THURSDAY APRIL 4, 2024

NEW PLAN
Marina, hotel axed from multimillion-dollar
Pierhead project – Page 3

WINNER’S CIRCLE
 Still fresh from the national excitement we experienced over the past weeks with the
staging of both the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships (BSSAC)
and National Primary Schools’ Athletic Championship (NAPSAC), lovers of athletics
were glued to the television and online platforms last weekend as they watched Carifta
action. The 51st annual championship was held in Grenada at the Kirani James Athletic
Stadium on a newly-laid track.
Sadly, unlike years past, there was hardly much to cheer about as it relates to the
competitiveness of the Barbadian team. Our showing this year has left much to be desired.
That notwithstanding, we offer hearty congratulations to those athletes who did well,

However, the inability to have relay teams when there were lanes assigned to Barbados
should be a major cause for concern. The National Petroleum Corporation (NPC) Work will also be carried out between 7:30
But how did we get here? Why are we here? And, more importantly, what can be done
has advised that gas works are being conducted a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Princess Alice Highway,
to ensure we never visit this level of non-performance ever again?
Truth is, the recent results did not happen overnight. Unlike all our neighbours, we have
this month, which may occasionally result in St Michael, and in Dover Road, Calais Drive,
taken a much longer period to bounce back from the effects of COVID-19 on our sports in restricted road access, low gas pressure, or and St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church.
general. subtle scents of gas in some areas. NPC thanks members of the public for their
We must remember that while our neighbours returned to training and competitive sports Night work will be carried out between 6 support and patience as it continues to upgrade
after COVID, Barbados took longer to relax the restrictions which were in place. p.m. and 6 a.m. in the St Michael districts of the network as part of the National Gas Mains
Carifta Games Broad Street, River Road, and Collymore Rock. Replacement Project. (NPC)
relates to our slide.

sales@barbadostoday.bb
Digital Sales Manager

herminaelcock@barbadostoday.bb
Chairman
peterharris@barbadostoday.bb
There was also a worrying decline in the number of athletes representing Barbados in the rhearamsay@barbadostoday.bb
General Manager
There are a number of factors that contributed to this decline. Many of our athletic clubs herminaelcock@barbadostoday.bb adrianishmael@barbadostoday.bb
and schools do not have throwing implements, high jump beds and hurdles for training and
physical education classes. It has been reported that many schools are reluctant to purchase Editor-In-Chief
these items which can run into the thousands of dollars. In some cases, some schools simply sandydeane@barbadostoday.bb
cannot afford it. corettajoe@barbadostoday.bb
We hope that this shortcoming is addressed in the much talked about educational : Digital News Editor
reform. We would like to see the availability of equipment for schools across the country to dawneparris@barbadostoday.bb
enhance physical education programmes. victorialbristol@barbadostoday.bb
Sports Editor
There is also the issue of lack of domestic competition. It would appear that the Athletics randybennett@barbadostoday.bb
Association of Barbados (AAB) has abandoned a once vibrant out-of-season programme
Sandy Deane
which offered early developmental competition for budding athletes.
editor@barbadostoday.bb
The months of November and December were once used for competition on grass.
Athletes were exposed to odd distance events along with competition in jumps and throws. Senior Reporter
This out-of-season programme was used by coaches as an assessment tool to gauge the emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb Editorial Coordinator
improvement of athletes. Athletic powerhouses such as Mario Burke, Shane Brathwaite, fernellawedderburn@barbadostoday.bb

annual Relay Fair which was great for athletes and spectators alike? Will coaches buy into shamarblunt@barbadostoday.bb
the need for a return to such development in the off season?
Not having use of the National Stadium remains a major contributor to this decline.
There has been no recent word on the construction of a new stadium at Waterford which is sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
stefonjordan@barbadostoday.bb
to be built with $40 million grant funding from the People’s Republic of China.
In February, at St Peter Parish Speaks, Prime Minister Mia Mottley promised that 50
sashamehter@barbadostoday.bb
bleachers, which could seat 500 to 1 000 people, were on the way. No delivery time was jeniquebelgrave@barbadostoday.bb
given but we are now at the end of the athletic season with BSSAC, NAPSAC and Carifta
Games completed and there has been no update on this either.
Carifta 2024 will be remembered as the year when Barbados did not have a single
competitor in the hurdles. For many years, this country could have counted on medals
in this event. The absence of a stadium here resulted in no competition in hurdle events.
No stadium contributed to low numbers in the high and long jumps. Throwers had to be
shuttled from Bridgetown to St Peter in order to compete in throwing events.
ADDRESS: 3rd Floor, Building #6, Harbour Road, Bridgetown, St Michael.
There is much talk about the completion of the stadium but that conversation must
Website:
also address a training facility to take the load off the competition venue. Availability of Telephone 246-417-1000 - For general news queries email or
equipment must also be easily accessible to clubs and schools. .
For all advertising enquires email .
national programme that utilises our best coaches to assist with preparation for regional and
international competition.
It is time to respect the efforts of the coaches and appreciate the resilience of the athletes

long time. It isn’t too late to get back on track and reverse the results of this year’s Carifta
Games.
 Thursday, April 4, 2024 Page 3

DIFFERENT WAY
DEVELOPERS MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO PIERHEAD DEVELOPMENT
By Emmanuel Joseph Willoughby and is accessed via the

Barbados TODAY

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

On the job: New QEH CEO pledges SAGICOR FINANCIAL COMPANY LTD.

p t ent ent ed e ent e ANNOUNCEMENT

Availability of Annual Financial Statements for the year ended
December 31, 2023

Sagicor Financial Company Ltd. (“Sagicor” or “the Company”)

announces that its Annual Financial Statements for the year
New QEH ended December 31, 2023 are available for viewing or download
CEO Neil
Clark. (GP) on the Company’s website at https://www.sagicor.com/en/
and on the System for
Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) at www.
sedarplus.ca

REQUESTS FOR PRINTED COPIES

Shareholders who wish to receive a paper copy of the Financial

Statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, or additional
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s newly information, should contact the Company at investorrelations@

has pledged the hospital will focus on patient- Sipsis, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and
Capital Markets at george_sipsis@sagicor.com.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

New ALTHEA C. HAZZARD

CEO, New Financial Year, New Mission CORPORATE SECRETARY

(SM)
 Thursday, April 4, 2024 Page 4

EX-COP
FINED FORMER HIGH-RANKING
OFFICER ORDERED
TO PAY $20 000 FOR
John Mark Annel (FP)
ILLEGAL AMMO
By Jenique Belgrave

of the Firearms Act jeniquebelgrave@barbadostoday.bb

11-Plus exam still May 7

Barbados TODAY
Appropriation Bill,

Barbados
TODAY (SZB)
Thursday, April 4, 2024 Page 5

Driving exams were called off at the Barbados

Licensing Authority because of inadequate
manpower. (HG)

Staff
shortage at
Licensing
Authority
Barbados
TODAY

“We were also informed that three additional

(SZB)
Thursday April 4, 2024 Page 6

AIR
CEO of interCaribbean Airways Lyndon Gardiner
(centre) with some of the awardees. (GP)

GARDINER HIGHLIGHTS
NEED TO NURTURE FUTURE
AVIATION LEADERS

(SM)

Film director
A workshop to give creatives a leg up in the Daniel Boyce
(right) and
actor Brandon
Blackman.

