The St Michael parish celebrated the exceptional contributions of 100 dedicated residents during the Pride of Barbados Awards ceremony at State House on Friday. Hosted by President Sandra Mason, the event honored individuals who have made significant impacts in various community initiatives. Among the awardees were Julene Kellman, recognized for her work in education and support for breast cancer patients through the Olive Branch of Hope Foundation; Dean Squires, applauded for using sports to engage youth; and Calisa Wilson, one of the youngest honorees, acknowledged for her efforts in educating children in underserved areas. The ceremony, part of the We Gatherin’ programme, highlighted the importance of community service and its role in fostering societal growth. St Michael North West MP Neil Rowe and St Michael West Central MP Ian Gooding-Edghill praised the recipients for their unwavering commitment, urging others to follow their example. The event concluded with a call to continue uplifting community development across Barbados.
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Temporary road closure: Mt Royal public road, Carriacou
The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) has authorized temporary road closures along the Mt Royal public road to support the G-CREWS pipeline installation project by the National Water and Sewerage Authority (Nawasa). The closures will be in effect from Sunday, November 23, 2025, to Saturday, November 29, 2025, with specific timings to be announced. These measures are essential to ensure the safety of both road users and the construction crew as they work on upgrading Carriacou’s critical water infrastructure. While the project is expected to cause delays, Nawasa has expressed gratitude for the patience and cooperation of motorists, residents, and business owners during this period. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to improving essential services for the community. NOW Grenada has clarified that it is not responsible for the opinions or statements made by contributors and encourages reporting any misuse of its platform.
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New digital tools at school ‘tackle pandemic learning loss’
In a significant step to address the educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Grantley Adams Memorial Secondary School has received a set of cutting-edge digital learning kits. The donation, part of a nationwide initiative, was facilitated by the Massy Foundation (Barbados) Inc., in collaboration with Kingdom Life Ministries and Caribbean eBook Ltd. The Learnit ‘Teachnology’ Solution kits were officially handed over during a ceremony held on Friday. Natalie McDowald, Massy’s marketing manager and a member of the Massy Foundation advisory panel, emphasized that the donation symbolizes more than just the transfer of equipment. ‘This moment is a declaration of belief in the power of education, the resilience of our youth, and our shared responsibility to ensure no child is left behind,’ she stated. McDowald highlighted the profound impact of the pandemic on the education system, particularly at schools like Grantley Adams Memorial, where issues such as absenteeism, learning loss, and environmental challenges persist. Despite these obstacles, she praised the school’s leadership for choosing hope and innovation by adopting the Learnit Solution. The Massy Foundation has already donated similar kits to several other schools, including Selah Primary, Lifelong School Skills Training, Ellerton Primary, St Mark’s Primary, and Hilda Skeene Primary, with plans to extend the initiative to Half Moon Fort Primary. To date, the foundation has invested over $424,000 in the program, with Kingdom Life Ministries contributing an additional $155,000, bringing the total donation to nearly $580,000. McDowald described the Learnit Solution as a lifeline for struggling learners, offering over 190 offline, interactive applications designed to enhance learning through touch, sound, and action. Principal Andrew Skeete welcomed the donation, noting its potential to bolster the school’s remedial program and deliver more responsive, flexible, and engaging instruction.
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Students spark bright ideas for energy independence
At the Barbados Sustainable Energy Youth Forum, held on Thursday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, students from across the island shared their insights on how young people can contribute to Barbados’ energy independence. As the nation nears its 59th anniversary of Independence, these young voices highlighted the importance of knowledge, innovation, and behavioral change in achieving true energy sovereignty.
Nikhyl Burnett from Christ Church Foundation School emphasized the need for education in schools to help students understand and innovate energy-efficient solutions. Elijah Gamble and Tre-Nisha Simpson from the Alleyne School suggested educating children through workshops and exposing them to experts in the field. Shavier Mayers of Grantley Adams Memorial School advocated for energy conservation by prioritizing essential usage.
