Category: CANA News

The Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) have expressed deep concern over the recent build-up of naval and military assets in the Southern Caribbean, warning of its potential impact on the region’s socio-economic, political, and humanitarian stability.

As the world prepares to observe the 59th World Day of Peace, the Bishops recalled the call of Pope Paul VI in 1966 for humanity to ‘pursue negotiation rather than war.’

They noted that the Caribbean, like much of the world, stands once again at a crossroads where dialogue and cooperation are urgently needed to ease geopolitical tensions and foster lasting peace.

The statement also addressed the moral challenges facing the region, particularly the destructive effects of the narcotics trade on Caribbean societies and families.

The Bishops condemned both the scourge of drugs and the arbitrary taking of life, affirming that such acts violate the sacredness of human life and cannot be justified as a solution.

Equally, they rejected any disregard for the sovereignty of independent nations in the name of border security. ‘War or the threat of war is never the right solution,’ the statement said, echoing Pope Francis’ reminder that we must ‘never become accustomed to war.’

The Bishops warned that the presence of warships and disruption of marine livelihoods pose immediate threats to regional stability and the welfare of Caribbean peoples.

They called on nations of the region to continue rejecting aggression and intimidation, emphasizing that history has shown dialogue and cooperation to be the most effective paths forward.

‘In this Jubilee Year of Hope,’ the Bishops wrote, ‘we reaffirm our shared brotherhood that transcends borders and national interests.’ They urged leaders to de-escalate militarization, renew commitments to dialogue, and protect the vulnerable and economically marginalized.

To the faithful, the Bishops appealed for renewed faith, prayer, and hope. ‘Acts of reconciliation, the faithful observance of the sacraments, and the family rosary remain powerful expressions of hope-expressions that can change hearts and move heaven,’ they affirmed.

The statement concluded with a message of solidarity:

‘We stand with all the peoples of the Caribbean, especially those most affected by these developments. Together, we place our hope, trust, and prayers in the pursuit of a peaceful and just resolution that upholds human dignity, national sovereignty, and the common good.’

The United States warship, ‘USS Gravely’ arrived here on Sunday even as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar sought to down play threats of military aggression in the region and the Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) saying that ‘we stand in solidarity with all the peoples of the Caribbean, especially those most directly affected by this situation’.

In addition, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, addressing the 86th annual conference of her ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) on Saturday night, expressed concern as the ‘menacing military’ US vessels across the Caribbean Sea, urging dialogue to prevent war from starting.

Mottley said if ever there is a need to remind how unstable and dangerous the world is ‘and how vulnerable our Caribbean region is, it is now with us facing a multiplicity of threats.

‘We don’t have to look any further than the menacing military vessels from the United States across the Caribbean Sea, including what is reputed to be the world’s largest warship. These are not times of pirates anymore, this is 2025 and we have cause to be duly concerned,’ she said.

Last week, the Donald Trump administration announced that it is intensifying its military build-up in the Caribbean with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordering the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and its carrier air wing, to the Caribbean in aid of what the administration says is its counter-drug initiative.

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Sunday, October 26, 2025.

KINGSTON – Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it churned northwest through the Caribbean Sea on Sunday.

PORT OF SPAIN – The Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) have expressed deep concern over the recent build-up of naval and military assets in the Southern Caribbean, warning of its potential impact on the region’s socio-economic, political, and humanitarian stability.

PORT OF SPAIN -The United States warship, ‘USS Gravely’ arrived here on Sunday even as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar sought to down play threats of military aggression in the region and the Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) saying that ‘we stand in solidarity with all the peoples of the Caribbean, especially those most directly affected by this

TORTOLA – The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is investigating a series of robberies believed to be linked to a coordinated criminal group operating across multiple districts in the territory.

SPORTS

MIAMI – The path of Hurricane Melissa

The new Kingstown Port opened on Saturday with the first ship calling at the facility shortly after the formalities, two days before St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) celebrates its 46th anniversary of independence from Britain.

Late Saturday, Minister of Seaports, Senator Benarva Browne posted a photograph on Facebook showing the FOUMA, a Cyprus-flagged container ship that is 166.15 meters long and 25.26 meters wide, docked at the port, during a scheduled call.

The vessel conducted its business at the port before sailing on to Grenada later Saturday night.

‘This is not just an opening, it’s a rebirth; a moment that affirms our collective will to build a resilient, forward-looking St Vincent and the Grenadines,’ she said during the opening ceremony of the port.

‘The port is a symbol of what vision planning and partnership can achieve. It signals that our nation is ready to trade smarter, connect faster, grow stronger, with a modern, competitive and many-sided, post-colonial economy.’

Former project coordinator and assistant project manager for the Port Modernisation Project, Lenski Douglas, who went on to work with Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) before the completion of the port, gave the project overview.

