A senior energy official has announced significant advancements in the nation’s grid modernization efforts, revealing ambitious plans for large-scale battery storage systems and innovative pilot projects designed to enhance reliability and encourage public involvement in the energy transition. Bryan Haynes, Director of Renewable Energy, provided these updates during Friday’s House Estimates debate, outlining a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the country’s electricity infrastructure. The government’s Integrated Resource and Resilience Planning framework has identified a critical need for approximately 370 megawatts of energy storage capacity to support the national grid. This substantial storage capability will primarily serve to stabilize the grid against fluctuations inherent in variable renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar power, ensuring consistent electricity delivery as the country increases its dependence on green energy alternatives. In a groundbreaking development, officials have begun designing a virtual power plant pilot project that combines renewable energy systems with advanced storage technologies to create an additional support layer for the grid infrastructure. This initiative explores innovative approaches including vehicle-to-grid technology, which would enable electric vehicle owners to supply stored electricity back to the national network with appropriate compensation mechanisms. The pilot phase will focus on studying consumer behavior patterns and establishing proper regulatory frameworks before broader implementation. Utility companies, partners, and the Fair Trading Commission are collaborating to ensure the development of an effective regulatory environment. Meanwhile, the application process for participation in energy storage programs officially launched in November last year, already generating substantial interest with 96 submissions currently undergoing validation procedures.
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Female drivers gear up for Rally Barbados
The Barbados Rally Club is set to make motorsport history as BCIC Rally Barbados 2026 features three female drivers competing simultaneously for the first time in the event’s prestigious history. Scheduled for May 29-31, this groundbreaking development arrives just days before International Women’s Day celebrations, spotlighting the remarkable progress of women in Caribbean motorsport.
The historic lineup comprises Welsh newcomer Debby Goodband, England’s seasoned campaigner Cheryl Spencer making her 11th appearance, and Barbados’ own Natya Soodeen, who has transitioned from show jumping to rally racing. Beyond the driver roster, the event will showcase over twenty women serving as co-drivers, creating the most significant female participation in the rally’s history.
Leslie Evanson, Rally Club Secretary and leader of Barbados’ Women in Motorsport initiative, hailed this development as a transformative moment for regional motorsport. An experienced co-driver herself, Evanson emphasized that this milestone represents years of dedicated development and encouragement within the sport. “Having a three-way contest for the top female driver award represents brilliant progress,” Evanson noted, while extending good luck wishes to all female competitors.
Each competitor brings distinct expertise to the starting line. Goodband returns to rallying after a lengthy hiatus, having previously competed in Ford Escort MkII and Focus models between 2001-2010. Her Suzuki Swift, specially built by partner Cliff Evans, underwent preliminary testing in North Wales alongside co-driver Clare Berrisford, a four-time National Autograss Champion new to stage rallying but exceptionally skilled in motorsport.
Soodeen, previously Barbados’ sole female rally driver, transitioned from equestrian sports in 2019 and has since claimed the 2022 Autocross Championship before dominating her class in both BRC and MCBI Championships last year with co-driver Sameisha Williams. Meanwhile, veteran competitor Cheryl Spencer will race alongside husband Barry for the 11th time, having completed the event six times previously with a class podium finish in 2025.
Evanson highlighted the broader significance beyond competitors: “Women in Motorsport isn’t just about drivers—it encompasses officials, stewards, marshals, and timing professionals, demonstrating comprehensive female engagement across all sporting dimensions.” This sentiment echoes Goodband’s recent role as Chief Marshal of the 2025 Cambrian Rally, illustrating the diverse pathways for women’s participation.
The Executive Autocentre team, including Soodeen and Williams, has secured new sponsorship from regional customer loyalty program Fun Miles for the 2026 season, providing additional support for their competitive campaigns. This historic moment in Barbados motorsport reflects both individual dedication and systematic development efforts creating unprecedented opportunities for women in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
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Paradise cling to top spot in BFA Premier League
The Barbados Football Association Premier League has reached a pivotal stage in its season, with the title race hanging in a delicate balance after eight rounds of intense competition. Paradise FC from Dover currently maintains the narrowest possible advantage at the summit, clinging to first place solely through superior goal difference despite being level on points with their closest rivals.
