Eric Dane, the actor best known for his roles on Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died less than a year after revealing he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Dane, 53, starred as family patriarch Cal Jacobs on hit HBO teen drama show Euphoria. Before that, he was perhaps best known as Dr Mark Sloan, or ‘Dr McSteamy’, on medical drama Grey’s Anatomy.
The California-born actor was diagnosed last year with ALS and spent the last few months raising awareness for the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND).
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” reads a statement from his family.
He was married to fellow actress and model Rebecca Gayheart, with whom he had two children.
The written statement said he spent his final days surrounded by friends and his devoted wife, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, “who were the centre of his world”.
“He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received,” it said.
Dane also played Jason Dean in fantasy drama series Charmed, and Captain Tom Chandler in action drama show The Last Ship, while appearing in films such as Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day and Burlesque.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles.
It affects the nerve cells in the brain and spine that control muscle movement, causing patients to slowly lose their ability to speak, eat, walk and breathe independently.
The actor was born in San Francisco in 1972 and made his television debut in the Wonder Years in 1993. (BBC)
Approximately 500 guests have been invited to the official opening of Parliament tomorrow and the historic West Wing will be opened to accommodate the large numbers.
Clerk of Parliament Pedro Eastmond tonight told The Nation it would be “a soft opening” for the West Wing because they still have to outfit some of the rooms, which have been under renovation for the past two or three years.
“It’s being called into use tomorrow to accommodate those invited guests to Parliament because the Senate Chamber in terms of capacity, comfortable capacity, can seat 218 persons and we’re going to have close to 500 or more invited guests tomorrow. So the West Wing is being used and both wings are connected so that whatever is streamed on the East Wing is beamed to the West Wing,” Eastmond explained.
“So those guests who will be in the West Wing will get to see members in the Lower Chamber (House of Assembly) conducting business. You will get to see members in the Ermie Bourne Committee Room, which for tomorrow’s event would be effectively where the Senate meets and conducts its formal business, and the Senate Chamber where the formal opening [will take place].
“We’ll see also for the first time the speech delivered by the President of Barbados will not be the traditional speech that outlines the government’s programme but rather the President’s address; essentially what the President will be looking to see the Parliament achieve in this five-year term.”
Eastmond said history would be made in the choosing of the Speaker of the House of Assembly. For the first time since Parliament opened in June 1639, the Speaker will be elected from someone who did not face the electorate, becoming the 31st member of the House of Assembly.
Workmen were busy putting the finishing touches to the Public Building in historic Bridgetown for the ceremony, which is scheduled to commence at 4 p.m. The red carpet was being installed on the stairs, pristine white tents were already erected and the courtyard was scrubbed clean in preparation for the reception which follows the pomp and pageantry.
“This is almost the biggest event in the Parliamentary cycle, the opening of Parliament. This is one event where you hardly get anybody refusing an invitation or declining an invitation to come,” Eastmond noted.
“The Senate Chamber, where the majority of the ceremony will take place, is the place where the whole governance of Barbados is found in there in terms of those officials who are very critical to the success of Parliament, the success of government and the Westminster tradition as we know it will be on full display. Yes, we are a republic, but we still follow that Westminster tradition.”
The Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup trophy has landed in Barbados.
The trophy arrived at Grantley Adams International Airport earlier today aboard British Airways and was received by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Community Empowerment, Joy Adamson, along with officials from the Barbados Turf Club and representatives from Sandy Lane.
Speaking at the airport, Adamson expressed pride in welcoming back “one of the most coveted symbols of sporting excellence in the Caribbean”.
She thanked British Airways for the safe delivery of the trophy.
“You have been the trusted custodians of the gold standard of Caribbean racing… we thank you for the safe passage of the trophy from London to our shores today,” she said.
Adamson also paid tribute to Barbadian racing legend Patrick Husbands, who will compete in his final Gold Cup this year.
“We really want the Barbadian public to come out and witness his final historic ride,” she added.
Sandy Lane General Manager James Matthews highlighted the hotel’s 28-year sponsorship of the event.
