Barbados declares national mourning as Sir Gary to receive State Funeral

Barbados has declared Friday, July 17, a Day of National Mourning after the death of National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers, and will also mark his interment with another day of mourning, with flags flying at half-staff and no official government functions. Prime Minister Mia Mottley said Sir Gary will receive a State Funeral, with arrangements to be coordinated by Senator Lisa Cummins, the Cabinet Office and the Barbados Defence Force.

By Shanna Moore

Retrieved 28 minutes ago

Regional Police Training Centre Commandant to retire after 48 years

Regional Police Training Centre Commandant Rodney Archer will retire later this month after nearly 48 years of public service. In his final report, he praised the achievements of Course 150, saying the training is demanding but rewarding, and urged more young people to join the Police Service.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 1 hour ago

Communities must be central to disaster resilience, says DEM Director

Barbados must treat disaster planning as a priority as climate and systemic risks grow more severe, according to Department of Emergency Management Director Kerry Hinds. Speaking at the Community Resilience Regional Conference in Bridgetown, she said communities must be central to resilience efforts and that disaster planning and response should be evidence-based.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 1 hour ago

Junior Monarchs ready to defend their crowns

Reigning Junior Calypso Monarch Kadarius “King K” Allen and Junior Soca Monarch Kymani “Mr Showman” Devonish will defend their titles at the 2025 Scotiabank Junior Calypso and Soca Monarchs finals tomorrow night at Carifesta House. King K will sing “Misdiagnosed,” while Mr Showman will perform “Turn Up the Music,” as both prepare to retain their crowns.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 1 hour ago

Sir Wes Hall mourns loss of ‘my very best friend’ Sir Garfield Sobers

Sir Wes Hall has paid tribute to Sir Garfield Sobers after the Barbadian cricket great’s passing, calling him his “very best friend” and the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen. Hall said their 80-year friendship was defined by Sobers’ generosity, humility and lasting impact on cricket and community life.

By Nation News

Retrieved about 1 hour ago

Mottley pays tribute to National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers

Prime Minister Mia Mottley paid tribute after the death this morning of Barbados National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers. His passing marks the loss of one of the Caribbean’s greatest cricket icons and a figure of major national pride for Barbados.

By Ashminnie Moonsammy

Retrieved about 1 hour ago

Dems question Vineyard estate’s conversion to housing project

The Democratic Labour Party is criticising the government’s plan to convert about 80 acres of farmland in Vineyard, St Philip, into a 1 100-home housing project, saying it weakens Barbados’ food security and sacrifices prime agricultural land. The opposition also says homes starting at $170 000 are not truly affordable for many low-income families and is demanding more transparency on the public-private deal and unfinished housing projects.

By Shamar Blunt

Retrieved about 2 hours ago

Cricket legend and National Hero of Barbados Sir Garfield Sobers dies at age 89

Barbados has lost National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers, who died this morning at 89, ending one of the greatest careers in cricket history. The West Indies legend was the first batsman to hit six sixes in an over, scored a then world-record 365 against Pakistan, and finished with 8,032 Test runs and 235 wickets. Prime Minister Mia Mottley paid tribute.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 2 hours ago

Barbados extend lead, ahead of Round Four of CWI U19 competition

Barbados stayed unbeaten and stretched their lead in the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 50-Over Championship after a 63-run win over Guyana, while the Leeward Islands jumped to second and Jamaica moved into third following strong Round Three victories. The bonus-points system is shaping the table, with Barbados on 22 points and Trinidad and Tobago slipping to fourth.

By Barbados Today

Retrieved about 2 hours ago

Cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers dies at 89

Barbados national hero and cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers has died at 89 at his home after an illness. The former West Indies all-rounder scored 8,032 Test runs and took 235 wickets, and held the world record for the highest Test score for more than 36 years with 365 not out against Pakistan.

By Kurtis Hinds

Retrieved about 2 hours ago

Ask Dealia platform promotes digital growth for Barbadian businesses

Barbados has launched the Ask Dealia mobile app, a local shopping platform, as part of efforts to modernise the island’s business landscape. Permanent Secretary Kevin Hunte said the government-private sector initiative is designed to help Barbadian entrepreneurs stay competitive in a more digital market.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 3 hours ago

BCEN backs moves on pricing, questions consumer protection effort

Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network backs the government’s review of transfer pricing in supermarket chains, saying it could help expose hidden mark-ups that push up food prices. But BCEN says consumer protection is being miscast as public education and conservation, and is calling for stronger laws, market oversight and broader consultation to tackle the cost of living.

