Category: CANA News

Kemar Roach etched his name alongside West Indian pace royalty on Sunday, claiming his 300th Test wicket as a rampant regional pace attack blew Sri Lanka away for just 101 to seal a monumental innings-and-217-run victory inside four days.

Roach became the first West Indies fast bowler since the legendary Curtly Ambrose to reach the coveted milestone, striking twice in quick succession after lunch to complete a personal triumph that sparked delirious scenes among his teammates.

The 37-year-old now sits behind only Courtney Walsh, Ambrose, and Malcolm Marshall among West Indian pacemen in the all-time wicket charts. ‘It’s a special moment,’ Roach said after receiving a commemorative No. 300 Test shirt. ‘To be mentioned with those names is humbling. The boys made it extra special with how they celebrated.’

The victory was orchestrated by a pace attack that extracted far more movement from the surface than their Sri Lankan counterparts had managed across days two and three.

Roach, Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, and Alzarri Joseph bowled with venomous precision, reducing Sri Lanka’s chase to rubble in just 27.2 overs on day four.

Sri Lanka, visibly fatigued after spending 160.5 overs in the field, offered little resistance. Dinesh Chandimal was the only batter to show any defiance, grinding out 43 from 60 deliveries.

No other member of the top six reached double figures as the West Indian quicks maintained relentless pressure with impeccable lines.

Roach set the tone in the opening over of the day, swinging a delivery into Nishan Madushka’s pads. Seales struck immediately in his first over, coaxing an edge from nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha to the slip cordon.

Shamar Joseph then delivered a double blow, bowling Kamindu Mendis as he shouldered arms before trapping captain Dhananjaya de Silva lbw.

Alzarri Joseph joined the party late in the session with a clever variation, having Kusal Mendis leave a delivery that nipped away before jagging the next back into the batter’s off stump as he offered no shot.

At lunch, Sri Lanka were reeling at 81 for 6. The end came swiftly after the break as Roach removed both Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando to reach his milestone, the latter’s stumps shattered by a full delivery speared in from wide of the crease.

Seales finished the formalities, claiming the final wicket after some heated exchanges with the Sri Lankan tailenders.

Seales’ 100th-test scalp completed a victory that was as emphatic as it was unexpected against an opponent many had tipped to compete.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says it has activated its emergency response mechanisms to support the health response in Venezuela following two consecutive earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude that struck the country last week.

‘Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these devastating earthquakes,’ said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. ‘PAHO stands ready to support the country’s health response during this difficult time.’

PAHO said its teams on the ground are working with national authorities to rapidly assess priority health needs and coordinate actions aimed at saving lives, restoring essential health services, and preventing further health impacts.

Rapid response teams are on standby in neighboring countries, while PAHO’s Regional Strategic Reserve for Emergencies and Disasters, located in Panama, is expediting the deployment of essential medicines, medical supplies, and equipment as needed.

The health organization said is working with the Ministry of Health in Venezuela to enhance health sector coordination, facilitating joint assessments, mapping operational capacities, and engaging with regional partners to mobilize technical assistance and humanitarian supplies.

‘Efforts are focused on ensuring continued access to essential health services and addressing the most urgent health needs in affected communities,’ PAHO said.

Through its role coordinating the Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Initiative in the Americas, PAHO said it has also identified 21 international Emergency Medical Teams that could support the emergency.

These teams comprise trained health professionals and self-sufficient medical units with extensive experience responding to earthquake emergencies, PAHO said.

Three teams-from Colombia, the United States, and the Dominican Republic-are on standby for rapid deployment, if needed.

From its Emergency Operations Center in Washington, PAHO said it is supporting rapid assessments of health facility functionality and damage while helping identify urgent requirements, including medicines, medical supplies, oxygen, fuel, and other critical resources.

According to PAHO, specialists in emergency coordination, hospital safety, logistics, trauma care, and mass casualty management are ready for deployment.

Initial estimates indicate that 91 emergency hospitals are located in areas of Modified Mercalli earthquake intensity VI or higher, including 20 hospitals in areas of intensity VII or above.

‘While the exposure does not represent confirmed damage, they help prioritize facilities requiring urgent verification of structural safety, continuity of essential services, trauma care capacity, oxygen availability, water and electricity supply, fuel, and referral pathways,’ PAHO said.

‘In a crisis of this scale, time is of the essence’, said Dr. Ciro Ugarte, PAHO’s director of Health Emergencies. ‘Rapid damage and needs assessments, strong coordination, and timely information-sharing and response are essential to ensure that health assistance reaches the people who need it most and is aligned with national priorities.’

PAHO says it will continue working closely with national authorities, United Nations agencies, and humanitarian partners to ensure that the health support reaches the people in need guided by humanitarian principles.

