#freundel stuart

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Bridgetown, Barbados. What’s in your news for Saturday, March 9, 2024.

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LIAT - A history of aviation in the Caribbean - compiled by Darrel Lou-Hing

1950 SIR FRANK HENRY SAPENNE DELISLE

The founder of Leeward Islands Air Transport Ltd. LIAT

A bit of history

Frank Sapenne Delisle O.B.E.

Managing Director, Leeward Islands Air Transport Ltd.

Director, Montserrat Co. Ltd.

Born: St Kitts Dec. 5, 1918.

Educ: St Kitts Grammar school and St Mary's College Halifax Nova Scotia.

Dept of Agriculture, St Kitts 1936-46;

Married March 4, 1941, Valentine May, daughter of Dr. W.A. Slack Medical Officer of St Kitts. 3 daughters, Marie Yvonne (Mrs Randolph) Jeanne Marie, Marie Therese.

Joined Montserrat, Co. Ltd. as Estate Man'gr., 1945; Man'gr.

1948; served as member executive council, Mont.,

1952; Member Montserrat Cotton Growers' Assoc. Fruit and Veg. Prod. Adv'y Bd.

Represented Montserrat at W.I. Sea Is. Cotton Conf St Vincent 1952 and at Livestock course in Br. Guiana. Club: New. Sport: Tennis.

Founded L.I.A.T. Airline, 1956.

Member Airline Operations Committee. Recreation Swimming Address Hodges Bay Antigua.

Prime Ministers laud Kittitian founder of LIAT airline

Fifty-five years after the establishment of LIAT (1974) Ltd by Mr. Frank Delisle, a national of St. Kitts and Nevis, in October 1956, with a single Piper Apache aircraft, the airline continues to advance the goal of Sir Frank to provide safe and reliable air transport to the islands and peoples of the eastern Caribbean.

Shareholder Prime Ministers Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Dr. the Hon. Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda and the Hon. Freundel Stuart of Barbados in a joint statement noted that from such humble beginnings, today’s LIAT now represents the primary mover of people within the Caribbean region

Sir Frank Henry Sapenne Delisle, was born on the island of St. Kitts on the 5th Dec 1918, the Son of Harry Delisle and May (Stephens) Delisle. Frank received his early education in Halifax, Canada then went to neighbouring Anguilla as a young man to work in the Agriculture Department.

Frank Delisle, got the aviation bug after some unofficial trips on US Marine Corps anti-submarine patrols from Anguilla during the Second World War.

He then migrated to Montserrat where he was employed with the Montserrat Company Ltd. as a manager of a fruit plantation in Montserrat, he took time out to take flying lessons and began flying a two-seat Aeronca from Montserrat in the early 1950s. It was there that his love and interest in aviation developed.

A former airline captain, Frank S. Delisle, is one of the most engaging and resourceful characters one could wish to meet on one's Caribbean.

Sir Frank played a tremendous role in bringing aviation to the Caribbean region.

Sir Frank DeLisle was the founder of the Leeward Islands Air Transport (better known Caribbean-wide as LIAT), the oldest airline in the sub-Caribbean region.

With a vision of transforming air transportation in the region, Delisle started the Leeward Islands Air Transport Service Ltd. on 20 October 1956, on the island of Montserrat the year of the opening of Blackburne Airport.

This was preceded by operating from small landing strip he built on his plantation in Olveston in 1953. The strip was only 800 ft long and had a six degree incline. All take-offs were down hill and often down wind. Landings were made against the incline.

In those days LIAT was a privately owned one-man operation with a fleet of one aircraft and a non-scheduled service between Montserrat and Antigua a sector distance of just 35-miles, blue water passage, using a Twin engine Piper Apache. His available payload was just three passengers and/or some freight which could amount to little more than an arm full of parcels.

Nevertheless the service was popular among the islanders and the next year, the airlines schedule was widened to include St. Kitts, St. Eustatius, and St. Marteen.

Soon the Apache was reinforced with a twin engine Beechcraft Bonanza that could carry six passengers.

Gradually each island in the chain carved out miniature airports so that they can become aerially linked.

LIAT was incorporated in the Colony of Antigua, British West Indies, in 1956. At the time of its incorporation, its immediate purpose was to was to conduct a local inter-island operation with small aircraft within the British Caribbean area.

With the support of the late V.C. Bird, former Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, DeLisle’s vision grew and LIAT moved its headquarters from Montserrat to Antigua and their Hanger, a 60ft x 60ft structure, was erected to accommodate the Herons. Alongside the first Hanger was the fuselage of another Heron which was modified to become an office of the accounting department.

The airline continued to grow and develop with the co-operation of other regional leaders.

In 1957 shortly after its incorporation, control of LIAT through purchase of 75% of its issued and outstanding stock was acquired by British West Indian Airways (BWIA). LIAT became a subsidiary of BWIA.

It was considered that control of LIAT by BWIA would be mutually advantageous in that BWIA would participate through LIAT in providing local inter-island service with small aircraft and that LIAT would receive financial and other assistance in the conduct and expansion of its local service operations.

LIAT maintained a home base at Coolidge Airport Antigua, equipped for routine maintenance and for training of personnel, its fleet consisted of four six passenger Twin Bonanza aircraft recently augmented by two 48 passenger AVRO-748 aircraft, there were over 90 employees, including 14 pilots; its capital structure consisted of 1,500 common shares of $100 par value, of which 805 shares were issued and outstanding of which 75% of such outstanding shares were owned by BWIA; not withstanding the a measure of autonomy LIAT was financially and administratively dependant on an integrated with BWIA.

By 1960 LIAT had six aircraft four Bonanzas, a pair of de Havilland Herons and was flying as far as Trinidad.

By now the airline was flying scheduled services in a 1,400 mile arc in one direction to Puerto Rico(via St. Thomas) and to Trinidad via Guadeloupe, Dominica, Barbados and St. Vincent in the other.

In 1965 Delisle obtained his first turbo prop, an Avro 748, registered VP-LIK, and a second one a year later in 1966 due to the airline's decision to phase out the Herons, the Airlines Headquarters moving to Coolidge Airport to allow the Avro 748 to be operated.

In 1968, LIAT was operating some flights via an agreement with Eastern Air Lines to provide passenger feed at this U.S. based air carrier's hub located in San Juan, Puerto Rico and was flying "Eastern Partner" service between San Juan and Antigua, St. Kitts and St. Maarten

For the first time LIAT operated two 19 seat Twin Otters, which were replaced by 1970 by five Britten Norman Islanders.

Every winter from 1967 onwards, LIAT leased a single 748 from Autair and later from Court.

In October 1971 Court Line acquired a 75% interest in LIAT from British West Indian Airways, BWIA the National Airline of Trinidad & Tobago and the remaining 25% on the 1st October 1972 for the total cost of £790,000, at that time LIAT’s liabilities exceeded the book value of tangable assets by £1,461,000 so the total cost of LIAT’s goodwill was £2,251,000.

LIAT consistently made losses up to the time of the takeover. The purchase agreement required BWIA to convert US$ 2,500,000current account with LIAT into a long term loan.

In 1972 (Sir) Frank Delisle founded Carib Aviation with a single twin-prop aircraft.

Carib Aviation provided charter and scheduled flights throughout the Caribbean from its main base in Antigua.

At its peak the company employed 63 personnel, including some 15 pilots and 22 engineering staff.

The office facilities were at VC Bird International Airport, accommodating administration, accounts, operations and traffic departments.

An additional terminal office facility was located at Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Carib Aviation also operated the DOMINICA AIR TAXI service between Antigua, Saint Lucia and Canefield Airport as well as a local feeder for LIAT.

On Tuesday 30 September 2008, Bruce Kaufman, new owner and CEO of the airline, announced that he was forced to cancel all flights the very same day because of no flight crews available.

He accused LIAT to have hired 7 of his Twin Otter pilots within a few days, breaking an agreement between the two airlines signed earlier in 2008 and leaving him with no choice to stop all operations.

Sir Frank DeLisle also founded Radio Montserrat, the first radio station in the sub-region, which is still operational today.

Frank Sapenne Delisle died at age 83 on Friday, November 1st, 2002.

It was the same day that he was honoured with a knighthood for his outstanding contribution to the aviation industry in Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean as a whole.

Frank is buried in St John's Public Cemetery, Antigua and Barbuda.

[jimi-rawlings]

Freundel Stuart - Wikipedia

Greetings Justin Trudeau Alain Berset,

I've never met this man in my life.

Regards,

Adrian Blake-Trotman

[thechasefiles]

Former Prime Minister Freundel Stuart is not in favor of any plan to relocate Government Headquarters from Bay Street to make room for any future tourism development. He made this clear while speaking on the current administration’s decision to move the Geriatric Hospital on Beckles Road to the Botanical Gardens in Waterford, St Michael. “I passed where we are going to have the new Geriatric Hospital so that we can release the land in Beckles Road to private investment. When I was Prime Minister, some people came to Barbados telling me that where Government Headquarters is would be good for tourism development and that the Prime Minister’s office should be moved up to Ilaro Court. “I said ‘I don’t have any problem with that suggestion, just come back and tell me when the White House is going to be moved in the United States; come back and tell me when Number 10 Downing Street is going to be moved and when 28 Sussex Drive In Canada will be moved and where’. I haven’t heard from any of them since,” he stated. Saying the island once had the belief that the achievements of its people are important and in need of protection, the former leader of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) lamented that now “all life in Barbados today is about transactions” with no concern being given to the societal impact. “They do not discuss the social implications of anything going on in Barbados. It is just the bottomline, what the transaction will yield and what it will yield for certain people’s pockets,” he charged. Speaking at the DLP’s City branch meeting at Baxter’s Road over the weekend, Stuart said the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) is failing both residential and commercial Bridgetown. He said that since the current administration came into power there has been no transformation of The City either for those who live there or who work there. The former prime minister pointed out that while Bridgetown was a bustling hub of commercial activity for 69 years, this has declined significantly over the past decade and that the current government has done little to address it. Read the rest below 👇🏾 https://www.instagram.com/p/CqofLnaJtEnuAV7R6pGWmAMWEDq5dwX2c4CVFc0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifreakingloveroyals]

30 November 2016 | Senator, the Honourable Maxine McClean, singer Rihanna, Prince Harry and Prime Minister of Barbados Freundel Stuart attend a Golden Anniversary Spectacular Mega Concert at the Kensington Oval Cricket Ground on day 10 of an official visit to the Caribbean in Bridgetown, Barbados. Prince Harry's visit to The Caribbean marks the 35th Anniversary of Independence in Antigua and Barbuda and the 50th Anniversary of Independence in Barbados and Guyana. (c) Chris Jackson/Getty Images

[stephaniefchase]

Bajan Newscap 11/10/2017

Good Morning #realdreamchasers. Here is your daily news cap for Friday 10th th November, 2017. There is a lot to read and digest so take your time. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing Weekend Nation Newspaper (WN).

SAY YES TO IMF – With a team from the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF) currently on island for talks with the Freundel Stuart-led administration, two retired permanent secretaries are calling on Government to bite the bullet and enter into a funding arrangement with the IMF. However, William Layne and Frederick Forde are both cautioning that any such financing plan must be on Barbados’ terms only. The last time the economy was put into IMF hands back in the early 1990s, the bitter fiscal medicine that followed proved too strong for many Barbadians to stomach and was blamed for the eventual collapse of the then Erskine Sandiford-led administration, following crippling street protests. Among the major expenditure cuts instituted then was an across-the-board eight per cent pay cut in the public sector, which was later restored. However, with the economic and social fallout still fresh in its mind and a general election now looming, the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP), though faced with a deficit of six per cent of gross domestic product and dwindling foreign reserves which stood below the desired 12 weeks of import cover at just 8.6 weeks or $549.7 million at the end of September, is very reluctant to seek financial help from the Fund, even though the IMF publicly indicated at the end of its last Article 1V Consultation back in June that it “stands ready to assist the Government of Barbados, including through continued policy dialogue and technical assistance”. (BT)

BARBADOS’ ECONOMIC MODEL OBSOLETE, WARNS INNISS – Minister of Industry, Commerce, International Business and Small Business Development Donville Inniss has rendered Barbados’ economic model obsolete. Echoing many of the views expressed by former Prime Minister Owen Arthur last week when he called for a new model of development, Inniss pointed out that “over the past 50 years Barbados’ growth and development has been based on an economic model which placed much emphasis on preferential access to markets of Barbados’ principal trading partners, incentivized tax regimes for the foreign investors designed to inject foreign exchange earners into the economy and high protectionist barriers implemented to give local enterprise the necessary space to become sustainable”. However, the Government minister warned that this model had now become outdated as evidenced by the demands by international standard-setting agencies to dismantle these systems. It was during last week’s Innovate Barbados 2017 conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre that Arthur, who resides in Inniss’ constituency but currently sits as an independent in Parliament, had issued pretty much the same warning. The way he put it though was that “a developmental model based on protectionism, trade preferences, unique tax benefits and on economic sectors which do not make the fullest use of our human capital will lead Barbados into an economic cul-de-sac”. And without making direct reference to any of the current fiscal policies of the Freundel Stuart led administration or the recent promises of the Mia Mottley-led Opposition Barbados Labour Party that it will make tertiary education free again and that it will immediately repeal the dreaded National Social Responsibility Levy if it is elected to Government in the next election, Arthur cautioned that the heavy provision of welfare services by the state was no longer sustainable with Barbados currently grappling with a high deficit of six per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), a high national debt in excess of 140 per cent of GDP and dwindling foreign reserves in the amount of 8.6 weeks of import or $549.7 million at the end of September. With the situation as it stands, Arthur was insistent that there must be a new model of development in which innovation, technology and entrepreneurship are the principal drivers of economic and social activity. This very point was made by Inniss today as he addressed the second annual Students’ Conference, under the theme Chartering the Course, Exploring the Possibilities. In fact, he warned that Barbados stood to be left behind unless it embraced the international technological revolution that was changing the very way in which the financial system works. (BT)

