KINGSTON, Jamaica—Amid a surge in violent incidents targeting children, the advocacy group Hear The Children’s Cry (HTCC) has intensified its demands for stricter measures against child murderers. The organization is advocating for an automatic $1 million bounty on individuals who kill children, alongside harsher penalties for child-related crimes. Recent cases have highlighted the grim reality of children being caught in drive-by shootings, community violence, and suspected gang vendettas, prompting urgent calls for action.
分类： society
-
WATCH: Soup King re-opens at Market Place
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Soup King, a beloved local brand, made a triumphant return on Saturday at Market Place, located at 67 Constant Spring Road. To mark the occasion, the establishment offered free soup to its patrons during the grand reopening event. Adrian Wilson, co-owner of Soup King, expressed his enthusiasm for the relaunch, stating, ‘Soup King is a brand I’ve had before, but we’ve relaunched, and today is the day to do a grand sampling for all our customers, new and old. We’ve given away 500 soups and are just hanging out and vibing with our customers.’
The event drew both loyal and new customers, many of whom shared their excitement. One long-time patron reminisced, ‘This isn’t my first time at Soup King. I used to visit them when they were on Lynders Road. I’m having the seafood fiesta, which is my favorite soup. If you haven’t tried Soup King yet, you’re missing out.’ Another customer, a self-proclaimed soup enthusiast, added, ‘I’m a soup man. Sometimes I boil a pot of soup and freeze it for later. When I come here and find their chicken soup and shrimp soup, which taste amazing, I’ll be coming back repeatedly.’
The relaunch not only celebrated the return of a cherished local business but also reinforced the community’s love for Soup King’s offerings. The event was a vibrant gathering of old and new customers, all united by their appreciation for good soup and good company.
-
Divali activities brightens up Felicity Hindu School
Felicity Hindu School in Trinidad and Tobago recently hosted its annual inter-school decorating competition in preparation for Divali, the Hindu festival of lights, celebrated on October 20. The event, held on October 9, showcased the creativity and cultural pride of its 455 students, predominantly Hindu, who participated in various age-appropriate activities. From infants to Standard Five, students engaged in tasks ranging from coloring deyas (traditional oil lamps) to crafting intricate kalsa sets and Divali wreaths. The competition not only highlighted artistic talent but also reinforced cultural traditions, with some students planning to use their creations in home puja ceremonies. Principal Denesh Bhagwandeen emphasized the importance of such events in fostering cultural awareness and providing a break from academic routines. The best designs from each class will be displayed during the school’s Divali program on October 16, followed by a puja ceremony on October 17. The event underscored the beauty of Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural heritage, offering students a platform to express their creativity while celebrating their traditions.
-
Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) coast guard, air wing, rescue missing fishermen
In a successful rescue operation, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard and JDF Air Wing located and saved two fishermen who had gone missing on Friday, October 10. The fishermen had departed from the Greenwood Fishing Village in Montego Bay to engage in fishing activities around the Montego Bay Harbour area. However, their vessel, expected to return before sundown, failed to do so, and all attempts to contact the crew proved futile.
-
Greed on the Rocks
Little Dunn’s River, a public beach in Ocho Rios, St Ann, has once again become a hotspot for illegal profiteering, with individuals charging Jamaicans for access to what is supposed to be a free facility. Despite being officially open only on Sundays, the beach was found to be fully operational on a recent Wednesday visit by the Jamaica Observer. A self-proclaimed caretaker at a side entrance demanded $300 for entry, claiming the main gate was closed. This unauthorized fee was justified by the man, who asserted that he and his associates maintain the property, purchasing supplies and cleaning facilities. However, the beach is owned and managed by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), making such charges illegal. This issue is not new; in 2022, the beach was shut down after a fatal shooting linked to a criminal network extorting visitors. Member of Parliament Matthew Samuda condemned the illegal activities, emphasizing that Little Dunn’s River is a free public beach under UDC supervision. He revealed that security measures have been initiated, including police involvement and arrests. Samuda also highlighted the government’s commitment to providing free beach access and shared that a $170-million upgrade plan for the beach is underway. While the beach is currently open only on weekends due to resource constraints, the government aims to balance accessibility and security. Samuda stressed that unscrupulous individuals blocking access will be forcefully removed, as they are not legitimate custodians but criminals. The issue has sparked protests, with advocacy groups demanding seven-day access and asserting historical rights to the land. The government’s beach access policy, nearing completion, seeks to address these concerns while ensuring public safety and enjoyment.
