Mandatory parental consent, often perceived as a safeguard for children, can paradoxically trap them in abusive households. While this provision is beneficial in nurturing environments, it becomes a tool of oppression in dysfunctional families. In such homes, sexual cruelty, fear, and suppression replace care and trust. Alarmingly, these ‘households of hell’ are more prevalent than society acknowledges, cutting across all social strata. Parental consent is frequently misused to preserve family image rather than protect children, allowing abusers to operate unchecked. In one Eastern Caribbean country, 18.6% of women reported childhood sexual abuse, a likely underreported statistic. Removing mandatory parental consent would grant adolescents legal access to healthcare professionals, empowering them and improving the reporting and prosecution of predators. The Age of Civil Responsibility Bill does not alter the legal age of consent, undermine trustworthy parents, or favor predators; instead, it makes abusers more vulnerable. Advocates urge the government to strengthen and proceed with the bill to protect children.
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Govt accelerates $20bn energy transformation plan
Barbados is poised to embark on a transformative renewable energy journey, as the government accelerates its Energy Transition Investment Plan, a multibillion-dollar initiative expected to save the island $16 billion over the next decade and generate thousands of green jobs. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds announced the plan in Parliament on Tuesday, emphasizing its potential to reshape the nation’s energy landscape and economy.
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Support for Jamaica in the aftermath of Melissa
During the Caribbean Week of Agriculture in October 2024, Saboto S Caesar, Minister of Agriculture in St Vincent and the Grenadines, emphasized the urgent need for enhanced post-disaster support for Caribbean nations. This call to action comes in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which devastated several countries, including St Vincent and the Grenadines, in July 2024. The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) has responded by launching a climate resilience portal, designed to provide critical information on hurricane preparedness and recovery efforts. This initiative aligns with the CRFM’s mandate to support member states in their post-disaster recovery processes. Additionally, the CRFM has urged its community to contribute to Jamaica’s recovery following Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28, 2024. With maximum sustained winds of 145 miles per hour, Melissa tied as the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin, causing catastrophic damage to both national infrastructure and personal property. The CRFM has pledged to collaborate with the Caribbean community and Jamaican residents to expedite recovery efforts and rebuild affected areas.
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Rotary’s Christmas at the Point returns for 2025
The Rotary Club of Grenada has announced the eagerly awaited return of ‘Christmas at the Point,’ set to take place from November 30, 2025, to January 4, 2026, at the stunning Quarantine Point Recreational Park. This annual event, which transforms the park into a festive wonderland of lights and joy, will feature an enhanced focus on global cuisine, reflecting Rotary International’s commitment to cultural exchange and community connection. The Monica Benoit Wonderland of Lights, a tribute to the event’s founder, will once again illuminate the park, adding to the holiday magic. This year, the food court will take center stage, offering a diverse array of international dishes, from Asian street food to European winter classics, West African stews, South American spices, and Caribbean favorites. Richard Strachan, the event’s chairman, emphasized that the culinary experience is designed to foster understanding and unity across cultures. Julia G Lawrence, President of the Rotary Club of Grenada, highlighted the event’s role in promoting peace through shared traditions. In addition to the food, the event will feature nightly movies, music, children’s activities, and curated vendors, making it Grenada’s premier holiday celebration. More details, including vending opportunities and programming, will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, follow the Rotary Club of Grenada on Instagram or visit their official website.
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Liberty Caribbean and Starlink Direct to Cell adds data messaging connectivity to its emergency service in Jamaica in aftermath of Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, Liberty Caribbean, operators of Flow Jamaica and Liberty Business, has successfully restored data messaging connectivity to over 70% of its mobile data customers. This achievement was made possible through a collaboration with Starlink’s Direct to Cell satellites, which provided emergency connectivity via SMS and text services as the hurricane made landfall in St. Elizabeth early Tuesday morning.
The Spectrum Management Authority and the Ministry of Energy, Transport, and Telecommunications approved the necessary spectrum for this initiative, enabling Liberty Caribbean to integrate Starlink’s advanced satellite technology. Inge Smidts, CEO of Liberty Caribbean, emphasized the importance of this service, stating, ‘The availability of our FLOW Essential service provided basic SMS and text messaging during the hurricane. We worked closely with Starlink to restore as many communication options as possible, and now we’re able to offer data messaging connectivity to over 70% of our mobile data customers.’
