Established October 1895 ‘Take fresh look at public health’

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Thursday March 4, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive BILL TO BOOST PORT OPERATIONS IF all goes well, a Bill will be before shall be introducing legislation shortly to “The maritime single window is in- that recognising that there was an urgent the Parliament of Barbados next support the full implementation of the tended to handle vessel reporting for- need to improve the competitive position month, seeking approval for greater FAL [Facilitation of International malities, such as the arrival, stay and of the Bridgetown Port, Government con- use of technology at the Bridgetown Maritime Traffic] Convention, as it re- departure of ships; advanced electronic sidered it wise to also establish an over- Port, by way of a maritime single lates to the use of the maritime single cargo information; port reception facili- arching enhanced trade facilitation window. window in Barbados for vessel trading ties and crew shore leave information.We framework in the form of a port commu- That’s the word from Minister of and moving in our space,” he stated. recognise that effective deployment of nity system (PCS). He indicated that the Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Minister Humphrey told those view- the maritime single window would re- cost of the PCS is 540,258 euros, of which Kirk Humphrey.He made the disclosure ing the launch, that the legislation is al- quire a significant amount of business 47 percent is being provided by the during the virtual launch of the CARIFO- ready in draft, adding that Barbados, in process simplification and re-engineer- Caribbean Development Bank, through RUM-EU Economic Partnership pursuit of compliance with its obligations ing. Information technology adoption was a grant from the current CARIFORUM/ Agreement (EPA) and CARICOM Single under the FAL, has through the vital, together with the application of key EU EPA and CSME Standby Facility for Market and Economy (CSME) Standby Barbados Port Inc. [BPI], built the neces- international standards, rationalisation Capacity Building under the 11th Facility for Capacity Building Project sary information and communications of trade legislation and significant collab- European Development Fund, and the Launch: Establishment of a Barbados technology architecture for the establish- oration between the public sector and remaining 53 percent will come from the Port Community System (PCS). ment of that national maritime single the private sector,” he stated. Barbados Port Inc. (BPI). “I am happy to say the Government window. The maritime minister went on to say PORT on Page 4 Sugar crop on course THE 2021 sugar crop officially opened this past Monday and the first signs of the annual operation were visible yes- terday. The annual harvest got off the ground with heavy activity seen at vari- ous fields across St. Philip, such as Edgecumbe, Rock Hall and Foursquare. With all teams and systems prepared to begin work at the turn of the month, Deputy Operations Manager at the Portvale Sugar Factory, Marlon Munroe said that it was expected that grinding would commence before the end of this week. “It is hopeful that grinding opera- tions will begin by the end of the first week of March. As you know, there are a lot of bank holidays in the months of May and April, so we expect grinding opera- tions will be completed around the first or second week of June 2021.” Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Indar Weir noted that despite the fallout caused by the pandemic, Barbados was on course to reap a higher yield this year than was produced last year. “If I were to compare what we SUGAR on Page 2 This John Deere 3520 harvester was deployed for the first time yesterday in Edgecumbe St. Philip. 2 • Thursday March 4, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Large earthquake imminent

By Cara L. Jean-Baptiste tential to extend their damage across our region ACCORDING to Dr. Joan and a strategically located Latchman, Seismologist at earthquake has the poten- the UWI Seismic tial to inflict damage Research Centre, research across the entire island shows that the largest chain depending on the magnitude earthquake magnitude.” may be imminent and it is She noted that earth- against this backdrop that quakes were not in and of she believes risk pre- themselves disasters, paredness should be a pri- rather, disasters were ority. caused by what humans Speaking during the did and how they did not Institute of International cater for the hazards of The first canes of the 2021 crop were loaded up and shipped off to be ground. Relations,The UWI Panel which they were vulnera- Discussion on CARICOM/ ble, adding that there Regional Action on were times when the risks Bigger yields projected for this year Disaster Risk Reduction increased due to imminent Management recently,Dr. earthquake patterns. SUGAR from Page 1 duced 7 200 tonnes of will move from 5 000 also report to you that be- Latchman noted that She said that one way sugar and we are de- tonnes to 13 000 cause of the favourable there was still so much to risks were increased was produced last year, liberately reducing tonnes to assist the rainfall, our yields are ex- be done to make the due to the way urban cen- sugar cane yields gave that now to 5 200 to rum industry. pected to be about 17.84 Caribbean risk ready. tres were planned and us 90 000 tonnes and satisfy the domestic Weir further stated, per acre in 2021, versus “Research done suggests how dense the populations this year we are pro- consumption and then “These are good times. I 12.14 in 2020. So all that our largest magni- were. jecting 107 000 tonnes, for export…” he said, am pleased to note what around, everything is tude earthquake may be Dr.Latchman expressed so therefore we are in- noting that the pro- is happening in the in- trending in the right di- imminent. Imminent in a that preparedness levels creasing. We’ve pro- duction of molasses dustry and I am happy to rection.” (MP) geological context is a lit- in the Caribbean were in- tle longer than human sufficient and this needed context and may still give to be addressed. us some time to be ready Furthermore, she stated but we need to do that that while they have been now,” she said. monitoring earthquake “We have had large activity in the Caribbean earthquakes in the for many years and they Eastern Caribbean, that had historical accounts is a part of our reality and that dated back to the for that we should plan. It 70th century and going is not as though a very back to when the large magnitude earth- Europeans first came, quake can occur close to there was a need for the one island and only that regional hazard maps to island needs to worry; be updated and they wel- earthquakes have the po- comed funding to do such. Ministry welcomes Eric Lewis as new Senior Manager of Markets THE Ministry of of all fish markets in Maritime Affairs and the Barbados. Blue Economy welcomes Minister Kirk Eric Lewis as their new Humphrey commented Senior Manager of that he appreciates the in- Markets. stitutional strengthening Mr. Lewis brings a within the Ministry - he wealth of experience to stated “I welcome Mr the post, having worked Lewis to the MMABE previously in the markets team as he certainly has for 25 years before taking the knowledge, experience up the post of Economist and capacity to in the Ministry of strengthen the work that Agriculture. He held this has to be done in the mar- position for 6 years before kets for the improvement becoming Senior of the fisheries experi- Economist there. ence.” The Senior Manager He further stated that has a degree in “Eric will help us complete Management and the transformation and Economics, and will be ex- modernisation of the fish amining the procedures markets islandwide and I and regulations for all fish am grateful that he markets as well as review- agreed to work with us in ing the finance models this senior capacity.” with a view to improving Eric Lewis’ post offi- efficiency. He will also be cially commenced effective overseeing the operations 1st March 2021. The Barbados Advocate Thursday March 4, 2021 • 3

Labour laws still in effect amidst pandemic

A STERN caution has “Now the Ministry of that, as we continue work be called out to work. He been sent that the Labour and Social to ensure that there is fair- acknowledged that some country’s labour laws Partnership Relations will ness and reasonableness workers have complained still remain in effect, continue to ensure that and justice, we make sure about this. He stressed amidst the turbulence there is fairness, that there that all partners engage in that it is not legal nor al- and uncertainty that is reasonableness, that such a way as to make sure lowed, for anybody to flout the present COVID-19 there is justice and that that the laws are followed any instruction given by pandemic brings. there is adherence to the and that that fairness and the Chief Medical Officer. Minister of Labour, law and the laws of this reasonableness and justice Acknowledging that Social Partnership country. All laws, includ- that we so desire, is main- there is no law that speaks Relations and the Third ing labour laws are still in tained,” the Labour to how workers are to be Sector, Colin Jordan sent effect, in spite of the chal- Minister further re- treated in relation to time this reminder as he head- lenges of this pandemic sit- marked. spent in quarantine,he lined a COVID-19 Update uation, in spite of the fact Jordan meanwhile is said that the government and Press Conference yes- that we are in very turbu- asking employers in has been asking employ- terday evening. lent and uncertain times. Barbados to be fair and ing organisations and “The Minister of Labour All laws that are enforced, reasonable when it comes managers, to as far as pos- and Social Partnership remain enforced. None of to dealing with their em- sible, assist workers. Relations has been listen- them have been taken out ployees and to help share As to the matter of vaca- ing, has been monitoring or abrogated, they remain the burden, given the tion, he noted that such is and has been acting.These enforced and so we expect weight of the COVID-19 at the discretion of the em- are turbulent times.These all employers, all workers, pandemic on organisations ployer, but by law, not less are also very uncertain people generally to adhere and businesses and the than 14 days notice should times and that uncertainty to those laws,” Jordan country by extension. be given. Minister Jordan is borne out in much of the stressed. He pointed out that also sent the message that action and responses that “We are not as a those workers who are workers should be paid we see from employers and Ministry going to allow asked to quarantine at during their vacation and workers, as we go through any particular group to home or elsewhere during layoffs should be a last re- this pandemic period,” take advantage of another the pandemic, should not sort. (RSM) Minister of Labour, Social Partnership Relations Minister Jordan pointed group and that is why I and the Third Sector, Colin Jordan. out. want to be clear to say ‘Vaccine not mandatory’ WHILST the Ministry of strongly encourage people Labour and Social to take the vaccine for Security has not received their own good, for the ‘Reserves any official reports from good of their relatives and workers that employers friends and for the good of are coercing them to take the country. However,vac- the COVID-19 vaccine, cination is not compul- the Ministry has stated its sory,” Minster Jordan position that taking the stressed. strong’ vaccine is optional at pres- He maintained, “The ent. medical profession has By Cara L. Jean-Baptiste COVID-19 on the fund in Minister of Labour, been very clear on that. 2020.” Social Partnership The Attorney General I DIRECTOR (ag) of the She noted that the Relations and the Third think has been very clear, National Insurance portfolio was completely Sector, Colin Jordan sent the Prime Minister as well Department, Jennifer exhausted and as such this reminder,as he head- has been very clear on Hunte has assured the the NIS Board agreed to lined a COVID-19 Update that. It is not mandatory, public that reserves of utilise a specific portion and Press Conference yes- even though we strongly the NIS are strong. of the portfolio of the terday evening. encourage people (to take Speaking during last National Insurance Fund “I have not had any re- it). So no employer at this night’s press conference, to facilitate the ongoing, ports of it, but in the point can insist (on it). Hunte stated that while uninterrupted payment Ministry and in the Jordan further asserted the Unemployment Fund of the unemployment Department, we know that it is not legal for em- had been severely benefits. what our response is. ployers to suggest either, tested in 2020, the She explained that this Government has indi- that employees who do not overall portfolio of funds specific source was the cated that the vaccine roll- take the vaccine, will lose of the NIS remained early redemption of some Director (ag) of the National Insurance out is optional. We their employment.(RSM) strong. Government bonds to Department, Jennifer Hunte. “The reserves of the loan the Unemployment NIS are strong.We have Fund and that was how junction with the lion dollars. adequate reserves to they were able to con- Ministry of Finance. She noted that the in- meet claims we are re- tinue paying unemploy- She stated that there vestment portfolio of the quired to pay,” she said. ment benefits last year were six portfolios man- Unemployment Fund “Now in terms of what and how they will con- aged under the National was totally exhausted. the Unemployment Fund tinue to pay them this Insurance Department – Additionally, the faced last year, the year. the NIS, the Severance Fund had Chairman told you that However, the Unemployment Fund, $74.1 million, the we paid $155.5 million Unemployment Fund the Severance Fund, the Catastrophe Fund, $41 last year. To put that in will need to be recapi- Catastrophe Fund, million, the Retraining perspective, the previous talised and the National Retraining Account and Account $1.6 million and year we spent $49.4 Insurance Fund needed the Sugar Worker the Sugar Workers million dollars, in 2018 to be repaid, and as such, Provident Fund – the Provident fund $15 842. we spent $38.1 million Hunte noted that both of largest fund being the “I’ve given you those dollars and in 2017, those matters were cur- National Insurance Fund figures so that you have a $32.8 million dollars.So, rently under discussion and the investment port- perspective on the funds comparatively, you and the figures were folio of that fund as of the that we manage are sig- can see the impact of being finalised in con- end of January is $3.8 bil- nificant.” 4• Thursday March 4, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Initiatives will 82-year-old rectify challenges, man passes transform BPI PORT from Page 1 maritime space,” he away from stated. Humphrey, describing His comments came as the PCS as a critical in- he said that the project frastructural element will bring the country in COVID-19 and reform tool for the compliance with Article 10 trade facilitation archi- of the World Trade THERE were 23 new pos- Harrison Point Isolation tecture in Barbados, ex- Organisation’s Trade itive cases of COVID-19 Facility undergoing as- plained that it is fo- Facilitation Agreement, recorded on Tuesday, sessment to determine cused on achieving which involves the stream- March 2, while 54 people whether they were in fact seamless automation, lining, formalities and doc- recovered and were re- newly positive, or they and will support and umentation requirements, leased from isolation. The had COVID-19 in the past complement ongoing accepting paper or elec- positive cases were identi- and were no longer infec- trade facilitation and tronic copies instead of fied from among the 742 tious. The other 12 per- competitiveness, and original documents and tests conducted by the sons are Barbadians. enhance reforms being implementing a single Best-dos Santos Public Barbados has recorded implemented by the window that enables the Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Health Laboratory. The 3,163 confirmed cases - Government to address sharing of information be- Economy, Kirk Humphrey number of active cases is 1,488 females and 1,675 national transport and tween trade actors 520. One person died – an males - and 2,606 persons logistics constraints. through a single platform. timely manner. He went tance of strengthening 82-year-old Barbadian have recovered.The public “The PCS in my view, He further stated in ad- on to say that the appoint- supply chains, and re- man – who passed away health laboratory has so however, is more than a dition to the development ment system allows for silience and preparedness after spending five days far completed 127,571 technical response. It af- of maritime single window, joint cargo inspections to in the face of shocks and at the Harrison Point tests. On Tuesday, 2,097 fords us as a Government BPI created an electronic be undertaken by the disruptions and it is pre- Isolation Facility. His persons were vaccinated a policy position that helps payment platform and an Customs Port Health cisely this approach of death brings to 37, the as part of the National us to not only manage electronic appointment Authorities and regula- transformation that will number of people who Vaccination Programme needs, but also to rectify system, the latter of which tory agencies, reducing the protect us from things have died from COVID- for COVID-19. To date, a existing challenges, max- seeks to ensure cargo is time spent in facilitating both known and unknown, 19.The 23 new cases com- total of 43,235 vaccina- imise opportunities for the processed and delivered clearance. as the world that we know prised eight men and 15 tions have been adminis- advancement of Barbados and that exports are facil- “These initiatives exem- continues to evolve,” he women. Eleven of them tered – 18,316 men and and the region within the itated in an efficient and plify the critical impor- added. (JRT) had already been at the 24,919 women. (BGIS) The Barbados Advocate Thursday March 4, 2021 • 5

