Category: CANA News

St. Kitts and Nevis Acting Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley has called for urgent international action on climate change, warning that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) cannot continue indefinitely adapting to a crisis they did little to create.

Addressing the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Hanley said severe drought had affected St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider Caribbean this year, with rainfall by the end of May 44 per cent below the long-term average.

‘We are investing in resilient infrastructure, but no Small Island Developing State can adapt indefinitely to a crisis the world continues to intensify,’ he said.

‘Adaptation cannot excuse inaction elsewhere.’

Hanley said rising global temperatures and sea levels posed questions not only about the survival of island communities but also about sovereignty and statehood.

He said climate-induced sea-level rise should not be allowed to erase the international legal personality of states, end their UN membership, deprive citizens of nationality or diminish established maritime boundaries and sovereign rights.

Hanley welcomed the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on states’ climate obligations, saying governments must now translate international commitments into action.

He urged countries to reduce emissions, strengthen adaptation efforts, honour climate-finance commitments and provide greater support to countries bearing consequences disproportionate to their contribution to global warming.

‘Those who contributed least must not pay the greatest price,’ he said.

The acting prime minister also called for greater support for ocean states as international efforts continue to protect marine biodiversity.

He said St. Kitts and Nevis, which ratified the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction in 2025, wanted developing island states to have better access to capacity-building, marine technology, scientific expertise and financing.

Hanley said the broader issue was the cost of resilience and again pressed international financial institutions to take vulnerability into greater account when determining access to development financing.

He said traditional measurements based mainly on Gross National Income failed to capture the exposure of SIDS to hurricanes, drought, pandemics, shipping disruptions, energy shocks and tourism downturns.

St. Kitts and Nevis this year completed a pilot Vulnerability and Resilience Country Profile under the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index framework.

Hanley called on the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, development banks and climate funds to incorporate the index into financing decisions.

‘We are not asking that Gross National Income be discarded; we are asking that it stop being expected to tell a story it was never designed to tell,’ he said.

‘If vulnerability can be measured, it must be considered.’

Hanley also warned against the emergence of a new divide between developed and developing states over artificial intelligence.

He said developing countries should not merely become consumers of technology created and governed elsewhere, but must have a role in determining how AI develops.

Hanley called for affordable access to computing infrastructure and skills, along with safeguards for privacy, data sovereignty, cybersecurity and human rights.

He said St. Kitts and Nevis was advancing a Whole-of-Government Technology Strategy, while the Caribbean AI Task Force was helping to promote regional cooperation on responsible use of the technology.

On international peace and security, Hanley said the Caribbean’s status as a Zone of Peace should be protected as geopolitical competition moves closer to the region.

He reiterated CARICOM’s support for peaceful and legal settlement of regional territorial disputes, including the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy and the Belize-Guatemala dispute.

‘We defend international law because, for small states especially, the alternative is a world where power becomes the rule,’ Hanley said.

He also expressed concern over conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying civilians continued to bear an unacceptable burden.

Hanley said St. Kitts and Nevis supported the consistent application of international law.

The acting prime minister also announced the country’s support for Guyanese diplomat Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to become the next UN Secretary-General, joining other CARICOM states backing her candidacy.

He said Rodrigues-Birkett’s record in multilateral affairs and her experience representing a small developing state made her suited to the challenges facing the international system.

Hanley also called for closer cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean, saying historical ties should be translated into stronger trade, investment, technology, cultural and diplomatic relations.

He said reparatory justice should form part of that relationship, pointing to growing cooperation between the African Union and the CARICOM Reparations Commission.

Hanley welcomed the UN General Assembly’s March 25 resolution recognising the trafficking and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

But he said recognition alone was insufficient.

‘Reparatory justice must move from recognition to remedy and from words to action,’ he said.

Turning to Haiti, Hanley said the country could not become an afterthought, noting the scale of internal displacement and food insecurity.

He said Haitians must be able to participate freely, safely and credibly in forthcoming presidential and legislative elections.

