标签： Barbados

A Barbadian couple’s unconventional wedding in Scotland has turned into a significant boon for animal welfare charities in their home country. Jevan Jutagir, founder of Red Advertising & Marketing, and his bride, Danielle St-Pierre, tied the knot at the historic King’s College Chapel in Aberdeen, a venue with personal significance for Jutagir, a former University of Aberdeen Student Union president. The ceremony, attended by guests from Barbados, Trinidad, and Canada, featured traditional Scottish kilts but broke from tradition in one key aspect: instead of receiving conventional wedding gifts, the couple asked their guests to donate to two Barbados-based animal welfare organizations, Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary and Safe Cats of Barbados. The response was overwhelming, with donations totaling $15,000 (approximately £5,700). In a statement, Jutagir explained their decision, emphasizing their comfortable lifestyle and desire to channel their guests’ generosity toward a cause they deeply care about—animal welfare. The couple, who are passionate about animals and share their Barbados home with cats, tortoises, and even monkeys, highlighted the growing issue of unwanted pets and unchecked breeding in Barbados. They expressed hope that their initiative would inspire others to support these charities, which work tirelessly to rescue and rehome stray animals. The newlyweds described the donations as a meaningful start to their married life, thanking their guests for their generosity.

A cohort of 30 officers from the Barbados Police Service achieved a significant milestone in their careers on Friday, graduating from the Police International Middle Management Training Programme. This intensive two-week leadership course, conducted in collaboration with the Durham Constabulary from northeast England, aimed to enhance people-centered leadership within Barbados’ policing framework. The graduation ceremony took place at the Regional Police Training Centre (RPTC) in Seawell, marking the culmination of their rigorous training. Chief Inspector Kevin Salter, Head of UK and International Training with the Durham Constabulary, delivered a compelling address to the graduates, urging them to embrace their roles as agents of change. He emphasized the importance of applying their newfound knowledge to inspire and lead their teams effectively. Salter shared a poignant personal story about the profound impact of mentorship, recounting the story of a former colleague, Gavin Smith, whose gratitude for his guidance underscored the lasting influence of compassionate leadership. Superintendent Stephen Herbert also spoke at the event, highlighting the critical role of leadership in the sustainability and success of any organization. He stressed that honesty and integrity are indispensable qualities for effective leaders, as they build trust and confidence among their teams. The graduates were encouraged to return to their stations with a renewed commitment to driving positive change and upholding the highest standards of policing in Barbados.

Barbados has announced a temporary suspension of all exports of its indigenous Blackbelly sheep due to a severe decline in the population, as reported by Barbados TODAY. The Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) is spearheading efforts to revive a national registration scheme to address the crisis, with industry leaders emphasizing that no sheep can be spared for export until local numbers recover. Rommel Parris, President of Barbados Sheep Farmers Inc., confirmed the halt, citing critically low herd levels despite increasing regional demand. Parris revealed that he has repeatedly declined export requests from neighboring islands, including Antigua, Dominica, and Grenada, due to the dire state of Barbados’ sheep population. He expressed concern over the lack of quality breeding animals from Greenland Livestock Station, which has exacerbated the problem. The situation has been further complicated by dwindling interest among young people in sheep farming. Parris highlighted the urgent need to reintroduce a structured registration system to track and rebuild the national flock. The registration process, launched earlier this month, is being led by an internationally trained officer equipped with the necessary tools to assess sheep characteristics and growth. Parris emphasized that revitalizing the industry requires increased participation in sheep breeding, with a goal of encouraging five to six individuals annually to raise 20 sheep each. He expressed optimism that Barbados could eventually resume exports comfortably, drawing parallels to past successful export programs. The Barbados Blackbelly sheep remains globally respected for its resilience, adaptability, and high reproductive rates. The Ministry of Agriculture has also implemented training programs to educate farmers on best practices, further supporting recovery efforts.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus is set to organize a live media-thon this Sunday, November 16, to generate financial support for Jamaican families devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The event, titled ‘One Love Jamaica Media-thon,’ will be broadcast from the campus’ TV studio between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be aired live on UWITV, Starcom Network, CBC, and various other regional media outlets.