Officials urged to ‘take a fresh look at public health’ HEALTH ministers and inequities in the digital era health that work with each is. officials in the to ensure that the digital other. “It is also imperative to Americas have been divide does not widen the Dr. Etienne further consistently know the called on to work gaps in health inequities.” pointed out that the state of our health systems toward eight principles Digital health, in which COVID-19 pandemic has and their ability to respond in the digital people and health systems exposed the need for to the particular needs of transformation of in every country are health systems to be “more individuals, their public health, including connected electronically so resilient, interdisciplinary, communities and achieving universal their health information is intersectoral and families.” connectivity. easily available and interconnected than The PAHO Chief further “We need to take a fresh transferable, is important ever… It may seem insisted,“And the only way look at public health, one for both patients and obvious, but to achieve the to know this is if we have that is much more holistic health service providers. goal of leaving no one information systems and inclusive, that The goal of this initiative behind, first we need to capable of capturing and considers new critical is to accelerate the digital know that this person does processing critical and factors for the success of transformation of the exist; we need to know disaggregated data and interventions, such as health sector and where he or she is, and we making it available to the connectivity, bandwidth, strengthen information need to know what their entire health system interoperability, artificial systems for health across social and health situation without exceptions.” intelligence, among the Americas. The others,” Director of the Pan principles include creating American Health digital public health goods; Organisation (PAHO), Dr. accelerating progress for Carissa Etienne, urged vulnerable populations; during a high-level virtual global co-operation on conference of health emerging technologies; officials. and implementing open, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation “This renewed approach sustainable, digital (PAHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne. must also consider information systems for

Apply universal travel health protocols

DR. DELISLE WORRELL infected people at the has made the airport, in immigration recommendation that the queues or getting on and Government and all off the plane". authorities associated with Worrell explained that international travel, need Skapinker did an informal to apply universal health survey of his colleagues, protocols for all aspects of and found that in Europe travel. and the US, the processes Dr. Worrell, the former for boarding and leaving Central Bank of Barbados aircraft, and passport Governor, made this control arrangements, recommendation while exposed passengers to referencing the Michael serious risk of infection. Skapinker penned article Skapinker concluded that in the Financial Times of sitting on a plane probably February 15,Are Planes as presents few dangers of Covid-safe as the Airlines infection, but it was what Say? Worrell in his March happens before and after Economic Letter said that that are the real problems. Skapinker reported on a Worrell therefore Harvard University study, presented the argument published October 2020, that this was a lesson for which showed that the the Barbados government, modern high efficiency air tourist and airport filters of airplanes remove authorities, hoteliers, and virtually one hundred per all in the travel industry. cent of viruses and There is the heavy need for bacteria from the air they universally applied recirculate. protocols and procedures Skapinker explained for all aspects of travel. that the result was cleaner Dr. Delisle Worrell, former Central Bank of Barbados “We know from the air than in the Governor. bitter experiences of the supermarket. On modern past 12 months that the commercial aircraft, airlines, aircraft in-flight transmission". Covid-19 virus will take contaminants from a manufacturers and airport Evidence so far suggests advantage of every sneeze are flushed away in operators. However, the that people are very loophole in the two to five minutes while authors of the report deny unlikely to catch Covid on arrangements for in a retail space they might that the results were a plane if everyone is suppression and control. linger for up to six hours, affected by the funding. wearing a mask and social Co-ordinated efforts to as said in the study. A search for reports of distancing is being close the gaps in the chain According to Worrell, on-board transmission of observed. However, there are an urgent necessity,” Skapinker noted that the Covid-19 unearthed only a is not as much confidence Worrell recommended in study was funded by few examples of “proven regarding “proximity to the statement. 6 • Thursday March 4, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Rodney Taylor appointed CTU Secretary General Port of Spain, Trinidad Digital Technology Officer. overseas missions. While and Operations Manager. “The CTU has to continue and Tobago – The In that position, he was working with the Ministry In this role, he worked to be a leader in driving Caribbean Telecom- the technical lead on of Foreign Affairs he with regional govern- the transformation of na- munications Union Barbados’ digital transfor- briefly headed the CARI- ments in the development tional economies in the (CTU) welcomed Mr. mation, improving public COM and Caribbean of policies to govern infor- new digital context. This Rodney Taylor as its sector service delivery Relations Desk where he mation and communica- has to happen country by Secretary General through the strategic use represented Barbados at tions technology (ICT); led country, but it also has to from 1st March 2021, of innovation, science and regional policy meetings the work to operationalise happen within a regional after a public, Carib- SMART technology. of CARICOM and the the CTU’s Caribbean framework such as the bean-wide recruitment He also has acted as the Association of Caribbean Centre of Excellence, to CARICOM Single ICT process. Ministry’s Permanent States (ACS). offer consultancy services Space, an initiative for A national of Barbados, Secretary and formerly No stranger to the CTU, to the Member States, and which CTU is the lead Taylor joins the CTU from managed the Information Taylor was earlier sec- represented the region in agency. This calls for a the Barbados Ministry of Systems Unit in onded to the organisation many international ICT very focused and stream- Innovation, Science and Barbados’ Ministry of between June 2010 and conferences. lined organisation to pro- Smart Technology (MIST), Foreign Affairs and August 2014 to work as its Sharing his vision for mote harmonised policies where he was its Chief Foreign Trade and its Business Development the CTU,Taylor indicated, and standards that will allow us to make the region more attractive for investment in the technol- Rodney Taylor, new ogy sector,and ultimately, Secretary General of to make life better for our the Caribbean Telecom- people”. munications Union. Taylor is an advisor on Internet Governance and in Management and has published research on Information Systems e-Commerce diffusion in from the University of small island developing Manchester, UK and a states in the Journal of Post Graduate Diploma Information Systems for in Public Sector Manage- Developing Countries. ment from the University He is a technologist at of the West Indies. heart and a founding Taylor is an ardent member and former SCUBA diver and takes Chairman of the Barbados every opportunity to ex- Chapter of the Internet plore the beautiful marine Society, an organisation life in the Caribbean wa- whose aim is to promote ters. the open development, He is married and has evolution and use of the two sons and is the first Internet for the benefit of Barbadian national sub- all people throughout the stantively appointed to world. head the CTU in its 32 He holds a Masters year history. National Earthquake Preparedness Day is tomorrow

RESIDENTS and busi- a.m. to mobile phones, nesses across Barbados and members of the pub- are encouraged to take lic will be asked to set part in the National alarms and choose how Earthquake Prepared- they decide to signal the ness Day tomorrow, earthquake simulation. March 5. At this time, persons This forms part of the are expected to practise activities to mark Coastal earthquake procedures Hazards and Earthquake for their home or office Smart Month, which and record video footage began on Monday, March and upload to social 1, and runs until March media, tagging the DEM 31. It is being hosted at Instagram at by the Department of Instagram.com/dem.bar- Emergency Management, bados; Facebook at in collaboration with the Facebook.com/dem.bar- Technical Standing bados and Twitter at twit- Committee on Coastal ter.com/dem_barbados. Hazards. Persons who require The activity is designed additional information to sensitise the public may call the DEM at about the importance of 438-7575, or send an earthquake and coastal email to Shanice.forte@ hazard preparedness. barbados.gov.bb and On March 5, a national copied to deminfo@ alert will be sent at 10 barbados.gov.bb. The Barbados Advocate Thursday March 4, 2021 • 7

