A growing number of school-aged girls across Barbados are increasingly drawn to careers in information and communication technology (ICT), marking a significant shift in a sector long dominated by male professionals, according to the country’s Data Protection Commissioner Lisa Greaves. Greaves shared the update with reporters on the sidelines of 2024’s Girls in ICT Day, an annual global event hosted this year under the forward-looking theme “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future”. This year marks only the second time the Caribbean nation has hosted the in-person event, and organizers are already seeing measurable progress in changing entrenched cultural perceptions about technology careers. “For generations, ICT has been viewed as a male-centric field, so the core goal of this initiative is to open young girls’ eyes to the range of rewarding career pathways available to them in the sector and help them build early interest,” Greaves explained in her remarks. “We want to empower young women to see ICT as a viable, exciting career option for them, to imagine themselves as innovators and active architects of the digital future we all share.” What makes this growing interest particularly notable is the consistent upward trend in participation that organizers have tracked since the first event. Greaves confirmed that interest has climbed steadily year over year, with a stark jump in attendance that signals a broader cultural shift among young Barbadians engaging with tech-focused opportunities. “We’ve definitely seen a clear uptick in interest,” she noted. “Last year, our numbers were much lower, and each year the event gets bigger. Whenever we visit local schools to talk about ICT, both boys and girls come away energized and curious about the career options available.” Beyond growing attendance, the nature of the interest is also expanding: girls are no longer only looking at traditional technology roles, they are increasingly exploring newer, creative career tracks across the digital ecosystem. Popular areas of interest now include social media-focused ICT applications for digital marketing, influencer content creation, and cybersecurity, alongside longstanding core roles like database administration and chief technology officer positions that remain in high demand across industries. To put the growth in perspective, Greaves revealed that just 40 girls attended the event in 2023, while more than 100 participated in 2024’s activities. This expanding interest does not happen by accident, Greaves added: the upward trend is supported by a year-round suite of outreach initiatives designed to keep ICT accessible and top of mind for students across the island. Alongside the annual Girls in ICT Day, organizers host a yearly Science Festival that centers technology engagement, as well as school road shows that travel across the country to connect with students directly. In total, three to four dedicated outreach programs roll out every year to nurture growing curiosity about the sector. Thursday’s 2024 event gathered around 100 students from 10 different secondary schools across Barbados, giving attendees hands-on, interactive exposure to a wide range of cutting-edge emerging technologies. Participants got to test immersive virtual reality systems, practice foundational coding skills, and watch live demonstrations of real-world cybersecurity investigation work. The day’s activities also included interactive drone flight exercises, basic robotics challenges, and even water robotics projects, which helped students understand how ICT principles apply to a diverse range of sectors and real-world use cases, from environmental management to engineering.
分类： society
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Lexus Recalls Vehicles Due to fuel pump failure
A critical safety recall has been issued for more than 9,000 Lexus vehicles manufactured by Toyota, after regulators confirmed a potentially dangerous defect that could cause sudden engine stalling and increase the risk of road accidents. The recall, announced jointly by the Prices and Consumer Affairs Division and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), impacts a total of 9,139 vehicles across three popular Lexus model lines.
The core issue centers on a defective fuel pump that can fail unexpectedly during operation. When the component malfunctions, vehicle owners may experience multiple warning signs, including illumination of the dashboard check-engine light, difficulty starting the engine, or sudden stalling while the vehicle is in motion. Sudden stalling at highway speeds or in heavy traffic creates a clear hazard for drivers, passengers, and other road users, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
The affected models span multiple production years: the 2015 through 2022 Lexus RC, the 2016 through 2020 Lexus GS, and the 2022 Lexus IS. All owners of these included vehicles are eligible to have the faulty fuel pump replaced at no cost through any authorized Toyota Lexus dealership.
The Prices and Consumer Affairs Division has emphasized that under the provisions of the 2025 Consumer Protection Act, consumers bear no financial responsibility for repairs associated with manufacturer-initiated safety recalls. For owners seeking additional information, further details and assistance are available through the official consumer affairs portal at consumeraffairs.gov.ag.
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Antigua Consumers Urged to Act as Kia America Recalls 141,000 Carnival Vehicles Over Fire Risk
U.S. consumer safety regulators have issued a public advisory after Kia America announced a widespread safety recall covering roughly 141,000 Kia Carnival sport utility vehicles manufactured between the 2022 and 2026 model years. The core issue identified by the automaker centers on a defective connection between the vehicle’s fuel pipe and fuel rail. This manufacturing flaw can allow fuel to leak from the joint, creating a significant elevated risk of vehicle fire that threatens driver and passenger safety.
