Category: CANA News

Saim Ayub’s maiden T20 century proved to be instrumental in the Jamaica Kingsmen’s 11-run win over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, which helped to continue their resurgence in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League here on Thursday.

Player-of-the-Match Ayub smashed eight sixes and six fours in his match-winning knock of 102 off 58 balls, the backbone of the visitors’ total of 182 for seven in 20 overs after they were sent in at Warner Park.

The Patriots, who were behind the eight ball in their run chase for the majority of the match, made a late surge at the end but fell just short on 171 for six. It was their fourth loss in five games and left them firmly rooted at the bottom of the points table.

Meanwhile, after beginning the tournament on a three-game losing streak, the Kingsmen have won three of their last four matches and sit in fourth position on six points from their seven matches.

It didn’t look as though the Kingsmen would get up to their eventual target after pacer Naseem Shah removed openers Keacy Carty and Maaz Sadaqat cheaply to leave them in early trouble at 12 for two.

Spinner Wanindu Hasaranga then held on to a good return catch to dismiss Kirk McKenzie for 10, with the bowler then pulling off a spectacular catch diving to his left at cover off the bowling of Obed McCoy to account for the wicket of Usman Khan and make the score 63 for four after nine overs.

However, Ayub teamed up with skipper Rovman Powell to add 72 runs for the fifth wicket and transform the Kingsmen’s innings.

Ayub was 37 by the time Powell came to the crease and he subsequently brought up his half century off 36 balls by thumping Waqar Salamkheil for six over midwicket in the 14th over, which also included two other maximums.

But just as they were looking to accelerate Hasaranga returned to have Powell caught at deep midwicket for 21.

Ayub continued to push on, moving into the 90s with an exquisite cover drive off Shah, before reaching his first-ever CPL century off 57 balls by hitting McCoy out of the ground for another six.

McCoy dismissed him with the very next delivery by having him caught at deep midwicket, but Keemo Paul smashed an unbeaten 25 off 13 balls to ensure the Kingsmen finished with a bang.

Hasaranga finished with 2-18, Shah took 2-35 and McCoy claimed 2-43.

The Patriots’ new-look opening pair of Johnson Charles and Kyle Mayers added just 10 runs before Jediah Blades dismissed the latter for eight with 10 runs on the board.

Charles struggled in his 14 off 17 balls before Paul sent him packing and when Blades had Kevin Wickham caught for one, the home side had slipped to 42 for three in the sixth over.

The match seemed all but over when Shah bowled Mikyle Louis for nine to make it 64 for four in the 11th over.

Andre Fletcher kept the Patriots in the game with a well-played knock of 55 from 38 balls that contained four fours and three sixes and after he was dismissed by Ayub, skipper Jason Holder and Dasun Shanaka combined to give the Patriots an outside chance of victory.

But Shah bowled Holder for 34 with 33 runs still required from eight balls and even though Shanaka tried his best by clobbering Odean Smith for three sixes in the final over, it proved not to be enough to get his side over the line.

The Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBB) says Allied Bank and Trust Bahamas is not a licensed entity and is warning members of the public to be on their guard.

The CBB said that the entity with possible aliases or affiliates is ‘falsely claiming to be licensed by the Central Bank’

It said that other entities, namely Allied Bank and Trust Bahamas, Allied Bank and Trust Limited, Allied Fund Services Limited, Allied Investment Advisors Limited, Allied Securities Ltd and Alliance Bank and Trust Limited are also ‘not licensed to conduct banking business in The Bahamas.

‘Any company seeking to conduct banking and trust business must be appropriately licensed by the Central Bank. The public is hereby notified that all persons operating without the required license or registration are to immediately cease and desist operating.’

The CBB said that it can take punitive measures for any entity operating without the relevant license or registration, pursuant to the Central Bank of The Bahamas Act, 2020 and that the list of institutions licensed and registered by the Central Bank can be accessed by visiting the bank’s website.

‘Persons seeking to conduct business with a financial institution or service provider claiming to operate within The Bahamas should independently verify the entity’s regulatory status before engaging in transactions.

‘If you believe that you have been contacted by a fraudulent entity, or have already invested funds in or through such an entity, please report the incident to the Financial Crimes Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force,’ the CBB added.

Tourism Minister Dr. Kishore Shallow says the St. Vincent and the Grenadines owes the US-based airline, JetBlue, more than EC$10 million (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) as a result of an agreement entered into by the last administration.

Shallow made the disclosure in Parliament as he responded to a question from opposition legislator Keisal Peters, who had question the decision by another US-based airline, Delta Air Lines, to end its non-stop service between Atlanta and Argyle International Airport in September 2026.

While he did not provide a breakdown of the debt owed to the airline, Shallow said that the outstanding money was among financial liabilities inherited by the New Democratic Party (NDP) government when it came into office in November last year.

