Established October 1895

Monday March 29, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive Rescuing ‘GETTING WORSE Barbados Public Sector from rising performance must fuel import bill be addressed AND WORSE’ BARBADOS is pushing ahead to achieve its 2030 target to become a 100 per cent “WE have not yet turned the corner Caribbean, is hopelessly outdated; our and universities, the public service is green and carbon neutral island state. on Public Sector performance.” legal systems, once reputed to be the staffed by persons who possess the With a fuel import bill still rising, This is according to former Governor best in the Caribbean, is now among required training and experience in all Minister of Energy, Small Business and of the Central Bank of Barbados the region’s most inefficient. The many aspects of the design, implementation Entrepreneurship, Kerrie Symmonds, (CBB), Dr. DeLisle Worrell, in his initiatives in recent years to modernise and assessment of public sector insists that the country must be rescued April Economic Letter. He has many technologies used by the public sector performance. The service is headed by from its reliance on imported fossil fuels questions pertaining to the public have too often resulted in worse skilled managers of no known political to supply its energy needs. sector of Barbados and asks, “Why is performance,” said Worrell. allegiance, whose job it is to implement He was at the time addressing the it that despite the many talented, He contended that there can be no efficiently the policies that are decided National Petroleum Corporation’s 40th knowledgeable, committed and forward- denying that public sector performance upon by the Parliament. anniversary church service at Sanctuary thinking Barbadians they employ, our has been getting worse and worse, and “The Prime Minister and the Empowerment Centre, Country Road, public services stumble from crisis to that Barbados has not yet reversed this members of Parliament cannot be St. Michael, yesterday. crisis?” trend. The economist acknowledged expected to know how to manage “My Ministry is piloting an effort to “Old systems fail, and attempts to that the management of any modern something as complex as a modern make Barbados 100 per cent fossil fuel modernise them actually make things economy is a difficult and complex government. Their job is to propose free and carbon neutral by the year 2030. worse. We are unable to devise and matter, requiring many specialised policies that will contribute most to In other words, by 2030 we do not want implement permanent solutions to skills from several disciplines, covering improve the livelihoods and well-being to be importing any oil, and those types inadequacies of water supply, waste the whole gamut of economic activity. of the people they represent,” he said. of petroleum products from anywhere. management and road maintenance. Worrell explained that in the models We want the island to be powered by The QEH, once the envy of the Eastern of government that are taught in schools PUBLIC SECTOR on Page 3 generating electricity and operating our vehicles from the natural resources that we have,” he told the congregation. “In a good year, we may spend $450 million to $500 million on importing fuel in Barbados. If there is a war in the Persian Gulf like in Iraq, or some ‘noise’ between the United States and Saudi Arabia or elsewhere, the oil prices will go up, as they are doing now. And the fact of the matter is that we have gone as high as $800 million importing fuel for Barbados. So that your well-being, and mine, depends on a ‘noise’ somewhere overseas. Your success in life in many ways is impacted by something you have no control over, but we depend on that… And we want to rescue Barbados from that reliance. “It is important for us to understand that it is about independence in energy. And that as you come to rely more on the natural things like the sunlight to generate energy, you create independence at the level of the household. So that if you have the photovoltaic panels on your roof, you don’t have to worry about anybody’s cost of energy because you are generating enough to keep your household going. And similarly, for industry and commercial purposes, we make things more competitive because it is cheaper,” he further pointed out. Minister Symmonds also took the opportunity to salute the staff, management, and Board of Directors at NPC, both present and past, for the hard work and distinguished stewardship that they have done to bring the corporation to the point “where it has literally and PALM SUNDAY BLESSINGS: Apostolic Administrator of the Roman Catholic Diocese of figuratively been the fuel of the engine Bridgetown, Fr. Neil Scantlebury, administering greetings and blessings to members of the congregation, during the Palm for Barbados”. Sunday service yesterday at the Roman Catholic Cathedral on Bay Street. With the world still fighting against the spread of COVID-19, the size of congregations has been reduced to 75, with protocols in place. NPC on Page 4 2 • Monday March 29, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

New agricultural app launched THE Inter-American and the agricultural ex- of achieving economic a better understanding tural systems, the launch the possibility and the Institute for Co-opera- tension organisations in growth and prosperity for of the market needs and of this app supports the of- far-reaching effect that it tion on Agriculture three of the countries, cre- citizens in CARICOM. requirements,” he said. fering and dissemination can have on the region’s (IICA) has introduced ated the app to support “This App is a communi- Cox further stated that of information products on farming systems.” a new app designed to agricultural producers, cation tool that will serve the app – which is avail- agricultural production, The Assistant Secretary improve agricultural key players in the min- to enhance the exchange able in Android,Apple and agronomy, disease and General, as he expressed production in the istries of agriculture and of information and com- Web versions – is expected pest management to our appreciation to IICA for Caribbean, by provid- extension services across munication between farm- to significantly reduce the most important clients – its continued and unwa- ing real-time informa- CARICOM. ers, extension workers and wait time that farmers our CARICOM farmers,” vering support to the peo- tion on such things as In a pre-recorded state- relevant actors in the agri- experience in accessing he indicated. ple of CARICOM, went on crop management. ment shown during the cultural innovation mech- extension services. He continued, “We are to say that the CARICOM The launch of the event,Assistant Secretary anism within CARICOM. Moreover, the Assistant encouraged that various Secretariat is especially AgriExt App took place on General for Trade and The App will allow for Secretary General said it member states, farmers’ grateful for the work done Friday during the virtual Economic Integration farmers in real time, to demonstrates their com- groups, extension person- in respect of the app. The Caribbean Regional at the CARICOM have access to technical mitment to being more nel and agricultural pro- Secretariat sees it as a Accountability Seminar Secretariat, Joseph Cox, information and solutions, responsive to the needs of fessionals ... have been in- major step, as it moves 2021, where it was re- said that CARICOM’s in- which will contribute to the Caribbean community. volved in the development towards the finalisation of vealed that IICA, together volvement in the launch better production plan- “With digitalisation and trials of the App, and its overall e-agricultural with the ministries of agri- of the app fits directly ning, greater yields, im- being the new buzzword have provided positive strategy for CARICOM. culture in the Caribbean into its overall objective proved productivity, and for the regional agricul- feedback to date, as to (JRT) CDB and NCSA committed to youth staying drug free THE Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has signalled its contin- ued commitment to work with the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) as they strive to deliver drug education messages to the youth across the nation. Director of the Projects Department at CDB, Daniel Best, gave this as- surance while addressing a ceremony last Thursday which saw CDB accepting a poster from NCSA. The poster was part of a “Be Drug Free” Art and Poetry Competition held last year. Production/Sales “For us, the people of the Manager at SignUP Inc., Caribbean Region are at Adrian Headley. the centre of all we do. Youth are the people of the risk factors such as tomorrow on whom this lack of education, and Region will depend, and it unemployment that pre- is therefore in all our in- disposes youth to the use terests to nurture them in of illegal drugs. Those the best possible way as a interventions support means of securing the fu- young people in the From left: Director of the Projects Department at the Caribbean Development Bank, Daniel Best, accepts a ture of Caribbean people. targeted communities poster from National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) Deputy, Troy Wickham. We are therefore indebted through literacy and to institutions such as the numeracy training pro- Safeguarding Our Future ity to child-friendly activ- step in the right direction. week,” she said. National Council for grammes, skills develop- Today. ities,” he added. “As you said CDB has She also took the oppor- Substance Abuse that ment training, adaptive “We are happy to con- NCSA Manager, Betty been with us since 2013, tunity to thank SignUP have committed their en- life skills training and ed- tinue the association with Hunte, lauded the CDB and you will be surprised Inc. for framing the ergies towards nurturing ucation on the dangers of this recent initiative of for remaining true to its that in 2021 fruits have posters, which she noted positive behaviours in our engaging in illegal drug the Arts and Writing com- corporate responsibility, been realised. We have was perfectly and profes- youth. We acknowledge use. petition – ‘Be Drug Free’. noting that the NCSA re- just finished an almost sionally done. and applaud your mission The CDB’s sponsorship We appreciate the gesture mains concerned with the 12-week online course, Production/Sales of promoting sustained for the framing of some of sharing one of the activities of the youth, es- sessions at night for par- Manager at SignUP Inc., action for positive change of the 62 posters received posters with us and we pecially now that many ents for those persons who Adrian Headley, who was in the fight against sub- from the competition is will position it in our are left unsupervised. have participated in the on hand for the unveiling, stance abuse and in the not the first contribution Aftercare facility as a re- She commended the camp joined by teachers disclosed that it is the first facilitation of drug educa- to the NCSA. inforcement to the chil- Bank for putting meas- and am sure you will be time that the company tion, prevention and drug- The association be- dren of CDB staff of our ures in place to facilitate happy to know that we had done this type of free lifestyles,” Best said. tween the two institutions expectations of them. employees with young even have participants work, and expressed that He went on to point dates back to 2013 when CDB is a child-friendly in- children the opportunity from the region who they were overwhelmed out that the Bank has the Bank first contri- stitution and we welcome to be at home and super- heard about the pro- with the skills and ideas adopted a whole system’s buted to the sponsorship the opportunity to extend vise young children, gramme and stayed the from youth as it relates approach that addresses of Project SOFT – our corporate responsibil- which she believes is a distance with us every to being “Drug Free”. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 29, 2021 • 3

Sir Courtney remembered as a good father IT was an emotional enough, the kindness will farewell for the sons be repaid to them. of Sir Courtney Sir Courtney was also Blackman as they all remembered as a sociable shared heart-warming man, who engaged in con- stories about their lov- versation with anyone ing father who always regardless of their social put people first. background. His children Yesterday at his fu- noted that their father neral, his children spoke believed that everyone highly of their father who had a story worth listen- ensured that they re- ing to. ceived the best education His son, Christopher, from him while empha- remembered his father as sising core values such as a proud Barbadian who kindness, selflessness, did not divide the world and social justice. by race or colour. Christopher Blackman spoke warmly of his father who taught him and his brothers the importance of being Sir Courtney told his Sir Courtney was the kind and standing up to injustice and prejudice. sons after committing a founding and longest- good deed that “any time serving governor of graduated from The He is remembered as a States dollar at a rate of Lady Blackman; three you have the opportunity the Central Bank of University of the West visionary and courageous two Barbados dollars to sons – Keith, Christopher, to help someone, you do Barbados. He served Indies with an honours leader. Sir Courtney was one US dollar. and Martin; eight grand- it without the expectation three terms from 1972 degree in Modern History, integral in the introduc- Sir Courtney died on children and siblings of getting anything in re- to 1987. and in 1969, he earned tion of Barbados’ national March 16, 2021, while Janice, Jeanne, Pauline, turn”. Born in St. David’s, his Ph.D. from Columbia currency in 1973 and the living in the United and Walwyn. He is pre- He instilled in his sons Christ Church to Wilfred University’s Graduate decision to tie the island’s States. He leaves to deceased by his sister, that if they lived long and Ilene Blackman, he School of Business. currency to the United mourn his wife, Gloria Hazel. Competent, experienced professionals must design public policies: Dr. Worrell PUBLIC SECTOR from space of the professional experienced professionals, be implemented, are the mation; and a report is much in favour of the pub- Page 1 public sector managers. if they are to be fit for pur- responsibility of the public prepared for adoption by lic sector managers, and Subsequent actions, in- pose. He highlighted that service. the Parliament, showing this slowed the implemen- “Democracy works best cluding hiving off the members of Parliament Worrell stated in his let- how the policy might best tation of socially desirable when the members of Water Authority, the are drawn from the whole ter that there is no perfect be implemented, includ- policies. What is obvious Parliament and the public QEH, the BRA and oth- range of knowledge and way to manage the inter- ing any necessary modifi- is that the design and im- service appreciate the fun- ers, has accelerated the skills in society; they are face between the repre- cations and qualifications. plementation of policies damental difference in the process. The public sector chosen, not for their skills, sentatives of people and If the proposal is not fea- have been taken over by responsibilities to the pub- managers of today play no but because their con- the skilled and experi- sible, the report would politicians, and that the lic of parliamentarians role in the design of public stituents trust them to enced management of suggest alternative poli- public sector managers, and public servants: the policies, as far as one can best represent their in- the public service and in cies to achieve the objec- where the skill and expe- Parliament presents pro- tell,” explained Worrell. terests.Worrell made the an ideal system, they are tives set out by the rience resides, have no posals that they believe to The former CBB gover- point that the job of a given equal weight. He Parliament. role in the process. be in the best interests of nor reiterated that the Member of Parliament is added the policies pro- “The British left us a “This problem must be the society; the public reform that is needed in to offer policy proposals; posed by the Parliament workable version of that recognised and addressed. service has the responsi- public management must whether those proposals are researched and balance at Independence. Only then will Barbados bility for the implemen- redress this situation and will achieve the desired analysed by the public It could be argued, as Mr. turn the corner on public tation of those policies, public policies must be objectives, and how and in sector, using all available Barrow believed, that the sector performance,” and accounting to the designed by competent, what form policies are to data and relevant infor- balance was tilted too urged Worrell. Parliament for their per- formance.” Worrell stated that COVID-19 update: 20 the challenges in putting this model into action are immediately apparent new cases, 14 recovered and the policies desired TWENTY people tested 19. by the Parliament will positive for COVID-19 on A total of 139,775 tests inevitably exceed the re- Saturday, March 27, from have been carried out by sources available to the the 358 tests conducted the public health labora- Government. He asked, by the Best-dos Santos tory since February, last “What policies are to be Public Health Laboratory. year. pursued, and what is to Seven men and 13 The first phase of the be left out?” women made up the new National Vaccination “It was our first Prime cases. Additionally, 14 Programme for COVID- Minister, Mr. Errol persons recovered from 19 has come to an end, Barrow, who brought this the viral illness and were therefore, no vaccinations problem to popular atten- discharged. There are were done on Saturday. tion when he described currently 160 persons in The second phase, which the public service as ‘an isolation. will see persons receiving army of occupation’, bent The number of con- their second dose of on frustrating the popu- firmed cases recorded the Oxford-AstraZeneca lar will. He took the first since March 2020 is 3,629 vaccine, will start from steps to reform the public – 1,745 females and 1,884 Saturday, April 17. sector, setting in motion males – and 3,436 people To date, 63,689 vaccina- a process which over the have recovered from the tions have been adminis- decades has caused the The number of confirmed cases recorded since March 2020 is 3,629 and 3,436 virus. Forty-one people tered – 26,325 men and Parliament to invade the people have recovered from the virus. have died from COVID- 37,364 women. 4• Monday March 29, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

More time needed for students to review topics WHILE pleased that the definitely not enough now given for which they were neither of, to exercise that option where Caribbean Examinations the realities of what has been academically nor mentally they think it is merited,” the Council (CXC) intends to occurring because of COVID. In prepared. union leader stated. make the general topics for relation to our students, what On the matter of deferrals, Turning her attention specif- the Paper 2 of upcoming must be considered as they go to the BSTU head indicated they ically to the format of the exams, examinations available to sit these exams, is the different had been advised by the Local which will be done in-person students prior to the exams, stressors that have been im- Registrar that students have again this year, Redman stated the general feeling among pacting them, besides having to until May 1, 2021 to opt to sit that the BSTU stands by its pre- teachers is that the pro- adjust to an online learning en- their exams either in January or vious recommendation to the posed three weeks’ notice vironment. In this second wave, May next year,adding that they Ministry of Education and CXC is not enough and they are so many more students and/or were informed that CXC was that Paper 1, which features Minister of Energy, hoping that CXC agrees and their families have been either expanding the exam offerings multiple choice questions, Small Business and increases the time. affected or infected by COVID. at the Caribbean Secondary should consist of more than the Entrepreneurship, Kerrie According to President of the Family members or they them- Education Certificate (CSEC) required number of questions Symmonds, addressed Barbados Secondary Teachers’ selves have tested positive, they level for January, and are from which to choose the re- the National Petroleum Union (BSTU), Mary-Anne have friends who have tested for the first time including quired 60 at CSEC and 45 at Corporation’s 40th anniver- Redman, this is the position not positive, and more people have the Caribbean Advanced CAPE, if students are to be sary church service at only of that union, explaining died as a result of COVID. So Proficiency Examinations given a fair shot at being suc- Sanctuary Empowerment that the Caribbean Union of potentially they have been (CAPE) exams at the January cessful. Centre, yesterday. Teachers just last week sent out impacted in that way as well,” sitting. This being the under- “Given the fact that they a survey, which must be com- the educator noted. standing, Redman expressed would not have completed the pleted by March 31, asking affil- Redman also queried whether concern that the Ministry of syllabus in many instances, our NPC has iates in the region to indicate there had been consideration of Education and school adminis- position is that they should have whether they are in favour of the psycho-social impact of the trators have not been properly more questions to choose from. five or six weeks’ notice. She told prevailing levels of unemploy- informing students, parents and Then in Paper 2, we suggested been a good The Barbados Advocate, it is ment on the children’s readiness teachers of the deferral option. that there should be options for her understanding that CXC to do exams, stating that many “We were told that there’s students to choose from and has said that it is willing to go children were now living in absolutely no penalty involved that no one question should test partner, says up to five weeks, and if so, this households where the bread- for the students who choose more than one topic.We also feel is a step in the right direction. winners might be jobless. She to defer, none whatsoever; it that the multiple choice items Symmonds Her comments came as she stated that some students were is not a matter either of the on Paper 1 should only cover the said the BSTU has formally complaining that they had no Government, which pays, incur- same topics that CXC has indi- NPC from Page 1 proposed at least six weeks’ no- money to buy the resources nec- ring any penalty... No penalty cated would appear on Paper 2, tice, noting that it would give essary to complete School-Based exists at any level for deferral because you can’t have Paper 2 The statutory body was set students considerably more Assessments in subjects like and there are a lot of students covering only certain topics and up in 1981 with the responsibil- time to prepare for the exams, Home Economics and Art. The who don’t feel ready, given the then Paper 1 covering the whole ity for the management of the as well as determine if they feel Trade Union leader felt that realities of the challenges of on- syllabus. That would disadvan- distribution of natural gas sup- comfortable taking the exams neither students nor teachers line instruction and the trun- tage the students, unless you ply in Barbados for domestic, this year, or if they would rather were responsible for COVID cated school years – last year provide more items than you commercial, and industrial use. defer until January or or its ill effects, and students and this year. So it is really an require answers for, as we have The NPC, according to the May/June, 2022. should not be made to suffer by opportunity that children and suggested,” Redman insisted. Energy Minister, has been a “Three weeks is not enough, being forced to sit examinations their parents should make use (JRT) good partner in the develop- ment course of the country. “Forty years is a long time and if you look back you can see some of the successes of this Corporation. It is a real truth to say at the beginning there was a lot of doubt as to whether there would be the where- withal financially for natural gas to be sent to a wide per- centage of the community in Barbados. In the early stages, 3,000 to 4,000 was seen to be a large amount, and to get to 5,000 was a Herculean task, but today they’re at 22,000 cus- tomers. “In 2003, the National Petroleum Corporation would have partnered with the tourism sector and put air-con- ditioning units into Accra Beach Hotel and Crane Beach Hotel which are fuelled by nat- ural gas, driving down the cost of room rates in Barbados. Similarly, in about 2007, we would have had our first natu- ral gas vehicle and that started a conversation across this is- land about efficiency in the transportation sector, and again they were a lead player in that,” Minister Symmonds The management and staff of the National Petroleum Corporation (NPC) celebrated the 40th anniversary of the statutory body highlighted. with a church service at Sanctuary Empowerment Centre, yesterday. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 29, 2021 • 5