(SZB)
Thursday, April 4, 2024
‘NOT ME’
FORMER BANK TELLER DENIES
ENDANGERING LIFE OF PENSIONER
Although admitting to stealing funds from a customer’s
bank account, convicted thief Kevin Dacosta Cadogan said that
any plan to put a hit on the pensioner was that of his former
co-accused and he knew nothing about it.
Cadogan, of Arthur Seat, St Thomas, is charged with
unlawfully and maliciously engaging in conduct which placed
an elderly Bank of Nova Scotia customer in danger of death or
serious bodily harm on August 24, 2011.
Taking the witness stand in his trial recently, the former
bank employee told the No. 4 Supreme Court that he met Kirk
White when he was 22 years old and employed at the Bank of
Nova Scotia in Wildey. They began talking and he realised that
White was a businessman who had several ventures, including
a mechanic shop, a mini-mart, and the bar where they met. He
said they quickly became “buddies” and he was introduced to
the “big life” where people drank Hennessey. One day, as they
were speaking about business plans, White told him he had
several ideas but needed money to get them started as most of
his funds were tied up in the businesses he owned.
It was then that they began talking about using money
the account before anyone noticed it was missing. Cadogan
checked at work and came across the account of the retired
nurse. He told White and the two devised a plan to get the
CCJ honours
Barbadian
jurists
Three of this island’s legal luminaries were honoured
by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Thursday.
Paying homage to former attorney general Sir Henry
Forde, former attorney general and chief justice Sir David
Simmons, and Sir Richard Cheltenham, judge of the
Trinidad-based CCJ, Justice Winston Anderson, said it
was necessary to thank such individuals for building the
foundation upon which attorneys-at-law can build.
The three were part of a group of six selected from
Barbados, which also included the late Sir Grantley
Adams, the late Sir Jack Dear, and the late Sir Harold St
John.
Anderson insisted that the list was not exhaustive but
was representative of a larger group of people in Barbados
who have made a tremendous contribution to the legal
Page 7
get a bank card. He said White told him that the funds would
be returned to the account in two months. They carried out
the plan, with White coming into the bank and receiving the
cheque from him.
Cadogan said it was later that White asked him if the
cheque was traceable, and he replied that it was.
“He said, ‘If we tek out this woman, it wouldn’t be easier?’
I say, ‘Tek out? Look, just do what you got to do and bring
back the money, and I gine put it back’,” the accused man said.
It was almost two weeks later when White messaged him
and said, ‘Case closed’ and told him not to worry. Cadogan
went over to White’s bar that same evening and White
introduced him to a man called Boy Boy. He told Cadogan that
he had taken this man to “scare de woman”.
The accused said he received a cheque from White a week
later, which he believed meant that the investment venture was
already paying off. However, after the two-month period passed
without the funds being returned, he began pestering White.
“I went to the bar and he act like I bugging he, so I decided
to go to the woman house and left a Post-it note saying to call
me. She call me and I tell she I tief she money and she say talk
to the police or to the bank,” he recalled.
Cadogan told the court that when he told White about the
call, “Kirk say we gotta do something to really scare she . . . .
profession.
The judge outlined that since 2019, the CCJ’s Academy
of Law had begun recognising outstanding Caribbean
jurists and, in 2023, had made the decision to focus on the
region’s legendary legal practitioners.
Giving a brief snippet about the lives of each of
the honorees, he highlighted the dedication of these
individuals to service and to helping their fellow man and
nation.
Commending the CCJ for the event, Sir Patterson
described Sir Richard – his brother – Sir Henry, and Sir
David as “genuine and authentic” with a true skill for their
craft.
“The tragedy is that these highly distinguished and
skilled practitioners, very few members of the Bar know
by Jenique
Belgrave
Then, two days later, the police pick me up.”
When questioned by police, he denied knowing anything
about a plan to shoot the woman.
During the cross-examination by Deputy Director of Public
Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC, Cadogan admitted that he
knew that stealing the money was wrong and that he had “lick
out” the money White gave him in a brothel.
to White and that this contained her picture, address and other
personal details.
“I am suggesting to you that the reason you had the whole
to White to ensure he knew the information about the account
when he came into the bank.
Cadogan agreed that he told police that they had only
planned to “frighten” the female pensioner because of what
they did.
The accused also admitted that he was supposed to give
White $2 500 “to pay Boy Boy to do the job”.
“The account holder was not to be involved in anything that
we had planned,” Cadogan stressed.
Closing arguments are expected to be made to the nine-
member jury by Seale as well as Cadogan’s defence attorney,
Sade Harris, on Friday.
(Front row, left to right):
Sir Richard Cheltenham,
Sir Henry Forde, Sir David
Simmons, (back row)
Chief Justice Sir Patterson
Cheltenham and Caribbean
Court of Justice judge,
Justice Winston Anderson.
(JB)
of them or have ever seen them in action. And the strange
and ironic situation we have is that with such a high
emphasis on written advocacy, the oral side seems to be
diminishing,” he said.
During the ceremony, which was conducted in the
judges’ lounge of the Supreme Court of Barbados before
several justices and members of the legal fraternity, the
living luminaries and the Chief Justice were presented
with pins from the CCJ along with copies of its academy’s
Legendary Caribbean Legal Practitioners.
Sir David extended thanks to the CCJ on behalf of
himself and Sir Henry before expressing his gratitude to
the latter for teaching him all he knew about the practice
of law. Sir Richard recognised the contribution of his
mother and his wife in his success in the profession.
 Thursday April 4, 2024 Page 8

Representatives of some of the sponsors and charities at the launch. (HG)

Managing
Director of
Chefette
Restaurants
Ryan Haloute
(right) and
Trustee of the
Sandy Lane
Charitable Trust
Phillipa Challis
look at one of
the shirts which
will be worn by
the participants

Chefette Fun
Run which
is being held
under the
theme, Uplift.
(HG)

High hopes for Chefette Fun Run Organiser of the

Chefette Fun
Run, Dawn-Lisa
Callender-Smith.
another charitable cause as Chefette Restaurants prepares to
host its annual Chefette Fun Run

Uplift

Chefette Fun Run

Chefette Fun Run

(SM)
 Thursday, April 4, 2024 Page 11

Shirley
Chisholm
Primary school
faculty members
dressed as
students for
their school
renaming
anniversary.

Tanya Alleyne and Nicole Phillips,

members of the Shirley Chisholm
Primary school netball team.

SHIRLEY CHISHOLM
PRIMARY MARKS
ANNIVERSARY WITH

Day of Empowerment
INSPIRATIONAL EVENTS
In the heart of Vauxhall, Christ Church,
a spirited celebration unfolded at the Shirley
Chisholm Primary School as students, faculty,

and Celebration
and distinguished guests came together to

school’s renaming, in a unique and empowering

fashion.

moments of inspiration and encouragement.

the appointment of a student as the honorary

From left: principal for the day. Young Rimiya Wilson
Minister of
State in the into the shoes of leadership and responsibility.
Ministry of Capably assisted by the ‘Senior Teacher’
Economic
Affairs and ranging from leading morning announcements
Investment
embraced the duties with enthusiasm, earning
Senator Chad
admiration from peers and educators alike.
Blackman, The presence of Minister of State in the
Head Boy
Zadari Senator Chad Blackman, a past student,
Russell, Head
Girl Rimiya
Wilson, and and encouragement to the students. His
Principal words resonated deeply as he emphasised
Donna the importance of education, and the need to
Franklin. harness the limitless potential within each child.
He praised the school for their success in the
recently held National Primary Schools Athletic

school placed fourth in both the boys and girls.

