#bssee

Good Morning ‪#‎realdreamchasers‬! We've made it to the middle of the week so continue to hang in there folks.. Here is your daily news-cap.

11+ RESULTS TODAY - Over 3,500 primary school students who wrote this year’s Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE) will know their results today. Minister of Education Ronald Jones has called a press conference for 10 a.m at his office to review the results of the BSSEE. He will be joined by other education officials.

CUSTOMS OFF JOB ON THURSDAY - Staff of the Customs & Excise Department will be off the job on Thursday. However, it is not because of any industrial action. Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Roslyn Smith revealed today that staff have been summoned to a general meeting at 10 a.m. at union headquarters, Dalkeith Road, St Michael to be updated on the latest round of talks with Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler on the planned transfer of Customs to the umbrella Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA).

INVESTMENT HUNGRY- Barbadians have gobbled up $20 million in Government savings bonds in nine days – with the second $10 million series going within hours of being released on Monday. And the Central Bank is today releasing a third series, this time $25 million, to satisfy the demand for the bonds, which are regarded as one of the safest forms of investment. President of the Barbados Bankers’ Association, Glyne Harrison, said the bonds were in huge demand and before the close of business on Monday, the second set of $10 million had already been secured by investors. The first set of $10 million was released on June 1 and went within three days.

SCOTIA BANK BOOST - Scotiabank today launched a $50 million loan facility –– the Economic Growth Fund –– to assist eligible small and medium sized businesses to access loans at an interest rate as low as six per cent. The facility, which is available to businesses involved in manufacturing, export, professional services, transportation, distribution and alternative energy services, will grant loans ranging from a minimum of $50 000 to a maximum of $4 million. Both Minister of Industry and Small Business Development Donville Inniss and Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Christopher Sinckler welcomed and lauded the initiative which was launched at a media event yesterday morning.

ELECTRIC CAR GROWTH - With Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Chris Sinckler scheduled to deliver his Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals on Monday, a Barbados-based British entrepreneur has expressed the hope that “the rates of customs duty on the vehicles would remain where they are, or get lowered”. Speaking at Limegrove Eco-Expo in Holetown, St James, the Chief Executive Officer of Megapower, Simon Richards, noted that there were currently 110 electric vehicles on the island’s roads.

BAN ALCOHOL & TOBACCO ADVERTISING - Barbados could soon be moving to ban all advertising of alcohol and tobacco products. That was one of the measures put forward by Caribbean delegates to help in the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD’s), following a forum hosted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) at Hilton Barbados today. Speaking during a press conference this afternoon at the conclusion of the two-day event, the island’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Joy St John told reporters it was an option that was currently being explored. “That is something that we are also looking at. That’s also going to be on the agenda . . .” St John said. When asked if any taxes or legislation would also be put in place on the importation of junk food, she replied, “When I hear you speak about taxes I would prefer that you direct that question to the Minister of Finance.” Dr St John did however reveal that Barbados would be moving swiftly to address the issue of obesity among children. This, she said, included administering of nutritious foods and meals in schools through both the School Meals Service as well as private canteens.

UN WORKERS EXPLOITED HAITIAN WOMEN - Members of a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission engaged in “transactional sex” with more than 225 Haitian women who said they needed to do so to obtain things like food and medication, a sign that sexual exploitation remains significantly underreported in such missions, according to a new report obtained by The Associated Press. The draft by the Office of internal Oversight Services (OIOS) looks at the way U.N. peacekeeping, which has about 125 000 people in some of the world’s most troubled areas, deals with the persistent problem of sexual abuse and exploitation.

CLICO PAY OUT - Two days before the chairman and managing director of CLICO were fired for not following instructions with regard to payouts, its former chief executive Eugene Dziadyk was paid $17.3 million for his policies. Dziadyk, a Canadian actuary who had three US currency policies, was paid on June 3. Unlike other policyholders, like former director Nigel Salina who had a two per cent interest on his policies, Dziadyk had 12 per cent interest on the three policies. For his three investments valued at of $499,919.15, $1,083,051.82 and $1,086,935.36 in 2007, he was paid $3,239,842.96, $7,018,970.63 and $7,044,138.85 respectively. The $17.3 million represents 85 per cent of the money owed to him with the interest. The payment was made even after Minister of Finance Larry Howai in Trinidad & Tobago called for a report on the matter.

