Category: CANA News

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$160 million loan to support The Bahamas in enhancing its disaster-risk management.

The Washington-based financial institution said that the funding is the second loan in a series of two with the first, approved in 2023, which focused on establishing the legal structure for disaster-risk management.

It led to the passage of the Disaster Risk Management Act.

The second loan will allow The Bahamas to design and adopt the core policy instruments created by that law, such as national standards for humanitarian assistance, a comprehensive financial strategy for disaster management, and reference parameters for disaster management.

It will also enable the Bahamian authorities to better identify and reduce risks and improve disaster preparedness and recovery planning.

Under the programme, the Bahamian authorities plan to create an information system based on past disasters and projected scenarios to improve risk informed decision making and preparedness.

Additionally, the programme will train public officials in risk assessment to ensure that disaster resilience is progressively integrated into new public infrastructure.

The Bahamas is among the countries in the region most exposed to natural disasters. In the last 25 years, it has experienced 15 major events, mostly hurricanes.

The IDB said that the programme will benefit the approximately 390,000 residents across all the islands of The Bahamas, which are exposed to the effects of tropical storms and hurricanes.

The IDB loan has a 20-year repayment term, a 5.5-year grace period, and an interest rate based on the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR).

India reached 218 for three, an overall lead of 56 runs, against West Indies at lunch on the second day of the first Test here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.

Scores

WEST INDIES 162.

INDIA 218-3 in 67 overs (KL Rahul 100 not out, Shubman Gill 50, Yashasvi Jaiswal 36, Dhruv Jurel 14 not out; Roston Chase 2-37).

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Private Sector Organization (CPSO) says it enthusiastically support the decision of Dominica, Barbados, Belize, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to allow their nationals to enjoy free movement as of October 1.

‘The regional private sector has long advocated for the removal of barriers to the free movement of people within our region. This move by Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines demonstrates the kind of action-oriented leadership needed to make regional integration a lived reality for businesses, workers, and families,’ said CPSO chief executive officer, Dr. Patrick Antoine.

‘As long as a regional vision and planning is put in place, there will be greater job opportunities from the CSME (Caribbean Single Market and Economy), as investment increases to take advantage of resources available all across the region,’ he added.

The four CARICOM countries decided to forge ahead with full-fledged free movement under the CSME that allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services, while other members of the 15-member integration movement work through their reservations.

The free movement means that as of October 1, except where prohibited on the grounds prescribed by law, such as national security concerns, citizens of the four countries can travel to and work in each other’s countries for an unlimited period of time and can work on arrival, without needing a work permit.

They would also not need a CARICOM Skills Certificate, which previously defined the categories of workers who could move among the bloc and live and work indefinitely Free movement.

The CPSO said that by allowing goods, services, capital, and skilled labour to circulate freely, the CARICOM region aims to create a more dynamic and resilient economic space. It said it regards this move as a signal of a deeper commitment to a unified economic environment, where firms can scale operations, invest, and innovate more effectively across member states.

The CPSO said that stakeholders agree that the potential for labour mobility to enhance economic opportunity is significant. It opens pathways for skilled professionals to seek employment in areas of greater need, thereby boosting productivity and fostering economic diversification.

Additionally, a larger, more integrated market encourages investment and innovation, which are vital for sustaining long-term growth.

The CPSO said that while the prospects are promising, the transition to full free movement also presents certain social and economic challenges.

It said a 2007 pilot study assessing the impact of labour mobility within the sub-group of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), where aspects of cross-country movement have been in operation for over a decade, revealed that while 60 per cent of people questioned at the time were open to temporary relocation for work, only 17 per cent were willing to move permanently.

‘As free movement for all CARICOM territories continues to be a gradual process, there were salient concerns unearthed by the study, which could take time to dissolve. For instance, there was uncertainty about the region having to contend with potential negative impacts, such as increased crime rates and fraudulent activities, on a long-term basis, with the only solution seeming to lie in ironing out hiccups along the way.’

