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  • Fontaine alleges Electoral Office wrongly rejected student voter registrations

    Fontaine alleges Electoral Office wrongly rejected student voter registrations

    Ahead of the upcoming Roseau North by-election, the leader of Dominica’s main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has ignited fresh controversy over the country’s electoral process, accusing the national Electoral Office of intentionally disenfranchising young eligible voters. Dr. Thomson Fontaine, head of the UWP, made the claims in a public statement posted to his official Facebook page on July 27, alleging that at least two Dominican students completing their higher education overseas were improperly turned away when they attempted to complete their first-time voter registration.

    According to Fontaine’s account, the two eligible students traveled back to Dominica specifically to submit their registration applications, as required by protocol, but their submissions were rejected outright by Electoral Office staff. Fontaine pointed out that both students are widely assumed to support the UWP based on the political affiliations of their families, suggesting their rejection was no accidental administrative error.

    “This is clearly an attempt by the EO to manipulate the voters’ list,” Fontaine wrote in his post, directly claiming the decision was driven by partisan political motivation. To back up his allegation that the students wrongfully rejected, he cited a clear provision in Dominica’s existing electoral legislation that outlines special rules for overseas students registering to vote. Under Article 7(2)(b) of the national Electoral Act, any individual that is classified as a bona fide full-time student studying outside of Dominica is legally exempt from the standard residency requirement that applies to most first-time voters. The legislation explicitly states that these students are deemed to retain their residency in the polling district where their family home is located, meaning their time spent abroad cannot be used to disqualify their registration.

    Fontaine emphasized that this legal provision eliminates any ground for the Electoral Office to reject the students’ applications, and called on electoral authorities to end what he described as targeted disenfranchisement of young opposition-leaning voters. “Please stop attempting to disenfranchise our young voters,” he concluded his statement.

    As of July 28, the Electoral Office has not issued any public response to address Fontaine’s specific allegations. The controversy comes amid ongoing preparations for the high-stakes Roseau North by-election. In recent public communications, electoral officials have urged Dominican residents to get all information about registration and voting directly from the Electoral Office, warning against unconfirmed misinformation spreading across social media platforms. The Office has also repeatedly reaffirmed its public commitment to running the upcoming by-election in a secure, transparent, and fully accountable manner, free from partisan interference.

  • Blue Monkey hotel opens in St James with 100 jobs expected

    Blue Monkey hotel opens in St James with 100 jobs expected

    Barbados’ burgeoning luxury tourism sector has gained a transformative new addition, with the official opening of Blue Monkey Hotel and Beach Club in the scenic Paynes Bay area of the island’s west coast. This project, which marks a major expansion of foreign investor presence in Barbados’ travel and hospitality industry, is projected to generate approximately 100 new employment opportunities for local workers.

    Two years in the making, the development has breathed new life into a long-abandoned three-star motel, reimagining the derelict property as an intimate 28-room luxury boutique hotel packed with premium amenities. Visitors can now access the oceanfront Blue Monkey Beach Club, the on-site Amara Restaurant, signature Blue Bar, and the dedicated Spa Blue Monkey for a full high-end resort experience.

    At the opening ceremony held in St James, C.J. Sabga, chairman of Blue Monkey Hotel and Beach Club, extended gratitude to every stakeholder that contributed to bringing the vision to fruition, from in-house management and frontline staff to local contractors, independent consultants, and regional suppliers. Sabga emphasized the project’s deep commitment to local employment, noting that more than 90 percent of the construction team was made up of Barbadian nationals. Moving forward, over 95 percent of the hotel’s permanent full-time workforce will be drawn from local talent, adding 100 new roles to the more than 600 Barbadians already employed by the investor group’s existing businesses across the island.

    In a notable milestone for the Barbados tourism industry, Blue Monkey is only one of two hotels in the country to gain membership in Leading Hotels of the World, the prestigious New York-based international marketing collective that curates more than 400 independent luxury properties across over 80 countries. “This commitment to excellence is why we are especially proud to join the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World collection, one of only two hotels in Barbados that fly the flag, bringing further international recognition to the shores of Barbados,” Sabga said.

