标签： Barbados

A 71-year-old woman from St Michael, Barbados, has been ordered to remain in custody following her initial court appearance on a murder charge. Veronica Eudora Mayers, a resident of Bridge Gap in Upper Goodland, stands formally accused of causing the death of Ralph Forde on March 9th.

The case was heard at the Oistins Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning, where Chief Magistrate Deidre McKenna presided. In accordance with standard legal procedures for serious indictable offenses, the defendant was not asked to enter a plea during this preliminary hearing.

The judicial proceedings have been officially postponed and are scheduled to recommence on April 13th. The case has been reassigned to a higher court, District ‘A’ Criminal Court No. 2, where subsequent hearings will take place. This transfer indicates the matter will proceed through the formal justice system, with the accused remaining in incarceration until the next court date.

Barbados’ National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) has issued a strong appeal for government measures addressing the escalating cost of living crisis ahead of today’s national budget presentation. Union President Kimberley Agard emphasized that while wage negotiations with the government remain ongoing, immediate policy interventions are crucial to alleviate financial pressures on public sector employees.

Speaking during the union’s Health and Wellness Day event at its headquarters on Monday, Agard outlined the organization’s expectations for fiscal policies that would substantially improve working conditions and household economic stability. “Our primary focus remains on comprehensive improvements for public sector workers,” Agard stated, “but we urgently need mechanisms that reduce the burden of living expenses affecting all citizens.”

The union leader acknowledged the forthcoming salary discussions but stressed that broader governmental initiatives could provide more immediate relief. Agard specifically called for policy instruments that would directly mitigate the impact of inflation and rising operational costs for families across Barbados.

The national budget, scheduled for presentation in the House of Assembly later today, will outline the government’s fiscal strategy and expenditure priorities for the upcoming financial year. This development comes amid growing concerns about economic sustainability and workforce retention in the public sector, making the union’s demands particularly timely and significant for national economic stability.

Barbados law enforcement authorities have formally arrested and charged a 71-year-old woman in connection with a homicide investigation dating to early March. The accused, identified as Veronica Eudora Mayers from Bridge Gap, Upper Goodland, St Michael, faces murder charges for the alleged killing of Ralph Forde on March 9, 2026.

The Barbados Police Service Criminal Investigations Department based in Black Rock confirmed the development, indicating that Mayers is set to make her initial court appearance before the District ‘A’ Criminal Court on Monday, March 16. The case represents a rare instance of senior citizen involvement in violent crime within the Caribbean nation.

While specific details surrounding the circumstances of Forde’s death remain undisclosed, authorities emphasized that their investigation remains active and ongoing. The judicial proceedings will determine the legal outcomes for what has become a notable case in Barbados’ criminal justice system.

Authorities in Barbados have officially named the two individuals discovered fatally shot inside a vehicle in Cambridge, St. Joseph, this past Sunday. The victims have been recognized through family members as Keshane Bynoe, aged 30, from Bayville, St. Michael, and Wayne Holder, aged 32, from Black Rock, St. Michael.

The sequence of events began when officers from the District ‘F’ Police Station were alerted to a distressing scene approximately at 2:25 p.m. Initial reports indicated two unresponsive bodies were located inside an automobile, both presenting apparent gunshot wounds. Law enforcement personnel promptly arrived at the location, confirming the grim discovery of the two deceased men within a grey Toyota Axio.

Subsequent procedures saw the immediate summoning of a medical professional to the site. Following a thorough examination of the victims, the doctor formally declared both men deceased. The Barbados Police Service has characterized the incident as a targeted fatal shooting and has initiated a comprehensive investigation to unravel the motives and circumstances leading to this violent act.

In an effort to advance the inquiry, law enforcement officials are actively soliciting information from the public. They have issued a formal appeal, urging any potential witnesses or individuals possessing knowledge pertinent to the case to come forward. Confidential tips can be relayed to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, the Police Emergency hotline at 211, or directly to the District ‘F’ Police Station at 433-1540. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to piece together the events that culminated in this tragedy.

In a significant address to newly graduated police officials, Assistant Commissioner of Police Barry Hunte underscored the indispensable function of middle management within Barbados’ law enforcement framework. Speaking at the graduation ceremony for 20 officers who completed the International Leadership Middle Management course, Hunte articulated the transformative potential of effective mid-level leadership in contemporary policing.

The two-week intensive program, conducted at the Regional Police Training Centre from March 2-13, equipped participants with advanced leadership capabilities essential for navigating today’s complex security landscape. Hunte emphasized that middle managers serve as crucial intermediaries who must not only comprehend and implement organizational policies but also effectively communicate strategic vision throughout the ranks.