The teachers also swapped roles with the
students by dressing in school uniform, eliciting
laughter and smiles from the pupils. This role

unite the school community and the joy that

comes from embracing one’s inner child. Most
importantly, it reinforced that students should
display a sense of pride in their school.

and educator, Shirley Chisholm, added a touch

look-alike competition showcasing the enduring

Security
personnel
enjoyable. Additionally, students participated in
Sophia a treasure hunt which celebrated Chisholm’s life
Brathwaite
and student
“security”
Jenikiy Members of
Moore. staff Jason
Pile, Aunty school’s journey but also as a beacon of hope
June, Glenroy for the future. Through moments of inspiration
Massiah, and and camaraderie, students were reminded of
Aunty Karen. their potential to excel and make a difference in
the world. (PR)
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Kwame Mascoll, Associate Director, Sales Management, Insurance &
Deposits (right) presents one of the 20 laptops to IT Coordinator Sasha
Waterman while Allan Mercer, Director, Personal Credit Services (left)
Principal Julia Beckles (second left), Deputy Principal Timothy Barrett (third
left) Technology Analyst Thierry Jones (third right) and Neil Matthews, Deputy
CIF expected to bring more business investment
Less talk, more business. That’s what global
investors, along with regional business leaders,
and innovators can expect from the Caribbean
Investment Forum (CIF) 2024 when it is held
from July 10-12 in Georgetown, Guyana.
CIF, now in its third year, is an annual
forum created by the Caribbean Export
Development Agency (Caribbean Export)
that draws global investors to the Caribbean,
and presents them with exciting, bankable
investment opportunities from across the
region. During the launch event held at the
Guyana Marriott Hotel on Wednesday, and
streamed online, over 300 investors, business
leaders and journalists heard how this year’s
event has been designed to help secure major
investments for regional projects in the
critical areas of Technology & Innovation,
Sustainable Agriculture, and the transition to a
Green Economy.
When asked what makes the region a
lucrative investment hub for global investors,
Executive Director of Caribbean Export,
Deodat Maharaj, explained, “People think
of the Caribbean as being small, individual
island states. Actually, together with the
Dominican Republic, we have a market size
of 30 million people, that’s one. Secondly,
in the year 2019 before COVID, and we’re
seeing the numbers return, we had over 32
million stay over tourist arrivals - this is non-
cruise ship visitors. So, when you look at our
market size, you’re looking at a market of 60
million. We have free trade agreements with
Canada, with the United States of America,
with that lucrative half a billion market in
Europe, with Colombia, with Costa Rica, with
Cuba. Take the Caribbean as a beachhead to
access these markets as well. People who are
here in Guyana, and viewing us from overseas
and thinking about coming to the Caribbean
Investment Forum, think size, think scale,
think using the Caribbean as a beachhead to
access fantastic new markets.”
Head of Cooperation of the European
Union’s Delegation to Guyana, Suriname and
Caribbean OCTs, Joan Nadal Sastre, said the
EU fully supports the forum and its mission.
He noted that the EU’s 2022 Global Gateway
Strategy was helping to bridge the Caribbean’s
to “leverage private capital and investment
for projects that deliver on key public policy
objectives”.
He added: “One thing is clear - the
European Union wants to do more business
with the Caribbean. We want more EU
companies to see the Caribbean as an
Page 12
Combermere gets
computers from
CIBC Caribbean
Combermere is the latest school to
donating repurposed laptops and desktops to
educational institutions across the region.
St Michael school where they presented 20
laptops and 20 desktop computers to the
Information Technology Department recently.
The donation was received by the school’s
Principal Julia Beckles accompanied by
Deputy Principal Timothy Barrett and IT
Coordinator Sasha Waterman.
The donation brings to 300 the number of
devices the bank has donated over the years
investment opportunity. We want to be a key
business partner for you and we have a lot to
put on the table.”
Meanwhile, Guyana’s Minister of Tourism,
Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond,
who gave the feature address at the launch,
told attendees and viewers that the region was
seeking a particular kind of investor.
“We wish to attract the investor who’s
committed to the sustainable development of
the countries and communities within which
he or she operates and from which they derive
value. We seek those who will remain with us
through thick and thin and as we experience
those inevitable external shocks that are the
reality of our Caribbean existence. In short,
we wish to see patient investment which
prioritises long term returns that emanate
from the sustainable, resilient economies that
we hope to build, rather than cashing in on
short term windfalls. Our ideal investor has
a long-term horizon for return on capital as
opposed to the infamous quarterly earnings
targets which are manifestly ill-matched to the
realities of our economies and our existence,”
she said.
CIF Guyana 2024 will feature a special
app that will allow attendees to book B2B
sessions with investors and business leaders.
to primary and secondary schools and other
educational institutions in Barbados and across
the region where the bank has a presence.
The bank’s Deputy Chief Information
devices, said: “CIBC Caribbean is happy to
continue making a meaningful contribution to
education across the region especially in the
area of information technology.”
He noted that as laptops and desktops
became available as the bank updated its
systems, they would be repurposed, and further
donations made to schools and colleges.
(PR)
From left: General Manager, Credit,
Republic Bank (Guyana), Venus
Dr Peter Ramsaroop; Guyana’s
Minister of Tourism, Industry, and
Commerce Oneidge Waldron;
Executive Director of Caribbean
Export Deodat Maharaj; Head
of Cooperation of the European
Union’s Delegation to Guyana,
Suriname and Caribbean OCTs,
Joan Nadal Sastre; Manager
(Ag), Partnerships, Advocacy
& Reporting, Caribbean
Export, JoEllen Laryea, and
Assistant Secretary-General
of the Directorate of Economic
Integration, Innovation and
Development at the CARICOM
Secretariat, Joseph Cox.
Attendees will participate in plenary sessions,
gain insight into thoroughly vetted, bankable
projects, and learn more about regional
products and services through an investment
village and expo which will include booths
from companies and start-ups from across
Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
CIF is designed to unlock potential
investment opportunities within the Caribbean
across several sectors. Its objectives are
to: raise the visibility of the region as an
investment destination; attract investment into
those needed to support the transition of the
region to a greener and smarter economy;
assemble the international investment
community so that agreements can be forged
on key priorities that will fast-track the
region’s transition; and work towards attaining
the sustainable development goals focused on
poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-
being, decent work and economic growth, life
on land and partnerships.
The event is held in collaboration with
respective country governments, the European
Union, the CARICOM Secretariat, and the
Caribbean Development Bank, with Republic
Bank as a platinum sponsor.
(PR)
 Thursday, April 4, 2024
Crafting the Future of CBC
with Strategic Partnerships
As we delve into the nuanced discussions surrounding the
privatisation of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC),
and construction of these partnerships have the potential to
for a partnership model that aligns with CBC’s heritage and its
The landscape of potential partners is as diverse as it is
entities bring more than just capital; they offer the expertise,
technology, and creative prowess necessary to navigate the
opportunity lie in identifying partners committed to CBC’s
mission of public service and editorial independence alongside a
The foundation of a successful investment partnership is
framework, effective governance, and active stakeholder
Is justice really served?
Despite its shortcomings, I have a very healthy respect for
the judicial system in Barbados but there are some things about
I do not know if it is fear of the Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights, the Caribbean Court of Justice, Amnesty
International, or some other international agency, but our law
courts seem (at least to me) to be guided by some strange
I am aware that Barbados has signed on to many treaties
and conventions but I sometimes wonder if when we sign these
treaties/conventions we take into consideration the customs,
mores and desires of the people of Barbados or whether we
sign them just to belong to ‘the club’?
Our law courts are fettered by the dictates from many of
these organisations to such an extent that it seems that they
appear to extend more sympathy and consideration to the
Pleading guilty earns an accused a thirty-three and a third
Page 13
Partners must resonate with CBC’s vision for the future and
catalyse CBC’s evolution, enabling it to thrive in the digital age
A meticulously crafted equity structure and transparent
performance metrics will serve as the backbone of the
by a commitment to regulatory compliance and operational
transparency, safeguarding CBC’s integrity and public
An independent editorial board should be at the heart of the
fund could further fuel CBC’s technological and content
advancements, ensuring it remains at the forefront of media
The cornerstone of the partnership’s legitimacy will be its
because an early guilty plea enables the courts to save time
stupid otherwise they would not commit crime, but consider an
accused facing 12 years at Dodds who knows that a guilty
plea would reduce his sentence to eight years he would really
have to be stupid if he did not realise that saving the law
courts a two week trial could earn him freedom four years
In addition, if he says that he is sorry and shows some
Consideration is then given to the delay in bringing the
And to crown it off, there is another reduction for mitigating
When all these deductions are taken into consideration
victim really believe that he has received justice?
ROLLINS HOWARD
By Julian Rogers
public consultation and employee involvement, the partnership
will harness collective insights and foster a sense of shared
The path to forming such a transformative partnership is
fraught with challenges, yet it is imbued with the potential
investors and allies in CBC’s mission, we can ensure that CBC
remains a beacon of unbiased reporting, a hub of innovation,
As we stand on the brink of this new era for CBC, the focus
but on forging partnerships that honour CBC’s legacy while
strategic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to its core
values, CBC can emerge as a survivor of the digital transition
and as a leader, setting new standards for public broadcasting in
Julian Rogers is a veteran Caribbean broadcaster and
journalist.
Ruminate or
regurgitate for
New Barbados?
My sense is that Barbados has reached a tipping point
and now needs to stop and, to use a cricketing expression
which unfortunately now means less to most people, “take
switch off the motor, pull up the hand brake, open the door
and get out safely at a location where we can breathe fresh
There is no one way to proceed, but here is a
In this case, it is designed to improve the wellness of
each person selects a numbered card – to give ten
Wellness; Education or Success; Tourism – More or
Less; Immigration and Bajan Culture; Me One or Me
can also discuss these or other topics followed by action to
By lunchtime, each group should have a report ready as
the groups will be reformed after lunch to look at the same
opportunity to discuss the same topic will some individuals
ruminate or just regurgitate? Will they be open to others or
To resolve or solve our current fractures within our
society, some may simply say, ‘come up higher and
sometimes seek higher ground to pray in the belief that
and transportable but so many just regurgitate without
MICHAEL RUDDER
 This news release for Sagicor Financial Company Ltd. (“Sagicor” or the “Company”) should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Management’s Discussion & Analysis
(“MD&A”) and the Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended December 31, 2023. These documents are available on Sagicor’s website, at www.sagicor.com,

