In a heartfelt letter to the editor, a concerned resident of the All Saints East and St. Luke community has voiced growing frustration over the apparent neglect by local representatives. Amidst an ongoing vehicle scandal, the resident questions whether elected officials are failing in their duties or simply turning a blind eye to the pressing issues faced by the community. The letter specifically calls out Parliamentary Representative Mr. Jamale Pringle, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, and ABLP Caretaker Mr. Lamin Newton, urging them to address the deteriorating conditions in the area. The resident highlights the lack of progress in the Government’s clean-up and beautification initiative, pointing to overgrown grass in Folley’s and nearly impassable roads within the Folley’s Housing Development. The letter also criticizes the Ministry of Works for its failure to repair the community’s crumbling infrastructure. The resident expresses exhaustion over unfulfilled promises and calls for leaders to prioritize the needs of their constituents over political agendas. The plea underscores a broader demand for accountability and action from both the Government and the Opposition.
分类： society
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Youth crime surge sparks appeal to social workers
In response to alarming police data revealing a surge in serious youth-related crimes, social workers, counselors, and psychologists in Barbados are being urged to intensify their efforts to deter young people from criminal and antisocial behaviors. The call to action came during the closing ceremony of a two-week Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) training program, organized by the Ministry of Educational Transformation and the MultiCare Youth Foundation. Held at Pelican House, the event highlighted the critical role of mental health professionals in addressing the growing crisis.
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Mia zoekt Antony Loswijk, verdachte in drive-by shooting Emielaan
Authorities are intensifying their search for Antony Loswijk and a second individual identified as A.L., both suspected of involvement in a deadly drive-by shooting on Emielaan. The incident, which occurred last Friday, claimed the life of Karan Chablani. Surveillance footage revealed that the assailants were traveling in a gray Toyota Ractis, rented from a car rental service in Paramaribo, bearing the license plate PJ 01-65. The Meldpunt Informatie Anoniem (MIA) has issued a public appeal for information regarding the suspects or other occupants of the vehicle. The MIA RED Alert initiative aims to engage the community in locating fugitive suspects. Anonymous tips can be submitted 24/7 via report@meldpunt.sr.
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BWA to install DMA metre in Dash Valley, St George
The Barbados Water Authority (BWA) has issued a notice to residents and businesses in St George regarding a scheduled meter installation in Dash Valley. The installation is set to take place on Monday, October 27, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. During this period, areas along Highway 5 (west of Dash Valley Road), Hanson Heights, Monroe Road, and nearby districts may experience reduced water pressure or temporary water outages. The BWA has advised customers to store sufficient water supplies to mitigate any disruptions. The authority has extended its apologies for any inconvenience caused by the necessary maintenance work. This initiative is part of the BWA’s ongoing efforts to improve water management and service delivery in the region.
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Mature step towards greater police accountability
The Barbados Police Service (BPS) is taking a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability, as Acting Commissioner of Police Erwin Boyce recently endorsed independent investigations into complaints against law enforcement officers. His remarks, made during a press briefing, underscore a progressive shift in the BPS’s approach to modern policing, where external scrutiny is seen as vital for maintaining public trust.
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News : Zapping…
Haiti has been rocked by a series of significant events, ranging from a high-profile kidnapping to legal reforms and institutional modernization efforts. On October 22, 2025, Reverend Father Jean Julien Ladouceur, the parish priest of Sainte-Claire Parish in Petite Place Cazeau and National Director of the Episcopal Commission for Education (CEEC), was abducted in Delmas 31 alongside three colleagues: Serfise Guillaume Charlot, Johanne Marcellus, and Pierre Anddy Joseph. The kidnappers have reportedly contacted the archdiocese, though their demands remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, in Canada, the Federal Court has reopened the case of former Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, who accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of imposing arbitrary sanctions in 2022 to manipulate Haiti’s political landscape in collaboration with Ariel Henry. On a more positive note, the Municipality of Cap-Haïtien has taken steps to modernize its fire and rescue services through the PHÉNIX Project, a collaborative initiative with the Directorate General for Civil Protection (DGPC), the French Development Agency (AFD), and Expertise France. Additionally, the National Education Fund (FNE) has issued a warning about the proliferation of fake social media accounts spreading false information, urging the public to remain vigilant. In other developments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has streamlined its document legalization process, ensuring same-day service since October 1, 2025. Finally, the Haitian National Police has seen key appointments and promotions, including Jean Gardy Muscadin as Director of Strategic Planning and Frantz Lerebours as Training Coordinator and Director of Police Communications.