Chinese mental health good overall, latest survey finds

MOST Chinese people’s men- and nearly 19 percent said they tal health either improved expect no significant changes. or remained the same last Less than 14 percent of re- year, and the majority are spondents had a bleak view of confident it will improve their mental health in the com- over the next five years, ac- ing years. cording to a report released Chen Zhiyan, a professor at this week. the Institute of Psychology who Experts said the rosy outlook played a leading role in compil- is bolstered by increasingly con- ing the annual report, said accel- venient access to mental health erated efforts to ramp up mental services and the nation’s swift health services have contributed response to potential psycholog- to the brightening mental land- ical impacts from the COVID- scape. 19 epidemic. “Our survey shows that the The report, led by researchers number of respondents who con- from the Chinese Academy of sider mental health services to Sciences’ Institute of Psychology, be convenient rose from 26 per- A report on Chinese people’s mental health is released in Beijing on March 1, 2021. was based on a nationwide sur- cent in 2008 to between 38 and vey last year that asked about 42 percent in 2020, signalling by officials and experts. percent in western regions. Shi Haisong, head of the men- 65,000 people to rate their men- that people are seeing more op- “Mental health service provi- The report also drew attention tal health center at North China tal health status. portunities to learn about men- sions initiated amid the epi- to the mounting mental pres- Electric Power University in Nearly 45 percent of respon- tal health and coping skills and demic have surpassed those put sure confronting teenagers and Beijing, suggested more re- dents said their mental health are more likely to receive profes- in place during past emergen- young adults. search into the living environ- either “improved significantly” sional services when they need cies in terms of quantity, scope It is estimated that people age ments, values and psychological or “improved a little” in 2020 them,” she said. and overall competency,” the re- 18 to 34 are more prone to feel- traits of the post-2000 genera- compared with the previous During the COVID-19 epi- port said. ings of anxiety than older tion to provide targeted and year. demic, the report said that some However, survey results adults. effective guidance. About 30 percent reported no people - including infected pa- pointed to an uneven distribu- changes in their mental health, tients, their family members and tion of psychological services, and the remaining 25 percent people visiting fever clinics or which has resulted in a distinct said it worsened. under home quarantine - expe- gap in the prevalence of depres- In addition, most participants rienced stress, panic and loneli- sion across regions. Chinese UN ambassador signalled a positive outlook ness, among other negative reac- For example, the results show when asked to predict the near tions. that about 13.4 percent of people showcases country’s success future, the report said. A variety of psychological in- in affluent East China were at About 68 percent said they be- terventions, from hotlines and high risk of developing depres- lieved their emotional state will online lectures to awareness sion, compared with 20.6 per- in poverty reduction fare better in the next five years, campaigns, have been rolled out cent in central China and 20.1 UNITED NATIONS – China’s the 2030 Agenda, he said. permanent representative to the This victory has not come eas- United Nations, Zhang Jun, on ily, it benefited from the strong Tuesday showcased his country’s leadership of the Communist Russian student helps Chinese farmers achievements in poverty reduc- Party of China, a people-cen- tion and shared experience tered approach, whole-of-society sell products through livestreaming with UN member states and mobilization, and a targeted agencies. strategy, said Zhang. HANGZHOU – Fluent in areas offers him unique and “Thanks to your videos, I Zero poverty is a long-held China will enter a new devel- Chinese, Dmitry Doronin, a doc- charming experiences, quite dif- learned how beautiful the coun- dream of humankind. That is opment stage, said the envoy. toral student from Russia, is ferent from the hustle and bus- tryside life can be,” said a com- why the 2030 Agenda for “China will work with all par- keen to share his experience in tle of big cities such as Shanghai ment under Dmitry’s post. Sustainable Development has ties to deepen international co- rural villages in east China’s where he studies. “In the countryside, you can made “No Poverty” its top goal, operation in poverty reduction Zhejiang Province with his 1.4 “To our surprise, the young immerse yourself in the tradi- said Zhang at a virtual briefing. and South-South cooperation. million followers online. Russian not only knows how to tional way of life and under- “As the largest developing We will continue to give strong Having settled in the country- cook Chinese food but interested stand this country better,” country in the world, China has support to the work of the side since last August, the 32- in working in the fields,” said Dmitry said. been working hard to eradicate United Nations and the secre- year-old has created hundreds of 76-year-old villager Bao According to him, the impres- poverty. In the past eight years, tary-general, give full play to the video clips that record the Mingyue. sions of China among some China has placed even greater China-UN Peace and Develop- leisurely rural lifestyle in Due to the outbreak of Russians are still outdated de- importance on poverty eradica- ment Fund, vigorously promote Hengzhang Village, Songyang COVID-19, the sales of local spite the fact that China has tion,” said the envoy, recalling global poverty reduction and the County, Lishui City. agricultural products had progressed in leaps and bounds. that on Feb. 25, Chinese implementation of the 2030 “The rice is grown in the ter- dropped significantly,so Dmitry “I would like to become a peo- President Xi Jinping announced Agenda, accelerate a better re- raced fields together with fish, volunteered to promote the ple-to-people envoy of friendship that China has scored a “com- covery from COVID-19, and ac- which helps minimise pest dam- products in his videos. between the two countries, plete victory” in its fight against tively tackle the challenges of age and thus contributes to in- In a few months, 10,000 kg of using the help of the Internet,” poverty. climate change,” he said. creased rice yield,” said Dmitry oranges, 4,000 kg of dried sweet he added. This victory has advanced “China, as a force for peace, a while introducing local agricul- potatoes and 300 kg of honey Dmitry has been living in China’s economic and social de- force for development, a force for tural products on the popular had been sold thanks to China for over seven years.After velopment and opened up broad progress, and a force for justice, Chinese short-video platform Dmitry’s help. seeing how rapidly rural areas prospects for achieving sustain- will continue to make even Douyin. “After his arrival and benefit- of China have developed, he able development; has improved greater contribution to main- Apart from filming videos, ing from his live streaming, it plans to stay in the countryside human rights in China; has taining world peace, promoting Dmitry also enjoys working with seems that more and more after completing his doctorate found a viable path to achieve common development and up- farmers in the fields, doing ac- tourists have come to visit our degree. development and prosperity for holding fairness and justice.” tivities such as planting and village,” said 72-year-old Pan “Every village in China is developing countries; and has Some 200 diplomats, UN offi- harvesting vegetables, feeding Xiannv who is delighted to see unique in its own way, and made an important contribution cials and media representatives, buffalo and reaping rice. the positive changes in her there is a lot to explore,” he to global development and including about 60 ambassadors, Dmitry said living in rural hometown. said. boosted the implementation of attended the briefing. 8 • Thursday March 4, 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 EU vows legal response as UK moves NCDs and COVID, unilaterally on Northern Ireland BRUSSELS/LONDON – The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement but grace period. European Union promised legal later withdrew them. “For supermarkets and their striking a balance action on Wednesday after the The EU said European suppliers, as part of the British government unilaterally Commission Vice-President Maros operational plan the UK NON-COMMUNICABLE diseases (NCDs) have been on the extended a grace period for checks Sefcovic was holding a call with committed to at the UK-EU Joint rise here in Barbados for quite some time, and with the on food imports to Northern David Frost, the British minister Committee on 24 February, the majority of the deaths from COVID-19 in this country being Ireland, a move Brussels said responsible for ties with the EU,to current Scheme for Temporary persons who also had NCDs, it has brought into sharp focus violated terms of Britain’s divorce express his concern. Agri-food Movements to Northern the need for our people to develop better lifestyle and eating deal. “The European Commission will Ireland (STAMNI) will continue habits. Barbados is not unique, as the World Health Since it left the EU last year, respond to these developments in until 1 October,” Lewis said in a Organisation (WHO) indicated that people with NCDs were Britain’s relations with the bloc accordance with the legal means written statement. among those most likely to become severely ill or die from have soured, with both sides established by the Withdrawal Ireland’s Foreign Minister COVID-19, especially those with diabetes and hypertension, accusing the other of acting in bad Agreement and the Trade and Co- Simon Coveney said he had and there was a call from the WHO to countries to pay greater faith in relation to part of their operation Agreement,” the EU already spoken to Frost to express attention to NCDs. But even as the WHO made that call, there trade agreement that covers goods statement said. The fate of his regret at the move. were reports world-wide that people with NCDs have not been movements to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland was the most “A unilateral announcement is taking care of themselves as they should, as health facilities The British government bitterly contested issue during deeply unhelpful to building the have been overwhelmed caring for COVID-19 patients. extended a grace period for some Britain’s Brexit negotiations, with relationship of trust and Our situation in Barbados has been slightly different, as the checks on agricultural and food London ultimately agreeing to partnership that is central to the authorities have done their level best to keep those who have products imported by retailers to leave the British-ruled province implementation of the Protocol,” tested positive for COVID in isolation centres, such that Northern Ireland until Oct. 1 in a aligned to the EU’s single market Coveney said. Some in Northern where persons with NCDs have needed medical attention, it move it said was necessary to for goods, requiring checks on Ireland and several leading Brexit has still been available. Nevertheless, we cannot take comfort ensure the free flow of goods to the some items arriving there from supporters want Johnson to scrap in that, as it is clear that Barbados has a serious problem British region. elsewhere in the United Kingdom. the Brexit deal’s so-called where NCDs are concerned, and we need to get a handle on In a statement, the European That has already caused Northern Ireland protocol. this promptly. It is said that one in four Barbadians have at Union expressed “strong concerns” difficulty for businesses who say Johnson said Northern Ireland’s least one chronic disease and according to the WHO’s NCDs at a move it said amounted to a they have had trouble bringing in place in the UK’s market was “rock Progress Monitor Report for 2020, NCDs were responsible for violation of the substantive supplies, and more checks were solid and guaranteed”. 2700 deaths in this country,accounting for 83 per cent of the provisions of the Northern Ireland meant to come into force when a “We are making sure that we overall deaths.Also, it stated that the probability of premature Protocol, the most contentious part grace period ends on March 31. underscore that with some mortality from NCDs stood at 16 per cent. of Britain’s divorce deal with the Prime Minister Boris Johnson temporary operational easings in It is crucial that those persons who have diabetes, EU. reiterated a vow on Wednesday to order to protect the market in hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease and who are “This is the second time that the leave nothing off the table to some areas, such as food supplies, overweight or obese, take special care in monitoring their UK government is set to breach improve post-Brexit trade with pending further discussions with conditions, take their medication as prescribed and seek to international law,” the statement Northern Ireland. Shortly the EU,” Johnson told parliament. maintain active lifestyles. This is important especially at said. Britain last year moved to afterwards, his Northern Ireland “We leave nothing off the table in this time when we run the risk of being infected with COVID, include clauses in draft domestic minister, Brandon Lewis, order to ensure that we get this because if your condition is not controlled and you get the viral legislation that breached the announced the extension of the right.” illness, the possibility of a bad outcome is even greater. It is imperative that even as the health authorities promote the need for persons to wear masks,sanitise their hands and observe physical distancing to help keep COVID at bay,that Iran looms over Senate hearing for they also drill home the importance of persons with NCDs especially, exercising, taking their medications as required and eating healthy meals.To encourage the latter, the price Biden nominee for senior US State post of fruits and vegetables could be reduced, so that more persons WASHINGTON – US senators approach to Iran of former top Republican, also called for are inclined to eat healthy. peppered President Joe Biden’s President Barack Obama, for bipartisan policy and said he For diabetics and hypertensive patients, it is important that nominee to be the No. 2 official at whom Biden was vice president. opposed a return to the nuclear they know their numbers. These persons should be checking the State Department with Biden’s approach must “be pact. their blood pressure and blood glucose on a regular basis, so questions about Iran yesterday,a decided on the merits of where we Sherman was State Department that should they notice any change, they are able to take sign she could face difficulty are today, not nostalgia for what counsellor from 1997 to 2001, when corrective action immediately to address it. winning support from Republicans might have been,” she said. she was also policy co-ordinator on The fact is one in three Barbadians has hypertension, one even as she warned against The world had changed since North Korea. From 1993 to 1996 in two has high cholesterol and one in five adults over the age “nostalgia” for the Iran nuclear 2016, when the deal was she served as assistant secretary of of 25 years has diabetes. Perhaps Government should deal she helped broker. implemented, Sherman said.“The state for legislative affairs. consider ensuring that those persons with hypertension and Wendy Sherman, who helped facts on the ground have changed, Several committee Democrats diabetes who cannot afford to purchase the machines needed negotiate the international accord the geopolitics of the region have said they looked forward to to monitor their conditions are provided with them. in 2015, promised a new approach changed, and the way forward supporting Sherman’s nomination They could perhaps partner with the private sector to make to Iran at her Senate Foreign must similarly change,” she said. but it was not clear how much them available to persons at a reduced cost.A blood pressure Relations Committee confirmation Sherman said she did not know support she would receive from monitor for instance can cost between $80 and $130, but for hearing. what the administration’s ultimate Republicans. She can be someone who is on a reduced income because they have been The 2015 deal, aimed at Iran policy would be, but stressed confirmed without Republican unemployed or have had their income cut because of the preventing Tehran from acquiring that Biden was determined not to support, since Democrats control downturn in the economy, it is perhaps not something they nuclear weapons, was fiercely let Iran obtain a nuclear weapon. the Senate. can afford. opposed by Republicans and some “Iran is a long way from The hearing also considered one Perhaps consideration could be given to removing duties Democrats, including Senator Bob compliance (with the nuclear of Biden’s long-time foreign policy and taxes on those devices, as well as home cholesterol tests Menendez, who is now the agreement), as we well know,” she advisers, Brian McKeon, to be and in the case of diabetics, the testing strips for glucometers, committee’s chairman. Former said. Deputy Secretary of State for as these items can be quite costly. In fact, one box of 50 Republican President Donald Menendez said while he Management and Resources. glucometer strips could cost as much as $100 in some cases. Trump withdrew from the pact in supported the Biden McKeon, who was praised by At this time when we want to encourage these persons to 2018. administration’s decision to engage senators from both parties, served better monitor their conditions,Government should consider Sherman said she did not expect with Iran, any policy needed as counsel for the committee when making those strips available to diabetics more frequently as the Democratic Biden bipartisan support to succeed. then-Senator Biden was its diabetics on insulin get one box per month, while diabetics administration to duplicate the Senator Jim Risch, the panel’s chairman. using tablets get one box every three months. So to keep a close eye on their numbers, they would have to purchase Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke extra, but many cannot afford it. E-mail Address: [email protected] Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen Certainly we can do more to help our people who have Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan NCDs. Action is needed now if we are to help save lives. @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate The Barbados Advocate Thursday March 4, 2021 • 9

South Seas Hideaway Crystal Lagoon Swim-Up One-Bedroom Butler Suite with Infinity-edge Pool at Sandals Royal Barbados. Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub. Sandals Royal Barbados announces expansion plans

