Under Scrutiny

Established October 1895 High winds to continue into next week PAGE 3

Saturday January 11, 2020 $1 VAT Inclusive UNDER SCRUTINY Hyatt architects and consultants respond to concerns By André Springer from previously successful projects, especially at the street level to embrace were sensitive to cultural expression the human scale of pedestrians ON Thursday evening, architects through architecture, adding that his traversing Bay Street and Shurland and consultants presented changes firm intended to use their professional Alley. The project occupies four to the proposed Hyatt Ziva project expertise to protect the public interest amalgamated sites and the overall when the planned hotel came regarding health, safety and welfare, footprint sits on approximately 33% of under scrutiny yet again, as the including cultural preservation the site. Most buildings in Bridgetown public came to voice their issues concerns. occupy 100% of the site. The regulatory at a town hall meeting at the Addressing several of the issues requirement for commercial buildings Copacabana. raised in the last meeting, including is 50% plot coverage of the site.” Those changes were outlined by building mass, building height, non- He continued, “The building height representatives from the international Barbadian vernacular, parking and did not evolve from the developers’ architectural firm DRS360, and local beach access, Best indicated that the initiative; I want to reinforce that. architectural firm Archis Design Group. concerns raised did not fall on deaf ears. Instead, it was in response to the Speaking during the town hall meeting, He also made it clear that the project Government strategic plan for the Architect Albert Best outlines the local architect Albert Best of Archis adhered to the required parameters, Pierhead Development Plan, which changes made to the Hyatt Ziva Design Group gave the assurance that including the regulatory building lines prescribes buildings of heights ranging design proposal, which were made in both firms brought a wealth of from the public roads, high water mark from 15 to 25 storeys within this area.” response to the public queries made experience to the table. He said that from the beach and property lines. at the previous Town Hall meeting in DRS360, through the knowledge gained “The building mass was tempered, HYATT RESPONDS on Page 3 November 2019. UK expands its presence in Commonwealth countries THE United Kingdom’s representation in the Commonwealth countries of the Eastern Caribbean has expanded over the last year. His Excellency Craig Fulton, Acting British High Commissioner to Barbados, noted the above as he delivered remarks during the Award Programme for the winners of the 2019 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, which was held at the British High Commissioner’s Residence at Ben Mar, Erdiston Road, St. Michael yesterday. “We now have our new High Commission offices in Antigua, Grenada and St. Vincent, as well as one in The Bahamas. And that has all taken place since we hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2018, in London. So this gives a growing and very good footprint for us to work ever more closely with our Commonwealth nations here and we have a lot of issues to work on and issues in common, which particularly affect the small island states of the region. Chief amongst these is the issue of climate change,” Mr. Fulton remarked. Noting that this year the UK will be hosting the 2020 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Kya Knight of the Deighton Griffith Secondary School was the winner of a Gold Award in the Senior Category of the 2019 he noted that there will be greater Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition. Here, she accepts her certificate from His Excellency Craig Fulton, Acting British High Commissioner to Barbados. UK EXPANDS on Page 2 2 • Saturday January 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate RCS Barbados paying attention to youth By Regina Selman Moore

THE Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) – Barbados Branch recognises the role which youth must play within our society and seeks to give prominence to the voices of youth, via its pro- grammes. K aye Williams, Chair of the RCS Barbados Branch, noted the above as she delivered remarks during the Award Programme for the win- Kaye Williams, Chair of ners of the 2019 Queen’s the RCS Barbados Commonwealth Essay Branch. Competition, which was held at the British High Williams also told Commissioner’s Residence the students that they For the first time there was a Gold Award Finalist at Ben Mar, Erdiston must see themselves The Gold Award in the Junior Category of the 2019 in the 2019 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Road, St. Michael. not only as citizens of Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition was Competition, deemed eligible to be included in the “We the Barbados Barbados, but as citizens presented to Samuel Lamontagne of Providence 140 finalists put forward for consideration for the Branch of the Royal of the Commonwealth and School. overall top global awards. Nicholas Taylor of Commonwealth Society citizens of the world. Providence School took that award. are delighted to be a part “As you grow and ma- from across the included submissions of a platform that nur- ture, we encourage you Commonwealth entered from nine girls and three Queen’s Commonwealth Nicholas Taylor of tures the creative talents to continue to express the competition, 30 boys, for a total of 12 Essay Competition was Providence School took of our young people and yourself locally, globally of whom were from students in all from four presented to Samuel that award. it’s our young people in and we encourage you to Barbados. The 2019 topic schools. Repeat winner Lamontagne of Barbados and across the build on your creativity invited young people Kya Knight of the Providence School. Commonwealth. We en- and your imagination,” to share on the topic Deighton Griffith For the first time, there deavour to protect literacy, Williams further admon- of “A Connected Secondary School was the was a Gold Award Finalist Children’s expression and celebrate ished. Commonwealth” and to winner of a Gold Award in the 2019 Queen’s excellence and imagina- Brenda Pope, Chair consider how they could in the Senior Category Commonwealth Essay tion,” she said of the RCS of the Education work to ensure cultural, of the 2019 Queen’s Competition, deemed eli- voices Barbados’ efforts to have Subcommittee of the RCS technological and environ- Commonwealth Essay gible to be included in the youth compete in the Barbados Branch, mean- mental connections for Competition. The Gold 140 finalists put forward Queen’s Commonwealth while noted that in 2019, positive change. Award in the Junior for consideration for the must be Essay Competition. over 11 000 young people The local award entries Category of the 2019 overall top global awards. heard UK EXPANDS from Page 1

collaboration with the nations of the Commonwealth to address some of the issues that affect them directly and Fulton stressed that it would be key if youthful voices can also be heard on these matters. “As part of that, we are going to be working very closely with the nations of the Eastern Caribbean, to try and build on consensus and progress around the issues which are particularly important to the small island developing states, which we hold great importance to. So we are going to be working closely with the nations here, but what we expect to hear is the voices of the children. We have already seen it at the UN, with 16-year- old Greta Thunberg and obviously, it’s the children that are going to be most important as we go forward,” Fulton stated. A section of the audience gathered for the Award Programme for the winners of the 2019 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition. (RSM) The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 11, 2020 • 3 High winds to continue into next week WHAT Barbadians tions are expected to con- A further deterioration Warning issued earlier gerous rip-currents during exercised along western, have been describing tinue into next week. in these conditions was this week will remain in that time could create northwestern and south- as unusually high From Thursday a strong anticipated from late effect as deteriorating unsafe conditions for western coastlines of the winds over the last 24 high pressure system Thursday with swells marine conditions are ex- small-craft operators, island. These conditions hours, is not unusual centred over the eastern peaking near 3.5m (11ft) pected to affect the island particularly on the east- could become even more for this time of year, Atlantic was forecasted to and wind speeds increas- until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, ern, north-eastern and adverse at times of high Senior Meteorologist generate easterly to east ing to 25-30 knots (46 to January 14, 2020. south-eastern coastlines of tide.” (Ag.) at the Barbados north-easterly surface 56 km/h). Small-craft operators Barbados. Sea-bathers are Meteorological winds of 20-25 knots (37 to She told The Barbados and sea-bathers are being advised to stay out of the Services, Semelka 46 km/h), and easterly to Advocate yesterday that encouraged to continue to water during the warning Jackman, confirmed. east north-easterly swells the High-Surf Advisory stay out of the water. period. However, some CARICOM In fact, the windy condi- peaking near 3.0m (10ft). and a Small-Craft “Large waves and dan- caution must still be has a duty to assist Haiti PRIME MINISTER of Barbados and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mia Amor Mottley, believes that CARICOM has a duty to do all it possibly can to assist the people of Haiti. Her comment was made during a statement released on Thursday, January 9 on the CARICOM website. She indicated that efforts will be made to liaise with the Haitian government to facilitate a visit by an advanced team led by the Secretary-General. “(The Secretary- General will) explore with the Government and people of Haiti and other interested parties an acceptable way forward towards alleviating the present crisis,” said the CARICOM Chairman. The regional leader expressed that CARICOM is deeply concerned at the “continuing unsettled political, economic, humanitarian and social situation”. Mottley highlighted several incidents of violence and the associated and tragic loss of life. “The current crisis has adversely affected all sec- tors of the society and has brought about severe hardship for the people of Hyatt Architects, DRS360 Directors Gabriel Raij (right) and Roy Davies, present the changes to those present at the Hyatt Ziva Town Hall Haiti,” said Mottley. meeting on Thursday evening at the Copacabana on Bay Street. She added that it was urgent for all stakeholders in the country to engage in constructive and Best, DRS360 directors outline changes in design meaningful dialogue and HYATT RESPONDS from building, 3% of the overall than the Hilton Hotel Harbour Police Station, sub-level. Moreover, not- move towards resolving Page 1 site and is predominantly and the Central Bank,” as the architects attempt ing that Shurland Alley is this prolonged crisis. obscured from Bay Street. he stated. to create a two-storey currently the only pedes- “The recent decision The Hyatt Ziva hotel To give context of the Also highlighted was component similar to the trian beach access from taken by the major stake- will have four sections other sections, Best ref- the fact that the Central surrounding areas that Bay Street, they said the holders to ensure that the with the highest one erenced the Barbados Bank and the Hilton were embraces the Barbadian design will not block or children of the country being 18 storeys on the Hilton Hotel and the unlike any of the build- vernacular of the area. hinder that access, but can resume schooling as beach side. According Barbados Central Bank ings in the immediate Also addressed was the instead greatly enhance a new school term com- to Best and DRS360 building. surroundings when they parking issue and that and redevelop the space. mences is an important Directors Roy Davies and “The visual impact from were constructed, but there was no regulatory The purpose would be to step forward and should Gabriel Raij, because of Bay Street would be one had not generated any requirement for parking encourage more pedes- serve as an impetus to ad- the changes in design, the 10-storey and one 15- negative architectural in Bridgetown for any trian traffic to and from dressing other areas of visual impact would be di- storey block separated aesthetic impact. It was businesses. The architects the beach along with contention in the interest minished as the 18-storey and linked by a two- also revealed that the said the Hyatt Ziva de- providing a new and of the well-being of the block is only 10% of the storey structure and rep- project proposes to use the sign proposal is to provide improved space for local people and of the country footprint of the overall resent heights shorter old main entrance to the 100 parking spaces in a vendors. at large,” said Mottley.

