Established October 1895

Optimistic outlook for agricultural sector – Page 3

Tuesday January 12, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive TRAFFICKING WARNING A SENIOR Lecturer of The with the whole idea of migrant sex work. been trafficked.” difficult to ask somebody have you been University of the West Indies (UWI) So, it is very difficult to extrapolate sex Dr.Phillips also argued that trafficking trafficked – was this forced. If the person Cave Hill Campus has warned that trafficking from migrate sex work. And in the Caribbean based on the research says this is not forced, this is a decision the practice of deportation does what we find, the assumptions of the does not “look or align itself” with what that I have made – is it sex trafficking; nothing more than punish victims of Caribbean governments are to say they is seen in the media. She told the panel, was that person trafficked? sex trafficking. are illegal, criminalise the victims, arrest “There is no person in a white van “And I think this is the conundrum Dr. Joan Phillips is therefore calling them and deport them.” throwing women in a trunk and driving faced by Caribbean governments, which on Caribbean governments to change “The system of deportation as the way off and they are never seen by their is to challenge a system that they are their approach to this dimension of to resolve the trafficking issue is not a families for five or ten years – that’s not not quite sure how to approach – a human trafficking. victim-centred approach to combating the case. system that is already linked to sex Contributing to the US Embassy’s sex trafficking,” she stressed, further “The case here is that people make the tourism and sex work,. lunchtime lecture in recognition of insisting that this approach denies the decision, although some will say it was a “So, when we do look at sex trafficking, National Human Trafficking Awareness voices of the victims to be heard, and forced decision – and maybe it is a forced we have to pause and reflect as we do Day,she said there is anecdotal evidence consequently their ability to inform any decision because there are very limited today, in the context of how we define that illegal migrants from Jamaica, policy that can be developed. options to make a living. Do we say that sex trafficking in this particular situation Guyana, Haiti, and Dominican Republic “We know little about their stories – it is sex trafficking or do we say that sex – one size does not fit all, and I think are more vulnerable to being trafficked their working conditions and their trafficking is much more fluid and much that’s the challenge some of the across the Caribbean. outcomes. And that is why we need more complex than the United Nations Caribbean governments have been facing “From my research experience and further research in the area; further definition?” in terms of trying to combat trafficking. others who have written in the area, we underground research interviewing The Senior Lecturer in Sociology If it doesn’t look like trafficking -is it know sex trafficking has been conflated these women, men and so on who have further pointed out, “It is also very trafficking?” she added. (TL) Groups ready to rebuild THE Barbados Association of Event Professionals (BAEP) and the Entertainment Association of Barbados (EAB) are collectively looking forward to the establishment of a direct strategic dialogue and participation with the social partnership as a part of future public-private sector consultations. This was articulated in a joint statement issued yesterday in which the two bodies weighed in on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the island, specifically social activities and by extension livelihoods of many in the industry. “We are ready to do what is necessary to move past this current setback, and to help to rebuild the economy and maintain the safe ‘bubble’ that makes Barbados a successful pandemic management model and attractive destination. It was suggested that this industry which has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic has been essentially vilified for the local spread which was not of their own making. Stressing that the organisations are in no way endorsing the staging of events not sanctioned by the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit, concern was raised that entertainers and producers are feeling the impact of government’s decision to apportion blame to others without acknowledging its own role in the escalation of cases in Barbados. “Over the past five months, encouraged by government, our members have successfully staged COVID-19 compliant events, within set BEING CAUTIOUS: Barbadians have been extremely responsible and have turned up at testing sites across the island over the last few days to be tested for COVID-19. The island is currently in the midst of a spike in cases GROUPS on Page 6 which started at the end of 2020. 2 • Tuesday January 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Vacancies on Parish Independence committees

MEMBERS of the public is seeking a Deputy is seeking a Public are invited to apply for Chairperson, Treasurer, Relations Officer,while the available vacancies within Assistant Secretary/ St. John Parish some of the Parish Treasurer, Public Independence Committee Independence Commit- Relations Officer, three requires a Chairperson tees. In the Southern Zone, Floor Members, an and Treasurer. In the the St. Michael Parish Attendant and a Male and Northern Zone, the St. Independence Committee Female Ambassador. In James Parish requires a Chairperson, addition, the St. Philip Independence Committee Deputy Chairperson, Parish Independence is seeking a Deputy Secretary, Treasurer, Committee requires a Chairperson, Secretary, Assistant Secretary/ Chairperson, male Parish Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer, Public Ambassador and an Treasurer, Public Relations Officer and one Attendant. Within the Relations Officer, three Floor Member. While the Central Zone, the St. Floor Members, an Christ Church Parish Joseph Parish Attendant and a male Independence Committee Independence Committee Parish Ambassador. COVID-19 update: Six positives, ten discharged THERE were six new Majesty’s Prisons, Dodds. positive cases of COVID- The total number of 19 on Sunday, and ten cases at HMP Dodds is people were discharged now 227 – 58 staff from isolation. members and 169 inmates. These were the only There are now 478 positives – two women and people in isolation.To date, four men – among the 819 Barbados has recorded 884 tests conducted by the confirmed cases – 368 Best-dos Santos Public females and 516 males. Health Laboratory. The Additionally, 399 persons results represent a have recovered from the mixture of locals and viral illness. The public visitors. health laboratory has Of the six new cases, two completed 83 905 tests are male inmates from Her since March 2020. Atherley addresses new strain concerns

THE uncertainty do contact tracing as we surrounding the continue to keep our presence of the new borders open to the United strain of COVID in this Kingdom and other parts of island is worrying to Europe, bearing in mind Opposition Leader that it is more contagious. Bishop Joseph Atherley. It has still not clearly been The more virulent strain, said by government after which was first detected in all this time whether that the United Kingdom has variant is here, while other spread to several other Caribbean jurisdictions countries, including our have identified that it is Caribbean counterpart present with them,” he Jamaica, which confirmed chided. four cases last week. Weighing in on During a recent press government’s decision to conference, Chairman of pay for costs of the Cabinet’s COVID-19 accommodation for those Sub-committee, Minister of tourists waiting more than Foreign Affairs and Foreign 72 hours for COVID-19 test Trade, Senator Dr. Jerome results, Atherley said he Walcott outlined that both had no issue with it taking the Pan American Health financial responsibility for Organisation (PAHO) and those delays. However, he the Caribbean Public was not happy with the Health Agency (CARPHA) Tourism Minister’s will be helping the country statement that test for the new variant government would be and samples were to be paying for return trips for sent off. some of those affected. However, Atherley is “It is not important at insistent that there this time to offer people should be no delay in free tickets back to testing for the new variant Barbados. We are in the strain as it was 50 per cent middle of a crisis so there more infectious than the was no need for this to be a old. priority and make it a “I am concerned about major announcement,” he government’s capacity to said. The Barbados Advocate Tuesday January 12, 2021 • 3

Optimistic outlook for agricultural sector CHIEF Executive that holds true, we should when people have less affect production. The Officer of the see the expanded money they conserve BAS official made the Barbados Agricultural production of agricultural more and buy less. So point while noting that Society (BAS), James commodities across the there will not be the level the COVID-19 pandemic Paul says with the new board in 2021,” he said in of sales as in normal reinforces for farmers, the year getting off to a an interview with The times,” he said. importance of biosecurity challenging start, it Barbados Advocate. Paul added, “And with and implementing or will no doubt be tough He went on to say that the ban on social tightening up basic for the local if the weather conditions gatherings at this time, biosecurity measures agricultural sector, are favourable this year, some of the activities that across farms. but he believes there should be excellent are usually held that “Most of the large strongly that they can crop yields from fruit and involve food production or farming operations are draw on the vegetable farmers. promote food production aware of the biosecurity experiences of the However, he noted that will not be held. These measures and are 2020, to successfully with the spike in COVID- are some of the instituting them, so from navigate the coming 19 cases in recent times, fundamental issues that the point of safeguarding months. several businesses we are going to have to themselves and their “The most important closing temporarily, and deal with.” farms, they already have thing for us right now is the ban on social He went on to say that the tools, but the small to learn from what we gatherings, there are any prolonged high operators may find it went through in 2020 and implications for incidence of the COVID- more difficult because try to improve on how we agricultural production. 19 virus on these shores they are very much treat to the sector going “If you don’t have will definitely impact the exposed to the forward. It has been people at work it is a productive sectors. The community. But shown that the problem from the point of CEO’s comments came as irrespective of their size, Barbadian consumers view of the level of he said that farmers also we encourage them to have put greater reliance economic activity, which have to be careful to avoid take the necessary on local agriculture in will likely decline and contracting COVID-19 or precautions to prevent terms of meeting their food consumption might having an outbreak on being infected with the nutritional needs and if also decline because their farms, as it could virus,” he stated. Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), James Paul. Testing to be priotised for COVID-19 in a outbreak The Ministry of Health and large numbers of persons wearing a mask. Such A secondary contact is Unemployed Wellness has advised that who have come forward for persons, once identified defined as anyone who was COVID-19 testing will be testing who do not need to through contact tracing, in contact with a primary prioritised for persons who be. These primary contacts will be quarantined and contact. Secondary contacts and employed have symptoms in keeping are defined as people who tested. are not required to get with the viral illness, and were in close contact with If persons know that tested or be quarantined. for persons known to be they have been in contact Only if the primary contact Barbadians needed persons regarded as positive for COVID-19 with a confirmed COVID- becomes positive would the primary contacts of (confirmed by a lab test), at 19 case,they should contact secondary contact then be COVID-19 cases. a distance of less than six their polyclinic, or call the considered as a primary to harvest cotton This decision is being feet, for a period of more COVID-19 hotline at 536- contact, and should be made in recognition of the than 15 minutes without 4500. tested. UNEMPLOYED Peter and Bromefield Barbadians and those Farm, Harrison, St. Lucy. otherwise employed, but The first cotton picking can use some extra cash, exercise will occur at are being encouraged to Searles Farm on Friday, NCSA still reaching out consider harvesting West January 22, with Three Indian Sea Island Cotton, Houses Farm and Rock WHILE the ongoing international experts. field, to see things that the way,” she stated. this year. Hall expected to be ready health pandemic is “We always try to do NCSA may not, as she She made the The opportunity, which by February. impacting this year’s outreach to the public, but alluded to the increasing comments while noting is being provided by the Cotton pickers are activities to mark Drug that too has been put on abuse and misuse of over- that the most recent Barbados Agricultural advised that harvesting Awareness Month, hold until we see how the the-counter and report on drug abuse Management Company attire must comprise the Manager of the National situation with COVID is prescription drugs. among children, had as (BAMC), is expected to following clothing: long Council on Substance panning out. But what we Turning her attention one of the main findings, give persons a chance to sleeves, long pants, Abuse (NCSA), Betty are doing, is we are to schools, Hunte went on the need for more drug not only earn cash, but also headgear (hat, scarf, head Hunte, says it will not stop increasing our online to say that while the work education in schools. contribute to the economy. tie), fully enclosed shoes, the Council from raising presence and revisiting the NCSA usually does in However,Hunte lamented BAMC’s Agronomist, umbrella and water. awareness about the our YouTube channel. We both primary and that due to the pandemic, Nyah Nyhathu, while The fields will open from dangers of drug abuse and are updating and trying secondary schools has had they have not been able to acknowledging that West 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., misuse. to upload quite a bit of to be put on hold because provide that education as Indian Sea Island Cotton but workers may also pick Speaking to The stuff on that, and we are of the pandemic, concerted they would have liked. is “one of the rarest and and store at their Barbados Advocate in the process of efforts are underway to “It is something that finest cottons in the world, convenience. yesterday afternoon, increasing our capacity to get the information they commands our attention comparable to silk and Personnel from the Hunte said the NCSA is host other online share with the students every time we meet, we cashmere cotton”, said the BAMC will collect and on a mission to host all of webinars and use of social available online as well, keep looking to see how harvesting, which weigh cotton at prescribed the usual in-person media,” she said. and she said that work is we can get back into normally starts in times. activities online. Hunte Moreover, she said to at an advanced stage. schools one way or the February and March, will COVID-19 protocols will added that as part of their assist in getting “I hope to be able to roll other and we will be in begin in January. be in full effect on site and modified approach to information out, the that out, if not by the end contact again with our BAMC fields are located at all collection points. outreach, the Council will NCSA is collaborating of January, certainly by partners at the Ministry at: Constant Farm, Dash This year, management be hosting a series of with traditional partners the end of our financial of Education who have Valley, St. George; Searles hopes to see over 500 webinars and among the like the news media, and year which would be the been very instrumental in Farm, Newton, Christ cotton pickers working on topics to be discussed is non-traditional partners end of March. But we are assisting us in getting into Church; Mt. Pleasant the 270 acres across the the emerging issue of the such as the Barbados hoping for a schools... So that is Farm, Parish Land, St. island. use of psychoactive Pharmaceutical Society. January/February roll out something we have to Philip; Three Houses For further information, substances in Barbados. In respect of the latter, of that. Then we will do review and pursue Farm, Fortesque, St. and to sign on for She said this webinar, Hunte noted that our secondary schools and aggressively once the Phillip; Redland Farm, employment, persons may which is set for today,will pharmacists are in a our community school term is settled,” she Wakefield, St. John; Rock call BAMC’s Area Office at be delivered by a panel of unique position, in the interventions the same added. (JRT) Hall Farm, Four Hill, St. 437-5465 or 422-2809.

