Barbados Advocate Was in Time to See These Workmen Replacing Boards at the Popular Spot for Both Tourists and Locals

Established October 1895 Hunt on for male

bank robber who dressed as a woman

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Friday May 14, 2021 $2 VAT Inclusive BSTU content with CARPHA advice

THE Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) says while government takes its lead from international bodies such as the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organisation and UNICEF,guidance should also be taken from closer to home as it relates to recommendations for social distancing in the classroom during the ongoing pandemic. BSTU President Mary-Anne Redman, while giving a synopsis of a meeting held on Wednesday with high level education and health officials, maintains the WORK ONGOING: Repair work has continued at pace on the Richard Haynes Boardwalk in Hastings Christ Church. The unwavering position that the 3ft Barbados Advocate was in time to see these workmen replacing boards at the popular spot for both tourists and locals. social distancing must be revised, citing recommendations from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). According to Redman, “...We understand the importance of tracking trends, keeping up to date on approaches to containment, treatment etc….but often UPP AGAINST what is recommended globally still has to be contextualised to suit what happens regionally or locally …. especially as that relates to the availability of our resources as compared to those of other places, our cultural habits ‘REPORT IT’ APP etc. “Often when persons speak of being ‘guided by the science’, the THE United Progressive warded to a disciplinarian. haviour displayed by our young though we know that humans lie Union’s concern is the extent to Progressive Party (UPP) is The statement said that ac- people, on or off school premises”. we still believe that they would which that wider science has vehemently opposed to the cording to recent news reports The concern of the UPP is that not do so for frivolous reasons. been juxtaposed against the nar- touted anonymous student the Barbados Ministry of just like beauty, bad behaviour is This is of course untrue.” rower ‘behavioural science’ of our behavior reporting software Education, Supreme Counselling in the eye of the beholder and the The deputy chair highlighted people, to secure the outcomes of the Ministry of Education Services for Personal exuberance of youth is often con- that the new surveillance tool that we need.” called the SafeZone, Report Development and the Maria sidered to be bad behaviour by comes on the heels of the passage It is for this reason, Redman It App. Holder Trust have come together many when they are no longer of the Data Protection Act 2019 states that the BSTU is far more According to a statement re- to launch an app available on the young. which seeks to protect the per- comfortable with and promotes leased yesterday by UPP Deputy Google Play and Apple Store. It is “Indeed quite often the gath- sonal data of individuals. The the recommendations of Chairperson Lynette Eastmond, understood by the UPP from the ering of boys in groups compris- personal data of individuals is in CARPHA as best practice for the titled ‘One bad APP to spoil the newspaper reports that the pur- ing more than two is the catalyst effect information from which the reopening of schools. bunch’, taking actions in the best pose of the device was to facilitate for the presumption of bad be- individual can be identified. She “This is a regional organisation interests of the child is an oft re- the general public in monitoring haviour. In the real world of expanded by saying that with with the awareness of our cul- peated prescription. Eastmond and reporting on the behaviour of Barbados, with which some are any such piece of legislation, one tural and resource context and explained these actions some- minor children. unfamiliar, individuals will can anticipate that there will be their recommendation is at least times caused much disagreement Referencing that report, threaten “to get people lock up” exceptions and gave the example 6ft physical distancing in a con- as to what might be in the best Eastmond quoted Shawn Clarke and succeed. Inevitably with this of the administration of justice text of full vaccination coverage interests of the Barbadian child of Supreme Counselling and new-found power will also come and the carrying out of other nec- for teachers, among other things. and asked if it was in the best in- Development Services as saying threats of expulsion and they essary public functions. “The Ministry of Health is terests of the child to have their that the App “can be downloaded may succeed,” said the state- “One of the measures imple- however holding fast to the every instance of bad behaviour and used by anyone in our society ment. “These dishonest individu- mented to safeguard privacy is BSTU on Page 6 recorded, reviewed and for- to report any kind of negative be- als rely on the fact that even NO TO APP on Page 3 2 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Freewinds helps SVG

IN a bid to stave off a humanitarian were well-known to the people of St. crisis following the eruption of the Vincent, and have formed friendships and La Soufriere Volcano in St. Vincent, business relationships with individuals the cruise ship Freewinds sent thou- here. sands of pounds of vital relief sup- “Their donations would go a long way plies to Kingstown. towards assisting many displaced per- Over 13,000 pounds of water storage sons,” she stressed pointing out as well tanks, respirators, blankets, tools and hy- that a team of Volunteer Ministers from giene kits were delivered in the 40-foot the Church of Scientology,also contacted container from Miami recently to help and put into place by Freewinds, is al- the 16,000 persons evacuated from their ready in the field supporting the Red homes in the red and orange zones. Cross and are actively engaged in cleanup Through a coordinated effort with the activities. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Medical Port Captain of the Freewinds, Ken Association and the SVG Bar Association, Weber outlined the ship’s readiness to as- Volunteer Ministers as they started to unload the 40 foot container to sort the supplies were made ready for distri- sist in times of need. and deliver supplies to shelters housing evacuees. bution at the various shelters. “The Caribbean is our home.Whenever President of the SVG Bar Association disaster strikes in the region, the hit the region between 2015 and 2017. it rapidly. Regardless of the situation, Rene Edwards lauded the Freewinds Freewinds is always ready to assist. However, this is our first volcano, but the the Caribbean can count on the team in its response to the disaster relief Previously we have provided disaster re- handling is basically the same, find out Freewinds to do whatever it can to pro- efforts, noting that the vessel and staff lief on different occasions after hurricanes what is needed and wanted then provide vide help,” he assured. PM Mottley describes panel’s report as timely and excellent PRIME Minister Mia Amor Mottley has Ms. Mottley said the findings and rec- lenges without addressing vaccine equity; again called for global leadership in the endorsed the report of The Independent ommendations of the report “are exactly technology transfer and other trade-re- COVID fight. Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and what is needed” to help the world come lated issues; international financial sup- “Now is the time for global leadership, Response, describing it as “timely and ex- closer to winning the battle with COVID- port in the fight against the pandemic, and in fact, now is the time for the conven- cellent work”. 19. “Barbados and other countries like and the post-pandemic economic recovery, ing of an urgent global summit, so that we The Co-Chairs of the Independent mine have been calling on the interna- which must be green, resilient and inclu- can put these issues behind us and get on Panel, former President of Liberia, Ellen tional community for urgent global ac- sive,” the Prime Minister suggested to the business of stopping people from Johnson Sirleaf, and former Prime tion. We believe that many of the chal- She stressed that countries must have dying from COVID, and allowing coun- Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, lenges have been addressed in this re- the fiscal space to pursue that post pan- tries to resume the path to development presented their findings and recommen- port. demic recovery, which must be financed. and recovery,” she insisted. dations for action to curb the COVID-19 “In the immediate, the global commu- In thanking the Panel for the compre- The Prime Minister expressed pandemic, on Wednesday. nity cannot effectively address these chal- hensive recommendations, Ms. Mottley Barbados’ commitment to play its part. The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 3

Health Minister: Get vaccinated! BLP must answer HEALTH MINISTER, Lt. Col. Jeffrey On Wednesday, International Nurses “(Barbados) moved from 375 cases or so questions on D. Bostic is urging Barbadians to get Day,the Minister of Health and Wellness for almost the entire year up to a certain vaccinated. spoke to the media on the Psychiatric point in December and within six weeks, This comes as Barbados records its Hospital grounds about coronavirus cases we had more than 3,000 cases. So I say housing 46th COVID-19 death, a 66-year-old and the progress health officials have that to say this, we have come a long way Barbadian woman who passed away on made during the start and peak of the we have been doing very well but it is not IN the name of transparency, several May 11. pandemic. over until it is over and it only takes one questions must be answered by the bad case to turn this whole thing Barbados Labour Party administration around…” said Lt. Col. Bostic. regarding the provision of low and mid- Despite this, Minister Bostic noted that dle income housing. the health authorities have done well in Democratic Labour Party spokesper- managing the ongoing crisis. He under- son on housing Ricardo Harrison said lined that there were five or six isolation while government was promising thou- centres activated and they are no longer sands of homes over the next two years, needed. Lt. Col. Bostic said people are it was doubtful that this would occur. now housed at Harrison’s Point facility He then queried several matters relat- and cited that most of the ventilators ing to the projects. have not been used and health services “What are the names of the contractors being intact as a testament of his assigned to these projects? What was the Ministry’s success. tendering process, and has it been com- As of May 12, there were seven new pleted? What are the expected building cases and 107 people in isolation. The costs attached to these projects at Kings Barbados COVID-19 Situation report Village/White-park Road and Lancaster? showed 36,598 people are fully vaccinated How will these units/ houses be disbursed and 75,644 people have been vaccinated. via rent to own or outright purchase? Has the development at Lancaster/Deans Partially vaccinated people Town been offered to the upper-middle- can be reinfected class, or will they still become available During the media briefing, Senior to the average working-class Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health Barbadians?” he asked. and Wellness, Dr. Ingrid Cumberbatch Harrison stressed that Barbadians responded to a question from a journalist needed “immediate and actionable plans” about COVID-19 re-infection and vacci- to deliver the security of homeownership nated people. She explained that the that many so desperately need. AstraZeneca vaccine is a two-dose vaccine “In doing so, Barbadians also want to and people are not fully vaccinated until ensure their tax dollars are appropriately 14 days after their second dose. spent, with the appropriate contractors Senior Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr.Ingrid The doctor revealed she has seen peo- for the job,” he added. Cumberbatch spoke briefly on COVID-19 positive cases, reinfection and ple who have had one dose of the vaccine “Much fanfare, style, and optics were on people who have received at least one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. with COVID-19 in Barbados. But she was show at the Housing Fair at She noted that people are not fully vaccinated until 14 days after they have unable to give any figures on these cases Lancaster/Dean’s town where ordinary had two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. at the moment. Barbadians were promised land but were suddenly, and without a valid explana- tion, told that only houses will be built and that house spots are no longer available,” he continued. Transmission far from being However,calling into yesterday’s Down to Brass Tacks program, Housing Minister Dr.William Duguid defended government’s process for awarding con- controlled, says PAHO Chief tracts. He said consideration had been given IN the last week, the region of the of Guyana and Bolivia that border tize health systems,” Dr Etienne as- to those who could use land owned by Americas reported more than 1.2 mil- Brazil. And in Colombia, where COVID- serted. the National Housing Corporation and lion new COVID cases and nearly 34,000 19 cases have been steadily increasing “Whether it was shortages of PPE, ICU through using their own capital, put in COVID-related deaths. over several weeks, we expect even beds, oxygen or health workers, coun- the necessary infrastructure to finance That’s nearly 40% of all global deaths steeper rises following a week of protests tries are being forced to act quickly to the building of the homes. reported last week happening right here in Colombia”. make up for years of underinvestment. “So government isn’t actually paying in the Americas, Pan American Health Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, “the And while countries have dramatically anything at all for the HOPE premium Organization (PAHO) Director Dr. rise in hospitalisations across our region expanded their health care capacity in program. All we are doing is by facilitat- Carissa Etienne told the virtual press is triggering an unprecedented oxygen just a few months’ time, our health working by providing the land and then we are conference on Wednesday. supply challenge,” Dr. Etienne said, and ers are continuing to feel the strain of paid back for the land as the houses are “This is a clear sign that transmission in response, PAHO is helping countries this pandemic.” sold,” he stated. is far from being controlled in our re- scale up oxygen production and donating gion,” she stressed. vital supplies, including 7,000 pulse Cuba continues to drive most new in- oximeters and nearly 2,000 oxygen com- fections in the Caribbean, although pressors. Question of consent smaller countries like Trinidad and “We’re working hand-in-hand with Tobago are experiencing significant ministries of health, particularly in hard NO TO APP from Page 1 dren or their parents is to be obtained. jumps. In St. Vincent and the hit places like Bolivia and Antigua and that those who collect, control and process “Indeed one may also wish to ask the Grenadines, COVID-19 cases in evacua- Barbuda to help countries redesign their data must obtain the consent of the indi- question, that now there is a pending leg- tion shelters continue to be a challenge, models of care and update their clinical vidual before gathering and processing islative framework for data protection, following the frequent volcanic erup- guidelines to optimize resources avail- their data. Where children are concerned does the person facilitating the collection tions. able and ensure that more patients re- Section 8 of the Act provides that “the pro- of data on minors have the legislative Dr. Etienne also reported that through- ceive the oxygen they need,” she indi- cessing of a child’s personal data shall be power to do so. The UPP is asking out much of the Americas, PAHO is see- cated. lawful only where and to the extent that Barbadians to give considerable thought ing cases accelerate along national bor- But based on how COVID is spreading, consent is given or authorised by the par- to whether this App is the best way to ad- ders. the PAHO Chief said it is estimated that ent or guardian of the child.” dress issues “In Central America, jumps in infec- 20,000 doctors and more than 30,000 Eastmond also noted that in the cir- which minor children face. Is surveil- tions are being reported along the re- nurses will be needed to manage the ICU cumstance where every Barbadian is lance the solution? Or is education reform gions of Costa Rica and Honduras bor- needs of just half of the countries in given the power to collect information on the real solution, a true progressive reform dering Nicaragua, and in border regions Latin America and the Caribbean. minors, which is then sent to be processed which helps our children to navigate that of Guatemala and El Salvador. In South “Throughout this pandemic we’ve seen by groups of individuals, the question process from childhood to adulthood suc- America, cases are surging in the areas what happens when countries depriori- arises as to how the consent of these chil- cessfully.” asked Eastmond. 4• Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Two new COVID-19 cases, 29 discharged Hunt on TWO females tested pos- people recovered from the and 2,046 males) since health laboratory has 19 is 75,724 (first and itive for COVID-19 on virus and were dis- the first case was diag- conducted 161,164 second doses). This in- Wednesday,May 12, from charged. There are now nosed in March, last year. tests. cludes 38,919 persons for male the 520 tests conducted 90 persons in isolation. There have been 3,908 re- The number of people who have been fully vac- by the Best-dos Santos Barbados has recorded coveries, and 46 people vaccinated under the cinated during the second Public Health 3,959 confirmed cases of have died. Since National Vaccination phase of the programme. bank Laboratory. Twenty-nine COVID-19 (1,913 females February 2020, the public Programme for COVID- (BGIS) robber dressed as a woman

A BOLD midday bank robbery by a male robber reportedly dressed as a woman yesterday has left employees at CIBC FirstCaribbean in Wildey St. Michael traumatised. RBPF Public Relations Officer Inspector (ag) Rodney Inniss told the media yesterday that police received a report in the Operations Control Room just around 12:15pm of a bank robbery in progress. “We were informed that the assailant or as- sailants... someone entered the bank, approached a teller and presented a note and de- manded cash in specific denominations. The teller did as she was trained to do and handed over a certain amount of cash. He took the cash, placed it in the bag and casually walked out of the bank.” The assailant is said to be dressed in a red dress with a grey shirt under- neath, a straw hat, a pair of sneakers and was wearing a face mask. The robber was also said to be carrying a handbag. Inspector Inniss, while noting that investiga- tions are still at an early stage, encouraged persons who might have seen anything “ever how small” to share that information with law enforcement officials at 4307246 or 4307242. “We will gladly take your information, just contact us, you can even call the 211 line and we will take the necessary information. What's good about this thus far is no- body has been physically injured.” He lamented however that members of staff were traumatized and have been treated by counselors as arranged by the bank. The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 5