Top rankings for The UWI THE University of the He continued, “We have are confident as we are West Indies (The UWI) been ranked in the top one careful and yet coura- has received a triple first per cent of the finest uni- geous”. global ranking by Times versities in Latin America Also in his remarks, Sir Higher Education. and the Caribbean from a Hilary commended the The UWI’s Vice- field of over 5,000 very fine 2020 Graduating Class for Chancellor, Professor Sir universities and we have achieving success, partic- Hilary Beckles, disclosed been ranked in the top ularly while studying and this on Saturday as he ad- one per cent of the finest overcoming challenges dressed the first virtual universities in the world encountered in the past graduation ceremony of within our age cohort, the academic year during the The UWI, Cave Hill golden age universities – COVID-19 pandemic. Campus. those between 50 and 100 He additionally congrat- He told the online view- years of age, but you the ulated the three individu- ing audience, “The Times graduating class are doing als who were conferred Vice-Chancellor, The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Professor Sir Hilary Higher Education, the so at a time of which the honorary degrees during Beckles, speaking during the virtual graduation ceremony of The UWI, Cave Hill number one ranking reputation of your uni- the ceremony. They were Campus. agency of universities in versity has never been cancer biologist, Professor the world, have given us a higher.” Juliet M. Daniel and and medicine respectively. triple first global ranking. The UWI’s Vice President of the Also, journalist Sonita We have been ranked the Chancellor stated the fu- University of Miami, Alleyne received a Doctor number one university ture of the university is Dr. Julio Frenk, who of Letters (DLitt) for her in the wider Caribbean very bright, while noting were conferred Doctor of contribution to entrepre- from a field of over 150 there are “excellent plans Science degrees for their neurship and journalism. fine universities.” for the years ahead. We work in cancer research (MG) SUPREME COURT OF BARBADOS IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE Graduates told to embrace CLAIM NO. LTP 3 of 2021

IN THE MATTER OF: The Land (Title Proceedings) Act, 2011, change and challenges section 3 AND IN THE MATTER OF: ALL THAT the Parcel of Land THE University of the situate at Baycroft New Road in the parish of Saint Michael in West Indies (The UWI), Cave Hill Campus’ this island and being the lot numbered 14 and containing by 2020 Graduating Class admeasurement 260.1 square metres or thereabouts (which has been told not to be represents 237.6 square metres in land and 22.5 square metres limited to the confines in road) as shown on a Plan thereof made and certified on the of what they believe 06th day of June 2020 by Andre P. G. Clarke, Land Surveyor and are the dictates of recorded in The Lands & Surveys Department on the 09th day their current degree. of June 2020 as Plan No. 567 of 2020 ABUTTING AND Rather, Campus BOUNDING Principal, Professor the to the North on the lot numbered 13 being lands of Most Honourable Eudine Nathaniel Collymore to the East on the lot numbered 28 being Barriteau, has challenged lands now or formerly of Christopher Waithe to the South on the them to always be willing lot numbered 15 being lands of Adriana Hunte and to West on a to try new things. public road called Baycroft New Road or however else the same She offered this en- may abut and abound couragement as she ad- dressed Saturday’s inau- NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR DECLARATION gural online graduation OF OWNERSHIP & CERTIFICATE OF TITLE ceremony. During this event, graduates from the Faculties of Humanities TAKE NOTICE that Ewart DeCoursey Murrell, Retiree, of & Education, Law, 5316 Trans Island, Montreal, Québec H3W 3A2, Canada, Medical Sciences, Science Retiree, has applied to the High Court of Justice for an order that & Technology, Sport and he is the owner of the legal estate/a legal interest in respect of Social Sciences were the Parcel of Land described in the heading of this Application recognised. “In whatever ways you and for a Certificate of Title in respect of the same. allow yourself to be de- fined or inspired by the Any person having any adverse claims, liens or charges or rights ongoing pandemic, it is Principal of The UWI Cave Hill Campus, Professor the Most Honourable Eudine or interests against the said Parcel of Land should submit the my sincere hope that you Barriteau. claim duly authenticated on oath to the Registrar of the Supreme will embrace change and Court, Bridgetown, on or before the 19th day of April 2021. challenges. Always be and the belief you can in helping this region lessly to your future, I willing to try new things conquer any challenge.” bounce back from the certainly do not mean and accept the reality Barriteau also used the social and economic rav- you to be reckless and Any other person who has any information relating to the that as you grow older, occasion to salute the over ages of the COVID-19 abandon all the caution ownership of the said Parcel of Land is invited to give such your range of interest and 400 students of the Cave pandemic. She addition- in your daily living to information in writing to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, acquisition of skills will Hill Campus who, during ally reminded persons negate all we have been Bridgetown, on or before the 19th day of April 2021. evolve. In other words, do the National Pause in though the country has urging over the past year. not limit yourself to the February, were involved “seen some abatement in You know the mantra Dated the 29th day of March 2021 confines of what you be- in The UWI-Government the current health crisis, about covering your face, lieve are the dictates of of Barbados COVID-19 accompanied by the roll- maintaining adequate your current degree. You Evaluation and Testing out of potentially life- physical distancing, and ______have been instilled with project, also known as saving vaccines, we have ensuring proper hand K. S. MARSHALL, Attorney-at-law for the Claimant, a particular set of skills, Operation Seek and Save. not yet beaten this pan- washing to stop the whose place of business and address for service is but we have also tried to The Campus Principal demic”. spread of the dreaded 1st Floor, “One Welches,” Welches, nurture within you the said the university will “So while I encourage virus,” she further stated. St. Thomas, Barbados, W.I. skills of critical thinking continue to play its role you to go forward fear- (MG) 6 • Monday March 29, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Connecting deaf children to virtual learning

SOME students of the Irving Armed Alleyne; representa- Wilson School have received tives from the organisations much needed electronic de- which collaboratively facilitated vices to assist with their ed- the initiative, including Mr and ucation in the current on- Mrs Louis and Lisa Venezia of line learning environment. The Zander Venezia Trust, Founder of The Deaf Heart and Mr Richard Eames of Island Project (DHP) and reigning Miss Villas Real Estate. World Barbados, Miss Ché It was through its close rela- Greenidge, coordinated efforts tionship with the Irving Wilson among four other organisations school that DHP learned about after learning that students, the students’ needs. “Although both deaf and with other physi- all of the students in need are cal or learning challenges, had not Deaf, I worked to find a de- missed months of instruction vice for everyone on the list be- due to the lack of a device. In ad- cause I believe that no child Mrs. Lisa Venezia and the charitable group presenting one of the deaf students, Jaheim dition to DHP's established should be left behind,” stated Sealy-Wharton, with his new device. partners, the Optimist Club of Greenidge. In response to the Bridgetown Central and The support from the other collabo- Zander’s Trust is committed to their assistance.“I have to show lenges posed for these students Peter and Jan Boos Foundation, rators on the initiative, she said, helping as many children as we my appreciation to Mr Hashim and their parents within this Greenidge also had high praise “It was the fastest I have seen. can,” they said. Mr. Eames Delair of Pro Sales Barbados, new virtual learning environ- for The Zander Venezia Trust With their assistance we were shared similar sentiment, shar- and Ms Tiffany Lowe and team ment, but we hope to continue and Island Villas for their swift able to take care of the students ing his hope that the children at Promotech for readily coming assisting them in the best way response in helping to acquire at the Irving Wilson School and staff will enjoy and benefit to our aid by offering the devices we can.” She noted that the new the devices. within a matter of days! This is from the technology, and to be a at a fraction of the cost.” devices will be downloaded with After a presentation held at a true demonstration of the real part of more joint charitable March is the Month of the assistive apps and software that the school on Monday March power of solidarity and together- projects in the future. Disabled, this year under the will supplement the students’ 15th, ten children are now in ness.” Miss Greenidge also noted theme of “Building Back Better learning needs. As we recognise possession of tablets, keyboards, The Venezias expressed their that despite the severe impact of for a More Inclusive and today as Disability Awareness headphones and a laptop. In at- pleasure at being able to help. the Covid-19 pandemic on Resilient Barbados”. Greenidge Day we highlight the need for tendance were the students and “Every child in Barbados de- Barbadian businesses, she was commented,“I don’t think many increased assistance in ensur- their parents; the principal of serves an opportunity to receive moved by the willingness of the people are sensitised to the dif- ing equitable education for chil- the Irving Wilson School, Ms the best education possible. two which came on board to offer ficulty of the additional chal- dren with disabilities.

Principal of the Irving Wilson Mrs. Lisa Venezia and the charitable group presenting one of the parents, whose son is blind, with a laptop. School, Ms. Armed Alleyne. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 29, 2021 • 7

Over 97 percent Xinjiang accounts for 87% of Chinese parents of China’s cotton production say overparenting ALTHOUGH China is the world’s second- largest cotton pro- is common: Survey ducer, it still faces cotton shortage. The MORE than 97 percent of the respondents said country produced Chinese parents agreed that overparenting, or 5.95 million metric tons that overparenting is helicopter parenting, of cotton during common and 88.6 percent would cause their kids to the 2020-2021 season, of them admitted that be more reliant on them. which ended in they have done too much As for the reasons January, but the for their children, showed behind parenting, the demand was about 7.8 a survey released by survey suggested that million tons, the China China Youth Daily. 60 percent of parents want Grain Reserves Group According to the survey their kids to outdo other said in a statement on conducted among over children, while more than Wednesday night. 1 500 Chinese parents, half choose to hover over Xinjiang manufactured they tend to heavily their children in order to 5.2 million tons of cotton interfere in the daily lives provide a better childhood during the season, about of their children. than they themselves 87 percent of the nation’s About 70 percent of enjoyed. total production, the group A cotton harvesting machine works in a field in Manas county, Hui autonomous said. prefecture of Changji, Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. To resolve the shortage, China needs to import two autonomous region. Huang Xuan and Song sation that decided million tons of cotton from In a statement in March Qian, two Chinese brand to suspend cooperation China’s pickup truck countries including Brazil last year, H&M said ambassadors of H&M with with licensed farmers in and India every year, it wouldn’t work with millions of followers on Xinjiang during the sales surge in February the group said. any Xinjiang garment social media, have severed 2020-2021 cotton season The region is well known manufacturing factories, ties with the company, over persistent allegations for its premium, long-fibre nor would it source according to announce- of forced labour in the BEIJING – China’s pickup country in recent years. cotton, which is popular in products from the region ment from their represen- region, the organisation truck market continued The association expects domestic and global because the company was tative on Wednesday. said in March last year. robust growth in February continuous recovery of the markets. In 2019, more concerned about reports H&M has more than According to its official with sales soaring year pickup truck market, than 42 percent of the of accusations of forced 400 stores in China. website, the organisation on year, industry data citing the increase in region’s cotton was labour. Further, the Chinese has 2 100 members showed. passenger car demand harvested by machinery Although the statement public has noticed that worldwide,of which nearly A total of 32 000 units driven by steady rebound rather than hand thanks has been on its official international companies 500 are from China, were sold last month, up of China’s economy and to advanced farming website for more than one including Nike, Adidas, including five retailers and 507 percent from the low the new business models technology, it added. year, it recently caught Zara, Fila and Gap have brands and 485 suppliers base of the same period that emerged amid the Chinese social media attention after netizens issued similar statements and manufacturers. last year due to COVID- epidemic. users on Wednesday called reposted it on Chinese so- about Xinjiang, which has About 67 percent of 19 disruptions, according China has made efforts for a boycott of H&M, the cial media sites. triggered calls for wider the cotton produced in to the China Passenger to facilitate the entry of world’s second-largest By noon Thursday,H&M boycotts of those brands. Xinjiang is used domesti- Car Association. pickup trucks into cities in clothing retailer, after the products were removed These companies are cally, as China is the The figure exceeded that recent years. Earlier this Swedish company said it from all major Chinese all members of the largest cotton consumer in of February 2019 when month, the country’s wouldn’t use cotton from e-commerce platforms, Better Cotton Initiative, a the world, the China Grain 28 000 units were sold, commerce ministry issued the Xinjiang Uygur including Taobao and JD. Switzerland-based organi- Reserves Group said. the association said. a guideline calling on local Pickup trucks, which authorities to promptly combine the features of relax restrictions on the passenger and commercial entry of pickup trucks into Xi stresses more efforts to serve, integrate into new vehicles, have become in- cities to further boost creasingly popular in the automobile consumption. development paradigm CHINESE President Xi Jinping stressed more efforts to serve and integrate into the new China to increase spending development paradigm in fully building a modern socialist country. on basic research Xi, also general secre- tary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) BEIJING – China’s for over 6 percent of sciences and encourage Central Committee and spending on basic the R&D expenditure. more scientists to chairman of the Central research during the 14th Spending in 2020 conduct goal-oriented, Military Commission, Five-Year Plan (2021- is estimated to exceed applied research to made the remarks during 2025) period will likely 150 billion yuan. help tackle development his inspection trip to The Chinese president, learns about local efforts to reach a record 8 percent Ye Yujiang, an official and security challenges. east China’s Fujian develop the tea industry while visiting an eco- of all research and from the ministry, said The ministry will for- Province from Monday friendly tea garden in Nanping City, Fujian Province, development (R&D) besides the increase mulate a ten-year action to Thursday. March 22, 2021. expenditure, according of central government plan for basic research, Xi also called on Fujian to the Ministry of expenditures, enter- optimising the layout to make greater progress throughs in creating plenary session of the 19th Science and Technology. prises and the private of disciplines and in developing a mod- a high-quality life. CPC Central Committee, China’s spending on sector are also expected research. The country ernised economy, take The inspection trip took facilitating a good start in basic research reached to increase funding will promote interdisci- bigger strides in exploring Xi to the cities of Nanping, the 14th Five-Year Plan 133.6 billion yuan (about for basic research. plinary research as well, a new way of integrated Sanming and Fuzhou. He (2021-2025), and coordi- 20.4 billion US dollars) China will simultane- according to the development on both sides researched local efforts in nating regular epidemic in 2019, accounting ously focus on forefront ministry. of the Taiwan Strait, and implementing the guiding control and economic and achieve greater break- principles of the fifth social development. 8 • Monday March 29, 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 Britain eases lockdown but nervously eyes European virus surge Time for LONDON – Britain is ketball, tennis and golf. COVID-19 deaths, the Conservative Party, who taking another small step The other parts of the highest toll in Europe. argue that the economic, out of lockdown as it looks UK – Scotland, Wales and Stephen Powis, medical democratic and human action nervously at a new virus Northern Ireland – are director of the National costs outweigh the bene- surge inundating its taking broadly similar Health Service in England, fits. European neighbours. steps. In Wales, thousands urged people to continue to While many European BOTH during the recent debate on the Estimates With UK coronavirus of people poured onto follow the rules and limit nations are seeing a new and at a virtual forum, the subject of the small and vaccination rates outstrip- beaches and mountain contact with others, saying surge in the pandemic, medium sized enterprises (MSME) occupied ping those of European spots on Saturday, after the easing “does not mean Britain is counting on a enough attention to signal they are unlikely to be Union nations, Prime the authorities lifted job done.” rapid mass-vaccination left out going forward. Minister Boris Johnson is travel restrictions that “We’ve made enormous programme to help it end Some would want to suggest that we have passed easing the stark “stay at have been in place since progress that we need to its lockdown. More than this way before, where exciting measures for the home” message that has December. build on and not squander 30 million people – 57% of development of the MSMEs sector have been curtailed everyday life – Most nonessential busi- the gains we’ve made,” he all UK adults — have announced regularly, only for them not to see the and kept the virus nesses remain closed, wrote in the Sunday received a first dose of benefits of the proposals being outlined. in check – for almost three along with pubs, restau- Telegraph newspaper. vaccine so far, the govern- All along, this area of the economies, not only here months. rants, gyms, cinemas, the- The stringent restric- ment announced yester- but across the region has been hit by what some of From today, it will be aters, museums and sports tions in business and day. Almost 7% of adults is called inadequate financing and support even replaced in England with a stadiums. Millions of work- social life imposed during have had both doses. when it is recognised that they hold the key to job message to stay local. ers have been furloughed, three lockdowns in the Britain aims to give creation and increased economic activity,now more People will be allowed to with the government pay- past year have had broad everyone over 18 a first jab so than ever before. meet in groups of six ing the bulk of their wages. public support, though by July, with second shots Towards the end of last year a Latin American outdoors and can resume The UK has recorded they have alarmed some delivered within 12 weeks publication looking at Barbados said there is a outdoor sports such as bas- more than 126,000 lawmakers in Johnson’s of the first. need to give more priority to financing for business. Failure to do so, can lead to frustration on the part of small entrepreneurs. While that may be true to some extent there has UK variant hunters lead global race to be a commitment this time around given the troubling economic times we are in and the call to arms by the authorities. to stay ahead of COVID In the Estimates debate Kerrie Symmonds, the Minister of Energy, Small Business and LONDON – On March 4, Dr. Eric Topol, chair of sent to a network of 17 new variant. Entrepreneurship, pointed out that to achieve the 2020, when there were just innovative medicine laboratories, where scien- The scientific sleuthing specific objectives of rebuilding the Barbados 84 confirmed cases of at Scripps Research in tists extract the genetic is crucial, but it’s like economy, there are a number of strategic goals COVID-19 in the UK, San Diego, California. material from each swab looking for a needle in a drawn up between the Division of Commerce and professor Sharon Peacock Genomic sequencing is and analyse it to identify haystack. Researchers Small Business and Entrepreneurship on one hand recognised that the coun- essentially the process of that virus’ unique genetic must sift through the ge- and the Division of Energy and Natural Resources try needed to expand its mapping the unique ge- code. The sequences are netic sequences from thou- on the other. capacity to analyse the ge- netic makeup of individual then cross-referenced with sands of harmless variants “What we have to try our best, is to facilitate netic makeup of the virus. organisms – in this case the public health data to better to find the rare dangerous the capture of the MSMEs and to get an The Cambridge Uni- virus that causes COVID- understand how, where ones,Peacock said. understanding of their economic impact,” he versity microbiologist 19. While the technique is and why COVID-19 “It’s vital so that we can maintained. So that demonstrates just where understood that genomic used by researchers to is spreading. understand what variants Barbados is going. sequencing would be cru- study everything from When mutations in the are circulating, both in The other piece of good news for the sector was cial in tracking the disease, cancer to outbreaks of food virus correspond with the United Kingdom revealed by the President of the Caribbean controlling outbreaks and poisoning and the flu virus, an otherwise unexplained and around the world, and Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Warren Smith who developing vaccines. So she this is the first time author- increase in cases, that’s a therefore the implications participated in a virtual discussion involving the began working with ities are using it to provide clue that a new variant of that on vaccine develop- UK’s Minister of State for the Foreign and colleagues around the real-time surveillance of of concern is circulating. ment and the way that Commonwealth and Development Office. country to put together a a global pandemic. The importance of ge- we may have to adapt Dr. Smith promised that the regional financial plan. Within a month, the Peacock, 62, heads nomic sequencing became vaccines,” she said. institution is determined to play a bigger role government had provided Britain’s sequencing effort obvious late last year as the The effort is a worldwide in unleashing the potential of the MSMEs sector. 20 million pounds ($28 m) as executive director and number of new infections collaboration, with more In therefore announcing the support, the CDB to fund their work. chair of the COVID-19 UK began to spike in south- than 120 countries official said the institution would allow the MSMEs The initiative helped Genomics Consortium, eastern England. When submitting sequences to to utilise resources from existing lines of credit for make Britain a world known as COG-UK, the cases continued to rise GISAID, a data-sharing working capital purposes in order to continue their leader in rapidly analysing group she helped create despite tough local restric- hub originally created to operations during an economic downturn. the genetic material from a year ago. tions, public health officials track influenza viruses. We are convinced that once the support is there large numbers of COVID- During the first week went to work to find out Iceland, Australia, New for the sector it will take off and give the 19 infections, generating of this month, COG-UK why. Zealand and Denmark necessary boost to the economiy.Very often we have more than 40% of the sequenced 13,171 viruses, Combing through data actually sequence a higher heard the views expressed that the MSME sector genomic sequences identi- up from 260 during its first from genome sequencing, percentage of their is the one which can provide jobs, increase eco- fied to date. These days, 12 days of operation scientists identified a new COVID-19 cases than nomic activity and provide government coffers with their top priority is finding in March last year. variant that included a Britain, and Denmark does tax revenues. new variants that are more Behind that growth is a number of mutations that the work faster. But COG- To substantiate how vital the sector is to dangerous or resistant to system that links the made it easier for the virus UK’S work, combined with Barbados, the Minister drew reference to a vaccines, information that science of genomic sequenc- to hop from one person to Britain’s size and high 2016 study of the sector. is critical to helping ing with the resources of another. Armed with number of cases, have It was revealed that although the study is dated, researchers modify the Britain’s national health this information, Prime made it the world leader it reflected that some 92 percent of it comprised vaccines or develop new care system. Minister Boris Johnson in sequencing COVID-19. micro, small and medium enterprises. At the time ones to combat the Positive COVID-19 tests imposed a national lock- The UK has submitted the study was done the sector employed about ever-changing virus. from hospitals and commu- down, scrapping a strategy 379,294 of the almost 46 000 persons. “They’ve shown the nity testing programmes of local restrictions that 898,000 sequences in Furthermore, approximately 42 percent of those world how you do this,” said around the country are had failed to contain the the GISAID database. enterprise recorded annual sales of being less than $100 000. Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes Barbados needs to build on this base while E-mail Address: [email protected] Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Sports Editor: Corey Greaves losing no time in stimulating all areas of activities. Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan We must get on with it. @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate The Barbados Advocate Monday March 29, 2021 • 9

