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Quiet Christmas for some Bajans

Carlos Atwell
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Quiet Christmas for some Bajans

It is going to be a subdued Christmas for some Barbadians this year.

Rather than going all out with decorations, gifts and food, some people said they are opting for the “less is more” approach, especially in light of decreased spending power.

The Sunday Sun spoke to people in The City on Friday to hear their Christmas plans.

Janetta Ramsay spoke plainly, saying: “I don’t have Christmas shopping money.

“I don’t really give out gifts either. My birthday is coming on Monday [tomorrow] and I’m not going to get anything,” she said.

David Robinson said he no longer felt the Christmas spirit as in years past and could not even afford to give anyone a gift anyway.

“Things are just not the same anymore,” he said.

The high cost of living is keeping Lisa Sinclair from going big this year. She said she usually liked to “get down” for Christmas but this time around, her finances would not allow for it.

“I’m not doing a lot for Christmas this year, not like before when I used to do everything. This time, I will just get a few gifts for the people that mean the most to me,” she said.

Myrna Gittens said her Christmas plans involved “enjoying myself and going to church”. She said this year was a bit sad after the loss of some close family members.

Sean Brathwaite said it was important to have discipline during this time of year.

“The economy has always been on everyone’s lips. All year round, the economy, the economy, the economy. But you have to learn to live within your means, and you will be okay.

“If you try to live above your means, that’s where you find yourself in problems

but if you stay within your means, you will be all right,” he said.

He said he was going to have a “very quiet and peaceful Christmas” while buying “maybe one or two” gifts.

Chief Fire Officer Errol Maynard was spotted in Swan Street shortly before the Barbados Fire Service conducted an exercise there. He said Jesus was the reason for the season and urged the public to exercise caution when it came to cooking and electricity.

“I don’t really celebrate a lot at Christmas but I like to share the love, share any presents, any joy, like I do throughout the year,” he said.

“What I would encourage all Barbadians to do as they go about in a festive way is to be careful. If you’re going to be cooking a lot, don’t cook when you’re tired, and when decorating your homes, don’t overload circuits.

“Make sure that you have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and continue to share with everybody you come in contact with. Remember, in Christmas there is Jesus and there is Christ. Merry Christmas.” (CA)

Nightclub fire in India’s Goa kills 25 people including staff and tourists

Nationnews Desk
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Nightclub fire in India’s Goa kills 25 people including staff and tourists

A fire at a popular nightclub in India’s coastal region of Goa has killed 25 people, local officials say.

Police believe a gas cylinder exploded in the kitchen of the Birch nightclub, located near a popular beach. The venue was packed with revellers who had come to hear a Bollywood DJ.

Four people from the same Delhi family and 21 staff were among the victims, Goa police said, adding that most had died of suffocation.

The nightclub’s manager has been arrested and an arrest warrant for the owner has been issued.

Goa is a former Portuguese colony on the Arabian Sea. Its nightlife, sandy beaches, and resorts attract millions of tourists annually.

Eyewitnesses told the BBC of scenes of panic in the bustling nightlife area.

One said that he had been outside the club on what was a usual Saturday night with holidaymakers enjoying themselves when he heard screams.

“I didn’t initially understand what was going on,” he said. “In a bit, it became clear that a massive fire had broken out. The scenes were just horrific.”

Though the main entrance is wide, the crossing over a small lake leading to the main structure is narrow and that made it difficult for firefighters to reach the spot.

The BBC saw what appeared to be melted remains of chairs, tables and plants in one corner of the club.

Local police chief Alok Kumar said the fire had been concentrated in the kitchen area on the ground floor.

Goa’s chief minister Pramod Sawant told journalists three people had died from burns, while others had died of suffocation. Six others are in a stable condition in hospital.

A chef who works at a nearby venue told the BBC he knew some of the workers at the Birch club.

“People from all over the country and also from Nepal work in different clubs in Goa,” he said.

