Category: CANA News

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo says no agreement has been signed with the US-based Curlew Midstream to build a storage facility here, nearly eight months after the Guyana government had announced plans for cheaper fuels by year end.

‘There were some major differences in the terms of the deal,’ Jagdeo told a news conference.

The government had suspended negotiations with several oil and gas sector negotiations until after the September 1 general and regional elections.

The intention was for Curlew Midstream to construct a US$300 million state-of-the-art depot that would have a capacity of 750,000 barrels of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and heavy fuel oil.

Jagdeo told reporters that the Irfaan Ali government would ‘re-engage’ with Curlew Midstream and others to ensure that the deal would benefit the population.

‘We’ll only sign up to an agreement that protects Guyana in the long-term but would yield significant short-term benefits to our country,’ he said, adding that the project had entailed procurement of the fuels through Curlew Midstream and the establishment of a tank farm in Guyana to store more fuel to cut the price of procurement by between 20 to 35 per cent.

‘That’s entirely doable. If we can do that, although we have the lowest gasoline and diesel price in the Caribbean because of the government subsidy, we can get that price even further down, significantly cheaper and that is the essence of the deal,’ Jagdeo said.

He said if government could not secure such terms, it would not sign an agreement.

‘We have our lawyers working on this and we are not going to be very convenient to sign things today that will harm our country 10 years from now, 20 years from now. We are not going to be rushed into signing any agreement,’ Jagdeo said, insisting that the government would do ‘all of the due diligence’ before signing an agreement.

In February, President Ali had said that by the end of this year, Guyana would have been buying cheaper fuels, amounting to about 30,000 barrels per day, from Curlew Midstream.

He said then that the project also envisaged Guyana being a fuel hub for the Caribbean and northern Brazil.

The non-government organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Friday said that as the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, sinks deeper into a crisis marked by violent clashes between armed groups and police forces, there has been an increase in the number of civilian causalities arriving at its facilities.

MSF, also known as Doctors without Borders, said that while nearly two in five Haitians are in urgent need of medical care due to widespread insecurity and violence, 60 to 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince’s health facilities are closed or non-functional for the same reasons.

It said that between January and June 2025, MSF teams assisted 2,600 victims and survivors of sexual violence, admitted 13,300 patients to emergency rooms and treated 2,267 victims of violence.

Among these, 26 per cent were minors, compared to 11 per cent in 2024 with MSF stating that most minors were under the age of 15, and one third were girls. Thirty per cent of all minors admitted for violence-related injuries suffered gunshot wounds.

‘These figures reflect the alarming deterioration of the situation in Haiti, where civilians, including women and children, are increasingly exposed to danger every day,’ says Mumuza Muhindo Musubaho, MSF head of mission in Haiti, adding ‘civilians must be spared by the parties to this conflict’.

MSF said that on September 20, at least 17 wounded people were treated at the MSF hospital in Drouillard following a drone attack carried out the same day in the Cité Soleil neighbourhood.

Among these patients were two men who were already dead on arrival, and another man who died while being transferred, 10 women – one of whom died en route to MSF’s trauma hospital in Tabarre – and three children who tragically did not survive their injuries. Two more women injured in this attack died at the nearby Isaïe Jeanty maternity hospital, where MSF is also working.

‘This violence is occurring in the context of a territorial conflict, with communities directly on the frontlines, trapped between the threat of explosive drones and the brutal violence of armed groups that loot and burn homes, destroy neighbourhoods, terrorise communities, and increasingly use sexual violence as a weapon of control, punishment, and extortion,’ MSF said.

It said on average, about 18 per cent of patients followed through MSF’s general healthcare project in neighbourhoods controlled by armed groups report that they avoid using public transportation to reach medical facilities outside these areas, fearing they might be targeted.

MSF said that the restricted movement of residents, combined with the widespread closure of hospitals since 2024 due to armed attacks, looting, the exodus of medical staff, and difficulties in supplying medicines, has drastically reduced and centralised the availability of healthcare, leaving a large share of people without access to vital services.

It said that this situation also places extreme pressure on the facilities that remain operational, notably MSF’s trauma hospital in Tabarre, which has increased its bed capacity by 50 per cent, with 26 per cent of trauma cases linked to violence.

Only one major public hospital is still functioning in the capital, Hôpital universitaire de la Paix, and it is regularly overwhelmed.

‘This devastating context fuels a profound sense of abandonment among Haitians. And, it must be said, the severe decline in healthcare availability – a crisis within the crisis – also leaves the few remaining humanitarian and medical actors with the impression of being overwhelmed by ever-growing needs,’ Musubaho said.