Sutherland: Legislation Study will improve ease of only doing business part of MINISTER of Youth, if they were alive, they various applications for Sports and Community would be part of this official documents like po- Empowerment Dwight transformation process. lice certificates of charac- the Sutherland told the These were persons who ter and passports and Lower House, the never went to any second- other processes, which Liquor Licenses Act ary school. So this type of were often backed up due effort will aid in the ease of legislation intends not to to excessively complicated doing business in this leave any person behind. administrative proce- CLIMATE from country. “This piece of legislation dures. Back Page Sutherland, who that is here before us that “Statistics would show, with different actors worked on the legislation we worked on, both the that we had some 1,000 through their govern- as Minister of Small Member for St. James odd liquor licences await- ments,” said Juan Pablo Business before the Central [current Minister ing approval. That was in Bonilla, Manager of the Cabinet reshuffle, stated of Small Business and 2019. One thousand IDB’s Climate Change and this would even the play- Entrepreneurship Kerrie liquor licenses awaiting Sustainable Development ing field for all business Symmonds] and myself, approval, as a result of the Sector and co-author of the owners. sought to deconstruct and bureaucratic nature- study. “We intend to create reconstruct outmoded going to the health au- “This gives consistency creditworthy businesses policies and procedures to thorities, going to the to their sustainable devel- through this piece of legis- promote the ease of doing Magistrates court holding opment agendas and pro- lation. As I said earlier business and that is what four different forms- this motes growth. From the Minister of Youth, Sports and Community about shop owners Ms this government is about,” piece of legislation that IDB we want to help share Empowerment Dwight Sutherland. Greenidge and Mrs Best, he stressed during we are seeking to bring to these experiences, so they Tuesday’s session of the you the people through are included in their NDCs Lower House. this Lower Chamber, will as well. This study is part Saying government was modernise and allow of this effort and there’s Criminal charges update working to update out- those small businesses to more to come” the dated legislation to make indeed run their business Manager of the IDB’s THE Royal Barbados Bodily Harm to Romario Gibbes, 23 years of systems more relevant and ply their trade, and Climate Change and Police Force has made sig- Bignall, which occurred Greenfield, St. Michael. and therefore increase the to employ people,” he em- Sustainable Development nificant breakthroughs in on June 7th 2020 out of a efficiency of approving phasised. Sector said. several serious criminal shooting incident at the 2. For the offence of matters impacting sev- Garden Land, St. Michael, Possession of eral jurisdictions across police have formally Ammunition which oc- the island. Officers from charged: curred on May 7th 2021 District ‘A’, District ‘B’ and a. Jacoby Nathaniel after a search warrant Central Police stations,in Gill, 21 years of was executed at his resi- conjunction with officers Greenfield, St. Michael. dence, police formally of the Criminal b. Stephon Davidson charged: Investigation Freeman 21 years of a. Stephon Davidson Department, spearheaded Greenfield, St. Michael. Freeman, 21 years of by the Major Crimes Unit, Greenfield, St. Michael. have arrested and for- 3. For the offences of mally charged several in- Use of Firearm and In the District ‘B’ dividuals for a number of Endangering the Life of Station area serious criminal offences. Kezra Lewis- Wilson 1. For the offence of The individuals and which occurred on Aggravated Burglary charges are listed below. November 24th 2020 out which occurred on the of a shooting incident at 18th of April 2021 at In the District ‘A’ Fordes Land, Country Regency Park, Christ Station area Road, St. Michael, police Church, police formally have formally charged: charged: 1. For the offences of a. Stephon Davidson a. Jaleel Greenidge, 29 Endangering Life, Freeman, 21 years of years of Greenfield, St. Criminal Damage,Violent Greenfield St, Michael. Michael. Disorder and Use of b. Tyrese Ricardo Firearm which occurred In the Central Station Marshall 23 years of on May 6th 2021 at Esso area Walkers Valley St. George Tweedside Road, St 1. For the offences of and Greenfield, St. Michael out of a shooting Use of Firearm, Violent Michael. incident, police have for- Disorder, Serious Bodily c. Roshawne Romario mally charged: Harm to Brian Griffith, Gibbes, 23 years, a. Jahcoby Nathaniel Serious Bodily Harm to Greenfield, St. Michael. Gill, 21 years of Myles Pinder which oc- Greenfield, St. Michael. curred on May 1st 2021 On Thursday 13th May b. Tyrese Ricardo at Hutson Alley, St 2021, the accused all ap- Marshall 23 years of Michael, police have for- peared at District ‘A’ Walkers Valley St. George mally charged: Criminal Court #2 before and Greenfield, St. a. Larry Whitneil Marco Magistrate Manila Renee Michael. Clarke, 41 years of where they were not re- c. Stephon Davidson Greenfield St. Michael quired to plead to any of Freeman 21 years of b. Jahcoby Nathaniel the charges.They were all Greenfield, St. Michael. Gill, 21 years of remanded into custody to Greenfield, St. Michael. Her Majesty’s Prison, 2. For the offences of c. Stephon Davidson Dodds, St. Philip and are Use of Firearm, Serious Freeman, 21 years of all scheduled to reappear Bodily Harm to Shaquon Greenfield, St. Michael. on the 10th of June 2021 St Pierre and Serious d. Roshawne Romario at the said court. 6 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Shifting focus to Caribbean Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Communications Specialist Johnson Johnrose and American AA increasing flights in Airlines Vice President of Sales for Latin America, Caribbean and Florida, Christine Valls during CTO’s virtual session “Upfront”. summer VP tells CTO to go to the Caribbean, peo- She went on to suggest, lands, hotels, and the air- sengers, has the interest of AMERICAN AIRLINES Wednesday that there’s de- ple that maybe normally “I believe that standardis- lines so that people can customers - people want to will be adjusting sched- mand for travel, especially go to Europe for the sum- ing requirements would know exactly where they take what we call “short- ules to fly places where to the region. mer, or to Asia are all of a really help, you know it’s can go, and what they need haul” flights to warm des- people have shown in- “We will be flying this sudden asking where are still confusing for cus- in order to go”. tinations where they can terest in going. summer more flights than we going to go – and it’s tomers to know exactly The VP also reported be outside”. As a result, the airline what we flew in 2019 in the Caribbean”. what it is that they need that the Caribbean pleas- “And I commend the will be boosting flights to the Caribbean.We are cur- Valls said that for entry… And provide ure destinations are cur- governments of the the Caribbean this sum- rently flying 90 daily Caribbean countries testing (covid) at the ho- rently doing well, and for Caribbean as they worked mer. flights and will be up to jointly with airlines and tels and we have worked the month of May holding with us closely ensuring That’s according to AA’s 108 now in May for hotels can capitalise on with hotel partners ensur- about a 76 percent load that they can maintain Vice President of Sales for Saturdays only. And this this demand given that ing that they have testing factor. their health and their eco- Latin America, Caribbean summer we will be flying persons can’t really ven- so customers don’t have to “We feel that the nomic needs at the same and Florida, Christine 108 daily flights and ture to some destinations leave hotels to get tested to Caribbean will continue to time – we worked very Valls who told the about140 on Saturdays,” such as Europe in coming come back to the United recover; we feel that the closely together to ensure Caribbean Tourism she revealed. months given the severity States. And we have to do Caribbean is going to do that we can open safely the Organization’s (CTO) “We are doing this be- of the COVID-19 pan- some more co-op and ad- really well.The Caribbean islands,” Valls further ex- ‘Upfront’ virtual session on cause there is an appetite demic. vertising between the is- has the traffic; has the pas- pressed. Financial sector officials to discuss technology and customer experience

HOW much has the use of Customer Service in the more comfortable with ing the forum jointly with of SigniaGlobe Financial; nancial services sector as e-banking increased since Financial Sector”, a panel doing business this way the Financial Services George Thomas, Deputy well as what customers the start of the COVID- discussion that takes and appreciate the con- Commission (FSC). “In Chief Information Officer can expect in the near fu- 19 pandemic? How can fi- place online on Thursday, venience it can offer. At having this conversation, at CIBC FirstCaribbean ture. nancial institutions use May 20 at 10:00 a.m. the same time, there are we want to look at how International Bank; and “Technology and technology to improve “Over the past 15 still people who have con- technology impacts cus- Colin Daniel, Principal Customer Service in the customer experience? months, we’ve had to rely cerns,” said Novaline tomer service, so that the Consultant at Strategic Financial Sector” is the And is there a downside? substantially more on on- Brewster, Chief of experience is both effi- Consulting and Advisory second in the Central These are some of the is- line services to conduct Corporate cient and pleasant for Services will discuss both Bank and FSC’s 2021 sues that will be ad- our business, so many of Communications at the everyone.” the benefits and draw- Domestic Financial dressed during us, including those who Central Bank of During the 90-minute backs of how technology Institutions Conference “Technology and were hesitant before, are Barbados, which is host- event, Paul Ashby, CEO is currently used in the fi- virtual series. BSTU shares concerns with guidelines ‘Voice’ BSTU from Page 1 being fully followed in lunch times, proper venti- supplement/compliment “The vast majority of our of nurses schools, including the use lation and sanitisation. the efficacy of 3ft physical teachers and other school recommendations of the of cohorts. A cohort is de- She also notes that the distancing and the extent workers that have been should be Centre for Disease Control scribed as a social bubble CDC recommends that all to which they are non exis- vaccinated have only re- (CDC). Much of what advised by experts as a teachers should be vacci- tent, limited or non-func- ceived one vaccine and are heard has been recommended by mechanism to keep inter- nated, which is not yet the tional in the school system, therefore not fully covered the CDC occurs within a actions with others low. case in Barbados. teachers have a reasonable and lacking the immunity NURSES from Back Page context of layering and The CDC also recommends Additionally, Redman cause for concern not that full coverage pro- supplementary/comple- 3ft physical distancing in stated that the CDC also based on irrational or un- vides.” back and reflect on the im- mentary measures gener- situations of cohorting; 6ft describes a “close contact” reasonable fear. “The majority of stu- pact of COVID-19 on the ally not available or distancing between differ- as someone who was “Our concerns are also dents with whom teachers health system and the practiced by us, hence our ent cohorts and in places within 6 ft of a person di- based on facts that, unlike interact daily for five nursing profession and hesitation when only some with high and moderate agnosed with COVID-19 our last exposure to face to hours continuously, when how this will affect the fu- aspects of their recom- community transmission for 15 minutes whether ei- face instruction, we are op- ill, are asymptomatic so we ture of healthcare. The mendations are pulled out with schools using less ther person was wearing a erating within a context of do not know that they are International Council of and applied with selective than 3ft between students, mask. They state that community spread, with ill …and to that extent we Nurses (ICN) believes that application to schools then cohorting is recom- for schools using less numbers still within are more susceptible. The it is vitally important to only.” mended with 6ft physical than 6ft physical distanc- moderate transmission, fact that within the first show the world who nurses She stressed that this in- distancing between co- ing between students in with a new variant that is week of school we have are, what they do, and why forms the Union’s position horts. classrooms the definition 70 percent more virulent seen two positive cases of we should invest in this only in the case of the ap- Other CDC’s recommen- should not change. which has proven to be Covid-19 underscores our vital resource. ICN wants plication of 3ft physical dations falling short at "The implications are obvi- more deadly because of our unwavering position for 6ft the voice of nursing to be distancing to schools. some schools include:. ous," the BSTU head demographics both of age distancing in our schools heard around the globe, to The point was also made Protocols for transporta- said. and co-morbidity occur- in an abundance of caution spread the word about our that the CDC has made a tion, staggered scheduling She said given all the rence, and a variant to to mitigate Covid-19 infec- great profession and how number of other recom- for arrivals and school above that must work in which young people are tion risk for all those on it contributes to the health mendations that are not leaving times as well as concert to more vulnerable.” school plants." of populations”. (RSM) The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 7

Data shows China’s water Xi stresses developing conservation efforts traditional Chinese BEIJING – As China is about to that of 2006 and accounting for conclude a week-long campaign for urban 23.2 percent of the total urban water water conservation, official data shows supply. medicine that the country has made great progress As for the entire nation, the water-use in saving water. efficiency has reached the global average, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the From 2000 to 2020, Chinese cities according to the Ministry of Water Communist Party of China Central saved 97.2 billion cubic metres of water, Resources (MWR). Committee, has called for efforts to nine times the quantity transferred The water use per 10,000 yuan (about further develop traditional Chinese annually through the middle route 1,547.7 US dollars) of GDP and the water medicine (TCM). of the country’s south-to-north water use per 10,000 yuan of industrial added Xi made the remarks during an inspec- diversion project, according to the value stood at 60.8 and 38.4 cubic metres, tion tour of Nanyang City in central Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural respectively, in 2019, down 24 percent China's Henan Province, where he vis- Development. and 28 percent from that in 2015, the ited a memorial facility dedicated to By the end of last year, more than MWR said. Zhang Zhongjing, a famous Chinese 40,000 projects had been implemented as As of March this year,the first phase of pharmacologist and physician of the part of efforts to build sponge cities, south-to-north water diversion project’s Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), and a utilizing 350 million tonnes of rainwater eastern and middle routes had trans- local company producing mugwort annually. ferred over 40.8 billion cubic metres to products on Wednesday. Some 130 cities have become the arid areas in the north, benefitting "The Chinese nation relied on TCM water-saving cities, with their total water more than 130 million people. to treat diseases and save lives for consumption accounting for 58.5 percent More than 40 big and medium-sized thousands of years," Xi said. of the country’s total water consumption cities received water from the project, "Having fought against COVID-19, in urban areas. which improved supply in these places. SARS and other major infectious dis- The country’s urban areas have been The project also helped ecological eases, we have a deeper understanding of more efficient in water use. restoration of rivers and lakes along its the role of TCM," he noted. The per capita comprehensive water eastern and middle routes, with over Highlighting the need to promote TCM use reduced to 323 liters per day 5.2 billion cubic meters of water development, Xi said efforts should be in 2020 from 518 litres per day supplied. made to interpret the mechanism of in 2000. The annual campaign for urban water traditional Chinese medicine and Last year, China’s urban renewable conservation, which lasts from May 9 pharmacology with modern science Xi Jinping, general secretary of the water consumption reached 14.6 billion to 15 this year, has been carried out and to incorporate both TCM and Communist Party of China Central cubic meters, increasing 14 times over by China for 30 years. Western medicine into treatment. Committee. Media: China’s Sinovac vaccine creates ‘pandemic oasis’ in Brazilian town TOKYO– The CoronaVac vaccine campaign known as “Project S” has in the town are now able to chat together the project with Chinese vaccines offers a developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech has successfully inoculated 97.7 percent cheerfully on benches with no look at a post-COVID-19 future rendered a Brazilian town ‘maskless’ and of its adult residents with the masks. for developing countries, the Japanese created a ‘pandemic oasis’ amid surging Chinese-made shot, Nikkei Asia The programme by the Sao Paulo state news website reported. COVID-19 infections, Japanese media reported. government was launched in February, “I’m glad I got the vaccine,” has reported. Serrana was hit particularly hard by and the last participants received their said 47-year-old Laudair Anulai. “Now In Serrana, about a four-hour drive the first wave of infections in Brazil last second dose on April 11. I don’t have to be afraid of the from the city of Sao Paulo, a vaccination year. Thanks to the vaccine, people Amid the scramble for Western vaccines, coronavirus.” Community-based services support elderly in Shanghai SHANGHAI is strengthening its community-based senior care facilities, offering quality and professional services in the comfort of a familiar environment. An elderly care service center in the Hongqiao subdistrict epitomises the municipality’s efforts to create better lives for its growing elderly population. The three-story building integrates 26 types of services, including health care, nursing, dining, daily care and bathing, helping seniors keep safe, healthy and active within their own residential communities. The service centre also holds a range of training programmes aimed at improving older adults’ use of technology and preparing them for a digital lifestyle. To prevent and manage cognitive decline in the elderly,the centre organises targeted physical and social activities,and is calling for schools, banks and other institutions to help jointly build A community-based elderly care service centre in the Hongqiao subdistrict of Shanghai. a dementia-friendly community. According to Guo Kai, director of the functional stations,to ensure every elderly ageing, as the number of residents aged Shanghai Municipality rose to 35.2% by Hongqiao Subdistrict Office, with person has access to the services they need 60 or above reached 19,201 by the end 2019, up by 0.8 percentage point compared the service center as a local hub, the within a 15-minute walk. of 2020, or 38.4% of its registered with the previous year,according to figures subdistrict has established an elderly care Guo said that the subdistrict is faced population. released by the city’s elder affairs office network made up of more than 80 with a serious problem of population The percentage of elderly people in and statistics bureau. 8 • Friday May 14, 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 ‘Great day for America’: Vaccinated Nurses’ can largely ditch masks WASHINGTON – In a for wearing masks in ting the shot. The coun- start doing the things that major step toward return- crowded indoor settings try’s aggressive vaccina- you had stopped doing being to pre-pandemic life, like buses, planes, hospi- tion campaign has paid cause of the pandemic.” the Centers for Disease tals, prisons and homeless off: U.S. virus cases are at The new guidance is efforts Control and Prevention shelters, but it will help their lowest rate since likely to open the door to eased mask-wearing guid- clear the way for reopen- September, deaths are at confusion, since there is ance for fully vaccinated ing workplaces, schools, their lowest point since no surefire way for busi- people on Thursday,allow- and other venues – even last April and the test pos- nesses or others to distin- hailed ing them to stop wearing removing the need for so- itivity rate is at the lowest guish between those who masks outdoors in crowds cial distancing for those point since the pandemic are fully vaccinated and and in most indoor set- who are fully vaccinated. began. those who are not. ON Wednesday we celebrated nurses in tings. “We have all longed for Walensky said the long- Walensky and Biden said Barbados and around the world on International “Today is a great day for this moment – when we awaited change is thanks people who are not fully Nurses Day. America,” President Joe can get back to some sense to the millions of people vaccinated should con- A noble profession that requires both a passion Biden said during a Rose of normalcy,” said Rochelle who have gotten vacci- tinue to wear masks in- and dedication to the job, nursing can be chal- Garden address heralding Walensky, director of the nated and is based on the doors. lenging, having to interact with a wide cross sec- the new guidance. CDC, said at an earlier latest science about how “We’ve gotten this far – tion of the population, but also quite fulfilling. “If you are fully vacci- White House briefing. well those shots are work- please protect yourself This point was emphasisied by Agnes Ross re- nated, you no longer need The CDC and the Biden ing. until you get to the finish cently,a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, to wear a mask,” he said, administration have faced “Anyone who is fully line,” Biden said, noting who was celebrated at a heartfelt retirement summarizing the new pressure to ease restric- vaccinated can participate that most Americans ceremony after 29 years of service. Ross noted guidance and encouraging tions on fully vaccinated in indoor and outdoor ac- under 65 are not yet fully that she was “very passionate about the sick and more Americans to roll up people – those who are tivities – large or small – vaccinated. He said the suffering, even my pets”. their sleeves. “Get vacci- two weeks past their last without wearing a mask government was not going In addition, under normal circumstances the nated – or wear a mask required COVID-19 vac- or physically distancing,” to enforce the mask wear- role of a nurse is crucial to the health and well- until you do.” cine dose – in part to high- Walensky said.“If you are ing guidance on those not being of the population in a society.They are the The guidance still calls light the benefits of get- fully vaccinated, you can yet fully vaccinated. backbone and foundation of any healthcare sector. More to the point, they are also the lifeline for many who are ailing and need someone to offer them support. Add to this then the extreme conditions which prevail as a result of the cur- Pipeline hack fuels gas crunch; rent COVID-19 pandemic and nurses become invaluable to the survival of many and the con- tinuation of our communities as we know them. US suspects Russian origins Considered not only part of our essential services, but key frontline workers as well, nurses are CLEMMONS, N.C. – son to believe that the fewer shortages since Department of facing this pandemic head on – while wearing a Motorists found gas criminals who did the at- those states get more of Transportation highways mask – and it is time that every single person ac- pumps shrouded in plastic tack are living in Russia. their gas supplies from commissioner, said the knowledges their sacrifice and make more of an bags at tapped-out serv- That’s where it came ocean tankers and other agency is limiting non-es- effort to eliminate risky behaviours which can ice stations across more from.” sources. The Colonial sential travel and asking put them in harm's way. People need to realise than a dozen U.S. states A cyberattack by hack- Pipeline delivers about its employees to continue that even a missed opportunity to wash their Thursday while the oper- ers who lock up computer 45% of the gasoline con- working remotely as a hands may mean the difference between life or ator of the nation’s largest systems and demand a sumed on the East Coast, conservation strategy.The death of another person. gasoline pipeline reported ransom to release them but there were no gasoline decision impacts about Furthermore, every Barbadian should consider making “substantial hit the pipeline on Friday. shortages, according to 4,000 workers. the benefits of vaccination against COVID-19, as progress” in resolving the The hackers did not take government officials and Workers are still re- this should decrease the spread of the virus and computer hack-induced control of the pipeline’s energy analysts, just de- sponding to emergency is- reduce the threat to our nurses and other front- shutdown responsible for operations, but Colonial lays in delivering the fuel sues such as potholes, line workers who are being exposed to its daily. the empty tanks. shut it down to contain from Gulf Coast refiner- malfunctioning traffic sig- Minister of Health, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, used Nearly 70% of North the damage. ies. nals, guard rail problems, the occasion of International Nurses Day to im- Carolina’s gas stations The U.S. was in direct “We are not out of the drainage issues and plore Barbadians to do just that, even as this were still without fuel communication with woods yet, but the trees bridge issues. There are country recorded its 46th COVID-19 death on amid panic-buying. More Moscow about the need to are thinning out,” Richard sufficient supplies of un- Tuesday. than half the stations in take action against ran- Joswick, global head of oil leaded and diesel fuel to Virginia were tapped out, som networks, Biden said. analytics at S&P Global maintain services for sev- Improved services as were about half the sta- The FBI has said the ran- Platts, said. eral more weeks, Brich Though nurses are often underappreciated – and tions in South Carolina somware belonged to a Gas stations should be said. some may add underpaid – one should always and Georgia, criminal syndicate known back to normal next week, The run on gas also look to improve. As such, calls continue for GasBuddy.com reported. as DarkSide. though, if the pipeline prompted an urgent nurses to get more training and benefit from Washington, D.C., was After restarting opera- restart goes as planned warning in the state that new programmes. To this effect, Health Minister among the hardest-hit lo- tions Wednesday,Georgia- and consumers are con- people should never Bostic has indicated that efforts are being made cations, with 73% of sta- based Colonial Pipeline vinced that they no longer siphon gasoline off by to improve the nursing profession through spe- tions out, the site’s track- said in a Thursday update need to panic-buy fuel, mouth with hoses, an ad- cial nurse positions, programmes, and training, ing service showed. that gasoline deliveries Joswick said. He esti- visory that followed calls and that a nursing practitioner course will start President Joe Biden were underway in most of mated that full recovery in recent days about peo- soon in collaboration with Ross University said Thursday that U.S. its markets. Gas was flow- for the East and Gulf ple who were poisoned. School of medicine and Chamberlain (College of officials do not believe the ing again across most of coasts would take at least One man sucked gasoline Nursing). He also mentioned that his Ministry is Russian government was the Deep South, and seg- a couple of weeks. into his lungs, causing sig- looking to secure financing to afford student involved in the hack of the ments that were offline in In Virginia, however, nificant distress, Dr. Chris nurses a stipend. Colonial Pipeline, which the Mid-Atlantic region the pipeline shutdown Holstege, the medical di- This would definitely demonstrate to nurses stretches from Texas to were expected to gear up still produced palpable ef- rector of the Blue Ridge that they are not being overlooked and that their New Jersey. But he added, again, the company said. fects Thursday. Stephen Poison center at UVA contributions are being noticed, not just on “We do have strong rea- The Northeast has seen Brich, the Virginia Health, said. International Nurses Day, but every day. As we continue to fight the transmission of Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes COVID-19, we once again hail the fantastic job E-mail Address: [email protected] Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen nurses and all healthcare providers are doing Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan and pray for their success and safety. @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 9

