Category: CANA News

Jamaica is celebrating a moment of hope and gratitude following the successful separation of conjoined twins Azaria and Azora Elson, who underwent life-changing surgery in Saudi Arabia earlier this week.

The announcement was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, on social media Thursday.

‘Dear Jamaica, in our own difficult times, there are blessings for which we are grateful,’ Johnson Smith wrote. ‘For everyone who prayed for little Azora and Azaria, our conjoined twins, they were separated this morning by the skillful surgical team of the King Salman Humanitarian Mission in Saudi Arabia.’

She confirmed that while one of the twins will require additional heart surgery for an unrelated condition, both are currently stable.

The twins, who are 20 months old, left Jamaica in July for the complex procedure at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh.

They are Omphalopagus twins, joined at the abdomen and sharing a liver, a rare congenital condition occurring in approximately one in every 50,000 to 150,000 live births worldwide.

The girls had remained under care at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) since birth due to their condition and associated medical complications, including congenital heart abnormalities.

Their departure was made possible through the intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, which facilitated dialogue between UHWI and officials of the Government of Saudi Arabia.

The twins were supported by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, which covered all medical, transportation, and logistical costs.

The Saudi Programme for Separating Conjoined Twins, now in its third decade, has achieved remarkable success, having separated 66 pairs of conjoined twins worldwide.

The successful operation marks a milestone not only for the twins and their family but also for the Jamaican community, which has followed their journey from Kingston to Riyadh with hope and anticipation.

Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke on Wednesday condemned the passage of the Republican-led Continuing Resolution (CR), a legislative act that provides temporary funding for federal agencies to continue operations when annual appropriation bills have not been passed by the start of the fiscal year.

Yvette D Clarke

The CR serves as a ‘stopgap’ measure to avert a US Government shutdown and allows more time for lawmakers to agree on a final budget.

‘Moments ago, I voted ‘no’ on the dirtiest ‘Clean CR’ to ever reach the House Floor,’ Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

‘This hateful legislation not only condemns millions of Americans to healthcare costs they cannot afford and safety-net cuts they cannot survive, but it also affirms to Donald Trump that there is no evil and no cruelty his administration can concoct that his lackeys in Congress will not co-sign,’ added the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. ‘In no uncertain terms, this bill is a betrayal of the American people.

‘The Trump Shutdown may be over, but I am heartbroken to say its impact will reverberate throughout the country long into the future,’ Clarke continued. ‘It will be felt by the 24 million Americans whose premiums have been allowed to double. It will be felt by the millions more Americans on SNAP who are still starving under the president’s brutal decision to slash its budget. And it will be felt by countless others whose pain will reveal itself in the days, weeks, and months ahead.’

The congresswoman thanked members of the armed services, air traffic controllers, and all other federal employees who worked for ’42 gut-wrenching days without a paycheck.

‘While House Republicans enjoyed an eight-week vacation on their dime, these dedicated leaders dug in and did their duty,’ she said. ‘For their service and perseverance throughout this disgraceful chapter in America, they will always have my gratitude.

‘No matter what hardships lie ahead, my vote against this CR was the only acceptable outcome for the people of Brooklyn,’ Clarke added. ‘They understand that worthless promises won’t restore the ACA premium tax credits they rely on. They know the fight does not end here. The Republican Party may have given up on the future Americans deserve, but we never will.’

In a joint Democratic leadership statement on the Republican-led spending bill, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said that ‘the American people deserve better than the chaos, cruelty and corruption that has been unleashed on the country by President Donald Trump and Republicans since the beginning of his presidency.

‘House Democrats will continue our fight to lower the high cost of living, decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis and extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits,’ Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Aguilar added. ‘We will fight to protect Medicaid, Medicare, hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics.’

Over the past several weeks, they said ‘a handful of Republicans claimed to be interested in addressing the healthcare crisis that they have created in America.

