Established October 1895 Younger persons

also urged to take vaccine PAGE 4

Wednesday February 24, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive Ample produce available, says MORE SECURE Minister Weir THERE is no shortage of local New chip-based National ID Card coming soon agricultural produce at this time, says Minister of Agriculture and Food BARBADIANS will be holders of a Security, Indar Weir. chip-based National Identification In fact, the minister says that given Card sooner than expected. that farming has been allowed to Yesterday, the Barbados Identity continue during the period of National Management Bill, 2021, was passed in Pause, as the country seeks to get the the Lower House as Government pushes COVID-19 cases under control, means ahead with this new smart card that there should be continuous supply technology, phasing out the outdated of produce for Barbadians. The laminated printed ID. agriculture minister said based on the “That technology will see an projections for the first quarter of this individual having a single ID card, year, he anticipates that there will be which will also have your Driver’s ample supplies of produce, including License on it; and Medical Information fruits and vegetables. if you desire; and it will have your The minister made the point while fingerprints also if you desire,” Attorney adding that in an effort to ensure that General and Minister of Legal Affairs farmers can access avenues to sell their Dale Marshall revealed, assuring crops during the National Pause, members of the public that the provisions have been put in place fingerprinting feature is not mandatory. for them to deliver fresh fruits and “This ID card will have as part of vegetables to the Barbados Agricultural its features a chip. A device that is Development and Marketing embedded in the physical ID card itself Corporation (BADMC) Monday to which has data on it, which would Friday. He explained that is being include such things as your fingerprint, done as the Government has made a if you wish. And therefore, your National commitment to purchase any excess ID when now issued, will have a chip from farmers, which they cannot get sold which will have data on it, and that data otherwise. is protected and is available to the “I want to emphasise that, because I individuals with whom you are dealing, recognise that rather than try the if you so desire.” supermarkets or the minimarts first, He also recalled that the last the majority of the produce seems to Administration in its quest to introduce be delivered to the BADMC. I am also a new ID Card was insisting on mindful that because restaurants and fingerprints. fast food restaurants are closed, they “You would have had to give all 10 would have lost that market share and of your fingerprints, and in Opposition therefore that will help increase supply we took the position that this is not a availability.But with the supermarkets police state – and we cannot agree as a and the minimarts being open, this responsible political party representing presents an opportunity for those Barbadians that they needed to give entities to take more supplies and so it this kind of data. And now that we are should balance out. There is also the in government and have the opportunity opportunity for farmers, who are to put these things in place – our members of the Barbados Agricultural position is that you can give your Society, to take produce to the BAS’s fingerprint if you wish, but cannot be headquarters at The Grotto, so that they compelled to do so.” can supply to the supermarkets,” he The Attorney General also made it stated. clear that this new ID will have no effect His comments came as he explained on the electoral process. He maintained that the Government has also offered that the electoral process, governed by support for the vendors. He said the representation of The People Act, is provision was made for vendors, because unchanged. they are not operating at this time, to “…They are connected only because take their produce to the BADMC as one method of establishing who I am well. when I go to vote, is by producing a “Certainly, the members of the National ID. This Bill has nothing to do BARVEN have taken produce to the with the elections; this Bill has to do BADMC and vendors have also been with being able to have a certain and given some form of allowance during the clear regime for the issuing of the period of National Pause. So that Barbados ID.” Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Dale Marshall, making his way inasmuch as economic activity is not AG Marshall said that part of the into the Lower House yesterday. taking place, the Government is seeking rollout will be a solid campaign, to help give them some support, so that explaining to the public why this ID better serve Barbadians through the with that laminated plastic; I think the they are not totally out of pocket during card is even more secure. use of a National ID card that is secure, time has come when we should imbue the National Pause,” the minister stated. He further expressed, “As a relevant and accessible… I think that our ID cards with security measures government we see an opportunity to the time has come when we do away that are cutting-edge and world class.” FARMING on Page 3 2 • Wednesday February 24, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

COVID-19 update: 61 new cases, 28 discharged THE Best-dos Santos Harrison Point Isolation have recovered. There Public Health Laboratory Facility undergoing as- have been 31 deaths from reported 61 new positive sessment to determine COVID-19. COVID-19 cases on whether their positive The public health lab- Monday, February 22, PCR test result showed oratory has so far com- from the 843 tests that that they were in fact pleted 121,964 tests. were conducted. newly positive, or whether There were 2,545 There were 28 recover- they had COVID in the persons vaccinated on ies from the viral illness, past and were no longer Monday, as part of the bringing the number of infectious. The other 56 National Vaccination active cases to 758. were Barbadians. Programme for COVID- The 61 new cases com- Barbados has recorded 19. To date, a total of prised 29 men and 32 2,852 confirmed cases – 19,089 vaccinations have women. Five of them had 1,313 females and 1,539 been administered – 8,358 already been at the males – and 2,063 persons men and 10,731 women. Barbados has recorded 2,852 confirmed cases. 68-year-old woman succumbs to COVID-19 A 68-YEAR-OLD ily setting”. He also said, Barbadian woman “This underscores the passed away yester- need for the national day, becoming the vaccination programme 32nd person to suc- currently under way and cumb to COVID-19 in our targeting of the eld- Barbados. She had erly and most vulnerable been on a ventilator at persons. The vaccination Harrison Point for the programme will keep last six days, having Barbadians safe and pro- been transferred there vide the mechanism for from the Queen the full reopening of the Elizabeth Hospital. economy.” The Minister of Health The Minister expressed and Wellness, Lt. Col. satisfaction that the Best Hon. Jeffrey Bostic, dos Santos Laboratory extends condolences had cleared the backlog to her grieving family. and was up to date in the Describing the number processing of test results. of positive cases as This would allow the “unprecedented”, the Ministry to get a better Minister stressed “the ut- gauge of the numbers most importance of cau- and their implications in tion and safety protocols order to set the policy for within the home and fam- moving forward. Pensioners urged to switch from cheques to lodgement THE NIS pays its pension- from cheques to lodgement ers every four weeks, not and gain immediate access monthly. The payments to ALL their monies.There are issued for 13 four-week is no penalty for switch- periods each year for those ing. paid by lodgement to If you have any queries, banks and credit unions, please call the PBX at or 26 two-week periods for 431-7400, the Contact those receiving cheques Centre at 467-4647 or through the mail. e-mail the NIS at cus- The NIS urges its pen- [email protected]. sioners who already have bb. For further details, bank and credit union ac- please visit its official web- counts to make the switch site at www.nis.gov.bb. The Barbados Advocate Wednesday February 24, 2021 • 3

Making it easier to do business GOVERNMENT yesterday intro- of all business classes along the way, to Straughn went on to say that the two duced two new bills intended to be able to ensure that we are capable of pieces of legislation will change the modernise the way financial trans- moving Barbados’ economy forward.And landscape with respect to the way that actions are done in this country so we started looking at what each finan- business is conducted in the country.He by way of a new national payment cial institution or player was offering at explained that through the legislation, system. that time, Sir, and we set about a path, the Government is laying the platform to Word of this has come from Minister in which has culminated now, in a situa- help persons run their businesses better the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn. tion, two years later, where all of the and encourage businesses to do more He made the comments while leading major financial institutions, including foreign trade. off the debate on the National Payment banks and credit unions, are now on a “...What is being contemplated with System Bill and Bills of Exchange path to be able to upgrade their systems respect to this national payment system (Amendment) Bill, as he noted that and be able to move to a situation where is much broader than what is currently while Government intended to have the payments can happen in real time, start- existing in Barbados for the average work which started on that new system ing during 2021,” the minister said. business, but it is within certainly the back in 2019, completed last year, the Straughn added, “But we started on right of any business or vendor to deter- COVID-19 pandemic put a spoke in that this journey as I said in January 2019, mine what business model they may wheel. But, he said it is expected that it because we knew as a government, that wish to pursue.The reality is that we feel will take effect this year and improve the it was important that we tackle a num- that in order to do business in a cost- way business is done in this country and ber of the long-standing issues as it re- effective way, we need to have as many is expected to give greater choice to the lates to doing business in the country.” transactions being run through our business community by way of merchant In that vein, he said the Government payment systems... This will provide a services. has started the process of on-boarding a facility,an option that would allow busi- “We set about a process to be able to number of different processes being of- nesses to do a lot more cross-border streamline all of the processes and pro- fered across Government to the citizens transactions and widen the scope with cedures within the financial institutions, and using technology to help them respect to their operations,” the minister but equally Sir, to have representatives deliver better services to the people. added. (JRT)

Too fast, says Opposition Leader Minister in the Ministry of Finance, OPPOSITION Leader, Bishop Joseph part. He went further, charging that Ryan Straughn. Atherley, has raised concern about the it is not the first time the Government National Payment System Bill and how has been guilty of not sharing infor- Digital IDs could be quickly it was brought to Parliament. mation as they should. In fact, Atherley He was speaking yesterday in the lamented that such was happening House of Assembly as they debated repeatedly. The Leader of the e-wallets: Straughn that piece of legislation as well as the Opposition’s comments came as he said WHEN issued to Barbadians, the new Bills of Exchange (Amendment) Bill. that another Bill that was up for debate digital identification card may have He said while according to Minister had only been brought to the House of the capability of acting as an e-wallet, in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Assembly yesterday morning. disclosed Minister in the Ministry of Straughn, the Bill was the subject of “I do not know that it is the best way Finance, Ryan Straughn. discussion for the last two years with to govern. I do not know that in this in- “There are persons in this country the financial community in Barbados, stance it is a necessary way to govern. today who do not have bank accounts and it no doubt was discussed at the We have had other pieces of legislation and it is their right not to have a bank level of the Cabinet, the public knows come here with haste, Mr. Speaker, and account if they so desire, but within the little about what it entails. This, he we have acknowledged in that in- context of the digital ID, there will be a said, is unfortunate as the Bill has stance, or in those instances, the need functionality that contemplates the cre- implications not only for the financial for haste and we’ve co-operated with ation of what effectively will be the digi- community in this country, but for the the Government in those instances, tisation of the currency. So the cash that Barbados economy as a whole and especially when pressure has been you have in your pocket or that you are Barbadians in general. Therefore, he brought to bear upon the Government, keeping at home, we will be capable, if maintained that it needed to be fur- by international institutions seeking you so desire, of being able to have a ther ventilated. to have Barbados make corrective form of a digital account that is not “My view is notwithstanding what measures to its legislative architecture linked to a bank account, but is the same measure of time the Cabinet was af- to cover their concerns and to respond way that you digitise in a real sense the forded to scrutinise it. It seems to me a to their concerns. But I do not know cash you have in your pocket,” he said. little bit rushed to the Parliament and that there needs to be this kind of a “That functionality is there where it is through the Parliament of Barbados. It rush on this one, such that the public almost like an e-wallet where you have is an important piece of legislation is not allowed a view of this, a time to cash in your wallet and that wallet now which would impact upon the economic think upon it, to applaud it, to critique becomes digital and that is contem- culture in Barbados, which will impact it or whatever. But that is too often the plated under the new regulations,” he not only economic, but social life in pattern which we witness with respect said. Barbados. The fact that, to me, it is to how the Government performs on Straughn was speaking yesterday as rushed here fairly hastily is something the matter of building legislative plat- the Lower House held a cognate debate which I am not fully comfortable, and forms in Barbados, in these days,” he Opposition Leader, Bishop Joseph of the 2021 National Payment System certainly not happy,” he stated. stated. (JRT) Atherley. and Bills of Exchange (Amendment) Atherley said that as far as he is Bills. aware, the Bill was not given any form He highlighted through this process, of scrutiny in the public arena, despite Government would be able to dispense the fact that it will affect every citi- Reservoirs being created to benefits to citizens through the digital zen. ID. “We sit for two years with people in “Citizens will have options. So the banking system and other elements whether it is your pension, and you are of the financial community for two address water challenges still having this delivered as a cheque years. We discuss it with them, we ex- FARMING from Page 1 the sector has resulted in concerted ef- from the postman, the NIS could con- pose our Cabinet colleagues somewhat forts being made to ensure that farm- ceivably send you a notice that your pen- to it, I imagine, and then we rush it to Meanwhile,Weir explained that ers have access to a continuous supply sion has been deposited into the digital and through Parliament, and we do not while production is going well now, of water. form of your ID. You can still determine give the public of Barbados courtesy of they are mindful of the vagaries of the “We are cognisant of the challenges if you want to go down to the Post Office, a little time to scrutinise the Bill,” he weather and that there could be simi- that farmers have been experiencing in which will have whatever facilities avail- lamented. lar dry periods as experienced in the the past with water and we are work- able just like an ATM where you will The Opposition Leader maintained last few years. With that in mind, he ing to correct those with the reservoirs go and tap your card, put in what infor- that this was not a good move in terms said concern about how prolonged that we are in the process of creating at mation you want to put in and you will of governance on the Administration’s drought periods can negatively impact various points,” he said. (JRT) access your money,” he added. (JMB) 4• Wednesday February 24, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Younger persons also urged to take vaccine AS the race against COVID-19 con- the issue and noted that even if persons Dr. Bradshaw explained that there was tinues across the globe with several in that age group believed that they were a need for persons to be aware of all of countries rolling out their mass vac- not impacted, that it was necessary to act their factors before making a decision. cination programmes, there is a as we were all impacted by each other. “There is this paradox that occurs in level of hesitation within the 20-40 “Even though persons in the 20-30 age this younger population that are theoret- age group. With the viral infection group are less likely to have severe dis- ically not supposed to be as susceptible doing severe damage largely to ease, we know that they would unfortu- to severe disease as older individuals, older persons and those suffering nately play a role in the transmission of and the fact that we have not seen a lot with underlying conditions and co- disease and impact other people. I get it of death in younger individuals is often- morbidities, there is a widely-held but at the same time we have a respon- times used as a reason for not getting the belief that younger persons do not sibility, and it is our responsibility to vaccine. The reality is, younger individ- need to take the vaccine. make sure that everyone is okay.And in uals are also the ones who are less likely The same holds true for Barbados this case, we can make sure that people to engage in the healthcare system. Even and with the national vaccination have a better chance if everyone receives though on a global scale younger people programme well under way, the issue the vaccine, regardless of age,” she said. generally don’t have severe disease at was touched on recently as the Berea Chief of Medicine at Piedmont Fayette an individual level, if you’re less likely Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Hospital, Dr. Mark Bradshaw, who is to have gone to the doctor, the reality is Barbados hosted a panel discussion also Barbadian, stated that in the local you may not know what underlying med- titled ‘The Importance of Taking the setting, younger people were not dying ical conditions you potentially have. So COVID-19 Vaccination’. yet. Revealing that he had cared for you may not know what your personal Barbadian-born and raised Dr. Scheri- hundreds of COVID patients over the susceptibility is to COVID-19 and think A screenshot of Chief Medical Officer lyn Makombe, who is Chief Medical past year and that several from that it’s unwise to simply look at mass statis- at the Jane Pauley Community Centre, Officer at the Jane Pauley Community age group and younger ended up on tics and try to extrapolate your personal Dr. Scheri-lyn Makombe, during the Centre in the United States, addressed ventilators and some went on to die, risks with respect to COVID-19 and use panel discussion. that as justification for not getting the vaccine,” he said. persons that should be getting the vac- With it also being highlighted that cine. When you have COVID, it does not there was an extremely high risk for only lead to lung disease. COVID is a sys- those with chronic disease, autoimmune temic infection. It can also cause any- disease or those who would have had thing from strokes to heart attacks to transplants, Dr. Selwyn Carrington, a arthritis – COVID just runs rampant Clinical Research Consultant in the US, throughout your entire body.So you need said that the viral infection had some to make sure you are protected, not only very far-reaching effects. against a pulmonary syndrome, but “Those patients could be at risk of get- against all the other potential complica- ting very severe disease from COVID tions that happen from that disorder,” and as a consequence, they are the very he said. (MP) The Barbados Advocate Wednesday February 24, 2021 • 5

