Established October 1895 Grab opportunities for vocational training Page 4

Saturday October 24, 2020 $1 VAT Inclusive SHOW SUPPORT INSURANCE and Financial Advisors are being urged to Insurance, financial advisors told to step up and assist customers navigate these uncertain help customers during COVID crisis times. “We have a job to look after “You have to support your cus- He was at the time addressing our customers and throughout tomers; guide your customers; the installation ceremony of this COVID experience, it is listen to your customers – make BARAIFA’s Board of Directors going to call on all of us to stick solid recommendations to your for the year 2020-2021, during close to them,” Former President customers. Transition your cus- the Regular General Meeting at Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, of the Barbados Association of tomers from customers to clients the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Santia Bradshaw. Insurance and Financial – bring them in so that they be- Centre (LESC), yesterday. Advisors (BARAIFA), Gay come the persons to lead this Griffith stressed. country.” CUSTOMERS on Page 3 Gov’t seeking to collaborate, chart new vision for education AS Barbados charts its new vi- century skills, a need that has sion for education and as the been recognised by many Ross University School of governments and which has Medicine (RUSM) embarks on prompted them to make varying its new strategic direction, it is adjustments to their education hoped that there can be greater systems. Based on the identi- levels of collaboration, leading fied need to shift away from a to improved student outcomes strict focus on content accumu- for Barbadian students and lation to one of skills develop- those of the RUSM community. ment; curriculum, pedagogy Minister of Education, and assessment are the most Technological and Vocational heavily impacted areas,” the Training, Santia Bradshaw re- Education Minister further cently suggested the above, commented. whilst delivering an address as She added, “This retreat’s a special guest at the opening of focus on ideas and themes to the two-day Ross University transform the RUSM curricu- School of Medicine Strategic lum as it tackles issues related Planning Retreat, held virtually. to the three planning pillars – “This retreat, which is geared Academic Learning towards charting a new 21st Environment, Educational century strategic direction for Excellence and Sustainability – Ross University School of is a major step in navigating our Medicine is very timely,as it co- changing societies.” incides with a time period in Bradshaw went on to state which Barbados is charting a that in this age of information or new vision for education,” knowledge economy, a broader Bradshaw remarked. suite of skills for learning, work “It is interesting to note that and life are required. Thus, in embarking on this new shifts in skills, away from the strategic direction, RUSM has narrow focus on literacy and nu- chosen to focus on aligning its meracy and towards a broader mission and goals with the set of skills, are needed to navi- needs of the 21st century. gate our changing societies. Former President of the Barbados Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Implicit in this strategic direc- (BARAIFA), Gay Griffith. tion is the need to focus on 21st EDUCATION on Page 6 2 • Saturday October 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

Sagicor continues to showcase its commitment to the fight against breast cancer THE COVID-19 pandemic were made available to staff has had a significant im- and the public for a minimum pact on the lives and activ- donation of $Bds$12.Total pro- ities of individuals and ceeds from these donations will companies throughout be presented to the Barbados 2020, however, it has not Cancer Society to provide much gotten in the way of needed financial support to the Sagicor’s efforts to fight Breast Screening Programme, against the deadly disease which has seen a decline in that is Breast Cancer. funding this year due to the im- During the month of October, pact of COVID-19. recognised internationally as Vice President – Marketing, Breast Cancer Awareness Communications & Brand month, the leading insurance Experience, Ingrid Card, said and financial institution yet “we remain committed to again found creative ways to spreading the message of raise awareness about this non- screening and early detection, The public is invited to visit the Sagicor General Insurance or Sagicor Life Inc. Customer communicable disease that af- whilst doing what we can to en- Service Centres at Haggatt Hall and Collymore Rock respectively, to make a donation to fects so many in Barbados and sure that the lifesaving service receive a special edition mask. the Caribbean, in addition to offered at the Barbados Cancer utilizing the current health and Society continues to get the fi- and we are committed to doing Hall respectively,to make their “Stop and Get Tested”. safety protocols to help raise nancial support it needs to op- the same again this year,” donation before the end of the “Last year, a number of these funds to assist the Breast erate, especially at a time when added Card. month and receive one of the establishments were gracious Screening Programme of the funding from other sources has Individuals wishing to join in special edition masks. enough to allow us to decorate Barbados Cancer Society. been reduced.” the fight against Breast Cancer Sagicor also erected signage their properties with messages Sagicor designed and pro- “Last year we were able to can do so by visiting the cus- at its offices, Sheraton Centre, about the importance of early duced face masks carrying the raise a considerable sum of tomer service centres of Sagicor Lanterns Mall, Sky Mall and detection, and we are ex- message “Fighting More Than money to finance screening for Life Inc and Sagicor General Dome Mall, each promoting the tremely thankful that they’ve COVID. Support The Fight dozens of individuals who could Insurance, located at importance of early detection granted us permission once Against Breast Cancer”, which not afford to pay for the service, Collymore Rock and Haggatt and encouraging Barbadians to again,” said Card.

Erected at Sheraton Centre, Lanterns Mall, Sagicor Whether at Sheraton Centre, Sky Mall, or its own offices, Sagicor is keen to remind the Collymore and Dome Mall, these signs encourage the public public of the importance of early detection. to “Stop and Get Tested”.

The Barbados Advocate Saturday October 24, 2020 • 3

Barbados pushing past challenges in effort to attract tourists from UK JUST days after the ful of travel agents and egance at the recently sold work very closely with us and that Barbados was because that helps us to United States of members of the media Villa Tamarindo on the to explain what this proto- committed to operating its keep you safe, that we are America’s Centres for from the United West Coast. col process is – how simple number-one business in a very proud that we are still Disease Control and Kingdom, who came in The visitors are staying it is, and to help us to safe manner for all.“Going that country where there Prevention (CDC) on the inaugural between Cobblers Cove, translate that message to forward, this is not an easy is no local transmission placed Barbados on British Airways Coral Reef and The Sands, all would-be travellers in time. It is challenging for and no community spread, their Level 3 High Risk Heathrow FAM Trip. and Barbados Tourism the United Kingdom and everyone around the world and as long as we have list, the island is broad- With the brand new Marketing Inc. Director for Ireland,” she said. and we’re watching people that double-testing in casting its vote of confi- Boeing-777 landing in the United Kingdom Calling what the island navigate. And we want to Barbados three days prior dence in itself as it con- Barbados on Saturday for Cheryl Carter said that was offering at this time make sure that as we work to arrival. Once you arrive tinues to trawl its tradi- the first time in 15 years she was sure that the ex- ‘Safe travel to a safe desti- with all of you in the tour you have that quarantine tional source markets from the major UK hub, posure to be gained from nation for a safe vacation’, industry and the media, and that helps to keep you by advocating safe and the delegation has been this initiative would pay Minister of Tourism and that we send the message safe and helps to guaran- easy travel during the enjoying what the island dividends for Barbados. “I International Transport that Barbados is open for tee that you’re going to COVID-19 pandemic. has to offer and on have no doubt in my mind Lisa Cummins noted that business and it is open for enjoy your vacation here The island is currently Wednesday evening were that they will all be back the global situation called business safely, that we with us,” Minister playing host to a hand- treated to an evening of el- and that they are going to for evolutionary thinking are enforcing the protocols Cummins said. (MP)

New Board: The Barbados Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (BARAIFA) Board of Directors for the year 2020-2021 was installed during the Regular General Meeting, at Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC), yesterday. Facilitating generational wealth is key CUSTOMERS from surance; that we get per- final expenses – our burial erate wealth in families.” Cummins; Tennycia Gill; essential. But where are Page 1 sons to purchase insur- and at the same time we Griffith congratulated Amado Marcano; and we now,we are in a differ- ance. Even more insur- leave enough wealth that the new Board of John Wilson. ent place and our value Griffith went on to insist ance than they need, so the generation after us Directors led by President, “There is no Executive systems are all different that as Advisors they that when they pass away, can be able to live well and Tyrone Lowe; 1st Vice- in the history of BARAIFA as we work our way must ensure that cus- they are able to leave more then continue that tradi- President,Andrew Mason; that has had to deal with through this maze.” tomers have adequate in- for their families. tion – and that is what in- 2nd Vice-President, COVID-19.This pandemic “And this Association is surance coverage, which “For example, my par- surance offers,” he main- Wilton Gale; Immediate has changed a lot of things being led by ladies and can serve as a “safety net” ents passed away and I tained. Past President, Kweku and it has given us a dif- gentlemen who have for families in the event of had to foot the entire bill. “So, I am saying to you Reid; Honorary Secretary, ferent perspective of life,” made the decision to come death. Their parents passed in spite of all of the chal- Rosemary Blenman; he pointed out. forward … And I am ask- “It is incumbent upon away and they had to foot lenges that are existing in Assistant Secretary “Things that were ing you to give them your all of us if we really want the bill. We have to make our communities right Michelle Fiddler-Ward; deemed as important are support; I am asking you to see the generational sure that when we pass now, this job is still a fan- Treasurer, Trevor Mapp; no longer important, and to let us work with them,” change, that we have in- away, that we leave tastic job and a wonderful and Directors Sandra things that were deemed he further stressed. surance; that we sell in- enough to take care of our opportunity for us to gen- Bascombe – Howell; Deon as essential are no longer (TL) 4• Saturday October 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

PdP’s Walrond committed to taking care of people first ONE political candidate in the up- the critical challenges in the con- coming St. George North by-election stituency include poverty and hardship. is committing to taking care of the He explained that several persons are people of his constituency. unable to feed themselves, pay their The People's Party for Democracy and mortgages and loans. Development (PdP) political candidate “I know (someone) who has lost their for St. George North, David Walrond vis- car, I have people on welfare whose wel- ited the National Housing Corporation fare has been cut,” said Walrond. (NHC) around 11:15 am to pay his de- He commented that they can look at posit of $250 to the treasury on roads and other issues, but what is most People’s Party for Democracy and Development candidate for St. George Thursday. important is for people to stay alive and North, David Walrond (left) makes his payment of $250 on Thursday at the During a brief interview with the local be healthy. As a farmer, he intends to Treasury office at the National Housing Corporation (NHC) on Thursday. media, Walrond revealed that some of carry agriculture to the next level. Walrond pointed out that in the past when Barbados was in a position to feed itself, Barbadians were healthier peo- Franklyn: UWU seeing increase ple. “We have a lot of cases of cancer, heart disease and kidney issues. I think a lot of that is to do with the fact that we are in union application requests consuming stuff or consuming food we don't know how it is produced, how it is LEADER of the Unity Workers’ Union have any further confidence in Moore. “We have a lot of snake oil salesmen cured, how it is prepared, nothing. The (UWU), Caswell Franklyn disclosed that He also commented about the state of who rush to go out there and they are need to move back to agriculture is not there is a high demand for UWU mem- modern politics and noted there is a need seeking to make their own living,” said only a need to reduce the import bill, but bership application forms. for change. Franklyn. it is a need to move our health back to a The trade unionist told the local media “We have to move to a higher level in Franklyn spoke to the media after his place that it needs to be,” Walrond said. on Thursday he was about to run out of politics.We have to get away from this colleague, fellow People’s Party for The teacher, businessman and Justice forms as Barbados Workers’ Union nonsense of a two party system because Democracy and Development (PdP) of The Peace said he became a member (BWU) members have expressed an in- all they have been doing is putting more member and St. George North candidate, of the party two years ago. terest in joining Unity Workers’ Union. debt on my grandchildren…” said David Walrond paid his deposit at the In his initial remarks, he vowed to rep- Franklyn explained that BWU mem- Franklyn. Treasury.Franklyn was responding to resent the rural community and address bers are angry about the performance of He added that the current political par- questions from the media about the re- the emerging social issues. On the mat- BWU’s General Secretary Toni Moore ties have the ability to win campaigns but cent comments made by members of the ter of the debate, he indicated that he over the years. He said that he was ap- not the ability to manage after they have Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and other would reserve his comments at this proached by BWU members who do not won. political parties in the news. time. Sutherland: Focus is ‘Grab opportunities for finding jobs for youth vocational training’ OUTGOING Barbados Labour Party very important and the Barbados Labour THE Barbados Labour Party govern- cakes. Every single cohort, is 200 stu- (BLP) representative for St. George Party is providing opportunity for young ment is committed to ensuring youth in dents every three months who have left North Gline Clarke wants to see more people to train. We have provided oppor- this island are gainfully employed. school…because we believe that no young people involved in vocational tunities for you young people of this con- This was the message from Minister of young person in this country should be training. stituency to get back into some form of Community Empowerment, Youth and left behind and we have several pro- Addressing the BLP’s election meet- training,” he noted. Sports Dwight Sutherland, while speak- grams within the Ministry of Youth, ing at Roach Village on Thursday night, Clarke who will soon be leaving the is- ing on the election platform at Roach Sports and Community Empowerment he insisted that learning a skill was noth- land to take up the post of Barbados’ Village on Thursday night. to ensure that young people are given ing to be looked down upon, while sug- High Commissioner to Canada also He highlighted the numbers that have the opportunity,” the Campaign Manager gesting that many such persons continue urged those residents experiencing con- already gone through the Barbados said. to work and collect pay cheques even in stant low water flows or outages to re- Youth Advanced Corps as an example of Sutherland, who is the MP for St. this time of the Covid pandemic. main patient with the government as it the administration’s focus on equipping George South highlighted that in recent He pointed to several areas the BLP seeks to address those issues. young people with the skills necessary to years, those jobs making significant had been providing training in to help the “The Barbados Water Authority is try- find jobs or create entrepreneurial busi- amounts of money were not the tradi- youth of this island build and stressed ing to fix that. As we dig more wells and nesses. tional ones of lawyers and doctors and as that an earlier start was better. open up the service for you, we will con- “We have taken these young people such government was pushing new fron- “We believe that a child at 15 or 16 tinue to get water as in the past,” he and took them to Barbados Youth tiers including those within the renew- should be in school training, doing car- added. Advanced Corps to give them lifelong able energy sector. pentry,masonry,dressmaking, plumbing Clarke said that with a number of pit skills, whether it is teaching them craft, “We have a vision as a government to whatever education they can do, even if toilets across the parish, it was neces- whether it is teaching them maths or keep 1,000 jobs for young people in the you are training to be a sportsman, you sary to ensure that these were eradi- whether it is teaching them to bake country,” he stressed. (JMB) have to go back and learn. Trades are cated through a relevant program. (JMB)