The CPSO said that economic threats identified by the study included downward pressure on wages, job displacement, and the risk of capital flight as profits and remittances are sent abroad.

It said many people in the region also reported fears that unskilled workers might accept low-paying jobs, leading to the development of slums and a reduction in living standards in their home country.

‘Another notable concern that people expressed was the possibility of an influx of foreigners competing for land. Namely, that this would drive property prices upward, making land less affordable for locals, while some countries risk experiencing a ‘brain drain’ if skilled professionals seek opportunities elsewhere.

‘The potential for businesses to relocate within the region to capitalise on lower costs was also noted as a risk, which could inadvertently lead to unemployment in the originating country.’

Despite this, the CPSO said that the published study indicated that Caribbean residents recognized that increased competition for jobs might initially cause issues, but also viewed it as a catalyst for improved efficiency and higher standards.

Generally speaking, they expressed optimism about the trajectory of free movement and greater economic unity. Consensus remains that with effective regional planning and strategic investment, these issues can be managed, resulting in expanded job opportunities and economic resilience.

According to the CPSO, while the benefits, such as increased economic activity, enhanced competitiveness, and greater opportunities for workers, are substantial, policymakers must also tackle the accompanying social and economic risks.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 rattled several cities in the Caribbean on FRiday, but there were no immediate reports of damage of injuries.

The Trinidad-based Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the St. Augistine campus of the Universty of the West Indies (UWI) said that the quake occurred at 10.59 am (loccal time) and was at a depth of 142 kilometers (km).

It said that the quake was felt 33 km north east of Kinstown, the capital of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 67 km, south, south west of Castries in St.Lucia and 128 km south of Fort-de-France, the capital of the French island of Martinique.

The chief executive officer of the state-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL), Garvin Medera has resigned after eight years in the position, the Trinidad Express newspaper reported on Friday.

CAL has issued no statement on the media report, but the resignation, if confirmed is the latest to hit the airline, after Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar had issued an ultimatum to the airline’s management, telling them to ‘sort out the mess’ within two years or face replacement.

‘I am giving the management of CAL two years to sort it out; otherwise, everyone there will be looking for a new job,’ Persad-Bissessar said in August, stressing that taxpayers would no longer bankroll under-performing State enterprises.

In recent weeks, CAL’s Kern Gardiner was dismissed from his role as executive manager of finance and Corporate communications executive manager, Dionne Liqoure, also left.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, who is the line minister for CAL, told the newspaper that he was unaware of Medera’s resignation.

‘Thank you for the information. Frankly I don’t think it’s the practice for persons resigning from jobs they held, to advise me. But I note your confidence that I am intimately familiar with Mr Medera’s or anyone else’s ­actions,’ he told the newspaper.

The paper quoted sources as saying that Medera is currently on vacation ahead of his departure and that ‘he is reportedly in talks with third-party organisations in the private sector about new roles’.

On June 24, Reyna Kowlessar was appointed chairman of the airline’s board of directors, replacing Shameer ‘Ronnie’ Mohammed, who had been on the board since November 2016.

Centuries by Dhruv Jurel, Ravendra Jadeja and KL Rahul, have left West Indies with a herculean task if they are to avoid a heavy defeat against India in the opening Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Jurel scored an impressive 125, Jadeja finished unbeaten on 104 and Rahul stroked an even 100, as the home side piled up a massive 448 for five at the close of play on the second day, giving them an already mammoth first innings lead of 286 runs.

India’s batsmen made the visitors toil in the sun all day with little success, with captain Shubman Gill chipping in with a half century against a tame West Indies bowling attack that lacked venom.

Resuming the day on 121 for two with Rahul on 53 and Gill 18, the duo dominated proceedings in the morning session during a 98-run partnership.

Rahul survived a scare in the day’s first over when his outside edge flew between the wicketkeeper and first slip and into the third man boundary, but apart from that was solid in defense and quick to latch onto anything short or wide offered by the bowlers.

