Blackman unveils global certification plan

Barbados is developing a globally recognised high school certificate through its new ocean and climate schools, with Minister Chad Blackman saying the government is in talks with international organisations to make it widely recognised. The Blue X Accelerator is also training students from 14 schools in marine technology, robotics and climate solutions, part of a push to prepare Caribbean youth for the blue economy and climate resilience.

By Lourianne Graham

Retrieved about 7 hours ago

Bridgetown Market, Grand Kadooment among areas to be assessed for future improvements

Barbados will review Crop Over 2026 in the coming weeks after what Culture Minister Shane Archer called one of the festival’s strongest editions in years. The season saw the return of Party Monarch, sold-out Pic-O-De-Crop finals, strong music and a largely incident-free Grand Kadooment, but officials want more local participation and further modernisation.

By Shanna Moore

Retrieved about 7 hours ago

Crop Over ‘success’ prompts call for more venues, better planning

Crop Over brought a strong economic boost to Barbados, with more visitors, busy events and no major violence, Entertainment Association of Barbados president Rudy Maloney said. He warned, however, that venue shortages, overlapping shows and strained staff are putting pressure on the festival and could slow future growth unless scheduling and logistics are improved.

By Ricardo Roberts

Retrieved about 7 hours ago

Vendors complex sees strong Crop Over weekend turnout, sales

Family turnout and vendor sales surged at the BARVEN complex on Crop Over weekend, with organisers saying Bridgetown Market was one of their most profitable periods yet. A family-focused entertainment mix, boosted by King Shepherd’s promotion and a parade ending at the venue, drew revellers and shoppers, while managers now want better lighting, security and upgrades to keep the site growing.

By Ricardo Roberts

Retrieved about 7 hours ago

Barbados celebrates gold-silver squash triumph at CAC Games

Barbados secured a historic one-two finish in women’s singles squash at the CAC Games in Santo Domingo, with Margot Prow winning gold and Meagan Best taking silver. Prow beat Best 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 in the final, giving Barbados its first gold in the games and highlighting the sport’s growing regional success despite training challenges at home.

By Kurtis Hinds

Retrieved about 7 hours ago

Central Bank Governor highlights economic strength

Barbados is starting the second half of the year with steady economic gains, according to Central Bank Governor Dr Kevin Greenidge. He said growth has continued, inflation has stayed contained, foreign reserves remain strong, and debt levels are still falling, suggesting the country is in a stable position.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 7 hours ago

Young people encouraged to pursue opportunities in agriculture

Nathan Crichlow of PEG Farm and Nature Reserve told young participants on the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme’s Camp Enterprise Experience tour in Easy Hall, St Joseph, that agriculture offers real opportunities for financial success. His message highlights growing interest in farming as a business, which could matter for youth employment and food production in Barbados.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 8 hours ago

Mikey Mercer’s rare soca treble with Tune of De Crop win

Michael Mikey Mercer swept Crop Over’s top soca prizes, winning Tune of De Crop with Like Uh Bajan by one play over Leadpipe’s Dah Wuh She Get, after already claiming the Sweet Soca and Power Soca Monarch titles. The rare hat trick made him the season’s standout performer and is already boosting overseas bookings, with new songs in the works for next year.

By Jenique Belgrave

Retrieved about 8 hours ago

Cybersecurity expert warns of growing regional threats

Cybersecurity expert Neil Hinds warned that the Caribbean faces growing cybercrime risks as fraudsters become more organised and critical infrastructure is increasingly targeted. Speaking ahead of the 2026 Caribbean Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Summit in Barbados, he said regional experts need to work together on practical solutions to protect businesses and individuals.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 8 hours ago

Young people encouraged to prepare for disasters

Barbados’ young people have a key role in disaster preparedness, according to Deputy Director of the Department of Emergency Management Major Robert Harewood. Speaking at the closing of the Safe Coast BIM and C.O.O.K. Caribbean summer camps, he said the programme helps children learn basic emergency response skills and better protect their communities.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 8 hours ago

Farm data gap ‘hampering’ food production drive

Barbados’ push to cut its food import bill is being slowed because the Agriculture Ministry lacks reliable data from farmers on what they plant and when they expect to harvest, Minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight said. She said this is making it harder to set production targets for the crop escalation programme, which is monitoring 16 crops and expanding sweet potato and onion production.

By Lourianne Graham

Retrieved about 10 hours ago

Grand Kadooment earns high praise, though some say culture took back seat

Grand Kadooment 2026 was widely praised as one of the smoothest, safest and most enjoyable Crop Over finales in recent years, with strong turnout from locals and tourists and positive feedback from vendors and revellers. Some, however, warned that the parade is losing the cultural storytelling and meaning that once defined the festival, even as debate continues over the route and costume design.

