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VOLUME:116 No.229, NOVEMBER 21ST, 2019
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Debt to soar by $1.3bn in five years, but
Don’t be gloomy By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest yesterday disagreed that The Bahamas faces a “grim” economic and fiscal outlook even though government debt is forecast to increase by $1.3bn over the next five years. Mr Turnquest said that strong tourism arrivals, coupled with a foreign direct investment pace that remains “on track”, will enable the country to shrug off Dorian’s devastating impact by generating a 2.1 percent expansion in economic output for 2021. His optimism came despite revealing earlier to the House of Assembly that the category five storm has blown the government off its key deficit and debt ratio reduction targets by between five to ten years depending on the indicator. Its 2019 Fiscal
Strategy Report, tabled in Parliament yesterday, now forecasts that nine-figure deficits will persist for the next five years post-Dorian and only come back into line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act’s 0.5 percent of GDP target by 2024-2025. The report also shows that the sustained “red ink”, caused by the government having to borrow to cover the gap created by its spending exceeding income, is projected to drive its direct debt from $8.205bn this fiscal year to almost $9.5bn. This represents a $1.3bn debt surge that will keep the government far away from achieving the Fiscal Responsibility Act target of a 50 percent debt-to-GDP ratio. That is projected to still be at 62.9 percent in 2024-2025, and Mr Turnquest admitted this ratio will only head towards 50 percent in 2028.
ENVIRONMENTAL offenders can be fined up to $30m and jailed up to ten years when the Environmental Planning and Protection Bill is passed into law. Minister of Environment and Housing Romauld Ferreira revealed this in Parliament yesterday while introducing six environmental bills including the Environmental Planning and Protection Bill 2019. The new piece of
SEE PAGE THREE
ALIV’S SALE SLATED FOR THREE YEARS By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE government is targeting the 2022-2023 fiscal year to exit its 51.75 percent majority ownership in Aliv and raise “at least” $73m, it was revealed yesterday. The 2019 Fiscal Strategy Report disclosed the government’s disposal of its equity stake in the mobile operator will help “reduce financing requirements” for itself as it grapples with a projected $238.6m fiscal deficit that year. Referring to its expanded borrowing requirements to cover Hurricane Dorian restoration costs, the report said: “To cover the balance of financing requirements [in 2019-2020], the government is presently exploring funding opportunities from other multilateral institutions and banks - both international and domestic – and the possibility of a bond offering.”
PLASTICS BAN NEEDS BUY-IN FROM PUBLIC
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
legislation is strict on fines and imprisonment that is proportional to environmental crimes. Mr Ferreira said those found breaking these laws in the future can face fines and jail time. “These fines range from $500 for individuals on summary charges to $30m dollars or jail time for indictable charges or to three times the assessed value of the damage caused, whichever is the greater or a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years, or both,” Mr Ferreira said.
L SOUR CE
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
POLLUTERS COULD BE HIT WITH $30M FINES By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net
$1
THAT’LL BE $25,000, BUDDY BAHAMIAN basketball star Buddy Hield has been fined $25,000 for kicking the ball into the stands following Sacramento’s victory over Boston on Sunday. Full story - See Sport
EXUMA and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper said the government’s upcoming ban on single-use plastics is being implemented too soon. He also hit out at the “punitive” punishment for releasing balloons as a first-time offence under the anticipated law. The ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam will go in place on January 1, 2020. “I support the idea, but I do believe the implementation time is too close,” Mr Cooper said yesterday during debate on a compendium of environmental bills in the House of Assembly. SEE PAGE FIVE
GUNMAN SHOOTS DEAD ‘HUMBLE MUSLIM’ Weekend By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net
POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident that left one man dead and another man in hospital on Tuesday night. According to reports, shortly after 11pm, two men were at Ash Lane, Pinewood Gardens in the vicinity of Mt Tabor Church, when they were approached by a man they
VICTIM: Travis Knowles knew, who shot them and fled the area. Both men were taken to hospital,
where one of them later died from his injuries. The second man is in stable condition, police said. The Tribune understands the victim is 38-yearold Travis “Ferly” Knowles, however, his identity was not released by police. This incident pushed the country’s murder rate to 90, according to The Tribune’s records. As of November 9, 2018, there were 76 homicides, meaning
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PAGE 2, Thursday, November 21, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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OVER the Hill graduation for inner city residents at Edmund Moxey Centre yesterday. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
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THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 21, 2019, PAGE 3
from page one
Polluters could be hit with $30m fines
Another major area of the legislation is transparency for the Environmental Impact Assessment process. Large projects such as the proposed Oban oil storage facility in Grand Bahama and Disney’s planned development for Lighthouse Point have been the subject of scrutiny as it relates to their EIAs. However, with this law, the government hopes in the future to provide a better road map for potential developers seeking approvals. “This bill specifically states that no approval or other documentary authorisation shall be granted for any project that has the potential to have an adverse effect on the environment due to its nature, size, complexity or location unless a certificate of environmental clearance has been issued,” he said. Meantime, the Ministry of the Environment Bill, in the compendium of bills, will establish
two separate funds - the Environmental Administration Fund and Environmental Trust Fund which is to fill in the funding gap and allow the country to take advantage of grant opportunities. “The Environmental Administration Fund will be where fines and levies are deposited, in addition to bonds held for developers. The Environmental Trust Fund – this is different from the administration fund in that it is under the general control of a board of trustees to secure grants
MINISTER of Environment and Housing Romauld Ferreira
Gunman shoots dead ‘humble Muslim’ from page one
murders have increased by 18 percent, according to this newspaper’s analysis. In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, the victim’s sister, Temra Russell, said the horror of the attack on her oldest brother has devastated their family. Mrs Russell said: “Everyone is taking this hard because he doesn’t bother
(anyone), so we trying to understand what happen and pray justice is served. My mother is not eating or anything, but I’m trying to hold everyone together. He was the oldest child of seven, the second oldest brother is in Texas and he isn’t doing well with the news. The third brother, we told him this morning all he said was ‘they kill my brother, they kill my brother.’ “The last brother is away
to school, he’s in shock. He messaged me this morning asking if anything changed since last night, I guess thinking it was a dream. Both sisters and I are just completely out of it. All seven of us lived as one and we are all sad because this happened so close to Christmas. Our home is in Andros, the entire North Andros is hurt today. He was loved all around.” Mrs Russell said her brother wasn’t a saint, but
THE University of the Bahamas has announced the creation of its new Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Research Centre, which will produce research on climate change impacts on small island developing states. During a press conference yesterday, UB president Dr Rodney Smith noted that the centre, which will be based in Grand Bahama, was established due to a need for more research related to climate change impacts on developing countries like The Bahamas. “In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, it became even more clear that we in the Bahamas must find innovative ways to adapt to climate change for our survival, in particular the need for sound research specific to our islands to inform how we adapt,” he said.