They navigated the first hour with ease and Gill brought up his eighth half century in Test cricket with a single off left-arm spinner Khary Pierre.

Skipper Roston Chase got the much-needed breakthrough for the Windies when he had Gill caught at first slip by Justin Greaves as he attempted a reverse sweep, to leave India 188 for three.

Rahul, meanwhile, continued his march to three figures, sweeping Pierre for four to move into the 90s.

He eventually notched his 11th Test century and second at home with a single through midwicket off Chase, as India went to lunch in a strong position of 218 for three, a lead of 56 runs.

The West Indies reaped success again immediately after the break when left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican enticed Rahul into a cover drive that went straight to Greaves without any addition to the score.

In all, Rahul faced 197 balls and hit 12 fours.

Jadeja joined Jurel at the crease and the two crushed any hopes the Windies had of staging a fightback during a backbreaking 206-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Jadeja was in a no-nonsense mood early on, smashing Warrican for two massive sixes and driving Chase down the ground for four.

Jurel reached his half century by cutting Justin Greaves past backward square for a boundary and it didn’t take long for Jadeja to score his seventh fifty plus score in his last nine innings with a quick single off Warrican, as India went to tea at 326 for four.

West Indies took the second new ball in the day’s final session, but it made no difference as the two batters dominated proceedings.

It came as no surprise, therefore, when Jurel, playing in his sixth Test, scored his maiden Test century with a boundary off Chase past mid-off.

Jurel brought up the 200-run partnership with a straight six off Warrican, but after facing 210 balls and striking 15 fours and three sixes, he edged Pierre behind to wicketkeeper Shai Hope to give him his first Test wicket at 424 for five.

While there was little else for the West Indies to celebrate following his dismissal, Jadeja was all smiles when he became the third Indian to reach three figures in the innings, scoring his sixth Test century with a single off Warrican.

Together with Washington Sundar, they navigated the final few overs to ensure India kept the Windies in a stranglehold heading into Saturday’s third day.

The Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC) has released a new publication that systematically measures the level of preparedness, adoption, and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in 19 countries of the region.

The third edition of the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index (ILIA 2025) was done in collaboration with the National Center for Artificial Intelligence of Chile.

Based on more than 100 sub-indicators organised into three dimensions, namely enabling factors; research, development and adoption; and governance, the report provides a detailed overview of the progress made and the challenges that Latin America and the Caribbean still face in this field.

The results show that the region is accelerating AI adoption, surpassing what might be expected given its digital weight.

According to ECLAC estimates, Latin America and the Caribbean account for 14 per cent of global visits to AI solutions, compared to an 11 per cent share of the world’s internet users. However, this trend is marked by sharp contrasts across countries in the region.

ILIA groups countries into three categories according to their level of maturity: pioneers, adopters, and explorers.

The study highlights significant structural gaps in talent, investment and governance. In particular, advanced training in AI remains insufficient and is concentrated in a small number of countries. Since 2022, the talent gap relative to the global average has widened, associated with an accelerated brain drain of specialists.

In terms of investment, Latin America and the Caribbean account for 6.6 per cent of global GDP, but receive only 1.12 per cent of global AI investment.

‘This severely restricts the region’s ability to scale productive, technological and innovative initiatives, according to the report prepared with the support of the European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Digital Alliance (EU-LAC) project and several academic, public and private organizations.’

The report also warns that, while a growing number of countries have developed national AI strategies, most lack financing, implementation mechanisms and impact evaluation systems, reducing the effectiveness of these policies.

Furthermore, environmental and gender equality approaches are largely absent, despite their importance for sustainable and inclusive development. Policies also tend to focus on regulatory aspects, rather than consolidating a technological ecosystem to support productivity and well-being.

According to the document, AI adoption in the region is concentrated in a small group of countries and is primarily oriented toward the consumption of ready-made, end-user solutions with low technical requirements.

