Category: CANA News

The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it has partnered with RevUP Caribbean to launch the RevUP Founders Growth and Community Support Network, regarded as a dynamic digital ecosystem designed to provide lifelong support to Caribbean entrepreneurs.

The region’s premier financial institution said that backed by a recent US$250,000 technical assistance grant from CDB, this initiative marks a new chapter in regional entrepreneurship.

The CDB said that the newly launched RevUP Community is a comprehensive, tiered membership platform designed to support Caribbean entrepreneurs through curated resources, mentorship, investor access, and regional collaboration. It offers four levels of engagement providing access to a vetted digital network, business resources, and expert-led events, business coaching, governance sessions, pitch coaching, investor access via FirstAngels Caribbean and speaker opportunities for advanced entrepreneurs.

The platform is powered by Zoho and designed to connect founders with mentors, board members, investors, and service providers across the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America.

‘For four years, we’ve been a virtual incubator. Starting tonight, we become something more: a lifelong ecosystem,’ said Sandra Glasgow, the managing director of RevUP Caribbean.

‘This dynamic, digital community will be your permanent access point to the resources you need to scale. It is designed by you, inspired by your journey, and dedicated to your future growth,’ she added.

CDB’s Division Chief, Private Sector, Lisa Harding, highlighted the importance of strategic collaborators to support business growth

‘Development banks, accelerators, investors and policymakers, each have a role to play. But when we work together, align our goals, and pool our strengths, we create real momentum for change. CDB remains deeply committed to the mission of homegrown entrepreneurs not just as a financier, but as a partner, supporting our entrepreneurs to grow, innovate, and compete globally.’

The RevUP Community builds on the success of RevUP’s incubator programme, which has supported 145 founders, generated over USD 1 million in additional revenue, and created 131 new jobs with women-led businesses leading the way.

CDB is financing Phase II. According to CDB’s Division Chief, the bank is repositioning to focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment-readiness as the foundation for long-term growth.

By supporting innovation at multiple stages of business growth, CDB said it is ensuring that the Caribbean remains competitive, adaptive, and resilient in a rapidly changing global economy.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Wednesday officially launched ‘Operation Festive Shield’ which it described as a nationwide security initiative designed to safeguard citizens, businesses, and visitors throughout the 2025 Christmas season and the Carnival 2026 period.

Trinidad and Tobago is under a state of emergency (SoE) that ends in January next year. So far this year, more than 300 people have been murdered. Last year, the country recorded 624 murders.

The TTPS said that the operation commenced in the capital, Port of Spain and the Western Division, the country’s primary commercial and entertainment corridor, where increased foot traffic, economic activity, and public events demand an enhanced safety and security posture. It said other police divisions will follow with phased operational rollouts in the coming days, utilizing the same strategic framework and coordinated standards.

The TTPS said that ‘Operation Festive Shield’ is built on four primary pillars, namely increased foot and mobile patrols, strategic placement in shopping districts, transport hubs, entertainment zones, and public gathering areas, as well as targeted operations against repeat offenders and emerging criminal threats using real-time intelligence.

It will also involve joint coordination with municipal police, traffic units, and event organizers to maintain safe and efficient movement of people and vehicles and ongoing collaboration with businesses, security partners, and community stakeholders supported by rapid information sharing and police response.

The TTPS said it will prioritise reduction of robberies, larceny, and opportunistic street crimes, safety of shoppers, vendors, business operators, and commuters, traffic decongestion and pedestrian safety and rapid police response to incidents.

The police say they were urging citizens stay vigilant and safeguard their personal belongings, utilise secure cash-in-transit services when handling large sums and report suspicious activity immediately.

‘The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is strategically deployed, coordinated, and operationally ready. We will safeguard public safety, protect commercial activity, and ensure security throughout the festive season. Criminal elements will find no comfort this Christmas and Carnival period,’ the police added.

With the chance to tie the series on the line, West Indies white-ball captain Shai Hope wants his troops to deliver an all-around performance when they take on New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I here on Thursday.

The regional team got off to the perfect start in the series, winning the opener by seven runs before losing the next two matches in agonising fashion by three runs and nine runs, respectively, to fall behind 2-1.

With Sunday’s fourth T20I ending in a no-result, it means the West Indies have everything to play for in Thursday’s clash, with victory assuring them a share of the spoils.

Speaking during a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Hope said it was important to end the series on a winning note.

‘The unfortunate reality is that we can’t win the series because of that last game that was rained out, but we’ve still put ourselves in a position to finish on square terms, which is something when you go to foreign conditions in foreign places, sometimes you have to take what you get.

‘But certainly 2-2 would look better than 3-1 to New Zealand, so that’s something that we are certainly hoping for.We have a very big game tomorrow and it’s important that we finish this series very strong, especially here in these conditions.’ Hope said.