MSF said it remains fully committed to supporting the people of Haiti and is working closely with the Ministry of Public Health and Population, adding ‘it is imperative that civilians, healthcare workers, and medical facilities be protected’.

The chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Special Ministerial Task force on Food Production and Food Security (MTF),Zulfikar Mustapha, says the first phase of the CARICOM’s Agri-Food Systems Strategy, has clearly demonstrated what the region can achieve when working together to achieve a common goal.

The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), Ministers of Agriculture from across the Caribbean have endorsed the ’25 by 2025 + 5′ Implementation Plan which forms part of CARICOM’s Agri-Food Systems Strategy commonly known as the Vision 25 by 2025 Initiative.

Mustapha told the gathering of regional officials that despite the challenges of climate change, rising input costs, and global market shocks, CARICOM countries have recorded significant progress.

‘At the regional level, the data shows, there has been increasingly stronger growth year-on-year for the achievement rate of our production targets we had set ourselves for 2025 , in 2022, the region’s achievement rate was 57 percent, in 2023 it was 70 per cent and 2024 it was 82 per cent, giving an overall growth in production of 23.1 per cent between 2022 to 2024’

He said accelerated production growth has been achieved with 8.9 per cent and 13 per cent registered between 2022 -2023 and 2023 – 2024 respectively.

Mustapha also said the extension of the initiative to 2030 gives the region an opportunity to consolidate its gains, scale up production, and deepen regional cooperation, noting that under 25 by 2025+5, ‘we are collectively targeting 4.3 million tonnes of regional food production by 2030.

‘This planned sustained expansion in regional production, will directly contribute to the region’s programme of reducing the regional food import bill, scaling up capacity for tapping in to intra-regional trade opportunities, and improving technical cooperation across CARICOM.’

The Guyana Agriculture Minister urged member states to recognise that the success of the initiative was heavily dependent on meaningful partnerships as well as the removal of barriers to intra-regional trade and the strengthening of other systems and providing meaningful support for food producers.

‘For Guyana, we are fully committed to playing a leading role. Our national targets for 2030 include more than one million tonnes of rice, nearly half a million tonnes of vegetables, 300,000 tonnes of coconut, and over 100,000 tonnes of poultry. We are also scaling up production of corn, soy, root crops, ginger, turmeric, fruits, honey, and fisheries.

‘These targets are ambitious, but they reflect our determination to ensure that Guyana serves as a reliable hub for regional food supply, processing, and distribution. At the same time, we recognize that success will depend on partnerships.

‘We must continue to engage the regional private sector, international partners, and the diplomatic community to mobilize investment, unlock new markets, and build the technical capacity of our farmers and agri-businesses. Just as important is the removal of barriers to intra-regional trade, the strengthening of our transport and logistics systems, and the provision of financing and fiscal support to our producers,’ he said.

The meeting noted that while import volumes have reduced, global prices have increased, adding that the strategy should be revised to reflect regional and global realities.

The Agri-Food Systems Strategy, primarily implemented to reduce the region’s food import by 25 per cent by the end of 2025 by giving special attention to priority crops and products such as poultry, corn, soya, meat such as goat, sheep, and beef, rice and niche vegetables which are highly imported products in the region was extended to 2030 after several countries’ agriculture sectors were affected by natural disasters.

The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) is appealing to Belizeans to curb various acts of violence here, saying ‘we are increasingly confronted with the painful reality of interpersonal violence in our streets, homes and communities.and sometimes even at our hospital doors.

‘Hospitals are meant to be places of healing. Yet, too often, we are forced to act as the final battleground where the consequences of violence arrive in blood, trauma and death especially experienced over this past week. No amount of medical skill can fully mend the physical and emotional scars caused by inter-personal violence,’ the KHMH said in a statement.

It said that as the national referral hospital for Belize its doctors, nurses, and staff dedicate themselves every day to saving lives, comforting families, and restoring health.

‘In the aftermath of violence .we see the broken bodies, torn by bullets, knives, and fists. We see the pain and suffering on the faces of families waiting anxiously and in fear for news of a loved one in our operating theaters. We see the toll it takes on our doctors, nurses, Security personnel and staff who fight to preserve life against overwhelming odds.’

The hospital said every bullet fired and stab wound creates ‘indiscriminate ripples that extend far beyond its target to families, health workers, police officers and the nation as a whole.

‘Together, we must address the roots of violence and protect life. We call on every member of the public to join us in doing their part in being a part of the solution to this violence plaguing our community.

‘Violence does not solve problems. It tears communities and families apart, endangers children, traumatizes survivors, and overwhelms our health systems. We make this urgent appeal,’ the KHMH said.

