The Bahamas is facing a demographic challenge that threatens the sustainability of its National Insurance Board (NIB), prompting calls for citizens to have more children. Myles Laroda, the Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, highlighted the critical link between the country’s declining birth rate and the future of the NIB. With a current birth rate of 1.7 children per woman—below the replacement level of 2.1—the nation risks a shrinking workforce unable to support a growing number of pensioners. Laroda emphasized that the NIB’s viability hinges on the ratio of contributors to retirees, noting that a healthy balance requires at least six workers per pensioner. However, the ratio is nearing three, signaling potential instability. The minister’s remarks came during a workshop on sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, organized in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund. He stressed that discussions on reproductive health must consider economic realities, as fewer births translate to fewer future contributors to the NIB. Successive actuarial reports have warned of the fund’s unsustainability without reforms, with projections indicating reserves could be depleted by 2028 if contribution rates and benefits remain unchanged. In July 2024, the government raised the contribution rate from 9.8 percent to 10.3 percent, with further increases potentially needed to stabilize the fund. Laroda underscored that population growth and reproductive health are integral to the Bahamas’ economic stability and long-term development, urging citizens to recognize the broader implications of declining fertility rates.
分类： society
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Opposition welcomes creative economy Green Paper, urges inclusion and action
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has introduced a landmark initiative to formalize and expand the nation’s cultural and creative industries, garnering bipartisan approval. The Green Paper on the National Policy for Culture, Entertainment, and the Creative Economy 2025–2035 was presented in Parliament on Tuesday by Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange. This comprehensive 10-year strategy aims to bolster a sector that already contributes over five percent of Jamaica’s GDP and nearly three percent of national employment. The policy outlines plans to establish new institutions, enhance intellectual property protections, and develop sustainable funding mechanisms to support artists, entertainers, and cultural practitioners. Minister Grange emphasized that the policy is a transformative framework designed to preserve Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage while unlocking the full potential of its creative sectors. She highlighted that the document was crafted after extensive consultations with cultural experts and industry stakeholders, aiming to place people and culture at the core of economic and social development. Opposition Spokesperson Nekeisha Burchell praised the initiative as a timely and necessary step, though she stressed the importance of including voices from smaller communities and traditional practitioners in the consultation process. Opposition Leader Mark Golding also commended the policy but called for a clear implementation blueprint, including timelines and governance structures. Meanwhile, MP Damion Crawford raised practical concerns, such as the low uptake of the entertainment registry and the need for stronger protections against the international exploitation of Jamaican cultural expressions. The policy has been widely welcomed as a critical step toward fostering national pride, social cohesion, and economic growth through Jamaica’s vibrant creative industries.
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Trials likely after mediation fail
A Montego Bay man, Melbourne Forrester, is set to face trial after mediation efforts in a domestic violence case collapsed. Forrester, charged with unlawful wounding, allegedly struck his stepdaughter on the head with a pot during a heated argument, leaving her with a wound that required stitches. The incident escalated when Forrester reportedly brandished a knife, threatening to stab her, and later hurled stones, causing further injuries. A neighbor alerted the police, leading to Forrester’s arrest. Initially, Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton referred the case to mediation and restorative justice, but the process failed to yield a resolution. With the necessary medical certificate still pending, the judge scheduled a case management hearing for October 16 and extended Forrester’s bail. Meanwhile, tensions ran high in the St James Parish Court as another complex cross-case involving Angella Reid, Oshane McIntosh, and Ann Lawrence also saw mediation fail. Reid is accused of unlawful wounding against McIntosh, while McIntosh and Lawrence face charges of assault occasioning bodily harm against Reid. The court has set the next mention date for October 28, with all defendants’ bail extended.
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Woman robbed of $10 at gunpoint in Green Bay
A harrowing incident unfolded in Green Bay early Friday morning when a woman was held at gunpoint and robbed of $10. The event occurred around 5 a.m. on George Street as the victim was returning home from a nearby club. According to the victim, the assailant, described as wearing a brown mask, dark long-sleeved shirt, blue cargo pants, and black boots, confronted her with a small black firearm. The robber swiftly took the money but fled the scene when a passing pedestrian startled him, providing the woman an opportunity to escape. Law enforcement officers promptly arrived, conducted a thorough search of the area, and interviewed several individuals. Despite their efforts, the suspect remains at large. Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to apprehend the perpetrator and ensure community safety.
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Policeman charged with child rape
A 19-year-old police officer from Supenaam, Essequibo Coast, Guyana, has been formally charged with the rape of a 14-year-old girl. The accused, Erwin Gentle, was arrested on October 6, 2025, by an officer from the Gender-Based Violence Unit of the Guyana Police Force. The charge, which pertains to the rape of a child under the age of 16, was presented at the Friendship Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Tameika Clarke. Gentle was not required to enter a plea and has been remanded to prison until his next court appearance on October 27, 2025. This case has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of a law enforcement officer in such a grave offense, raising concerns about accountability and the protection of minors within the community.
