Home Blog Page 57

Knicks defeat Spurs to snap 53-year NBA title drought

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Knicks defeat Spurs to snap 53-year NBA title drought

 The New York ​Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on Saturday to claim their first NBA championship since 1973, putting the long-suffering franchise ‌back on top and unleashing mass celebrations across the city’s five boroughs.

Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 45 points as the Knicks closed out the best-of-seven NBA Finals in five games, just days after completing the greatest comeback seen in the championship round.

Comebacks have been the theme for the Knicks this series as they rallied from double-digit deficits in all four ​of their Finals victories on the way to their first championship in 53 years.

“I’m in awe,” an ​emotional Brunson said during on-court celebrations as he soaked in the moment. “Whenever someone counted us out, we found a ⁠way to come back and do something about it.”

Brunson was named Finals MVP after his relentless performance saw a strong contingent of traveling Knicks fans ​chant his name moments before he was crowned with the honor.

“It’s everything we dreamed of,” he said of winning the championship. “It’s why I came to New ​York.”

San Antonio started strong once again, taking a double-digit lead in the first 12 minutes. But New York crawled back in the second quarter as Brunson started to come alive, slowly cutting a 16-point deficit to trail by five points at halftime.

A quick transition play early in the third quarter set up Frenchman Victor Wembanyama for a dunk. That ​spurred a rally from the Spurs, who led by as much as 12 points before the Knicks eventually slashed the deficit to five.

A three-pointer from ​Dylan Harper, who was red-hot for the Spurs all night with 25 points off the bench, restored San Antonio’s double-digit lead though it was cut to seven heading into ‌the fourth ⁠quarter.

New York tied the game with just under five minutes left to play and took their first lead with 3:40 to go. The Spurs were unable to regain the lead after that and the Knicks capped off a dominant championship run that saw them lose just three games in the postseason. (Reuters)

Barbados Fire Service mourns death of Divisional Officer Wayne David Vaughan

Sherrylyn Clarke
-
0
Barbados Fire Service mourns death of Divisional Officer Wayne David Vaughan

The Barbados Fire Service is today mourning the loss of Divisional Officer Wayne David Vaughan.

Vaughan passed away today after 36 years of service, and in a statement on social media, Chief Fire Officer Errol Maynard described him as a person who “answered every call with courage, commitment, and professionalism”.

“Throughout his distinguished career with the Barbados Fire Service, Wayne served with unwavering dedication and a deep sense of duty. Whether responding to emergencies, mentoring younger officers, supporting his colleagues, or serving the people of Barbados, he carried himself with dignity, integrity, and honour. His leadership inspired confidence, his experience guided many, and his presence brought strength to every watch and every station where he served,” the Fire Chief added.

He said Vaughan left an indelible mark on the service he loved and through the lives he touched, facing danger so others might be safe.

“Today, we pause to honour a firefighter, a leader, and a brother. While his turnout gear has been hung up for the last time and his watch has ended, his legacy will continue to burn brightly in the hearts of all who had the privilege of serving alongside him.” (SAT)

Haynesville house destroyed by fire, man in custody

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Haynesville house destroyed by fire, man in custody

A house in Haynesville, St James burnt to the ground this morning and a man taken into custody.

Firefighters responded to the scene after the alarm was raised around 7:30 a.m.

The home belonged to Everton Reece who told The Nation a relative was allegedly responsible for the fire following a dispute. 

The relative was apprehended around 10:30 a.m. and seen being driven away in a police vehicle.

More details as they come. (DDS)

Griffith offers housing ideas

Ashada Joseph
-
1
Griffith offers housing ideas

With more than 4 000 Barbadians reportedly seeking housing solutions, Democratic Labour Party (DLP) spokesman on housing, infrastructure and transport, Ian Griffith, is nailing away at what he says are chronic delays, poor accountability and questionable management of Government housing projects.

