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Rudy Giuliani in critical condition in hospital

Nationnews Desk
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Rudy Giuliani in critical condition in hospital

WASHINGTON – Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been ​hospitalised and is in “critical but stable condition,” ‌his spokesperson said on Sunday.

The spokesperson, Ted Goodman, did not immediately provide more details about Giuliani’s condition or how ​long he has been hospitalised.

“Mayor Giuliani is ​a fighter who has faced every challenge ⁠in his life with unwavering strength, and he’s ​fighting with that same strength now,” Goodman said in ​a statement. “We do ask that you join us in prayer for America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani.”

Giuliani, 81, garnered acclaim for ​his response to the September 11, 2001, al ​Qaeda attack on New York City, earning the nickname “America’s Mayor.”

Giuliani ‌worked ⁠as an attorney for President Donald Trump in his failed efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, an effort that led to criminal ​charges against ​Giuliani in ⁠two US states and a defamation lawsuit from election workers. Giuliani has denied ​wrongdoing in the criminal cases.

Trump, in ​a ⁠social media post, called Giuliani the “Best Mayor in the History of New York City” and said he ⁠had ​been mistreated by Democrats.

Giuliani was previously ​hospitalised last year following a car crash in New Hampshire. (Reuters)

‘Need for’ freedom of information law

Carlos Atwell
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‘Need for’ freedom of information law

Freedom of information legislation will allow people to ask tough questions and demand answers.

Group senior executive at RJRGleaner Communications, Gary Allen, made the point as he took part in Starcom Network’s radio call-in programme Brass Tacks Sunday yesterday to mark World Press
Freedom Day.

It featured local and regional media managers and journalists, including general manager of Starcom Network Inc. and president of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), Anthony Greene; adviser for communication and information at the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, Dr Paul Hector; president of the Media Institute of the Caribbean, Kiran Maharaj; and media consultant and former CBU president
Dr Claire Grant.

Allen referenced Jamaica’s Access To Information Act.

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Daughter’s diagnosis big blow

Sherrylyn Clarke
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Daughter’s diagnosis big blow

The family of Noi Jemmott is facing a financial nightmare after a diagnosis of acute leukaemia and a treatment path which entailed her being transported by air ambulance yesterday to Colombia.

The 17-year-old building and civil engineering student of the Barbados Community College had complained of a slight headache and the family got the shocking results on Friday.

Noi, and her mother Cathy-Ann Allman, left the island yesterday and other members of the family are trying to raise funds.

They have launched a GoFundMe, with a target of US$400 000. The first month of treatment is estimated to cost about US$135 000. The air ambulance, required because Noi could not safely travel via commercial airline, has already set them back $42 000. The medical insurance covered the other $15 000.

“What I figured was a routine doctor check turned out to be leukaemia,” her father Janson Jemmott told the Sunday Sun.

“She was complaining for slight headaches and feeling a little tired. I thought it was dengue. She went out with a friend and the [other] girl was home complaining for headaches. I took her to the doctor expecting to hear a dengue diagnosis . . . .”

He added that the most recent tests showed a high white blood cell count and low platelets.

Noi’s physician recommended treatment in Colombia, and the family also did some research, recognising it would be cheaper than going up north.

“This feels like a nightmare. She is such a sweet little girl. Most parents would say that about their child, but honestly, she is a little sweetheart. The support coming in has been overwhelming – and you would want that ’cause she is just a sweet little soul,” Janson said.

The diagnosis has rattled the family circle but he said Cathy-Ann was trying to be strong.

“It has been hard on both of us. This was a shock. She is a very strong woman.

“She has her moments where the reality sinks in and she might cry, but she tries not to do it in front of my daughter because she wants to make her feel comfortable and confident. She does not want her to be fearful of what is coming next.”

Donations

Janson has, however, kept the news away from his 96-year-old mother.

The family is still trying to get assistance from Government, but he said that in the meantime, members of the public could give what they can and no amount was too small.

Donations can be made online via GoFundMe at https:// www.gofundme.com/f/ help-noi-jemmottfly- to-colombia-forlifesaving- treatment, FCIB Account No. 1001282704 or First Pay cathyallman@gmail. com.

“We are still way out from where we need to be. The actual treatment could run anywhere from six months to a year, so it is definitely going to be very expensive,” Janson said.

