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Grandmaster seeks $12 000

Jonteau Coppin
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Grandmaster seeks $12 000

Local draughts grandmaster Jack Francis is seeking approximately $12 000 in sponsorship to compete in two overseas competitions this year.

Francis, the only Barbadian to have won the British Open, is hoping to secure funding to compete in the United States Festival of Draughts, the British Open and the World Qualifying tournament.

The Vidor Checkers USA Invitational runs from July 1 to 4, followed by Blitz Checkers on July 5 and the USA GAYP Checkers National from July 6 to 9. Francis will then travel to England in September to defend his British Open title from September 9 to 12 before competing in the World Qualifier “three move” restriction tournament from September 14 to 17.

The veteran player, a ten-time Barbados national champion and winner of the British Open in 1996 and 2024, said his record demonstrates his ability to compete successfully at the highest level internationally.

“My exploits in draughts locally and internationally are well documented. Outside of Ronald ‘Suki’ King, I am the only other logical contender to bring great honour to my country in this sport. We are the only two internationally recognised grandmasters in Barbados in this field and therefore, undoubtedly the greatest players this country has ever produced.”

He added, “The title of grandmaster is the highest conferred achievement in any mind sport, the performance records of us both speak for themselves. In the 30 Barbados Nationals in which I have competed since 1991 (when I won my first National Title) through to 2025, I have won ten titles and copped 17 podium finishes which I believe was a superbly stellar record bettered only by Suki. In the very highly prestigious Henderson Layne Memorial, I am the only player with a 100 per cent record on podium achievements and the only Barbadian player to win highly prestigious international tournaments, having won the British Open titles in 1996 and 2024, respectively.”

International competition

Francis said his focus this year will be on international competition rather than local events.

“I will definitely not be taking part in any Barbados Nationals this year. It is my view that after such a tremendously long period of stellar success in this local tournament, I will take a welldeserved break. All of my attention and energy will go towards focusing on the upcoming Vidor Draughts Festival.”

He said he was awaiting support from sponsors, including the National Sports Council, to help fund his participation in the overseas events. Francis also expressed hope that his upcoming showdown with King later this year would help generate renewed interest in the sport locally.

“In my planned participation in the aforementioned tournaments, I am patiently waiting on the continued kind of sponsorship support from the National Sports Council and some other prospective contributors. There is also the most significant local matchup against Suki King in the clash of the ‘Grandmaster Titans’. I believe that this match-up has all the ingredients to restore draughts to the high profile which has so drastically declined.”

Beyond competition, Francis also said he intends to expand efforts to develop the sport among young people through educational programmes.

“I would also like to restart a programme of clinics in schools come September as I believe the inauguration of a Community Centres Programmes of clinics as a way of giving back to the country and attempting to rid the nation of the ‘criminal bug’ which is plaguing Barbados today.” (JC)

BLPC: Solar panel check a must

Diara Springer
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BLPC: Solar panel check a must

Barbados Light & Power Company (BLPC) is urging homeowners to take practical steps to protect themselves, beyond stocking water and tinned food for the hurricane season.

Yesterday, at a press conference held at the company’s corporate offices at Kilowatt Court, Garrison Hill, St Michael, officials put homeowners with solar panel systems on notice that their renewable energy installations could become serious safety hazards if not properly managed before, during and after a storm.

Robert Harewood, manager of the renewable energy business unit said: “We don’t want linemen working on the system and power feeding back.”

He added that BLPC worked with solar customers to ensure isolation switches were operational ahead of any weather event.

Damaged

Harewood also warned homeowners not to simply switch their systems back on once a storm passed, particularly where panels have been physically damaged.

“You yourself could be injured or it could be that someone touching a panel could be injured as well when you turn on that system,” he cautioned.

He further encouraged solar panel owners to keep their insurance current, including personal liability coverage, noting that a damaged system could affect not just the owner but others nearby.

Corporate communications manager Nichole Scantlebury also reminded customers to trim trees around their properties before any system approached.

“Trim your trees, secure your homes, charge essential devices ahead of any approaching system.

