Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Haiti Tuesday welcomed the decision of the United Nations Security Council to back a resolution authorising the transition of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission for Haiti into a new Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

The resolution was moved by the United States and Panama and by a vote of 12 in favour to none against, with three abstentions, namely China, Pakistan and the Russian Federation), the Council adopted the text as resolution 2793.

Haiti’s representative at the UN Security Council, Ericq Pierre

Through the resolution, the Council authorised member states to transition the MSS mission to the GSF for an initial period of 12 months and among other terms, the Security Council has decided that the GSF shall have an authorised personnel ceiling of 5,550, consisting of 5,500 uniformed personnel, comprised of both military and police and 50 civilians.

US Ambassador Michael Waltz said the resolution, undertaken in close collaboration with the Haitian authorities, offered new hope for the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country where criminal gangs have been seeking to overthrow the provisional government since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021.

Waltz said that the resolution is ‘a key first step’ to address the humanitarian and security crisis there, while Panama said ‘today we say to Haiti, once and for all, you are not alone.

‘The result today allows us to have the necessary reconfiguration on the ground in order to face the gangs and, therefore, address the insecurity situation in the country’.

Panama said that the Haitian people ‘cannot wait any longer’ adding ‘we are convinced that, with this initiative, the Security Council , on this occasion, is complying with its role as expressed in the UN Charter.’

Haiti’s representative Ericq Pierre said today’s decision to transform the MSS to the GSF ‘marks a decisive turning point in my country’s fight against one of the most serious challenges in its already turbulent history’.

Pierre said that while the MSS mission has been ‘a valuable support and a strong signal of international solidarity’ he noted that ‘the reality on the ground has reminded us that the scale and sophistication of the threat far exceeds the mandate initially granted to this mission’.

He said today as the Security Council grants a stronger, more offensive and more operational mandate it ‘is giving the international community the means to respond to the gravity of the situation in Haiti’.

Speaking on behalf of the 15-member CARICOM grouping of which Haiti is a part, the Barbados representative said the critical objectives for Haiti can only be achieved if security is restored.

‘In this regard, we wholeheartedly welcome the Security Council’s adoption today of this resolution as a fundamental step that responds to the urgency of the security situation in Haiti,’ the Barbadian diplomat said, adding ‘CARICOM in particular welcomes the timely transition of the Multinational Security Support mission to a Gang Suppression Force with a UN authorised mandate to bring an immediate end to violence and restore public safety in Haiti’.

CARICOM is also supporting the UN Support Office in Haiti ‘to provide the necessary logistical and administrative support for this robust force’.

Guyana’s ambassador to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, speaking on behalf of her country as well as for Algeria, Sierra Leone and Somalia, said even though there was not sufficient time to consult ‘we approached the process with our foremost responsibility to the Haitian people, whose lives and livelihoods are directly impacted by the dire security crisis in the country.

Guyana’s ambassador to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

‘We placed utmost priority on ensuring that there were adequate safeguards for the protection of human rights, including the rights of children, who comprise 50 per cent of gang membership.

‘Secondly, we also recognise our obligation to support and strengthen the efforts of Kenya, Barbados, The Bahamas, El Salvador, Guatemala and Jamaica as well as the other countries supporting the MSS mission,’ the Guyanese diplomat said.

Russia said that unfortunately, the tools of international assistance to Haiti pushed through the UN Security Council have failed to produce any sustainable results,, noting ‘and we have every reason to believe that this new mission, under yet another grand title, will meet the same fate’.

Russia said that no proper assessment of the efficacy, successes or failures of the MSS had been conducted, ‘instead, the Council is now being presented with a new idea, to create a mission independent of national and international oversight, with a virtually unrestricted mandate to use force against anyone and everyone labelled with the vague term ‘gangs’.

‘Do you not understand that ill-conceived and rushed steps may lead to outcomes that are completely contrary to our goals?,’ Russia asked.

Bermudians were being urged to closely monitor the passage of two hurricanes that could begin affecting the British Overseas Territory later on Tuesday.

The Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) said that Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda were on track to pass ‘over or very near the island late Wednesday night into Thursday morning’.