He admitted though, that the Windies’ top order had failed to fire so far in the series.

Hope said with the lower order having done most of the heavy lifting thus far, he was banking on the top order to come good this time around.

‘Myself included, we have to raise our hands at the top. You see how important the new ball is for the New Zealand bowlers when you allow them to break through that top order and open up the middle order as well, then it becomes more difficult to set that big score that you want.

‘But we must take our hats off for the guys at the lower end. They have been tremendous throughout the entire series, from Rovman all the way down to Shepherd and Shamar Springer in the third game,’ Hope conceded.

‘As long as we tick that box at the top and don’t let them through our top order, I think with the power that we possess, we can be dangerous for any team not just New Zealand. So, we’ve got that to fix tomorrow from the top order standpoint and then hopefully we can put together a very complete and strong game as a unit.’

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Wednesday dismissed as ‘political rant’ statements made by a junior Trinidad and Tobago government minister that his wife and two children had been given preferential treatment in obtaining government-subsidised housing in the twin-island republic.

‘Everybody knows that he is carrying a can for the opposition here in St. Vincent. That’s the reason for his broadcast, his podcast or whatever you may call it,’ Gonsalves said, noting that the allegation made by the minister in the Ministry of Housing in Trinidad, Anil Roberts, is that his wife and children ‘had benefitted from a kind of insider trading.in purchasing apartments in a development in Trinidad.’He made several mis-representations and falsehoods and he drew certain conclusions and presented many innuendoes which touch and concern on the issue of damaging people’s character and defamation generally,’ Gonsalves said during 30 minute segment on his weekly radio programme in which he dealt with the issue and referring to his wife and children ‘as three citizens of Trinidad and Tobago’.

On Tuesday, Roberts acknowledged in his broadcast that Eloise Gonsalves and her children, Storm and Soleil Gonsalves, had been allocated the apartments even as over 200,000 residents of the twin island republic are on a waiting list.

Roberts said that the acquisition was uncovered because of inquiries he made after Prime Minister Gonsalves had been critical of Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar’s position regarding the Caribbean being declared a zone of peace.

‘. the honourable prime minister has waged a war and attack on our prime minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar, and I couldn’t understand why he was being so undiplomatic, inappropriate and strong to . say that she’s un-stateswoman-like and she’s misguided,’ Roberts said, later telling reporters that Gonsalves was ‘coming down . partisan sort of approach and delving into the politics of a sovereign nation.

Roberts raised many issues regarding the purchase of the properties saying that there are also questions about a declaration signed by Storm Gonsalves.

‘And to sign a false declaration in Trinidad and Tobago is a criminal offence. He said that from his app tech company, he makes 25,000 a month. The policy at the HDC (Housing Development Corporation) in Trinidad and Tobago, once you make one cent over $25,000 TT per month, you do not qualify.

‘So, further investigation by the police is needed in certain matters. Then, thirdly, a student, a child, working basically nowhere, gets an allocation of a house paid for by her mom and dad and brother when other citizens of this country are struggling and screaming out for scarce resources? It is wrong in 100 different ways,’ he added.

But in his radio response, Prime Minister Gonsalves said that he was never critical of Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s position on the region being declared a zone of peace, saying ‘I did not disrespect Kamla, I disagreed with her and I used the gentle formulation . a sort of characterisation of the region that Caribbean and Latin America was misguided.

‘In 2014 she signed on to the Havana Declaration, the bilateral meeting between our region, CARICOM and Cuba. In 2014 where the designation of the Caribbean and Latin America being a zone of peace that’s there. She is a member of CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) and meetings she attended with CELAC was also in the Declaration which she agreed to.

‘Well her position clearly has shifted and you can shift your position and I don’t have a quarrel when you shift your position, but it is open to me reasonably to say that that is not a correct position, because there are 14 countries in CARICOM (Caribbean Community), 13 of us currently say that the Caribbean and Latin America is a zone of peace, she does not accept that characterisation anymore and I thought she was misguided in that regard.

‘That is the most gentle of disagreements, but of course in Mr. Roberts’ mind it is gross disrespect and so on.’.

Persad-Bissessar’s shift in position has in the past few weeks coincided with the United States military build-up off the coast of Venezuela under the guise of eradicating the illegal drugs trade.

Washington has sent several warships including the world’s largest carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, in what political observers say is a attempt at regime change in Caracas where President Nicolas Maduro has been in power.

The Americans have killed several people, including two Trinidad and Tobago nationals in strikes on what it termed illegal vessels carrying drugs in international waters and Persad Bissessar is on record as saying that those in the illegal drug trade should be ‘killed violently’.