ENOUGH – Chanting “we need a new school” and “enough is enough”, a group of about 25 parents and students protested outside the Belmont Primary School this morning, complaining of deplorable conditions at the Government-run learning institution. Today’s protest came amid the closure of the school, which has been affected over the past two days by a pungent odour that is said to be coming from a nearby farm. On Wednesday, the doors to the My Lords Hill, St Michael institution were abruptly closed just after 1p.m. on  account of the foul smell, and late this evening the Ministry of Education announced that classes would also be suspended on Friday owing to the environmental problem. “The Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation has reassured parents that its officers and those of the Ministry of Health are working assiduously to find the source of the problem,” the ministry said in a brief statement issued by the Barbados Government Information Service this evening. No reference was made to today’s protest. However, when a Barbados TODAY team arrived at the school around 9 a.m. Thursday, it was met by a group of angry parents who openly vented their frustration over the stench, which they said began affecting Belmont Primary over the weekend and was responsible for the invasion of a swarm of flies onto the school’s compound. Today’s protest is second such demonstration in as many weeks following the October 27 action by parents and guardians of the students at the St Mark’s Primary in St Philip institution who also describe the conditions their charges are faced with as deplorable.  (BT)

BALL DROPPED – Barbados’ main advocacy group for men has been given a failing grade for its representation of fathers who have been denied access to their children. The stinging indictment has come from founder of Access for Fathers, Kammie Holder, who said today he was forced to step up and take the lead on the issue because the Men’s Education Support Association (MESA) had simply dropped the ball. “MESA is an organization which has a problem with men calling bad mothers ‘dead beat’ but has no problem with women calling men the same thing. MESA has lost their mandate and it has left me no choice but to start my own [group] to represent men who are going through this issue,” said Holder, who went public on social media last weekend with details of his own bitter child custody battle and has since stepped up a public campaign on Facebook to raise public awareness of the issues confronting men. When contacted for comment today on Holder’s charges, the Chairman of MESA Grantley Osbourne said he preferred to issue his response at a later date. However, MESA is on record as having voiced strong objection to the harsh treatment it says is usually meted out to men when they go to court to deal with paying child support, compared to the women who refuse to let men see the same children they’re providing money for. Back in 2015, MESA went as far as calling for mandatory DNA testing at childbirth in an effort to protect men from paying child support for children that were not theirs. However, while suggesting that MESA is all bark and no bite, Holder also contended that after years of promising to challenge the legal system, the problem remains largely unchecked with frustration mounting among men who continue to be denied access to their children. (BT)

‘NO GENDER BIAS IN COURT SYSTEM’ – A senior jurist has denied that the law courts here are heavily skewed in favour of women involved in custody disputes with the fathers of their children.   Supreme Court Registrar Barbara Cooke-Alleyne said that despite the never ending refrain from male advocacy groups that women seemingly have a license to deny fathers the right to see their children, the court system has made great strides to ensure balance. “I don’t believe that the court is skewed in any way because I am sure that there are some ladies who would say that the court favours men. You can’t win them all and the court is very aware of the gender issues,” Cooke-Alleyne told Barbados TODAY at the Ann Hill School, Pine Road, St Michael this morning following the launch of the Caribbean leadership project, a seven-year, CAD$20 million project aimed at strengthening the capacity of future leaders in the Caribbean to support gender-sensitive public sector reform and work collaboratively towards regional integration. (BT)

ST PETER STUDENTS RECEIVE NEW KINDLES – Class three students of the Roland Edwards and Boscobel Primary schools in St Peter are now better equipped to explore the world of information after receiving new tablets from the Aron & Christina Truss Foundation yesterday. To the delight of the students, the registered charity handed over 78 Amazon Kindle devices, which were donated by Don Thomson, wife Mila and two sons Michael and Daniel, who recently moved to Barbados. Mr Thomson said he was happy to provide the students with the learning tools and urged them to fully use their gadgets. Also on hand for the brief presentation was Barbados Labour Party candidate for St Peter Colin Jordan, who spoke on the behalf of parliamentary representative Owen Arthur. He too encouraged the students to put the tablets to good use and to handle them with care. Founder of the charity Aron Truss heaped praises on the Thomson family, encouraging their two sons and the other students to find ways to give back to their schools and community.   (BT)

SLOW DOWN – Not so fast! That was how Member of Parliament for St Thomas Cynthia Forde has responded to suggestions by some public service vehicle (PSV) operators that students should be banned from their vehicles. Earlier this week some operators called on Government to impose a ban of students travelling on privately run PSVs following an altercation between three students from a rural secondary school and a conductor, which resulted in the conductor sustaining injuries to both arms. However, Forde called for cooler heads to prevail, suggesting instead that all sides meet to explore ways to end violence by students using the public transportation system. (BT)

HAYNESVILLE TENANTS FEAR MASSIVE FIRE – Tenants of the National Housing Corporation (NHC) in Haynesville, St James say they fear it is only a matter of time before a massive electrical fire destroys their homes and their lives. The residents complain that the signs are clear that the 40-year-old electrical system is no longer reliable and poses a threat to the lives of householders. Two weeks ago, fire destroyed one of three bedrooms in an NHC unit in Haynesville, which one of the occupants, 43-year-old Ryan Odle, blamed on an electrical fault. It was the latest blaze which tenants blame on a faulty electrical system which they said keeps showing signs that danger is not far away. The Opposition Barbados Labour Party candidate for the area Sandra Husbands today presented the NHC with a petition bearing close to 200 signatures of concerned tenants demanding that the state agency makes rewiring of the Haynesville units a priority. The BLP candidate said the NHC has been advising its tenants that it did not have the funds to rewire the units or for simple repairs such as replacing doors or toilets. However, Husbands said Government needed to take another look at its priorities and place the tenants at the top of the list. David Rogers was not at home when reporters visited the area this afternoon, but his brother Curtis Rogers explained the challenges facing his sibling. Another tenant, Akera Jones, expressed fears that while her unit has been unscathed so far, it was only a matter of time before fire breaks out there.  (BT)

ST PETER WOMAN MISSING – Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 29-year-old Roxanne Matthews, of Collins, Boscobel, St Peter. Matthews, formerly of Broomfield, St Lucy, was last seen sometime around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 7, by her boyfriend Hugh Thompson at his Collins residence. At the time she was wearing blue leggings and a faded pink shirt. Matthews is 167 centimeters tall, of brown complexion, thickly built, has an oval face, thick lips, thick short neck,and is full breasted with a protruding stomach. She has her hair braided, speaks with a slur, has an erect appearance and is in the habit of swinging her hands. She is known to frequent Speightstown, St Peter and Broomfield, St Lucy and can be considered as a slow learner. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the District ‘E’ Police Station at telephone numbers 419-1730 or 419-1731, police emergency number 211, or the nearest police station. (BT)

UPDATE: PLANTATION MANAGER SHOT DURING ROBBERY – Supervisor/manager at Bulkeley Plantation, Charles Bynoe, was shot during a robbery this morning. The incident occurred around 11:05 a.m. and left the 64-year-old nursing a gunshot injury to his left foot. Police say Bynoe returned to the St George plantation and encountered two men, one armed with a firearm. Two shots were fired at Bynoe and the men then fled the scene with an undisclosed sum of money. Bynoe was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by ambulance for medical attention. Anyone who can provide information to assist police with their investigations is asked to contact the District “B” Police Station at telephone 437-4311, CID Oistins at 418-2608, police emergency number 211, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station.  (WN)

THEIVES TAKE MORE CARS – Car thieves in Barbados have seemingly found a niche market and are cashing in on it. Within the past three years the number of stolen vehicles has increased almost five-fold. According to police public relations officer Acting Inspector Roland Cobbler, while there were only 22 reported car thefts in 2014, last year that number had ballooned to 106. That figure was still slightly less than the 111 cars stolen in 2015. In 2012 and 2013 there were 68 and 63 cars, respectively, reported stolen. (WN)

BOYCE ACCUSED OF CAR THEFT – A 28-year-old man is out on $5,000 bail after appearing in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on a criminal charge. Rayon Andrew Boyce, of Charles Row Bridge, St George, was not required to plead to the indictable charge that he took a Suzuki Swift motorcar without the owner’s consent, sometime between October 22 and November 7. There was no objection to bail for the accused man, who is due to reappear before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant on January 4. In the meantime, he must stay away from the complainant in the matter. (BT)

THIEF CAUGHT WHILE POSING AS A HOTEL GUEST – A 40-year-old cocaine addict, who pleaded guilty to theft, will spend the next three weeks at the Psychiatric Hospital. Gaylan Alphonso Marshall, of no fixed place of abode, consented to an assessment by doctors at the institution today after his attorney, Mohia Ma’at, appealed for help for his client who had admitted to stealing two hand towels, four soaps, five bottles of mouth wash, three rolls of toilet paper, one body cleanser, five bottles of water and two boxes of tissue worth $78.30, belonging to the Hilton Hotel. Security personnel became suspicious when they spotted Marshall on the eighth floor of the hotel yesterday, carrying two bags. He was questioned and asked whether he needed help. Putting on an American accent, Marshall answered that he was a guest at the establishment and was on his way to visit friends at Worthing, Christ Church. Police were called in and Marshall was arrested after he could not give an account of the items, which he later admitted to taking from a storage room on the eighth floor of the luxury resort. Ma’at told Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant his client was a former waiter and server who has been “sliding down hill” since losing his job last year. “He found himself using not a little spliff, but dope. He says it is out of control and he would like his life back,” Ma’at told the magistrate while appealing for the first time offender to be considered for drug rehabilitation at Verdun House. Marshall returns to court on December 1 to find out whether he qualifies for the programme. (BT)

TEEN HELD ON GUN CHARGES – A 17-year-old, who is alleged to have had an illegal weapon and ammunition in his possession, was today given an automatic 28-day stay at Dodds prison. Jaquan Antonio Richards, of No.16, Lacelles Terrace, Pinelands, St Michael, is accused of having the firearm and 16 rounds of ammunition on November 6, without a valid licence. The teenager, who is being represented by attorney-at-law Shadia Simpson, was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy Sargeant. However, Richards pleaded not guilty to allegedly having $70 worth of cannabis in his possession on the same day. He is due to reappear in the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on December 7. (BT)

CRIMINAL CHARGES LAID AGAINST BOYS IN SCHOOL BUS STABBING INCIDENT – Police have arrested and formally charged two schoolboys in connection with a stabbing incident which occurred sometime around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7, on board a school bus. A third boy, who is 15-years-old, was stabbed twice in the upper left side of his back during the incident. The two school boys, ages 14 and 16, were formally charged with the offence of serious bodily harm. They both appeared before Magistrate Wanda Blair in the Holetown Magistrates’ Court today. The 16-year-old was remanded to prison while the 14-year-old was remanded to the Government Industrial School. Both expected to reappear in Court on December 5. (BT)

MAN WHO ASSAULTED POLICE COMMISSIONER BACK IN COURT – The man who assaulted Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith was back in court today. Dewayne Carlo Griffith, 39, of Crab Hill, St Lucy, was arrested and charged for a number of offences which were committed against the Commissioner in the Crab Hill area on Saturday, October 28. He reappeared in the Holetown Magistrates’ Court and was further remanded to prison, and will reappear in court on December 7. Griffith has been charged with obstructing police in the execution of duty, assaulting police in the execution of duty and resisting police in the execution of duty.  (BT)

‘LORD EVIL’ AWAITS BAIL DECISION – The infamous Andre Omar Lord Evil Jackman will find out tomorrow whether he gets to maintain his freedom. After hearing submissions from Jackman’s lead attorney Arthur Holder and Crown Counsel Oliver Thomas in relation to a violation of Jackman’s bail condition, Acting Judge Alrick Scott deferred his decision until November 10. Jackman, 38, of Stroud Bay, Crab Hill, St Lucy, appeared before the High Court judge today accused of breaching the 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily curfew imposed on him back in May 2016. The state submitted in the No. 4 Supreme Court this afternoon that Jackman’s $175,000 bail should be revoked and that he be remanded to HMP Dodds. However, an incensed Holder told the media after the hearing that his client was being discriminated against. Holder admitted that Jackman had breached the curfew on October 28 in the presence of Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith. However, he contended that the breach was “minuscule”, given that his client had complied with every single bail condition since he was granted bail over a year ago on a murder charge. The attorney-at-law added that the submissions made today were unprecedented in his 18-year career.   The attorney-at-law added that the submissions made today were unprecedented in his 18-year career. Claiming that there were other accused persons who had repeatedly breached the conditions of their bail but had not been hauled before the court, Holder insisted that justice must appear to be done. (BT)

UNDER THE INFLUENCE – A 37-year-old car washer, who was intoxicated when he broke a pane of glass, has two weeks to compensate his victim. Devon Mario Sampson, of 3rd Avenue, Chapman Lane, St Michael, damaged the property belonging to Glen Harvey on November 2. Harvey rents rooms to individuals, including a woman who Sampson is familiar with. On the day in question, the woman informed him that she was not feeling well and closed the door leaving him in the gallery. Moments later she heard the sound of breaking glass and realized that the glass on the door was broken and Sampson was bleeding. She reported the matter when he asked for help with his injured hand. “He was intoxicated and didn’t know what he was doing. Thankfully no one was hurt but himself. In his moment of sobriety he has realized that alcohol is not his friend and any company he should keep,” Sampson’s attorney Mohia Ma’at told Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant. In his submissions for leniency, he also urged the magistrate not impose a custodial sentence but an order of compensation on his client, who is a car washer at the YMCA. The magistrate complied and requested that Sampson pays $100 in compensation in two weeks, otherwise he will have to spend six weeks in prison. Sampson was also placed on a yearlong bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. If he breaches the order and is found guilty of any crime during that time he will face a $750 forthwith fine or three months imprisonment. (BT)

CAWMERE NEW V’BALL CHAMPS – CAWMERE are the new kings of Division 1 volleyball. The Waterford lads predictably captured their first ever Goddard Enterprises Limited senior title in a bittersweet moment at the Wildey Gymnasium on Wednesday night. Key man Barbados captain Shawn Simpson suffered an injury in the second set as Cawmere lost to deposed kings Chargers 25-20, 22-25, 22-25, 16-25. Ironically, in the preceding match, Progressive needed five sets to stop All Stars 25-16, 17-25, 27-25, 24-26, 15-10. That outcome meant that there was no one who could then catch Cawmere and stop them from ascending the throne. Progressive ended the league with 30 points while Cawmere, with one game in hand, are on 33 points. Chargers, with a game in hand, have joined Deacons on 26 points. All Stars are on 14 points with one game against Foundation United who are on 11. (WN)