By Lauryn Escamilla

Retrieved about 10 hours ago

Carnival at Bridgetown Market sparks debate over family-friendly tradition

A Kadooment-style parade through Bridgetown Market on Sunday divided opinion, with some attendees welcoming the added energy and others saying it disrupted the event’s traditional family-friendly focus on crafts, food and culture. Organisers said the parade, a collaboration between Aura Experience, Blue Box Cart and Monde Mas, was meant to give revellers another day to jump.

By Lauryn Escamilla

Retrieved about 10 hours ago

Gun offender fined $30K after ‘Botanical Gardens’ claim rejected

A St Michael man who said he found a Glock and ammunition while working at the National Botanical Gardens was fined $30,000 to avoid prison after a judge rejected his story as unbelievable. Shakeem Romario Clarke had pleaded guilty to possession of the firearm and 12 rounds of ammunition, and must pay the balance within five months or serve 1,814 days in jail.

By Jenique Belgrave

Retrieved about 11 hours ago

Top cop hails ‘safest Kadooment Day’

Grand Kadooment passed without major incidents, with Commissioner of Police Sonia Boyce crediting public discipline, heavy police presence, CCTV and drone monitoring, and close work with the Barbados Defence Force and emergency services. The safe outcome was seen as a model for keeping Barbados secure during major events and in everyday policing.

By Ricardo Roberts

Retrieved about 12 hours ago

Grand Kadooment ends without major incidents

Grand Kadooment ended without any major incidents, according to Police Commissioner Sonia Boyce, who praised the behaviour of thousands of participants and visitors. She said close cooperation among security services, residents, and businesses helped keep the national event safe while allowing authorised movement along the parade route.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved about 15 hours ago

No incidents for Grand Kadooment

Barbados’ Flow 5G+ Grand Kadooment passed without major incidents, with Police Commissioner Sonia Boyce praising Barbadians and visitors for their behaviour. She said the Barbados Defence Force and police worked together to manage crowd pressure and maintain public order along the route from Princess Alice to the Mighty Grynner Highway, showing the festival can be enjoyed safely.

By Sherrylyn Clarke

Retrieved about 20 hours ago

Road Safety Association backs breathalyser testing

The Barbados Road Safety Association has backed calls to introduce breathalyser testing, saying it could help save lives by discouraging drunk driving. President Roland Lowe said motorists should take personal responsibility and make safe choices before getting behind the wheel, especially during the festive period.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved 1 day ago

President Bostic and other familiar faces join annual Crop Over lime

President Jeffrey Bostic joined the Friends of the Togetherness Social Group for its annual Crop Over lime, sharing a relaxed moment with Consul General Rudy Grant and other familiar faces, including Dale Marshall, Dr Allyson Leacock and actress Sarah Niles. Niles said she was glad to be back home for Crop Over and highlighted her choice to use a Bajan accent in the 2025 film *F1*.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved 1 day ago

NCF warns about AI-generated Grand Kadooment videos

The National Cultural Foundation is warning that AI-generated videos of Grand Kadooment are circulating on social media with titles and descriptions that could make them seem like official live coverage. The NCF says it did not produce or authorise the videos and is urging the public and media to rely on official sources for accurate festival coverage.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved 1 day ago

NCF declares Crop Over 2026 a success

National Cultural Foundation chairman Dr Jasmine Babb said Crop Over 2026 was a “brilliant” success, with sold-out events including the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, Pandemonium and Junior Kadooment drawing strong crowds across Barbados. She said the main challenge was relocating the finals after Kensington Oval was taken for Sir Garfield Sobers’ state funeral, but the move to the National Botanical Gardens worked well. Cohobblopot returns Tuesday night after more than a decade.

By Jenique Belgrave

Retrieved 1 day ago

Revellers say Grand Kadooment experience worth the cost

Despite concerns about rising Grand Kadooment costume prices, revellers Zell and Ortez Hurley from the UK and Roshae Daniel from New York said Crop Over was worth the cost. The Hurleys paid about £500 each for costumes, while Daniel spent nearly US$2,000 on Aura’s VIP package. They praised the festival’s atmosphere, amenities and hospitality, and said they would return.

By Shamar Blunt

Retrieved 1 day ago

Bandleaders investing the future of Crop Over

Several Grand Kadooment bandleaders are training younger Barbadians to preserve costume-making, wirebending and other Crop Over skills as older veterans prepare to step back. Kathy-Ann Scott, Betty West, Henderson Jones, Quincy Jones and Christopher Williams say passing on the craft is vital to keeping the festival’s local culture, affordability and creative identity alive.