Hanley said St. Kitts and Nevis supported CARICOM’s call for the full deployment of the UN-authorised Gang Suppression Force and timely renewal of its mandate, alongside Haitian-led efforts to restore governance and stability.

On Cuba, the acting prime minister expressed concern about the country’s humanitarian situation and urged constructive dialogue between Havana and Washington.

He said engagement, cooperation and mutual respect offered the best prospects for improving conditions for Cubans and advancing regional stability.

Hanley also reaffirmed St. Kitts and Nevis’ longstanding relationship with Taiwan and called for its meaningful participation in international organisations, including the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

He said differences across the Taiwan Strait should be resolved peacefully.

Acting PM Dr. Geoffrey Hanley,

as called for urgent international action on climate change, warning that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) cannot continue indefinitely adapting to a crisis they did little to create.

Addressing the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Hanley said severe drought had affected St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider Caribbean this year, with rainfall by the end of May 44 per cent below the long-term average.

‘We are investing in resilient infrastructure, but no Small Island Developing State can adapt indefinitely to a crisis the world continues to intensify,’ he said.

‘Adaptation cannot excuse inaction elsewhere.’

Hanley said rising global temperatures and sea levels posed questions not only about the survival of island communities but also about sovereignty and statehood.

He said climate-induced sea-level rise should not be allowed to erase the international legal personality of states, end their UN membership, deprive citizens of nationality or diminish established maritime boundaries and sovereign rights.

Hanley welcomed the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on states’ climate obligations, saying governments must now translate international commitments into action.

He urged countries to reduce emissions, strengthen adaptation efforts, honour climate-finance commitments and provide greater support to countries bearing consequences disproportionate to their contribution to global warming.

‘Those who contributed least must not pay the greatest price,’ he said.

The acting prime minister also called for greater support for ocean states as international efforts continue to protect marine biodiversity.

He said St. Kitts and Nevis, which ratified the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction in 2025, wanted developing island states to have better access to capacity-building, marine technology, scientific expertise and financing.

Hanley said the broader issue was the cost of resilience and again pressed international financial institutions to take vulnerability into greater account when determining access to development financing.

He said traditional measurements based mainly on Gross National Income failed to capture the exposure of SIDS to hurricanes, drought, pandemics, shipping disruptions, energy shocks and tourism downturns.

St. Kitts and Nevis this year completed a pilot Vulnerability and Resilience Country Profile under the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index framework.

Hanley called on the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, development banks and climate funds to incorporate the index into financing decisions.

‘We are not asking that Gross National Income be discarded; we are asking that it stop being expected to tell a story it was never designed to tell,’ he said.

‘If vulnerability can be measured, it must be considered.’

Hanley also warned against the emergence of a new divide between developed and developing states over artificial intelligence.

He said developing countries should not merely become consumers of technology created and governed elsewhere, but must have a role in determining how AI develops.

Hanley called for affordable access to computing infrastructure and skills, along with safeguards for privacy, data sovereignty, cybersecurity and human rights.

He said St. Kitts and Nevis was advancing a Whole-of-Government Technology Strategy, while the Caribbean AI Task Force was helping to promote regional cooperation on responsible use of the technology.

On international peace and security, Hanley said the Caribbean’s status as a Zone of Peace should be protected as geopolitical competition moves closer to the region.

He reiterated CARICOM’s support for peaceful and legal settlement of regional territorial disputes, including the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy and the Belize-Guatemala dispute.

‘We defend international law because, for small states especially, the alternative is a world where power becomes the rule,’ Hanley said.

He also expressed concern over conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying civilians continued to bear an unacceptable burden.

Hanley said St. Kitts and Nevis supported the consistent application of international law.

The acting prime minister also announced the country’s support for Guyanese diplomat Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to become the next UN Secretary-General, joining other CARICOM states backing her candidacy.

He said Rodrigues-Birkett’s record in multilateral affairs and her experience representing a small developing state made her suited to the challenges facing the international system.

Hanley also called for closer cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean, saying historical ties should be translated into stronger trade, investment, technology, cultural and diplomatic relations.