The Barbados Advocate Saturday October 24, 2020 • 5

Rewarding excellence KYA KNIGHT and policy as well as consumer Jamal Moseley of the protection,” Justice Deighton Griffith Blackman said. Secondary School have The competition was been recognised for opened to two categories their commendable of students – 12 to 15 submissions to the years and 16 to 19 years. CARICOM Fifty essays were received Competition from 12 Caribbean coun- Commission (CCC) in- tries with the winner in augural Regional the 12 to 15 category com- Secondary School ing from Basseterre High Essay Writing School in St. Kitts and the Competition. winner in the older group, Although not the win- a student of Jamaica ners, the quality of their College. essays on the topic “How Justice Blackman ex- does consumer protection pressed that the quality of law benefit me and my re- the essays received have gion”, could not go unno- been encouraging as there ticed. is an awareness of the Therefore, representa- competition and consumer tives from the CCC and protection laws and policy the Fair Trading from the entrants. Commission (FTC), which “I am very pleased to be included CCC Chairman part of this function to Justice Christopher recognise the achievement From left: Chairman of the Fair Trading Commission (FTC), Mrs. Tammy Bryan, presented Kya Knight Blackman; FTC of the two pupils, Jamal with her prize; and Jamal Moseley received his prize from Chairman of the CARICOM Competition Chairman, Mrs. Tammy Moseley and Kya Knight Commission (CCC), Justice Christopher Blackman. Bryan; and FTC CEO, who were commended for Mrs. Sandra Sealy visited the quality of their essays, funding of some of the children. itive markets in the region You have done us the Kingsland, Christ in the 12 to 15 age group. prizes and the provision of “Because often times we and I look forward to our proud…I hope that your Church campus to present On behalf of the CCC, I a judge to mark the es- forget that public aware- continued collaborations.” writings have inspired the students with special warmly and publicly con- says. ness and education starts “To the Principal Major your peers at all schools prizes, recently. gratulate the students on The FTC Chairman con- with them,” she empha- Michael Boyce, the across Barbados to ex- “The main objective of their achievement.” gratulated Knight and sised. Deighton Griffith School plore more closely, the the competition was to He also took the oppor- Moseley, as well as the “The FTC is fully com- family and to Kya and principles of competition sensitise youth across the tunity to thank the FTC CCC on the successful mitted to assisting the Jamal in particular, con- law and consumer protec- region on the importance for their support, which staging of the essay com- CCC and promoting the gratulations once again tion,” Mrs. Bryan further of competition law and included providing the petition to engage school virtues of fair and compet- for your achievements. expressed. (TL) DePeiza: DLP running Getting tourism back on strong footing a clean campaign TOURISM’S restart vestment in systems that new International Code needs three main ingre- support safe travel, in- for the Protection of THE Democratic Labour one to vote, by dishing do, but we are on our dients according to the cluding testing on depar- Tourists, which will be the Party stands by Floyd out money or other hand way and we are willing, World Tourism ture, and to sustain and first legal framework to Reifer, the party’s candi- outs. ready and able to repre- Organisation’s support businesses and protect tourists’ rights as date for the upcoming “The determination of sent the people of St. (UNWTO). jobs. If we fail to address consumers, harmonise by-election in St. George the Reifers to run a clean George North” DePeiza These include: consis- these three priorities, we minimum standards North and his family, in campaign, runs parallel, stated. tent and harmonised will fail to restart across different countries their decision to run a if not completely on top of She added, “In Floyd, travel protocols, enhanced tourism, and so fail to and ensure the fair distri- clean election campaign. the philosophy of the we have found someone safety measures and the save millions of liveli- bution of responsibility to President of the Democratic Labour who meets all of the protection of jobs and hoods,” he said. tourists affecting by the Democratic Labour Party, going forward. It ideals, ticks all of the livelihoods, which were This call for coordina- pandemic among stake- Party, Verla DePeiza must be a clean cam- boxes. We are happy to highlighted during the tion was echoed by a di- holders across the sector. pointed out the above, as paign. We remind each stand behind him, as our Sixth meeting of the verse range of voices from A technical committee Reifer who was joined by other every time we are candidate, fronting for UNWTO Global Tourism the top level of politics of for the creation of the his wife Amanda made it speaking in public, that the Democratic Labour Crisis recently. all global regions, from Code is being set up and clear that they will be we have to uphold certain Party to return us to the Stressing that with Chile to Spain, Egypt to will meet before the end of keeping their campaign standards.We are very thoughts and the minds many millions of liveli- Malaysia. the month. Alongside this, clean, during a virtual clear that we are not buy- and the imaginations of hoods were at stake, in- The UNWTO further UNWTO is working to Community Link Up se- ing a single vote in this the people of Barbados, action is not an option, emphasised that recovery protect jobs and help ries held on Wednesday election. We are going that we can again be seen UNWTO Secretary- policies must be people- workers affected by the night, as part of Floyd’s forward on a strong as the part of the people.” General Zurab focused, highlighting that pandemic find new oppor- Batting with Reifer platform and we are con- “This what we are Pololikashvili said the restoring consumer trust tunities. Addressing the campaign. Verla sug- victed in relation to pushing with Floyd. The rapid and sustainable re- and coherent and stan- Committee Kamal gested that unlike the what we are presenting policies must touch and covery of tourism is essen- dardized international Ahluwaila of tech com- Barbados Labour Party, and therefore, we are concern people and this tial. protocols are mutually re- pany Eightfold.ai out- they will not be run- getting that positive is the platform that we “Strong coordination is inforcing and critical for lined the new Jobs ning a “flamboyant cam- feedback coming toward will present, a quality needed to accelerate the the return of tourism. Factory portal, launched paign”. She also pointed us and people are platform to the people of lifting of travel restric- The Crisis Committee with UNTWO in order to out that they will not be feeling the change. St. George North,” tions in a safe and timely meeting saw UNWTO an- unite jobseekers with em- trying to influence any- We have a lot more to DePeiza said. (RSM) manner, to increase in- nounce plans for a ployers.

6 • Saturday October 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

Concerns raised

MINISTER of Energy, a bus, a private car can do this regard, the Ministry Small Business and that... We have to use gas of Public Works is. But I Entrepreneurship, all the time and still have have previously, when I Kerrie Symmonds has to pay road tax. I think the was in tourism, tried to committed to taking Government has to review bring them together, all the concerns of taxi op- that,” he insisted. parties, because we have erators, regarding the His comments came as to have this conversation added burden placed he explained that the dou- on what fares are in on them through the ble dip into their finances Barbados and how they payment of road tax, to was especially hard since work fairly for everybody,” Prime Minister Mia the onset of the pandemic. he maintained. Amor Mottley. “What little fare we get, The Minister made the Symmonds gave the as- we got to put back in gas. point while noting that surance yesterday morn- What money you’re get- drivers charge different ing during a meeting at ting you got to buy some- rates from different areas. the Lloyd Erskine thing to eat, you got to put “If I leave the airport in Sandiford Centre, where in gas and then you still an airport taxi to go down over 200 taxi operators have to deal with the to Bridgetown by the Minister of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerrie Symmonds gathered to hear about a maintenance of the vehi- Bridgetown Port, I am in conversation with the developers of pickUP, David Hamel-Smith and new business opportunity cle. So I think this is some- going to pay $60. If I leave James Hamel-Smith, before the start of the meeting. through an app developed thing that needs to be the Bridgetown Port and I by brothers David and looked at when it comes to coming up to the airport in James Hamel-Smith, us paying road tax,” Layne a taxi that I get from down dubbed pickUP. stated. by the Bridgetown Port, I Taxi operators hope PickUP The matter was raised Acknowledging Layne’s am going to pay nearly by one operator, Andre concern, Minister $100. I don’t feel that is will boost business Layne, who called for the Symmonds said that he fair and what is worse is Government to review the well understands the that until we get those SUPPORT from “duty” to try to empower you – is just value added. situation, noting that they point he was making, that things right and have con- Back Page and facilitate the develop- Nobody is asking you to are still required to pay they were “taking a lash at sistency across the board, With that in mind, ment of all sectors of busi- pay anything, to sign on road tax, while also paying the pump”. then we leave people feel- Symmonds said his min- ness in Barbados. to anything, these are not the additional cost on fuel, “The sector legitimately ing that wunna so juking istry is committed to “The challenges facing your new employers – which was introduced has to have a little help. I out somebody eye. It is un- working with the taxi op- this sector now are sus- nothing like that.What we when road tax on private get that,” he stated. fair to you collectively un- erators and the develop- tainability of this sector, are saying to you is be- vehicles was abolished. Symmonds told those less we fix it,” he stated. ers of pickUP, to support when there are no tourists come part of a group, “We go to the gas station gathered that the matter He admitted that this business development, in Barbados, or no signifi- hopefully a wide group of more than any private car of taxi fares is one that has problem has existed for business continuity and cant amount of them, taxi operators who will be and I think honestly we to be addressed as well. years, but noted it only sustainability. The these folks still have to able to move around this should not be paying road “Government is going, causes confusion for con- Minister added that he be- live. It is an opportunity country, taking business tax... The thing about us in my view,to have to have sumers and as the lieves that the now for Barbadians to opportunities from as taxi drivers, we cannot a conversation with you providers of the service, Government has to be in- help keep Barbadian busi- Barbadians and visitors to go and put down our car all. I can’t have it because the taxi operators get a volved in partnerships of nessmen in business and our shores,” he stated. and say ok, we gine catch I am not the regulatory in bad name. (JRT) this nature, as they have a the benefit – as I say to (JRT) Temporary Closure of Weymouth B Playing Field

THE Barbados Tourism pedestrians wishing to ac- The temporary closure Investment Inc. (BTI) cess Queen’s Park into The of the pasture access wishes to inform the pub- City via the Weymouth B points is to ensure the lic that due to the ongoing pasture opposite the old safety of the residents and construction of Phase Globe Cinema or from the public. Three of the Constitution Queen’s Park via The BTI thanks mem- River Project the Weymouth B heading to bers of the public for their Weymouth B pasture will Tweedside Road and sur- patience and understand- not be accessible to the rounding areas will now ing as it continues to public. have to utilise the side- transform the city of During this work, walks along Halls Road. Bridgetown. A moment of reflection

EDUCATION from tune time for us to shake ment was recently articu- Page 1 things up – and to decon- lated yet again by our Stressing that COVID-19 struct old systems and re- Prime Minister Mia has been a shock to the ed- construct new ones.” Mottley who identified ed- ucation system and the “I want to give my as- ucation and medical One new case of COVID-19 world in general, surance that the tourism as core areas in Bradshaw meanwhile Government of Barbados the effort to diversify our A 32-YEAR-OLD male Public Health Laboratory main at 11, and recoveries noted,“This pandemic has is committed to working economy. As I conclude, I visitor, who arrived on conducted 366 tests on have increased to 208. given us all a moment to with the RUSM and simi- wish to reiterate my grat- British Airways on Thursday. One person will There are now 227 pause, a moment of reflec- lar higher education insti- itude for this opportunity October 9, has tested pos- be discharged from the recorded cases. tion, a moment to think tutions, to find sustain- for enhanced synergy,in itive for COVID-19 after a isolation facility today. Since February 11, the about what we have been able solutions to existing our relations,” she main- second test. Therefore, the number laboratory has conducted doing. This is an oppor- challenges. This commit- tained. (RSM) The Best-dos Santos of persons in isolation re- 32,740 tests. The Barbados Advocate Saturday October 24, 2020 • 7

China’s president calls for promoting spirit demonstrated in war to resist US aggression

BEIJING – Chinese President Xi force must be met by force, Xi said. Jinping yesterday urged efforts to “A victory is needed to win peace and carry forward the great spirit respect.” demonstrated in the War to He said the Chinese nation will never Resist US Aggression and Aid cower before threats, or be subdued by Korea. suppression. Xi made the remarks while Xi noted the need to pool the formida- addressing a meeting marking the 70th ble national strength that unites all, anniversary of the Chinese People’s regardless of how times may evolve. Volunteers’ entering the Democratic He also called for fostering the valour People’s Republic of Korea to fight in of the nation that fears no death, and the war. stressed the need to promote the national Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) veterans enter the venue of the meeting It is necessary to speak to invaders in wisdom of keeping to the right path, marking the 70th anniversary of the CPV entering the Democratic People’s the language they know: that is, a war making innovations, and striving Republic of Korea to fight in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea at must be fought to deter invasion, and to march forward. the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, October 23, 2020. China scales up support for disadvantaged people BEIJING –The Chinese government has according to the ministry. provided temporary price subsidies total- Support has also been offered to those ing more than 19 billion yuan (about 2.85 with severe disabilities and serious dis- billion US dollars) to needy people, eases, rural migrant workers, beggars, including those receiving subsistence al- the homeless and orphans. lowances or with serious financial A total of 436 000 vagrants and difficulties, from January to September beggars had received assistance in the this year, the Ministry of Civil Affairs first nine months of this year, figures announced yesterday. from the ministry show. From June to August, more than two In addition, allowances for orphans million people were newly included in have been raised to at least 1 123 yuan the subsistence allowance program due per person per month, benefitting more to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, than 210 000 orphans nationwide.