“What began as a bold endeavour to spotlight Barbados on the international racing stage has flourished into a marquee event admired across the Caribbean and far beyond,” he said, noting that the 2026 race promised a thrilling field of local and international competitors.
President of the Barbados Turf Club, Kevin Burke, confirmed that the 2026 race would feature several horses racing in Barbados for the first time, including entrants from the Ken Ramsey stable and the defending champion from Guyana.
He also announced an increase in prize money to $170 000, describing the event as “one of our best Gold Cups in quite some time”.
The Trophy was personally transported by Captain Paula Alsopp of British Airways.
“British Airways is the longest serving carrier connecting the Caribbean with the United Kingdom and it means a great deal to continue the tradition of delivering this prestigious cup which travelled with us in the cockpit today”, he remarked.
The Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, now in its 43rd year, remains one of the island’s most celebrated sporting events, drawing thousands of spectators to experience top-tier horse racing and the island’s enduring racing heritage.
The 2026 race is scheduled for Saturday, March 7. (AM)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been “released under investigation”.
The 66-year-old royal has been seen leaving a police station in Aylsham, following his arrest earlier on Thursday (19.02.26), and Thames Valley Police has now released a public statement, confirming that Mountbatten-Windsor has been released.
The statement reads: “Thames Valley Police is able to provide an update in relation to an investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office.
“On Thursday we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
“The arrested man has now been released under investigation.
“We can also confirm that our searches in Norfolk have now concluded.”
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested at his Sandringham home on Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.
King Charles, his older brother, subsequently insisted that the “law must take its course”.
The 77-year-old monarch said in a statement: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.
“As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Oliver Wright, the Assistant Chief Constable at Thames Valley Police, has also released a statement.
He said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.
“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.” (BBC News)
There is uncertainty over who will be the two Opposition Senators to be selected.
The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) submitted two names in president Ralph Thorne and former Senator Ryan Walters, but it is understood candidates from Friends of Democracy and the People’s Coalition for Progress could be in the running.
Sources said that the President issued an invitation to the DLP to submit “three or four names” for consideration for Senate picks, but only those two were sent in after a General Council meeting at its party headquarters on Wednesday night.
The Senate comprises 21 people, with 12 Government senators and seven Independents sworn in between Monday and earlier today. (Nation News)
General Secretary of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) Dennis de Peiza has raised serious concerns about low voter turnout and what he described as major irregularities with the voters’ list, warning that the issues threaten public confidence in the democratic system.
Speaking during a news conference yesterday at CTUSAB headquarters at Letting No. 4, the Garrison, St Michael, de Peiza said the labour movement was deeply troubled by reports suggesting voter turnout ranged between 38 and 40 per cent, which he described as a worrying sign for participatory democracy.
“We all know that we have heard and [it’s] yet to be confirmed, about the level of voter turnout, but from what has been said, it would seem that there has been a low turnout, averaging between 38 to 40 per cent of our population,” he said.
“It is really, really concerning to us when we are speaking about a democracy where the populace is not exercising its right to vote. CTUSAB is of the very strong view that the exercising of the right to vote is a critical aspect of participatory democracy and it is important now that a conscientious, serious effort is made to educate our people about that right.”
He stressed that restoring public trust in the political system must be treated as a national priority.
Strongest criticism
However, de Peiza reserved his strongest criticism for what he described as serious and unacceptable flaws in the voters’ list, which he labelled “nothing short of a national disgrace”.
“We believe that wherever the errors are, however they were committed, it is not too late to correct them now, because this should never happen again.
“There should be a national population census commissioned immediately to make sure we clean up this voters’ list and get it right.”
He pointed to personal experience as evidence that the system needs urgent review.
“I am one of those persons who can attest that something was wrong. Even in my own home, my son, who is deceased, we received correspondence for him to go and vote at a polling station. A dead man cannot vote. That alone shows that something is wrong if we cannot even account for those who are no longer with us.”
‘Something is wrong’
He added that similar concerns were raised by others, including citizens who were unable to vote despite being properly registered and possessing identification.
“We have heard too much of persons saying they were overseas or that they had all their documents and still could not vote,” he said.