“(Therefore), the university has made it our mission to drive national development in a number of ways, including research.” According to CCARR’s director, Dr Adelle Thomas, the centre will conduct research on climate change adaptation, loss and damage and comprehensive disaster risk management. “The Bahamas, and other small island developing states have contributed least to global warming, but we are the most affected by its impact…,” she said. “These three interrelated research topics aim to really increase our understanding of how climate change is already affecting people, communities, businesses and sectors and to develop effective ways that we can respond to these challenges.” UB Board of Trustees chairman Dr Jonathan Rodgers added: “(By focusing) on the aftermath impact of hurricanes,
I suspect this will provide new insights into the field of post-traumatic stress or posttraumatic hurricane stress, post-hurricane displacement and migration patterns and new types of disaster insurance coverage.” Officials also noted that UB has received offers of collaboration from universities around the world, including Harvard University, the California Institute of Technology and the University
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a coral reef, from the owner of a vessel that has run aground, struck or otherwise damaged a coral reef,” the minister of environment said. The compendium of bills introduced to the House of Assembly include the Ministry of the Environment Bill, the Environmental Planning and Protection Bill, the Environmental Protection (Control of Plastic Pollution) Bill, the Bahamas National Trust (Amendment) Bill, the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund (Amendment) Bill and the Tariff (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill.
VICTIM Travis “Ferly” Knowles
described him as a very humble Muslim man. “He wasn’t a saint, but he did what he had to, to survive. He was a certified carpenter and was very loving towards all of his nieces and nephews. (He had) little minor issues with the law like any other street guy, but to say war, gangs or anything (like that) no. He was a Muslim; he was a devoted Muslim. “He was by me about two days ago and we
UB TO SET UP NEW CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH CENTRE By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net
and donations from donor agencies unwilling to give philanthropic donations into national consolidated funds,” Mr Ferreira said. The Marathon MP also spoke about the protection of Bahamian coral reefs which are a habitat for marine life and safeguard against winds and storm surge. He said vessels in Bahamian waters that may cause damage to coral reefs would be liable to legal action in the new bill. “This bill creates an avenue for the government to recover monies for compensation in respect of any action or suit initiated for damage to
of Hamburg, Germany. According Dr Thomas, the development will occur in several phases. “These initial months will be focused on set up and planning, securing funding and developing partnerships. We very much look forward to collaborating with national, regional and international partners as we develop this hub for research, policy support, education and outreach on climate change,” she said.
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were laughing and talking. He gave my baby and nephew (some) money and told them put that in their pockets. I got (him) some stuff from away, I was waiting on him to come get them and he never did.” News of Mr Russell’s death quickly spread across social media with many family and friends expressing their grief. One Facebook user said: “Seeing you laying
there breathless hurt me so much. Rest in peace cousin.” Another relative wrote: “There is power in the name of Jesus. RIP big bro (sic). We love you Travis. It ache my heart to see you laying there like that. Pray for my family.” Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call police at 919, 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328 -TIPS (328-8477) .
PAGE 4, Thursday, November 21, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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We can’t rely on the wheel of fortune to build our future IN THE flood of overseas assistance which poured into The Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian we expect few of us will have noticed one of the biggest individual contributions made towards disaster relief. Guyana, the once impoverished northern South American country which faces the Atlantic, announced it was donating $3 million through the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry. This incredibly generous aid dwarfed that put forward by other nations who many of us would naturally have thought could have easier afforded such a level of assistance. So, what is it that has allowed this tiny country with a population of just 800,000 – not much greater than our own – to be so generous. The answer is oil. This year the first barrels of crude from massive oil fields off Guyana’s coast will come ashore and, if properly managed, will change the face of Guyana for ever. As the nation accepted the argument to go for oil against all environmental protests its economy began to change as the drilling companies moved in. This year its growth in Gross Domestic Product is forecast by the World Bank to stand at 4.6 percent. And next year? An astonishing 34 percent increase is forecast. Compare Guyana’s experience with where The Bahamas sits today. Yesterday Finance Minister Peter Turnquest presented his 2019 Fiscal Strategy Report and Fiscal Adjustment Plan in Parliament. It makes for unhappy reading when you delve into the detail. On top of our existing national debt of $8.2 billion next year we will be going out to the banks asking them to lend us another $508 million. We’re already spending $377 million just to cover the interest payments due on the existing deficit and this will grow to $400m by 2023/24. There’s a big hole in BTC’s pension plan which is going to require $20 million being set aside for the next eight years. Add in another $100 million provision in 2022/23 to cover a promisory note which will fall due for Bank of the Bahamas. This will be needed as it’s forecast only 40 percent of the loans made by BoB are going to be recovered. Now take in another $130 million for HR reforms and increased technical capacity across the public sector to enable the government to deal more effectively with its administrative and policy agenda. There’s the elephant in the room which no recent government has a clue how to tackle, only the knowledge it’s out there - a $2 billion deficit in civil servants’ pensions. It’s likely at some point the government will introduce what’s called a Defined Contribution Scheme for civil servants still at work which will put them in a new ‘pension pot’. That stops the deficit getting any bigger and pays for future pensions but it does nothing to cover the shortfall. Mr Turnquest has warned these and READERS have been commenting on the stories making the news on tribune242.com this week. After Tribune Business reported that the “crashed” healthcare data contract was critical to cutting Princess Margaret Hospital’s $88m income deficit, Sickened said: “Our health care system is just like our school system, which is just like our legal system which is just like our law enforcement system. BROKEN! BROKEN!! BROKEN!!! Not much in our wonderful country works as it should.” Quentin Knowles, the
other factors will derail the government’s planned fiscal roadmap for five years, then we’ll be back on track. It’s a fine ambition but we fear it’s a bit like playing roulette at Baha Mar. The government is betting on winning every spin of the wheel, nothing else going wrong – no global downturn in coming years to put a brake on tourism, no (God forbid) hurricane of the scale of Dorian. Mr Turnquest has shown himself to be a capable and cautious Finance Minister but we believe it is time both he and the government start to think big – to look at beyond tomorrow. We know that with one eye on the next election they don’t want to risk defeat at the polls by putting too much strain on families and businesses. Look what happened with the VAT increase – outrage. Half a year of sitting in the dark and now the public is going to be saddled with cleaning up BPL’s appalling history with an increase in their bills to cover new debt! Inevitably there is going to be an increase in National Insurance contributions. There has to be and almost certainly it will be in the aftermath of the next election. There’s no escaping these problems but as it stands we don’t see anywhere that blue-sky thinking which is going to get us to a position where we can actually feel we are getting somewhere, not just treading water trying to tackle each crisis as it smacks us in the face. We need to be prepared to do something radical. The electorate will go along with whatever government offers as a viable alternative to drag us out of the morass we find ourselves in. Whether that’s starting again in Grand Bahama, letting go of the shackles to Nassau and embracing massive unrestricted foreign investment and personnel. We should be asking things like – what do we need to do to get Amazon to Freeport? Why not send some of our government departments to Freeport – the influx of hundreds of jobs igniting the economy? Grasp the nettle – or in this case a cannabis plant – and turn Andros into the Caribbean’s biggest exporter to the exploding markets for the drug in the US, Canada and elsewhere. Just get on with it (for export only of course!) There should be enough wise heads in government – and outside – to have big plans in their heads they believe could work. Let’s hear them. It maybe though, Mr Turnquest, Dr Minnis and Brave Davis too are all at the roulette wheel waiting for one number to come up and then we can all stand easy. That’s Bahamas Petroleum Company. Next year BPC will be drilling in our southern waters looking for oil. Maybe, like Guyana, they’ll strike lucky and – environmental concerns fully discussed – our number comes up. If it does pray we have the sense – and honesty – to manage such wealth. Also, that we remember those who helped us when we needed it and are prepared to do the same if our fortunes change.