Small actions like these can make a meaningful difference in keeping you safe,” she said.

Checklist

Wayne Prescod, director of generation, directed his message not outward to customers but inward at BLPC’s own workforce.

“If the employee is not prepared, then we are not prepared,” he said.

Prescod revealed that the company’s pre-season meetings included direct questions to staff about whether their own homes were storm-ready.

“Are you prepared at home? Have you done the necessary things? Do you have a checklist for preparing your home for a storm?” he asked, as he related some of the questions put to employees each year.

Scantlebury confirmed the company would remain active across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, radio and television throughout the season, providing safety advisories, outage updates and restoration information as situations developed. (DDS)

Range of talent in Rhythms of Legacy

Nationnews Desk
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Range of talent in Rhythms of Legacy

Barbados’ newest tent Rhythms Of Legacy opened its doors Thursday night at the Daphne Joseph-Hackett Theatre with a cast of eager performers welcomed by an enthusiastic audience calling for “more” from some of the singers.

The show, reminiscent of the Headliners and Celebration Time concept – circa 2010 and 2011 – featured social commentary, calypso classics and soca from predominately young and emerging singers, many of whom were or are Junior Monarch finalists and semi-finalists and others from the Richard Stoute Teen Talent and Over-21 competitions.

In the first half of the almost four-hour show, there was mainly calypso delving into the vexing concern of crime and violence, offering varying perspectives on how to tackle it, suggestions for people to go on a more positive path and a lament of its impact on families. (DS)

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House destroyed in fire at Weston, St James

Nationnews Desk
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House destroyed in fire at Weston, St James

One wooden home at Weston, St James, was destroyed by fire this morning.

The Barbados Police Service responded with two water tenders and ten officers.

More details as they come. 

Region urged to adopt unified approach to fighting corruption

Nationnews Desk
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Region urged to adopt unified approach to fighting corruption

Executive Director of Jamaica’s Integrity Commission, Craig Beresford, is urging Caribbean countries to strengthen collaboration and align their anti-corruption laws, warning that fragmented approaches undermine efforts to tackle corruption.

Addressing a press conference at the 12th Annual Commonwealth Caribbean Association of Integrity Commissions and Anti-Corruption Bodies (CCAICAB) Conference here this week, Beresford argued that corruption should be treated as a regional crisis requiring a coordinated response from governments and oversight agencies.

“The time has come to treat anti-corruption as a regional public good,” he said, noting that a cohesive approach would strengthen the fight against corruption throughout the region.

Beresford said differences in anti-corruption laws and enforcement mechanisms among Caribbean states can hamper regional efforts, making it more difficult for agencies to combat increasingly sophisticated forms of corruption.

He outlined the Integrity Commission’s approach, which focuses on prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution, and highlighted efforts to advance Jamaica’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy through greater stakeholder engagement and public education.

The Commission is also investing in technology to strengthen its detection capabilities, including big-data analytics, forensic tools and enhanced case-management systems aimed at identifying and investigating suspicious activities more effectively.

He stressed the importance of partnerships with agencies such as Jamaica’s Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), saying joint investigations and information-sharing arrangements have helped bolster the country’s anti-corruption efforts.

Meanwhile, MOCA Director-General Colonel Desmond Edwards said advances in technology have transformed the corruption landscape, with fraud, money laundering and other illicit activities increasingly shifting into cyberspace.

He said the trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses and consumers relied more heavily on digital platforms, prompting MOCA to expand its cyber-forensics capabilities and establish specialised cyber-investigation and data-analysis teams.

Edwards revealed that one investigation required analysts to examine approximately 17 terabytes of data, illustrating the growing complexity and scale of modern corruption probes. (CMC)

‘Cut gang funding at the head’

Colville Mounsey
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‘Cut gang funding at the head’

Opposition Senator Ryan Walters threw his support behind the Criminal Gangs (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2026, yesterday, but argued that legislation alone would not solve Barbados’ crime problem unless authorities also targeted those financing criminal activity.

During Senate debate on the measure, Walters said the Democratic Labour Party had long advocated anti-gang legislation, and therefore, had little difficulty supporting the proposed law.

