There are reports of a death at Carrington Village, St Michael.
The Nation understands that a body was found inside a house this morning.
More details as they come.
Missing: 68-year-old Benjamin Valentine Fraser
Police are appealing to the public for assistance in locating 68-year-old Benjamin Valentine Fraser of 4th Avenue, Peterkins, Bank Hall, St Michael.
Fraser was last seen around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
He is about 5 ft 4 in tall, of heavy build and brown complexion, with a round head, small eyes and wears glasses. Police said he has an erect posture but drags his feet when walking.
Fraser suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and is known to frequent the Bush Hall, St Michael area, particularly near Howard Supermarket.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Black Rock Police Station at 417-7500 or 417-7501, Police Emergency at 211, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477), or the nearest police station.
Bellingham reaching heights of World Cup legends with Messi next
Jude Bellingham has carried England through the altitude of Mexico City then the searing heat and humidity of Miami on what increasingly looks like a personal mission to end a 60-year wait to win the World Cup.
The World Cup can sometimes turn into one player’s destiny, carrying an unstoppable momentum towards the sport’s greatest prize.
Think Diego Maradona with Argentina in 1986. Think Ronaldo’s redemption with Brazil in Yokohama in 2002. Think Lionel Messi finally claiming his personal Holy Grail with Argentina in Doha in 2022.
Despite the England star again coming to his nation’s aid with two goals that overcame Norway in the Miami furnace, Bellingham has a long way to go to be bracketed with those iconic figures.
Indeed, there are huge barriers to cross just at this tournament with Messi and Argentina waiting in Atlanta in the semi-final after they beat Switzerland.
And, even then, there is the prospect that Spain, or Kylian Mbappe and a brilliant France side, will be the final frontier to cross in ending the agonising barren years that have stretched back to 30 July 1966 when Sir Alf Ramsey’s England won the World Cup.
Formidable barriers, but sometimes world-class players find the force of will to shape a World Cup as they wish – and Bellingham is threatening to do that after the latest in a string of magnificent displays.
While not daring to place Bellingham in the stratosphere of Pele or Maradona – which would be ridiculously premature given their history and legendary status – his match-winning performances against Mexico in the Azteca, then against Norway in Miami, at least allow a flattering statistical comparison.
Bellingham is the first player to score two or more goals in consecutive knockout stage games at a single World Cup since Maradona’s great tournament in 1986.
He is also, at 23, the second youngest player to achieve this feat behind Pele, who did the same at 17 in 1958 when Brazil won the World Cup in Sweden. (BBC Sport)
Site checks the norm, says Ishmael
Officials from the Environmental Health Department are inspecting migrant worker accommodations across Barbados and have identified compliance issues at some of the construction sites, according to Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Davidson Ishmael.
He said the ministry’s authority to conduct these checks stemmed from existing legislation.
“It’s actually a regulation under the Health Services Act that speaks to lodging houses and barracks,” Ishmael said in relation to the barrack licence.
“That piece of legislation gives us the authority not only to license, but to inspect places where persons are housed and lodged.”
The current construction boom, particularly in the hotel sector, has led to an influx of migrant labourers from countries including China, India, Spain, Colombia and Cuba, resulting in a heightened need for these inspections.
While the recent discovery of substandard living conditions at a JADA construction facility drew significant public attention, Ishmael emphasised that monitoring these sites was standard, yearround procedure.
“The JADA situation came up recently and came to the media’s attention, but the environmental health officers across the various catchments have always been utilising this particular piece of legislation to undertake the work that is required,” he noted.
“They have inspected several lodging houses, several spaces that can be considered barracks and that has been ongoing work.”
He acknowledged that because the ministry does not automatically know the location of every housing site, they rely on a combination of routine patrols and public tips.
“We don’t know about every single site that has been set up as a lodging house or a barrack, so sometimes things do come to our attention either by complaints or by the media. But generally speaking, because the environmental health officers and the inspectors are on the ground in various catchment areas, they usually come across these sites and they then guide the persons through the process of becoming compliant with the law.”
Regarding the specific situation at JADA, the minister confirmed that remedial work was under way.
“The environmental health team have gone in and they have done their inspections. They have advised on what areas need to be remediated and with that work being ongoing, they’ve been given a certain amount of time to be able to become compliant,” he stated.
Continuous oversight
“We will continue through the environmental health officers to work with [the company] to ensure that everybody is safe and sound and everything is as it should be.”
