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Bajan Newscap - 2/21/2016

Good Morning ‪#‎realdreamchasers‬! I hope that everyone is having a great weekend so far. Here is your daily newscap.

NET STREAMING CRACKDOWN - BARBADIANS WHO IN ever-growing numbers are watching North American television channels in violation of intellectual property laws may find it increasingly difficult to access them. This follows Netflix’s disclosure last month that its movies and TV series streaming service would be cracking down on customers who jump borders to watch content. This is but part of the international battle for control of virtual borders. Last week the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that online payment service PayPal has severed ties with Unblock-Us, a Barbados-based company. “Our solution is brilliantly simple. We give you an address where the content you want is available. It’s like moving your computer or other device without actually moving it,” says Unblock-Us on its website, which has indicated that its parent company Netprotect Inc. is at 21 Pine Road, Belleville, St Michael.

GOVERNMENT HEALTH BURDEN TOO HIGH - Chief Executive Office of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Dr Dexter James yesterday called for “urgent and decisive” action to close a financing gap in the country’s health care system. Dr James said at the opening of the hospital’s third annual Health Financing Summit at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, that Government’s contribution of 55 per cent of the total health expenditure was far too high. And he recommended that any national health insurance (NHI) plan implemented here must lead to a reduction in the level of Government’s contribution. The hospital CEO revealed that a study of the national health account in 2012-2013 found that total health expenditure in Barbados was $732 million, of which $405 million or 55 per cent was expended by Government; $286 million (39 per cent) came for individuals, while employers were responsible for $37 million, or five per cent.

CALL TO PRIVATISE HEALTH SERVICES - DOCTORS ARE defending their call for the privatisation of health services in Barbados. And the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) has made it clear that its plan did not translate to denying access to poor people or those who could not afford to pay. BAMP president Dr Carlos Chase and public relations officer Dr Lynda Williams said in a statement issued yesterday: “The BAMP proposal states up front that we believe that no citizen should be disenfranchised and denied health care based on their social standing and their ability to pay for services.” They added: “Privatisation of health services to allow for their more efficient management does not mean that the hospital and other health care institutions will be privately owned and operated as a for-profit business in which the poor will have no access or opportunity to benefit from public health care.” In the face of harsh criticism from social activist and attorney David Comissiong, the doctors said they were surprised and disappointed by the “attack”.

NEONATAL PREPPED FOR ZIKA - THE OBSTETRICS department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been put on standby in the cases of three pregnant women who have tested positive for the Zika virus which has been linked to a serious birth defect in Brazil, a health official said. However, Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George maintained that there was a low risk of the risk of the babies developing microcephaly, which is characterised by an abnormally small head and incomplete brain development at times. “The risk remains small,” he said. “The obstetrics department, through their neonatal unit, has been put on standby and they have put forward a framework for dealing with any eventuality.” The three women had been counselled, he revealed, and were receiving the appropriate care at the hospital.

NO WATER RELIEF IN SIGHT - It could be quite sometime before residents in the north of the island have access to a steady supply of potable water. Acting General Manager of the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) Dr John Mwansa said last night a combination of factors had conspired to block attempts to ease the water shortages in these communities. Mwansa told a town hall meeting at the Edna Nicholls Centre in Boscobel, St Peter that the drought had affected the water supply in more ways than one. He explained that the BWA had been forced to shut down the well at St Joseph Hospital – one of two servicing the north – because of rising salinity brought on by the drought. The closure of the St Joseph Hospital well left the BWA with only the Alleynedale well to service the northern districts. And the situation is likely to get worse if the predicted rains do not come quickly, as wells at Carlton, St James; the Whim and Ashton Hall, St Peter and Trents, St James have all shown rising levels of salinity as a result of the drought. The severity of the situation was emphasized yesterday, with the water company was forced to limit the output of these wells, the Acting General Manager revealed. Mwansa added that the situation had been exacerbated with the large number of broken mains in the north, adding that while the coral limestone rock formation acted as a reservoir, it also concealed the leakages from the naked eye.