    Brian Tatem, the hotel’s general manager, commended the ownership group for its forward-thinking vision to build a destination that highlights the unique warmth of Barbadian hospitality, while prioritizing investment in ongoing staff training and service quality. “They have invested in our team because they understand outstanding service begins with outstanding people. Through training, encouragement, and a commitment to excellence, they have empowered our staff to deliver memorable experiences with warm professionalism and genuine Barbadian hospitality,” Tatem explained. He added that the entire team is aligned on a core promise: to deliver exceptional service that exceeds guest expectations, regardless of whether visitors are staying overnight, dining at Amara, or enjoying a cocktail at the oceanfront Blue Bar.

    Peter George, a hotel shareholder and owner of both Amara Restaurant and Blue Bar, noted that the new boutique property aligns perfectly with the national government’s ambitions to position Barbados as a top-tier luxury tourism destination. “It’s a distinct pleasure and with a real sense of excitement, not just for the commercial opportunity, but for the opportunity to bring something truly special to Barbados. We’ve assembled a great team, put together a great product, albeit boutique. That we think is commensurate with the goals and the huge strides that Barbados has made under this prime minister and her government,” George said.

    Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley joined the ceremony to celebrate the opening, framing the project as a prime example of the nation’s new Tourism 3.0 strategy, which focuses on repurposing existing underused tourism assets to drive sustainable growth. Mottley pointed out that Blue Monkey is the second repurposed hotel she has opened in recent weeks, demonstrating the success of this approach to renewing Barbados’ mature tourism industry, one of the Caribbean’s most established.

    “Tourism 3.0 is not simply as critical as this is about the rebuilding and repurposing of existing assets, but it is also about the rebuilding and the repurposing of the industry and our love affair with this industry,” Mottley said. The prime minister emphasized that getting the Tourism 3.0 transition right is critical to the long-term prosperity of the entire island, noting that a strong tourism sector lifts a wide range of connected local industries, from manufacturing and agriculture to retail and distribution. She thanked the Blue Monkey investors for their confidence in Barbados and expressed optimism that the sector will continue to grow and benefit all Barbadians if the nation maintains its commitment to excellence.

  • ‘We were like two brothers’: Father mourns son killed in Au Pos accident

    ‘We were like two brothers’: Father mourns son killed in Au Pos accident

    A tight-knit Saint Lucian community is grappling with senseless loss after a tragic Sunday road accident claimed the life of 30-year-old Andrez “Sackey” Forde, a beloved resident of Marchand who family members describe as the steady backbone of their household.

    Forde lost his life when the vehicle he was operating veered off the roadway and plummeted over a steep precipice at Au Ponche in Anse La Raye. A female passenger traveling with him survived the catastrophic crash but sustained critical multiple injuries; as of the latest updates, she remains hospitalized in stable condition.

    The day following the tragedy, Forde’s father Andre Forde visited the crash site, overcome with grief as he reflected on the final hours he shared with his son. Andre shared that his son had left the family home in the early hours of Sunday morning, letting his father know he was heading out before a final brief phone conversation that would prove to be one of their last. “He called… to tell me, ‘Daddy, the key for the Creta is on the dresser’,” Andre recounted.

    Andre remembered his son as a respectful, compassionate young man who consistently prioritized the well-being of his parents. “My son was very nice to me,” he said. “My son was no bad person.” When asked what he would grieve most, the heartbroken father paused before sharing that the pair shared an unusually close bond. “Being there. We were like two brothers. He always talked to me… ‘Daddy, don’t worry, everything is safe, everything is alright. I will help you. You shouldn’t be working again’.”

    Andre explained that he was unable to bring himself to visit the crash site immediately after receiving the devastating news, only making the trip the following day. When he arrived at the hospital to check on his son, law enforcement officers confirmed that Andrez had already succumbed to his injuries. “He told me there he had no pulse, so he was already dead,” he said quietly.