4 • Tuesday January 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Drought not of immediate concern but could affect region later WITH most of the Caribbean re- issue of the Caribbean Drought drought that can impact large ceiving normal to above normal Bulletin, a drought warning should rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater rainfall over the second half of be considered for Antigua, south- by the end of May 2021,” stated the the 2020 wet season, there are west Belize, and southern French Network which is led by the no concerns the region will face Guiana where long-term drought is Barbados-based Caribbean any drought up to the end of “evolving”; while a drought watch Institute for Meteorology and first quarter of this year, the should be considered for Grand Hydrology (CIMH). Caribbean Drought and Cayman and St. Kitts where long- “This is particularly so for south- Precipitation Monitoring term drought might possibly de- ern Belize and French Guiana, and Network reported in its latest velop or continue. in the vicinity of Antigua where bulletin. “There are no concerns over short- water resources should be closely However, there is some worry term drought that can affect monitored.The Cayman Islands and about what will happen later in the streams, rivers and ponds by the St. Kitts/Nevis should also monitor year. end of March 2021. However, some water resources as a precaution According to the January 2021 concerns exist over long-term against long-term drought.” The Barbados Advocate Tuesday January 12, 2021 • 5

Sir Ronald Sanders named to New online process for Vehicle London University Committee Registration and Commercial Renewal COMMENCING The application forms for private vehicles should VETERAN Caribbean yesterday, the Barbados both first-time not visit the Authority’s diplomat, Sir Ronald Revenue Authority will registration and offices. Sanders, has been begin processing first-time commercial renewal of Also note that payment named to a ten-person vehicle registrations for registration can be found transactions for first-time committee to conduct private and commercial on the Authority’s website registrations and an inquiry into the motor vehicles as well as bra.gov.bb. renewals for Public future of registration renewals for On approval, the Service Vehicles (PSVs) Commonwealth Studies commercial vehicles applicant will receive a will continue to be at the University of online only. unique identifier to processed at the Pine London. Payments will be facilitate payment by location. The announcement of the facilitated through the cheque, cash or card, if The original Committee members was SurePay online payment applicable, via SurePay. registration form and made recently by the platform, SurePay will send the supporting documents University’s Vice surepaybills.com or its Authority confirmation of must be retained Chancellor Professor physical outlets. The payment, and the indefinitely for Wendy Thompson. The Authority is also looking Authority will issue the presentation to the Committee will be chaired to expand the payment Barbados Licensing Authority, the Chief of by Sir Malcolm Rifkind, a facility options for Authority receipt and Police or Chief Licensing former Defence and Foreign this service in the near collection date via the Officer of the Barbados and Commonwealth future. email address used for the Licensing Authority upon Secretary of the British Garages, agents and application. Persons are request. Government. individuals making an encouraged to collect their A rigorous audit of the Sir Ronald, who is application for the licence sticker on their submissions will be Antigua and Barbuda’s specified vehicle assigned date at the conducted by the Ambassador to the United registrations or renewals Authority’s Bridge Street Authority’s Audit States and the OAS, has will be required to email a Mall office between 9:00 Department to ensure been involved in certified copy of the a.m. and 11:00 a.m. that the documentation Commonwealth matters in Veteran Caribbean diplomat, Sir Ronald Sanders. application form along Please note that the emailed is complete and various capacities since with supporting current renewal accurate and are true 1982. His scholarly work on diverse membership, it has practical world of documents to registration process for copies of the original the Commonwealth has the capacity to help the Commonwealth relations, [email protected] privately owned vehicles, documents.The Authority been widely published and world negotiate solutions to other Committee members ov.bb. These documents where stickers are issued thanks the public for their he was the Rapporteur of global problems.Therefore, are Stephen Twigg, must be certified by the via the post, remains in co-operation in facilitating the Eminent Persons Commonwealth studies are Secretary-General of the Chief Licensing Officer. place. Owners of these this change. Group, created by Head of important to University Commonwealth Government to make teaching and research.” Parliamentary Association recommendations on Other members of the and Michael Kirby, former reform of the Committee are drawn from Justice of the High Court of Commonwealth in 2011. the academic community Australia. Ambassador Sanders and include Professor Asha The Committee will hold said, “I am delighted to Kanwar-President and its first meeting on January serve on this important CEO of the Commonwealth 21 under Sir Malcolm’s Committee. The of Learning and Dr.Joanna leadership.It is expected to Commonwealth has been a Newman, Chief Executive take evidence from across significant actor in world and Secretary General of the Commonwealth and politics – for instance in The Association of submit its report and ending Apartheid in South Commonwealth recommendations by June Africa. Because of its Universities. From the 2021. 6 • Tuesday January 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Upsurge in cases regrettable; blame discussed GROUPS from Front against this background increase in the local concern about the hundreds of unsuspecting Page that the EAB and the spread of the pandemic, “relaxation” of protocols locals have been exposed BAEP find it considerably the Government felt it for visitors coming from to COVID-19. limits and restrictions, regrettable that following prudent to use the high-risk countries, “Regrettably,the failure without incidence. It is the revelation of an unfortunate infection of particularly at a time of of the authorities to patrons who attended a the year that is one of our manage the breaches in Boxing Day Bus Crawl to most socially active; the early stages, along cast blame in the events Christmas and new year with the fact that locals and entertainment celebrations.” existed in a false sense of industry and nullify our “While we understand security, as noted in the long-standing efforts to the need to stimulate our recently government- operate safely in a economy through endorsed horse racing COVID-19 environment.” facilitating the ability of event, perhaps let their President Barbados It was noted that the our tourism sector to guard down, and patrons Association of Event hasty labelling of the generate revenue during of the bus crawl fell Professionals Dwayne event as a “super- the winter season, it is victim.” Best. spreader” by the evident that with the The BAEP and EAB government, despite increased number of expressed confidence that negatively on businesses. PAHO’s determination visitors, came the had the producer, the bus “The longer we as a nation that such was too early to breakdown of the systems company or patrons been fail to control the impact assess, sought to herald instituted by government aware of the inherent risk, of the virus locally, the and vilify the event as the which protected the island the bus crawl would have longer we as an industry primary cause of the for several months. been postponed or will suffer the curtailment present situation, in “Delays in test results, cancelled. of our business through which the country now coupled with visitors “In the absence of government enforcement finds itself, with respect to breaching and ignoring timely communication, as a measure to control the increasing number of protocols, aided by the local spread was the the spread of the virus.” confirmed cases of accommodation sector result. The myriad of “It is our hope that our COVID-19. failing to manage guests documented and partners in the tourism The industry while in quarantine, may unofficial accounts of the industry, venues and food professionals expressed be the reason why flouting of protocols have and beverage left much to be desired. establishments, will join The reluctance by us in what we have been government to doing for months, working acknowledge culpability closely with COVID-19 in the face of such Monitoring Unit in breaches on any other seeking to conduct sector other than the business in a safe events and entertainment environment for everyone sector, in the form of bans without incident.” and fines, is unfortunate.” Despite the nature of The entertainment the recent narrative, the bodies lamented that the industry representatives “constant berating and commended government public castigation by on their response to the government” results in an pandemic since the unjustified public inception of the impact on perception that impacts Barbados. Prioritising testing for COVID-19 in an outbreak THE Ministry of Health than 15 minutes without and Wellness has wearing a mask. advised that COVID-19 Such persons, once testing will identified through contact be prioritised for tracing, will be persons who have quarantined and tested. symptoms in keeping If persons know that with the viral illness, they have been in contact and for persons with a confirmed COVID- regarded as primary 19 case, they should contacts of COVID-19 contact their polyclinic, or cases. call the COVID-19 hotline This decision is being at 536-4500. made in recognition of the A secondary contact is large numbers of persons defined as anyone who was who have come forward for in contact with a testing who do not need to primary contact. be. Secondary contacts are not These primary contacts required to get tested or be are defined as people who quarantined. were in close contact Only if the primary with persons known to be contact becomes positive positive for COVID-19 would the secondary (confirmed by a lab test), at contact then be considered a distance of less than six as a primary contact, and feet, for a period of more should be tested. The Barbados Advocate Tuesday January 12, 2021 • 7

Study: Vaccines China issues new rules in response available in to foreign sanctions on its firms China effective CHINA’S Ministry of Legislation and Other ritorial application of foreign Argentina have all formulated against new Commerce on Saturday Measures” on its website. laws and measures while at the similar legislation. published new rules that They apply to situations same time exercising its re- In 2018, the EU amended a prohibit companies from where the extraterritorial ap- sponsibility to maintain the in- 1996 statute to protect the COVID-19 complying with foreign plication of foreign legislation ternational economic and trade bloc’s operators from the extra- laws banning transactions “unjustifiably” prohibits order, commented Han Liyu, a territorial application of third variant with Chinese firms. Chinese organisations from law professor at Renmin country laws. The ministry said the order engaging in normal econo- University of China. China will establish a work- A NEW Chinese study found on “unjustified extraterritorial mic, trade and related activi- “Blocking the improper ex- ing mechanism composed of that vaccines currently available application of foreign legisla- ties with a third nation or traterritorial application of for- relevant departments to take for mass vaccination in China tion” takes effect immediately. region. eign laws and measures is not charge of counteracting unjus- can effectively neutralise the The ministry published the In publishing the rules, the unique to China,” said Han. He tified extraterritorial applica- new coronavirus variant first “Rules on Counteracting Chinese government is demon- added that the European tion of foreign legislation and identified in the UK last Unjustified Extra-territorial strating its solemn stand Union (EU), and countries in- other measures, the rules no- month, according to an official Application of Foreign against the improper extrater- cluding Canada, Mexico, and tice said. in charge of vaccine development under the State Council on Saturday. Zeng Yixin, deputy head of the National Health Commission, Ice-snow tourism revenue to made the statement during a press conference by the State Council joint prevention and control mechanism against exceed 390 billion yuan in 2021 COVID-19.The mechanism is an inter-governmental platform in- CHINESE tourists are expected volving 32 departments, leading to make 230 million trips featur- the nation’s response to the new ing ice and snow in the 2020- coronavirus outbreak. 2021 winter season, generating “Two research institutions more than 390 billion yuan (60 have conducted a study specifi- billion dollars) in revenue, ac- cally on this virus variant lately: cording to a report from the the Institute of Laboratory China Tourism Academy (CTA) Animal Sciences, and the on Jan. 5. Institute of Human Virology at The year 2021 marks the one- Sun Yat-Sen University.By com- year countdown to the Beijing paring the virus strain that 2022 Olympic Winter Games, emerged in China from January which is driving the develop- to June, 2020, with the mutation ment of the country’s ice and identified in UK, they discovered snow industry. the antibodies found in vacci- Ice and snow tourism has be- nated monkeys and humans can come an industry that will en- neutralise both strains,” Zeng courage 300 million people to said. participate in winter sports, a According to the official, the goal China has set to achieve by study, which has been submit- 2022, the report said. ted for journal publication and is Ice and snow tourism has also Tourists enjoy themselves in Jilin, northeast China’s Jilin province. waiting to be published, should become a new way of life for be reason for more confidence in Chinese tourists. Although the tomised, independent and high- ing Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, ior official from China’s Ministry the vaccines. industry was hit hard by the quality. and Beijing, have introduced 22 of Culture and Tourism, who also “At least for now,the mutation COVID-19 epidemic, people’s The country has increased in- industrial policies for the indus- called for the construction of does not affect the vaccine effi- confidence is returning. Of those vestment in ice and snow try. provincial and national ice and cacy.This is very clear,” he added. surveyed for the report, 82 per- tourism.According to incomplete Dai Bin, head of the CTA, said snow-themed resorts. The variant confirmed in the cent said they are willing to take statistics, from 2018 to 2020, China should develop ice-snow Cities including Harbin, UK – 501.V2 – is reported to be short-distance ice-snow trips, total investment in the industry tourist destinations, routes and Shenyang, Jilin and Changchun more transmissible, prompting and more than 53 percent said exceeded 900 billion yuan. products with a unique and pro- in northeastern China, as well as over 40 countries to impose UK they will maintain or increase To boost the development of found cultural heritage to attract Zhangjiakou in north China’s travel restrictions and British their budget for such trips com- ice and snow tourism, China has visitors. Hebei province, have been se- Prime Minister Boris Johnson to pared to previous years. rolled out over 14 policies con- Elements of the Olympic lected as top cities for ice-snow- announce a new national lock- The report revealed that cerning ice-snow consumption, Winter Games, intangible cul- themed tours this year at the down from January 4, 2021. Chinese tourists now prefer to people’s health and winter tural heritage and folk culture China Ice and Snow Tourism Several imported cases of the travel with their families on sports, while local governments should be added to ice and snow Development Forum held on new virus variant have been de- short trips that are smart, cus- of provinces and cities, includ- tourism, said Song Qihui, a sen- Jan. 5. tected in different parts of China. Zeng said the joint prevention and control mechanism acted swiftly,establishing a specialised research group on the variant. China reports record-high online While pointing out that the virus mutates every day, he called for preventive preparation payment during New Year holiday and more study into vaccine de- velopment against virus muta- BEIJING – Online payments 3, a record high among all previ- platforms. the period from one year earlier. tions. through NetsUnion, Chinese on- ous New Year holidays. NetsUnion processed 4.36 bil- China’s consumer market re- So far, over 9 million COVID- line payment clearinghouse, and Online payments for daily ne- lion online payment transac- mained buoyant during the hol- 19 vaccine doses have been China UnionPay, a card pay- cessities, hotel accommodation tions during the holiday, up iday, with the average daily administered in China, and ment giant, reached 3.89 trillion and catering accounted for the 28.37 percent year on year,while sales of key retail enterprises the Chinese government has yuan (about 601.16 billion U.S. largest proportions of the total data from China UnionPay up 6.2 percent year on year, ac- promised free vaccines for the dollars) during the 2021 New transactions in the three-day showed that travel-related con- cording to the Ministry of general public in an orderly Year holiday from Jan. 1 to Jan. period, according to the two sumption saw steady growth in Commerce. manner.

