blp promises new integrity legislation

Established October 1895

Sunday November 19, 2017 $2 VAT Inclusive

See Inside

THE Opposition Barbados Labour Party(BLP) is promising to enact new integritylegislation if it forms the nextGovernment.

The disclosure came during a pressconference in the Leader of theOpposition’s Office at Parliamentyesterday morning. Addressing themedia, Shadow Attorney General andMember of Parliament (MP) for St.Joseph, Dale Marshall, said so serious is

the BLP about having such legislation inplace, that it has already drafted theIntegrity Commission Bill which it hasmade available on its Facebook page andwebsite.

That Act, he indicated, will seek toaddress corruption in this country whichhe said appears to be an “unprecedentedlevel”and will be laid in Parliament on thefirst business day under a BLPGovernment.With that in mind, he noted

that within the Bill are stiff penalties forthose who engage in corrupt practices.These include fines of up to $500 000,imprisonment as well as the seizure ofassets gained through corruption.

Marshall was adamant about theimportance of having integrity legislationin this country, as he pointed out thatthough the present Government wassuccessful in having the Prevention ofCorruption Act passed in Parliament,and

it did receive the assent of the GovernorGeneral, then Sir Elliott Belgrave onDecember 18,2012,almost five years laterit is yet to be proclaimed. His commentscame as he maintained that integritylegislation is needed, as there are oftenwhispers about corruption, but withoutthe proper framework in place people arefearful of coming forward, for fear ofvictimisation and not being supported.

NEW ACT on Page 5

BLP promises new integrity legislation

IT is the goal of the Ministry ofTransport and Works to help

reduce and minimise the number of accidents and trafficfatalities.

The Ministry is therefore highlightingthe need for safe road practices andbehaviours.

Yesterday, Minister of Transport andWorks Michael Lashley and his staff

could be seen in The City engagingshoppers during the Ministry’s RoadSafety Awareness event.

Reassuring all road users that hisMinistry takes road safety veryseriously, Lashley highlighted theproposed amendments to the RoadTraffic Act.

“Only this week we started debate inthe House on the Road Traffic Act and it

is breaking new ground in terms ofaddressing certain matters that werenever addressed in the previous RoadTraffic Act, certainly Breathalysertesting, increase fines for drunk drivingand for the first time introduced intolaw, the fact that the disabled, can nowpark in a space designated for him or herwithout any issues,” he pointed out.

ROAD SAFETY on Page 3

ROAD SAFETY PUSH

Staff of the Ministry of Ministry of Transport and Works, engaging with shoppers to the City, yesterday. INSET: Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashleyaddressing the Road Safety Awareness event in Jubilee Gardens yesterday.

BARBADOS FinanceMinister has highhopes that this year’s

extended Tax AmnestyProgramme whichwill end on Thursday,

November 30, will dojust as well as the previous tax

amnesty.Minister of Finance

and Economic Affairs,

Christopher Sinckler hadhis say on the usefulnessof the tax amnesties,

following the signing of a loan agreement for US $15 million fromthe Latin AmericanDevelopment Bank(referred to as the CAF), to finance the Tax AdministrationInfrastructure ReformProgramme on Friday at GovernmentHeadquarters.

“I haven’t had the most recent figures,so I can’t say (how muchthis one has earned todate), but from theprevious amnesty, thisone is the extension, itwas actually quitesubstantial. It was muchmore than we hadanticipated. We hadpencilled in about 20million and we ended upwith near 40 (million) orsomething like that. So ifit continues to trend in that regard, then it may have been quite a bit,” Sincklercommented.

Thanking Barbadiansfor participating in theprogramme, Sincklerhowever noted, “Weprobably would not haveanother amnesty for alittle while, because wedon’t want to have anamnesty every fewmonths, because then itwould not be the mostefficacious thing tohappen. But to the extentthat Barbadians took the opportunity toparticipate and are stilltaking the opportunity toparticipate, we are happyabout that.”

The Finance Ministermeanwhile noted that itwill take some timebefore the total for therevenue collection can betallied.

“The amnesty, eventhough the period closeson the 30th, thefinalisation of it, theclearing house matters ofit actually go on beyondthat period, because if aperson comes in, say onNovember 28 andaccesses the programme,it is unlikely that theirbusiness is going to beconcluded in two days. Soyou have to wait a fewmonths after to see whatis the total impact of it, interms of the revenue thatis gained. But to theextent that the first onedid so exceedingly well and that cancontinue to trend, I thinkthat we are in goodstead,” Sincklerconcluded.

(RSM)

2 • Sunday November 19, 2017 The Barbados Advocate

Sinckler: Tax Amnesties have done well

Sunday November 19, 2017 • 3The Barbados Advocate

WITH close to five yearsnow gone since thePrevention of CorruptionAct was passed inParliament and assented toby the Governor General,an Opposition Member ofParliament is telling theDemocratic Labour PartyGovernment that it wouldbe pointless to proclaim the Act now on the eve of a general election.

Shadow Attorney General andMember of Parliament (MP) forSt. Joseph, Dale Marshall, madethe point as he suggested thatthe Government perhaps wasnever serious about getting thelegislation on the statute books.He was speaking yesterday to

journalists attending a mediaconference at the OppositionLeader’s Office in Parliament.

“We had an election and thematter of integrity legislationhas been all but forgotten by thecurrent government.Having notproclaimed it up to this point,we, meaning the BarbadosLabour Party and of course all of Barbados, are left with no option but to conclude that theGovernment was not seriousabout having modern integritylegislation in Barbados and thatin truth and in fact, passing it inParliament was nothing morethan another exercise in check-ing the box,” Marshall told jour-nalists.

The Shadow Attorney General

added, “We believe that theDems wanted to be able to boastthat they put this Act on thestatute books,but the fact is thatthey never had any intention ofmaking it operative.”

He bolstered that point, not-ing that no money had been ear-marked in any of the Estimatesof Revenue and Expenditure inthe years following the passageof that Act, to make the proposedIntegrity Commission the Actspoke to, operational. While notpleased the Act has not beenproclaimed, Marshall, a formerattorney general, said it is prob-ably a good thing that it is stillnot the official law, as the pieceof legislation is “wholly inade-quate to fight corruption and to

preserve integrity in public life” in this country. He furtherargued that it is “woefully defi-cient” in important areas, andtherefore, he maintained it cannot usefully serve to main-tain integrity in public life inthe current circumstances.

Marshall’s comments came ashe announced that the BarbadosLabour Party (BLP) has createda draft Integrity CommissionBill, which they would seek tohave enacted once they regainthe reins of power.

“The commission that was cre-ated in the 2012 Act is a fairlyhelpless and toothless creatureand it is hamstrung by the veryinstrument that created it. Wehave therefore set out to draft

a new bill which is largely com-plete,” he said.

He explained that under the2012 Act, the commission canonly conduct an inquiry anddoes not have any enforcementmechanism or investigativepowers. But those deficiencies,he maintained, will be ad-dressed in the BLP’s draft bill,which gives the commission theright to investigate and gatherevidence and to employ inves-tigative officers who will havetheir powers enshrined in law.This, he said, would allow thecommission to engage in a kindof “policing activity” rather thanwaiting for reports to be made toit as is the case under the 2012Act. (JRT)

THE Ministry of Transport andWorks is being very consistentin the continuation of its asphaltrefurbishment programme.

The Ministry is cognisant ofthe large amount of potholes onthe island’s roads and is work-ing assiduously to address theissue. It has engaged the serv-ices of private contractors to assist in the programme.

The Ministry provided a list of roads patched for the periodbetween November 10 to 16.

Roads patched in ChristChurch areas include KingslandGardens, Kingsland North,Atlantic Shores, Albany, CaneVale, Valley Ridge, Kendal Hill,Vauxhall Main Road, Vauxhall#2, Vauxhall Gardens, SmithRoad, Lowlands, and Coverley.

Roads in Dayrells Hill,Bourne’s Village, St. Helens,Market Hill and Bridge Cot inSt. John were patched. In St.Philip, roads in Sandy Hill,Packers, Church Village,Dodds, Three Houses, MappsDevelopment, Gemwick, AppleHall and Jezreel were workedon.

Roads in Orange Hill,Independence Drive,Prior Park,Crystal Heights, TrentsTenantry, Haynesville, JordanRoad, and Taylor’s Gap, St.James were repaired. LonesomeHill, Shermans and Mullins,St. Peter were worked on.

In St. Michael, St. Stephen’s,Burton Road, Clevedale,Clevedale Development,Fairfield, Reservoir Road,Airlie

Tenantry, Flagstaff Main Road,Highway 5 between HaggattHall to Boarded Hall, andSalter’s Tenantry Road were the areas worked on.

Roads in Wilson Hill, LemonArbor and Roebuck Street,St. John were patched. In St. Joseph, the Flower Forest,Sugar Hill, Todds Corner,

Groves Junction and MelvinHill were worked on. Roads in Edgehill Terrace andBridgefield, St. Thomas were repaired.

FIXED! Early October, TThhee BBaarrbbaaddooss AAddvvooccaattee reported on several large potholes along ClevedaleRoad and Clevedale Development. On Tuesday, areas like Clevedale Development saw wide-spread patching of potholes in the area. Similarly, work was completed along Clevedale Road, a major road for pedestrians and motorists travelling through the Black Rock, St. Michael com-munity. Freshly placed asphalt covered 80 per cent of this road in the Clevedale Developmentcommunity last Tuesday.

Road and pothole repairs continue

Opposition MP critical of 2012 Anti-Corruption Act

ROAD SAFETY from FrontPage

While noting that Barbadoshas one of the lowest rates interms of road fatalities through-out the region, he howeverstressed that it is not somethingto be proud of, pointing out thatso far this year, we have lost 26persons to road traffic accidents.

“I want to go towards the‘Vision Zero’ – let us eliminateand try to make sure that wedon’t have any more road fatalities… Minimise these infractions in relation to theroad traffic laws.”

According to PermanentSecretary in the Ministry ofTransport and Works, SimoneRudder, road safety and publiceducation are vital componentsof the mandate of the Ministry.

She noted that this has espe-cially been seen in their PublicAwareness Campaign wherepublic service announcements(PSAs) have been aired onradio, television and on socialmedia.

“These PSAs encourage roadusers to be vigilant and use bestpractices while travelling on ourroads.” (TL)

Publiceducationveryimportant

4• Sunday November 19, 2017 The Barbados Advocate


THE Embassy of the People’sRepublic of China inBarbados has recognisedfour University of the WestIndies (UWI) Cave HillCampus students who aremastering mandarin as asecond language.

Students Malikah Pino,Monifah Coppin,Lashida Taylorand Tianna Scott are recipientsof the 2017 Chinese Ambas-sador’s Award.

Charge d’ Affaires at theEmbassy of China, Mr Zou Xipresented the young ladies eachwith a cheque in the amount ofBds$2 500 during a receptionheld at the Embassy’s RockleyChrist Church headquarters onFriday evening.

Last year, the ChineseEmbassy launched the‘Ambassador’s Award’ with theaim of supporting the topChinese language learners atthe Cave Hill Campus to furtherstudy Chinese language, as wellas to deepen the educational co-operation between China andBarbados.

According to the Charge d’Affaires, significant progress hasbeen made in the field ofChinese language learning inBarbados under the support ofthe Ministry of Education, theMinistry of Foreign Affairs, theUWI Cave Hill and other rele-vant parties.

Since Chinese classes startedapproximately six years ago,over 140 UWI students have en-rolled. In addition, since its es-tablishment in 2015, the UWICave Hill Confucius Institutehas offered Chinese courses andtraining to almost 3 000 persons,assisted four local schools to setup the Chinese courses, held theChinese Bridge Competition forthree consecutive years and suc-cessfully become the first HSK(Chinese Proficiency Test) test-ing centre for Mandarin in theCaribbean.

“What makes us more excitedis that the CaribbeanExamination Council has offi-cially listed Chinese as one ofthe optional foreign languagecourses in the middle schoolsacross the Caribbean region, andsoon Chinese courses will be

first conducted in pilot schools inBarbados,” Zou disclosed.

“The Chinese Embassy willprovide as much assistance topush the Chinese languagelearning forward in Barbados….I deeply hope the students canlearn and use Chinese languagewell to become the bridge to pro-mote the friendly cooperationsuch as cultural and educationalexchanges between our twocountries, which is exactly theoriginal intention for setting upthe Chinese Ambassador’sAward.”

Dr Justin Robinson, Dean ofthe Faculty of Social Sciences,said that such initiatives by theEmbassy of the People’sRepublic of China and theConfucius Institute provide op-portunities for the young andnot so young to masterMandarin, which will increasetheir confidence in engagingChina.

“So, for me, this forum is ex-tremely important where we areengaging an emerging worldpower and we are doing itthrough the medium of educa-tion,” he pointed out.

“The Cave Hill Campus is ex-tremely proud to be an integralpart of this collaboration. The

Confucius Institute is housed atthe Cave Hill Campus and it isthe only site in the Caribbeanwhere you can be certified interms of your fluency inMandarin. We see this as a very important element in ourstrategy as a University as weseek to internationalise”.

Minister of Education, RonaldJones told the students he wasextremely impressed with theirability to grasp the Chinese lan-guage.

He also noted that learningMandarin will serve them well ifthey decide to further their stud-ies in China.

“We have been working withthe People’s Republic of Chinaover the years in relation toscholarships; young Barbadianstudents going off to China tostudy… I can tell you that someon those scholarship winnerswent off to China without know-ing to say hello in Chinese, butthey re-emerged with an ex-tremely good understanding andreasonably fluent after a fewyears in China. Therefore, youall have an advantage in thatyou are at the ConfuciusInstitute and learningMandarin and will be ready forsuch opportunities”. (TL)

Mandarin masters receive Chinese Ambassador’s Award

Charge d’ Affaires at the Embassy of China, Mr Zou Xi presentingMalikah Pino, recipient of the 2017 Chinese Ambassador’sAward, with her prize.

Monifah Coppin, recipient of the 2017 Chinese Ambassador’sAward, receiving her prize from Charge d’ Affaires at theEmbassy of China, Mr Zou Xi.

Lashida Taylor, recipient of the 2017 Chinese Ambassador’sAward, receiving her prize from Charge d’ Affaires at theEmbassy of China, Mr Zou Xi.

NEW ACT from Page 1“Corruption is not something

to be whispered in dark corri-dors, it must be rooted out of oursociety.It not only affects our wayof life and our moral underpin-ning, but it also costs theBarbadian economy untold mil-lions in inflated contract costsevery year,and it also affects ourcountry’s competitiveness andour reputation,” he said.

The draft bill, which he notedis at a fairly advanced stage,andwas formulated with the assis-

tance of former Chief Justice SirDavid Simmons and attorneysLeslie Haynes QC, StewartMottley and Gregory Nicholls,will for the first time in this coun-try provide protection for whistle-blowers.He indicated that this isan important feature of the leg-islation, contending that to en-courage people to speak outagainst corruption they knowabout is vital.Marshall,a formerattorney general, said it is im-perative that there is protectionwithin the law to ensure that

those persons cannot be vic-timised. He explained that thecommunications that will bemade to the Commission by thewhistleblowers will be confiden-tial,and to prevent possible back-lash once the identity of thewhistleblower is revealed,he saidthere will be criminal penalties ifthat individual is disadvantagedin any way.

“We cannot see how modernlegislation can exist without theprotection of whistleblowers. Itis almost a standard thing all

across the globe in terms of in-tegrity legislation and sunshinelaws and it was a glaring defi-ciency in our existing Act,” theSt. Joseph MP said.

Adding to his comments, theBLP candidate for Christ ChurchSouth, attorney-at-law RalphThorne indicated that under theBLP’s draft bill, the Commissionis to consist of six persons.Theseinclude a chartered or certifiedaccountant with at least tenyears’ experience; a judge – ei-ther sitting or retired; an attor-

ney-at-law with at least tenyears’ experience and a memberof the clergy. He stated that thefinal two members will be ap-pointed by the Governor General,one on the advice of the PrimeMinister and the other on the ad-vice of the Leader of theOpposition.

The BLP is urging Barbadiansto offer comments on the draftbill and Marshall said their com-ments will be reviewed andwhere possible fed into the finaldocument. (JRT)

Proposed bill to provide protection for whistleblowers

By Dorian Bryan

LISTENING to SyltonDouglas Thomas recallhis life and the workwhich he has done overhis lifetime to date, onecan only reach a simpleconclusion... the LordGod takes care of hisown.

This conclusion cameafter The BarbadosAdvocate got a chance tosit down and interviewthis true son of our soil to

get a glimpse of what a lifeof commitment, humilityand appreciation for thegifts which the Lordprovides, are accepted andnurtured.

One came to thisconclusion, during theinterview with thepatriarch of the familyhimself at his St. Thomashome. Nestled betweenfruit trees of everypossible description, butstill close enough enoughto the hustle and bustle of

modern Barbadian life,the richness of thehappiness which he hasfor life was on full display.The interview was beingheld even as Thomas, hiswife Cora and daughterDona Small, who lives inOhio, listened while a fewfamily friends continuedharvesting some itemsfrom their vast array ofagricultural items for sale.

Even after theinterview, I was treated toa walk through some of

the trees, where everypossible item was beinggrown. According todaughter Dona - one of thecouple’s four children, herparents still workconstantly on their lands,have never had majorhealth issues and havenever been hospitalisedwhich is truly throughGod’s Grace and acommitment to hard workand healthy living. Itmight help that Syltonand Cora are both

vegetarians. They havegiven up eating meat andlove to eat vegetables only.They also took pride ingrowing what they eatwith the engaging Syltonopining thatsupermarkets would only‘make you poor’.

Thomas was born onOctober 31, 1921. He losthis mother at an early agebut was adopted by hisaunt and attended schoolat St Alban’s Boy’s schoolin St James. He told TheBarbados Advocate thathis commitment to hardwork started at a veryyoung age. “I got my veryfirst job at 15 years old...that particular year wasvery rainy and the factorywas having a particular

problem with clarifyingthe juice. There was morewater coming in with thecanes than normal. So Iwas in the factory yardone night and agentleman who was incharge of clarifying thejuice carried me in thefactory,” he stated.Thomas revealed that hewas taught the processthrough which the juicewas purified and how theprocedure worked to movethe product to its finalcompletion.

He also pointed tochallenges which he facedwith some of the initialbosses which he faced.Perhaps challenges is too

Cont’d on Page 7


Walking in faith, succeeding in life

A man of many talents - Sylton Douglas Thomastalking to The Barbados Advocate.

Cont’d from Page 6

harsh a word, since itreferred to instructionswhich were left for thosewho oversaw him duringhis work on the factory tobe restricted to certainareas of the facility. Herecalled that he could notwalk in the area close tothe boiler - where anarrow space could befound - but that did notdeter his drive to succeedand he did not allow thisto derail his objective ofbeing a success.

He then stated that hethen learned the art ofbeing a painter. Thisafter learning from aMaster Painter, whichwas a job he excelled at -but more on that later.

Throughout all of this,Thomas remained adevout Man of Faith. Herevealed that he becamea member of the St.James Parish Church “Iwas confirmed by the lateBishop Bentley. I wastutored by the ReverendEric B. Dash who was anexpert in Theology. Therewere questions which Iwanted answered that Icould not hear in my 13week class but I did nothave the answers too. Igot hold of a book writtenby a man Caryle B.Haynes...at that timethere was turmoil in theworld between nations.Later on I was home, notfeeling well and I did notgo to work that day... Iwas given a book calledon Jehovah written by alocal pastor and Ireceived the answerswhich I was looking for. Ijoined the adventistchurch and was baptizedon September 12, 1947.Then in 1952, I wasordained as an Elder andan Assistant Elder”.

Thomas alwaysmaintained that hecontinues to be blessedby the Lord. He spoke oftwo incidents where henarrowly missed beinginvolved in seriousaccidents. He insistedthat if he was not underthe care of God, he wouldhave not made it past1958.Thomas stated that

he maintained heremained committed tohis faith and would notwork on the Sabbath. Hestressed that his decisionforced him to be out of ajob for 14 weeks wherehe, with a smile, statedthat he never wenthungry.

His work of a painterhelped Thomas to land ajob during theconstruction of the SandyLane Hotel. Speakingabout his meeting withthe supervisor of theproject, he showcased hishumour when he recalledthe meeting and theletter which he receivedfrom the same man twoweek later, which statedthat he was asked tomeet him in room 209. “Iwent to meet him in thesame clothes that I woreduring our first meeting,because I did not wanthim to miss me”. He alsorevealed that his salarywent from $12.75 at thejob he left, to $60 a week.“When you obey God youcannot fail” he said withquiet assurance.

Reflecting on his manyexperiences, Thomasexpressed a degree ofsatisfaction with hisaccomplishments. Hemaintained that Godcontinued to direct hislife and his steps and hadbeen good to him and hisfamily. He continues toread his daily scripturesand strives to learnsomething every day.Even as Thomas recalledhow he secured the landon which his five acressits, he stopped to statethat ‘Life is a school’.

Proudly unbowed atthe ripe age of 96,Thomas represents whatBarbados should beproud of. Looking outfrom the patio of thehouse that he built withhis wife, he appears acontented man. A manwho believes in hardwork, no complaints, butwilling to work for allthat he has and takingthe blessings which comehis way and even thehard times, because as hesays, the Lord will lookafter him.


Satisfiedwith life’striumphs

From left to right - Daughter Dona Small, Sylton Thomas and wife Cora Thomas posing at their home.

The gods had condemned Sisyphus to ceaselesslyrolling a rock to the top of a mountain,whence the stonewould fall back of its own weight. They had thoughtwith some reason that there is no more dreadfulpunishment than futile and hopeless labour. - Camus–The Myth of Sisyphus [1942]

TWO stories in yesterday’s edition of The BarbadosAdvocate,both emanating from the proceedings of theInternational Monetary Fund [IMF] High-LevelCaribbean Forum in Kingston, Jamaica during thepast week, demonstrate the Sisyphean nature of theregional efforts towards self-sufficiency, povertyalleviation, full employment and a better life for itscitizens generally.

In the first report, a number of the regional leadersagreed with the assessment of the Managing Directorof the Fund, Christine Lagarde, that “the practice ofoffering tax incentives over long periods to lureinvestors, [while] deeply entrenched in the culture ofgovernments across the region were actually hurtingthese jurisdictions, given the low levels of growthbeing experienced”. To a man seemingly, the regionalleaders present spoke out against this practice thathas also been a partisan bone of contention locally withthe Sandals investment.

Prime Minister Holness of Jamaica considered that“we have to make decisions that are not just fair to thecorporate bodies, but fair to the people who areexpecting some benefit from an investment that willlift them out of poverty”.Of a similar view was DeputyPrime Minister Turnquest of the Bahamas whointimated that his country was “seriously assessing itstax incentive policy” with a view to reducing some ofthe benefits it offers to investors. Prime MinisterMitchell of Grenada seemed less emphatic in hisobservations. He would rather have the matterdiscussed at a regional level,even though he concededthat the issue had been a problem in the Caribbean.

We are mindful that the regime of tax incentivesoffered to foreign investors is perhaps the sole effectivemechanism to lure them to the region, although thismay be the origin of the charges of “tax haven” beinglevelled at some regional jurisdictions. We are notcertain either that our response of claiming to be a lowtax jurisdiction rather than a tax haven is taken withless than a pinch of salt by these cosmopolitanjurisdictions from which the investors emanate.

Yet, herein lies the rub. For while these incentivesare designed to be for the ultimate benefit of thecitizenry with regard to increased job opportunitiesand national growth, it does not appear that either ofthese has been the consequence to any significantdegree thus far. It is here that the second reportimpinges on the discussion.According to this,Lagardenoted that youth employment in the region, reputedto be the highest in the world,and the unusually highrate of joblessness generally,provide a “major obstacleto economic growth. She cites in support of herproposition an Inter-American Bank study to the effectthat crime in the Caribbean costs the region four percent of GDP annually, a substantial expense for alargely depressed economy. The link is clear. Stronggrowth would reduce unemployment and probablythe incidence of crime that would, in turn conduce toan attractive environment for investors.

However, if we are now wary of providing taxincentives to investors since this is being viewed aslargely ineffective and unethical, and since suchinvestment is necessary for growth and reducedunemployment,then unless we find some novel meansof attracting foreign investment we are, like Sisyphus,merely rolling a stone up a hill for it to come back downand hurt us or, in the less painful and more regionalvernacular, “only spinning top in mud”.

Editorial

The children of Sisyphus

‘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’


Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000E-mail Address: [email protected]: www.barbadosadvocate.com

Executive Editor: Gillian MarshallGeneral Manager: Sandra ClarkeAssistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen Publisher: Anthony T. Bryan

News Editor: Dorian BryanBusiness Editor: Jewel BrathwaiteSports Editor: Corey Greaves

ONE of the leitmotifs ofthese columns has beenour duty to ourselves, thediscovery of who we reallyare. There are someprinciples which impact onthis journey which isprobably the most noble weshall ever undertake. Oneis that we’re not here tocopy anyone else or beconditioned by them.Another is that we all havea ‘dark’ side – we arehuman, after all – and soare likely to do very sillythings which the Churchcalls ‘sin’. Yet another isthat the journey reallycan’t begin until we’velearned to stand outsideourselves and look in andsee what we’re really up towithout being judgmental.And then, we have toaccept that as we grow inall this we shall be subjectto changes as we shed andgather in ourunderstandings ofourselves. Those changesmay only be surface things,or the product of the ageingprocess as some parts ofourselves become more orless important.

Circumstances maytease from usunderstandings whichwe’d never explicated inthe way we do now thoughthey’re entirely consistentwith whom we’ve alwaysbeen. So the fella who, at14,carried with his brotheran injured sheep from arocky gorge to safety, whoclawed raw clay from theground to make figurines,who would have forgoneordination to save the lifeof a lizard,who thinks of alltrees as ‘good’,breathing asGod made them whetheror not they bear fruit, andwho then became a

Franciscan Companion,now understands, thanksto the littleness of some so-called ‘men of God’, that hisaltar is the high altar of theworld itself, that a priestneeds no sanctuary in abuilding when he has thesanctuary of earth,sea andsky, and that God is theLife within all life.

The search for self is notego-elevation. It’s thesearch,ultimately, for truthand justice to oneself, tounderstand who it is thatGod has so marvellouslymade. It’s about searchingfor what will truly satisfythe desires of our hearts,for those ends are a mirrorreflection of our deepestselves, the source.

What about you? How, ifat all, have you changedover the years? What haveyou learned aboutyourself? Did you everhave a rude awakening?Are you right brain or leftbrain or a subtle balance?Are you not enoughserpent, not enough dove?You know,we’re like a river,you and me. We had ourorigin in the highmountains. We have ourend in the open sea.But,asthey say, no one can jumpinto the same river twice.None of us are stagnantpools. We flow and flow ascreation intended.

Last week I reflected on

death – yours and mine.That too was prompted byexperience.Five years ago,I had a taste of dying,a dryrun, a dress rehearsal,following a heart attackentailing a five-day holidayin the Intensive Care Unitat QEH. It came onsuddenly and, as I wascarted off in theambulance, I remembersaying to myself ‘Here wego,sunshine.Over the top.’The ICU became theworld, all of us patientsdrawing strength from oneanother in our half-aliveness and half-deadness, in our aloneness,with all our hopes anddreams put on hold, andrelying,even in the humblebed pan, upon others; butalso, in playing out themystery of our lives anddeaths, touched by theever-loving Christ inhuman hands, the handsof the priests andpriestesses whoadministered the host to usin insignificant aspirins ina pot, and the chalice in aninjection of morphine toease our pain. It was abetwixt and between worldwhere the wretchedness ofthe human condition everpresented itself,but wherewe soldiered on,as humansdo, and angels in uniformcaptured eternity for us intheir smiles even when we

slept. Those smiles meantso much. I wonder if thenurses realise that evenwhen they themselves feeldown, as we all do in theworld on times, they arethe guardians of all wehold sacred.

They see death so oftenand doubtless come to theward enteric coated. Yetthey come in true love andtrue charity, askingnothing,expecting nothing,but simply giving in theroutine of their lives whileother forces determinewhether we go or stay.Andall of this not out of theworld but in the wholeworld represented by itsfragment in a hospitalward – and all our lives,doctors, nurses, patients,criss-crossing and over-lapping as people do inwhat we know as theworld. Lying there, howcould I not give them myblessing and gratitude fortheir hospitality, which isthe essence of prayer – me,coming or going, a casualvisitor who rested in theoasis of all your lives inthat Ward. Shari, Ariale,Monica, Edgar, Krystal,Kathryn, Brenda, nursesAlleyne, Coltrust andGibson,and Sister Skeete Iremember you. Until.

Go safely, then – untilthe next time.

A night prayer from theboundary: Brother Jesus,you wept at the death of afriend and overturnedtables in anger at wrong ...assure me again that inbecoming more like you Icome closer to my true self,made in the image ofoutpouring love,born of thefree eternal Spirit (‘CelticBenediction’).

On death and life – Part five

FOR a long time, it hasseemed that the onlyperson unsure he will runin the presidential electionsnext March is VladimirPutin.

The people expect it, hisopponents are sure of it,hisentourage is convinced ofit,but Russia’s President isdelaying.

When Putin chooses torun, he will win, andhandsomely.The Presidentremains popular with hisbase and possesses a well-oiled political machine

that, as dependable as therotation of the sun and themovements of the tide,willdeliver a result between 60per cent and 70 per cent inhis favour.

However behind thescenes things are lesspredictable. Frominterviews with academics,government and near-government players, someanonymous, TheIndependent can reveal apicture of intenseuncertainty at the heart ofpower.

It is a picture that showsthe President’s grip on theKremlin to be as strong asever – but only because itneeds to be.

Vladimir Putin is,sources say, tired. He isreluctant to engage in amajor national election –again. The campaign willbe reduced to a bareminimum; there will be norepeat of the exhaustingtest of the 2011-2012elections, when Putindeclared his candidacy sixmonths early.

His decision to swap jobswith Dmitry Medvedevprovoked an unexpectedwave of protest.By the timeof election day, the resultwas not in question.However Putin invested alot in winning –emotionally andpsychologically.

The absolute deadline forregistration depends onwhether Putin runs as anindependent or on a partyplatform.Nonetheless mostexpect a declaration noearlier than mid-December.

‘There can be no second Putin’

MANY years ago – 1949to be exact – the Englishauthor, playwright andbroadcaster J.B. Priestleyproduced a splendid littlebook of short essayscalled “Delight” aboutthe simple things in lifethat gave him greatpleasure. It’s anentertaining book, adelight to read, and areminder of how blessedwe are to live in a part ofthe world that’s not anarea of constant conflict,war, genocide or famine.And with the continuingand seemingly ever-growing problems aroundus here at home –economic crisis, potholes,sewage, garbage, bush,dereliction, crime,political tribalism andconfusion – we need tostop and take stock ofthose many, manyblessings we take for

granted. It will help us toget through these toughtimes when we realisehow blessed andfortunate in fact we are,and how many dailydelights we have if wethink about it and taketime to appreciate them,and how fortunate we areto live in a safe andrelatively civilised part ofthe world.