Bermuda’s Covid-19 active cases pass 200 mark as more infections reported Hamilton, Bermuda – Bermuda has and save lives. recorded a further 33 cases of “The quicker we can identify people Covid-19 today, bringing the who may be positive for COVID-19, number of active cases to 213. the quicker we can stop the transmission But David Burt, the Premier,said that, of the disease. while continued high numbers of “Our contact tracers are working coronavirus cases were to be expected, tirelessly, seven days a week, hours on the return of lockdown would only come end, to help protect this community. We if “the healthcare capacity of the country must all do our part, so please, help them is overwhelmed”. to help us all.” Of the new cases recorded Saturday, In the House of Assembly earlier 14 are classified as local transmission, Saturday, Premier Burt said everyone Antigua and Barbuda Police Commissioner, Atlee Rodney. while the remaining 19 are under should be regarded as a potential carrier investigation. None of the infected are of the virus and particularly of the in hospital. virulent UK variant. Bermuda has now recorded 947 cases “Treat every single person that you Job of A&B’s Police Commissioner of the virus in the past year – with come into contact with the knowledge 174 positive tests being logged since they may be an asymptomatic carrier shrouded in uncertainty last Saturday. of this dangerous strain,” he said. Government also warned that But he said the island was not seeing SAINT JOHN’S, Antigua – Dominican rights; that the decision to strip him of his Bermuda’s country status of “sporadic sustained community transmission of the Atlee Rodney, who was appointed pension rights and gratuity was unlawful cases“ is likely to be downgraded: virus with the recent soaring numbers Commissioner of Police in the twin island and unconstitutional; that the decision to “The seven-day average of our real-time of cases. state of Antigua and Barbuda, has found remove him was unreasonable and reproduction number is above one, and He said, “We have reported significant himself in an uncomfortable situation, motivated by bad faith or improper Bermuda’s current country status numbers of cases this week, and we’re after a high court judge recently ruled purposes and breached the rules of remains ’Sporadic Cases’. It is anticipated expecting to report a significant number that his employment was unlawful, null natural justice. that this status will change over the next of cases for the next few days. and void. Justice Ann-Marie Smith ruled that the few days.” “What’s different in this outbreak The decision followed a motion filed by termination of the former commissioner Commenting on tonight’s figures, Kim versus the outbreak we had in November former Police Commissioner Wendel was unlawful, null and void. Wilson, the health minister,urged people is that many of these cases are related. Robinson, who now practices as “Except for constitutional reliefs, the to get tested. “We’re getting cases of entire an attorney-at-law. court agreed and declared everything else She said, “This current spread is households, things like that.” Rodney was appointed Commissioner of in the reliefs sought,” Robinson told the extensive, and people need to know their Burt said testing teams were casting “a Police in February 2020, three months media in Antigua and Barbuda Saturday status. very wide net” in tracking down cases. after Robinson was terminated, stripped night. “Now more than ever,I strongly suggest Responding to questions from Cole of his rank, his pension, gratuity and He also declared that it was unconsti- people get tested for Covid-19 and if you Simons, the Leader of the Opposition, the other allowances that he would have ac- tutional for him to be deprived of having do not feel well, or have cold or allergy Premier said an “overwhelming of cumulated during 32 years and ten his appeal heard before the Police Service symptoms, put yourself in quarantine.” healthcare” included hospital cases and months of service in the Royal Police Force Board and that it was unconstitutional, She added: “There are people who do ICU admissions as well as contact trac- of Antigua and Barbuda. unlawful, ultra vires, null and void to not want to cooperate with contact trac- ing, vaccinations and supplies for tests In his June 2020 declaration, Robinson appoint Rodney as the new commissioner ers. If a contact tracer contacts you, it is and personal protective equipment. told the court that his termination as in light of how he was terminated. vital that you cooperate. Your assistance “When those get stressed, then we can Commissioner was unlawful, null and It is not clear what the next step in can help reduce the spread of the virus see if any further restrictions are needed.” void and infringed his constitutional the matter will be. Dominica extends date for second dose of AstraZena vaccine supplied by India ROSEAU, Dominica – Dominican resi- are for persons who actually received it dents wishing to avail themselves of the on the first day, February 12,” she said. Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine provided to While there are concerns about side Dominica by the government of India, effects being more severe with the second have until today – Monday March 29, dose of the vaccine, Health Minister, 2021 to do so and administration of the Dr. Irvin Mcintyre, is warning that while second dose has now been extended by the first dose can offer some level of pro- two weeks, according to officials of the tection with antibodies, it’s nowhere near Ministry of Health and Wellness. the 95% efficacy one can get with the sec- Director of Primary Health Care, ond dose. Dr. Laura Esprit, said recently that Emphasizing the need for citizens to based on advice from the World Health get the second jab, he cautioned that President of Dominica, His Excellency Charles Savarin, receives the first jab of Organization (WHO) and the Pan skipping the second dose of the the AstraZeneca vaccine on February 12, 2021. American Health Organization (PAHO), coronavirus vaccine will slow down how the timeline for the second dose had been quickly “our lives can get back to normal.” look, these are just minor little side have their different ideas and in all increased from six weeks to eight weeks, “You get those little side effects with effects; no serious, no significant side ef- fairness, we can understand those in order to obtain maximum benefits vaccines and nothing has been major.Just fects have come up from this vaccine so far reservations but we have to look at the from the vaccine. a little fever, little chill, little joint pain, not just in Dominica or internationally.” bigger picture and we have to follow the “Individuals who have received the little headache – nothing of significance Dr. McIntyre called on the media to science and we should all get vaccinated,” vaccine on February 12th, 2021, and given – so I really don’t think people should be work alongside the Ministry of Health he informed. an appointment for the second dose on so concerned about going for the second and Wellness to propagate the idea that According to recent figures, more than March 26, 2021, are advised that their dose or I don’t think that should discour- all citizens should be vaccinated. 15 000 individuals have gotten vaccinated new date for the second dose is April 9th age people from going for their first dose,” “Granted, we understand the fact that in Dominica while there are 9 active 2021,” Dr. Esprit stated. “So, those dates the Health Minister stated.“My message, a lot is going on social media and people COVID-19 cases on the island. 10 • Monday March 29, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Holness refutes rumours Rowley warns of another he did not take vaccine lockdown if Covid–19 KINGSTON, JAMAICA – Prime Holness went on to explain that the Minister Andrew Holness on Friday process of vaccination is only effective in denied rumours suggesting that he did ending the pandemic when there are cases continue to rise not actually receive a dose of the enough members of the population who Covishield-AstraZeneca vaccine in have immunity to the disease. PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – WITH Kingston last Monday. “In other words, if the virus gets into covid19 cases rising by 115 in a week, “The nurse was highly proficient in your body the natural immune system the Prime Minister on Saturday administering the shot. I didn’t feel any can fight it on its own without need warned the country that any further pain greater than a mosquito bite. for hospital care or even medicines,” he increase may result in another lock- The needle is one of the thinnest gauges stated. down for which there will be no fi- and pierces the skin and muscles “As the SARS-CoV-2 virus is new to nancial assistance like that granted easily,” the prime minister told the the human population; our immune sys- when the pandemic began last year. Jamaica Observer exclusively. tem is naïve to it. Our immune Speaking at the Diplomatic Centre, He said that the vaccines trigger the system doesn’t have the antibodies read- St Ann’s, Dr. Rowley said there is no immune system in the body to develop ily produced and deployed to money to finance rental assistance, food the natural capability to fight the virus attack and kill the virus, before it causes supplies and job loss grants and called on if the person is exposed to it. And, upon a disease or impairment of the proper the country to, like him, “err on the side receiving the vaccine, therefore, he functioning of the body.Vaccination is a of respecting the consequences because continued, the immune system should well-established science of getting the they are so grave.” start to react by producing the immune system to pre-emptively He recalled in his time in the UK dur- antibodies to fight infections. respond to an invading virus without ing his studies seeing road in Lake Holness said by 11pm on the night of developing the disease it causes,” he District with a steep hill with signs warn- taking the vaccine he began to feel the noted. ing of its ending. effects of his immune system reacting to “There are many fears being stoked “There were corners on the road and it. and circulated against vaccination. there were very prominent warning signs “I had a low-grade fever which lasted While I am no expert, most of the telling all drivers to gear down and do T&T prime minister, Dr. Keith Rowley. through the night and, in the morning, concerns are sufficiently addressed in not exceed a certain speed limit. Then I felt lethargic. Nevertheless, I was still readily available information there is a huge sign that said, ‘You have think about what you are risking when able to fulfil my appointments, from trusted sources,” Holness pointed been warned!’ That is where we have been you feel you have to go bar-hopping or including an international meeting and out. here today.You have been warned.We are hug your friends you have a drink with in debating matters in Parliament,” he “What I do know is that the pandemic in a good position but the individual a restaurant that is not supposed to be stated. will not end until the population has actions can change it for the worst, with serving alcohol. Just think about the “By Wednesday morning, after going to developed immunity,either by the virus harsh personal consequences.” national drawback.” bed early on Tuesday night, I was fine, infecting a large percentage of the UK High Commissioner Harriet Cross He added that fighting the pandemic except that the area where I got the jab population, which would lead to a kind tweeted shortly after with a picture of the was not a government or party issue. He is mildly sore. The reports from persons of natural selection, where persons with sign in Lake District saying she was called on the leadership of the country,not who have taken the vaccine are similar strong immunity to this particular virus happy to hear the PM talk about his just at the parliamentary level, but every- to my experience of slightly elevated would survive and those with weak or travels there. one with influence, to persuade others to temperature, tiredness and mild weakened immunity would die if they The Prime Minister stressed that the take the response to the virus responsibly. soreness at the injection spot for a day or are unable to prevent infection. Or, we population was taking risks by behaving He said the country should not let two,” he said. could go the route of getting the as if the pandemic was over. the upcoming days of relaxation for the “I am told that the immunity does take vaccine and building the immunity “I am appealing to the population, in Easter holidays mean a relaxation of some time to build, so I am still preemptively in the population your attempt to enjoy the post-pandemic the regulations. Congregating in groups maintaining all the protocols to prevent increasing the chance of our collective prematurely, or just to be generally irre- of more than ten “will get you arrested, get infection and spread,” the PM added. survival,” Holness stated. sponsible and genuinely destructive, you damaged and the country obstructed.” Chastanet welcomes portion of Dallas Street renamed after Botham Jean

CASTRIES, St. Lucia – Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has welcomed the renaming on Saturday of part of a Dallas street after slain Saint Lucian, Botham Jean. “On behalf of the government and the people of Saint Lucia I welcome the re- naming of part of the South Lamar Street, the Botham Jean Boulevard,” Chastanet said in a video message to the ceremony. However, the Saint Lucia PM said it was no consolation to Botham’s friends and family. “We need to ensure that this young man is not forgotten,” he explained. Chastanet said all who knew Botham were lucky enough to be offered a glimpse, but have lost a life filed with faith, family and an openness of heart. And he described those qualities as attributes ‘we seek in our own youth’. “I want to say to the Jean family, while we cannot imagine your grief, your son has become a rallying cry for what cannot Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet delivered a video message at an event to rename part of a Dallas street after be ignored – the need for our systems to the late Botham Jean. be equitable, transparent and just,” the PM observed. former Dallas police officer, Amber an intruder. About a year later, a court been remorseful. Chastanet said now that a Boulevard Guyger, shot him in his own apartment. sentenced her to ten years in jail. Findley and other Jean family has been named after Botham, it will be The incident occurred in September However, Guyger has filed an appeal. members were in Dallas for the renaming a reminder every day of what he stood for 2018. Botham Jean’s sister, Alissa Findley ceremony. and the need to continue his journey. But Guyger claimed she mistook Jean’s told a US television reporter it demon- The family has filed a wrongful death Botham Jean, 26, died after now apartment for hers and believed he was strated that the former officer has not suit. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 29, 2021 • 11

Brazil’s president ordered to pay ‘moral damages’ to journalist SÃO PAULO, Brazil – A Brazilian The Journalists Against Harassment saying. court has ordered President Jair group said the ruling marked a “great Ms Campos Mello wrote a series of Bolsonaro to pay compensation to a day” for female reporters and professional investigative reports about a group using journalist after he made degrading journalism in Brazil. WhatsApp to boost Mr Bolsonaro’s comments about her. Bolsonaro, a right-wing president who campaign by denigrating his rivals ahead Bolsonaro had suggested last year that has been in office since January 2019, of the 2018 presidential election. Patrícia Campos Mello had offered sex has a history of animosity towards In January, Ms Campos Mello won an to a source for negative information about journalists who have been critical of his almost identical case against the him. administration. president’s son, Eduardo, who is a mem- The judge said Bolsonaro’s remarks had Ms Campos Mello brought legal action ber of parliament in Brazil’s lower house damaged the journalist’s honour. against him in response to comments of Congress. The president was told to pay her made in February 2020. He had suggested in a YouTube video 20 000 reais (£2 500; $3 500) in ‘moral- In its report about the remarks, the last May that the reporter had “tried to damages’. He can appeal the ruling. Folha newspaper accused Bolsonaro seduce” a source for damaging informa- In a tweet, Ms Campos Mello, an of insulting Ms Campos Mello with tion against his father. A court in Brazil ordered president Jair award-winning reporter for Brazilian sexual innuendo. A judge said the comments were an Bolsonaro to pay compensation to a daily newspaper Folha de S.Paulo, said Bolsonaro said the journalist “wanted a attack on the journalist’s honour, and female journalist after he made objec- the judge’s decision was a “victory for all scoop” at “any price against me”, the ordered Bolsonaro’s son to pay her 30 000 tionable remarks about her. of us women”. newspaper reported the president as reais in compensation. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido says he tested positive for coronavirus VENEZUELAN opposition leader Juan Sinopharm and the rest are Russia’s Venezuela’s official figures as of Guaido said on Saturday that he has Sputnik V. Opposition leaders are Saturday showed 155 663 cases of tested positive for the coronavirus and separately negotiating to buy vaccines via coronavirus and 1 555 deaths, though has mild symptoms. the COVAX programme using funds opposition critics say the actual figure is Guaido said on his Twitter account that frozen in the United States. likely higher due to limited testing. he is in isolation and expressed concern about the number of infections in the country. “I want to express my solidarity with Mexico says COVID-19 deaths likely the thousands of Venezuelans suffering during the pandemic,” Guaido wrote to be 60% higher than confirmed toll on Twitter. “Today we all have a relative or acquaintance affected by MEXICO CITY –Mexico’s death toll from been reported since mid-February. As of COVID-19.” the coronavirus pandemic is likely at Saturday, the ministry’s confirmed toll Dozens of countries have backed Guaido least 60% higher than the confirmed stood at 201 429. as interim president of Venezuela number, putting it in excess of 300 000, The Mexican government has long said following Maduro’s re-election in 2018 in according to government data. that the country’s real number of a vote Western governments called a That was 61.4% higher than the COVID-19 deaths was likely significantly sham. confirmed death toll of 182 301 given as higher than the confirmed toll, which is The opposition leader added that he a comparison in the same table. the third-highest in the world. considered the arrival of COVID-19 That figure did not coincide precisely Total excess deaths in Mexico during vaccines to Venezuela urgent. with a specific day from the health the pandemic stood at 417 002 by the Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Venezuela has received 700 000 doses, ministry’s daily bulletins, but more than sixth week of 2021, according to Guaido of which 500 000 were donated by China’s 25 000 COVID-19-related deaths have the data. Venezuela calls Facebook suspension of Maduro ‘digital totalitarianism’ CARACAS – Venezuela’s government yes- Facebook said it followed guidance from companies who want to impose their law many other Western nations, said in a terday accused Facebook Inc of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the countries of the world,” the tweet yesterday that he would broadcast “digital totalitarianism” after it froze that there is currently no medication that ministry said. his daily coronavirus briefing on the President Nicolas Maduro’s page for can cure the virus. Venezuelan doctors have warned that Facebook account of his wife, first lady 30 days for violating its policies against In a statement yesterday, Venezuela’s Carvativir’s effect on coronavirus has not Cilia Flores. spreading misinformation about information ministry said Facebook was been established. The treatment is The South American country has COVID-19. going after “content geared toward derived from thyme, an herb that has reported 155 663 cases of the novel coro- Facebook told Reuters this weekend it combating the pandemic” and described been used for centuries in traditional navirus and 1 555 deaths. Those figures had also taken down a video in which Carvativir as a retroviral of “national medicine. are below the levels of many regional Maduro promoted Carvativir, a production and engineering.” Maduro,who has overseen an economic peers, but the country’s political opposi- Venezuelan-made remedy he claims, with- “We are witnessing a digital totalitari- collapse since taking office in 2013 and is tion says the true number of cases is likely out evidence, can cure the disease. anism exercised by supranational labelled a dictator by Washington and far higher due to a lack of testing.