FIFA FINALLY HERE – FIFA is here to stay, and so is new regional office development manager for the Caribbean, Marlon Glean. Glean confirmed that he had been on the island for the past six weeks and was in the process of finalising plans to move into their South Coast offices at Welches, Christ Church, early next month. The WEEKEND NATION met up with the new head at the Barbados Football Association (BFA) during a site visit for officials to view the progress of construction on phase one of the refurbishment project at the Wildey AstroTurf yesterday. At a press conference to launch this year’s football season in January, BFA president Randy Harris had confirmed that the FIFA regional office would be set up in Barbados the following month. However, the move took longer than expected.  (WN)

GAYLE: ‘THEY TOOK ME LIGHTLY’ – West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle has claimed he was taken lightly in mediation proceedings ahead of his successful bid to sue Australian entity Fairfax Media. Gayle succeeded with litigation against the company for an amount yet to be decided, after it published allegations the batsman had revealed his penis to a masseuse, Leanne Russell, during the 2015 World Cup.  Two weeks ago, a Sydney court ruled that the company had not only acted with malice when it published the allegations but had also failed to establish whether they were true. In typical flamboyant fashion, the batman who had called the allegations ‘deeply hurtful’ has taken to social media platform Twitter, promising to share his story with one lucky media house in an exclusive interview, but there’s a catch, it will cost US$300,000. “I have a very interested successful story to tell!! It can be an exclusive 60mins interview or y’all just have to wait on my next book!” Gayle said via Twitter. “It’s about what transpired in court and behind the scenes in Australia, how they went to bigger heads to get me ban,” he added. “How they want to use me as a scapegoat over a interview-I’ll tell you what I do every day after court, believe me, when I break this down to y’all it will be like a movie!” “No holding back! Bidding starts at US$ 300K ($420,000) for this interview! So much to say & I will! “Even what transpired in the mediation couple weeks before court … they take me lightly but I never scared of the media! I was ready to fight until my last breath! “Who ready for my story just let me know…you will have to visit Jamaica for this interview!”   (BT)

HIT SHOW IS BACK - 1627 And All … back! One of Barbados’ most popular historical and cultural showcases made a triumphant return to the stage last Thursday. At the Ixora Bar and Restaurant at Golden Sands Hotel, scores of people, including tourists, locals and Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy, were present to witness 1627 And All That. After the premiere night, Sealy praised the performances while public relations officer for the event, Jacqueline Collins, said she was satisfied with the response to the event despite having to push it back from the original date. She recalled that the original date for the revival of the historical show was postponed due to bad weather and the closing ceremony of CARIFESTA. The internationally acclaimed presentation with the Pinelands Creative Workshop highlighted Barbadian culture through colourful performances, some drama and skillfully choreographed routines. The event featured folk singing, a stilt walker, the Mother Sally, performers who depicted the traditions and rhythms of the Spiritual Baptist movement and dancers who depicted the revelry of Kadooment Day. (WN)

THE LOGOS RETURNS – The Logos returns It’s been eight years since the world’s largest literary book fair – the Logos Hope- sailed into Barbados waters, and today captain and crew received a warm welcome from officials, who described the visit as long overdue. The mega ship, with its 385-member crew, comprising over 60 nationalities and a library of 6, 000 books, will be docked at the Flour Mill, along the Spring Garden Highway until next Friday. Several dignitaries, including Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education Senator Harcourt Husbands; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education June Chandler; Venezuelan Ambassador Francisco Perez-Santana and United States Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Linda Taglialatela were among the first to board the ship this morning. (BT)

That’s all for today folks there are 54 days left in the year Shalom! #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #bajannewscaps #newscapsbystephaniefchase

[hellyeahrihannafenty]

Rihanna is Getting Her Own Street in Barbados, Rihanna Drive

Shutup and keep it movin’ on Rihanna Drive.

Bajan megastar Robyn Rihanna Fenty is admired for being a worldwide acclaimed pop star who never forgets about her roots. Rihanna’s consistent charity work in her hometown of Saint Michael, Barbados is largely appreciated and now the “Diamonds” singer is being honored in her hometown by having the street she grew up on renamed after her.

Formerly known as Westbury New Road, the street is now bound to become an eternal landmark as its new name Rihanna Drive will soon come into effect.

This past Friday, the Government of Barbados Ministry of Tourism announced, “The Government of Barbados will on Independence Day, Thursday 30th November 2017 officially change the name of  Westbury New Road located in St. Michael to Rihanna Drive in honour of Barbadian superstar Ms. Robyn Rihanna Fenty who grew up in Westbury New Road.” as reported by Nation News.

On Barbados’ Independence day, Rihanna along with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart will be present for the two-hour ceremony to unveil the street’s new signage.

Rihanna takes out precious time to perform clever acts of kindness by making great contributions to charities that focus on matters such as children in need, disaster relief, donor needs and more. Named after her grandparents, Rihanna started the Clara Lionel Foundation Scholarship to help students in the U.S. who are from Caribbean countries attend college. She has also developed a modernistic center for oncology and nuclear medicine to diagnose and treat breast cancer at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados. The Grammy award winner has honored her former street residence by naming her record label after it, Westbury Road Entertainment.

This is a timely well deserved earned honor for Riri which will simultaneously occur during the phenomenon of her makeup line Fenty Beauty and collaboration with Puma, Puma x Fenty.  [The Source]

[nakeddeparture]

Politics, Barbados. Mia Mottley. Leaders are arriving in SVG, but DLP faithfuls (haters of Mia Mottley) are talking about the $1.3 million she spent in Dubai.

https://youtu.be/HuU_9RrWlno

Truth is, she’s a better Prime Minister than Freundel Stuart (what did he do?) or anyone now in the DLP lineup. You’re going to be hard pressed to find a more energetic and intelligent leader. Have your say. Naked!!

Like. Share. Subscribe. Comment on YouTube.

[thisisjamaica]

Westbury New Road to become Rihanna Drive

Barbados' most famous daughter will soon have a lasting landmark named after her right in the neighbourhood where she grew up.

In a statement a short while ago, the Ministry of Tourism announced: "The Government of Barbados will on Independence Day, Thursday 30th November, 2017 officially change the name of Westbury New Road located in St. Michael  to Rihanna Drive in honour of Barbadian superstar Ms. Robyn Rihanna Fenty who grew up in Westbury New Road."

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and Rihanna are scheduled to unveil the new signage at a two hour ceremony at Westbury New Road, from 3.00pm to 5.00pm on Independence Day.

[newestbalance]

Barbados elects first female PM in opposition landslide

BRIDGETOWN (Reuters) – Barbados elected its first female prime minister as the opposition inflicted a crushing defeat on the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP), winning all the seats in the Caribbean island’s parliament, election results showed on Friday.

Mia Mottley’s victory in Thursday’s elections returns the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power on the island of some 285,000 people for the first time in a decade.

The Electoral and Boundaries Commission said the BLP had elected all 30 members of the parliament, delivering the first clean sweep in the history of the legislature. The DLP had previously held a slim majority with 16 seats.

“This victory is the people of Barbados’ victory,” Mottley, 52, told supporters outside the BLP’s Bridgetown headquarters early on Friday, calling the result a vote for a more inclusive and transparent kind of leadership for Barbados.

“This must be our legacy to the people of Barbados: to give you back your government and your governance,” said Mottley, a former minister and attorney general who was sworn in later on Friday.

The result means the Barbadian House of Assembly is without an official opposition, despite the fact that an unprecedented 135 candidates ran for office across nine parties.

Outgoing Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, who had served since 2010, congratulated Mottley, conceding that the DLP had suffered an “overwhelming defeat.”

“In campaigning, whenever there is success, success is shared by all those who succeed and by those with whom they are associated, but when there is failure, failure points to one man,” he told reporters at his party headquarters.

“I think that there was some hurt in the society in respect of some of the decisions that had to be made.”

The U.S. State Department issued a statement commending Mottley’s “stated intent to address fiscal transparency” and saying the United States looked forward to working with Barbados to enhance economic partnerships and private sector investment.

The Barbadian economy has struggled since a sharp contraction in 2009 after the global financial crisis.

Weak growth has put strains on Barbados’ public debt, pressuring foreign exchange reserves and helping to spark repeated downgrades of the island’s credit rating.

The DLP’s economic record dogged Stuart in the campaign. Many voters expressed frustration at the party’s failure to reduce debt and the cost of living even as their taxes rose.

Reporting by Robert Edison Sandiford; Additional reporting by Mohammad Zargham in Washington; Editing by Alistair Bell

The post Barbados elects first female PM in opposition landslide appeared first on World The News.

from World The News https://ift.tt/2xd0Hjn via Everyday News

[thechasefiles]

The Chase Files Daily Newscap 7/6/2018

Good Morning #realdreamchasers! Here is The Chase Files Daily News Cap for Friday 6th July 2018. Remember you can read full articles by purchasing Weekend Nation Newspaper (WN), via Barbados Today (BT) or Barbados Government Information Services (BGIS).

INNISS MUZZLED – A last minute decision by former Prime Minister and outgoing President of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Freundel Stuart to abruptly end the party’s signature lunchtime lectures has left one party elder fuming, and threatens to cause fissures within the 63-year-old political movement. Stuart last night cancelled the lectures with immediate effect following a meeting of the DLP Executive Council, leaving former Minister of Commerce Donville Inniss with the proverbial egg on his face. Inniss, a prospective DLP leader, was scheduled to deliver tomorrow’s lecture and had produced and circulated a colourful flyer promoting the event. The title of his lecture was expected to be, Barbados and the DLP: The Future is Now, according to the flyer, which was done in the party’s colours and featured a reflective Inniss dressed in a white shirt, a yellow tie and a grey jacket. A further decision was taken to defer all such events until a new executive is in place after internal elections are held during the party’s annual conference next month. Inniss could not be reached for comment, but the decision did not sit well with party elder Astor B Watts, in whose honour the lecture series was renamed last year. An incensed Watts did not mince words this afternoon as he said what he thought of Stuart and the decision to shelve the lectures. The outspoken party stalwart suggested that the decision to bring a halt to the presentation without warning might have been driven by fear that Inniss would have criticized the former Prime Minister over his leadership of the party and the country. “Donville Inniss was going to do the speaking and he probably thought that he [Inniss] may not have given him any kudos,” Watts told Barbados TODAY. “I am not interested if they are at variance because I am doing something for the people of Barbados. We have been doing that lunchtime lecture on Friday for years and if he [Stuart] had any grievance, he should have consulted with me before making the suggestion which he made last night,” he added. The DLP elder told Barbados TODAY he had no intention of allowing Stuart the final say on the matter, and he did not hold back, saying the defeated Prime Minister “could go to hell”. “I am going over there tomorrow because I am not a fly-by-night, I was properly brought up. If he [Stuart] does not know right from wrong then he could go to hell! That is where he belongs,” an angry Watts said. “I am really going over there tomorrow because of all of those people I invited and I would have to now go and apologize to them and let them know what my position is,” he added. Watts reminded Stuart, who led the DLP to an historic defeat in the May 24 general election, that he only had a month to go as leader of the party, and therefore was in no position to act as a dictator. “We are not living in a Russian atmosphere, we are living in a democracy and I don’t stand for nonsense and I intend to still do my talk tomorrow when I go over there,” he said. “We can’t hide from the truth and the truth is that all is not well. If he felt that Donville Inniss may not have stuck to his script, I would have guided him not to bring any politics into the talk, or point fingers at anybody. “ I don’t know what would have possessed him to make such a decision, but he needs to realize that he is an outgoing president and he should take his seat and remain where he is,” Watts stressed. Barbados TODAY contacted DLP General Secretary George Pilgrim who refused to comment “on any internal matters of the Democratic Labour Party”. However, he confirmed that a meeting of the Executive Council was held last night, but said he was absent from the discussions.  (BT)

UNIFORM PROTEST – A major controversy is brewing at The Ellerslie School over the sudden change of the  uniform for students attending the Black Rock, St Michael educational institution. In fact, former student Rodney Garnes has started an online petition in a bid to pressure the Ministry of Education to reverse the decision. The petition, titled Don’t Change My Ellerslie Uniform, had attracted over 800 signatures up to the time of publication. Barbados TODAY understands that a number of disgruntled parents and members of the school’s alumni also plan to stage protest action tomorrow outside the school compound. When students return to school in nine weeks time following the summer holiday they will have a brand new uniform, which critics say is much too similar to that worn by students of Combermere School. Instead of the traditional khaki shirt and pants in the junior school, the boys will wear white shirts with the school crest, and khaki pants, while the girls will wear a khaki overall, as opposed to brown. Senior boys will continue to wear white shirts, but the brown trousers will be replaced by khaki pants and the school crest and tie will replace the epaulettes. A number of upset old scholars, including Terry Clarke, took to social media to vent their opposition to the change. “I stand in solidarity with my past and present colleagues of The Ellerslie School by signing this petition as my disapproval for the change in a new design of the school’s uniform,” Clarke posted. He said the new uniform would change the school’s identity and put a dent in the pockets of already struggling parents. “I am convinced that similar to other organizations both military, paramilitary and NGOs [non-governmental organizations], Ellerslie has become a brand where the uniform has affectionately attracted the name of ‘Brown Cows’ to the institution and throughout various social networks. “Also, major consideration must be given to those parents who have invested heavily previously, and last school year, and who, because of the bleak economic conditions domestically and nationally, cannot afford to purchase any further new uniforms,” he said. Another member of the school’s alumni, Judith Prescod, also gave the uniform change a failing grade. “As a past student I do believe that the uniform should not change. There are too many uniforms that already look similar to that, and besides the design is awful. Whoever did it needs to go back to needlework class. We are known as ‘Brown Cows’, let it stay that way,” she said. However, when Barbados TODAY visited the school just as students were dismissed around 1 p.m. today, Randall Stevenson, who will be entering his final year come September, was fully in support of the change in uniform. “To be honest, I really agree with the change in the uniform. I like it. The junior school uniform, when you look at the boys, one, it looks like Lester Vaughan slightly, and the girls look like Combermere just because it is an overall, but to me it isn’t that close,” Stevenson said. “The only thing that I’m not supporting is that we will now have no choice but to wear brown shoes. I don’t like that because to me brown shoes are harder to source and they are expensive.” Equally happy with the change was fourth year student Denzil Lockhart, although he said he was concerned that it had caused inconvenience to parents and guardians who had purchased the old uniform, only to be told it was being replaced. “At first I told myself it didn’t really make any sense because we could wear the fourth form uniform both in fourth and fifth form. It didn’t make a difference because it was the same thing. “So now students’ parents who aren’t that fortunate will now have to buy a fresh set of uniforms. So it will definitely be harder on them. It is not easy . . . because the uniforms aren’t cheap,” Lockhart said. The senior student surmised that parents were upset because of the additional expense thrust upon them at short notice. “Most parents would have already bought material for the old uniform because we wear the same in fourth and fifth form. So now that they hear the outfit changed they will have to get new material and shoes, and the money may just not be there. “Some parents may buy uniforms and put down for the next year so their children will have two new shirts or pants. I have some new ones that I never wore yet so I don’t know what I will do now,” he stressed. Principal Major Errol Brathwaite declined to comment on the matter.  (BT)