He said reparatory justice should form part of that relationship, pointing to growing cooperation between the African Union and the CARICOM Reparations Commission.

Hanley welcomed the UN General Assembly’s March 25 resolution recognising the trafficking and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

But he said recognition alone was insufficient.

‘Reparatory justice must move from recognition to remedy and from words to action,’ he said.

Turning to Haiti, Hanley said the country could not become an afterthought, noting the scale of internal displacement and food insecurity.

He said Haitians must be able to participate freely, safely and credibly in forthcoming presidential and legislative elections.

Hanley said St. Kitts and Nevis supported CARICOM’s call for the full deployment of the UN-authorised Gang Suppression Force and timely renewal of its mandate, alongside Haitian-led efforts to restore governance and stability.

On Cuba, the acting prime minister expressed concern about the country’s humanitarian situation and urged constructive dialogue between Havana and Washington.

He said engagement, cooperation and mutual respect offered the best prospects for improving conditions for Cubans and advancing regional stability.

Hanley also reaffirmed St. Kitts and Nevis’ longstanding relationship with Taiwan and called for its meaningful participation in international organisations, including the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

He added that differences across the Taiwan Strait should be resolved peacefully.

West Indies skipper Shai Hope is eagerly looking forward to playing against the best side in the world when their One Day International series gets underway here on Sunday.

The 10th-ranked West Indies will be massive underdogs when they come up against number one ranked India in their three-match ODI series, having not won a series on the subcontinent in over two decades.

And even though the regional side will have to go through the Qualifiers to get into the 2027 ICC World Cup, Hope said the opportunity to play India at home was one he hoped the Windies would grab with both hands.

‘Playing India in their backyard is always a challenge, and it’s one that we definitely need to grasp and embrace.

‘When you come here, you expect the best of the best. It’s a great indicator for us to see where we are as a team. Playing anyone in their home conditions will always be challenging, but it’s something that we always look forward to,’ Hope said in a pre-match press conference on Saturday.

‘When you’re playing international cricket, you want to play against the best. When they are playing in their home conditions, you get the real test. So, we’re definitely looking forward to it and it’s going to be an exciting one for us.’

Hope knows much will depend on him if the West Indies are to compete against the home side.

He has a stellar ODI record in India, having played 11 ODIs and scored 512 runs at an average of 56.88.

‘I pride myself a lot on trying to be the best that I can be, and one of those things is that you have to be able to adapt. Adaptability in different conditions and playing against different opposition.

‘It’s not always going to work out. We know it’s a professional sport. Every day is not going to be your day, but I really try to focus on the fine details to give myself the best chance to score runs. Here in India, you’ve got to play differently than when you go to Australia or England or even back in the Caribbean,’ Hope explained.

‘It’s just about being very critical of the way you go about your training and preparation. That’s something I always try to put out there in team rooms whenever we have our chats and discussions. Just try to pay close attention to detail and the way we go about preparing and analysing the opposition and the conditions that we play in.’

Apart from being competitive, Hope said he was expecting some of the younger, inexperienced players like Vitel Lawes, Amir Jangoo and Jewel Andrew to shine during the series.

‘It’s a very exciting time I would say for these players. Maybe I’m speaking out of turn, but I think I can speak on their behalf. Whenever you come to India, it’s one tour you look forward to coming to play. When I was younger in my career as well, it was a tour I was expecting a lot from myself. I wanted to see where I was at.

‘Looking at the group that we have now, a few of the guys haven’t been in India, haven’t played in these conditions before. I look at it as an exciting time. We want to win all the time, we want to make sure we get the best results from a team perspective, but for me personally as a leader, I want to see progression. I want to see how fast we can adapt against the best in the world and how we can compete,’ Hope said.

Belize Prime Minister John Briceño says his country is making measurable progress on development but has warned that small and vulnerable states continue to face a global financial and political system that does not adequately account for their exposure to climate and economic shocks.

Addressing the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, Briceño said multidimensional poverty in Belize now stands at 19.1 per cent, unemployment at 1.9 per cent and public debt at 66.6 per cent of gross domestic product.