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ADVOCATE PUBLISHERS (2000) INC, FONTABELLE • FAX: 434-1000 • E-MAIL: [email protected] Difficult conversations – Your training starts now OVER the past two decades as accountant’s calculations are respect our Clients too much with your fellow university Whether that mistake is minor an Employer, I have given a 99% correct, the client may go to give them substandard graduates, who found or major, you have one similar speech to all my bankrupt. If a nurse’s or work. We do not get paid until employment with other responsibility, and that it to employees. I have never anesthetist’s calculations are your work is given to our companies, or the public admit your mistake to us – as written it down before writing 99% correct, the patient Clients. We can easily do the service. Do not be dismayed if soon as it is known to you. It is this article. The current may die from being given work more efficiently by doing you learn that they have been our responsibility to get version goes something like an over-dose. it ourselves, but we prefer to rapidly promoted to mistakes corrected. this. invest in your improvement. management and regulatory There are no consequences to Welcome to our company. Training So, value your training. positions, while you are still you for admitting your You are here, because we We will train you to being trained. mistakes, regardless of believe that you can become consistently achieve 100% Never fake it There are many companies whether they have minor or better at this job than we can. within four years. You will We started our professional and government agencies, that major consequences. You will Our job is to help you to do learn to achieve 100% accuracy, careers in a similar way that do not seem to understand the not be sanctioned for admitting that. Your job is to do your best by repeatedly correcting your you are now starting yours. We wide difference between a mistake – because we all – while we help you. work. Your job is to do the work know that there are things that academic and professional make mistakes. Instead, you assigned to you, whether you are unlikely to know now, grades. You will interact with will be trusted more. You may Academic and professional calculations, drawings, reports, for the simple reason that such their employees throughout be tempted to hide your This is a professional or letters. You will then bring things are normally learnt your professional career. mistakes, and hope that they environment. The only your work to us. We will review through experience. Therefore, When persons with academic will never be found. They are environment that you have it, and give you our comments. never be afraid to admit that qualifications are prematurely always found. known, from primary school to Then you will do it again, and you do not know. Ask questions given professional There is only one on-the-spot university, is the academic again, until you get it right. – so that we may train you responsibilities, there can only fireable offence in this environment. In the academic You may have to redo your better. be sustained frustration for company, and that is hiding environment, 70% may be a work seven times, before it is This method of training everyone with whom they mistakes. Doing so puts the good exam mark, 80% may be ready to be given to our Clients. takes intentional humility on interact and influence. Do not Company at an unnecessary very good, and 90% may be Please do not get emotionally your part. Graduating from get frustrated during such and unacceptable risk of harm. excellent. Here, 99% is a fail. attached to your best efforts. university with a bachelor, professional interactions. This So, welcome to the company. In the professional Otherwise, you may feel master, or doctorate degree, is an inefficient cost of doing As you persist with your environment, your work must discouraged when your initial means that you have met the business, that you must learn training, you will build a stable consistently be 100% accurate. best efforts consistently academic grade. However, you to accept. foundation on which to support If an engineer’s calculations require corrections. are years away from meeting a successful professional are 99% correct, the building Our hope is that you will the professional grade. So, you Admit mistakes career. Your training starts may collapse. If an come to appreciate, that we should willingly embrace, You are not perfect; now. rather than resentfully resign therefore, we expect you to to the training. make mistakes. A mistake is to GRENVILLE inadvertently send something PHILLIPS II Friends to one of our Clients, that is not Chartered Structural Not politics as usual You will likely communicate to a professional standard. Engineer.

AS I continue to observe the a shared political project? Only political dysfunction of the raw exercise of power can my homeland, I become decide between them. increasingly disheartened for The goal is no longer to win When it reigns, it pours the future of America, as I am arguments but to crush reminded of the utterly opposition. This is not THE pandemic plaguing contain him. The vaccines are “upsized” to become also offices, polarized period in the history politics as usual; Barbados and indeed the entire not magic bullets, for as and offices are being of America preceding the Civil it is political pyromania. world, is pouring much reported, some persons can be “downsized” to become just War. Democracies are designed for melancholy and many deaths still infected, though not deadly edifices. And the internet and There is a strong current of disagreement. They are resulting in the draining of to them and others. social media are bridges to dehumanization running broken by mutual contempt. At economies and lively hoods. But with a monetary cost to everything including video through American politics. The what point does the Money that would have been government and tax payers. conferencing, tele-banking and opposition, it turns out, American democratic spent on improving societies is Money is being lent to zooming. is not only wrong but experiment become now being spent on attacking Barbados in this regard, but So COVID-19 is reigning and evil. irreparable? the COVID- 19 “bear”. ears are not being lent to changes are pouring And how can mortal enemies The “bear” is winning so solutions and protocols! embrace the give-and-take of CHARLES KNIGHTON much money is being spent to Homes are now being TREVOR HARPER

LET GOD WORDS OF SPEAK TO US QUOTES FOR TODAY WISDOM Fred Hampton Mahalia Jackson 1948-1969 1911-1972 “But if we hope for what we do American Activist American gospel singer OPPORTUNITY not see, we wait for it with “You have to understand that “It is easy to be independent patience.” people have to pay a price for – Romans, 8-25 when you've got money. But peace. If you dare to struggle, to be independent when you Correct what you can; you dare to win.” haven't got a thing, that's the learn from what you can’t. Lord's test.” 10 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Amazon set to hire 75,000 workers in US, Canada ONLINE retail giant permanent roles. jobs, which are already new staff. more than one million treat people and the Amazon has said it is It will also offer new staff being advertised, will offer Figures released last workers worldwide, having unsatisfactory working hiring 75,000 workers who have already been average starting pay of week showed that the US gone on a huge hiring spree conditions at Amazon across the US and vaccinated against Covid- $17 per hour –following economy added far fewer during the pandemic. facilities – and people keep Canada to meet grow- 19 a $100 (£71.19) bonus, it recent wage increases it jobs than expected in April, In the UK, for example, it leaving these jobs.” ing demand as the said in a statement. introduced. with some analysts added 10,000 jobs last Amazon has insisted pandemic continues. A spokesperson said Amazon also said it saying that firms were year. that it ensures workers’ The new jobs offered the firm had an “unwaver- would offer sign-on finding it harder to recruit As consumers stayed at health and safety. across transport and its ing commitment to safety”. bonuses of up to $1,000 in people. home during lockdown, the In many of its warehouses will be The retailer said that the some locations to attract Amazon now employs retailer had its most US warehouses across lucrative year to date in Missouri, Nevada 2020. But it also faced and Kansas, it has allegations over poor work- organised on-site vaccina- ing conditions, as well tion events as the rate of strikes at warehouses jabs being delivered in the US, Italy and has slowed in recent weeks. Germany. Other companies have The Retail, Wholesale also sought to promote and Department Store Covid vaccinations. Union (RWDSU), which McDonald’s announced organised an effort in on Tuesday that in the US Alabama to form the first it would start printing unionised Amazon ware- “We can do this" slogans, house in the US, hit out alongside links to websites after the latest hiring with further information announcement. about vaccines, on its coffee Stuart Appelbaum, cups. president of the RWDSU, Consumer giant said, “Amazon has to keep Unilever will also be hiring because of the giving away milkshakes extraordinary turnover at and ice creams to all of its warehouses. healthcare workers and “No matter what they those getting vaccinated pay people, it doesn’t com- across several US sites Worker in an Amazon warehouse. pensate for the way they on May 14. Tesla will no longer accept Bitcoin over climate concerns, says Musk TESLA has suspended Elon Musk said in a tweet. Tesla’s announcement better in the environmen- vehicle purchases using Bitcoin fell by more than in March that it would tal area of ESG,” Julia Lee Bitcoin due to climate 10% after the tweet, while accept the cryptocurrency from Burman Invest told change concerns, its CEO Tesla shares also dipped. was met with an outcry the BBC. from some environmental- “But a cynic might sug- ists and investors. gest that this is just BANK RATES The electric carmaker another move by Elon had in February revealed it Musk to influence the cryp- Commercial bank rates to the public at the close of had bought $1.5 billion tocurrency market, as he business yesterday by the Central Bank of Barbados. (£1bn) of the world’s has done on so many other biggest digital currency. occasions,” she added. Valid for May 14, 2021 But on Thursday, Elon Musk is hardly ill- Notes: it backtracked on its informed when it comes to Currency Buying Selling previous comments. both technology and Belizean Dollar 1.00000 1.00000 “We are concerned about the environment. When Canadian Dollar 1.62229 1.67028 rapidly increasing use of interviewed by the BBC in East Caribbean $ 0.73704 0.74445 fossil fuels for Bitcoin 2016 he spoke passionately Euro 2.36540 2.46500 mining and transactions, about Tesla’s mission to Elon Musk said cryptocurrency could ‘not come at Pound Sterling 2.74922 2.86498 especially coal, which has make transport sustain- great cost to the environment’. United States Dollar 1.98000 2.02857 the worst emissions of able in the battle against Demand/Sight: any fuel,” Musk wrote. the “existential threat” – in truth, the miners focus ended up showing just how Currency Buying Selling “Cryptocurrency is a of climate change. on whatever is cheapest volatile – and downright Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 Canadian Dollar 1.63153 1.66881 good idea... but this cannot So it is somewhat and in China, where many flaky –the whole cryptocur- East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 come at great cost to the surprising that he has of them are based, that is rency scene can be. Euro 2.40011 2.44970 environment.” only just woken up to the often electricity generated Last month, Tesla an- Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 He also said the electric fact that Bitcoin is not by coal. nounced profits for the first Pound Sterling 2.78956 2.84720 carmaker would not sell exactly a green project. When he announced his three months of the year United States Dollar 1.99000 2.02768 any of its Bitcoin, and Cambridge University’s grand cryptocurrency were $438 million, up from Telegraphic Transfer intends to use it for trans- Centre for Alternative plans back in February $16m last year, boosted by Currency Buying Selling actions as soon as mining Finance runs a Bitcoin –and made Tesla’s chief sales of Bitcoin and envi- Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 shifts to using more Electricity Consumption financial officer “Master of ronmental credits. Canadian Dollar 1.63462 1.66881 sustainable energy. Index. Right now, it shows Coin” – Elon Musk sparked Musk has been one of the East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 Euro 2.40462 2.44970 Market analysts see the that the process of mining a surge in the value of world’s most high profile Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 move as an attempt by the cryptocurrency – which Bitcoin and the adoration proponents of cryptocur- Pound Sterling 2.79480 2.84720 Tesla to assuage the involves using vast of its fanatical devotees. rencies, often tweeting United States Dollar 1.99375 2.02768 concerns of investors who amounts of computer Now with the price falling about Bitcoin and are focused on climate processing power – uses the chatrooms are full of the once-obscure digital INDICATIVE RATES FOR SOME REGIONAL change and sustainability. more electricity each year the angry and disappointed currency Dogecoin. CURRENCIES AS ADVISED BY THE “Environmental, Social than Malaysia or Sweden – many of them sporting His tweets in recent RESPECTIVE CENTRAL BANKS and Corporate Governance and is closing in on the the glowing eyes Bitcoin months helped to turn N.B.: These rates are not meant to be used for trading. (ESG) issues are now a annual consumption of avatar – accusing their for- Dogecoin, which was BDS$ major motivation for many Egypt. mer hero of betrayal. started as a social media Guyana Dollar 0.00945 Jamaica Dollar 0.01325 investors. Tesla, being a Bitcoin enthusiasts A move which was hailed joke, into the world’s T&T Dollar 0.29584 clean energy-focused com- insist that mining mainly as signalling that Bitcoin fourth-biggest cryptocur- pany, might want to work involves renewable energy was going mainstream has rency. The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 11

McDonald’s raising US stocks regain ground after global hourly wages for 36,500 employees sell-off US stocks regained ground on across America Thursday after a global sell-off on fears its central bank would have to McDonald’s will raise hourly wages “by act to contain inflation. an average of 10%” for more than 36,500 The Dow Jones Industrial average employees at more than 660 US.restau- jumped 389 points, or 1.16%, while the rants. S&P 500 gained 42 points, or 1.03%. “These increases, which have already A spike in US inflation on Wednesday begun, will be rolled out over the next fuelled worries the world’s biggest several months and include shifting the economy may raise interest rates earlier entry level range for crew to at least than expected. $11-$17 an hour,” the fast food giant said That sparked a fall on Wall Street and in a statement, adding that shift man- further declines in Asian markets. agers would be paid at least $15 an hour. The FTSE 100 index of leading UK firms The wage increases will not apply fell 2% on Thursday, but then to employees at more 13,000 McDonald's recovered to close 0.6% lower. Other restaurants owned and operated by European markets also pared their losses. franchisees. The move comes as However, after falling 2.7% on US President Joe Biden signed a $1.9 trillion conomic relief bill in March. McDonald’s workers are planning to Wednesday the tech-focused Nasdaq index strike across 15 cities on May 19 to in the US rose 0.57%. Street, markets in Asia also sank. Japan’s $1,400 cheques to most Americans, and demand higher wages. On Wednesday, official figures showed benchmark Nikkei 225 closed 2.5% lower, last month he set out plans for more “Clearly,McDonald’s understands that that US inflation had jumped at the while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong ended government spending on jobs, education in order to hire and retain talented work- fastest pace in almost 13 years, sparking down 1.8%. and social care. ers, something needs to change,” fears the central bank may be In London, shares exposed to the global It has led to a build-up of savings which St. Louis-based McDonald’s worker and forced to raise interest rates and dampen economy, such as oil giants and miners, is now being spent as the economy union leader Doneshia Babbitt said in a growth. saw some of the biggest falls. Anglo reopens, driving prices higher. statement, which also asserted that the Consumer prices jumped by 4.2% American was down 4.43% and Royal While a dampening of US growth would company announcement amounts to in the 12 months through to April, up from Dutch Shell dropped 2.17%. send ripples through global “raising pay for some of us and using 2.6% in March and marking the biggest in- If the US Federal Reserve makes companies, other countries may also face fancy math tricks to gloss over the fact crease since September 2008. borrowing money more expensive to cool an inflation problem. that they’re selling most of us short. ... “Inflation has really returned with a rising prices, it is likely to have a In the UK, the cost of living is expected That’s why we’re going on strike in vengeance this week as a key concern for knock-on effect and slow the recovery of to rise throughout the year, fuelled by an 15 cities next Wednesday, May 19, the investors... and now,the market finds itself other economies around the world. increase in the cost of crude oil, changes to day before McDonald’s annual in a bit of a panic,” said Connor Campbell, In March, US President Joe Biden the domestic gas and electricity cap, and shareholders meeting, to demand $15/hr a financial analyst at Spreadex. signed a $1.9 trillion (£1.4tn) economic re- companies raising prices as they emerge for every worker in every McDonald’s After Wednesday’s steep falls on Wall lief bill that saw the government send from lockdown. restaurant." Companies are struggling to find workers as society reopens amid a vaccination rollout to end the coronavirus Travel firms warned over summer holiday refunds pandemic. Restaurants, specifically,shed millions of jobs in 2020. McDonald's aims Travel companies have been warned they and customers must be offered Portugal is the main holiday a to hire roughly 10,000 more hourly em- must be ready to refund consumers a refund, not just a credit note. destination currently on the “green list”, ployees over the next three months. if foreign holidays are cancelled Since the start of the pandemic, but the travel industry is worried that “Employers want help, but employees by the coronavirus pandemic this many people have faced last-minute countries could be added or withdrawn will only accept jobs under certain summer. cancellations of flights and holidays as at short notice. conditions,” Yahoo Finance’s Morning The UK’s Competition and Markets travel restrictions were imposed. The government has advised against Brief noted recently.“Simply listing open Authority said it had reminded package Some agreed to defer their holidays to a leisure travel to "amber list" countries, but jobs is not going to bridge this divide.” holiday firms of their legal obligations. later date and accepted credit notes, but Tui and EasyJet are still planning to offer In 2020, cancelled trips resulted others who wanted their money back holidays to some of those in 23,000 complaints to the competition found it difficult to get refunds. destinations. watchdog. As the pandemic stretched on, others An EasyJet Holidays spokeswoman The CMA said it had taken action who had initially agreed to put off their said, ”We recognise that many of our against five big firms, which had now holidays changed their minds and customers do still want their holidays to go refunded a total of £200 million. decided they did want a refund after all, ahead, so for ‘amber’ list destinations These included Tui, which the but experienced reluctance from travel where holidays can be enjoyed safely and watchdog said had now formally firms. legally, which do not have ‘all but committed to giving clearer information The CMA said any offer of a refund essential travel’ warnings and where there about refunds upfront. credit note had to be accompanied by the is no quarantine requirement in destina- The others were Teletext Holidays, option of a full refund, while customers tion, we are providing flexibility and choice LoveHolidays, Lastminute.com and Virgin should be able to exchange their credit so customers can make up their own mind Holidays. note for a refund at any time. about their holiday.” The UK government has said people Following customer complaints, the She added that EasyJet would not can travel abroad again from May 17, but CMA has stepped in. It said at the end of operate any holidays to destinations destinations will be ranked for safety last month that Teletext faced court on the “red” list. under a traffic light system and there are action unless it paid more than £7m On Wednesday, online travel agent fears their status could change in refunds. On The Beach said it had stopped selling unexpectedly. Lastminute.com had been facing legal all holidays for this summer because of “We’re calling on package holiday action in connection with £1m worth of un- Covid uncertainty. companies to make the refund process less paid refunds, but the CMA said Chief executive Simon Cooper told the hassle in the future," said CMA chief in February that the money had since been BBC that many would-be holidaymakers executive Andrea Coscelli. repaid. had been “jaded by the experience” “We expect all firms to give clear The watchdog has now secured refund of summer 2020, when many holidays cancellation options and will consider commitments from the other firms. that had been booked failed to appropriate steps if we see companies take place because of shifting travel breaking the law by refusing or delaying Holidays to resume restrictions. refunds this summer.” People will be able to travel for leisure Cooper added that if On The Beach did A hiring sign offers a $500 bonus again from Monday, but holidays to go ahead with summer bookings, its outside a McDonald's restaurant, Covid uncertainty most destinations require a period of profits risked being outweighed by in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Under package holiday rules, cancelled quarantine when holidaymakers return “administrative costs and loss of Pennsylvania, May 5, 2021. holidays must be refunded within 14 days home. goodwill”. 12 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Regular Market BARBADOS STOCK REPORT Security Volume High Low Market Advance/ Price Decline GODDARD ENTERPRISES LIMITED 3,148 $2.10 $2.10 $2.10 $0.00 May 13, 2021

