Established October 1895 BSTU: COVID Unit should visit schools

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Saturday May 8, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive GOOD PROGRESS IN this very challenging en- vironment, Barbados contin- ues to make good progress in implementing its ambitious and comprehensive eco- nomic reform programme. This statement came as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Bert van Selm conducted a virtual mis- sion between May 3-7, 2021 to discuss implementation of Minister of Elder Affairs and People Empowerment Cynthia Barbados’ Economic Recovery Forde. and Transformation (BERT) plan, supported by the IMF under the Extended Fund Child protection Facility (EFF) and subsequently released the findings. The vir- tual mission it was said, was made at the request of the policies, legislation Government of Barbados. In a press release, it was noted that the IMF team reached a to be reviewed staff level agreement with the Barbadian authorities on the GOVERNMENT is reviewing littled, insulted and humiliated, fifth review of Barbados’ this island’s child protection not only in public but also in Economic Recovery and policies and legislation. their homes and villages. These Transformation program Explaining that this was actions often cause a child to lose (BERT) supported by the being done to address current confidence in his or her ability Extended Fund Facility. deficiencies, while strengthen- and develop feelings of worth- Summarizing the mission’s ing the national response to chil- lessness. This is the opposite of findings, Mr. van Selm said, dren in need of the state’s protec- what we want for our children. “Following productive discus- tion from harm, Minister of We need to praise them and lift sions, the IMF team and the Elder Affairs and People them up and celebrate the Barbadian authorities reached a Empowerment Cynthia Forde champion in them,” she noted. staff level agreement on the said the United Nation’s Therefore, she encouraged completion of the fifth review, Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is a parents and guardians to ensure under the EFF arrangement. key partner in this endeavour. their children were in an envi- The agreement is subject to ap- “UNICEF has provided fund- ronment which will allow them proval by the IMF Executive ing to assist the government in to grow to their full potential, Board, which is expected to con- An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Bert van reforming its child protection but warned this could only be sider the review in June. Upon Selm (above) recently conducted a virtual mission to dis- policies and legislation to enable done in the correct atmosphere. completion of the review, of cuss implementation of Barbados’ Economic Recovery and our systems to be more relevant “I wish to emphasise however about US$24 million will be Transformation (BERT) plan, supported by the IMF under the and responsive to the needs of that this environment should be made available to Barbados.” Extended Fund Facility (EFF). the nation’s children,” she one which is free from any form He meanwhile noted that, stated. of abuse such as physical abuse, “Barbados’ economy remains se- ronment, Barbados continues to billion. Quantitative targets for Delivering her message for sexual abuse, neglect and aban- verely depressed by the ongoing make good progress in imple- end of March under the EFF Child Month, which carries the donment. Furthermore, I am global pandemic.Tourism came menting its ambitious and com- were met, except for the per- theme ‘Celebrating the particularly concerned about to a virtual standstill from April prehensive economic reform formance 2 criterion on central Champion in You’, Forde ex- emotional abuse which is often 2020 onwards and remains at a programme. A new Central government transfers and pressed great concern on the difficult to pinpoint and report fraction of normal levels. Bank law was adopted by grants to public institutions, negative manner in which some on,” she said. Economic growth for 2021 is Parliament in December 2020 – which was exceeded, owing to parents treated their children, While also applauding all premised on a modest recovery a critical safeguard for contin- measures to address the noting this could have serious community organisations and of tourism in the second half of ued prudent macroeconomic pol- COVID-19 health crisis (includ- implications on the mental and individuals, who have stepped 2021. Risks remain elevated, in- icy. International reserves, ing the vaccination programme emotional state of youths. up to give assistance to the chil- cluding in light of the impact of which reached a low of US$220 executed by the national hospi- “As we travel across Barbados dren in need fo electronic devices recent volcanic activity in neigh- million (5-6 weeks of import cov- tal),” Mr. van Selm added. and observe the interactions be- for school, the Minister further boring St Vincent.” erage) in May 2018, are now at tween parents and children, we appealed for more donations. “In this very challenging envi- a comfortable level of US$1.3 IMF on Page 3 often witness children being be- (JMB) 2 • Saturday May 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

The UWI and WhiteBoard Labs of India sign MOU

THE University of the taught in order to produce Principal of The UWI Open Campus Dr Luz Longsworth, and Co-Founder and Managing Director of West Indies (UWI) and people who can lead this WhiteBoard Labs (WBL) Dr Rohit Shipstone during virtual symbolic signing of Memorandum of WhiteBoard Labs technology revolution. For Understanding. (WBL) of India have that reason, we agreed to joined forces to pre- the joint Industry 4.0 we- pare individuals for binar series which dealt the economy of tomor- with topics such as emo- row. tional intelligence, lead- Principal of The UWI ership communication, Open Campus Dr Luz deep collaboration and Longsworth, and Co- other skills that will re- Founder and Managing ally make a difference be- Director of WBL Dr Rohit tween success and failure Shipstone, signed a for- in this new world”. mal Memorandum of Vice President of Understanding repre- WhiteBoard Labs Ashish senting a commitment to Kumar expressed that it advancing a mutually was a proud moment to beneficial goal to improve launch the partnership access to tertiary educa- which is extremely criti- tion and training for the cal and comes just in time people of India and the at the advent of Industry West Indies through a 4.0. Virtual Centre of “There are many excel- Excellence. lent organisations which Dr Longsworth said the offer training and educa- Open Campus was tion in such fields – the pleased to be moving partnership focuses on ahead with the first major the business application project, the joint Centre aspect of industry 4.0 and of Excellence, offering which effects people - programmes for Industry technical, non-technical, 4.0, as well as plans to de- ingenious, marketers, velop a virtual social incu- salesman and people of bator to assist young en- all walks of life who get trepreneurs to innovate affected by this industrial and develop robust and revolution. And that is successful businesses. what makes this partner- “Our region in the ship unique. I do not know Caribbean, more so than of any initiative, world many others, was strug- over which focuses on up- gling out of the tailwinds scaling ordinary people so of the 2008 economic cri- that they can participate sis; the devastation of in the new economy,” he economies from natural said. disasters; now the chal- Vice-Chancellor of The lenge of the eruption of UWI Professor Sir Hilary the volcano in St Vincent Beckles also lauded the and the Grenadines - add new partnership, pointing to that mix the COVID- out that the Campus’ 19 pandemic which has strategic plan is built devastated many tradi- upon three fundamental tional businesses. Our pillars,“access to new and brothers and sisters in innovative programmes India also have had these and systems of learning; experiences and so the on- alignment with our indus- line portal will provide a try partners; and agility resilient platform for the in the search for solutions endless possibilities doing and partnerships that new things and to train will enable the fulfilment people for the new jobs for of our strategic vision”. the future,” she told the “The focus on business virtual event. and technology-base “WhiteBoard Labs, an courses will excite our initiative of CollabZo students and demon- Solutions and Open strate our commitment in Campus are one in our be- real and practical ways to half that the so-called the concepts within of “soft skills” are now “core plan of access, alignment skills” and must also be and agility,” he said. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 8, 2021 • 3 Persaud outlines recommendations A LACK of unanimity to run around for weeks is at the heart of the and months going to dif- implementation ferent ministries and offi- deficit within CARI- cials to get your certifi- COM, and to rectify cates. It's in your machine that, it is being sug- readable passport [and] gested that an en- as they swipe it through, hanced cooperation they can see that you mechanism be put in have the qualifications to place, where approval be a CARICOM resident would be sought from across the CARICOM re- one-third of the mem- gion,” he stated. ber states, rather than He added that there is the whole grouping. also a need to improve the Professor Avinash mobility of goods and for Persaud, Chairman of the greater efficiency at the CARICOM Commission ports. Akin to that, he on the Economy,said that said, would be the cre- is one of the recommenda- ation of a fast ferry sys- tions the Commission has tem, which can carry put forward in the most large containers of goods. recent report. He spoke to “We basically have a this on Thursday evening, weekly container system as he along with other in the Caribbean. How panellists, discussed fi- can you import and ex- nance and economic mat- port fresh vegetables, if ters on the online Debrief the container comes once TV Show. a week? How can you “One of the reasons have regional markets, if why there isn't unanimity containers are coming is that most of the issues once a week? And they're and things cost money. very expensive, so we It's very hard to get una- need a fast ferry network nimity on anything, but across the Caribbean”. anything which involves Persaud went further, us spending some money Professor Avinash Persaud, Chairman of the CARICOM Commission on the Economy. stating that the report and me spending some also suggests the creation money,and I think you're harm”. hanced cooperation mech- ing, but most highly in- in particular, highlighted of a regional anti-money spending more or less Professor Persaud in- anism will unstick CARI- debted region in the the need to improve mo- laundering authority, so than I am, creates sists that this approach COM and allow us to world. Moreover, he said, bility within the region, that individual countries tremendous problems... is vital, if this region, move ahead on things the the Caribbean region is even as it relates to data, would not have to conduct We’re recommending that which is now the slowest majority of us agree [on] also the most expensive contending that the re- separate checks on peo- a minimum of five coun- growing region in the as long as the others don't in terms of transport of gion requires a single low ple wishing to do money tries, if they agree to world, is to advance. object and that they can people and goods. It is data roaming charge. in their countries. He said move ahead on some- “There are dozens of come and join us later. So with that in mind, he “As you know, we have while the anti-money thing; to move ahead on initiatives that are stuck is that institutional said, that the CARICOM the CARICOM Skilled laundering process is greater mobility of labour, in CARICOM, not be- change is vital for CARI- Commission on the National regime, and we very important, it can be easier movement in ports cause there's no political COM and the Caribbean Economy was established want to make that much debilitating to doing busi- and easier movement of will anywhere in the re- economy to move ahead”. with a remit to look at easier, much lower barri- ness in the Caribbean, goods; they can move gion, but because 12 His comments came as ways of reinventing the ers, anyone with two and he is confident that a ahead as long as the other countries have agreed to he noted that even prior economic development CXCs. The two CXCs single anti-money laun- ten are happy for them to it, but not 15; or 14 coun- to the COVID-19 pan- model for the Caribbean. could be information that dering authority, would move ahead, and it does tries have agreed to it but demic, the Caribbean was Speaking to other rec- is automatically in your address that issue. not cause them any active not 15. And so the en- not only the slowest grow- ommendations, Persaud, passport, you don't need (JRT) Authorities remain Capitalise on lessons learned

committed to By Cara L. Jean-Baptiste ativity, critical thinking the web skills and enable mote work, ecommerce and problem solving, we the learner to manage, and automation with ar- NOW is the time to capi- will need to also assure understand, integrate, tificial intelligence. reducing public debt talise and expand on the that our curriculum in- communicate, evaluate, Khan explained that lessons learned in the cludes social, emotional and create information these trends impacted IMF from Page 1 ble. The authorities’ long- past year. skills, which describe the safely and appropriately. skills development as term debt target of 60 per- Speaking during a re- ability to navigate inter- She noted that technol- new skills will be re- It was further noted that cent of GDP will be cent press conference, Dr. personal and social situa- ogy might introduce quired to respond rapidly the Government of pushed out by two years Faryal Khan, Programme tions effectively, and in- newer learning para- and effectively to the new Barbados is targeting a (from Fiscal Year 2033/34 Specialist for Education, clude leadership, team- digms, but stressed that demands in the post zero percent of GDP pri- to Fiscal Year 2035/36) to UNESCO Cluster Office work, self control and teachers and trainers COVID era. mary balance for the reflect the impact of the for the Caribbean ex- grit,” she said. could never be replaced Skills like digital skills, Fiscal Year 2021/22, com- pandemic on the economy. pressed that the pan- “We need technical as they would always be adaptability, ability to in- pared to a deficit of 1 per- The authorities remain demic has highlighted skills integrated, which central to the introduc- novate, ability to upscale cent of GDP in the Fiscal firmly committed to re- the need to develop new refer to the acquired tion of new information emotional intelligence, Year 2020/21. ducing public debt over skills and now was the knowledge, expertise and technologies as part of resilience and the like are “This fiscal stance re- time,” Mr. van Selm fur- time to work on develop- interactions needed to the activity programmes. all skills that Khan be- flects a projected modest ther commented. ing them. perform specific tasks, in- She went on to note lieved needed to be recovery in tourism and “The team would like to “21st century labor cluding the mastery of re- that it was important to adapted into the curricu- facilitates COVID-related thank the authorities and markets need 21st cen- quired materials, tools anticipate future scenar- lum in order to enable the emergency outlays on the technical team for tury skills. So, in addition and technologies. And fi- ios and think about the youth to be ready for em- health facilities, medical their openness and candid to cognitive skills, that is nally, we need digital skills needed in the fu- ployability and entrepre- supplies, and income sup- discussions,” he con- foundational literacy and skills, which are cross ture as COVID-19 has ac- neurship in the new port to the most vulnera- cluded. (RSM) numeracy, as well as cre- cutting and draw on all of celerated trends in re- COVID landscape. 4• Saturday May 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

COVID Unit should visit schools

By Cara L. Jean-Baptiste cal understanding of the “This position was un- have agreed to continue instruction and phased both the Permanent day-to-day realities of derscored within the con- to teach face-to-face with return should occur only Secretaries in the MEMBERS of the school environments and text of existing commu- examination classes only after the senior students Ministries of Education COVID-19 Unit need to the resulting potential to nity spread, the presence and work with students take leave to sit examina- and Health yesterday and visit schools while implement successful rec- of a more virulent completing labs, SBAs tions in another three outlined the outcomes of they are in session. ommendations. “English Variant” of the and other practical work weeks as they believe the meeting and re- Following a meeting According to the press Covid-19 virus, the vul- as they persist with their that this will potentially quested a meeting where that took place on release, following the nerability of the young to “herculean attempts” to free up enough space for they hope to gain clarity Thursday,a press release meeting, which was at- this variant, and the lack prepare students for up- them to create a safer in- on issues and concerns by the Barbados tended by 270 members, a of adherence to protocols coming exams within this school environment on both parties held. Secondary Teachers conclusion was reached by too many students in ongoing difficult environ- their return and allow for “We have already re- Union underscored the that they would strictly and out of the school com- ment. the remediation of any ceived a response from importance of the adhere to the Union’s po- pound, especially on pub- According to the press potential ramifications of the MOH of their willing- COVID-19 Unit to visit sition of maintaining six lic transportation,” it release, members of the the ongoing Covid-19 ness to meet with the schools while they were feet physical distancing said. BSTU believed that other case in the school envi- membership on Tuesday in session in order to facil- by all persons on the com- Additionally, the re- year groups should re- ronment in the interim. next week,” the release itate a real-time, practi- pound. lease noted that teachers main at home with online The BSTU wrote to the said. Virus taking toll on younger people

