标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica—On Saturday, September 27, the Hope Gardens in Kingston became a haven of joy and laughter as the Flow Foundation hosted a special event for young cancer patients from the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC). Despite the gloomy weather, the children’s beaming smiles illuminated the venue as they indulged in games, rides, and sweet treats, creating unforgettable memories that provided a much-needed respite from their ongoing battles with cancer. This heartwarming initiative was part of the foundation’s annual observance of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In addition to the festivities, the Flow Foundation made a generous $1 million donation to the Paediatric Cancer Fund, which is managed in collaboration with BHC. This fund plays a pivotal role in providing financial assistance for essential medications and diagnostic tests, alleviating the emotional and financial burdens faced by families navigating the challenges of cancer treatment. Dr. Sharon McLean-Salmon, a consultant paediatrician haematologist-oncologist at BHC, expressed profound gratitude for the donation, highlighting its critical importance in ensuring the well-being of young patients. One of the attendees, Malia Davy, encapsulated the day’s impact with her radiant smile, exclaiming, ‘I loved everything! I had so much fun, and I hope they will do it again next year!’ Rhys Campbell, the executive director of the Flow Foundation, reflected on the initiative’s emotional significance, stating, ‘It warms our hearts to be able to take their minds off their illness and just allow them to be carefree children, even for a moment. Showing up for families in their greatest time of need is the right thing to do.’

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — In a bold move to protect the mental and social well-being of its youth, Denmark has announced plans to implement a social media ban for children under the age of 15. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen unveiled the initiative during her parliamentary address at the opening of the autumn session, though specifics regarding the platforms affected and enforcement mechanisms remain unclear. The proposed legislation would grant parents the authority to permit their children to use social media starting at age 13. Frederiksen emphasized the detrimental impact of digital platforms, stating, ‘The cell phone and social media are robbing our children of their childhood,’ and cited a concerning statistic: 60% of Danish boys aged 11 to 19 prefer staying home over socializing with friends. This move aligns Denmark with global efforts to mitigate online harm to young people. Australia, for instance, has already enacted a ban on social media for users under 16, effective late 2024, though enforcement details are still pending. Similarly, Greece recently proposed establishing an ‘age of digital adulthood’ across the European Union, requiring parental consent for minors to access social media. Denmark’s initiative underscores a growing international recognition of the need to regulate children’s digital engagement to foster healthier developmental environments.

In a tragic turn of events, the quiet community of Commodore, St. Catherine, was shattered by a brutal mass shooting on Sunday night. Among the victims was four-year-old Shannon Gordon, whose life was tragically cut short. The senseless violence claimed the lives of five individuals and left four others injured, including an 11-year-old girl. The incident has left the community reeling in grief and seeking justice.

Rosemarie Murray, Shannon’s grandmother, expressed her profound sorrow and anger in a heartfelt prayer, pleading for divine retribution against the perpetrators. ‘Father God, make the killers be put to justice. When people kill the innocent, they must die,’ she cried out in anguish. Murray recounted the harrowing moments when the gunmen, disguised as police officers, stormed the yard and opened fire indiscriminately. ‘They were in police clothes, so everybody thought it was the police. One of them pointed the gun at me, but I said, ‘The blood of Jesus is against you,’ and he took the gun off me and started shooting,’ she shared.

The other victims included 39-year-old Iysha Washington, 42-year-old Mario Sullivan, 19-year-old Jushane Edwards, and a 22-year-old security guard known only as Famous Amos. Jushane’s sister, Simmoneke Walters, expressed her grief and anger, wishing the same fate upon the killers. ‘My little brother was just 19 years old. He was jovial, feisty, but not a bad person. You just came and took his life,’ she lamented.

In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang, and Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake visited the community to offer their condolences and announce a $2-million reward for information leading to the arrests of the killers. Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Phillips described the incident as gang-related and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. ‘It is a very, very awful scene. For somebody to turn an M16 on a four-year-old, it speaks to the kind of evil mindset we have to encounter,’ he stated.

The community remains in shock, with residents describing the incident as ‘wicked’ and ‘traumatizing.’ The Jamaica Constabulary Force has mobilized all available resources to investigate the case, with the Major Investigations Division leading the charge. As the community mourns, they seek solace in the hope that justice will prevail.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – A series of waterspouts and a weak tornado struck northwestern Trinidad on Tuesday, causing significant damage to several homes by ripping off roofs. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities. The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service attributed the severe weather to a low-level trough combined with daytime heating, which triggered isolated thunderstorms. These conditions led to the formation of waterspouts and a weak tornado in the Westmoorings area. The meteorological agency indicated that weather conditions are expected to improve later in the day, though partly cloudy to cloudy skies and thunderstorms persist. Khadijah Ameen, the Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, visited the affected region and assured residents that authorities are conducting thorough assessments of the damage. She emphasized that immediate assistance would be provided to affected households, including roof repairs and infrastructure restoration. Ameen also highlighted safety concerns, noting that some homes were too waterlogged to safely restore electricity, as this could pose electrocution risks. The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Company (T&TEC) and fire services are actively working on-site to address fallen power lines and other hazards. Ameen expressed relief that no injuries have been reported and stressed the importance of maintaining this safety record.