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  • General Hospital dismisses disinformation regarding Nephrology Unit

    General Hospital dismisses disinformation regarding Nephrology Unit

    Misinformation claiming a state of crisis at the Nephrology Unit of Grenada’s General Hospital has been formally and unequivocally rejected by the country’s Ministry of Health and the hospital administration. In an official statement delivered Wednesday during a post-cabinet press briefing held in St. George’s, Health Minister Hon. Philip Telesford clarified that these circulating claims are entirely misleading, and the unit has maintained full, standard operations to deliver quality care to all patients with kidney-related conditions.

    While the minister was firm in dismissing rumors of a unit-wide crisis, he did emphasize that kidney failure itself stands as a serious and rapidly growing public health challenge across Grenada. The core public health crisis, Telesford explained, is not a breakdown of the nephrology department, but widespread noncompliance with public health guidance that could prevent kidney disease. Too many local residents have failed to respond to repeated calls for routine early screening, and many are not taking the necessary steps to manage chronically high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar — two well-documented leading risk factors for developing chronic kidney disease.

    “We have to make a clear distinction between baseless rumor and factual reality,” Telesford stated. “The reality is that kidney failure is a major public health threat for Grenada. The true crisis we face is that too many of our citizens are ignoring public health advice to protect their own health through early detection and proactive lifestyle changes.”

    Telesford went on to outline key, accessible steps that all Grenadians can take to reduce their risk of kidney disease and reduce strain on kidney function. He urged the public to incorporate regular physical activity into daily routines, maintain consistent hydration by drinking adequate water, cut back on alcohol and tobacco consumption, and adopt a nutrient-dense, balanced diet to support long-term kidney health.

    Alongside debunking the misinformation, the Ministry of Health issued three core public health recommendations for all citizens: first, to schedule consistent routine health check-ups that include screening for kidney function; second, to manage blood sugar and blood pressure levels through a combination of healthy diet, regular exercise, and ongoing guidance from medical professionals; and third, to reach out to healthcare providers at the first sign of concerns, rather than waiting for symptoms to progress to a dangerous stage.

    The ministry closed by reaffirming that the Nephrology Unit at General Hospital remains fully operational, with its entire staff dedicated to delivering high-quality care to all patients. It added that the government continues to prioritize resource allocation and public outreach initiatives to combat the growing burden of chronic disease and protect the overall health of the Grenadian population.

  • New UN Women reports says a staggering 38,000 women and girls killed in Gaza from Oct 2023- Dec 2026

    New UN Women reports says a staggering 38,000 women and girls killed in Gaza from Oct 2023- Dec 2026

    Six months have passed since a ceasefire agreement was reached to end active hostilities in Gaza, but a devastating new UN Women assessment reveals that women and girls across the enclave continue to face catastrophic conditions, with unmet humanitarian needs remaining widespread and meaningful recovery still out of reach for most.

    Between October 2023 and December 2025, the conflict claimed the lives of more than 38,000 women and girls, according to the official report *The Cost of the War in Gaza on Women and Girls*. Of this staggering death toll, over 22,000 were adult women and 16,000 were girls — averaging a minimum of 42 preventable deaths every single day throughout the 26-month period of conflict.

    Even after the ceasefire was formally announced in October 2025, the threat to life has not been fully eliminated. On-the-ground accounts collected by UN Women confirm that sporadic violence continues to claim additional casualties, leaving women and girls in a constant state of fear despite the formal end to large-scale hostilities.

    The report also documents that nearly 11,000 additional women and girls have sustained serious injuries, with many left living with permanent, life-altering disabilities that will impact their long-term health and livelihoods. UN Women emphasizes that these official figures are almost certainly an undercount of the true human cost. Thousands of bodies remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings across Gaza, and the total collapse of local public health data systems has made systematic and accurate casualty documentation nearly impossible.

    Moez Doraid, UN Women Regional Director for the Arab States, described the conflict’s disproportionate toll on Gaza’s female population as devastating beyond measure. Beyond the staggering loss of life, the war has upended family structures across the enclave: tens of thousands of households are now led by women, who face soaring economic instability, elevated safety risks, and the full uncompensated burden of caring for surviving family members while navigating daily survival.