Mostly cloudy to overcast with occasional brief scattered light to moderate showers

High: 4:08 a.m. and 4:37 p.m. London: 10°C OVERCAST Yesterday: 0.6 mm Boston: 09°C OVERCAST/LIGHT RAIN/MIST Low: 10:11 a.m. For the month: 35.0 mm Max: 28.8°C Montreal: 09°C OVERCAST/LIGHTRAIN and 10:32 p.m. For the year: 210.1 mm Min: 24.4°C Toronto: 07°C CLOUDY New York: 11°C OVERCAST/MIST 5:56 a.m. 6:10 p.m. Miami: 28°C PARTLY CLOUDY 12 • Monday March 29, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Worshippers wounded in Makassar church attack A SUSPECTED suicide bomb attack out- “a suicide bombing” committed by two side a Catholic church in the Indonesian people, both of whom had died. city of Makassar has left at least 14 peo- A priest at the church, Father ple wounded, police say. Wilhemus Tulak, told Metro TV that se- Police said an explosion erupted as two curity guards had tackled one suspected attackers tried to enter the church on bomber. Palm Sunday, the first day of Easter. The attacker,he said, arrived by motor- A destroyed motorbike and body parts bike and tried to get into the church. were found at the scene and police said Police said at least 14 people were in- the two attackers had died. jured, including the church officials who Militant Islamists have attacked stopped the attackers from entering the churches in the past but no group has yet cathedral. said it was behind the bombing. The blast happened by the church’s Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo con- side entrance. Footage from security cam- demned the attack as “act of terror” and eras showed fire, smoke and debris being said he had ordered the chief of police to blown into the middle of the road. investigate those responsible. Makassar Mayor Danny Pomanto said “I call on everyone to fight against ter- that if the explosion had happened at ror and radicalism, which go against re- the main entrance, it could have led to far ligious values,” the president said. more casualties. Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Body parts were found at the scene of the bomb attack. “There were several injured people on Qoumas urged police to increase secu- the street. I helped one woman who was rity measures at places of worship. local time at the end of a service for Palm trators were trying to enter the com- wounded and covered in blood,” one wit- During a Palm Sunday mass at the Sunday. pound,” National Police spokesman Argo ness named only as Yosi told the AFP Vatican, Pope Francis offered a prayer for “There were two people riding on a mo- Yuwono said. news agency. the victims of the attack. torbike when the explosion happened at Later,the country’s chief security min- “Her grandchild was also injured. The explosion happened at about 10:30 the main gate of the church - the perpe- ister, Mahfud MD, described the attack as There were body parts everywhere.” Pope on pandemic’s second year: Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre church Weariness, economic hardship opens to public VATICAN CITY – Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass for a second time in on Palm Sunday the pandemic without crowds of faithful, Pope Francis said while JERUSALEM – In scenes very different shock dominated the first year of from last year,Jerusalem’s Church of the the COVID-19 health emergency, Holy Sepulchre opened to the public on now people are more weary, with Palm Sunday, allowing Christians to at- the economic crisis growing heavier. tend mass at the start of Holy Week on Traditionally, the pope leads a Palm the site where they believe Jesus was Sunday procession through St. Peter’s crucified and rose from the dead. Square in front of tens of thousands of With more than half the population of pilgrims and tourists clutching olive Israel having received two vaccine doses, branches and braided palms before cele- coronavirus restrictions were eased to brating an outdoor Mass. allow small congregations to gather with But as Francis did in spring 2020, just social distancing measures in place. weeks after the COVID-19 outbreak The mood was celebratory as scores of erupted in Italy – the first country in the Roman Catholics passed through the West to be hit by the pandemic – the pon- huge wooden doors of the church that is tiff led the solemn service, which begins the global focus of the most important Holy Week, inside St. Peter’s Basilica. festival in the Christian calendar. Pandemic safety concerns and Italian “Last year was a terrible Easter, with- government restrictions on travel and out people, closed doors.This year is much other movements while the country better, the door is open, we don’t have a struggles with a surge of infections has lot of people but we feel more hopeful kept away the usual throngs of tourists that things will become better,” the Latin and pilgrims. Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista “For the second time we are living it Pizzaballa, told Reuters as he emerged (Holy Week) in the context of the pan- from the church flanked by clerics and demic,” Francis said, with around 120 worshippers carrying palm fronds. faithful, including nuns and a few fami- “The message of Easter is life and love, lies or couples, sitting far apart in the Pope Francis celebrates Palm Sunday mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica at the despite all the signs of death, corona, pan- pews. ”Last year, we were more shocked. Vatican yesterday. demic, whatever, we believe in the power This year it is more trying for us.And the of love and life,” Pizzaballa said. economic crisis has become heavy.” hearts to be moved with compassion, and ritual which usually takes place at the Under Israeli COVID-19 restrictions Like those in the pews, participants in let us draw near,” Francis said. He had Colosseum in Rome. on gatherings, the patriarch later led wor- the procession of 30 red-robed cardinals dedicated much of his papacy to drawing The Italian government has imposed shippers wearing face masks and holding all wore protective masks, but Francis, attention to those living on society’s mar- strict pandemic-safety measures for palm and olive branches in a Palm clutching a braided palm, didn’t use one. gins, including the homeless, the poor Easter weekend.Those measures include Sunday procession from the Mount of He limped noticeably, at least once helped and migrants. a nationwide ban on dining at restau- Olives to the Old City. up stairs by an aide.Francis has long Except for a Way of the Cross proces- rants or cafes and on travel between re- Palm Sunday commemorates the day suffered from sciatica, and recently had sion in St. Peter’s Square to mark Good gions and towns. People are allowed only the gospels say Jesus rode into Jerusalem a bad bout of the condition, which can Friday, all the Holy Week services at the one holiday visit per day to homes of fam- and was hailed by the people, only to be trigger leg and back pain. Vatican this year will be held inside the ily or friends from April 3 to 5. crucified five days later. Amid the suffering of the pandemic, basilica, including Easter Mass at the Francis ended his remarks by inviting This year, Roman Catholics celebrate Francis said, “we meet the faces of so culmination of Holy Week. Rank-and-file prayers for victims of a suicide bombing Easter on April 4 and Orthodox many brothers and sisters in difficulty.” faithful will be barred from attending outside a crowded Roman Catholic cathe- Christians nearly a month later, on May “Let us not pass by, let us allow our the Good Friday night service, a torch-lit dral during Palm Sunday services in 2.

Barbados Advocate

March 29, 2021 IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS DO BUSINESS BPSA: POOR TIMING

GOVERNMENT and the through and are going through. Barbados private sector ap- In fact, the BPSA head said not pear to be heading for a a single private sector individual collision course over the would have a problem with the proposed new minimum minimum wage. wage which is to become a The private sector leader re- reality from Thursday. vealed that while Barbados has Both sides seem to be sticking done very well over the years, it to their guns even as the remains vulnerable to economic Barbados Private Sector and environmental shocks. He Association (BPSA) calls for the recalled that over the last two Social Partnership to discuss the decades, Barbados has experi- issue. enced declining growth as a Government remains steadfast consequence of 9/11, the great that the new minimum wage will recession and worst of all, the take effect from April 1, which is COVID-19 pandemic. the start of its new financial year. This latter shock has seen However, the BPSA argues that GDP falling by almost 19 per now is not the time for it and is cent, or over two billion dollars, proposing January next year as and unemployment rising to over a starting date. 30 per cent last year alone. BPSA Chairman Edward According to him, “Many of Clarke believes that by January, these people are still unem- private sector firms would have ployed, remaining under the care started to recover from the pro- of Government through its care longed economic downturns packages and welfare.” which Barbados has gone The BPSA official went on, through since 2009, and up to the “Many businesses have been COVID-19 environment. struggling since 2009 [and] con- Clarke told a news conference tinued to do so through the that a matter of such importance COVID crisis. Many of them ought to be discussed at the level have failed to survive and based of the Social Partnership. “We on the start of 2021, more will were to have a Social Partnership likely fall by the wayside.” meeting in January, but we did Saying there has simply been not have one. no robust growth, Clarke said “We were supposed to have dis- despite this the business sector cussion on a prices and incomes has continued to play its role in protocol, but with the further on- being a corporate citizen in slaught of COVID-19, there was Barbados. no Social Partnership meeting,” He recalled that the BPSA was the BPSA official said.A meeting asked to comment on the order was also supposed to be held in for the new minimum wage and March, but the Estimates of to provide a feedback to the Blue Revenue and Expenditure took Ribbon Committee, headed by over, and according to Clarke Sir David Simmons, former Chief they are looking forward to one in Justice of Barbados. the near future. Clarke explained, “We did so. He maintained that the pri- We expressed our concern in the vate sector is not against the very short time frame given to minimum wage, however, now is us as a major player in this not the time for it given the chal- sector. They understood our Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Chairman, Edward Clarke. lenges businesses have gone concern.”

Barbados’ quest to broaden trade Local company offering viable Services zones for post-COVID-19 opportunities eCommerce solution recovery and development PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 5 2 • Monday March 29, 2021 Business Monday

Barbados’ quest to broaden trade opportunities

By Jewel Brathwaite

THE millions which Barbados is allocating to its new foreign policy thrust by adding non-tra- ditional markets for diplomatic representa- tion has generated some discussions. When he spoke in the Senate last week, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, borrow- ing the late Errol Barrow’s comments that we are friends of all and satellites of none, indi- cated that the time has come for Barbados to get Barbados is looking to see increasing trade levels by moving in the direction of more friends. commercial diplomacy, says Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, New missions were re- Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott. Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott. vealed. The premise be- hind them, the Minister the Senate, which at the Canada, the UK, the extending Barbados’ said, is an attempt to time was dealing with TRADE IN FOCUS European Union and the reach into East Africa. broaden the country’s the Estimates of Revenue Caribbean, Barbados is Given, he said, that the trade opportunities while and Expenditure. direct investment (FDI), noted therefore that for- able to count on such eco- United Nations Environ- earning vital foreign ex- The Minister said that new opportunities, and eign policy represents a nomic gains as visitor ar- mental Programme change and attracting the days of traditional we have recognised the process by which a sover- rivals and international (UNEP) is located in foreign direct invest- diplomacy have long importance of the eign state translates the business, and FDI. Kenya, Barbados can also ment. ended. That early diplo- Diaspora, he remarked. achievement of certain Another gain comes count on benefits. “We look to see increas- macy had a heavy politi- “So while we continue domestic goals through through funds chan- Commercial relation- ing trade levels for cal component in its arse- to focus on deepening interrelationships with nelled through CARI- ships therefore indicate Barbados by moving in nal. our relationship with other states. COM or by way of the that countries are the direction of commer- Nowadays, however, the United States, the A country’s foreign Caribbean Development searching for more trade cial diplomacy,” he said in countries require foreign United Kingdom, the ministry is the agency Bank, like what Japan openings, bilateral trade European bloc, Canada, through which foreign and the Peoples Republic and investment agree- we also need to look fur- policy is guided and man- of China have done, for ments, more FDI coming BANK RATES ther afield,” said the aged along with the per- lending to member states their way and alliances Minister. sonnel assigned to for- in this region. with partner countries Commercial bank rates to the public at the close of Hence the Government eign missions. Venezuela, through the with all these things in business on Friday by the Central Bank of Barbados. took a decision to open In the past, foreign pol- Petro Caribe arrange- mind. new diplomat missions in icy of small states was ment, and Mexico The problem with all of Valid for March 29, 2021 Africa and the Middle pursued along strictly po- through what was known this, and which is noted Notes: East, the Minister re- litical lines, and espe- previously as the San very often, is that Currency Buying Selling marked while noting that cially during the East- Jose accord – dealing whereas a government Belizean Dollar 1.00000 1.00000 a mission to Panama was West tensions and at the with an oil agreement goes out there and con- Canadian Dollar 1.56667 1.61301 opened last year. height of the Cold War and soft loans – were also cludes agreements with East Caribbean $ 0.73704 0.74445 The bottom line is that when, for ideological rea- areas where commercial trading partners, it is the Euro 2.30928 2.40652 this new thrust, as he sons, countries took sides. relations diplomatic rep- private sector which has Pound Sterling 2.69956 2.81324 said, is about expanding Hence the statement resentations brought to take up the proposals United States Dollar 1.98000 2.02857 Barbados’ trade opportu- friends of all satellite of some benefits. and run with them while Demand/Sight: nities – whether for goods none. The newer areas – giving meaning to them. Currency Buying Selling or services – and which Unlike bigger countries Kenya, Morocco, Ghana, The private sector has Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 Canadian Dollar 1.57559 1.61160 in the process means which had elaborate sys- and the United Arab to engage in trade and East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 earning foreign exchange tems in place, and still do, Emirates – are the ones not the government. Euro 2.34316 2.39158 and growing the econ- small countries did not which will present the Governments, includ- Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 omy. have that luxury. challenges in this new ing the one in Barbados, Pound Sterling 2.73917 2.79578 “As we speak about However, with an eye commercial thrust, and are known to have signed United States Dollar 1.99000 2.02768 trade, there are opportu- to economic development, which could take some agreements with coun- Telegraphic Transfer nities in Ghana, and al- small states have added time before benefits tries in Latin America Currency Buying Selling ready there have been the commercial dimen- start accruing to this and the Caribbean. Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 expressions of interest sion to their foreign country. Agreements have been Canadian Dollar 1.57858 1.61160 between the two coun- policy drive, in order to For Ghana, Dr.Walcott initialled with the East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 Euro 2.34757 2.39158 tries,” Walcott high- boost their economy. said that air contact Dominican Republic, Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 lighted. Foreign policy, it has would have to be made Cuba, those in Central Pound Sterling 2.74433 2.79578 Various MOUs have been said repeatedly, through either the UK or America, and even with United States Dollar 1.99375 2.02768 been signed in areas like is the extension of a the USA, indicating that Europe. However, at the education, technical coop- country’s domestic policy, while the African state end of the day most INDICATIVE RATES FOR SOME REGIONAL eration, and culture, so except there is the lies directly east of of them are not acted CURRENCIES AS ADVISED BY THE things are starting to foreign component to it. Barbados, there is no di- upon. RESPECTIVE CENTRAL BANKS happen, he said, while For the traditional rect connection between Therefore, as Barbados N.B.: These rates are not meant to be used for trading. mentioning that a num- places where Barbados the two countries. embarks on this new BDS$ ber of nurses from Ghana has diplomatic relations, Kenya, he reported, direction, let’s see how Guyana Dollar 0.00945 Jamaica Dollar 0.01374 are working in Barbados. this country has seen sig- will serve a dual purpose this process can work T&T Dollar 0.29566 Putting these things in nificant returns. In in dealing both with for the benefit of the is- perspective, it has to be places like the USA, that country while also land. Business Monday Monday March 29, 2021 • 3

Local company offering viable eCommerce solution

OMNIVERCE is a Barbadian aware of this platform as it will service is receiving. online platform that was allow them to save revenue as “Omniverce is essential be- founded in 2019. they would be purchasing all of cause small businesses need the The company – which was their items from Barbadian- help as things are a bit challeng- founded by Rene Sabazan, owned stores. ing with the influx of COVID- Theo Leacock, and Shanith “When a customer shops at 19, and business owners need an Marville – allows local busi- Omniverce, they can shop at any outlet to be able to keep their nesses to have an online store number of the registered busi- businesses going. Omniverce where Barbadians can purchase nesses where they can purchase provides that outlet, allowing items from their list of registered multiple items from the selected them to have a digital platform businesses, and have the items stores,” he said, noting that there they can use to market their delivered to their door with their is a small price for islandwide brand and increase their brand 24-hour delivery service. delivery. visibility,”’ he said. The company had its official Businesses who are a part of The Omniverce team invites launch on June 25, 2020 and to the Omniverce channel receive a all Barbadian businesses to sub- date they have 120 registered personal seller’s dashboard scribe to the online platform and businesses on their platform. where they can run sales pro- is encouraging Barbadians to Marketing Director of motions, create coupons, as well purchase their items here as Omniverce Rene Sabazan said as view their data analytics to they would be supporting local he wants Barbadians to be see the reach their product or businesses. Marketing Director of Omniverce, Rene Sabazan. Focus on creative sector AS one European official re- tural ties with Europe and that However,there are strong points minded Barbados and the this must be pursued. in the industry in some of the Caribbean about the huge Speaking at a Caribbean other territories. benefits to be gained from the Export forum, he stated that He said that the creative in- creative sector, an Opposition while distance and the time zone dustry in Barbados and the Senator here believes Govern- between the Caribbean and Caribbean is very dynamic, in ment should be putting more North America are favourable, that it is based on the creativity funds behind the sector. as compared to Europe, the re- of people, and the connections Senator Crystal Drakes of the gion must not forego European forged in and out of the region. People’s Party for Democracy and contacts . However,he added that the in- Development (PdP) said that her Fuenfzig admitted that there dustry is very diverse, with interest is in the monetization of are challenges for artistes travel- music, film and television, pub- Barbados’ arts and culture. ling to Europe to perform, and it lishing, performing arts making Senator Drakes said arts and can be quite complicated for up the full complement of the sec- culture represent another av- them in terms of finance, taxa- tor. enue which has the potential for tion, and how revenues are taxed The official pointed out that all Barbadians to earn foreign ex- given the different regimes. of these sub-sectors have their change. He said, however, that while own challenges and issues. She expressed surprise that markets in the Caribbean are He said too that they have only $260 000 is being allocated fragmented, the exposure abroad done research on music and film to the creative sector in the forth- will help the artistes earn more. and television industry in the coming financial year, and that In addition, not all countries Caribbean, noting that there is a the amount will be used for infra- in the Caribbean are on the same lot of potential. structure building and institu- level. So these are all challenges the tional strengthening. “I am not According to him, while indus- creative industries face in the clear as to what that means,” she tries are weak in some countries Caribbean, and despite the fact remarked. they are strong in others.For in- they are being addressed by Just recently, Michael stance, the music industry is the CARIFORUM Economic Fuenfzig, head of Economic Team strong in Jamaica, the animation Partnership Agreement (CEPA), at Ecorys, a European research industry is strong and emerging they could also be very beneficial firm, said that Caribbean coun- in Trinidad and Tobago, but through twinning among the Senator Crystal Drakes tries can benefit from more cul- weaker in smaller countries. countries. Enhancing resilience of labour market important By Cara L. Jean-Baptiste Sir David noted that COVID- workplaces for the workers. In work,” he further pointed NUPW for indicating at a re- 19 had radically transformed short, dialogue and collective out. cent church service the DIALOGUE and collective bar- workplaces and turned homes bargaining must be mobilised Sir David noted that the re- NUPW’s intention to become gaining are crucial components into offices, and, as such, there to ensure policy and action on sults of these dialogues with involved with discussions deal- of building and enhancing the needs to be an adaptation of the the part of the Government,” the Government will assist in ing with the possibility of cer- resilience of the entire labour workforce and the workplace in he said. articulating future steps. tain public service posts being market. order to provide a safe and ef- “In pursuing this, I think that Since we have been working subject to contractual arrange- Former Chief Justice of fective response to the needs of the Unions must insist upon from home for a year, the for- ments. He added that he Barbados, Sir David Simmons, the workers. being involved at the earliest mer Chief Justice believes that hopes their plans include a crit- expressed this as he delivered “There must be an overarch- possible stage of the designing they are in a position to plan ical examination of the New remarks during the virtual ing role for the social partner- and implementation of meas- better for the future world of Zealand experience and an ur- opening ceremony of the ship, whose overriding objec- ures that will shape the work that will include tele- gent rectification of the mad- National Union of Public tive and that of the individual COVID-19 world of work. These working. ness caused by the amending Workers’ (NUPW) conference trade unions, such as yours, are key factors in ensuring the Sir David went on to compli- of the Public Service Act of that took place recently. must surely be to ensure safer safe return and continuity of ment the President of the 2020. 4 • Monday March 29, 2021 Business Monday

Editor’s Innovative CARICOM Notebook trade initiatives “We are hard pressed on herding for Enterprise every side, but not Development (SHED) crushed; perplexed, but initiative. Shepherding not in despair; perse- (life coaching and busi- The road cuted, but not abandoned; ness mentoring) miti- struck down, but not de- gates the high risk of stroyed.” business failure among – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 start-ups and secures the financial investment. to recovery AS in the two World This represents an oppor- Wars, the Spanish flu and tunity for human re- GOVERNMENT’s new financial year will other disasters in the ported by various prefer- In 1998, the Caribbean sources in the Caribbean begin on Thursday. That will mean the start of 20th century, many lives ential and other trade Development Bank ad- and its Diaspora to be what the Government says will be a period for were lost prematurely protocols and agree- vertised for a consultant mobilised so that we undertaking a number of policies to help grow the and some sources of in- ments. However, when in Services Exports. The can pull ourselves up economy,maintain its work to control the COVID- come vanished, but in external policy changes output from that consul- by the bootstraps, engen- 19 pandemic, while pointing Barbados on the road due time our economies were introduced, exports tancy in 2001 was an der hope and pivot to recovery. recovered and grew. So of these commodities Information Memo- to take advantage of It has been a very testing period for the country too, after COVID-19, with faded into the sunset. randum entitled the potential global opportu- and its citizens following the arrival of the virus a dynamic, positive, and More recently, the pri- “Caribbean Business nities. around this time last year. innovative approach from mary sources of exports Enterprise Initiative” – SHED will (1) pitch in- Last Monday, Prime Minister, Mia Amor our social partners, we are in tourism and mer- the purpose of which is to novation to Caribbean Mottley, gave a breakdown on how the virus had can recover and grow. chandise. be a Caribbean catalyst leaders; (2) assign a impacted on the country.It caused some economic Traditionally, the How can we diversify? turning concepts into Shepherd to a start-up setbacks and in particular the drop in GDP; CARICOM countries’ The World Bank, commercial realities. It business; (3) massage the did a significant hit on the employment leading trading partners through its Caribbean was launched as a pri- business concept for situation; and almost crippled most of the have been the United Growth Forum series, vate sector initiative and global market penetra- private sector. States, the United has proposed that funds were raised for its tion; (4) provide market- Therefore, what is being planned for economic Kingdom, the European Caribbean services ex- implementation. ing advice to brand the resuscitation must be pursued with vigour, while Union, and Canada. ports may offer greater After thorough regional start-up; (5) establish a at the same time ensuring the public is Previously, trade in the potential for the future consultation, this initia- quick response seed/ vaccinated. cotton, sugar and banana than merchandise ex- tive is about to be equity/working capital In the 2021/2022 financial year, Government’s commodities was sup- ports. marketed as a Shep- growth fund; and (6) spending bill will as usual include those train project managers, areas which are known to stimulate economic entrepreneurs, shep- activity, and provide support to small herds, fund managers businesses which will carry the burden of the and the members of the recovery. Diaspora. Everyone hopes that things are going to Our homegrown oppor- improve and Barbados gets back on the road tunities, which include to recovery. SHED and the concept of the Global Business Innovation Corporation (GBIC), may be inte- grated into the structure of an already visioned Caribbean Diaspora ini- tiative. GBIC is a demand-pull initiative which has com- bined expertise in food design, open innovation systems, marketing communications, and agricultural production re-engineering to create a Caribbean food busi- ness innovation revolu- • BUILDING strong trade tion to transform the capacity in the Caribbean is the Caribbean’s food and bev- erage industry. title of a Webinar series starting The Caribbean Dias- pora mission? To be a today. high-quality coordinator of catalytic Caribbean Diaspora services to fos- • A digital payments webinar ter sustainable Diaspora and Caribbean develop- and expo will be held ment while creating tomorrow. value for all stakehold- ers. Let us structure this new initiative around • BICO’s 136th annual our strengths and oppor- general meeting of tunities and establish a dynamic action plan. shareholders is scheduled This new thrust will for April 13, define sunrise industries to take us into the future. Business Monday Monday March 29, 2021 • 5

