Established October 1895 Three nursing students receive scholarships PAGE 5

Saturday May 15, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive NEW TOURISM BRAND THERE is a new tagline ing a country to visitors who promoting Barbados as a Cummins: Barbados committed to reopening safely must be tested no more than premier tourist destination – three days before arrival; they Little Island, Big Barbados. seek to attract visitors to these first”, and so she is encouraging aside from plummeting COVID must be vaccinated for the most The new branding and shores again, as the world con- Barbadians to get vaccinated. infection rates and testing ca- part; and again they must be marketing initiative was tinues to fight the COVID-19 “So Barbados re-entering the pacity for variants, they are also tested on arrival. We have to launched yesterday in a pandemic, Minister of Tourism market is competing with among the most inoculated match that with a local popula- virtual event hosted by the and International Transport, markets that have already countries in this world. So I take tion that is also prioritising Barbados Tourism Senator Lisa Cummins, main- achieved herd immunity and the opportunity to encourage testing and vaccination. Our Marketing Inc. (BTMI), to tains that a safe reopening is seen tremendous successes as a the tourism sector in particular, country, our government, is mark the reopening of the paramount for this country. result. Israel and Singapore, for but Barbadians more generally, fighting globally for vaccine local tourism industry for With that in mind, she said to example, are among the coun- to consider being vaccinated,” equity,so that we can stand tall business. help achieve that safety, “home tries included on the recently she said. among every other nation. And as the tourism officials drums must beat announced UK green list. But Cummins added,“We're open- REBRANDED on Page 3 Major projects for St. Andrew

PRIME Minister Mia Amor Mottley has given residents of St. Andrew the assurance that the bridge at Bruce Vale will be fixed. Yesterday, she revealed that work will commence in two weeks' time with the establish- ment of a temporary bridge until a permanent structure is possi- ble. She also pointed to the con- struction of new roads across several communities in that parish – White Hill,Andromeda to Bath, Shorey Village, Mose Bottom among others, which are part of the road rehabilitation project. The Prime Minister was at the time addressing the official re- opening ceremony of the St. Andrew Outpatient Clinic at Belleplaine, where she assured The Belleplaine Police Station pictured in the background and residents that the Barbados the nearby St. Andrew Post Office are both set to be renovated. Labour Party Administration INSET: Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley outlined plans hasn’t turned a blind eye to their yesterday to undertake major infrastructural work in the parish concerns. In fact, she declared of St. Andrew. that Member of Parliament George Payne has been a “fierce ovating the Police Station as a “I have met with the Ministry defender of the right to access to Police Outpost, recognising of Agriculture and we also are services" for the people of St that the manner in which we de- expanding the pond at Andrew. liver services within the police Haggatts. And I have also de- “And this government has force will change by nature of termined that this notion that heard him over and over. And the use of technology, and by Haggatts is to look like a we will be judged by our actions the use of the different struc- ‘pop down’ fruit farm has to stop. and not our words”. tures that the Force will I remember as a child coming She went on to reveal that it utilise, including those that are down here and fruit bountiful has been agreed that the St focused on specialist services, enough, the place taken care of Andrew Post Office, which has and not only geographical distri- with a sense of pride – we must been closed temporary to facili- bution of the deployment of return to that in St Andrew at tate repairs, should be reno- officers.” Haggatts in order not just for vated, as well as the St. Andrew In addition, an expansion at the people in that parish to ben- Police Station. Haggatts is on the cards, accord- efit, but the people of Barbados,” “We are also committed to ren- ing to Prime Minister Mottley. she said. 2 • Saturday May 15, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Two more cases, eight recoveries TWO females are the latest persons to cases since the first case was identified in test positive for COVID-19. These new March last year. Of these, 1,915 were fe- cases were identified on Thursday,May 13, males and 2,046 males. So far,the lab has from the 671 tests conducted by the Best- carried out 161,835 tests. There have been dos Santos Public Health Laboratory. 46 deaths. There are now 88 persons in isolation. As it relates to the National Vaccination Meanwhile, the number of recoveries Programme for COVID-19, 75, 794 vacci- have moved to 3,916, as eight persons nations have been administered, to date. were discharged from isolation on This includes 41,130 persons who have Thursday. been fully vaccinated under the second Barbados has recorded 3,961 confirmed phase of the programme. (BGIS)

New cruise protocols developed AS this country seeks to attract a forward to continuing to work with our greater number of visitors to these major cruise line partners about their shores, Government is gearing up for plans for returning business to our shores; cruise vessels to once again be sailing our people have to be given opportuni- passengers into the Bridgetown Port ties,” she maintained. as early as next month. Minister Cummins made the point as That’s according to Minister of Tourism she noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and International Transport, Senator Lisa has been hardest on tourism dependent Cummins, who was speaking yesterday economies like ours, and with the airline during the Barbados Tourism Marketing partners stopping or reducing service,the Inc.’s (BTMI) virtual event to relaunch result has been hotels being forced to close the Barbados Brand and reopen the their doors. tourism market. She revealed that on “We have seen the impact on jobs be- Thursday,the Cabinet approved new pro- cause we've seen about 35 to almost tocols that will facilitate safe travel for 40 000 jobs threatened, people seeing that vaccinated cruisers to this island. their livelihoods are in danger.We've had This announcement comes less than a the very viability of the sector questioned week after new travel protocols came into – questions being asked about our ability effect for passengers arriving at the to predict the things in our control, and Grantley Adams International Airport. outside of our control, including the open- According to Minister Cummins, to help ing and closing of source markets. We're promote safe travel, Barbados is partici- being asked questions about how known pating in initiatives such the International and unknown sovereign decisions will af- Air Transport Association’s travel pass – fect us. It has been planning for the worst, a mobile app that assists travellers to but preparing for the best,” she stated. store and manage their verified certifica- She added, “So it has been the best of tion for COVID-19 tests and vaccines – as times, and the worst of times, but it is be- well as partnering with Virgin Atlantic to cause of that mixed bag, that mixed diffi- help ensure that this country is moving in cult bag, that I'm proud of this ministry the direction of digital travel, to streamline and all of the agencies including the the airport processes and welcome visitors BTMI. This team gathered here has been to Barbados seamlessly. acutely aware that managing these times “We are a small nation, but among the is challenging. But this team has stood big countries we are leading the way pilot- their ground, and they’ve shown their re- ing these digital travel processes,” she silience for destination Barbados”. stated. Turning her attention to the BTMI, she As it relates to cruise travel, she indi- said it has been a particularly difficult cated that this country is making a grad- time for the agency, but they are pressing ual return, which is expected to commence ahead. Cummins also revealed the BTMI close to the end of June into early July. has been undertaking a global recruit- “We have new ship deployments,we ment process over the last few weeks, in have our first ship christening happen- search of the “best in global talent” to lead ing this October, and in a few weeks, we the agency.She said to date they have re- will be having a similar forum dedicated ceived nearly 155 applications from to the resumption of cruise...We're looking around the world. (JRT) The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 15, 2021 • 3

