Established October 1895 UNICEF calls for more investment in child protection programmes PAGE 6

Friday January 22, 2021 $2 VAT Inclusive PRESSING ISSUE IT is not only important to deal Officer (CMO), had reported earlier that with local dengue fever cases, but Important to deal with mosquito population there had been two recent dengue- Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic contended related deaths. One was an eight-year- that it was just as important to health officers because as you would one larger machine to be mounted onto old and according to Dr. George had a manage the mosquito population appreciate we are still dealing with a truck, which would bring the fleet to significant pre-existing condition, while on the island. COVID, we are still dealing with NCDs, five vehicles. the other had no predisposed conditions As it is widely known, the Aedes still dealing with the delivery of our “We have been able to do some and that was worrying. aegypti mosquito spreads dengue fever. normal healthcare services.” mapping where the complaints were “Our reports for the month of Bostic, the Minister of Health and Bostic, who was speaking at a recent coming from, so that there is a targeted December did not show a rise from Wellness, explained that the ministry press conference at the Pan American approach that is going to be employed. beyond the threshold level. We are here faces the challenges including adequate Health Organisation headquarters in That has started, but we are still to encourage Barbadians, particularly personnel and that dealing with the Dayrell’s Road, St. Michael, said that awaiting some of the equipment to as we know that there has been an mosquito population in Barbados was the contracted personnel were trained arrive and we have divided the island outbreak in the region with several a pressing issue. and put into the field regarding the into two sectors with two teams working deaths, that they have a role to play “We started to address those identification of mosquito-breeding from the South and North, inwards while the Ministry will continue to play challenges by contracting some persons sites. The ministry has also ordered towards each other,” said the minister. to come and assist the environmental hand-held fogging machines along with Dr. Kenneth George, Chief Medical DENGUE CASES on Page 2 Professor Beckles: 2020 stretched The UWI to its limit VICE-CHANCELLOR of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is calling for a collective effort to make 2021 a year of transformation for all campuses. According to Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, last year tested the university in a way that it has never been tested as a university, stretching it to its limit. “But we have proven to be a resilient institution performing our task on behalf of this service to the people of the Caribbean, and thanks to you we were able to get through 2020 as a better university; a more purpose- and focused-driven university, with a stronger sense of resolve,” he told students and faculty. “I welcome you back from your end of 2020 break within the context of this evolving 2021, that promises to be a very bright year for our university. In 2020, we demonstrated that we are a caring university; we are a committed university and a university of tremendous courage.” Professor Beckles declared that 2021 will be the year in which the university will demonstrate how best to move on. He said they have acquired tremendous technical skills and intellectual focus around how best to deliver the university’s programme to RELAXING DAY OUT!: Barbadians mostly observed Errol Barrow Day with a degree of relaxation and re- the region and the world. flection. Some Barbadians took the opportunity to see the many wonderful sights across the island, while some took in some of our beaches. Pictured, these individuals took time out to secure drinks and a good meal, during the day. (See Page 3) THE UWI on Page 4 2 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Testing continues on Bank Holiday Surveillance being given WHILE Errol Barrow Public Health in and out, and vehi- tunity to receive a special attention: CMO Day is known as a Laboratory was a hive cles lined the side- COVID-19 test as a day of relaxation for of activity from early walks. negative result is now DENGUE CASES from Barbadians and visi- yesterday morning as At the Martindale’s required for persons Page 1 tors alike, this year persons requiring Road facility, outbound returning to the United is unlike any other. coronavirus testing travellers were also States, United Kingdom its role with respect to in- The Best-dos Santos could be seen flowing being given the oppor- and Canada. vestigating complaints and carrying out our fog- ging related activities,” said Dr. George. The CMO pointed out that the dengue surveil- lance was being given special attention, but the numbers were within the expected threshold for this time of year.He expanded by saying that the min- istry took averages of dengue cases and com- pared them yearly. “In Barbados, we know that every four to five Dr. Kenneth George, years we tend to get an Chief Medical Officer outbreak of dengue fever. (CMO), has called for all We monitor those monthly Barbadians to play their averages and compare part in managing the each one to previous local mosquito months to get an indica- population. tion on if we are getting beyond ourselves and into back to the norm. He also outbreak territory,” he urged Barbadians to help said. where they could, saying Referencing the month that the situation was not of October, Dr. George only the responsibility of stated that Barbados the Government but all went over the threshold communities of the island. Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory was a hive of activity yesterday. but since then had come (AS) The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 3

Gov’t has multiple sources, says Bostic IT has been the culture of the current adminis- tration not to place all of its eggs into one bas- ket, but to have multi- ple sources for COVID- 19 related equipment. Speaking during a press conference for a Pan American Health One of the COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test kits pre- Organisation (PAHO) sented. presentation of medical tools to help with the fight as recommended by The minister took the against COVID-19, the World Health opportunity to compliment Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, Organisation (WHO). Prime Minister Mia Amor Minister of Health and “During this entire Mottley,for leading in that Wellness, stated that the COVID response, the regard, where Barbados Medical tools presented to Barbados, through the Ministry of Health and Government of Barbados Government of Barbados reached out to various Wellness, by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). had engaged in multiple has not once placed all avenues for aid. discussions to source of its eggs in one basket. “Reaching out bilater- the health minister. Reminding the public that enced over a ten-month COVID-19 related items. There have been multiple ally,every avenue is being Bostic however implored it did not matter which period before we got to this He was responding to the approaches from every- explored to be able to Barbadians, residents and strain or vaccine was on point,” begged Bostic. query by the media on thing to sourcing PPEs, source vaccines and I am visitors alike, to be mind- the island, the practice of Earlier, PAHO had pre- the challenge of having ventilators, you name it. sure the Prime Minister at ful of the health protocols safety was paramount. sented twenty thousand enough doses to vaccinate Vaccines, no different,” the appropriate time will which had been put for- “The fundamental Rapid Antigen Test kits; 70% of the population said Bostic. speak to this issue,” said ward by the Government. baseline defence is each Protective Equipment and every one of us doing (PPE) kits consisting everything to take care of of surgical gowns, face ourselves by following the shields, surgical masks, protocols as articulated by respirators and gloves; the Ministry of Health and eight vital sign monitors Wellness. If we do that, we and infusion pumps to the will continue to achieve Ministry of Health and the success that we experi- Wellness. (AS)

These youngsters had a blast.

The statue of National Hero, the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow. Enjoying Errol Barrow Day YESTERDAY was a quiet to enjoy many activities. day, as many Barbadians The Barbados stayed at home and en- Advocate was on hand joyed Errol Barrow Day, to capture some of these Barbadians took time to enjoy some of the beaches on the island. while some ventured out actions. 4 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

University Look to industries for aiming to innovation, C’bean urged become more AS it seeks to rebuild, the same communities who showed Caribbean is being advised up in key states like Georgia and to look at opportunities and Pennsylvania in support of the cost-efficient industries that can encour- Biden/Harris administration. THE UWI from Page 1 age innovation and new The former general counsel ways of engagement includ- urged persons in the diaspora to “This is the year in which we ing business tourism. put heavy emphasis to the re- are going to deepen our global Head of the United States gion when it came to business engagement as a first-class uni- Strategic Engagement and dealings. versity rooted in the Caribbean Public Policy Partnerships at “Make sure that people of with a global vision. This is a Google, Michele Jawando, told Caribbean heritage, people here year in which we are going to a recent Caribbean Tourism in the United States, in the strengthen our financial sus- Organisation webinar, the re- United Kingdom, across the tainability, because we did say gion must look at getting more Caribbean are sitting at the that 2021 will be the year Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (UWI), companies interested in invest- table and negotiating the future, in which we will begin with Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. ment and partnerships to build which means tapping busi- earnest the transformation of upon new ideas, with the focus nesses and saying, ‘As you’re our reputation into revenue.” “This is a remarkable isation of courage. Our success aimed at ensuring Caribbean thinking about expansion, think The UWI Vice-Chancellor achievement and now we have in 2020 will therefore be the people develop on the region’s about the Caribbean; as you’re also observed that the univer- this platform on which to rise basis on which we will achieve behalf. thinking about rebuilding, as sity, coping with the challenges and to move through 2021 with our targets in 2021. “There are whole new indus- you’re thinking about the of COVID-19 and the mobilisa- courage and commitment,” he “I am calling upon our com- tries thinking about what sus- next steps, think about the tion of internal resources to expressed. munity to let us do it again; let tainable development looks like. Caribbean.’ And I think some of deliver on core operational “At the same time, it is our in- us build upon our energy and There is no greater place to look that it’s connected to the first mandates, was rewarded when tention to make our university our focus and if we are able to than the Caribbean,” she point that I raised – having po- the Times Higher Education far more cost-efficient. It is our achieve this, 2021 is going to be stressed. litical leadership really identify declared the university to be intention to generate even more another magnificent year for Jawando also highlighted to the Caribbean nations as an the top-ranked university in resources to sustain our insti- our university… Blessing to our the diaspora there would be op- equal respected partner in the the Caribbean, and the top one tution and we have already students, staff and all members portunities to be taken advan- recovery in trade and economics per cent and the finest 5,000 started that process. Yes, we of the university fraternity, our tage of with new organisations and business and then let’s give universities in Latin America have journeyed to the top, but donors, sponsors and govern- that have popped up over the our community some action and the Caribbean, and in the now we are there we have to ments – let us together make course of the US election. points of how they engage. And, top one per cent in the world of function in a manner consistent 2021 a year of transformation She urged Caribbean busi- you know, conversations like universities within age cohort with our reputation.That is the for our beloved university,” nesses and individuals therefore we’re having now, I think that’s 50 to 100 years. removal of doubt and the mobil- Professor Beckles said. (TL) to look into investing in those so critical,” she added. The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 5

Members of Landship carrying the casket with the body of the late Admiral Watson. Government vows its Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley viewing the body. continued commitment to the Landship TWO Government offi- much a part of Barbadian to the preservation of the cials have given the ancestry. Landship but making assurance that they “It is interesting [that] that statement meaning- will do all in their when I did some of my ful by ensuring that the power to ensure the own research I saw the Landship endures. survival and expan- exact same thing – they “It is a movement that sion of the Barbados don’t call it a Landship has seen dwindling num- Landship Association. but the exact thing is in bers over the last decade. Minister in the Ministry Ghana.With all of this en- We owe it to its members of Culture, John King and ergy I want you to think... and legacy that this vi- Chief Executive Officer of [that] the best thing we brant, important social the National Cultural can do as human beings aspect of our cultural her- Foundation (NCF), Carol is to honour those who itage continues.” Roberts-Reifer, were would have made signifi- The CEO added:“There speaking at the viewing of cant contributions to our are a variety of ways it the body of the late Lord lives.” can be done, whether it is High Admiral Vernon Speaking about the late through the establish- Watson OBE at The Dock, Admiral, the minister told ment of docks or mini Licorish Village, My members it was now up to docks or clubs in schools Lord’s Hill, St. Michael, on them to ensure the move- Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation, Carol Roberts- Wednesday evening. ment remains active and LANDSHIP on Page 6 Reifer, viewing the late Captain’s body. A parade followed the relevant. hearse that bore the body “Admiral Watson would from Carrington Village, have been one of many St. Michael to The Dock, persons who would have which is home of the made the contribution to Landship. The gathering this institution we call the there was treated to a Landship.There are those dance display from the who have gone before group, including the sig- him. He would have had nature Maypole Dance. to be bold enough to get Minister King, who past that and also carry spoke directly to mourn- on the baton to the next ing members, said: “The leg. That next leg is you,” Landship is probably one he said. of the few things that re- Roberts-Reifer said not mains as a connection to only must the country do where we are from. You its part so that the group now have the opportunity “endures”, but she threw and the best thing that out a challenge to find cre- you can do is continue the ative ways to memorialise tradition [and] try to ex- Admiral Watson. pand it even more. Roberts-Reifer said:“We “The best way we can owe it – we as in cultural honour him is to ensure practitioners, we as in that this institution does cultural administrators, not die, but rather than we as in Barbadians – to die, expand,” he said. Admiral Watson to create The minister explained a legacy for him, and not that the group was very just by paying lip service Minister in the Ministry of Culture, John King, speaking to members of the Landship Association. 6 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

UNICEF issues call for more investment in child protection programmes By Regina Selman have been talking about them with mobile phones, return to school and the Moore – rising poverty and low and digital technology. ILO is a critical partner wages, eroding social pro- Some are strengthening here.” THE United Nations tections, lack of quality ed- online learning platforms It was just last Children’s Fund ucation and normalisation and some are expanding December that Minister (UNICEF) is calling for of children’s work through social protection pro- of Labour and Social more investment to be weak laws, and a culture of grammes like cash trans- Partnership Relations, poured into child pro- impunity in many coun- fers that target the most Colin Jordan, gave the as- tection programmes tries around the world. vulnerable families. We surance that the Barbados that serve to aid chil- “With the devastating can all be inspired by these Government is committed dren affected by all impacts of COVID-19, es- efforts. But as we mark to addressing all issues forms of violence, abuse pecially at the household the International Year of of child labour that may and exploitation. level, more children are the Elimination of Child surface here, even though UNICEF Executive vulnerable to the exploita- Labour, we must do more. he acknowledged that Director, Henrietta Fore, tive and hazardous forms So UNICEF is calling for Barbados has no reported has noted that such pro- of work. For millions of more investment in child cases of child labour thus grammes can also aid chil- children who are already protection programmes far. UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore. dren made more vulnera- engaged in child labour, that prevent and respond ble to different forms of the pandemic is translat- to all forms of violence, child labour, on account of ing into longer working abuse and exploitation, Use the Caribbean Trade Centre the COVID-19 pandemic. hours and worsening con- including child labour,” Her comments came as ditions. School closures she remarked. THE Caribbean Trade strategy,a plan to put our- dors for the region, encour- she delivered remarks are making matters even “As a global community, Centre (CTC) of the selves in a position to ne- aging persons to visit here, during a recent webinar worse. Lingering gender we need to re-imagine Caribbean American gotiate,” he said during a he said the relationship entitled “Taking Action inequalities continue to education to improve both Chamber of Commerce recent Caribbean Tourism between the diaspora and to Fight Child Labour”, make girls more vulnera- quality and quantity, could be utilised to build a Organisation webinar. the region must be made which served as the launch ble to exploitation in agri- to reach every child and strategy to put the region The Haitian-born official stronger through business event for the 2021 cultural work, or they have young person and this in- in a stronger position for stated now was the time and financial linkages. International Year for to stay home doing house- cludes digital technology negotiating. to evaluate tourism by “We already have a the Elimination of Child work while their brothers and remote learning. Councillor Dr. Mathieu conducting a survey of fairly strong relationship Labour, hosted by the continue with their educa- UNICEF is gathering Eugene, of the New York what is tourism in the with the Caribbean International Labour tion, and lockdowns and partners around the need, City Council, said the New Caribbean now with the community, and also Organisation (ILO) in mobility restrictions have including the need to York-based facility, which COVID pandemic, what it Caribbean countries. So collaboration with the dramatically reduced connect every school in provides business assis- was before, and what is what we have to do, we Alliance 8.7 Global access to child protection the world to the Internet tance to small and start-up going to be after COVID. have to tie it in this re- Partnership. services and workplace through the Gig Initiative, business owners – in areas “And we’ve got to start lationship. Speaking after ILO inspections,” she said. and it means teaching of business planning, thinking about our re- New York City,for exam- Director-General Guy UNICEF’s Executive skills to make a livelihood financing, procurement, sources, what we have to ple, we are powerful. We Ryder and child labour Director however noted through the Generation certification, expansion, ensure that we maintain have internal resources, survivor and activist Amar that there are “hopeful Unlimited Initiative,” Fore and export/import oppor- the tourism in the we have skills and the Lal, Ms. Fore said, “We be- signs” that child labour stressed. tunities, should be used Caribbean countries, and expertise. What we have lieve that the COVID-19 challenges can be better She added, “We need as an asset for the region to make sure we can to do, we have to come to- pandemic has really addressed and hence the governments to strengthen and the diaspora. attract people to come to gether and try to figure out cracked open and exacer- call for more social protec- child labour regulations “This is the moment to spend the money to boost how we are going to em- bated the vulnerabilities of tion programmes. across the board, from laws open the doors to all the our economy,” he added. power ourselves and get a children for child labour. “Many governments and policies, to workplace Caribbean countries. We Telling his fellow politi- bigger presence, not only Even before the pandemic, have accelerated efforts to inspections, to job protec- can use the Caribbean cal colleagues from within in politics, but in business we were dealing with the deploy social workers in tion systems that can sup- Trade Centre to start or- the diaspora they must be and financial power,” he issues that Guy and Amar the community, equipping port children who want to ganising, start building a advocates and ambassa- said. Admiral Watson’s funeral to be held today LANDSHIP from Page 5 or community groups across the island, whether it is through documenta- tion and not just a printed documentation; but videos, gaming animation of the history of the Landship. We in Barbados are never short of great ideas.” The NCF head, noting that Admiral Watson will be missed, advised: “[There] is no doubt that he has made an indelible and extremely important contribution, not only to The Barbados Landship Association performing. the preservation of the Barbados Landship, but itage of Barbados.” funeral service will Innocent Anglican and the service is at funeral can be viewed also to the indigenous and Admiral Watson died be held today, Friday, Church, St. Thomas. 10 a.m. on the NCF’s Facebook intangible cultural her- on January 9, 2021. His January 22, at the Holy Tributes start at 9 a.m. A livestream of the page. (PR) The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 7