I’m privileged to have agarden in which I takegreat delight. I can sit ona bench or a swing in theevening at sunset or asdusk falls and look up atmy majestic mahoganytrees, enjoy thecontinuous song of thebirds – from the quietchirps to the rather moreebullient calls of theramier pigeons and theoccasional cluster ofparrots – and if I stayoutside long enough we

see the glow of thefireflies and thetwinkling of the stars.What can be a moredelightful way to end theday, except for relaxing atthe beach, rum punch inhand, watching thesunset and wondering ifyou’ll see the elusivegreen flash? And whatabout strolling along thebeach (which many of usrarely visit) with thewaves lapping at yourfeet and your toessquelching in the soft

sand? Another delight is

going out of the house inthe morning to collect thepapers at the gate, andbeing greeted by yourwarm and friendly dogs –they’re so pleased to seeyou after their night’stough security work; andto look around in thebeautiful, crisp, clearmorning, and perhaps tospot a freshly opened roseor anthurium to surpriseyour wife with at thebreakfast table.

However, it ’s mymagnificent trees that Ilove the most. I have allthree of the world’sspiritual trees – the ficus(Ficus benjamina andFicus citrifolia, ourfamous bearded fig tree),the African baobab (justmaturing and blossomingfor the first time last yearat some 35 years of age)and the silk cotton (Ciba)– also blossoming for thefirst time last year at theage of ten – it replacedmy three-or-four-hundred-year-old silkcotton tree that had to gobecause it rotted in thecore, as silk cottons tendto do. On the same day Ireceived official townplanning approval tocrucify it I discovered aseedling just 18 inchestall … it’s now seventyfeet tall! The silk cotton’ssequence of yellowing of

leaves at Christmas, theirfall, the blossoms –creamy, scented,attracting every sparrowfor miles – then the seedpods, then the cottonballs, and finally the newleaves, provides abotanical extravaganza –a magnificent play inseven acts.

And speaking of trees,it’s a delight every time Idrive up or down the ABChighway … especially theAdams segment, wherethe beautiful avenues ofpalm trees are ever moresplendid and themanicured verges arealso a delight. These arethe result of the visionand execution by AndrewClarke and his team and sponsors of theAdopt-A-KM CommunityHighway Programme –congratulations, folks!

Continued on Page 10

“In times of plenty we mustbe gratefulIn times of sorrow we mustbe strongIn times of joy we must bethankfulBecause life really (has) itsups and its downsIn times of disaster we mustbe ready To get together and moveracism out the wayAnd if you listen to thiswatchword from your lover,Black StalinTomorrow would be a betterday.”Black Stalin – In Times

EVERY so often one hasthe opportunity to pauseand focus on somethingmore important than workor play. In an era ofmaterialism, some mayscarcely reflect on anythingbeyond money.

Greed may drive theperson with more thanenough to reach for evenmore, but there are thosewho focus on money out ofshare necessity. Needrather than greed, has itsown driver. Except one iscoming from a place offaith, the needy may beforgiven for being bread-focused.To borrow anotherline from Black Stalin,sufferers only want to knowwhere the next food comingfrom.

Unfortunately, we toooften judge people becauseof their circumstancesrather than their character.Circumstances may changewith one stroke of luck orbad luck, but neither of

those realities say anythingabout the essential qualityof a person.

We attach value to peoplebased on their race,gender,religion, nationality, theiroccupation, their wealth,how they speak,and a hostof other things that arereally of no essentialconsequence. In ourcurrent silly environment,even political persuasionmay be a means ofjudgement.

In a number ofCaribbean countries, theidea of many people, onecountry is promoted. Yet,the divisions and tensionsin many of these countrieshave not abated.The logicalexplanation may be the factthat each group continuesto maintain certain ideaswhich prevent them frombridging the gaps betweenthem and others.

In some of our countries,the people who wereoriginally here have beencompletely wiped out withno trace to be found. Insome others,there is barelya trace. And in still others,there are small settlementsremaining. In every case,these people have found aplace at the bottom of thesocieties in which they nowlive.

I recently saw a culturalpresentation which tracedthe development of one ofour neighbouringcountries.The most obvioustake away from that wasthe obvious beauty thatshone in every group.Different does not

necessarily mean morethan nor less than or betteror worse.

Somebody said thatbeauty is in the eye of thebeholder. Put differently, itis simply our judgementwhich informs our idea ofwhat is good or bad,right orwrong.Ignorance,however,is not a case of choice. Theignorant is truly ignorant.However,pretending not tosee the plight of others isnot ignorance. Willfulblindness is only feignedignorance.

The blinkers ofjudgement prevents usfrom seeing the potentialin people andcircumstances.When we donot value people, we closeour minds to their ideasand lose the benefit of theircontribution. One popularexample takes us back tothe time when women werebarred from participatingin decisions, on the solebasis of their gender. Insuch societies, half of thepotential of the populationwas lost.

This should not be takenas my endorsement of theview that women should bepromoted because they are

women. That would be asdisastrous as keeping themout because they arewomen. If decisions aremade based on ability aswell as other genuinemeasures of suitability,depending on what isneeded in a particularsituation, the societybenefits most.

It was only this year thatthe movie Hidden Figuresrevealed to the world thepivotal role which threeblack women played in thesuccess of America’s spaceprogramme. According tothe movie and the book onwhich it was based, evenwhen these women wererecruited, they had to workin segregatedcircumstances. They werekept apart from thefacility’s white population,working from an areacalled West AreaComputing. But, as hasbecome the norm, evenwhile drawing on these andother black person’stalents, acknowledgementwas withheld. While theirtalents were valuable, theywere not.

Over the past few years,Barbados has been facing

economic challenges. Thisis nothing new. Our modelof development makes usdependent on other people,hence, it is inevitable thatwhen those on whom wedepend falter, so will we.This is a conscious decision,so there is nothing about itthat should surprise us.But we can judge itscorrectness.

All indicators suggestthat we have no intentionof changing this, so wetinker with the fringeissues that we think wecontrol and apply plastersto stop the leakage whenproblems arise. Notsurprisingly, we go aroundin circles, with theoccasional slip backwards.

When we sit down to payparticular attention tosolutions, we invite thesame traditional people tothe table. One is left toponder whether we merelyobserve form or are reallyinterested in findingsolutions to our problems.

This circular behaviouris acceptable only becausewe do not value the input ofthose who do not fit thedescription of those whousually sit at the table ofdecision. When we discardthe ideas of the majority ofour people, we reduce ourtreasure of ideas to merelya fraction of the potentialthat should be available tous. Although not everyonecan come to the literaltable, there are ways tosolicit wider and novelviews.

What is logical in this

situation? It could be that itmakes sense to turn tothose who have beenengaged in an activity forgenerations to seekguidance on how toimprove the area of theiractivity.On the other hand,that same rationale couldrepresent the epitome ofirrationalism, simplybecause if they had thesolution we would not havethe problem.

Although one would hopethat it is obvious, out ofabundance of caution letme state that nothing saidhere is intended to suggestthat we should embrace allthings and all people.Thereare some things that willappeal to certainindividuals which aresimply bad and wrong.Further, during the courseof one’s life, one willencounter many toxicpeople. Some will smile inyour face and hug you onlyto be able to reach yourback to plunge a knife intoit. If you do not judge inthose situations, you willdie. The need fordiscernment in thesepersonal cases, however,does not speak to the valuejudgements that reinforceour class divisions and robus of the best that may beavailable to us. As a smallsociety, we cannot afford todiscard or ignore any of ourassets.

When we judge, wedivide. What bringsprogress is collaboration.We have to find ways tocollaborate better.


Value judgement and logic

Things that delight and things that don’t


CONTINUED fromPrevious Page

What are the simple in-door pleasures? Let’sstart with food: top of mylist are my wife’s freshlybaked coconut bread, cas-sava pone and conkies.Next comes Greek yo-ghurt with honey – sheerambrosia! And there’s norum punch like the Bajan recipe, with pure,fresh lime juice andFalernum instead ofsugar syrup – topped upwith Angostura andgrated nutmeg – all inmoderation of course!

And books. Books andmore books. There are

thousands in our house. Ican’t live without books,and usually have severalgoing at one time … acouple upstairs and a cou-ple downstairs that areon the go, while book-shelves line every room.While nature restores themind and the soul, booksgive you the world, booksgive you ideas and vision,and books make you free.And I’m like the Duke inShakespeare’s “As youlike it”, who said: “Thisour life, exempt from pub-lic haunt, finds tongues intrees, books in the run-ning brooks, sermons instones, and good in every-thing. I would not change

it.”That beautiful thought

always reminds me of the beautiful poem TheDesiderata written byMax Ehrmann in 1927and widely quoted andpopularised. Its prove-nance has often been in-correctly stated, but it’sworth quoting, becauseeven in the toughest andmost demoralising oftimes it’s always relevant,always inspiring ….

You are a child of theuniverse,

no less than the treesand the stars;

you have a right to behere.

And whether or not it is

clear to you,no doubt the universe is

unfolding as it should.Therefore be at peace

with God,whatever you conceive

Him to be,and whatever your

labours and aspirations,in the noisy confusion of

life keep peace with yoursoul.

With all its sham,drudgery, and brokendreams,

it is still a beautifulworld.

Be cheerful.Strive to be happy.So be cheerful, and

strive to be happy as, inthe words of Rotary, we

take every opportunity toserve society.

Things that don’t delight me include thecontinuing, aggressive behaviour of ZR vans. OnMonday as I moved offfrom the traffic lights atthe Collymore Rock /Culloden Road junction,going straight, a ZR vanroared past me from theright hand “Right turnonly” lane, swerving infront of me in a zero- to-100 miles an hour in-five-seconds move, barelymissing my right head-lamp, and acceleratingaway, followed a few feetbehind by another ZRvan.Within a few seconds

they were both out ofsight around the EnaWalters Roundabout.One recalls Henry theSecond’s distress withArchbishop ThomasBeckett and those famouswords to his knights:“Will no one rid me of thisturbulent priest?”Will noauthorities control thecrazy behaviour of thesedrivers?

Professor Fraser isPast Dean of MedicalSciences, UWI andProfessor Emeritus ofMedicine and ClinicalPharmacology.Website: profhen-ryfraser.com

Be cheerful and strive to be happy

THERE is seemingly noend to the literature madeavailable these days forthe individual with an in-terest in the law to read.Now, in addition to the vo-luminous case law ema-nating from the numerouscourts from the variousrelevant jurisdictions,there are the free elec-tronic newsfeeds that offercommentary by legal firmson the most recent globaldevelopments in all areasof the law.

The subscriber is free toselect the areas in whichhe or she would like toread commentary on re-cently decided cases. Oneof these is “Mondaq”, is-sued every Tuesday andThursday,and there is alsothe daily “Lexology”. Ofcourse, it is not practicablefor me to keep up faith-fully with my daily read-ings from these twonewsletters, so that I amsometimes made aware ofa recent development ofinterest through themedium of a message onlyfrom a colleague whomight draw it to my atten-tion.

Such an item forms thebasis of my musings todayand should spark some interest in those who areinterested in the law’streatment of the testa-mentary dispositions of anindividual who has soughtto draft his or her own will,as is eminently possiblelegally. It is taken from acommentary by BenKinnear of the firm HughJames Solicitors on theUK High Court decision inVucicevic and Bond vAleksic et al.

The testator in this casewas born in Montenegroin 1923 and died in the

UK, where he had arrivedjust after World War II, atage 91 in 2014. He spokeimperfect English and heleft a hand-written or“holographic” will. This“will” was undated, savethat it bore the year 2012,there was no attestationclause nor did it state whowould be the executor, al-though it did purport thata senior bishop of theSerbian Orthodox Churchwould be “in charge”, butthe Probate Registry de-clined to accept that hehad been thereby ap-pointed executor of thewill.

The testator's estate wasvalued for probate at£2,750,753, although aschedule of assets and lia-bilities showed a total netestate for probate pur-poses of £1,863,228.61,as of 2 September 2016.This included threehouses, one in Djenovice(Montenegro), one inCardiff, and one inLondon, as well as a num-ber of financial invest-ments such as bonds andshares. The testator died a bachelor, without livingissue or parents. He had seven siblings of thewhole blood, all of whomlived in Serbia andMontenegro. Five of thesiblings predeceased thetestator, leaving issue.Thesixth sibling is the first defendant.

His lack of proficiency inEnglish was clear from thedocument which accordingto the court, contained“poor grammar, misspeltwords and incorrect punc-tuation”. These lapses,however, did not thwartthe court in its efforts toascertain the intention ofthe testator. As was noted

by the judge,“ bad Englishcan still make a good willas long as the testator’smeaning can be under-stood”.

Even though it was heldon the evidence that thetestator was mentallycompetent and thereforeof testamentary capacity,the provisions of the willthemselves presented ad-ditional problems. For in-stance, there was a legacyof 10, 000 to “Brit. CancerResearch”.As his Lordshippointedly observed, “Theproblem here is that thereis no such organi-sation”. This issue waseventually resolved by di-viding the legacy among anumber of British cancerresearch charities after afruitless search to ascer-tain whether the testatorhad any connection withany one of them.

Second, there was a pe-cuniary legacy to "AlexDubljevic in Cardiff(Barrister)", but the diffi-culty was that words im-mediately following, con-taining the amount to begiven, had been obliter-ated.Then, after what wasobviously a telephonenumber, the words"£2.000. Two" appeared.

As for this, an expertopinion was sought from aforensic document exam-iner who examined thewill using special equip-

ment. Her unchallengedevidence, which was ac-cepted by the court, was tothe effect that:

"In my opinion, I haverecovered conclusive evi-dence of a partial entryunderneath the crossedout area…which has sincebeen obliterated by twodifferent black ballpointpen inks.The partial entryreads "£_000_Eigh_",where the underscoredareas denote unclear char-acters. Please note that Iam unable to determine ifthe final word reads 'eight'or 'eighty'.

I have also examinedthe text on the remain-der… and noted that thefinal entry "£2.000. TWO"has been written out in adifferent black ballpointpen ink to the surroundingentries. Therefore, in myopinion, there is evidenceto support the propositionthat this entry has beenadded to the will at a laterdate."

On this basis, thelearned judge, relying ongenerally accepted author-ity, reasoned –

If the obliterations andadditional words could beshown to have been madeand written before the willwas executed, then therewould be a gift in favour ofMr Dubljevic of £2000.Butthe evidence as to the tim-ing of these changes was

equivocal, and thereforethey were not proved tohave been made before thewill was executed.The pre-sumption is that alter-ations were made after thewill was executed:Tristram & Coote’sProbate Practice, [3.231].The evidence of attesta-tion does not deal with thepoint. However, I was sat-isfied that the testator hadobliterated the entry withthe intention of revokingthat entry and had thenwritten the words whichhe did with the intentionof substituting thosewords for that entry.The revocation by obliter-ation could be effective asto the entry, since part of awill may be revoked.However, the additionalentry in this case wouldnot be effective, since itcould not be shown on thebalance of probabilities tohave been made before theexecution of the will and ithas not been attested sep-arately.

The unusual featurehere was that the legateehimself remained in thewill, which showed thatthe testator had a contin-uing intention to benefithim. Accordingly, itseemed to me that the doctrine of dependent rel-ative revocation shouldapply: Tristram & Coote’sProbate Practice, [3.252].This is that the revocationof the earlier entry is con-ditional on the effectivesubstitution of the laterentry. But the later entry,as I have said, could notbe valid.Therefore, the in-tention to revoke the earlier entry, being condi-tional but the conditionnot being satisfied, wasnot shown.The result was

that the earlier obliteratedentry remained valid, if itscontent could be ascer-tained. The question waswhat it said.

The expert evidence saidthat the legacy was eitherof £8000 or £80 000. In aletter dated 7 March 2017,Mr Dubljevic contendedfor the latter, though hetook no part in the pro-ceedings and did not makeany submissions at thehearing. Looking at thephotographs of the areasof the obliterated entryunder infrared lighting, itwas possible that theremight be an extra zero (for£80,000) but then theword as spelt would needtwo extra spaces, for a Tand a Y. Moreover, £80 000would be far more than for any other legacy givenby the will. Finally, a sub-stituted gift of £2000would also involve a muchlarger reduction from theoriginal sum given. On thebalance of probabilities, Iconsidered that the oblit-erated legacy was for£8000.

The limitations of spacedo not permit me to exam-ine the entire decisiontoday, but the above exem-plifies the effort to which acourt may go to give effect to a testamentarydisposition that wasclearly intended by thetestator or testatrix to becarried out according tohis or her expressedwishes. A short fewmonths ago, theCaribbean Court of Justicesought to ascertain whatthe local Parliamentmeant by the word “sin-gle” in a relevant statute.

At least that was writ-ten in grammatical un-obliterated prose.

Where there is a will…


QUOTES FOR TODAY WORDS OFWISDOM

Margaret Mead (1901–1978)American cultural anthropologist Don Miguel Ruiz (1952)

Mexican author “Sanctify them through thytruth: thy word is truth.”

– John 17:17 “Having someone wonder whereyou are when you don't comehome at night is a very old humanneed.”

“Relationship is an art. Thedream that two people createis more difficult to masterthan one.”

RELATIONSHIPS

Good company upon theroad is the shortest cut.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORADVOCATE PUBLISHERS (2000) INC, FONTABELLE • FAX: 434-1000 • E-MAIL: [email protected]

LET GODSPEAK TO US

“I will drive a six-mule teamthrough the Treasury. God helpthe surplus when I get at it.”

– (James Tanner, Commissionof Pensions, 1889)

ONE of the reasons we have ar-rived at this point – question-able financial sustainability,onerous tax policies and themother of all deficits – is the at-titude that says: Actuarial re-ports (and future generations)be damned, I have an election towin. It is an attitude that onlythinks in five year blocks, neverfifty.Unfortunately (for ordinaryfolks), this attitude is nothingnew. In “The High Cost of GoodIntentions”, Cogan takes usback to 1949 where he tells thestory of “long time and highlyrespected former chief actuaryof Social Security” Robert J.Myers.

In a discussion on “the new

methodology” (a proposal withnew actuarial assumptions andimplications for Social Securityfinances) Mr. Myers, “who hadbeen evaluating the financialimpact of Social Security legisla-tion for Congress since 1949,called [it] an “unsound actuarialprocedure”” equating it with“borrowing from the next gener-ation to pay the current genera-tions’ benefits, in the hope thatinflation of wages would makethis possible”. He was ignored.He would later write a piece forThe Atlantic magazine but, sim-ilar to our day, the powers thatbe kept ignoring the actuary.

Several years later, speakingon the dangers of a large sur-plus, Senator Daniel PatrickMoynihan quoted Mr. Myers,“Gentlemen, you are never going to save the surplus…Temptation is never overcome.The flesh is weak the spirit

notwithstanding. Give it backbefore [spending] it becomes ahabit.” Cogan’s book and severalCongresses have proven Mr.Myers right. The take way forour context is that we shouldnever be lulled into a false senseof security (and inaction) whenwe hear old wives’ tales andbloviating about billions.

As the US context illustrates,these billions do not exist in avacuum but in the context of agargantuan deficit, changing de-mographics and a myriad ofother 21st century factors thatare conveniently ignored. Tospeak of billions in a trump card(almost celebratory manner)while simultaneously ignoringthese other factors is the verydefinition of – Vox et pretereanihil – an empty sound and vainphraseology.And future genera-tions know this.

Citing a poll from the 1990s

about attitudes towards the useof surplus funds, Cogan notesthe poll found that “nearly twiceas many young Americans age18 to 34 believed in extraterres-trial life than that SocialSecurity would exist when theyreached retirement age”. He explains their (well-founded)scepticism in his discussion onSocial Security’s accountingrules (beyond our scope) wherehe concluded,“Thus, the reservefund’s balance would continueto grow, giving the public thefalse impression that surplusfunds were being set aside andinvested for future recipientswhen, in fact, the money wasbeing spent. When it came timeto draw on the reserve fund, thepublic would find an emptybucket.”

The attitude that seems to bepart of each Congress’ DNA is,as Cogan puts it, “dealing with

future deficits would be left tofuture Congresses”.

Cogan also touched on otherpolicy implications that dealtwith the idea of “intergenera-tional fairness”. In January1935, President Roosevelt spokedirectly to the issue,“It is almostdishonest to build up an accu-mulated deficit for the Congressof the United States to meet inthe 1980s. We can’t do that. Wecan’t sell the United States shortin 1980 any more than in 1935.”Subsequent Presidents, as evenrecent history has shown, haveno problem kicking this emptybucket (can, call it what youwish) down the road.

If we do nothing – Reform?What reform? – ignore actuarialreports and bloviate about billions; we will be guilty of sell-ing the Barbados of 2067 short.

ADRIAN SOBERS

Good intentions gone bad – Part 2

I AM in agreement with Dr.Trevor Shepherd and the com-ments attributed to him duringa panel discussion on the topic:“Alternate Sexuality, Interestand Dangers”.

Anal sex is unhealthy.Likewise eating too much sugar;not getting enough rest at night;or not washing your hands afterusing the toilet. These are alsounhealthy acts. So what do yousuggest doc? Should we make ita criminal offence for those whoengage in these types of activi-ties?

I suspect that the point will belost in my over simplification ofthis issue. Nevertheless, it is im-portant to state the obvious.Theissue concerning the criminali-sation of homosexuality be-tween consenting adults is, infact, unconstitutional. No argument brought forward candispute this fact.

So whether the act itself is un-healthy or not is not an issue, as

they are several other things wedo on a daily basis that are un-healthy. The real issue in ques-tion is whether we can under-stand and except the fact thatthey are those amongst us thathave chosen a particularlifestyle, and in a democratic society, we are duty bound to afford them that right.

These individuals are not par-ticipating in some act that willcause irreversible harm to thesociety. The most is that theywill harm each other and that isa decision we cannot make forthem, as long as they havepassed the age of consent.

So let’s stop trying to muddythe waters.All those proponentsof continuing to criminalise anact between consenting adultsare hypocritical, as far as I’mconcerned. The various argu-ments put forward are scur-rilous at best and cannot passthe legal test.

PETER “SOCK” DOTTIN

Unconstitutional!THE frightening sound of theclash of metal under me signalled that the pothole I had driven through did not contain only water. There

was a hydrant in there too!

I guess I’ll soon hear from a political platform: “Your fault; you had no business

in Holetown last Friday morn-ing.”.

CARL MOORE

I HAVE to face the reality andstop agonising about thescarcity, nay more pointedly,the non-existence of locallytrained and competent job-seekers.

It is either the unemploy-ment statistics are flawed tothe extent that there is full employment, the training andeducational institutions are not training and teaching whatis relevant and necessary, orthere is a novel way to live

without having to earn a salary or wage from honestlabour.

Again, on the 10th day ofNovember 2017, the printmedia carried an advertise-ment of an establishment having received no suitable application to fill the position of Head Chef, seeking the permission of the ChiefImmigration to grant a workpermit for a non-national.

Are there no longer private

employment agencies offeringtheir services ?

Is there not a national em-ployment bureau within theMinistry of Labour ?

What is the function, theremit and the mission of theseentities ?

Is Barbados being impactedso negatively by a "braindrain"?

MICHAEL RAY

Is there a shortage of locally-trained job seekers?

The frightening clash of metal


ANDERSON CHERRY, CEOof Project Recycle Ltd., hasbroken his promise to resi-dents of St. George, to ceasedumping at the LowerEstate Quarry.

This was the charge levelledby Roger Craig of the St. George North-WesternCommunity Group, who has todate convened a number oftown hall meetings under thechairmanship of St. GeorgeNorth Member of Parliament,Gline Clarke, to have the ongoing environmental matteraddressed.

Following numerous callsfrom frustrated residents forthe Quarry to be closed given

its impact on their health,Craig noted that an agreementwas eventually reached onOctober 6, 2017, with Cherryagreeing to close his operationsthere and work over the nextsix months to clear the Quarry.He indicated that he wouldwork to cover any materialsthat had been burning in theQuarry, so as to reduce the nox-ious smoke and offensivesmells emanating from thesite.

However, Craig noted thatthe Monitoring Committee setup to ensure that Cherryabides by the agreement, re-cently discovered that dump-ing of regular household waste

is still ongoing at the LowerEstate Quarry, which is abreach of the agreement and adeviation from the plan to justhave inert materials such asdirt and mould brought in tocover igniting troubled spots.

“The agreement has beenbreached and we have the evidence to show,” Craig toldThe Barbados Advocate.

He noted that on ThursdayNovember 16th, exactly amonth and ten days after theagreement had been reached,he, along with other membersof his team visited the site, tofind that Cherry’s trucks werestill dumping regular domes-tic garbage at the site.

“I saw chicken and pizzaboxes, sponges for old beds,cardboard, you name it, it wasin there,” Craig lamented,stressing that as of October6th, the agreement was that nowaste would be permitted inside.

Cherry, who was out of theisland, will likely have his sayon the matter, when he returns.However, members of the St. George North-WesternCommunity Group have not ex-cluded the possibility of ramp-ing up their action againstCherry, given their claims thathe has not stuck to his end ofthe bargain.

Meanwhile reports are that

the Ministry of Health’s VectorControl Unit (VCU) has been tothe site to investigate reportsabout vermin such as rats infiltrating nearby communi-ties, as they emerge from theQuarry.

Acting Senior Officer withthe VCU, Roger Carter carriedout the visit and a rat baitingprogramme is to be initiated,amongst other things.

Spokesperson for the St. George North-WesternCommunity Group, RogerCraig has expressed his ex-treme gratitude on behalf ofthe group, for the interventionmade to date by the VCU.(RSM)

EFFORTS are on to look at busroute rationalisation.Word ofthis has come from Minister ofTransport and Works, MichaelLashley, who indicated to themedia on Friday following atour of the Constitution RiverTerminal (CRT) which is cur-rently under construction, thata committee has been put inplace to look into the matter.

“There is a route committeein place that is looking intothat, looking to establish new

routes, looking to plan routesproperly, so it is not that theTransport Authority is sittingdown idly by,” he said.

Speaking more to those efforts, Alex Linton, Director of the Barbados TransportAuthority indicated that theAuthority will be utilising infor-mation garnered from the newterminal, once it is in operation,to assist in improving the serv-ice on various routes. Thatcame as he added that the com-

mittee is engaging the publicservice vehicle operators to gettheir feedback to improve theroutes and service as well.

“We will be looking at obvi-ously all the routes in the island, looking at making amore rational approach,obviously streamlining it,making it more efficient [and]effective. The data that this terminal will collect will assistus in that process,” he said.

Linton’s comments came as

he revealed that work on a fewother terminals is on the cardsincluding Seaview Terminaland Oistins. In respect of theformer terminal, he said, theplans have been drafted andcrafted and Cabinet has already given its nod of ap-proval.

“So that is the next projectwe have to look at; andFairchild Street that is a projectwhich is quite major. We arelooking at doing some remedial

works also in Speightstown, soyou can look for that on thecards, hopefully within the newterm. What we envision for theOistins area as the Minister isalluding, is a mini hub area andwe are having some drawingsand we have to do some consul-tations. But that is not the highpriority at this stage since wewant to finish CRT as soon aspossible, but we will look at Oistins in the future,”he said. (JRT)

Bus Routes being examined by special committee

Quarry agreement breached betweenCEO Cherry, St. George community group

Skips containing waste, as they sat in the Lower Estate Quarry.

Roger Craig, spokesperson for the St. George North-WesternCommunity Group says the agreement made regarding the closure of operations at the Lower Estate Quarry has beenbreached.


Yesterday: 0 mm For the month: 46.9 mm For the year: 1192.3 mm

London : 08 FairBoston : 07 OvercastMontreal : -00 Overcast Toronto : 07 Rain/ MistNew York : 27 Partly Cloudy Miami : 11 Overcast/ Rain 5:59 am 5:29 pm

High Tide (First) 4:37 HRSHigh tide (Second) 16:03 HRS

Low Tide (First) 9:48 HRS Low tide (Second) 22:31 HRS

Max: 30.5 &degC Min: 25.6 &degC

Fair to partly cloudy with a few briefscattered showers.

FORMER Minister of Transport andWork, John Boyce, has made public hissupport of a change in legislation to allowfor drivers to use hands-free devices tocut down on distracted driving and he isalso supporting measures that will allowfor Breathalyser testing.

Boyce, who now serves as Minister ofHealth noted his support, as he made hiscontribution last week in the House ofAssembly to debate on the Road Traffic(Amendment) Bill, 2017.

“This cellphone (is a distraction). Iwonder what we used to do when wedidn’t have cellphones. It may seem like

a stupid repetitive question, but it isworth talking about in our society,” Boycecommented.

“What did we do when we didn’t havecellphones? Why do we have this sort ofattachment, this almost umbilicalattachment to our cellphones now, thatwe cannot even let go for half an hour tocome to work,” he added.

“The truth is, that I am so glad to seethis legislation adopt the hands-freesystem, because it is actually an offenceI gather…that if you have an earpiece,you are actually in contravention of thepresent Act, the present regulations and

you can find yourself in trouble. I havebeen stopped with an earpiece, but thenew one will allow that you can use it,”the Member of Parliament for ChristChurch South acknowledged.

He then had his say on Breathalysertesting.

“The question of the Breathalyser,what’s wrong with that? Why should wecontinue to give Barbadians theimpression because we are a rum makingcountry, that you can consume anyamount of alcohol and then let yourvehicle drive you home, as they oftensay?” Boyce commented.

“We may not have all the sophisticationas other regions have in terms of even thelegislation or the tools to manage thelegislation,but we have to be in a positionto send the signal that if you are over thelimit…in terms of alcohol consumption,you shouldn’t be driving a car,” Boycefurther stated.

“We have to send the message toBarbadians, that we are not aboutcurbing any entertainment orcriminalising the society, but we areabout creating a safe environment inwhich we can all live,” the Ministerconcluded. (RSM)

DAWN SPRINGER spent an entiresummer studying the basiccharacters of the Japanese language,and now it has paid big dividends forthe unassuming 21-year old. She isnow the chief Japanese interpreterfor Nanyo City, Japan - the host townfor the Barbados Olympic team forthe 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

She recounted her road there, and herexperience in being the only knownBarbadian interpreter living in themodern bustling city,during an interviewwith the Barbados GovernmentInformation Service. This followed acourtesy call between the Mayor of NanyoCity,Takao Shiraiwa, and the Minister ofForeign Affairs and Foreign Trade,Senator Maxine McClean.

During the courtesy call, the formerQueen’s College student, who hails fromHusbands, St. James, impressed theMinister and Permanent Secretary,CecileHumphrey, with the fluency of her oralJapanese, despite initial “butterflies”about her confidence in speaking thelanguage.

And, while relaxing at Accra BeachHotel following a hectic day of meetingsand visits to some of the island’s sportingfacilities, the Host Town Promoter recalledthat her initial interest in Japanese beganwhile watching the popular AnimeJapanese Animation, as a student inLower Sixth Form at Queen’s College.

“I used to watch them [animation] withJapanese audio and English sub-titles.Reading with subtitles is kind of annoying,so I wanted to be able to hear andunderstand. So, I went online and in theGoogle search engine I typed in LearnJapanese Online and I started learningthe easiest characters and I wrote thescript in a note book. I spent the wholesummer walking around the housepractising the sounds,” she said.

Dawn continued:“My mom saw me andshe said to me, if you are going to study,you should study properly. She sent an e-mail to the Embassy of Japan in Trinidadasking if there was any Japanese personin Barbados who would be able to help melearn the language and they said yes, andthey gave my mom the e-mail address andit so happened that she was a Japaneselanguage teacher.After we met,she agreedto teach me. We started doing one-hourlessons once a week and that continued upuntil I got into university to studySpanish.”

While a second year student at theUniversity of the West Indies (UWI),CaveHill Campus,Dawn went to Japan for oneyear via the University’s exchangeprogramme. She was the first studentfrom UWI Cave Hill to do so. Currently,there are no Japanese courses beingoffered at Cave Hill. She has expressedthanks to her professors for allowing herto complete the elective credits in Japan,and the core courses on her return to CaveHill.

