Carib Scope

标签： Barbados

巴巴多斯

  • Pelican Rugby Academy to host Canadian teams

    Pelican Rugby Academy to host Canadian teams

    In a significant development for Caribbean rugby, the Barbados Rugby Football Union (BRFU) has announced an international youth sporting event through its new partnership with Pelican Rugby Academy. The academy is preparing to welcome age-grade teams from St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School, traveling from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada for a series of competitive matches.

    The event will unfold on Wednesday at Barbados’ iconic rugby venue, the historic Garrison Savannah, which has long served as the heart of the island’s rugby community. The evening’s schedule features a diverse array of matches designed to showcase different skill levels and formats of the game.

    The opening contest, scheduled for 5:30 p.m., will pit Pelican Rugby Academy’s U16 squad against St. Theresa’s U19 ‘B’ team in a touch/hold match format. This will be followed at 5:55 p.m. by a full contact/tackle match between Pelican’s U19 boys and St. Theresa’s U19 ‘A’ team, representing the main event of the international friendly encounter.

    Additional programming includes an internal development match featuring Pelican Rugby Academy U16 girls versus Pelican Rugby Academy U16 boys playing touch rugby. The evening’s finale will conclude with another full contact/tackle match as Pelican Rugby Academy U19s face St. Theresa’s ‘B’ team in what promises to be a competitive closing match.

    This international exchange represents growing ties between North American and Caribbean rugby programs and provides valuable competition experience for developing athletes from both nations.

  • Hamlet making his mark on the track

    Hamlet making his mark on the track

    A teenage track sensation from Barbados is rapidly emerging as one of Caribbean athletics’ most promising talents. Thirteen-year-old Jalino Hamlet, a student at St. Leonard’s Boys’ School, has demonstrated exceptional versatility across multiple sprint disciplines with remarkable personal best times of 11.15 seconds in the 100m, 21.91 in the 200m, and an impressive 48.79 in the 400m event.

    Hamlet’s athletic journey originated at Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School where he first discovered his passion for running during his early academic years. Currently training with the Extreme Velocity Track Club under coaches Glen Williams and Juquan Beckles, the young sprinter is developing both technical proficiency and competitive discipline.

    The rising star recently showcased his potential during the Esther Maynard and Shane Brathwaite Zone of BSSAC 2026, acknowledging his coaches’ pivotal role in his development. ‘They support me, train me hard and it is great to have both of them as coaches,’ Hamlet told Barbados TODAY.

    Despite encountering adversity with a torn glute injury during the 2025 season, Hamlet demonstrated resilience by competing through discomfort at BSSAC. The challenge ultimately strengthened his determination and training ethic. His international experience includes earning a bronze medal in the 100m (11.69 seconds) at the 2025 Whitsuntide Games.

    As the current BSSAC Championships approach, Hamlet has already established himself as a formidable contender after posting the fastest preliminary time (22.38 seconds) in the Under-15 boys’ 200m event, outpacing his nearest competitor by a significant two-second margin.

    Looking toward regional competition, the young athlete aspires to medal at the upcoming CARIFTA Games in April, acknowledging the challenge while maintaining competitive optimism. Beyond immediate goals, Hamlet draws inspiration from American sprint champion Noah Lyles and ultimately aims to represent Barbados at the Olympic Games, potentially earning international recognition for his nation.

  • Public workers ‘taking greater interest’ in health, wellness

    Public workers ‘taking greater interest’ in health, wellness

    A significant cultural transformation is underway within Barbados’ public sector as workers demonstrate heightened awareness of both physical and mental wellbeing, according to National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) President Kimberley Agard. Speaking during the union’s Health and Wellness Day at NUPW headquarters on Dalkeith Road, Agard highlighted this positive evolution in workplace attitudes as part of Public Workers Week celebrations.

    Agard observed that public officers increasingly recognize the importance of holistic health management, blending scientific approaches with traditional Bajan remedies. ‘We are living longer, but the goal is to ensure those additional years are healthy ones,’ she told reporters. ‘Persons have been paying greater attention to their health in a holistic way—not only relying on science but also the natural remedies that we as Bajans would have come up learning and understanding throughout the years.’

    The union president particularly emphasized the growing attention to mental wellness, noting: ‘I find even in general conversations that persons are paying attention to their health, with special emphasis on mental health because if the head is bad, then the whole body is bad.’