8 • Tuesday January 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate ‘For the cause that lacks assistance, ’Gainst the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do’ Editorial China says WHO coronavirus Grow more experts to visit from Thursday BEIJING, China – vided no further details. weeks on arrival, but are matter”, and has even Ten World Health A last-minute delay to expected later to visit pushed theories it origi- Organisation scientists the mission earlier this Wuhan – the city where nated outside China. local produce will visit China from month earned China a the deadly virus was first Experts say solving the Thursday to probe the ori- rare rebuke from the head detected in late 2019. mystery of how it first BARBADIANS need to roll up their sleeves gins of COVID-19, author- of the WHO. jumped from animals to and use whatever space they have in and ities said on Monday,more Director-General Tedros Virus origins humans is crucial to pre- around their homes to grow more herbs, than a year after the pan- Adhanom Ghebreyesus The US and Australia venting another pan- vegetables and fruits. We cannot only pay lip demic began and amid ac- said he was “very disap- have led international demic, but China’s tight service to this whole concept of eating home- cusations Beijing has tried pointed” China had not au- calls for an independent control of its scientific re- grown produce. We must act now if we truly to thwart the investiga- thorised the team’s entry – inquiry into the origins of search leaves little hope want to derive from the concept any positive tion. especially as two members the virus, putting China of finding definitive con- benefits. The long-awaited mis- were already en route. under significant pressure clusions. Certainly, during the lockdown period sion is of great political sig- But on Monday he amid growing calls for ac- There is little dispute last year, we saw somewhat of an increase in nificance at a time when tweeted his approval of countability. that the virus emerged in terms of locals buying gardening supplies, on the coronavirus pandemic China’s announcement on Beijing has faced inter- late 2019 at a wet market account of not being able to get imported has devastated the world, a “critical mission” to iden- national criticism over its in Wuhan where wildlife products due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but caused almost two million tify the origins of the virus lack of transparency dur- was sold as food, and the what we really want to see is not only more deaths, and brought the and how it jumped to hu- ing the initial outbreak, al- pathogen is believed to Barbadians taking care of plants and flowers, global economy to a virtual mans. though domestically the have originated in an un- but more citizens planting crops. They can do standstill. Beijing sought to down- government has praised determined bat species. so in the traditional garden beds if they so The WHO team “will play the tension, however, its own handling of the The quest to detect its desire, but for those who do not have the conduct joint research co- with foreign ministry outbreak and stifled any origins has also been requisite space, they can grow local produce operation on the origins of spokeswoman Hua criticism. plagued by conspiracy in barrels and in containers, which may be COVID-19 with Chinese Chunying calling it a Government officials theories – amplified by US easier to access. scientists”, the National “misunderstanding”. have repeatedly said that President Donald Trump Health Commission said The WHO experts will tracing the origins of the – that it leaked from a Small steps lead to great gains in a statement that pro- have to quarantine for two pandemic was a “scientific Wuhan virology lab. Without a doubt, we need to grow more food, so that we have more on hand to eat. We also need to see more Barbadians planting fruit trees. There was a drive started early last year, but US imposes sanctions on Ukrainians perhaps that was curbed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, where this pandemic is concerned, it is clear that we must turn over election interference our focus more so inward and try to see how we can grow more of what we eat, so we can WASHINGTON – The September over accusa- improperly used his in- checks and balances sys- indeed “eat local” and reduce our dependence United States on Monday tions he tried to interfere fluence with his father tem which still works in on imports. imposed sanctions on in the 2020 US election – vice president at the the US government.” It cannot be stressed enough that it is time several Ukrainian indi- won by Biden. time – to help Burisma, a The Treasury that Barbadians actively seek to change their viduals and entities, The action freezes any Ukrainian energy com- Department also unhealthy diets. Instead of greasy, fattening accusing them of US US assets of those black- pany on whose board he imposed sanctions on fast foods, citizens should be opting for local election interference listed and generally bars sat, and that Joe Biden Ukrainian parliamentar- ground provisions. They should also cut down and associating with a Americans from doing improperly pressured ian Oleksandr Dubinsky on processed imported foods and consume these pro-Russian Ukrainian business with them. Ukraine to fire a top and former Ukrainian in lesser quantities. Barbadians can surely put lawmaker linked to ef- “The United States will prosecutor who had in- official Oleksandr a dent in this island’s whopping food import bill, forts by President Donald continue to aggressively vestigated the firm. Onyshchenko. It accused if they would simply determine to produce more Trump’s allies to dig up defend the integrity of These allegations, in- Telizhenko, Kulyk, of what they eat. dirt on President-elect our election systems and tended to harm Biden’s Onyshchenko and Now while some may argue that this is easier Joe Biden and his son. processes,” Mnuchin candidacy, have been Dubinsky of having “pub- said than done, those in the agricultural field “Russian disinforma- added. seized upon by Trump, licly appeared or affili- pushing this concept of eating local, will agree tion campaigns targeting The action was an- his personal lawyer Rudy ated themselves with that small steps can lead to great gains. By American citizens are a nounced nine days before Giuliani and some Derkach through the co- now, every home in Barbados should feature threat to our democracy,” Trump is due to leave Republican lawmakers. ordinated dissemination some kind of home garden, as an indication Treasury Secretary office. Some of the individu- and promotion of fraudu- that Barbadians are taking agriculture Steven Mnuchin, who The Democratic-led US als blacklisted on lent and unsubstantiated seriously and are desirous of eating more locally has been a close ally of House of Representatives Monday, notably former allegations involving a grown nutritious foods. Trump but last week voted to impeach Trump Ukrainian government US political candidate.” condemned the violence in December 2019 on officials Andrii The Treasury Time to act is now at the US Capitol by a charges of abuse of power Telizhenko and Department also black- Given the statistics for overweight and obesity, pro-Trump mob, said in and obstruction of Konstantin Kulyk, were listed the Ukrainian it is clear that some Barbadians are eating a statement. Congress stemming reported in news media website NABU Leaks, too many of the wrong foods in very large The US Treasury from the Republican accounts to be sources for the source of leaked quantities and this negative activity is Department accused the president’s request that Giuliani, who travelled audio of conversations contributing to the rise in NCDs. Therefore, the seven individuals and Ukraine investigate to Ukraine to try to prod between Biden and for- time to act is now, if indeed we want to have a four entities of involve- Biden and his son Hunter officials there to investi- mer Ukrainian leader healthier population, with less ailments and ment in a Russia-linked ahead of the election. The gate the Bidens. Petro Poroshenko. NABU illnesses. Diabetes, hypertension, obesity and foreign influence net- Republican-led Senate in “We didn’t expect such Leaks’s publications overweight and also cardiovascular diseases work associated with February 2020 voted to a broad list sanctioned closely align with are not what we want to see overtaking our Ukrainian parliamentar- keep Trump in office. under the ongoing ad- Derkach’s agenda and population. ian Andriy Derkach. The Derkach has been a ministration,” Ukrainian talking points. Our children are also following in the pro-Russian lawmaker key figure in promoting anti-corruption activist Dubinsky in a state- footsteps of the adults and hence why it is was hit with sanctions by unsubstantiated allega- Daria Kaleniuk said. “To ment denied interfering even more critical to engage in healthier the US government in tions that Hunter Biden me it is a good sign of the in US elections. lifestyle choices as we go forward. Therefore, at the governmental level, more should be Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes done to encourage those in the country to E-mail Address: [email protected] Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen establish their own backyard gardens and Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan grow their own food. @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate

The Barbados Advocate Tuesday January 12, 2021 • 9

Banks worldwide amass $15B in fines in 2020 US banks account for 73% DATA acquired from ond with $981.06 million the Bank Fines Report in fines from three cases. 2020 by Finbold.com in- The Netherlands is third dicates a total of $15.13 with $916.83 million from billion (¤12.79 billion) one case, while Israel is lowed by Canada at Fargo had the second- ing sanctions with anti- lenders.” in aggregated bank fourth with $902.59 mil- $127.39 million from a sin- highest from a single case money laundering regula- Authorities from differ- fines last year. The lion bank fines also from a gle case. at $3 billion. Goldman tions remaining a key ent countries issued the bank fines covered the single case. With seven cases, China Sachs accounted for the enforcement priority. fines due to varying viola- period of January 1st, With two cases, Sweden saw authorities fine banks third-highest fine from a However,banks are spend- tions, but failure to adhere 2020, to December 31st, had $539.66 million in a total of $83.03 million single case at $2 billion. ing more on conforming to to anti-money laundering 2020. fines to rank fifth, while while Iran ranks tenth Finbold.com chief editor changing regulatory re- protocols was the leading According to the find- Germany follows with with $37.03 million from Oliver Scott commented: quirements. Overall, new violation. ings, the United States ac- $215.91 million from four one case. “Fines on financial insti- and complex regulations The report includes fines counts for the highest fines cases. The largest single fine tutions are projected to are proving to be a chal- higher than 500,000; the at $11.11 billion or 73.4% The United Kingdom was issued to Goldman grow in the coming years, lenge for the compliance real numbers of violations of the issued fines. The is seventh, with banks Sachs at $3.90 billion. In as the US and other coun- departments of many can be drastically higher. fines emanated from 12 amassing $156.51 million total, the facility amassed tries reforms existing cases.Australia ranks sec- in fines from four cases, fol- $6.25 billion in fines.Wells regulations while increas-

Twitter shares dive 7% after Trump account suspension SHARES of Twitter Inc protest by pro-Trump sup- advertising and other the sector’s leaders and slumped 7% yesterday, on porters outside Twitter’s services. analysts expect more legal course to knock off about headquarters. US President-elect Joe moves to counter the $2.5 billion from the mar- Twitter said on Friday Biden has been quoted as power of Facebook and ket value of the social Trump’s suspension criticising the “over- others over the next four media company after it was due to the risk of whelming arrogance” of years. permanently suspended further violence, following the account of US Presi- the storming of the US dent Donald Trump. Capitol last Wednesday. BANK RATES The slide came as some It was the first time the Republicans hit out over company had banned a Commercial bank rates to the public at the close of the weekend at the plat- head of state and was business yesterday by the Central Bank of Barbados. form for gagging one of its accompanied by the most watched partici- suspension of accounts Valid for January 12, 2021 pants, with traders also belonging to vitriolic Notes: pointing to signs that the Trump fans. Currency Buying Selling affair was further fuelling European Union Belizean Dollar 1.00000 1.00000 calls for greater regulation Commissioner Thierry Canadian Dollar 1.54616 1.59190 of Big Tech. Breton said the events at East Caribbean $ 0.73704 0.74445 Trump’s account had the Capitol were likely to Euro 2.38391 2.48429 more than 88 million fol- herald an era of tougher Pound Sterling 2.64961 2.76119 lowers and had been social media regulation, United States Dollar 1.98000 2.02857 retweeted billions of comparing it to the global Demand/Sight: times. crackdown on terrorism Currency Buying Selling Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 “Trump has a very high after the attacks of Sept. Canadian Dollar 1.55497 1.59050 and loyal following and a 11, 2001. East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 lot of those eyeballs will “The fact that a CEO Euro 2.41889 2.46887 go away if Trump is can pull the plug on Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 permanently restricted POTUS’s loudspeaker Pound Sterling 2.68849 2.74405 from posting,” said Andrea without any checks and United States Dollar 1.99000 2.02768 Cicione, head of strategy balances is perplexing,” he Telegraphic Transfer at brokerage TS Lombard. wrote in a column for Currency Buying Selling Other social media Politico. Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 platforms, including “It is not only confirma- Canadian Dollar 1.55792 1.59050 East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 Facebook Inc, have been tion of the power of these Euro 2.42344 2.46887 quick to issue similar platforms, but it also dis- Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 bans on the outgoing plays deep weaknesses in Pound Sterling 2.69355 2.74405 president last week after the way our society is or- United States Dollar 1.99375 2.02768 the violence at Capitol ganised in the digital Hill. space.” INDICATIVE RATES FOR SOME REGIONAL But the fall in Twitter’s Twitter, Facebook and CURRENCIES AS ADVISED BY THE shares in premarket trad- Google have faced a surge RESPECTIVE CENTRAL BANKS ing was much heavier in the cost of moderating N.B.: These rates are not meant to be used for trading. than for any of its peers. content on their platforms BDS$ Guyana Dollar 0.00945 US media also reported in recent years, so far Jamaica Dollar 0.01400 San Francisco police were countered by rises in the T&T Dollar 0.29583 bracing for a possible revenue they get from 10 • Tuesday January 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

COVID-19 patients still have symptoms 6 months later Interferon may be helpful treatment after all THE following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID- 19, the illness caused by the virus.

