Category: CANA News

A 23-year-old former police officer, Jean-Luc Langlais, appeared in Court on Thursday charged with murder of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul, whose decomposing body was discovered in a precipice in Capuchin, north of here on Wednesday.

Her body had been discovered by members of the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS).

Jean Luc-Rudy Langlais, who has since been dismissed from the Dominica Police Force (DPF), has been remanded to the State Prison pending further court proceedings.

The charge follows an intensive investigation into Paul’s disappearance after she was reported missing on July 24. Police initially withheld confirmation of the victim’s identity because the remains were severely decomposed.

In a media statement on Wednesday, Police Public Relations Officer Acting Assistant Superintendent Fixton Henderson said ‘the remains appeared to be a severely decomposed body of an apparent female wearing a blue top and is unrecognizable and that DNA testing will have to be done to confirm the identity.’

Meanwhile, Dr. Cassandra Williams, Minister of State with Responsibility for Social Services, in a statement said that ‘for almost three weeks, Jerbiah’s disappearance has weighed heavily on our nation.’

She said as Minister of State with special responsibility for Seniors Security; Children at Risk; Gender Affairs; and Persons with Disabilities, she is ‘also compelled to speak to the wider concern that this tragedy has once again brought sharply into focus: the safety and protection of our girls and young women.

‘Sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and violence against girls and women must never be normalized, excused, concealed or met with silence. No child should have to live in fear of an adult who should be protecting her. No young girl should be groomed, exploited or abused by someone who takes advantage of her age, vulnerability, trust or circumstances. And no family should have to endure the anguish of wondering whether more could have been done to protect their child.

‘We must reject the dangerous attitudes that place responsibility on girls for the behaviour of adults. A child cannot be blamed for being exploited,’ she said, adding ‘adults have a responsibility to protect children, not prey upon their vulnerability.

‘This responsibility belongs to all of us. Parents and guardians must remain engaged in the lives of their children and pay attention when behaviour, relationships or circumstances suddenly change. Communities must not look the other way when there are warning signs of abuse or exploitation.’

‘…to Jerbiah’s family, I extend, on behalf of the Government and people whom I serve, our deepest compassion during this period of unimaginable grief and pain. May god strengthen you and may you find strength in the support of your family, your community and a nation that has stood with you throughout this painful search.’

Guyana Amazon Warriors elected to field after winning the toss against the Jamaica Kingsmen in the sixth match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at Sabina Park here on Thursday.

SQUADS

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS: Imran Tahir (captain), Mavendra Dindyal, Glenn Phillips, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Mohammad Nabi, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Joseph, Dwaine Pretorius, Khary Pierre.

JAMAICA KINGSMEN: Rovman Powell (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Shayan Jahangir, Keacy Carty, Kirk McKenzie, Hassan Khan, Andre Russell, Keemo Paul, Vitel Lawes, Hunain Shah, Jediah Blades.

Umpires: Carl Tuckett, Zahid Bassarath.

TV Umpire: Gregory Brathwaite.

Reserve Umpire: Chris Wright.

Match Referee: Reon King.

Jamaica made important gains in national development in 2025 despite a series of shocks that tested the country’s resilience, according to the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s (PIOJ) Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ) 2025.

The report assesses progress under Vision 2030 Jamaica – National Development Plan, highlighting advances in governance, economic and social stability, institutional capacity and resilience building, while outlining continued efforts to improve the quality of life of Jamaicans and strengthen systems for sustainable development.

2025 marked Jamaica’s 17th year of implementing the 21-year Vision 2030 Jamaica plan and pursuing its National Goals and Outcomes.

A major achievement was the completion of the Medium Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF) 2024-2027, the central implementation framework for Vision 2030 Jamaica for fiscal years 2024/25 to 2026/27.

The framework establishes expected medium-term results by aligning plans and resource allocation with national strategies and priority development areas, while allowing for adjustments based on performance data and emerging evidence.