China home to 23 World Heritage Irrigation Structures

FOUR ancient Chinese sites were re- and development, the secretary general cently recognised as World Heritage remarked. Irrigation Structures (WHIS) by the All the enlisted Chinese irrigation sites International Commission on fit into the above features. For instance, Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), mak- the Tianbao Weir,built 1,300 years ago, is ing the total number of Chinese irri- the oldest extant water project specifi- gation projects on the list to 23. cally aimed at barring saltwater and stor- The four sites include the Tianbao Weir ing freshwater.The Longshou Canal and in east China’s Fujian province, Longshou Ancient Luohe River Irrigation District in Canal and Ancient Luohe River Irrigation Shaanxi Province is said to involve the District in northwest China’s Shaanxi first underground canal in China’s his- province, the Weirs of Baishaxi Stream tory, making use of the shaft-tunnel Project in east China’s Zhejiang province, method. It drove the development of tun- and the Sangyuanwei Polder nel excavation and water conservancy Embankment System in south China’s project. The Weirs of Baishaxi Stream Guangdong province. Project covers 45 km of the Baishaxi This made China a country that has Stream and has a total water-level drop the richest type, widest distribution and of 168 meters. It was a leading project of highest irrigation efficiency of heritage its time regarding engineering planning structures,. and size. The ICID, established in 1950, includes Pandya noted the ancient Chinese irri- The Dujiangyan irrigation system in southwest China’s Sichuan province. 80 national and regional committees and gation projects reflected a vision of harmo- covers over 95 percent of the world’s irri- nious coexistence between mankind and Protection Technology Joint Training was World Water Council president Loic gation areas. the nature, and are a huge contribution to launched in Wuhan, central China’s Fauchon has visited China multiple times The organization set up the WHIS and a great inspiration for today’s irriga- Hubei province, joined by representatives and witnessed the combined efforts made award in 2014, aiming to protect and pro- tion farming. Some of them are still bring- from Kenya, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, by China to simultaneously advance mote irrigation projects of historical value ing gigantic economic and social benefits Madagascar,Pakistan and Nigeria. China economic and social progress and water and their scientific experience. So far,105 today. is proactively cooperating with UN conservancy construction. He believes sites in 16 countries have been enlisted, Over the past thousands of years, the organizations and relevant international China is receiving broad attention for its including the Dujiangyan irrigation sys- ancient Chinese built a number of water organizations to offer training sessions experiences, and the country is an tem in southwest China’s Sichuan conservancy projects and facilities, leav- for young professionals from Belt and important participant of global gover- province, the Lingqu Canal in south ing valuable material and spiritual Road countries and regions, so as to nance, including water treatment. China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous wealth. advance water resource cooperation. prefecture, the Ziquejie Terrace in cen- Today, China is making efforts to build tral China’s Hunan province and the high-quality farmland and develop water- Hetao Irrigation Area in north China’s efficient irrigation, so as to promote the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. high-quality development of its agricul- ICID Secretary General Ashwin ture. It conforms to the country’s actual China calls for int’l vaccine alliance Pandya noted that all enlisted sites are conditions and the global trend of irriga- milestones for world’s irrigation develop- tion development, said Harish Kumar to defeat COVID-19 pandemic ment, whose design, construction tech- Varma, executive director of the ICID. nologies, size, water intake, and irriga- China has employed drones, AI, big BEIJING – China calls on the interna- As part of the cooperation, Chinese enter- tion areas must be in a leading position in data, 5G and other advanced technolo- tional community to work together to prises have provided vaccines to partner their respective times and have made out- gies in its irrigation practice and opti- contribute to the equitable distribution countries, Hua said. standing contributions to the promotion mised agricultural irrigation with high- and use of COVID-19 vaccines around Chinese companies have started to of local agriculture,food production, farm- techs, which set a good example for the the world and help defeat the pandemic, export to countries that urgently need ers’ income and poverty reduction. world to solve the water conservancy bot- a foreign ministry spokesperson said vaccines, have approved Chinese Just like what the ancient Chinese ir- tleneck when promoting poverty reduc- Wednesday. vaccines, and have authorised the rigation structures have displayed, the tion, Pandya said. Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the emergency use of Chinese vaccines in WHIS projects represented innovation or China is also actively contributing sus- remarks in response to a question about their countries. “Most of them are miracles in their respective times and tainable development schemes to global China’s expectations of promoting developing countries,” she added. provided broad assistance and profound water treatment. Last October, the Belt international cooperation on COVID-19 China has joined the WHO-led COVAX inspiration for modern irrigation theories and Road River and Lake Ecological vaccines. initiative to support the G20 in promot- “We have always maintained that the ing international cooperation on vaccines virus knows no borders and humanity and multilateral cooperation to promote shares a common destiny. Solidarity and the equitable global distribution of China’s historic economic comeback, cooperation are the most powerful vaccines, the spokesperson said. weapon to defeat the COVID-19 pan- According to incomplete statistics, more demic. It is also the common consensus of than 40 countries have requested to beacon of hope for world the international community,” Hua said import vaccines from China so far. “We BEIJING – China has done something “PROTECT” – the Party’s strong leader- at a press briefing. believe that with the continuous expan- no other major economy did in 2020. ship, responsibility at all levels, openness China is at the forefront of vaccine re- sion of production capacity, China will Beating expectations with a and transparency, technology, early search and development globally, with gradually increase the supply of vaccines 6.5-percent growth in the fourth quarter, action, cooperation, and targeted one vaccine for conditional marketing and to countries in need,” she said. China’s gross domestic product (GDP) measures. The formula shows how the several others being in clinical trials at China’s move to promote international expanded 2.3 percent year on year last Chinese economy fought its way out of different stages, Hua said, adding that cooperation on vaccines has been recog- year, exceeding the 100-trillion-yuan the virus-induced slump. this has provided significant support for nised and welcomed by the international (15.42 trillion US dollars) threshold for t Not only did China avert a full-blown China’s fight against the pandemic and community, Hua said. She added that he first time,official data showed Monday. recession, but the scale and speed of its its participation in international many countries believe that China has That makes China the only major V-shaped recovery were impressive. It’s cooperation on vaccines. made real efforts to live up to its promise economy to post growth in 2020. In worth noting that the Chinese leadership Currently,China has started the vacci- that vaccines are public goods. the context of the unprecedented decided in May not to set a numeric nation of key groups,and the domestic de- At present, Chinese companies are COVID-19 pandemic and recession, the growth target for 2020. High on the mand for vaccines is huge, Hua said, actively discussing cooperation with good news from China is even more agenda was people-first development and adding that while meeting domestic de- COVAX, Hua said. “China is willing to commendable. a new development paradigm. mand, China has overcome difficulties contribute to the realisation of vaccine The early days of 2020 were devastat- There is no doubt that 2021 is going to and made every effort to carry out inter- accessibility and affordability in develop- ing for the world’s second-largest econ- be another year of challenges, but China national cooperation on vaccines with ing countries through COVAX.” omy. However after a quarter-long lull in will stand as a beacon of hope amid the other countries, especially developing At present, the virus is still ravaging economic activity, the resumption of sea of uncertainties.As it further opens to countries, in different ways, and provided the world, and the prevention and control business forged ahead with resolute and the outside world, China will create more support and assistance within China’s of the pandemic remains a long and targeted virus containment measures opportunities for mutually beneficial capabilities according to their needs. arduous task, Hua said. She continued to in place. cooperation across the globe, and make Chinese enterprises are conducting say that the international community The unique formula China adopted in greater contributions to the stability joint vaccine research and development needs to work together to meet the response to this global health crisis and prosperity of the world in the with partners in more than 10 countries, vaccine needs of all countries, especially is well captured in the acronym post-pandemic era. including clinical trials and production. developing countries. 8 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate ‘For the cause that lacks assistance, ’Gainst the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do’ Editorial COVID-19 order keeps families apart Step up after Biden lifts ‘Muslim ban’ LOS ANGELES – On petitioned for an immi- tions. are now having to weigh Tuesday night, on the eve grant visa for her mother, On January 18, Biden the risks of travelling dur- dengue fight of President Joe Biden’s in- a 71-year old nurse, in press secretary Jen Psaki ing a pandemic. auguration, Mania 2019, but the Trump ad- said the incoming adminis- Aryan Jafari, whose par- Darbani’s mother called ministration stopped issu- tration would reject a ents missed milestones RECENTLY, Barbados via its Ministry of Health her from Iran. ing almost all new family- Trump attempt to lift a such as his engagement and Wellness, has confirmed dengue-related deaths She was ecstatic that based green cards in April restriction on travellers and the birth of his baby in the country. We have heard of an eight-year-old Biden would soon repeal 2020, saying the move from Europe and Brazil. due to the travel ban, said with a pre-existing health condition who passed the Trump administra- would protect American She added that the Biden he got emotional after the away from the mosquito-borne illness recently and tion’s so-called “Muslim jobs amid the coronavirus administration planned to presidential election in also another individual who did not have ban” that barred people pandemic. “strengthen public health November,when it became any predisposing conditions. from a number of mostly Biden has not yet said measures around interna- clear the travel ban would Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Muslim-majority nations, whether he will rescind tional travel.” be repealed. Bostic has meanwhile sought to give the assurance including Iran, from the proclamation, but until The Biden administra- The 31-year-old mechan- that the relevant officials will be re-doubling their coming to the United he does,Taghdissi Jani will tion did not immediately ical design engineer called efforts to tackle dengue fever, which has raised States. remain in Iran. respond to a request for his parents in Iran and its ugly head in Barbados again. “It means I can get to “I am very sad right now, comment about whether told them they would soon Now if we cast our minds back to just a few months you very soon,” Maryam I am just waiting for her,” he plans to lift the immi- be able to visit and meet ago, health officials in Barbados and other Eastern Taghdissi Jani, who is ap- Darbani said. “My father gration bans. their first grandchild. Caribbean countries were cautioned to scale up plying for an immigrant passed away and my Curtis Morrison, an im- However on Wednesday, efforts to prevent the occurrence of severe dengue visa, told Darbani, a 36- mom is alone. I need her migration attorney repre- he said, the family was not fever outbreaks in their countries, even as they year-old receptionist who here.” senting more than 5 000 “jumping up and down” focused on continuously battling the COVID-19 lives with her husband Since December 2017, people in lawsuits chal- even as the ban was pandemic. The critical piece of advice came at the in Los Angeles. after a revised version of lenging the coronavirus-re- officially revoked. time from Dr. Yitades Gebre, PAHO/WHO Darbani said she could the original travel ban was lated immigration bans, He does not think it is Representative for Barbados and the Eastern not bring herself to explain upheld by the US Supreme has been advising clients safe for his parents, aged Caribbean Countries. He was at the time delivering that other roadblocks re- Court, some 40 000 people for weeks that Biden’s 59 and 67, to get on a plane remarks during a webinar hosted by PAHO, mained in place before her have been barred from en- rescission of the travel and travel to Los Angeles, focusing on the Dengue Response in the Midst of the mother could join her. On tering the United States ban will not change the a COVID-19 hotspot, COVID-19 Pandemic. The webinar provided top of the original travel under the ban, according broader freeze on travel. without a vaccination. a forum for sharing information on effective ban that kept them apart to State Department data. “It’s a positive develop- “Right now we are just outbreak containment strategies for dengue, and for years, Trump issued But for many families ment, but we can’t really looking forward to the day how to build a sustainable response. During that ses- another ban in 2020 that separated by the travel celebrate yet,” he said. when it is safe enough for sion, Dr.Gebre stressed that policies, strategies and blocked certain immigrant ban a reunion isn’t on the Some immigrants who people to travel,” he said. plans for dealing with both diseases at all levels of visas because of the coron- cards anytime soon due to have been waiting for “We don’t want it to be the health care delivery system, should have been avirus pandemic. layers of pandemic-related years for the chance to re- their last trip, we want given priority. It is now clearer than ever, why we Darbani, a US citizen, travel and visa restric- unite with their loved ones it to be safe for everyone.” can’t let our guard down and why we need to be all-encompassing. In all fairness, the Government is trying to do its part and has apparently gone ahead and ordered World leaders cheer US return hand-held mosquito foggers, vehicle-mounted foggers and hired contractors to identify breeding sites for mosquitoes and to eliminate them. However, the time has come for householders to also to climate fight under Biden hold their share of the load, in preventing mosquito-borne diseases. Householders must be BERLIN – World leaders to face the challenges of greenhouse gas emis- Experts say any interna- encouraged to work together in and around their breathed an audible sigh our time. Stronger to build sions,” said Paris Mayor tional efforts to keep global homes, to get rid of stagnant water, reduce and of relief that the United our future. Stronger to pro- Anne Hidalgo. warming well below 2 de- dispose of solid waste, and to ensure proper States under President Joe tect our planet.” “Now we are dealing grees Celsius (3.6 covering of all water storage containers, in order to Biden is rejoining the The Paris accord, forged with an administration Fahrenheit), ideally 1.5C eliminate prime breeding sites for mosquitoes. Here global effort to curb cli- in the French capital in that is conscious of what (2.7F), as agreed in the in Barbados, we need to take progressive steps to mate change, a cause that 2015, commits countries to is at stake and that is very Paris accord would ensure that we can keep the numbers down, where his predecessor had put forward plans for re- committed to use the voice struggle without the con- deaths from these mosquito-borne diseases are shunned over the past four ducing their emissions of of the United States,a tribution of US, which is concerned. years. greenhouse gases such as voice that is very powerful the world’s second biggest More can certainly be done by Barbadians on a British Prime Minister carbon dioxide, which is re- on the international level,” carbon emitter. whole, to beef up their premises against an influx of Boris Johnson and French leased from burning fossil she said. Scientists say time is mosquitoes and this starts by ensuring that President Emmanuel fuels. Biden put the fight running out to reach that mosquitoes do not get the chance to multiply. Macron were among those Former President against climate change at goal because the world has We can then take precaution against the dangerous welcoming Biden’s deci- Donald Trump had ques- the centre of his presiden- already warmed 1.2 C (2.2 Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in particular, that sion to rejoin the Paris cli- tioned the scientific warn- tial campaign and on F) since pre-industrial surface. Barbadians by now should also know the mate accord, reversing a ings about man-made Wednesday immediately times. signs and symptoms of dengue fever and be key Trump policy in the global warming, at times launched a series of cli- Italy said the US return on the lookout for mosquitoes as well as these key first hours of his presi- accusing other countries of mate-friendly efforts to to the Paris accord would signs. dency Wednesday. using the Paris accord as a bring Washington back in help other countries reach That said, we must also consider that the early “Rejoining the Paris club to hurt Washington. step with the rest of the their own climate commit- recognition of persons with dengue fever is the first Agreement is hugely posi- The US formally left the world on the issue. ments.“Italy looks forward step in preventing the progression of the severity of tive news,” tweeted pact in November. “A cry for survival comes to working with the US to the disease. Thus, the capacity of health care Johnson, whose country is “The United States de- from the planet itself,” build a sustainable planet workers to deliver that first level of care in the hosting this year’s UN cli- parture from it has defi- Biden said in his inaugural and ensure a better future diagnosis and appropriate management of dengue, mate summit. nitely diminished our ca- address. “A cry that can’t for the next generations,” needs to be enhanced, even in the midst of this Macron said that with pacities to change things, be any more desperate or Premier Giuseppe Conte present COVID-19 pandemic.Yes, COVID is a lot to Biden,“we will be stronger concretely to reduce the any more clear now.” tweeted. battle with and even though we are preoccupied with reducing the spread of the virus given the rise Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes in local cases of late, we still have to pay attention E-mail Address: [email protected] Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen to other diseases and illnesses, in the interest Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan of public health. @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 9

