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  • ‘Project CARE’ relaunches as long-term food security drive

    ‘Project CARE’ relaunches as long-term food security drive

    Four years after it was first rolled out as an emergency response to widespread COVID-19 economic disruption, Barbados’ Project CARE has been reborn as a permanent national initiative focused on lifting vulnerable households through sustainable agriculture, improved food security, and income generation. What began as the Community Agriculture Response and Empowerment, a stopgap measure to counter pandemic-era supply chain breakdowns and widespread income loss, has evolved into a core pillar of the country’s social and economic development strategy, with a new mandate to build long-term household resilience, nurture agricultural entrepreneurship, and strengthen national food and nutrition security.

    The relaunch event brought together a cross-sector coalition of stakeholders, including ministers from the social care and agriculture portfolios, sitting parliamentarians, local community leaders, and representatives from two leading regional and global agricultural bodies: the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Unlike the original programme, which centered on distributing basic inputs for backyard gardening, the revamped Project CARE expands its scope to include hands-on technical training, instruction in climate-smart farming practices, support for small-scale aquaponics systems, and training for small livestock rearing operations. Through intentional alignment with existing national social development programmes, officials are working to create clear pathways for participants to grow from small-scale household food production to full-fledged commercial agricultural businesses.

    Neil Rowe, Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly and MP for St Michael North West, emphasized the programme’s transformative potential for marginalized groups and whole communities when supported by collective action. “Agriculture can help us build second chances,” Rowe remarked. He highlighted the diverse range of people the initiative is designed to serve: residents who have past mistakes and are looking to rebuild, young people yet to find their professional path, families struggling to make ends meet with insufficient income, and individuals who simply need a vote of confidence to pursue their goals. Rowe stressed that sustained impact cannot be achieved by parliamentarians or farmers working alone, noting, “When the government, communities, farmers, schools, businesses and individuals work together, we can create opportunities that have a lasting impact.” He framed the relaunched initiative not as just another agricultural policy, but as a targeted investment in people, local communities, and Barbados’ long-term future.
    Adrian Forde, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, centered his remarks on the interconnectedness of social development, agricultural innovation, and climate change adaptation. He noted that local farmers play an irreplaceable role in national stability amid accelerating environmental volatility, drawing a parallel between the vulnerabilities of low-income households served by social programmes and the challenges facing Barbados’ agricultural sector. “Our agriculture is fierce with the vagaries of climate change,” Forde said. “In the same way that persons in the One Family programme are faced with vulnerabilities as it relates to poverty, lack of proper housing, and lack of proper food and nutritional supplies, our agriculture is equally faced with pests and climate change vulnerabilities.”

    Forde praised the programme’s integration of climate mitigation strategies, including natural drainage systems adapted from traditional Barbadian conservation practices, and paid tribute to the ingenuity of local producers. “Farmers turn what is called the soil – Barbadians may call it mud as we know it – and produce money. If farmers are magicians, don’t forget it. You are the only people who can turn soil into money, and that, my friends, is true magic,” he said. Forde concluded that the revamped Project CARE positions Barbados as a proof of concept for small island developing states, demonstrating that even nations facing unique structural challenges can build resilience, address food insecurity, and move closer to the goal of national food self-sufficiency.

  • Port Loyola Fire Destroys Two-Story Wooden Home

    Port Loyola Fire Destroys Two-Story Wooden Home

    On the morning of September 1, 2026, a devastating fire tore through a two-story wooden residential property on Ground Dove Street in Belize’s Port Loyola area, leaving the structure completely destroyed. While early investigations point to an origin in a first-floor room of the home, official confirmation from fire response teams is still pending as authorities work to compile a full formal report on the incident.