“It is easy to support this bill,” he said.

Walters reminded the Upper Chamber that the DLP had called for anti-gang legislation for more than two years, and had repeatedly urged Government to adopt stronger measures against organised crime.

While endorsing the Bill, Walters cautioned that enforcement efforts must focus on dismantling entire criminal networks rather than concentrating solely on young men operating at street level.

“We have to cut off the head,” he said, using the analogy of targeting those who organise and finance gang activity.

According to Walters, many of the individuals carrying out shootings and other crimes were not the people importing firearms, financing drug shipments or laundering criminal proceeds.

Instead, he argued, authorities should place greater emphasis on identifying those providing money, leadership and direction to gangs.

Dismantled

The senator questioned whether existing legislation dealing with proceeds of crime was being fully utilised and asked how many criminal organisations had been financially dismantled since its enactment.

“How many gang leaders have been stripped of their assets?” he asked.

Walters also raised concerns about the state of The Barbados Police Service, warning that even the strongest legislation would be ineffective if officers remained overstretched and under-resourced.

He referred to complaints about long shifts, delayed overtime payments, burnout and working conditions, arguing that these issues required urgent attention.

“No anti-gang legislation can be effective if the men and women charged with enforcing it are overstretched,” he said.

The Opposition senator devoted considerable attention to Government’s crime-prevention initiatives, particularly the National Peace Programme.

Greater transparency

While acknowledging the importance of social interventions, he called for greater transparency and measurable outcomes.

Walters said Barbadians deserved to know how many at-risk young people had been diverted away from crime, returned to education, gained skills or secured employment through the programme.

“What are the results?” he repeatedly asked.

He contended that community sporting events and other public activities had value but should be accompanied by deeper interventions targeting vulnerable youth before they became involved in gangs.

Walters also stressed the importance of creating employment and economic opportunities for school leavers and young adults.

Too many young people, he said, felt they had limited prospects and could become vulnerable to recruitment by criminal organisations.

“Crime flourishes where purpose is absent,” Walters warned.

Although critical of aspects of Government’s approach, the Opposition senator maintained that the fight against crime required political maturity and national cooperation. (CLM)

Justice Greaves urges Barbadians to speak up about gang members

Nationnews Desk
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Justice Greaves urges Barbadians to speak up about gang members

In sentencing a murderer to life and his accomplice to a long stretch in prison, Justice Carlisle Greaves said the case was one that should propel Barbadians to speak up.

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World Environment Day – Climate Action – Now for Climate

Julia Haynes
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World Environment Day – Climate Action – Now for Climate

Observed annually on June 5, World Environment Day is the United Nations’ flagship initiative for encouraging worldwide awareness and action in support of environmental protection. The day serves as a reminder of the pressing challenges facing the planet, including climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and the sustainable management of natural resources.

The theme for World Environment Day 2026 is Climate Action – Now for Climate, highlighting the urgent need for individuals, communities, businesses and governments to respond decisively to the growing climate crisis. The campaign emphasises that the Earth is already sending clear signals through rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise and biodiversity loss, and that humanity must act now to create a more sustainable future.

World Environment Day also highlights the important role that individuals, communities and organisations can play in creating a healthier environment. Through simple actions such as reducing waste, conserving energy and protecting natural habitats, everyone can contribute to safeguarding the planet for future generations.
 #WorldEnvironmentDay #ProtectOurPlanet #Sustainability #GoGreen 

Read more in our World Environment Day feature in today’s Weekend Nation.

Canada to provide funding to Caribbean through GAIA climate loan fund

Nationnews Desk
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Canada to provide funding to Caribbean through GAIA climate loan fund

 Canada says it will deploy an estimated US$97 million through the GAIA Climate Loan Fund, which is designed to provide long-term loans for climate adaptation and mitigation projects across emerging markets and developing economies.

It specifically targets regions highly vulnerable to climate change, including Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

A government statement issued Thursday following talks between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, said Canada viewed the GAIA Climate Loan Fund, the landmark blended finance platform co-created by FinDev Canada and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), with support from the Green Climate Fund, as a platform to reduce the burden of public dollars by adding private and philanthropic financing to fund development projects.