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ADVOCATE PUBLISHERS (2000) INC, FONTABELLE • FAX: 434-1000 • E-MAIL: [email protected] Ignorance can be deadly THERE is an adage that igno- tigue, stiffness at the injection cine is available, let us follow the rance is bliss… but ignorance can site, and slight fever.Because vac- instructions to wear a mask, also be deadly. cines are designed to prevent, not wash our hands, and not gather. First, there was the claim that cure disease, vaccines work by DEAN A. GARRETT, the coronavirus pandemic was causing the body to make sub- PH.D., MPH, MLS (ASCP) caused by 5G technology.Next, it stances called antibodies which straight from the chest was caused by an engineered destroy germs before they can virus, the aim of which was to cause illness.The COVID-19 vac- wipe out black and brown people. cine triggers the body to make Now that the world has been antibodies against the ‘spikes’, or Becoming sane given a glimmer of hope in com- corona on the virus, which block bating the pandemic with the de- the virus from attaching to lung I wrote this article one year ago except by looking through the ‘No,Winston, that is no use.You velopment of safe and effective cells and causing disease. The on 20 January 2020. It is now ap- eyes of the Party.That is the fact are lying.You still think there are vaccines, the naysayers are claim- vaccines made by Pfizer, plicable to other issues in that you have got to relearn, four. How many fingers, please?’ ing that the vaccines contain Moderna, and AstraZeneca and Barbados.That is why, regardless Winston. It needs an act of self-de- ‘Four! five! Four! Anything you tracking devices to monitor their approved for use in North of your position on: the vaccine, struction, an effort of the will.You like. Only stop it, stop the pain!’ movements, that they were made America and Western Europe, reparations, a republic, same sex must humble yourself before you ‘You are a slow learner, of fetal tissue, or that the vaccines work in one of two ways: the marriage, Nelson, COVID proto- can become sane.’ Winston,’ said O’Brien gently. will turn them into Frankenstein- Pfizer and Moderna vaccines cols, reimbursing tourists, and He paused for a few moments, ‘How can I help it?’ he blub- like monsters. deliver a code to the body to any other issue, it is important to as though to allow what he had bered. ‘How can I help seeing Sadly,this misinformation and make the spikes, whereas the allow a discussion. been saying to sink in. what is in front of my eyes? Two disinformation is being spread on AstraZeneca vaccine contains the ‘Do you remember,’ he went on, and two are four.’ social media platforms, which spikes. It is likely that some of THE main reason given for de- ‘writing in your diary,“Freedom is ‘Sometimes, Winston. Some- ironically, can be used to learn a the concerns about safety have molishing the structurally sound, the freedom to say that two plus times they are five. Sometimes lot about users’ activities, buying arisen because there has not been six-storey,old NIS building is that two make four”?’ they are three. Sometimes they habits, health concerns, etc. an effective public service drive to it is not compatible with the “sa- ‘Yes,’ said Winston. are all of them at once. You must The reality is that vaccines are educate the public about how cred ground” of the proposed O’Brien held up his left hand, try harder. It is not easy to be- safe and effective at preventing these vaccines work. Clement Payne park. its back towards Winston, with come sane.’ disease. The development of vac- I urge Barbadians to take the The Government did not prop- the thumb hidden and the four ‘Again,’ said O’Brien. cines, and their effectiveness in coronavirus vaccine, especially erly maintain the building, and fingers extended. ‘How many fingers, Winston?’ combating viral and bacterial in- considering its population and several workers got ill. We are ‘How many fingers am I hold- ‘Four. I suppose there are four. fections, is likely the most signif- health profile. Statistics of mor- told to believe that the building is ing up, Winston?’ I would see five if I could. I am try- icant public health achievement tality from COVID indicate that a reminder of people getting ill, ‘Four.’ ing to see five.’ of the 20th century.Vaccines have the groups most likely to die from which is not compatible with ‘And if the party says that it is ‘Which do you wish: to per- saved the lives of millions of chil- COVID are people 65 years and what Clement Payne advocated. not four but five – then how suade me that you see five, or re- dren (and adults). Because of vac- older; men; people between the We are told to believe that the many?’ ally to see them?’ cines, many children have been ages of 50-64; people with cardio- building is beyond maintenance, ‘Four.’ ‘Really to see them.’ spared the scourge of some of the vascular disease,diabetes, or lung having been abandoned for so The word ended in a gasp of ‘Again,’ said O’Brien. deadliest ‘childhood illnesses’, disease; socio-economically dis- long. It may be beyond mainte- pain. The needle of the dial had Perhaps the needle was 89. such as measles, smallpox, and advantaged people; prisoners and nance,but it is clearly not beyond shot up to 55. The sweat had ‘How many fingers am I hold- “whooping” cough. Before the ad- those working in prisons, and repair, and it is certainly very far sprung out all over Winston’s ing up, Winston?’ vent of vaccines, many children healthcare workers. Barbados away from needing to be demol- body. ‘I don’t know. I don’t know.You died before reaching their first has what is described demo- ished. But such thoughts are con- The air tore into his lungs and will kill me if you do that again. birthday.Vaccines are also given graphically as an “unusual” age- sidered heretical. issued again in deep groans Four, five, six--in all honesty I to protect healthcare workers ing of its population. The To oppose the demolition is to which even by clenching his teeth don’t know.’ who are constantly exposed to median age of Barbadians is in- be accused of being against work- he could not stop. O’Brien ‘Better,’ said O’Brien. bloodborne diseases like hepatitis creasing relative to other coun- ers’ right to a healthy work envi- watched him, the four fingers still Fellow Barbadians, it is time to B, those working in countries tries, including countries in North ronment. To question why a extended. He drew back the lever. evaluate your progress. If you did where there is a high risk of vac- America and Europe, and the building,with the most expensive This time the pain was only not know your party’s position on cine-preventable infections, and country has one of the highest foundation system in Barbados slightly eased. the demolition of the old NIS those who vacation in countries proportions of “older people”: 17% (piled), and no apparent struc- ‘How many fingers, Winston?’ building, would your response where infectious diseases are of the population is 55 years and tural cracks, should be demol- ‘Four! Four! What else can I when questioned have been,“I do commonplace. Nowadays, vacci- older; 11-13% is 65 and over. On ished, is to attract the wrath of po- say? Four!’ not know”? nation of children is such a rou- top of the ageing population, dia- litical operatives. The needle must have risen If you know your party’s posi- tine public health activity that betes and cardiovascular diseases The public relations on this again, but he did not look at it. tion, would you automatically there is little concern about the are two of the leading causes of matter reminds me of George The heavy,stern face and the four agree with it? Do you enjoy when safety of vaccines. death in Barbados. Taken to- Orwell’s masterpiece, ‘1984’. It fingers filled his vision. The fin- your party’s political operatives The coronavirus vaccine will gether, it is not inconceivable to was written in 1949, and shows gers stood up before his eyes like try to damage the reputations of not cause coronavirus disease. project that a local ‘epidemic’ of what happens to a society when pillars, enormous, blurry, and those who do not similarly agree? Like all medicines, drugs, and coronavirus infections can result the Government does not tolerate seeming to vibrate, but unmis- If so, then you have been ade- biologicals, vaccines have side ef- in high rates of morbidity and independent thought. I will ex- takably four. quately trained to actively sup- fects.But in most people, the side mortality.The vaccine offers a re- tract part of it for your interest. ‘How many fingers,Winston?’ port a totalitarian state.Wise up. effects are limited to aches and fa- alistic alternative. Until a vac- ‘It is impossible to see reality ‘Five! Five! Five!’ GRENVILLE PHILLIPS II

LET GOD QUOTES FOR TODAY WORDS OF SPEAK TO US WISDOM Michelle Obama (1964) Tina Turner (1939) Former First Lady of the United “The name of the LORD is a American-born singer fortified tower; the righteous States “Whatever is bringing you DON’T GIVE UP run to it and are safe.” “There are still many causes worth down, get rid of it. Because – Proverbs 18:10 sacrificing for, so much history Life has two rules: yet to be made.” you’ll find that when you’re free . . . your true self comes number 1, never quit! out.” Number 2, always remember rule number one. 10 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Yellen’s call to ‘act big’ reflects long re-think on big government debt WASHINGTON – At US dable. Congress to Democrats. Instead of fostering a re- Treasury Secretary-desig- “The interest burden of Coming on top of the covery, that harsh dose of nate Janet Yellen’s confir- the debt as a share of more than $3.5 trillion austerity helped drive mation hearing Tuesday (gross domestic product) borrowed in large part to Greece into an even she nodded to the need for is no higher now than it fund the coronavirus re- deeper hole, and in fact the federal debt to be put was before the financial sponse last year,“when do made its deficits worse. on a “sustainable” path, at crisis in 2008, in spite of we hit the point where the In hindsight, the IMF least eventually. the fact that our debt has thing starts to collapse? said it got it wrong. After Her more extensive escalated,”Yellen said.“To That’s what really con- extensive research, Olivier comments defending avoid doing what we need cerns me and nobody is Blanchard, then the IMF’s President Joe Biden’s $1.9 to do now to address the talking about it really in chief economist, eventu- trillion coronavirus spend- pandemic and the eco- either party anymore,” ally concluded govern- ing plan, however, re- nomic damage that it is Senator John Thune, a ment spending can have flected a steady shift in causing would likely leave South Dakota Republican, outsized benefits, particu- economists’ thinking us in a worse place ... than said at Yellen’s hearing. larly in moments of crisis about the mountains of taking the steps that are when overall demand for government debt across necessary and doing that Don’t go Greek goods and services is weak Former Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen. the developed world that through deficit finance.” In fact, at least among - as is the case now. has been underway for a Federal government in- Yellen’s economic peers, Fast forward a few on well-conceived public Obama’s Council of decade and has roots in terest payments are now there has been plenty of years. Previously unortho- investments. Economic Advisers, have the near collapse of the nearly $600 billion annu- talk about the issue since dox ideas, such as Modern Republican-allied econo- broadened the debate euro zone. ally, but historically low the 2007 to 2009 financial Monetary Theory,that see mists like Michael Strain even further to frame the Forget about the global interest rates have crisis and recession, and a broader, stabilizing role have argued that US lev- point Yellen made on amount being borrowed, kept them roughly stable the troubles in the euro for government spending els of borrowing can’t be Tuesday - it is borrowing Yellen, a former Federal as a share of the country’s zone that followed. began getting more atten- ignored forever, but are a costs, not debt levels, that Reserve chair, told mem- economic output since the When a group of smaller tion, and mainstream longer-term concern that matter. bers of the Senate Finance 1990s. European countries, economists began to re- should not detract from “There’s no single metric Committee. Focus instead That fact will be front Greece in particular, ran think their views about any crisis response. that summarizes our over- on the interest rate being and center when Congress into trouble repaying their debt in more fundamental Current Fed Chair Jerome all fiscal situation, but one paid and the returns it debates Biden’s spending debts in the aftermath of ways. Powell, a deficit hawk metric I do think is useful will generate, an approach plan, and in particular will the global financial crisis, Blanchard, for one, when he worked on to keep in mind is the in- that argues the country’s test whether Republicans the response of larger euro started arguing that when budget issues at a terest burden,”Yellen said. future economic potential remain willing to spend zone members and the interest rates are lower Washington think tank, “What we’re seeing is that can support more borrow- more to battle the pan- International Monetary than an economy’s rate of has said the same. even though the amount ing today and makes the demic now that they’ve Fund was to insist those growth - the case in many Democrats like Jason of debt relative to the roughly $26.9 trillion in lost control of both the nations make deep cuts to developed nations - coun- Furman, who chaired for- economy is going up, the US IOUs seem less formi- White House and government spending. tries shouldn’t hold back mer President Barack interest burden hasn’t.” Wall Street pauses at record highs after Biden bounce WALL STREET’S main At 11:53 a.m. ET, the names are still where a lot indexes hovered near Dow Jones Industrial of impressive earnings record highs on Average fell 15.14 points, growth is coming from and Thursday as investors or 0.05%, to 31,173.24 and those shares could hold up counted on more pan- the S&P 500 gained 1.89 well because they’ve un- demic relief and speedy points, or 0.05%, to derperformed for the last vaccine rollouts under 3,853.74. couple of months,” Detrick the Biden administra- The Nasdaq Composite added. tion to support the gained 64.99 points, or President Joe Biden is economy after data 0.48%, to 13,522.24, expected to launch an showed a weakening boosted by a jump in array of initiatives during labor market recovery. shares of technology his initial days in office, in- The number of heavyweights Alphabet cluding ramping up test- Americans filing new ap- Inc, Apple Inc and ing and vaccine rollouts. plications for unemploy- Amazon.com Inc ahead of Democrats took control ment benefits dipped to their earnings reports in of the U.S. Senate on 900,000 last week, but still the coming weeks. Wednesday and remained stubbornly high It follows Netflix Inc’s Republicans in the as the COVID-19 pan- blowout results on Congress signaled a will- demic tears through the Wednesday that revital- ingness to work on Biden’s nation, raising the risk ized the “stay-at-home” $1.9 trillion stimulus plan The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is seen in the financial district of New that the economy shed jobs beneficiaries, adding $262 that would enhance jobless York, U.S., January 13, 2021. for a second straight billion in overall market benefits and provide direct month in January. capitalization to the checks to households. With valuations near a United Airlines price target on the U.S. au- “It’s still the realization FAANG group of stocks. Communication serv- 20-year high, corporate re- Holdings Inc dropped 7% tomaker’s stock. that the disappointment in In a reversal of the trend ices, consumer discre- sults could present an im- after posting a fourth Declining issues out- the employment is not earlier this month, the tionary and technology portant test of whether the straight quarterly loss due numbered advancers by a going away anytime soon Russell 1000 growth were the only S&P sectors stock market rally has run to the COVID-19 pan- 1.6-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and that we’re not out of index, which includes in green. ahead of fundamentals. demic but said it aims to and by a 1.6-to-1 ratio on the woods from the eco- mega-cap technology Energy,financial and in- Earnings at S&P 500 cut about $2 billion of an- the Nasdaq. nomic point of view,” said stocks, is far outperform- dustrial stocks,which have companies are expected to nual costs through 2023. The S&P 500 posted 18 Ryan Detrick, chief mar- ing the Russell 1000 value helped the S&P 500 rally rise by 24% in 2021 after Ford Motor Co jumped new 52-week highs and no ket strategist at LPL index this week. 14% since the Nov. 3 pres- falling 15% in 2020, as per 9% extending gains for a new low,while the Nasdaq Financial in Charlotte, “Investors are going to idential election, fell be- Refinitiv data as of Jan. second straight day after recorded 270 new highs North Carolina. realize that technology tween 0.7% and 2.6%. 15. Deutsche Bank raised its and eight new lows. The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 11

US labor market gradually healing; housing, manufacturing power ahead WASHINGTON – The num- The economy shed 140,000 ber of Americans filing new jobs in December, the first job applications for unemploy- losses since April when author- ment benefits decreased ities throughout the country en- modestly last week as the forced stay-at-home measures to COVID-19 pandemic tears slow the spread of the virus. through the nation, raising Retail sales fell for a third the risk that the economy straight month in December. shed jobs for a second Though jobless claims have straight month in January. dropped from a record 6.867 mil- Despite the labor market lion in March, they remain woes, the economy remains an- above their 665,000 peak dur- chored by strong manufacturing ing the 2007-09 Great Recession. and housing sectors. Other data The claims report showed the on Thursday showed homebuild- number of people receiving ben- ing and permits for future resi- efits after an initial week of aid dential construction surged in decreased 127,000 to 5.054 mil- December to levels last seen in lion during the week ending Jan. 2006. Factory activity in the 9. mid-Atlantic region accelerated About 16 million people were this month, with manufacturers on unemployment benefits reporting a boom in new orders. under all programs at the start The services sector has borne of the year.The economy has re- the brunt of the coronavirus cri- covered 12.4 million of the 22.2 sis, disproportionately impact- million jobs lost in March and ing lower-wage earners, who Hundreds of people line up outside a Kentucky Career Center hoping to find assistance with April. Economists say it could tend to be women and minori- their unemployment claim in Frankfort, Kentucky, US June 18, 2020. take several years for the labor ties.Addressing the so-called K- market to recover from the pan- shaped recovery, where better- ations due to the economic shock million people, with the death exhausted their benefits were demic. paid workers are doing well caused by the pandemic. toll exceeding 400,000 since the also extended. In a separate report on while lower-paid workers are Including a government-funded pandemic started in the United Claims data is also difficult to Thursday, the Commerce losing out, is one of the major program for the self-employed, States. adjust for seasonal fluctuations Department said housing starts challenges confronting gig workers and others who do US stocks opened higher as at the start of the year, a task jumped 5.8% to a seasonally ad- President Joe Biden and his new not qualify for the regular state investors bet on more pandemic that has been made even harder justed annual rate of 1.669 mil- administration. unemployment programs 1.4 relief and speedy vaccine roll- given the shock caused by the lion units last month, the high- Initial claims for state unem- million people filed claims last outs under the Biden adminis- coronavirus. est level since September 2006. ployment fell 26,000 to a season- week. tration. The dollar fell against a Economists had forecast starts ally adjusted 900,000 for the Out-of-control coronavirus in- basket of currencies. US Momentum waning would rise to a rate of 1.560 mil- week ended Jan. 16, the Labor fections are disrupting opera- Treasury prices were lower. Nevertheless, recent data have lion units in December. Starts Department said. Economists tions at businesses like restau- Some of the elevation in shown the labor market recov- totaled 1.380 million in 2020, up polled by Reuters had forecast rants, gyms and other establish- claims reflects people re-apply- ery has stalled. The claims data 7.0% from 2019. 910,000 applications in the lat- ments where crowds tend to ing for benefits following the covered the week during which Permits for future homebuild- est week. gather,reducing hours for many government’s recent renewal of the government surveyed estab- ing accelerated 4.5% to a rate of Unadjusted claims dropped workers and pushing others out a $300 unemployment supple- lishments for the nonfarm pay- 1.709 million units in December, 151,303 to 960,668 last week. of employment. ment until March 14 as part of rolls component of January’s em- the highest since August 2006. Economists prefer the unad- Consumers are also hunker- the nearly $900 billion in addi- ployment report. Claims were Permits, which typically lead justed number because of ear- ing down at home, leading to a tional fiscal stimulus. Programs little changed between the starts by one to two months, to- lier difficulties adjusting the weakening in demand. COVID- for the self-employed, gig work- December and January survey taled 1.452 million last year, a claims data for seasonal fluctu- 19 has infected more than 24 ers as well as those who have period. 4.8% increase from 2019. The housing market is being underpinned by cheaper mort- gages and an exodus from city BMW targets higher margins centers to suburbs and other low-density areas as companies allow employees to work from home and schools shift to online while investing in electric cars classes because of the pandemic. MUNICH – BMW aims to re- margin target of 8% to 10%. mention trying to compete with About 23.7% of the labor force is turn to its pre-pandemic operat- “We’re not talking about far electric carmaker Tesla, is working from home. ing margin target as the global away in the future, but it is a hugely expensive, and was a A third report from the economy recovers, but big invest- goal that we’re looking at sys- driving factor in the recent Philadelphia Federal Reserve ments in electric cars mean the tematically in the short term,” merger of PSA and Fiat Chrysler showed its business conditions automaker will have to simplify Peter said during an interview at to form Stellantis, the world’s index soared to a reading of 26.5 its vehicle portfolio, its finance BMW’s Munich headquarters. fourth-largest carmaker. this month from 9.1 in chief told Reuters. The company will publish its Further consolidation is ex- December.A measure of new or- Nicolas Peter said orders had 2021 margin target in March. pected as carmakers struggle Nicolas Peter, CFO of BMW. ders at factories in the region fallen because of the latest pan- A surge in premium car sales with electrification and invest- that covers eastern demic-related lockdowns, but in China, the world’s largest ing in self-driving technology, find ways to get to a different Pennsylvania, southern New added: “if activity starts again autos market, provided much- but Peter said BMW could han- cost level, especially with cells Jersey and Delaware, vaulted to after the middle of February,we needed help for BMW’s business dle the transition. and batteries.” a reading of 30.0 from 1.9 in should be able to deliver a rea- - it also boosted German rivals “We are very confident we can So the premium carmaker is December. sonable first quarter.” Daimler and VolkswagenDE> - make it alone,” he said. embarking on a push to cut com- Factory employment meas- Improving market conditions, and it should report a 2020 oper- But because electric vehicles plexity – reducing engine vari- ures also improved. While man- a Brexit deal and the German ating margin of between 2% and (EV) are expensive to develop ants and options for different ve- ufacturers reported paying more company’s plans to increase its 3%, Peter said. and still account for a small por- hicles, scrapping features cus- for raw materials, they were also share in its Chinese joint ven- Changing car line-ups from tion of sales, they are less prof- tomers don’t use, plus overhaul- able to increase prices for their ture to 75% from 50% in 2022 petrol and diesel to electric ver- itable for BMW, Peter said. ing software to focus on a sim- goods. Manufacturers were up- should all help push BMW back sions to meet emissions targets “That’s why investment is so pler, more efficient way of beat about capital investment to its pre-pandemic operating in China and Europe, not to important,” he said. “We have to building vehicles. plans in the six months ahead. 12 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