Central to Hunte’s address was the imperative for these managers to cultivate positive organizational cultures while motivating subordinates toward exemplary professional conduct. He highlighted the necessity of leading with unwavering integrity, fairness, and respect regardless of circumstances, noting that such qualities form the foundation of community trust and effective policing.

The Assistant Commissioner specifically identified commitment, honesty, and professionalism as non-negotiable attributes for officers engaging with the public. He stressed that building and maintaining trust among both colleagues and community members represents a critical component of modern law enforcement effectiveness.

Hunte further addressed the evolving challenges facing police services, describing the current operational environment as increasingly hostile, dynamic, and unpredictable. He urged graduates to embrace technological advancements and develop adaptability skills while using the Barbados Police Service’s policing plan as their guiding framework when confronting unforeseen challenges.

Emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between leadership development and organizational success, Hunte concluded that invested middle management represents the cornerstone of effective law enforcement delivery in contemporary society.

In response to escalating concerns regarding youth violence, Barbados has inaugurated a groundbreaking faith-based educational initiative designed to empower young adults through comprehensive values-based training. The Kingdom Academy program, formally launched at the Power in the Blood Assembly church in Bank Hall, represents a collaborative effort between religious institutions and government authorities to address systemic challenges facing the island’s younger generation.

The innovative curriculum will deliver instruction through six foundational modules: Faith, Faithfulness, Flourish, Family Life, Finance, and Future. Participants will be segmented into two distinct cohorts—young adults aged 18-25 navigating early adulthood transitions and those aged 26-35 focusing on stability and long-term objectives. The program explicitly integrates spiritual principles with practical life skills development.

Senator Shane Archer, Minister of State for Youth and Culture, emphasized the critical importance of community engagement during the launch ceremony. He highlighted the concerning decline in volunteerism and communal spirit, noting that contemporary society increasingly prioritizes individual gain over collective welfare. Senator Archer specifically identified mentorship programs for young men as an area requiring immediate attention and resources.

The initiative has garnered substantial ministerial support, with both Senator Archer and Minister of Educational Transformation Chad Blackman pledging institutional collaboration through existing government programs including the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme and Pathways initiative. Minister Blackman concurrently revealed ambitious educational reforms scheduled for implementation beginning September 2024.

These transformative changes will mandate all secondary students to participate in uniformed organizations, civic groups, or team sports as core curriculum requirements—marking the first such compulsory inclusion in Barbadian educational history. Minister Blackman further challenged program organizers to expand their outreach to include children as young as nine years old, asserting that early intervention is essential for addressing root causes of societal challenges.

In a significant cultural ceremony at Dover Playing Field, Christ Church South has immortalized 56 distinguished athletes through the inauguration of a permanent Wall of Fame memorial. The Saturday evening event celebrated sporting excellence across 13 disciplines ranging from traditional cricket and football to netball, swimming, surfing, and bodybuilding.

Among the cricketing legends honored were iconic figures including the Most Honourable Joel ‘Big Bird’ Garner, Ian Bradshaw, Emerson ‘Kong’ Alleyne, and Richard ‘Strago’ Straker. The ceremony extended beyond athletes to recognize coaches and administrators who built the region’s sporting infrastructure.

Minister Trevor Prescod, responsible for Pan-African Affairs and Heritage, delivered the keynote address, framing the initiative as crucial to Barbados’ republican evolution. “If you don’t know who you are, you are like a tree without roots,” Prescod stated, emphasizing the importance of celebrating local heroes who shaped society through discipline and creativity.

The Minister characterized the memorial as a transformative shift from colonial monuments toward tributes reflecting authentic Barbadian heritage, calling it evidence of intellectual and national maturity. He described the Wall as a dynamic educational instrument that would endure for centuries, serving as both historical beacon and source of national pride.

Local Parliament Member Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight addressed the significance of preserving community memory amid globalizing pressures that often marginalize small nations’ contributions. “This project is about making sure that we don’t forget,” she noted, highlighting how Christ Church South has historically nurtured unrecognized nation-builders.

The memorial specifically honors individuals from Dover and Paradise Village who overcame substantial adversity to enrich the nation’s social and cultural fabric. Organizers emphasized these recognitions serve as critical “signal posts” for youth, demonstrating that ordinary citizens can achieve extraordinary greatness through dedication and skill.

Dr. Munro-Knight concluded: “When we remember who we are as a great people and recall our achievements, we provide future generations with markers showing they too can excel.”