Barbados

A 19-year-old man from Dagenham, east London, has been charged in Barbados after allegedly trying to smuggle 23.4 kg of cocaine, valued at around 1.17 million dollars, out of the country. Abdul-Rasheed Anjolaoluwa Oduola faces charges of possession, trafficking and intent to supply. The case is drawing attention in London because of the defendant's young age and the size of the haul.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley addressed the UN General Assembly, repeating her call to strip the five permanent Security Council members of their veto powers, a long-standing demand of African and Caribbean states who argue the veto blocks action on conflicts affecting the Global South. Her speech is drawing wide attention across Africa and the Caribbean.

Barbados has tightened monitoring of its poultry sector following an outbreak of bird flu in Suriname. Health and agricultural authorities in the island nation are increasing surveillance to detect any possible spread of the virus to local flocks. The outbreak in Suriname has put Caribbean neighbours on alert over regional biosecurity risks.

Two men from east London have been arrested in Barbados over an alleged plot to smuggle more than $1 million worth of cocaine, according to the Evening Standard. Details of the arrests, including the men's identities and how the suspected smuggling operation was uncovered, have not yet been fully disclosed.