T&T PM eager to work with Biden, Harris CARICOM and Trinidad and which featured extra tight secu- Biden, in his first speech Tobago are looking forward rity due to the recent storming Wednesday,had said the US un- to working with new US of Capitol Hill by rioters loyal to derstood that the world was President Joe Biden. outgoing President Donald watching that country yester- Guardian Media was told that Trump. The usual crowds were day. To those, Biden said: “So Caricom chairman, Prime also not allowed for the inaugu- here’s my message to those be- Minister Dr Keith Rowley, sent ral parade due to the COVID-19 yond our borders. America has a congratulatory letter to Biden, pandemic. been tested and we’ve come out who took the oath of office On Wednesday, Foreign stronger for it. We will repair alongside Vice President Affairs Minister Browne said, our alliances, and engage with Kamala Harris on Wednesday. “The Government of T&T the world once again. Not to Foreign Affairs Minister Dr wishes the best for the people of meet yesterday’s challenges but Amery Browne also say the the United States and was today’s and tomorrow’s chal- T&T Government is eagerly an- pleased with the advent of lenges. And we’ll lead not ticipating working with Biden a peaceful and orderly merely by the example of our on a range of issues and build- Presidential inauguration in power but the power of our ex- ing on “the long history of excel- Washington DC.” ample.” lent relations between both Browne said the ministry fol- nations.” lowed the inauguration proceed- Caricom chairman, Prime Biden and Harris were sworn ings closely and also linked with Minister Dr Keith Rowley. in at Capitol Hill in a ceremony T&T’s Embassy in Washington. Bahamas Argentine authorities president receives to ease some Russian-made COVID-19 COVID vaccine SANTIAGO – Argentine measures President Alberto Fernandez re- ceived an injection of the NASSAU, Bahamas – The Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine Government of the Bahamas yesterday, a day after the coun- will be easing some of the re- try’s health regulator approved strictions that have been im- the Russian-made vaccine for plemented to halt the spread use among those aged 60 and of COVID-19. older. In a statement yesterday, the In a tweet, Fernandez, 61, ex- Office of the Prime Minister pressed his gratitude to the said that as of Sunday, phar- state-backed Moscow research macies, gas stations and laun- centre that developed the vac- dromats will now be permitted cine. to operate between the hours of “I thank the Gamaleya 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., on the is- Institute for its scientific work, lands of New Providence and those who worked to bring their Abaco. labours to us and all the health Outdoor dining at restau- personnel of our country for rants will also be permitted on Bahamas Prime Minister, Dr Hubert Minnis. their enormous commitment,” Sundays between 6 a.m and 9 he wrote. “Getting vaccinated p.m., on New Providence and Providence, Abaco, mainland porters that the first two weeks helps immunise us against the Argentina's President Alberto Abaco. Eleuthera and mainland of January 2021 would deter- coronavirus. Let’s do it!” Fernandez. Effective immediately, for the Exuma. mine whether more restrictive The approval for the roll-out islands of New Providence, Funeral repasts and wedding measures are necessary to curb of Sputnik V by Argentina’s Christmas and a second last Abaco, mainland Eleuthera receptions remain prohibited the spread of the virus in The National Administration of weekend, which it has said will and mainland Exuma funeral on the islands of New Bahamas. Medicines,Food and Medical allow it to provide a second dose services may now have a max- Providence, Abaco, mainland As of Tuesday, 8,075 cases Technology (ANMAT), and to frontline health workers. imum of 20 people at the grave- Eleuthera and mainland have been confirmed; a major- Fernandez’s willingness to be More doses are expected to ar- side only, not including the of- Exuma. ity of those cases were con- given the vaccine, is a boost for rive in Argentina later this ficiant and mortuary workers. Earlier this week Minister firmed between July and Moscow as it seeks to capture a month and in February. Wedding ceremonies in a re- of Health Renward Wells sug- October. significant share of the COVID- Argentina has also approved ligious facility may now take gested that Prime Minister Between January 1 and 19 vaccine market overseas. for emergency use the COVID- place with a maximum of 20 Dr Hubert Minnis, in his ca- January 19, 176 cases were Argentina has recorded more 19 vaccine developed by people in accordance with the pacity as competent authority, confirmed. than 1.8 million cases of AstraZeneca Plc and Oxford protocols established by the would relax COVID-19 restric- To date, there have been COVID-19 and over 45,000 University and has a contract Bahamas Christian Council tions amid a continued down- 1,128 active cases and 6,720 re- deaths from the disease. to buy 22.4 million doses of that and approved by the Ministry ward trend of new COVID-19 covered cases. It has taken delivery of vaccine, which is expected to of Health, effective immedi- cases. A total of 175 people died of 600,000 doses of Sputnik V so come online in the coming ately for the islands of New Wells had previously told re- COVID-19 in The Bahamas. far, a first batch shortly before months. The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 13

Peru doctors on hunger strike over pandemic work conditions LIMA, Peru – At least about the abandonment throughout the strike. On four doctors began a of our doctors, the lack Wednesday, he lay on hunger strike on of good working condi- some mattresses in the Wednesday as a protest tions,” said Dr. Teodoro middle of the street and against the substandard Quiñones, who joined in was hooked up to an IV working conditions that the hunger strike. “There with fluids. Peru’s medical workers is still a lack of oxygen. Peru has tallied say they have faced in There is still a lack of 1,073,214 coronavirus fighting the coronavirus medicines. The economic cases and 39,044 deaths pandemic. commitments that the related to COVID-19 as of The hunger strike in government had offered Tuesday, according to Peru’s capital, Lima, is have not been fulfilled, data from the Ministry of the latest action by health and nothing happens Health. care workers asking the here. Quiñones said any im- government to improve Quiñones, who is secre- provements in the work- their work environment. tary general of the union ing conditions of doctors Medical personnel have that represents doctors will benefit the quality of been protesting for a who work in Peru’s public care provided to patients. week just as a second hospitals, will remain in a He said doctors are not Relatives leave flowers on the portrait of Jorge Luis Casana, 62, a doctor who wave of coronavirus cases makeshift tent outside demanding higher pay died due to the new coronavirus in Lima, Peru, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The is hitting the country. the Ministry of Labour but only basic working Peruvian Medical College reported that at least 11 doctors have died during the “We are concerned and Ministry of Health conditions. first days of 2021. Hundreds in Haiti take to the streets to demand leader’s resignation PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti’s economic and social Haiti – Hundreds of woes deepen. Moïse, mean- people marched while, has said his term through Haiti’s capital ends in February 2022, on Wednesday in an- though his administration other protest demand- has said he remains open ing the resignation to dialogue with the oppo- of President Jovenel sition. Moïse. A handful of opposition The crowd clashed with leaders reached the US police, and one woman Embassy in Tabarre on was shot in the arm but Wednesday and called on was expected to recover. the administration of new Several people also were US President Joe Biden to wounded by rubber bul- improve conditions in lets. Haiti and demand that Opposition leaders or- legislative and presiden- ganising the protests are tial elections be held ear- pushing for Moïse to step lier than those scheduled down in early February as for late 2021. Free antigen tests offered in Dominican Republic THE Dominican Associated Press, this is Government’s Ministry of the Ministry’s response to Tourism and Public meet the new Centres for Health has announced Disease Control’s travel that it will begin offering protocols that requires free antigen testing to all travellers returning to the of its international visi- US to present proof of a A demonstrator dressed as an independence hero chants anti-government slogans during a protest to tors. negative COVID-19 or demand the resignation of Haiti's president Jovenel Moise in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Jan. 20, According to a press re- antigen test prior depar- 2021. Moise has one more year in power, but a growing groundswell of opposition is organising protests lease published by the ture. and demanding he resign next month amid spiralling crime and a crumbling economy.

Mix of clear skies and clouds with a few intermittent, scattered, light to moderate showers.

High: 10:59

New York: 04°C Low: 4:06 a.m. Yesterday: Nil Miami: 23°C and 6:01 p.m. For the month: 124.1 mm Max: 28.5°C Toronto: 03°C For the year: 124.1 mm Min: 23.0°C Montreal: -05°C London: 05°C 6:25 a.m. 5:55 p.m. 14 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Witness implicates Mexican soldiers in mass student kidnap, president says MEXICO CITY – Mexican massacre. President Andres Manuel Lopez The witness said members of Obrador confirmed yesterday the Guerreros Unidos gang that a witness implicated sol- hacked up some of the students diers in the 2014 disappearance with machetes and took their re- of 43 students in the southern mains to a crematorium con- state of Guerrero that rocked the trolled by the gang, while others country. were dissolved in acid, Reforma The attack on the trainees reported. from the Ayotzinapa Rural Evidence was sown at a rub- Teachers’ College on Sept. 26, bish dump, the witness said, to 2014 sparked widespread support a narrative being pushed protests across the country. by the federal government at the The witness, known as “Juan,” time. said soldiers detained a group of The witness’ testimony is in- the students, interrogated them cluded in the attorney general of- at the army base in the town of fice’s investigation of the case. Iguala and then handed them to Lopez Obrador confirmed a drug gang, according to a copy Reforma’s reporting reflected the In this Oct. 22, 2014 file photo, people protest the disappearance of 43 students in Mexico City. of his testimony reported by testimony in the investigation. A Mexican newspaper published details Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, of new testimony by a cooper- newspaper Reforma. “What Reforma published is in ating witness that directly implicates the army in the 2014 disappearance of the 43 students. Former defense minister the prosecutor’s file. I don’t know Salvador Cienfuegos, recently ar- how they got it, but it’s real,” said regular news conference survived an assassination at- saying he had nothing to hide. rested on US drug charges that Lopez Obrador. He cautioned The witness said military com- tempt. Lawyers for the student’s rela- were later dropped, long refused that the accusations were based manders and police took bribes The chief, Omar Garcia tives expressed concern the in- to allow investigators access to on only one witness. from Guerreros Unidos. His tes- Harfuch, at the time worked in vestigation could be compro- soldiers at the base over their “We can’t say that this is what timony also implicated Mexico Guerrero. On Thursday he “cat- mised by the leak of witness tes- possible involvement in the happened,” he added, during a City’s police chief, who recently egorically denied” the allegations, timony.

Cuba hopes Biden will resume Obama-era detente

HAVANA – Cuba is hopeful was born in the United States US President Joe Biden will five months ago. “It’s tough.” swiftly reverse his predeces- Cubans working in the all-im- sor’s hardline approach to- portant tourism sector also hope ward the Communist-run Biden will expand US travel to island and resume the pol- Cuba, which boomed during the icy of detente begun by the Obama-era detente and fostered Obama administration, a top a fledgling private sector with official in Havana told bed-and-breakfast businesses Reuters. and restaurants mushrooming Former President Donald across the island. Trump took more than 200 More remotely, there is the measures to reinforce the possibility Biden, whose decades-old US trade and travel Democratic Party now effec- embargo on Cuba, largely un- tively controls both chambers of ravelling former President the US Congress, could lift the Barack Obama’s historic 2014 embargo on Cuba, said Carlos move to thaw relations between Alzugaray, a former Cuban the Cold War foes. diplomat. Trump’s policy toward Cuba, There are, however,a number which included a tightening of of hurdles to a serious US-Cuba sanctions and limits on remit- rapprochement, including the tances and travel, plunged the unresolved matter of how the island’s struggling economy fur- US diplomats became ill in ther into crisis and deepened the Havana, Cuba’s continued sup- divide between families on ei- port for Venezuelan socialist ther side of the Florida straits. President Nicolas Maduro, Biden, who was Obama’s vice Cuba’s recent crackdown on do- president, said during the 2020 mestic political opponents and presidential campaign that he political opposition in the would reverse policies on Cuba People watch a television broadcast showing Joe Biden speaking after being sworn in as the 46th United States, especially in that “have inflicted harm on the US president, in Havana, Cuba on January 20. Florida where many Cuban- Cuban people and done nothing American voters reside. to advance democracy and Reuters, reiterating Cuba’s “This team has more experi- processing. “There’s a danger ... the Biden human rights.” stance that it would not make ence than any other in the past Angel Garbey, 28, applied for administration will fall back Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, political concessions in return 60 years,” he said. a US visa two years ago but is into the old habit of a piecemeal, Cuba’s top diplomat in charge for an easing of sanctions but among those still waiting for an quid pro quo approach in which of relations with the United was open to a mutually benefi- Hopes for visas appointment to collect it. US the United States takes only States, said Biden’s pledges sug- cial dialogue. One of the top hopes of many visas for Cubans are being dis- limited steps and demands gested he wanted to restart Fernandez de Cossio said it Cubans is for the United States tributed in Guyana, and there Cuban concessions on its inter- where he and Obama left off. was positive that Biden’s team to reopen its consulate in are currently no flights between nal politics,” said William “Everything could be rolled included several people with ex- Havana, which was closed after Cuba and Guyana due to the LeoGrande, a professor of back in the short term if that perience interacting with Cuba US diplomats suffered a spate of coronavirus pandemic. government at American were the government’s will,” he and who would not be swayed by unexplained illnesses, and to “I haven’t been able to meet University.“That’s a formula for said in an interview with simplified narratives. resume the pace of visa my son,” said Garbey,whose son paralysis.” The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 15

At 106, woman among earliest vaccine recipients in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO – ciated Press, displaying a Zélia de Carvalho generous smile before Morley rolled up a placing her light blue sleeve and looked sto- mask back on her face. ically to the side as a “It’s in the hands of God.” nurse slid in a COVID- Centenarians like 19 shot. She was one Morley are among the of thousands in Brazil first vaccine recipients in to get the shot on many countries, includ- Wednesday, but one of ing Brazil, where the very few old enough to government’s immunisa- recall an earlier viral tion campaign officially pandemic that swept kicked off on Tuesday her nation and the with distribution of the world a century ago. Chinese-developed Born in Rio de Janeiro SinoVac vaccine. in 1914, Morley was a girl With more than when the so-called 210,000 deaths, Latin Spanish flu killed mil- America’s largest nation Zelia de Carvalho Morley, 106, gets a shot of China’s Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine for the new coronavirus at lions around the world in has the second highest the retirement home where she lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. De Carvalho Morley 1918-1920, when no vac- tally in the world behind lived through the 1918 flu pandemic. cines were available. the United States, ac- “The whole of Brazil cording to Johns Hopkins flu nearly a century ago., Vovo House suffered from them was a burden for leagues to the virus in re- caught it. Too many peo- University’s database. “When she was 6-7 COVID-19, and one had workers there. cent months. ple died,” she said, wear- Her doctor, Paulo Cesar years old, her parents to be intubated, Cunha “Now at least we’re “We workers are no ing a pink daisy chain on Cunha Fabiano, 73, has told her that people were said. But none of the eld- going to have some tran- longer going to worry her head. “I don’t forget been working at the Vovo’ dying in the streets. Back erly residents have tested quility,” Cunha said, about passing the illness anything!” House retirement home then, there were no an- positive so far. Still, the adding that he had lost to the elderly. This is “I think this vaccine is for nearly four decades, tibiotics or medication. fear of possibly infecting many friends and col- huge.” going to be very good,” said Morley had told him People died like flies,” Morley told The Asso- of her parents getting the Several employees at Venezuelan held for smuggling illegal immigrants A 34-year-old Venezuelan along the Southern Main ders subsequently were was detained and is as- Road, Guapo. obtained for the four men sisting detectives with The vehicle reportedly who will be handed over their investigations into was overcrowded. to the Immigration the detention of four Upon checking, ERP of- Division, where they are illegal immigrants on ficers discovered the expected to be repatri- Wednesday. driver, along with four ated to their homeland. The suspect, who re- Venezuelan men (ages South-Western sides in Happy Village, 20, 26, 28 and 43 years) Division Police are con- Gasparillo, was arrested onboard. tinuing to encourage any- on January 20th, when The other four men one who has information officers of the South- were detained and con- on suspected illegal im- Western Division veyed to the Siparia migrants to contact the Emergency Response Health Facility where police immediately at the Patrol (ERP) intercepted they underwent COVID- Police Service hotline a vehicle being driven 19 testing. Detention or- number 555. Hard-hit Ecuador to start vaccinating frontline workers IN April last year, coron- On Wednesday the first It comes as infections avirus hit Ecuador so of 18 million doses arrived are rising, once again badly that bodies were left by plane, secured partly pushing hospitals close to in the streets of its largest through the global Covax capacity. The country has city Guayaquil as author- programme that aims to seen nearly 10,000 deaths. ities couldn’t keep up with supply vaccines to poorer Vaccines will be offered deaths. countries. Ecuador’s gov- to the wider public from Today the south ernment also negotiated March, the government American country is to with pharmaceutical com- says, and it’s hoped the begin its vaccination pro- panies Pfizer,AstraZeneca country’s 17.4 million peo- gramme, starting with and Covaxx to buy the ple will be inoculated by medical workers. jabs. October. 16 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Africa’s Top South African minister COVID death dies after COVID battle rate ‘now PROMINENT South African politi- above global cian Jackson Mthembu has died of Covid-related complications, President Cyril Ramaphosa has an- nounced. average’ Mr Mthembu, who since 2019 had been serving as the minister in the presidency, AFRICA’S Covid-19 case fatality rate is was a parliamentarian and long-serving now higher than the global average, member of the governing African which is “worrying and concerning”, ac- National Congress (ANC). cording to the head of Africa Centres for He had worked his way up the ranks Disease Control and Prevention (Africa over many years and has been described CDC). as a man of integrity. The continent’s death rate stands at In his tribute, President Ramaphosa 2.5% against a global average of 2.2% said the 62-year-old was “an exemplary and the number of nations recording leader” and “life-long champion of democ- higher rates is growing, Africa CDC racy”. Director John Nkengasong told re- Ten days ago, Mr Mthembu shared porters. news in a tweet that he had an abdomi- Earlier during the pandemic Africa nal pain and had tested positive for coro- recorded lower death rates than the navirus. His last tweet on that same day Jackson Mthembu was at the forefront of communicating the government’s global average, Mr Nkengasong said. read: “I want to thank the many South response to Covid-19. But in the “second wave” 21 African Africans who have wished me a speedy re- nations had a death rate above 3%.They covery. As a people we must overcome prone years of the previous administra- of widespread corruption and misman- are Sudan, Egypt, Liberia, Mali, Chad, Covid-19.” tion. agement of then-President Jacob Zuma’s Niger, The Gambia, Tunisia, Eswatini, Mr Mthembu will be remembered in He believed that politicians should be administration, be dealt with quietly the Democratic Republic of Congo and media circles as one of the few officials accountable to the people, a value that within the party. Zimbabwe. who cultivated an open relationship be- sometimes put him at odds with members His name is trending on Twitter in The continent has so far confirmed 3.3 tween the media and those in power,even of his own party who preferred that some South Africa, where many are paying trib- million Covid-19 cases with 2.7 million at the height of the tumultuous scandal- of the controversies, including allegations ute to his inspiring leadership. recoveries and 81,000 deaths.

