分类: society

  • Social Empowerment Agency to launch next month

    Social Empowerment Agency to launch next month

    Barbados is poised to launch its newly established Social Empowerment Agency (SEA) next month, with nearly all staff from the four merging social service departments voluntarily joining the initiative. Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, confirmed the development on Monday, dispelling concerns about delays caused by union negotiations. The SEA consolidates the Child Care Board, National Assistance Board, National Disabilities Unit, and the Welfare Department into a single entity aimed at providing comprehensive support to vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Minister Humphrey emphasized that the agency’s mission is to transition from traditional welfare models to empowerment-focused strategies, fostering independence and reducing poverty through targeted programs and services. The government plans to establish empowerment centers across the island to enhance accessibility, ensuring that all communities benefit from the agency’s offerings. While specific figures on staff participation were not disclosed, Humphrey expressed confidence in the overwhelming positive response, stating that the agency is on track for a successful launch. The SEA will focus on skills development, capacity building, and tailored support services, marking a significant shift in Barbados’ approach to social welfare.

  • Dozens injured as route taxi overturns outside Lester Vaughan

    Dozens injured as route taxi overturns outside Lester Vaughan

    A harrowing incident unfolded on Monday morning outside Lester Vaughan School in St Thomas, Barbados, when a route taxi overturned, injuring 26 individuals, including 25 schoolchildren and the driver. The accident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. on Cane Garden Road, as the vehicle was en route to Bridgetown. According to police reports, the driver lost control, causing the taxi to flip just outside the school compound.

  • Agriculture : More than 70% of farmers in Haiti are women

    Agriculture : More than 70% of farmers in Haiti are women

    In a groundbreaking revelation, Haiti’s Minister of Agriculture, Vernet Joseph, alongside Pierre Vauthier, the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO – Haiti), disclosed that more than 70% of the nation’s farmers are women. These women, who form the backbone of Haiti’s agrifood production, continue to face substantial challenges, including limited access to land, credit, and quality supply chains. Their critical role in sustaining the country’s food systems cannot be overstated. The recent International Day of Rural Women underscored the necessity of concrete actions to fully integrate this female workforce into the agricultural sector, particularly by empowering the ‘Madan Sara,’ the unsung heroes of Haiti’s food distribution networks. The Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development (MARNDR), in collaboration with FAO – Haiti, is actively working to transform this potential into a driving force for economic and social development. In 2025, FAO initiatives, supported by MARNDR, directly assisted nearly 70,000 individuals dependent on agriculture, helping to preserve and revitalize production in regions like Artibonite, the Central Bas-Plateau, and the West, even amidst security challenges. Additionally, the National School Feeding Program (PNCS), backed by the Ministry and the World Food Program (WFP), has engaged over 82,500 small producers across 219 agricultural organizations. These efforts ensure that 70% of meals served daily to 600,000 schoolchildren supported by WFP are sourced from Haitian agriculture, enhancing children’s nutrition and stimulating the local economy. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader goal of reaching 1.4 million students by 2025 and achieving 100% local procurement for school canteens by 2030. Furthermore, the Integrated Nutrition and Local Purchasing Program, initially funded with US$10 million, is expanding to other departments with an additional US$13 million, enabling more producers to contribute to the promotion of national production.

  • French national caught at AILA after swallowing over 1 Kg of cocaine

    French national caught at AILA after swallowing over 1 Kg of cocaine

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – A 19-year-old French national was apprehended at Las Américas International Airport (AILA-JFPG) following the discovery of ingested cocaine. The arrest was executed by the National Directorate of Drug Control (DNCD) and the Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESAC) during a coordinated inspection with the Public Ministry. After standard immigration protocols, anomalies were detected in his digestive system. He was subsequently transported to the Central Hospital of the Armed Forces, where he expelled 141 small latex-wrapped packets of cocaine, weighing a total of 1.06 kilograms, as confirmed by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF). The individual is now under the custody of the Santo Domingo Public Prosecutor’s Office and will be prosecuted under Law 50-88, which governs drugs and controlled substances. Authorities are delving deeper into the case, suspecting it to be part of an extensive international drug trafficking network that employs ‘mules’ from various countries to transport narcotics to the United States and Europe.

  • Man slain in highway gun attack, second killing in 24 hours

    Man slain in highway gun attack, second killing in 24 hours

    Barbados has been shaken by two fatal shootings within 24 hours, pushing the island’s annual murder count to 38. The most recent incident occurred on the ABC Highway at St Barnabas, St Michael, where a man was fatally shot during an altercation near the pedestrian crossing at the junction with Mount Friendship Road. Police reported that the shooting took place around 10:45 am, and the victim, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. The deceased has been identified as 20-year-old Shaquan Renaldo Chandler-Wray, a resident of Mount Friendship, St Michael.

    This tragedy follows another fatal altercation on Sunday afternoon in Graeme Hall, Christ Church, where a man died after a violent confrontation. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the latest incident, with Acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite urging witnesses or anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers or the local police. At the scene, law enforcement officers and members of the Barbados Defence Force were seen securing the area, which lies near St Barnabas Anglican Church.

