The 2026 NPPA Elrick “Pat” Beazer 8-Ball Team Tournament commenced with an electrifying showdown as Ball Breakers narrowly defeated Sharpshooters 5–4 in a match characterized by dramatic momentum shifts and exceptional individual performances. The season opener set a high bar for competitive intensity from the very first break. Sharpshooters’ Head Hunter initiated the campaign with a decisive 7-ball victory, though he conceded the subsequent rack before ultimately securing his team’s inaugural point against Ball Breakers’ Prince M. Sharpshooters extended their lead to 2–0 when Rock overcame an initial setback to claim two consecutive racks against Kelly. Ball Breakers’ Killer halted the slide with a methodical 2–0 sweep over Hazel, injecting renewed energy into the contest. The match then witnessed a highlight-reel moment as Jay executed a flawless opening rack, culminating in a spectacular massé shot on the 8-ball. However, Sharpshooters’ Shadi demonstrated remarkable resilience by capturing the next two frames, pushing the team advantage to 3–1. Dennis narrowed the gap for Ball Breakers with a steady 2–0 performance against Desmond. The captains’ duel saw Ball Breakers’ M3 claim the opening rack before Sharpshooters’ vice-captain Joel, dubbed the African Giant, delivered two commanding racks to bring his team to the brink of victory at 4–2. Facing elimination, Ball Breakers mounted a stunning comeback through Maurice’s gritty 2–1 triumph over Jarvis and Chopz’s composed 2–0 win against Patrick, leveling the score at 4–4. The outcome hinged on the final encounter between Blacka and Supa, where Blacka maintained his composure under immense pressure to secure the decisive point, clinching a hard-fought 5–4 victory for Ball Breakers.
作者： admin
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Gill wins a thriller at CRMS
In a breathtakingly close finish, Gill House successfully defended its title at the 2026 Carmen Rene Memorial School (CRMS) sports meet, edging out Lewis House by a single point with a final tally of 303 to 302. The electrifying competition, held on Friday, January 30th at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, showcased the emergence of a new generation of athletic talent from the San Souci school. Walcott House secured a strong third-place finish with 296 points, while Rene House trailed with 235 points.
The meet was characterized by intensely competitive races across all age groups. In the Under-9 boys division, Aiden Berkeley of Walcott claimed victory in the 60m dash with a time of 10.2 seconds. The Under-11 boys witnessed Jmarney George of Rene achieving a double victory in both the 80m (12.1s) and 600m (2:09.7s), while Gill’s Jaylan Howell took gold in the 150m (23.4s).
A fascinating rivalry unfolded in the Under-13 boys category where Jaden Jacob of Walcott triumphed in the 80m (11.2s) and Gill’s Dante Delice won the 150m (20.9s), with less than two-tenths of a second separating them in their races. Hervany George secured the 300m for Walcott (50.25s), while Gavriel Daniel won the 600m (1:59.44s) for Gill.
The girls’ competitions proved equally compelling with victories distributed across houses. Anikka Alexander (Rene) and Nellisa Daniel (Lewis) shared honors in Under-9 events. Walcott’s Arielle Charles demonstrated remarkable versatility with wins in the Under-11 150m (24.0s) and 300m (54.7s) after placing third in the 80m.
Allina William emerged as a standout performer for Gill in the Under-13 girls category, dominating the 80m (11.9s) and 150m (22.6s) while capturing silver in the 300m (55.9s). Her performance was matched by Alexia Lloyd who claimed gold in both the 300m (52.6s) and 600m (2:13.9s) for her house.
Despite late surges from both Lewis and Walcott, Gill House maintained its composure to secure back-to-back championships, demonstrating exceptional depth across multiple disciplines and age groups.
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Dashcam Footage Highlights Dangerous Overtaking on All Saints Road
Recently released dashcam footage has cast a stark spotlight on the perilous driving conditions along All Saints Road, where reckless overtaking maneuvers are creating significant public safety concerns. The video evidence captures multiple instances of vehicles executing dangerous passes, often crossing solid center lines and narrowly avoiding head-on collisions with oncoming traffic.
The footage reveals a pattern of drivers taking extreme risks to overtake slower-moving vehicles, frequently in areas with limited visibility or where such maneuvers are explicitly prohibited by road markings. Traffic safety experts analyzing the recordings note that these actions consistently violate fundamental right-of-way protocols and demonstrate a blatant disregard for established traffic laws.
Local authorities have acknowledged the growing problem, with transportation officials confirming that All Saints Road has emerged as a particular hotspot for aggressive driving incidents. The road’s design—featuring alternating straightaways and curves—appears to encourage some motorists to make ill-advised passing decisions despite inherent dangers.
Community response has been one of heightened concern, with residents reporting numerous near-misses and expressing frustration over what they describe as increasingly brazen driving behavior. The publication of this visual evidence has sparked calls for enhanced traffic enforcement measures, including possible installation of automated monitoring systems and increased police patrols along the problematic corridor.