Half a year later, COVID-19 patients still have symptoms Most patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have at least one symptom six months after falling ill, according to findings from a study in Wuhan, China, where the novel coronavirus first emerged in late 2019. Doctors there tracked 1,733 patients who were diagnosed and hospitalized between January, 2020 and May. Six months later, 76% had at least one symptom including fatigue or muscle weakness (seen in 63%), sleep difficulties and anxiety or depression. Most of those who had been severely ill had ongoing lung problems and chest abnormalities that could indicate organ damage, while 13% of patients whose kidneys functioned normally in the hospital went on to Doctors treat coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients at Enfermera Isabel Zendal hospital in Madrid, Spain, January 11, develop kidney problems 2021. later, researchers reported on Friday in The Lancet. “We are virus after leaving hospital,” patients may not have a Nature Genetics, said in a Saliva viral load, but not only beginning to highlighting the need for limitation researchers had statement. “We believe this nasopharyngeal viral load, understand” some of the long- post-discharge care. feared. A potential problem may have important was linked with COVID-19 term effects of COVID-19, with interferon is that it implications for managing risk factors like age and study coauthor Bin Cao from Interferon boosts proteins increases levels of a protein COVID-19 infection.” An gender, and with immune the China-Japan Friendship that deny entry to called ACE2, which the new inhaled interferon from system responses. Saliva viral Hospital in Beijing said in a coronavirus coronavirus uses as a Synairgen Plc is being tested load was also superior to statement. “Our analysis An experimental inhaled gateway into cells. In test in late-stage trials. nasopharyngeal viral load at indicates that most patients form of interferon being tube experiments, researchers predicting critical illness and continue to live with at least tested for treating looked at cells that line the Saliva viral load improves death, the researchers some of the effects of the hospitalized COVID-19 path from the nose into the prediction of COVID-19 reported on Wednesday on lungs and discovered there severity medRxiv ahead of peer are actually two forms of The amount of the new review. Saliva contains UK launches post-Brexit ACE2 – the well known one coronavirus in saliva might inhaled germs that are and a short form that lacks help guide doctors’ care of cleared from the lungs by the the entryway used by the patients because it is a better body’s protective global health insurance card virus. Interferon increases predictor of disease course mechanisms, coauthor Akiko LONDON – Britons from Insurance Cards to their the short form of ACE2 but than viral load in swab Iwasaki of Yale University yesterday will be able to apply citizens. Britain left the bloc’s not the longer form, they samples obtained from the explained in a tweet on for a new global health orbit at the end of 2020. found, which means it does nose and the back of the Sunday. The saliva viral load insurance card, a post-Brexit “Our deal with the EU not appear to boost entry throat, researchers said. They therefore reflects how well replacement offering ensures the right for our points for the virus. “We were studied 26 mildly ill COVID- the virus is making copies of emergency healthcare to those citizens to access necessary excited to discover a new form 19 patients, 154 hospitalized itself all the way through the travelling in the EU, the healthcare on their holidays of ACE2,” Dr. Jane Lucas of patients – including 63 who respiratory tract, from the government said. and travels to countries in the the University of became critically ill and 23 nose to the lungs, and not just Members of the European EU will continue,” said junior Southampton, who co-led the who eventually died – and in the nose and back of the Union issue European Health health minister Edward Argar. study reported on Monday in 108 uninfected individuals. throat, Iwasaki said. The Barbados Advocate Tuesday January 12, 2021 • 11 Bahamas PM optimistic on economic rebound PRIME Minister Dr election and the Free Hubert Minnis has National Movement’s expressed optimism progress on promises made that Bahama’s economy in its manifesto. will rebound as the new “When we came in, we variant of the were immediately faced Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis speaks at the official opening of the new Roderick Newton Higgs coronavirus grips other with Hurricane Irma. We Bridge, Spanish Wells, Bahamas. nations around the did what was never done in world. the history of the Bahamas commitments with respect our best to follow through Speaking to reporters in that we air evacuated to our manifesto and we on that but if the PLP Friday at Spanish Wells, individuals from the will do as much as we can followed my history even Eleuthera, Dr Minnis southern Bahamas to the to ensure that those as opposition they would foreshadowed upcoming central zone so that no commitments are followed note I’ve always projects, which he lives were lost. We are still through.” commenced preparation at suggested will boost the on target with our As for the Progressive least two years in advance” economy.“We have a lot of commitments, our Liberal Party’s claims of an The prime minister is projects that are about to promises and revenue early election being called, expected to give a national commence” Dr Minnis projects then we were hit the prime minister said: “I address today, which is said. “Projects that are on with Dorian. was given a mandate for expected to give an idea on course. “In spite of that, we were five years and we’re trying the country’s way forward. “We think that would still moving forward and assist us in moving Dorian obviously would forward, but we also think have affected our revenue when the vaccine comes stream dramatically. We out in the first world had to concentrate on lives. countries moving as We had to concentrate on aggressively as possible to rebuilding both Grand vaccinate their population, Bahama and Abaco. That I think that that would obviously would’ve thrown offer some degree of relief. us off course in terms of our Individuals I think have commitment with the been cooped-up in one manifesto.Then us and the particular location for a world were hit with long time and I think once COVID. there’s some degree of “That affected not only freedom of movement, I us but the entire world. think the Bahamas is Our basic economy is gonna see great great tourism – that was affected (rebound).” dramatically but in spite of The Killarney MP also that we continue to commented on the persevere and, yes, we impending 2022 general would’ve made a lot of Brazil tops 1,000 daily average coronavirus deaths for the first time since August SAO PAULO – Brazil’s yesterday. weekly rolling average of The country has deaths per day reached registered more than 8.1 1,111 cases on Sunday, million cases of the virus surpassing 1,000 deaths since the pandemic began, for the first time since while the official death toll early August, according to has risen to 203,100, a Reuters calculation. according to ministry In the week ending data, the world’s second- August 2, Brazil had deadliest coronavirus registered 1,014 deaths on outbreak. average per day,while this The rise in deaths in week it ended at 1,111. Brazil comes amid Brazil has recorded growing pressure to speed 29,792 additional up the vaccine roll out, confirmed cases of the which is lagging regional novel coronavirus in the peers. Mexico, Chile past 24 hours, along with and Argentina have 469 deaths from Covid-19, already begun the Health Ministry said immunizations. 12 • Tuesday January 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Uruguay registers record number of new COVID cases THERE were 1,215 new 4,000 active cases. confirmed cases of Due to the rise in new cases, coronavirus in Uruguay on the government announced last Sunday, a new record for the week that it would extend its nation of 3.4m people. border closure by 20 days to 30 The figure is 28% higher than January. the previous daily record on 6 However, some theatres were January. allowed to reopen from yesterday Uruguay,which had a very low to smaller audiences. number of infections early on Bars and restaurants will also and had been praised by global be allowed to stay open two more While Uruguay has fared much better than its neighbours Brazil and Argentina, the trend is health officials for its handling of hours per day. President Luis worrying officials. the pandemic, has seen cases rise Lacalle Pou explained the steeply since December. decision by saying “that almost return from the country’s may pose to elderly relatives. higher than those of Uruguay, There are currently almost all the infections had been within beaches after their New Year’s While there is concern in according to a tally kept by Johns 7,000 active cases, more than at families”. break. Uruguay about this latest spike, Hopkins University (JHU). any other time during the Heath officials in the capital, He urged young people in the country’s cases per 100,000 Overall, there have been more pandemic. Montevideo, are worried cases particular to self-isolate at the inhabitants are well below those than 26,000 cases in the country Montevideo is the worst there may rise rapidly in the first signs of symptoms because of its neighbours Brazil and and 256 deaths from the virus, affected province with more than coming weeks as holiday-makers of the threat of contagion they Argentina, which are five times according to JHU figures. United States supports ICJ’s decision to settle Guyana, Venezuela border dispute WASHINGTON, United States Kozak added that “is the legal called for a legal peaceful week asked the United Nations – The United States (US) on and peaceful way forward”. resolution to Guyana’s border Secretary-General Antonio Sunday endorsed the “Maduro’s aggressive claims controversy with Venezuela and Gutteres to facilitate the International Court of Justice don’t change this,they only show we reiterate that call today,” she resumption of bilateral dialogue (ICJ) decision to settle the border the world his disregard for his said. with Guyana as a means of controversy between Guyana and neighbours and international The US’ position came against settling the border controversy. Venezuela, in the face of calls by law,” said the top State the backdrop of President Maduro, in his letter to the UN President Nicolas Maduro for Department official in a tweet Maduro’s decree to extend its Secretary-General, said he has bilateral talks to resume as a Sunday night that was reposted maritime boundary unilaterally the ability to revive dialogue as a means of settlement. by the American embassy in to include the Atlantic waters and way to avoid decisions outside of Acting Assistant Secretary for Guyana. seabed offshore the Essequibo international legality, which can the US Department of State’s American Ambassador to Region up to the eastern bank of seriously jeopardise the peace Bureau of Western Hemisphere Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, for the Essequibo River. and security of the region. Acting Assistant Secretary Affairs, Michael Kozak said his her part, restated her country’s President Irfaan Ali and The ICJ has made it clear that for the US Department of country supports the ICJ’s 12-18 position that the border Opposition Leader Joseph the non-participation of a party in State’s Bureau of Western ruling that it has jurisdiction in controversy should be settled Harmon have separately a case does not affect the decision Hemisphere Affairs, Michael the Guyana-Venezuela border legally. condemned Maduro’s decree. and it is binding on both Kozak issue. “The United States has long The Venezuelan President last parties.

WestJet allows J’can passengers to travel to Canada without COVID test WestJet airlines has reached an The development comes amid able to meet the demand. has reached an agreement with upon arrival at the airport in agreement with the Canadian reports that numerous It is a requirement of the Canadian authorities to permit Toronto after they have cleared government to allow passengers Canadians have been stranded Canadian government for travellers into the country from customs and immigration. from Jamaica without a COVID in Jamaica because they are travellers to obtain a negative January 10 to 18 if they have not They will also have to do a PCR test result to travel to unable to obtain PCR tests PCR test result to land there. completed the test. However, mandatory 14-day home Toronto. locally as the laboratories are not In a statement, WesJet said it they will have to do a PCR test quarantine.

Mix of sunshine and clouds with the occasional brief scattered light to moderate showers.