“I am really worried for some people who I knew at the club. Their phones are off.”

On Sunday, emergency teams were combing through the charred wreckage.

An inquiry into the cause of the fire has been launched, the chief minister said.

“Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law – any negligence will be dealt with firmly,” Dr Sawant added.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Goa fire “deeply saddening” in a post on social media. (BBC News)

Lando Norris wins F1 world title after third-place finish in Abu Dhabi

Nationnews Desk
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Lando Norris wins F1 world title after third-place finish in Abu Dhabi

Lando Norris has been crowned champion of the world after he finished third at Sunday’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Norris needed only to be in the top three at the Yas Marina Circuit to become the 11th driver from Britain to take the crown, and he duly obliged with an impressive drive – which even saw him face a stewards’ investigation for driving off the road when he passed Max Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Yuki Tsunoda.

Norris escaped punishment and even though Max Verstappen won the race from pole position – to end the season with more victories than anyone else – it was not enough to derail his McLaren rival’s championship charge.

Verstappen crossed the line 12.5 seconds clear of runner-up Oscar Piastri – the Dutch driver resisting the urge to resort to dark arts by backing up the pack and hoping Norris’ third place would come under threat – with Norris 3.9 seconds behind his McLaren team-mate and 6.7 seconds clear of fourth-placed Charles Leclerc.

Norris, 26, was not fazed by Verstappen’s aggressive start when the Red Bull pole-sitter angled his car to his immediate left to chop across his rival.

Verstappen led but Norris remained in second with Piastri in third. However, Norris lost a place on the opening lap after a fired-up Piastri swooped round the outside of his team-mate at the ninth corner.

Verstappen led from Piastri and Norris before the Englishman changed tyres on lap 16.

Norris left the pits in ninth, and cleared Kimi Antonelli for eighth and then Carlos Sainz for seventh on lap 18. Up next for the championship contender was Lance Stroll and Liam Lawson and an aggressive Norris took both of them on in one swoop into Turn 5. Lawson bit back but Norris held firm.

Then the toughest task of them all with Tsunoda was deployed by Red Bull to knock Norris off his stride.

“All you can do when he catches,” was the message to Verstappen’s team-mate.

“I know what to do so leave to me,” Tsunoda replied.

It drew comparisons with the contentious 2021 decider when Sergio Perez was hailed as Mexico’s Minister of Defence after he successfully kept Verstappen’s rival Lewis Hamilton behind for a number of laps.

On to lap 23 here, and the pivotal moment of the race, and indeed Norris’ championship charge.

Norris was in a rush and with his first opportunity on the 190mph drag to Turn 5, he went for it.

Tsunoda weaved one way and then the other and then back again before Norris launched his McLaren underneath the Red Bull as they approached the left-hander.

Norris came within inches of the Red Bull, and the nearside barrier too, and orange sparks flew, but he survived to take the place only for the stewards to investigate the heart-stopping incident.

All four of Norris’ McLaren wheels were over the painted white lines and the stewards had to determine whether the Briton had left the track and gained an advantage.

Tsunoda was also in the spotlight for forcing another driver off the track. Six laps passed and then the crucial verdict arrived.

Sighs of relief at McLaren as Norris was off the hook, and it was Tsunoda who was adjudged to have broken the rules. A five-second penalty followed for the Red Bull man and no further action for Norris.

Norris was now running in third, and in clean air, and doing all he needed to secure the crown.

Leclerc stopped for new tyres on lap 39, and Norris covered him off by pitting again the next time around.

Up front and Verstappen cleared Piastri for the lead with 19 laps to go and the Australian – who began the race on the longer-lasting hard tyre compound – immediately pulled in for his opening stop.

Verstappen led from Piastri by 22 seconds, with Norris five seconds back from his team-mate, and Leclerc another five seconds adrift. Leclerc was now the only man who could stop Norris.

