Author: user user

India reached 220 for one at tea against the West Indies on the opening day of the second Test here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday.

INDIA 220-1 in 55 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 111 not out, Sai Sudharsan 71 not out).

Guyana’s ambassador to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Friday said that the Caribbean ‘treasures the region as a zone of peace’ even as it supports efforts by the United States to deal with narco-trafficking.

She told the United Nations Security Council discussing the Unites States’ military actions in the Caribbean Sea, that Guyana has joined several Caribbean countries in strengthening its response ‘to new and emerging drug threats by launching an early warning system designed to detect, assess and respond swiftly to new active substances and strengthen our overall public health and national security frameworks’.

She said while international regional and bilateral cooperation has been crucial in dismantling the trafficking networks that exploit Guyana as a trans-shipment point for cocaine and ither narcotics.

‘it is in this spirit that Guyana continues to advocate for strengthen partnerships and cooperation among countries and regional and international organizations. Such partnerships must be rooted in the rule of law and international legal frameworks ensuring a unified and lawful approach to combating drug trafficking and related crimes.

‘We treasure the region’s designation as a zone of peace. As such our commitment to non-intervention, respective for sovereignty and territorial integrity and to the specific settlements of disputes is firm and unwavering.

‘We are also cognizant that this peace is not immune to the threats of criminal trans national drug trafficking networks. Indeed, no country in the Latin America and Caribbean region or in North America is untouched by the devastating impacts of the illicit trafficking of drugs, and arms and ammunition,’ Guyanese diplomat said.

‘We can and must collectively respond in a manner that safeguards the stability of the region and the security of our people’ Rodrigues-Birkett said, adding it must be the responsibility of all leader to be ‘beacons of peace and to contribute to the proliferation of armed conflict.

‘Guyana will continue to be a partner for peace and is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure we simultaneously address forces of instability and strive while upholding our adherence to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter’.

Last month, as she addressed the United Nations General Assembly, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar said she fully supports the decision of the United States to deploy ‘military assets’ into the Caribbean region to destroy what it described as ‘the terrorist drug cartels’.

She said also that the Caribbean is not a zone of peace and that such a notion has ‘become a false ideal.

‘The reality is stark – no such peace exists today,’ she said, adding ‘for too many in our region, peace is not daily life but an elusive promise glimpsed, and never grasped. In its absence, our citizens pay a terrible toll’.

President Donald Trump ramped up US military presence in the Caribbean Sea ordering an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean as part of his effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels.

A nuclear-powered attack submarine, additional P8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, several destroyers and a guided-missile cruiser are also being allocated to US Southern Command as part of the mission.

The United States military has carried out four deadly air strikes in Caribbean waters over the past few weeks against what Washington alleges are Caracas-backed drug traffickers. The Venezuelan government denies the charge, accusing the administration of being a threat to the peace and security of the whole region.

Venezuela with support from China and Russia on Friday condemned the actions of the United States during the Security Council meeting.

The Venezuelan delegate denounced the United States ‘campaign of propaganda and disinformation’ and its ‘growing deployment of military forces’ just off Venezuelan shores.

He said this includes ‘over 10,000 personnel, combat aircraft, missile destroyers and cruisers, assault troops, assets used in special-operations and even a nuclear submarine’ and that this ‘belligerent action and rhetoric’ make it ‘rational to anticipate that in the very short term an armed attack is to be perpetrated against Venezuela’.

The Venezuelan diplomat said that the United States has bombed four small vessels in the Caribbean, killing unarmed civilians who posed no threat.

‘This is not self-defence; these are extra-judicial killings,’ he stressed, adding that ‘the conflict does not exist; it is being manufactured by the United States’.

Venezuela ‘does not seek war with anyone’, he clarified, warning nonetheless that if the United States were to attack Venezuela, his country has the ‘sacred duty to defend what is ours,’ the diplomat added..

‘In the name of combating drug trafficking, the US has deployed forces in the Caribbean waters off the coast of Venezuela,’ the China’s delegate said, adding it even seized Venezuelan fishing boats, ‘resulting in continued tensions in the region’.

The Chinese diplomat said such actions ‘severely infringe on other countries’ sovereignty’, and ‘threaten regional peace and security’.

Unilateral and excessive enforcement operations against other countries’ vessels ‘infringe on relevant personnel’s right to life and other basic human rights’ and ‘pose a threat to freedom and security of navigation’.