High Tide (First) 3:47 High tide (Second) 14:56 London 08 Overcast with Light Rain Yesterday: 0.6 mm Boston 02 Overcast Low Tide (First) 8:47 For the month: 103.7 mm Max: 28.3 °C Montreal -01 Overcast with Light Snow Low tide (Second) 21:50 For the year: 103.7 mm Min: 22.9 °C Toronto 00 Overcast New York 02 Cloudy Miami 25 Partly Cloudy 6:24 am 5:49 pm The Barbados Advocate Tuesday January 12, 2021 • 13

England opens mass vaccination sites as virus spike fears spread LONDON, United said Moira Edwards, 88, Kingdom – Seven after receiving her first mass coronavirus vac- vaccination at Epsom cination sites opened Downs Racecourse, south across England on of London, which is more Monday as the gov- famous for the Derby. ernment raced to dose “I feel this is the way millions of people back. I can’t understand while a new strain of anybody not wanting to the disease runs ram- have it,” she added. pant across the coun- The mainly elderly re- try. cipients of the jab, some The sites include foot- of whom used walkers, ball stadiums and a sticks or were pushed in horse racing course, wheelchairs to get to the and are located in cities centre, were given “I’ve including Bristol, had my COVID vaccina- London, Newcastle and tion” stickers. Manchester. Hospitals and pharma- Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson gives an elbow bump to an individual after she was injected with a They are to vaccinate cies are set to begin offer- COVID-19 vaccine at a mass vaccination centre at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol, southwest England on thousands per week and ing the vaccine later this January 11, 2021. (PHOTO: AFP) several more sites are week, with the govern- expected to follow, ac- ment hoping to have A further three million Priority is being given and social care staff. Nadhim Zahawi. cording to the National doses available for 12 are being targeted by the to the elderly, care home Some 2.4 million peo- Britain has since Health Service (NHS) in million of England’s 56 same date in Wales, residents and workers, ple have already been approved the Oxford- England. million population by Scotland and Northern the clinically extremely vaccinated across the AstraZeneca and “I feel very relieved,” mid-February. Ireland. vulnerable, and health UK since the roll-out Moderna jabs. The gov- began of the Pfizer- ernment has drafted in BioNTech jab on logistics experts from China December 8, according the army to help in the condemns to vaccines minister inoculation drive. US as Taiwan Despite vaccines, no welcomes lifting of COVID herd immunity curbs on ties in 2021 – WHO BEIJING/TAIPEI – GENEVA, Switzerland – She hailed the “incred- China condemned the Despite vaccines against ible progress” made by United States on Monday COVID-19 being rolled scientists who managed for scrapping curbs on out in a number of coun- the unthinkable of devel- interactions with Taiwan tries, the World Health oping not one but several officials, saying nobody Organisation warned safe and effective vac- could prevent China’s Monday that herd im- cines against a brand “reunification”, while munity would not be new virus in under a Taiwan’s foreign minister achieved this year. year. hailed the US move as a Countries across the But, she stressed, the sign of “global partner- Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu waves to the staff behind the counter to globe are looking forward rollout “does take time”. ship”. apply for a new Taiwanese passport in Taipei, Taiwan, on January 11, 2021. to vaccines finally allow- “It takes time to scale US Secretary of State ing a return to normality the production of doses, Mike Pompeo announced unification,” Foreign spokeswoman Morgan has denounced. in the months ahead. not just in the millions, the change on Saturday, Ministry spokesman Zhao Ortagus responded in a Craft’s visit is highly But the WHO’s chief but here we are talking in the waning days of Lijian told reporters. tweet by saying there symbolic as Taiwan is scientist Soumya about in the billions,” she the Republican Trump “Any actions which were no such plans and a not a member of the Swaminathan warned pointed out, calling on administration before harm China’s core inter- visit by Pompeo to Europe United Nations, or most that it will take time to people to “be a little bit Democrat Joe Biden as- ests will be met with a would be his last during global bodies, because produce and administer patient.” sumes the presidency on firm counter-attack and the Trump presidency. of Chinese objections. enough doses to halt the Swaminathan stressed Jan. 20. will not succeed.” “There are no plans Beijing says only it has spread of the virus. that eventually, “the vac- China, which claims China’s widely-read to travel to Taiwan this the right to speak for “We are not going cines are going to come. democratic Taiwan as its Global Times tabloid, week but we will continue Taiwan on the interna- to achieve any levels of They are going to go to own territory, said it was published by the ruling our consistent support for tional stage. population immunity or all countries”. “resolutely opposed” to Communist Party’s Taiwan as a successful Taiwan Foreign herd immunity in 2021,” “But meanwhile we the decision and con- official People’s Daily, market economy, vibrant Minister Joseph Wu said she told a virtual press mustn’t forget that there demned it. warned in a commentary democracy, and force both he and President briefing from WHO’s are measures that work,” “The Chinese people’s against any plan by for good in the world,” Tsai Ing-wen would meet headquarters in Geneva, she said. resolve to defend our sov- Pompeo to visit Taiwan Ortagus said. Craft on Thursday,adding stressing the need to There would be a need ereignty and territorial before Biden’s inaugura- On Wednesday, the US that discussing ways to continue measures like to continue taking the integrity is unshakable tion, saying the Chinese ambassador to the United promote Taiwan’s inter- physical distancing, public health and social and we will not permit response would be “over- Nations, Kelly Craft, will national participation hand washing and mask measures aimed at halt- any person or force to stop whelming”. arrive in Taipei for a would be a topic during wearing to rein in the ing transmission for “the the process of China’s re- US State Department three-day visit that China the visit. pandemic. rest of this year at least”. 14 • Tuesday January 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

‘Please help us’: Migrants, exposed to freezing Bosnia winter, await chance to reach EU BIHAC, Bosnia – unable to cope, leaving Hundreds of migrants hundreds of people with- are taking shelter in out proper shelter. abandoned buildings in Ali, 16, from and around the north- Afghanistan, has been western Bosnian town sleeping in an abandoned of Bihac, wrapping up bus for almost six months as best they can against after he left a Bihac camp. the snow and freezing “I’m in really a bad way, weather and hoping there’s no one to look after eventually to reach EU us here and the conditions member Croatia across are not safe here,” Ali told the border. Reuters. Migrants queue to receive food during a snowfall as hundreds of them are taking shelter in abandoned build- Bosnia has since early “People who are sup- ings in the northwestern town of Bihac in Bosnia and Herzegovina on January 11, 2021. 2018 become part of a posed to support us have transit route for thou- been coming and taking country bordering Croatia. possibility of regular food withdraw because it was in an abandoned house sands of migrants from things from us and then The International distribution,” said IOM not warm enough for in Bihac, ate a modest Asia, the Middle East and selling those things inside Organisation for camp manager and co-or- winter. dinner cooked under North Africa aiming to the camp or in other Migration (IOM), which is dinator Natasa Omerovic. Bosnian authorities, torchlight on an impro- reach Europe’s wealthier places. We have nothing running the Bosnian “They can’t seek medical who for months ignored vised fire. They slept on countries. here... Please help us.” camps, says its mobile assistance.” requests from the the dirty concrete floor But it has become in- There are currently teams are helping around Until last week, an addi- European Union to find an without water. Some wore creasingly difficult to cross about 8,000 migrants in 1,000 people squatting in tional 900 people were left alternative location, have only plastic slippers in EU borders and impover- Bosnia, some 6,500 in houses that were deserted without shelter after the now provided heated mil- the snow. ished Bosnia has become a camps around the capital or destroyed during the Lipa summer camp, some itary tents and beds. “Too hard life here,” cul de sac with its ethni- Sarajevo and in the north- Bosnian war in the 1990s. 26 km away,was set on fire On Sunday evening, a said Shabaz Kan from cally divided government western corner of the “They don’t have the just as the IOM decided to group which found shelter Afghanistan. Families reunite as Qatar-Saudi flights resume after rift DOHA/RIYADH – Khalid diplomatic rift with the passengers to get off Qatar) for about four move was meant to cur- God,” said grinning al-Qahtani stood in the neighbouring Qatar split the first flight from Doha years. We communicate tail its sovereignty. schoolboy Khalid al-Harji arrivals hall at Riyadh’s his family apart. allowed into Saudi Arabia on WhatsApp ... My feel- As the states argued, at Riyadh’s King Khalid main airport on Monday, Other relatives from since a US-backed deal ings – me and every Gulf relatives and friends sep- International Airport, waiting to see his sister other families clustered reopened travel routes. citizen – are indescrib- arated by the dispute had soon after arriving from almost four years after a around him waiting for “My sister has been (in able,” he said. to fly to a neutral third Doha and meeting his Saudi Arabia, the country to meet. uncle and cousin. United Arab Emirates, Then Saudi Arabia’s “Qatar and us, we share Bahrain and Egypt im- foreign minister an- many things: politically, posed a diplomatic, trade nounced a breakthrough economically, socially, and travel boycott on in ending the dispute at a geographically. There Qatar in 2017, accusing it summit on Tuesday and are relations, blood be- of supporting terrorism – the air, land and sea links tween us,” said Bandar al- a charge dismissed by started to re-open. Qahtani waiting to greet Qatar which said the “Thank God ... thank his aunt.

A woman hugs her relative who arrived from Doha, at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 11, 2021. The Barbados Advocate Tuesday January 12, 2021 • 15

Most Europeans plan to curb flying, eat less meat for climate, EU poll says BRUSSELS – A majority of time that airlines battle a warming. European citizens intend to slump in demand due to the The EU is drafting a major fly less and already eat less pandemic. package of new policies to meat to help fight climate Asked if they planned to curb pollution, including change, according to a survey choose trains over planes for measures such as renovating published by the European short-haul trips, 71% of buildings to use less energy, Investment Bank (EIB) respondents in the EIB survey forcing carmakers to meet yesterday. said they do. tougher emissions standards Of 27,700 survey respon- In the poll, conducted in and levying higher carbon dents in the EU’s 27 coun- October-November 2020, 66% costs on factories. tries, 74% of respondents said of Europeans said they al- Brussels also aims to help they intended to fly less ready eat less meat to fight consumers make sustainable frequently for environmental climate change and a further choices. The EU aims to have reasons, once COVID-19 13% said they planned to do 3 million public electric car restrictions are lifted. That so soon. charging points by 2030. A included 43% of respondents COVID-19 lockdowns meant ban on single-use plastic who said they would do this global CO2 emissions dropped straws and cutlery takes ef- “all the time” and 31% who in 2020 compared with recent fect this year. A passenger plane passes in front of the moon as it makes its said they would “from time to years, but it still ranked as “Citizens feel the impacts of final landing approach to Heathrow Airport in London, Britain time”. the joint-hottest on record – climate change and they want September 12, 2019. Europe’s aviation sector is underscoring the need for the climate crisis to be ad- under scrutiny from cus- faster action to slash dressed with unprecedented The EIB, the EU’s lending habits by financing clean tomers and regulators over its emissions to avoid locking action,” EIB Vice President arm, could help people adopt energy and low-carbon carbon footprint, at the same in catastrophic future Ambroise Fayolle said. environmentally-friendly transport, Fayolle said. Africa’s green energy transition ‘unlikely’ this decade ossil fuels are set to concluded, is the size of the remain the dominant project. Bigger plants fail more Fsource of electricity often. across Africa over the next The importance of size is decade, according to a new seen in the experience of solar study. power in South Africa, Researchers found that “They have auctioned off a around 2,500 power plants are lot of quite small plants at the planned, enough to double elec- beginning to really get a lot of tricity production by 2030. investors interested,” said co- But the authors say that less author Philipp Trotter, also than 10% of the new power from Oxford University. generated will come from wind “As the first couple of rounds or solar. were successful, they ramped The authors say that Africa up the projects, they became a now risks being locked into little bit larger. And you really high carbon energy for see this transition starting to decades. happen in one of the most fos- They argue that a rapid, de- sil fuel dominated countries on carbonisation shock is needed the continent.” to cancel many of the plants South Africa is predicted to currently planned. add almost 40% of Africa’s total Until now, there has been a predicted new solar capacity by widely shared view that Hydro power is vital across Africa but only 61% of planned plants are successfully commis- 2030. African countries would sioned. The same sort of success is “leapfrog” directly to renewable not expected in other countries. energy sources, and away from decade. rently being planned, being chances have been improving In the Central African old world coal, oil and gas. By 2030, the study suggests commissioned by the end of especially for solar, but for oth- Republic and Gabon, the fail- This has already happened that coal, oil and gas will con- this decade,” lead author ers like wind particularly, ure rate for all planned power with communications, where tinue to dominate the genera- Galina Alova from the they’re still quite modest.” plants was over 80%. countries have invested in cel- tion of electricity across 54 University of Oxford told BBC The researchers used ma- Other key factors that influ- lular technology and over 90% African countries, with just News. chine learning to analyse the ence the success or failure of of people across the continent 9.6% coming from renewable “In the next few years, we factors behind the success or electricity generation include have access to a mobile service. sources, excluding hydro see that renewable energy failure of previous power the type of fuel used. The re- But the new research indi- power. power plants have, for exam- plants. They then applied this searchers predict hydro-elec- cates that this same sort of “We based our analysis on ple, lower success chances than knowledge to the 2,500 tric installations will have the leap isn’t likely to happen with understanding the chances of gas and oil.” projects in the pipeline. lowest chance of success of any green electricity over the next the power plants that are cur- “We find that the success One key element they fuel, at 61%. 16 • Tuesday January 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Sex and the City: New series announced but Kim Cattrall won’t return A SEX and the City revival is heading to the small screen, more than 20 years after the hit series made its debut. The original HBO show followed the lives of four New York women negotiating work and relationships in the late 90s and early 2000s. But only three of the fab four are returning for the new TV series – Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. Kim Cattrall, who played the popular character Samantha, will not feature. The US network did not say why Cattrall wasn’t cast in the re- vival, titled And Just Brunch beckons – but Samantha won’t be invited. (PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES) Like That – a nod to one of the show’s original HBO Max show gives fined them,” Sarah two films, Sex and the catchphrases. nothing away; It fea- Aubrey, head of original City in 2008 and Sex However, Cattrall has tures numerous shots of content at HBO Max, and the City 2 in 2010. had a strained relation- New York, but none of said in a statement. A prequel series titled ship with the show in the characters is seen The original Sex and The Carrie Diaries, recent years, and in on screen. the City series, created starring Anna Sophia particular with her “I grew up with these by Darren Star, was Robb, aired on The CW former co-star Parker. characters, and I can’t based on Candace in 2013/14. The new series will wait to see how their Bushnell’s 1997 book of Star also created comprise of 10 half- story has evolved in the same name. It pre- Netflix show Emily in hour episodes. this new chapter, with miered on HBO in 1998 Paris, and many have Production will begin the honesty, poignancy, and ran for six seasons drawn inevitable com- in late spring. humour and the beloved until 2004. parisons between that Bridge The trailer for the city that has always de- The show inspired show and SATC.