COMISSIONG’S AMBASSADOR TO CARICOM – Controversial attorney David Comissiong will be Barbados’ next Ambassador to CARICOM. THE NATION was reliably informed that Comissiong’s appointment became effective on July 1, but Thursday night he said he was ambassador-designate, as the appointment had not been concluded. He is in the delegation Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is leading at the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Montego Bay, Jamaica, as an adviser. Those talks started on Wednesday and will conclude Friday. Mottley has lead responsibility for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and Reparations.  (WN)

WORTHING POST OFFICE REOPENS – Members of the public are asked to note that the Worthing Post Office, Christ Church, has reopened for business. The opening hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, and 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Tuesdays to Fridays. Customers with parcel notices in hand indicating collection at the Brittons Hill Post Office are advised that this condition remains unchanged. The Postmaster General thanks the public for its patience and understanding during the closure. (BGIS)

HEAVY TRAFFIC RESULTING IN DELAYS WITH COMPUTER SYSTEM – Members of the public are asked to note that a surge in usage on the Customs and Excise Department’s ASYCUDA++ System has resulted in some further difficulties being experienced. As a result, importers and exporters are experiencing delays in processing their documents. Acting Comptroller of Customs, Annette Weekes, explained that people trying to access the system were either being “knocked off”, or cashiers were experiencing a “hanging effect”, where they had to wait for a period of time before completing transactions. She appealed for all users to remain off the system as the Information Technology staff of the Barbados Revenue Authority work to rectify the problem. In the interim, she informed people experiencing delays or challenges, that the department was working to put temporary measures in place. The ASYCUDA++ System allows Government to streamline and simplify supply-chain processes from the point of importation, to customs clearance, to final importers to consumers. It also allows importers, exporters or their agents to submit their single administrative document along with supporting documentation for the processing of their goods from their homes or businesses, as long as they have an internet connection. (BGIS)

STINKY MESS – There is a high level of frustration and despair among some residents in Lascelles Terrace, St Michael, who say they have had enough of the indiscriminate dumping of garbage right in front of their homes. They say not only has the unsightly collection of refuse become a stinky mess, but it also encourages rodents and flies, posing a health concern for everyone in the vicinity. Annette Clarke, who claimed people have turned the sidewalk at the front of her house into a dump, is pointing an accusing finger at those driving by and residents of the neighbouring area. “I think they feel it’s a dump. Everyone comes and sees two or three bags [of garbage] and then everyone does come, but this is right in front my door and it is not affecting the people who put the garbage here, it affects me and it needs to stop,” she said. Clarke said the stench sometimes becomes unbearable, particularly if the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) does not clear the pile-ups regularly. “The wind blows the stench right into my house. Sometimes the garbage is thrown all in front of my gate because the rats and fowls burst it out,” she told Barbados TODAY. “It is really bad . . . . A night I came home and as soon as I got here [gate entrance] a big rat run across my path. I thought it was a cat. The rat run all through my garden, it was looking for food,” Clarke said. Another resident, who asked that she not be identified, told Barbados TODAY she and her family had become virtual prisoners in their own home as a result of the mountains of refuse. “I does try to keep around the place clean, but I had to tell the children to stop going outside barefoot now, and they don’t really go outside now because of the garbage,” she said. “The flies aren’t as bad as the rats; they got some rats out here that are huge,” she explained. The situation is such, she said, that people feel comfortable enough to simply walk or drive to the spot and place their refuse there. However, she said her attempts to catch the perpetrators red-handed have so far proved futile. “Sometimes I would sit down and watch who put the garbage there but they like they does be watching me too because as soon as I turn my back you see a bag there and then it piles up,” the concerned resident said. “People drive up there with vehicles and come from all over the place just to put garbage there and then the garbage does be all over the place.” She said the matter had been reported to the SSA and health authorities, but the dumping had not abated. Instead, she said, as soon as sanitation workers clear the spot, the dumpers strike again. “As soon as the truck passes and takes up the garbage people does come and put back down garbage. The truck usually passes on Tuesdays and Fridays, but it passes anytime because of the shortage of trucks and the garbage just piles [up]. . . but when it comes by the evening the garbage is back there,” she disclosed. “People need to put the garbage at them. I don’t know why the whole neighbourhood putting garbage there to be collected. Your garbage should be at you,” the frustrated woman said.  (BT)

SAFETY A BIG CONCERN – People in a number of districts across St Andrew want urgent action taken to repair several bridges in that rural parish. From Trio Path to the East Coast, the plea is the same for the Ministry of Transport, Works and Maintenance to deal with the problem before it is too late. “I would not advise anyone to be on that bridge when one of those heavy vehicles passes,” said a Cane Garden resident known as “Puffy”, who added that the bridge there was “very dangerous”. Puffy, and another man known as “Slims”, said the bridge had been weakened by water damage and it “trembled” when heavy vehicles passed over it. They said it was only a matter of time before it went from bad to worse. (WN)

MAN INJURED IN ST LUCY ACCIDENT – One man was injured earlier tonight in an accident along Alleynedale in St Lucy. Two vehicles were involved in the accident and one man was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Police are currently on the scene carrying out investigations.  (WN)

TEENAGER CAUGHT WITH BULLETS IN PANTS – When police tried to search a teenager four years ago not only did his pants fall to his knees, but three rounds of ammunition were exposed. And today Kemal Mario Straker officially owned up to the April 15, 2014 charge before Justice Randall Worrell in the No 2 Supreme Court. Crown Counsel Oliver Thomas said lawmen were executing a search warrant at Straker’s Lot 15, Clapham Park, St Michael home when the ammunition was found. After he was arrested he gave a police statement detailing what had occurred. Thomas said that Straker was lying down when he heard a knock at the door and suspecting that it was police, he went to the front house where he sat quietly with “some bullets” in his pants. “Police start to search me and I went down on the ground to stop the police from searching my pants [but] my pants drop down to my knees because I was struggling and my pants came off,” the statement read. Straker, who is represented by attorney-at-law Angella Mitchell-Gittens, is due to reappear before Justice Worrell on July 26. (BT)

‘SHAK’ APPEALS FOR LENIENCY – A St Lucy man today pleaded for leniency after he was caught with two illegal firearms and ammunition in his possession on March 14, 2015. Shakeil Akeem Connell, alias Shak, of Fryers Well, Checker Hall, pleaded guilty three months ago to possession of a .22 revolver, .32 revolver and nine rounds of ammunition without the valid licences. “It is the first time I in this position . . . in this trouble [and] I ask you to be lenient towards me,” Connell told Madam Justice Pamela Beckles, in the No.5 Supreme Court, which is temporarily being housed at Cane Garden, St Thomas. However, Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Anthony Blackman questioned why Connell had travelled from the north of the country to Oistins to attend a fete with two weapons in his possession. “I never had intentions [for] the firearms. I was just with the wrong people who got me involved in these things and I get in trouble . . . and I up in prison,” the accused explained, adding that he had never “used a firearm”. However, Blackman suggested that Justice Beckles should impose a custodial sentence despite Connell’s previous unblemished criminal record and the fact that he had never used the guns. “It is unfortunate that he made that choice in a climate where there are so many illegal guns out there,” the acting DPP said before the case was adjourned for a decision later in the assizes. (BT)

FATHER ON TRIAL – A landscaper in his 60s today denied fondling the breasts of one of his daughter’s friends nine years ago. However, the now 20-year-old complainant told a nine-member jury, “that is a lie”, when the case against Thaddeus Leroy Best, of 1st Avenue, Brevitor Hall, St Peter, began in the No.5 Supreme Court this morning. Best, who now resides in St James, is on trial after pleading not guilty to indecently assaulting the then 11-year-old girl between July 1 and 31, 2009. The alleged victim was the first to take to the witness stand today as Senior Crown Counsel Krystal Delaney put forward the prosecution’s case. She explained that she was in the habit of visiting her friend’s home to play. However, on the day in question, she said they were in a bedroom playing when Best, who was “laying on the bed”, sent his daughter for a glass of water. “He come up to me and start to play with my breasts and told me if I was older he would give me some d*****,” the alleged victim said. She left the house shortly after. However, the alleged victim said she only told her mother about the incident in August. “It was on my mind at the time and [another] friend told me to tell my mother . . .  [but] I didn’t tell my mother at first, because I was afraid,” the complainant said. Under cross-examination, Best told his accuser: “I did not touch you” to which she replied, “that is not the truth”. He then told her: “You and I were never alone” to which she answered, “that is a lie”. Her mother and two officers then gave evidence before the accused gave an unsworn statement, saying he visited his daughter three to four times a week in a St Michael community. “On the day I was accused of touching [the girl] she was nowhere at the house at that time [and] at any given time of that given month was I alone [with her in] any part of this house,” Best, who is unrepresented, said. The case, presided over by Madam Justice Pamela Beckles, continues tomorrow when Best will call two witnesses to give evidence on his behalf. (BT)

WINDIES TORMENT BANGLADESH – Opener Kraigg Brathwaite stroked his first hundred in nearly a year while Shai Hope passed 50 for the first time in 13 innings, but it was speedster Shannon Gabriel’s devastating four-wicket burst which rocked Bangladesh and put West Indies on course for a comprehensive win in the opening Test on Thursday. Playing on the second day of the contest at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, West Indies piled up 406 all out in their first innings, with Brathwaite top-scoring with 121 – his seventh Test hundred but first since his 134 at Leeds last August. Hope, without a half-century since scoring one last October on the tour of Zimbabwe, chipped in with 67 while captain Jason Holder (33) and tail-ender Kemar Roach (33) produced breezy knocks down the order to add to Bangladesh’s pain. Armed with a big lead of 363, West Indies quickly demolished the tourists’ top order, leaving the innings in shambles at 62 for six and in need of a miracle to avoid falling 1-0 behind in the two-Test series. Bangladesh trail by 301 runs heading into today’s third day with only four wickets intact. Gabriel, fresh off a 20-wicket series haul against Sri Lanka, was again at the heart of the Windies juggernaut, snatching four for 36 while Holder chipped in with two for 15. Requiring a massive effort following their record-low 43 all out in the first innings, Bangladesh again found themselves hurt by the Windies quicks as wickets tumbled spectacularly. Starting their innings on the stroke of the final hour, Bangladesh safely navigated the opening overs with Tamim Iqbal passing 4 000 Test runs when he cut Gabriel to the ropes at backward point. However, off the very next ball, Gabriel had the left-hander caught at gully by Hope for 13, sparring at one that bounced and took the shoulder of the bat. Two balls later, a fired-up Gabriel struck again when he bowled new batsman Mominul Haque without scoring, with one that kept low. Holder then picked up his first, finding Liton Das’ outside edge for Brathwaite at first slip to take a simple catch and leave the Bangladesh innings in strife at 16 for three. Captain Shakib Al Hasan (12) and former skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (8) put on 20 for the fourth wicket – the best stand of the innings so far – with both escaping with a couple of streaky boundaries past the cordon. But Gabriel bowled Mushfiqur playing down the wrong line and in his next over, claimed the prized wicket of Shakib, brilliantly caught low down at third slip by Holder. Holder accounted for Mehidy Hasan for two in the fourth over before the extended close, nicking one behind which seamed. West Indies had earlier batted themselves into an impregnable position after resuming the day on 201 for two. Starting the day on 88, Brathwaite raised triple figures inside the first hour when he cut pacer Kamrul Islam to third man for four, and was unbeaten on 121 at lunch with the Windies on 271 for three. Nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo was the only casualty of the session, falling for 19 in the second over following the drinks break. Resuming on one, the left-hander struck two fours in a 79-ball knock while adding 52 for the third wicket with Brathwaite, before missing a defensive prod and losing his off stump to Kamrul. However, Brathwaite failed to add to his lunch time score, dismissed off the fourth ball following the resumption when he was taken low at cover off left-arm spinner Shakib (2-71), with West Indies adding a single run to their interval total. (WN)

GROUNDS FOR CONCERN – The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and Kensington Oval Management Inc. (KOMI) are on a collision course over the use of Kensington Oval in the midst of the Crop Over season. Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) president Conde Riley and acting chief executive officer Uina Prescod fear there could be major damage to the Oval if a stage is erected on the field for the forthcoming cultural events. When a NATION team visited Kensington on Thursday, the stage for the Phenomenal Friday show which features the Big Bashment finals, was erected on the eastern events plaza. Both Riley and Prescod expressed concerns with the Caribbean Premier League T20 matches scheduled here next month, the first of five games slated for August 25.  (WN)