    Agard also reported progress in workplace safety structures, revealing that several departments have established functional health and safety committees as mandated. These committees actively monitor working conditions and report concerns to the union, though their implementation remains inconsistent across departments. ‘While not as widespread as we would like, these committees are performing their vital role in maintaining workplace vigilance,’ Agard acknowledged.

    The Health and Wellness Day featured participation from multiple health organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association, Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority, Barbados Nurses’ Association, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the Emergency Ambulance Service. The event formed part of the NUPW’s annual recognition of public workers’ contributions, particularly honoring those who have demonstrated exceptional service dedication.

  • Jury finds one guilty of murder, another of manslaughter

    Jury finds one guilty of murder, another of manslaughter

    A Barbados Supreme Court jury has reached a decisive verdict in a high-profile 2017 homicide case, delivering contrasting judgments for two defendants accused in the fatal shooting of Michael Edwards. Following extensive deliberations that lasted nearly three hours, the panel convicted Livardo Roghileo Hinds of Durants Lodge Road, Christ Church, on murder charges, while his co-accused Kemar Glenville Stoute of Bottom Close, Wildey, St Michael received a manslaughter conviction.

    The judicial proceedings, presided over by Justice Carlisle Greaves in the No. 3 Supreme Court, culminated last Friday after the judge’s comprehensive summation of the case. The prosecution team, led by Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Krystal Delaney with support from acting Senior State Counsel Anastacia McMeo-Boyce and State Counsel Rommel Sandiford, successfully secured convictions against both defendants despite the differing charges.

    In a significant development during the trial, the prosecution withdrew all charges against a third initially accused individual, Jason Ainsley Wilson of Wildey Gardens, St Michael. The court entered a formal not guilty verdict in Wilson’s favor, resulting in his immediate release from the proceedings. Wilson’s defense was represented by Senior Counsel Andrew Pilgrim and attorney Latisha Springer.

    Justice Greaves has ordered comprehensive pre-sentencing reports for both convicted individuals while remanding Stoute into custody pending formal sentencing scheduled for May 29. The defendants were represented by separate legal teams, with Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens advocating for Stoute, while attorneys Safiya Moore and Michael Rivera provided defense for Hinds.

  • The St Michael School ready to defend girls BSSAC title

    The St Michael School ready to defend girls BSSAC title

    A compelling showdown is anticipated at the upcoming Barbados Secondary Schools Athletic Championship (BSSAC), with defending girls’ champions The St Michael School poised to vigorously defend their crown. Head Coach Gabriel Burnett has confidently declared that his squad will not relinquish their title without a formidable fight, signaling a high-stakes battle in the Frank Blackman and Sada Williams Zone competitions scheduled for March 19-20.

    Burnett revealed that strategic preparations are progressing exceptionally well, leveraging previous competitions as critical building blocks. “Our performance at the Field Event Championships was strong, and we intentionally utilized the Relay Fest this season as a dedicated preparatory platform for BSSAC. We are genuinely excited and optimistic about our potential this year,” Burnett told Barbados TODAY. He acknowledged the inherent challenge of defending a championship but emphasized the team’s readiness and winning mentality. “It’s always harder to defend a title, but I can assure you we are thoroughly prepared to do so. Our approach to every competition is to compete for victory, and we are hopeful that circumstances will align in our favor once again,” he added.

    However, the path to victory is fraught with determined challengers. The Lodge School emerges as a primary contender, with Coach Juquan Beckles reporting a significant upward trajectory in his team’s form. Beckles highlighted a remarkable turnaround from the previous year, stating, “We had a modest points gain last year, but this season marks a major comeback. Entering the zone championships, our confidence is high.” He pinpointed the source of their strength, noting, “Our prowess is most evident on the track and in the junior field events scheduled for the zones. This focus positions us to make a very strong and competitive showing this year.” This sets the stage for a gripping athletic contest between a confident champion and an ambitious challenger.

  • Nigerian Igbo regent to visit to strengthen cultural ties

    Nigerian Igbo regent to visit to strengthen cultural ties

    Barbados prepares to host a significant cultural envoy this week as Nigerian traditional leader Regent Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze arrives to reinforce historical connections between the Caribbean nation and its West African roots. The visit represents a deliberate effort to reclaim ancestral heritage disrupted by the transatlantic slave trade that brought thousands of Igbo people to Barbadian shores between the 17th and early 19th centuries.

