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Carols with a special touch

Nationnews Desk
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Carols with a special touch

by Donna Sealy

This year’s edition of Carols by Candlelight was one for the books.

Held Sunday evening at Ilaro Court, the family event befitted its 30th anniversary with a stellar cast of entertainment, an extra hour of show time and a festive atmosphere which cemented its place in the annals of Barbados’ history as a Christmas tradition.

The air inside the Prime Minister’s official residence at Two Mile Hill, St Michael crackled with excitement, as hundreds and hundreds of patrons, many of whom lugged folding chairs, blankets, quilts, mats and comforters, settled in on the expansive lawns to soak in the festive cheer. 

As is customary, pre-show entertainment was provided by the Darryll Jordan Steel Orchestra who played in the gazebo, and Trumpet Boy Entertainment’s musicians who strolled around the grounds.

As the event band came on stage and co-MCS, Barbados’ Ambassador to the United States and the OAS Vic Fernandes who flew in just for the event and Chrispen Hackett, a buzz floated across the air. After the playing of the national anthem, a prayer was offered by Davina Layne, secretary of the event host, Rotary Club of Barbados, and remarks came from its president Jeff Evelyn who said the event was more than a concert.

He said through the generosity of sponsors and patrons’ kindness over the years, the service club’s largest fundraiser enabled them to “touch the lives of countless children and families in some of the most deserving communities”.

“Every candle you hold … represents hope, hope, that shines far beyond this evening. On behalf of all Rotarians and every life that will be brighter because you chose to be here, may the light you hold tonight guide you through Christmas and into the new year with joy, health, and peace,” he said.

The entertainment was divided into five segments. The audience enjoyed the performances by Terencia TC Coward, who was back for her second consecutive year, Khiomal, and Ian iWeb Webster in “Bajan Christmas”. They sang, respectively, the late Richard Stoute’s Rocksteady Christmas Party and The Draytons Two’s The Things of Christmas, Bumba’s Why Can’t This Christmas Feeling Go On and The Christmas Hymn, which iWeb released in December 2015.

During the “Christmas Fun” segment which followed, spoken word artiste DJ Simmons performed Christmas is Here which, though providing some levity, showed the stark reality of the season for some people. Madd’s Eric Lewis and Kevin KB Kleen Hinds did She Mistake Me for Santa Claus which evoked laughter from many people and Christmas Road March. The audience loved their performance and eagerly responded to their call to “put those candles in the air”. This year, LED “candles” were used instead of the typical ones with open flames distributed throughout the years. 

Élevé Performing Arts Centre dancers’ choreography toCarol of the Bells was well received and rounded out this session which was followed by “Traditional Christmas” featuring G-Syndicate who did Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and This Christmas to loud applause, Shernelle Boyce sang What Child is This, Mr Showman sang his reggae version remake of Mary, Did You Know?, Marzville performed Every Year, Every Christmas and the popular St Cyprian’s Boys’ School choir and band, thrilled with their renditions ofO Come All Ye Faithful fused with Bring Joy and Parang. 

By this time, dozens of children from toddlers to teens were in front of the stage watched by their parents and guardians dancing and singing merrily. And, at the introduction of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, with outstretched hands they greeted her enthusiastically adding to the loud cheers from the
massive audience which continued to swell throughout the show.

In her brief remarks, Mottley told the Rotarians to continue the “excellent work” they do and noted that events like Carols by Candlelight “bring down blood pressure” and make people smile.

The singalong was different this year. With Euphony Steel Orchestra providing musical accompaniment, Mikey and his Rotarian colleague Katrina led everyone in singing Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is Coming to Town and he did, evoking delightful screams and broad smiles from the children, evidence that they haven’t stop believing in the magic of the season.

In addition to Mikey and Katrina also singing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, the adults were equally enthused by the performances from Nikita, cultural ambassador Alison Hinds and Biggie Irie who was joined by Natahlee. They sang Deck the Halls, Angels We Have Heard on High and Little Drummer Boy respectively.

Soon it was time for the finale “Caribbean Christmas”. The audience was treated to performances from Jamal Slocombe singing Put Christ in your Christmas, Natahlee doing Carolling, Carolling, Neesha Woodz with her original song This Christmas Feeling and Mr Blood with his 2025 release Christmas Mood.

