Bahamas The Bahamas has joined the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas, led by PAHO, the IDB and the World Bank, to strengthen primary health care through investment, innovation, and technical cooperation. The country also established a Consultative Mechanism for Primary Health Care, led by its Ministry of Health and Wellness, to coordinate health investments and initiatives with Alliance partners. "The Bahamas is pleased to join the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas and welcomes this important partnership," said The Bahamas' minister of health and wellness, Michael Darville. "For us, partnership in the Alliance is not about adding another country to a regional network, it is about adding meaningful impact where it matters most in the lives of our people." "Through this Alliance, we envisaged that technical expertise, investment, and innovation would be better aligned with our national priorities; support for the implementation of The Bahamas National Health Strategy; and an accelerated transformation of the country's health system through a primary health care approach," Darville added. The mechanism will provide a permanent platform for policy dialogue and technical collaboration, aligning investments and initiatives with national priorities while supporting implementation of The Bahamas’ National Health Strategy. "The Bahamas is the first Caricom Member State to join the Alliance, marking a new chapter for the initiative and creating an important opportunity to extend its benefits across the Caribbean," said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO. The Alliance helps countries strengthen primary health care through coordinated technical support, financing and policy dialogue, mobilizing over US$1 billion for health investments across the region. Caricom CARICOM IMPACS says the four-week Operation Eclipse in May disrupted transnational smuggling networks across the region, with 14 member states, seven associate members and international partners involved. Authorities seized an estimated US$54.5 million in illicit assets and contraband, including more than 5.2 tonnes of cocaine worth over US$44 million and 1.8 tonnes of marijuana valued at more than US$6.8 million. Authorities also seized more than 6,100 cases of illegal alcohol, 191 cartons of cigarettes and 22 cylinders of banned refrigerant gas. Operation Eclipse led to 24 seizure operations, with 59 vessels monitored and 82 active intelligence cases generated. Officials also confiscated two firearms, 65 rounds of ammunition, 13 vessels and three vehicles linked to smuggling networks, while intercepting 59 irregular migrants traveling by air and sea. Caricom IMPACS said the operation focused on the Eastern Caribbean, Guyanese waters and transatlantic routes, while revealing an emerging practice of aircraft dropping narcotics near borders for subsequent maritime pickup. Grenada The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and World Bank Group have decided on measures to strengthen Grenada’s development programme following a joint review of 11 active CDB-financed projects. The projects cover coastal protection, water, health, education, agriculture, renewable energy, and monitoring. Key initiatives reviewed included geothermal drilling, water supply expansion, education enhancement, climate-smart agriculture and strengthening the health sector. "Together with the World Bank, we believe this will translate into tangible development results and stronger resilience for all Grenadians," CDB project director L O'Reilly Lewis said. The discussions covered procurement, environmental and social safeguards, monitoring and risk management, alongside a World Bank portfolio review. The joint review aims to speed up programme implementation and improve development outcomes. "The World Bank has worked closely with the CDB through this joint review in order to expedite programme implementation and the achievement of development results that advance Grenada's resilience and growth agenda, while expanding opportunities for jobs and livelihoods," said World Bank Operations manager for the Caribbean, Gail Richardson. Guyana Guyana’s two main political parties have raised concerns about the administration of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), with one calling for President Justice Winston Anderson to resign. The calls follow reports alleging authoritarian management, including claims of imposing rules, “panel fixing” and attempts to influence case outcomes. Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed said he was disturbed by the allegations and claimed there were attempts to influence decisions in his own extradition case. "The significance of these revelations cannot be overstated. These concerns do not come from a lone or dissenting voice within the court. According to the published internal correspondence, five of the CCJ's six sitting judges challenged the leadership of CCJ president Justice Winston Anderson. In other words, concerns about the direction and administration of the Caribbean's highest court were expressed by an overwhelming majority of its sitting judges," Mohamed said. He said the allegations should not be dismissed as political criticism, as they reportedly came from judges within the CCJ and concern the independence and rule of law of the Caribbean’s highest appellate court. "The CCJ is Guyana's final appellate court. Public confidence in that institution depends fundamentally upon the independence of every judge, the integrity of judicial deliberations and the absolute assurance that no judge, regardless of position or seniority, can improperly influence the judicial opinions of another." He added that the "gravity is even greater because these allegations touch proceedings involving Guyana's sitting Leader of the Opposition and an extradition process that has generated significant political controversy in Guyana." St Vincent and the Grenadines The OECS Commission, St Vincent and the Grenadines Government, and the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund completed a three-day workshop to strengthen the local sea moss industry and expand its role in the blue economy. Held from July 21-23, the workshop trained farmers, entrepreneurs and officials to improve production and meet international food safety and business standards. "Sea moss globally is a billion-dollar industry. Our focus has to be quality with efficiency," said Minister of Fisheries Conroy Huggins, noting that the government is amending the Fisheries Act to strengthen the sea moss sector while supporting food security and community resilience. The initiative aligns with the OECS FAST Strategy by helping producers improve production, meet international standards and compete in regional and global markets. Training covered food safety, HACCP and sanitation practices, as well as business management, financial planning and record-keeping to promote sustainable growth. "I find the session very useful and timely as I'm in the process of creating SOPS, HACCP, and good manufacturing practices for my business to make sure that I'm compliant and sustainable." Participants said the training encouraged them to view sea moss farming as a serious business capable of reaching international markets. The initiative also focused on youth involvement. The Union Island initiative is part of a wider OECS effort to standardise the sea moss industry across member states, following training in Grenada and Dominica earlier this year. The goal is to improve quality and business standards and position Caribbean sea moss as a premium product in global markets.