One security traded firm as 3,148 shares traded on the Regular Market, with a total value of $6,610.80. Goddard Enterprises Limited Deposit Receipts was the sole security trading 3,148 shares at $2.10. Security Previous Current Advance/ Close Close Decline EMERA DEPOSIT RECEIPT $22.84 $22.78 -$0.06

BARBADOSBARBADOS STSTOCKOCK EXCHANGEEXCHANGE SHARE SUMMARY INFORMATION Thursday May 13, 2021 INDICES LAST TRADE VOLUME HIGH LOW LAST CURRENT PRICE BID ASK BID ASK TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES DATE CLOSE CLOSE CHANGE PRICE PRICE SIZE SIZE May 13, 2021 May 12, 2021 Local 2,444.56 2,444.63 (0.07) ABV Investments Incorporated 15-Oct-20 - - - $0.05 $0.05 - $0.10 $0.30 1 10,498 Cross-list 1,140.86 1,140.86 - BICO Limited 07-May-21 - - - $3.11 $3.11 - $3.10 - 70 - Composite 598.78 598.80 (0.02) MARKET CAPITALISATION (in millions) Banks Holdings Limited -+ 09-Dec-19 - - - $4.85 $4.85 - - - - - TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES Barbados Dairy Industries Limited -+ 04-Oct-19 - - - $3.00 $3.00 - - - - - May 13, 2021 May 12, 2021 Local 4,913.74 4,913.87 (0.13) Barbados Farms Limited 18-Mar-21 - - - $0.68 $0.68 - $0.30 $0.40 7,574 6,561 Cross-list 145.67 145.67 - Composite 5,059.42 5,059.55 (0.13) Cave Shepherd and Company Limited 04-May-21 - - - $4.04 $4.04 - $4.00 $4.05 10,072 5,500 MUTUAL FUND FirstCaribbean International Bank 14-Apr-21 - - - $1.80 $1.80 - - $1.80 - 12,578 May 13, 2021 ENDED NAME OF FUND NAV OFFER BID NAV Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 12-Apr-21 - - - $0.16 $0.16 - - $0.16 - 5,597 CHANGE - Dev Fund 07-May-21 REPUBLIC CAPITAL GROWTH FUND w 1.2749 0.0125 07-May-21 REPUBLIC INCOME FUND w 1.2660 -0.0013 Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 12-May-21 - - - $0.58 $0.58 - $0.56 $0.58 4,093 47,870 07-May-21 REPUBLIC PROPERTY FUND w 0.6763 -0.0001 -Value Fund 07-May-21 FORTRESS CARIBBEAN GROWTH FUND w 6.8400 6.8400 6.8400 -0.0042 07-May-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - ACC. w 2.1086 0.0035 Goddard Enterprises Limited 13-May-21 3,148 $2.10 $2.10 $2.10 $2.10 $0.00 $2.10 $2.30 1,000 12,466 07-May-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - DIST. w 1.0067 0.0017 30-Apr-21 ROYAL FIDELITY SELECT BALANCED FUND m 5.7710 5.7710 5.6556 0.1299 Insurance Corporation of B’dos Limited 29-Apr-21 - - - $2.00 $2.00 - $1.78 $2.00 56,180 13,974 30-Apr-21 ROYAL FIDELITY STRATEGIC GROWTH FUNDm 1.0833 1.0833 1.0617 0.0317 30-Apr-21 ROYAL FIDELITY PREMIUM INCOME FUND m 1.6720 1.6720 1.6386 0.0277 One Caribbean Media Limited 30-Mar-21 - - - $2.20 $2.20 - - $2.20 - 1,601 07-May-21 SAGICOR GLOBAL BALANCED FUND w 2.82 -0.02 Sagicor Financial Corporation Pref 6.5% 23-Jun-16 - - - $2.26 $2.26 ---- - 07-May-21 SAGICOR SELECT GROWTH FUND w 1.75 -0.01 07-May-21 SAGICOR PREFERRED INCOME FUND w 0.99 0.00 Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited -+ 29-Nov-19 - - - $2.80 $2.80 - - - - - * Indicates the Fund is currently ex-div NOTES: QUOTATIONS AND NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ARE SUPPLIED BY THE West India Biscuit Company Limited 03-Mar-21 - - - $31.25 $31.25 - $31.35 - 100 - FUND MANAGEMENT. THE OFFERING PRICE INCLUDES NET ASSET VALUE PLUS ENTRY COSTS. Emera Deposit Receipt 14-Aug-20 - - - $22.84 $22.78 -$0.06 $20.75 - 10 - m = monthly valuation, q = quarterly valuation, w = weekly

TOTAL SHARES BOUGHT & SOLD 3,148 Fixed Income Last Trade Last Current Bid Ask Bid Ask Date Close Close Price Price Size Size * = Security is Trading X-Div GOB Series B 11-May-21 $60.00 $60.00 $55.00 $80.00 250,000 34,828 GOB Series D 12-Nov-19 $50.00 $50.00 - - - - *+* = Security is Suspended GOB Series F 03-Nov-20 $89.00 $89.00 - - - - ** = Rights Issued GOB Series I 24-Mar-20 $65.00 $65.00 - $70.00 - 19,617 NOTICES NEWS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

Emera Incorporated - Directors have fixed March 22nd, 2021 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to Disney Q2 revenue drops on receive notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which will be held on May 20th, 2021. continued weakness in parks DIVIDEND DECLARATIONS

Emera Deposit Receipt - Directors have declared a cash dividend of sixty-three point seven five (CDN $0.6375) cents per common NEW YORK – Disney sec- one-time items, net income share to be paid on May 17th, 2021 to Shareholders on record at close of business on May 3rd, 2020. Registered holders of ond-quarter revenue totaled 79 cents per share. depositary receipts ("Depositary Receipts") issued pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement dated dropped as the pandemic One time costs were related February 2nd, 2016 among Emera, the Barbados Central Securities Depository Inc. and registered and beneficial holders of depositary receipts from time to time, are entitled to receive, in proportion to the number of Depositary Receipts held by them, respectively, a continued to weigh on its to closing an animation stu- distribution in the amount of any cash received by the Barbados Central Securities Depository Inc. (net of any applicable withholding parks and theme parks. But dio and some Disney- taxes) in connection with the Dividend (the "Distribution"). net income beat expecta- branded retail stores, and tions and CEO Bob Chapek severance at some parks BSE NOTICES COVID-19 PROCEDURAL UPDATE said signs of recovery can and resorts. That beat ana- be seen across the com- lyst expectations of 26 cents Effective April 19th, 2021, the offices of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) and the Barbados Central Securities Depository pany’s business as the pan- per share, according to Inc. (BCSDI) have reopened. Our office hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. demic begins to wane. FactSet. Kindly note that mandatory digital temperature checks and hand sanitizing for all persons entering the building will be enforced. These Disney+ subscribers more Revenue dropped 13 checks will be conducted on both staff and clients alike by trained personnel. While we acknowledge that every person with fever may than doubled from a year percent to $15.61 billion, not be COVID-19 positive and that some individuals may present without symptoms, please note that any person with a temperature ago to 103.6 million sub- from $18.03 billion last year. reading of 100˚ F (37.8˚ C) or over will be denied entry to conduct business within our offices. scribers as of April 3. That That was short of analyst We wish to thank you in advance for your understanding, however, we must emphasize that this is a necessary step for the protection was lower than some ana- expectations of $15.86 bil- of staff and clients alike. lysts expected, but Chapek lion. said the company is still on Disney+ and its vast li- TRADING SUSPENSION track to reach its goal of 300 brary of Disney movies and The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section 4.01.3 and subject to Section million to 350 million sub- TV shows, plus hit original 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the Common Shares of Banks Holdings Limited were scribers across all platforms series like Marvel’s suspended effective December 10th, 2019. by 2024. “WandaVision” and the Star The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section 4.01.3 and subject to Section Shares dropped 4 percent Wars spinoff “The 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the Common Shares of Barbados Dairy Industries Limited to $171.10 in aftermarket Mandalorian,” have helped were suspended effective December 10th, 2019. trading. drive signups. People stuck Net income attributable at home during the pan- The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that to facilitate the closing of the Scheme of Arrangement effected by way of Section 99 of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda involving the transfer of all the issued and outstanding shares in Sagicor to Disney for the three demic over the past year Financial Corporation Limited to Alignvest Acquisition II, it has suspended trading in the security Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited. months ended April 3 to- also boosted subscriptions, taled $901 million, or 49 but that could begin to ease cents per share. Excluding as things open up again. The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 13

Ganja Industry Development Task Grenada’s state Force being established in Jamaica of emergency KINGSTON, Jamaica – A on Tuesday. success lies in cannabis of our local licensees have Ganja Industry Noting that the global by-products aimed at invested in technology Development Task Force, ganja industry is forecast improving the quality of that allows them to set to extend which will draw on to double in value with a life of users. produce cannabis by- expertise to further worth of approximately These include products in a safe and growth of the industry, is US$42 billion in three nutraceuticals to treat a compliant manner,” Shaw advanced in its years, the minister said variety of common said. until November establishment by the the work of the task force ailments and full “The ministry ST GEORGE’S, Force can grant special Ministry of Industry, will better enable Jamaica spectrum cannabis oil that recognises that in order Grenada – The state of permission to any Investment and to take advantage of can be infused in for the industry to truly emergency in place to individual or Commerce. opportunities in the tinctures, edibles and grow, we must urgently contain and control organisation that is This is according to industry. topicals. establish a framework in the spread of COVID- desirous of having a one- Portfolio Minister,Audley The minister said that “By embracing the full conjunction with the 19, and which is off event that falls Shaw, who made the despite the industry opportunities of the Ministry of Health and scheduled to expire on outside the regulations. announcement during his currently being industry,we will grow the Wellness that sets out July 14, is set to During last Tuesday’s contribution to the dominated by the sale of marketplace, generate clear guidelines of how be extended until post-Cabinet briefing, Sectoral Debate in the ganja buds in increased revenue and this will be accomplished,” November. Superintendent Vannie House of Representatives dispensaries, its future enable job creation. Many he added. The House of Curwen, officer in charge Representatives, where of Community Relations, the ruling New National said lawmen will be Party (NNP) occupies all stepping up enforcement the seats, will meet on of all the clauses in the May 21 at which time the current regulations. extension is expected to Police are allowed to be approved. issue tickets to Under the State of individuals in breach of Emergency, the the regulations. Emergency Powers Act is Violators of the activated, providing legal Emergency Powers guidelines for the regulations can be fined a movement of citizens and maximum of EC$1,000 the operation of (US$370) or 12 months' businesses. imprisonment; violators Restrictions under the of the quarantine current State of regulations can be fined a Emergency include: a maximum of EC$25,000 midnight to 4:00 am (US$9,253) or six months curfew; the mandatory in prison while the wearing of face masks or maximum penalty under face coverings in public; the Public Health Act is a closure of all businesses fine not exceeding by 10:00 pm; a EC$500 (US$185) and maximum of 20 people imprisonment for a allowed at weddings and term not exceeding 12 funerals and no social months. gatherings without Grenada has recorded permission. 161 COVID-19 positive However, the COVID- cases since the first 19 Committee and the person was diagnosed in Minister, Audley Shaw Royal Grenada Police March 2020. St Croix oil refinery suspends production after fire, oil release THE ailing Limetree Bay unused facility two years On Wednesday, materials, has resulted in the Environmental Last week, the EPA said oil refinery in St. Croix, ago with a plan to process residents were alerted to the release of Protection Agency (EPA) if it determines that U.S. Virgin Islands, has up to 210,000 barrels of oil a fire at the plant by the hydrocarbons in the to investigate. Limetree’s operations pose suspended operations per day. Territorial Emergency neighborhoods. A faulty “Repeated incidents at an “imminent risk” to the after a malfunction rained Limetree Bay said it had Management Agency VI. coker unit caused the the refinery are health of residents, it will oil on a nearby experienced a “refinery The company said it flaring, according to two unacceptable,” EPA take appropriate action to neighborhood, the upheaval” and urged plans to distribute water people familiar with the administrator Michael protect the public. company said Wednesday residents living near the to those affected by the oil problem. Cokers turn Regan said in a tweet on The EPA sent air evening. plant not to drink the spill, and added that the heavy oil into raw Wednesday. The agency monitors to the island last The Caribbean refinery water from the collected plant’s treatment units materials to make fuels. “has undertaken to take week to measure sulfur has suffered repeated supplies. Residents of the will be brought to a “safe Earlier this year,noxious all necessary measures to dioxide and hydrogen setbacks since its private island generally collect and stable state.” smells from the plant shut guarantee the protection sulfide emissions, equity owners began rainwater in cisterns for Flaring, or the down local schools and left of the health and safety of although they are not yet overhauling the long- consumption. emergency burning of raw residents sick, prompting persons”. functional.

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

High Tide (First) 4:29 High tide (Second) 17:56 London 10 Clear Yesterday: 0.0 mm Boston 19 Cloudy Low Tide (First) 11:23 For the month: 20.3 mm Max: 29.8 °C Montreal 19 Cloudy with Light Rain Low tide (Second) 22:55 For the year: 277.0 mm Min: 24.3 °C Toronto 19 Fair New York 18 Fair Miami 29 Cloudy 5:33 a.m. 6:17 p.m. 14 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

The Bahamas: US$600 000 system puts Cabinet meetings into digital era MINISTER of State for automate Cabinet proceedings for approval decisions, he said. allow you to be able to – even Finance Kwasi Thompson The Bahamas, Cabinet “Permanent secretaries will be before you arrive at the meeting announced yesterday the memorandum, immigration able to submit online. Ministries – be able to deal with a lot of the launch of the Bahamas papers, papers for the National will be able to sign online and the simpler papers which again will Electronic Cabinet Economic Council, conclusions, memorandum will be save time in terms of being able to Management Information and extracts will now be digital disseminated digitally making arrive at these kinds of decisions System, also referred to as E- and automated. It will save time the delivery of (a) bundle of from the Cabinet. Cabinet. increasing efficiency with Cabinet papers now unnecessary,” he “Secondly one of the other The platform cost approval processes, reduce our added. points that we want you to note is approximately $600,000. carbon footprint, eliminating the Mr Thompson also noted the the conclusions. Once Cabinet Wednesday marked the first use of paper by allowing for online efficiency of the system and how makes a decision, a written Cabinet meeting fully on the approvals and e-distribution of it will help to save time. conclusion would have to come digital platform. Cabinet documents. “One of the goals of the out and that is what is acted While speaking at a virtual “It will also enable tracking and platform was to allow ministries upon.What this process will allow press conference, Mr Thompson increase of transparency. The to be able to not just access the us to do is to get those conclusions noted the system was designed system tracks Cabinet papers before the Cabinet out a lot quicker and if we are and implemented to improve memorandum and provides live meeting but for them to be able to able to get the conclusion out business processes and operating updates about access to the make comments and in some quicker then those decisions can procedures in the Cabinet Office. system and who and when instances provide their support be implemented in a much more He noted that E-Cabinet is a information was received and for those papers in advance,” he speedier time.” “collaborative tool for distributed.” said. He added this system is “sort of communication between our key E-Cabinet is an innovative “There are a number of papers coming in at mid-stream,” so stakeholders”. system that streamlined the that are simple. There are some there is going to be a migration of He explained: “E-Cabinet managerial operations of the that are far more challenging and the old papers and conclusions boasts a myriad of important Cabinet Office and simplified Minister of State for Finance require more discussion but the into this new system which will features inclusive of the ability to internal procedures required for Kwasi Thompson. idea behind the system was to take place over time. Nuclear techniques help to revive ginger production in Jamaica JAMAICA, once known as the inside the plant and turns its mutation breeding?). Plant world’s leading producer of leaves yellow, as they wilt and regeneration using tissue culture ginger, has fallen from the ranks die. The prevalence of GRR and irradiation were undertaken and become a victim of disease has resulted in over 60 at the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre widespread diseases affecting per cent of yield losses in major with the participation of Francis, ginger cultivation. Ginger ginger producing areas of who was trained on the technique production has steadily declined Jamaica. at the same time. This has on the Caribbean island over the “Rhizome rot is spread effectively proven that mutation last 20 years, affecting farmers’ unintentionally using infected induction through calibrated income and livelihood. seeds from the previous crop, radiation combined with tissue “Some farmers are losing more which may appear normal and culture is an effective way for than half of their harvests due to healthy,” said Ryan Francis,Team improving vegetative crops like diseases affecting large swaths of Leader in the Biotechnology ginger. It is expected that newly land cultivated with ginger,” said Department at the Scientific improved mutant varieties of Ruth Simpson, an agricultural Research Council (SRC) in the ginger could be available in three consultant for the Environmental capital Kingston. “It may be to four years, much sooner than Health Fund Project, a national spread also through soil, with other breeding methods, organization working to support irrigation water and rain splash which typically take more than the environment in Jamaica. to adjacent plants.” Rhizome rot double or triple that amount of Irradiated ginger mutant lines are under development and The IAEA, in partnership with can survive in the soil for an time to yield new varieties. observation in the growth room, which was upgraded with the Food and Agriculture extended period of time and can “This project will increase the support from the IAEA and FAO. Organization of the United easily be transferred from one availability of high-quality ginger Nations (FAO), is supporting location to another, he added. in Jamaica, which will meet the development and selection of new improvement. Nuclear Jamaica by developing new Experts from the Joint expectations of our farmers and ginger varieties tolerant to GRR technologies, such as X-rays or ginger varieties, tolerant to FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear work towards stabilizing the disease. gamma rays, are used to irradiate prevailing diseases. While the Techniques in Food and production of ginger for local “Nuclear applications have the the seeds or plant propagation IAEA and FAO have supported Agriculture have been working consumption and export,” said potential to develop new varieties material such as cuttings of a experts all over the world in with scientists at the SRC to Shishca Higgins, Molecular of ginger with inbuilt tolerance to plant, which are then placed in a breeding over two dozen different develop high-quality ginger Biologist at the SRC. pathogens during crop growth,” sterile medium to grow. crops, it is the first time that varieties tolerant to GRR disease. said Isaac Kofi Bimpong, plant Mimicking the natural process of nuclear techniques are used to To date, over 120 lines of ginger Long term crop improvement breeder and geneticist at the spontaneous plant mutation, the improve ginger. With these plantlets – young or small plants Through its technical Joint FAO/IAEA Centre. “This calibrated radiation uses a plant’s techniques, high-quality ginger – have been developed and are cooperation programme, the approach is expected to lead to own genetic make-up to varieties are being developed to under screening for improved IAEA has supported national the production of high-quality accelerate the process of increase the prices farmers can traits. New ginger varieties training workshops, ginger with appreciable yields to developing and selecting new fetch locally and for their exports developed from irradiated plant international fellowships and prevent the high economic losses valuable agronomic traits. The on the international market. material in tissue culture have expert missions focused on plant currently being experienced by plants are monitored as they shown high levels of tolerance to pathology and methods in crop local farmers.” grow, and those that exhibit the Rhizome rot and the disease in a laboratory-based improvement, which has led to desired characteristics that are declining crops screening protocol that was the development of screening The science targeted for improvement, which The main disease affecting applied with technical guidance protocols that can be used to What is plant mutation may include disease resistance, ginger production in Jamaica is from the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre. identify and select improved breeding? high yield or drought tolerance, Ginger Rhizome Rot (GRR), Those tolerant mutant lines ginger varieties in Jamaica. Applied since the 1930s, plant are identified. Over generations, which kills the plants it infects. have been selected for further Facilities, such as a screenhouse mutation breeding works by these selections continue until Caused by fungi, bacteria and assessment under field and tissue culture laboratory, using nuclear techniques to new lines and new varieties of worms, the disease leads to rot conditions (see What is plant have been upgraded to aid in the induce changes in plants for crop the plant are developed. The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 15

