Category: CANA News

Senate President Mark Wade early Thursday morning cast the deciding vote as the Trinidad and Tobago government was able to pass the controversial Special Operations Bill which the government introduced to replace the failed Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs).

Attorney General John Jeremie, as he had done when the bill was first debated in the House of Representatives last week, said the constitutionality of the legislation is based on the balance that it strikes between the enhanced security powers granted to the services and the protection of fundamental rights and the rule of law.

But following a lengthy debate in the Senate, the 15 government legislators and the 15 opposition and independent senators, maintained their original position forcing Mark, to break the tie and cast his vote in favour of the government.

‘Honourable Senators, the question is that, in fact, the report of the division, 15 members voted for the bill, 15 members voted against the bill. I have stated my reason and I think I shall say it again. There is no settled practise in this Parliament based on my research on this issue of the status quo.

‘I have done the research on this matter.I will make it available at the appropriate time to my colleagues who have requested it. I vote with the ayes. The vote has been settled.16 in favour, 15 against. The vote has been taken. The bill has been passed,’ Mark said becoming embroiled in a confrontation with opposition egislators who sought to use the Standing Orders to raise questions regarding his vote.

But Mark would have none of it, telling the Clerk of the Senate to proceed with reading the bill for a third time in order to be accepted as legislation by the Senate.

‘Clerk, clerk, proceed, please. Clerk, proceed, please. There can be no debate when it comes to,’ he said, as former attorney general Faris Al Rawi insisted that he was not debating the matter, but raiising questions based on the Standing Orders.

‘ A Standing Order has been raised, Mr. President. Mr. President, I stand on Standing Order 154-2… You should respond to the Standing Order,’ Al Rawi said with Mark, who has served as the presiding officer in both houses of Parliament in recent years, asking the opposition member to sit down.

‘I’m asking you to take a seat once. I’m saying it twice. I’m saying it a third time.Let the Clerk proceed and let the Clerk proceed in accordance with our rules. Clerk, proceed, please,’ Mark said, reminding the Senate that he had already warned former attorney general that ‘he cannot stand on any point of order at this time of the proceeding.

‘There is no debate on this matter. If he continues to defy the chair, I have warned him once, I have warned him twice, and this is the third time. If you continue, I’ll ask you to take your leave. Take your leave. There is no standing order. You are defying the chair. Take your seat.Take your seat. Take your seat’

Jeremie had told legislators that the legislation does not grant powers equivalent to a state of emergency (SoE) and that Kamla Persad-Bissessar the government accepts that the new legislation ‘might interfere with the right of the individual to liberty and to the enjoyment of property’ under the Constitution, as well as the right of the individual to respect his private and family life and the freedom of movement.

‘Our view is that any such infringement is reasonable and proportionate,’ he added.

The government in January failed to get parliamentary approval for the ZOSOs which had faced criticism over human rights concerns and safeguards surrounding the proposed powers. Under the previous bill, the Prime Minister would have been able to designate communities as Zones of Special Operations, with joint police and Defence Force operations permitted within those areas.

The new bill provides for the establishment of policing districts, the conduct of special operations to combat criminality in those policing districts including also for persons to be in possession of permits to enter or leave those districts

During the Senate proceedings on Thursday, Independent legislator, Senior Counsel Anthony D. Vieira failed to secure support for an amendment preventing the Prime Minister from vetoing an appointment made by the POlicce Commissioner in deciding who should head a police operation.

He told legislators it is is difficult to explain why the political executive should possess a veto over the Police Commissioner’s choice as to which officer should lead any operation into the districts.

‘There’s a contradiction. We say policing is to be led by the Commissioner, but then we tell the Commissioner that he cannot choose his operational commander if the Prime Minister objects. So I have a difficulty in acting an ordinary statutory provision which permits the political executive to veto the Commissioner’s choice of the senior police officer who will command those operations,’ he said.

‘I don’t understand what is the mischief which requires this veto,’ he said, tabling a clause that would ‘preserve the Commissioner’s professional responsibility for operational police appointments and to avoid unnecessary political involvement in operational command.’

But Jeremie contended that the Trinidad and Tobago Constitution provides that the Commissioner of Police shall act in accordance with the Police Service Act and the regulations made there under.

‘Now, if he is required to act in accordance with regulations of the police I see no reason why by legislation he cannot act in a matter such as this. I agree with you that he takes the lead, but where I disagree with you is that this is a democracy and as the democratic head of the executive, we’re not taking on the President here.