Services zones for post-COVID-19 recovery, development By Dr. Ronnie Yearwood & Alicia Nicholls SRC TRADING

AT a COVID-19 press conference THOUGHTS held on February 15, 2020, it was mentioned in passing that the cial and capital works pro- Government of Barbados (GOB) grammes for the benefit of our was exploring the creation of a people. free trade zone. We applaud the Therefore, mobilising private fact that this idea has finally investment flows from both taken root. Some years ago, in internal and external sources is his regular newspaper column, critical not just for Barbados’ Dr.Yearwood proposed the estab- achievement of the 2030 Agenda lishment of a free service or trade for Development, but also for zone as a new element for building resilient and inclusive Barbados’ economic develop- post-COVID-19 economic recov- ment. He returned to the idea on ery which benefits all Barba- several occasions, more recently dians. One way in which in the Errol Barrow Memorial Barbados could do this is through Cyberjaya, a high-tech city in Malaysia. Lecture and a discussion on the the establishment of a special Just Politics: Our Worldview pod- services zone or zones to spur ac- tration of interconnected busi- cial services such as education audit.The diaspora can play sev- cast (JPOW podcast), where he tivity, and generate quality em- nesses and institutions in a and health. eral roles, inter alia, mentoring advocated for a services zone ployment, foreign exchange and particular field’. Porter outlines Contribution to infrastructural and/or providing venture capital based on arbitration and law.He foster innovation. Although we three benefits of business clus- development of Barbados. For ex- to young entrepreneurs and also added a social development focus in this piece on services tering: first, increasing the pro- ample, to ensure any surround- start-ups seeking to be a part of dimension to the concept. zones, we do not rule out the cre- ductivity of the companies in the ing housing, community centres, the services zone, or themselves In this SRC Trading Thoughts ation of zones for the manufac- cluster, second, promoting inno- parks, schools, roads are up- establishing businesses in the column, we build on the concept turing of goods that match the vation and third, helping to stim- graded. zone. originally postulated by Dr. development and space of ulate new businesses. He cites Provision for the economic en- Our trade policy and strategy Yearwood. We briefly sketch Barbados. Silicon Valley,Hollywood and the franchisement of Barbadians. must support our drive for at- some of the key elements a new California wine cluster as exam- For example, it is not simply tracting sustainable FDI and services zone in Barbados should A services zone for the 21st ples. about providing jobs. Barbadians promoting export diversification. encompass.We further posit that century Any new projects or invest- must have opportunities to cre- Our education policy must create the creation of such a zone should Special economic zones exist ments for Barbados’ develop- ate or grow existing businesses. the human capital needed to sup- be done,not in an ad hoc manner, throughout the world, particu- ment must economically enfran- Provision of wealth creation port our development, emphasis- but form part of a wider strategy larly in South East Asia and chise Barbadians and provide opportunities for Barbadians, ing the teaching of skills that to promote and facilitate invest- China. They are subject to more opportunities for wealth creation through procurement of goods would empower our students and ment by domestic, foreign and economically liberal laws and for all. They must also be rooted and services from small to future citizens to be entrepre- diaspora investors in high value- regulations. Governments estab- in an investment policy sup- medium sized businesses. neurs or highly skilled workers. added sectors. The ultimate aim lish these zones to generate ex- ported by sound industrial and On this latter point, the late Prof. is to foster sustainable, inclusive port activity and to attract FDI trade policies and anchored to Policy coherence, monitoring Rt. Hon Owen S. Arthur, former and resilient post-COVID-19 de- with the aim of boosting employ- the country’s strategic develop- and evaluation Barbados Prime Minister, had velopment that benefits all ment and development. ment objectives. At the moment, Of course, we must get our funda- suggested the creation of a spe- Barbadians. The newer special economic the GOB seems to be throwing mentals right if our services zone cial high-technology economic zones of today go beyond the tra- good ideas out there, hoping is to be an attractive proposition zone with The University of the Greater private capital ditional low value-added, and something sticks, which is not to local, foreign and diaspora in- West Indies Cave Hill campus at mobilisation needed often exploitative, free zone con- necessarily the same as having a vestors.The era of competing pri- its core.We must explore to what When the COVID-19 pandemic cept where low wage labour is clearly articulated and published marily on the basis of tax compet- extent we can make The UWI hit, Barbados was already suf- used in factories to assemble policy. itiveness has long passed not just Cave Hill our equivalent of fering from several pre-existing products for export or in call cen- The zone should be about using because of changing interna- Silicon Valley’s Stanford conditions which increased the tres. Today’s newer zones focus existing space with appropriate tional tax standards but also the University or Cyberjaya’s chances of an adverse economic on high value-added industries. tax concessions for new talent, importance investors place on Multimedia University. reaction. COVID-19 also found a Cyberjaya, a high-tech city in ideas and businesses. In consid- things such as market potential, Lastly, we need concrete yard- country with an inordinate de- Malaysia set in the Multimedia ering the services zone, the over- ease of doing business and ac- sticks by which to objectively pendence on tourism for eco- Super Corridor, has as its centre all benefit to Barbados has to be cess to finance when deciding monitor and evaluate the eco- nomic activity and employment, the technology-focused Multi- weighed. Below are some broad where to invest. On that note, nomic and social impact of the as well as rising unemployment media University. The UK tests that could be considered to Barbados currently ranks 128th services zone.We must be able to and underemployment, particu- Chancellor of the Exchequer in ensure that the zone and, it could on the World Bank’s Doing monitor the extent to which the larly among the youth. his recent budget speech an- equally be extended to all new Business Index of 2020. While concessions provided do not neg- Kickstarting the Barbados nounced the intended creation of projects and investments in several commendable reforms atively outweigh the income gen- economy will require large capi- several free ports, as originally Barbados, works for Barbadians. have been made, especially erated from such businesses. It is tal injections, which public rev- floated by Prime Minister Boris That is,projects and investments within the last year to only through evidence-based pol- enues alone could never finance, Johnson in 2019. promote the economic enfran- digitise archaic paper-based icy making that we can truly at- especially now.The GOB faces a A Barbados special services chisement of Barbadians and processes in some government tempt to craft a post-COVID-19 shrinking revenue base ravaged zone should aim to attract do- benefit Barbadians on an indi- offices, more needs to be done if Barbados that benefits all and by job losses, business closures mestic, foreign and diaspora vidual level for wealth creation we are to become truly competi- not a privileged few. It is about and a growing informal economy. investors in one or more high and on a national level to make tive in the Caribbean and the making trade and investment Heavy borrowing is also unsus- value-added sectors. These may the country a better place for all world. work for our people. tainable given the country’s al- include, but are not limited to, of us to live. To succeed, the services zone Dr. Ronnie Yearwood is an at- ready high debt-to-GDP ratio high technology manufacturing, requires an “All-of-Government” torney-at-law and Lecturer in (144% of GDP), limited access to medical cannabis, the creative The tests for a new services and “All-of-Society” approach. So, Law at The University of the West concessional financing due to our industries, renewable energy, zone for example, as we will be step- Indies, Cave Hill Campus.Alicia classification by the World Bank FinTech, software design, law Some of the tests for the new ping up our use of commercial Nicholls is a trade researcher as a high-income (non-OECD) and arbitration services. zone could include assessing the: diplomacy,our diplomats should with the Shridath Ramphal economy and the potential of sad- Businesses in these special Contribution to the socio-eco- all be brand ambassadors capa- Centre for International Trade dling future generations of zones would benefit from what nomic development of Barbados. ble of competently selling the Law, Policy & Services of The Barbadians with debt. Every dol- Michael Porter (1998) refers to For example, to underwrite the Barbados brand. Our diaspora UWI. Learn more about the SRC lar paid out in debt servicing is as ‘clustering’, which is quite economic development, and policy formulation should involve at www.shridathramphalcentre. money that could be spent on so- simply the ‘geographic concen- specifically the provision of so- a diaspora mapping and skills com. 6 • Monday March 29, 2021 Business Monday

IDB Group, Japan expand partnership THE Inter-American the Japan International Development Bank Cooperation Agency.” (IDB) has expanded its Specifically, the IDB- long-standing partner- MOF amendment has en- ship with the Govern- larged the scope of the ment of Japan through Japan Special Fund (JSF) a partnership amend- to make funds available to ment signed with the the innovation laboratory Japanese Ministry of of the IDB, IDB Lab, and Finance (MOF) and a entity for the private sec- new Memorandum of tor, IDB Invest, thereby Collaboration (MOC) enabling the private sec- “Japan will continue coop- the CORE Program in with the Japan Inter- tor of the region to access erating with the IDB 2012. The MOC was national Cooperation JSF grant resources. The Group through the JSF, signed by IDB President Agency (JICA). new amendment also ex- and actively contributing Claver-Carone, IDB The signings reflect pands the Japan Quality to promote sustainable Invest CEO Scriven, and reinvigorated commit- Infrastructure Initiative development in Latin JICA President Shinichi ment from Japan and the (JQI), established under America and the Kitaoka. IDB Group to cooperate in the umbrella of the JSF in Caribbean.” “JICA has been working pursuit of social and 2016, to include a focus on In addition, the new with the IDB since the late economic recovery in natural disaster resilience MOC signed by the IDB 1980s. We look forward to Latin America and the and universal health cov- and JICA extends the working together more in- Caribbean (LAC). erage. The amendment partner collaboration for tensively and to ensuring “We are thrilled to was signed by IDB five additional years this expanded cooperation strengthen our partner- President Claver-Carone through March 2026, reaf- advances social inclusion ship with the Government and State Minister of firming the JICA $3 and the productive and re- of Japan. These new Finance of Japan, Kenji billion commitment and silient economic recovery agreements give the IDB Nakanishi. expanding the scope and of the region from COVID- Group more flexibility in “Given the renewed im- reach of the CORE 19,” remarked JICA IDB President, Mauricio Claver-Carone. the use of resources from portance of preparedness Programme of the part- President Kitaoka. Japan in a time of critical for future pandemics and ners, now rebranded as “The people of Japan tween Japan and the imately $1.5 billion for need for the region,” said natural disasters, Japan the Cooperation for and Latin America and countries of the region.” energy and water and IDB President Mauricio welcomes the agreement Economic Recovery and the Caribbean are deeply Established in 1988, the sanitation projects in Claver-Carone. with the IDB Group to Social Inclusion to reflect connected, based on the JSF has been a critical Costa Rica, Ecuador, “Expanding co-financ- specify ‘global health and the new areas of collabora- trust and mutual respect platform for Japan-IDB Honduras, Jamaica, ing for quality infrastruc- universal health cover- tion. It builds on a decade developed mainly through collaboration that has fi- Nicaragua, and Paraguay. ture, disaster-risk reduc- age’, and ‘resilience of particularly active co- the contributions of nanced upwards of 650 JICA has since expanded tion and global health against natural disasters’ operation ushered in by a Japanese immigrants. I projects for $400 million. ties with IDB Invest coverage will be crucial in as priority areas of the Memorandum of Under- hope that this new agree- The Fund is managed by through a MOC signed in helping the region recover JSF, in addition to the cur- standing (MOU) signed in ment will contribute to the the IDB and financed by 2018, while deepening co- and prosper after COVID- rent focus on quality in- 2011, which pledged coop- socio-economic develop- the Government of Japan. operation with IDB Lab 19 and Hurricanes Eta frastructure investment,” eration on renewable en- ment of the region and In addition, since 2011, co- through co-financing, joint and Iota, as will our ex- remarked Japanese State ergy and energy efficiency strengthen the long- financing provided by studies, and other activi- tended partnership with Minister Nakanishi. and led to the creation of standing relationship be- JICA has reached approx- ties.

Trade union calls for Deliveroo UK riders strike to highlight IPO risks

LONDON – A trade union pany might be forced to called for Deliveroo’s UK change its business model. riders to strike when the Deliveroo said investor meal delivery service demand had continued to floats on the stock market build since its roadshow next month, saying yester- began on Monday, and day the action would high- said the views of the union light dissatisfaction with which announced the the company’s business strike, the Independent model and approach to Workers’ Union of Great workers’ rights. Britain (IWGB), did not Deliveroo, whose tur- represent the vast major- quoise-uniformed couriers ity of riders. delivering chicken kormas The IWGB previously and American hot pizzas lost a legal challenge to are a common sight in Deliveroo in 2018. The many British suburbs, is case sought to secure set for Britain’s biggest rights such as the UK In this file photo, the new Audi A3 E-Tron petrol-electric hybrid car is seen during the second press day stock market debut in minimum wage for riders, ahead of the 85th International Motor Show in Geneva March 4, 2015. nearly a decade after set- but the court ruled riders ting a share price range were self-employed. that values it at up to $12 “Investing in Deliveroo Volkswagen recalls Audi A3s in the US over air bags billion. means associating your- BERLIN – Volkswagen National Highway Traffic Cabriolet models, as there, the filing said. But some investment self with the exploitative has issued a recall for Safety Administration well as certain S3 Sedans. Volkswagen will write firms have said they will and unstable business more than 150,000 Audi (NHTSA). The system which de- to owners of the affected not participate in the ini- model,” IWGB President vehicles in the United The recall is expected to tects whether the vehicles by May 21 tial public offering (IPO). Alex Marshall said in a States on concerns that affect 153,152 Audi passenger seat is occupied and will contact them Insurer Aviva for instance statement, adding the their passenger air bags A3 cars built between might malfunction and again once a solution to highlighted a lack of strike was planned for might not activate, accord- 2015 and 2020, including switch off the air bag the problem has been rights for riders as an in- April 7, to coincide with ing to a filing to the the Sedan, Etron and even if a person is sitting found. vestment risk as the com- the IPO. Business Monday Monday March 29, 2021 • 7

Regular Market BARBADOS STOCK REPORT Security Volume High Low Market Advance/ Price Decline EPPLEY C'BEAN PROPERTY FUND SCC 859 $0.57 $0.57 $0.57 $0.01 March 26, 2021 - VAL FUND

One security advanced as 859 shares traded on the Regular Market, with a total value of $489.63. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund Fixed Income Market SCC - Value Fund was the sole security trading 859 shares at $0.57 to close up one ($0.01) cent. Security Volume GOB SERIES B 53,561.17 Week in Review

This week, the Regular Market traded a total volume of 35,752 shares. The top three companies traded were Eppley Caribbean Deposit Receipts Property Fund SCC – Value Fund with 34, 977, Goddard Enterprises Limited with 485 and FirstCaribbean International Bank with 272 Security Previous Current Advance/ shares. Close Close Decline EMERA DEPOSIT RECEIPT $21.79 $21.67 -$0.12 BARBADOSBARBADOS STSTOCKOCK EXCHANGEEXCHANGE SHARE SUMMARY INFORMATION Friday March 26, 2021 INDICES LAST TRADE VOLUME HIGH LOW LAST CURRENT PRICE BID ASK BID ASK TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES DATE CLOSE CLOSE CHANGE PRICE PRICE SIZE SIZE March 26, 2021 March 25, 2021 Local 2,448.86 2,448.31 0.55 ABV Investments Incorporated 15-Oct-20 - - - $0.05 $0.05 - $1.10 $0.30 1 10,498 Cross-list 1,140.86 1,140.86 - BICO Limited 21-Sep-20 - - - $3.10 $3.10 - $3.10 - 70 - Composite 599.82 599.69 0.13 MARKET CAPITALISATION (in millions) Banks Holdings Limited -+ 09-Dec-19 - - - $4.85 $4.85 - - - - - TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES Barbados Dairy Industries Limited -+ 04-Oct-19 - - - $3.00 $3.00 - - - - - March 26, 2021 March 25, 2021 Local 4,922.39 4,921.29 1.10 Barbados Farms Limited 18-Mar-21 - - - $0.68 $0.68 - $0.30 $0.40 7,574 6,561 Cross-list 145.67 145.67 - Composite 5,068.06 5,066.96 1.10 Cave Shepherd and Company Limited 23-Mar-21 - - - $4.10 $4.10 - $4.00 $4.10 72 1,381 MUTUAL FUND FirstCaribbean International Bank 23-Mar-21 - - - $1.80 $1.80 - - $1.80 - 13,978 March 26, 2021 ENDED NAME OF FUND NAV OFFER BID NAV Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 18-Mar-21 - - - $0.16 $0.16 - - $0.16 - 5,065 CHANGE - Dev Fund 19-Mar-21 REPUBLIC CAPITAL GROWTH FUND w 1.2509 0.0161 19-Mar-21 REPUBLIC INCOME FUND w 1.2603 0.0011 Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 26-Mar-21 859 $0.57 $0.57 $0.56 $0.57 $0.01 $0.57 $0.58 7,691 51,870 19-Mar-21 REPUBLIC PROPERTY FUND w 0.6760 0.0046 -Value Fund 19-Mar-21 FORTRESS CARIBBEAN GROWTH FUND w 6.7322 6.7322 6.7322 0.0295 19-Mar-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - ACC. w 2.0953 -0.0036 Goddard Enterprises Limited 25-Mar-21 - - - $2.15 $2.15 - $2.10 $2.15 17,596 655 19-Mar-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - DIST. w 1.0200 -0.0017 28-Feb-21 ROYAL FIDELITY SELECT BALANCED FUND m 5.6018 5.6018 5.4998 0.0320 Insurance Corporation of B’dos Limited 18-Mar-21 - - - $2.00 $2.00 - $1.78 $2.00 56,258 19,274 28-Feb-21 ROYAL FIDELITY STRATEGIC GROWTH FUNDm 1.0369 1.0369 1.0162 0.0128 28-Feb-21 ROYAL FIDELITY PREMIUM INCOME FUND m 1.6427 1.6427 1.6098 -0.0002 One Caribbean Media Limited 18-Mar-21 - - $2.20 $2.20 - - $2.20 - 999 19-Mar-21 SAGICOR GLOBAL BALANCED FUND w 2.77 -0.01 Sagicor Financial Corporation Pref 6.5% 23-Jun-16 - -- $2.26 $2.26 ---- - 19-Mar-21 SAGICOR SELECT GROWTH FUND w 1.69 -0.01 19-Mar-21 SAGICOR PREFERRED INCOME FUND w 0.98 0.00 Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited -+ 29-Nov-19 - - - $2.80 $2.80 - - - - - * Indicates the Fund is currently ex-div NOTES: QUOTATIONS AND NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ARE SUPPLIED BY THE West India Biscuit Company Limited 03-Mar-21 - - - $31.25 $31.25 - $31.40 - 100 - FUND MANAGEMENT. THE OFFERING PRICE INCLUDES NET ASSET VALUE PLUS ENTRY COSTS. Emera Deposit Receipt 14-Aug-20 - - - $21.79 $21.67 -$0.12 $25.01 - 100 - m = monthly valuation, q = quarterly valuation, w = weekly

