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Government to roll out National Breakfast Programme in primary schools

Nationnews Desk
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Government to roll out National Breakfast Programme in primary schools

Government is moving to introduce a National Breakfast Programme in all primary schools, an initiative aimed at ensuring students begin the school day properly nourished and ready to learn.

The programme was announced by Minister of Educational Transformation Chad Blackman during his feature address marking World Obesity Day.

He highlighted the link between nutrition, learning outcomes and the overall development of children.

Blackman revealed that approximately 25 per cent of students arrive at school without having breakfast. Many of them rely on the existing School Meals Programme, which currently provides lunch only.

He said proper nutrition was critical if students were to perform at their best academically and remain focused during the school day.

The Minister explained that the National Breakfast Programme forms part of Government’s wider effort to improve conditions for student success in the classroom. It is also expected to help reduce behavioural challenges while encouraging healthier eating habits among young Barbadians.

The programme will be offered at no additional cost to parents, as Government seeks to reduce barriers to education and provide additional support to families.

As part of the rollout, the Ministry of Educational Transformation plans to hold a series of consultations with stakeholders, including workers’ unions, teachers, principals, school administrators, service providers and parent representatives.

These discussions will focus on developing the systems and logistics needed to sustain the programme.

The National Breakfast Programme is expected to begin at the start of the September 2026 school term. (PR)

Small Craft, High Surf Advisory in effect for Barbados

Nationnews Desk
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Small Craft, High Surf Advisory in effect for Barbados

The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) has issued a Small Craft and High Surf Advisory for Barbados as above-normal swell heights are expected to affect the island’s waters.

The advisory, issued at 6 p.m. today indicates that choppy sea conditions in open water are forecast from Thursday night through the weekend.

The BMS noted that the advisory represents a downgrade from the earlier Small Craft Warning and High Surf Advisory as conditions continue to be monitored.

Marine users and beachgoers have been warned that the conditions may result in beach erosion, with some beaches possibly becoming submerged, particularly those located below cliffs and during high tide.

Authorities also cautioned that there is an increased risk of injury or loss of life due to the rough sea conditions.

Swells between 2.5 and 3.0 metres are forecast during the event, caused by a strong Atlantic high-pressure system that continues to produce moderate to rough seas around the island.

Persons who plan to enter the water are advised to use beaches where lifeguards are on duty and to secure any objects along the beachfront that could be swept away by wave action.

The advisory is expected to remain in effect until 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, or sooner if conditions warrant. (BMS)

Wanted Man: Karim Codrington

Nationnews Desk
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Wanted Man: Karim Codrington

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Karim Olatunde Codrington, who is wanted for questioning in connection with serious criminal matters.

Codrington, whose last known address is Sargeant Street, St John, is described as being about five feet ten inches tall, of slim build, with a brown complexion and a scar on his chin.

He is advised to present himself to the Criminal Investigations Department at the Oistins Police Station, Christ Church, accompanied by an attorney-at-law of his choice.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Karim Olatunde Codrington is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at the Oistins Police Station at 418-2608 or 418-2612, Police Emergency at 211, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or the nearest police station.

Members of the public are also reminded that it is a serious offence to harbour or assist wanted persons, and anyone caught doing so can be prosecuted.

Wanted man Devon Andrews now in police custody

Nationnews Desk
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Wanted man Devon Andrews now in police custody

Police have confirmed that Devon Andrews, who was the subject of a “Wanted Man” bulletin issued on Friday, February 27, in connection with serious criminal matters, is now in custody.

Andrews, 39, of #2 Tamarind Avenue, Culloden Road, St Michael, presented himself to the District ‘D’ Police Station on Wednesday, March 4. He was accompanied by an attorney-at-law.

Police said he is currently assisting investigators with their enquiries.

The Barbados Police Service thanked members of the public and the media for their assistance in the matter.

BSS responds to concerns over environmental conditions at Warrens office

Nationnews Desk
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BSS responds to concerns over environmental conditions at Warrens office

Management of the Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) says investigations and remediation work carried out last year confirmed that its offices at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St Michael, are safe for staff to occupy.

In a statement, BSS said environmental concerns raised by staff during 2025 led management to contract several professional services to investigate and address the issues. These included an industrial hygienist/environmentalist, cleaners and mould remediation specialists. Staff also worked remotely at times during the remediation process.

Below is the full statement by BSS

As a result of environmental concerns expressed by the staff of the Barbados Statistical Service (BSS), Management contracted a number of professional services during 2025 to have these concerns investigated and rectified. On occasions, during the period of remediation, the staff of the BSS worked remotely.

The professional services contracted included those of an industrial hygienist/environmentalist, cleaners, and mould remediation specialists. Air quality tests were conducted pre and post mould remediation. The post mould remediation verification assessment report dated July 15, 2025, confirmed that the various spore volumes at the 5th and 6th floor locations of the BSS were within industry-recommended Clean Building Volumes and that the workspaces could be re-occupied.