Safety a priority New REBRANDED from Page 1 are vaccinations taking place We want our businesses re- globally, that they’re removing date for opened. We want our workers nearly all public health screen- back to work.We want everyone ing and testing requirements to feel safe.” for entry into their country.That COVID-19 The Tourism Minister made is not Barbados’ way, safe the point as she indicated that to Barbados is what we’re prioritis- date over 75 000 persons in this ing and what we’re offering to vaccination country have been vaccinated, our partners”. as they move towards the gov- Her comments came as she THE Ministry of Health and ernment’s goal to immunise 80 said that earlier this week, the Wellness (MOHW) has advised to 90 per cent of adults to United States Centers for persons scheduled to receive achieve herd immunity. While Disease Control and Prevention their second dose vaccinations admitting that there is still a moved Barbados from level four at the Barbados Investment way to go in that regard, she is to level three in respect of its and Development Corporation nonetheless confident that by travel health notice. Minister (BIDC), Harbour Road, St. working together it can be Cummins said that this is a pos- Michael, today,Saturday,May achieved. itive signal. 15, that the date has been “We aim to inspire confidence Speaking more on the re- changed.They will now receive in Barbadians and travellers branding, she said it is part of their vaccinations tomorrow, equally, that we’re protecting their effort to navigate what is Sunday, May 16. ourselves first and our commu- hoped to be post-vaccination Additionally, individuals nities against community travel and the restart of who missed their second dose spread here at home, and when tourism. Moreover, she said appointments at the Branford our communities are protected, that through the rebranding, Taitt Polyclinic, Black Rock, that visitors equally after meet- Barbados is declaring to the Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Lisa St. Michael, during this week, ing such vigorous border proto- world that this little island is in Cummins. and have not received a call, cols, they visit our island home every way continuing to punch should go to the BIDC on and they too feel safe,” she said. above its weight. facing and fixing problems. We nomic activity. We are big on Sunday, May 16, to receive Senator Cummins added,“We “We’re standing here proud of are big on developing new busi- travel and tourism.We’re big on their vaccines. have to encourage people who this little big island. We are lit- ness opportunities that allow the people who constitute the The dates and sites for haven’t travelled in 18 months tle in size, population, some- our people to secure employ- travel and tourism industry.We future second dose vaccina- to choose Barbados; to choose times some may say geopoliti- ment [and] create livelihoods. are big on destination Barbados. tions will be announced by Barbados over some other desti- cal significance and available We are big on supporting busi- So safe reopening is important the Ministry of Health and nations that perhaps are so en- resources, but we are big on am- nesses, because businesses hire to us,” she contended. Wellness. couraged by the fact that there bition, big on resilience, big on people, businesses create eco- (JRT) St. Andrew Outpatient Clinic reopens ANOTHER rural parish can now boast of access to health care in the heart of the com- munity. This comes as a renovated St Andrew Outpatient Clinic at Belleplaine officially reopened yesterday. The clinic, which has been part of the community for over four decades, was plagued by en- vironmental problems for many years and as a result was set for permanent closure. However, Minister of Health and Wellness Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, who was given the man- date of “taking healthcare into the community”, said that its closure would have been a step backwards. “I gave instructions there and then that the facility at St Andrew and also at St Joseph will not be closed and that we in the Ministry of Health and Wellness will follow the Prime Minister’s guidance and we will refurbish the two facilities. We Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Chairman of the Ernie Bourne Foundation, Simeon F. Belgrave, during the unveiling of the did not have the funding at first plaque at the renovated St. Andrew Outpatient Clinic yesterday. Looking on is Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Col. Jeffrey to do it, but we waited and then Bostic (right). we got some funds and here we are today,” he expressed. several remedial efforts made. the digital age. “We have outfit- Services will be offered three days, but the intention of the “Those persons who would But we felt that on this occasion ted this clinic with six comput- days a week at the St Andrew Ministry of Health and Wellness have worked here, those persons we needed an overhaul.And the ers, upgraded the telephone Outpatient clinic in the first in- is to offer services on a daily who would have visited this out- overhaul symbolises the over- system…We are now going to stance and will include a general basis at this facility, the same patient clinic over the years to haul for us as a Ministry and as digitise the records and every- practice, mental health, and way we hope to do so in St. access services, know better a government and the entire thing in relation to this clinic. child health clinics. But as time Joseph… Once we get settled, than I do that the environmen- healthcare system.” You will be able to make ap- progresses, Minister Bostic as- we will upgrade the services,as tal situation was not always the Minister Bostic revealed that pointments online because we sures that more days will be well as extend the days and best.You had to experience tem- the refurbished facility is better now have the facility here to be added. hours.” porary closures and there were equipped and has moved into able to do this.” “We will start with the three (TL) 4• Saturday May 15, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Review, re-registration of Adopt Our Families Programme System offline GOVERNMENT is re- Lane, said it was neces- the programme to update have not seen or are un- THE Corporate Affairs sible. viewing the Adopt Our sary to undertake the re- their status and re-regis- able to fill out the survey and Intellectual Property CAIPO's IT personnel Families Programme view and re-registration ter. link, should call or mes- Office (CAIPO) has ad- are working around the and re-registering the of the one-year-old pro- “Persons who regis- sage 535-5329, so they vised that the system clock to rectify the issue. households which fall gramme at this time and tered for the Adopt Our can get the necessary which services the The Office has advised under it, to ensure that make any warranted Families Programme assistance to complete Intellectual Property that this does not affect the most vulnerable fam- changes so “the vulnera- were recently sent a link the information,” he Office, known as the the operations of the ilies are still benefiting ble remains on the via their cell phone and stated. Industrial Property Corporate Registry. from critical financial as- radar”. we want them to com- Lane stressed that Automation System CAIPO apologises for any sistance. Therefore, Lane has plete the questionnaire. completed questionnaires (IPAS), is experiencing inconvenience which may Special Advisor to the encouraged those persons Those who registered must be submitted by technical difficulties, be caused. Prime Minister, Corey receiving assistance from for the programme, but Tuesday, May 25, 2021. and is therefore inacces- (CAIPO/BGIS) QEH gets hydration station THE Queen Elizabeth said that the company is Hospital became the doing its part to aid the en- latest point on the is- vironment and the island's land where members of healthcare framework. the public can access “Though one of the aims fresh, free drinking of the Hydrate Barbados water as Newport un- programme is to protect veiled their most recent the environment by reduc- hydration station in the ing the plastic pollution, Hydrate Barbados we have recognised that us Programme. With eight and our partners can and locations across the is- have made a major impact land offering purified, in encouraging Bar- cold and room temper- badians to foster healthier ature water at no cost, habits.We realised that by the company is well on providing the easier choice its way. of free water compared to FROM LEFT: Pharmacy Sales Caribbean Inc. Marketing Manager Gregory Ruck; Senior Medical The station was officially the sugar-sweetened bev- Representative at Abbott Dona Charles; and Newport Marketing Executive Alicia Barrow celebrating opened yesterday in the erages,than nine out of ten yesterday's unveiling of the hydration station at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. lobby of the hospital's times, people will choose main entrance and the healthier choice of Ruck said that his com- as corporate Barbados and thankful that Newport waste that would be going Marketing Executive at water.Just this past week, pany is pleased to be a part the public sector to con- would have engaged in to the environment. We Newport Alicia Barrow we have heard a renewed of the initiative. tinue the drive towards a this initiative and asked also are glad that we will said that the event was call to combat the rising “Our bodies are made up healthier nation,” he said. us to partner with them to have the access to water made even more special as rate of non-communicable of 70% water,which means Director of Engineering be able to be a part of this on an everyday and rou- the company reached the diseases in our island.” we all should be drinking Services at the hospital exercise. We are also tine and regular basis so milestone of 100 000 Joining forces, Phar- more water. We are happy Paula Agbowu said that happy to know that this that persons that are tra- bottle-fills this week. Also macy Sales Caribbean Inc. to support Barbados in the the project was a long time will be a station that will versing this area can have noting that the Hydrate and Abbott became the drive to reduce sugar in in coming and that the not negatively impact the access to this facility,” she Barbados programme con- latest sponsors of the our diets and consume hospital recognised the im- environment because per- said, adding that she tinued to fulfill its man- Hydrate Barbados pro- more water. We want to portance of having water sons will be able to bring hopes for future partner- date despite the restrictive gramme and Pharmacy thank the QEH and readily available for every- their own refillable, ships which would see sta- climate brought on by the Sales Caribbean Mar- Newport for allowing us to one. reusable containers so that tions at more locations in global pandemic, Barrow keting Manager Gregory be a part, to come together “We are truly happy and we will reduce the plastic the hospital. ‘You are never too old to learn’ BWA to carry out work at SENIORS from completing this training, some of the older genera- the initiative, outlining Applewhaites, St. George Back Page you would be able to tion to embrace technol- the telecommunications THE Barbados Water in Applewhaites, Locust make internet transac- ogy, and stressing the giant’s commitment to Authority wishes to ad- Hall, Flat Rock, Foster Yarde said by becoming tions – whether it be in- need for them to adapt ensuring communities vise residents and busi- Hall, Bournes Village and more adept at handling ternet banking, paying and keep up with the are equipped with the nesses in St. George that the surrounding areas the computer, the elderly bills, managing your changes. resources necessary dur- on Monday, May 17th it may experience low pres- will no longer have money, ordering groceries “This programme ing this time of perpetual will be making connec- sure or water outages to stand in long lines or navigating govern- teaches that you are change. tions to mains located at while the work is being outside of some busi- ment portals such as never too old to learn,” The project begins next Applewhaites, St. George. conducted. nesses, and therefore Tamis – from the safety she noted, pointing out week with 10 persons se- The work, which forms Residents are asked to their safety will be of your homes,” she con- that many persons are lected from the various li- part of the ongoing Water store an adequate supply somewhat ensured dur- tinued. now at ease in attending brary branches across Supply Network Upgrade of water to help during ing the COVID-19 pan- Head of Retail Banking church via Zoom, reading the island, and training project funded by the this period. demic by conducting of FCIB Michelle books on tablets and pay- will be held at the Caribbean Development The Barbados Water matters from their own Whitelaw commended ing taxes online. Speightstown, Bridge- Bank (CDB), will be con- Authority apologises for homes. the Service for the initia- Meanwhile, Flow town and Six Roads loca- ducted between 9:00 am any inconvenience this “To you the partici- tive, speaking on how Operations Manager tions. and 5:00 pm. service disruption may pants, after successfully difficult it was to get Paul Watson also lauded (JMB) As a result, customers cause. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 15, 2021 • 5 Businesses must become more competitive THE COVID-19 pan- that we need to take challenge. So what we demic offers an oppor- within this pandemic, it have to do now is manipu- tunity for businesses to simply means that in our late on education, manipu- step up their game in strategies, we now have to late the technological ad- terms of their competi- take charge in ensuring vancement approach in tiveness, their use of that we can (do business) order to ensure that our technology and how in- from a distance. Hence, we businesses are more effi- novative they can be. see technology being ad- cient. So technology and This is according to Dr. vanced and we also see in education would help to Ankie Scott-Joseph, a UWI addition to technology push us forward,” she fur- Lecturer in Economics, as being advanced, we need ther commented. she spoke on the topic of to be innovative. For in- Scott-Joseph however “The Caribbean Business stance, we are seeing this noted that in terms of fi- Anderson Cherry, CEO of Environment”, during a in the restaurants, in the nancing businesses, there the Jose Y Jose Group. recent hosting of the health services where they are two main factors of Debrief Finance and are also going digital,” which to be mindful, given Acknowledging that Business Thursday seg- Scott-Joseph remarked. that income streams have businesses cannot simply ment of the online The “So there are quite a bit been drying up on account rely on incentives from Debrief TV Show.She was of opportunities for us of the strain of the COVID- government to take them Dr. Ankie Scott-Joseph, a UWI Lecturer in Economics. joined by Anderson within the Caribbean to 19 pandemic. forward, she said they Cherry, CEO of the Jose Y use technology, but one of “There are two major must therefore do more on entrepreneurs desirous of he has found that in pro- Jose Group, whilst Kemar the main challenges with challenges that would im- their own to boost profits becoming successful in viding services to assist Stuart moderated the ses- technology is not only the pact on financing. First, and revenue, and they will business to consider what others, persons often are sion. training, but the stability, the cost of the operation it- need to become very cre- goods and services they the ones chasing the own- “As we have noted in this the reliability of for in- self and the time it would ative in this present envi- could provide to help ers to conduct business, pandemic era, it gives us stance the Internet con- take businesses to literally ronment in order to make others. rather than the business an opportunity to step up, nection. Because you could provide a service – from advances. “As you help others, it is owners having to chase step up in terms of our have the best equipment, the time of production to Meanwhile, Anderson then you would find bene- after customers in order to competitiveness. Given the and if the connections are the time of delivery,” she Cherry took the opportu- fits for yourself,” he main- keep afloat. social distancing approach weak etc. that becomes a indicated. nity to encourage young tained, while noting that (RSM) Three nursing students receive scholarships NIKITA Roberts-Kirton, Caribbean asked ourselves Ashia Best and André if there was anything that Maloney will all be putting we could do to help. And their best foot forward as today, we are pleased to they navigate their next present these scholarships phase of life. This is be- to three students of the cause the three young peo- Nursing Programme of the ple are expected to blaze a Barbados Community trail for those to follow as College, to assist them in they became the first achieving their goals of be- ever recipients of the coming qualified nurses Ramona Mascoll Memorial here in Barbados. And we Scholarship. went a step further. Being presented with Having lost one of our their cheques on treasured nurses to International Nurses Day, COVID-19, we wanted to the trio pledged to honour acknowledge the contribu- FROM LEFT: Director of Retail Banking Channels at CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Michelle the memory of Mascoll, tion that she made and Whitelaw; son of Ramona Mascoll, Renaldo Matamoro; scholarship winners Ashia Best, Nikita Roberts-Kirton who passed earlier this therefore decided to do this and André Maloney; Barbados Community College Principal Annette Alleyne; and Director of Nursing year as the first frontline in her memory.” Services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Henderson Pinder. healthcare worker in Speaking directly to the Barbados to have suc- scholarship winners, Director of Nursing son to come closer to real- mitment and dedication of was playing their part to- cumbed to COVID-19. Whitelaw urged them to Services at the Queen ising and fulfilling their our teams, we have been wards providing the frame- The scholarship, which continue to do their best. Elizabeth Hospital dreams. Investment in able to see this nation work for the education of is sponsored by the CIBC “In addition to the mone- Henderson Pinder took the nursing will bring benefits through and we are seeing nurses. With several nurs- FirstCaribbean Inter- tary assistance today, I opportunity to express that go far beyond health- a reduction in the number ing programmes on offer, national Bank, will cover want to give you some en- gratitude to the sponsors, care and will also redound of cases. What this pan- Alleyne noted that they are the registration fees, books couragement. It is not al- noting that Mascoll would to benefits to our island, demic has demonstrated seeing increasing pass and uniforms of the stu- ways going to be easy, but have been proud as it was not only today and tomor- however, is that we must rates in recent years with dents as they tackle the you have chosen a noble her aim to make the world row, but for years to come.” realise that the nursing 12% making the cut in second year of the profession.There are likely a healthier and happier Welcoming the initiative population globally cannot October 2018, as compared Barbados Community to be sacrifices along the place. as it would go a long way adequately meet our to 62% in October of 2019, College’s Nursing Pro- way but always remember “We thank the CIBC towards filling a shortfall health care needs. The es- 73% in July of 2020, and gramme. the reason why you First Caribbean Inter- of nurses, Pinder said that tablishment of this scholar- 75% last November. During the ceremony at wanted to be a nurse in the national Bank for estab- the current complement ship will ensure that one Citing information from the Pom Marine Hotel, first place.And if your driv- lishing this scholarship in had been stretched since more nurse joins the front- the International Council CIBC FirstCaribbean’s ing force is to help people, the name of Ramona the start of the pandemic line workers in this pan- of Nurses which reads that Director of Retail Banking never forget that and just Mascoll. This scholarship but saluted them for their demic. Your actions here the aging workforce and Channels Michelle keep going and be proud of will provide an avenue to resilience. today have started to ame- the reach of pandemic will Whitelaw said that her the fact that you have been provide financial assis- “We have had to man liorate the projected nurse see 13 million additional company noticed the glar- selected to be the recipi- tance to students who five hotels, two isolation shortage,” he said. nurses needed worldwide ing shortage of nurses on ents of the Ramona wish to transition to the centres and still maintain Principal of the to fill the gap in the future, the island and took a deci- Mascoll Scholarships, Bachelor of Science degree the services at the Queen Barbados Community Alleyne said that her insti- sion to assist where they sponsored by CIBC in Nursing at the Barbados Elizabeth Hospital. That College Annette Alleyne tution was committed to could. FirstCaribbean Bank,” she Community College and has been a great stretch for was also on-hand and re- turning out more qualified “We at CIBC First- said. thereby assist a young per- us. But through the com- vealed that the institution nurses. (MP) 6 • Saturday May 15, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

More housing options on the way WITHIN a matter of months Barbadians will have yet another option in the quest to own a piece of the rock. Coming hot on the heels of breaking ground at the Home Ownership Providing Energy (HOPE) Direct Project of Vespera Gardens in Lancaster,the HOPE Premium Project dubbed ‘Atlantic Breeze’ was officially launched on Wednesday evening. The National Housing Corporation has made 35 acres of land at Chancery Preconco Ltd. Chief Lane available in the pub- Executive Officer Mark Parliamentary Representative for the constituency Minister Wilfred Abrahams breaking ground at the HOPE lic-private partnership Maloney. Premium site. with Preconco Ltd., where 267 homes will be erected. With the properties being marketed towards persons earning between $4 000 to $8 000 and expected to start at $265 000, cus- tomers will have a choice of two and three-bedroom homes in six different models. Designed and planned by Archis Design Group Inc., the new devel- opment will also feature a one-acre green space which is earmarked to serve as a park and com- mercial centre. Chief Executive Officer of Preconco Ltd Mark Maloney revealed that his company has worked with the NHC over many years and called the initiative the most ambitious one they have undertaken together to date. “This project is really a culmination of all the things that we have done and we do believe that all FROM LEFT: Minister of Housing and Lands Dr.William Duguid; Minister Ryan Straughn; Minster Wilfred Abrahams; Prime Minister Mia the things we have done Amor Mottley; Preconco Ltd Chief Executive Officer Mark Maloney; and Director of Archis Design Group Dr. Albert Best turning the soil have been good. But as during Wednesday’s launch. you do things, you realise that you can do them bet- technology would be em- happy.” ing are crucial to moving the public sphere, and as she said. ter and you can make ployed as they sought to With over 12 000 appli- to the next level of life, much as possible through Driving home the point changes because you are build energy efficient cations already in for the Mottley bemoaned the fact the Town Planning de- that suitable housing for providing housing solu- homes to withstand the el- homes at Vespera, there is that much of the island’s partment for the private all Barbadians is critical tions for all different types ements, Maloney also already massive interest lower and lower-middle sphere, must ensure that to our individual develop- of clientele that have their noted that everything we being shown for this income housing stock is at we are building green and ment, Mottley also said own opinions on how do in life hinges on our new development. risk because of how it was resilient housing in order that it in turn augurs well things should work, and mental, emotional, physi- Also speaking at the built years ago. to be able to live in this for our development as a until persons live in the cal and spiritual well- launch was Prime Minis- Citing a proposed ‘silent world in which we as people. homes and the communi- being and said that he ter Mia Amor Mottley, who revolution in housing’ in Barbadians and as “Fundamentally, hous- ties, you don’t know how expects the project to highlighted the impor- Barbados, Prime Minister Caribbean people and as ing policy is at the core of they are going to accept serve as the pinnacle of tance of people having ac- Mottley said that wher- small island developing social policy and cultural them. The changes that lifestyle development in cess to suitable housing, ever they have a say,hous- states people, remain on policy. How we live in we have made here are a Barbados. as it serves to transform ing will be constructed the frontline of the climate terms of our houses influ- culmination of all the “We love to build homes, nations and bring about following a standard to re- crisis. It is absolutely crit- ences what we do as indi- great things that we have but more so we love to changes in how people duce the number of homes ical that this becomes the viduals and families. And done – slightly improved – build communities, and live, aspire to achieve and that would be extensively standard in the same way therefore the planning and some of the things this is a lifestyle commu- actually achieve. Going on damaged during our an- that the building of flat that is critical for this kind that we have done not so nity. No matter what your to note that the prospect of nual hurricane season. roofs became the unin- of development can posi- great to change them,” he pay rate is in Barbados, development of Barb- “What we have agreed tended standard post- tively or negatively impact said. you should be able to live adians is anchored in the to as a government is that Hurricane Janet.We have on what kind of commu- Going on to mention in a community that is recognition that educa- all housing which is un- been lucky but we are not nity and what kind of soci- that the latest building conducive to people being tion, healthcare and hous- dertaken in the name of always going to be lucky,” ety we have.” (MP) The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 15, 2021 • 7