‘I do not see why…I struggle to find a reason why the Prime Minister cannot exercise a veto. She’s not choosing, the Commissioner of Police has chosen, but essentially she’s exercising her veto,’ Jeremie said.

Al Rawi sought to remind legislators that the London-based Privy Council, the country’s highest and final court, had in earlier ruling said ‘that you ought not to have the political involvement.

‘If the legislation, the Police Service Act and the constitution read together, contemplate that the President may make regulations. Regulations are subsidiary regulations, that’s subsidiary law. And if he is to act in accordance with subsidiary law, then I see no reason why, by primary legislation, you cannot say to him that he must have some sort of, as you’re asking, that he consult with the Prime Minister.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Thursday said it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising its partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

It said that the agreement was signed on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and that the accord was signed by PIF Secretary-General Baron Divavesi Waqa and CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett.

The MoU establishes a framework for strengthened cooperation between the regions and provides a platform to advance shared priorities of Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States (SIDS).

‘Our voices are strongest when we advocate together on issues affecting our peoples and our future. Today’s signing marks the beginning of a stronger partnership between the Pacific and Caribbean, enabling us to advance shared SIDS priorities and ensure they remain visible, influential and action-oriented in global decision-making,’ said Waqa describing the agreement as a foundation for a deeper and more structured Pacific-Caribbean partnership.

For her part, the CARICOM Secretary General said that the MoU marks a pivotal moment in South-South cooperation between CARICOM and the Pacific Islands Forum.

‘As regions comprised largely of Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States, we share common vulnerabilities, from the acute impacts of climate change to the unique economic pressures facing our nations.

‘By formalising our partnership today, we are strengthening our collective advocacy on the global stage, amplifying our shared priorities, and building practical frameworks for collaboration that will directly benefit the people of both the Caribbean and the Pacific,’ she added.

The CARICOM Secretariat said that the MoU provides a basis for the two regions to strengthen collective advocacy, share knowledge and expertise, and pursue practical cooperation on issues of common interest, reinforcing the voice and influence of SIDS in international processes.

The Belize government says it supports the concerns raised by the churches in ‘unequivocally condemning the inappropriate and sexualized behaviour’ involving children during recent public celebrations.

‘Such conduct is deeply concerning and is inconsistent with the moral values, dignity, and standards of responsibility that we must collectively uphold in safeguarding our children,’ the

Ministry of Constitution and Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs and Transportation said in a statement.

It said it firmly believes that the protection, dignity, and well-being of Belizean children must remain a shared moral and national responsibility.

‘Children should never be placed in situations where inappropriate sexual behaviour is encouraged, normalized, or presented as entertainment, regardless of the setting or occasion.

‘Our national and cultural celebrations are important expressions of our Belizean identity, heritage, and unity. However, cultural expression should be exercised responsibly and never compromise the values, moral standards, and appropriate boundaries necessary for the protection of our children and the social cohesion of our nation,’ the ministry said.

It said that given it has the responsibility for religious affairs, ‘we recognise the important voice of the churches in promoting strong families, moral responsibility, respect for human dignity, and the protection of children.

‘We therefore stand with the churches and religious bodies in calling upon parents, guardians, event organizers, participants, and the wider community to exercise greater responsibility and vigilance whenever children are involved.’

The ministry said it is calling ‘upon all Belizeans to uphold the values that strengthen our families and communities and to ensure that the safety, dignity, and best interests of every child remain paramount.

‘Our children deserve our protection, our guidance, and our example,’ it added.

West Indies Women defeated Zimbabwe Women by 99 runs in the opening Women’s One Day International at the Harare Sports Club here on Thursday.

Scores

WEST INDIES WOMEN 299-6 in 50 overs (Hayley Matthews 182, Realeanna Grimmond 53, Chinelle Henry 19, Shemaine Campbelle 13; Francisca Chipare 2-57).

ZIMBABWE WOMEN 200 in 43.3 overs (Modester Mupachikwa 86, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 26, Sharne Mayers 21, Kelis Ndhlovu 15, Beloved Biza 11, Josephine Nkomo 10; Aaliyah Alleyne 3-44, Ashmini Munisar 2-27, Afy Fletcher 2-31, Jannillea Glasgow 2-37).

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Thursday, September 24, 2026.