Dawn fell in love with not only theJapanese language, but their culture aswell. She did extensive research on theircustoms and went with no preconceivednotions, based on anecdotal informationabout the country.

“I figured I would go there with a blankslate and let Japan tell me how they are,so I didn’t have much of a culture shock,”she stated.

When she graduated from the UWI,she had no concrete career plans, and onthe advice of her parents, she returned toJapan and completed the languageproficiency exam, which she aced.

Following her studies,she landed a part-time job,but the big break came when she

received a call from the Embassy of Japanin Barbados. She was being given theopportunity to share information aboutBarbados to a city that was earmarked asthe host for the Barbadian Olympic team.

After the conversation, she landed thejob and an opportunity of a lifetime.

“The two officials came from Nanyo andthey met with me. At first, it was more ofme telling them about Barbados and thenthey said ‘would you want to work withus?’ I said I am looking for a job; of courseI want to work with you!” she exclaimed.

Dawn added:“At first it was a tentativething, but then it started to get more andmore serious and then they said we aregoing to hire you from October [2017].”

Still in disbelief about her good fortune,Dawn intends to take the role seriously,and to make Barbados proud from theother side of the continent. “Honestly, Iwas a little scared because I thought whywould they choose me to bear all this

responsibility? I am just a small child whodoes not know what’s going on,” Dawnquipped.

She had a special message for youngpersons like herself who are looking foropportunities, but have encounteredchallenges along the way. “Look outsideBarbados. It may be daunting becausepeople are uncomfortable to leavesomething they are familiar with. But, inunfamiliar places a lot of interestingthings happen. I have had a lot ofadventures and I’d definitely recommendit,” she said.

It has been a whirlwind experience forDawn in an Asian City where thepopulation of Asians far outstrips blackpeople. Although she has had a fewunpleasant experiences, the positives faroutweigh the negatives, and the bubblyHost Town Promoter is eagerly waiting tohost the Barbados 2020 Olympic team inNanyo.

Boyce supports use of hands-free devices, breathalyser testing

Interpreter flying the Bajan flag high inNanyo City Japan

Interpreter for Nanyo City, Dawn Springer poses with Minister of Foreign Affairsand Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean during a recent visit to the Ministryof Foreign Affairs.

A BGIS NEWS FEATURE

WHEN independencewas finally wrenchedfrom Britain in April1980, Zimbabwe wasdescribed as the “jewel of Africa” byTanzania’s PresidentJulius Nyerere.

Thirty-seven yearslater, the country is ineconomic ruin. Its 93-yearold leader, RobertMugabe, has been ousted

by the military and isunder house arrest afteralmost four decades ofmostly despotic rule,supported, incidentally,by the very military thatremoved him from office.

Caribbean leadersfought for Zimbabwe’sindependence, for one-man, one-vote and for anend to white minority rulein what was then

Southern Rhodesia. Thepantheon of Caribbeanleaders includedGuyana’s ForbesBurnham, Jamaica’sMichael Manley,Trinidadand Tobago’s EricWilliams, Bahamas’Lynden Pindling,Barbados’ Errol Barrowand JMG ‘Tom’ Adams.Atthe centre of the widerCommonwealth struggle

was another Caribbeancrusader, the Guyana-born Secretary-General,Shridath ‘Sonny’Ramphal, who, as Britishwriter Richard Bourneobserved, “was emphaticthat he wanted an end toracism in southern Africaunder his watch”.Caribbean leaders weremidwives at the birth ofZimbabwe and god-

parents to the democraticelection of Robert Mugabeas President.

Over the years,Caribbean leaders grewdisappointed in Mugabe,even though they weresympathetic to his centralplight which was thelegacy of an untenablesituation in which,through years of imposedwhite rule by Britain’s‘kith and kin’, 90 per centof the valuable land wasowned by the minoritywhite population.

Both Britain and theUS reneged on a promiseto fund compulsory landpurchases from theminority whitepopulation so that themajority black populationcould be empowered intheir ancestral homeland.Unable to fund thecompulsory acquisition ofmillions of acres of white-owned farms, Mugaberesorted to seizing themand to allowinglawlessness by his ownsupporters in land-grabs.The economy, thereafter,went into steep decline,and with it wentdemocracy and goodgovernance. Mugabecould only hold on topower for his ZANU-PFparty and for himself byrigged elections andbrutal repression of hisopponents.

By the time thatCaribbean nations joinedother Commonwealthcountries in a decision tosuspend Zimbabwe fromits councils in 2002because of violations of Commonwealthdemocratic principles,they were highlyfrustrated with Mugabe’sunyielding intolerance ofany form of dissent.Jamaica’s Prime Minister,PJ Patterson, was one ofthree CommonwealthHeads of Government, inDecember 2003, who triedto persuade Mugabe toaccept Commonwealthhelp to address thepolitical situation inZimbabwe while thecountry remainedsuspended. Mugaberefused, choosing insteadto withdraw from theCommonwealth.

In the ensuing years,Caribbean countriescould do nothing more

than watch from the side-lines as Zimbabwedeteriorated.

By the end of the lastdecade, only the supportof the military keptMugabe and his ZANU-PF party in office. Thatsupport dissipated onNovember 15 whenGeneral ConstantinoChiwenga led what heinsisted is not a coupd’état, but a ‘state ofcorrection’. Called by anyname, Mugabe is beingdetained, many personsaround him are arrestedas ‘criminals’ without dueprocess, and the militarycommands the country.

The reason for thearmy’s separation fromMugabe came just daysbefore Chiwenga tookcontrol of the country.Mugabe had fired his VicePresident EmmersonMnangagwa for declaringhis intention to runagainst Mugabe’s 52-year-old, ambitious andcombative wife, Grace, forthe leadership of theparty and eventually thePresidency. In his dotage,the once politically astuteMugabe failed to takeaccount of the fact thatMnangagwa was close toChiwenga personally andthe military generally.

Grace became thecatalyst for Mugabe’sdownfall. Labelled“DisGrace” or “GucciGrace” on account of her widely-reported loveof shopping andextravagant living, GraceMugabe enjoyed ameteoric rise through theranks the ZANU-PF inthe last two years,promoted by a besottedMugabe who is 41 yearsher senior. The old adage,‘there’s no fool like an oldfool’ came to pass.The prospect of herbecoming President overMnangagwa was too far astretch for the Chiwengaand the military.

Governments aroundthe world have notcondemned what iseffectively a militarycoup. That is a measureof the relief felt by manyat the toppling of Mugabe,who at the beginning, wasa hero to Africa, althoughhe was always disliked byWestern governments.

Continued on Page 15


Mugabe: a Graceful Coup


www.pwc.com/bb

Be part of our Assurance team in St. Lucia

At PwC East Caribbean we are always on the lookout for talent – bright people with fresh ideas and lots of ambition. We are currently looking for Entry level and Experienced Associates, Senior Associates and Managers in our Assurancedepartment.

At PwC we exist to solve important problems and to build trust in society. With your skills, expertise and enthusiasm we will be able to continue this purpose and improve upon it as we grow. Your relationship with us and our relationship with our clients will help create the value that both you and our clients are looking for.

Where do you start?

Suitable candidates should submit their applications by November 27, 2017 via email to [email protected], subject line: St. Lucia Opportunities. Applications should be addressed to The Human Capital Department, PricewaterhouseCoopers SRL, Bishop’s Court Hill, P.O. Box 111, St. Michael, Barbados. For more information about our firm, visit our website at www.pwc.com/bbor call (246) 626 6700. We thank all applicants for their interest; however we wish to advise that only those candidates selected for an interview will be acknowledged.

© 2017 PwC. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details

Specific qualifications and minimum requirements for these positions are:

Associates and Experienced Associates: persons who have completed their undergraduate degree with Upper Second Class Honours or above and have gained 1-3 years of experience in the field of external audit with a recognized professional services firm.

Senior Associates: applicants must have trained with a recognized accounting firm and should possess a professional designation (ACA, ACCA, or CPA). Candidates should have between 1 to 3 years of post- qualification experience, which should include 1 to 2 years of experience as an Audit Senior in a professional services firm. Strong IT skills are essential.

Managers: in addition to the above requirements for a Senior Associate, candidates for Manager positions should possess 1 to 2 years of experience at that level or in a similar role.

Continued from PreviousPage

Normally, condemnationwould have been ringingaround the world withdemands for corrective actionagainst “the state of correction”.The coup would have beencalled by its name and itsperpetrators denounced. Not sowith the Mugabe coup. The USgovernment said it “does nottake sides in matters ofinternal Zimbabwean politicsand calls for an expedienttransition to democratic,civilian order”. The BritishForeign Secretary, BorisJohnson, was equally notcondemnatory, saying:“I hope that Zimbabweanpoliticians will take thisopportunity, remembering thattheir country has so manystrengths that even Mugabehas failed to tarnish itirreparably.”

In reality, Zimbabwe’spolitical and economicproblems are most unlikely toimprove with the ignominiousend of Mugabe’s rule and thetermination of Grace’sambitions to replace him.

The hope that the ‘path tolegitimate government is now

open’ or that there will be an‘expedient transition todemocratic, civilian order’depends on a willingness by theleadership of the ZANU-PFparty to accept that it is notentitled to rule Zimbabweforever.

However, nothing in GeneralChiwenga’s past, or in therecord of EmmersonMnangagwa, suggests that theyare willing to allow partypolitical contention and freeand fair general elections.Mnangagwa has returned toZimbabwe from which he fledafter Mugabe fired him. So toohas Morgan Tsvangirai, whoarguably, won the 2008Presidential election againstMugabe when Chiwengaintervened, insisting on asecond round from whichMugabe was declared winneramid violence and brutalityagainst Tsvangirai himself and thousands of hissupporters.

But, Tsvangirai – eventhough he used to be supportedby Western nations – now lacksthe capacity to galvanise aunited opposition. Those witha vested interest in Zimbabwewon’t back a horse likely to fail.

The more likely scenario is

that Mnangagwa, whose ownrecord of brutality and violenceis well known, will be named totake charge of the governmentuntil the ZANU-PF conventionnext month when he willbecome the party’s undisputedleader, and its candidate for the2019 elections. Of course, hewill retain the support ofChiwenga, and the military andthe ZANU-PF will remain incontrol.

Mugabe’s autocratic rule may be over in Zimbabwe, butthe country’s politics andeconomy remain deeplytroubled.

Caribbean peoples need lookno further for good reason toensure that democracy and therule of law are respected andvalued in their own societies.

(The writer is Antigua andBarbuda’s Ambassador to theUnited States and the OAS. Heis also a Senior Fellow at theInstitute of CommonwealthStudies, University of Londonand Massey College in theUniversity of Toronto.The viewsexpressed are his own)

Responses and previouscommentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

Zimbabwe remains deeply troubled

Robert Mugabe has refused to resign as President of Zimbabweduring talks with generals who have taken control of thecountry.


JUST over a week ago, theUS administration pub-lished new regulationsgoverning travel andtrade between the US andCuba. Their effect is topartially reverse elementsof the more liberal policytowards Cuba adopted byPresident Obama, and tosetback relations.

They turn into law arange of policies thatPresident Trump an-nounced earlier this yearbanning all US citizensfrom engaging in direct fi-nancial transactions withmore than 180 entitiesand sub-entities identifiedon a ‘Cuba Restricted List’.This includes companies,manufacturers, the port ofMariel and its associateddevelopment zone, andover 80 hotels, travelagencies, and shops:all facilities the USAdministration believesare benefiting the Cubanmilitary, its security serv-ices or their personnel.

They also end indi-vidual people-to-peopletravel, allowing only care-fully controlled grouptravel in ways Washingtonbelieves will improve itslong-standing statutoryban on US tourism toCuba.

In future all such ‘edu-cational travel’ to be con-ducted by an organisationsubject to US jurisdiction,with each traveller engag-ing in a full-time schedule

of activities that result inmeaningful interactionwith individuals in Cuba.They also say that suchvisits must enhance con-tact with the Cuban peo-ple, support civil society in Cuba, or promote theCuban people’s independ-ence from the Cuban au-thorities.

There are exceptionsbut for the average UStraveller or business, theapproach seems designedto create enormous uncer-tainty about what is and isnot allowed, about whereto visit, what to say towhom, and where to eat,drink and sleep.

This is because the list-ings of hotels and prod-ucts, and the instructionson people-to-people con-tact appear idiosyncratic,and in some respects al-most impossible to inter-pret responsibly. Theyinfer that for US citizens,the safest future mode oftravel to Cuba not subjectto undue scrutiny throughthe US Treasury’s Officeof Foreign Assets Control(OFAC) will be by UScruise ships, with onshorevisits guided by and ac-counted for to OFAC to theauthorities in Washingtonby US citizens.

It of course remains tobe seen how closely OFACwill enforce the new regu-lations on US visitors andcompanies, but the mostlikely outcome will be to

curtail US visitor arrivalsand the hope that US companies had for newbusiness, unless they canprove they already havecontractual arrangementsin place, or find alterna-tive Cuban entities withwhich to partner.

What however is differ-ent now, is that the US accepts it almost standsalone in its desire to iso-late Cuba. In confirmationof this, Nikki Haley, theUS Ambassador to theUN, in a strongly wordedaddress to the UnitedNations GeneralAssembly before the an-nual vote condemning theUS embargo on Cuba,made this clear.

What the new regula-tions do is to create some-times surprising new win-ners and losers.

Firstly, when it comes totravel, the clear benefici-aries will be the US cruiselines able to repositionvessels to reap the rewards from those UStravellers who still wantto visit Cuba, as it were,

safely cocooned in a US environment. Otherslikely to benefit will bespecialised US-based US-run tour operatorsable to package visits that are prepaid throughcounterpart Cuban stateenterprises not proscribedby US regulations.

The losers and thosemost likely to suffer in theshort-term are the Cubannon-state taxi drivers, theself-employed small prop-erty or restaurant owners,and their self-employedprivate suppliers, whosegrowing economicstrength had begun to pose significant chal-lenges to conservativethinkers within theCuban political system. Inaddition, others that willlose out are individual UStravellers, constrainedfrom travelling independ-ently by their own govern-ment, and the scheduledairlines who carried them.

Secondly, and paradoxi-cally, the US’s allies maybenefit the most.

During the Obama

Administration, countriesfrom Japan to Germanywere able to normalisetheir relations with Cubaand are translating thisinto new investments inproductive enterprisesand tourism.

The clearest example isin the now much changedrelationship with theEuropean Union throughits Political Dialogue andCo-operation Agreementwith Cuba.Agreed duringthe period of détente,this formalises political dialogue, strengthens co-operation in trade, devel-opment and culture, andenables the discussion ofhuman rights.

Speaking recently toCuba’s state media aboutthis, the EU Ambassadorin Havana, AlbertoNavarro, said that he expects the relationship to become ‘more seriousand mature’ and bilateralties to take on a new mo-mentum. “The EuropeanUnion believes in buildingbridges, not in buildingwalls,” he pointedly toldjournalists.

Thirdly, among the na-tions that may also bene-fit are some that most inthe US do not regard asfriends. Russia, China andcountries that have a verydifferent world view andvalues to the US, havebeen steadily strengthen-ing relations with Cubaand other like-minded na-

tions in the hemisphere.And finally, while the

rest of the Caribbean, willlikely in the short-term re-ceive US visitors displacedfrom Cuba, it is probablethat in the medium-termsome regional destina-tions will see cruise shiparrivals out of southFlorida cut to incorporateovernight or longer portcalls in and around Cubafor the many US citizenswho still want to visit.

As for the CubanGovernment, it sees thereversal of US policy as a“serious setback” in bilat-eral relations, according to Josefina Vidal, theDirector General of theUS Division of the CubanForeign Ministry.

Despite this, it is worthnoting that separately the country’s Ministry ofTourism has just said thatit still anticipates a record4.7m visitors by the year’send, and that its Ministryof Foreign Trade andInvestment recently announced that overseasinvestment commitmentsso far this year stand at arecord US$2bn.

(David Jessop is a consultant to theCaribbean Council andcan be contacted [email protected]. Previouscolumns can be found at www.caribbean-council.org.)

KINGSTON, Jamaica –The Caribbean MaritimeUniversity (CMU) has officially opened a new Centre for DigitalInnovation and AdvancedManufacturing andnamed it in honour ofMinister of Science,Energy and Technology,Dr. Andrew Wheatley.

The unit, which is lo-cated at CMU’s PalisadoesPark in Kingston, is calledthe Dr. Andrew WheatleyCentre for DigitalInnovation and AdvancedManufacturing. The offi-cial opening took place onWednesday.

The centre is the home ofthe most sophisticatedfleet of Fused DepositionModelling (FRM) 3DPrinters in Jamaica andwill also house researchand development on de-signing (R&D) and build-ing drone technology and3D laser scanning.

It is the first and only innovation centre in the English-speakingCaribbean that will facili-tate R&D aimed at digitaltransformation.

Dr. Wheatley, in his ad-dress, said he is pleasedthat the institution inJamaica, which was mostrecently accredited as auniversity, has decided toformally recognise him bynaming their newest de-partment in his honour.

“I am really and trulyhumbled to be accordedthe exceptional privilege ofthis Centre being namedin my honour. I have alsotaken a keen interest inthe Caribbean MaritimeUniversity, because I seethis institution playing akey role in the current andfuture development andgrowth of our region, notjust Jamaica,” he said.

“For the first time in the Caribbean, we have a

Centre that will not onlyfacilitate digital innova-tions,but will also positionus on the cutting edge ofindustrial development,”Dr. Wheatley added.

He thanked the organi-sations that have part-nered with CMU for theoperations of the Centre,including the JamaicaPublic Service CompanyLimited, German ShipRepair Jamaica, J. Wrayand Nephew Limited, andJamaica Energy Partners.

The centre will beheaded by ExecutiveDirector, Erica Simmons,who said the Centre willseek to attract talentedstudent designers,creatorsand engineers and will be available to students,faculty and industry prac-titioners who want toutilise additive manufac-turing for co-innovation in a research-based envi-ronment.

CMU opens centre for digital innovation

Jamaica’s Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. Andrew Wheatley(second from right), examines his new drone, which was made in the Dr. AndrewWheatley Centre for Digital Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing and presented to him as a gift on Wednesday, November 15. The occasion was the official opening of the facility. At right is the Chancellor, Caribbean MaritimeUniversity, His Royal Majesty Drolor Bosso Adamtey I.

The surprising beneficiaries of the new US-Cuba regulations


TORTOLA, British Virgin Island –Governor of the British Virgin Islands(BVI) Augustus Jaspert says that theNational Emergency OperationsCentre (NEOC) is being deactivated.

He said the NEOC will officially de-activate on Monday adding that thedecision was made after consultingwith Premier Dr. Orlando Smith andDirector of the Department of DisasterManagement (DDM), SharleenDaBreo.

The trio jointly heads the soon-to-be-discontinued emergency centre,which was activated on September 4 inresponse to the threat of HurricaneIrma.

The governor said deactivating theNEOC shows that the BVI has movedfrom hurricane response mode to a ‘period of recovery and continued de-velopment’.

“Although emergency operations arebeing discontinued, the DDM will re-main on high alert for the remainderof the year. Be mindful that we are inone of the wettest periods of the yearand we must remain in a state of pre-paredness.”

The Governor said though the NEOCis being deactivated, he expects reliefwill continue to be provided to themost vulnerable.

Jaspert further said he is pleasedwith recovery efforts so far. He madespecial mention of the BVI ElectricityCorporation which is spearheading efforts to restore the territory’s elec-tricity infrastructure.

Approximately 90 per cent of the ter-ritory’s electricity distribution system

was damaged after Hurricane Irma.The category 5 weather system

smashed into the BVI on September 6causing massive and widespread destruction to public and privately-owned property. The hurricane alsodisrupted several businesses andcaused increased unemployment.

The BVI government alone has lostmore than US$16 million in revenue.

WASHINGTON, United States – ThePan American Health Organisation(PAHO) has sounded alarm on in-creasing obesity in the Caribbean,saying that it is one of the main riskfactors for diabetes.

According to the organisation, the percentage of adults in the Americas,including the Caribbean, who are obeseis more than twice the world average,with more women affected than men.

“Healthy eating and an active lifestylecan help prevent or even reverse obesity,in turn preventing the onset of diabetesor helping to control it,” PAHO said.

It said diabetes is a progressive chronicdisease characterised by high blood glu-cose levels.Type 2 diabetes – responsiblefor the majority of cases worldwide, andlargely attributable to excessive body-weight and physical inactivity – is in-creasing rapidly throughout the world.

PAHO disclosed that the number ofpeople in the Americas with this diseasehas tripled since 1980 and 62 millionadults in the Americas were living withtype 2 diabetes and about 305,000 diedfrom the disease in 2014, the latest yearfor which figures are available.

“Unless measures are taken to addressthe problem, it is estimated that,by 2040,there will be over 100 million adults withdiabetes, with adverse effects on qualityof life that include heart attack, stroke,blindness, renal failure and amputationof lower limbs,” PAHO warned.

In many countries, it said women aredisproportionately affected by obesity.

Accordingly, “Women and Diabetes – Our Right to a Healthy Future” was the theme of World Diabetes Day 2017,on November 14 promoted by theInternational Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Diabetes affects both women and menin the Americas (8.4 per cent of womenand 8.6 per cent of men). However,women have higher rates of obesity thanmen (29.6 per cent versus 24 per cent).

PAHO pointed to some studies thatshow an association between higher bodymass index and greater risk of diabetes,adding that abdominal obesity has alsobecome a reliable predictive factor forthe disease.

During pregnancy, women can developgestational diabetes, which increases therisk of complications, PAHO said.

It said obesity and diabetes in mothershave also been linked with a greater like-lihood of their children contracting dia-betes in youth.

“The Region of the Americas has thehighest levels of childhood obesity in theworld, which means that, in the future,we will have more people with chronicdiseases, such as diabetes,” said PAHODominican-born Director Carissa F.Etienne.

However, these diseases “are highlypreventable,” she observed, urging “com-mitment by all to ensure that childrenare breastfed, avoid foods high in fats,sugar and salt,and engage in physical ac-tivity as a part of their daily routine”.

In the Americas, PAHO said non-communicable diseases – principally car-diovascular diseases, cancer, diabetesand chronic respiratory diseases – areresponsible for approximately 80 per centof all deaths, 35 per cent of which are premature deaths in people between the ages of 30 and 70.

Given the magnitude of the problem,PAHO said the world’s countries made acommitment to a one-third reduction intheir premature mortality rates by 2030,and to working to combat the principalrisk factors:Tobacco use, unhealthy diet,physical inactivity and excessive alcoholuse.

PAHO said the advance of diabetes canbe halted by a combination of fiscal poli-cies, legislation, environmental changesand increased awareness among the population – “all of which can reduce the disease’s risk factors, which includeobesity and a sedentary lifestyle”.

Examples of these interventions include taxes on sugary beverages, pro-hibitions on the advertising of highlyprocessed foods to children, front-of-pack-age food labelling, and the promotion ofsafe and accessible recreational spaces to encourage active living.

PAHO said it supports the countries ofthe Caribbean in their efforts to min-imise the impact of diabetes and reducepremature mortality from the disease,as part of the Global Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases 2013-2020.

Accordingly, it said that it helpsCaribbean countries acquire affordabledrugs to treat diabetes, “thus reducingthe costs associated with treating thischronic disease”.

PAHO sounds alarmabout increasing obesityin the Caribbean

AMID continued concerns about theprevalence of child labour in Jamaica, amemorandum of understanding (MOU)has been signed between the new ChildProtection and Family Services Agency(CPFSA – formerly the ChildDevelopment Agency and the Office ofthe Children’s Registry) and theMinistry of Labour and Social Security.

The MOU, which was signed on Friday,signals a new partnership in the childprotection and social services sectors andaims to improve the quality of servicesprovided to vulnerable children andtheir families.

“Both organisations recognise the needto chart a new course of operation aspartners in advancing the welfare ofJamaica’s most vulnerable, as well as toachieve common goals and objectives in keeping with their mandate,” saidRosalee Gage-Grey, chief executive offi-cer, CPFSA.

Permanent Secretary in the Labourand Social Security Ministry ColleteRoberts Risden noted that even with thenew partnership, there would be need toexpand the MOU’s intent with the sign-ing of a newer version at a later date.

“We are looking to further expand theintent of the MOU, and I want to tell

you from now that we will probably haveanother version fairly soon because wehave in the ministry the programme for the elimination of child labour as laid out by the International LabourOrganisation,” she said.

“We will certainly have to partnersome more with the agency in trying toeliminate child labour from our society,and the role that the new ChildProtection and Family Services Agencywill play alongside the Ministry ofLabour and Social Security is vital toachieving this success,” Roberts Risdenstated.

The collaborative efforts of the CPFSAand the labour and social security min-istry, Roberts Risden said, would be improved under the new MOU. Addedfocus, she continued, would be placed onparents and others to understand thenegatives of child labour and the impactit has on Jamaica’s social development.

“Right now we are in the process of collecting child labour data to look atthe prevalence of it in this country,meanwhile another study is being donethrough the Statistical Institute ofJamaica, who is helping us carry outthat study,” Roberts Risden said.

BVI national emergencyoperations to be deactivated

MOU signed to aidelimination of childlabour in Jamaica

Rosalee Gage-Grey, chief executive officer, Child Protection and Family ServicesAgency.

Governor of the British Virgin Islands(BVI), Augustus Jaspert.


BUENOS AIRES –Whipping winds and 20-foot waves in theSouth Atlantic continuedto hinder a frantic searchfor an Argentine subma-rine with 44 crew mem-bers on board, the navysaid yesterday, as au-thorities readied a mis-sion to comb the sea floorfor signs of the missingvessel.

The German-built ARSan Juan submarine last reported its location432 km (268 miles) offArgentina’s southernAtlantic coast early on

Wednesday, promptingauthorities to launch anemergency search-and-rescue operation onFriday.

But a storm with pow-erful winds and waves 6 metres (20 feet) highcontinued to disrupt visibility and efforts to explore Argentine’ssouthern sea, navyspokesman EnriqueBalbi told reporters.

Nevertheless, authori-ties were doubling downon search efforts aboveand below the water’ssurface and were ready-

ing an operation to combthe bottom of the ocean,said Gabriel Gonzalez,who heads the navy’sbase in the port of Mardel Plata.

The submarine hadbeen headed to Mar delPlata from the city ofUshuaia.

“The underwatersearch is obviously muchmore complicated thanthe search at the surfacebecause it requires acombination of high-techtools,” Gonzalez told anews conference.

Poor conditions were

expected to hold untilSunday afternoon, said aperson in the navy whowas not authorised tocomment publicly and requested anonymity.

The dramatic searchhas captivated the SouthAmerican nation of 44million, which recentlymourned the loss of fivecitizens who were killedwhen a truck driverplowed through a bicyclepath in New York City.

Carlos Zavalla, a navycommander, urged theloved ones of crew mem-bers not to give up hope.

“So far, the only concretething is the lack of com-munication,” Zavalla saidon local TV channel A24.“That’s all.”

Messages of supporthave poured in fromabroad. Pope Francis, anative Argentine, is pray-ing “fervently” for crewmembers to return totheir families soon, hisoffice said yesterday.

Argentina accepted an offer from the UnitedStates for a NASA P-3explorer aircraft thathad been stationed inUshuaia. A Hercules C-

130 from the ArgentineAir Force has also beenflying over the area.

The navy has said itbelieved an electricaloutage on the submarinemay have caused its com-munication problems.Navy protocol calls forsubmarines to surfacewhen communication islost.

The AR San Juan usesdiesel-electric propulsionand was inaugurated in 1983, making it thenewest of the three sub-marines in the navy’sfleet.

THE mayor of Caracashas escaped from hislong-term house arrestin Venezuela, fleeingacross the border toColombia and then onto Spain.

Antonio Ledezma hadbeen confined since early2015 on charges of sup-porting an attemptedcoup, which he denies.

The 62-year-old is a vocal opponent ofPresident NicolásMaduro, whom the UShas labelled a dictator.

Colombia confirmedMr. Ledezma entered thecountry on Friday. Helater flew to Spain wherehe was met by his family.

He told journalists hewould work from exile tosecure the release of polit-ical prisoners.

“Let’s not permit thatVenezuela dies in ourhands,” he said.

It is unclear how he es-caped and made it to theborder undetected.

Venezuela’s El Nacional

newspaper said his familyhad also left Venezuela.Security officials haveraided his home.

Former ColombianPresident AndresPastrana tweeted:“Welcome to freedom!” in

response to the news.The Venezuelan presi-

dent mocked him in a TVbroadcast, saying: “The

vampire is flying free inthe world.”

Mayor Ledezma had re-cently passed 1 000 days

in detention.Along with opposition

leader Leopoldo López,who remains under housearrest, Mr. Ledezma isone of the best-known opponents of PresidentMaduro.

They are accused of inciting violence duringanti-government protestsin 2014.

Both were rearrested inAugust in the wake of fur-ther protests.At the time,the country’s SupremeCourt said it had receivedintelligence reports say-ing they planned to fleethe country.

That prompted USPresident Donald Trumpto warn the “Maduro dictatorship” over thetreatment of “politicalprisoners”.

He said the US held theVenezuelan president“personally responsiblefor the health and safetyof Mr. López, Mr.Ledezma and any othersseized”.

A MEXICAN suspectwanted in connection withthe killing of 72 migrantsin 2010 has died threedays after being arrestedby the police.

Martiniano Jaramillowas detained in a hospitalin the north-eastern stateof Tamaulipas where hewas being treated for apancreatic illness.

He was transferred toMexico City where he subsequently died.

Police said Jaramillo led a drugs gang whichkidnapped and killed themigrants from South andCentral America.

The security forces saidextensive detective workhad led them to Jaramilloin the hospital where hewas receiving treatment.

He was also accused ofkilling Miriam Rodriguez,a Mexican activist whowas investigating herdaughter’s killing whenshe was herself murdered.

The killing of the 72 mi-grants drew internationalattention to the dangersfacing migrants trying toreach the United Statesvia Mexico.

It also shone a spotlighton his gang the Zetas andtheir cruel tactics.

Suspect in Mexicanmigrant killings dies

Powerful winds and waves hinder search for Argentine submarine

Caracas mayor flees Venezuela undetected

Antonio Ledezma, Venezuelan opposition leader (left), walks with his wife, Mitzy Capriles, and daughter,Antonietta, upon arriving at Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas airport in Madrid, yesterday.

FLORIDA, United States– A new direct ferry service from Miami toFreeport, Grand Bahama,has been launched by FRSCaribbean.

The high-speed craft,San Gwann, which wasoperating between Miamiand Bimini Island, hasadded the second routethat will get passengers toGrand Bahama Island injust 3 hours.

The 427-passenger ves-sel is equipped with barsin both passenger decksand a duty-free shop.Guests can also purchaseexcursions, like water activities available fromkayak, paddle boarding,jet skiing, and snorkellingon Grand Bahama Island.

FRS Caribbean, part ofthe FRS Group, expressedthanks to the Governmentof the Bahamas for itssupport, saying that has

been critical in FRS start-ing a new route in the region.

“With this new line,FRSGroup confirms its com-

mitment in developing the maritime connectionsbetween Florida and theBahamas,” the companysaid.

FRS Caribbean is launching a new direct route from Miami to Freeport, GrandBahama Island. (PRNEWSFOTO/FRS CARIBBEAN)

A new Miami-Bahamas ferry service begins


The National Council on Substance Abusea statutory Board responsible for driving the national effort towards drug demand reduction in Barbados

Requires candidates for the following positions

1. DEPUTY MANAGER

PURPOSE OF FUNCTION

• This position manages the programming, research and information functions of the Council.

QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work – Administration and Management, Social Science,Management or a related discipline from a recognized University

• Not less than three (3) years’ relevant experience in a supervisory or managerial position;

• Knowledge of substance abuse prevention.

2. COUNSELLOR

PURPOSE OF FUNCTION

• This Position provides counselling services to persons affected by substance abuse.

QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelor’s degree in Counselling, Social Work, Clinical Psychology or related field with aminimum of three years’ experience in individual, family and group counselling.

• Post Graduate qualifications would be an asset

• Knowledge of substance abuse prevention

Eligible candidates should submit applications via email to:[email protected]

or mail to:

The Chairman of the BoardNational Council on Substance Abuse“The Armaira Building”Cnr 1st Avenue Belleville & Pine Road, St Michael

Deadline for receipt of applications is: December 4, 2017

Further details available on our website: www.ncsa.org.bb

Unsuitable applications will not be acknowledged

RICHARD LEONARD,a left-winger and allyof Jeremy Corbyn,has been elected as the leader of ScottishLabour.

The Central ScotlandMSP defeated partyhealth spokesman AnasSarwar in a leadershipvote triggered by the sur-prise resignation of KeziaDugdale in August.

Sarwar, MSP forGlasgow, was backed byseveral of the party’shigh-profile politiciansincluding MPs IanMurray and HarrietHarman, while Leonardhad the support of tradeunions.

Leonard won the votesof 12 469 party membersand supporters, while 9516 backed Sarwar. Hiselection will help cementCorbyn’s control over theLabour Party.

In his victory speech atGlasgow Science Centre,Leonard said the resultsent a “message of realchange” and vowed under

his leadership the partywould be “distinctivelyLabour, confidentlyLabour”.

He immediatelypledged “zero tolerance”of sexism, misogyny andsexual harassment.

“We need to change the political culture,”Leonard declared, as hepromised to set up an in-dependent route for com-plaints.

Congratulating him onhis election, Corbyn said,

“I am confident thatunder Richard’s leader-ship, Labour will onceagain be a real force forchange in Scotland.

“This can be a turningpoint in Scottish politicsand our party will nowcome together, united tochallenge Tory and SNPausterity that has heldScotland back.”

Leonard, a former headof economics at theScottish Trade UnionsCongress, was onlyelected to Holyrood lastyear and had the lowerprofile of the two leader-ship rivals.

The Yorkshiremantakes the helm of a partyshowing signs of recoveryin Scotland after slump-ing to just a lone MP inWestminster in the 2015general election. ScottishLabour recovered seatsand votes in this year’selection, while the SNP’scampaign for a second in-dependence referendumhas been firmly pushedback.

Richard Leonard announced as newleader of the Scottish Labour Party

Richard Leonard, new leader of the SLP.

SINN FÉIN presidentGerry Adams has revealed he plans to stand down as leader of the party next year.

Adams also said hewill not stand for elec-tion to the Irish parlia-ment (Dail) at the nextelection.

Speaking at the SinnFéin ard fhéis (partyconference) in Dublin,Adams said it would behis last as leader.

“Leadership meansknowing when it’s timefor change and that timeis now,” Adams said.

The 69-year-old TD(member of the Irishparliament) for CountyLouth has been partypresident since 1983.

Adams said he will be asking the partyleadership to agree a date in 2018 for

a special party confer-ence to elect a new leader.

“I have always seenmyself as a team player,as a team builder,” hesaid.

Adams said the movewas formulated alongwith party colleagueMartin McGuinness before his death earlierthis year.

It has already seenMichelle O’Neill, 40,take the role of Sinn Féin’s leader atStormont.

Earlier, delegates atthe conference voted infavour of a motion to hold a special ardfhéis three months afterthe departure of theparty president.

The motion will allow for a leadershipcontest once a vacancy arises.

Gerry Adams tostand down as SinnFéin leader next year


RUSSIA has cast a second veto in as many days to block aUN Security Councilresolution that wouldhave extended an international inquiryinto chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Russia rejected aJapanese draft resolutionto prolong by 30 days the Joint InvestigativeMechanism, whose man-date ends at midnight onFriday.

Western nations con-demned the move.

It is the 11th timeMoscow has used its vetopowers in support of itsally since the conflictbegan.

On Thursday, Russiablocked a US-written draftto extend the JIM’s man-date for a year.

The JIM was set up in2015 to identify perpetra-tors of chemical attacks. Itis the only official missioninvestigating the use ofchemical weapons inSyria.

Moscow strongly criti-cised the inquiry when itblamed the Syrian govern-ment for a deadly nerveagent attack on the townof Khan Sheikhoun inApril.

Syria denies usingbanned chemical weapons.

Russia, the UK, China,France and the US all

have veto powers at theSecurity Council.

The attack on KhanSheikhoun left more than80 people dead andprompted the US tolaunch missile strikes on aSyrian airbase.

Last month, a UNHuman Rights Council in-quiry concluded a Syrianair force jet was responsi-ble,dismissing statementsfrom Russia that the jethad dropped conventionalmunitions that struck arebel chemical weaponsdepot.

Syrian President Bash-ar al-Assad has said theincident in Khan Sheik-houn was a “fabrication”.

IN a move certain toplease conservatives,President Donald Trumpon Friday added fivenames to his list of candi-dates for a prospective USSupreme Court vacancyas he presses ahead witha campaign to move thefederal judiciary to theright.

Two of them are appel-late judges who were nom-inated by Trump earlierthis year and confirmedby the Senate: Amy Coney Barrett and KevinNewsom. Another, BrettKavanaugh, sits on theUS Court of Appeals in

Washington, long viewedas a stepping-stone to thehigh court.

The others were BrittGrant, a Georgia SupremeCourt justice, and PatrickWyrick, a OklahomaSupreme Court justice.

There is no current va-cancy on the U.S. SupremeCourt but three justicesare 79 or older.

During his presidentialcampaign last year,Trump identified 20 con-servative candidates forthe Supreme Court. Upontaking office, he namedNeil Gorsuch to the courtto replace the late Justice

Antonin Scalia, restoringthe Supreme Court’s conservative majority.Gorsuch was confirmed bythe Senate in April andhas established himself asone of the SupremeCourt’s most conservativejustices.

Speaking at a FederalistSociety conference of con-servative legal advocates,White House CounselDonald McGahn saidTrump is “very commit-ted” to appointing judgeswho are “committed origi-nalists and textualists,”referring to a legal philos-ophy that relies on the

actual wording of lawsand the original meaningof the US Constitution.

“They all have papertrails. They all are sittingjudges. There is nothingunknown about them.What you see is what youget,” McGahn said.

The five jurists, all withstrong conservative cre-dentials, were added tothe list with input fromconservative leaders, andshould another seat on thecourt open up,Trump willnominate a candidatefrom the updated list of25, the White House said.

Leonard Leo, an advisor

to the president onSupreme Court nomina-tions, said Trump thoughtit was time to refresh theoriginal list. “When you’recommitted to picking froma list you want to makesure it’s as complete aspossible,” Leo said in aninterview.

Kavanaugh, who wasappointed to the federalbench in 2006 byRepublican formerPresident George W.Bush, served as a WhiteHouse counsel underBush and worked as anassistant to KennethStarr, the independent

counsel who investigatedDemocratic formerPresident Bill Clintonduring the MonicaLewinsky scandal.

Grant and Wyrick bothjoined state challenges tothe Affordable Care Act, Democratic formerPresident BarackObama’s signature healthcare law, and Obama regulations aimed at reducing emissions fromcoal-burning powerplants, said CarrieSeverino, chief counsel of the Judicial CrisisNetwork, a conservativelegal advocacy group.

Russia againblocksextension ofSyria chemicalattacks probe

Trump adds five conservatives to list of possible Supreme Court picks

NOTORIOUS SicilianMafia “boss of all bosses”Salvatore “Toto” Riina hasdied from cancer in jail,aged 87.

Riina was serving 26life sentences and is be-lieved to have orderedmore than 150 murders.

The head of the fearedCosa Nostra spent nearlya quarter of a century onthe run before being jailedin 1993. He ordered moremurders from jail.

As well as kidney can-cer, he was said to havebeen suffering from aheart condition andParkinson’s disease.

Riina had been in amedically induced comaand his family had beengiven special permissionto visit him in the prison-ers’ wing of the hospitalin Parma, northern Italy.

Riina was born in 1930to poor farmers inCorleone, Sicily – thebirthplace of DonCorleone, the fictional“Godfather” in FrancisFord Coppola’s film tril-ogy.

His father was killedwhen he was 13 and at 19he joined the local Mafia,committing murder togain entry. He spent sixyears in prison.

When he got out, hehelped local mobsterLuciano Leggio killCorleone’s Mafia boss.Along with childhoodfriend Bernardo Proven-zano, he then led a hitsquad targeting Mafiaboss Michele “the Cobra”Cavataio in Palermo, giv-ing the Corleone clan afoothold in the Siciliancapital.

When Leggio was arrested in 1974, Riinabecame boss.

Under his leadership,the clan came to dominate

the Cosa Nostra crimegroup in the 1970s, as itsfortunes blossomed,buoyed by a boomingtrade trafficking heroin toNorth America.

He was a wanted man,but evaded justice for 24years, remaining all thewhile on the island ofSicily.

What marked him out?The Mafia is notorious forbrutality, but Riina wasthe most savage of all,earning him the nick-name “The Beast”.

“He was the fiercest andthe nastiest mobster inthe mafia probably in history,” FrancescoBongarra, a journalistwith Italian news agencyAnsa, told the BBC.

While his cruelty pro-pelled him up the ranks itwas also key to his down-fall, and to a pivotal pointin Mafia relations withthe Italian state.

In 1981, Riina began atwo-year drive dubbed“The Slaughter” to elimi-nate his rivals, causing

many mobsters to fear fortheir own lives and thoseof their families.

Many broke their codeof silence and began to co-operate with investi-gators, resulting in a breakthrough case whichsaw hundreds of mafiososconvicted.

Riina did not take this lying down. In 1992,within two months thetwo leading judges in thecase, Giovanni Falconeand Paolo Borsellino, hadbeen blown up.

However six monthslater, Riina was arrested.

What has happenedsince his incarceration?In detention, Riina’s savagery continued.

He ordered the murderof a 13-year-old boy kid-napped to try to preventhis father revealing infor-mation about the Mafia.The boy was strangledand his body dissolved inacid.

Partly in protest at hisarrest, his associates carried out a series of

bombings in Rome, Milanand Florence in 1993,leaving ten people dead.

Riina had been impris-oned under the “Article41-bis prison regime”imposing tight securitymeasures on Mafiosos intended to completely cutoff prisoners from theircriminal contacts.

The regime includesstrictly limited visits fromhis family. Petitions forhim to be released intohouse arrest for his lastdays were met with angryprotests from the rela-tives of some of his manyvictims.

Earlier this year, Riinawas recorded on a wire-tap saying he “regretsnothing... They’ll neverbreak me, even if theygive me 3 000 years” injail, reported AFP newsagency – indeed he hasnever broken his silence.

Riina leaves behind awife,Antonietta, and fourchildren, including hiseldest son, Giovanni, whois serving a life sentencein jail for four murders.

Mafia ‘boss of bosses’ dies in jail, aged 87

‘Toto’ Riina was finally captured in 1993. In his final days in jail, Riina wasrecorded saying he “regrets nothing”.

Syrian President Basharal-Assad.


THE Australian MedicalAssociation called yester-day for the government toallow independent doctorsand other health expertsto help more than 400 asylum seekers andrefugees languishing inside a recently closed detention centre in PapuaNew Guinea.

The asylum seekershave shut themselves in-side the Australian-runManus Island centre forthe past 18 days, defyingattempts by Australia andPapua New Guinea toclose it in a standoff the

United Nations describesas a “looming humanitar-ian crisis”.

Australia has shut ac-cess to the centre, andstaff, including doctors,have left, leaving the menwithout sufficient food,clean water, power or medical care.

Members of the AMAvoted unanimously to callon the government togrant access to the centreso doctors could assess themen’s health, well-beingand living conditions.

“The AMA has mademany representations on

this matter, both publiclyand in private but, with aworsening and more dan-gerous situation emergingon Manus, the federalcouncil strongly believesthat urgent action andanswers are needed,”AMApresident Michael Gannonsaid.

“It is our responsibilityas a nation with a stronghuman rights record to en-sure that we look safterthe health and well-beingof these men, and providethem with safe and hy-gienic living conditions.”

Government spokespeo-

ple were not immediatelyavailable for comment.

Australia’s “sovereignborders” immigration pol-icy, which refuses to allowasylum seekers arrivingby boat to reach its shores,has been heavily criticisedby the United Nations andhuman rights groups buthas bipartisan politicalsupport in Australia.

The 421 asylum seekerson Manus island say theyfear violent reprisals fromthe community if theymove to transit centres,pending possible resettle-ment to the US.

Sudanese refugee AbdulAziz said via text messageyesterday that PNG officials had started to dismantle the centre’sperimeter fences and foodwas running low.

“We are waiting, drink-ing from the rainwater...it’s tense feeling, we don’thave any idea what PNGwill do to us.Their attitudetoward us they are reallyaggressive,” Aziz said.

PNG’s supreme courtruled last year that thecentre breached its lawsand fundamental humanrights, leading to the

decision to close it.New Zealand has offered

to accept 150 of the men,but Australia has declinedthe offer saying the prior-ity was an existing refugeeswap deal negotiated withformer US PresidentBarack Obama last year.

Under that deal, up to 1 250 asylum seekerscould be sent to the USand Australia will in turn accept refugees fromCentral America.

Hundreds of people rallied in support of theManus Island refugees inSydney yesterday.

RIOT police and armytroops have been deployedin southern Sri Lanka fol-lowing an outbreak of vi-olence between Buddhistsand Muslims, and a cur-few has been imposed forthe second night running.

Nineteen people werearrested when clasheserupted in Galle province,after a traffic accident.

Homes and businesseswere attacked and severalproperties damaged.

Authorities say the sec-tarian violence has nowbeen brought under con-trol.

“Additional police bat-talions, the police SpecialTask Force, the anti-riotsquad and the militarywere called in last night tobring the situation undercontrol,” Law and OrderMinister SagalaRatnayaka said in a state-ment.

He also warned peoplenot to stir up sectarian ha-tred on social media.

MP ManushaNanyakkara told the BBCthat ten vehicles were de-stroyed, the majority ofwhich were owned byMuslims, and 62 homesand businesses were at-tacked.

He said the 6 pm-6 amcurfew was imposed as asecurity measure to pre-vent further violence.

The outbreak of streetviolence between majoritySinhalese Buddhists andminority Muslims startedafter an incident involv-ing a Muslim woman anda motorbike driven by aBuddhist man.

A police spokesmansaid people were arrestedafter “spreading falsemessages and rumours onsocial media” that con-tributed to the escalationin violence.

Similar clashes in anearby area three yearsago forced thousands ofMuslims to flee theirhomes.

SAAD HARIRI, theLebanese prime minis-ter, has said he will return to Beirut in the coming days andexplain his sudden res-ignation – and mysteri-ous stay in SaudiArabia – which hassparked political tur-moil in Lebanon.

“I will participate in thecelebrations for our inde-pendence (on Wednesday)and it is there that I willmake known my positionon all the issues aftermeeting with the presi-dent of our republic,General Michel Aoun,” hetold reporters in Paris.

Hariri made the prom-ise at the Elysée palaceafter a meeting with French PresidentEmmanuel Macron, dur-ing which he thankedFrance, a former colonialruler of Lebanon, for the“positive political role” it isplaying in the MiddleEast.

Macron leveragedFrance’s close relationswith both Saudi Arabiaand Lebanon to secure adeal that saw Hariri travelto Paris and begin a possi-ble resolution of the crisissparked when he an-nounced his resignation onNovember 4 from Riyadh.

The French leaderseized the role of mediatorin the crisis after making a surprise visit to the Saudi capital onNovember 9 and invitingHariri to Paris to dispelfears that he was beingheld in Riyadh against hiswill.

His relaxed appearancecontrasted sharply withwhat were seen as wooden,carefully choreographed

appearances from SaudiArabia.

While Hariri has in-sisted that he resigned ofhis own volition, manyLebanese believe that hewas forced to step down bySaudi Arabia as part of itsregional campaign to con-front Iranian influence inthe Middle East.

Michel Aoun, Lebanon’spresident and an ally ofHizbollah, the LebaneseShia group which is closelyaligned with Iran,accusedSaudi Arabia of holdingHariri “hostage” in Riyadhand has refused to accepthis resignation until he de-livers it in person inBeirut.

Maha Yahya, the direc-tor of the Carnegie MiddleEast Centre, said thatwhatever Saudi Arabiahad hoped to achievethrough the resignation ofMr Hariri, a Sunni, it had ended up unitingLebanese citizens of allsects in anger at Riyadh.

“With Lebanon so farwhat they’ve done hasbackfired. You are in a situation today whereSaudi Arabia has under-mined the pre-eminentrepresentative of theSunni community inLebanon and alienated theSunni base,” she said.

The Arab League is dueto meet today at Saudi

Arabia’s request andRiyadh is pushing its fel-low states to aggressivelycondemn Iran and the firing of a missile fromYemen into Saudi territorytwo weeks ago.

Saudi Arabia may alsotry to get its neighbours to pass a resolution condemning Hizbollah,which may not sit wellwith states like Iraq thathave benefitted from theLebanese group’s fightagainst Islamic State ofIraq and the Levant (Isil).

Other Arab countriesare sympathetic to Hiz-bollah’s defiance of Israeland may be reluctant tocriticise it in public. Several properties were damaged.

Sri Lanka violence:19 held amidBuddhist-Muslimstreet clashes

French President Emmanuel Macron (r) welcomes Lebanese Prime Minister SaadHariri (l) at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Lebanon’s Hariri promises to return to clarify position

Manus Island: AMA calls on Australia to let doctors help refugees


THE African Union (AU)has expressed outrageafter footage emerged ap-pearing to show sub-Saharan migrants beingsold at slave markets inLibya.

On the video, releasedby CNN this week, youngmen are seen being auc-tioned off as farm work-ers.

The AU chairman,President Alpha Conde ofGuinea, demanded prose-cutions over a “despica-ble” trade “from anotherera”.

Migrants trying toreach Europe have spo-ken of being held bysmugglers and forced towork for little or nomoney.

The footage released byCNN appears to showyouths from Niger andother sub-Saharan coun-tries being sold to buyersfor about $400 (£300) atundisclosed locations inLibya.

“These modern slaverypractices must end andthe African Union will

use all the tools at its dis-posal,” Conde said.

Libya has opened an in-vestigation into the prac-tice, CNN reported onFriday.

In April, theInternational Organi-zation for Migration(IOM) said it had gath-ered evidence of slaveryin Libya.

African migrants ‘soldin slave markets’The IOM’s chief of mis-sion for Libya, OthmanBelbeisi, told the BBC atthe time that migrantswere priced according totheir abilities.

“Apparently they don’thave money and theirfamilies cannot pay theransom, so they are beingsold to get at least a min-imum benefit from that,”he said.

“The price is definitelydifferent depending onyour qualifications, forexample if you can dopainting or tiles or somespecialised work then theprice gets higher.”

EUPHORIC crowds ofseveral thousand peo-ple flooded the streetsof Zimbabwe’s capitalyesterday to demandthe departure ofPresident RobertMugabe after nearlyfour decades in power.

In a colourful gatheringthat even days ago wouldhave drawn an immedi-ate police crackdown,Zimbabweans giddy withjoy raced through inter-sections, raising theirarms in triumph. Youngmen shouted, laughedand embraced. Othersdanced on top of movingbuses.

Some had posters withan image of the militarycommander who swept inearlier this week and putMugabe under house ar-rest, with the slogan, “Go,go, our general!!!”Marchers handed flags to

soldiers, who acceptedand waved.

“These are tears of joy,”Frank Mutsindikwa, 34,said, holding aloft theZimbabwean flag. “I’vebeen waiting all my lifefor this day. Free at last.We are free at last.”

“It’s like Christmas,”said another marcher,Fred Mubay, who saidZimbabweans have beensuffering for a long time.

Mugabe, the only rulerZimbabwe has knownsince independence fromBritain in 1980, has beenholed up in his lavish“Blue Roof ” compoundsince Wednesday, fromwhere he has watchedsupport drain away fromhim in the wake of a mil-itary seizure of power.

The 93-year-old, who isthe world’s oldest head ofstate, is said to be askingfor more time amid

negotiations with re-gional leaders who seekhis exit with a veneer of dignity.

However he is virtuallypowerless and desertedby most of his allies, withothers arrested. The rul-ing party has also turnedon him, asking for a

Central Committee meet-ing this weekend to recallboth him and his wife.Impeachment is also apossibility when Parlia-ment resumes Tuesday.

However as crowdsflooded the streetsMugabe’s nephew, PatrickZhuwao, warned thatMugabe has no intention

of stepping down in orderto legitimise this week’smilitary coup.

Mugabe and his wifeGrace are “ready to die forwhat is correct,” he said,adding that his uncle hadhardly slept since the mil-itary seized power onWednesday but that hishealth was otherwise

“good”.The dancing crowds in

Harare were making itclear the country is impa-tient to move on withoutMugabe, who took power37 years ago amid an airof optimism but has beenaccused of squanderingthe once-prosperouscountry’s potential.

Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare,Zimbabwe, yesterday.

EuphoricZimbabweansdescend oncapital to marchagainst Mugabe

Libya Saharan migrant ‘slave market’ footage sparks outrage

A video, released by CNN shows young men being auctioned off as farm workers.

In a device-driven world, thescreen holds infinite power toconfuse and frustrate parents,

who are increasingly hearingmixed messages about its impact.Screen time is evil! But also:Technology is vital to kids’ futureachievement and a necessary partof their education.

What’s a parent to make of this contradiction?Unchecked and unfiltered, screen-timecan be dangerous for kids. It has clearhealth implications, in that it can affectsleep, or prevent kids from engaging inphysical activity, thereby contributingto India’s rising childhood obesity rates.It can exacerbate mental health issues,and perpetuate social isolation. Andstudies have shown that young chil-dren who are screen users exhibithigher rates of aggression. Online appsand games, which are created with thespecific intent to attract and hook theirusers, are particularly addictive forkids.

Then there are the more insidious ef-fects of digital media use: The fact that

young children don’t have the ability tospot the differences between advertise-ments, or sponsored content, and “real”content. They lack the cognitive sophis-tication and experience to think criti-cally about what they’re seeing andevaluate its veracity. And they arekeenly observing and rapidly absorbingthe social and moral messages they areseeing on those screens, leaving themvulnerable to picking up and perpetu-ating stereotypes and biases.

But consider this: There’s nothing inherently bad about screen-time,especially in moderation.

Increasingly, the global expert consensus is that screen-time’s impact– and whether it will ultimately harm achild or help her – is determined bycontent and context. Content is aboutwhat, specifically, kids are watching.Context is about how they’re engagingwith what they’re watching.

Make no mistake about it, there is awide range of content being marketedto kids, and most of it is junk. Don’t befooled by the meaningless “educa-tional!” sticker on apps, toys, andshows, meant to lure well-meaning par-

ents into a purchase. “Edu-tainment”for kids is a billion dollar industryworldwide, and sellers of that contentare driven by finding and keeping newviewers. One kids’ content juggernautopenly publishes its research on whatdrives its content creation: The colours,characters, and plots that keep kidsmost entertained (that is, hooked); not,for example, what is going to help themlearn.

In a nutshell, good content is age-appropriate, free of stereotypes andviolence, created with developmentalgoals in mind rather than commercialconcerns; it promotes inclusivity, andenhances problem-solving and empathyin inter-personal relationships.Filtering out the quality content fromthe junk takes time and effort (theirony being, of course, that most parents reach for the iPad specificallywhen they don’t have time and can’tput in the effort).

The second component of truly educa-tional media experiences is context,which is shorthand for “iPads are notparents”. Kids’ content is most benefi-cial when it’s accompanied by an active

discussion or when it is supporting anactivity offline. In other words, whenthere is a level of parental explanationand mentorship around what kids areseeing and hearing. A zombie-kid staring at a certain porcine family forhours on end? Not good. A kid whoteaches herself to play guitar by watching YouTube videos? Awesome.

Devices and digital media are a godsend for busy parents who need abit of a break from parenting. That’sreasonable, and fair. We’ve all beenthere. But let’s not call it educational.Devices, alone, are not going to teachour children empathy, compassion,morals, values, manners, or even math.

But on those days when parents havethe energy to discuss the migration ofthe monarch butterfly, and then look upa video of it online, or when an episodeof Days of Our Lives can spark a con-versation about consent – those are themoments when technology and kids’media support and enable learning. Weare lucky to live in a time when wehave these tools, now we just have tolearn how to use them.

Parenting the iPad generation

Online apps andgames, which arecreated with thespecific intent toattract and hooktheir users, are particularly addictive for kids.


COMPLETING the chores and errandsof daily life may help older women,above the age of 65, in reducing theirmortality risk, as older people expendmore energy doing the same kinds ofactivities they did when younger, says astudy.

The amount of physical activity olderwomen undergo while performing dailytasks equates to 30 minutes of lightphysical exercises.

The study, published in the Journal ofAmerican Geriatrics Society, noted that30 minutes of light physical activity perday lowers the mortality risk by 12 percent while an additional 30 minutes ofmoderate activities, such as bicycling ata leisurely pace or brisk walking,reduced the risk by 39 per cent. At thesame time, it can also prevent the riskof chronic diseases.

“Every movement counts,” saidAndrea LaCroix, Professor at theUniversity of California in San Diego,the US.

“A lot of what we do on a daily basisis improving our health, such as walk-ing to the mail box, strolling around theneighborhood, folding clothes andstraightening up the house. Activitieslike these account for more than 55 per cent of how older individuals get their daily activity,” LaCroix added.

The researchers followed 6 000women, aged between 65 to 99 years,for a period of four and a half years.The women were recommended to wear

a measuring device called anaccelerometer on their hip around-the-clock for seven days while going abouttheir daily activities.

The study found that women do nothave to run marathons daily to stay

healthy. However the paradigm needsto shift in terms of women stayingphysically fit.

“Older people expend more energydoing the same kinds of activities theydid when younger, so their daily

movement has to accommodate for this.Think of it as taking a pill (activitylevel) at different doses (amounts oftime) depending on the age of the patient. It’s not one size fits all,”LaCroix noted.

Are you a dog lover? Your careand compassion for pets,especially dogs, can help you

stay away from heart diseases.Dog owners have a low risk of

developing cardiovascular diseasesthat further enables them to reducethe risk of mortality, a new research confirmed.

The study, published in the journalScientific Reports, states that dogowners in general had a higher levelof physical activity, which could becounted as the one reason to preventheart diseases. Other reasons mightinvolve an increased well-being andsocial contacts or effects of the dog onthe bacterial microbiome in the owner.

“Dog ownership is especially promi-nent as a protective factor for peopleliving alone, which is a group reportedpreviously to be at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and deaththan those living in a multi-personhousehold. Perhaps a dog may standin as an important family member inthe single households,” said MwenyaMubanga, researcher at the UppsalaUniversity in Sweden.

“The results showed that single dogowners had a 33 per cent reduction in

risk of death and 11 per cent reduc-tion in risk of cardiovascular diseaseduring follow-up compared to singlenon-owners. Another interesting finding was that owners to dogs frombreed groups originally bred for hunting were most protected,”

Mubanga added.The research team reviewed more

than 3.4 million dog owners, aged between 40 to 80 years, over a periodof 12 years, in order to study the association between dog ownershipand cardiovascular health.

A total of more than 3.4 million individuals without any prior cardiovascular disease in 2001 wereincluded in the researchers’ study.

Their study shows that dog ownershad a lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease.

Doing daily chores can help older women live longer

Having apet dog canlower heartdisease risk

Pet dogs may bring health benefits by reducing stress and motivating people to live healthier lifestyles.

long life, healthy life, “Every movement counts,” said Andrea LaCroix, Professor at the University of California in SanDiego, the US.


You break out in hivesIf you’re suddenly covered in itchy red bumps,

stress (not allergies) might be to blame. When yourbody experiences excessive stress (for either a shortor long period of time) your immune system getswonky and your body starts releasing the chemicalhistamine to fight off your ailment. If the stressdoesn’t go away, you essentially develop an allergicreaction and, boom, hives galore. When your im-mune system is weakened by stress, your skin canalso become irritated by things it never used to besensitive to, such as soap, cold or heat, lotions, orlaundry detergent.

What to do: Put a cool, damp towel on the affected area. If that doesn’t work, take an antihis-tamine.

Your weight starts to fluctuate“Stress triggers the release of the hormone cortisol,which impairs your body’s ability to process bloodsugar and changes the way you metabolise fat,protein, and carbs, which can lead to weight gain orloss,” says Shanna Levine, MD, a primary carephysician and clinical instructor of medicine atIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in NewYork City. Stress can also cause people to engage inunhealthy behaviours like overeating or undereat-ing.

What to do: Snack on nuts. The protein will helpif you’re undereating, and the fibre will fill you up ifyou’ve been bingeing.

You keep getting headachesIf you’ve never suffered from headaches but sud-

denly your head is constantly pounding, you mightbe too stressed. Stress releases chemicals that cancause changes to nerves and blood vessels in thebrain, which brings on a headache. Prone to mi-graines? Stress can trigger them or make themworse. It’s also common for your muscles to tense upwhen you’re stressed, which can also cause aheadache. Here’s how to decode the meanings ofeight different types of headaches.

What to do: If you don’t want to take ibuprofen,try dabbing lavender oil or peppermint oil on yourtemples when a headache starts. Or try one of thesehome remedies for headaches.

Your tummy is just offStress can disrupt the function of your GI tract in

more than one way. It can cause the body to producemore digestive acid, leading to heartburn. “It canalso slow the emptying of food from the stomach,which causes gas and bloating, and may even in-crease the number of times your colon contracts,

leading to cramping and diarrhoea,” DeborahRhodes, MD, a Mayo Clinic internal medicine physician, told Parents.com.

What to do: Take an over-the-counter antacid.Or, try drinking ginger tea.

You always have a coldStress suppresses the immune system, which

makes it easier for you to get sick and harder tofight off bugs. “When people are stressed, they getsick. It could be a cold or cold sores, which pop upbecause the immune system can’t suppress thevirus,” says Dr. Levine. Researchers at CarnegieMellon University in Pittsburgh infected volunteerswith a cold virus; those who reported in a surveythat they were coping with many stresses weretwice as likely to get sick as those with fewer problems, Parents.com reported. Here are somesimple habits that boost your immune system.

What to do: One study found that zinc supple-ments or lozenges can shorten the length of a coldby about a day if taken within 24 hours of feelingsick. Meditation, regular exercise, and plenty ofsleep can also help you de-stress and boost your immune system. Also, give one of these cold soreremedies or natural cold remedies a try.

You have acne... again!You thought acne was a distant teenage night-

mare, but if your face is suddenly a mess of pimples,stress might be causing your breakouts. Whenyou’re stressed, your body pumps out more hormones, like cortisol, which causes skin glands to produce more oil. This excess oil can get trapped inside hair follicles, along with dirt and dead skincells, producing pimples, according toHealthline.com.

What to do: Topical creams containing benzoylperoxide or salicylic acid can clear up acne if applied regularly. For a more natural approach,wash your face with green tea or dab on some purealoe. Their antibacterial properties can promotehealing.

Your brain feels fuzzyStress can make you mentally sick, too. Too much

of the stress hormone cortisol can make it harder tofocus or concentrate, causing memory problems as well as anxiety or depression, says Dr. Levine.