Genuine multilateralism, int’l cooperation championed worldwide

BEIJING – The world tions,” she told Xinhua. needs genuine multilat- “Building small circles in eralism, and all coun- the name of multilateral- tries should refrain ism is in fact fake multilat- from pursuing unilater- eralism,” she said, adding alism and hegemonism, that such a move is actu- and should not use mul- ally returning to unilater- tilateralism as a pretext alism in nature. to form small circles or President of the 75th ses- stir up ideological sion of the UN General confrontation, Chinese Assembly Volkan Bozkir President Xi Jinping stressed on Friday that has said. “strong and effective multi- The vision resonated lateralism, based on the Chinese peacekeepers march during a medal ceremony in Hanniyah village, southern Lebanon, April 3, 2019. with the wider public with purposes and principles of scholars and experts world- the Charter of the United “It is necessary to avoid challenge together,” he ternational cooperation in In this regard, the wide holding that true mul- Nations, international law isolationism and unilater- said, adding that Xi has recent years, and its will- United States has shown tilateralism should prevail and justice are the founda- alism. Global solidarity and forged a path towards this ingness to work collabora- an unfortunate willingness over unilateral interests tions for security, stability, South-South cooperation through China’s efforts to tively with other countries at times to deal with global and narrow regional group- peace and prosperity.” are key,not only to confront promote international has been especially clear challenges using small, ings, and play a due role in “Multilateralism plays a current challenges that cooperation by helping during the pandemic,” he closed groupings and small promoting global coopera- crucial role in fostering di- require a multilateral others against COVID-19. said, adding that the pan- cliques, said Sourabh tion and solidarity, espe- alogue and trust, manag- response, but also to pre- “I firmly believe that the demic did not interrupt col- Gupta, a senior fellow at cially in combating the ing security challenges, vent future global prob- world of cooperation will laboration, but intensified the Washington-based COVID-19 pandemic and such as terrorism and lems,” said Gonzalo surely prevail over petty ef- it. Institute for China- climate change. weapons proliferation.And Tordini, director of forts of adversarial politics America Studies. it provides a framework for International Relations and narrow regional group- Climate change “It did so in the area of Genuine multilateralism states to resolve disputes at the Arturo Jauretche ings,” he said. As humankind has abused global public health by During a phone conversa- peacefully and without co- National University in “The time has come for its environment and seen prioritising the Quad tion with United Nations ercion,” he said, adding Greater Buenos Aires. the multilateral, coopera- the consequences brought framework – and not the (UN) Secretary-General that the multilateral sys- China has shown its tive and supportive spirit by climate change and UN or the World Health Antonio Guterres on tem benefits all, from small “great willingness to guide that President Xi calls for COVID-19, multilateral- Organization – as the Thursday, Xi noted that states to the largest ones. efforts towards a new in international relations.” ism must prevail over uni- primary means for vaccine pursuing multilateralism Similarly,Tatiana paradigm in the interna- “The world is wounded, lateral interests, said Jose dissemination in the is inseparable from the Valovaya, director-general tional arena, where exhausted and economi- Ignacio Martinez Cortes, a Indo-Pacific and other UN’s mission, interna- of the UN Office at Geneva, cooperative work is cally impoverished. It researcher at the National developing nations,” he tional law and cooperation pointed out that to make the only pathtowards a needs the healing hand of Autonomous University of added. among countries,and mul- multilateralism trustwor- prosperous global future,” cooperation, not confronta- Mexico. “Global challenges re- tilateralism has received thy,all the members within he added. tion and political manipu- “Today we see that if we quire global solutions and an increasing amount of the multilateral system lation,” the scholar said. follow a unilateral path of global stewardship. support. should be given an equal Cooperation on fighting “If we are to have a not tackling climate change Hopefully, it will bear this “I think the Chinese voice. COVID-19 chance of dealing with over the next two genera- principle in mind in the president is telling the “We need (to) give a voice “In an effort to revive the challenges such as the pan- tions, then we will have context of exercising a co- world how China perceives to all the members of the multilateral and coopera- demic, climate change and lands devastated by the leadership role to tackle and practices true multi- multilateral system. All tive spirit of the world, poverty,President Xi’s offer phenomenon of droughts or the global climate chal- lateralism,” said Islam member states should have President Xi is trying to of friendship and partner- floods," he said.“Therefore, lenge, going forward,” Ayadi, assistant professor an equal voice,and we have push the world to come to- ship must be accepted.The multilateralism must Gupta said. of political science at the to listen to everybody,” he gether, and major countries futurebelongs to the uni- prevail beyond unilateral As the largest develop- Arab American University said. help each other especially fiers, not the dividers,” he interest.” ing country in the world, in Palestine. “It’s very important to in the midst of this chal- added. He added that countries China has increased its “China believes that true strengthen multilateralism lenging pandemic,” said The global health and are now faced with two contributions to achieving multilateralism means for this point of view,to Mueen Batlay, director of economic crisis generated major challenges: climate the highest reduction in abiding by the purposes make it inclusive, to make the Institute of Manage- by COVID-19 has high- change and the COVID-19 CO2 emissions in the world and principles of the UN it integrated, to make it ment Sciences at Hamdard lighted the need for greater pandemic. Yet the United and will achieve carbon Charter, safeguarding the networking, and working University in Pakistan. international cooperation States always wants to neutrality from carbon international system with with member states ex- “President Xi wants a and multilateralism, “put its interests above peaking in the shortest the UN at its core,and pro- actly in strengthening this world of cooperation and Tordini said. multilateralism," and that time in the world’s history, moting the democratiza- multilateral approach,” the mutual respect which can “China has been one of could lead to “confrontation said Ayadi. tion of international rela- official added. fight against any global the main promoters of in- and wasting time in” ad- China has already dressing these two issues. pledged to peak carbon “If we continue to follow dioxide emissions by 2030 Washington’s path, we will and achieve carbon neu- China’s Red Cross offers humanitarian be moving through unilat- trality by 2060, which is a eralism and nationalism, much shorter time span and of course the hege- than those proposed by support to India’s COVID-19 fight mony of Washington. If we many developed countries. go along with what China “This demonstrates THE Red Cross Society of Red Cross Foundation left Chengdu in southwest The supplies include proposes around the UN China’s commitment to China has offered India (CRCF) said Sunday. China’s Sichuan Province 100 oxygen concentrators, proposal, we can multilat- making more contributions 1 million US dollars in In addition, a batch of on Sunday morning and 20 non-invasive ventilators erally confront these two to tackling global climate cash assistance to help anti-pandemic supplies arrived in Bangalore of and 20 invasive (challenging) situations change and building up its the country combat donated by the Chinese hu- India later the day, ventilators, added that we are undergoing,” image as a responsible COVID-19, the Chinese manitarian organization the CRCF said. the CRCF. he said. major country,” she said. 8 • Saturday May 15, 2021 The Barbados Advocate ‘For the cause that lacks assistance, ’Gainst the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do’ Editorial Ireland’s health service shuts down IT Conversation systems over ransomware attack IRELAND’S health serv- through the weekend and “We did become aware The Rotunda’s Professor ice has closed down its into next week, unfortu- of it during the night Fergal Malone said on derelict computer systems after a nately.” and have been acting yesterday, “There’s no major ransomware attack Systems for GP and on it straight away. The problems for patient by “international crimi- close contact COVID-19 immediate priority is safety. But, as a precau- housing timely nals”, the country’s test referrals are among obviously to contain tion, we’re asking all deputy prime minister the services affected. this.” patients who have REPORTS are that Government will be hosting a has said. The online system for Reid told the national appointments today to public-private consultation on derelict houses, to The Republic's Health making child protection broadcaster RTE the not attend the hospital ascertain how best to bring them back into Service Executive (HSE) referrals to the child and health service was hit by a unless it’s an emergency, productive use. said it shutdown its IT family agency, Tusla, is “human operated ran- or unless they’re 36 weeks According to the Barbados Government network as a “precaution” also down. somware attack”, where pregnant or over. Information Service (BGIS), Prime Minister Mia following the cyber as- As a result of the IT hackers gain access to “All equipment is all Amor Mottley has noted that there are too sault, which was discov- issues, Dublin’s Rotunda data and then seek a absolutely operational and many derelict houses across Barbados and her ered overnight Thursday. Hospital asked women not ransom for it. fine. Government therefore intends to have this intended Leo Varadkar, who is to attend appointments He said no demands had “Computers logging into public-private consultation, to see how best it can himself a doctor, said the scheduled for Friday, yet been received. electronic healthcare bring these derelict houses, predominantly in urban attack was “very serious” unless they were over The HSE has shut down records is the issue, and Barbados, but also in suburban and rural Barbados, and could affect systems 36 weeks pregnant, or it many of its major systems the ability to access back into productive use. throughout the weekend was an emergency. as a precautionary meas- patient demographics, As stated by the information given, these houses and into next week. People with routine ure and was being sup- things like that – which are often abandoned on account of conflict The GP and Close appointments at other ported by national cyber computer-based systems. within families, are left to deteriorate, providing a Contact testing Referrals hospitals have been told to security teams, including “They’ve all been taken haven for rodents, mosquitoes and also criminal system is down. GPs can attend “unless and until” the police and the defence offline as a precaution.We activity. We also have situations here, we can add, advise patients to attend they hear otherwise from forces. have systems in place to where homeless persons take up residence in these any walk in sites if they health officials. Reid added,“I do want to revert back to what you derelict properties, creating an even greater eyesore, need a test. But the HSE said reassure everybody this might call old-fashioned as they pile up their belongings and garbage around Priority will be given to coronavirus vaccination morning (Friday) that the paper-based record-keep- the places they now call home. symptomatic and close appointments were not vaccination programme ing.” So without a doubt, this issue of derelict housing contacts at open walk-in affected by the attack continues. It’s not The National Maternity in Barbados, is one that long needs to be addressed. testing centres. and are going ahead as impacted. Hospital also warned of We can all agree that there are too many derelict He said,“It’s coming at a planned. “So everybody should “significant disruption” properties across the country that could otherwise time when the health HSE chief executive still come forward.” due to the attack. be put to good use. There are too many citizens in service is extremely busy Paul Reid said, “We have He added that life-sav- It said in a tweet yester- need of housing, for us to turn a blind eye to this doing lots of other things. been the subject of a very ing equipment, such as day: “Due to a major IT matter.We must also abandon the habit of letting “It’s going to be a very significant, major that used in intensive care issue, there will be good properties run down, especially those that difficult time for the ransomware attack. units, has also not been significant disruption to have significant historical value, due to familial health service. “It’s a very sophisticated affected. all our services today. conflicts, legal ramifications or even simply a case “There’s lots we don’t attack. It is impacting all “This is more or less If you have an appoint- of neglect. know but it appears to be of our national and local information technology ment/need to come to the Now we know that abandoned buildings a ransomware attack by systems that would be systems and transferring hospital, please come as are rare in well-kept, aesthetically pleasing international criminals. involved in all of our core information across normal. We ask that you neighbourhoods where the demand for property is The problem could run services. networks,” he said. please bear with us.” high, but it does happen a lot in the City and in the countryside, in places where there is no high level of accountability for maintaining these properties or where a run-down house can be overlooked. In some instances as noted before, the heirs cannot Pokémon card sales at major US agree on a course of action, so nothing is done to the property. Sometimes, abandonment also occurs when the owner is a senior citizen and passes away. There are a number of reasons why houses may be retailer halted over security fears abandoned and become derelict. However, the time really has come for us to look at various US retail giant Target is in-store sales is tempo- cealed gun, ended the with its famous catch- solutions to this problem and find ways to reduce suspending in-store sales rary, the company said, fight by drawing his phrase, “gotta catch ‘em the number of derelict properties we have of Pokémon and sports adding that online sales weapon, police say. all”, have surged in value on hand. trading cards amid safety are not effected. No shots were fired, in recent years. As the government has said, it may be key to find concerns as customers Walmart, a top com- and the four men rang- Videos online of social legal ways to match individual families with those vie for the collectibles. petitor to Target, says ing in age from 23 to 35 media influencers who have capital, or those who have expertise, in Target, which has over they have also seen fled and were later ar- opening packages of order to bring back many of these houses into 1,900 outlets in the US, increasing demand, but rested. cards in the hopes of find productive enterprise. made the decision after a do not currently have The store, a nearby a rare one have increased Perhaps we could look to those in the man drew a gun in a fight plans to block sales. grocery store and a interest, experts say. international arena, to see how they have tackled over trading cards out- A fight broke out in a children’s healthcare In March, a card for a this problem. In some instances, we know that the side a store in Wisconsin. car park outside a Target clinic briefly went on type of Pokémon known most common method of dealing with this problem “The safety of our in Brookfield, Wisconsin, lockdown. as a Charizard sold is through what is called a code enforcement. Some guests and our team is on May 7, after four men Before announcing for nearly $400,000 towns and cities across the seas have adopted some our top priority,” the com- allegedly assaulted the ban, Target had (£285,000). type of property maintenance code or law that lists pany said in a statement another man over sports previously said they were Auction site eBay says standards that should not be violated. These also to US media. trading cards, reports limiting trading card sales of Pokémon cards may govern and regulate vacant lots. We could see Sales of trading cards the Milwaukee Journal sales to one package per in the US shot up 574% if it is feasible to go this route. have rocketed amid the Sentinel. day per customer. between 2019-20. Trade Whatever we consider, we need to tackle this issue pandemic. The victim, who had a Sales of trading cards, in football cards grew of derelict housing head on, to ensure that The suspension of licence to carry a con- and especially Pokémon by 1,586%. we have less properties being abandoned and less housing stock for our population. We may need to Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes put our heads together for the best solution, E-mail Address: [email protected] Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen but it is high time indeed that this matter Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan is addressed. @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 15, 2021 • 9

Jamaica’s Health Montserrat investigating sudden Ministry points to death of two vaccinated people SAINT JOHN’S, Antigua – THE the public remains calm while they Ministry of Health and Social Services await the results of the post- mortems. commenced COVID-19 vaccination on The Ministry is also asking that the danger of vaccine February 8, 2021. Since that time, 1321 general public remains mindful of persons have received their first dose of the feelings ofthe relatives of the the vaccine and 976 persons have deceased during this very difficult received their second dose. time. hesitancy among Based on Hospital records, there has Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sharra been a total of 14 deaths on Montserrat Greenaway-Duberry reaffirms that, from February 2021 to present. “The risk of adverse reactions to the The records also indicate that of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine high-risk groups deceased, 2 persons received their first are very minimal. The Joint Committee dose of the Oxford- AstraZeneca on Vaccination and Immunization KINGSTON, Jamaica – The COVID-19 vaccine. (JCVI) has calculated the risk of the Ministry of Health and Wellness on There was no indication based on extremely rare condition of blood clot- Thursday reminded Jamaicans in investigations carried out by the ting to be 10 in a million persons. the high-risk age groups of the dan- Ministry that these persons died as Therefore, the benefits of vaccination ger of vaccine hesitancy, as nine a result of any complications related have been proven to far outweigh the weeks into the national COVID-19 to the COVID-19 vaccine which they risks. The Ministry is continuing its vaccination programme only a received. vaccination programme and residents small percentage of them have Montserrat’s Ministry of Health & are being encouraged to continue to taken the jab. Social Services is working in conjunc- register.” “There are signs of vaccine hesitancy tion with other stakeholders to investi- In addition to vaccination, Ministry of among the vulnerable populations, with gate all instances of sudden deaths. Health officials are advising residents the 60-69 [age group] having just under It can be confirmed that there to continue practicing good hygiene, 16 per cent take-up; 70-79 [age group], were two sudden deaths over the past social distancing and the wearing of 22.6 per cent; and [people] over 80, just days which are currently under face coverings in shared public spaces under 18 per cent take-up,” Health and investigation. The Ministry of Health where social distancing may not be Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton and Social Services asks that possible. said at Thursday evening’s COVID Conversations media briefing. “We are not prepared yet to say it’s purely about hesitancy because there is a need to ensure that there is equitable Guyana’s Long-standing public access by all the socio-economic groups Jamaica’s Health and Wellness across the population,” Tufton added. Minister Dr Christopher Tufton. He said the ministry would have to servant ‘Vic’ Persaud dies employ more targeted strategies to reach sourcing supplies, the reality is that that these individuals.“There is going to have opportunity exists now and has existed to be a strategy to ensure that when we for some time,” Dr Tufton said. GEORGETOWN, Guyana – PRESI- Mrs Janet Jagan; Dr Bharrat Jagdeo; declare hesitancy, it is based on persons He emphasised that the decision to re- DENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, paid Mr Donald Ramotar; Mr David Granger having the opportunity to, and the means duce the age eligibility to now offer the homage to veteran public servant, Eshwar and most recently, President Ali. to, but are not taking up that opportunity. vaccine to Jamaicans aged 50 was not an Vevakanand Persaud, fondly known as Ali hailed Persaud as a model public Nevertheless, we still believe that we indication that vaccination take-up has ‘Vic’. servant, and an ‘institution’ within the should have seen more.There is no doubt been satisfactory.“It is an indication that Persaud, who succumbed on Thursday, country’s Public Service, who embodied that hesitancy is there, and we are going we have to make vaccines available to provided over 60 unbroken years of the finest attributes of professionalism. to have to spend more time to assess,” he other members of the population, and exemplary public service as an He highlighted his wit, charm, grace, noted. also that we have some work to do. We Accountant, Foreign Service Officer and sophistication, courtesy,excellence and ef- He stressed that people over 60 years have centres that are open that are avail- Chief of Protocol and Adviser on Protocol ficiency as the hallmarks of his of age must recognise that globally, they able to administer first doses to the 60 Affairs at the Office of the President. exemplary service. represent the majority of deaths from and over, and many of them are not Persaud had the distinction of “Guyana has lost an outstanding COVID-19. optimised. Not enough persons are com- providing protocol services to all of public servant, and the Office of the “So it is important for them to take ad- ing in and we can’t just sit and wait; we Guyana’s Executive Presidents: Mr Forbes President has lost one of its most beloved vantage of the opportunity to access the also have to give others an opportunity,” Burnham; Mr Desmond Hoyte; and respected stalwarts,” the President vaccine. Even with the challenges of he explained. Dr Cheddi Jagan; Mr Samuel Hinds; said, adding: “On behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, and on my own behalf and that of my family,I ex- tend heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Carol, Vaccine take-up declines in Caymans his children and relatives.” GRAND CAYMAN – Following a spike in pleaded with the public to get vaccinated take-up of the COVID-19 vaccine last over the course of the next few weekend, the numbers have been weeks. dipping again this week, with just 242 “We cannot allow these vaccinations people getting their first shot over the to go to waste while so many in the world last day. cannot even get access to them,” he said The rate has stalled again at 61% of the at a press conference held by the estimated population, with 39,493 adults opposition. having received a first shot while 52% Anyone wanting to get the COVID-19 have had both doses. On Thursday vaccine from Cayman’s existing stock Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart added must get their first dose by June 9 so his voice to those urging people to get they can ensure they get their second their first vaccine before it’s too dose before the supplies expire on June late and the stocks begin to 30. Cayman still has more than 4,500 expire. Because of the spread of first doses available that will expire next the latest new strains, he said he wanted month. to see at least 80% of people fully Meanwhile, there was just one new vaccinated before any wide-scale border positive COVID-19 case among openings. Thursday’s test results. The traveller is Deputy Chief Officer for the Ministry McTaggart warned that government asymptomatic and is one of 13 people Veteran public servant, Eshwar of Community Affairs, Andre Ebanks must tread carefully to avoid the pitfalls in quarantine or isolation that have Vevakanand Persaud, fondly known as gets the vaccine. other countries have experienced, and the coronavirus. ‘Vic’. 10 • Saturday May 15, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