The Barbados Advocate Tuesday January 12, 2021 • 17 SSPPOORRTTSS Earth being turned at Wildey Turf ALTHOUGH no balls ference room and meet- are being kicked at the ing facilities would be Wildey headquarters housed in the new areas, of the Barbados Harris added that there Football Association, was also provision for the governing body of new referees’ quarters. the sport is keeping “The vision of the busy as the facility is Barbados Football currently undergoing Association is for the fu- some further develop- ture and if we want to get ment. With the Wildey serious about our foot- Turf most recently ballers, we have to ensure having work done to that our facilities are as facilitate the installa- good or better than where tion of its lighting and professional football is Work has commenced on a second level to the existing administration building at the Wildey Turf. bleacher systems back being played. The thing in 2018, some new im- is that we want our play- retaining wall for the fa- ferences between that FIFA. against higher ranked provements are ex- ers to be professional and cility was also being con- and the artificial turf.” Work on the current teams. In that way, we pected to meet mem- if that is to be so, we need structed at the eastern With plans for a grand project commenced this are hoping that we can bers of the football fra- to give them the tools to end, Harris also stated stand in the pipeline for past Friday and Harris entice teams from Europe ternity whenever re- play at that level. What that a grass field was to sometime, Harris re- stated that there was a and North America to strictions are lifted. we are doing here is to be developed beyond that vealed that they should timeline of 28 weeks set come to Barbados for When The Barbados improve the facility at on additional lands held be able to start that proj- for completion and that their pre-season training. Advocate paid a visit Wildey so that sometime by the BFA. “Our players ect before 2021 is expired. it was all in a bid for the Thereby not only helping yesterday,BFA President in the future, we will at the national level Explaining that tenders improvement of the sport us to raise our level of the Randy Harris explained have everything that it sometimes have to play were in for the construc- and the country. game here, but also help- that another level was would take to produce on grass fields and obvi- tion bid and all necessary “One way to ensure ing our country by being being added to the exist- a player of worth from ously we have to provide documents ready, he said that our football im- here and having the ing structure. Noting that Barbados,” he said. the platform for them to that the proposal was proves is by playing more spend to make a differ- additional offices, a con- Going on to say that a be familiar with the dif- ready for submission to international friendlies ence,” he said. (MP) Tour a ‘great opportunity’ for younger players, says stand-in skipper Stand-in skipper Kraigg are raring and ready to Moseley, while wicket- Brathwaite believes the grab this opportunity keeper Joshua DaSilva upcoming Test series in with both hands,” has played a single Test Bangladesh will provide Brathwaite said on and replaces first choice a “great opportunity” for Friday,shortly before the gloveman Shane Dowrich inexperienced players, side’s departure for who is unavailable due to and says he is under no London, en route to personal reasons. pressure after being Dubai and then Brathwaite, who has asked to lead the side in Bangladesh. already led West Indies Jason Holder’s absence. “Bangladesh in in five of his 64 Tests, was West Indies have found Bangladesh is a tough called on to lead the unit themselves depleted for team, but I’m confident after Holder, along with the two-Test series after in these guys. These guys vice-captain Chase, both Holder, along with first have a lot of talent and I declined selection. choice players Darren know they will be looking The experienced 28- Bravo, Roston Chase, to grab the opportunity. year-old said the step up Shamarh Brooks and “[They just have to] was natural for him since Shimon Hetmyer, also keep it simple and enjoy he already held a leader- opted out of the tour due it. As I said, it’s a great ship role in the Test set- to “COVID related con- opportunity for even my- up. cerns or personal fears”. self and the guys going, to “I see myself as a They were among 10 just go out there and ex- leader, so I don’t think it’s players, also across the press themselves. hard for me,” said one-day format, who have “So I think once they Brathwaite, who served West Indies stand-in Captain, Kraigg Brathwaite. (PHOTO: CWI MEDIA) chosen not to travel. are clear in their plans, as vice-captain exten- However, Brathwaite and I’m 100 per cent be- sively under Holder. suffered heavy defeats in our plans from a bowling openers leading the way said once players played hind them, I know they “[I’m] very familiar both Tests inside three point of view and a bat- – once we get runs on the to their strengths and ex- have the ability to do well with most of the guys,if days, and Brathwaite ting point of view [we will board, we will put our- ecuted the basics prop- on the international not all on the team and said the key to success do well],” he said. selves in a great position erly, he expected the level, so it’s just about en- it’s a great opportunity this time around will be “It’s about partner- to win games.” team to challenge despite joying it and keeping it for me and for the guys, batting and bowling in ships, for batsmen and West Indies were their relative inexperi- simple.” to go out there and show partnerships. for bowlers because slated to arrive in ence. The squad comprises their worth. Simple as “It’s to stick to the ba- bowlers can bowl in part- Bangladesh on Sunday “I think it’s a good op- the uncapped quartet of that.” sics first, don’t think too nerships as well. and will play two Tests portunity for this team. all-rounders Kyle Mayers West Indies will have far ahead. Obviously “I think once we come following a three-match Obviously we have a few and Kavem Hodge, and bitter memories from Bangladesh tends to go together as a team per- One-Day International guys that have never batsmen Nkrumah their last tour of with mainly spin, so I formance-wise, have a lot series, in a tour which played so I know the guys Bonner and Shayne Bangladesh when they think once we’re clear in of partnerships with the runs until February 15. 18 • Tuesday January 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

No COVID worries Gayle, Brathwaite for Estwick on among four upcoming tour West Indies stars ASSISTANT West Indies West Indies have been Coach Roddy Estwick says the most active interna- he has no concerns about tional side since the global bought in PSL draft touring Bangladesh amid lockdown of cricket was the COVID-19 pandemic, lifted last July, following LAHORE, Pakistan – keen to have Gayle fol- despite 10 players opting the outbreak of the pan- Veteran superstar lowing the retirement out of the upcoming series. demic which silenced most Chris Gayle and 2016 of Shane Watson as we Test skipper Jason sports five months prior. Twenty20 (T20) World wanted someone who is Holder,white-ball Captain In July the Caribbean Cup hero Carlos highly experienced and Kieron Pollard, along with side toured England for Brathwaite were a match-winner in our Darren Bravo, Shamarh three Tests, spending two both snapped up ranks. Brooks, Roston Chase, months in the biosecure in Sunday’s draft of “We didn’t have an Sheldon Cottrell, Evin bubble where they were the Pakistan Super event to remember last Lewis, Shai Hope and based at hotels at the re- League (PSL) but year, but with the play- Shimron Hetmyer, all de- spective venues and were West Indies stars ers we have selected for clined selection owing to prohibited from contact like Dwayne Bravo the upcoming event, I “COVID-19-related con- with the general popula- and Evin Lewis went remain confident that cerns or personal fears”. tion. unsold. we will bounce back Estwick, who left the West Indies also spent Assistant West Indies Coach, Roddy Estwick. The 41-year-old Gayle, strongly.” island on Friday evening another six weeks in New in the twilight of his ca- Brathwaite, mean- with the last group of West Zealand, starting last said he had endured no Saturday along with 22 reer but still in demand while, whose four- Indies players, said he al- November, playing three such challenges. deaths, bringing the total in the shortest format, successive sixes in the ways felt safe in the biose- Twenty20 Internationals “It’s difficult for some number of infections since will play for 2019 cham- final over of the last cure bubble established on and two Tests. people but it’s not too the start of the pandemic pions Quetta Gladiators T20 World Cup staged respective tours. The upcoming tour to difficult for me,” the to 521,382. after being drafted in India vaulted him “[I have no fears] what- Bangladesh comprises Barbadian explained. The death count stands in the high-priced to international promi- soever. The biggest fear three One-Day “I tend not to go on the at 7,756. Platinum category. nence, will join for me is going through Internationals and two streets in Bangladesh, so Cricket West Indies Brathwaite, mean- Australian batsmen the airports and on the Tests, and will see the that’s not going to affect agreed to the tour after while, will turn out for Chris Lynn and Ben planes,” Estwick told Windies spending from me whatsoever. I’ve got Dr. Akshai Mansingh Multan Sultans in the Dunk, along with South media prior to the depar- January 10 to February 15 everything I need to en- of its medical advisory supplementary category African strokemaker ture. in the South Asian coun- tertain myself; I’ve got committee travelled to but he and Gayle were Rilee Rossouw, at “Once I get into try. plenty of books so I will Bangladesh last just two of four West Multans. Bangladesh and you’re in And even though play- read. It’s no problem to me November to carry out a Indies players bought in The Barbadian is a biosecure system, that ers in the past have com- whatsoever.” review of the health proto- the draft. currently featuring doesn’t faze me at all. The plained about the mental Bangladesh reported cols being implemented White-ball specialist for Sydney Sixers in biggest fear is in the air- struggle in the isolated a further 692 positive for the series, and pro- Chadwick Walton was the Australian Big ports and on the flights.” biosecure bubble, Estwick COVID-19 cases on vided a favourable report. taken by Karachi Kings Bash. in the Gold category Rutherford, a big- while 22-year-old emerg- hitting left-hander ing T20 International from Guyana, will link FICA Women’s Global Employment Report 2020 released star, Sherfane up with South African Rutherford, was picked pinch-hitter David FICA has released a dedicated global multi- clear channels of ongoing platform it has created to up by Peshawar Zalmi Miller at Zalmi, and its Women’s Global stakeholder group to de- and meaningful engage- go to the next level.” in the Diamond cate- cricket director, Employment Report 2020. velop and publish step ment and dialogue be- FICA Chief Executive, gory. Mohammad Akram, The report follows FICA’s plans for achieving gen- tween governing bodies Tom Moffat said: “These According to media said the pair would be 2018 Women’s Global der equity at global level and players’ associations. reports are an important reports, the Platinum key to the franchise’s Employment Report and and across countries, and • Protecting People – part of FICA’s work track- category has a base middle order. men’s report released last to track progress against Ensuring proactive pro- ing global developments price of US$130,000 “We had come to the August. It includes key them. tection of players’ fun- against key metrics. and a cap of $170,000; draft with an aim to findings and recommen- • Centralised Funding damental rights at ICC Players are central to the the Diamond category strengthen our middle dations, based on: – Ensuring clear and level, including through future success of the game ranges from $60,000 to order and I am pleased • The further evolution transparent ‘tagged’ removing systematic and it has been pleasing $85,000, while the Gold that we were able to of a professionalization funding streams at ICC barriers to players’ asso- to see further recent ranges from $40,000 to lock David Miller and maturity curve and met- level to assist to expedite ciations, and committing progress. There is a long $50,000. Sherfane Rutherford,” rics focused on achieving professionalism and to internationally recog- way to go to ensure the Supplementary play- he explained. gender equity in cricket strengthen the founda- nised human rights fundamentals are in place ers have been slapped “Miller is one of the • Country by country tions of the women’s game frameworks. around the world though with a price of $50,000. most lethal and finest analysis and gender equity ambi- FICA Director, Lisa and we want to see tar- Gayle will play finishers of the game, • Employment land- tions. Sthalekar said: “Women’s geted and specific action alongside the likes of while Sherfane is an scape and game structure • Representation – cricket has made signifi- to ensure more playing England’s Tom Banton, explosive batsman with data Developing clear targets cant gains which were on opportunity, that gender Australian Cameron a wide range of shots • Global player survey for women’s represen- display at the recent T20 equity principles are Delport and South Africa who can also bowl.” data tation on all relevant World Cup final. Players, imbedded in the game, fast bowling icon, Dale All-rounder Bravo, The report includes a boards, committees and administrators and na- and that player rights are Steyn. the leading wicket-taker set of eight recommenda- panels. tional boards around the respected at global level Gladiators head coach, in T20s, missed out in tions relating to: • Minimum Standards world need to continue to and across countries.” Moin Khan, said Gayle the draft along with • Volume of Cricket – – Developing and agree- work together and invest FICA produces its men’s had been the franchise’s left-hander Lewis, Ensuring ‘tagged’ funding ing mandatory global heavily in building on this and women’s global em- main target and would Brandon King, Sheldon is utilised to increase the minimum standards at to capitalise on the hard ployment reports on a bi- be a critical asset in the Cottrell and Lendl volume of cricket across ICC level across areas in- work of those who have annual basis. This report February 20 to March 22 Simmons. more countries. cluding health and safety, laid the platform, create is retrospective covering campaign. Reigning champions • Structure Clarity – player welfare, contracts a new normal, and to en- the 2018/19 report period “We welcome Tom Karachi Kings, Lahore Developing and agreeing and contract enforcement, sure the women’s game and FICA acknowledges Banton and Chris Gayle Qalanders and clear global scheduling maternity and family car- isn’t ever an after- more recent progress and to the Gladiators side,” Islamabad United windows. ing provision, bullying thought... Let’s keep work- developments in several Moin said following the round out the six-team • Gender Equity and intimidation. ing together to ensure the countries including draft. tournament in its sixth Frameworks – Convening • Dialogue – Ensuring women’s game uses the England and Wales. “We were particularly year.