TOTAL SHARES BOUGHT & SOLD 859 Fixed Income Last Trade Last Current Bid Ask Bid Ask Date Close Close Price Price Size Size * = Security is Trading X-Div GOB Series B 26-Mar-21 $60.00 $60.00 $60.00 $80.00 50,000 34,828 GOB Series D 12-Nov-19 $50.00 $50.00 - - - - *+* = Security is Suspended GOB Series F 03-Nov-20 $89.00 $89.00 - - - - ** = Rights Issued GOB Series I 24-Mar-20 $65.00 $65.00 - $70.00 - 19,617 NOTICES NEWS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS German union BICO Limited – Notice is hereby given that the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Annual General Meeting of the shareholders of BICO Limited is scheduled to take place on April 13th, 2021 at the Company’s registered address: Harbor Industrial Park, Bridgetown, BB11145 at 5:00 p.m. calls four-day strike Emera Incorporated - Directors have fixed March 22nd, 2021 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which will be held on May 20th, 2021. at Amazon sites DIVIDEND DECLARATIONS

West India Biscuit Company Limited – Directors have declared an interim dividend of twenty-five ($0.25) cents per share to be paid on April 30th, 2021 to Shareholders on record at close of business on April 19th, 2021. ahead of Easter

BSE NOTICES BERLIN – The trade union Orhan Akman. COVID-19 PROCEDURAL UPDATE Verdi has called for workers Verdi is demanding a pay at six Amazon sites in increase of 4.5% for workers Kindly note that effective March 15th, 2021, the offices of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) and the Barbados Central Securities Depository Inc. (BCSDI) remain closed in accordance with the recommendations contained in Directive No. 6 issued by the Germany to go on strike from in the retail and mail order Government of Barbados for the period March 15th, 2021 to March 26th, 2021. Sunday evening for four days industry. in the latest attempt to try to “This must also be possible Kindly note, however, that while our physical offices will be closed, all trading, clearing and settlement operations will remain fully operational as staff will all be working remotely during this period. While our offices are closed, we remain easily accessible via email. force the U.S. e-commerce at Amazon this year,” Akman For Stock Exchange related queries, kindly email us at [email protected] and for Shareholder related queries contact us at group to recognise collective said. [email protected]. bargaining agreements. Amazon has faced a long- Verdi said the strikes at running battle with unions We wish to thank you in advance for your understanding and trust that all and sundry remain safe during this time. Amazon’s sites in Rheinberg, in Germany over better pay TRADING SUSPENSION Werne, Koblenz, Leipzig and and conditions for logistics The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section 4.01.3 and subject to Section at two locations in Bad workers, who have frequently 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the Common Shares of Banks Holdings Limited were Hersfeld signalled an “unoffi- staged strikes since 2013. suspended effective December 10th, 2019. cial start” to wage talks for Germany is Amazon’s The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section 4.01.3 and subject to Section the retail and mail order in- biggest market after the 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the Common Shares of Barbados Dairy Industries Limited dustry,which are due to begin United States. were suspended effective December 10th, 2019. in the next few weeks. Amazon says it offers ex- The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that to facilitate the closing of the Scheme of Arrangement effected by way “Amazon is making a mint cellent pay and benefits. It of Section 99 of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda involving the transfer of all the issued and outstanding shares in Sagicor in the coronavirus crisis. For has said during past calls for Financial Corporation Limited to Alignvest Acquisition II, it has suspended trading in the security Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited. this reason alone, wage eva- strikes over 90% of employ- sion must be stopped there,” ees in the logistic centres said Verdi representative worked as normal. Barbados Advocate IDB Group, Japan expand partnership PAGE 6 IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS DO BUSINESS Businesses must be given access to funding

INDEPENDENT Senator Kevin Boyce is insisting that once businesses meet certain requirements then they should be given access to funding Government has set aside for enter- prises. Senator Boyce made the assertion in the Upper House last week as debate continued on the 2021/2022 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure. He spoke against the backdrop of a $10 million fund to assist financial services firms which account for 38 per cent of gross domestic product in Barbados, and the $1.4 billion in loans government borrowed last year. Boyce pointed out that the fund can be accessed once the businesses keep their end of the bargain, like maintaining jobs and among other things, paying their Former Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Pascal Lamy. taxes to the appropriate Government agencies. “If you have retained as a business, your staff for 2020, if you are paying your taxes, if you have paid your National Insurance contributions, if you NO MORE SPECIAL have done your Value Added Tax filing, if you have done your corporate filings, you should be given access to funding,” he reasoned. – Countries have to “I am saying that having recognised the landscape which the country finds reset trade agenda itself, if private sector entities have TREATMENT made their sacrifices, then perhaps they should be expedited,” he told the SPECIAL and Differential will have to look for new approaches to nature,” said Lamy. sitting. Treatment (SDT) – one of the de- trade simply because the old ways are He said that the shift has gone from Senator Boyce said that the busi- mands Barbados and other develop- gone. trade protection to trade precaution. nesses to which he referred, account ing countries have been pressing for “You have to take a fresh look at the According to him,“Protection is when you for 38 per cent of the country’s gross within the Global Round of trade complex relationship between develop- protect your producers from foreign com- domestic product. negotiations – will no longer be ment and trade,” said Lamy,who recently petition, precaution is when you protect The Senator said that no one can deny considered. gave the inaugural Henry Gill Memorial your people from risk.” that the Government is doing some- That’s because it will no longer be part Lecture. Gill was head of the then Trade precaution, he told the audience, thing about the situation in Barbados. of the trade agenda going forward. Caribbean Regional Negotiating is when a country’s people, its citizens, its Stating that he wants to be on record SDT was promoted by developing coun- Machinery (CRNM). consumers are protected from risk which about that, Senator Boyce said however tries, mainly the Small and Vulnerable Lamy told his audience, which included includes safety, food security, and the en- that his concern is that given the pub- Economies (SVEs) in the World Trade Barbados’ former Trade Minister, Dame vironment. lic bias, “We need to be educated as to Organisation (WTO), to get more Billie Miller; and Dr. Richard Bernal, who According to him, the level of precaution the rationale and purpose of that $1.4 favourable terms of trade; better market headed the CRNM before Gill, that this is on the rise in several countries – start- billion borrowed and which has to be access for their goods and services into de- new world trade in his view is substan- ing with the richer ones – and it is a struc- repaid.” veloped country markets; support for tially different from the old one. tural phenomenon. He went on, “Any economic policy that trade in the form of Aid for Trade; longer He said that one of the reasons coun- The trade specialist also highlighted is insulated from the emotions of the phase-in times for liberalising and for im- tries have to reset their trade agenda is the fact that, unfortunately, a large num- public will result in policies that will be plementing WTO agreements; and among that the world has changed, and so too ber of trade theorists have not really rejected.” other things ensure that the global trade have the obstacles to trade. grasped the changes. In light of that situation, the Senator round had a development component to it “Whereas in previous times in the old The lecture was organised by the called on Government members to indi- so as to benefit SVEs. world, there was a willingness by coun- Institute of International Relations at the cate how this will be done, and believes Former Director General of the WTO, tries to protect their producers from for- University of the West Indies, Trinidad that Barbadians need to put their shoul- Pascal Lamy, has revealed the shift, not- eign competition, we are now in a world and Tobago, and the Shridath Ramphal ders to the plough as the country moves ing that SVEs which include this region, where obstacles to trade have a different Centre at the UWI, Cave Hill. forward.

Printed and Published by ADVOCATE PUBLISHERS (2000) INC. Fontabelle, St. Michael. Telephone 467-2000, Fax 434-2020/434-1000 The Barbados Advocate Monday March 29, 2021 • 13

Troops fire at funeral as Myanmar mourns bloodiest day since coup

MYANMAR security There were no reports of forces opened fire at a large-scale protests within funeral on Sunday, wit- Mandalay, which bore the nesses said, as people brunt of the casualties on across the country Saturday, Myanmar’s gathered to mourn 114 Armed Forces Day, or in people killed the previ- Yangon. ous day in the worst At least six children be- crackdown on protests tween the ages of 10 and since the military coup 16 were among those on Feb. 1. killed on Saturday,accord- Mourners fled the shoot- ing to news reports and ing in Bago at a service for witnesses. Protesters call 20-year-old student Thae the victims “Fallen Stars”. Maung Maung near the The bloodshed drew re- commercial capital Yangon newed Western condemna- and there were no immedi- tion. The U.N. Special ate reports of casualties, Rapporteur for Myanmar three people in the town said the army was carry- told Reuters. ing out “mass murder” and “While we are singing called on the world to iso- the revolution song for late the junta and halt its him, security forces just ar- access to weapons. rived and shot at us,” a Foreign criticism and woman called Aye who sanctions imposed by some was at the service said. Western nations have “People, including us, run failed so far to sway the away as they opened fire.” Mourners at the funeral on Sunday for protester Kyaw Win Maung in Mandalay military leaders, as have Three people were killed almost daily protests in other shooting incidents army air strikes on one of and local media said. protesters near the capital protests on Sunday in the around the country since on Sunday and thousands several ethnic militias that One person was killed Naypyitaw, Myanmar Sagaing region near the the junta took power and of villagers in a border have stepped up attacks when troops opened fire Now news reported and country’s second city, detained elected leader area fled to Thailand after since the coup, witnesses overnight on a group of there were several Mandalay. Aung San Suu Kyi. Kenyan DJs sacked after Bangladesh violence blaming woman for being spreads after Modi’s visit, pushed off building attacks on Hindu temples COX’S BAZAR – Modi of discriminating also attacked, said Javed THREE Kenyan radio presenter Shaffie Weru loose, too willing, too des- Hundreds of members of a against minority Muslims Rahim, a journalist in presenters have been discussed Ms Wangari’s perate and that’s why they hardline Islamist group in Hindu-majority India. Brahmanbaria town. sacked after asking if witness testimony on get themselves caught up attacked Hindu temples On Friday,dozens of peo- “We are in extreme fear women are to blame for Homeboyz Radio Lift-Off in such situations?” and a train in eastern ple were injured in the and feeling really help- being attacked. morning show. The clip was shared by Bangladesh on Sunday,po- densely-populated capital less,” Rahim told Reuters They were discussing a "We were having a con- outraged Kenyans argu- lice and a local journalist Dhaka as police fired tear by telephone, adding: court case in which a man versation around Eunice, ing that Weru was blam- said, as violence spread gas and rubber bullets at “Even the press club was was accused of pushing a the 20-year-old lady who ing the victim. across the country in the protesters. attacked, leaving many in- woman he had met on last year, found a date on “This conversation wake of a visit by Indian Thousands of Islamist jured, including the press Facebook out of 12th floor Facebook, went on a first stinks.This is not the way Prime Minister Narendra activists marched down club president.” window on their first date. date and after that… be- brothers. Victim shaming Modi. streets across Bangladesh One protester, who sus- Outrage spread on so- came immobile, she’s still is as stupid as the act it- Local police and doctors on Sunday. tained an injury during cial media as commenta- limping because appar- self. Do better,” said Sauti have said at least 11 pro- Activists with the Saturday’s clash in tors accused the hosts of ently this guy she found Sol, singer for the Kenyan testers have been killed Hefazat-e-Islam group at- Brahmanbaria, died on victim blaming. on Facebook invited her to pop group Bien-Aimé since Friday in clashes tacked a train in the east- Sunday, a doctor said. Kenyan authorities said a building, they were hav- Baraza. with police during demon- ern district of Islamist activists also the comments glorified vi- ing a date on the 12th On Thursday a key ad- strations organised by Brahmanbaria, resulting set alight two buses in the olence against women and floor". vertiser pulled their ad- Islamist groups against in ten people being in- western district of suspended the show. “And then guess what vertising from the radio the Indian leader’s visit. jured, a police official said. Rajshahi on Sunday,while The radio debate was re- happened? The guy tried station. Violence has raged on “They attacked the train hundreds of protesters garding an ongoing court to make moves… She said East African Breweries, since Modi’s departure as and damaged its engine clashed with police in sev- case in which Eunice ‘yo I’m not doing this, I’m who make Guinness, said anger has swelled over the room and almost all the eral places, pelting them Wangari accused Moses not about this’ and then in a statement that the re- deaths. coaches,” the official told with stones, three police Gatam Njoroge of pushing the guy pushed her over marks “implied to support Modi arrived in Dhaka Reuters, declining to be sources said. her out of the window of the 12th floor and now acts of gender violence on on Friday to mark the 50th named as he was not au- Protesters used electric the 12th floor of a building she’s a cripple. woman". anniversary of thorised to speak to the poles, timber and sand on their first date, al- “And I’m calling on all The presenters also Bangladesh’s nationhood, media. bags to block roads and po- legedly after she rejected the ladies… you guys need apologised. Weru apolo- and he left on Saturday Several government of- lice retaliated with rubber his sexual advances. He to play hard to get.” gised on Instagram on after gifting Prime fices,including the land of- bullets and tear gas, leav- pleaded not guilty to He later asked: Friday for “encouraging Minister Sheikh Hasina fice and a government- ing dozens injured in grievous bodily harm and “Do you think Kenyan the already ongoing unac- some 1.2 million COVID- sponsored music academy, Narayanganj, just outside the court case is ongoing. chiles [women] are too ceptable culture of vio- 19 vaccine shots. were set on fire and sev- the capital, Dhaka, one po- On Wednesday radio available, are they too lence against women". Islamist groups accuse eral Hindu temples were lice official said. 14 • Monday March 29, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Four dead as record rains cause flash flooding in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Center tweeted that it re- Tennessee – Heavy sponded to people in need rains across Tennessee all over Davidson County. flooded homes and To the south in Williamson roads, prompting offi- County, over 34 swift cials to rescue dozens water rescues were car- of people from houses, ried out, said county EMA apartments and vehi- Director Todd Horton dur- cles. Authorities said ing a media briefing. As four bodies were found many as 18 homes in one Sunday in the flood’s neighborhood had to be Cars are seen submerged on I-24 near Antioch Pike in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 28, 2021. Heavy aftermath. evacuated. rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads early Sunday, prompting officials to rescue numerous A flash flood emergency A portion of Interstate people from houses, apartments and vehicles as a line of severe storms crossed the state. was declared overnight by 40 was temporarily shut the National Weather down due to high water and police said it’s be- a March day. It was also Brentwood City Hall after water.The fire department Service in Nashville for that stranded a vehicle lieved he tried to get out of the fourth-wettest day in flooding from the Little responded to reports of a the city, as well as and its driver. The driver a car that ran off a road the city’s history. Almost Harpeth River forced res- collapse at the building Brentwood, Franklin and was able to get out of the into a culvert before being another inch of rain fell idents from their homes, following a mudslide, Mt. Juliet. vehicle and to safety, the swept away by high water. after midnight. City Manager Kirk news outlets reported.The “Major flash flooding is Tennessee Highway Police later said the bod- Many rivers and creeks Bednar said. Hotels in the two hospitalized patients occurring with numerous Patrol in Nashville ies of a male and female were at or near their high- area were booked up, in had injuries not consid- roads, interstates, and tweeted. were found in a wooded est level since 2010, ac- part due to spring break, ered to be life-threatening. homes flooded with water Metropolitan Nashville area near a Nashville cording to the weather he said. March historically is a rescues ongoing!” the Police said on Twitter that homeless camp. service. A flooding event Fifteen people were res- turbulent month for agency tweeted. “Please the body of a man whose Nashville recorded 5.75 in May 2010 caused 21 cued and two were taken weather in Tennessee. stay home and do not car was submerged in a inches (14.6 centimeters) deaths in Tennessee and to the hospital at the City Last March, tornadoes travel!” creek was recovered of rain on Saturday, the an estimated $1.5 billion View Apartments in south killed more than 20 people The Nashville Fire Sunday.In a separate inci- weather service said, set- in damage in Nashville. Nashville, where the lower and destroyed more than Department and dent, another man’s body ting a new record for the Eight people and a dog level of the building was 140 buildings in Middle Emergency Operations was found on a golf course, most rainfall in the city on were staying overnight at flooded in waist-deep Tennessee. Asian-American veteran shows battle scars

AN Asian-American ex- Ohio, was speaking in a verbally abused. soldier who lifted his shirt meeting about the racism He served 20 years in and showed his scars to he has faced as an Asian the US army and is now prove his “patriotism” in a person. chair of the West Chester town hall meeting has Addressing the meet- board of trustees after gone viral on social media. ing, he began to unbutton first being elected in 2005. Lee Wong, 69, has been his shirt saying: “I’m He called on colleagues applauded for making a going to show you what in the town hall meeting powerful statement about questions about patriot- to remember that the US discrimination. ism look like.” constitution says all peo- But some said Asian- He stood up and lifted ple are equal. Americans should not feel his vest, showing large A video of Mr Wong’s compelled to prove their scars on his chest to col- statement has spread loyalty to their country. leagues in the hall. widely on social media, Anti-Asian racism is “Here is my proof. This with many people using rising in the US. Last is sustained in my service the hashtag week six Asian women in the US military. Is this #StopAsianHate. were killed in Atlanta patriot enough?” he “It’s powerful and heart- alongside two other vic- asked. breaking that someone tims. He then explained that like him, so experienced Thousands of Asian- people have questioned and committed, feels he Americans have reported his loyalty to the US and has to bear his soul to get violent attacks or hate suggested he did not “look the point made,” wrote crimes in recent months, American enough". one Twitter user. often linked to rhetoric Mr Wong moved to the “This took my breath that blames Asian people US to study in the late away. This man standing for the spread of Covid-19. 1960s, he told Fox News. up to show his scars that Lee Wong removed his shirt during a town hall meeting in Ohio to show the Mr Wong, an elected of- He said he had been phys- he got in wars fighting for scars from his US Army service. ficial in West Chester, ically attacked as well as the USA,” added another. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 29, 2021 • 15

Boris Johnson urged Two found by police to share vaccines after people flee with poorer nations Dublin hotel quarantine POLICE in the Republic of Ireland are Gardaí (Irish police) were informed A GROUP of charities is urging the Republic of Ireland, in a bid to help searching for one person who absconded and later located the person, who is now Boris Johnson to “swiftly clarify” stop the spread of infection in Northern from a mandatory quarantine hotel in back in hotel quarantine. how many Covid vaccine doses the Ireland. north Dublin on Saturday. In the second incident, two people at- UK is prepared to donate to poorer Ms Foster said sharing excess supply RTÉ News reports that two people who tempted to leave the facility and while countries. with Ireland was “a runner” and she will left the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry one of them returned to the hotel, the Save the Children and the Wellcome “be making that point again” when she have since been found. other person left the premises and has Trust are among those calling on the speaks to Mr Johnson. People arriving into the Republic from still not been located. PM to start donating jabs through So far,more than 29 million UK adults a list of 33 'high-risk' countries, or who On Thursday, Northern Ireland an- Covax. have received a first dose of a Covid vac- land without a negative PCR (poly- nounced plans for "managed isolation". This scheme aims to provide jabs for cine. merase chain reaction) test must un- low and middle-income countries. In a letter, the charities say the UK is dergo 14 days quarantine. Which countries are high risk? Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said “one of the world’s highest per-capita The rules took effect on Friday. The 'high-risk' list is subject to change the UK does not currently have a sur- buyers” of vaccines and is on track to Non-compliance can result in a ¤2,000 at any time, and currently mainly com- plus of vaccines, but when it does that have more than 100 million surplus Euro (£1,700) fine or up to one month in prises countries in South America and surplus will be shared. doses. prison. Africa, although Austria is also on the The UK, which has ordered 400 mil- “There is therefore the high risk that The cost of the hotel stay,which has to list. lion vaccine doses and will have many the UK will be hoarding limited supply be pre-booked, starts from 1,875 Euro Other countries include: Angola, left over, has said it will donate most of whilst health workers and the most vul- (£1,593). Argentina, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, its surplus vaccine supply to poorer nerable in low and middle-income coun- The Irish Defence Forces are responsi- Burundi, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, countries. tries do not have access,” the letter says. ble for overseeing the scheme and escort- Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, The lower income countries most “The UK will be sitting on enough sur- ing buses from Dublin Airport to the French Guiana, Guyana, Lesotho, likely to receive the first vaccines plus vaccine doses to vaccinate the hotel. Malawi, Eswatini, Mauritius, through Covax include Afghanistan, world’s frontline health workers twice It said on Sunday that there were two Mozambique, Namibia, Panama, Haiti, DR Congo, Ethiopia and Somalia. over.” separate incidents where people at- Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Suriname, Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s First The group urges the UK to immedi- tempted to leave the hotel on Saturday. Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Minister Arlene Foster has said she ately begin donating doses through the In the first incident, one individual left United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, hopes the UK will give vaccine doses to Covax initiative. the facility alone. Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Barcelona hosts large gig after testing crowd