Smidts highlighted the critical role of communication in the nation’s recovery efforts, noting, ‘The ability to communicate will be crucial as we rebuild. We wanted to give our customers one less thing to worry about.’ This partnership ensures island-wide network redundancy, delivering seamless satellite connectivity directly to mobile customers while local infrastructure remains unavailable.
Liberty Caribbean, a subsidiary of Liberty Latin America, operates in over 20 Caribbean markets, providing broadband, mobile, video, and voice services through its consumer brands Flow and BTC. Its B2B division, Liberty Business, supports economic growth with enterprise-grade connectivity, cloud, security, and data center services.
Starlink Direct to Cell, the world’s largest satellite constellation with over 650 low-Earth orbit satellites, offers data, voice, video, and messaging services in mobile dead zones. Its advanced phased array antennas act like cell towers in space, enabling seamless global connectivity. Starlink partners with Mobile Network Operators worldwide to enhance 4G coverage and network integration.
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Sandra Ferguson honoured as IICA Leader of Rurality of the Americas
Sandra Ferguson has been celebrated as one of the 2025 Leaders of Rurality of the Americas by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Grenada. This prestigious accolade acknowledges her decades of transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing rural development in Grenada. The award was formally presented by Gregory Delsol, Technical Specialist at IICA Grenada, during a ceremony held at the IICA Grenada Office on October 21, 2025, on behalf of IICA’s Director General Dr. Manuel Otero and Representative Gregg Rawlins. Delsol praised Ferguson for her exceptional service to rural communities, both individually and through her leadership of the Agency for Rural Transformation (ART). The Leaders of Rurality of the Americas Award, established in 2020, honors individuals whose innovation and dedication have significantly improved rural livelihoods, strengthened food security, and promoted sustainability across the Americas. Ferguson’s nomination recognizes her over 30 years of visionary work with ART, where she spearheaded initiatives that expanded access to credit, enhanced technical support for farmers, and empowered women and youth in rural areas. Her advocacy has also driven national movements like “Grow What You Eat, Eat What You Grow” and “Eat Local. Eat Healthy,” fostering food sovereignty and nutrition awareness in Grenada. In her acceptance speech, Ferguson credited ART and its partners for the success of these initiatives, highlighting impactful projects such as the revitalization of Grenada’s beekeeping sector and community-based food security programs. Delsol expressed gratitude to IICA headquarters for endorsing the nomination and lauded Ferguson’s lifelong dedication to sustainable agricultural and rural development. Her recognition as a Leader of Rurality of the Americas underscores her commitment to building resilient communities and inspiring a more inclusive and sustainable future for Grenada and the Caribbean. Since its inception, the award has honored numerous individuals across Latin America and the Caribbean whose stories embody hope, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of rural life.
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Hurricane Melissa Brings Life-Threatening Floods and Winds Across Caribbean
Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 5 storm, continues to wreak havoc across eastern Cuba and is poised to advance into the southwestern Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center has issued urgent warnings of catastrophic winds, torrential rainfall, and perilous storm surges affecting multiple Caribbean nations. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its latest advisory at 5:00 am local time on Wednesday, underscoring the severe dangers posed by the hurricane. In Jamaica, authorities have implored residents to stay indoors, citing risks of downed power lines, flooding, and other hazards. Safety measures include proper generator ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and cautious clean-up operations. Haiti and the Dominican Republic are bracing for devastating flash floods and landslides, with Haiti’s communities likely to be cut off due to extensive damage. Eastern Cuba is enduring life-threatening storm surges and flash floods, with hurricane-force winds battering the region. The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are also on high alert, with hurricane conditions, heavy rainfall, and storm surges expected. Bermuda, though farther from the storm’s core, may face hurricane conditions and heavy rainfall by Thursday. NOAA forecasters have emphasized that Hurricane Melissa remains a grave threat, urging residents in affected areas to take all necessary precautions.