However, the growing interest in such tools creates an opportunity to democratize innovation and strengthen productivity, since AI can generate significant benefits across economies of different sizes and structures-provided there are favorable environments for innovation and entrepreneurship.

‘ILIA 2025 confirms that artificial intelligence can become a driver for overcoming the development traps of Latin America and the Caribbean,’ said ECLAC’s executive secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs.

‘But for this to happen, it is essential to align digitalization policies with productive development policies, including the digital transformation of priority sectors, in order to close infrastructure, talent, innovation and governance gaps, while also advancing regional cooperation to ensure an ethical, inclusive and responsible use of this technology,’ he added.

Salazar-Xirinachs said that AI adoption can contribute, among other areas, to the design of new productive strategies; democratizing access to education, health and other public services; expanding social protection; reducing gender gaps and lowering environmental pollution among other areas.

ECLAC said the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index is an essential benchmark to guide evidence-based policymaking and to assess the implementation and progress of such policies, ensuring the development of AI that is geared toward a more productive, inclusive and sustainable future for the region.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the World Bank (WB) have in collaboration with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government have determined a set of priority actions to strengthen project implementation and ensure continued alignment with the country’s development agenda.

They have agreed to streamline their portfolios for greater efficiency, deepen their partnership to maximise resources, and assess local market conditions in light of the construction boom and the demand for skilled human resources.

They are also committed to strengthening inter-ministerial coordination, building the capacity of Project Implementation Units, contractors, and consultants, and fostering internal reflection within both institutions to adopt a more client-focused, flexible, and collaborative approach.

According to a statement issued here, the agreements are as a result of the Country Project Portfolio Review that brought together senior government officials, CDB and WB representatives, and key stakeholders to examine the status of jointly financed projects.

The discussions also highlighted national priorities in disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, resilient infrastructure, education, health systems strengthening, and economic diversification.

The statement said that lessons learned were shared from major initiatives such as the Volcanic Eruption Emergency Recovery, Hurricane Beryl Emergency Resilient Recovery, Port Modernisation, Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management, and the Caribbean Digital Transformation.

‘By working alongside the World Bank and the government, CDB is ensuring that investments are both transformative and sustainable, tackling immediate needs while laying the groundwork for long-term growth,’ said CDB acting director of Projects, L. O’Reilly Lewis.

The World Bank Director for the Caribbean, Lilia Burunciuc, also underscored the depth of collaboration, saying ‘this review highlights the strong collaboration between the government, the World Bank, and CDB in addressing urgent recovery needs while advancing reforms that support resilience, innovation, and opportunities for Vincentians’.

Jamaica police say they are determined to dismantle a woman-led crime syndicate so as to ensure a continued decline in criminal activities along the island’s island’s northern coast.

‘For this quarter, we will be fully pursuing this female-led robbery syndicate. We’ll be pushing hard against this syndicate to ensure that we bring the robberies right down. We’re going into the Yuletide season and we want persons to be able to shop in peace,’ Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, told a news conference as he discussed ‘Operation Endgame,’ the new crime initiative.

The new anti-crime operation comes as police statistics show that St James has recorded 43 murders for the period January 1 to September 27, 2025, compared to 102 for the same period last year, a reduction of 57.8 per cent. Shootings have also dropped from 89 to 42 over the same comparative periods, a 52.8 per cent reduction.

Samuels said the efforts of the police in the St. James area ‘ will be relentless in ensuring that this robbery syndicate is fully demolished’, noting that the syndicate operates across several parishes.

Samuels said the work of the members of the division, including those in the zones of special operation (ZOSO) has been successful apprehending some of the main players.

ZOSOs are special security and community development measures implemented in specific communities in Jamaica to address rampant criminality or high rates of violence, transforming the areas by focusing on both law and order and social intervention for a more sustainable environment.

These zones are designated by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and involve the military and police working together with social transformation committees to achieve objectives such as enhancing the community and strengthening the police force.

‘They have made some major headway, but there are still splinters of the gang around, and with that joint effort across Area One we will see that robbery syndicate being dismantled,’ Samuels added.