The league leaders have accumulated 17 points alongside an impressive +16 goal tally, just marginally ahead of second-placed Ellerton who also boast 17 points but trail significantly with a +7 goal difference. The tension between these top contenders was palpable during their recent encounter last Tuesday, which concluded in a stalemate without any goals scored, further intensifying the competition for championship glory.
Kickstart Rush and Brittons Hill United remain firmly in contention, both sitting on 16 points with varying goal differences of +9 and +3 respectively. In a surprising development, the defending champions Weymouth Wales find themselves in an uncharacteristic fifth position. The team that has dominated local football for the past five years remains very much in the hunt however, having gathered 15 points that place them merely one victory away from reclaiming the top spot.
The mid-table presents its own compelling narratives, with UWI Blackbirds experiencing a season of fluctuations after losing their initial three matches before securing three consecutive victories. Their rebuilding process continues following the departure of several key players. Meanwhile, the relegation battle intensifies at the bottom of the table, with Wotton facing severe challenges having failed to secure any points thus far. Their recent performance against Brittons Hill demonstrated promising quality despite ultimately falling to a 3-2 defeat.
The upcoming weekend fixtures promise significant reshuffling of the league standings. Paradise will observe from the sidelines as their competitors battle it out, potentially jeopardizing their slender advantage. Critical matches include Wales facing Pride of Gall Hill where a victory could propel them to the top position, while Ellerton could reclaim leadership if they triumph over Brittons Hill in the nightcap encounter. The mathematical possibilities extend even to Brittons Hill, who could surprisingly ascend to the summit depending on results from other fixtures.
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Uniform patrol at San Sauveur Primary fosters engagement with students
In a recent community outreach initiative, officers from the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) conducted an educational visit to San Sauveur Primary School, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to community policing strategies.
The presence of uniformed officers immediately captured the attention of curious students, creating an organic opportunity for constructive dialogue. Acting Corporal Earl George of the Castle Bruce Police Station skillfully transformed this curiosity into an impactful learning experience, directly addressing the children to emphasize the protective role of law enforcement.
“This interaction served as a strategic platform to reinforce essential safety principles while visibly demonstrating our dedication to safeguarding young citizens,” stated an official CDPF release. The engagement allowed officers to personally assure students that police services exist primarily as a resource for public assistance and protection.
The initiative aligns with CDPF’s broader institutional mission to develop sustainable trust-based relationships within educational environments. Through these deliberate interactions, the police force aims to establish foundational partnerships that benefit both law enforcement and community stakeholders.
This school visit represents part of CDPF’s comprehensive approach to community-oriented policing, which prioritizes proactive engagement over traditional reactive measures. By integrating themselves into educational settings, officers work to dismantle potential barriers between law enforcement and youth populations, creating channels for open communication and mutual understanding.
The program underscores the evolving nature of modern policing methodologies that emphasize prevention, education, and relationship-building as essential components of public safety infrastructure.
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Drive‑By Shooting Leaves Belize City Man in Critical Condition
A violent shooting incident has left a 26-year-old Belize City resident fighting for his life after an apparent targeted attack on Thursday night. According to official police reports, the victim, identified as Tyrel Andrewin, was seated inside his parked vehicle on Plues Street when the assault occurred at approximately 11:25 p.m.
Investigators detailed that an unidentified van approached Andrewin’s location and positioned itself adjacent to his vehicle. An occupant from within the van subsequently discharged multiple rounds of gunfire toward the victim before the assailants fled the scene.
The severely injured man was rapidly transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital via private vehicle by family members who responded to the emergency. Medical authorities have confirmed Andrewin remains in critical condition under intensive medical supervision as of Friday morning.