4• Saturday January 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

Mikkel Boxill received prizes for outstanding leadership potential, excellent performance in Rianna Gill received awards during yesterday’s Speech Day for the CSEC Examinations, excellent performance in Information Technology and in Additional her excellent performance in History, a prize for having the only Mathematics in the CSEC Examination, excellent work in geography in the CSEC Grade 1 in CAPE History Unit 2 in Barbados in 2019 and an Examinations and excellent results in Chemistry and Physics in the CSEC Examinations. He excellent performance in CAPE Law Unit 1 Examination was also presented The Seam Bernstein Award for the Male Student of the Year. Pleasing results! Outstanding year for The St. Michael School THE ACADEMIC year 2018- highly commended several Stating, “We are extremely performances were maintained percent and Grade 3 [was] 23.3 2019 was an outstanding one students who did well during that happy to report that we have in most subjects. For the first time percent (down from 27.1 percent for The St. Michael School year. Included were Shalissa exceeded our modest ever, all except one student last year). Together the Grade 1 (SMS), with that educational Greenidge, who placed fifth on expectations, receiving seven received Grade 1 passes in and Grade 2 passes made up an institution meeting and the Caribbean Examination Barbados Exhibitions this year,” Information Technology.” increase of 71 percent up from 65 exceeding academic goals set. Council (CXC) Caribbean she also commended the She stated the school has “been percent last year. Consequently, This information was shared Secondary Examination Exhibition winners. working on and has seen a steady there was a decline in the number by Principal, Dr.Yvette Mayers as Certificate (CSEC) Regional Going into to greater details improvement in the quality of the of passes at Grades 3 and the she delivered her report during Merit List for Visual Arts and about the school’s overall passes.” number of Grade 4 and 5 the school’s Speech Day and Rianna Gill, who received the academic performance, Dr. She shared, “The grades were assigned.” Prize-Giving Ceremony on only Grade 1 in Caribbean Mayers said “The overall CSEC distributed as follows: Grade 1 Speaking about CAPE results, Friday. Advance Proficiency pass rate increased last year to 94 passes we had 31.6 percent of our she said the school achieved its Addressing attendees in the Examination (CAPE) History percent, up from 93 percent the entries (up from 29.5 percent last goal of increasing the overall pass SMS’ auditorium, Dr. Mayers Unit 2 in Barbados in 2019. previous year. Consistently high year), Grade 2 we had 38.7 rate for CXC CAPE results to 98 percent. While adding, “Cape Unit 1 increased steadily to 97 percent. 100 percent passes were attained in 10 of the 14 subjects that we offer here.Those subjects were Accounting, Biology, Environmental Science, History, Law, Literature, Management of Business and Physics.The failure of one person each resulted in Chemistry having 94 percent passes, Communication Studies 98 percent and Entrepreneurship 91 percent. Pure Mathematics increased this year to 74 percent.” She further outlined, “There was a 98 percent pass rate for CAPE Unit 2, the same as last year. 100 percent passes were attained in Biology, Caribbean Studies, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Environ- mental Science, Literature in English, Management of Business, Physical Education and Sport, Physics,Pure Mathematic and Sociology. The failure of one student each resulted in Chemistry having 95 percent passes, History 86 percent and Law 94 percent. Caribbean Janae Browne accepting prizes for her outstanding work in Joshua Taylor accepting prizes for being the Most Studies had a total of 95 percent Mathematics in the senior school, excellent performance in Outstanding student in Information Technology, excellent passes.” biology and physics, 80 and over in five (5) subjects in the work in Geography, excellent performances in Mathematics Dr. Mayers lauded both staff promotion examinations and her excellent performance in in the CSEC Examinations, excellent performance in and students for the hard work Spanish in the promotion examinations and an outstanding Chemistry and Physics and 80 percent and over in four (4) and dedication put in to attain performance in the French CSEC examinations. subjects in the promotion examinations. the success achieved.(MG) The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 11, 2020 • 5 Walcott highlights WTO system a number of issues full of AS EFFORTS continue within the development. Minister Walcott explained CARICOM region to develop the that even though governments do not promise economies, countries are faced with trade, they are acutely aware of the issues such as investment importance of such platforms in advancing facilitation, e-commerce and trade and diversifying trading partners. despite domestic regulation of their services “The Micro, Small and Medium Sized industries, which one Government Enterprises in our region find it minister says will be increasingly increasingly difficult to tackle these problems critical in the digital age and as challenges in an environment of de-risking DESPITE the arguments that the World international borders continue to and lack of correspondent banking Trade Organisation (WTO) is in crisis, a contract. relationships.These systemic issues, over trade expert says it is full of promise. Senator Jerome Walcott, Minister of which we have limited control, have to be Hannes Schloemann, Director, WTI Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade made addressed as they can lead to the collapse Advisors made the comments at the the comments earlier this week at the of economies if they are allowed to start of a CARICOM Workshop on World Savannah Beach Hotel, during the continue. It is essential to preserve the Trade Organisation Issues, held at the opening of the three-day CARICOM recognition by the WTO [World Trade Savannah Beach Hotel earlier this Workshop on World Trade Organisation Organisation] that small economies are a week. Issues. Walcott went on to say that group of Members which should continue “The system itself is a promise, we developed and developing countries share to be given special flexibilities, as small should not forget that. Partly it is a many of the same hurdles in ecommerce, size continues to be a major disadvantage promise already kept and partly it is a but noted that for small developing to their growth, development and promise that remains to be developed. countries, the challenge is greater. competitiveness,” he added. The rules-based multilateral trading “Concerns such as electronic signatures He added, “Special and differential system does not eliminate power and and authentication, electronic contracting, treatment for small economies must Senator Jerome Walcott, Minister of this region can sing a song of that, but consumer protection, privacy and data always remain at the heart of the WTO. Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade at the same time it does provide a thick protection, computer crime, taxation and Issues like trade in agricultural goods layer of protection. It does not make the custom duties and intellectual property must remain present in the discussions cognisant that whilst the WTO serves as small ones big, but it does benefit the rights, especially in the area of trade in given food security concerns and the the world’s regulator for international small ones more than the big ones,” he digital content, are all issues which are climate crisis which we are now grappling trade, there is a wider community in the said. now universal and apply to all countries, with. Discipline on subsidies, particularly multilateral trading system, whose Schloemann while admitting that the whether rich or poor, small or large. In as it relate to the fishing sector will be mandate is to serve as the world’s system does face problems and there are Barbados, I am pleased to inform that necessary as we seek to reap the benefits conscience on issues of trade and calls for reform, but he argued that those over the last few months, action has been of the blue economy in a responsible development. The role therefore that the who declare the WTO to be dead or dying taken to address a number of these manner”. United Nations Conference on Trade and are wrong. He made the point while concerns.To this end, ASYCUDA World, With that in mind, he said that in Development (UNCTAD) plays in indicating that this week’s meeting was the Harmonised System Nomenclature Geneva, the CARICOM Caucus must ensuring that developing countries have evidence of that. 2017 edition, Data Protection Legislation continue to be a leading force in the the necessary tools and capacity to engage “It focuses on a number of issues in and the Electronic Single Window have negotiations through a strategic in the WTO and global trading system, is which WTO members including those been introduced locally to benefit of all deployment of our limited resources. He more important than ever before. It is focusing on the crises are heavily businesses and consumers,” he stated. noted that while the region’s numbers therefore part of the raison d’étre for engaged in creating new rules, in He made the remarks while explaining may be small, they must continue to be Barbados to be the host of the next breaking new ground, in finding new that there are challenges in accessing impactful, as he contended that quadrennial of UNCTAD, UNCTAD XV, ways to tackle real life challenges, real financial resources to maintain the multilateral trade must redound to the slated to be convened in October this year. business, real economic, real social, real appropriate ecommerce platforms, which benefit of all. The first SIDS country to do host this environmental issues,” he said. he added, can hinder growth and “The Government of Barbados is conference,” he added. (JRT) He added that there are other issues such as fisheries subsidies that have to be addressed. He made the point while indicating that the WTO is breaking new ground as it ventures into The 22nd Frank Collymore Literary supporting sustainability rather than competition. “The time is required for leadership Endowment Awards takes place today and we should wherever possible, be BARBADOS’ writers will be feted at the authors, poets, and playwrights,” said H. Nigel Thomas, and our finalists will among the rule makers not just rule 22nd Frank Collymore Literary Sherri Bishop, Senior Communications showcase their talent by performing takers. Working closely with the Endowment (FCLE) Awards, which takes Officer at the Central Bank of Barbados, excerpts from their work. We encourage CARICOM Focal Points in Geneva and place today,January 11, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. which has sponsored the FCLE since its everyone to come out to hear Dr. Thomas the Office of Trade Negotiations here in at the Frank Collymore Hall. inception. “We consider this programme a and to show their support for this new Barbados and of course, not to be During that ceremony,which celebrates key part of our outreach because we generation of Barbadian writers.” forgotten, in Guyana and in Jamaica, the best of Barbadian literature, the understand that having a strong literary The FCLE was started in 1998 with the our team has had the pleasure, and has winners of last year’s competition will be tradition will unquestionably make for an goal of developing the literary arts in the pleasure of supporting this effort. announced, with the three top finishers even richer Barbadian culture.” Barbados. In addition to the annual This effort of providing Caribbean receiving cash prizes. Bishop also shared some of what competition, it offers technical clinics for leadership into and through the ACP “We are pleased to be able to shine the attendees can expect at the awards. “Our writers as well as workshops for secondary and into and through the WTO,” he said. spotlight on Barbados’ many talented featured speaker will be Vincentian-born school students. (JRT) NCSA looks to provide appropriate assistance; embraces We Gatherin’ WOMEN from Back Page headed household, so we really something we would have to that the NCSA will be are so many myths surrounding want to put interventions in look at in conjunction with our embracing the national year- drug use, and we are committed “So, we really want to put our place so that our females can treatment providers, to see how long celebration We Gatherin’ to engaging other professionals finger on what are some of the get the appropriate assistance if best we can tailor our 2020. “Our activities span the as time permits and as the factors that hamper women they are impacted by drug use.” interventions for females,” she 12-month period. What we will situation warrants, to join with from seeking treatment, to see if “Providing facilities for said. focus on this entire year is really us to give alternate views on the we can along with the females or providing Drug Awareness Month is our partners in trying to get the whole issue of drugs, how it treatment agencies put systems interventions for females being held under the theme “We drug education message across.” effects persons, who it affects in place to encourage our almost invariably means that give you the facts, you make the “We want the drug issues to most and basically debunk some females … As we know you have to provide some sort of choice”. be seen as something not to be of the myths surrounding all Barbados is largely a female childcare. And so that is Moreover, Hunte revealed swept under the carpet. There types of drugs”. (TL)

6 • Saturday January 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

New book gives insight into Muslims in region A LOCAL author has “We have understood as a mi- brought to light the history grant community that we and depth of the contribu- needed to be able to define for tion Muslims have made to ourselves, first, a path of sur- the development of Islamic vival and then a path of pros- and the wider communities pering, within a land that was in Caribbean Community not initially ours. And in cir- (CARICOM) member states. cumstances where those who “Muslims of CARICOM” by controlled our movements had Sabir Nakhuda was officially no desire for us to do more than launched at the 3W’s Oval, The eke out a basic existence. University of the West Indies “But, rather than opt for bit- Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM, David Comissiong, addressing the ‘Muslims of CARICOM’ (UWI) Cave Hill Campus on terness, this Caribbean region book launch. Wednesday night, with the first has shown that it is possible to copy presented to Prime define a space for all of us that are different. And we have a one another on land masses far about Muslims in CARICOM, Minister of Barbados and allows each of us to be able to duty to tell those stories – first, larger than anything we have they think about the post- CARICOM Chair, the Hon. Mia appeal to the better aspects of to our own and secondly, to the access too. emancipation period; they Amor Mottley. our nature. And to create a rest of the world. As an inspira- “And we have therefore a think about the period of in- His research chronicles the space where respect for the dig- tion that in spite of where we duty in this region to remind dentureship and the so-called presence of Islam and Muslims nity of each human being is the have come from, we have others and ourselves because indentured servants coming over several centuries in the platform from which our soci- known what it is to rise above it is so easy to take for granted from India, Pakistan area, Caribbean region, and exposes, eties, as modern civilisations, our circumstances and to cele- many things – to remind others Indonesian and so forth. But, perhaps for the first time, ought to be built. And I say so brate life, in respect of dignity that ours is a society that val- Sabir makes it plain that the persons who have contributed conscious of the fact that other of each other,” she said. ues these aspects of respect, first Muslims came from to the existence of successful regions in the world have Furthermore, Prime Minister and that values tolerance as a Sub-Saharan Africa across the Muslim communities in each of known what it is to have people Mottley emphasised that the critical part of our society.” middle passage. the countries presented. vilified, marginalised, and dis- stability as a region can be Barbados Ambassador to “Sabir started us on a jour- Congratulating Nakhuda on criminated against... threatened by global events. CARICOM, David Comissiong ney that should lead us to look now his second book, the PM “Even though we acknowl- “And at the heart of those commended Nakhuda’s book, very deeply into the role that took the opportunity to point edge the wholeness of the global events is the inability of noting that “he tried to tell the Muslims have played in craft- out that there are very few who Caribbean as one, we recognise persons of different faiths and whole story”. ing this Caribbean civilisation were indigenous to this region, that the mechanisms or path- different civilisations to be able According to the Ambassador, that we should be extremely who still live among us. ways by which all of us got here to live together, and to respect “Most people when they think proud about. I certainly look forward to using your text in my work as Ambassador to CARICOM,” Comissiong said. “The message is now sinking in all across the Caribbean, all across our region, our community,that more and more we really have to look to ourselves. There are no saviours out there – there is nobody out there in that international community that is really interested in us and our welfare. We have to look within for our own salva- tion and with looking within, we have to identify and prize and value all of the cultural in- puts that have gone into making this very unique Caribbean civilisation,” he added. The author disclosed that he journeyed to 15 Caribbean countries, India, North America and Canada for his research.“I also read bout 75 books on the subject matter, and I interviewed about 300 people. “For me, I think that speaking to people, doing oral research seems to be what I love to do. Because not only do I learn about the different aspects of the life of the individual; I learn more about the Front row: Prime Minister of Barbados the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley; author Sabir Nakhuda and his wife; Sir Marston Gibson, Chief person I am interviewing… It Justice of Barbados; Professor Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick, Islamic Scholar and Historian, at the launch of the book ‘Muslims of was such a fantastic experi- CARICOM’. ence,” Nakhuda expressed. (TL) The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 11, 2020 • 7 China opens up oil and gas exploration, production for foreign, domestic firms SINGAPORE/BEIJING – For investors, is the focus of that the first time, China will this reform.” year allow foreign China now imports 70% of the companies to explore for and crude oil it refines and nearly produce oil and gas in the half its natural gas consumption, country, opening up the and state firms face an uphill industry to firms other than battle boosting reserves and state-run energy giants, as production outside the country Beijing looks to boost amid growing geopolitical risks. domestic energy supplies. Previously, international The long-awaited opening companies could enter the accompanies a reshuffle of the industry only via joint ventures so-called “midstream” pipeline or cooperation with Chinese business. firms, mainly state-owned From May 1, foreign firms majors such as China National FILE PHOTO: Workers are seen near pumpjacks at a China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) registered in China with net Petroleum Company (CNPC), oil field in Bayingol assets of 300 million yuan China Petrochemical Corp (US$43 million) will be allowed (Sinopec) or their listed vehicles. “Compared to previous onshore and offshore, with the breaker...it will take time but it to take part in oil and gas Mineral resources mining measures of exploration work under-explored resources, such could bring about the long- exploration and production, the permits will be valid for five commitment, the new rule as shale oil and shale gas, costly desired competitive ministry of natural resources years at initial registration, and makes the acreage transfer more to develop because of their environment that has made the announced at a news conference. can potentially be extended for efficient and compulsory,” the complex geology. oil and gas industry so efficient The change will also apply to five more. official said. “The policy may come too in North America,” said an domestic companies that meet But firms seeking extensions But as spending by global late...as the sweet spots are all executive with a Hong Kong- the same condition. will have the area of the mining firms becomes more disciplined taken,” said a Beijing-based listed oilfield service provider. “China is accelerating the or exploration reduced by a after the 2014 oil crash, and industry adviser to a European As part of the reform, the sector reform due to growing quarter from the levels originally other resource-rich nations such oil and gas firm. ministry said, all mineral energy security concerns,” said approved, the ministry added. as India and Malaysia look to Rather,domestic independent resource licences are to be Zhu Kunfeng, the Beijing-based This new rule will force state burnish terms to attract companies, such as oilfield awarded by competitive bidding associate director of upstream firms, which control most of the investors, the reform may not service providers or firms with and tenders, except for rare research at IHS Markit. prospective oil and gas deposits, lure an immediate flow of foreign some exploration experience earths and radioactive minerals, “Vitalising the industry by to cede some acreage, said a investment. abroad, may be drawn to the where licences will still be diversifying the participants, government official involved in Chinese majors have also game, said IHS’s Zhu. strictly controlled. including foreign and private the reform. tapped most of the best assets “This is quite an ice- ($1=6.9297 Chinese yuan)

Chinese province: Just 17 of our 80m people now live in poverty A CHINESE province has said Stories about individual just 17 people, out of its cases of extreme poverty population of more than 80 continue to shock the country. million, are living in poverty. There’s no one standard Jiangsu province said only a definition of poverty across all handful of people lived below of China, as it differs from its benchmark of 6,000 yuan a province to province. year (US$863; £660) following One widely-quoted national a successful state campaign. standard is 2,300 yuan But the figures were (US$331; £253) net income a questioned online, with one year. Under that standard, person asking: “I don’t believe there were around 30 million it. Are there no unemployed people living in poverty across people in the province? No the whole of China in 2017. beggars?” But many provinces have Eliminating poverty is one of raised their poverty the Chinese government’s benchmark – as in the case of major ambitions. South- Jiangsu, where it is at 6,000 eastern Jiangsu is one of the yuan. country’s wealthiest provinces, The 6,000 yuan figure breaks second only in economic output down to around US$2.40 a day to Guangdong. – which is above the World Its latest data from the end of Bank’s international poverty 2019 shows that in the past line of US$1.90. four years, 2.54 million people Since opening up to the have been lifted out of poverty, global economy in the 1990s, as defined by the province. China has seen its poverty It ties in with the province’s rates tumble, and the declared target of essentially government hopes to eradicate eradicating poverty by 2020. extreme poverty in 2020. The 17 still living below the According to the country’s poverty standard are all National Bureau of Statistics, capable of working, according the average disposable income to authorities who spoke to around 6% a year. campaign has been queried social media platform. in 2018 was 28,228 yuan Chinese media, although four But even with the country online. While China’s economy has ($4,059; £3,106) per person. “have diseases”. getting much richer, the “How could they be so skyrocketed in recent decades, That breaks down to 39,251 Despite a slowdown, China’s apparent staggering success of accurate?” was a typical poverty has not disappeared – yuan in urban and 14,617 yuan economy is still growing at Jiangsu’s anti-poverty comment on Weibo, China’s and inequality has grown. in rural households.

