Category: CANA News

Soca artiste Grabba Finesse is schedule to return return to court on January 13 next year on charges of allegedly indecently assaulting two underage girls.

The artiste, whose real name is Keith Charles, 35, appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court where the prosecutors allege that he indecently assaulted a 13-year-old girl by rubbing her right thigh with his hands. He was also charged with indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl by rubbing her right thigh with his hands.

Charles is alleged to have committed the offences between August 29 and November 19, this year and he pleaded not guilty to both charges and was granted composite bail of EC$5,000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) with one surety.

The magistrate ordered the artiste must surrender his travel document and to obtain the court’s permission to leave the country. The magistrate also ordered that stop notices be posted at ports of entry and exit, and that the accused man report to the police in Layou twice weekly.

The matters has been transferred to the Family Court for in-camera hearings.

West Indies trail New Zealand by 369 runs after reaching 206 for two at lunch on the third day of the third and final Test here at the Bay Oval on Saturday.

NEW ZEALAND 575-8 dec’d.

WEST INDIES 206-2 in 53 overs (Brandon King 63, Kavem Hodge 53 not out, John Campbell 45, Tevin Imlach 27 not out; Jacob Duffy 2-53).

Police say a 35-year-old man died after he got into a struggle with four police officers on Thursday and that an autopsy will be carried out to determine his cause of death.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Anton Rahming, said officers at the Fox Hill Police Station went to the cell block to retrieve a male suspect, whom they did not name, who was being housed there. ‘Upon doing so, the officers, with the intent to take him to court, took him from the cell, and as they did so, this individual began to resist the officers stating that he wished not to go to court,’ Rahming said, adding that as the officers attempted to handcuff him, he held onto one of the officers.

Rahming said officers who were also present at the station came in to assist the transporting officers and defuse the situation.

‘Eventually, as they subdued him, they realised that he became unresponsive. At this point, the officers contacted the EMS personnel who came to this location. They examined the individual and determined that he had succumbed at the station here,’ Rahming said, telling reporters that the man, who had been in the police station for two days, was being held for burglary.

Rahming said that none of the police officers were injured during the altercation and that the man had showed no signs of aggression earlier in the morning, had no illnesses or health issues on file by the police, and there were no visible injuries to his body before he became unresponsive.

He said an autopsy will be carried out to determine his cause of death.

‘Madam Coroner, she has been informed, and she will be conducting a further investigation, and certainly an autopsy will be done to help us determine what was the cause of death,’ Rahming added.

The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has expressed concern that the impact of Hurricane Melissa on the economy was more pronounced than initially anticipated, creating a greater risk that the inflation impact could be larger.

Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaican on October 28, killing t least 45 people and leaving damage in excess of nine billion US dollars.

The BOJ said that its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met this week and that more recent estimates indicate that damage to roads, buildings, the electricity grid and other infrastructure is in excess of 40 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), above the previous estimate of 30 per cent.

The BOJ said that the agriculture sector experienced damage amounting to approximately 50 per cent of the sector’s 2024 GDP.

‘The larger damage means that the initial impact on agriculture and electricity prices, as well as the later effect on the prices of other goods and services – the second-round impact – of this initial price jump, is likely to be stronger and more persistent than initially anticipated. As a result, the upside risk of the disaster on the inflation outlook is greater, meaning that inflation could be higher than forecast.’

The BOJ said that against this background, the MPC decided unanimously to continue holding the policy rate, which is offered to deposit-taking institutions (DTIs) on their current account balances at BOJ at 5.75 per cent per annum, as well as remain proactive in preserving relative stability in the foreign exchange market.

It said that the decision to continue holding the policy rate at this time is based on several factors including annual headline inflation which will rise sharply over the next few months from 4.4 per cent at November 2025 and remain elevated for the near term.

In this context, inflation will exceed the Bank’s inflation target of four to six per cent by early 2026.

‘This rise primarily reflects the hurricane’s impact on the major food-producing parishes and disruptions to supply chains – particularly in energy and agriculture -, which monetary policy cannot affect.’

The BOJ said that core inflation, which excludes the prices of agricultural food products and fuel from the consumer price index (CPI), will also rise over the next 12 months, reflecting another wave of price increases for other goods and services such as those related to home repairs, meals from restaurants and personal care items) through second-round price effects.

The BOJ said that it is therefore positioning monetary policy to minimise such effects and to constrain inflation expectations. It said the higher core inflation will be supported by the anticipated surge in overall spending in the context of the rebuilding efforts, facilitated largely by external financing to the private and public sectors.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, Parliament has suspended the fiscal rule for an initial period of one year and the BOJ said that this will support the public sector’s ability to increase spending for the recovery and relief effort.