A pharmacist demonstrates how to process traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs in Tangshan, north China’s Hebei Province, October 21, 2020. Chinese mainland reports 18 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, all imported

THE Chinese mainland Of the new imported reported from the reported 18 new imported cases, nine reported in imported cases. COVID-19 cases Thurs- Shanghai, seven in Fujian, The total number of Children hail as they play at a relocation site in Baxoi County, southwest China’s day, all of which were and two in Chongqing, the confirmed cases on the Tibet Autonomous Region, September 19, 2020. Southwest China’s Tibet imported, the National commission said in its Chinese mainland stands Autonomous Region has accomplished the historical feat of eradicating ab- Health Commission said daily report. at 85 747 and the cumula- solute poverty, according to a press briefing held in the regional capital of yesterday. No deaths had been tive death toll is at 4 634. Lhasa on Thursday.

8 • Saturday October 24, 2020 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 AstraZeneca resumes US COVID-19 Preserve our vaccine trial, optimism seen for J&J ASTRAZENECA PLC has in the company’s UK trial. pany said an independent week reported that the resumed the US trial of its US Health and Human safety panel was investi- FDA had completed its historic buildings experimental COVID-19 Services Deputy Chief of gating. review and that the vaccine after approval by Staff Paul Mango also AstraZeneca trials in AstraZeneca US trial was WHY is it that when you go overseas, you US regulators, the com- told reporters he was the United Kingdom, set to resume as early as can visit a number of heritage sites and be pany said on Friday. optimistic a US trial by Brazil and South Africa this week, citing four awestruck by how well-kept they are for visitors AstraZeneca’s US trial Johnson & Johnson would resumed last month even sources familiar with the desirous of enjoying a historic experience, was paused on Sept. 6 resume. as the US Food and Drug situation. whilst in Barbados, we allow our historic after a report of a serious J&J paused its large, Administration continued AstraZeneca’s vaccine buildings to crumble? neurological illness, be- late-stage trial last week its investigation into the is being developed along Truth be told, we really can do better when it lieved to be transverse after a study participant case. with researchers at comes to preserving Barbados’ built heritage. myelitis, in a participant became ill and the com- Reuters earlier this Oxford University. The Barbados National Trust, the body incorporated by an Act of Parliament to be involved in the preservation of places of Sudan becomes third Arab state to set historic, architectural and archaeological interest and of ecological importance or natural beauty, has been doing its best to stay true to aside hostilities with Israel this year its mission. The Preservation (Barbados) Foundation Trust has done its part over the WASHINGTON – Israel ised US help for ers have condemned re- how fast and how far to years to raise funds for the preservation of the and Sudan agreed on Khartoum to secure in- cent Arab overtures to go in establishing ties built heritage of Barbados. Previously, it listed Friday to take steps to ternational debt relief. Israel as a betrayal of with Israel. A sticking a number of projects it had its eyes set on, “from normalise relations in a Israel and Sudan plan their nationalist cause point in the negotiations a simple row of ancient chattel houses in Bay deal brokered with the to begin by opening eco- and have refused to en- was Sudan’s insistence Street, representative of our most significant help of the United States, nomic and trade links, gage with the Trump ad- that any announcement cultural icon, to Culloden Farm, the official making Khartoum the with an initial focus on ministration, seeing it as of Khartoum’s delisting residence of National Hero the Right Excellent third Arab government agriculture, the joint heavily biased in favour from the terrorism des- Errol Barrow; from the Marshall Hall to the to set aside hostilities statement said. A senior of Israel. ignation not be explicitly Carnegie Library and the extraordinary 300- with Israel in the last US official, speaking on “No one has the right linked to relations with year-old Supreme Court of 1733, next door; from two months. condition of anonymity, to speak in the name of Israel. the Old Eye Hospital of 1805 to the magnificent US President Donald said such issues as for- the Palestinian people The Sudanese premier Glendairy Prison…”. Indeed, the work the Trust Trump, seeking re-elec- mal establishment of and in the name of the wants approval from a has done in the past to restore the age-old, but tion on Nov. 3, sealed the diplomatic ties would be Palestinian cause,” yet-to-be formed parlia- precious Carnegie Library is commendable. agreement in a phone resolved later. Palestinian President ment to proceed with The last Government had plans to restore the call with Israeli Prime Trump touted the deal Mahmoud Abbas said in broader normalisation, historic Empire Theatre building, in historic Minister Benjamin to reporters in the Oval a statement. and that may not be a Bridgetown, our capital, that is now a UNESCO Netanyahu and Office with the Israeli quick progress given sen- World Heritage Site and many persons in the Sudanese Prime and Sudanese leaders on Dropping Sudan from sitivities and civilian- older generation were anticipating this, as the Minister Abdalla the line in a three-way terrorism list military differences. Empire Theatre was a hot spot back in the day. Hamdok and phone call, saying at Trump announced on Egypt’s President Indeed, once restored, it could be used by those Transitional Council least five other countries Monday he would take Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in our cultural industries and for the arts and Head Abdel Fattah wanted to follow suit and Sudan off the terrorism wrote on Twitter that he entertainment. However, we would have to hear al-Burhan, senior US normalise relations with list once it had deposited welcomed US-backed ef- of any new updated plans for such a restoration officials said. Israel. $335 million it had forts by Sudan and Israel from the present administration. Trump’s decision this “Do you think ‘Sleepy pledged to pay in com- to normalise relations, We also have a number of chattel houses week to remove Sudan Joe’ could have made this pensation. Khartoum saying he valued “all ef- across the island that can be restored, as well from the US list of state deal?” Trump asked has since placed the forts aimed at establish- as a number of old buildings in The City, which sponsors of terrorism Netanyahu, using the funds in a special escrow ing regional peace and are in need of maintenance. The idea is not paved the way for the president’s pejorative account for victims of stability.” just to rebuild or restore these key pieces of accord with Israel, nickname for Biden a al Qaeda attacks on US Egypt signed a peace architecture, but to find ways in which they marking a foreign policy day after their final, ran- embassies in Kenya and treaty with Israel in can be put to good use in the tourism sector achievement for the corous debate of the 2020 Tanzania in 1998. 1979. once it rebounds, or as stated earlier, in the Republican president as presidential campaign. The White House The new agreement cultural industries sector or even the he seeks a second term “Somehow I don’t think called Trump’s intention was negotiated on the US educational arena. trailing in opinion polls so.” to remove Sudan from side by Trump son-in-law A good example of how our built heritage behind Democratic rival Netanyahu, reliant on the terrorism list a “piv- and senior adviser Jared can serve to benefit us, is the case of George Joe Biden. bipartisan support for otal turning point” for Kushner, Middle East Washington House. At nineteen years of age, Netanyahu hailed it as Israel in Washington, Khartoum, which is envoy Avi Berkowitz, na- George Washington, who would later go on to a “new era” for the re- responded haltingly: seeking to emerge from tional security adviser become the first President of the United States gion, but the Palestinian “”Well, Mr. President, one decades of isolation. Robert O’Brien, of America, visited Barbados in 1751 and spent leadership, watching thing I can tell you, is, Trump’s aides have Secretary of State Mike about two months. Barbados was the only as more of their Arab um, uh, we appreciate been pressing Sudan to Pompeo and national country he ever visited outside America. This brethren appear to give the help for peace from normalise ties with security aide Miguel fact alone now makes a tour of George their quest for statehood anyone in America.” Israel after the United Correa. Washington House a must-do activity for a lower priority, called it Trump’s aides view his Arab Emirates and Kushner called the visitors from the USA. The House is now under a “new stab in the back.” pro-Israel policies as Bahrain became the first normalisation deals the the control of the Barbados National Trust. “The leaders agreed appealing to Christian Arab states in a quarter start of a “paradigm We have also heard rumblings about a to the normalisation of evangelical voters, who of a century to agree to shift” in the Middle East. possible restoration of the childhood home of relations between Sudan are among his biggest formal links with Israel, He said Sudan’s decision the Father of Independence, the late Right and Israel and to end the supporters. forged largely through was symbolically signifi- Excellent Errol Walton Barrow,a National Hero state of belligerence be- Trump insisted the shared fears of Iran. cant because it was in of Barbados. That was under the previous tween their nations,” ac- Palestinians also “are The military and civil- Khartoum in 1967 that administration, so we are not sure if such plans cording to a joint state- wanting to do some- ian leaders of Sudan’s the Arab League decided will come to fruition for this independent ment issued by the three thing” but offered no transitional government not to recognise Israel’s nation. countries that also prom- proof. Palestinian lead- have been divided over right to exist. Nevertheless, before we lose more of our historic buildings or they are left to just Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes crumble, we should seek to restore them and E-mail Address: [email protected] Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Sports Editor: Corey Greaves preserve more of our historic buildings and by Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan extension our heritage. @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate The Barbados Advocate Saturday October 24, 2020 • 9