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Brian Benjamin Granted Bail Over Attempted Murder Charge
In a significant legal development, Senior Magistrate Ngaio Emmanuel has granted bail to Brian Benjamin, a 59-year-old resident of All Saints, who is facing charges of shooting with intent to murder. The case stems from an alleged attempt to murder Simon Farrell at Sanderson’s Estate. Benjamin appeared in court on Tuesday, where the magistrate set his bail at $20,000, including a $5,000 cash component and the requirement of two sureties. As part of his bail conditions, Benjamin must report to the All Saints Police Station every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until his next court appearance on December 4. The decision has sparked discussions about the judicial process and the conditions under which bail is granted in serious criminal cases. The case continues to draw public attention as the legal proceedings unfold.
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Kendra Beazer Named King’s Commonwealth Fellow
Kendra Chimberlain Beazer, a dedicated professional from Antigua and Barbuda, has been selected as a King’s Commonwealth Fellow under the prestigious King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme PhD Pathway. This initiative, hosted by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), is inspired by His Majesty King Charles III and aims to support individuals from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in pursuing advanced studies while addressing critical global challenges. Mr. Beazer’s PhD research will focus on advancing climate resilience, education, health, and engineering, contributing significantly to sustainable development in his home country. He will receive joint supervision from a partner university within the Commonwealth, ensuring a collaborative and impactful academic journey. The Fellowship underscores the importance of empowering professionals from SIDS to drive positive change in their communities. This opportunity not only highlights Mr. Beazer’s commitment to academic excellence but also aligns with broader efforts to address pressing global issues through education and innovation.
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BWU slams delay in transfer of stakes to workers
The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) is urgently seeking clarity on the future of the restructured sugar industry and the fate of long-promised benefits for workers who have been the backbone of the sector. According to exclusive reports from Barbados TODAY, years of assurances that former and current sugar workers, particularly those in the cane fields, would become part-owners in a new cooperative regime have yet to materialize.
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VIDEO: Roadworks Continue in All Saints, Lightfoot, and Cedar Grove
The Ministry of Works in Antigua and Barbuda has announced the commencement of extensive road maintenance projects in several key areas, including All Saints, Lightfoot, and Cedar Grove. The initiative aims to enhance road safety and infrastructure quality, addressing long-standing concerns from residents and commuters. While the upgrades are expected to bring long-term benefits, the Ministry has advised the public to anticipate potential delays and plan their travel accordingly. Visual documentation, including photos and videos, has been shared by the Ministry to keep the community informed about the progress. This proactive approach underscores the government’s commitment to improving public infrastructure and ensuring smoother transportation networks across the region. Additionally, the Ministry has encouraged local businesses to leverage digital marketing opportunities through the nation’s most visited news platform, highlighting the intersection of public works and economic development.
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Dominican postal service and city hall issue commemorative stamp honoring Salomé Ureña on 175th birthday
The Dominican Postal Institute (Inposdom) and the National District Mayor’s Office jointly unveiled a limited-edition postage stamp on Tuesday, commemorating the 175th anniversary of Salomé Ureña de Henríquez, a revered poet and educator who revolutionized higher education for Dominican women. The unveiling ceremony, held at the Fray Antonio de Montesinos monument, was attended by prominent cultural figures, education leaders, philatelists, Inposdom Director Erick Guzmán Núñez, and Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía. Guzmán Núñez emphasized that the stamp is not merely a collectible but a tribute to Ureña’s enduring legacy as a symbol of national identity and a testament to the state’s commitment to gender-inclusive education. Mayor Mejía praised Ureña for her role in dismantling social barriers and laying the groundwork for the nation’s educational system. The commemorative stamp, designed by architect Alejandro Vignieri and printed by Litografía Ferrúa, features a square format (40 × 40 mm) on tropicalized gummed paper with perforation 13½. Limited to 10,000 copies, each stamp carries a face value of RD$75.00. The launch included the first-day cancellation and signed first-day covers, marking the official introduction of the stamps into national circulation. Salomé Ureña, who founded the Instituto de Señoritas in 1881, trained the country’s first generation of female teachers and significantly influenced Dominican literature and pedagogy. Her maxim, ‘To educate a woman is to prepare, with her, a family; and to educate families is to build the nation,’ continues to resonate. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration between Inposdom and the National District Mayor’s Office to preserve Dominican cultural heritage and promote philately as a tool for collective memory and civic education.