Two face court for breaching sea egg ban and COVID-19 Directive TWO men appeared They also pleaded in court yesterday fac- guilty to contravening ing charges for poach- Paragraph (13) ing sea eggs during Subparagraph (1) clause the closed season. (a) of the Emergency Thirty-six-year-old Management (COVID- Kevin Luke, a water 19) (Curfew) (No. 4) sports operator of College Directive, 2021, which is Savannah, St. John and for the period 18th to 43-year-old Richard 28th of February, by Marshall, who is unem- visiting Bath Beach in ployed, of Marley Vale, St. John other than for St. Philip, both appeared the purpose of swimming before Magistrate or exercising. Elwood Watts in the Luke, who was not ac- District “C” Magistrates’ companied by an attor- Court. ney, was fined $100 to be Both Luke and paid in seven days or 14 Marshall gave guilty days in jail for having the pleas to on February 22 sea eggs. Meanwhile, he contravening Regulation was fined $1,000 to be 9 clause (a) of the paid in four months or Fisheries (Management) spend three months in Regulations, 1998 and jail for breaking the cur- having a quantity of sea few. egg roe in their posses- Marshall, on the other sion during the closed hand, was fined $250 season, without obtain- forthwith for having the Richard Marshall Kevin Luke ing written permission sea eggs. Meanwhile, he of the Chief Fisheries was fined $1,000 to be spend three months in curfew. The former fine represented by lead at- QC, and attorney, Simon Officer. paid in three months or jail for contravening the was paid. Marshall was torney, Michael Lashley, Clarke. (MG) Talk to someone about how you are feeling, advises Dr. Chase EMOTIONS from Back lieving. depressed, we often turn how you are feeling. Tell ing us. But all of us go emotions at some point Page “So if you feel de- to ourselves and we try somebody how you are through some stuff and in time and I think we pressed, or angry or frus- to withdraw from every- feeling,” the psychiatrist it’s not about judging should always be our “You are not asking trated or anxious, tell body. We spend a lot of suggested. persons, because what brother’s keeper and un- them for advice, but it somebody and talk about time in the bed or some He meanwhile stated, may stress me out, may derstand, well you know has been proven that it and that person, by of us may go and use a “I think in Barbados not stress you out, what what, I am not here to talking about your feel- listening, will motivate drug that we think may we are a little scared or may depress me, may not heal you, I am not here ings, talking about your you to do it more often. make us feel better and (a bit) proud, so we don’t depress you. But I think to solve your problems, thoughts is therapeutic Because often when we that all is very short- want to let people know all of us as human beings but I can be here to lis- in itself; it is stress re- feel we are getting sad or lived. But acknowledge that things are bother- experience all of these ten.” Operation Seek and Save resumes for two additional days

BARBADOS’ national Greenidge, Head of make sure we have not “While our achieve- include the following have resumed with a new initiative to assess the the Department of missed anyone who is at ment in the first instance districts: fervour, having seen how extent of households at Management Studies at risk,” Dr. Greenidge ex- is quite commendable, St. Andrew – Ermie successful the initial ex- risk from COVID-19 and UWI Cave Hill Campus plained. over the next two days, Bourne Highway, ercise has been in reach- dengue fever, Operation where the data gathering The initial execution of we expect to capture a Coggins Hill ing the set objectives. Seek and Save, resumes system was designed, the operation was con- few hundred more house- St. Peter – The Rock, The lead co-ordinator over the period 23-24 said the resumption of ducted over the period holds which were missed Heywoods Estate, St. also took the time to February, 2021. The 48- the operation will serve 3-13 February, 2021 dur- the first time,” he said. Peter thank all those involve hour extension of this to get a more complete ing which approximately Dr. Greenidge added St. James – Bakers for making the operation initiative comes as gov- picture of the situation 85,000 households were that approximately fifty Tenantry, Kings Village, the success that it al- ernment seeks to reach with COVID-19 and assessed. Dr. Greenidge student-volunteers will Mount Stand Fast ready is. those households and dengue fever in shared they were very be conducting this par- St. Joseph – “I have to thank the communities that were Barbados. pleased with this ticular extension of the Fisherpond Tenantry student volunteers who missed in the first execu- “It was always the achievement as this rep- survey,given the reduced St. George – Golden are doing this particular tion of this operation. original intention of the resents a vast majority area to be covered. Ridge work for the first time, Lead Co-ordinator exercise to capture data of the households in the The targeted commu- St. Michael – Westbury as well as the public who of Operation Seek from every household in country,but there is more nities in this instance of Road, Lower Burney have been supportive and and Save, Dr. Dion Barbados, as we want to work to be done. Operation Seek and Save Christ Church – co-operative so far. It has Durants, Callendars, been a good exercise and Newton Terrace, a successful one overall.” Kingsland The data gathered Hastings/Worthing Police Station reopens St. Thomas – Arthur from this national survey Seat will be shared with the THE Royal Barbados Station was officially bers for the station re- Force would like to thank St. Philip – Ocean City Government’s health Police Force would like reopened for business main the same: 430-7614 the general public for Dr. Greenidge ex- officials to guide the na- to inform the general from 3:00 p.m. yesterday, or 430-7615. their co-operation and pressed his expectation tional COVID-19 testing public that the Tuesday, February 23, The administration of understanding during that the operation will efforts and to inform Hastings/Worthing 2021. The contact num- the Royal Barbados Police this period. continue to run smoothly the wider public health as student-volunteers strategy. 6 • Wednesday February 24, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

CARIFORUM rum producers and French rum group sign historic accord CARIBBEAN rum pro- cently signed a MOU with commitment to working ducers are joining their French counterparts together in the interest of forces with French CIRT-DOM – the tradi- building the rum category group – CIRT-DOM to tional rum producers of based on authentic prove- get the best deal for Martinique, Guadeloupe, nance, common rules and their exports into French Guiana and promoting a level playing major markets, partic- Reunion, which are all field against increasing ularly the European Departments of France. competition from products Union. The two groupings, each which benefit from pro- Rum producers of the representing a tradition duction subsidies. Caribbean Forum, mem- of rum production that According to Chairman bers of the West Indies stretches back hundreds of WIRSPA, Komal Rum & Spirits Producers of years, have with this Samaroo, “We have a long Association (WIRSPA), re- 6th accord, renewed their history of collaboration with our French counter- parts, almost 25 years since the signing of our first agreement in 1997. Alain Chatel, President Together we face a sharp of the French grouping rise in non-traditional im- CIRT-DOM. ports of rum into our tra- ditional markets, espe- pled with the impact of cially the European Union Brexit and the new trade Chairman of WIRSPA, Komal Samaroo. and the UK. Many of these deals being pursued by the competing brands do not UK, underline the need for respect origin, and to urge rum based on true prove- always follow the rules, joint action,” he said. compliance with the regu- nance, and we have to- and many benefit from Alain Chatel, President lations which do not per- gether worked to build the extensive production and of the French grouping mit flavouring of rum, and reputation of rum as a marketing subsidies CIRT-DOM said,“We have labelling regulations that quality premium spirit, which place us at a com- worked with WIRSPA are truthful. Both our alongside the best of the petitive disadvantage. over several decades to groupings are traditional best. We share a common These developments, cou- promote rum rules that producers of authentic philosophy.” Shaming persons not the way to go By Cara L. Jean- taking the COVID-19 view with The Barbados She explained that one Baptiste vaccine is not the way to Advocate, Dr. Michelle of the reasons persons go. Reece, Assistant may be a little hesitant in SHAMING persons into During a recent inter- Professor, Department of taking the vaccine was Public Health, College the newness and the BANK RATES of Health and Human speed at which it ap- Services, highlighted that peared the vaccine was Commercial bank rates to the public at the close of vaccine hesitance was developed. Dr. Reece said business yesterday by the Central Bank of Barbados. real and that persons that persons have been have real, genuine fears told time and time again Valid for February 24, 2021 and concerns about the that it takes years for a Notes: vaccine. vaccine to be developed. Currency Buying Selling She noted that there However, persons believe Belizean Dollar 1.00000 1.00000 was a lot of misinforma- that the COVID-19 vac- Canadian Dollar 1.56667 1.61301 tion and therefore, it was cine was created within East Caribbean $ 0.73704 0.74445 important to understand a few months and this Euro 2.38107 2.48133 that there will be some could be one of the rea- Pound Sterling 2.76391 2.88029 persons who were hesi- sons that persons are United States Dollar 1.98000 2.02857 tant when it came to hesitant in taking the Demand/Sight: taking the Oxford- vaccine. Currency Buying Selling AstraZeneca COVID-19 It is against this back- Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 Canadian Dollar 1.57559 1.61160 vaccine. drop that she believes it East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 “Don’t minimise these is important to address Euro 2.41601 2.46593 people’s fears, concerns these concerns and de- Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 and cautions. If you are a bunk any myths associ- Pound Sterling 2.80446 2.86242 person that understands ated with the COVID-19 United States Dollar 1.99000 2.02768 the science behind the vaccine. Telegraphic Transfer vaccines, don’t minimise She went on to note Currency Buying Selling the questions that people that even though there Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 have,” she said. was some hesitancy in Canadian Dollar 1.57858 1.61160 “Don’t discount their taking the vaccine, there East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 Euro 2.42055 2.46593 fears, don’t make them was also vaccine confi- Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 feel embarrassed or that dence and acceptance. Pound Sterling 2.80974 2.86242 they are stupid for not She stated that the United States Dollar 1.99375 2.02768 wanting to get the vac- good thing about cine. Don’t shame them Barbados was that there INDICATIVE RATES FOR SOME REGIONAL into getting the vaccine was a clamouring for the CURRENCIES AS ADVISED BY THE because as health behav- vaccine, as the Minister RESPECTIVE CENTRAL BANKS. iour specialists, we have of Health, Lieutenant N.B. These rates are not meant to be used for trading. seen that that is not the Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, BDS$ best way to get people to would have reported on Guyana Dollar 0.00945 Jamaica Dollar 0.01321 do what they need to do. Sunday that over 16 000 T&T Dollar 0.29720 That is counter-intuitive persons in Barbados re- and counterproductive.” ceived the vaccine. The Barbados Advocate Wednesday February 24, 2021 • 7