The organisation says additional financial resources are urgently needed to provide life-saving health interventions, restore damaged health services, and address the immediate needs of affected communities, including shelter and food for displaced families.

The Senate has approved the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act, 2026, legislation aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s aviation safety framework and ensuring the country remains fully compliant with international aviation standards.

The bill was passed without amendments during Friday’s sitting of the Upper House.

Piloting the legislation, Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon said the amendments are critical to enhancing aviation safety oversight, improving regulatory effectiveness and aligning Jamaica’s civil aviation laws with international obligations and best practices.

She said the legislation strengthens the legal framework for aviation safety oversight, updates provisions governing aircraft accident and incident investigations, and facilitates compliance with elements of the Chicago Convention related to leased, chartered and interchanged aircraft.

The amendments also support the implementation of modern aviation safety management principles and provide the legal authority for consequential changes to the Civil Aviation Regulations, 2012, and the Civil Aviation Air Transport Licensing Regulations, 1966.

‘We are also updating the monetary penalties contained in the Act, which have remained unchanged for many years, to ensure they are proportionate to the seriousness of offences and support stronger regulatory compliance and enforcement in the interest of aviation safety and the flying public,’ Morris Dixon told senators.

She emphasized that maintaining a robust and internationally recognized aviation oversight system is essential to Jamaica’s economy, particularly its tourism sector.

According to the minister, compliance with global aviation standards helps sustain the confidence of airlines, passengers, insurers, aircraft lessors, investors and international regulators in Jamaica as a safe and reliable aviation destination.

She noted that Jamaica welcomed 4.5 million visitors in 2024, including 2.9 million stopover visitors, generating approximately US$4.3 billion in tourism earnings.

‘The stopover segment depends heavily on safe, reliable and expanding air access,’ she said, warning that any decline in confidence in Jamaica’s aviation oversight system could affect airline route decisions, increase insurance and financing costs, and undermine investor and passenger confidence.

Morris Dixon said countries deemed non-compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) oversight standards could face sanctions, including a downgrade by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to Category Two status. Such a move would prevent airlines operating under that country’s oversight from launching new services to the United States, expanding existing routes or entering new code-sharing agreements.

She added that the European Union could also impose operating restrictions or bans on non-compliant carriers.

‘These are the kinds of consequences we are seeking to avoid because they would limit the growth of Jamaican operators and reduce Jamaica’s attractiveness for aviation investment and regional connectivity,’ she said.

Among the key changes, the legislation significantly increases penalties for dangerous flying. Under Clause Seven, the maximum fine for operating an aircraft in a manner that causes or is likely to cause danger to people, property or other aircraft will increase from J$20,000 to J$5 million upon summary conviction. The maximum prison sentence of three years remains unchanged.

Clause Eight introduces a new offence for failing to comply with aircraft interception procedures and directions, establishing specific penalties for violations.

The legislation also modernizes the definitions of aviation accidents, serious incidents and incidents to align with Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention and clarifies that accident investigations are conducted solely to improve safety rather than determine liability.

A major feature of the amendments is the creation of an independent Accident Investigation Authority. Under Clauses 11 and 12, the authority will be established whenever a serious aviation accident or incident occurs within the Kingston Flight Information Region.

The body will have powers similar to those of a Commission of Inquiry, including the authority to regulate its proceedings and summon and examine witnesses.

Sri Lanka post 81 for six at lunch on day four of the first Test against the West Indies here at North Sound on Saturday.

SCORES:

SRI LANKA 308 and 81-6 in 25 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 40 not out, Kamindu Mendis 9; Jayden Seales 2-13, Shamar Joseph 2-19)

WEST INDIES 626-9 dec’d in 160.5 overs (Amir Jangoo 233, Roston Chase 194, John Campbell 39, Brandon King 31, Alzarri Joseph 21, Joshua Da Silva 20, Shamar Joseph 17 not out, Kavem Hodge 16; Milan Rathnayake 5-124, Asitha Fernando 2-56, Sonal Dinusha 2-234).

The West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 217 runs on day four of the first Test here at North Sound on Saturday.

SCORES:

SRI LANKA 308 and 101 in 31.2 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 43, Sonal Dinusha 12 not out, Lahiru Kumara, 9 Kamindu Mendis 9; Kemar Roach 4-51, Jayden Seales 3-14, Shamar Joseph 2-19)

WEST INDIES 626-9 dec’d in 160.5 overs (Amir Jangoo 233, Roston Chase 194, John Campbell 39, Brandon King 31, Alzarri Joseph 21, Joshua Da Silva 20, Shamar Joseph 17 not out, Kavem Hodge 16; Milan Rathnayake 5-124, Asitha Fernando 2-56, Sonal Dinusha 2-234).

Sections of the eastern Jamaica, including the Corporate Area, were rocked by an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.1 on Sunday morning.