MAKE CHILDREN'S CASES A PRIORITY - CASES INVOLVING children should take priority in the law courts, said gender rights advocate Felicia Browne. She expressed concern at the length of time it was taking for cases involving children to be adjudicated in Barbados. Pointing out that some cases took as long as five years or more, Browne said: “We have to make it a priority – a national mandate – that we are going to promote children rights not only in terms of the advocacy but the implementation in the judicial system because it is the end process. “When a child’s family makes a report they go to the police, they go to the Child Care Board and all the relevant authorities but the end is the judicial system because this is where you expect to get justice; this is where you expect to get some form of accountability.

THINK BEFORE YOU TYPE- Two local victims of cyberbullying are pleading “enough is enough”. And they are calling for an end to the crime, which can lead to emotional scarring. With the rise of popular blogs aimed at belittling others, videos meant for private viewing being exposed and unkind comments leading to sadness, the SUNDAY SUN focused on the impact that Internet bullying has on others. For Kyle and Leah (pseudonyms), both of whom were caught on video indulging in X-rated behaviour at school, life took a turn for the worse when both were 15 years old. Doors of friendship were slammed in their faces, a shadow of low self-esteem hovered over their lives and social exclusion became the norm. In a recent telephone interview, Leah said she still felt very uncomfortable talking about the incident that happened back in 2008.

BAJAN STUDENTS AT MONA YET TO GET BURSARIES - SOME BARBADIAN STUDENTS at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies are getting uneasy about what they say is the Government’s failure to pay their bursaries. More than 20 students have not received the $1 800 bursary since academic year 2014/2015 when it was supposed to be disbursed, according to reports from Jamaica, and with a new academic year on stream, they want to know how soon the money will be paid. Student representative Saashen Sealy, speaking to the SUNDAY SUN from the campus, said he had a meeting with Minister of Education Ronald Jones last month to discuss the problem. “I spoke to the minister personally in January and he told me they were working to have the matter resolved,” Sealy said. “He told me approximately 20 students were still to get bursaries but up to this point we have not received them.” The bursaries are awarded to Barbadian students at the three campuses to assist in paying tuition fees that the Government stopped paying in full in 2014.

MOVE TO PROTECT INSURANCE SECTOR - THE LOCAL GENERAL INSURANCE sector is on the radar of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) as those companies face one of the longest periods of flat performance. And the latest Financial Stability Report by the Central Bank and the FSC highlighted a number of challenges facing insurance companies. FSC chief executive officer Randy Graham said in a recent interview that the regulatory body was taking action to protect the sector and address credit and other risks. “The key vulnerabilities identified surrounded the depressed net income position recorded, particularly in the general insurance sector, the reduced levels of investment income, and the relatively low capital levels, leading to the heavy use of reinsurance as risk diversification.”

DEBATE ON FOR LEGALIZING WEED - THE ISSUE OF MEDICAL marijuana goes beyond the legal landscape and has a larger social impact. This is the view of attorney at law Maria Phillips, who was weighing in on a recent request by lawyer Douglas Trotman to the Ministry of Health to have a one-year prescription for marijuana, which was written by a doctor in Canada, filled in Barbados. The drug is for his wife Kathy-Anne Trotman for palliative care after she was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer last year. The use of marijuana is illegal in Barbados, and Phillips cautioned that there were social implications in implementing legislation that would seek to change this. “It is really a health issue and you really have to look at the social impact of trying to implement something like that…”

CHEFETTE DONATES $3000 - The Barbados Vagrants And Homeless Society, a charitable organization that aims to reduce the incidence of vagrancy and homelessness on the streets of Barbados, was recently given a donation by Chefette Restaurants, to assist with the continuation of its programmes. This donation is a result of Chefette’s ongoing commitment to a financial agreement in the form of a covenant, which first began in 2011.Kemar Saffrey, founder and president of the BVHS, lauded Chefette for its ongoing support, adding: “On behalf of the Barbados Vagrants And Homeless Society, we would like to thank you for your annual donation of $3,000. This year, your donation will greatly assist with BVHS’ campaign Building A Future For The Homeless in which we aim to obtain our own facility for the purpose of our programmes. TOURISM NUMBERS ON A PUBLICITY STUNT - Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate for St Michael West Central Ian Gooding-Edghill has launched an attack on Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy, accusing the minister of making exaggerated claims of growth in the industry. Gooding-Edghill issued a statement this week in which he said the claims should not be allowed to go unchallenged otherwise they “would lead Barbadians to a false sense of satisfaction” with the sector. During a media conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on February 1, Sealy reported a stellar performance in 2015 with long-stay arrivals up by 13.7 per cent to a record 591,892 tourists. He attributed the turnaround in the sector to a combination of factors, including the diversification of source markets and increased airlift. However, Gooding-Edghill accused the minister of engaging in a “publicity stunt” and delivering “superficial” content that did not reveal the true state of the tourism industry.