8 • Saturday January 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate ‘For the cause that lacks assistance, ’Gainst the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do’ Editorial Meghan returns to Canada as British Do not drop royals seek to solve Harry rift LONDON – Meghan, the returned to announce that neither the queen nor and who would pay for wife of Prince Harry, has they would step back from Prince Charles – Harry’s their transatlantic focus on CNCDs gone back to Canada to be royal duties and build a father and heir to the lifestyles. AS WE go forward into 2020, we cannot overlook with their son after the more “progressive” role for throne – were consulted on At the moment, nearly the matter of addressing this high prevalence of couple provoked a rift with themselves. the release of their all of their income is CNCDs in Barbados. Britain’s royal family by Meghan has now statement or its contents, a provided by Charles’s Chronic non-communicable diseases are said unexpectedly announcing returned to Canada to be royal source said. Duchy of Cornwall estate, to account for 80 per cent of total deaths in they would be stepping with her son, a As the crisis engulfed the although the cost of their Barbados. Additionally,it is said that one-quarter back from their roles to spokeswoman said. Windsors, aides who work security – estimated by of adult Barbadians have a chronic non- spend more time in North The couple – formally the for the queen, Charles, and newspapers to be hundreds communicable disease and this statistic is America. Duke and Duchess of Harry’s elder brother of thousands of pounds a expected to rise to one-third, by 2030. Queen Elizabeth and Sussex – said they had William were trying to find year – is currently met by Given the current health profile of Barbadians, other senior British royals been reflecting for months a solution. the government. the Ministry of Health has redirected its focus, were trying to calm the before making the decision, The royal source said it The Times newspaper concentrating now on the promotion of healthy crisis by thrashing out a which would see them was hoped a successful said Charles might cut off lifestyles, rather than the treatment of disease, plan for Harry and divide their time between outcome would take “days their funding if they moved with a view to decreasing risk factors for chronic Meghan after the couple Britain and North America not weeks”. away from royal duties diseases. It has been noted that the Ministry of blindsided the family by to allow them and Archie altogether,although public Health supports the assertion made by the World going public with their the space they needed. “Crisis talks” relations experts said they Health Organisation (WHO), that 80 per cent of announcement without They also said they “Queen fights to save could use their global fame non-communicable diseases are preventable, consultation. intended to become monarchy,” the Daily to make large sums using simple lifestyle interventions, linked to The couple spent six financially independent. Mirror said on its front through public speaking, behavioural change. weeks in Canada at the The couple, who spoke of page while the Sun tabloid endorsements or their own However, while the Health Ministry has end of last year before their struggles dealing spoke of “Crisis talks after TV production company. embarked on a number of promotional efforts, returning to Britain and with the intense media couple defied Queen”. Six months ago Harry which strive to send the message that better their first official attention in a TV interview While other members of and Meghan applied to the nutrition and frequent physical activity is key in engagement of 2020 was to last October,revealed their the royal family have had UK Intellectual Property reducing the likelihood of falling ill with a chronic visit Canada House to say decision to step back from paying jobs, it was not Office to trademark the non-communicable disease, it appears that the thank you for what they royal duties on Instagram, immediately clear how phrases Sussex Royal and messages are at times falling on deaf ears, as said had been an leaving senior royals hurt Harry, 35 and sixth in line Sussex Royal Foundation Barbadians continue to enjoy fast foods, engage in “unbelievable” welcome. and disappointed. to the throne, and Meghan, for items ranging from tobacco consumption and consume plenty of Their baby son, Archie, Discussions over the 38, could become what books and charity alcohol. remained in Canada as future had only been at a royal biographers said was campaigns to pyjamas and The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) has Harry and Meghan preliminary stage and effectively “half-royal” – socks. also issued some startling statistics about the burden of CNCDs in Barbados and the region.The HCC notes that in the Caribbean, the chronic diseases of concern are heart disease, stroke, House poise to move Trump impeachment cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. These are caused by biological factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, high blood sugar and charges to Senate next week high blood cholesterol. The HCC asserts that in WASHINGTON – The Republican votes to start Trump at the trial and to cursory trial without Latin America and the Caribbean, chronic Democratic-led U.S. House the trial without a transmit the impeachment hearing all the evidence. diseases are now the leading cause of premature of Representatives will commitment to hear from charges to the Senate. Adding to their concerns, mortality, accounting for nearly half of all deaths send formal impeachment additional witnesses, Last month, the House McConnell has backed a of persons under 70 years, and for two out of three charges against President including former Trump adopted a rule allowing Republican-backed deaths overall. The HCC goes on to state that Donald Trump to the national security adviser Democrats to quickly bring resolution that would clear diabetes is a major cause of admissions to Senate as early as next John Bolton. up a resolution naming the way for senators to hospital, kidney failure, blindness and limb week, House Speaker Democrats are trying to managers, and to vote on it dismiss the charges before amputations in the region. Obesity and Nancy Pelosi said convince a few moderate after only 10 minutes of the House submits them. overweight is an ever increasing concern and yesterday,setting the stage Republican senators to debate. That means the “A dismissal is a cover-up challenge in almost all Caribbean countries. “For for his long-awaited trial. allow witnesses. One House could vote as soon as and deprives the American example in Barbados 1/3 men and 3/5 of women Pelosi, the top Democrat moderate, Senator Susan Tuesday. people of the truth,” Pelosi are overweight, and incidence of obesity for men in the House, has been Collins of Maine, told House Democrats have said in her letter, accusing is 9% and that for women 13.1%. Risk factors of engaged in a three-week reporters in her home state said Pelosi could name up McConnell of intending to major concern for the Caribbean contributing to cat-and-mouse game with that she and a “fairly small to 10 lawmakers as “stonewall.” She said she the NCDs are obesity,exposure to tobacco smoke, Senate Majority Leader group” of her fellow managers, including House would consult with House unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and alcohol Mitch McConnell over the Republican senators are Intelligence Committee Democrats on how to abuse” the HCC points out. rules for Trump’s trial in working to ensure Chairman Adam Schiff, proceed on Tuesday. The Coalition suggests that the human and the Republican-controlled witnesses can be called. who spearheaded the The House impeached economic cost burden of these conditions is not Senate. The Senate is expected to impeachment probe, and Trump on Dec. 18 on sustainable and could undermine the Democrats have acquit Trump before the House Judiciary charges of abusing power development of the region’s small, fragile demanded it include new 2020 presidential election Committee Chairman and obstructing Congress. countries. witness testimony and campaign heats up, as no Jerrold Nadler. The investigation was Given the information that is out there and the evidence about the Republicans have voiced Pelosi has declined to sparked by a preventative campaigns before us, Barbadians Republican president’s support for ousting him, a submit the charges, or whistleblower’s complaint must not turn a blind eye to these matters. pressuring of Ukraine to step that would require a articles of impeachment, to about Trump’s July 25 However, it is high time that Barbadians citizens probe former Vice two-thirds majority. the Senate. She was phone call with Ukrainian pay greater heed to all the messages and President Joe Biden, a In a letter to House seeking leverage for President Volodymyr campaigns presented to them and take up the leading Democrat running Democratic lawmakers Democrats to negotiate Zelenskiy. Trump says he challenge of leading healthier lifestyles. The for the right to face Trump yesterday, Pelosi said a rules of the trial, which did nothing wrong and has situation as it is, is already out of control. While in the November election. resolution could be brought cannot begin until the dismissed his the authorities are doing their share to combat the McConnell slammed the up next week to appoint charges are transmitted. impeachment as a partisan rise in CNCDs, if Barbadians continue to throw door on that idea this week, House “managers” to Democrats fear bid to undo his 2016 caution to the wind where healthy living is saying he had enough prosecute the case against McConnell plans to hold a election win. concerned, then much time, effort and money will be wasted, and we will remain burdened by Executive Editor: Allison Downes Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan diseases, that can be prevented. So let us remain Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke focused on tackling this health issue. E-mail Address: [email protected] Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 11, 2020 • 9

Mexico school shooting: LIAT announces new Board FORMER Barbados Prime Minister This assignment will be supported Owen Arthur has been confirmed as by other directors and the Management Boy, 11, kills teacher head of the Board of Directors Team of the airline,” LIAT said in its of regional airline LIAT, and statement. he has already been given the task The other Directors, who LIAT said of examining the sustainability bring to the airline and regional and himself in Torreón of the financially-troubled carrier. transportation sector over 100 years In a statement issued Thursday,days of combined aviation experience, AN 11-year-old student has opened Torreón, some 800 kilometres (500 miles) after Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime are: Michael Holder, Mark fire in a school in northern Mexico, from the capital, Mexico City. Minister Gaston Browne disclosed that Maloney, Robert Riley, and Juanita killing a teacher and injuring at least The mayor said police were still trying Arthur would be the new Chairman, Thorington-Powlett of Barbados six other people before shooting to locate his parents. Dozens of police and replacing Dr. Jean Holder who has which is the largest shareholder himself dead, officials say. soldiers have surrounded the school. retired after 16 years, LIAT confirmed government; Carolyn Tonge, The incident happened at the private The injured included five students and the former Prime Minister Lennox Weston and Sir Robin Colegio Cervantes school in the city of a physical education teacher.They are in was nominated and elected to the Yearwood from Antigua and Barbuda; Torreón in Coahuila state. stable conditions in hospital. position. and St Vincent and the Grenadines’ It was not immediately clear what his Coahuila state Governor Miguel Angel Arthur is currently a Professor Isaac Solomon. motives were. Riquelme said the boy had asked to go to of Practice at the University The nominations came from LIAT’s Though murders are on the rise in the bathroom at the start of the school of The West Indies. He has served the shareholder governments. The other Mexico, school shootings are rare. day. Caribbean in various capacities, shareholder is Dominica. The boy – who has not been identified His teacher went to look for him after including his work presiding “The Directors have demonstrated – was a good student who lived with 15 minutes, and the boy then emerged over the regional process to revise exceptional records of performance and his grandmother and had normal firing his weapons, Riquelme said. the Treaty of Chaguaramas to service to the industry and to the behaviour, Mayor Jorge Zermeño told “He was well behaved, but he told some establish the Caribbean Single Market region,” LIAT said. Milenio TV. of his classmates that ‘today was the day’,” and Economy (CSME). “LIAT’s Shareholders, Management He carried two guns, Zermeño said. he said. “The new Chairman has been and Staff welcome our Directors to the It was not clear how the boy had obtained Riquelme said the boy had worn a tasked by the new Board to undertake LIAT and look forward to working them. T-shirt bearing the name of the video a special assignment to meet together with the new Board to foster The shooting happened at about 9 am game Natural Selection, partly a with regional Prime Ministers to and strengthen regional transportation local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday in first-person shooter game. discuss sustainability of the Airline. and integration.”

UN Security Council calls for dialogue in Haiti as political impasse drags on THE United Nations Security Council has stressed the need to resolve the ongoing political impasse in Haiti between President Jovenel Moïse and a surging opposition movement. Members issued a statement last night, outlining the immediate necessity for parties to engage in an inclusive and open dialogue to form a government that responds to the needs of the people. In addition to political instability,Haiti has also faced fuel shortages, corruption scandals and other challenges, prompting angry citizens to take to the streets. “The members of the Security Council recalled the need for the Government of Haiti to address the underlying causes of instability and poverty within the country. They urged all stakeholders to refrain from violence and to resolve differences through peaceful means,” the statement said. They further emphasized the urgent need to address deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the country, with support from the UN and the international community. Recent projections by the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, show that the number of Haitians who do not have enough to eat is expected to surpass four million this year, up from 3.7 million in 2019. The Council also called for action to address recent spikes of violence, adding that those responsible must be held accountable. They particularly referenced the November 2018 massacre of civilians in the La Saline neighbourhood in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and the killing of some 15 people one year later in armed clashes in the Bel-Air district. In addition to political instability, Haiti has also faced fuel shortages, corruption scandals and other challenges, prompting Council members also urged Haitian angry citizens to take to the streets. stakeholders to continue to take advantage of the recently established The office, known by the French Tomorrow marks a solemn occasion for people, including 102 UN personnel. UN Integrated Office in the country, acronym BINUH, became operational in the country as it commemorates ten years The incident ranks among the top ten which works to strengthen political October following the end of 15 years of since a devastating earthquake destroyed deadliest earthquakes in human history, stability and good governance. UN peacekeeping operations in Haiti. the capital and killed more than 200 000 according to a recent OCHA report.

