley Sands, who yesterday suggested some rental car operators are presently “illegally crossing over” into the taxi business. Mr Sands, who was appointed to the post last September, said he has
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party deputy leader Chester Cooper has stressed the need for the party’s 2022 general election candidates to be “good” and “credible” people. A week after the Free National Movement celebrated its historic 2017 landslide victory at the polls - leaving the PLP with a meagre four seats in Parliament - Mr Cooper said: “We need to understand no one is going to hand an election to us. We have to go out there and seize it.”
According to a source, the women allege they were approached by two armed men with dreadlocks. They were forced into a car and driven around. They were allegedly ordered to cover their heads in their laps so they couldn’t see where they were being taken. One of the women was ordered to throw her phone away, it is claimed. During the three-hour ordeal, one of the women
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received several reports of “unscrupulous behaviour and activities” related to some of the smaller selfdrive operators. Transport Minister Renward Wells on Tuesday announced his ministry was moving forward with plans to facilitate the colour change of taxi plates, insisting the move would bring about the “needed” differentiation between the two services.
SEE PAGE NINE
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
TYRONNE PERPALL, the brother of slain Petty Officer Percival Philip Perpall, delivered a blistering attack on the RBDF yesterday during his military funeral. Full story - Page 3 Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net
FORMER prime ministers, politicians, family members and friends all joined Cynthia “Mother” Pratt at Prayer and Praise Assembly yesterday for an international humanitarian award ceremony. Mrs Pratt was awarded the 2019 Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award and a NPAN certificate as a
MOTHER PRATT YESTERDAY
21st century Pan-African “change agent”. The New Pan-African
Movement (NPAN) awarded Mrs Pratt for her long-standing commitment to community building. Mrs Pratt said the ceremony would not be possible without the help of her friend, Alizè Utteryn. Ms Utteryn, CEO and founder of AlizéLaVie Media, nominated Mrs Pratt for the award. Mrs Pratt said: “Today really is a special day for me. I thought I was
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CHIEF Superintendent Solomon Cash and, inset, how The Tribune reported last week’s incident. ransom by ordering one of the women to call a family member and demand that $1,000 be taken to a specified location. Police investigations led to the recovery of the two young women on Carmichael Road. Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson’s 2019 police plan – tabled in
SECOND MAN FAILS TO APPEAL HIS CONVICTION FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
The Tribune A1MAIN
FRIDAY
to tell anyone about what happened or else he would kill him. Additionally, McPhee was interviewed twice by police over the matter, with his mother present, and on both occasions, he admitted to shooting and killing Lloyd. In the second interview, however, and in response to a question by the officer conducting the interview, McPhee said he admitted to shooting and killing Lloyd “because I scared of Errol”. On February 15, 2016, following a trial before Justice Indra Charles, McPhee was convicted of the armed robbery and attempted armed robbery, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the murder charge. Knowles, meanwhile, was convicted of murder, armed robbery and attempted armed robbery. On October 21, 2016, he was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for armed robbery and ten years for attempted armed robbery, with both sentences to run concurrently. The sentences were reduced to give credit for the time Knowles had previously spent on remand, resulting in him having to serve eight years and three months from the date of sentencing. Concerning the murder conviction, Knowles was sentenced “to be detained during the court’s pleasure with his detention being reviewed after 20 years”. Knowles subsequently appealed Justice Charles’ decision, but did so over a year later. The reason he gave for the delay was that he was confused about the procedure and time frame to appeal. However, the appellate judges said his explanation was “unacceptable”, and found that it could not account for the “substantial” and “inordinate” delay in making the application. And concerning McPhee, the appellate judges said notwithstanding him having two grounds of appeal that had merit, the challenge to the conviction as being unsafe could not succeed. Marianne Cadet represented McPhee on appeal. Cassie Bethel and Eucal Bonaby represented the Crown.
Parliament last month – signaled the organisation’s
intent to put a greater focus on tackling sexual offences.
