Home Blog Page 43

PM Mottley meets UK Prime Minister during London Climate Action Week

Nationnews Desk
-
0
PM Mottley meets UK Prime Minister during London Climate Action Week

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley met with United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street today, where the two leaders discussed strengthening cooperation between Barbados and the UK.

The meeting, held during London Climate Action Week, focused on security, climate and clean air, tourism, investment, research and trade.

According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, Mottley and Starmer also discussed closer collaboration between Barbados, the United Kingdom and the Regional Security System to combat organised crime and strengthen regional security.

Climate action also featured prominently, with the leaders discussing the need to accelerate international efforts to reduce methane emissions and other super pollutants. They also reaffirmed the importance of the Commonwealth in advancing cooperation on trade, business, security and development.

The meeting comes days after Starmer announced he would step down as Labour leader and prime minister following mounting political pressure after Labour’s poor performance in local elections and growing opposition within his party.

BUT: Public schools have resource edge

Diara Springer
-
0
BUT: Public schools have resource edge

Comparisons between public and private schools based on Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE) results are unfair, says president of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) Rudy Lovell.

With this year’s results released on Monday, he argued that while both were staffed by highly-qualified teachers and follow the same curriculum set by the Ministry of Education Transformation, several factors placed public schools at a disadvantage.

Of the top 12 overall performers revealed by the ministry, only four came from public schools.

Lovell questioned whether differences in resources and parental support might explain why private schools tended to outperform public schools.

“The private schools, in our opinion, may be better resourced than the public schools,” he said, noting that public school teachers often spend significant sums of their own money purchasing teaching materials despite Government’s investment in education.

Teachers, he added, were “usually the ones who provide a lot of funding for education in Barbados” by purchasing resources for their classrooms.

Th BUT leader also pointed to stronger parental involvement in private institutions, suggesting that while parents were involved in public schools, that participation “could be greatly enhanced”.

Asked whether the performance gap reflected shortcomings in the public school curriculum, Lovell maintained that the comparison was not a fair one.

“Both schools are following the curriculum as outlined by the Ministry of Education, but there are some variables,” he noted.

As an example, he highlighted repeated closures at public schools because of environmental issues.

“When was the last time you heard about a private school being closed for environmental issues? Public schools throughout the whole school year have been closing continuously with regards to environmental issues.”

He called on the ministry to identify what it believed was contributing to the stronger performances by private schools.

“There are several other variables that may contribute to the divide between the public schools and the private schools in terms of the examination mark. I would like the ministry to tell us what, in their opinion, may be causing the private schools to outperform the public schools.”

Addressing concerns about the persistent performance gap between boys and girls, Lovell said more targeted support was needed for the males.

“I think that more can be done,” he said, suggesting that public schools should have specialised teachers in subjects such as mathematics, English and reading to better support students’ learning needs. (DDS)

Drug trafficker set to learn fate

Heather-Lynn Evanson
-
0
Drug trafficker set to learn fate

His attorney believes that Colis Arlington Paul should not get another day in prison after being on remand for more than five years.

This Content Is Only For Subscribers

Please subscribe to unlock this content. Enter your email to get access.
Your email address is 100% safe from spam!

Oil price falls back to pre-Iran war levels

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Oil price falls back to pre-Iran war levels

The price of oil has fallen to levels not seen since before the Iran war as traffic through the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route gradually resumes.

Global benchmark Brent crude briefly fell below $72.48 (£55) a barrel, the price it was at the day before the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February, before edging up to $73.23.

Energy prices have been on a wild ride since Iran responded to the strikes by effectively closing the strait, a critical waterway for oil and gas shipments.

The cost of crude has been moving sharply lower since the US and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 17 June which set out a 60-day period for negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme and other measures to end the war.

Representatives from the two sides met in Switzerland last weekend for talks to end the war, which resulted in the US partially lifting sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

The number of vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz has risen significantly since the MOU was signed, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler.

Its latest data suggests 284 vessels have made the transit from 18 June, the day after the deal was signed, although that is is still well below the pre-conflict average of some 138 crossings each day.

The ships passing through the waterway in recent days include those carrying crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), fertiliser and other goods, Kpler told the BBC.

The US and Iran had also formed a “communication line” to prevent misunderstandings “with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz”, mediators Qatar and Pakistan said in a joint statement on Monday.