Initial data from the Earthquake unit at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus said the quake struck at approximately 11:45 a.m. (local time).

There are no reports of damage or injuries.

The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) has launched the Venezuela Recovery and Reconstruction Fund, a new mechanism designed to mobilize and channel public, private and international contributions to support the country’s recovery following the earthquakes that struck last week.

The initiative comes in addition to the US$300,000 in humanitarian assistance previously announced by CAF to support emergency response efforts.

According to CAF, the fund will bring together contributions from governments, international organizations, businesses, foundations, individuals and other partners under a single framework that emphasizes transparency, accountability and coordinated action.

Resources will be directed toward recovery and reconstruction projects identified and prioritized by the Venezuelan government, helping to avoid duplication of efforts and accelerate assistance to affected communities.

As an initial commitment, CAF will contribute US$1 million to launch the fund and support priority recovery initiatives. The bank said it will not charge any fees for administering or implementing the fund, ensuring that all contributions are used directly for emergency response and reconstruction activities.

‘Acts of nature are met with acts of humanity and solidarity, and Venezuela needs us today more than ever,’ said CAF Executive President Sergio Díaz-Granados.

‘Venezuela is a founding country and home to CAF’s headquarters, and that is why we are launching this reconstruction fund-an agile and transparent mechanism that we invite governments and the private sector to join. Our commitment is to accompany the Venezuelan people not only during the emergency, but throughout the entire recovery and reconstruction process.’

CAF said the fund is structured to support different phases of the recovery effort. In its initial stage, resources will be used for humanitarian assistance, emergency supplies and support for institutions leading the response.

Subsequent phases will focus on restoring critical services, including healthcare, water and sanitation, energy, education and telecommunications. Longer-term efforts will support reconstruction, livelihood restoration and initiatives aimed at reducing vulnerability to future disasters.

The bank noted that projects will be implemented progressively based on damage assessments and priorities established by the Venezuelan authorities.

CAF said the fund will operate independently from its own financial resources and will include strict accountability measures, including intervention-level tracking, periodic financial reporting and independent audits.

Contributions may be made in U.S. dollars or euros and can be implemented through eligible partner organizations or, where appropriate, managed directly by CAF.

According to Díaz-Granados, its longstanding relationship with Venezuela, one of its founding members and the location of its headquarters, reinforces its commitment to supporting the country’s response, recovery and reconstruction efforts while mobilizing solidarity from across the region and the international community.

Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks on Friday joined his Democratic colleagues in expressing profound outrage over what has been described as ‘shameful’ the United States Supreme Court’s termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of Haitians and Syrians living in the US.

A wide array of legislators and immigration advocates on Thursday had strongly condemned the court’s decision. In denouncing the court’s decision on the Capitol steps in Washington, Meeks, who represents the 5th Congressional District in Queens, New York, said Haiti and Syria are still ‘dangerous, and these families deserve safety and the opportunity to legally contribute to our economy.

‘Haitians are an essential part of the Southeast Queens community,’ said Meeks, a member of the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs. ‘They are our neighbors, coworkers, caregivers, small business owners, faith leaders, students and service members.

‘I will not stop fighting for permanent protections for these individuals,’ vowed Meeks, who will become the dean of New York’s House delegation on the retirements of his Democratic colleagues Jerry Nadler and Nydia Velázquez in 2026.

‘America is strongest when we stand for humanity,’ added Meeks, whose district, including most of southeastern Queens, comprises largely economically diverse African-American and Caribbean communities.

In the court’s 6-3 majority decision on Thursday, along ideological lines, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote that the federal law at issue is unequivocal.

‘This text is clear, and its plain meaning is very broad,’ he wrote, dismissing claims that the Trump administration’s decision was based on anti-Black and anti-Haitian biases and discrimination.

He claimed that statements made by Trump and his administration were not ‘overtly racial,’ and that, ‘in substance, all expressed policy views could rest on race-neutral justifications.’

New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, who was born in Haiti, said she ‘cannot safely return to it right now.

‘Yet the Supreme Court just cleared the way to deport 350,000 Haitians back to a country our own State Department calls too dangerous to visit,’ said the representative for the 46th Council District in Brooklyn, New York, flanked by fellow New York State and City elected officials and members of the labor union 1199SEIU, at a rally in lower Manhattan.

‘No one should be deported to their death,’ Narcisse added. ‘Extend TPS and create a pathway to permanent residency.’

Josue ‘Josh’ Pierre, a Haitian-born Democratic District Leader in Flatbush, Brooklyn, said the Supreme Court’s decision is ‘deeply personal.

‘It creates uncertainty for families who have lived, worked, and contributed to our communities for years while continuing to support loved ones in countries facing political instability, violence, and humanitarian crises,’ he told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), stating that he stands with the Haitian community and every family impacted by the court’s decision.