‘A new chapter in our national story begins. The seed of an idea for modern port facilities in St Vincent and Grenadines has matured into a transformative reality,’ he said.

Douglas said over EC$720 million was committed to the project for project preparation, infrastructure works, engineering and construction-related services, project management, institutional strengthening, goods procurement and other project support.

He noted that the project was financed through loans from the CDB, grant support from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund and resources secured by the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including a loan from the Ex-Im Bank of Taiwan and a loan secured by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority.

‘This project has been delivered within contractual time, with just five months’ extension on the timeline announced at the groundbreaking. The quality of the work is evident for all to see,’ he said.

‘And this is an important one, when all is accounted for, by every indication, the total amount spent to date is tracking very close to the original EC$650 million, which is less than the total EC$720 million in funding budgeted and or approved for this project,’ Douglas said.

‘The point there is government actually saved while implementing the Port Modernisation Project.’

He said that during the implementation of the project, EC$135 million was directly retained in the local economy.

‘Cumulatively, more than 500 Vincentians had the opportunity for direct employment with the contractor over the past 42 months, including 31 women, local employment consistently hovered near 45% of the workforce on site for the duration of construction.’

Douglas said the achievement reflects vision, strategic foresight, leadership, strong partnerships and unwavering commitment to delivering a climate-resilient, future-ready cargo port built on reclaimed lands and engineered to withstand the tides of change and shocks of climate.

He said that with the completion of the project, three of the four strategic objectives had been met, namely, to improve infrastructure and working conditions, to support livelihoods and to reduce poverty, and to enhance safety and climate resilience.

‘. economic and trade impacts will follow in due course,’ he said.

Douglas said the port is ‘a resilient, future-ready gateway designed to enhance durability, climate adaptability, operational efficiency and an example of environmental stewardship’.

He noted that work commenced on May 12, 2022, and sand from the seabed on the east coast of St. Vincent was used to establish a 380-meter by 130-meter footprint within five weeks and four days.

The port is capable of handling 56,000 20-foot equivalent units annually. It has a 380-metre quay with a draft of minus 12.5 meters that allows for multiple vessels to berth simultaneously. It is elevated for sea level rise and engineered for extreme weather.

‘This facility replaces aged and inadequate infrastructure for these times and strengthens our national resilience.’

Douglas said that Hurricane Beryl, which impacted SVG on July 1, 2024, was the first real-world test of this facility, adding, ‘and it validated our designs’.

The 25-metre-wide apron enables efficient container operations with mobile harbour cranes, will ensure efficient horizontal transport by terminal trailer units between the berth and the yard.

‘This arrangement will surely improve the efficiency of vessel offloading by the modern port operating company.’

The terminal layout includes container storage, break-bulk (general cargo) and vehicle areas, reefer racks, maintenance zones and integrated systems for lighting, signage, closed-circuit television, wireless internet connectivity, electricity and portable water.

‘The flexible pavement will reduce the wear on our mobile equipment, and it simplifies future maintenance. Runoff is treated to ensure that no contaminated water from this facility enters directly into the sea.’

He said safety and security are reinforced through the use of intercom, smoke detectors, fire alarms and card access control, while robust IT systems, designed with cybersecurity in mind, further strengthens the operations.

The port came into focus earlier this year when it became public, through non-government sources, that some of the sheet piles had declutched and sand was leaking into the ocean, resulting in large pools forming inside the quay wall

‘When declutching was observed, the honourable Prime Minister, within a few days, assured the nation that rectification costs would fall within the contractor’s obligation; that assurance holds true,’ Douglas said.

‘The government’s team contractual management on this issue deserves the highest commendation.’

Meanwhile, Browne said the port was intended to expand trade and human capacity.

‘At peak construction, over 140 Vincentians, which represented more than 70% of the workforce, were employed,’ the seaports minister said.

‘Young Vincentians gain skills in engineering, heavy equipment operation, logistics, project management, just to name a few areas. These skills will now power future national projects.

‘As operations commence, hundreds more opportunities will open in the shipping industries, customs logistics, ensuring that our people remain at the heart of the progress.’

She said the port stands as a climate-smart flagship for the Eastern Caribbean.

‘It is built to endure sea level rise and severe weather with robust coastal defences and efficient drainage.’

Browne said the solar system on the roof of the administration building will enable the port to generate some of its electricity and reduce dependence on the national grids, saving over 170 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

‘This is practical climate action infrastructure aligned with environmental stewardship,’ she said.

And, Carl James, CEO of the Modern Port Operating Company, said Saturday’s event was more than the opening of a port.

‘It is the opening of opportunity. It is the beginning of a new chapter for our people, our economy and our nation’s future,’ James said.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves delivered the featured address at Saturday’s event.