By Emmanuel Joseph

Retrieved about 3 hours ago

Mixed views on handling of unclaimed bodies

Public reaction is divided over the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s 65 unclaimed cadavers, with many favoring cremation as the cheapest solution, while others want traditional burials or donation for medical training and research. The debate matters because the backlog raises questions about funeral costs, family responsibility, and how Barbados should handle unclaimed remains with dignity.

By Ashada Joseph

Retrieved about 3 hours ago

Sir Garfield Sobers has died

Barbados’ National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers, one of cricket’s greatest players, has died at age 89, just 11 days before his 90th birthday. His son Daniel said he passed away this morning at his Highgate, St Michael home.

By Nation News

Retrieved about 3 hours ago

EU launches regional climate resilience plan

The European Union has launched renewed support for Caribbean disaster risk management, including stronger early warning systems, forecasting, logistics and recovery planning after Hurricane Beryl. The programme will also back CDEMA and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, with officials stressing that communities must help lead preparedness and resilience efforts.

By Ricardo Roberts

Retrieved about 3 hours ago

DLP bemoans Govt’s latest housing development

The Democratic Labour Party is criticising Government’s plan to build about 1,100 homes on 80 acres of prime agricultural land in Vineyard, St Philip, saying it threatens food security and Barbados’ farmland. It also questions whether houses starting at $170,000 are truly affordable and calls for accountability on earlier unfinished housing projects.

By Barry Alleyne

Retrieved about 3 hours ago

South West Open ready to serve off

The third annual South West Open Tennis tournament begins July 20 with 25 players registered, including seven overseas entrants and competitors from Barbados, the US and Panama. Tournament director Justin Atkins said the event has grown, but attracting enough sponsorship remains a challenge as organisers aim to support youth tennis development in Barbados.

By Kurtis Hinds

Retrieved about 4 hours ago

Chefette Fun Run donates $140k to children’s charities

Chefette Fun Run donated $140,000 to several Barbados charities, expanding back-to-school, feeding and medical support for thousands of children. Beneficiaries said the money will provide uniforms, books, meals, transport and programmes for children with disabilities and serious illnesses as families face growing hardship before the new school term.

By Lauryn Escamilla

Retrieved about 4 hours ago

Vincentian recruit sweeps top honours at police graduation

Vincentian recruit Arika Parsons topped Recruit Course 150 at the Regional Police Training Centre, winning most of the top awards as she prepares to join the Barbados Police Service. Parsons said the training tested her physically and mentally, while her mother praised her discipline and school foundation. Her success highlights the role of regional recruits in Barbados’ police force.

By Ricardo Roberts

Retrieved about 4 hours ago

BFA Division One race heats up

Pro Shottas strengthened their grip on the BFA Division One title race with a 3-0 win over Fitts Village, moving to 46 points from 21 matches. Notre Dame climbed to second on 42 points after a 5-0 win, while Parish Land stayed in contention with an 8-2 victory over Deacons and two games in hand.

By Kurtis Hinds

Retrieved about 4 hours ago

CXC to replace SBAs with invigilated paper amid AI concerns

CXC will phase out school-based assessments for most non-practical subjects by 2028, replacing them with a supervised written Paper 032 to reduce AI-assisted cheating and protect the integrity of regional qualifications. Practical subjects like agriculture, music and visual arts will keep coursework, while CAPE shifts in 2027 and CSEC follows fully in 2028.

By Barbados Today

Retrieved about 5 hours ago

BABA Premier League finals set to tip off in January

Barbados Amateur Basketball Association will restart its Premier League Finals on January 20 after a 12-week break, with defending champions Burger King Clapham Bulls facing C.A.M. Smart Assurance City United Celtics in a best-of-five series at Barbados Community College. The delay followed venue issues and the national team’s unbeaten FIBA AmeriCup pre-qualifying run in Guyana, and the games will help shape next season’s league lineup.

By Kurtis Hinds

Retrieved about 5 hours ago

Sentencing submissions again delayed in double murder case

Sentencing for Demetrico Ricardo Layne, who pleaded guilty to the murders of Olivia Cecelia Carter and Odith Nicole Henriques, has been delayed because a psychological report is still outstanding. The court already has psychiatric and pre-sentencing reports, and the case returns to court on September 25. The murders happened in 2020 and 2021 in St Michael.