China explores space with self-reliance, open mind BEIJING – Chinese returning for the first time. It is President Xi Jinping met another major achievement in representatives of space overcoming difficulties by giving scientists and engineers who full play to the advantages of the participated in the research new system of pooling national and development of the resources and strength, marking Chang’e-5 lunar mission in a great step forward in China’s Beijing Monday. space industry. Xi, also general secretary of With the goal of realizing the China’s new large carrier rocket Long March-5B blasts off from Wenchang Space Launch the Communist Party of China country’s self-reliance and self- Center in south China’s Hainan Province, May 5, 2020. Central Committee and improvement in science and chairman of the Central Military technology, Chinese scientists can stop China’s step toward new China encourages lunar exploration, Mars Commission, also visited an are doing their best to ensure heights in science and international joint research in exploration, satellite projects and exhibition on the lunar samples core technologies are self- technology. space science based on the lunar launch services to promote the brought back by the Chang’e-5 developed and controllable by Only by holding core samples to support science common progress and long-term probe and the achievements of China, while keeping the technologies in its own hands can results sharing. And the sustainable development of the China’s lunar explorations. initiative for innovation and the world’s most populous management and usage of the space industry. The Chang’e-5 probe, development securely in its own country ensure its economic samples would also comply with There is no doubt that China’s comprising an orbiter, a lander, hands. security, national security and relevant international future lunar and interplanetary an ascender and a returner, was Self-confidence can keep a security in other areas. conventions. exploration missions will be launched on Nov. 24, 2020. The nation moving forward steadily China’s lunar exploration is Chang’e-5 is not the only more open, and cooperation return capsule landed on Dec. on the road to the future. not for competing with other project for China carrying out among countries will be further 17, retrieving about 1,731 grams Independent innovation countries. The scientific international cooperation. Based encouraged. The country will of lunar samples. improves such confidence innovation of the world’s largest on the principle of equality and continuously push forward the As China’s most complicated remarkably. It is self-reliance developing economy has been mutual benefit, peaceful innovation and development of space project, the Chang’e-5 that has enabled China to stand steadily treading an independent utilization and win-win its space industry,and make new mission has achieved firmly among the nations of the path without excluding situation, China has actively and greater contributions to extraterrestrial sampling and world, and no country or force international cooperation. cooperated with the world in mankind’s peaceful use of space. It is a race to save lives, not to build geopolitical influence IMAGINE being trapped in a concrete actions to support snowbound town: no electricity, COVAX as well as the WHO’s no clean water, and food is work, so as to help developing running out. You give out countries receive vaccines in time everything you can offer, hoping and contribute to the global to help the poor get through this defeat of the pandemic at an early difficult time. But one of your rich date,” said Chinese Foreign neighbours, while hoarding food Ministry spokesperson Wang for himself, mocks your acts of Wenbin at a daily press briefing. charity, calling it sub-quality,and As the U.S. has a hard time says you are doing it just to boost delivering its “premium” vaccines your reputation or influence in evenly to its own citizens, not to the neighbourhood. mention donating vaccines to It hurts, doesn’t it? That’s how developing countries that don’t it feels when you read the Wall have any at all, please for the last Street Journal’s latest article time at least stop the smear titled “China Deploys Covid-19 campaign against other nations Vaccine to Build Influence, With that are doing so. One comment U.S. on Sidelines” and dozens of under WSJ’s article reads: similar essays claiming that “Providing vaccines to the China’s vaccine donations to the developing world will save developing world harbour a millions of lives. If we are in no “hidden agenda”. Again, some position to do it, then we should media outlets still couldn’t help be applauding,not criticizing the acting like “professional” judges, ones who are doing it.” pointing fingers at an act they Volunteer Michelle Zhou (1st L) presents donations of medical supplies to staff members of “No man is an island entire of are too arrogant to believe. But Elmhurst Hospital in Queens of New York, the United States, on March 28, 2020. itself; every man is a piece of the vaccines are not like wine – they continent, a part of the main,” save lives, especially in ventilators, the Chinese by natural disasters including a public goods that are truly wrote John Donne, an English developing countries where the government donated 1,000 locust plague and famine, China accessible and affordable to poet, more than four centuries medical infrastructure is not as machines to the once COVID- dispatched medical teams people in all countries.” This ago. That classic verse still advanced as in the U.S. besieged place.When hospitals in carrying much-needed medical month, China announced it resonates today. Lending a For months, China has been Italy were at full stretch, Chinese equipment together with millions would provide 10 million doses of helping hand to other nations in donating masks, ventilators, doctors and nurses who hadn’t of doses of COVID-19 vaccines. coronavirus vaccines to need has never come with the testing kits, and COVID-19 even had a chance to rest from On January 25, Chinese developing nations through the aim of building geopolitical vaccines to other nations, even the grueling battle with the President Xi Jinping delivered a COVID-19 Vaccines Global influence, but for saving lives, though it hasn’t fully recovered deadly virus in their motherland special address at the virtual Access (COVAX) initiative. “We those of others, and also from the pandemic itself. came to the rescue.When African Davos Agenda event, during hope that capable countries in the ourselves. Because in the fight When the state of New York countries were hard hit by the which he specifically said that international community can against a global pandemic, no one was in desperate need of COVID-19 pandemic,aggravated China will “make them (vaccines) play an active role and take is safe until everyone is safe. 8 • Wednesday February 24, 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 Media has critical role By Dorian Bryan to reprint press releases or told that it should dig potentially how much you do we have a higher calling deeper and find the real earn will be recorded. Health focus BEING in the media is and purpose within the truth but roadblocks are The government of ‘give complex and frustrating at Barbadian context? put in place at every turn. de man a chance to earn a AGE gives a better perspective of the importance the best of times. I must quickly deviate Let us dig, as both dollar’ has become the of having a balanced diet and including exercise It is akin to being in a here and express my national newspapers have Government of in daily routines. Although these things are polar vortex and wishing disgust related to a shown in recent days how registration! The clearly necessary to live a long and healthy life, that there is an end to the comment from the Head of the health care system is Government against they require some sacrifice, whether it be tug and pull of competing the COVID-19 not working as it should. professional registration financial sacrifice or the sacrifice of time to cook forces which can drag the Communications Team at Whether it be a senior who fees for lawyers, doctors etc, healthier foods or to get active. Staying healthy conversation in one the end of a press was asked to come for a has no issue with recording does not always come naturally and therefore to direction or another. It can conference recently. Even shot, only to be disrespected and storing private health prevent diseases, especially Chronic non- make it difficult to direct as the theme of the press and turned away to information and your communicable diseases like diabetes and the attention of people to conference was to remind another elderly person business information as hypertension, a change in attitude and lifestyle what is really happening in Barbadians to stay home being allegedly forced to well, while saying it will must occur. this country and allow during the lockdown and to look after a COVID-19 protected by the Data This does not mean that there is a need to go them to be educated on the be cautious even around positive case, when that Protection Act, yet if the on a restrictive diet or cleanse and it does not facts to the point where family members, the person is vulnerable. media pushes for more require the use of weight loss tea or pills but a they can make an objective statement about ‘Pearl’s Alarm bells should be going information, we are sustained commitment to following a healthy decision. shop being closed’ and that off. This is not time for deemed too aggressive. pattern and creating habits that can In Barbados, this is ‘Pearl and Fred will stan’ Government to look for It seems that every make it easier to include these things into quickly deviating from one home’ and that Minister kudos – but to do its job. time this Government is everyday life. established norm where Symmonds will have to get We have not heard faced with the trappings of For those active persons who are hard at work information is presented his drinks elsewhere was about efforts to clean up the leadership, which entails everyday and have little time to spare for an with all of the necessary uncalled for and country. We have answering questions, we hour of the gym or to make dinner each evening, facts and the public takes unacceptable after the dire abandoned lots or areas of get the excuses. These a way to promote a healthy lifestyle is to carve the decision on the matter, lectures being espoused concern and it is hell to get range from ‘they trying’ or out a half-hour in the morning or evening for a to one where sadly like by the Ministers prior. environmental health ‘at least de PM does talk’. It home work out session. This can be done in the other more industrialized The comments were officers to respond or even is exasperating to hear comfort of one’s home with use of an online nations, you can get a sense unseemly and the laughter investigate these matters excuses from the same personal trainer or videos from the internet. of what opinions will be which could be heard before and many times residents group who despised the There are a wide variety of exercise types formed and where some the livestream ended was have to pull their own previous government even available so that a person can find a style that people gravitate towards an insult to panicked pockets to address these doing so. is enjoyable for them or they can vary styles to their news. Barbadians who heard that issues and yet we are Ministers have to be stay entertained and to continue to challenge These are serious times they should allow people hearing about a fight held accountable. Inaction themselves. There are things like yoga, dance, and the country needs to whom they did not know to against dengue? must be called out and pilates, circuits, bodyweight exercises, and more have an understanding of ask them questions and Yet we have what is social contracts known as available for free, with upbeat music added to the complex challenges give private information in effectively ‘a Pearlie Manifestos must be held up increase motivation. Another option is to make which our country faces. what was deemed a ‘Seek number’ to encourage to the light of day and use of the lunch hour by taking a vigorous walk Our country needs to hear and Save’ initiative. This people to report what they officials who championed after eating. This can also help with brain from different sides of an Government has excelled perceive as COVID-19 them must be held to function and increase afternoon productivity issue since our political at public relations. I have protocol breaches. Where account. preventing the drowsiness that often follows reality at the pointed to the myth of was this number when The media must lunch. representative level is ‘economic excellence’ being some tourists were remember what their With exercise sorted the next factor is to make lacking consistent purveyed by officials and allegedly breaching vocation calls for. It is not sure that the body has the right type of fuel. alternative facts to those the harsh reality of quarantine rules and about liking a person, but This can be done by maximizing any spare time presented at the highest regression of inflation and endangering the public? holding that public official during the weekend and cooking food that would level. the debt to GDP which was Fair is fair! to the highest levels of be easily accessed during the week. Pay close We have now descended used as a cudgel against Businesses are closing accountability and being attention to portion size and it is always helpful into the realm of the absurd the last Government. By down at a rapid rate, able to speak truth to to do research on different body types and where it is news to see a the end of this lockdown or unemployment is quickly power, that is the only way recommendations made to better tailor a diet to story of an Ambassador pause or whatever it is rising yet nothing from the that we as a collective not your needs. In order to save and to add more praising said Prime called next, most Minister of Commerce. Yet, only earn respect but to outdoor time into daily routines which is vital for Minister being pushed, businesses will have been we hear about monies maintain it. obtaining Vitamin D, a kitchen garden is a even as legitimate closed for a month, with no being found to pay for the Now is the time for the wonderful resource. questions over the said income, with no assistance two week shutdown media to stand in the This provides the opportunity to take control leader and the failure of to them which would help impact, only if you vanguard and commit itself of food availability instead of relying on leadership during the them to assist their register…excuse me while to safeguarding the public supermarkets and produce vendors who may recent spike in COVID employees. I laugh at this! Register as interest in light of a use unhealthy pesticides and fertilizers without positives are paramount, It is almost a ‘like it or a small business and be Government which faces no your knowledge. Kitchen gardens require very then we in the media need lump it’ approach. The investigated to see if you legislative opposition. minimal outdoor space in which various small to ask ourselves if we exist media is constantly being are legitimate and These are uncertain times! plants can be grown. Salad greens are often a popular choice, as well as different varieties of tomatoes and cucumber. Herbs can also be grown easily for flavouring food when cooking at home. World Bank threatens to suspend For those with more space crops like pumpkin, squash and corn. Foods like squash and pumpkin are low in calories and therefore good for vaccine funding to Lebanon maintaining a healthy weight BEIRUT – The World Bank inoculated in parliament media by Lebanese deeply approved US$34 million to when used to replace starches like rice and threatened yesterday to without prior approval. mistrustful of their pay for vaccines for 2 potatoes. suspend financing for A top Lebanese official notoriously corrupt million people. Although COVID-19 and Dengue have coronavirus vaccines in supervising the vaccine politicians. The vaccination cam- inundated the news recently,a reminder to keep cash-strapped Lebanon as rollout called it The World Bank is a paign began Feb. 14 and overall health a priority is still timely. Noting it investigated suspected “outrageous” and major financier of Lebanon has so far received that the pandemic has had a negative impact on favoritism amid accusa- threatened to step down Lebanon’s coronavirus nearly 60,000 doses of the fight against NCD’s, the Healthy Caribbean tions that law-makers were amid an outcry on social campaign and has Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Coalition in a recent webinar to launch a report for a Transformative new NCD agenda stated Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes that among other things they intended to work E-mail Address: [email protected] Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Sports Editor: Corey Greaves on creating platforms to support community Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan based NCD activism. @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate The Barbados Advocate Wednesday February 24, 2021 • 9

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ADVOCATE PUBLISHERS (2000) INC, FONTABELLE • FAX: 434-1000 • E-MAIL: [email protected] Difficult Conversations – What would we do? WE have been asked how we would have rejected the international management Not happening stay the course – to foreseen destruction. responded to COVID-19. We provided our standard when I first recommended it Based on my 17 years of active efforts, I do best advice about one year ago, but the about 17 years ago. I since repeatedly not expect the Government to consider Letter from the future Government rejected it at that time. Given offered to implement it in all statutory the desperately needed international I expect the Government will finally see the foreseen nightmare scenario, they corporations in Barbados, free of cost. management standard at this time. the light in May 2021. That is when the should reconsider – for all our sakes. But no takers. Especially since it is designed to delight total forecasted deaths from exponential In the past 15 days, we had 15 new About three years ago, all statutory customers with exceptional service, and growth exceed 1,000, and we should get a deaths. In the previous 15 days, we had 7. corporation CEOs were invited to a free eliminate corruption. We simply cannot scathing rebuke from the WHO for our In the previous 15, we had none.This wave public workshop on implementing the reject our 50-year cultural traditions so politically motivated stubbornness. of deaths appears to have started after standard. They were guaranteed that easily.That is not who we are. At that time, we would wish that we the UK variant arrived in Barbados. following the training, they would be The weakness of our management sys- could go back in time to this point, and On 3 March, 2021, we can expect a total capable of implementing the ISO 9001 tem is evident, with over 30 unnecessary change course to avoid the foreseen and of 44 deaths if the growth rate is linear, principles the following day. Not a single deaths. Yet, we persist with it, and likely nightmare. Well, think of this as a or 59 if it is exponential. If the growth is CEO attended. The Government has continue to reject the obvious solution. letter from the future, encouraging us to exponential, as the data suggests, then since publicly trashed the international Instead of surrendering our pride, retreat- do just that. we can expect a total of over 100 deaths by standard – for political reasons. ing from what is not working, and em- 18 March 2021.The assumed growth rate bracing what will, we are encouraged to GRENVILLE PHILLIPS II may be verified on 3 March, 2021.

