RABAT, Morocco – The Catholic Archbishop of Rabat, Cristobal Lopez Romero, has affirmed his full cooperation with both Moroccan and international authorities following allegations of sexual abuse involving a French priest in Casablanca. The accusations, first reported by Moroccan news outlet Enass, claim that Father Antoine Exelmans orchestrated a “system of sexual exploitation” targeting underage migrants and refugees over a span of at least four years.
分类： society
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Attorney David Cash sues police, AG over Freeport arrest
Attorney David P Cash has initiated a Supreme Court claim against the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General, alleging unlawful arrest, assault, and constitutional rights violations during an incident in Freeport last year. The claim, filed last week, details accusations against officers at the Central Police Station in Grand Bahama, where Mr Cash was reportedly detained for 12 hours, assaulted, and charged with disorderly behavior and obscene language. These charges were dismissed in July 2023 by Magistrate Laquay Laing, who ruled that Mr Cash’s actions were merely those of an attorney passionately defending his client’s rights.
According to court documents, Mr Cash asserts that he was denied access to his client, Mermaid ‘Mervie’ Knowles, who was in custody at the time. He claims he was grabbed by the collar by a sergeant, dragged to the front desk, and placed in an unsanitary, overheated cell with limited access to restroom facilities and legal counsel. Mr Cash described the experience as humiliating and traumatic, causing post-traumatic stress and damage to his professional reputation, exacerbated by national media coverage of his arrest and prosecution.
In his filing, Mr Cash is seeking $11,390 in special damages to cover expenses such as airfare, car rental, accommodation, and legal representation related to the incident. Additionally, he is pursuing general, aggravated, exemplary, and vindicatory damages for alleged breaches of his constitutional rights under Articles 17, 19, 20, and 25 of the Constitution. The defendants, the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General, are being sued in their official capacities under the Crown Proceedings Act.
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ODPEM reassigned to OPM
In a strategic move to bolster disaster management efforts following Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been reassigned to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The decision, announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives, is effective immediately. This realignment aims to enhance logistical coordination between ODPEM and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), ensuring a more efficient and unified response to the crisis.
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A messy situation
Last Friday, the nation was thrown into a state of widespread panic as unverified rumors of a potential attack or war spread rapidly across social media and traditional news outlets. This led to the premature closure of schools, businesses, shops, and offices, causing massive traffic congestion on roads and highways. Grocery stores saw a surge in panic buying, with items like toilet paper becoming highly sought-after. Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin revealed that the police executive, relying on information from these platforms, decided to cancel the leave of all officers. This reaction to unverified information highlights a concerning dependence on media sources for critical decision-making. The incident raises questions about the role of social media in spreading misinformation and the adequacy of the police’s response mechanisms in such scenarios.
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Family offers $20K reward for information on death of father gunned down in front of four-year-old daughter
The family of Quintero Arnett, a 25-year-old man tragically murdered in front of his girlfriend and four-year-old daughter earlier this year, has taken a bold step in their quest for justice. They are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for his death. This reward, privately coordinated by family and friends, aims to encourage individuals with concrete evidence to come forward, bypassing traditional channels like the police or Crime Stoppers. The family’s decision underscores their frustration with the lack of progress in the investigation, which has seen no significant updates in seven months. Quinton Arnett, Quintero’s father, emphasized the family’s determination to keep the case alive, fearing it could otherwise become a cold case. He urged anyone with information to step forward, promising anonymity and confidentiality. The family marked what would have been Quintero’s 25th birthday with a visit to his grave, a prayer service, and the release of balloons, followed by a gathering at home. Quintero, a boat captain and mechanic, was remembered as a devoted father and hardworking young man with dreams of owning his own boat. The shocking CCTV footage of the February shooting, which showed masked gunmen opening fire as Quintero’s daughter fled, sparked national outrage. Despite the pain, Quinton Arnett has chosen forgiveness, stating, ‘I forgive them, but we definitely want justice for him.’ The family’s ultimate wish is for closure and justice as the investigation continues.
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Flooding in Content, Manchester linked to rising groundwater levels — WRA
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Water Resources Authority (WRA) has identified a significant rise in groundwater levels within the local aquifer system as the primary cause of the severe flooding currently affecting Content, Manchester. This phenomenon, known as a groundwater mound, occurs when water accumulates underground faster than it can naturally dissipate.
