Category: CANA News

Youngsters Jewel Andrew and Ackeem Auguste, along with all-rounder Shamar Springer have been drafted into the West Indies squad for the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka, which bowls off on Thursday.

The trio represent the only changes to the 15-member squad that took part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India earlier this year. They replace Johnson Charles, Quentin Sampson and Jayden Seales.

The 19-year-old Andrew had a commendable showing at the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup in January, where he scored two half centuries and was dismissed in the 40s on two occasions. He was part of an under-strength West Indies team that lost 2-1 to Nepal last year in their three-match T20I series and has long been earmarked as one of the region’s most promising and exciting batters.

The Antiguan has however, failed to impress so far in the senior side, having scored just 78 runs in five T20Is at an average of 15.60.

Meanwhile, Auguste, 22, has scored 164 runs in nine T20Is at an average of 23.42. He was part of the Windies’ T20I squad that toured New Zealand late in 2025.

Springer could consider himself unlucky not to have been included in the World Cup squad after taking a hat-trick against Afghanistan in his last match for the Windies back in January.

The 28-year-old has a healthy average of 35.50 in T20Is with 71 runs in six matches. He has also taken eight wickets at an economy rate of 8.07.

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who recently returned to the ODI squad following a 10-month layoff, has been rested as part of workload management plans and will continue his training and preparation ahead of the two-match test series being held in Antigua.

Fellow pacer Shamar Joseph, who returned home ahead of the third ODI against the Sri Lankans due to personal reasons, is expected to return ahead of the series on June 9.

Head coach Daren Sammy believes the series offers an excellent opportunity for the players to entertain home supporters while showcasing an exciting brand of cricket.

‘This series is an important one for us as it’s our first since the World Cup in India, where the team played with passion, fight and the togetherness that West Indies cricket is built on.

‘Our focus now is to build on those foundations, continue growing as a team and make our fans proud with the way we compete against Sri Lanka,’ Sammy said.

WEST INDIES T20I SQUAD: Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer.

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony says the French Caribbean island of Martinique is willing to provide Guyana with radioactive nuclear drugs to treat certain cancers.

‘The discussions that we had a couple months ago – they are actually willing to send some of these things to the doctors here so that they can use it on patients here so isotopes that are especially geared to reduce certain types of cancers,’ Anthony told a ceremony co-sponsored by the Lotus Cancer Initiative Inc and the Ministry of Health on Sunday to celebrate several cancer survivors who had received treatment in Martinique. Two prostate cancer survivors and several breast and cervical cancer survivors related their experiences from the time of diagnosis to treatment and care.

Among them were Alyson Chester and Desiree Edghill, who spoke of the role played by the Guyana government in assisting them.

Chester, who lives in St Lucia, said ‘the treatment is real good. In St. Lucia, I would have had to pay for every blood test that I had to do. Everything that you have to do concerning your treatment, you had to pay.

She also credited the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Oncology Department with providing a high quality of care.

‘You are so lucky with that oncology department there because they look after you and the nurses there, everybody, they’re so good and kind to you so even though you’re going through that journey; You don’t feel alone because there’s always people there and they’re very encouraging,’ she said.

One of the prostate cancer survivors, Aubrey Knight, appealed to men over 40 years old to take a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, assuring that there are new tests to diagnose prostate cancer.

‘It’s not the finger anymore, you know, so don’t be afraid. I was afraid of the finger too, right…It had you funny when the doctor got to insert his finger into you…but it’s just a blood test now and you will know your PSA, what it says,’ Knight said.

Anthony called on all men to stop being stubborn and take the PSA test instead of waiting for the last moment, even as he acknowledged that ‘we are seeing more and more men through the programmes that we are running at least coming to get their PSAs.

‘That’s something we need to encourage because men, one of the big problems that we’ve got, they don’t come to clinic and they only come when you’re really sick with something or the other and you can’t move and somebody’s going to drag you and bring you to the clinic or the hospital. That has been the problem so there’s a stubbornness with men that we have to overcome,’ he said.

Anthony said that Guyana was increasing the number of mammography centres countrywide to test for breast cancer, and forging ahead aggressively with increasing the coverage with human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines to about 69 per cent.

He said Guyana was aiming for 100 per cent coverage to eventually eliminate cervical cancer.

He said Guyana’s public health system was also conducting biopsies free of cost, eliminating the need for people to pay as much as US$100.

The Health Minister also said Guyana was developing external relations with the Texas, United States-based UT MD Anderson, whose mission is to eliminate cancer through patient care, research and prevention, the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), National Cancer Institute of India and a paediatric cancer centre in Colombia.

‘We have to continue to work as we build and grow our system and get the right expertise,’ he said.

Chief Executive Officer of Lotus Cancer Initiative Inc, Dr Shivani Samlall, said her organisation’s mission is to improve cancer outcomes through education, prevention, early detection, advocacy, and support.

‘We aim to raise awareness, promote screening, empower communities with knowledge, and provide assistance to those navigating cancer care,’ said Dr Samlall, an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Former employees of the Stabroek News Monday said they will launch on Sunday, June 14, a new digital news entity called ‘Kiskadee Watch’.