    Andre also shared details of the passenger’s condition, confirming the woman had suffered broken legs and a broken arm in the fall. The loss has hit the entire family extraordinarily hard, with Forde’s mother unable to process the shock of her son’s death. “My wife… she fainted,” Andre said, adding that extended relatives have gathered at the home to support her through the initial stages of grief.

    Andrez Forde is survived by his young daughter, who will now grow up without her devoted father. Hadassa, another of Andrez’s relatives, recalled the disorienting moment she learned of his passing. She said she woke to panicked voices in her home before realizing a video of the crash was circulating in a local family group chat. Initially too anxious to open the messages, she eventually looked at the footage and confirmed her relative’s identity. She added that the entire family is still struggling to accept that the sudden tragedy has occurred.

    Local law enforcement authorities have confirmed that the investigation into the circumstances of the fatal crash is still ongoing, with no further details released to the public as of yet. In the days since the accident, family and loved ones have gathered at the crash site to leave a small memorial in Andrez’s honor, honoring the life of the caring man gone far too soon.

  • Weymouth Wales positive ahead of CFU Shield quarterfinal

    Weymouth Wales positive ahead of CFU Shield quarterfinal

    As football fans across the Caribbean gear up for one of the most anticipated knockout matches of the regional calendar, five-time consecutive Barbados Football Association Premier League title holders Weymouth Wales have entered their Caribbean Football Union Shield quarterfinal tie against Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant in Trinidad and Tobago brimming with quiet confidence. The fixture, scheduled for Tuesday, marks one of four pivotal quarterfinal matchups that will determine which teams advance to the next stage of the regional competition. Weymouth Wales, who finished as runners-up in their domestic league last season, face a formidable test against the Jamaican side, which carries the prestige of being current CONCACAF Cup champions.

    In an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY from his team’s base in Trinidad, Weymouth Wales head coach Asquith Howell outlined his side’s approach to the high-profile clash, saying the team would stick to the same game philosophy that has carried them through previous knockout tournaments. “We will go in there with the same mindset,” Howell explained. “We respect them fully because they are CONCACAF Cup champions, but at the end of the day, 11 players play against 11 players on the same pitch. We hope we don’t only make ourselves proud, but the entire nation of Barbados as well.”

    The Barbadian side will have to navigate the challenge without one of their key attacking threats: speedy starting winger and former Barbados national team captain Rashad Jules, who is suspended for the tie after receiving a red card in the team’s previous CFU Shield encounter. Compounding the selection headache for Howell is a fitness doubt over midfielder Kemar Headley, who picked up an injury in Weymouth Wales’ opening group stage match against S.V. Britannia. Headley has been named to the match day squad but is listed as 50/50 to feature, with Howell indicating he will start the game on the bench as a precaution.

    Weymouth Wales progressed out of the group stage with a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout win over S.V. Britannia, after the two sides played to a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes of regulation time. Howell admitted that his team made costly mistakes in that opening game that they have since worked to correct. Armando Lashley gave the Barbadians an early lead, but Howell said the side let their guard down immediately after the opening goal, falling into the same bad habit that plagued some of their domestic BFA Premiership results during the current campaign.

    “We went in there with a clear game plan, but I think our guys got complacent right after we scored that early goal,” Howell said. “We stepped off the gas, just like we did in some BFA matches this season when we failed to convert our chances to finish off games and put the result away. That was definitely a point of concern for the coaching staff, but we’ve put in the work over the last few days to fix those small errors, and I think we are fully prepared to take on Mount Pleasant.”

    Over on the Mount Pleasant camp, the Jamaican side is just as confident of securing a positive result, with Sporting Director Paul Christie saying the team is targeting not just a win on Tuesday, but lifting the entire CFU Shield trophy. Unlike Weymouth Wales, Mount Pleasant received a bye directly to the round of 16, where their scheduled opponent All Saints United withdrew from the competition, giving the Jamaican side a walkover straight to the quarterfinals. This means Tuesday’s clash will be Mount Pleasant’s first competitive fixture of this year’s tournament.