The fire started in a building which was still under construction at the Serum Institute of India's facilities in Pune. Fire at world’s largest vaccine producer kills five FIVE people have been killed in a fire at has not been identified. bers of the departed.” The country aims to vaccinate 300 mil- the site of the world's largest vaccine pro- The fire was later brought under con- Mr Poonawalla said there would be no lion people by early August. Many other ducer in western India. trol, but the city's mayor confirmed that impact on the production of the Oxford- low and middle-income countries are also The blaze started at a building which five people had died. AstraZeneca vaccine, known locally as depending on the Serum Institute for the was still under construction at the Serum “We have just received some distressing Covishield, “due to multiple production Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Institute of India's facilities in Pune on updates; upon further investigation we buildings that I had kept in reserve to India has recorded the second-highest Thursday afternoon. have learnt that there has unfortunately deal with such contingencies”. number of Covid-19 infections in the Footage showed thick plumes of smoke been some loss of life at the incident,” the Covishield is one of two vaccines ap- world after the US. Since the pandemic billowing from a building on the com- Serum Institute's CEO,Adar Poonawalla, proved by the Indian government for use began it has confirmed more than 10.6 pany's sprawling site. said in a tweet. in its inoculation programme, which million cases and almost 153,000 deaths, The company said vaccine production “We are deeply saddened and offer our began last week and is the largest in the according to figures from Johns Hopkins would not be affected.The cause of the fire deepest condolences to the family mem- world. University. The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 17

Twin suicide bombings in central Baghdad kill 32

AT least 32 people have been killed stall holder told Reuters news agency. groups might be standing behind” them. and 100 others injured in a twin sui- “People were torn to pieces.” Suicide bombings have become rare in cide bombing in a busy commercial The second bomber blew himself up the capital since the military defeat of IS area in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, offi- as others came to help the victims, ac- by Iraqi security forces, who were sup- cials say. cording to the interior ministry. Some ported by a US-led multinational coali- The bombers blew themselves up reports said that he posed as an injured tion and Iran-backed paramilitary among a crowd of shoppers at a second- person. forces. hand clothes market in Tayaran Square. A video posted on social media pur- IS once controlled 88,000 sq km The last deadly suicide attack in the portedly showed the second bomb ex- (34,000 sq miles) of territory stretching city was in January 2018, when 35 peo- ploding among a small crowd on a street. from eastern Iraq to western Syria and ple were killed in the same square. Other footage showed bodies strewn imposed its brutal rule on almost eight No group has said it carried out the across the ground in the aftermath. million people. Russian opposition figure Lyubov latest attack, but suspicion will fall on A report by the UN secretary general Sobol takes part in a rally. the jihadist group Islamic State. General Election postponed released last August estimated that The Iraqi government declared victory The attacks come days after Iraq’s gov- more than 10,000 IS fighters remained in its war against IS at the end of 2017. ernment said an early general election active in Iraq and Syria. Russia detains ally However, sleeper cells continue to would be postponed from June until The fighters, organised in small cells, wage a low-level insurgency in the coun- October in order to give electoral author- were moving freely across the border be- of jailed Kremlin try, operating mainly in rural areas and ities more time to register voters and tween the two countries and some had targeting security forces. new parties. managed to find safe haven in the Iraqi military spokesman Yehia Rasool Iraqi President Barham Saleh said the Hamrin mountains of north-eastern foe Navalny ahead said Thursday morning’s attack was targeting of innocent people in Baghdad Iraq, from where they were carrying out “carried out by two suicide bombers who “at this specific time confirms the at- a “war of attrition” against Iraqi security of protest detonated themselves when pursued by tempt by the groups of darkness to tar- forces, it said. security forces” through the Bab Sharqi get all national entitlements and our MOSCOW – Russian police on Thursday area. people’s aspirations for a safe future”. Improvised explosive devices detained Lyubov Sobol, an ally of jailed Pope Francis, who plans to visit Iraq in US-led coalition forces in Iraq reported Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny,her lawyer Busy streets March, sent a message to Mr Saleh “de- in October that IS was relying mainly on said, after she urged Navalny’s support- But other accounts suggested that the ploring this senseless act of brutality”. improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ers to take to the streets on Saturday to assailants moved freely through The UN mission in Iraq also strongly small-arms fire in its attacks. Most were call for his release. Tayaran Square, which was busy follow- condemned the attacks.“Such a despica- recorded in the northern provinces of Her lawyer gave no reason for her de- ing the easing of almost a year of coron- ble act will not weaken Iraq’s march to- Diyala, Salahuddin, Kirkuk and tention in a short post on Twitter,but au- avirus-related restrictions. wards stability and prosperity,” a state- Nineveh, and in the western province of thorities have said the planned protests An interior ministry statement said ment said. Anbar, it said. are illegal and that they will take action the first bomber rushed into the market, Ali al-Bayati, a member of the Iraqi Last year, then US President Donald against people who encourage others to claiming to feel sick. When people gath- High Commission for Human Rights, Trump ordered the withdrawal of half go. ered around him he detonated an explo- tweeted that the bombings were an “in- the American troops deployed in Iraq, Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s sive belt he was wearing. dicator of the return of terrorism” and saying he had confidence in the ability of most prominent critic, was detained at “One [bomber] came, fell to the ground “the weakness of security institutions”. local forces to prevent a resurgence of IS. the weekend and later jailed for alleged and started complaining ‘my stomach is The attacks were not immediately The US presence was cut from 5,200 to parole violations after flying back to hurting’ and he pressed the detonator in claimed, but Civil Defence chief Maj Gen 3,000 in September, and was due to fall Russia for the first time since being poi- his hand. It exploded immediately,” one Kadhim Salman said: “[IS] terrorist to 2,500 this month. soned by a military grade nerve agent. Members of Ghana ‘baby-harvesting syndicate’ arrested

MEMBERS of an alleged “baby-harvest- the case has come as a surprise to many ing” and child-trafficking syndicate have in Ghana, where talk of “baby-harvest- been arrested in Ghana. ing” is not new but until now there had It follows a sting operation where two been no evidence of the practice. babies were sold to investigators for Elsewhere in the continent, a number about $5,000 (£3,600) and $4,800 each. of so-called “baby factories” have been The 11 suspects include two doctors, reported in recent years in Nigeria, and four nurses, two mothers, two social wel- Kenya’s government has ordered an in- fare officers, and a traditional birth at- vestigation into the theft and sale of ba- tendant. bies following a BBC investigation. They were allegedly operating at The investigations that led to this health facilities in the capital,Accra, and week’s arrests in Ghana lasted several the neighbouring city of Tema. months, and were jointly led by the Authorities believe some of the moth- Ghana Medical and Dental Council and ers may have been told their babies had the Economic and Organised Crime died after delivery. Office. They say others who were unable to They were first alerted to the alleged take care of their new-borns may have suspects last year, when a taxi driver been encouraged to sell them. gave a tip-off. The two rescued baby boys are now in The licences of the two arrested doctors Ambulances rushed to the scene to take the many wounded to hospitals the care of the authorities. have been withheld until a court deter- across Baghdad. The BBC’s Thomas Naadi in Accra says mines the case. 18 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Jailed 13-year-old boy wins Kano appeal A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY tencing on Thursday, say- In September 120 volun- the Sharia legal system court for using lyrics to remain in custody until who was handed a decade- ing the child was a minor. teers, led by the director alongside the country’s deemed blasphemous his retrial. long jail sentence for blas- Last year’s ruling by a of the Auschwitz memorial secular laws. against the Prophet Protesters in Kano de- phemy last year will now Sharia court sparked in- in Poland, offered to serve Muslims form the ma- Muhammad. stroyed Mr Sharif- walk free. ternational condemnation. part of the original ten- jority in northern Nigeria, According to the lawyer Aminu’s home last year, He was convicted by an The UN children’s year jail sentence given to where only Muslims can representing both defen- forcing his family to flee, Islamic court in August for agency, Unicef, said it the boy. be tried in the Sharia dants, “their lives will reports the Reuters news making uncomplimentary “negate[d] all core under- It is not clear whether courts. never be the same again”. agency. remarks about God during lying principles of child the Kano state authorities The appeals court also Kola Alapinni said it The teenager’s parents an argument with a friend rights and child justice that initially brought the ordered a retrial in an- would not be safe for the disassociated themselves in northern Kano state. that Nigeria – and by im- case will further appeal. other blasphemy case, in- teenager to remain in from him due to the shame But a secular appeals plication, Kano state – has Kano is one of 12 volving a singer sentenced Kano, while singer Yahaya caused by the case, accord- court overturned the sen- signed on to". Nigerian states practising to death by the Sharia Sharif-Aminu was likely ing to Mr Alapinni. Manila Police chief’s removal ordered over ‘botched’ rape probe

AN order has been rative started to emerge made to remove a po- What was the reaction after Gregorio de lice chief of an affluent like? Guzman, one of the three area of the Philippine Initially, outrage. The suspects, was quoted by capital, Manila, for his story exploded on social the ABS-CBN news web- handling of a probe media and was trending site as saying “every one” into the suspected rape for days. The hashtag of the 12 accused was gay. and murder of an air #JusticeForChristineDace Mr de Guzman said stewardess. ra went viral following the Dacera was “cherished” by The case of Christine police statement, although the group - who had par- Dacera, found dead in a there were those who tied with her at the hotel hotel room after a New blamed her for partying that night. Year’s Eve party, made with so many men. “My impression of her is headlines for weeks. General Sinas called on she likes to hang out with Police quickly said she the nine “at large” to “sur- us LGBT members,” he had been raped and mur- render within 72 hours or said. “She’s comfortable dered, arresting three we will hunt you down with us.” men. using force if necessary". Then, the Makati City But the men have now Senator, and decorated Prosecutor’s Office said been released while ques- boxer, Manny Pacquiao of- “the pieces of evidence so tions have been raised fered a reward of far submitted are insuffi- over officers’ initial con- US$10,400 (£7.600) for in- cient to establish that clusions. formation related to the Dacera was sexually as- Christine Dacera was found dead after a New Year’s Eve party. The ordered removal of death. saulted or raped". The Makati Police Chief Senator Pacquiao, who three accused were re- forced to make false state- Christine, if you are the was drugged, which led to Colonel Harold Depositar is tipped to run for presi- leased pending further in- ments about drug use at mother you will surely feel her rape and murder. is the latest development, dent in 2022, said the case vestigations. the party because police the pain suffered by Meanwhile, the family and comes in the wake of was another example of The Makati police have subjected them “to mental Christine.” has also filed a complaint massive criticism for their why the death penalty also been criticised for not torture". alleging gross negligence handling of the high pro- should be revived in the carrying out a thorough But her mother,Sharon, What is happening and gross incompetence file case. Philippines. toxicology report when her insists there was foul play. now? against a police medical- Critics say the case rep- body was found. “For me, my daughter was A second autopsy has been legal officer for “irregular resents a denial of due When did police version The case has been fur- raped,” Mrs Dacera said conducted on the body and and inaccurate” submis- process, an issue that has start being ques- ther complicated after two in an interview with the officials are awaiting re- sion of a report and death been raised before in rela- tioned? of the initial suspects news program Headstart. sults. Her family believes certificate regarding their tion to their implementa- Holes in the official nar- claimed they had been “If you see the body of it will show that Dacera daughter’s death. tion of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “War on Drugs”

What did police initially Hungary first in EU to approve Russian vaccine say? HUNGARY has become als of the Sputnik vaccine But Hungary’s prime the country from 1948 to there was a “huge differ- On 4 January, police is- the first country in the have shown promising re- minister has said the only 1989. ence” between a vaccine sued a statement that European Union to give sults. way the country can sat- The move has also gaining Hungarian ap- they had “solved” the preliminary approval to Hungarian health offi- isfy the demand for vacci- drawn criticism from the proval and EU-wide ap- death of the 23-year-old the Russian coronavirus cials are also in Beijing for nation, given the “frus- European Union, which is proval. flight attendant, adding vaccine, Sputnik V. talks with the Chinese au- tratingly” slow delivery of wary of yet another exam- "If [it is only approved] that she had been raped On Thursday, Prime thorities over the ap- the Pfizer-BioNTech vac- ple of Mr Orban’s govern- by the Hungarian author- and murdered. Minister Viktor Orban’s proval and immediate de- cine, is by buying from ment going its own way ities, I would not dare,” The statement added chief of staff confirmed livery of one million doses Russia and China. and undermining EU sol- she said. “I don’t trust the that police had arrested both the Russian jab and of the Sinopharm vaccine, At least 140,000 idarity. Hungarian government three suspects arrested the Oxford-AstraZeneca which is already being Hungarians have already In the capital Budapest, [or the] health system ei- while nine others were vaccine had been given used in neighbouring been vaccinated. But gov- outside the Allee shopping ther.” “still at large". the green light by the Serbia. ernment efforts to popu- mall, views are mixed Ms Egri has already re- All 12 men had been health authorities. Sinopharm, a Chinese larise the Russian and about vaccination in gen- ceived the Pfizer vaccine, with her that night. Foreign Minister Peter state-owned company,an- Chinese vaccines have al- eral. There are particu- because of the nature of Despite a pending legal Szijjarto is travelling to nounced last month that ready run into opposition. larly strong feelings here her work, but she is espe- medical review of the Moscow for further talks, phase three trials of its The scepticism and sus- about the prospect of non- cially concerned about her death, Colonel Depositar where he is expected to jab showed that it was picion among Hungarians EU developed vaccines elderly parents who might confirmed they had “al- discuss a shipment and 79% effective - lower than is, in the public imagina- being rolled out. have no choice about ready filed a rape with distribution deal. that of Pfizer and tion at least, related to the Orsolya Egri, a hospice which vaccine they re- homicide” case. Early results from tri- Moderna. Communist domination of worker, said she believed ceive. The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 19

Fifteen dead as blaze guts home for elderly

UKRAINIAN officials say electric heaters was be- the home and smoke was 15 people died when a fire lieved to have caused the pouring out of the upper gutted a house for the eld- blaze, said Prosecutor floor windows after fire- erly in the eastern city of General Iryna fighters forced their way Kharkiv. Venediktova. into the building. Eleven others were The fire started on the Prime Minister Denys hurt, and five of them are upper floor of the two- Shmyhal has called for an now being treated at hos- storey apartment building emergency meeting of the pital, officials said. which had been converted government in response to It took more than an into a nursing home, ac- the “terrible fire". hour for firefighters to put cording to the emergencies A special government out the fire at the Golden ministry. commission is to be set up Hour private care home. Bars were visible on to investigate the cause of Careless handling of electric heaters is believed to have caused the blaze. Careless handling of windows on both floors of the blaze. Biden to sign executive Woman orders to tackle COVID-19 accused of PRESIDENT Joe Biden could have imagined,” Mr is set to sign ten execu- Zients said. tive orders to boost the In a further break with fight against Covid the previous administra- helping steal which has ravaged the tion, Mr Biden’s chief med- US. ical adviser, Dr Anthony Vaccination will be ac- Fauci, said the US would celerated and testing in- join the Covax scheme de- Pelosi laptop creased. Emergency legis- signed to deliver Covid lation will be used to in- vaccines to poor countries. crease production of es- Speaking by video call sentials like masks. to the World Health In a break with former Organization in Geneva, freed from jail President Donald Trump, Dr Fauci also stressed the policy stresses a na- that the US would con- HARRISBURG, tional strategy rather tinue to provide funding PENNSYLVANIA – A than relying on states to for the WHO, in line with Pennsylvania woman decide what is best. Mr Biden’s move to re- facing charges that she The moves comes a day verse Mr Trump’s decision helped steal a laptop after Mr Biden was sworn US President Joe Biden to leave. from the office of House in as the 46th president. Speaker Nancy Pelosi The Trump administra- facilitate effective distri- million vaccine doses by What happened on during the attack on tion was widely accused of bution of vaccines and re- the end of April, and re- Wednesday? the US Capitol will be failing to get to grips with liable access to testing. open most schools safely Only hours after being released from jail, a fed- the pandemic. “The American people within 100 days. sworn in, Mr Biden signed eral judge decided In terms of total deaths deserve an urgent, robust Vaccine centres will be 15 executive orders, in- Thursday. from coronavirus, the US and professional response established at stadiums cluding reversing Mr US Magistrate Judge is the worst-hit country to the growing public and community facilities. Trump’s policies on cli- Martin Carlson directed with more than 406,000 health and economic cri- There will be more fund- mate change and immi- that Riley June Williams lives lost according to sis caused by the coron- ing for state and local offi- gration. be released into the cus- Johns Hopkins University. avirus (Covid-19) out- cials to help tackle the Few were present to wit- tody of her mother, with Nearly 24.5 million have break,” an introduction to pandemic, and a new of- ness the oaths and cere- travel restrictions, and been infected. the plan said. fice will be established to monies due to coronavirus instructed her to appear It said Mr Biden be- co-ordinate the national restrictions. Monday in federal court What’s in the plan? lieved the government response. Donald Trump, who has in Washington to con- In his inauguration “must act swiftly and ag- The Defense Production still not formally conceded tinue her case. speech, Mr Biden warned gressively to help protect Act will be used to speed the presidency to Mr “The gravity of these that the coronavirus pan- and support” essential up production of personal Biden, snubbed the event offenses is great,” demic in the US was en- workers and the most vul- protective equipment and in a departure from long- Carlson told Williams. “It tering its “deadliest pe- nerable. essential supplies needed standing tradition. cannot be overstated.” riod". Although executive or- for vaccine production. Mr “Democracy has pre- Williams, 22, of Mr Biden’s Covid-19 ders do not require con- Trump used the same vailed,” President Biden Harrisburg, is accused of Riley June Williams. task force co-ordinator, gressional approval, much piece of legislation to com- said after taking the oath theft, obstruction and Jeff Zients, told reporters of the funding for the pel the production of items of office in front of the US trespassing, as well as vi- ing and the tipster that under Mr Trump planned measures is con- in short supply last year. Capitol. olent entry and disor- claimed she had hoped to there was no strategy at tained in a huge $1.9tn On top of the already A major theme of his in- derly conduct on Capitol sell the computer to federal level and a com- stimulus package an- announced rules on wear- auguration speech was grounds. Carlson noted Russian intelligence. prehensive approach was nounced by Mr Biden last ing masks and social dis- unity after the major divi- Williams has no prior Williams’ defense lacking. week. tancing on all federal gov- sions laid bare during the criminal record. lawyer, Lori Ulrich, told "As President Biden He will need co-opera- ernment property, face Trump administration. The FBI says an Carlson the tipster is a steps into office today, that tion from the Senate and coverings will become Mr Biden promised to unidentified former ro- former boyfriend who all changes,” he said. House of Representatives mandatory on many be a president “for all mantic partner of had been abusive to The administration un- for the package to be planes and trains. Americans", including Williams tipped them off Williams and that “his veiled a seven-point plan adopted smoothly. “What we’re inheriting those who voted against that she appeared in accusations are over- which included efforts to The aim is to give 100 is so much worse than we him. video from the Jan. 6 riot- stated.” 20 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Tom Hanks bring star power to emotional Biden inauguration