SVG PM Gonsalves says UWI providing relief on fees for Vincentian students THE University of the West Indies cent, and they may well go higher in “That is to say in the campus accom- has decided to make several spe- specific cases which they would ad- modation units owned and operated by cial provisions for Vincentian stu- dresses on a case by case basis. the university,because some in Jamaica dents going in for this academic Concerning students at the open cam- are operated by the university and some year and those already pursuing pus, they would give twenty percent re- owned by private entity there, and they studies at all of their campuses. duction of the fees there, and in certain will try to keep them naturally in those Prime Minister Gonsalves made circumstances, they may go higher on a operated by the university.In Barbados, mention of the UWI’s decision on Friday case by case basis”. all are owned and operated by the at a press briefing in Kingstown. Gonsalves said the UWI would also do UWI”. “They will provide relief on fees for the same in relation to campus accom- This is going to be a big help to our the next year generally up to fifty per- modation. students, Gonsalves said. SVG PM Ralph Gonsalves.

Farmers to get $500 monthly; $400 for other Red Zone workers FARMERS, as well as other people, em- affected not only now,but will be affected also significantly affected by ash fall and budget preparation. ployed in the volcano Red Zone will get for months to come,” the finance minister disrupted markets, while fishers were “… because in his experience in ‘79, the income support of either EC$500 or said as he presented an EC$117.9 million unable to effectively ply their trade hardest part was not while you were in EC$400 per month for the rest of the supplementary budget. due to the turbidity of coastal waters, the the shelter, but when you got back home, year to help cope with loss of income The fiscal package contains EC$18.8 minister said. and the economy still wasn’t ready to as a result of the eruption of million in income support for over 14,000 They will receive a one-time EC$500 receive you, and you couldn’t find yourself La Soufriere. Vincentians across the country. payment, at a total cost of EC$3.8 million. gainfully employed,” Gonsalves said. “Many of these individuals face lengthy “As such, income support represents The minister noted that farmers were “So this supplementary budget periods of reduced or non-existent income 16% of this total supplementary budget. not the workers whose earning ability will provide workers from the Red and before they can restore their earning Almost 75% of that income support will go was adversely affected by the volcano. Orange zones with income support capacity,or their ability to independently to farmers and fishers, undoubtedly, the “Non-farmers in the Red and Orange of $400 a month for the first three months support their families,” Minister of sector most significantly affected in the zone, from the shopkeepers to the block after they return to their homes. Finance Camillo Gonsalves told post eruption economy,” Gonsalves said. makers to the restaurateurs, beauticians, A total of $4.5 million will go to these parliament on Tuesday. He said that farmers in the Red and labourers will all have a difficult period of non-farming workers in the red and or- He said that a banana farmer could Orange zone will receive EC$500 per adjustment once they return to their ange zone.” take up to a year before reaping his first month in income support from June to homes…” He said that even when double bunch, while root crop farmers might have December this year, at a cost of Gonsalves said that MP for North dipping is taken into account, close to to wait six to seven months. $10.5 million. Windward, Montgomery Daniel, made 19,000 Vincentians will receive some form “So there are people who are deeply Farmers south of the orange zone were this point very passionately during the of income support next month. Venezuela sets date for regional elections as opposition weighs participation

VENEZUELAN Electoral Council regional and local elections on parliamentary votes as well. the new council, named earlier this President Pedro Calzadilla said November 21, despite the opposition’s The mayoral and gubernatorial month, which includes three members on Thursday that the country would hold call this week for presidential and elections will be the first overseen by linked to President Nicolas Maduro’s ruling Socialist Party and two members close to the opposition. Previous boards had been made up solely of Maduro loyalists. The naming of the new board prompted some opposition politicians to advocate for participating in the elections, after boycotting presidential and parliamentary elections in recent years on the grounds that the conditions were not free and fair. “This (electoral council) is the result of a national dialogue,” Calzadilla said. “It is with active and hopeful electoral participation that the Venezuelan people have expressed their clear mandate. Our differences should be resolved peacefully." But opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognised by the United States and most Western democracies as Venezuela’s legitimate president, said this week the South American country should hold presidential and parliamentary elections as well, and proposed that the United States progres- sively lift sanctions should Maduro agree. Guaido and Washington label Maduro a dictator who rigged his 2018 re-election and abuses his power to stifle dissent. Maduro argues the opposition is seeking to oust him in a coup, and points to its decision to boycott elections as Pedro Calzadilla, new director of the National Electoral Council, is seen at the end of the extraordinary session of the evidence of their lack of commitment National Assembly of Venezuela in Caracas, Venezuela May 4, 2021. to democracy. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 15, 2021 • 11

Latin America’s female scientists pack a big punch despite glass ceiling LATIN AMERICA’S female scien- development. tists and researchers are packing a “In mathematics we are almost half, in big punch despite a hard-to-break physics there are more men, but in glass ceiling for top roles in acade- biology there is a predominance of mia and business, reflecting how women,” said Bonder.“Today women are women are on the march in a aware and are in the fight to reverse region often seen as a bastion of these inequalities.” macho male culture. Obstacles, however, remain. A report by UNESCO and UN Women While more Latin American women Silvina Sonzogni (R), researcher member of the CONICET (National Scientific and shows they account for 45% of female graduate than men and there is almost Technical Research Council), works next to student Eliana Rozowykwiat, at the researchers in Latin America and the parity of researchers, women account for laboratory of Neurogenetics of the University Buenos Aires, Argentina. Caribbean, compared with around only 18% of deans at public universities, 29% globally, the highest anywhere in and in the corporate sector, women scientific endeavor, has also sharpened business incentives and changes in the world, although there are still gaps account for just 27% of executives. challenges for women, including the the education system are needed. in some specialties. “This is an important issue because, complex juggling act of succeeding at “We have to adapt the paths and “Women are advancing in careers that in general, companies have higher work while often doing more childcare opportunities we give to girls and women were previously very masculine or salaries and offer other possibilities for than male counterparts. in their various spheres and in particu- totally male-dominated,” Gloria Bonder, professional development,” Bonder said. “I think that there’s a glass ceiling lar science, technology and innovation,” director of the UNESCO Regional Chair Many governments, universities and created by motherhood and childcare said Lidia Brito, director of UNESCO for Women, Science and Technology in research institutes in the region have tasks,”said Silvina Sonzogni, 38, a Sciences for Latin America and Latin America, told Reuters by telephone. implemented programmes in recent graduate in genetics with a doctorate the Caribbean. Latin America’s women are soaring in years to promote gender equality and in biological chemistry at the University “I am hopeful that we will continue to the social and medical sciences, though prevent discrimination. But many of Buenos Aires. see the growth of women in sciences.This they are less represented in some of women still face obstacles to advance “The pandemic made it fully visible pandemic showed that we must have the so-called STEM subjects: science, in scientific careers. because we were all at home. A lot is more scientists and excluding 50% of the technology, engineering and mathemat- The COVID-19 pandemic, which has being done to bridge that gap.” population capable of being scientists ics, considered key areas of future put a spotlight on the importance of Experts say that more public policies, is a problem,” she said. Black Brazilians protest against racism and police violence

THOUSANDS of black Brazilians have to be killed by police in Brazil, experts say. one of the world’s hardest hit by the Public Safety, a non-governmental demonstrated against racism and police The protesters accused far-right pandemic. organisation. violence, on the anniversary of the President Jair Bolsonaro of genocide In Rio, protesters condemned last week’s A report by the national statistics abolition of slavery in the country. through police violence. He supports hard- 28 deaths in the Jacarezinho favela agency IBGE in 2019 said they occupied Protesters in Rio de Janeiro held line policies to combat crime, including during an operation that police said only a third of managerial roles in compa- candles and signs reading “Don’t kill me, raids in areas where the majority targeted suspected drug traffickers, and nies, were only a quarter of federal kill racism”, a week after a police raid of residents are black and poor. called for justice. It was the deadliest deputies in the lower chamber of Congress in a slum left dozens dead. The demonstrators also demanded the police raid in the city’s history. and made up three-quarters of the In São Paulo, messages read: “Black speeding up of the vaccination campaign Residents accused police of abuses, while unemployment rate. people want to live.” for Covid-19, as the disease has been more human rights activists said there was In São Paulo, a protest was held on Black people are three times more likely deadly for black people in the country, strong evidence of extrajudicial Avenida Paulista, one of the city’s main executions, with officers killing people who avenues, with organisers saying 7,000 wanted to surrender or posed no threat. people attended. Demonstrators painted Some of the victims, they said, were not their hands in red and daubed a Brazilian even under investigation. flag as a symbol of violence. Demonstrators marched through the “We’re marking the date of the false abo- centre of the city,holding messages saying: lition of slavery, and the tragedy in “Who do the police protect?” and “No Jacarezinho,” protester João de Oliveira bullet, no hunger, no Covid”. One banner told Reuters news agency. "President had pictures of men killed in police Bolsonaro and his vice-president even operations. applauded the slaughter. He committed Brazil was the last country in the genocide. We're here to protest.” Americas to abolish slavery in 1888, when Protests were also held in other major Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil, signed cities,including the capital, Brasília, where the law freeing slaves. Black Brazilians a demonstration took place outside the celebrate the end of slavery on November presidential palace. 20, the anniversary of the killing of The president, a former army captain Zumbi dos Palmares, who led a community who has supported changes in legislation of runaway slaves. that would protect officers from “The black population still doesn’t have prosecution if they kill people on duty,con- rights,” Josiane Peçanha, from the gratulated Rio’s police for the operation in Afrodivas collective, told Globo TV at a a tweet. protest in the city of Niterói, in the Rio President Bolsonaro has previously metropolitan area. “This is a good day to denied that racism exists in the country, reflect about the wounds of slavery on though a number of violent cases have Brazilian society.” exposed deep divisions. About 57% of the Brazilian population Last year, the brutal killing of a black is black or mixed race, but they represent man at the hands of two white security Protesters showed a school uniform with a blood stain and pictures of people two-thirds of the victims of lethal violence, guards outside a supermarket sparked killed in police raids according to the Brazilian Forum on widespread outrage. 12 • Saturday May 15, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Trump loyalist wins Republican leadership post US Republicans have "I am excited to lead our oversee day-to-day opera- the party "is incredibly appointed New York unified team... to combat tions for the Republican unified" Congresswoman Elise Biden and Pelosi's Far- conference, which meets Mr Roy, a hardline con- Stefanik, a Trump loy- Left agenda!" she added, regularly to determine servative who had said he alist, to the third-rank- referring to President Joe committee assignments was running because Ms ing post in the House of Biden and Democratic for lawmakers and pro- Stefanik's credentials Representatives. Speaker of the House duces fact sheets and ma- were not strong enough, It follows an earlier vote Nancy Pelosi. terials to keep the party's hailed the conference's to oust the incumbent In remarks to reporters, message unified. voting process and con- chairwoman, Liz Cheney, Ms Stefanik said her pred- gratulated his rival. from the role over her crit- ecessor - who is the daugh- What have Republicans "It's time for us to move icism of former President ter of ex-US Vice- said about her? forward with a vision and Donald Trump. President Dick Cheney - Mr Trump issued a state- a plan to fight for the for- The final tally of remained "a part of this ment congratulating Ms gotten men and women of Friday's secret ballot was Republican conference". Stefanik on her "over- this country, their way of 134 for Ms Stefanik to 46 Ms Cheney fell afoul of whelming victory" and life, and the principles - Elise Stefanik is a four-term congresswoman for her opponent, her party earlier this year, saying the "Make America built upon the bedrock of from New York. Congressman Chip Roy. as she was one of 10 Great Again movement is freedom - that have made Ms Stefanik's win was Republicans who voted strong". it great," he added in a Democratic-controlled cies, including his border expected, as she had the with Democrats to im- Republican House statement. seat in upstate New York wall and tax cuts, earned backing of top peach then-President Leader Kevin McCarthy and claimed a more than her low ratings from con- Republicans. Trump for inciting the 6 congratulated Ms Who is Ms Stefanik? 20-point victory. servative watchdog The move is seen as a January Capitol riot. He Stefanik and Mr Roy, say- In 2014, the New York Before running for of- groups. sign Mr Trump's grip on was eventually acquitted ing: "We had a healthy de- lawmaker became the fice, she worked for the But she became one of the party is as strong as in the Republican-con- bate and a good election. youngest woman ever George W Bush White Mr Trump's top defenders ever six months after he trolled Senate. We've got a lot of work to elected to Congress. House and for former during his first impeach- lost the election. Ms Stefanik added on do in this leadership team, Then 30-years-old, she Republican Speaker of the ment trial, with her "Thank you to my col- Friday that "we are united in this conference." billed herself to voters as a House Paul Ryan. clashes with Democrats leagues for electing me to in working with President Congressman Steve traditional conservative Ms Stefanik criticised frequently going viral in serve as House Trump", calling the former Scalise, the second-high- with an independent Mr Trump during his conservative media. Republican Conference president a "critical part est ranking House streak. In her first major campaign on numerous In 2019, Mr Trump de- Chair," Ms Stefanik wrote of our Republican team". Republican, also praised bid for public office, Ms issues. Later, her opposi- creed on Twitter: "A new on Twitter after the vote. As chairwoman, she will Ms Stefanik, adding that Stefanik flipped a tion to Trump-backed poli- Republican Star is born." Marjorie Taylor Greene accused of ‘verbal assault’