Transportation safety advocates are using the footage to emphasize the potentially catastrophic consequences of such driving practices, urging both improved infrastructure solutions and public awareness campaigns about the dangers of improper overtaking.
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Road safety ‘crisis’ sparks calls for action as election nears
Barbados confronts a severe road safety emergency described as ‘dangerous and unacceptable,’ with urgent demands for governmental action emerging just days before national elections. Alarming statistics reveal approximately 50,000 of the island’s 180,000 vehicles operate without valid insurance—representing one in four motorists driving illegally. Former Barbados Road Safety Association president Sharmane Roland-Bowen characterized this not as minor administrative negligence but as a full-scale crisis eroding legal foundations and public safety.
The insurance sector reports unsustainable strain from approximately 15 daily collisions, with average repair costs reaching $10,000 per incident and doubling when injuries occur. Particularly troubling is the finding that 30% of accidents involve uninsured or unlicensed drivers, creating massive financial burdens for compliant motorists through increased premiums and uncompensated damages. Roland-Bowen detailed how uninsured drivers frequently flee collision scenes, leaving victims responsible for repair costs and insurance excesses despite their own compliance with regulations.
Enforcement failures extend beyond insurance compliance. Reports indicate commercial vehicles operating without road taxation, while systemic issues include reduced police presence at accident scenes enabling fraudulent insurance documentation presentation. Roland-Bowen criticized misaligned enforcement priorities that focus on secondary issues like window tinting while neglecting core dangers including uninsured driving, impaired motorists, and deteriorating infrastructure.
Despite substantial revenue collection through road taxes and fuel levies, potholes plague transportation networks, forcing dangerous avoidance maneuvers that increase collision risks. The crisis now demands political accountability, with voters urged to question electoral candidates about concrete solutions. Proposed measures include regulatory reforms requiring dual insurance certificates—with one mandatory copy kept in vehicles—plus stricter penalties, license suspensions, and removal of illegal vehicles from roads.
Roland-Bowen emphasized that meaningful change requires sustained public pressure, governmental accountability, and rigorous law enforcement, warning that without decisive action, conditions will continue deteriorating, further endangering lives, property, and citizens’ rights.
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‘Crowded ballot’: St Philip voters say candidates missing from campaign trail
With one week remaining until Barbados’ February 11 general election, residents across St Philip parish express growing frustration over the absence of political candidates despite a historic number of contenders vying for parliamentary seats. An extensive ground assessment reveals widespread voter disillusionment with the electoral process and candidate accessibility.
Thirteen candidates from multiple parties are competing across three constituencies in St Philip, marking an unprecedented political concentration in the parish. However, voters consistently report minimal engagement with those seeking to represent them.
Seventy-six-year-old Ms. Straughn of Bonita Drive exemplifies the prevailing sentiment: “Not a politician ever did anything for me, not even a biscuit.” The long-term resident, who has encountered elected officials only once in fifteen years, described deteriorating public services despite previous complaints about transportation inadequacies. While appreciative of pension provisions, she emphasizes their insufficiency and advocates for improved housing solutions for homeless citizens.
Political analyst Peter Wickham contextualizes the unusual candidate proliferation as reflecting opposition deficiencies rather than anti-government sentiment. “These emerging parties primarily aim to provide opposition alternatives,” Wickham notes, “indicating greater dissatisfaction with existing opposition parties than with the governing administration.”
St Philip’s strategic significance stems from its historical status as a Democratic Labour Party (DLP) stronghold. Wickham suggests competing parties perceive greater opportunities for displacing the DLP here than elsewhere, though he doubts third-party options genuinely energize the electorate given their limited winning prospects.
Former government minister Dr. David Estwick, the DLP’s returning candidate, expresses confidence in reclaiming his seat based on his legislative record. He maintains active voter engagement despite apathy allegations, asserting: “We’re hearing constituent concerns and explaining our policy approaches to address them.”
Contrasting this perspective, Friends of Democracy leader Karina Goodridge acknowledges representation gaps in recent years. She argues that expanded candidate choices potentially stimulate electoral participation through generated curiosity and conversation, compelling all parties to enhance their public engagement efforts.
Practical challenges complicate voter outreach, Goodridge notes, citing large geographical constituencies, resident availability issues, and candidates’ demanding schedules. She emphasizes continued multi-channel communication efforts despite visibility limitations.
The prevailing analysis indicates that vote splitting among opposition parties likely benefits the dominant Barbados Labour Party, as divided opposition votes traditionally strengthen the ruling party’s position.
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Goud staat op het punt nieuwe records te bereiken nu kopers terugkeren
Gold markets are experiencing a dramatic resurgence as investor demand and central bank acquisitions propel the precious metal toward unprecedented valuations. Following a significant two-session decline that attracted bargain hunters, analysts project gold will reach new record levels while silver maintains its volatile trajectory.