SANDALS Resorts These accommodations resort’s total restaurant vegetable smoothies and guests also have full rants, 14 bars, 11 pools International (SRI) will also showcase black- count to nine. The juices. exchange privileges with and five whirlpools. continues its develop- out shades, soothing Greenhouse, a rustic Two new freshwater the neighboring Sandals Sandals Royal ment in the Caribbean lights, and an in-room farm-to-table eatery, will swimming pools will be Barbados, creating a Barbados is now accept- as Sandals Royal aromatherapy system offer guests elegant cui- tucked away in a tranquil mega-vacation that in- ing reservations for these Barbados breaks with relaxing essential sine prepared with lo- section of the South Seas cludes two all-inclusive accommodations for ar- ground on an exciting oils to personalize scent cally sourced meats and Village. One swimming resorts for the price of rivals beginning July 1, new expansion, just in experiences and promote seafood and straight- pool will have a full-serv- one – 20 total restau- 2021. time for the summer a great night’s rest. from-the-garden fruits ice pool bar offering season. Guests staying in the and vegetables. Heart newly curated low-calo- Set to premiere July 1, new butler suites cate- and Sol, the resort’s café, rie cocktails. With vari- 2021, the South Seas gory will also enjoy a per- combines the variety, ous flavors to choose from Village at Sandals Royal sonal butler, 24-hour speed and service of a like the Ginger Mule, Barbados will be home room service, and VIP New York-style deli with Brûléed Lemon Sour, to 66 new suites, bring- check-in. locally sourced culinary Green Gin and Cucumber ing the total room count “Sandals Royal offerings for a fresh and Slush, guests can enjoy to 338, which include Barbados is the ultimate clean alternative to sand- the taste of the the brand’s signature indulgent resort for cou- wiches, soups, salads, en- Caribbean without the Rondoval™ suites, ples who are looking for ergy-boosting smoothie guilt. Skypool and Crystal top-of-the-line luxury. bowls, and nutrient- When staying at Lagoon Swim-Up suites We’ve added more suites, packed fresh fruit and Sandals Royal Barbados, and Millionaire Butler restaurants, and pools to suite concepts; two new elevate our options which BANK RATES wellness-inspired eater- further enhance the al- ies, The Greenhouse ready incredible guest ex- Commercial bank rates to the public at the close of Restaurant and Heart & perience,” said Adam business yesterday by the Central Bank of Barbados. Sol café, bringing the re- Stewart, Executive sort’s impressive restau- Chairman of Sandals Valid for March 4, 2021 rant count to nine; and Resorts International. Notes: two new relaxing pools. “This news comes on Currency Buying Selling Flanked between lush the heels of our recent ex- Belizean Dollar 1.00000 1.00000 gardens and the pristine, pansion at Sandals South Canadian Dollar 1.56405 1.61031 white sand beach of Coast, bringing the East Caribbean $ 0.73704 0.74445 Maxwell Beach, the ex- world’s first Swim-up Euro 2.36559 2.46521 ceedingly romantic addi- Rondoval Suites to Pound Sterling 2.73903 2.85437 tions will be character- Jamaica and a re-imag- United States Dollar 1.98000 2.02857 ized by spacious and ined beachfront Dutch Demand/Sight: bright rooms, high- Village, as well as new Currency Buying Selling Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 pitched ceilings and chic properties in Curaçao Canadian Dollar 1.57295 1.60890 furnished light-wood fin- and Saint Vincent and East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 ishes with quartz inlay - the Grenadines, marking Euro 2.40030 2.44991 designed for seclusion, re- nine Caribbean islands Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 laxation and serenity. for the Sandals Resorts Pound Sterling 2.77922 2.83665 The South Seas Village International footprint. United States Dollar 1.99000 2.02768 will include hallmark of- This moment of unparal- Telegraphic Transfer ferings such as the leled expansion at Currency Buying Selling Sandals Tranquility Sandals® Resorts is Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 Blissful Bed™, with a something we are proud Canadian Dollar 1.57593 1.60890 East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 premium king-size bed, of, as we continue to raise Euro 2.40482 2.44991 complemented by fine the bar on the Luxury Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 linens and a pillow Included® vacation Pound Sterling 2.78445 2.83665 menu, marble baths experience and support United States Dollar 1.99375 2.02768 adorned, his and her the region we love so sinks, bath amenities by deeply,” Stewart contin- INDICATIVE RATES FOR SOME REGIONAL the Red Lane® Spa, a pri- ued. CURRENCIES AS ADVISED BY THE vate outdoor Tranquility RESPECTIVE CENTRAL BANKS. Soaking Tub™ for two New restaurants N.B. These rates are not meant to be used for trading. and a full in-room bar Two new culinary con- BDS$ Guyana Dollar 0.00945 complete with a selection cepts will also be intro- Jamaica Dollar 0.01329 of liquors including duced at Sandals Royal T&T Dollar 0.29896 Robert Mondavi wine. Barbados, bringing the 10 • Thursday March 4, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Bahamas PM urges full support for UWI KINGSTON, Jamaica — As “Allow me to make a plea to all global development and ex- annual budget meetings at the governments of contribut- pressed his pride in being a UWI The University of the West ing territories to make good on graduate himself. Indies (The UWI) com- their subventions, particularly Critical decisions aimed at menced on Tuesday, in these unprecedented finan- bolstering the financial sustain- Prime Minister of The cial times – the current and ability of The UWI will be made Commonwealth of The post-pandemic periods” he said. as the meetings end today.They Bahamas, Dr Hubert Minnis, He added:“The circumstances facilitate dialogue among all 17 urged fellow governments to of COVID-19 dictate that we of the university’s contributing invest more in the regional must work together to ensure member governments in shap- university for the future eco- that The UWI, our internation- ing operating budgets. nomic development. ally recognised, esteemed uni- The gatherings, hosted by the Addressing the opening cere- versity, stays afloat. Therefore, government of The Bahamas mony for the meetings of techni- we must carefully plug this year, comprise senior cal advisory committees (TACs) any holes that we may have government officials and perma- for The UWI, Minnis called for found in our regional flagship nent secretaries in the min- an investment rather than an university.” istries responsible for tertiary expenditure approach to the Minnis also congratulated The education, and finance among university. UWI on its high reputation and other key stakeholders. Bahamas Prime Minister, Dr Hubert Minnis. Bermuda re-imposes curfew after rise in COVID cases HAMILTON, Bermuda — Bermuda yesterday, reintro- duced a night-time curfew fol- lowing a spike in coronavirus cases in the island, but Premier David Burt said he “took no joy” over the measure. Health Minister Kim Wilson said the move was made after the island suffered an “emerging outbreak” of COVID- 19 which may be linked to the virulent UK strain of the virus. The curfew will run from mid- night to 5:00 am (local time) and businesses will have to close at 11:00 pm, she announced at Tuesday night’s weekly media A section of the Caroni River contaminated by dirt which caused the shutdown of WASA’s Caroni Water Treatment Plant. briefing. “The government takes no joy in re-implementing such measures. I take no joy in re-im- Dirt dumped in river disrupts T&T water supply plementing such measures. AFTER more than 300 000 cus- take to the plant.” ited truck borne supply would The deposited dirt, Gonzales However, we will continue to do tomers had their water supply Officials said following an in- be available to affected cus- said, discoloured the water. what is necessary to control disrupted on Tuesday, the spection of the river, the source tomers which priority being Gonzales said such dumping any outbreaks so we can contain Water and Sewerage Authority of the discharge appeared to be paid to health institutions, gov- was a breach of the Environ- the coronavirus on our shores. (WASA) has moved to take in the Manuel Congo area in ernment agencies and homes mental Management Authority We learned our lesson in legal action against a contrac- the vicinity of the compound be- for the elderly. rules. November and we will not make tor for illegally dumping mate- longing to Harry Persad and Responding to the turbidity “The turbidity was as a re- the same mistakes again,” said rial into a tributary that Sons Ltd. issue, Public Utilities Minister sult of the irresponsible behav- Burt. empties into the Caroni Water Around 5 pm on Tuesday, Marvin Gonzales denied there iour of a mining contractor lo- According to Wilson, the island Treatment Plant. WASA officials estimated the was sabotage at the plant fol- cated in East Trinidad. We are had seen a surge in coronavirus A press release issued by the production rate to be around 45 lowing calls by Public Services taking this matter very seri- cases in the last two weeks WASA advised customers that million gallons daily,compared Association president Watson ously and we will be taking ac- and half of the 17 active cases operations at the plant were to a capacity of 75 million gal- Duke for its members to “rest tion against this contractor to were from on-island transmis- stopped around 7 am due to ex- lons daily. and reflect” at home. set an example. When we talk sions. traordinary high turbidity in Customers served by the “It is not sabotage because about the transformation of the She said the new cases were the raw water in the Caroni treatment plant were advised the executive director (Dr water sector these are the an “emerging outbreak” linked to River. Operations at the plant that it could take up to 48 hours Lennox Sealy) went on “the things we have to address and a mutation which was first had to be restarted around 1 for their pipe borne supply to ground of the Manuel Congo tackle head-on.” transmitted locally in mid- pm on Tuesday. normalise, in keeping with es- River in Arima where they dis- Gonzales said the plant serv- February. The release stated that it “ap- tablished water supply sched- covered equipment owned by a ices over 300,000 customers Burt added it appeared that peared to be due to an illegal ules after the plant returns to well-known contractor dump- “both in North and Central the infections happened at a sin- discharge upstream of the in- full production. They said a lim- ing dirt” into the river. Trinidad.” gle event. The Barbados Advocate Thursday March 4, 2021 • 11

Cops hold Jamaican pastor for COVID church breaches

THE pastor of a phetic Ministries church. Prime Minister told by the police to de- building, gathered wor- nel from the St Ann church in Windsor Also charged are a Andrew Holness an- sist and disperse. The shipping and without Health Department to Heights, St Ann’s Bay, senior member and the nounced on Sunday that Gleaner understands masks,” said Deputy speak to the congrega- has been charged armour bearer of the no more than 10 persons that the congregation Superintendent Kevin tion on COVID-19 proto- with breaching the church. should attend church – stood their ground in de- Francis, who is in charge cols. Disaster Risk Manage- Reports reaching The and only in the delivery fiance for more than an of operations for St Ann. “There was no compli- ment Act after the po- Gleaner are that a of virtual services. hour. Francis said the police ance. As a result, the pas- lice were called to a church service with more Most of the congre- “On our arrival, we ob- engaged the leadership tor who was leading the worship service. than 50 congregants was gants were reportedly served that a service was of the church in discus- congregation was asked Charged is Christine being held in breach of not wearing masks or ob- in full effect and that sion and sought to ad- by the police to accom- McLean of the City of the coronavirus legisla- serving social-distance service had in excess of dress the congregation. pany us to the station,” Refuge Endtime Pro- tion. protocols. Despite being 55 persons inside the He also invited person- Francis said.

Paraguay cancels non-emergency surgery due to virus wave ASUNCION, Paraguay – government in front of Paraguay has cancelled the hospital and periodi- nonemergency surgeries cally blocking traffic. in all public hospitals due Relatives of intensive to a flood of COVID-19 care patients also took patients that has over- part, shouting, “We want whelmed intensive care supplies! Enough with in- units. justice!” The Health Ministry Moringo complained said yesterday that those that despite the lack of resources would be dedi- medicines, too many peo- cated to treating the pan- ple were lax about pre- demic. cautions against COVID- While Paraguay’s 19. COVID-19 death toll of “People are relaxed, 3,218 is far below that of playing soccer and volley- neighbouring nations, the ball with friends, without South American country distancing or respecting of 7.6 million people has health protocols,” he run short of medical said. ammunition to fight the Institute Director Respiratory Hospital INERAM health workers block the street outside their hospital to demand more disease. Felipe González told local materials for the ICU in Asuncion, Paraguay, yesterday, the day after INERAM Director Felipe Gonzalez re- “We don’t have x-ray radio stations he had signed. Without vaccines or basic drugs to combat COVID-19, Paraguay’s main public hospitals became un- plates, nasal-gastric offered his resignation able to receive patients in intensive care units yesterday. catheters, there are no “because there is no basic medications,” said medicine and infected her mother, who was lished a video on his but so far only 4,000 have Organisation’s COVAX pneumologist Carlos people keep coming to the hospitalised at the Facebook page saying the arrived. Health Minister system. Morínigo at the National hospital.” Institute, “but the country has had good re- Julio Mazzoleni said he But the two combined Institute of Respiratory He said the ministry price was 5 million sults in containing and expects the rest in the would not be enough and Environmental had not responded. guaraníes” – about $850. treating the disease. coming weeks. to cover the population, Diseases in the capital. Gladys Martínez said “This is a disaster,” she The country has con- Paraguay also is count- which so far has recorded He joined about 20 she had tried to find a added. tracted for 1 million doses ing on receiving 3 million more than 160,000 other health workers day’s worth of medica- Meanwhile, President of the Russian Sputnik V doses of vaccine eventu- cases of the new coron- protesting against the tions at pharmacies for Mario Abdo Benítez pub- vaccine against COVID, ally via the World Health avirus. ‘I am happy’: Peruvian woman wins historic battle over right to die LIMA – Ana Estrada, who but I hope it serves as a Estrada, a psychologist, and many in Peru strongly days from the date that Estrada has written a is confined to her bed, says precedent,” Estrada, 44, has suffered for three oppose the practice. she decides to end her blog since 2016 called “Ana she feels “happy and con- told Reuters, after the min- decades from polymyositis, Abortion and same-sex life. seeks dignified death.” She tent” about a historic deci- istries of justice and health a rare incurable disease marriage are also prohib- EsSalud said a state- told Reuters she would de- sion by Peruvian officials decided late on Tuesday to that progressively attacks ited in Peru. In Latin ment it would comply with cide to end her life when to allow her an assisted respect a judge’s ruling her muscles. She breathes America, Colombia allows the ruling and form med- she could no longer write. death, a remarkable ruling that she has the right to “a with a respirator most of the procedure under cer- ical commissions to de- “My body is failing, but in this mostly Roman dignified death.” the time. tain conditions. velop a protocol for such my mind and my spirit are Catholic country where eu- “I think it is an achieve- Estrada started a legal The court ruling last cases.The court ruling also happy,” she said. “I want thanasia is illegal. ment not only of mine, not battle about five years ago week provides that state cleared anyone assisting the last moment of my life The Andean country’s only of my cause, but also to be allowed to decide to health insurer EsSalud Estrada in her death from to continue like this, in government decided not to an achievement of law and end her own life “when the provide “all conditions” facing charges, although freedom, with peace, tran- appeal a court ruling that justice in Peru,” Estrada time comes.” needed for Estrada’s eu- local law still prohibits quility and autonomy.I recognises her right to die. said with a muffled and Euthanasia is disal- thanasia, which must anyone from helping peo- want to be remembered “It is an individual case, broken voice. lowed in many countries occur within 10 business ple to die. like that.” 12 • Thursday March 4, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

ICC opens Germany to spy on far-right ‘war crimes’ investigation AfD party, reports say GERMANY’S intelligence services Formed in 2013, the openly anti-Islam services have not yet commented on the have designated the Alternative for and anti-establishment AfD is Germany’s new designation, which has been widely in West Bank Germany (AfD) party as a suspected largest opposition party in parliament. reported by German media outlets. extremist group, according to local Its popularity surged in 2015 after almost According to Tagesschau, the decision media. one million migrants entered Germany. was based on two years of information and Gaza The nationalist party is already under The party faced particular criticism gathering by the intelligence agencies, surveillance in a number of German over its anti-immigrant rhetoric following culminating in an 800-page report. THE International Criminal Court’s states, but the decision means its a deadly far-right attack in the city of The decision means the party can now chief prosecutor has opened a formal activities can be observed nation-wide. Hanau in early 2020, although it was not be placed under surveillance, allowing investigation into alleged war crimes in However, MPs and members of the accused of direct involvement and the BfV to recruit informants and the Palestinian territories. European parliament will be excluded publicly condemned the shootings. intercept phone calls and emails. Fatou Bensouda said the probe would from any operations. Reports that Germany’s domestic Four states in eastern Germany,where cover events in the Israeli-occupied West The intelligence services have not intelligence service (BfV) was expected to the party is particularly popular, have Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip publicly commented on the reports. classify the AfD as a “suspected case” of already designated the AfD as a since June 2014. An AfD spokeswoman described the right-wing extremism first emerged suspected extremist group. Last month, the Hague-based court decision as “purely political” and said the earlier this year. Last year, meanwhile, the BfV placed ruled that it could exercise its criminal party would take legal action against the However, a decision was delayed by part of the AfD known as Flügel (the jurisdiction over the territories. “unjustified classification”. ongoing legal challenges by the AfD, wing) under systematic surveillance. Israel rejected Ms Bensouda’s decision, If confirmed, it would be the first time which argues that the move is political Surveillance is a sensitive issue in while Palestinian officials praised it. in post-war history that a political party and could harm its chances in federal Germany, where many people have The ICC has the authority to prosecute with seats in the national parliament elections in September. memories of intrusive, abusive spying in those accused of genocide, crimes against has received the designation. Due to the court case, the intelligence communist and Nazi times. humanity and war crimes on the territory of states party to the Rome Statute, its founding treaty. Israel has never ratified the Rome Statute, but the court ruled that it had jurisdiction because the United Nations secretary general accepted the Palestinians’ accession to the treaty in 2015. Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war.Palestinians claim the territories for a future independent state. In a statement issued yesterday, Ms Bensouda explained that her office was obliged to act “where a state party has referred a situation” to it and “it is determined that a reasonable basis exists to commence an investigation”. Ms Bensouda said she had carried out a “painstaking preliminary examination” that lasted close to five years and promised that the investigation would be conducted independently,impartially and objectively, without fear or favour. “We have no agenda other than to meet our statutory duties under the Rome Statute with professional integrity,” she said, noting that she had declined to investigate the 2010 killing by Israeli troops of ten Turkish activists on the Gaza-bound ship Mavi Marmara. “In the current situation, however, there is a reasonable basis to proceed Protesters have built barricades in several cities around the country. and there are admissible potential cases,” she added. Ms Bensouda also stressed that the Myanmar sees deadliest day as 38 protesters killed “central concern must be for the victims of crimes, both Palestinian and Israeli, AT least 38 people were killed in The latest violence comes a day after crowds in a number of cities, including arising from the long cycle of violence Myanmar on Wednesday in what the UN Myanmar’s neighbours urged the military Yangon, with little warning. and insecurity that has caused deep described as the “bloodiest day” since the to exercise restraint. Two boys, aged 14 and 17, were among suffering and despair on all sides”. coup took place a month ago. Schraner Burgener said at least 50 those who were killed, Save the Children Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin UN envoy to Myanmar Christine people had now been killed “and many said. A 19-year-old woman was also said Netanyahu said the ICC’s decision was Schraner Burgener said there was wounded” since the coup began. to be among the dead. “the essence of anti-Semitism and the shocking footage coming out of the country. She said one video clip showed police Protesters have built barricades in essence of hypocrisy.” She also said it seemed likely security beating an unarmed volunteer medical several cities around the country “It found that our brave and moral forces were shooting with live bullets. crew. Another showed a protester being At least six people were reportedly shot soldiers, who are fighting the most brutal Mass demonstrations and acts of civil shot and very likely killed on the street, dead during a protest in Monywa in terrorists on earth, are, of all people, war disobedience have been taking place she said. central Myanmar.At least 30 others were criminals.” across Myanmar since the military seized “I asked some weapons experts and they wounded in the unrest, a local journalist “The court, which was established to control on February 1. could verify to me, it’s not clear but it told Reuters. prevent a recurrence of the horrors Protesters have been calling for the seems that the police weapons like 9mm A volunteer medic told AFP news perpetrated by the Nazis against the release of elected government leaders, submachine guns, so live ammunition,” agency in Myingyan that at least ten Jewish people, is now turning against including Aung San Suu Kyi, who were she said. people had been injured there.“They fired the state of the Jewish people,” he overthrown and detained in the coup, and Reports from inside Myanmar spoke of tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds,” asserted. an end to military rule. security forces opening fire on large they said. The Barbados Advocate Thursday March 4, 2021 • 13

