In a significant move to combat animal cruelty, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, the Attorney General of the Dominican Republic, has emphasized that the law strictly prohibits all forms of animal abuse and mandates prosecution for offenders. Speaking at the first Animal Festival’s panel titled ‘Justice for the Voiceless: Challenges and Advances in Animal Protection,’ Reynoso highlighted the urgent need for enhanced protection of animal rights. She warned that individuals who engage in animal abuse often exhibit broader patterns of violent behavior within their communities, including domestic and social violence. Reynoso stressed that such individuals must not only be rehabilitated but also legally pursued to foster a culture of respect and sensitivity toward all living beings. She clarified that ignorance of the law is no defense, as legal principles dictate that all laws are deemed to be known within 24 hours in the National District and 48 hours elsewhere in the country. To bolster enforcement, the Public Ministry School is training 100 lawyers to represent victims of animal abuse across the country’s 35 judicial districts. Additionally, the Public Ministry conducts autopsies on animals when necessary and is advocating for legislative reforms to reconsider penalties for animal cruelty. Reynoso also addressed the challenges of rehabilitating rescued animals, citing the lack of adequate recovery spaces. She defined abuse broadly, including neglect, physical harm, and confinement in unsuitable environments, urging society to recognize and prevent such mistreatment.
分类： society
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Classrooms to get creative as education reform continues
Barbados is embarking on a groundbreaking shift in its education system, moving away from traditional rote learning toward a more interactive, student-driven approach. Minister of Educational Transformation Chad Blackman unveiled this ambitious initiative during a thanksgiving service at the Sanctuary Empowerment Centre, marking the start of Education Month. Under the theme ‘Nothing is Impossible,’ Blackman emphasized the need to foster creativity, curiosity, and real-world skills among students. ‘The days of teachers simply lecturing from A to Z are over,’ he declared. ‘Students must now engage in presentations, collaborative projects, and technology-driven learning. Schools must become vibrant, interactive spaces that unlock each child’s potential.’
Blackman highlighted the importance of modernizing school infrastructure to support these innovative methods. ‘Our schools must be purpose-built, modern, and clean—places where teachers thrive, children grow, and communities connect,’ he said, acknowledging the challenges of this transition but stressing its necessity. The reforms aim not only to address current educational needs but also to prepare students for an unpredictable future. ‘We don’t know what jobs, technologies, or challenges they will face, but we know they must be adaptable, creative, and resilient,’ Blackman explained.
Chief Education Officer Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the moral and emotional dimensions of education. Quoting an African proverb, she said, ‘The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth. If we create a village where every child is seen, heard, and valued, we will ignite their hearts with purpose, pride, and hope.’ Archer-Bradshaw stressed that education must be fair, inclusive, and relevant, warning that neglecting its moral aspect could have societal repercussions. ‘To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society,’ she said, quoting Theodore Roosevelt.
The event also featured guest speaker Joel Manning, who called for faith and a renewed mindset in the transformation process. ‘Transformation starts with God,’ Manning asserted. ‘Before making any decisions in education, we must seek His authority. Putting God back into the classroom and into ourselves is essential for true change. Nothing is impossible when we begin with Him.’ The service concluded with musical performances, including a steelpan solo, and a collective commitment to redefining education in Barbados.
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Traffic changes for Barbados Cancer Society walk
The Barbados Cancer Society’s annual ‘Walk for A Cure’ event is set to take place on Sunday, October 5, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., prompting significant traffic adjustments across the Barrow Section of the ABC Highway. To ensure the safety and smooth operation of the event, several road closures and diversions will be implemented. The affected stretch includes the Barrow section of the ABC Highway, from the Everton Weekes Roundabout (Warrens) to the Clyde Walcott Roundabout (Hothersal Turning), as well as the route from the Everton Weekes Roundabout to the Darcy Scott Roundabout (Chefette Warrens). Motorists traveling along the Barrow section from the Norman Niles Roundabout (Haggatt Hall) towards Clyde Walcott Roundabout will be redirected via Waterford Boulevard, with options to proceed towards Station Hill or Codrington. Additional diversions include routes via Bush Hall Main Road, Spooners Hill/Codrington junction, and White Hall Main Road, among others. Drivers are advised to follow the designated detours to avoid delays. The Barbados Police Service will deploy officers to manage traffic and ensure compliance. Vehicles operated by emergency services, including the Barbados Defence Force and the Barbados Fire Service, are exempt from these restrictions. Non-compliance with traffic directives may result in fines of BDS$500 or imprisonment for up to three months. The event underscores the community’s commitment to raising awareness and funds for cancer research and support.