HOSPITALIZATIONS hospitalization rates of survive, they may remain all recommit to a compre- and deaths of younger people under 39 rose by in hospitals for weeks, she hensive response people are surging as the more than 70 percent in said.As a result, countries grounded in prevention, COVID-19 pandemic ac- Chile during the past few must be prepared for surg- and maintain health care celerates across the months. In Brazil, hospi- ing hospital demand. for COVID-19 and other Americas. talizations have been “If infections continue to conditions,” Dr. Etienne This report came re- highest among people in rise at this rate, we expect stressed. cently from Dr. Carissa F. their 40s. that over the next three She said countries must Etienne, Director of the “In some areas of the months, countries across continue public health Pan American Health U.S., more people in their our region will need to measures – social distanc- Organization (PAHO). 20s are now being hospi- maintain and even in- ing, wearing masks, and “Adults of all ages – in- talized for COVID-19 than crease their ICU bed ca- avoiding gatherings in cluding young people – are people in their 70s,” Dr. pacity further,” she closed spaces and coun- becoming seriously ill. Etienne acknowledged. warned. tries should re-prioritize Many of them are dying,” “For much of the pan- Countries should hire testing and contact trac- Dr. Etienne said during demic, our hospitals were and train more health ing at the primary care her weekly media briefing. filled with elderly COVID workers and specialized level.Also, communication “In Brazil, mortality patients, many of whom personnel, she meanwhile campaigns should be rates have doubled among had pre-existing condi- advised, noting that exist- launched, to remind those younger than 39, tions that made them ing health workers should younger people that they quadrupled among those more susceptible to severe be supported after operat- need to protect them- in their 40s, and tripled disease. But look around ing in ‘crisis mode’ for so selves. for those in their 50s be- intensive care units across long. “While vaccines are tween December 2020 and our region today.You’ll see “We also can’t expand being rolled out as fast as Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan March 2021.This is tragic, they’re filled not only with ICU capacity indefinitely. possible, they are not a American Health Organization (PAHO). and the consequences are elderly patients, but also There are simply not short-term solution – we dire for our families, our with younger people” Dr. enough health workers to can’t rely on vaccines to They are one part of the measures and improving societies and our future” Etienne noted. hire and train in time. bring down infections comprehensive response readiness of health sys- she added. Since healthy young Which points us back to when there’s not enough that includes prevention tems,” Dr. Etienne com- Dr. Etienne said that people are more likely to the best option: we must vaccines to go around. through public health mented. COVID update: Two new cases, 16 recoveries

TWO females are the lat- 3,931 confirmed cases est persons to test positive (1,898 females and 2,033 for COVID-19 in males) since last March, Barbados. from the 157,606 tests car- These cases were identi- ried out by the public fied out of 870 tests con- health laboratory. There ducted by the Best-dos have been 3,847 recover- Santos Public Health ies and 45 deaths. Laboratory on Thursday, As part of the National May 6. Vaccination Programme Meanwhile, 16 persons for COVID-19, 75,360 per- have recovered from the sons have been vacci- viral illness and were dis- nated, to date. Of this charged. There are 106 total, 28,467 people have persons in isolation. received both doses. Barbados has recorded (BGIS) The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 8, 2021 • 5

Barbadians concerned Online vehicle registration, about not receiving renewal process ‘vehicle stickers’ encounters a few hiccups AS of January 11, 2021, vided, in order to transfer awaiting online payment CHANGE from the Barbados Revenue vehicles. What we have and 324 are still outstand- Back Page Authority began pro- found from this process, is ing because applicants cessing first-time vehi- a weakness in the infor- didn’t submit all of the re- registration in effect is cle registrations for mation provided. In some quired documentation or only a by-process to the private and commer- cases, the manner of pres- because errors or inconsis- collection of the tax itself. cial motor vehicles, as entation of the documents, tencies in vehicle details It is a log of each taxpayer well as registration re- the documentation, is also are found in the documen- in the system and so, if we newals for commercial questionable, but I think tation submitted. We do can do that log directly in vehicles online only. the team can look past ask that if you’ve not re- an automated fashion, in There have been a few that once the actual infor- ceived your number to go conjunction with the in- hiccups however, with mation is there. For us in- online and pay for the surance companies, then the implementation of ternally, placing rigour transaction, please reach we should be able to by- this system. around checking of the out via email to check your pass the process alto- Revenue Commissioner data means that we can application status. We’ve gether. So we are working Louisa Lewis-Ward gave monitor the transfer of ve- dedicated individuals to hard to have that happen an update on the move to hicles properly.” respond to you as a matter as a solution,” the date, acknowledging that “However, we do recog- of urgency,” Lewis Ward Revenue Commissioner it was designed to cut nize that this has slowed commented. maintained. down on the foot traffic in the process down signifi- She meanwhile stressed Previously, it was noted office, given the present cantly. So whilst we’ve ef- that as a solution, BRA is by the Barbados Revenue COVID-19 pandemic. fectively moved the working with the Authority (Authority), “The online vehicle reg- process from the cashier Licensing Authority to that registration stickers istration and renewal locations at the Pine, fully automate the sys- for privately owned vehi- process commenced on the which creates signifi- tem, so that background cles would be issued via 11th of January 2021. cantly longer lines, this checks will be computer- the post. This revised Revenue Commissioner Louisa Lewis-Ward. This has resulted in more back-end work has slowed driven, rather than hav- process was introduced in than 2,400 applicants reg- the process too much. ing human intervention. response to the current surance certificates and Licensing Authority then istering to transfer vehi- We’ve over the last two In so doing, BRA hopes to COVID-19 pandemic. valid cover notes to the distributed the registra- cles between January and months applied signifi- reduce the delays in pro- Therefore, owners of pri- Authority. The Authority tion certificates and stick- today’s date.Total revenue cant numbers of staff, in viding responses in a vate vehicles were no would then use this infor- ers via mail, to the address collected from this activ- order to process the heavy timely manner. longer required to visit the mation to update vehicle on record within the li- ity was just over one mil- number of transactions in “On behalf of the au- Authority’s offices to col- registrations and assign censing system. lion dollars,” Lewis Ward a timely manner,” she thority, we do apologize for lect registration stickers the stickers to the vehicle To date however, a num- revealed. added. this tardiness and the in- and on behalf of their owners. Once the informa- ber of Barbadians have She added,“The process “So as of May 6th, we’ve convenience that it has clients, insurance compa- tion was processed and been expressing concern was enhanced to include had approximately as we caused applicants,” the nies were required to sub- the stickers were as- about not receiving up to the back office check of all said 2500 applications and Revenue Commissioner mit the vehicle owners’ in- signed, the Barbados date stickers. (RSM) of the information pro- of that total, 247 are stated. (RSM) BRA willing to work with taxpayers facing hardship

THE Barbados Revenue “We’re looking at land undergoing undue hard- Authority is willing to taxes and at personal ship or unable to settle work with taxpayers who taxes where taxpayers the obligation, we do rec- are experiencing finan- are experiencing difficul- ommend that you come cial difficulties and find- ties. We’ve looked at the forward. We have a full ing it hard to pay what waiver of penalties and debt management team” they owe. interests on the VAT as she stressed. Revenue well. For the land tax, if “We perhaps cannot Commissioner, Louisa you have arrears of land waive the tax itself, but Lewis-Ward noted the tax, we are looking at we can assist with above recently,whilst ac- providing waivers of waivers of penalties and knowledging that thou- back penalties and inter- interests. We have a Tax sands of Barbadians are est which may have com- Relief Board which facing economic chal- pounded the obligation matters go to upon lenges due to the that you have to pay,” application and that COVID-19 pandemic and Lewis-Ward pointed out Board will consider on an as such, the Barbados during a question and individual basis each Revenue Authority answer segment with case and determine (BRA), whilst not able to members of the media re- whether a waiver of the waive the actual taxes cently, as BRA hosted a tax itself is necessary owed in most cases, is media update session via and make recommenda- open to waiving the the online Zoom plat- tions to the Ministry of penalties, for those who form. Finance” the Revenue may find it difficult to “So really, in each of Commissioner asserted. pay. the taxes, if people are (RSM) 6 • Saturday May 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Presentation to Queens Coding should College

From left: Secretary not be only –Treasurer Mrs. Cheryl Harris, Principal Dr. David Browne, language Arnott Cato Foundation Board Trustee Mrs. Margaret learned Hope and Arnott Cato By Cara L. Jean-Baptiste truly an effort “of the peo- Foundation ple, by the people, for the Administrative SOFTWARE is an people” adding that the Manager Ms. evolving field and cod- students in the pro- Requell Griffith. ing should not be the gramme have the ability only language that stu- to change lives and make dents interested in a ca- a difference. reer in software should He thanked the instruc- seek to learn. tors for their work and the This was expressed by many sacrifices they make Professor Cardinal Warde, day and night to help each Executive Director of the students. Caribbean Science “They have put in a lot of Foundation (CSF) as he time and they are totally delivered brief remarks dedicated and love their during the CSF’s virtual students, and you can see Computer Coding that passion and love,” he Workshop’s Students’ said. Final Projects Showcase. Warde noted that even He stated that software though the programme was an evolving field and was not something that it was against this back- was seen as popular in the drop that he believed that Caribbean, they were students should aim to doing the programme to learn as much as they help students in the region could. who wished to develop “This should not be the their skill sets and as such, only language you learn. he assured that the CSF You should want to learn will continue to try and Presentation to the Ellerslie School – From left: Arnott Cato Foundation BoardAdministrative Manager more and more. make a difference in the Ms. Requell Griffith, Arnott Cato Foundation Board Trustee Mrs. Margaret Hope, Principal Mrs. Stacia Unfortunately, it’s an lives of the people. Austin and Deputy Principal Mr. Ronald Leacock. evolving field. For exam- ple, you learn a language and 10 years from now it becomes obsolete, there- fore continuing education is very important,”he said. The Arnott Cato Foundation The Executive Director went on to note that they at the CSF were doing the workshop to help the re- gion and as such, acquir- presents masks to schools ing funding was impor- tant. He thanked the spon- sors for their continued THE Arnott Cato HOPE and its respective School colours 29th, 2021. These masks secondary schools in the dedication each year. Foundation, represented Administrative Manager to the Principals of are intended to be worn by near future. He said that keeping the by one of its Board Ms. Requell Griffith, pre- Queen’s College and the leaders among the stu- The Arnott Cato Foundation afloat was Members, Ms Margaret sented 50 masks in their Ellerslie schools on April dents at the school to set a Foundation is dedicated to proud example to their fel- the betterment of health low students and to follow in Barbados, particularly the protocols for mask through the enhancement Fellowship thankful for donation wearing still in place as of training of a wide range we continue to grapple of health personnel. One YES from Back Page equipment on behalf of duce the population at also appealing to corpo- with the COVID pan- of its many programs over the organisation and took Her Majesty's Prison rate Barbados that if you demic and the difficult the years has been in the Youth Entrepreneurship the opportunity to ex- Dodds, and will show the have any de-bushing to be task of safely educating support of the Masters in Scheme provides the nec- press gratitude for the ex-inmates that they done, Prison Fellowship our young people in these Public Health Students at essary training for those equipment. “We want to would be able to get a sec- Barbados will come and difficult times; as well as UWI Cave Hill, including persons who are incarcer- thank the Government of ond chance, because a sec- work for you. The guys protecting their teachers a yearly scholarship in ated so when they return Barbados through ond chance is all that they will be supervised by our and their families at conjunction with the City to society, they can live a Minister Sutherland for need sometimes to make volunteers and the work home. of Bridgetown Coop Ltd. productive life and add seeing it fit to help us to good,” Dowden said. will be professionally Chairman Sir Errol The Foundation is cur- value to our economic help these guys. They Revealing that the done. We just want to help Walrond noted that the rently engaged in a series landscape, socially as spent over $30,000 in Fellowship was able to these young men as well Board of the Foundation of health education pro- well. And also look after equipment and we want provide around 300 ham- as their families because was pleased to donate the grams which we feel must their families in a mean- to give God thanks for pers to some of their it's not only the inmates $20,000 that it required to not be forgotten in this cri- ingful way. So this pro- this first of all, and we clients just after this that suffer, but when they have these masks de- sis of the pandemic.These gramme should not be want to give our govern- year's lockdown, Dowden cannot work, their fami- signed and created here in programs and other infor- frowned upon at all.” ment thanks for seeing added that there was a lies suffer,” he said before Barbados in the individ- mation about the founda- Director of Prison the need to support us. need for assistance and adding that the contact ual school colours, and tion can be found Fellowship of Barbados, We hope that in years to solicited the organisa- number was 548-1112. look forward to similar at arnottcatofoundation.o Neil Dowden accepted the come this move will re- tion's services. “We are (MP) presentations at the other rg The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 8, 2021 • 7