There has been a “tremendous shift” with far more ships using the strait in recent days, said Dimitris Maniatis, the chief executive of Marisks, a maritime risk advisory firm working with ships stuck in the region.

A limited number of ships can cross a northern passageway with the permission of Iranian authorities, he said.

The US navy has also provided guidance for vessels to travel through a southern route that is safe from mines and other obstacles that has been laid out since the war, Maniatis said.

But the number of ships crossing the strait is still below levels seen before the war, when it was used by more than 100 ships a day.

Hundreds of ships still appear to be waiting in the Gulf. (BBC News)

Pinnacle Feeds: No link to death of chickens

Josue Ramirez Nelson
-
0
Pinnacle Feeds: No link to death of chickens

Managing Director of Roberts Manufacturing, Jonathan Hart, says there have been no findings linking their feed to the death of a farmer’s chickens as alleged in a social media post.

He was responded to a farmer’s public allegation that over 172 of his birds died after giving them feed from Pinnacle Feeds, a subsidiary of Roberts Manufacturing.

The individual, who did not identify himself, said he was a small farmer who now had to face the mounting financial loss. He mentioned that arrangements were made with the company for a veterinarian to investigate but the visit never materialised.

Hart said they were aware of the situation.

“We understand how serious and distressing this type of loss is for any farmer, particularly a small farmer, and we take the matter seriously. The complaint was received through our customer complaint process, a farm visit was conducted and the sample feed was tested by our quality assurance department. The results showed no unusual findings based on regulatory standards.

“We also recognise that animal health outcomes can be affected by several factors and we remain willing to work with the customer and relevant technical partners to better understand the full circumstances,” he explained in a statement.

“Any customers with any concerns are always encouraged to contact us directly so that the matter can be properly documented and investigated,” he added.

(JRN)

Venezuela twin quakes kill at least 164 with many trapped under rubble

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Venezuela twin quakes kill at least 164 with many trapped under rubble

A pair of powerful earthquakes that rocked Venezuela have killed at least 164 people, the country’s leader said Thursday as residents searched for loved ones trapped under rubble after many buildings were flattened within minutes.

An international outpouring of aid quickly followed the tremors on Wednesday evening, which the United States Geological Survey measured as magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, centered west of the capital Caracas.

The toll has climbed quickly, with interim President Delcy Rodriguez reporting at least 164 dead and over 970 hurt, noting that the state of La Guaira north of Caracas was hit hard.

“Right now we have nothing, not even the strength or the courage to go in there,” Larry Rojas, 49, told AFP, standing in front of a collapsed building where his family was trapped in the La Guaira city of Catia La Mar.

The coastal city was without electricity, and many residents spent the night in the streets or searching for their relatives, according to AFP reporters.

The 7.5-magnitude earthquake was Venezuela’s most powerful since October 29, 1900, when a 7.7-magnitude tremor struck offshore.

Threatening to complicate the relief effort, the international airport near Caracas was closed due to “serious damage,” Rodriguez said, with social media video showing the terminal’s ceiling collapsing over panicked travelers.

– ‘No one saving them’ –

The first quake, with an epicenter 21 kilometers (13 miles) west of the coastal town of Moron, occurred at 2204 GMT, USGS said. Within a minute, a 7.5-magnitude quake struck about 45 kilometers away. They struck at depths of 22 kilometers and 10 kilometers, respectively.

Scores of rescuers were deploying from the United States and several European countries, while specialists certified by the United Nations were also on their way to help search for survivors, Rodriguez said.

Other nations including China, India, Brazil and even war-battered Iran offered help.

“We have a whole-of-government response. It’ll be big, it’ll be fast, and it’ll be effective,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters during a visit to Bahrain, saying his country’s military would play a “big logistical role.”

Washington is closely involved in oil-rich Venezuela after US forces captured president Nicolas Maduro in January.

Many residential buildings in La Guaira were left with large cracks or collapsed walls, with dozens of others destroyed.

“There are people alive in there and no one is coming to save them,” said a woman waiting for news of her daughter, who was buried in the rubble of a 12-story building.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello asked people to leave their homes, adding that gas supplies had been cut to some buildings as a precaution.