    Six residents were living in the home at the time of the blaze, and the rapid spread of the fire left them no time to salvage any personal belongings. Every piece of property inside the residence was lost in the destruction. Critical gaps in emergency response have also emerged: local reports confirm that firefighters arrived at the scene a significant amount of time after the fire first ignited. Despite the delayed arrival, response teams successfully extinguished the blaze before it could spread to adjacent neighboring properties, preventing further damage to the community.

    In the wake of the total loss of their home, the displaced family has issued a public appeal for urgent assistance from the community. Their most pressing immediate need is access to safe temporary housing, but the family is also seeking donations of clothing, basic daily necessities, and financial support to fund future rebuilding efforts. Community members who wish to provide support can contact the family directly at the phone number 630-5508.

    As of this update, no official incident report has been published by relevant authorities. News outlets will continue monitoring developments in this case and provide updates as more information becomes available. This report is adapted from a transcript of an evening television news broadcast, with Kriol language remarks transcribed using a standardized spelling system.

  • Mealybugs Put Sugar Production Under Pressure

    Mealybugs Put Sugar Production Under Pressure

    Scheduled for publication on September 1, 2026, this report reveals that a rapidly spreading tiny insect pest has emerged as a critical threat to Belize’s iconic sugar industry, compounding preexisting challenges that have already pushed the sector to a breaking point.

    Mealybugs, a tiny sap-sucking pest, have been expanding their reach across sugarcane fields in northern Belize, sapping nutrients from growing cane stalks, weakening plant health and accelerating an already steady decline in annual harvest yields. To draw public attention to the escalating crisis and highlight ongoing containment efforts, industry stakeholders led media tours through affected farmlands this week, giving journalists a first-hand look at the damage inflicted across the region. Compounding the pest-related stress, widespread labor shortages across the agricultural sector have added further strain, with industry officials issuing urgent warnings that rapid coordinated action is required to avert catastrophic financial and production losses that could reshape Belize’s agricultural economy for years to come.

    Olivia Carballo-Avilez, Cane Farmer Relations Manager at Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), broke down the scope of the production gap the industry is already grappling with before the mealybug outbreak worsened. BSI’s main processing mill is engineered to process up to 1.25 million tons of sugarcane annually, translating to a finished sugar output of between 123,000 and 125,000 tons per growing cycle. But this year, the total harvest delivered to the mill has fallen to just 823,000 long tons of cane. That sharp decline follows a 10 to 20 percent production loss recorded in 2025, which was caused by an outbreak of fusarium, another widespread crop pathogen.

    Carballo-Avilez explained that the mealybug outbreak itself is linked to shifting climate patterns across the Central American region, noting that higher average temperatures and more extreme fluctuations between temperature and moisture levels have created ideal growing conditions for the pest. What makes the threat even more serious is that the infestation is not confined to Belize; sugar producers across the entire Central American isthmus, including major growing regions in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala, are all currently fighting the spread of what industry leaders now classify as an economically critical invasive pest. Before recent years, mealybugs were not considered a major threat to regional sugar production, making their sudden spread all the more alarming for producers.

    Beyond the immediate damage to crop yields, the production shortfall creates cascading financial pressures for both mill operators and independent cane farmers. Processing mills carry substantial fixed operating costs that do not change based on the volume of cane processed: whether the facility runs at full capacity of 1.25 million tons or reduces operations to process just 700,000 tons, these fixed costs remain the same. This dynamic pushes per-unit operating costs sharply higher when harvest volumes drop, creating significant financial stress for the mill. For farmers, the impact is equally severe: lower total cane and sugar output means reduced revenue, at the same time that cost increases are passed down the supply chain.

    *This report is adapted from a transcript of an evening television news broadcast, with original Kriol language text transcribed using a standardized spelling system.*

  • There is an Affordable Electric Ride for Every Belizean!

    There is an Affordable Electric Ride for Every Belizean!