BLEAK GRAND KADOOMENT LOOMS – It’s beginning to look a lot like one of the most low-key Grand Kadooments ever. This is the grim outlook from leaders of three top bands, who are all reporting depressed sales, poor sponsorship and a possible reduction in the number of bands taking to the streets for the Crop Over climax. Veteran costume designer Betty West, whose band this year is called Soca Royalty, told Barbados TODAY this year was the worse she has experienced in 27 years in the business. “This year everything has been slower. I find that people are a little restless with spending their money and I am experiencing quite a bit of difficulty where sponsorship is concerned,” West said. “The cost to bring a seven-section band, which caters to 350 people, has gone up from $90,000 to $125,000. I feel that in my 27 years of doing this I have not experienced what I am currently experiencing.” Just over 20 bands made the journey from the National Stadium last year after popular bands PowerX4 and Ravurz dropped out due to financial constraints. And, West said, based on the feedback from her fellow bandleaders, others may fall by the wayside. “It is going to be worse this year as far as I am concerned because from what I understand two bands have dropped out already. This is all because of finances, as well as the fact that the local people are not really coming out. I understand that Foreday Morning bands have dropped significantly as well. So it is really a big challenge for us this year,” she stressed. The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has confirmed that 37 bands have registered for this year’s Foreday Morning street party, ten fewer than last year. “What I am hearing from the other bandleaders is that things are pretty tough, and things are pretty tough for us too. The influx of overseas patrons is what is saving the day. Had it not been for the overseas patrons most bands would be dead in water this year. Last year we held our own and this year we expect to do the same, but the truth is that this year is looking worse than last year,” Layne said. The bandleader blamed the economic downturn and the decision by then Prime Minister Freundel Stuart to hold the general election in late May, echoing a complaint by Barbados Association of Masqueraders President Chetwyn Stewart, who told Barbados TODAY last month that the election campaign had sucked the life out of Crop Over. Like Stewart, Layne also said the July 1 abolishment of the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL), which increased from two per cent to ten per cent last July, came too late to help costume producers this year. “Taking off the NSRL now is a good thing but it would not help us now. You don’t start preparing for a band in January, we would have started since last year. So therefore, we are still in the red and it is certainly not going to help us in this season, because the NSRL has really affected us,” Layne lamented. Like the other bandleaders, perennial Band of the Year winner Gwyneth Squires told Barbados TODAY she was hanging on by a thread, and would soon call it quits if business did not improve. Meantime, Anthony Layne, the leader of the popular band Yello Kontact, said the situation was such that if not for revellers from abroad, a lot more bands would have been “dead in the water”. “All of the bandleaders are making a loss and I am still in it because I love it and I was born in it. But I will be soon done with it because it is not going anywhere. I have been losing money for years and you can’t sustain a business on love alone,” Squires said. The veteran costume producer also said a decision on whether or not to persist in the tough industry would depend on the urgency with which new Minister of Culture John King addresses the bandleaders’ concerns. “The new minister knows better than us the struggles of industry and he has promised to look after them. We understand that he can’t do it this year because he just got there,” Squires said. “John is a good man and his heart is in the right place, so I am hoping that he would put things right,” she said, while suggesting that a reduction in the Value Added Tax was a good place for the minister to begin. NCF Corporate Communications Officer Simone Codrington was unable to say how many bands have registered to date for the Crop Over main event,  but promised to provide the information as soon as it becomes available.   (BT)

CROP OVER DRONES – One Grand Kadooment band will be keeping an eye on revellers from above by employing a drone to improve security. The every move of those jumping as part of Erup The Band will be monitored and recorded, as will that of those planning mischief. General Manager Brian Layne told Barbados Today his band intended to beef up security in light of last year’s deadly shooting which marred the Crop Over finale. This, Layne said, would include the use of the drone to capture and monitor what is happenings during the five-kilometre jump from the National Stadium to Spring Garden Highway. “The drone would be flying over just to watch and ensure that persons are having a good time . . . .[It] would capture if anybody did anything to a masquerader,” Layne said. He disclosed that the band, which caters to between 400 and 450 revellers, would have extensive security and emergency personnel on hand in the event there is a serious incident. Mesh will also be used to fence in masqueraders, instead of the usual rope. “Once they are inside the mesh we can keep them safe but once they are outside of the mesh then it is really at them,” Layne said, while adding that the band was finalizing preparations with the authorities. Although last year’s shooting occurred at the end the Grand Kadooment jump up, it left a bitter taste in the mouth of the public. Twenty-year-old Taried Junior Rock of 3rd Avenue, Chapman Lane, St Michael, was killed and 20 others were injured, including a six-year-old boy who was grazed by a bullet. Layne confirmed that while some of his revellers were alarmed by the violence, most masqueraders were not deterred, as they believe the country and Crop Over were safe. “Most persons who jumped would not have experienced it, they just heard about it.  It may impact the persons who wanted to come and jump but for the majority . . . Barbados is fully safe,” Layne told Barbados TODAY. Meanwhile, the Barbados Masqueraders Association (BAM) has continued its call for soldiers to be assigned to help beef up security at the event. Ooutraje bandleader and BAM floor member Trevor Chase argued that despite the best efforts of bandleaders to hire the best security, the Barbadian public only respected law enforcement officials. “You will take all the precautions . . . but the security detail that the people pay attention to is the police that wear blue, the task force personnel and the army,” Chase stressed. “We will take all the precautions that we possibly can but people will respect the uniform more than anybody that is holding a rope,” he added, while urging Government to take note of the strict security detail at Trinidad’s carnival. BAM President Chetwyn Stewart disclosed that the association was in talks with the Minister of the Creative Economy, Culture and Sports John King to increase the military presence at the Crop Over main event. He indicated that the Grand Kadooment experience was more pleasurable and much safer when there was intensified police and military presence. A week ago, Deputy Commissioner of Police Erwin Boyce said the Force was 230 officers short of a full complement, but he assured the public that despite the challenges the Royal Barbados Police Force would have enough members deployed for the Crop Over season. Public Relations Officer Acting Inspector Rodney Inniss told Barbados TODAY the authorities were still finalizing security plans. However, he assured the public that the police “will continue to plan meticulously to keep them safe” this Crop Over. (BT)

CHEATS TRYING TO ENTER CROP OVER EVENTS WITH FAKE TICKETS – Event promoters are being encouraged to be on the look out this Crop Over season for an ever increasing number of people who are trying to get into events with fake tickets. Several individuals were turned away from fetes last weekend after they showed up with knock-off tickets. And while there have been such attempts in the past, one source indicated that the practice seemed to be on the rise in recent times. Promoter of the increasingly popular Awaken Ultra Premium all-inclusive breakfast party, Tremayne Austin, told Barbados TODAY 18 people were caught with fake tickets trying to enter the pre-dawn event last Sunday. This, he said, was “on a larger scale” than normal. “The ticket was actually printed but what we did was added a barcode, so they felt that they probably could have done it too. You know people take risks with everything. But we got all of them,” he said. “He actually got in because the head person for the ticket company was not at the door at the time . . . . So the person that was dealing with the ticket system thought it was a glitch, but when he came back they saw who it was who came in and when he was questioned he didn’t even put up a fight, he just walked out,” Austin said. The event promoter told Barbados TODAY when that individual was questioned he said he had bought the ticket from “someone who said they know the promoter”. Austin said he was still probing the issue and there was a possibility he would report the matter to the police after he was certain who sold the fake tickets. “I just want to make sure that the information I have is correct,” he said. Austin said not everyone who purchases a fake ticket is aware it is not legitimate, and he advised those who plan to attend ticketed events to buy their tickets from the advertised locations. “You either buy them directly from me if you know me or from the box office if you are not sure,” he said. In some cases the knock-off tickets were being sold for the same price as the legitimate ones, and in other cases they were cheaper. Alex McDonald, one of the main promoters behind the popular all-inclusive Beach House Breakfast Fete and the all-inclusive pool party, Splash, told Barbados TODAY he was aware some individuals may try to enter parties on fake tickets. However, he warned that it was highly unlikely they would get in given the level of technology in use at the doors. “We always tell people to buy from the legitimate box offices because they will have the right and legitimate tickets,” McDonald said. “People who buy from other people will be found out because now most people have scanners that they will use. So if you buy fake or scalp tickets we will find out and no matter how much you pay for them we can’t honour those. “It would be an attempt at fraud so we would [report it] and that person would be in trouble. But more importantly, the person whose ticket was denied should also report it because they would have paid money to get the ticket from somebody having thought it was real,” McDonald advised. However, he pointed out that a lot of people were aware they were doing something wrong when purchasing fradulent tickets because they would most likely pay less than the advertised price. “If a ticket is worth $200 and they said I have one for $150, then it is probably not real,” the promoter explained. Public Relations Officer of the Royal Barbados Police Force Acting Inspector Rodney Inniss told Barbados TODAYit was an offence for people to try to enter an event with a fake ticket. “Once it is a fake ticket it is offering a fake document and that is fraud,” he said, while adding that only a few cases had been reported. “You might get a case where people get bad experiences, but in terms of being reported to the police and people giving evidence we don’t have a lot of those cases,” Inniss said. “There will be people out there trying to get deals for various reasons and you have to make sure when you enter into a contract or deal with a person, make sure it is legitimate and you don’t fall victim to any falsified documents or tickets or anything along that line. You are advised to purchase your tickets from legitimate sources, and bear in mind if you are not going to do that you are taking a chance. And if you are taking a chance you are part and parcel of the outcome,” the police spokesman warned. (BT)

NEW STOLID J CROWNED – Crowd favourite DJ Bon entertained his way last Saturday night to win the coveted Stoli DJ Competition title. The 34-year-old disc jockey showed his versatility behind the turntables as he played the perfect mix of genres from disco to soca, defeating Jamaican Bobby Kush and the DJ combo of Tonk & Jones. The competition, now in its sixth year, was held at Regne Lounge after several stages where disc jockeys were tasked to show their technique and ability to appeal to the audience. This year, with an increased number of entries and a total of 107 submissions, there is no doubt the Stoli DJ Competition is here to stay. Stoli Brand Manager Allister Edwards told Bajan Vibes he was pleased with the success of this year’s competition. He said, “The competition was definitely a step up, with DJs not only showing technicality but also coming to entertain.” The winner-take-all contest gave DJ Bon the big prize of $5,000, an internship with Slam101.1FM, an opportunity to play with Xhosa Barbados for Grand Kadooment and other prizes. DJ Bon, who first thanked God for his victory, expressed gratitude to the Stoli Brand for continuing their efforts to develop the local talent. “I intend to take the experience gained from the competition and use it to my advantage since I’m thinking about entering the Redbull 3Style Competition,” he added.   (BT)

SCRILLA FIRST TO GRACE BASHMENT STAGE – Scrilla will be going out “with guns blazing” at position No. 1. The artiste drew that position Thursday night when the 12 Yello International Bashment Soca artistes met to see how they will perform in the finals at Phenomenal Friday stage at Kensington Oval on Friday. He is followed by first timers Porgie & Murda. Lil Rick is at No. 3.  Stiffy has taken the two titles in the Bashment Soca competition in 2016 and last year and he will come right after Lil Rick at No. 4. With a rebranded Yello International Bashment Soca competition, the gates have been opened to overseas acts and Sita from St Vincent (doing Hammer) and Freezy (with Badang) from St Lucia are hoping to pocket the winner-takes-all cash prize of $80 000. But it all comes down to what you bring to the stage on the actual night. Freezy, pulled No. 7 and he is good with that number. Sita ends the show. The others in order are Stabby at No. 5; Jus D at No. 6; Marzville at No. 8; Rhea at No. 9; Jagwa De Champ at No.10 and Jah Reddis at 11.  (WN)

ARTISTES READY FOR PHENOMENAL FRIDAY – Tonight 44 performers will grace the Kensington Oval stage for ‘Phenomenal Friday’. The stage is set and the competitors are eagerly anticipating the eight-hour battle as soca’s crème de la crème  fight it out in the Party Monarch and Sweet Soca semifinals, as well as in the finals of the Yello International Bashment Soca Competition. Twelve performers will be contending for the $80,000 grand prize on the bashment soca stage, while 32 artistes, 16 in Sweet Soca and 16 in Party Monarch, will compete for a chance to be on the Bushy Park Soca Royalestage on June 29. Ahead of tonight’s big event, Jagwa De Champ told Barbados TODAY he was elated that he finally made it to the bashment soca finals. Last year, his song Ride was disqualified, and in the inaugural year of the competition he failed to take the prize with his song ‘Back It Up’. “I feel like a winner even if I don’t win,” he said, while noting that this year’s contest was shaping up to be a keen one with regional competitors Freezy from St Lucia and Sita from St Vincent and the Grenadines entering the fray. “I feel the judges are going to have to work extremely hard this year, but I bringing my ‘A’ game and I know the rest of competitors are [also],” he added. Sita is also ready to hit the big stage. In fact, she told Barbados TODAY she planned to bring a lot of “fyah” on Friday night. This is her first time competing internationally. Nevertheless, the Vincy is confident that she can grab Barbadians and make her island proud with her catchy lyrics and endless energy. “You can expect pure fyah . . . .  I am coming to ‘knock it like a hammer,’” she said in reference to the hook line in her song. “I am a bit anxious but I am also enthusiastic because the Barbadian audience is different to the Vincy audience and . . . if I am performing for someone who is not familiar with my music . . . [I always ask myself], ‘what do I do to overcome obstacles,’” she added. Although reigning Pic-O-De-Crop monarch iWeb did not make it to the bashment soca finals, he will have a busy night, jumping from the Sweet Soca stage to the Party Monarch platform. iWeb will be competing in the Sweet Soca semis with ‘Best In Me’ while his Party Monarch entry is a collaboration with Mr Blood entitled ‘Stomp’. Yesterday, the seasoned and confident performer was cool, calm and collected as Phenomenal Friday approached and said that he would leave the anxiety for the finals stage. “Having done it a few times already there is no pressure at this stage, [but] once we advance that is when the pressure will start,” he told Barbados TODAY. As for the bashment soca finals, iWeb praised two-time king Stiffy for his evolution as an artiste. “Stiffy is evolving before our eyes . . . and he is a phenomenal talent,” iWeb said. “He is not a predictable artiste and that is something that goes well for him . . . . He is a  prime example of one in the entertainment industry that one would want to patent one’s self after,” he added in support of Stiffy’s bid to be crowned bashment soca king for a third time. Also making it to the semifinals stage for the fourth time is the orange-haired songbird Nikita. However, this will be the first time that she will be competing in both Sweet Soca and Party Monarch. “Vibe wise and energy wise, I am feeling positive,” said Nikita, whose Sweet Soca entry is ‘Journey’ and her Party Monarch song is ‘Going The Distance’. Earlier this week, 2017 Sweet Soca Monarch Red Plastic Bag (RPB) revealed his plans to retire from competition. It was a decision took many by surprise. However, responding to his decision to step away from the competitive stage, Nikita said that the veteran entertainer remained a mentor to many in the industry. “He is still singing, he is still there, he is still very much all of our mentor. We can still call on him and get some advice,” said Nikita, whose song ‘Going The Distance’ was written by RPB. Another Sweet Soca contender, Sanctuary, who will be singing ‘Fete Loan’ on Friday night, said he was not surprised by RPB’s decision which he does not expect to change the dynamics of the competition. In fact he said the exit of the reigning monarch would leave the door open for another deserving competitor. Although satisfied with making it to the semifinals for the second year in a row, Sanctuary said the May 24 general election had dampened the overall Crop Over spirit somewhat. “The election really mashed up Crop Over,” he said, while pointing the finger at former Prime Minister Freundel Stuart over his delay in announcing the date for the much anticipated poll. “If Crop Over is the biggest festival for the island I think that was really irresponsible of a Government to offset it that way because it going to effect the people coming in to see Barbados. . . . When people don’t see the same thing they saw the year in front they aren’t going to come the following year. We will get the ripple effect of it this time next year when people come in,” Sanctuary suggested, while stressing that “the build up to Crop Over was a bit taxing on people and you could tell because you are not seeing the numbers at fetes as before and you are not seeing as much fetes as before”.  (BT)

For daily or breaking news reports follow us on Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter & Facebook. That’s all for today folks. There are 178 days left in the year. Shalom! #thechasefilesdailynewscap #thechasefiles  #dailynewscapsbythechasefiles

[cleopatrarps]

Barbados elects first female PM in opposition landslide

BRIDGETOWN (Reuters) – Barbados elected its first female prime minister as the opposition inflicted a crushing defeat on the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP), winning all the seats in the Caribbean island’s parliament, election results showed on Friday.