    Speaking ahead of the tie to the Jamaica Observer, Christie said the club thrives under the pressure of high-stakes knockout football, drawing on his nearly 30 years of experience in the sport. “I’ve been in football for almost 30 years, and I’ve never felt pressure in my career. I don’t do pressure – we live for moments like this,” Christie said. “When people say a result can’t be done, we work to show them there’s always a way, and our job is to find that way. For truly great players, the bigger the moment, the brighter they shine. If you can’t perform when the stakes are highest, you’re in the wrong sport.”

    Christie added that the tie represents a historic opportunity for the club to claim its first CFU Shield trophy, a piece of silverware that has never been added to the Mount Pleasant club’s collection. He stressed that the team would not take the field with an overconfident, entitled attitude, instead focusing on executing their game plan to earn the result. “This is our chance to bring a trophy home that has never been in Mount Pleasant’s trophy cabinet,” he said. “We aren’t going into this match thinking we are owed a win. We know we have to work for every moment, we will do the best we can, and accept whatever result comes after that.”

  • CARICOM Eminent Persons Group welcomes Haiti’s electoral calendar, calls for broad participation

    CARICOM Eminent Persons Group welcomes Haiti’s electoral calendar, calls for broad participation

    Haiti’s long journey toward reestablishing stable constitutional rule has reached a landmark turning point, after the country’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) released a detailed timeline for upcoming general elections — a move that has earned formal praise from a top Caribbean diplomatic task force.

    Created in May 2023 under the umbrella of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) functions as a high-level diplomatic body dedicated to addressing Haiti’s deepening political and security crisis. The group draws on decades of regional leadership experience, counting three former heads of government among its ranks: Dr. Kenny Anthony of Saint Lucia, Perry Christie of The Bahamas, and Bruce Golding of Jamaica. Its core mandate centers on facilitating inclusive cross-party political dialogue, forging consensus on urgent security priorities, and supporting Haitian-led efforts to rebuild functional democratic institutions and restore constitutional governance.

    Earlier this year, the EPG made the decision to delay a planned on-the-ground visit to Haiti, noting that the team would hold off on travel to continue monitoring rapidly shifting political developments in the country. That posture of cautious observation shifted with the CEP’s publication of the electoral calendar, which the EPG described as a critical breakthrough that brings much-needed clarity to a process that has remained uncertain for years for both Haitian political actors and the broader international community.

    Under the newly released timetable, the first round of voting is set to take place on December 13, 2026. Ballots will be cast to select a new president, fill all seats in the national legislature, and approve a package of proposed constitutional reforms. The calendar lays out clear timelines for all key pre-election preparatory steps, including the registration of political parties, individual candidates, electoral coalitions and platforms, as well as a national voter registration drive to update Haitian electoral rolls ahead of polling day.

    In its official statement, the EPG underlined that sustained coordination between the CEP and every sector of Haitian society will be indispensable to keeping the electoral process on track. The group issued a formal call to all political parties, civil society organizations, community leaders and other national stakeholders to engage actively in the process, uphold procedural rules, and work collectively to ensure all electoral requirements are fully met before voting begins.

    Successful inclusive preparation, the EPG argued, will clear the way for Haitian citizens to exercise their democratic right to choose their next government in a free, fair and credible process, laying the groundwork for the full restoration of constitutional order in a country that has operated without elected governance for years.

    The task force also joined the CEP in highlighting a critical unmet need: dramatic improvements to national security before election preparations advance much further. A secure, stable environment is non-negotiable for a credible electoral process, the group stressed, and it called on all nations contributing troops and police to the multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF) to accelerate deployment of their personnel to Haiti. Early deployment of the GSF, the EPG noted, would allow international security assistance to take root and expand well in advance of the December 2026 first round voting, creating the secure conditions needed for a smooth election.

