Category: CANA News

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness says while while technology is transforming how parliaments operate, it must never replace human judgement or compromise the dignity at the core of democracy.

Addressing the 48th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA) Region in St Ann north west of here, Holness said parliamentarians across the Caribbean and the wider Commonwealth are operating in a digital age in which citizens expect instant access to information and real-time responses from their leaders.

But he said that even as parliaments modernise, they must remain grounded in the principles of representation, deliberation and public trust, stressing that ‘technology must remain the servant of democracy, not its master’.

Prime Minister Holness said parliament is the institution through which democracy finds expression, serving as the forum where competing ideas are debated, governments are held accountable, laws are enacted, and public resources are authorised on behalf of citizens.

He said as such, strong parliaments are the foundation of modern democracy and that this strength must not be sacrificed in the rush to digitise.

Holness, in illustrating how rapidly the landscape has evolved, said that commercial mobile phones were once so large they had to be carried in a suitcase, and parliamentary rules strictly limited their use within legislative chambers.

However, he noted that currently, legislatures such as the United Kingdom’s House of Commons have amended their Standing Orders to permit the use of mobile phones, while discussions are taking place around the world on live-streaming proceedings from parliamentary chambers and committee meetings

Prime Minister Holness acknowledged that Caribbean parliaments in Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and other jurisdictions are facing similar pressures, as they are increasingly being called upon to integrate emerging technologies and digital platforms into their operations.

‘The challenge before us is larger than simply digitising parliament. The challenge before us is how do we incorporate technology as a kind of renewal of the parliamentary process but, at the same time, preserve representative democracy,’ Holness said.

He told delegates that technology can make parliamentary proceedings more accessible to citizens, enhance communication with constituents and strengthen legislative research and committee work.

While noting that artificial intelligence can significantly accelerate information gathering and document drafting, Prime Minister Holness emphasised that there must be a clear line between using such tools and outsourcing democracy to them.

‘Efficiency is valuable, and I am the greatest proponent of efficiency. (However, democracy) must preserve the dignity of the people,’ Holness said, cautioning Caribbean leaders that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, social media and other digital technologies is creating new threats to democracy, particularly through the spread of misinformation, disinformation and manipulated content.

Holness said the region must strengthen its democratic institutions even as it embraces technology.

‘Every day, in our Caribbean societies, our democracy is being threatened by false information, deliberate campaigns that assassinate character,’ he said, citing a false report that was recently circulated online claiming that a government minister had died.

Prime Minister Holness said that such incidents underscore the real-world consequences of digital falsehoods, warning that advances in artificial intelligence are making it increasingly difficult for people to distinguish fact from fiction.

He warned of the growing challenge posed by emerging technologies, noting that ‘we are entering an era where seeing is no longer believing’.

The Prime Minister urged the CPA to consider how parliaments across the region should respond to these challenges, noting that Caribbean countries must confront the growing risks associated with unregulated information, including radicalisation, hate speech and deliberate disinformation.

Holness said that countries in Europe and North America have already begun developing legislation to address harmful digital content and called for greater attention to cybersecurity, emphasising that the protection of parliamentary systems, records, communications and data must be regarded as a critical component of the region’s democratic resilience rather than merely an information technology concern.

Holness said that successful digital transformation will ultimately depend on people not technology alone and called for sustained investment in parliamentarians, researchers, clerks and administrative staff.

‘Digital transformation ultimately depends, not on the sophistication of the hardware and software but on the capability of the people and the institutions,’ Prime Minister Holness said, urging leaders to prepare the next generation to inherit strong institutions that are capable of adapting to technological change while remaining firmly grounded in the principles of democracy.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne Tuesday said he held a ‘very constructive engagement’ with gas station owners ending a brief closure of several gas stations across the island over profit margins.

‘They reopened their stations to facilitate the dialogue. We will be establishing an expert team, to advise the Cabinet on a possible future adjustment to their margin,’ Browne said in a statement posted on his Facebook page following the meeting.

The dealers’ demand is not new. Twenty-one operators wrote to the government in March seeking an increase in the eight per cent margin they receive on fuel sales. They say the rate has remained largely unchanged since the early 1990s despite rising wages, electricity, insurance and maintenance costs..

Earlier, Prime Minister Browne had described the decision of the gas station owners to close down their businesses as ‘bad timing’ and that the closure had come at a time when the Government has eliminated its margin to keep prices down.

‘Our government eliminated the consumption tax to keep prices down; how can anyone justify an increase in profit margin at this time, to further burden their customers, during an escalation in oil prices,’ Browne added.

Prime Minister Browne had earlier said that the government would normally collect between three and four million dollars (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) monthly from the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) on an average.