What to do: Relax until you regain your focus.Practice closing your eyes and breathing in and outslowly, concentrating only on your breath. A similartechnique can help calm you down in the event of apanic attack.

Your hair is falling outLosing a few strands of hair is normal (old hair

follicles are replaced by new ones over time), butstress can disrupt that cycle. Significant stresspushes a large number of hair follicles into what’scalled a resting phase, and then a few months laterthose hairs fall out, according to MayoClinic.org.Stress can also cause the body’s immune system toattack your hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.

What to do: Be patient. Once your stress level returns to normal, your hair should start growingback.

8 silent signs stress is making you sicksickIf you have any of these symptoms, your stress might be

making you sick. Here’s how to combat them:

Scorpio (October 23– November 21)

Scorpio is, in a way, thedarkest sign of the zo-diac. Scorpios feel verydeeply and don’t avoidthe negatives in life.Actually, if a Scorpio isfeeling stressed or out ofsorts, they very wellcould feel better keepingthemselves shrouded inmystery. It may soundunusual, but Perepyol-kina suggests, “Browsethe Internet for storiesabout near-death experi-

ences; plan a backpack-ing trip to the middle ofnowhere.“Embracing this

rough patch and takingsome time alone will geta Scorpio through.

Virgo (August 23 –September 22)

A Virgo can easily getoverwhelmed by their desire for perfection.Virgos examine every detail and find it almostimpossible to turn theirmind off. When Virgosstart to harp on a problem, they can easilystart to spiral. To stopthat process, Virgos needanother focus on whichthey can use their analytical skills in a positive way.

“When was the lasttime you visited a newart gallery?”Perepyolkina asks of

Virgo. Appreciating andcontemplating artwill feed a Virgo’s voracious mind.

Leo (July 23 –August 22)

Leo is outgoing andloves to be active.

When Leos feel likethey need to de-stress,they shouldn’t sitaround and overthinkthings.

Go out and get somefresh air.

“How about a walk on the beach? A newhike? A bike ride? Aswim?” Perepyolkinasays.

Make your own positive experiences.Otherwise, a Leo

will just feel trappedand even more stressed than before.

Cancer (June 21 –July 22)

Cancer sincerely trustsonly a select few people.They are very carefulwith whom they sharetheir deepest feelings.Even if you’re not re-lated, if a Cancer trustsyou, they consider youfamily, and family to aCancer is the most im-portant aspect of life. Sowhen a Cancer feelsoverwhelmed, they turnto their loved ones andfind comfort in theirinner circle. “Spend timewith your family. Cooksomething delicious and

talk about your day,”Perepyolkina says.Sometimes, you just need

to vent to those closest toyou. Need some culinaryinspiration?

Taurus (April 20 –May 20)

When it comes to howto relieve stress, Taurusis the exact opposite ofAries. Taurus can be in-credibly stubborn, sobeing around people willprobably exacerbatetheir stress even more.Instead, Taurus needstime alone to cool off andregroup. “Stay at home,”Perepyolkina advises.“You need a comfortable,quiet, and peaceful at-mosphere. If you can’tfind it at home (too manyloud family members), gofor a walk in a quietpark.”

Aries (March 21 –April 19)

We all have our ownway of decompressingafter a long day, even inthe most (and least)stressed cities inAmerica. However howto relieve stress for oneperson just might not dothe trick for another.While some zodiac signsmight benefit more frombeing secluded than

from engaging withother people, that is defi-nitely not the mark of anAries. Ever the figure ofa leader, Aries loves to besociable and in control.An Aries won’t relievetheir stress by takingalone time. “Don’t eventhink about staying athome,” says health pro-fessional and gypsyMilana Perepyolkina,author of “Gypsy Energy

Secrets: Turning a BadDay into a Good Day NoMatter What LifeThrows at You”. “Go out!Find a party, an event, agathering. Grab a friendand go exploring newareas.” Aries, go out andtake the reins –don’t letlife get the best of you.Don’t have a lot ofmoney to spend? That’sfine! Have a fun nightout on a budget.


Best way to de-stress,Should you go blow off some steam

Here’s what calms eachzodiac sign:

Gemini (May 21 –June 20)

No one likes to bebored, but the monot-ony of being stuck in adaily routine can reallystress out a Gemini.

Geminis are curious.They can’t wait to gettheir hands on new ex-periences and knowl-edge.

If a Gemini is feelingstagnant, travel is agreat way to eliminatethe stress of daily life.

Be sure to read up onthe ultimate travelchecklist before youhead out! If you’re on a

budget, though, trywatching an adventureshow.

“Anything educa-

tional, engaging and exciting will do thetrick,” Perepyolkinasays.


based on zodiac signsor cuddle up with a good book?

Libra (September 23 – October 22)Libra hates imbalance. Libras spend a lot of their

time and energy trying to create harmony betweenpeople and harmony in their own lives. If theirwork/life balance gets out of control, the best thingfor a Libra to do is indulge in their favourite things.“Read a good book,” Perepyolkina says. “Listen togood music, eat that yummy cake, or go to yourfavourite coffee house.” Be active but not overactive.Make time for yourself but don’t become isolated. ALibra is happiest when striking that balance.

Sagittarius(November 22 –December 21)

Sagittarius does notlike to be alone. In timesof unhappiness or stress,this sign needs to be ingood company. However,Sagittarius also likes tofeel like they’re in a safespace. So instead of goingout to a party, they’d dobetter to host one.Quality friends will givea Sagittarius much-needed respite.Perepyolkina assures usthat this is the best wayfor a Sagittarius to recu-

perate. “Amazing food,amazing music, amazingpeople. Dance, dance,

dance!” Here’s how tothrow an amazing partyeven in a small space.

Capricorn(December 22 –January 19)

Capricorn craves struc-ture. Whereas othersigns would get stressedout about too much work,a Capricorn will mostlikely be stressed overlack of work. This is asign that always wantsto be on the ball. If aCapricorn is feeling offbalance, then the best fixis to try to regain controlof the situation. “Plan

your next week,”Perepyolkina says. “Whatneeds to be done? How?

Where? Make a list;make several lists. Writea book of lists!”

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)Many people think that de-stressing means

turning the brain off, but that’s not true, especiallyfor intellectual Aquarius.

Take your mind off of your life stresses by focusing your brainpower elsewhere. For anAquarius, doing something cerebral with alonetime is the best way to refresh.

“Do something spontaneous. Go to a new restaurant. Go to a concert. Go to a lecture,” saysPerepyolkina.

The mind of an Aquarius constantly craves newlearning experiences.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)Pisces loves nothing more than to wander off into

their own world. They’re always using their imagina-tion, whether they’re stressed or not.

This skill becomes extremely useful when theyneed to de-stress. It is in their creativity that a Piscescan find escape and relief.

Perepyolkina recommends a few activities that canhelp guide a Pisces toward a more peaceful state:“Daydream, meditate, visualise, create a vision board, write in your journal.” If you’re sostressed that you think there’s no time for medita-tion, think again! There are ways you can sneak med-itation into everyday life.

The Bambi awards have beenawarded annually since 1948 byHubert Burda Media to

recognise excellence in internationalmedia and television.

It is awarded to personalities in themedia, arts, culture, sports and otherfields “with vision and creativity whoaffected and inspired the German

public that year,” both domestic and foreign. The 69thannual Bambi awards ceremony held in Berlin, Germany, 16 November 2017, reflected the many crises erupting around theworld.

Here are some of the winners andperformers from the night.


Rita Ora looked lovely.Bambi 2017 ‘Our Earth’ Awards wentto Arnold Schwarzenegger.

‘Best Moderator' awardwent to Kai Pflaume

Entertainment award went to HughJackman

There was certainly no missingDiane Kruger.

BAMBI Fashion Icon Award 2017 went to Claudia Schiffer.

Sam Smith performed his hit “TooGood at Goodbyes” on stage.

Bambi 2017 “Sport” award went toWladimir Klitschko.

Bambi Awardsrecognise excellence

4• Sunday November 19, 2017 The Barbados Advocate

Sunday November 19, 2017 •23The Barbados Advocate

Printed and published by Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc. Fontabelle, St. Michael. Telephone 467-2000, Fax 434-2020/434-1000



The GQ Men of the Year Awards2017 took place in London onTuesday night and the guys

stepped out on to the red carpet in style.Among the winner of this year’s

awards were Mark Hamill, Jared Leto,

Stormzy, and Zayn Malik.While the ladies usually steal the

limelight when it comes to fashion, the

men definitely showed they are just asstylish. Take a look at some of the looksfrom the star-studded bash.

Jaden Smith wearing Louis Vuitton x SupremeJared Leto in Gucci.

Tinie Tempah is always stylish.Boxer Anthony Joshua wearing A Suavage.

GQ Men of the Year Awards 2017


FROM Olympians to as-tronauts, pioneer direc-tors to United States

representatives, refugees tosupermodels, this year’sGlamour Women of the YearAwards strived to inspire,pave the way and change theworld for both past and fu-ture generations alike.

There was no shortage of pow-erful moments at this year’s

award show, where attendeesshared personal #MeToo stories,slammed racism and called outthose who “uplifted” them whenothers refused.

To go with the potent aura light-ing up Brooklyn’s Kings Theater,there was quite an abundance offierce looks to help us feel in-spired.

cont’d on page 31

Best beauty looks fromGlamour Women of the

Year Awards 2017

Laverne Cox wowed in acurve-hugging Stello gown.

Wow! Iman madea statement inthis plumChristian Sirianoruffle dress.

Bella & Gigi Hadid


STYLE from page 30Drew Barrymore, easily a frontrun-

ner from the red carpet, shone with alight pink lip, bold eyeliner and sleekhair. She complimented her red carpetglow with pink art deco earrings andmatching rosy cheeks.

Other standouts include NicoleKidman, Solange Knowles, Gigi andBella Hadid, and Serena Williams, allof whom brought their fervency to the

red carpet. See their beautifullooks from the night!

There was no short-age of glamour at

the 2017Glamour

Women ofthe Year

Awards.The world’s biggest game changers,

rule breakers, and trailblazers gath-ered on Monday night at KingsTheatre in New York City to celebratethis year’s WOTY honorees. Of course,the powerful and accomplishedwomen in attendance proved their tal-ents also extended into the style de-partment. The red carpet was a grandaffair filled with women struttingtheir stuff in some fierce ensembles.

Nicole Kidman dazzled in a tieredChristian Dior gown adorned with acartoon bird, which serves reminder ofan individual’s limitless potential.

“I want to be able to say thank youfor supporting me, for embracing me,for giving me chances, for allowing meto fall and fail, and then allowing meto get back up and brush off my knees,even if they’re bloodied, and fly,” shesaid to the audience while acceptingher WOTY award. “I’m wearing wings

tonight, and I tell you, to all ofthose young girls and boys, even

if your wings get clipped, youcan build them back and you

can fly.”Another WOTY honoree, Gigi

Hadid, sparkled in a nude ZuhairMurad gown. The couture ensemblefeatured intricate tonal embellish-ments and stunning statementsleeves that created a cape-like effectas they fell to the floor. She styled herlong blonde tresses in bombshellwaves while keeping her makeup to aglowy minimum.

Meanwhile, Serena Williams stolethe show in a Versace dress that wasactually worn by Gigi down the Spring2018 runway. There is only one way todescribe Serena’s look – fierce!

Meanwhile, Ashley Graham lookedabsolutely flawless in a suit fromParabal Gurung. The show-stoppingsuit featured a blazer with a dramaticplunging neckline and bell sleeves,while the matching trousers had aflared silhouette that accentuated herlong legs.

Serena stole the show


The first hijab-wearing Barbie dollhas been released to honour anAmerican fencer who became the

first US woman to wear the Islamic headscarf while competing at theOlympics.

The face of the doll has been modelledon Ibtihaj Muhammad, who won abronze medal in Rio last year.

She says the doll is a “childhooddream come true”.

The company which makes the dollshas in the past been criticised for mak-ing them too thin and overly sexualised.

Now the maker Mattel says it is plan-ning to release a range of new figuresnext year modelled on inspirationalwomen.

“When I think about my own journey,me being a Muslim girl involved in thesport of fencing, there were people whomade me feel like I didn’t belong,”Muhammad said.

“For all those people who didn’t

believe in me, this Barbie doll is for you.”

The New Jersey athlete used to maketiny hijabs as a child out of tissues towrap around the heads of her Barbiedolls so they would look more like herand her sisters.

The Barbie designed in her likenesshas full fencing gear, including a maskand sabre, wears training shoes andhas a hijab around her head.

Muhammad said she hoped the dollwould inspire girls “to embrace whatmakes them unique.”

“Today I’m proud to know that littlegirls who wear hijab and, just as powerfully, those who don’t can playwith a Barbie who chooses to wear aheadscarf,” she said.

“She’s a Barbie who is strong enough to wield a giant sabre and dedicated enough to spend years working her way to an Olympic medal.”

LOOKS like millennialpink has reached an all-time high. The dustysalmon hue already hada strong influence in theworld of fashion, beauty,interiors, vodka, gin andmost recently, the pinkchocolate, but looks likethere’s no end to this.

A British companycalled the Great BritishCheese Company hascome out with a cheesewheel that tastes likeprosecco (white wine) andlooks a pretty shade ofpink. It gets its salmonpink colour from the

lovely flavour of rasp-berry added to it.

If you love cheese andprosecco (white wine),and the colour pink thenthis is definitely thething for you.

While there are scep-tics who are revolted atthe idea, according to thecomments on the com-pany’s Facebook page,others seem to be over-joyed at the prospect ofthis culinary delight.

“No. Just no. Cheeseshould be cheeseflavoured! Proseccotastes just fine from a

glass,” wrote one vexedTweeter.

“Two things I ab-solutely adore,” said an-other.

Though the reactionsare mixed, we can’t helpbut be excited about thetrend.

The cheese companyhas come up with inter-esting cheese variationslike the peri-peri cheese,which is a unique blendof cheddar and SouthAmerican chillies andcheese caramelised withred wine among others.

First hijab-wearingBarbie launchedinspired byOlympic fencer

The first hijab-wearing Barbie doll was unveiled by Ibtihaj Muhammadat Glamour’s Women of the Year summit.

Pink cheese is the latestthing to get foodies excited

Pink and wine flavoured cheese has hit the shelves.

Kim Kardashian West didn’t want her CrystalGardenia by KKWFragrance scents pack-aged like beautiful crys-tals just because it lookedpretty.

“It all started wheneveryone would come overand bring me healing crys-tals at a time in my lifewhere I needed some heal-ing,” Kardashian Westsaid when speaking abouther KKW Fragrancelaunch, already availablefor $60 (75ml) and $35(30ml).

Kardashian West en-dured one of the mosttraumatising experiencesof her life when she wasrobbed at gunpoint in ahotel room in Paris a littleover one year ago.However the “Keeping UpWith The Kardashians”star said she was able tocreate some positives forherself in aftermath of therobbery, by channellingher energy into the cre-ative endeavors that havebecome her KKW beautyline and now, fragrances.

The 36-year-old busi-nesswoman credits thecrystals she was given bypeople in her life for allow-

ing her to regroup duringher post-robbery time outof the spotlight. “I reallyloved the idea of being sopure and taking that timeto do what makes youhappy and heal fromeverything you have goingon in this crazy, chaoticlife,” Kardashian Westsaid. “I just wanted to create fragrances thatmade me feel happy andcalm.”

Kardashian West, whostarted her beauty empireearlier this year with thelaunch of KKW Beauty’scontour kits, knew whereshe wanted to start withher fragrance,but she had

a hard time picking justone final scent. “Gardeniais my favourite scent, so Iwanted different varia-tions of that,” she said.“SoI wanted to put three out,and I love how they turnedout.”

While all of the threefragrances feature a com-bination of rose and garde-nia, Crystal GardeniaCitrus,geared towards theAsian market, containshints of orange, lemon and pomelo and the richCrystal Gardenia Oud,designed with the MiddleEast in mind, was craftedwith bergamot, lavenderand musk.

Kim Kardashian West launchesnew crystal inspired perfume

The star’s new scents are all packaged intranslucent, crystal-shaped bottles that

lay horizontally on a surface


WITH its white walls, circular domeand sculpted appearance, China’sTianjin Binhai Library looks morelike it was designed in the year 3000rather than 2017.

The awe-inspiring creation, whichhas floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, canhold up to 1.2 million books.

It took Dutch architecturefirm MVRDV only three years tocomplete – making it the company’sfastest creation.

At 33,700 metres squared, the vastbuilding holds a reading area on theground floor, lounge areas in themiddle sections and offices, meetingspaces, and computer/audio rooms atthe top.

A giant sphere dominates the centreof the library, which has now beendubbed ‘The Eye of Binhai’.

‘The Tianjin Binhai Library interioris almost cave-like, a continuousbookshelf,’ Winy Maas, co-founder ofMVRDV, said in a press release.

‘We opened the building by creatinga beautiful public space inside; a newurban living room is its centre. Thebookshelves are great spaces to sitand at the same time allow for accessto the upper floors. The angles and

curves are meant to stimulatedifferent uses of the space, such asreading, walking, meeting anddiscussing. Together they form the‘eye’ of the building: to see and beseen.’

Cyber criminals have latched ontothe notion of “fake news” andturned it into a profitable business

model, with services starting at underUS$10, security researchers saidThursday.

The online security firm DigitalShadows released a report highlightingservices aimed at creating bogus mediawebsites, fake reviews and social media“bots” or automated accounts to promoteor denigrate commercial products andservices.

One of the methods used is creatingbogus or “spoofed” media websitesdesigned to look like those of legitimatenews organisations.The researchersuncovered some 2,800 “live spoof” sites.

This can be done by changing a singleletter in a web address to create a fake“clone” of a legitimate news organisationsite.

Some criminals use the same methodsas Russia-based propagandists –modifying legitimate documents andleaking them as part of disinformationcampaigns, the report said.

“Like any good news story, content willbe shared, liked, reposted anddistributed across many differentplatforms and channels,” the report said.

“The more widely a piece ofdisinformation can be spread, the betterthe chances of it capturing the publicimagination and achieving its objective –whether that is to discredit an opponent,sow discord or to generate profit.”

While the use of these tools in politicalcampaigns has become a growingconcern, the same methods can be usedfor profit, according to the report.

“The sheer availability of tools meansthat barriers to entry are lower thanever,” said Rick Holland, vice presidentof strategy at Digital Shadows.

“It means this now extends beyondgeopolitical to financial interests thataffect businesses and consumers.”

Holland said “tool kits” are availableon a trial basis for as little as US$7 tocontrols the activities of social mediabots.

Retailers are also a target, with oneservice offering Amazon ranking,reviews, votes, listing optimisation andselling promotions at prices from US$5for an unverified review to US$500 for amonthly retainer.

Still other services tout the merits ofcrypto-currencies to push up the price,similar to stock “pump and dump”scams, the report said.

Many of these services are advertisedon the anonymous “dark web” whereusers are difficult to trace, according toHolland.

But some are openly advertised asmarketing tools as well, he said.

Holland said misinformation has beenaround for a long time but that “whathas changed in the digital world is thespeed such techniques spread aroundthe world.”

BOSTON, Massachusetts – AMassachusetts man authoritiesdubbed the “spelling bee bandit”because the notes he passed to tellers during multiple bank robberies in the Boston areacontained the same spelling error haspleaded guilty.

Federal prosecutors say 34-year-old

Jason Englen pleaded guiltyWednesday to four counts of bankrobbery.

Authorities say the Chelsea manentered an Arlington bank on Oct. 31,2016, approached a teller and handedover a note written on a deposit slipindicating a robbery was in progress,except robbery was spelled with just

one “B.”Over the next few weeks, he robbed

banks in Reading, Burlington andPeabody using notes with the samemisspelling. He was arrested lastDecember.

He faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing scheduled for February 28.

‘Fake news’becomesprofitablebusinessmodel

Bank robber with poor spelling skills pleads guilty

China’s newstate-of-the-artlibrary is afuturistic booklovers dream

This isn’t the first impressive building created by MVRDV – they’ve also gotworks in Italy, Poland and more.

The central globe was designed to represent an eye.

The sleek and circular design of thelibrary has given it the nickname‘The Eye of Binhai’.


“If you obey my commands you will remain in my love,

just as I have obeyedmy Father’s commands

and remain in hislove.” (John 15: 10, NIV).

THIS is a hard pieceto write because nomatter how much I

do, I always find stillthat I have not doneenough to consider my-self pleasing unto God.Yes, I know that, fromHis end, He sees methrough Christ and hastossed my sins into theSea of Forgetfulness; butin my daily walk, I fall sooften that I sometimesstruggle to accept myselfas worthy of all he hasdone for me. It disturbsme that I am sometimesovercome by the old lifethat still resides in melike the dregs from an already quaffed cup ofcoffee.

“So”, I ask myself, “ismy living pleasing toGod?” And inevitably Icome to the conclusionthat there is so muchmore that I can do… somuch more. I thereforecomfort myself withthese words: “If we arefaithless, he will remainfaithful, for he cannotdisown himself.”(2 Timothy 2: 13, NIV).Perhaps there are someof you out there who do

not encounter this prob-lem? Maybe you findyourself in a place that’salways pleasing untoGod? You, quite possibly,make it through eachday putting a smile onGod’s face. Maybe I amdreaming?

Paul struggled withthis situation thoughfully aware that it wasas a result of his sinfulnature. “I know thatnothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinfulnature. For I have thedesire to do what is good,but I cannot carry it out.For what I do is not thegood I want to do; no theevil I do not want to do –this I keep on doing. Nowif I do what I do not wantto do, it is no longer Iwho do it, but it is sinliving in me that does it.”(Romans 7: 18-20, NIV).

And yet God does notleave us without a rem-edy. You see, an integraland critical component ofthe successful Christianwalk rests in our capac-ity both to will and to dowhat God would have usdo. Yes, at times we willfind ourselves derailedby a flaring up of the ‘old’ man. But we need topurpose in our heartsthat we shall not be dis-couraged, if for no otherreason than that wehave recourse in JesusChrist. Paul, at the end

of this lamentation, de-clares a pathway to vic-tory: “What a wretchedman I am! Who will res-cue me from this body ofdeath? Thanks be to God– through Jesus Christour Lord! We could stopthere were the nextverse not so crucial toour full understanding of the power we have in God through Christ.“So then, I myself in mymind am a slave to God’slaw, but in the sinful nature a slave to the lawof sin.” (Romans 7: 25b,NIV). The fact that weare called Christians isnot merely eponymous.

The reality is that, ashuman beings in thisdispensation, we will be enslaved, one way or another. It thereforeredounds to us to decidewhose slave we choose tobe. We may choose to bea slave to sin and facethe consequences, hark-ing back to the admoni-

tion by Paul that we aresuccumbing to the dic-tates of the natural bodywhich has its residenceand future in death. Theproblem forcing itselfupon us is that accedingto the dictates of thebody is our default posi-tion naturally. We arehard-wired, as it were, tofall into sin as a naturalconsequence of our birth.And until we met Christ,except for our conscienceand the enabling pres-ence of His Holy Spirit,we would have beenquite satisfied with thatarrangement.

“He who does what isright is righteous, just ashe is righteous. He whodoes what is sinful is ofthe devil, because thedevil has been sinningfrom the beginning. Thereason the Son of Godappeared was to destroythe devil’s work.” (1 John3: 8, NIV). Quite often aperson is not mindful of

the fact that the gravitasof walking outside ofGod’s will, not onlygrieves the Holy Spiritbut renders that personspiritually deficient. Andso we find persons un-willing to accept Christas their Saviour and,even in more extremecases, positively denyingeven the existence ofGod. The ultimate outcome of this is aneternity spent in Hell.

In one of Peter’s writ-ings, he uses graphic language to express theposition of those who encourage others in thislife (false prophets):“These men are springswithout water and mistsdriven by a storm.Blackest darkness is re-served for them. For theymouth empty boastfulwords and, by appealingto the lustful desires ofsinful human nature,they entice people whoare just escaping fromthose who live in error.They promise them freedom while theythemselves are slaves ofdepravity – for a man isa slave to whatever hasmastered him.” (2 Peter2: 17-19, NIV). We mustseek daily to master theold man with Christ en-abling us, so as to pleaseGod.

On the other hand,Paul lays his life on the

altar of Almighty God ashis “reasonable service”.He says to the church atRome: “But now that youhave been set free fromsin and have becomeslaves to God, the benefityou reap leads to holi-ness and the result iseternal life. For thewages of sin is death, butthe gift of God is eternallife in Christ Jesus ourLord.” (Romans 6: 22-23,NIV). We ought to giveourselves fully over tothe service of the Lord.But for us to obey and dowhat is pleasing to God,we must will ourselves todo what we know to bepleasing to him by read-ing and understandingthe Word, and applyingthis in practical realityto our living. It becomesa matter of choice, some-times difficult choice.Paul saw himself as a“love slave” to Christ.

In the coming week, letus dedicate ourselves topleasing God more in ourdaily living. May Godgrant us a week chock-full of blessings as weseek to make him smile.Peace!

(Mark Maynard isan internationallyawarded fine artist,designer and art edu-cator; and may be con-tacted at [email protected].)

VATICAN CITY – PopeFrancis received somehot new wheels onWednesday in the formof a white-and-yellowLamborghini but hewon’t be using it on thetree-shaded roads of theVatican gardens.

The donatedLamborghini Huracan,which normally sells for more than $200 000,was signed by the popeoutside his Vatican residence and will beauctioned by Sotheby’s,with proceeds given tothe pontiff to help theneedy.

The Vatican said all the money would go to projects to helpChristians return to rebuild their homes in Iraq’s Nineveh Plainsthat were destroyed byIslamic State militants.

They will also go tohelp female victims ofhuman trafficking andforced prostitution andto two Italian groupswhich provide medical

services in centralAfrica.

Francis has shunnedthe papal limousines

used by his predecessorsin favour of a simple

blue Ford Focus.White and yellow are

the colours of theVatican flag.

Is pleasing Him possible?

Pope gets white-and-yellow Lamborghini to auction for charity

Pope Francis signing on the gifted Lamborghini Huracan.


ANEW man came towork on a con-struction site near

us. At lunch-break heopened his packet andsaid, “Good, cheesesalad.” The next daywhen he opened hislunch-packet, he mur-mured, “Oh, cheese saladagain.” On the third dayhe said, “Oh no, morecheese salad.” One of hismates said, “Why don’tyou tell your wife youwant a change?” He said,“I don’t have a wife.” Sothe other one said, “Thenwho makes up yourlunch-packet?” The mansaid, “I do.”

I think that is a verygood explanation ofmany things that aresaid in the gospel. Sooften we find words ofcondemnation, which arereally warnings of whatwe do to ourselves.St. John’s Gospel says,“God sent his Son intothe world, not to con-demn the world, but sothat through him theworld might be saved.”So how does that prom-ise not to condemnsquare with the sayingafter so many of theparables that there willbe weeping and gnashing

of teeth and being castout into the darkness?Again the warning to beon your guard becauseyou know not the day northe hour – as if God istrying to catch us out. Oreven, “Those who havewill be given more andthey will have more thanenough, but those whohave nothing will loseeven what they have.”

A mother’s or father’sconcernYes, Jesus is giving awarning but not a threat.Jesus wants us to beaware of what we aredoing to ourselves. If yougo to your doctor with anailment and she pre-scribes medication foryour healing, she mayeven say, “If you don’ttake this medication, youare going to be in serioustrouble.” She is notthreatening you, but sim-ply reminding you of theconsequences of whatyou might do or not do.In a similar way, Jesuswarns us and it is awarning to us not to destroy ourselves.

In one parable(Matthew 25), Jesus tellsof a very rich man whoentrusts a great deal of

his wealth to other peo-ple. Some use the moneyto make a great profitand some don’t even tryto make a profit or usethe money at all. Whenthe rich man comes backand asks how they’vedone, he praises and re-wards those who havemade a profit and givesthem even more. Thosewho haven’t used it at allhe criticises and takesaway from them the littlethey have. In the parableit sounds as if the Lord ispunishing, but in effecthe is just reminding us ofwhat will inevitably hap-pen if we do not use thegifts we have been given.

We are all giftedWe need first of all to re-alise what gifts we have.In the parable Jesus usesthe word talent, whichwas simply the technicalword for a large sum ofmoney and so really it

simply means gift. InEnglish it has becomerather misleading, be-cause the word ‘talent’has come to mean an unusual skill more thanmost people have. If wesay a person is gifted, weoften mean he has someextraordinary ability. Weare all gifted, though notalways appreciating thewonderful gifts we havebut taking them forgranted, simply becauseother people have them.To be able to walk is awonderful gift, as is theability to see or to hear. Ifyou know what it is liketo be lame or blind ordeaf, then you appreciatewhat fantastic gifts theyare. To be able to readand write are most won-derful gifts – not lesswonderful because somany people have thesame gifts.

We need to reflect onsome of the gifts we

have: The gift of kind-ness – to be moved tohelp others and put our-selves out for them. Thegift of prayer – to be ableto communicate withGod our Creator andLord. Amazing! The abil-ity to love and even beloved is a gift of God,which we should alwaystreasure and never stopthanking God for it.Jesus’ parable about peo-ple who were entrustedwith money to use,teaches us the need touse the gifts we have.When at the end of theparable Jesus says thatthose who don’t makeuse of the gift lose it, thatis not a threat but a con-cerned warning of whatcould happen to us.

Recognising our giftsA person who is very con-siderate and thoughtfulof others is using his giftof love and in the processbecomes a more lovingperson. Anyone who hassuch a gift but does notuse it will not grow moreloving, but on the con-trary, will lose what littlelove they ever had. Achild who is taught topray grows in familiaritywith God; that is a gift.

Like other gifts, if it isneglected and left to oneside it will fade away andbe lost. That is why Jesusexplains, “Those whohave will be given moreand they will have morethan enough, but thosewho have nothing willlose even what theyhave.” Jesus’ love andconcern for us, like thatof a mother or father fortheir children, is not topunish us but to warn usof what will inevitablyhappen.

Warnings of hell orcondemnation in thegospel are not to be seenas God threatening us.With great love Godblesses us and like a loving father or motherencourages us to use hisblessings fully, knowingwhat will inevitably hap-pen if we neglect them.The gift of love, evenwith great sacrifice,brings us happiness and deep contentment.A person who neglectsand loses the ability tolove becomes consumedwith hatred and, unableto let go of it, in the endcreates hell for himself or herself.

Fr. Michael Barrow,SJ

“A LONG healthy life is ablessing from God.”

This is the assessmentof centenarian Marie AnnWalton, who celebratedher milestone onThursday, November 16.The momentous day got started with aThanksgiving Mass atthe Roman CatholicCathedral, Jemmott’sLane where family and friends joined Mrs. Walton to thank theLord for the blessings He has given her.

Fr. Clement Paul sanga song which he wrotespecially for Mrs. Walton.He also delivered thehomily in which he askedthe congregation to takea deep reflection on whata life of 100 years is. Hepointed out that manychanges would happen insuch a long time period.

Mrs. Walton’s lifewould not have been aneasy one. It was during a period when lots of diseases (had no cures)could not be cured andclaimed the lives of manypeople. It was a period ofhard work that took a tollon the human body. It

was a period of tremen-dous struggle for vulner-able people. It was a period where people’sfaith in God may havebeen tested. In the midstof it all, God was the people’s guide.