The statement said that two leaders welcomed the announcement earlier this week that the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank board of  directors had the First-Loss Portfolio Credit Guarantee with the government of Canada.

Carney had announced the initiative at the last G7 Leaders’ Summit in June last year and the CDB said that the US$200 million guarantee will significantly strengthen the bank’s ability to deliver development financing across the Caribbean.

“Working alongside the government of Canada, this will expand financing for Caribbean development, as announced at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis,” the statement said, adding that Canada has contributed CAD$170 million (One CAD$=US$0. 72 cents) to the Clean Energy and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Resilience Facility.

The facility, managed by the World Bank, supports projects to reduce emissions, support clean energy, and better prepare for natural disasters.

Prime Minister Mottley praised Carney for  the leadership that you have been showing,  not just for  Canadians, but for the hemisphere and the rest of the world.

“Barbados and Canada have had a long,  long long relationship, long before we were even though of, but we have learnt where we have leaders who have a strong relationship much happens,” Mottley added.

The statement said that during the talks Prime Minister Carney emphasized the “strong partnership” between Canada and Barbados.

“With 60 years of diplomatic ties, a dynamic trade relationship, and shared values of inclusivity and sustainability, Barbados is a key partner to Canada and a leader in the region,” Carney said.

“Building on this foundation, the leaders agreed to deepen ties across development, climate, and security, and to renew the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership,” the statement said, adding that Carney and Mottley discussed regional security, including the situation in Haiti, underscoring international support and continued coordination with partners to ensure security and stability in the region.

It said that Canada will provide nine million (CAD) for projects to bolster regional efforts to combat transnational crime, enhance maritime security, and reinforce policing capacity in the region.

The two leaders also identified sectors and ways to deepen commercial ties, with Carney expressing Canada’s support for Barbados’ transition to renewable energy.

“Canada’s world-class expertise on battery energy storage and grid integration could accelerate this mission,” the statement said, adding that the two leaders “agreed to remain in close contact”. (CMC)

‘Blue economy funding going unused’

Shawn Cumberbatch
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‘Blue economy funding going unused’

Use it or risk losing it is the advice Racquel Moses, chief executive officer of the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA) has for countries in the region now not taking full advantage of blue economy financing.

Moses, who organisation connects entrepreneurs and the private sector with sources of climate finance, shared that there was “a lot of blue economy . . . money that’s looking for projects”.

“So I have more investors that are interested in the blue economy than I have projects that are blue economy projects, and that’s a really excellent place to be in. And if we don’t quickly capitalise on that money, then we will lose it,” she warned “There is Builders Foundation that has an investment arm that’s looking for blue economy projects, there is Bloomberg Blue that’s also looking for blue economy projects, Caribbean Biodiversity Fund looking for blue economy projects, they have a US$2 million objective per project from [German agency] GIZ, and these are the things that we really need to just snatch and run with, because we have more ocean than we have land.

Be strategic

“So, where else are you going to find a critical mass of blue economy projects? It should be the Caribbean,” she added.

Speaking yesterday during The Breakfast Exchange: A Climate Talk On The Global Economy held as part of the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) 56th annual meeting in Nassau, The Bahamas, Moses also urged the Caribbean to be strategic in how it tried to access funding and the way it used such financing, including grants.

“We need to be more judicious about how we use grant funding, because at best case it’s nine per cent, at worst case, it’s four per cent of climate finance globally, and we know that in the Caribbean, not only are we not an exception, we’re probably an extreme,” she said.

“So it means that we don’t have enough grant funding available, and if we’re going to use grant funding, we have to use it to unlock commercial capital. And I see a lot of times projects are attracting grant funding that are ready to graduate to commercial funding, but they are accessing it because it’s available.”

“If we are being smart, we need to look at where the money [is], rather than creating solutions and hoping to find money. Let’s find the money that’s already available that we aren’t accessing, like the blue economy funding. And then let’s create solutions to access that money,” Moses recommended. (SC)

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