Regarding the purchase of the properties in Trinidad and Tobago, Gonsalves said ‘I never spoke to anybody in the government of Trinidad and Tobago or seek to influence anybody in the government, state administration or otherwise to accord preferential treatment to these three citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

‘They have done nothing which is illegal, nothing which is immoral, nothing which is unethical. It doesn’t reach any of those levels. No where at all, plain straight forward transactions’.

He told the audience that the apartments in the west of Trinidad and Tobago are ‘in a gated community.and are not regular state provided housing in Trinidad.

‘In fact the monies made from Victoria Keyes by HDC, those monies are used to help low income housing. That is the policy of successive governments as I understand it in Trinidad,’ Gonsalves said, outlining the procedures his wife and children had undertaken in acquiring the properties.

Gonsalves, an attorney, said apart from the ‘defamatory issues.on this broadcast by Mr. Roberts and by his clear imputation that I personally and Eloise and Storm and Soleil did something, unethical, illegal maybe even corrupt, which is completely false that I interfaced with the PNM (People’s National Movement) leadership to get benefit, absolutely not’.

He said any approach to the then prime minister Dr. Keith Rowley for assistance and purchasing the apartments would have been dismissed out of hand.

Gonsalves said that if Robert’s outburst is linked to assisting the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP)in the November 27 general election, it would backfire, predicting that his ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) would be returned with a greater margin than five years ago when it won nine of the 15 seats at stake.

‘Vincentians are appalled by this kind of behaviour by Anil Roberts.and they will punish the NDP at the polls because if somebody was inclined not to vote for this or that reason, they will say no no no, we don’t want our country to descend into this, we have had 25 years of political stability under Ralph.,’ said Gonsalves, who is seeking an unprecedented sixth consecutive term as head of government.

Four of the seven individuals charged with involvement in the deadly explosion at a gas station last month, appeared in court here on Wednesday, but the matter was adjourned to December 3 this year.

Venezuelan national, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, 33, whom the police say is the mastermind behind the October 26, 2025 explosion that led to the death of six year-old Sorya Bourne and injury to three others, and three of his co-accused appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Appearing alongside Poedemo were Alexander Bettancourt, 44, Johnny Boodram,33, and 33 year-old, Krystal LaCruz.

The prosecution alleges that Poedemo on October 26, with intent to threaten the security and sovereignty of Guyana or to strike terror among its people, used an explosive device at the Mobil Fuel Station at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, resulting in the death of the six-year-old child.

The court also heard that Boodram aided and abetted Poedemo with intent to commit the same offence.

During the brief court hearing, the prosecution handing over some statements to the defense with the court being informed that more disclosure will be made at the next hearing, after which the case will proceed via paper committal to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for trial in the High Court.

A paper committal is a legal process in which a magistrate examines the written evidence to determine whether there is enough to send an accused person to stand trial in the High Court.

The three other accused, Ramesh Pramdeo, 51, Wayne Corriea, 44 and 33-year-old Jennifer Rodriguez, have been charged with aiding and abetting Poedemo with intent to threaten the security and safety of Guyana to strike terror on the people by the use of an explosive substance by placing it at the gas station resulting in Bourne’s death.

Their matter has been adjourned to November 24.

West Indies reached 140 in 18.4 overs after they were sent into bat by New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I here on Thursday at University Oval.

WEST INDIES 140 in 18.4 overs (Roston Chase 38, Romario Shepherd 36, Jason Holder 20, Shai Hope 11, Rovman Powell 11; Jacob Duffy 4-35, Jimmy Neesham 2-31).

One day after his body was cremated, the Suriname government has declared Wednesday a day of national mourning in honour of former president, Ronald Venetiaan, who died on November 5

The Ministry of the Interior in making the announcement said that it serves as a sign of sympathy and solidarity with the family of the former president and with all Surinamese people. It said that the Surinamese flag will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings and ships moored at the dock as a sign of mourning and that the flag must fly at half-mast from 6.00 am (local time) until sunset.

In addition, media companies, including radio and television stations, are called upon to adapt their programming to the meaning of this national day of mourning.

On Tuesday afternoon at a packed Cathedral Basilica, family, friends, politicians, foreign dignitaries, members of the National Party of Suriname (NPS) paid their last respects to Venetiaan, 89, served as head of state from 1991 and 1996, and between 2000 and 2010. He had previously taught mathematics and physics and served as Minister of Education.

The funeral was marked by his own words: ‘Arrived as an RRV and left as an RRV’ underscoring his wish that was repeated throughout the service that he did not wish for a state funeral.

‘What inspired a man with a passion for nature, mathematics, guitar playing, and poetry to become president of a country that had collapsed economically and was burdened by corruption, crime, and poverty?,’ asked his friend and long time party member, Roy Shyamnarain as he reflected on Venetiaan’s exceptional leadership.

‘That requires vision, courage, and above all, love-unconditional love for country and people. He knew that the risk of failure was greater than of success, but he acted out of faith, trust, and principled steadfastness. With the support of many, he made Suriname a better country. Today we commemorate the man who brought us those blessings.’