    A quiet but transformative shift toward electric transportation is unfolding across Belize, where long-standing preferences for traditional gasoline-powered vehicles are slowly giving way to accessible, cost-competitive electric mobility options for residents across all income brackets. What was once seen as a niche luxury limited to wealthy consumers is now expanding into private passenger vehicles, commercial taxi fleets, and public transit networks, marking a milestone in the country’s sustainable transport transition.

    On Friday, global automotive manufacturer BYD launched its latest plug-in hybrid electric SUV model, the Ti 7, in Belize’s market. The model, which packs premium comfort and convenience features typically reserved for high-end luxury SUVs from brands like Range Rover, carries a retail price of approximately $130,000. Unlike fully electric models that require consistent access to charging infrastructure, the Ti 7 offers dual flexibility: owners can charge its battery at home or public stations, or refill a gasoline tank for longer trips, removing a key barrier to adoption for consumers nervous about the transition to electric drive.

    Ryan Marin, managing director of BYD’s Belize operations, emphasized that the vehicle delivers exceptional value for its price point, far outstripping what competitors offer in the same segment. “The transition for a lot of people is a lot easier with a vehicle like this,” Marin explained. “Apart from that, you get a lot of luxury features, and a lot of space for the whole family. It might look like a very expensive SUV at first glance, but compared to other offerings on the market at this price point, it’s a strong deal. You can’t find another brand-new vehicle with a full warranty and robust after-sales support matching what we offer here, which is why we’re so excited to bring this model to Belize.”

    BYD’s launch is just one part of the growing electric ecosystem being built by Belize’s private sector. Local electric mobility firm E-Volution already operates a fleet of roughly 60 electric vehicles across the country, including all-electric SUVs priced starting at $60,000 – a price point that brings electric mobility within reach of middle-income consumers. The company’s current flagship offering is the Honda eNP1, which delivers 320 miles of range on a single full charge.

    Isani Napata, program director at E-Volution, pointed to the long-term cost savings that make even the upfront purchase price of electric vehicles competitive with traditional gas-powered models. “When you buy a newer gas or diesel vehicle for around $30,000, you’re still on the hook for ongoing fuel costs that add up to the equivalent of a much more expensive purchase,” Napata explained. “Compare that to a $60,000 electric SUV that only costs $20 in electricity to drive all the way from Belize City to Punta Gorda. That’s around the same price as a bus ticket for that route, but you’re traveling in the comfort of your own private vehicle. You can’t beat that value.”

    E-Volution is also working to expand electric access to public and commercial transport providers. Over the next 12 months, the company plans to invest $1 million in a rent-to-own program that will put 25 new electric taxis on Belize’s roads, alongside adding 7-seater and 11-seater electric vans to the program. The initiative will expand options for driver-owners and lower operating costs for small transportation entrepreneurs.

    While private companies are broadening options for private and commercial drivers, Belize’s public sector is leading the large-scale transition to electric mobility. The country’s National Bus Company (NBC) has already completed a pilot testing program for electric buses, funded by a grant from the European Union, and is now on track to convert its entire 75-bus fleet to fully electric models by 2027.

    Speaking in late August 2026, Minister of Transport Dr. Louis Zabaneh outlined that the first wave of 25 new electric buses, roughly one-third of the total fleet, was originally scheduled for September delivery but will now arrive in January 2027. “The economic case for this transition is clear,” Dr. Zabaneh noted. “The government is providing input to support the first phase of the project, and once the company becomes more profitable with lower operating costs, it will be able to secure financing for the remaining 50 buses independently.”

    Local municipal governments are also joining the movement. Belize City, the country’s largest urban center, is moving forward with plans to expand its municipal electric transit network, adding new electric buses and e-taxis to serve growing public demand. A recent analysis conducted by UNDP e-mobility expert Dr. Curtis Voodoo found that electric transport reduces operating costs by as much as 41% compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, building a clear case for expanded investment.

    Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner explained that the city is targeting underserved residential areas with the expansion, including Central American Boulevard, Jane Usher Boulevard, Yabra, Pen Road, Fabers Road, and the recently developed Belama Phase 4 and 5 neighborhoods. The city is already in the process of acquiring three additional electric buses to meet unmet demand for public transit in these areas.