His comments come after Minister of Housing and Lands Chris Gibbs, in the last Weekend Nation, acknowledged ongoing “housing hiccups” and outlined measures aimed at addressing the growing demand for affordable housing.

However, Griffith argued that before any meaningful progress could be made, Government must first confront the reasons why several flagship housing projects have stalled or failed to deliver homes to those most in need.

“We have to look at what is causing these delays,” Griffith said, pointing to a number of projects launched under the HOPE (Home Ownership Providing Energy) Inc. programme that had either failed to get off the ground or remained incomplete years after construction began.

Among the projects highlighted were developments at Pool, St John; and Fustic Gardens and Checker Hall, both in St Lucy.

According to Griffith, the DLP candidate for St Lucy in the last General Election, some sites have remained dormant for extended periods, while others have struggled with material shortages, construction setbacks and possible resource mismanagement.

At Fustic Gardens, he said a model home that was expected to showcase the development has yet to be completed.

Unoccupied units

He also raised concerns about housing units at Coconut Hall, also in St Lucy, where completed structures have reportedly remained unoccupied for more than a year. He said exposure to the harsh Atlantic coastline had already begun to affect some of the buildings, with rust appearing on doors and structural connections in several units using steel-frame technology.

“These homes were finished but never occupied. Now they are deteriorating before families have even had the opportunity to move in.”

Griffith said the issue extended beyond delayed construction and called for greater transparency surrounding contractor arrangements, project financing and the criteria used to allocate housing units.

“There seems to be a lack of accountability for the delays and the failure to produce the homes that were promised. An independent body should investigate exactly what has gone wrong.”

While critical of the current system, Griffith offered some suggestions that he believed could help reduce the backlog and accelerate home ownership opportunities.

Shift

One of his main recommendations is a shift away from Government acting as the primary builder of housing units. Instead, he suggests the State focuses on making serviced lots available to qualified applicants at affordable rates.

Under this model, successful applicants would acquire land from Government and use it as collateral to secure financing from commercial lenders. Homeowners would then build houses according to their individual needs, budgets and family sizes, he explained.

“People should be allowed to build according to their means. A family of six has different needs from a single parent with one child. One size does not fit all.”

Griffith said such an approach would reduce Government’s exposure to construction delays while empowering families to design homes that better suited their circumstances.

He also questioned whether some existing housing programmes adequately address long-term affordability.

Responding to Government’s proposed Social Mortgage Programme, which aims to help renters transition into home ownership, he acknowledged the concept had merit but warned that ownership came with responsibilities that many low-income families might struggle to manage.

“When you move from being a tenant to being a homeowner, maintenance becomes your responsibility,” he said.

He said that policymakers must consider whether mortgage repayments will leave homeowners with enough disposable income to maintain their properties over time.

To address this concern, Griffith suggested Government explore maintenance assistance programmes, including vouchers or subsidies for building materials and repairs for qualifying homeowners.

As Barbados continues to grapple with a growing demand for affordable housing, Griffith maintains that solving the crisis will require more than new announcements and policy initiatives.

“The first step is finding out what went wrong. Then we can determine how best to fix it and ensure that the promises made to Barbadians become reality,” he said.

(AJ)

Central Bank sues over alleged $20 million cheque fraud

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Central Bank sues over alleged $20 million cheque fraud

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago has filed a High Court lawsuit seeking to recover nearly $18.8 million in connection with what it alleges was a sophisticated fraud involving a forged government cheque.

The legal action, filed on June 10, names NiPat General Contractors Limited, its managing director Nigel Patterson Vincent, and director Jackqui Watson-Vincent as defendants, the Trinidad Express reported on Sunday.

According to the newspaper report, the Central Bank is alleging that the company received funds from a cheque that was never issued by the Government and that large portions of the money were quickly disbursed before the alleged fraud was detected.

The case centres on a cheque purportedly issued by the then Ministry of Planning and Development and deposited on September 29, 2023 at Republic Bank’s San Juan branch into NiPat’s account.