The PIOJ also reported progress in strengthening evidence-based national planning and development management.

Work continued on the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning and Action Framework, while stakeholders remained engaged through Thematic Working Groups. The Data 4 Development Online Monitoring Platform, Database and Metadata Hub was also updated, alongside the development of Standard Operating Procedures to improve the management and use of national development information.

With Jamaica moving closer to the conclusion of Vision 2030, preparations have also intensified for the country’s post-2030 development agenda.

The PIOJ commenced a Comprehensive Evaluation of Vision 2030 Jamaica and Situation Analysis to inform post-2030 planning, using quantitative and qualitative analysis based on primary and secondary data across more than 30 sectors and sub-sectors.

Assessments were also undertaken to determine the quality of national data and the capacity of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to deliver development results effectively.

Health remained another key area, with the Government pursuing a Health and Life-Course Management Approach aimed at improving population health outcomes and strengthening health system performance.

The approach focuses on modernising primary healthcare services and improving care throughout the life course as part of broader efforts to build a more responsive and resilient health system.

However, the development gains were accompanied by significant challenges, particularly the passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.

According to the ESSJ, the disaster exposed existing vulnerabilities and eroded gains across the social, economic and environmental spheres, while placing additional pressure on national resilience structures and negatively affecting short- and medium-term growth prospects.

The impact created further obstacles to achieving Jamaica’s long-term development objectives and underscored the importance of disaster preparedness, climate resilience and stronger institutional capacity.

Despite the setbacks, the ESSJ 2025 indicates that Jamaica remains focused on strengthening the foundations for sustainable development and preparing for the period beyond 2030.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has pushed back against Caribbean judicial leaders who condemned his comments in which he threatened to deport a judge, insisting that he was giving a ‘last resort warning’ and that judicial decisions are not beyond public criticism.

The Caribbean Heads of Judiciary, in a strongly worded joint statement on Wednesday, said Browne’s remarks about the unnamed judge were ‘a threat to the very independence of the judiciary’ and warned that they could erode the separation of powers and undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.

Browne, responding on Thursday, rejected that characterisation and said he was not seeking to interfere with the constitutional independence or security of any judge.

‘I reaffirm, without qualification, the importance of an independent and impartial judiciary,’ Browne said. ‘However, it does not place judicial decisions or the administration of justice beyond reasoned public criticism.’

The regional judicial leaders had condemned comments he made on August 10, when he said a judge whom he accused of having ‘a propensity to give criminals a break’ should leave the country voluntarily or face deportation and being declared persona non grata if he failed to impose longer sentences.

Browne also sought to distance his government from any action against a member of the judiciary.

‘To remove all doubt, there has never been any request or action by my government to remove, reassign or deport any member of the judiciary,’ he said.

He nevertheless stood by his criticism of sentencing outcomes, arguing that his comments were prompted by concerns over firearm violence and statutory rape and what he described as unduly lenient sentences in some serious cases.

The Prime Minister said his remarks were not intended to direct the outcome of any case, reopen a decided matter or encourage anyone to disregard a court order.

He described them instead as a ‘last resort warning’ to bring attention to the judicial hierarchy and what he called the ‘indiscretion and deliberate disregard’ of legislation providing for sentences of up to 15 years for serious firearms offences.

‘Judicial independence and institutional accountability are not opposing principles,’ Browne said. ‘Our Government seeks no control over the decision of any court. It does seek a criminal justice system that is lawful, proportionate, transparent, consistent and effective in protecting the public.’

‘The people of Antigua and Barbuda are entitled to both an independent judiciary and a justice system that responds proactively and credibly to serious violent crime. My Government will continue to work for both.’

The Heads of Judiciary also said that if Browne believed a sentence was unduly lenient, an appeal was the ‘only lawful and legitimate manner consistent with the rule of law and the separation of powers’ for the issue to be resolved.

However, the Prime Minister disputed that.