Jennifer A. Holmes, deputy director of Litigation at LDF, said the US Supreme Court’s decision ‘puts hundreds of thousands of Haitians in danger of being deported to a dangerous environment against their will and against this country’s promise of equal protection for all.

‘We are deeply disappointed in this callous opinion from the Supreme Court,’ she added.

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the largest and oldest civil rights organization in the United States, said the court’s ruling is ‘a devastating betrayal of Haitian families who have lived, worked, and contributed to this country for years – only to be cast out based on anti-Black immigration sentiment.

‘The Supreme Court has given the green light to deport over 350,000 people, jeopardizing their safety, all while ignoring clear equal protection principles,’ Johnson said. ‘It’s a shame that this is the America we’ve come to be.’

An advance team from the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) is currently deployed in earthquake-affected Venezuela for the purpose of establishing its Field Medical Hospital. The team accompanied by Ambassador to Venezuela, Commander Aquinas Clarke, left the island on Friday along with officials of the Venezuelan Embass, to conduct preliminary site assessments and coordination, pending formal authorisation of full-scale deployment.

Meanwhile,a specialized Search and Rescue Team (SART), comprising members of the Barbados Defence Force and the Barbados Fire Service, is now in Caracas – the Venezuelan capital, to support ongoing humanitarian efforts.

SART led by Captain Shawn Brome of the BDF, brought with them advanced Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) equipment to aid in critical recovery operations.

According to SART, the deployment underscores Barbados’ commitment to regional solidarity and swift response in times of crisis.

Barbados joins a host of countries now in the South American country in the aftermath of last week’s twin earthquakes.

At least 1,430 people have died and the death toll is expected to climb.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the two earthquakes were a rare phenomenon called a ‘doublet.’ This occurs when two quakes of a similar magnitude occur in quick succession, often causing more damage than a single event.

Canada and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on regional security, economic development and climate resilience, following high-level talks held on the sidelines of the Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly in Panama last week.

The 2026 Canada-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Group Meeting was co-chaired by Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, and Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Christopher Sinckler, representing the Chair of the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR).

The meeting built on the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership established in 2023 and came amid what ministers described as significant changes in the global landscape that underscore the need for stronger alliances among like-minded partners.

At the conclusion of the talks, ministers endorsed a renewed Action Plan focused on three key priorities: building competitive and resilient economies, advancing climate action, and strengthening regional security and stability.

The ministers agreed that the Action Plan should include clear timelines, measurable targets and sustainable financing mechanisms to ensure effective mplementation and tangible results.

Regional security featured prominently in the discussions, with ministers examining the growing threats posed by transnational organized crime, gang activity, irregular migration and instability in Haiti.

They emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation to strengthen institutional capacity, improve maritime security, boost cyber resilience and disrupt criminal networks operating across borders. Ministers also welcomed Canada’s ongoing support for regional security initiatives through training, capacity building and operational partnerships.

Particular attention was given to the continuing crisis in Haiti, where ministers expressed concern over the worsening political, security and humanitarian situation and its wider implications for regional stability.

They stressed the importance of sustained international support for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which is assisting Haitian authorities in restoring security, and pledged their support for the timely renewal of its mandate at the United Nations Security Council later this year.

Ministers also reaffirmed their support for the Haitian people’s right to determine their own future through credible elections and backed CARICOM’s efforts to assist Haiti’s interim authorities in preparing for the electoral process

The discussions further highlighted the need to address corruption and impunity while strengthening Haiti’s judicial institutions to rebuild public confidence in governance.

On economic matters, ministers underscored the close relationship between economic growth and climate resilience, noting that access to affordable and reliable energy is critical for industrial development, innovation and long-term prosperity.

They identified opportunities to expand trade and investment, strengthen supply chains and promote sustainable development through enhanced commercial engagement. Ministers also highlighted the importance of the CARIBCAN programme, which provides duty-free access to the Canadian market for most products originating from 18 Commonwealth Caribbean countries and territories.

Recognizing the vulnerability of Caribbean states to external shocks, including climate-related disasters and global supply chain disruptions, ministers called for reforms to the international financial system and improved access to concessional financing for small island developing states.

They also stressed the importance of disaster preparedness, renewable energy development, climate financing and stronger correspondent banking relationships to support economic resilience across the region.

Looking ahead, ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership and agreed to maintain momentum by directing officials to finalize details of the renewed Action Plan.

A Senior Officials’ Dialogue is expected to be convened later this year to advance implementation efforts, identify priority initiatives and provide progress reports to ministers.

The ministers also agreed to hold broader consultations on Haiti during the United Nations General Assembly in September as they explore both immediate and long-term approaches to supporting stability and development in the French-speaking CARICOM member state.