Mrs. Walton, a devotedCatholic, placed her faithat the centre of her life.She was born in St.Lucia, but came to live inBarbados at age five. Shewas married but never

had children of her own;she has however, been amother figure to scores ofpeople. Her husband diedin 1941. Mrs. Walton, alsoknown as Florence, is alady of fashion and overthe years she worked invarious companies in thelocal fashion industry,designing and producingthe trendy styles of theday. Family and friendsare accustomed to themeticulous care and

attention Florence paysto dressing and it wastherefore no surprise thaton her birthday, she wasa picture of elegance in a pink dress which wascomplimented with afancy white hat.

Florence left theBarbadian shores to seethe world; she moved toLondon, England andlater Manhattan, NewYork. She returned to theisland in the 1970’s in

order to take care of hermother who had fallen ill.

Fr. Clement said thatMarie Ann ‘Florence’Walton’s life is a blessingfrom God. He touched herand she in turn touchedmany people, a fact thatwas borne out by thenumber of persons whoattended her special

Mass – some travelledfrom overseas to be apart of her birthday celebrations.

The Mass was truly oneof thanksgiving with joy-ful songs in which Mrs.Walton sang as loudly asshe could. The Mass wasfollowed by a lunch at asouth coast hotel.

A Gift of God – Use it or lose it

Marie Ann Walton celebrates milestone

Centenarian Marie Ann ‘Florence’ Walton with Fr. Clement Paul.

Mrs. Walton celebrated her 100th birthday with aThanksgiving Mass at the Roman Catholic Cathedral.


ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your heart is generous, andthere’s a symmetry that forms out of your kindness. It’sas though your kindness draws its own mirror image as itgoes, to breathtaking effect.TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll delight people.You’ve a grand sense of showmanshipand presentation, but you’ll use it judi-ciously so as not to steal attentionfrom those who believe they need it,which would foster jealousy.GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It’s as ifyou can vividly feel the vibes of a per-son you’re close to. When the wordsyou hear are different from the feelingwith which those words are beingsaid, go with the feeling. It won’t lie.CANCER (June 22-July 22). If you’restill not sure what you want to do withyour day, don’t let that stop you. Justmove. An intelligence will take over --the knowing under the knowing.LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). A dream canpull you through hard times or boringmoments. A dream can fuel you, giveyou direction, stir up some joy. A dream can be the bondof a relationship. And the best part is that it costs nothingto dream.VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your energy will be robust.You don’t want this to go to waste. That’s why communi-cation is so important. Ask questions, even if it seemsthat you should already know or the answer should beobvious.LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Nature is where it’s at. It will

be interesting to watch how things grow and thrive, howother types of beings communicate, how other kinds oflife adapt to challenges or suffer, as the case may be.Nature will be your great teacher.SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Before you move forward

with a purchase, you need to learnsomething. The time for learning is be-fore the money is exchanged, of course.This is when there is the greatest incen-tive for both parties to be open to carefullistening.SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Oneperson helping can create a whole cul-ture of helping. Furthermore, the neat-ness, attitude and general contributionof one person will make a big difference.That one person is you, of course.CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Thesea goat for which your sign is named ispart mammal, part fish. It surfaces tobreathe and then submerges to live,love, eat and fight. Similarly, today you’lltake a cleansing breath in one world todo work in another.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Someone is on thefence. A nudge could tip this situation either way. Do youreally want to take that chance? If you care a lot aboutwhere this lands, a big gesture will be needed, not a littlepush.PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A good mood meets finetiming and easy circumstances. You’ll be given specialtreatment, and there are no strings attached to this, ei-ther. It’s just your luck today.

Horoscopes by Holiday

1. Who plotted tokill Daniel?A : The priestsB : The magicians,astrologers andsoothsayersC : The armygeneralsD : His fellowadministrators

2. What led toDaniel’s beingthrown into thelion’s den?A : jealousyB : greedC : adulteryD : ambition

3. What was the reason that Danielwas thrown into thelion’s den?A : For blasphemy

against GodB : For speakingagainst the kingC : For prayingD : Forworshipping idols

4. Which king hadDaniel thrown intothe lion’s den?A : CyrusB : DariusC :NebuchadnezzarD : Belshazzar

5. Why was Danielnot hurt?A : The lionsweren’t hungry.B : The lions hadfallen asleep.C : He had done nowrong.D : The kingcommanded it.

Bible Challenge

Answers: 1. D, 2. A, 3. C, 4. B, 5. C

SSununddaay Ay Addvvococatate Ce Comicsomics


AUSTRALIAN guitaristand AC/DC co-founderMalcolm Young has diedaged 64 after a long battle with dementia.

He died peacefullyyesterday with his

family nearby, a state-ment said.

Young will be remem-bered for his powerfulrhythm guitar riffs thatwere instrumental inpropelling the Sydneyheavy rock group tostardom.

Three Young brothershave been part ofAC/DC’s history, includ-ing lead guitaristAngus. Producer GeorgeYoung died in October.

“Renowned for hismusical prowess,Malcolm was a songwriter, guitarist,performer, producer andvisionary who inspiredmany,” the statementread.

“From the outset, heknew what he wanted toachieve and, along withhis younger brother,took to the world stagegiving their all at everyshow. Nothing lesswould do for their fans.”

Fans and friends ofYoung have been post-ing their tributes to thepopular musician on so-cial media.

After forming AC/DCin 1973, Angus andMalcolm Young werecredited as co-writers onevery song the bandrecorded between their1975 debut HighVoltage through to2014’s Rock or Bust.

Malcolm was born in1953 in Glasgow before

his family emigrated toAustralia when he was10.

His family confirmedhe was suffering fromdementia in 2014.

He wrote much of thematerial that enabledAC/DC to become one ofthe biggest heavy rockbands and singer BrianJohnson has describedhim as the band’s“spiritual leader, ourspitfire”.

Their biggest hits in-clude Back in Black,Highway to Hell, andYou Shook Me All NightLong. The group is esti-mated to have sold morethan 200 million recordsworldwide, including71.5 million albums inthe US.

A statement by AngusYoung on the AC/DCwebsite praisesMalcolm’s “enormousdedication and commit-ment” which made him“the driving force behind the band” who“always stuck to hisguns and did and saidexactly what hewanted”.

“As his brother it ishard to express in wordswhat he has meant tome during my life, thebond we had was uniqueand very special. Heleaves behind an enor-mous legacy that willlive on forever.

“Malcolm, job welldone.”


Aformer co-worker has ac-cused Ryan

Seacrest of miscon-duct while the pairwere colleagues at E!News, according to areport Friday.

A stylist claimed thealleged incident hap-pened about a decade agowhile Seacrest, knownfor his hosting gigs on“American Idol” and“Live with Kelly andRyan,” was employed atE!, Variety reported. Nodetails of the alleged en-counter were availablebut the entertainmentnews company is report-edly looking into theclaim.

In a statement toVariety, Seacrest ac-knowledged the allega-tions made against himand said he was “trulysorry” if he made his ac-cuser “feel anything butrespected” and that hewould cooperate with theinvestigation.

But he denied the alle-gations wholeheartedly,calling them “reckless,”and said he believes hishistory in the industrywill speak for itself,Variety reported.

“Throughout my 25years in the entertain-ment industry, the ma-jority of my co-workershave been women, andI’ve endeavoured to foster a positive work environment of mutualrespect and courtesy, asthat’s how I believe itshould be,” Seacrest saidin the statement. “I’mdistraught that anyone

or any situation wouldcall that into question.

“I’m proud of my work-place reputation, and be-lieve my track record willspeak for itself,” he said.“I’m an advocate forwomen. I will continue tosupport their voices.”

E! News did not imme-diately respond to FoxNews’ request for com-ment.

AC/DC guitarist MalcolmYoung dies at 64

Malcolm Young (right) and his brother Angus (left) were driving forces behindthe international success of AC/DC.

Ryan Seacrest accused ofinappropriate behaviour

Ryan Seacrest


BONN – As the first glimmer of dawn ap-peared across the Rhine River, delegatesstumbled out of an all-night negotiatingsession at this year’s global climate talks,expressing satisfaction yesterday at theprogress made toward creating a com-prehensive rule book for fighting globalwarming.

The two-week meeting in Bonn,Germany, was billed as a “blue-collar”event designed to hammer out the tech-nical details of the 2015 Paris climateaccord. But fears had loomed large be-forehand that the administration of USPresident Donald Trump, who rejects theParis agreement, would seek to block anyadvances seen as counter to Americaninterests.

In the end, most agreed that US diplo-mats had engaged constructively, whiledelegations from several Americanstates, cities and businesses were praisedfor committing themselves to the goals ofthe Paris agreement.

The role of spoiler almost fell to SaudiArabia, which held up a final agreementfor several hours over objections to aphrase it feared might allow for futurelevies on fossil fuels like oil.

“There has been positive momentumall around us,” said Fiji’s Prime Minister

Frank Bainimarama, who presided overthe meeting and swung the gavel to closeit about 7:00 am.

“We leave Bonn having notched up some notable achievements,”Bainimarama said, citing agreements onagriculture, ocean protection, indigenouspeople’s rights and the launch of a newsystem to help people in poor countriesget insurance against the effects of cli-mate change.

Many countries are already feeling theheat that is enveloping the globe, withdramatic floods,hurricanes and droughtsacross the world in recent months addinga sense of urgency to the talks.

Environmental groups expressed sat-isfaction at the outcome of the negotia-tions,while noting there’s much still to doand little time left to ensure the Paris ac-cord’s goal of keeping global warmingsignificantly below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6degrees Fahrenheit) is met.

Experts say worldwide average tem-peratures have already risen 1 degreeCelsius since pre-industrial times, largelydue to carbon emissions from the UnitedStates and Europe over the past century.

“The conference gets a grade of ‘meetsexpectations,’” said Andrew Deutz of TheNature Conservancy, an Arlington-based

environmental group. “We are stillheaded in the right direction, but sincethe US took its foot off the accelerator, therisk of global climate action slowing downhas increased.”

US diplomat Judith Garber, speakingat the talks Thursday, reiterated Trump’sposition that the United States will leavethe Paris accord but added that “we re-main open to the possibility of rejoiningat a later date under terms morefavourable to the American people.”

Garber, the acting assistant secretaryof state for oceans and international en-vironmental and scientific affairs, saidWashington remains “committed to mit-igating greenhouse gas emissionsthrough, among other things, increasedinnovation on sustainable energy andenergy efficiency, and working towardlow greenhouse gas emissions energysystems.”

The conciliatory tone coming from USdiplomats was at odds with the morecombative position taken by White Houseadviser George David Banks, who raisedeyebrows by hosting a pro-coal event dur-ing the talks.

“Having already abandoned its leader-ship role on climate, the Trump adminis-tration appears to be living in an alter-

nate universe with its focus on fossilfuels,” said Paula Caballero, who headsthe climate program of the Washington-based World Resources Institute.

Caballero noted that the leaders of USstates, cities and businesses – who cameto Bonn separately from the White Houseand State Department delegations –earned widespread approval for pledg-ing to honour the Paris accord.

Germany, which hosted the meeting,received mixed reviews. While manypraised the country’s negotiators for bro-kering deals between opposing groups atthe talks, there was also disappointmentthat German Chancellor Angela Merkelfailed to join other rich countries in an-nouncing a firm deadline for phasing outthe use of coal-fired power plants.

Merkel is currently locked in coalitiontalks with the environmentalist Greenparty and the pro-business FreeDemocrats,who disagree about the use ofcoal.

The Bonn meeting was a steppingstone toward next year’s talks inKatowice, Poland , where key decisionswill have to be made, including on final-ising the Paris rulebook and raising coun-tries’ national ambitions for cuttinggreenhouse gas emissions.

Bonn climate talks end with progress despite US stance

THE importance of seagrasses is further emphasised in a new reportthat looks at how they underpinfishing worldwide.

These flowering plants, which grow innear-shore waters, are under intensepressure - some estimates suggest globallosses are running at 7% a year.

The grasses provide shelter and foodfor many sea creatures and that makesthem a natural draw to fishers.

But Richard Unsworth and colleaguessay this valuable resource will need bet-ter management if it is to be sustained.

“Our study is really the first to showjust how important seagrass meadowsare to fishing,” explained the researcherfrom Swansea University in the UK.

“Wherever you get seagrasses, you getfishing, basically,” he told BBC News.

Seagrass meadows are found aroundevery continent except Antarctica.

The plants cycle nutrients, stabilisesediments, and – as photosynthesisers –act as a “sink” for carbon dioxide.

They also provide nursery habitat forjuvenile fish, which hide from predatorsamong the stems.

However, the scale of the importance ofthe meadows to fisheries has been moresupposition than fact because of a paucityof data on how they are actually used, ac-cording to Dr Unsworth.

His team set about correcting this byinterviewing experts – including otherscientists and fisheries managers – onwhat they were observing around theworld.

The team also took in case studies cov-ering all regions from the Philippines toZanzibar, Indonesia, the Turks andCaicos Islands and locations in theMediterranean.

The picture that emerges is much thesame everywhere.

Fishers actively target seagrasses be-cause they recognise the habitats’ greatproductivity.

This is true from small-scale recre-ational activity all the way through tolarge-scale commercial practice.

The study details the types of tools andequipment used – from spears to nets –and the variety of species taken, from in-vertebrates such as crabs, shrimp andclams, to popular finfish such as mullet,herring and snapper.

One critical point to emphasise fromthe assessment is that many hundreds ofmillions of people worldwide depend onthe catch from seagrass meadows for

their daily protein intake.This makes their conservation and

proper management all the more impor-tant, says the team.

There is a claim that a meadow areaequivalent to two football pitches is dis-appearing every hour.

Such statements are very hard to ver-ify, but there is no doubt that seagrassesare being diminished by poor water qual-ity in coastal areas as a result of agricul-tural and urban run-off, among severalthreats that also include insensitive fish-ing practices.

Team member Lina Nordlund, fromStockholm University, said: “The ecolog-ical value of seagrass meadows is ir-refutable, yet their loss continues at anaccelerating rate.

“Now there is growing evidence glob-ally that many fisheries associated toseagrass are unrecorded, unreported andunmanaged, leading to a tragedy of the

seagrass commons.”Leanne Cullen-Unsworth, from

Cardiff University, added:“Arguments insupport of seagrass have in the past toooften focused on the fluffy - such as theconservation of seahorses.

“I don’t want to dismiss seahorses’ im-portance, but the reality is that sea-grasses have much higher value in sup-porting fisheries. And I’ve come acrossnumerous occasions where fishermenhave been against conservation of sea-grasses because they can’t moor theirboats in these locations, when it’s thoseseagrasses that support their activity inthe first place.

“What we need to do is increase thelevel of understanding and appreciationof these habitats.”

The team’s study - Global significanceof seagrass fishery activity - is publishedin the journal Fish and Fisheries.

Fishing is ‘bestargumentfor seagrass’

The study details the many different types of gear used to fish among the plants.


A GERMAN regulator hasbanned the sale ofsmartwatches aimed atchildren, describing themas spying devices.

It had previouslybanned an internet-connected doll called, MyFriend Cayla, for similarreasons.

Telecoms regulator theFederal Network Agencyurged parents who hadsuch watches to destroythem.

One expert said thedecision could be a “game-changer” for internet-connected devices.

“Poorly secured smartdevices often allow forprivacy invasion. That isreally concerning when itcomes to kids’ GPStracking watches - thevery watches that aresupposed to help keepthem safe,” said KenMunro, a security expertat Pen Test Partners.

“There is a shockinglack of regulation of the‘internet of things’, whichallows lax manufacturersto sell us dangerouslyinsecure smart products.”

“Using privacyregulation to ban suchdevices is a game-changer,stopping these

manufacturers playingfast and loose with ourkids’ security,” he added.

In a statement, theagency said it had alreadytaken action againstseveral firms offering suchwatches on the internet.

“Via an app,parents canuse such children’swatches to listenunnoticed to the child’senvironment and they areto be regarded as anunauthorisedtransmitting system,” saidJochen Homann,president of the FederalNetwork Agency.

“According to ourresearch,parents’ watchesare also used to listen toteachers in theclassroom.”

The agency also askedschools to “pay moreattention” to such watchesamong students.

Tracking childrenSuch watches - which

are sold by a large numberof providers in Germany -are generally aimed atchildren between the agesof five and 12.

Most are equipped witha Sim card and a limitedtelephony function andare set up and controlled

via an app.In October, the

Norwegian ConsumerCouncil (NCC) reportedthat ‘some children’swatches - including Gatorand GPS for kids - hadflaws such as transmittingand storing data withoutencryption.

It meant that strangers,using basic hackingtechniques, could trackchildren as they moved ormake a child appear to bein a completely differentlocation.

It is not clear whetherthe German decision toban such devices wasbased on the privacyissues associated withthem or wider securityflaws that have beenuncovered by NCC andothers.

Both firms said thatthey had resolved thesecurity issues.

Finn Myrstad, head ofdigital policy at the NCCsaid: “This ban sends astrong signal to makers ofproducts aimed atchildren that they need tobe safer.”

He called for Europe-wide measures to increasethe security of suchdevices.

APPLE is delaying therelease of its HomePodsmart speaker until2018.

The electronics giantsaid the device, which wasdue to be released inDecember this year, stillneeded developmentwork.

It said the HomePodwould be ready to go onshop shelves in the US,UK and Australia “earlyin 2018”.

The news is a blow to itsplans to take on rivalsAmazon and Google in thegrowing market for homedevices that use AI to helpconsumers.

‘Not surprising’In a statement sent to

news organisations,Applesaid the wireless speakerneeded “a little more timebefore it’s ready for ourcustomers”.

The delay will meanApple misses the lucrativeholiday season duringwhich many consumersbuy gadgets as gifts.

The gadget was firstunveiled in June this yearwhen Apple said it would

go on sale in the US for$349 (£265). In the UK itwas expected to cost £350.

It was designed to be acompetitor to other smartspeakers - such asAmazon’s Echo andGoogle’s Assistant. Sonos,Microsoft and others alsomake similar gadgets.

Like them it wasdesigned to play musicand act as a hands-freehelper letting owners settimers,maintain shoppinglists and get reports aboutthe news, weather andother subjects.

Since Apple unveiledthe HomePod both Googleand Amazon have addednew models to theirranges of smart speakers,intensifying thecompetition with Apple.

Writing in Engadget,associate editor JonFingle said the delay was“not surprising”given thatthe HomePod was Apple’sfirst try at a smartspeaker.

“The HomePod isn’tnecessarily in trouble,” hesaid. “but it may face atougher battle than it didbeforehand.”

Apple delays launch of smart speaker

Germany bans children’s smartwatchesApple first unveiled its HomePod smart speaker in June.

The German telecoms regulator urged parents to destroy children’ssmartwatches.


SPORTSSPORTS

AS the final countdown begins, all thepieces are falling in to place to make nextweekend’s final round of the BarbadosRally Club’s (BRC) 2017 Driver’s andClass Championships an event toremember. At more than 70 kilometresover 14 stages - the longest event outsideSol Rally Barbados in recent years – andwith night-time tests and a steadily-growing overseas entry, the BRC WinterRally looks set to bring the curtain downon the season in style.

The event will open with two specialstages at Vaucluse Raceway (VRW) onFriday evening (November 24), each crewcovering two laps of the familiar nearlythree-kilometre RallySprint track on eachrun, starting at 6.00pm. There will beample opportunity for competitors toresolve any overnight issues, asSaturday’s stages do not start until earlyafternoon – the daylight stages, slated tostart at 2.20pm, are Dark Hole to SpringVale, alternating with Hangmans Hill toLion Castle, each over 5kms.

After the Dinner Halt, the restart willbe at 7.00pm, with three runs each of a4.50km stage from Four Hills to FrenchVillage and a downhill run from Canefieldto Hangmans Hill (5.90km) to completethe day’s action; the Hangmans Hillstages, both north and south-bound, willrun through VRW, using a newconfiguration, including an element ofthe infield karting track, also theRallycross Joker Lap, constructed earlierthis year in the south-east corner of thefacility.

After checking the route with DeputyClerk of the Course Kreigg Yearwood,Rally Director Neil Barnard said: “Wehad to re-measure some things and checkthe state of the roads, but I really thinkthis will bring our season to a brilliantconclusion. The overall distance, thenumber of stages and, of course, runningin the dark certainly make it a tougher

and more interesting rally on paper thanthe Shakedown Stages. I thinkcompetitors and spectators will enjoythis.”

Although entries do not close atMotorsport Services in Haggatt Hall untilnext Wednesday (November 22), theWinter Rally has already attracted aquality entry from home and overseas.The running order will be published onThursday, with the Briefing Meeting andScrutineering scheduled for 5.00pm atthe VRW Clubhouse.

At the sharp end of the field, doubleSol Rally Barbados winner Paul Bird(Ford Focus WRC07) is returning tocompete in the island for the first time inmore than two years, along with RobSwann (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B),who finished second in Sol RB17; theywill surely sharpen the focus of Jamaica’sJeff Panton (Focus WRC06), looking toclinch the coveted BRC Champion Drivertitle in this final, high points-scoring,round.

In the classes, regular Turks & CaicosIslands visitor Paul Horton (Citroen DS3 R3 MAX) competes in Modified 2, witha chance of beating Daryl Clarke (HondaCivic) to the class win, while PierreBeswick will campaign his Citroen C2R2 MAX in M1; flying in from the UnitedStates, father and son crew George andAnthony Sherman will campaignTrinidad & Tobago’s David Coelho’sMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX in Group N.

There is all to play for in the BRCChampionship, as most class battlesremain unresolved; with no droppedscores this year and an enhanced pointsstructure for the Winter Rally – a classwin will earn 28 points (up from 20),second 23, third 20, down to 10 for 10thplace – championship hopefuls will needto bring their best game.

The Winter Rally also plays host to theBarbados Historic Rally, the second

component of the annual BarbadosHistoric Rally Carnival, which startstomorrow (Saturday) at VRW with aRallySprint.

BRC Winter RallySpecial Stage ScheduleFriday, November 241800 SS1 & SS2 - Vaucluse Raceway(5.80km each)

Saturday, November 251420 SS3 - Dark Hole to Springvale 1(5.00km)1450 SS4 - Hangmans Hill to Lion Castle 1(5.00km)1520 SS5 - Dark Hole to Springvale 2(5.00km)1550 SS6 - Hangmans Hill to Lion Castle 2(5.00km)

1640 SS7 - Dark Hole to Springvale 3(5.00km)1710 SS8 - Hangmans Hill to Lion Castle 3(5.00km)

Dinner Halt1900 SS9 - Four Hills to French Village 1(4.50km)1940 SS10 - Canefield to Hangmans Hill 1(5.90km)2025 SS11 - Four Hills to French Village 2(4.50km)2105 SS12 - Canefield to Hangmans Hill 2(5.90km)2210 SS13 - Four Hills to French Village 3(4.50km)2250 SS14 - Canefield to Hangmans Hill 3(5.90km)

Total SS Distance – 72.8kms

ROGER BOYCE the man behind theDarcy Beckles Invitational Classicis looking to keep improving theshow and take it to internationalstandard.

Boyce recalled why he started the showwhich happened during a time when hethought Bodybuilding on the island wasat a low point.

After talking and no one listening,Boyce said that he thought it was time tostop talking and start acting.

The idea for naming the show camefrom when he trained at the Stadium

gym where Darcy Beckles was and Boycewould always sit and listen to him and hisexploits in the sport.

“I wanted to do something differentand I wanted to do something special forhim so I decided I wanted to do an eventin his honour so that is how we started.”

When the show started Boyce said theywere offering around $27 000 in prizemoney and over the years they were ableto add categories, “and once you addcategories the prize money keeps goingup, so now we are well in excess of $40000 in prize money.”

With all things there comes somechallenges and one of those came in 2016when there was controversy over drugtesting at the event.

Boyce said that after that they wereworking to get Phil ‘The Gift’ Heath.Thenow 7-Time Mr Olympia, here for twoyears. “You would appreciate havingsomeone of his calibre wouldn’t comecheap. We spoke to him in 2015 and heput his card on the table and we said ‘okwe weren’t ready yet’.”

“After last year’s whole fiasco I decidedthe best way to hit back was to hit big so

I decided to go all out to get him (Heath)and he is here.”

It was Heath’s first time in Barbados aswell as the first time Antoinette Downiewas performing at home after turningpro.

Boyce said that bringing the pros toguest pose at the show is one way to helpthe local athletes.

“A lot of the local guys are aspiring tobe pro and I want them to be able to seewhere the game is at and to interact withsome of these pros and see what they canlearn from them.” (CG)

Roger Boyce: Looking to always improve Darcy Beckles Classic

BRC Winter Rally promises an event to remember

Double Sol Rally Barbados winner Paul Bird.


CHAMPIONS from Back Page

Reemar Butcher of the DarylJordan Secondary School is aveteran. He has been competingfor a while now, chasing the gold in the Mr. School BoyBodybuilding competition. Hefinally reached the mountaintop and did it in style. Hisphysique was top-notch, with asolid muscular frame and ahuge pair of quads in the mix.He was in the very last categoryof the evening, but his presenceon the stage caused the mostnoise in the crowd for the com-petition. He looked the part, notjust in body, but also in confi-dence as he posed for the judges.

Without a doubt in the minds ofthe crowd and the judgingpanel,he was awarded the “2017Mr. School Boy” Bodybuildingtitle and won the “Best Poser”and “Most Muscular” categoriesto go along with the title.

When the announcement wasmade, a look of disbelief waswritten on his face, afterwardswhen he spoke to TheBarbados Advocate, the newtitle holder said he felt great be-cause he worked hard for it.Training for the young body-builder started immediatelyafter Barbados Nationals,wherehe placed fifth in the Juniors.Butcher said that he was nottaking any chances and had pre-

pared his whole body as best ashe could to present the bestspecimen to the judges. Just likeMorgan, Butcher confessed thatit was a tough road, especiallybalancing school work, music aswell as work, as he is an up andcoming barber.

The newly crowned championwanted to thank his family andfriends as well the whole DarylJordan posse for their supportand he was happy he could winthe title for himself and his supporters. The silver went to Deandre Bascombe of St. Leonard’s Boys and thirdplace went to Adrian Dyal of theSamuel Jackman PrescodInstitute.

Victorius Butcher thanks supporters

A solid chunk of conditioned muscle was what Reemar Butcherpresented to the judges. It earned him the ‘2017 Mr.Bodybuilding’ title.

The final ladies category of the evening was ‘Miss School Girl Body Fitness’ and the girls cameout to truly impress. (From left) Shante Barker of BCC was second, the crown now resides on thehead of Tia-Ling Morgan of Christ Church Foundation and in third was Raven Greene, also of BCC.

WITH 100 contestants in 12categories descending onthe stage of the LesterVaughn School, two thingswere for certain, it wasgoing to be a long eveningand there would be plentyto shout about.

Every participant at the 2017National Sports Council (NSC)Mr. School Boy Bodybuilding &Ms. School Girl Body FitnessChampionships performed ad-mirably before a crowd of wellover 100 patrons on Fridayevening. Some made their markon the stage with their well puttogether costumes, others bytheir toned bodies and then

there were those who workedthe stage like pros. All in all itwas a very well coordinatedcompetition by the organisersand the schools and children put forward their best performances.

In the Upper Junior (12-15)Girls Bodybuilding class, it wasRowland Kirton-Browne of thehost school Lester Vaughn, whoposed away with the crown. Shebeat Xiomara Aymes ofSpringer Memorial into secondand Christina Maynard ofEllerslie into third, whileAlexandra’s Talia King wasfourth. For the boys in the sameclass it was Jayde Germain of

the Government IndustrialSchool who copped first placeand Alleyne School’s TrayveanHarvey was second with DamarElcock of St. Leonard’s Boys’ inthird. There was only the girlssection in the Upper JuniorsFitness Category and only twocontestants, but that did not stop Adeyah Brewster ofAlexandra and Makeda Greavesof Springer Memorial fromworking their quarter turns be-fore the judges, hoping to winthe gold. Brewster came out thevictor and Greaves went homewith the silver.

YOUTH on Page 45

Youth impress at School’sBodybuilding, FitnessChampionships

Abs of steel! The host school, Lester Vaughn were up and cheer-ing when Rowland Kirton-Browne was declared the winner of theUpper Juniors (12-15) Bodybuilding champion.

YOUTH from Page 44

Kemani Maynard hadthe smile and the body towin and his performancewas welcomed by applauseand cheers as he repre-sented the host school. Hewon the Junior (9-11) BoysBodybuilding title with acertain confidence, whichshone brightly before thecrowd. It was a confidencethat made one think... thatthis was definitely thesport for him. In secondwas Amar Gaskin ofGrazettes Primary and in third was ZaricoRedman-Bellamy of WilkieCumberbatch.

The girls were just asprofessional on stage asthe boys, with much flairand poise. Shontel Jacobstook home the gold for Wilkie Cumberbatch in the Junior (9-11) Girls Bodybuilding. BayPrimary were in themedals as well, whenTanisha Arthur won the silver and GeorgeLamming was third, com-pliments of ShaniaCallender.

The Junior (9-11) Girlsalso had a Body FitnessClass and the one-minuteroutines produced some ofthe best performances ofthe night for the crowd.Andreann Sealy was thebest of the lot and securedfirst place for GeorgeLamming. Wilkie was in

the fray again whenMyesha Bourne took thesilver and St. Lawrencewon third on the back ofDanielle Welch.

In the Tiny Tot Girls (6-8) Fitness, the girlsbrought smiles to all thepatrons and it was a greatway to start the after-noon’s proceedings withthe 100 per cent effortgiven by the youngest com-petitors. GeorgeLamming’s Tiara Padmore

was the best girl on stagein both the Fitness seg-ment as well as theBodybuilding and tookgold in both categories.Her posing and costumecreated a performance toremember for all thosewatching. Bay Primary’sBrianna Wallace was second in the FitnessClass,while Kenya Archerwas third. For theBodybuilding, TiannaMuray handed Bay

Primary its second silverin the age group andGrazettes was made proud by the bronze performance of DamarahCallender.

The Tiny Tots (6-8) BoysBodybuilding broughtwith it some laughs as wellas “awwws” at the smallyoungsters flexing theirgrowing muscles, lookingto be crowned a bodybuild-ing champion at an earlyage.Bay Primary was overthe moon when AkanniCharles won gold in the division against stiff

competition. Wilkie’sJayden Burke-Goodingearned second place

with Justice Lewis of St.Lawrence being awardedthe bronze. (AS)


Juniors,Tiny Totsflex their muscleslike professionals

Kemani Maynard was in a class of his own and took the top prize in the Junior (9-11) Boys Bodybuilding category.

Shontel Jacobs won the hearts of the patrons withher smile and the Junior Girls Bodybuilding title forherself and Wilkie Cumberbatch.

Guest posers Mr. Barbados and the 2017 DarcyBeckles Bodybuilding Invitational and Classic cham-pion Shaquille Lavine and Shakira Douglin, the reigning Bikini Fitness Under 163cm championshowed the patrons and school children what theirfuture could hold.

Jade Germain (middle) of Government Industrial School won the Upper Junior (12-15) Boys Division. He isflanked by second place Trayvean Harvey (left) of Alleyne School and Damar Elcock (right) of St. Leonard’sBoys.


MELBOURNE –Australia’s JoshHazlewood is a “genius”with line and length andwill have no trouble beingready for this week’s Ashesopener against Englanddespite having had only a single warm-up match,fellow seamer MitchellStarc has said.

Hazlewood, Starc andPat Cummins have beenrested for the third roundof the domestic SheffieldShield to preserve themfor the November 23 Testin Brisbane.

In rampaging form,pacespearhead Starc andCummins had two firstclass games for New SouthWales,but their teammateHazlewood just had theone, against WesternAustralia, after making adelayed comeback from aside strain.