‘An appeal is a proper means of challenging or correcting the sentence in an individual case,’ he said. ‘However, it is not the only lawful means by which a democratic society may examine systemic failure in the dispensation of justice.’

Browne has written to Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Chief Justice Margaret Price Findlay proposing an independent committee to review sentencing for firearm and other serious violent offences, repeat offending and the wider criminal justice system in Antigua and Barbuda.

He has proposed that former Caribbean Court of Justice President Justice Adrian Saunders chair the committee, subject to his agreement. Browne said he had also consulted former Chief Justice Sir Dennis Byron and Justice Godfrey Smith SC, the CARICOM High-Level Representative on Law and Criminal Justice, and both were prepared to assist.

The proposed review would examine sentencing data, assess whether there were significant differences between legislative policy and sentencing outcomes, identify the causes and recommend reforms, Browne said.

David Riley, the technical leader of Jamaica’s Under-20 team that participated at the recently concluded World Athletic Under-20 Championships in the United States, said he is satisfied with their performance at the meet.

Jamaica ended the Championships with eight medals (two gold, three silver, three bronze) to finish fourth in the medals table behind table leaders United States with 24 medals, Kenya (11 medals) and Italy, whose three gold medals helped them place third overall.

Riley said the team should be lauded for their impressive performances.

‘The teams ran well. You can see it from the times that they ran. You can’t run faster than you’ve ever run and it’s a complaint…

‘We were in a lot of finals and pretty much looked like the Jamaican team of old. Just finding our way, won some medals, but overall, it was a strong performance. We were third on the points table, which is usually where we are. We are still a top three nation in the world, so I think it was a good performance,’ Riley maintained.

‘…I thought we prepared well. The athletes were well prepared. We had a couple of camps and the fact that we made all the relay finals speaks to the fact that the relay camps actually do work. We were the only nation to have made all six relay finals. I think we did well.’

The Guyana Amazon Warriors extended the Jamaica Kingsmen’s nightmare start to the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) by thumping them by six wickets to pick up a win in their opening match here on Thursday.

Spinners Mohammad Nabi and Imran Tahir stifled the Kingsmen’s batters while sharing six wickets between them, as the home side was bowled out for a below par 117 in 19.4 overs after being sent in to bat at Sabina Park.

Shai Hope then ensured the Amazon Warriors made light work of their target, with his unbeaten half century guiding them to 118 for four in 14.1 overs.

The result left the newly rebranded Kingsmen winless after three matches and firmly rooted to the bottom of the seven-team table, while giving the Amazon Warriors – last year’s losing finalists – a winning start to their CPL campaign.

Following two close defeats in their first two games, the Kingsmen would have been hoping to snap their losing streak.

However, they got off to a terrible start when left-arm spinner Khary Pierre snared the wicket of Shayan Jahangir in the third over with just three runs on the board.

Keacy Carty never got going and was bowled by pacer Shamar Joseph for five as the Kingsmen limped to the end of the power play at 26 for two.

Opener Reeza Hendricks batted solidly for his 40 off 32 balls, but just as he was looking to push on, he chipped a delivery straight back into the hands of Tahir to leave the score 61 for three at the halfway mark.

Nabi then left his mark on the contest by accounting for the wicket of Hassan Khan for one, before Tahir captured his second wicket by removing the Kingsmen’s dangerous skipper Rovman Powell for 24 to see them slide to 77 for five.

Player-of-the-Match Nabi then ran through the lower order by dismissing Andre Russell, Keemo Paul and Hunain Shah in quick succession to wrap up the innings with two balls remaining.

He finished with 4-22, while Shamar Joseph (2-22) and Tahir (2-26) provided good support.

The Amazon Warriors also got off to a wretched start when left-arm pacer Jediah Blades had Mavendra Dindyal caught behind for a duck off the second ball of the innings.

But opener Glenn Phillips and Shai Hope consolidated by adding 43 runs in five overs to set the Amazon Warriors on their way to victory.