‘JetBlue, for example, [is a] very important airline to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We entered in an agreement … and from 2024 to when you demitted office, you refused to pay your bill, resulting in us owing that airline over $10 million today,’ Shallow told Peters, criticising also the manner in which the agreement was negotiated.

He said he did not know who represented the government in the talks but that no professional organisation or consultant had been involved.

Shallow said government officials held two meetings with Delta – on May 19 and July 31 – before the carrier’s announcement that it was ending its non stop service next month.

He said Delta cited passenger demand falling short of projections, elevated fuel costs and weaker demand for premium travel as factors in its decision. But he said that the airline has indicated a willingness to consider resuming some level of service for the next winter season.

Delta began servicing the route on December 20, 2025, with a plan for 22 flights per month, Shallow said, describing as ‘ambitious’ the schedule when compared with other carriers operating fewer monthly flights.

Shallow said Delta’s average arriving passenger load rose from 64 passengers in its first three months of service to 117 passengers over the most recent three-month period and that JetBlue’s average arriving passenger count also grew, from 114 in the first three months of the government’s term to 140 in the most recent three months.

Shallow said that the figures showed growth in visitor traffic, while maintaining that the Godwin Friday government was working to strengthen the destination’s tourism and aviation position.

He said the government is restructuring the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, including appointing Shafia London as the new chief executive officer, and creating senior roles in commercial development, marketing, tourism product and experience, quality intelligence and strategy, and internal operations.

Shallow also said the government had started re-engaging existing airlines and was in discussions with two potential new carriers, acknowledging that the airlines had also concerned about the availability of hotel rooms which the government is seeking to address.

Swallow told legislators he is confident that St. Vincent and the Grenadines would secure at least five major brand-name hotels within the government’s first two five-year terms in office.

The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) says samples of a dead manatee have been sent overseas for testing after having received last Friday of a dead manatee.

‘Manatees are not native to Bermuda, and it remains unclear how the animal travelled approximately 1,000 miles beyond its normal range. The open-ocean journey, combined with limited access locally to its primary food source and fresh water, may have contributed to its poor condition,’ the BAMZ said in a statement.

It said that it had first received a report of the dead manatee on August 21 and it is believed to be the same manatee reported in several sightings throughout the month.

‘BAMZ and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) received eight reported sightings over a two-week period and coordinated their response using information from the public while consulting overseas experts on options to assist the animal.’

It said that following the initial sighting on August 5, staff conducted searches by boat and drone over two consecutive days and ‘when those searches did not locate the animal, the team continued monitoring reports from the public and responded to sightings where possible’.

The BAMZ said that manatees can be difficult to detect from the surface because of their slow movement, colouration and limited time above water.

It said that the carcass was recovered and transported to a secure location for a post-mortem examination. Initial findings confirmed the manatee was male and severely emaciated.

‘A healthy adult manatee can weigh around 1,000 lbs; this animal weighed approximately 550 lbs. A definitive cause of death cannot be determined until samples sent overseas for testing have been analysed,’ the BAMZ added.

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Friday, August 28, 2026.

PORT AU PRINCE – Several children, including a one year old child born in the United States were among the latest batch of Haitians deported from the United States on Thursday to the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

BELMOPAN – The Belize government is dismissing claims that Cuban doctors are being shown the exit door after prominent activist, conservationist, and politician, Wil Maheia earlier this week said that boxes containing the personal belongings of the doctors were being shipped back to Cuba.

MIAMI – Residents in the Leeward Islands were on Friday told that they should monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Dolly, which is expected to pass near the islands this weekend.

PARAMARIBO – President Jennifer Simons says the government intends to radically re-organise the gold sector and structurally increase oversight of mining activities in the interior, adding ‘it cannot be a free-for-all’.

KINGSTON – Jamaica’s only petroleum refinery, Petrojam, Friday said that the fire at its refinery on Thursday night has been extinguished with no reports of injuries and no immediate impact on fuel supplies.

SPORTS:

BASSETERRE – Saim Ayub’s maiden T20 century proved to be instrumental in the Jamaica Kingsmen’s 11-run win over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, which helped to continue their resurgence in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League here on Thursday night.

The Belize government is dismissing claims that Cuban doctors are being shown the exit door after prominent activist, conservationist, and politician, Wil Maheia earlier this week said that boxes containing the personal belongings of the doctors were being shipped back to Cuba

Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard in rejecting the allegation, said it is ‘so unfortunate to see somebody taking something out of context’ and that the Cubans who are here ‘take vacation every year at different times of the year’Not everybody could go on vacation at the same time of the year and it is a norm that when they go back, they take items for their families. So, for Mr. Maheia, and I will call his name, because that was very irresponsible of him to go on social media to try and paint a picture as if it is fact, when that is far from true’.