Backlash in Spain over princesses getting UAE vaccines A REVELATION that visit my father and in two sisters of Spain’s order to be issued with a King Felipe VI were medical certificate which vaccinated during a will allow us to continue to trip to Abu Dhabi last visit him regularly, we month has sparked a were offered the chance to political backlash. get vaccinated, which we Media reports revealed accepted,” they said in a Princess Elena, 57, and statement to El Mundo on The sisters said they were “offered” the vaccine while visiting their father. Princess Cristina, 55, had Wednesday. got the jab whilst visiting “Had it not been for allegations, his departure which contributes to representation, must lead administered about 4m their father. these circumstances, we heightened debate and discrediting the monarchy. by example,” she added. vaccines so far, with over- The former King, Juan would have waited for our scrutiny about the royal For the public, this A royal palace source 80s and essential Carlos, left the country in turn to get vaccinated to family. constitutes preferential declined to comment on workers currently being 2020 amid mounting come around in Spain,” Equality Minister Irene treatment and privileges,” the reports to Reuters on prioritised. scandals. they added. Montero was among the the minister told the the basis that the sisters A similar scandal rocked Both princesses, who do Juan Carlos has been politicians who criticised public TVE network. are not formally part of the the country in January, not yet qualify to get a living in self-exile in the the princesses after the Labour Minister institution but said the when some senior figures vaccine under Spain’s roll- United Arab Emirates revelation was first Yolanda Diaz described king, Queen Letizia and including the country’s top out, defended and (UAE) since last August. reported by online news the matter as “very their daughters would get military chief resigned explained their decision Although he denied website El Confidencial. unpleasant, very ugly". the vaccination when it after they were implicated yesterday. wrongdoing regarding “The vaccination of the “We, the people who was their turn. in “queue-jumping” “My sister and I went to mounting corruption princesses is more news exercise some sort of Spain has only allegations of their own. Police break up ‘fake vaccine network’ in China and South Africa POLICE in China and Africa was reported by the Announcing the months. population on February 17 other countries to South Africa have seized country’s Sunday Times dismantling of the In Germiston, Gauteng, after concerns over the effectively prevent such thousands of doses of newspaper at the end of suspected fake vaccine police found about 400 efficacy of vaccines against crimes. counterfeit Covid-19 December. network, Interpol stressed vials – the equivalent of a new variant of Covid-19. Interpol Secretary vaccine and made dozens In Wednesday’s that no approved vaccines around 2 400 doses – of No location or further General Jürgen Stock said of arrests, Interpol says. statement, Interpol said it were “currently available fake vaccine as well as a details were given for the that while the police In China, police made 80 was also getting reports of for sale online". “large quantity” of fake 3M counterfeit factory in operations in China and arrests at a factory other fake vaccine rings. “Any vaccine being masks, Interpol said. China which was, Interpol South Africa were allegedly making fake Interpol, short for the advertised on websites or Brigadier Vish Naidoo, said, investigated with the welcome, this was “only vaccine, where at least 3 International Criminal the dark web, will not be South African Police help of its Illicit Goods and the tip of the iceberg” when 000 doses were found. Police Organisation, is legitimate, will not have national spokesperson, Global Health it came to Covid-19 Three Chinese nationals based in Lyon, France and been tested and may be said that co-operation with Programme. vaccine-related crime. and a Zambian were facilitates international co- dangerous,” it said other Interpol member A spokesperson for the In December, the detained at a warehouse operation between police Vaccines are a vital tool states was proving “very Chinese ministry of public organisation issued a in Gauteng, South Africa, forces and crime control. for overcoming the effective", as witnessed by security said police there global alert warning police where ampoules The Covid-19 pandemic pandemic and competition the “arrest of foreign were conducting a in its 194 member containing 2 400 doses has claimed more than 2.5 is fierce world-wide to buy nationals attempting to “targeted campaign to countries to prepare for were discovered. million lives world-wide up available doses peddle fake vaccines to prevent and crack down on organised crime networks It is not clear when and infected nearly 115 following the approval of a unsuspecting people crimes related to vaccines” targeting Covid-19 exactly the arrests took million people, according growing number of within South Africa". and would step up vaccines, and gave advice place. to a Johns Hopkins products by medical South Africa only constructive co-operation about how to spot fake The discovery in South University estimate. authorities in recent started vaccinating its with Interpol and police in medical products.

Sunny with cloudy periods with a few intermittent scattered light to moderate showers.

High: 7:19 a.m. and 8:13 p.m. New York: 11°C Yesterday: 0 mm Miami: 28°C Low: 12:54 a.m. For the month: 0 mm Max: 28.7°C Toronto: 7°C and 1:45 p.m. For the year: 175.1 mm Min: 24.2°C Montreal: 0°C London: 7°C 6:12 a.m. 5:08 p.m. 14 • Thursday March 4, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

IEA study finds Global CO2 emissions bounce back to pre-COVID levels The COVID crisis triggered the largest annual drop in energy-related carbon diox- GLOBAL emissions have rebounded with the right energy policies, this ide emissions since the Second World War. to worrying levels after a historic could put at risk the world’s historic decline in 2020, according to new opportunity to make 2019 the definitive 0.8 per cent – last year. Demand for fossil fuels was hardest hit data. peak in global emissions.” Emissions in India rose above 2019 in 2020 – especially oil which plunged The International Energy Agency “In March 2020, the IEA urged govern- levels in September last year as 8.6 per cent and coal which dropped (IEA), which has compiled the data, says ments to put clean energy at the heart restrictions were relaxed. by four per cent. ensuring that 2019 marks a definitive of their economic stimulus plans to ensure The energy forum also said the The drop in road transport accounted peak in global CO2 emissions will be a sustainable recovery. But our recovery of road transport activity in for 50 per cent of the decline in global oil “extremely challenging”. numbers show we are returning to emerging economies in the second half of demand and the slump in the aviation The IEA says the COVID crisis in 2020 carbon-intensive business-as-usual. 2020 was one of the principal drivers sector for around 35 per cent. triggered the largest annual drop “This year is pivotal for international of a rebound in emissions. But low-carbon fuels and technologies in energy-related carbon dioxide climate action – and it began with high But in advanced economies, road such as wind and solar reached emissions since the Second World War. hopes – but these latest numbers are a transport activity remained suppressed 20 per cent of the global energy mix – It also says avoiding a rebound in sharp reminder of the immense challenge throughout the second half of their highest ever annual share. emissions requires “rapid change” around we face in rapidly transforming the 2020 relative to 2019 levels. The pandemic triggered a drop in car the world in how energy is used and global energy system.” Overall restrictions on movement sales around the world of 15 per cent – produced. The IEA says major economies led the around the world in 2020 saw a signifi- though electric cars bucked the trend with In April 2020, global emissions resurgence as a pick-up in economic cant drop in transport emissions – with sales growing by over 40 per cent to registered their largest ever monthly activity pushed energy demand higher. global flight activity down 70 per cent more than three million. drop. But by December they were two per China, the first major economy to last April compared to the previous year. Advanced economies saw the steepest cent higher than the same month a emerge from the pandemic and lift Energy demand dropped nearly four declines in annual emissions in 2020, year earlier. restrictions, saw a seven per cent increase per cent in 2020 and global energy- averaging drops of almost 10 per cent, “The rebound in global carbon in emissions in December 2020 compared related emissions fell by 5.8 per cent – the while emissions from emerging and emissions toward the end of last year is a with a year earlier. largest annual percentage decline since developing economies fell by four per cent stark warning that not enough is being China is the world’s biggest emitter of World War 11. relative to 2019. done to accelerate clean energy greenhouse gases and is where the The IEA says last year’s fall in emis- Across the European Union, which saw transitions worldwide,” said Dr. Fatih pandemic is thought to have originated. sions of almost 2 000 million tonnes of restrictions in all member states, annual Birol, the IEA executive director. It was the only country that experienced CO2 is “without precedent in human CO2 emissions fell by 10 per cent relative “If governments don’t move quickly an overall increase in emissions – history”. to 2019. Australia building world’s first platypus sanctuary SYDNEY – Australian conservationists would likely occur more often because of yesterday unveiled plans to build the warming temperatures. world’s first refuge for the platypus, to Unlike other famous Australian promote breeding and rehabilitation as animals such as the koala or kangaroo, the duck-billed mammal faces extinction the beaver-like platypus is rarely seen in due to climate change. the wild due to its reclusive nature and The Taronga Conservation Society highly specific habitat needs. Australia and the New South Wales State The furry, web-footed animal, along government said they would build the with the echnidna, is one of just two egg- specialist facility, mostly ponds and bur- laying mammals, and generally lives rows for the semiaquatic creatures, at a around small streams and slow-moving zoo 391 kilometres (243 miles) from rivers in cooler temperatures. Sydney, by 2022, which could house up “The refuge ... will give us a chance to 65 platypuses. to really learn about what sort of “There is so much to learn about the environments they like, and what is most platypus and we know so little,” Taronga likely to encourage them to breed,” said CEO Cameron Kerr told reporters. Kerr. “These facilities will be critical in build- The 2019-20 bushfires followed several ing our knowledge so that we don’t let years of drought, and Taronga had noted this iconic creature slip off the earth.” beforehand an increased number of Concerns about the platypus going ex- platypuses with “climate-related injuries tinct have been heightened since once- and illnesses”, it said in a statement. in-a-generation wildfires devastated 12.6 Last year,a separate inquiry found that million hectares (31 million acres) of bush, koalas would be extinct in New South nearly the size of Greece, in late 2019 and Wales by 2050, due to deforestation early 2020. for farming and urban development. Scientists estimate nearly three billion The platypus is classified as a protected animals died in what the prime minister species in Australia, and Taronga said called the country’s “black summer”. A that without intervention, the animal Annie the Platypus is seen during a World Wildlife Day announcement pledging government inquiry found bushfires may follow a few decades later. to save the Australian platypus from extinction, at Taronga Zoo. The Barbados Advocate Thursday March 4, 2021 • 15

Amazon changes app logo Parler drops that ‘resembles Adolf Hitler’ web-hosting

AMAZON has quickly legal challenge changed its main shop- ping-app logo, after commentators said the against tech giant recent redesign made it look like Adolf PARLER has withdrawn identify and remove this Hitler. its antitrust action against content”. Launched in January, Amazon, two months after The BBC has contacted the icon depicts a strip of filing the case against Parler, which has lodged blue tape over an Amazon the tech giant. a “voluntary dismissal” of “smile” logo. The website was the action in a district But some observers said removed from Amazon’s court in Seattle, for it resembled a toothbrush Web Services (AWS) host- comment. They have yet moustache, associated ing platform in January to respond. with the Nazi dictator. for violating its rules. Since February 15, the The technology giant Parler brands itself as social network has been has now changed the a “free speech” social back online, using alterna- design to a folded blue network and the platform tive hosting services. tape, following customer The offending logo (left) and the revised version (right). The new design shows a is popular with far-right But its app cannot be feedback. folded corner of blue tape on an Amazon box. supporters. downloaded from Apple or Amazon told BBC News It has now dropped Google’s app stores, as the first icon had been create delight on the their phone, just as they mouth – Looks like a the case, without provid- both companies removed trialled in a few countries doorstep.” do when they see our happy little cardboard ing an explanation, but Parler in January for sim- before the change had The app logo – which boxes on their doorstep.” Adolf to me.” “without prejudice to ilar reasons to Amazon’s. been made. appears on smartphones One customer had Brand designer Studio refiling” it in the future. Launched in 2018, Branding agency and tablets – previously tweeted: “My parents use LWD founder Laura Amazon suspended use Parler has proved particu- Coley Porter Bell chief showed a graphic of Amazon nearly every day. Weldon said, “Brands of its platform after the larly popular among sup- executive Vicky Bullen a shopping trolley. “They’re going to be lost change and tweak their rioting on Capitol Hill, porters of Donald Trump said, “Unfortunately for The new design appears for the next few days. logos all the time. following the US presiden- and other conservatives. Amazon, the visualisation to be based on a brown “When they ask where “It reflects well on tial election. Its users frequently of their parcel tape on the Amazon parcel, with the Amazon’s gone, I’ll tell Amazon that they listened It claimed it had accuse Twitter and original logo will immedi- company’s signature them to look for the card- to their customers. discovered 98 posts on Facebook of unfairly ately be associated as a smile and blue tape. board Hitler.” “It’s clear they Parler that encouraged censoring their views. Hitleresque moustache, as Amazon said, “We d Another customer had care about what their violence, and notified the The platform features that shape is forever esigned the new icon said, “It’s not just a customers say and put the social network about several high-profile con- embedded in our [subcon- to spark anticipation, ripped Scotch tape, it’s a customer at the heart of them. servative contributors, in- scious] brains as such – excitement, and joy when ripped Scotch tape that what they do. AWS said it acted be- cluding Texas senator Ted not the best association for customers start their has a similar shape and is “That can only be a good cause Parler was “unable Cruz and Fox News host a brand that wants to shopping journey on right on top of a smiling thing.” or unwilling to promptly Sean Hannity. Japanese billionaire seeks eight people to join his crew for SpaceX trip around moon

