Home Blog Page 100

Caribbean countries boosted in push for climate loss and damage funding

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Caribbean countries boosted in push for climate loss and damage funding

Caribbean countries are now better positioned to access millions of dollars in climate grant financing aimed at strengthening resilience and addressing losses and damages caused by climate-related disasters.

The development follows a regional workshop hosted by the Caribbean Development Bank and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage in Barbados earlier this week.

The two-day workshop brought together government representatives and national focal points from 15 Caribbean countries eligible to access funding under the Barbados Implementation Modalities, a pilot US$250 million grant facility with a submission deadline of June 15.

President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Daniel Best, said the region continues to face severe setbacks from hurricanes including Maria, Irma, Dorian, Beryl and Melissa, with damages in some cases exceeding national GDP.

Best stressed that the region must now focus on developing “bankable and scalable investment pipelines” to reduce future losses and strengthen resilience.

The Caribbean faces an estimated US$14 billion annually in climate financing needs. Organizers said the workshop provided countries with practical guidance to prepare high-quality funding proposals ahead of the June deadline.

Participating countries included Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Dominican Republic and Cuba.

Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, said the Caribbean continues to bear a disproportionate burden from climate change despite contributing minimally to global emissions.

He said the Barbados Implementation Modalities provide a direct pathway for countries to access climate financing and support recovery and resilience-building efforts.

Regional agencies including the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility and Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency also participated in the workshop.

The Caribbean Development Bank said the initiative supports its Strategic Plan 2026–2035, which prioritizes climate resilience and expanded access to climate financing across the region. (CMC)

Xi takes Trump on tour of Communist Party’s seat of power in Beijing

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Xi takes Trump on tour of Communist Party’s seat of power in Beijing

US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing ended with a tour of Zhongnanhai, the exclusive, heavily guarded 14th Century compound where top Chinese leaders live and work.

Xi leading him on the tour was yet another moment for the cameras in a two-day trip heavy on pageantry but scant on details about policy agreed by both sides.

The much-anticipated summit between the superpowers follows tensions over trade and the Iran war, but both leaders seemed conciliatory, with Trump calling his visit “incredible”.

Xi described it as a “new bilateral relationship” and promised to send Trump seeds of the Chinese roses they admired during their stroll, to which Trump replied: “I love that, it’s great.”

Zhongnanhai, located about 20km east of Tiananmen Square, is widely regarded as China’s White House.

Once used as a secondary residence for Chinese emperors, the compound is prized for its lakes and manicured gardens. It became the seat of power for China’s Communist government in 1949.

Today it is one of the most politically significant landmarks in Beijing, and an invitation to it for foreign dignitaries is often seen as an honor and a sign of closeness.

When Trump asked about other foreign leaders who had been inside the compound, Xi said it’s “extremely rare”, before adding that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had been there. Belarus’s president Alexander Lukashenko also visited Zhongnanhai last year.

US presidents have previously visited the compound too, including Barack Obama, George W Bush and Richard Nixon during his historic 1972 trip.

During Trump’s tour on Friday, he paused to admire “the most beautiful roses anyone has ever seen” and trees, which Xi said were 200 to 400 years old.

“They live that long?” Trump asked. “Yes, there are also 1,000-year-old trees in other places,” Xi replied.

Hours before their walk in Zhongnanhai, Fox News aired a pre-recorded interview with Trump, in which he praised Xi as “warm” and “very smart”.

Xi had pledged not to provide Iran with military weapons, Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity.

“But at the same time, he said they buy a lot of their oil there, and they’d like to keep doing that,” Trump added. “He’d like to see Hormuz Strait open.”

While Chinese authorities have not commented on Trump’s claims, its foreign ministry released a statement saying Beijing has been working tirelessly to help end the conflict – an acknowledgement that officials are working behind the scenes to nudge Iran toward the negotiating table.

China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil and the country’s biggest trade partner. So the Trump administration had hoped Xi would use this economic and political leverage to nudge Tehran towards the negotiating table.

Despite the fragile trade truce on the agenda, Iran emerged as a more pressing matter in recent months. But Trump told Fox News that the trade talks had gone “better than last time”.

He also said the business leaders he had brought along to Beijing were there to “make deals” and “bring back jobs”.

Trump said China had agreed to buy US oil, 200 Boeing jets and “a lot of our farm product” – though later on Friday China’s foreign ministry sidestepped questions about agricultural deals and the Boeing purchases.

China has emphasised what it calls “a series of new consensuses” but it has not explained what those agreements are.