    With private sector firms rolling out a range of affordable new models and accessible financing options, and all levels of government investing in electric public transit infrastructure, the transition to widespread e-mobility is no longer a distant future for Belize – it is a current reality that is opening up sustainable, lower-cost transportation across the country. This report from Shane Williams was produced for News Five.

  • Stella Maris Students Shine Bright on Day One

    Stella Maris Students Shine Bright on Day One

    As the 2026 academic year gets underway, students across Belize are returning to classrooms with a familiar blend of nervous jitters, unbridled excitement, and wide grins. For the student body of Belize’s Stella Maris, that first-day energy carried an extra layer of warmth and celebration on September 1, even as the school adapts to a temporary campus.

    Currently, the institution is operating out of borrowed facilities at the University of Belize while critical renovation work progresses on its original permanent building. Far from letting the temporary arrangement dampen spirits, school administrators, faculty, and parent volunteers pulled out all the stops to make every student feel welcomed, valued, and right at home from the moment they walked through the doors.

    The day’s lineup of special welcoming activities included a custom photo booth with a branded backdrop, designed to capture first-day memories and let each student’s unique personality shine. Parents were invited to join their children for portraits, creating keepsakes of the milestone moment. In addition to the photo opportunity, students were served a hot, nutritious breakfast to start their first day off right, and each classroom had small treats and welcome tokens waiting for returning and new learners alike.

    A highlight of the back-to-school effort came through a cross-border sister-city partnership between the Belize City Council and Miramar, Florida. Thanks to this collaborative initiative, every single student at Stella Maris received a brand-new school uniform ahead of the first day, removing a common financial burden for local families and ensuring all students arrived ready to learn with matching, fresh attire.

    In an on-site interview on opening day, Stella Maris Principal Doreth Pascasio-Griffith shared her reflections on the palpable energy across the temporary campus. “The first day of school is full of excitement, so many big smiles and so much enthusiasm,” she said. “You could see that excitement reflected in the parents too. I saw some parents crying today – for many of our new families, this is the first time their child is joining Stella Maris, and those tears rolling down their cheeks are tears of joy and excitement for the new school journey ahead here.”

    When asked about the extra steps the school took to make the first day special despite the temporary campus move, Pascasio-Griffith highlighted the focus on memory-making and connection. “As you can see behind me, we set up a special backdrop where the kids can take photos, and parents can join them for pictures too, because memories matter so much at these milestone moments,” she explained. “In every classroom, teachers have prepared small tokens and treats for the kids to welcome them back to school.”

    This report is a transcript of an evening television broadcast from local Belizean news outlets, with all Creole-language statements transcribed using a standardized spelling system for accessibility. Viewers can access the full video broadcast via the original publication’s website.

  • PUMA and Rotary Invest in Education Through Scholarships

    PUMA and Rotary Invest in Education Through Scholarships

    As the 2026 academic year kicks off across Belize, eight ambitious local students are stepping into the classroom with far less financial burden and far greater confidence in their future, thanks to an expanded educational initiative from two prominent community organizations.

    The collaboration between the Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise and PUMA Belize, which first launched its scholarship program seven years ago, has steadily grown from a small community project into a comprehensive support system that addresses more than just tuition costs. This year’s cohort of eight new recipients was celebrated at a special breakfast gathering held at Biltmore, where students, program organizers, and supporters gathered to mark the next chapter of the initiative.

    Maynor Larrieu, president of Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise, explained that the program has evolved far beyond simple financial grants since its founding. Every year, the organization reviews the progress of existing scholars, shares outcomes and challenges with PUMA Belize, and adapts its support to meet changing needs. Unlike many standard scholarships that only cover upfront education costs, this initiative includes personalized tutoring tailored to each student’s academic gaps, regular check-ins to track well-being, and targeted support for mental health challenges that many low-income students face.