The Barbados Advocate Tuesday January 12, 2021 • 19

JOB SEEKERS Qualified nursing auxiliary seek- Premier League announces ing job taking care of the elder or anyone in need of this service. Tel: 235-3837 36 new positive tests THE Premier League week’s rounds of testing. ing 14 positive tests at the says 36 players and club The news comes on the club. They fielded a side Rugby’s staff have tested positive day Tottenham’s Premier featuring academy play- during the latest rounds League match at Aston ers in the 4-1 FA Cup de- European of testing for Covid-19. Villa was postponed be- feat by Liverpool last The league conducted cause of coronavirus cases Friday. Cups 2,593 tests across two in the Villa camp, and There has been a sharp rounds over the past after Scottish football surge in cases during the suspended week. below the Championship past two weeks. Last Between 4 and 7 was suspended for three week’s total of 40 was temporarily January there were 27 weeks from midnight be- more than double the new positive tests and cause of the rising num- number of the previous EUROPEAN rugby’s nine more were found ber of cases. week, while the total of Heineken Champions during testing between 8 Last week, Villa man- 76 since 28 December is Cup and Challenge Cup and 10 January. ager Dean Smith and his higher than the total have been temporarily The number is a slight first-team squad had to positive cases from the suspended, organisers decrease on the 40 posi- isolate and their training previous six rounds com- have confirmed. tive tests following last ground was closed follow- bined. It comes after the French government de- creed its clubs should not play in the competitions English wins in Hawaii with birdie in playoff this month. As a result, European HARRIS English, who to about 10 feet of the cup really good chance this what happened today winning the Masters in Professional Club Rugby birdied five of the last on the par-5 18th. He week, and felt good that much sweeter.” November, charged to a (EPCR) says it had “no eight holes to get into missed the eagle putt but about my game, and Justin Thomas finished 5-under 31 on the front choice” but to postpone a playoff, won the tapped in for birdie to you just have to get it a shot out of the playoff nine before being de- all matches scheduled Sentry Tournament of close at 4-under 69 for done.” after a final-round 66. He railed by a double-bogey for the weekends of 16 Champions over the day and 25 under for It was the third career had eight birdies on the on the par-4 12th. He and 23 January. Joaquin Niemann the tournament. victory for the 31-year-old day but had a costly ended with a 69, tied for However, EPCR aims with a birdie on the Back on 18 for the play- English, who began the three-putt from 55 feet on 11th at 18 under, snap- to resume and finish the first extra hole on off, he wrapped up his week 29th in the World the par-4 17th. ping a streak of seven tournaments “as soon as Sunday in Kapalua, first PGA Tour win since Golf Ranking. It’s been a Ryan Palmer, who consecutive top 10 fin- practicable”. Hawaii. 2013 with a 6-footer for long climb back after began the day as the co- ishes. Tournament chiefs English was the third- birdie. Niemann had al- falling to 369th in leader with English, fin- The Tournament of hope two rounds of round co-leader at 21- ready missed a putt from September 2019. ished fourth at 23 under Champions is usually re- Heineken Champions under, but he was even the fringe after pulling “I built a great team after an errant tee shot served for winners from Cup and Challenge par through 11 holes on his approach shot. around me and they on the par-3 11th lead to the previous year but the Cup pool games on the the Plantation Course at “It’s incredible. A lot of pushed me, helped me get a double bogey. He shot field was expanded in weekends of 15-17 and Kapalua in Maui and had hard work over the to where I am right now,” 71 on Sunday. Xander 2021 to include all quali- 22-24 can go ahead at a to chase down Niemann, years,” English told the he said. “Nobody has Schauffele (66) and fiers for the Tour later date as authorities who closed with a 64. Golf Channel. “You never even given up; nobody Sungjae Im (69) tied for Championship due to the deal with the impact English nearly won it think you’re going to get has lost faith or hope in fifth at 21 under. COVID-19 pandemic that of a new strain of Covid- on the final hole after here again. It’s hard to my golf game. That’s been Dustin Johnson, play- shut down the PGA Tour 19. drawing his second shot win out here. Had a awesome. ... It makes ing for the first time since last summer. ‘Patience wearing thin’ with football after continued rule breaches IMAGES of players cele- is not yet in the “last- their match against to Dubai over Christmas. times, and substitutes A Whitehall source con- brating inside tightly chance saloon”, there are Tottenham on Sunday. Manchester United boss wearing face masks. firmed to the BBC that the packed dressing rooms “no guarantees” with “pa- Merseyside Police said Casey Stoney apologised The Premier League celebrations at Chorley were an unwelcome fea- tience wearing thin”. the “vast majority of peo- for giving her players per- previously tested players and Crawley Town had ture of FA Cup third- ple present were adhering mission to travel to Dubai once a week but increased been noted by ministers, round weekend – while What is the back- to social-distancing meas- over the festive period. it to two rounds over the who last week warned crowds of fans gathering ground? ures and those who were past week. football’s authorities they outside cup ties drew Over the weekend, the UK not were advised by offi- What are the rules? Players and staff at had to do all they could to criticism and caught the passed the milestone of cers”. In short: be sensible and English Football League justify elite sport carrying attention of government 80,000 coronavirus-related More than 60 games in minimise contact. clubs will now be given on. ministers. deaths since the start of England have been called After a relative surge in coronavirus tests twice a Professor Chris Whitty, On the back of players the pandemic and there is off this season, with Aston cases – 40 players and club week to help find asympto- the chief medical officer from all levels of the game debate about whether Villa’s match against staff tested positive in the matic cases earlier. There for England, told BBC apologising for various England’s lockdown re- Tottenham on Wednesday first week in January – the were 112 positive cases at Breakfast that allowing coronavirus rule breaches, strictions should be tight- the fifth Premier League Premier League intro- the 66 EFL clubs in its team sports to continue the case for football to ened even further. postponement. duced stronger protocols: most recent round of test- was “a balancing act”. continue while the rest of But some elite sport has Players from Spurs, • Players and managers ing. “The balancing act is try- society is locked down is been able to continue Fulham, Crystal Palace, were reminded to avoid ing to minimise the coming under increasing under strict protocols es- West Ham and handshakes and high What has been the amount of contact outside scrutiny. tablished in the summer. Manchester City were re- fives, with compliance offi- reaction? very structured environ- “Morally, with the situa- With several shock re- cently criticised by their cers told to check behav- The Football Association ments while trying to tion we have in this coun- sults in this weekend’s FA clubs for breaking iour in dressing rooms. will be reminding every- keep some semblance of try and worldwide, to keep Cup, players were keen to England’s restrictions over • Officers would also one of their responsibili- life as will all know it,” he doing what we are doing celebrate, but videos from the new year holiday. check hotel stays and ties. said. is a little bit of a strange the dressing rooms with In the Women’s Super travel plans, with staff It is understood there “It is very much a matter feeling,”Arsenal boss Mike players not socially dis- League, Arsenal’s trip to numbers at training are no plans to halt elite for individuals in their Arteta said yesterday.“We tancing has led to criticism Aston Villa and grounds reduced to enforce sport but government min- day-to-day life.We have all know what we can bring on social media. Manchester City’s home social distancing guide- isters are concerned that got to say what, in our own to society if we are able to There were also images game with West Ham were lines. the images from dressing lives, can we do to min- do it in safe way.” of fans gathered outside both postponed after five • Stricter matchday pro- rooms could make it imise the amount of im- BBC sports editor Dan Marine’s stadium in players tested positive for tocols include avoiding un- harder to defend its con- pact we have on the NHS Roan says while elite sport Crosby, Merseyside, before coronavirus following trips necessary contact at all tinuation. and the vulnerable?”

20 • Tuesday January 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Regular Market BARBADOS STOCK REPORT Security Volume High Low Market Advance/ Price Decline

January 11, 2021

Deposit Security Previous Current Advance/ There was no activity on the Regular Market. Close Close Decline EMERA DEPOSIT RECEIPT $20. 20 $20.28 $0.08

BARBADOSBARBADOS STSTOCKOCK EXCHANGEEXCHANGE SHARE SUMMARY INFORMATION Monday January 11, 2021 INDICES LAST TRADE VOLUME HIGH LOW LAST CURRENT PRICE BID ASK BID ASK TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES DATE CLOSE CLOSE CHANGE PRICE PRICE SIZE SIZE January 11, 2021 January 8, 2021 Local 2,597.70 2,597.61 0.09 ABV Investments Incorporated 15-Oct-20 - - - $0.05 $0.05 - $0.02 $0.30 8,080 10,498 Cross-list 933.43 933.43 - BICO Limited 21-Sep-20 - - - $3.10 $3.10 - - - - - Composite 632.09 632.07 0.02 MARKET CAPITALISATION (in millions) Banks Holdings Limited -+ 09-Dec-19 - - - $4.85 $4.85 - - - - - TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES Barbados Dairy Industries Limited -+ 04-Oct-19 - - - $3.00 $3.00 - - - - - January 11, 2021 January 8, 2021 Local 5,221.52 5,221.35 0.18 Barbados Farms Limited 10-Dec-20 - - - $0.40 $0.40 - $0.35 $0.40 1,000 12,870 Cross-list 119.19 119.19 - Composite 5,340.71 5,340.54 0.18 Cave Shepherd and Company Limited 10-Dec-20 - - - $4.10 $4.10 - - $4.10 - 1,262 MUTUAL FUND FirstCaribbean International Bank 31-Dec-20 - - - $2.00 $2.00 - $1.80 $2.10 739 5,412 January 11, 2021 ENDED NAME OF FUND NAV OFFER BID NAV Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 31-Dec-20 - - - $0.17 $0.17 - $0.15 $0.17 465 56,834 CHANGE - Dev Fund 08-Jan-21 REPUBLIC CAPITAL GROWTH FUND w 1.1964 0.0063 08-Jan-21 REPUBLIC INCOME FUND w 1.2664 0.0003 Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 18-Dec-20 - - - $0.57 $0.57 - $0.55 $0.57 1,600 2,427 08-Jan-21 REPUBLIC PROPERTY FUND w 0.6743 0.0003 -Value Fund 31-Dec-20 FORTRESS CARIBBEAN GROWTH FUND w 6.3416 6.34166.3416 0.0994 31-Dec-20 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - ACC. w 2.1025 0.0064 Goddard Enterprises Limited 30-Dec-20 - - - $2.15 $2.15 - $2.15 $2.20 10,951 10,354 31-Dec-20 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - DIST. w 1.0234 0.0030 30-Nov-20 ROYAL FIDELITY SELECT BALANCED FUND m 5.4327 5.4327 5.3240 -0.0242 Insurance Corporation of B’dos Limited 04-Dec-20 - - - $1.78 $1.78 - $2.00 $2.50 200 34,950 30-Nov-20 ROYAL FIDELITY STRATEGIC GROWTH FUNDm 0.9826 0.9826 0.9629 -0.0109 30-Nov-20 ROYAL FIDELITY PREMIUM INCOME FUND m 1.6267 1.6267 1.5942 0.0055 One Caribbean Media Limited 18-Dec-20 - - - $1.80 $1.80 - $1.80 $2.50 800 800 24-Dec-20 SAGICOR GLOBAL BALANCED FUND w 2.68 0.00 Sagicor Financial Corporation Pref 6.5% 23-Jun-16 - - - $2.26 $2.26 - - - - - 24-Dec-20 SAGICOR SELECT GROWTH FUND w 1.63 0.01 24-Dec-20 SAGICOR PREFERRED INCOME FUND w 0.99 0.00 Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited -+ 29-Nov-19 - -- $2.80 $2.80 - - - -- * Indicates the Fund is currently ex-div NOTES: QUOTATIONS AND NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ARE SUPPLIED BY THE West India Biscuit Company Limited 18-Dec-20 - - - $31.50 $31.50 - $31.55 - 10 - FUND MANAGEMENT. THE OFFERING PRICE INCLUDES NET ASSET VALUE PLUS ENTRY COSTS. Emera Deposit Receipt 14-Aug-20 - - - $20.20 $20.28 $0.08 $30.00 - 50 - m = monthly valuation, q = quarterly valuation, w = weekly

TOTAL SHARES BOUGHT & SOLD - Fixed Income Last Trade Last Current Bid Ask Bid Ask Date Close Close Price Price Size Size GOB Series B 07-Jan-21 $60.00 $60.00 - $60.00 - 402,374 GOB Series D 12-Nov-19 $50.00 $50.00 - - - - * = Security is Trading X-Div GOB Series F 03-Nov-20 $89.00 $89.00 - - - - *+* = Security is Suspended GOB Series I 24-Mar-20 $65.00 $65.00 $70.00 103,713 ** = Rights Issued NEWS

NOTICES US small businesses to get ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS West India Biscuit Company Limited - Directors have fixed January 7th, 2021 as the record date for the determination of more cash as pandemic shareholders entitled to receive notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which will be held on February 12th, 2021.