Mia Mottley’s victory in Thursday’s elections returns the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power on the island of some 285,000 people for the first time in a decade.

The Electoral and Boundaries Commission said the BLP had elected all 30 members of the parliament, delivering the first clean sweep in the history of the legislature. The DLP had previously held a slim majority with 16 seats.

“This victory is the people of Barbados’ victory,” Mottley, 52, told supporters outside the BLP’s Bridgetown headquarters early on Friday, calling the result a vote for a more inclusive and transparent kind of leadership for Barbados.

“This must be our legacy to the people of Barbados: to give you back your government and your governance,” said Mottley, a former minister and attorney general who was sworn in later on Friday.

The result means the Barbadian House of Assembly is without an official opposition, despite the fact that an unprecedented 135 candidates ran for office across nine parties.

Outgoing Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, who had served since 2010, congratulated Mottley, conceding that the DLP had suffered an “overwhelming defeat.”

“In campaigning, whenever there is success, success is shared by all those who succeed and by those with whom they are associated, but when there is failure, failure points to one man,” he told reporters at his party headquarters.

“I think that there was some hurt in the society in respect of some of the decisions that had to be made.”

The U.S. State Department issued a statement commending Mottley’s “stated intent to address fiscal transparency” and saying the United States looked forward to working with Barbados to enhance economic partnerships and private sector investment.

The Barbadian economy has struggled since a sharp contraction in 2009 after the global financial crisis.

Weak growth has put strains on Barbados’ public debt, pressuring foreign exchange reserves and helping to spark repeated downgrades of the island’s credit rating.

The DLP’s economic record dogged Stuart in the campaign. Many voters expressed frustration at the party’s failure to reduce debt and the cost of living even as their taxes rose.

Reporting by Robert Edison Sandiford; Additional reporting by Mohammad Zargham in Washington; Editing by Alistair Bell

The post Barbados elects first female PM in opposition landslide appeared first on World The News.

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[stephaniefchase]

Bajan Newscap 2/2/2017

Good Morning #realdreamchasers! Here is your daily newscap for Thursday 2nd Februay 2017. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Today (BT) or by purchasing a Mid-Week Nation Newspaper (DN).

PM NEW FACE OF ECONOMIC POLICY (Dr. Clyde Mascoll) - THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart is taking over the face of the Ministry of Finance. The Attorney General is asking for the management of the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) to be fired. Minister Jones has proof of a conspiracy at the Combermere School. These seemingly unrelated events are connected as the political season takes root. The connection is emotion, that which strikes at the heart alone. This is the season for evaluating which stocks have the most value and which can be sold or abandoned. Any fair assessment of the performance of the Minister Chris Sinckler, especially since 2013, can only lead to one conclusion. From the start, it was always going to be difficult for the minister to shine. However, the one thing he does not lack is confidence, but it can only take you so far and no further. In the final year leading up to 2018, Prime Minister Stuart has determined that in the absence of a reshuffle, the next best thing is to take the chance to become the face of the Government’s economic programme, something that he opted not to do before. His focus, however, would not be on enunciating any major policy details, rather it would be about selling the prospect of hope and recovery. Emotive issue In much the same way that the issue of privatisation emerged in 2013, it is hoped that some other emotive issue may emerge in 2017. The aim is to bait the opposition. Get them to commit on some emotive issue and then play it among the voters. This would be a repeat of a previous strategy. What is fascinating is the Government that Stuart leads is in the process of selling the Government-owned oil company. By the way, this is called privatisation. In 2011, Minister Sinckler committed the Stuart administration to the privatisation of specific public sector entities in a speech at the Hilton Hotel. Conveniently enough, Prime Minister Stuart used the lone television station to figuratively push Sinckler under the bus in a skit that highlighted the Transport Board. The rest is history. Since the strategy worked, there is nothing wrong with trying it a second time. Barbadians are now to believe that the sale of the oil company is divestment not privatisation. What’s in a word? In similar vein, Prime Minister Stuart pronounced, prior to the 2013 general election, that not one public servant would be sent home. His administration, subsequently, sent home thousands. The workers were not sent home, they were permanently laid off. Recall that the word temporary has a specific meaning, when used in a specific context. Temporary In the circumstances, it should come as no surprise that Stuart believes that he is winning the next general election, notwithstanding the evidence of prolonged failure on the part of the Government. It is hoped that Barbadians are so irrational that poor performance can, somehow, be evaluated as success. Like the minister of finance, Stuart does not lack confidence, but in remaining silent he is better able to disguise it. When the economic hardship was being inflicted, over the last eight years, it was wise to let Minister Sinckler be the poster boy. Given that the word temporary has specific meaning, any temporary recovery of the Barbados economy is enough to suggest permanent recovery. In this case, a good quarter of tourism performance is enough, even though the foreign reserves have fallen significantly. The specific meaning is that temporary is permanent in the context of a general election being constitutionally due in February 2018. The word assumes its meaning based on the political context. Given the political context, the management of the BWA must be blamed for the poor state of the sewage system on the South Coast. This is without regard for the management’s request for funds to deal with the specific issues that were raised in 2014/2015. Most of the economic and social issues so evident in Barbados today can be attributed to two things: (1) poor leadership and (2) lack of funds. They are related. Any economy that is not generating enough money to maintain the basic standard of living for its people will struggle to provide the Government with resources to provide basic social goods and services. This describes Barbados over the last eight years, at least. It is difficult to digest that adult Barbadians will conspire to damage their future and that of their offspring. Education is still the single most important investment to be made in securing this country’s future. (DN)

RESERVES WARNING - With Barbados’ foreign reserves registering a sharp decline, a top Barbadian economist in the United States wants his birthplace to consider taking urgent steps to reverse the nation’s negative economic picture. And those steps can range from turning to the International Monetary Fund for loans so that Barbados can borrow foreign exchange at reasonable terms and conditions; cutting expenditure; slashing the financing of the operations of state enterprises; curbing the printing of money by the Central Bank; selling some of the nation’s assets. Fearing that further steep declines in the foreign reserves could lead to Barbados running out of foreign exchange to pay for imports, meet interest payments on existing loans and other debt obligations, and generally running its affairs, Charlie Skeete, a former Barbados Ambassador to Washington expressed concern about the state of the nation’s balance of payments and the sharp rise in the amounts “we need to balance the overall account”. (DN)

BARBADOS BONDS IN DISTRESS – Government’s failure to tighten its belt and allay concerns about the value of the Barbados dollar has left the international market fearful about the island’s bonds. Barbadian economist and financial analyst Professor Avinash Persaud issued that warning from London yesterday. His assessment was that “current foreign currency bond prices reflect a market view that we [Barbados] will default on our government bonds by as much as 35 per cent”. Persaud issued his caution as a December 16 news report from American financial firm and media company Bloomberg about the falling value of Barbados bonds circulated on social media here yesterday. (DN)

MINIMUM WAGE LONG OVERDUE – Independent Senator Sir Roy Trotman is concerned that that there is still too much exploitation of workers in Barbados. Making his contribution to today’s debate on the Minimum Wage Bill 2017, Sir Roy pointed to the case of domestic workers, whose hourly rate of pay has remained at $1.50 since 1982. The former Barbados Workers Union boss therefore supports the establishment of sectoral minimums, in keeping with the call of local trade union movement. He said this would eliminate the practice by some companies, including security firms, of negotiating one rate with a business entity, only to “try to move from the negotiated rate [by calling] workers [who are] doing the same work by a different job title and [paying] them three quarters of that rate”. He told the Senate that while it was easy for individuals with special skills to negotiate their rates of pay and working conditions, “there are the vast majority of people in any country, in any community who will fall among the ranks of those who are most vulnerable and who need to be protected by the authorities”. Sir Roy said such protection would guard against exploitation of workers. (BT)

OFF ROUTE - Anderson Fat Child Cherry, one of three private waste haulers contracted by the Government-run Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) to help collect the island’s garbage, has been pulled from his St John route. Official sources told Barbados TODAY this afternoon Cherry, the chief executive officer of Jose Y Jose Liquid & Solid Waste Management Inc, had been struggling to fulfill his contractual obligations in the parish. However, Cherry continues to service the St Philip route. The sources said the SSA has had 20 trucks a day on the road since November, therefore it has taken over the route from Cherry, in what could be the beginning of the end of the scheme agreed last October to improve the island’s waste collection. That arrangement, reached at a time when the pile up of garbage across the island was nearing the tipping point, and which was scheduled to run for six months in the first instance, seems certain to end in March, Barbados TODAY has been informed. In the meantime, the SSA has successfully negotiated a revised deal with the haulers for a reduced fee and amended hours. Two of the truckers have repotedly agreed to a fee of $300 per hour, exclusive of Value Added Tax, down from the $411 per hour agreed previously. They are currently required to work from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a one-hour grace period. Cherry is said to have rejected the deal, but there was no indication that the decision to pull him from St John was linked to his rejection of the offer. Even while suggesting he might have been too outspoken, the controversial Cherry refused to comment on the SSA move. However, he told Barbados TODAY he had been experiencing “challenges” with SSA General Manager Roslyn Knight, although he declined to give details. “What I would say on the whole matter is that I don’t think that I am being and have been treated fairly; and I don’t think that the powers that be . . . Dr [Dennis] Lowe [Minister of the Environment and Drainage] or any person in authority is involved in what is happening. “There are challenges, but all challenges would have to be explained by the manager at the Sanitation Service Authority. She would have to tell you what the challenges she has with me,” Cherry emphasized. He added that he was confident there was no problem with the service he was offering, an assertion seemingly confirmed by Knight. The general manager told Barbados TODAY she was unaware of any challenges with Cherry, and suggested the waste collection agency had no problem with his performance. “I don’t know what challenges Mr Cherry is talking about, so I really can’t comment. I would figure Mr Cherry would come and address his challenges with us,” Knight said. When contacted, President of the National Union of Public Workers Akanni McDowall said the union was still in the dark regarding developments between the private waste haulers and the SSA. McDowall said there was a need to meet with Government so the union could have a clear understanding of the relationship between the SSA and the private waste haulers. “At the moment we don’t know what that relationship is and we need something in writing. The union wants to meet as soon as possible with the board or the minister to discuss that matter [of privatization,” the union president said, adding that a press release was due to be issued shortly by the union. (BT)

TATTOO WORRY – The growing numbers of tattooed schoolchildren are worrying school counsellors and the national parent-teacher association. They are encouraging parents to be more vigilant about their children’s dress and conduct at school. Head of Barbados Association of Guidance Counsellors, Saul Leacock, told the DAILY NATION yesterday there was a trend among some teenagers attending school to have visible tattoos and multiple piercings. Leacock said that within recent months the issue had become more widespread, with students as young as 14 inking themselves, some without the knowledge of their parents. (DN)

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL CARE TO LAUNCH SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT – The Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development is preparing to launch a new project which aims to reduce extreme poverty and unemployment in Barbados. Entitled Strengthening Human and Social Development, the project, which is being funded by a US$10 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), seeks to reduce inter-generational poverty in Barbados over a specified five year period.  The project comprises three main components: the expansion of the Identification, Stabilization, Enablement and Empowerment (I.S.E.E.) Bridge Pilot Programme, to assist 250 families in communities across Barbados; the reduction of unemployment through training and improved employment services at the National Employment Bureau; and the creation of a Management Information System to facilitate better information sharing among key agencies. Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett, will officially launch the project this Friday. (DN)

RED CARPET - The Cuban market is coming to the table for local manufacturing companies. Those making inroads already are Banks Barbados Breweries Limited, which is exporting to the Spanish-speaking Caribbean country, and biscuit manufacturer WIBISCO, is set to make a breakthrough. Other manufacturers that participated in a recent Cuba trade show are also preparing to follow up on negotiations in a bid to do business there. Executive director of the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association, Bobby McKay, told the NATION yesterday there was heightened excitement among manufacturers about landing their goods in Cuba. (DN)

WE MUST SUPPORT CUBA – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Maxine McClean has urged fellow Caribbean countries to continue to rally together in support of Cuba. Addressing a reception marking the 58th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution at the Grand Salle on Tuesday night, McClean commended the foresight of the leaders of Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica who stood in solidarity with the Cuban people during their days of isolation, following the revolution led by late Cuban leader Fidel Castro. “This was indeed a bold act of diplomacy and an act of strong commitment to the idea of oneness in the Caribbean,” McClean told the audience which included local friends of Cuba, diplomats, members of the business community, and representatives of organisations connected with the Caribbean country. “We are now at a watershed moment and must take similarly bold action. . . ” (DN)

MCCLEAN SEES TRUMP AS A CHALLENGE – Barbados is keeping a close eye on recent political developments in the United States that have followed last month’s inauguration of president Donald Trump. Speaking at a ceremony here last night marking the 58th anniversary of the Cuban revolution, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade  Senator Maxine McClean made only a passing reference to the situation in the US, saying: “We are challenged by all that is evolving around us up north.” However, while staying clear of his controversial policies, McClean expressed hope that workable hemispheric partnership could be found “to ensure that our people can realize their full potential”. (BT)