It was an impressive re-turn for Hazlewood, who

claimed six wickets andearned gushing praisefrom Australia captainSteve Smith.

Starc, too, was amongthe admirers and is relish-ing the prospect of allthree New South Walesbowlers steaming in atEngland’s batsmen at theGabba.

“(Hazlewood) wasstraight back into his Testform after one over ofShield cricket,” Starc toldlocal media on Monday.

“He’s a bloody geniuswith line and length, it allows Pat and I to be ag-gressive and that’s how Ibowl.

“We can unleash fromthe other end, bowl asquick as we can and at-tack.

“(Hazlewood) takes hiswickets with line andlength and Pat and I comein and try and blast teamsout, try and attack the

stumps and really intimi-date.

“We complement eachother really well.”

Having poached 17wickets from his two

Shield matches, Starc’sform has raised homehopes he might prove to beEngland’s new left-armnemesis, four years afterMitchell Johnson domi-

nated in a 5-0 whitewash.“I think we have an at-

tack that is gelling well,”Starc said.

“It doesn’t have to be one guy who stands up, if

someone has a MitchellJohnson-type series fan-tastic.

“But if we win theAshes, it doesn’t matterwho gets all the wickets.”

SYDNEY – BatsmanShaun Marsh is deter-mined to grasp what headmits is probably a finalchance to establish him-self as a regular memberof the Australia Test sideafter earning an Ashes recall.

The 34-year-old, whohas played 23 Tests sincehis debut in 2011, was oneof a couple of surprise in-clusions in the Australiasquad named on Fridayfor next week’s openeragainst England inBrisbane.

Marsh secured hiseighth recall to the Testside with some solid formfor Western Australia butconceded that failure on Australian cricket’sbiggest stage could end his Test career.

“I’m not trying to thinkabout it that way, it’s an-other opportunity for meto get out there and playsome good cricket forAustralia,” Marsh, who averages 36 in Tests, toldreporters in Brisbane.

“I know I’ve got someruns in me still to go, soI’ve just got to prepare welland just enjoy it, have alot of fun and bat myselfin.”

Marsh has been openingfor his state but is likely tobat in the number six spotagainst England havingseen off the claims ofbrother Mitchell, team-

mate Hilton Cartwrightand the incumbent GlennMaxwell.

After playing in all fourTests on the tour of Indiaearlier this year, Marshwas dumped for the follow-ing tour of Bangladesh in what was quite a blowgiven he was consideredsomething of subcontinentspecialist.

His recall did not causeas much surprise as that of32-year-old wicketkeeperTim Paine,a pick criticised

as “confused”by spin bowl-ing great Shane Warne,and Marsh himself wasleft with just one prevail-ing emotion.

“It’s just excitement,”Marsh added.“I hadn’t re-ally thought about it muchover the last two or threeof months. I just thought ifI played good cricket forWA then I might have asniff. I just can’t wait to getout there and have a crack.

“An Ashes series inAustralia, it doesn’t get

any better than that, I’mgoing to give it a red hotcrack.”

Injury has also played asignificant role in Marsh’sstop-start career but hesaid he was in good shapegoing into the five-matchseries.

“My body’s in really goodcondition at the moment,”he said. “I feel like I’m hit-ting the ball the best Ihave done for a long whileso I’ll go in with plenty ofconfidence.”

SYDNEY – Englandcricket captain JoeRoot has dismissed suggestions his team“feared”Australia’s fastbowlers, saying hisplayers were fully prepared for a hostileAshes series.

Root said some Englishplayers had been takenaback by the level of ag-gression shown by theirhosts when they lost 5-0on their last tour ofAustralia four years ago,but insisted they wereready this time.

“Last time that caughtus out, but we are a bitwiser this time,”Root said.

“It’s making sure we are absolutely preparedfor any scenario and ab-solutely ready for that firstgame, whatever they dothrow at us,” Root said.“We expect it to be hostile.We expect it to be a veryloud and rowdy atmos-phere at the Gabba.

“We are in a good placeand ready for that. Wehave got our heads aroundwhat to expect.”

Root also brushed off suggestions theAustralians planned to

specifically target himafter he managed just onehalf-century and averagedless than 28 with the baton his previous tour ofAustralia in 2013-14.

In 2015, Root madeamends with two cen-turies and an average ofmore than 57 as Englandbounced back on home soilto regain the Ashes.

“I’ve heard a lot of chatabout targeting me, in par-ticular,” Root said. “Fromour point of view, we’ll betargeting every single oneof them – we won’t be sin-gling any one out. But youwant that competitive ele-ment to it, and those littlein-house rivalries.”

With the first Test start-ing on November 23, thetourists have made no se-cret of their plans, stick-ing with the same top six batsmen they used inthe previous game. MarkStoneman will again openwith Alastair Cook, withJames Vince batting atthree ahead of Root.

Dawid Malan comes inat five with wicketkeeperJonny Bairstow at six.All-rounder Moeen Ali returnsat seven.

Starc marvels at‘genius’ Hazlewood

Ashes surprise Marsh eager to grasp his latestlast chance

England unfazedby Australianbanter ahead ofAshes opener

Shaun Marsh is one of the surprise picks in the Australia squad for Ashes 2017/18.

Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc bowl during an Australian nets session.


NOVICES Jason Sanghaand Matt Short scoredtheir maiden first-classcenturies for a CricketAustralia XI to frustrateEngland on the last day oftheir final Ashes warm-up game yesterday.

Eighteen-year-oldSangha and team skipperShort – with only sevenfirst-class matches be-tween them – shared in a 263-run fourth-wicketstand to draw the four-day game ahead of nextweek’s first BrisbaneTest.

Sangha hit 133 off 226balls with 13 fours and asix, while Short remainedunbeaten on 134 off 264balls when the game wascalled off late on the finalday in Townsville.

Sangha is the second-youngest player to score acentury against England

behind India great SachinTendulkar.

He was finally caughtoff leg-spinner MasonCrane, allowing thetourists to avoid the in-dignity of going wicket-less on the final day.

“It’s not really damag-ing to us,” England coachTrevor Bayliss said.

“Obviously we’d like totake 10 wickets for 90runs in every game, butthis is what can happenin cricket.

“A number of guysspent time in the middlewith the bat and thebowlers got a lot of oversunder their belts.

“Hopefully everyonenow has got theirrhythms right and theycan come out next weekand go from ball one.”

The inexperienced CAXI finished on 364 for four

off 110 overs to lead by 99 runs when the rivalcaptains agreed a draw.

Sangha was dropped byMark Stoneman on 43 butEngland’s bowlers cre-ated few other chances.

England comfortablydefeated a similar CA XIin Adelaide last week and for two days in northQueensland they hadlooked set to do so again.

The CA XI ended thethird day on 121 for three,trailing England by 144and short of a batsmanbecause of an injury toNick Larkin.

But Sangha and Shortmade the most of the be-nign conditions to ensureEngland spent the fourthday toiling in the tropicalheat.

Pace bowler CraigOverton was treated withdisdain, going wicketless

for 65 off 15 overs.Off-spinner Moeen Ali,

in his first game of thetour after a side injury,bowled a total of 48 oversin the match. But fellowspinner Crane was loose,finishing the second innings with two for 97from 30 overs.

By the end, Englandwere using part-timespinners Joe Root andDawid Malan to protectthe frontliners and has-ten the finish.

“It was good to spendsome time in the field. I’msure there will be timesduring the Test serieswhere we’re out in thefield all day,” Bayliss said.

“There were two youngguys out there that batted very, very well.All credit to them. Theylooked good. It’s good forAustralian cricket.”

LONDON –Manchester City en-joyed another satisfy-ing afternoon in thePremier League,brushing off LeicesterCity 2-0 for their 16thconsecutive win in allcompetitions and see-ing one of their closestpursuers TottenhamHotspur lose ground.

Mauricio Pochettino’sside went down 2-0 atArsenal whose perform-ance rebuffed the notionthat the balance of powerhas permanently shiftedin north London.

With ManchesterUnited playingNewcastle United lateyesterday, City movednine points clear ofChelsea, who went sec-ond after thumping WestBromwich Albion 4-0.

Gabriel Jesus and astunning strike fromKevin De Bruyne pro-vided the goals for Cityagainst a Leicester teamwho have often troubledthem in the past.

The home side wentclose to equalising whenHarry McGuire hit thepost after the break, butCity went straight up theother end and put the re-sult beyond doubt with astunning counter-attackthat De Bruyne roundedoff with an unstoppable

20-yard shot in the 49thminute.

The only concern forPep Guardiola was an in-jury to John Stones, whohobbled off before thebreak. The successful re-turn of Vincent Kompanyfrom injury will providecompensation althoughthe Belgian was fortu-nate to escape with abooking for a foul on

Jamie Vardy in the thirdminute.

At Arsenal, Tottenhammanager MauricioPochettino said he was“disappointed in the per-formance and the waywe conceded the goals”after the derby defeat although the Argentinewas unhappy withShkodran Mustafi ’sopener.

“The goal was offside.But we lose,” he said. “I’mnot blaming the referee.It’s a strange situation.It changed the dynamicof the game. We need toaccept that. We can’t con-trol that.”

At Anfield MohamedSalah scored twice as Liverpool beatSouthampton 3-0 torecord three consecutive

Premier League wins forthe first time in 2017.The Egyptian’s brace on31 and 41 minutes madehim the league’s topscorer and PhilippeCoutinho rounding offthe afternoon withLiverpool’s third to putthem one point off theChampions Leagueplaces.

Chelsea had an equally

untroubled afternoonwith Eden Hazard scor-ing twice, and AlvaroMorata and MarcosAlonso also finding thenet to pile more pressureon Albion manager TonyPulis, whose side arewithout a win in 11games.

“The defending wasvery poor,” said Pulis,whose team next face atrip to Tottenham.

The Premier League’stwo worst defences,Crystal Palace andEverton, predictablyleaked goals as honourswere shared after an en-tertaining 2-2 draw atSelhurst Park.

Palace were peggedback after twice takingthe lead though JamesMcCarthur and WilfriedZaha although ChristianBenteke should havesealed it with an easychance for Roy Hodgson’sside in the second half.

Callum Wilson scoreda hat-trick to earn 10-man Bournemouthvictory over HuddersfieldTown.

“We had to dig deep,”said the striker, whosegoals were the first sincehe fought back from seri-ous injury.

Burnley continuedtheir impressive start tothe season with a 2-0 winover Swansea City. JackCork and Ashley Barnesscored the goals to leaveseventh-placed Burnleylevel on points withLiverpool and Arsenal.

Unstoppable Man City win again

England humbled by novice pair in final Ashes warm-up draw

CA XI first innings 250 (M. Short 51; C. Woakes 6-55)

England first innings 515 (M. Stoneman 111, D. Malan109; M. Short 4-103)

CA XI second innings (121-3 overnight)J. Carder c Root b Ali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34R. Gibson b Ali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 W. Pucovski c Root b Crane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 J. Sangha c Malan b Crane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133 M. Short not out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134 H. Nielsen not out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Extras (b2, lb4, w5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Total (4 wickets; 110 overs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364Fall of wickets: 1-80 (Carder), 2-87 (Gibson), 3-87(Pucovski), 4-350 (Sangha).Bowling: Broad 14-1-40-0, Woakes 11-0-50-0 (1w),Moeen Ali 32-9-88-2, Overton 15-3-65-0, Crane 30-6-97-2, Root 6-1-12-0, Malan 2-0-6-0.

Match drawnToss: CA XIUmpires: Nathan Johnstone (AUS) and Paul Wilson(AUS)Match Referee: Bob Parry (AUS)

SCOREBOARD

Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus in action with Leicester City’s Wes Morgan during the Premier Leaguematch between the two teams at King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain yesterday.

Arsenalstun Spurs

LONDON – Belgium’sDavid Goffin pulled offa huge shock to beatsix-times championRoger Federer 2-6, 6-3,6-4 in the semi-finals ofthe ATP Finals yester-day.

Few gave the willowyworld number eight aprayer against the Swissfavourite, especially hav-ing lost all six previousmeetings, but he staged aremarkable comebackafter being outclassed inthe first set.

Federer, the world number two, snaffled theopener in 33 one-sidedminutes as he feasted onGoffin’s steady medium-pace game.

But Goffin broke servewith a forehand winner inthe second game of the

second set and consoli-dated his advantage totake the match into a decider.

Growing in confidencethe 26-year-old Goffinbroke Federer’s serveagain at 1-1 in the thirdset as the Swiss, suddenlyanxious and struggling fortiming, struck a backhandout.

There still seemedplenty of time for 19-timesgrand slam championFederer to re-assert hisauthority but Goffinstayed cool and his mo-ment of truth arrived at 5-4 when he stepped up toserve for the biggest win ofhis career.

Consecutive aces gavehim a 30-0 lead before heburied a nervy forehandin the net. Federer then

went wide with a forehandto give Goffin two matchpoints and a swinging firstserve proved too good.

First-time qualifierGoffin,nor the capacity O2Arena crowd, could believeit as the Belgian ensuredthere will be a new nameon the trophy this year.

Fellow debutants GrigorDimitrov and Jack Sockcontested the second semi-final late yesterday.

LONDON – RogerFederer expects greatthings from the likes ofNovak Djokovic, StanWawrinka and AndyMurray when they returnfrom long injury layoffs atthe start of next season.

Swiss maestro Federertook the second half of2016 off to fully recoverfrom a knee and back in-juries and returned with a vengeance to win theAustralian Open andWimbledon – taking hisgrand slam total to 19.

Rafael Nadal also madean astonishing comebackfrom an injury-plagued2016 to win the Frenchand US Open titles.

Federer’s staggeringyear ended in subduedfashion yesterday whenthe 36-year-old’s hopes ofa seventh ATP Finals titlewere ended by DavidGoffin in the semi-finals,Federer succumbing 2-6,6-3, 6-4 at the O2 Arena.

Yet he is already look-ing forward with relish to when multiple majorwinners Djokovic, fellowSwiss Wawrinka andBritain’s Murray are expected to be back in action.

“You’ve always got toexpect a slow process.Then if it goes fast, that’sgreat,” world number twoFederer told reportersafter losing to Goffin foronly his fifth defeat of ayear in which he wonseven titles.

“You take time off, youcome back, you’re goodagain. That’s not how itgoes. Coming back is al-ways a challenge for thebody. It’s a challenge forthe team because you’vegot to be extremely pa-tient yet positive. Not soeasy, you know, in someinstances.

“But I expect from theguys who have been ex-tremely high up in therankings, who have wonslams, like Stan, Andyand Novak, of course I ex-pect greatness from them.

“When they return atsome stage, not maybefrom the very beginning.But I wouldn’t be sur-prised if it worked out for them as well like itworked out for me andRafa.”

Twelve-times grandslam champion Djokovic(elbow) and three-timesmajor winners Murray

(hip) and Wawrinka(knee) have not playedcompetitively since July.

Kei Nishikori and MilosRaonic were also missingfrom the ATP Finals thisyear, giving the tourna-ment a new look with halfthe eight-man field beingfirst-time qualifiers.

Federer believes withthe returning heavy-weights, the likes ofGoffin and GrigorDimitrov and a new waveled by Alexander Zverevpushing hard, 2018 prom-ises to be a vintage one.

“I hope also Kei, Tomas(Berdych) and Milos allfind their way back onTour and are back inAustralia because thatwould make it quite epic,”Federer said.

“Then you mix them together with the newguys from the World TourFinals here who have justcome off a great year,obviously are confident,want to stay in the top 10.

“They are sort of weav-ing their way in.You havethe young guys comingthrough. I think it couldbe a very cool start to theyear, which I’m reallylooking forward to.”


SEATTLE Seahawksstrong safety KamChancellor is expected tomiss the remainder of theseason with a neck injury,according to multiple re-ports yesterday.

The news comes after

the team lost star corner-back Richard Sherman to a torn Achilles in lastweek’s “Thursday NightGame” win against theArizona Cardinals.Sherman was placed oninjured reserve and had

surgery to repair hisAchilles on Wednesday.

Chancellor, an eight-year veteran, left theSeahawks’ 22-16 win onNovember 9 with a neckinjury on the Cardinals’final possession.

Seahawks coach PeteCarroll indicated earlierthat the four-time ProBowl selection suffered“neck stingers”.Chancellor did not par-ticipate in practice onThursday or Friday.

Chancellor, 29, has 49 tackles and a forcedfumble in nine games thisseason. He has 12 careerinterceptions.

Bradley McDougald,who started the past twogames at free safety, is

expected to start forChancellor at strongsafety against the AtlantaFalcons on Monday night.

Safety Earl Thomas isexpected back after miss-ing the last two weekswith a hamstring injury.

Federer expects greatthings from returning trio

Seahawks’ Chancellor injured, expected to miss rest of season

Goffin stunsFederer to reachLondon final

Roger Federer suffered the same fate as Rafael Nadal at the ATP Finals as David Goffin booked his place intoday’s showpiece.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer salutes the fans as he leaves the court after losinghis semi-final match against Belgium’s David Goffin.

NIGERIA may bewithin grasp of anhistoric f irst everappearance in thewinter Olympics, butthe three members ofthe Super Eagleswomen’s bobsleighteam have biggergoals than simplyqualifying to racenext year inPyeongchang.

Make no mistake, thisis not “Cool RunningsII” , a sequel to theJamaican bobsleighteam’s winter fantasyimmortal ised in the

Hollywood hit movie.Seun Adigun, Ngozi

Onwumere and AkuomaOmeoga wil l not beheading to February’sGames just to be a feelgood side story, They arelooking for a medal.

No African nation hasever competed in anOlympic bobsled eventand for this trio of trail-blazing Nigerian womengetting to the winterGames is where theirjourney begins, not ends.

They took a big steptoward that goal thisweek in Calgary by

completing the fifth oftheir required f ivequalifying races on thesame track that theJamaican bobsled team

shot to global fame atthe 1988 Winter Games.

“We have goals,”Adigun, the driver anddriving force behind the

dream of a Nigerianteam told Reuters in atelephone interview. “Iknow the goal I have asa driver is to drive us to

the podium, that’s justthe competitor in me.

“Realist ical ly, thegoals we set we’re forthe programme.


GOVERNMENT OF BARBADOSINTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE PROGRAMLoan Contract No.: 2739/ OC-BA

INVITATION TO BID: THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF SIX (6) VARIABLE REFRIGERATION FLOW (VRF) SYSTEMS

AT THE LANGUAGE CENTRE OF THE BARBADOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Government of Barbados has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank towards the cost ofthe Skills for the Future Program, and intends to apply part of the proceeds to civil works at the Barbados CommunityCollege.

The Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualifiedbidders for the supply and installation of six (6) Variable Refrigeration Flow (VRF) Systems at the Language Centre.

Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedure specified in the Inter-AmericanDevelopment Bank’s Policies for the Procurement of Goods and Works financed by the Inter-American DevelopmentBank, GN-2349-9 (March 2011), and is open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the BiddingDocuments.

Bid documents will be available for purchase at the first address below from November 21, 2017, on week daysbetween 9:00 and 4:00 pm. A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested biddersin hard copy and electronic format upon payment of a non-refundable fee of three hundred Barbados dollars (BDS$300.00) or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency. The method of payment will be a cashier’s chequemade out to the Accountant General of Barbados, Treasury Building, Bridge Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.Please note that all transaction costs are the responsibility of the bidder.

The bidding documents may also be sent by airmail for overseas delivery and surface mail for local delivery. Applicantswho request that documents be forwarded to them must submit an account number from a local courier agent thataccepts freight collect charges. The documents will be promptly dispatched, but under no circumstance will the Ministryof Education, Science, Technology and Innovation be held responsible for late delivery, loss or damage to thedocuments. The request for the bidding documents can be a written application or an email to the second addressstated below. Written applications must be clearly marked: “Request for Bid Documents for the Supply andInstallation of Six (6) Variable Refrigeration Flow (VRF) Systems at the Language Centre.

Eligible bidders will be required to submit full qualification information with their bids establishing their eligibility tobid and qualification to perform the contract if the bid is accepted. Tender and qualification information are to besubmitted in the English Language on the prescribed forms inserted in the Bid Documents. Submissions that donot provide the information required, or that do not demonstrate the prospective contractor’s ability to performsatisfactorily, will not qualify and will not be considered for further evaluation. Interested firms may request furtherinformation or details on the scope of works at the second address/telephone number below during office hours 08:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hard copies of Bids must be submitted in sealed envelopes, with the name and address of the bidder, and be clearlymarked “Tender for the supply and installation of six (6) Variable Refrigeration Flow (VRF) Systems at theLanguage Centre” and must be delivered to the third address below no later than 4:30 pm on Wednesday,December 20th, 2017. Late bids will be rejected. The public opening is scheduled for Thursday, December 21st,2017 at the third address below. Bidders are invited to send a representative to attend this meeting.

All bids shall be accompanied by a Bid Security in a freely convertible currency as stated in ITB 21.2 of the bid datasheet of the bidding document.

The Government of Barbados reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, and to annul the process and reject allbids, at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected perspective bidder(s)or any obligation to inform the affected prospective bidder(s) of the grounds for the Government of Barbados’ action.The Government of Barbados will not defray any costs incurred by any bidder in the preparation of bids.

1. Education Technical Management UnitMinistry of Education, Science, Technology and InnovationConstitution RoadSt. MichaelBarbados

2. Mr. Junior Burgess Director (Ag) Information, Technology and Quality Assurance UnitMinistry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Constitution Road St. Michael Barbados Telephone Number: 535-0794Email: [email protected]

3. The ChairmanSpecial Tenders Committee Central Purchasing Department Fontabelle St. MichaelBarbadosW.I. BB 1145

GRENOBLE, France –Canada’s KaetlynOsmond took the lead inthe France grand prixwith a crowd-pleasing butflawed short programmeon Friday as Spain’sJavier Fernandezreturned to winning wayswith a season-bestperformance.

Skating to Edith Piaf’s“Sous le ciel de Paris” and“Milord” at theInternationaux de Francein Grenoble, Osmond hadthe crowd clapping alongdespite landingawkwardly on her doubletoeloop and putting herhand on the ice to regainbalance after her triplelutz.

Osmond, the worldsilver medalist who wonthe Skate Canada eventlast month, still securedfirst place with 69.05points in the penultimatequalifying event for nextmonth’s grand prix final.

“Definitely not my bestshort programme,”Osmond wrote on Twitter.“But I’m proud I foughtthrough and made beinghere worth it.”

Osmond was closelyfollowed by Russia’s MariaSotskova, who rankedsecond with 67.79 points.Sotskova cleanly executeda triple lutz-triple toeloopcombination but made atwo-footed landing on hertriple flip.

Japan’s Yuna Shiraiwa,15, came in third with agraceful performancedevoid of any majormistakes, earning thehighest technical elementsscore.

After winning her firstgrand prix event thismonth, world juniorchampion Alina Zagitovastruggled to find her

rhythm, falling on hertriple lutz triple toecombination before takinganother tumble on hertriple flip.

The 15-year-old Russianranked fifth with 62.46points.

Fernandez, twice worldchampion, landed twoquads in a dazzlingperformance that earnedhim first place with 107.86points.

The Spaniard led thegroup by a large margin,finishing almost 14 pointsahead of second-placefinisher Shoma Uno ofJapan, who fell on hisquad flip at the start of hisprogramme.

Fernandez’s inspiredskate showed he was backon track after a disastrousperformance at the Chinagrand prix event thismonth where he falteredon three jumps in his freeprogramme.

Russia’s EvgeniaTarasova and VladimirMorozov, the bronzemedalists at this year’sworld championships,finished first in the pairswith 77.84 points despitebeing out of sync in thestep sequence at the end oftheir short programme.

An energeticperformance by France’sVanessa James andMorgan Cipres saw themtake second place,finishing nearly five pointsbehind the Russian pair.

In ice dance, France’sGabriella Papadakis andGuillaume Cizeron skatedtheir season’s best shortprogramme, finishing firstwith 81.40 points.

They were nearly eightpoints ahead of second-placed Madison Chockand Evan Bates of theUnited States.

Nigeria bobsledders on cusp of Olympic dream

Osmond, Fernandez lead after short programmeat France grand prix


FOR SALESheet rock $12

Bundles of damaged lumber $125

Wood moulding $7

Rolls wire for sheep pens

1000x20 tyres (new)

Call: 266-8956

REAL ESTATE

FOR SALE

Lots

Rosegate Meadows, St. JohnLand area 4,207 sq. ft.$ 71,000.00

Jupiter Gardens, St. PeterLand area 5,000 - 9,000 sq. ft. $84,500.00 - $164,000.00

Eastbourne, St. PhilipLand area 4,879 sq. ft.$85,000.00

Butcher Road, Connell Town, St. LucyLot 2B 9,968 sq.ft. $130,000Lot 2B1 4,611 sq.ft. $70,000Lot 2B2 4,730 sq.ft. $70,000

Coles Terrace, St. PhilipLand area 5,016 sq. ft.$85,000.00

Harlington St. PhilipLot 1, land area 10,000 sq. ft$100,000.00Lot 2, land area 10,000 sq. ft$100,000.00

Cottage & Groves, St. GeorgeLand Area 5,393.79 sq.ft.$115,000.00

Maycocks, St. LucyLand Area 6,788 sq. ft.$120,000.00

Durants Park, Christ ChurchLand Area 5,650 sq. ft$125.000.00

Adams Castle Estate, Christ-ChurchLand Area 10,074 - 9,976 sq.ft.$121,297.00 - $515,026.00

Whitewood, Kirtons, St. PhilipLand area 6,616 sq. ft.$125,000.00

Inchcape, St. PhilipLand area 7,096 sq. ft.$128,000.00

Groves Terrace St. GeorgeLand Area 6365 sq.ft. $152,000.00

Southern Heights, Christ ChurchLand area 7,021 sq. ft.$162,000.00

Heddings, St. PhilipLand area 9,663 sq. ft.$175,000.00

Mount Wilton, St. ThomasLand Area 11,000 - 12,000 sq.ft$180,000 - $243,000.00

Bagatelle Terrace, St. JamesLand area 6500 sq. ft. $185,000.00

Lower Carters Gap Christ ChurchLand Area 21780 sq.ft. $190,000.00

Rowans Park, St. GeorgeLand area 9,720 sq. ft.$200,000.00

Castle Terrace, Long Bay, St. PhilipLand Area 10, 698 sq. ft.

REAL ESTATE$220,000.00

Bagatelle Terrace, St. ThomasLand Area 11,290 sq.ft. $225,000.00

Chancery Lane, Christ ChurchLand Area 6,979 sq.ft.$175,000.00

Lot 2, Harts Gap, Christ ChurchLand Area 7,570 sq ft$150,000.00

Commercial Lot

Pine, St. MichaelLand area 21,459 sq. ft. $475,000.00

PROPERTIES

Chancery Lane, Christ ChurchFoundation StructureLand Area 7,019 sq.ft$170,000.00

My Lords Hill St Michael3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Dwell-ing HouseLand Area 3,117 sq. ft. $ 220,000.00

Waterford, St. MichaelLand Area 2,335 sq.ft$250,000.00

Rockfield St. Lucy3 Bedroom 1 Bathroom house $ 250,000.00Land area 6,986 SQ FT

Rose Hill, St. Peter3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms $550,000.00

Mihica, Green Hill, St. Michael3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Dwell-ing HouseLand Area 5,287 sq.ft.$330,000.00

Shrewsbury Park, St. PhilipHouseLand area 6,173 sq. ft. $350,000.00

Mangrove Park St. Philip3 Bedrooms 2 BathroomsLand Area 4750 sq.ft. $450,000.00

Park View, Lucas Street, St. Philip3 Bedrooms 2 BathroomsLand area 6,173 sq. ft. $475,000.00

Long Bay Development, St. Philip4 Bedrooms 3 BathroomsLand Area 15,194 sq.ft$475,000.00

Checker Hall, St. Lucy3 Bedrooms 3 BathroomsLand Area 16,949 sq.ft$600,000.00

Ruby Park, St. Philip2 Storey ApartmentLand area 4,802 sq. ft. $750,000.00

Brighton, St. Michael4 - 2 Bedrooms 1Bathroom ApartmentLand Area 13,502 sq. ft.$850.000.00

Clerview Heights, St. James7 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms Land Area 13,502 sq. ft. $975,000.00

Clapham, St. MichaelTownhouse $299,000.00

Kingsland Crescent, Wotton Christ Church - Unfurnished

REAL ESTATEStructure3 Bedrooms 1 BathroomLand Area 3,979 sq. ft.$275,000.00

Apartment Block

Maxwell Hill Christ Church8 Bedrooms 5 BathroomsLand Area 10,600, sq. ft. $ 740,000.0

Woodbourne, St. PhilipLand Area 6,485 sq.ft$800,000.00

Contact: Telephone (246) 432-7191

Website: www.ankirton.com

AUCTION SALES

Auction Sale, Sunday,

November 19, 2017, White

Hall Main Road, next to the

Seven Day Adventist Church.

Viewing from 9.00 a.m, sale

starts at 10.00 a.m. ALL

NEW: LARGE LOT OF

CHILDREN BIKES, LAMPS,

food hood, Impact wrenches,

jacks, saw, table saw

vise, 4 seater Dining sets,

single beds, Mirrors, Wheel

barrows, Mini BBQ's,, Rakes,

Hand Sanitizer dispensers,

Blowers, Portable Solar Unit,

Wheel Barrows and sinks,

pipe fittings, hoses, Router,

gent bike, and tools too

numerous to mention.

TERMS CASH.

AUCTION SALES

CARL HOLLIGAN GRADUATE OF THE OHIO SCHOOL OF AUCTIONEERING

WE WILL SELL BY AUCTION ON THURSDAY 23/11/2017 THE FOLLOWING WORKING& DAMAGED VEHICLES &ASSORTED VEHICLE PARTS:-

ONE 2013 JMC JINGLINGDOUBLECAB PICKUP, ONE2002 MAZDA DEMIO at AutoRescue at 1:15 p.m.

ONE 2005 KIA CERATO at FundAccess at Pinforld Street at 1:40p.m.

ONE 2009 SUZUKI GRANDVITARA, ONE 1995 MITSUBISHILANCER at Gabriel DownesGarage at 2:05 p.m.

ONE 2012 SUZUKI GRANDVITARA, & ASSORTED VEHICLEPARTS at Simpson Motors at2:35 p.m.

ONE 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA,ONE 2000 NISSAN ALMERA atChampion Auto at 3:10 p.m.

ONE 2009 BMW 520d at DeWrecker Man (Arch Hall) at 3:40p.m.

PLEASE NOTE THAT LOCATION &TIMES ARE

SUBJECT TO CHANGE ON THURSDAYS

Terms Draft/ Certified ChequeCarl/ Trevor Holligan

Tel: 850-1818/ 850-2906

AUCTION SALES

On instructions received From the estate of Diana Campbell,

We shall offer for sale ANTIQUES,

COLLECTIBLES AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS,

At Southerndown, Reservoir Road,

Brittons Hill, St. MichaelOn Saturday. November 25th,

at 10 am Viewing 8-10

DIRECTIONS: Take Beckles Rd. up to the top of Brittons Hill and continue through the two ninety degree turns and pass Villa Rd on your left. Reservoir Rd. will be the second road on the right. Follow the road almost to theend. The house is on the right afterChance Hall House. Parking will beavailable. Signs will be posted.