National Security Minister, Michael Weeks, said the island faces ‘a serious week of weather’ between the two storms, adding ‘I strongly urge the public to prepare, stay vigilant and follow official updates from the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS).

‘These storms must be taken seriously, and I encourage all residents to make safety their priority and start preparations today.’

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that the center of Hurricane Humberto was located near latitude 31.6 North, longitude 69.4 West and it is moving toward the north-northwest near 17 miles per hour (mph). It is located 275 miles west of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour (mph).

‘A turn to the north is expected today, followed by a much faster northeast or east-northeast motion on Wednesday and Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Humberto will pass west of, and then north of Bermuda today and Wednesday.’

The NHC said that continued weakening is forecast, with Humberto expected to become a strong extratropical system on Wednesday.

Regarding Hurricane Imelda, the NHC said that it is 755 miles west south west of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.

It said that a Hurricane Watch is in effect for the island and that Imelda is moving toward the northeast near seven mph.

‘This general motion is expected through today, followed by a turn towards the east-northeast at a faster forward speed by tonight. On the forecast track, the center of the system should move away from the Bahamas today and quickly be approaching Bermuda late on Wednesday.’

The NHC said that the storm should gain strength during the next 48 hours.

Meanwhile, the EMO said that there were no plans to close the LF Wade International Airport and that while no flights had been cancelled, passengers were advised to check directly with their airlines.

Government offices and public schools were to run as normal for the next 24 hours, and there was no plan to activate an emergency shelter.

Two cruise ships, the Liberty of the Seas and the Norwegian Aqua, have already cancelled scheduled calls.

‘Bermuda has been through hurricanes before, and we know preparation saves lives and property. Please use this time to secure your homes, check on your neighbours and ensure you have the essentials you need,’ Weeks said.

Haiti Tuesday welcomed the decision of the United Nations Security Council to back a resolution authorising the transition of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission for Haiti into a new Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

The resolution was moved by the United States and Panama and by a vote of 12 in favour to none against, with three abstentions, namely China, Pakistan and the Russian Federation), the Council adopted the text as resolution 2793.

Through the resolution, the Council authorised member states to transition the MSS mission to the GSF for an initial period of 12 months and among other terms, the Security Council has decided that the GSF shall have an authorised personnel ceiling of 5,550, consisting of 5,500 uniformed personnel, comprised of both military and police and 50 civilians.

US Ambassador Michael Waltz said the resolution, undertaken in close collaboration with the Haitian authorities, offered new hope for the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country where criminal gangs have been seeking to overthrow the provisional government since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021.

The Central Bank of the Bahamas (CBB) says preliminary indicators are that the domestic economy grew at a moderated paced up through the month August, relative to the year earlier, as performance indicators continued to trend closer to their expected medium-term potential.

‘Notably, tourism output rose at a slower pace, as a result of more constrained activity in the high value-added stopover segment, although the cruise sector earning growth remained buoyant,’ the CBB said in the publication of its Monthly Economic and Financial Developments (MEFD) August 2025 report.

It said the unemployment rate increased for the first quarter of 2025, vis-à-vis the final quarter of 2024, owing in part to a decrease in employed persons, and a rise in the labour force participation rate.

The CBB said that monetary trends for August were marked by a contraction in banking sector liquidity, as the growth in domestic credit outpaced the rise in the deposit base. Further, external reserves decreased, underpinned by net foreign currency outflows through both the public and private sectors.

The Central Bank said that indications are that growth in tourism sector earnings slowed in comparison to 2024, owing to accommodation capacity constraints in the stopover segment. ‘Nonetheless, the cruise segment continued to register year-to-date robust gains and attract foreign investments in the development of onshore private destinations, despite a slowdown in the month of July.’

Official data provided by the Ministry of Tourism showed that for the month of July, total arrivals decreased by 3.3 per cent to 1.1 million visitors, vis-à-vis the same 2024 period. Specifically, sea passengers reduced by 3.8 per cent to 0.9 million. In addition, air traffic declined by 0.9 per cent to 0.2 million.

The CBB said that recent data from the Nassau Airport Development Company Limited (NAD) revealed that total departures, reduced by three per cent to 150,366 in August, relative to the same period last year.