Cuba says US St. Lucia, Bahamas sanctions have record more caused nearly COVID cases CASTRIES, St. Lucia – St. Lucia yesterday reported six new cases of the coron- $5.6B in losses avirus (COVID-19), while The Bahamas recorded more HAVANA – Cuba said on cane seasons, has led to a grow- deaths associated with the Thursday that the island has ing shortage of food and occa- virus. lost nearly $5.6 billion in one sional fuel scarcity on the island. St. Lucia’s Ministry of year as a result of economic “It’s cynical to express sup- Health and Wellness said it sanctions imposed by US posed concern that this policy had received confirmation of President Donald Trump. affects only some Cubans, but the six new cases, bringing Cuban Foreign Minister it’s even more cynical to try and the total number in the coun- Bruno Rodríguez decried what justify it,” Rodríguez said. try to 48. he said was a growing number Trump recently added to the It said that among the new of sanctions suffocating the sanctions by barring US trav- cases are three children, ages island, a topic that is on the ellers to Cuba from bringing three, four and 12 years with agenda for next year’s UN back Cuban cigars and rum or the oldest being a 47-year-old General Assembly session. staying in government-owned woman from the northern The blockade “is an increas- hotels here as he courts the town of Gros Islet. ingly cruel attempt to deprive Cuban-American vote in Florida “This is the single highest our people of basic goods for ahead of the election. number of cases diagnosed their survival,” Rodríguez said. Trump said the sanctions within one day. As the He said the political hostility would remain in place until Ministry of Health and has reached “feverish levels.” Cuba releases all political pris- Wellness continues its re- The $5.6 billion loss occurred oners, legalises political parties, sponse to cases, it is impor- between April 2019 and March holds free elections and respects tant to state that with the in- 2020, compared with $4.3 bil- the rights to free assembly and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, wearing a creasing number of cases that lion the previous year. expression. mask amid the COVID-19 pandemic, presents Cuba’s report on each individual recognises The sanctions, coupled with a Cuba has rejected any inter- the impact of the US embargo policy on the island over the past they have the ability to re- sluggish economy,the pandemic, ference into the country’s af- year at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Havana, Cuba, on duce the spread of this virus. and increasingly active hurri- fairs. Thursday, October 22, 2020. “By keeping to the infection prevention and control guide- lines the spread of virus from FAO approves new priorities for Latin America and the Caribbean one person to another can be stopped,” the Ministry of MANAGUA, Nicaragua – public-private partnerships. development of new economic conservation into production Health and Wellness said, Caribbean Community They also valued positively opportunities in lagging terri- policies, combat illegal fishing, making a strong appeal to (CARICOM) agriculture minis- the results of FAO’s work in the tories. and promote initiatives related everyone that “if you are ex- ters have joined their Latin region during the 2018-2019 bi- “We will help countries to the region’s natural and cul- periencing respiratory symp- American counterparts in ennium, presented in the report increase investment in public tural heritage, such as environ- toms which include cough, approving three priorities for to the conference, and agreed goods and infrastructure, mental services and products sore throat, fever, please development in the region. that Ecuador will host the next strengthen secure access to with geographical indications. promptly seek care at the The ministers gave the nod to Regional Conference. land, extend the coverage and The FAO said that the virtual closest respiratory clinic”. sustainable food systems to pro- FAO’s first regional initiative quality of rural services, and conference had the highest po- “Anyone experiencing these vide healthy diets for all; hand will focus on creating sustain- generate greater market links litical participation in its his- symptoms should not be in in hand to achieve prosperous able food systems, in order to for the agricultural sector,” said tory with 436 participants from the workplace, participating and inclusive rural societies and ensure greater supply and phys- Berdegué. the government, 50 ministers, in social activities or in pub- sustainable and resilient agri- ical access to diversified and FAO will also promote the 40 vice ministers and 103 ob- lic places like banks, super- culture during the Food and nutritious diets for all. global Hand in Hand Initiative, servers from civil society, the markets or stores,” it added. Agriculture Organisation (FAO) “FAO will work with countries rural non-farm employment, scientific and academic world, Meanwhile, The Bahamas Regional Conference for Latin to improve consumer informa- private investment, and access the private sector, government recorded 133 new cases of America and the Caribbean that tion and consumption habits to to the Internet, information agencies, the United Nations COVID-19 and two additional ended here earlier this week. promote healthy diets, and will services and telecommunica- and regional multilateral organ- deaths, according to the “The coronavirus (COVID-19) support producers to sustain- tions, essential elements for the isations. Ministry of Health. pandemic has exposed the ably increase healthy food pro- transition to digital agriculture In addition, it was followed It said the two women – a weaknesses of the world’s food duction. It will do so by facilitat- and digital rural societies. by more than 30,000 people 50-year-old and a 51-year-old systems, but it has given us the ing access to productive assets, The third initiative approved throughout its three days, and – were from New Providence opportunity to rebuild better,” financing and training for small by the Conference seeks to cre- over 50,000 people visited the where the majority of the said FAO’s Director-General Qu and medium producers, and ate a sustainable and resilient conference webpage. COVID-19 cases are Dongyu, during a side event of promoting technological and agriculture that can produce “This conference – the first recorded. the Committee on World Food digital innovation,” said FAO’s food in a more sustainable way, that had to be fully digital due As a result of the deaths, Security (CFS). Regional Representative Julio with less environmental im- to the pandemic – has been the COVID-19 death toll “We will continue to support Berdegué. pacts and with greater adap- more open, more inclusive and moved to 132, while 14 deaths all of our members in their The FAO said it will also seek tation to climate change. more transparent than any remain under investigation. efforts to transform their food to reduce food loss and waste, “Achieving this requires bet- other. And it had an unprece- According to the Ministry systems by making them more improve food distribution sys- ter disaster risk management, dented level of participation. of Health, of the new cases, efficient, healthy and sustain- tems, stimulate short supply restoring soils, making efficient This shows the power of innova- there are 109 on New able,” said Qu. chains and trade policies that use of water, promoting low- tion and digitisation. Innovation Providence, 19 on Grand Member states fully promote greater food security, emission livestock and the sus- makes the impossible become Bahama, one on Eleuthera, supported FAO’s COVID-19 along with better food quality tainable management of forests, possible,” said Qu Dongyu in his two on the Berry Islands and Response and Recovery and safety. fisheries and aquaculture,” said closing remarks to delegates. two on Abaco. Programme and the Hand in The second initiative ap- Berdegué. “Innovation will be a cross- The Bahamas has recorded Hand Initiative, highlighting proved by the countries during FAO will help countries to im- cutting priority of FAO’s work in 6,268 cases since March. the importance of innovation, the conference seeks to eradi- plement productive practices the region, including agricul- There are 3,795 recoveries digital technologies, data-driven cate hunger and poverty in that are resilient to climate tural, food, technological and and 2,303 active cases. agriculture, investment, and rural areas and stimulate the change, integrate biodiversity digital innovation.” 10 • Saturday October 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

Too many countries in ‘exponential’ virus surge – WHO GENEVA, Switzerland nential increase in “Too many countries “We urge leaders to according to a tally from registered in the world – The northern hemi- coronavirus cases. are seeing an exponen- take immediate action to official sources compiled over the last 24 hours. sphere is facing a “The next few months tial increase in COVID- prevent further unneces- by AFP. “We’re not only seeing crucial moment in are going to be very 19 cases and that is sary deaths.” Maria Van Kerkhove, increases in case num- fighting the COVID-19 tough and some coun- now leading to hospitals The novel coronavirus the WHO’s COVID-19 bers in many cities pandemic, the World tries are on a dangerous and intensive care has infected nearly 42 technical lead, said the across Europe; the ca- Health Organisation track,” WHO chief Tedros units running close to million people and killed situation was “very pacity for ICU (intensive said yesterday, with Adhanom Ghebreyesus or above capacity – at least 1.1 million since worrying” in Europe, care units) is going to be too many countries told a virtual press con- and we’re still only in the outbreak emerged which clocked up more reached in the coming witnessing an expo- ference. October. in China last December, than half the new cases weeks,” she said. Seven bodies found in fertiliser shipment from Serbia to Paraguay US sanctions Russian ASUNCION – The badly Marcelo Saldivar said. entered the container in ing for ventilation in the decomposed bodies of The bodies were dis- Serbia. area of the container seven people who may covered on Friday when “We assume that they where the bodies were institute linked to have been stowaways the managers of the arrived there from their found. “All the bodies are were found yesterday company that bought the country of origin and had decomposed. They are dangerous malware inside a shipment of fer- product opened it, he planned to travel to a just hair and bones,” he tiliser that left Serbia added. nearer destination but added. WASHINGTON – United States for vulner- three months ago, Saldivar said the they did not calculate The shipment’s route Washington imposed abilities. Paraguayan authorities victims, who were all the distance well and did would be checked, he sanctions on Friday on a The Russian embassy in said. adults, appeared to not survive the trip,” he said, along with cell Russian research institute Washington did not im- The container left have been stowaways. told Reuters. phones found with the tied to the development of mediately respond to an Serbia on July 21 and ar- Two had identity docu- “The supplies they had bodies, and the authori- a dangerous computer e-mail seeking comment. rived earlier this week ments indicating they – cookies, bottled water ties in Morocco and program capable of caus- Russia routinely denies via Argentina at a river were Moroccan, and a and tinned food – were Serbia would be con- ing catastrophic indus- allegations linking it to cy- port on the outskirts of receipt for a Serbian enough to last 72 hours.” tacted to try to deter- trial damage. berattacks on foreign soil. the Paraguayan capital taxi company was also Police also found bags mine the victims’ identi- The US Treasury Asuncion, prosecutor found, suggesting they of clothing and an open- ties. Department alleged that the Russian government- backed Central Scientific Research Institute of Chemistry and Mechanics – also known by its Russian acronym, TsNIIKhM – was respon- sible for “building cus- tomised tools that enabled the attack” on an uniden- tified petrochemical facil- ity in the Middle East in 2017. The attack electrified the cybersecurity commu- nity when it was made public by researchers later that year because – unlike typical digital intrusions aimed at stealing data or holding it for ransom – it appeared aimed at caus- ing physical damage to the facility itself by dis- abling its safety system. The Treasury cited re- searchers who investi- gated the attack as saying the software involved – dubbed “Triton” – “had the capability to cause signif- icant physical damage and loss of life.” Treasury added that, last year, the attackers be- hind the Triton malware were reported to be scan- ning and probing at least A police vehicle is seen near a container where the authorities found decomposed bodies inside a fertiliser shipment that left Serbia 20 electric utilities in the three months ago, in Asuncion, Paraguay, on October 23, 2020. Schools upgraded with satellite, other equipment for online learning KINGSTON, Jamaica – The ministry said the Chalky Hill All-Age, Age in Westmoreland; another two to three sion programmes using Sixteen schools at the in- current installation Aboukir Primary in St. Cockburn Gardens, weeks. the ministry’s fant, primary and junior schedule is targeting 100 Ann; Hamwalk Primary China Goodwill Infant The installation is part eHomeSchool Network high levels have been fit- of the neediest schools in St. Catherine; Success and Iris Gelley Primary of the ministry’s dis- and PBCJ as well as free- ted with Internet service for priority. Primary and Glendevon in St. Andrew and tance/remote learning ap- to-air time on TVJ, CVM equipment allowing them Among the schools that Primary and Junior High Denham Town Primary proach to help students and JIS, in addition to better access to educa- have received Internet in St. James; Donnington in Kingston. receive their education lessons aired on various tional broadcasts co-ordi- installations are Moores Primary in St. Mary; The ministry said the through the provision of a radio stations and the nated by the Ministry of Primary and Freetown Aeolus Valley-All-Age and project to install equip- diverse blend of learning Learning Kit comprising Education, Youth and Primary in Clarendon; Bull-Bay-All-Age in St. ment in 100 schools opportunities and re- textbooks and work- Information. Alva Primary & Infant, Thomas; Little-Bay-All- should be completed in sources including televi- sheets. The Barbados Advocate Saturday October 24, 2020 • 11

US steps up efforts to end Nagorno-Karabakh fighting BAKU/YEREVAN/ WASHINGTON – Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces clashed in several parts of Nagorno-Karabakh on Friday, as the United States stepped up diplomatic efforts to try to end the deadliest fighting in the moun- tain enclave for over a quarter of a century. In Washington, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met separately with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in a new attempt to end nearly a month of bloodshed that Russian Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov President Vladimir Putin meets with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said may have killed 5,000 Armenia’s Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan meets with US Secretary of to discuss the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, at people. State Mike Pompeo to discuss the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, at the State the State Department in Washington, US, on The collapse of two Department in Washington, US, on October 23, 2020. October 23, 2020. Russia-brokered ceasefires has dimmed hopes of a progress” was being made happens,” he told reporters separate meetings with Minister Zohrab draws in Turkey, which quick end to fighting that on the issue but did not in the Oval Office. Pompeo that lasted Mnatsakanyan told has voiced strong support broke out on Sept. 27 over elaborate and declined to A handful of protesters around 30 to 40 minutes. reporters “very good” as for Azerbaijan, and Russia, Nagorno-Karabakh, a say if he had spoken with from both sides, holding The State Department he exited the State which has a defence pact breakaway territory of the leaders of either coun- Armenian and Azeri flags said Pompeo stressed to Department, and added with Armenia. Azerbaijan controlled by try. “We’re working with and banners, chanted out- both sides the importance that work on a ceasefire Shortly before the ethnic Armenians. Armenia. We have a very side the State Department of entering negotiations. would continue. Washington talks were President Donald good relationship with on Friday. Asked how his talks World powers want to due to start, Turkish Trump said “good Armenia ... We’ll see what Both ministers held went, Armenian Foreign prevent a wider war that President Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul that he hoped Moscow and Ankara could work together on resolving the conflict. Reiterating demands for a Turkish role in media- tion which has long been led by the United States, Russia and France, Erdogan said: “Turkey be- lieves it has just as much right as Russia to be in- volved here for peace.” Washington, Paris and Moscow have ignored such calls, and differences over the conflict have further strained relations between Ankara and its NATO al- lies, with Pompeo accusing Turkey of fuelling the con- flict by arming the Azeri side. Ankara denies it has enflamed the conflict. In the latest clashes, Azerbaijan’s defence min- istry reported fighting in areas including territories close to the line of contact that divides the sides. Armenia’s defence min- istry also reported fighting in several areas and said the town of Martuni in Nagorno-Karabakh was shelled during the night. Azerbaijan denied this. Azerbaijan has ex- pressed concern about the security of pipelines close to the fighting used to export Azeri oil and gas, Activists demonstrate outside the State Department as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets representatives from Armenia and though none has been Azerbaijan in Washington, US, on October 23, 2020. damaged. 12 • Saturday October 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

