WEDNESDAY AUGUST 2021 | ISSUE 268 | WWW.POINTVILLE.AG

TRIBUTES NO END: THE COMEBACK KID IMMORTALIZED! SEE PAGES 4-6 INSIDE: COVID active cases pass 100! Disease accelerates destruction of coral reefs! UK commits to absorbing Afghan refugees

WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 PAGE 2 EDITORIAL On the question of personal freedoms

Even the most rabid But perhaps the most services such as banking, troduced. Again, it’s worth opponent of the govern- strident call from the insurance, taxi, vendors repeating, the measures ment has conceded that protestors was for liber- and store owners. As one may be unpopular but – it has done a remarkably ty to ‘exercise their own economist stated, when importantly – they have good job in containing the personal rights’. The un- the tourism river dries up, worked! spread of the COVID-19 fortunate development all the industries that rely Now to the issue of per- virus. Measures instituted surrounding these calls on it are adversely affect- sonal freedoms: The by the government begin- for personal freedom and ed. Constitution guarantees ning in March 2020 have for Constitutional rights The measures imple- freedom of assembly, been effective in keeping have all ignored one key mented here in Anti- freedom of speech, and the spread of the virus at a factor: there are no ab- gua and Barbuda all fall other freedoms. It bears minimum. solute personal or other within the parameters of repeating, there are no It was notable that the rights guaranteed by the what other governments absolute freedoms. It is attorney for Freedom Constitution. around the world have in- not allowed to go into Fighters, Leon Chaku In fact, in some national Symester, in a moment of crises, the Constitution complete honesty, cred- allows governments to ited the government for take unusual steps that keeping the spread of the may include suspension virus at a minimum. of personal rights and Ironically, this acknowl- freedoms of individuals in edgment of the gov- favour of a national good. ernment’s successes in The current pandemic managing the crisis is an has affected all nations. integral part of the ar- But it is perhaps more gument from the peo- acutely felt in countries ple who took part in the such as Antigua and Bar- March of Sunday August buda that rely so heavily 8, 2021. They claimed on tourism. that due to the successes With tourism hurting, in containing the virus, that pain is felt through- there were no need for out the entire commu- a state of emergency or nity, affecting govern- for enforcing some of the ment’s revenues as well health protocols. as a myriad of ancillary

Cont’d on pg 3 WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 EDITORIAL PAGE 3 a crowded room and shout ‘fire’ COVID-19. Some governments ment for all its workers. The tests when there is none. Such an act have, however, strongly recom- are free! Again, the request falls could ignite panic and cause a mended that their frontline work- within what other governments stampede which may lead to the ers ought to be vaccinated.Here in have introduced. Many years ago, deaths of many innocent people. Antigua and Barbuda, we have had King Short Shirt sang about ‘the In a public health emergency, a number of incentives for people unscrupulous politicians’ who are such as the one which the entire to get vaccinated. These include prepared to lead the people astray world is experiencing, government free gas, shopping vouchers, and to satisfy narrow political ends. must take action to protect the lives a raffle for a parcel of land, among The unfortunate development is and livelihoods of the collective. In others. No one has been forced to that unscrupulous politicians have doing so, some personal freedoms take the vaccine against his/her been manipulating individuals have had to be suspended in the will. The responsibility of the gov- who, understandably, want an end interest of public safety. Asking res- ernment, however, goes beyond to the health protocols by suggest- idents to wear masks in public, to one individual group of people in ing their rights and freedoms are socially distance, and not to con- its employment. being abridged. It is a lie! To prove gregate in crowds of more than 25 Therefore, part of the measures in- the point, ask any of the politicians persons, all fall within the univer- troduced is for the non-vaccinated who have (from the shadows) been sally accepted ‘new normals’ of this public sector workers to present a orchestrating the protests and an- global health pandemic. COVID-19 negative test result ev- ti-vaccine campaign, ‘What would No government in the Caribbe- ery two weeks. This is to ensure that you do differently?’ an has mandated vaccination for it is providing a safe work environ- Selah! PAGE 4 LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 A national salute for National Hero, Sir Lester B. Bird

The nation of Antigua and National Hero, Sir so that they too could pay of gigantic contributions and Barbuda, through its Lester Bryant Bird. tribute to the fallen hero. to the nation. parliament, paused on The occasion was a spe- Prime Minister Gaston “Our National Hero, Sir Tuesday to salute the con- cial joint sitting of the par- Browne, who led the trib- Lester Bird, gave over 40 tributions to the country’s liament where the House utes, described Sir Lester years to the development socio-political develop- of Representatives invited as a “towering giant” who of this country. He gave ment made by the late members of the Senate to was not only tall in stature all his adult life to pub- former prime minister participate in the sitting at 6ft 4in, but also a man lic service and he was

Cont’d on pg 5 WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 LOCAL NEWS PAGE 5

Sir Lester B. Bird the individual who made the sec- world stage, particularly his annu- years in politics. He also recalled ond largest contribution to the so- al addresses at the United Nations’ some of the ‘fights’ that were en- cio-economic advancement of the General Assembly, during which countered as Sir Lester announced state of Antigua and Barbuda,” he he often brought the international plans to implement major projects noted. focus on issues of concern to small such as the Heritage Quay Pier and PM Browne described Sir Lester island developing states. Shopping Center. as a man who possessed many tal- In their tributes, both Sir Robin According to Sir Robin, despite ents; from athletics, to cricket, to Yearwood and Sir Molwyn Joseph opposition from within the gov- oratory, as well as an intellect. “He spoke of Sir Lester’s personal influ- ernment and outside, Sir Lester was easily one of the most talented ences on their lives and careers. For was determined to see the project individuals ever to grace the shores Sir Robin, he noted that they were through, and that determination of Antigua and Barbuda,” Browne elected to the House of Represen- is evidenced by the Heritage Quay declared. tatives at the same time and that development, a major hub for The prime minister also spoke of Sir Lester took him under his wings cruise tourism in the country. Sir Lester’s performances on the and helped to shepherd his early Sir Molwyn credited Sir Lester for

Cont’d on pg 6 PAGE 6 LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 helping him to make the male Pringle noted that he sentative, Trevor Walker, plement its key recom- decision to leave a lu- has had few personal in- praised Sir Lester as one mendation; namely, the crative job in the United teractions with Sir Lester, who embodied what it establishment of a joint States to return to Antigua but recalled that one day meant to be prime min- consultative committee – and Barbuda to venture while the former prime ister. He recalled that chaired by Prime Minister into politics. Sir Molwyn minister was on a drive Sir Lester had asked the Lester Bird himself. was a candidate in the St through Old Road, he was Commonwealth Sec- After members of the Mary’s North constituen- introduced to him as the retariat to undertake a House spoke, members cy which at the time was ‘candidate who would study to make recom- of the Senate joined in of- represented by a political defeat whoever the ABLP mendations to improve fering their tributes to Sir giant, the late Robert Hall. named as a candidate the relationship between Lester. Molwyn Joseph was nev- for the area’. Pringle said the two islands that Sir Lester Bryant Bird er expected to win but, in even though he was an make up a unitary state will receive a state funeral the 1984 elections when opposition candidate, the of Antigua and Barbu- next Thursday, which has the last vote was count- senior statesman offered da. According to Walker, been declared a public ed, he emerged winner him very useful words of Sir Lester demonstrated holiday. He will be laid to and has won every elec- advice about politics and his commitment to im- rest next to his mother in tion since, except for 2004 what was needed to be proved relations not only the St. John’s public cem- when he lost to Bertrand successful. to request the study, but etery. Joseph. The Barbuda repre- he also took steps to im- Other notable contribu- tions came from Foreign Affairs Minister E.P Chet Greene who read the lyr- ics of a calypso that he composed in honour of Sir Lester. That song will be released on the air- waves over the weekend. Information Minister Melford Nicholas spoke of Sir Lester’s role in the creation of the offshore gaming and financial ser- vices industry, as well as the Antigua and Barbuda International Institute of Technology (ABIIT) – an institution that was estab- lished to produce trained individuals to work in the industry. Opposition Leader Ja- WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 LOCAL NEWS PAGE 7 Dashboard Update for August 17, 2021

The most recent report re- ceived by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment from the Sir Lester Bird Mount St. John Medical Centre has re- vealed 24 new laboratory con- firmed COVID-19 cases in Anti- gua and Barbuda as of Tuesday 16th August 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Nine of these cases were re- corded on August 15th, and 15 on August 16th. ÆThe Epidemi- ology Unit is still in the process of ascertaining whether these 24 cases are imported or non-im- ported. Once the investigation is completed, the information will be given in a subsequent pub- lication. These cases are out of 197 samples that were processed at Sir Lester Bird MSJMC. Meanwhile, of the 19 cases published on the dashboard for 15th August, 15 were non-im- ported and four imported. Eleven recovered cases were recorded, increasing the total to 1,277. Consequently, the total number of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases in Antigua and Barbuda is 1,421; which is in- clusive of 101 active cases. There are nine hospitalized cases – six mild, one moderate, and two severe. Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda has fully vaccinated 32,248 individuals, while 6,938 have only received their first dose. æThe dashboard has been updated to reflect these changes. *Please note the dashboard is inclusive of information for Au- gust 14th through to August 16th 2021. PAGE 8 LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 Health Ministry rolls out Sputnik V and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines

The Ministry of Health, and SinoPharm vac- Wellness & the Environ- cines which are readily ment has announced available at local vacci- that Sputnik V vaccine nation sites. is now available to the The AstraZeneca is public as of Monday available at the two 16th August 2021. sites currently in opera- The Sputnik V vaccines tion – the Multipurpose – manufactured in Rus- Cultural & Exhibition sia – will be available at Centre, and the Villa the Villa Polyclinic, Mon- Polyclinic – while the days to Fridays from 9:00 SinoPharm is available a.m. to 5:00 p.m. only at the Multipur- The two doses of the pose Cultural & Exhibi- Sputnik V are adminis- tion Center. These sites tered 3 weeks apart. are open Mondays to Meanwhile, anyone Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to interested in pre-reg- 5:00 p.m. Persons who istering for the Pfizer are unable to visit the COVID-19 vaccine can sites during the week do so by calling 780-8299 can receive the Astra- OR 780-8461 Mondays Zeneca and SinoPharm to Thursdays from 9:00 vaccines on Saturday a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on at the All Saints Health Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to Centre, the Clare Hall 3:30 p.m. Health Centre and the The Pfizer vaccine will Multipurpose Cultural & be available to all res- Exhibition Centre. idents, including chil- The Ministry of Health dren 12 years and older. & Wellness is reminding Parents or guardians for the public that vaccina- pre-registered children tion, physical distancing, will receive a follow-up social distancing, correct notification advising of wearing of face masks, the date and time for proper hand-washing which they have been hygiene and observance scheduled. of cough and sneeze et- Meanwhile, the Minis- iquette continue to be try of Health & Wellness the most effective mea- will continue to admin- sures to prevent and ister the AstraZeneca control COVID-19. WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 LOCAL NEWS PAGE 9 GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA AND AFTER HOURS BARBUDA FREE HIV TESTING Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment Long and High Street, ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA, W.I. Telephone: 462-5522 COME AND GET TESTED! Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, testing will be done by Due to numerous re- Knowing your HIV sta- Saturday 28th August, 2021 appointments only. quests from the general tus should be of para- 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. public, the National AIDS mount importance; it PLEASE bring along a valid AIDS Secretariat, Long St., government- issued ID. Secretariat will be doing demonstrates a level of St. John’s Persons with testing cards are asked to bring along their cards as well. it again. Another free af- responsible behavior. For appointments, call 462-5975 and 462-5039 ter-hours HIV testing will Make use of the oppor- Be responsible, know your status, protect take place on Saturday tunity being offered and yourself and your sexual partner. 28th August 2021 from get tested. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

T E N D E R N O T I C E NOTICE

FORM P7 (Rule 15) The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE INVITATION TO BID ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA ANUHPB 2021/0176 Website Design and Development Services

In the Estate of IVON DENFIELD ALEXANDER BENJAMIN, a.k.a. IVAN DENFIELD ALEXANDER Department of Culture BENJAMIN, a.k.a. IVON BENJAMIN, a.k.a. IVAN BENJAMIN, late of Falmouth Village, St. Paul’s, Antigua, Deceased. Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries

ADVERTISEMENT OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT The Procurement Board of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative FIRST PUBLICATION Industries (Department of Culture), invites interested Vendors to

submit a bid for the supply of Services as a Website Developer - TAKE NOTICE that an Application has been filed by JACQUELINE ANDREA ELIZABETH SWIFT, 5th Department of Culture. Avenue Vernon’s Estate, in the Parish of St. George’s, Antigua and Barbuda, for a Grant of Letters of Administration to the Applicant who is the lawful daughter of the deceased, the deceased having died The Scope of Works for the referenced project, may be obtained intestate on the 15th day of July, 2019. by making a request to the Procurement Board Office, Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance, Government Office Complex, Any person having an objection to the grant of Letters of Administration to the Applicant shall file an Parliament Drive, St. John’s, Antigua, (268) 562-5825/26 or at objection within fourteen (14) days of the publication of this Notice. [email protected].

Dated the 17th day of August, 2021 Two (2) original hard copies of your Bid, must be submitted in sealed envelopes, no later than 12:00 noon on Wednesday 29 September 2021, marked: Tender for the Supply of Website TALIA N. DACOSTA Design and Development Services; Department of Culture; ATTORNEY-AT-LAW STAPLETON CHAMBERS Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries and addressed to: Chairman, Procurement Board, Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance, Government Office Complex, Parliament Drive, St. John’s, Antigua. Filed by STAPLETON CHAMBERS Attorneys-at-law whose address for service is Stapleton Chambers, Stapleton Lane, P. O. Box 2891, St. John’s, Antigua, email: [email protected], Tel No: 268-562-7185; Fax No. 268-562-7967 PAGE 10 LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 Acting Deputy Principal appointed for UWI Open Campus

the Caribbean Examina- tions Council and as Dep- uty Dean, Distance and Outreach, for three years under the Deanship of Sir Frank Alleyne from 2000- 2003. As a Lecturer in Account- ing, Dr. Dick-Forde was also given responsibility for oversight of the various distance, outreach and challenge programmes across the OECS, travel- ling to Antigua, St. Lucia and Montserrat on several occasions to support stu- dents as they prepared for their examinations. Dr. Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, Deputy Principal (Ag.), The UWI Open Campus A major accomplishment that Dr. Dick-Forde recalls The University of the West on full scholarship from was fully funded by The was working alongside Sir Indies (The UWI) Open the Cambridge Common- Society of Management Frank Alleyne and Dr. Far- Campus has announced wealth Fellowship. Accountants of Canada ley Brathwaite as part of a the appointment of Dr. She also read for her PhD as part of their support for three-person team, and Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde in Accounting (Social and professional development undertaking a fact-finding as Deputy Principal (Act- Environmental Account- for accounting academics tour in the USA as a key ing) effective August 1, ing) at the University of at the Cave Hill Campus. part of research which led 2021. Dundee, Scotland, with She also earned Fellow- to the development of the Dr. Dick-Forde has full scholarships from the ship status with CPA Can- very successful MSc Proj- served in The UWI for over Dundee University Inter- ada in 2014. ect Management degree 28 years. She commenced national Students’ Schol- Over her 17 years at The at the Cave Hill Campus. her career as an Account- arship for year one, and an UWI Cave Hill Campus, Dr. Dick-Forde resigned ing Academic at the Cave Association of Common- she served as an Acting from the Cave Hill Cam- Hill Campus in 1991 in the wealth Universities Schol- Head of Department and pus at the end of 2007 af- Department of Manage- arship for the remaining Deputy Head of Depart- ter she was asked to serve ment Studies after attain- two years. ment and led the first in the Government of the ing a BSc in Accounting While completing her self-assessment report for Republic of Trinidad and from the Cave Hill Cam- doctoral dissertation, Dr. the programme review of Tobago by then Prime pus with First Class Hon- Dick-Forde pursued the the BSc Accounting de- Minister Patrick Manning. ours and an MPhil in Fi- Certified Management gree. She also served as From November 2007 to nance from the University Accounting certification Assistant Chief Examiner May 2010 she served as of Cambridge England, with CMA Canada. This for CAPE Accounting with