UNITED NATIONS – Guyana and Barbados leaders address the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

PORT OF SPAIN – Senate President Mark Wade early Thursday morning cast the deciding vote as the Trinidad and Tobago government was able to pass the controversial Special Operations Bill which the government introduced to replace the failed Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs).

NEW YOR – Leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) whose countries operate the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme, have held talks with the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, according to a statement issued by the Office of the Office of the Prime Minister of St. Lucia.

ST. JOHN’S – Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne is maintaining his criticism of what he has described as the emerging lenient sentencing orthodoxy of Caribbean judiciary.

BELMOPAN -The Belize government says it supports the concerns raised by the churches in ‘unequivocally condemning the inappropriate and sexualized behaviour’ involving children during recent public celebrations.

SPORTS:

West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews blasted a magnificent century to give her side a winning start in their One Day International series against Zimbabwe Women on Thursday.

West Indies Women elected to bat after winning the toss against Zimbabwe Women in the opening Women’s One Day International at the Harare Sports Club here on Thursday.

SQUADS

ZIMBABWE WOMEN: Josephine Nkomo (captain), Modester Mupachikwa, Sharne Mayers, Kelis Ndhlovu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Beloved Biza, Michelle Mavunga, Francisca Chipare, Olinder Chare, Tendai Makushka.

WEST INDIES WOMEN: Hayley Matthews (captain), Realeanna Grimmond, Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle, Chinelle Henry, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack.

Umpires: Kim Cotton, Percival Sizara.

TV Umpire: Iknow Chabi.

Reserve Umpire: Langton Rusere.

Match Referee: Owen Chirombe.

Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre has held talks with the chief executive officer of Saudi Eksab, Yazeed Saleh AlYahya, seeking potential investment in St. Lucia’s development.

The Saudi Arabia Saudi Eksab was launched in October 2025 with a mandate to make equity investments in emerging and frontier markets, aiming to deliver both financial returns and social and economic impact.

Pierre said that the meeting builds on St. Lucia’s partnership with Saudi Arabia, including the Saudi Fund for Development’s support for the reconstruction of St. Jude Hospital, south of the capital.

‘St. Lucia cannot borrow its way to the future. We need partners willing to invest alongside us and share in the returns. Saudi Eksab was created to do exactly that in markets like ours, and we want to work with them,’ Pierre said.

He said that the discussions with the Saudi Eksab outlined his country’s need for more financing options given that small island developing states like is have relied heavily on borrowing to fund development.

Pierre said that small island states have been adding to public debt and limiting their ability to respond when disasters or economic shocks hit.

‘Equity investment offers another way to bring in capital: investors take an ownership stake in the projects they fund, without the government necessarily taking on a new loan,’ he said, adding that the two parties discussed housing and tourism development as one of the first areas for cooperation.

He said access to affordable, well-built housing remains one of the most pressing needs for St. Lucian families and that the meeting ended with an agreement to explore Saudi Eksab investing in housing and tourism development.

‘Saudi Eksab is keen to partner with St. Lucia. Our mandate is to invest where our capital can deliver real socio-economic impact as well as sustainable returns, and housing is an area where both can be achieved. We look forward to working with the Government to turn today’s discussion into concrete opportunities,’ said Al Yahya.

Police say a 20-year-old man is due to appear in court later this week charge with the murder of 20-year-old Saquania Anthony, a pregnant mother who was gunned down on Monday night in an incident that also left two others, including a 13-year-old body, nursing gunshot wounds.

In a statement, the police said that they had arrested and charged Jaquan Shaw with the murder of Anthony, and the attempted murders of Kelvin Samuel 24, and 13-year-old Joshua Meade.

The police said that preliminary investigations into the incident at Bathlodge, a village and residential area located in the parish of Saint John, had indicated that several persons were inside a residence when three masked intruders reportedly forced their way into the building and discharged several rounds.

They said Shaw was subsequently arrested and formally charged in connection with the offences, adding that he is expected to appear before the court this week.

‘The Police Administration wishes to thank the general public for their assistance, patience, and cooperation, as investigations continue into the matter,, the police said in a statement.

Both Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Minister responsible for Public Safety, Sir Steadroy Benjamin, have strongly condemned the killing with Browne describing the incident as deeply disturbing.

‘The loss of a young life through gun violence is deeply troubling and unacceptable. A family is today grieving the loss of a daughter and loved one, while another family anxiously awaits news of a 13-year-old who is critically injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this terrible act of violence,’ Prime Minister Browne said.