‘Help us keep the national referral hospital a place of healing, not fear. Together, Belize can curb interpersonal violence. Together, we can build a safer, healthier, and more hopeful nation,’ it added.

The statement by the hospital comes as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country continues to register various cats of violent crimes, with a 28-year-old man being the latest fatality, while a toddler and two other men remain hospitalised, following a shooting incident in the capital.

Gun violence has gripped the area over the last seven days, leading to multiple deaths and injuries. Police said in the latest incident, a gunman fired upon a group of people who were socialising in front of an apartment building, killing Dane Gillett and injuring Antuan Rivero, 26, and 28 -year-old Francis Nolberto. A woman sitting outside with her two-year-old nephew watched in horror as the child was struck by a single bullet in the back.

During the first six months of this year, Belize recorded 41 murders compared to 58 in 2024.

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Friday, October 3, 2025.

GEORGETOWN – Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has dismissed reports that Guyana is facing a foreign exchange crisis, saying that the recent increase in demand for United States dollars is largely linked to massive capital projects being executed in the oil-rich country.

BELMOPAN – The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) is appealing to Belizeans to curb various acts of violence here, saying ‘we are increasingly confronted with the painful reality of interpersonal violence in our streets, homes and communities.and sometimes even at our hospital doors.

BRIDGETOWN – Barbados and Dominica have signed a landmark agreement to collaborate on promoting their tourism products and offering enhanced multi-destination packages.

NASSAU -The leader of the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM), Michael Pintard, is calling on Prime Minister Philip to announce a date for the general election rather than hold a by-election to replace the Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Vaughn Miller, who died last weekend.

GEORGETOWN – The chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Special Ministerial Task force on Food Production and Food Security (MTF),Zulfikar Mustapha, says the first phase of the CARICOM’s Agri-Food Systems Strategy, has clearly demonstrated what the region can achieve when working together to achieve a common goal.

SPORTS:

AHMEDABAD – Centuries by Dhruv Jurel, Ravendra Jadeja and KL Rahul, have left West Indies with a herculean task if they are to avoid a heavy defeat against India in the opening Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Barbados and Dominica have signed a landmark agreement to collaborate on promoting their tourism products and offering enhanced multi-destination packages.

The partnership was signed at the on going State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) between the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) promoting sustainable tourism, and developing new vacation experiences for travellers.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishes a joint framework for cooperation, focusing on marketing, knowledge exchange, and enhancing visitor experiences across both destinations.

Tourism officials say this collaboration is especially timely as the Caribbean continues to attract travellers from Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Latin America seeking diverse and enriching experiences.

BTMI chief executive officer, Andrea Franklin, and the DDA counterpart, Marva Williams, signed on behalf of their organisations with Franklin acknowledging Barbados’ reputation as a tourism leader, stressing that the MOU would be mutually beneficial, emphasising the need for creative collaboration and regional unity.

‘Dominica may see Barbados as a tourism ‘grandparent,’ but there’s so much we can learn from each other. Barbados is proud to be the premier home port cruising destination in the region, and we see this as an opportunity to attract more business to neighbouring islands as well,’ Franklin said.

She said that the MOU serves as a stepping stone and could open doors to similar agreements with other islands.

‘When it comes to attracting airlift to the region, it’s vital that we stop viewing ourselves as individual countries competing for flights. Instead, we must work together to bring more airlift into the Caribbean. If Barbados serves as the hub, we should channel that connectivity to our sister islands, like Dominica, ensuring all destinations benefit.

‘Our teams will meet to strategise on marketing and to engage airlines and cruise lines, ensuring we maximise the benefits of this partnership. We’re especially excited to collaborate in areas such as sports, eco-tourism, and sustainable tourism, all of which are essential to the future of Caribbean travel ‘ Franklin said.

Williams in her remarks, underscored the value in leveraging the already strong relationship between the nations. They intend to ensure it benefits both destinations financially.

‘This collaboration is part of a larger conversation, and we look forward to learning from Barbados, which will help build greater awareness and create a ripple effect on the GDP and economic opportunities for both our countries,’ Williams said.

‘We all have unique attributes to offer, and this partnership isn’t just about tourism; it’s about exploring opportunities in other industries, such as manufacturing, that can benefit both nations. Improving air access is essential so that our people can move around the Caribbean efficiently and effectively,’ she added.

The key areas of collaboration outlined in the agreement include, curating and promoting multi-destination tourism packages that highlight the unique cultural, eco-tourism, adventure, and wellness offerings of Barbados and Dominica as well as supporting the development of air and cruise connections to facilitate seamless travel between islands.