‘ For the central government, in particular, larger fiscal deficits are projected over the next three fiscal years, compared with their previous projection.’

The BOJ said that the risks to the inflation outlook are skewed to the upside, with a greater likelihood of inflation being above projections.

It said that higher inflation could result from higher-than-expected demand amidst the reconstruction efforts and from increased inflation expectations.

‘ A more protracted recovery in the agriculture sector and more prolonged disruptions to supply chains could worsen food price increases. There could also be long-term damage in specific industries, which could slow the improvement in the production and availability of supplies.

‘On the downside, inflation could be lower due to a slower-than-anticipated recovery in domestic demand associated with income loss.’

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica reported that annual headline inflation at November 2025 was 4.4 per cent, which was above the BOJ’s projections and above the 2.9 per cent at October 2025.

The higher headline inflation, compared with October, was due mainly to higher food prices, reflecting early signs of the impact of the hurricane on the agriculture sector. Core inflation was 4.3 per cent at November 2025, which was above the outturn of 3.7 per cent at October 2025.

Economic activity will contract significantly in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane. In this context, the BOJ said it anticipates a decline in real GDP in the range of minus four to six per cent for fiscal year 2025/26, largely due to the extensive damage to infrastructure and disruption to productive activity.

BOJ projects that the financial inflows from multilateral and private sources will support spending in the economy over the next three years, to the extent that the capacity exists to execute planned projects.

It said for the financial year 2026/27, real GDP growth is projected in the range of minus one to one per cent, reflecting the commencement of recovery efforts, which will escalate in ensuing years.

It said that although the current account of Jamaica’s balance of payments is projected to deteriorate over the near-term, the international reserves will remain robust.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Friday thanked the United States government for suspending a proclamation that would have prevented Dominicans from entering the North American country from January 1 next year.

Speaking on the state-owned DBS Radio, Skerrit said that following discussions with the United States officials at the embassy in Barbados as well as the State Department in Washington, an agreement had been reached to suspend the proclamation that had been announced on Tuesday by President Donald Trump. ‘I would like to thank the United States government itself for understanding the situation and agreeing to set aside for the time being the proclamation.and so this is good news. The anxieties that we all would have should be set aside,’ Skerrit told radio listeners, adding that Roseau was looking forward to continuing the good relations it has enjoyed with Washington in the past.

On Tuesday, President Trump in his latest executive order said that apart from Antigua and Barbuda, nationals from Dominica and Haiti would also be affected by the immigration policy.

Trump said some of these countries identified in an earlier proclamation, had offered Citizenship by Investment (CBI) without residency, which poses challenges for screening and vetting purposes.

Under the CBI programme, several Caribbean countries including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica offer citizenship to foreign investors in return for making a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of these countries.

Trump said both Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have ‘historically had CBI without residency’ and that the entry into the United States of nationals of these two countries as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.

He said consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica ‘to the extent permitted by law.

Trump said in its latest executive order justifying the action taken against the Caribbean countries that ‘as an example, a foreign national from a country that is subject to travel restrictions could purchase CBI from a second country that is not subject to travel restrictions, obtain a passport in the citizenship of that second country, and subsequently apply for a United States visa for travel to the United States, thus evading the travel restrictions on his or her first country.

‘ Additionally, United States law enforcement and the Department of State have found that, historically, CBI programmes have been susceptible to several risks. These risks include allowing an individual to conceal his or her identity and assets to circumvent travel restrictions or financial or banking restrictions,’ he said.

Skerrit said his administration was prepared to ‘continue working with the US on what ever issues they may have, movng forward together as partners.

Skerrit, who has promised to provide further information on the ‘suspension of the proclamation’, said that Dominica who are holders of ‘visas of any kind are able to travel to the United States past January 1, 2025’.

Earlier, the Antigua and Barbuda government said that a similar suspension had been afforded to its nationals

‘This applies to all visa categories, including B-1, B-2, J, and M visas,’ said Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, adding that ‘for the avoidance of doubt, this includes tourist, business, student, and other valid United States-issued visas.

‘Second, there will be no revocation of any existing visas issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda prior to 31 December 2025,’ he said in a statement.

He said with regard to new visa applications submitted after January 1, 2026 ‘these will be subject to new arrangements that are still to be worked out with several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda.

‘These arrangements relate specifically to the collection of biometric information of Antigua and Barbuda passport holders to ensure full compatibility with United States biometric systems.’

President Irfaan Ali has reiterated Guyana’s support for the United States crackdown on illegal drugs trade in the region, saying his administration ‘has absolutely no sympathy for drug trafficker’.

