分类： society

September 22, 2025, marked the 70th anniversary of Hurricane Janet’s devastating impact on Barbados. The storm, which struck in 1955, left a trail of destruction, damaging 8,000 homes, shutting down the island’s main radio station, blocking critical roadways, and causing the collapse of Gospel Hall in Christ Church, which claimed ten lives. In total, over 50 lives were lost. The economic toll was staggering, with damages estimated at US$5 million in 1955, equivalent to US$60 million today. This anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of small island developing states like Barbados to natural disasters. Over the decades, Barbados has made significant strides in enhancing its resilience. Efforts include upgrading building standards, with a shift from timber to masonry construction, the introduction of building codes such as CUBIC in the 1980s and the Barbados Building Codes of 1993 and 2013, and the passage of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2020-34. However, the Barbados Association of Professional Engineers (BAPE) emphasizes that more must be done to address the escalating threats posed by climate change. The Caribbean has witnessed an increase in ‘super’ storms, driven by global warming, necessitating urgent action. BAPE recommends three critical measures: professional assessments of existing buildings for hazard readiness, adherence to best practices in the design and construction of new buildings, and the proclamation of Section 44 of the PD Act to ensure robust building control. These steps, BAPE asserts, will fortify Barbados’ infrastructure against future climate-induced hazards, which are projected to surpass the severity of Hurricane Janet. Engineer Rey Moe, President of BAPE, underscores the importance of continuous review and strengthening of building codes and guidelines to safeguard the island’s future.

As the 2025 Taste of the Caribbean Competition approaches, Barbados’ national culinary champions are intensifying their preparations to defend their title on home soil. The event, hosted for the first time in Barbados, will take place from November 16 to 18 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados. The Barbados National Culinary Team, led by team manager and head coach Javon Cummins, aims to showcase the country’s innovative approach to Caribbean cuisine. The team includes senior chef Rynaldo Joseph, junior chef Dejuan Toppin, pastry chef Rickeena Kirton, and mixologist Alex Chandler, all of whom are former champions. Their rigorous training schedule, which began on August 17, focuses on technical drills, speed under pressure, and reimagining traditional Bajan dishes. The team is also incorporating new elements such as a sparring partner system, weekly mock competitions, and mental conditioning to enhance performance. The competition will feature teams from Saint Lucia, Grenada, Guyana, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Turks and Caicos, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, and Anguilla. The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) emphasized the event’s significance as a platform for tourism, cultural diplomacy, and talent development. The public is encouraged to follow the team’s progress and support upcoming fundraising events via the BHTA’s social media pages.

A senior magistrate in Barbados has called for the implementation of state-funded, mandatory DNA testing in all child maintenance cases, emphasizing its necessity to ensure fairness and certainty for fathers involved in legal disputes. Acting Chief Magistrate Deidre McKenna proposed this measure during a panel discussion titled ‘Financial Child Support Delinquency,’ hosted by the Men of Character Men’s Fellowship at the Mount of Praise Wesleyan Holiness Church on Monday. McKenna, who regularly presides over child maintenance cases, highlighted the current system’s reliance on verbal acknowledgment of paternity, which often lacks definitive proof. She suggested that DNA testing should be automatic when a man is brought before the courts for maintenance, ensuring clarity before proceeding with financial arrangements. McKenna also advocated for the state to cover the cost of these tests, which currently amount to $800 per test, as many individuals struggle to afford them. She shared a poignant case where a man discovered he was not the biological father of a child he had supported for nine years, underscoring the emotional and financial toll of paternity uncertainty. Additionally, McKenna noted that maintenance orders should include provisions for shared medical, dental, and educational expenses to ensure funds are used appropriately. While she acknowledged that women are also occasionally ordered to pay child maintenance, McKenna’s proposal aims to address systemic issues in paternity disputes and child support enforcement.