US House of Both lawmakers are as the other woman ig- Representatives]," she Representatives Speaker lightning rods for criti- nored her and continued said, calling it "a matter Nancy Pelosi has called cism on the right and left. walking away. for the Ethics for an ethics inquiry into Mrs Greene last month The Georgia congress- Committee". a Republican for a "verbal challenged Ms Ocasio- woman, known as MTG, "This is beneath the dig- assault" on another law- Cortez, known as AOC, to then reportedly raised her nity of a person serving in maker. debate the latter's pro- voice to call antifa, a Congress," Mrs Pelosi con- In the halls of Congress, posed climate legislation, loosely knit group of far- tinued, calling it "a cause Marjorie Taylor Greene the Green New Deal. left activists, and Black for trauma and fear reportedly accused New According to Lives Matter "terrorist" among members". York's Alexandria Ocasio- Washington Post re- groups. Ms Ocasio-Cortez called Cortez of supporting "ter- porters that witnessed She also called Ms it a case of "intimidation" rorist" groups. Wednesday's confronta- Ocasio-Cortez a "radical on Thursday, saying: "I Ms Ocasio-Cortez later tion, Mrs Greene ap- socialist", adding: "You used to work as a bar- said her antagonist was proached AOC in the don't care about the tender. These are the Alexandria Ocasio- the kind of person she House chamber, saying American people." kinds of people that I Marjorie Taylor Greene Cortez. used to throw out of bars. "Hey Alexandria" twice, Ms Ocasio-Cortez - a threw out of bars all the self-described democratic time." socialist - threw her arms "I refuse to allow young up as she continued to women, people of colour, Biden hails ‘great day’ as he walk away, reporters say. people who are standing She said something in up for what they believe, response, but it was not to see this kind of intimi- overheard by reporters dation attempts by a per- sheds mask in Oval Office and her office declined to son who supports white say what it was. supremacists in our na- PRESIDENT Joe Biden crowded indoor settings the autumn. ing can also cease for the Before leaving, Mrs tion's capital," she added, has hailed a "great day like buses, planes and It comes after Pfizer's fully vaccinated. Greene spoke to reporters referring to the Trump for America" as US offi- hospitals. vaccine was approved for Mr Biden, Vice- to call Ms Ocasio-Cortez supporters who stormed cials said vaccinated peo- The Biden administra- children aged 12 to 15. President Kamala Harris "a chicken", a "coward" the US Capitol in ple can go mask-less in tion has faced pressure to The US coronavirus and staff went without and "pathetic". January. most indoor and outdoor ease restrictions on fully caseload has fallen to its facial coverings during a At a press conference on In response, Mrs settings. vaccinated people. lowest point since last White House Rose Thursday, Mrs Pelosi - the Greene told reporters: The president removed In another major step September, with deaths Garden event to trumpet most senior Democrat in "She throws out paying his mask in the Oval for the US in returning at their fewest since last the new guidelines. Congress - condemned the customers, is what she's Office with Republican to pre-pandemic life, the April. "We're not going to go "verbal assault and abuse saying?" lawmakers as the guid- president of the 1.7m- According to the new out and arrest people," of our colleague". "I was telling her, you ance was being an- member American guidance from the added Mr Biden, urging "It's so beyond the pale need to debate me, you nounced. Federation of Teachers Centers for Disease non-vaccinated of anything that is in need to defend your pol- The advice still calls for labour union called for Control and Prevention Americans to wear keeping with bringing ho- icy," she added. "There is wearing masks in schools to reopen fully in (CDC), physical distanc- masks. nour to the House [of nothing wrong with that." The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 15, 2021 • 13

Delay child vaccinations and share jabs with Covax, says WHO

WEALTHIER nations Speaking at a virtual 19 vaccine by 4 July,when paigns, a few countries in should postpone plans conference in Geneva on American families are ex- Africa are still to get to give children and Friday, the WHO's Dr pected to come together to started. teenagers Covid vac- Tedros said he understood mark Independence Day. The Covax scheme was cines and instead do- why some countries Meanwhile, Canada has developed with the aim of nate supplies to low-in- wanted to vaccinate chil- authorised the use of the first vaccinating 20% of come countries, the dren and adolescents, but Pfizer coronavirus vaccine the population in the 92 head of the World said "right now, I urge for children aged between poorer countries that Health Organization them to reconsider". 12 and 15.The province of signed up, starting with (WHO) says. "In low and lower-mid- Alberta, which has the health workers. Tedros Adhanom dle income countries, highest rate of the virus The scheme is co-led by Ghebreyesus on Friday Covid-19 vaccine supply in the country,has already the WHO, the Global urged countries to supply has not been enough to started offering the jabs to Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) more vaccines to the even immunise healthcare citizens over the age of 12. and the Coalition for global fair-access scheme workers, and hospitals are In Switzerland, some Epidemic Preparedness Covax. being inundated with peo- places began offering Innovations (Cepi), with The international distri- ple that need lifesaving Covid vaccination ap- the UN children's fund, The WHO's Dr Tedros has warned that the second bution of Covid vaccines care urgently," he said. pointments to 16-year- Unicef, as key implemen- year of the pandemic is likely to be deadlier than remains vastly uneven. Last week, US olds last week. tation partner. the first Since the first vaccines President Joe Biden laid So far, the US and During Friday's confer- were approved in out plans to begin coron- China have administered ence, Dr Tedros also In India, many health deadly second Covid wave December,wealthier coun- avirus vaccine shots for the highest number of vac- warned that the second workers on the frontline and warnings of an im- tries have bought up most 12- to 15-year-olds as soon cine doses overall, with year of the pandemic was dealing with coronavirus pending third wave. of the supply. as possible. He also said India in third place. But likely to be deadlier than patients have not been The WHO says this is a Many are racing to vac- he hoped that 70% of US while nearly all of Europe the first, and that the sit- vaccinated, and some are moral catastrophe, which cinate as much of their adults would receive at and the Americas have uation in India was of dying. The severe short- could greatly impact more population as possible. least one dose of a Covid- begun vaccination cam- grave concern. age of doses comes amid a low-income countries. Greece ends lockdown measures and opens to tourists GREECE has launched its on the tourism sector and England or Scotland Greeks have received a tourist season, lifting most 20% of workers are em- would have to quarantine first vaccination, and the remaining restrictions on ployed by it. for 10 days. Greek government is ac- movement and declaring "We are opening our The government in celerating its campaign on "we are putting the lock- tourist industry to the Athens has launched a dozens of islands, particu- down behind us". world," Tourism Minister glossy video showing a se- larly tourist destinations. Although an average of Haris Theoharis an- lection of prospective Ministers say 32 2,000 daily Covid cases nounced on Thursday tourists dreaming of es- smaller islands have com- are still being reported, evening in front of the caping to the sun for a nat- pleted their programmes vaccinations are being Temple of Poseidon at ural tan and tasting "real and dozens more with rolled out. Cape Sounion outside food", with the message populations of up to German tourists have Athens. "all you want is Greece". 10,000 will be vaccinated begun flying in. From 17 The campaign is described by the end of May. May it will not be illegal What tourists have to as the national tourism or- Residents on the biggest for Britons to travel to do ganisation's biggest in a islands will be given the "amber list" Greece, but Visitors from a list of 53 decade. single-dose Johnson & they are advised not to. approved countries have Friday was also an im- Johnson vaccine by the Only for "green list" to fill in a passenger loca- portant day for Greek end of June, officials say. countries such as Portugal tor form (PLF) the day be- tourists, as it marked their In a separate move on will rules ease signifi- fore they travel, listing first chance to travel to the Friday, Italy said it was cantly. where they are staying islands since November. scrapping from Sunday Greece still has several and supplying a vaccine A number of tourist flights arrived in Crete on The port of Piraeus near quarantine requirements restrictions. However, the certificate, a negative PCR Friday morning as restrictions eased. Athens was described as for visitors from the rest of big changes are that resi- test or a documentation of busy, as people headed the EU and the border- dents no longer have to recent recovery from landed at Heraklion air- Greece had hoped that away from the mainland free Schengen zone, as send text messages to a Covid. port in Crete on Friday British tourists would be with the required green well as Israel and the UK. hotline whenever they The rules are a precur- morning. Travel giant Tui able to start flying in pass to travel. Museums Only a negative PCR test leave their homes or go sor to the EU-wide digital said it was resuming freely from 17 May, but were also opening across will be required. But Italy shopping, movement is al- certificate that is sched- flights to Kos, Rhodes and Greece has been placed on Greece for the first time will also be on the UK's lowed between regions, uled to help free up travel Corfu on Saturday and the the UK's "amber list". in six months, although amber list from 17 May. and a night-time curfew by the end of June. rest of Greece next month. Anyone travelling as a numbers were being lim- Italy still has a curfew has now been limited to Flights from several Charter flights were tourist would be going ited. In shops one cus- that starts at 22:00 but al- between 00:30 and 05:00. German airports, includ- also landing at Rhodes, against government ad- tomer is allowed per 25 sq most the entire country A fifth of Greece's econ- ing Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, mainly from Poland and vice and would face issues. m (269 sq ft). has now been designated omy is seen as dependent Hanover and Stuttgart, Israel. Anyone returning to So far one in four as lower risk.

Partly sunny

High: 5:00 a.m. and 6:35 p.m. New York: 20°C Yesterday: 0.0 mm Boston: 24°C Low: 12:03 a.m. For the month: 20.3 mm Max: 30.4°C Miami: 29°C and 11:30 p.m. For the year: 277.0 mm Min: 25.6°C Toronto:19°C Montreal: 24°C 5:33 a.m. 6:17 p.m. London: 11°C 14 • Saturday May 15, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Israel intensifies attacks in Gaza as conflict enters fifth day ISRAEL has intensified its target Arab homes. assault on Gaza, as This week's violence in Gaza Palestinian militants con- and Israel is the worst since tinue to fire rockets into 2014. It came after weeks of ris- Israel on the fifth day of hos- ing Israeli-Palestinian tension Many homes in Gaza have been destroyed during the conflict. tilities. in East Jerusalem which culmi- Israel's military said air and nated in clashes at a holy site entered Gaza. It added that - Hamas would pay a heavy price, ers have so far failed to produce ground forces were involved in revered by both Muslims and over the course of Thursday as would other "terrorist a ceasefire agreement. attacks on Friday but had not Jews. Hamas, the militant group evening and Friday morning - groups". A senior Hamas official has entered Gaza. that rules Gaza, began firing 220 more projectiles were fired A Hamas military spokesman said the group is ready for a "re- Video from Gaza City showed rockets after warning Israel to from the Gaza Strip. said the group was ready to ciprocal" ceasefire if the interna- the night sky lit up by explo- withdraw from the site, trigger- In southern Israel, an 87-year- teach Israel's military "harsh tional community pressures sions from Israeli artillery,gun- ing retaliatory air strikes. old woman died after falling on lessons" should it decide to go Israel to "suppress military ac- boats and air strikes. In Gaza, Palestinians fearing her way to a bomb shelter near ahead with a ground incursion. tions" at the disputed al-Aqsa Some 119 people have been an incursion by Israeli troops Ashdod. Other areas including On Thursday,Israel's military Mosque in Jerusalem. killed in Gaza and eight have have been fleeing areas close to Ashkelon, Beersheba and Yavne called up 7,000 army reservists However, a senior adviser to died in Israel since fighting the border with Israel. were also targeted. and deployed troops and tanks Mr Netanyahu told the BBC began on Monday. Residents who had left Shejaiya Gaza's health ministry said near its border with Gaza. It that international calls for re- Meanwhile, Jewish and in Gaza City said shells had 27 children were among those said a ground offensive into straint were misplaced. Israeli-Arab mobs have been been falling on homes. who've been killed since fighting Gaza was one option being con- "We didn't want this conflict, fighting within Israel, prompt- "We felt like we were in a hor- began, and many other civilians sidered but a decision had yet to but now that it's started it has to ing its president to warn of civil ror movie," said local resident have died. Another 600 Gazans be made. end with a sustained period of war. Salwa Al-Attar,who escaped the have also been wounded. Israel quiet," said Mark Regev. "That Defence Minister Benny bombardment with her family. says dozens of those killed in 'We didn't want this conflict' can only be achieved by Israel Gantz ordered a "massive rein- "The planes were above us, and Gaza were militants, and some As fighting entered its fifth taking out Hamas - their mili- forcement" of security forces to the tanks and navy were bomb- of the deaths were caused by day, United Nations Secretary tary structure, their command suppress the internal unrest ing - and we could not move.The misfired rockets from Gaza. General António Guterres called and control." that has seen more than 400 children, women and men were In a statement released early for "an immediate de-escalation Israel has also called up 10 re- people arrested. screaming." on Friday morning, Israeli PM and cessation of hostilities in serve border patrol companies Police say Israeli Arabs have The Israeli military said it had Benjamin Netanyahu said the Gaza and Israel". to help tackle the worst unrest been responsible for most of the conducted an operation country's military operation His plea echoed that of other between Arab and Jewish com- trouble and reject the accusa- overnight to destroy a network against Palestinian militants diplomats - including from munities for many years. tion that they are standing by of Hamas tunnels that it dubbed would continue for "as long as Israel's ally the US - but appeals Mr Netanyahu has proposed while gangs of Jewish youths "the metro", but no troops had necessary". He added that to Israeli and Palestinian lead- introducing "administrative de- tention" for rioters. The contro- versial measure would allow au- thorities to detain people for ex- tended periods of time without charge. President Reuven Rivlin de- scribed the outbreaks of rioting in several towns and cities as "senseless civil war". Meanwhile, attempts by par- ties in Israel to form a coalition to replace Mr Netanyahu's gov- ernment following inconclusive elections in March appear to have collapsed after a key right- wing leader pulled his party out of negotiations, calling the hos- tilities a "reality changing event", local media say. Naftali Bennett is now in dis- cussions with Mr Netanyahu's Likud party to try to form a "broad national unity govern- Missiles from Israel's Iron Dome defence system rise to intercept rockets fired from the Gaza Strip. ment", according to reports. Kabul mosque blast shatters calm for Eid A BOMBING at a mosque on No-one has said they were ceasefire. The imam leading tack, but the group denied in- carried out by Islamic State the outskirts of the Afghan cap- behind the bombing, which also prayers was among the dead. volvement. (IS) militants, who are not sig- ital Kabul has killed at least wounded at least 15. The It came less than a week There have been no major re- natories to the three-day cease- 12 people attending Friday Taliban denied involvement. after scores of people, mainly ports so far of fighting between fire. prayers, police say. On Thursday, blasts in students, were killed in a the two sides since the truce The Taliban have stepped up The blast in Shakardara dis- Kandahar and Kunduz bombing outside a school in began on Thursday for the Eid attacks on the Afghan govern- trict came on the second day of provinces killed nine people. Kabul. At least 165 others were al-Fitr festival at the end of the ment in recent weeks as the a three-day Taliban and army Friday's bomb blast was the injured. fasting month of Ramadan. US and Nato prepare to pull ceasefire to mark the Eid festi- most major of the violent inci- The Afghan government Attacks in Kabul and other out all their remaining troops val at the end of Ramadan. dents that have marred the blamed the Taliban for the at- parts of the country are also by 11 September. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 15, 2021 • 15