“Something is wrong and we need to address it. If something like this had occurred, responsible leadership should have said, ‘Let us put a hold on this, clean up the system and then proceed.’ We cannot send signals to the world that we are practising fairness when there are blatant irregularities and we proceed as though nothing happened.”
De Peiza said the country must take what he described as the “moral high road” in safeguarding the electoral process and ensuring that democracy reflects genuine national choice.
“We have to dismiss this notion about voting simply for an opposition,” he said. “A country needs to vote, elect and choose a government. We cannot start implanting in the minds of citizens that they are going to vote for an opposition. The integrity of our people, our leaders and our institutions must never be brought into disrepute.”
He stressed that decisive action is now needed to restore confidence in the electoral system and protect the democratic reputation of Barbados. (TRY)
In 2026, Barbados will reach its 60th anniversary. For Barbadians, our biggest challenge is poor health, specifically non-communicable diseases like cancer. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and as a cervical cancer prevention advocate, I aim to educate the public about its risks. This year, my theme will be “Cervical Health and You”.
Today, the focus is on why cervical health matters, the importance of eating a good diet, early screening, including Pap tests, HPV testing, and awareness.
Why Cervical Health Matters
Cervical cancer develops in the cells of the cervix, often caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (Healthline).
All Caribbean women will encounter HPV at some point in their lives. Fortunately, only a small percentage of women will develop cancer. However, the risk increases when women do not have access to regular screening or follow-up care.
The key facts are that cervical cancer is preventable with vaccination and screening, early stages rarely show symptoms, and when detected early, treatment success rates are very high (WebMD).
Food Comes First in Cervical Health
The answer to fighting NCDs does not come from a prescription but from our grocery list and local market shopping.
As Caribbean people, we have the best foods to help fight HPV and cervical cancer. Women are encouraged to consume foods high in folate – okra, lentils, black eyed peas, avocado; Vitamin C – guava, soursop, papaya; Vitamin A – pumpkin, carrots, sweet potato; Vitamin E – sunflower oil, almonds, coconut & coconut oil; Omega 3 – sardines, tuna, mackerel; and antioxidants – turmeric, ginger, and soursop.
Importance of Early Screening: Pap Tests and HPV Testing
1. Early Pap test detects abnormal cell changes before they turn into cancer.
An early pap smear test detects abnormal cell changes before they can turn into cancer. The HPV test identifies high-risk strains of HPV that are known to cause cervical cancer. In many Caribbean health guidelines, Pap tests are recommended every three years, or co-testing with HPV every five years when available (NIH).
2. Why early detection is crucial
Early detection saves lives. Here’s why:
● It finds cell changes before symptoms appear.
● It identifies abnormalities while they are still easily treatable.
● It reduces the risk of developing advanced cancer.
● It helps women monitor HPV infections and take action early.
Catching cervical changes early can mean the difference between a simple, outpatient procedure and complex, costly treatment. In my experience, one night with a cervical cancer patient at home can cost more than $500. Early detection is key to avoiding high medical bills.
Cervical cancer screening in the Caribbean: What women should know
While cervical cancer affects women everywhere, Caribbean women face unique challenges. These include limited access to regular screenings in certain islands, cost barriers, cultural stigma and fear, inconsistent health education and fewer specialists and diagnostic centres (NIH). These challenges make awareness and proactive care even more vital.
How to get screened with limited resources
Some Caribbean islands, including Barbados, have pockets of limited resources, long wait times, or fewer clinics offering Pap and HPV testing. Despite these hurdles, women can still stay on top of their cervical health:
1. Know where screenings are offered
In Barbados and similar islands:
● Public polyclinics may offer free Pap tests on scheduled days.
● NGOs and women’s health groups occasionally run mobile clinics or outreach screening programmes.
● Private clinics provide screenings year-round.
Make it a yearly habit to check local health announcements, especially during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January.
2. Ask about extended screening intervals
If HPV testing is available, co-testing allows for longer intervals (up to five years) between screenings, easing the burden on both women and health systems. Also, encourage grandmothers, mothers, daughters, nieces, and younger women to get vaccinated early.