SAGICOR FINANCIAL COMPANY LTD.

REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR
2023 RESULTS AND ANNOUNCES
7% DIVIDEND INCREASE

2023 Highlights

• Net income to shareholders

• Net income to shareholders, excluding the ivari bargain purchase gain and transaction costs
• New business CSM (1) (2)
million for 2023
• Shareholders’ equity
• Shareholders’ equity plus net CSM to shareholders(1)
• Debt to capital ratio(1)
• MCCSR ratio(1)
• Total LICAT ratio(1)
• Increase of 7% in quarterly dividend to US$0.06 per common share

team members for a fabulous year.”

(1)
. This is consistent

(1)

Overall Sagicor Group – Financial Highlights

(1)

(1)
in each
of our segments was robust.

(1)

(1)

(1) (1)
for its insurance businesses of
(1) (1)

(1)

1
Represents a non-IFRS measure. See the Non-IFRS Measures section in this document and in our MD&A for relevant
information about such measures.
2
Excludes contracts acquired on October 3, 2023, as a result of the ivari acquisition.
Consolidated Highlights

Restated Change Restated Change

(1)
Q4 2023 Q4 2022 Y/Y 2023 2022 Y/Y
Net income to shareholders n.m.(2) n.m.(2)
(3)
n.m.(2) n.m.(2) n.m.(2)
New business CSM (3)(4) 34.8 40.1

Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Change Q/Q

Net CSM to shareholders(3)

(3)
1,001.4
Total net CSM (3)
(3)

(3)
42 pts
(3)
n.a. n.a.
Debt to capital ratio(3) (4.4) pts

Outlook and Medium-Term Targets

• Core net income to shareholders(3)

• New business CSM(3)
(3)

(3)

• Targeted dividend payout ratio(3) based on core net income to shareholders(3)

Dividend Increase

be paid on April 30, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 2024. This will be the seventeenth consecutive dividend payment Sagicor paid to its

Business Segment Performance

by the Company), and Sagicor Life (includes southern Caribbean).

Restated Change Restated Change

(1)
Q4 2023 Q4 2022 Y/Y 2023 2022 Y/Y
Revenues(3)
Sagicor Canada
Sagicor Life USA 232.4
200.3
Sagicor Life
0.3 (31.2)
Total
Insurance Revenue
Sagicor Canada
Sagicor Life USA 21.2
83.3
Sagicor Life

Total

Sagicor Canada 122.1 122.1

Sagicor Life USA (23.0) 41.1 (122.8)
28.8
Sagicor Life (13.3)

Total
New Business CSM (3)
Sagicor Canada (4) (4)

Sagicor Life USA 102.4

10.1
Sagicor Life

Total 34.8 40.1

1
Prior period amounts were restated to conform to current period presentation.
2
Not meaningful.
3
Represents a non-IFRS measure. See the Non-IFRS Measures section in this document and in our MD&A for relevant information about such measures.
4
Excludes contracts acquired on October 3, 2023, as a result of the ivari acquisition.
5
Not applicable.
6

adjustments, and other.

Sagicor Financial Company Ltd.

Business Segment - Financial Highlights

Sagicor Canada

• Total net CSM(1)

Sagicor Life USA

• Sagicor Life USA’s new business production(1)

earlier in the year.

• Total net CSM(1) (1)

million.

Sagicor Jamaica
(1)
. The

• Total net CSM(1)

Sagicor Life

• Sagicor Life’s insurance revenue increased as a function of strong growth in the individual life and annuities lines of business and was offset by an increase in total

million.
• Total net CSM(1) (1)

changes in estimates that adjust the CSM.

Normal Course Issuer Bid

This press release, which was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and Audit Committee, should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated

Conference Call

About Sagicor Financial Company Ltd.

Media Investors

1
Represents a non-IFRS measure. See the Non-IFRS Measures section in this document and in our MD&A for relevant information about such measures.

Sagicor Financial Company Ltd.

Forward-Looking Information

Non-IFRS Measures

Please see the discussion below for an explanation or a reconciliation of certain non-IFRS measures.

All components of this measure are IFRS measures.

prescribed, such as Trinidad and Tobago, the MCCSR guidance is not consistent with the most recent Canadian MCCSR guidelines or with current Canadian capital standards

does not prescribe the calculation for the MCCSR, therefore a comparable measure under IFRS is not available.

Revenues: Revenues is the sum of three IFRS measures: insurance revenue, net investment income, and fees and other income.

New business production: This measure is equal to the amount of annuities and life insurance new business paid premium.

Total net CSM: This measure is the balance of the direct contractual service margin net of reinsurance contractual service margin. Net CSM to shareholders: This measure is the
amount of the total net CSM attributable to shareholders.

Net CSM to shareholders: This measure is the amount of the total net CSM attributable to shareholders.

In addition, as discussed above, in future quarters, Sagicor is expected to report core net income to shareholders. Core net income to shareholders is intended to remove

actions, certain acquisition or disposition related amounts and others such as one-time costs, amortization of intangibles, and tax effects of the aforementioned items.

Sagicor Financial Company Ltd.

 Stay tuned to Capital Media HD everyday
@bar
& follow @barbadostoday for information on how to enter!
Visit www.kellmart.com. You will be entered for a chance to win when
you buy Canaillou Dog Chow or IEnjoy bed sheets with FREE DELIVERY!

For a chance to win, purchase any flight from Going Places Travel
during the promotion period to qualify.

- Make any purchase at Diamonds International.