Law enforcement agencies have launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Criminal investigators are currently pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, including potential motives and identifying suspects connected to the violent assault. The Belize Police Department has appealed to community members with relevant information to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
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Flow Celebrates Alzarri Joseph and Melissa Seaforth
In a ceremony celebrating national athletic excellence, Flow Antigua and Barbuda formally recognized the nation’s top performers, Alzarri Joseph and Melissa Seaforth. The telecommunications provider awarded both athletes, recently crowned Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year respectively, with a year of complimentary postpaid mobile service. The presentation took place at the company’s local office, where the champions were personally greeted by Country Manager Wayne Hull. Hull presented the athletes with specially curated gift bags containing an assortment of branded merchandise. Both Joseph and Seaforth conveyed their enthusiasm about the new partnership, expressing honor at becoming part of the Flow network. Hull extended his congratulations on their significant sporting achievements and officially welcomed them to the Flow family, noting their role in continuing the nation’s vibrant rhythm of success.
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Punta Gorda Businessman Charged with Child Rape and Sexual Assault
A prominent Punta Gorda entrepreneur stands accused of horrific child sexual offenses following a formal arrest by Belizean authorities. Owen William Cadle, 49, now confronts two counts of child rape alongside two additional charges of sexual assault against a minor.
The disturbing case unfolded when a concerned mother escorted her 12-year-old daughter to local law enforcement on March 3rd. The juvenile victim disclosed that during an early October 2024 visit to a commercial establishment in southern Belize, the proprietor allegedly seized and inappropriately touched her before offering $20 BZD (Belize Dollars).
According to official statements, the victim further testified that the suspect escalated his predatory behavior in mid-October 2024, subsequently repeating the violation in November 2025. During these separate incidents, the businessman allegedly coerced the child into performing oral sex, compensating each assault with identical $20 BZD payments.
Police investigators initiated immediate proceedings upon receiving the formal complaint. After gathering preliminary evidence, authorities took Cadle into custody on March 5th. The accused currently awaits judicial proceedings while the community grapples with these shocking allegations against a established business figure.
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Director of IICA meets with Southern Agricultural Council to share four year work plan
BRASÍLIA – Agricultural ministers from across the Americas convened for a pivotal session of the Southern Agricultural Council (CAS) to shape the future of regional farming cooperation. Chaired by Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Carlos Fávaro, the high-level meeting marked a significant step in developing the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture’s (IICA) 2026-2030 Medium-term Plan (MTP).
IICA Director General Muhammad Ibrahim, the Guyanese agronomist who assumed leadership in January, presented the strategic framework that will guide the organization’s technical cooperation across the hemisphere. The MTP represents a comprehensive roadmap designed to address evolving agricultural challenges while harnessing emerging opportunities throughout Ibrahim’s tenure.
The four-pillar strategic architecture focuses on: international trade integration and agribusiness development; agricultural health and food safety systems; science and innovation for productive growth; and sustainable management of natural resources with emphasis on water, soil and biodiversity conservation. Ibrahim emphasized that the plan would incorporate differentiated strategies recognizing the unique agricultural landscapes of Mesoamerica, the Caribbean, Andean region, and Southern Cone nations.
Ministers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay contributed substantive input during the policy dialogue, highlighting additional priority areas including productivity enhancement, technology adoption acceleration, and leveraging biotechnology and artificial intelligence solutions. The participatory approach ensured the final plan would address diverse regional needs while maintaining flexibility for implementation across IICA’s five geographical divisions.
A key innovation involves integrating the comprehensive ‘food systems’ concept into IICA’s mandate, expanding beyond traditional agriculture to encompass entire production-to-consumption chains. Ibrahim stressed the growing complexity of agri-food systems requiring consideration of more social actors and evolving consumption patterns amid global market reconfiguration.
The CAS serves as a crucial platform for coordinated policy development among Southern Cone agricultural ministries, with IICA providing technical and administrative secretariat support. The meeting featured participation from Uruguay’s Minister Alfredo Fratti, Bolivia’s Minister Óscar Mario Justiniano, Paraguay’s Deputy Minister Marcelo González, and senior officials from Chile and Argentina, demonstrating regional commitment to collaborative agricultural advancement.