Bahamas Society of Engineers president, warned it cannot be “business as usual” with post-Dorian recovery because the damage to The Bahamas’ housing stock is “staggering and overwhelming” – which led to this comment from Porcupine: “Engineers operate on what is known. And, that is not a criticism. They have mostly succeeded on this basis. The
problem for us now is to look and see what other scientifically oriented people are saying as regards the environmental changes they suggest are likely to occur, their area of expertise. The existing building code is insufficient for the near future. Even had all buildings rigorously adhered to the code, we would have seen massive destruction and devastation. We need a new approach to building, given the near certainty of rising sea levels and increasing frequency and strength of hurricanes. This does not mean using what we already have and doing it better.”
An example of how not to talk to the boss EDITOR, The Tribune I WISH every schoolage child of The Bahamas would get a copy of the November 19 edition of The Tribune in order to read the front page article about the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) and its ongoing disagreement with Transport Minister Renward Wells. A portion of a missive, which was penned by BTCU executives, was printed in the said article. This particular missive is a classic case study on how not to address those in delegated authority. Not only was the missive uncouth, belittling and disrespectful, it
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net also was fiercely combative and tribalistic – as if the union is spoiling for a fight with the Minnis administration. The leadership of the BTCU must mind its manners. Whatever one thinks of Wells, he is a Parliamentarian and a Cabinet minister. If our leaders behave in such fashion, why are we surprised at the high rate of juvenile delinquency? The tenor of the BTCU communication does not augur well for any
headway the union purportedly hopes to gain in negotiations between union executives and the Minnis administration. I wouldn’t blame Wells for rejecting the union’s demands. The union should issue an apology to the minister. Additionally, BTCU executives should strongly consider enrolling in courses on etiquette, so as to know how to engage with those in delegated authority civilly. KEVIN EVANS Freeport Grand Bahama November 20, 2019
We need some optimism EDITOR, The Tribune AS I examine the history of the Bahamas I notice a shift from determinate optimism to indeterminate pessimism. During the fight for independence in the 1940s, 1950s, the majority of the population was sure that if they took political control of the Bahamas things would be much better. This was demonstrated by the vigour and vitality of the nationalist movement. By the 1980s things have changed. Independence did not bring milk and honey to all. Life did improve somewhat but people noticed that Bahamian replaced the
British and social stratification was similar to colonial times. The outlaw developed as the bread winner for many marginalised families. Wealth distribution became a problem. The present crime and gang situation is an evolution of a people who were optimistic and believed that there is a definite formula for success to a people that’s pessimistic and believes life indeterminate. Whatever a people believes becomes a selffulfilling prophesy because life is both determinant and indeterminate simultaneously; it is probabilistic. If you work hard toward a goal there is a good chance
you achieve. If you believe life uncertain and beg your bet then by defusing your efforts it becomes more uncertain. Even the Bahamas’ politicians approach to development is pessimistic and indeterminate. It is not like Singapore, China or Israel where virtually everyone knows the plan and believes in its inevitable success. Good leadership is about motivating others to commitment, but can a person do that if they are not dedicated (optimistic and certain)? BRIAN ELLIS PLUMMER Nassau November 20, 2019
Simple breach of contract EDITOR, The Tribune MILLIONS lost in computer fiasco - hasn’t the good Minister an appreciation of simple breach of contract of the provider? Remember Minister you have been Minister now since May, 2017 some two plus years have passed and seems you ain’t done anything to ensure Government the tax payers got
their value from the contractor for the system and computer to digitise vital patient records and presume code for presentation to Insurance companies. We have to ask on taking office in May-2017 when did you discover this was so? Did you call in the service provider? Did you instruct that no further payments should
be paid to the provider? Surely the RFP for the service had conditions for non-performance? The exposing of this now sounds exceptionally political…Sir you been Minister for two plus years - Stop blaming the past you promised Better…forget? A K ALBURY Nassau November 18, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 21, 2019, PAGE 5
Plastics ban needs buy-in from public, says Cooper from page one “January 1 is right around the corner. I think a sixmonth window for public education and to allow people to deplete the stock they had already purchased would make more sense. In order for this to work, there must be buy-in from the public. The public should know how this impacts our land and sea and health. Otherwise people will flout the law.” He added: “This will impact small business and small business owners the most. We have to be sensitive about the bottom line, what with the recent
increase in VAT and the soon to be increased power bills if the government has its way. A few months ago when these bills were laid, I made a plea on behalf of a small business owner from Black Point, Exuma who hires up to 12 persons in the plastics business. They must have adequate time to appropriately adjust their product lines.” In response, Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira told The Tribune the public began to be notified of the plastic ban in 2018, suggesting everyone had adequate time. He added that there will be a six-month grace period next year as well.
Mr Cooper also questioned whether elements are in place to ensure compliance with the anticipated laws. “We often pass laws in this place that the government does not have the teeth to enforce and we often do not enforce laws already on the books,” he said. “Also, $2,000 for releasing balloons on the first offence? We can be punitive to deter these things without being excessive in the face of inadequate education and transition. The date of commencement is also right after Christmas. So while I support the idea, the timeframe should definitely be extended.”