The Jamaica Scorpions have unveiled a 14-man squad for the upcoming CG United Super50 Cup, blending seasoned internationals with exciting new talent as the team prepares to compete under a new captain.

The tournament, scheduled for November 19-29 in Trinidad and Tobago, will see the Scorpions take the field without their regular skipper, John Campbell.

Campbell has been granted leave to focus on the upcoming West Indies Test series in New Zealand, which begins on December 2.

This paves the way for a fresh leadership era, with the team’s new captain to be confirmed in the coming days.

Following a selection meeting within the last 72 hours, a recommendation has been sent to the board for ratification.

Middle-order batsman Brad Barnes is understood to be the front-runner for the role, with young batsman Kirk McKenzie and experienced all-rounder Peat Salmon also considered strong candidates.

The squad features a core of experienced players, including former West Indies vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood, who will provide a steadying influence. They are joined by a promising crop of rising stars, including Kirk McKenzie, Jordan Johnson, and Abhijai Mansingh.

The full 14-member squad is: Jermaine Blackwood, Marquino Mindley, Peat Salmon, Kirk McKenzie, Jordan Johnson, Abhijai Mansingh, Carlos Brown, Javelle Glen, Romaine Morris, Brad Barnes, Ojay Shields, Jeavor Royal, Tamarie Redwood, and Khari Campbell.

Meanwhile, outgoing captain John Campbell is looking ahead to his international duties, fresh from scoring his maiden Test century against India. Campbell expressed his determination to build on that milestone as he continues his red-ball journey with the West Indies.

The Jamaica Scorpions will be aiming to start their campaign strongly when the Super50 Cup bowls off next month across three venues in the twin-island republic.

West Indies captain Shai Hope has called for ruthless execution from his bowlers and a fusion of power and smart cricket from his batters as his team looks to overturn a disappointing ODI series defeat and break a dismal streak in the T20 format against Bangladesh.

West Indies captain Shai Hope

The first of three T20 Internationals bowls off at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here on Monday, with the Caribbean side desperate for a fresh start.

The memories of a 2-1 ODI series loss, where spin dominated, are still fresh. Compounding the pressure, the West Indies are lugging the weight of having lost their last seven bilateral T20I series, a run stretching back to October of last year.

This includes a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of these same Bangladeshi opponents just five months ago.

At the pre-match press conference, Hope acknowledged the challenges of the previous series but was keen to focus on the present.

He expressed optimism about the Chattogram pitch, suggesting it offers a different proposition from the spin-friendly track in Dhaka, where spinner Rishad Hossain ‘exploited those conditions’ and ‘made it challenging for all of our batters.’

‘New series, new surface, same goals,’ Hope stated. ‘We just gotta learn from the mistakes that we would’ve had in the ODI series. I don’t think the surface will play similarly, but again, if it does, we still have some of those learnings.’

The skipper pinpointed bowling consistency as the critical area for improvement. ‘We plan a lot, but if the execution isn’t there, then the plans basically go out the window. It’s just about being more ruthless with our lines and lengths and making it more challenging for the opposition batters.’

When confronted with the team’s poor recent record, Hope delivered a defiant response, urging his team to draw on the entirety of West Indies history, not just the recent struggles.

‘Anytime you cross the line, you gotta believe that you can win. Let’s leave that in the past, because if we continue bringing up the past with certain things, then we would be defending champions, because we won the first two World Cups. So it’s about learning from the past, and making sure that when you cross that line for West Indies, regardless of what’s happening, you gotta believe that you can beat any opposition.’

Hope identified his team’s batting depth and ‘elite standard’ of power-hitting as a key strength, but cautioned that big names on paper must translate into performances on the field.

He also outlined the need for a more nuanced batting approach, blending their traditional six-hitting prowess with the intelligent running exemplified by Bangladesh.

‘They’re a very busy team,’ Hope said of the hosts. ‘If you can mesh the two by running between the wickets and pushing those good balls and making ones into twos, I think we’re gonna be the same. You have to evolve with the cricket.’

The Jamaican senior women’s national team has been forced into a significant squad reshuffle just days before their international friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, with four players ruled out due to injury.

Jamaica’s Reggae Girls.

The Reggae Girlz technical staff confirmed the news on Sunday, revealing that first-choice goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer, midfielder Atlanta Primus, and defenders Vyan Sampson and Shania Hayles will all miss Tuesday’s encounter.

In their place, Head Coach Hubert Busby has called upon a quartet of players who have been training with the squad at their camp in Trinidad.

The incoming players are defender Mia Mitchell, midfielders Lola Nesbeth and Ricshya Walker, and defender Serena Mensa.

The absence of Spencer, the experienced Tottenham Hotspur keeper, is a particular setback for the Girlz, who will now likely turn to Sydney Schneider or Liya Brooks to start between the posts.