BRITIST MPS BACK BREXIT BILL - MPs have voted by a majority of 384 to allow Theresa May to get Brexit negotiations under way. They backed the government’s European Union Bill, supported by the Labour leadership, by 498 votes to 114. But the Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrat leadership opposed the bill, while 47 Labour MPs and Tory ex-chancellor Ken Clarke rebelled. The bill now faces further scrutiny in the Commons and the House of Lords before it can become law. The prime minister has set a deadline of March 31 for invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, getting official talks with the EU started. MPs held two days of debate on the bill, which follows last June’s referendum in which voters opted by 51.9 per cent to 48.1 per cent in favour of Brexit. Talks with the EU are expected to last up to two years, with the UK predicted to leave the 28-member organisation in 2019. (BT)

GUYANESE FAKES KIDNAPPING TO RUN AWAY WITH LOVER – When 21-year-old Fazeema Zabar was dragged into a car at knife-point two Mondays ago in the presence of her mother and brother, at Zeelugt New Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), it was actually a scene she was enacting—one she and her lover plotted the night before. The plot went just as they expected — a man with dreadlocks came out a white Toyota 212 and grabbed her with one hand and placed the knife to her neck with the other hand. For it to look “real” it had to be done when her mother, Nazeema Zabar was there so that she would believe. This is the information related to the police by the young woman Monday night when she and her lover were tracked down by the police at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). According to information received, the young woman explained to the police that she and her alleged kidnapper are lovers and plan on getting married. Nazeema Zabar said that when the police located her daughter, she made contact with her and said that she would not be returning home since it would bring shame to her family. “She said that she don’t want to bring shame to us and that the boy said he will marry her but I am still willing to take her back,” the woman said. Her mother said that the suspect is married and has a child but seemed obsessed with her daughter. The woman said that the suspect has even tattooed her daughter’s name on his hand. (BT)

TEEN SENTENCED TO TIME SERVED - A St Michael teen was granted his freedom today after spending 117 days on remand at HMP Dodds. Shalom Shem Batson, 19, of Laynes Road, Brittons Hill, had previously pleaded guilty to the October 6, 2016 offence of possession of cannabis. He also admitted to stealing an Amazon Fire smartphone and tablet belonging to Charla Adams on August 14 last year. In relation to theft of the phone and tablet, the court heard recently that Batson and Adams were in a relationship for a month prior to the incident. Batson visited the complainant’s residence on the morning of August 14 and Adams later discovered that her electronic devices were missing. She questioned Batson but he told her he knew nothing about them. However, Adams later saw Batson using the phone via mobile app Snapchat. She reported the matter to police and a search was executed at Batson’s residence where the phone was found. The tablet was recovered at the home of a neighbour. The illegal drug was found during the search. Today, Batson’s attorney Greame Brathwaite informed the magistrate that the relationship between Batson and Adams was such that she had given him “some stuff” over a period of time and it was his impression that the items had been lent to him. “No force was used by the accused in getting the items,” said Barthwaite, who pointed out that his client had no previous convictions although he had been previously placed on a bond that has since expired. The lawyer also argued that the offence was such that the time spent on remand was an adequate sentence. The magistrate agreed and sentenced Batson to time served. (BT)

ROBBER SHOT MAN WITH GUN HE FOUND - A 30-YEAR-OLD MAN said the gun he used to shoot his robbery victim was one that he “found”. Trevor Junior “Lil Trev” Griffith, of Block #16E, Gall Hill, St John, pleaded guilty to three charges, including one relating to the use of a firearm, when he appeared in the No. 5 Supreme Court before Justice Jacqueline Cornelius yesterday. In addition to the use of a firearm charge, he is also accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Tony Browne and assaulting him with intent to rob. All the offences occurred on August 27, 2012. (DN)

GUNMAN APOLOGIZES FOR CRIME – A Christ Church man who tried to rob another man five years ago, but instead left his victim nursing a gunshot wound, today apologized for committing the crime. “I am sorry for what I have done,” Trevor Junior Griffith, of Block #16E Lower Crescent, Gall Hill said in the No. 5 Supreme Court this morning. The apology came after he pleaded guilty to a number of charges stemming from offences committed on August 27, 2012. Griffith, also known as Lil Trev, admitted before Madam Justice Jacqueline Cornelius to possession of a .38 automatic gun without a valid licence, unlawfully wounding Tony Browne, and assaulting the same man with intent to rob him. He however told the court that he was not guilty of intent to commit serious bodily harm or maim, disfigure or disable Browne. Principal Crown Counsel Elwood Watts accepted the pleas and went on to outline to the court what occurred on that day almost five years ago. Griffith was 30 years old then. Griffith also admitted that he had tried to rob Browne. “I did trying to get the chain from he cause things did hard on me,” Griffith said to lawmen. The firearm he used, he claimed, was one he found, but he subsequently lost it in a fight. In a written statement, Griffith disclosed that he had disembarked a van and was walking through a track near the Christ Church Boys School when he “see an old man coming through the track . . . wearing a gold chain around his neck”. He then took out the gun which he had concealed in his pants and told him to “pass de chain”. “De old man ran at me and I get frighten and I fire a shot at he and he turn around and ran off. I ran behind him and when the old man get to the four cross, he went right and I went left and I went home and bathe.” Judge Cornelius then ordered a pre-sentencing report on Griffith who has one previous conviction dating back to 2001 for possession of an offensive weapon. The case resumes on March 27. (BT)

FARMER ADMITS TO STEALING LIMES - A man who is Farmer by name, but not by vocation, today admitted to a Bridgetown magistrate that he stole 25 pounds of limes. O’Neal Sylvester Farmer, who was recorded as having of no fixed place of abode, pleaded guilty to committing the offence which occurred yesterday in Pine Gardens, St Michael. Farmer also pleaded guilty to possession of apparatus for the misuse of cocaine. The court heard that police were on patrol in Pine Gardens when they saw Farmer emerging from a bushy area near some houses. He was asked by lawmen for his reason for being there and he was searched. According to the prosecutor, Sergeant Janice Ifill, a glass tube with a hole at the bottom and wire mesh at the top was found in his pants pocket. “Officer, give me a break,” he allegedly said when the drug paraphernalia was discovered. The limes were found in a box and bag which Farmer was carrying. “I just pick them from a tree down there,” he told officers at the time. The limes belonged to Richard Matthews and a restitution order was today granted for them to be returned to him. “I’m sorry, Ma’am,” Farmer, who is known to the courts, told Magistrate Cuffy-Sargeant. After taking a look at his conviction card, the magistrate reprimanded and discharged him on the theft charge. However, she imposed a six-month suspended sentence for possession of apparatus for the misuse of cocaine. While Farmer will stay out of jail for now, if he is found guilty of breaking any laws in the next 12 months, he will spend that amount of time in prison. (BT)

ACCIDENTS - Emergency personnel were kept busy today as three vehicular accidents left six people injured. The first occurred around 12:52 p.m. at Oldbury Road, St Philip. It involved a Transport Board Bus driven by 32-year-old Corey Linton of Maxwell Hill, Christ Church. Linton, the only person onboard the bus, suffered minor injuries and was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by private vehicle.  (DN)

BUGGERY PROBE - A 67-year-old man accused of buggering a minor appeared before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant today. And despite his plea for bail, Winston Errol Bovell, of 144 Lodge Hill Terrace, St Michael was remanded to HMP Dodds. He allegedly committed the offence sometime between November 1, 2016 and last month, but he was not required to plea to the charge. Sergeant Janice Ifill objected to bail on several grounds, including the nature and seriousness of the offence and the need to protect society. The prosecutor also felt that if the accused was granted bail he would reoffend, and she revealed that investigators were also probing two other similar matters allegedly involving the accused. “The virtual complaint in this and in the other two matters are juveniles and must be protected,” the Crown’s representative said. However, Bovell declared: “I am not a threat to society, that’s for sure.” The man insisted that he had not committed the offence: “It is just an accusation.” “I am no flight risk. I have two convictions for petty theft and I don’t think I should be incarcerated for that,” added Bovell, in pleading for his freedom. “I am unaware of other matters, Ma’am.” But his bail application was denied. Bovell has been remanded to prison for the next 28 days and will reappear before Magistrate Cuffy-Sargeant on March 1. (BT)

DOG BAN COULD BE COMING SOON – A local ban on certain breeds of dogs could be on the cards following last Saturday’s dog attack that left an elderly woman dead. Minister of Health John Boyce strongly hinted at this possibility yesterday during a brief press conference at the ministry’s headquarters in Culloden Road, St Michael. As he read portions of the local Dog (Licensing and Control) Regulations which had been untouched for 35 years, Boyce made reference to a 16-page document from the Kennel Club in the United Kingdom. That document spoke to the UK’s Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 which banned four dog breeds; the pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, Dogo Argentino (Argentine Mastiff) and Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian mastiff). (DN)

TREASURED FRIEND GONE – Great memories OF Adrian Goddard (below) are now forever treasured by his colleagues at Bubba’s Sports Bar and Restaurant after he died on Tuesday. Just before midnight on January 24, the bartender, 41, of College Savannah, St John and Ron Robinson, 29, of Charnocks, Christ Church were taken to hospital following a two-car collision at Woodbourne, St Philip.  Robinson was treated and discharged but Goddard, whose condition was listed as critical, succumbed to his injuries a week later. Operations manager of Bubba’s Sports Bar and Restaurant, Adrian Jones, told the DAILY NATION that the passing of Goddard, who was also his best friend, was a big loss for the company. (DN)

BARBADOS PRICE ROUT OUT MAROONERS –Barbados Pride annihilated CCC Marooners by a massive 200 runs in a one-sided Regional Super50 day-night cricket match at Kensington Oval on Wednesday Batting first, Barbados Pride made a challenging 294 in 50 overs with Man-of-the-Match Roston Chase hitting nine fours and a six in a top score of 76 off 55 balls. In reply, CCC Marooners were routed for a paltry 94 in 36.2 overs.  Only all-rounder Vikash Mohan (29 off 40 balls) and Amir Jangoo (23 off 43 balls) reached double figures. It was the fourth consecutive victory for Barbados Pride, putting them on 19 points, ahead of tomorrow’s start of the second round of matches.  Experienced left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn captured three for 25 in nine overs while captain Jason Holder and Ashley Nurse took two wickets each for 14 and 18 runs, respectively. Earlier, when Barbados batted, there were also useful contributions from Kraigg Brathwaite (44 off 65 balls), Jonathan Carter (40 off 40 balls), Anthony Alleyne (39 off 83 balls) and Shane Dowrich (32 off 23 balls). Fast bowlers Jermaine Levy (3-64) and Keon Harding (2-63) and off-spinner Mohan (2-51) led the bowling for the CCC Marooners, who are joint second on nine points with Guyana Jaguars and Jamaica Scorpions.  (DN)

SPRINGER INTO BASKETBALL FINALS – Springer Memorial are one step closer to adding yet another trophy to their already heavy-laden cabinet after advancing into the Massy United Insurance Senior Girls Basketball Competition today. The former queens had home court advantage against Christ Church Foundation who were defeated 33-22 with the quarter scores reading 13-1, 19-6 and 21-9. Springer Memorial dominated the proceedings throughout the match. The second semifinal match will be contested tomorrow at the Graydon Sealy Secondary School commencing at 3:15p.m. (BT)

NATIONAL CAREER SHOWCASE UNDERWAY AT UWI – Thousands of bright-eyed secondary school students are expected to visit the University of the West Indies to gain knowledge on hundreds of career choices. Their visit to the Cave Hill Campus is being facilitated by the Barbados Association of Guidance Counsellors (BAGC) and the 12th annual National Career Showcase. The two-day annual event kicked off today with an opening ceremony in Lecture Theatre 2. It was attended by education officials, including Senator Harcourt Husbands, BAGC president Saul Leacock, president of the Barbados Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools Vere Parris and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, Dr Jennifer Obidah. After the ceremony, the students soaked up the knowledge from professionals. There are almost 100 booths, highlighting both traditional and non-traditional careers. (DN)

JONES TAKES ARNOTT CATO/COB AWARD –Dr. Waneisha Jones has become the eighth recipient of the Arnott Cato/City of Bridgetown Co-Operative Credit Union Ltd (COB) award. The Masters of Public Health (MPH) student received a cheque worth $5 000 from representatives of both organisations on Wednesday during a presentation at the Clinical Skills Complex, Jemmotts Lane, St Michael. Since 2010, the foundation and credit union have backed the award which goes to the Barbadian public health student who most impresses a panel. Both Sir Errol Walrond of Arnott Cato and COB's marketing manager Winston Alleyne said the support would continue. The MPH programme was developed in 2008 and students benefit from interaction with technical experts from the Ministry of Health, the Chronic Disease Research Centre and global academic partners. (DN)

BLACKMAN & GOLLOP INSPIRING PRIDE IN AFRICA – African Awareness Month kicked off today at the Blackman and Gollop Primary School with children learning how to cultivate feelings of pride towards their African ancestry. There was drumming by six-year-old Jamani Burton of Infants B; African music, songs and poetry; and an address from Estella Walcott, a parent and native of Sierra Leone on the theme Retracing Our Steps from Africa to Barbados.  Principal of the school located at Staple Grove, Christ Church, Petrona Holder, said the activities would continue until February 28 and every Wednesday students would be involved in different aspects, including storytelling, games and “very interactive sessions to bring over to the children their African ancestry”. She stressed: “You want them to feel the pride of being African. I understand we are the first school to be celebrating and that’s a plus.” Parents were commended for ensuring their children were “resplendent in their African attire” and the principal added that those who did not wear today would have another opportunity to do so on February 28. Guest speaker Estella Walcott told the children that despite their different shades and languages, they looked no different from the children of Africa and Sierra Leone.  Outlining some similarities in their culture, food, dress and the games played, she said: “The thing that unites all of us is that we all come from the same people. We are all African no matter where we are. You are African. You are beautiful people.  You are strong people and you should always remember that,” she asserted. (DN)

FYI Beyonce's announcement on Instagram of her pregnancy is the most liked post ever with 6.5 million likes! She is having twins.