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UWI Five Islands to Graduate Record 200 Students on October 11
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus is set to mark a historic milestone with its 2025 graduation ceremony on October 11. This year, the campus will celebrate a record-breaking 200 graduates, more than double the number from the previous year. The event, themed “Pelicans in an AI-Driven Future: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow,” will be broadcast live on Flow Evo and UWI TV Global, symbolizing a blend of perseverance, excellence, and innovation.
Campus Principal Professor Justin Robinson highlighted the institution’s remarkable growth since its inception in 2019. With current enrolment surpassing 1,300 students, the campus anticipates exceeding 1,500 students with its January intake. This year, 443 students were admitted from a record 750 applicants, leaving 40 percent of hopefuls without places, underscoring the campus’s growing competitiveness and its pivotal role in expanding access to higher education across the Eastern Caribbean.
The graduation ceremony, scheduled for 4 p.m. in Antigua and Barbuda, will be broadcast simultaneously across the Caribbean. It will honor students from various faculties, celebrating their personal achievements and contributing to the region’s human capital development. This event not only marks a significant moment for the graduates but also reflects the campus’s commitment to academic excellence and regional progress.
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Large and dangerous swells continue to head our way, warnings and Advisories issued
The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services have issued urgent high surf warnings and advisories for several Caribbean islands, including the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, and Nevis. The warnings, effective until Monday, and advisories until Tuesday, highlight the arrival of moderate long-period swells, creating life-threatening conditions along northern and north-facing coastlines. Significant wave heights are expected to reach 2.1 to 3.1 meters (7 to 10 feet), with occasional peaks near 3.7 meters (12 feet). These conditions are likely to cause dangerous battering surfs, rip currents, coastal flooding, and beach erosion. The swells, originating from the north, are predicted to produce breaking waves over 2.7 meters (9 feet), posing severe risks to life, property, and infrastructure. Coastal flooding is anticipated due to high tides combined with onshore winds and swell actions. The potential impacts include loss of life, injuries, beach closures, disruptions to marine activities, and damage to coral reefs. Authorities urge the public to avoid affected waters and coastal structures, bathe only in lifeguard-monitored areas, and exercise extreme caution. Rip currents, a significant hazard, can carry even strong swimmers out to sea. If caught in a rip current, individuals are advised to remain calm, float, and swim parallel to the shoreline. The Meteorological Office continues to monitor the situation and advises the public to stay updated through official channels.
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LETTER: No Idol Is Innocent: A Call for Consistency in Faith and History
Society has long embraced idols of Roman, Babylonian, and Greek origin, displayed prominently in public squares, churches, universities, and government buildings without question. Yet, when a new or unfamiliar structure, such as the one on All Saints Road in Antigua, is erected, it sparks widespread outrage. This selective acceptance raises a critical question: If we are to condemn one, consistency demands we examine and renounce them all, as their roots trace back to the same ancient pagan systems. Historically, the Roman Empire absorbed deities from Babylon, Greece, and other conquered nations, giving them Latin names while retaining their pagan functions. For instance, Zeus became Jupiter, Aphrodite became Venus, and Tammuz, the Babylonian god, was integrated into Roman mystery religions. These idols persist in Western art, religion, and architecture through statues, holidays, and place names, with many ‘Christian’ symbols actually being Romanized pagan symbols rebranded over centuries. The Bible is unequivocal on idolatry, with passages like Exodus 20:3–5, Deuteronomy 12:2–3, Isaiah 42:8, and Acts 17:29 clearly forbidding the worship of graven images, regardless of their cultural origin or familiarity. Today’s selective moral outrage—accepting familiar pagan symbols as ‘culture’ or ‘history’ while condemning unfamiliar ones as spiritual threats—is hypocritical. Biblically and historically, there is no difference; both are pagan and contrary to divine commandments. If one idol is to be rejected, all must be examined under the same standard. The Most High does not play favorites between idols.
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19-year-old on child pornography charges
A 19-year-old man, Jeremiah James from ‘D’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, has been remanded to prison on multiple charges related to child pornography under the Cyber Crime Act. The charges include possessing child pornography in a computer system, procuring child pornography for himself and another person, using a computer system to commit child luring, and causing a child under 16 years old to watch a sexual act. Additionally, he faces charges of using a computer system to harass, embarrass, coerce, humiliate, and intimidate another person. The penalties for these offenses are severe, ranging from fines of GY$3 million to GY$15 million and imprisonment terms of three to ten years, depending on the conviction type. James pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and causing a child under 16 to watch a sexual act but denied charges of child luring and procuring child pornography. Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court has remanded him to prison until October 16, 2025. The Guyana Police Force arrested James on September 28, though the exact dates of the alleged offenses remain unspecified.