Ishmael declined to provide a specific number of sites inspected recently, reiterating that the discovery of issues at other locations was not a new development.
“This is something that is ongoing all year round, so this is not something that is new to us. It’s not because of the JADA incident that things are being done,” he stressed.
“There are other sites that have been inspected even long before the JADA incident and they are currently going through the process of addressing some of the issues that have been identified with their own facilities.”
To further strengthen oversight, he added, the ministry has initiated a proactive collaboration with the Ministry of Labour.
“We have asked for the Ministry of Labour to provide us with any information that they have on all sites where migrant workers may be. With that information we will check and, of course, crossreference and see where we may have already done inspections and where we have not done inspections.
“We will then go out and facilitate inspections of those sites and work with the various site managers and companies to see if we can get them to be as compliant and fall in line with the regulations under the Health Services Act in the shortest possible time.”
Ishmael said safeguarding the living conditions of all residents remained an important, long-standing function of his ministry.
“This is ongoing work . . . . I think that regulation has been on the books for many years and the environmental health team have been using it quite effectively to make sure that we have good living conditions for visitors, for migrant workers and for all of our citizens wherever it is required.” (MB)
Weather fit ‘for being outside’
The effects of a tropical wave which was affecting Barbados, including some overnight showers, are expected to give way to weather perfect “for being outside” today.
Senior meteorologist at the Barbados Meteorological Services, Semelka Jackman, told the Sunday Sun “conditions should definitely be good” as the Crop Over season heats up with the Banks Party Monarch at the National Botanical Gardens, Waterford, St Michael, one of several events on today.
“There is going to be some cloudiness, but shower activity is supposed to be limited,” she said of today’s weather.
Some effects from the tropical wave were forecast to continue last night and into this morning, but Barbadians should start to see an improvement in conditions, Jackman added.
“So we would have had shower activity starting early [yesterday] morning. Shower and thunderstorm activity started early [yesterday] morning and that would have peaked in the early hours of the morning into just after daybreak.
“We still got the in and out showers as the day progressed, but the activity decreased significantly by late morning and there was also a reduction in thunderstorm activity. So by mid-afternoon we would have discontinued the flash flood watch and the severe thunderstorm watch,” she explained.
Discontinued
Both were issued around 5:45 a.m. and discontinued around 2 p.m.
Jackman did not have figures to hand of the amount of rainfall yesterday, but the wave generated moderate to heavy showers across the island.
The high winds which were affecting Barbados over recent weeks also decreased yesterday.
During a site visit last Thursday at the Botanical Gardens, chief executive officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Carol Roberts, said they were keeping an eye on the weather, even though it would not stop the jam.
“If it is heavy overnight Saturday into Sunday, that obviously is going to affect our final setup and our final prep. We’re probably going to need to be navigating and negotiating our way around some showers,” she said at that time, adding they would be guided by the Barbados Meteorological Services.
Yesterday, two people closely associated with the Party Monarch and last night’s Fusions event, said everything was still on stream for today’s 4 p.m. start.
The NCF said it was expecting about 10 000 people to watch the 16 competitors – eight in each category – vie for supremacy in the Power Soca and Sweet Soca sections and the $100 000 in prizes up for grabs in each category.
Also scheduled to be held today are Impulse Jouvert, Morning Time and Summer Rave Cruise.
In spite of the weather, Beach House Breakfast went off successfully yesterday morning at Copacabana in Bay Street, St Michael. (SAT)
West Indies beat New Zealand as Lawes shines on ODI debut
Keacy Carty made 95 and Shai Hope scored an unbeaten 87 in a 131-run third wicket partnership which led West Indies to a comfortable seven-wicket win over New Zealand on Saturday night in the first of five One-Day Internationals at the National Stadium in Georgetown, Guyana.
Carty fell just short of his fifth ODI century – a year after his fourth – as the West Indies easily erased New Zealand’s score of 267 with seven balls remaining.
Hope anchored the innings after Carty’s dismissal, adding 45 runs from 31 balls in an unbroken partnership with Sherfane Rutherford who finished 22 not out.
With six to win off eight balls he smashed the next ball straight over the bowler’s head and out of the ground to end the match and spark celebrations among the sparse crowd.
Earlier in the match West Indies handed an international debut to Vitel Lawes, the teenager from Jamaica who had never represented his country in professional cricket.
It was a smart pick as the 19-year-old left-arm chinaman and googly specialist demonstrated his wizardry. He picked up three wickets for 54 runs from 10 overs to help bowl out New Zealand. He had two batsmen caught in the outfield and the other stumped in a superb piece of work by the alert Hope behind the stumps.