    Dr. Anakwenze, who serves as regent of the Abagana Kingdom in Nigeria’s Anambra State, brings both royal authority and professional expertise as a physician and Pan-African advocate. As founding chair of the Igbo World Assembly, he represents diaspora communities across more than twenty nations. His Caribbean itinerary forms part of a broader initiative to examine cultural survivals and establish contemporary partnerships between African institutions and the Caribbean region.

    The visit’s programming includes a Thursday evening public lecture at Queen’s Park’s Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre, focusing specifically on Igbo cultural influences within Caribbean societies. The regent’s schedule also features pilgrimages to historically significant sites including the Newton Ancestral Burial Ground and the Bussa Emancission Statue, alongside stops related to King Jaja of Opobo—a Nigerian monarch exiled to Barbados by British colonial authorities in the late 1800s.

    Reverend Onkphra Wells, chair of the Pan-African Coalition of Organizations, emphasized the visit’s dual purpose: celebrating cultural retentions while building practical frameworks for future collaboration. “This creates linkages for developmental purposes across education, culture, and trade,” Wells stated, noting that Barbados’ recent transition to a republic offers new opportunities for international relationship-building.

    Notably, the visit incorporates modern technology to bridge geographical divides, with many events live-streamed to potential audiences exceeding 100 million viewers across Nigeria and the global diaspora. The delegation will additionally conduct meetings with government representatives and academic institutions including the University of the West Indies, exploring formal cooperation in cultural heritage preservation and diaspora engagement initiatives.

  • Motorsport puts safety at the top of the agenda

    Motorsport puts safety at the top of the agenda

    In an unprecedented move prioritizing safety over spectacle, the Barbados Motoring Club (MCBI) terminated its Spring Blaze 26 rally at the halfway point on Sunday. The decisive action followed a critical safety breach where a group of spectators deliberately removed caution tape and occupied a prohibited zone designated as a ‘no-go’ area to secure a vantage point. Despite repeated pleas from volunteer marshals and event officials to relocate to a safe viewing area, the individuals remained defiant, directly challenging the event’s safety protocols. This obstinate refusal forced the management team to cancel the remaining four scheduled runs, cutting the competition short. The island’s premier motorsport bodies, the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) and the Barbados Rally Club (BRC), immediately endorsed the MCBI’s difficult decision. This incident casts a shadow reminiscent of a previous tragedy; last April, at least five people were injured during the BRC’s Shakedown Stages Rally in St. Peter when a competing vehicle veered off course into a crowd. MCBI President David Williams expressed his disappointment for the drivers and fans but emphasized that safety was the non-negotiable priority. His sentiment was echoed by BMF President Senator Andrew Mallalieu and BCIC Rally Barbados Event Director Neil Barnard, who collectively reaffirmed an unwavering commitment to safety standards for all participants and spectators, signaling a zero-tolerance policy for such dangerous behavior.

  • Govt to subsidise electric bills, cut pump prices as global oil spikes

    Govt to subsidise electric bills, cut pump prices as global oil spikes

    In a decisive response to escalating global oil prices exacerbated by geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, the Barbadian government has unveiled a comprehensive energy subsidy package. Finance Minister Ryan Straughn announced during the Budget presentation that the state will absorb 50% of the impending electricity fuel charge increases for the next quarter.

    Without government intervention, households would have faced an average monthly electricity bill increase of approximately $32 starting in April. The state’s absorption of $16 from this hike aims to mitigate the financial burden on citizens. This direct subsidy, effective April 1, is projected to cost the treasury $7.9 million over three months.

    The government has executed a sophisticated financial strategy through the Barbados National Energy Company Limited (BNECL), securing heavy fuel oil at a fixed rate of US$92 per barrel via futures market hedging. With benchmark Brent crude currently trading near US$106 per barrel, this mechanism is already generating savings of approximately US$4 per barrel on imports. The hedge covers 240,000 barrels over three months, delivering estimated savings of about US$1 million compared to current market prices.

    Minister Straughn emphasized the protective nature of these measures: “This hedge was executed not as speculative gambling but as essential insurance against fuel price volatility during ongoing international conflicts.”

    Complementing electricity subsidies, the government announced significant transportation fuel relief measures:
    – Value Added Tax (VAT) caps maintained at 47 cents per litre for gasoline and 37 cents for diesel until March 2027
    – Excise tax reductions from 99.39 cents to 89.39 cents per litre for gasoline
    – Diesel excise cuts from 44.03 cents to 34.03 cents per litre
    – BNECL recovery rate reduction from nine cents to four cents per litre for losses incurred during the Russia-Ukraine conflict

    These combined adjustments will reduce pump prices by approximately 15 cents per litre beginning April 1. Government projections indicate gasoline will remain below $4 per litre unless global prices exceed US$110 per barrel.