Deputy Superintendent of Policce, Michael Moore, who is in charge of crime in St James, told reporters that more than a dozen perpetrators, who the police believe form part of this syndicate and operating in the St James area, have been detained.

‘Recently, we had five arrested and firearms were seized from them,’ Moore said, adding ‘these men mainly targeted our Chinese business community, and I can say with confidence right now the Chinese business community is breathing a sigh of relief, because we have arrested and charged these persons, and they are presently in custody’.

Moore said that the police have also seen where some of the bandits have moved to neighbouring parishes as a result of the relentless operational and investigative surge that the police in St James division have been doing.

Superintendent Lynroy Edwards, said the new anti-crime offensive will run into the new year and that Operation Endgame is to basically end badness and criminality in St James.

‘We have added more teeth to our activities, more assets, more intense, a combination of old and new strategies combined with our JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) partners and other formations.

‘The gangs, of course, have been feeling our effectiveness, and they are going to feel it even more, mark our word,’ he told reporters, urging Jamaicans to work with the police to ensure that people linked to criminal activities are shown that they are not welcome.

‘We just want the citizens to continue to cooperate with us, and to use a Jamaican colloquial term, continue to ‘shub dem out’, so we can keep the peace right across the parish.’

The leader of the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM), Michael Pintard, is calling on Prime Minister Philip to announce a date for the general election rather than hold a by-election to replace the Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Vaughn Miller, who died last weekend.

Miller, who served as parliamentary representative for the Golden Isles constituency, was found unresponsive last Sunday and pronounced dead at hospital.

General elections are scheduled to be held in The Bahamas by September 2026 to elect all 38 members of the House of Assembly and under the Parliamentary Elections Act, a writ for a by-election must be issued within 21 to 30 days of a vacancy.

Pintard said that with Bahamians facing financial hardship, it would be wasteful for the government to spend millions on a single by-election when national issues remain unresolved.

‘We’re discussing general election,’ he said, adding ‘given the financial challenges that the Bahamian people are facing, it would be interesting to see whether or not this government is prepared, to again, as they did in West Grand Bahama, spent over, we believe, US$10 million on one seat.’

Pintard said Bahamians have real life bread and butter issues that the government needs to dedicate resources to and that a ‘general election will give one party or another a new mandate, and so he ought to go to a general election’.

But asked by reporters on whether the FNM would not contest a by-election, Pintard responded by saying ‘I did not say that. I said exactly what I meant. We ought to go to a general election’.

Prime Minister Davis told The Tribune newspaper that it is too early to be making political decisions.

‘We are mourning at this time and I haven’t given consideration to that,’ he said, regarding a by-election.

‘The law requires me to call it within 60 days. I’m giving consideration to that.’

Meanwhile, former primer minister, Dr. Hubert Minnis, has sidestepped questions as to whether or not he will join the opposition Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and contest the and Killarney constituency, which he represents in the Parliament.

‘I’m wearing pink,’ Minnis said, adding ‘this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I advise the entire Bahamas to wear pink this month. In Killarney, we’re organizing, at the end of this month, a pink walk for the Killarney residents. To show our respect for the women.

‘Men have breast also and men also get breast cancer. Not as common, but we do. I will be representing the people. Whatever the people want. I will represent Killarney and I will run in Killarney,’ said the medical practitioner.

Minnis, who served as prime minister between May 2017 to 16 September .

‘I’m running in Killarney. However it’s done, you will know, because you will see Minnis name on the ballot. And I’ve told my people as I go through, when you go to that poll, look for Minnis,’ the 70 year-old former FNM leader said.

The DNA was formed in 2011 by former former FNM government minister Branville McCartney. It contested three general elections – 2012, 2017 and 2021-but lost ground with each election and failed to win a seat in Parliament.

Its leader, Arinthia Komalafe, resigned in December 2021 and has since joined the FNM and was recently ratified as that party’s candidate for Carmichael.