‘Open Enrollment is here, and the Congress must act with urgency,’ the Democratic leadership said. ‘Now is the time for so-called traditional Republicans to join with House Democrats, sign the discharge petition and force a vote on our bill to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years.

‘House Democrats are in this fight until we win this fight,’ they added.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Thursday said that countries that attended the fourth European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States ( EU-CELAC) in Colombia earlier this week, have reiterated the need for the Caribbean region to remain a zone of peace.

Skerrit, who led his country’s delegation to the meeting in Santa Marta, told a news conference that the leaders from Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union had reaffirmed ‘our commitment to democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

‘We further pledged to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter, sovereign equality, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

‘CELAC’s declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace was again endorsed. We recognised the importance of dialogue, cooperation and maritime security, especially for small island states like ours,’ he told reporters.

In recent weeks, the United States has been building up a military presence in the region under the pretext of eradicating the illegal drugs trade, but political observers say the move is aimed moreat regime change in Venezuela, which Washington said is being led by a dictator in Nicolas Maduro.

Washington has sent several warships including the world’s largest carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford into the area. The Americans have killed several people, including two Trinidad and Tobago nationals in strikes on what it termed illegal vessels carrying drugs in international waters and Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, which has dismissed the notion of the region being regarded as a zone of peace, is on record as saying that those in the illegal drug trade should be ‘killed violently’.

Skerrit said the meeting in Colombia also acknowledged the neutrality of the Panama Canal as essential to global peace, trade and stability.

‘We discussed the growing number of conflicts around the world and expressed deep concern over their humanitarian impact. We agreed that diplomacy, dialogue and respect for international law must guide our actions.

‘On Ukraine, we supported all efforts toward a sustainable ceasefire and a just peace based on sovereignty and territorial integrity. On the situation in Gaza, we welcomed the first phase of the Comprehensive Peace Plan and urged all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and allow the safe delivery of aid,’ he added.

Skerrit said he is joining his colleagues in reaffirming support for the people of Haiti and the ongoing efforts to restore security and stability in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

‘We also repeated our opposition to the economic and financial embargo imposed on Cuba and called for an end to unilateral measures which affect its development. As you know Dominica has been consistent on this matter.’

He said that a major focus of the discussions was the need for reform of the international system and agreed that the United Nations must become ‘more representative, inclusive and democratic, reflecting the realities of today’s world.

‘CELAC countries proposed that the next UN Secretary-General should come from our region, and this received strong attention,’ Skerrit said, adding that ‘we also supported reforms to the global financial architecture to make it more just and responsive to the needs of developing nations.

‘I stressed that small island developing states like Dominica need greater access to concessional financing and debt relief based on their vulnerabilities and exposure to climate and economic shocks.

‘We reaffirmed our commitment to a fair, rules-based multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and welcomed the strengthening of trade and investment ties between Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean,’ he added.

The Dominican leader said a key outcome for the region was the emphasis on climate resilience and the energy transition.

‘We renewed our collective commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement. I took the opportunity to highlight Dominica’s leadership in building a climate-resilient nation and advancing a clean energy agenda through geothermal development.

‘We also discussed regional cooperation to address environmental challenges such as sargassum, turning them into opportunities for innovation, job creation and sustainable growth,’ he said, adding ‘in all, this meeting was a reaffirmation of solidarity between Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe’.

Skerrit also took the opportunity to wish fellow Labour party governments in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia ‘all the best’ in the general elections carded for November 27 and December 1 respectively.

He dismissed the idea of interference in the internal affairs of the two countries, saying that the Dominica Labour Party (DLP)which he leads has always enjoyed good relations with sister labour parties in the region and it is in that context he is wishing them success in the elections.

‘in the end it will be left to the people of these countries to choose a government of their choice,’ he said, adding that his government would work with who ever emerges victorious in the democratically held polls.

Reggae superstar Buju Banton has accused Transport Minister Daryl Vaz of trying to ‘shame and blame’ him, following reports hurricane relief items were stolen at the port .