The leading wicket-taker was fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, with four for 41 – which saw New Zealand lose their last six wickets for 33 runs in the space of seven overs.
The second match is another day/night fixture under floodlights on Monday at 2:30pm. (PS)
KM2 Solutions Barbados marks 19 years
For 19 years, KM2 Solutions Barbados has been setting the standard for customer service excellence in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. Throughout its journey, the company has remained committed to delivering exceptional service to its clients while building a workplace where talent is recognised, nurtured and empowered. This unwavering focus on excellence has helped establish KM2 Solutions as one of the region’s leading BPO providers.
At the heart of KM2 Solutions’ success is its investment in people. By providing continuous training, mentorship and clearly defined career pathways, the company has enabled countless employees to progress from entry-level roles into supervisory, managerial and executive positions. As KM2 Solutions Barbados celebrates 19 years in Barbados, it also celebrates the dedication, growth and achievements of the people who continue to drive its success every day.
Read all about KM2 Solutions Barbados‘ almost 20-year journey in this weekend’s Sunday Sun.
Flash flood, thunderstorm watches discontinued for the island
The Barbados Meteorological Services has discontinued the Flash Flood Watch and Severe Thunderstorm Watch that were in effect for Barbados.
The Flash Flood Watch was lifted after moderate to heavy showers over the past six hours produced less than 10 millimetres of rainfall across the island, reducing the immediate threat of flooding.
However, forecasters said the tropical wave affecting Barbados could still bring occasional moderate to heavy showers this afternoon and into tonight. A flash flood watch may be issued again if conditions require.
The Severe Thunderstorm Watch was also discontinued after the threat of severe lightning activity diminished.
The public is advised that isolated thunderstorms remain possible as unstable weather conditions continue across the island. (BMS)
Noskova survives Muchova fightback in all-Czech final to lift Wimbledon trophy
Linda Noskova survived missing five match points to outlast compatriot Karolina Muchova 6-2 5-7 6-3 to win a maiden Grand Slam title as she extended the Czech Republic’s remarkable Wimbledon success story.
Noskova’s triumph on the historic lawns of southwest London made her the third Czech woman to capture the Wimbledon title in four years and continued a run of fresh faces at the All England Club with a first-time champion for the ninth straight edition.
In joining the roll of honour, Noskova added her name to a distinguished Czech tradition at Wimbledon that includes twice champion Petra Kvitova and the late Jana Novotna, whose 1998 triumph remains one of the tournament’s enduring memories.
At the pinnacle of that legacy is Martina Navratilova, who twice lifted the gilded Venus Rosewater Dish as a Czech in 1978 and 1979 before becoming a U.S. citizen to increase her haul to nine singles crowns at the grasscourt Grand Slam.
“I don’t know how to hold this, but that’s the first thing,” Noskova said as she cradled her silverware.
“It feels incredible. And all these matches have been so physically or mentally tough. Today, especially, it’s never easy to get to last point. Karo, you really made me work for it. So I’ll not forgive for you, but yeah we’re friends.
“I’m so glad I could play my first Grand Slam final with you. I think we made a history today. I believe that all our Czech fans at home are proud of us, so no matter the result today, I think it was a good day for us.”
On a scorching afternoon, ninth seed Noskova turned up the heat in the Centre Court showdown by taking advantage of nervy and wayward hitting by Muchova to break in the fourth game of the opening set with a crisp backhand winner.
The 21-year-old kept her foot on the gas with the fearless ball-striking that has carried her through the fortnight, as she broke again to claim the set and leave 2023 French Open runner-up Muchova with a mountain to climb.
Muchova bailed herself out of early trouble in the next set to hold for 1-1 and then brought up two breakpoints in the third game by raising her intensity, but Noskova staved them off with some solid defending to remain on track.
After trading her power for some deft play a little later, Noskova resumed normal service to secure an important break in the sixth game to give herself an opportunity to earn a famous win.
Noskova knocked on the door three times on Muchova’s serve and then had a fourth match point on her own delivery, but she did not take it and eventually allowed her opponent to break back to prolong the contest.
She then let another match point go begging and quickly found herself level at 5-5, before 10th seed Muchova raised her game again and made it one set apiece as a thoroughly-entertained showcourt crowd roared both players on.