Brazil joins Chile in building first fiber Colombia’s optic cable to connect S. America and Asia foreign SANTIAGO – Chile announced on viability, and at the same time a yesterday that the countries involved yesterday that Brazil had signed on as definitive political viability as well,” would soon begin talks around minister a partner to build the first submarine Allamand said. financing and technical details of the fiber optic cable to connect South Argentina has already joined the cable. America with Asia, an effort that effort, and Allamand said he expected “The project will complete the fiber resigns promises to boost connectivity for 270 Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia to also optic connection of Brazil with its million people on the continent. sign on. neighbors, consolidating regional digital BOGOTA – Colombia’s Foreign Chile’s foreign minister, Andres A Chilean feasibility study infrastructure and positioning Brazil Minister Claudia Blum has resigned, Allamand, told reporters that Brazil’s established the best route for the cable as a leader in the digital transformation according to a letter from her shared by decision to formally join the initiative would run from the Pacific port city of and digital market in the region,” the the ministry of foreign affairs was critical to making the US$388 Valparaiso through New Zealand and ministries said in the statement. oyesterday. million, 13,180 km (8,200 mile) cable a on to Sydney, Australia, where it could Brazil, Argentina and Chile currently “I am grateful for the enormous reality. connect to lines to Asia. account for 80% of internet traffic in confidence you placed in me when you “The incorporation of Brazil to this Brazil’s foreign and communications South America, according to the named me for this important role,” project gives it a definitive economic ministries said in a joint statement Brazilian ministries. Blum said in her letter to President Ivan Duque. Blum’s resignation follows that of former Finance Minister Alberto Carrasquilla, who resigned earlier this US donates 2 field hospitals month after widespread protests against a now-cancelled tax reform. Demonstrations began on April 28 in the Andean country fueled by outrage to Trinidad and Tobago at the reform, which included a plan to raise sales taxes. THE US government has donated Jean Pierre Complex in Port of Spain. recently launched, “halfway houses.” Dr Protesters’ demands now include a two field hospitals The 40 beds include High Dependency Maryam Abdool-Richards, principal basic income and the withdrawal of a (temporary/mobile hospitals), each (HDU) and Intensive Care Units (ICU). medical officer of health, had said these long-debated health reform that with a 40-bed capacity, to Trinidad “So if additional capacity is required, were a fourth level of care for those who opponents say is too vague to correct and Tobago to aid in the fight these can be pressed into use and the are recovering but “not yet fit to go inequalities. against the COVID-19 pandemic. plans for the actual deployment of these home.” Epidemiologist Dr Avery Hinds have been outlined. Hinds said because of this addition, announced this at the Health Ministry’s “If additional capacity is required the parallel health care system’s virtual press conference on Wednesday then those will be used but they’re occupancy has decreased. morning. currently not operational but available.” The ward are now at 41 per cent He said one will be added to the He also said 130 beds have been occupancy, while ICU is at 74 per cent Couva Hospital and the other at the added to an initiative the ministry and HDU is at 94 per cent.

Colombia’s Foreign Minister Claudia Blum has resigned. Soldier drop off equipment at the field hospital set up outside the Couva Hospital on Wednesday. Pope meets Argentine president months after abortion law ROME – Pope Francis met yesterday off the Vatican’s auditorium rather than Fernandez firmly supported, went into denounced abortion as evidence of with Argentine President Alberto in the Apostolic Palace, where official effect in January. It guarantees the today’s “throwaway culture,” issued a Fernandez, months after Argentina state visits are usually held. The procedure up to the 14th week of last-minute appeal before the December legalized abortion despite a personal location, often used for less formal pregnancy and beyond that in cases of vote, noting in a tweet that Christ was appeal from the pontiff and opposition meetings, is where Francis received rape or when a woman’s health is at born as an outcast, and “came from the Catholic Church. Queen Elizabeth II in 2014. risk. into the world as each child In a break with usual practice, the It’s the second time Francis and Fernandez, a Peronist, had comes into the world, weak and Vatican communique about Fernandez’s Fernandez have met and added yet campaigned on pledges to make vulnerable.” visit omitted any reference to issues another wrinkle in the Argentine pope’s abortion legal and free. Argentina thus The Jesuit pope had also encouraged discussed between the president and sometimes strained relationship with is the largest nation in Latin America to opponents of the legislation, writing a pope. The brief statement provided only the governments of his native country. legalize elective abortion, a letter in November in which he asked: a rundown of topics Fernandez He has declined to return home since development feminist movements have “Is it fair to eliminate a human life to discussed with the Vatican secretary of his 2013 election, friends say, because hailed and that could pave the way for solve a problem? Is it fair to hire a hit state and foreign minister: the he wants to avoid being used for similar legislation across the socially man to solve a problem?” pandemic, Argentina’s financial crisis political ends by the reigning conservative, heavily Roman Catholic Fernandez is in Italy as part of a and its fight against poverty. government. region. European tour that also included The meeting took place in a side study Argentina’s abortion law, which Francis, who has repeatedly Portugal, Spain and France. 16 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Italy’s Draghi Draghi, with lucrative appoints first state pensions, renounces salary as PM female spy chief ROME – Mario Draghi, university, said Draghi’s who draws at least two decision to give up his ROME – Prime Massimiliano Massimo generous state pensions salary was probably Minister Mario Draghi school in the Italian and owns or part-owns intended to show solidarity has appointed capital – a prestigious around 10 houses, has said with Italians hit hard by diplomat Elisabetta Catholic institute where he will not receive any economic recession. Belloni as the head of Draghi had studied salary for his job as Italy’s “However,it could also be Italy’s spy agency, the several years earlier. prime minister. seen as a populist gesture, first woman to lead the Gennaro Vecchione, the Italian politicians are so Draghi would have done Department of outgoing DIS head, was obliged to publish their tax better to explain it more Information Security close to former premier returns and Draghi took fully,” he added. (DIS). Giuseppe Conte and advantage of the occasion The co-ruling 5-Star Belloni, 62, has since Draghi's move marks to announce that he was Movement has often been 2016 been secretary another major shift from giving up the gross salary of described by opponents as general of the foreign the previous around 110,000 euros that populist over the fact that ministry – the top job in administration after the he had a right to as premier. their parliamentarians give the diplomatic service. replacement of two top He did not give any up a large part of their Previously,she headed the officials managing the reason for the decision. salaries. ministry’s crisis unit COVID-19 crisis. Draghi’s 2020 tax return, Draghi, who is now 73, tasked with protecting Italian media reported published late on was 54 when he left the Italian citizens abroad. that Draghi was unhappy Wednesday, showed he Treasury in 2001 to take up She gained prominence about Vecchione’s received gross income of a top job with investment after helping secure the contribution to the 583,470 euros in 2019. bank Goldman Sachs in release of Italians management of the Of this, 498,144 euros London. He was 64 when kidnapped by militants in migration emergency Italy came from state pensions he left the Bank of Italy. Iraq and Afghanistan and is facing after thousands of he receives from his Italian media have leading operations to people aboard small boats Elisabetta Belloni previous jobs as director reported that Draghi has bring home Italian reached the island of general of the Treasury and received almost 15,000 tourists hit by the 2004 Lampedusa since last William Barr as part of an “I wish good luck to governor of the Bank of euros per month gross from Asian tsunami. weekend. investigation by President Elisabetta Belloni, a Italy, his spokeswoman his Treasury pension since A native of Rome, Vecchione had already Donald Trump into the person of worth,” Matteo said. the age of 59. His Belloni joined the come under fire in 2019 for origins of a probe into Salvini, the leader of the Massimiliano Panarari, spokeswoman said she was diplomatic service in 1985. his meetings with then- Russian interference in rightist League party, a political communications not able to immediately She was a student at the U.S. attorney general the 2016 U.S. election. wrote on Twitter. expert at Unimercatorum confirm this. The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 17

Trudeau cleared of ethics Johnson ‘anxious’ wrongdoing in political scandal over rise of Indian CANADA’S ethics virus variant in UK watchdog has cleared LONDON – British Prime authority in the northwest Prime Minister Justin Minister Boris Johnson England town of Trudeau of wrongdoing voiced anxiety yesterday Blackburn is setting up in the WE Charity about a rise in the U.K. of additional coronavirus scandal. the coronavirus variant vaccine clinics following a The charity had been first identified in India, spike in new infections. For tapped by his government after a closely-monitored now,the jabs will be offered last year to oversee a study of infections in to those eligible under the volunteer programme for England found it becoming rules governing the rollout, students during the more prevalent – just which is largely based on pandemic. ahead of the next big age – the rollout was Mr Trudeau later faced easing of lockdown extended yesterday, with scrutiny when it was restrictions. vaccines now available to revealed he had personal “It is a variant of concern, those aged 38 and 39. ties to the organisation. we are anxious about it,” Worries over the Indian But the report found Johnson said. “We want to variant were central in the former finance minister make sure we take all the latest assessment of the Bill Morneau had prudential, cautious steps pandemic in England from breached federal ethics now that we could take, so Imperial College London. rules in the scandal. there are meetings going Though it said overall Mr Morneau resigned in on today to consider exactly cases have fallen to their August, although he what we need to do. There lowest level since August denied it was because of is a range of things we following a strict lockdown this case. could do, we are ruling and a successful rollout of Mr Morneau faced nothing out.” vaccines, it warned that the pressure to step down last Johnson’s comments Indian variant should be summer after it was Mr Morneau stepped down as finance minister last year amid criticism for have stoked speculation closely monitored. The so- revealed WE had covered his involvement with WE Charity. In the background is Prime Minister Justin that the government will called REACT study said some of his expenses while Trudeau. ramp up vaccinations the Indian variant was he was on two trips with alongside testing in areas found in 7.7% of the his family to see some of founder Craig Kielburger for failing to do so. Trudeau did not give which are seeing a rising 127,000 cases tested the charity’s work in in particular,“afforded WE The former finance preferential treatment to incidence of the virus. between April 15 and May Kenya and Ecuador. unfettered access to the minister also reiterated a WE,” he wrote. Already, the local 3. He said it was an Office of the Minister of finding of the report - that oversight and repaid Finance”, Mr Dion he did not have direct C$41,000 (US$33,000; £ wrote. involvement in the 24,000). Mr Morneau broke recommendation of WE In October,federal ethics conflict of interest rules by Charity for the commissioner Mario Dion “improperly furthering programme. cleared Mr Morneau of WE’s private interests, by ethical wrongdoing for failing to recuse himself What did the report say that, saying it appeared to from decisions relating to about Mr Trudeau? be a genuine mistake. WE, and by giving WE When it came to Mr But yesterday, Mr Dion preferential treatment”, Trudeau, the ethics released a report that the report said. commissioner found Mr Morneau had In a statement, Mr acknowledged there was placed himself in a conflict Morneau reiterated that an “appearance” of a of interest “on several he should have recused conflict of interest because occasions” in other ways. himself from the of Mr Trudeau’s family The former finance government’s discussion connection to WE but that minister’s relationship regarding the charity, no ethical wrongdoing had with the charity, and a given his personal ties. He occurred. friendship with WE co- had previously apologised “I am satisfied that Mr UK court overturns debt judgment against prime minister LONDON – British Prime judgment seen by Reuters declaration he made Minister Boris Johnson’s on Wednesday showed it relating to a donor-funded office said yesterday that was made on Oct. 26 and foreign trip. a court order for him to listed as “unsatisfied”, A county court repay a 535 pound meaning it was fully or judgment is issued when (US$752) debt had been partly unpaid.The records someone submits a claim cancelled, a day after news do not show who made the and judges decide the of the ruling had raised claim. A new search on money needs to be paid. questions about his Thursday showed no This can be decided by personal finances. change as yet to this default if the court “The judgment in online record. receives no response to default has been set aside Johnson’s finances have correspondence on the by the court. The claim been the subject of issue. has been struck out, extensive scrutiny in The register of these deemed ‘totally without recent weeks, with judgments is used by merit’ and the electoral authorities banks and other financial government awarded its investigating the funding institutions to determine costs,” a spokesman for of a refurbishment of his an individual’s credit Johnson's office said. flat, and parliament rating. A copy of the original investigating the (US$1 = 0.7118 pounds) 18 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Israel threatens Gaza ground invasion despite truce efforts JERUSALEM – Israel yesterday The four-day burst of violence has people inside the city,several kilometers set off scores of earth-shaking explosions said it was massing troops along pushed Israel into uncharted territory – away, could be heard screaming in fear. across the densely populated territory. the Gaza frontier and calling up dealing with the most intense fighting it “I said we would extract a very heavy Gaza militants have fired nearly 2,000 9,000 reservists ahead of a possible has ever had with Hamas while price from Hamas,” Prime Minister rockets into Israel, bringing life in the ground invasion of the Hamas- simultaneously coping with the worst Benjamin Netanyahu said in a southern part of the country to a ruled territory, as the two bitter Jewish-Arab violence inside Israel in videotaped statement. “We are doing standstill. Several barrages targeted the enemies plunged closer to all-out decades. A late-night barrage of rocket that, and we will continue to do that with seaside metropolis of Tel Aviv, some 70 war. Egyptian mediators rushed to fire from Lebanon that landed in the sea heavy force.” kilometers (45 miles) away. Israel for cease-fire efforts but threatened to open a new front along The fighting broke out late Monday Gaza’s Health Ministry said the death showed no signs of progress. Israel’s northern border. when Hamas, claiming to be the defender toll has climbed to 103 Palestinians, The stepped-up fighting came as Early Friday, the Israeli military said of Jerusalem, fired a barrage of long- including 27 children and 11 women, communal violence in Israel erupted for air and ground troops struck Gaza in range rockets toward the city in response with 530 people wounded. The Hamas a fourth night, with Jewish and Arab what appeared to be the heaviest attacks to what it said were Israeli provocations. and Islamic Jihad militant groups have mobs clashing in the flashpoint town of yet. Masses of red flames illuminated the Israel quickly responded with a series of confirmed 20 deaths in their ranks, Lod. The fighting took place despite a skies as the deafening blasts from the airstrikes. though Israel says that number is much bolstered police presence ordered by the outskirts of Gaza City jolted people Since then, Israel has attacked higher. Seven people have been killed in nation’s leaders. awake. The strikes were so strong that hundreds of targets in Gaza. The strikes Israel, including a 6-year-old boy. Virus, Mideast turmoil stifle Eid al-Fitr celebrations JAKARTA, Indonesia – Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr in a subdued mood for a second year yesterday as the COVID- 19 pandemic again forced mosque closings and family separations on the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. In the embattled Gaza Strip, the call to prayer echoed over pulverized buildings and heaps of rubble as Israeli warplanes continued to pound the territory in the worst outbreak of violence since the 2014 war. Hamas, the Islamic militant group ruling Gaza, urged the faithful to mark communal prayers inside their homes or the nearest mosques and avoid being out in the open. Muslims offer prayers during the first day of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan at Fatih “It is all airstrikes, destruction and Mosque in Istanbul, yesterday. devastation,” said Hassan Abu Shaaban, who tried to lighten the mood by passing out chocolates to passersby. Indonesians and Malaysians were Judge to review banned for a second year from traveling Trial for 3 ex-cops charged in to visit relatives in the traditional Eid Arbery’s mental homecoming. In Bangladesh, however, tens of Floyd’s death pushed to March thousands of people were leaving the MINNEAPOLIS – The trial of three defense attorneys all agreed to the health records capital, Dhaka, to join their families back former Minneapolis police officers postponement. The state, via Assistant in their villages for Eid celebrations charged with aiding and abetting in the Attorney General Matthew Frank, did under seal despite a nationwide lockdown and road death of George Floyd will be pushed back not support the delay. It wasn’t made checkpoints. to March 2022, in part to allow the clear at the hearing who originally sought BRUNSWICK, Ga. – A judge said “I understand that we all miss our publicity over Derek Chauvin’s conviction the change. The attorneys left the yesterday he will review under seal mental relatives at times like this, especially in to cool off, a judge ruled yesterday. courthouse without commenting. health records of Ahmaud Arbery to decide the momentum of Eid,” Indonesian Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao Chauvin, who was seen in widely whether they can be used by defense President Joko Widodo said in televised were to face trial Aug. 23 on charges they viewed bystander video pressing his knee attorneys to support their case that the remarks. “But let’s prioritize safety aided and abetted both murder and into Floyd’s neck as the Black man said slaying of the 25-year-old Black man was together by not going back to our manslaughter. Their co-defendant, he couldn’t breathe,was convicted in April an act of self-defense. hometowns.” Chauvin, was convicted in April of of second-degree unintentional murder, Superior Court Judge Timothy In Malaysia, Prime Minister murder and manslaughter. All four third-degree murder and manslaughter. Walmsley declined to hear from an expert Muhyiddin Yassin unexpectedly officers also face federal charges that they He’s to be sentenced June 25, with legal witness that defense lawyers plan to use to announced another nationwide lockdown violated Floyd’s civil rights during his experts saying he faces up to 30 years in discuss Arbery’s mental health at trial from Wednesday until June 7 to curb a May 25 arrest. prison, though he could get less. until the judge rules on whether the spike in cases. Judge Peter Cahill said he moved the Former federal prosecutor Mark Osler, records can be admitted into evidence. He Egyptians marked the holiday with other officers’ trial so the federal case can now a professor at the University of St. ordered those documents to be sealed, group prayers outside, after the go forward first. No date has been set for Thomas School of Law, said the delay meaning they won’t be part of the public government imposed new restrictions on the federal case, but Cahill said it carries could mean the former officers are talking case record. Travis McMichael and his public gatherings. Hundreds prayed higher potential penalties.He also said he about a plea deal, particularly since their father,Greg McMichael, armed themselves shoulder-to-shoulder in the courtyard of felt the need to put some distance attorneys supported the delay and the with guns and pursued Arbery in a pickup an historic Cairo mosque, almost all between the three officers’ trial and prosecution did not. truck when they spotted him running in wearing masks. Group prayers were Chauvin’s due to the high-profile nature “One can infer that the defense their coastal Georgia neighborhood Feb.23, banned last year due to the pandemic. of the case. attorneys are hoping that the federal case 2020.A neighbor,William “Roddie” Bryan, “It is a feeling of happiness that we The order for the delay came during a will offer lower penalties for their clients joined the chase and took cellphone video were missing,” said Ahmed Saeed, one hearing on pretrial motions. The former and a dismissal of the state charges,” of Travis McMichael shooting Arbery three worshipper. “We hope corona ends and officers were not in court, but their Osler said. times at close range with a shotgun. we always gather together.” The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 19 Kenya MP Moses Kuria Thailand reports record admits taking $1,000 COVID-19 infections parliamentary bribe KENYA MP Moses Kuria has told the BBC he received a US$1,000 (£700) bribe in after prison clusters parliament last year to back the appointment of the BANGKOK – Thailand against the coronavirus and the from August. majority leader. announced a daily record in government has been rushing to A corrections department “It is not unusual for new coronavirus cases on secure 100 million doses of official said among those members to get this kind of an yesterday after clusters in vaccines for use this year for a infected in the two jail clusters inducement,” he said, adding two jails saw nearly 3,000 mass-inoculation campaign was Panupong “Mike Rayong” he would return the payment. inmates infected, among starting next month. Jadnok, 24, who has been held Mr Kuria made the remarks them a leader of anti- Thailand on Thursday since March 8 on charges that as he and two other colleagues government protests held authorised the emergency use of include sedition and insulting are to be censured for alleging while awaiting trial for the vaccine of Moderna Inc, Food King Maha Vajiralongkorn. pay-outs were made to back a insulting the king. and Drug Administration (FDA) He was the fourth member of recent constitutional Authorities reported 32 secretary-general Paisan the youth-led movement amendment bill. COVID-19 deaths and 4,887 Dankhum told Reuters. charged with lese majeste to test Majority leader Amos infections, a new daily high in It was the fourth vaccine positive in jail, or within days of Kimunya has denied that cases after 2,835 prisoners were approved following those of leaving. bribes are paid in parliament. Moses Kuria told the BBC he added to the tally following the Sinovac, Johnson & Johnson, Other infected protest leaders The BBC has asked Mr intended to return one of the mass testing of thousands of plus AstraZeneca, which will be are Arnon Nampa and Chukiat Kimunya to respond to Mr bribes he had received inmates in two Bangkok jails. manufactured locally. “Justin” Sangwong, and Kuria’s specific allegation but Thailand is suffering its Thai authorities say all of the Panusaya “Rung” has not yet had a response. interview as he has been biggest outbreak so far, with country’s residents will be Sithijirawattanakul, who tested Kenyan MPs are some of the summoned to appear before overall cases tripling to 93,794 eligible for free vaccination, but positive a few days after her best paid lawmakers in the the house speaker for alleging and deaths increasing fivefold to Bangkok health official release on bail. world – and officials estimate some politicians received about 518 in the past six weeks, after Parnrudee Manomaipiboon on A corrections official said the East African nation loses US$1,000 to vote for the a year of success in containment. Thursday said Thai citizens Panusaya may have been billions of dollars every year to constitutional amendment bill So far only 1.3 million of its would be prioritised, with the infected at home as inmates corruption. known as the Building Bridges people have been inoculated aim of registering foreigners around her had negative tests. What did Mr Kuria say? Initiative (BBI). Mr Kuria said he had President Uhuru Kenyatta witnessed corruption many (L) and opposition leader Raila times in parliament. Odinga (R) back the BBI bill “And it has happened The aim of the bill – backed countless times for the eight by the president and leader of years that I’ve been in the opposition Raila Odinga – parliament,” he told BBC’s is to address the main Newsday programme. challenges the country has “Obviously these things faced since independence such don’’t happen on camera.” as ethnic antagonism, He gave the appointment of corruption and devolution. Mr Kimunya as an example. But critics say it will only He replaced Aden Duale as increase waste as it will majority leader in the national increase the number of assembly last June. parliamentary seats and bring The MP for the Gatundu back the post of prime minister South constituency admitted and several deputies. that the corrupt practices were Mr Kuria is a supporter of wrong. Deputy President William “It is wrong. And I think Ruto, who does not back the yes… given an opportunity I BBI bill, and is a bitter rival of would refund at least the one I Mr Odinga, with the two men can most vividly recall,” he manoeuvring to succeed Mr said. Kenyatta as president in “I’ll probably do [it] today... elections due next year. refund the US$1,000 that I did Despite some initial receive to vote in Amos opposition the BBI bill has Kimunya as the leader of the been passed by county FILE PHOTO: Arrested anti-government protesters arrive at criminal court to face lese ma- majority.” assemblies and recently by jeste charges in Bangkok Mr Kuria gave the BBC an parliament. Kenyan court slams brakes on president’s constitutional changes NAIROBI – Kenya’s High Court constitution was adopted in said it will appeal the ruling. former Prime Minister Raila against him, said John Githongo, ruled yesterday that a drive by 2010. Kenyatta says the bill Odinga, after the two made a prominent anti-graft President Uhuru Kenyatta to But issuing a ruling on several promotes the sharing of power peace in January 2018 following campaigner. change the constitution was challenges lodged by various among competing ethnic groups a divisive presidential election “It is very clear that some of illegal, stopping what his critics parties, a five-judge bench of the to reduce cyclical election the previous year in which the these alignments are to sideline have called a political move court said Kenyatta had used a violence and is not targeting president beat Odinga. him,” he said. designed to check his deputy, constitutional provision reserved anyone. The rapprochement isolated Ruto’s allies have loudly whom he has fallen out with for citizens to initiate the It will create 70 new Kenyatta’s deputy,William Ruto, opposed the constitutional publicly. changes, making the process constituencies, return the role of who wants to succeed his boss changes bill in parliament and Parliament has already illegal. cabinet ministers to elected when he steps down next year outside. passed the proposed “The president cannot be both members of parliament, and after serving the constitutionally “I don’t think we have a amendments, popularly known player and umpire in the same create several powerful new allowed two, five-year terms. constitutional problem in as the Building Bridges match,” said Jairus Ngaah, one posts: a prime minister, two The constitutional Kenya… the biggest problem in Initiative, which mark the of the judges. deputies and an official leader amendments are partly Kenya is an economic problem,” biggest change to the East The government, which wants of the parliamentary opposition. designed to tame Ruto’s political Ndindi Nyoro, a pro-Ruto African nation’s government to hold a referendum after Kenyatta initiated the ambitions, by making it possible lawmaker, said on the local structure since a new Kenyatta signs the bill into law, changes with the backing of to cobble together an alliance Citizen TV. 20 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Barbados heads to PanoGrama Semi-finals