“I have to keep fighting. She is my only child and I believe this little girl needs an opportunity to make her mark.” (SAT)

Three dead in suspected virus outbreak on Atlantic cruise ship

Nationnews Desk
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Three dead in suspected virus outbreak on Atlantic cruise ship

Three people have died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization (WHO) has told the BBC.

One case of Hantavirus has been confirmed, with five more suspected cases under investigation, it said. One British national is reportedly in intensive care.

The outbreak was reported aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde.

Hantavirus infections are usually linked to environmental exposure, such as contact with urine or faeces from infected rodents, but in rare cases can spread between people, leading to severe respiratory illness.

Foster Mohale, a spokesperson for South Africa’s health ministry, earlier told the BBC that at least two people had died.

The MV Hondius is run by Dutch-based tour company Oceanwide Expeditions.

According to an itinerary on the Oceanwide Expeditions website, MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia in Argentina on 20 March and was expected to complete its journey on 4 May in Cape Verde.

South African authorities told the BBC the first person to show symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger who died on board. His body is now on the island of Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic.

His 69-year-old wife also became ill on board and was evacuated to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital.

A 69-year-old Briton was also reportedly evacuated to Johannesburg, where he is being treated in intensive care.

According to Oceanwide Expeditions, MV Hondius is a 107.6m (353ft) long polar cruise ship, with space for 170 people in 80 cabins.

WHO also said it was helping co-ordinate between member states and the ship’s operators for the medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, as well as a full public health risk assessment and support for those still on board.

It has described the outbreak as a “public health event”. (BBC News)

Fogging Schedule: May 4 to 8

Nationnews Desk
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Fogging Schedule: May 4 to 8

The Vector Control Unit will concentrate its mosquito reduction programme in St. George next week.

On Monday, May 4, the Unit will focus on the following districts: Bourne’s Village, Locust Hall Terrace, Locust Hall No.1, Applewhaites, Roach Village, Paradise, Paradise Village Nos.1 and 2, Market Hill, Jericho, and environs.

The next day, Tuesday May 5, it will be the turn of Bridge Cot, Market Hill, Belair, Bridge Cot Terrace, Cottage Link Road, Cottage Heights, Cottage Crescent, Grove Terrace, Grove Tenantry Road, and surrounding areas.

The team will visit Belair, Market Hill, Bridge Cot, Cottage Court West, Coral Austin Avenue, Newbury Heights, Country Road, No.2 Avenue Newbury and Woodale, Taitt Hill, and neighbouring districts on Wednesday, May 6.

The Unit will go into Workmans, Free Hill, Hope Estate, Salisbury, and Briggs Hill on Thursday, May 7.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Friday, May 8, in Taitt Hill, Rock Hall, Walkers Terrace, Walkers View, Glebe Gardens, Walkers, Workmans, and Upright Street.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the fog.            

The public is advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time. (BGIS)

BARJAM calls for FOI and media safety

Nationnews Desk
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BARJAM calls for FOI and media safety

The Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers is urging greater safety for journalists, responsible use of artificial intelligence and the introduction of Freedom of Information legislation, as it marked World Press Freedom Day 2026.

In a statement, the association said press freedom remains “a key pillar for peace and security”, while warning about the risks journalists face when covering crime. 

The full statement follows:

As the Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers (BARJAM) observes and celebrates this World Press Freedom Day 2026, we reflect on the theme ‘Shaping a future at peace’.

Without a doubt, press freedom continues to be a key pillar for peace and security, not just in a global context but for us in Barbados and the region as well.

While we may not typically find ourselves in active warzones, unfortunately many of us have felt the impact of a different type of warfare on our streets and in our communities with the scourge of gun crime. As Government, police, the defence force and ordinary Barbadians continue to play their respective roles in responding to the troubling situation, we continue to urge journalists covering crime scenes to exercise the utmost caution. We urge our fellow media workers to be always guided by the Barbados Police Service in the effective and safe reporting of such incidents.

Additionally, as we acknowledge our responsibility as gatekeepers of the facts to shape a peaceful future based on truth, BARJAM uses this opportunity to urge the responsible use of AI as an assistive tool. We must preserve the focus on the matters of human interest and good news. We must also continue to embrace our role in this new media age, as the Bonafide sources that our citizens turn to, to ensure the information they encounter in the digital space is true and accurate.