    In closing, the EPG emphasized that parallel progress on two interconnected tracks will make or break Haiti’s democratic transition: steady advancement of electoral preparations, and concrete improvements to national security. Both are essential to delivering a credible election that sets Haiti on a sustainable path toward restored democratic rule.

  • Barbadian elected to key Commonwealth law-writing body

    Barbadian elected to key Commonwealth law-writing body

    In a landmark moment for Caribbean legal leadership, Barbadian legal professional Shaquille Newton has secured a historic position on the governing body of the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel (CALC), breaking new ground for small island developing states across the global bloc. Elected earlier this month during CALC’s full conference and general assembly held in Singapore, Newton will serve as the official representative for the Americas region on the association’s leadership council. His election follows closely on the heels of another Caribbean milestone: Jamaican attorney Michelle Daley became the first person from the Caribbean region to be elected president of CALC, marking a unprecedented shift in regional representation at the top of the 42-year-old organization. Together, the pair have cemented the Caribbean’s growing influence in shaping global standards for legislative drafting across the Commonwealth.

    Newton, currently a senior legal advisor with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) working on the US-UK criminal justice reform initiative, brings a wealth of hands-on experience to the new role. Prior to joining the FCDO, he served as a parliamentary counsel in Barbados’ Attorney General’s Chambers, where he drafted dozens of key pieces of national legislation and contributed to high-priority law reform projects across the island. The trailblazing attorney emphasized that his historic election is far more than a personal achievement: it opens new doors for small island nations like Barbados to contribute meaningfully to global conversations about the rule of law. As an accredited Commonwealth institution, CALC maintains direct input into key multilateral forums including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference, giving Newton and Daley a platform to center the unique legislative challenges faced by small and developing jurisdictions that have long been overlooked by larger, more established members.

    At the core of Newton’s policy agenda is a pressing issue that has plagued Barbados and many other jurisdictions across the Americas: a critical shortage of skilled legislative drafters. He noted that across the global legislative drafting community, there is a well-documented dearth of qualified professionals, making capacity building the top priority of his tenure. “It is my goal, as Americas’ representative, to embark on initiatives to help build capacity in legislative drafting,” Newton shared in an interview with Barbados TODAY. He added that the historic election of two Caribbean leaders to CALC’s top leadership holds broader symbolic meaning for small jurisdictions: for the first time, nations that face unique legislative challenges distinct from larger members like the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada will be at the forefront of guiding the organization’s work, bringing fresh perspectives that better reflect the needs of the Global South.

    Regional legal observers have welcomed the dual milestones, noting that the shift in leadership will elevate the global profile of Caribbean legislative drafting expertise while opening new pathways for cross-regional mentorship and collaborative reform. Founded to foster cooperation and knowledge sharing among legislative counsel across the 56-member Commonwealth bloc, CALC works to uphold rigorous global standards for legislative drafting, expand access to targeted training and mentorship, and support law reform initiatives in developing member states. During his election campaign, Newton centered his platform on strengthening unity among legislative drafters across the Americas, and pledged to expand professional development and mentorship opportunities for early-career drafters — a step he argues is critical to building long-term, sustainable legislative drafting capacity across the entire Commonwealth.

    Following his confirmation as Americas’ representative, Newton expressed gratitude to CALC members for placing their trust in his leadership, and said he is eager to collaborate with President-elect Daley and the full council to deepen cross-regional cooperation across the Americas. He also paid tribute to his early mentors, retired Barbadian Chief Justice Sir David Simmons and Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel Shawn Raine Belle, and thanked the team at the British High Commission in Barbados — including High Commissioner Simon Mustard, Deputy High Commissioner Charley Williams, and Criminal Justice Adviser Sirah Abraham — for their ongoing support throughout his campaign and career.