The Prices and Consumer Affairs Division, which issued the public advisory, confirmed that official recall notification letters are scheduled to begin mailing to all registered U.S. vehicle owners starting June 2, 2026. Even with the scheduled mailing timeline, regulators are urging owners of affected Kia Carnival models to take proactive steps to check their vehicles immediately rather than waiting for official correspondence, due to the serious safety hazard posed by the potential fire risk.
In a key clarification for consumers, the Division emphasized that all repair work completed as part of this manufacturer-initiated safety recall will be provided completely free of charge. Owners will not be required to pay any out-of-pocket costs for parts, labor, or associated services to fix the defective fuel pipe connection. Consumers seeking additional details about the recall or support to schedule a repair can find further information and assistance through the official consumer affairs portal at consumeraffairs.gov.ag.
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Antigua Consumers Alerted as Ford Motor Company Recalls Over 83,000 Vehicles for Safety Defects
Ford Motor Company has launched a wide-ranging safety recall covering more than 83,000 of its latest model-year vehicles to address two distinct, dangerous manufacturing defects that threaten driver, passenger and pedestrian safety, regulators have announced.
The Prices and Consumer Affairs Division, alongside the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has confirmed that the recall targets two separate hazards: a faulty headlight software function and a defective exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) valve, each capable of triggering life-threatening situations on the road.
The first hazard affects 35,772 vehicles built with a flawed Dynamic Bending Light software system. When the system malfunctions, it can misalign vehicle headlights, creating intense glare that blinds oncoming motorists and drastically reduces visibility for other road users. The second, separate defect impacts 47,804 vehicles equipped with a faulty EGR valve; the component can fail unexpectedly, leading to an immediate, sudden loss of drive power while the vehicle is in operation—raising the risk of high-speed collisions and roadway accidents.
The recall covers a broad range of 2025 and 2026 model vehicles from both the Ford and Lincoln luxury brands. Affected Ford nameplates include the 2025-2026 Explorer, as well as the 2025 Bronco, Bronco Sport, Escape, Maverick, Mustang, and Ranger. Lincoln models included in the recall are the 2025 Corsair and 2025 Nautilus.
Owners of the recalled 2025-2026 Ford Explorers, the model impacted by the headlight software defect, have two convenient options to obtain a free fix: they can schedule an appointment at any authorized Ford dealership to have the update installed, or they can download and install the corrected software remotely via an over-the-air update directly to their vehicle.
Regulators stress that all repairs connected to this manufacturer-initiated safety recall are provided at no cost to vehicle owners, with no out-of-pocket charges required for parts or labor. Consumers seeking additional information or to check if their vehicle is included in the recall can visit the official consumer affairs portal at consumeraffairs.gov.ag.
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Dominican Musician urges return of music education
Renowned Dominican musician Cornell “Fingers” Phillip has amplified ongoing calls for comprehensive education reform in Dominica, urging authorities to bring formal music education back into the nation’s primary and secondary school curricula. Speaking on the popular local Creole Heartbeat Program, the veteran musician emphasized that music carries far more weight than a simple leisure activity—it serves as both a critical creative outlet and a foundational pillar of healthy societal development.”There is no question that we need to reinsert music into our official school curriculum,” Phillip stated during the interview. “Music shapes our moods, influences how we connect with one another, and is an inseparable part of how we raise and strengthen our communities.” He added that formal music training is deeply intertwined with Dominica’s unique cultural heritage, making it a necessary component of official in-school learning rather than an optional after-school activity.
Phillip’s advocacy aligns closely with a sweeping education reform vision put forward by Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who has made overhauling the country’s outdated education system a top policy priority. Back in May 2025, Skerrit drew widespread attention when he publicly denounced Dominica’s existing curriculum as outdated and damaging to student growth. During a press conference held on May 26 that year, the Prime Minister criticized the status quo for forcing primary school students to juggle as many as 13 separate subjects, calling the overloaded structure “ridiculous.”
To address these flaws, Skerrit has proposed a restructured, streamlined curriculum that centers on core academic subjects including English, Mathematics, Social Studies, History, and Social Science, while integrating hands-on practical skills ranging from agriculture and carpentry to art and civics. The Prime Minister argued that the current system fails to cultivate key soft skills that students need to thrive, noting: “We’re not building a culture of collaboration. We’re not building a culture of cooperation. We’re not building students with analytical skills and critical thinking and comprehension.” He stressed that a successful education system must accommodate the diverse talents and varied learning styles of all students, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all model.
Skerrit has repeatedly highlighted the value of extracurricular activities like music and sports as core tools for fostering teamwork, communication, and creative problem-solving. He has issued a stark warning that delayed reform could put an entire generation of Dominican youth at risk, leaving them trapped in what he termed “depressing situations” within underperforming schools. The Prime Minister added that modern education must also adapt to shifting global realities, including rapid technological advancement and the growing impact of artificial intelligence, to ensure students graduate prepared for the demands of the 21st century workforce.
