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The Tribune
Volume:115 No.24, DECEMBER 22ND, 2017
Weekend
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1
Friday, December 22, 2017 art film fashion food entertainment fitness puzzles gardening
Weekend
CARDI B PERFORMS Page 7
A force for good
WEEKEND: SAVING THE COUNTRY’S YOUTH THROUGH JUNKANOO
Youth given Junkanoo plat form
bealiv.com
Defiant - sweeps for illegals ‘stepping up’
do you believe in family?
‘Courts can do what they want, we’ll do what we have to’ By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net HEAD of the Department of Immigration’s Enforcement Unit, Kirklyn Neely yesterday doubled down in defence of his department’s practices, expressing distaste over the outcome of recent court proceedings. In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Neely said immigration officers have no intention on changing the way they apprehend illegal immigrants and will instead be “stepping up” efforts despite criticism
from human rights groups. “Why would we change the way we do things? Illegal is illegal,” Mr Neely said. “These people come here by boat and are smuggled in this country. Our job is to protect our borders and to put Bahamians first. If we change the way we do things and become slack, we might as well forget about the December 31 deadline, close down our operations and let everyone in. “People forget that just because you are born here that does not make you SEE PAGE FIVE
POSTAL WORKERS IN ‘GOOD FAITH’ RETURN By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
RESIDENTS can expect to receive “some” mail before Christmas as the General Post Office on East Hill Street resumed operations last week, after nearly one month of workers protesting, according to Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) President Kingsley Ferguson.
Mr Ferguson said the employees returned to work on “good faith” that the government will continue to carry out the necessary work at the post office until a suitable replacement building is found. “Certain things that we had requested they do for persons to return to work they have made efforts to fix,” Mr Ferguson said. SEE PAGE SEVEN
Interview, pg 4 & 5
ACTIVISTS CALL FOR ROLLE TO STEP DOWN RIGHTS Bahamas (RB) has condemned the “shockingly insensitive comments” of Minister of Social Services Lanisha Rolle on marital rape and called for her “immediate resignation”. RB said as the only woman in Cabinet and particularly in light of her official role in providing for the welfare of the vulnerable, Mrs Rolle “should be ashamed of promoting a perspective that encourages assault against women”. The human rights advocacy group added: “Clearly, she cannot continue in that role. For the minister’s information, rape is never a private matter and all forms of non-consensual sexual activity should be outlawed in any society that seeks to call itself a democracy. SEE PAGE SIX
HAPPY CHRISTMAS - NOW HANDS OUT OF YOUR POCKETS
LABOUR REFORMS WON’T HIT ECONOMY
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE COMMISSIONER of Police, Anthony Ferguson, along senior officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, conducted the yearly walkabout during the Christmas holidays at three major shopping areas, Bay Street, Marathon Mall and Southwest Shopping Plaza, yesterday. See page three for the full story. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
THE Government “will not do anything to ruin” efforts to revive the Bahamian economy, a Cabinet Minister pledged yesterday, as he sought to reassure businesses over labour law reforms. Dion Foulkes, the Minister of Labour, told Tribune Business that the Minnis administration had yet to move on “contentious” election commitments to raise the 12-year redundancy pay “cap” and increase the notice period for terminated employees. Emphasising that the Government’s “major concern” was increased economic growth and job creation, Mr Foulkes said both proposals had yet to come for discussion at the National Tripartite Council - where all labour-related reforms must be agreed. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
UN VOTE: WE CAN’T BE BULLIED By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
WHILE making clear that the country had not been “bullied” into submission, Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield yesterday explained the Bahamas’ abstention from voting on a controversial United Nations (UN) resolution against a decision made by US President Donald Trump, saying it
was simply in the “best interest of our country”. On Thursday, an emergency vote at the UN General Assembly saw a huge majority reject America’s unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The UN vote follows pointed threats from US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, who warned Washington would “take note” of countries that “disrespected” America
by not supporting their recognition. Ms Haley suggested offending countries could see their US funding slashed as a result. To this, Mr Henfield said: “We’re not going to be bullied by anyone, we’re a sovereign country.” Noting The Bahamas’ position on the longstanding Middle Eastern conflict, Mr Henfield underscored while The Bahamas has SEE PAGE FIVE
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
SEE PAGE EIGHT
PAGE 2, Friday, December 22, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
The Tribune
wishes all our readers and advertisers a Happy Christmas. Our next edition is on Wednesday, December 27 - complete with all the action from Boxing Day Junkanoo.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, December 22, 2017, PAGE 3
Walkabout of stores to reassure public By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
THE senior command of the Royal Bahamas Police Force took to several major shopping hubs around New Providence yesterday reviving an old tradition in hopes of reassuring the public this holiday season. Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson, who along with other officers visited downtown Nassau, the Marathon Mall and several stores at the Southwest Shopping Plaza, insisted the force thought it necessary to usher in the Christmas season with a strong police presence. Explaining the crux of the RBPF’s approach yesterday, he explained: “This is really, in years gone by, a tradition for the commissioner and his executive team to come down Bay Street to really see how the officers are doing, to assess how the shopping is going on, on Bay Street and as a
team we determined that we ought to return to some of those traditions.” Commissioner Ferguson added: “And today, that is what it is all about.” Moreover, he said the RBPF’s senior command wanted to assure the officers working the Bay Street beat on a dayto-day basis that they had the full support of their superiors. “As you can see, a number of them are strategically placed here on Bay Street and as you move about you see hundreds of tourists and Bahamians shopping on Bay Street; it really makes you feel like Christmas is coming.” Yesterday’s tour was a welcome surprise to the hundreds of tourists and locals who traversed the Bay Street corridor. Officers were met with all sorts of compliments and embraces. Particularly, operators of many of the stores
presented themselves to the officers and provided them with detailed briefs on trends and recent occurrences in the area, in some cases pointing out flaws that needed to be addressed in the days ahead. To this, Commissioner Ferguson contended the outcome was expected and welcomed. Following their tour of the downtown area, the unit then moved on to the Mall at Marathon where shoppers also applauded their visibility. “Bahamians really like Christmas and they are going to spend money. And so, it is important for the police to provide the necessary security for them,” was how Commissioner Ferguson summed up his experience at the shopping centre. The unit concluded the tour Thursday at the Southwest Shopping Plaza where officers were again greeted with smiles and admiration. Despite attempts by
reporters to gain insight on the commissioner’s new crime plan, RBPF officials remained tight-lipped Thursday, rebuffing questions on the topic several times. On Tuesday, Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash, officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit (CDU), warned business owners and shoppers carrying large sums of cash to be alert of their surroundings. The declaration came on the heels of a shocking robbery of West Bay Street hotel. CSP Cash stated at the time: “Secure your valuables. If you look at armed robbery figures, the incidents are down but we always have more incidents during the holiday season. So always anticipate and always be alert because there are people moving around just looking for the opportunity and the desire to steal from you. Secure your items.”
