Barbados

With voters' registration closing on 26 january, PM Mia Mottley called on Barbadians to ensure they are enlisted to vote ahead of the general election on 11 February, while also seeking the public’s mandate for another term in office

The rise in farm theft during Christmas period, especially of yams and sweet potatoes; one of leading Barbadian producers is considering scaling back crop production after thieves stole up to 15.000 pounds of yams from his St John fields in recent weeks

Teachers could regain their long-lost term’s vacation leave after years of stalled negotiations; Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced in Parliament that the government intends to restore the benefit from 2026

Former Mr Universe, professional wrestler and actor Earl Maynard, as he turns 90, reflects on the journey that took him from Barbados to the UK and Hollywood and how his roots continued to guide him back to his motherland

New vehicle tint regulations will take effect on 1st December; Barbados officials are urging drivers to check their tint levels and make any necessary adjustments before the deadline, reminding the public that front windscreen should be no less than 70%

Bayview Hospital is expanding its services, focusing on prevention and proactive health management; new Executive Medical Programme offers business leaders, employees, families, and individuals comprehensive preventative health checks

The government is preparing a new public education drive to address lingering doubts about the country’s digital ID cards and build wider trust in its technology‑based national projects

Two Caribbean lexicographers are compiling the region’s first general-purpose English dictionary to bridge linguistic gaps in education; the project is a landmark effort to validate Caribbean language and ensure school children are not disadvantaged

Barbados is poised to become home to the largest and most technologically advanced renewable energy power plant in the English-speaking Caribbean, with construction of a $350 million hybrid facility expected to begin by March next year

Barbados, with the Marine Institute of Ireland, is starting a mapping of its seafloor few small islands have attempted on such a large-scale: it will include part of its EEZ, 432 times larger than its land area; work to cover fully will take years

A major agreement to build a coconut processing plant was signed with India, part of Barbados' plan to industrialize and expand its agro-processing sector; Export Barbados said it will create full value chains for coconut products with Indian technology

A new, fully cashless fare system with real-time bus tracking will be launched in September, in time for the new school year; Barbados will thus become the first Caribbean nation with smart card payment across its public transport network

The launch of a cutting-edge ocean glider marked the start of the Vetlesen Caribbean Hurricane Ocean Glider field experiment, aimed at strengthening real-time ocean observation and improve accuracy in hurricane forecasting in the Caribbean