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West Indies were dismissed for 162 at tea on the opening day of the first Test here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.

WEST INDIES 162 in 44.1 overs (Justin Greaves 32, Shai Hope 26, Roston Chase 24, Brandon King 13, Alick Athanaze 12, Khary Pierre 11; Mohammed Siraj 4-40, Jasprit Bumrah 3-42, Kuldeep Yadav 2-25).

The Jamaica government is denying suggestions that it was being silent on the ongoing war in the Gaza with Kingston reiterating its call for peace on that region.

‘Jamaica has never been in hiding on this issue. We have condemned actions on both sides, called for a ceasefire, and remain firm in our belief that dialogue and engagement, rather than performance, are the most constructive tools of diplomacy,’ Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith told a post Cabinet news conference.

Johnson Smith said that in 2024 Jamaica formally recognised the State of Palestine, in line with United Nations Resolution 242, which calls for a two-State solution.

The main opposition People’s National Party (PNP), earlier this week said ‘Jamaica’s silence sends the wrong signal to the international community and to the Palestinian people who continue to suffer’.

The party’s spokesperson on foreign, regional and diaspora affairs, Donna Scott Mottley said the Andrew Holness government had not spoken forcefully enough on the conflict, particularly when compared with countries whe their leaders addressed the opening of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) including walking out during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address.

But Johnson Smith told reporters that such actions, while they may grab headlines, they do little to advance meaningful solutions.

‘Jamaica is not a chest-beating administration. We are not ego-driven or image-based. Our focus is on solutions. So we called for the things which we believe are important, as we have continued to, and not being present would not have advanced or harmed a position in any way, so I cannot explain anymore beyond what I have already stated.

‘We’re not judging countries who choose to act in this way, we’re not criticising them, that’s their choice, but the reason Jamaica, or one of the reasons that Jamaica is always a respected voice, is because of our willingness to always engage,’ she added.

Johnson Smith also made reference to the position adopted by the regional integration grouping, CARICOM, noting that the 15-member grouping had issued repeated statements at various levels urging peace and advocating for the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.

In addition, she said Jamaica’s approach was consistent with its history of supporting international law and multilateralism.

‘We have always backed Resolution 242, which outlines the framework for a two-state solution,’ she said, adding that this remained the ‘safest path’ to ensuring long-term security and peace for both peoples.

‘I encourage individuals who are passionate about these issues to look back at the consistency of our positions. If we are indeed to combat a global crisis of truth, then we must ensure we do not replicate the same issues at home,’ she said, on an apparent reference to the statement by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who warned the UNGA of a growing global distrust in information and institutions.

Johnson Smith said that Jamaicans should take those words seriously by ensuring their debates are informed and responsible.

‘We prefer to listen, to be at the table, to engage, whether we agree or disagree. That is how we maintain credibility as a nation and ensure that our voice carries weight in international affairs,’ she said.

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

WEST INDIES 1st innings

John Campbell c +Jurel b Bumrah 8

Tagenarine Chanderpaul c +Jurel b Siraj 0

Alick Athanaze c Rahul b Siraj 12

Brandon King b Siraj 13

*Roston Chase c +Jurel b Siraj 24

+Shai Hope b Yadav 26

Justin Greaves b Bumrah 32

Khary Pierre lbw b Sundar 11

Jomel Warrican c +Jurel b Yadav 8

Johann Layne b Bumrah 1

Jayden Seales not out 6

Extras (b9, lb6, nb1, w5) 21

TOTAL (all out; 44.1 overs) 162

Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-20, 3-39, 4-42, 5-90, 6-105, 7-144, 8-150, 9-153, 10-162.

Bowling: Bumrah 14-3-42-3, Siraj 14-3-40-4, Reddy 4-1-16-0, Jadeja 3-0-15-0, Yadav 6.1-0-25-2, Sundar 3-0-9-1.