- Each purchase, at either the Lower Broad Street store in Bridgetown,
St. Michael or Limegrove Lifestyle Centre in Holetown, St. James,
qualifies as an entry.
- Layaway Inclusion: Layaway purchases are also eligible for contest
entry. Visit in-store for more details on how layaway purchases
contribute to your entries.
- Spend $150 Barbados Dollars in Tours at Chukka Caribbean’s
Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park to be eligible to enter.
- Purchase of the tour must be made on one receipt and valid from
March 18th until May 4th, 2024.
- Send your proof of purchase with your booking number and receipt to
Barbados Today’s WhatsApp at 234-1258.
- Purchase any 6 pack of Coca-Cola Original Taste or 6 pack of
Coca-Cola No Sugar. OR two Coca-Cola 2L Pet Bottles.
- Take a picture of your proof of purchase and send via
WhatsApp to Barbados Today at 234-1258.
Spend $35 or more at any of the 6 Chicken Barn locations: Bay St,
Coverley, Walmer Lodge (Black Rock), Warrens, Wildey, Worthing, take a
photo of your receipt and submit it the Barbados Today’s WhatsApp
at 234-1258!
Thursday, April 4, 2024 Page 19

SPORTS
BOUNCE
BACK

A smiling head coach Roddy Estwick (right) and captain

of the Barbados Under-15 team Damarko Wiggins pose
with his awards. (Photo by Jeffrey Bishop)

BARBADOS’ UNDER-15 CRICKET TEAM REBOUNDS TO LIFT REGIONAL TITLE

By Randy Bennett The 14-member team arrived home Skipper and opening batsman Damarko honest. In Barbados we have higher levels,
on Thursday night, and was greeted at Wiggins nished the tournament with the most so I felt that we just had to stick to the plans,
the Grantley Adams International Airport runs, while his opening partner Jahidi Hinds stick to the basics, be con dent and play
Barbados’ recent capture of the CWI
(GAIA) with much fanfare by family, friends was the third highest run scorer. hard.”
Rising Stars Regional Under-15 Championship
and of cials from the Barbados Cricket Estwick said the two batsmen played a Wiggins also credited the decision by
has come as no surprise to head coach Roddy
Association, including chairman of selectors major role in the team’s success. Estwick to move him from his customary
Estwick.
Elvis Howard and manager of marketing and “I don’t like to single out performances batting position at number 4 to open the
Describing it as “the best balanced team”
communication, Steven Leslie. but they played well. We got off to a 200-run innings, as the reason behind his success with
he had ever coached, Estwick said he fully
Speaking to Barbados TODAY moments partnership, we also got a 100-run partnership the bat.
expected the team to redeem itself following
after exiting the Arrival Hall, Estwick said the and a 50-run partnership, so we were always “That felt fantastic to be honest. Batting
last year’s nightmare tournament where they
team was laden with talent. going to be in a strong position,” he admitted. at number four wasn’t bad but I feel more
nished bottom of the table.
“I expected Barbados to win. I thought “Plus in the power play, which is very, comfortable opening the batting so it was a
This time around, Barbados nished
it was the best balanced team I have ever very important, we were always 60, 65 good choice,” he added.
unbeaten in the tournament held in Antigua
coached. I’ve been coaching for a number of without loss so that put the opposition under a Howard told Barbados TODAY he was
and Barbuda, comprehensively winning four
years and the talent is unbelievable. lot of pressure.” happy that the boys were able to bounce back
of their ve matches after their opening round
“We had so many options. We had Wiggins, a student of the Lodge School, and win the competition.
match against Guyana was rained out.
three leg-spinners and two were batting all- said he was always con dent Barbados would “I’m happy for the guys. Obviously they
Barbados topped the table with 22 points,
rounders, you had an opening batsman who do well in the tournament. would have worked hard from the inception
with Guyana second on 20.8 points and
was also an opening bowler, so you had a lot “It feels great man. All the preparation we when we started back in January and it’s
Trinidad and Tobago third with 13.6 points.
of balance and the captain Wiggins played had going forward, I told myself we just had good to see that their hard work has paid
It was Barbados’ second title in three years
out of his skin so I was always con dent that to execute the plans and we would win,” he dividends,” the chairman of selectors said.
after also playing unbeaten in 2022 to win the
once they didn’t become complacent we were said. randybennett@barbadostoday.bb
tournament.
always going to win,” Estwick said. “I don’t think we had any challenges to be
Thursday, April 4, 2024 Page 20

Ellerslie
students host
successful
Action was
keen in the
Trident Charity
Hockey-Rama.

hockey-rama

Winners of the Trident Charity Hockey-Rama Queen’s College pose with

organisers Raheem Catwell (left) and Tyrique Sandiford (right). (Photos
by Corey Greaves)

(CG)

Barbados’ Under- team has won their rst two matches in the ean Pierre Caribbean outh Netball
Championships. (Photo courtesy BNA)
(RB)
Thursday, April 4, 2024 Page 21

UWI Blackbird’s
Shonica Wharton
(right) was in
dominant form Wharton
leads
against Police.
(Photo courtesy BNA)

past Police

(RB)

title at Gulfstream Fierceness

Catalytic

Fierceness

Saf e oseph r was crowned champion at

Gulfstream for a third successive year. (FP)
(CMC)
 Thursday, April 4, 2024 Page 22

Kaizer
Chiefs
football star
Luke Fleurs
was killed
in a car
hijacking.
(AP)

Caitlin Clark has been

named AP Player of the
Year. (AP)

African
footballer
killed in
robbery
South African footballer Luke Fleurs has been shot dead in
a car hijacking, police say.
The shooting took place at a petrol station on Wednesday
night in the Johannesburg suburb of Florida.
The 24-year-old Kaizer Chiefs star was waiting to be

Clark wins successive AP

attended to when he was approached by unknown gunmen,
who ordered him to get out of the vehicle.

Fleurs’ car after the shooting.

out of his vehicle, then shot him once on the upper body,”