The Donald Trump administration has built up a military armada in international waters near Venezuela, allegedly to prevent drug smugglers from sending their products into the North American country. Washington has sanctioned the killings of several people on vessels that the military has bombed in international waters despite international criticisms that the killings were extra judicial in nature with the US providing no evidence of those killed were involved in the illegal drugs trade.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has supported the actions taken by the US saying that drug dealers should be killed ‘violently’.

Ali, speaking to reports said that Georgetown is unwavering in its support for ongoing efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and other forms of smuggling in the region.

‘We have a strong partnership with the US and other international partners in dealing with every form of smuggling and drug trafficking,’ he said, adding ‘my administration has absolutely no sympathy for drug traffickers.

‘Tens of thousands, millions of lives are destroyed, and also economies are destroyed by smuggling. We also see our region as one in which democracy must be able to thrive, in which the rule of law must win every single day, [and] in which the freedom of our people, wherever they live and exist, must be honoured. And that is an important element of any modern society, and we support the region being a zone of peace.’

Political observers say the US presence in the region is aimed at removing the Nicolas Maduro government in Venezuela from office and earlier this week, President Trump announced a full naval blockade of all US-sanctioned oil tankers designed to sever the Venezuelan president’s economic lifeline.

Asked about these escalating situations, President Ali told reporters that the ‘United States government has access to more intelligence than anyone of us.

‘So, we have to respect that these sanctions – and that is something every Guyanese need to understand: sanctions are a serious matter – and any action by the US in relation to its own sanction mechanism is a matter for the United States government.’

Ali said that while he cannot speak for other countries in the region that have spoken out against the US operations in the southern Caribbean, he was also mindful of the aggression and threats Guyana is facing from its South American neighbour, which has laid claims to a significant portion of Guyana.

‘You know that we have a peculiar situation in Guyana. We just had Venezuelans being charged for terrorist activity in Guyana that claimed the life of [a] young person. We have a border situation to manage [whereby] we have an active threat from Venezuela on the sovereignty of this country.

‘And my responsibility is to keep Guyanese safe, to keep Guyana safe, and to work with all our allies and partners in doing that. And I intend to continue to work strongly with our allies in doing exactly that,’ President Ali said.

West Indies trail New Zealand by 265 runs after reaching 310 for four at tea on the third day of the third and final Test here at the Bay Oval on Saturday.

NEW ZEALAND 575-8 dec’d.

WEST INDIES 310-4 in 83 overs (Kavem Hodge 83 not out, Brandon King 63, John Campbell 45, Alick Athanaze 45, Tevin Imlach 27, Justin Greaves 20 not out; Jacob Duffy 2-63).

The West Indies’ batters have started strongly chasing New Zealand’s mammoth first innings total, to leave the game in the balance at the end of play on the second day here on Friday.

With veteran pacer and leader Kemar Roach unable to take the field because of a hamstring injury sustained on Thursday’s opening day, the Windies’ bowlers showed great heart but could not stop the home side from piling on the runs, until they eventually declared their first innings at 575 for eight, buoyed by Devon Conway’s impressive double century.

However, Brandon King, who finished the day unbeaten on 55 and John Campbell (45 not out), carried the visitors to 110 without loss to set up an intriguing third day of action.

With the pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers, King and Campbell scored at almost five runs an over during their partnership in the day’s final 90 minutes.

King was his usual fluent self from the start of his innings, striking pacer Zak Foulkes for two consecutive boundaries in the seventh over, before giving fast bowler Jacob Duffy the same treatment three overs later. Campbell brought up the Windies’ 50 inside 10 overs with a spanking drive down the ground for four off pacer Michael Rae.

King moved into his 40s with another boundary off Foulkes, before reaching his second Test half century off only 63 balls by guiding a delivery from Duffy past backward point for another four.

He has so far faced 78 balls and struck nine boundaries, while Campbell’s knock has taken 60 balls, and includes seven fours.

Earlier, the West Indies’ bowling attack was dealt a harsh blow at the start of play when it was revealed that Roach would be unable to bowl because of his hamstring injury.

Resuming the day on 334 for one, with Conway unbeaten on 178, nightwatchman Duffy did well to score 17 before edging pacer Jayden Seales behind with 16 runs added to their total.

Conway though, continued to press on, eventually bringing up his second Test double hundred by hitting Jayden Seales for two boundaries.

He added 69 runs with Kane Williamson, before Williamson attempted an expansive drive off pacer Justin Greaves, only to be caught behind by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach for 31, to leave the score 419 for three.

New Zealand went into the lunch break at 424 for three, but Greaves claimed the prized scalp of Conway shortly after play resumed by trapping him plumb in front for 227.

In all, he spent almost eight and a half hours at the crease and smashed an impressive 31 boundaries from the 367 balls he faced.

Daryl Mitchell only made 11 before he was caught down the leg side by Imlach off the bowling of Roston Chase, and six runs later Seales had Tom Blundell caught behind for four to see the Kiwis reduced to 461 for six.