‘These figures are not abstractions,’ Briceño said. ‘They are Belizeans at work, families with greater purchasing power, and a government with room to invest in the future.’

‘We are doing well, but we have further to go,’ he added, pointing to the government’s Plan Belize 2.0, aimed at creating jobs, reducing vulnerability and imported-energy dependence, protecting ecosystems and preparing Belizeans for a changing economy.

But the prime minister warned that climate risks were becoming more difficult to manage, citing more intense hurricanes, unpredictable weather patterns and the unprecedented influx of sargassum along Belize’s coast.

‘Managing them requires innovation, capable institutions and strategies that are properly financed,’ he said. ‘Yet, even the best national effort will fall short without coordinated international cooperation.’

With less than four years remaining before the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals, Briceño said the international community must also begin considering what comes next.

He said any successor framework must address unfinished development goals while being built on what he described as a fairer foundation.

Briceño also placed reparatory justice at the centre of his address, saying the issue was no longer ‘a marginal whisper in this Assembly.’

‘It is here, at the center, and it is not going away,’ he said.

He argued that the economic structures created during slavery and colonialism continued to shape global inequalities even after countries gained political independence.

‘When independence came, the flags changed,’ Briceño said. ‘The structures did not; the terms of trade did not change; the cost of capital did not change.’

He warned that the rapid development of technology could create another generation of inequality unless rules governing data, standards and economic value were designed more equitably. Turning to international financing, Briceño said Belize had demonstrated that debt could be reduced and conservation financed through innovative approaches, but argued that vulnerable countries continued to face disadvantages in accessing capital.

‘Belize does not seek special treatment. We seek accurate treatment,’ he said.

He called for the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index to become a practical tool across the international financial system, including in determining eligibility for concessional financing, conducting debt sustainability assessments and allocating capital.

Briceño said per capita income did not capture ‘how much of an economy sits in a hurricane’s path’ or how quickly a climate shock could undo years of fiscal progress.

On Haiti, the Belizean leader said the worsening security situation should be viewed as a regional concern.

‘Haiti’s crisis is our crisis – Haiti is the Caribbean,’ he said.

While pointing to planned elections in December as a source of hope, Briceño warned of rising violence and backed calls from the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group for the Gang Suppression Force to be ‘urgently and fully deployed.’

‘A Haitian-led, Haitian-owned political transition deserves a security environment in which it can actually succeed,’ he said.

Briceño also renewed Belize’s opposition to the United States embargo on Cuba, describing the impact of the decades-old restrictions and fuel constraints on the Cuban economy as ‘unnecessary and unjustified.’

He called for the lifting of the embargo and for Cuba to be removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.

On Ukraine, he said the principle of territorial sovereignty had to be applied consistently.

‘If borders can be redrawn by force, then every border is provisional,’ Briceño said.

The prime minister also renewed Belize’s call for Taiwan to participate meaningfully in the UN system, citing its partnership with Belize and its importance to global semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries.

‘Taiwan is a friend of Belize,’ Briceño said, adding that the relationship had helped the country strengthen climate resilience and technical capacity.

Briceño also raised Belize’s longstanding territorial dispute with Guatemala, accusing Guatemala of a ‘serious breach of international law’ after what he said was a Guatemalan military aircraft entering Belizean sovereign airspace on September 23 while its transponder was disabled.

He said the incident was part of a wider pattern of alleged incursions involving Guatemalan state vessels and personnel in the Sarstoon River area.

‘Belize has chosen, and will always choose, law over force,’ Briceño said.

He called on Guatemala to ‘immediately cease all incursions by air, land, or sea’ and respect the International Court of Justice process, with the territorial case scheduled for hearing in February 2027.

Briceño also reaffirmed Belize’s support for Guyanese diplomat Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to become the next UN Secretary-General.

‘A Caribbean woman at the helm of the United Nations would be historic,’ he said. ‘But history alone is not the argument; her record is.’