The cheque, reportedly for $20 million, was later processed through the Electronic Cheque Clearing System after being re-presented following an initial query regarding an endorsement irregularity.

The Central Bank alleges that it only discovered on October 26, 2023 that the instrument was fraudulent, after officials from the Treasury Division of the Ministry of Finance confirmed that no such cheque had been issued and that no payment was owed to NiPat.

Court documents state that between October 5 and October 25, 2023, NiPat issued 66 cheques and transferred approximately $18.77 million out of its account, including payments to companies, individuals and the company’s own directors.

Among the transactions cited were $10 million to Naissal Construction and Maintenance Services Limited, $2.5 million to R and D Holdings Limited, $410,348 to Nigel Vincent, and $170,000 to Jackqui Watson-Vincent.

The Central Bank says that when the matter was flagged to Republic Bank on October 26, 2023, the account was frozen, but only $1.23 million remained. That amount was recovered, leaving a net alleged loss of $18,766,837.24.

The Trinidad Express reported that Auditor General Jaiwantie Ramdass had previously red-flagged the matter in a January 23, 2026 letter to the Central Bank Governor, identifying two allegedly fraudulent cheques of $20 million and $25 million. The lawsuit is in connection with the $20 million cheque only.

The Auditor General’s concerns followed broader scrutiny of the Central Bank’s audit arrangements, which were later reversed under current Governor Larry Howai, allowing full access to records.

The Central Bank is being represented by former attorney general Anand Ramlogan of Freedom Law Chambers and is seeking damages for fraud, deceit, unjust enrichment, conspiracy, breach of trust and related claims. (CMC)

Scotland hang on for first World Cup win since 1990 with 1-0 victory over Haiti

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Scotland hang on for first World Cup win since 1990 with 1-0 victory over Haiti

Scotland, roared on by their Tartan Army of travelling fans, savoured ​their first World Cup win in 36 years on Saturday when they edged past Haiti for a scrappy 1-0 victory settled ‌by a first-half strike from John McGinn.

The Scots – needing three points against a side ranked among the minnows of the game before facing tougher opposition in the shape of Brazil and Morocco in their other Group C matches – went ahead in the 28th minute.

A close-range effort by Che Adams was saved by Johny Placide ​only for the ball to fall to McGinn whose shot was deflected over the Haiti goalkeeper and into the net.

Eleven minutes ​earlier, Scott McTominay had smacked a shot against a post and, although Haiti showed glimpses of their ⁠electric pace and put pressure on Scotland in the closing stages, Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn barely had a save to make.

The win, ​although not pretty, puts Steve Clarke’s men top of the group ahead of five-time world champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco who drew 1-1 earlier on ​Saturday and bolsters their hopes of finally making it into the knockout round of a major competition.

“We probably put the supporters through it a little bit. Everyone said it was a must-win game. We won the game,” Clarke told BBC radio. “Defensively – outstanding. We probably could have been a little bit better with the ​ball, but who cares?”

At the final whistle, Scotland’s supporters also showed no sign of worrying about the lack of flowing football as they ​launched into a raucous rendition of their trademark celebration song “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” by Spanish 1970s disco act Baccara.

Under FIFA’s ‌expanded tournament ⁠format, three points and a decent goal difference at the end of the group stage would offer a good chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the competition, something that has eluded Scotland in all of their previous eight World Cups.

The Scottish supporters made the most of their return to the global stage after an absence of 28 years, giving a lung-busting rendition of their familiar tribute song ​for McGinn.

He repaid the compliment with ​his goal – which at 31 ⁠years and 238 days of age made him the oldest Scotland player to score at a World Cup – less than a month after he lifted the Europa League trophy as captain of England’s Aston Villa, ​while winger Ben Gannon-Doak threatened with his pace.

Haiti – playing at their first World Cup since 1974 – ​were bolstered by ⁠the inclusion of two players with experience of playing in the English Premier League – Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor.

