Category: CANA News

Jamaica has launched a five-year initiative to address the country’s urban climate and societal challenges by integrating nature-based solutions (NbS) into urban planning and community development.

Dubbed ‘Jamaica Urban Solutions for the Environment’ (J-USE), the initiative is funded by Global Affairs Canada with an investment of four million Canadian dollars (One CDN$=US$0.71 cents) and is being implemented by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ), which is contributing an additional CDN$1.2 million in support. Nature-based solutions leverage the natural environment to mitigate climate risks, enhance biodiversity, and deliver social and economic benefits to communities.

Pilot projects will be established at the Abilities Foundation, the Danny Williams School for the Deaf and Torrington Bridge in Kingston.

Addressing the launch of the initiative, Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Matthew Samuda, commended the programme and the collaborative partnership facilitating it.

‘Canada, over the last 10 years, has been one of our strongest partners for climate action and environmental protection, and I wish to firmly put the Government’s thanks on record for their continued support. Whether it be through central government or entities such as the EFJ, they’re indeed very strong partners of ours,’ he said.

Samuda said that ‘adaptation projects of this nature are important because it acknowledges that infrastructure will never be sufficient to mitigate or to be a part of your adaptation plan.

‘In a country where over 50 per cent of our population lives within our urban centres, this sort of nature-based solution that serves the function of adaptation is incredibly important,’ he added.

Samuda said Jamaica now has the capacity to conduct more informed climate risk analyses through the launch of its climate risk analysis tool – the Jamaica Systemic Risk Assessment Tool (J-SRAT).

‘We have already established the Jamaica systemic assessment. It means we have already assessed the climate risk for all of Jamaica’s infrastructure – public or private; Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and the National Water Commission (NWC) would have worked with us. We have already assessed which roads, drains, everything that needs to be changed, fixed and made stronger.

‘I think we need to overlay the project choices with where there is greatest risk, to see if this can benefit some of those areas. The National Adaptation Plan calls for over five billion US dollars. I believe that estimate is significantly (understated). it is way more than that; so, this is a step in the right direction.

‘Canada partnering with EFJ represents more than just choosing a capable organisation but reflects our commitment to placing decision-making, resources and leadership in the hands of local institutions that really understand their communities’ needs and context,’ Samuda said.

Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mark Berman, said the J-USE project reflects a shared vision between Jamaica and Canada to advance climate-resilient, sustainable urban development, while ensuring that climate action delivers inclusive benefits for all members of society.

He said that the project forms part of Canada’s CDN$5.3 billion climate finance commitment, with a targeted focus on supporting small island developing states in advancing climate resilience.

‘This J-USE investment reflects Canada’s recognition that the climate crisis requires urgent innovative responses, especially for countries like Jamaica. Through this five-year four million Canadian dollars initiative, we’re not simply funding micro projects.

‘A key pillar of this initiative is the development of a sustainable funding mechanism that will leverage public and private resources to create an urban environmental solutions fund that continues long after this direct investment ends,’ Berman said.

J-USE project manager, Joni Jackson, said that the initiative comprises three core components, namely the establishment of a sustainable financing mechanism; policy advocacy to promote the integration of nature-based solutions into national policies, plans, strategies, and legislation; and the implementation of gender-responsive, socially inclusive nature-based climate solutions in urban areas.

Chris Husbands capped an incredible comeback season by winning the final race to ride off with the jockeys’ title here earlier this week.

Husbands, who spent most of last year on the sidelines battling injuries, captured the final race of the season, the CAN$30 000 Crimson Maple Cup Stakes, onboard Clarayouthebest on Tuesday to capture his fourth title at Fort Erie. The 36-year-old Barbadian ended the meet with 41 victories and CAN$480 519 in total winnings to dethrone 2024 champion Juan Crawford, who finished with 32 wins and CAN$361 833 in winnings.

Husbands thanked local trainers Mark Fournier and Joe Humber for believing in him and giving him opportunities to ride in his comeback season

‘When I first came back to Fort Erie, it was hard to find my focus again, but my agent, Paul Souter, he kept pushing, he kept me going, kept me working, and now here we are,’ said Husbands.