AROUND 5 000 people spent Saturday night at a gig in Barcelona after receiv- ing negative results in same-day Covid testing. Spanish authorities let the concert, fea- turing band Love of Lesbian, go ahead as part of a pilot. Fans took a test earlier in the day and did not have to keep physically apart but they still wore masks. It is one of the largest gatherings in Europe in more than a year since the pandemic began. “This is for one night only, so enjoy it,” one of the hosts said before the concert started at Saint Jordi Arena. The gig was held as part of a research project looking at the viability of holding Covid-secure mass events following rapid-testing of guests. It follows a similar experiment in the Netherlands last week, when fans at- tended a two-day music festival after showing proof of a negative Covid test. In Barcelona ticket-holders were only permitted to enter the stadium once a negative result code was sent to their phones. Temperatures and IDs were checked at the door. Staff from a local hospital and event promoters teamed up to carry out rapid testing in booths within tents at three local venues. “We expect it to be completely safe. Over the next 14 days we will look at how many of the audience test positive for Covid and will report back,” doctor Josep Maria Llibre told AFP news Love of Lesbian played to a crowd of 5,000 on Saturday night. agency. “I'm so very, very excited. It's been 18 stage. Crespo, 25, added that she still tried “not cultural activities. The European music months since we've been on stage and “We really wanted to do something dif- to get too close to people”. industry lost 76% of its income in 2020, one of us up here is in tears!” lead singer ferent, to take a step towards normal- The pandemic has devastated the live according to a study by Spain's Music Santi Balmes shouted to fans from the ity,” one guest told AFP. But Marina music industry along with many other Federation. 16 • Monday March 29, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Eddie Murphy inducted into NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame

LOS ANGELES – and Paris Barclay in Eddie Murphy was in- 2014. ducted into the Murphy began his ca- NAACP Image Awards reer as a stand-up comic Hall of Fame at the or- while as a teenager and ganization’s show that eventually joined the cast highlighted works by of “Saturday Night Live.” entertainers and ath- He starred in the box of- letes of color. fice hit “48 Hours” and After Murphy accepted made his mark in a slew his induction award of films such as “Beverly Saturday night, the Hills Cop,” “Coming to actor-comedian said he America,” “The Nutty was “very moved” by the Professor,” “Dr. Dolittle” honor. He was presented and “Dolemite Is My the award by his long- Name.” His latest film time friend and “Coming “Coming 2 America” was 2 America” co-star released on Amazon this Arsenio Hall. month. “I’ve been making The awards ceremony movies for 40 years now virtually aired live on ... 40 years. This is the BET. It was also simul- perfect thing to commem- cast on CBS, MTV,VH1, orate that and be brought MTV2, BET HER and into the hall of fame,” he LOGO. said. “Thank you very “Black-ish” star and co- much. I’m very moved.” median Anthony Murphy went on to Anderson hosted the send a message to Hall show for the eighth con- about his famous red secutive year. leather suit from his The late Chadwick 1983 stand-up special Boseman won best actor “Delirious.” Eddie Murphy in a motion picture for “My red suit was not his role in “Ma Rainey’s that tight Arsenio,” tion is bestowed on an in- Previous inductees in- Black Bottom.” The actor, Murphy said. “I get a lot dividual who is viewed as clude Oprah Winfrey, who also starred in the of cracks about that red a pioneer in their respec- Stevie Wonder, Spike Lee, blockbuster Marvel film suit. When I was rocking tive field and whose in- Ray Charles and Sidney “Black Panther,” died at that red suit, that (exple- fluence shaped the “pro- Poitier. The most recent 43 last year after he pri- tive) was fly.” fession for generations to honorees to be inducted vately battled colon can- Bridge The hall of fame induc- come.” were Cheryl Boone Isaacs cer. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 29, 2021 • 17 SPORTSSPORTS West Indies Test Squad set to remain unchanged

THE West Indies Test squad for the Second Test Match Hope, Chase have to fight their way back into line up against Sri Lanka will remain the same as they Brathwaite yesterday. three Test matches. and earned their place,” said continue to perform well Simmons said that they He was responding to a ques- Simmons who mentioned that and have earned their place. named a squad for the Test tion about the possible inclusion now Hope and Chase will have This was the news coming out match and will stick with that of Shai Hope and Roston Chase to fight their way back into of the virtual pregame press for the second Test match as the in the current squad for the sec- the squad. conference with the West Indies guys have played well and they ond Test match which begins Simmons was happy with the head coach Phil Simmons need to continue with the guys today at 10 am in Antigua. balance of the team though two and Test captain Kraigg who played well over the last “The guys went to Bangladesh members of the bowling unit, Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph, did not have a good game. But said that one game would not change who they con- sider to be their strike bowler. “Three bowlers clicked and we got wickets and the other two had a bad game and we look forward to them clicking in this Kyle Mayers is one of the play- game,” said Simmons as he ers who continues to perform hinted at the team possibly for the West Indies since mak- remaining the same as the plan ing his debut last year. is to continue with the balance of six (6)-five (5) though he added ask for anything better,” said that the final decision will be Brathwaite. made this morning when they Brathwaite though not among see the pitch. the big runs still spent hours in “The pitch looks good but one the middle and said he was not can’t tell fully until tomorrow concerned about his showing as morning and we can’t say how it he knows his role as a batsman would play.” and as a captain. The Test team was boosted by Despite the drawn first Test the return of the number one match the West Indies will be alrounder in the world Jason playing for a win in the second Holder and former captain for Test match as they look to start the first Test match. the year on a high with a series Current captain Brathwaite victory. said that having Holder back However they will have to in the team was ‘golden’. ensure they tidy up on the catch- Brathwaite mentioned that it ing and the way they use the was great as he got some advice DRS. Those things along with on the field placing and bowling getting scores above 300 will be and “he is the number one al- some of the areas they will West Indies test captain Kraigg Brathwaite. rounder in the world, you cant be looking to improve on. (CG)

CWI AGM forced to adjourn due to absence of some members

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The and Tobago Cricket Board day or to such other time and Cricket West Indies (CWI) (TTCB) and the Windward place as the Board of Directors Annual General Meeting Islands Cricket Board were may determine, and at the (AGM), which was due to start present. adjourned meeting no other at 10.00am yesterday morning, Despite having previously business may be transacted. was adjourned as there was authorised their representa- Attempts to reach the a lack of quorum. tives to attend, when the representatives from the BCA The meeting therefore roll was called there were and GCB were unsuccessful. could not proceed to business no representatives present The meeting was eventually as the CWI Articles of from the Guyana Cricket adjourned at 10:50 am. Association stipulate that nine Board (GCB) nor the The CWI Board of Directors (9) representatives of the Full Barbados Cricket Association subsequently held an Members need to be present (BCA). Emergency Board Meeting at in person to constitute a quo- The Articles of Association midday yesterday, Sunday rum. All eight (8) representa- provide that if there is no March 28 2021, and decided tives duly authorised to quorum within thirty minutes that the AGM will resume represent the Jamaica Cricket from the time appointed for on Sunday 11th April 2021 Association, Leeward Islands the meeting, it shall stand at 10:00 am ECT/09:00am Cricket Board (LICB), Trinidad adjourned to the next business Jamaica Time. CWI president Ricky Skerritt. 18 • Monday March 29, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Konjuh’s Black Rock, St Michael STAR BROOK 3 bedroom, 1 bath 6732 sq ft $360,000 comeback REALTY Enterprise, Christ Church 3 bedroom, 2 bath 5062 sq ft gathers $390,000 (reduced)

The Belle, St George Plantation style House momentum after Standing on 4 acres $1.1M injury setbacks Frere Pilgrim, Christ Church ANA KONJUH’S champion Iga Swiatek. Eagle Hall Main Road 3 bedroom, 2 baths with career was blighted by “It’s been frustrating two bedroom apartment. injuries after arriving the past couple of years, 4,387 sq ft. $850,000 on Tour as a teenage just having been through Commercial property prodigy but the all these surgeries and Hanson Heights, St George Croatian is now ready comebacks and just never prime position, 8321 sq ft $595,000 to leave the getting it right,” the 23- frustrations behind as year-old told reporters. excellent potential Ealing Grove, REAL ESTATE her comeback gathers “So just to be back, Christ Church steam. healthy and to compete Apes Hill, St. James Yates leads 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths Konjuh was 15 when at this level, it means a 9320 sq ft $565,000 31,000 sq ft upward Land area Large lots at $15 per sq ft Ineos-Grenadiers she won the Australian lot.” Open and the U.S. Open Konjuh said her love 23,000 sq ft; LOTS FOR SALE Mount Wilton, St. Thomas podium sweep in junior singles titles in for the game had helped Boarded Hall, 15,500 sq ft and 22,066 sq ft Catalunya 2013. Three days after her keep going. Christ Church $300,000 and $220,000 turning 16 she beat then “In those key moments world number 14 Roberta where you’re sick of Floor space 10,429 sq ft $157,000 BRITON Adam Yates Union, St. Philip Vinci in her WTA main everything and you’re 8,800 sq ft; won the Tour of 7560 sq ft draw debut. just questioning yourself Westbury Road, St Michael Catalunya week-long 2,520 sq ft $45,360 $150,000 She reached the 2016 like should I go back and race as the Ineos- U.S. Open quarter-finals is it worth it and what Grenadiers team Now asking Goodland Gardens, Thorpes, St. James and broke into the top 20 not, I just remembered completed a 1-2-3 overall Christ Church 11,376 sq ft with structure the following year but why I started playing this $1.1 Mil BDS finish in Barcelona on 9,605 sq ft $145,000 $235,000 never reached her full sport and why I love it so Sunday. potential after much. Cottage, St George Yates, who joined the Nursery Road, St Philip undergoing four elbow “So, I decided I’m not 5000 sq ft British team this year, Call or Whatsapp 9,266 sq ft $139,000 surgeries. going to stop until I do $110,000 (negotiable) built his victory on a The world number 338, everything there is.” 232-3304 Lashley Road, St Philip third-stage win in the who received a wildcard Konjuh believes she 258-7198 5,839 sq ft, $150,000 Morningside, St Philip mountains to finish to the WTA 1000 event in can climb back to the top. 4567 sq ft $133,000 ahead of Australian Miami, won three “That saying ‘What Salters, St George Richie Porte and former Jupiter Gardens, St Peter consecutive WTA main doesn’t kill you makes 2 lots 32,760 sq ft, $230,000 Tour de France winner Email 7312 sq ft draw matches this week - you stronger’ is kind of Geraint Thomas. Cave Hill Drive, St. Lucy $133,000 (negotiable) for the first time since true,” Konjuh said. The trio finished safe starbrookrealty 14,876 sq ft. $110,000 reaching the fourth round “I just wanted to be in the peloton in @gmail.com Bagatelle, St. Thomas at Wimbledon in 2017. mentally tough as I was Sunday’s seventh and Bushy Park, St. Philip 62000 sq ft into 2 lots Two of those came in before and just having last stage won by 17,000 sq ft $170,000 $520,000 each, or back-to-back matches that new level of my $1M for both Belgian Thomas De against top-20 players, game ... I have to keep Gendt from a breakaway. Inchcape, St. Philip including Saturday’s win evolving, keep 4355 sq ft $ 96,000 Marley Vale, St Philip Four-times Tour de over French Open improving.” 21,780 sq ft $275,000 France champion Chris Belle, St. George Froome, who left Ineos- 4 acres $400,000 Sandford, St Philip Grenadiers for Israel- 16,356 sq ft $300,000 Start Up Nation during 49ers sign WR Haggatt Hall, St. Michael the close season, was 6336 sq ft $126,000 COMMERCIAL never in the mix and TEL: 247-4469 Under Offer ended up 81st overall, Mohamed Sanu Cel: 253-6319 Mount Standfast, St James 53:50 behind Yates. THE San Francisco 49ers top two receivers are 828-4800 Cane Garden, St. Thomas 7,000 sf to 18,000 sq ft Two properties on signed free-agent receiver expected to be Deebo Email: 22,714 sq ft. REAL ESTATE Mohamed Sanu to a one- Samuel and Brandon caribbeanpropertiesltd Private entrance. From $187,681 Asking $1,200,000 $8,100,000 negotiable year deal on Saturday, Aiyuk. @gmail.com according to his agent, The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Black Rock, St. Michael Mike McCartney.Terms Sanu had a good season PROPERTIES Ragged Point, St. Philip Batts Rock, St Michael 8,267 sq ft $166,000 Warehouse/Storage Guest House, 12,078 sq ft were not disclosed. under 49ers coach Kyle 4000 sf space 23,861 sq ft $2,850,000 negotiable The 49ers signed Smith Shanahan when Kirtons, St Philip $900,000 (reduced) 3 bedroom plus Rolling Hills, St. George on Sept. 18, but they cut Shanahan was the 2 bedroom apt 4,790 sq ft 12,000 sq ft Cane Garden, St Thomas him less than a month offensive coordinator with $310,000 (negotiable) Foul Bay, St. Philip 3.6 acres approved later on Oct. 6 after he the Falcons. In their one $685,000 Approved for condos, Roadfront made just one catch for season together in 2016, 39,242 sq ft $1,600,000. Amity Lodge, Ch Ch Ocean City, St. Philip $1,650,000 negotiable nine yards in three he had 59 catches for 653 3 bedroom plus 6150 sq ft $123,000 games. He signed with yards and four Dover, Christ Church Fitts Village, St James 1 bedroom apt Hotel 18 rooms fully the Lions and played in touchdowns. 6,646 sq ft $650,000 Fortesque, St Philip Guest House, 4 Suites Agricultural Land operational $2,950,000 neg 6,135 sq ft seven games (four starts), In nine seasons, Sanu 494,500 sq ft $1,100,000 under offer $750,000 negotiable making 16 catches for has 420 receptions for Gibbons, Ch Ch 178 yards and a 4,694 yards and 27 3 bedroom plus Dalkeith, Christ Church touchdown. touchdowns. He’s also 2 bedroom apt Silver Sands, Mason Hill Street The City Christ Church 17,371 sq ft approved for 26,500 sq ft with buildings In San Francisco, he been a threat throwing 9,835 sq ft shops and offices $675,000 (reduced) 7,129 sq ft $160,000 $4,000,000 negotiable will compete to be the the ball, as he has gone 7- $495,000 team’s No. 3 receiver, for-8 passing for 233 Bushy Park, St. Philip All enquiries to replacing Kendrick yards, four touchdowns Breezy Hill, St Philip Roebuck Street, 3 bedroom, 2 bath 24,000 sq ft $190,000 (246) 253 6319/ 828-4800 Bourne, who signed with and a perfect passer Bridgetown or (246) 247 4469 the Patriots. The 49ers’ rating of 158.3. reduced to $298,000 Shopping Mall/Office space The Barbados Advocate Monday March 29, 2021 • 19

Chen wins third straight world title as Hanyu falters

AMERICAN Nathan Donohue finished second, that we’re able to be at Salchow, while his took the silver with a claim gold with a total of Chen won the men’s gold with Piper Gilles and this worlds after this landing on the triple Axel near-flawless 221.17 points. for the third consecutive Paul Poirier securing the unprecedented year... I’m was off-balance. performance and Due to the COVID-19 time at the figure skating bronze for Canada. very elated, I’m very “He’s truly a skating personal best score of pandemic, the ice dancers world championships on Hanyu was in the lead happy,” Chen said. legend and someone 291.77. presented their own Saturday while early after the short program “I tried to remind who’s just revolutionised Chen, who won in 2018 partners with their favourite and double while Chen was third. myself to enjoy being this sport. He didn’t have in Milan and 2019 in medals and bouquets on Olympic champion But the 21-year-old here. I don’t know how the skate that I think he Saitama, had been separate podiums in Yuzuru Hanyu finished American, who has not many more worlds I’ll be wanted to,” Chen added. deprived of the chance to order to maintain social third after his free skate lost since the at. In doing that, I was Hanyu’s performance make it three golds in distancing. fell apart. Pyeongchang Winter able to be a lot more was only good enough to three years when the Earlier in the week, Victoria Sinitsina and Olympics in 2018, calm. Going the way that finish fourth in the world championships Anna Shcherbakova led a Nikita Katsalapov produced a breathtaking it did, I’m very happy.” segment, and the were cancelled last year Russian sweep of the captured the ice dance performance to bag his Hanyu, a two-times Japanese had to settle for due to the COVID-19 women’s singles, while gold, making it the third 10th consecutive world champion, had a bronze with an overall pandemic. compatriots Anastasia title Russians had international gold. segment to forget after he score of 289.18. Sinitsina and Mishina and Aleksandr captured this week. Chen began with a put a hand down on the His 17-year-old Katsalapov produced a Galliamov won the pairs However, with Russia quadruple Lutz, which he quad loop and quad compatriot Kagiyama dazzling free dance to gold. banned at such events had failed to land in the under sanctions imposed short program but by the World Anti-Doping executed perfectly in the Agency (WADA), they free skate, and then Twins bench coach Mike Bell dies at 46 skated as FSR athletes produced four more quads under the flag of the to finish with a score of THE Minnesota Twins cancer on Friday, the "devastated by the loss." Jan. 28, shortly after he Russian figure skating 320.88 points -- ahead of will play their spring team announced. Bell Bell took indefinite was diagnosed with federation. Japanese teenager Yuma training game in honor of was 46. leave from the team last kidney cancer, and spent Americans Madison Kagiyama in second. bench coach Mike Bell The Twin said in a month. He had surgery time recovering at home Hubble and Zachary “It’s amazing. The fact after he died of kidney statement they are to remove the growth on with his family.