INDIA 1st innings

Yashasvi Jaiswal c +Hope b Seales 36

KL Rahul not out 53

Sai Sudharsan lbw b Chase 7

*Shubman Gill not out 18

Extras (b4, lb1, nb1, w1) 7

TOTAL (two wickets; 38 overs) 121

Yet to bat: Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Fall of wickets: 1-68, 2-90.

Bowling: Seales 8-2-21-1, Layne 6-0-14-0, Greaves 4-2-19-0, Warrican 6-2-21-0, Pierre 9-0-25-0, Chase 5-0-16-1.

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

Position: India trail West Indies by 41 runs with eight wickets remaining.

Umpires: Alex Wharf, Richard Illingworth.

TV Umpire: Paul Reiffel.

Reserve Umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal.

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft.

India trail West Indies by 41 runs with eight wickets remaining after reaching 121 for two at the close of play on the opening day of the first Test here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.

Scores

WEST INDIES 162 in 44.1 overs (Justin Greaves 32, Shai Hope 26, Roston Chase 24, Brandon King 13, Alick Athanaze 12, Khary Pierre 11; Mohammed Siraj 4-40, Jasprit Bumrah 3-42, Kuldeep Yadav 2-25).

INDIA 121-2 in 38 overs (KL Rahul 53 not out, Yashasvi Jaiswal 36, Shubman Gill 18 not out).

India’s fast bowling pair of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah tore through the West Indies’ batting to put the home side in the ascendancy after the opening day of the first Test here on Thursday.

Siraj carved up the top order on his way to a four-wicket haul, while Bumrah cleaned up the tail as the visitors were routed for a meagre 162 runs in 44.1 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Opener KL Rahul then scored an unbeaten half century to propel India to 121 for two at the close of play, just 41 runs behind the Windies’ total with eight wickets in hand.

While much of the talk before the start of the series focused on the loss of the visitors’ fast bowling duo of Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph to injuries, once again it was the West Indies’ fragile batting that took centre stage on the opening day.

Their new-look opening pair of John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul didn’t last long, with the latter being dismissed for a duck after gloving Siraj down the leg side where wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel took a good catch with 12 runs on the board.

Campbell hit Bumrah for two boundaries in the day’s third over, but the pacer got his revenge when he had the left hander caught behind for eight after a review, with the replay showing the ball had taken a thin outside edge on its way through to the keeper, to leave the visitors 20 for two. Brandon King, as usual, looked sublime in his brief stay at the crease, but after collecting three boundaries off Siraj in his knock of 13 off 15 balls, he unwisely chose to shoulder arms to an inswinger from the same bowler and lost his middle stump, as the Windies slid to 39 for three.

Three runs later, Siraj was back in the thick of things, this time drawing an expansive drive from Alick Athanaze that flew off the outside edge and safely into the hands of Rahul at second slip.

Skipper Roston Chase and Shai Hope tried their best to steady the innings during a 48-run partnership.

The pair looked set to take their side to lunch without any further losses, but with just a few balls remaining before the interval, Hope missed his intended cover drive off left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav and was bowled for 26, to see the West Indies stumble to lunch at 90 for five.

Chase didn’t last long after the resumption, edging a beautiful delivery from Siraj that seamed away behind to the keeper, to be out for 24.

Justin Greaves, who topscored with 32 and debutant Khary Pierre, who made 11, put on 39 runs for the seventh wicket, but once Pierre was trapped lbw by off spinner Washington Sundar the end came swiftly with Bumrah bowling Greaves and Johann Layne with yorkers, while Yadav accounted for the wicket of Jomel Warrican.

Siraj ended with figures of 4-40, Bumrah took 3-42 and Yadav supported with 2-25.

India’s opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rahul then gave them a solid foundation during an opening stand of 68.

Pacer Jayden Seales eventually got the breakthrough for the Windies when he had Jaiswal caught behind attempting a cut shot for 36.

Chase then trapped Sai Sudharsan cheaply for seven with the score on 90, but Rahul and captain Shubman Gill weathered the storm during an unbroken partnership of 31 for the third wicket.

Rahul brought up his 20th Test half century just before the close with a single to long on off the bowling of Chase.