In the final race, Husbands launched four-year-old bay filly, Clarayouthebest at the leader Moral Terpitude on the homestretch, to win by a neck in a time of 1:45.67 in the race over 1700 metres.

‘Going into that first turn, I was a bit back, I had to check out but it was okay because I didn’t really want to be on the inside anyway, but then when I got the chance to drop back in down the stretch, I went for it, and it turned out exactly how I wanted,’ said Husbands after the race.

It was his third win of the day, following victories in the opening race with Tentomidnight and Maiken the Viking in the day’s fourth race.

The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) Friday said it remains ‘undeterred in carrying out its mandate’ after Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar said she had ‘no regard for the eat-ah-food filth in the hierarchy’ of the organization.

Persad-Bissessar was critical of the body after it issued a statement on Thursday in which it voiced its its unease over what it described as the ‘hastened and truncated’ process that led to the elevation of Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh to the position of Chief Justice on Wednesday. In its statement on Thursday, the LATT praised Boodoosingh’s ‘tremendous contribution to the nation’s jurisprudence’ and his years of dedicated service as a lecturer at the Hugh Wooding Law School, while also paying tribute to outgoing chief justice Ivor Archie and thanking him for his long service to the Judiciary.

But the LATT, which said that its mission is maintaining and improving the standard, conduct and proficiency of the legal profession here, expressed concern that the constitutional process which governs the appointment of a Chief Justice may not have been properly observed.

LATT said that while the appointment itself was lawful, it could not be satisfied that a ‘proper and reasonable consultation was undertaken’ between the Office of the President and the key constitutional stakeholders, namely the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, as required by Section 102 of the Constitution.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles told reporters Friday that she remains convinced there was not sufficient consultation before the appointment of the new chief justice insisting that her issue was with the time line of the appointment, not the choice of Justice Boodoosingh to fill the post.

‘The issue is that I laid out very clearly the time frame: 6.30 in the evening while I am in Parliament to bring a letter that had some errors, 8.30 in the morning you seek to deal with that error and 2 pm you appoint. I don’t think it is unreasonable for me to say that is not sufficient consultation.

‘I don’t think anybody disputes that CJ Boodoosingh is someone that is competent. He has been a teacher at the University of the West Indies (UWI) teaching ethics. I don’t think anyone queries his qualification,’ she added.

Boodoosingh was selected and sworn in by acting president Wade Mark on Tuesday, one day after Archie announced he was retiring after 18 years in the position.

Asked by reporters to comment on the LATT statement, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said ‘I have no regard for the eat-ah-food filth in the hierarchy of the Law Association, so their comments mean nothing to me. The Law Association is a defiled and discredited organisation. It is a mouthpiece for lazy, dunce, hungry-mouth PNM(opposition People’s National Movement) senior counsel who loot the treasury’.

She defended the decision by the acting President to move ahead with the appointment of the new chief justice saying ‘Ivor Archie was appointed chief justice one day after Sat Sharma resigned in 2008. CJ Sharma resigned on January 23, 2008, and CJ Archie was appointed on January 24, 2008’.

She also said that in her letters to Mark she made it clear that she had no preference as to whom he selected as Chief Justice.

‘My letters to the acting President are clear. I had no preference,’ she said.

In its statement on Friday and signed by its President, Lynette Seebaran-Suite SC, LATT said it ‘notes the recent comments’ made by the prime minister to its statement on the appointment of the new head of the judiciary.

‘The LATT reaffirms its statutory responsibility to comment on matters affecting the administration of justice and the rule of law. In fulfilling this duty, the Association acts independently, without fear or favour, and in accordance with the highest traditions of the legal profession.

‘The Association emphasises that public discourse on legal and constitutional matters, particularly among holders of high office, should be conducted with mutual respect and regard for the institutions that safeguard our democracy.’

LATT said that it ‘values constructive engagement among all branches of the State’ and that it ‘remains undeterred in carrying out its mandate and will continue to serve the public interest by providing fair and principled guidance on issues affecting the rule of law, while maintaining the dignity befitting its role in national life’.