“Is Charles catching him or not?” an agonised Verstappen asked. “Fairly equal pace,” was the response that Verstappen did not want to hear, and Norris was crowned world champion. (The Independent)

NOW on the move to combat domestic violence

Diara Springer
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NOW on the move to combat domestic violence

The battle against domestic violence was brought to the streets yesterday as the National Organisation of Women (NOW), in collaboration with the Bureau of Gender Affairs, held their NOW-on-the-MOVE 2025 annual community outreach motorcade as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The motorcade departed from the Bureau of Gender Affairs office in Warrens, St Michael, winding through several areas in Bridgetown and several residential areas in St Michael before reaching Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, as the final stop and returning to Warrens.

Director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, William Warner, emphasised the importance of bringing awareness directly to communities.

“We can actually carry this message to communities and to the streets rather than having it in a forum all the time,” he said.

The initiative aims to educate the public about recognising signs of domestic and gender-based violence, available resources for victims, and where to seek help.

The president of NOW, Melissa Savoury-Gittens, highlighted that many people don’t recognise they’re living in abusive situations.

“Some people have lived with abuse for years and never realised that they’re in an abusive relationship,” she noted. “Sometimes people don’t even know where to go to get help and they sometimes ask the wrong people, who

give them the wrong advice.”

Outreach

The motorcade brought together several organisations committed to combating gender-based violence, including the Social Workers’ Association, Women of Purpose, Barbados Association of Muslim Ladies, and the Barbados Youth Development Council. Participants distributed bags containing contact information for crucial support services, including the Family Conflict Unit, BPW Crisis Centre Hotline, and the Wellness Lifeline in the Ministry of Health.

What made this outreach particularly innovative was the presence of social workers on the move, ready to assist people where they are.

“We identify certain people that we would like to help,” Savoury-Gittens said.

Last year, the motorcade visited the north of the island, including Haymans and surrounding areas. By rotating through different communities each year, NOW and its partners work to ensure their message of support and empowerment reaches every corner of Barbados.

“Somebody might not walk in our office to get help,” Savoury-Gittens said. “But if they see me on the street, they may say, ‘I want to tell you something. I need help. How can you help me?’,” she said. (DDS)

Skilled workers needed!

Carlos Atwell
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1
Skilled workers needed!

Barbados is facing a deepening construction labour crisis, warn industry leaders as major firms struggle to find masons, carpenters and other skilled workers as demand surges to unprecedented levels.

Chief executive officer (CEO) of the JADA Group Philip Tempro told the Sunday Sun: “We should be focusing on skills training on this island and mentorship programmes but instead, we focus on university degrees.

You can’t construct a nation with doctors and lawyers. You need carpenters, masons, labourers, plumbers and electricians.”

Tempro said Barbados was “scratching the surface” when it came to generating skilled labourers, evidenced by the number of idle youth on various blocks.

Mentorship

“They should be out there doing mentorship programmes and working in skills training. But it’s not just that, it’s all the different areas, because as construction increases, machinery is needed more. So you need more operators, you need more people to service them, you need more mechanics and everything increases.

So the entire industry needs a lot of work and a lot of people, so I definitely think the focus for the country in its projections to grow and to develop has to focus on skills training,” he said.

Tempro said JADA was fortunate to work with long-standing subcontractors and employees, but they still had to import labour.

“If you wanted to go out tomorrow and find ten good carpenters, good luck. It’s not easy, even in the Caribbean. The north Caribbean is super busy and even in some of the southern Caribbean islands such as St Lucia and Grenada, they have hotels building. People thought that the floodgates would open from these islands [with free movement] but that hasn’t been the case,” he said.

Reached out

Managing director of C.O. Williams Construction Neil Weekes said they were struggling to find specialised labour, such as masons and carpenters, as well as high-skilled labourers. As such, they had reached out, first to the region, then internationally, for workers.

“It is not easy. In the region, we have to recognise opportunities abound in Guyana, so a lot of the skilled labourers are going to work in the oil industry there.

