标签： Barbados

A violent afternoon assault on Fairchild Street in St. Michael has left one man hospitalized with multiple stab wounds, according to local law enforcement authorities. The attack transpired at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Thursday when an unidentified assailant, brandishing a knife, approached the victim as he was walking along the roadway.

The perpetrator launched a sudden and brutal attack, stabbing the victim multiple times about his body before fleeing the scene. Bystanders provided immediate assistance, transporting the injured man via private vehicle to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he currently remains under medical supervision.

Barbados Police Service has confirmed that criminal investigations are actively underway to apprehend the suspect responsible for this daylight violence. Detectives are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry and examining potential motives behind the apparently targeted attack.

Law enforcement officials have issued a public appeal for information regarding this disturbing incident. Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information, including potential witnesses or individuals with digital footage from the vicinity, to come forward immediately. Confidential tips can be provided through multiple channels: the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-8477, the Police Emergency number at 211, or directly through the Central Police Station at 430-7676 or 430-7630.

This incident marks another concerning episode of public violence in Barbados, raising questions about community safety and law enforcement responses to such criminal activities. The investigation continues as authorities work to establish the circumstances leading to this brutal assault.

In a stirring address at Combermere School’s Independence Parade, retired Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic—the President-designate of Barbados—issued a powerful call to revitalize the institution’s distinguished tradition in uniformed groups. The future head of state, who is poised to assume office as the nation’s second president on Independence Day, served as reviewing officer for Thursday’s ceremonial proceedings.

The parade featured precise demonstrations from the No 3 Cadet Corps Company’s armed and unarmed detachments alongside the Combermere School Girl Guides. The meticulously orchestrated event commenced with the conducting sergeant major assuming command before units marched onto the parade square for formal inspection. Distinguished attendees included Principal Robin Douglas, Board Chairman Captain the Reverend Al Walcott, and military officials.

Reflecting on his formative years at Combermere, Bostic emotionally recounted his deep connections to the institution. “I don’t have to tell you that it’s a pleasure for me to be here. It really is,” he told assembled students and faculty. The President-designate challenged current pupils to reclaim the school’s historical dominance in cadet activities, noting that Combermere once filled the entire parade square with uniformed contingents.

With resolute determination, Bostic declared: “We shall not retreat from rebuilding. Neither will we surrender Cadet supremacy or Scouting supremacy or Guide supremacy to any other school.” He specifically urged students to actively participate rather than observe from sidelines during future ceremonies.

The statesman also encouraged deeper engagement with Barbados’ pre-Independence history, emphasizing national progress since 1966 while acknowledging ongoing development challenges. He called for heightened patriotism, respect, and active participation in school life among the youth demographic.

The ceremony included significant promotions within the Cadet Corps following recommendations from commanding officers and approval from the Barbados Cadet Corps Promotions Committee. Cadets Adams, Alleyne, Bourne, Watts, and Reid H. advanced to lance corporal, while Corporal Holder ascended to sergeant and Sergeant Williams achieved staff sergeant rank—each promotion met with enthusiastic applause from attendees.

Deputy Principal Timothy Barrett concluded proceedings with formal gratitude, particularly acknowledging the reviewing officer: “We extend our sincerest and deepest gratitude to you, sir, for honouring us with your presence… a Combermere boy who has risen and will soon assume the position of the head of state of the Republic of Barbados.” Barrett additionally commended the cadets’ discipline, staff support, and parental involvement in the significant national event.

The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Faculty of Law has secured another landmark victory on the global stage, capturing the championship title at the 2025 International Space Law Moot Court Competition hosted by China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) in Beijing.

During the November 21-23 biennial event, which specialized in complex matters of international space law, the Barbadian delegation demonstrated exceptional legal prowess under the guidance of Interim Dean Dr. Antonius R. Hippolyte. The competition structure featured dual teams from both institutions, with UWI Cave Hill’s second team comprising Brianna Hardy and Charlie Adhar advancing through multiple rigorous rounds to reach the championship match.