    “The goal isn’t just to help students pay their school fees,” Larrieu emphasized. “We’re setting these young people up for long-term success, and we’re working to cultivate the next generation of community leaders. We want them to stay engaged with their education and grow into people who can give back to Belize down the line.”

    For the students themselves, the impact of this support extends far beyond the classroom, easing financial strain on their families and clearing barriers that could have forced them to abandon their academic dreams.

    Ari Solano, one of this year’s new scholarship recipients, shared that the grant removes a huge weight from his family’s shoulders, helping cover household and education costs that have long stretched their budget. “This makes it possible for us to build a slightly better life,” Solano said. “It pushes me to work even harder toward the things I want to achieve in my life.”

    Another recipient, Mitchealyn Fuller, who dreams of earning a medical degree and working as a doctor in Belize, says the scholarship brings her long-held goal within closer reach. “This helps me build the foundation I need for my future,” Fuller explained. “For my mom, it takes so much pressure off—we have so many bills to cover, and adding school costs on top of that was overwhelming. This support makes everything possible.”

    Organizers note that the program’s steady growth over the past seven years reflects a shared commitment to investing in Belize’s youth. With each new cohort, the partnership continues to expand its reach, opening doors for more students to access the education and support they need to thrive.

  • The future is written in the classroom

    The future is written in the classroom

    As August draws to a close every year, Cuban households undergo a familiar, transformative shift. This is no sudden renovation or cross-town move — it is an annual ritual, as steady as the turning of the calendar itself: the quiet revolution that precedes the start of a new school year. When September rolls around, Cuban families prepare for one of their most meaningful annual milestones, and even amid widespread economic and logistical challenges, the celebration of learning is returning to classroom halls across the country.

    In the weeks leading up to the first day of school, families across the island busy themselves with preparation. Uniforms are pressed, new notebooks and covers are sourced, and writing supplies are gathered for the months ahead. Cuba’s public education system, which shares the resource shortages impacting other sectors of the national economy, still works to guarantee every student access to the core materials they need to learn.

    These pre-term days are also dedicated to rebuilding the routine that a full school year demands. Children get adjusted to earlier bedtimes, learn to pack their own backpacks, and organize their supplies ahead of the first bell. What is often framed as an individual milestone for students is in fact a collective family effort: grandmothers iron uniforms before dawn, fathers schedule back-to-school haircuts, mothers plan nutrient-dense afternoon snacks for when classes let out. This collective work serves as a quiet reminder: education is never an individual achievement, but a shared community and family project.

    Across generations of children in Cuban households, excitement and anticipation for the new term run high. The oldest child, entering fifth grade, knows their coursework will grow more challenging this year and is already preparing to commit extra effort to their studies. The middle child, the middle of three siblings, returns to the island’s beloved community daycare, where learning unfolds through play with classmates; next year, she will move on to preschool, and already knows she will need a new uniform tailored for the next step. Even the youngest, just a few months old, picks up on the shifting energy in the home, adjusting her behavior to match the quiet excitement of the days ahead.

    This annual back-to-school moment carries a singular magic. Streets once quiet over summer break fill again with children in uniform, and the annual festival of knowledge resumes. For Cubans, the first week of September is one of the most vividly memorable moments of the year, a wellspring of hope that reinforces a core national belief: even amid hardship, the future of the country is written within classroom walls.

    It is no coincidence that the legacy of Fidel Castro remains a central, living presence in this annual ritual, especially as the nation marks his centenary. Fidel always understood that no revolution could survive without a robust, accessible education system. He famously articulated, with clear conviction, that the soul of a nation is forged one desk at a time.