‘So instead of collecting that three to four million dollars per month for the past six months, roughly EC$24 million, we now owe WIOC EC$15 million,’ he said.

Browne said that officials in the Ministry of Finance are advising that expected increases in fuel prices could be in the vicinity of EC$$3.50 cents, but that this would constitute too large an increase at the pump and that the government has agreed on a price of two dollars across the board.

‘That was too large an increase to be implemented in one fell swoop, so we settled on a smaller increase,’ Browne said, and as a result, the prices at the pump will move from the current EC$14.50 for gasoline to an estimated EC$16.50, diesel at EC$16.25 per gallon.

A Cuban construction worker died and two of his colleagues received multiple burns after a metal scaffolding came into contact with electricty power lines outside a building at Plantation Houston, East Bank Demerara on Tuesday.

The names of the Cuban national and the others injured have not been released but media reports said that the scaffold’s wheels appeared to have not been locked in, and as the men were working, it rolled back onto the power lines. All three men suffered massive electric shock, with the Cuban national, who was pronounced dead at the scene, suffering the most injuries. The media reports said that on coming into contact with the power line, he was pitched onto the ground with his clothes on fire as the electricity from the power lines ripped through his body.

Some other workers eventually attempted to assist by using a fire extinguisher as emergency medical teams were summoned. The two other men were rushed to the hospital.

In a statement, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company said it is aware of the ‘tragic accident…where scaffolding reportedly rolled away from a building and came into contact with one of our 13.8 kV primary distribution lines.

‘The incident regrettably resulted in the death of one person and injuries to at least two others.

GPL extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased during this difficult time,’ it said, expressing sympathy also ‘ to those injured and hopes for their full and speedy recovery.

‘GPL strongly reminds contractors, workers and members of the public to exercise extreme caution when operating near the Company’s electrical lines, poles and other network infrastructure. Appropriate safety measures must always be maintained to prevent similar tragedies.’

Belize is among six finalists named by the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) for its Superheroes of Development 2026, an award that highlights lessons learned from the financial institution’s financed initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The IDB said that the selected projects stand out for transforming complex challenges into opportunities to generate impact, draw lessons, and develop replicable solutions in the region.

‘The finalist projects span a wide range of sectors and approaches: from digital connectivity and education to transportation infrastructure, energy transition, and resilience. Each provides valuable insights into how to overcome implementation obstacles and maximize impact for beneficiaries and their communities,’ it added.

The Belize submission is entitled ‘Teaching Through a Pandemic: Belize’s Online Shift Reaches More Teachers and Narrows Gaps Between Boys and Girls ‘ and it joins other finalists from Paraguay, Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Colombia.

The six projects compete in two categories. The first is for IDB and IDB Lab projects that are currently in progress or finished after January 2016. The second is for IDB Invest projects that have an Expanded Supervision Report or are in the process of obtaining one.

The IDB said that the lessons from the three winning projects will be shared widely to strengthen the design, implementation, and evaluation of future operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Washington-based financial institution said that the finalist teams will present their experiences on October 6 to a panel of high-level IDB Group leaders in Washington and that former Argentine soccer player Javier Zanetti will attend the ceremony.

‘In this World Cup year, Superheroes of Development has channeled the spirit of the world’s most popular sport to recognize the teams that take to the field to improve lives in the region,’ it added.

For 22 young women chasing West Indies glory, the path to cricketing excellence runs through more than just the nets.

Cricket West Indies’ High-Performance Camp, held in Antigua following the 2026 Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 Championship, has pushed beyond traditional coaching boundaries.

While technical drills and physical conditioning formed the backbone of the two-week programme, organisers placed equal weight on forging the complete athlete, mind, voice, and character.

The camp, which serves as a critical stepping stone toward the 2027 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, featured specialised sessions on mental resilience, media engagement, and leadership.

Players explored the psychological landscape of elite sport, navigating pressure, sharpening focus, and building the confidence required to thrive on the world stage.

They also stepped into the spotlight through practical media training, facing simulated interviews that challenged them to articulate their experiences with poise.

The exercise aimed to prepare these rising stars not only for press conferences but for their broader responsibilities as ambassadors of West Indies cricket.

Dwain Gill, CWI High-Performance Manager, emphasised that the initiative was about more than runs and wickets.

‘Our responsibility is to develop young people who understand what it means to operate in a high-performance environment and represent West Indies cricket,’ Gill said.

‘These sessions were an important part of this camp. We want to equip these players, many of whom are potentially moving towards an international stage, with the tools, confidence, and awareness they need to navigate that journey successfully.’

The players also connected directly with CWI leadership, including CEO Chris Dehring, who sat down to hear their stories and aspirations.