10 • Saturday January 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

Another big oil find in CARICOM – this time it’s offshore Suriname ON the heels of major oil discoveries Cretaceous oil play into Suriname wa- in Guyana, another big find has been ters,” said Kevin McLachlan, Senior Vice made by French and US companies President Exploration at Total which is drilling offshore Suriname. also exploring in neighbouring Guyana. The US-based Apache Corporation and “We are optimistic about the large French multinational Total S.A, which remaining potential of the area still to be are 50/50 partners in the Block 58 acreage discovered and will test several other off the coast of the Caribbean Community prospects on the same block.” (CARICOM) nation, say they’ve made a John J. Christmann, CEO and significant oil discovery at the Maka President of oil and gas exploration Central-1 well in the block. and production company Apache, was They said the well, drilled by the drill- also pleased with the results from ship Noble Sam Croft, encountered more Maka Central-1. than 123 metres net pay of high-quality “The well proves a working hydrocar- The discovery was made by the drillship Noble Sam Croft. light oil and gas rich condensate net pay. bon system in the first two play types Further drilling and testing are to be within Block 58 and confirms our geo- imaging, suggests a substantial resource.” play fairway. In partnership with Total, carried out to appraise the resources and logic model with oil and condensate in Christmann added that Block 58, which we look forward to advancing both productivity of the reservoir. shallower zones and oil in deeper zones,” comprises 1.4 million acres, offers exploration and development of discover- “We are very pleased with this first he said. significant potential beyond the discovery ies on the block,” he said. significant oil discovery, made just after “Preliminary formation evaluation data at Maka Central. The Noble Sam Croft will drill the next our entry into Block 58.The result is very indicates the potential for prolific oil “We have identified at least seven dis- well, Sapakara West-1, approximately encouraging and proves the extension of wells. Additionally, the size of the strati- tinct play types and more than 50 20 kilometres southeast of Maka the prolific world-class Guyana graphic feature, as defined by 3-D seismic prospects within the thermally mature Central-1.

Puerto Rico earthquake aftermath worsens; Government overwhelmed MORE than 2 000 people in shelters. Nearly 1 million without power. Hundreds of thousands without water. The aftermath of a 6.4-magnitude earthquake that killed one person, injured nine others and severely damaged infrastructure in Puerto Rico’s southwest coast is deepening as the island’s government says it is overwhelmed. Many in the affected area are comparing the situation to Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm that hit in September 2017, as hundreds of families who are unable to return to their damaged homes wonder where they’ll stay in upcoming weeks and months as hope fades of electricity being restored soon.

Trump declares emergency US President Donald Trump declared an emergency in Puerto Rico several hours after Tuesday’s quake hit, a move that frees up federal funds via the US Federal Emergency Management Agency for things ranging from transportation to medical care to mobile generators. But some local officials worry the help won’t arrive soon enough. “FEMA is a very bureaucratic agency Many in the affected area are comparing the situation to Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm that hit in September 2017, and it moves very slowly. So slowly that we’re still waiting for federal funds from according to experts. Every time it shakes, to the southern coastal city of Ponce were in the island’s southwest region also is un- Maria,” Daniel Hernandez, director of personnel have to evacuate and further indefinitely closed near Ponce. certain as officials delayed the start of generation for Puerto Rico’s Electric damage to the plant’s infrastructure is Meanwhile, those aftershocks have led classes that was scheduled for Thursday. Power Authority, told The Associated feared, Hernandez said. to a rise in the number of people seeking A three-story school in Guanica that Press. Power company director Jose Ortiz said shelter in southwest Puerto Rico as houses nearly 450 children alone saw its He said FEMA has pledged to bring he expects nearly all customers to have government officials continue to inspect first two floors flattened by the quake. mobile generators to bolster the com- electricity by early next week, adding that homes and public housing complexes. There were no children in the school at pany’s biggest plant, which is near the extremely preliminary assessments show Fernando Gil, secretary of Puerto Rico’s the time. island’s southern coast where the quake that at least $50 million in damage Housing Department, urged people to Education officials said 24 schools were hit and is severely damaged. Hernandez occurred. stay with family or in shelters if they felt affected by the quake but that teams of said it’s unclear how quickly the plant unsafe in their homes as the government engineers were inspecting all of the is- can be repaired, noting that a damage Highway closes, aftershocks fill relocated more than two dozen people land’s schools. They said it’s too early to assessment is ongoing, although some shelters from damaged residences. say when classes might start. officials estimated it could take up to one On Thursday, transportation officials “Meanwhile, we will continue While officials say it’s too early to year to repair. closed a portion of one of Puerto Rico’s to identify what kind of help is needed to provide an estimate of total damage, they Complicating efforts to restore power busiest highways because of what they support all affected families,” he said. say hundreds of homes and businesses are strong aftershocks, with more than called serious structural failures related were affected by Tuesday’s quake and the 40 earthquakes with a 3.0-magnitude or to the quake. Both directions of Highway Schools damaged 5.8-magnitude one that preceded it on higher occurring since Tuesday’s quake, 52 that runs from the capital of San Juan The future of hundreds of schoolchildren Monday. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 11, 2020 • 11

Trump says someone else got his Nobel Peace Prize US President Donald Trump helping to bring the two parties seems to think that he was together, says the BBC’s former overlooked for last year’s Ethiopia correspondent, Nobel Peace Prize. Emmanuel Igunza. Saudi Arabia also played a W hy, what did he say? key role in helping end the dis- “I’m going to tell you about the pute. Nobel Peace Prize, I’ll tell you The peace deal helped bring about that. I made a deal, I back Eritrea from the cold after saved a country,and I just heard sanctions were imposed in 2009. that the head of that country is The UN Security Council now getting the Nobel Peace lifted the sanctions in Prize for saving the country. I November 2018, four months said: ‘What, did I have some- after the peace deal was signed. thing do with it?’ Yeah, but you know, that’s the way it is. As Why did Trump make the long as we know, that’s all that comments now? matters... I saved a big war, I’ve This is not clear, given that the saved a couple of them.” Nobel Peace Prize was awarded A video clip of him talking to on 11 October last year, and supporters at a campaign event Mr Abiy gave his acceptance in Toledo, Ohio, on Thursday speech in Oslo, Norway, on 10 evening was shared on Twitter: December. Interestingly, Mr Trump has Who was he talking about? not officially congratulated Mr Although he did not name the Mr Abiy has been praised for introducing a series of reforms. Abiy but his daughter, Ivanka Nobel Peace Prize winner or the Trump, who serves as his senior country, it is clear that Mr Prize – the only head of state to trade impossible. committee said. adviser, and the US Secretary of Trump was referring to win the prize since Mr Trump The Nobel Committee said it State Mike Pompeo, have done Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy was elected in 2016. hoped the peace agreement Did Trump help broker peace so. Ahmed. would help to bring about posi- between Ethiopia and However, Mr Trump has Mr Abiy, 43, is Africa’s Why did he win the Nobel tive change to the citizens of Eritrea? publicly said he deserved the youngest head of government. Peace Prize? Ethiopia and Eritrea. Not really – the US’s influence Nobel Peace Prize for, among He came into office in April The Norwegian Nobel Since the peace deal with in the peace talks was minimal. other things, his efforts to con- 2018 after months of anti-gov- Committee said Mr Abiy was Eritrea, Mr Abiy has also been The United Arab Emirates, vince North Korea’s leader Kim ernment protests forced his honoured for his “decisive initia- involved in peace processes in which has a lot of influence in Jong-un to give up nuclear predecessor to resign. tive to resolve the border con- other African countries, the the Horn of Africa, was key in weapons. Mr Abiy has introduced mas- flict with neighbouring Eritrea”. sive liberalising reforms to The two countries fought a Ethiopia, shaking up what was bitter border war from 1998- a tightly controlled nation. 2000, which killed tens of thou- He freed thousands of opposi- sands of people. Although a Iran will announce reason for tion activists from jail and al- ceasefire was signed in 2000, lowed exiled dissidents to re- the neighbours technically return home. He has also allowed mained at war until July 2018, crash of Ukrainian airliner today the media to operate freely and when Mr Abiy and Eritrea’s DUBAI – Iran will announce Fars news agency reported on mission focused on air accidents appointed women to prominent President Isaias Afwerki signed today the reason for the crash of Friday, citing an informed but the report did not provide positions. a peace deal. So for two decades, the Ukrainian airliner that was source. any information on what And in October last year, he the long border was closed, di- flying to Kiev from Tehran ear- The announcement will take kind of information had been was awarded the Nobel Peace viding families and making lier this week, the semi-official place after a meeting of a com- collected.

Washington turns down Iraqi call to remove troops BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON – Baghdad and was aiming to cuss the withdrawal of US troops US killing of Soleimani, Iran’s olations of Iraqi sovereignty, are Washington yesterday spurned strike four US embassies when as their presence in Iraq was “ap- top general, in a drone strike on a part of the deteriorating situ- an Iraqi request to prepare to Soleimani was killed in a US propriate”. Jan. 3. Iran responded on ation” in the region, Sistani said. pull out its troops, amid height- drone strike. “There does, however, need to Wednesday by firing missiles at “Iraq must govern itself and ened US-Iranian tensions after “We will tell you probably it be a conversation between the US forces in Iraq. there must be no role for out- the US killing of an Iranian com- was going to be the embassy in US and Iraqi governments not In the aftermath, both sides siders in its decision-making.” mander in Baghdad, and said it Baghdad,”Trump said in a clip of just regarding security, but backed off from intensifying the Iraq has suffered decades of was exploring a possible expan- an interview with Fox News. “I about our financial, economic, conflict but the region remains war,sanctions and sectarian con- sion of NATO’s presence there. can reveal that I believe it would and diplomatic partnership,” tense. flict, including the US-led inva- Seeking to tighten pressure on have been four embassies.” spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus Iraq’s top Shi’ite Muslim cleric sion of 2003. its foe, the United States mean- Iraqi Prime Minister Adel said in a statement. condemned the US-Iranian At Friday prayers in Tehran, while imposed more sanctions Abdul Mahdi made his request Pompeo told reporters a NATO struggle happening on Iraqi soil, mid-ranking Iranian cleric on Iran, responding to an attack for preparations for a US troop delegation was in Washington saying it risked plunging his Mohammad Javad Haj Aliakbari on US troops in Iraq launched by withdrawal in a phone call with on Friday to discuss the future of country and the wider Middle said US interests across the Tehran in retaliation for the US Secretary of State Mike the Iraq mission and a plan to East into deeper conflict. world were now exposed to death of General Qassem Pompeo on Thursday in line with “get burden-sharing right in the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani threats. Soleimani. a vote in Iraq’s parliament last region.” said it was Iraqis who stood to Since Soleimani’s killing, Iraq could bear the brunt of week, his office said. Separately, the State suffer most from the US-Iranian Tehran has stepped up its calls any further violence between its Abdul Mahdi asked Pompeo to Department said Pompeo had conflict. In a message delivered for US forces to leave Iraq, which neighbour Iran and the United “send delegates to put in place discussed Iran with Canadian through a representative at like Iran is a mainly Shi’ite States, its leaders caught in a the tools to carry out the parlia- Foreign Minister Francois Friday prayers in the holy city of Muslim nation. Iranian bind as Washington and Tehran ment’s decision,” his office said in Philippe Champagne as well as Kerbala, Sistani said no foreign Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei are also the Iraqi government’s a statement, adding that the “the opportunity for an ex- powers should be allowed to de- has said the retaliatory strikes main allies and vie for influence forces used in the killing had en- panded NATO force in Iraq and cide Iraq’s fate. were not enough and that ending there. tered Iraq or used its airspace appropriate burden sharing.” the US military presence in the President Donald Trump said without permission. The latest flare-up in the long Calls to leave region was Tehran’s main goal. Iran had probably planned to at- The State Department said covert war between Iran and the “The latest dangerous aggres- Critics have called Soleimani’s tack the US embassy in any US delegation would not dis- United States began with the sive acts, which are repeated vi- killing a reckless action.