Good management The only way to avoid the nightmare ex- Welcome to the (Debt) Trap (Part I) ponential growth scenario, is to manage all aspects of the COVID-19 response well. “Only one deception is possible, in the tion, we have no excuse for being caught ment of principal to income, have remained We cannot risk using our home-grown infinite sense, self-deception.” – Søren unawares. almost constant in most cases, since the rise management methods to manage this Kierkegaard The pandemic is often (and rightfully) in debt levels has been matched, almost ex- pandemic anymore. Those methods have compared with wartime and this happens actly, by the fall in interest rates.” This is consistently failed us over the past 50 SELAH THE CORNER opened Welcome to be a battle with multiple fronts. The au- why Ministers of Finance and Central years. to the Trap with a warning about, well, thors of The Great Demographic Reversal Bankers are the best of friends (for now). When our management systems failed, traphouses:“Getting money with the drugs (TGDR) allude to another front at the end While not aiming for encyclopedic cover- the normal consequences were being now / Welcome to the trap.” Traphouses, of their book, “But what will then happen age, Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) de- forced to pay higher taxes, to wait longer and the literal traps that come with that as the lockdown gets lifted and recovery en- serves a mention. However, it will have to for declining standards of service. There lifestyle, is commonly featured in our sues, following a period of massive fiscal suffice to refer the reader to an article pub- were blips of improvement, but that only music. And since discography shapes and monetary expansion? The answer,as in lished by Michael Hoffman (Critiquing lasted until the quality employee was seen destiny; I leave the reader to finish that the aftermaths of many wars, will be a Modern Monetary Theory), published just as a threat, and was made redundant. thought. We are at an inflection point surge in inflation […].” before Christmas 2020:“Modern monetary Bad management only appears to work where demographics is set to play an even Another conclusion, this one from James theorists, therefore, ignore the capital if there are few customers and products. greater role in our destiny than discogra- Grant (The High Cost of Low Interest structure entirely,insisting that increases Once the number of customers and prod- phy. Rates), is also instructive: “Deceived by ul- in the supply of money can only have ucts increases, the system normally fails. In Fundamentals, physicist Frank tralow interest rates, Americans borrow positive externalities.” (This fuels the afore- When it fails, the only thing left is public Wilczek speaks of the role inflation might and lend in the kind of false economy that mentioned self-deception alluded to by relations to give sorry excuses. If the pub- play in our cosmic destiny.In the context of candidate Donald Trump properly con- Mr. Grant.) lic relations is effective, the customers will the big bang model, Mr. Wilczek discusses demned in 2016. COVID-19 will sooner or The authors of TGDR offer a detailed blame themselves. a “curious” (read: contradictory) feature of later beat a retreat. For the sake of honest tour of the debt trap(house) our political the model and how modern physics tries to prices and true values, it would be well if masters are building, but an introduction Good advice reconcile it.We do not need a primer on the the central bankers did the same.” Mr. in the foyer will do here:“Debt ratios are so It seems that we must comply with the Bohr-Einstein debates (Discussions with Grant’s piece was published on April 1, high that increases in interest rates, espe- WHO and PAHO requirements to receive Einstein on Epistemological Problems 2020, but it was no April Fool’s joke. cially at a time of low growth, may drive ex- their assistance.Therefore, we must keep in Atomic Physics) to grasp the problem Nine months later, more deception was posed borrowers into an unsustainable our borders open. However, we should identified: an unstable starting point and birthed as reported by Greg Ip (The Wall state.As a result, the monetary authorities mandate that all visitors to Barbados uniform, fine-tuned matter. (Behave do.) Street Journal), “In advocating for this cannot raise interest rates, either sharply must be properly quarantined at autho- His MIT colleague, Alan Guth, intro- package, Mr.Biden and Treasury Secretary or quickly,without running into the danger rised facilities, for 14 days – no exceptions. duced the idea of inflation to deal with this Janet Yellen note that interest rates are of provoking another recession, which itself We should manage the: air and sea conundrum proposing that “the universe historically low. Despite this added debt, would make everything worse.” ports, transportation to quarantine facil- underwent a tremendously rapid expan- interest expense won’t be much higher as Welcome to the (debt) trap. A trap that ities, quarantine facilities, QEH and other sion early in its history”. Wilczek would a share of GDP than a few years ago. The will bring many a sharp disagreement health clinics, isolation facility at Harrison like to think that inflation happened, but Federal Reserve says it will keep short- (Acts 15:39) between Ministers of Finance Point, contact tracing, and the Best-dos the idea needs more rigorous testing. term rates near zero for several years to get and Central Bankers.A trap that will have Santos lab, to ISO 9001 principles. Even Unlike our destiny in the physical context, unemployment down and inflation up.” the greatest impact in places where pop- at this late stage, all of that can still be there is no need to guess about the role in- Political masters the world over are ulations are greying fastest. I leave the accomplished within two weeks. flation will play in our economic context: it’s depending on (daresay, addicted to) arti- reader to hazard a guess as to which region coming. Not like a thief in the night, but the ficially low interest rates. The authors of that is. Rejecting an international standard variety that comes in broad daylight. TGDR explain, “Debt service ratios, the For some strange reason, the Government Therefore, outside of blatant self-decep- ratio of payments of interest and repay- ADRIAN SOBERS

LET GOD QUOTES FOR TODAY WORDS OF SPEAK TO US WISDOM Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Dr. Tedros Adhanom “Do not those who plot evil go Director-General of the Ghebreyesus astray? But those who plan World Trade Organisation Director-General of the LISTEN what is good find love and World Health Organisation faithfulness.” “I believe that when you find Every person I work problems, you should also find “I envision a world where with knows something – Proverbs 14, vs 22 (NIV) solutions.” everyone can lead healthy better than me. My job and productive lives, regard- is to listen long enough less of who they are or where to find it and use it. they live.” 10 • Wednesday February 24, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

The Barbados Advocate Wednesday February 24, 2021 • 11

12 • Wednesday February 24, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Top UN official US wants to address security says Haiti needs concerns with ‘democratic renewal’ Guyana, UNITED NATIONS – The top United country back on the path towards Biden tells Ali Nations official in Haiti called sustainable development, she added. Monday for a “democratic renewal” Joining the meeting from Port-au- in the troubled, French-speaking Prince, the Haitian capital, President 51st Republic Caribbean country to lift it out of a Moïse defended his administration, saying anniversary observed drawn-out political and that it is confronting not only the COVID- humanitarian crisis and to put it 19 pandemic but also “corrupt oligarchs” UNITED STATES President Joseph back on the path to stability and and a “radical and violent opposition”, Biden is keen on strengthening development. which have tried repeatedly to stage a cooperation with Guyana in the area of Helen Meagher La Lime, head of the coup d’état. security. United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti “This policy of chaos has meant that the He made known his position in a (BINUH), told the UN Security Council – Government has had to take off the congratulatory note to President Irfaan meeting via video-teleconference – that gloves,” he told the Security Council, Ali to mark Guyana’s 51st Republic the polarisation that has defined most of adding, however, that parliamentary Anniversary observed yesterday. President Jovenel Moïse’s term in office elections that originally should have taken Helen Meagher La Lime, head of the “In the year ahead, I look forward to our has become even more acute, as civic space place in October 2019 will go ahead in United Nations Integrated Office in teams addressing the issues and security shrinks and acute food insecurity grows. September. Haiti (BINUH) concerns that threaten our shared The UN said Haiti has been in the grips Moïse, 52, said that his own presidential interests, while building on Guyana’s of a renewed crisis since Parliament tenure ends in 2022, five years after he when an estimated 4.4 million Haitians economic growth and development,” he ceased to function in January 2020, took office. will be in need of humanitarian assistance told the Guyanese leader. leaving the president to postpone elections But his opponents, citing the this year”. The US supermajor, ExxonMobil, has and to rule by decree. Constitution, claim that his term of office Against this volatile backdrop, La Lime discovered more than 8 billion barrels of In response, the UN noted that large began when elections were held in 2016 preparations for this year’s elections – oil offshore Guyana including the crowds have poured into the streets, and that now is the time for him to step and for a Constitutional referendum – are Stabroek Block that extends to offshore echoing opposition demands for Moïse to aside, said the UN, alluding to news going ahead. Guyana’s Essequibo Region which step down. reports. But she warned that much remains to Venezuela claims as hers. Venezuela has “Only a democratic renewal, resulting In presenting the UN Secretary- be done, and that voting could be delayed refused to recognise the International from the prompt holding of credible, General’s latest report on Haiti, La Lime due to a lack of international funding. Court of Justice to hear Guyana’s case on transparent and participatory elections, said the opposition has been unsuccessful “Above all else, a minimal consensus the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal can provide Haiti with the opportunity to in mobilising significant public support among relevant political stakeholders Award that settled the land boundary overcome its protracted political crisis,” in its campaign to oust the president. would greatly contribute to creating an between the two South American La Lime said. But she noted that a raft of presidential environment conducive to the holding of nations. That, in turn, would allow Haitian decrees has prompted judges to go on the Constitutional referendum and In recent months, the US has been society and leaders to focus their attention strike and threatened civic space through subsequent elections,” said the top UN accelerating its foreign policy agenda in on undertaking the governance and an “overly broad definition of terrorism,” official in Haiti, adding that the United Guyana.Top American officials, on visits economic reforms necessary to set the adding that this is taking place “at a time Nations stands ready to help. to Guyana, have been stressing the importance of democracy and poor quality of Chinese infrastructure. Recently, the US and Guyana Defence Force Coast Guards conducted joint CXC changes some CAPE grades for Guyana patrols in Guyanese waters to combat GUYANA – The Caribbean centres wrote CAPE in Guyana. CXC, according to the Ministry, illegal, unreported and unregulated Examinations Council (CXC) says that According to a statement issued by the reported that 93% of the 526 subject fishing. so far, for the Caribbean Proficiency Education Ministry about the CAPE reviews from 209 candidates for CAPE Guyana is still regarded as a major Examination (CAPE) there have been reviews for Guyana, the reviews have been finalized for Guyana. transshipment point of South American 145 grade changes while the grades of included those which had been requested The Education Ministry said the cocaine to the US and Europe. 348 others have not been changed, and which CXC considered ‘border line’ remaining 33 subject reviews are The US President notes that this according to the Ministry of Education. cases. currently being processed. One hundred country is a strong democracy, and he The Ministry of Education says that The regional examining body and forty-five grade changes were looks forward to strengthening the US- in May/June 2020, 853 candidates from explained that 311 subject entries were recorded while three 348 received no Guyana bilateral relationship based on 10 secondary schools and five private positively affected for CAPE. changes to their grades. shared principles of good governance, prosperity, and security. United States Coast Guard seizes nearly 6,000 pounds of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea FLORIDA, United States – The United It said the Thetis’ crew launched an Colombian Navy. States Coast Guard said Monday that MH-65 helicopter, which stopped the go- While patrolling with one of the partner crew from its Cutter Thetis returned here fast vessel with disabling fire, “and nation’s ships, the US Coast Guard said after a 43-day patrol in the Caribbean resulted in an estimated 1,100 pounds of the Thetis’ crew conducted Sea during which the crew interdicted cocaine disrupted and the apprehension of communications exercises, “showcasing three drug vessels and seized close to two suspected smugglers”. the teamwork and joint interoperability 6,000 pounds of cocaine with a street The US Coast Guard said the Thetis’ between the United States and value of about US$82 million. crew also conducted a joint interdiction Colombia”. “By making our presence known in the with its Key West sister ship, Coast Guard The US Coast Guard said the counter- Caribbean, we continue to disrupt the Cutter Mohawk and crew. During that narcotic interdictions were in support of flow of illicit and dangerous drugs into the case, Thetis’ crew utilised an MH-65 Campaign Martillo, “a multinational United States,” said Commander Justin helicopter and stopped a go-fast vessel counter-narcotics collaboration to disrupt Nadolny, Cutter Thetis commanding “with precision fire to the vessel’s transnational criminal organisations that officer. outboard engine, resulting in an threaten global security and prosperity”. In one case, Thetis’ crew assumed estimated 1,220 pounds of cocaine seized Martillo is led by Joint Interagency tactical control of Port Canaveral-based and the apprehension of three suspected Task Force South, a component of US Coast Guard Cutter Confidence’s pursuit smugglers,” the US Coast Guard said. Southern Command, and supported by boat and boarding team, the US Coast It said the crew also conducted joint 15 US and 21 international agencies, the Guard said. counter-narcotics operations with the US Coast Guard said. President Irfaan Ali The Barbados Advocate Wednesday February 24, 2021 • 13

Guatemalans outraged by fake COVID-19 tests Puerto Rico GUATEMALA CITY – almost US$1 million but A private Guatemala infected others. Lawmakers and rights were found to be company says it bought Health Minister Amelia officials in Guatemala unreliable. the tests from a US firm, Flores has asked called Monday for an Jordán Rodas, the head which denies having sold prosecutors to investigate rejects key investigation into 30,000 of the country’s human them. Edwin Asturias, the representatives of the fake COVID-19 tests that rights agency, said former had of pandemic Guatemalan company and were bought by public Monday “it is efforts in Guatemala, a former health official for deal with health officials. inconceivable that in the asked in his Twitter possible fraud, perjury The 30,000 tests and midst of a humanitarian account how many people and other misdeeds. testing materials cost the crisis there is corruption might have relied on a Guatemala has had Central American in even the purchase of false negative from the 171,289 coronavirus cases creditors to country’s Health Ministry COVID-19 tests.” tests and unwittingly and 6,306 deaths. reduce debt US arrests wife of ‘El Chapo’ on drug charges SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico think this is a very,very big WASHINGTON – The – Puerto Rico’s governor moment in Puerto Rico’s wife of Joaquin “El Chapo” announced yesterday recovery.” Guzman, the imprisoned that a federal control Gov. Pedro Pierluisi former leader of Mexico’s board reached a key disagreed. Sinaloa drug cartel, was deal that would reduce He said in a statement arrested on Monday over the U.S. territory’s that while the agreement her alleged involvement in overall debt by nearly is positive in many ways for international drug 80%, but that his Puerto Rico, his trafficking, the U.S. administration is administration does not Department of Justice rejecting it amid back the deal that is said. concerns about cuts to scheduled to be submitted Emma Coronel Aispuro, the island’s crumbling in court next month and 31, a regular attendee at public pension system. requires final approval her husband’s trial two The impasse between the from a federal judge years ago, was arrested at governor and a board that overseeing the bankruptcy- Dulles International oversees Puerto Rico’s like process. “The plan of Airport in northern finances threatens to throw adjustment should not be Virginia, and is expected into limbo attempts to end structured in a way that to appear in a federal a bankruptcy-like process affects our pensioners even court in Washington on for a government that six more,” he said. Tuesday. years ago declared Pierluisi added that A lawyer for Coronel unpayable its more than finalizing the restructuring could not immediately be US$70 billion public debt of a portion of Puerto Rico’s identified. It was unclear load. debt is a priority for his why Coronel, a dual U.S.- The deal was reached administration, but not at Mexico citizen, was in the with creditors who hold the expense of retirees: Washington area. general obligation bonds “Putting the bankruptcy Coronel’s arrest came and Public Building process behind us is a two years after a Authority bonds sold by fundamental step toward celebrated trial in Puerto Rico’s government the recovery and economic Brooklyn where Guzman, and would resolve US$35 development of our island.” now 63, was convicted of billion worth of debt and Natalie Jaresko, the trafficking tons of drugs non-debt claims, according board’s executive director, into the United States as to the board. It also would said she understood the Sinaloa’s leader, where reduce debt held by those governor’s concerns but prosecutors said he Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of Joaquin Guzman, departs after the trial creditors from US$18.8 added that she doesn’t amassed power through of Mexican drug lord Guzman, known as “El Chapo", at the Brooklyn Federal billion to US$7.4 billion, a want to presuppose what murders and wars with Courthouse, in New York 61% reduction, and would might happen going rival cartels. provide them with US$7.4 forward and what the lack He was sentenced in unlawful importation into when the Justice Tomas Guevara, an billion in bonds and US$7 of support from Pierluisi July 2019 to life in prison the United States. Department brought drug investigator in security billion in cash, among other could mean for debt- plus 30 years, which the Prosecutors said charges in October issues at the Autonomous things. restructuring efforts. sentencing judge said Coronel also conspired to against former Mexican University of Sinaloa, said The board said the deal Jaresko noted that more reflected Guzman’s aid her husband in his Defense Minister Coronel’s arrest might be would free up more than than 70% of pensions would “overwhelmingly evil” July 2015 escape from the Salvador Cienfuegos. part of a “pressure US$300 million a year for face no cuts, and that most actions. Guzman was sent Altiplano prison in The Justice Department strategy” to prompt government services, and teachers and police officers to ADX Florence in Mexico, when he dug a unexpectedly dropped cooperation from that instead of the 30 cents are under the US$1,500 Colorado, the nation’s mile-long tunnel from his that case the following Guzman. for every dollar in taxes and threshold. She added that most secure “Supermax” cell, and began plotting a month and let Cienfuegos A Mexican official fees that Puerto Rico’s the board also would set prison. second escape following return to Mexico, in a bid familiar with Coronel’s government collects that aside a pension reserve Coronel was charged in his capture by Mexican to restore trust in the case, who asked not to be once went to creditors, it trust since it projects a one-count complaint authorities in January countries’ security ties. identified, said her arrest would be less than 8 cents. budget deficits in upcoming with conspiring to 2016. Cienfuegos was appeared to be solely a “It will set Puerto Rico on years, and that money in distribute heroin, cocaine, U.S. and Mexican efforts exonerated two months U.S. initiative, and that the path to end the trust could not be used marijuana and to fight drug trafficking later when Mexico Coronel was not wanted bankruptcy,” said board to help the government methamphetamines for had become strained dropped its own case. in Mexico. chairman David Skeel.“We make ends meet.