At the same time, we will not miss this opportunity to once again make an impassioned appeal to the Government of Barbados to make Freedom of Information Legislation a reality and to make it a priority for this new parliament. Some of our CARICOM neighbours have already made the important move and we should be next.

We believe a Freedom of Information Act will only serve to complement Government’s ongoing efforts to modernise and improve planned Integrity legislation, and perhaps more importantly, create a dedicated framework of transparency and accountability for all of our public institutions. Ultimately, this can only serve to boost public confidence and knowledge about the operation of our public systems into the future.

US threatens shipping firms with sanctions if they pay Iran tolls

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US threatens shipping firms with sanctions if they pay Iran tolls

The US has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions if they pay Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

An alert on Friday by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) warned US persons and companies were generally banned from paying Iranian government entities, and non-US persons may risk exposure to sanctions if they pay.

“Maritime industry participants involved with vessels calling at Iranian ports face significant sanctions risk under multiple sanctions authorities targeting Iran’s shipping sector and ports”, OFAC said.

Iran has severely limited traffic through the strait since the war began in February. The US has also enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran has called the US interception of ships entering and leaving Iranian ports under the blockade “piracy”.

Tehran says it has collected tolls from ships in order to navigate freely through the strait, with Hamidreza Haji Bababei, deputy speaker of Iran’s Parliament, last week claiming the first toll revenue had been deposited with the country’s Central Bank.

No further detail was provided on the amount of the toll, the method of collection nor who paid it. The BBC could not independently verify this claim.

OFAC’s alert said payments could involve cash as well as “digital assets, offsets, informal swaps, or other in-kind payments,” including charitable donations and payments at Iranian embassies.

The agency warned that non-US persons who pay could also face civil and criminal enforcement liability if payments cause US persons, such as insurers and financial institutions, to violate sanctions.

OFAC said it “will continue to aggressively target Iran’s main revenue-generating sectors, in particular its petroleum and petrochemical sectors”.

The US Treasury also announced sanctions on three Iranian foreign currency exchange houses on Friday, saying they have converted oil revenue into more usable currencies.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said his agency would “relentlessly target the regime’s ability to generate, move and repatriate funds, and pursue anyone enabling Tehran’s attempts to evade sanctions”.

After the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, Iran has been targeting and striking ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, including seizing two of them.

The US has also enforced a naval blockade since 13 April, stopping all ships from travelling to or from Iranian ports. Trump had hoped the blockade would put pressure on Iran by targeting its revenue from the tolls and oil sales.

US Central Command (Centcom) said on Friday that 45 commercial ships have been told to turn around since the blockade began.

About 3,000 ships typically pass through the strait each month, but that number has dropped sharply to just a handful each day.

The strait is a crucial shipping channel for oil and other goods including food, medicines and technological supplies.

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said on Friday that the closure of key maritime routes has forced the use of longer and more expensive alternatives to transport aid.

Higher transport and fuel costs “disproportionately affect people in emergencies”, including refugees and displaced people, the agency said.

The cost of delivering aid to Sudan, entering its fourth year of war, has doubled in recent months, as rerouting shipments around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa adds up to 25 days in delivery time.

The UN agency said it has adapted quickly by rerouting sea cargo and relying more on land corridors. But it warned that “if instability in the Middle East persists, rising costs, delays and limited transport capacity are likely to constrain humanitarian operations further.”

The US and Iran began a fragile ceasefire on 8 April. Since then, the two countries have held talks, but no long-term deal has been reached.

Iran gave mediators in Pakistan a proposal to end the war on Thursday night, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency. However, US President Donald Trump has responded negatively to the proposal.

“They want to make a deal, I’m not excited, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said on Friday.

He added: “Because they have no military left, essentially. I’m not sure if they ever get there.”

The president did not give details about the proposal or explain why he was not satisfied, but said: “They’re asking for things that I can’t agree to.”

He also voiced frustration with Iran’s leadership, saying: “It’s a very disjointed leadership. They all want to make a deal, but they’re all messed up.”

After Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in US and Israeli strikes on the first day of the war, his son Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded him. However, decision-making seems less centralised than it was before the war.

On Thursday, Trump said he was briefed on options for Iran ranging from “blast the hell out of them and finish them forever” to “make a deal”.

The conflict began after the US and Israel carried out wide-ranging strikes on Iran in February. Iran responded by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.