Beijing targets overall development Capital plans to make strides commerce bureau. in science, culture and economic Beijing has been carrying out sectors in the next five years policies to further open its service industries, including science, BEIJING will make efforts to culture, entertainment, finance, accelerate its scientific, tourism and healthcare to foreign economic and cultural investors since 2015, when the developments during the central government approved the 14th Five-Year Plan period plan. (2021-25) with several “Beijing will look to establish a measures having been global service trade alliance carried out at the start of this based on the China International year to better facilitate the Fair for Trade in Service that has four core roles of the capital been held annually in Beijing for and help it build itself into a years,” she said.“We will continue livable city for all. to build the platform with both The city, which aims to cap its online and offline functions with permanent population at 23 better digital service.” million in future, will follow the In September, the State path of high-quality development Council announced three newly with an improved social established free trade zones, structure to obtain including the one in the capital. comprehensive and harmonious Based on its advantages in growth, according to the city science and technology government’s draft for the plan development and its period. international businesses climate, Li Yuan, founder and CEO of Beijing’s FTZ will focus more on Benewake Co, a high-tech the digital economy and service company based in the capital, industry. said he has seen great According to the Beijing FTZ improvement in the science and plan, the city government will An aerial view of the Beijing Daxing International Airport in June 2019. The airport was put technology industry in Beijing support the People’s Bank of to commercial use in September 2019. over the past decades, especially China, the country’s central since he returned from the bank, in its efforts to establish a United States after earning his legal digital currency zone and doctorate and founded the digital finance system in Beijing. company in 2015. The bank will also form a “Benewake has gained policy blockchain standardized system and financial support from in the trade and finance sector. Zhongguancun, China’s so-called With a long history and rich Silicon Valley, and the city cultural relics, Beijing will government during its growth, strengthen its culture which has been important for us,” development in the following he said. “We believe Beijing will years to enrich the lives of its become a world-class science and people. technology innovation center “I’ve seen an increasing soon.” number of bookstores and Xu Qiang, director of the museums in Beijing, as well as Beijing Science and Technology parks with strong cultural Commission, said Beijing is atmospheres,” said Dong Jinxian, aiming to meet that goal by 2025 a 60-year-old resident in Beijing. and also hopes to be a leader in The number of cultural innovation, competitiveness and facilities in Beijing has also been influence in the science and increasing, and it is expected that technology innovation sector by access to such places will become 2035. even more convenient in the “We will accelerate the drafting future. of the plan for the sector,” he said. There are plans to have According to Xu, in the cinemas every 2 kilometers and following five years, Beijing will reading spaces not more than a implement a national strategy 15-minute walk away in the for science development by upcoming years. There are Visitors take part in an exhibition during a National Space Day event in Nanjing, East China’s cultivating national labs and key currently 149 theaters, 163 Jiangsu province on April 24, 2021. infrastructure construction for museums, 260 cinemas, about science and technology research. 1,300 bookstores and 5,800 Artificial intelligence,quantum public libraries in the city, China mulls sending spacecraft to information, blockchain and according to the city government. biotech will be key areas of focus. Meanwhile, the city The government plans to build government has called on social platforms to shorten the gap organizations around the capital edge of solar system: scientist between the start of research and to build museums. BEIJING – Chinese scientists by 2049, when the People’s scientific exploration and development and the time it The Grand Canal Museum, for are evaluating the feasibility of Republic of China celebrates its experiments at the edge of the takes to bring products to example, is under construction a project to send a spacecraft to 100th founding anniversary,Wu solar system, a region about 15 market. in Tongzhou district, where the the edge of the solar system, said in a recent interview with billion km from the Earth. Beijing will create a world- sub city-center is located. It is said Wu Weiren, chief designer industry newspaper China “If the project can be class business climate with a scheduled to be open in 2023. of China’s lunar exploration Space News. implemented, it will be China’s focus on further opening up the Beijing will also aim to preserve programme. The distance from the sun to contribution to the world and city’s service sector and building its traditional architecture while According to the project, the Earth is called an astronomical mankind,” Wu said. the Beijing Free Trade Zone developing a cultural industry Chinese spacecraft will cover a unit (AU), which is about 150 “China’s space industry has during the 14th Five-Year Plan with global competitiveness over distance about 100 times than million km. the strength to achieve this period, said Liu Meiying, the next 15 years, according to that between the sun and Earth The project aims to carry out goal,” the scientist added. spokeswoman of the city’s plans that were released in April. 8 • Saturday May 8, 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 US job growth slows sharply in Reducing sign of hiring struggles WASHINGTON – The the virus, according to February and March by a evidence that companies recovery of America’s job government surveys. More combined 78,000. April’s are asking their employees customer wait market hit a pause last women also dropped out of total is far below March’s to work more. month as many businesses the workforce last month, gain of 770,000. “Demand is outpacing – from restaurants and likely to care for children, The resumption of hiring supply,” said Daniel Zhao, hotels to factories and after many had returned has encouraged some senior economist at times key construction companies– in the previous two Americans to start looking Glassdoor, a job listings struggled to find enough months. for jobs, which means they website.“That’s something BOTH public and private sector companies that workers to catch up with a In addition, construction are newly counted as that is occurring across the usually experience high volumes of human traffic rapidly strengthening companies and unemployed if they don’t economy, in on a daily basis, really need to work harder to economic rebound. manufacturers, especially immediately find work. semiconductors to lumber, reduce customer waiting periods, ensuring less Employers added just automakers, have been left This is what happened in and we’re seeing a similar frustration on the part of customers and a better 266,000 jobs in April, short of parts because of April, when the crunch in the labor customer experience, when transacting sharply lower than in clogged supply chains and unemployment rate ticked market.” business. March and far fewer than have had to slow up from 6% to 6.1%. The drop in hiring Over the years, there has really been no major economists had expected. production for now. Both Employers are now suggests that the Federal change where queue management in Barbados is With viral cases declining sectors pulled back on posting far more jobs than Reserve is still months concerned. That said, the present COVID-19 and states and localities hiring in April. And some they did before the away from slowing its pandemic has not made things any better, where easing restrictions, the businesses say they believe pandemic, and “help purchases of Treasurys and this whole matter of queue management is recovery from the that a US$300-a-week wanted” signs dot many other bonds, which are concerned either.Now queue management is the pandemic recession has jobless benefit, paid for by restaurant windows. Other intended to keep long-term ability to manage and streamline queues, in order been so fast that many the federal government, is telltale signs of labour interest rates low. Chair to improve customer waiting periods and staff businesses have been discouraging some of the shortages have emerged as Jerome Powell has said productivity.This concept, which has been studied caught flat-footed in the unemployed from taking well: Average hourly pay that it would take “a string” well in the international arena, apparently is a face of surging consumer new jobs. rose 0.7% in April of reports like the one for foreign one to some owning businesses here and demand. Still, companies have toUS$30.17, which the March to show that the to public sector organisations in particular. Last month’s hiring added jobs for four straight government said suggests economy was on track for a Qmatic, a leading international company which slowdown appears to months, the Labor that the fast reopening of full recovery. Fed officials seeks to optimize the customer experience, reflect a host of factors. Department said the economy “may have put have signaled that they suggests that “Queuing is one of the biggest Nearly 3 million people are yesterday, though the upward pressure on don’t intend to raise their dissatisfiers in stores, hospitals, banks and reluctant to look for work government lowered its wages.” The average short-term benchmark rate government institutions and a structured because they fear catching estimate of job growth for workweek also rose, until after 2023. approach to queuing is being expected by a large number of customers and citizens”. A UK based firm named Inaccord takes it further by noting that, “Queues are bad news for customers. When queues form at peak periods like first thing in the Palestinians, Israel police clash morning, at lunchtime or shortly before closing, they are made up of people who can’t visit at any other time, so the time they have is precious and at Al-Aqsa Mosque; 53 hurt the irritation they feel at having to queue is amplified as a consequence”. The company adds, JERUSALEM – performing evening Jerusalem and Destiny,” the most sacred “Despite improvements in the use and application Palestinian worshippers prayers at Al-Aqsa during encouraging the violence. in the Muslim holy month of technology, Internet banking, telephone clashed with Israeli police the holy month of In the attack yesterday of Ramadan. Worshippers banking and other means of remote banking, for yesterday evening at Al- Ramadan. Video footage morning, Israeli police will gather for intense most banks, queues remain the biggest source of Aqsa Mosque in from the scene shows said three attackers fired nighttime prayers at the customer complaints”. Jerusalem’s Old City as worshippers throwing on the base near the Al-Aqsa mosque Without a doubt, the whole issue of bad queue weeks-long tensions chairs, shoes and rocks northern West Bank town compound in Jerusalem’s management and lengthy customer waiting between Israel and the toward the police and of Jenin. The Border Old City,a flashpoint site periods has always been a big problem in Palestinians over officers responding by Police and an Israeli sacred to both Muslims Barbados and now the pandemic has brought an Jerusalem soared again. opening fire. Israeli police soldier returned fire, and Jews, who refer to it even greater spotlight on this issue. Yes, we The Palestinian Red also closed gates leading killing two of the men as the Temple Mount. understand that social distancing is in effect and Crescent emergency to Al-Aqsa inside the and wounding the third, Sunday night is also this may mean that more persons may have to service said 53 people walled Old City. who was evacuated to a the start of Jerusalem wait outside when conducting business with a were wounded in clashes Dozens of Palestinians hospital. Day,a national holiday in company for example, but we can’t get away from with police there and in an east Jerusalem Some 70,000 which Israel celebrates the fact that most business persons hardly elsewhere in Jerusalem, neighborhood are at risk worshippers attended the its annexation of east answer the telephone promptly to answer queries, including 23 who were of being evicted following final Friday prayers of Jerusalem and religious hardly have appointment systems to reduce foot hospitalized. It says most a long legal battle with Ramadan at Al-Aqsa, the nationalists hold parades traffic and hardly have enough cashiers or tellers were wounded in the face Israeli settlers, and Islamic endowment that and other celebrations in working to assist with business, especially during and eyes by rubber- Palestinian protesters oversees the site said. the city. On Monday, an peak periods. Thus, as you go to and fro, you may coated bullets and have clashed with Israeli Thousands protested Israeli court is expected likely find people in the line shifting from one foot shrapnel from stun police in the city on a afterwards, waving the to issue a verdict on the to the other, grumbling underneath their breath grenades. nightly basis since the green flags of the Islamic evictions. about the length of the queue and the slow pace The clashes were the start of the Muslim holy militant group Hamas Israel’s archenemy Iran at which the snaking line moves, as they seek to latest in a deadly day that month of Ramadan. and chanting pro-Hamas was meanwhile marking transact their business with these same entities. saw Israeli forces shoot The unrest has drawn slogans before dispersing its own Quds, or When will the heads of these organisations and kill two Palestinians attention from across the peacefully. Jerusalem Day yesterday. understand that better management of queues after three men opened region, with neighboring Israelis and The national holiday and counter staff can reduce queue lengths, fire on an Israeli base in Jordan warning Israel Palestinians are bracing typically features anti- thereby reducing customer complaints, whilst the occupied West Bank. against further for more violence in the Israel protests and fiery increasing customer satisfaction? When will these They erupted when “provocative” steps, and coming days. speeches by Iranian active changes be made to improve the customer Israeli police deployed Iran seizing on the Sunday night is “Laylat leaders predicting Israel’s experience? We can only hope that as time goes heavily as Muslims were sensitivities around al-Qadr” or the “Night of demise. on, businesses do get better with their management of queues and with their levels of Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes efficiency, even in the midst of this pandemic. E-mail Address: [email protected] Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Waiting is inevitable, but it should not be Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan forever. @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 8, 2021 • 9

Antigua shelves plans Over 150,000 to allow simultaneous production of immunised marijuana, hemp against ST JOHN’S,Antigua – The produced,” Benjamin said. Antigua and Barbuda He told legislators that government has shelved having heard the debates, plans to introduce the contribution of the COVID-19 legislation that would have minister with allowed for the production responsibility for and cultivation of hemp agriculture, and other and marijuana on the experts in the field, “there in Guyana island at the same time. were many, it was thought Attorney General and fitting that we ought not GUYANA has achieved and some of them getting Minister of Legal Affairs, properly to proceed, but we another milestone in into the ICU. So, you Steadroy Benjamin, told ought to leave this bill for the fight against know, while this is a good Parliament that based on further research, for COVID-19, with some number, we still want to the advice of the technical advice before 150,694 individuals move that up to the 80s, technicians, it would “be further contemplation is immunised against the possibly the 90s.” impractical and not giving in this particular disease. Minister Anthony workable to have both matter.” During Thursday’s reiterated that while the hemp and marijuana, Last December, Antigua COVID-19 update, vaccine does not prevent cannabis being grown in and Barbuda government Minister of Health, Hon. infection, it prevents Antigua at the very same introduced the Misuse of Dr. Anthony said 31 per persons from developing time. Drugs (Amendment) bill cent of Guyana’s adult the severe form of the “They say there would be and on January 23, population has taken the disease. the difficulty of cross legislators voted to pass the first Covid jab. “As we have said before, pollination which would legislation, making it clear While this is a the vaccines that we are Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony lead to contamination, that while decriminali- significant achievement, giving, once you’re fully which would mean it would sation is a step in the right Minister Anthony said vaccinated, that it can age group is lagging, as younger people get a affect, Mr Speaker, the direction, it is not the same more individuals still prevent and would just only 20.9 per cent of milder form of COVID- quality of what was being thing as legalisation. need to be vaccinated. reduce hospitalisation. So persons in that category 19, the Minister said “What we want is to again, my appeal would have so far been some could be encourage everybody to be for this age category, vaccinated. hospitalised. Therefore, really come forward and that if you have not “It is something that he is advising that those to get their vaccines. received your vaccines we have to work on to get in that age group be What we have seen is yet, make a special effort younger people to come cautious, since they can that based on our records to go out and get your out and get their vaccines be left with Long Covid in terms of vaccines.” as well,” the Minister or other forms of the immunisation, we have Meanwhile, Dr. said. disease, now being seen quite a good uptake Anthony said the 18 to 39 While data shows that discovered. with persons 60 years and above and so, in that age category we have 61.3 per cent of persons 60 years and above who would have already taken their first dose of the vaccine and, that’s good,” Minister Anthony said. However, the Minister would like to see that number increase to over 80 per cent. “So, we still have a little bit more to go. But we knew that this age group was quite vulnerable because we were seeing a Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, lot of them getting sick Steadroy Benjamin coming into the hospital, US Virgin Islands hosts ‘vaccine fete’ THE U.S. Virgin Islands leading U.S. Virgin and proper handwashing Department of Tourism’s Islands musical groups hygiene. Division of Festivals has Cool Session Brass, Envisioned by the pioneered the return of Legacy Band and Department of Tourism, in-person Carnival events Spectrum Band. “1 Night, 1 Fête” was while prioritizing public 2021 International executed in consultation health safety and the Soca Monarch Farmer with the Office of the importance of getting the Nappy of Trinidad and Governor and the COVID-19 vaccine. Tobago headlined the Department of Health to The 2021 Carnival “Vaccination Jam”, which promote a “Vaccinate to Virgin Islands “1 Night, 1 accommodated 200 Party Safe” initiative to Fête” took place seaside vaccinated patrons and help reach Governor yesterday at The West stressed compliance with Albert Bryan Jr.’s goal of Indian Company Limited COVID-19 protocols, vaccinating 50,000 (WICO) dock on St. including physical Virgin Islanders by July Thomas, and featured distancing, mask-wearing 1. 10 • Saturday May 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