Cont’d on pg 11 WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 LOCAL NEWS PAGE 11 Government Senator and Minister strated at the critical moment of in- tional stakeholders on sustainable of Planning, Housing & the Envi- creased programme design under development and climate resilience ronment. In this portfolio, under the Canadian-funded Strengthen- building in the Caribbean. One such her strategic direction, the Govern- ing Distance Education in the Ca- partnership with academics from ment advanced efforts to integrate ribbean (SDEC) project. She and a University of Tromso resulted in two the distinct areas of the portfolio for small team of Programme Coordi- publications. Ongoing work with synergy and improved planning for nators, working with over 35 subject climate change experts from across climate resilience. She also served matter experts, led the design and The UWI, under the Vice-Chancel- as T&T’s Governor on the Boards of planning for 21 new and two revised lor’s Office, supports the nascent both the Inter-American Develop- programmes to add to the Open Global Institute for Climate Smart ment Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Campus’ online offerings. and Resilience Development (GICS- Development Bank (CDB). As Head of the Programme Plan- RD) affording the Open Campus a In addition to spearheading several ning Department, she led the first place on the Management Com- notable and critical sustainable de- quality assurance review for online mittee of this soon-to-be-launched velopment and climate related ini- programmes and the development institute. She contributed to the tiatives, she obtained Cabinet’s ap- of a framework and capacity build- stakeholder engagements/consul- proval for Trinidad and Tobago’s first ing for these reviews in the Academ- tation for The UWI Climate Justice Climate Change Policy and Carbon ic Programming and Delivery Divi- Strategy and commented on the re- Reduction Strategy. In her ministeri- sion (APAD). cently circulated first draft. al capacity, supporting Trinidad and Dr. Dick-Forde’s formulation of Dr. Dick-Forde stated, “After 28 Tobago’s hosting of the Fifth Sum- advisory committees further sup- years of service to The UWI, I feel mit of the Americas and the Com- ported the APAD by ensuring pro- blessed to be invited at this time monwealth Heads of Government gramme relevance even while ad- to support Principal Severin as he conference (CHOGM), Dr. Dick- dressing initial considerations on serves as Interim Principal at this Forde was an expert panelist at the Continuing Education Units (CEU) critical moment for The UWI Open Commonwealth Business Forum for continuing and professional Campus for the academic year (CHOGM), speaking on business education courses. Her passion for 2021/2022.” and the environment and sustain- research and fostering a commu- She further shared the following able development. nity of researchers led to the estab- quote which she believes captures Her technical expertise was also lishment of the Research Forum in her focus, as she serves the students recognised in her representation of the Programme Planning Depart- and staff of the Open Campus and T&T at the Fifteenth Session of the ment. Since joining the Open Cam- the wider UWI: UN Framework Convention on Cli- pus, she has presented papers and “Accepting the leadership chal- mate Change in December 2009. delivered distinguished lectures in lenge requires practice, reflection, These diplomatic opportunities collaboration with our country Sites humility, and commitment to mak- contributed to her further evolu- in Belize (2010), Anguilla (2016), Be- ing a difference.” Kouzes, James M.; tion and informed a strong Carib- lize Chamber of Commerce (2017), Posner, Barry Z. The Leadership bean-wide focus in her subsequent Dominica (2017) and St Kitts (2018). Challenge. work to address sustainable devel- From 2017 to 2021, Dr. Dick-Ford Dr. Francis O. Severin, Interim Prin- opment and climate resilience in was assigned to the Office of the cipal of the Open Campus affirms the region. Principal as Manager Special Initia- that, “Dr. Dick-Forde and I are al- In September 2010 Dr. Dick-Forde tives and Chair of the Open Campus ready diligently working, with the resumed her service to the region Research Ethics Committee. In this full support of the Campus’ senior at The UWI when she joined the role she supported the work of The leaders, to construct a solid foun- Open Campus as Head [of] Special UWI’s thrust for climate action, with dation as we advance inexorably to- Projects. Her ability to effectively particular focus on online delivery wards the Global Campus …” organize and lead teams through of knowledge products and part- complex interventions was demon- nerships with regional and interna- PAGE 12 LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 Tourism sector buoyed as Antigua and Barbuda visitor air arrival figures hit pre-COVID high!

Tourism stayover arrivals in Antigua and Barbuda for the month of July have surpassed pre-COVID levels as pent-up demand for travel has tourists flocking to the twin-island paradise during the country’s traditional low season. The Ministry of Tourism has an- nounced that stayover tourism arrivals for the month came in at a high with 23,405 tourists visiting Antigua and Bar- buda via the V.C. Bird International Air- port (VCBIA). The July 2021 air arrival fig- ures have surpassed 2019 arrivals which, during that record-breaking year for An- tigua and Barbuda, stood at 23,031. Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez said, “There has been a visible change in the travel behaviour of our visitors brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and we continue to see a steady increase in arrivals during the summer months. to the pandemic, as compared to 2019 “Let me take this opportunity to say “July has been an extremely strong when we had carnival. This good news thank you to all our tourism partners month with demand for the destina- only serves to redouble our efforts for and the hard-working professionals in tion from the US Market as well as the the remainder of the year.” our Ministry of Health for their contin- UK market booming with growth above With air arrivals up, hoteliers across uous hard work and dedication”, said 2019 figures. We are also beginning to see the country have been busy. Vernon A. the Tourism Minister. He also stressed an uptake from our Caribbean and Ca- Jeffers Snr., Executive Chairman of the that, “With forward bookings for Anti- nadian markets.” Antigua and Barbuda Hotels & Tour- gua and Barbuda showing arrivals ex- From the main source markets, 15,350 ism Association (ABHTA), reports that, pected to rise, the safety of those who of Antigua and Barbuda’s tourists trav- “July saw a return to very high occu- reside in Antigua and Barbuda as well elled by air from the United States in July pancies, particularly across our mid- as our visitors remains of paramount 2021 compared to 10,221 in July 2019. range-sized hotels who performed at importance. This is followed by 6,521 from the United 80% and higher. We certainly hope that “The Ministry of Tourism urges all Kingdom compared to 5,378. With airlift these occupancy levels are sustained tourism partners and stakeholders to still not up to pre-COVID levels, Antigua over the next few months as travelers remain vigilant and committed to … and Barbuda received 839 tourists from continue to make last minute deci- following … the COVID-19 health and the Caribbean and 107 from Canada sions to travel to the destination.” safety protocols to guarantee a strong during the month. The good news continued, as reports tourism recovery.” CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tour- coming in from tourism stakeholders The ABHTA also echoed these sen- ism Authority (ABTA) Colin C. James across the sector have also been pos- timents and encouraged resort man- said, “We are indeed buoyed by this con- itive. Tour operators, taxis and restau- agement and employees in the sector tinued upward trajectory in the air arriv- rateurs have indicated that they are to ensure that all public health mea- al numbers, which is a clear indication experiencing an uptake in business for sures are followed, thereby ensuring that the recovery is well underway. This is the month of July with some partners that we remain safe and have the ca- particularly encouraging, in that this July calling July 2021 “the best July in years, pability to sustain a long-term perfor- – which is the best July ever for air arrivals even before COVID” with increased mance in the sector. – was accomplished in a year when An- bookings for the month and going into tigua’s carnival was again cancelled due August. WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 LOCAL NEWS PAGE 13 CARIFESTA XV – Antigua and Barbuda to host technical workshops

Ahead of the highly an- ticipated festival, CAR- IFESTA XV, to be staged in Antigua and Barbuda next August, the Antigua and Barbuda Secretariat has announced plans to host two technical workshops – in lighting and stage man- agement – on the 1st and 2nd of September at the Dean William Lake Cultur- al Centre from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Under the theme, “One Caribbean. One Environ- ment. Diverse Cultures”, this is the first time our twin-island state will host this prestigious cultural showcase. The Caribbe- an Festival of Arts, CAR- IFESTA, is the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) multi-disciplinary roving art and culture festival. In 2022, Antigua and Barbuda will host this event, which will attract over 2,000 dele- gates from CARICOM and non-CARICOM territories of the Caribbean, Latin America and the diaspora. As such, to ensure the success of the Festival, the classified as advanced or the stage management CARIFESTA XV Secretar- Secretariat, over the next established in the respec- workshop will focus pri- iat on Old Parham Road few months, will be host- tive fields, or persons who marily on the principles (upstairs Kentucky Fried ing several technical work- have a keen interest in pur- of stage management and Chicken/KFC); or the shops which should attract suing a new opportunity. practices associated with CARIFESTA website, www. potential individuals who On day one of the two- production. carifesta.net, to complete will be called to serve their day workshop, featured Both workshops are free the registration online. country and also provide topics on lighting will in- to residents and citizens For more information, technical services and ex- clude electricity, lighting of Antigua and Barbuda. persons can also contact pertise for the 2022 event. instruments, and theatre Interested persons can the Secretariat directly by This workshop is targeted lighting vs concert lighting. register for one or both calling 562-9605/06. at any person who may be Meanwhile, on day two, workshops by visiting the PAGE 14 LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 Dean Fenton goes deeply personal in My Time at the Door, his latest literary work