The US and Israel said Iran was trying to develop a nuclear bomb, which Tehran has strongly denied. (BBC News)

CBU head bemoans lack of access to information laws

Colville Mounsey
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CBU head bemoans lack of access to information laws

As Barbados marks World Press Freedom Day today, president of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Anthony Greene says the country must move to enact longdiscussed freedom of information legislation, pointing to what he described as a critical gap in the national governance framework.

Greene, in a statement issued to coincide with the observance, said while Barbados continues to benefit from a strong democratic tradition and a generally free media environment, the absence of a comprehensive legal structure guaranteeing the public’s right to information remains unresolved.

“As we mark World Press Freedom Day, we are reminded that Press freedom is not only a global concern, but a national responsibility,” he said, adding that the issue must be examined within the Barbadian context.

He noted that long-running discussions on access to information laws have not yet resulted in implementation, leaving Barbados behind several Caribbean territories that have already established formal legislative frameworks.

“One of those gaps is the absence of comprehensive access to information legislation,” he said. “Despite previous commitments, Barbados still lags behind many of its Caribbean neighbours in establishing a formal legal framework that guarantees citizens’ right to information.

“That is not a small issue. It goes to the heart of transparency, accountability and public trust,” he added.

Greene, who is also General Manager of Starcom Network Inc., acknowledged that policy discussions had often centred on the need to modernise data governance systems before introducing such legislation, but said that approach should no longer delay progress.

“There have been arguments that the country must first modernise its data governance framework before introducing such legislation. While that is an important consideration, it should no longer be a basis for continued delay.

“Strengthening data systems and advancing access to information are not mutually exclusive, but must proceed together if we are serious about transparency in a modern, digital society.”

The CBU president also addressed the broader role of the media within the democratic process, noting that structural support for journalism remained essential. “At the same time, we must reaffirm the critical role of an independent media in sustaining a strong democracy.”

He pointed to shifts in communication practices, including the growing use of direct messaging by institutions and officials, but said these developments do not replace the functions performed by professional journalism.

“The work of the media to question, verify, provide context and hold power to account, must never be discounted,” he stressed.

Greene said the current information environment, shaped by rapid digital dissemination and increased volumes of unverified content, placed additional demands on both media practitioners and public institutions.

“At a time when misinformation is rising and media systems are under increasing strain, access to timely and accurate public information is more critical than ever,” he said.

He added that ensuring such access was not only a matter of principle, but also required systems which facilitate the consistent flow of reliable information to journalists and the public.

“Press freedom must be supported not only by principle, but by practical measures that enable journalists to do their work effectively and responsibly.”

Greene said Press freedom should be understood as one that extended beyond media organisations, encompassing the rights of citizens to be informed.

“Ultimately, Press freedom is about the public’s right to know. Strengthening that right in Barbados will require both the continued protection of media independence and meaningful progress on long-promised reforms that empower citizens and reinforce trust in our institutions.”

World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation by UNESCO. It is observed annually on May 3 to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the Press, to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression, and to honour journalists who have faced threats or lost their lives in the line of duty. (CLM)

CDB appoints Gillian Charles-Gollop as vice president, corporate services

Nationnews Desk
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CDB appoints Gillian Charles-Gollop as vice president, corporate services

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has appointed Gillian Charles-Gollop as Vice President, Corporate Services, effective May 1.

Charles-Gollop brings more than 30 years of experience in banking and financial services, with a track record spanning corporate and investment banking, governance, strategic planning, and risk management.

 The Bank said her leadership combines innovation with disciplined execution, supporting its focus on operational excellence and strong financial stewardship.

She most recently served as Executive Director for Corporate Banking and Sustainable Finance at CIBC Caribbean, where she oversaw a regional corporate and sovereign credit portfolio exceeding six billion U.S. dollars and helped advance the institution’s sustainable finance agenda.

Her career has also included leading major financing and advisory transactions across the Caribbean, including infrastructure, renewable energy, utilities and telecommunications projects.

A national of St.  Lucia, Charles-Gollop has earned recognition for her leadership in risk management, operational performance and client service. 

President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Daniel M. Best, said the appointment comes at a critical time for the institution.

“Gillian’s appointment strengthens CDB’s leadership team at a pivotal time,” he said. “Her strategic insight, deep financial expertise, and strong commitment to the region’s advancement will be invaluable as we continue to enhance financial management, mobilise resources, and support sustainable development across our borrowing member countries.”

In her new role, Charles-Gollop will provide oversight of the Bank’s corporate services functions, with responsibility for strengthening internal operations and supporting the institution’s broader development mandate.

The CDB said her appointment will help advance its mission of promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development across the Caribbean. (CMC)

Economists raise questions about over-reliance on sector

Colville Mounsey
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Economists raise questions about over-reliance on sector

Barbados’ economic stability is dangerously over-reliant on tourism and could quickly unravel if that sector falters, economist Professor Troy Lorde has warned.

Reacting to the Central Bank of Barbados’ first quarter review last week, he said the headline figures, while positive, tell only part of the story, pointing out that growth remained heavily concentrated in a single sector.

His colleague at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill, Professor Don Marshall, described the recent performance as a “remarkable stabilisation achievement”, but cautioned that the country had yet to achieve meaningful economic transformation.

Expansion

Central Bank Governor Dr The Most Honourable Kevin Greenidge on Wednesday reported that the economy grew by 1.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, resulting in 20 consecutive quarters of expansion, with inflation at 1.1 per cent and unemployment at 7.2 per cent.

Tourism again drove much of that performance, supported by increases in both stay-over and cruise arrivals, along with continued activity in construction and services.

Lorde said the Central Bank’s latest report masked a deeper structural imbalance in the economy.

“The rest of the economy is lagging . . . . Tourism is essentially the economy right now,” he said, noting that while the sector expanded by more than three per cent, overall growth was just 1.7 per cent, implying that other sectors grew at roughly one per cent or less.

“That tells you the structure is still very dependent and very imbalanced. If tourism is not doing well, that stability narrative would disappear.”

He added: “That 1.7 per cent is a headline figure. It doesn’t tell the story.”

He explained that Barbados’ dependence on tourism left it highly exposed to external shocks, particularly as leisure travel was discretionary and driven by global economic conditions.

“When people don’t feel confident about their finances, they don’t travel. That is the nature of tourism, so we need other sectors that can function when tourism is not firing.”

Marshall, head of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, said while the combination of steady growth, low inflation, falling unemployment and improved fiscal balances reflected sound economic management, the underlying structure of the economy remained largely unchanged.

“This is not diversification in any meaningful, developmental sense. It is sectoral deepening within an already narrow structure,” he said, pointing out that growth continued to be concentrated in tourism, construction and services, with investment largely tied to real estate and tourism-related activity.

External demand

He said Barbados remained locked into a model that depends on external demand, one that “exports experiences and imports necessities”.

Both economists also raised concerns about the disconnect between official data and the realities facing households.

Lorde questioned whether the low inflation rate of 1.1 per cent reflected actual cost-of-living pressures, arguing that increases in essential goods and services were often masked within broader price indices.

“Inflation is made up of a number of items . . . but the things people have to buy – food, rent, transportation – did those only go up by one per cent? Probably not,” he said.

Marshall noted that rising costs in key areas such as transport, health care and education were being felt disproportionately, even as overall inflation remained subdued.

“Low aggregate inflation masks the reality that cost-ofliving pressures are concentrated precisely where households feel them most,” he said.

On the fiscal side, Marshall acknowledged Government’s success in restoring discipline, with a strong primary surplus and declining debt levels, but questioned whether those gains were being used to fundamentally reshape the economy.

“This raises a crucial question: what kind of investment is being prioritised, and whom does it serve?” he asked, stressing that fiscal prudence without structural change risks reinforcing existing economic dependencies.

Lorde took issue with the continued reliance on tax concessions and incentives to attract investment, adding that such measures could undermine Government’s ability to fund essential services.

“If your model can only succeed on the back of concessions and reduced taxes, then you’re putting pressure on the Government to provide education, health care and everything else with less revenue,” he said.

Both agreed that diversification remained the central challenge, with Lorde pointing out that responsibility must be shared between Government and the private sector.

“The Government has to send signals, but investors and entrepreneurs also have to take risks,” he said.

Marshall said Barbados must move beyond a narrow focus on macroeconomic stability and pursue a model centred on productivity, resilience and economic sovereignty.

“Stabilisation was necessary; it was not sufficient,” he said, warning that without meaningful change, the country risks remaining in a “low-diversification, high-debt equilibrium”. (CLM)

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