The recommendations of the Report, inclusive of “improved detailed monthly housekeeping practices within workspaces, offices and rooms, especially Offices, Server Room, and the Storerooms that are generally locked”, have been implemented by Management. This has resulted in increased cleaning regimens, including cleaning of chairs, to complement daily and quarterly industrial cleaning. Management has also disposed of old documents, continued its digitization programme, and removed old and discarded furniture from the workspace to reduce clutter and dust accumulation.

The post mould remediation Report dated July 15, 2025 was shared via e-mail on October 6, 2025 with multiple stakeholders, as part of an invitation to a meeting on October 9, 2025 for discussion of the Report with the consultant industrial hygienist/environmentalist. The invited stakeholders included the National Union of Public Workers, Unity Workers Union, the Ministry of Housing, the Property Managers of Baobab Tower, the representative of the Landlord, NISSS, the Labour Department, Management and the BSS Safety and Health Committee. The consultant industrial hygienist/environmentalist met remotely with stakeholders on October 9, 2025, discussed the report and explained his air quality findings. Unity Workers Union did not attend the meeting.

Based on the report findings and discussion, the office was deemed to have passed the clean office standard. On October 10, 2025, therefore, the Director of BSS provided an update to all employees on the environmental issues and directed them to return to work in the office with effect from October 14, 2025. The Director of BSS also shared the most recent post mould remediation report via an email to all staff on October 17, 2025.

The Labour Department performed a walk-through during October 2025, supported the return to the office on completion of the next scheduled industrial cleaning and emphasized the need to comply with the recommendations of the Consultant to ensure the proper maintenance of housekeeping standards.

The BSS Safety and Health Committee performed a walk-through on November 11 and 12, 2025 and supported the return to the office environment.

The Permanent Secretary was informed that fifty-nine (59) employees had returned to work in the office environment at BSS while five (5) employees represented by the Unity Workers Union, had not. This matter was drawn to the attention of the Ministry of the Public Service and Talent Development, which supported the return to the office environment. Correspondence was therefore issued to the five (5) members of staff on February 27, 2026 and copied to their Union informing of the requirement to resume duties in office effective March 2, 2026.

An article in the Nation newspaper on Tuesday March 3, 2026 entitled “UWU’s advice to workers” contains a number of statements attributed to the Unity Workers Union:

  1. “Government’s refusal to release the results of scientific tests conducted to identify pathogens affecting workers”.
  1. “(S)omeone has taken the decision not to disclose life-saving information”.
  1. “(T)he Union’s two representatives on the Safety and Health Committee were unaware of such a decision”.

The Report, which was shared with all staff on October 17, 2025, was shared in its entirety. The Report is a Post Mould Remediation Verification Assessment (PMRVA). It contains the specific objectives, the hypotheses, and the specific spores by name and volume, which were the subject of the air quality tests. It confirmed that all volumes found were within the industry-recommended Clean Building Volume levels, the workspaces having been successfully remediated. It should be noted that at least one (1) member of staff represented by the Unity Workers Union confirmed receipt of the Report.

The Management of the Barbados Statistical Service has acted responsibly in discharging its duty to its employees under the Safety and Health at Work Act. All employees and their union representatives have also been kept informed of all actions taken to achieve and maintain a safe working environment for all employees.

The Management of the Barbados Statistical Service remains committed to the consultative process.

Trump fires Homeland Security head Kristi Noem, names Mullin as replacement

Nationnews Desk
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Trump fires Homeland Security head Kristi Noem, names Mullin as replacement

United States President Donald Trump has announced that he will replace Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin.

In a social media post on Thursday, Trump explained that he had reassigned Noem to be a special envoy for a new security initiative focused on the Western Hemisphere, dubbed the “Shield of the Americas”.

The staffing change, he added, will take effect starting March 31. It marks the first major cabinet-level shake-up of Trump’s second term so far.

Trump praised Noem upon her departure from the cabinet-level post, writing that she “has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!)”

But Noem has played a prominent role in some of the administration’s most controversial immigration policies, and her tenure at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has spurred questions about government spending and conflicts of interest.

The announcement that she would be leaving her post comes a day after she faced a grilling from Democrats during congressional hearings this week, with several politicians called for her resignation.

“DHS is supposed to be protecting our residents and upholding constitutional protections. But you’ve turned that on the head. You have actually turned the United States government against its own residents,” Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat, said during Wednesday’s hearing.

“Yours is a case of failed leadership. Secretary, you need to resign, be fired or be impeached because you don’t have the right to lead this agency.”

The announcement of Noem’s removal also comes as DHS continues to weather a partial government shutdown.