12 • Saturday January 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

Texas becomes first state to refuse refugees NEW YORK – Governor Greg Abbott of try.The State Department did not imme- mum number of refugees that year at Texas yesterday became the first gover- diately respond to a request for comment. 50,000. Since then, the cap has been nor in the country to refuse to accept So far, 41 governors – 18 of them slashed every year. refugees after President Donald Trump Republican – and at least seven dozen Trump set a ceiling of 18 000 refugee signed an executive order empowering local officials have consented to admissions for this year, the lowest level local jurisdictions to consent to the fed- resettlement, according to a tally by the since the modern refugee programme eral program. resettlement agency Lutheran began in 1980. By contrast, former “At this time, the state and non-profit Immigration and Refugee Service. Democratic President Barack Obama organisations have a responsibility to Florida and Georgia, other major recip- proposed resettling 110 000 refugees in dedicate available resources to those who ients of refugees, have so far remained fiscal 2017. are already here, including refugees, mi- silent on their stance. The governor’s The administration has said the con- grants and the homeless,” Abbott, a office in Florida said it was still review- sent requirement, signed in September, Republican, said in his letter to the US ing the issue and Georgia declined to aimed to ensure receiving communities State Department. “As a result, Texas comment. have the resources to integrate refugees. cannot consent,” to refugee resettlement Cutting immigration has been a cen- But refugee resettlement groups have this fiscal year, he said. trepiece of Trump’s presidency and 2020 argued that giving local governors and The decision is a major blow to the US re-election campaign. One of his first acts mayors a veto over whom they accept is refugee programme since Texas is the after assuming office in January 2017 unconstitutional and would disrupt the largest recipient of refugees in the coun- was to issue an order capping the maxi- way they work. Texas Governor Greg Abbott. US seeks to squeeze Cuba by UN: Congo ethnic killings may further curbing flights to island amount to crimes WASHINGTON/HAVANA – The United States is curbing public char- ter flights to Cuba in a further effort against humanity to squeeze the Cuban government’s GENEVA – Killings, rapes and other bar- income, the US State Department baric violence committed by an ethnic said yesterday, prompting an outcry armed group in northeastern Democratic from officials in Havana. Republic of Congo against a rival group The Trump administration, in its latest may amount to crimes against humanity effort to roll back warmer US-Cuba ties es- and possibly even genocide, the United tablished by the Obama administration, Nations said yesterday. said it would only let some charters into The attacks in Ituri province have Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport mostly targeted Hema herders, who have but did not say how many. long been in conflict with Lendu farmers US officials, in October, banned regu- over grazing rights and political represen- larly scheduled flights to all Cuban cities tation. except Havana. Lendu armed groups have carried out “Today’s action will further restrict the systematic and widespread attacks, try- Cuban regime’s ability to obtain revenue, ing to “inflict lasting trauma” on the which it uses to finance its ongoing re- Hema and clear them from what they pression of the Cuban people and its un- deem to be their ancestral lands, the UN conscionable support for dictator Nicolas human rights office said in a report. Maduro in Venezuela,” US Secretary of “The widespread nature of the organi- State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. People walk at an entrance of the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, sation, the systematic nature, is certainly Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Cuba, September 25, 2019. characteristic of crimes against human- Rodriguez and other Cuban officials ity,” UN human rights spokesman Rupert blasted the move, calling it a violation of tion has imposed sanctions over Cuba’s The US Department of Transportation Colville told a briefing. human rights that would hinder family re- support for Maduro. will set an “appropriate cap” of flights al- Lendu groups have acquired more unification. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, in lowed to Jose Marti airport and will re- firearms after seizing them from the mil- The flight caps would punish Cubans an address to parliament last month, said lease more details “in the near future,” itary, UN investigators said. “on both sides of the Florida Strait,” the new US sanctions were being imposed on Pompeo said. “The barbarity that characterises these foreign ministry’s General Director for US average every week on top of the decades- Havana’s ambassador in Washington, attacks – including the beheading of Affairs Carlos Fernandez de Cossio old embargo and the country should ex- on Twitter, wrote that the restrictions women and children with machetes, the tweeted. pect more of the same in 2020. would push more visitors to “use Cubana dismemberment and removal of body Republican US President Donald “That is a turn of the screw every seven Airlines domestic flights or other Cuban parts of the victims as trophies of war – Trump has clamped down on Havana fol- days to suffocate our economy,” he said. companies for local transportation.” He reflects the desire of the attackers to lowing the historic move by his The State Department said public char- also the United States was seeking to inflict lasting trauma to the Hema com- Democratic predecessor Barack Obama ter flight operators would have 60 days to “limit the amount of people that see CUBA munities and to force them to flee and not to reopen US-Cuba ties. His administra- wind down their Cuba operations. reality by themselves”. return to their villages,” the report said.

Sweden sees rare fall in air passengers, as flight-shaming takes off SWEDEN has seen a 4% drop in the said there were a number of reasons for greater consumer awareness about Aside from Sweden, Europe is still number of people flying via its airports, the decrease, citing Swedish aviation global carbon emissions had already had seeing an increase in the number of peo- a rare decrease in recent years for a tax, softening economy worries, the a tangible effect in Sweden and could ple flying. The EU overall saw figures European country. weak Swedish crown and the climate call into question the longer-term rise to 1.1 billion passengers in 2018, up More than 40 million people travelled debate. growth potential of the entire industry. from 1 billion the year before. through the country’s 10 airports, com- Flygskam or “flight shame” originated A number of people have since de- In 2018, the UK saw more than 272 pared with 42 million during 2018. in Sweden in 2017, when Swedish singer cided to take on the challenge of travel- million passengers, up from 264 million Domestic travel was down further, at Staffan Lingberg pledged to give up ling without flying. More than 22,500 in 2017. 9%, according to Sweden’s airport oper- flying. people have signed a pledge to go flight- The International Air Transport ators, Swedavia. Swedish climate change campaigner free in 2020. Association (IATA) says current trends The figures come as the Swedish-born Greta Thunberg set an example by The last occasions where air passen- suggest passenger numbers could dou- movement of “flight shaming” is gaining crossing the Atlantic in a zero-emissions ger numbers dropped had distinct ble to 8.2 billion by 2037. Cities in Asia prominence. yacht last year. reasons – the 9/11 terror attacks and are expected to overtake European cities Swedavia spokesman Robert Pletzin In September, Citigroup analysts said the financial crash. in regards to air passenger markets. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 11, 2020 • 13

British woman jailed for posing as a boy to lure girls into sex WINCHESTER, England victims. Having persuaded her for all of the victims in- – A young British woman The charges included as- victims to meet her, Watts volved,” Kenwright told re- who posed as a teenage boy sault, sexual assault and travelled by train to their porters in a briefing ahead to deceive potentially meeting a child following homes in various parts of of sentencing. “For some of dozens of girls into having sexual grooming. Watts England.The girls believed these girls it’s one of their sexual contact with her was sentenced to eight they were in genuine rela- first relationships.” was jailed for eight years years in prison at tionships with a teenage Kenwright said her per- yesterday. Winchester Crown Court boy.In several cases, there sonal estimate was that Gemma Watts, 21, cre- in southern England. were multiple encounters there might be between 20 ated an online persona as She would start her over a period of months. and 50 unidentified vic- Jake Waton, a 16-year-old grooming by liking girls’ She met the parents of tims. boy,and used social media profiles on Snapchat or some of her victims and Watts, who left school at to strike up relationships Instagram, then sending had conversations with 16 and lives with her with girls as young as 14. them complimentary mes- them.They too were taken mother in north London, Police described her male sages. Soon she would be in. first came to the attention alter ego as very believ- calling them “Babe” or Phillipa Kenwright, one of the police in April 2018. able. other pet names. of the detectives involved Despite knowing she was Watts pleaded guilty Her own profile as Jake in the case, said the vic- under investigation, she in November to seven Waton featured posts tims were unaware they continued her activities as charges relating to four vic- about skateboarding and had been deceived until Jake for many more tims aged 14 and 15, al- photographs of herself, they were contacted by months. though police believe she dressed in baggy sports- police, and it had been dev- Kenwright said Watts Gemma Watts, a British woman who pleaded guilty was a prolific predator and wear, with her long hair astating for them to learn had expressed no remorse to posing as a teenage boy to sexually groom young that there were likely to be tied up in a bun and hid- the truth. and given no explanation girls. many other unidentified den under a cap or hood. “It’s been life-changing for her actions. India’s top court says Kashmir internet shutdown is illegal NEW DELHI/SRINA- essential internet services Kashmir, which has been GAR – India’s Supreme such as for hospitals and on for more than 150 days, Court said yesterday limited e-banking in re- is the longest such outage that an indefinite gions where internet can- in any democracy, accord- shutdown of the inter- not be restored right away, ing to digital rights group net in Kashmir was the court added. Access Now. illegal, rebuking the “Freedom of Internet ac- The government has ar- government for the cess is a fundamental gued that the blackout in communications lock- right,” Supreme Court jus- Kashmir was needed to down imposed after it tice N. V. Ramana said. maintain order in a withdrew the Muslim Prime Minister Himalayan region where majority region’s auton- Narendra Modi’s Hindu- security forces have been Kashmiri journalists display laptops and placards during a protest demanding omy in August. nationalist government fighting a long-running restoration of internet service in November last year. Internet suspensions has frequently used inter- separatist insurgency en- can be imposed only for net shutdowns as a tool to couraged by neighbouring stitutional or proportion- lion, according to a report sions to businesses filing “temporary duration” and quell dissent in troubled Pakistan. ate or not,” said Nikhil by website Top10VPN. tax returns. an indefinite suspension parts of the country. The Supreme Court’s de- Pahwa, digital rights ac- India’s home ministry For Yasin Tuman, who violated India’s telecoms Last month, authorities cision, which also asks au- tivist and editor of and department of runs a travel agency in rules, the court said in an imposed an internet clam- thorities to make public all MediaNama, a Delhi- telecommunications did Kashmir’s main city order published on its web- pdown in parts of the cap- orders on internet shut- based publication. not respond to requests for Srinagar, the loss of inter- site. ital and in areas of the downs, should enable more “So if the state is forced comment. net access has hit his busi- It also ordered authori- eastern state of Assam and scrutiny of suspensions, in- to be transparent, they will ness hard, as tourists stay ties to review all such Uttar Pradesh in the north ternet freedom activists be more accountable.” Disrupting life away. curbs in Kashmir immedi- as protests raged against a said. In 2019, India’s docu- In Kashmir, the blackout “I’ve suffered losses of 7 ately. new citizenship law that “This sheds light on the mented internet blackouts has severely disrupted the million rupees (nearly Authorities must con- Muslims see as discrimi- rationale behind internet lasted for more than 4 000 lives of millions and has $100,000) in the past sider immediately allow- natory. shutdowns which then can hours,costing Asia’s third- had an impact on every- five months,” he told ing the functioning of The shutdown in be challenged as being con- biggest economy $1.3 bil- thing from college admis- Reuters.

Fair to occasionally cloudy and windy with brief passing showers.

High: 4:42 a.m. and 4:03 p.m. London: 05°C Yesterday: Nil Boston: 10°C Low: 9:47 a.m. For the month: 16.2 mm Max: 29.8°C Montreal: 02°C and 10:53 p.m. For the year: 16.2 mm Min: 25.6°C Toronto: 07°C New York: 09°C Miami: 26°C 6:24 a.m. 5:49 p.m. 14 • Saturday January 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate White House unveils plan for major projects to bypass environmental review THE Trump administration on “This proposal affects virtually every Thursday unveiled a plan to speed significant decision made by the federal permitting for major infrastructure government that affects the environ- projects like oil pipelines, road ment,” said the interior secretary, David expansions and bridges. Bernhardt, a former fossil fuels lobbyist. It is one of the biggest deregulatory The proposed rule says federal agencies actions of the president’s tenure and would not need to factor in the “cumula- comes at the cost of greatly narrowing tive impacts” of a project, which could the use of one of the country’s include its impact on climate change, landmark environmental laws, especially making it easier for major fossil fuel assessments of how developments could projects to sail through the approval exacerbate the climate crisis. process and avoid legal challenges. Donald Trump is proposing changes A statement from the League of that could allow projects ranging from oil Conservation Voters (LCV) president, pipelines to mines to move forward with Gene Karpinski, said, “President Trump far less federal review of their impact on is trying yet again to sell out the health the environment. and wellbeing of our children and families The plan, released by the White House to corporate polluters. This misdirected Council on Environmental Quality proposal to change the implementation of (CEQ), would help the administration ad- the National Environmental Policy Act vance big energy and infrastructure proj- is one of the most egregious actions the ects, such as the Keystone XL oil pipeline Trump administration has taken to limit or roads, bridges and federal buildings. the federal government’s response to The White House has unveiled plans to speed permitting for major infrastructure “For the first time in over 40 years today climate change yet.” projects like oil pipelines, road expansions and bridges. we are issuing a new rule under the He warned the implications for access National Environmental Policy Act to clean air and clean water and for federal government to consider a project’s groups, including the Chamber of (NEPA) to completely overhaul the dys- public input “could be dire”. carbon footprint in decisions related to Commerce and the American Petroleum functional bureaucratic system that has The proposal would also put one federal leasing public lands for drilling or Institute, also have complained about created these massive obstructions,” agency in charge of overseeing the review building pipelines. lengthy permitting delays. Trump said at the White House on process, instead of giving multiple Other proposed changes include Environmental groups warned the plan Thursday. agencies oversight of the process and set widening the categories of projects that will remove a powerful tool to protect local The proposal to update how NEPA, the a two-year deadline for environmental can be excluded from NEPA altogether. communities from the adverse impacts 50-year bedrock federal environmental impact studies to be completed and a According to CEQ, the average length of a hastily designed and reviewed law, is implemented as part of Trump’s one-year deadline for less rigorous of a full-blown Environmental Impact project. broader actions to cut regulations and environmental assessments. Statement is currently 600 pages and “Today’s destructive actions by Trump, oversight, a huge rollback effort that has Trump’s efforts to cut regulatory red takes 4.5 years to conclude. US federal if not blocked by the courts or immedi- dismayed and enraged environmental- tape have been praised by the industry. agencies prepare approximately 170 such ately reversed by the next president, will ists. However they have so far largely back- assessments per year. have reverberations for decades to come,” Trump on proposed NEPA rollback: fired by triggering waves of lawsuits that Trump, a commercial real estate said Rebecca Concepcion Apostol, US “This is just the beginning. We will not the administration has lost in court, developer before becoming president, programme director at Oil Change stop until our nation’s gleaming new in- according to a running tally by the frequently complained that the NEPA International, an environmental group. frastructure has made America the envy New York University School of Law’s permitting process took too long. The plan will go through a public of the world again. It used to be the envy Institute for Policy Integrity. “It’s big government at its absolute comment period before being finalised. of the world, and now we’re like a third Over the last few years, federal courts worst,” Trump said of NEPA. Environmental groups are expected to world country. It’s really sad.” have ruled that NEPA requires the Some of the country’s biggest industry challenge the final proposal.