The claim made the Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, came after Vaz dismissed his claim on Thursday.

In a video shared by the entertainer on Wednesday, Banton had alleged that containers filled with relief items for disaster victims were being stolen, posting a photo showing a half-filled barrel as evidence.

However, Vaz refuted the claim on Thursday morning, stating that an investigation showed no evidence of missing or tampered goods.

According to the minister, the shipment in question arrived on Tuesday and was cleared immediately by the customs broker.

He emphasised that the items were never stored or moved offsite, but went directly from the aircraft on the tarmac to the receiving truck.

He said the customs officer who cleared the items confirmed that the pallets were sealed, adding that they were also cross-checked against the list provided by the sender.

‘Nothing was missing or disturbed,’ Vaz said.

However, Banton hit back in a subsequent post later Thursday morning, suggesting that the minister is ‘unaware of how things went’.

The Court of Appeal on Thursday granted conditional leave for the ‘Vaccine Mandate Case’ to be sent to the London-based Privy Council, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ (SVG) highest court, for final determination.

The legal challenge arose from the decision of the Ralph Gonsalves Unity Labour Party (ULP) government in November 2021 to deem public sector workers who did not take a COVID-19 vaccine – as the government had ordered – to have abandoned their jobs.

The Public Service Union, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union and the Police Welfare sponsored that lawsuit, in which the High Court judge Justice Esco Henry ruled in favour of the public servants in March 2023.

However, in a 2-1 decision in February 2025, the Court of Appeal overturned the lower court’s decision, resulting in the public sector workers applying for permission to have the Privy Council make a final determination.

The government’s legal team did not make any oral arguments as the Court of Appeal considered the application during a virtual sitting in Kingstown on Thursday.

‘We do not intend to add any further submissions in relation to our position. We have put some issues for the court to consider,’ Anthony Astaphan, a Dominican senior counsel who heads the government’s legal team, told the court.

‘We leave it entirely to the court to decide whether to grant leave or not, but we are not going to say anything further,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Cara Shillingford, a Dominican lawyer who is lead counsel for the public sector workers, submitted that the matter was one in which the workers should be granted permission to apply to the Privy Council, as of right.

She said the proposed grounds of appeal include many constitutional grounds, highlighting that the case concerns property rights and pension rights.

Shillingford said that based on Section 99 of the Constitution of the country, the public sector workers are entitled to appeal to the Privy Council as the matter involves a question of interpretation of the Constitution.

The lawyer highlighted that in addition to the issue of pension and property rights, a very important part of the decision of the High Court relates to the role of the Public Service Commission and the ability of the commission to act independently to make its own regulations, in keeping with Section 77 of the Constitution.

She noted that Justice Henry had found that the vaccine mandate breached section 77 of the Constitution.

‘And that is, of course, a matter of tremendous public interest, and it is a very vital constitutional law question or issue that needs to be resolved finally,’ Shillingford said.

Responding to a question from the three-judge panel, Shillingford said there could be no dispute that the value of the affected workers’ pension was more than EC $1,500.

‘. but I suppose I should leave that to my learned friends to answer,’ she said even as the lawyers for the government remained silent.

The court noted that this matter was not addressed in the government’s submission.

‘It was not addressed. So, it’s not something that is in dispute,’ Shillingford said, adding that she could point the court to affidavit evidence where the public sector workers gave certain figures as to their salaries. the evidence is there that the 270 applicants, their salaries were far in excess of the 1,500, and it is a given, I would think, that their pension rights, which are affected, would be in excess of 1,500. I do not believe that is something that can be disputed,’ Shillingford said.

The panel was made up of its president, Justice of Appeal Trevor Ward and acting Justices of Appeal, Peter Foster and Reginald Armour. Karen Duncan, Cerepha Harper-Joseph, Franeek Prince, and Grahame Bollers also appeared on behalf of the government.