IMF reaches staff level agreement with UK issues travel Honduras, proposes more support NEW YORK – The planned to provide US$554 The COVID-19 pandemic advisory on J’ca International Monetary Fund through a Stand-By and hits by tropical storms said on Thursday it reached a Arrangement and a Stand-by Eta and Iota lead to a sharp LESS than a week after island’s efforts to reduce the staff-level agreement with Credit Facility. economic contraction in 2020 Jamaica lifted its travel ban spread of the coronavirus Honduras and proposed to “The increase is justified in that will only be partly on the United Kingdom due (COVID-19). Several countries raise total support to US$769 the context of balance of pay- reversed in 2021, the Fund mainly to the coronavirus around the globe have also been million to help the central ments needs brought on by the said. (COVID-19) pandemic, forced to institute similar travel American country recover from tropical storms and continued The agreement is subject to Britain’s Foreign, bans as a part of their COVID-19 two hurricanes and the coron- pandemic,” said Joyce Wong, approval by the IMF’s Commonwealth and management measures. avirus pandemic. the Fund’s team leader for Executive Board, tentatively Development Office (FDCO) In its travel advisory, the The fund had initially Honduras. scheduled for June. has advised nationals against FDCO reminded Britons that it all types of travel to Jamaica, is illegal to travel abroad from due to the growing number the UK for holidays, adding that of COVID-19 cases. only essential travels could be “The FCDO suggests against allowed and people can only all but necessary travel to the leave the UK if they have a whole of Jamaica based on the reasonable excuse.The condition current assessment of COVID- applies to both UK and non-UK 19 risks,” it said in its latest passport holders currently travel advisory on Thursday. residing in England. Jamaica had instituted the ban FCDO said over 225 000 as part of the measures under British nationals visited Jamaica Jamaica’s Disaster Risk in 2019, and most of the visits Management Act. were trouble-free. “On Saturday May 1, Jamaica Yesterday, Jamaica health will reopen its borders to authorities reported that three international visitors from the people had died while 90 new United Kingdom. This will cases of the virus were confirmed enable the critical gateways of in the past 24 hours. Heathrow and Gatwick airports, They said that the latest to have transit for passengers figures put the country’s coming through and who are pandemic totals to 46 428 fully compliant with health and confirmed cases and 801 deaths. safety protocols required for The latest deaths were people international travel,” Minister of between the ages 48 to 88 years Tourism Edmund Bartlett said. old and that the island has also The ban brought travel recorded 125 recoveries on between Jamaica and the UK to Thursday, bringing that total to Joyce Wong, the Fund’s team leader for Honduras. a halt and was done as part of the 22 018. Jamaican named Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University in Scotland EDINBURGH, Scotland – to the United Kingdom, Seth Brewing Industry Research Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to George Ramocan, expressed Foundation in Surrey. During Scotland, Professor Sir Geoff pleasure at Sir Geoff’s new this time, he invented the barley Palmer, has been named the appointment. abrasion process, before new Chancellor of Heriot-Watt “This is a proud moment for returning to Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, the Jamaican Diaspora and for University in 1977 where he Scotland. all Jamaicans across the world. remained until his retirement Sir Geoff, who is an Sir Geoff, who made history in in 2005. internationally renowned 1989 when he became Following his retirement, he scientist and human rights Scotland’s first black professor, earned the academic title of activist, will assume his new continues to be a stalwart professor emeritus. He was role at an official inauguration supporter of Jamaica and the knighted in 2014 for services in ceremony, which will be held diaspora and a tireless advocate the fields of human rights, during the university’s for human rights. He science and charity. bicentennial celebrations in exemplifies academic excellence In 2018, the Jamaican October 2021. and his research into the history government appointed Sir Geoff As Chancellor, he will play a and connections between as Jamaica’s first Honorary central role in promoting Heriot- Scotland and the Caribbean is Consul in Scotland and in 2020, Watt’s international reputation well known and highly he was awarded with the as a pioneer in research and regarded,” he said. Jamaican national honour, the education across its campuses Sir Geoff completed his PhD Order of Distinction in Scotland, Malaysia and in grain science and technology (Commander Class), in Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Scotland, Professor Sir Geoff Dubai. in 1967. He went on to a recognition of his contribution Palmer, has been named the new Chancellor of Heriot-Watt Jamaican High Commissioner successful research career with to the Jamaican Diaspora. University in Edinburgh, Scotland. 90 new COVID cases as death toll passes 800 in Jamaica KINGSTON,Jamaica – 46,428 confirmed cases and St Catherine had 23 cases, St Thomas. recoveries on Thursday, Another three COVID-related 801 deaths. 19 were in Kingston and St The three people who died bringing that total to deaths have been recorded in Forty-nine women and 41 Andrew, 17 in St Ann, nine in were a 48-year-old man from 22,018. Jamaica, while 90 new cases of men within the one to 95 years Clarendon, six in St James, Portland, a 66-year-old woman There are 23,267 active the virus were confirmed in the age range account for the new four in St Elizabeth, three each from Manchester and an 88- cases, 231 patients in hospital past 24 hours. cases, which were in Manchester and year-old man from Kingston – 11 moderately ill and 21 The latest figures put the recorded in all parishes, except Westmoreland, two in Hanover and St Andrew. critically ill – and 23,025 country’s pandemic totals to Trelawny. and one each in Portland and Jamaica also recorded 125 people in home isolation. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 8, 2021 • 11 Deadly police shootout prompts claims of abuse in Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO – A society with his calls to bloody, hourslong diminish legal constraints gunbattle in a Rio de on officers’ use of lethal force Janeiro slum echoed against criminals. into yesterday, with The administration of Rio authorities saying the state’s Gov.Cláudio Castro, police mission killed two a Bolsonaro ally, said in an dozen criminals while emailed statement that it residents and activists lamented the deaths, but claimed human rights that the operation was abuses. “oriented by long and It was just after sunrise detailed investigative and Thursday when dozens of intelligence work that took officers from Rio de Janeiro months.” state’s civil police stormed The raid sought to rout Jacarezinho, a favela in the gang recruitment of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador hold a virtual city’s northern zone. They teenagers, police said in an bilateral meeting, in Washington. were targeting drug earlier statement, which traffickers from one of also cited Comando Brazil’s most notorious Vermelho’s “warlike criminal organizations, structure of soldiers Trees, visas and graft feature in Comando Vermelho, and equipped with rifles, the bodies piled up quickly. grenades, bulletproof vests.” When the fighting Television images Harris migration call with Mexico stopped, there were 25 dead showed a police helicopter – one police officer and 24 flying low over the WASHINGTON – The tasked Harris with leading pandemic and hurricanes. pays small farmers to people described by the Jacarezinho favela as men United States must fight U.S. efforts to lower “Most people don’t want reforest land, and has police as “criminals.” with high-powered rifles corruption in Central immigration from Mexico to leave home and when recently expanded it to Rio’s moniker of hopped from roof to roof to America and help its and Central America as the they do it is often because Central America. At a “Marvelous City” can often evade officers. economies in order to stem administration grapples they are fleeing some harm Washington climate seem a cruel irony in the Others didn’t escape. migration, Vice President with an increase in people or they are forced to leave summit in April, Lopez favelas, given their violent One resident told said Kamala Harris said crossing at its southern because there are no Obrador raised the idea conflicts, stark poverty and that a man barged into her yesterday in a call with border. opportunities,” Harris, 56, that the United States subjugation to drug home around 8 a.m. Mexico’s president who Harris said the rising said. could reward farmers with traffickers or militias. But bleeding from a gunshot pitched a tree-planting-for- numbers of migrants were Harris recently unveiled work visas and citizenship. even here,Thursday’s clash wound. He hid in her visas plan. a serious challenge for the US$310 million in U.S. officials have so far was a jarring anomaly that daughter’s room, but police The Biden two countries and they additional aid for the given no indication that analysts declared one of the came rushing in right administration has made should provide immediate region, which has been such a proposal could city’s deadliest police behind him. She said that the rule of law, judicial relief in El Salvador, badly hit by the pandemic become policy. operations ever.And it was she and her family saw independence and Guatemala and Honduras. and storms that devastated Lopez Obrador rose to by far the most violent since officers shoot the unarmed combating corruption In a statement after the parts of Honduras and prominence criticizing Brazil’s Supreme Court man. prominent elements of its meeting, the vice Guatemala last year. corruption in past issued a ruling banning Yesterday, protesters strategy to improve president’s office said Lopez Obrador, 67, said governments and considers most such actions during gathered outside police conditions and lower Mexico and the United he had a specific proposal the issue central to his the pandemic, which drew a headquarters near migration from Central States will work together he wanted to discuss with legacy. rebuke from the U.N.’s Jacarezinho to denounce America and is keen to in Central America to Harris. He did not give However, shortly before human rights office. the violence, holding a engage Mexico as a tackle unemployment, details, but told reporters yesterday’s call his The bloodshed also laid banner that read “STOP partner. limited market access and earlier that the tree government made a formal bare Brazil’s perennial KILLING US!” “Together, we must fight deforestation and planting idea was at the diplomatic complaint to the divide over whether, as a Felipe Curi, a detective in violence, we must fight instability caused by top of his mind. United States for common local saying goes, Rio’s civil police, denied corruption and impunity,” climate change. “We agree with the financially supporting an “a good criminal is a dead there were any executions. Harris said, at the start of Hundreds of thousands migration policies you are anti-graft group he criminal.” Fervent law-and- Curi said some suspects call with Lopez Obrador of people from the three developing and we are considers to be politically order sentiment fueled the had sought refuge in prior to a June 7-8 visit to Central American nations, going to help, you can count opposed to the government. successful presidential run residents’ homes, and six of Guatemala and Mexico, known as the Northern on us,” he said. Lopez Obrador said the in 2018 by Jair Bolsonaro,a them were arrested and her first foreign trip as vice Triangle, have left since The Mexican issue would not be raised former army captain whose police also seized 16 pistols, president. last year following government has launched in the meeting with home is in Rio. He drew six rifles, a submachine gun, President Joe Biden has economic damage from the a large jobs program that Harris. support from much of 12 grenades and a shotgun.

Mostly cloudy to overcast with the occasional in- termittent widely scattered moderate to heavy showers, periods of light rain and a low chance of isolated thunderstorms. High Tide (First) 1:49 High tide (Second) 14:15 London 09 Clear Yesterday: 0.0 mm Boston 11 Cloudy Low Tide (First) 8:05 For the month: 15.6 mm Max: 29.7 °C Montreal 14 Overcast Low tide (Second) 20:05 For the year: 272.3 mm Min: 23.1 °C Toronto 09 Partly Cloudy New York 13 Partly Cloudy Miami 29 Cloudy/ Thunderstorms 5:35 a.m. 6:15 p.m. 12 • Saturday May 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Britain to reopen foreign holidays to just a handful of countries BRITAIN will allow international to protect public health and ensure we travel to resume from May 17 after don’t throw away the hard-fought gains months of banning most trips we’ve all strived to earn this year,” abroad, but nearly all major transport minister Grant Shapps said. destinations were left off its list of Airlines, holiday companies and tourist countries open for quarantine-free hotspots in southern Europe have been holidays. waiting for big-spending Britons to start Just 12 countries and territories made travelling again, but they will have to the so-called “green list”. They include wait a few months longer for a Portugal, Israel, New Zealand,Australia full rebound to take off. and the tiny Faroe Islands. With Portugal as the first major People queue to enter terminal 2, as tighter rules for international travellers The top four destinations – Spain, Mediterranean holiday destination to start, at Heathrow Airport, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID- France, Italy and the United States – make the green list, Thomas Cook and 19) pandemic, London, Britain, January 18, 2021. were among those left off, angering Club Med said bookings there were stricken airlines and holiday companies already up 250% on last Friday.TUI said Experts have also said prices could Heathrow Airport, the country’s battling for survival. Those four sit in it had added more flights to Portugal. shoot up for bookings to the few places on biggest, and British Airways both urged the amber category, requiring self-isola- The list will be reviewed every three the green list. Shapps said airports could the government to add more countries to tion for those returning to the UK. weeks. It applies only to people from also see longer delays as COVID-19 test the green list when it next reviews travel Turkey, another big holiday destina- England for now, but devolved adminis- results must be checked. in early June, and to let those who have tion, was added to a red list. That trations in Scotland,Wales and Northern Many destination countries also have been fully vaccinated travel without requires travellers to spend ten days in Ireland are expected to accept it too. their own requirements, with many still restrictions. managed hotel quarantine on their Those travelling to countries on the effectively closed. “The government should help people return, which they must pay for green list will have to take two COVID- “This excess of caution from the plan ahead by publishing a list of themselves. 19 tests, one before arrival back into the government is extremely disappointing countries expected to be on the green list While a legal ban on all non-essential UK and one within two days of returning. for everyone who works in the travel for the summer holidays so that international travel will be lifted for the sector,” Brian Strutton of the passengers are not faced with high prices first time since January, the government ‘Excess of caution’ British Airline Pilots Association said. for last-minute bookings,” Heathrow said people should still avoid travelling to Trade bodies for pilots and airlines, The travel industry had argued that CEO John Holland-Kaye said. countries on the amber or red lists airports and holiday groups said Britain Britain’s rapid vaccination programme Before the announcement, the head of for leisure. was being excessively cautious and such should enable it to open up more quickly. British Airways-owner IAG had also “Today marks the first step in our a limited reopening would continue to But the government has prioritised called on the UK and the United States cautious return to international travel, drag on an industry that had taken efforts to prevent coronavirus variants to open a travel corridor, given their with measures designed above all else great strides to manage safe travel. from entering the country. high vaccination rates.