Synagogue opens at Nazi massacre site in Ukraine UKRAINIAN officials The synagogue is part that they would be sent Remembrance for have opened a syna- of a new memorial being to a labour camp. Ukrainians who saved gogue at Babyn Yar developed in the area. Earlier, about 100,000 Jews during the war. near Kyiv - a place Ukraine's Chief Rabbi Jews had managed to flee where the Nazis mur- Moshe Reuven Azman the city, as the Nazis ad- Israel honours 2,659 dered nearly 34,000 spoke at the synagogue's vanced. Ukrainians as Righteous Jews in World War inauguration, which The atrocity at Babyn Among the Nations for Two. was attended by Yar - also known as Babi having saved Jews from Babyn Yar was a ravine Prime Minister Denys Yar - was one of the Adolf Hitler's extermina- where Jews from Kyiv Shmygal. largest massacres of tion campaign. were lined up and shot The synagogue's ceiling Jews on Soviet soil dur- However, there were dead by the invading has a painted map of the ing the war. also Ukrainians who be- Germans over two days night sky,with stars posi- About six million Jews trayed Jews to the SS, in- President Kenyatta (L) and Mr Odinga launched in 1941. tioned as they were on died in the Holocaust, cluding ones who as- the BBI initiative after the contentious 2017 elec- The death toll rose 29-30 September 1941, many of them in death sisted in mass murder. tion. above 100,000 over the when more than half of camps in Nazi-occupied To cover up the atrocity next two years as Hitler's Kyiv's remaining Jews Poland. later in the war the re- Nazi SS murdered more were massacred. The opening of the syn- treating Germans bull- Jews there, along with The Nazis had told the agogue on Friday coin- dozed the ravine and Kenya’s BBI Roma (Gypsies) and Jews to assemble with cided with Ukraine's first burned the bodies in Soviet prisoners. extra clothes, implying official Day of huge pyres. blocked in scathing court verdict for President Kenyatta IN a scathing ruling, five dened by debt- cannot af- High Court judges in ford. Kenya have blocked a The BBI bill had been government-backed plan passed by the National to make fundamental Assembly and the Senate changes to the country's before Thursday's court constitution. ruling and was awaiting The judgement is ar- a presidential assent, guably the most signifi- after which Kenyans cant ruling by Kenyan would have headed to a courts since President referendum before next Uhuru Kenyatta's elec- year's elections. tion win was nullified in 2017. What did the judges The judges said the say? constitution amendment In a four-hour televised bill, popularly referred to ruling, they said as the Building Bridges President Kenyatta had Initiative (BBI), was ir- violated the constitution The synagogue has traditional decoration and opens up like a book. regular, illegal and un- by initiating a process constitutional. which ought to have been President Kenyatta started by ordinary citi- and his political nemesis- zens. Lottery jackpot ‘winner’ says she turned-ally, Raila They also ruled that Odinga, unveiled the ini- the BBI constitutional tiative after a truce fol- committee, a body cre- destroyed $26m ticket in laundry wash lowing the contentious ated by the president, 2017 election, which saw was illegal, adding that A WOMAN who claims to the win must be redeemed that "compelling substan- draw were 23, 36, 12, 31, violent clashes around Mr Kenyatta had failed have purchased the win- within 180 days of the tial proof you were in pos- 13, with a so-called mega the country. the leadership and in- ning ticket in a $26m draw, which took place on session of the ticket" was number of 10. The debate has domi- tegrity test. (£18.5m) California 14 November. required. It is extremely rare for nated Kenya's politics for The court also said that Lottery draw says she left A member of staff at the However, a copy of the winning ticket-holders in the past two years and is the five million signa- it in a trouser pocket and store in Norwalk, video has been shared the California Lottery not closely linked to the bat- tures collected by the destroyed it in the wash, Esperanza Hernandez, with the lottery organis- to come forward, the Los tle to succeed Mr BBI taskforce to support US media report. told California's Whittier ers and the claim is being Angeles Times reported, Kenyatta, who is due to the initiative did not The winning Daily News that a woman investigated further, Ms citing the competition's or- step down next year. make it a citizen-led SuperLotto Plus ticket had visited on Wednesday Johnston confirmed. ganisers. The two leaders said process. was sold at a convenience claiming that she was the If there is no recognised It is hardly the first time the initiative, which pro- "A popular initiative to store in the Los Angeles prize-winning ticket- winner of the jackpot, cash people have claimed to poses, among others, the amend the constitution suburb of Norwalk in holder, but that she had would be distributed have bought winning tick- expansion of the execu- can only be started by the November. lost the ticket and feared among California's public ets that they were later tive arm of government, people not by the govern- The woman, who has she had accidentally schools, the organisers unable to produce. would make the country's ment," the judges said. not been named, was re- added it to a clothes wash. said in a statement. The Back in 2016 BBC politics more inclusive. The declaration creates portedly captured by A spokeswoman for the retailer that sold the win- Newsbeat tested a ticket But critics say it is a the grounds for the pres- CCTV purchasing a ticket California Lottery, Cathy ning ticket has received in the washing machine selfish initiative to re- ident to be impeached, at the store at the time. Johnston, told the news- $130,000 as part of the lot- after a UK woman said ward political dynasties, but it is unlikely that But a deadline set for paper that the store tery's standard procedure, she had left her winning and that it will lead to a parliament, which had claiming the substantial footage would not be the statement added. numbers in a pair of dirty bloated parliament and already passed the bill, prize passed on Thursday. enough to substantiate The winning numbers jeans. executive which Kenya - would dare to challenge Lottery organisers say the woman's claim, and for November's unclaimed The ticket disintegrated. a country already bur- President Kenyatta. 16 • Saturday May 15, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Nations urged to banish coal

THE head of a vital UN cli- ing good 'green' jobs to fill the 'Pick the planet' mate summit due to be held gap.” Mr Sharma will say: "I have in Glasgow in November His apparent passion explains faith that world leaders will rise says his personal priority is why he was reportedly "apoplec- to the occasion and not be found to banish coal. tic" when Communities wanting in their tryst with des- Speaking ahead of the COP26 Secretary Robert Jenrick al- tiny." conference, Alok Sharma will lowed plans for a new coal mine And he will invoke a message urge nations to abandon coal in Cumbria – a decision that’s from his children: "In preparing power generation, with rich now gone to a planning review. for this speech, I asked my countries leading the way. Mr Sharma is set to re-iterate daughters what message I He will add that wealthy na- the UK’s main themes for the should give to world leaders tions must help poorer ones summit, which will bring to- about their priorities. Their re- make the same change. gether climate negotiators from sponse was simple: 'Please, tell And he will tell banks and in- 196 countries, the EU, as well them to pick the planet.'" stitutions to stop lending money as businesses, organisations, ex- He and the summit face enor- to countries to build coal power perts and world leaders. mous challenges. stations. They are: limiting global More and more nations are In his speech, the former busi- warming to 1.5 degrees; helping signing up for ambitious climate ness Secretary will say: "The people and nature adapt to cli- targets but many of them - in- days of coal providing the cheap- mate warming that will in- cluding the UK - are falling be- est form of power are in the past. evitably happen; and drumming hind on existing targets. And in the past they must re- up finance for poorer nations to The UK is criticised by envi- main. get clean technology. ronmentalists for failing to curb Former UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma was made full- “The coal business is, as the He will be supported by gov- emissions from its housing time president of COP26 in January. UN secretary general [António ernment ministers who will be stock, and for planning a £27bn Guterres] has said, going up in taking part in climate-related road programme that will in- It estimated that newly the 1.5C threshold nations are smoke. It’s old technology. visits throughout Friday to show crease emissions. agreed targets have reduced aiming for under the 2015 Paris “So let’s make COP26 the mo- how the UK is attempting to Last week came a slightly projected warming by the end of climate agreement. ment we leave it in the past "green" all parts of society - from hopeful analysis from the think century by 0.2C. And that’s assuming that na- where it belongs, while support- hospitals and prisons, to jobs tank Climate Action Tracker fol- The forecast increase now tions actually keep their prom- ing workers and communities to and transport. lowing US President Joe Biden’s stands at 2.4C - a small im- ises - and that Covid doesn't make the transition and creat- virtual climate summit. provement, but still higher than wreck the summit. Native oysters reintroduced into Firth of Clyde in Scotland

OYSTERS have been reintro- reproduce – much like a mater- duced to the Firth of Clyde as nity ward to the next genera- part of a restoration project?to tion of oysters. bring them back from the brink A total of 4,000 native oysters of extinction. have been placed in the waters Some 1,300 native oysters around Great Britain as part of have been suspended below pon- the three-year Wild Oysters toons in Largs Yacht Haven and Project. Fairlie Quay Marina. The native oyster (Ostrea ‘Superheroes of the sea’ edulis) is a marine bivalve mol- The project is “partnership” be- lusc found in Scotland mainly tween the Zoological Society of on the west and north coasts. London, Blue Marine Populations have declined Foundation (BLUE) and British This is the largest number of elephants to die at once in Assam in 20 years. 95% since the 1800s. Marine, with £1.8m funding The oysters have been im- from the Postcode Dream Trust. pacted by pollution, climate Celine Gamble, of the change and shellfish harvest- Zoological Society of London, Herd of 18 Indian elephants die ing. said there was “just a handful” This means the benefits that of known oyster populations left the native oyster provides to the across the 4000 sq km sea area when forest struck by lightning ocean – including each oyster of the Clyde. filtering 200 litres of water each She told Radio Scotland: A HERD of 18 wild elephants forest. elephants have been found day and acting as an important “Oysters are known as little su- have been found dead in Assam Chief Minister dead at the same time. habitat for marine wildlife – perheroes of the sea. Nagaon, in the north-east Himanta Biswa Sarma said he The state's forest minister have been lost. “Although they're small in Indian state of Assam. was concerned about such a Parimal Suklabaidya tweeted Scientists hope they will re- size, they're capable of making State officials say that “huge number of elephants” that he was “deeply pained” produce in the Firth of Clyde some huge changes in our ma- the elephants were killed dying, and that an investiga- by the deaths of elephants “due and lead to millions of larvae rine environment.” when lightning struck the tion had been ordered. to massive thunderstorm” in being released into the sea in Ms Gamble said the project Kandoli protected forest re- There are more than 27,000 the Kathiatoli Range in the months ahead. would restore oyster reefs, and serve. Asian elephants in India, about Nagaon. The 1,300 oysters are housed provide an “abundant and Villagers nearby alerted the 21% of which are in Assam. He added that wildlife offi- in nurseries, which create a healthy eco system that can authorities after finding the This is the first time in 20 cials would attend the site micro-habitat where they can support other marine wildlife”. carcasses of the animals in the years in Assam that so many early on Friday morning. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 15, 2021 • 17

Irish health system targeted in ‘serious’ ransomware attack LONDON – Ireland’s health service very difficult time for the health serv- get of ransomware tactics before. Two shut down its IT systems on Friday ice.” hospitals in France were hit by ran- after being targeted in a ran- Health Service Executive CEO Paul somware attacks in February that crip- somware attack by what it called Reid told broadcaster RTE that health pled their phone systems and forced sur- “international criminals.” bosses had “taken a precautionary meas- geries to be postponed. In September, an Appointments and elective surgeries ure to shut down a lot of our major sys- apparently misdirected ransomware at- were canceled at several hospitals and tems to protect them.” tack on a German hospital caused an IT Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar “We are at the very early stages of fully systems failure and led to the indirect said the disruption could last for days. understanding the threats, the impact death of a woman. That same month a “There’s lots we don’t know but it ap- and trying to contain it,” he said. ransomware attack paralyzed a chain of pears to be a ransomware attack by inter- The health service said appointments more than 250 U.S. hospitals and clinics. national criminals,” Varadkar said. “The for coronavirus vaccinations were not af- In 2017, Britain’s National Health problem could run through the weekend fected. Varadkar said emergency serv- Service was hit in a cyberextortion at- and into next week, unfortunately.” ices, ambulance services, GP systems and tack, forcing hospitals to close wards and Ransomware attacks are typically car- pharmacy systems also were unaffected, emergency rooms and turn away pa- ried out by criminal hackers who scram- but said there would be “major problems” tients. ble data, paralyzing victims’ networks, for radiology services, radiation oncology, The Irish attack highlights concerns and demand a large payment to decrypt elective surgeries and obstetrics and gy- about the vulnerability of critical infra- it. naecology appointments. structure to escalating attacks by hack- In this Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 file Varadkar called the attack “very seri- Dublin’s Rotunda maternity hospital ing groups and criminals, said Steve photo, Irish Prime Minister Leo ous.” said it was canceling most routine ap- Forbes, government security expert at Varadkar arrives for an EU summit at “It’s coming at a time when the health pointments due to the IT issues, calling Nominet, the U.K.’s web domain registry. the European Council building in service is extremely busy doing lots of the situation a “critical emergency.” “National healthcare services are al- Brussels. other things,” he said. “It’s going to be a Health care systems have been a tar- ready under strain from the pandemic, Apple holds edge in app store trial despite nagging issues

SAN RAMON, California – Apple seems After Schmalensee likened Apple’s in- to be prevailing in an antitrust trial ex- app commissions to a credit card termi- amining whether its mobile app store il- nal that charges a fee for being part of legally skims profits from smaller com- its store, Gonzalez Rogers questioned panies. why an app couldn’t display different But the tech giant’s apparent edge payment options, similar to the way has been carved out amid nagging ques- stores can show a sign at checkout tions about the financial vise it holds stands displaying the different credit people in when they buy digital services cards and other forms of payment they on iPhones, iPads and iPods. accept. She suggested some sort of but- If nothing else, the skirmish has ton or link might be inserted into apps sharpened the focus on the exclusive allowing consumers to choose another payment system that Apple has built payment method. into transactions occurring within That is something Epic would like, apps installed on its family of mobile de- given the main motives underlying its vices. lawsuit. Epic has two goals: to avoid giv- Apple has collected a 15% to 30% com- ing Apple a cut of its sales to Fortnite mission on those in-app purchases for players making impulse purchases for the past 13 years, fueling a moneymak- digital goods while playing the game; ing machine that has helped the com- and it wants Apple to allow competition pany increase its market value from In this March 14, 2020, file photo, an Apple logo adorns the facade of the on the iPhone, including Epic’s own own about $150 billion in 2008 to more than downtown Brooklyn Apple store in New York. Apple seems to be prevailing unprofitable app store that charges a $2 trillion today. in an antitrust trial examining whether its mobile app store illegally skims 12% commission. Those apps avoid a commission when profits from smaller companies, despite nagging questions about its finan- But Apple insists that its payment their customers pay for their services cial vise on people buying digital services on iPhones, iPads and iPods. system should remain the only option through other options, such as a web for in-app transactions on the iPhone browser. But Apple forbids apps from game consoles — Microsoft’s Xbox, forts to turn the tide and prove Apple and its other devices. It argues this posting any links or making any other Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s holds a monopoly on app distribution. helps pay for the $100 billion it says it suggestions that steer people toward Switch – as well as on smartphones and While grilling Apple economic expert has invested in mobile software, as well those other alternatives. other devices running on Google’s Loren Hitt, Epic rolled out evidence that as protecting its customers’ against po- The anti-steering provision prompted Android system. many of the games that produce the tential security threats. Epic Games, the maker of the popular What’s more, Apple has never raised most revenue aren’t available to play Hovenkamp interpreted Gonzalez video game Fortnite, to sue Apple last its commissions, and last year lowered on consoles. Rogers’ questions about Apple’s anti- year and set the stage for the trial now them for companies that generate less It remains to be seen whether any of steering requirements as “an invitation approaching the end of its second week than $1 million in annual sales on its that data will sway Gonzalez Rogers. to settlement” of the case before she is- in an Oakland, California, courtroom. products – a concession that applies to But the judge has clearly been troubled sues her decision at some point after To prevail, Epic will have to persuade the overwhelming majority of the by Apple’s anti-steering requirements, the trial ends late this month. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez roughly 1.8 million apps now in its store. based on her comments and questions Even if Gonzalez Rogers sides with Rogers that Apple’s app store has be- Antitrust expert Herbert Hovenkamp, during the past few days of the trial. Apple and upholds the status quo, Epic come a monopoly that has enabled the a law professor at the Wharton School of Her concerns crystallized while one could still win if the issues aired out in Cupertino, California, company to en- the University of Pennsylvania, said he of Apple’s expert witnesses, Richard the trial raise consumers’ awareness gage in price gouging. That argument doubts Gonzalez Rogers will agree with Schmalensee, was on the stand. about the different options available to will likely require Gonzalez Rogers to Epic’s narrow market definition. And Schmalensee, formerly dean of the them, said Daniel Lyons, a Boston embrace Epic’s contention that the that, he said, gives Apple the clear upper Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s College law professor following the case. iPhone’s software and the app store are hand in the case so far. Sloan School of Management, also de- “Even if they lose the case, they have large enough to represent a market by “This is a case about market power, so fended American Express in an an- been playing a court-of-public-opinion themselves. even if there is bad behavior going on, titrust case challenging its prohibition game,” Lyons said. “You spend a few mil- That has been a tough case to make, it won’t make a difference if Apple isn’t on merchants recommending customers lion dollars on lawyers and you are a largely because the same commission (judged) a monopolist,” Hovenkamp told use other credit cards with lower trans- company that winds up being in the rates have long been charged by similar The Associated Press. action fees — a policy the U.S. Supreme headlines for sticking up for the little stores operated by the leading video Epic on Thursday stepped up its ef- Court upheld in a 2018 decision. guy. Maybe that’s a win in itself.” 18 • Saturday May 15, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