Nonetheless, Mr Cooper and other Progressive Liberal Party MPs supported the compendium of bills, which included the Ministry of Environment Bill, the Environmental Planning and Protection Bill, the Environmental Protection (Control of Plastic Pollution) Bill, the Bahamas National Trust (Amendment) Bill and the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund (Amendment) Bill. The Environmental Protection (Control of Plastic Pollution) Bill, 2019 will prohibit single-use plastic foodware and non-biodegradable, oxo-biodegradable and biodegradable single-use
Ballooning deficit means govt needs to borrow $507m By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE deficit for the fiscal year has ballooned to $677.5 million because of Hurricane Dorian, prompting the government’s plans to borrow $507.9 million to meet the shortfall. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said in the House of Assembly yesterday that he will table resolutions for the borrowing in two weeks along with a supplementary budget to address expenditures and revenue losses associated with Dorian’s passage. The government initially projected a deficit increase of $430 million. In compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, Mr Turnquest tabled a fiscal strategy report yesterday that highlighted the
challenges the country faces recovering from the monster storm. The economy, according to the strategy report, was expected to grow by 1.7 percent in 2020 but is now projected to contract next year by 0.6 percent because of anticipated weakness in tourism activity in the first half of 2020. “Employment conditions in The Bahamas are also expected to worsen due to the disruption to business activity and productive capacity in both Abaco and Grand Bahama, which account for 2.6 percent and 13.8 percent of the labour force,” the report said. In September, the country’s tourism sector registered a 12.8 percent contraction compared to the same period last year, with air and sea visitors posting declines of 14.7 and 12.4 percent respectively.
Responding to Hurricane Dorian will cause a departure from the government’s fiscal targets for the next five budget periods at least, with compliance possibly resuming in the 2024/2025 fiscal year. According to the fiscal strategy report, the percentage of debt to GDP is projected to increase to a peak of 66.2 percent in 2021 before declining. However, the report notes there are potentially major risks to the government’s projections, including another hurricane or less economic growth than anticipated. For this fiscal year, the government projects revenue loss of $236 million and an expenditure increase of additional $302.6 million. Mr Turnquest said: “It is important to note that, in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the government
has integrated into the current budget year and the medium term a number of policy initiatives that will serve to incentivise and ignite economic recovery and growth. Among these initiatives is the designation of the special economic recovery zones (SERZ) in Abaco and Grand Bahama, facilitating an extension in NIB unemployment benefit payments, invoking the exigency order, and injecting an additional $10 million in micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). Furthermore, the foreign direct investment (FDI) projects poised for Grand Bahama such as the redevelopment of the Grand Lucayan properties and the new cruise port are anticipated to boost economic activity in the near term.” Editorial View - Page 4
POLICE SHOOT DRIVER AFTER HE CRASHED INTO PARKED CAR POLICE shot a man after he crashed into a car parked at the Carmichael Road Police Station then attempted to hit officers with his vehicle. According to police, the incident occurred shortly after 1am yesterday. Officers were inside the Carmichael Road Police Station when they heard a crashing sound
outside. They made checks and discovered that the driver of a burgundy-coloured Ford Explorer had crashed into a vehicle in the parking lot. Officers attempted to assist the driver, when he accelerated the vehicle in their direction, attempting to hit them, police said. One of the officers, fearing for his life, fired his service weapon
in the direction of the man, who sped away, police said. A short time later, the vehicle crashed into a light pole on Carmichael Road near Sir Milo Butler Highway. Officers discovered that the man had been shot. He was taken to hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. Investigations are continuing.
MP Chester Cooper plastic bags; prohibit the release of balloons; and regulate the use of compostable single-use plastic bags. Single-use plastic foodware outlined in the bill include: Styrofoam cups, plates and other similar Styrofoam foodware used to contain food; plastic
knives, forks, spoons and straws. Under the new law, businesses will be able to possess and sell prohibited plastics to customers up to June 30, 2020 for a fee. Businesses will be allowed to sell compostable singleuse plastic bags for 25 cents to $1, excluding VAT. If convicted under the proposed legislation, a first time offender faces a fine not exceeding $2,000, and in the case of a continuing offence, $500 for each day the offence continues. A second or subsequent offence will be met with a fine not exceeding $3,000, and further fine of $700 for each day it continues.
PAGE 6, Thursday, November 21, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
LEFT: Family and friends transport the coffin that contain the remains of a protester who was killed, in Portau-Prince; above: Protesters loot a beverage truck that was set on fire by funeral attendees; top: IOM’s Chief of Mission in Haiti, Giuseppe Loprete
More migrants are bidding to escape the turmoil and terror in Haiti By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net OFFICIALS of the International Organisation for Migration have confirmed that there has been an increase of immigrants leaving Haiti to escape the recent turmoil.
The Associated Press reported this week that more than 40 people have been killed and dozens injured in more than two months of demonstrations organised by opposition leaders demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse amid anger over corruption, ballooning inflation and a scarcity of basic goods. AP reported that at least four people were shot and wounded during a small protest in Haiti’s capital on Monday after a speech by President Moise. Over the last several weeks, Haiti’s national police have also been protesting and threatening to send the country into chaos if their government does not pay them six months of salary they are owed. IOM’s Chief of Mission in Haiti, Giuseppe Loprete told The Tribune that the UN agency has been monitoring the protests and confirmed that since former Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Henry Ceant resigned in March, there has been an increase of Haitians fleeing their homeland due to the socio-economic deterioration. “According to what we are monitoring at the borders, the flows are constant with inflows and outflows and we noticed an increase of migrants attempting to go by sea to Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas from the northern shores of Haiti,” Mr Loprete said. “Not massive numbers but an increase and also interception of these boats. A lot of migrants are trying to reach other areas in the region, also in South America, Brazil, Chile or they go to Dominica, because they do not need a visa to go. From Dominica they try to go to Guadeloupe and other neighbouring countries. There are Haitian communities in Mexico as well, in Panama and Costa Rica, these are also among
the destinations that they are trying to reach,” said Mr Loprete. Since the Haitian prime minister resigned, the country has had to wait on Haiti’s Senate for the administration of the government. According to Mr Loprete, Haiti has faced several crises due to the political instability. “In the phase it’s in now which started in September, it involved schools. So now schools are closed, over two million children are not going to school and there’s been a shortage of fuel because of negotiations with the providers of fuel and currently 40 percent of the population are in dire need of food and security,” he said. Meanwhile, the UN agency on the ground in Haiti is mandated to assist migrants through humanitarian relief and gathering information to identify the types of migrants who leave Haiti. The IOM chief of mission in Haiti said that the agency has been assisting those in need as they have offices throughout the country. “We provide assistance to the most vulnerable migrants, we have several offices along the border in the north of Haiti as well as near the Dominican Republic. So, if vulnerable migrants are identified they can come to the facilities, we have psychologists and other partners like the Red Cross. For example, pregnant women, mothers, unaccompanied minors, families and those in need of medical assistance,” he said. Nevertheless, Mr Loprete said that the kind of work they do and due to the demand in Haiti, the UN agency will need the assistance of international partners to increase their resources for more opportunities, including local development projects in the impoverished nation.