he NLCB PanoGrama Yundi (US) with 78.4 points, 2021 preliminaries Megan-Leigh L (T&T) with 77 Tevent was an exciting points, Keishaun Julien (T&T) one and showcased the talent with 76.4 points, Mikiel Smith in the region and beyond. One (Grenada) with 75.6 points and skilled pannists who advanced Kevhani Greenaway (Antigua) from the pool of thirty to the with 75 points. semi-finals is Barbadian Andre The eliminated pannists will Forde who scored 80.8 points. not leave the competition He performed his rendition empty-handed as each partici- of Bob Marley’s “Get Up, pant takes home a pair of pan Stand Up”. sticks from the Mallet Man. The semifinals of the NLCB Who is Andre Forde? PanoGrama will take place on Andre Forde has played the Thursday, May 13 at 8:00 pm steel pan for many years, tran- AST, streaming live on all so- sitioning from cial media platforms from 7:45 student to teacher. He has pm AST. These include Pano- worked with the National Grama’s Facebook page Cultural Foundation (NCF) (facebook.com/pano.grama1), showcasing his love for the jazz YouTube channel genre at national events. An (youtube.com/panograma) eclectic and versatile artist, and Instagram Pannist, Andre Forde of Barbados is the only musician representing the island in the semi-finals Forde is the only Bajan com- (instagram.com/pano.grama). of NLCB PanoGrama 2021. petitor in this year's PanoGrama.

Final Preliminary Round Aired Mother’s Day

The preliminary rounds of the competition took place between Friday, May 7 and Sunday May 9 starting with a 15-minute prelude at 7:45 pm each night, officially commenc- ing at 8 pm AST, with more than 6,000 people globally watching the virtual show. The three-night segment featured 10 pannists each night whose performances were nothing short of outstanding, covering genres such as Reggae, Soca, Gospel and R&B. The international event featured pannists from countries such as Trinidad and Tobago,Barbados, St.Lucia, France, Canada, England, Antigua & Barbuda, US Virgin Islands, United States, Guyana, and Grenada.

Moving On To The Semi- Finals The other pannists qualifying for the semifinals are Carlon Lyons (T&T) with 85 points, Dejean Cain (T&T) and Tyeesha Alexander (T&T) tied with 83.8 points, Deja Cain (T&T) with 83 points, Leroi Simmonds (US VI) with 82.4 points, Jamel Cadette (T&T) with 81.4 points, Detroy Dey (Guyana) with 80.4 points, Hanif Goodridge (T&T) with 80.2 points Douglas Dallaway (England) with 79.8 points, Charlton Alfonso (T&T) with 79.4 points, Kion Robinson (T&T) with 78.8 points, David List of pannists heading to the PanoGrama Semi-finals including Barbadian Andre Forde. The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 21

Literary icon, Kamau Brathwaite celebrated during virtual event iterary icon, Professor the and celebrated on Tuesday during an Honourable, Edward Kamau online event presented by the National LBrathwaite was remembered Cultural Foundation (NCF). Held to mark what would have been the late Barbadian poet, writer and academic’s 91st birthday, it was entitled, “Words and Wisdom-celebrat- Nailah Imoja was the host of the NCF ing Kamau’s Birthday”. presented event, ‘Words and Wisdom- The virtual session, which opened celebrating Kamau’s Birthday’. with prayers by Bishop Marlon Jones, was hosted by Nailah Imoja. She thanked persons for attending as well Cyndi Celeste Marshall as she read the as pointed out “this event which poem, ‘The Dust’. features some of Barbados’ finest literary and spoken word artists allows panel discussion which focused on the NCF to continue its tradition of Brathwaite’s invaluable contribution educating us about our stalwarts while and his legacy. The panellists for the providing a forum for our current evening were Poet Laureate, Esther cultural practitioners in which to Phillips, Adrian Green and Robert thrive.” Edison Sandiford. During their The webinar featured readings of conversation, the trio took the time to Brathwaite’s work. One piece which share how Brathwaite has influenced was performed was the poem, ‘The them as a writer. Dust’ which comes from Brathwaite’s A member of the viewing audience collection “Rights of Passage” which during the session also got the chance was published in 1967. This was read to read their poem which was a tribute by Janine White, Matthew Murrell, to the late Kamau. One of Brathwaite’s T’afari Steede, Cyndi Celeste Marshall, outstanding achievements during his Irijah Nyzingha Alkins, Winston Farrell, life was being awarded the 2006 Kenneth Jack Lewis, Ayesha Gibson- International Winner of the Griffin Ayesha Gibson-Gill as she read her Gill and Winston Farrell. Poetry Prize. Adrian Green was one of the members part of the poem, ‘The Dust’. The virtual event also featured a (MG) of the panel during the virtual event. Rock and Roll hall of Fame 2021 inductees named THE Rock & Roll Hall of Fame revealed its 2021 inductees on Wednesday, marking the most diverse group by musical genre in the organisation’s history. To be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.

The full list of the new class follows below.

Performer Category: · Foo Fighters Tina Turner, Kraftwerk and LL Cool J have been announced as 2021 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. · The Go-Go’s · JAY-Z Musical Excellence Award: · Gil Scott Heron at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in · Carole King · LL Cool J · Charley Patton Cleveland, Ohio. · Todd Rundgren · Billy Preston The induction ceremony will air on HBO · Tina Turner · Randy Rhoads The 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of and be available to stream on HBO Max Ahmet Ertegun Award: Early Influence Award: Fame Induction Ceremony will take place at a later date. (HBO is owned by CNN's · Clarence Avant · Kraftwerk on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 8 p.m. ET parent company.) 22 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

‘Friends’ reunion special at HBO Max to premiere in May he long-delayed “Friends” Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt reunion special at HBO LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and TMax will finally be there David Schwimmer as they re- for you, with the streamer an- turn to the iconic comedy’s orig- nouncing the official premiere inal soundstage, Stage 24, on date. the Warner Bros. Studio lot in “Friends: The Reunion” will Burbank for an celebration of debut on HBO Max on May 27. the beloved show. Sources close In addition, HBO Max debuted to the project told Variety last the first teaser trailer for the year that each of the six stars special. would receive at least $2.5 mil- “Friends: The Reunion” will lion for participating in the spe- now debut on the one year cial. anniversary of the launch of It will also feature guest stars HBO Max and exactly one year including: David Beckham, after it was originally supposed Justin Bieber, BTS, James to air. However, the special was Corden, Cindy Crawford, Cara delayed multiple times due Delevingne, Lady Gaga, Elliott ‘Friends: The Reunion’ will debut on HBO Max on May 27. to the production shutdown Gould, Kit Harington, Larry caused by the COVID-19 Hankin, Mindy Kaling, Thomas along with “Friends” executive Productions and Bright/Kauff- tive produce. pandemic. It was originally set Lennon, Christina Pickles, Tom producers Kevin Bright, Marta man/Crane Productions. In 2020, all 10 seasons of to film in February 2020 but Selleck, James Michael Tyler, Kauffman, and David Crane. Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, “Friends” left Netflix and was only able to begin filming Maggie Wheeler, Reese Wither- The special hails from Warner Perry, and Schwimmer also joined HBO Max in a deal in April. spoon and Malala Yousafzai. Bros. Unscripted Television in executive produce. Emma Con- that is rumoured to have cost It will feature Friends” stars Ben Winston directed the spe- association with Warner way, James Longman and WarnerMedia over $400m for Jennifer Aniston, Courteney cial and executive produces Horizon, Fulwell 73 Stacey Thomas-Muir co-execu- the rights to the original series. Camila Cabello transforms into ‘Cinderella’ in first look photos

OUR first look at Camila by Cabello and Idina Menzel, Robert – to her Cinderella, Cabello as Cinderella is here, who plays her stepmother. Billy likely at the ball itself. no bibbidi-bobbidi-boo required. Porter, meanwhile, co-stars as “I think it’s this really bold Yesterday,Amazon revealed Cinderella’s fairy godmother, new take on this story,” two photos of the pop star- called “Fab G.” Galitzine previously told ET. turned-actress in her feature Neither appear in these first “The diversity that this movie film debut, as well as a new re- stills, however, which are represents is something very lease month: Cinderella will focused on Cabello’s Cinderella. unseen before in a lot of the stream on Prime Video in The first seemingly shows our fairy tales that we’re so familiar September. young heroine mid-musical with. The dance numbers are Writer-director Kay Cannon's number, fashioning what we bigger than they’ve ever been... take on the classic fairy tale can only assume is a gown fit Some different plot points, some comes with a “modern unique for a ball. new characters who I think the twist” and a “fresh, empowering The second shot is of Cabello audience will really, really perspective,” Amazon promises, and co-star Nicholas Galitzine, enjoy. It’s just, I think, a very as well as a soundtrack of pop who plays the Prince Charming different take on such a famil- song covers and original tracks – known in the movie as Prince iar fairy tale.”

Nicholas Galitzine plays the Prince Charming – Prince Robert in the movie. Pop star-turned-actress Camila Cabello as Cinderella. The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 23