No charges for Jersey Shore star after domestic violence arrest LOS ANGELES – neys said “there was a “Jersey Shore” star rush to judgment by the Ronnie Ortiz-Magro media” after his arrest. will not be charged “We are very happy after an arrest on sus- that after further investi- picion of domestic vio- gation both the LA lence last month, au- County District thorities said Attorney’s office and the Thursday. LA City Attorney’s office Los Angeles city attor- determined that criminal ney’s spokesman Rob charges were not war- Wilcox said his office ranted against Ronnie,” opted not to file charges lawyers Scott E. Leemon against the 35-year-old and Leonard Levine said Ortiz-Magro, but it will in a statement. “We will charge him with a proba- review the alleged viola- tion violation from an- tion of probation claim other domestic violence and deal with it accord- case. ingly.” Ortiz-Magro pleaded They added that Ortiz- no contest last year to Magro “is currently seek- domestic battery and re- ing medical treatment sisting arrest. He re- for psychological issues mained on probation that he has ignored for a from that case when po- long time” as he seeks to lice arrested him in the make himself a “better Jersey Shore" cast member Ronnie Ortiz-Magro. coastal Playa Del Rey person and the best fa- section of Los Angeles ther he can be to his lov- peared on MTV’s original cently on its sequel se- last month. ing daughter.” “Jersey Shore” from 2009 ries, “Jersey Shore: Neither police nor The reality TV star ap- to 2012 and more re- Family Vacation.” prosecutors would give any details on the victim or the incident that Show’s taping cancelled after positive test brought the most recent arrest. The case was re- LOS ANGELES – A tap- matic and feels fine,” ac- episode of “Real Time ferred to the city attor- ing of Bill Maher’s cording to a statement with Bill Maher” will be ney’s office for possible weekly HBO show was Thursday from HBO. rescheduled, HBO said. misdemeanor charges canceled after the host “No other staff or crew Guests were to include after the district attorney tested positive for members have tested astrophysicist Neil declined to file felony COVID-19. positive at this time,” deGrasse Tyson and charges. Maher, who is fully the channel said. podcast host Dan Bridge Ortiz-Magro’s attor- vaccinated, is “asympto- The taping of Friday’s Carlin. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 15, 2021 • 19 SPORTSSPORTS Back on Track meet begins CWI confirms busy summer today home schedule for WI men WITH uncertainty continuing to loom international teams back-to-back in five in the air surrounding the proposed West Indies to host South Africa, Australia territories is unprecedented, and putting Tokyo Olympic Games, local athletes these fixtures together was an enormous will be finally getting an opportunity to and Pakistan in back-to-back visits Covid-related logistical challenge. stretch their legs as the Athletics We must thank the visiting teams for Association of Barbados (AAB) hosts ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West CG Insurance ODIs provide the opportu- agreeing to travel at this challenging the Back on Track meet, which gets Indies (CWI) announced an nity for West Indies to secure more points period for world cricket and we are started today. action-packed schedule for the West in the ICC ODI Super League, as the West especially grateful to our regional Set to get out of the blocks today at Indies Men, featuring three consecu- Indies strive to qualify automatically for Governments who are playing such 2 pm, the event is serving as a soft rollout tive international home tours against the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup following a vital role in partnering with CWI to for the 2021 season and Public Relations South Africa, Australia and Pakistan, the recent 3-0 victory against Sri Lanka. ensure that International cricket Officer Esther Maynard told The running from June to August 2021. Pakistan is scheduled to arrive in can be hosted safely, while providing Barbados Advocate that their mechanisms The Test and T20 International (T20I) Barbados on July 21 ahead of their entertainment for our loyal fans and were being tested for operation under the series against the Proteas, rescheduled five-match T20I Series, with the first two income for our cricketers and cricket current climate. from 2020, will start the International matches to be played at Kensington Oval communities.” With track events and field events being summer with St. Lucia and Grenada before travelling to Guyana to play the CWI has also been working closely with run concurrently at the Usain Bolt Sports the host venues. concluding three T20Is at Guyana’s Territorial Cricket Boards, along Complex and the National Stadium South Africa are due to arrive at National Stadium from July 31 to with the Ministry of Health and the respectively, Maynard explained that St Lucia on June 1 and will play two Test August 3. The West Indies and Pakistan Ministry of Sport in all the host countries, the meet would be held over today matches at The Daren Sammy Cricket teams will then travel to Jamaica for two to orchestrate all the logistics and agree and next Saturday. Ground, followed by five T20Is at the back-to-back Test matches at Sabina Park the safety and medical protocols for the “We cannot compete on Sundays Grenada National Cricket Stadium from August 12 to August 24 which con- tour. All players, support staff and match because of the COVID regulations so we from June 26 to July 3. In a media release clude four days prior to the start of the officials will stay, train and play in are doing half the meet this week with the CWI said that they were grateful to the Caribbean Premier League in St Kitts. a bio-secure environment, with regular 100, 400, 1500 and the Sprint Hurdles Governments of St Lucia and Grenada for This schedule features a total of fifteen COVID-19 PCR testing taking place with events.And then there is some High Jump, agreeing, at relatively short notice, to host T20Is for the reigning ICC T20 World assistance Ministries of Health and from some Long Jump, Triple Jump, and the touring South Africans.This will be the Champions, as the West Indies continue CARPHA. Discus, Javelin and Shot Put. And next first time that South Africa has played bi- the build-up to their title defense at the It is not yet determined whether fans week is the 200s, the 800s and the 400 lateral cricket in the West Indies since ICC T20 World Cup, in October and will be able to attend matches in person, Hurdles. It’s like running a two-day meet 2010. November 2021. however they will be able to follow live on over a two-week period as it were, so that The July 9 to 24 Australia white-ball CWI CEO Johnny Grave, said: TV in the Caribbean with Flow Sport, live we give everybody an opportunity to tour of the West Indies will also begin at “Following the successful hosting of the on radio with Vibes FM and compete because they can’t compete at St Lucia’s Daren Sammy Cricket Ground all-format series against Sri Lanka their partner radio stations and via present,” she said. hosting five T20Is.The Aussies then move earlier this year, we are delighted to ball-by-ball updates and the new Noting that entries were closed as of on to Barbados for three day/night CG announce that we are set to welcome live blog in the match-centre this past Thursday and that no specta- Insurance One Day Internationals (ODIs) South Africa, Australia and Pakistan on www.windiescricket.com. tors would be allowed in the venues, at the world-famous Kensington Oval.The to the West Indies. To host three Maynard went on to say that the meet was organised to give home-based clubs and individuals an avenue to put their BSSAC 2021 training to use. “The thing is, they have to have a focus officially called off for training and since the lockdown last year, there’s not been regular competition. THE 2021 edition of the Barbados We started back with the cross country Secondary Schools’ Athletic Champion- and the long distance at the end of the ships (BSSAC) has been officially year, but then when we were ready to roll cancelled. out the programme at the beginning of In a media release yesterday the this year, we had the lockdown and then management committee stated that when we were about to come out of the they were exploring the possibility lockdown, we had the ash. So it is impor- of a scaled down version of the tant for athletes to find their way back championships this year but the window into competition, to train and to has since closed. compete,” Maynard explained. “Given the uncertainty of the present With many in the region disadvantaged situation and after careful consultation, by the pandemic, Maynard said that it we have determined that any window was critical for the AAB to do all it could for the staging of the competition has within the limited space it had to operate, now closed. As such, we regret to inform but stressed that safety was pinnacle. that the 2021 Barbados Secondary “We can’t do any better than w’re doing Schools’ Athletics Championship has but we have to keep them focused and been officially cancelled.” keep them going because there are other The committee has now turned their competitions that are in the schedule but attention to planning of the BSSAC like anything else, we have to wait and see Cross Country series in November 2021 closer to the actual time of competition and the 2022 edition of the Barbados how we view the situation with the ath- Secondary Schools’ Athletics Champion- letes’ safety and everything else. But they ship. need to get back out and train on a regu- “It is our hope that we will be able to lar basis and compete as well. But at the overcome challenges posed by the moment, until things settle down and we pandemic, allowing us to again set see what’s happening with the meets that the stage for our athletes to showcase are scheduled – like in July and August, their outstanding talent. The BSSAC we will do as much as we can safely do. Management Committee thanks our Because of prime importance is the safety sponsors, athletes, partners, and the of everybody involved but particularly general public, for their understanding the athletes.” (MP) West Indies tour schedule. and continued support.” 20 • Saturday May 15, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Critics of Tokyo Olympics submit petition urging cancellation CRITICS of Japan’s plan to of the Games. hold the Tokyo Olympics Asked about the campaign despite a fourth wave against the Games, Tokyo of coronavirus infections Governor Koike said she would submitted a petition work towards a "safe and secure" on Friday signed by over Olympics. 350,000 people over nine “Though there is a global days calling for the Games pandemic, it is important to hold to be cancelled. a safe and secure Tokyo 2020 “Stop Tokyo Olympics” Games,” she told a regular news campaign organiser Kenji conference. Utsunomiya said the global The new areas under the state festival of sport – already of emergency include Hokkaido Lawyer Kenji Utsunomiya, a representative of an anti-Olympics group, holds boards showing the postponed from 2020 due to the prefecture, where the Olympic current figure of online petition during a press conference after submitting a petition to the coronavirus pandemic – should marathon will take place, after it Tokyo government calling for the cancellation of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. take place only when Japan can reported a record high of 712 new welcome visitors and athletes coronavirus cases on Thursday. Dozens of towns that had been working together closely, based deputy executive director of wholeheartedly. Nationwide, Japan has seen due to host visiting athletes at on the decision by the Inter- Tokyo 2020’s operations bureau. “We are not in that situation about 656,000 confirmed cases, pre-Games events have cancelled national Olympic Committee to “We’d usually take videos and therefore the Games should with 11,161 deaths. those plans, saying they could not hold the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” together but now we have to stay be cancelled,” he told a news Opposition to the Games has guarantee medical help amid he said. masked and two metres conference. also come from doctors, while strains on the health system. Organisers are determined to apart,”said skateboarder Ryuto “Precious medical resources some high-profile Japanese ath- host the Games with coronavirus Kikuta, 17, adding that he un- would need to be diverted to the letes have expressed concern, in- Hugs ‘not OK’ mitigation measures in place. A derstood the measures were nec- Olympics if it’s held.” cluding Masters golf champion Economy Minister Yasutoshi skateboarding event on Friday essary but they still felt strange. The petition was submitted to Hideki Matsuyama and top Nishimura, asked whether the was the latest test for their pre- Spectators will not be allowed the Olympic and Paralympic women’s tennis player Naomi Games would go ahead despite cautions. in from abroad, while a decision chiefs as well as Tokyo Governor Osaka. the increase in COVID cases,said Organisers told reporters after on Japanese-based spectors has Yuriko Koike. Business leader Masayoshi organisers were looking to the the event that athletes and yet It came as Japan added Son, chief of SoftBank Group International Olympic Commit- coaches had been told to follow to be made. three more areas to a state of Corp (9984.T), added his voice to tee’s backing for the Games. measures and avoid the usual With the latest emergency emergency now covering Tokyo, the chorus of trepidation on “I am aware that many are celebratory hugs and cheers on measures, 19 out of Japan’s 47 Osaka and four other prefectures Thursday, saying in unusually concerned that it will lead to the sidelines. prefectures fall under restrictions amid surging case numbers, blunt remarks he was afraid of an outbreak of cases,”Nishimura “This kind of behaviour is not that include closures of eateries exactly ten weeks from the what might happen if the Games told parliament. OK in terms of COVID-19 by 8 pm and a ban on alcohol at scheduled July 23 opening went ahead. “The organisers are currently measures,” said Yasuo Mori, the bars and restaurants.