    Doraid called for urgent global action to shore up the fragile ceasefire, stressing that full compliance with all ceasefire terms, consistent respect for international humanitarian law, strengthened mechanisms for accountability, and targeted protection for women and girls are non-negotiable priorities. He also emphasized that large-scale, unimpeded humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow freely into Gaza, and women and girls must be placed at the center of all response and recovery efforts. For sustainable peace and reconstruction to take hold, Doraid added, women must be given meaningful, seats at the table in all peacebuilding and reconstruction decision-making processes.

    On the ground in Gaza, UN Women says it has maintained consistent operations alongside local women-led and women’s rights organizations, providing critical financial backing, coordination support, and specialized technical expertise to address the unique needs of female residents. Working in partnership with other United Nations agencies and global humanitarian partners, the organization continues to scale up efforts to deliver life-saving aid directly to women and girls, while working to ensure their perspectives and priorities shape all ongoing recovery and reconstruction initiatives.

  • Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz as Ceasefire Holds

    Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz as Ceasefire Holds

    In a significant development de-escalating regional tensions amid an ongoing ceasefire, Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transportation chokepoints, will remain fully open to all commercial shipping for the duration of the current truce, multiple international sources including CNN have confirmed.

    Roughly 20% of the world’s daily global oil supply transits through the 21-mile-wide strait, which separates Iran from Oman and connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. The strategic waterway had emerged as the central flashpoint amid escalating conflict between Iran and Western powers in recent weeks, raising widespread fears of disrupted global energy supplies.

    U.S. President Donald Trump stated Friday that Iran has made a formal commitment to permanently keep the strait open to international maritime traffic. But in the same remarks, the President confirmed that a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian port facilities will stay in effect until negotiators reach a fully finalized, comprehensive broader peace agreement. “The blockade will not be lifted until the deal is 100% complete,” Trump told reporters, outlining the U.S. administration’s red line.

    Negotiators working to end the broader regional conflict could reach a final agreement as early as this coming weekend, senior diplomatic sources told CNN, though several core points of contention remain unresolved. As part of the ongoing talks, the Trump administration is actively considering releasing $20 billion in Iranian assets that have been frozen under international sanctions, according to anonymous sources familiar with the discussions. Trump has clarified that while the assets may be unfrozen, no direct financial transfer will take place between the two nations, and the U.S. will take full control of Iran’s existing stockpile of enriched uranium as part of any final deal.

    Despite Tehran’s announcement reopening the strait, Iranian state media has issued a stark warning that the waterway could be closed again if the U.S. blockade, which Tehran views as a violation of the current ceasefire terms, remains in place. Fars News Agency, an Iranian semi-official outlet, also noted that all commercial vessels passing through the strait are required to use navigation routes designated by Iranian authorities and coordinate all transits with Iranian maritime regulatory bodies.

    Parallel to the developments around the Strait of Hormuz, a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon has so far held, bringing a rare period of calm to the war-torn border region. Israel has publicly stated it has no plans to withdraw its military forces from southern Lebanon, while the Iran-aligned militant group Hezbollah has warned it will only continue to respect the truce if all Israeli offensive operations in the area cease immediately. The ongoing standoff in Lebanon has proven to be one of the most difficult sticking points in the broader regional peace negotiations that involve Iran as a key stakeholder.

  • Farm expert urges healthy foods subsidies to fight obesity crisis

    Farm expert urges healthy foods subsidies to fight obesity crisis

    Barbados is facing a growing public health emergency fueled by rampant overconsumption of sugar and processed fats, and a veteran agricultural specialist is pushing for urgent government intervention to reverse the dangerous trend. Keely Holder, a former chief agricultural officer, experienced farmer and leading agri-systems expert, laid out a comprehensive policy proposal during a Thursday press conference hosted by the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition (BCOPC) at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, calling for targeted subsidies and tax breaks for at least 30 to 40 nutrient-dense whole food items.