    A decorated legal scholar, Newton was awarded a prestigious Chevening Scholarship in 2021, and holds multiple advanced degrees focused on legislative practice. He earned a Master of Laws with Distinction in Drafting Legislation, Regulation and Policy from the University of London, a Master of Laws in Corporate and Commercial Law from The University of the West Indies, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School, alongside a specialized certificate in law consolidation from the Regional Law Revision Centre in Anguilla. His academic research and writing on legislative drafting and law reform has been published in leading international journals, including CALC’s official publication *The Loophole* and the *European Journal of Law Reform*. During the Singapore conference, Newton presented new research titled *Operationalising Legislative Quality: A Comparative Analysis of the Drafting Conventions of Barbados, the United Kingdom and New Zealand*, which explores how technical drafting approaches directly shape the quality and efficacy of final legislation.

  • Barbadians remember, reflect as Sir Garfield Sobers lies in state

    Barbadians remember, reflect as Sir Garfield Sobers lies in state

    On a solemn Monday in Barbados, thousands of locals lined the sidewalks surrounding the country’s historic Parliament Buildings, turning the heart of the capital into a space of collective mourning and celebration for one of the nation’s most beloved figures: National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers. The cricket icon, who passed away at 88 just weeks short of his 90th birthday, was lying in state in the House of Assembly chamber, drawing a steady stream of mourners who waited for hours to walk past his casket and leave tributes in official condolence books.

    While the Barbadian government arranged for condolence registers to be placed at dozens of locations across the island — from the central General Post Office in Bridgetown to the David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex in St. John — the Parliament Buildings emerged as the primary gathering spot for residents seeking to say a personal final goodbye. For many in the long, patient queues, the moment carried deep personal meaning beyond the national mourning.

    Anthony Beckles, a lifelong Barbadian who grew up connected to the Sobers family, shared that his mother and Sir Garfield’s sister were close childhood friends. “I have known Sir Garry my entire life,” he told reporters on site. “He was a great, great person, a truly tremendous man. He did so much good not just for Barbados, but for the entire world. May his soul rest in peace, and may he rise in glory.”

    Many other attendees had never had the chance to meet the cricketing legend in person, but still said they felt a moral calling to honor the man who put their small island nation on the global map through his unmatched talent and quiet humility. Marcia Ashby, who joined the queue to sign the condolence book, left a simple, heartfelt message: “We love you, Sir Garry.” She explained her presence saying, “Even though I never met him, I had to come because of who he was — he was so humble and so kind.”

    For Jane Boyce, a resident of Josey Hill in St. Lucy, the day brought back warm memories of her late father, who counted Sir Garfield as his personal hero. “Growing up as a child, I heard my dad talk about Sir Garry Sobers constantly,” she recalled. “I’m so thankful I got to meet him before he passed. He was such a pleasant, decent man. So long, farewell until we meet again. Fly with the angels, fly high, my friend. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”

    Other mourners framed their grief through the lens of faith, acknowledging the national loss while giving thanks for Sobers’ decades of impact. Bentley Webster, who had already signed a condolence book at Grantley Adams International Airport a day before visiting Parliament, called the cricketer’s passing “a great loss.” He added, “But as Christians, we know we are only here for a little while. I thank God for the life and the legacy he leaves behind. I just bless God for him.”

    Christine Austin described the experience of seeing the National Hero lying in state as a deeply moving, almost visceral moment. “I got goosebumps all over,” she said. “He looks just like he’s sleeping. What the country is doing for him is so wonderful. May he rest in peace.”

    Throughout the day, the atmosphere around Parliament remained one of quiet, reflective emotion, with most attendees sharing a mix of profound national pride and gentle sadness. Gail Skinner, one of the mourners, voiced a common regret: that Sir Garfield did not live to mark his 90th birthday, which would have come just weeks after his death. “It’s a very solemn occasion,” she said. “I’m sorry he didn’t make it to 90, but I am so proud that he is our hero.”

    Skinner drew a comparison between Sir Garfield’s global cultural impact and that of another iconic Caribbean legend: Jamaica’s Bob Marley. “That’s what Sir Garfield Sobers did for us,” she explained. “People know Barbados all over the world because of Sir Garry Sobers. He will be in our history books forever. There will never be another cricketing hero like Sir Garfield.”