Coe: COVID-19 vaccines big Uefa Super Cup fixture set factor in making Games happen to be moved from Belfast WORLD ATHLETICS presi- the Olympics despite a fourth dent Sebastian Coe said on wave of coronavirus infections to Istanbul Friday he is confident the Tokyo submitted a petition on Friday Olympics will go ahead as signed by 350,000 people over The Uefa Super Cup is due to be planned this year with COVID- nine days calling for the Games contested on August 11. 19 vaccines giving athletes to be cancelled. Uefa is set to move the 2021 greater access to training and “I can understand bystanders Super Cup from Belfast to competitions in the build-up. looking at this and being fearful Istanbul even though it could The Olympics were postponed – but that just reinforces for us feature two English teams. in March last year following the need to make sure people do European football’s governing the start of the pandemic but understand sport actually is body has been trying to deal Coe said he believes athletes good at this,” Coe said. with the fallout from moving are in a different frame of “I want to reassure the this season’s Champions League mind heading into the July 23- Japanese people that we take final to Portugal from Turkey August 8 Games. this seriously, with a rigorous for a second successive year. “Firstly, there’s the vaccine focus on the COVID protocols. World Athletics President Hosting next season’s Super and we were a long way away We’ve staged events with crowds Sebastian Coe. Cup fixture on August 11 is from even thinking about that in many places in the world... among the compensation at this stage last year,” the done it successfully and haven’t not allowed in from abroad, measures being offered to the Briton told Reuters. produced a great spike in while a decision on Japanese- Turkish football authorities, “I know at this stage (last numbers. based spectators has yet to be which are also likely to include year) athletes were beginning “We recognise sport does play made. staging the 2023 Champions to find it really difficult a really important part in our “Everybody wants stadiums League final. to maintain their training communities. There are billions full of noisy,passionate people – A final decision on switching The Uefa Super Cup is due to regimes and competitions were of people across the globe that but if the Games have to the venue for Super Cup has be contested on August 11. beginning to slide off the radar want the Games to take place, take place without crowds, or yet to be taken but BBC Sport screen. Now they’re having the athletes and broadcasters certainly with fewer people in has been told such a move is final on May 29, three days after greater access to training and want the Games to take place.” stadiums, the athletes, the world likely. Manchester United take competitions.” Coe said the Games would of sport, accepts that now,” Coe Chelsea meet Manchester on Villarreal in the Europa Critics of Japan’s plan to hold have a different feel with fans added. City in the Champions League League final. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 15, 2021 • 21

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Inchcape, St. Philip Italian Open: 4355 sq ft $ 96,000

Belle, St. George 4 acres $400,000 Rafael Nadal Haggatt Hall, St. Michael TEL: 247-4469 6336 sq ft $126,000 CEL: 284-4667 Under Offer beats Alexander 253-6319 Cane Garden, St. Thomas Email: 7,000 sf to 18,000 sq ft Zverev in Rome caribbeanpropertiesltd Private entrance. @gmail.com From $187,681 RAFAEL NADAL saved two match points PROPERTIES Ragged Point, St. Philip responded to doubts over before beating Denis 8,267 sq ft $166,000 his form with a straight- Shapovalov in a Kirtons, St Philip set win against sixth marathon match on 3 bedroom plus Rolling Hills, St. George seed Alexander Zverev in Thursday, was much 2 bedroom apt 4,790 sq ft 12,000 sq ft the Italian Open quarter- improved in a 6-3 6-4 $685,000 $310,000 (negotiable) finals. victory. Spain's Nadal, who It was a measure of Amity Lodge, Ch Ch Ocean City, St. Philip revenge for the second 3 bedroom plus 6150 sq ft $123,000 seed, who lost to Zverev 1 bedroom apt REAL ESTATE in the Madrid quarter- 6,646 sq ft $650,000 Fortesque, St Philip finals last week. Agricultural Land operational $2,950,000 neg The 34-year-old will Gibbons, Ch Ch 494,500 sq ft $1,100,000 under offer 3 bedroom plus now face American world 2 bedroom apt Silver Sands, Dalkeith, Christ Church number 47 Reilly Opelka. 9,835 sq ft Christ Church 17,371 sq ft approved for Opelka reached the $675,000 (reduced) 7,129 sq ft $160,000 shops and offices semi-finals of a Masters $495,000 1,000 for the first time by Breezy Hill, St Philip Bushy Park, St. Philip beating Argentina's 3 bedroom, 2 bath 24,000 sq ft $190,000 Roebuck Street, Federico Delbonis. reduced to $298,000 Bridgetown "I'm surprised, clay's Apes Hill, St. James Shopping Mall/Office space not really my thing, not Black Rock, St Michael 31,000 sq ft upward $8,100,000 negotiable an American thing, it's 3 bedroom, 1 bath Large lots at $15 per sq ft probably just a fluke," 6732 sq ft $360,000 Batts Rock, St Michael said Opelka, who entered Mount Wilton, St. Thomas Guest House, 12,078 sq ft the tournament on a six- 15,500 sq ft and 22,066 sq ft $2,850,000 negotiable Enterprise, Christ Church match losing streak. 3 bedroom, 2 bath $300,000 and $220,000 5062 sq ft Cane Garden, St Thomas Later, Serbia's world $390,000 (reduced) Union, St. Philip 3.6 acres approved number one Novak 7560 sq ft Roadfront Djokovic faces Greek The Belle, St George $150,000 $1,650,000 negotiable fifth seed Stefanos Plantation style House Tsitsipas, while Russian Standing on 4 acres Thorpes, St. James Fitts Village, St James seventh seed Andrey $1.1M 11,376 sq ft with structure Guest House, 4 Suites Rublev meets Italian $235,000 6,135 sq ft Lorenzo Sonego in the Frere Pilgrim, $750,000 negotiable final last-eight match. Christ Church Cottage, St George Nadal overcomes 3 bedroom, 2 baths with 5000 sq ft Mason Hill Street The City Zverev and a worrying two bedroom apartment. $110,000 (negotiable) 26,500 sq ft with buildings tumble 4,387 sq ft. $850,000 $4,000,000 negotiable Nadal is bidding for his Morningside, St Philip first Masters 1,000 title Hanson Heights, St George 4567 sq ft $133,000 All enquiries to 8321 sq ft $595,000 (246) 253 6319/ 828-4800 of the season on his Jupiter Gardens, St Peter or (246) 247 4469 favoured clay surface, Ealing Grove, 7312 sq ft CHURCH having lost to Rublev in Christ Church $133,000 (negotiable) the Monte Carlo quarter- 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths NOTICES finals and then going 9320 sq ft $565,000 Bagatelle, St. Thomas down to Germany's 62000 sq ft into 2 lots JAMES STREET Zverev at the same stage $520,000 each, or METHODIST CHURCH LOTS FOR SALE BRIDGETOWN in Madrid. $1M for both Other than last year, Boarded Hall, SUNDAY MAY 16TH, 2021 when Monte Carlo and Christ Church Marley Vale, St Philip Madrid were not played 10,429 sq ft $157,000 21,780 sq ft $275,000 6:30 A.M. because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Nadal has Westbury Road, St Michael Sandford, St Philip REV. DERICK A. RICHARDS reached at least one of 2,520 sq ft $45,360 16,356 sq ft $300,000 9:00 A.M. the three clay-court Masters finals in every Goodland Gardens, REV. AL WALCOTT Christ Church COMMERCIAL ( SACRAMENT OF season since 2005. 9,605 sq ft $145,000 HOLY BAPTISM) With Opelka next, Mount Standfast, St James AND YOUTH SERVICE Nadal is the Nursery Road, St Philip Two properties on overwhelming favourite 9,266 sq ft $139,000 22,714 sq ft. to reach Sunday's final Asking $1,200,000 after ending a run of Lashley Road, St Philip three straight defeats 5,839 sq ft, $150,000 Black Rock, St. Michael against 24-year-old Warehouse/Storage Zverev. Salters, St George 4000 sf space 23,861 sq ft "I'm happy, I played a 2 lots 32,760 sq ft, $230,000 $900,000 (reduced) solid match with not many mistakes," said 20- Cave Hill Drive, St. Lucy Foul Bay, St. Philip 14,876 sq ft. $110,000 Approved for condos, time Grand Slam 39,242 sq ft $1,600,000. champion Nadal. "I was Bushy Park, St. Philip able to control the game 17,000 sq ft $170,000 Dover, Christ Church a little bit more than Hotel 18 rooms fully Madrid." 22 • Saturday May 15, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Formula 1: Turkish Grand Prix cancelled and replaced by second Austrian race THE Turkish Grand Prix has been maintain the number of races that had cancelled just two weeks after it was been planned in the first half of the year put on the Formula 1 calendar and because they have concerns about the vi- replaced by a second race in Austria. ability of a number of late-season races. Turkey was added to the F1 schedule For different reasons, there are uncer- on 11-13 June to replace the Canadian tainties over the Singapore, Japanese, Grand Prix, which was cancelled because US, Mexican, Brazilian and Australian of travel restrictions in Canada. Grands Prix. But Turkey has now become unwork- Those races currently comprise the able after being put on the UK's travel sport's entire schedule for October and red list of high-risk countries. November. Instead, the Styrian Grand Prix will There are financial implications involv- run at the Red Bull Ring on 25-27 June. ing both sponsors and broadcasters that That date was originally scheduled for would hit F1's finances - and the prize the French Grand Prix, which has now money paid to teams next year - if the been moved a week earlier to 18-20 June. number of races falls too far. The move means there will now be Brazil and Mexico are a concern be- races on three consecutive weekends - cause the scale of the pandemic in those the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard, countries means F1 may feel it cannot followed by the Styrian Grand Prix and justify going there. then the Austrian Grand Prix, both at the Doubts over Singapore, Japan, the US same track. and Australia are more to do with travel F1 president Stefano Domenicali said: Austria's Red Bull Ring hosted the first two races of last season. restrictions imposed on foreign visitors "We were all looking forward to racing in by those countries. Turkey but the travel restrictions in 19 and says it has conducted 17,000 tests Teams are already finding the combi- The calendar reshuffle means former place have meant we are not able to be this year with only 15 positive cases, a nation of a record 23-race planned sched- F1 driver Romain Grosjean will no longer there in June. rate of 0.1%. It says it will "continue to op- ule and the restrictions on movement im- be able to do his demonstration run in a "F1 has shown again that it is able to erate in a way that protects the safety of posed on personnel when they return to Mercedes F1 car at the French Grand react quickly to developments and find our personnel and the communities we the UK exhausting. Prix, as it clashes with the Indycar race solutions and we are delighted that we visit". Some senior figures believe that there at Road America in Wisconsin that week- will have a double header in Austria, A number of F1 insiders had hoped is no need to keep the number of races so end. meaning our season remains at 23 races." that the sport's owners, Liberty Media, high, when the sport has never had a However, Grosjean's test in Lewis F1 has a series of protocols aimed at would not replace Turkey with another season this long before. Hamilton's 2020 car is still scheduled to minimising the risk of spreading Covid- event. But F1 feels that it makes sense to go ahead at Paul Ricard on 29 June. The Barbados Advocate Saturday May 15, 2021 •23

P R O HOROSCOPES S A Aries - Rash and reckless decisions should be avoided. N You're tempted to agree to a suggestion just to get some- D one off your back but will this be the right thing to do? Stay away from a friend who has a habit of taking fool- C ish risks or they will encourage you to do something stu- O pid that you will later regret. N S Taurus - A chance to write, teach or lecture online could fall into your lap. Even so, it would be wise to take a well- deserved breather before moving on to the next job or op- portunity. Keep some plans secret. A rival is keen to find out what your next move might be.

Gemini - Start on the creative project that has been on Z your mind. Whether you are writing the first chapters of I a novel, painting or composing a piece of music, any work that needs imagination and creativity will lift your spir- T its. If a tricky task isn't going right, keep trying. Practice S makes perfect.

Cancer - Rather than waiting for offers and opportunities to come to you, you will look for new challenges. Getting together with friends who enjoy experimenting with new ideas will keep you inspired. It will be good to find an out- let for your more adventurous mood by doing something new and different. R E Leo - Scenes of the past are a strong pull. You're feeling X nostalgic but are you spending too much time in the past? Trying to relive old memories could destroy the treasured experiences now being shared. Take your mind off the M past for a short while to focus on what is going on in the O here and now. R G A Virgo - You feel hugely tempted to take the day off. N You're feeling restless and fidgety. You just want to relax and have some fun. You're tired of being the one who has to do everything or that might be how it feels at the mo- ment. Someone is taking advantage of your hard-work- ing nature.

Libra - There's no one else around to sort out a messy mat- ter. You would not normally choose to take on this kind P of responsibility. You prefer to leave such jobs to people H who thrive on challenging situations but since you are the only one available, you may have to roll up your sleeves A and get on with it. N T O Scorpio - You would prefer more freedom of choice than M you are currently being given. Someone in power has the last word and you know before you even make any sug- gestions that they are going to disagree with you. An in- cident later in the day will cause some turmoil when there will be a need for quick decisions.

Sagittarius - If you must go back in time by revisiting M places and faces of your past, be prepared for disappoint- A ment. A place that holds fond memories for you could be changed out of all recognition. You might wish you had R kept these memories safely locked up in your mind. Y Capricorn - There is lots to do and you can do this best W by being organised. Good planning is the secret to your O success and happiness. Exercise moderation in all you do or you will run out of energy very quickly. Avoid R overindulgence in rich food and alcohol or this will take T a toll on your body. H

Aquarius - Don't be surprised if it is a neighbour or older relative who helps you achieve an objective you've been thinking about for some time. With their support, you will M finally achieve your aim. There's a more committed feel O to your close relationships. Even in the workplace the at- T mosphere is bright and sociable. H E R Pisces - Future plans are being discussed. Check what might lie ahead. What might seem right for other people G isn't necessarily what you will want for yourself. Take O some time to celebrate a small achievement. Accept praise O that comes your way. You have worked hard to get this far. S E BSSAC 2021 officially called off PAGE 19

Saturday May 15, 2021 HAYNESVILLE Seniors to get help YOUTH IN NEED OF navigating digital COMMUNITY CENTRE world

By Marsha Gittens Youth Club and the venue Haynes can only hold a cer- and engage in other activ- PERSONS 65 and over where young persons are tain amount, and when ities. So I am making a spe- confounded by the ‘click’, YOUTH Commissioner taught drumming and you go to other communi- cial plea nationally for our Youth Commissioner for ‘scroll down’ and ‘open for St. James South other forms of cultural ties you see large commu- Member of Parliament [or] St. James South, Peter new tab’ requests of the Peter Skeete wants to arts. It is also the location nity centres and no activity whoever – I can’t say that Skeete. online world are now see a community centre where the National Sum- happens in them. The evi- we have not had good rep- getting much needed aid. established within mer Camp is held for chil- dence shows that there are resentation, we had good community centre could be This as the National Haynesville, St. James. dren ages four to eight tremendous activities that representation by succes- constructed for the Library Service has He told the media the years old. Those who are happen for young people sive administrations, but Haynesville area. This teamed up with First- area is “really is in need” of older attend camp at the here in Haynesville, but we what is missing is a major however did not occur. He Caribbean International such. He spoke on the side- nearby Desmond Haynes can only accommodate X community centre to har- suggested if it is no longer Bank (FCIB) and tele- lines of yesterday’s hand- Sports Complex in the amount. And while we are ness the talents and skills available, considerations communications com- ing over ceremony of the Holders Hill, St. James. here on evenings doing our of the young people who could be given to expand- pany FLOW to ensure refurbished Police Com- Though grateful for drumming, there are still continue to be developed ing the Community Post. seniors become more munity Post in Haynes- the use of the Community loads of young folks run- from this space with lim- “This can go upstairs, comfortable and profi- ville. Post, the President of the ning up and down the ited facilities.” there is room at the back. cient in conducting online Skeete outlined some of Haynesville Youth Club ex- streets.” Skeete pointed out that In the absence of the area transactions on the World outstanding achievements plained a bigger space is He added,“With a major “years ago when Hamilton just below Thorpes Playing Wide Web. of individuals and groups needed. community centre we can Lashley was the Minister, Field, we have this…Post During the media from the area. He also ex- “This Police Community engage drumming, we can they had identified a space here that can be expanded launch of the ‘Digital plained the Post is the Post can only hold a cer- engage darts, our young just below the Thorpes and accommodate larger Literacy: Empowering home of the Haynesville tain amount. Desmond people can play dominoes Playing Field” where a numbers.” Our Elderly in the Digital Age’ yesterday, Acting Director of the National Library Service Jennifer Yarde stated that the pro- gramme, which will run for two-weeks, is critical in today’s society. “In the age of ever changing technology, our senior citizens are at risk of being left behind if they are not taught the ordi- nary skills in order to keep up. Since the onset of COVID-19, there has been a shift in the way persons are forced to do business and that in- cludes our senior citizens. Every day, new and dif- ferent applications arise and words such as ‘con- nect, click, double click, chat, flick and scroll’ have taken on new meaning, at times overwhelming even the youngest amongst us…It is therefore neces- sary to develop ways to help the older adults en- hance their digital com- petencies, as the old adage goes ‘a society is measured by the way it treats its elderly’,” she stated. Members of the Haynesville Youth Club showcasing their drumming skills during a performance at yesterday’s handing over ceremony. SENIORS on Page 4

Printed and published by Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc. Fontabelle, St. Michael. Telephone 467-2000, Fax 434-2020/434-1000