He ended by calling for a more representative and effective United Nations, saying small states should be central to decisions affecting their future.

‘Let the smallest voice be heard as clearly as the largest. Let agreements become action,’ Briceño said.

‘Let this United Nations prove that cooperation is not weakness, but the highest expression of our common strength.’

Barbados and Cuba produced dominant displays to begin their CONCACAF Nations League campaigns on winning notes on Friday.

Competing in League B, Barbados defeated Saint Lucia 2-0, while Cuba thrashed Grenada 3-0 in a lopsided affair.

Meanwhile, Guadeloupe edged Bermuda 2-1, while St Kitts and Nevis triumphed over Bonaire by a similar margin.

Playing at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Barbados opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Thierry Gale converted from the penalty spot. No other goals were scored for the remainder of the first half, but Saint Lucia pressed forward looking for the equalizer in the second half.

After soaking up the pressure, Barbados doubled their lead in the 73rd minute when Niall Reid-Stephen was played through with a beautiful ball, which he finished with a left-footed shot that flew past the advancing goalkeeper.

In the earlier match at the venue, Guadeloupe secured an excited come-from-behind win over Bermuda.

Enrique Russell gave Bermuda the lead in the 18th minute when he scored from the penalty spot, but his side was reduced to 10 players in the 64th minute after Jorj Dublin was shown a red card.

Six minutes from time, Guadeloupe leveled the score when Allan Vulgaire capitalized on a rebound to strike from inside the box.

With the match seemed headed for a draw, Djamalee Boisné tucked the ball away from close range in the 89th minute to secure the win for Guadeloupe.

Meanwhile, Cuba scored two late goals to get past Grenada at the NBG Technical Center in St Kitts.

They were fortunate to take the lead in the 19th minute through an own goal, before putting the contest to bed courtesy of stoppage time goals from Daniel Díaz and Didier Reinoso.

In the other match, a brace by Tiquanny Williams allowed St Kitts and Nevis to overcome Bonaire, who initially took the lead thanks to a strike from Berry Sonnenschein in the opening minutes.

Thirty-two active member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) have issued a joint statement calling on the United Nations Security Council to renew the mandate of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti and urging the international community to provide the personnel, funding, equipment and logistical support required for its full and sustained deployment.

The member states reaffirmed their solidarity with the Haitian people and their respect for Haiti’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, while stressing their commitment to Haitian-led solutions to the country’s security and political challenges.

They also called for implementation of OAS General Assembly Resolution AG/RES. 3051 (LVI-O/26), adopted on June 23, 2026. The resolution provides for OAS support to Haiti while emphasizing that assistance should remain Haitian-led and coordinated with the United Nations, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other international partners.

The countries endorsing the statement are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

OAS Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin voiced support for the statement, saying continued backing for the GSF and renewal of its mandate are necessary to help Haitian authorities regain territorial control, restore access to critical infrastructure, improve public safety and create conditions for institutions to function and elections to take place.

‘We must honor the aspirations of the Haitian people by continuing to support the GSF, and the renewal of its mandate,’ Ramdin said.

‘But support for renewal is not enough. A mandate, by itself, does not produce results. We must also ensure that the results Haitians need in terms of security are properly sourced. Results require personnel, financing, equipment, logistics and, of course, sustained political support,’ he added.

The joint statement follows a high-level mission to Haiti led by Ramdin from August 16 to 19, 2026. In a subsequent report to the OAS Permanent Council, he identified security and elections as urgent and closely interconnected priorities.

Haiti’s Permanent Representative to the OAS, Jean Josué Pierre, said the declaration sends a clear message about the need to renew the GSF mandate, ensure its full deployment and strengthen Haiti’s security institutions.

‘The message of this declaration is clear: renew the mandate of the Gang Suppression Force, ensure its full deployment, strengthen Haiti’s security institutions, protect the population, and create the conditions for Haiti to advance toward credible elections and lasting stability,’ Pierre said.

The Chair of the OAS Permanent Council and Dominica’s Permanent Representative to the organization, Steve Ferrol, said the joint declaration demonstrates that regional support for Haiti extends beyond political differences.