Greece to reopen Italy reports 207 museums next COVID-19 deaths week, ahead on Friday, 10,554 of tourism new cases MUSEUMS in Greece will reopen to ITALY reported 207 coronavirus-related visitors next week, a day before the deaths on Friday against 258 the day official start of the tourism season on May before, the health ministry said, while the 15, authorities said yesterday. daily tally of new infections fell to Venues such as Athens’ Acropolis 10,554 from 11,807. museum, housing archaeological Italy has registered 122,470 deaths treasures found near the ancient citadel linked to COVID-19 since its outbreak overlooking the city, have been closed emerged in February last year, the since mid-November, when a second second-highest toll in Europe after Britain lockdown was imposed to curb the spread and the seventh-highest in the world.The of the coronavirus. A man looks at exhibits at the Parthenon hall of the Acropolis museum in country has reported 4.09 million cases to The government started easing Athens, Greece. date. restrictions late last month after a small Patients in hospital with COVID-19 – reduction in COVID-19 cases. as the number of infections fall and May 10 and daycare centres on May 17. not including those in intensive It allowed bars and restaurants to vaccinations increase, in 61 regions Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis care – stood at 16,331 on Friday, down reopen earlier this week while organised including Athens and Thessaloniki, and an said this week that a combination of from 16,867 a day earlier. beaches will open on Saturday for the first increase in only ten regions. widespread testing, immunisation, and There were 109 new admissions to time this year. Tourism accounts for about a fifth of the fact that many activities would take intensive care units, down from 127 on “It is obvious that the country’s Greece’s economy and job market, and place outdoors gave authorities Thursday. The total number of intensive epidemiological picture is showing after the worst year on record for the confidence that tourists would be able to care patients fell slightly to 2,253 from a a steady improvement,” Deputy sector last year the country can ill afford visit safely. previous 2,308. Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias another lost summer. A country of 11 million, it has reported Some 328,612 tests for COVID-19 were said. Open-air cinemas will resume on a total of 358,116 infections and 10,910 carried out in the past day,compared with He said authorities had recorded a May 21 while open-air performances deaths. Yesterday, it reported 2,691 a previous 324,640, the health ministry reduction in the epidemiological burden, on May 28. Primary schools will open on new infections and 63 deaths. said. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 8, 2021 • 13

Four ex-police officers charged with violating civil rights of George Floyd According to a Department of Justice statement, four officers – Alexander FOUR ex-police officers have been Chauvin, the officer convicted in April Keung (2), Thomas Lane (3) and Tou Thao (4), as well as Chauvin (1) – are charged with violating the civil rights of Floyd’s murder. accused of infringing Mr Floyd’s civil rights. of African-American George Floyd, Prosecutors say they wilfully “deprived whose murder in Minneapolis last Mr Floyd of his constitutional rights”. of murder and manslaughter,in a criminal day, while the third count alleges that all year sparked global outrage. Chauvin was filmed kneeling on case filed by the state of Minnesota. four “saw Mr Floyd lying on the ground in A federal grand jury in Minnesota Mr Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes. His legal team requested a new trial on clear need of medical care” and failed indicted the four – who include Derek The former policeman was found guilty Wednesday,accusing both prosecutors and to help him. jurors of misconduct. The white former Chauvin has also been charged with two officer will be sentenced next month and charges for an incident in September 2017, faces up to 40 years in prison. the statement said. According to a Department of Justice The former police officer is accused of US election officials drop statement, four officers – Alexander holding a 14-year-old by the throat and Keung, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, as hitting him “multiple times in the head”, well as Chauvin – are accused of infring- as well as allegedly kneeling on his neck Trump hush money probe ing Mr Floyd’s civil rights. and upper back “after the teenager was Count one alleges that when Chauvin lying prone, handcuffed, and unresisting”. THE Federal Election Commission meeting in February. knelt on Mr Floyd he broke his All the federal charges revealed yester- (FEC) has dropped an inquiry into The vote came months after “constitutional right to be free from day are separate to those filed against the whether Donald Trump violated an internal report recommended the use of unreasonable force by a police four officers by the state of Minnesota. campaign financial law during the 2016 that there was “reason to believe” officer”. Mr Kueng, Mr Lane, and Mr Thao are election. Trump’s campaign had knowingly The second count accuses Mr Keung due to stand trial together later this year The case stemmed from an allegation violated campaign finance law. and Mr Thao of failing to intervene that over Mr Floyd’s death. Trump directed his former lawyer Two Republicans who voted to to pay an adult film actress to stop dismiss the case said they had con- her speaking out about an alleged cluded it would not be “the best use of affair. agency resources” while two Democrat- The lawyer, Michael Cohen, was later aligned commissioners criticised their South Carolina moves closer to jailed on multiple charges. decision. The FEC, the regulatory agency “To conclude that a payment, made 13 tasked with enforcing campaign finance days before Election Day to hush up a allowing death by firing squad law, announced the case closure suddenly newsworthy ten-year-old Thursday. story, was not campaign-related, It came after the commission, split without so much as conducting an SOUTH CAROLINA lawmakers have But these drugs have become harder to evenly between Democrats and investigation, defies reality,” they wrote passed a bill to allow inmates on death get as manufacturers and distributors do Republicans, became deadlocked in a letter. row to be executed by firing squad not want their products used to impose 2-2 on taking action at a closed-door Cohen previously testified under oath in the absence of lethal injection drugs. the death penalty. that Trump had directed him to When signed into law, it will make The Republican-controlled House voted make the payment of $130,000 South Carolina the fourth state in the 66-43 on Wednesday to make the electric (£100,000) just days before the country to offer the option as a method of chair the default method of execution election. capital punishment. when drugs are unavailable and to Trump has acknowledged reimburs- Opponents criticised the new measure offer up the alternative of dying by firing ing the payment but denied the affair as “medieval” but its supporters say it squad. and any wrongdoing regarding is about bringing closure to victims. This option was proposed by a campaign laws. The southern state has not held Democrat, State Senator Richard “The hush money payment was done an execution since 2011. Harpootlian, who said it would be more at the direction of and for the benefit of The legislation passed by the South humane than the “extraordinarily Donald J. Trump,” Cohen said Carolina House of Representatives aims gruesome, horrendous process” of in a statement to The New York to restart executions by bypassing the electrocution, where people do not die Times, responding to the case difficulties states face in procuring immediately. dismissal. the drugs for a lethal injection cocktail. Seven House Republicans voted against “Like me, Trump should have been It will go to the state’s Senate for a final the bill on Wednesday and one Democrat found guilty. How the FEC committee vote before heading to Republican voted for it. could rule any other way is confound- Governor Henry McMaster, who has Explaining his vote in favour of the ing.” vowed to sign the bill “as soon as it gets measure, Republican House lawmaker In statement issued through his web- to my desk”. Weston Newton said, “Those families of site, Trump thanked the commission “We are one step closer to providing victims to these capital crimes are unable for dropping what he described as a victims’ families and loved ones with the to get any closure because we are caught “phony case against me... built on lies justice and closure they are owed by law,” in this limbo stage where every potential from Michael Cohen, a corrupt and he wrote on Twitter. appeal has been exhausted and the convicted lawyer” The state currently has 37 death row legally imposed sentences cannot be Cohen, who once said he would take prisoners. The bill may yet face a court carried out.” a bullet for Trump, was given a challenge. But opponents vigorously decried the three-year prison sentence South Carolina currently offers death bill. after pleading guilty to multiple row inmates the choice to die either by Speaking to the New York Times, offences in 2018, including violating lethal injection or in the electric chair. Democratic House lawmaker Justin campaign finance laws and lying Inmates cannot be forced to die by Bamberg said, “Why would South to Congress. a method they did not choose. Carolina move toward the firing squad Legal wrangling over the allegations All but three executed convicts have when they also do that in North Korea?” involving Ms Daniels, who alleges she opted for the former – a three-drug combo Critics also pointed out that, too often, The inquiry was launched in 2018 into had sex with Trump in 2006, were that puts prisoners to sleep, induces Americans on death row are eventually a payment made to Stormy Daniels ongoing throughout the Trump paralysis and then stops the heart – since exonerated, sometimes years after their (pictured). presidency. it was first introduced in 1995. executions. 14 • Saturday May 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Hong Kong shortens coronavirus Chinese Covid vaccine quarantine for vaccinated residents HONG KONG authorities said yesterday much lower than many other developed Sinopharm gets WHO residents who have been fully vaccinated cities. can spend a shorter time in quarantine if Residents have been hesitant to take they have been exposed to a COVID-19 pa- the vaccine due to worries over adverse re- tient, after thousands of people were sent actions and lack of confidence in the emergency approval to tiny quarantine quarters for up to Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine. Hong 21 days. Kong offers both Sinovac and Germany’s THE World Health Organization billion vaccines to developing countries. The new rule comes as the city govern- BioNTech vaccines and residents can (WHO) has granted emergency The decision to list the Chinese ment is trying to encourage people to get choose. approval for the Covid vaccine vaccine for emergency use is expected to vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. Many residents have also questioned made by Chinese company give a substantial boost to the scheme, Only about 14% of Hong Kong’s 7.5 mil- why vaccinated people are subject to the Sinopharm. which has been hit by supply problems lion people have had at least one dose of a same quarantine measures as people who It is the first vaccine developed by a and only been able to deliver about COVID-19 vaccine since a campaign was are not. non-Western country to get WHO backing. 50 million doses so far. launched in February. The Department of Health recently told The vaccine has already been given to Prior to the WHO approval, Ronald Lam, controller of the Centre all residents of several apartment com- millions of people in China and elsewhere. the Sinopharm vaccine was already being for Health Protection of the city’s plexes to spend 21 days in quarantine The WHO had previously only widely used, with an estimated Department of Health, said fully after COVID-19 cases were detected. approved the vaccines made by Pfizer, 65 million doses administered, vaccinated residents considered a close In response, thousands of people signed AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson according to reports. contact of a COVID-10 patient can do an online petition asking the government and Moderna. In addition to China, countries using seven days in government quarantine and to allow home quarantine for those who But individual health regulators in var- the vaccine include the UAE, Pakistan seven days of self-monitoring at home. have been vaccinated. ious countries – especially poorer ones in and Hungary. But people exposed to a virus variant Separately,from May 12 vaccinated res- Africa, Latin America and Asia – have The vaccine’s developer, Beijing would have to do 14 days in quarantine idents returning to the city after travelling approved Chinese jabs for emergency use. Biological Products Institute, has not re- and seven days of self-monitoring, he said. could see their hotel quarantine short- With little data released internation- leased any detailed data about The city has some of the strictest quar- ened depending on where they are arriv- ally early on, the effectiveness of the its efficacy, but has said the jab is antine measures globally with close con- ing from. various Chinese vaccines has long been 79.34% effective in preventing people from tacts of coronavirus patients ordered to People coming from Australia, New uncertain. developing the disease, based go to government quarantine for up to 21 Zealand and Singapore will have to quar- But the WHO on Friday said it had val- on interim data, according to Reuters news days. antine in a hotel for seven days, down from idated the “safety, efficacy and quality” of agency A person is considered fully vaccinated 14. People coming from “medium and high the Sinopharm jab. The decision to approve the 14 days after their second of two vaccina- risk areas”, will have to quarantine for The WHO said the addition of vaccine for emergency use was made tions. 14 days rather than 21. the vaccine had “the potential to by the WHO’s technical advisory The Chinese special administrative re- Hong Kong residents based in main- rapidly accelerate Covid-19 vaccine group, which reviewed its latest gion has kept COVID-19 transmission land China can return to the city under a access for countries seeking to protect clinical data and manufacturing largely under control, recording more than quota system without having to spend health workers and populations practices. 11,700 coronavirus cases and 210 deaths, time in quarantine. at risk”. Doses of another Chinese vaccine made It is recommending that the vaccine be by Sinovac have also already been administered in two doses to those aged 18 shipped to a number of countries, and over. which have permitted its emergency A decision is expected within days usage. on another Chinese vaccine developed by One of the Chinese vaccines’ main Sinovac, while Russia’s Sputnik vaccine is advantages is that they can be stored in under assessment. a standard refrigerator at 2-8 degrees Celsius, like the AstraZeneca Why does WHO backing matter? vaccine. The green light from the global health The two Chinese vaccines differ body is a guideline for national significantly from some of the other regulators that a vaccine is safe Covid vaccines currently in use, and effective. especially those by Pfizer and WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Moderna. Ghebreyesus said it would give countries Developed in a more traditional way, “confidence to expedite their own they are so-called inactivated vaccines, regulatory approval”. which means they use killed viral It also means that the vaccine can be particles to expose the immune system to used in the global Covax programme, the virus without risking a serious People receive a dose of the Sinovac Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine at a commu- which aims to provide about two disease response. nity vaccination center in Hong Kong, China.