Primus and Sampson, both mainstays in the midfield and defence respectively, also leave notable gaps in the team’s core, while Hayles’ absence reduces attacking options from the wing.

Despite the setbacks, the coaching staff is projecting some amount of confidence. The promoted quartet of Mitchell, Nesbeth, Mensa, and Walker have been fully integrated into the camp, ensuring they are familiar with the team’s tactical plans.

The friendly match, scheduled for Tuesday evening at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, serves as a crucial preparation fixture for both teams as they continue their campaigns in various international competitions.

The high hopes of a nation were dashed on Sunday, as Trinidad and Tobago’s cycling sensation, Nicholas Paul, suffered a gut-wrenching defeat, finishing just outside the medals in the Men’s Sprint event at the 2025 Tissot UCI Track World Championships.

The 27-year-old Paul saw his campaign for a medal end in the bitterest of fashions, a fourth-place finish after losing the bronze medal race to Australia’s Leigh Hoffman.

The evening began with immense promise for Paul, who qualified strongly and powered through the earlier rounds.

His quest for gold, however, was halted by the seemingly unstoppable Dutch dynamo, Harrie Lavreysen.

The reigning champion proved his class, dispatching Paul in two straight races in their semi-final showdown.

Lavreysen first won by a margin of 0.056 seconds, and then sealed the deal with a 0.050-second victory, ending Paul’s dream of a world title.

This set up a final chance for redemption in the bronze medal race against Hoffman. In a brutal twist of fate, Paul was again defeated in two consecutive races.

Hoffman took the first race by a significant +0.356 seconds, and despite a fierce effort from the T and T star, the Australian sealed the bronze by an even larger margin of +0.721 in the second race.

Meanwhile, 19-time world champion Lavreysen reaffirmed his status as the king of track sprinting, claiming the gold medal and another title by defeating Great Britain’s Matthew Richardson in the final.

Lavreysen had earlier won the men’s keirin and 1K time trial individual titles.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is investigating a series of robberies believed to be linked to a coordinated criminal group operating across multiple districts in the territory.

According to a recent statement, investigators have made progress in identifying connections between several incidents.

‘Our detectives are working around the clock to bring those responsible to justice,’ Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Dariel Robinson stated. ‘We are confident that the evidence being gathered will lead to key breakthroughs. These incidents have our highest priority,’ he concluded.

The RVIPF’s Armed Response Unit (ARU) has also increased its patrols across the territory, maintaining a visible policing presence through operational checks and community engagement. Officers have also conducted school-based safety exercises to enhance public confidence and preparedness.

Although no weapons were recovered during these operations, police said the ARU’s continued presence has helped foster safer communities.

‘The Force remains fully engaged in both enforcement and prevention. We are addressing a wide spectrum of issues and our officers continue to demonstrate professionalism and dedication in every division. We thank the public for their cooperation and encourage continued vigilance and partnership with the RVIPF,’ Robinson stated.

The police also reassured the business community that the territory remains a safe environment for commerce, with increased patrols and intelligence-sharing among their ongoing measures.

Head coach of Jamaica’s men’s basketball team, Rick Turner believes the sport is set to reap substantial benefits from hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers next year.

The JamRockerz, as they are affectionately called, will compete in the World Cup Qualifiers for the first time in the nation’s history and are drawn in Pool B, alongside Canada, Puerto Rico and The Bahamas.

Jamaica will play two games at home next year in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers

While they will kick-start their campaign with back-to-back away games against Puerto Rico in San Juan on November 28 and December 1, they will then play two home games at the National Arena, the first against Bahamas on February 26, before the final home game against Canada on March 1.

Turner believes that hosting such a major tournament is a significant milestone for the country.

‘Jamaica deserves this. I think that part of the motivation, at least for me personally, of wanting to bring basketball to prominence in the country is exactly for this opportunity to play meaningful games in front of Jamaican fans, who deserve to see high-level basketball played on their soil.

‘I think it’s an opportunity to be very, very exciting. I think it will be something that acts as a jump-start to basketball in the country,’ Turner said.

‘We’re able to have some skin in the game and to see these players live and to see the talent level and skill level that they bring.’

Turner said these games could also lead to Jamaica becoming a mainstay among the top teams in the region, as the Jamaica Basketball Association (JBA) continues its work to build a sustainable and competitive national programme.

‘The team was essentially dormant since 2013, so it’s been a long time. We have a lot of ground to make up, and we think it can be something that’s sustainable. So, in no way can we become complacent.

‘.We’re trying to build something that would be lasting and something that, you know, 20, 30, or 40 years from now, people can look back on and not only be proud of what we’ve done, but know that this was the beginning of the renaissance for Jamaica basketball,’ Turner said.