In particular, US departures declined by 5.1 per cent to 130,911. In an offset, non-US departures rose by 14.5 per cent to 19,455.

The CBB said that in the short-term vacation rental market, data provided by AirDNA indicated that in August, total room nights sold rose by one per cent to 55,790.

‘However, given increased inventories, the occupancy rates for both entire place and hotel comparable listings declined to 36.9 per cent and 37. per cent, respectively, from 38.8 per cent and 42.1 per cent in the previous year.

‘The average daily room rate (ADR) for entire place listings increased by 11.8 per cent to US$510.78, compared to the prior year. Likewise, the average daily room rate (ADR) for hotel comparable listings moved higher by 1.1 per cen to US$173.47, relative to the comparative 2024 period.’

The CBB said that based on provisional quarterly estimates compiled by the Bahamas National Statistical Institute, labour market conditions deteriorated over the first quarter of 2025 as against the final quarter of 2024, owing in part to a rise in the number of unemployed persons, and a hike in the labour force participation rate.

In particular, the number of employed persons decreased to 214,725 in the first three months of 2025, relative to 218,240 in previous quarter, although marginally higher than the 213,585 persons recorded in the first quarter of 2024.

‘Correspondingly, the unemployment rate rose to 10.8 per cent in the first quarter from nine per cent in the prior quarter, and 8.7 per cent in the comparable period of 2024. Further, the youth unemployment rate increased by 2.9 percentage points to 20.9 per cent in the review quarter, as compared to same quarter of the preceding year.’

In August, the reduction in external reserves moderated to US$74.7 million from the US$92.4 million in the previous year, for an ending balance of US$2,888 million.

The CBB said underlying this outturn, the Central Bank’s net sale to commercial banks tapered to US$52.3 million, from US$75.4 million a year earlier. Similarly, commercial banks’ net foreign currency outflow to their customers declined to US$53.9 million, from US$85.8 million in the same period of 2024.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank’s net foreign currency outflow to the public sector widened to US$31.4 million, from US$23.9 million in the preceding year.

The Central Bank said that as economic indicators converge closer to their medium-term growth potential, the domestic economy is forecasted to expand at a slower pace in 2025, compared to 2024, mainly in line with tourism sector performance.

‘Notably, performance in the stopover segment-which is partially linked to movements in the US-sourced market-is expected to register moderated gains, against the backdrop of accommodation constraints and more subdued consumer confidence in the US. However, the cruise sector is expected to sustain robust growth-albeit a less dominant weight in earnings estimates.

‘Further, new and ongoing foreign investment projects, with a significant focus on onshore cruise attractions, are expected to provide impetus to the construction sector. Notwithstanding this, downside risks to the outlook have risen, due to increased tariffs on international trade, and uncertainties related to the major economies’ trade policies, which have the potential to slow tourism demand, and constrain global growth.’

The CBB said that other exogenous risks to the outlook remain relevant, including the direct and indirect effects of heightened geopolitical tensions and elevated global oil prices.

With the highly anticipated Test series against India on the horizon, West Indies vice-captain Jomel Warrican has expressed a quiet confidence in his team’s preparations, emphasising a focus on the present moment and the hard work being put in on the training grounds in Ahmedabad.

West Indies vice-captain Jomel Warrican

The Caribbean squad has been acclimatising for the past couple of days, and Warrican, a left-arm spinner who could play a pivotal role in the subcontinental conditions, believes the intensive camp has been beneficial.

‘It’s given us a lot of confidence, me as a left-arm spinner,’ Warrican stated.

While he acknowledged the past success of left-arm spinners against the Indian batting line-up, he was quick to dismiss any notion of relying on history.

‘It’s impressive that left-arm spinners have done well against India, but at the same time, you can’t live too much in the past. You have to be in the present and just focus on the job at hand.’

The team’s preparation has been thorough, featuring two demanding all-day sessions designed to simulate the rigours of a Test match. According to Warrican, every department is being fine-tuned.

‘The batsmen have been doing a lot of drills, whether it be sweeping, playing off the back foot, for our defensive or lofty shot, just backing the game plan,’ he explained.

The bowlers, too, are leaving no stone unturned. ‘The spinners or the pacers, or should I say the bowlers, have been hitting their lengths on target very consistently, doing a lot of spot bowling as well, and then taking that into bowling against the batsmen.’