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A MOTHER was awash in tears yesterday after hearing that a Supreme Court jury was two members short of unanimously convicting the man who was accused of killing her 21-year-old daughter while she was on her cellphone on their front porch four years ago. Lavita Thurston had to SEE PAGE FIVE
DIANE PHILLIPS HOW THE WEATHER CAN AFFECT THE WAY WE FEEL
SEE PAGE TEN
PAGE 12, Monday, May 20, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
FERREIRA PROMISES TO MAKE DISNEY EIA PUBLIC By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
WHILE the final environmental impact assessment for Disney Cruise Line’s proposed Lighthouse Point project has yet to be completed, Environment Minister Romi Ferreira on Friday vowed this information will be made public as soon as it is received by the government. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a key presentation ceremony in Abaco, Mr Ferreira also said he’s “looked at” the EIA for the Oban Energies proposed oil storage and refinery facility
in Grand Bahama, although he declined to give further details on the matter. The Disney deal in South Eleuthera has long been controversial, with activists raising concerns last month about the adequacy of the proposed EIA. Earlier this month, The Tribune reported that in a collaborative letter to Walt Disney’s top senior sustainability officer, environmentalists noted the recently released Heads of Agreement for Lighthouse Point describes a project “far larger than anticipated”. When asked to respond to this, Mr Ferreira told reporters: “An (EIA) is a planning tool and the purpose of that tool is to take any
development and do like a cost/ benefit analysis.” He added this is an example of analysing the “greatest benefit for the greatest number of people”. “That’s the whole purpose of an (EIA) tool,” he continued. “So that tool will be applied and is applied to all developers in a country and the Disney development in South Eleuthera will be no exception. “I have not received the final (EIA) for it but as we get the info we will make it public on the government’s website and we encourage all Bahamians (to) keep abreast of what’s going on so you can weigh the pros and cons
for yourself so you can come to an informed opinion.” Mr Ferreira was also asked whether he was confident due diligence is being undertaken in the matter. Underscoring that the EIA has yet to be completed, Mr Ferreira noted the way EIAs are completed is not a mystery. “So the protocol as to what’s involved in an (EIA), that’s kind of like known science, well established. That’s not going to change. What changes or what happens is that there is a degree of specificity for a particular project and even that—I mean this is really nothing new, the construction
of a pier and the installation of amenities…there’s no new ground breaking there at all, they’re all well-established industrial activities with well-known impacts and well known mitigating measures.” Mr Ferreira was also asked to address the delay with releasing the Oban Energies EIA. To this, Mr Ferreira noted Labour Minister Dion Foulkes is chairman of that particular committee. “I’m sure that at the appropriate time, everything will be made public,” he added. Mr Ferreira also said he’s seen and looked at the EIA but declined to comment on the matter.
FROM left are the Minister of the Environment and Housing, Romauld Ferreira; Janice Miller, Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of the Environment and Housing; Sinclair King, homeowner; Prime Minister Minnis; Okita Parks, homeowner; James Albury, Member of Parliament for South Abaco; LaFrance Williams, Ministry of the Environment and Housing; and Kyle Johnson, homeowner. By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THREE home owners in the Spring City subdivision of Abaco received their keys from the prime minister on Friday. At a special ceremony, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced that all the homes in that area have been completed, and noted the extension of the serviced lots initiative through the Central Pines subdivision. Conveyances and deeds are now available for residents of the Crossing Rock area who never received these for their properties, he said. The three new homeowners were all under the age of 30, and they expressed overwhelming joy at reaching this milestone in the home-owning process. The housing provision for Spring City was originally set at 56 homes in 2011, according to Dr
PM hands over the keys to Abaco homes Minnis, who recounted the area’s history during his remarks. However, he said only 38 were built. The completion of the remaining 18 houses was planned for 2013, and set to be funded with a loan by the National Insurance Board, but it never materialised, Dr Minnis continued. “Though the funds for completion were disbursed, none of the houses were completed,” he said. “The houses were left in various stages of completion, but with no funds to complete the homes.