Dean Fenton delivers elled from humble Anti- another stirring collection guan roots where family Dean Fenton of deeply thoughtful, re- has supported his dreams flective and eye-opening and aspirations to make verses in another gift to something meaningful of the literary industry that his life. comes with the release of This has kept him his latest book, My Time at grounded and many of his the Door. heartfelt sentiments bring It’s his second book, to life his appreciation of coming after the release family, friendships and of his first, Waltzing in the professional relationships Breeze, less than a year ago. that continue to colour his His new book of poetry sojourn. is deeply explorative as it Fenton is currently the seeks to unravel the mean- New York Director of Tour- ing of life from a personal ism for Antigua and Bar- perspective and examines buda, and pursues his love intimate and meaningful and drive for destination moments in the journeyed marketing with equal pas- experiences of the author. sion as his writing. My Time at the Door dives “Once the time allows,” into the open ocean of hu- he smiles. man and romantic rela- The balance seems to be tionships, dares to discuss working, as he has been the complexities of human able to skilfully benefit his character and challenges professional life and the the human condition in its literary world with excep- various roles. tional results. “Writing for me is more Fenton’s My Time at the than an escape. It is a con- Door is available for down- versation with self that load on Amazon and in pa- helps me to understand perback. the mysterious complex- ities of life and therefore helps me get through dai- ly challenges that life hurls at you while surviving a tough world,” Fenton ex- plained. “I’m just happy that I can share with everyone my observations, ideas, thoughts and perspectives that God has helped me to shape creatively into words. I hope and trust ev- eryone can enjoy,” he con- tinued. Fenton is grateful for the journey that he has trav- Book cover of ‘My Time at the Door’ WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 FEATURE PAGE 15 More mendacious mongooses emerge as Lima Group collapses

by Comrade Peter Lansi- and valleys in the south- sands of COVID-19 dis- House, with an air of royal- quot ern “People’s Republic of placed citizens, with the ty and acutely high-handed Laborie,” had already skill- remaining $593 million impatience with his imag- As we would say in Saint fully scoped out that hast- spread out among a hand- inary slave subjects, who Lucia, a “queeze” [fit] took ily contrived band of first ful of mainly road build- thinks that “colonialism me” when I listened to cousins of the wild and wily ing contractors, led by the had a conscience,” and that former Prime Minister of Saint Lucian manicou. Fresh Start Group of Com- “Saint Lucia’s patrimony is Saint Lucia, the disgraced panies - owned by a for- its credit card rating.” neophyte and political in- The linguistically elo- mer government minister fant of absolutely unprec- quent and sharp Hon. - members of the Friends, Allen Chastanet’s basic edented ineptitude and Member for Laborie had Family & Foreigners fra- technique when he is on incompetence for a prime said that “Saint Lucia ternity (FFF) of his corrupt public parade, is to speak minister, Allen Chasta- should never be part or be 2016-2021 UWP governing words that he thinks will net, speak of Minister Alva a member of a renegade regime. And 100% of the please the international Baptiste’s “egregious state- mongoose gang like the contracts were issued via community and convince ments potentially harm- Lima Group.” the Direct Award white col- them that Allen Chasta- ful to Saint Lucia’s foreign lar crime facilitation mech- net believes in good gov- relations, especially when As soon as the taxpayers anism. ernance. But the truth is our country is grappling of Saint Lucia booted out that his above words are with a worsening world the disgraced and disas- Allen Chastanet’s legend- a pack of lies, because pandemic.” https://stlucia. trous Allen Chastanet last ary mendacity was on full the shameless pretense loopnews.com/content/ week, SLP Leader and the display that day when he of “good friendships with uwp-condemns-harm- new Prime Minister of Saint continued as follows: “… countries that tradition- ful-statements-exter- Lucia, Hon Philip J. Pierre we need to maintain and ally have shared our ide- nal-affairs-minister?fb- announced Saint Lucia’s increase good friendships als” was put on full display clid=IwAR1ioN9F5GseG- “immediate” withdrawal with countries that tradi- when he hastily scampered zqDYDSkQU1FfjRYSy-ON- from the undemocratic and tionally have shared our off like an excited child to FllskOhPoJiomLSRTig8b- undignified Lima Group. ideals.” Mar-a-Lago, after President sTFXo Trump snapped his fingers, But the “queeze” took me What utter hogwash and to snap a picture with that Chastanet was referring because it was very pain- lies from Allen Chastanet, crazed and bigoted idol to Minister Baptiste’s re- ful to hear the hypocriti- a man whose disastrous of his, and, just like Brad- cent characterization of cal and unprecedentedly mis-governing regime ley Felix, signed the Lima the Lima Group as a “mon- mendacious Allen Chasta- was just unceremoniously Group Declaration without goose gang.” net say: “…especially when ejected from office by the first reading it! What amaz- our country (Saint Lucía) is taxpayers of Saint Lucia in ing ineptitude! Many Saint Lucians may grappling with a worsening 15 of Saint Lucia’s 17 polit- not realize this, but Min- world pandemic.” ical constituencies, leaving It was only after he had ister Baptiste was only be- two UWP members in the signed the Lima Group ing consistent with himself That man is the same Parliament – Hon Bradley Declaration that he realized and his conscience on the man who sat in the chair Felix (a former commercial that his signature of the matter. Two years ago, in of the Minister of Finance banker of 23 years) who document would not allow 2019, in the trenches with when his government bor- went down in ignominious his government to accredit his comrades in Her Maj- rowed, presumably for the history for admitting to hav- or receive Venezuelan of- esty’s official Opposition benefit of the taxpayers of ing signed the $2.2 billion ficials in Saint Lucia any- Saint Lucia Labour Party, Saint Lucia, approximately DSH Agreement, without more. Article 12 of the Lima Hon. Baptiste, a well-bred $600 million “for COVID-19 reading it; and Hurricane Group Declaration reads as and well-rounded inhabi- emergency relief”. Yet his Allen himself, a character follows: “Our decision not tant of Saint Lucia’s teem- government spent only $7 straight out of a 14th cen- to support any Venezuelan ing rainforests, mountains million on tens of thou- tury slave plantation Great candidature put forward to PAGE 16 FEATURE WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021

regional and international organi- Minister for External Affairs and As to the silly accusation that Min- zations and mechanisms.” There- already the notoriously garrulous ister Baptiste was “tossing verbal in- fore, the Government of Saint Lucia Mr Baptiste has returned to his old sults at our international partners”, came to be classified as a “regional habit of tossing verbal insults at our which is nothing but unadulterated mechanism” that could not “sup- international partners. The SLP has “langue boeuf”, Allen Chastanet, port” the new Venezuelan candidate long demonstrated a proclivity to in the Prime Moron’s seat, no less, for Ambassador to Saint Lucia after attack foreigners, whether inves- these five years of his UWP run- the outgoing Ambassador, Leiff Es- tors or visitors. This is a dangerous away train wreck, left the follow- calona, had returned to Venezuela. policy that could have far-reaching ing insults, spewed straight out of repercussions for Saint Lucians at the moron’s severely limited verbal And so, when Foreign Minister home and abroad.” stock, for the local, regional and in- Hon. Sarah Flood said in 2019 that, ternational public record, engraved “We continue to maintain a normal This was the very same psycho- in the faces and minds of hundred diplomatic relationship with Vene- logical garbage that Allen Chasta- of thousands of Saint Lucians at zuela, we recognize Venezuela as a net’s United Workers Party preached home and in the Diaspora: “jackass- friend,” she was also being deceit- during the recent elections cam- es,” “mendicants,” “primary school ful and working hard – at any cost, paign that ended in the collective graduates,” “barking dogs,” “un- to whatever modicum of credibil- in-steps of nearly 50,000 boots to the deraged mothers who make chil- ity she may still have had after nu- butts of nine of their 11 parliamen- dren for different men, just as their merous infelicities to her name – to tarians. Allen Chastanet has per- mothers and grandmothers did please her incompetent prime min- fected the art of painting the Saint before them,” and of course, “nig- ister. Lucia Labour Party as a foreigner gas.” For anyone who doubts that and visitor unfriendly political or- the Prime Moron called us “niggas,” Venezuela’s Ambassador-Desig- ganization. But the people are hav- feel free to read from: https://www. nate to Saint Lucia, Mrs. Karla Del ing no more of this ridiculous and facebook.com/100000909135811/ Valle, arrived in Saint Lucia on or pathetic lie from “King Liar.” There posts/4685797674793824/ around March 16th 2019 and spent is absolutely no Caribbean person the next nine months up to Decem- who is naturally more embracing of And since we are discussing mat- ber 2019, with the Prime Minister “foreigners” than the typical Saint ters of local and regional politics and refusing to even acknowledge her or Lucian citizen. solidarity, and of men, manicous, shake her hand. morons and mongooses, Saint Lu- As for Allen Chastanet’s “inves- cians can perhaps take some solace The Prime Minister’s office also tors”, every single “investor” that from the following anecdote: before did not, could not – because of the visited and “invested” on Saint Lu- Hurricane Allen had blown so much Lima Group Declaration – autho- cia’s shores during 2016-2021, did so spit into the faces of an entire nation rize the Governor General to accept with 100% financing from the tax- and its diaspora, an obviously very the Ambassador-Designate’s cre- payers of Saint Lucia. They all came perspicacious prime ministerial dentials, until she was left with no with empty pockets, as trained eco- counterpart, Antigua & Barbuda’s choice but to depart Saint Lucia’s nomic hit-men and conmen do, Hon. Gaston Browne, perhaps in a shores on or around 6th December and left smiling all the way to the preemptive strike on behalf of the 2019. bank. The white elephant DSH and people of Saint Lucia, had put the Never before had an official of con-man type Cabot Cove projects following classic on record, when Venezuela been so slighted, ignored were particularly appalling, among in retaliation at one of Allen Chas- and embarrassed by any previous dozens of schemes and themes, all tanet’s ocean of incompetent gaffes, government of Saint Lucia. Sir John pure bluff and fluff. he described Saint Lucia’s most no- Compton, Sir Allan Louisy and oth- toriously mendacious Lima Group er departed former prime minis- For those reasons, among numer- mongoose as “a not-so-bright prime ters of Saint Lucia would have been ous other infelicities, Allen Chasta- minister.” “rolling in their graves”. net’s failed government was kicked to the curb by the people. On July (Peter Lansiquot is a former senior But the real “queeze” took me 26th 2021, when they were pushed Saint Lucia diplomat who has served when that booted-out interloper in out of Parliament, Allen Chastanet in Washington, D.C., in Cuba, and at a prime ministerial environment had left Saint Lucia with a debt-to- the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana continued to say: “It has been bare- GDP ratio hovering around 100%. among numerous other postings.) ly a week since his appointment as WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 PAGE 17

REPARATION Sir Lester Bird The essence of our life resides in our soul, The soul remains the spiritual embodiment of man That makes us bold, brave and immortal Rob the man of his soul and chattel make Destroys him and his future and a potential mate.