Democrats have opposed approving new funding for the department in response to deadly shootings involving immigration agents under Noem’s leadership.

Those shootings were brought up again this week during Noem’s appearances before judiciary committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, for instance, repeatedly accused Noem of launching a “smear campaign” against two US citizens shot dead during interactions with immigration agents: Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

“There have been three homicides in Minneapolis in 2026, and your agents committed two of them,” Raskin told Noem.

He also highlighted comments Noem made calling Good and Pretti “domestic terrorists“, despite evidence undercutting the administration’s depiction of the events leading to their deaths.

“Rather than work with state and local authorities to solve these homicides, you barred Minnesota’s investigators from the crime scenes,” Raskin said.

“It smells like a coverup, and it makes me wonder who the real domestic terrorists are.”

Noem, formerly the Republican governor of South Dakota, has also been scrutinised for a $220m advertising campaign promoting border security.

The advertising campaign shows Noem riding a horse near Mount Rushmore, a well-known national memorial in her home state.

The news outlet ProPublica previously reported that a government contract for the campaign went to a Republican consulting firm with ties to senior DHS officials.

Noem has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the bidding process was “competitive” and that the contract was “all done correctly, all done legally”.

On Thursday, before announcing the staffing change, Trump denied any connection to the advertising campaign, telling the news service Reuters that he “never knew anything about it”.

Noem played a key role in the administration’s mass deportation push, and she has frequently used rhetoric that vilified immigrants as dangerous and violent.

Though DHS’s mandate focuses on domestic security, Noem has made several international trips over the last year, including visits to Ecuador in July and November.

Trump has called a “Shield of the Americas” summit at his Mar-a-Lago estate this weekend, inviting world leaders from multiple countries to discuss regional security and combatting Chinese influence in Latin America.

Noem’s replacement as DHS head, Mullin, has served as a US senator since 2023. He was a representative in the House for a decade before that, representing Oklahoma.

Trump highlighted his membership in the Cherokee Nation, writing that Mullin would be a “fantastic advocate for our incredible Tribal Communities” as DHS leader.

“Markwayne will work tirelessly to Keep our Border Secure, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, End the Scourge of Illegal Drugs and, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN,” Trump said on Thursday. (ALJAZEERA)

CWI says charter flight being arranged for players and staff

Nationnews Desk
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CWI says charter flight being arranged for players and staff

Cricket West Indies (CWI) says it has maintained constant dialogue with the West Indies Senior Men’s Team regarding departure arrangements from India following their exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. 

“While the situation remains complex and fluid due to international airspace restrictions arising from security concerns in the Gulf region, CWI assures the public that every precaution is being taken to ensure the safe return of the team to the Caribbean,” a statement said.

“During a high-level call earlier today involving CWI, ICC officials, a representative of team management, and a representative of the players, it was confirmed that a charter flight is currently being arranged for the team’s departure from India, with the expected departure scheduled within the next 24 hours. The departure time remains subject to final air traffic approvals.”

CWI said the team remained safe as arrangements continue to be finalised and reiterated the safe return of players and staff was of highest priority. 

Earlier today, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy was on social media saying he just “wanna go home”. (PR)

Elderly man rescued from burning home

Nationnews Desk
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Elderly man rescued from burning home

An elderly man was rescued from his home moments before it burnt flat this afternoon at Bishop Land, Two Mile Hill, St Michael.

Neighbour “Andy” was on his way to take lunch to the man when he spotted the blaze and sprang into action pulling the man to safety before fire-fighters arrived. 

Both he and the man sustained injuries and were taken away by an ambulance for medical treatment. 

The Barbados Fire Service received the call at 12:14 p.m. and responded with one water tender. A second tender from Worthing was in the area and also went to the scene. Overall, there were 12 fire officers, who limited the blaze to the lone building.

Springer Memorial School closed early today as a result of the smoke from the house fire.(AC)

Govt plan for derelict properties

Antoinette Connell
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Govt plan for derelict properties

Derelict properties could be brought back to life in order to help Government meet its housing demand and assist in relocation.

Raymond Lorde, acting deputy general manager of the National Housing Corporation (NHC), said it was looking to access properties earmarked for destruction by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).

He was responding to questions and suggestions about keeping communities together in cases where people had to be relocated because of emergencies, including land slippage. Member of Parliament for St Peter, Colin Jordan, in his query, noted that keeping communities together was important “because what we’re seeing in our communities is a result of some level of dysfunction in terms of people moving around”.

He said that some residents were moving to different areas and not blending or meshing even though they were in the same geographic space.

He spoke about Mangrove, French Village and Lonesome Hill, all in his constituency of St Peter, stating that they were people who wanted to stay as a community.

Jordan asked: “Now, the question that I have is when we look at a terrace unit, for example, if we take that same principle of keeping communities together, would I be able to get a commitment from the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Maintenance that when units become available . . . that persons from nearby who are on the list will get preference?”