“Sadly, all of the funding for this project was paid out, but with no financial means of completing the 18 houses as all the funds from NIB were depleted.” Subsequently, Dr Minnis said the Ministry of Housing asked the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation (BMC) to use its funds to complete the houses. He added BMC hired “reputable contractors” who effectively completed the work. Dr Minnis also addressed the extension of the serviced lots initiative, which
was launched last year with the intention of giving Bahamians access to affordable homes by way of the transfer of land title to qualified candidates in areas across the country, including Central Pines. He said development for phase one of the project for this subdivision “far exceeded the government’s plans” and thus will be extended. He added 60 lots are now available for sale. Regarding Crossing Rock, Dr Minnis said during a visit last year he learned that some residents
of the area never received conveyances or deeds to property they purchased and constructed homes. He said at the time he promised to resolve this issue and made good on this vow on Friday, announcing that residents can collect their deeds and conveyances from the Office of the Prime Minister in Marsh Harbour, Abaco. Sinclair King, 23, was one of the recipients of the Spring City keys on Friday. “It means success,” she told The Tribune following the ceremony, adding that
she has been engaging in the home owning process for a little over a year. Ms King, who described the initiative as a “relief”, noted that she works three jobs and attends school full time. She added the initiative is a help to young people. Kyle Johnson, 28, described the experience as another step towards independence. “It’s been really tough and rough and at the same time it’s exciting,” he said. “It was a lot of emotions just mixed up in one.”
24 NURSES COMPLETE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON GB By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net TWENTY-FOUR high school students completed the Nursing Cadet Programme at the Grand Bahama Health Services last week bringing an end to several weeks of training at the Rand Memorial
Hospital. The group is anticipated to enter the country’s nursing sector, which is currently experiencing a crisis due to the retirement of nurses in the country and the global demand for such workers. In Grand Bahama alone, the public health care system is short of some 55 registered nurses, according
to Principal Nursing Officer Cherlyn Bain. The cadet programme was introduced over a decade ago to attract and recruit more young people to the profession to address the nursing shortage. Students from various high schools on Grand Bahama reported every Tuesday to RMH to gain
hands on experience and training. The candidates learned how to take vitals, and the fundamentals of patient health care. Ms Bain said the cadets are encouraged to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing by enrolling at the University of The Bahamas. She noted that nursing grants are available for
students enrolled in the UB nursing programme, and that their tuition is paid by the Ministry of Health. “Right here in Grand Bahama, we are short of about 55 registered nurses and I will tell you why. Health, providing health care for all, encompasses not only health care delivery in the hospitals, but
also in the various clinics, at home and the schools. Because of that, we want to make sure that we deliver quality health care to persons throughout the community. That is what National Health Insurance is all about and for us to meet the people where they are I need qualified nurses to do so,” she said.
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Monday, May 20, 2019, PAGE 13
12 AFRICANS IN CUSTODY AFTER SMUGGLING RING UNCOVERED By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
IMMIGRATION officials believe they have uncovered an elaborate human smuggling scheme in Grand Bahama involving 12 African nationals. Immigration officer Napthali Cooper reported that ten men and two women from Africa were taken into custody on Thursday morning for overstaying their visitor status. He reported that the nationals departed Lagos on May 2, flying to Istanbul, then on to Cuba, and finally arriving in Nassau on May 4 where they were landed for three days. According to Mr Cooper, the group purported to have travelled to The Bahamas
as “crew members” with the expressed intention of joining the vessel Deepwater Asgard in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Elnet Maritime Agency Ltd was selected to have been the local agent facilitating the transaction. However, Mr Cooper said the 12 crew members never showed up in Freeport on May 3, as scheduled and failed to contact the local shipping agency. He said they discovered the ship did not arrive as was anticipated by Elnet Maritime. Mr Cooper stated immigration officers, acting on information received, proceeded to No 17 Riviera Towers in the Lucaya area where five African nationals were taken into custody
after their passports revealed they had overstayed their time. Acting on further information received, immigration officers also went to an apartment in Holmes Rock where seven more African nationals were taken into custody for overstaying. The 12 people were taken to Department of Immigration headquarters for processing. Mr Cooper said it is believed the group was involved in an elaborate scheme to be smuggled into the United States. “The 12 Africans were posing as crew members and travelled all the way from Cameroon and Nigeria to the Bahamas to be smuggled into the US,” he said.