‘By speaking together, we as OAS member states are demonstrating that support for Haiti transcends political differences and reflects a common commitment to peace, democracy, human rights, and human dignity for Haiti, and for the region as a whole,’ Ferrol said.

The statement says the GSF must be adequately equipped to support the Haitian National Police and the Armed Forces of Haiti, in accordance with their respective mandates.

Among the identified priorities are restoring lawful state authority in areas affected by gang control, securing access to the airport and port, reopening key transportation routes, protecting civilians and maintaining a permanent Haitian National Police presence at strategic infrastructure and in areas recovered from gangs.

The member states also called for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration efforts, along with measures to restore humanitarian access and public services and expand socioeconomic opportunities, particularly for young Haitians.

They stressed that operations conducted by the GSF and the Haitian security institutions it supports must comply with international law and applicable international human rights standards.

The statement also calls for stronger national, regional and international measures to prevent the illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition into Haiti, disrupt the financial and supply networks supporting armed gangs, and hold accountable individuals and entities that finance or otherwise provide material support to gang activity.

On the restoration of democratic and constitutional order, the member states said preparations for elections should continue as security conditions improve.

They encouraged international support for civil identification, voter registration and electoral logistics, as well as for the deployment of an OAS Electoral Observation Mission.

The statement further calls for close coordination among Haiti, the OAS, the United Nations, CARICOM and other partners.

The Haitian-Led Roadmap for Stability and Peace, facilitated by Ramdin, is identified as a framework for aligning international assistance with priorities established by Haitian authorities and national stakeholders and for monitoring the implementation of commitments.

The member states said sustained international support remains necessary to address Haiti’s security crisis while creating conditions for the restoration of public services, democratic institutions and long-term stability.

Director of Public Prosecutions Sherma Dalrymple has discontinued an obstruction charge against United Workers Party political leader Dr Thomson Fontaine, bringing an end to proceedings stemming from events in Roseau in February 2017.

According to a notice issued by the DPP, the case against Fontaine was formally discontinued under Section 72(2)(c) of Dominica’s Constitution.

Fontaine had been accused of wilfully obstructing police officers on February 7, 2017, by refusing repeated instructions to allow a truck to move away from the Financial Centre following an opposition-organised public meeting on Kennedy Avenue.

The charge carried the possibility of imprisonment if Fontaine had been convicted.

In a statement following the DPP’s decision, Fontaine welcomed the end of the case and repeated his long-standing assertion that he had done nothing wrong.

He also alleged that the prosecution had been politically motivated, a claim he has maintained throughout the proceedings.

Fontaine said the case had taken a heavy personal and financial toll over more than nine years, including repeated court appearances while he was working in South Sudan.

He said he was required to return to Dominica numerous times during that period, often at short notice, and claimed the cost of travel and legal representation ran into substantial sums.

Jamaican men are being urged to begin prostate cancer screening from age 40 as health officials raise concern about the number of deaths linked to the disease.

Government Senator Dr Elon Thompson made the appeal during Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, as the country observes Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

He said prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among Jamaican men, with the age-adjusted mortality rate rising from about 35 deaths per 100,000 males in 1996 to 46 per 100,000 in 2023.

Dr Thompson said 716 men died from the disease in 2023, while 809 deaths were recorded in 2024. Nearly 1,400 new cases were also reported.

He warned that prostate cancer can develop without obvious symptoms in its early stages and said men should not wait until they feel unwell before seeking medical attention.

The senator also pointed to low screening rates identified in the latest Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey. Only about 28 per cent of men aged 40 and older reported ever having a digital rectal examination.

Just 5.1 per cent said they had been referred by a healthcare professional for a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test, while fewer than two per cent reported actually having the test.

Dr Thompson said fear, embarrassment and misinformation remain major barriers to screening and called for a shift in attitudes towards men’s health.

He also encouraged relatives and friends to play a greater role in urging men to see a doctor, noting that family support can often make the difference.