The precious metal recorded its most substantial single-day gain since 2008 on Tuesday, rebounding from a substantial sell-off triggered by President Donald Trump’s appointment of Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair, dollar strengthening, and profit-taking activities. This recovery demonstrates the underlying strength of gold’s market position despite temporary fluctuations.
Market strategists point to persistent inflationary pressures exceeding target levels, escalating debt concerns, and growing investor preference for portfolio diversification beyond traditional stocks, bonds, and fiat currencies. Bart Melek, Head of Commodity Strategy at TD Securities, emphasized that “inflation remains well above target, debt is increasing, and investors continue to view precious metals as a way to diversify their portfolio and reduce dependence on stocks, bonds, and fiat currencies.”
Financial institutions have issued bullish projections, with UBS and JP Morgan anticipating gold prices reaching $6,200-$6,300 by year-end. Deutsche Bank maintains a 2026 estimate of $6,000, while Citi upheld its baseline scenario predicting an average first-quarter price of $5,000. Spot gold prices climbed 5.4% to $4,915 per troy ounce during morning trading.
The physical market’s dynamics are now under intense scrutiny following gold and silver’s record peaks of $5,594.8 and $121.6 respectively on January 29th, before experiencing corrections. Gold’s 9.8% decline on Friday represented its most substantial single-day drop in 43 years according to LSEG data, which analysts characterize as a healthy market adjustment.
Standard Chartered analyst Suki Cooper noted that “the physical market will be crucial in determining the bottom, particularly after Chinese New Year,” referencing the mid-February holiday period in the world’s largest consumer market. Investment demand, particularly from retail sectors, has emerged as the primary driver behind gold’s price surge as other traditional demand sectors—jewelry and central bank purchases—have stagnated.
Philip Newman, Director at Metals Focus, cautioned that “we expect prices to remain volatile, even though conditions remain favorable for further significant price increases this year,” while acknowledging gold could surpass the $5,500 threshold.
Silver exhibits even greater volatility due to its smaller market size, recently trading 9.3% higher at $86.8 after retreating from Thursday’s record high. The January rally was largely driven by momentum trading and substantial inflows from private investors. Analysts at Mitsubishi observe that silver has lost a key driver from last year’s gains as concerns about U.S. import tariffs following critical minerals revisions have diminished and London supply constraints have eased. However, the retreat from record levels benefits industrial applications by alleviating extreme margin pressure on solar energy producers.
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Aviation chiefs ‘on watch’ as US warning over Venezuelan airspace remains in force
Aviation authorities in Barbados are advocating for continued vigilance in regional air safety, even as normal flight operations have resumed following last year’s widespread disruptions. These cancellations were directly linked to US military maneuvers conducted near Venezuela, which triggered significant international aviation alerts.
The situation originated when the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a formal warning in late November against passenger flights operating over Venezuelan airspace. This advisory specifically cited deteriorating security conditions and potentially hazardous military activities concentrated near Maiquetia, a northern Venezuelan city. The FAA’s Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) remains officially in effect until February 19, creating an ongoing backdrop of concern for regional aviation stakeholders.
Hadley Bourne, Chief Executive Officer of Grantley Adams International Airport Inc., confirmed that while the NOTAM remains active, it currently does not directly impact air traffic operations. “We are still NOTAMS-enabled, but it is not impacting air traffic per se… people are just being cautious,” Bourne stated in comments to Barbados TODAY.
Concurrently, the UK government has withdrawn its travel advisory for Barbados regarding potential flight disruptions, which was originally implemented following the US military actions toward Venezuela.
Barbadian aviation officials have been conducting intensive monitoring of the FAA’s warnings, which highlighted not only security deterioration but also increased military readiness activities. Tracey Forde-Bailey, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority, emphasized that Barbados had taken formal note of the situation while indicating it hadn’t directly affected the country’s operations.
Forde-Bailey explained the technical nature of the NOTAM, noting that it primarily provides guidance to US carriers, specifically advising operators to exercise heightened caution within Venezuelan airspace, particularly the Maiquetia region under Venezuelan authority management.
The civil aviation director further suggested that neighboring nations sharing borders with Venezuela, notably Guyana, would need to maintain particularly close observation, especially for airlines operating flights to those regions. “Any unusual activity within the region would be of interest to every state having boundaries adjacent to Venezuelan airspace,” Forde-Bailey stated.
The FAA has implemented additional requirements for US operators, mandating at least 72 hours’ advance notice of planned flights with specific details. The agency also directs flight crews to report any observed security issues to its Washington DC-based operations center.