The other members of the public servants’ legal team were Jomo Thomas and Shirlan ‘Zita’ Barnwell.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, says the country is mobilising to reopen its tourism infrastructure and welcome visitors as soon as is feasible.

He said while the category-five hurricane Melissa caused widespread damage across sections of Jamaica, officials are optimistic about a robust return ahead of the peak winter season, which begins on December 15.

‘The hurricane hit the western quadrant of the island. Overall, just about 60 per cent, perhaps, of our tourism assets were affected by the hurricane. The extent to which the damage was done ranges from extreme in one instance – in only one instance – to moderate and in a much lighter way,’ he said.

‘The tourism capital, Montego Bay, was one of the hardest hit of the destinations in Jamaica. Negril is in relatively good nick. Port Antonio was hardly touched. Kingston and some areas along the South Coast are still in good nick,’ the Minister added.

Bartlett noted that with tourism being 30 per cent of the island’s gross domestic product (GDP), the ‘implications are deeper and wider’.

He said that in addition to knowing that tourism provides more than 55 per cent of the foreign exchange that the country generates, the sector also employs 20 per cent of the labour force on the island.

‘The good news all around is that our airports are working. We have established a timeline for the full opening of the destination for December 15. A number of our hotels are now open and are scheduling for opening. So, by the time we get to the 15th, more than 70 per cent of all our room stock and attractions will be available,’ Bartlett noted.

‘The biggest challenge we face is to get our workers back with their physical assets back intact – their houses – to ensure that they have water and light and all the amenities that will make them able to produce at the highest level. And that’s a big, strong mission, and we’re going after it with a lot of energy and resources,’ he said.

The tourism minister said that a real silver lining and one of the things that his Ministry wants to emphasise amid all the setbacks caused by the hurricane, is the resilience and never-say-die approach of the Jamaican people.

‘We’re not just building back. We’re building back better, and we’re building back with the knowledge of the technology that is required to deal with the elements of weather and climatic change that we’re experiencing,’ he added.

He also underscored the collective spirit behind Jamaica’s recovery.

‘We work hard at it. We have a recovery task force that is working daily, minutely. The Government has responded extremely well to enable the reconstruction activities.’

He reiterated the invitation to travellers – visit Jamaica to support the island’s recovery.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ICF, a US-headquartered consulting firm and global solutions provider, to explore opportunities in advancing sustainable tourism development, climate adaptation, and resilience building in the Caribbean.

The MOU outlines areas of potential collaboration to support the sustainable growth of the region’s tourism sector, including technical assistance, destination governance, market competitiveness, and capacity building.

The parties intend to engage residents through inclusive governance models, promote public-private partnerships, and share knowledge to advance responsible tourism practices and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the Caribbean.

Under the MOU, CTO and ICF may cooperate on technical advisory services for sustainable and regenerative tourism, provide expertise as a potential partner in technical assistance initiatives, and explore capacity-building programmes for tourism stakeholders on topics of mutual interest.

‘This collaboration reinforces our mission to lead sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean by bringing together strategic partners with the expertise and global reach to help strengthen our member countries,’ said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of CTO.

‘ICF’s extensive experience in destination strategy, climate resilience and sustainable development will help CTO and our members continue to build a more inclusive, competitive and sustainable tourism sector for the region.’

Echoing that sentiment, Nikolaos Gkolfinopoulos, Head of Tourism at ICF, stated: ‘ICF is committed to the responsible development of tourism, and our mission lies in providing solutions to the most pressing challenges destinations face. We are very excited to be partnering with CTO to support the organization’s efforts and objectives for the coming years focusing on the sustainable tourism development of the Caribbean.

We are ready and have joined forces with CTO for the collective benefit of the region. ICF aims to be a trusted partner of CTO on propelling regional tourism development by providing our global tourism solutions that are strategically combined with interdisciplinary expertise from across ICF’s sectors of focus.’

Signed in London during World Travel Market last week, the MOU will remain in effect until 2029.