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Koopkrachtversterkingambtenaren kost SRD 1,8 miljard; regering wil verspilling aanpakken
The Surinamese government has unveiled a comprehensive economic stabilization plan designed to bolster purchasing power for civil servants and vulnerable populations while implementing stringent measures to curb government waste. President Jennifer Simons acknowledged during a March 6th press conference that public sector wages have significantly eroded due to currency devaluation, though she emphasized that across-the-board salary increases remain economically unfeasible.
Two primary relief models are under consideration: adjustment of income tax brackets benefiting all working citizens, and temporary inflation compensation measures. Finance and Planning Minister Adelien Wijnerman detailed the immediate relief package, which includes monthly allowances for civil servants ranging from SRD 1,000 (March-May) to SRD 1,500 (September-December). Educators will receive bridging allowances escalating from SRD 500 to SRD 1,000 monthly between March and June.
Additional support extends to pensioners, disabled citizens, and low-income households through SRD 250 monthly supplements from March through June. The universal child benefit (AKB) increases to SRD 250 per child monthly. Notably, directors and senior officials are excluded from these benefits. The total relief package requires approximately SRD 1.8 billion in funding.
Concurrently, the government is implementing aggressive anti-corruption measures. Interior Ministry interventions have already blocked salaries of non-working or overseas-based personnel, generating annual savings of SRD 300 million. A religious institution audit resulted in blocking over 100 fraudulent salaries, saving nearly SRD 1 million yearly. Telecommunications expenditures were slashed from SRD 16 million to under SRD 2 million monthly at the Interior Ministry alone.
The administration has launched digital registration verifying actual residency, with 15,000 individuals already processed. This data will integrate with border management systems to identify and terminate salaries of permanent overseas residents. President Simons asserted that government cannot serve as a social safety net for non-workers, stating: ‘People must work and receive commensurate wages. We aim to make those wages dignified.’
The reforms include stricter personnel policies requiring new appointments to fit within established organizational frameworks, fundamentally restructuring Suriname’s public sector compensation system.
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Grenada shines in junior division of 2025 FCCA Poster Competition
Young Grenadian talent has achieved remarkable recognition in the 2025 Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Environmental Arts Competition, with multiple students earning top honors for their creative expressions of marine conservation.
Alaina Johnson, an 11-year-old scholar from St Mary’s Catholic School in St Andrew, claimed the premier position in the junior poster category with her visually compelling interpretation of this year’s theme: ‘Safeguarding Marine Ecosystems from Terrestrial Impacts.’ Her artistic accomplishment surpassed entries from across the Caribbean region, bringing significant distinction to her nation.
As a testament to her achievement, Johnson was honored at an exclusive luncheon aboard the P&O Aurora cruise vessel on March 2, 2026. The celebration included her mother, school principal, educators, fellow students, and representatives from Grenada’s Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association has awarded Johnson a state-of-the-art laptop for personal use, while her educational institution will receive a $3,000 monetary grant to support academic programs. ‘I feel tremendous pride in representing Grenada so successfully,’ Johnson expressed. ‘This achievement reflects the collective support from my teacher, who encouraged my participation, and my mother alongside her colleagues who provided invaluable guidance.’
In parallel recognition, 14-year-old Amelia Edwards from St Joseph’s Convent in St George’s secured second place in the senior poster division. Her accomplishment earned her a advanced touchscreen device, with her school receiving a $1,500 financial award.
Additional Grenadian participants included Neriah Cadet and Khalia Bain, both from St Joseph’s Convent, who submitted entries in the junior and senior essay categories respectively. Each will receive special recognition awards of $200 for their contributions.
The FCCA initiatives aim to foster environmental consciousness, creative expression, and critical thinking among youth throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America. These competitions provide platforms for young advocates to articulate their environmental visions while receiving tangible rewards for their intellectual and artistic efforts.