n emotional Lady Gaga per- formed a dramatic version of Athe US national anthem, Garth Brooks sang a cappella, and Tom Hanks hosted a star-studded nighttime celebration to cap President Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. On a day marked by diversity and appeals for unity, Gaga wowed in a Lady Gaga. huge fuchsia Schiaparelli couture silk skirt and black top adorned by a large gold brooch of a dove carrying an olive branch as she sung “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Biden’s swearing-in cere- mony. Gaga at one point gestured to the US flag flying high over the Capitol, the seat of Congress that just two weeks ago was attacked by supporters of out- going President Donald Trump seeking Poet Amanda Gorman. Jennifer Lopez. to overturn Biden’s election victory. Ahead of her performance, Gaga said interjecting in Spanish the part of the the biggest white, Black and Hispanic on Twitter she wanted to “acknowledge US Pledge of Allegiance that says, celebrities, marked a sharp contrast our past, be healing for our present, and “One nation, under God, indivisible, with Trump’s inauguration in 2017, be passionate for a future where we with liberty and justice for all.” which was low on star power. work together lovingly.” At just 22 years old, poet Amanda Wednesday’s TV special, called Country singer Brooks, a Republican, Gorman captured the mixed emotions “Celebrating America,” opened with chose jeans and a black shirt and took of the past four years with a poem in Bruce Springsteen, standing alone with off his black Stetson hat to sing an which she referred to herself as a an acoustic guitar on the steps of the unaccompanied version of “Amazing “skinny Black girl, descended from Lincoln Memorial, singing “Land of Grace”, asking Americans at the cere- slaves and raised by a single mother Hope and Dreams.” mony and watching at home to sing (who) can dream of becoming president Standing nearby, Hanks acknowl- Tom Hanks. the last verse along with him. only to find herself reciting for one.” edged “deep division and a troubling Afterward, before replacing his coron- Gorman, the youngest poet in US rancor” in recent years, but said ence during the coronavirus pandemic. avirus mask, Brooks hugged or shook history to mark the transition of presi- “tonight we ponder the United States of Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl, the hands with Biden, former presidents dential power, offered a hopeful vision America ... and the hopes and dreams son of a public school teacher, dedicated Barack Obama and George W. Bush, for a deeply divided country with her we all share for a more perfect union.” a song to “all of our unshakeable outgoing Vice President Mike Pence, poem “The Hill We Climb”. Other performers included John teachers.” and former Secretary of State Hillary The cultural celebrations continued Legend, Demi Lovato and country The show concluded with Katy Perry, Clinton. Wednesday night with a broadcast singers Tim McGraw and Tyler in a white gown with blue and red trim, Jennifer Lopez, dressed in white across television and social media, Hubbard, who paired for a song about singing her hit “Firework.” Biden and pants and a long matching coat, per- hosted by “Forrest Gump” actor Hanks, unity called “Undivided.” his wife, Jill, watched from the White formed a medley of “This Land is Your who is known as “America’s Dad.” Delivery drivers, healthcare workers House as fireworks lit up the sky Land” and “America The Beautiful,” The events, bringing together some of and others also told stories of perserver- around the capital city’s monuments. Trump baby blimp heads to Museum of London THE Donald Trump blimp, which de- we’re pleased that the Trump Baby can picted the US president as an angry now be consigned to history along with baby wearing a nappy and clutching a the man himself, we’re under no illu- mobile phone, has finally been “con- sions that this is the end of the story. signed to history”. “We hope the baby’s place in the mu- The 20ft orange effigy first took to the seum will stand as a reminder of when skies over Westminster during protests London stood against Trump – but will against Trump’s visit in 2018, and has prompt those who see it to examine how since flown in France, Ireland, they can continue the fight against the Argentina and various locations across politics of hate. the US. “Most of all we hope the Trump Baby Now that Trump’s term has come to serves as a reminder of the politics of an end, it is “heading to its final resting resistance that took place during place” at the Museum of London, to be Trump’s time in office.” The Trump blimp was first launched over Westminster and was subsequently conserved and possibly displayed for The museum’s director, Sharon seen in France, Ireland, Argentina, and across the US. years to come. Ament, said staff were “determined” to The venue had previously said in get their hands on the blimp in 2018. – example of that. Ms Ament added that the blimp’s 2019 that it was in talks to add the in- She said, “We did not know then what “To some it’s a joyous object, it makes final resting place is fitting, saying flatable blimp to its protest collection. would transpire. you smile, it makes you laugh because the effigy is a “response from The creators of the blimp want the “Of course, the museum is not politi- it’s satirical.” Londoners”. item to serve as a reminder of the fight cal and does not have any view about Ironically, the blimp is now in Donald Trump stepped down yester- against what they describe as the “poli- the state of politics in the States.” quarantine in the museum, so it can be day, albeit reluctantly, to be replaced by tics of hate”. “We use humour a lot. And we poke cleared of insects before it heads to the the winner of last November’s election, In a statement, they said, “While fun at politicians. This is a big – literally collection. Joe Biden. The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 21

Glastonbury Festival 2021 axed ‘with great regret’ lastonbury Festival has been can- celled for a second year running Gdue to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The news was announced yesterday on the Worthy Farm event’s Twitter page. “With great regret, we must an- nounce that this year’s Glastonbury Festival will not take place,” said festi- val organisers Michael and Emily Eavis. “And that this will be another en- forced fallow year for us. Tickets for this year will roll over to next year. Michael & Emily.”

‘Move heaven and earth’ The full statement on the festival website read, “In spite of our efforts to move heaven and earth, it has become clear that we simply will not be able to make the Festival happen this The festival normally welcomes 200 000 people to Worthy Farm in Somerset every year. year. We are so sorry to let you all down.” the opportunity to roll their £50 deposit take place in June 2021. with deposits, and we are very confident It confirmed that as with last year, over to next year, when the festival will “We are very appreciative of the faith we can deliver something really special anyone with a ticket will now be offered hopefully resume. It had been due to and trust placed in us by those of you for us all in 2022!” Music stars slam UK’s ‘shameful’ failure on EU touring rules

LONDON – Dozens of UK music stars bloc. Tourists do not need visas for stays young emerging musicians who are including Elton John, Ed Sheeran and of up to 90 days, and some short busi- already struggling to keep their heads conductor Simon Rattle say musicians ness trips are also allowed. But artists above water owing to the COVID ban have been “shamefully failed” by the and musicians have not been included on live music.” British government, which has left in the deal. Scottish National Party lawmaker them facing post-Brexit restrictions Britain and the EU disagree about Pete Wishart, a former member of rock on touring in the European who is to blame for the omission, each band Runrig, said Tuesday in the House Union. accusing the other of rejecting a deal for of Commons that musicians and artists In a letter published Wednesday in touring artists. were “mere collateral in this govern- the Times of London, more than 100 The new rules mean UK performers ment’s obsession in ending freedom of musicians including Sting, Pink Floyd’s have to comply with differing rules in movement” and controlling immigration Roger Waters and Roger Daltrey the 27 EU nations, negotiating visas once it left the EU. of The Who, along with the heads of for musicians and permits for their Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage major arts institutions, said the new equipment. Many say the costs and acknowledged the situation was “in- UK-EU trade deal that took effect red tape will make it impossible for credibly disappointing,” but said “the January 1 has “a gaping hole where the British artists to perform on the door is open” to talks with the EU on a promised free movement for musicians continent, endangering the country’s deal for musicians. She resisted calls should be.” status as a cultural powerhouse. from the opposition to publish details Britain’s departure from the EU The musicians’ letter said the new of the proposals made by the UK during means that UK citizens can no longer expense and bureaucracy will make negotiations that the bloc allegedly live and work freely in the 27-nation “many tours unviable, especially for rejected. Elton John. Netflix’s big 4Q lifts video service above 200m subscribers

SAN RAMON, California – Netflix’s After upending the DVD-rental in- tertainment company: Walt Disney Co. entertainment industry. video streaming service has surpassed dustry, Netflix introduced the then- After deciding to stop licensing its li- The company earned $542.2 million 200 million subscribers for the first revolutionary concept of streaming brary to Netflix, Disney introduced its on revenue of $6.64 billion in the time as its expanding line-up of TV se- TV shows and films 14 years ago. own video streaming service 14 months fourth quarter, a relatively thin profit ries and movies continues to captivate At that time, its service had a mere ago. The service, Disney Plus, has margin. people stuck at home during the ongo- six million subscribers. proved far more popular than anyone However Netflix finally stopped burn- ing battle against the pandemic. The streaming service began to grow imagined, accumulating nearly 90 mil- ing through cash last year, largely be- The subscriber milestone highlighted rapidly seven years ago when Netflix lion subscribers in its first year, embold- cause government restrictions imposed Netflix’s fourth-quarter results released started producing its own shows and ening the company’s management to during the pandemic curtailed the Tuesday. The service added another accelerated a worldwide expansion that predict that it will boast as many as production of programming. Netflix 8.5 million subscribers during the now spans more than 190 countries. 260 million subscribers at some point posted a positive cash flow of $1.9 bil- October-December period, capping Since the February 2013 debut of its in 2024. lion during 2020, the first time that has Netflix’s biggest year since its inception first original series, “House of Cards,” “It is super impressive what Disney the company hasn’t had a negative cash as a DVD-by-mail service in 1997. Netflix has attracted more than 170 has done," Netflix co-CEO Reed flow for an entire year since 2011. Netflix ended the year with nearly million additional subscribers. Hastings said in Tuesday video discus- In another breakthrough, Netflix pre- 204 million worldwide subscribers. Netflix gained another 37 million sub- sion with investors. “It gets us fired up dicted it will no longer need to raise ad- The fourth-quarter gains easily scribers last year, a 22% increase from about increasing our membership and ditional cash from lenders to help fi- topped the projections of the roughly 2019. Its stock fared even better, rising increasing our content production." nance its original-programming budget. six million additional subscribers by 67% last year. The Los Gatos, To retain and attract subscribers, The company said it doesn’t expect to projected by Netflix’s own management California, company now boasts a mar- Netflix already had been spending so experience the same drain on its cash and Wall Street analysts, even as ket value of more than $220 billion. much money on original programming as it has for most of the past decade, the company began rolling out price For all its success, Netflix still faces that the company usually ends up shov- even as it ramps up production of its increases of 8% to 13% in the US challenges in the coming years from elling out more cash than its video serv- original programming again and gears Netflix’s stock surged by more than bevy of deep-pocketed rivals, with per- ices brings in from its subscribers, al- up to release at least one original film 12% extended trading after the latest haps the most formidable posed by a though it has remained profitable under per week on its service throughout this subscriber numbers came out. more experienced and even larger en- the accounting standards allowed in the year. 22 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Timberlake confirms birth of second baby boy on ‘The Ellen Degeneres Show’

ustin Timberlake has confirmed he and his wife Jessica Biel are Jnow parents to a second “awe- some” baby boy – and revealed his son’s name for the first time. The couple, who are already parents to five-year-old Silas, celebrated their new arrival in 2020. Timberlake, 39, confirmed the happy news during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, due to air on Monday, following speculation since July that Biel had given birth. Michael Douglas' Instagram post of himself holding his adorable grandson. Asked by DeGeneres to share “vaguely his name and vaguely how old he is”, Timberlake said, “Yeah, I’ll tell Michael Douglas meets newborn you his name. His name is Phineas. He’s awesome and he’s so cute and no- body’s sleeping. Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, pic- grandson for first time “But we’re thrilled. We’re thrilled and tured in 2018, now have a brother for couldn’t be happier. Very grateful.” their eldest son, five-year-old Silas. MICHAEL DOUGLAS is a proud earth. Welcome my Son ... Ryder T. The couple, who married in 2012, grandpa. Douglas.” made headlines in December 2019 me and my costar. The actor shared a photo of himself Cameron also has a three-year-old when Timberlake publicly apologised “I drank way too much that night meeting his newborn grandson on daughter, Lua. after he was pictured holding hands and I regret my behaviour. I should Tuesday. Douglas’ wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, with a co-star. have known better. This is not the ex- “First time I’ve seen my month old shared on her Instagram Story her He was photographed hand in hand ample I want to set for my son. grandson, Ryder!” he wrote alongside excitement for a new grandchild: “And with Alisha Wainwright while filming “I apologise to my amazing wife and the photo on Instagram. a new Douglas is born!!!! Welcome to their movie, “Palmer”, in New Orleans. family for putting them through such It’s the second child of his son the world Ryder T Douglas.” Writing on Instagram at the time, he an embarrassing situation, and I am fo- Cameron Douglas and his partner Cameron is Douglas’ son from his said, “A few weeks ago I displayed a cused on being the best husband and Viviane Thibes, who posted about marriage to Diandra Luker; they strong lapse in judgement – but let me father I can be. the birth last month on social media divorced in 1995. Douglas has two be clear – nothing happened between “This was not that.” writing, “Touching down planet children with Zeta-Jones.