Nykira Pryme from Springer Memorial School proposed reducing phone usage and unplugging chargers to save energy. Charles Waithe of Harrison College highlighted the potential of solar panels and wind turbines for energy storage and grid independence. Roshida Hamilton and Akeelah McDonald from Combermere School encouraged collaborative projects like mini ovens and turbines, spreading awareness and involving teachers and peers.
These youthful perspectives underscored the critical role of education, innovation, and community engagement in driving Barbados toward a sustainable energy future.
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Israel arrests dozens of Palestinians after raids in the West Bank
In a series of coordinated operations across the West Bank, Israeli forces have arrested 55 individuals in Beit Ummar, located in the southern Hebron Governorate, alongside nine arrests in Nablus and one in Tulkarm. Concurrently, a military checkpoint was established in the village of Al-Mughayyir, where soldiers conducted extensive vehicle searches, leading to significant traffic disruptions. These actions come amid a surge in violent incidents involving Jewish settlers targeting Palestinian communities, exacerbating existing tensions in the region. Palestinian sources report that extremist settlers carried out 766 attacks against Palestinians in October alone. The situation further intensified yesterday when Israeli forces killed two young men in Kafr Aqab, a town north of occupied East Jerusalem. According to the NGO Defense for Children Palestine, over fifty Palestinian children have lost their lives due to Israeli fire since the start of the year, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis in the territory.
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Demonstration in Bologna against Israeli crimes in Gaza
The historic Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, the capital of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, became the epicenter of a fervent protest in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Demonstrators, armed with Palestinian flags and impassioned slogans, marched through the city streets, as reported by Il Fatto Quotidiano. The protest, fueled by outrage over the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza—which have reportedly claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives—quickly escalated into violent confrontations with law enforcement. Police deployed water cannons and charged at the protesters, who retaliated by hurling firecrackers, stones, and bottles. The streets between Via Lame, Via Marconi, Ugo Bassi, and Piazza Malpighi transformed into chaotic battlegrounds, with makeshift barricades intensifying the conflict. The clashes left eight police officers injured and 15 demonstrators under investigation. Meanwhile, the city center remained tense late into the night, with a heavy police presence working to restore order and prevent further escalation. The protest coincided with a scheduled Euroleague basketball game at the Paladozza sports center, where authorities had stationed a significant police force to block demonstrators from reaching the venue.
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Who is paying attention to COP30? Fossil fuel on fire!
The 30th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP 30) concluded on Friday, November 21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil, after two weeks of intense negotiations. The event brought together global leaders, youth representatives, academics, and activists to address the escalating crisis of climate change. Despite three decades of discussions, the world continues to grapple with the devastating impacts of a warming planet, including intensified hurricanes and environmental degradation. Two primary strategies—mitigation and adaptation—remain central to the climate response. Mitigation focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while adaptation involves implementing policies to cope with climate impacts. However, progress on both fronts has been limited, particularly in curbing emissions. At COP 30, 83 nations, including many Caribbean island states, called for an end to fossil fuel use. This demand, however, faced resistance from countries with strong fossil fuel economies, such as Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. The draft agreement, titled ‘Global Mutirão: Uniting humanity in a global mobilisation against climate change,’ notably omitted any reference to transitioning away from fossil fuels, a key outcome of COP 28. As negotiations extended into overtime, tensions flared over the inclusion of fossil fuel language in the final text. Small island nations, while advocating for stronger climate action, appeared willing to compromise for increased financial support to adapt to climate impacts. The final outcome of COP 30 remains uncertain, but the urgency of the climate crisis underscores the need for decisive global action.