Player of the Year award

Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela
Masondo told local media.
Kaizer Chiefs, one of the most popular clubs in the country
and 12-time league champions, described his death as “tragic”.
The club said police were handling the matter and further
details would be communicated in due course.
Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa said he was “saddened that yet
another life has been cut short due to violent crime”.
Defender Fleurs joined Kaizer Chiefs last year, having
previously played for SuperSport United.
The former Under-23 international represented South Africa
at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
He had not yet played for the senior national team but was
reported to be nearing his debut.
On their website, Kaizer Chiefs describe Fleurs as a “classy
defender” with “great technical abilities”.
He began his career in 2013 in the Ubuntu Cape Town
Academy, according to local media.
The Premier Soccer League said a moment of silence
weekend in memory of Fleurs.
“We woke up to the heart-breaking and devastating news
of the passing of this young life,” South African Football
Association president Danny Jordaan said in a statement.
“This is such a huge loss for his family, friends, his
teammates and football in general.”
South Africa is grappling with increasing gun violence, with
several mass shootings reported in recent years. The country
has one of the world’s highest murder rates, according to police
data. (BBC)
Caitlin Clark is capping her illustrious college career with
another record-breaking season and another set of prestigious
awards.
The star guard from Iowa was honored Thursday as The
Associated Press Player of the Year in women’s basketball for
the second consecutive year.
Clark received 35 votes from the 36-member national
media panel that votes on the AP Top 25 each week.
Stanford’s Cameron Brink received the other vote, which was
completed before the NCAA tournament began.
The 22-year-old Clark is the sixth player to win the award
The NCAA Division I career scoring leader set numerous
records while helping Iowa reach the Final Four for a second
consecutive season.
in Cleveland.
Clark’s play with her logo-depth 3-pointers and dazzling
passes has captured the hearts of fans who showed up by the
thousands wearing her No. 22 jersey whether Iowa was at
home or on the road all season.
“I think that’s the best part about what I get to do. I grew
up having those role models and aspiring to be where I am
today,” Clark said. “It’s super special to see your impact not
only in the state of Iowa but across the country. ... To be able
to have that impact on the next generation is really special,
and you just hope to dream and aspire to be like you one day
and chase after all their dreams.”
Opposing coaches have called her a generational talent and
tournament.
Her games have become appointment viewing for millions
- the Elite Eight rematch with LSU earlier this week was seen
by more than 12 million, a record for any women’s college
higher as it enjoys a surge in popularity.
Clark is the presumptive No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft
later this month, a slot held by the Indiana Fever.
Her college career will be come to an end this
weekend and it has been quite a ride for the West Des Moines
native.
(ESPN)
 Thursday, April 4, 2024
Jalen Johnson became the
register a triple-double in two
years. (AP)
the Atlanta Hawks clinched a spot in the play-in tournament with
a 121-113 win over the visiting Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
Johnson scored a career-high-tying 28 points on 10-for-14
shooting while grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out a career-
high 11 assists. Dejounte Murray was the last Hawk to record a
triple-double back on November 5, 2022.
The Pistons stayed close because of a 50-point performance
3-pointers, and set a franchise record for most points scored by a
reserve.
The Hawks, winners of six of their past seven games, moved
into a tie with the idle Chicago Bulls for ninth place in the
Rafael Nadal is set to miss the Monte Carlo Masters. (AP)
Page 23
Hawks book spot in
play-in tournament
Eastern Conference.
The victory gave Atlanta a three-game sweep of the season
series with the Pistons and extended its winning streak versus
Detroit to seven games.
blocked shots to help Boston clinch the No. 1 overall seed and
secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, beating
Oklahoma City 135-100 at home.
17 points in each of his past 13 games. Jayson Tatum added 24
points and Jaylen Brown added 23 for Boston.
Oklahoma City played without their top two scorers in Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander (quad contusion) and Jalen Williams (ankle
sprain. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging a team-high 30.3 points
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis had 35 points to go along with
120 win at Washington.
Reserves only accounted for 12 of Los Angeles’ points, with
LeBron James supplying 25 points and Rui Hachimura posting
The starters’ contributions gave Los Angeles its eighth win in
the past nine games while comfortably keeping the Lakers in a
(Reuters)
No Nadal for Monte
Carlo Masters
Rafael Nadal withdrew from the upcoming Monte Carlo
Masters on Thursday, saying his body is not yet ready for
competition.
Nadal, who has said he expects to retire after the 2024
season, returned to competition in Brisbane in January after
played an ATP event since.
Nadal said in a statement on social media. “Unfortunately I
have to tell you that I am not going to be playing in Monte
Carlo. My body simply won’t allow me.
“And even if I am working hard and making the maximum
effort every day with all the will to play and compete again at
tournaments that have been very important for me, the truth is
that I can’t play today.
“You have no idea how hard this is for me to not be able to
play these events.”
The Monte Carlo Masters begins on Sunday.
Nadal, 37, has won the event a record 11 times, with his last
victory coming in 2018. The 22-time Grand Slam winner also
withdrew from last month’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
(ESPN)
 Thursday, April 4, 2024 Page 24

GUYANA
CUBA

ON NOTICE Government guarantees food rations

GOVT SAYS VENEZUELA’S ATTEMPT TO ANNEX Cuban President Miguel Dia Canel said on
Thursday his communist run government has secured
ESSEQUIBO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED a supply of key subsidised food rations as he moved
to defuse tensions just two weeks after protesters
took to the streets over widespread shortages.
REGIONAL NEWS
the years as an economic crisis has led to shortages
and high prices. The shortages, combined with
oppressive 10 0 hour long blackouts across the
country, prompted several hundred protesters to take
to the streets on March 17 in and around Santiago

Guyana President Irfaan Ali and Venezuela President Nicholas
Maduro. (News Source Guyana)
overnment has put ene uela, the Caribbean and Latin American region, and
the
th international community on notice that it will not allow the annexation, sei ure or
oc
occupation of any part of its sovereign territory.
The warning from uyana comes in the wake of the ene uelan President
N
Nicholas Maduro signing legislation to annex the disputed region which makes
up two thirds of uyana’s territory. The new law claims uyana’s Esse uibo as
a ene uelan state and has declared that residents of Esse uibo will be able to
pa
participate in the next ene uelan elections. The ene uelan law also prohibits the
is
issuance of maps of ene uela that do not include the Esse uibo region.
In a statement, the uyana government said the attempt by ene uela to annex
uyana’s sovereign territory and make it part of ene uela is an egregious violation of the
most fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the
Charter of the Organisation of American States and customary international law.
The government said the move by ene uela also contradicts the letter and spirit of the
Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between uyana and ene uela agreed
to during the December 14, 0 meeting between the presidents of the two countries in St
incent and the renadines. The government has described the latest move by ene uela
as “unlawful”, adding that it calls into uestion ene uela’s obligation to abide by the
principles of the Argyle Declaration.
The uyana government reminded that the International Court of Justice has ruled that it
has jurisdiction to make a decision on the case brought by uyana regarding the validity of the
1 Arbitral Award which de nitively settled the land boundary between the two countries.
(News Source Guyana)
Dia Canel, who appeared on a midday T
newscast, said his government had undertaken an
“enormous effort” to ensure the supply of food for
the island’s population of 11 million.
“April and May are going to be months with
better prospects,” he said. “The Cuban government
will continue to be committed to guaranteeing the
people their levels of essential foods.”
Cuba has since Fidel Castro’s 1 revolution,
provided its citi ens with a monthly ration of basics
such as rice, beans, sugar, cooking oil and coffee,
though those deliveries have been scaled back over
BAHAMAS
Government tables stiff
penalties to arrest gang
activity
A person convicted of involvement in gang activity
would be liable to a ne and a year prison
term, under the Anti-Gang Bill, tabled in the House of
Assembly on Wednesday.
A gang leader or member who commits one or more
of the offences listed in the ill as gang activity
would be subject to the speci ed penalty.
These activities include recruiting someone to join
a gang, committing an offence for the nancial bene t
of a gang, instructing a gang member to commit a
serious offence, threatening someone with retaliation
in response to violence against a gang member/leader,
or endangering someone’s life or causing damage to
property on behalf of a gang.
The ill was a ful lment of a promise of tougher
action on crime made by Prime Minister Philip Brave
Davis earlier in the year amid a spate of murders.
nder the ill, someone who performs an act as
de Cuba, long considered a bastion of government
support, as well as in nearby ayamo and Matan as.
The government moved uickly in recent days
to defuse tensions, ramping up electricity generation
almost immediately, largely eliminating the
blackouts that have plagued much of the island for
months.
Protests have since subsided. Oscar P re , vice
minister of foreign trade, said on Thursday’s state
run newscast that basic food items would also be
guaranteed until June.
(Reuters)
part of a condition for a gang membership or who
professes to be a gang member in order to promote a
gang or intimidate someone to join a gang would face
up to seven years in prison. If someone dies as a result
of gang activity, the person responsible for the killing
would face life in prison.
The ill also carries a prison term for people who
harbour gang leaders or members, including parents
of children engaged in the activity. This would carry a
prison term of up to years.
A person who commits retaliation against someone,
their relatives, friends, associates or property would face
a prison term of up to years. The ill also includes
stiff penalties for knowingly counselling, giving
instructions to, nancing or supporting a gang member
in furtherance of the gang’s participation or involvement
in gang related activity. A conviction on this offence
would bring a prison term of up to years.
The ill also carries a penalty of up to years for
people who knowingly conceal the identity of a gang
leader or gang member or the occurrence of a gang
related activity. Someone convicted of recruiting a gang
member would face up to years in prison. If the
person recruited is a child, that sentence would increase
to up to years.
(Nassau Guardian)