‘Silence of the Lambs’ stars reunite for film’s 30th anniversary

ANTHONY HOPKINS And Jodie Foster have virtually reunited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “The Silence of the Lambs.” The physiological horror flick, which premiered on Valentine’s Day 1991, tells the tale of an FBI cadet who must resort to receiving help from an incarcerated cannibal to catch another serial killer. The film grossed more than $270 million worldwide and earned five Oscars, Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster won Oscars for their roles in 'The Silence of the Lambs.' including for Best Actor and Best Actress. “My agent sent the script.” fluorescent lighting and two-dimen- was so precise; it’s a method that stayed Hopkins, 83, and Foster, 58, who After ten pages, Hopkins immediately sional.” with me for all my life.” starred as Dr. Hannibal Lecter and called his agent back, wanting to know According to Hopkins, he relied on For Foster, the experience working Clarice Starling, teamed up for if the offer to star in “Silence of the two inspirations to bring his iconic role alongside Hopkins left a lasting mark Variety’s annual Actors on Actors Lambs” was real. to life. He borrowed from HAL 9000, the on her career. series to discuss the movie’s legacy. “This is the best script I’ve ever read,” A.I. antagonist from “2001: The Space “It’s like a life-changing adventure, Hopkins, who famously gave a new Hopkins declared at the time. Odyssey” because “he just comes in like that movie, for both of us,” she said. meaning to fava beans and a nice Foster admitted that Hannibal’s a silent shark.” Foster then asked Hopkins if fans Chianti, told Variety that he initially cell was just as scary as it looked on He also drew from Christopher still approach him to recite his famous thought “The Silence of the Lambs” was screen. Fettes, his former teacher at the Royal line from the film. a movie for children – at least until he “It was such an eerie set,” she said. Academy of Dramatic Art. “I’m sure you still get people who read the script. “All the different inmates, all very “He had a cutting voice, and he would come up to you and say,‘Would you like “I was in London in 1989, doing a dark and moody, and then we come slice you to pieces,” said Hopkins. a nice Chianti?’” she said. play called ‘M. Butterfly,’” he recalled. to Lecter’s: It’s kind of bright and “His analysis of what you were doing “Oh yeah,” he responded. “They do.” The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 23

Christina Ricci obtains restraining order Singer Robbie Williams reportedly against husband after alleging ‘abuse’ tests positive for hristina Ricci was granted a re- his danger as well as her own. straining order by a judge after She alleged the abuse dates back to COVID-19 in St Barts Calleging her estranged husband 2013 when she learned she was preg- James Heerdegen was abusive towards nant and felt “extremely isolated.” Robbie Williams is understood to be her, according to reports. She claims Heerdegen also made a quarantining on a Caribbean island The former child actress, who is now comment to her during a vacation in after testing positive for coronavirus 40, filed for divorce from Heerdegen, a New Zealand that led her to believe during a family holiday. Hollywood producer, six months ago, her husband “could kill me.” The 46-year-old singer reportedly citing irreconcilable differences. “He said the only way he could feel flew to St Barts with his wife Ayda The order protects Heerdegen from sorry for me is if I were dismembered Field and their four children shortly coming into physical contact with Ricci. into small pieces,” wrote Ricci, accord- after Christmas. It mandates Heerdegen to stay 100 ing to People. “That night I hid all the However, he has been forced to self- yards away from the actress and that knives in the cabin where we were stay- isolate and extend the trip after testing he can not have visitation rights with ing. I feared for my life and the life of positive for COVID-19, according to the couple’s son, Freddie, 6. It also or- our son. I slept in a separate bedroom The Sun. ders him to stay away from the family’s with Freddie, and I locked the door.” A source quoted by the paper said, dog, People reports. She further claims that Heerdegen “Robbie’s been fairly sick. Ricci’s attorney and representative Christina Ricci claims her husband, “brutally attacked” her on Dec. 16, 2019 “He’s confined to the villa where he is did not immediately respond to Fox James Heerdegen, physically abused and that the abuse continued into 2020 staying with his family. It’s not exactly News’ requests for comment. her during their marriage. She filed for during the coronavirus pandemic lock- the worst place in the world to be quar- Heerdegen “unequivocally denies all divorce from the Hollywood producer downs. The actress claims that antined, although he cannot go to the allegations of abuse has having oc- in July 2020. Heerdegen “grabbed my wrists and beach. curred in 2020,” his attorney Larry hands, dragged me, and slammed my “He will have to remain in quaran- Bakman told TMZ. there had been no prior incidents of do- body into the fire pit we have in the tine for up to 14 days.” Bakman – who did not immediately mestic violence between the couple, yard” last June. Weeks later, she claims Current rules mean people are not respond to Fox News’ request for com- thereby calling into question her credi- he spit on her and also threw coffee and permitted to travel unnecessarily, in- ment – said he plans to file a restrain- bility,” Bakman furthered. a chair at her. At the time, she called cluding foreign trips, although Williams ing order against Ricci “detailing her According to People, the “Casper” star 911 and was granted an emergency re- is reported to have flown out on abusive conduct fuelled by alcohol and claimed in a court filing that she en- straining order, the outlet reports. December 28, before the full lockdown substance abuse.” dured “severe physical and emotional Heerdegen has also threatened to restrictions came into force. “His papers will also include docu- abuse” from Heerdegen. She noted that abduct their son, Ricci claims. The singer and Take That star is not mentation that Ms. Ricci advised law the couple’s son was present during The couple has been married since the only celebrity holidaying in the sun enforcement in December 2019 that “many” of the abusive acts and fears for 2013. during the pandemic.

Rape charges denied by lawyer Meghan Markle’s estranged father for ’70s Show’ actor Masterson published private letters because

LOS ANGELES – An attorney for he felt ‘vilified’ by press: report “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson pleaded not guilty on his MEGHAN MARKLE’S estranged fa- “heartbroken” to hear about her father’s behalf Wednesday to the rapes of three ther Thomas has reportedly explained health scare and wrote to him to tell women in the early 2000s. what led him to famously leak a private him that she loves him and wanted to Defence lawyer Tom Mesereau en- letter from his daughter to the press. “repair” their relationship. tered the plea for Masterson, who was In 2019, Thomas, 76, allowed a pri- Additionally,Thomas reportedly said not present in court, to three charges of vate letter from his daughter to be pub- he believes his daughter “authorised” rape by force or fear in Los Angeles lished by the Mail on Sunday newspa- five of her friends to speak with People County Superior Court. per and on the MailOnline website after about the relationship he shared with The frequently delayed hearing coin- tension grew between himself and his her, as well as the letter itself. cided with the inauguration in daughter. The article suggested Meghan “loved Washington of President-elect Joe Meghan, 39, is now suing publisher me and that she wanted to repair our Biden, resulting in far less media at- Associated Newspapers for invasion of relationship,” Thomas said. He, how- tention than Masterson’s initial court privacy and copyright infringement ever, felt the letter “was a criticism.” appearance in June. His arraignment over the five articles that included por- “It actually signalled the end of our has been postponed several times tions of the handwritten letter. relationship, not a reconciliation,” ex- since. Now, nearly two years after the publi- plained the Duchess’ father. Prosecutors have alleged that cation of the correspondence, Thomas In the People magazine article, the Masterson, 44, who has been free on has explained exactly why he felt the friend alleges Thomas proposed a photo bond since his June 17 arrest, raped a need to make the letter public. op with his daughter in his response to 23-year-old woman sometime in 2001, a The former television lighting direc- her letter, which Meghan felt contra- 28-year-old woman in April of 2003, tor said in court that he felt “vilified” by dicted what she’d said to him in her ini- and a 23-year-old woman between an article published by People maga- tial letter, when she told her father that October and December of 2003. All of zine, according to a witness statement she doesn’t “want to communicate the alleged rapes happened at his ‘That ’70s Show’ actor Danny obtained by E! News. through the media.” Hollywood Hills home. Masterson. “When I read the article ‘The Truth Thomas, however, said that he was in- Masterson could face up to 45 years About Meghan’ in People magazine I stead proposing a “harmonious” photo in prison if convicted. Hollywood figure in the #MeToo era. was shocked by what it said about me,” of himself with Meghan, feeling that it Mesereau, whose previous clients Despite dozens of investigations, most said the statement. “It was a total lie. It would “make the press back off.” have included Michael Jackson and Bill have led to no charges based on lack of misrepresented the tone and content of Additionally,Thomas refuted the Cosby, said in court in June that the evidence or too much time having the letter Meg had written me in friend’s claim that he “never” contacted charges were the result of unfair hype passed since the alleged sexual as- August 2018 quickly decided I wanted his daughter after the ordeal. Thomas from media outlets and political pres- saults. to correct that misrepresentation.” reportedly claimed in court that he sure to prosecute his client. The lawyer The alleged rapes happened at the On February 6, 2019, People pub- “couldn’t find a way of getting her to said his team would prove that height of Masterson’s fame as he lished an article called “The Truth talk to me.” Masterson is not guilty. starred as Steven Hyde on Fox TV’s About Meghan Markle’s Dad – and the Allowing Daily Mail to “actually Masterson’s arrest came after a retro sitcom “That ’70s Show” from Letter She Wrote Him After the quote from and reproduce parts of the three-year investigation that resulted 1998 to 2006 alongside Ashton Kutcher, Wedding,” in which a “longtime friend” letter” was the only way to tell his side in the rare prosecution of a famous Mila Kunis and Topher Grace. addressed the letter, claiming she was of the story. 24 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

‘Saved by the Bell’ star diagnosed with cancer

DUSTIN DIAMOND of “Saved by the Bell” has been diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma cancer, it has been revealed. Known for playing Samuel “Screech” Powers on the beloved coming-of- age sitcom, the actor’s spokesman, Roger Paul, confirmed his type of cancer yesterday and also opened up about his current treatment. “Dustin has completed his first round of Chemo and his next round is being scheduled. He will also begin his physical therapy soon,” Paul said in a written statement. Diamond’s rep added that he is “looking for- ward to spending more time with his girlfriend, playing his bass Dustin Diamond has been diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma cancer, guitar/video games, as his rep confirmed to Fox News. well as making videos for his fans on social media.” been diagnosed with Paul added. sults,” but noted, “It’s Additionally, stage 4 small cell carci- Diamond’s diagnosis pretty bad.” Diamond’s rep said he’s noma cancer, his rep con- comes a week after it was In a statement shared already begun receiving firmed to Fox News. revealed he had been on Diamond’s Facebook fan mail which is likely “We are forwarding the hospitalised. At the time, page, a post read, “All to lift his spirits. letters/cards to him to Paul said the actor was positivity and prayers Dustin Diamond has read in the hospital,” “waiting for more test re- are appreciated.” Bridge The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 25 SPORTSSPORTS Member Associations making most of down time ALTHOUGH the playing of football has come to a stand- still across the region, the development of the sport continues to forge forward. With matches at all levels being brought to a halt around the Caribbean, FIFA Member Associations (MAs) are using the time to im- prove their operations. Speaking to Manager of the FIFA Regional Development Office for the Caribbean, Marlon Glean, it was revealed to The Barbados Advocate that there is major development going in the region. “Most of the MAs are continu- ing with their development projects. In terms of planning development programmes, in- cluding training programmes – we just got an application from Dominica to do a national youth development programme. So a number of MAs are doing proj- ects so that they can implement them once COVID has lifted. FROM LEFT: Former Trinidad and Tobago and Manchester United footballer Dwight Yorke, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, From infrastructure to youth de- Manager of the FIFA Regional Development Office for the Caribbean Marlon Glean, and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani at velopment to national team the opening of the FIFA Caribbean Office in Barbados back in 2018. preparation, we have been doing a lot of these projects.” and currently undergoing some matter of fact, those two came in Contrary to the belief that all works with an addition to the right before Christmas. So most aspects of the sport had been current administration building of the MAs are actually capital- brought to its knees, Glean said and the building of a grass field, ising on the Forward pro- that there have been no issues Glean remarked that it is im- gramme and utilising all their with development. portant for MAs to take advan- funds. Remember those funds “It hasn’t slowed. It hasn’t tage of the FIFA Forward which have a deadline in terms of their stopped. Obviously most of started in 2019. Adding that usage. The 1.0 funds should the MAs aren’t playing football most of the associations across have been used before the end of right now, but they are all the region are making use of 2020 but we have just extended preparing and planning for the funds at their disposal, it to 2021. For 2.0, they still have the implementation of these Glean said that it is also impor- a period of time to utilise those projects once COVID is up,” he tant that they used their allot- funds and almost every MA is said. ments. already using 2.0 funds,” he With the Barbados Football “Those two only came about said. Association not being left out, during this COVID period. As a (MP) Alzarri Joseph calls for better application ahead of second ODI THOUGH admitting a better if Bangladesh will move to 2-0 in batsmen and they all know what performance with the bat would the three-match series. they have to do to come back in have helped the West Indies in “Everyone is aware what is at the second ODI. their first One Day International stake and pumped up… this With everyone looking to him match for the 2021 season game is even more important to lead the bowling attack and against Bangladesh, West than the last one,” said Joseph follow his example, Joseph said Indies’ Alzarri Joseph believes during the virtual press confer- that he is 100 per cent fit. that a better performance in all ence. “I haven’t had any niggles or three aspects of the game is what Joseph, who is just two shy injuries that have kept me from will help the team. from 50 ODI wickets, mentioned being on the field so once I get on Joseph, who is the senior that though they lost, the meet- the field I am going to give 100 bowler in the line-up, said, “We ing afterwards was an encourag- per cent. know we weren’t our best in the ing one. “Everyone is really pumped up first game so we have to come in “It was more words of encour- to come harder for this second the second game and play agement after the game.We all ODI and everyone is here and harder, dig deeper.” saw we didn’t do our best so it feel that they belong here and The West Indies went down in was more words of encourage- deserves to be here. the first match by six wickets ment, giving the guys the confi- “We know our capabilities and after they were bowled out for dence to come back.” it is just for us to show what we 122 runs in the 33rd over. Though there were six debu- can do. Bangladesh reached the target tantes on the team, Joseph said “We have to be better than in the 34th over. that there may have been a bit of Bangladesh in all aspects – bowl- The second ODI, which bowled nerves, but he wouldn’t say it ing, batting and fielding if we off at 1:30 a.m. this morning, will affected their performance. want to beat Bangladesh,” he determine if the West Indies still Instead, he noted, it was not said. has a chance to win the series, or the best application from the (CG) West Indies bowler Alzarri Joseph. 26 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

McIlroy takes one-shot lead in Abu Dhabi first round WORLD number six Rory of England’s Tyrrell Hatton, who Golf Club but is still in the hunt McIlroy took a one-shot lead recorded eagles on the par-five for his first title. in the first round of the 10th and 18th. “I’ve shot some really good HSBC Golf Championship in “A lot of it was very good. I felt scores here but I held some re- Abu Dhabi after carding an like I drove the ball well for the ally good ones today,” the 31- error-free 64 to finish most part. Distance control was year-old added. at eight-under before bad really good,” McIlroy said. “And I’ve always struggled to light stopped play yesterday. “I think I started off really well read them here, but I sort of got After fog delayed the opening and hit a lot of nice iron shots. my eye in early and kept it of play by nearly three hours, But honestly it was probably the going.” McIlroy was among the early best I’ve putted these greens in Paraguayan Fabrizio Zanotti starters and began on the back Abu Dhabi probably in my whole was third, two shots behind nine. career.” McIlroy, with nearly half the Irishman McIlroy carded eight McIlroy has finished in the top field yet to finish the first round Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. birdies to finish one shot ahead five eight times at the Abu Dhabi which will resume early today. NBA roundup: Cavs ruin debut of Nets’ Big Three COLLIN Sexton hit the game- Cole Anthony’s 3-pointer at tying 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds the buzzer capped Orlando’s left in the first overtime and rally in a win over Minnesota at scored 15 of his career-high 42 Minneapolis. points in the second overtime as The Magic came in losers of the host Cleveland Cavaliers six straight and appeared outlasted the Brooklyn Nets for headed for a seventh consecu- a 147-135 victory on Wednesday tive loss as their field-goal per- night. centage languished in the 30s Sexton surpassed his previous for much of the night. career high of 41 set March 4, Nikola Vucevic scored a game- 2020, against Boston by scoring high 28 points for the Magic, 31 points after halftime. He shot Evan Fournier added 24 points 16 of 29 from the field overall and Aaron Gordon and Anthony after missing the previous five had 13 apiece. D’Angelo Russell games with an ankle injury. paced the Timberwolves with 19 Thanks largely to Sexton’s ef- points, and Naz Reid scored 14. forts, Cleveland overcame big nights in the debut of Brooklyn’s Golden State Warriors 121 - star trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie San Antonio Spurs 99 Irving and James Harden, who Rookie James Wiseman used each played the final 18-plus seven dunks as a foundation for minutes. a season-best 20 points and Durant led the Nets with 38 Stephen Curry added a game- points but missed a potential high 26 as Golden State ran game-winning shot at the away from San Antonio in San buzzer in the first overtime. He Francisco. also put up 12 rebounds and Riding the momentum of a eight assists. Irving added 37 win in Los Angeles over the de- points in his first game back fending champion Lakers on from a two-week absence due to Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton (2) drives to the basket in the third Monday, the Warriors led by as personal reasons along with quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. many as 22 points in the first health and safety protocols. half before ending a three-game Harden posted his second triple- added 16. Pacers. losing streak against the Spurs. double in three games as a Net Dallas Mavericks 124 - Dejounte Murray had 22 with 21 points, 12 assists and Philadelphia 76ers 117 - Indiana Pacers 112 Miami Heat 111 - Toronto points to pace San Antonio, 10 rebounds. Boston Celtics 109 Kristaps Porzingis collected Raptors 102 which was completing a two- Joel Embiid scored 42 points 27 points and 13 rebounds while Kendrick Nunn scored a sea- game trip that began with a win Atlanta Hawks 123 - Detroit and grabbed 10 rebounds to lift Trey Burke added 22 points off son-best 28 points off the bench at Portland. Pistons 115 (OT) host Philadelphia past rival the bench to lift Dallas over and grabbed eight rebounds and Clint Capela scored a season- Boston, who played without Indiana in Indianapolis. Miami defeated Toronto at the Los Angeles Clippers 115 - high 27 points and grabbed a ca- Jayson Tatum, who is recovering Porzingis made 12 of 15 at- Raptors’ temporary home in Sacramento Kings 96 reer-high 26 rebounds to help from COVID-19. tempts from the floor and Burke Tampa. Kawhi Leonard had 32 points, Atlanta erase a 17-point, fourth- Embiid shot 12 of 19 from the sank 9 of 16 shots, including four It was the first time the Heat six steals and five assists as Los quarter deficit and beat visiting field and 17 of 21 from the free- from 3-point range. Tim have won two in a row this sea- Angeles defeated visiting Detroit in overtime. throw line for his second 40- Hardaway Jr. finished with 19 son, and it ended the Raptors’ Sacramento for its fifth consec- Capela became the first point effort this season -- both in points, two days after misfiring winning streak at three games. utive win. Atlanta player with at least 25 the past three games. Tobias on all 12 attempts during a The teams play again on Friday Paul George contributed 19 points and 25 rebounds since Harris added 22 points for the scoreless performance in Dallas’ at Tampa. points, 12 assists and seven re- Dikembe Mutombo in 1999. Sixers, who have won eight of 116-93 loss to the Toronto Goran Dragic added 17 points bounds while Nicolas Batum Atlanta got 38 points and 10 as- nine at home. Raptors. for the Heat while Kelly Olynyk and Ivica Zubac added 11 points sists from Trae Young and 31 Jaylen Brown led the Celtics Luka Doncic recorded his 30th had 15 points, eight rebounds apiece for Los Angeles. Zubac points and 11 rebounds from with 26 points while Marcus career triple-double with 13 and eight assists.Fred VanVleet grabbed a game-high 12 re- John Collins and defeated the Smart added a season-high points, 12 rebounds and 12 as- had 24 points and nine assists bounds. Pistons for the second time. 25. Daniel Theis had 23 points sists for the Mavericks, who for the Raptors while OG De’Aaron Fox scored 25 points Detroit’s Jerami Grant had a and 10 rebounds, and Kemba snapped a season-high, three- Anunoby and Pascal Siakam and added seven assists for the career-high 32 points and posted Walker contributed 19 points game losing streak. Malcolm each added 18 points. Kings, who lost their fourth his 13th straight game with at in just 22 minutes in his Brogdon scored 26 points while straight. Glenn Robinson III had least 20 points. Blake Griffin second game back from a knee Domantas Sabonis had 25 Orlando Magic 97 - 14 points. scored 17 and Wayne Ellington injury. points and 10 rebounds for the Minnesota Timberwolves 96 Phoenix Suns 109 - Houston The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 27