Guyana is set to host a major three-day regional training programme, in partnership with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), aimed at bolstering the Caribbean’s anti-doping efforts.

The Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (Caribbean RADO), the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), and WADA are facilitating the Doping Control Officer Training Programme from October 24 to 26.

Delegates from ten countries will attend the workshop, which is being led by expert trainers from the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).

The primary objective is to build capacity across the region by empowering participants to execute sample collection processes confidently in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code.

The workshop’s timing is crucial as Caribbean nations prepare for a packed 2026 international sporting calendar. Major events looming include the CAC Games in the Dominican Republic, the Commonwealth Games in Scotland, and the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.

The training will provide participants with the theoretical background and practical skills necessary to ensure high standards of testing and compliance across their respective territories.

The Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) 60th Anniversary Medal Presentation Parade was on Wednesday marked by reverence and pride as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, decorated Officers and Other Ranks with prestigious military medals for their distinguished, faithful, and exemplary service to the nation.

A total of 871 special medals were approved; however, the Commander-in-Chief conferred 32 medals at the parade; the remaining recipients will receive theirs at a later date.

Addressing the event Ali noted that this year’s ceremony holds special significance as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the GDF.

The president described it as six decades of unwavering commitment to national security and sovereignty.

The Commander-in-Chief emphasised that the awarding ceremony is much more than recognition; he said, ‘it represents sacrifice, leadership and perseverance.’

‘Each medal conferred today tells a story, a moment of sacrifice, an act of leadership, a mission fulfilled on the challenge, and a distinguished record of dedicated service,’ he said.

GDF ranks were awarded the Military Efficiency Medal, which is awarded to officers and ranks of the regular force who complete 10 years of continuous service without any disciplinary issues. The Border Defence Medal honoured those who protect Guyana’s frontiers, serving with patience, perseverance, and pride.

‘The mark of Guyana engraved on that medal is not just a symbol,’ he stressed, ‘It is a promise that our land will always be defended by those who love it most.’

Additionally, five new medals have been introduced under Ali’s authority to recognise the excellence of officers across diverse operations.

These include the Commander-in-Chief’s Special Series of Medals for Search and Rescue Operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response, Engineering and Border Operations, Special Operations, and Joint Services Operations.

These new medals affirm that service is not confined to combat,’ he said. ‘They honour those who save lives from floodwaters, who build bridges where isolation once stood, who deliver relief by air and river, and who work shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners in defence of national peace and safety.’

The head of state reminded the nation that the recipients symbolise the nation’s trust and resilience.

In addition to recognising soldiers, the president vowed the government’s unwavering commitment to modernising the GDF, not only in equipment but investments in technology, personal wellbeing, and training.

Bangladesh defeated West Indies by 179 runs in the third and final One Day International here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.

Scores

BANGLADESH 296-8 in 50 overs (Soumya Sarkar 91, Saif Hassan 80, Najmul Hossain Shanto 44, Towhid Hridoy 28, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 17, Nural Hasan 16 not out; Akeal Hosein 4-41, Alick Athanaze 2-37).

WEST INDIES 117 in 30.1 overs (Akeal Hosein 27, Brandon King 18, Alick Athanaze 15, Keacy Carty 15, Justin Greaves 15, Sherfane Rutherford 12; Nasum Ahmed 3-11, Rishad Hossain 3-54, Tanvir Islam 2-16, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2-35).

Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette. D. Clarke has joined Caribbean immigration advocates in New York in strongly condemning a raid on Tuesday on Canal Street in Lower Manhattan’s Chinatown by agents from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and the US Department of Homeland Security.

Clarke and immigration advocates said that the federal agents descended on the neighborhood, detaining street vendors and community members.

‘On seemingly nothing more than a radical-right influencer’s instructions, New York City tragically faced a reality yesterday that too many other communities across our nation have known since Donald Trump took power: ICE goons descending upon our streets, bringing the same chaos, violence, and pain that follows them everywhere they go,’ Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Wednesday.