    For Cuba, a country grappling with long-standing economic sanctions that have created widespread resource shortages, opening schools for a new term is itself an act of resistance. Fuel shortages complicate transportation for both students and teachers, and many families struggle to cover basic costs from new shoes to backpacks to daily snacks. Even so, the nation has refused to abandon the educational growth of its children and young people. Starting the new school year is a public declaration that every sacrifice is worth making to secure the next generation’s future. It is also a tribute to Cuban teachers, who show up every morning to welcome students despite facing the same daily hardships as all residents.

    In the quiet simplicity of a well-worn, neatly pressed uniform, in the familiar heft of a backpack stuffed with textbooks, there is a profound reflection of the kind of society Cubans are working to build. This back-to-school ritual is no small, mundane gesture: it is a reaffirmation of the national certainty that no matter what obstacles arise, some principles are non-negotiable. The education of every Cuban child sits at the top of that list.

    Once again, September finds Cuban families with backpacks packed and routines reset, drawing on generations of collective wisdom to navigate ongoing adversity. For modern Cuba, opening the school year is far more than an administrative academic act: it is an act of faith in the future of the nation.

    For a few hours every weekday now, Cuban homes fall quiet. But this is no empty silence. It is a quiet filled with hope — the kind of hope that only comes when families know their children are exactly where they need to be: in a classroom, building the future one lesson at a time.

  • Leach-Linton, 101, ‘last of Powers Gap’

    Leach-Linton, 101, ‘last of Powers Gap’

    Against the quiet backdrop of the small, tight-knit Pickwick Gap community, a remarkable local milestone unfolded on Tuesday: Emsey Nevadney Leach-Linton, the sole surviving descendant of the original settlement where she was born and raised, marked her 101st birthday, surrounded by generations of her family, the soft sound of traditional hymns, heartfelt praise, and warm peals of laughter. The joyful gathering was led by Sis Theresa Crichlowe, who opened the celebration with a dedicated prayer for the centenarian, captured in photos by local photographer Shamar Blunt.

    For Denise Leacock, Leach-Linton’s youngest surviving child, the occasion carried a special weight of gratitude. As the primary caregiver for her mother alongside her husband, Leacock shared that she never could have imagined her mother would reach such an extraordinary age, even after welcoming nine children into the world. Two of Leach-Linton’s children have already passed away, leaving seven surviving offspring to honor their matriarch.

    Leach-Linton’s life is inextricably tied to the land of Pickwick Gap, originally named Powers Gap before it was renamed decades ago. Having never left the community she grew up in, she is now the last remaining member of the original founding families that once called the small settlement home.

    Reflecting on the secrets behind her mother’s long and fulfilling life, Leacock pointed to two foundational pillars: her unwavering Christian faith and her lifelong devotion to her family. Growing up, Leach-Linton prioritized raising her children in the church, making sure every child attended Sunday school, midweek prayer services, and congregational gatherings, alongside creating lasting memories through community picnics, park trips, and local exhibitions. “She is a good mother, she looked out for her children, and she made sure they were well turned out,” Leacock told reporters.

    Leach-Linton’s long life was far from an easy one. Orphaned at just 17 when her own mother passed away at age 50, she was forced to take on grueling manual labor from a young age to survive. In the era of her youth, that work meant taking physically demanding jobs serving white landowners, a life of constant movement that kept her on her feet from dawn to dusk. She often traveled between work sites across Spooners Hill, carrying meals for labor crews at multiple locations every day. “it was real hard work… if they give out now, that ain’t nothing,” Leacock said, summarizing her mother’s enduring work ethic.

    Today, at 101, Leach-Linton spends most of her days resting, and her family has prioritized keeping her comfortable and cared for in her final years. Leacock notes that her mother’s long life defies all family precedent: her father passed away at just 58, and her mother at 50, making her 101 years all the more extraordinary. “It’s by the goodness of God,” Leacock said.

    The centenarian’s legacy now spans four generations, boasting a large extended family of nine children, 14 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, many of whom gathered at Tuesday’s celebration to share in the historic occasion alongside close friends.