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Bolsonaro arrested in Brazil after Supreme Court Justice’s decision
In a landmark ruling, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for orchestrating a coup conspiracy following his defeat in the 2022 general elections. The decision, announced on September 11, found Bolsonaro guilty of multiple charges, including organized crime, coup d’etat, and the abolition of democratic rule. Only one of the five justices dissented in the First Chamber’s verdict. Bolsonaro, a former Army captain, had been under house arrest since August 4 for violating precautionary measures and was subsequently transferred to the Federal Police headquarters in the Federal District. His legal team has appealed the decision, arguing that the conviction was based on insufficient evidence and contradictions in the ruling. They also maintain that Bolsonaro had no direct involvement in the alleged crimes. Despite the appeal, the former president’s defense has not yet exhausted all legal avenues to challenge or reduce the sentence. The ruling specifically targets Bolsonaro and does not affect others convicted in connection with the violent post-election plot.
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New York Independence Gala Honours Musical Icons and Announces Diaspora Initiative
The annual Independence Gala, hosted by the New York Offices of Antigua and Barbuda, became a grand celebration of both national pride and musical excellence this year. The event paid a heartfelt tribute to the Burning Flames, a legendary family band whose revolutionary sound has left an indelible mark on Caribbean music. On the occasion of Antigua and Barbuda’s 44th Independence Day, the band members—Sir Toriano ‘Onyan’ Edwards, Sir Clarence ‘Oungku’ Edwards, Sir David ‘Bubb-I’ Edwards, and Sir Rone ‘Foxx’ Watkins—were honored with some of the nation’s highest accolades. Their contributions to music and culture have not only made their small nation proud but also showcased their talent on the global stage. The gala, themed “Solid, Stable, Soaring,” celebrated the nation’s progress and unity, while also recognizing the band’s enduring legacy. In a touching gesture, the band received gold records and a new set of musical instruments from their super fan, Eugene “Bobadilla” Otto, and other supporters. Sir Clarence, the bandleader, expressed gratitude for the recognition and revealed plans to display the instruments in a proposed museum at their former band house in Potters. The event also featured inspiring speeches from Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H. E. Walton Aubrey Webson, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. E. P. Chet Greene. Minister Greene announced the upcoming “Solid, Stable, Soaring: Diaspora Investment Conference,” aimed at engaging the diaspora community in national development projects. The evening concluded with vibrant celebrations as attendees danced to the music of the Burning Flames, eagerly anticipating next year’s 45th Independence milestone. The New York Offices extended their gratitude to event sponsors and partners for their unwavering support.
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Major Workshop Wraps Up, Teaching Teams How to Prevent Dengue and Other Diseases
A two-week workshop titled ‘Building Resilient Communities: Integrating Public Health Strategies for Vector Control, Epidemiological Surveillance, and Disease Prevention in Response to Climate Change’ recently concluded in Antigua and Barbuda. The event, organized by the Central Board of Health (CBH) and sponsored by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Direct Relief Programme, aimed to enhance public health resilience against vector-borne diseases exacerbated by climate change. Held at the Harrison Centre in Tomlinson, the workshop trained 115 participants, including Public Health Inspectors and Environmental Health aides. Due to the high number of attendees, the program was divided into four segments, with two sessions specifically dedicated to mosquito control, which attracted the largest audience. Facilitated by former Chief Health Inspector Lionel Michael, the training emphasized vector control strategies, including educational, physical, biological, chemical, and environmental measures. Key topics included the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), alternative fogging techniques, and the impact of climatic conditions on vector control. Deputy Chief Health Inspector Daryl Spencer highlighted the workshop’s goal of strengthening capacity in vector control and providing formal training for new staff. Michael provided in-depth insights into the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for dengue fever, discussing its characteristics, replication, transmission, and symptoms. Dengue fever, prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounts for over 92% of global cases, with symptoms including high fever, headache, joint pain, and nausea. The workshop underscored the importance of community responsibility in public health, emphasizing that government efforts alone are insufficient to combat vector-borne diseases. Participants were encouraged to adopt proactive measures, such as eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and maintaining proper sanitation, to mitigate the spread of diseases.