COMMISSIONER of Police Anthony Ferguson and senior officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force yesterday conducted the yearly walkabout of major shopping areas. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
ROAD SAFETY REMINDER FOR THE HOLIDAYS Friday, 22nd December 2017
By MORGAN ADDERLEY
MINISTER of Transport and Local Government Frankie Campbell is urging motorists and pedestrians to practice road safety this holiday period, reminding the public to adhere to the speed limit and wear seat belts. Yesterday morning, members of the Road Safety Committee, Road Traffic Department and ministry officials joined him on Bay Street and distributed flyers on the importance of road safety to motorists. This initiative follows what has been a particularly deadly month for motorists. Six people were killed in traffic accidents during the first weekend of December alone. From December 8-11 two more youths died in traffic accidents. Mr Campbell said: “As the minister, I am not satisfied with the fatality count of this year. And I’m not even sure what it is. I’m not concerned about numbers. I’m satisfied that any one person that dies, a number of persons hurt. “And then there is the side of the accidents that we don’t see — the persons who don’t die, but have lifelong disabilities which result in a poor quality of life for them and the persons who have to care for them.
“And so we want to spread the message, more particularly at this time, but not just for this time of the year, throughout the year. We want everyone to know that they have a role to play.” He added: “Pedestrians in particular, we’d be surprised to know how many accidents are actually caused by pedestrians who would just dart across the street without looking, and then drivers have to attempt to take evasive action and maybe hit someone or something that had nothing to do with the incident. “If everyone plays their role, if everyone stays in their lane, if everyone observes the speed limits, observe the traffic signals, I believe we’ll have not just a safe Christmas, but we’d have a safe year, that is as accident-free as possible. So that is my hope as we end this year and go into the New Year.” When asked by reporters about the pervasive criticism the public often has concerning bus and taxi drivers, Mr Campbell said the belief that they are collectively problematic is a “myth”. He said: “I’m a firm believer that there is good in the worst of us, and some bad in the best of us. And so, as a collective, public service drivers (have) a reputation. But I’m sure that
it’s not all of them. “And I believe if they have an appreciation for the fact that I know that it is a small handful, and if I ask those who are doing the right thing to join in with me, then they can help me to sensitize their colleagues and their comrades. “At the end of the day, we can get a greater percentage of them adhering and maybe someday we can actually change that myth, that all public service drivers are reckless, et cetera. I don’t believe it, and for the percentage that are, I’m appealing to them to help me change that myth.” Mr Campbell also encouraged motorists to practice good habits such as obeying the speed limit and having passengers, especially children, properly secured in vehicles. “When working within the confines of the speed limit, there is sufficient time to react if somebody else does something. But the faster you’re going, the less time you have to react. So that is one of the contributing factors. “I see a lot of people with young kids (who) are not buckled up. I stopped a lady the other day and I asked her…’Miss, did you borrow this kid?’ And she seemed puzzled by the question. But my position was, if
FORMER ARCHDEACON WANTS CHURCH TO HELP TACKLE CRIME By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Anglican archdeacon Father I Ranfurly Brown yesterday sidestepped several questions on marital rape amid raging public discussion on the issue, insisting on the need for intense research prior to any national commentary. “No, I don’t have any views on it. Not right now, I have to study what is going on before I make any response on it,” Fr Brown told reporters outside Nassau Straw Market. Debate on the issue was reignited by the calls for spousal rape laws from United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women Dubravka Šimonovic during a press conference last Friday. The public has watched with great interest how members of the religious fraternity have handled the renewed discussion on the topic, given the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) opposed the Ingraham administration’s efforts to outlaw spousal rape in 2009. Former BCC President Dr Ranford Patterson said in 2013 the organisation would support such legislation if it emerged again. However, later that year some pastors were up in arms over false rumours the Christie administration’s amendments to the Sexual Offences Act would sneak in provisions that criminalised marital rape, highlighting the religious community’s divide on the issue. Current BCC President Bishop Delton Fernander has refused to give his personal view on the issue, but insisted he would poll members of his organisation to see what their current positions are. Despite his refusal to address marital rape, Fr Brown didn’t mince words when it came to his views on how the church has, in recent years, approached its role in community development. Asked about the level of crime being experienced in Over-theHill communities, Fr Brown stated: “Our
community is sort of quiet now, and I think whatever problems we have, it goes around, you know, from community to community. But, basically I feel like the church ought to be a little more responsible with crime.” Encouraged to clarify his statement, Fr Brown said: “I always tell (the church), political parties don’t have children, only church people. And so we have a great responsibility to make sure that our children our brought up in the right way and that we have the kind of examples that we ought to have so that they can follow some model in their lives.” He continued: “I remember when I was younger, a few years ago, we use to look at persons and say I want to be like him or I want to be like her, and I think that takes us back to the fact that we need models around our communities to cause our children to look up to them. “This time is a time when the church is challenged as to what it is doing other than following tradition and not causing what it ought to be doing to come alive in the lives of our people and in our communities. “Giving away all of these free foods, and in some communities it may be necessary, but what happens the rest of the year? What are we doing in our communities the rest of the year? “I would like to challenge everyone to cause ourselves to be involved in the lives of people throughout the year and not find ourselves focusing on who can give the most turkey and who can give the most ham.” Fr Brown concluded: “And be to our people, an involved organisation and involved community so that we can bring forth some new characters in our community.” In early 2016, Fr Brown was removed as an Anglican archdeacon by Bishop Laish Boyd for what the latter described as “several notable infractions.” Chief among which was his refusal to apologise to former Prime Minister Perry Christie for comments he made after the funeral of businessman A Bismark Coakley in August 2015.
this is your kid that you love and you’re concerned about, you ought to want him to be safe.” Mr Campbell reminded everyone that as they’re celebrating this season, to do so with a “sense of responsibility”. His remarks echo those of Senior Assistant of Commissioner Police Stephen Dean, who noted earlier in December that speed is a “common trend” in traffic fatalities. In July, Mr Campbell said that it is “vital” that the government “continue to focus on road safety.” He also encouraged people to avoid texting while driving, which he said is “far too prevalent” in Bahamian society and the possibility exists for the introduction of legislation against texting while driving sometime in the future.