Mix of sunshine and clouds with a few brief isolated light showers.

High Tide (First) 2:25 High tide (Second) 13:36 London 13 Overcast Yesterday: 0.0 mm Boston 06 Partly Cloudy Low Tide (First) 7:28 For the month: 40.7 mm Max: 28.5 °C Montreal 01 Overcast Low tide (Second) 20:34 For the year: 168.0 mm Min: 25.8 °C Toronto 04 Cloudy New York 03 Overcast Miami 27 Cloudy 6:17 am 6:06 pm 14 • Wednesday February 24, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

UK to push at Last statue of dictator Franco removed in ‘historic day’ for Spain G-7 for global MELILLA, Spain – The lifted it off by a chain Melilla,” Elena Fernandez military role and not last statue of former around its neck and carted Trevino, in charge of edu- his dictatorship, so the Spanish dictator Francisco it away in bubble wrap on cation and culture in the Historical Memory Law, a Franco was removed on a pickup truck. enclave, said on Monday 2007 statute calling for the standard on Tuesday from the city The statue, erected three after the local assembly removal of all symbols con- gates of Melilla, a Spanish years after Franco’s death voted to take the statue nected to Franco’s regime, enclave and autonomous in 1978, commemorated down, pointing out that it should not apply. city on the northwest his role as commander of was “the only statue dedi- The Spanish govern- African coast. the Spanish Legion in the cated to a dictator still ment has made several ‘vaccine Without much fanfare, a Rif War,a conflict fought in in the public sphere in high-profile removals off group of workmen oper- the 1920s by Spain and Europe.” the back of this law,includ- ated a mechanical digger France against the Berber Only the far-right Vox ing taking over the former and heavy drills to chip tribes of the Rif mountain- party voted against the dictator’s summer palace passports’ away at the brick platform ous region of Morocco. move, arguing that the from his heirs last on which the statue stood, “This is a historic day for statue celebrated Franco’s September. LONDON – Britain The British govern- plans to use its presi- ment is also looking at dency of the Group of how such proof might be Seven economic pow- used by employers, venue ers to push for an in- owners or organisers of ternationally recog- large events. One option nised system of vac- under consideration cine passports that is using the National could allow world Health Service contact- travel to resume, tracing app, which mil- though Prime Minister lions of people in Britain Boris Johnson ac- have on their phones, to knowledged on display COVID-19 test Tuesday that the results. idea raises “complex” Johnson said on ethical issues. Tuesday that “there are The British govern- deep and complex issues ment previously said it that we need to explore” was not considering issu- before making a decision. ing vaccine passports to “We can’t be discrimi- people who had been inoc- natory against people ulated. But it has now set who for whatever reason up a review into “COVID can’t have the vaccine,” he status certification” that said. “There might be will examine ways people medical reasons why peo- can prove they don’t have ple can’t have a vaccine. the coronavirus, either Or some people may gen- through vaccination or by uinely refuse to have one. showing a negative test I think that’s mistaken, I result. think everybody should The government said it have a vaccine, but we would “look to introduce need to thrash all this Local workers load a statue of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, the last one remaining in Spain, a system to allow vacci- out.” into a truck after removing it from its location in Melilla, Spain, on February 23, 2021. nated individuals to travel more freely inter- nationally”. It added it would work with other Israel sharing some COVID vaccines with countries through the World Health Organisation, the G-7 – Palestinians, Honduras, Czech Republic whose presidency the U.K. holds this year – and JERUSALEM – Israel December said it would While Israel has been Jerusalem as its capital, competitors in a March other bodies on “a clear said on Tuesday it was add a diplomatic pres- vaccinating Palestinians although that is not 23 election criticised the international framework giving small amounts of ence to its Jerusalem in East Jerusalem, it had recognised by most coun- donations, saying the with standards that surplus COVID-19 vac- office, a move short of come under foreign crit- tries. Palestinians seek premier did not consult provide consistency for cines to Palestinian-run opening a full embassy icism for not extending East Jerusalem, which with the public or even passengers and industry territories as well as to in the city. its campaign to the other Israel captured along his own cabinet before alike.” several countries. Israel has been im- Palestinian areas. with the West Bank and making them. “Introducing such a sys- Prime Minister porting Pfizer-BioNTech The vaccines due for Gaza in the 1967 Middle Netanyahu “thinks he tem also needs to be fair Benjamin Netanyahu BNTX.O and Moderna Honduras will be admin- East War, as the capital is running a kingdom and not unduly disadvan- did not name which Inc. vaccines. It has ad- istered to health work- of a future independent and not a state. Such a tage people who have yet countries in a statement ministered at least one ers at risk of exposure, state. move requires discussion to be offered – or gain announcing the move. Pfizer dose to almost and a Honduran Air The Czech Republic and approval,” Benny access to – a vaccine,” the But the government of 50% of its 9 million pop- Force plane is in Israel has received several Gantz, Netanyahu’s government said in a doc- Honduras – which said ulation in one of the to transport them, gov- thousand Moderna doses centrist coalition part- ument outlining its plans last year it intended to world’s swiftest cam- ernment spokesman from Israel, Czech ner and now election to lift Britain’s pandemic move its Israel embassy paigns. Carlos Madero said. Foreign Minister Tomas competitor, wrote on restrictions. “That being to Jerusalem – said it This month the The Central American Petricek told reporters Twitter. the case, the government was expecting 5,000 Palestinians received country last year fol- on Tuesday. In an interview with does not expect this doses from Israel. The an initial shipment of lowed the United States The donation comes Israel’s Army Radio, solution to be available country has yet to re- Moderna doses from in signalling its inten- after the European Finance Minister Israel quickly, and restrictions ceive any doses. Israel, helping kick off a tion to move its embassy Union country’s presi- Katz, a member of like those in place across The Czech Republic limited vaccination pro- in Israel to Jerusalem, dent and premier sent Netanyahu’s right-wing the world are likely to said it had received a gramme in the Israeli- a diplomatic gain for letters to Israel request- Likud party, said he was continue for the near small Israeli shipment. occupied West Bank and Israel. ing vaccine help. unaware of the dona- future.” The country in Gaza. Israel regards all of Some of Netanyahu’s tions. The Barbados Advocate Wednesday February 24, 2021 • 15

US Justice Department revives probe into George Floyd’s death: NY Times WASHINGTON – The US Department of streets across the country and around tion of President Joe Biden in January, begin in Minneapolis on March 8, and Justice has empanelled a new grand jury the world to decry police brutality and with a new grand jury empanelled and the city is bracing for a return of street in its investigation of former police officer racism. new witnesses being called, the newspa- protests as a verdict, expected in April, Derek Chauvin, who also faces a state Chauvin, 44, who is out on bail, has per reported. draws near. murder charge in the death of George pleaded not guilty to murder in the Grand jury proceedings are secret, In Los Angeles, Police Chief Michael Floyd in Minneapolis last year, the New second degree and second-degree and the Justice Department did not re- Moore responded to media reports that York Times reported on Tuesday. manslaughter brought by state prose- spond to a request for comment, nor did some officers in his department had been Chauvin, who is white, was seen on cutors. Benjamin Crump, a lawyer for Floyd’s circulating an image of Floyd mocking widely viewed videos kneeling for nearly An investigation announced last May family. his death, warning on Tuesday that any nine minutes on the neck of Floyd, 46, by the Justice Department into whether Biden is not personally involved in the officer found doing so would be disci- who was Black and could be heard beg- Chauvin violated Floyd’s civil rights had federal investigation in keeping with his plined, local media reported. ging for his life. languished, the Times reported, citing pledge to let the Justice Department Three other officers at Floyd’s arrest Floyd’s death helped spark the biggest two unnamed people with knowledge of operate independently, a White House were also fired from the police depart- protest movement in decades in the the investigation. official said. ment and will face charges later in the United States as people took to the It has been revived since the inaugura- Chauvin’s state trial is scheduled to year of aiding and abetting Chauvin. Texas train carrying fuel in flames after crossing collision A GOODS train transporting petrol burst into flames after colliding with a lorry at a level crossing in the US state of Texas, police said. Footage of the incident in the city of Cameron, in Milam County,showed thick black smoke streaming across the sky. Nearby homes had to be evacuated and at least one property was destroyed by fire, police said. The vehicle’s driver and the people on board the train escaped unharmed and no injuries have been reported. At least three sections of the train reportedly caught fire and several trucks left the tracks. “Luckily, everybody seems to be OK,” Milam County Sheriff Chris White said trucks near the back, and that a section partments had been deployed to the The emergency services were made on Tuesday, telling reporters that there had to be disconnected and moved away scene, but that the blaze was too hot to aware of the incident at about 06:40 local was “no more threat at this point” and from the fire. reach when crews first arrived, adding time (12:40 GMT), police said. that the focus was “to put the fire out “By the grace of God we were saved on that they hoped to extinguish the fire Several properties in the area were and clean the mess up”. that one,” he said, without providing using “heavy foam”. evacuated as a precaution and some According to local media reports,at further detail of the material he was He described the lorry which the train roads were blocked, while people were least three sections of the train caught referring to. hit as an 18-wheel “flatbed” vehicle, and urged to avoid the location. fire and some units had left the tracks. Along with the petrol, the train was said there was no indication that it had The cause of the collision, at what was Mr White said the train had been also reportedly carrying coal. been transporting anything at the time of described by police as a regular road carrying “some hazardous material” in Mr White said that multiple fire de- the crash. crossing with barriers, is not yet clear. Unfriended no more: Facebook to lift Australia news ban