A Japanese billionaire SoftBank in 2019, is mercial voyages. has launched a search paying for the entire cost He said that this for eight people to join of the voyage on SpaceX’s mission would send peo- him as the first private next-generation reusable ple “further than any passengers on a trip launch vehicle, dubbed human has ever gone around the moon. the Starship. from Planet Earth” and Yusaku Maezawa will “I thought there might has completed his latest be taking the trip with be delays, but everything fundraising of $850 mil- Elon Musk’s SpaceX in is on schedule,” said lion (£609m). 2023. Maezawa in an interview. Maezawa said he is not He had originally Two recent Starship in training – which he ex- planned to invite artists prototypes have exploded pects to take a few for the week-long voyage, during testing, under- months at most – but is but has changed the proj- scoring the risks for the watching his alcohol in- ect to “give more people 45-year-old and his fellow take and exercising, from around the globe passengers, who must while spending a few the chance to join this also contend with the hours a week considering journey”. strains of space travel in the mission. “If you see yourself as the first private journey “I’m only preparing an artist, then you are an beyond Earth’s orbit. mentally,” said the fash- artist,” he said in his call “Elon Musk says there ion guru. to arms. is no problem and Seeing the whole Earth The first stage of the I believe him,” said and the far side of the selection process ends Maezawa. moon would be highlights on March 14 , with SpaceX ferried four of the trip, said Maezawa, applicants needing to astronauts to the who had considered a trip pass medical checks and, International Space to the ISS before choosing Yusaku Maezawa posing with a space suit helmet during an interview. eventually, an interview Station (ISS) in the more ambitious moon with Maezawa. November on its Falcon 9 voyage. media, with the latter’s account. girlfriend to join him The entrepreneur, who rocket, but Musk har- Both Musk and cash giveaways helping Last year, he launched on the trip before sold his online fashion bours ambitions of his Maezawa have built loyal to make him Japan’s a short-lived documen- pulling out, citing “mixed business Zozo Inc to company offering com- followings on social most-followed Twitter tary search for a new feelings”. 16 • Thursday March 4, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Meghan, Harry ‘victims of calculated smear campaign’

THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex have said they are the victims of a calculated smear cam- paign following allega- tions Meghan faced a bullying complaint during her time at Kensington Palace. Lawyers for the couple have said the claims are based on “misleading and harmful misinforma- tion”. The Times newspaper has reported that the complaint was made in October 2018 by Jason Knauf who was then the Sussexes’ communica- Harry and Meghan’s interview with Oprah. (Photo: CBS) tions secretary. The complaint claimed trauma. The two-hour special crisis consultant Mark Meghan had allegedly “She is determined to will be screened on Borkowski warned Harry driven two personal as- continue her work build- Sunday, March 7 in the and Meghan are at risk sistants out of the house- ing compassion around US. of a “real reputational hold and was undermin- the world and will keep The royal household mess” if they go ahead ing the confidence of a striving to set an exam- will be braced for the with the broadcast in the third staff member, the ple for doing what is show’s revelations as the US on Sunday and said it newspaper said. right and doing what is couple discuss their life should be postponed. But her spokesman good.” within the royal family Harry’s grandfather said: “The duchess is sad- There have been no and their exit from the Philip, 99, spent nearly dened by this latest at- comments so far from working monarchy. two weeks in the private tack on her character, Buckingham Palace or A PR expert has de- King Edward VII’s particularly as someone Kenssington Palace. scribed the timing of the Hospital before being who has been the target The allegations coms interview, with the Duke transferred to St of bullying herself and is just days before Meghan of Edinburgh currently Bartholomew’s Hospital deeply committed to sup- and Harry’s interview unwell in hospital, as on Monday for tests on a porting those who have with Oprah Winfrey is “horrendous”. pre-existing heart condi- experienced pain and due to be aired. Public relations and tion. Bridge The Barbados Advocate Thursday March 4, 2021 • 17 SPORTS ATP provides financial aid to pandemic-hit events, players

ATP will spend upto coronavirus. The men’s body esti- provement on this front extra expenses. calculating rankings since $5.2 million from its It severely impacted mates the cost to run upto looks unlikely before mid- Last year the ATP, the last year has been ex- funds to shore up prize lower-level players, who $5.2 million and said it year,” Gaudenzi said in a women’s WTA, the tended through the week money for the players depend solely on prize will be primarily funded statement. International Tennis of Aug. 9, the ATP added. at its events, which are money for a living. from the ATP Bonus Pool, American players John Federation and the boards The rankings, a deter- financially hit by re- Though the disruption which is distributed Isner and Reilly Opelka of the four Grand Slams mining factor in a players’ strictions on ticket has been less severe in among the top 12 eligible recently hit out at the raised more than $6 mil- ability to enter events and sales due to the 2021, tournaments, bar- players at the end of sea- ATP management for not lion to help those in finan- receive seedings, tradi- COVID-19 pandemic, ring the swing in son. taking salary cuts while cial need while prize pools tionally operate on a “Best the men’s tennis gov- Australia, continue to be ATP Chairman Andrea athletes are suffering due were rejigged to offer 18” results basis over 52 erning body said on played without crowds or Gaudenzi thanked the to prize money cuts at more money during early weeks but was revised in Tuesday. just a handful of fans. ATP Player Council, tournaments. rounds. 2020 due to the COVID- The professional tennis The ATP 250 and 500 which has Rafa Nadal and Each Tour and chal- The ATP also started 19 shutdown. circuit, which requires events, which earlier Roger Federer represent- lenger event in 2021 re- single-year licenses for A protected ranking players to jet around the slashed their minimum ing the top 10 players, for ceived $10,000 from the tournaments to allow system was also intro- world, was forced into prize money for 2021 to its support. ATP to cover hotel costs more playing opportuni- duced by the ATP on shutdown for five months 50% levels from 2019, will “Our tournaments’ rev- due to additional isolation ties and nine such events Tuesday to allow players in 2020 as countries went now offer 80% and 60% re- enues continue to be se- from COVID-19 positive have been held since the flexibility in their sched- into lockdown and closed spectively until verely impacted by re- tests or close-contact situ- Tour’s resumption in uling amid concerns over their borders to contain Wimbledon, scheduled to strictions on ticket sales, ation so that organisers or August. travelling during the pan- the spread of the novel start at the end of June. and a substantial im- players are protected from The revised system for demic. Ronaldo eyes first Serie A top scorer prize after latest goal landmark

CRISTIANO RONALDO became the first player to score at least 20 goals in the last 12 seasons in a top five European league on Tuesday to continue his charge towards sealing one of the few individual awards left for him to win: Serie A top scorer. The Portuguese forward James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets. guided a composed finish past Spezia goalkeeper Ivan Provedel in a 3-0 Serie A win for the Italian Houston to champions to mark the 600th league appearance of his career in typical fashion. retire Harden’s He has now hit the 20- goal mark in every season since his debut campaign at Real Madrid in 2009- No. 13 jersey 10, with his highest tally coming in 2014-15 when THE Houston Rockets ways be a Rocket,” Fertitta he scored 48 goals in 35 Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their first goal with Weston will retire the No. 13 jer- told the Houston La Liga games for the McKennie and Dejan Kulusevski. sey of former guard James Chronicle. “Of course, we Spanish club. Harden in honor of his will retire his jersey. He The 36-year-old is cur- was denied top spot by the United in 2007-08 and fin- 760th career goal, but the eight successful seasons made my first three years rently two goals clear of sensational form of Lazio’s ished as La Liga top scorer record is much contested with the franchise, owner of owning the franchise Inter Milan’s Romelu Ciro Immobile, who on three separate occa- and global governing body Tilman Fertitta has said. unforgettable. Lukaku at the summit of equalled the single-season sions during his spell with FIFA does not keep an of- Harden was named an “The success he brought the Serie A scoring charts scoring record in Serie A Real Madrid. ficial tally. All-Star in every season this franchise over eight as he targets his first with 36 strikes. He has been Champions Although Ronaldo is en- with the Rockets and years and the memories ‘capocannoniere’ crown in Ronaldo has picked up League top scorer seven joying another prolific sea- holds the franchise he created for our fan Italy. back-to-back league titles times to become the com- son, his team is lagging be- records for three-point base/community [are] Ronaldo scored 21 goals and the 2018-19 Player of petition’s all-time top hind in their bid to claim a field goals made (2,029), truly remarkable.” in his debut season in the Season award since scorer with 134 goals and tenth consecutive Serie A free throws made (5,554) If his jersey is retired, Turin in 2018-19 to finish arriving in Italy, but the won the European Golden title. and assists (4,796). he will join Calvin fourth in the league scor- Serie A top scorer prize re- Shoe four times. Andrea Pirlo’s side are The 2018 MVP was Murphy, Moses Malone, ing charts, five behind top mains unclaimed for now. Ronaldo was hailed as third in the standings, traded to the Brooklyn Hakeem Olajuwon, Rudy scorer Fabio Quagliarella The five-time Ballon the most prolific profes- seven points behind Inter Nets in January after his Tomjanovich, Clyde of Sampdoria. d’Or winner won the sional goalscorer in the in first and three behind relationship with the Drexler and Yao Ming in The following year he Premier League Golden history of the game in second-placed AC Milan Rockets broke down. the rafters of the Toyota found the net 31 times, but Boot with Manchester January after notching his with 14 games left to play. “James Harden will al- Center. 18 • Thursday March 4, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Investigators probe ‘black box’ in car crashed by golfer Tiger Woods THE Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department is downhill stretch of highway that examining data from the “black box” authorities have said was notoriously recorder of the car driven by Tiger Woods dangerous when the luxury SUV veered last week when the champion golfer lost across the opposite lanes, collided with a control of the vehicle and seriously road sign and rolled several times. injured his leg and ankle in a one-car Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex crash. Villanueva said last week that he did not Investigators would not say what they anticipate filing any criminal charges in were looking for, but in the days after connection with the accident. the crash have been trying to determine Sheriff’s deputies responding to the what caused Woods, 45, to lose control of wreck found no indication that Woods the gray Genesis sport utility vehicle. had been under the influence of alcohol “Traffic collision investigators are or drugs and said he was “lucid” following continuing the investigation into the the accident. cause of the collision involving Mr. “This remains an accident and an Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies inspect the vehicle of golfer Tiger Woods, Woods,” Deputy Trina Schrader said in a accident is not a crime,” Villanueva said who was rushed to hospital after suffering multiple injuries, after it was statement emailed to Reuters on at a news briefing. “They do happen, involved in a single-vehicle accident in Los Angeles, California, US February 23, Wednesday. unfortunately.” 2021. “On March 1, 2021, they executed a Woods, celebrated as one of golf’s all- search warrant to retrieve data from the time greats, had to be pried from the succession, taking the US Open, British the record 18 won by Jack Nicklaus. vehicles ‘black box.’ At this time, there is crumpled SUV through the shattered Open and PGA Championship in 2000 However, he has suffered years of no additional information regarding the windshield. and the Masters title in 2001, a feat that injuries and undergone multiple recovered data.” Woods is the only modern professional became known as the “Tiger Slam”. surgeries on his back and knees, limiting Woods was negotiating a curved, to win all four major golf titles in His 15 major titles stand second only to his ability to compete. Liverpool manager concerned about players LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp countries is required to quarantine for FA’s but it is a time where you cannot “We are not 100 per cent sure because says players cannot be allowed to travel ten days. make everybody happy,” said Klopp. it’s not clear as some countries might for March’s international break if they Fifa says clubs can prevent players “The players are paid by the clubs so change the venues where they play. have to quarantine when they return. leaving if they need to quarantine for that means we have to be the first “You always have to wait until the last In the UK at present, anyone five days or more on their return. priority.You cannot make everyone second pretty much because people need returning from coronavirus ‘red list’ “I understand the need of the different happy in this period of our lives. time to make decisions. Ten-man Sheff Utd beat Aston Villa BOTTOM club Sheffield United survived for more than 30 minutes with ten men to claim only the fourth Premier League win of their disappointing season and dent Aston Villa’s European ambitions. David McGoldrick fired his side ahead inside the six-yard area after being picked out by George Baldock following a lovely move that started inside the Blades’ half. Then United defender Phil Jagielka was sent off for a foul on Anwar El Ghazi after referee Robert Jones viewed the incident on a pitchside monitor and changed the yellow card he had initially given him to a red. Villa’s Ollie Watkins headed against the post shortly before Jagielka’s red card but the visitors were unable to take advantage of the 38-year-old former Everton player’s dismissal. The result ended a four-match losing run for Chris Wilder’s spirited side who, despite victory, remain 12 points from safety in the Premier League with 11 matches to play. Villa could have moved three points Aston Villa lost away from home for the first time since January 27. from a Champions League place with a win but were bitterly disappointing. even more impressive given they lost their Bertrand Traore an equaliser as the the table with 19 more points than Villa, Despite his side’s seemingly hopeless most experienced player in the 57th Blades dug deep to win for only the fourth despite this result it will require an position at the foot of the table, Wilder minute. time in the Premier League this season. extraordinary set of circumstances for said before the game his players would not Jagielka sent El Ghazi crashing as he They remained resolute in the closing Sheffield United to stay up. be waving the white flag between now was about to race clear,though it required stages when Villa were desperately At least they showed an appetite for a and the end of a wretched season that has a check on the monitor before the yellow searching for an equaliser,Oliver Norwood fight in spite of their position as Villa produced 21 defeats. card was upgraded to red. throwing himself at Ezri Konsa’s shot joined Manchester United, Newcastle They responded to their manager’s Former England centre-back Jagielka during a frantic finish. United and West Bromwich Albion as the words with a gutsy performance that was had earlier made a superb block to deny Eight months after finishing ninth in sides to lose to the Blades this season. The Barbados Advocate Thursday March 4, 2021 • 19