    Holder, who serves as a BCOPC member, presented startling new consumption data that puts Barbados’ dietary habits far outside World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Per WHO guidelines, the average daily caloric intake for the island’s population should sit at roughly 2,250 calories. But current data shows Barbadians are exceeding that target by a staggering 70 percent on average, she confirmed.

    The overconsumption crisis is even more pronounced when broken down by food group. Holder explained that the average Barbadian consumes around 583 calories per day from sweets and added sugars — nearly three times the 180 daily calorie limit recommended by the WHO. For oils and fats, the gap is equally dramatic: daily consumption hits 389 calories, more than double the WHO’s 160 calorie guideline. These high-calorie, low-nutrient food groups now make up a disproportionate share of the average Barbadian diet, directly driving rising national rates of obesity and diet-related chronic disease.

    Against this backdrop, Holder argues that making nutrient-dense healthy foods more affordable for all households is the most effective first step to curbing overconsumption of harmful products and addressing Barbados’ worsening obesity crisis. She outlined that the first phase of the coalition’s proposed plan would involve identifying 30 to 40 priority whole, nutritious foods aligned with public health needs, with the goal of helping consumers shift their palates and long-term dietary habits toward options that meet their nutritional requirements. These priority items would primarily be low-carbohydrate options to offset excess sugar intake, and foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids to counterbalance the high levels of inflammatory Omega-6 fatty acids in the current average diet.

    To incentivize this shift, Holder is calling for these priority healthy items to be added to the country’s existing zero-rated goods basket — a list of products exempt from consumption taxes — with additional direct subsidies to bring down retail prices. She also emphasized the need for coordinated, integrated policy across government portfolios, specifically calling for aligned trade and tariff reform. Under that proposal, healthier foods would face lower or zero tariffs to boost accessibility, while higher tariffs would be placed on unhealthy processed products to raise their price and reduce consumer demand.

    Beyond fiscal and trade policy, Holder highlighted public health education as a core pillar of any effective intervention. Many consumers, she noted, lack critical awareness of misleading industry practices in imported food products, which make up a large share of Barbados’ food supply. A common example is misleading serving size labeling: food manufacturers often list serving sizes based on current average consumption patterns rather than evidence-based healthy portions, leading consumers to unknowingly eat far more calories than they intend. Public education campaigns are needed to help consumers spot these misleading practices and make informed choices about their diets, she argued.

    Holder closed by calling for closer collaboration between government agencies and civil society organizations to tackle the unhealthy overconsumption crisis, noting that coordinated multi-sector action is required to create sustainable, long-term change for public health in Barbados.

  • Reggae Girlz beat Guyana 2-0, advance to Concacaf W Championships

    Reggae Girlz beat Guyana 2-0, advance to Concacaf W Championships

    Kingston, Jamaica – In a decisive final Group B qualifying match held Saturday at Kingston’s National Stadium, Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz claimed a 2-0 victory over Guyana to punch their ticket to the upcoming Concacaf W Championships, finishing their qualifying run with a perfect 12 points from four matches.

    Both of Jamaica’s goals came from separate strikers in each half: veteran forward Khadija “Bunny” Shaw opened the scoring early, while second-half substitute Shania Hayles sealed the win in the game’s closing minutes. The result was all the more impressive given a standout performance from Guyana goalkeeper Arden La-rose, who recorded an incredible 15 saves throughout the 90 minutes to keep her side in the contest despite overwhelming pressure from Jamaica.

    Group B final standings saw Nicaragua finish second with nine points, followed by Guyana in third with six points. Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica tied for last place, collecting just one point each in qualifying. Across the six qualifying groups, all group winners earn automatic advancement to the Concacaf W Championships, where they will join pre-qualified regional powerhouses the United States and Canada for the main tournament.

    Shaw put Jamaica ahead just minutes into the first half, connecting on a corner kick delivered by Deneisha Blackwood. The forward directed a looping header toward the far left post, bouncing the ball off the turf before it ricocheted over La-rose and two Guyanese defenders to cross the goal line.