ZR OVERTURNS - It was a harrowing expereince for 22 passengers of a ZR van that flipped while heading into the Nursery Drive Terminal in Bridgetown yesterday afternoon. A 14-year-old Springer Memorial School student, Zakiyah Defreitas, was the most badly hurt, suffering a serious injury to her left arm. She reportedly underwent surgery last night. The van was filled with mostly Springer students, who complained of pains about the body. Emergency personnel responded in large numbers.The accident involving the public service vehicle (PSV) on Nursery Drive, just yards from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), triggered a mass casualty response from doctors, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, police officers and soldiers. Some witnesses said they watched in horror as ZR 125, which was heading into the Nursery Drive Terminal, flipped on its side and skated along the usually busy road. ' ZR OWNER'S PERMIT TO BE SUSPENDED - THE PERMIT of the owner of the ZR involved in yesterday’s accident which left a 14-year-old Springer Memorial School student nursing a serious injury to her arm, will be suspended. That was the word from Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley as she spoke on the scene of yesterday’s crash near the entrance of the Nursery Drive Terminal where 22 people, mostly schoolchildren, were injured when a ZR overturned. “I have been informed that the Transport Authority will be taking strong action by tomorrow [today] in relation to the owner of this vehicle. That permit will be suspended pending investigations, and of course they would take the necessary action under the law,” he said.

ACCIDENT IN KINGSLAND - Four members of a Christ Church family had to be taken to hospital by ambulance yesterday following a serious vehicular accident at Kingsland, Christ Church. The four — including an elderly couple, their daughter and their 18-month-old grandson — were passengers in a Toyota Belta motor car, which collided with a Mazda 3 around 11:45 a.m. The driver of the Mazda, Michael Eversley, 57, of Lot 9 Charnocks, Christ Church, escaped unhurt. However, all four occupants in the Toyota were taken to the state-run Queen Elizabeth Hospital, including the driver, 71-year-old Goulbourne Best of #759 Kingsland Terrace, Christ Church, who did not complain of any injuries at the scene but was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, given his history of heart problems. His wife Elma Best, also 71, complained of several injuries and had to be assisted out the vehicle following the accident, while the couple’s 35-year-old daughter Julia Best complained of an injury to her right hand. The extent of the injury suffered by 18-month-old Hanan Best was unknown.

ACCIDENT IN HOYTES VILLAGE - One person complained of injuries following an accident at Hoyte’s Village, St. James yesterday morning. 42-year-old Sean Campbell of Husband Heights, St. James, complained of pains to the neck after his vehicle was struck by a truck and pinned to a guard wall. Campbell’s 10-year-old daughter Sheanice was also in the vehicle. She appeared shaken by the incident. The driver of the truck, 26-year-old Rommell Worrell of Lower Estate, St. George said the brakes malfunctioned and this caused the vehicle to slide.

TERRORIZED BY FIRE - A ST PHILIP plantation owner is up in arms because his property is being “terrorized” by what he calls inconsiderate workers who burn refuse at an adjoining property, while authorities fail to respond to his complaints. Robin Watson, owner of Halton Plantation, complained that he has repeatedly contacted officials from the Barbados Agriculture Management Company (BAMC), to which he has leased his property, the Royal Barbados Police Force and the Barbados Fire Service without success. Additionally, he said that on countless occasions he also contacted the British millionaire who owns the property where the indiscriminate burning takes place but without positive results.

TALENT GALORE - ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SIX square miles cannot contain the talent Barbados possesses. That was made clear when the finals of Who’s Next and East Point Productions Inc.’s annual showcase, Walking in My Own Shoes, were both held at Frank Collymore Hall on Sunday evening. The contestants of Trident 10’s inaugural Who’s Next talent search set the standard high from the opening note. Belting out the latest and greatest in R&B, reggae, pop and soul, the nine contestants impressed the packed auditorium.