DUGUID IS BACK - “DO GOOD” is back and he’s back to stay. The man who gave up elective politics under a cloud of controversy in 2012 threw his hat back into the ring yesterday as he entered the contest to retake his old seat of Christ Church West for the Barbados Labour Party (BLP). However, while he waits for the hierarchy of the BLP to rubber stamp his decision to re-enter the fray, Dr William Duguid has promised his old constituents he would hit the ground running and will not forsake them a second time. Yesterday, around 2:30 p.m., flanked by Herbie Yearwood and David Brooks, the dentist ended weeks of speculation by publicly announcing that he had written to the general secretary of the BLP “notifying him of my intent to seek the nomination as their candidate for Christ Church West in the next general elections, whenever called”.

$350 FINE FOR HERBERT - Dario Daimon Herbert was lucky to escape from one charge today after the complainant said he did not want to proceed with the matter. However, he wasn’t so lucky on a second count, which was drug-related, and was fined after pleading guilty to having eight grammes of marijuana on Wednesday. Herbert, 24, of Seales Avenue, Tudor Bridge, St Michael went before Magistrate Douglas Frederick today in the District ‘A’ Magistrates Court. Presenting the facts, Station Sergeant Neville Watson revealed that police officers had reason to search Herbert yesterday while he was at Seale’s Avenue. When they questioned him about the drugs, the part-time bartender admitted he had it for his personal use. Magistrate Douglas Frederick fined Herbert $350 in two weeks or one month behind bars.

BOYCE PLEADS GUILTY TO 4 DRUG CHARGES - After police found two six-feet-tall marijuana plants and a loose quantity of the vegetable matter in a jar at his residence earlier today, Chelston Chesterfield Boyce pleaded guilty to four drug charges. The 46 year old Fairfield Cross Road, St Michael resident did so before Magistrate Douglas Frederick in the District ‘A’ Magistrates Court. Boyce told police that ‘work was slow’ and the marijuana was his. The self-employed man repeated the same thing to the magistrate today, adding that ‘it was just to help out but I think I went down a wrong path and it land me here today.’ Magistrate Frederick found it difficult to understand how at age 46 Boyce could have a clean record and then end up coming to court for something like drugs. He went on to tell Boyce how drugs are affecting users, families and the country. The father of four was then fined $2,000 payable in six weeks, with an alternative of three months in jail. Once he does so, no conviction will be recorded against him. Magistrate Frederick also placed the first time offender on a bond to keep the peace for six months, with three months in prison should he break that bond. “You won’t see me again Sir,” Boyce told Magistrate Frederick. “You know how many people have told me so already and I keep seeing them?” Frederick responded. ‘Not me Sir. I don’t even go past the speed limit,’ Boyce replied.

GRIFFITH ADMITS TO STEALING PAINT - David Anthony Griffith stole paint and then walked through a neighbourhood with it. It was no surprise, therefore, that someone alerted the complainant that Griffith was the thief. Griffith, 47, C/o Barbados Prison Fellowship, Country Road, St Michael, went before Magistrate Douglas Frederick yesterday. Standing in the District ‘A’ Magistrates Court, he admitted breaking into Mumtaz Deli and stealing two gallons of paint belonging to Ryan Thorpe sometime between February 15 and 16. Thorpe secured and left his business-place intact on February 15 but the following day when he returned, he found a door ajar. The painter who came to begin renovations and was with Thorpe at the time, found no paint to work with. Some vigilant person informed Thorpe that ‘Yank’ (Griffith) was seen walking through Greenfield, The City, with a gallon of paint. The complainant went looking for him, found Griffith, took him back to the Deli and called the police. Magistrate Frederick reminded Griffith, who has several convictions, that he was given a chance last time when he placed him on a four month bond. “I know Sir. Since then, I went and sign in at Detox down at Psychie,” Griffith said, as he explained that he does farm work with two preachers for $50 per day. “It is the negative thinking…,” Griffith went on to say while grabbing his head. “I went in the Deli and see a can o’ paint and I car’ it home. I went home and talk to my higher power. And I tell myself yuh should not tek up de people paint!” “I was going to go back the Tuesday and apologise to the man, because I know I was wrong. I don’t drink nor smoke no more. I go to church every Sunday…” Griffith added. “Six months in prison,” the magistrate responded. “Jesus, Lord have mercy,” Griffith replied, before propping his forehead on the dock.