Do we then diminish their souls When slaves from Africa we bought? We bought and sold for years infinitum until 1834. Eschewing our worth as human beings Both night and day as beasts we were; Where O’ Lord is your Christianity As I beg for mercy; Where O God is our eternity THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA As whips destroy our mortality? REPARATIONS SUPPORT COMMISSION joins with the rest of the nation in How we were dragged acknowledging the passing of National from our ancestral home and sojourn Hero Sir Lester Bird and send in ships we did not own; condolences to family and colleagues. We were packed together by force He shared this poem with us. and chains with others of my kin Again and again. both females and males. In 1834 you did let me go I was enshrined in an eternal maze Penniless and full of shame

As I knew not where I shall go again; The time has now come for compensation indeed; I only smell the stench and sea For all those children and progeny conceived As sharks encircled me. In the darkness of night Our hopeful tomb While you sleep. We must survive our ship captain’s whip Why the UN and the World ignore our just claim? Or overboard will be our final trip.

They enshrine the Jews and their holocaust REPARATION (Part 3) As Hitler murdered six million or more Let no man who makes his fortune from slavery They paid millions of ill-gotten lucre Speak of Religion and Christianity; To the children of those who suffered a terrible fate; For slaves from Africa were the essence of this Of Auschwitz, Bergen Belsen and Dachau sugar banality and rapacious economy. And gas chambers that sealed their death. The trader shouted that it was impossible Why then should those that from Africa came For him to make sugar without African slaves. Not seek amends for a wrong once done And one in three died in two years; When they were slaves? So they flowed from Africa year after year Reparation is the only way that they can pay To plug that gap they surely need.

If moral recompense meets a monetary day. Cheaper to flog them to death and replace them Castles were built and nations grew economies flowed Than keep them alive At the expense and backs of systems of human beings For they live no longer than nine Who cried out in pain every day. Rebellion I tried time again Where is the voice of religiosity, Ask King Court my icon named Who then and now forgot their Christian integrity? When caught I was held in pen and shame. Reparation we say each day we pray Do not let (ethnicity) time Rebellion tried o’ brave slave Cause us to betray. The owner eschewed you to your grave Decapitated and encased in chains REPARATION (PART 2) Example the owner wish to demonstrate. Kunte Kente they changed my name To all who wish to emulate As Anglo was a stain; Recompense the master must claim Brutality dear Lord I cannot bear For work in the cane fields Let me die dear Lord without such pain Day out for years. I cannot be worth such exorbitant sums; Your ancestors now eschew Where is your humanity and soul? Any blame for what you did do; Pay my sons and daughters now But you have benefited from my pain For recompense And you have gained exponential lucre to make amends for all those years. PAGE 18 REGIONAL NEWS WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 Dominica: Curfew order extended with complete lockdown this weekend

Dominica News Online - The Emergency Pow- ers Curfew Order of 2021, which governs the curfew put in place due to the Covid-19 surge currently affecting Dominica, has been extended for a fur- ther week. The announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary Careen Prevost during a statement on Tuesday. “Cabinet has taken a de- cision to extend the Emer- gency Powers Curfew Or- der of 2021 for a further seven days until Monday, August 23rd at 5:00 a.m.,” she said. Prevost continued, “As you are already aware, a Nurses and doctors on the frontline person shall not be out in public between the hours “This lockdown is specif- Prevost thanked the dreaded coronavirus. of 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ically to allow for our front- frontline workers for their “My family and I of- on Monday to Friday ex- line workers who have contribution in this battle. fer deepest condolences cept to provide or to access been at this fight from She also urged all Do- to her family and close essential services.” day one to rest and spend minicans to lend their friends as they come to According to her, the list time with their families,” support by following the terms with this deep and of essential services that she stated. “Many of us necessary protocols and shocking loss. Our na- can be accessed during may not understand the staying at home. Prime tion grieves with you,” the the week has been clearly immense pressure, long Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Prime Minister said in a defined in the SRO pub- hours and commitment has said he is “deeply sor- post on his Facebook page. lished previously. required from our front- ry” for the death of Dom- “I pledge my support, and Prevost advised further line workers at this time.” inica’s first COVID-19 vic- that of the Government that Cabinet has taken Furthermore, Prevost tim and said it presents an and People of Dominica, a decision that, for this said, “If you would like to opportunity for national to the family during their weekend, there will be a do something for them as reflection. On Tuesday, Au- time of bereavement and complete lockdown from a token of appreciation for gust 17, 2021 a 46-year old wish them God’s comfort Friday August 20th at 6:00 their hard work and effort, female became the first and strength during this p.m. to Monday August please stay home.” Dominican to die from the difficult period.” 23rd at 5:00 a.m. WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 REGIONAL NEWS PAGE 19 St. Kitts: Arrest warrant issued for Bank of Nevis CEO, Michael Prest

Loop Caribbean - The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has sought the assistance of the In- ternational Crime Organization (In- terpol) for the arrest and extradition of CEO of the Bank of Nevis Interna- tional Ltd, Michael Prest. The White-Collar Crime Unit of the Police Force launched an investiga- tion into Mr. Prest, based on a report made by Canadian national Mark Kutcher. According to a press statement is- sued by the Police Force in St. Kitts and Nevis, “An investigation into the matter has revealed that sometime in 2018, Prest contacted Kucher with a proposal to acquire 40% shares in the Michael Prest Bank of Nevis International Limited, shares in the Bank of Nevis Interna- At present, Prest is outside the Fed- the other 60% being owned by Prest’s tional. eration of Saint Christopher and company Petrodel Investment Advis- It said since the transfer of the mon- Nevis, and the future progress of the ers Nevis Limited. The investigation ey and the purchase of the shares by matter is to be determined by the Di- further revealed that an agreement Petrodel Limited, and despite nu- rector of Public Prosecutions, hence was made between Petrodel Invest- merous requests, no shares have Interpol has been contacted. ment Advisers Nevis Ltd. and BNI been transferred to Kucher. The Bank of Nevis International Holdcorp Ltd.” Further, the investigation reveals Limited (BONI) is in no way associ- Kucher is part owner of BNI Hold- that no application was made by ated with The Bank of Nevis Limited corp Ltd, while Prest is the owner of Petrodel Ltd or the Bank of Nevis In- (BON). The bank continues to dis- Petrodel Investment Advisers Nev- ternational to the Regulatory Body to tance itself from BONI, making it clear is Ltd. The terms of the agreement transfer any shares to Kucher. that “On December 31, 2019, The indicate that Kucher would pay It is reported that Prest told Kucher Bank of Nevis Limited sold 100% of USD$2,530,000 which would be used that the Regulatory Body declined to its shareholding in BONI to Petrodel to purchase the remaining shares. In transfer shares to him. Investment Advisers (Nevis) Limited return, Kucher would receive 49.9% The matter has been referred to the (PIAN), a Nevis registered company. shares in the bank and would be Director of Public Prosecutions in St. Since that date, the operations of made a Director and Chief Invest- Kitts and Nevis who, after reviewing BONI have been fully operated and ment Officer at the bank. the file, has advised that Prest should managed by the owners of PIAN. The The statement informed that their be prosecuted for the offences of Bank of Nevis Limited maintains no agreement was formalized in writ- Fraudulent Conversion and Fraudu- shareholding in Bank of Nevis Inter- ing in April 2019 and, in Decem- lent Conversion by Trustee. national Limited and is not an affiliate ber 2019, Kucher transferred the Warrants for Prest’s arrest have been of that entity,” as stated on its website. USD$2,530,000 to Petrodel. Kucher’s granted by the Magistrate in Nevis. money was used to purchase the 40% PAGE 20 REGIONAL NEWS WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 Caribbean reefs are dying from a mysterious disease

Coral bleaching in French Polynesia in the Society Islands during a mass coral bleaching event.