“We have some damaged structures and we don’t want any kind of accident involving gas to occur,” he said.

In Caracas, the quakes sent residents fleeing into the streets.

“The stairs came away, the whole wall cracked. Things fell from the ceiling. It was horrible,” said 54-year-old bank employee Odalis Escalona.

A 22-story building was completely destroyed in the capital’s Altamira neighborhood, where people cried out relatives’ names as volunteers climbed over the rubble.

“We need flashlights,” one of them said.

– ‘We couldn’t get out’ –

Shoppers at a Caracas mall screamed in panic when the quakes hit.

“It was unbelievable, I don’t even know how long it lasted,” said shopkeeper Heidi Romero, who was on the top floor at the time.

Carmen Guedez, 69, who lives in a hilly middle-class neighborhood above Caracas, was with her bedridden sister when she felt the jolts.

“It kept getting stronger,” she told AFP. “I started to see the windows begin to move and then everything shook.”

She described how she “huddled together” with her sister and a neighbor, adding that “we couldn’t get out.”

The states of Trujillo, Carabobo, Miranda and La Guaira were the hardest hit, according to Cabello.

The quake was felt as far away as the Colombian capital of Bogota, where alarms sounded and some residents evacuated buildings as a precaution.

Freddy Tovar, coordinator of Colombia’s National Seismological Network, said authorities had received more than 200 reports of tremors nationwide.

The strongest tremors in earthquake-prone Venezuela’s recent history occurred in the northeast in 1997, killing 73 people, and in Caracas in 1967, when 236 people died. (AFP)

Major blow to West Indies as Shai Hope ruled out with injury

Philip Spooner
-
0
Major blow to West Indies as Shai Hope ruled out with injury

Shai Hope has been ruled out of the first Test match for West Indies against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua due to a left shoulder strain. 

Cricket West Indies (CWI) updated earlier this morning that Hope sustained the injury during Tuesday’s final training session ahead of the series opener. They did not outline how the injury occurred but indicated that further assessments will be conducted to determine the batter’s availability for the second Test which bowls off on Friday July 3.

Hope, who is the West Indies white ball captain, was expected to feature prominently in this upcoming series and this is a major blow to the West Indies batting line-up. 

The 32-year-old Barbadian scored two centuries in his last four matches away from home – 103 against India in New Delhi and 140 against New Zealand in Christchurch.

West Indies enter the series confident as they are playing on home soil. They are at the bottom in the ICC Men’s Test Championship table with 4.17 points and are also languishing near the bottom of the ICC Test rankings with 68 points in ninth spot out of 10 teams.

Today’s first Test match bowls off at 10am. (PS)

Call to rethink workforce planning

Ashada Joseph
-
0
Call to rethink workforce planning

Barbadians are being urged to rethink workforce development and economic planning, as the country faces the realities of a rapidly ageing population.

The call has come from Minister of Technological and Vocational Training Sandra Husbands, who is also warning that the demographic shift will require major changes in training, employment and eldercare services.

She was addressing the recent Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council Health and Wellness Conference and Open Day at Hilton Resort Barbados.

Husbands said Barbados moved from an ageing society to a fully-aged society between 2011 and 2014, noting that the country currently only has two working people supporting every senior citizen. She cautioned that the demographic shift poses significant economic and social challenges, including increased pressure on health care, the National Insurance and Social Security Service and families caring for elderly relatives.

Socio-economic crisis

“That is a socio-economic crisis in the making and, therefore, addressing this matter is very important for us and has to command the attention of every Barbadian, regardless of your age. It certainly commands the attention of this Government,” she said.

The minister underscored the need for life-long learning, reskilling and upskilling, particularly for adults aged 35 to 64 years. She also highlighted the role of stackable micro credentials and flexible training opportunities in helping workers remain relevant and improve their career prospects.

Life-long learning

Husbands stressed that lifelong learning and continuing professional development were now essential for workers to remain relevant in a rapidly changing labour market. She noted that qualifications earned years ago were no longer sufficient to sustain a career and encouraged Barbadians to embrace ongoing training and skills development throughout their lives.

“What we’re teaching our children right now in school will almost be obsolete by the time they’re ready to leave. What I learned in my master’s is no longer relevant to know. I’ve had to stay on top of my area and continuously improve and keep abreast of those changes.