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Government Seeks Families of Three Unclaimed Bodies Ahead of Public Burial Deadline
Local government authorities have launched an urgent public appeal to locate the family members of three unclaimed deceased individuals, as the legal deadline for a mandatory public burial draws near. The bodies were recovered over the past three months from different locations across the region, with initial investigative work failing to turn up any identifying documents or next of kin contacts. Two of the individuals were found in undeveloped rural areas, while the third was discovered at a public transit hub after passing away unexpectedly, according to a statement released by the county coroner’s office. Over the past several weeks, officials have run the individuals’ DNA through multiple national missing person databases, checked local police reports, and canvassed nearby communities, but no matches have been identified to date. Under state law, unclaimed bodies must be interred at public expense in a municipal cemetery 90 days after they are officially taken into custody by the coroner, if no family comes forward to claim the remains. The current 90-day window for the three deceased will expire in two weeks, prompting authorities to issue a broader public appeal to reach any potential relatives that may have lost contact with the individuals. “We understand that this is a sensitive matter, but our primary goal is to give these people a dignified resting place that honors their identity, if possible,” said a spokesperson for the county government. “If any member of the public has information that could help us connect these remains to their family, we urge them to contact our office immediately. Even small tips, such as reports of a missing friend or relative matching the general descriptions we have released, can make a huge difference.” Officials have released limited general descriptions of the three individuals to protect the integrity of the search: one is an older male estimated between 65 and 75 years old, one is a middle-aged female between 40 and 50, and the third is a younger male believed to be in his late 20s to early 30s. No further personal details are being released publicly to prevent misidentification, but full information is available to any potential next of kin that reach out to the coroner’s office. If no family members come forward by the deadline, the county will arrange for a public burial at the municipal cemetery, with a simple ceremony to honor the deceased. The county has covered the cost of storing and processing unclaimed remains for decades, a responsibility that falls to local governments when no next of kin can be located across most of the state.
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Jamaica Customs warns public of fraudulent message claiming car auction access
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A growing scam circulating on private messaging platforms has prompted an urgent public warning from the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), which is moving quickly to alert residents of fraudulent communications claiming to offer insider access to discounted customs disposition sales. The fake messaging, which has spread widely via closed chat groups and one-on-one conversations on WhatsApp, lures targets with false promises of exclusive perks: early previews of upcoming auction inventory, the ability to reserve high-demand items before the general public, and private arrangements to secure goods at below-market rates. In an official press statement published Friday, the JCA emphasized that this scheme is entirely fabricated, and in no way aligns with the agency’s standard operational protocols. La Donna Manning, the JCA’s Director of Public Relations and Customer Service, reiterated the agency’s caution, stressing that all official customs auctions and disposition sales follow strictly structured, transparent, legally mandated procedures. There are no allowances within these processes for private item selection, early entry to listings, or preferential treatment for any participant, Manning explained. She added that the agency never conducts formal public business through informal messaging platforms or private, unsolicited conversations. The JCA is urging all community members to exercise extreme caution when encountering unsolicited messages of this nature, advising people not to respond, engage with the scammers, or share any sensitive personal or financial information. The agency also warned against sending any form of payment to individuals claiming to arrange early access to customs auctions, noting that all legitimate transactions are processed through verified, official channels only. For members of the public seeking accurate, up-to-date information on upcoming public auctions, all official listings are posted exclusively on the JCA’s official website, jca.gov.jm. The agency closed its statement by urging anyone who receives these suspicious fraudulent messages to immediately cut off contact, ignore all demands, and report the incident to local law enforcement and relevant regulatory authorities to prevent further victimization.
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Jaii Frais and Jahvy Ambassador granted $1.5m bail
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two prominent figures connected to Jamaica’s dancehall entertainment scene have been released on bail after their Friday court appearance at downtown Kingston’s Gun Court, capping off a high-profile case stemming from a violent carnival altercation earlier this year. Jhadee “Jaii Frais” Richards, a well-known podcaster, and Jahvel “Jahvy Ambassador” Morrison, manager and producer for popular dancehall artiste 450, each secured their release with bail set at $1.5 million.
Presiding Justice Natalie Hart Hines approved the bail requests, but attached a series of strict conditions designed to preserve the integrity of the ongoing judicial process. Both men are required to immediately surrender all valid travel documents to authorities, check in with local police stations three times each week, and adhere to a daily curfew that restricts their movement between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am. In an unusual stipulation that draws attention to the pair’s public profiles, the justice also explicitly warned both defendants against making any public comments about the case on any podcast or public media platform.