Drug seizures already ahead of 2018 levels By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
DRUG seizures conducted as part of collaborative efforts to combat trafficking in The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos have already outpaced those of 2018. According to United States Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere Cynthia Kierscht on Friday, major gains were achieved as the US and its Caribbean partners worked together towards shared security in the region. The remarks were made during Ms Kierscht’s readout of the 8th Caribbean-U.S. Security Cooperation Dialogue during a telephonic briefing. “So far in fiscal year 2019, our drug interdiction efforts in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos have already exceeded by 150 percent the amount of illegal drugs seized in all of fiscal year 2018,” she said on Friday. Similar efforts have also been made in the Dominican Republic. Regarded as
the largest Caribbean transit point for cocaine, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative has yielded a 250 percent increase in cocaine interdictions from 2017 to 2018. And in Jamaica, she told listeners, efforts resulted in the extradition of 18 lottery scammers from there who preyed on the elderly, “so that they will face justice for their crimes”. In April, a report focusing on drugs and chemical control containing a memorandum from President Donald Trump to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listed the Bahamas among those considered major illicit drug transit or drug producing countries for the 2019 fiscal year. It said the Bahamas remained a significant transshipment point for illicit drugs bound for the US and other countries. “Traffickers blend in among numerous pleasure craft moving between Florida and the Bahamas. Trafficking also occurs through commercial freighters and commercial and private planes,” the report said.
“Trafficking enables and strengthens transnational criminal organisations and gang activity.” It also said: “In 2018, these operations resulted in numerous arrests and the seizure of cocaine and marijuana. “Demand for cocaine within the country remains low, though a small domestic market does exist. Use of marijuana, including among adolescents, remains a concern.” It mentioned that the government was reviewing a 2018 CARICOM Regional Commission on Marijuana report that recommended the declassification of marijuana as a dangerous drug and its reclassification as a controlled substance; however, the government has not proposed any associated policy changes. The report further highlighted that efforts between The Bahamas and US law enforcement during the first 10 months of 2018 led to 203 arrests and the seizure of approximately 176kg of cocaine, 5.66 metric tonnes of marijuana, $1,693,809 in currency and $43,400 in assets.
PAGE 14, Monday, May 20, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
SWISS VOTERS APPROVE TIGHTER GUN LAWS, LINING UP WITH THE EU GENEVA Associated Press SWISS voters yesterday approved a measure to tighten the Alpine nation’s gun laws, bringing the country in line with many of its European partners despite the objections of local gun owners, official results showed. The Federal Chancellery said provisional results showed nearly 64 percent of voters nationwide agreed to align with European Union firearms rules adopted two years ago after deadly attacks in France, Belgium, Germany and Britain. The vote was part
of Switzerland’s regular referendums that give citizens a direct say in policymaking. It had stoked passions in a country with long, proud traditions of gun ownership and sport and target shooting. Switzerland, unlike many other European nations, allows veterans of its obligatory military service for men to take home their service weapons after tours of duty. The Swiss proposal, among other things, requires regular training on the use of firearms, special waivers to own some semiautomatic weapons and serial number tracking system for key
parts of some guns. Gun owners would have to register any weapons not already registered within three years, and keep a registry of their gun collections. Supporters of the measure, who included the Swiss parliament and executive branch, said similar measures adopted by the EU after deadly extremist attacks are needed to ensure strong police cooperation and economic ties with Switzerland’s partners in Europe’s Schengen visa-free travel zone. They insisted it will not block law-abiding citizens from obtaining legal guns, but would simply do more to track them.