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Merry Christmas to all our readers WE at The Tribune take delight in using the opportunity of our last publication before Christmas Day to send Season’s Greetings to our readers, friends and colleagues. The approach of Christmas amid declarations of ‘peace on earth and goodwill to all men’ reminds us that while Christians believe in the power of redemption through the birth of their Saviour they also regard this as a time to show gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon them. At this festive period, people focus on the forthcoming celebrations involving feasting and merriment and the sheer joy of family and friends coming together in love, harmony and fellowship. But, this should also be a time for reflection and appreciation, since as Bahamians we have much to be thankful for as a nation – in the American lexicon, development of “an attitude of gratitude”. Most importantly, despite an unacceptably high level of crime, we should be grateful for the day-to-day general peace and order of our lives based on a stable democracy under the rule of law and with relative prosperity enabling many to enjoy a good quality of life. This past year has been a period of notable change with a mix of successes and setbacks and a hard-fought General Election. We can always be confident the outcome of an election in this country will be respected so that there is invariably a smooth transfer of power in accordance with our democratic traditions. We take this for granted, but we should recognise our good fortune in being spared, as a young nation, the type of political turmoil suffered elsewhere in the world that leads to the horrors of tyranny and dictatorship. We are blessed as a country with the beauty of nature, surrounded by brilliant turquoise waters (some say the clearest water on the planet), coral reefs and pristine white beaches in our extended archipelago as well as blue holes, the third largest barrier reef, unmatched flora and fauna, outstanding fishing - the list goes on. We should value, appreciate and relish our unique environment and make it a national priority to nurture and protect properly what nature has provided. It is all too easy to forget the achievements of talented fellow Bahamians but we should also applaud those who have achieved success in so many different spheres over the years, both at home and on the international stage – in the professions, the arts and in sports as well as in the commercial world. For a small country, The Bahamas has produced a disproportionate number of people who have excelled in their chosen field; and
how many other countries can boast of a hale and hearty centenarian Olympic gold medalist? With our background as a former British colony we have a rich and interesting history and culture. We should be proud of our heritage but at the same time recognise the important strides we have made as an independent nation responsible for its own development-politically, economically and in so many other ways including building a free and fair society together with the infrastructure of a modern country. Not least significant is the appearance of our capital city and the island of New Providence. Despite the critics and the naysayers who complain about the deterioration of East Bay Street or the potholes in too many of our roads, our general propensity to neglect maintenance and cut corners in keeping our environment clean and well ordered, a visitor returning to Nassau today after a 20-year absence would be amazed at the recent improvements – the new airport, four-lane highways, a new university, Baha Mar, Atlantis and the development of Paradise Island with its fine new bridge, and a recent surge of construction with impressive new public buildings and private homes designed by local architects. Then, if the visitor ventured further afield, he would also be pleasantly surprised by new developments in some of our Family Islands, though it is true some of the smaller ones have been left behind. Thus, notwithstanding a range of problems – from crime and high levels of poverty and social deprivation to widespread corruption, economic mismanagement and the absurdity in this relatively rich country of frequent power cuts - we have much for which to be thankful. As Bahamians, we love to find fault. But, if we pause for a moment of meditation and truly reflect on the benefits we enjoy in so many aspects of our lives and be grateful in our hearts, perhaps we can come together more as a people. While genuine debate is healthy and necessary, we need to put aside some of our political differences and divisive attitudes and seek to work together as fellow citizens for the good of our nation, both to build on our successes and also to fix those things which need to be rectified in one way or another. But, above all, we need to learn to love each other more in the Christmas spirit of peace and goodwill - and, at this joyful time of year, give thanks for our many blessings. We wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Wastage in government EDITOR, The Tribune. WASTE in Government seems to continue at a feverish pace. We hear the PM and the Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the Bahamas
Haitians migrants packing up EDITOR, The Tribune. Re:Migrants ‘Packing Up And Ready To Leave’. The Tribune, December 20, 2017. Yeah, riiiiiiiight! KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, December 20, 2017.
Embassy Christmas party in Washington last Friday, I believe. Interesting the PM carried his wife and the Minister of Foreign Affairs carried his and there was a Ms Bowe to take photographs plus probably security and may be protocol officers. We are told in a OPM release this was supporting the new initiative of Enterprise Commercial Act. Editor - it has to be asked why were the spouses included? Surely there is a person at the Embassy that could have used a cellphone to take a photograph or so? What was the costs of this travel as it included hotel probably a fourfive star hotel airfare now that will be interesting we were told pre-May 10th
Ministers would not travel first class lets test what class did they travel? My guest is all first class except the junior people. We the People want to see all the accounts. Another real nuisance is the total lack of reserved parking spaces at Ministries for the General Public.....Education you have to walk almost a quarter of a mile before you enter the building, God help you if it is raining but bless them the civil servants have all the reserved slots right to the door - same goes at OPM and Health. Dis we people’s time…. hmm has anything changed? W THOMPSON Nassau, December 19, 2017.