US COVID-19 deaths could hit half million by February as surge continues NEW YORK – The COVID-19 ported on Thursday, just shy of death toll could reach a half the single-day record high of million in the United States 77,299 reported on July 16, ac- by February unless nearly cording to a Reuters analysis. all Americans wear face Only India has reported more masks, researchers said on cases in a single day: 97,894 on Friday, a day after the num- Sept. 17. ber of new infections re- “We are heading into a very ported across the country substantial fall/winter surge,” approached a record high. said IHME director Chris A study by the University of Murray, who co-led the re- Washington’s Institute for search. “We expect the surge to Health Metrics and Evaluation steadily grow across different estimated that the pandemic states and at the national level, could claim a total of more than and to continue to increase as Certified nursing assistant (CNA) Shameka Johnson, wearing NFL Green Bay Packers apparel, 500,000 lives by February, up we head towards high levels of processes a nasal swab at a drive-thru testing site outside the Southside Health Center as the from the current death toll of daily deaths in late December coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, on October 21, over 221,000.The projection re- and in January.” 2020. flects fears that colder winter Even so, the number of possi- weather will drive Americans ble deaths could drop by Azar attributed the increase in States is “rounding the turn” 3 presidential election, reported indoors, where the virus is more 130,000 if 95% of Americans cases nation-wide to behaviour on coronavirus, Azar told CNN its largest single-day increase likely to spread, and concerns would cover their faces, the of individuals, saying house- that Trump was trying to pro- in cases since the pandemic that not enough people are IHME said, echoing a recom- hold gatherings have become vide hope to Americans waiting began. wearing masks, experts said. mendation championed by a “major vector of disease for therapeutics and a vaccine. “Daily increases are now Cases, hospitalisations and Anthony Fauci, director of the spread.” A day after the president comparable with what we deaths are all accelerating as National Institute of Allergy Asked about an assertion by claimed, without citing evi- saw in April 2020,” the cooler weather descends on and Infectious Diseases, and President Donald Trump dur- dence, that COVID-19 was Pennsylvania Department of much of the country. Nation- other leading medical experts. ing Thursday night’s presiden- “going away,” Pennsylvania, a Health wrote in a statement wide, 76,195 new cases were re- US Health Secretary Alex tial debate that the United hotly contested state in the Nov. on Friday. ‘It is terrifying’: Europe braces for lengthy battle with COVID PARIS/MADRID – Europe faces who said a nation-wide antibody a lengthy battle against the study suggested the total may coronavirus at least until mid- be over 3 million. 2021, France warned on Friday, “If we don’t follow precautions, as anxious governments intro- we are putting the lives of those duced ever more restrictions to we love most at risk,” he said. curb the disease once again ac- How long governments will celerating through the conti- be able to resist lockdowns is nent. uncertain. The governor of Europe’s daily infections have Campania, the southern Italian more than doubled in the last 10 region around Naples which has days, reaching a total of 7.8 mil- already imposed a curfew and lion cases and about 247,000 shut schools, called for a total deaths, as a second wave right lockdown, saying “half meas- before winter has crushed eco- ures” were not working. nomic revival hopes. “It is necessary to close every- “When I listen to scientists I thing, except for those busi- see that projections are for at nesses that produce and trans- best until next summer,” French port essential goods,” Vincenzo President Emmanuel Macron De Luca said. said during a visit to a hospital While health services have near Paris. not so far been overwhelmed to France, which passed 1 mil- the extent they were in the first lion cases on Friday with a new wave, authorities have warned record daily total of more than of a likely surge in demand for 42,000, has been one of the hard- intensive care beds as colder est-hit nations and has imposed weather forces more people in- curfews. People wearing face masks are pictured at Schloss Strasse shopping street, as the coronavirus doors and infections spread. COVID-19 patients already disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues, in Berlin, Germany, on October 20, 2020. Italy’s top public health body occupy nearly half of France’s said the situation was approach- 5,000 intensive care beds and Maria, a 73-year old pensioner from sports matches. this week, two regions, Castilla ing critical levels in many re- one of the government’s advisers in the Slovakian town of Dolny In the Czech Republic, with and Leon and Valencia, urged gions and said complete tracing warned the virus was spread- Kubin, where officials were Europe’s highest per capita in- the central government to im- of contact chains had become ing more quickly than in spring. piloting a testing scheme. “I fections, Prime Minister Andrej pose night-time curfews. impossible. Further curbs are underway see what’s happening and it is Babis moved to sack his health With its own hospitals by governments desperate to terrifying.” minister for apparently flouting ‘Follow precautions’ under increasing strain, the avoid a repeat of blanket lock- Belgium, another of the worst- rules on masks after a meeting Official data show Spain already Netherlands began transferring downs that brought some con- hit countries, whose foreign in a restaurant that should have has the highest number of cases patients to Germany again, trol in March and April but minister went into intensive been closed. in Europe but the real picture after dozens were treated in its strangled economies. care this week, further limited In Spain, which passed the may be even worse according to larger neighbour during the “We are all afraid,” said social contact and banned fans 1 million case milestone earlier Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, earlier phase of the crisis. The Barbados Advocate Saturday October 24, 2020 • 13

Warring Libya rivals sign truce but tough political talks ahead

GENEVA/TRIPOLI – Libya’s ing a ceasefire and saying they and fighters into Libya despite a European mercenaries brought year was launched as UN warring factions signed a deserved international support. UN arms embargo which they in by Russia’s Wagner group. Secretary General Antonio permanent ceasefire agree- Friday’s agreement was all publicly backed. Since June, they have en- Guterres had arrived in Tripoli ment on Friday, but any last- reached after the internationally There was caution inside trenched along the Sirte front- to prepare for peace talks. ing end to years of chaos and recognised Government of Libya too.“We all want to end the lines with new weapons and As that assault collapsed this bloodshed will require wider National Accord (GNA) in June war and destruction. But per- defensive positions. summer, thanks to Turkish agreement among myriad beat back Khalifa Haftar’s east- sonally I don’t trust those in Meanwhile, political talks backing for the GNA, Egypt armed groups and the out- ern-based Libyan National power,” said Kamal al-Mazoughi, scheduled in Tunisia early next threatened to intervene directly, side powers that support Army (LNA) from its 14-month 53, a businessman sitting in a month, with a view to holding raising the spectre of a bloody them. assault on the capital. Tripoli cafe. national elections eventually, regional escalation. Acting UN Libya envoy Since then, frontlines have sta- “If there is no force or mecha- will need to reach agreement on Libya’s energy facilities, the Stephanie Williams said the bilised near the central coastal nism to apply this on the historically elusive issues and biggest prize for both sides, were ceasefire would start immedi- city of Sirte and the LNA has ground... this deal will only be overcome widespread mistrust. on the front line as mercenaries ately and all foreign fighters ended its eight-month blockade ink on paper,” said Ahmed Ali, “There is still no clear sign that marched into ports and oilfields. must quit Libya within three of Libyan oil output, which was 47, in Benghazi. Libyan belligerents are looking However, the United Nations months. strangling state finances on both at this as anything other than a is also pushing an economic As a first commercial passen- sides. ‘Posturing and positioning’ period of posturing and position- track to seek agreement between ger flight in more than a year However, Turkey, the main Key details on implementing the ing,” said Tarek Megerisi, a the major factions on the future crossed front lines from Tripoli to backer of the GNA, immediately ceasefire, including monitoring policy fellow at the European management of Libya’s wealth the eastern city of Benghazi on voiced scepticism that the cease- the departure of foreign fighters Council on Foreign Relations. and its sovereign institutions. Friday, Williams noted Libya’s fire would hold, with President and merging armed groups, have Libya has enjoyed no political Guterres said he hoped to ap- “fraught” recent history, one of Tayyip Erdogan saying “it does been left to subcommittees in fu- stability since the 2011 NATO- point the current UN Middle numerous broken truces and not seem too achievable”. ture talks. backed uprising against East envoy, the Bulgarian failed political solutions. Turkey, along with the LNA’s Both sides have deployed Muammar Gaddafi, and has Nickolay Mladenov, as the new “But we shouldn’t let the cyn- main foreign backers Russia, thousands of foreign fighters been split since 2014 between Libya envoy to replace Ghassan ics win,” she said, hailing both the United Arab Emirates and in Libya, including Syrians, east and west. Salame, who quit in March due sides for their “courage” in agree- Egypt, has funnelled weapons Sudanese, Chadians and Haftar’s assault on Tripoli last to stress. France becomes seventh country with more than 1 million COVID-19 cases PARIS – The number of con- During the March-May lock- firmed novel coronavirus infec- down, the highest number of tions jumped over one million infections in one day had been on Friday, making France the 7,578 on March 31, though doc- seventh country to reach that tors say the number was prob- milestone. ably much higher as testing Over the past 24 hours, then was mainly limited to hos- France registered a record pitals and retirement homes. 42,032 new cases, taking the France also registered 298 total to 1,041,075, government new deaths on Friday, taking data showed. the total to 34,508. The United States has 8.4 The number of people in hos- million cases, followed by India pital with COVID-19 jumped with 7.8 million, Brazil with by 976 to 15,008, the biggest 5.3 million, Russia with 1.5 one-day increase since early million and Argentina and April. Mid-April 32,300 people Spain with each just over one were hospitalised with the million. virus. On Thursday, the daily case The number of people in in- A healthcare worker performs an olfactory test to a patient at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) count rose above 40,000 for the tensive care units – which is testing centre in Nice, France, October 21, 2020. first time, after breaking the ultimate test of a health through 20,000 on Oct. 9 and system’s ability to cope with President Emmanuel sults. new infections drop back to through 10,000 on Sept. 9 as the virus – rose by 122 to 2,441. Macron said a curfew taking “We will have to live with 3,000-5,000 cases per day, the the virus spread rapidly and At the height of the epidemic effect for two thirds of France this virus at least till next sum- curfew could be eased. That France started testing more mid-April, 7,150 people were in on Friday night could be tight- mer,” he said. level was last seen at the end of after summer. ICUs. ened further if it shows no re- Macron said that as soon as August.

Mostly sunny.

Haze Forecast: Moderate dust haze

High: 11:44 a.m. and 10:36 p.m. New York: 18°C Yesterday: 0 mm Miami: 29°C Low: 4:36 a.m. For the month: 126.1 mm Max: 31.2°C Boston: 14°C and 5:07 p.m. For the year: 863.1 mm Min: 26.1°C Toronto: 24°C Montreal: 22°C London: 10°C 5:50 a.m. 5:35 p.m. 14 • Saturday October 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

Poland already had some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the EU. Poland abortion ruling: Protests spread across the country THOUSANDS of However, women’s showed. ruling Law and Justice loyal to PiS in its ranks, demic is more than cyni- women are protesting groups estimate that up One protester in (PiS) party. and Donald Tusk – who cal,” he tweeted. against new abortion to 200,000 abortions are Gdynia, Magda, 34, told Archbishop Stanislaw now leads the European Current coronavirus laws in Poland. either performed ille- the broadcaster: “Women Gadecki, the head of People’s Party after pre- restrictions limit public A court ruling on gally, or abroad. are not respected in this the Polish Episcopal siding over the European gatherings in Warsaw to Thursday banned almost Protests were held country. No one is listen- Conference, and the Council – criticised the just 10 people. all abortions – with ex- in Poznan, Warsaw, ing to us.” Polish presidency both judgement. On Thursday night, ceptions only for cases of Wroclaw and Krakow, The ruling was deliv- hailed the ruling. “Throwing the topic of protesters and police rape, incest, or where the among other cities, ered by the country’s con- The constitutional abortion and a ruling by clashed outside the home mother’s health is at risk. footage from private stitutional court, which court has been accused of a pseudo-court into the of Deputy Prime Minister Abortions carried out broadcaster TVN has been reformed by the counting many judges middle of a raging pan- Jaroslaw Kaczynski. when the foetus is mal- formed, which accounted for 98% of legal termina- tions last year, have now Nigeria protests: President Buhari says 69 killed in unrest been outlawed. NIGERIAN President The deaths were mainly former Nigerian leaders demonstrations has now ment. Poland already had Muhammadu Buhari civilians but include po- aimed at finding ways urged people to stay at At Friday’s virtual some of the EU’s strictest says 69 people have been lice officers and soldiers. to end the unrest, his home. meeting, President abortion laws, and sees killed in protests against The president an- spokesman told the BBC. The Feminist Coalition Buhari, 77, said his ad- fewer than 2,000 legal police brutality that have nounced the toll in an A group that has been also advised people to fol- ministration was commit- terminations a year. rocked the country. emergency meeting with key in organising the low any curfews in place ted to meeting the de- in their states. mands of the protesters. The protests have dras- But he said his govern- Israel will not oppose US sale of F-35 to UAE tically subsided but an ment would not fold its uneasy calm remains in arms and allow criminals JERUSALEM/WASH- consider allowing the Israel – which uses the istration’s plans for arms several cities. who had hijacked the INGTON – Israel said UAE to buy F-35 stealth F-35 – did not mention sales to the UAE and Officials said a curfew protests to continue to on Friday it will not op- jets in a side deal to a nor- the jet explicitly. Saudi Arabia over con- introduced in Lagos state perpetrate “hooliganism”. pose US sales of “specific malisation agreement be- Asked about potential cerns over their involve- would be eased. The president told the weapons systems” to the tween Israel and the UAE. F-35 sales to the UAE, ment in the war in Yemen. The protests in Nigeria meeting that 51 civilians, United Arab Emirates, in Israeli Defence Minister Trump said the “process Israel enjoys broad sup- began on 7 October with 11 police officers and an apparent reference Benny Gantz reached is moving along”. port in Congress and if it mostly young people de- seven soldiers had been to the F-35 warplanes agreements in “We’ve never had a dis- opposed the deals it would manding the scrapping of killed in the unrest, his sought by Abu Dhabi. Washington this week pute with UAE; they’ve be nearly impossible for a notorious police unit, spokesperson said. It was Under a principle of pre- with US Defence always been on our side. them to advance. the Special Anti-Robbery not immediately clear serving Israel’s “qualita- Secretary Mark Esper And that process is mov- The US Senate Foreign Squad (Sars). whether these figures tive military edge”, the that he and Prime ing along – I think hope- Relations and House of The unit was dissolved included the protesters United States consults Minister Benjamin fully rapidly,”Trump said. Representatives Foreign days later, but the allegedly killed by secu- with it on proposed sales Netanyahu, in a joint He was speaking in the Affairs committees, whose protests continued, de- rity forces in Lagos on of advanced arms to other statement, said would sig- White House Oval Office members have criticised manding broader reforms Tuesday. countries in the region. nificantly upgrade Israel’s after announcing that the UAE’s role in civilian in the way Nigeria is The president previ- Israel has reiterated a military capabilities. Sudan would be the next deaths in Yemen,have the governed. ously made a short tele- need to maintain its mili- “Since the US is upgrad- country in the region to right to review and block They escalated after a vised address in which he tary superiority even since ing Israel’s military capa- forge ties with Israel. weapons sales. shooting in the nation’s urged protesters to stop forging official ties with bility and is maintaining The removal of Israeli Past measures to block biggest city, Lagos, on demonstrating and in- the UAE and its fellow Israel’s qualitative mili- opposition clears one arms sales passed the Tuesday, when rights stead engage with the Gulf Arab state Bahrain tary edge, Israel will not important hurdle to US House and Senate with group Amnesty government “in finding under deals brokered by oppose the sale of these congressional approval of bipartisan support, but International says secu- solutions”. US President Donald systems to the UAE,” they F-35 sales to the UAE. US failed to get enough rity forces killed at least He faced criticism for Trump last month. said. lawmakers have tried to Republican backing to 12 people. Nigeria’s army not mentioning the Lagos Washington agreed to The statement from rein in the Trump admin- override Trump’s vetoes. has denied any involve- shootings. The Barbados Advocate Saturday October 24, 2020 • 15