But they had only a few glimpses of an equaliser. In the 38th minute, the ball fell to Ruben Providence a few yards out but he was ⁠dispossessed by ​Aaron Hickey. Frantzdy Pierrot headed narrowly wide in the 85th minute and had ​another chance in the dying moments but Scotland clung on for their win.

The Scots – whose last win at the World Cup was a 2-1 defeat of Sweden in 1990 – next ​meet Morocco in Boston while Haiti face Brazil in Philadelphia with both games taking place on Friday. (Reuters)

Plea to ‘pirate’ drivers, passengers

Tonisha Rock-Yaw
-
0
Plea to ‘pirate’ drivers, passengers

Motorists using private vehicles to transport paying passengers could be placing themselves and their passengers at serious financial risk.

The warning has come from chief executive officer of CG United Randy Graham, who said insurers will not respond if those vehicles are involved in accidents.

The Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) has called for urgent action to address what it says is a growing problem of illegal operators on Barbados’ roads. It has raised concerns about an increase in unlicensed vehicles transporting passengers for hire, particularly along the ABC Highway and Speightstown routes, arguing that the practice threatens passenger safety and undermines legitimate public service vehicle operators (PSVs).

Graham, a former president of the General Insurance Association of Barbados, told the Sunday Sun the situation was “very worrying”. He said many motorists might not fully understand the consequences of using privatelyinsured vehicles for commercial passenger transportation. “We are on record of warning our clients against using vehicles in that way. If you have a private vehicle and you are registered with the Licensing Authority as a private vehicle and you have an insurance policy as a private vehicle, your insurance policy does not cover any fee-paying passengers. It specifically asks whether you’re using the vehicle for fee-paying passengers,” he explained.

Risk profile

Graham said that carrying passengers for payment fundamentally changes the risk profile of a vehicle and requires a different type of insurance coverage.

“If you’re using a private vehicle for fee-paying passengers, the passengers in that vehicle are not covered for liability in that regard. You would need to get a separate commercial insurance policy that covers passenger liability, which is not the same as a private vehicle policy.

“So if people are taking a private car and using it to carry passengers, then the insurance policy will not kick in and pay liability for any passengers injured.”

He warned that drivers who use their private vehicles for commercial purposes without informing their insurers could find themselves facing cancellation of their policies.

“The insurance company is probably within its rights to ask you to change the policy or cancel your private policy and require you to take out a different policy if you want to use the vehicle in that way, because that’s not how the policy responds. It’s a dangerous and worrying situation and we beg people not to do it. Get the proper licence and the proper policy or use the vehicle as a private vehicle,” Graham suggested.

The insurance executive added that policyholders had a responsibility to accurately disclose how their vehicles were being used.

“The policy can be cancelled. It can be cancelled from the beginning for material non-disclosure, but the policy itself reserves the right to cancel because it is being used in a different way from what was declared on the form.”

Potential impact

He said the greatest concern was the potential impact on passengers who might unknowingly travel in vehicles not properly licensed or insured for commercial operations.

“They shouldn’t do it because honestly, it’s a risk to them and to the passengers. If they get in an accident and the passengers are injured and the policy doesn’t cover those injuries, then the owners and drivers of the vehicle are the ones who have to pay for the passenger injuries. If they don’t have the funds to pay for it, then the injured passengers are the ones who suffer,” he stated.

He called on the public to think carefully.

“We urge passengers, if the vehicle is not properly registered, to contemplate whether they want to use that vehicle or use a properly registered commercial vehicle. If you get in an accident and you’re injured and the vehicle is not properly registered or doesn’t carry the right insurance, then you could be at risk of not getting your injuries paid as well. You’ve got to be careful.”

While noting that CG United had not encountered such incidents, Graham acknowledged that the practice existed.