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Thursday, November 21, 2019, PAGE 7
ALL the fun at Junkanoo on New Year’s Day this year.
We will be at Junkanoo, says leader of new group By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE leader of a newly formed Junkanoo group is insisting that his group will not be stopped from participating in the upcoming Junkanoo parade, despite its membership application being rejected by officials for late submission. “We don’t care who say what. The Immortals is a community group and we’re coming to Bay Street. We gone put our foot at that exhibiting line and it gone be on them. We’re not worrying about them and they’re not stopping our work,” said Jermaine
Williams, leader of The Immortals. His comments came weeks after the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence announced that The Immortals was refused membership due to submitting its application past the deadline. JCNP was responding to Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle’s announcement of the new group to Category B at a seed funding presentation. However Mr Williams denied JCNP’s claims yesterday, saying the group had submitted their application some three weeks before the actual deadline.
“They denied our application as soon as they saw The Immortal group was forming. When we presented our applications, it was two applications on the JCNP website. The deadline was June 1,” he said. “We followed all the protocols and we followed all the rules of JCNP and we was discriminated against because of circumstances with the JCNP executive members,” he said. Mr Williams said he felt that the group’s application was denied because some JCNP members have a personal vendetta against them. However, when
TRAINING FOR RESIDENTS TO TAKE ON SOCIAL CHALLENGES
THE TRAINING sessions are open to the public at no cost HUNDREDS of New Providence residents, over the last several weeks, have been sharpening their skills in mediating challenges involving gender-based violence, sexual assault, conflict resolution and parenting. In an effort to equip more Bahamians with the tools to tackle social ills facing their communities, nearly 400 people have been certified during multiple-day workshops conducted by the first cohort of Citizen Security and Justice Programme trainers. As community leader Sgt De’antia Jones - who recently led training at the C H Reeves Junior High School - sees it, there is presently a great need for the skills and the knowledge that comes along with the training. “Especially for the young people in our country, the high school students, it shows them how their actions in many cases don’t make sense,” said Sgt Jones. “It is very vital at the same time that they learn things in a social environment and through
role play they were able to see a lot of things differently. “It’s important for us as a people to understand that we can think and act in a different way and how to respect someone’s opinion and culture and reevaluate how to treat others, because we don’t want to be discriminated against. So, the training teaches them how to look at things from a different angle. To evaluate if the things we do are from a culture perspective or from a human rights aspect.” Sgt Jones is one of 27 local leaders who were the first New Providence residents to complete the programme in October. The trainers immediately began their work within the communities to identify more people to train on the curriculum. Dr Rochelle Lightbourne, CSJP coordinator, said the training programme seeks to address nine distinct forms violence – physical , sexual, emotional, psychological, cultural, spiritual, financial abuse, verbal abuse and neglect. “We see a lot of violence
in our country in many cases because we’re seeing the cycle perpetuated where the husband abuses the wife or vice versa and the children witness this and then they turn to abusing other children and grow up to be abusers themselves,” she said. “At the CSJP, we are looking at breaking that cycle of violence by equipping community members with the knowledge and skills on how to recognise these sign and when we do, how to intercede for a positive outcome.” The training sessions are open to the public at no cost and are a part of a multi-level approach, under a CSJP mandate for youth and community development, which uses evidenced-based research on the best methods to tackle the rising crime in the capital. Around 400 trainees in total will officially graduate from the programme with their certificates this week. For more information, the CSJP urges all to contact the unit on social media or by telephone at (242) 604-1016.
contacted for comment in response to the allegations, JCNP chairman Dion Miller refuted the claims, explaining that there were two deadlines for the parade. The first application deadline, he said, was for new groups wanting to participate in the parade. “The deadline for June 1 was in regards to member dues for current members. So, if you’re already a member of JCNP, you have until June 1 to pay a fee. But, what they’re not accepting is that they’re not a current member,” he said. “They are a new group. Registration date for new groups was April 1 … but
they missed the (first) deadline…we cannot stop any particular group from competing so they will be welcomed to come on Bay Street, but they won’t be competing for a prize.” Despite JCNP’s rejection of the group’s application, Mr Williams said the group will still perform on Bay Street. “They want to say that (we) are not rushing for no prize because they want people to leave the group and they don’t want this community to succeed, but it’s their problem and not our problem… we’re not settling for that,” he said. “. . .We’re not going to let
the JCNP decide our rights as Bahamians to express ourselves on Bay Street. Everyday, we’re working and if the government wants to come here and see what we’re doing, they can come,” he continued. Speaking in House of Assembly earlier this month, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said nothing will change with the format of the parade, which is just about seven weeks away. However, he said, the minister of culture, the JCNP and all relevant agencies will have a discussion in February as to the way forward so that by the end of March issues would be resolved.
PAGE 8, Thursday, November 21, 2019
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Generators donated to help out at home for the elderly PINEWOOD’S Twilight Home for the Elderly and A & A Comfort Care for Elderly received donations of industrial generators for their facilities. The donation was made by Pastor Whitney Shipman, from Winners Church, West Pam Beach, Florida and Reuben Rahming, area MP. The two senior homes have a total of 30 residents combined. Twilight Home, owned and operated by retired Nurse Shirly Walker is located on Walnut Street off Thatch Palm Avenue, has 10 senior residents. And, A & A Home, owned by Nurse Ester Bain, has 20 senior residents. Upon being advised about the donation, Ms Walker said: “The generators are a much needed and an on-time gift to our homes. We are appreciative that Pastor Shipman, the
Pinewood Association and the MP supports the senior homes in Pinewood and our effort to provide superior care for our seniors.” Mr Rahming, who sought out the generators for the homes and contributed to the donations, said: “One of great consequence for seniors who oftentimes require refrigerated medicine and medical machines. Uninterrupted electricity is a must for these homes.” The Pinewood Community Association has a regular scheduled visitation and feeding programme for the senior centres. “We are mindful that old age, by the grace of God is daily coming to us all,” Mr Rahming said, “thus our actions toward the elderly is a very critical example to our youth, who will extend similar treatment to us in our old age.”
THE DONATION was made by Pastor Whitney Shipman, from Winners Church, West Pam Beach, Florida and Reuben Rahming, the area MP, pictured above.
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Thursday, November 21, 2019, PAGE 9 PRINCESS Margaret Hospital where a contract worth $3.6m was signed yesterday in an effort to reform and improve urgent and emergency care in New Providence.