There was also John Yarde singing his Christmas Caribbean, cultural ambassador The Most Honourable Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire sang seasonal favourite Maisie which got people of all ages moving and Yarde and Mikey’s Christmas is Here, the final song for the show which was fantastic. 

While the entertainment and lighting of the candles are what some people look forward most, for others, based on a random survey, it is the relaxing atmosphere, a chance to be with their loved ones and the food such as gruntleys that bring them back annually.

US military: Eight killed in strikes on alleged drug boats

Nationnews Desk
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US military: Eight killed in strikes on alleged drug boats

The US military says it has carried out strikes on three boats it has accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific Ocean, killing eight people.

The US Southern Command posted footage of the strikes on social media and said the vessels were “transiting along known narco-trafficking routes… and were engaged in narco-trafficking”.

More than 20 vessels in the Pacific and the Caribbean have been targeted in recent months, killing at least 90 people, as part of President Donald Trump’s escalating campaign against gangs he accuses of transporting drugs in the region.

Some experts say the strikes could violate laws governing armed conflict.

The first attack by the US – on September 2 – has drawn particular scrutiny as there was not one but two strikes, with survivors of the first killed in the second.

Several legal experts have told BBC Verify that the second strike on the alleged Venezuelan drug boat by the US military was probably illegal, and would likely be considered an extrajudicial killing under international law.

A former chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court told the BBC that the US military campaign more generally fell into the category of a planned, systematic attack against civilians during peacetime.

In response, the White House said it had acted in line with the laws of armed conflict to protect the US from cartels “trying to bring poison to our shores… destroying American lives”.

The Trump administration has accused Venezuela of funnelling narcotics into the US and has intensified its efforts to isolate President Nicolás Maduro in recent months.

Thousands of troops and the USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, have been positioned within striking distance of Venezuela.

On December 10, US forces seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast, which the US claimed was being used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran in an “illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organisations”.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil called the seizure “international piracy” and has claimed Trump wants to gain control over Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. (BBC)

Foreign currency investment query

Shawn Cumberbatch
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Foreign currency investment query

Questions are being raised about foreign exchange access for overseas investment.

The issue came up during actuarial consulting firm Eckler’s recent 2025 Pension Investment Conference at Hilton Barbados Resort.

Responding to a query from a member of the audience following his presentation, Central Bank of Barbados Governor The Most Honourable Dr Kevin Greenidge said that generally speaking the monetary authority was liberal in enabling access to foreign exchange.

He added, however, that the Central Bank was working with commercial banks and others to remove whatever inefficiencies existed in the process of getting such funds for investment.

Speaking later on during his presentation, Fortress Fund Managers chief executive officer and chief investment officer Peter Arender, as he has done in the past, asserted that “access to foreign exchange does remain a challenge”.

“None of us, I believe . . . has the ability to manufacture the amount of international investment exposure that we and everybody in the room would like. So we do still operate in a constrained environment in that respect,” he stated.

The Central Bank’s third quarter economic review stated that Barbados’ foreign reserves were $3.3 billion at the end of September, a $145.6 million increase from the end of 2024.

Greenidge was asked if, since the foreign reserves were in a healthier position, it would be easier to get foreign exchange for investment purposes.

“We are very liberal in applying and allowing that to happen,” the Governor responded, while acknowledging there was sometimes some “friction” in the financial system.

Greenidge said, for example, that he sometimes received calls from individuals communicating challenges in converting local currency to foreign exchange and that in checking on the issue found out that the funds were “in a queue” being processed.

“So there are some inefficiencies but our foreign exchange framework and policy remains quite liberal. I don’t know any incident in which we have declined a request for transfer [of foreign exchange],” he noted.

“Be that as it may, you do appreciate that if someone comes with a huge request, say millions and millions [of dollars], then we have to . . . ensure that we have a sufficient pool of reserves, . . . but generally we are very favourable.”

“Various companies, including [National Insurance], have been given permission to invest more. So, yes, we are improving that work with the financial players to ensure that we are smooth and efficient in terms of how things are happening and that there is no gap, but collectively there is no issue,” he added.

Arender, however, still saw a challenge.