Switzerland is not an EU member, but it is in the Schengen zone. Opponents insisted the proposal would violate Switzerland’s constitution and do little to fight extremism or crime. They said the weapons used in recent attacks in Europe weren’t obtained legally. They argued the proposal cracks down mainly on lawful gun owners in Switzerland and rams through what they see as the latest diktat from Brussels. Jean-Luc Addor, a populist Swiss People’s Party lawmaker from the southwestern Valais region, said adopting the EU directive would be “unjust,
freedom-killing, useless, dangerous, and above all, anti-Swiss”. “With no effect on the fight against terrorism, it will only hit honest, law-abiding citizens who possess legal weapons,” he wrote on his website. “It’s the epitome of injustice.” Carmelo Lagana, project manager for foreign trade at economiesuisse, the country’s top business federation, insisted Switzerland would suffer if Swiss police couldn’t continue to have access to Schengen-zone databases. He also said the country had an important say in negotiations with the European Union.
17 INJURED AS BOMB HITS BUS NEAR PYRAMIDS
MADONNA’S OFF MESSAGE AT EUROVISION TEL AVIV Associated Press EUROVISION Song Contest organisers said they were taken aback by the display of a Palestinian flag during Madonna’s guest appearance, which defied contest rules. While Madonna performed her new single, two of her dancers flashed Israeli and Palestinian flags pinned on their backs. The European Broadcast Union said Madonna had not cleared that part of the act with broadcasters and “was advised as to the non-political nature of the event.” Madonna later defended the stunt on Twitter, writing, “I am grateful for the opportunity to spread the message of peace and unity with the world.”
CAIRO Associated Press
MADONNA performing at Eurovision in Israel.
Billionaire pays off $40m student debts Associated Press
A BILLIONAIRE technology investor stunned the entire graduating class at Morehouse College when he announced yesterday that he would pay off their student loans - estimated at $40 million. Robert F Smith made the announcement while addressing nearly 400 graduating seniors of the all-male historically black college in Atlanta. Smith, who is black, is the Founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm that invests in software, data, and technology-driven companies. “On behalf of the eight generations of my family that have been in this country, we’re gonna put a little fuel in your bus,” the investor and philanthropist told graduates in his morning address. “This is my class, 2019. And my family is making a grant to eliminate their student loans.” The announcement immediately
BILLIONAIRE Robert F Smith drew stunned looks from faculty and students alike. Then the graduates broke into the biggest cheers of the morning. Morehouse said it is the single largest gift to the college. Smith, who received an honorary doctorate from Morehouse during the ceremony, had already announced a $1.5 million gift to the school. The pledge to eliminate
student debt for the class of 2019 is estimated to be $40 million. Smith said he expected the recipients to “pay it forward” and said he hoped that “every class has the same opportunity going forward.” “Because we are enough to take care of our own community,” Smith said. “We are enough to ensure that we have all the opportunities of the American dream. And we will show it to each other through our actions and through our words and through our deeds.” In the weeks before graduating, 22-year-old finance major Aaron Mitchom drew up a spreadsheet to calculate how long it would take him to pay back his $200,000 in student loans — 25 years at half his monthly salary, per his calculations. In an instant, that number vanished. Mitchom, sitting in the crowd, wept. “I can delete that spreadsheet,” he said in an interview after the commencement. “I don’t have to live off of peanut
butter and jelly sandwiches. I was shocked. My heart dropped. We all cried. In the moment it was like a burden had been taken off.” His mother, Tina Mitchom, was also shocked. Eight family members, including Mitchom’s 76-year-old grandmother, took turns over four years co-signing on the loans that got him across the finish line. “It takes a village,” she said. “It now means he can start paying it forward and start closing this gap a lot sooner, giving back to the college and thinking about a succession plan” for his younger siblings. Morehouse College president David A. Thomas said the gift would have a profound effect on the students’ futures. “Many of my students are interested in going into teaching, for example, but leave with an amount of student debt that makes that untenable,” he said. “It was a liberation gift for these young men that just opened up their choices.”