According to the official NOTAM documentation, operators are advised to maintain caution at all altitudes within the Maiquetia Flight Information Region due to both the worsening security situation and intensified military activities in and around Venezuela. The FAA explicitly stated that these threats could potentially risk aircraft at all flight phases, including during overflight, arrival, departure, and even while aircraft are on the ground at airports.
Background information released concurrently with the NOTAM detailed specific operational hazards, noting that since September there has been a measurable increase in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) interference within the Maiquetia Flight Information Region, coupled with activities associated with escalating Venezuelan military readiness.
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Congratulations Arianna Challenger, new Carnival Princess
In a spectacular display of talent and cultural celebration, Arianna Challenger from Paix Bouche Primary School emerged victorious as Dominica’s Carnival Princess 2026. The prestigious coronation ceremony unfolded Sunday evening at Windsor Park Sports Stadium, transformed into a vibrant Carnival City for the occasion.
Challenger’s triumph was particularly remarkable as she secured an impressive quartet of awards, demonstrating exceptional prowess across multiple competition categories. Her outstanding performance earned her the distinctions of Best Costume, Best in Costume, Best Talent, and Best in Party Dress, establishing her as the clear frontrunner throughout the competition.
The event featured three exceptional finalists representing primary schools across Dominica. Shanell Benjamin of Woodford Hill Primary School claimed the First Runner-Up position, receiving recognition for Miss Intelligence, Best in Party Dress, Best Party Dress, and the esteemed Miss Congeniality award. Fanayé Shillingford from Bagatelle Primary School earned Second Runner-Up honors, capturing both Miss Photogenic and The People’s Choice Award.
This annual competition showcases the rich cultural heritage of Dominica through the talents of its youth participants. The Carnival Princess pageant serves as a platform for young students to demonstrate artistic expression, intellectual capability, and cultural awareness through various performance categories. The event draws significant community support and represents an important tradition in Dominica’s cultural calendar, highlighting the nation’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its unique cultural identity through youth engagement.
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Survey of Living Conditions and Household Budget Survey 2026
Grenada is set to undertake a comprehensive national assessment of living standards and economic conditions through a joint initiative between the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and the World Bank. The Survey of Living Conditions (SLC) and Household Budget Survey (HBS), scheduled to commence in February 2026, will provide critical data to shape the nation’s development agenda.
Operating under the legal authority of the Statistics Act (No. 30 of 1960 and No. 21 of 1961), this landmark study aims to achieve three primary objectives: precisely measure poverty levels across Grenadian society, collect detailed household expenditure and income patterns, and generate essential social and economic indicators to guide national planning strategies.
The CSO has emphasized the strict confidentiality protocols governing the survey process. All field interviewers will be administered a formal Oath of Secrecy before commencing their duties, legally binding them to protect respondent information. The agency has assured citizens that all collected data will only be disseminated in aggregated form, with severe penalties for any violations of confidentiality protocols.
Government officials highlight the survey’s critical importance in addressing pressing national challenges including poverty, unemployment, and inequality. The resulting indicators will serve as fundamental tools for analyzing Grenada’s economic and social progress, enabling evidence-based policy formulation.
The Central Statistical Office is actively seeking public cooperation, particularly from households selected for participation. Officials stress that accurate responses to survey questionnaires are essential for the study’s overall success and its ability to generate reliable insights for national development planning.
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Lovell says constituents of All Saints West Are Angry About Lack of Water
A severe water crisis plaguing the All Saints West constituency has been framed as symptomatic of broader national governance failures by United Progressive Party representative Harold Lovell. In a recent radio address, the political caretaker delineated a pattern of systemic neglect characterized by inadequate planning, dismissal of local expertise, and fragmented utility management strategies.
Lovell reported that residents endure highly irregular water access, often limited to mere hours at a time, coupled with concerning quality issues when supply resumes. These chronic shortages persist despite substantial financial allocations and repeated governmental assurances of resolution.
The core of the crisis, according to Lovell, stems from deficient long-term planning and a disjointed approach to water management. He criticized the administration’s predominant focus on expanding desalination capabilities while critically overlooking essential storage and distribution infrastructure. This imbalanced strategy has resulted in costly yet ineffective solutions that fail to address fundamental operational constraints.
A significant concern raised was the systematic marginalization of seasoned local engineers and water specialists possessing invaluable institutional knowledge. Lovell emphasized that these professionals hold intricate understanding of pipeline networks and system dynamics, yet their expertise remains conspicuously absent from policy decisions.
The current approach was described as piecemeal, with new treatment facilities constructed without corresponding upgrades to storage capacity or distribution channels. Notably, previously built storage installations have remained non-operational for extended periods despite persistent supply shortages.
Lovell advocated for developing a comprehensive, expertise-driven water management plan incorporating local knowledge supplemented by international specialists where necessary. He stressed that only through integrated, long-term strategies can sustainable water security be achieved, moving beyond temporary fixes that perpetuate reliability issues.