“You need to earn returns on your assets, and anything that gets in the way of us doing that is a problem. Access to foreign exchange is the raw material of our collective financial security,” he said.

“We know that access to foreign exchange is the raw material for the things we wish to consume, sometimes the machinery or other capital tools we need for our businesses, but it is also very much a raw material for our collective financial security.

“And often, I think it doesn’t get that respect, and we need to, any chance we get, remember that it deserves that.” 

Couple killed in Bondi Beach attack while trying to stop gunman

Nationnews Desk
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Couple killed in Bondi Beach attack while trying to stop gunman

A couple killed in the Bondi Beach shooting tried to stop one of the alleged attackers by grabbing his gun, dramatic dashcam footage shows.

Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia, 61, courageously stepped in to try and protect others before being shot themselves, their family said in a statement.

Video of the incident shows Gurman, who was retired, wrestling with one of the alleged gunmen and taking the weapon off him, before they both fall onto the road.

Gurman then gets up and appears to hit the suspected attacker with the gun. The attacker is then thought to have got another gun which he used to kill them.

“While nothing can lessen the pain of losing Boris and Sofia, we feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness,” the family said.

“This encapsulates who Boris and Sofia were – people who instinctively and selflessly tried to help others.”

The Gurman couple, who were Jewish, were the first two people killed in Sunday’s attack, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

At least 15 people have been confirmed dead in the shooting, which happened during an event to mark the first day of Hanukkah.

In their statement, the family said the couple had been married for 34 years.

“We are heartbroken by the sudden and senseless loss of our beloved Boris and Sofia Gurman.

“Boris was a retired mechanic, known for his generosity, quiet strength and willingness to lend a hand to anyone in need.

“Sofia worked at Australia Post and was deeply loved by her colleagues and community.

“Bondi locals, together they lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone they met with kindness, warmth and respect. Boris and Sofia were devoted to their family and to each other. They were the heart of our family, and their absence has left an immeasurable void.” (BBC)

CIBC Caribbean nets US$159.7m

Shawn Cumberbatch
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CIBC Caribbean nets US$159.7m

CIBC Caribbean Bank Limited has netted US$159.7 million profit despite making a loss on a “non-core investment”.

This follows a financial year in which the bank’s chief executive officer (CEO) Mark St. Hill said it built “the largest performing loan book in our history”.

His review accompanied the published summary consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended October 31.

“For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025, the bank reported net income of US$159.7 million, compared with US$277.5 million in the prior year,” St. Hill said.

“Results for 2025 include a US$56.2 million fair value loss on a non-core investment, and a US$2.4 million net gain related to the previously announced divestitures. Excluding these items of note, adjusted net income was US$213.5 million, compared with an adjusted net income of US$285.2 million in 2024.

“The decline in adjusted earnings was primarily due to higher provision for credit losses and increased income taxes following the adoption of the Global Minimum Tax Framework in The Bahamas.”

The CEO noted that “in 2025, the bank continued its commitment to client-led growth, elevated client experience and strengthening its operational resiliency”.

“Our client focused strategy across our regional footprint supported by a strong capital position, allowed us to build the largest performing loan book in our history,” he reported.

“This resulted in the bank delivering a solid underlying core performance while we navigated select credit and operational pressures within a shifting macroeconomic landscape.”

St. Hill added that “Caribbean economic activity continued to expand moderately in 2025, though momentum softened as tourism growth eased in several markets and global conditions became more uncertain”.

“Inflation generally declined alongside lower commodity prices, while fiscal positions improved in some territories,” he stated.

“Risks from shifting global trade policies, geopolitical tensions and weather-related disruptions persist, but the regional outlook is broadly stable heading into 2026 with steady domestic demand and ongoing investment.”

CIBC Caribbean’s revenue for the year “reflected solid underlying core performance”, he explained.

“While net interest income was negatively impacted by a lower US interest rate environment, this was largely offset by the earnings impact from strong loan portfolio expansion. Excluding the fair value loss previously mentioned, we experienced steady growth in core activity-based operating income,” the CEO said.

The bank’s operating expenses related to its continuing operations increased by six per cent or US$26 million compared with the prior year”.