    The back-to-back incidents have raised concerns about public safety and escalating violence on the island. Inspector Brathwaite emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving these crimes, calling on residents to come forward with any relevant details.

  • Mother and Son Perish in Alleged Arson Attack in San Felipe

    Mother and Son Perish in Alleged Arson Attack in San Felipe

    A devastating arson attack in San Felipe Village, Orange Walk, has left a community in mourning after a mother and her young son perished in a house fire early Monday morning. Thirty-five-year-old Angelita Magaña and her six-year-old son, Tishan Godoy, were among four individuals asleep in the home when the blaze erupted. Angelita’s daughter and her common-law husband, Miguel Novelo, narrowly escaped, but Angelita and Tishan tragically did not survive. Authorities have identified the prime suspect as Angelita’s former common-law husband, Francisco Godoy, who was found injured at the scene and is now in police custody. Godoy had recently been released from custody after serving time for domestic violence charges against Angelita. Neighbors recounted the harrowing moments as flames engulfed the home, with one individual, Leon, hailed as a hero for saving Angelita’s daughter. The Ministry of Public Service, Governance, and Disaster Risk Management has extended condolences to the family, while the community rallies to support funeral expenses and medical care for the injured daughter. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

  • Employees Foil Armed Robbery at Corozal Store

    Employees Foil Armed Robbery at Corozal Store

    In a dramatic turn of events, employees at Mo’s Supermarket in Corozal successfully foiled an armed robbery attempt on the evening of October 19, 2025. The incident unfolded at approximately 6:40 p.m. when 29-year-old Ryan Delgado entered the store brandishing a Crossman air pistol, intent on carrying out a heist. However, before Delgado could execute his plan, vigilant store employees intervened, preventing the robbery and detaining the suspect until police arrived. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith provided details on the incident, confirming that Delgado was taken into custody and the weapon was seized as evidence. Reports suggest that Delgado sustained injuries during the altercation, allegedly inflicted by the store’s employees. ASP Smith emphasized that if evidence indicates any actions taken against Delgado were unlawful, the police would pursue appropriate legal measures. This incident highlights the bravery and quick response of the supermarket staff, who ensured the safety of the establishment and its patrons.

  • Sherene Garbutt Fights Back as 22 Acres in Independence Go Protected

    Sherene Garbutt Fights Back as 22 Acres in Independence Go Protected

    In a heated land dispute in Independence, Belize, resident Sherene Garbutt is refusing to back down despite the government’s decision to designate 22 acres of land as a protected area. The conflict began when Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde confirmed that the land, originally leased to Orange Walk resident Charles Price, would be returned to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Garbutt, who had applied for the same land earlier, claims her application never reached Hyde’s desk, while Price’s application, submitted over a year later, was approved. Garbutt is now questioning why her parcel was singled out for protection when a larger 100-acre plot with similar natural features remains untouched. Hyde acknowledged administrative errors but emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving such disputes. Garbutt, however, remains steadfast, demanding the return of the land within her village and threatening legal action if her demands are not met.

  • Ladyville Man’s 30-Year Fight for Hen and Chicken Caye

    Ladyville Man’s 30-Year Fight for Hen and Chicken Caye

    For over thirty years, David McCulloch, a resident of Ladyville, Belize, has been embroiled in a relentless battle to secure ownership of Hen and Chicken Caye, a 72.93-acre island located just four miles off the coast of his village. McCulloch, a staunch supporter of the People’s United Party (PUP), initiated this struggle in 1998 through his organization, the Brotherhood Association, which aimed to develop the island into a residential subdivision for Belizeans and establish a faith-based retreat center. Despite obtaining a lease and a purchase price of $18,962 in 2008, McCulloch claims that successive governments have obstructed his efforts to complete the transaction. According to Paul Thompson, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the purchase price expired in 2011, and there is currently no active application for the island, which remains undeveloped national land. McCulloch’s repeated attempts to resolve the issue, including multiple visits to government offices and direct appeals to Minister Cordel Hyde, have yielded no results. He alleges political victimization and constitutional rights violations, expressing frustration over the lack of progress. McCulloch envisions the island as a sanctuary for domestic violence victims, drug addicts, and at-risk youth, alongside the proposed retreat center. Despite the setbacks, he remains determined to see his vision realized, even as he faces mounting challenges and skepticism from within his own political party.

  • 18-Year-Old Motorist Dies after Colliding with Bus

    18-Year-Old Motorist Dies after Colliding with Bus

    A devastating accident in Belmopan on Thursday evening resulted in the death of an 18-year-old motorcyclist, Jonni Cano, and left another teenager, Hamin Pat, seriously injured. The collision occurred at the intersection of Saint Jude and Saint Matthew’s streets around 5 p.m. According to police reports, Cano was driving a Skygo motorcycle with Pat as his passenger when they collided head-on with a Westline Bus driven by 23-year-old Jonathan Estrada. The impact was severe, ejecting both riders from the motorcycle. While Pat remains in stable condition, Cano tragically succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital. Authorities have issued a Notice of Intended Prosecution to Estrada as investigations into the incident continue. This tragic event has left the community in mourning and raised concerns about road safety in the area.