$3.6m deal to improve urgent care at hospital By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net A CONTRACT worth $3.6m was signed yesterday at Princess Margaret Hospital in an effort to reform and improve urgent and emergency care in New Providence. Speaking to reporters during a press conference, Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said the Urgent and Emergency Care Project was launched in 2018 and is focused on a series of phased enhancements in infrastructure, systems, services, training and equipment at PMH’s Emergency Department, the Elizabeth Estates Clinic and the South Beach Health Centre. Dr Sands said: “Health planners have engaged with engineers, architects, clinical professionals and other stakeholders to design not only infrastructure, but to undertake a comprehensive approach to development of all aspects of healthcare delivery. “Since the beginning of this year, this phased approach with improvement and expansion works associated with the Urgent and Emergency Care Project at PMH has included the construction of a new
DR DUANE SANDS patient registration area located closer to the hospital’s main entrance.” He added: “Improvement works have also been undertaken in the decanted spaces formerly occupied by the Medical Surgical Supplies Department and Central Sterile Supplies Department to facilitate the expansion and upgrading of the Emergency Department.” Dr Sands said the $3.6m contract signed yesterday is only the first phase of the project for the orthopaedic and wound care areas. “The improvement works will entail interior and exterior builders work, building code required upgrades to building services upgrades inclusive of fire suppression, CCTV, access control and low voltage infrastructure. Civil works inclusive of site excavation and construction of sidewalks, driveways, primary storm and sewer infrastructure and lighting. “Construction of a new
ambulance bay, EMS area, entry lobby and canopy. “This phase of the project represents major capital works at PMH and symbolises a significant step in the right direction with respect to the sustainable redevelopment of the hospital and the improvement of urgent care and emergency care in the Bahamas. The hospital will be taking all necessary measures to ameliorate the impact of any and all infrastructure works on patients and visitors to PMH.” He added: “The public is asked to pay attention to all public announcements with respect to hospital and its service and corporate with directions and instructions given during this time.” Dr Sands said the work for the first phase has commenced and will be completed in 40 weeks. When asked when phase two will begin and the price tag, Dr Sands said: “It’s going to be staggered. “I think we had a timeline that anticipated phase two being offset by about eight months but at this point we will have to get back to you on when exactly phase two is likely to start and the actual cost. Roughly we anticipate phase one (at) $3.6m (and) phase two can be as much as anywhere between $5m to $7m.”
PAGE 10, Thursday, November 21, 2019
Y
OU’RE watching the presidential impeachment hearings in Washington DC, aren’t you? This is history in the making, right before your eyes. If you missed the televised Watergate hearings, the impeachment of President Richard Nixon and his being forced from office 45 years ago, this is your chance to make up for that and get in on the fun. Can’t be bothered? It’s actually understandable. Despite all the high drama of the impeachment hearings, any House impeachment action likely won’t result in a conviction in the Senate and removal from office of the US president. How about the Democratic debate last night? Were you tuned in? Has plucky insurgent South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg captured your imagination? Do you believe that an articulate, sensible politician who almost certainly couldn’t win an office in his home state outside the liberal college town he currently leads, could possibly win his party’s nomination for President of the United States? And if by
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Remember the tortoise and the hare - Biden could still win this race STATESIDE
However well or poorly he performs in the debates, Biden seems to be mostly avoiding putting himself in the headlines as he campaigns for the third time for his party’s presidential nomination. Like a smart marathon runner, he is certainly keeping his rivals at close range in the polls while maintaining a steady appeal to middle of the road American voters. Biden’s name surfaces constantly in the impeachment hearings. It is obvious and consistently reinforced by the Republicans on Capitol Hill that President Trump has long believed the greatest threat to his re-election is the former Delaware senator and vice president. If you want to throw
with Charlie Harper some chance he did, would he have any chance against the current president? No? You’re probably right. Is the Democratic Party being taken over by ultraliberals and ardent lefties who advocate many policies that are avowedly socialistic? Are Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and his Massachusetts colleague Elizabeth Warren the true representatives of today’s Democrats? Will one of
them get the nod next summer to lead the party to what many political observers feel would be certain defeat in a still significantly conservative America? Maybe not. It says here that the big winner from all the big noise surrounding the ongoing impeachment hearings in the House of Representatives and the significantly smaller noise emanating from the monthly Democratic candidate debates is ... Joe Biden.
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to China as the only freight on a dedicated Boeing 777 FedEx plane with a huge panda image plastered to its fuselage. Two American handlers accompanied Bei Bei on the 16-hour non-stop flight. He also had firstclass meal service. On offer were 66 pounds of bamboo, two pounds of apples and pears, two bags of special panda biscuits and two pounds of cooked sweet potatoes. Hopefully the flight was not too onerous for the four-year-old. Remaining behind in the capital of capitalism were Bei Bei’s parents, mom Mei Xiang and papa Tian Tian. These two have been in Washington since 2000, but their lease expires in less than 13 months, not long after the American general elections. The National Zoo director told reporters “We’d like to keep the pandas for as long as we can, but China has the right to take them back.” One thing is for certain. The US won’t deport these particular immigrants.
BRUTALITY HAS AN APPEAL IN SPORT
MAKE THE SEASON 1 GALLON
Trump out of office next year, taking a cue from the president about the best man to do so might not be the worst choice you could make. For Biden, having your name mentioned in the context of rampant corruption in Ukraine might not be such a bad thing. Since
CHINA and the United States have certainly had their moments. The world’s two largest economies have been embroiled in a testy trade tussle for several years now. While it is in the interest neither country to seriously damage the global economy to score points off each other, the nature of the disputes between the two giants and the personalities of their leaders seem to point to a lengthy standoff. But as Sino-American relations have waxed and waned for the past half-century, one area of cooperation has consistently shone through. Pandas. Perhaps the most joyful result of US President Richard Nixon’s 1972 opening to China was the agreement to loan to American zoos some of China’s cutest exports. Tuesday marked a bittersweet milestone in the long history of the panda loan programme. The third and last panda bear born in the National Zoo in Washington DC, Bei Bei, was crated and flown back
BYE BYE BEI BEI
BRIGHT!
NO mistakes: Joe Biden
even the witnesses the Republicans have called to testify have loudly reaffirmed that Joe Biden is a man of great integrity and noble personal character who would never have succumbed to corruption, the Republican obsession with him may garner some real sympathy and support for Joe. “Anyone but Trump” was a futile rallying cry – among Republicans – three years ago when he brushed aside all those challengers in the GOP primaries in 2016. “Anyone but Trump” will certainly underlie the Democratic convention next summer. Perhaps the delegates will conclude that Joe Biden is their best answer after all.