Crews battling largest wildfires in Colorado history brace for high winds DENVER – Crews morning it was 57 per cent battling a string of contained. wildfires in drought- Eleven miles to the stricken Colorado south, the second biggest braced on Friday for blaze on record, the East the return of high Troublesome Fire, has winds that have stoked charred a total of 170,000 flames in what author- acres (68,797 hectares), ities have called an and crews have carved East Troublesome fire burns near Grandy, Colorado, US on October 21, 2020 in this still image taken from a unprecedented out- containment lines around video obtained by Reuters on October 23, 2020. break of late-season just 5% of the perimeter. wildfires. Cooler weather and mile (1,075-square-km) as he toured the area on An Arctic air mass fore- Direnzo, a meteorologist Three of the largest calmer winds overnight Rocky Mountain National Friday. cast to move into the re- with the National wildfires in Colorado’s slowed the growth of the Park. Most of Colorado is in gion late Saturday night Weather Service in history have raged this Troublesome fire, but The fire prompted the grip of some level of or early Sunday could Boulder, Colorado. year and two of them are winds are expected to pick Grand County officials to drought, according to drop up to 10 inches (25 “It won’t bring an end to still growing. up in the afternoon, inci- order the evacuations of information released on cm) of snow.The precipita- the incidents, but it might The largest, the dent commander Noel several mountain towns. Thursday by the US tion will help fire suppres- buy them (firefighters) a Cameron Peak Fire, Livingston said at a Sheriff Brett Schroetlin Drought Monitor. sion efforts, said Evan little time,” Direnzo said. has scorched more than Friday morning briefing could not confirm any 206,000 acres (83,360 Flames jumped the fatalities. hectares), according to Continental Divide on Colorado Governor the fire-reporting site Thursday, forcing the Jared Polis met with evac- InciWeb, and as of Friday closure of the 415-square- uees and fire managers US man jailed for supplying guns used in San Bernardino shootings A US man has been sen- plotted to attack a local marry Marquez to obtain tenced to 20 years in jail community college and immigration benefits. for buying guns for a traffic on a highway. But Syed Raheel Farook, married couple who car- Marquez abandoned the the brother of Syed ried out a mass shooting idea in 2012 and dis- Rizwan Farook, Tatiana in California in 2015. tanced himself from Farook, Syed Raheel Enrique Marquez Jr., Farook after three men in Farook’s wife, and Mariya 28, was found guilty of California were arrested Chernykh, Tatiana supplying the weapons to for planning to travel to Farook’s sister, are sched- Syed Rizwan Farook and Afghanistan to kill US uled to be sentenced next Attackers Tashfeen Malik and Syed Rizwan Farook died during a shootout with Tashfeen Malik. troops. year. authorities. (PHOTO: ABC NEWS, AP) The pair fired on a Marquez’s defence group of people in San lawyer argued that Bernardino whom Farook Farook had manipulated worked with, as they him since him was aged gathered for a Christmas 13, when they met as party. neighbours. He added After killing 14 people that Marquez had no and wounding 22 others, knowledge of what the Farook and Malik died weapons would be used during a shootout with for. authorities. Marquez pleaded guilty Marquez, who had been in 2017 to providing ma- radicalised to Islam by terial support to terror- Farook, bought the ists and making false weapons in 2011 and statements regarding the 2012 and said on a pur- rifles, which he bought chase application form with money from Farook. that they were for his But his sentencing has own use. been delayed after he un- Prosecutors argued successfully tried to with- that Marquez had a high draw his plea to one of the IQ and the mental capac- counts. ity to understand what As a result of investiga- the guns would be used tions into the shooting, for. three people have pleaded They said several guilty to being part of a years before the San sham marriage scheme, Bernardino shooting, in which a Russian The remains of a SUV involved in the Wednesday attack is shown in San Bernardino, California on December Marquez and Farook, 28, woman pretended to 3, 2015. 16 • Saturday October 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

EU rules meatless plant-based products can still be called burgers, sausages THE ‘steaks’ were high in the age consumers from shifting to more European Parliament as it decided plant-based diets, while undermining the meatless and plant-based products EU’s environmental and health goals. can still be called sausages, burgers Being unable to use the words “steak” and other words traditionally or “sausage” could make the products associated with meat. more obscure for consumers, and the The European Parliament has voted against a ban on the use of terms like ‘burg- During votes on issues relating to agri- move would expose the EU “to ridicule,” ers’ and ‘sausages’ in the labelling of plant-based products. cultural products, politicians decided that they said. so-called veggie burgers, soy steaks, and Swedish EU lawmaker Jytte Guteland A majority of EU lawmakers also voted this mess and reject confusing and vegan sausages can be sold as such in welcomed the decision, saying:“I’m going this week in support of even tighter curbs unnecessary restrictions on plant-based restaurants and shops across the EU. to celebrate with a vegan burger.” on the labelling of plant-based dairy dairy products”. Europe’s largest farmers’ association, The “common sense” ruling was also substitutes. Green lawmakers and campaigners, Copa-Cogeca, had supported a ban, praised by the European Consumer They backed a ban on terms such as including Swedish activist Greta arguing that labelling vegetarian food Organisation, which said the public is “milk-like” or “cheese-style” for products Thunberg, have called on the EU parlia- with terms that inspired thoughts of “in no way confused by a soy steak or that contain no dairy ingredients. ment to throw out the entire farming pol- meat was misleading. chickpea-based sausage, so long as it is The labelling rules are part of a bigger icy package, arguing the measures are in- Copa-Cogeca said allowing such terms clearly labelled as vegetarian or vegan”. EU farming policy package, which sufficient in helping to curb the sector’s would open a “Pandora’s box” of The group – along with Greenpeace – parliament needs to approve before emissions and minimise the environmen- confusing wording, but 13 organisations regretted the bloc’s banning of terms like striking a compromise with member tal effects of intensive factory farming. – including Greenpeace and WWF – “almond milk” and “soy yoghurt” when it states on the final policy. Vegan and plant-based products urged politicians to reject the proposed ruled in 2017 that plant-based products Elena Walden, policy manager at the labelled with terms originally linked to amendments. cannot be marketed as dairy, saying it non-profit Good Food Institute Europe, meat have grown in popularity in They argued that a ban would discour- should be reserved for animal products. called on EU countries to “clear up recent years. Amsterdam releases 5 000 leaf fleas to halt Japanese knotweed spread FIVE thousand Japanese leaf fleas have to 20 centimetres a day and break been released in Amsterdam to combat through concrete or tarmac, have since Japanese knotweed, a once celebrated been a major issue across Europe. plant the concrete-breaking roots of which Amsterdam has previously looked at now threaten local biodiversity, impinge using fire, hot water and even laser in on water quality and increase the risk of controlling the plant’s growth without flooding. success. The Dutch government made the Suzanne Lommen, an entomologist at unprecedented decision to issue an ex- the Institute of Biology in Leiden, the emption on a ban on the introduction of southern city where the Japanese alien species in the face of spiralling costs knotweed was first introduced in the related to the invasive species. Netherlands, is coordinating the trial. The Japanese knotweed, Fallopia She said, “All sorts of things have been japonica, is causing major damage to tried, but complete pest control is building foundations, pavements and extremely difficult and very expensive. dykes in the Dutch capital, costing mil- We will have to combine various methods lions of euros a year. Laboratory tests to get the Asian knotweed under control. suggest the leaf fleas – Japanese We know from the Japanese knotweed knotweed psyllids, or Aphalara itadori – psyllid that it can kill young shoots and can kill young shoots and potentially stop slow down or even stop the growth of the the plant growing by sucking up its sap. plant by sucking up sap – nutrition – An initial 5 000 fleas have been from the plant. released in three field locations. It is “If the psyllid can establish, reproduce hoped they will successfully hibernate and spread, and do the damage we see in over winter and establish themselves in the breeding trials, it can hopefully inhibit the new year. Further specimens will be the growth and spread of Asian knotweed. released next spring. Then you have a very cheap and It is hoped the initial 5 000 fleas that have been released in three field loca- The Japanese knotweed was intro- environmentally friendly solution with tions will successfully hibernate over winter and establish themselves in the duced and cultivated in the Netherlands many years of effect that you can combine new year. as an ornamental plant between 1829 with the more expensive methods.” and 1841 by the German botanist Philipp The Netherlands Food and Consumer hold. “It’s a really big problem, but we’re she said.“It comes from an area in Japan Franz von Siebold. Discovered by the side Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has working hard on it,” she told the where the climate most resembles that of of a volcano, it was named as the “most concluded the psyllids do not pose a threat Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool. the Netherlands. In the laboratory,it interesting new ornamental plant of the to native biodiversity. Lommen said there was a chance the thrives on the interbreed knotweed year” by the Society of Agriculture and Jaike Bijleveld, from the municipality, fleas would not take to the Dutch climate. that grows here. But reality will Horticulture in Utrecht. said there were a thousand sites in “What we do not know yet is how the show whether it can survive in our Its aggressive roots, which can grow up Amsterdam where knotweed had taken psyllid will thrive in the Netherlands,” country.” The Barbados Advocate Saturday October 24, 2020 • 17

Google facing biggest antitrust case in a generation AFTER being hit Tuesday with the A Biden presidency could actually be we did in the Microsoft case,” she said. most significant monopoly-related beneficial for the case against Google, The US government’s antitrust case charges to be filed in the US in said Carl Tobias, a University of against Google appears strong, but could decades, Google has a long road Richmond law professor, allowing face an uphill battle from a business- ahead in its quest to prove it does not agencies to better collaborate. friendly judiciary that may question unfairly dominate the online search “There may currently be too many whether a free search engine beloved by engine space. players and too many ideas,” he said. consumers has actually left them worse Google was accused in the long- “A new administration could come in with off, several legal experts have said. expected lawsuit of harming competition a clean slate and move forward in a way in internet search and search advertising that is better orchestrated.” Google alternatives could thrive through distribution agreements – It may be quite some time before any Though Google said it is prepared to fight contracts in which Google pays other concrete effects from the case are seen, the lawsuit for years, the move is likely to companies millions of dollars to said Dave Heger, an analyst at financial motivate its search engine rivals to invest prioritize its search engine in their services firm Edward Jones, which is in improving their technology and products – and other restrictions that put why the markets barely reacted to the challenging Google’s various restrictions its search tool front and centre whenever announcement. to gain greater distribution, technology consumers browsed the web. “The lawsuit will likely take years to be and legal experts have said. The filing is just the first step in a argued in court, and at this stage, the Markets work better when firms know battle that could take years. Google has DoJ is not proposing any extreme there is a sheriff in townChris Sagers vehemently denied the allegations, remedial action, such as breaking apart The lawsuit marks a huge opportunity releasing an extensive rebuttal to its the company,” he said. “With over for Microsoft to increase usage of its Bing company blog on Tuesday that called the District judge Amit Mehta was chosen $120 billion of cash, Alphabet is search engine, which it spent years trying case “deeply flawed” and claiming it to hear the case against Google. financially able to fight the allegations to protect through lawsuits alleging “would do nothing to help consumers”. and pay fines that might result from any anticompetitive practices by Google. Here’s what is next for the search giant. abusive conduct, or something beyond government actions.” “Markets work better when firms know fair or healthy competition. Google is there is a sheriff in town,” said Judge selected to hear the case expected to argue that the government Other lawsuits loom Chris Sagers, a law professor at A court date has not yet been set for the overestimated the company’s power by The justice department was the first to Cleveland State University. charges filed against Google, but the US defining its market too narrowly. file antitrust charges against Google, but It may also mark a new era for district judge Amit Mehta was chosen on However some experts said Google’s the tech giant and its peers are facing lesser-known, smaller search engines, like Wednesday to hear the case. Mehta, who ubiquity makes the case more likely to potential legal action from a number of Ecosia, a search engine that uses was named to the court by Barack hinge on whether its dominance stems sources. In October, a major report advertising revenues to plant trees in Obama, was selected at random and from consumers preferring it to rivals, detailing an investigation by the House areas affected by deforestation and has has previously heard an antitrust case. or whether the Mountain View, judiciary committee concluded that tech 15 million users in the US. Finding a judge with experience in California-based company steered them companies wielded “too much power” and Ecosia’s CEO, Christian Kroll, said antitrust is unusual, as the cases rarely away from those rivals. was censoring political speech, spreading “legislative action is essential” to go to court. In the previous case, he ruled “We know Google has a large share of fake news and “killing” the engines of the prevent people from automatically being to block a merger between two major food that market,” said John Lopatka, a law American economy. funnelled into Google as a default search distributors. professor at Pennsylvania State Eleven US states joined the lawsuit engine. Google has a global search Google’s lawsuit marks the biggest University. “The question is why.” filed on Tuesday, and the New York market share of 87%. antitrust case in a generation, compara- attorney general, Letitia James, said her “Ethical options like Ecosia aren’t up ble to the lawsuit against Microsoft filed The effects of a change in administra- state and six others may soon file their against a normal competitor,” he said. in 1998 and the 1974 case against AT&T, tion own lawsuit. James said if they do file “They’re up against one of the most which led to the breakup of the Experts said the federal government is a complaint, they will attempt to dominant players in today’s global Bell System. unlikely to back away from the case, and consolidate it with the charges from the economy, who in the absence of effective To win, the US Department of Justice in fact may press harder, if Joe Biden justice department. regulation has been able to abuse its must prove that Google gained or wins the presidency over Donald Trump “We would then litigate the position in multiple markets around maintained monopoly power through in the November 3 election. consolidated case cooperatively, much as the world. Electric cars ‘as cheap to manufacture’ as regular models by 2024