The Warrens Office Complex faced significant disruptions on Friday as environmental and air-conditioning issues forced the closure of several government departments. The Land Registry Department, situated on the Ground Floor, was shut down for the day due to unspecified environmental concerns. Officials have assured the public that the department will reopen once conditions improve. Similarly, the Ministry of Energy and Business, located on the First Floor, remained closed as it grappled with persistent air-conditioning problems. Members of the public seeking services such as liquor licences or assistance from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) were redirected to the Trinity Business Centre at Country Road, St Michael. Temporary contact numbers were provided for urgent inquiries: DCCA – 535-7000, Ministry’s Executive Officer – 832-2393, and Ministry’s Executive Secretary – 266-8416. On the Third Floor, the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector also closed its doors due to air-conditioning malfunctions, with staff working remotely to maintain service continuity. Despite these closures, two key units within the complex—the Labour Department on the Second Floor and the Barbados Employment Career and Counselling Service on the First Floor—remained operational. Authorities have apologized for the inconvenience and promised to provide updates as normal operations resume across the affected offices.

Dudley Rhynd, the inaugural national standards director of Barbados and a key architect of the Caribbean’s quality infrastructure, was celebrated as a transformative figure in regional development during a special ceremony marking World Quality Day 2025. The event, held at the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI) headquarters in Warrens under the theme “Quality: Think Differently,” brought together top officials to honor Rhynd’s enduring legacy. Latoya Burnham, CEO of the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), hailed Rhynd as “a true stalwart of Caribbean quality,” emphasizing his visionary leadership and foundational contributions to regional standards. “Dudley Rhynd’s tireless efforts and unwavering belief in regional integration transformed ideas into actionable frameworks, strengthening trade, protecting consumers, and enhancing competitiveness across the Caribbean,” Burnham remarked. She noted that Rhynd’s influence extends beyond CROSQ’s creation, shaping the Caribbean’s approach to quality as both a technical concept and a cultural mindset. BNSI Chairman Ryah Brathwaite echoed these sentiments, describing Rhynd as “a visionary whose lifetime of purpose has left a lasting impact across Barbados, the Caribbean, and beyond.” Brathwaite highlighted Rhynd’s role in establishing BNSI as a beacon of excellence and his contributions to fostering regional unity through institutions like CROSQ. In his acceptance speech, Rhynd expressed gratitude to his colleagues, emphasizing the collaborative nature of his achievements. “I share these tributes with the many people who supported me along the way,” he said. Rhynd’s 33-year tenure as BNSI’s founding director until his retirement in 2006 laid the groundwork for Barbados’ and the Caribbean’s standards and quality infrastructure. His career, marked by a commitment to quality assurance and regional integration, has been widely recognized for advancing trade, consumer protection, and competitiveness.

Barbados is set to implement new vehicle tint regulations starting December 1, with authorities urging motorists to ensure compliance before the deadline. Deputy Chief Licensing Officer Lynette Williams emphasized that the updated rules, ratified earlier this year, aim to bolster road safety and aid law enforcement in crime prevention by enhancing visibility into vehicles. According to the regulations, front passenger and driver windows must allow at least 25% light transmission, rear windows and rear windscreens 20%, and front windscreens 70%. A three-percentage-point margin of error is permitted during tint testing. To assist drivers, free tint testing services are available at Oistins and the NCF car park in West Terrace. The new rules, part of the Road Traffic Act, prohibit metallic and mirrored tints and apply uniform standards to both private and public service vehicles. Visor tints must also meet a minimum 25% light transmission, with size restrictions based on windscreen height. Exemptions are available for drivers with medical conditions, provided they submit a specialist’s report. The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) stated that these measures aim to empower law enforcement by ensuring clear visibility into vehicles, thereby deterring criminal activity and aiding investigations. Motorists with non-compliant tints must remove them to avoid penalties once enforcement begins. Detailed information on the regulations is accessible on the websites and social media platforms of the BLA and the Ministry of Transport and Works. Authorities anticipate heightened public awareness to facilitate a seamless transition when the rules take effect.

Queen’s College commemorated the 25th anniversary of its No. 21 Cadet Corps with a solemn yet celebratory event on Thursday. The occasion featured a military parade and a poignant Remembrance Day tribute, attended by prominent figures including President Dame Sandra Mason, CARICOM Ambassador David Comissiong, and other dignitaries. The ceremony, held at the Husbands, St James campus, underscored the cadet company’s legacy of discipline, leadership, and civic service. Lynda Holder, chair of the Queen’s College Board of Management, emphasized the collective pride in the cadet corps’ achievements, praising the contributions of founders, officers, instructors, parents, and generations of cadets. The event also honored the island’s fallen soldiers, with Holder urging current cadets to uphold the highest standards of character and civic duty. The school choir delivered a moving performance of *At Calvary*, while the cadets showcased their precision through drills and the playing of *Reveille*. President Mason unveiled a commemorative plaque inscribed with a message of remembrance and celebration. The ceremony concluded with artistic gestures, including the presentation of school memorabilia, an award-winning painting, and a bouquet of flowers to the president.