“We know that it happens. We haven’t seen it with our clients because we tend to be very strong in educating our clients and making sure they don’t do it. We’ve heard there are instances that have occurred elsewhere, but certainly we are very strong in educating our clients not to do it because it’s a dangerous practice,” he said. (TRY)

Governor: Economy needs modern system

Barry Alleyne
-
0
Governor: Economy needs modern system

BiMPay has been described as a special piece of financial infrastructure that will modernise how Barbadians send, receive and access money.

It came from Central Bank Governor Dr The Most Honourable Kevin Greenidge, as Barbados took a major step into the future of digital finance on Friday night with the launch of the national instant payment platform.

Speaking at the Courtney Blackman Grande Salle, Tom Adams Financial Centre in The City, he said a modern economy needs a modern payment system.

“People need to be able to send money quickly. Businesses want to be able to receive funds and have them available to spend. Vendors want to get their funds and access their money quickly,” he told those at the event which took the form of a “pyjama party” in the build-up to the launch on the stroke of midnight.

The Governor revealed that the idea for the instant payment system was born 27 months ago during meetings in Washington, D.C., when Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley challenged him to develop a platform capable of driving economic growth and improving efficiency across the financial sector.

“It began in Washington, D.C. in a room during the annual meetings when Prime Minister Mottley said to me, ‘It’s about time we get an instant payment system that will drive the economy and drive growth’,” Greenidge recalled.

“If you know how the Prime Minister operates, that’s not a suggestion. That’s an instruction.”

He recounted how discussions with regional and international partners quickly followed, leading to what became a two-year effort involving banks, regulators, technology providers and Government agencies.

He said the platform represents the culmination of years of discussions about modernising Barbados’ payments landscape, reducing delays in financial transactions and increasing financial inclusion.

“Tonight, those are no longer conversations,” he declared.

“It is practicality. It is reality.”

BiMPay connects six commercial banks, three credit unions, the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office and the Barbados Stock Exchange. The system will allow money to move instantly between participating institutions at any time, including weekends and public holidays, in real time.

The Governor described it as a network that will connect individuals, businesses and institutions in much the same way roads and bridges connect communities.

“The payment system will connect payments through various vehicles, including credit cards, debit cards, cash and payment wallets,” he said.

Greenidge stressed that the benefits would be particularly significant for small and micro businesses, which often face delays in receiving and accessing funds. He noted that individual transactions on the app will be free, while measures have also been put in place to protect small businesses from excessive costs.

“The app is meant to serve real people doing real business in a real economy,” he said.

He also outlined plans for expansion beyond the initial launch phase. While most participating institutions are to be fully operational from the outset, he said two wallet providers – Pryze and Infinity – are expected to join shortly as they complete final technical preparations.

Government agencies are also expected to be integrated into the platform during the next phase of development.

Greenidge praised the collective effort that brought the project to fruition, adding it was not the work of any single individual.

“Such a project is not a oneman show. It requires technical work, long hours and solving problems under pressure.”

He paid tribute to the Central Bank team, participating financial institutions, legal and information technology specialists, international payment technology partner Montran, the World Bank and numerous testers who worked behind the scenes to ensure the system was ready for launch.

(BA)

PM Mottley pays tribute to Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox following sudden passing

Nationnews Desk
-
1
PM Mottley pays tribute to Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox following sudden passing

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has paid tribute to Chief Fisheries Officer Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, describing her sudden passing as a profound loss for Barbados and the fisheries sector.

Dr. Cox died on Saturday afternoon after collapsing during an open day event at the Weston Fish Market in St. James.

In a statement, the Prime Minister said the news carried a level of pain that went beyond the “sting of death”, noting that Dr. Cox had dedicated her life and career to improving the lives of fisherfolk across the island.

Below is the full statement:

So often when we lose someone close to us, we speak of the sting of death. The sudden and absolutely unexpected passing of Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, this afternoon carries pain that cannot be adequately described as a sting.

This young woman, just 37 years old, lived and worked with a singular purpose: to improve the lives of the men and women who make their living from the sea. A scholar by training and certification, yes — but every day of her professional life was devoted to ordinary fisherfolk, whose dignity, livelihood and future she guarded with uncommon passion. She did not simply work in the fishing industry; she lived for it and for them.

