标签： Barbados

The Barbados Port Inc. has initiated a formal investigation following the circulation of a controversial video on social media. The footage, which has garnered significant public attention, allegedly depicts several port employees mishandling a white Ferrari in a manner that has raised widespread concerns. The video, laden with expletives, shows individuals believed to be port workers displaying the imported luxury sports car and driving it recklessly within the port compound. The faces of the individuals involved are clearly visible in the footage. In a statement released on Saturday, the Barbados Port Inc. expressed sincere regret over the incident and acknowledged the concerns voiced by customers, the public, and other stakeholders. The statement emphasized that the Port does not condone such behavior, which contradicts its commitment and obligation as the custodian of cargo received at the Port of Bridgetown. The Port assured that it is taking the matter seriously and is addressing it through formal processes. Additionally, it is in contact with all relevant stakeholders and appreciates the patience and understanding of those impacted by the incident.

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.

Authorities in Barbados have launched an investigation into the unnatural death of a foreign guest at the Hilton Barbados Resort. Annmarie Thompson, the Director of Sales and Marketing at the hotel, confirmed the incident during a visit by Barbados TODAY, expressing profound sorrow over the guest’s unexpected demise. While the family of the deceased has been informed, the hotel has refrained from disclosing the individual’s identity, citing strict privacy protocols. Thompson assured the public that the resort continues to operate normally, with no disruptions to its services. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

The Barbados Immigration Department has taken a significant leap towards digitalization with the launch of a new online visa application portal and the introduction of online payments for all immigration services. The announcement was made by Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams, during a briefing at the department’s headquarters on Princess Alice Highway, St Michael, on Tuesday.

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.

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.

A group of 15 Haitian migrants, recently evicted from a rental property in Bonnetts, Brittons Hill, St Michael, have been relocated to the Salvation Army Hostel on Reed Street. The relocation occurred last Saturday evening, providing shelter for nine of the young men displaced by the sudden eviction. These individuals, aged between 21 and 36, had been legally residing in Barbados under visitor status with six-month permits, though most have since seen their return tickets expire.

Barbados Ambassador to CARICOM David Comissiong expressed uncertainty regarding the duration of their stay at the hostel but commended the Salvation Army’s humanitarian initiative. “I must acknowledge my profound admiration for their caring Christian ethos,” Comissiong stated. “Their readiness to assist these vulnerable individuals exemplifies the kind of humanitarian outreach that could significantly transform our society.”

The ambassador clarified that while the migrants are not illegal residents, their financial circumstances have become increasingly precarious. Many fell victim to a fraudulent scheme, paying between US$2,500 and $3,000 to an agency in Haiti that promised employment and accommodation in Barbados—promises that proved entirely false upon arrival. Having exhausted their resources, the group now depends on charitable support for basic necessities.

Comissiong and Reverend David Durant, former Government Senator and Chairman of the National Assistance Board, have launched an appeal for financial assistance to secure return flights to Haiti, estimated at BDS $600 per person. Additionally, they seek food donations since the Salvation Army’s Feeding Centre only provides lunch daily.

The eviction was initiated by landlord Anthony Mayers, who cited property maintenance issues and unexpectedly high utility bills—a water bill reaching BDS $1,200 within one month—as reasons for terminating the arrangement.

Reverend Durant, who initially sheltered the migrants at his Restoration Ministries Church, reported positive responses from the Barbadian community, including a pledge of BDS $1,500 toward return tickets. “This demonstrates that as a CARICOM nation, we are not indifferent to those in need,” Durant remarked.

Through a translator, the Haitian migrants conveyed their gratitude for the assistance received while initially expressing concerns about potential deportation. Ambassador Comissiong reassured them of their legal status but emphasized the prohibition against seeking employment during their stay.