“What we have to do is to help our current population to recognise this reality and recognise that they need to shift to continuous, ongoing learning and education.”

The minister urged individuals to take a serious approach to the matter, adding that the more people fell behind in staying abreast, the more the future economic and social development of the country was at risk.

Husbands suggested businesses and training institutions should focus more on industries that serve older adults, including care-giving, geriatric support, community health services, while ensuring that certification systems respond quickly and effectively to this demand.

She also advocated for more flexible retirement models that allow older workers to mentor younger employees and remain economically active.

“Retirement should not be a sudden event. We should be able to gear down from five days a week to three days a week to two days a week and gradually ease yourself into retirement. That allows that senior person to be present to help mentor and guide their replacement, still make available to the company or the organisation the knowledge that they have, the experience.”

(AJ)

MP tells of bank account blues

Shawn Cumberbatch
-
0
MP tells of bank account blues

Government backbencher Dr William Duguid has complained that it takes too long to open a bank account in Barbados.

He is suggesting that a colloquium be held so that Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Barbados, commercial banks and others can solve the problem.

“I understand why people go to credit unions, it takes too long to get a bank account in Barbados,” he said yesterday in the House of Assembly during debate on the Protection of Depositors Bill, 2026.

The Member of Parliament for Christ Church West noted that “there are places and jurisdictions that you will get a bank account online in hours”.

“I understand the know-your-customer regime in Barbados, but we have to do something about the time it takes to set up a bank account in Barbados,” he said.

“And this is something that the banks, the Governor of the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance, all of us, the banking institutions, we have to . . . have a colloquium, everybody come in one location, say what the issue is, work it out and solve the problem.”

Duguid also shared a personal experience to illustrate other ways in which it was challenging to do business within the banking system.

“My mother is getting down in age, [she is] age 83 [and] wanting to add me to her account. It took nine months for my mother to add me to her account,” he lamented.

“And bear in mind, I also have an account at the same bank . . . . My mother has banked at the same bank all of her life, maybe 40, 50, 60 years, or more. So they know me as a customer and they know my mother as a customer.

“All my mother was asking is to add my name to her account . . . to make a joint account between myself and her. It took months and months . . . and it’s only because I was able to pick up the phone and call somebody I know in the bank that I was able to get it done.

“But what if I was just the average person that don’t know somebody to call to get it done? And I told that person in the banking institution, ‘This is not right’.

 “I know the banks understand why an elderly parent will want to add a child to their account, because things happen. My stepfather didn’t have anybody added to his account, he passed away. The bank says, ‘Well, the only thing that we could help you with is paying the death fees’, other than that, that money’s got to stay in until you all can get letters of administration.” (SC)

Ishmael wants food industry to help solve NCD crisis

Diara Springer
-
0
Ishmael wants food industry to help solve NCD crisis

Barbados has the size to solve its own health crisis of noncommunicable diseases, and the food industry is being called on to help make it happen.

That was the central message from Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, as he addressed the opening of an Engagement With The Food Industry For Healthier Food Environments held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Monday.

“I have a vision that this small island will be the healthiest nation on earth,” he told the gathering of food industry leaders, academics, policymakers, civil society representatives and health officials. “We are small enough that we can do it – 166 square miles,” he stated.

The minister made it clear that the day was not about lectures or ultimatums, but frank, honest dialogue. He called on industry players to engage genuinely, noting that reformulating products to be healthier was not just a public health imperative, but it made good business sense too.

“If we can take those dollars, and instead of treating those diseases, we can invest them in your businesses and your industry to give you more market share to export your products, your business does better, your country does better and we are all doing better,” he said.

Ishmael also urged organisations present to introduce or strengthen wellness programmes for their own employees, whether through health screenings, active breaks or other initiatives, he described as simple and cost-effective.

Acting senior medical officer of health for noncommunicable diseases, Dr Kimberly Phillips, painted a sobering picture of where Barbados currently stands, noting that diabetes and hypertension have remained stubbornly entrenched at over 20 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively, for the past four decades.

“When it comes to the creeping inundation of multiple risk factors and chronic non-communicable diseases, it will appear that we are destined to fail,” she said, “but laying down and playing dead is not what we are here to do.” (DDS)

1...424344...13,690Page 43 of 13,690