But the United States responded by saying United States it will not be flooded by illicit drugs being brought into its borders from Venezuela, dismissing suggestions that its actions are a pretext for regime change in Caracas.

The US delegate said that the Trump administration is ‘on the offensive against drug trafficking and cartels’ bringing drugs into the United States, which has determined to bring its full might against those illicit actors.

He said the United States will not be flooded by cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs being brought into its borders from Venezuela and elsewhere, killing Americans.

Washington also said that it had designated the Tran de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles cartels as armed, non-State terrorist groups and that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States.

‘(We have) reached a critical point where we must use force in self-defence and in defence of others,’ the US representative said, adding that while attacks so far have been narrow in scope, Washington stands ready to carry out further strikes as needed.

He said that his country does not recognise President Maduro ‘or his cronies’ as the legitimate leader of Venezuela.

Briefing the Security Council, Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, described an increased United States military presence in the Caribbean, heightening ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela.

He said the United Nations has not been able to independently confirm US statements that it had killed several people during its operations to stop the flow of illegal drugs.

‘We continue to emphasize the need for all efforts to counter transnational organized crime to be conducted in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter,’ he said, reiterating the call for de-escalation and urged the parties to avoid any actions that may threaten international peace and security.

‘We call for a constructive dialogue and a peaceful resolution of differences,’ he said.

The 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Friday said it welcomes ‘with cautious optimism’ the agreement reached on the initial phase of a peace plan for Gaza.

‘We view this development as a critical step toward alleviating the immense suffering of the Palestinian people, and the safe return of the Israeli hostages,’ CARICOM said in a statement.

Israel declared a ceasefire and started pulling back troops in Gaza on Friday, as thousands of displaced Palestinians began to trek back to their wrecked homes.

.The Israeli army said its troops had ceased fire at noon (0900 GMT) ‘in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages’.

Three hours later, the US Pentagon confirmed Israel had completed the first phase of a pullback laid out in US President Donald Trump’s peace plan.

Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas will hand over 47 hostages, living and dead, still held from the 251 abducted during the attack two years ago. The remains of one more hostage, held in Gaza since 2014, are also expected to be returned.

In its statement welcoming the agreement, CARICOM said that it considers ‘the stipulated terms-including a sustained pause in hostilities, the withdrawal of military forces, the reciprocal release of hostages and prisoners, and the guarantee of immediate and safe humanitarian access-to be constructive and fundamental.

‘CARICOM emphatically calls upon all signatories to honour these commitments in full and to ensure this first phase serves as a foundation for a permanent and unconditional ceasefire. We reiterate that a just and lasting peace, in accordance with international law, can only be achieved through a negotiated Two-State Solution, which upholds the legitimate aspirations for security and dignity of both nations,’ the regional grouping said.

Scoreboard of the opening day of the second Test between India and West Indies here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday.

INDIA 1st innings

Yashasvi Jaiswal not out 173

KL Rahul st +Imlach b Warrican 38

Sai Sudharsan lbw b Warrican 87

*Shubman Gill not out 20

Extras 0

TOTAL (two wickets; 90 overs) 318

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

Fall of wickets: 1-58, 2-251.

Bowling: Seales 16-1-59-0, Phillip 13-2-44-0, Greaves 8-1-26-0, Pierre 20-1-74-0, Warrican 20-3-60-2, Chase 13-0-55-0.

West Indies Playing XI: Roston Chase (captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Alick Athanaze, Tevin Imlach, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales.

Toss: India elected to bat after winning the toss.

Umpires: Paul Reiffel, Richard Illingworth.

TV Umpire: Alex Wharf.

Reserve Umpire: KN Ananthapadmanabhan.

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft.

Jamaica says it has reached an agreement with Barbados to implement a joint youth exchange programme aimed at strengthening cooperation in livestock and crop production.

The initiative, to be undertaken through the Regional Youth in Agriculture Strategy, is expected to begin by the fourth quarter of the 2025-2026 financial year and will expose young people to modern technologies and climate-smart practices, supporting the region’s efforts to build a skilled network of young farmers.

‘Barbados’ efforts to scale regional livestock production align closely with Jamaica’s own vision for growth,’ said Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green, adding ‘we are moving decisively to strengthen our cattle and small ruminant base, improve breeding stock and protect our genetic lines’.