IT HAPPENED a week ago, but an incident at the end of one football game continues to resonate around the NFL and with its millions of fans. Last Thursday night, with eight seconds left in a 21-7 Cleveland Browns win over its long-time rival Pittsburgh Steelers, the following happened: Cleveland’s dominant defensive end Myles Garrett sacked the Steelers’ journeyman substitute quarterback, Mason Rudolph. As the players untangled, Rudolph apparently kicked out at Garrett’s groin and tried to pull off his helmet. Garrett replied by ripping off Rudolph’s helmet and, in front of a national TV audience, swung it at Rudolph’s head. Others intervened and have received suspensions from the league. Garrett was suspended “indefinitely”. But Garrett’s singular act reinforced the growing suspicion that the NFL is an increasingly violenceprone league whose efforts to police its players’ behaviour on and off the field appear to be ever more ineffective. The NFL has for years dealt with domestic violence issues. Several current all-pro players have been charged with and/ or suspended for assaulting women. Hall of Famer and current NFL network analyst Ray Lewis was once a person of significant interest in the murder of an Atlanta man. A Patriots tight end was convicted of homicide. And so on. The list of offenders seems endless. And as we remember from last year’s NFC playoffs, the league still simply
cannot figure out how to enforce its pass interference regulations as skilled, swift stars fistfight each other in the open field for possession of a long downfield pass. Offensive linemen are generally only penalised for holding if they grab a defender and literally throw him to the ground. Illegal and dangerous blocks seem to occur on every other kick-off return, to such a degree that there is reportedly consideration of eliminating the kick-off altogether. In the immediate case, Garrett’s punishment will stay in force until the NFL decides the furore has subsided. But unlike so many of his partners in violence, Garrett appears to have interests in things like astrophysics and helping the underprivileged. He’s an unlikely villain. The fact that he is black and Rudolph, who is white and instigated the fracas but has received no suspension, is sure to be noticed eventually. Several years ago, wags and pundits concerned about violence in and around the NFL were speculating that the league, despite its massive TV and gambling appeal and stubbornly loyal fan bases, might be heading for the oblivion that shrouded boxing for decades. And for the same reason: fundamental brutality. Well, boxing is making somewhat of a comeback. And the NFL isn’t going away anytime soon. Mixed martial arts is still gaining in popularity. Pro-wrestling is flying high. Maybe there’s still a pretty healthy appetite for brutality, real or rehearsed, after all.
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Thursday, November 21, 2019, PAGE 11
Colleagues pitch in to help out ill officer with his gardening
THE warrant officers and senior rates (WOSR) of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force recently came together to lend a helping hand to one of its own on November 16. Coordinated by the executive team of the WOSR mess, the marines went to the home of Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Evans and showed their support by providing landscape maintenance. They assisted in the cutting down of overgrown lawn and hedges, removal of debris, downed trees and branches from around the property, repairing the faulty waterline, and pressure cleaning the house. Chief Petty Officer Evans, a 34-year veteran on the force is currently on medical leave. He expressed his gratitude to
the men and women for their efforts. “It was one of the greatest days on my 34 years in the RBDF,” said CPO Evans. “I can’t say enough. I am grateful for the act of kindness shown to me and my family by members of the senior rates mess. It was awesome, and will always be remembered.” Mess president, Petty Officer Antoine Adams hailed the project as a great step in comradeship. “This project was a timely one”, said Petty Officer Adams. “It allows us to identify persons among us who may need assistance, and we use this opportunity to give back however little we can. Deeds like this helps to strengthen bonds, and in a little military as ours, we are all our brothers’ keepers.”
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PAGE 12, Thursday, November 21, 2019 AS THE Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana continues its long discussions on what steps to take on legalising the drug other countries are well down the road in this debate. Here two British academics - Ian Hamilton Associate Professor, University of York and Harry Sumnall, Professor in Substance Use, Liverpool John Moores University - discuss what is happening on this issue in the United Kingdom. Our own commission may find it worth a read.
I
T’S NOW one year since the British government announced they would allow access to cannabis-based products for medicinal use, and guidelines advising doctors how to prescribe have now been published. Opening up access to medicinal cannabis was welcomed by many as a bold policy move, but this hasn’t been matched by the reality for those trying to obtain these products. Only a few patients have been able to access medicinal cannabis on the UK’s National Health Service. Others have secured access through expensive private prescriptions – albeit still in small numbers. Rescheduling cannabis-based products for medicinal use was a legal move which meant that doctors could prescribe, but not necessarily that they would prescribe. Indeed, doctors and their professional bodies have been cautious – waiting for The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to publish its clinical guidance on the topic. As with other guidance, it serves as advice rather than instruction, but doctors working in the NHS very rarely contradict NICE recommendations. What the guidelines say In short, NICE has concluded that more research is needed before it can recommend the use of cannabis-based products for medicinal use. To reach this conclusion, NICE examined thousands of studies and found that most evidence on cannabis-based products for medicinal use was poor – and much weaker than is often popularly discussed. So despite high profile stories of individual patients benefiting from cannabis, NICE hasn’t recommended that
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The reality for doctors where medical marijuana is not illegal
such treatments should be provided on the NHS. Not for the first time concerns about the misuse of these products were also raised. Some doctors are worried about mental health effects – with fears that patients could become dependent on the cannabis products prescribed, or that prescribed cannabis products will be sold on the black market. But given the ease with which cannabis can be obtained illicitly, it would be illogical for anyone to opt for the onerous route of obtaining a legal prescription for cannabis. Research from the US suggests there is only a weak relationship between the introduction of medicinal cannabis products at state level and changes in adolescent use more generally. Illicit sales and distribution of prescribed cannabis in adults is usually a result of weak clinical and regulatory oversight and
poor patient monitoring – something which would be of much less concern in the UK’s strongly regulated medicines system. In the guidelines, NICE also highlights the importance of professional education, as the current understanding of cannabis-based medicines in prescribers is low. The commercial sector is very active in promoting cannabis and is now beginning to provide professional education as well. But it’s important that education and training are developed and delivered by independent providers who are not influenced by commercial pressures – and that training is accredited and overseen by a certifying body so the potential benefits of cannabis are not overstated. What this means for patients and doctors The hope was that patients and
doctors would now have a list of recommended cannabis products and dosing regimes, matched with the conditions they can treat – as seen in some other countries. But this has not materialised. In some ways though, it may have been an unrealistic outcome. Naturally, excitement and interest in cannabis led to raised patient expectations and demand. But when cannabis was promoted as a medicine it also became subject to the same system of checks and balances as other medicines, and the same questions of evidence and affordability. So while the new guidelines describe how the process of accessing and prescribing such products should be managed, it’s unlikely many NHS patients or their doctors will be navigating this system – at least for the time being. This will no doubt disappoint many patients and some doctors.