‘It was important to spend time with these young women, hear their journeys, and understand what is needed from us as an organisation,’ Dehring said.

‘Their enthusiasm and determination, despite some very challenging domestic circumstances, was inspirational.

We are committed to giving them the support, facilities, and pathways needed to develop and perform at the highest level.’

For the 22 Rising Stars, the Antigua experience was about more than preparing for a World Cup. It was about understanding their place in the future of West Indies cricket, and leaving equipped with the knowledge and professional awareness to take the next step.

Trinidad and Tobago is celebrating its 64th anniversary of independence on Monday with Police Commissioner, Allister Guevarro, telling citizens the threats to disrupt the celebrations are low and that they should not worry about the series of bomb threats made over the past few days.

Among the activities planned for the anniversary is the traditional military parade at the Queens Park Savannah on the outskirts of the capital.

‘To the unpatriotic, cowardice keyboard warrior who perpetrated this current set of hoaxes, all I will say to you is that time is longer than twine, and be mindful of the vengeance of Moko,’ Guevarro said in a broadcast on the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) website.

‘As Commissioner of Police, I call upon the national community to stand united against such reckless conduct. These hoax threats are not a joke. They are an attack on our courts, our institutions, and our people.’

The Trinbago Knight Riders elected to field after winning the toss against the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 22nd match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at the Queen’s Park Oval here on Monday.

SQUADS

Trinbago Knight Riders: Colin Munro, Sunil Narine, Alex Hales, Nicholas Pooran (capt), Joshua Da Silva (wk), Justin Greaves, Jyd Goolie, Dominic Drakes, Akeal Hosein, Lahiru Kumara, Usman Tariq

Guyana Amazon Warriors: Glenn Phillips, Matthew Nandu, Shai Hope (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Mohammad Nabi, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Joseph, Dwaine Pretorius, Khary Pierre, Imran Tahir (capt)

Umpires: Christopher Taylor, Leslie Reifer.

The Grenada government says schools will re-open on Monday saying it had take note of a public notice issued by the Grenada Union of Teachers (GUT) concerning the commencement of the 2026-2027 academic year.

In a statement, the ministry said that the GUT communication may create uncertainty among parents, students, teachers, and the wider public, particularly as the official reopening date has already been communicated. ‘For the avoidance of doubt, schools will reopen for students on Monday, 31 August 2026. This remains the official reopening date communicated by the Ministry of Education,’ the ministry said, adding that ‘this decision was taken after careful consideration of the relevant provisions of the Education Act, the prescribed vacation periods, the school calendar, and the public interest, including the importance of maximising instructional contact time for students.

But the GUT contends that the Education Act defines the academic year as running from September 1 to August 31, and in a public notice said that the 2026-2027 academic year therefore begins on Tuesday, urging the members of the public to be guided accordingly.

‘The academic year, there is a fixed date. So the academic year starts from September 1st every year. The academic year starts September 1st every year and it ends on August 31st, and so this pronouncement by the Minister of Education and the Ministry of Education to start school the new academic year on August 31st is really and truly starting school on the very last day of the previous or old academic year,’ said GUT President, Jude Bartholomew.

‘So what the Minister has done really and truly is to break the law,’ he told a news conference, adding that the law is ‘very very clear and sets out the standards and the law is very clear as when the academic year begins and when it ends.

‘Section 39 of the Act gives some latitude, yes, to the Minister for Education as it relates to vacation…yes, he has some latitude there because for the vacation is not really and truly latitude what is not spelt out in the Act, in the Education Act and in law.

‘So he has some little latitude there in case something happened, in case there is an emergency, in case there is a storm, in case there is a hurricane, in the effect of something like COVID and yes, he can wiggle room around the vacation time but he cannot interfere, he cannot interfere or touch the academic year which is stated in law and clearly stated in the Education Act which is from the 4th of September to the 31st of August every year,’ Bartholomew said.

He said that the situation does not only apply to Grenada, adding ‘so we want parents to know that we’re not fighting, teachers are not fighting for extended vacation and such and that teachers don’t want to return to work and everything like that

‘So that is really, really and truly further from the truth. We want to make it very clear this morning to our parents and to the students and the citizens of Grenada, Carriacou and petite Martinique that it is unquestionable, no doubt in your mind, that teachers love your children and teachers love the nation’s children.’

In its statement, the ministry said it is mindful of the definition of ‘academic year’ contained in the Education Act, adding ‘importantly, the interpretation provisions of the act are expressly qualified by the words, ‘unless the context otherwise requires.’

