KINGSTON, Jamaica — Robert Morgan, a second-term Member of Parliament for Clarendon North Central, has been appointed as the new Parliamentary Whip by Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness. Morgan, who also serves as a minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, will take on the additional role of deputy to the Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, Floyd Green. He succeeds veteran MP Olivia “Babsy” Grange, who previously held both positions.
博客
-
St Elizabeth man charged with burglary and larceny
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 30-year-old man from Rocky Hill, Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, has been formally charged with burglary and larceny in connection with a series of break-ins in Coral Spring Village, Trelawny. The accused, Jermaine Findley, was charged on September 16 after being implicated in a burglary that occurred in the early hours of the morning.
-
Forex: $160.48 to one US dollar
KINGSTON, Jamaica — On Thursday, September 18, the US dollar experienced a slight decline against the Jamaican dollar, closing at $160.48, a decrease of 26 cents, as reported by the Bank of Jamaica’s daily exchange trading summary. This shift reflects ongoing fluctuations in the global currency market. Additionally, the Canadian dollar also saw a dip, ending the day at $116.29, down from $117.36. Similarly, the British pound weakened, closing at $217.95 compared to its previous rate of $220.49. These movements highlight the dynamic nature of international currency exchanges and their impact on local economies. Analysts suggest that such fluctuations may be influenced by broader economic trends and geopolitical factors affecting global markets.
-
Farmer charged for stabbing woman
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 27-year-old farmer from Falmouth, Trelawny, named Neil Ferril, has been formally charged with wounding with intent after a violent stabbing incident in Port Maria, St Mary, earlier this year. The incident occurred on the evening of February 10, when a heated argument between two women escalated into a physical altercation. Ferril allegedly intervened during the dispute, wielding a knife and stabbing one of the women multiple times. The victim was promptly rushed to the hospital, where she received medical treatment and was later discharged. Following an extensive investigation, Ferril was apprehended in Trelawny on September 15 and subsequently transported to St Mary, where he was officially charged. Authorities are now preparing for his upcoming court appearance as the legal process unfolds.
-
Tavares-Finson reappointed as Senate president
In a significant political development, King’s Counsel Tom Tavares-Finson was reinstated as the President of Jamaica’s Senate during the ceremonial commencement of Parliament on Thursday. The reappointment, marked by bipartisan cooperation, saw Tavares-Finson nominated by Senator Kamina Johnson Smith of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). The nomination garnered support from Senator Donna Scott-Mottley of the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), who seconded the motion. Following this, Tavares-Finson solemnly took the oath of allegiance, reaffirming his commitment to his role. Additionally, Senator Charles Sinclair was appointed as the Deputy President of the Senate, further solidifying the leadership structure. This event underscores the collaborative spirit within Jamaica’s political landscape, as both governing and opposition parties united to endorse Tavares-Finson’s leadership.
-
Visitor ordered to compensate officer she assaulted
Michelle McElwee, a 44-year-old real estate agent from Los Angeles, California, found herself in legal trouble instead of enjoying the Grand Kadooment festival in Barbados. McElwee’s disruptive conduct aboard an Air Canada flight on July 30 led to her arrest and subsequent court appearance. She pleaded guilty to five charges, including refusing to comply with a flight crew member’s lawful instructions, assaulting both a crew member and a Barbados police officer, and possessing three grams of cannabis. The incident unfolded when McElwee became aggressive, swore at the crew, and resisted directions. The captain requested her removal for the safety of passengers and crew, prompting police intervention. Upon searching her luggage at the airport, officers discovered a package suspected to contain liquefied cannabis. McElwee claimed it was for relaxation. Further resistance occurred when she concealed an object under her breast and refused to surrender it, pushing the officer attempting to retrieve it. Her defense attorney, Mohia Ma’at, highlighted her nine-day detention at Dodds Prison and her health issues, including a mild heart attack during her stay. McElwee, a mental health therapist, apologized for her behavior, expressing remorse to the crew, police, and passengers. Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes emphasized the need for accountability, ordering her to compensate the police officer $2,000 within seven days or face 30 days in jail. She was convicted and reprimanded for the other offenses and is set to return to court on Monday.
-
US visa bond plan sparks uncertainty in Barbados
Barbadian officials are grappling with uncertainty as the United States gears up to implement a contentious visa bond policy later this month. The policy, disclosed by the US State Department, mandates visa applicants from select countries to post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to secure a US visa. Initially, the pilot program will target citizens of Malawi and Zambia, with the possibility of expanding to other nations identified as having high visa overstay rates, inadequate vetting procedures, or citizenship-by-investment programs. Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kerrie Symmonds, expressed ambiguity about the policy’s potential impact on Barbadian travelers, stating, ‘I’m not entirely certain at this point, if, and how this will actually relate to us.’ The visas issued under this scheme will be valid for a single entry, with a maximum stay of 30 days within a three-month period. Applicants who comply with all visa conditions, including timely departure or proper filing for extensions, will receive a full refund of their bond. The pilot program is set to run until August 5, 2024, with its outcomes informing future decisions on visa bond implementation to address national security and foreign policy concerns.
-
UWI med class of 2025 delivers best results in five years
The 2025 graduating class of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, has set a new benchmark for academic excellence, achieving the best results in five years. Out of 37 students, 36 successfully passed their final clinical exams, with 14 earning honours and four receiving distinctions. The remarkable achievement was celebrated during the Hippocratic Oath Taking Ceremony held at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Auditorium on Thursday. Dr. Damian Cohall, Dean of the Faculty, lauded the performance as one of the most outstanding in recent memory. He noted that 36 out of 38 candidates passed, with one granted a medical exemption. The ceremony marked the culmination of a rigorous five-year journey, including three years of pre-clinical studies and two years of clinical rotations in local hospitals and health centres. The final assessment, the unified Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) clinical exam, took place on May 30. While the event celebrated academic success, it also emphasized the deeper responsibilities of the medical profession. Dr. Cohall reminded the graduates that medicine is not just about knowledge but also about compassion and ethical practice. He highlighted the evolving landscape of healthcare, shaped by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and robotics, but stressed that the human touch remains irreplaceable. ‘ChatGPT may become your medical colleague, but your humanity, judgement, and compassion cannot be programmed,’ he said. Dr. Anthony Harris, Director of Medical Services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, echoed this sentiment, urging the graduates to focus on patient care in an era of rapid technological advancement. ‘Medicine remains a personal profession,’ he said. ‘At the end of the day, it’s a human being in front of you who needs care.’ The Hippocratic Oath, a centuries-old tradition, served as a solemn reminder of the ethical and moral responsibilities that come with the title of doctor. The Class of 2025 was encouraged to prioritize patient care and uphold the noble values of the profession, even as the medical field continues to evolve.
-
Vonda Pile can no longer practise law in Barbados
In a decisive ruling, the Court of Appeal has mandated the immediate removal of Vonda Minerva Pile from the roster of licensed attorneys. The appellate board, comprising Chief Justice Leslie Haynes and Justices of Appeal Francis Belle and Margaret Reifer, issued the verdict following the Barbados Bar Association Disciplinary Committee’s recommendations. This action stems from Pile’s prior conviction and imprisonment for criminal misconduct during her legal practice. The court has also ordered that all client files under Pile’s management be transferred to the Registrar within a seven-day period. Pile was convicted on June 5, 2019, for embezzling $191,416.39 from her former client, Anstey King, between April 29, 2009, and October 26, 2010. Although she faced additional charges of money laundering, she was acquitted on that count. After serving a three-year sentence for theft, Pile had resumed her legal career, a move now definitively halted by this ruling.