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Over 116,000 buildings severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa — Holness
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa has inflicted severe damage on more than 116,000 buildings out of the 428,000 structures recorded in the National Spatial Data Management Branch’s database. The devastation is particularly concentrated in the parishes of Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, and Manchester, as confirmed by satellite imagery and drone assessments. Prime Minister Andrew Holness addressed the crisis during a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. He emphasized the unprecedented use of geospatial intelligence to conduct a rapid, high-resolution national housing damage assessment, marking a historic milestone for Jamaica. ‘Melissa has caused extensive damage to the nation’s housing stock, especially in the western parishes,’ Holness stated. ‘These findings are now guiding targeted relief and reconstruction efforts across affected communities.’ The government is transitioning from emergency sheltering to stabilization and repair, with field verification underway in priority areas. Housing support teams are collaborating with the Jamaica Defence Force, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, and local authorities to expedite aid. Holness added that as access to western communities is restored, beneficiary verification will be completed, and roofing support, building materials, tarpaulins, and rapid-repair crews will be deployed to ensure safety and habitability. The data is being integrated into the post-disaster needs assessment to shape a resilient housing and building recovery program, led by Minister Robert Montague, who oversees Titling and Settlements.
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‘Painful chapter’
The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has brought profound emotional and logistical challenges to Jamaica, as recovery teams struggle to retrieve bodies from storm-ravaged communities. Information Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon described the process as one of the most painful aspects of the disaster response, with some victims still trapped in inaccessible areas only reachable by helicopter. Speaking at a post-hurricane media briefing, she emphasized the emotional toll on both responders and families, as the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) work tirelessly to recover bodies scattered across isolated western parishes. The death toll has risen to 32, with eight additional cases under investigation to determine if they are storm-related. Recovery efforts have been hampered by impassable roads and washed-out bridges, forcing reliance on aerial missions. Helicopters have been crucial for transporting both the deceased and emergency supplies, though unstable terrain and lack of safe landing zones have added to the complexity. Morris Dixon stressed the importance of timely reporting from local representatives, who play a critical role in identifying marooned communities and prioritizing rescue missions. Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr. revealed that 25 communities remain cut off, with hundreds of families displaced and many having lost everything. The government’s relief operation has expanded into a large-scale logistical effort involving multiple agencies and international partners, including Food For the Poor and the World Food Programme. Over 40,000 relief packages have been prepared, with plans to sustain affected families in the coming weeks. Despite challenges, Charles affirmed that aid has reached every parish, with social workers, JDF soldiers, and partners working tirelessly even in areas with no connectivity.
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Heavy rains flood roads and neighbourhoods in Cat Island
Residents of North Cat Island in The Bahamas are grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding caused by relentless weekend rainfall. Marine Wilson, a 61-year-old resident of Stephenson, recounted the harrowing experience of losing nearly all her possessions as floodwaters inundated her home. Wilson and her family were forced to flee barefoot, salvaging only essential documents as furniture floated outside. The deluge left parts of North Cat Island, including communities like The Bluff and Bennett’s Harbour, submerged under up to two feet of water, rendering roads impassable and trapping residents in their homes. Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School remained closed due to the dire conditions. Wilson described wading through knee-high water for nearly 20 minutes to reach her blind brother’s house on higher ground, where she sought refuge overnight. Upon returning, she found her belongings destroyed, including rugs, drawers, and bureaus. Residents attributed the severity of the flooding to clogged drains, which exacerbated the situation. Stacy Strachan of Bennett’s Harbour reported that the water rose so high it submerged a Suzuki jeep up to its roof. Derrick Rolle, another resident, noted that while his home escaped flooding, his bathroom plumbing was affected. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology linked the extreme weather to a frontal trough and a tropical wave, which triggered widespread showers and thunderstorms across the region. As water levels began to recede, many residents remained stranded, unable to return home due to debris and impassable roads.
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PM pledges support for education in Tobago
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, during her inaugural official visit to Tobago, unveiled a comprehensive plan to revitalize the island’s education system and create new opportunities for its youth. Speaking at Signal Hill Secondary School on November 4, she emphasized her government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring no child is left behind, regardless of their circumstances. The Prime Minister’s visit marked a significant moment, as it was her first official trip to Tobago since assuming office in April. Addressing a diverse audience of students, including those from primary, secondary, early childhood, and special needs schools, Persad-Bissessar announced several key initiatives. She pledged support for the Signal Hill Secondary Cultural Group to perform in an African country next year, a promise that resonated deeply with the students. Additionally, she revealed that every Form One student at the school would receive a laptop under the government’s Digital Learning Initiative by the end of the academic year. Reflecting on her own humble beginnings, Persad-Bissessar shared personal anecdotes about her childhood in Siparia, where she walked barefoot to school on muddy roads. She credited her mother’s belief in education as a transformative force for her success. The Prime Minister also outlined plans to strengthen early childhood education, including training 500 teachers in AI-supported lesson planning to foster innovation in classrooms. She highlighted the importance of reviving the laptop program, which had been discontinued, and stressed its critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Persad-Bissessar further emphasized expanded opportunities in tertiary and vocational education through institutions like the University of Trinidad and Tobago and the College of Science, Technology, and Applied Arts. She also reaffirmed her commitment to special needs education, pledging to revive the national network of enrichment centers for children with disabilities. In her closing remarks, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to parents and teachers for their dedication and vowed that Tobago would never be overlooked again. Quoting Nelson Mandela, she underscored the importance of investing in children as a reflection of society’s soul.