“Another challenge is the language barrier – a lot of the very skilled mechanics and such are from Latin America and only speak Spanish.

Some are bilingual but some are not, so we have to employ interpreters, which is another cost,” he said.

Weekes said housing and transportation for the imported workers were also major expenses, adding there needed to be dialogue on how to reduce these costs.

Executive chairman of the Maloney Group of Companies Mark Maloney said the current demand for additional labour was not driven by any intention to disadvantage local workers, but rather by the reality that workforce demand was now outstripping available supply.

“As businesses grow, the need for skilled workers grows with them.

What we are seeing is many Guyanese workers who were previously here have returned home to take advantage of opportunities there and a number of Barbadians have also chosen to work overseas . . . often to be closer to family or to pursue new prospects. This naturally reduces the available labour pool,” he said.

Maloney said the Maloney Group continued to prioritise Barbadian workers and only a relatively small percentage of their staff came from overseas. He added that bringing in specialised workers could strengthen the local economy and enhance the skill base of Barbadian professionals once it was done properly and responsibly.

“We always prefer to hire locally but the reality is that demand is extremely high. International construction firms operating in Barbados are also hiring local workers and that places even greater pressure on the available workforce.

“Importing labour, when done in the right way, helps transfer skills, knowledge and experience. It makes our local workforce even more adaptable. The key is ensuring that all parties collaborate, that workers are treated fairly and that the process benefits everyone. When that happens, there is real opportunity for growth and for strengthening our local capabilities,” he said.

Maloney said labour mobility worked both ways and that they had recently hired a Barbadian who was working in China and was fluent in Mandarin.

“Talent moves where opportunities exist and Barbados is no different.”

Decline in unemployment

In October, Central Bank Governor Dr The Most Honourable Kevin Greenidge, in delivering the Review of the Barbados Economy from January to September, said unemployment numbers were on the decline, partially driven by the building boom.

The report stated there were gains in the non-traded sector, driven by construction and other services. The non-traded sector expanded by 2.2 per cent in the first three quarters of 2025 as construction activity increased by 6.1 per cent across private hotel, residential and commercial projects, alongside public investments in infrastructure and cultural facilities.

The unemployment rate fell to 6.1 per cent at the end of June, the lowest on record and marked a fifth consecutive quarterly decline. This was primarily thanks to sectors such as agriculture, utilities, tourism, construction, transportation and storage and finance, the report stated. (CA)

Colombia and Trinidad runners dominate 2025 Run Barbados Sleeping Giant 5k Run

Nationnews Desk
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Colombia and Trinidad runners dominate 2025 Run Barbados Sleeping Giant 5k Run

Colombian Egris Mailyn Arias Rodriguez and Trinidadian Christopher Mitchell are the 2025 Sleeping Giant 5K winners

Rodriguez completed the run, which started and ended at the Bay Street Esplanade in St. Michael, in 18:35 minutes. She crossed the line just 20 seconds ahead of Barbadian star junior athlete Laila McIntyre, who clocked 18:56 minutes. Third place went to Alexia John of Trinidad and Tobago, finishing the race in 19:14 minutes.

Mitchell, who was on the podium last year but did not win, returned to Barbados to claim the 5K in 15:28 minutes. Last year’s half-marathon winner, Oscar Acosta from Colombia, was the second man across the line in 15:32 minutes, and Donnell Francis, also of Trinidad and Tobago, finished third in 15:49 minutes.

Luke McIntyre was the first Barbadian male to finish, completing the race in 16:11 minutes for another successful outing. (SW)

Trinidad and Colombia runners claim top spots at Run Barbados 10K

Jonteau Coppin
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Trinidad and Colombia runners claim top spots at Run Barbados 10K

Nicholas Romany from Trinidad and Tobago and Colombia’s Palmenia Raquel Agudelo Berrio emerged as the champions of the 42nd edition of the Run Barbados Casuarina 10K Race, held tonight along the scenic Bay Street Esplanade, St Michael.