Marital rape EDITOR, The Tribune. KINDLY permit space in your valued paper for an urgent and deeply felt comment regarding a statement recently attributed to the Minister of Social Services on the burning issue of marital rape. When a government comes to power promising “It’s the people’s time”, the Ministry directly charged with the well-being of the people is an appointment of heavy responsibility with the potential for as weighty an impact upon the quality of Bahamian lives, families and society in general, hence upon overall national development. In this light, I was stunned when, in response to cries from many respected citizens for a law recognising and criminalising marital rape, the good lady who currently holds the title of Minister of Social Services opined that the question of marital rape is “a private matter” and there should not be a “rush” to legislation. To say that I was astounded, puzzled and angry all at once is to fail abjectly to encapsulate the mind and body-shaking emotion that overwhelmed me. It hurt even more because the Minister is the only woman in the National Cabinet. This leads me to some urgent questions that must be answered by a government of whom I have high expectations, following the 2012-2017 implosion governance that was heard around the world. What pre-service preparation is given to those members of Parliament who will serve in the National Cabinet, especially the Minister of Social Services? Before speaking on an issue so sensitive and so laden with grievous import, what expert counsel did she seek? What reading did she do on the subject of marital rape? I’m certain that if she did read, her reading must have stopped at an account of the opinions of the 18th century English jurists to whom we owe the common law, which allows men to brutalise their wives with impunity. In India where a husband still enjoys such a fearful right, The Indian Express provided the history behind the precedence our law establishment follows: “The grounds for ‘marital immunity’ for rape prosecution were laid by Chief Justice Sir Matthew Hale in The History of the Pleas of the Crown, published in 1736, 60 years after his death. He (Hale) wrote, ‘The husband cannot be guilty of a rape committed by himself upon his lawful wife, for by their mutual matrimonial consent and
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net contract the wife hath given up herself in this kind unto her husband, which she cannot retract.’ This ‘Implied Consent Theory of Sir Hale (sic)’ found its way into the legal system of all former British colonies that adopted the common law system.” That includes The Bahamas and, no doubt, the underpinning of Minister Rolle’s statement and the reason for this letter. Does this mean that an inherently bad principle should trump the testimony of medical professionals who treat patients suffering from the physical and emotional wounds and diseases forced upon them by their spouses? The trauma is no different, no less harmful than that inflicted by nonspousal assailants. Why should the latter be charged and punished by the law and the vicious husband go free? Minister of Social Services, did you deign to listen to the complaints of women so certifiably abused? Did you listen to counsellors of such agencies as the Crisis Centre who offer abused women solace? Did you seek counsel from our several august psychologists and psychiatrists who attempt to rescue women from the grave emotional trauma and mental defects victims have been known to suffer? Dear Minister, are Bahamians of your gender not entitled to equality. What a great pity that in cases of marital rape the victims are not granted the saving grace of immunity from physical and mental suffering. Unhappily, Minister, ‘sorry’ or the fact that the attacker is the victim’s spouse does not ease the pain or cure the diseases transmitted by serial adulterer husbands. Based on the dictum that marital rape does not exist, and is therefore not a crime, pre-marriage counseling should include the caution to women on the verge of marriage to “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.” This is the same warning that is written above the gates to hell in Dante’s Inferno. Imagine that we claim to be a democracy and a Christian nation. Such a sad misconception or cruel joke in light of the offenses to human rights and dignity that remain enshrined in Bahamian law and precedence. Yet, there is hope in the examples offered by other nations. Bravo to Poland, which country in 1932 became the first to pass a law explicitly criminalising spousal rape. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the former Soviet Union and
Czechoslovakia soon followed suit. So have South Africa, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, Ghana, and Israel. Marital rape is an indictable offence also in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, so too in all 50 of the United States, that democratic heavyweight, and even in the United Kingdom, where the House of Lords, as noted in The Indian Express, “struck down its common law principle that a marriage contract implied a woman’s consent to all sexual activity.” Even in traditionalist Nepal, where the high court has ruled that spousal immunity contravened the constitutional right of equal protection and the right to privacy. Bravo Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest for having the courage to make the following statement: “My personal belief is that no man has a right to force himself upon any woman, whether married or not…I think, as a fundamental right, every woman has a right to determine what happens to her body…”. Thank you DPM for going further with a condemnation of abuse that is free of gender bias. To the Minister of Social Services, a bit of advice: Not every platform presented should be mounted or microphone seized without prior deep thought — certainly not if you are to satisfy the obligations of ethics and the responsibilities to which your acceptance of your high office implies consent. To the previous, supposed administrators of social justice in The Bahamas, please now be silent, unless you precede your remarks with a loud, tearful ‘Mea culpa, I remained silent in the face of rampant oppression, because my government spurned freedom of information and gender equality!” I’m next going to propose the publishing of a Bahamian bible from which will be expunged all mention of the word ‘love’. Let’s also deep six Ephesians 5:25, which is in direct conflict with Bahamian common law and the value system of all too many of our fellow Bahamians, male and female. At the same time, let’s not dare to claim democracy without the reservation: “Human rights as set forth in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas do not apply equally to women, migrants fleeing oppression and any square peg, who does not fit into the round, perilous hole of Bahamian bigotry.” PATRICIA GLINTONMEICHOLAS Nassau, December 21, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, December 22, 2017, PAGE 5
UN vote: we can’t be bullied from page one
never recognised Palestine as a sovereign state, it has always commended a twostate solution as a means of peace. “Every sovereign state can determine and declare where they will put their mission, an embassy,” Mr Henfield said. “We didn’t see the need to interfere with the Americans’ decision to put their embassy in Jerusalem. Abstention doesn’t mean agree or disagree, what we must do is contextualise that a resolution is just a resolution and you may not agree with all the contents of the resolution before you. And so you have to contextualise everything and determine what’s in the best interest of our country.” In all only nine countries – including the United States and Israel – voted against the resolution alongside Togo, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands, Guatemala and Honduras. One hundred and twenty-eight countries voted in favour of it. “Twenty-two of the EU
JERUSALEM, which has been at the centre of debate after the US declared it recognised the city as the capital of Israel. 28 countries voted for the resolution,” the UK Guardian noted, “including the UK and France. Germany – which in the past has abstained on measures relating to Israel – also voted in favour”. Thirty-five countries abstained, including five
EU states and Canada – which Palestinian officials had expected would support the US position. Ambassadors from several abstaining countries, including Mexico, used their time on the podium to criticise President Trump’s unilateral
move. “Another 21 delegations were absent from the vote, suggesting Trump’s warning over funding cuts and Israel’s lobbying may have had some effect,” the UK Guardian noted. Mr Trump sent
shockwaves through the international community earlier this month when he recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The US move defies an existing UN resolution over the status of Jerusalem, which states the matter can only be settled
as an agreed final issue in a peace deal. Jerusalem is claimed as a capital by both Israel and Palestine, and according to international reports, the latter country has termed America’s move as an abdication of its role as mediator in the conflict.
DEFIANT - SWEEPS FOR ILLEGALS ‘STEPPING UP’ from page one
automatically Bahamian. You have to apply and if you don’t come here the right way you have to go. We have one country and we have to take care of it. So if anything we will be stepping up our efforts. The court can do what they want to do and we will do what we have to do.” On Tuesday, a Supreme Court judge granted bail to 11 persons who were
detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre or immigration safe houses. They, along with the four detainees released last week, bring the total of people freed from the detention by the courts to 15. Attorney Damian Gomez and president of Rights Bahamas, Fred Smith, who represented the individuals that includes three children, argued that the persons were unlawfully detained.