It will be led by Anand Persaud the former editor- in- chief of the Stabroek newspaper, which shut down on March 15 this year, citing the growing impact of digital platforms, a shift in advertising revenue, and changing market conditions. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Persaud said he will be joined by a team drawn from Stabroek News ‘whose professional excellence and integrity over 35 years built the legacy of the recently closed newspaper’.

He said the group chose ‘Kiskadee’ as its masthead, because ‘this bird is common and familiar up and down Guyana’.

Persaud said that following the closure of Stabroek News ‘and concerns about the void in credible reporting that this created, a group of Guyanese here and abroad, along with others who care about the future of Guyana, worked together for the launching of Kiskadee Watch.

‘The vision of Kiskadee Watch is the reestablishing in Guyana of a trusted, independent, fact-based news institution that safeguards editorial freedom and strengthens democratic discourse. The production of a high quality, weekly printed newspaper is expected before the end of the year.’

Persaud said the paper will draw on the financing model of the UK Guardian and the National Public Radio in the United States.

‘It is a hybrid model that is based on share ownership and contributors, individuals, organizations/foundations, civil society and the business sector,’ Persaud added.

The third and final One Day International between West Indies and Sri Lanka was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Sabina Park here on Monday.

India Women defeated West Indies Women by 26 runs in their first warmup match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Sophia Gardens here on Monday.

Scores

INDIA WOMEN 179-9 in 20 overs (Bharti Fulmali 56 not out, Smriti Mandhana 39, Yastika Bhatia 36, Shafali Verma 29; Afy Fletcher 4-23).

WEST INDIES WOMEN 153-8 in 20 overs (Deandra Dottin 49, Shemaine Campbelle 25, Shawnisha Hector 19 not out, Jannillea Glasgow 19, Aaliyah Alleyne 13; Shreyanka Patil 4-36, Radha Yadav 3-25).

Police say they have arrested two suspects, including a Cuban national, who allegedly brought a woman to Suriname under false pretenses and subsequently forced her into prostitution before she was able to escape.

The woman raised the alarm with the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) department last week and an investigation was launched leading to the arrest of the two suspects. The police said that the TIP and other law enforcement agencies, arrested the two suspects -Cuban and Surinamese nationals – and that both have been taken into custody following consultation with the Public Prosecution Service.

The police said that their investigations have so far revealed that the victim was brought to Suriname under false promises and that once here, she was allegedly forced to work as a prostitute in nightclubs and a brothel in the interior.

‘Additionally, there was restriction of liberty and intimidation. The victim was allegedly systematically threatened, while the proceeds of her work were taken by others,’ the police said, adding that they are examining whether more people are involved in the matter.

The police said human trafficking is a serious crime that often remains unreported and are appealing to citizens to be alert to signs of exploitation and to report suspicious situations.

Bermuda is observing World Ocean Day on Monday, unveiling a sculpture created almost entirely from reclaimed marine debris .

Accurately scaled and constructed from marine plastics collected along Bermuda’s shoreline, the sculpture, which is affectionately called ‘Whaleen’ is a life-size representation of a nine-month-old North Atlantic Humpback Whale.

‘I’m absolutely delighted that the concept has been brilliantly brought to life by the talent of Bermudian artist Hannah Horsfield. This is wonderful sculpture and as a piece of art it deserves to be seen by visitors to Government House,’ said Governor, Andrew Murdoch, who conceived of the idea. ‘But its creation was always intended to be more than just art. Its creation required collaboration from organisations across the island, and it sends a powerful message on the need to work together to protect the ocean – turning waste into advocacy for change,’ Murdoch added.

The Governor said that the sculpture highlights Bermudian artistic talent.

‘It highlights family and community spirit in those that came together to design, build, collect materials, transport and install Whaleen. It highlights the incredible nature off our coast in the form of the iconic humpback whale. And it highlights the threat posed to our ocean from marine plastics, and the damage plastics do to the environment.’

Murdoch acknowledged that while he conceived of the idea, it was brought to life during a conversation with Bermudian artist Horsfield in December 2025.

She is the programmes educator at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) and the sculpture design grew to 20ft in length – the largest sculpture Hannah had ever made.

Each item of ocean plastic debris was carefully sorted by size, colour, and material type in preparation for construction. The metal framework was built with reclaimed PVC pipe and blue barrels being added to create the familiar shape.

Hundreds of flattened marine plastic fragments were then secured to create the sculpture’s outer skin. The sculpture incorporates more than 1,000 individual plastic items collected from Bermuda’s shores, including: 78 octopus traps, 45 oil jugs, 63 flip-flops, 39 white jugs and bottles, 14 large waste and oil containers, 13 plastic crates, one large fishing net, and one discarded mooring rope forming the whale’s mouth.

During his official visit to Bermuda in May, King Charles III was able to view the sculpture, meeting with Hannah Horsfield, who was joined by Youth Climate Summit students and local primary school students working to complete the sculpture in time for World Ocean Day.