CANBERRA, Australia – Facebook also had threatened to remove its The digital giants would not be able “We’re restoring news on Facebook announced on Tuesday that it would search functions from Australia be- to abuse their positions by making in Australia in the coming days. Going lift a ban on Australians viewing and cause of the proposed law, but that take-it-or-leave-it payment offers to forward, the government has clarified sharing news on its platform after it threat has faded. news businesses for their journalism. we will retain the ability to decide if struck a deal with the government on “There is no doubt that Australia has Instead, in the case of a stand-off, an ar- news appears on Facebook so that we proposed legislation that would make been a proxy battle for the world,” bitration panel would make a binding won’t automatically be subject to a digital giants pay for journalism. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said. decision on a winning offer. forced negotiation,” Brown said. The social media company caused “Facebook and Google have not hid- Frydenberg and Facebook confirmed Frydenberg described the agreed alarm with its sudden decision last den the fact that they know that the that the two sides agreed to amend- upon amendments as “clarifications” of week to block news on its platform eyes of the world are on Australia, and ments to the proposed legislation. The the government’s intent. He said his across Australia after the House of that is why they have sought to get a changes would give digital platforms negotiations with Facebook chief exec- Representatives passed the draft law. code here that is workable,” he added, one month’s notice before they are for- utive Mark Zuckerberg were “difficult”. Initially, the blackout also cut access – referring to the bill, the News Media mally designated under the code. That A European publishers’ lobbying at least temporarily – to government Bargaining Code. would give those involved more time to group that is among those teaming up pandemic, public health and emergency In fact, this week, Microsoft and broker agreements before they are with Microsoft said the deal shows such services, fuelling outrage. four European publishing groups an- forced to enter binding arbitration legislation is possible – and not just in Facebook’s co-operation is a major nounced they would work together to arrangements. Australia. victory in Australia’s efforts to make push for Australian-style rules for news A statement on Tuesday by Campbell “The latest twist proves that regul- two major gateways to the Internet, payments from tech platforms. Brown, Facebook’s vice president for ation works,” said Angela Mills Wade, Google and Facebook, pay for the jour- The legislation was designed to curb news partnerships, added that the deal executive director of the European nalism that they use – a face-off that the outsized bargaining power of allows the company to choose which Publishers Council. governments and tech companies the Facebook and Google in their negotia- publishers it will support, including Facebook said it would now negotiate world over have watched closely.Google tions with Australian news providers. small and local ones. deals with Australian publishers. 16 • Wednesday February 24, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Vanessa Bryant criticises Meek Mill for ‘insensitive’ Kobe Bryant lyric VANESSA BRYANT has criticised rapper Meek Mill over a song that references her late husband, the basketball star Kobe Bryant. Don’t Worry (RIP Kobe) contains the lyric: “If I ever lack, I’m goin’ out with my chopper, it be another Kobe.” Bryant was killed along with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash last year. Addressing Meek Mill on Instagram, Vanessa said the line was “extremely insensitive and disrespectful”. “I am not familiar with any of your music, but I believe you can do better than this,” she wrote on her Instagram story on Monday. “If you are a fan, fine, there’s a Vanessa Bryant said Meek Mill’s lyrics lacked “respect and tact”. better way to show your admiration for my husband. This wrote. “Nothing I say on my … its almost like mind control lacks respect and tact.” [Twitter] page [is] directed to an ‘wake up.’” She also shared a message of internet viral moment or the The rapper previously petitioned support from basketball star family of a grieving woman! If you the National Basketball Candace Parker, who wrote: “I’m care about someone grieving, Association to change its logo to a sorry you and your girls change the subject!” silhouette of the Black Mamba to continually have to deal with – Meek Mill (@MeekMill) honour Bryant. [expletive] like this. It’s not fair it’s February 23, 2021 The sportsman, a five-time NBA not right.” champion, played for the LA Meek Mill, whose real name is Mill’s song, a collaboration with Lakers throughout his career and Robert Rihmeek Williams, fellow rapper Lil Baby surfaced is considered one of the greatest appeared to respond on Twitter, online last week. players in the game’s history. writing: “[Expletive] your feelings”. It is not clear how the track He was on his way to a “I don’t think we on the same leaked, and it has now been deleted tournament in Thousand Oaks last signal y’all... I don’t see what y’all from social media and YouTube. January when the helicopter he see.” The rapper initially suggested was in crashed into a hill just north He subsequently clarified that his lyrics had been misinterpreted. of Los Angeles. these tweets were not aimed at “Somebody promo a narrative Earlier this month, US safety Bryant and her family. and y’all follow it…. y’all internet investigators said the pilot had “I apologised to her in private antics cannot stop me,” he wrote. probably become disorientated Bridge earlier today not to the public,” he “They paying to influence y’all now amid fog. The Barbados Advocate Wednesday February 24, 2021 • 17 SPORTSSPORTS Sports voice joins the childhood obesity fight THE ardent work of the Indies, Cave Hill Campus, voices, Bulbulia stated, “It communicable Diseases Heart and Stroke is becoming a strong youth is important that and unhealthy lifestyles Foundation of voice in Barbados. He partnerships are formed. and aim for the promotion Barbados as a fearless explained, “The fearless For developmental of more healthy ways of proponent for fight for a healthier purposes, collaborations living and active Childhood Obesity Barbados is admirable! are key to development in lifestyles.” Prevention is being Fighting to break an my opinion, and the more He further explained described as invaluable engrained mindset will partnerships we can form, that community work and necessary. never be easy but we must the better it is for a society.” would be critical as This the commendation unite to combat this He further explained, childhood obesity is a of Barbados’ Ambassador pandemic of NCDs and “That as sports pandemic in itself, “As to the International unhealthy lifestyles in complements health and ambassador I saw it as of University Sports Barbados. We must break health complements an utmost importance to get Federation (FISU), Mr. this alarming trend athlete, our sectors are all into the clubs and Taahir Bulbulia, who is a quickly.” dependent on each other communities and this is passionate undergraduate According to national and they all connect to one where we can offer and student in sports statistics in Barbados 31 another; and if we can provide insight into what management at the % of children are obese or connect around one sports and healthy University of the West overweight. “As common goal as a society lifestyles are really about. Barbados’ Ambassador to the International Indies. The University Ambassador, I look and as a people this would This is where the work of University Sports Federation (FISU), Mr. Taahir Sports Federation takes forward to this certainly go a long way.” the Heart and Stroke Bulbulia. the lead on promoting partnership with the The young sports Foundation really comes sports and its development Heart and Stroke ambassador, highlighted in, and other entities in health challenge requires unhealthy foods and throughout universities Foundation of Barbados. statements by Barbados’ terms of development the implementation of drinks in schools. across the globe. Bulbulia, “The sporting fraternity Prime Minister the Hon. comes in, we really need to evidence-based policy for In 2019, an estimated in his role as Ambassador most definitely supports Mia Mottley,“All hands-on come together for the countries to fight the 38.2 million children under for FISU has recently the fight for a national deck,” Bubulia explained, common good to battle the scourge of childhood the age of 5 years were joined the ranks of HSFB health policy and the “We need all hands-on issues we are facing.” obesity. These policies overweight or obese. Once Partners and Champions promotion of a more deck to fight this health The World Health include: mandatory Front considered a high-income for Childhood Obesity healthy and active society,” crisis in Barbados, we need Organisation (WHO) of Package Nutrition country problem, Prevention. said Bulbulia. all hands on deck to fight deemed childhood obesity Labelling, banning the overweight and obesity are Bubulia, also the Vice Speaking about the this COVID-19 pandemic as one of the 21st century marketing of unhealthy now on the rise in low- and President of the Guild of Barbados Childhood and similarly we need all biggest global health foods and beverages middle-income countries, Undergraduates at the Obesity Prevention hands on deck to fight the challenges. According to to children and banning particularly in urban University of the West Coalition and its growing pandemic of Non- the WHO, this massive the sale of marketing of settings.

Tiger Woods badly hurt in car crash Expected to survive LOS ANGELES – Golfing Hills Estates and Rancho middle-class. during a news conference champion Tiger Woods was Palos Verdes, the Los Woods,whose career has in which he called Woods hospitalized in Los Angeles Angeles County Sheriff’s been hampered in recent one of his closest friends.“I yesterday with multiple Department said in a years by back injuries and just hope he’s alright.” injuries suffered when his written statement. underwent his fifth back Former Woods girlfriend, car veered off a road and Sheriff’s deputy Joana surgery in December, Olympic skier Lindsey rolled down a steep hillside, Warren told Reuters the hosted the PGA tour’s Vonn, tweeted simply: requiring rescue crews to vehicle had ran off the annual Genesis “Praying for TW” extricate him from the roadway and rolled down Invitational at the Riviera The PGA Tour issued a wreckage, authorities said. the hillside before coming Country Club over the statement from Woods’ injuries were not to rest near the bottom. weekend but did not Commissioner Jay believed to be life The sheriff’s department compete. Monahan. “We are threatening, ESPN initially said a rescue tool He was seen at the awaiting further reported, citing police known as “the jaws of life” Rolling Hills Country Club information when he sources, despite video was used to pry Woods on Monday with actress comes out of surgery. On footage from the crash from the wreckage. But Los Jada Pinkett Smith, former behalf of the PGA TOUR scene showing his dark Angeles County Fire basketball star Dwayne and our players, Tiger is in gray Genesis sport utility Department spokesman Wade and comedian David our prayers and will have vehicle badly crumpled and Christopher Thomas later Spade. our full support as he lying on its side near the told Reuters that recovers.” bottom of the slope, emergency personnel ‘Praying for TW’ Former U.S. President windows smashed. actually pulled Woods from News that Woods, the Donald Trump, who has There was no immediate the vehicle through the greatest golfer of his played golf with Woods on official word on the extent front windshield after the generation, had been several occasions and or nature of Woods’ glass frame was cut away injured in a serious car awarded him with the injuries,but CNN reported and removed. wreck sent shockwaves Presidential Medal of he suffered compound Woods’ success on the through the sports world. Freedom in 2019, issued a fractures to both of his legs. greens transformed him “Praying for my brother statement urging Woods to Woods, 45, a 15-time into a worldwide superstar, @TigerWoods as we all get well soon, adding: “You Grand Slam champion and ushering in an era of anxiously await more are a true champion!” one of the most celebrated multimillion-dollar news,” former baseball star California-born Eldrick figures in the world of endorsements and Alex Rodriguez said on “Tiger” Woods turned sports, was the sole lucrative appearance Twitter. “Thinking of him professional in 1996 and A vehicle rests on its side after a rollover acci- occupant of the car when it money and spread the and his entire family.” won his first U.S.Tour title dent involving golfer Tiger Woods along a road in crashed at about 7:12 a.m. sport to an audience far “I am sick to my in only his fifth start. Since the Rancho Palos Verdes suburb of Los Angeles near the suburban beyond its traditional stomach,” fellow PGA Tour then, he has virtually on Tuesday, yesterday. communities of Rolling image of male, white and golfer Justin Thomas said redefined the game. 18 • Wednesday February 24, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Gayle leaves PSL as “int’l duties” on horizon KARACHI, Pakistan – following the nine-wicket defeat cricket to play so I’m looking Day International of a three- pandemic. Veteran opener Chris Gayle to Qalanders, Gayle announced forward to actually you know match series back in 2019. “I am glad to be playing cricket could make an appearance in he would be leaving to join up visit Lahore as well.” He has not played a T20 at this particular time. Playing West Indies colours for the with West Indies. West Indies will take on Sri International since March of that during this particular time is a first time in nearly two years “It is sad to leave because I Lanka in three Twenty20 year when England toured the blessing. Hopefully, things can against Sri Lanka next week wanted to play the full PSL,” said Internationals starting March 3 Caribbean. get better in the future,” Gayle after indicating on Monday the former West Indies captain. in Antigua, marking the Though in the twilight of his noted. “When you look at what’s he was leaving the Pakistan “That’s the reason why I Caribbean side’s first home series career, Gayle remains one of the happening in the world there are Super League and returning actually put my name up because in more than a year due to the most sought after T20 batsmen no fans in the stadiums and to the Caribbean for I wanted to come here and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. on the international franchise people have to watch [cricket] on “international duties”. dominate the PSL. I wanted to Selectors are yet to announce a circuit due to his fearless hitting. television, it is something people The 41-year-old played two give the fans something to cheer squad for the games, however, Gayle has amassed 13 691 and players look back and say we matches for Quetta Gladiators about after I’ve been to Pakistan but Gayle’s revelation suggests runs and 22 hundreds in 413 have to appreciate times when during the PSL which bowled off to like 15 years.” the strongest side is likely to be T20s, and has also struck two we actually had good things and here last weekend, hitting 39 in “Unfortunately,I have to leave fielded for the series. centuries in 58 internationals for not take them for granted.” Saturday’s opener against for international duties but The left-hander last turned out West Indies. “Things are tough with the Karachi Kings and 68 against Lahore is there and that’s the for West Indies when he made a He said it was a “blessing” to be world in pause.We must not take Lahore Qalanders on Monday. second stage of second round.” whirlwind 72 against India at still playing cricket amid the life for granted when things can In a post-match interview “So you know still a lot of Port of Spain in the final One- challenges posed by the open.” Acrobatic Giroud gives Chelsea advantage over Atletico BUCHAREST – A spectacular Olivier Giroud overhead kick gave Chelsea a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in yesterday’s Champions League last-16 first leg in Bucharest. The French striker broke the deadlock in the 68th minute with an outrageous bicycle kick which was flagged offside but eventually given following a lengthy VAR review as the ball had come off Atletico’s Mario Hermoso before Giroud hit it. Joao Felix had attempted an overhead effort earlier in the second half but missed the target in one of few chances for Atletico, who were forced to play their home leg over 3,000 kilometres from Madrid due to Spanish restrictions on arrivals from Britain to control the spread of COVID-19 infections. Chelsea looked more likely to find a second goal than Atletico A spectacular Olivier Giroud overhead kick gave Chelsea a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid. did an equaliser but Thomas Tuchel’s side will be without Atletico keeper Jan Oblak said Levante after drawing two of Edouard Mendy. Giroud when Hermoso’s Mason Mount and Jorginho in his side had been too anxious in their previous three games. “I don’t think this is a crisis for attempted clearance sent the ball the second leg at Stamford attack but insisted their spirits Deprived of the usual raucous us, it’s just a little different,” looping backwards and within Bridge on March 17 as they will remained high. atmosphere they would normally added Oblak. range of the Frenchman. be suspended after being booked. “In the dressing room I saw a expect for a European knockout “In a difficult situation you see “I didn’t know what to think “We came here with strong team with its head held high and game at the Wanda how strong a team really is and about the goal, I just focussed on intentions to win, play our game I’m convinced we’re going to Metropolitano and forced to take I’m sure we’re going to come out hitting the overhead kick and and we knew how to cause them improve,” he said. a four-hour flight to the game, of this period and keep moving was pleased to see it go in the trouble offensively,” said match- Atletico have led the La Liga there was little sense of them forward.” back of the net, I had no clue winner Giroud. standings for most of the season having a home advantage. Chelsea played with more about being offside,” Giroud said. “We have been strong at the but have experienced a dip in They played with little confidence and purpose and were “We know the importance of back in the defensive shape and form in February and went into ambition or intensity and could only let down by their final pass. the away goal in European Cups we’re very pleased with the win, Tuesday’s match smarting from not manage a single shot on Luckily for them, they could so I was pleased to help the team it was a deserved win tonight.” a shock 2-0 defeat at home to target to bother Chelsea keeper count on the improvisation of win the game.” Football: Leeds soar into top half as Southampton slide goes on LEEDS: Leeds moved into the decision to leave top-scorer opportunity, goals seemed But there are not any signs of McCarthy’s right-hand post to top half of the Premier League Danny Ings and on-loan certain to come, and Bamford fatigue showing yet as a round off a brilliant individual table as Patrick Bamford, Liverpool midfielder Takumi continued his excellent season typically energetic display with a goal. Stuart Dallas and Raphinha all Minamino on the bench with with a calm finish from Tyler counterattack killed the game Victory takes Leeds above struck in the second half to the Austrian wary of further Roberts’ pass two minutes into off 12 minutes from time. Arsenal in the table and to earn a 3-0 win over injuries affecting his depleted the second period for his 13th Raphinha’s run distracted within five points of sixth- Southampton yesterday (Feb squad. goal of the season. the Southampton defence to placed Liverpool as they push 23). The visitors could still have Leeds then missed a number create the space for Dallas to for a European place in their After topping the table earlier gone in front before half-time as of chances to build on their lead fire home Helder Costa’s pass first season back in the top in the season, Southampton are Nathan Tella saw a penalty with Alex McCarthy twice from the edge of the area. flight for 16 years. not yet safe as they have taken overturned after a VAR review, denying Bamford a second. When Costa was then taken Southampton remain in 14th, just one point from their last while Che Adams had a goal In previous seasons, Marcelo down on another dangerous but Fulham’s upturn in form of eight league games. ruled out. Bielsa’s men have run out of break six minutes later, late means they now enjoy just Saints boss Ralph With both sides throwing steam in the second half of the Raphinha dispatched the an eight-point cushion over the Hasenhuttl took the bold men forward at every campaign. resulting free-kick low into relegation zone. The Barbados Advocate Wednesday February 24, 2021 • 19