  • Friday is now ‘Barbados Day’ for Independence celebrations

    Friday is now ‘Barbados Day’ for Independence celebrations

    Barbados is gearing up for a historic three-month celebration of two major national milestones: 60 years of sovereign independence and five years as a republican state, with Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the helm of the launch.\n\nIn an official video address delivered Tuesday that marked the official kickoff of the anniversary activities, Mottley announced a new inclusive tradition for the 90-day countdown: every Friday will officially be designated as Barbados Day through the final main celebration date of November 30.\n\nThe prime minister urged all Barbadians across the island and abroad to embrace this weekly celebration by showcasing their national pride. She called on residents to wear the country’s iconic national colors — deep blue, gleaming gold, and solid black — fly the national flag at homes, businesses, and public spaces, and share their celebrations across social media platforms to connect with loved ones and build collective excitement ahead of the November 30 anniversary.\n\nDubbed the “60 and 5” milestone, this moment carries deep national significance for the Caribbean nation. Mottley emphasized that the extended celebration period is designed to give all Barbadians time to reflect on the country’s decades-long journey since independence, honor the struggles and obstacles the nation has overcome to reach this point, and look forward with confidence to future growth and opportunity.\n\nA range of community-focused events are planned across the 90-day period, alongside the return of beloved traditional Independence activities. Ahead of the main November 30 event, Mottley announced that the official “60 and 5” anniversary logo will be unveiled in the coming weeks, with clear guidance provided for local businesses, nonprofits, and community groups that wish to apply to use the logo for their own events.\n\nKey new events include a national clean-up and beautification initiative called “Leh We Paint Barbados”, a national oratory competition named “My Voice My Barbados” that is open to primary, secondary, and tertiary students across the country. There will also be a public lecture series exploring the nation’s history, a national concert, a formal President’s Gala evening, the grand opening of the new Richard Stoute Amphitheatre, and the long-awaited inauguration of the Newton Slave Memorial, a project that honors the island’s historical connection to the transatlantic slave trade.\n\nLongstanding traditional Independence activities will also make a comeback this year after recent disruptions. These fan-favorite events include the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA), the annual Bridgetown city lighting ceremony, the Spirit of the Nation showcase, the popular Food and Rum Festival, the formal National Parade, and the interfaith Ecumenical Service.\n\nThe entire 90-day celebration will culminate on a high note with the Prime Minister’s Cup, a popular annual football competition that has grown into a beloved Barbadian tradition in recent years.\n\nMottley added that the national organizing committee behind the celebrations will publish a full event calendar in the near future, and will provide support to local communities and groups that want to organize their own local events to add to the national celebration. Closing her address, the prime minister urged all Barbadians to use the coming three months to reflect on the nation’s progress, give thanks for the gains achieved, and celebrate all that makes Barbados unique.

  • Landscaper remanded after no surety available

    Landscaper remanded after no surety available

    A 37-year-old landscaper from Waterford has been placed in Dodds Prison, after he informed a local magistrate he had no one able to act as a surety for his bail release.

    Rasheed Obrien Winter, who resides at Longford Place, St Michael, faces two serious criminal allegations: trespassing on a woman’s residential property with the explicit intention to carry out a rape, and carrying scissors – classified as an offensive weapon – during the alleged incident. The event is reported to have taken place on August 30.

    As the charges against Winter are indictable offences that fall under the jurisdiction of the higher court, no formal plea has been entered in the lower court proceedings to date. Notably, prosecutors did not raise any objection to the court granting Winter bail, but the defendant told District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court No. 2 that he had no accessible party willing to sign his bail bond to secure his temporary release.

    Presiding magistrate Manila Renee had no option under the law but to order Winter be remanded into custody ahead of his next hearing. Before being taken into custody, Winter requested that his case be moved forward quickly to the High Court, where the indictable charges will be heard. The next update in the case is scheduled for September 29.