ISRAEL SOUTH AFRICA

SAFE PASSAGE Ex-House Speaker charged with fraud

GOVERNMENT AGREES TO OPEN AID CORRIDORS South Africa’s e Speaker of Parliament
osiviwe Mapisa akula has been charged with
amaphosa said on Thursday that Ms Mapisa
N akula should be commended for making the
counts of corruption and one count of money decision to resign.
WORLD NEWS

laundering. “We should recognise that her level of

She made her rst court appearance after
handing herself over to a police station on
Thursday morning. The politician is accused of
soliciting bribes in return for awarding contracts
during her time as defence minister.
She denied any wrongdoing in court and said:
“I do not have a propensity to commit crime.”
ut prosecutor heki Manyathi told Pretoria
Magistrates’ Court there was “ample evidence”
against Ms Mapisa N akula. She has been
released on bail. After weeks of investigations, Ms
Mapisa N akula resigned on Wednesday but said
this wasn’t an “indication or admission of guilt”.
P
Palestinians stand next to a vehicle in Deir Al-Balah, in the central She said given the “seriousness” of the probe
G
Gaza Strip, April 2, 2024, where employees from the World Central she could not continue her role. President Cyril
Kitchen were killed in an Israeli airstrike. (YASSER QUDIHE/
UGANDA
MIDDLE EAST IMAGES/AFP/GETTY/File photo)
The Israeli government approved the opening of three aid corridors that were
Activists seek international help to reverse controversial law
speci cally re uested by President iden in a Thursday call with Israeli Prime Minister Ugandan gay rights activists asked the
enjamin Netanyahu, CBS News has learned. international community to mount more pressure on
iden told Netanyahu that the Israeli strike that killed seven aid workers in a a was the government of Uganda to repeal an anti gay law
“unacceptable” and warned that US policy toward the con ict going forward will depend on that the country’s Constitutional Court refused to
Israel’s actions to relieve the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the White House said. nullify on Wednesday.
The Ere Crossing in northern a a, which has not been open since the start of the con ict, is Activist Frank Mugisha said Tuesday’s ruling
was “wrong and deplorable”.
slated to be opened. The Port of Ashdod will be opened for humanitarian deliveries, and aid trucks
“This ruling should result in further restrictions
from Jordan will be allowed to traverse Israel into a a via the erem Shalom border crossing,
to donor funding for Uganda — no donor should
CBS News has learned. be funding anti L T hate and human rights
The two leaders spoke for the rst time since Monday’s deadly strike that killed workers from violations,” said Mugisha.
the World Central itchen, a charity that has worked to deliver food aid in a a. One American The court upheld a law that allows the death
was among the dead. iden told Netanyahu that “the strikes on humanitarian workers and the penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” and up
overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” the White House said in a summary of the to 14 years in prison for a suspect convicted of
conversation. “attempted aggravated homosexuality.” The offence
National Security Council spokesman John irby wouldn’t get into details about what any US of “attempted homosexuality” is punishable by up
policy change might be. “If there’s no changes to their policy and their approaches, then there’s to 10 years.
going to have to be changes to ours,” irby said at the White House, noting the call lasted about 0 President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-
minutes. Homosexuality Act into law in May last year. It’s
(CBS News) supported by many in the East African country but
integrity for our democracy has made her do this,”
he said.
Last month, a special police unit raided her
Johannesburg home in connection with the
corruption investigation. The year old veteran
of the African National Congress (ANC) party
became speaker in 0 1. efore that, she served
as defence minister for seven years.
Last week, Mapisa N akula’s lawyers led
a re uest for a court order to prevent her arrest,
saying it would infringe on her dignity. On
Tuesday, judges rejected her bid on the basis
that the matter was not urgent and they could not
speculate on an arrest that was yet to happen.
(BBC)
widely condemned by rights groups and others abroad.
The court ordered that members of the L T
community should not be discriminated against
when seeking medicine, but US Secretary of
State Antony linken on Tuesday dismissed that
concession as a “small and insuf cient step towards
safeguarding human rights.” White House national
security adviser Jake Sullivan said Thursday the
court’s decision “is deeply disappointing, imperils
human rights, and jeopardises economic prosperity
for all Ugandans”.
A Ugandan human rights advocate who was a
petitioner in the case, Nicholas Opiyo, expressed his
disappointment: “While we respect the court, we
vehemently disagree with its ndings and the basis
on which it was reached. We approached the court
expecting it to apply the law in defence of human
rights and not rely on public sentiments and vague
cultural values arguments.”
(Associated Press)

h Eulene Corbin N
yneedtpeacefully into rest at aege Ifill
Gew
nte
r e 76
of Brooklyn,
New York and
Shop Hill, St. Thomas
Retired Home Health Aid.
Husband of Keith Corbin USA.
Daughter of the late Elsie Ifill.
Mother of Phillip and Rondell
Ifill, Alicia Waithe and Ayana Ifill
(USA).
Grandmother of Jaleel Ifill,
Jannea William-Lowe (USA),
Jaliah Tyson, Brittany Lucas,
Kellisha Jones, Brianna Ifill,
Javonte Waithe, Jhierry Tyson,
Jazari Clement, Azaria Clement
and Aria Ifill.
Great-Grandmother of Amari
Lowe(USA).
Sister of Althea Jones, Jack Ifill,
Everton and Sylvia Ifill(both of the
USA), Myrna Springer (USA),
Vanita Payne Phyllis Maynard
(UK) and the Late Lucille Ifill.
Niece of Hilda Straker, Grethel
Arthur and Vashti Headley.
Aunt of Ian,Sonia, Beth,
Patrick,Petra, Peggy,
Pierre,Ryan,Victor,Carlos,
Allison, Paulette,Alieen, Avonda,
Jeanna,Cindy,Taylia,Kimberley,
Shiaka,Derwin,Charles and many
others.
Great Aunt of many.
Cousin of many.
Sister-in-law of Nora Ifill,
Jennifer Ifill and Clyde Springer
(both of the USA).
Mother-in-law of Sheanan Waithe.
Grandmother-in-law of Asad
Lowe (USA).
Relative of the Husbands, Straker,
Arthur, Parris, Lynch and Boyce
families.
Friends of Sheila Parris, Coral
Kirton,Sandra & Elvis Taylor,
Marlene Lynch,Celeste, Jean,
Samuel Davis & family, Marcia &
Courtney, Vita Maynard & family,
Maria, Joan, Rudy and many
others too numerous to mention in
Barbados, USA, UK and Canada.
Stepmother of Lois Corbin,
Sandra Braithwaite, Cheryl
Kellman and four others.
The funeral of the late Gwyneth
Eulene Corbin Nee Ifill leaves
Earl’s Funeral Home, Half Moon
Fort, St. Lucy, on Friday, April
5th, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. for St.
Thomas Parish Church, Arch
Hall, St. Thomas where relatives
and friends are asked to meet for
the Service of Thanksgiving and
the interment at 2:00 p.m.
The organist and choir are kindly
asked to attend.
Live streaming of the funeral can
be viewed via https://watch.earls-
funeralhome.com/GwynethCorbin
Floral tributes may be sent to
Earl’s Funeral Home no later than
11:30 p.m on Friday.
Funeral arrangements entrusted
to IRG Funerals Incorporated.
Condolences can be made online
at www.earlsfuneralhome.com or
visit us on Facebook.