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Bushy Park, St. Philip Jordan Morris tears Land 17,000 sq ft $10 sq ft left ACL, 3 years Inchcape, St. Philip Land 4355 sq ft $ 96,000 after tearing right Belle, St. George SWANSEA, Wales – back to recovery. It’s very TEL 572-1452 Land 4 acres American forward Jordan cruel.” Cel: 253-6319 $400,000 Morris tore his left ACL The injury appears 828-4800 while on loan for Swansea likely to sideline Morris Email: Haggatt Hall, St. Michael in the English League from at least the first eight caribbeanpropertiesltd Land 6336 sq ft Championship, three years U.S. World Cup qualifiers, @gmail.com $126,000 after rupturing his right which start in September. ACL during a match for There are three additional Major League Soccer’s qualifiers in both January Cane Garden, St. Thomas Seattle Sounders. and March 2022. PROPERTIES Land 7,000 sf to 18,000 sq ft Morris tore his left ACL A description of the Private entrance. From on Saturday during incident on Swansea’s Kirtons, St Philip $187,681 3 bedroom plus Swansea’s 4-1 loss at website said Morris 2 bedroom apt Huddersfield. “landed awkwardly after The Mount, St. George Swansea said he will treading on the ball as he Land 4,790 sq ft $685,000 REAL ESTATE Land 6544 sq ft REAL ESTATE miss the rest of the controlled a lofted pass.” $110,000 English season. The 26-year-old was Amity Lodge, Ch Ch Marley Vale, St Philip All enquiries to “It’s significant ligament loaned by Seattle to 3 bedroom plus Shop Hill, St Thomas Land 21,780 sq ft (246) 253 6319/ 828-4800 damage,” Swansea coach Swansea in January for 1 bedroom apt Land 11,735 sq ft $275,000 (246) 572 1452 Steve Cooper said Monday. the rest of the English Land 6,646 sq ft $258,000 or “Everything we hoped it season. Seattle announced $650,000 Sandford, St Philip (246) 247 4469 wasn’t, unfortunately it is. Morris will return to the Ragged Point, St. Philip Land 16,356 sq ft It’s the end of his season United States to prepare Gibbons, Ch Ch Land 8,267 sq ft $305,000 for us, and a long road for surgery. 3 bedroom plus $166,000 2 bedroom apt NOTICES NOTICES NOTICES Land 9,835 sq ft $765,000 Rolling Hills, St. George COMMERCIAL Land 12,000 sq ft NOTICE Breezy Hill, St Philip $315,000 (negotiable) Mount Standfast, St James 3 bedroom, 2 bath Two properties on IN THE ESTATE OF SYLVIA reduced to $298,000 Ocean City, St. Philip 22,714 sq ft Land. ELAINE CARTER GREAVES also Land 6150 sq ft Asking $1,200,000 known as SYLVIA CARTER Black Rock, St Michael $123,000 GREAVES also known as 3 bedroom, 1 bath Black Rock, St. Michael SYLVIA ELAINE CARTER, deceased Land 6732 sq ft Fortesque, St Philip Warehouse/Factory $360,000 Agricultural Land 4000 sf space NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pur- 494,500 sq ft Land 23,861 sq ft suant to Section 31 of the Trustee Enterprise, Christ Church $1,100,000 $900,000 (reduced) Act, Cap. 250 of the Laws of 3 bedroom, 2 bath Barbados, to any person having Land 5062 sq ft Silver Sands, Foul Bay, St. Philip any debt, claim or demand upon or $390,000 (reduced) Christ Church Approved for condos, affecting the Estate of SYLVIA Land 7,129 sq ft Land 39,242 sq ft ELAINE CARTER GREAVES also Golf Club Road, $160,000 $1,600,000. known as SYLVIA CARTER Christ Church GREAVES also known as SYLVIA ELAINE CARTER, late of #60 3 bedroom, 1 bath Bushy Park, St. Philip Dover, Christ Church fixer upper Regency Park in the parish of Land 24,000 sq ft Hotel 18 rooms fully Christ Church in this Island who Land 4,000 plus $200,000 operational $2,950,000 neg died at the Queen Elizabeth UNDER OFFER Hospital, Martindale’s Road in the Apes Hill, St. James Dalkeith, Christ Church parish of Saint Michael in this Island The Belle, St George Land 31,000 sq ft upward Land 17,371 sq ft approved on the 29th day of June, 2019 to Plantation style House Large lots at $15 per sq ft for shops and offices send particulars in writing of his or Standing on 4 acres $495,000 her claim or interest to MELANESE PATRICIA CRONEY UNDER OFFER Mount Wilton, St. Thomas the sole Administratrix of the Estate of the Land 15,500 sq ft Roebuck Street, deceased in care of Ms. E. Jamila Frere Pilgrim, and 22,066 sq ft Bridgetown Christ Church Rawlins, Attorney-at-Law of $300,000 and $220,000 Shopping Mall/Office space InterCaribbean Legal, Attorneys-at- 3 bedroom, 2 baths with $8,100,000 negotiable Law, “Palm Court,” No. 28 Pine two bedroom apartment. Union, St. Philip Road, Belleville, St. Michael on or Land 4,387 sq ft. $850,000 Land 7560 sq ft Batts Rock, St Michael before the 30th day of April, 2021 $150,000 Guest House, after which date the Administratrix Hanson Heights, St George Land 12,078 sq ft will convey and distribute the 3 bedroom, 2 baths Cottage, St George $2,850,000 negotiable assets of the Estate among the per- sons entitled having regard only to Land 8321 sq ft Land 5000 sq ft $595,000 the valid claims of which she shall $110,000 Cane Garden, St Thomas then have had notice and will not in 3.6 acres approved respect of the property so distrib- Ealing Grove, Morningside, St Philip Roadfront land uted be liable to any person of Christ Church Land 4567 sq ft $1,650,000 negotiable whose claim she shall not then 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths $133,000 have had notice. Land 9320 sq ft Fitts Village, St James $565,000 Jupiter Gardens, St Philip Guest House, 4 Suites And all persons indebted to the said Land 7312 sq ft Land 6,135 sq ft Estate are required to settle their $133,000 $850,000 negotiable indebtedness without delay. LOTS FOR SALE Dated this 24th day of February 2021 Bagatelle, St. Thomas Mason Hill Street The City Cave Hill Drive, St. Lucy Land 62000 sq ft into 2 lots 26,500 sq ft with buildings MELANESE PATRICIA CRONEY Land 14,876 sq ft. $520,000 each $4,500,000 negotiable Administratrix $110,000 20 • Wednesday February 24, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Regular Market BARBADOS STOCK REPORT Security Volume High Low Market Advance/ Price Decline February 23, 2021 INSURANCE CORPORATION OF B’DOS LIMITED 2,500 2.00 2.00 2.00 0

One security traded firm as 2,500 shares traded on the Regular Market, with a total value of $5,000.00. Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited was the sole security trading 2,500 shares at $2.00.

Deposit Receipts Security Previous Current Advance/ Close Close Decline BARBADOSBARBADOS STSTOCKOCK EXCHANGEEXCHANGE EMERA DEPOSIT RECEIPT $19.48 $19.58 $0.10 SHARE SUMMARY INFORMATION Tuesday February 23, 2021

LAST TRADE VOLUME HIGH LOW LAST CURRENT PRICE BID ASK BID ASK DATE CLOSE CLOSE CHANGE PRICE PRICE SIZE SIZE

ABV Investments Incorporated 15-Oct-20 - - - $0.05 $0.05 - $0.02 $0.30 8,080 10,498

BICO Limited 21-Sep-20 - - - $3.10 $3.10 - $3.10 - 70 - INDICES Banks Holdings Limited -+ 09-Dec-19 - - - $4.85 $4.85 - - - - - TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES February 23, 2021 February 22, 2021 Barbados Dairy Industries Limited -+ 04-Oct-19 - - - $3.00 $3.00 - - - - - Local 2,437.74 2,437.63 0.11 Barbados Farms Limited 22-Jan-21 - - - $0.40 $0.40 - $0.35 $0.40 1,000 6,561 Cross-list 933.43 933.43 - Composite 594.05 594.02 0.03 Cave Shepherd and Company Limited 28-Jan-21 - - - $4.10 $4.10 - $4.00 $4.10 72 1,100 MARKET CAPITALISATION (in millions) FirstCaribbean International Bank 05-Feb-21 - - - $1.80 $1.80 - $1.80 $2.00 239 707 TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES February 23, 2021 February 22, 2021 Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 19-Feb-21 - - - $0.16 $0.16 - - $0.16 - 4,066 Local 4,899.81 4,899.59 0.22 - Dev Fund Cross-list 119.19 119.19 - Composite 5,018.99 5,018.77 0.22 Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 18-Feb-21 - - - $0.57 $0.57 - $0.55 $0.58 1,600 51,870 MUTUAL FUND -Value Fund February 23, 2021 ENDED NAME OF FUND NAV OFFER BID NAV Goddard Enterprises Limited 22-Feb-21 - - - $2.10 $2.10 - $2.10 $2.15 17,596 8,856 CHANGE 19-Feb-21 REPUBLIC CAPITAL GROWTH FUND w 1.2109 0.0137 Insurance Corporation of B’dos Limited 23-Feb-21 2,500 2.00 2.00 $2.00 $2.00 0 $1.78 $2.00 78 7,200 19-Feb-21 REPUBLIC INCOME FUND w 1.2581 -0.0098 19-Feb-21 REPUBLIC PROPERTY FUND w 0.6723 -0.0003 One Caribbean Media Limited 18-Feb-21 - - - $1.80 $1.80 - - $1.80 - 215 12-Feb-21 FORTRESS CARIBBEAN GROWTH FUND w 6.6328 6.6328 6.6328 0.0857 Sagicor Financial Corporation Pref 6.5% 23-Jun-16 - - - $2.26 $2.26 - - - - - 12-Feb-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - ACC. w 2.1045 0.0035 12-Feb-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - DIST. w 1.0244 0.0017 Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited -+ 29-Nov-19 - - - $2.80 $2.80 - - - - - 31-Jan-21 ROYAL FIDELITY SELECT BALANCED FUND m 5.5698 5.5698 5.4584 -0.0020 31-Jan-21 ROYAL FIDELITY STRATEGIC GROWTH FUNDm 1.0241 1.0241 1.0036 0.0000 West India Biscuit Company Limited 19-Feb-21 - - - $31.05 $31.05 - $30.00 $31.40 5,000 500 31-Jan-21 ROYAL FIDELITY PREMIUM INCOME FUND m 1.6429 1.6429 1.6100 -0.0006 19-Feb-21 SAGICOR GLOBAL BALANCED FUND w 2.77 -0.01 Emera Deposit Receipt 14-Aug-20 - - - $19.48 $19.58 $0.10 $30.00 - 50 - 19-Feb-21 SAGICOR SELECT GROWTH FUND w 1.70 0.00 19-Feb-21 SAGICOR PREFERRED INCOME FUND w 0.98 -0.01 2,500 TOTAL SHARES BOUGHT & SOLD * Indicates the Fund is currently ex-div NOTES: QUOTATIONS AND NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ARE SUPPLIED BY THE FUND MANAGEMENT. THE OFFERING PRICE INCLUDES NET ASSET VALUE PLUS * = Security is Trading X-Div ENTRY COSTS. m = monthly valuation, q = quarterly valuation, w = weekly *+* = Security is Suspended Fixed Income ** = Rights Issued Last Trade Last Current Bid Ask Bid Ask Date Close Close Price Price Size Size GOB Series B 17-Feb-21 $60.00 $60.00 $60.00 $80.00 50,000 34,828 GOB Series D 12-Nov-19 $50.00 $50.00 NOTICES GOB Series F 03-Nov-20 $89.00 $89.00 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS GOB Series I 24-Mar-20 $65.00 $65.00 $70.00 19,617 FirstCaribbean International Bank – Directors have fixed February 1st, 2021 as the record date for the determination NEWS of shareholders entitled to receive notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which will be held on March 12th, 2021. The meeting can be accessed virtually here: https://web.lumiagm.com/286-507-132. Shareholders who wish to attend the annual meeting must contact FirstCaribbean International Bank by March 10, 2021 at US bank profits fell 36.5% in 2020 [email protected] to obtain the Meeting ID and Password to join the meeting. on pandemic concerns – FDIC Emera Incorporated – Directors have fixed March 22nd, 2021 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which will be held on May 20th, 2021. WASHINGTON – US bank demic. profits fell 36.5% in 2020 Testifying separately BICO Limited – Notice is hereby given that the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Annual General Meeting of the from the prior year as before Congress, Federal shareholders of BICO Limited is scheduled to take place on April 13th, 2021 at the Company’s registered address: banks set aside massive Reserve Chairman Jerome Harbor Industrial Park, Bridgetown, BB11145 at 5:00 p.m. amounts to guard against Powell said the central potential losses, but the bank was still debating BSE NOTICES industry showed signs whether to reinstate COVID-19 PROCEDURAL UPDATE of strengthening in the stricter capital require- fourth quarter as the econ- ments on banks. The Fed Kindly note that effective February 15th, 2021, the offices of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) and the omy begins to recover from eased some leverage re- Barbados Central Securities Depository Inc. (BCSDI) remain closed in accordance with the extension of the National the pandemic, a regulator strictions for larger banks Pause – February 17th, 2021 to February 28th, 2021 – announced by the Government of Barbados. reported on Tuesday. in April, with that relief Kindly note, however, that while our physical offices will be closed, all trading, clearing and settlement operations will The industry posted set to expire at the end of remain fully operational as staff will all be working remotely during this period. While our offices are closed, we remain $147.9 billion in profits in March. easily accessible via email. For Stock Exchange related queries, kindly email us at [email protected] and for 2020, a sharp decline from Industry groups are al- Shareholder related queries contact us at [email protected]. record 2019 profits, accord- ready pressing for extend- ing to the Federal Deposit ing the relief. Top groups, We wish to thank you in advance for your understanding and trust that all and sundry remain safe during this time. Insurance Corporation. including the American Bank profits rose 9.1% Bankers Association and TRADING SUSPENSION in the fourth quarter, how- the Securities Industry The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section 4.01.3 and ever, to $59.9 billion com- and Financial Markets subject to Section 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the Common Shares of pared with the previous Association, said in a letter Banks Holdings Limited were suspended effective December 10th, 2019. year as firms shrank how on Tuesday the Fed should much cash they set aside extend the relaxed stan- The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section 4.01.3 and to guard against losses. dards as soon as possible. subject to Section 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the Common Shares of Barbados Dairy Industries Limited were suspended effective December 10th, 2019. FDIC Chairman Jelena They said the relief McWilliams said the new had helped banks play a The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that to facilitate the closing of the Scheme of data showed that despite “pivotal role” in stabilising Arrangement effected by way of Section 99 of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda involving the transfer of all the falling profits, banks markets by continuing issued and outstanding shares in Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited to Alignvest Acquisition II, it has proved their resilience to lend during the down- suspended trading in the security Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited. amid the COVID-19 pan- turn. The Barbados Advocate Wednesday February 24, 2021 • 21