Fifa: Players who compete Man City in ESL will be barred from striker’s int’l competitions comeback PLAYERS who compete in a ing Uefa, reiterated that such a European Super League will be competition “would not be recognised”. delayed after barred from international competi- Talks have taken place over the tions, world football’s governing ‘members only’ concept, which could be a body Fifa said. threat to the Champions League. positive Fifa and the six confederations, includ- Ex-Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomaeu said he had accepted proposals for the club to join a Super League. Covid-19 test Fifa said in a statement, “In light of MANCHESTER CITY striker Sergio recent media speculation about the cre- Aguero has tested positive for Covid-19. ation of a closed European ‘Super League’ The Argentine, who has only played by some European clubs, Fifa and the six a total of 141 minutes across five confederations (AFC, CAF, Concacaf, appearances this season, was already Conmebol, OFC and Uefa) once again isolating after coming into contact with would like to reiterate and strongly em- a positive case. phasise that such a competition would The 32-year-old tweeted, “I had some not be recognised by either Fifa or the symptoms and I’m following doctor’s respective confederation. orders for recovery.” “Any club or player involved in such a Aguero missed the past three matches competition would as a consequence not as he self-isolated and is now set to be Aguero missed the past three matches be allowed to participate in any out for a longer spell. as he self-isolated and is now set to be competition organised by Fifa or their This is the latest setback for City’s out for a longer spell. respective confederation.” all-time top scorer following knee and Fifa also stated that its Club World hamstring problems earlier in the himself and win a game by himself but he Cup, both in its current and future guise, campaign. has not been with us for a long time,” and the confederations’ respective Aguero, who has been with the club the Catalan boss said. tournaments were the only club since 2011, has only figured for 31 min- “When we didn’t have him we could competitions recognised. utes since being substituted at half-time have started complaining. but we did The governing body plans to expand in the draw at West Ham on October 24. completely the opposite. its Club World Cup to include 24 teams On Tuesday, City boss Pep Guardiola “We want him back as soon as possible. from the six confederations. The said his side had coped without their star But at the same time, we have to go Ex-Barcelona president Josep Maria forthcoming event in Qatar, postponed striker, but that they needed him back. forward and we have done that because Bartomaeu. from 2020, will feature six teams. “Sergio is a player who can create for of the quality and skills that we have.” Real Madrid ‘see end of Zinedine Zidane era’, says Guillem Balague REAL MADRID “see the end of the the last 32 by third division Alcoyano several times before, even this campaign, quality of the players. Zinedine Zidane era” but do not want to on Wednesday. but the team seems to have hit a wall.” “And the other thing is you can run replace him as manager until the Newspaper AS called it “one of the most The 2-1 defeat by Alcoyano, who played with the quality of Toni Kroos, Casemiro, summer, says Spanish football expert embarrassing pages in Real’s history”. the final ten minutes of extra time with Luka Modric and Karim Benzema for a Guillem Balague. “Their idea is to take a big decision ten men, was the latest worrying result while but the plan was to recycle the side The Spanish champions were humiliat- after the season,” said Balague. for Real. and start bringing youngsters in – play- ingly knocked out of the Copa del Rey in “Zidane has come back from the brink Zidane returned last season and guided ers like Dani Ceballos, Vinicius Junior, them to a first league title in three years, Rodrygo, Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, having previously led them to three Sergio Reguilon, Luka Jovic and Martin consecutive Champions League suc- Odegaard, and he hasn’t done this at all. cesses, one league title, two Club World “These guys are either out or sold or Cups and two Uefa Super Cups in his want to go. Then there are players like first spell in charge. Mariano Diaz, Federico Valverde, Alvaro However this season they are four Odriozola and Eder Militao – these young points behind leaders Atletico Madrid – players were supposed to be part of the who have two games in hand – and looked starting side more often than not, but less than convincing during the again they seem to be used lately for Champions League group stage. less important games. That’s the “He’s a legend of the club and they will disappointment. wait to see how it progresses – they don’t “There is a big gap between the want to accelerate that because it’s not a successful players and the new players guarantee of anything,” added Balague. and he doesn’t seem able to make that “But the disappointment is not just transition. because of results, though those have not “The club are quite determined they been good. They lost to Cadiz and don’t want to do anything during the Shakhtar Donetsk at home, lost season but they see the end of an era.” 4-1 against Valencia, lost to Alaves at AS also called the latest defeat home, Shakhtar away and Athletic Bilbao a “nightmare”, and another Spanish in the semi-finals of the Super Cup and newspaper Marca said “if he is saved from now Alcoyano as well. this it is a miracle”. “These are bad results but the Zidane himself took sole responsibility disappointment is more than that. for the loss. “There are two things the Real “Whatever has to happen will happen,” hierarchy are a bit annoyed about. he said. “I assume responsibility and “They saw him not giving any instruc- we will continue working. We will not go tions at the end of 90 minutes against crazy. Alcoyano and no instructions at half-time “I think the players are with me but in extra time. It kind of confirms the lack you have to ask them. We have done of instructions players get generally, as good things in the season. We have to Zinedine Zidane looks on during Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey defeat. their football is mostly based on the concentrate on things that can be done.” 28 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Jaguars name Bushy Park, St. Philip Land 17,000 sq ft Trent Baalke as $10 sq ft

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Shad Khan for the 1 bedroom apt Land 6544 sq ft Bagatelle, St. Thomas Mason Hill Street The City Land 6,646 sq ft $110,000 Land 62000 sq ft into 2 lots 26,500 sq ft with buildings Baalke took over as opportunity to continue $650,000 $520,000 each $4,500,000 negotiable GM of the San Francisco with the Jacksonville Shop Hill, St Thomas 49ers in 2011, and the Jaguars as the team’s Gibbons, Ch Ch Land 11,735 sq ft Marley Vale, St Philip All enquiries to team promptly went to general manager,” Baalke 3 bedroom plus $258,000 Land 21,780 sq ft (246) 253 6319/ 828-4800 three straight NFC said in a statement. “I 2 bedroom apt $275,000 (246) 572 1452 Championship Games look forward to getting to Land 9,835 sq ft $765,000 Ragged Point, St. Philip or and one Super Bowl, work with coach Meyer Land 8,267 sq ft Sandford, St Philip (246) 247 4469 losing to the Baltimore and giving Jaguars fans Breezy Hill, St Philip $166,000 Land 16,356 sq ft Ravens following the everywhere the winner 3 bedroom, 2 bath $305,000 2012 season. He was they deserve. I am reduced to $298,000 Rolling Hills, St. George fired by the 49ers confident that our shared Land 12,000 sq ft following the 2016 season vision will lead our team COMMERCIAL Black Rock, St Michael $315,000 (negotiable) NOTICES before spending two-plus to success in 2021 and 3 bedroom, 1 bath years as a consultant in beyond.” Land 6732 sq ft Mount Standfast, St James Ocean City, St. Philip the league office. Meyer, 56, had a 187-32 $360,000 Land 6150 sq ft Two properties on 22,714 sq ft Land. “Trent Baalke has had record in 17 seasons as a $123,000 success at virtually every college head coach, Enterprise, Christ Church Asking $1,200,000 level of football, notably winning three national 3 bedroom, 2 bath Fortesque, St Philip Land 5062 sq ft Black Rock, St. Michael so as a general manager championships. Two of Agricultural Land who shrewdly and those titles came down $390,000 (reduced) 494,500 sq ft Warehouse/Factory quickly built an NFL the road from $1,100,000 4000 sf space Golf Club Road, Land 23,861 sq ft conference championship Jacksonville at the organization and team,” University of Florida. He Christ Church Silver Sands, $900,000 (reduced) 3 bedroom, 1 bath Christ Church Jaguars owner Shad grabbed a third title at fixer upper Land 7,129 sq ft Foul Bay, St. Philip Khan said in a Ohio State, where he was Land 4,000 plus $160,000 Approved for condos, statement. “That 83-9 in seven seasons. UNDER OFFER Land 39,242 sq ft experience inspired us to He retired after the Bushy Park, St. Philip $1,600,000. recruit Trent to 2018 season and has The Belle, St George Land 24,000 sq ft Jacksonville a year ago to been working as a college Plantation style House $200,000 Dover, Christ Church serve as our director of football analyst for FOX Standing on 4 acres Hotel 18 rooms fully player personnel and is Sports. UNDER OFFER Apes Hill, St. James operational $2,950,000 neg one of the many reasons The Jaguars fired Doug Land 31,000 sq ft upward why we are naming Marrone after four-plus Frere Pilgrim, Large lots at $15 per sq ft Dalkeith, Christ Church Trent as the new general seasons a day after the Land 17,371 sq ft approved Christ Church manager of the 2020 season ended. The for shops and offices 3 bedroom, 2 baths with Mount Wilton, St. Thomas Jacksonville Jaguars. Jaguars finished the $495,000 two bedroom apartment. Land 15,500 sq ft “Trent thoroughly season at 1-15. Land 4,387 sq ft. $850,000 and 22,066 sq ft $300,000 and $220,000 Roebuck Street, Hanson Heights, St George Bridgetown Badosa first player to 3 bedroom, 2 baths Union, St. Philip Shopping Mall/Office space Land 8321 sq ft Land 7560 sq ft $8,100,000 negotiable confirm COVID-positive in $595,000 $150,000 Batts Rock, St Michael Australian Open quarantine Ealing Grove, Cottage, St George Guest House, Land 12,078 sq ft Christ Church Land 5000 sq ft PAULA BADOSA As many as 72 players 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths $110,000 $2,850,000 negotiable became the first player are confined to their Land 9320 sq ft entered for next month’s hotel rooms for two $565,000 Morningside, St Philip Cane Garden, St Thomas Australian Open to weeks and are unable to Land 4567 sq ft 3.6 acres approved confirm a positive test train for the Feb. 8-21 $133,000 Roadfront land for COVID-19 while in Grand Slam after some LOTS FOR SALE $1,650,000 negotiable quarantine in passengers on three Jupiter Gardens, St Philip Melbourne, with the charter flights ferrying Cave Hill Drive, St. Lucy Land 7312 sq ft Fitts Village, St James Spaniard saying on them to Australia tested Land 14,876 sq ft. $133,000 Guest House, 4 Suites Thursday that she had positive for the novel $110,000 Land 6,135 sq ft symptoms. coronavirus. $850,000 negotiable The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 29

30 • Friday January 22, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Bach says ‘no Plan B’ for Flyers’ Morgan Tokyo Games – Kyodo Frost out TOKYO – There is “no indefinitely with Plan B” for the Tokyo Games, says International Olympic Committee President shoulder injury Thomas Bach, who reaffirmed his commit- PHILADELPHIA rib in the first period of ment to holding the FLYERS forward Morgan the same game. He is con- showpiece event this Frost and defenseman sidered week-to-week by year in an interview Philippe Myers are nurs- the team. with Kyodo News on ing significant injuries, Myers, who yet to dent Thursday. the team announced the scoresheet in four After the Games were Thursday. games this season, has postponed last year be- Frost, 21, is sidelined in- collected 18 points (five cause of the global novel definitely with a dislo- goals, 13 assists) in 75 ca- coronavirus pandemic, cated left shoulder sus- reer contests with Saturday marks six tained in a 3-0 win over Philadelphia. months until the re- the Buffalo Sabres on The Flyers are also arranged Olympics are Tuesday. He was injured playing without reigning due to start on July 23. following a collision with Selke Trophy recipient Despite dwindling pub- Sabres defenseman Jake Sean Couturier (costo- lic support and a surge in McCabe. chondral separation) and coronavirus cases across Frost has yet to record a defenseman Shayne the world, organisers are point in two games this Gostisbehere, who is on adamant the Games will IOC President, Thomas Bach begins the week of IOC Executive Board season. He has seven the NHL’s COVID-19 list. go ahead. Meetings. points (two goals, five as- Forward Connor “We have at this mo- sists) in 22 career games Bunnaman and defense- ment, no reason whatso- dium in Tokyo,” Bach told make these Games safe lating costs further reduc- since being selected by the man Mark Friedman will ever to believe that the Kyodo News. and successful,” he added. ing public support, Tokyo Flyers with the 27th over- make their respective sea- Olympic Games in Tokyo “This is why there is no With the Beijing 2022 organisers have repeat- all pick of the 2017 NHL son debuts on Thursday will not open on the 23rd Plan B and this is why we Winter Olympics on the edly ruled out postponing Draft. against the Boston of July in the Olympic sta- are fully committed to horizon and rapidly esca- the Games again. Myers, 23, fractured his Bruins. The Barbados Advocate Friday January 22, 2021 • 31

P R O HOROSCOPES S A Aries – It is becoming more important to you that N you find a way to help people who are disadvan- D taged. Your involvement with someone who is less fortunate or a situation which affects you deeply C will have somehow changed your outlook on life. A O fundraiser will be a great success. N S Taurus – You sense your boss or a senior colleague is expecting you to fail at a task they assigned to you. This may not be as easy as it looks but you're happy to take up the challenge. What's more you intend to prove to anyone who doubts your abilities, exactly what you are capable of.

Gemini – Someone's personality seems to have changed overnight. Whereas yesterday they weren't Z being very cooperative or friendly, today they can't I seem to do enough to help you. Don't question this change in them. Just put it down to everyone hav- T ing been out of tune with each other recently. Forgive S and forget.

Cancer – A big argument in the home or workplace will be over a matter which, to you, seems very triv- ial. You can see this going round in circles unless someone steps in and takes charge. You're willing to be flexible and you need to persuade others, too, to stop being so stubborn. There are ways to get around this difficult situation. R E Leo – Praise for a job well done is all you need to X help you find the courage to get started on something new. You have a number of plans and ideas that you're eager to develop. The more you think about M them, the more determined you will be to make your O dreams come true. R G Virgo – Arguments between those around you are A starting to get you down. A group project is at a N standstill because no one can agree on the next step to take. You expected problems as you have worked with some people before and you know how diffi- cult they can be. If only others would listen to your sensible suggestions.

Libra – Some good news will relate to a project you've been secretly working on since the year P began. If all goes well today, you will be planning H on letting a few more people in on this secret. Be ready to take the lead in a group effort. There is a lot A to be done and you will do better when in the driv- N ing seat. T O Scorpio – An interest in psychology, astrology or al- M ternative therapies could be worth pursuing more se- riously over the weeks ahead. Personal and profes- sional aims are your priority now and this could mean some members of your family will need to take care of themselves. You will also be reducing social commitments. Sagittarius – You need to feel you can get out and M about. The thought of being confined for too long in A the same place makes you want to scream. Despite wanting to get ahead in important work or study mat- R ters, you can't ignore a restless feeling. Some fresh Y air will help clear away those mental cobwebs. W Capricorn – Being open and honest with your loved O ones is making a difference in your relationships. You feel more at ease with each other. You're find- R ing it easier to express your feelings. They may not T see it very often but they will appreciate it when you H show the softer, more sentimental side to your na- ture.

Aquarius – Jobs that have been neglected are keep- ing you busy. The more you do, the more you realise M how much there is to get through. If there is anyone O who is in a position to help you, let them know you T need some assistance. A change in medication, a H new diet or lifestyle will be making a positive dif- E ference to your health. R

Pisces – A new work project will hold a few chal- G lenges that you hadn't been expecting. Don't let these O stumbling blocks get in your way. There will be an O unexpected challenge or two for you to overcome be- fore you can safely let your guard down. The appar- S ent simplicity of a new project will be highly decep- E tive. FIFA Member Associations making most of down time Page 25

Friday January 22, 2021 ‘24-HOUR HOTLINE WORKING WELL’ THE Sanitation Service from the SSA after business might have had lots of bulk falls directly under the Ministry ways to dispose of pampers and Authority (SSA) has been hours. waste over a period of time. We of Environment and National needles and even green waste. seeing benefits from having “What the hotline has are able to look to see if a truck Beautification. It also serves to The hotline is there in addition a 24-hour hotline in place. afforded us the opportunity to did not go into an area and complement the work of the to our Facebook page to have SSA Public Relations Officer do is to interact with the public, explain to the resident what SSA’s PRO who deals with that interaction with the (PRO), Carl Padmore, said for even on weekends and on bank might have occurred that your complaints and queries and members of public. It is a good the past four months the holidays where they may have garbage in particular was not additionally, it provides an link between the staff at current hotline has been up and concerns. It has been working collected.” opportunity for SSA personnel operations and the public as running. He indicated it serves well and persons have been Padmore further stated the to educate the public about well, so we compliment the work many purposes, among these is calling in. We log each call that “hotline complements the work some dos and don’ts. being done by the supervisors to allow members of the public comes in, so we can basically tell of the Clean and Green Project “We also use that as a thing to and superintendents which falls to make contact with personnel you the areas in Barbados that that is going on” and this project educate persons on the correct under the operation.” (MG) US ambassador toasts inauguration at Mount Gay US Ambassador Linda Taglialatela visited the Mount Gay distillery in St. Lucy to toast the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Vice President Kamala Harris. When George Washington was elected the first President of the United States in 1789, he special ordered a barrel of Barbados rum for his inauguration. Mount Gay is the only distillery still in existence from George Washington’s visit to Barbados in 1751. The United States remains the largest market for Mount Gay rum, though consumption is down from the estimated 3.7 gallons of rum per person at the end of the 18th century. Mount Gay Managing Director, Raphael Grisoni, treated Ambassador Taglialatela and US exchange alumna and entrepreneur Christina Hunte to a tour of the distillery and a taste of its products. Ambassador Taglialatela remarked that the visit was a fitting celebration of the historical and commercial ties between the United States and Barbados; however, upon the gift of a bottle of Mount Gay XO she joked, “I might not be sending this bottle to Washington.” US Ambassador Linda Taglialatela shares a toast with Mount Gay Managing Director, Raphael Grisoni.

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