Unused COVID shots piling up in Japan amid slow rollout

UNUSED COVID-19 vaccines in Japan had already arrived and an estimated To achieve that goal, Japan would need manpower, has also slowed the pace of are set to reach tens of millions of doses, 30 million doses of the AstraZeneca shot to administer about 800,000 shots per day, its campaign. as the country is poised to approve two are being prepared by its local domestic according to a group of business leaders About two million healthcare workers more shots in coming weeks and the pace partners. urging the government to speed up the are still waiting for their first of the two of its inoculation campaign remains Pfizer shipments are also due to campaign, more than double the pace shot regimen, and that has led to some slow due to manpower and logistical accelerate to more than 35 million doses of the best days so far. frustration in the medical community, bottlenecks. this month and next. Taro Kono, the minister in charge of said Kazuaki Jindai, a physician and Japan imported 28 million doses of But against all this supply – Japan has vaccines, said that there were snags in researcher in Kanagawa prefecture, Pfizer Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine through secured the largest amount of COVID-19 inoculation reservation system and that south of Tokyo. late April, but has so far used only 15% vaccines in Asia, as it gears up for the demand in large cities had outstripped “It’s not very transparent in terms of of the stockpile, with the remaining Olympics in the summer – just over four capacity. what’s going on,” said Jindai, who is still 24 million doses sitting in freezers. million doses have administered to health “Local government employees are really waiting for a second shot. Japan’s vaccine supply is set to increase care workers and the elderly. working hard, as are the call center staff The government tasked the Defense sharply as regulators are preparing to It has inoculated only 2.2% of its so I ask that people refrain from issuing Ministry to set up a mass inoculation site decide on May 20 on approval of the population so far, the slowest among complaints as much as possible,” Kono told in Tokyo and Osaka by May 24. But there shots developed by Moderna Inc. and wealthy countries, and the government reporters yesterday. is still no timetable for when the general AstraZeneca Plc , national broadcaster has an ambitious target of inoculating Japan began its vaccination push in population will receive the shots and some NHK reported late on Thursday. its 36 million elderly people by February, later than most major health experts expect it could take until The first batch of the Moderna vaccine July. economies, and logistical hurdles, mainly the winter or longer. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 8, 2021 • 15

Kenya set to appoint first female chief justice at sensitive moment KENYAN judge Martha Koome has larly sensitive. “She played a key role in the fight defended dissidents and helped to A child of subsistence farmers, she was for the second liberation from the write women’s rights into the con- chosen by a judicial panel over the lawyer authoritarian regime of President Moi,” stitution – now she’s on track to be who argued President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Priscilla Nyokabi, a lawyer and former the first female chief justice in a case in a 2017 battle with the Supreme legislator, said. country where the role is particu- Court that she will now head. One of 18 children in a polygamous Kenyatta endorsed her and his legisla- family, Koome co-founded and chaired tive majority means she is set to be con- the Federation of Women Lawyers, which firmed by the end of this month. That campaigns for women’s rights and offers makes her likely to be in place during poor women free legal services and next year’s elections, when Kenyatta contributed to a landmark 2010 must step down after two terms in office. constitution. In 2017, the Supreme Court annulled The bill of rights outlawed discrimina- Judge Martha Koome attends the inter- initial election results that showed tion against women, allowed children to view for the post of Chief Justice at Kenyatta had won a second term, the derive citizenship from their mothers for the Supreme Court building in Nairobi, first African court to have scrapped the the first time and limited discriminatory Kenya April 14, 2021. win of a sitting president. Kenyatta won customary laws on women’s property the rerun after the opposition boycotted rights. supported a ruling that said it was not the vote. Now 61, Koome, who is married with illegal to identify as gay. Gay sex is Koome – who has 33 years of legal three children, will be the first female punishable by 14 years in jail, although experience – cut her teeth representing head of any Kenyan branch of govern- the law is rarely used. political detainees such as former prime ment. She often discusses her Christian “You cannot discriminate against a The International Monetary Fund logo. minister Raila Odinga when he protested faith and airs views at odds with the deep person because you are assuming they against repression under the late conservatism of much of the church and will commit an offence,” she said at her president Daniel Arap Moi in the 1980s society. interview for the chief justice position, Sudan takes step and 90s. In 2019, at the Court of Appeal, she which was broadcast live on television. towards debt relief with Ghana to start second vaccine doses IMF review with re-deployed Congo COVAX shots THE International Monetary Fund said GHANA received 350,000 doses of the and kicked off its vaccination campaign The 350,000 doses it received on Friday yesterday it had reached a staff-level AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in early March. were part of a batch of 1.7 million doses agreement with Sudan on completion of yesterday, which will enable it start Unlike other countries where vaccine the COVAX scheme delivered to the second and final review under its offering second doses of the shot after hesitancy and funding problems slowed the Democratic Republic of Congo staff-monitored programme, in a step it nearly ran out, the health ministry delivery, Ghana has administered more on March 2. towards debt relief. said. than 900,000 doses, according to the Congo has been forced to redistribute A strong performance under the The West African country was the first health ministry, including the 600,000 1.3 million doses of those vaccines to year-long IMF economic reform pro- to receive vaccines from the World Health doses it received from the COVAX other countries because it will not be able gramme is a requirement for Sudan to Organisation-backed COVAX global scheme, and others obtained through to administer them before they expire reach the “decision point” for debt relief vaccine sharing scheme in February bilateral deals. at the end of June. under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) process. Sudan is expected to reach that point in June. “Despite very challenging conditions which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sudanese authorities continue to make sustained progress on their ambitious reform agenda,” said Carol Baker, head of the IMF mission. The staff-level agreement is still subject to approval by IMF management. Sudanese Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim said clearing the second review paved the way for Sudan to be approved for HIPC debt relief “which will hopefully result in a substantial debt relief... as well as new credit lines”. Sudan is seeking to clear at least $50 billion in debt, mostly with bilateral creditors. Later this month, France is hosting a conference to promote investment and debt relief for Sudan. The country has recently secured bridge loans from donors to clear arrears on debt with the World Bank and the African Development Bank. A French diplomat indicated last month that France could provide funding for Sudan to also clear arrears with the IMF and proceed with HIPC. Sudan is emerging from decades of economic isolation and sanctions under former leader Omar al-Bashir, who was toppled in 2019 after mass protests A health worker receives the COVID-19 vaccine during the vaccination campaign at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, Ghana triggered by an economic crisis. March 2, 2021. 16 • Saturday May 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Meghan, Harry ask for COVID vaccine donations to mark Archie’s birthday BRITAIN’S Prince came a focal point of the Harry and his wife deterioration in the rela- Meghan marked the tionship between Harry, second birthday of the 95-year-old monarch’s their son Archie on grandson, and the rest of Thursday by calling the family after they quit for donations to help their royal roles. provide COVID-19 During an interview vaccines to the world’s with Oprah Winfrey in most vulnerable. March, Meghan, 39, The couple, who now whose mother is Black live in California after and father is white, said they left Britain and one unnamed royal had stepped away from their asked how dark Archie’s royal duties last year, said skin might be before he they could not think “of a was born. more resonant way to The allegation honor our son’s birthday” prompted William to deny than with a $5 donation. that the Windsors were “We have been deeply racist, while the queen touched over the past put out a statement say- two years to feel the ing the issues raised on warmth and support for race were concerning but our family in honor of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex holding son Archie. that “some recollections Archie’s birthday,” Harry may vary”. and Meghan wrote on releasing new pictures, birthday messages by Meghan, the Duchess of their website, saying and last year the couple Twitter. Sussex who is pregnant currently 80% of the released a video in which “Wishing Archie with the couple’s second 1 billion COVID shots so Meghan was reading Mountbatten-Windsor a child, said on Tuesday far administered had Archie, the seventh-in- very happy 2nd birthday that Archie and Harry been in wealthier coun- line to the British throne, today,” said a message were the inspiration for a tries. a story. posted on Queen new children’s book she “Many of you donate to However, this year they Elizabeth’s account, with wrote that will be pub- charities on his behalf, eschewed that tradition similar good wishes fol- lished next month. and mark the occasion by as they have many royal lowing from Archie’s “The Bench started as a giving back or doing an customs since seeking grandfather, heir-to-the- poem I wrote for my hus- act of service – all new financially-independ- throne Prince Charles, band on Father’s Day, the through the goodness of ent lives in the United and his uncle and aunt, month after Archie was your hearts.” States, although the other Prince William and wife born. That poem became The British royals often senior members of the Kate. this story,” she said in a mark their birthdays by family sent customary Archie unwittingly be- statement. Bridge The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 8, 2021 • 17 SPORTS Mavericks educates coaches on child protection in sports

THE coaches and manage- child and any other information tion to avert problems and de- ment team of the Mavericks that they think is valuable.The velop skills to handle or resist Sports Club are better coaches or volunteers should abuse. trained on how to identify Report the incident to the rele- “These actions help to protect and combat any form of vant authorities such as the children’s rights in every situa- child abuse after an online Club Directors or in a worse- tion and if there are any cases, workshop entitled Making case scenario, the Police or they should be reported to the an Ethical Decision. Childcare Board. They need to relevant authorities,” he said During the session, UNICEF Resist the urge to investigate Parris added that UNICEF, Consultant and Territorial the incident. CWI, and the Child Care Board Development Officer of the The relevant authorities are have agreed that a Child Cricket West Indies (CWI)/ and the ones who are the investiga- Protection Officer (CPO) should Barbados Cricket Association, tors. be encouraged for all organiza- Robin Parris gave a presenta- The certified trainer empha- tions and this recommendation tion on Child Protection in sized the need for sporting clubs has been written into their Sports and Safeguard Training. and fraternities to not sweep training manual. Parris urged the 17 partici- any incidences under the car- He explained that a CPO’s re- pants to protect children from pet, pointing out that this only sponsibilities include the wel- UNICEF Consultant and Territorial Development Officer of all types of abuse especially leads to more trouble. fare of coaches and players, re- the Cricket West Indies (CWI)/ and Barbados Cricket while youngsters are in their Instead, he advised it was porting procedures and best Association, Robin Parris. care. Outlining there are phys- necessary that clubs and frater- practices, along with providing ical, sexual, emotional and neg- nities implement the Three P’s: educational training opportuni- “We took the opportunity to sible club,” Mr. Brathwaite ex- lect abuse, Mr. Parris explained Protection - safeguarding chil- ties for parents, volunteers and train our coaches and manage- pressed. that it was the responsibility of dren and organisation; anyone working with children. ment during the COVID-19 He confirmed that all coaches the coaches or volunteers to Promotion - giving the children Technical Director of the shutdown about the issue of within the team would be re- help a child in an abuse situa- and facilitators the tools to Mavericks Sports Club, Arnold child abuse. Mavericks Sports quired to complete the course tion. thrive and encourage discussion Brathwaite said that he was ex- Club is keeping ahead of the on abuse and added that the 17 They should Record the date about child abuse, and tremely pleased with the train- game and leading the way for- attendees will each receive a and time, what was said by the Prevention which is to take ac- ing. ward by being a socially respon- certificate of participation. Munro beats Sodhi in Esports series final