    Condolence books have been open to the public across the island since the previous Wednesday, giving both Barbadians and visiting tourists the chance to record their personal memories and messages of tribute for the National Hero. As of Monday, condolence registers still remained available at additional locations including the iconic Kensington Oval cricket ground, Holetown Post Office, and the Cricket Legends Museum, though activity at those sites paled in comparison to the steady stream of mourners at Parliament. Additional books will remain open during regular business hours at Government Headquarters, Bay Primary School, Weymouth Sports Club, and the St. Andrew Post Office for those unable to visit the capital.

    Sir Garfield Sobers, who died at the age of 89, will be honored with an official State Service of Thanksgiving this Wednesday, a national ceremony that will celebrate a life that inspired generations of Barbadians and earned the respect and admiration of the entire global cricketing community.

  • City traffic disruptions expected for Sobers’ state funeral

    City traffic disruptions expected for Sobers’ state funeral

    Barbados is preparing to lay to rest one of its most revered national figures, National Hero the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, and law enforcement officials are urging both commuters and local business owners to make advance preparations for significant traffic disruptions on the day of the state funeral, Wednesday.

    Acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite, communications officer for the Barbados Police Service, shared detailed logistical plans in an interview with Barbados TODAY, calling on the public to remain patient and cooperative throughout the day of memorial events. “Bear with us and be cooperative,” Brathwaite emphasized, as he outlined the phased road closure schedule that will roll out across multiple areas of the island starting early Wednesday morning.

    From 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., multiple major thoroughfares in central Bridgetown will be closed to all traffic. These include Lower Bay Street, River Road, Bridge Road, St Michael’s Row, both Upper and Lower Broad Street, Cowell Street, Fontabelle, and President Kennedy Drive. The ceremonial funeral procession is scheduled to depart its starting point at approximately 8:45 a.m., meaning some routes will see full traffic prohibition while others will face extended delays. Brathwaite confirmed that roadways will be reopened incrementally as the procession moves toward its final destination, and asked the public to follow all directions from on-duty police officers deployed along the route.

    Addressing local business owners operating in and around Bridgetown, Brathwaite offered an apology for the unavoidable inconvenience the traffic disruptions will cause, and issued a key recommendation for planned deliveries: “To all the businesses in and around Bridgetown, I want to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience that this disruption may cause you on the day, and to encourage those businesses who are having deliveries to please try to have those deliveries done on Tuesday.”

    After the official service, the cortege will depart Kensington Oval and travel a second route that will require additional temporary road closures between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The procession will turn right onto the Mighty Grynner Highway, continue along University Hill through Warrens, turn left at the JTC Ramsay (also known as Bussa) roundabout onto Mapp Hill, pass through South District, Watts Village, Boarded Hall, and Lower Greys, before ending at Skeene’s Hill. Like the morning closures, these roads will be reopened gradually once the cortege has cleared each section.

    Additional closures will be in place around the Coral Ridge area: the road network spanning from the Coral Ridge roundabout to Newton roundabout, from the Ridge roundabout to Searles, from the Ridge roundabout to Yorkshire, and from the Ridge roundabout back to St. David’s will all be off-limits to civilian traffic during the procession’s movement through the area.

    The police force already held a full rehearsal of the procession route from Parliament to Kensington Oval this past Sunday, which required barricading multiple downtown streets and forced motorists to seek alternate routing. Following that test run, Brathwaite noted that police teams are now refining their operational plans to cut down on unnecessary disruption, with the goal of tightening protocols to minimize inconvenience for residents and businesses as much as possible ahead of Wednesday’s official event.

  • Oppositie legt Guyanees parlement stil na veerbootramp

    Oppositie legt Guyanees parlement stil na veerbootramp

    Escalating political tensions have rocked Guyana this week, after opposition lawmakers repeatedly disrupted a National Assembly sitting on Monday to protest the government’s handling of the deadly MV Barima maritime disaster. The opposition bloc is demanding the immediate resignation of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and former minister Deodat Indar, accusing the incumbent administration of failing to take adequate political responsibility for what has been called the worst maritime tragedy in the country’s recent history.