-
Endangered olfactory pleasures
During a visit to Trinidad in late September, a casual shopping trip in Valpark turned into a heartfelt conversation about the changing scents of tradition and nature. The shop owners, a warm and welcoming couple, shared their excitement for the upcoming Divali celebrations, revealing their innovative plan to use deyas with wicks in water instead of the traditional coconut oil. While this modern twist is fascinating, the nostalgic aroma of coconut oil-soaked deyas remains unmatched, evoking cherished memories of past Divali celebrations spent with friends like the Sharmas, lighting deyas at dusk and savoring the homely scent that preceded Mrs. Sharma’s lavish vegetarian feast. The couple also reminisced about the once-special sight and smell of grapes and apples on Trinidad’s streets during Christmas, a seasonal treat that has now become commonplace, losing its unique charm. This conversation sparked a deeper reflection on how many natural and traditional scents seem to be fading from our lives. The scent of rain, sea spray, freshly-mown grass, and even the aroma of old book pages are becoming less noticeable, likely due to environmental degradation, urbanization, and shifting cultural habits. The impact of human activity on nature, including atmospheric heating and pollution, has altered the way life smells. Even the simple pleasure of smelling books, known as bibliosmia, may become a relic of the past as e-books dominate. The conversation also touched on the profound connection between scent, memory, and emotion, suggesting the idea of ‘scratch and sniff’ hubs to revive these endangered aromas and evoke nostalgic emotions. As one friend lamented, her sense of smell has been drastically diminished after multiple bouts of COVID-19, highlighting the fragility of this sensory experience. This reflection serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving the scents that shape our memories and emotions.
-
Call for early mental health intervention on World Mental Health Day
The Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness (BAEH) has called on authorities to shift focus from awareness campaigns to implementing early, community-based mental health interventions, citing untreated mental health conditions as a key driver of the island’s homelessness crisis. Speaking on World Mental Health Day, BAEH President Kemar Saffrey emphasized the need for early identification and support for mental health challenges in schools, workplaces, and families to address the intertwined issues of homelessness and mental illness. He stressed that education and awareness are crucial to reducing stigma and fostering societal understanding. Since its establishment in 2009, the BAEH has worked with hundreds of homeless individuals, revealing that approximately 80% of its clients, both male and female, have faced mental health issues. Saffrey highlighted the necessity of a holistic national approach, combining clinical care with community outreach and robust policy support. He also advocated for policy changes to empower frontline organizations, such as community groups and shelters, to assess, document, and refer individuals in crisis to mental health services. This, he argued, would bridge the gap between community and clinical care, ensuring dignified and timely intervention. Recent data from Barbados’ 24-hour mental health hotline, which has received over 6,500 calls since its launch, underscores the urgency of the issue, with 40% of calls coming from children and teens. Saffrey urged Barbados to move beyond awareness and take meaningful action, emphasizing compassion and coordinated reform as essential for lasting progress. On World Mental Health Day, the BAEH called for a national recommitment to mental wellness, ensuring access to support for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.