‘The ministry therefore considers that the provisions of the act must be read together and in their proper context, including those relating to school terms, vacation periods, and the administration of the education system. The statutory definition of the academic year should not, by itself, be construed as determining the date on which schools may officially reopen following the prescribed vacation period.’

The government said that it respects the right of the GUT ‘to express its views and advocate on behalf of its membership.

‘However, such advocacy must not be confused with the authority to determine or announce the official commencement of school. That authority rests with the Ministry of Education and the minister responsible for education, acting within the powers provided by law. The ministry is responsible for the administration of the public education system and for the official determination and communication of the school calendar and reopening dates.’

The ministry said that it is urging parents, students, teachers, and members of the public ‘ to be guided by official communications’ and is looking ‘forward to the cooperation of all stakeholders as we work together to ensure an orderly reopening of schools and maintain a continued focus on the education and well-being of the nation’s children’.

The Guyana Amazon reached 185 for five in 16 overs after being sent in by the Trinbago Knight Riders in the rain affected 22nd match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at the Queen’s Park Oval here on Monday.

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS 185-5 in 16 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 111 not out, Romario Shepherd 27 not out; Akeal Hosein 1-11, Sunil Narine 1-25, Lahiru Kumara 1-55)

A former opposition legislator is throwing his support behind Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, as the Caribbean’s candidate for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations.

Jermaine Figueira, who served as an opposition legislator during the period 2020-25, says the diplomat is a ‘compelling voice for the Global South’ and is the right person for guiding the global institution at this time.

‘Most will agree and accept that there are moments when the achievement of one citizen becomes bigger than politics, party, ethnicity or government. Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett’s increasingly competitive candidacy for Secretary-General of the United Nations is such a moment. ‘She is no longer simply participating in this historic contest; she is demonstrating that she belongs among its strongest contenders. Her performance in the selection process and her standing in the Security Council straw polls should give every Guyanese tremendous pride and should cause countries throughout the developing world to examine seriously what her leadership could mean for them.

‘This is not an argument that she should be supported merely because she comes from Guyana, the Caribbean or the Global South. She should be supported because she is qualified,’ Figueira said.

The formal recommendation and final vote to choose the next UN Secretary-General to replace Antonio Guterres are expected to take place in September or October this year, when the General Assembly appoints the successful candidate upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

The successful candidate will succeed Guterres and begin a five-year term on January 1, 2027.

In the race to succeed Guterres, Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan won the first informal UN Security Council straw poll on July 30, 2026, while Ambassador Rodrigues- Birkett took first place in the second straw poll held on August 21.

Figueira said that Rodrigues-Birkett’s journey from the Indigenous Lokono community of Santa Rosa, through service as Minister of Amerindian Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to representing Guyana at the United Nations ‘is an extraordinary testament to ability, perseverance and public service.

‘More importantly, that journey has given her an understanding of governance, diplomacy and an intimate understanding of development from the community level to the highest chambers of international decision-making,’ he said, adding that ‘her candidacy therefore carries particular significance for South America, Central America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and the wider developing world’.

Figueira said that for too long, developing countries have ‘correctly argued that international institutions must become more representative of the world they serve.

‘Nations of the Global South confront enormous challenges, climate vulnerability, debt, food insecurity, unequal access to financing, poverty, conflict and persistent inequalities within the international economic system yet their influence over global decision-making has not always reflected their numbers or their importance.’

Figueira said that Rodrigues-Birkett understands these realities because she comes from them.

‘Her vision of a stronger United Nations emphasizes effective multilateralism, institutional reform, preventive diplomacy, development financing and greater responsiveness to developing countries. These are not peripheral issues. They are central to whether the United Nations can remain relevant and effective in a rapidly changing world.

‘Her candidacy should therefore provide a natural point of convergence for the Global South.

For CARICOM, the case is especially compelling. The Caribbean has contributed enormously to international diplomacy while never having produced a United Nations Secretary-General. ‘

Figueira said small states understand perhaps better than most that international law and multilateral institutions are not abstract concepts and that ‘they are essential safeguards in a world where economic and military power remain profoundly unequal.

‘For Latin America and South America, supporting Rodrigues-Birkett would strengthen the hemisphere’s opportunity to provide consequential leadership at a moment when the international system requires bridge-builders rather than greater polarization.

‘Africa, too, should see in her candidacy a partner who understands many of the developmental challenges shared across the Global South and who appreciates the legitimate demand for a more equitable international order and the need for a permanent seat on the security council.’

Figueira said that there is also profound symbolism in her candidacy.

‘An Indigenous woman from a small Caribbean and South American developing country standing within reach of becoming Secretary-General represents something powerful about what the United Nations ought to embody: that geography, gender, ethnicity and the size or wealth of one’s country should never determine the limits of human possibility.’