With unmatched dedication to the upliftment of the fishing sector in Barbados — and all of its practitioners — she left us literally while performing her duties, a mere three years and six months into the job. In that short time, she gave more of herself than many do in a lifetime.

Judged on paper, Dr. Cox was an academic of the highest order. Observed on the job, however, she was the consummate promoter and defender of a sector whose business excited her every passion. She went to work every day determined to uplift the lot of ordinary Barbadians who make their living from the sea — whether they operated in deep waters or from the shore — always insisting that their work be treated with the respect and seriousness it deserves.

She executed Government policies as they relate to fisheries, but she did far more than that. She was relentless in helping to shape an industry that could be resilient in the face of climate crisis and economic uncertainty, urging the adoption of modern techniques and best practices — not as abstract ideas, but as tools to secure the future of real people, with real families, in real communities. In every conversation, she treated fisherfolk and their livelihood with dignity, listening carefully, explaining patiently, and always seeking a way to marry science and scholarship with the lived experience on the jetty and at sea.

She was as comfortable meeting with consultants, researchers from near or far, or representative organisations, as she was engaging with fisherfolk at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex or the Sand Pit. In truth, it was among the boats, on the wharf, and in the fish markets that she came most alive — translating technical language into practical solutions, standing shoulder to shoulder with those whose hands and hearts are in the water every day.

In the immediate aftermath of the devastation of our fishing industry by Hurricane Beryl, Dr. Cox was the face of Government’s response. She took on the challenge, including the robust language that’s synonymous with the fishing industry, with the quiet dignity, fierce commitment and deep empathy that defined her. She walked the markets, listened to the grievances, absorbed the pain, and still pushed forward to craft responses that were fair, practical and timely. Today, the immense progress that has been made is there for the world to see, and her fingerprints are on every element of that recovery.

Replacing her will not be an easy task, because the job is not just about a professional of great competence, but a soul who believes to the core, that the people of the fishing industry deserved the very best that scholarship, policy and compassion could offer. Shelly gave them all three.

On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, particularly the thousands who directly and indirectly depend on the ocean for their livelihood, I extend deepest sympathy to her parents, sister, son Shae and the rest of her family. We mourn with them, and we give thanks for a life that, though far too short, was lived with purpose, integrity, and love for our people.

May her soul rest in peace and rise in glory.

Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox passes away

Sherrylyn Clarke
-
1
Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox passes away

Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox has passed away.

The Nation understands she collapsed today during the Open Day at Weston Fish Market, Weston, St James.

Former Minister of the Environment Adrian Forde was shocked when he was informed, having spoken to her yesterday.

In the words of the Tina Turner song, Forde said she was “simply the best”.

“It is very, very, very sad news. Me, as the former minister, and the entire Cabinet, really feel distraught by hearing the news. Shelly-Ann brought so much to the industry.”

Cox took up the role in early 2023 at age 35, the youngest and the first woman to hold the position within the Fisheries Division.

“She inspired those in the sector to dream beyond what we consider normal everyday fishing, by introducing technology, by understanding, having the science, and ensuring that the fisherfolk have a proper and tangible stake in this country. And she was dedicated in a way that went beyond our imagination. She will truly be missed, and there is a big void to be filled due to her loss,” Forde added.

He expressed condolences to her family and the fishing community, noting she made an indelible mark in her tenure.

Fish vendor Sharon Bellamy-Thompson was in disbelief and immediately expressed concern for Cox’s son.

“She was very nice. She was the youngest fisheries officer we ever had. 

She loved the fisherfolk and did everything for them. She really looked after the interest of the fisherfolk,” she said, expressing her condolences.

Cox had a PhD in natural resource management from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus, and a BSc with honours in environmental and natural resource management with marine biology from UWI St Augustine. (SAT)

1...565758...13,692Page 57 of 13,692