Russia picks cast for movie to be shot in space ussia has picked four people to serve as nonprofessional crew Rmembers and actors in what is planned to be the first movie to be shot in outer space, Russia’s Roscosmos space agency said yesterday. Some of them are scheduled to be launched on a Soyuz MS-19 craft on October 5 to be delivered to the International Space Station, which orbits Earth at an altitude of around 220 miles (354 km), according to Roscosmos and NASA. “Among other things, they will have to take centrifuge tests, vibration stand tests, perform introductory and training flights on a zero-gravity plane, undergo parachute training," Roscosmos said. The film has the working title of The Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft is seen before docking to Rassvet module of the International Space Station (ISS), October “Challenge,” and the four will begin 14, 2020, in this picture taken by Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner from the International Space Station (ISS). training for space flight by the end of this month, the agency said. actor and director Klim Shipenko, 37, were nominated for a reserve crew. end to a long dependency as the United After a medical screening and as a to be included in the main crew. In October 2020, Russia sent the States revives its own crew launch cast for the drama, Russia has picked Actor Alena Mordovina, 33, together last crew carrying a US member to the capability in an effort to drive down 36-year-old actor Yulia Peresild and with camera director Alexei Dudin, 40, International Space Station, marking an the cost of sending astronauts to space. Gayle King weighs in on Tiffany Haddish possibly replacing Ellen DeGeneres GAYLE KING is down to see Tiffany out,” she continues. “She always just Haddish host her own talk show. wanted to make people feel better, Amid Ellen DeGeneres announcing always. And she has done that, she that season 19 of The Ellen DeGeneres has done that to those of us who watch Show would be her last, rumours sur- her show.” faced that the comedian, who has While next season might be De- guest-hosted the daytime talk show, Generes’ last, the CBS This Morning might be in the running to helm her co-host is “excited” for DeGeneres’ next own programme. chapter. “There’s nothing about leaving “I think that could be fun. That would on your own terms that’s very satisfy- be great fun,” King tells ET’s Kevin ing,” she says. Gayle King (l) with Tiffany Haddish. Frazer, ahead of her The Queen Carries King, meanwhile, is gearing up for On: A Gayle King Special. “They know her CBS special, The Queen Carries the special, they did talk to a slew of people that know her, we talked to she can do the job. Kelly Clarkson is On, which explores the extraordinary royal experts, friends of the queen, ladies in waiting, we talked to journal- doing great. So they’ve got some op- life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. former President Barack Obama, ists who have covered her for years, he tions, but there still is only one Ellen.” King says she's fascinated with the Paul McCartney and more. really was the love of her life,” King King admits she was “surprised that 95-year-old head of the British monar- “Those who know her say that she's says. “They met when she was very Ellen was going to end her talk show.” chy and her devotion to her country. got a wicked sense of humour, that she young and it’s so interesting to see “But I also understand. Look, she’s “She’s the longest-reigning monarch likes to laugh, she likes to tell a joke,” them when they were very young… But been doing it for 19 years, she’s been in history.Think about that. She took a King dishes. “That behind closed I just look at their relationship and the at the top of her game for the 19 years. vow when she was 21 that this would doors… they said that she really does love that they had for each other, it The work that Ellen has done, over be her life and she has put duty before enjoy a good laugh and I liked hearing really was a true love story. Some $300 million has been given to audi- anything and that continues,” King that.” people say, how will she move on? She ence members, over $70 million for expresses. “I think she’s just widely Many eyes are even more on the will move on because she really is the charity, and she really was a show that respected, widely admired and this is queen now after the death of her ultimate of keep calm and carry on. just makes you feel good when you really sort of a very different time for beloved husband, Prince Philip. The And she’s certainly done that.” watch it.” the queen.” two were married for 73 years. The Queen Carries On: A Gayle King “I love her personality, I love her take While she hasn’t met the queen, she “From all of the experts that we have Special will air tonight, May 14 at 8 pm on life and the way she would come would love to interview her one day. For talked to, the royal biographers and on CBS. 24 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Chrissy Teigen sorry for bullying on Twitter US model Chrissy Teigen has apologised ‘Attention seeking troll’ to TV personality “Not a lot of people are Courtney Stodden for lucky enough to be held bullying them online accountable for all their a decade ago. past... [comments] in front In 2011, Teigen of the entire world,” allegedly sent Stodden Teigen tweeted on messages on Twitter urg- Tuesday. ing them to take their “I’m mortified and sad Chrissy Teigen is a US model and celebrity. own life. at who I used to be. I was It was around the time an insecure, attention- try!!” “All of me wants to that Stodden rose to fame seeking troll. The star claimed she believe this is a sincere as the 16-year-old bride of “I am ashamed and had tried to contact apology, but it feels like actor Doug Hutchison, completely embarrassed Stodden privately, noting: a public attempt to save who was 50 at the time at my behaviour but that “I hope you [Stodden] can her partnerships with of their wedding. is nothing compared to heal now knowing how Target and other brands Stodden accepted the how I made Courtney deeply sorry I am.” who are realising her apology but said it may feel.” wokeness is a broken just be an attempt at Teigen added she will ‘Her wokeness is a bro- record.” limiting damage to “forever work” on being a ken record’ Stodden recently told Teigen's reputation. better person and try not Stodden, who recently The Daily Beast that Teigen, who is married to let down her 13.6m fol- came out as non-binary, other celebrities had com- to singer John Legend, lowers again. accepted the apology but mented on the relation- said she is now “ashamed “I have worked so hard questioned its sincerity ship. and completely embar- to give you guys joy and and accuracy. “People came out of the rassed” of her actions a be beloved, and the feel- “ accept her apology woodwork to beat up on a decade ago. ing of letting you down and forgive her,” Stodden kid because she was in a She recently returned is nearly unbearable, said. “But the truth situation that she should- to Twitter after having truly,” she continued. remains the same, I n’t have been in,” Stodden taken a break due to “These were not my have never heard from told the publication. being unable to handle only mistakes and surely her or her camp in pri- “There were a lot of the “negativity” on the won't be my last, as hard vate. In fact, she blocked celebrities acting like Bridge platform. as I try but god I will me on Twitter. playground bullies.” The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 25 SPORTSSPORTS Barbados Tridents announce 2021 retentions BARBADOS TRIDENTS RETENTIONS THE Barbados Tridents Hope, Kyle Mayers, Raymon Tridents have eight spots left upcoming 2021 season. Our have announced their Reifer, Justin Greaves, Nyeem JASON HOLDER to fill in their squad and the primary driving factor is the retentions for the 2021 Hero Young and Joshua Bishop. JOHNSON CHARLES remaining players will be Barbados Tridents family which Caribbean Premier League In addition to the local SHAI HOPE announced in the coming weeks. comprises our players, their which gets under way on 28 playing contingent the Tridents KYLE MAYERS Kailash Pardasani, Barbados extended families and all fans August in St Kitts & Nevis. have retained opening batsman HAYDEN WALSH JR Tridents Co-CEO, said: “We are across the globe. This together The Tridents welcome back Johnson Charles and leg RAYMON REIFER really excited to welcome back with our love and passion for the world’s number one rated spinner Hayden Walsh Jr who JUSTIN GREAVES our retained players and the game of cricket will enable Test all-rounder and Tridents’ was player of the tournament NYEEM YOUNG especially look forward to us to bring the Hero CPL 2021 captain Jason Holder, along when the Tridents claimed the JOSHUA BISHOP making Barbados and all title back home as we did in with fellow Barbadians Shai Hero CPL title in 2019. Tridents’ fans very proud in our 2019.” Captain Kraigg says “sky is the limit” as West Indies rise in Test rankings ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The The West Indies growth and progress is the West Indies team has made a result of the memorable 2-0 win away to significant move up the International Cricket Council’s Bangladesh and the hard-fought 0-0 draw in the (ICC) Test Match rankings, Sandals Test Series at home against Sri Lanka. following the release of the latest rankings yesterday Director of Cricket said: 3 rankings across all formats.” morning. West Indies moved up “I am pleased to see the Among the ICC MRF Tyres two places to sixth place, improvement from eighth to player rankings also unveiled, leapfrogging South Africa and sixth in our Test ranking. This Jason Holder remains the Sri Lanka. West indies are on comes on the back of good Number 1 Test all-rounder and 84 points ahead of the Proteas cricket played earlier in the is also our highest ranked Test (South Africa) on 80 and Sri year against Bangladesh and bowler at Number 8. Kemar Lanka on 78. India lead the Sri Lanka. Firstly we should Roach is the next highest at rankings on 121 with New recognize the efforts of the Number 12. Zealand (120), England (109), players and support staff on the Following the soon-to be Australia (108) and Pakistan ground who have delivered announced Test Series against (94). results under pressure and South Africa in June, the West The West Indies growth and secondly to the large number of Indies will then face fifth- progress is the result of the people working tirelessly in the ranked Pakistan in a Test memorable 2-0 win away to background to support them in Series due to played in August Bangladesh and the hard- the face of multiple challenges. 2021 as part of the next cycle of fought 0-0 draw in the Sandals We continue to work hard the ICC World Test Test Series at home against Sri towards our strategic goal of top Championship. West Indies moves up two places in Test Rankings. Lanka. It signals an overall rise for the team – last month it was announced they moved up one spot in the ICC One-Day International (ODI) rankings – following the 3-0 clean sweep over Sri Lanka in the CG Insurance ODI Series. Test Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was full of praise for his players and support staff. He said this is the beginning of the climb towards higher rankings. The experienced opener spoke to CWI Media yesterday morning from Bristol in England where he is playing for Gloucestershire in the County Championship. Brathwaite said: “I’m very proud of the team to jump two places in the Test rankings. I think this is just the beginning of good things to come. As a group it shows that we can climb up the ladder and it’s just important for us to work hard and keep the belief and attitude to doing things right – in the preparation and the execution on the field. Once we continue to do the small things right, and have the right attitude … because Test cricket is never easy… the sky is the limit.” West Indies Jason Holder (left) is still the number one alrounder and also the highest placed West Indian bowler on the indi- Jimmy Adams, CWI’s vidual rankings. 26 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Blackman, Del Castilho advance to American World Cup knockout rounds

LEADING Barbadian chess champion Julissa Figueroa players Justin Blackman (92nd) and the youthful Keon and Martyn Del Castilho Lashley (93rd) all finished with landed top half finishes to three points, while another advance to the knockout youngster, Tarquin Clark rounds of the American (103rd) ended with two points. World Cup 2021 The event was won by no. 6 Qualification Stage seed Brazilian International event. Master Roberto Molina who Both Blackman and Del finished with eight and a half Castilho earned five out of a points. Mark Polkin of Canada maximum nine points in last was second with seven and a weekend’s preliminary phase half points and Sebastian which was played as an online Sanchez of Colombia third with Justin Blackman was the highest placed finisher from the English-speaking Caribbean. event under the fast rapid seven points. format. In addition to Justin Blackman was joint 31st to Blackman and Del Castilho, emerge as the highest placed teenaged Jamaicans Darren finisher from the English- McKennis and Jaden Shaw speaking Caribbean while also earned five points to fellow FIDE Master Del progress to the knockout stage. Castilho placed 46th in the Justin Blackman and Del two-day event that attracted Castilho will join reigning 107 entrants from 16 countries. national triple crown champion The 29-year-old Blackman, Orlando Husbands in the the reigning Caribbean blitz knockout phase which starts champion who was seeded at on May 22. Husbands, the no. 43, enjoyed the satisfaction highest rated Barbadian in the of defeating two Cuban FIDE rankings, was entered International Masters with directly for the knockout stage. higher ratings – Gonzalez The knockout phase, which Lopez and Perez Diaz. will feature 128 competitors, Five other Barbadians will be played under a participated in the preliminary significantly longer time phase of the event which was control – games are expected organised by the Confederation to last more than four hours – of Chess for Americas. Veteran and will be contested in a Cyprian La Touche (88th), five- hybrid format where players in time national women’s one country assemble at a champion Katrina Blackman single location to play their (89th), fellow Woman games online on their Candidate Master and one- computers under the Martyn Del Castilho also advanced to the knockout phase. time national women’s supervision of arbiters. Olympic champion Biles returning to competition on May 22 INDIANAPOLIS – Simone Fort Worth, Texas, with the Biles is back to competing. U.S. Olympic trials set The reigning Olympic for St. Louis at the end of next gymnastics champion will month. return to competition for the The Classic will also mark first time in more than 18 the return of 2008 Olympic months at the U.S. Classic next silver medalist Chellsie week in Indianapolis. Memmel. The 32-year-old The 24-year-old Biles – a Memmel retired in the fall of heavy favorite to defend her 2012 but began planning a Olympic title in Tokyo this comeback last summer. summer – hasn’t taken the The stacked field also floor since winning her fifth includes two-time Olympic world all-around championship medalist Laurie Hernandez, in October 2019. 2017 world all-around The event set for Saturday, champion Morgan Hurd and May 22 is the first in a busy world gold medalists Sunisa stretch for the top American Lee, Jade Carey, Kara Eaker, gymnasts. The national Grace McCallum, Riley championships are scheduled McCusker and MyKayla for the first weekend in June in Skinner. Simone Biles is back to competing. The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 27

Spain’s La Liga Colombian footballers call for league halt THE union of Colombian from Colombia to situation that affects the Colombia is set to host the moves to ESPN with footballers on Thursday Paraguay and Ecuador entire country and puts first of 15 games in the called on authorities to last week due to the our wellbeing at risk is not Copa America halt all domestic matches unrest and Wednesday resolved, we ask you not to tournament that is played 8-year agreement because of political night’s game between schedule any more games by the 10 countries of instability in the country, Junior and River Plate in domestic tournaments.” South America. SPAIN’S La Liga is hoping just a month before the was marred when some of In an open letter the The tournament is the that their deal with ESPN Copa America is due to the players felt the effects union said “professional oldest in international finally puts them on the kick off in both Colombia of tear gas that wafted footballers stand with the football and is being held same footing in the United and Argentina. into the stadium from Colombians who are by two countries for the States as their English and Colombia has been hit outside. demanding a better first time, with Colombia German soccer counter- by a wave of protests since In an appeal to the country.” and Argentina sharing the parts. late April with riot police Colombian Football The move comes just 25 duties. ESPN will take over wielding tear gas and stun Association, the league days before the national The kick-off is in Buenos English- and Spanish-lan- grenades clashing with and their own clubs, side is due to face Aires on June 13 and the guage rights to La Liga crowds in many of the players with the Argentina in a World Cup final is scheduled for the when next season begins country’s biggest cities. Acolfutpro union said that qualifier in Barranquilla. Colombian city of in August as part of an Four games were moved “until the public order And on June 14, Barranquilla on July 10. eight-year agreement announced on Thursday. La Liga, which features Barcelona and Lionel Madrid wins to keep up Messi, has been televised by BeIN Sport since the 2012-13 season. La Liga established a pressure on Atlético in La Liga North American office in 2018 in a joint venture with MADRID – Real Relevent Sports and has Madrid is not letting been trying to gain more of up in its quest to catch a foothold in America. But Atlético Madrid and being on a network with a repeat as Spanish limited reach has been a league champion. hindrance. Madrid won 4-1 at “The U.S. is the most im- Granada on Thursday to portant market for the Barcelona's Lionel stay within range of league outside of Spain. It Messi leader Atlético entering has been a priority for La the final two rounds. Liga to get our product 380 La Liga matches next Luka Modric and closer to our fans here,”La season, and some will be Rodrigo scored in the first Liga North America CEO televised on ESPN’s net- half and Álvaro Odriozola Boris Gartner said.“It was works. The twice-a-season and Karim Benzema clear to get to that next step El Clásicos between added goals in the second we needed to find another Barcelona and Real to leave the defending partner. And honestly, Madrid are the most- champions two points when we started thinking viewed domestic league behind Atlético, which about this, we always knew games worldwide and are won 2-1 at Real Sociedad that we wanted to be in this likely to be on ABC. on Wednesday to close in project with ESPN.” Gartner said the league on its first league title BeIN was in the first sea- would work with ESPN to since 2014. son of a four-year deal be- find an optimal match time “We will keep putting fore La Liga bought back if El Clásico were to end up pressure on Atlético and the final three seasons. on broadcast television. For hope that it doesn’t win ESPN executive vice pres- most if the year, Spain is one of its last two ident of programming six hours ahead of New matches,” Madrid Burke Magnus said he York, meaning a 9 p.m. goalkeeper Thibaut wasn’t expecting rights to start in Spain would be 3 Courtois said. “We be available until he was p.m. Eastern and noon showed that we will keep Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal approached by La Liga. Pacific. winning and that they during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Granada and Real Madrid “It helps us both achieve “For us the passionate won’t have any margin at Los Carmenes stadium in Granada, Spain, yesterday. our objectives,” he said.“For fans that go to a stadium for error.” us, it’s exclusive, compre- every week in Spain are as Third-place Barcelona victories. Madrid goalkeeper’s leg after a defenders. Zidane had to hensive and long term.” important as those that was still in contention theoretically has more nice lob pass by youngster start the match with a BeIN Sports has limited wake up early in the morn- despite falling four points difficult matches, though, Miguel Gutiérrez, and few “B” team players, distribution in the U.S. ing in America to watch off the lead after being at ninth-place Athletic Rodrygo added to the lead including Gutiérrez and with fewer than 15 million their team play. We want held 3-3 at Levante on Bilbao and at home with a low shot from Marvin. Toni Kroos subscribers, narrowing the to make it as accessible to Tuesday after against seventh-place inside the area in first- stayed on the bench, visibility of Messi, Real all of them as possible,” he squandering 2-0 and 3-2 Villarreal in the final half injury time. while Marco Asensio and Madrid and Atlético said. leads. round. The hosts pulled one Eden Hazard came on Madrid. ESPN announced With two matches re- Madrid, seeking back- “We will give closer through Jorge during the second half. on Thursday that there are maining this season, to-back league titles for everything we’ve got until Molina off the rebound of 13.8 million subscribers to Atlético Madrid, which is the first time since the the last minute,” Madrid a Courtois save in the Other results the ESPN+ streaming seeking its first title since 2007-08 seasons, has the coach Zinedine Zidane 71st, but Madrid quickly Villarreal kept alive its service, which just had its 2004, is two points ahead of advantage in the head-to- said. added to the lead to seal hopes of securing a third anniversary. Real Madrid. head tiebreaker against Barcelona, trying to the victory with goals by Europa League spot by ESPN+ has experienced Gartner said La Liga is both Barcelona and win the league for the Odriozola in the 75th and winning 2-0 at Valladolid steady growth through the still exploring the possibil- Atlético. third time in the last four Benzema in the 76th, the with second-half goals by acquisition of soccer rights, ity of playing a regular-sea- A draw by Atlético in seasons, has its last two latter a long-range strike Gerard Moreno and including Germany’s son match in the United one its final two matches matches against eighth- into the open net after Etienne Capoue. The Bundesliga, England’s FA States the next couple sea- — against midtable place Celta Vigo at home Granada goalkeeper Rui result left Valladolid Cup, League Cup and sec- sons. Barcelona and Real Osasuna and relegation- and at last-place Eibar. Silva was caught away inside the relegation ond-tier League Madrid met in Miami in threatened Valladolid – Modric opened the from his area. zone. Championship, and Spain’s 2017 during the preseason would be enough to allow scoring for Madrid in the Madrid got the win Sixth-place Real Betis Copa del Rey. International Champions Madrid to win the title 17th minute with a shot despite playing without later drew 1-1 with at ESPN+ will stream all Cup tournament. with two consecutive that went through the several regular starting last-place Eibar. 28 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Rolling Hills, St. George Man U loses to Liverpool 12,000 sq ft $310,000 (negotiable) MANCHESTER, this season.” England – The beefed- While United is Ocean City, St. Philip 6150 sq ft $123,000 up defense outside Old unbeaten on the road, this Trafford was more was a sixth loss of the Fortesque, St Philip robust than Premier League season at Agricultural Land TEL: 247-4469 494,500 sq ft $1,100,000 Manchester United’s a home that will have the CEL: 284-4667 on the pitch inside. fans back inside next 253-6319 Silver Sands, While United week for the first time Christ Church supporters again since before the pandemic Email: 7,129 sq ft $160,000 caribbeanpropertiesltd protested against the in March 2020. Never @gmail.com Bushy Park, St. Philip owning Glazer family before in the Premier 24,000 sq ft $190,000 –facing riot police and League has United PROPERTIES Apes Hill, St. James new steel barriers to conceded as many as 27 Kirtons, St Philip 31,000 sq ft upward guard the entrances –the home goals in a season. 3 bedroom plus Large lots at $15 per sq ft game against Liverpool It was a Liverpool 2 bedroom apt 4,790 sq ft $685,000 Mount Wilton, St. Thomas went ahead as planned defender, though, who 15,500 sq ft and 22,066 sq ft after being called off 11 helped United go ahead Amity Lodge, Ch Ch $300,000 and $220,000 days earlier when some when Nat Phillips 3 bedroom plus fans were able to storm accidentally helped to 1 bedroom apt Union, St. Philip 6,646 sq ft $650,000 7560 sq ft the pitch. divert the shot from $150,000 United might have Fernandes into the net. Gibbons, Ch Ch wished it hadn’t, losing 4- “We started quite slow,” 3 bedroom plus Thorpes, St. James 2 bedroom apt 11,376 sq ft with structure 2 for its first home defeat Philips said. “We knew, 9,835 sq ft $235,000 against its fiercest rival despite the things that $675,000 (reduced) since Jürgen Klopp took were happening at the Cottage, St George charge of Liverpool six start, we had an extra Breezy Hill, St Philip 5000 sq ft 3 bedroom, 2 bath $110,000 (negotiable) years ago after Diogo Jota gear. So I didn’t feel too reduced to $298,000 scored twice. worried.” Morningside, St Philip Not only was this But from a corner, Black Rock, St Michael 4567 sq ft $133,000 3 bedroom, 1 bath United’s third game since Mohamed Salah’s blocked 6732 sq ft $360,000 Jupiter Gardens, St Peter Sunday –with this shot was not cleared and 7312 sq ft rearranged fixture a follow-up effort from Enterprise, Christ Church $133,000 (negotiable) 3 bedroom, 2 bath squeezed into the week Phillips was flicked in by 5062 sq ft Bagatelle, St. Thomas –but the players had to Jota in the 34th minute. $390,000 (reduced) 62000 sq ft into 2 lots get to the stadium much “It was only a matter of $520,000 each, or earlier than usual after time because we turned it The Belle, St George $1M for both Plantation style House being unable to leave around,” Philips said, “got Standing on 4 acres Marley Vale, St Philip their hotel on May 2 due ourselves together and $1.1M 21,780 sq ft $275,000 to the protests at Old started to play the way we Frere Pilgrim, Sandford, St Philip Trafford. should do.” Christ Church 16,356 sq ft $300,000 “The players handled And Liverpool entered 3 bedroom, 2 baths with the situation well,” United halftime in the lead after two bedroom apartment. manager Ole Gunnar Firmino rose above Paul 4,387 sq ft. $850,000 COMMERCIAL Solskjaer said. “None of Pogba to meet a free kick Hanson Heights, St George Mount Standfast, St James them have been from Trent Alexander- 8321 sq ft $595,000 Two properties on complaining. They have Arnold. 22,714 sq ft. Ealing Grove, Asking $1,200,000 got on with it. The “We conceded goals at Christ Church preparations have been very bad times of the 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths Black Rock, St. Michael different. We’re not going games,” Solskjaer said. 9320 sq ft $565,000 Warehouse/Storage 4000 sf space 23,861 sq ft to make an excuse of “Conceding before LOTS FOR SALE $900,000 (reduced) that.” halftime was a kick in the He also downplayed the teeth.” Boarded Hall, Foul Bay, St. Philip sloppy defensive display, There was another one Christ Church Approved for condos, 10,429 sq ft $157,000 39,242 sq ft $1,600,000. which was more inside two minutes of the demoralizing than second half. Westbury Road, St Michael Dover, Christ Church impactful given United Fred was exposed 2,520 sq ft $45,360 Hotel 18 rooms fully operational $2,950,000 neg has a four-point cushion playing out from the back Goodland Gardens, under offer in second place with two and the errors continued Christ Church games remaining. with Luke Shaw 9,605 sq ft $145,000 Dalkeith, Christ Church 17,371 sq ft approved for “Football would be dispossessed before Nursery Road, St Philip shops and offices really boring if no one Alexander-Arnold had a 9,266 sq ft $139,000 $495,000 made a mistake,” shot spilled by Dean Solskjaer said. “You try to Henderson and Firmino Lashley Road, St Philip Roebuck Street, 5,839 sq ft, $150,000 Bridgetown eradicate them and work took advantage to score Shopping Mall/Office space on them.” his eighth of the league Salters, St George $8,100,000 negotiable For Liverpool, which campaign. 2 lots 32,760 sq ft, $230,000 Batts Rock, St Michael was playing its first game Just when United Cave Hill Drive, St. Lucy Guest House, 12,078 sq ft since its reign as looked to be capitulating, 14,876 sq ft. $110,000 $2,850,000 negotiable champion was officially Marcus Rashford pulled ended by Manchester one back in the 68th Bushy Park, St. Philip Cane Garden, St Thomas 17,000 sq ft $170,000 3.6 acres approved City, the win means the minute. After initially Roadfront reset target of just passing to Edinson Inchcape, St. Philip $1,650,000 negotiable making the Champions Cavani, Rashford made 4355 sq ft $ 96,000 Fitts Village, St James League is still a the run to receive the ball Belle, St. George Guest House, 4 Suites possibility. With three back and then slide a shot 4 acres $400,000 6,135 sq ft games remaining, past goalkeeper Alisson $750,000 negotiable Liverpool is four points Becker. Haggatt Hall, St. Michael 6336 sq ft $126,000 Mason Hill Street The City behind fourth-place There would be no Under Offer 26,500 sq ft with buildings Chelsea with a game in United comeback, though. $4,000,000 negotiable hand. Nemanja Matic gave Cane Garden, St. Thomas 7,000 sf to 18,000 sq ft All enquiries to “I like the timing. we the ball away in the 90th Private entrance. (246) 253 6319/ 828-4800 needed it tonight the minute and Curtis Jones From $187,681 or (246) 247 4469 most,” Klopp said of passed down the middle Ragged Point, St. Philip finally winning at United. for Salah to run onto and 8,267 sq ft $166,000 “We always play to win then curl a low shot past we just didn’t see it often Henderson. The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 29