Competing in the 26–30 age category, Romany retained his title for the third successive year, crossing the line with a time of 31:20. In a close second was 40 year old Alex Ekesa from Kenya, whose impressive performance saw him finish in 31:22. Colombian Sergio Lopez, running in the Male 61–65 division, who secured third place with a strong time of 32:26. 

In the women’s division, Agudelo Berrio led the field with a commanding run, which culminated in a time of 37:02.0. 

She was joined on the podium by Panama’s Anais Alvarado Brassfield, who clocked 43:19.5, and Barbadian Katielynn Parker, who secured third place with a time of 43:44.1.

This year’s course offered the 275 athletes competing in the 10k race a vibrant tour of the capital. The race began at the Bay Street Esplanade before heading toward Wharf Road via the Chamberlain Bridge. Runners then continued along Princess Alice Highway, made a right turn onto Prescod Boulevard, and proceeded toward The Shallow Draught. At the traffic lights, the route carried competitors onto the Mighty Grynner Highway, extending to the turnaround point at Braven Outdoor Market.

The return leg mirrored the outbound journey, culminating in a spirited finish back at the Bay Street Esplanade. (JC)

Man remanded in court over St. George shooting

Nationnews Desk
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Man remanded in court over St. George shooting

The Barbados Police Service has arrested and charged 28-year-old Jarell Stefon Sutherland of Ellerton, St. George, in connection with a shooting and related offences on November 27.

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Cops: Recruitment better than expected

Natanga Smith
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Cops: Recruitment better than expected

Police are still on the hunt for more good men and women to join their ranks, after what was said to be one of its best ever recruitment exercises last month.

A senior lawman, who did not want to be identified, said with the Barbados Police Service having vacancies for 254 officers, the first recruitment fair held on November 15 at Weymouth, St Michael, produced the strongest response in recent years.

“The turnout far exceeded our expectations,” he said.

“In past recruitment fairs, we might see 20 to 25 applicants. This time, we received 76 applications, which went beyond what we realistically hoped for.”

The 76 saw an even split of males and females, with 41 of them applying to become constables and 35 to be special constables. So far, the police source revealed 52 applicants have completed the written entrance examination, with 45 achieving a passing grade.

With training for the next cohort of recruits scheduled to begin in January, the Service is aiming to place at least 100 into the Regional Police Training Centre at Seawell, Christ Church.

“In recent times, a typical class size is around 47 to 50 recruits, but we’re pushing for a larger intake to meet the needs of modern policing,” the officer said.

“Applicants undergo a thorough screening process, including background checks, polygraph testing and

psychiatric evaluation. Background screening has already begun for this cohort.”

The spokesperson noted that the Tactical Response Unit generated the most public interest at November’s fair, reflecting growing curiosity about specialised policing roles.

The next fair takes place today at Golden Square Freedom Park in The City. It will feature interactive booths, live demonstrations, handson simulations and opportunities for potential applicants to speak directly with officers about the realities of policing.

Two others are on the cards for early next year – one in St Peter in January and another in Six Roads, St Philip, in February – to widen access for potential applicants.

Recognising interest from younger Barbadians, the source said they are also exploring the introduction of a cadet programme for those aged 16 and 17.

“We have many young people who want to join the Service but aren’t yet 18. A cadet programme would give them a pathway into the Service and possibly even into the police band.” (NS)

Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. studio and streaming business for $72 billion

Nationnews Desk
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Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. studio and streaming business for $72 billion

 Netflix struck a deal Friday to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, the Hollywood giant behind “Harry Potter” and HBO Max, in a $72 billion deal that would bring together two of the biggest players in television and film and potentially reshape the entertainment industry.

If approved by regulators, the merger would put two of the world’s biggest streaming services under the same ownership — and join Warner’s television and motion picture division, including DC Studios, with Netflix’s vast library and its production arm, which has released popular titles such as “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game.”