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Cave Hill Drive, St. Lucy Russia announces 10-year 14,876 sq ft. $110,000

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September that Sotskova eighth at the 2018 3 bedroom plus From $187,681 was set to be handed Pyeongchang Winter 2 bedroom apt 4,790 sq ft a ten-year suspension for Olympics. She announced $685,000 Ragged Point, St. Philip 8,267 sq ft $166,000 having submitted a forged her retirement in July Amity Lodge, Ch Ch document to explain last year. 3 bedroom plus Rolling Hills, St. George 1 bedroom apt 12,000 sq ft 6,646 sq ft $650,000 $310,000 (negotiable) UK sports designated £300m summer Gibbons, Ch Ch Ocean City, St. Philip 3 bedroom plus 6150 sq ft $123,000 2 bedroom apt 9,835 sq ft Fortesque, St Philip rescue package in 2021 Budget $675,000 (reduced) Agricultural Land 494,500 sq ft $1,100,000 ENGLISH cricket is would “help spectator ment’s intention to measures of support open Breezy Hill, St Philip one of several sports sports such as cricket, extend the support to all sectors, in the shape 3 bedroom, 2 bath Silver Sands, to benefit from a tennis and horse racing”. given to winter sports so of extended furlough reduced to $298,000 Christ Church £300m summer sports “We can now look that cricket and other support [and] continued 7,129 sq ft $160,000 recovery package forward to a great sum- summer sports are given business rates relief,” Black Rock, St Michael confirmed in yester- mer of sport” he tweeted. a financial safety net said Huw Edwards, chief 3 bedroom, 1 bath Bushy Park, St. Philip day’s budget. However, gyms and and are able to bid executive of UK Active, 6732 sq ft $360,000 24,000 sq ft $190,000 Culture Secretary swimming pools received as well. who also welcomed the Oliver Dowden said it a “worrying” lack of “Playing behind closed introduction of ‘restart Enterprise, Christ Church Apes Hill, St. James support, according to doors for all of last season grants’ for gyms worth up 3 bedroom, 2 bath 31,000 sq ft upward REAL ESTATE a body representing has already had a severe to 5062 sq ft Large lots at $15 per sq ft the physical activity financial impact on £18 000. Warehouse/Storage $390,000 (reduced) sector. cricket, and that will But he said there was 4000 sf space 23,861 sq ft Mount Wilton, St. Thomas UK Active said meas- continue this year until “no evident reason why $900,000 (reduced) The Belle, St George 15,500 sq ft and 22,066 sq ft ures “fall short”, and put full crowds are able to the VAT reduction has Plantation style House $300,000 and $220,000 Foul Bay, St. Philip indoor facilities’ survival return.” not been extended to Standing on 4 acres Approved for condos, “at great risk, threaten- Last year the ECB said our sector”. $1.1M Union, St. Philip 39,242 sq ft $1,600,000. ing the future health of it feared the pandemic He added: “There 7560 sq ft our nation”. could eventually cost it remain unanswered Frere Pilgrim, $150,000 Dover, Christ Church The organisation says £380m, and announced questions on a number of Christ Church Hotel 18 rooms fully more than 400 gyms, a raft of job cuts. crucial areas, including 3 bedroom, 2 baths with Thorpes, St. James operational $2,950,000 neg pools and leisure centres Asked about funding financial support for two bedroom apartment. 11,376 sq ft with structure under offer have already closed per- for cricket from the back-dated rent, extend- 4,387 sq ft. $850,000 $235,000 manently since being budget package, England ing the moratorium Dalkeith, Christ Church forced to shut as a result captain Joe Root said on commercial evictions, Hanson Heights, St George Cottage, St George 17,371 sq ft approved for of lockdown. yesterday: “If it’s going to and extending the 8321 sq ft $595,000 5000 sq ft benefit the game all public leisure recovery $110,000 (negotiable) shops and offices $495,000 More help for specta- the way down that’s fan- fund. Ealing Grove, tor sports tastic. “Furthermore, our Christ Church Morningside, St Philip Roebuck Street, Distributed with the help “It’s really important members’ facilities have 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths 4567 sq ft $133,000 Bridgetown of Sport England, and we all do everything we been losing £90 million 9320 sq ft $565,000 Jupiter Gardens, St Peter Shopping Mall/Office space made up mostly of loans, can to look after the game revenue a week and have $8,100,000 negotiable the new funding for those from top to bottom.” had zero income over the LOTS FOR SALE 7312 sq ft $133,000 (negotiable) sports most impacted by As part of its support series of lockdowns – Batts Rock, St Michael restrictions on spectator for a possible UK unlike parts of other Boarded Hall, Guest House, 12,078 sq ft attendance follows a and Irish bid for the sectors that have been Christ Church Bagatelle, St. Thomas $2,850,000 negotiable £300m sport ‘winter 2030 World Cup, the provided with bespoke 10,429 sq ft $157,000 62000 sq ft into 2 lots $520,000 each, or survival package’ last government also pledged support in this budget. Cane Garden, St Thomas year. £25 million to build “Our ability to counter Westbury Road, St Michael $1M for both 3.6 acres approved Sports have been forced 700 football pitches and Covid-19 in the long term 2,520 sq ft $45,360 Marley Vale, St Philip Roadfront behind closed doors for an extra £1.2 million will depend on our $1,650,000 negotiable most of the last year, suf- towards the England- collective health im- Goodland Gardens, 21,780 sq ft $275,000 fering severe losses as a hosted Women’s provements. Gyms, pools Christ Church Fitts Village, St James result. Turnstiles will European Champion- and leisure centres are 9,605 sq ft $145,000 Sandford, St Philip 16,356 sq ft $300,000 Guest House, 4 Suites remain closed until May ship, which is set to take integral to that effort, 6,135 sq ft Nursery Road, St Philip 17, when up to 10 000 place in 2022. which makes the lack $750,000 negotiable 9,266 sq ft $139,000 people – or 25% of of bespoke support COMMERCIAL total seated capacity, ‘Worrying lack of sup- so worrying.” Mason Hill Street The City Lashley Road, St Philip whichever is lower – port’ In December a £100 26,500 sq ft with buildings 5,839 sq ft, $150,000 Mount Standfast, St James will be allowed back But those representing million leisure recovery Two properties on $4,000,000 negotiable inside venues. the physical activity sec- fund was announced Salters, St George 22,714 sq ft. An England and Wales tor were left disap- for publicly-owned All enquiries to 2 lots 32,760 sq ft, $230,000 Asking $1,200,000 Cricket Board (ECB) pointed. facilities. Gyms and pools (246) 253 6319/ 828-4800 spokesperson said: “We “It is important to cannot reopen until Black Rock, St. Michael or (246) 247 4469 welcome the govern- acknowledge the broad April 12. 20 • Thursday March 4, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Regular Market BARBADOS STOCK REPORT Security Volume High Low Market Advance/ Price Decline WEST INDIA BISCUIT COMPANY LIMITED 500 $31.25 $31.25 $31.25 $0.20 March 3, 2021

One security advanced as 500 shares traded on the Regular Market, with a total value of $15,625.00. West India Biscuit Company Deposit Security Previous Current Advance/ Limited was the sole security trading 500 shares at $31.25 to close up twenty ($0.20) cents. Close Close Decline EMERA DEPOSIT RECEIPT $19.80 $20.15 $0.35

BARBADOSBARBADOS STSTOCKOCK EXCHANGEEXCHANGE SHARE SUMMARY INFORMATION Wednesday March 3, 2021 INDICES LAST TRADE VOLUME HIGH LOW LAST CURRENT PRICE BID ASK BID ASK TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES DATE CLOSE CLOSE CHANGE PRICE PRICE SIZE SIZE March 3, 2021 March 2, 2021 Local 2,437.98 2,437.30 0.68 ABV Investments Incorporated 15-Oct-20 - - - $0.05 $0.05 - $0.02 $0.30 8,080 10,498 Cross-list 933.43 933.43 - BICO Limited 21-Sep-20 - - - $3.10 $3.10 - $3.10 - 70 - Composite 594.11 593.95 0.16 MARKET CAPITALISATION (in millions) Banks Holdings Limited -+ 09-Dec-19 - - - $4.85 $4.85 - - - - - TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES Barbados Dairy Industries Limited -+ 04-Oct-19 - - - $3.00 $3.00 - - - - - March 3, 2021 March 2, 2021 Local 4,900.53 4,899.16 1.37 Barbados Farms Limited 22-Jan-21 - - - $0.40 $0.40 - $0.35 $0.40 1,000 6,561 Cross-list 119.19 119.19 - Composite 5,019.72 5,018.35 1.37 Cave Shepherd and Company Limited 28-Jan-21 - - - $4.10 $4.10 - $4.00 $4.10 72 1,100 MUTUAL FUND FirstCaribbean International Bank 24-Feb-21 - - - $1.80 $1.80 - - $1.80 - 14,251 March 3, 2021 ENDED NAME OF FUND NAV OFFER BID NAV Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 19-Feb-21 - - - $0.16 $0.16 - - $0.16 - 5,066 CHANGE - Dev Fund 26-Feb-21 REPUBLIC CAPITAL GROWTH FUND w 1.1991 -0.0118 26-Feb-21 REPUBLIC INCOME FUND w 1.2578 -0.0003 Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 26-Feb-21 - - - $0.56 $0.56 - $0.55 $0.57 1,600 1,000 26-Feb-21 REPUBLIC PROPERTY FUND w 0.6720 -0.0003 -Value Fund 26-Feb-21 FORTRESS CARIBBEAN GROWTH FUND w 6.5878 6.5878 6.5878 -0.0718 26-Feb-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - ACC. w 2.0934 -0.0041 Goddard Enterprises Limited 22-Feb-21 - - - $2.10 $2.10 - $2.10 $2.15 17,805 8,856 26-Feb-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - DIST. w 1.0191 -0.0019 31-Jan-21 ROYAL FIDELITY SELECT BALANCED FUND m 5.5698 5.5698 5.4584 -0.0020 Insurance Corporation of B’dos Limited 23-Feb-21 - - - $2.00 $2.00 - $1.78 $2.00 78 22,200 31-Jan-21 ROYAL FIDELITY STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND m 1.0241 1.0241 1.0036 0.0000 31-Jan-21 ROYAL FIDELITY PREMIUM INCOME FUND m 1.6429 1.6429 1.6100 -0.0006 One Caribbean Media Limited 18-Feb-21 - - $1.80 $1.80 - - $2.20 - 1,000 26-Feb-21 SAGICOR GLOBAL BALANCED FUND w 2.75 -0.02 Sagicor Financial Corporation Pref 6.5% 23-Jun-16 - -- $2.26 $2.26 ---- - 26-Feb-21 SAGICOR SELECT GROWTH FUND w 1.67 -0.03 26-Feb-21 SAGICOR PREFERRED INCOME FUND w 0.98 0.00 Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited -+ 29-Nov-19 - - - $2.80 $2.80 - - - - - * Indicates the Fund is currently ex-div NOTES: QUOTATIONS AND NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ARE SUPPLIED BY THE West India Biscuit Company Limited 03-Mar-21 500 $31.25 $31.25 $31.05 $31.25 $0.20 $31.25 - 2,700 - FUND MANAGEMENT. THE OFFERING PRICE INCLUDES NET ASSET VALUE PLUS ENTRY COSTS. Emera Deposit Receipt 14-Aug-20 - - - $19.80 $20.15 $0.35 $30.00 - 50 - m = monthly valuation, q = quarterly valuation, w = weekly