NICE will review these guidelines as new evidence emerges. But it’s worth keeping in mind that the original decision to change the law on cannabis was led more by political than clinical considerations. So it would be naive to think any change in the new guidance would be instigated purely by newly emerging evidence. Commercial and political interests will also play a part. Some patients may receive cannabis medicines as part of these new clinical trials. But a lack of prescriptions may leave many other people with a difficult decision – should they break the law in the pursuit of something they think will improve their health? Only time will tell whether the police and courts will begin to take into account people’s claims they are buying and growing cannabis to self-treat a medical condition. theconversation.com
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Thursday, November 21, 2019, PAGE 13
Prince Andrew steps back from royal duties LONDON Associated Press
FOLLOWING days of turmoil that have damaged the British royal family’s reputation, Prince Andrew announced yesterday that he will step back from public duties because of his association with a notorious American sex offender. The second son of Queen Elizabeth said in a statement that his ties to Jeffrey Epstein had become a “major disruption” to the royal family’s charitable work. It was unclear whether the change was a temporary or permanent shift in his role. The prince said he had obtained the queen’s permission to step away. He also said he was willing to help any law enforcement agency with an investigation. The scandal has rocked the royal family, particularly since a television interview on Saturday failed to ease the many questions about Prince Andrew’s links to Epstein. For a senior royal to step away from his duties is extremely unusual and reflects the degree to which charities and educational institutions had questioned their associations with him in recent days.
PRINCE Andrew has faced questions over his links to Epstein for years, The prince said his history with Epstein had disrupted his family’s work and “the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support.” The prince said he regretted his ties to the billionaire investor, who took his own life in August while in jail on sex-trafficking charges. He
IRAN DEATH TOLL MORE THAN 100 DUBAI, UAE Associated Press
DAYS of protests over rising fuel prices and a subsequent government crackdown have killed at least 106 people across Iran, Amnesty International has said, adding that the real figure may be much higher. Iran’s government has not released a toll of those arrested, injured or killed in the protests that began last Friday and spread quickly across at least 100 cities and towns. But it disputed Amnesty’s report through its mission to the United Nations, calling it “baseless allegations and fabricated figures”. However, a UN agency earlier said it feared the unrest may have killed “a significant number of people.” Amnesty cited “credible reports” for its tally and said it “believes that the real death toll may be much higher, with some reports suggesting as many as 200 have been killed.” Iranian authorities shut down internet access to the outside world Saturday, an outage has left only state media and government officials able to say what is happening in the nation of 80 million. State television showed video of burned Qurans at a mosque in the suburbs of the capital, Tehran, as well as pro-government rallies, part of its efforts to both demonize and minimize the protests. Absent in the coverage
was an acknowledgement of what sparked the demonstrations. The jump in gasoline prices represents yet another burden on Iranians who have suffered through a painful currency collapse, following President Donald Trump’s unilateral withdrawal of the United States from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, and the reimposition of crippling U.S. economic sanctions. Relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani has promised the fuel price increase will fund new subsidies for poor families. But the decision has unleashed anger among Iranians, like Maryam Kazemi, a 29-year-old accountant in the southern Tehran suburb of Khaniabad, who said the new cost of fuel was “putting pressure on ordinary people.” “It was a bad decision at a bad time. The economic situation has long been difficult for people, and Rouhani unexpectedly implemented the decision on fuel,” she said. Amnesty said it gathered its figures from interviewing journalists and human rights activists, then crosschecked the information. In its breakdown, it showed the hardest-hit areas as the western Kermanshah province and its oil-rich southwestern province of Khuzestan. Many online videos released before the internet outage had shown unrest there.
‘TRUMP DIRECTED A QUID PRO QUO’ WASHINGTON Associated Press
AMBASSADOR Gordon Sondland declared to impeachment investigators yesterday that President Donald Trump and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani explicitly sought a “quid pro quo” with Ukraine, leveraging an Oval Office visit for political investigations of Democrats. But he also came to believe the trade involved much more. Besides the US offer of a coveted meeting at the White House, Sondland testified it was his understanding the president was holding up nearly $400m in military aid, which Ukraine badly need with an aggressive Russia on its border, in exchange for the country’s announcement of the investigations. Sondland conceded that Trump never told him directly the security
assistance was blocked for the probes, a gap in his account that Republicans and the White House seized on as evidence the president did nothing wrong. But the ambassador said his dealings with Giuliani, as well as administration officials, left him with the clear understanding of what was at stake. “Was there a ‘quid pro quo?’” Sondland testified in opening remarks. “With regard to the requested White House call and White House meeting, the answer is yes.” The rest, he said, was obvious: “Two plus two equals four.” Sondland, the ambassador to the European Union and a major donor to Trump’s inauguration, was the most highly anticipated witness in the House’s impeachment inquiry into the 45th president of the United States.
added that he “deeply sympathises” with Epstein’s victims, many of whom were underage victims of trafficking. In the interview, the prince seemed to show no remorse for his relationship with Epstein. Yesterday’s statement made clear that Andrew and his advisers now understand how damaging the interview was.
Epstein’s suicide “has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathize with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure,” the prince said. “I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives.” Like most senior members of the royal family, Prince Andrew was a patron for charities and other civic endeavors, lending his name and the backing of the monarchy to the good works of all manner of institutions. After the interview, some charities and universities said they were reviewing their association with the prince. And major businesses, including Barclays and BT, distanced themselves from Andrew in charities they were involved with. Prince Andrew has faced questions over his links to Epstein for years, and he hoped the interview with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis would ease the pressure but the move backfired. Critics said he came across as insensitive and arrogant — particularly in an era in which social media has made even the rich and the powerful seem more accessible.
BOLIVIA SET TO HOLD NEW ELECTIONS LA PAZ, Bolivia Associated Press
BOLIVIA’S self-proclaimed interim president sent a bill on holding new elections to congress yesterday amid escalating violence that has claimed at least 30 lives since a disputed vote and the subsequent resignation and exile of former leader Evo Morales. Interim President Jeanine Áñez said: “This bill can be perfected and serve as a basis for consensus. The electoral fraud caused the convulsion that the country is experiencing.” Congress does not have a fixed deadline to respond to Áñez’s proposal, but it is expected to deal with the matter urgently. Bolivia’s constitution says elections must be called within three months of an interim president taking office, which Áñez did on Nov. 12. If the bill is approved by legislators, the date would be set by the new Supreme Electoral Tribunal, whose members will be elected within the next 15 days by lawmakers.
PAGE 14, Thursday, November 21, 2019
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