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Update: Politie jaagt op verdachte na dodelijke drive-by shooting aan Emielaan
The Capital Crimes Division (K.D.) of the Suriname Police Force is continuing its investigation into the fatal drive-by shooting that claimed the life of 43-year-old Karan Chablani on Friday at Emielaan. Preliminary findings reveal that the assailants were traveling in a gray Toyota Ractis, which was reportedly rented from a car rental agency in Paramaribo. Authorities are also seeking to question an individual identified as A.L., who is suspected of potential involvement in the incident. The Suriname Police Force has urgently appealed to the public for any information related to the shooting, the suspects, or the whereabouts of the vehicle. Tips can be reported to the nearest police station or through the Command Center at the emergency number 115. The K.D. is conducting the investigation with full diligence, emphasizing that every piece of information could be crucial to advancing the case.
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Government maintains its measures; Melissa is almost a hurricane
The Dominican Republic is bracing for the intensified impact of Hurricane Melissa, with heavy rainfall expected to persist through the weekend, particularly along the southern coast, Barahona province, and surrounding regions. President Luis Abinader has declared the suspension of work in 12 provinces under red alert to mitigate risks to life and property. The decision follows a high-level meeting with Vice President Raquel Peña and emergency officials to coordinate preventive measures and ensure public safety. The Emergency Operations Center (COE), led by Director Juan Manuel Méndez, will reassess the situation on Saturday morning. President Abinader emphasized the prolonged nature of the storm, stating that it is one of the longest-lasting weather events to affect the country in recent history. He assured that all state institutions are mobilized to safeguard vulnerable areas and expedite the return to normalcy. Meteorologist Gloria Ceballos of the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) warned that Melissa’s trajectory could shift westward, bringing its cloud cover closer to the southern coast. Authorities have issued advisories against crossing swollen rivers and streams, using bathing facilities, and urged residents to seek shelter if necessary. Emergency shelters have been established in San Juan, San Cristóbal, and the National District, accommodating 61 individuals. While most public and private sectors remain closed, essential services such as pharmacies, supermarkets, fuel stations, and transportation will continue operating to ensure access to vital supplies. A total of 26 provinces are under alert: 12 in red, 11 in yellow, and three in green, reflecting varying levels of anticipated damage.
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Antigua and Barbuda Students in Jamaica to Be Housed at Hotel During Storm
As Tropical Storm Melissa looms over Jamaica, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has swiftly organized temporary shelter for its students studying in the region. Starting Saturday, October 25, 2025, the students will be accommodated at the prestigious Jamaica Pegasus Hotel for a two-night stay. The arrangement includes complimentary meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—with specific restrictions, and rooms will be shared between two students. To avail of this provision, students must present a valid Antigua and Barbuda passport and their student ID. Authorities have assured that the situation will be reevaluated post-storm. In the event of an evacuation, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has pledged to arrange a charter flight to ensure the students’ safe return home. Check-in at the hotel will commence from midday on Saturday.
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Call for united front as Barbados faces climate realities
Barbados is rallying its citizens and global partners to confront the escalating climate crisis with a robust $11.5 billion investment plan aimed at building resilience and ensuring sustainable development. Senator Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, emphasized the urgency of collective action during her address at the Climate Finance for Action Empowerment Partnership workshop held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Senator Munro-Knight underscored the immediacy of the climate threat, describing it as ‘too urgent, too present, too real, almost too tomorrow.’ She stressed that Barbados, as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), cannot afford to retreat from the challenge. ‘This is not one the government can do alone,’ she asserted. ‘It requires consensus, innovation, and partnerships to face this crisis head-on.’
The minister highlighted the difficult choices Barbados must make, balancing climate resilience with maintaining essential services like education, housing, and water. She pointed to the country’s strategic initiatives, including the Roofs to Reefs Programme, which links environmental protection from rooftops to reefs, and the Blue Green Development Bank, designed to attract private capital for climate-resilient investments.
Barbados has also implemented innovative financial mechanisms, such as climate budget tagging to track public spending on climate action and amendments to the Procurement Act to ensure sustainable government spending. Additionally, the country’s debt conversion programme has freed up nearly $50 million for a sustainability fund supporting projects across government, private sector, and civil society.
Despite global economic uncertainty, Senator Munro-Knight insisted there can be no retreat from Barbados’ climate commitments. ‘We must continue to think innovatively about how we crowd in and press finance and international agencies for a widening of space,’ she said.
Ricardo Marshall, Director of the Roofs to Reefs Programme, echoed the call for reform, criticizing the global financial system for disadvantaging small island states. He lamented the insufficient financing available for disaster-stricken nations, citing the inadequacy of the COP30 loss and damage fund. Marshall emphasized the need for science-driven policies and innovative financing strategies to build a more resilient Barbados.
Both leaders urged national and international stakeholders to unite in addressing the climate crisis, emphasizing that Barbados’ survival depends on decisive, collective action.