The proposal could draw intense antitrust scrutiny, particularly for its effects on movie making and streaming subscriptions.

“Netflix is the top streaming service today. Now combined with HBO Max, it will absolutely cement itself as the Goliath in the streaming industry,” said Mike Proulx, vice president and research director at Forrester, a market research company.

The cash and stock deal is valued at $27.75 per Warner share, giving it a total enterprise value of $82.7 billion, including debt. The transaction is expected to close in the next 12 to 18 months, after Warner completes its previously announced separation of its cable operations. Not included in the deal are networks such as CNN and Discovery.

One of the big unanswered questions, Proulx added, is whether HBO Max and Netflix would “stay as separate streaming services or combine into a mega streaming service.”

But either way, he said, customers could see some price relief in the form of a single subscription bill or bundle promotions, which would be a welcome change as streaming prices continue to rise and consumers feel the pinch of paying for multiple services.

Of course, that all depends on whether the deal goes through. Netflix on Friday maintained that the addition of HBO and HBO Max programming will give its members “even more high-quality titles” and “optimize its plans for consumers.”

Others warned that a Netflix-Warner combo could create an even bigger entertainment titan with ramifications for both consumers and people working across the film and TV industry. Critics said the consequences could include job losses and a reduced variety of content.

Gaining Warner’s legacy studios would mark a notable shift for Netflix, particularly its presence in theaters. Under the proposed acquisition, Netflix has promised to continue theatrical releases for Warner’s studio films, honoring Warner’s contractual agreements.

Netflix has kept most of its original content within its core online platform. But there have been exceptions, including qualifying runs for its awards contenders, including this year’s “Frankenstein,” limited theater screenings of a “KPop Demon Hunters” sing-a-long and its coming “Stranger Things” series finale.

“Our mission has always been to entertain the world,” Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, said in a statement, adding that merging with Warner will “give audiences more of what they love.”

Critics said a Netflix-Warner combo would be bad news for moviegoers and for people who work in theaters. Cinema United — a trade association that represents more than 30,000 movie screens in the U.S. and another 26,000 screens internationally — was quick to oppose the deal, which it said “poses an unprecedented threat to the global exhibition business.”

“Netflix’s stated business model does not support theatrical exhibition. In fact, it is the opposite,” Michael O’Leary, CEO of Cinema United, said Friday. “Theaters will close, communities will suffer, jobs will be lost.”

The Writers Guild of America sounded a similar alarm and called for the merger to be blocked.

The Producers Guild of America said the Netflix deal must prove that it protects workers’ livelihoods and theatrical distribution. “Legacy studios are more than content libraries — within their vaults are the character and culture of our nation,” the union added.

Critics said a Netflix-Warner combo would be bad news for moviegoers and for people who work in theaters. Cinema United — a trade association that represents more than 30,000 movie screens in the U.S. and another 26,000 screens internationally — was quick to oppose the deal, which it said “poses an unprecedented threat to the global exhibition business.”

“Netflix’s stated business model does not support theatrical exhibition. In fact, it is the opposite,” Michael O’Leary, CEO of Cinema United, said Friday. “Theaters will close, communities will suffer, jobs will be lost.”

The Writers Guild of America sounded a similar alarm and called for the merger to be blocked.

The Producers Guild of America said the Netflix deal must prove that it protects workers’ livelihoods and theatrical distribution. “Legacy studios are more than content libraries — within their vaults are the character and culture of our nation,” the union added.

Paramount seemed like the front-runner for some time, and unlike Netflix or Comcast, it was reportedly vying to buy Warner’s entire company, including its cable networks and news business.

Beyond combining two of Hollywood’s legacy studios, that would have brought Paramount-owned CBS and Warner’s CNN under the same roof. Such sizeable consolidation would have vastly reshaped America’s TV media landscape, and perhaps raised questions about shifts in editorial control — as seen at CBS News both leading up to and following Skydance’s purchase of Paramount.

Paramount did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday from The Associated Press. (AP)

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