The Mumbai Indians (MI) have moved swiftly in the trading window, acquiring explosive West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford from the Gujarat Titans (GT) ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season.

Sherfane Rutherford

In a straight-cash deal, MI secured Rutherford’s services for US $293,000, the exact sum GT paid for him in the previous auction.

This trade marks a return to familiar territory for the 27-year-old, who was part of MI’s triumphant 2020 championship squad, though he didn’t take the field during their title run.

Rutherford is now set to represent his fourth active IPL franchise, having previously played for the Delhi Capitals (2019), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2022), and most recently, the Gujarat Titans.

The move comes on the back of a standout season for Rutherford with GT, where he finally secured a consistent run in the playing eleven.

He featured in 13 matches, amassing 291 runs at an impressive average of 32.22 and a blistering strike rate of 157.29, showcasing the kind of game-changing ability that makes him a valuable asset.

Rutherford’s IPL career has been one of steady growth. First picked up by Delhi Capitals in 2019, he has since been a part of several successful campaigns from the sidelines, including a second title with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, where he was again an unused squad member.

His prolific form for the West Indies in various T20 leagues around the world, including the CPL, PSL, and BPL, eventually earned him his biggest IPL payday with GT.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley says the government’s regulated basket of goods programme will begin on December 1, as part of efforts to make essential food items more affordable for residents struggling with rising living costs.

Speaking during a recent press conference Wheatley said the initiative will ensure that basic food items remain within reach for the most vulnerable members of society.

‘We are in the process of implementing a regulated basket of goods to ensure that affordable foods are available to the most vulnerable,’ he stated.

The Premier explained that mechanisms were being put in place to manage and track how the savings would reach consumers.

‘This requires mechanisms to be put in place, such as the collection of data, so we can manage and track that savings are passed along to the consumers,’ he said.

He added that Customs had been instructed to make specific adjustments to help regulate the importation of the selected items.

‘A critical part of this was to capture the volume of items coming into the territory. This required certain adjustments to be made by Customs to regulate the brokerage clearing process. This mechanism was finalised last week, and the requirements for Customs clearance of the baskets of goods will begin December 1.’

Wheatley said discussions are also underway with import brokers and suppliers to ensure that implementation runs smoothly. ‘Communication with the food importation brokers and suppliers is also being done,’ he noted.

The announcement follows months of public concern about the cost of living in the Virgin Islands, with food prices climbing amid global inflation and import costs.

He reiterated that the new system for the basket of goods was one part of a broader plan to strengthen the social safety net and protect those most affected by inflation.

A new star has emerged for Antigua and Barbuda on the regional sports scene. Sixteen-year-old sensation Stuti Kashyap delivered a powerhouse performance, spearheading her nation’s charge to an impressive medal haul at the OECS Table Tennis Smash in Grenada, held from November 7-9.

The national team returned home triumphant, boasting a collection of two gold and one silver medal, thanks in large part to the dazzling efforts of their teenage leader.

Kashyap was in unstoppable form, dominating the women’s singles competition to secure her first gold medal. She didn’t stop there.

Teaming up with Mekhi Simmons in the mixed doubles, the pair showcased brilliant synergy and skill to battle their way to the top of the podium, clinching a second gold for Antigua and Barbuda.

The team’s success was capped with a silver medal in the women’s doubles, where Kashyap partnered with Martinique’s Aneis Miredin.

In the wake of this stellar performance, the Antigua and Barbuda Table Tennis Association (ABTTA) has pledged to build on this momentum. The association heralded the team’s efforts and committed to intensifying its development programs.

‘We will redouble our efforts to introduce and train more young girls and women in the sport,’ a spokesperson for the ABTTA stated. ‘Stuti’s success is a clear reminder of the importance of balanced representation in our national programs.’

The association also extended its gratitude to the Antigua and Barbuda National Olympic Committee (ABNOC) for their ‘continued and valuable support in helping our athletes compete and grow on the regional stage.’