He said the increase “was driven by higher employee related costs, continued investment in key strategic initiatives, increased technology costs, activity based costs and non-credit losses”.

“The provision for credit loss was significantly up from the prior year primarily due to higher provisions related to impaired debt securities and loans, as well as updated credit loss model assumptions. Our underlying credit quality remains strong,” St. Hill stated.

He also said that CIBC Caribbean’s capital position remains a key strength, as “at fiscal year end, the tier one and total capital ratios stood at 18.3 per cent and 20.8 per cent, respectively, both comfortably exceeding regulatory requirements”.

“Reflecting our strong capital base and confidence in the long term outlook, the board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of US$0.0125 per share, payable on January 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of December 18, 2025,” he said. 

Rob Reiner’s son arrested on suspicion of murder

Nationnews Desk
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Rob Reiner’s son arrested on suspicion of murder

A son of film director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner has been arrested and is being held on suspicion of murder after the couple were found dead in their Los Angeles home.

The Los Angeles Police Department said on Monday that Nick Reiner, 32, had been arrested and that he was in custody with no bail.

The deceased couple’s 28-year-old daughter, Romy, found her parents in their home with multiple stab wounds on Sunday, sources told the BBC’s US partner CBS News.

Rob Reiner is known for directing several iconic films in a variety of genres, including When Harry Met Sally, This is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, Misery and A Few Good Men.

Emergency services were called to provide medical aid at the Reiners’ Brentwood, California, home at around 15:38 local time (23:38 GMT) on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said two people – later identified as Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 68 – were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said Nick Reiner was arrested several hours later, at about 21:15 local time on Sunday. Investigators have not publicly outlined a motive and said the investigation remains ongoing.

Nick Reiner has spoken publicly about his struggles with addiction and homelessness. His experiences formed the basis of the semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, which he made with his father in 2015.

The family’s home is in Brentwood, a wealthy celebrity enclave full of large mansions, boutique shops and restaurants. On Monday morning, a security guard stood outside the home as media gathered outside the front gate.

Rob Reiner, the son of comedy great Carl Reiner, began his career in the 1960s and rose to fame playing Meathead in the TV sitcom All in The Family.

He cemented his success with the cult mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap in 1984, which he directed and starred in.

Reiner was married to Laverne & Shirley actress Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981 and is the adoptive father to Marshall’s daughter, actress Tracy Reiner.

He married Michele Reiner in 1989, who he said he met during the making of the romantic comedy-drama film When Harry Met Sally. The couple have three children together. (BBC)

Briggs-Legall lands silver in Uruguay

Jonteau Coppin
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Briggs-Legall lands silver in Uruguay

Barbadian triathlete Matthew Briggs-Legall captured a silver medal at the Durazno Developmental Cup Youth Competition in Uruguay on Saturday.

Competing in the Youth Male category, Briggs-Legall completed the 300-metre swim, six-kilometre bike ride and 1.5-kilometre run in 20 minutes, 23 seconds (20:23) to secure second place.

The winner was Uruguay’s Elias Paolucci who clocked 20:01, while Arturo Peching of Peru was third in 20:31.

Reflecting on the performance in a post-race Instagram message, Briggs-Legall described the event as one of the most rewarding experiences of his season.

“What a race this was. I honestly think I have to take back the early statement that the championships in Punta del Este were my best first-time race,” he said. “The race distance was shorter than a super sprint, being a 300-metre swim, a six-kilometre bike [leg] and a 1.5-kilometre run.”

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Fish scarce so prices high, say vendors

Ashada Joseph
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Fish scarce so prices high, say vendors

With just over a week before Christmas Day, fisherfolk say flying fish and dolphin are scarce, forcing them to sell what they have at higher prices.

Yesterday, at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex, as well as the Paynes Bay Fish Market in St James, the cries and concerns were the same.

Well-known vendor at the Bridgetown market, Sharon Bellamy-Thompson, said that normally for Christmas there would be a reasonable catch, but lately fish have been scarce, particularly flying fish and dolphin. The flying fish were going at $350 for 100, while both dolphin and snapper were priced at $14 per pound.

She said that on Sunday about seven boats came in with dolphins but not in great numbers.