    For much of the second half, Jamaica was held back by both inconsistent finishing in front of goal and a string of spectacular stops from La-rose. Hayles, who had been a starter in Jamaica’s previous match against Antigua a week prior but was dropped to the bench for Saturday’s contest, finally broke through in the 88th minute to double Jamaica’s lead. The substitute found herself unmarked in the center of the 18-yard box, and guided a left-flank cross from fellow substitute Paige Bailey cleanly past the outstretched arms of La-rose to secure the three points and the group win.

    Reporting by Paul A Reid

  • Drew Spence and Trudi Carter among four changes for Reggae Girlz vs Guyana

    Drew Spence and Trudi Carter among four changes for Reggae Girlz vs Guyana

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — As anticipation builds for Saturday’s make-or-break FIFA Women’s World Cup preliminary round qualifier against Guyana at Kingston’s iconic National Stadium, Jamaica’s women’s national football team, the Reggae Girlz, have announced four key adjustments to their starting 11.

  • WATCH: Several injured after bus overturns on PJ Patterson Highway

    WATCH: Several injured after bus overturns on PJ Patterson Highway

    A road traffic incident in St Catherine, Jamaica has left multiple people injured after a passenger bus overturned on the PJ Patterson Highway Saturday afternoon. According to local reports, the crash unfolded at approximately 4:30 p.m., when a Toyota Coaster carrying seven occupants was traveling along the wet thoroughfare. The vehicle lost traction on the rain-soaked pavement, skidding out of control before colliding with the highway’s central median and flipping onto its side. Emergency response teams were dispatched to the scene shortly after the accident. All injured passengers, who are reported to have sustained only minor injuries from the crash, were transported to a nearby medical center to receive urgent care and evaluation. A local journalist, Llewellyn Wynter, captured video footage of the crash site following the incident. Road safety officials have noted that wet driving conditions significantly increase stopping distances and the risk of skidding, reminding motorists to reduce speed and exercise extra caution during and after rainfall. No further updates on the victims’ conditions have been released as of the latest report.

  • Stacey Mirander inspires students at Clarendon College Easter Brunch

    Stacey Mirander inspires students at Clarendon College Easter Brunch

    Renowned fusion reggae artist Stacey Mirander recently stepped back into the halls of her Jamaican alma mater, Clarendon College, taking on a heartfelt new role as guest speaker for the institution’s celebratory Easter Brunch welcoming its incoming cohort of first-form students. The memorable occasion, designed to ease the transition for new learners and build school morale, was carefully curated with elegant decor, thoughtfully plated meals, and an indulgent spread of homemade desserts. Dressed in their most polished formal attire — with several students showcasing self-crafted outfits that highlighted their creativity — the first-formers embraced the stately, celebratory tone of the afternoon.

    Beyond sharing words of wisdom with the incoming class, Mirander treated the audience to a live musical performance, opening with two of her original compositions: *People Don’t Care* and *Have A Little Faith*. Both tracks carry deeply resonant lyrical themes centered on resilience, unwavering self-belief, and intentional purpose, messages crafted specifically to resonate with the young students navigating a new educational chapter. She then capped off her set with an impromptu, crowd-pleasing collaboration on Bob Marley’s iconic *Three Little Birds*, joining forces with Clarendon College’s talented student-led school band that had the entire venue singing along.

    For the artist, the homecoming triggered a flood of warm nostalgia, as she saw her own younger self reflected in the shy, curious expressions of the new first-formers. “It was like I never left,” Mirander shared, recalling her own first day on campus decades earlier. “I remembered walking up to Stuart Hall for the first time, how massive it felt, how small and out of place I was, surrounded by strangers I’d never met. Looking at these new students, that same quiet, pensive, uncertain energy was right there — it pulled me right back to that moment.”

    This appearance is far from Mirander’s first engagement with her alma mater. As a proud graduate, she has maintained deep ties to the Clarendon College community, regularly supporting student and staff initiatives ranging from annual Teacher Appreciation Day events to back-to-school outreach programs for low-income students. Her consistent involvement stems from a long-held commitment to youth mentorship and local community development.

    Notably, this marked Mirander’s first live performance on Jamaican soil, an experience she described as warm and effortless, with a gentle breeze drifting through the event space and a relaxed, joyful vibe filling the room. She opened her interaction with the new students by breaking the ice, asking casual questions about their first impressions to put them at ease, and watched quickly as nervous smiles gave way to open, enthusiastic interaction before she began her performance.