As it relates to the 11 detainees granted bail on Tuesday, Justice Gregory Hilton said those individuals would themselves sign to pay $1,000 should they not show up on their respective adjourned dates, and report to the Department of Immigration once a week every Wednesday until then. The Department of Immigration intensified its apprehension efforts in November after a large empty sloop was discovered
on the shoreline of Adelaide Beach. One month later, a boat “loaded” with Haitian migrants landed near Clifton Pier, about three miles from Coral Harbour. Immigration officers and other authorities spent last week combing the area for the migrants. The RBDF said 57 people - 43 men, 11 women and three children - were taken into custody and transported to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.
The illegal landing prompted Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip Davis to call for “heads to roll,” saying an explanation is needed from authorities why two sloops were able to land so close to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s Coral Harbour Base. The immigration sweeps angered Mr Smith, who has written to members of the government expressing displeasure about the “complete and intentional” breakdown of the
rule of law regarding the actions of immigration officials and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF). In October, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis gave illegal immigrants a December 31 deadline to leave the country voluntarily or face being “aggressively pursued and deported.” This week he reiterated the call, saying undocumented migrants must leave the country by the end of the year or apply for legal status.
PAGE 6, Friday, December 22, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
FNM MP: Spousal rape is absolutely wrong By KHRISNA RUSSELL Prime Minister Dr Deputy Chief Reporter Hubert Minnis has also said krussell@tribunemedia.net he has no personal views on marital rape, adding the DEPARTING from people will decide which her party colleague Lani- direction the government sha Rolle’s stance that takes. marital rape is a private “First and foremost, I matter, Miriam Emma- am for it because in my nuel, MICAL MP, said view I don’t think it’s right she supports criminalising for another human being spousal sexual abuse, telling whether it be your husband The Tribune it is “abso- or your significant other lutely wrong” for any man (to have) the right to force to “dominate,” “harass” or himself upon you at any “force” his significant other time,” Mrs Emmanuel said. to satisfy his flesh. “And also even though While conceding that you are married there is due process still in my view, must take ‘In my view I which I pracplace before tice, a level of marital rape don’t think at no privacy that is is outlawed in given time any still due within the country, human being that marriage. Mrs Emma“So there nuel yesterday whether they be must be said once this man, woman, boy boundaries is done she because a or girl - has any would support paper just any legislation right to infringe legalises that which upholds upon the rights of the ceremony the rights of another individual takes place, women. but it doesn’t Meanwhile, just because you give you the West Grand are married to right to domiBahama nate or try to that person.’ and Bimini harass your MP Pakesia partner, wife, Parker-Edgecombe, also or significant other just to a member of the Free satisfy your flesh. National Movement, told “Yes it might be differthis newspaper she was not ent views coming from the yet ready to make a public church and other persons statement because she was might have their have their still consulting with resi- beliefs and perhaps go to dents in her constituency. the Bible for a theological Mrs Emmanuel’s out- perspective, but in my view right rejection of marital I don’t think at no given rape comes amid fiery criti- time any human being cism targeted at Mrs Rolle - whether they be man, who is the Seabreeze MP woman, boy or girl - has any and sole woman Cabinet right to infringe upon the minister. Mrs Rolle is min- rights of another individual ister of social services and just because you are marurban development. On ried to that person.” Tuesday she refused to take She continued: “I don’t a firm position on the con- support it (marital rape). troversial issue when she It’s absolutely wrong and was asked by reporters for I support any bill that will her views on spousal sexual come to rectify this so that abuse. everyone will understand
that we are not bound by things as women that we don’t agree with just because we are married and have to say okay we have to do it. No I don’t support it and so I am for it.” Asked if she believed it was time for the government to address spousal rape as urged by the United National last week, Mrs Emmanuel said while she agrees the issue must be resolved, it will come down to due process. Attorney General Carl Bethel has said the Minnis administration is currently making no moves to outlaw marital rape. “Everything takes a process and time and before we move or ask the government to move it has to also be a thought-out process,” she told The Tribune. “It should be brought also to the community for feedback to give people a better understanding of what is about to be presented and give them enough information so it wouldn’t be rejected or to show them where you are trying to take the country with women because you know women still have a long way to go not just in the Bahamas but in the world at large,” the MICAL MP said. “So if he (the attorney general) made that statement I don’t think it’s a statement to say it won’t be given first priority, but I know that it will come because I think the Bahamian people want to also to be a part of whatever is going to transpire so I think they should be involved in giving them an opportunity to be a part of what is about to take place.” In an interview with reporters ahead of Cabinet’s meeting on Tuesday, Mrs Rolle said the country does not condone violence
MIRIAM EMMANUEL MP against women, adding: “In relation to marital rape, I’ve always said it is an issue that is private.” Her response contrasted with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest who earlier had said he was open to legislation that would protect a woman’s fundamental right to her body, even in the context of marriage. Two prominent Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) women said Wednesday, in response to Mrs Rolle, said
the social services minister is not upholding the mandate of a ministry that has long been the government’s gateway to pushing women’s issues. When contacted, Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin said: “I am shocked by what she said. As someone with responsibility for women’s issues she was not upholding her responsibility. She was derelict in that regard. Her view flies in the face of what is accepted globally and
in our own country. Just because you marry someone they are not able to assault you. “Marriage is a co-operative undertaking. We accept to a contract by saying ‘I do’ and that kind of consensual attitude continues throughout the marriage.” Former Social Services Minister Melanie Griffin said Mrs Rolle’s comments “were amazing” because she is in charge of women’s affairs in government.
ACTIVISTS CALL FOR ROLLE TO STEP DOWN from page one
“Nor is the matter up for debate, legally speaking. The Constitution of the Bahamas protects each and every individual from all forms of assault, including sexual assault and to the extent that statue law does not reflect this, it must be amended. Contrary to Rolle’s statements, there is no need for a wide consensus on this issue;
the government must act in accordance with the Constitution. “Nor can there be any question of protecting ‘the privacy of individuals and of marriages,’ as she puts it. In the same way that a person cannot physically injure or murder a spouse, then hide behind the veil of marital privacy, they cannot sexually assault that spouse with impunity. Marriage is a civil contract; it has no relevance in criminal law.