“There are limited dolphin and different fish that usually come in abundance around Christmas. This time around we’re not having that much fish right now. It’s going to be tough because it is one week before Christmas,” she told the DAILY NATION, adding that marlin, bill fish, swordfish and tuna were still available.

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Court hears Aziza’s statement

Heather-Lynn Evanson
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Court hears Aziza’s statement

Accused Aziza Kebret Tsgaye Clarke told police Hakeem Stuart did not tell her from where he had come when she picked him up and neither did she ask him.

She added he, however, jumped out of her car after she reached a dead end, and she was then apprehended by police.

This was contained in her witness/movement statement which was read by Sergeant Veronica Carrington to the No 5 Supreme Court yesterday.

Clarke, of Bonnetts, Brittons Hill, St Michael, has pleaded not guilty to knowing or believing that Hakeem Stuart had committed the arrestable offence of murder, she assisted him by transporting him from Briar Hall to Graeme Hall, both in Christ Church – an act intended to impede his lawful apprehension on March 21, 2019.

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Dominica willing to serve as mediator in US-Venezuela conflict

Nationnews Desk
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Dominica willing to serve as mediator in US-Venezuela conflict

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Monday said his country is prepared to act as a mediator in the current conflict between the United States and Venezuela reiterating that the Caribbean region should always be a zone of peace.

Speaking at the end of year news conference, Skerrit told reporters that Dominica and the wider Caribbean Community (Caricom) region is urging “dialogue and diplomacy” to deal with the situation given that “there would be an impact on every country” should there be a war in the Caribbean.

“Dominica is a good friend of both the United States and Venezuela and in the past we have worked together as an intermediary and we are prepared to do so in this current situation if there are messages from either side to each other.

Dominica believes it is well placed to provide that service. But we hope and pray that nothing happens and the US President himself has been involved in a number of negotiations across the world and has used the US’s influence to bring a number of conflicts to an end and I would urge the United States to draw upon that trajectory to advance that noble cause and actions that he has been able to achieve over the years,” Skerrit said.

Since September, the Donald Trump administration has carried out a series of military strikes off the coast of Venezuela, across the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific as part of what it terms the war on illegal drugs.

But political observers say US President Trump is involved in regime change in Caracas, given his public statements made about President Nicolas Maduro, whom he has labelled as a narco-terrorist and the build-up of military assets in the international waters near the South American country.

The US military has carried out several hits on vessels, killing more than 80 people, including two Trinidad and Tobago nationals, without providing any proof that they were engaged in drugs.

The United Nations UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also strongly condemned the airstrikes carried out by the United States against alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Volker Türk said in a statement that the strikes “violate international human rights law”, demanding that they be stopped immediately.

Earlier this month, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has expressed its “deep concern” regarding reports of lethal operations against non-state vessels or boats conducted by the United States in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean since early September.

The IACHR said that these operations have allegedly resulted in the deaths of a high number of persons and is urging Washington to ensure that all security operations, including those carried out beyond its borders, “are consistent with international human rights obligations, particularly regarding the protection of the right to life, the use of force, due process guarantees, and accountability mechanisms”.

Caricom has also issued a statement reiterating the need for the region to be a zone of peace, but the statement was not endorsed by the Trinidad and Tobago government, whose Prime Minister has said that those involved in the illegal drugs trade should be killed “violently”.

Skerrit told reporters regarding the presence of the US military in Caribbean waters, Dominica and the wider Caribbean have enjoyed “excellent collaboration” with Washington in fighting illicit activities in the region.

“The US has been the number one partner of Dominica and continues to be, even today in terms of their investment in Dominica for national security,” he said, noting that a radar had been made available to the island to deal with our marine spaces and that was recently installed.

“There are a number of other major infrastructural projects …that the Americans are financing…and other matters where national security is concerned. So on the issue of fighting crime and so on, the US is our partner.

“We always maintain that the Caribbean should be a zone of peace and that any thought of military actions in the Caribbean should be reconsidered. We believe that dialogue and diplomatic channels are better ways to solve problems, differences, views that do not coincide and this is what we are urging in the circumstance. Certainly, if there is a breakout anywhere in the Caribbean sea it will have a negative impact on all of us,” Skerrit told reporters. (Jamaica Gleaner)

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