Underpinning the intense physical work is a clear mental philosophy instilled by the coaching staff. The message is to play with freedom and enjoyment.

‘The coaches have really instilled in us to be free and back your game plans and enjoy your cricket,’ Warrican shared. ‘Any time you step on a field, don’t be tense. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just try and enjoy the moment and live in the moment. Just have some fun while you’re playing, but still be aware of what’s happening around you.’

The Belize government is moving ahead with the establishment of a gun and gang court with Home Affairs Minister, Kareem Musa, saying that the acts of gun violence that occurred over the last weekend ‘are unacceptable’.

‘First, I extend my sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones over the weekend. We grieve with you, and we are committed to holding those responsible accountable.

Home Affairs Minister, Kareen Musa

‘The events of this weekend reinforce what we already know. Belize needs a dedicated response to the crisis of gun and gang violence. That is why our government has advanced the amendment to create a specialized gun and gang court,’ Musa said.

He said that the court is designed to process gun-related and gang-related cases ‘swiftly, firmly, and within the law.

‘Once passed, we intend to increase the penalties for first-time offenders from five years to 10 years. And for second-time offenders, that penalty will extend from 15 to 20 years. The court will focus solely on these matters, removing them from an already overburdened magistracy,’ Musa said.

Police said among those killed over the last wekend were 25-year-old Gaston Barrow, who was killed in an ambush that left another man, Hance Card, seriously injured, while two women escaped unharmed. Forty-three-year-old Moses Almendarez was also gunned down and 34-year Keyon Cleland was stabbed during a dispute with a store owner

Acting Commissioner of Police, Bart Jones, told reporters that the preliminary investigations into the more than half a dozen shootings, including near a school, that led to multiple fatalities, were gang related.

Jones in offering his condolences to families that lost loved ones because of the violent acts, warned criminals that the law will come down hard and is assuring the public that officers will respect the rights of law-abiding citizens.

‘I want to express the departments concerns to the many family or Belizeans who may have been or still shaken by the level of violence that occurred within their respective communities. This is something that the department cannot countenance and we will put decisive action to address this situation,’ Jones told a news conference.

‘As we are meeting now, we have commanders in the next room. We are meeting to strategise on how we are going to arrest this situation. We are going to see in the coming days targeted intelligence-led operation combined with our efforts with the Leadership Intervention Unit to try and mitigate or immediate some of the actions or the causes of some of these violence in the streets.’

Jones said that the police will also be looking at the investigative files as it relates to the gang offenses to see if charges can be preferred against some of these gang leaders who law enforcement believe ‘are behind this senseless violence.

‘The department will not stand to and allow citizen security to be further eroded and we will certainly, as I said, take decisive actions to address the situation. We, aforehand, want to beg on the public’s patience and support because some of our actions may to some degree impact on the lives of law-abiding citizens in terms of our checkpoints, in terms of our searches, but we will at best try to minimize the lessening effects of the non-participating public in this kind of acts of violence.

‘To the criminals, we say that we will be decipher after you with maintaining the, within the confines of the law, of course. And so we want you to remember as well that these acts of violence does not also put your family at risk because the risk of retaliation. So if you think about taking up the gun, you have to remember as well that your families can be impacted by the violence in retaliation.’

But Jones said he does not think that time has come as yet for a sate of emergency (SoE) to be declared in Belize.

‘Well, the issue of SOE, while many may think that it is the, from the department, the department does not do SoE proclamations. And so we will continue to do what we are doing and improve where we can.

‘As it is often said, the greatest room is the room for improvement. So we’ll be improving where we can to address the situation. The matter of SOE, if and when that comes, then we will deal with that accordingly.’

Jones said that having spoken to the commanders and other stakeholders ‘I am firm of the view that we are not there yet in terms of an SOE. So we will try to see what we can do to arrest the situation’.

The President of the Grenada Union of Teachers (GUT), Jude Bartholomew, is urging the government to resume the payment of allowances that were removed from principals of both primary and secondary schools after the government enforced the latest collective bargain for teachers.