THE inaugural final of the Hero CPL Esports Series saw Colin Munro of the Trinbago Knight Riders take on Ish Sodhi of the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots with the difficulty level of the game turned up to really challenge these players. The Knight Riders won the toss and put the Patriots into bat and the first over of the final was full of drama with Khary Pierre picking up both Patriots’ openers with Evin Lewis and Chris Lynn dis- missed going for big shots. That left the Patriots 10/2 at the end of the first over, and that be- came 17/3 when Sodhi was caught in the ring off the bowl- ing of Ali Khan. Things didn’t improve when Nick Kelly was run out for a diamond duck to leave the Patriots innings in tatters at three more wickets fell, two of mid-off. back well to get Narine bowled happy to get there in 18/4. them soft run outs as the bat- At the other end Narine for 10. singles, but a wide and a no Sunil Narine kept the car- ting team finished with 32 all found the boundary twice be- That left the Knight Riders ball from Sheldon Cottrell also nage coming when he bowled out. fore Simmons was gone, dis- needing 11 from 12 and a pow- helped. Ben Dunk for 6 and then did It was a small target but missed by Imran Khan. By the erful on drive for four from It was Munro who hit the the same to Denesh Ramdin Munro was still feeling the end of the second over the Pollard seemed to swing things winning runs, cover driving for two balls later to leave the pressure. The Patriots could Knight Riders were 18/1 with in his teams favour before he two to win the game by seven Patriots at 22/6. have had Lendl Simmons dis- 16 needed from 18 balls. was yet another run out. wickets with one ball to spare Fawad Ahmad’s introduction missed in the first over but Sodhi brought himself on to At the start of the last in a thrilling last over finish to into the attack only further ce- Chris Lynn put down a tough bowl and after a tricky start over five were needed and seal the first ever CPL Esports mented the Patriots’ woes as chance off Alzarri Joseph at thanks to two wides he came the Knight Riders seemed title. 18 • Saturday May 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Small role for Brathwaite as Gloucestershire dominate UEFA deal LONDON – Test captain Middlesex were Thereafter, Bracey took lift Kent to 305 all out in Kraigg Brathwaite got a struggling at the close on responsibility for the their first innings after the start but failed to carry on 26 for three in their second innings, adding 91 for the visitors resumed on 224 but Gloucestershire still innings, 37 runs behind fifth wicket with for seven. with 9 Super did enough to take control heading into Saturday’s Cockbain, hitting nine In reply, Gary Ballance of their County penultimate day. fours and a six in a 143- hit an unbeaten 91 and Championship clash with Resuming from their ball knock that consumed Harry Brook, 51, as Middlesex. overnight 19 for one, a little under 2-1/2 hours. Yorkshire finished the day League clubs; Replying to Middlesex’s Gloucestershire flourished When Bracey was sixth on 240 for five, with first innings of 210, the thanks to Brathwaite’s out at 205, Higgins Cummins going visitors were dismissed for enterprise, the Barbadian provided a late flourish in wicketless from 12 overs. 273 on Friday’s day two, featuring in a 30-run, a 43-ball knock that At Edgbaston, fast 3 rebels face to take a 63-run lead at second wicket stand with included half-dozen fours bowler Alzarri Joseph Lord’s. Matt Taylor (13) and then and a six. finished with a single The right-handed in a 46-run third wicket At Leeds, West Indies wicket as Warwickshire sanctions Brathwaite made 33 but with Bracey. fast bowler Miguel converted their overnight it was wicketkeeper Brathwaite, on five at Cummins brandished his 271 for seven into 343. MANCHESTER, million euros if they seek James Bracey who carried the start, struck four bat in a breezy unbeaten Worcestershire in reply England – Nine of the again to play in an the fight for boundaries off 121 28 of 45 balls, with two reached 184 for four at the 12 Super League clubs unauthorized Gloucestershire with a top deliveries in a shade fours and two sixes, as he close with opener Jake have formally competition or 50 score of 75 while Ian under 2-3/4 hours before put on a critical 60-run, Libby (74) and Jack renounced the million euros if they Cockbain struck 51 and he was third out with the ninth wicket stand with Haynes (52) hitting half- breakaway and breach any other Ryan Higgins, 49. score on 89. Marcus O’Riordan (40) to centuries. committed to the commitments to existing European UEFA as part of the competitions but they settlement. will have to give up 5% “The measures Tokyo Olympic head says Bach of UEFA revenue for announced are one season as a significant, but none of punishment for the financial penalties visit to Japan could be ‘tough’ the rebellion will be retained by that briefly split UEFA,” said Aleksander TOKYO – The president of Committee and local 15,000 athletes and tens football. Ceferin, the UEFA the Tokyo Olympic organizers who say they of thousands of others But Barcelona, Real president. They will all organizing committee said can hold a “safe and entering Japan, which has Madrid and Juventus be reinvested into youth yesterday that a visit to secure” Olympics in the reported about 10,500 have refused to approve and grassroots football in Japan this month by IOC middle of a pandemic as deaths from COVID-19. what UEFA yesterday local communities across President Thomas Bach cases surge in Japan – “Frankly speaking, I called reintegration Europe, including the seemed unlikely with a particularly in Tokyo and personally think it would measures and they will UK. These clubs state of emergency order Japan’s second metropolis be quite tough for him to be referred to UEFA recognised their being extended by the of Osaka. come now,” organizing disciplinary bodies for mistakes quickly and government to Tokyo and The postponed Olympics committee president Seiko sanctions after backing have taken action to other areas until May 31. are to open in only 11 Hashimoto said at a Seiko Hashimoto, pres- the new largely closed demonstrate their Canceling the trip could weeks, on July 23, followed weekly briefing, adding ident of the Tokyo competition, meaning contrition and future be embarrassing for the by the Paralympics on that “nothing had been 2020 Organizing they could be banned commitment to International Olympic Aug. 24. They will involve decided.” Committee from the Champions European football. League. “The same cannot be The Super League said for the clubs that project imploded three remain involved in the India name squad for World Test weeks ago after the so-called Super League,” English clubs “Arsenal, and UEFA will deal with Chelsea, Liverpool, those clubs subsequently. Manchester United, Ceferin previously Championship final and England tour Manchester City and told The Associated INDIA have named a 20- Tottenham” backed Press that the clubs man squad, with four out inside 48 hours after refusing to renege on the players on standby,for the a backlash from Super League World Test Championship the fans and British could be banned final against New Zealand government. from UEFA’s and the series against The Premier League competitions. England this summer. clubs along with The 12 clubs were Virat Kohli will lead Atletico Madrid, AC dubbed the dirty dozen India against New Milan and Inter by Ceferin in a heated Zealand at Southampton's Milan have officially period when he fought to Ageas Bowl on June 18. signed up to a settlement prevent the clubs They will then face with UEFA to launching a competition England in a five-Test participate only in the that would lock series in August and existing open European in 15 places for teams for September. competitions. more than two decades, Ravindra Jadeja The nine clubs will rather than having to returns from injury make a combined qualify through annual having missed the 3-1 payment of 15 million domestic league home series win over euros (US$18 million) for placings as is required England earlier this year. what UEFA called a for the Champions However, fellow all- “gesture of goodwill to League. rounder Hardik Pandya benefit children, The nine clubs to sign and spinner Kuldeep India captain Virat Kohli (left) got the better of England skipper Joe Root in youth and grassroots up to UEFA s club Yadav have not been a 3-1 home series win earlier this year. football”. commitment declaration named in the squad, while They have also will rejoin the European batsman KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, Patel, Washington Wriddhiman Saha accepted UEFA Club Association, wicketkeeper Cheteshwar Pujara,Virat Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, (subject to fitness withholding which they quit Wriddhiman Saha are Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Ishant Sharma, clearance). 5% of revenue for the on May 18 when the included, subject to Rahane (vice-captain), Mohammed Shami, Standby players: next season they Super League was fitness. Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Mohammed Siraj, Abhimanyu Easwaran, play in their club announced, and they will Pant (wicket-keeper), Shardul Thakur, Umesh Prasidh Krishna, Avesh competitions. terminate their legal India squad: Rohit Ravichandran Ashwin, Yadav, KL Rahul (subject Khan, Arzan The clubs have also involvement with the Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar to fitness clearance), Nagwaswalla. agreed to be fined 100 company. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 8, 2021 • 19

Newcastle stun Leicester to all but ensure safety CALLUM Wilson’s double powerful header after 34 more than Chelsea and five where you need to be super headed in Matt Richie’s corner. helped Newcastle United to minutes. more than West Ham United. concentrated but we lacked Jamie Vardy looked poised to a thumping 4-2 win away to Leicester, who will play in Newcastle climbed to 13th concentration and when you do halve the deficit on the stroke of Leicester City on Friday next weekend’s FA Cup final place with 39 points from 35 that against good players they halftime when he went clear which all but secured their against Chelsea, never really games and are 12 points clear of will punish you and that’s what but his attempted lob was kept Premier League survival got going and there seemed no third-from bottom Fulham who happened.” out by a flying Dubravka. and left the hosts looking way back when Wilson made it have four games left. Losing Evans was Leicester pushed forward over their shoulders in the 3-0 on the counter-attack in the “It is going to be tough for inconvenient but should not after the interval but were race for a top-four finish. 64th minute and stabbed home teams to catch us now. It is a have resulted in Leicester’s caught out on the break in the Third-placed Leicester’s night his side’s fourth 10 minutes massive step in the right defensive meltdown. 64th minute when Ritchie’s began badly when defender later. direction,” Dummett said. Newcastle could have scored pass released Wilson who coolly Jonny Evans was injured in the Marc Albrighton and Kelechi Though Leicester are still three times before they actually rounded Schmeichel before warm-up. It rapidly Iheanacho scored late goals and well-placed to finish in the top did with Kasper Schmeichel sliding home. deteriorated when a mistake by Dubravka made a sensational four, their last three league making one outstanding save to Wilson then slotted in a Caglar Soyuncu allowed Joe save from Ayoze Perez as games are against Manchester keep out Allan Saint-Maximin’s rebound after his initial effort Willock to put Newcastle in Leicester threatened an United, Chelsea and Tottenham point blank effort. hit the woodwork. front after 22 minutes with his unlikely comeback. Hotspur and there is the fear Soyuncu then lost possession There were some late nerves fourth goal in his last four However, it was too late to that, like last season, they could in a dangerous area and though for Newcastle and had games. prevent an eighth home league miss out. Willock, on loan from Arsenal, Dubravka not kept out Perez’s Martin Dubravka made some defeat to open the door for the “We made so many mistakes raced through to score. effort in stoppage time, it could crucial saves for Steve Bruce’s teams below them. and you can’t afford to do that,” Dubravka denied Iheanacho have got ugly but they held on side before Paul Dummett Leicester have 63 points with Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers before Leicester’s defence was to secure a third win in five doubled their lead with a three games remaining, two said. “It’s a period of the season breached again when Dummett games.

Newcastle United players celebrate after scoring a goal against Leicester City in the Premier League. Yilmaz stars as Lille wins 3-0 to move 4 points ahead of PSG PARIS – Burak Yilmaz scored Sunday to stay within one Yilmaz took his total to 15 top corner in the 40th, mo- Lens dropped to sixth place an early penalty and added a point of Lille. But even if de- league goals since joining from ments after Lens midfielder to trail fifth-placed Marseille superb long strike as French fending champion PSG wins at Istanbul side Besiktas last Clement Michelin was sent off on goal difference, and is only league leader Lille won at Lens Rennes, which is chasing fifth summer. for a second yellow card. two points ahead of seventh- 3-0 to move four points ahead place and a Europa League He struck with a penalty in Canada forward Jonathan placed Rennes, having played of Paris Saint-Germain yester- spot, Lille can seal a first title the fourth minute and spun David grabbed his 12th of the one game more than both sides. day. in 10 years by winning the last outside the penalty area to clip campaign with a sharp finish Marseille is at Saint-Etienne PSG must beat Rennes on two games. a brilliant dipping shot into the on the hour mark. tomorrow. Doubts over venue for Champions League final LONDON – Fans of Chelsea Grant Shapps said the Football it was a decision for European Champions League, fans should record of football matches with and Manchester City should not Association was in talks with football’s governing body. not travel to Turkey. spectators, so we are well placed travel to Turkey for the UEFA over the venue for the “I’m afraid we are having to “The FA are in discussions to do it. Champions League final, the match. put Turkey on the red list,” with UEFA on this.We are very “We are very open to it but it UK’s transport secretary has The final is currently sched- Shapps told a Downing Street open to hosting the final but it is in the end a decision for said. uled to be played in Istanbul on news conference. is ultimately a decision for UEFA to make, but given there Speaking as it was announced Saturday, May 29. “This will have a number of UEFA. are two English clubs in that that Turkey has been added to Shapps said the UK is open to ramifications. First of all, it does “Of course the UK has al- final, we look forward to what England’s COVID-19 red list, hosting the game, but stressed mean with regards to the ready got a successful track they have to say.” 20 • Saturday May 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