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Dominican beekeepers lead the region with ten awards at 2025 OECS Honey Show
Dominican beekeepers have once again proven their regional supremacy by clinching an impressive ten awards at the 2025 OECS Honey Show, held in St. Kitts on October 2 as part of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA). This remarkable achievement not only marks the highest number of awards won by any participating country but also solidifies Dominica’s standing as a leader in Caribbean apiculture. All awardees are members of the National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd., whose collective success builds on their sweeping victory in last year’s competition. The group’s continued excellence across diverse categories underscores the strength and innovation of Dominica’s beekeeping sector. The awards were distributed as follows: Nathaniel Lovell secured first place in Light Amber Honey and Chunk Honey, while Terri Henry-Lovell won first place in Beeswax Block and Commercial Product. Lovell also took second place in Medium Amber Honey, with Keeyah Casimir and Erica Burnette-Biscombe winning in Photography and Honey Cake, respectively. Henry-Lovell added third-place wins in Beeswax Candles and Commercial Product Honey, and Lovell claimed third place in Mead. The National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. emphasized in a statement that these awards reflect not only individual talent but also the collective growth of Dominica’s beekeeping community. Through training, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence, the island’s beekeepers continue to set regional standards in honey production and value-added products. The Vice President of the Cooperative Society, a veteran awardee, remarked, ‘Winning again at the OECS Honey Show proves that Dominican honey and products maintain a consistent high standard across the region, and I’m proud to represent Dominica and showcase our potential.’ The Cooperative Society has congratulated all winners and reaffirmed its dedication to advancing the apiculture industry, promoting sustainability, and maintaining Dominica’s position as a top producer of honey and bee-derived products in the Caribbean and beyond.
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‘Apply!’ NHT urges Jamaicans
The National Housing Trust (NHT) in Jamaica is addressing long-standing criticisms regarding its loan amounts, which are often perceived as insufficient to cover the cost of homes. Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at NHT, emphasizes the importance of applying for housing opportunities. “Once selected, we can discuss various tools and subsidies to make homeownership more affordable,” Berbick stated during an interview with the Jamaica Observer’s Real Estate on the Rock.
For properties on the open market, the NHT can lend up to $9 million to qualified individuals, while 100% financing is available for homes sold directly by the Trust. For instance, the Vineyard Town development offers 430-square-foot studio apartments priced at $15 million. A qualified individual earning at least $24,750 monthly can secure full financing, with monthly payments of $35,750 over a 40-year mortgage. Dual applicants would pay $38,750 monthly.
Berbick highlighted additional support mechanisms, such as home grants of up to $3.5 million for contributors earning less than $30,000 weekly with over seven years of contributions. Deferred financing is another option, allowing borrowers to pay 60% upfront and gradually cover the remaining 40% as their financial situation improves. The NHT also offers intergenerational mortgages, enabling younger family members to assist with repayments.
The NHT ensures affordability by selling homes at cost and applying subsidies in financing arrangements. “We aim to assist those who need it most,” Berbick explained. Despite high demand—evidenced by over 2,000 applications for the 14-unit Vineyard Town development on the first day—the NHT prioritizes applicants living or working near the developments and allocates units to special groups, including public sector workers and low-income earners.
Looking ahead, the NHT plans to release 210 units in Maxfield Park by year-end, part of its ongoing construction of 10,300 homes. Additionally, service lots in Malvern Housing Development, priced between $3.1 million and $5.8 million, offer 100% financing, allowing contributors to purchase land and begin construction using their NHT loan allotment.
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Design Week vital for collaboration, say partners
Design Week 2025, now in its eighth year, is set to commence on Sunday, October 5, with a focus on fostering collaboration and innovation. This annual event, initiated by the Jamaica Observer, has been praised by long-standing partners such as the National Housing Trust (NHT) and ARC Manufacturing Limited for its role in driving sustainable development and community building. Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at NHT, emphasized the importance of design in creating resilient and functional solutions that meet the evolving needs of Jamaicans. He highlighted Design Week as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration across various sectors, enabling NHT to engage with architects, designers, and thought leaders. Similarly, Novlet A Green, General Manager of Corporate Affairs & Governance at ARC Manufacturing Limited, noted that Design Week has enhanced the company’s brand visibility and stakeholder relations, particularly through its ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management system. This year’s theme, ‘Creative Resilience,’ resonates with ARC’s ability to navigate market challenges and strengthen its tenacity. The event will feature seminars led by industry experts, addressing topics such as sustainable design, water resources, and lighting in design. Novia McDonald-Whyte, Senior Associate Editor of Lifestyle & Social Content at the Jamaica Observer, underscored the event’s mission to showcase Jamaica’s talented artisans and high-quality products to the world. Design Week 2025 promises a week of insightful discussions and innovative ideas, reinforcing its significance as a catalyst for creative and resilient design.