rtin BecklesCrich
el M a lo
Nig ed peacefully into rest at age w
r 67
nte
also known as “Doc”
of Fitts Village,
St. James.
Tutor, Teacher and Instructor to many.
Son of the late Ms. Beckles and
Mr. Husbands.
Father of Katrina Thomas.
Brother of Patricia
Beckles-Lynch, Jewel, Ezra,
Torrence and Estrom
Beckles, Vincentya Thornhill, Dilese
Abraham and the late
Laetitia Beckles.
Nephew of the late Arthur,
MacClinton and Kennedy
Beckles.
Uncle of Yoki, Omar, Shawn,
KathyAnn, Fennel, Shakera, Kofi
and Rachad Beckles, Jasonya
Thompson, Yomi Moseley,
William Thornhill and others.
Great Uncle of Madison Beckles,
Xaria and Zachary Holder, Toria and
Torain Alleyne, Kayleigh Pitt and
others.
Father-in-law of Troy Thomas.
Brother-in-law of Octavia
Beckles, Eric Abraham, Fern Beck-
les, Wilfred Thornhill and the late
Martin Lynch.
Relative of the Beckles,
Husbands, Archer and Boyce
families.
Friend of Kevin ‘KB Kleen’ Hinds,
Sophia Mounter and many others.
The funeral of the late Nigel
Martin Beckles leaves Earl’s
Funeral Home, Half Moon Fort, St.
Lucy on Friday April 5th, 2024 at
8:00 a.m. for The Chapel of
Lyndhurst Funeral Home,
Passage Road, St. Michael where
relatives and friends are asked to
meet for the Service of
Thanksgiving 10:00 a.m.
Funeral arrangements entrusted
to IRG Funerals Incorporated.
Condolences can be made online
at www.earlsfuneralhome.com or
visit us on Facebook.
neth Gladstone Tur
Ken peacefully into rest a ton
t age
ered 85
ent
of Mt. Brevitor,
St. Peter
He worked in his early years at Warleigh
Plantation and later followed his passion
for mechanics, while taking some time
Member of Speightstown Methodist Men’s
Fellowship.
12th of 13 children.
Husband of the late Utaline
Turton.
Father of Sherryann Turton.
Step Father of Garfield Stanford
(London, England).
Uncle of Janis Turton, Doriel
Lewis-Holder and Marlene Rock to
name a few.
Great Uncle of Kim Lewis and
Corey Greenidge.
Uncle-in-law of Hugh Greenidge,
Roderick “Rudy” Edwards and
many more.
Close friend of Selwin “Shun”
Bryan and Alex McClean.
A Memorial for the late Kenneth
Gladstone Turton takes place
on Tuesday April 9th, 2024 at
Speightstown Methodist Church,
Chapel Street,
Speightstown, St. Peter at 3:30
p.m.
The organist and choir are kindly
asked to attend.
Live streaming of the memorial can
be viewed via https://watch.earls-
funeralhome.com/KennethTurton
In honor of Kenneth Turton,
you are asked to make a
donation to the Barbados
Diabetes Foundation.
Memorial arrangements
entrusted to IRG Funerals Incor-
porated.
Condolences can be made online
at www.earlsfuneralhome.com or
visit us on Facebook.

02 Stephen Ricardo G
nt 12
age iffith
rgetered peace
fully into rest at
a
S en
also known as
“Ricky”
of Upper Carlton,
St. James
Sunrise: November 09, 1968
Sunset: March 06, 2024
Son of Jennifer Griffith and the
late Lyman Alleyne.
Father of Stefan Thorne and
Keranie Inniss.
Grandfather of Jaxson Thorne.
Brother of Wayne Griffith (SJPI
and BCGR), Darwin Griffith
(Butler/Altman Realtors) and
Karen Echasseriau.
Uncle of Shane Hunte, Shaquilla,
Donavan and Dominique Griffith,
Jules Echasseriau and Nia and
Ayeisha Walron.
Cousin of Leroy “Ronnie”
Griffith and Rupert “Juniour”
Alleyne (USA), Jeffrey Griffith,
Lucy Wilson, Richard and Marie
Alleyne, Patricia Mash, Violet
Griffith (UK), Charles and Vincent
Burnett, Hazel Jordan, Valerie
Rolle (Canada), Jerome and Mi-
chael Andrews (Antigua) and many
more.
Brother-in-law of Rachel Griffith.
Relative of the Griffith, Alleyne,
Wilson, Archer and Hinds families.
Friend of Martin, Wendell and Pat-
rick Brathwaite, David
Robinson (USA), the Carlton
Community, Members of Barbados
Police Service, Nursing staff of the
Psychiatric Hospital, Len Broome,
Erica Maynard and Kevin Hinkson
and many others.
The funeral of the late Stephen
Griffith leaves Earl’s Funeral
Home, Half Moon Fort, St. Lucy on
Tuesday April 9th, 2024 at 11:30
a.m. for St. James Parish Church,
r
Church Point, St. James where
55
relatives and friends are asked to
meet for the Service of
Thanksgiving at 1:30 p.m.
The funeral will then proceed to St.
James Cemetery for the interment.
Full military honours will be
accorded. Tributes will commence
at 12:45 p.m.
The organist and choir is kindly
asked to attend.
Live streaming of the funeral can
be viewed via https://watch.earls-
funeralhome.com/StephenGriffith
Relatives and friends can visit
the chapel of Lyndhurst Funeral
Home, Passage Road, St. Michael
to reflect on the memories of
Stephen Griffith from 4:00 p.m. to
6:00 p.m. on Monday.
Floral tributes may be sent to Earl’s
Funeral Home no later than 1:00
p.m. on Tuesday.
Funeral arrangements entrusted
to IRG Funerals Incorporated.
Condolences can be made online
at www.earlsfuneralhome.com or
visit us on Facebook.
 THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024

PANAMA CONNECTION
Prime Minister Mia Mottley today had a bilateral meeting
with Panama’s President Laurentino Cortizo, in which
they explored solutions to the issues confronting both
nations, such as the climate crisis and migration. In posts
on their social media pages, both leaders spoke about
their countries’ historic partnership. Here, Prime Minister
Mottley engages in conversation with President Cortizo in
this still from a video posted on his Instagram page.

'HIGH SEASON'
WEATHER EXPERTS: MORE HURRICANES COMING, MET OFFICE TO PRESENT BIGGER PICTURE
Director of the Barbados
Meteorological Services Sabu
Best. (FP)
by Emmanuel Joseph
It will be an “extremely” active Atlantic
basin hurricane season which starts on
June 1, US weather researchers have
predicted. But Director of the Barbados
Meteorological Services, Sabu Best, has
vowed to bring the country up to date not
only on how the cyclones are likely to
impact householders and businesses here
but also on extreme heat.
In its first forecast for the 2024 season
released on Thursday, Colorado State
University (CSU) anticipates 11 hurricanes,
five of which are expected to be major,
reaching category 3-5 strength with
sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or
greater.
This is the highest prediction for hurricanes
that CSU has ever issued in their April
outlook. The previous highest April forecast
was for nine hurricanes, which has been called
for several times since the university began
issuing April forecasts in 1995.
Pointing out that the CSU forecast is for
the entire Atlantic region, Best told Barbados
TODAY that his focus will be on Barbados
and its closest Eastern Caribbean neighbours
when he presents a comprehensive forecast
later this month.
The US experts said there will be 23 named
storms in compared to an average of 14.4 in
a 29-year period from 1991 in a well above-
average Atlantic hurricane season.
The team cites record warm tropical
and eastern subtropical Atlantic sea surface
temperatures as a primary factor for their
prediction of 11 hurricanes this year.
“When waters in the eastern and central
tropical and subtropical Atlantic are much
warmer than normal in the spring, it tends to
force a weaker subtropical high and associated
weaker winds blowing across the tropical
Atlantic,” the CSU forecasters said.
These conditions will likely lead to a
continuation of well above-average water
temperatures in the tropical Atlantic for the
peak of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.”
“A very warm Atlantic favours an above-
average season, since a hurricane’s fuel source
is warm ocean water. In addition, a warm
Atlantic leads to lower atmospheric pressure
and a more unstable atmosphere. Both
conditions favour hurricanes,” they advised.
The tropical Paci c which is now
experiencing the cyclical El Niño phenomenon
is likely to transition to La Niña conditions by
the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season from
August to October.
La Niña tends to decrease upper-level
westerly winds across the Caribbean into the
tropical Atlantic.
These decreased upper-level winds
result in reduced vertical wind shear,
favouring Atlantic hurricane formation
and intensification. Given the combined
hurricane-favourable signals of an
extremely warm Atlantic and a likely
developing La Niña, the forecast team has
higher-than-normal confidence for an April
outlook that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane
season will be very active.
The CSU team stressed that the April
outlook historically employs the lowest level
of skill of its seasonal hurricane forecasts,
given the considerable changes that can occur
in the atmosphere-ocean between April and
the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season from
August to October.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb