Companies selling snacks and fast food have been accused of “Covid-washing” by pushing their products on the back of New Zealand’s national lockdown.Companies singled out in the University of Auckland study have defended their marketing,…
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Herald morning quiz: March 9
Test your brains with the Herald’s morning quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz at 3pm for the afternoon quiz. To challenge yourself with more quizzes, CLICK HERE.
Social media personal jingle contest to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and Senior Minister of Health in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) has launched a social media jingle contest to encourage people on Nevis to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Premier posted the jingle challenge on his Facebook page on March 7. Hon. Brantley said he was inspired to come up with a fun and creative way to spread the positive word about being vaccinated against the virus.
“As we fight COVID-19 together we have to ensure that our people get vaccinated,” said Brantley. “I am inviting people to post their jingles to my page encouraging them to get the COVID-19 vaccine.”
The rules of the contest are: competitors must reside on Nevis; jingles must be in English; and competitors must post their jingle and a photo of their vaccination card showing they have taken the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Those under 18-years-old must post their jingle and a photo of at least one of their parents or guardians’ vaccination card showing they have taken the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The jingles can be any genre of music; no profanity is allowed.
The winner will be determined by the most real ‘likes’ generated.
The Premier is offering a cash prize of EC $2,000 for the winner, EC $1,250 for second place, EC $750 for third place and EC $50 for those who enter but do not place.
Brantley said the contest will run until March 31, and the winner will be announced on April 2.
“Post your jingle to my page and get all your friends and everyone else to ‘like’ and win some money,” said Brantley. “Please note that no public funds are being expended for this contest.”
The NIA rolled out its COVID-19 vaccination program on the island on February 24, beginning with Premier Brantley and other Cabinet members, in addition to senior health officials.
As of March 5, 927 persons on Nevis had taken their first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
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Royals face fallout from interview
Britain's royal family is grappling with a crisis that has rocked the institution after the sensational television interview by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in which the couple said they encountered racist attitudes and a lack of support that drove the duchess to thoughts of suicide.
In a new clip — aired this morning by CBS in the US — Prince Harry emphasises that racism was "a large part" of the reason he and Meghan left Britain.
Oprah Winfrey has also revealed it was not the Queen or Prince Philip who raised "concerns" about how dark the Sussexes' unborn child's skin would be after the bombshell allegation was made by Meghan during the interview.
READ MORE: The biggest revelations from Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview
In the two-hour soul-baring sit-down with the former talkshow host, the couple painted a deeply unflattering picture of life inside the royal household, depicting a cold, uncaring institution that they had to flee to save their lives.
Meghan told Winfrey that at one point "I just didn't want to be alive anymore" and had uncontrollable suicidal thoughts. She said she sought help through the palace's human resources department, but was told there was nothing they could do.
Meghan, 39, said that she was naive at the start of her relationship with Harry and unprepared for the strictures of royal life.
The former television star, who identifies as biracial, described that when she was pregnant with son Archie, there were "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born".
Harry confirmed the conversation, saying: "I was a bit shocked." He said he would not reveal who made the comment, though Winfrey said he told her it was not either of his grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II or her husband, Prince Philip.
READ MORE: Meghan reveals chats about 'how dark Archie's skin would be'
https://twitter.com/CBSThisMorning/status/1368904417135767558
Harry and Meghan, known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced they were quitting royal duties last year, citing what they said were the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media. That split became official earlier this year, and the interview was widely seen as their first opportunity to explain their decision.
In a clip released Monday that was not broadcast the night before, Harry reiterated that racism was "a large part" of the reason the couple left Britain — and he blamed the "toxic" British tabloid press.
"The UK is not bigoted," he said. "The UK press is bigoted, specifically the tabloids."
Deman for Palace to investigate
The implications for the interview — which was broadcast Sunday night in the United States and will air in Britain on Monday night — are only beginning to be understood. Emily Nash, royal editor at Hello! Magazine, said the revelations had left her and many other viewers "shell-shocked."
"I don't see how the palace can ignore these allegations, they're incredibly serious," she said. "You have the racism allegations. Then you also have the claim that Megan was not supported, and she sought help even from the HR team within the household and was told that she couldn't seek help."
Anti-monarchy group Republic said the interview gave a clearer picture of what the royal family is like — and it's not pretty.
"Whether for the sake of Britain or for the sake of the younger royals this rotten institution needs to go,'' Graham Smith of the campaign group said. "Some people will say 'well you would say that,' but this interview has only served to highlight what a lot of people have known for years: The monarchy is rotten to the core and does not reflect British values."
Harry, born a royal prince, described how his wife's experience had helped him realise how he and he rest of the family were stuck in an oppressive institution.
"I was trapped, but I didn't know I was trapped," Harry said. "My father and my brother, they are trapped."
Meghan, he said, "saved me."
READ MORE: Former Buckingham Palace staffer reacts to racism claims
The younger royals — including Harry, Meghan, Harry's brother, Prince William, and William's wife, Catherine — have made campaigning for support and awareness around mental health one of their priorities. But Harry described a royal family completely unable to offer that support to its own members.
"For the family, they very much have this mentality of 'This is just how it is, this is how it's meant to be, you can't change it, we've all been through it,'" Harry said.
The couple had faced severe criticism in the United Kingdom during the run-up to the interview. Prince Philip, Harry's 99-year-old grandfather, is in a London hospital after recovering from a heart procedure, and critics saw the decision to go forward as being a burden on the queen — even though, CBS, rather that Harry and Meghan, dictated the timing of the broadcast.
In the United States, sympathy for the couple poured in after the interview. It will be shown later Monday in Britain, where some see Meghan and Harry as a couple who put personal happiness ahead of public duty.
READ MORE: Harry says family 'literally cut me off financially'
Tennis star Serena Williams, a friend who attended Harry and Meghan's wedding, said on Twitter that the duchess's words "illustrate the pain and cruelty she's experienced."
"The mental health consequences of systemic oppression and victimisation are devastating, isolating and all too often lethal," Williams added.
Meghan — then known as Meghan Markle, who had starred on the American TV legal drama "Suits" — married Harry, a grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle in May 2018. Their son, Archie, was born the following year.
Holding hands, Harry and Meghan sat opposite Winfrey while she questioned them in a lush garden setting. The couple lives in Montecito, California, where they are Winfrey's neighbours.
Harry said he had lived in fear of a repeat of the fate of his mother, Princess Diana, who was covered constantly by the press and died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi.
"What I was seeing was history repeating itself, but definitely far more dangerous — because then you add race in, and you add social media in," Harry said.
Both Meghan and Harry praised the support they had received from Queen Elizabeth II, Harry's grandmother.
"The Queen has always been wonderful to me," Meghan said.
But Harry revealed he currently has a poor relationship with his brother, William, and said things got so bad with his father that at one point Prince Charles stopped taking his calls.
"There is a lot to work through there," Harry said about his relationship with his father. "I feel really let down. He's been through something similar. He knows what pain feels like. And Archie is his grandson. I will always love him, but there is a lot of hurt that has happened."
In a rare positive moment in the interview, Harry and Meghan revealed their second child, due in the Northern Hemisphere's summer, would be a girl.
If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Callback Line on 1300 659 467.
NEVLEC issues schedule for planned power outages from March 9-11
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — The following is a scheduled from the Nevis Electricity Company Limited (NEVLEC) of planned power outages from March 7 to 11 to facilitate its maintenance programme:
Tuesday March 9
NEVLEC wishes to advise customers in Jessups, in the area of the Jessups New Testament Church and areas in close proximity that there will be an outage from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to facilitate vegetation management.
Wednesday March 10
NEVLEC wishes to advise customers from Paradise to Fern Hill and areas in close proximity, that there will be an outage from 9:00 a.m. to12:00 p.m. to facilitate High Voltage line maintenance.
Wednesday March 10
NEVLEC wishes to advise customers in Colquhoun, in the vicinity of the Cotton Ground Police Station, that there will be an outage from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to facilitate upgrade of Low Voltage lines.
Thursday March 11
NEVLEC wishes to advise customers from Liburd Hill – Barnaby, that there will be an outage from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to facilitate transfer of Low Voltage lines to new poles.
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NIA Gender Affairs Minister Brandy-Williams delivers International Women’s Day Address
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — The following is an address by Hon. Hazel Brandy Williams, Junior Minister of Health and Gender Affairs in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2021 observed on March 8.
“As Minister of Gender Affairs in the Nevis Island Administration, and as a woman, I look forward each year with pride and great anticipation to the month of March, as March 8th is celebrated around the globe as International Women’s Day,” said Hon. Brandy. “It is a day marked especially to laude and herald the achievements of women, internationally, regionally, and locally; across every level of society and in all sectors of community development.
“The United Nation’s theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is, “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World.” Strikingly, this theme not only highlights our responsibility to the wellbeing and security of women and girls throughout the extent of this pandemic, but it underscores the crucial role that women and girls must be allowed to play in holistic contributing solutions to this international problem.
“The Department of Gender Affairs has grown over the years to celebrate International Women’s Day with various engaging and highly anticipated activities throughout the month of March. However, as we live currently in a COVID-19 world, this year’s activities will be scaled back yet we will endeavour to have them equally as effective in spreading the message of equality as we have done in the past.
“One of the highlights of this year’s celebrations will be the awarding of women who have been on the front-line of our country’s fight against COVID-19: nurses, police officers, supermarket attendants, hotel employees, bankers, response team volunteers, and others. We are eager to recognize their selflessness as they courageously did their part in keeping us safe.
“The truth is that while great strides have been made over the years as it relates to women empowerment, there is still quite a way to go before we realize true gender equality. The pandemic has highlighted this as it has been said that many international decision-making bodies charged with countering the coronavirus had little to no female representation. I am most pleased to say that in St. Kitts and Nevis we suffered no such plight.
“Being ahead of the international scene in this regard, our federal and local COVID-19 task forces benefited from the commendable leadership and insights of women such as Dr. Hazel Laws and Dr. Judy Nisbett, respectively.
“When women are afforded an equal opportunity to contribute to every sphere of society no one gets left behind.
“To all our men I say, as we mark International Women’s Day do your part in supporting women in leadership, speak out against Gender-based violence, celebrate those women around you and encourage your daughters to dream big and to achieve more. We are in this together so both men and women must play their part.
“As we consider women and leadership, we must not think of it as an endeavour for women to ‘take over’, but as a bid for women to lead, alongside our male counterparts, thus making valuable contributions by way of our unique perspectives, insights and skillsets.
“I feel it important for me to also point out that women, just as in the case of men, women, should seek to be leaders for the right reason – to serve others. Not for fame, or power, or self-aggrandizement but to serve others. This is the only way we will be able to impact lives for the better and help our nation, communities and families.
“I wish to say to each woman and girl that there is not only a leader in you but there is a leader in you that the world is waiting on. However, the only way for you to grow into a leader that positively impacts the world and unlock the hidden leaders in others is to begin cultivating leadership qualities such as honesty, selflessness, dependability, and respect.
“It would have been these same qualities that propelled to prominence outstanding regional leaders such as Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, female Prime Minister of Dominica, who stood head and shoulder among her male counterparts making solid and lasting decisions at a time when female leadership at that level was even more scarce than today.
“Here in St. Kitts and Nevis we have had trail blazers such as Dame Constance Mitcham, first female Member of Parliament (MP); and Jacinth Henry-Martin, MP and diplomat, as well as Nurse Gene Harris; and Nurse Patsy Hanley pioneering the way right here on Nevis.
“But leadership need not be thought of as merely political. The contributions of women in every sphere of our nation’s life is crucial for our collective success. Many of us have witnessed other outstanding woman community leaders such as Mrs. Olvis Dyer, female generals of faith such as the Rev. Eunice Griffin, outstanding farmers such as Emontine Liburd and sporting champions such as Mrs. Jeanette Grell-Hull. This International Women’s Day we honour and salute them and the thousands of women who lead us, at home, at school, at the market, in business or on the street corner, into greater heights of success and well-being.
“This International Women’s Day let us remember that women, realizing their full potential is key to the overall development and recovery of our society and our beloved country where peace abounds.
“We encourage, recognize and celebrate women and girls as they take their place and leave their mark as trailblazers. Happy International Women’s day 2021,” concluded Brandy.
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Equatorial Guinea: 20 Dead, 600 Injured in Armory Explosion
A series of explosions at a military barracks in Equatorial Guinea killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 600 others on Sunday, authorities said.
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema said the explosion at 4pm local time was due to the “negligent handling of dynamite” in the military barracks located in the neighbourhood of Mondong Nkuantoma in Bata.
“The impact of the explosion caused damage in almost all the houses and buildings in Bata,” the president said in a statement, which was in Spanish.
The defence ministry released a statement late Sunday saying that a fire at a weapons depot in the barracks caused the explosion of high-calibre ammunition. It said the provisional toll was 20 dead and 600 injured, adding that the cause of the explosions will be fully investigated.
The country’s president said the fire may have been due to residents burning the fields surrounding the barracks.
State television showed a huge plume of smoke rising above the explosion site as crowds fled, with many people crying out “we don’t know what happened, but it is all destroyed.”
Images on local media seen by The Associated Press show people screaming and crying running through the streets amid debris and smoke. Roofs of houses were ripped off and wounded people were being carried into a hospital.
Equatorial Guinea, an African country of 1.3 million people located south of Cameroon, was a colony of Spain until it gained its independence in 1968. Bata has roughly 175,000 inhabitants.
Earlier, the Health Ministry had tweeted that 17 were killed and the president’s statement mentioned 15 dead.
The Health Ministry made a call for blood donors and volunteer health workers to go to the Regional Hospital de Bata, one of three hospitals treating the wounded.
The ministry said its health workers were treating the injured at the site of the tragedy and in medical facilities but feared people were still missing under the rubble.
The blasts were a shock for the oil-rich Central African nation. Foreign Minister Simeón Oyono Esono Angue met with foreign ambassadors and asked for aid.
“It is important for us to ask our brother countries for their assistance in this lamentable situation since we have a health emergency (due to COVID-19) and the tragedy in Bata,” he said.
A doctor calling into TVGE, who went by his first name, Florentino, said the situation was a “moment of crisis” and that the hospitals were overcrowded. He said a sports centre set up for COVID-19 patients would be used to receive minor cases.
The radio station, Radio Macuto, said on Twitter that people were being evacuated within four kilometres of the city because the fumes might be harmful.
Following the blast, the Spanish Embassy in Equatorial Guinea recommended on Twitter that “Spanish nationals stay in their homes.”
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