He finished the day unbeaten on 53 off 114 balls with six fours, while Gill is 18 not out.

The chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), Adrian Forde, says the death of the Bahamas Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, Vaughn Miller, has cast a pall over the entire region.

Forde died last Sunday died at the age of 64. A statement from the Office of the Bahamas Prime Minister, quoted a police statement as saying that he was found unresponsive and that CPR was administered before he was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

While no cause of death was immediately given, police said no foul play was suspected, police said.

In a statement, Forde who is also the Barbados Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy, said that Miller was not only a dedicated public servant to the Bahamian people but also a tireless and passionate champion for environmental stewardship on the regional and international stage.

‘As a representative of an archipelagic nation on the front lines of the triple planetary crises, Minister Miller brought a unique and powerful perspective to our discussions. His voice was one of clarity, urgency, and unwavering commitment to protecting our shared Caribbean patrimony-our pristine waters, our unique biodiversity, and the very future of our Small Island Developing States.’

He said that within the COTED, Miller was a respected colleague, known for his collaborative spirit, charm, and a profound dedication to finding sustainable solutions for our region’s most pressing environmental challenges.

‘His contributions to our collective work on sustainable natural resource management especially our land resources, marine and plastics pollution and the advancement of the SIDS agenda were invaluable and will be deeply missed.

‘The loss of such a dedicated advocate leaves a significant void not only in The Bahamas but within our CARICOM family. Minister Miller’s legacy will endure in the policies he championed and the passion for environmental protection he instilled in all who had the privilege of working alongside him. We will miss the articulate voice of a brother, a friend and a warm personality.

‘As we mourn this immense loss, we also honour his remarkable service. We offer our deepest sympathies to his family during this period of unimaginable grief. May they, and the Government and people of The Bahamas, find strength and comfort in the enduring impact of Minister Miller’s life and work,’ Forde said.

The country’s Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) has warned that careless online habits are putting scores of Jamaicans and businesses at serious risk, as cybercrime mushrooms into a trillion-dollar global industry.

Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, the start of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Godphey Sterling, director of the CIRT said while technology has rapidly advanced, the attitudes of many Jamaicans towards online security remain ‘dangerously casual’.

He cautioned that everyday mistakes such as weak passwords, oversharing on social media, and insecure data storage are giving cybercriminals easy access to sensitive information.’So for the general public, the idea is to stop being a cyber-delinquent, appreciate that you live in a digital environment, you’re a digital citizen, whether you’re a native or a tenant, and to ensure that those devices that you use are no longer the Nokia 3310s,’ said Sterling.

‘You carry your lives in your pockets. So if you have to use it, then lock it and take it with you and, for businesses, understand that data is your new currency, and you must securely collect, store, and transmit that data, but you must also get rid of it in a demonstrable and secure manner when you no longer use it’added Sterling.

He pointed out that many of the most serious breaches investigated by the CIRT were not the result of sophisticated attacks, but rather basic mistakes.

‘When we look at some of the most egregious breaches that we have responded to, it comes down to misconfiguration of permanent security systems. What does that say to us? It’s either that the systems were not set up properly, either through the use of persons not qualified to do it or just cutting corners. But in the end, your data was at risk and when we look at our personal systems, it’s how we approach the digitally enabled world we live in,’ he explained.

Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Sterling noted that Jamaica sees just over three million daily Internet connections, with more than 70 per cent accessed via mobile devices. He added that more than half of these connections originate from single IP addresses, indicating that many individuals are using multiple devices to go online.

He argued that these habits demonstrate how deeply Jamaicans are connected to the digital world, underscoring the need to be more cautious in how they navigate it.

The CIRT director also highlighted the growing impact of smart devices, noting that the Internet of Things (IoT) is ‘always listening to you’, collecting and transmitting data to build user profiles.

‘The smart doorbell, the smart door lock, the smart speaker, the smart fridge, the smart washer. For these things to be smart, they’re always listening to you. So even though you’re not giving it instructions, it is listening, it is digesting, it is transmitting so that it can build a profile and find an algorithm to better serve you, but where does that data go?’