By Jenique Belgrave

Retrieved 1 day ago

Kadooment delivers spectacular start

Grand Kadooment 2026 began on Pelican Island with 22 bands, including the return of king and queen costumes, vibrant tributes to Barbados culture, and a massive 1,000-plus reveller band from Vida by Esquire. Despite small delays and intense heat, the parade moved smoothly with police, BDF and water stations in place, ending formal judging just after 1 p.m.

By Jenique Belgrave

Retrieved 1 day ago

Kadooment vendors chase festival profits

Thousands at Grand Kadooment 2026 bought food and drinks from vendors along the parade route, with sellers offering fishcakes, burgers, soups and other favourites as the bands passed. Veteran vendor Elijah Tafari said his fishcakes remain his flagship item, while first-time Jamaican vendor Shane Thomas drew attention with pigtail soup. Some vendors reported slower sales, and health inspectors carried out spot checks on food handling.

By Lourianne Graham

Retrieved 1 day ago

Visitors have a grand time at Kadooment

Thousands of visitors joined hundreds of spectators along the Eagle Hall, St Michael stretch of the Grand Kadooment route, dancing and watching bands parade to lively music at Crop Over. Many described the scene as an amazing, grand experience, showing the festival’s strong draw for both locals and tourists.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved 1 day ago

Businesses capitalise on Grand Kadooment festivities

Businesses and event organisers along the Grand Kadooment route offered food, drinks, and all-inclusive viewing packages for spectators, turning the festival into a business opportunity. The activity shows how one of Barbados’ biggest cultural events also drives spending and supports local vendors.

By CBC Barbados

Retrieved 1 day ago

Packed sidelines greet Grand Kadooment parade

Hundreds of spectators lined the Princess Alice and Mighty Grynner highways early Monday for the 2026 Grand Kadooment parade, turning out with chairs, food and drinks for a full day of Crop Over celebrations. Families and returning visitors said the festival’s music, costumes and atmosphere remained a draw, though some noted the revised parade route caused gaps between bands.

By Lourianne Graham

Retrieved 1 day ago

NCF warns against AI-generated Crop Over videos

The National Cultural Foundation is warning Barbadians and visitors to use official channels for Grand Kadooment coverage after AI-generated videos appeared online that it says do not accurately show the festival. The NCF said the clips were not authorised and urged people to rely on its platforms and approved media partners to avoid misinformation about Crop Over.

By Barbados Today

Retrieved 1 day ago

Former assistant commissioner passes

Barbados Police Service is mourning former Assistant Commissioner David Griffith, 64, who died this morning at his Norththumberland, St Lucy home only months after retiring. Griffith led the criminal division for years and was the son of former Assistant Commissioner Alvin Griffith. Station Sergeant Angela Holder of the Special Branch also died today.

By Maria Bradshaw

Retrieved 1 day ago

Crop Over 2026 – Kadooment Day in full swing

Thousands of masqueraders are filling Barbados’ streets for Grand Kadooment, the grand finale of Crop Over 2026, with 22 bands on the road, soca music, and elaborate costumes drawing crowds along the parade route. National Cultural Foundation planner Stacia Bryan said the event was running smoothly, with water stations, police, and support teams in place to keep the celebration safe.

By Barbados Today

Retrieved 1 day ago

Walk Holy Band leads the way on Kadooment Day

Walk Holy Band led Grand Kadooment on the road, choosing to keep its place as first band through rather than compete for another position. Sean Apache Carter said the band wants to preserve its distinct identity and believes it has become a meaningful part of Barbados’ Crop Over culture after about 24 years of participation.

By Jenique Belgrave

Retrieved 1 day ago

Eight years for gun and bullets

Zico Renaldo Williams was sentenced to eight years in prison after a High Court judge ruled a fine was not appropriate for his gun offence. Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell said innocent people were injured and a young child was threatened, and that jail was needed to reflect the seriousness of the case and deter others.

By Heather-Lynn Evanson

Retrieved 2 days ago

Mottley: Barbados will continue to seek reparatory justice

Barbados will offer three postgraduate scholarships focused on reparations and Black Studies, with places at UWI Cave Hill, UWI Mona and the University of Glasgow, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced on Emancipation Day. She said the move is part of Barbados’ push for reparatory justice and to equip a new generation to continue the work.

By Sherrylyn Clarke

Retrieved 2 days ago

Mixed ruling

The Supreme Court has struck out several constitutional claims brought by retired High Court Judge Dr Sonia Richards against former Chief Justice Sir Patterson Cheltenham and the Attorney General, but allowed her to amend and continue her private law case. The dispute centres on alleged breaches of her rights and employment-related issues, making it a significant judicial employment case.

By Maria Bradshaw

Retrieved 2 days ago