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COMMENTARY: Rising from Ruin: Turning Caribbean Pain into Power
The Caribbean, though small in size, embodies an indomitable spirit. Despite enduring the ravages of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and a soul-shaking earthquake in Antigua, the region faces not only natural disasters but also political and social upheaval. Cuba and Venezuela are ensnared in geopolitical tensions, while CARICOM’s unity is strained as Trinidad and Tobago steps away from shared regional commitments. Amidst this turmoil, the Caribbean stands at a crossroads of anguish and awakening, yet within this chaos lies a profound opportunity for transformation. Dr. Isaac Newton, a renowned strategist and scholar, calls for a shift from reactive politics to proactive, functional solidarity. He advocates for the creation of Flexible Solidarity Networks, uniting scientists, faith leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs to act swiftly across borders during crises. Regionalism must transcend rhetoric and manifest in shared action, ensuring that the Caribbean becomes the architect of its own protection. Innovation, too, must play a pivotal role. Dr. Newton proposes a Resilience Incubator Initiative, fostering collaboration among universities, youth innovators, and diaspora investors to fund climate-smart agriculture, digital entrepreneurship, and renewable energy projects. The Caribbean’s wealth of intellect and ideas, when integrated, can turn crisis into a catalyst for progress. Diplomatically, the region must embrace Ethical Realignment Diplomacy, grounding foreign policy in truth, transparency, and mutual respect. The Caribbean must resist being drawn into the ambitions of larger powers, asserting its sovereignty and moral voice. Healing the region’s soul is equally crucial. Dr. Newton envisions a Caribbean Emotional Renewal Project, leveraging culture, faith, and mental well-being as pillars of renewal. Education must cultivate wise citizens, and leadership must inspire as well as govern. The Caribbean’s history of resilience—from slavery to colonialism to natural disasters—proves its capacity for rebirth. Unity, wisdom, and compassion must guide the region as it rises from the ashes of ruin, not as victims but as visionaries of destiny. Pain, when transformed by purpose, becomes power, and the Caribbean’s greatest storms may yet birth its greatest strength.
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Woman testifies pastor performed oral sex on her
A pastor has been brought before the High Court, accused of serious indecency involving a young woman during a massage session. The trial, presided over by Justice Stanley John, began yesterday, with the defendant facing two charges related to the alleged incident on March 18, 2023. The complainant, aged 25 at the time, testified that the pastor had been her spiritual mentor since she joined his church in June 2022. She revealed that she had confided in him about her financial struggles and mental health issues, and he had encouraged her to reach out for support. In September 2022, while recovering from a knee injury, the pastor visited her home, bringing groceries and $200. Later, he suggested a massage to help her manage stress. The woman initially believed she would receive a spa gift certificate but was instead picked up by the pastor, who gave her $400 and promised an additional $300 to assist with her debts. He drove her to a private apartment, where he allegedly performed the massage himself. According to her testimony, he asked her to remove her underwear, commented on her body, and proceeded to engage in non-consensual oral sex and digital penetration. She claimed she tried to push him away and later reported the incident to her mother and a friend. The pastor allegedly apologized and offered to fund therapy sessions, urging her not to pursue legal action. The complainant reported the matter to the police on March 23. During cross-examination, the defense questioned the timeline of events and suggested the complainant’s actions indicated consent, which she denied. The trial continues today.
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Liberty Caribbean working with Starlink Direct to Cell to provide service in Jamaica
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, Liberty Caribbean, the parent company of Flow Jamaica and Liberty Business, has taken proactive measures to ensure swift recovery and uninterrupted communication for its customers. Leveraging its partnership with Starlink Direct to Cell, Liberty Caribbean will utilize satellite technology to provide emergency connectivity in areas where terrestrial networks have been severely disrupted. This groundbreaking collaboration marks the first instance in Jamaica where a traditional telecom operator has teamed up with a satellite communications provider to deliver seamless mobile connectivity during crises. The initiative will enable essential SMS and text communications, ensuring that emergency services, businesses, and families can stay connected when local infrastructure fails. Inge Smidts, CEO of Liberty Caribbean, emphasized the critical importance of communication in disaster scenarios, stating, ‘Having the ability to communicate post-hurricane is a matter of life and death. Our FLOW Essential service will provide immediate basic connectivity.’ This innovative approach underscores Liberty Caribbean’s commitment to safeguarding Jamaicans, the economy, and the region’s shared future by integrating redundancy into its island-wide mobile network.