DIVIDEND DECLARATIONS loan programme re-opens West India Biscuit Company Limited – Directors have declared a final dividend of seventy-five ($0.75) cents per share to be paid on January 11th, 2021 to Shareholders on record at close of business on January 7th, 2021. WASHINGTON – The US and women-owned Cave Shepherd and Company Limited – Directors have declared a final dividend of five ($0.05) cents per share to be paid on government yesterday businesses did not get February 19th, 2021 to Shareholders on record at close of business on February 5th, 2021. was set to re-open its enough money during the BSE NOTICES signature small business first two PPP rounds last COVID-19 PROCEDURAL UPDATE pandemic aid year compared with bigger In light of the circumstances surrounding the recent COVID-19 super spreader and small cluster events, the Barbados Stock Exchange programme with $284 businesses. Inc. (BSE) and the Barbados Central Securities Depository Inc. (BCSDI) have instituted several procedural changes. billion in new funds and Administration officials Kindly note that for the period January 6th, 2021 to January 14th ,2021, staff of both the BSE and BCSDI will be working remotely; our revamped rules that aim told reporters on Friday they physical office is therefore closed. Our Essential Operations Team (EOT) has been mobilized and is fully operational. The EOT is to get cash to the most expected the funds would be comprised of staff from the Senior Management Team, Operations, Compliance and IT departments and is tasked with the needy businesses while sufficient to meet demand. responsibility of maintaining the key operations – trading, clearing and settlement and registrar services – of the Exchange and Depository. stamping out fraud and Under the programme, abuse. lenders on behalf of the While our offices are closed, we remain easily accessible via email. For Stock Exchange related queries, kindly email us at The Small Business government distribute loans [email protected] and for Shareholder related queries contact us at [email protected]. For urgent queries kindly contact the parties Administration (SBA) that can be forgiven below: announced on Friday that it provided the cash is spent Ezra Marshall Keisha Callender would launch a third round on eligible costs, such as Deputy General Manager – Operations Manager – Accounting and Finance of the Paycheck Protection payroll and rent.To date, the T. 246-629-1106 Email: [email protected] Programme (PPP) this PPP has distributed $525 Email: [email protected] Shaquille Layne week, starting with small billion through more than Barry Blenman Compliance and Regulatory Reporting Officer community financial five million loans. Operations Supervisor – Business Development Email: [email protected] institutions on Monday,and Congress authorised the Email: [email protected] larger lenders in coming new funds last month as Felicia Marshall-Waithe days. part of another pandemic Senior Systems Administrator By prioritising smaller stimulus package which also Email: [email protected] lenders, the SBA hopes to loosened PPP rules on who We wish to thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation and hope that you and your loved ones are safe and taking every precaution to address criticism from can get cash and what it can protect your health. lawmakers that minority be spent on. The Barbados Advocate Tuesday January 12, 2021 • 21

22 • Tuesday January 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Trump National stripped of 2022 US PGA Championship TRUMP National in detrimental to the PGA of Bedminster has been America brand and would stripped of the US PGA put at risk the PGA’s Championship in 2022 ability to deliver our as its organisers felt many programmes and using the course as sustain the longevity of host would be “detri- our mission,” said PGA of mental”. America President Jim The PGA of America Richerson. voted to terminate the “It was a decision made agreement on Sunday. to ensure the PGA of US President Donald America and PGA profes- Trump, who owns the sionals can continue to course, has been accused lead and grow our game Golfers play golf at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. by Democrats and some for decades to come.” Republicans of encourag- The course in New the resort in 2014 – with there were “no plans” to able in the current circum- binding contract and they ing last Wednesday’s riot Jersey, one of 17 courses the host venues now fi- stage any of its champi- stances,” Slumbers said. have no right to terminate in Congress. around the world owned nalised up to 2024. onships at Turnberry and The PGA of America is the agreement.” A representative for the by Trump, was due to host Turnberry’s Ailsa course that the governing body now searching for a re- US House Speaker Trump Organisation said the major in May 2022. has hosted The Open on would “not do so in the placement host for one of Nancy Pelosi has shared they were “incredibly dis- Another of his proper- four occasions since first foreseeable future”. the game’s biggest four with lawmakers plans appointed” with the deci- ties, Trump Turnberry staging the championship “We will not return until men’s individual events. to remove President sion. in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1977, most recently we are convinced that the “We have had a beauti- Trump from office before “It has become clear has not been selected to when Stewart Cink won focus will be on the cham- ful partnership with the starting an impeachment that conducting the PGA host an Open in 2009. pionship, the players and PGA of America,”Trump’s process, following the riots Championship at Trump Championship by the R&A chief executive the course itself and we do representative added. in the US Capitol build- Bedminster would be R&A since Trump bought Martin Slumbers said not believe that is achiev- “This is a breach of a ing. The Barbados Advocate Tuesday January 12, 2021 •23

P R O HOROSCOPES S A ARIES (March 21-April 19). Misunderstandings N can lead to lengthy discussions as you do your best D to explain yourself. Tempers will start to flare. Stay calm. Even though you are finding it hard to hold your C emotions in check, your ability to exhibit grace under O pressure will make a good impression on those who N matter. S TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A group project is being hampered due to disagreements in the team. Arguing is a waste of time when you should all be working together to get results. Be sensible and focus on aspects of the job where there is agreement. You can return to subjects causing contention, later. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). A solo effort doesn't seem to be achieving the results expected. It looks as Z if the only way to move a project forward is to ask I for help. You had wanted to prove your ability to get T on under your own steam and once you have cleared S this hurdle, there's nothing stopping you from contin- uing on your own. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're so enjoying adding creative touches to your work that a request from a team leader will bring you back to earth with a thud. You may be required to help with a difficult project. Switch yourself into a more practical frame of mind as this will require a lot of concentration and very little imagination. R LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You have a lot to be proud E about. Some people find the speed at which you work X a little intimidating but you are getting results. You're pushing your way through life as if there was no to- M morrow. You're aware of a colleague's envy and O there's nothing you will enjoy more than pitting your R wits against a competitor. G VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Ahint of gossip will be A detected in a conversation with a colleague or neigh- N bour. This could be directed at someone you know and because of this you will take more interest than you would normally do in this type of conversation. You may need to pass on some information which you are sure someone else will be keen to hear. LIBRA(Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Periods of intense activ- ity will allow you to cover a lot of ground. The mo- P ment something unexpected occurs you sense there H will be challenges ahead. Your ability to remain calm when the pace is alarming will be admired by those A who are panicking a little. Be certain to rest and N recharge your batteries at the end of the day. T O SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You appreciate the need for rules when this is necessary and when they M make sense to you. You aren't as keen to follow reg- ulations that have no purpose. You won't hold back in asking for explanations and although this will not please someone in charge, it will be helpful for oth- ers who also have similar questions on their minds. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It isn't a good idea to put off a mental or dental examination. If you M are due to see your doctor, make an appointment. You A might be thinking about embarking on a new diet or R some other form of health program. If so, don't worry Y about having to find the stamina and determination to stick to it. You will. W CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19).An argument may O not be resolved but you are sensing a change in at- R mosphere between you and someone you recently fell out with. This relationship is showing signs of im- T proving and as a result you feel much happier. H Although you aren't as relaxed with each other as you used to be, it will be a relief that you can remain good friends.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your charisma is at M an all-time high. There is something magnetic about O your personality that draws people to you. Constant T emails and text messages will distract you from any- H thing you are supposed to be concentrating on. Even conversations will be interrupted frequently unless E you switch off your mobile. R PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You are ploughing G through your work in a more efficient manner than O many of your adversaries. This will raise a few eye- O brows. You aren't always so assertive and your ap- S proach isn't what other people were expecting. Your E determination to advance through hard work and perseverance will earn you a lot of respect.

Earth being turned at Wildey Turf Page 17

Tuesday January 12, 2021 ‘SLAP IN THE FACE’ De Peiza discusses refund move due to testing delay GOVERNMENT’S recent decision to pay the hotel costs for those visitors awaiting COVID-19 results for over 72 hours is not sitting well with the Democratic Labour Party. President of the political party Verla De Peiza charged government was using the same dollars being earned by the tourism sector to pay for such, and suggested this added to other costs and will only end up hurting the island’s bottom line at a time it can ill afford it. “We were told that we kept our borders open because we needed the tourism dollars to survive, but how are we spending the monies earned? We are spending it on increased testing, increased numbers in isolation; increased administrative costs with a whole new communications team; and now for some visitors, a contribution to their quarantine stay and return flights on offer. How do we pay for all of this, if not with the same dollars we are catching it?” she argued. De Peiza termed the move to refund visitors and in some cases, pay for return trips to the island as “a slap in the face of every unemployed former tourism worker who cannot pay their bills and has received nothing since unemployment benefits dried up, with rent outstanding and families on welfare.” “It was a slap in the face of every Barbadian who now is at the bottom of the testing list and who has to remain in President of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Verla De Peiza. their home under curfew at night because COVID-19 has breached our borders,” she The attorney-at-law insisted that “Our people are the ones who need the industries for this country to start stressed, noting that frontline workers Barbadians deserved better, she called financial support at this time – not just earning revenue again and that have only been commemorated with a for an improvement in the management to support their families but they must be leadership must come from the top,” she one dollar coin. of the nation’s borders. allowed to develop new opportunities and added. Revise approach to training and skills development GOVERNMENTS and companies are older than 50.And there will be one person workers, companies and society as a different individual circumstances and being urged to revise their approach to aged 65 and over for every two persons whole,” said OECD Secretary-General contexts.This implies eliminating age bias training and skills development. aged 20-64 in OECD economies compared Angel Gurría. recruitment practices and encouraging age Currently,only 41% of adults across the to one for every three today. “Employers need to develop initiatives diverse cultures where all workers feel Organisation for Economic Co-operation Yet, current public employment and that nurture an age-diverse workplace and comfortable and appreciated regardless of and Development (OECD) take part in retirement policies, as well as many take a life-cycle perspective with age”. job-related training. And employees who corporate practices,are often closely tied to supportive public policies and good social “Retaining talent is key. The report are younger,more highly qualified, and on the age of workers, rather than to their dialogue.” provides evidence that employers who full-time contracts are more likely to actual work capacity and individual needs. Age discrimination, the report identified, respond positively to the changing needs receive training than those who are older, Despite older adults being healthier and remains a common problem across the of employees during their lifecycle and lower skilled and working part-time, better educated than ever before today, world, restricting employment choices for career stages improve their success in according to a new OECD report. their talent often remains underutilised older and sometimes even younger attracting, motivating and retaining “Promoting an Age-Inclusive and overlooked. workers, representing a considerable cost workers.These workers, in turn, are likely Workforce” says that, by 2050, more than “Promoting greater diversity of to business. to make a greater contribution to their four-in-ten people in the world’s most experience, generations and talent has the “Rather than focusing on age, labour workplaces, and play a full part in making advanced economies are likely to be aged potential to bring enormous benefits to market policy should be tailored to it efficient and productive”.

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