TOTAL SHARES BOUGHT & SOLD 500 Fixed Income Last Trade Last Current Bid Ask Bid Ask Date Close Close Price Price Size Size * = Security is Trading X-Div GOB Series B 02-Mar-21 $60.00 $60.00 - $60.00 - 40,544 GOB Series D 12-Nov-19 $50.00 $50.00 - - - - *+* = Security is Suspended GOB Series F 03-Nov-20 $89.00 $89.00 - - - - ** = Rights Issued GOB Series I 24-Mar-20 $65.00 $65.00 - $70.00 - 19,617 NOTICES NEWS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS Wall Street drops as high FirstCaribbean International Bank - Directors have fixed February 1st, 2021 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which will be held on March 12th, 2021. The meeting can be accessed virtually here: https://web.lumiagm.com/286-507-132. Shareholders who wish to attend the annual meeting must contact FirstCaribbean International Bank by March 10, 2021 at [email protected] to obtain the Meeting ID and Password to join the flying tech stocks retreat meeting. THE Nasdaq ended theme we’ve been seeing in Emera Incorporated - Directors have fixed March 22nd, 2021 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to sharply lower yesterday the past couple of months: receive notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which will be held on May 20th, 2021. after investors sold high- The vaccine rollout is going BICO Limited – Notice is hereby given that the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Annual General Meeting of the shareholders of BICO flying technology shares well and the economy Limited is scheduled to take place on April 13th, 2021 at the Company’s registered address: Harbor Industrial Park, Bridgetown, and pivoted to sectors improving, and that is BB11145 at 5:00 p.m. viewed as more likely to sending yields and rate benefit from an expectations higher, which BSE NOTICES economic recovery on is hurting growth stocks,” COVID-19 PROCEDURAL UPDATE the back of fiscal said Baird investment Kindly note that effective February 26th, 2021, the offices of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) and the Barbados Central stimulus and vaccination strategist Ross Mayfield, in Securities Depository Inc. (BCSDI) remain closed in accordance with the recommendations contained in Directive No. 5 issued by the programmes. Louisville, Kentucky. Government of Barbados for the period March 1st, 2021 to March 14th, 2021. Microsoft Corp, Apple Inc Unofficially, the Dow Kindly note, however, that while our physical offices will be closed, all trading, clearing and settlement operations will remain fully and Amazon.com Inc Jones Industrial Average fell operational as staff will all be working remotely during this period. While our offices are closed, we remain easily accessible via email. dropped, weighing more 119.08 points, or 0.38%, to For Stock Exchange related queries, kindly email us at [email protected] and for Shareholder related queries contact us at than any other stocks on the 31,272.44, the S&P 500 lost [email protected]. S&P 500. 50.46 points, or 1.30%, to We wish to thank you in advance for your understanding and trust that all and sundry remain safe during this time. The S&P 500 financial 3,819.83 and the Nasdaq and industrial sector Composite dropped 361.04 TRADING SUSPENSION indexes reached intra-day points, or 2.7%, to 12,997.75. The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section 4.01.3 and subject to Section record highs. Most other The US economic recovery 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the Common Shares of Banks Holdings Limited were S&P 500 sectors declined. continued at a modest pace suspended effective December 10th, 2019. The Russell 1000 value over the first weeks of this The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section 4.01.3 and subject to Section index, which leans heavily year, with businesses 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the Common Shares of Barbados Dairy Industries Limited on economy-linked sectors, optimistic about the months were suspended effective December 10th, 2019. edged up, while its growth to come and demand for The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that to facilitate the closing of the Scheme of Arrangement effected by way index, comprising large tech housing “robust,” but only of Section 99 of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda involving the transfer of all the issued and outstanding shares in Sagicor companies, lost ground. slow improvement in the job Financial Corporation Limited to Alignvest Acquisition II, it has suspended trading in the security Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited. “Today is the perfect market, the Federal Reserve encapsulation of the big reported. The Barbados Advocate Thursday March 4, 2021 • 21 Vettel ‘excited’ as Aston Martin launch 2021 Formula 1 car SEBASTIAN VETTEL says drivers of all time, said he had he is “at peace” with his poor nothing to prove after his disap- season at Ferrari last year pointing final two years at and “excited” about starting Ferrari, in which he was out-per- work with his new Aston formed by team-mate Charles Martin team. Leclerc. And he said he was con- The four-time champion said fident he was still capable of win- he had “high expectations” as the ning another championship if he Aston Martin name returns to has a car capable of it. F1 for the first time in 60 years. “It’s not a secret that at stages Vettel said, “I am not happy last year I was not at my happi- with last year in terms of est,” Vettel said. “This year I am Vettel has won four world titles in F1 with Red Bull. performance – partly my per- very much looking forwards. formance – but I accepted it. “Things are a bit different but as Force India from admin- arrive tomorrow.If we do, I don’t to spend their two tokens on top “There are things that didn’t from what I have seen the istration in 2018 and renamed think anybody minds. But it is of the suspension change, and go well, but I am looking forward people are very capable and tal- it Racing Point. not going to be that easy.” have chosen to update their car’s to this year.” ented and it is the first time for The 61-year-old last year took The Aston Martin car bears a monocoque. As such, their car Vettel, who learned he was to the last few years that they are over the historic but struggling strong resemblance to a arguably has the potential to be be dropped by Ferrari before last getting the oxygen to breathe.” Aston Martin sports car Mercedes – as the 2020 Racing a bigger change from 2020’s de- season even started, said That remark is a reference to company and decided to rename Point did. It features the 2020 sign than any other on the grid. Mercedes “had to be the the increased budget the team his F1 team after the brand to Mercedes gearbox and rear sus- Green said the team were favourites” for 2021 and that has been afforded under owner promote it around the world. pension, which Aston Martin buy confident they would be able to Aston Martin – formerly known Lawrence Stroll, as well as the from the world champions in give Vettel a car that had as Racing Point – had an fact that a budget cap has been What’s the car like? addition to their engine and use handling characteristics that “unofficial, or maybe official tar- introduced into F1 for the first Technical director Andrew Green of their wind tunnel. enabled him to perform at get” of finishing third. time this season. and team principal Otmar This suspension was regarded his best. They were pipped by McLaren The new car was unveiled Szafnauer said they believed it as a major development step for He added that he believed the to that position at the final race online with contributions from would take between 3-5 years to Mercedes last year because of team’s new car, which is sched- of last season. celebrities such as James Bond build the team into title con- the amount of potential aerody- uled to run for the first time in a actor Daniel Craig and NFL tenders. namic downforce it unlocks, short test at Silverstone today, A champion moves on star Tom Brady. Vettel said, “It is a journey and could prove to be the same with both drivers taking a Vettel, winner of 53 grands prix Canadian billionaire Stroll everyone is excited to embark on for Aston. chance at the wheel, was “a and one of the most successful F1 rescued what was then known but we are not expecting to Aston Martin have been able solid foundation to work off”. 22 • Thursday March 4, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Promoter: Fury versus Joshua fight agreed

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Tyson Fury have agreed to a world title unification fight, says promoter Bob Arum. The all-British bout between 32-year- old WBC champion Fury and Joshua, 31 – who holds the IBF, WBO and WBA titles – will see all four belts contested in a heavyweight fight for the first time. After Joshua beat Kubrat Pulev in December, his promoter Eddie Hearn said the fight could be sorted in two days. Fury’s promoter Arum told iFL TV that “all the points” have now been agreed. Fury (right) said last week a fight with Joshua was no closer to being agreed. When asked if the fight was on, the American promoter said, “Yeah, as far “But I can say clearly, based on my after Fury himself said the bout was no Covid-19], I don’t think it has got much as I am concerned. view on everything, that there are no closer to being arranged. to do with the fighters,” he told ESPN. “That’s what each side has said. Now, more issues.” Fury said the pandemic and logistics “It’s to do with the venue, date, place, we are scrambling around to get the No date or venue has been confirmed, were to blame for the delay. site fees. It’s to do with everything but thing signed and everything. and Arum’s update comes just a week “The way it is at the moment [with the fight itself.” The Barbados Advocate Thursday March 4, 2021 •23

P R O HOROSCOPES S A ARIES (March 21-April 19). Set limits. Refuse to let N anyone take advantage of your generous nature. You're D determined to get ahead with projects that have set deadlines. When others see how energetically you are C approaching your work, they may see this as an op- O portunity to persuade you to carry out some of their N obligations. Remind them they have a role to play too. S TAURUS (April 20-May 20).After an impulsive de- cision, you should not spend the rest of the day regret- ting or worrying that you've done the wrong thing. Generally you are careful and cautious and you pre- fer not to rush into anything. If something has in- spired you to take a risk, there's a strong chance you've made a right move. So all that worrying will have been over nothing. Z GEMINI (May 21-June 21). A cautious friend will I be quick to remind you of your sometimes impulsive T approach to life. Although there's an air of determina- S tion about you now and this is coupled with masses of common sense. It might not look like it to others but you are thinking before acting and this should lead to a productive and satisfying day. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Arelationship will get intimate very quickly. Before you go any further, there's a pressing need for you to explore your feelings. You don't want to make a wrong decision but you in- tuitively feel this partnership is right for you. Maybe R you should trust your intuition and give it all you've E got. X LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're more relaxed than you have been of late. You are happy to bend a little in mat- M ters where in the past you have been stubbornly insis- O tent on sticking to your own views and ideas. It will R feel good to give in to the more spontaneous side of G your nature and those around you will appreciate this A too. N VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There is no way you are ever going to believe some gossip you hear. Even so you can't help wondering who started a ridiculous ru- mour in the first place. If you really want to know, a few phone calls will reveal the culprit. You might use your innate wisdom and practicality to deal with the situation. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Make a point of curbing P over indulgence. Keep a close eye on your spending. H Hobbies, fun interests and other activities you do for A pleasure are getting expensive. Unless you are sensi- N ble from the start, you may not notice how much you T have spent until it is too late to do anything about it. O SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Responsibilities are M rapidly increasing. If you aren't feeling as good as you could and should be, you need to start taking your well- being into consideration. There's nothing wrong with saying no if you already have enough on your plate. Don't take on any more than you have to. Look after your health. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Travel will be a great way of meeting interesting people and seeing fas- M cinating places even if you have to wait a while before A setting off on a journey. New arrangements make your R future look exciting. Are you single? Aloving relation- Y ship will start to blossom. Joint plans under discussion could lead to some exciting new experiences. W CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If you aren't clear O about the treatment of a minor health problem, con- R sult a professional before taking any medication. It is T not a good idea to take chances. Look into the pros and cons of taking out a new insurance or pension policy. H If you delay in dealing with needed repairs about the house, your problems will be magnified. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It might feel as if you are the one who is making all the effort to keep things M peaceful. Someone who is in a cranky frame of mind O will cause tension and conflict unless you can use T your charm to talk them into making the best of a dif- H ficult situation. You should be proud of yourself for E keeping some thoughts to yourself. R PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). If you weather the storm that is currently sweeping through your life, G family and work relationships will grow stronger. You O can sometimes be oversensitive and easily upset. An O emotional outburst might be regretted and if apologies S are in order, make them now. The longer you leave it E the harder it will get to admit to a mistake. Ronaldo eyes first Serie A top scorer prize

Page 17

Thursday March 4, 2021 USE VISION BOARDS

By Cara L. Jean-Baptiste the Bridgetown Church of portant for persons to be spe- as it played a role in clarifying create a timeline. Christ, Dr. Jennifer Ford, cific about their visions, gather your head of the thoughts and “The creation of a timeline is DURING this time of ex- Counseling and Educational positive images and engage desires that were not a part of important, you don’t need to tended lockdown or pause, a Psychologist, President of the with their boards every day and you. focus on all of your goals at once, few persons have expressed Barbados Society of added that this process was per- Amanda Kellman, registered because obviously if you focus that they would have lost Psychologists, said that the cre- fect for helping persons identify clinical psychologist, member- on so many things it’s going to motivation or sight of vision ation of a vision board could their goals and understanding ship Chair of the Barbados be hard to actually achieve for their lives due to the help someone who was feeling exactly what they wanted from Society of Psychologists, high- them, so you want to establish a overwhelming realities of restless and unmotivated dur- life. lighted that, ideally, persons proper timeline for those things today and it is against this ing these times. She said that vision boards had multiple goals that they and break down the bigger backdrop that one psychol- She outlined a few steps for were not only powerful tools for wished to accomplish and there- goals into smaller goal because ogist is encouraging the use persons to follow in order to cre- solidifying dreams and turning fore they would become over- you may realise that there is of vision boards. ate their own powerful vision them into reality,but noted that whelmed. some overlap between things Speaking during a recent vir- boards. the creation of the board was It is against this backdrop that you need to achieve a vi- tual Women’s event hosted by Dr. Ford stated that it was im- almost a therapeutic experience that she encouraged persons to sion,” she said. A vaccination story: Second try a success AFTER having an experience “After the hour wait, another that he could only describe as policeman came on a bike and horrific, one local man is feeling went up the road and another a bit more comfortable after fi- hour after, he got off his bike nally having his 79-year-old and started going from car to mother vaccinated. car. As he went from car to car, He had first attempted to do some of them were turning so through the Government’s around and leaving,” he said, ex- mass inoculation programme plaining that they were sending just over a week ago. Making away persons without appoint- his way to the satellite vaccina- ments. tion centre at the West Terrace “And that continued until it Primary School after being is- got to me and that was close to sued with an appointment, a 40 cars that were ahead of me. six-hour ordeal ended with him Almost all of the cars, except for abandoning his attempt due to about four of them had to turn failures in the system. around. So that meant all of However, after having his those people were in the line story published in this paper, he and did not have an appoint- was assigned another appoint- ment at that point in time.” ment for his mother at the drive- Upon reaching the first sta- through centre at the Globe tion, he was asked to present Drive-In. Reaching out to The proof of his appointment and Barbados Advocate once again, from there, things moved much he gave an account of his most smoother.Being presented with recent experience. the vaccination card to input his Noting that his appointment mother’s information, he re- was set for 1:30 p.m. this past vealed that he was dealt with by Friday, he arrived at 12:30 p.m. Co-Coordinator of the National to find a line reaching to the en- COVID-19 Vaccination pro- trance of the road which leads to gramme, Dr. Elizabeth the facility. Revealing that he Ferdinand. had reached a third of the way After having the shot admin- up the road by the time his allot- istered and the 15-minute wait ted time had rolled around, he in the designated parking area, stated that the line continued he said that he was informed to grow. that the information for the sec- Highlighting that there were ond dose would be sent via e- members of the Royal Barbados mail and they were cleared to Police Force on-hand to regulate leave with just under 45 min- the flow of traffic, he went on to utes elapsing from the time he say that another officer arrived received the card until the time and cleared things up. they left. (MP) The vaccination centre at the Globe Drive-In continues to be heavily patronised.

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