    Before the parliamentary sitting got underway, opposition politicians and allied activists gathered for a public demonstration outside the National Assembly building. Holding large banners and chanting unified slogans, protesters called for accountability for victims of the disaster and justice for their surviving family members, reiterating their demand that the officials they blame for lax regulatory oversight of the country’s ferry service step down.

    The demonstration spilled directly into the parliamentary chamber once proceedings began. After National Assembly Speaker Manzoor Nadir opened the sitting and a minute’s silence was held to honor the disaster’s victims, opposition lawmakers launched a noisy demonstration, shouting protest slogans and striking their parliamentary desks to disrupt proceedings. The sitting was temporarily suspended as a result of the unrest, before adjournment organizers were able to resume proceedings at a later time.

    Prime Minister Mark Phillips delivered an official update on ongoing search and rescue operations during the sitting, confirming that 30 people remain unaccounted for following the disaster and that search and recovery efforts are continuing at full capacity. Phillips also noted that the administration is moving forward with plans for an independent investigation into the causes of the incident. President Irfaan Ali reaffirmed on Monday that the Guyanese public is entitled to full transparency about what caused the disaster, confirming that an independent inquiry commission will examine whether negligence, operational errors, or other regulatory failures contributed to the tragedy.

    For the opposition, however, the government’s commitment to an independent probe does not go far enough. Opposition leaders are demanding that the inquiry not only operate independently, but also receive a formal mandate approved by a full vote of parliament. They are also pushing for immediate political consequences for the implicated officials before the inquiry’s final report is completed. Despite ongoing disruptions from the opposition, the government’s parliamentary majority pushed ahead with the scheduled legislative agenda. By the end of the sitting, lawmakers approved an additional government spending package totaling 54.9 billion Guyanese dollars. Opposition lawmakers refused to participate in the related debate and continued their protest throughout the vote, meaning the budget proposals passed without any substantive input from the opposition bloc.

    Monday’s events underscore how the MV Barima disaster has quickly evolved from a national human tragedy into a major political flashpoint that threatens to destabilize President Ali’s administration. As search teams continue to comb waterways for missing victims, political pressure on the Ali government is growing steadily, with opponents demanding full accountability for the government’s pre-disaster oversight of the state-owned ferry service and the safety of the country’s public water transport systems.

  • Griffith, Niles Advance in Commonwealth 100m

    Griffith, Niles Advance in Commonwealth 100m

    The 2014 Commonwealth Games hosted in Scotland have wrapped up the first round of sprint and swimming events, with mixed results for Team Barbados across multiple competitions. In the men’s 100-meter sprint discipline, young Barbadian sprinter Kuron Griffith delivered a solid performance in Heat 7, crossing the finish line in 10.24 seconds to claim third place. The result earned him a coveted spot in the upcoming second round of the tournament. Unfortunately, Griffith’s teammate Julian Forde could not replicate that success. Competing in his own qualifying heat, Forde posted a time of 10.58 seconds to finish fifth, a result that left him just outside the qualification cut-off and ended his 100m campaign in the opening round.

    On the women’s side of the 100m sprint, Barbados also earned a second-round berth thanks to sprinter Kishawna Niles. Nimes held her own against a deep field of competitors in Heat 8, clocking an 11.52-second run to secure second place in her heat and punch her ticket to the next stage of the competition.

    Over in the swimming pool, the Barbadian team faced early eliminations in two qualifying events. In the men’s 200-meter butterfly, Victor Ashby competed in Heat 3 and posted a time of 2 minutes 17.94 seconds, finishing seventh in the heat. That time was not fast enough to advance him to the subsequent rounds. Similarly, in the women’s 50-meter breaststroke, Adara Stoddard placed fifth in Heat 2 with a time of 34.35 seconds, which also saw her miss the mark for qualification and exit the competition in the opening stage.