MAHOGANY: William IV pedestalsofa table with beaded edge on sandbox feet, Edwardianladies writing table, Pair caned bergere armchairs on casters, Lg. double pedestal sideboard with carved back & ropedcolumns on the doors, Card table on reeded pedestal & sandbox feet, Carved tripod base table with pie crust edge top,Chippendale style card table, Nestof tables, Bed step with lift up lidand chamber pot insert, Coffeetable on X shaped supports,Delicate china cabinet with curvedglass panels, Four mahoganyarmchairs with cushions, X framedstool, Serving table on cabriole legs, Wine tables, Sheraton card table on turned & reeded legs, Shaped front toilet mirror with drawers and oval mirror,Pembroke table on turned legs & casters, Secretaire Bookcase, Grandfather clock with moon phase face & brass inlay, Carved Four poster bed with tester top, Brass boundoctagonal liquor box on pedestal,Pr. carved shield back chairs(others in museum), Wing backchair on carved legs, Inlaiddemilune console table, Frenchinlaid cabinet with mirrored interior,Pr. French marble top commodes,Sm. pedestal drum table, Chevalmirror, Two shelf table with turnedlegs and carved finials, Fourmatching three shelf book shelves,Inlaid sewing box, Towel rail, Lg. double pedestal desk, Sofa table inlaid with whale bone on pedestal base with casters, Round side table on cabriole legs, Victorian marbletop table, Pr. single beds, Sm. bow front four drawer chest, Bow front music cabinet, Tall back armchair, Dressing table, Pr. bedside tables, Elegant candy twist standing lamp, Pr.turned table lamps, Oval extensiondouble pedestal dining table onbrass claw casters, Ten carved balloon back chairs with caned seats, Antique round carved pedestal coffee table with split bead edge, Drop leaf sewingtable, Small extension dining tableon turned & chamfered legs

FURNISHINGS: Cedar press, Crewel work cov'd love seat, Pr. upholstered arm chairs, Bluerecliner, Cream upholstered suite,Rush bottom chairs & bar chairs,Lg. teak Indian coffee table, Teakdome top cabinet, L

AUCTION SALESshaped cabinet, Brown Jordan metal dining table & six armchairs,Victorian metal rocker, French stylearmchairs

RUGS: Persian & Moroccan, Portuguese handwoven & lg. beige carpets

CRYSTAL: Decanters, Waterfordclock, Pr. Georgian Sangareebowls, Spode mouse, Compote,Vases, Bowls, Baccarat paperweight, Wine glasses, Etchedrummer, Epergne bowls, Boatshaped salts, Old Irish cov'd bowl &stand, Blue vase, Venetian fish, Storm shades, Bell, Cranberry vinaigrette, Dessertdishes, Dome, Jam jar, Biscuit jar,Waterford magnifying glass

COLLECTIBLES & ART: Old shop scales, Mortar & pestles, Mother of pearl opera glasses, Shark skin & ivory box, Malachite &brass casket, Red rubber ice buckets, painted cocktail glasses & coasters, Bronzed figurine of L Paix, Carved Japanesefisherman, Juking board, Old oillamp chandelier fittings, Iron bootscraper, Metal trunk, Old linen tray,Lg. carved tray with monkey, Brassletter scale, Victorian farthings,Antique coins from1688-1887,Brass carriage clock, Lg. marble &bronze clock by Gold c 1835, Lg.coll. books, Enormous book ofVictorian etchings "Gallery of Art",Gold framed oil paintings, View of StLawrence Gap by Fela De Kuh,Brunias prints, Painting of Guyanaby Carpenter 1859, Old prints ofGuadeloupe, Martinique &Grenada, Beatrix Potter prints, JohnStuart painting, Brass bound bucketwith brass base, Gold framedmirrors, Antique onion bottle, Lg.medicine bottle, Brass hall lantern,Chinese silk pictures, Framed 1845Bds newspaper, London gazette1699, Cricket at Lords 1892,Costume jewelry, Oak canteen box,Bolts material, Old glass Xmasdecoration

CHINA: Antique blue and gold plates and vases, Ryl Daulton "Reflection" dinner set, Poole ware, Collection Bilston china boxes, Gold Ryl Worcester ramekins & Evesham dish, Old Copeland blue & white jug, Danishchina animals, Flower place cardholders, Old Derby platter, SpodeFitzhugh dinner service, Blue &white umbrella stand, Lladrofigurines, China lamps, Wedgwoodvases, Old Tuscan tea ware, GoldSoho "Soliam" dinner service, Italianlemons on stand, Chinese horse,White bisque & brass lamps, Blue &white ginger jar lamp, malachitepattern dinner service with matchingtable mats, Old Parian sconces andfigurines

STERLING SILVER: Victorian empire style tea service, Georgianmilk jugs & sugar bowls, Candlesticks, Beer can c1819, Salvers,Sauce boat, Pap boat, French winetasters, Lg. toast rack, Open saltswith blue liners, Bell, Decanterlabels, Napkin rings, Mirror &matching brushes, Mint dishes, Oval bowls, Cocktail forks, Twelve kings pattern dinner forks, Sugar tongs, Mustard spoons, Sword letter opener, Wine coasters

SILVER PLATE: Lg. serving tray, Tantalus, Lg. pitcher, Salvers,Cocktail shaker, Kings patterncutlery for eighteen, Lg. Old Sheffield Plate soup tureen on lion paws & pr. sauce tureens,

WE WILL SELL BY AUCTION ON MONDAY 20/11/17 THE FOLLOWING DAMAGED VEHI-CLES:-

2012 KIA RIO at McEnearneyGarage at 1:00 p.m.

1994 TOYOTA STARLET atJones Garage at 1:15 p.m.

2000 MITSUBISHI LIANA, 2001TOYOTA DUET at Downes Autoat 1:40 p.m.

TERMS CASHCALL:231-1928


AUCTION SALESSnuffer tray, Small condimentholder, Sauce boats, Beer mugs, Salt & pepper pots, Tea service, Coffee pot, Toast rack, Casserole stands, Trivets, Meat platters, Plate chargers, Fighting cocks

HOUSEWARES: Mabe gas stove,Whirlpool freezer & fridge,Maytag washer, RCA TV, Slide projector, Turn table, Records, Yamaha cd player, Amplifier, Kenwood speakers, Hospital bed, Wheel chair, Walker, Bath chair, Pedal exerciser, Stainless Steel copper bottom pots & pans, Electrical kitchen items & tools, Earthworks dishes

GARDEN TOOLS: Wheelbarrows, Lg. coll. clay pots, Old coral pot, Lg. clay strawberry pot, Ferns, Briggs & Stratton mower, Lawn roller, Old push mower, Old barrels, Lg. brass pump, Bird bath, Ladders, Filing cabinets, Skil fret saw, and too many more items to mention.

ANDY TEMPROAUCTIONEER

T: 427-8367Follow us facebook

@andytemproauctions

NOTICES

SAGICOR LIFE INC

Denis Carrington of 2ndAvenue Waterhall Land,Eagle Hall, St. Michael,having made sworn depositionthat Policy No. 077430306issued by Sagicor Life Inc onhis life has been lost andhaving made application to theDirectors to grant a duplicateof the same, notice is herebygiven that unless objection israised within one month of thedate hereof, the duplicatepolicy asked for will be issued.

Dated: November 13, 2017By Order

Althea C. HazzardCorporate Secretary

SAGICOR LIFE INC

Ivan Nicholls of LowerNewbury, St. George havingmade sworn deposition thatPolicy No. 0053783 issued byLife of Barbados and assumedby Sagicor Life Inc on his lifehas been lost and havingmade application to theDirectors to grant a duplicateof the same, notice is herebygiven that unless objection israised within one month of thedate hereof, the duplicatepolicy asked for will be issued.



SAGICOR LIFE INC

Peter Blackman of GladiolaDrive 7-B, Saunders Cul DeSac, St. Maarten, havingmade sworn deposition thatPolicy No. C5077417 issuedby Confederation Life andassumed by Sagicor Life Incon his life has been lost andhaving made application to theDirectors to grant a duplicateof the same, notice is herebygiven that unless objection israised within one month of thedate hereof, the duplicatepolicy asked for will be issued.



NOTICES

SAGICOR LIFE INC

RBC Royal Bank of Canadaof Broad Street, Bridgetownhaving made sworn depositionthat Policy No. M2926476issued by Manulife andassumed by Sagicor Life Incon the life of Linora Barker hasbeen lost and having madeapplication to the Directors togrant a duplicate of the same,notice is hereby given thatunless objection is raisedwithin one month of the datehereof, the duplicate policyasked for will be issued.



SAGICOR LIFE INC

RBC Royal Bank of Canadaof Broad Street, Bridgetownhaving made sworn depositionthat Policy No. M3545520issued by Manulife andassumed by Sagicor Life Incon the life of Linora Barker hasbeen lost and having madeapplication to the Directors togrant a duplicate of the same,notice is hereby given thatunless objection is raisedwithin one month of the datehereof, the duplicate policyasked for will be issued.



SAGICOR LIFE INC

Trevor Williams of #22Durants, Christ Church,having made sworn depositionthat Policy No. S00089739issued by Sagicor Life Inc onhis life has been lost andhaving made application to theDirectors to grant a duplicateof the same, notice is herebygiven that unless objection israised within one month of thedate hereof, the duplicatepolicy asked for will be issued.



NOTICES

SAGICOR LIFE INC

Sharon Taylor of #36Bulkeley Meadows, Ellerton,St. George, having madesworn deposition that PolicyNo. S07201345 issued bySagicor Life Inc on her life hasbeen lost and having madeapplication to the Directors togrant a duplicate of the same,notice is hereby given thatunless objection is raisedwithin one month of the datehereof, the duplicate policyasked for will be issued.



SAGICOR LIFE INC

Susan Walker of 21 StockellCrescent, Ajax, Ontario, L1T0M6, Canada being theExecutor of the Estate ofMuriel Yarde (Deceased),having made sworn depositionthat Policy No. S01062961issued by Sagicor Life Inc onthe life of Muriel Yarde(Deceased) has been lost andhaving made application to theDirectors to grant a duplicateof the same, notice is herebygiven that unless objection israised within one month of thedate hereof, the duplicatepolicy asked for will be issued.



NOTICES

SAGICOR LIFE INC

Trevor Williams of #22Durants, Christ Church,having made sworn depositionthat Policy No. S00059110issued by Sagicor Life Inc onhis life has been lost andhaving made application to theDirectors to grant a duplicateof the same, notice is herebygiven that unless objection israised within one month of thedate hereof, the duplicatepolicy asked for will be issued.



NOTICES

ED's AUCTIONSSATURDAY 25th Nov, View 9:30. Sale 10am. At TMR SALES, FONTABELLE, St. Michael. AC UNITS, AC parts, COMPRESSORS, CABLES, ELECTRIC MO-TORS, ventilation units & grilles, air filters, dampers, extractor fans & parts, elec-trical panels, isolators, re-lays, transformers, fuse hold-ers, plugs, switches/ plates/boxes, light fixtures, bulbs & tubes, trunking fit-tings, emergency ballasts, hand dryer, workshop flex, heat shrink, conduit fittings & boxes, dryer boosting kit, hex bolts, and hundreds more. Terms cash. Remove items sale day.

BOXING Hall of Famer Oscar DeLa Hoya remains confident that hestill can handle himself in the ring.

De La Hoya, who is nearly a decadeinto retirement, said recently that hehas been “secretly training” and calledout UFC star Conor McGregor.

“You know I’m competitive,” the 44-year-old De La Hoya said on “GoldenBoy Radio with Tattoo and the Crew,” adaily digital radio show.

“I still have it in me. ... I’m fasterthan ever and stronger than ever. I

know I can take out Conor McGregor intwo rounds. I’ll come back for that fight.Two rounds. Just one more (fight). I’mcalling him out. Two rounds, that’s allI need. That’s all I’m going to say.”

De La Hoya publicly considered acomeback in June 2015, only to changehis tune one week later.

A 1992 Olympic gold medal winnerand ten-time professional worldchampion, De La Hoya captured titlesat 130, 135, 140, 147, 154 and 160pounds. He won bouts against Hall of

Famers Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. (twice),Pernell Whitaker and Arturo Gatti. Healso fought other greats, including Felix Trinidad, Hector Camacho Sr.,Bernard Hopkins, Floyd MayweatherJr., Shane Mosley (twice) and MannyPacquiao.

De La Hoya has not fought sincedropping a one-sided eighth-roundknockout loss to Manny Pacquiao onDecember 6, 2008. He went 39-6 with30 knockouts in his career and wasinducted into the International Boxing

Hall of Fame in 2014.De La Hoya also has battled drug and

alcohol addiction and has been torehabilitation multiple times, but hesaid in Monday’s interview that he isdoing well now.

McGregor, 29, lost a tenth-roundknockout to Floyd Mayweather on Aug.26 when he crossed over from mixedmartial arts for a boxing match.

De La Hoya was quite vocal headinginto that bout, saying it was a “circus”and a “farce”.

De La Hoya: I can take out McGregor in two rounds

PAKISTAN will host West Indies in athree-match Twenty20 series in Marchand the Caribbean side will be playing inthe South Asian country every year forthe next five years, the Pakistan CricketBoard has said.

West Indies will also host a reciprocalseries against Pakistan, probably in theUnited States, as part of the agreement.A third team will also play the US series.

“We have an agreement with WestIndies for the next five years,” PCBchairman Najam Sethi said in commentspublished by Dawn newspaper.

“This is an independent bilateralarrangement, independent of the FTPs(Future Tour Programmes) that wouldbe arranged with the InternationalCricket Council in December/January.”

The first series will be held from March

29-April 1 next year in Pakistan, butvenues are still to be determined.

Pakistan had largely been shunned byinternational teams for the past eightyears due to security concerns followingan attack by gunmen on the bus carryingthe Sri Lankan team in 2009.

The attack injured six Sri Lankanplayers and killed six security personneland two civilians and Pakistan have since

played almost all of their ‘home’ matchesin the United Arab Emirates.

Zimbabwe had a limited overs tour inMay, 2015, however Sri Lanka’sTwenty20 match in Lahore last month isconsidered as marking the end of theisolation, with Sethi telling Reuters atthe time that the West Indies hadcommitted to tour but dates still had tobe finalised.

Pakistan to host Windies for next five years from 2018


LOS ANGELES –Philadelphia 76ers forwardJoel Embiid has positionedhimself as the NBA’s mostcharming villain: trash-talking, tweeting, andsmiling his way to his ownbrand of entertainingdominance.

The Cameroonian seven-footeris as fleet-footed as he is quick-witted, and the lethalcombination is ruffling feathersof opponents as he brushes pastthem en route to claiming hissuperstar status.

“There’s a mischievous side inJoel, and there’s surely acompetitive side in Joel. That’swho he is,” 76ers coach BrettBrown told Reuters onWednesday after Philadelphiadefeated the host Los AngelesLakers behind Embiid’sbrilliance.

“He brings a cocky side and aswagger to the rest of his teammates that is priceless.”

Embiid was at his best as agood-natured irritant onWednesday when he destroyed

the Lakers by scoring a career-high 46 points to go along with 15rebounds, seven assists, andseven blocks. It was one of themore memorable nights of theyoung NBA season, but hisstatistics played only a smallrole.

Facing a Staples Center crowdthat booed the 23-year-oldpassionately, Embiid embracedthe venom. He danced afterscores, chatted with courtsidefans and Lakers coach LukeWalton, and generally punishedthe opposition at every turn.

“Too bad there wasn’t anytrash-talker out there. But I stillhad fun,“ Embiid said followingthe 115-109 victory. “When I gotgoing I just wanted to beaggressive. That’s my newmentality.”

Embiid punctuated the nightwith a move that has become assignature as his turnaroundjump shots in the post: he sent asocial media jab. Embiid posteda photo to Instagram of himscoring over high profile Lakersrookie Lonzo Ball.

Embiid had sparked a feudwith Ball, and more specificallyhis bombastic father Lavar Ball,over the summer when hetweeted to team mate BenSimmons and told him “Pleasedunk on him so hard that hisdaddy runs on the court to savehim.”

Lavar returned verbal fire andEmbiid was later fined by theleague for using inappropriatelanguage on social media.

However, Embiid’s brashnessis no longer confined to theInternet. As the 76ers (8-6) risewith Australian rookie sensationSimmons and second-yearEmbiid,who is now averaging 23points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.9blocks,the big man has expandedhis audience.

Embiid exchanged tense wordswith NBA Finals MVP KevinDurant during a matchup withthe reigning champion GoldenState Warriors on Saturday, andtwo days later butted heads withthe Los Angeles Clippers as hetaunted and stared his way to 32points and 16 boards.

Sixers’ Embiid thriving in role as likeable villain

Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid (21) reacts during the115-109 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers in the secondhalf at Staples Centre.


TRIPLE Olympic gymnastics championAly Raisman has said in a interview shedid not realise at first that she had beentreated inappropriately by a doctoraccused of having sexually assaultedfemale gymnasts while he was the U.S.team doctor.

Speaking on the “60 Minutes”television program, Raisman said shewanted to educate young gymnasts thatit was sometimes difficult to understandthe warning signs of sexual abuse.

When first interviewed by aninvestigator hired by USA Gymnasticsin 2015, Raisman did not immediatelyaccuse the doctor, Larry Nassar, ofinappropriate or illegal behavior.

“I was just really innocent. I didn’treally know. You know, you don’t thinkthat of someone. You know, so I just, Itrusted him,” said Raisman, who saysshe was 15 when she was first treated byNassar.

Nassar has pleaded not guilty tocharges of sexual assault. He is in jailawaiting sentencing after pleadingguilty to federal child pornographycharges.

Nassar’s attorneys, Matt Newburgand Shannon Smith, have each said thatdue to a gag order they had no commenton the television program.

Raisman said she felt awkward aboutthe doctor’s behavior but she thoughthe was a caring person.

“I said ‘Well, his touching makes meuncomfortable, but he’s so nice to me’ ...and ‘I don’t think he does it on purposebecause, you know, I think he caresabout me’.”

“I didn’t know anything differently.We were told he is the best doctor. He’sthe United States Olympic doctor andthe USA Gymnastics doctor, and wewere very lucky we were able to seehim.”

“I was in denial. You don’t want to letyourself believe (you are a) victim ofsexual abuse.”

‘Lack of support’It was only later that Raisman, now

23, started to question Nassar’s motivesand behavior.

“He would always bring me, you know,desserts or gifts. He would buy me littlethings. So I really thought he was a niceperson.”

“I want people to know just becausesomeone is nice to you and just becauseeveryone is saying they’re the best

person, it does not make it OK for themto ever make you uncomfortable.”

According to “60 Minutes”, more than130 women, many of them formerathletes, have filed civil lawsuitsalleging that Nassar sexually abusedthem under the guise of treating themfor hip, back and other athletic injuries.

Raisman is the second member of the“Fierce Five” gymnasts, who won a teamgold at the 2012 London Olympics, toallege abuse by Nassar, joining McKaylaMaroney.

USA Gymnastics conducted a review

of its procedures for handling sexualmisconduct issues following reports lastyear that it turned a blind eye toallegations.

Steve Penny resigned in March ashead of USA Gymnastics and thefederation adopted a number of reformsin June that it said would help toprevent and respond better to futurecases of abuse.

But Raisman said that while a newpolicy was in place, she perceived a lackof support from senior administratorsduring a USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame

induction ceremony this year.“You know, my teammates and I were

all sitting at the table, and they did notcome over to say ‘hi’ to us or tocongratulate us,” she said. “We weretreated like, you know, ‘We don’t wantanything to do with you girls’.”

She said she was still trying to processand come to terms with her experienceswith Nassar.

“I think it’s important for people toknow too I‘m still trying to put the piecestogether today. You know it impacts youfor the rest of your life,” she said.

VERIZON Communications Inc, no. 1U.S. wireless carrier, is close to a newdeal with the National Football Leaguefor digital streaming rights, Bloombergreported, citing people familiar with thematter.

With the new agreement, Verizon willbe able to give subscribers access togames on all devices, including big-screenTVs, and not just phones, according tothe people, Bloomberg said.

Verizon will lose exclusive rights to air

games on mobile devices, Bloombergquoted two people as saying. Verizon’srights will include the NFL’s Thursdaynight games, among others, one of thepeople said, according to Bloomberg.

Financial details and the duration of

Verizon’s contract with the NFL couldnot immediately be learned, Bloombergsaid.

Neither NFL nor Verizon couldimmediately be reached for a comment byReuters.

FORMER Olympic and worldweightlifting champion NaimSuleymanoglu, one of the sport’smost successful athletes, has diedaged 50 in a hospital in Istanbul,officials said yesterday.

Suleymanoglu, known as the “PocketHercules” due to his short height of 1.47meters, recently underwent a livertransplant.

“It’s a sad day for weightlifting,” HasanAkkus, the president of the Turkish

weightlifting federation and generalsecretary of the European weightliftingfederation, told Reuters. “Naim was aphenomenal athlete.”

Bulgaria-born Suleymanoglu wonthree Olympic titles in the 60-kg and 64-

kg categories between 1988 and 1996,competing for Turkey and seven worldtitles, competing for Bulgaria and Turkey.

After retiring, Suleymanoglu was anunsuccessful candidate in Turkey’sgeneral election on two occasions.

Verizon close to announcing digital streaming deal with NFL: Bloomberg

Suleymanoglu, the ‘Pocket Hercules’, dies at 50

Raisman says it took time to recognise what she says was sexabuse by doctor

Aly Raisman said that she had been sexually abused by a team doctor.


Spurs 104, Thunder 101LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE scored26 points, the final two on acrucial basket in the last minute,as the San Antonio Spurs roaredback from a ragged beginning todefeat the Oklahoma CityThunder 104-101 at the AT&TCenter.

After trailing by as many assix points in the fourth quarter,Oklahoma City pulled to within100-99 on a free throw by PaulGeorge with 45 seconds to play.

On the ensuing possession,Aldridge scored on a putback topush San Antonio’s lead to 102-99 before the Thunder’s CarmeloAnthony canned a jumper withhis right foot on the three-pointline with five seconds remainingto cut the lead to 102-101.

Pau Gasol then hit two freethrows with two seconds to playand, after a time out, OklahomaCity’s Russell Westbrook had tosettle for a contested,wild shot atthe buzzer that didn’t even hitthe rim.

Cavaliers 118, Clippers 113(OT)

LeBron James scored 19 of his

39 points in the second half andovertime to lead Cleveland overLos Angeles.

Kevin Love added 25 pointsand Dwyane Wade scored 23points with a season-high 11rebounds for the Cavs, who didnot lead until overtime andtrailed by as many as 15.

The Clippers have lost sevenstraight. Blake Griffin led themwith 23 points but shot 8-for-25.

Kings 86, Trail Blazers 82Willie Cauley-Stein set a

season-high with 22 points, thelast one a free throw with 3.4seconds remaining that liftedSacramento over Portland.

Cauley-Stein, relegated tocoming off the bench for the firsttime this season,scored 13 in thesecond half and had two key put-backs in the fourth quarter.

Sacramento won its thirdstraight at home and snapped athree-game losing streak.

Timberwolves 111, Mavericks87

Jimmy Butler scored 21 andAndrew Wiggins added 19 pointsto lead a balanced attack and

Minnesota rallied from a 14-point deficit to rout Dallas.

The Timberwolves had sixplayers score in double figures,including all five starters.

Karl-Anthony Towns (15points and 11 rebounds), JeffTeague (15 points and 10 assists)and Taj Gibson (10 points and11 rebounds) each notcheddouble-doubles.

Bulls 123, Hornets 120Justin Holiday scored 27

points, Kris Dunn had 22 andLauri Markkanen hit a pair offree throws with 2.6 secondsremaining as Chicago beatCharlotte.

Denzel Valentine scored 18points to go along with 16 fromMarkkanen. Jerian Grant andBobby Portis each finished with10 points for the Bulls (3-10).

Kemba Walker scored 47points for Charlotte, which lostits sixth straight.

Nets 118, Jazz 107Spencer Dinwiddie compiled a

career-high 25 points and eightassists as Brooklyn beat Utah.

Dinwiddie made his third start

of the season in place of D‘AngeloRussell, who underwentarthroscopic knee surgery earlierin the day.

With Russell watching thegame on television from hisManhattan hospital room,Dinwiddie hit 9-of-14 shots,6-of-10 three-pointers and grabbedfive rebounds in 31 minutes.

Allen Crabbe added 18 points,DeMarre Carroll contributed 17and Trevor Booker chipped in 14.

Raptors 107, Knicks 84Kyle Lowry scored 22 points

and added 10 assists and eightrebounds as Toronto defeatedNew York.

DeMar DeRozan also scored22 points and added sevenassists and six rebounds for theRaptors, who have won threegames in a row.

The Raptors led by as manyas 22 points early in the thirdquarter and carried a 14-pointlead into the fourth quarter.

Heat 91, Wizards 88Hassan Whiteside had 22

points and 16 rebounds asMiami fended off a frenzied

comeback attempt byWashington.

Otto Porter’s two free throwswith 11.3 seconds remainingpulled the Wizards within 89-88.After Miami’s James Johnson hitone of two free throws with 5.8seconds left, Bradley Bealmissed a potential game-tyingjumper with 2.6 secondsshowing.

Beal scored 22 of his 26 pointsin the second half.

Pacers 107, Pistons 100Victor Oladipo scored 21 points

and grabbed 15 rebounds to helpIndiana rally from a 22-pointthird-quarter deficit.

Indiana scored the first sevenpoints of the third quarter to cutthe lead to 58-54 but fell behind78-56.The Pacers went on a runof trim the deficit to 10 pointsafter three quarters.

Indiana narrowed the deficitto 92-91 on Lance Stephenson’sthree-pointer with 5:43 left.Domantas Sabonis hit two freethrows to give the Pacers a 93-92lead. After a basket byStephenson,Tobias Harris sanka thee-pointer to make it 95-95.

SYDNEY – Captain MileJedinak led the way with asecond-half hat-trick asAustralia brushed asideHonduras 3-1 in the secondleg of their intercontinentalplayoff on Wednesday tosecure a place at next year’sWorld Cup finals.

The midfielder settled hiscompatriots’ nerves with adeflected free kick and twopenalties to give Australia acomfortable aggregate victoryafter the 0-0 draw in the first leglast week.

Honduras were bidding for athird successive World Cupappearance but barelythreatened the Australia goaluntil winger Alberth Elisscrambled the ball over the linein stoppage time.

It will be a fourth straightappearance at the World Cupfinals,and fifth in total, for Asianchampions Australia, whoplayed 22 matches over 29months to achieve their goal.

”It’s unreal,“ Jedinak said. ”Weknew it was always going to be adifficult qualifying campaign butthis makes it very, very special.”

“It’s been a tough two-and-a-half years to get to this point butwe did it. We’re very gratefulwe’re going to another WorldCup.”

It remains to be seen if AngePostecoglou will lead the squadto Russia but he was not about tospoil a party that started with abarrage of fireworks over Sydneyharbor as soon as the finalwhistle sounded.

“Tonight is just about enjoyingit ... what happens beyond here

can be picked up tomorrow,” saidthe coach, who was reported bylocal media to be considering hisposition.

“I’ll sit down with the powersthat be.Obviously it’s importantthat the planning goes ahead ...it won’t take too long. But I‘mgoing to make sure I enjoy thisfirst.”

As in San Pedro Sula lastFriday, the Socceroos had thebetter of a forgettable first halfwithout being able to forge abreakthrough.

Lone strikerTim Cahill returned to the

team from injury and started asa lone striker but his team mateswere unable to present him withany clear-cut chances to notchup his 51st international goal.

Apart from a Tom Rogic shotstraight at goalkeeper DonisEscober, Aaron Mooy’s set-piecedeliveries provided Australia’smain threat but Hondurassurvived reasonably comfortablyuntil the break.

The nervous wait for anopening goal ended sevenminutes into the second halfwhen Rogic finally put togethera trademark mazy runs and wasbrought down on the edge of thepenalty box.

Jedinak stepped up to fire hisfree kick wide of the wall andinto the midriff of substitutedefender Henry Figueroa, withthe resulting deflection sendingthe ball back past the divingEscober into the net.

The 77,060 crowd had barelyretaken their seats when Cahillalmost doubled the lead with a

header from the edge of thepenalty area that landed onEscober’s crossbar.

The second goal did come inthe 72nd minute,however,whena low cross grazed the hand andfoot of Bryan Acosta inside thearea and Jedinak’s powerful spotkick to the left proved too strongfor Escober’s outstretchedfingers.

Honduras were finally forcedto chase the game but Australiapulled further clear whenJedinak put his second penaltyinto the opposite corner afterRobbie Kruse had been broughtdown by Johnny Palacios fiveminutes from time.

“Australia were very strongand aggressive and put pressureon us and tried to neutralize us,”Honduras coach Jorge Luis Pintosaid.

“The first half was morebalanced and the hand ball (for

the penalty) wasn’t intentional.”List of countries assured of

places in the 32-team field fornext year’s World Cup finals inRussia after Australia securedtheir spot yesterday

EuropeRussia (Qualified as hosts)FrancePortugalGermanySerbiaPolandEnglandSpainBelgiumIcelandSwitzerlandCroatiaSwedenDenmark

South AmericaBrazilUruguay

ArgentinaColombiaAFRICANigeriaEgyptMoroccoTunisiaSenegal

Central, North America andCaribbeanMexicoCosta RicaPanama

AsiaIranJapanSouth KoreaSaudi ArabiaAustralia

PlayoffsSecond legNov 15Peru v New Zealand (0-0), Lima

Jedinak hat-trick sends Australia to World Cup soccer

Highlights of Friday’s National Basketball Association games

Australia celebrate qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Printed and published by Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc. Fontabelle, St. Michael. Telephone 467-2000, Fax 434-2020/434-1000

Sunday November 19, 2017

IT was a long wait for family,friends and supporters, butwhen Reemar Butcher andTia-Ling Morgan steppedonto the stage at the LesterVaughan School on Fridayevening for the NationalSports Council (NSC) Mr.School Boy Bodybuilding &Ms. School Girl Body FitnessChampionships, the crowdwent wild.

The exuberance was welldeserved as Morgan of ChristChurch Foundation strodeconfidently out to face the crowd.The 16-year-old lady looked animage of elegance and confidencein what was her first time in Body Fitness. Wearing ashimmering purple bikini, sheposed with a graceful flair whichcaptivated the audience as wellas the judges. She was nervous,but it never showed and flashedthe perfect smile as the resultsdeclared her the winner, the 2017Ms. School Girl Body Fitness(Seniors) Champion.

The new champion, trained byVallence Humphrey, admittedthat when the last girl stepped onthe stage,she believed that it waspossible that no one was going tobeat her performance,but did notwant to be overly confident.

“When the last girl stepped on,I said to myself, ‘This is mine.’The encouragement from thecrowd and the atmosphere wasawesome,” she stated.

Morgan is currently studyingCAPE Biology, Physics,Computer Science andCommunication Studies. Shesaid that it was tough keepingup with the training all the whiledoing exams and studying. Insecond place was Shante Barkerof the Barbados CommunityCollege (BCC), third and fourthalso went to BCC students withRaven Greene and ValenciaHumphrey taking those spotsrespectively. In fifth was ZalikaGreaves of the University of theWest Indies.

CHAMPIONS on Page 44

Mr. School Boy Bodybuilding (Senior) Champion, Reemar Butcher, left, of Darryl Jordan Secondaryand Ms. School Girl Body Fitness (Senior) Champion, Tia-Ling Morgan of Christ Church Foundation,brought the house down at the Lester Vaughan Secondary School on Friday night.

BUTCHER, MORGANSTEAL THE SHOW

Roger Boyce: Looking to always improve

Darcy BecklesInvitational Classic

PAGE 43