ELECTRIC cars will cost the same to car take-up.A new Volkswagen Golf costs make as conventional cars, with internal about £20 280, whereas the ID-3, its first combustion engines, by 2024 and an ac- mass-market electric vehicle, will cost celeration in the shift away from fossil from £29 990. fuel vehicles may be imminent, according The UK’s biggest carmaker, Jaguar to new research. Land Rover, lists its Jaguar I-Pace, its The extra cost of manufacturing battery only fully electric vehicle, at £64 495, even electric cars versus their fossil fuel equiv- after UK government grants are applied. alents will diminish to just $1 900 (£1 That compares to a fossil fuel SUV 470) per car by 2022, and disappear com- counterpart, the Jaguar F-Pace, which pletely by 2024, according to research by it lists at £44 845. the investment bank UBS. The research The rapid reduction of battery costs is is based on detailed analysis of batteries expected to trigger a faster switch to elec- from the seven largest manufacturers. tric vehicles than previously expected. Reaching cost parity with the internal Electric vehicle sales are already booming combustion engine (ICE) is seen as a key in the EU and China, despite the hit to milestone in the world’s transition away the car market caused by the coronavirus from burning fossil fuels. pandemic. Big carmakers have been reluctant to Matthias Schmidt, an independent car shift production away from their prof- analyst, has predicted that a million itable internal combustion engine models Globally UBS said electric cars’ market share would reach 17% by 2025. By 2030 electric cars and hybrid cars will be sold towards electric cars because of expensive electric cars should account for 40% of global sales. in 2020 in the EU out of a total market of batteries, which are almost exclusively 11 million. made by east Asian companies such as The bank said that those carmakers UBS analyst. Globally UBS said electric cars’ market South Korea’s LG Chem, Japan’s that try to hang on to ICE sales risk being He added that the reduction in battery share would reach 17% by 2025. By 2030 Panasonic and Chinese rival CATL. left behind by rivals such as Tesla and costs would also largely eliminate the fi- electric cars should account for 40% of Batteries account for between a quarter Volkswagen, the world’s largest carmaker nancial case for hybrid electric vehicles, global sales. and two-fifths of the cost of the entire by volume, which has committed to in- which combine a battery with a conven- The reliance on east Asian battery vehicle. vesting 33 billion euros in selling electric tional engine. manufacturers and rising demand has UBS said it expected battery costs to cars. Battery electric cars still command sig- belatedly spurred Europe into action, drop to below $100 per kilowatt hour “There are not many reasons left to buy nificant premiums over conventional with plans to subsidise multiple (kWh), a key milestone, by 2022. an ICE car after 2025,” said Tim Bush, a counterparts,a key factor limiting electric gigafactories. 18 • Saturday October 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

Adele teases musical comeback ahead of SNL debut ADELE has got fans Ghostbusters star agree- hot under the collar ing. after teasing new However Adele crypti- music as she prepares cally chips in: “Or maybe for her Saturday Night me.” Live hosting debut. There has already been The 30-year-old ap- speculation that Adele’s peared in a short video to high-profile presenting Singer Adele says she kicked off her US career on promote the show along- role could mean she’s on SNL 12 years ago just before an election – now her side singer and song- the verge of releasing journey’s come ‘full circle’. writer H.E.R. – who will new music. be a guest – and regular She last released an All three stars wore most 12 years to the day cast member, actress album – the Grammy- face masks over their that I first appeared on Kate McKinnon. winning “25” – five years mouths and noses the show, during an elec- Joking about her ago. throughout the clip. tion... which went on to potentially singing on Later in the skit, much Adele announced that break my career in the show,Adele says in fun is had with the she would be leading the America, so it feels full the clip: “Hi, I’m Adele Tottenham-born star’s show earlier this week on circle and I just couldn’t and I’m hosting Saturday broad London accent. Instagram, telling her possibly say no!” Night Live this week McKinnon does a cock- 39 million followers Adele also joked that with musical guest ney impression, before she was “absolutely terri- she would be a “hot mess” H.E.R.” swiftly apologising for it, fied”. during H.E.R.’s perform- McKinnon then asks: after which Adele cracks She said it would be a ance as she was such a “Wait, H.E.R. or her?” out a convincing significant moment for big fan, but said she And H.E.R. then suggests Californian drawl telling her which marked an im- would not take it too seri- it could be McKinnon her: “Oh my God, no wor- portant anniversary. ously and “laugh my a*** Bridge singing, with the ries girlfriend.” She wrote, “It’ll be al- off in between it all”. The Barbados Advocate Saturday October 24, 2020 • 19 SPORTSSPORTS

PRO of Rally Barbados Neil Barnard (right) speaking to the media during the press conference as Roger Barrow SOl General manager, Karoline Smith retail formats and promotions manager and Denise Mendes sales executive for SOL retail look on.

Sol Rally Barbados and Flow King A different look rally has also seen the doughnuts for making it to the Barbados of the Hill are set to be flagged addition of a longer stage and stages end. off over the next two weekends which haven’t been used for a few years Previously the final stage was not Battling with the restrictions that the being added to the rally which has kept counted towards the overall rally as motorsports: global COVID-19 pandemic has placed the competitive miles at the same value the BRC gave the competitors the on everyone the organiser of the event – as before. opportunity to do this making those the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) – has However though the fans will stages a requirement to only start. Final made some much-needed changes to the be thrilled that there is the rally, However now no spectators will be running of the event the climax of the event will be allowed inside Vaucluse and the The traditional final day, Sunday restricted. organisers have also made the final stage stages, will now be run on Saturday and Sol Rally Barbados is slated to finish not only mandatory to start but it also countdown the Saturday stages will be run on inside of Vaucluse Raceway though it will go towards the final calculation for the final day. starts from the outside. the rally results. The Friday night start to the rally Traditionally spectators would have King of the HIll is slated for this is here which was a spectator stage has been afforded the opportunity to Sunday with a start time for car 0 of THE final countdown to the been scrapped with everything to be witness the final few moments of the 10 am and the presentation to be done biggest two weeks of motorsports down over the two days for Rally event with some of the drivers also immediately after the event at Bushy in Barbados is nearing its climax as Barbados. expressing their excitement with Park.

T20 semis Schedule for the knockout phase of the BCA Twenty20 Cup, taking place Shield and Plate Competitions: today ELITE/DIVISION 1 CUP FINAL – November 14 at Kensington Oval (Reserve: November 15) SEMI-FINALS – October 24 (Reserve: October 25) THE Barbados cricket Association BWU Gladiola v Sagicor Life UWI ‘A’ at Rices. DIVISION 2 PLATE Elite/Division 1 T20 Cup move into the Wanderers v Carlton at Dayrells Road. semi-finals stage with games at QUARTER-FINALS – October 24 (Reserve: October 25) Rices and Dayrells Road. FINAL – November 14 at Kensington Oval (Reserve: November 15) BNOC v Benson Mini Mart Melbourne at Woodbourne. Early leaders of the competition BWU Crane Resort St. Catherine v Benfica at Bayfield. Gladiola will face off with multiple cham- Midas Magic Ipswich v North Stars at Eden Lodge. pions Sagicor Life UWI A. Gladiola who INTERMEDIATE DIVISION SHIELD IDL Walkers Sand Quarry Isolation Cavaliers v Market Hill at KMV Oval. have West Indies players Haydn Walsh Jr, Ashley Nurse, along with former SEMI-FINALS – October 24 (Reserve: October 25) SEMI-FINALS – October 31 (Reserve: November 1) Barbados player Martin Nurse have been JCB Boscobelle v Wildey at Boscobelle. going well. Carlton v Crane Resort St. Catherine at Desmond Haynes Oval. FINAL – November 7 at Kensington Oval (Reserve: November 8) Renaldo Brathwaite has also been a key player in crunch times for the team. Leading their bowling has been Damario Goodman and Jamar Trotman. against Lords and then an unbeaten Wanderers and defending champions and Roshon Primus. They take on a strong UWI team with century in Round 7 against St. Carlton. Wanderers have been led by For Carlton Marlon Welcome- Jonathan Carter, Romario Greaves and Catherine’s. West Indies Test batsman Kraigg Goodman and Dominic Drakes have pi- Kyle Corbin who has scored two Tevyn Walcott (UWI A) has also been Brathwaite, and Raymond Reifer.Opener loted them in some critical moments, centuries already this season. a strong contributor with the bat. Shayne Moseley has also proven to be a while Kyle Mayers has picked up a five- Corbin scored 112 runs in Round 5 The other semi-final match will pit strong partner at the top for Brathwaite wicket haul.