    The event drew a roster of distinguished guests, including fellow alumna Dr. Melissa Marballie of The Family Wound Care, who donated custom prizes for student engagement activities, and prominent community philanthropist Dr. Joseph Wilson, a long-time supporter of local youth education initiatives. Mirander extended public gratitude to Clarendon College Principal David Wilson, event organizer Shirleen Jackson, school music teacher Wenbert Thomas, the student band, and the entire campus body for their work bringing the day together.

    She praised Jackson’s vision for the event, noting it was created specifically to give incoming students a morale boost and a reminder that their future holds exciting possibilities. “It was a gesture to give the students something to look forward to,” Mirander explained, adding that the energy and engagement from the cohort made the day a clear success. The artist also commended Clarendon College’s ongoing commitment to holistic student development, prioritizing events that nurture excellence, creativity, and collective community spirit alongside academic learning. “We need more events like these,” she emphasized.

  • Man Utd beat Chelsea as Spurs stunned by Brighton equaliser

    Man Utd beat Chelsea as Spurs stunned by Brighton equaliser

    LONDON — A dramatic day of English Premier League action on Saturday reshaped the race for Champions League qualification and the battle against relegation, delivering high-stakes results that sent shockwaves through the top flight.

    In the headline fixture at Stamford Bridge, Matheus Cunha’s first-half finish handed Manchester United a crucial 1-0 victory over Chelsea, pushing the Red Devils to the brink of securing a spot in Europe’s elite club competition after two seasons of missing out. Under interim manager Michael Carrick, United have mounted a stunning late-season surge that has pulled them clear of their rivals for a top-four finish. Cunha slotted home a precise cross from Bruno Fernandes on the stroke of halftime, opening a commanding 10-point gap between United in third place and Chelsea, who now sit in sixth.

    Chelsea, already reeling from three consecutive league defeats, could not capitalize on United’s depleted backline, which was missing key players to injury and suspension. The Blues’ fourth straight loss has now effectively ended any lingering hopes they had of qualifying for the Champions League this campaign. Post-match, Carrick praised his side’s disciplined performance against a tough opponent, noting the result was a massive milestone for the club’s season.

    At the opposite end of the league table, Tottenham Hotspur’s fight for survival suffered a devastating late blow, as the north London club twice threw away a lead to draw 2-2 with Brighton & Hove Albion, leaving them stuck in the relegation zone. In what was new manager Roberto De Zerbi’s first home match in charge, Tottenham looked set to secure their first league win in 15 outings, only for Brighton forward Georginio Rutter to fire home a equalizer just five minutes into stoppage time.

    The chaotic encounter saw Pedro Porro’s opening header canceled out by a spectacular volley from Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma in first-half added time. A stunning strike from Xavi Simons 13 minutes from full time looked to have sealed all three points for Spurs, silencing the visiting fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But the home crowd’s celebration was cut short when Jan Paul van Hecke outmuscled defender Kevin Danso to square the ball to Rutter, who blasted his shot into the top corner of the net to salvage a point for Brighton.

    The draw leaves Tottenham just one point behind 17th-place West Ham United in the relegation battle, though the Hammers hold a game in hand that could extend their advantage when they visit Crystal Palace on Monday. Speaking after the match, De Zerbi remained defiant, insisting his side can still secure survival with five matches and 15 points still left to play for.

    Brighton’s late equalizer also unexpectedly spared Wolverhampton Wanderers from officially dropping out of the top flight this weekend, though Wolves’ eight-year run in the Premier League appears all but over after a 3-0 away defeat to Leeds United. Fresh off their historic first away win over Manchester United at Old Trafford since 1981, Leeds have all but confirmed their own top-flight survival in their first season back after promotion. Goals from James Justin and Noah Okafor in quick succession just two minutes apart in the first half put Leeds in control, before a late stoppage-time penalty from Dominic Calvert-Lewin rounded off the win.