That setback left Noskova hiding her head under her towel ahead of the decider, but the momentum shift proved short-lived as she went ahead early and earned the win with an unreturnable serve on her sixth match point and collapsed in relief and joy.
Muchova was left to digest another defeat in a Grand Slam final after her Roland Garros disappointment.
“It’s really tough to find any words, but this is how it starts … Linda, my ex-friend,” joked Muchova through her tears.
“Even though I’m pretty disappointed. When I look to my corner…,” she said fighting back more tears.
“I have all my friends and family, who cancelled all their plans and came here for me. I appreciate it. I’ll be fighting, I want that trophy and I hope I’ll get a chance to get to the final again.”
An equally emotional Noskova blew a kiss skywards in memory of her mother, who died on the eve of the 2024 championships.
“I want to thank … my dad for coming here for, my family for coming here. I know you don’t like flying, so I appreciate it,” Noskova said.
She then reduced champions such as Navratilova and Kvitova, who were watching on from the Royal Box, to tears as she made her final dedication.
“There’s one more person that would like to thank, my mom. I would definitely not be standing here without her, so … thank you very much. I never cry. It’s not okay for me.” (Reuters)
Lawyer: Jail thief
The complainant wants thief Rotchell Rivera Kellman locked up but that is highly unlikely, a High Court judge said yesterday.
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“She didn’t just steal jewellery. She stole leather goods. She stole handbags and I have not got back anything,” said complainant, King’s Counsel and former senator, Monique Taitt.
“So I’m asking that she be incarcerated for coming into my space, breaching my trust and taking away my property,” Taitt declared.
Kellman, of Chance Hall, St Lucy, was in the No. 4 Supreme Court yesterday, where she had previously pleaded guilty to stealing three pendants, worth $6 100, two chains valued at $1 500, six rings worth $20 000, three bracelets valued $5 720, a bangle worth $4 000, a piece of gold valued at $350, total value $44 470, belonging to Taitt, between August 1, and October 31, 2014.
Senior State Counsel Paul Prescod prosecuted the matter, while Kellman was represented by attorney Shamar Bovell.
Taitt, who was giving her victim impact statement, admitted the convicted woman was, initially in a “disadvantageous financial position” when she started to work for her.
Taitt explained she had hired the woman in August, 2014, but fired her mid-September that same year.
“Her financial situation started to improve because she started to steal from me,” Taitt told the court.
Saw receipts
The long-standing attorney said she subsequently saw receipts, with Kellman’s name, address, identification card and signature, saying that she was authorised to sell the items she had stolen.
When asked to consider how much money in compensation she would be willing to take, Taitt replied her stolen jewellery could be considered priceless since some of it was handed down from her parents.
“This happened 12 years ago, so she owes me interest,” Taitt declared.
She revealed even though she had the items insured, she was not compensated by her insurance company because “my jewellery was treated as part of my household effects”.
“It was a general policy and not a risk policy because people don’t come in at me and t’ief. I have security so they can’t get in and t’ief. I’m not saying steal, cause she t’ief,” she said adding: “What they (the insurance company) at the time were trying to offer me, the figure was unacceptable.
“So the other thing the convicted woman caused was me to fire my insurance company because they refused to compensate me for my jewellery.”
Up to judge
The senior counsel then said she would be leaving any issue of compensation to the judge.
“I am not the one to tell you anything ’cause I am starting at $100 000 ’cause if you put in interest, and that has nothing to do with sentimentality, I am at $100 000 ’cause we’re talking about jewellery and leather goods,” Taitt said.
“So I am not the one to help you with that,” the complainant repeated.
Taitt further told the court a jeweller “was approached” and had determined that the stolen property “was irreplaceable because of the nature and the quality”.
“And any replica would simply be that, a replica. So seriously, my jewellery was priceless.”
Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell then noted the court would be taking into account all the mitigating factors relating to the convicted woman.
“I know that you are the victim. I know that you are affronted by what you think is the behaviour of the now convicted woman in a situation where you are of the view that you were assisting her and helping her,” the judge told Taitt.
“But in sentencing, the court also has to take into account the rehabilitative aspect of sentencing. This is a now convicted woman who has no previous convictions, no subsequent convictions. I am sure you are well aware of what the Penal System Reform Act says with respect to a custodial sentence being a last resort where there are other avenues,” the judge noted.
“Clearly, she cannot fully compensate you for the value of your missing possession because you cannot compensate for sentimentality,” the judge added.
In the end, the judge adjourned the matter until next Friday when she will sentence Kellman. (HLE)