In addition, the MOU allows for coordinating media exchanges, media familiarisation tours, joint training, and public relations events to raise the profile of both destinations globally and sharing aring expertise in sustainable tourism and product enhancement to ensure lasting benefits for local communities and the environment.

Historically, Caribbean nations have recognised the value of working together to attract long-haul visitors, allowing travellers to experience the region’s diversity in a single trip.

The BTMI’s Director (Caribbean) Graham Clarke said that the new MOU builds on this tradition.

‘Today’s global travellers are seeking value-added experiences and deeper engagement with local communities. This collaboration with the Nature Isle adds a unique dimension to the Barbados tourism product, and we believe Dominica will benefit in the same way. We’re excited for what this partnership means, not just for our tourism sectors, but for visitors, who will enjoy richer, more meaningful experiences across both destinations,’ Clarke said.

A joint working group will oversee the implementation of the MOU, with biannual progress reviews and the development of a detailed action plan to ensure the partnership achieves its objectives.

Both parties have agreed that each will bear its own implementation costs, with joint initiatives subject to separate funding agreements as needed.

A 24-year-old British man will return to court on October 16, after appearing in court charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, attempting to export cocaine, and conspiracy to export cocaine.

The court heard that Isun Shaka Haywood, a delivery driver of a London address, was held at the Norman Manley airport in Kingston on August 4, after the alleged drugs were found in his suitcase.

He was denied bail when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

The prosecution alleges that Haywood arrived at the Norman Manley International to board an outgoing flight to Toronto, Canada. But he was interviewed by the police and his suitcase was subsequently searched.

The state alleges that several rectangular packages containing a white powdery substance resembling cocaine were found and that the British nationals was arrested on suspicion of breaches of the Dangerous Drug Act.

The parcels, which weighed 10 pounds 6.21 ounces, were seized and taken to the government’s forensic lab for analysis. Tests reveal that the substance was cocaine

Scoreboard of the second day of the first Test between India and West Indies here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.

WEST INDIES 1st innings 162

INDIA 1st innings

(overnight 121 for two)

Yashasvi Jaiswal c +Hope b Seales 36

KL Rahul c Greaves b Chase 100

Sai Sudharsan lbw b Chase 7

*Shubman Gill c Greaves b Chase 50

+Dhruv Jurel c +Hope b Pierre 125

Ravindra Jadeja not out 104

Washington Sundar not out 9

Extras (b12, lb3, nb1, w1) 17

TOTAL (five wickets; 128 overs) 448

Yet to bat: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Fall of wickets: 1-68, 2-90, 3-188, 4-218, 5-424.

Bowling: Seales 19-2-53-1, Layne 15-0-38-0, Greaves 12-4-59-0, Warrican 29-5-102-1, Pierre 29-1-91-1, Chase 24-3-90-2.

Toss: West Indies elected to bat after winning the toss.

Position: India lead West Indies by 286 runs with five wickets remaining.

Umpires: Alex Wharf, Richard Illingworth.

TV Umpire: Paul Reiffel.

Reserve Umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal.

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$160 million loan to support The Bahamas in enhancing its disaster-risk management.

The Washington-based financial institution said that the funding is the second loan in a series of two with the first, approved in 2023, which focused on establishing the legal structure for disaster-risk management.

It led to the passage of the Disaster Risk Management Act.

The second loan will allow The Bahamas to design and adopt the core policy instruments created by that law, such as national standards for humanitarian assistance, a comprehensive financial strategy for disaster management, and reference parameters for disaster management.

It will also enable the Bahamian authorities to better identify and reduce risks and improve disaster preparedness and recovery planning.

Under the programme, the Bahamian authorities plan to create an information system based on past disasters and projected scenarios to improve risk informed decision making and preparedness.

Additionally, the programme will train public officials in risk assessment to ensure that disaster resilience is progressively integrated into new public infrastructure.

The Bahamas is among the countries in the region most exposed to natural disasters. In the last 25 years, it has experienced 15 major events, mostly hurricanes.

The IDB said that the programme will benefit the approximately 390,000 residents across all the islands of The Bahamas, which are exposed to the effects of tropical storms and hurricanes.

The IDB loan has a 20-year repayment term, a 5.5-year grace period, and an interest rate based on the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR).

India reached 218 for three, an overall lead of 56 runs, against West Indies at lunch on the second day of the first Test here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.

Scores

WEST INDIES 162.

INDIA 218-3 in 67 overs (KL Rahul 100 not out, Shubman Gill 50, Yashasvi Jaiswal 36, Dhruv Jurel 14 not out; Roston Chase 2-37).