The Prime Minister reiterated his deep concern and abhorrence at the incidences and recurrence of gun crimes in Antigua and Barbuda, stressing that the use of illegal firearms to carry out criminal acts cannot be allowed to become normalised within the society.

The Guyana government could in the coming weeks decide on the preferred proposal for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project as it confirmed it is still in the process of evaluating bids.

The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project will be developed in Region Eight and is designed to deliver a minimum of 165 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to the national grid.

It forms part of the government’s broader energy strategy, which seeks to diversify Guyana’s energy mix through investments in natural gas, hydropower and solar energy.

The project was advanced more than a decade ago but encountered a major setback in 2013 amid disagreements over parliamentary support. The renewed effort to develop Amaila Falls is in line with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.

President Irfaan Ali, who held talks with the president and chairman of the United States Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, John Jovanovic, here earlier this week, has indicated that the financial has expressed interest in financing the project.

A government statement said that it is one of several major infrastructure initiatives discussed between President Ali and the bank’s president.

The statement said that Ali ‘made it clear’ that the government’s preferred approach involved a design, build, finance and operate arrangement supported by a power-purchase agreement.

‘We are hoping that in the coming weeks, we will be in a position to say what structure or what bid is the best in the interests of Guyana’s development and our people’s development,’ Ali is quoted as saying in the statement.

The statement said that the LCDS strategy identifies hydropower as an important component of the country’s transition towards cleaner energy. Once operational, the facility is expected to supply large-scale renewable electricity to the national grid and contribute to Guyana’s long-term energy security.

‘In addition to Amaila Falls, the bank has expressed interest in supporting Guyana’s proposed second gas project, a deepwater port and other infrastructure investments,’ the statement said, adding ‘no successful bidder or finalised US EXIM financing agreement for Amaila Falls has been announced’.

The state has signalled its intention to appeal a ruling by the High Court on Wednesday that quashed a magistrate’s decision to commit a former senior executive of the now defunct CLICO Life Insurance Company chairman to stand trial for alleged theft and conspiracy.

The High Court is to hear submissions on the issue of damages and costs. The matter was adjourned to February 23, next year.

King’s Counsel Roger Forde, who headed a three-member team for the state, said that the matter is far from over.

‘The matter is not yet over. An appeal will be filed and at some point in time, Mr Parris will face a jury. There is no merit at all in the decision. In fact, no reasons have been given for the decision,’ he said, noting that the case had previously been placed before another judge who had dismissed it.

‘That itself tells you it is a matter for the appeal court,’ he said.

In 2023, Magistrate Manila Renee sought to have the case, in which Leroy Parris was alleged to have stolen BDS$3.3 million (One Barbados dollar=US$0.50 cents) from the insurance company, sent to the High Court.

But Parris, through his attorneys, Hal Gollop KC and Neil Marshall, filed an application for judicial review and secured an injunction halting the indictment from proceeding. Magistrate Renee, the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were listed as respondents in the suit.

In handing down her ruling on Wednesday, Justice Michelle Weekes also issued an order quashing the magistrate’s decision to commit Parris to stand trial. In addition, the judge also also prohibited the magistrate from sending to the DPP and the Registrar of the Supreme Court any copy of the documents in the case and granted an injunction restraining the DPP from proceeding with the indictment against Parris.

‘The decision of the respondent in making the finding that there was sufficient evidence put before the court upon which the claimant could reasonably stand trial in a High Court is vitiated on the grounds that the first respondent acted in a manner that is unconstitutional and contrary to the principles of natural justice.’

The judge stated that reasons for her ruling would follow.

Speaking to reporters after the ruling, Gollop said said it ‘has been a long and arduous task and we feel vindicated by the decision and look forward to the further progress of the matter so that we may bring it to a final conclusion.

‘My client is very happy that this act of injustice has been given the stamp of disapproval by the court and we are happy with the outcome.’

In 2012, charges were initially laid against Parris accusing him of stealing the funds from CLICO International Life Insurance Limited between December 1, 2008, and April 27, 2009, and of conspiracy to defraud CLICO by inducing the company to pay out the money to lawyers Thompson and Associates.

The State also alleged that, between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010, Parris was involved in a conspiracy to cheat the Commissioner of Inland Revenue by failing to submit tax returns or account for income taxes for the 2009 tax year and that between December 1, 2008, and April 27, 2009, Parris engaged in money laundering of the BDS$3.3 million.