A ROADSIDE bomb hit a tourist bus yesterday near the Giza Pyramids, wounding at least 17 people including tourists, Egyptian officials said. The officials said the bus was travelling on a road close to the under-construction Grand Egyptian Museum, which is located adjacent to the Giza Pyramids but is not yet open to tourists. The bus was carrying at least 25 people mostly from South Africa, officials added. The attack comes as Egypt’s vital tourism industry is showing signs of recovery after years in the doldrums because of the political turmoil and violence that followed a 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Hosni Mubarak. The officials said security forces cordoned off the site of the explosion and the wounded were taken to a nearby hospital. The explosion damaged a windshield of another car, they said. Footage circulated online shows shattered windows of the bus. Atif Moftah, general supervisor of the Grand Egyptian Museum, said the explosion did not cause any damage to the museum, in a statement issued by the antiquities ministry. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. It is the second to target foreign tourists near the famed pyramids in less than six months. In December, a bus carrying 15 Vietnamese tourists was hit by a roadside bomb, killing at least three of them.
MY BODY, MY CHOICE - PROTEST POT LEGALISATION 2.0: SOCIAL AGAINST ALABAMA ABORTION BAN EQUITY BECOMES A KEY QUESTION
MONTGOMERY, Alabama Associated Press
NEW YORK Associated Press
HUNDREDS of demonstrators marched to the Alabama capital yesterday to protest the state’s newly approved abortion ban, chanting “my body, my choice!” and “vote them out!” The demonstration came days after Gov. Kay Ivey signed the most stringent abortion law in the nation - making performing an abortion a felony in nearly all cases unless necessary for the mother’s health. The law provides no exception for rape and incest. “Banning abortion does not stop abortion. It stops safe abortion,” said Staci Fox, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Southeast, addressing the cheering crowd outside the Alabama Capitol. Alabama is part of a wave of conservative states seeking to mount new legal challenges to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court
ADVOCATES for legalising marijuana have long argued it would strike a blow for social justice after a decades-long drug war that disproportionately targeted minority and poor communities. But social equity has been both a sticking point and selling point this year in New York and New Jersey, among other states weighing whether to join the 10 that allow recreational use of pot. Complicating the lawmaking process, sometimes even among supporters, are questions about how best to erase marijuana convictions and ensure that people who were arrested for pot benefit from legal marijuana markets. Advocates say legalisation elsewhere hasn’t done enough to achieve those goals. Critics maintain legal pot is even accelerating inequality as the drug becomes big business for companies generally run by white men.
PROTESTERS in Alabama decision that legalised abortion nationwide. Governors in Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Georgia have approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can happen as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. None of the laws has actually taken effect, and all are expected to be blocked by the courts as the legal challenges play out with an ultimate eye on the Supreme Court. Marchers said the measures have energised supporters of legalized abortion, and they say they are digging in for a legal and
political fight. Along the route they took, the protesters passed by scattered counterdemonstrators raising signs against abortion. Two speakers at the rally on the Capitol steps shared their stories of having an abortion, including a woman who came out of the crowd to describe the abortion she had after being raped at a party at age 18. Carrying an orange sign with a coat hanger and the caption “No Never Again,” 69-year-old Deborah Hall of Montgomery said she remembers life before Roe and can’t believe the push to return there.
MARIJUANA PLANTS “We’re at the stage of marijuana reform 2.0,” said Douglas Berman, an Ohio State University law professor who follows marijuana policy. The conversation, he said, has shifted from just being about legalisation to, “which track should we make sure we head down?” Questions about conviction-clearing and other issues contributed to delaying legislative votes on legalising recreational pot that had been expected earlier this spring in New York and New Jersey . The states’ Democratic governors and legislative leaders support legalisation but
confronted differences even within their own party. The New Jersey measure fizzled this week, when the state Senate president said he’ll aim for a 2020 referendum while pursuing separate legislation to expand medical marijuana and expunge low-level pot convictions. Meanwhile, some New York lawmakers said they’ll soon unveil an updated proposal to legalise pot and foster racial and economic equity. Activists remain hopeful the state can set an example. “Social justice is what’s going to propel us, not what’s going to hold us back,” said Kassandra Frederique, the New York director for the prolegalization Drug Policy Alliance. Federal data shows similar percentages of white and black people use marijuana. But the arrest rate for blacks is higher, according to reports by the American Civil Liberties Union and others.