Greta Thunberg tells world leaders to end fossil fuel ‘madness’ GRETA THUNBERG and fellow youth 2015, the world’s largest investment enough and warned that assets in the climate campaigners are demanding that banks have provided more than $700 bil- sector could end up “worthless”. He said global leaders immediately end the lion (£535 billion) to fossil fuel companies in October that companies and industries “madness” of huge ongoing investments to develop new projects, with the total not moving towards zero-carbon in fossil fuel exploration and enormous investment estimated to be trillions of emissions would be punished by subsidies for coal, oil and gas use. dollars. Fossil fuel companies argue that investors and go bankrupt. The 21 young activists are also calling their products will be used for many “It ought to be in every company and on the political and business leaders who years to come and that they have a stakeholder’s interest to make sure that will be attending the World Economic pivotal role in shifting the energy system the planet they live on will thrive,” said Forum in Davos to ensure investment to zero emissions. But their investments the climate strikers, who come from funds dump their holdings in fossil fuel in green energy are tiny compared with nations across the world, including the companies. those in fossil fuels. US, Australia, Brazil, Russia, India and “Anything less would be a betrayal Subsidies for fossil fuels also remain Nigeria. “But history has not shown the against life itself,” said Thunberg and col- high despite a G20 pledge in 2009 to corporate world’s willingness to hold leagues in an article in the Guardian. eliminate them. The IMF estimates such themselves accountable. So it falls on us, “Today’s business as usual is turning into subsidies run at $10 million a minute, or the children, to do that.” a crime against humanity.We demand $5.2 trillion a year.“The fact that [ending The agenda for the 50th annual meet- that you play your part in putting an end investment and subsidies] hasn’t been ing of the World Economic Forum, which to this madness.” done already is, quite frankly, a disgrace,” begins on 20 January in Switzerland, lists The burning of fossil fuels is the biggest said Thunberg and colleagues. four “urgent and important” global issues. driver of the climate emergency.Scientists Thunberg speaking at a Fridays For Investors managing funds totalling The first is “how to address the predict catastrophic impacts unless deep Future rally. $12 trillion have already divested from urgent climate and environmental cuts in emissions are made rapidly, but coal, oil and gas, but the climate activists challenges that are harming our ecology global emissions are still rising. Much of the world’s existing coal, oil demand that “all companies, banks, insti- and economy”. “Young people are being let down by and gas reserves must be kept in the tutions and governments immediately The climate strikers said, “The world’s older generations and those in power,” ground to avoid the worst impacts of and completely divest from fossil fuels”. leaders should invest their money in the climate strikers said.“To some it may global heating. However investment in Mark Carney,the governor of the Bank existing sustainable technologies, re- seem like we are asking for a lot. But this fossil fuel exploration and extraction of England, said in December that the search and in restoring nature. Short- is just the very minimum effort needed to remains high. financial sector was not cutting invest- term profit should not trump long-term start the rapid sustainable transition.” Since the Paris climate agreement in ments in oil and gas companies rapidly stability of life.” The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 11, 2020 • 15

Zuckerberg decides to ditch new year personal challenge TRADITIONALLY, at the beginning find your unique role. For the next of each year Facebook founder decade, some of the most important social Mark Zuckerberg takes on a infrastructure will help us reconstruct personal challenge. all kinds of smaller communities to give These have ranged from learning us that sense of intimacy again. Mandarin, to visiting every state in the “Our digital social environments will US, to last year’s promise to host public feel very different over the next five-plus discussions about tech. years, re-emphasising private interac- After a difficult year for Facebook, the tions and helping us build the smaller tech billionaire has decided to ditch his communities we need in our lives.” yearly challenges in favour of longer-term reflection. Mark Zuckerberg’s past challenges He added how excited he is about • In 2018, after another bad year, he “a new private social platform” in the pledged to “fix important issues” on Last year was a tough one for Facebook with huge fines and more hearings in future. Facebook, such as abuse, hate speech Washington for Mark Zuckerberg. Laying out his thoughts in a blogpost, and defending against nation state Zuckerberg said, “Rather than having interference He called once again for “new forms of It has faced a series of hearings on year-to-year challenges, I’ve tried to think • His 2017 challenge – to visit and governance”, asking for governments issues such as privacy and misinforma- about what I hope the world and my life meet people in every state in the US – around the world to establish clearer tion, with Congress announcing in June will look like in 2030.” sparked rumours he could be planning rules around what was and was not that it would investigate Facebook and By then, he added,“we’ll have the tech- to run for president. acceptable in online political marketing, the big tech firms over anti-competitive nology to feel truly present with another • In 2016 he set out to build an artifi- among other things. behaviour. person no matter where they are, and cial intelligence system in his home• This week the social network In 2019, the firm was also given a scientific research will have helped cure Reading two books a month was his announced that it would not be making record $5 billion (£3.8 billion) fine over and prevent enough diseases to extend 2015 challenge any major changes to its political adver- the Cambridge Analytica scandal. our average life expectancy by another • In 2010 he promised to learn tising policy, reiterating its view that Zuckerberg’s personal challenge for two-and-a-half years”. Mandarin Chinese and a few years such decisions should not be made by 2019 was also criticised as being “a He also looked back to his own child- later conducted an interview showing private companies. half-baked mission”. It emerged that he hood, reflecting on how social networks off his skills It puts it odds with rivals Twitter and had spoken to only nine people in his need to refocus. • Other challenges have including Google who have both pledged to crack quest to discuss the future of technology “When I grew up in a small town, it was running, learning to hunt and cook and down on political ads. in society with “leaders, experts and easy to have a niche and sense of purpose. becoming more confident at public It has been another tough year for people in our community”. All were But with billions of people, it’s harder to speaking Facebook. white and eight of them were men.

Warner Bros to use AI to predict box office hits WARNER BROS are going to start using artificial intelligence (AI) to help predict how successful their films could be. The platform will allow them to test profitability outcomes depending on different factors including casting, distributor and release date. Warner Bros. Pictures International – which is one of the “big six” in Hollywood Warner Bros is one of Hollywood’s ‘Big Six’ film studios. – has signed a deal with LA start-up Cinelytic to use their project manage- trademarked economic scoring system The Hollywood Reporter, “The system experience and gut instinct.” ment system, according to The Hollywood called “TalentScores”. can calculate in seconds what used to Announcing the new partnership, Reporter. It says the system “ranks talent by take days to assess by a human when Tonis Kiis, Senior Vice President,Warner The forecasting tool was launched last their economic impact across the film it comes to general film package Bros. Pictures International Distribution year and offers a unique set of industry, including by media type, genre, evaluation or a star’s worth.” said: “Warner Bros. is excited to employ industry insights. according to Cinelytic’s and key territories”. Despite the platform’s capabilities, he Cinelytic’s cutting-edge system. In our website. Different distributors and release says it will never replace humans as industry,we make tough decisions every It claims the platform is able to scenarios can also be played out to test far as creative spark is concerned, day that affect what-and how-we accurately predict box office returns results. explaining,“Artificial intelligence sounds produce and deliver films to theaters using a variety of data. scary. But right now, an AI cannot make around the world, and the more precise One function allows users to see how Cinelytic was co-founded four years any creative decisions. our data is, the better we will be able to casting certain actors in roles would af- ago by film producer Tobias Queisser “What it is good at is crunching engage our audiences.” fect the film’s profitability. and ex-NASA employee Dev Sen. numbers and breaking down huge data Other Cinelytic clients include Sony The company uses the example of The company has been testing their sets and showing patterns that would Pictures, STX Entertainment and Wonder Woman Gal Gadot in its demon- platform for around three years. not be visible to humans. But for London investment company Ingenious stration image, and says it uses its own Queisser, who studied in London, told creative decision-making, you still need Media.

16 • Saturday January 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Actress Chloe leaving show after Sevigny, 45, sixteen seasons pregnant ustin Chambers is departing “Grey’s Anatomy”. ABC con- with first child Jfirmed to E! News that after 16 seasons on the ABC series, Chloe Sevigny is bumping with joy. Chambers, who portrays Dr. Alex The 45-year-old actress is expecting Karev, is set to make his exit. The her first child with boyfriend Sinisa 49-year-old actor also confirmed Mackovic, her rep confirmed to E! the news himself in a statement. News. “There’s no good time to say goodbye In photos published by TMZ, the to a show and character that’s defined “American Horror Story” alum – due so much of my life for the past 15 in the spring – debuted her growing years,” Chambers said in his state- belly while out January 6 in NYC ment, via Deadline. “For some time with her love of more than a year, now, however, I have hoped to diversify who couldn’t help but cradle his love’s my acting roles and career choices. bump. And, as I turn 50 and am blessed with Just days before their PDA-filled my remarkable, supportive wife and stroll, the Oscar nominee took to five wonderful children, now is that Instagram to share her appreciation time.” for a “fruitful” year, writing, “Much Chambers went on to say,“As I move love and many thanks to all my on from Grey’s Anatomy, I want to friends and collaborators...#thankyou- thank the ABC family, Shonda Rimes, 2019hello-2020.” original cast members Ellen Pompeo, In the past, Sevigny credited her Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, youthful glow to not having children and the rest of the amazing cast and of her own. “I think the baby wear and crew, both past and present, and, of tear and stress on your body is part course, the fans for an extraordinary of the reason why people say,‘Why do ride.” Justin Chambers is leaving ‘Grey’s you still look so young?’” she told W The date of Chambers’ final episode Anatomy’ where he portrayed Dr. Alex magazine in 2016. “I really think that on Grey’s Anatomy has yet to be an- Karev for 16 seasons. that unfortunately ages women, nounced. His character last appeared especially when they have children in in a November premiere in 2005. So, we think it’s safe Chloe Sevigny is is expecting her first their 30’s, not in their 20’s. So I think, Chambers has been a part of the to say many fans of the beloved series child with boyfriend (Inset) Sinisa first and foremost, it’s that and main cast of Grey’s Anatomy since its will be sad to read this news. Mackovic. genetics.”

Oscars ceremony to go host-less for second year, ABC says THE 2020 Oscars ceremony in years to have no host and saw the audi- of the musical “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Finding a host for big awards show February will again have no host, the ence on broadcaster ABC rise to 29.6 Burke said organisers planned on has become increasingly difficult in head of ABC Television Entertainment million Americans, breaking a four- “repeating what worked for us last year recent years. Comedian Kevin Hart said on Wednesday. year trend of falling viewership for the – huge entertainment value, big musi- pulled out of the 2019 Oscars job after “Let me confirm it now.Together with live ceremony. cal numbers, big comedy.” being slammed on social media for the Academy (of Motion Pictures), we Burke said the decision not to have a “A lot of incredible elements have al- homophobic comments he had made have decided there will be no tradi- host for the Febriuary 9 event, the most ready come together and convinced us in the past. He apologised. tional host again this year,” Karey prestigious awards in the movie busi- that we are going to have an incredibly Other comedians, including Ricky Burke, president of ABC ness, was prompted by good reviews entertaining show again,” she added, Gervais at Sunday’s Golden Globes, Entertainment, told television re- last year, when rock band Queen without giving details. have met with criticism for being either porters. opened the show with a live perform- Nominations for the 2020 Oscars will too harsh, too political, or too soft in The 2019 Oscars was the first in 30 ance to celebrate the box office success be announced on Monday. their jokes.

‘American Horror Story’ star Harry Hains dies aged 27

HARRY HAINS, who starred in Instagram page just days before his Performing under the name “ANTI- “American Horror Story” and “OA”, has death, writing, “O 2020!???The NEW BOY”, Hains was working on his debut died aged 27. ERA has already begun” electronic rock album, “A Glitch In His mother, actress Jane Badler, con- He went on, “So let’s all keep only Paradise”. firmed his death on Instagram, writing: moving forward, staying so present to Hains, who grew up in Melbourne, “On Jan 7 my beautiful son died. He enjoy each & every moment throughout said he identified as gender fluid in an was 27 and had the world at his feet. this beautiful new BEGINNING – interview with fashion magazine Boys But sadly he struggled with mental ill- HAPPY N3W YEAR peeeeps So much By Girls magazine last year. ness and addiction. love & gratitude for all in my life”. In the same interview he said he’d “A brilliant spark shone bright too His final post was accompanied with suffered from severe insomnia as a short a time... I will miss you Harry a picture of himself sitting with a child, which he said “left me with my every day of my life...” friend on a night out. own kind of issues that were then self- She posted several images of her son Hains starred in the film “The inflicted and self-destructive”. with the tribute, including a family Surface” back in 2015, before appearing He was due to begin work on mini-se- shot showing Harry and his brother in American Horror Story: Hotel the ries Xtra Life according to the last en- Sam. same year. tries on his IMDB page. The Australian actor, model and mu- He had also appeared in both seasons A service will be held at Hollywood Harry’s mother said he had ‘struggled sician had shared a post on his of Netflix original The OA. Forever in LA to celebrate Hains’ life. with addiction’.