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“Furthermore, as the minister of social services of all people should know, there exists in this society a very high level of intimidation and coercion – both religious and social – which discourages victims of sexual assault from speaking out. In such an atmosphere, it is all but impossible for women in particular to express their true feelings on such matters for fear of stigmatisation. “While the government should always encourage consultation, it is the job of elected officials to move to protect victims who are intimidated into silence, regardless of public opinion. Women have a fundamental right to be protected by the law from all forms of assault.” On Tuesday, Mrs Rolle told reporters marital rape was a “private” matter that could become public and
shied away from taking a firm position on whether it should be outlawed. Instead she insisted the sanctity of marriage should be protected. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told ZNS earlier this week he had no personal view on the issue of spousal rape, and when asked by reporters about the matter on Wednesday he said he was more concerned about Christmas. Meanwhile, RB also said it was disturbing that Attorney General Carl Bethel said he must consult with the Bahamas Christian Council before any laws on spousal rape or sexual abuse are enacted. “This unofficial body has no statutory or constitutional relevance and its opinion should carry no special weight, particularly when it comes to any question of fundamental rights and constitutional law,” RB noted in a press release. “Finally, we admonish the prime minister that his equivocal, non-committal stance on this issue is doing far more harm than good. He cannot continue to dodge. We encourage him to stand and be counted among the enlightened and progressive statesmen who, in their time, did the right thing in protecting and empowering the most vulnerable in society.”
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, December 22, 2017, PAGE 7
POST office workers during a previous protest outside the House of Assembly.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
Postal workers in ‘good faith’ return from page one
“The air conditioning in now in place and there is constant cleaning to take care of the mould. So persons are working until about one or two in order to get some mail out before Christmas, especially to those persons in the Family Islands. These are all temporary fixes and hopefully in the New Year we can get some more things done. We got a favourable response for the government and we are working on good faith. Something has started and we are grateful for that. We were also told that some
consideration is being given to a particular location, so we are happy about that as well.” Employees at the main post office demonstrated for nearly a month demanding the government either make the building habitable or move them immediately. Rat infestation, heat from a broken air-conditioner and alleged rashes from handling mail are just a few of the problems the workers were protesting. Earlier this month, when asked if the government has narrowed down any potential locations for the post office’s relocation,Transport and Local Government
Minister Frankie Campbell said: “The government has looked at a number of locations. We don’t want to prematurely make any announcements until we are satisfied that we’ve made sufficient advancement that it won’t fly back in our faces.” He thanked those employees who have continued to work under extreme conditions and circumstances. He said it had to be for love of country, adding he was satisfied that it’s not primarily for the pay. Mr Campbell said the government was continuing to work for and on their behalf.
Earlier this year, thenBPSU President John Pinder threatened industrial action if the government did not immediately relocate employees from the “unsanitary” building. At the time, he said his members were forced to work in a mould infested building with rats, termites and a leaking ceiling. Since then, Mr Ferguson, the union’s new leader, said things have become progressively worse and despite employees only working half days, many of them have reportedly developed respiratory issues because of the toxic environment.
GB POLICE STEP UP PRESENCE By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE Royal Bahamas Police Force has increased its presence on the streets and in major shopping areas on Grand Bahama during this festive season when criminals tend to target unsuspecting shoppers and merchants. A team of officers conducted walkabouts in the downtown Freeport area, The Seahorse Shopping Plaza, and at Port Lucaya Marketplace on Thursday to ensure the safety of shoppers and deter criminal activity. Assistant Commissioner of Police Clarence Reckley told The Tribune: “We want to reassure merchants and shoppers that the police is here and that they can feel safe while doing their Christmas shopping.”
He said individuals are watching and targeting shoppers as they leave the stores with their purchases. ACP Reckley said increased police visibility would continue throughout this yuletide season. However, police are encouraging persons and merchants to take necessary precautions. He encouraged persons not to leave goods or valuables exposed in their vehicles. “We recommend that persons put their goods in the back trunk, and their valuables in the glove compartment or under the seat,” he said. Leaving items on the seat of a car is not a good idea, he said. “We call incidents such stealing from a vehicle a crime of opportunity because persons passing see valuables inside and they
take a chance and break into the vehicle, and we want to discourage that,” ACP Reckley said. The senior police official said merchants should close their stores on time and make sure there is proper and adequate lighting inside and outside of their establishment. He also encouraged store owners to change the hours that they do their banking. “We recommend not going to the bank the same time every day, and if they feel uncomfortable to call the police for an escort,” he said. He stressed that merchants should be vigilant of their surroundings and suspicious persons lurking around the store, especially at closing time. “If you see anyone or anything that looks suspicious pick up the phone and
The Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA) wishes to advise the general public of its opening hours during the holiday season. URCA will be operating under normal business hours until 22 December 2017. URCA’s offices will then be closed as follows: • Monday 25 December 2017 to Monday 1 January 2018. URC URCA will resume its normal operating hours on Tuesday 2 January 2018. URCA extends best wishes for the holiday season and 2018! The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority Frederick House, Frederick Street, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas info@urcabahamas.bs www.urcabahamas.bs Tel.: 242.392.0234
call the police and we will check it out,” ACP Reckley said.