Analysts say Beijing’s global standing has grown in recent years as it expanded trade with countries beyond the US to protect itself from Trump’s tariffs. The US president’s visit follows that of world leaders from Britain, Canada and Germany who have been keen to do business with Beijing.

A second summit has appeared on the calendar after Trump invited Xi to the White House in September.

“You’re gonna walk away hopefully very impressed, like I’m very impressed with China,” he said on Friday, after his tour ended. (BBC News)

Gun violence sparks fear in Black Rock

Ashada Joseph
-
0
Gun violence sparks fear in Black Rock

A shooting incident on Wednesday night has spread fear in the Clevedale, Black Rock, St Michael community after gunmen sprayed the area of Plum Tree Road with bullets and left three people injured.

The gunplay sent mainly women with children scampering to safety and renewed calls for something to be done about the violence.

When the Weekend Nation visited the area just after noon yesterday, there was a stillness in the air.

Marva Hoyte was gripped by fear when the gunshots rang out in the neighbourhood and for a heart-stopping moment, one of the victims ran between her home. He was seeking cover from the bullets behind galvanised sheets.

Several of those bullets damaged the pedestal in her verandah, the side of her home, as well as the wooden door and galvanised sheets at the back of the home.

She said the neighbourhood was not known for any such occurrences.

“I want [Prime Minister] Mia [Mottley] to bring back hanging because when a man can walk down some place and start to shoot at people just so, it means that they don’t care nothing about other people’s lives. If they hear hanging come, they know they would dead and that would make them stop,” she said.

Police said the shooting incident occurred about 7:47 p.m. along Plum Tree Road, St Stephens Hill, Black Rock, when two men exited a white car and walked along the road while discharging a number of gunshots.

Three people received injuries along with the damage to Hoyte’s house. One of the injured people were transported in a private vehicle to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he received medical treatment. The two other persons, a man and a woman, were seen by ambulance personnel and declined to seek further medical aid.

Another resident from the area expressed concern about what could have happened since there were several children who lived and played in the area.

The woman, who did not want her name mentioned, said that moments before the gunplay, her grandmother had closed her shop and went home next door. Soon after, she ended up having to drop to the floor with her one-year-old grandchild when the shots were fired.

Still shaking with fright, the grandmother managed to get to the door and closed it to prevent anyone from entering.

Another resident who also asked to remain anonymous, was outside with her daughter when she heard the gunshots. She was first in disbelief, assuming someone was hitting galvanised sheets only to realise what was happening when other shots followed. She immediately darted inside her home and out of harm’s way with her daughter.

She called for crime and violence to end, noting the incident now placed a bad stain on the quiet community.

“It needs to end, because none of them that do the shooting live out here. They should not be doing stupid things somewhere where they don’t live. They now come and put a bad name out here,” she said.

Another resident said several women with children in the area tried to shield and carry them to safety, noting one woman was trying to run out of the car with her one-month-old baby and her son and ended up squeezing the baby’s leg in the car, leaving a scar. (AJ)

Jones: I will let Bar do its probe

Maria Bradshaw
-
0
Jones: I will let Bar do its probe

The Barbados Bar Association is in possession of documents which refer to Democratic Labour Party (DLP) spokesman on education, Quincy Jones, as an attorney, a title he is not authorised to hold.

Jones, a teacher by profession who studied law at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies and who was once enrolled at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad, has never been called to the Bar.

Last Sunday, the Bar Association published a notice in the Sunday Sun newspaper listing Jones, along with Winston Clarke and Colin Roach, as individuals who were “not entered on the roll of attorneys-at-law in Barbados” and “not authorised to provide legal services”.

The Bar Association issued a stern warning to the public: “Members of the public are urged to exercise caution and to ensure that any person from whom they seek legal services is duly admitted and in possession of a valid practising certificate.”

Bar president Larry Smith KC is scheduled to address the media this morning at the association’s Perry Gap, St Michael offices regarding the notices.

When contacted last Sunday regarding the advertisement, Jones said he was unsure how he became entangled in the matter.

“I have never represented to any person or entity that I was or ever have been an attorney-at-law,” he said.

Weekend Nation investigations have uncovered a letter bearing the letterhead: “From Quincy Dec. Jones JP, Attorney-at-law.” The correspondence, which also listed an email address ending in qjonesthelawyer@gmail.com, concluded with the same title.