There are 2 Days until Girlfriends Expo & Arts Festival (February 4th & 5th) and you can purchase your tickets from Ticket Pal. Well that’s all for today folks. There are 332 days left in the year                          ;) Shalom! #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #bajannewscaps #newscapsbystephaniefchase

[chobovilla-blog]

Rihanna: ‘If Jesus Hasn’t Answered Your Prayers, Try Satan’ December 1, 2017 Baxter Dmitry 42 While attending a ceremony to rename the street she grew up on after her, Rihanna advised an audience of children to "try praying to Satan." “The definition of stupidity is doing something over and over again when it isn’t working,” according to Rihanna, who told a group of children that “if Jesus hasn’t answered your prayers, try praying to Satan.“ Rihanna has been honored by the Barbados government who re-named the street she grew up on as a child after her, and speaking at the official ceremony to unveil the newly-named Rihanna Drive in Bridgetown, Barbados on Wednesday she took the opportunity to hand out advice to young Bajan children. “I know it isn’t easy being born in Bridgetown, Barbados, it’s a struggle and you have to work twice as hard to achieve anything. You have to hustle. I’m still hustling, but I am living proof that you can do anything,” Rihanna told the children in attendance, before adding, “If you came here for tips I can give y’all the biggest one straight off.” “How many of y’all have prayed to Jesus for years, prayed with all your hearts, and got nothing back from him?” Rihanna asked the audience, comprised mostly of children and early teens. “Hands up. Be honest, it’s OK.“ After a few of the children raised their hands, the Diamonds singer said: “Jesus doesn’t care about you. Do you really think He even listening? Hot tip y’all, because you are my people. Be efficient, go to Satan,” Rihanna said, before Prime Minister Freundel Stuart hastily changed the topic, and shocked parents intervened and removed their children. rihanna-street-barbados The new street sign for Rihanna Drive in Bridgetown, Barbados. In spite of the light rain, Rihanna seemed in high spirits as she attended the ceremony, smiling and waving to fans as she strolled through the streets of her hometown dripping in expensive jewelry and wearing a luminous yellow dress and huge gold hoops. Rihanna’s Satanic preaching is merely the latest public dalliance the singer has shared with the dark side. After starting her career as a fresh faced R&B singer, she reinvented her image

[graunafm]

Moradores de Barbados comemoram mudança de nome de rua em homenagem a Rihanna

Moradores de Barbados comemoram mudança de nome de rua em homenagem a Rihanna

A cantora, que vive nos Estados Unidos, estará no evento em sua homenagem, um ato que contará com a presença do primeiro-ministro de Barbabos, Freundel Stuart. A Westbury New Road, uma das mais conhecidas da capital, passará a se chamar Rihanna Drive.

[thechasefiles]

The Chase Files Daily Newscap 5/25/2018

Good Morning #realdreamchasers! Here is The Chase Files Daily News Cap for Friday, 25th May 2018. Remember that you can read full articles via subscribing to Nation News Online, purchasing a Weekend Nation Newspaper (WN), via Barbados Today (BT) or Barbados Government Information Services (BGIS).

MIA, BEES CREATE HISTORY – Mia Amor Mottley is now the Prime Minister-elect of Barbados. The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) leader and her team romped home to an unprecedented 30-nil victory at the polls last night, with a punishing defeat of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP). With the demolition, the long-serving MP will today write her name on history’s page when she is sworn in as the first female Prime Minister, joining a prestigious regional list including the late Dame Eugenia Charles (Dominica), the late Janet Jagan (Guyana), Portia Simpson Miller (Jamaica) and Kamla Persad-Bissessar (Trinidad and Tobago). The BLP’s poll party started just before midnight at its Roebuck Street, St Michael headquarters where thousands of supporters danced and sang throughout the wee hours of this morning, forcing police to block off the street to vehicular traffic. “This is not my victory. This is not the Labour Party’s victory. This is the people of Barbados’ victory,” Mottley told a jam-packed Roebuck Street in her victory speech, before thanking her family, campaign manager Jerome Walcott, and consultants Dr Clyde Mascoll and Lucille Moe for the sacrifices they made in the campaign. At around 3:40 a.m., Mottley officially acknowledged the concession speech of outgoing Prime Minister Freundel Stuart. She had earlier in the night cemented her personal victory in the St Michael North East constituency, easily beating former MP for Bridgetown, Patrick Todd. But this was a party win all the way, with the DLP amazingly losing in its major stronghold, St John, for the first time since it had been contesting that seat in 1958, and other powerhouse constituencies such as St Philip North, St Philip West, St Michael North West and St Lucy. For the three-week campaign there had been noticeably heavy support for the Bees at political meetings, and that manifested in former MPs such as Michael Lashley, Dr David Estwick, Chris Sinckler, Ronald Jones and Denis Kellman, all comfortable winners last time out in 2013, becoming victims of a massive national swing. A humble Mottley thanked Barbados for the historic win, which became clear just after midnight, after the late arrival of numerous special ballot boxes at polling stations across the island. “I have seen in my colleagues a level of commitment and sacrifice,” she added, while paying special tribute to party chairman George Payne for helping show the unity developed in the Best For Barbados team which included 20 new candidates. “There should be no time for gloating. We are all one people. We are Barbadians,” she said to loud applause. “We will need many hands to help make light work. We will rebuild Barbados together. “We have to get to the task immediately,” Mottley said, adding mission No. 1 was to reduce the fiscal deficit, and that she wanted a Cabinet in place by Monday. Stuart signalled his retirement from elective politics, but indicated the Dems would definitely bounce back. “We suffered a similar defeat in 1999. We rebounded from that and I expect us to rebound from this,” he said around 3:15 a.m. in his concession speech. Stuart also accepted blame for the loss, saying it was on him “unequivocally”, but adding the DLP had more than enough talent to lead it back to elective prominence.  (WN)

ALL O DEM GONE - “I take full responsibility for the defeat.” These were the words of a clearly deflated Prime Minister Freundel Stuart as he pondered the overwhelming defeat of his Democratic Labour Party (DLP) at the polls yesterday. Standing virtually alone on stage at the DLP’s George Street headquarters in the early hours of this morning, a clearly dejected Stuart accepted blame for the crushing loss in which not one DLP member retained a seat. Speaking in a low tone and with none of the defeated DLP candidates in sight, Stuart maintained his party had put up a fight, but he conceded: “Those performances were not outstanding enough if one is to draw any conclusions from the results one has heard so far. “To persuade the electorate that the Democratic Labour Party should be re-elected to office or that any of its candidates should be re-elected to the House of Assembly, that is the nature of politics,” he added.  In apparent reference to his being left alone to face the music of defeat hours after, in virtually empty party headquarters, he said: “There is an old feature . . . that in campaigning whenever there is success, success is shared by all those who succeed and by those with whom they are associated. But when there is failure, failure points to one man.” However, he thanked the members of his party who had faced the polls for the “courage” they had shown in making themselves available to contest seats on behalf of the DLP and for their “outstanding performances throughout the campaign”. He told the media: “You can sometimes fail and we have to learn how to cope with both victory and defeat.” Stuart, 67, also said it was the end of his political career as a candidate, saying he had not planned to contest further elections, even before yesterday’s loss. He added, however, that he would still be “available to the party that has done so much for me, to participate in the rebuilding process”. (WN)

MOTTLEY WINS EASILY IN ST MICHAEL NORTH EAST – The Queen Bee still rules the hive of St Michael North East. Mia Mottley was moments ago officially declared as the duly elected representative for the constituency by returning officer Gwendolyn Bridgeman-Bushell at 2:45 a.m. Mottley easily took care of the three other candidates she faced in her seventh election, earning 4 553  votes to breeze past the Democratic Labour Party's Patrick Todd (500), 23-year-old first-timer Kemar Stuart (133) of Solutions Barbados, and Barbados Free Party member Enlou Frere (37). "Today is a good night," a beaming Mottley said on the steps of the counting centre at St Matthew's Primary after she was declared the winner. Mottley thanked her campaign team, noting that it was the first time in almost 29 years of elective politics she had been unable to properly traverse her constituency as she concentrated on the national campaign.  (WN)

SINCKLER OUSTED BY ROWE – First-timer Neil Rowe has wrested the seat of St Michael North West from two-time incumbent Chris Sinckler. He beat the ex-Minister of Finance 2 489 to 1 991 votes in Thursday’s poll. The victory was confirmed by returning Officer Charles Haynes and Rowe’s entourage gave him a cheer sure to be heard throughout St Michael North West. Rowe said his initial interaction with residents began three years ago and intensified once it was confirmed he would vie for the seat. Sinckler never made an appearance at the Ellerslie Secondary.   (WN)

HINKSON OVERWHELMED BY VICTORY – Tears came to the eyes of an "overwhelmed" Edmund Hinkson as he scored a resounding victory in St. James North this morning. Following an unusually long night of counting, Returning Officer Anthony Greaves declared Hinkson the winner at minutes to 4 a.m. The attorney at law trounced his three opponents, scoring 3 716 votes to the Democratic Labour Party's Harry Husbands. David Walrond of Solutions Barbados had 76 votes, while United Progressive Party candidate Grafton Cobham tallied 54 votes. "I am absolutely overwhelmed. I knew that we had put in the work over the last five years, that we had kept in touch with people, because that's what's politics is about," said a beaming Hinkson. "And I would never imagine that I would be standing here winning by 3 000 votes." (WN)

FORDE TAKES CHRIST CHURCH WEST CENTRAL – The people of Christ Church West Central have spoken. And resoundingly so. They surprised Adrian Forde with over 3 000 votes to incumbent Stephen Lashley's 1 100. He said while he was quietly confident he would win he thanked voters and supporters for believing in him. "I have to thank my team. They rallied with me. Christ Church West Central has been underrepresented for the past decade and I am aiming to remedy that." He said the constituents are proud to finally have a son of the soil represent them and he said after the celebrations at party headquarters this morning, he will be getting to work. Returning officer Walter Jones declared him the duly elected representative at 3:03 a.m. Forde, on the Barbados Labour Party ticket, garnered 3891 votes. Lashley, running on a Democratic Labour Party ticket, received 1 131 votes. Kenneth Lewis of Solutions Barbados got 170 and Ria Riley of UPP had 45. There were 15 rejected ballots.  (WN)

STRAUGHN STUNS JONES IN CHRIST CHURCH EAST CENTRAL – Ryan Straughn has done what no member of the Barbados Labour Party has managed to do for the past 15 years - unseat Ronald Jones from Christ Church East Central. Riding a massive wave of anti-DLP sentiment, the newcomer stunned the experienced campaigner, defeating him with a lopsided voter count of 4 062 to 1 334. Scott Weatherhead of Solutions Barbados and Ogeji Dottin of the United Progressive Party failed to make much of a dent, with voter scores of 217 and 93 respectively though Weatherhead consistently outscored Dottin. The constituency has been held by both the BLP and DLP, switching hands five times since 1981.  (WN)

GOODING-EDGHILL WINS BIG IN ST MICHAEL WEST CENTRAL – Returning officer for St Michael West Central Leonard Walters has officially declared the Barbados Labour Party's Ian Gooding-Edghill as the winner of the seat. The human resources director of Elegant Hotels amassed 3 291 ahead of incumbent of the Democratic Labour Party's James Paul who ended his campaign on 865 votes.  Solutions Barbados' Angela Edey ended on 125, while United Progressive Party's Herman Lowe managed 29, and Barbados Integrity Movement's Stephen Belgrave finished on 46. While no unauthorised persons were allowed on the compound of the Lawrence T Gay Primary School where ballots were being counted, a massive crowd began celebrating even before Gooding-Edghill was officially declared the winner. After the announcement, the soft spoken former senator described the victory as a humbling experience. As he greeted his supporters at the gates of the compound, they swarmed him and lifted him into the air as they paraded up and down Spooner’s Hill, before boarding their motorcade to head to the BLP’s Roebuck Street headquarters.  (WN)

CONTROVERSY OVER BALLOT BOXES – The Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) Dr William Duguid claimed last night to have uncovered a plot to remove boxes from certain polling stations in Christ Church West. However, returning officer Wayne Taylor denied any knowledge of it, while Francis DePeiza, brother and election agent of Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate Verla DePeiza, said no box was ever missing or tampered with. An angry Duguid arrived at the counting station, Arthur Smith Primary School  in St Matthias, with his election agent, Roseann Parris, at 8 p.m. on board the Transport Board bus with the boxes. Last person He was the last person to disembark and told the media that Box ZA1, from the Barbados Council for the Disabled polling station, had been placed on a van from the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC). “We were made aware that there was a plot to remove boxes from certain polling stations in Christ Church West. We had done our vigilance all throughout the constituency and I alerted all of my people that there was that intent. What happened then is that while I was here at the polling station at Arthur Smith, I got a call from one of my people that two boxes were on a BIDC van,” he charged. Duguid said he alerted Taylor. “He called and then it was confirmed that a box was indeed on a BIDC van. The box had to be taken off the van and the question is if the same box that went out on the van was the same box that came back to the station. We still are not sure.” Duguid, a dentist, also charged he had information that two other boxes – ZC3, which was at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and ZC2 in the Bonnetts Resource Centre – were also supposed to be removed. He said he then boarded the bus to the polling station. But DePeiza said box ZA1 was always accounted for. “Whatever the hyperbole surrounding the situation, I happened to be present at the ZA1 box at the close of polling at 6 o’clock, over at the Barbados Council for the Disabled. There may have been some miscommunication.  I cannot comment on it because it would be outside of my scope, but while I was there, the box that I saw never went missing,” he explained. DePeiza said there were two ballot boxes in separate rooms and while officials from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission were going about their duties at the close of the poll, one box was completed ahead of the other.  “The box, I have been made to understand, is the source of some controversy. I can certainly say that none of the boxes at that location were ever out of the eyesight of my agents.” Depeiza added that if a box was not placed on the bus, “that may not be through any fault of the officers. “The security of that box was never compromised. It was never out of the possession of the Electoral and Boundaries officer who had custody of it,” he said. He also confirmed he had seen the box “and the seal of the box and there is no question that it has not been compromised”. DePeiza said he was satisfied “that we still do have peaceful and fair elections and I am satisfied that the electoral process has triumphed”. (WN)

SCHOOLS CLOSED, BUSINESSES TO CLOSE AT 1 – No school today and businesses will close at 1 p.m. This is the word from Prime Minister designate Mia Mottley. Giving her victory speech from the Barbados Labour Party headquarters, in Roebuck Street, St Michael, Mottley made the declaration to the delight of the party faithful assembled. (WN)

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