Ravendra then added 61 runs for the seventh wicket with Glenn Phillips, who made 29, and then shared an unbroken partnership of 39 with Ajaz Patel, before captain Tom Latham declared their innings.

Ravendra faced 106 balls and hit six fours and two sixes during his unbeaten knock, while Patel made a run-a-ball 30, inclusive of three fours and two sixes.

Greaves was the Windies’ best bowler, grabbing 2-83, while Seales (2-100) and Phillip (2-154), provided good support.

West Indies trail New Zealand by 465 runs after reaching 110 without loss at the close of play on the second day of the third and final Test here at the Bay Oval on Friday.

Scores

NEW ZEALAND 575-8 dec’d in 155 overs (Devon Conway 224 not out, Tom Latham 137, Rachin Ravindra 72 not out, Kane Williamson 31, Ajax Patel 30 not out, Glenn Phillips 29, Jacob Duffy 17, Daryl Mitchell 11; Justin Greaves 2-83, Jayden Seales 2-100, Anderson Phillip 2-154).

WEST INDIES 110-0 in 23 overs (Brandon King 55 not out, John Campbell 45 not out).

The Antigua and Barbuda government Friday said it had reached an agreement with the United States allowing for its nationals currently holding valid visas to be allowed entry into the North American country.

‘This applies to all visa categories, including B-1, B-2, J, and M visas,’ said Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, adding that ‘for the avoidance of doubt, this includes tourist, business, student, and other valid United States-issued visas.

‘Second, there will be no revocation of any existing visas issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda prior to 31 December 2025,’ he said in a statement.

Earlier this week, the Gaston Browne government said it is ‘actively engaged’ in discussions with the United States authorities after President Donald Trump included nationals from the island and two other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries who would either be ‘fully’ restricted or have limited entry into the United States.

On Tuesday, President Trump in his latest executive order said that apart from Antigua and Barbuda, nationals from Dominica and Haiti would also be affected by the immigration policy.

Trump said some of these countries identified in an earlier proclamation, had offered Citizenship by Investment (CBI) without residency, which poses challenges for screening and vetting purposes.

Under the CBI programme, several Caribbean countries including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica offer citizenship to foreign investors in return for making a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of these countries.

Trump said both Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have ‘historically had CBI without residency’ and that the entry into the United States of nationals of these two countries as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.

He said consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica ‘to the extent permitted by law.

Trump said in its latest executive order justifying the action taken against the Caribbean countries that ‘as an example, a foreign national from a country that is subject to travel restrictions could purchase CBI from a second country that is not subject to travel restrictions, obtain a passport in the citizenship of that second country, and subsequently apply for a United States visa for travel to the United States, thus evading the travel restrictions on his or her first country.

‘ Additionally, United States law enforcement and the Department of State have found that, historically, CBI programmes have been susceptible to several risks. These risks include allowing an individual to conceal his or her identity and assets to circumvent travel restrictions or financial or banking restrictions,’ he said.

In his statement, Ambassador Sanders said that he met with the United States officials ‘on the instructions of, and with the guidance of’ Prime Minister Browne to discuss the issuance of the United States Proclamation entitled ‘Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,’ issued on December 16.

‘I met today with senior officials of the United States Department of State. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Proclamation and its implications for Antigua and Barbuda,’ he said, adding that at that meeting, several matters were ‘confirmed and agreed’.

According to the diplomat with regard to new visa applications submitted after January 1, 2026 ‘these will be subject to new arrangements that are still to be worked out with several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda.

‘These arrangements relate specifically to the collection of biometric information of Antigua and Barbuda passport holders to ensure full compatibility with United States biometric systems.’

Sir Ronald said he wanted to emphasis ‘that the process of gathering the biometric information will be no different than now applies to all Antigua and Barbuda citizens; only the technology will change to align it with the US system.

‘This alignment of biometric data systems will apply to all citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, including citizens by birth, descent, naturalisation, or investment,’ said Sir Ronald, adding that he wanted to ‘express appreciation to the officials of the United States Government who have worked with us constructively and in good faith to address this matter.

‘We are grateful for their commitment to continue working with us in furtherance of the cooperative relationship that our two countries have long enjoyed. Antigua and Barbuda recognises and respects the responsibility of the United States to protect its national security.

‘We have pledged-and we reaffirm-our commitment to continue working closely with United States authorities on all necessary measures to ensure that our systems present no risk to U.S. security, while preserving legitimate travel for our citizens.’

The diplomat said St. John’s is ‘pleased that clarity has been achieved on these immediate concerns, and we will continue to participate fully in the work now underway to ensure the continuation of strong people-to-people exchanges between the United States and Antigua and Barbuda’.