Earlier this year, Green announced a new era of research and innovation aimed at improving genetic resources, building resilience against disease and modernising breeding and pasture systems. Already, national breeding programmes are integrating improved genetics, embryo transfer and artificial insemination technologies to enhance herd quality and output, according to the ministry.

In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining said these advancements complement Barbados’s leadership with the Black Belly Sheep, a breed native to the island and recognised across the Caribbean for its adaptability, meat quality and economic potential.

‘I am happy that, together with Minister (Indar) Weir from Barbados, we are playing a role in advancing our region’s collective drive toward greater self-sufficiency and food security,’ Green added.

The statement said that his comments followed bilateral talks at the recently held 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA 2025) held in St Kitts and Nevis where discussions focused on strengthening the region’s small ruminant industry, including the expansion of the Black Belly Sheep programme being driven by Barbados.

Jamaica will host the 20th session of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture next year and Green said the staging ‘will provide a tremendous opportunity for us to translate some of the commitments made this year into real actions and to follow up by monitoring how far we have come over the next year’.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has praised Dominica’s economic recovery after the island encountered numerous challenges over the years.

Delivering a lecture on Thursday night to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the death of former prime minister, Roosevelt Douglas, Prime Minister Gonsalves, the longest serving had of government within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said that the island’s economic recovery should not be taken lightly.

He said that as a result of the challenges faced by the island over the years, many of its economic leaders ‘had collapsed.

‘Bananas collapsed, Hurricane David, Hurricane Allen, Hurricane Maria, the global economic crisis.COVID and the occasional droughts, all the vagaries of climate change, the harshness of the external world and through it all we have survived and thriving.

‘We have much to be thankful for, ‘ said, praising the work of the current prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit, even as he urged Dominicans ‘not to get carried away by vanity.

‘To be sure, we all have complaints,’ he said, noting many in the Labour parties across the region ‘want to bring the temple down.but if they remember the story with Sampson properly, Sampson brought the temple down on everybody including his own.

‘And when you divide your self and create confusion.and bring the temple down on everybody own including your own, the morning after you will say oh God what I do. Weeping an gnashing of teeth,’ he said, urging Dominicans to look at the 2025 Human Index Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which placed Dominica in the highest category of its four categories, ‘very high human development’.

Gonsalves said that Douglas, who served as prime minister from February 2000 until his death in office eight months later, had despite his ‘good basic colonial education’ had rebelled about the limitations of that colonial education.

‘He loved people, not in the general, but in the particular,’ Gonsalves, said, adding that ‘anybody could say they love people.

‘The critical thing is to love in the particular because that love in the particular which has joys and pain.and in his case he loved people in a particular manner,’ Gonsalves said, noting hat his electoral defeat in 1990′ when they jerrymandered’ the constituency ‘he nevertheless would have learnt lessons from that.

‘All politics is local and you have to pay attention to what is happening on the ground and he learned also the pain of defeat. Unless you have victory and defeat, you don’t know what this thing is about’.

Douglas is also best remembered for the role he played in the 1969 Sir George Williams University situation when black students began to protest racism at the Canadian institution.

He, along with future Canadian legislator, Anne Cools, and others led an anti-racism sit-in at the St. George Williams University, Montreal, which resulted in the peaceful occupation of the computer centre as negotiations took place between the administration and the student leadership. However, once an agreement was reached, the riot police infiltrated the occupation, resulting in mayhem and destruction of the computer centre.

Douglas was identified as the ring leader and charged with obstructing the use of public property. He served 18 months in prison before being declared a national security risk by then Solicitor General Warren Almond setting the stage for his deportation in hand cuffs and leg irons, vowing that he would only return as ‘Prime Minister of my own country’.

Gonsalves said he has joined with the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) calling on Canada to exonerate Douglas, noting that he had served a jail term ‘not for what they charged him.

‘He and I spoke about this a long time and in fact there were reports which showed and he told me about that agent provocateurs, who helped to mash up the computers.and when Rosie was in jail he did not waste time in jail.

‘He taught prisoners.educated them. He wrote a report on prison conditions and recommended reforms in the Canadian prison system,’ Gonsalves said, adding that when he was released from prison, Douglas sought to unite the people of the Caribbean, Africa and other countries.

‘The authorities said that he was a security risk and hey sent him back in chains.and even in the most humiliating thing Rosie would find humour..,’ Gonsalves added.