20 • Saturday October 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

REAL ESTATE Campbell wants to use New Zealand tour to establish himself as true Test opener TEL 572-1452 Cel: 253-6319 THE West Indies tour to New pretty hard with the coaches, and 828-4800 Email: Zealand could provide batsman I’m trusting the process. caribbeanpropertiesltd John Campbell the chance to “It’s basically about watching the ball @gmail.com establish himself as a Test cricket for as long as possible, and getting in good opener after a dismal series versus positions to access the ball. I think I was LOTS FOR SALE England in the summer. off balance while I was [batting] in The left-hander tallied only 84 runs in England, so I’ve been working hard get- Cave Hill Drive, St. Lucy Land 14,876 sq ft. six innings at an average of 16.8 as the ting my balance right and my weight $110,000 visitors lost the three-Test series 1-2. right going into the shots,” the opening Having got the nod of the selectors for batsman explained. Bushy Park, St. Philip the two Tests in New Zealand, the West Indies are also scheduled to play Land 17,000 sq ft 27-year-old Jamaican is keen to repay three Twenty20 (T20) matches on the $120,000 the faith put in him. proposed November 27 to December 15 Inchcape, St. Philip “I have to show character,” Campbell tour. Campbell is not a member of the Land 4355 sq ft told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday. T20 squad. $ 96,000 REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE “I didn’t have the best of times in The dashing shot maker has endured a England, but that’s history. I can’t really tough start to his Test career, averaging Belle, St. George Trents, St James Frere Pilgrim, dwell on what happened… it was way a modest 25.46 in nine matches with Land 4 acres Christ Church $400,000 Land 3.83 ACRES below my standards and international a lone half-century. $450,000 3 bedroom, 2 baths with standards, but it happens. Now it is about Campbell, who has experience playing two bedroom apartment. Haggatt Hall, St. Michael how I’m going to come back from it,” he in New Zealand ass a West Indies Union, St. Philip Land 4,387 sq ft. Land 6336 sq ft $850,000 said. Under-19 representative, does not expect $126,000 Land 7560 sq ft In England, Campbell, at times playing the task to get any easier. $150,000 across his front pad, was twice dismissed “In international cricket there is no Cane Garden, St. Tho- Cottage, St George Hanson Heights, St leg before wicket. easy opponent.When you get to that level, mas George Land 7,000 sf to 18,000 Land 5000 sq ft On two other occasions, he went edging players have a lot of experience and a lot $110,000 3 bedroom, 2 baths behind, while in the first innings of the of skill, so I’m expecting another big sq ft Land 8321 sq ft Private entrance. From $595,000 final Test he was caught for his series-best challenge. $187,681 Morningside, St Philip Land 4567 sq ft knock of 32 when fending a short delivery. “I know it won’t be easy, but New $133,000 Ealing Grove, Christ Campbell, scheduled to leave for Zealand is a place where if you spend Foul Bay, St. Philip Church Barbados on Sunday before players and time at the crease you will score runs. Land 39,242 sq ft 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths $2,100,000. Jupiter Gardens, St officials set off for New Zealand on I’m definitely looking to spend time and Philip Land 9320 sq ft Tuesday, said he has been working out to score big runs,” he told the Observer. $565,000 Atlantic Shores, Christ Land 7312 sq ft the kinks under the supervision of “I’ve been given another opportunity Church $133,000 Jamaican coaches Andre Coley and and I’m definitely looking to make full use Beachfront land 14,000 sq COMMERCIAL Nikita Miller. of it. I’m just looking to finish off this cal- ft Bagatelle, St. Thomas $650,000. Land 62000 sq ft into 2 “I’m pretty confident going into the tour, endar year well. It doesn’t make any lots Mount Standfast, St even though the most recent tour for me sense me being too hard on myself $520,000 each James wasn’t the best. I’ve put in some work because that will only put more pressure The Mount, St. George Two properties on 22,714 Land 6544 sq ft sq ft over the past few weeks on areas that on me, which won’t help,” Campbell $110,000 St Silas Heights, St James Land. Asking $1,200,000 needed to be [fixed]. I’ve been working continued. Shop Hill, St Thomas Land 5200 sq ft $104,000 Black Rock, St. Michael Land 11,735 sq ft Warehouse/Factory 4000 $258,000 Marley Vale, St Philip sf space Land 23,861 sq ft Windies’ Paul selection puzzles Gray Ragged Point, St. Philip Land 21,780 sq ft $275,000 $995,000 Land 8,267 sq ft FORMER West Indies fast bowler Tony declined, too.” $166,000 Sandford, St Philip Dover, Christ Church Gray has criticised the selection of Gray, the Trinidad and Tobago Land 16,356 sq ft Hotel 18 rooms fully op- Keemo Paul in the Test squad for New Cricket Board’s chairman of selectors, Rolling Hills, St. George erational $3,200,000 neg Land 12,000 sq ft $305,000 Zealand, contending the all-rounder said that if Hope was excluded from the $315,000 Dalkeith, Christ Church should have been replaced by 15-man squad, he should have been Shai Hope, whom he has labelled a among the six reserves who formed part PROPERTIES Land 17,371 sq ft ap- Ocean City, St. Philip proved for shops and of- “great talent”. of the touring party. Land 6150 sq ft fices $495,000 Paul, 22 years old, was named in a 15- The right-hander has averaged just $123,000 Breezy Hill, St Philip 3 bedroom, 2 bath and man squad last week for the two-Test 19 from 17 Tests in the last two and a Roebuck Street, Bridge- Fortesque, St Philip 1 bedroom apartment series, while Hope, 26, was axed after a half years and struggled on the recent $330,000 town Land 494,500 sq ft Business Mall/Office poor run of form. tour of England with an average of 17 $1,100,000 Gray said Paul, who has played only from six innings. Black Rock, St Michael space $8,100,000 nego- 3 bedroom, 1 bath tiable three Tests, was not well suited to the “You have enough seamers there for Harts Gap, Christ longest format as he did not two Test matches, [and] you have Church Land 6732 sq ft $360,000 Batts Rock, St Michael possess the patience required as a [Roston] Chase there, who is an Land 4373 sq ft Guest House, Land $75,000 seamer. efficient bowler [and] gets wickets at Enterprise, Christ 12,078 sq ft $2,850,000 negotiable “The only problem I have [with the Test level,” Gray said. Silver Sands, Christ Church squad] is Keemo Paul,” Gray,whose five “You need to have Shai Hope around. Church 3 bedroom, 2 bath 3 bedroom, 1 bath fixer up- Cane Garden, St Tho- Tests and 25 One-Day Internationals If you’re not picking him in the Land 7,129 sq ft mas $160,000 per came between 1986 and 1991, Test squad, you’ve got to pick him in the Land 5062 sq ft 3.6 acres approved said. reserves. But you’ve got to work with $395,000 Roadfront land “Keemo Paul, to me, at this point in him [because] he’s such a great Bushy Park, St. Philip $1,650,000 negotiable Land 24,000 sq ft time, is not suited to play Test cricket. talent.” $200,000 Golf Club Road, [He is] too inconsistent with his West Indies suffered a 2-1 defeat on Christ Church Fitts Village, St James Guest House, 4 Suites bowling, he tries too many things, and the tour of England last July, with the Apes Hill, St. James 3 bedroom, 1 bath fixer upper Land 6,135 sq ft he cannot work to a game plan, and batting at fault for the two defeats in Land 31,000 sq ft upward $850,000 negotiable Large lots at $15 per sq ft Land 4,000 plus $225,000 Test cricket is working to a game plan, the final matches at Manchester. having the stock deliveries, [being] Gray said he was pleased selectors All enquiries to Mount Wilton, St. Tho- The Belle, St George patient, but also having deliveries that had not responded emotionally by Plantation style House (246) 253 6319/ mas (246) 572 1452 will take wickets. “chopping and changing” as there was Land 15,500 sq ft and Standing on 4 acres Asking 1,100,000 or “He has wicket-taking deliveries, still a need to continue building a team, 22,066 sq ft (246) 247 4469 $300,000 and $220,000 but the thing about him is that he is especially with the current limitations not patient. His batting has on the development of players. The Barbados Advocate Saturday October 24, 2020 • 21

22 • Saturday October 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

Hamilton questions Petrov’s role as steward after BLM comments FORMULA ONE champion Informed that the Russian was a that are surrounding us. So I don’t really Lewis Hamilton questioned the steward at tomorrow’s race at the understand what their goal is.” appointment of Vitaly Petrov as a Algarve circuit, and with the quotes read The FIA said it appointed stewards Portuguese Grand Prix steward on out to him, Hamilton expressed surprise. with the relevant F1 experience and Thursday after the Russian “I’ve not seen all the quotes, you’ve just expertise and who had expressed an ex-racer criticised his campaigning recited some of them,” said Mercedes’ interest in the role. anti-racism stance. six-times world champion, who could “The Federation does not discriminate Petrov, who in 2010 became the first celebrate a record 92nd career win on in this process based upon views Russian to race in Formula One, told Sunday. expressed outside of their function as an Russian publication Championat last “So yes, of course that is I would say a FIA steward, provided that any such month that Hamilton wearing a T-shirt surprise to see that they would be hiring expression does not contravene the FIA’s calling for US police to be arrested for the someone that has those beliefs and is so regulations and code of ethics,” it added. killing of Black medical worker Breonna vocal about things that we are trying to Petrov was not immediately available Taylor was ‘too much’. fight against. for comment. “Let’s say a driver admits to being gay. “You should take it up with them (the Formula One last month set out new Will they come out with a rainbow flag FIA) really. There’s nothing I can pre- and post-race rules for driver attire. and urge everyone to become gay as well? particularly do about it. While that prevented Hamilton from F1 champion Lewis Hamilton. I think the FIA will no longer allow such “We should definitely be including wearing campaigning T-shirts on the behaviours,” Petrov added, according to people here who are with the times, who podium, he has still knelt with a Black involving all drivers. translated quotes published in the are understanding of the times that we Lives Matter T-shirt before the race as The Briton has also worn a black media. are living in and sensitive to the matters part of an official anti-racism campaign facemask with BLM on it.

England’s centrally contracted players agree to 15% pay cut for 12 months ENGLAND’S centrally contracted men’s awarded to 23 players on October 1. players, led by captains Joe Root and Eoin wider game.” players have agreed to a 15% pay cut “I would like to thank the players and Morgan, have conducted themselves with In September, the ECB announced it for the next 12 months. TEPP for their collaboration,” said Ashley great maturity and responsibility was to cut 62 jobs as a result of the The England and Wales Cricket Board Giles, England men’s cricket managing throughout this challenging time.” coronavirus pandemic. (ECB) reached an agreement with Team director. Richard Bevan, chairman of TEPP, Chief executive Tom Harrison said the England Player Partnership (TEPP) after “The relationship with our men’s added: “In agreeing to this revised game would lose more than £100 million the financial implications of COVID-19. players and their representatives is remuneration package, they have shown this year, a figure that could rise to Test and white-ball contracts were strong, and we need to recognise that our great responsibility and unity with the £200 million next year. The Barbados Advocate Saturday October 24, 2020 •23

P HOROSCOPES R O S ARIES (March 21-April 19). The usual way: When all is said and done, more gets said than A N done. Your way: Silently and with razor-sharp D intention, do it. Then walk away. If anyone is talking about it, it won't be you. C O N TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If you don't get S it on the first try (or the second, third or 70th try), chalk it up to building your character. It's one of the few things you can build that will endure.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Maybe you like someone more than you care to admit or more Z than is appropriate for your current position. I Have no fear. That person who makes you T nervous will also bring out your best. S CANCER (June 22-July 22). You think of love as being sweet, kind and undemanding. True, but love can also be tough or even harsh. Sometimes love demands that we step up and fulfill our potential.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your style is to go in R with a formal tone and keep that up until you're E sure that respect has been paid. Then you'll X ever so subtly test the boundaries of casual- M ness. O R VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).You're right. You G know it. The question is how far you should A push the things you're right about. Too far, N and you'll alienate the others. Not far enough, and your conscience will nag you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). People tend to picture freedom in extremes of wealth or homelessness, but there are ways of being P freer in your life that don't involve being rich H or without responsibility. A N SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You're so intu- T itive and aware that you will read more mean- O ing into a situation than those directly involved M might care to. Your insights are accurate, though best kept to yourself for now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Top pho- tographers insist that it's the eyes behind the camera and not the camera itself that make for M a great image. This metaphor will be reflected A in the brilliant results you get today with min- R imal equipment. Y CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19).Accept that W there will be some glitches, and go through O them calmly with your head held high. Don't R waste your breath apologizing for minor of- T fenses. No one expects you to be infallible, and H you shouldn't, either!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). As you con- centrate on building your team and increasing M your number of fans, it will feel like you're giv- O ing, always giving. Are you giving too much? T H At this point, you can't give too much. E R PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Buckle up be- cause you're about to hear (ad nauseam) about G the astounding accomplishments of others. O O Are you surprised that this does not ignite S your spirit of competition? The reason is that E you're in a league of your own.

Barbados motorsports: Final countdown is here Page 19

Saturday October 24, 2020 EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ASSIST TAXI OPERATORS

MINISTER of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerrie Symmonds is concerned about the survival of local taxi operators, especially in the current COVID-19 environment and indicated that efforts will be made to see how best to help keep the stakeholders afloat. He spoke to this yesterday morning as he announced that FundAccess and the Trust Loan Fund are both to be recapitalised. While revealing that this decision was only approved by the Cabinet on Thursday evening, he said his intention is to sit with the management of both Funds soon, to see what support can be offered to taxi operators. His remarks came as he acknowledged that this sector has been hard hit by COVID-19, as their primary customers, tourists, are few at this time. He made the comments yesterday morning during a meeting at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre to introduce over 200 locally registered taxi operators to a new app called pickUP, which is intended to provide added business for the sector. He explained that the app, which was developed by brothers David and James Hamel-Smith, will connect passengers with taxi operators A large number of taxi operators turned up for the meeting at the Lloyd Erskine who are closest in proximity to their Sandiford Centre. INSET: Kerrie Symmonds, Minister of Energy, Small Business locations. The Minister said if all goes and Entrepreneurship, speaking during yesterday’s meeting. well, Barbadians may come to use taxi services more, and rely less on their jeopardy of losing their vehicles and I think this is a useful thing. As people own transportation. homes because they have not been sign onto this, and I believe a lot of “I am concerned and have been for a working, admitted that, in his opinion, people will, I think that what we will have while since COVID, as to the urgent need the taxi sector has not been properly to do is try to have a marketing campaign for us as a country to make sure that this taxis would be quite considerable,” he accommodated in the COVID relief that allows Barbadians now to start to particular subsector is able to survive. It stated. efforts. feel a buy-in and to try to use local is all too easy to understand that in the The Small Business Minister respond- “We have to find a way to try to capture taxi transportation as often as is possible,” absence of a tourism sector functioning as ing to the concerns of one taxi operator, the taxi sector. Now the first thing for me he stated. it traditionally did, that the knock on who said that many of them need was to try to keep as many of you effect for those of you who are driving immediate assistance as they are in employed as possible and that is why SUPPORT on Page 6 Moore assures she will take advantage of opportunities ST. GEORGE NORTH Barbados Labour trance will become my exit”. theless assured constituents that over Parliament from every constituency Party (BLP) candidate and union boss “I want you to be assured of one thing the three weeks left before the polls, a across Barbados coming to you and Toni Moore is adamant she will walk if nothing else, that if it is that I do not number of expectations held for some asking for a vote for Toni Moore. So if you away from political life if improvements perceive that I can achieve for you or that time will be met. were a negotiator, what would you do are not made for workers. I am achieving for you, I will not wait for “It is not because it is an election and if people are asking for street lights, if The head of the Barbados Workers’ you to dismiss me. I know what it is to there is an election hype and they are people are asking for job opportunities, Union told those gathered at Roach take my own exit and that is my trying to buy people’s votes but I want you if people are asking for certain projects to Village on Thursday night that before commitment to you because I believe that to understand that for 16 years start? If people are asking for bus shelters agreeing to enter the political arena on a a tall order has been set,” she I have been involved in the art of negoti- would you wait until an election to BLP ticket, she made it clear to the Prime stressed. ations. I understand what election time see those things happening? You Minister “if I come in and things do not Saying she had made no promises means. You are not only seeing strike the iron while it is hot!” work out, the same door that was my en- while on the campaign trail, she never- Toni Moore, you are seeing members of she stated. (JMB)

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