Richards, who is represented by defense attorneys Isat Buchanan and D’ondre Buchanan, faces a total of five serious criminal charges: shooting with intent, wounding with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorized possession of ammunition, and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. Morrison, whose legal defense is being led by attorney Peter Champagnie, faces three separate charges: wounding with intent, assault occasioning bodily harm, and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The legal proceedings trace back to a violent confrontation that broke out at the widely attended Big Wall carnival party. The altercation erupted between Richards and members of 450’s entourage — a group that includes Morrison in his role as the artiste’s manager. When the violence ended, two people were hit by gunfire: Richards himself and an uninvolved bystander who had traveled to the event from the United States.
Both men are scheduled to reappear at the court for their next hearing on July 8, as the judicial process moves forward to resolve the charges stemming from the high-profile incident that sent shockwaves through Jamaica’s entertainment community.
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Two dead in Boscobel crash
A routine Friday morning commute along Jamaica’s Boscobel main road turned into a deadly tragedy when a high-impact collision between two passenger vehicles claimed the lives of two local men and left multiple others with traumatic injuries. The devastating crash unfolded shortly after 9:00 a.m. in close proximity to the back entrance of the popular Beaches Ocho Rios resort, a well-known tourism destination in the St Mary parish.
Preliminary law enforcement investigations have outlined a clear sequence of events leading to the collision. Both vehicles were traveling along the same stretch of highway when the driver of one vehicle initiated a passing maneuver. As the overtaking vehicle attempted to merge back into the travel lane, it struck the rear end of the second car. The force of the impact sent both vehicles careening off the paved roadway. One vehicle rolled multiple times before coming to a stop, while the second slammed into a roadside tree and also flipped.
Three people were pulled from the wreckage and rushed immediately to Port Maria Hospital for urgent medical intervention. Tragically, two of those patients were pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The deceased have been formally identified as 57-year-old Rudolph Cox and 49-year-old Terrice Richards, both residents of Jeffery Town in St Mary parish. Additional people involved in the collision, who sustained a range of non-life-threatening injuries, also received evaluation and treatment at the same medical facility.
The St Mary Police Department has launched a full investigation into the incident to confirm the exact cause of the crash and whether any traffic violations contributed to the fatal outcome. Authorities have not yet released additional details on the condition of the surviving injured patients as of Friday’s initial reporting.
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Schoolboy gangsters held in Gordon Town
A fresh outbreak of school-related violence has put Jamaica’s education system under renewed scrutiny, as four teenage boys became the latest young people to face criminal charges following a violent altercation at a St Andrew high school this week.
Aged between 14 and 16, the four students were taken into police custody on Tuesday after law enforcement responded to reports of a brawl that broke out on Gordon Town Road, St Andrew, on April 21. When responding officers arrived at the scene, they quickly de-escalated the physical dispute between the group of boys. A search of the area and the suspects turned up three knives and one machete, all classified as prohibited offensive weapons under Jamaican law.
Following the arrest, the teens were interviewed at a police facility with their parents present, and were formally charged under the country’s Offensive Weapons (Prohibition) Act. They are scheduled to appear before the Kingston and St Andrew Family Court for their first hearing on May 19.
Jamaica’s Offensive Weapons (Prohibition) Act enforces a broad ban on carrying harmful items in public spaces, designed to curb the rising tide of violent crime by restricting access to weapons that can be used to inflict serious injury. The legislation explicitly lists a wide range of prohibited items, including ballistic knives, butterfly knives, daggers, flick knives, knuckledusters, knuckle knives, and sword sticks, alongside other bladed weapons that fall under the act’s broad definition of offensive weapons.
This latest arrest comes amid a growing string of high-profile violent incidents involving Jamaican high school students that have sparked public outcry. Just one day before the St Andrew brawl, on Monday afternoon, a 14-year-old student from Seaforth High School, Kland Doyle, was fatally stabbed in Morant Bay. The attack unfolded near the Morant Bay Transport Centre between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm, according to police reports. Investigators say the alleged attacker purchased the knife used in the killing from a local shop just minutes before the confrontation. Three students have been detained in connection with Doyle’s death, and investigations remain ongoing.
Before that killing, one of Jamaica’s most prominent all-boys institutions, Jamaica College, made national headlines after a viral video circulated over a weekend showing two students brutally assaulting a fellow classmate. That incident was not an isolated one for the school: in an earlier case, a student reported being attacked and beaten by a group of peers, though school administration downplayed the event, framing it as a one-on-one fight over 2,000 Jamaican dollars.
The pattern of violence stretches back further still. Last March, a 17-year-old boy was charged with murder after an attack that left 16-year-old Devonie Shearer, a resident of Tay Street in Ocho Rios, St Ann, dead. Police reports from the St Ann’s Bay division state that at around 3:00 pm on March 4, the accused struck Shearer in the head with a metal chair, causing a critical wound that left Shearer unconscious. The victim was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, but died shortly after arriving. After multiple eyewitnesses identified the 17-year-old as the attacker, he turned himself in to police later that same day, and was formally charged the following morning in the presence of his parent.