    Looking toward long-term solutions, Minister Straughn revealed plans to collaborate with Light & Power to introduce off-peak electricity tariffs for households, mirroring successful programs already implemented by large manufacturers. This demand-side management approach aims to balance grid load, reduce reliance on peak-period power generation, and ultimately lower consumer energy costs.

    “These interventions provide temporary protection during this crisis period,” Straughn concluded. “Their ultimate effectiveness depends on how each citizen adapts their energy consumption patterns in response to these challenging market conditions.”

  • Govt revises Estimates as global turmoil worsens

    Govt revises Estimates as global turmoil worsens

    Facing escalating global economic volatility and Middle Eastern conflicts, Barbados’s re-elected Mia Mottley administration has executed a substantial $500 million budgetary revision to address surging fuel and import expenses. Finance Minister Ryan Straughn presented this adjusted fiscal framework during his inaugural Budget address in Parliament on Monday, marking his first presentation as sole minister of finance.

    Minister Straughn, representing Christ Church East Central, detailed how the government recalibrated both revenue projections and expenditure allocations in response to rapidly evolving international conditions. He emphasized that the global landscape had ‘fundamentally changed’ since initial estimates were formulated, necessitating immediate policy adaptations.

    While warning of an impending fuel and energy crisis, Straughn called for coordinated preparedness across government institutions, private enterprises, and individual households. The economist-turned-minister acknowledged the increasing likelihood of a global economic recession but highlighted Barbados’s significant economic achievements under current leadership.

    The administration has achieved record-low unemployment at 6.1% and reduced debt-to-GDP from a peak of 178.9% in 2018 to the current 93.3%. Foreign reserves have surpassed $3 billion, with all major credit rating agencies upgrading Barbados’s economic outlook. Straughn credited ‘decisive action and discipline’ for stabilizing public finances after years of fiscal challenges.

    Notably, 2026 marks the first budget presentation outside an International Monetary Fund program, though the minister confirmed maintaining ongoing dialogue with the IMF. The government has successfully restructured both domestic and external debt, redirecting funds toward public services and infrastructure rather than debt servicing.

    Additionally, Barbados has achieved significant regulatory milestones by removal from all adverse listings by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and European Union. The island now meets international standards for financial transparency and regulatory compliance, including adherence to the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and FATF protocols against money laundering and terrorist financing.

  • Straughn: Government doing its best to cushion impact on Barbadians

    Straughn: Government doing its best to cushion impact on Barbadians

    Barbados Finance Minister Ryan Straughn has issued a stern warning to businesses against exploitative pricing practices while unveiling comprehensive economic safeguards during his parliamentary budget address. The government’s intervention comes as global shipping disruptions and volatile fuel markets threaten to drive unprecedented cost increases for imported goods throughout the Caribbean nation.

    Minister Straughn articulated grave concerns regarding the compounding effects of international oil price fluctuations and new emergency surcharges imposed by major shipping carriers. He revealed alarming projections that shipping container costs from China could quadruple from current levels of US$4,000 to as much as US$16,000 per container should oil prices reach US$150 per barrel.

    The minister detailed immediate countermeasures including a transformative fiscal policy that will cap freight values for tax calculation purposes effective April 1 through March 2027. Under this temporary mechanism, import duties and VAT will be calculated on capped values of US$3,000 for 20-foot containers and US$6,000 for 40-foot containers, rather than on actual inflated shipping costs.

    Straughn specifically called out bunker adjustment factors—floating fuel surcharges that have recently escalated from US$200 to US$700 for 20-foot containers and from US$400 to US$1,400 for 40-foot containers. These defensive measures by shipping giants including CMA CGM, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, and Maersk will shortly impact Barbados’ import economy.

    The government will additionally introduce transfer pricing legislation to regulate transactions between related companies within import supply chains, preventing artificial price inflation through intermediary structures. Enhanced monitoring systems will provide real-time surveillance of essential consumer goods pricing.

    While emphasizing government’s commitment to cushioning citizens from external economic shocks, Straughn urged private sector entities to revisit sourcing and pricing strategies, recalling their previous collaboration through the 2022 Social Compact. He maintained that price gouging would ultimately prove self-defeating for businesses while acknowledging consumers must understand the genuine global pressures affecting supply chains.