-
Coverden neighbour knifes grandparents, toddler
A shocking knife attack in Coverden, East Bank Demerara, has left a family of three injured, including an 18-month-old toddler. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon at approximately 3:30 PM, when the family was caught in traffic on the East Bank Road. The alleged attacker, 68-year-old Alfred Aaron, a construction worker, has been arrested in connection with the assault. The victims include 53-year-old Indira Thomas, a housewife, her 68-year-old husband William Thomas, a businessman, and their young granddaughter. According to Mrs. Thomas, the altercation began when Aaron verbally abused her while they were stuck in traffic. The two had a prior disagreement and had not been on speaking terms. The situation escalated when Aaron allegedly threatened to kill Mr. Thomas, who had stepped out of his vehicle to confront him. Armed with a knife, Aaron attacked Mr. Thomas, inflicting injuries to his abdomen and ear. The toddler sustained a wound on her left wrist, while Mrs. Thomas suffered injuries to her elbow, hand palm, and fingers while attempting to intervene. The family managed to drive to Diamond Regional Hospital, where they received medical treatment. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
-
Armed trio robs Chinese supermarket
In a brazen late-night robbery, three armed men targeted a Chinese supermarket in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, on October 10, 2025. The incident, which occurred around 9:44 PM, left the owner, 38-year-old Zhuangshui Xu, shaken and robbed of an undisclosed sum of cash and GYD$50,000 worth of Digicel and One Guyana phone cards. According to the Guyana Police Force, the suspects, armed with a gun, a knife, and a cutlass, confronted Xu and demanded the money. One of the perpetrators entered the cashier area, emptied the cash register, and stuffed the day’s earnings along with the phone cards into a black plastic bag before fleeing on foot. Xu, who was behind the counter assisting customers at the time, described the suspects as wearing hoodies, jerseys, and face coverings. Police have questioned several individuals as part of their ongoing investigation into the crime.
-
Barbados charts new path for inclusive sport with Paralympic pilot project
The Paralympic Movement in Barbados marked a significant milestone on Wednesday as stakeholders convened at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex to reveal the outcomes of a transformative pilot project. This initiative, titled the Institutional Strengthening of National Paralympic Committees’ Caribbean Islands Project, was spearheaded by the Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC) and funded by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF). Focusing on Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, the project aims to foster social inclusion through sports.
Central to the project is the goal of enhancing institutional capacity to ensure the growth of parasport at both elite and grassroots levels. Ryan Brathwaite, the newly appointed President of the Paralympic Association of Barbados (PAB), emphasized the profound personal and symbolic significance of this moment. ‘Sport is about access, dignity, and belonging,’ Brathwaite stated. ‘Yesterday’s inaugural Parasport Festival wasn’t just a showcase — it was a statement. A space for students, para-athletes, and the public to see, feel, and understand the power of inclusive sport.’
Brathwaite further highlighted that the initiative transcends a mere project, representing a shared belief in the transformative power of sports. ‘This collaboration represents more than a project,’ he said. ‘It’s a shared belief that sport can transform lives — and now, we have a roadmap to make that belief real.’
Michelle Formonte, Executive Director of AmPC, detailed the project’s achievements over the past 16 months, which included examining national sports policies, auditing infrastructure accessibility, and training a new generation of coaches, classifiers, and officials—71% of whom are women. ‘This isn’t the end,’ Formonte remarked. ‘Today we celebrate results, but we also plant a seed.’
Juan Pablo Salazar, CAF’s Director of Inclusion, stressed the necessity of regulatory reform and long-term structural support. While Barbados led in accessibility among the pilot nations, Salazar underscored that true inclusion requires more than goodwill. ‘Right now, we have great people like Ryan, Martin, and the rest of the team,’ he said. ‘But this can’t depend solely on individuals. We need laws and institutions that ensure access to sport is a guaranteed right, not a fortunate exception.’
Salazar also pointed out the broader societal impact of inclusive systems in sports. ‘When we create inclusive systems in sport, we’re not just building athletes — we’re changing how society sees and includes persons with disabilities across the board,’ he explained. ‘That’s why this project matters. It’s a template for how inclusion can be embedded into public life.’
The project resonated deeply with the local government. Ryan Straughan, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, shared a personal story about his autistic son benefiting from the late Michael Young’s Adaptive Aquatics programme. Straughan announced a $100,000 commitment to continue this legacy through training at Camp Aquarius.
Charles Griffith, Minister of Youth, Sport, and Community Empowerment, echoed this sentiment, vowing to increase Barbados’ representation in future Paralympics. ‘We had only one athlete at the last Paralympics,’ he said. ‘Never again.’ Plans include a coaching exchange with Nippon Sports and Science University in Japan and upgrading facilities for accessibility.
The event underscored Barbados’ readiness to lead by example in the region. With robust partnerships, dedicated leadership, and growing public awareness, parasport in the Caribbean is gaining the structure and visibility needed to thrive.