‘Our city is defined by the solidarity and compassion our neighbors share among one another,’ added the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. ‘The havoc New Yorkers have been accused of harboring is, at every level, a lie. But of course, the orchestrators of this attack on Canal Street know that.

‘In the absence of the disorder that the president’s false narratives rely upon, this administration and its goons are hellbent on creating their own by any means necessary,’ Clarke continued. ‘We see their endgame. We know they will fail.

‘No matter what these thugs and their masters might have to say about it, New York City will always be a sanctuary to the oppressed and powerless,’ the congresswoman said. ‘Our doors will always be open to those seeking refuge and safety. And they will always be closed to Donald Trump and his agents of hatred.’

On Tuesday, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), elected officials, member organizations and community leaders held an emergency rally in response to the raid.

‘Today’s raid on Canal Street was a horrifying display of federal overreach and authoritarian tactics,’ NYIC President and CEO Murad Awawdeh told CMC.

NYIC is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York.

‘ICE descended on Manhattan’s Chinatown with military-style vehicles, masked agents and riot gear to target street vendors trying to make a living,’ Awawdeh said. ‘This operation had nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and communities.

‘Federal agents created a violent spectacle, tackling bystanders to the ground and using force against New Yorkers simply for doing what they do every day,’ he added. ‘Federal agents storming our streets and targeting peaceful community members is unacceptable.

‘Instead of creating pathways for citizenship, restoring legal work authorizations or supporting the immigrant entrepreneurs who enrich our city and culture, the Trump administration and its lackeys are wasting taxpayer money to spread fear and traumatize our communities,’ Awawdeh continued.

He said ‘this is exactly why our cities need to reinforce sanctuary policies and why New York State must pass the New York for All Act to stop local police from colluding in these reckless federal enforcement tactics.

‘Our communities deserve safety, dignity and due process – not fear and violence that tear families apart,’ Awawdeh demanded.

A New York group calling itself the Street Vendor Project also condemned Tuesday’s raid.

‘Yesterday’s immigration raid targeting Canal Street’s West African street vendors is a disgraceful federal escalation of the city’s status quo,’ said the group in a statement on Wednesday. ‘We have been sounding the alarm for a year about the threats New York City street vendors face under this current administration.

‘Yesterday’s raid is inextricably tied to the city’s failure to reform the street vending system,’ it added. ‘Every time a vendor goes out to work without the protections a business license affords them, they are viewed as criminals with a target on their back.’

The Street Vendor Project said that at least five of the nine individuals who were detained by ICE are street vendors, several of whom have worked in New York City for 20-plus years.

The group claimed that ICE ‘racially profiled anyone walking by who ‘looked like an African vendor’ – demanding their IDs, their passports, and running their information through their system.

‘Seeing street vendors targeted and kidnapped by ICE agents was nothing short of terrifying,’ it said.

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat against West Indies in the third and final One Day International here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.

Both West Indies and Bangladesh have named unchanged teams.

WEST INDIES: Shai Hope (captain), Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase, Ackeem Auguste, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Akeal Hosein.

BANGLADESH: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.

Umpires: Jayaraman Madanagopal, Masudur Rahman.

TV Umpire: Chris Gaffaney.

Reserve Umpire: Tanvir Ahmed.

Match Referee: Dean Cosker.

The West Indies produced yet another abysmal performance with the bat to gift Bangladesh a mammoth 179-run victory in the third and decisive One Day International, which helped them to claim the series here on Thursday.

On a pitch that batters struggled to score on in the first two ODIs, Bangladesh’s openers Soumya Sarkar and Saif Hassan scored impressive half centuries to lead their side to a formidable 296 for eight at the Shere Bangla National Stadium after winning the toss and choosing to bat.

In their run chase, only Akeal Hosein batting at number 10 scored more than 20, while spinners Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain took three wickets apiece, to see the West Indies being spun out for a paltry 117 in 30.1 overs

The result was Bangladesh’s second largest win in ODIs batting first, largest against the West Indies, and propeled them to a 2-1 series win, their first bilateral ODI series victory in 17 months.

It was set up by a splendid opening partnership between Sarkar and Hassan, who put on 176 runs in 25 overs, the second highest for the first wicket in their side’s ODI history.