TEGUCIGALPA, Hondu- ease’s rapid transmission. ribbean over the past three duced the reefs’ resiliency, ras — A mysterious, highly Affecting more than 20 decades, the new disease making coral susceptible contagious and lethal dis- species of hard coral, the is killing it at a much faster to existing bacteria. The ease is spreading across harm that stony coral tis- rate. second centers around the the coral reefs of the Carib- sue loss disease (SCTLD) Once a colony is infect- idea that a new pathogen bean Sea, alarming scien- threatens to slow-growing ed, death can come very emerged as a result of hu- tists and leaving a trail of coral reefs and their fragile quickly. “You can lose colo- man activity. skeletons in its path. ecosystems is irreparable. nies that were growing for In the end, the answer Its advance from Flor- “The only difference hundreds of years in just could be all of the above. ida to the far reaches of is the mortality rate of weeks or months,” said “Like COVID, when you the Caribbean could wipe COVID doesn’t even com- Melina Soto, Mexico Co- have other health prob- out the majority of the pare to what we’re seeing ordinator for the Healthy lems, then you’re at higher hard coral across the sea, in the reefs,” added Ochoa. Reefs Initiative. risk when you get COVID,” decimating reefs and the In some coral species, the SCTLD was first discov- said Ochoa. marine life they support mortality rate reaches as ered in 2014 off the coast of Over the past seven for generations to come. high as 100 percent. Florida, where it has since years, the disease has The environmental dam- The first sign that a cor- infected roughly half of the spread across the Carib- age would also disrupt the al is infected is the ap- state’s reefs. The cause is bean Sea, often traveling lives of millions of people pearance of a small lesion unknown but humans are against currents, which in coastal communities where the tissue, or the a likely culprit. suggests that the pathogen who depend on the reefs skin, is absent, revealing Theories divide along may be reaching new ar- for food or jobs. the bone. two main tracks. The first eas by clinging to boats. “It’s basically like a cor- While other more well- is that factors such as cli- “One of the points that al COVID,” said Gabriela known factors such as pol- mate change and rising almost always repeats it- Ochoa, program manager lution and climate change sea temperatures along self is that the first cases at the Roatan Marine Park have caused the loss of an with contaminants like are found near ports,” said on the Bay Islands of Hon- estimated 60 percent of untreated sewage and Soto. duras, describing the dis- coral coverage in the Ca- even sunscreen have re- WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 REGIONAL NEWS PAGE 21 Motorcyclist dies after speeding away from police

Guyana Chronicle - A up. 20-year-old motorcy- “The motorcyclist ended clist, who was speeding up driving into potholes to evade the police in La along the said road where Parfaite Harmonie, was he lost control of the mo- among two persons who torcycle and fell onto the died in vehicular acci- road surface. He received dents that occurred over injuries about his face and the weekend at various lo- body,” the police report cations across the country. said. The dead motorcyclist According to a police re- has been identified as Ma- port, Deopaul was picked hendra Deopaul of Lot up in an unconscious state 267 La Parfaite Harmonie. by the police and taken to Ryan Boodhoo, 19, of 113 the West Demerara Re- Kuru Kururu Soesdyke/ gional Hospital Accident & Dead: Mahendra Deopaul Linden Highway, also died Emergency Unit. He died Public Hospital Mortuary been served on Ramna- in a hit-and-run accident at 03:46 hours on Monday where it is awaiting post uth. on the Kairuni Public Road morning while receiving mortem. In another accident, this on the Soesdyke/Linden medical attention. Meanwhile, Pamela time in West Coast Berbi- Highway. In a separate accident on Fox, 62, of Lot 73 Brick- ce, Osbert Abrams, 21, of Other accident victims Sunday night, Boodhoo dam, was admitted to the Lot 645, Number 30 Vil- include a 21-year-old mo- was pronounced dead on Georgetown Public Hospi- lage, was left hospitalised torcyclist who remains arrival at the Mackenzie tal Corporation for obser- at the New Amsterdam hospitalised after crashing Public Hospital, Linden, vation after she sustained Public Hospital (NAPH). into a parked minibus on where he was taken by injuries about her body According to a police Tempe Public Road, West public-spirited citizens when the motor car she report, at the time of the Coast Berbice, and two after he was hit from be- was driving, PYY2821, col- accident, Abrams was persons who were injured hind by an unknown ve- lided into the rear of motor the driver of motorcycle when their motor car hicle while walking on lorry, GZ3901, at the cor- CK3952, proceeding east crashed into a motor lorry the Kairuni Public Road at ner of Brickdam and San- on the northern side of at Brickdam and Sande- 21:30hrs. Boodhoo was, at deman Place on Sunday the Tempe Public Road. man Place, Georgetown. the time, among three oth- at 19:30hrs. Also injured in He is said to have been According to a police er persons walking south that accident was William proceeding at a fast pace report, Deopaul, of Lot along the eastern side of Lockhart, 29, of Lot 19 In- when he lost control of 267 La Parfaite Harmonie, the roadway. According to dustry, East Coast Demer- the motorcycle. The mo- was driving motorcycle an eyewitness, the vehicle ara, who was the front seat torcycle collided into the CK5677 west along the which hit Boodhoo was at passenger in the car. Lock- back of minibus BZZ 5437 northern side of the La the time proceeding south hart was also taken to the which was being driv- Parfaite Harmonie Public at a fast rate. It sped away GPHC but was treated and en by 39-year-old Eulet Road, without wearing a from the scene after hit- sent away. Mars but, at the time, was helmet, at approximate- ting the teen. According to The motor lorry was be- parked on the northern ly 23:45 hours on Sunday the eyewitness, having ob- ing driven by 44-year-old side of the road. evening when he was ap- served the vehicle as it was Nankumar Ramnauth of Abrams was picked up proached by a patrolling approaching, he was able De Hoop, Mahaica. Ac- by public-spirited citi- police pick-up and or- to pull the person walking cording to the police re- zens and initially taken to dered to pull over. next to him to safety just port, a breathalyzer test the Fort Wellington Pub- Instead of stopping, prior to Boodhoo being conducted on Ramnauth lic Hospital before being Deopaul reportedly sped hit. showed no alcohol in his transferred to the NAPH. away from the police who Boodhoo’s body was breath. A notice of intend- Police are investigating gave chase in their pick- taken to the MacKenzie ed prosecution has since these accidents. PAGE 22 INTERNATIONAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 As murders surge, Democrats find a new message: Fund the police able for excessive force. ing she is responding to a In New York, Atlanta and crime wave and pleas for Seattle, Democratic city money from the city’s po- politicians have aban- lice chief. doned or scaled back “I am outraged. The police budget-cutting ef- chief is outraged. The forts and other proposals community should be they touted amid the up- outraged,” she told re- roar over the 2020 death porters on July 22 after of George Floyd, a Black a shooting on an afflu- man killed by police in ent restaurant row near Minneapolis. downtown that left two In Congress, a policing wounded. The incident bill named after Floyd - followed the July 16 sponsored by Vice Presi- shooting of 6-year-old dent Kamala Harris when Nyiah Courtney who was she was still a senator killed on her scooter by a - remains stalled more stray bullet. A day later, than a year later. a shootout outside the New York pivoted from Washington Nationals slashing almost $1 billion baseball park left three in police funds last year to wounded, including two adding $200 million this shooting suspects. (Reuters) – Last sum- deadliest crime wave in year. Oakland, California, mer, Washington Mayor two decades. boosted its police budget Violence nationally Muriel Bowser played Local and national in June by $38 million af- has upended the dynam- a high-profile role in Democrats are distanc- ter last year, setting a goal ics in key mayoral races. the protests sweeping ing themselves from to cut it by $150 million. Centrist Democrats cam- America over police kill- “defund” politics and Austin, a liberal bastion paigning on their support ings of Black suspects. policies, a reflection of in conservative Texas, for police have won or She renamed a street how deeply unpopular this year passed its larg- emerged as favorites in Black Lives Matter Pla- the concept has become est-ever police budget party primary elections. za and joined thousands among most voters - and under pressure from state In New York, former po- of demonstrators there, how effective a weapon Republicans over rising lice officer Eric Adams many shouting what had it can be for Republican crime. Last year, Austin captured the Democratic become the movement’s candidates. had diverted $150 million nomination for mayor in slogan: “Defund the po- The crime wave has in police funds to other June, defeating more pro- lice!” laid bare tensions be- priorities. gressive candidates by Earlier this year, the tween progressive Dem- In Washington, Bows- vowing to hire more offi- mayor, a Democrat, pro- ocrats, who still aim to er asked the city council cers and support aggres- posed cutting the police overhaul US policing, and last month for $11 mil- sive tactics. budget and redirecting mainstream Democrats lion to hire 170 new po- In advance of next money to social services. now pushing traditional lice officers after a series year’s midterm Congres- Now, however, Bowser enforcement to combat of shootings. The council sional elections, Repub- and many other Dem- crime. agreed to fund 40 officers. lican party officials are ocratic city leaders are The division has chilled Bowser, who declined making crime a central scrambling to boost po- efforts to reshape police to comment for this story, issue - and casting all lice budgets and hire departments and hold has defended her reversal Democrats as enemies of more officers amid the officers more account- on police funding by say- law enforcement WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 INTERNATIONAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD PAGE 23 UK to welcome 20,000 Afghans amid Taliban takeover