The project was made possible by sponsorship from Convex given its alignment with their Seascape Survey project aims with participation also from several other entities, including from Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Nonsuch Expeditions, the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign in Bermuda, and WhalesBermuda.

‘I have been working to raise awareness about marine plastic pollution for nearly a decade. As a teenager, I began collecting plastic from Bermuda’s shorelines, later writing my Environmental Science thesis on the issue of plastic pollution in Bermuda and creating art installations from recovered marine debris,’ said Horsfield.

‘I am deeply honoured to have been invited to create Whaleen for Bermuda, and incredibly grateful to the many individuals and organisations whose collaboration brought this vision to life. My hope is that the sculpture inspires viewers to reflect on the impact of plastic pollution and motivates them to help protect our marine environment and the remarkable marine mammals that depend on it,’ she added.

The Bahamas government is urging citizens to avid ‘all non-essential’ travel to Cuba saying the country continues to experience challenges affecting electricity supply, fuel availability, transportation, and access to basic goods and services.

‘These issues may impact daily life across the island, including in Havana and could change with little notice. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises all Bahamian nationals travelling to or residing in the Republic of Cuba to exercise caution and to remain aware of current local conditions,’ the government statement said. It said that Bahamians must have a valid passport for at least six months from entry date and contain at least one blank page as well as proof of return ticket and accomodation.

The government said also that a visa is required for entry, allowing for stays up to 90 days and that all Bahamians must comply strictly with immigration regulations.

‘Cuba operates largely on a cash-based system. International banking access is extremely limited. Bring sufficient cash, US dollars or Euros to cover all expenses for the duration of stay.

‘Travellers must declare cash amounts exceeding US$5,000 upon entry into Cuba. When departing, travellers carrying more than US$5,000 in any currency must declare such amounts to the relevant authorities,’ the government warned, adding ‘failure to declare amounts above the limit may result in the seizure of undeclared funds’.

The statement said that as of June 6, international Visa and Mastercard transactions have been suspended in Cuba and that ‘travellers should not expect to use foreign credit or debit cards for purchases or cash withdrawals.’

The government is also urging citizens to avoid all demonstrations and gatherings and follow instructions issued by local officials.

Cuba has come under severe problems in recent months after the United States imposed a further oil embargo on the island, after Washington had removed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro from office in January.

Caracas had been Havana’s main supplier of oil and the embargo has led to a crippling crisis in the Caribbean island.

Cuba’s Ambassador to The Bahamas, Marcof Sanchez, speaking on a radio programme here, has described the situation in his country as very serious and called on regional countries to stand in solidarity with Havana against military aggression.

Sanchez told radio listeners that US led military aggression against Cuba would have a direct impact on the region at large, and expressed that the Cuban government is willing to have a respectful dialogue with the US, which has for decades imposed a trade and economic embargo on the island.

A senior United States official Monday said operational successes require sustained intelligence sharing, technical expertise, and the kind of trust that only comes from working side-by-side over time.

Addressing the five-day regional workshop jointly facilitated by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy here, Michael Fitzpatrick, urged participants in a firearms trafficking workshop to make the most of networking and joint training experiences to better address gun crime in the region.

‘Operational successes require sustained intelligence sharing, technical expertise, and the kind of trust that only comes from working side-by-side over time. This workshop is about operationalising what we know and ensuring that when the next shipment arrives, when the next network emerges, we are ready.’

He said that over the next five days, the participants ‘will learn about emerging threats and how to defeat them.

‘You will build on regional collaboration on all aspects of the investigation and prosecution processes. Make the most of it. Make the most of each other.

‘Defeating them requires exactly what we see in this room. Professionals who understand tracing, who know how to build prosecutable cases, and who can pick up the phone and reach a trusted counterpart in another country,’ he added..

Trinidad and Tobago Defence Ministers, Wayne Sturge said that the firearms crisis and the distinction matters ‘because problems can be managed incrementally, while crises demand a very different type and quality of response.

‘It is that quality of response which brings us here today. The illegal trafficking of firearms continues to be the engine behind gang violence, organised criminal networks and serious violent crime across our region.

‘What was once treated as a domestic law enforcement challenge has become something far more complex, transnational in reach, adaptive in method and increasingly sophisticated in use of technology,’ Sturge told the participants.

Sturge said cooperation is vital requiring also intelligence, innovation, and strong partnerships. He said through collaboration and capacity building, the government continues to strengthen the security architecture of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region.

Sturge said this workshop brings together regional and international stakeholders to strengthen the collective response to illicit firearms trafficking, transnational organised crime, and emerging security threats, and commended CARICOM IMPACS and all participating agencies for their commitment to advancing regional security and building safer communities for citizens.

Sri Lanka Emerging Players reached 302 for eight against the West Indies Academy at the close of play on the opening day of their four-day match at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium here on Monday.

Scores

SRI LANKA EMERGING PLAYERS 302-8 in 77 overs (Anjala Bandara 126 not out, Asitha Wanninayake 41, Nisala Abeyratne 38 not out, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 25, Shakthi Udara 13; Johann Layne 3-58, Ryan Bandoo 2-45, Jediah Blades 2-64).