Russell did create some tense moments when he had Phillips caught in the deep for 28 and Shimron Hetmyer caught at backward point in his first over to reduce them to 45 for three at the end of six overs.

But Hope, who stroked an unbeaten 56 off 41 balls with four sixes and two fours, shared a 51-run stand with Nabi, who scored 19 off 15 balls, to move the Amazon Warriors closer to their goal.

Nabi fell with 22 runs remaining, but Quentin Sampson, who scored an unbeaten 13, joined forces with Hope to carry their side to an expected victory.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries says poultry supplies should improve in the coming weeks as increased chick availability enters the production cycle, amid reports that consumers are having difficulty obtaining their usual quantities of chicken at some retail outlets.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ravi Ratiram said the ministry is closely monitoring the situation and engaging poultry producers, hatcheries, importers and other stakeholders.

He said the tightening of supplies was linked to a combination of factors, including exceptionally hot weather, rather than a fundamental shortage of production capacity.

The ministry said chicken remains available on the market, although some consumers may be experiencing difficulty obtaining their usual quantities at particular supermarkets and retail outlets.

Ratiram said the extreme heat had placed significant pressure on poultry production, prompting some farmers to introduce additional heat-management measures and reduce bird placements to protect livestock.

‘Temporary reductions in placement are a prudent measure to protect bird welfare, maintain healthy growth and minimise heat-related losses,’ he said.

The minister warned that maintaining normal stocking levels during periods of extreme heat could result in increased mortality and reduced production.

‘As weather conditions improve, placement levels are expected to return to normal,’ he said.

Ratiram said he had been advised that chick availability is expected to increase within the next two weeks.

However, he cautioned that the additional chicks would not immediately translate into increased supplies of chicken, as they must first move through the normal production cycle.

The ministry projects that poultry supplies will progressively increase and return to full levels approximately three weeks after the expected increase in chick availability.

It therefore expects the current tightening of supply to ease over the coming weeks.

The ministry’s position comes as some poultry farmers have reduced the number of birds placed on farms because of the extreme heat.

According to the Trinidad Guardian, Broiler Growers’ Association president Sudesh Ramkissoon said farmers who would normally house about 10,000 birds were reducing placements to as few as 7,000 to protect them from heat stress and avoid potentially heavy losses.

He said operating farms at normal capacity under the current conditions could result in bird deaths, slower growth and lower production.

Farmers are also using additional cooling measures, including sprinklers on poultry-house roofs, while managing water supplies, Ramkissoon said.

Some businesses have also reported difficulties securing their usual quantities. Pappy’s Fried Chicken said it has had to ration chicken at its outlets, while Prestige Holdings Limited said its KFC and other restaurant operations had not been affected, according to the Guardian report.

The Agriculture Ministry, however, maintains that chicken remains available on the domestic market and expects supply conditions to improve as production levels recover.

Result of the remaining fourth round match in the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Women’s Championship here on Wednesday.

At Coolidge Cricket Ground; Windward Islands Women defeated Guyana Women by 15 runs.

WINDWARD ISLANDS WOMEN 93-3 in 20 overs (Kaela George 24 not out, Mikayla Adams 16 not out, Jaeda Tyrell 15, Daisy Woods 13).

GUYANA WOMEN 78-8 in 20 overs (Sarah Bheir 24, Danellie Manns 15 not out; Giada Small 3-13, Ammie Antoine 3-20, Jaeda Tyrell 2-12).

The Bahamas Minister of Economic Affairs, Jerome Fitzgerald, is calling on Caribbean countries to establish a regional digital sovereignty pact and jointly develop cloud and computing infrastructure.

Addressing the four-day 41st CANTO Annual Conference, which ends here later on Wednesday, Fitzgerald said that the region risks exchanging traditional forms of economic dependency for a new era of ‘digital colonisation’. He told the conference being held under the theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean: From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’ that Caribbean governments must adopt a coordinated approach to negotiations with global technology companies and data center investors so as to ensure the region maintains control over its data, infrastructure and intellectual property.