REMANDED FOR OWN SAFETY - Magistrate Douglas Frederick preferred to remand a St Philip man for his own safety rather than let him return to his neighbourhood. The Bridgetown magistrate made this decision after an injured Dave Fidel Aristide James, of Brereton, came before him earlier today, accused of robbing Lamar Thompson of a $20 chain, a cellular phone and $339 on February 3. Station Sergeant Neville Watson objected to bail based on James’ antecedents of robbery and theft, the fact that police were still investigating the matter and seeking another person, and his fear that releasing the accused might frustrate those efforts. Responding, attorney at law Sydney Pinder said his client had suffered serious injuries at the hands of some persons. “When you analyse the facts, there seems to be a major imbalance in what has come before the court,” he contended. When Magistrate Frederick asked the accused what those injuries were, he said he had been attacked by about 15 men, stabbed in the chest (just above his heart) and in the back, and had a few lacerations to his head. “In the interest of justice and fair play, he ought to be given bail,” Pinder said, since he was clearly the one who had borne the brunt of whatever had taken place. ‘He suffered so many injuries and yet he was the person robbing?’ Pinder continued. Speaking to James’ mother, the magistrate expressed regret for her son’s injuries but explained even though he had considered the prosecutor’s objection to bail, he had moreso considered James’ safety.The mother explained that something has been going on for about ‘four years’ but asked that her son be allowed bail, even if a curfew could be attached. ‘Ask yourself what would lighten your heart more? That he comes back here from prison or don’t come back at all?’ the magistrate asked. He then mentioned that medical attention for James could be provided at HMP Dodds and urged the prosecutor to ‘talk to the investigators and get to the bottom of the matter.’ James’ case was adjourned until March 17.

21 YEAR OLD CHARGED WITH TREVOR EASTMOND ROBBERY - Twenty-one year-old Jaleel Carter of Spring Farm, St Thomas is expected to appear in the District A Magistrates Court today to answer to charges of Burglary. Carter was arrested and charged in relation to the theft of money from the residence of Trevor Eastmond of Spring Farm St Thomas, on February 17.

4 GRANTLEY ADAMS SCHOOL GIRL MISSING - Four more girls from the Grantley Adams Secondary School have been reported missing, police said this afternoon. Lawmen are now seeking the public’s assistance in locating Shanique Ann Marie Best, 14, of Maxwell, Christ Church; 15-year-old Tia Shaniqua Butcher of Lower Brighton St George; 14-year-old Nickalanda Aliya McDonald of Brighton St George and 14-year-old Rachel Rebecka Ward of Brighton, St George. Shanique Best left home between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Friday and has not been seen since. She is believed to be wearing a long red t-shirt. Police say she is about five feet, eight inches tall, slim, dark and has brown eyes and short jerri-curled hair. She has a protruding forehead and her ears are pierced twice. Tia Butcher reportedly left home about 8:10 a.m. on Friday dressed in her school uniform and has not been seen since. At the time she carried a pink haversack. She is about five feet tall, slim, brown-skinned and has brown eyes. She has a protruding forehead, a long face and small nose, short straightened black hair and is in the habit of sucking her thumb. Nickalanda McDonald, meanwhile, left home about 10:40 a.m. on Friday and has not been seen since. At the time she was dressed in a white sleeveless short dress, black sandals and carried a black haversack. Police say Nickalanda is about five feet tall, slim and brown-skinned. She has small dark brown eyes, a flat nose, thin lips, thin eyebrows and straightened black hair. Rachel Ward has not been seen since leaving home between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Friday. She is about five feet, four inches tall, thick set, brown-skinned and has a round face. She has a broad nose, thin lips and short black hair. Police Public Relations Officer, Acting Superintendent David Welch told Barbados TODAY they believe the girls may be together.