BBC - Thousands of Afghan refu- stan.”Ministers have been rushing UK”. gees will be resettled in the UK after to put this scheme together in re- She added: “The UK is also doing the Taliban seized control of Kabul, sponse to the situation in Afghan- all it can to encourage other coun- the UK government has promised. istan, with the final details signed tries to help. Not only do we want The new scheme will see up to off on Tuesday. The scheme will to lead by example, we cannot do 20,000 Afghans offered a route to prioritise those most in need - with this alone.” set up home in the UK in the com- the government highlighting wom- The government emphasised ing years. en and girls and minority groups. the new scheme would “not com- In the first year, 5,000 refugees Information on how to apply is ex- promise on national security” and will be eligible - with women, girls pected soon. has promised all those arriving and others in need having priority. The scheme is loosely based will have to pass “strict security Home Secretary Priti Patel urged on the one introduced during the checks”. other countries to help, writing in Syrian war, which also saw 20,000 the Daily Telegraph “we cannot do move to the UK from 2014 to 2021. this alone”. But ministers acknowledge the However, some of the opposi- practicalities of getting people out tion parties have criticised the set- of Afghanistan will be considerably tlement scheme for not going far more complicated because of the enough. extent of Taliban control. The new plan is on top of the ex- Government insiders don’t know isting scheme for interpreters and the extent to which the new regime other staff who worked for the UK. will allow people to flee if they so Some 5,000 Afghans and family choose. members are expected to benefit There will be funding for the re- from that policy. settlement programme - and the Parliament has been recalled government will work with local and Prime Minister Boris Johnson councils and devolved govern- is to open a debate in the House ments on where to house Afghans of Commons about the situation who come to the UK. in Afghanistan from 09:30 BST on Announcing the new Afghan Wednesday. Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme, Downing Street said Mr. Johnson Mr. Johnson said: “We owe a debt spoke to US President Joe Biden on of gratitude to all those who have Tuesday evening about the evacua- worked with us to make Afghani- tion of Kabul. The leaders “resolved stan a better place over the last 20 to continue working closely togeth- years. Many of them, particularly er on this in the days and weeks women, are now in urgent need of ahead to allow as many people as our help. I am proud that the UK possible to leave the country”, a has been able to put in place this spokesperson said. route to help them and their fam- “The prime minister stressed ilies live safely in the UK.” the importance of not losing the Ms. Patel wrote in the Telegraph gains made in Afghanistan over that she wanted to ensure the UK the last 20 years, of protecting our- was doing “everything possible to selves against any emerging threat provide support to the most vul- from terrorism, and of continuing nerable fleeing Afghanistan so they to support the people of Afghani- can start a new life in safety in the Uk Prime Minister Boris Johnson PAGE 24 INTERNATIONAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 One million vacancies and soaring wages fuel UK inflation fears

CNN - Job vacancies in 19.“The world of work the United Kingdom hit continues to rebound a record high last month robustly from the effects and wages soared by of the pandemic,” Athow 7.4% between April and said in a statement. June, adding to fears of a The unemployment prolonged period of ris- rate fell 0.2 percentage ing prices as companies points to 4.7%, according pass on higher costs to to the ONS. consumers. Athow said that there The strong recovery were no signs of redun- in the labor market was dancies starting to pick highlighted in data pub- up ahead of the end of the lished Tuesday by the Of- government’s furlough fice for National Statistics program, which supports and it could further fuel wages, at the end of next Suren Thiru said in a Rising wage pressures inflationary pressures in month. statement on Tuesday. come as businesses are the UK economy. That Worker shortages There are already signs already contending with could prompt the central could place a drag on the that a shortage of workers higher costs in their sup- bank to hike interest rates recovery, however. Some is placing upward pres- ply chains from raw ma- as early as May 2022, ac- pubs and grocery stores sure on wages. According terials shortages and cording to some econo- had to close last month to the ONS, growth in av- soaring shipping rates. mists. because of the number erage total pay, exclud- “Together, these fac- There were a record of employees required to ing bonuses, was 7.4% in tors point to further in- 953,000 vacancies in the quarantine after coming the three months to June, flation pressures ahead, United Kingdom on aver- into contact with some- compared with the same as firms try to pass on age over the three months one who had tested pos- period in 2020. cost rises to consumers,” to July — 168,000 more itive for COVID-19. Even after stripping Pickering said. than the first quarter of The UK government out factors such as the The Bank of England 2020 before coronavirus has since scrapped this fall in the number of low- said earlier this month restrictions were intro- rule for people who are er-paid jobs, the ONS that it expects inflation to duced. fully vaccinated, but the data suggest that annual rise even further above its For July alone, vacan- impact of the pandem- wage inflation was run- 2% target in the coming cies may have exceeded ic and Brexit has meant ning between 3.5% and months and that it will one million for the first fewer EU citizens to fill 4.9% in June, according to set interest rates to en- time, based on early sur- jobs in industries such Berenberg senior econo- sure inflation returns to vey figures, according to as retail, farming and mist Kallum Pickering. that level. Jonathan Athow, ONS logistics. “Although the “It remains well above “We continue to look deputy national statisti- changes to self-isola- the mere 2% average rate for the first rate hike in cian for economic statis- tion rules will help, with from 2009-2019,” Pick- August 2022. But the tics. many firms facing a more ering wrote in a research strengthening inflation Vacancies in all indus- deep-rooted squeeze on note. “With unemploy- dynamic and strong re- tries increased, with arts, labor supply from the im- ment falling from an al- covery in domestic de- entertainment and recre- pact of COVID and Brexit, ready low level and la- mand suggest the risks ation posting the fastest staff shortages may per- bor demand surging to are tilted towards a hike rate of growth following sistently weigh on eco- well past previous record even sooner that — per- the lifting of all remaining nomic activity,” head of highs, the risks to the haps as early as May social distancing restric- economics at the British wage growth outlook look 2022,” Pickering added. tions in England on July Chambers of Commerce, skewed to the upside,” he added. WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 INTERNATIONAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD PAGE 25 Uganda scraps controversial ‘miniskirt’ law

Al Jazeera - Uganda’s constitutional court is scrapping a controver- sial anti-pornography law whose provisions in- cluded a ban on wearing miniskirts in public, in a decision hailed by wom- en’s rights campaigners. The judgement on Tuesday said that the 2014 legislation, which had been dubbed the “anti-miniskirt law,” was “inconsistent with or in contravention of the con- stitution of the republic of Uganda. “Sections … of the An- ti-Pornography Act are hereby declared null and void,” Justice Frederick Egonda-Ntende said in Monday’s ruling, which also struck down the powers of a nine-mem- ber committee tasked with enforcing the law. Ugandan pop singer Jemimah Kansiime was the first person to be indicted un- The legislation crim- der the anti-porn law. inalised any activity deemed pornographic, Women’s rights activ- the harassment and mis- in 2016 for stocking cop- from wearing short skirts ists welcomed the verdict, treatment of women in ies of a British children’s to writing risque songs, which followed street public and denied them book which was deemed and led to increased pub- protests by campaign- control over their bodies, too sexual. lic harassment of women ers calling for the legisla- as well as access to public In the past, Lokodo who wore clothing con- tion to be dropped. “This spaces. ordered police to arrest sidered too revealing. has been a bitter struggle The government’s lead men who have sex with In 2014, Ugandan pop and we are grateful [that] counsel Imelda Adong prostitutes and described star Jemimah Kansiime those who believe in the told AFP they were “study- a popular local television was arrested for perform- rights of women have ing the ruling” and would dating show as prosti- ing in a music video that emerged victors,” Lillian respond in due course. tution. Local media re- showed her in her under- Drabo, one of the nine pe- Uganda’s former min- ported that he also con- wear. Currently on trial, titioners who challenged ister for ethics and integ- fronted Proscovia Alengot she faces up to 10 years in the law, told the AFP news rity, Simon Lokodo, was a Oromait, then Uganda’s jail, although the future agency on Tuesday. longtime champion of the youngest member of par- of the case is unclear be- The petitioners said the law, threatening to close a liament, when she wore a cause of the new ruling. legislation encouraged prestigious private school short skirt in parliament. PAGE 26 COMMUNITY NOTICES WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021

NOTICE

Pares Secondary School 50th Anniversary (1971 - 2021) Past students of Pares Secondary School are invited to our 50th Anni- versary Choir Practice on Wednes- day 18th August 2021, St. Peters Anglican Church at 5:30 PM. Come out as we prepare for our Jubilee Thanksgiving Service in September.