3. Leverage digital health and telehealth services
Some clinics globally are expanding telemedicine options to include virtual consultations, digital reminders for screening schedules, and online health education resources. These are innovations that our Barbadian medical community should consider. If you live far from urban health centres, these tools can help you stay informed and connected.
4. Join community health drives
Local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and church groups often collaborate on free screening days, women’s health workshops, awareness campaigns and participating in community health programmes reduces stigma and increases access.
Practical Tips for Protecting Your Cervical Health
Start screening at age 21 or as recommended by your doctor.
● Quit smoking – it increases cervical cancer risk.
● Practice safe sex and reduce HPV exposure.
● Follow up on any abnormal Pap or HPV results promptly.
● Keep a personal health calendar to track screenings.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and regular screening can save lives. For Caribbean women with constrained health care resources, being proactive is essential.
Prioritise Pap tests, seek HPV vaccination, use community and health resources, and stay informed. Your cervical health is your power. Early detection is your best defence.
Seven Independent Senators selected by the President of Barbados were sworn in during a ceremony at State House.
Taking the oath of office before President of Barbados, Lieutenant Colonel The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, were Jamal Slocombe, Rev. John Rogers, Mary Redman, Andrew Niles, Andrew Mallalieu, Ryan Forde and Dr Kenneth Connell.
Rev. John Rogers, Andrew Mallalieu and Dr Kenneth Connell are returning Independent Senators.
The ceremony formally confirmed their appointments as members of the Upper Chamber.
Eight Members of Parliament and seven Senators were officially sworn in today during a ceremony at State House.
The oath of office was administered by President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, in the presence of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and other officials.
A new Parliamentary terms starts tomorrow with the official opening ceremony, following the recent general elections.
President Bostic congratulated all members, noting that serving in Parliament was demanding and required selfless commitment.
“It is very hard work, very tough, very demanding. It is selfless service, but it is a service that we, all of us who are here, should be willing to do,” he said.
He urged MPs and senators to perform their duties diligently and uphold the interests of the nation.
Following the President’s remarks, Prime Minister Mottley addressed the new members, describing the term as “exciting” and highlighting the role of parliamentary standing committees.
“I look forward to building on the innovation in the standing committees and ensuring they not only address legislation but mid-issues that may be of importance to the country,” she said.
She stressed the importance of citizen engagement in matters relating to economic, social, and environmental issues, and encouraged younger parliamentarians to familiarise themselves with Hansard reports dating back to 1946 to learn from previous generations.
President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and members of the Cabinet (from left): Roshanna Trim, John King, Ramon Alleyne, Janelle Odle, Reginald Farley, Deputy President The Most Honourable Elizabeth Thompson, and Kamisha Benjamin.
Democratic Labour Party (DLP) president Ralph Thorne and businessman Ryan Walters have been selected by the party to fill two seats in the Senate of Barbados.
The party met last night at the George Street, St Michael headquarters and Thorne, who spoke with Nation News after the meeting, said it was a democratic process in which the General Council voted on the two names.
Thorne, who crossed the floor from the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in February 2024, was the last Leader of the Opposition, but the DLP suffered a third successive 30-0 defeat at the polls last week Wednesday.
A smiling Ryan Walters leaves the Democratic Labour Party headquarters after the meeting. (Picture by Reco Moore)
As per the Constitution, the BLP, through President The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, can extend an invitation to the DLP to select two senators.
“We’ll be looking forward to a robust debate in the Senate. As you know, I am accustomed to being a minority in the Parliament – and of course, this is subject to presidential acceptance – but the party means seriously that Senator Walters and I should resume in the House of Parliament. And we will be a minority, but we are ready for the task.”
In a sombre mode after the defeat last week, Thorne said he would contemplate his future as this presented an opportunity for him to return to private practice as a lawyer.
“A lot of people met me in the public. A lot of people said on social media not to consider leaving, and the vote here tonight tells me that the party wants me to continue in leadership,” Thorne said, adding it was humbling.
“I will say to you that there is a convention that when you lose an election, you put your leadership at the disposal of the party, and I say that it is an opportunity for me to return to private life, but clearly the party wants me to continue. And I can tell you an overwhelming number of people in the public domain want me to continue.” (SAT)