The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 11, 2020 • 17 Friends and family lack of feedback on writing annoying DEAR JANE, your work. Although, I write as a hobby.It’s a you could look at it as great stress reliever. I love that he feels his work is doing it. In fact, one day I a mandatory academic hope to have my work paper that can affect published. If I can’t get it his grades and yours is done by a known publisher not (although it is still I will look into self- very important to you). publishing. Writing is In terms of family, truly a part of who I am. some of them may have My issue is that my similar reasons to your friends and family won’t friends for not reading follow through when I ask your work. I do think them to read anything I Jane, I feel like putting have a lot of spare time though it is reasonable write, even the ones that everyone on blast on social or they just want to use to expect your friends have claimed in the past to media. What do you think it for other relaxing and family to be be readers. Last week my Jane? things for now or they generally supportive of cousin who is like my Roger may even be afraid of your hobbies but I brother asked me to read hurting your feelings if would suggest you do their university paper. I Dear Roger, they are truthful with not put your family or am a quick reader, and I I think it would be you, even though you friends on blast. You did it but I’m a bit upset he nice if your friends said you want to hear are asking them to be hasn’t read my fictional read your work but I their true opinions. I informal, unpaid work. I just want them to also believe your can understand you editors. Your appeals tell me if they love it or friends have the right being a little irritated have not been heard. It even hate it. They could to decline giving you by your cousin who is not working. Plus also tell me areas where I writing advice. asked you for advice there is no need in this can improve in their eyes. Perhaps, they don’t but will not read any of age of technology. Look for creative writing groups on Facebook or look for other websites that support writing Need Advice? communities and see if there are any well Write to Ask Jane known ones where fellow writers can give c/o Advocate Publishers 2000 Inc. you feedback. Sometimes you can also so the same for them. Fontabelle, St. Michael I am glad you enjoy writing. Good luck. Bridge [email protected] JANE.

18 • Saturday January 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

P HOROSCOPES R O ARIES (March 21-April 19). If you live S 70 years you'll spend 10 of them on A Monday. That's one good reason to over- N come the Monday blues, but if it's not D enough for you, you'll get another good reason this afternoon. C O N TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Go ahead S and get into that odd mix of people who are trying to accomplish something. Do you belong? It's a non-issue. When you want to you can assimilate like butter on a hotcake. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Some days you can tell yourself what to do, and then Z do it. So simple. Why isn't it working like I that today? Because the id in you doesn't T trust that the ego in you is going to let it get S what it needs. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Misunderstood? It won't matter to you in the least. What counts is the pure expression of your creative soul. If you can't de- code your own whimsy, you don't expect anyone else to be able to! R E LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You don't mind X that so many people depend on you (and for so many things), as long as you feel M confident that you will be able to deliver. O If not, you can always delegate! R G VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Today's best A luck will come in the form it loves best: an N accident. That doesn't mean you can't recreate the scenario later by following the same serendipitous steps. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Just because you ask for help doesn't mean you have to P take the help that's offered. If the guid- H ance doesn't feel right, don't feel obligated to take it. Sometimes you're too nice for A your own good, by the way! N T SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). If you're O worried that when you meet up in person M you're not going to look like your picture (or match up to your resume, or live up to the hype around you) then just relax. You're even better up close.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Keep M your own secrets. It's more fun when you A don't tell a soul. The ember of sacred R knowledge puts a sparkle in your smile, an Y enticement in your voice. W CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). In pur- O suit of the highest and best for all, you will listen carefully to the others and fac- R tor in their needs, wants and concerns -- T and then possibly disregard them to honor H your own inklings about what's right. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You would love to let go of the thing that's M holding you back, if only you knew ex- O actly what it was. Maybe you do. Think T again. A wise Cancer or Leo will be an ex- H E cellent sounding board. R

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). They see a G problem; you see dollar signs. Speak in fi- O nancial terms from the beginning so as not O to give the impression that the brilliant so- S lution you'll provide will come for free. E

The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 11, 2020 • 19 SSPPOORRTTSS Expanded calendar for Radical C’bean Cup in 2020 THE Radical Caribbean Cup is set to expand to six rounds in its third season, visiting all four of the region’s long-standing circuit racing venues for the first time. Published on January 8, the provisional calendar lists two rounds each in Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago, with the traditional final in Guyana and a new Easter date in Jamaica. Ahead of the season, Bushy Park Barbados will this month (January 18/19) host an Engineering & Driver Development Workshop. In the first two seasons, there have been eight different winners in 24 races, with 2018 Champion Stuart Maloney of Barbados the most successful over the two years, claiming seven victories and a further six podium finishes, one pole position and four fastest laps. Despite failing to win a race in his debut season, 21-year-old Wheel-to-wheel action, clearly on show in this image courtesy of Ozzman, will again be a feature of the third season of the Radical Jamaican William Myers Caribbean Cup. beat the Reigning Champion to the 2019 (TTASA) at the Frankie International Raceway Kokoro Performance, led Running to the same 18/19, Bushy Park crown by seven points Boodram International at Wallerfield, with two by its head of driver de- rules that have applied Barbados (Radical after an impressively Raceway on June 28 and rounds on our expanded velopment Kieren Clark, in Barbados since the Caribbean) consistent performance July 19. The Guyana calendar, and I am hope- who worked closely with launch of the former Round 1 – March 15, netted him nine podium Motor Racing & Sports ful that the discussions Zane Maloney throughout Suzuki Challenge Series Bushy Park Barbados finishes. Club (GMR&SC) will we have been having his successful British F4 in 2015, the Radical (BPMSI) The 2020 Radical organise the traditional with the JRDC over the campaign in 2019. Caribbean Cup is a Round 2 – April 13, Caribbean Cup will open year-end finale at South past couple of weeks will Seabra added: “The one-make series for the Dover Raceway, Jamaica in Barbados on March 15 Dakota over the weekend result in the SR3 Cup’s main goal of the Suzuki-powered Radical (JRDC) – to be confirmed at Bushy Park Motorsport of November 7/8. first-ever visit to Dover Workshop is to give teams SR3 and does not cater for Round 3 – June 28, Inc.’s (BPMSI) first fix- Championship Mana- Raceway being confirmed a better understanding the Radicals of different Frankie Boodram ture of the new decade, ger Kurt Seabra is look- very soon.” of how to engineer the specifications that are International Raceway, returning for the annual ing forward to the new The Engineering & Radical SR3 to suit the now racing in the region Wallerfield, Trinidad BPMSI International season: “We have always Driver Development driver’s feedback and in the hands of drivers (TTASA) Race Meet on August aimed to stage races in all Workshop at Bushy Park track conditions, thereby such as Kyle Gregg and Round 4 – July 19, 29/30. A first visit to the four countries, to reflect next weekend (January making them more self- David Summerbell Jnr; Frankie Boodram Dover Raceway, hosted by our competitor base – 18/19) is aimed at both sufficient and ultimately all cars will be scruti- International Raceway, the Jamaica Race Drivers drivers from Jamaica, existing and potential create an even more com- neered before each quali- Wallerfield, Trinidad Club (JRDC), is provision- Barbados and T&T fin- participants and their petitive series. There will fying round to ensure (TTASA) ally scheduled for Easter ished in the top three po- pit crews. Organised by be classroom sessions and compliance. Round 5 – August Monday (April 13), while sitions overall last year Radical Caribbean, the practical work in the pit 29/30, Bushy Park rounds three and four will after the final round in workshop will be con- garages, along with the Radical Caribbean Barbados (BPMSI) be staged by the Trinidad Guyana. I am delighted ducted by experienced chance to put what is Cup 2020 Round 6 – November & Tobago Automobile that we are returning to race engineers and driver being learned into prac- Engineering & Driver 7/8, South Dakota, Sports Association the Frankie Boodram coaches from UK-based tice on the circuit.” Workshop – January Guyana (GMR&SC) Community Cricket League Under-16 bowls off this weekend THE Community Cricket turns to Saturdays from vancing to the Knockout and Michael Lucas, with Young Lions, UWI, the length and breadth of League (CCL) Under-16 February 1. Round semi-finals and the other new entrant Empire Youth, Holder’s island. The idea is to take 40-overs Tournament is The tournament moved finals. being Wanderers Juniors, Hill Development, the cricket back to the scheduled to bowl off on from six (6) teams in Matches will be played who are based in Christ Franklyn Stephenson Community and give our Sunday, January 12 and 2018, then eight (8) in from as far north of the Church and will be under Academy and Northern youth something to keep will run until March 28 2019, to ten (10) teams for island as Crab Hill to as the guidance of Barry Cricket Academy are all them a bit more focused with the grand finale. 2020 and will feature a far east at the Foursquare Forde and Adam Browne. slated to take part in the as they continue their All matches are slated new format. There will be Oval. After losing the Along with those new competition. journey to greatness. to commence at 11 a.m. nine (9) matches in the 2018 champions from teams, the 2019 defend- The tournament high- At least one game will around the island with prelims with teams play- St. Philip, BNOC, there is ing Champion North lights a number of be streamed live a week- the first three rounds in ing each other in a round- another St. Philip team in Stars Barracudas as well Barbados’ talented youth end, continuing from January being played on robin format once, with Pickwick CC, under the as Isolation Cavaliers, players as well as some last year, on YouTube Sundays and then it re- the top four (4) teams ad- guidance of Clint St. Hill Carlton Desmond Haynes unknowns from across Clubcast. 20 • Saturday January 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