When confronted with the existence of this letter, Jones declined to discuss it directly, stating: “I have already formally responded to the president of the Barbados Bar Association and, as a courtesy, would rather wish to first give the Bar the opportunity to review my evidence and to properly conduct and complete their investigations.”

Further investigations by this newspaper revealed that in 2025, Jones represented a man during a disciplinary matter at his workplace. Sources at the company involved stated that while the situation allowed for anyone to represent the employee, they believed they were engaging a qualified attorney. Reportedly, several pieces of correspondence were sent on the letterhead and multiple meetings were held.

It was only after the matter concluded that the company reached out to an attorney and the Bar Association, discovering that Jones was not a practising attorney. A judicial officer speaking to the

Weekend Nation

noted that Section 12 of the Legal Profession Act creates a statutory offence for wilfully pretending to be an attorney.

“Subject to Section 12, a person whose name is not on the roll wilfully pretends to be an attorney-at-law or makes use of any name, title or description implying that he intends to be recognised as an attorney-at-law, is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5 000 or prison for one year, or to both,” the officer stated.

In relation to the Employment Rights Act, he pointed out that it essentially enabled anyone to represent a person in a disciplinary hearing.

“Section 10 says a person may appear before the tribunal in person or be represented by legal counsel, a representative of a trade union or an employer’s association, or any other person who desires to represent him. So the Employment Rights Tribunal will enable somebody to come in without any inquiry by the chairman.”

Jones contested the last General Election as a DLP candidate for Christ Church East Central. In 2020 he served as the Faculty of Law representative on the Students Guild and was also constitutional chairperson.

Update: Man escapes after firing gun at joint patrol in Pinelands incident

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Update: Man escapes after firing gun at joint patrol in Pinelands incident

Police are investigating a shooting incident involving a joint patrol of the Barbados Police Service and members of the Defence Force under the Broken Trident Operation in Pinelands, St Michael.

The incident occurred around 10:40 a.m. on Thursday, along Field Road, when officers approached a group of men gathered near a business establishment.

According to preliminary reports, one man broke away from the group, ran across the road and drew a firearm, which he allegedly pointed in the direction of the patrol. One officer discharged his service weapon, after which the suspect fled the scene.

No injuries were reported.

Investigations are continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, Police Emergency at 211, or the District A Police Station at 430-7242.

Barbados secures IMF precautionary agreement

Colville Mounsey
-
0
Barbados secures IMF precautionary agreement

Barbados has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a precautionary Stand-By Arrangement valued at approximately US$260 million, but Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley stressed today that the country was not entering another IMF programme.

Speaking following discussions with IMF officials at Ilaro Court, Mottley explained the arrangement was essentially a “line of credit” designed to protect Barbados against external shocks stemming from growing geopolitical uncertainty, rising oil prices and possible disruptions in the global economy.

“We do not need it. We genuinely do not need it at this point in time,” Mottley said, while adding that Government wanted immediate access to liquidity should global conditions deteriorate suddenly.

IMF Mission Chief for Barbados Michael Perks said the arrangement would serve as “insurance against external shocks in a more shock-prone world” and confirmed that Barbados currently had no balance of payments crisis.

Perks noted that Barbados was entering the arrangement from a position of strength, citing solid economic growth, improved fiscal performance and strong international reserves.

The agreement is expected to go before the IMF Executive Board for approval next month. (CLM)

FATF compliance teams honoured compliance honoured

Josue Ramirez Nelson
-
0
FATF compliance teams honoured compliance honoured

Thirty members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF ), and the International Business Unit Economic Substance Team (IBUEST) were honoured for their successful implementation of the FATF Action Plan.

They were presented with the gold award of achievement under the Barbados National Honours and Decorations for 2025 at State House yesterday.

The group’s efforts resulted in Barbados’ removal from the FATF Grey list and the European Union Black List and their technical work also ensured continued compliance with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s standards required for international business and financial searches sector.

President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic thanked the members for their outstanding work in returning the country to the required compliance.

“I want to thank you for your outstanding service because that is what brought you this very honour, years of outstanding dedicated service, years of sacrifice on behalf of the country and we all are very proud of what you have been able to prove and achieve,” the president said.

The FATF action plan involved 11 agencies across governments, supervisors institutions and law enforcement.

Among the awardees were General Dale Marshall and Madam Justice Corlita Babb Speaking after receiving Senator, the Most Honourable the only recognition they the list, and noted that there national recognition when on the task.

supervisors and regulators of financial enforcement. were former Attorney and High Court Judge, Babb Schaefer receiving his award, an elated Honourable Reginald Farley said they hoped for was to be off there was no expectation of when the team embarked

Two things achieved achieved

Farley said they stepped understanding that they ensure Barbados compliance money-laundering standards.