TELL US WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY. Submit community notices to [email protected] WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 SPORTS NEWS PAGE 27 26 players selected for West Indies Rising Stars Under-19 High Performance Camp Cricket West Indies brand of cricket that we (CWI) today announced want to play going into the 26-member squad to that World Cup, without continue preparations neglecting the funda- for the West Indies Rising mentals.” Stars U19s tour of En- The West Indies Rising gland next month. Stars U19 tour of England The squad was select- will feature six Youth ed following targeted One-Day Internationals coaching sessions and an at The County Ground, eight-match trial series in Beckenham and The Polo Antigua last week. Farm, Canterbury from The players will Saturday, September 4 to now continue training Friday, September 17. and planning sessions The West Indies Ris- this week, with a final ing Stars U19s High Per- 18-member squad for formance Camp is a key the tour to England to be part of CWI’s investment named at a later date. in developing and pre- Head coach Floyd paring the players for the Reifer said: “The screen- ICC U19 World Cup to be ing trials went very well. played in the West Indies We saw some excellent early next year. performances and it was U19 Rising Stars not easy to cut down the Squad: Onaje Amory, 17, large number of such tal- right-hand bat/right- ented young players. You arm off-spin; Anderson could see the enthusiasm Amurdan, 18, right-hand West Indies cricket legend Sir Curtley was high in all the players opening bat; Ackeem Au- Ambrose (left) shares some tidbits with and the spirit was high in guste, 17, left-hand bat/ all the teams. We have to right-arm leg-spin; Justin the Rising Stars. do everything we can to Beckford, 17, right-hand encourage all of the play- bat/right-arm off-spin; left-arm fast-medium; Anderson Mahase, 18, ers who came to continue Teddy Bishop, 18, right- Andel Gordon, 18, right- left-hand bat/left-arm working on their game. hand opening bat; Carlon hand bat/left-arm me- spin; Matthew Nandu, 18, “A more intensive Bowen-Tuckett, 17, right- dium-pace; Sion Hack- right-hand bat/right-arm camp has started where hand bat/wicket-keeper; ett, 18, right-hand bat/ off-spin; Shaqkere Parris, we will push forward to Jaden Carmichael, 18, right-arm medium-fast; 18, right-hand bat/wick- improve the skill set, the right-hand bat/left-arm Justin Jagessar, 16, right- et-keeper; Kelvin Pitt- mindset, and the tactical spin; McKenny Clarke, hand bat; Jordan John- man, 18, right-hand bat/ awareness of the 26 play- 18, right-hand bat/right- son, 16, left-hand bat/ right-arm fast-medium; ers, before cutting the arm fast; Rivaldo Clarke, right-arm leg-spin; Kyle Isai Thorne, 16, right- squad further. More will 18, right-hand bat/wick- Kissoondath, 17, right- hand bat/right-arm fast; go into the tactical ses- et-keeper; Amrit Dass, 18, hand bat/right-arm leg- Shiva Sankar, 18, right- sions as we work towards right-hand bat/left-arm spin; Johann Layne, 17, hand bat/right-arm me- the tour of England and chinaman; Giovonte De- right-hand bat/right-arm dium-fast; Vasant Singh, onto the ICC U19 World peiza, 18, right-hand bat/ fast-medium; Nicholas 17, right-hand bat/right- Cup. We will also pro- left-arm spin; Nathan Ed- Lewin, 18, right-hand arm leg-spin. mote the West Indian wards, 16, left-hand bat/ bat/right-arm off-spin; PAGE 28 SPORTS NEWS WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 Kemar Roach sees bright future for Jayden Seales: “I have the greatest hopes for him.”

Kemar Roach has high broken 10th wicket part- mar Holder, Keon Hard- got to try and believe in hopes for protege Jayden nership of 17 to lead the ing, Preston McSween; we these guys. They have the Seales and says the future West Indies to victory. have a really good corps capabilities; we all know of the West Indies bowl- During a virtual press of fast bowlers coming they do. It’s just about ing is bright. conference with the me- through. applying themselves and However, he has asked dia on Monday, Roach “So, I believe in any one believing in themselves for the public to be pa- said he believes Seales of them at any point in some more,” he said. tient with the team’s bats- has a bright future. time, once given the op- “I am totally behind men, whom he believes “He has come into the portunity, will get the job them. We talk. As bowl- will eventually deliver to family. I have the great- done. They just have to ers, we usually give them their full potential. est hopes for him. He is a stay together, keep work- information about how Seales, 19, took eight good student. He listens, ing hard, keep communi- best to handle situations wickets in the recently he works really hard and cating and keep working from a bowling point of concluded first Betway he is learning every day,” on their skills. I don’t see view. They work hard. Test against Pakistan at Roach said, highlighting no limit when it comes to One thing about this team Sabina Park that the West that Seales is yet anoth- our bowling attack chal- is it’s a very hard-working Indies won by one wicket. er member of a talented lenging any Test line up, team. During the Pakistan sec- group of bowlers that the so there is a great future “It’s a lot of work be- ond innings, Seales took West Indies have at its for us in the fast bowling ing put in behind the career-best figures of 5-55 disposal. department for sure.” scenes. I really feel for the and became the youngest “Obviously, with Shan- With regards to the batsmen because I know West Indies bowler to take non (Gabriel) back when batsmen, especially those the work they do and it’s five wickets in an innings he is ready, myself, Jason in the top order, Roach about time they get some as the West Indies bowled (Holder), him (Seales); asked for patience. returns so people can the visitors for 203. Alzarri is there and there “We don’t have a huge see it, but that time will He and Roach then are a couple of other guys pool of batsmen in the come.” stitched together an un- in the Caribbean, Che- Caribbean, so we have WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 SPORTS NEWS PAGE 29 Cristiano Ronaldo says transfer rumours are ‘just talk’

BBC Sport - Cristiano Ronal- do has criticised media reports linking him with a move away from Juventus. In a post on social media, he did not outright deny a move was possible or commit his fu- ture to the Italian side. But the 36-year-old forward said he was “focused on his work” despite reports linking him with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. The Portugal captain called rumours “a disrespect for me as a man and as a player”. He added: “Less talk and more action, this has been my guiding motto since the start of my career. “However, in view of every- thing that’s been said and writ- ten recently, I have to set out my position. “The frivolous way that my future is covered in the media is disrespectful to all the clubs in- volved in these rumours, as well as to their players and staff.” Earlier on Tuesday, Real’s new boss Carlo Ancelotti had responded to the rumours in a tweet, dismissing speculation of Ronaldo returning to the Span- ish club. “Cristiano is a Real Madrid legend and he has all my love and respect. I have never con- sidered signing him. We look forward. #HalaMadrid,” he wrote. Ancelotti’s tweet appears to have been prompted by a report by Spanish TV show El Chirin- guito, which claimed on Mon- tween Real and Ronaldo was a possibility, three years after he left the club day night that a reunion be- to sign for Juventus in a £99.2m deal. PAGE 30 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 2021 | WWW.POINTVILLE.AG

ENGLAND FACE REMATCH OF DRAMATIC 2016 FINAL against West Indies in opening match of Twenty20 World Cup in Dubai

England’s opening match of this 12s on October 23 in Dubai, with ‘The standard of T20 cricket year’s men’s Twenty20 World Cup England then playing the eventual around the world is improving ex- will be against defending champi- runner-up in Group B on October ponentially and every nation has a ons West Indies, organisers have 27 in Abu Dhabi before taking on chance of becoming World Cham- announced. Australia on October 30 in Dubai pions. It should be one of the clos- It sets up a rematch of England’s and the winner of Group A on No- est and most competitive world agonising defeat in 2016 to the vember 1 in Sharjah. tournaments to date and we can’t Windies, who won by four wickets The tournament’s semi finals wait to get started,’ he added. in Kolkata thanks to the heroics of will be held in Abu Dhabi on No- In round one of the tournament Marlon Samuels with 85 not out, vember 10 and Dubai on Novem- Ireland tackle Holland on October the highest score in world Twen- ber 11, with the marquee clash 18, Sri Lanka on October 20 and ty20 final history. scheduled in the latter city on No- Namibia on October 22. Ben Stokes had come under fire vember 14. Scotland face Bangladesh on for the defeat - bowling the last England captain Eoin Morgan October 17, Papua New Guinea on over with the Windies and needing said in an International Cricket October 19 and Oman on October 19 to win, before Carlos Brathwaite Council statement: ‘The ICC Men’s 21. hit four sixes off the first four balls. T20 World Cup is going to be bril- The sides will meet in the Super liant.

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