STRAY CATS - The Stray Cats are in their 22nd year of judging for the National Cultural Foundation's calypso competitions. And they are ready and undaunted as they prepare to open on June 19 at the Town Hall, Crane Hotel, St Philip at 8 p.m. Manager of the St Philip-based tent Jerry Roberts and his crew were in an upbeat mood as they launched this afternoon at Zen Restaurant overlooking Crane Beach which was voted one of best in the world by readers of USA Today. "We got the Hammer back he was finalist in 2003," said guitarist Roberts who gave the Press a taste of what is expected when he backed Hammer and Sobe in a short jam session. Anthony De Cheerman Waldron said the tent would be entering eight singers in the Pic-O-De-Crop, one in Soca Royale and one in Party Monarch. There will be three guest artistes: Broomer, Cutters and Kidsite who will also emcee. Roberts again defended the name of the tent.

CBC BANS DE SOFA KINGZ - ONE CROP OVER SONG has felt the sting of being banned, just a few weeks into the season. De Sofa Kingz has not sat well with the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and the Peter Ram and Jon Doe tune has been banned from the state-owned radio stations. This was made public after the circulation of an inter-office memo, dated, May 22. The document was signed by programme manager of radio, Pearson Bowen, and stated: “Please note that the Crop Over song Sofa Kings (sic) is NOT cleared for airplay.”

PROMOTERS WARNED - ALL PROMOTERS OF public entertainment events such as fêtes, shows and Foreday Morning Jam and Grand and Junior Kadooment bands, are being reminded that it is compulsory that they receive written permission from the revenue commissioner before staging their events.Promoters are required to register their events with the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) at the Revenue Management Department on the Third Floor of the Treasury Building, Bridge Street, St Michael. The registration process requires promoters to complete a declaration form with the particulars of their events or bands. As such, it is imperative that these forms be completed and submitted to the Department at least 21 days prior to the event, while permission letters will be available for collection seven days before the event. Promoters should note that if they are utilising the services of non-resident performers, withholding tax of 25 per cent must be paid on the gross income being paid to those individuals. In such cases, promoters should make sure to also submit the contract. In addition, promoters who are using tickets for entry to their events should bring them to the department as early as possible so that they can be stamped and processed in time for the event. Promoters are also reminded that payment to the amount equal to five per cent of the value of the costumes and tickets printed for that entertainment, or such other amount as the revenue commissioner may determine, is due within seven days of the staging of their events. Proper accounts and receipts are required by the BRA. Persons should also note that holding events without permission may result in a fine of $10 000 or imprisonment for two years or both. For any queries related to this process, persons may contact the BRA at 430-3101, or email [email protected]

SPOIL SPORT - Insisting that a “strong message needed to be sent”, president of the Barbados Netball Association (BNA), Nisha Craigwell has given her assurance that those responsible for last weekend’s brawl will be dealt with to the full extent of the law. Four women have already been charged following the incident, which occurred on Saturday at the Netball Stadium during a Division 7 game between Structural Systems Silver Raiders and Checker Hall. The four players have been subsequently suspended from playing. The fight which initially started between two opposing players, eventually escalated into a huge melee involving spectators. While describing the brawl as “embarrassing and the worst incident in the sport’s history”, Craigwell stated it was not an issue which the BNA would be taking lightly. She did however stop short of saying whether or not life bans would be handed out.

CRICKET AWARDS - BARBADIAN SULIEMAN BENN and Jamaica’s Stafanie Taylor were last night named regional male and female cricketer of the year, respectively. Both players were recognised for their performances in the 2014 cricket season at the West Indies Cricket Board/West Indies Players Association 3rd Annual Players’ Awards Ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, Jamaica. There was more silverware for Barbados which was named First Class Team of the Year, Kraigg Brathwaite claimed the prize for Test Cricketer of the Year and opener Dwayne Smith was One Day International First Class Player of the Year. There were also awards for cricket legends Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Viv Richards, Sir Andy Roberts, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Wes Hall and Sir Richie Richardson.

NBA - Cleveland’s LeBron James had 40 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Cavaliers to a 96-91 victory over Golden State Warriors on Tuesday to take a 2-1 lead in basketball’s NBA Finals. The Warriors trimmed a 20-point deficit down to one with about 2-1/2 minutes left, but Matthew Dellavedova converted a three-point play, James made a three-pointer and Tristan Thompson added a free throw for an 88-80 advantage with 1:31 left. Stephen Curry’s three-pointer later trimmed it to 94-91 before James hit two free throws to finish it. Australian Dellavedova finished with 20 points for the Cavs, who host Game 4 on Thursday. Curry rebounded from a slow start to finish with 27 points for the Warriors.