Mayers rescues Pride with maiden hundred ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Fresh off a half-century spark of the day for McSween undermined Warrican, whose 1 1/2- Kyle Mayers celebrated Jaguars 210-4 vs in the CWI President’s XI Scorpions came in the their top-order batting in hour stay included three his debut for Barbados Hurricanes at the win over Ireland last eighth over of the day, their opening bursts. fours and three sixes from Pride with the first Vivian Richards Saturday in Barbados, when seamer Derval But Mayers, batting at 81 balls. hundred of the season Cricket Ground Bravo again looked in Green trapped Kyle Hope seven, came to their res- Mayers reached his against his former side, The obdurate great touch and has so far lbw for eight. cue with a three-hour milestone in style, clear- Windward Islands Chanderpaul batted al- struck five fours and a six Red Force were 13 for knock that included six ing the ropes at wide long- Volcanoes in the West most 5-1/4 hours for the – the only of the innings – one, but they batted fours and four sixes off on with veteran off-spin- Indies Championship Jaguars’ top score so far of in a knock requiring 107 in partnerships with 122 balls. ner Shane Shillingford be- on Thursday. 60 from 240 balls that in- deliveries and lasting Simmons anchoring two Support came from only fore he was the last bats- The left-handed Mayers, cluded seven fours. 2-1/2 hours. stands to ensure the hosts West Indies left-arm spin- man dismissed, caught in playing his first match He shared three succes- Former West Indies dominated proceedings. ner Jomel Warrican with a the deep off leg-spinner for his native Pride sive half-century stands Under-19 batsman defiant 49, batting at nine, Keron Cottoy. after spending the past with fellow left-handed Keagan Simmons has so Pride (233) vs and Justin Greaves got a Cottoy was the most suc- four seasons with the opener Chandrapaul far hit the top score of Volcanoes at the Arnos start with 20, but failed to cessful Volcanoes bowler, Volcanoes, cracked his Hemraj, his captain Leon 89 on first class debut Vale Cricket Ground carry on. taking 3-41 from 10.5 maiden first-class hun- Johnson and Vishaul and left-handed opener Sent into bat, Pride ran Mayers breathed life overs, with Thomas, dred of 106 to lead a bat- Singh that dominated the Jeremy Solozano im- into trouble on 74 for into the innings by shar- McSween and Shillingford ting revival for the visitors Hurricanes attack. pressed with 73. seven after pacers Josh ing a further 114 in an all ending with two wick- on the first day of their The left-handed The only real bright Thomas and Preston eighth-wicket stand with ets apiece. first-round match in St. Johnson scored 59 and Vincent in the 2019-20 Hemraj made 52, and the Championship. Hurricanes endured a Opener Tagenarine tough grind before the Chanderpaul was one of wickets of Chanderpaul Nadal recovers from upset loss to help three batsmen that col- and Singh, another left- lected half-centuries to hander, in the final hour give five-time defending lifted their spirits. Spain move into ATP Cup semi-final champions Guyana Pacer Colin Archibald SYDNEY – World number Jaguars a strong start to has been the pick of the one Rafael Nadal recov- their defence of the title Hurricanes bowlers so far ered from an upset loss against Leeward Islands with 2-28 from 17 overs. against Belgium’s David in Antigua. Goffin to win the deciding Similarly, West Indies Red Force 241-3 vs doubles match and send left-hander Darren Bravo Scorpions at the Brian Spain into the semi-final was one of three batsmen Lara Cricket Academy of the ATP Cup teams with half-centuries to lead Choosing to bat, Red event in Sydney yesterday. a solid batting display Force batted all day with Nadal partnered with from hosts Trinidad & the left-handed Bravo end- Pablo Carreno Busta to Tobago Red Force against ing unbeaten on exactly win the high stakes de- Jamaica Scorpions. 50. cider 6-7(7), 7-5, 10-7 against doubles specialists Sander Gille and Joran MATCH SCHEDULE Vliegen after Spain and (All matches start at 10 a.m. daily, Belgium split the singles except where indicated) ***BREAK*** results earlier in the Round 1 Round 6 evening. January 9 to 12 February 27 to March 1 Spain will now play host Hurricanes vs Jaguars – Vivian Scorpions vs Jaguars – Trelawny nation Australia in the Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua Multipurpose Complex, Jamaica (2 pm daily) Pride vs Volcanoes – Kensington inaugural event, while Red Force vs Scorpions – Brian Oval Serbia, led by world num- Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad Hurricanes vs Red Force – ber two Novak Djokovic, Volcanoes vs Pride – Arnos Vale Warner Park Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Pablo Carreno Busta celebrate after winning their Cricket Ground, St. Vincent take on Russia. Round 7 Nadal said it had been Quarter-final doubles match against Belgium’s Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen at Round 2 March 5 to 8 a difficult day playing Ken Rosewall Arena, in Sydney, Australia yesterday. January 16 to 19 Red Force vs Pride – Brian Lara in humid conditions in Scorpions vs Volcanoes – Sabina Cricket Academy Park, Jamaica Volcanoes vs Scorpions – Sydney after an onerous 7-6(3). reached 35 Celsius stages of the team event, Pride vs Jaguars – Kensington Grenada National Stadium tournament schedule Goffin’s impressive (95 Fahrenheit). after lifting host nation Oval, Barbados Jaguars vs Hurricanes – Guyana meant the Spanish team victory was built on the Australia on Thursday Red Force vs Hurricanes – Brian National Stadium Serbia advance Lara Cricket Academy had played its early Belgian’s attacking base- and then Serbia on Friday. Round 8 matches on the other side line game, where he In the day session, Djokovic said after the Round 3 March 12 to 15 of the continent in Perth. proved to be one of the few Djokovic battled through a match he understood January 23 to 26 Red Force vs Volcanoes – Brian “For me I was suffering players who can stand up stirring challenge from Shapovalov’s frustration Jaguars vs Red Force – Guyana Lara Cricket Academy (2 pm National Stadium, Guyana daily) a lot physically today,” to Nadal’s heavy spin. rising Canadian star as the noise level kept Scorpions vs Pride – Sabina Park Hurricanes vs Scorpions – Vivian Nadal said shortly after The pair have now Denis Shapovalov to pro- threatening to interrupt Volcanoes vs Hurricanes – Daren Richards Cricket Ground winning the extended played six times and de- pel Serbia into the semi- play. Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia Jaguars vs Pride – Guyana (2 pm daily) National Stadium (2 pm daily) tiebreak that is used in spite trailing Nadal in finals with a 4-6, 6-1, “They were so loud, they place of a deciding third their head-to-head 4-2, 7-6(4) victory. were engaged, sometimes ***BREAK*** ***BREAK*** set at doubles matches at Goffin has won both times It was Djokovic’s fifth a little bit too much,” said Round 4 Round 9 the ATP Cup. they have played on hard victory over the 20-year- Djokovic. February 6 to 9 March 26 to 29 “I was sweating a lot courts. old Canadian in as “It was a Davis Cup-like Jaguars vs Scorpions – Guyana Pride vs Scorpions – Kensington and lost my energy.” “I have to take the ball many clashes but by atmosphere,” he said, re- National Stadium Oval (2 pm daily) While mainly known for early to use the power of far the toughest, after ferring to the traditional Hurricanes vs Pride – Warner Hurricanes vs Volcanoes – Vivian Park, St. Kitts Richards Cricket Ground his singles success, which Rafa to play fast and make Shapovalov controlled men’s team tennis event Volcanoes vs Red Force – Red Force vs Jaguars – Queen’s includes 19 grand slams, him run a lot,” Goffin said significant portions of to which the ATP Cup is Windsor Park, Dominica Park Oval, Trinidad Nadal is a capable doubles after the match, played on the match. being compared. Round 5 Round 10 player, having won the the Sydney arena’s blue The victory was set up The heavy-swinging February 13 to 16 April 2 to 5 doubles Olympic Games plexicushion hard court. earlier by Serbia’s Dusan Canadian looked likely to Scorpions vs Hurricanes – Jaguars vs Volcanoes – Guyana gold at the 2016 Rio de Nadal appeared dis- Lajovic’s upset win over pull off an upset against Trelawny Multipurpose Complex, National Stadium Janeiro event. tressed during the match, Canadian teenager Felix the more tentative Jamaica Scorpions vs Red Force – Sabina Pride vs Red Force – Kensington Park (2 pm daily) He only had minutes to which he later explained Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-2. Djokovic, but Shapovalov’s Oval Pride vs Hurricanes – Kensington prepare for the decider was due to a difficult The vocal crowds error count climbed too Volcanoes vs Jaguars – Grenada Oval after losing his singles schedule and hot Sydney appear to be playing a high during the critical National Stadium, Grenada match against Goffin 6-4, day where temperatures pivotal role in the latter third set tiebreak. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 11, 2020 • 21 NBA roundup: Thunder spoil Westbrook’s return to OKC HOUSTON’S Russell then a lengthy ovation 5 of 17 from the floor and the day, it was Westbrook scored 34 from the Chesapeake 2 of 9 from behind the announced that Embiid points in his return to Energy Arena fans after 3-point line to finish with had surgery yesterday for Oklahoma City, but his pregame introduc- a season-low 17 points. a torn ligament on the the Thunder tion. fourth metacarpal on his controlled the game Danilo Gallinari led 76ers 109, Celtics 98 left hand and be re- from early on to beat Oklahoma City with 23 J osh Richardson scored evaluated in one to two the Rockets 113-92 on points, Shai Gilgeous- 29 points, Ben Simmons weeks. Thursday night. Alexander added 20 and added 19 points and nine The Sixers improved to Westbrook starred 11 Chris Paul put in 18. All rebounds and host 18-2 at home. seasons for the Thunder, three were traded to the Philadelphia defeated helping Oklahoma City Thunder from the Los Boston. Cavaliers 115, to nine playoff Angeles Clippers for Paul Al Horford contributed Pistons 112 (OT) appearances and one George. 17 points and Tobias Tristan Thompson NBA Finals, before being Westbrook was 14 of 26 Harris had 16 for the poured in a career-high traded to the Rockets from the floor but the Sixers, who played 35 points and grabbed 14 Portland in Minneapolis NOTICES in the offseason. He Rockets’ other star, without All-Star centre rebounds and Cleveland despite missing star received a video tribute James Harden, was just Joel Embiid. Earlier in finished overtime on a centre Karl-Anthony BARBADOS 9-2 run to defeat host Towns (knee) for the 12th Detroit. straight game. IN THE SUPREME COURT OF Kevin Love scored 17 Robert Covington JUDICATURE points, including the added 15 points, and HIGH COURT go-ahead 3-pointer, and Gorgui Dieng recorded 12 had nine rebounds as the points and 10 rebounds IN THE ESTATE OF ALAN Cavaliers avenged a two- for the Timberwolves. PETERS, deceased point loss to the Pistons Jeff Teague had 12 points on Tuesday. Darius and six assists, Jarrett PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given Garland had 20 points Culver added 12 points that an application is being made for and Collin Sexton tossed and six rebounds, and the following Grant of Letters of in 19 for Cleveland. Keita Bates-Diop had Testamentary namely:- Andre Drummond 11 points and eight racked up 28 points and rebounds as Minnesota PROBATE OF THE WILL dated the 23 rebounds for Detroit. improved to 5-3 since 10th day of August 2000 of ALAN Derrick Rose scored 27 ending a season-long points off the bench and 11-game losing streak. PETERS, deceased late of 29 Old added seven rebounds Damian Lillard Chancery Lane in the parish of and five assists. Bruce registered 20 points and Christ Church in Barbados, who Brown finished with 17 eight assists for Portland, died in Bayview Hospital Beckles points and eight assists. which lost for the Road in the parish of Saint Michael seventh time in the past in Barbados on the 11th day of Timberwolves 116, nine games. Hassan March 2015 by RICHARD ALAN Trail Blazers 102 Whiteside added 15 PETERS, CYNTHIA ELEANOR Andrew Wiggins scored points and 14 rebounds, PETERS and CAROLYN HELEN Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) dunks against the Oklahoma City 23 points and added a CJ McCollum also had PETERS the executors named in Thunder during the second half at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, season-best eight assists 15 points and Gary Trent the Will of the said deceased. Oklahoma, USA on January 9, 2020. Oklahoma City won 113-92. as Minnesota rolled past Jr. tallied 13. An application shall be submitted to the Supreme Court fourteen (14) days from the date of Notice in the Wozniacki, Williams set up busy weekend in Auckland Official Gazette and from the date of WELLINGTON – beat Germany’s Laura The results set up the 31-year-old Goerges 6-1, quarter-final. Pegula had the second notice of advertisement. Caroline Wozniacki and Siegemund 6-4, 6-3. possibility of a perfect 6-4 in just 75 minutes. been leading 6-0, 3-2 Serena Williams The pair then farewell to Auckland “I have had some when Cornet retired. Dated the 11th day guaranteed themselves a combined in the last for Wozniacki, who’s tough matches against Top seed Williams will of January, 2020 busy weekend at the match on the main court established herself as a Julia in the past and I next meet third seed Auckland Classic as they at the Auckland Tennis crowd favourite after knew this one would be Amanda Anisimova, who CLARKE GITTENS FARMER both advanced yesterday Centre to beat Belgian playing the tournament tough as well,” Wozniacki needed almost two hours Attorneys-at-Law to the semi-finals of the pair Kirsten Flipkens every year since 2015. said. “Even though it was to beat Canadian wild singles and the final of and Alison Van Uytvanck She had lost her two 6-1 in the first set, I still card Eugenie Bouchard the doubles. 7-6 (9) 6-2 and advance previous matches in felt a lot of pressure, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the first CHURCH Wozniacki ended not to Sunday’s doubles Auckland to the two- because she has big match of the evening NOTICES only her hex at the final. time defending champion serves and big shots so I session. JAMES STREET hands of Julia Goerges “It feels great, it has Goerges, including in the needed to fight for every “It has been my METHODIST CHURCH but also the German’s been so much fun,” said final in 2018. point.” lifelong dream,” the 18- BRIDGETOWN 12-match unbeaten run Wozniacki, who only Wozniacki, however, Wozniacki will now year-old Anisimova said SUNDAY in New Zealand’s largest entered the doubles with showed no signs of face Jessica Pegula in of facing Williams today. JANUARY 12TH, 2020 city with the 6-1, 6-4 Williams to play together fatigue from a two-hour, the semi-finals. The “I said before the DAY OF PRAYER victory to join good once before the Dane 19-minute, three-set American became the tournament that my 9.00 A.M. friend Williams in retires after the match against 2017 first player to qualify biggest wish was to play REV CLIFTON MORRIS today’s singles semi- Australian Open. “I’m so champion Lauren Davis for the last four when her before she retires DIVINE WORSHIP finals. happy to be playing with that went late into France’s Alize Cornet so I am honestly the 5.30 P.M. Williams had earlier Serena and so happy to Thursday’s evening retired with a leg injury happiest I have ever BRO DONWAYNE COGAY overcome tricky winds to still be in the singles.” session. She beat the in the second set of their been.” DIVINE WORSHIP SERVICE 22 • Saturday January 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 11, 2020 •23 Athletics: Kenya’s ‘Universe Boss’ Kipsang suspended for Gayle wants anti-doping violations LONDON – Kenyan stood as the world record Wilson Kipsang, former for a year. marathon world record He also won the 2014 five more years holder and bronze medal- New York Marathon and list at the 2012 Olympics, 2017 Tokyo Marathon. has been provisionally “It is disappointing to at the crease suspended for where- hear another Kenyan, and Dhaka – West Indies that passion for the game. abouts failures and tam- a top one at that, becoming batting star Chris I would love to carry on as pering with samples, the a victim of the doping Gayle has swatted long as possible in T20 Athletics Integrity Unit scourge,” Barnaba Korir, away talk of his im- and franchise cricket as said on its Twitter account Athletics Kenya Executive pending retirement well,” he told reporters in yesterday. Committee member and from cricket, suggest- Bangladesh. Under anti-doping regu- Chairman of the Nairobi ing he wants to be at “Let’s talk at 45. I think lations, athletes have to in- Region, told Reuters. the crease for at least that’s a good number,” form testing authorities of “But at the same time, five more years. added Gayle, who turned their whereabouts for a we at Athletics Kenya take Gayle arrived in 40 last year. one hour window of every the development posi- Bangladesh this month Though he has not day and three failures – tively as we support the to play in the domestic appeared for the West not being present at the AIU in its effort to eradi- Twenty20 league after ini- Indies since a one-day in- said time – within 12 cate this (doping) scourge, tially voicing surprise at ternational against India months leads to an auto- which has taken a heavy his inclusion in the tour- in August, Gayle kept matic ban. No further de- toll on our athletes and nament’s draft, claiming himself open for the selec- tails of his offences were image as a country.” he was taking a break tion for November’s West Indies batting star Chris Gayle. immediately available Kipsang could not from the sport. Twenty20 World Cup in from the AIU. reached for comment. But speaking on Australia. well and see if they want He had his debut for the Kipsang, 37, is twice a Kenya was among the Thursday, the hard hitter “It would be nice. Like I the Universe Boss,” he current season on winner of the London countries placed on the said he was in good health said, the door is open for a said. Tuesday with the Marathon and has a per- World Anti-Doping Agency and still had “a lot to chance. Let’s see what Gayle played in several Chattogram Challengers, sonal best of two hours, 3 (WADA’s) compliance offer”. happens.” he said. editions of the Bangladesh scoring 23 off 10 balls, in- minutes, 13 seconds – watch list in 2016 and “A lot of people still want “We have some bright Premier League and is the cluding three sixes in one making him the equal Kipsang is the latest to see Chris Gayle out in youngsters ahead as well. tournament’s highest over, in a narrow win sixth-fastest man in his- Kenyan athlete to be the middle. I still have I have left the option open run scorer among foreign against the Rajshahi tory.His time of 2:03.23 at charged with a rule viola- that love for the game and to hear back from them as players. Royals. the 2013 Berlin Marathon tion.

Expanded calendar for Radical C’bean Cup in 2020

Page 19

Saturday January 11, 2020 ALCOHOL USE AMONG

WOMENWHILE men are reporting for ON THE RISE treatment to overcome marijuana and cocaine addictions, women are being treated for struggles with alcohol. Manager of the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA), Betty Hunte told those attending a press conference to officially launch Drug Awareness Month that more women are using alcohol. “It is something that is on the rise from stats coming from our treatment centres, where men in general are reporting for treatment with issues surrounding marijuana, crack cocaine and other types of drugs – females are presenting with alcohol use.” Recognizing that the path to addiction for females and males are different, Hunte said that NCSA is tailoring gender specific responses for their interventions with persons impacted by drug use. “What we are trying also to do at the same time is ensure that our programming is based on research. So, in that regard we have already started base work to look at the barriers which affect women and how they access treatment,”she said, pointing out that addiction among women tends to be underreported. Manager of the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA), Betty Hunte (right); alongside Deputy Manager of NCSA, Troy WOMEN on Page 5 Wickham.

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