    Leeds’ strong season defies a recent trend in the Premier League that has seen all three newly promoted clubs relegated straight back to the Championship after one season. Along with Leeds, fellow promoted side Sunderland has also impressed this campaign, while Daniel Farke’s Leeds side is still in with a chance of reaching the FA Cup final for the first time since 1973, with a semi-final clash against Chelsea scheduled for next weekend.

    In another surprise result, Bournemouth piled additional pressure on under-fire Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe with a 2-1 away win at St James’ Park. The Cherries, who recently confirmed manager Andoni Iraola will leave the club at the end of the season, extended their unbeaten Premier League run to 13 matches, with goals from Marcus Tavernier and Adrien Truffert securing the three points. The result lifts Bournemouth to eighth in the table, just four points adrift of the top four Champions League places. In contrast, Newcastle remains stuck in 14th, with their own hopes of qualifying for European football next season effectively ended.

    In west London’s local derby, Brentford missed the chance to overtake Chelsea into sixth place after being held to a goalless draw by neighbors Fulham. All eyes now turn to Sunday’s blockbuster title decider, where league leaders Arsenal will travel to face defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners hold a six-point lead at the top of the table, but Pep Guardiola’s City hold a game in hand and will have home advantage for a clash that could ultimately decide who lifts the Premier League trophy this season.

  • SCENT-SATIONAL! Jamaican model Dru Campbell in new Loewe fragrance campaign

    SCENT-SATIONAL! Jamaican model Dru Campbell in new Loewe fragrance campaign

    Two years after making her runway debut, Jamaican modeling star Dru Campbell has hit another career milestone, landing her first global fragrance campaign with iconic Spanish luxury fashion brand Loewe. The 19-year-old, who is signed to talent agency SAINT International, is the latest face of Loewe’s Spring 2026 Landscape fragrance collection, marking her third major global advertising campaign following high-profile gigs with Dior and Alexander McQueen in 2024.

    Raised in Clarendon’s Belmont District, Campbell opened up about her excitement over the new role in an interview with Observer Online, saying the opportunity to lead a major fragrance campaign as an international model feels like an incredible career achievement. “It feels amazing having my first fragrance campaign as an international model, and it will be good for my career moving forward. I hope it will not be my last,” she shared.

    Shot against the dramatic natural backdrop of the Canary Islands back in February, the full campaign blends still photography from lensman Peter Jordanov and moving footage from videographer Marc Dimitrov. The collection’s concept draws on the diverse, rugged terrain of Spain — from rolling fertile plains to jagged mountain ranges and stark mineral landforms — to reflect the distinct botanical roots of the collection’s six individual perfumes. For Campbell’s part, she features as the face of Loewe’s Solo Ella Elixir fragrance, captured in soft, golden light as the sun rises over the horizon.

    The rising model recalled the shoot as a joyful, collaborative creative experience, noting her longstanding professional connection to the luxury brand. “It was a super-fun shoot with Marc and Peter. Getting into character to portray the vision they had made for an exciting day,” she said. Campbell has already walked in Loewe’s runway presentations four times during Paris Fashion Week, and counts the brand among her favorite industry partners. “Ashley Brokaw and her casting team have always been supportive and I am grateful for that,” she added.

    Founded in 1846 by a collective of Spanish artisans, Loewe has grown into one of the world’s most respected luxury labels, celebrated globally for its premium leather goods, high-end ready-to-wear lines and coveted accessories. This new campaign adds to Campbell’s rapidly growing list of career wins: last year, she co-starred in Dior’s pre-fall 2025 womenswear collection campaign, shot on location in Japan, and also featured in Alexander McQueen’s Autumn/Winter pre-collection campaign.

    Currently ranked among the world’s top 50 models by leading industry resource models.com, Campbell’s rapid ascent has drawn widespread praise from her team at SAINT International. Deiwght Peters, CEO of SAINT International who has guided Campbell’s career from its earliest stages, says the new Loewe campaign is a direct result of the young model’s consistent effort and dedication.

    “Dru has been an exceptionally driven, focused model since she launched on the Prada runway at Milan Fashion Week only two years ago,” Peters explained. “She’s built a solid reputation in the industry for her disposition, charm, and strong looks. She’s barely touched the tip of the greatness that awaits her.”