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Inchcape, St. Philip Clippers complete season 4355 sq ft $ 96,000 sweep of Lakers TEL: 247-4469 Belle, St. George CEL: 284-4667 4 acres $400,000 PAUL George scored 24 needs one more triple- 253-6319 points as the host Los double to tie Oscar Haggatt Hall, St. Michael Angeles Clippers Robertson’s NBA record. Email: 6336 sq ft $126,000 completed a three-game Bradley Beal added 28 caribbeanpropertiesltd Under Offer season-series sweep of the points for the Wizards. @gmail.com Los Angeles Lakers with a Pascal Siakam tied his Cane Garden, St. Thomas 118-94 win Thursday. career best with 44 points PROPERTIES 7,000 sf to 18,000 sq ft Kawhi Leonard totaled for Toronto. Gary Trent Jr. Private entrance. 15 points, eight rebounds added 25 points, Fred Kirtons, St Philip From $187,681 and six assists for the VanVleet scored 22, Khem 3 bedroom plus Clippers, and Ivica Zubac Birch 17 and DeAndre’ 2 bedroom apt 4,790 sq ft Ragged Point, St. Philip added 14 points and eight Bembry 10. $685,000 8,267 sq ft $166,000 rebounds. The Clippers moved past the Denver Mavericks 113, Nets 109 Amity Lodge, Ch Ch Rolling Hills, St. George Nuggets by a half-game Luka Doncic finished 3 bedroom plus 12,000 sq ft into the No. 3 spot in the with 24 points, 10 rebounds 1 bedroom apt $310,000 (negotiable) Western Conference. and eight assists to lead 6,646 sq ft $650,000 Kyle Kuzma led the host Dallas to a victory Ocean City, St. Philip Lakers with 25 points, but over Brooklyn. Gibbons, Ch Ch 6150 sq ft $123,000 the team lost Anthony The Mavericks won their 3 bedroom plus Davis due to an ankle second in a row and fifth in 2 bedroom apt Fortesque, St Philip ailment and back spasms their past six games. Dallas 9,835 sq ft Agricultural Land in the first quarter. took over fifth place in the $675,000 (reduced) 494,500 sq ft $1,100,000 REAL ESTATE NOTICES Western Conference – a Warriors 118, Thunder 97 game ahead of the Los Breezy Hill, St Philip Silver Sands, Stephen Curry padded Angeles Lakers and 3 bedroom, 2 bath Christ Church Foul Bay, St. Philip his NBA scoring lead with Portland. reduced to $298,000 7,129 sq ft $160,000 Approved for condos, 34 points in just 31 The Nets lost their 39,242 sq ft $1,600,000. minutes and Golden State fourth in a row despite Black Rock, St Michael Bushy Park, St. Philip BARBADOS moved up a spot on the Kyrie Irving’s season-high 3 bedroom, 1 bath 24,000 sq ft $190,000 Dover, Christ Church Western Conference 45 points. Brooklyn 6732 sq ft $360,000 Hotel 18 rooms fully IN THE SUPREME COURT playoff ladder with a win remained in second place Apes Hill, St. James operational $2,950,000 neg OF JUDICATURE over Oklahoma City in San in the Eastern Conference, Enterprise, Christ Church 31,000 sq ft upward under offer 3 bedroom, 2 bath Francisco. but fell to 2 1/2 games Large lots at $15 per sq ft HIGH COURT Curry shot 11-for-21 behind first-place 5062 sq ft Dalkeith, Christ Church $390,000 (reduced) overall and 6-for-13 from Philadelphia and are now Mount Wilton, St. Thomas 17,371 sq ft approved for IN THE ESTATE OF 3-point range for the only half a game ahead of 15,500 sq ft and 22,066 sq ft shops and offices GEOFFREY ETHELBERT Warriors. Mychal Mulder third-place Milwaukee. The Belle, St George $300,000 and $220,000 $495,000 CARMICHAEL also known as Plantation style House had 25 points, Andrew GEOFFREY E. CARMICHAEL Wiggins 18, Jordan Poole Pistons 111, Grizzlies 97 Standing on 4 acres Union, St. Philip Roebuck Street, also known as GEOFFREY $1.1M 14 and Kent Bazemore 13 Cory Joseph engineered 7560 sq ft Bridgetown CARMICHAEL deceased for the Warriors. a balanced attack with 18 Shopping Mall/Office space $150,000 Ty Jerome came off the points and 11 assists and Frere Pilgrim, $8,100,000 negotiable PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given Christ Church bench to pace the Thunder host Detroit snapped a Thorpes, St. James that an application is being made for with 23 points. Darius four-game losing streak by 3 bedroom, 2 baths with 11,376 sq ft with structure Batts Rock, St Michael the following Grant of Administration Bazley added 22 and Theo defeating Memphis. two bedroom apartment. $235,000 Guest House, 12,078 sq ft namely:- 4,387 sq ft. $850,000 $2,850,000 negotiable Maledon 15. Wayne Ellington also scored 18 points, all on 3- Cottage, St George LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION Bulls 120, Hornets 99 pointers.A handful of other Hanson Heights, St George 5000 sq ft Cane Garden, St Thomas to the Estate of GEOFFREY Nikola Vucevic scored 29 Pistons reached double 8321 sq ft $595,000 $110,000 (negotiable) 3.6 acres approved ETHELBERT CARMICHAEL also points, shot 5 of 7 from digits. Isaiah Stewart had Roadfront known as GEOFFREY E. Ealing Grove, Morningside, St Philip $1,650,000 negotiable CARMICHAEL also known behind the 3-point line and 15 points, seven rebounds Christ Church 4567 sq ft $133,000 as GEOFFREY CARMICHAEL grabbed 14 rebounds as and three blocks. 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths Fitts Village, St James deceased, Lightfoot Lane in the Chicago led wire-to-wire in Ja Morant’s 20 points led 9320 sq ft $565,000 Jupiter Gardens, St Peter Guest House, 4 Suites parish of Saint Michael in this Island Charlotte. the Grizzlies, but he also 7312 sq ft 6,135 sq ft who died at Lightfoot Lane in the Seven Bulls scored in had five turnovers. Jonas LOTS FOR SALE $133,000 (negotiable) $750,000 negotiable parish of Saint Michael in this double figures, including Valanciunas had 19 points Island on the 20th day of December, Garrett Temple with 12 and secured 16 rebounds, Boarded Hall, Bagatelle, St. Thomas Mason Hill Street The City 2018 by SHANNON OPAL and Markkanen with 10 off and Jaren Jackson Jr. had Christ Church 62000 sq ft into 2 lots 26,500 sq ft with buildings CARMICHAEL and QUINTON the bench. 17 points and five 10,429 sq ft $157,000 $520,000 each, or $4,000,000 negotiable IVAN CARMICHAEL the children of All five Chicago starters rebounds. $1M for both the deceased. finished in double figures. Westbury Road, St Michael All enquiries to Coby White recorded 14 Pacers 133, Hawks 126 2,520 sq ft $45,360 Marley Vale, St Philip (246) 253 6319/ 828-4800 An application shall be submitted to points,Patrick Williams Caris LeVert scored nine 21,780 sq ft $275,000 or (246) 247 4469 the Supreme Court fourteen (14) had 11 points and nine of his 31 points in the final Goodland Gardens, days from the date of Notice in the rebounds, and Daniel Theis three minutes to help Christ Church Sandford, St Philip Official Gazette and from the date of scored 12. Indiana hold off visiting 9,605 sq ft $145,000 16,356 sq ft $300,000 the second notice of advertisement. Atlanta. The Pacers also CHURCH Wizards 131, Raptors got 30 points, eight Nursery Road, St Philip COMMERCIAL NOTICES Dated the 8th day of May, 2021 129 (OT) rebounds and nine assists 9,266 sq ft $139,000 Russell Westbrook had from Domantas Sabonis Mount Standfast, St James INTERCARIBBEAN LEGAL 13 points,17 assists and 17 and 19 points from reserve Lashley Road, St Philip JAMES STREET Two properties on ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW rebounds to record his T.J. McConnell. 5,839 sq ft, $150,000 METHODIST CHURCH 22,714 sq ft. BRIDGETOWN 180th career triple-double The Hawks were led by Asking $1,200,000 and visiting Washington Trae Young’s 30 points and Salters, St George SUNDAY MAY 9TH, 2021 defeated Toronto in 10 assists. Bogdan 2 lots 32,760 sq ft, $230,000 Black Rock, St. Michael overtime in Tampa, Fla. Bogdanovic scored 28, Warehouse/Storage REV. 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Nadal beaten by Zverev in Madrid Open quarter-finals GERMANY’S Alexander Zverev beat Rafael Nadal for the first time on clay to reach his second Madrid Open semi-final. Fifth seed Zverev,24, came back from 4-2 down in the opening set to defeat the five-time Madrid champion 6-4 6-4. It was his third straight victory over the 34-year-old. Zverev will face third seed Dominic Thiem in the last four after the Austrian defeated American John Isner 3-6 6-3 6-4. The match will be a repeat of last year’s US Open final, which was won by Thiem. “It’s definitely one of the biggest wins of my career so far, especially on clay against Rafa,” said Zverev. “It is the toughest thing to do in our sport. Beating him in his house, in Spain, is incredible but the tournament Zverev has yet to drop a set in Madrid this week. is not over yet.” Nadal’s defeat puts a question over in Monte Carlo last month and al- 4-2 in the first set with the German not up another break midway through his form ahead of the French Open, though he won in Barcelona, had to helping himself with a double fault. the second set and while Nadal which starts on May 30 – a tournament save a championship point to beat But the world number five immedi- resisted more pressure in the seventh which he has won 13 times. Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. ately hit back and then pulled away game to hold, Zverev served out He was beaten by world number eight It started well yesterday for Nadal with four straight games. an impressive victory after an hour Andrey Rublev sin the quarter-finals when he broke Zverev to love to lead A forehand down the line put Zverev and 44 minutes. 22 • Saturday May 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Turkish GP under threat After Turkey put on UK travel red list

LONDON – Next month’s Turkish F1 has scheduled a record 23-race Grand Prix is under threat after season in 2021 but has already the UK government put Turkey on had to postpone the Australian and its red travel list. Chinese Grands Prix from their The race was added to the calendar original early-season dates. last month after travel restrictions Australia has been rescheduled forced the cancellation of the Canadian for November but remains one GP. of a number of races that is UK transport secretary Grant Schapps in doubt because of the Covid-19 said yesterday that red-list countries pandemic. “should not be visited except in the Others in that situation are Singapore, most extreme circumstances”. Japan, Brazil and Mexico. The Turkish Grand Prix returned to the calendar last season for the first time F1 said it was “assessing the situation In Brazil and Mexico, the high since 2011. and will provide more details in the numbers of Covid cases raise questions coming days”. as to whether F1 can visit the it is unclear whether the country will allow government has used travel restrictions as The race is scheduled to take place countries. F1 in for the grand prix in September, part of its policy map for controlling between June 11 and 13. In Singapore, case numbers are low but and under what circumstances, as the the pandemic. Hamilton leads Mercedes one-two in 2nd practice at Spanish Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes one-two in Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly and Yuki the case so far this season – he was about Perez, though, was struggling for one-lap second practice yesterday at the Spanish Tsunoda were next up, ahead of the second 0.1secs off Hamilton’s time two-thirds of pace. He did get a lap on the soft tyres but Grand Prix as Max Verstappen failed to Ferrari of Carlos Sainz, and the two the way around the lap before trying to was just over 0.1secs off Verstappen’s set a representative lap time. Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez. carry too much speed through Turn 10. medium time and the Mexican looked to be Hamilton was 0.139 seconds faster than McLaren have not so far shown the pace He ran wide off the track and then struggling to find the limit of the car so far team-mate Valtteri Bottas, with Ferrari’s that has put Lando Norris third in the almost lost the rear and had to back off, at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Charles Leclerc in third. championship after three races and the and was unable to record a second lap on When the drivers simulated race Verstappen made an error on his quali- Briton was 12th with team-mate Daniel the fragile tyres. running at the end of the session, the fying simulation run on the soft tyres and Ricciardo down in 15th. As well as the moment on his qualifying Mercedes drivers had 0.4secs advantage ended ninth with a time set on medium Verstappen had a difficult day with simulation lap, he ran wide at Turn Seven on average pace over Verstappen on the tyres earlier in the session. track limits – not for the first time this sea- in both sessions, damaging his front wing soft tyre, while the Red Bull managed only The Alpines of Esteban Ocon son. each time over the new kerbs that have one lap on the medium tyre which made and Fernando Alonso were fourth and Verstappen appeared to have the pace to been inserted on the exit to restrain the it difficult to compare the two cars on fifth. challenge Mercedes closely, as has been cars. that rubber. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 8, 2021 •23

P R O HOROSCOPES S A ARIES (March 21-April 19). Different sets of tests N and checks make it difficult to get your head around D it all. Going forward, you have learned a lot already from past challenges and you will make it through the C next challenge. You want to pay tribute to your friends O and colleagues who have kept projects going through N some difficult times. S TAURUS (April 20-May 20).An incident that crops up today would not have taken you by surprise if you had been better prepared for this. People have not been conducting work as thoroughly as was expected. There may be a need to bring in additional staff to deal with the unexpected twists and turns of the day. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). New guidelines are due to be published in the workplace. If all goes Z according to plan this should help make life easier in I the future. You get a feeling someone is making a T malicious attempt to damage your reputation. All S they are doing is drawing attention to their own behaviour. This will not make any difference to you. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Widen your target and you are more likely to get reasonable results. An older colleague will give you their take on some new plans. You could be surprised by their insightful comments. Someone could make you an interesting proposal later on and this will be a one you will seriously consider. R LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You will keep a cool head E even when others are taking too emotional an X approach to a problem. This will prove you are the one who is most capable of sorting things out. You have M a lot of ideas, views and opinions to consider before O you make a decision. R VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There is a lot going on G and this makes it difficult, at first to concentrate. A You might feel there are too many distractions and you N won't make a lot of progress. It will be surprising therefore at the end of the day when you look back and realise how much you have managed to do. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). A wonderful sense of cooperation makes a work-related meeting less stressful than you were expecting it to be. People are keen to hear your views. If money is tight and you're P worried about finances, talk to a financial advisor. H Keeping the roof over your head should be your main A concern. N SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). With you being so T focused you won't want to waste your time with O people who want to stand around gossiping. You M know where you are going. You know the steps you have to take to get there. It will be frustrating watching others being distracted and diverted. You will prefer to get on with some things on your own. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Instead of allowing wishful thinking and day dreaming to have too much influence, be sure it is your head that M governs your decisions and actions. The more A cautious you are and the more realistic your choices, R the better chance you will have of reaching your Y goals. If you're keen to join in with a community project now is the time to let your interest show. W CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). A social event O looks like it may go ahead as planned. This will cause R a lot of excitement and happy anticipation. There are T some people who are nervous about starting back out H again and other friends who don't want to miss out. Careful strategies will be discussed to make events as safe as possible. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You're serious about a competitive event you enter and because you are M so focused, you could make your way to the O championship. You will get a lot of pleasure and there T will be many rewards through working with a team H of talented people. Don't be surprised if you are E given some important responsibilities. R PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You're connecting with many talented and interesting people in your G workplace and online. A note of optimism now O surrounds you. Lively discussions will help you see O S a situation you had been worried about from a new E perspective. It's a great time to be creative. Your imagination knows no bounds. Munro beats Sodhi in Esports Series Final

Page 17

Saturday May 8, 2021 SEEKING SOLUTION GIVEN the backlog in goes on, because the man- the distribution of ve- BRA to relook issuing of vehicle registration stickers power to process each indi- hicle registration stick- vidual one is not there. So ers to date and the lack Louisa Lewis-Ward re- to try with the Licensing dialogue with the insur- too many stickers to we are going to look to au- of manpower to vealed the above, during a Authority to automate the ance companies, to see if process. At one point we tomate the process.” process them, the virtual media briefing process, so instead of a we can get that to happen had over 40 ,000 stickers “The tax is already paid whole process will held via the Zoom online sticker, you will receive as a matter of urgency,” as a backlog to process and at the fuel pump, so the likely be revamped. platform recently. something that is like a Lewis-Ward revealed. that number only contin- Revenue Commissioner “We are actually looking QR Code. We are going to She added, “It is simply ues to compound as time CHANGE on Page 5

From left to right: Prison Fellowship of Barbados Volunteer Mario Eastmond; Director of Youth, Cleviston Hunte; Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Dwight Sutherland; Director of the Prison Fellowship of Barbados Neil Dowden; Manager of the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme Ryan Moseley; and Jasma Dottin of the Prison Fellowship of Barbados pose with some of the equipment during yesterday's presentation. Do more to reintegrate after ‘petty crimes’

THE path to a more cohe- speaking during his ad- ties, which sees them spending $29 million an- dress what I call petty tion, Sutherland noted sive and inclusive society dress as the Youth going into Her Majesty's nually on persons incar- crimes as opposed to mak- that if we failed to engage calls for more intervention Entrepreneurship Scheme Prisons Dodds two days a cerated – young persons ing criminals out of some young men and women and the differentiation of (YES) handed over week to impart entrepre- that we believe can be of our citizens who are when they made it back to petty crimes from serious $30,000 worth of garden neurial training, Minister dealt with in another way very talented and who we the outside, chances were crimes. and lawn maintenance Sutherland revealed that through a restorative jus- believe have a role to play high that they would be So says Minister of equipment to the Prison the aim was the regenera- tice system. I believe the in our development,” he re-incarcerated. “The Youth, Sports, and Fellowship of Barbados. tion, reintegration and en- time for us has come to said. whole entrepreneurial Community With the donation mak- franchisement of young create programmes such With everything from ethos through the Empowerment, Dwight ing up part of the partner- people. “Petty crimes, as this. More public-pri- lawn-mowers to leaf-blow- department of the Sutherland. He was ship between the two enti- going to prison and we vate partnership to ad- ers making up the dona- YES on Page 6

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