‘First, establish a Caribbean digital sovereignty compact , a regional floor for data center incentives, resource obligations, cybersecurity, data protection, government cloud contracts, portability, and disaster recovery. No investor should be able to play one Caribbean country against another for strategic resources.’

Fitzgerald is also proposing the creation of a federated Caribbean cloud and compute network, with resilient infrastructure distributed across several Caribbean jurisdictions and connected through multiple submarine cables.

‘Our risk will be distributed, and our sovereignty should be too,’ he said, noting that greater access to fiber networks, cloud computing and artificial intelligence should not automatically be interpreted as the development of domestic technological capacity.

‘Digital consumption is not digital sovereignty. Connectivity is not capability. Hosting is not ownership. And dependence does not become development merely because the dependency is fast.’

Fitzgerald questioned whether Caribbean governments are receiving sufficient long-term economic benefits in exchange for concessions and access to land, electricity and water making reference to the development of data centers.

‘After the concessions are counted and the electricity is supplied, what capability, ownership, resilience, tax revenue, and recurring value will remain with us? Should we give the land, provide the power, supply the water, build the road, grant the concessions, and then pay rent to use services generated from our own resources while the knowledge and profits leave our shores? The decisions we make will determine whether this is truly a digital transformation, or simply an extraction agreement with a different branding.’

Fitzgerald said fragmentation among Caribbean countries weakens their ability to negotiate with major technology companies and investors, telling delegates ‘alone, each island approaches a platform as a customer. Together, we approach it as a market.

‘Alone, each government bargains for a facility. Together, we can bargain for an ecosystem.

‘Alone, we ask for access. Together, we can require reciprocal agreements,’ Fitzgerald said, calling for major government technology contracts to include requirements for open standards, usable data exports, independent audits, Caribbean-controlled encryption, exit rights and knowledge transfer.

‘Public money must purchase public capability,’ Fitzgerald said, noting also that artificial intelligence (AI) creates another avenue through which the Caribbean’s culture, knowledge and intellectual property could generate economic value overseas.

‘If our collective life improves a commercial model, the Caribbean must benefit from the value chain,’ he said, noting that Caribbean health records, agricultural knowledge, speech patterns, music, archives and images should be treated as economic, cultural and national security assets.

The Bahamian minister called for the development of Caribbean datasets, AI evaluation standards, models and research institutions; and proposed a Caribbean artificial intelligence laboratory owned by the region that could train models using Caribbean languages, archives and historical information.

‘We should use these global tools, but we must also build Caribbean datasets, evaluation standards, models, and research institutions. We must be authors of technology, not merely subjects inside it.’

Fitzgerald said his position should not be interpreted as opposition to foreign investment.

‘Post-colonial does not mean anti-foreign. It means anti-subordination. It does not mean rejecting capital. It means disciplining capital toward sustainable development in our national and regional interest,’ he said, promising that the matter will receive greater international attention when The Bahamas hosts the World Telecommunication and ICT Policy Forum in Nassau from September 1 to 4.

‘The issue before us is no longer whether the Caribbean will become digital. It will. The issue is who, in the digital Caribbean, will hold the keys, and whether the Caribbean truly remains sovereign.’

The Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) says it will conduct ‘a transparent and independent review’ of the allegations made against the President of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

In a statement, the RJLSC said it is aware of the recent allegations concerning the administration of the CCJ and the independence of its judges.

‘The Commission recognises the seriousness of these matters and the importance of addressing them in a manner that protects public trust and confidence in the Court and the broader administration of justice throughout the Caribbean.

The Trinidad and Tobago Sunday Express newspaper reported that Justice Anderson, who had become the fourth CCJ president on July 6, 2025, had been accused by a majority of his fellow judges of governing the regional court in an ‘authoritarian’ and ‘dictatorial’ manner.