“We worked with the national at the end of the day, two were able to achieve our FATF list, and secondly, we human, technical and legal, skilled, better able to deal that we’re in,” he said.

The senator explained stepped into the role with an had a commitment to compliance with international standards. national consultants, and two things were achieved. We goal of a removal of the we have an infrastructure, legal, where people are better deal with this current realm explained that the group still holds the responsibility to redouble their efforts to ensure that the country does not find itself on the list again, under the new tightening rules of this next fiscal year.

“We have to show, for example, that based on

the laws that we have, we’re able to investigate financial crimes, prosecute and confiscate the proceeds of crime. That we have measures to detect persons who are conducting unsavoury business activity, and a whole range of infractions,” he added.

Chief Compliance Officer of the Compliance Unit, Shari Squires noted that it was a great honour to receive the award, and detailed their duties as part of the body put in place to oversee the anti-money laundering compliance standards.

“We spend numerous nights as well as long days, working to have our policies and procedures in place, establishing a framework for this sector, because this is a new area of supervision for them.

“As one of the action items for Barbados to get off the grey list, we had to create the compliance unit, we oversee the designated non-financial businesses, so we have guidelines. So, we need to update those guidelines and make sure that our procedures and our framework are tight and they are strong and ready for the fifth round,” she stated. ( JRN)

Police-involved shooting incident in St Michael

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Police-involved shooting incident in St Michael

Update

Police are investigating a shooting incident involving a joint patrol of the Barbados Police Service and members of the Defence Force under the Broken Trident Operation in Pinelands, St Michael.

The incident occurred around 10:40 a.m. on Thursday, along Field Road, when officers approached a group of men gathered near a business establishment.

According to preliminary reports, one man broke away from the group, ran across the road and drew a firearm, which he allegedly pointed in the direction of the patrol. One officer discharged his service weapon, after which the suspect fled the scene.

No injuries were reported.

Investigations are continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, Police Emergency at 211, or the District A Police Station at 430-7242.

*******

Earlier Story

There was a police involved shooting at Parkinson Field, St Michael, today. 

Initial reports state no one was injured, but the area was cordoned off.

More details as they come.  (Nation News)

US citizen convicted of running secret Chinese ‘police station’ in NYC

Nationnews Desk
-
0
US citizen convicted of running secret Chinese ‘police station’ in NYC

A US citizen has been convicted of helping run what has been described as the first known secret police station in the US on behalf of the Chinese government.

A jury found that Lu Jianwang, 64, opened and operated the station in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighbourhood in early 2022 for China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

He was found guilty on charges of acting as an illegal agent of the government of China in connection with the station and with obstruction of justice for destroying related evidence.

The conviction comes the same week a California mayor resigned after she was charged with acting as an illegal agent of China.

The verdict follows a week-long jury trial in New York federal court.

Jianwang, a New York resident also known as Harry Lu, faces up to 30 years in prison, prosecutors said.

His co-defendant Chen Jinping pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiring to act as an agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in connection with the overseas police station. He is awaiting sentencing.

“Lu Jianwang used a police station in New York City to target PRC dissidents in furtherance of the Chinese government’s political agenda,” said James C Barnacle Jr, the FBI’s assistant director in charge.

At least 100 such stations have been reported across 53 countries, with rights groups accusing China of using the outposts to threaten and monitor Chinese nationals abroad, as well as helping Beijing identify pro-democracy activists living in the US.

China has denied that the outposts are police stations, saying they are “service stations” providing administrative services to nationals overseas”. Such services included pandemic assistance and driver’s licence renewals.

The Chinatown station, which occupied an entire floor above a ramen stall in New York City, was shut down in the autumn of 2022 after the FBI launched an investigation.

Chen and Lu were accused of destroying text messages they exchanged with an MPS official when they learned of the probe, prosecutors said. (BBC News)

Drunken mother placed on bond for misbehaving

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Drunken mother placed on bond for misbehaving

The alcoholic drinks which Shernelle Dionne Walcott consumed on Tuesday caused her to misbehave for hours and ultimately landed her before a law court.

This Content Is Only For Subscribers

Please subscribe to unlock this content. Enter your email to get access.
Your email address is 100% safe from spam!
1...99100101...13,701Page 100 of 13,701