The son of the former president, Alvin remembered the difficult eighties, when his father was under house arrest, saying ‘despite everything, he insisted that the soldiers guarding him also be fed. That was who he was’.

Father Esteban Kross said Venetiaan will not be remembered for his titles, but for his humanity.

‘God will not judge him on his merits or honours, but on his sincere life. Before Him, all people are equal. Ronald Venetiaan was a great man, not only as a president, but as a deeply religious man, convinced that there is only one right path: that of values and standards.’

The United States government says it is providing nearly US$12.6 million in additional emergency, ‘life-saving assistance’ to Jamaica and Haiti as the countries recover from the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The US Department of State said in a statement that the latest aid is ‘part of the ongoing support in our region in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’. It said that, in Jamaica, the additional funding will help implementers to clear debris, restore access to hard-to-reach areas, and provide shelter, emergency healthcare, child protection, water, sanitation, hygiene, and food assistance.

In Haiti, the additional US$2.5 million will support ‘similar life-saving efforts for those affected by the hurricane’s devastation.’

With this additional support, the State Department said the United States has provided nearly US$37 million to date in emergency, life-saving assistance and on-the-ground support throughout the region in response to Hurricane Melissa, including over US$22 million to Jamaica, US$11 million for Haiti, three million dollars for Cuba, and US$500,000 for The Bahamas.

‘This funding has enabled critical efforts by our Disaster Assistance Recovery Team (DART) and search-and-rescue teams from Los Angeles and Fairfax Counties to assist communities in need,’ the State Department said.

‘The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to helping our neighbors recover from this disaster and will continue to explore additional ways to provide meaningful assistance during this critical time,’ it added.

Last Tuesday, the Trump administration said it was providing an initial US$24 million in ’emergency, life-saving assistance’ for Jamaica, Haiti, the Bahamas, and ‘the people of Cuba’ to assist those affected by the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The aid came Schumer, the US Senate Minority Leader, said he had sent a letter toUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stating that ‘officials in the Caribbean have reported early assessments of damage to be widespread, where homes and buildings have collapsed, roadways have been demolished, parishes are completely underwater and currently 77 per cent of Jamaica remains without power.’

New Zealand won the toss and elected to field against West Indies in the fifth and final T20I here on Thursday at University Oval.

West Indies have made one change with Jayden Seales replacing Amir Jangoo while New Zealand has named an unchanged squad.

SQUADS

WEST INDIES: Shai Hope (captain), Alick Athanaze, Amir Jangoo, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Ackeem Auguste, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Shamar Springer.

NEW ZEALAND: Mitchell Santner (captain), Tim Robinson, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Jimmy Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy.

Umpires: Shaun Haig, Wayne Knights.

TV Umpire: Chris Brown.

Reserve Umpire: Kim Cotton.

Match Referee: Phil Whitticase.

Haiti has been identified among 16 countries and territories worldwide by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) of a major hunger emergency, with acute food insecurity set to worsen between now and May 2026, putting millions of lives at risk.

A report released by the two UN agencies identifies six that are at the highest risk of famine or catastrophic hunger, namely Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Mali, Haiti, and Yemen. The report notes that in these areas, some communities are projected to reach famine or near-famine conditions.

Other countries of very high concern include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, and Afghanistan. Additional hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya, and the situation of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

The UN said acute food insecurity means families cannot meet their basic food needs and often resort to desperate measures, such as skipping meals or selling essential possessions. At Phase 4 (Emergency) and Phase 5 (Catastrophe/Famine), hunger becomes life-threatening.

‘Famine is not inevitable. We have the tools and the knowledge to prevent it, but we need the resources and the political will to act now,’ said Cindy McCain, the WFP’s Executive Director.

The agencies say children are especially vulnerable. Malnutrition weakens immunity, making them more susceptible to disease and death. The report warns that delayed action will cost lives and increase humanitarian costs.

The report highlights four main drivers, namely conflict and violence, the leading cause in 14 of the 16 hotspots, economic shocks with fragile economies, high debt, and soaring food prices; climate extremes such as floods, droughts, and cyclones linked to La Niña conditions and reduced humanitarian aid where funding shortfalls have forced ration cuts and limited malnutrition treatment.

‘Conflict remains the single biggest driver of hunger,’ said Dongyu Qu, the FAO Director-General. ‘But climate shocks and economic instability are compounding the crisis, leaving millions with no safety net.’

The two UN agencies are calling for urgent action to prevent famine. They are urging humanitarian assistance to save lives and livelihoods, early interventions before crises escalate and investment in resilience to tackle root causes, not just symptoms.

The agencies stress that the international community faces a narrowing window to act. Failure to respond will deepen hunger, destabilize regions, and lead to preventable deaths.