UK TO VOTE ON EU IN JUNE - The UK will vote on whether to remain in the EU on Thursday 23 June, Prime Minister David Cameron has said. The prime minister made his historic announcement in Downing Street after briefing the cabinet. He said he would be campaigning to remain in a reformed EU – and described the vote as one of the biggest decisions “in our lifetimes”. Ministers immediately divided up into the leave and remain camps as the campaigns got under way in earnest. Home Secretary Theresa May heads the list of those who announced they will campaign to stay – but Justice Secretary Michael Gove has signed up to the leave campaign. In his statement, Mr Cameron warned that leaving the EU would be a “leap in the dark” as he urged voters to back his reform deal. Commons leader Chris Grayling, another leave campaign backer, told the BBC: “I actually believe the EU is holding this country back. We cannot control our borders, limit the number of people who come here do trade deals.

JAMAICAN GEARS UP TO VOTE - Jamaica’s political parties enter the final weekend of campaigning ahead of the February 25 general election with the two main political parties expected to stage mammoth rallies on Sunday. The ruling People’s National party (PNP), which is seeking to retain power in this Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, will hold its rally at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay, while the main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) will meet at Half-Way Tree, St Andrew. In the last general election, the PNP won 42 of the 63 seats with the remainder going to the JLP. The two parties have already launched their manifestoes ahead of the polls and are both confident of victory. There are more than 150 candidates nominated to contest the election with special voters, including Election Day workers and members of the security forces expected to cast their ballots on Monday.

CYCLONE HITS FIJI - Residents of Fiji hunkered down Saturday as a ferocious cyclone tore through the Pacific island chain, prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and declare a month-long state of disaster. Wind speeds from Cyclone Winston were estimated at up to 285 kilometers (177 miles) per hour. The cyclone was tracking late Saturday along the northern coast of the main island, Viti Levu. The Fiji Times newspaper reported that some homes had had their roofs blown away and that five people had managed to swim to safety after their boat capsized. The Times said there had been a run on supermarkets and stores as people stocked up on essential supplies before the cyclone hit. Fiji is home to about 900,000 people.

PROTECT UNDER 19 CHAMPS - THE TWO Barbadians on the triumphant West Indies Under-19 cricket team must be managed properly and allowed to bask in their World Cup glory. That’s the assertion of long-serving Barbados coach Hendy Springer on whether all-rounder Shamar Springer and fast bowler Chemar Holder should be automatically fast-tracked into first-class cricket. “I think the most important thing for those guys at this point in time is to give them the opportunity to actually enjoy their cricket [and] to build on that moment and continue to learn the game, because that is Under-19 cricket,” Springer said while disclosing that he was not totally against the duo getting a taste of regional cricket. “If the opportunity arises that those guys get the opportunity to play for Barbados, I have no problem with that. Both are very talented guys, but at this point in time, they have to be very well managed,” he said.

HOLETOWN FESTIVAL - It was all about the street on the penultimate day of the Holetown Festival today. Patrons were treated to a display of vintage cars, and waves from the Holetown Queen of the Festival Megghan Michael and 2016 contestants from a decorated float. The parade seemed to be modest in length, although participants – like the Twisters All-Starz cheerleaders, the Cadet Corps and Dancin’ Africa – gave it their all in the northern town. The Barbados Regiment band in Zoauve dress and The Darryl Jordan School steel pan orchestra, also brought some more life to the road.

KING BUBBA CROWNS HIS QUEEN -CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN order! Adam and Louise Elias tied the knot at Sandals Barbados Resort in a beachfront wedding which included family and friends yesterday this evening. Adam, better known as King Bubba FM, is known for his Crop Over 2015 hits Mashup (When Ah Touchdown), Rum King, and Tequila which he sang in collaboration with upcoming soca sensation Nikita. Congratulations to the happy couple.

Well that's all for today folks. Have a wonderful and peaceful Sunday.