NBA roundup: Wizards top Lakers in OT for 5th straight win BRADLEY BEAL scored 33 Oklahoma City. Tim Hardaway Jr. came off the points and Russell Westbrook Kendrick Nunn scored 20 bench to score a game-high 29 added 32 on Monday as the points for the Heat while Bam points (20 in the first half) as the visiting Washington Wizards Adebayo had 19 points and 13 re- Mavericks, who hadn’t played rallied for a 127-124 overtime bounds. Jimmy Butler added 15 since Valentine’s Day because of victory over the Los Angeles points and nine assists but shot two weather-related postpone- Lakers for their first five- was just 3 of 11 from the floor. ments, won for the fifth time in game winning streak in three Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led their past six games. years. the Thunder with 27 points, going Ja Morant had a team-high 22 Westbrook, who added 14 re- 10 of 15 from the floor, and added points and game-high nine assists bounds and nine assists, made a five assists. Darius Bazley had 13 for the Grizzlies, who were playing shot inside and was fouled with points. for the third time in four nights. 11.6 seconds remaining in over- The loss was their second straight. time to put the Wizards up three Phoenix Suns 132 - Portland points. He missed the ensuing free Trail Blazers 100 Chicago Bulls 120 - Houston throw to give the Lakers a chance Devin Booker scored 34 points Rockets 100 to tie the score, but LeBron James on 12-of-17 shooting as Phoenix Zach LaVine scored 14 of his 21 and Kyle Kuzma missed 3-point rolled to a victory over visiting points in a runaway third quarter attempts on Los Angeles’ final Portland.Deandre Ayton added 19 as visiting Chicago rolled over possession. points as the Suns notched their reeling and short-handed Rui Hachimura scored 15 12th victory in the past 14 games. Houston. points and Robin Lopez added 13 Phoenix turned the game into a After scoring just seven points off the bench as the Wizards im- blowout by outscoring the Trail prior to halftime, LaVine spear- proved to 2-0 to open a four-game Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots against Blazers 37-17 in the third quarter. headed a scorching third period road trip against Western Los Angeles Lakers center Marc Gasol (14) during the sec- Damian Lillard recorded 24 for the Bulls by shooting 5 of 5 Conference teams. Washington’s ond half at Staples Center. points and seven assists as from the floor, including three 3- last five-game win streak was Portland dropped its second pointers. He scored 11 consecu- Jan. 27-Feb. 5, 2018. least 20 points each off the bench Rookie LaMelo Ball and former straight contest following a sea- tive points for Chicago during one James finished with 31 points, in the Jazz’s win over Charlotte in Jazz star Gordon Hayward each son-best, six-game winning surge, leading the Bulls to a sea- 13 assists and nine rebounds Salt Lake City. scored 21 points for the Hornets, streak. son-best 46-point frame. while Montrezl Harrell added 26 Joe Ingles and Georges Niang who were opening a six-game Houston’s David Nwaba fin- off the bench as the Lakers lost scored 21 apiece, with all of their road trip. Dallas Mavericks 102 - ished with 22 points and nine re- three consecutive games for the points coming via 14 3-pointers, Memphis Grizzlies 92 bounds, and fellow reserve first time this season. and Jordan Clarkson added 20 Miami Heat 108 - Oklahoma Dallas put eight days’ worth of Sterling Brown had 16 points.The Utah Jazz 132 - Charlotte points with five treys as the Jazz City Thunder 94 stored energy into one of its best Rockets, playing without Hornets 110 won for the 21st time in 23 games. Duncan Robinson hit six 3- defensive performances of the sea- Christian Wood (ankle), Victor Donovan Mitchell finished with The Jazz hit a franchise-record 28 pointers and scored a team-high son, limiting visiting Memphis to Oladipo (foot), and DeMarcus 23 points and eight assists and 3-pointers (one shy of the NBA 22 points as Miami won its third its second-lowest season point Cousins (heel), dropped their three Utah teammates scored at record) on 55 attempts. straight game, knocking off host total. eighth consecutive game. 22 • Wednesday February 24, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Osaka back to No. 2; Medvedev Basketball: Gasol No. 3; Karatsev jumps 72 spots confirms return to NAOMI Osaka’s rankings following last Barca 20 years on Australian Open season’s hiatus caused by championship moved the coronavirus pandemic. BARCELONA – Spanish His return to Barca her up one spot to No. 2 Essentially, in order for basketball great Pau gives him the in the WTA rankings players’ rankings not to be Gasol has announced he opportunity to get back Monday, while men’s hurt if they skipped events is returning to boyhood to full fitness in time to finalist Daniil as a result of the COVID- club Barcelona after represent Spain at this Medvedev rose to a 19 outbreak, the WTA nearly two decades in the year’s rescheduled career-best No. 3 gives credit for someone’s NBA, three days after Olympics, having earned behind winner Novak best 16 tournaments since denying reports he had silver medals in 2008 and Djokovic on the ATP March 2019. signed for the Catalans. 2012 and bronze in 2016. list. Barty took nearly a full “I’m very happy to Widely regarded as the Jennifer Brady, the 25- year off, for example, but announce I’m coming best Spanish player ever, year-old American who still has her points from home and that I’ll soon Gasol began his career was the runner-up to winning the 2019 French join the ranks of Barca’s with Barcelona in 1998, Osaka, jumped 11 spots to Open and reaching the basketball team,” Gasol, leaving for the Memphis No. 13, her first time inside semifinals at the 2020 a two-time NBA Grizzlies in 2001. the Top 20. Australian Open. champion and six-time He won back-to-back Aslan Karatsev’s Serena Williams climbed All Star player, wrote on NBA titles with the Los historic run from four spots from No. 11 to his official Twitter Angeles Lakers in 2009 qualifying to the final four No. 7 to get back into the account yesterday. and 2010 and later before losing to nine-time Top 10 after making it to “I want to put my skills played for the Chicago Australian Open the semifinals in Australia and experience at the Bulls and San Antonio champion Djokovic a year after losing in the disposal of the club at a Spurs before his brief allowed him to vault 72 third round there. key point in the season, spell at Milwaukee, places from 114th to 42nd. Japan’s Naomi Osaka kisses the Daphne Akhurst She was beaten by while at the same time where he played only He is the first man in the Memorial Cup during a photo shoot at Osaka, whose 6-4, 6-3 making progress in my three games due to professional era to reach Government House the day after defeating United victory over Brady in the physical condition and injury. the semifinals in his debut States Jennifer Brady in the women’s singles final final on Saturday gave her getting into the rhythm His brother Marc, who in the main draw of a at the Australian Open tennis championship in a fourth major of the competition.” also began his career major tournament. Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. championship, all on hard Gasol, 40, has been out with Barca, remains in Despite winning the courts: the 2018 and 2010 of action since 2019 due the NBA, signing for past two Grand Slam Barty – who lost in the of the way the tennis tours U.S. Opens, and the 2019 to a series of ankle champions Los tournaments she entered, quarterfinals at are calculating what and 2021 Australian injuries, last playing for Angeles Lakers last Osaka still trails No. 1 Ash Melbourne Park – because they’re calling “frozen” Opens. the Milwaukee Bucks. November. The Barbados Advocate Wednesday February 24, 2021 •23

P R HOROSCOPES O S A ARIES (March 21-April 19). Difficult people who N are involved in a confusing situation aren't helping to D make things any easier. Someone is either misunder- standing certain facts or choosing to ignore the obvi- C ous. You may have to find subtle methods to get around O obstructions others seem to be deliberately causing. N You can start by keeping some plans to yourself. S TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Someone lacks the practical skills needed to fulfil their current obligations. A complicated project hasn't been making much progress and it may be up to you to take on some extra work in order to get things moving. A team effort will be going through some significant change. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Anything that keeps your mind active helps keep you motivated. You have Z so many ideas to share with your family, colleagues I and friends. Just be sure no one else takes the credit T for them. If you're involved in a study project, you S might feel you can move mountains at the moment. This is a prime time too for writing articles, emails and letters. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You aren't necessarily run off your feet but you still feel you could do with a break from routine chores. Someone in power isn't being fair in their attitude towards you. If you're deal- ing with another person's prejudice, discuss your feel- ings with a friend who isn't involved to achieve a new R perspective. E LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Focusing on the positive X side of life keeps those around you motivated. Friends feel as if they can achieve anything with your support. M You're needed here, there and everywhere. Aloved one O will complain that they can't get in touch with you R when they need you. That's the price you pay for being G so popular. A VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You've contributed a lot N to a group situation and now others are looking to you to help overcome another hurdle. Despite the bother this causes, it would be difficult to walk away from whatever, or whoever is causing the problem. One solution will be for you to take on some extra respon- sibilities. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Someone in a position of power has made some bad decisions in the past. There P is no evidence that new procedures are working. H Tougher measures will be announced in the work- A place and this is a sign that a situation you had thought N was over, is not yet resolved. T SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). On the plus side your O work behind the scenes is giving you an ideal oppor- M tunity to clear the decks. The downside is feelings of isolation and alienation through spending too much time alone. If you don't arrange to get together with others, you could slip into a brooding frame of mind. Communication is vital for your mental health. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It's not easy to focus on tasks when you are aware of a situation that is causing contention. You won't agree with a senior M colleague's assessment. This will put you in a position A of confrontation but it's important for you to fight on R behalf of the underdog. Praise from colleagues will be Y very touching. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Double check what W bills will need paying in the near future so you aren't O caught unawares. If you have accidentally signed up R for a monthly service you do not want or need, be cer- T tain to cancel immediately. In an interview situation, no matter what you are feeling inside, strive to remain H upbeat and confident. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Unexpected expen- ditures have left you short of funds. You're consider- ing taking on extra work or applying for a short-term M loan to make ends meet. Another possibility is shar- O ing resources with someone special. You won't do T anything without giving this matter some serious con- H sideration. A neighbour will pass on an extraordinary E story. R PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). If your household does- n't get an immediate cash injection, you could find G yourself in financial difficulties. Applying for a grant, O borrowing from family or dipping into your savings O are among the possibilities. Systems being put in place S in the workplace will receive positive feedback. You E should feel proud of your contribution. Sports voice joins the childhood obesity fight

Page 17

Wednesday February 24, 2021 MANAGING EMOTIONS

Healthy coping mechanisms KEY important during lockdown

By Regina Selman Moore those negative or difficult thoughts,” Dr. Chase advised. BARBADIANS are being reminded “In terms of feeling depressed, it goes that they may experience a range of back again to acknowledging how you feel emotions during a lockdown period and managing it. So the person names it and whilst some of them may be as depression. What are you depressed members. negative, they should acknowledge about? You can sit down and list the Once you these feelings and then choose things that come into your mind that are recognise and healthy coping mechanisms to deal depressing you and once you itemize acknowledge with them. them, you can even start to write about why you are This key piece of advice came recently it. Don’t only write out the things that you feeling depressed, from Psychiatrist Dr.Ronald Chase,as he feel depressed about, but why. Then look tell someone you delivered a presentation on the topic,“My at what you have written and analyse it feel close to. Mental Wellness Matters: Managing and see if it is something that you have Emotions During Lockdown”.The session control over or if it is something you don’t EMOTIONS on was hosted by the Substance Abuse have control over.Is there a different way Page 5 Foundation online. that I can view what is happening? Is “Notice your difficult feelings or there something different I can do, emotions or thoughts. Even if you have a because how we interpret things in peer group that you can connect with, we our lives, really leads to how we still need to be able to manage ourselves. feel and then how we feel, The peer group is just another tool in our corresponds with what we toolbox, but you have got to first do,” Dr. Chase added. acknowledge your difficult emotions. Don’t try to put it in the back of your Talking about your mind. If you try to avoid it, it is not going feelings is therapeutic to work. Acknowledge what you are He stressed, “This is feeling and even name the thought where a peer group will silently to yourself. Say I am feeling sad, come into play. It I am feeling angry,I am feeling frustrated. doesn’t have to be your Acknowledge how you feel, acknowledge friends. It can be family Psychiatrist, Dr. Ronald Chase. Trade unions urged: ‘Regard crisis as wake-up call’ TRADE unions are being called on to The “Global Trend Analysis on the Role According to the report, unionization by Standards, non-compliance with labour ensure that the temporary measures of Trade Unions in Times of COVID- workers’ organizations has been severely regulations with regard to layoffs, working adopted in response to the COVID-19 19” reveals that 108 out of 133 countries, affected by lockdowns and restrictive hours and the payment of wages and a pandemic are a stepping-stone toward a or 81 per cent, used social dialogue in measures. In light of this, some trade disregard of Occupational Safety and sound recovery, focusing on a medium to response to the pandemic to achieve a unions decided to discontinue the Health (OSH) regulations”. long-term perspective – in line with the consensus on targeted measures to protect collection of membership dues, while As key actors of the world of work, trade priorities identified in the ILO’s policy workers and enterprises. others saw the crisis as an opportunity to unions also made several framework for responding to the COVID- “We are living in an unprecedented time raise awareness and reach out to informal recommendations to governments and 19 crisis. of crisis. But one thing is evident: we need economy workers and launched successful employers’ organizations. Their requests In addition, it is recommended that to reinforce social dialogue to ensure a membership campaigns. Still others for immediate action included universal trade unions regard the crisis as a wake- lasting, sustainable and inclusive recovery, developed innovative ways to organize and health care, extended sickness, up call for contributing towards better and where no one is left behind. Strong, reach out to their members, or organized unemployment and family benefits, cash more inclusive labour and social agendas. independent, knowledgeable and humanitarian actions. transfers, job and income security, “They continue to play an important role representative trade unions as well as There is also an increase of violations of financial support to enterprises, as vehicles of democracy and advocates of global solidarity are more relevant than workers and trade union rights across the compliance with OSH regulations, the social justice,” according to a new report ever for achieving the future that we want world as a result of the measures adopted provision of in-kind benefits and the launched by the ILO’s Bureau for the ”, Maria Helena ANDRE, Director of by governments,“These violations concern recognition of COVID-19 as an Workers’ Activities. ACTRAV said. in particular International Labour employment injury.

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