NOTICES NOTICES NOTICES NOTICES NOTICES NOTICES 20 • Monday March 29, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Francis Ngannou stops Miocic

LAS VEGAS – Francis the division’s history. your entire life, and said. “I’m sure I would arts after he left Cleveland who has been Ngannou has been the Ngannou stopped Stipe struggling to have it. have been happy three Cameroon for France in on top of the division for next big thing in the Miocic with ferocious Sometimes I felt like I years ago, but I think his mid-20s. He rose four of the last five years. UFC heavyweight punches early in the was drowning and I had now, I have a different rapidly through his new Miocic’s heavyweight division for several second round to claim to struggle back, but now perspective about it, sport with his fearsome reign has been the best years. Just about the heavyweight title at we’re here.” being happy about my power and growing all- in the history of a everyone believed UFC 260. Ngannou won a fairly improvement.” around skill, but Miocic notoriously tumultuous greatness was within Ngannou (11-2) quiet first round with The violence was interrupted his ascent by UFC division, and he the powerful avenged his blowout loss superior striking and exactly what Ngannou’s winning every round of most recently won the Cameroonian to Miocic in 2018 by ground work, but there fans and coaches their first bout in Boston. final two fights of his challenger’s reach if demonstrating was nothing quiet about expected when the long- The loss staggered the trilogy with Daniel he could ever put his everything he has the finish. anticipated changing of confidence of a once- Cormier to cement his prodigious talents learned in the ensuing Ngannou knocked the guard atop the dynamic fighter. He heavyweight supremacy. together. three years. The first down Miocic 22 seconds heavyweight division barely threw a punch in In the co-main event of All that potential was UFC heavyweight into the second round finally happened in this his next bout, an this pay-per-view show realized in six champion from Africa with a crisp left hand to rematch of two highly embarrassing loss to at the UFC Apex gym on sensational minutes flattened Miocic (21-3) Miocic’s face, but the likable fighters. Derrick Lewis. the promotion’s corporate Saturday night when twice early in the second, champion ate several Ngannou tried to call But Ngannou campus, former Ngannou took the belt finally buckling the punches to get up. Miocic his mother in Cameroon impressively regained welterweight champion away from the most champ’s knees and backpedaled away and immediately after the his confidence later in Tyron Woodley lost his accomplished fighter in ending the bout 52 even landed a right hand fight, but said he couldn’t 2018 and kicked off a run fourth consecutive fight seconds into the round. that stung Ngannou, but get through to her of four consecutive when Vicente Luque NOTICES “Man, it’s amazing,” the challenger loaded up because everyone was knockout victories submitted him with a Ngannou said. “The a picture-perfect left “going crazy” celebrating against veteran D’Arce choke late in the feeling of it is just great. hook that bent Miocic’s his win. heavyweights, putting first round. Imagine something legs at a gruesome angle “I can’t talk to anybody him back in line for Woodley (19-7-1), who you’ve been waiting for and put him on the in Cameroon right now,” Miocic. reigned over the 170- canvas again, where he said. “It’s a good “He was a completely pound division for nearly NOTICES Ngannou landed one craziness, for a good different fighter tonight,” three years until finishing hammer fist. reason.” UFC President Dana Kamaru Usman took his “When the journey is The 34-year-old White said of Ngannou. belt in March 2019, longer, the reward is Ngannou is a former “We saw things from him looked sharp early and always more aspiring boxer who we never saw before. He landed some strong shots appreciated,” Ngannou discovered mixed martial took his time, and even before he was staggered ate that big right hand and finished by Luque NOTICES NOTICES from Stipe. He looked (20-7-1), who has won 13 perfect tonight.” of his last 15 fights. BARBADOS BARBADOS In the Vegas cage, Earlier, bantamweight IN THE SUPREME COURT OF Ngannou was far too Sugar Sean O’Malley IN THE SUPREME COURT JUDICATURE much for Miocic, the overcame an enormous OF JUDICATURE firefighter from early mental mistake for HIGH COURT IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARGARET ANN JOHNSON NOTICES a vicious third-round also known as AGATHA MAR- finish of Thomas IN THE ESTATE OF RUTH NAOMI Almeida. WAITHE deceased GARET HEADLEY also known as BARBADOS MARGARET HEADLEY also known IN THE SUPREME COURT O’Malley, the thrilling PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given as MARGARET JOHNSON nee OF JUDICATURE fighter with rainbow- that application has been made for Headley DECEASED dyed hair, floored IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE Almeida in the first the following Grant of Probate PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given namely:- OF JOSEPH ST. CLAIR JOHNSON round with a head kick that application has been made for DECEASED and a big punch — but the following namely:- PROBATE OF THE WILL dated the instead of finishing his 25th September 2018 of RUTH Grant of Letters of Administration de PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given opponent on the ground, NAOMI WAITHE deceased late of bonis non to the estate of MAR- that application has been made for O’Malley anticipated a Jackson Tenantry Road, in the GARET ANN JOHNSON also the following namely:- stoppage and walked parish of St. Michael in this Island, known as AGATHA MARGARET away before realizing the who died in this Island on the 28th HEADLEY also known as MAR- Grant of Letters of Administration de fight hadn’t been day of December, 2020 by GARET HEADLEY also known as bonis non to the estate of JOSEPH stopped. CAMERON D. CALLENDER MARGARET JOHNSON nee ST. CLAIR JOHNSON late of When he floored referred in the Will of the Deceased Headley late of Rockfield Saint Rockfield Saint Lucy, Barbados who Almeida again in the died on 11th day of June, 1982 as “CAMEROON CALLENDER” Lucy, Barbados who died on 20th third, O’Malley briefly and RONALSTON A. WIGGINS day of March, 1978 at Queen at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, St. Michael, Barbados by MARVA tried to walk away again referred in the Will of the Deceased Elizabeth Hospital, St. Michael, before pouncing and as “RONALDSON WIGGINS” the Barbados by MARVA FELICIA FELICIA ARMSTRONG also known as MARTINA F. ARMSTRONG and throwing a final punch executors named in the Will of the ARMSTRONG also known as MAR- that bounced Almeida’s said deceased. TINA F. ARMSTRONG and EILEEN EILEEN JONES acting herein by her Power of Attorney JUANITA head off the canvas. JONES acting herein by her Power The UFC is headed to An application shall be submitted to of Attorney JUANITA JOHNSON- JOHNSON-BABB the daughters the Supreme Court fourteen (14) BABB the daughters and issues of and issues of the said Deceased. Jacksonville for its next days from of the second notice of the said Deceased. An application An application shall be submitted to pay-per-view show next this advertisement and from the shall be submitted to the Supreme the Supreme Court fourteen (14) month because Florida date of Notice in the Official Court fourteen (14) days from of the days from of the second notice of officials will allow White Gazette. second notice of this advertisement this advertisement and from the to sell every seat in an and from the date of Notice in the date of Notice in the Official arena, but the promotion Dated this 29th day Official Gazette. Gazette. still welcomed a few of March, 2021 dozen fans to the Apex. Dated this 29th day of March 2021 Dated this 29th day ofMarch 2021 The crowd included NAVISHA DEBIDEEN-WORRELL Cincinnati Bengals Attorney-at-Law NAVISHA DEBIDEEN-WORRELL NAVISHA DEBIDEEN-WORRELL quarterback Joe Burrow, Anfield Law Chambers Attorney-at-Law Attorney-at-Law Megan Fox, Kourtney 2nd Ave, Carters Gap Anfield Law Chambers Anfield Law Chambers Kardashian, Travis Black Rock Main Road 2nd Ave, Carters Gap 2nd Ave, Carters Gap Barker and former UFC Black Rock Main Road St. Michael Black Rock Main Road owners Lorenzo and St. Michael Telephone 425-5204 St. Michael Frank Fertitta. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 29, 2021 • 21

NBA roundup: Kawhi Leonard helps Clippers slay 76ers

KAWHI LEONARD re- 15 points and seven re- reer-high 23 points. game Friday, was limited turned to the lineup bounds for Philadelphia, to 12 in the rematch. and finished with a which saw its four-game Utah Jazz 126 - team-high 28 points, winning streak broken. Memphis Grizzlies 110 San Antonio Spurs 120 and Paul George added Donovan Mitchell - Chicago Bulls 104 24 points, nine re- New York Knicks 102 - scorched Memphis for a Jakob Poeltl tied a ca- bounds and nine as- Milwaukee Bucks 96 second straight time with reer high with 20 points sists as the host Los Alec Burks scored seven a game-high 35 points, as host San Antonio built Angeles Clippers de- of his 21 points in the propelling Utah to com- a huge lead and then held feated the Eastern fourth quarter and hit the plete a two-day,two-game on to beat new-look Conference-leading tiebreaking 3-pointer with sweep in Salt Lake City Chicago and snap a four- Philadelphia 76ers 122- 1:19 left as visiting New that stretched its home game losing streak. 112 on Saturday night. York defeated severely winning streak to 19. DeMar DeRozan added Leonard, who missed a short-handed Milwaukee. Jordan Clarkson 17 points for San Antonio, game with a foot injury, Burks posted his fifth chipped in with 28 points which had seven players also had four rebounds straight 20-point game off the bench and Rudy score in double figures. and four assists, and and set a career high with Gobert finished with 16 It was Chicago’s first Terance Mann scored a six 3-pointers. RJ Barrett points and a game-high 14 game with its remade season-high 23 points off also scored 21 points for rebounds for the Jazz. lineup after acquiring the bench as the Clippers the Knicks. Mitchell shot 12-for-17 Nikola Vucevic,Al-Farouq won their fifth straight Milwaukee lost its sec- overall and 5-for-7 on 3- Aminu, Daniel Theis, game and seventh in their ond straight following an pointers en route to the Javonte Green and Troy last nine. eight-game winning same point total he had in Brown Jr. at the trade Tobias Harris led the streak as starters Giannis Friday’s win. deadline. All except Theis 76ers with 29 points on 13 Antetokounmpo (sprained Kyle Anderson had a saw the court on Saturday. of 19 shooting, and added left knee), Donte team-high 16 points for Vucevic led the Bulls with seven rebounds and six as- DiVincenzo (left foot), Jrue the Grizzlies, who hung 21 points and nine re- sists. Danny Green hit five Holiday (left knee contu- with the Jazz all the way bounds and Zach LaVine 3-pointers and finished sion) and Khris Middleton before losing 117-114 in added 18 points. with 17 points, followed by (left hip contusion) sat out. the opener on Friday. Ja Shake Milton with 16. Ben Thanasis Antetokounmpo Morant, whose 32 points Continued LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard brings the ball Simmons chipped in with led the Bucks with a ca- kept the Grizzlies in the on next page up the court. 22 • Monday March 29, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Close call as Kings defeat Cavaliers Continued from page 21 with 22 points. Moses Brown Bradley Beal suffered a right hip New Orleans Pelicans 112 - had career highs in points (21) contusion, while Detroit’s Jerami Dallas Mavericks 103 and rebounds (23) for Oklahoma Grant suffered a quad contusion. Zion Williamson continued his City. Beal had 17 points and six as- dominance by scoring 38 points sists in 21 minutes for the as host New Orleans defeated Sacramento Kings 100 - Wizards, who nearly gave away short-handed Dallas. Cleveland Cavaliers 98 a 30-point, second-half lead. Rui Williamson fell one point short De’Aaron Fox scored 20 of his Hachimura supplied 14 points. of the career high he set one 36 points in the fourth quarter, Wayne Ellington’s 15 points led night earlier in a 113-108 loss to and Harrison Barnes sank a 3- the Pistons, who have dropped Denver and made 13 of 20 field- pointer at the buzzer to power four straight. Isaiah Stewart and goal attempts. Nickeil host Sacramento past Cleveland Mason Plumlee added 11 points Alexander-Walker added 20 and to its fourth straight win. and eight rebounds apiece. points before fouling out, and Fox, coming off a career-high Brandon Ingram netted 19. 44 points in the Kings’ rout of Houston Rockets 129 - San Antonio Spurs center LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Golden State on Thursday, took Minnesota Timberwolves Mavericks with 30 points, but over in the fourth quarter with 107 Reports: LaMarcus Aldridge had just nine in the second half. eight of Sacramento’s final 11 Kelly Olynyk contributed 16 Jalen Brunson added 24 points. points. Barnes’ buzzer-beater points in the first game for his Dallas was without Luka Doncic completed a 16-point, 11-re- new team and six teammates to sign with Nets (non-COVID illness) and bound double-double. also scored in double figures as VETERAN big man LaMarcus run. Kristaps Porzingis (knee injury Collin Sexton scored 26 points Houston avenged a loss from 24 Aldridge will sign a one-year Aldridge, 35, was in the final recovery). to lead the Cavaliers in his re- hours earlier by shellacking of deal with the Brooklyn Nets, ac- year of a three-year deal he turn from a two-game absence the Minnesota in Minneapolis. cording to multiple reports signed in 2017. He was making Boston Celtics 111 - due to a hamstring injury.Larry Olynyk hit five of his eight Saturday. $24 million this season, his 15th Oklahoma City Thunder 94 Nance Jr. added 17 points and a shots, including going 4-for-6 Aldridge became a free agent in the NBA, with The Athletic Jayson Tatum scored 13 of his team-high nine rebounds. from 3-point range, in his intro- Thursday after the San Antonio reporting he gave back $7.25 27 points in the fourth quarter to duction to his new team. Kevin Spurs bought out the remain- million in salary to facilitate his lead Boston over host Oklahoma Washington Wizards 106 - Porter Jr paced the Rockets with der of his $72 million contract. departure from the Spurs. City. Detroit Pistons 92 25 points. Aldridge joins a frontcourt A former second-overall draft The Celtics hadn’t led until the Russell Westbrook recorded a Karl-Anthony Towns put up that includes Blake Griffin, an- pick by the Chicago Bulls in fourth quarter, before they triple-double with 19 points, 19 27 points and a game-high 15 other addition from the buyout 2006 out of Texas, Aldridge has blitzed the Thunder with a 21-2 rebounds and 10 assists and host rebounds for the Timberwolves, market. Griffin signed a one- averaged 19.4 points and 8.3 re- run to start the stanza and gain Washington withstood a furious who could have caught Houston year free-agent contract with bounds over 1,024 career games control. Brown scored 13 of his Detroit rally and snapped a and Detroit for fewest wins in Brooklyn earlier this month as (980 starts). A seven-time All- 25 points in the third quarter to three-game losing streak. the league with a victory. the Nets – in second place in the Star,Aldridge has played for the help Boston stay close. Both teams’ top scorers left the Anthony Edwards also scored 27 Eastern Conference – gear up Portland Trail Blazers (2006- Theo Maledon led the Thunder game early. Washington’s points for Minnesota. to try to make a deep postseason 2015) and the Spurs. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 29, 2021 •23

P R O HOROSCOPES S A Aries - You've been working hard and it is time to start N thinking about your own needs. Your boss or an older col- D league will try to get you to take on more responsibility. This is something you don't need. They may not mean to C be so dominating but their behaviour will cause you ag- O gravation. Will you be patient enough to keep your N thoughts to yourself? S

Taurus - A project will be completed to your satisfaction. You've been through many challenges so relax now. Recharge your batteries in readiness for whatever the fu- ture might bring. You will be tempted by an offer which could cost you a lot of money but the excitement is that this will be like a dream come true. Z I Gemini - A voucher is not a good alternative for a cash refund. If travel plans are cancelled, hold out and insist T on getting your money back. You wonder whether you S will get on holiday again and at some point you will. Gremlins seem to be at work when problems with tech- nological appliances cause you a lot of frustration.

Cancer - Nine times out of ten hard work will bring its just rewards. With you being so focused on your ambitions, this should take you to your goals. A group effort is going well because everyone is in tune and you all know what you can expect from each other. R E X Leo - It is clear by someone's reactions that they are re- luctant to continue with a job you had taken on jointly. Their suggestion to leave things until next week is really M a suggestion to put it aside forever. You want to get O straight on with work that needs to be done and you will R do so with or without their help. G A N Virgo - Keeping your main job going but setting up a side venture is your chance to have a go at that dream busi- ness you've always been planning. Variety is the spice of life. You are ready to act on an idea to launch a new busi- ness. There is no time like the present.

Libra - You have a lot of catching up to do but you can't find the mental energy to focus. You're in a strange mood P and you're finding it hard to explain your feelings. Even H people who are close to you are finding it hard to under- stand you. That's why you will prefer to be on your own. A N T Scorpio - You're trying to remain calm. You're doing your O best to keep your emotions under control. This isn't easy M when you have strong feelings about discussions that are happening around you. You need to reflect on the needs and wants of your family before making changes in your career.

Sagittarius - Disagreements in a close relationship will be resolved before the day is over even if you both agree to M disagree. You feel suddenly inspired to decorate your A home or workplace. Your enthusiasm will be contagious and before you know it, your surroundings will be trans- R formed with bright colours and more comfortable furnish- Y ings. W Capricorn - A lockdown project you really enjoyed has O opened up some exciting new possibilities for you. You have had a lot of time to think things through and to R make life decisions. There are going to be sacrifices T ahead but you will be firm in the intention never to sac- H rifice quality time with your family.

Aquarius - You have a lot on your mind. This makes you inclined to keep to your own company. You might need M some time off work, or to reduce your work commitments O so you have time to attend to family matters. Your boss T and senior colleagues will be more understanding than H you think. E R

Pisces - Ask questions and find out exactly what is en- G tailed before agreeing to do a colleague a favour. When O they ask you to do something on their behalf it might seem O no bother to agree. Once you find out exactly what it is, they are expecting from you, you might sensibly decide S to say no. E BCA, GCB a no-show as CWI AGM forced to adjourn

Page 17

Monday March 29, 2021 ‘INSPIRE POSITIVE CHANGE’ VALEDICTORIAN, Thacher honours while six medical Loutin, has urged The students were awarded University of the West distinctions. Postgraduate Indies (The UWI), Cave Hill awardees included a recipient Campus 2020 Graduating of high commendation at the Class to use their voices to PhD level and more than 80 inspire regional scholars distinctions at the Master’s and experts to occupy spaces level. of global influence. “I therefore challenge you the She similarly encouraged that Cave Hill Campus Graduating they use their degree not just for Class of 2020 to continue to rise themselves, but for the benefit and use your knowledge, skills of others. Additionally, she and experiences to spark or urged them to “challenge our inspire positive change within Caribbean leaders to do more in your country, across the region ensuring that the excellence of and the world. People are going our region permeates”. to judge you, doubt you and Loutin’s comments came as make you doubt yourself. Do not Valedictorian, Thacher Loutin, addressing the inaugural online graduation ceremony of The she addressed last Saturday’s let the words of others and your University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus. inaugural virtual graduation own self-doubt limit you. Let it ceremony. During it, over 980 serve as a motivational force in to remain open to learning. we will inevitably disappoint She added going forth, they undergraduates from across the the realisation of a passion and She stated, “The truth is that people we care about and we will should define success on their campus were recognised for goals,” she further said. having a degree does not mean make the wrong choices here own terms. They should “rise their efforts in achieving their The outgoing President of we have our lives figured out and there, but in all of these, let with even more grit after every degrees. Of this, more than 130 the Guild also took the time to nor that we are infallible. So, us always look for the lessons to fall, and let us actualise the persons received first class encourage her fellow graduates we will make those mistakes, be learned.” ambition cradled in us”. (MG) Barbados reports at least one of three ‘variants of concern’ BARBADOS is among 32 The countries and territories and avoiding crowded places or PAHO update noted. to sequence all samples in the countries and territories in the that reported one or more closed settings – continue to To date, three variants of region to identify variants, Americas which have reported of these variants include: work against new variants by SARS-CoV-2, first identified in PAHO continues to work closely the presence of at least one Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, reducing the amount of viral the United Kingdom, South with laboratories in the of the three “variants of Belize, Brazil, Bonaire, Canada, transmission and therefore also Africa, and Brazil and known countries of the Americas to concern” of the virus that causes Cayman Islands, Chile, reducing opportunities for the as B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and help identify samples which COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2. Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, virus to mutate. B.1.1.28.1, have been classified should be prioritised for That’s according to the Curacao, Dominican Republic, Since the initial identification by the World Health genomic sequencing.” Pan American Health Ecuador,French Guiana, of SARS-CoV-2, more than Organisation (WHO) as There are currently 21 Organisation’s (PAHO) latest Guadeloupe, Jamaica, 845,000 complete genomic variants of concern (VOC), countries participating in Epidemiological Update Martinique, Mexico, Panama, sequences have been shared in consultation with the the COVID-19 Genomic released on Friday, which Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint globally through publicly WHO Working Group on the Surveillance Network, with explained that these variants Barthélemy,Saint Martin, Saint accessible databases. “The Evolution of SARS-CoV-2. reference sequencing may increase transmissibility Lucia, Sint Maarten, Trinidad capacity to monitor the data in Variants in another category, laboratories in Brazil and Chile. of the virus, increase its and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, near real time has a direct variants of interest, covering PAHO is working together virulence, or decrease the United States of America, impact on the public health three additional types, have with the countries of the region effectiveness of public health Uruguay, and Venezuela. response to the COVID-19 been reported in Brazil, the to expand and strengthen and social measures or Current measures to reduce pandemic, allowing to identify United States, and six other the regional network, as this diagnostics, vaccines, and transmission – including changes in epidemiological countries and territories. mechanism will be critical therapeutics, although much frequent hand washing, patterns, in virulence, or in the PAHO’s update further to tracking the spread or remains to be learned about wearing a mask, physical decrease in therapeutic efficacy, stated, “Given the significant appearance of new variants of them. distancing, good ventilation among other changes,” the resource requirements needed concern.

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