He suggested that there may be a need to recognise that a little bit more must be spent to keep communities together by developing smaller tracts of land.

Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance Chris Gibbs agreed with the suggestion of keeping neighbourhoods together, adding that using small lots in existing communities and areas could work out to be cheaper “because we already have established infrastructure”.

He said the Bullens, St James community was an example where the principle of keeping a community together was carried out but there were some instances where the mission of the ministry was to offload very dense areas, such

as The Pine which had a lot of issues “in these types of areas as it pertains to crime”.

Priorities

“We know that the frustrations are high in these types of areas that we actually have to offload those communities so that people can stretch their legs and exhale and the honourable member for St Michael South East will tell you that one of her priorities as a representative is to be able to achieve this so that she can have safer communities. So I think that this is a case-by-case basis,” Gibbs said.

He said the ministry had been surveying vacant lots where it could erect houses in communities.

The minister turned the response over to Lorde, who is the substantive chief planning officer, who said that the agency was looking at the published EPD notices “to see where we can access those housing units, those derelict houses”.

“We run a project now to identify a minimum of 20 and to perfect an instrument that will allow us to access those lands. Those are private lands,” Lorde said.

He pointed to what was done in St Peter recently, with the Six Men’s Life Improvement Project, where a vacant area within that section was identified and a subdivision done. (AC) 

First UK government flight departs Middle East after delay

Nationnews Desk
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First UK government flight departs Middle East after delay

A flight chartered by the UK government to bring back some Britons stranded in the Middle East has departed after being delayed.

Problems with getting passengers on board meant the plane, due to leave Oman’s capital Muscat on Wednesday, had remained grounded.

Thousands of British nationals are stuck in the Middle East, after US-Israeli strikes on Iran prompted retaliatory strikes by Iran across the region.

Giving an update on the situation on Thursday afternoon, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the chartered flight had departed Oman.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel said returning UK nationals was “an enormous exercise and ministers must be honest about all their actions”.

She asked what was being done to get British nationals home and questioned why “Britain was so woefully unprepared” for the war.

More than 130,000 Britons in the region have registered for updates from the UK government.

Sir Keir said more than 4,000 people have arrived back in the UK on commercial flights from the UAE, including “vulnerable Brits”.

A further seven flights are due to leave the UAE for the UK on Thursday, he said, adding that the government will lay on additional charter flights in the coming days.

He said British Airways is putting on daily flights from Oman, and the government will keep working with partners to “increase the speed and capacity of this airlift”.

Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer described the situation as “a consular challenge on a scale not seen since Covid” and said there were “no instant solutions”.

Britons in Oman will be contacted as soon as the additional government-organised flights from Muscat become available, Falconer said.

However, he said commercial flights becoming available were “by far the most likely and the most rapid routes back to the UK”.

In response, the shadow foreign secretary criticised the government’s position on the conflict, calling Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper “weak and feeble”.

Patel said the US, Cyprus, the UAE and Bahrain felt let down by the UK’s lack of involvement.

Cooper had “failed in her duty to stand up for Britain’s place in the world” and had not provided the leadership needed to protect military personnel, British bases and British nationals, she added.

Regarding the delayed flight, Home Office minister Alex Norris earlier told LBC: “It didn’t take off because there are operational reasons… about getting passengers on board, and it wasn’t able to happen in the time that it had to happen.”

Those eligible for government flights are being asked to pay for seats. When announcing the initial flight, the Foreign Office said it would prioritise the most vulnerable people, and that only British nationals, their spouse or partner, and children under 18 would be offered a seat.

Foreign Office officials said 138,000 British nationals in the Gulf had registered their presence, of whom 112,000 were in the United Arab Emirates.

Following the missile strikes across the Middle East, airspace remains severely restricted, with flights completely or partially grounded over Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria, the UAE and Israel.

A passenger on the flight, named Mark, messaged the BBC as it was about to take off. He’s travelling with his young family to London Stansted.

He described the “complete shambles” of Wednesday’s delayed flight – check-in took two hours, and they were stuck on a bus to the plane for another hour with “no communication from the craft or the crew”.

Mark said someone had a panic attack on the bus, and once the doors finally opened, they were told the crew were working out of hours, meaning the flight would not legally be able to reach Cairo.

Britons unable to secure a seat on the charter flight have been looking for alternative ways home.

Sam Sahabandu, 47, from Northamptonshire, who got stuck in Muscat after his flight back to London from Sri Lanka was diverted, was due to be on a Qatar Airways flight to Heathrow on Thursday afternoon local time.

Sahabandu said Muscat Airport appeared “relatively peaceful” despite the disruption, and some other passengers were being routed through other cities such as Rome to get back to the UK. (BBC News)

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