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PAGE 8, Friday, December 22, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
’Twas the night before Christmas TWAS the night before Christmas when all through the House, Every MP was stirring, from ‘superstar’ to ‘louse’. The stockings were hung in the smokers’ room with care, Hoping CEB money soon would be there; New junior ministers and backbenchers avoided their beds, As visions of pay raises danced in their heads. Doc sat in the kitchen, with Ace square on his lap, Saying “My mouth did it again, I got caught talking crap”; When out of the blue there arose such a clatter, And Brent screamed “Don’t forget my Fred Smith matter,” Away to the window Symonette flew like ‘red flash’, Tore open the shutters, and prepared for an ‘illegals’ clash. The moon peered down on Bahamaland below, As Doc gazed up wondering, “Why Ferreira so slurry and slow?” When, what to my wondering eyes should appear? Four PLP MPs toting plates out of there, With a brave-hearted driver, so lively and quick Saying, “Ma bey I’ne gern ta jail, I’m far too slick,” And faster than Perry had carried his behind, Doc shouted, “Office of the Spouse, to me, sounds fine!” “Now Dionisio! Now Jeff! On Duane! Carl ! and Marvin! Don’t study Sarkis, for him our people ain’t starving!” Meanwhile, green with envy, spying way across the land, Chris groaned and smirked, saying, “Well, at least I run Bran!” Adrian Gibson popped up, and said “I’ne upset!” “But shuffle dis Cabinet or I’ll make ya regret!” Freddy jumped up, and said, “I’se speak my mind, “I’ne scared a none a yinna, and Freeport don’t tote no line!” Laneisha stood up, sobbing into her tissue, Saying, “I coulda sworn marital rape was a private issue!” Travis sprung up, and said, “I got da Over-da Hill plan! But first show me the money, cause I’ne no cleaning man!” Peter was in the corner, playing blind and deaf, Thinking, “When da IMF finish, we’ne ga have nuttin left!” Doc stood up, his mouth drawn up like a bow, The hair on his head was suddenly white as snow, He started shaking, like a bowl full of jelly, Saying, “Man, I cracked them once, now the Press all in my belly!” And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself, And slowly put the Mace back on top of the shelf; The look in his eye, and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but sat down all forlorn, Then said, “The Honeymoon over, ya think next election I gone?” Brave rode away, like the down of a thistle, Saying, “These FNMs just as guilty, so you point and I’ll whistle!” Doc went to bed, and turned out the light Merry Christmas everyone, and please lock your doors tight! Merry Christmas to you and yours, from me and mine. And please remember the true reason for the season. Merry Christmas everybody!!!
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, December 22, 2017, PAGE 9
NIB worker’s trial to start in February By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
FORMER National Insurance Board (NIB) manager Selena Sweeting’s trial over allegations of bribery and extortion is set to commence on February 7 next year. The matter was previously adjourned by Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt for a day following submissions from Sweeting’s attorney Wayne Munroe, QC that he was not prepared to proceed without a stenographer. Crown prosecutor Terry Archer said he was ready
SELENA Sweeting at a previous court appearance. However, the chief magto proceed and presented to the chief magistrate a list of istrate, in endorsing Mr witnesses present for those Munroe’s stance, said she was proceedings, chief of whom not minded to proceed with a was the virtual complainant virtual complainant without a stenographer present. Marvin Shawn Rahming.
Sweeting was initially arraigned in August on bribery and extortion charges. It is alleged Sweeting, between January 27, 2017 and July 14, 2017, in respect of her duties as a public servant, demanded and solicited $5,000 from Marvin Shawn Rahming for assisting him in receiving business from NIB. At the time, Sweeting elected to be tried in the Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to both allegations. She was granted $8,000 bail by Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hilton hours after she was initially arraigned.
She is required to sign in at the Elizabeth Estates Police Station once a month as a condition of her bail. Meanwhile, the trial of interdicted Post Office employee Darnell Kemp Lightbourne’s multiple fraud related charges will commence on January 25 and 26, according to her attorney. Lightbourne, along with Quinton Ewing, were initially arraigned in September facing six counts each of fraud by false pretenses and one count each of conspiracy to commit fraud. Regarding the six counts of fraud, it is alleged the two, between September 30, 2016, and March 15,
2017, while at New Providence and being concerned together, obtained a total of $84,449.41 from the government. Lightbourne was further charged with seven counts of falsification of accounts. It is alleged that she, while serving as an accounting officer at the General Post Office, with the intent to commit fraud, falsified payment records in relation to ABC Security Company, owned by Ewing, to indicate it was entitled to a total of $83,895.05 between September 2016 and February 2017. Both Lightbourne and Ewing plead not guilty to all of the charges.
MURDER APPEAL FILED SEVEN YEARS ON IS DISMISSED By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A 48-YEAR-OLD Grand Bahama native sentenced to life in prison for killing a police officer approximately 25 years ago has had his intended appeal dismissed because he waited close to seven years before he requested more time within which to contest his sentence. Court of Appeal President Dame Anita Allen, who officially retired yesterday, and fellow Justices Stella Crane-Scott and Roy Jones dismissed Alexander Williams’ extension of time application, filed some six and a half years from the date of his conviction, after finding the delay in filing the application to be “inordinate” and thus “difficult to explain”. The appellate judges noted that notwithstanding the length of the delay and the absence of sufficient reasons for the delay, if the prospects of success of the intended appeal are good, the court would grant an extension of time and hear the appeal, so long as there is no prejudice to the respondents. However, the appellate judges, in a written ruling, further ruled Williams’ reasons for the delay were “neither good nor sufficient.” They also found it was “unlikely” his appeal would have “any prospect of success”. According to the ruling, on April 4, 1993, Williams was convicted of murder, armed robbery and possession of a firearm while committing a specified offence concerning the 1992 murder of Constable Truman Cooper. Williams was 23-yearsold at the time. The evidence on which Williams was convicted was that he and another individual frequented a beach in Grand Bahama, and on the
day in question went there with the intention of robbing tourists. Williams and his cohort encountered two police officers who they held at gunpoint, and forced them to undress. Williams accidentally shot his co-accused during the incident, giving one of the officers a chance to escape. While doing so however, that officer heard another gunshot and when he returned to where he left his partner, he found him shot in the forehead. Upon his conviction, Williams was sentenced to death for murder, 20 years for armed robbery and four years for the firearm offence, all to run concurrently. However, subsequent to a Privy Council declaration which ruled the mandatory death sentence for murder was unconstitutional, Williams was re-sentenced on the murder conviction by then-Senior Justice Jon Isaacs to life imprisonment on February 3, 2011. Almost six years later WIlliams, via a summons filed May 26, 2017, applied for an extension of time within which to appeal his life sentence. The summons was supported by an affidavit filed the same day and supplemented by an affidavit filed August 31, 2017. In his affidavit, Williams claimed that within 21 days of his sentencing, he applied to the prison for an appeal form, which he received. He further claimed he gave the form to his attorney at the time and requested his assistance in filing the form in the Court of Appeal. Some time passed, Williams claimed, before he realised he had no lawyer to proceed with his appeal and tried sending a number of criminal appeal forms to the Court in both 2012 and 2013, to no avail. He further charged that on July 14, 2014 he was given an appeal form by
a prison officer, which he filled out. He said that officer assisted him in “walking” the form out of the prison. The appellate judges noted in the ruling that the form is on their file, but it is not entered in their records as a filed document. Williams further protested the delay wasn’t his fault and that he was left without the ability to move his appeal through the system to reach the Court of Appeal. However, the appellate judges noted there is no record in the Court of Appeal of any criminal appeal forms pertaining to Williams in 2012 or 2013. And regarding the form WIlliams said was “walked” out of prison in 2014, the appellate judges said there is nothing on the face of the document that indicates the court received it, and neither does the court have any internal record of its filing. Williams also submitted in his arguments on his intended grounds that the trial judge failed to “have regard to sentencing principles where the death penalty was not an option.” Specifically, the ruling said, Williams argued the trial judge had “great regard for the public interest and deterrence” and “very little regard to Williams’ prospects of rehabilitation.” His attorney also submitted the sentencing judge “heavily weighed” Williams’ “past character” against him and thus concluded there was “no likelihood” of reform in the absence of any professional expert evidence to suggest his client was incapable of reform. However, the appellate judges concurred that Williams’ life sentence is a “valid” one, adding Parliament has “seen fit” to prescribe it as the maximum penalty for the commission of many criminal offences, murder included, where
the death penalty isn’t an option open to the sentencing judge in any particular case. The ruling also referenced the fact Williams was, for 13 years, “deceiving” prison officials “into
believing that he was a model prisoner,” when in fact he was “actively involved in drug use.” This, the ruling said, indicated to the sentencing judge that Williams was “not sufficiently reformed to justify
the imposition of a determinate sentence, and a possible earlier release into society.” Additionally, the ruling said there was “no real expression of remorse” by Williams for the crime.