‘The Grenada Union of Teachers in the last negotiating cycle, we negotiated a benefit for principals, nobody wanted to be principal because principals were the lowest paid, the pay was even lower than teachers who were in the system,’ Bartholomew told a news conference.

GUT president Jude Bartholomew

‘We successfully negotiated to bring up the pay and grade of principals, the primary schools principals from H to I and secondary schools principals from I to J and what the principals are saying, even while they receive payment of the new grade, somehow in the Ministry of Education have gotten rid of the allowances,’ he added.

‘The principals are saying it is unjust, it’s unfair,’ said Bartholomew who recommended that the government restore the allowances in recognition of World Teachers Day which will be commemorated globally on October 5.

He said besides resuming the payment of allowances to principals, the union also wants the teachers who are acting as principals to receive some form of payment for their service to the education system.

Bartholomew called on the government to pay the seniority allowance to teachers who complete teachers colleges. He said that payment has been in a collective agreement clause over the years and administrations have failed to make this payment to those who qualify for it.

‘Only one set of people who received that, once you finish college as a qualified teacher and you pass three appraisals you should be receiving the seniority allowance and it has not been paid across administrations.it should not stop until Government has a new pay and grade for teachers,’ he said.

West Indies elected to bowl after winning the toss against Nepal in the third T20I of the Unity Cup here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

WEST INDIES Playing XI:

Kyle Mayers, Karima Gore, Ackeem Auguste, Keacy Carty, Amir Jangoo (wk), Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Akeal Hosein (Capt), Navin Bidaisee, Jediah Blades, Ramon Simmonds

Simmonds and Gore replace Zishan Motara and Jewel Andrew

Debuts: Karima Gore

NEPAL Playing XI:

Rohit Paudel (Capt), Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Gulsan Jha, Lokesh Bam (wk), Mohammad Aadil Alam, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Shahab Alam

Umpires: Buddhi Pradhan, Vinay Kumar

TV Umpire: Akbat Ali

Reserve Umpire: Durga Subedi

Match Referee: Narayanan Kutty

The World Bank Tuesday said it has approved a new project to reduce flood risk in St. Lucia’s most vulnerable communities.

The Washington-based financial institution said that the US$25 million St. Lucia Urban Resilient Flood Investment Project is expected to benefit an estimated 67,000 St. Lucians.

The bank’s International Development Association (IDA), which provides grants and zero to low-interest loans to help countries finance projects that support economic growth, reduce inequalities and improve living conditions, is funding the project.

The World Bank said St. Lucia faces serious risks from hurricanes, storm surges and heavy rainfall and that the country’s steep terrain and densely populated coastal areas make flooding a major concern, particularly as climate change leads to more intense and frequent storms.

It said flood risk is highest in St. Lucia’s low-lying coastal zones, where nearly 60 per cent of the population live and where key infrastructure like airports, the seaport and major roads are located. Castries, the capital, and Anse La Raye, a fishing village, are especially vulnerable to flooding.

‘This project equips St. Lucia with the tools it needs to better manage and reduce the risks of flooding,’ said Lilia Burunciuc, the World Bank’s Director for the Caribbean.

‘By strengthening disaster preparedness and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, Saint Lucia is taking important steps to safeguard its people, economy and vital assets from the growing impacts of climate change,’ she added.

The project aims to reduce flood risk in selected areas and strengthen the government’s ability to manage climate-related risks. Importantly, it will focus on Castries, Anse La Raye and their river basins.

‘Infrastructure investments in Castries and Anse La Raye aim to enhance resilience to flooding and climate hazards. Rather than relying solely on traditional engineering solutions like drainage improvements and flood walls, the approach also incorporates nature-based measures such as green corridors and river restoration.

‘Project investments are designed to establish economic opportunities which enable job creation. By the end of the project, 66,400 people are expected to benefit from climate-resilient infrastructure and improved government capacity for managing climate-related risks.’

The World Bank said that the project will also seek to improve the government’s capacity to manage climate impacts, support engineering designs for flood mitigation and enhancing early warning systems and community coordination.

Preparation for this project benefited from financial support from the European Union, the frame of the EU Resilient Caribbean (EUReCa) Programme, which is managed by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). This reflects a broader international partnership to build resilience across the Caribbean.