By Jenique Belgrave

Retrieved about 5 hours ago

Nigerian man denies escape charge, faces deportation

A Nigerian national, Dennis Ikenna Nwogbu, 38, has been remanded to Dodds Prison after pleading not guilty to escaping lawful immigration detention in Barbados between June 28 and 29. He told the court he had returned to the island to seek asylum after an earlier deportation, and he is expected to be handed to immigration officials for deportation next week.

By Jenique Belgrave

Retrieved about 6 hours ago

Police training chief retires after nearly five decades

Commandant Rodney Archer retired after nearly 50 years at the Regional Police Training Centre in Sewell, Christ Church, closing a career that took him through every rank at the institution. His final report marked Recruit Course 150, where 50 officers graduated in the centre’s first female-majority intake before finishing as a 25-25 gender-balanced class, while upgrades are planned to boost regional police training capacity.

By Ricardo Roberts

Retrieved about 6 hours ago

EVs, hybrids gain traction with consumers – dealers

Barbados is seeing a sharp rise in EV and hybrid sales, with dealers saying new-energy vehicles made up 72% of new car sales in the first half of 2026, including 21% full EVs. The shift is being driven by lower fuel and operating costs, plus tax breaks and other government incentives as Barbados targets a cleaner transport system.

By Shamar Blunt

Retrieved about 17 hours ago

Health authorities monitor US food illness outbreak

Barbadian health and agriculture officials are monitoring a U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened at least 1,645 people in 34 states, as Barbados imports fresh produce from the United States. Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George urged food vendors, especially ahead of Crop Over, to follow strict hygiene and food-handling rules; no cases have been reported in Barbados or the wider region.

By Emmanuel Joseph

Retrieved about 17 hours ago

CXC to replace SBAs with invigilated paper amid AI concerns

CXC will phase out school-based assessments for most non-practical subjects by 2028, citing the need to protect exam integrity as artificial intelligence makes take-home work easier to fake. Practical subjects such as agriculture, visual arts and technical drawing will keep SBAs, while others like math, English and history will move to a revised Paper 032. CAPE shifts in 2027, and CSEC schools get a one-year transition before full rollout in 2028.

By Barbados Today

Retrieved about 18 hours ago

No cases here of severe diarrhoea bug, say authorities

Barbados’ health and agriculture ministries are monitoring a cyclosporiasis outbreak in the US that has sickened at least 1,645 people, as the island imports fresh produce from there. Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George said there are no suspected or confirmed local cases, but urged vendors, especially ahead of Crop Over, to follow strict food hygiene and handling rules.

By Emmanuel Joseph

Retrieved about 18 hours ago

Barbadians continue to prepare for hurricane season

Barbadians are continuing to prepare their homes for possible weather-related disruptions by stocking up on needed supplies. A CBC team, including cameraman Patrick Murray and Trevor Thorpe, visited several hardware stores today to check how prepared people are.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 19 hours ago

Central Bank outlines upcoming BiMPay enhancements

Barbados’ BIMPay platform will soon get new features, according to Central Bank Deputy Governor Michelle Doyle, who spoke at a discussion on instant payments in St. George. The changes matter because they could improve how Barbadians make fast digital transactions and expand access to quicker payments.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 19 hours ago

Science and Technology Summer Camp gets underway

Barbados’ Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology has launched its annual Science and Technology Summer Camp, expanding this year’s programme with more activities. The camp aims to keep young Barbadians engaged with fast-moving science and tech developments through educational, hands-on learning.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 19 hours ago

Fifty new police officers join the Barbados Police Service

Fifty new officers have joined the Barbados Police Service after graduating from the Regional Police Training Centre in the 150th Passing Out Parade. The graduates were urged to lead with integrity, professionalism and community trust as the force continues its modernisation efforts.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 19 hours ago

Lawyer offers property as restitution in theft case

Veteran attorney Hilary Jeffrey Nelson, 81, who admitted stealing more than £347,000 from client Errol Hewitt, is offering his former Tudor Street law office, valued at $929,000, as restitution. Justice Pamela Beckles delayed sentencing until Nov. 5 to allow both sides to assess the proposal, with prosecutors seeking a strong jail term and the defence citing Nelson’s health and remorse.

By Jenique Belgrave

Retrieved about 19 hours ago

Youth advocates join global ‘Kick Big Soda Out’ movement during FIFA World Cup

Young people, medical students and the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition staged a futsal event in Bridgetown to protest Big Soda sponsorship of major sports, linking sugary drink marketing to Barbados’ high childhood obesity rates. The campaign, backed globally by more than 706,000 people, is pressing FIFA and the IOC to drop unhealthy beverage sponsors in favour of health-focused partners.

By Barbados Today

Retrieved about 19 hours ago