Haiti scored two late goals to record a come-from-behind, thrilling 3-2 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in their CONCACAF Nations League Group A opener here on Thursday night.

T and T looked set to register their first win in seven matches in 2026 and their first over Haiti in five matches, before conceding two goals in the final seven minutes to suffer a heartbreaking loss.

The Haitians, who competed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, took the lead in the 23rd minute when veteran Fafa Picault rose to head home a cross from Wilson Isidor past T and T goalkeeper Denzil Smith and in off the post.

It didn’t take long for T and T to draw level, as two minutes later USA-based Wayne Frederick II connected on a volley from a Rio Cardines free kick that sailed past Haiti’s custodian Alexandre Pierre.

The two sides went into the half tied at 1-1, but captain Levi Garcia gave T and T the lead in the 58th minute after running onto a pass over the top and slotting past Pierre.

T and T seemed headed for victory, but in the 90th minute Haiti’s Garven-Michee Metusala got on the end of a header from Isidor to fire the ball into the back of the nets.

Haiti then completed a thrilling comeback seven minutes into added time, when Isidor found himself in the perfect position at the far post to bundle the ball over the line after a right-sided cross deflected off T and T defender Andrew De Gannes.

T and T will now return home to host the Dominican Republic on September 27 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, while Haiti faces Costa Rica.

Also in Group A, FC Porto’s Pablo Rosario snatched a dramatic late winner for the Dominican Republic in their 3-2 triumph over Nicaragua to the delight of their home fans at the Estadio Cibao FC.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley says her responsibilities to Barbados and the wider Caribbean are among the main reasons she decided not to seek the post of United Nations Secretary-General.

Mottley addressed the issue during a discussion earlier this week, hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, where she was asked why she had chosen not to enter the race to succeed António Guterres.

‘I have a country to run and a region to take care of,’ Mottley said, pointing to her continuing responsibilities at home and across the Caribbean. She also joked about whether the international community was ready for her outspoken style, saying she was ‘not sure that the world wants somebody whose tongue is as heavy as mine.’

The Barbadian leader has featured prominently in international discussions on climate finance, reform of the global financial system and the concerns of vulnerable developing states. At the CFR event, she discussed challenges facing climate-vulnerable countries and efforts to expand access to development financing and reform the international financial architecture.

Mottley has instead backed Guyana’s United Nations Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for the position. Addressing the UN General Assembly this week, she said Rodrigues-Birkett has the experience, skills and understanding needed to serve the wider UN membership. Barbados’ support is in keeping with CARICOM’s endorsement of the Guyanese diplomat.

The race is under way to select a successor to Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31. The UN Security Council recommends a candidate to the General Assembly, with the five permanent members of the Council able to block a nomination through the veto.

Mottley said that despite speculation surrounding her possible candidacy, she intends to remain focused on her responsibilities as Prime Minister of Barbados and her work in the Caribbean region.

President of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF), Franklin Wilson has hailed the country’s hosting of the 2028 Fesupo South American Powerlifting Championships as a ‘landmark’ achievement.

The decision was confirmed by South American Powerlifting Federation (Fesupo) Secretary General, Jose Luis Inguanti following the organisation’s 2026 Congress, where Brazil’s Julio Conrado was re-elected president for a four-year term.

The 2028 event will see powerlifters from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Suriname, Peru, Colombia, and Chile travel to Guyana to take on the host nation. Wilson, who attended the congress alongside vice-president Edwin Gordon-Spencer, described the hosting rights as a momentous occasion for the country.

‘We are looking forward to this historic moment and as a federation, we are ecstatic to make our contribution to the sports tourism landscape in Guyana,’ Wilson said, noting the move aligns with President Dr Irfaan Ali’s drive to bring major international competitions to the nation.

The announcement caps off a notable 2026 campaign for Guyana, which saw local athletes maintain their international medal-winning record alongside the accreditation of two local coaches, including the nation’s first female coach at this level.

Fesupo officials backed the venue choice, with Conrado expressing confidence in Guyana to stage a successful event.