The final arbitration panel was presided over by Professor Guoyu Wang, Dean of the Academy of Air, Space Policy and Law at Beijing Institute of Technology and author of the competition’s factual scenario. Hardy and Adhar emerged as overall winners, with Hardy additionally receiving the Best Oralist award. Their colleagues Carina Blache and Ayodele Jones from Team 1 secured the prize for Best Written Arguments for the Applicant.

Professor Wang commended the Caribbean delegates for their high-caliber advocacy skills and encouraged continued participation in international moot competitions. This achievement marks the second major international moot victory for Cave Hill in 2025, following their triumph as Best Academic Institution at the XV Annual Caribbean Court of Justice International Law Moot in Trinidad and Tobago last March.

Campus Principal Professor Clive Landis celebrated the unprecedented success, describing the achievement as “out of this world” and emphasizing the institution’s growing global influence in legal education. The back-to-back victories demonstrate the exceptional quality of Cave Hill’s LLB program and its ability to prepare students for excellence in international legal advocacy.

The faculty’s global engagement extends beyond competitive successes through strategic partnerships with institutions including Leuphana University and the University of Dayton School of Law, offering advanced postgraduate programs and cross-border learning opportunities that position Cave Hill as a hub for international legal thought leadership.

The Hope Agriculture Training Institute (HATI), a multimillion-dollar educational facility in St Lucy, Barbados, is approaching its final construction phase with 98% completion achieved. Chinese contractors confirm the China-funded project remains on schedule for handover to Barbados’ Ministry of Educational Transformation by early 2026, despite recent weather-related setbacks affecting final paving and fencing works.\n\nDuring a site inspection at Hope estate, project officials from Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) and supervision firm SIPPR Engineering Group provided detailed progress updates. Wu Weizhong, SCG project manager, acknowledged that heavy rainfall had temporarily delayed asphalt paving and fencing operations, but emphasized the contractor’s proactive engagement with local suppliers to maintain timelines.\n\nFollowing construction completion, the facility will undergo comprehensive technical commissioning once water and electricity connections are established. \”We need to run the entire project to ensure all equipment and facilities operate smoothly,\” Wu explained, highlighting the rigorous testing phase ahead.\n\nThe project represents a significant bilateral cooperation effort between China and Barbados, with managers crediting the Ministry of Educational Transformation and Chinese embassy support for effective problem-solving. \”We believe solutions always outnumber problems,\” Wu stated, reflecting the collaborative approach.\n\nDesigned as an educational revolution in agricultural training, HATI will consolidate tertiary agricultural programs currently dispersed across multiple Barbadian institutions. The 57,000-square-foot complex will serve 300 students and 60 faculty members through three specialized zones: livestock facilities, academic/administrative buildings, and residential accommodations.\n\nNotable features include seven livestock sheds, three greenhouses, demonstration classrooms, repair workshops, and climate-resilient design elements. The facility incorporates ISO 9001 quality management standards and specifically addresses Caribbean environmental challenges through salt-spray corrosion resistance, hurricane resilience, and rainwater collection systems.\n\nDesign modifications implemented during construction include expanded elevator dimensions, 13 underground water storage tanks, and conversion to natural gas generators. The institute will feature full accessibility compliance with disability-friendly infrastructure throughout all facilities.\n\nBarbadian Minister of Training and Tertiary Education Sandra Husbands has previously characterized the project as \”a tremendous investment\” and \”a gift to the people of Barbados by the Chinese,\\” recognizing its potential impact on agricultural education and food security initiatives.

As Barbados approaches its 59th Independence anniversary, citizens across Bridgetown are engaging in profound reflection on gratitude despite facing economic pressures and personal hardships. The collective sentiment reveals a remarkable resilience rooted in faith, community, and appreciation for life’s fundamental blessings.

Amid supermarket price surges and recovery from Hurricane Melissa’s near-miss, residents consistently emphasize thankfulness for divine protection and daily sustenance. Allison Jack articulated this duality: “We have much to thank God for despite current expenses. Being spared from the hurricane while living to offer praise remains paramount.”

The interviews uncover a pattern of gratitude centered on three core themes: spiritual strength, occupational provision, and human connection. Ronald Webster simply appreciates “the Lord’s gift of breath and strength,” while Jermain Jones values gainful employment that sustains his family. Yvette embodies the community spirit, stating her life’s purpose involves being “a blessing to others through helping people.”