PAGE 10, Friday, December 22, 2017
Sandilands porter is Unsung Hero
THE TRIBUNE
FROM left, Verna Bonaby, PHA assistant director of communications; Hannah Gray, PHA acting managing director, Kendal Sweeting, senior porter in the Food Service Department at Sandilands; and Kevin Darville, Tribune Project Manager. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff By MORGAN ADDERLEY weather. This so impressed monthly to those who “go his colleagues that his head beyond the call of duty” in of department and even the field of public health. KENDAL Sweeting the hospital administration Kevin Darville, The is the November winner department received calls Tribune Media Group’s of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Unsung work ethic came to notice complimenting his services special projects manager, presented Mr Sweeting Heroes Award. during the preparations for during that stressful time.” Of these accolades, Mr with a certificate of recMr Sweeting is senior the hurricanes which threatporter in the Food Service ened The Bahamas recently. Sweeting humbly said, “I ognition, a cash prize of Department at the Sandi- He ensured that food ration thank the Food Services $1,000, a dinner voucher lands Rehabilitation Centre boxes were placed through- Department, for everything for two at the Dune resthey’ve done for me. I love taurant at the One&Only (SRC). out the institution, so that Ocean Club and a comAt a press conference patients and staff could doing my job.” For this statement, those memorative pin. held yesterday at PHA’s access food supplies even in present at the press conferNomination forms and Third Terrace Corporate the event that strong winds ence heralded him as, “A full criteria for eligibiloffice, Mr Sweeting was celebrated for his years of prevented food deliveries man of few words, but of ity and selection can be deeds.” found on the PHA webhard work and dedication by the porters. “Even during the storm, The Unsung Heroes site (phabahamas.org) or and especially his commitment to the SRC this past Kendal made sure that Award is the result of a submitted via email to or when he delivered hot partnership between the obtained from the Departhurricane season. Acting managing director meals to patients and the PHA, The Tribune Media ment of Human Resources. of PHA Hannah Gray said: staff on duty, he did so Group, and the Aidan Nominations must be sub“Mr Sweeting’s planning, with a cheerful disposition, Carron Children’s Foun- mitted by the last day of the proactive approach and in spite of the inclement dation. It is presented month.
Unsung
HER ES
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THE TRIBUNE
Friday, December 22, 2017, PAGE 11
PAGE 12, Friday, December 22, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
A MAN waits to cast his ballot for the Catalan regional elections at a polling station in Barcelona, Spain.
CATALAN INDEPENDENCE PARTIES RISE IN SUPPORT BARCELONA, SPAIN Associated Press
CATALAN political parties that support independence from Spain were poised to regain a majority in Catalonia’s regional parliament, according to provisional results with more than 90 percent of votes counted Thursday. Unless the results change after the final votes are counted, the three secessionist parties together have won enough votes for 70 seats in the 135-seat assembly. However, the pro-union Citizens party looks set to become the biggest single party, with 35 seats in the parliament. The result would mean that the pro-independence parties would once again get a chance to form a regional government, nearly two months after Spain dismissed the previous government following a unilateral declaration of independence by Catalan lawmakers. Catalan voters turned up in force Thursday for a
regional election seen as a crucial test of strength for the powerful movement that wants Catalonia to split from Spain. The vote was called by the Spanish government in an attempt to end the political crisis that erupted in October over a banned referendum on independence. Opinion polls before the vote had predicted a close race between the separatist and unionist parties. Voters chose between parties who want Catalonia to remain part of Spain and those who want to continue the push for turning the northeastern region into an independent republic. Catalonia’s election board said that 68.3 percent, or 3.75 million of 5.5 million eligible voters, had cast ballots by 6 p.m. (1700 GMT; 12 p.m. EST), more than 5 percentage points higher than in the last regional election in 2015. Surveys in recent weeks had predicted record turnout numbers, but a final figure wasn’t immediately given so it’s not clear if that milestone had been reached.
US SPENDING BILL PASSED AS TEMPORARY MEASURE WASHINGTON Associated Press THE Republican-led Congress narrowly passed a temporary spending bill Thursday to avert a government shutdown, doing the bare minimum in a sprint toward the holidays and punting disputes on immigration, health care and the budget to next year. The measure passed the House on a 231-188 vote over Democratic opposition and then cleared the Senate, 66-32, with Democrats from Republican-leaning states providing many of the key votes. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the measure. The stopgap legislation would keep the government from closing down at midnight on Friday. It has traversed a tortured path, encountering resistance
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from the GOP’s most ardent allies of the military, as well as opposition from Democrats who demanded but were denied a vote on giving immigrants brought to the country as children and in the country illegally an opportunity to become citizens. The wrap-up measure allows Republicans controlling Washington to savor their win on this week’s $1.5 trillion tax package — even as they kick a full lineup of leftover work into the new year. Congress will return in January facing enormous challenges on immigration, the federal budget, health care and national security along with legislation to increase the government’s authority to borrow money. Each of those items is sure to test the unity that Republicans are enjoying now.