They set the tone from the day’s very first over when Hassan spanked left-arm spinner Hosein for two consecutive boundaries.

Sarkar joined in the action, spanking Roston Chase for a six and four in the eighth over, Sarkar joined in the action, spanking Roston Chase for a six and four in the eighth over, which also included a maximum from Hassan, to see Bangladesh race to 60 without loss.

The West Indies and Khary Pierre thought they had claimed Hassan’s wicket in the ensuing over after he was given out lbw, but the review showed a clear inside edge onto the pads.

Two more boundaries from Sarkar off medium pacer Justin Greaves moved him into the 40s and he eventually brought up his 14th ODI half century off 48 balls.

Not long after Hassan reached his maiden ODI half century off just 44 balls by hitting Gudakesh Motie for a six and four, as Bangladesh moved to 109 without loss after 16 overs.

Hassan joined Sarkar in the 70s by bludgeoning Chase for a four and six off successive deliveries, and it looked as though both batters were motoring to their centuries.

However, Chase got the breakthrough the West Indies so desperately needed when he had Hassan caught at the long on boundary for a well-played 80 off 72 balls, which included six sixes and six fours.

Sarkar, who was named Player-of-the-Match, reached 91 before pulling Hosein straight into the hands of Ackeem Auguste at deep midwicket after facing 86 balls and striking seven fours and four sixes, to leave Bangladesh 181 for two in the 29th over.

The West Indies actually did well to restrict Bangladesh, thereafter, picking up five wickets for just 30 runs, with Hosein and part-time spinner Alick Athanaze doing the damage.

Hosein finished with figures of 4-41, while Athanaze took 2-37.

Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed then almost singlehandedly won the contest for his side in a devastating opening spell.

With just 16 runs on the board he trapped Athanaze lbw, accounted for Ackeem Auguste in the same fashion for a duck following a review, and then bowled Brandon King with a delivery that kept low, to see West Indies slump to 35 for three in the ninth over.

Captain Shai Hope looked uncomfortable during his stay at the crease before he mishit spinner Tanvir Islam and was easily caught at backward point for four, to leave the visitors in even more trouble at 46 for four.

All-rounder Rishad Hossain, who finished with 12 wickets and was named Player-of-the-Series, then claimed the scalps of Sherfane Rutherford for 12 and Roston Chase without scoring, to effectively seal the result.

Hosein hit some lusty strokes in his topscore of 27 off 15 balls, before he was last out, bowled by captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz as he tried to hit him out the ground.

Ahmed led the way for Bangladesh with 3-11, Hossain claimed 3-54, Islam took 2-16 and Miraz 2-35.

The death of an elderly man in the coastal town of Marigot in southern Haiti, has been attributed to flooding stemming from Tropical Storm Melissa.

According to Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, the man was killed when a large tree fell on him, while five other people were injured in flooding in the central Artibonite area.

The storm continues to churn in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea on Thursday, bringing a risk of dangerous landslides and life-threatening flooding to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola.

The Miami based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) , in its update at 11:00 (local time), said the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was located near latitude 15.4 North, longitude 74.9 West.

Melissa is moving toward the north-northwest near 2 mph (4 km/h) and a slow northward motion is forecast during the next day or two, followed by a westward turn over the weekend.

On the forecast track, Melissa is expected to move closer to Jamaica and the southwestern portion of Haiti during the next couple of days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts and gradual strengthening is forecast over the next day or so, followed by more rapid intensification this weekend.

Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane in a couple of days and a major hurricane by the end of the weekend.

Meanwhile, in Jamaica, officials said that 881 shelters would be made available as needed. Courts were ordered closed and the light and power company, the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), is activating its Emergency Operations Centre as the island prepares for the impact of Tropical Storm Melissa.

The company says saturated soil from recent rains, coupled with expected heavy rainfall, could lead to flooding and landslides that may damage the power network and cause outages.

The JPS has also mobilized regional support, with the first group of line workers from St. Vincent set to arrive on Thursday, to assist with any necessary restoration efforts.