Nadal, Djokovic into Italian Open QFs as fans return

RAFAEL NADAL saved Slam singles title at the two match points to French Open starting on overcome a huge test 30 May,as well as a record- from Denis Shapovalov extending 14th Roland and reach the Italian Garros title. Open quarter-finals. He may have won this The Spaniard was a set match on Thursday but it and a break down but still raised question marks outlasted the Canadian to over the Spaniard’s form win 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in a before the French Open, near three-and-a-half-hour even if his determination contest. to win was as strong as Nadal, chasing a 10th ever. title in Rome, forced a He was beaten in the Spectators were allowed into the Italian Open yesterday for the first time this week. third-set tie-break by Madrid quarter-finals by saving match points Alexander Zverev last also went a break down in said 34-year-old Nadal, great. I missed the crowd,” had been “at least 20-30% at 6-5. week and at the same stage the third set. That, along- who plays Germany’s the five-time champion better" than against Meanwhile, Novak in Monte Carlo by Andrey side some struggles with Zverev on Friday for a Djokovic, 33, said. American Taylor Fritz in Djokovic reached his 15th Rublev last month. his serve and the match place in the semi-finals. “It was nice to see them his opening match on Rome quarter-final in Although he won the points he faced, were yet “To be able to win these back.” Tuesday,when he directed a row. Barcelona title in April, more dents in the aura of kind of matches against After losing his opening a furious outburst towards The world number one Nadal had to save a cham- invincibility he has exuded young players gives me service game against the umpire over the play- and defending champion pionship point to beat on the clay for so many confidence with my body.” Davidovich Fokina, ing conditions and had dropped his opening serve Stefanos Tsitsipas in the years. The previous rounds of Djokovic went on to out- been prone to errors. but recovered immediately final. “It was a really difficult the tournament had been class the Spanish qualifier Djokovic will take on to beat Spanish qualifier Against 22-year-old match, the score was held behind closed doors - who staged some late re- fifth seed Stefanos Alejandro Davidovich Shapovalov he saved a against me almost all the but on Thursday the venue sistance by saving five Tsitsipas for a place in the Fokina 6-2 6-1. break point that would time, but I was there, I was welcomed back spectators match points – in a clinical last four after the Greek Nadal will bid for a have put the Canadian 4-0 fighting all the time, I did- with 25% capacity allowed. display. beat Italy’s Matteo record 21st men’s Grand up in the second set and n’t give away anything,” “It was not good, it was He said his performance Berrettini 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Britons Murray & Broady lose in doubles second round at ‘Rome Masters’

ANDY MURRAY says his He will be hoping he “I got four practices with happy I came over here, served well, which made it whether to award him a time in Rome this week showed enough fitness and top-20 players, which is learned a bit about difficult. wildcard into the main was “positive” despite a form to persuade French good," said the three-time my game and where I’m “But it was good to feel draw of the French Open, second-round defeat Open organisers to give Grand Slam singles at." what it was like in match which starts on May 30, alongside Liam Broady in him a wildcard. champion, whose hitting Murray and Broady beat conditions again after quite but if they do not then the Italian Open doubles. Murray,who had been in partners here included Australians Max Purcell a long period for me. the Scot will seek to The Britons lost 6-3 6-4 the Italian capital to world number one Novak and Luke Saville 5-7 7-6 “I did pretty well physi- come through qualifying to Germany’s Kevin Kra- practise with some of the Djokovic. (7-5) 10-6 in the first round cally for the first points and for the clay-court Grand wietz and Romania’s Horia world's leading players “If we hadn’t got into the on Wednesday. practice sets at this level Slam. Tecau, the eighth seeds. before a late entry into the doubles I maybe would “Today didn't feel that for a long time. I was happy Tournament director Scot Murray, 33, was doubles with Broady have got one more before great on the court, I with that and hopefully Guy Forget said on playing his second compet- as alternates, is hoping to heading off but I got didn’t play that well in will keep building the Wednesday that former itive match since early return to singles action a couple of matches comparison to yesterday next few weeks.” world number one March following a groin in Lyon or Geneva next instead. [Wednesday],” Murray Tournament organisers Murray “sure deserves” a injury. week. “It was positive, I’m said. “The other guys will decide next week wildcard. World number one Barty to play Gauff in Italian Open quarter-finals WORLD number one Ashleigh Barty set Williams, and she has since underlined up an intriguing quarter-final against her credentials as one to watch by beating American teenager Coco Gauff other top players, including Naomi Osaka at the Italian Open. at the 2020 Australian Open. Australian Barty beat Russia’s Yesterday’s victory over world number Veronika Kudermetova 6-3 6-3, while four Sabalenka was the teenager’s sec- Gauff earned a 7-5 6-3 win over Aryna ond over a top-five player and comes Sabalenka, who won last week’s event in against someone who was in good form on Madrid. clay, with the Belarusian having beaten Gauff, widely tipped for a bright future Barty in last week’s Madrid final. after high-profile wins, has never played Six of the top 10 women have been Barty in singles before. knocked out in Rome, including Osaka, de- “It will be great to see where my level fending champion Simona Halep and is,” Gauff said. American Serena Williams. “I mean, she’s the number one player in French Open champion Iga Swiatek, the world. I have no pressure on me. however, is into the quarter-finals after “I’m just going to go out there and see the 19-year-old Pole saved two match what I can do and try my best.” points in a 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 win over It is the fourth quarter-final of the year Barbora Krejcikova. for Gauff, who rose to prominence with Swiatek will face Elina Svitolina in the her stunning run to the fourth round of last eight after the Ukrainian fifth seed Wimbledon in 2019 as a 15-year-old. won 6-4 6-2 against Spain’s two-time That run included victory over seven- Grand Slam champion Garbine A good run in Rome would be ideal preparation for Ashleigh Barty for the French time Grand Slam champion Venus Muguruza. Open, which starts on May 30. 30 • Friday May 14, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Top French jockey Pierre-Charles Ralph Lauren ends sponsorship Boudot under investigation for rape with Thomas A FRENCH champion jockey has been placed under formal investiga- after he uses tion for rape. Pierre-Charles Boudot, 28, is accused of assaulting a woman at a party homophobic slur in February. He denies any wrongdoing. Boudot, who won the Prix de l’Arc de APPAREL company Ralph Lauren said Triomphe in 2019, has been released on Friday that they were discontinuing on 50,000 euros (£43,000; $60,000) bail. their sponsorship of 13-time PGA Tour Another jockey, Pierre Bazire, is also winner Justin Thomas after he used a being investigated for failing to report homophobic slur during the third round a crime. Bazire does not appear to have of the Sentry Tournament of Champions publicly commented. in Hawaii last week. The governing body of the sport in The world number three was heard via France, France Galop, said that while both a television microphone uttering the slur men were presumed innocent, it had after missing a five-foot putt on the fourth decided to suspend them for two days due hole last Saturday. He later apologised, to the seriousness of the charges, pending saying he made a “terrible judgment call” a further hearing. in the incident. Boudot, who has been France’s top “We are disheartened by Mr. Thomas’s jockey three times, won Europe’s richest recent language, which is entirely race – the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – in inconsistent with our values,” Ralph 2019 on Waldgeist when the pair denied Lauren said in a written statement. Enable, ridden by Frankie Dettori, a record Champion French jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot. “While we acknowledge that he has third win in the race. apologized and recognizes the severity of The suspension meant that the French the alleged assault took place at a party that her client “categorically” denied the his words, he is a paid ambassador of jockey missed the ride on 2020 Arc on February 17. accusation, and said that the encounter our brand and his actions conflict with runner-up In Swoop at Paris Longchamp “It’s highly likely she was made to drink had been consensual. the inclusive culture that we strive to racecourse in Paris yesterday. or administered substances to make Boudot has also been named as a uphold.” The formal investigation was her incapable of consent,” she said. witness in another rape investigation The company added that it hoped announced by prosecutors in Senlis, “She has flashes, long periods, moments dating back to 2015. He has maintained the 27-year-old, who won the PGA in northern France, on Wednesday. when her body was no longer his innocence in the case, in which the Championship in 2017,“does the hard and The complainant’s lawyer Justine responding.” woman also alleged she was drugged necessary work in order to partner with Devred told AFP news agency that Boudot’s lawyer, however, told AFP before being raped. us again.” The Barbados Advocate Friday May 14, 2021 • 31

P R O HOROSCOPES S

Aries - In business and finance, try not to set your A sights too high. Take one cautious step at a time. A N restless mood could lead you into making a hasty D decision or foolish announcement you might later C regret. A big purchase could put you in financial O difficulties if you don't curb your spending. N Taurus - An incident or situation today will draw S attention to the crack that's appearing in a close relationship. There has been some tension between you for some time. You felt that the best way to deal with this was to ignore it but since this isn't working, it is time for you both to talk. Gemini - A situation is giving you cause for concern. A youngster's behaviour may make you wonder Z whether they are worried about something. A relative could be insisting they are coping well I when they aren't. If you sense there's more going on T than you are being made aware of, ask more S questions. Show your concern. Cancer - Sometimes the best way to deal with contentious situations is to take a step back. You're trying to fix a problem but other people are argumentative. Someone has a habit of interfering and causing further problems. Walk away and leave them to it. You have better things to do with your time. R Leo - If you get a chance to pause and recoup your E energy, take it. You can't keep pushing your body to X its limit. Be open about your feelings. The more willing you are to share your thoughts, the easier M it will be for other people to understand you. O R Virgo - You are tempted to make a few changes in G your usual routine. It would be wise to consider A what has caused this current state of restlessness N before making a move. You may not be keen to continue with your usual responsibilities but if someone you work with has fallen ill, you may not have a lot of choice. Libra - Delays in getting started on the final stage of a project you were hoping to get completed, cannot be avoided. Money may lie at the root of the P problem. In your impatience, avoid anything foolish to do with money. What might seem like a H small risk could lead to a string of unwanted A financial problems. N T Scorpio - Issues that caused tension and misunder- O standings can now be satisfactorily resolved. Arguments over money have come between you M and a partner. You will now agree on a compromise. Everything is in place for you to have a chance to turn a special dream into reality. Sagittarius - Someone is sure you are on track to achieving a joint goal. You can't see it happening but you will let continue with your half of the bargain M and hopefully they will prove you wrong. Although you aren't expecting wonders, you could be A surprised. Tying up loose ends of a number of R commitments will leave room in your life for new Y future possibilities. W Capricorn - Keep the lines of communication open at work, at home and in your social life. An ideal O chance will come your way for you and a partner to R get to understand each other better. If this is what T you want, don't waste this opportunity. If a close H friend hasn't been in touch for a while it could be because they're feeling low. Don't wait for them to call you.

Aquarius - Get an early start while your energy M levels are high. If you've been wanting to launch a O new project, now is a good time to take action. T The preparatory work has already been done so H you have no excuses. If you delay this any longer you might never get it going. E R Pisces - You resent demands being made on you when you feel that there are others who could be G sharing these responsibilities. If someone is O expecting you to do them another favour, speak O your mind immediately. Your interest in a group S project is starting to wane because no one else seems E to be taking this seriously. Barbados Tridents announce 2021 retentions

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Friday May 14, 2021 PRAISE FOR Nurses hailed for their diligent efforts NURSES amidst pandemic

THE Caribbean Movement International Medical Solidarity 12, 1820 to August 13, 1910, was for Peace and Integration re- Programme that are saving the a nurse, but also a social reformer cently expressed apprecia- lives of many poor and powerless and widely known as the founder tion for nurses, not only from people. Our Movement also ex- of modern nursing. She became Barbados, but also those from tends our solidarity with the known as “The Lady with the Ghana and Cuba, who are Barbadian nurses that are doing Lamp”, after helping wounded working diligently in this everything to save the lives of soldiers in the Crimean War and country to save lives. Barbadian people, during this later established the Nightingale The praise for both local and COVID-19 period. Long live the School of Nursing at St. Thomas’ foreign nurses working in the relationship between the Cuban, Hospital in London. field of nursing right here in Ghanian and Barbadian Nurses,” Meanwhile, the theme which Barbados and by extension all Denny remarked. was set for International Nurses over the world, came this week International Nurses Day is an Day by the International Council on International Nurses Day, international day observed of Nurses, was “Nurses:A Voice to from David Denny, General around the world on May 12th of Lead – A vision for future health- Secretary of the Caribbean each year, to mark the contribu- care”. Movement for Peace and tions that nurses make to society. The International Council of Integration. It is marked on the anniversary of Nurses noted, “International “Our Movement stands in soli- the birth of Florence Nightingale. Nurses Day 2021 aims to look David Denny, General Secretary of the Caribbean Movement darity with those in the Cuban Nightingale, who lived from May NURSES on Page 6 for Peace and Integration. Finance and planning key in climate change policies

COUNTRIES in Latin America growth through the planning and mate policies actions which can and the Caribbean must include public finance prism. promote growth in the short finance and planning perspec- It has meanwhile been noted term, while also strengthening tives to their climate policies and that the climate crisis can result resiliency and social develop- commitments in their Nationally in a potential poverty trap for ment. Determined Contributions countries in Latin America, that “Achieving a comprehensive co- (NDCs), if they expect to deliver do not step-up their investments ordination is only possible if fi- on their Paris Agreement objec- in both gradual adaptation meas- nance and planning ministries tives and promote a sustainable ures as well as adaptive capacity. assume a leadership role, by en- recovery. The impacts of the pandemic suring that tax policy and re- These are the findings, accord- make this scenario more dra- source allocation prioritizes this ing to a new publication from the matic. This is, in part, the result intersectoral approach,” said the Inter-American Development of an increase in the frequency of former Minister of Finance of Bank (IDB), which shows the re- extreme weather events and Colombia and co-author of the sults of a joint study between losses associated with climate study, Mauricio Cárdenas. Columbia University’s Center on change. However, only four countries Global Energy Policy and the Achieving sustainable develop- in the region surveyed in 2020 IDB’s Sustainable Energy and ment in the region, according to have reported the inclusion of a Climate Change Initiative. The the publication entitled “Climate financial strategy document in study provides examples of inte- Policies in Latin American and their NDC strategies and even grated sustainable agendas in the Caribbean: Success Stories within this limited group, the un- Barbados and Colombia, and how and Challenges in the Fight derstanding of what a financial more ambitious second rounds of Against Climate Change”, re- strategy should include varies NDCs are being developed by quires a combination of environ- greatly. Chile, Costa Rica, Argentina, and mental and economic policies, to “The good news is that, in prac- Uruguay, amongst others. At deliver a comprehensive and tice, some countries in the region their core is the decision to align mainstreamed climate policy so- have been implementing success- Juan Pablo Bonilla, Manager of the IDB’s Climate Change environmental policy while ad- lution. The study identifies and ful climate policies coordinated and Sustainable Development Sector. dressing social and economic argues in favour of multiple cli- CLIMATE on Page 5

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