Health and longevity emerge as recurring motifs, with Tonya Peters and Sandra Jordan specifically thankful for wellbeing and survival. Samuel Yearwood acknowledges gratitude for “good health and pleasant days,” while Justin notes his improving circumstances after difficult periods.

This tapestry of voices demonstrates how Barbadians maintain perspective during challenging times—finding meaning in protection, provision, community bonds, and the foundational gift of life itself. The national character shows remarkable depth through this unifying practice of thankfulness as independence celebrations approach.

In a significant demonstration of institutional solidarity, multiple United Nations agencies operating from UN House have delivered substantial educational resources to Arthur Smith Primary School, their neighboring educational institution. This philanthropic initiative comes as the Caribbean region confronts the severe aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.

The comprehensive donation package includes multiple television sets with mobile stands, educational literature, painting supplies, and materials for facility refurbishment. These resources are specifically designated for the renovation of one entire academic block within the school premises.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Simon Springett articulated the profound rationale behind this collaboration, stating, “Our relationship extends beyond mere proximity. You are educating our future leaders, many of whom we anticipate will become professionals within our UN building in the coming years.” Springett further emphasized the agencies’ commitment to ongoing educational engagement, highlighting the diverse expertise available within UN House and the willingness of staff to mentor students and stimulate intellectual curiosity.

The UN official also called attention to the educational emergency in Jamaica, where thousands of children currently lack access to schooling due to hurricane-related devastation.

Principal John Quinton of Arthur Smith Primary expressed profound gratitude for the sustained partnership, describing UN House as “a tower of strength and support to the school.” He detailed the remarkable technological transformation the school has undergone through previous UNDP assistance, noting that from a single television serving nearly 400 students, the institution now enjoys significantly enhanced multimedia capabilities.

The school’s internet infrastructure, upgraded through UNDP support, now enables teachers to utilize digital educational tools throughout the campus. Principal Quinton also emphasized the institution’s commitment to regional solidarity, echoing the Caribbean principle that “when one hurts, everyone hurts,” as the school prepares to support Jamaican relief efforts.

Marquita Sugrim, Communications Consultant at the Food and Agriculture Organization, reinforced the deep institutional bond, stating, “Arthur Smith is our extended family.” She highlighted the school’s participation in UN events and performances, while noting that the current donation represents only the initial phase of support, with additional resources anticipated in the near future.

In a compelling intervention during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, women’s rights advocate Melissa Savoury-Gittens has proposed comprehensive school programming focused on building self-worth and mutual respect among youth as a fundamental solution to reducing gender-based violence. The president of Barbados’ National Organisation of Women (NOW) emphasized that current approaches often concentrate on addressing abuse after it occurs rather than preventing the underlying conditions that enable it.

Savoury-Gittens expressed particular concern about young women entering abusive relationships due to diminished self-esteem, noting that many victims remain in harmful situations because they lack the confidence to recognize toxic dynamics. Her research conducted through school outreach programs reveals that the predisposition to accept abuse frequently develops long before actual victimization occurs.

The advocate called for educational initiatives that teach both girls and boys about healthy relationships, self-love, and mutual respect. She specifically highlighted the need for programs that help young women develop stronger self-identity and the ability to identify various forms of abuse, including psychological manipulation that often precedes physical violence.

Savoury-Gittens also addressed the role of young men in preventing violence, arguing that educational programming must include boys to effectively change patterns of behavior. She recommended structured guidance on appropriate interpersonal communication and treatment of others as essential components of violence prevention.

Supporting proposed educational reforms, the NOW president endorsed community service requirements for all students as a character-building initiative that fosters proper mindset development and strengthens community bonds. Additionally, she advocated for enhanced psychological support services in schools, calling for more frequent counselor visits than the current standard of weekly sessions.

The comprehensive approach proposed by Savoury-Gittens represents a paradigm shift from reactive measures to proactive prevention, addressing the root causes of gender-based violence through early education and confidence-building strategies.