October is being recognised globally as Cyber Security Month.

JaCIRT will be undertaking a series of awareness and training activities to boost cyber protections locally.

West Indies reached 90 for five at lunch on the opening day of the first Test here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.

WEST INDIES 90-5 in 23.2 overs (Shai Hope 26, Roston Chase 22 not out, Brandon King 13, Alick Athanaze 12; Mohammed Siraj 3-19).

Police say they have seized more than TT$300 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) in illegal drugs during a two day exercise in the south western section of the island.

The lawmen said that on Wednesday, acting on intelligence, they dealt a blow to a prominent drug trafficking network operating in the South Western Division, seizing over TT$292 million worth of illegal drugs during an operation in Palo Seco, a town and district in the Siparia region of southwestern Trinidad,

They said the seizure, included large quantities of high-grade Colombian ‘creepy’ marijuana and cocaine, and that acting on intelligence gathered following the arrest of a key associate of the drug trafficking network on Tuesday, police maintained surveillance in a remote area , known for its dense forest and limited access.

The police say that they suspect that the network was planning to relocate the remaining drugs from a hidden stash in the area to avoid detection and that the search led to the discovery of 1,177.4 kilogrammes of Colombian ‘creepy’ marijuana packed in 41 crocus bags, estimated street value of TT$129,216,117, and 117.14 kilogrammes of cocaine packed in five crocus bags, with estimated street value of TT$163,283,788.

The combined value of narcotics seized on the two days has been put at TT$314,666,605.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has released a new initiative aimed at helping the countries develop a new approach to strengthening their technical, operational, political and prospective (TOPP) institutional capacities.

ECLAC has described the new plan as an analytical and operational paradigm for managing the essential transformations needed in the region to advance towards more productive, inclusive and sustainable development.

The publication sets forth a roadmap and related instruments to help institutions enhance their ability to design, implement, sustain over time, and flexibly adapt public policies in changing environments.

The document, ‘Technical operational, political and prospective (TOPP) institutional capabilities for managing transformation’ Underpinnings of new paradigm’ was presented by ECLAC’ Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, at the 20th Meeting of the Regional Council for Planning of the Latin America and Caribbean Institute for Economic and Social Planning (ILPS) which ends here on Friday.

ECLAC said building on its diagnosis regarding development traps and gaps, and the indispensable transformations needed in development models, the document argues that the discussion on what to do must be complemented by reflection on how to do it, and that institutional TOPP capabilities are key to answering this question.

The Commission has identified three development traps in which most countries of the region are caught: one of low capacity for growth and transformation; another of high inequality, low social mobility and weak social cohesion; and a third of low institutional capacities and ineffective governance.

The latter limits the effectiveness and continuity of public policies and reduces the possibility of adapting them in contexts of change and uncertainty. How to escape from this trap is the main objective and focus of the new document and the TOPP approach.

The current global context – marked by geopolitical tensions, greater uncertainty, and rapid technological changes in markets, supply chains and climate conditions – poses both challenges and opportunities for development.

These require public institutions to adopt a new approach, focused not only on designing more effective policies, but also on managing transformations and having the capacity to swiftly adapt policies in a world in transition.

‘The critical question is how to manage complex processes of change in fragile institutional contexts, with pronounced political fragmentation and urgent social demands,’ Salazar-Xirinachs states in the prologue of the document

‘This is precisely the aim of the transformation management approach: a proposal that adds to traditional discussions – focused on what must be done – a perspective on change processes, the capacities and conditions that make change possible – focused on how to do it – and with an anticipatory governance approach,’ he added.

The TOPP institutional capacity approach, developed and promoted by ECLAC, offers an integrated framework for understanding and strengthening the essential functions that make transformative action viable. Without a technical basis, policies lack a solid foundation. Without operational capacities, their implementation is weakened. Without political legitimacy, they lack viability and continuity. And without a prospective vision, they lose direction and relevance in the face of changing scenarios.