The Health Minister said that the Cubans are working within the local health system, and ‘ as I have said yesterday in response to the two media houses who reached out to me, there are ongoing diplomatic talks as it relates to the Cuban brigade.

‘These people continue to be employed and continue to work across our health system here in Belize and we are hoping that at the end of the day, when these diplomatic talks are over, we can find an amicable solution as it relates to the Cuban brigade.

‘But I will continue to say that we appreciate the support the Cuban people have been giving to Belize. And there is no truth to us sending Cubans home one by one, as is insinuated in that post. That is will say about that,’ said Bernard.

The United States has been urging Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to cancel their health medical programmes with Havana, claiming that these programmes are being conducted under forced labour.

Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, and Guyana have either ended or scaled back their official use of Cuban medical brigades even as some Caribbean leaders say they are willing to risk losing their United States visa rather than drop the health programmes.

Washington has said there is ‘alternative methods available for Caribbean nations to recruit foreign medical workers and ethically meet the healthcare needs of their people’.

Bernard said the Belize government is also strengthening the country’s own medical workforce with the goal being to ensure Belizeans continue receiving essential healthcare services, regardless of the outcome of those diplomatic talks.

‘I believe that, as I said, the discussions are ongoing and I believe that Cabinet will be briefed in terms of what possible solution we will have and I am hoping that by this September, both for the benefit of the Cuban brigade, they want assurances as well, and so we need to ensure that we can solve this matter amicably and for the benefit of Belizeans. There are people here in our health system providing a service,’ he added.

Bernard said talks are also underway to bring medical professionals from the Philippines to serve in Belize.

The Guyana government Friday said that it welcomed the decision to lift the ban on the M.V. Canawaima and that the ferry service with Suriname will resume immediately.

‘The service between Guyana and Suriname will continue according to its regular schedule. The top priority today will be transporting stranded passengers,’ the government said in a statement.

It said that the ban had been lifted following successful technical inspections and adherence of specific requirements of the Maritime Authority of Suriname (MAS).

The current structure is split into two separate entities, with the company governed by Guyanese law acting as the asset holder and the Surinamese branch managing daily operations.

Earlier this week, the Suriname government had indicated that the M.V. Canawaima would likely resume service between the two Caribbean Community (CARICCOM) countries amid reports that Georgetown and Paramaribo had reached an agreement to allow travellers from both countries to temporarily cross the Corantijn River along the so-called backtrack route.

Transport, Communication and Tourism Minister, Raymond Landvel, told the National Assembly on Tuesday night that virtually all safety requirements demanded by MAS have now been met.

The MAS had imposed a sailing ban on ferry after an inspection revealed that a number of important safety features were not in order. The inspection concerned, among other things, a lifeboat, lifebuoys, life jackets, and a VHF radio for emergency communication.

There were also doubts regarding the thickness of the ship’s steel plates, which has not been to dry dock since 2021.

Landveld told legislators that measurements have since been carried out on the hull and that approximately 99 per cent of the measurements performed show that the plates have met the required minimum thickness.

In its statement on Friday, the Guyana government said ‘recognizing the importance of this link between the two countries, the Government’s representatives worked tirelessly over the past several days with its Surinamese counterparts to ensure all safety and structural compliance were met so the ferry can return to service at the soonest possible time.

‘We were aware of the considerable inconvenience this temporary suspension had on the public in both countries and as such, ensured that everything that had to be done was done.’

But it said that the safety and wellbeing of the public ‘was never lost at any time during this period,’ adding ‘we thank all the relevant authorities and other stakeholders for their cooperation and support while this situation was being resolved.

‘Most importantly, we thank the public for their patience during this time. As much as it was a terrible inconvenience, which we truly regret, their ultimate safety was top priority.

‘During this period, Guyana and Suriname will continue discussions for the subsequent drydocking of the M.V. Canawaima and a replacement vessel to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted flow of the ferry service,’ the statement added.

New York-based immigration advocates have welcomed a lawsuit against the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office for failing to comply with legislation preventing collusion with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act legislation prohibits New York State and local law enforcement agencies and local governments from entering into or maintaining 287(g) agreements with ICE for federal civil immigration enforcement and requires any agreements in place to be terminated by August 25, 2026.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James in their lawsuit claim that Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault has refused to terminate its 287(g) agreement.

James said all law enforcement agencies are expected to uphold New York’s laws and that the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office has been given every opportunity to follow the law, yet has chosen not to.

‘My office is suing to enforce New York’s laws and ensure that local law enforcement agencies remain focused on their most fundamental responsibility: keeping New Yorkers safe,’ she added.

Hochul said compliance with the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act is not optional. Rensselaer County’s failure to act in accordance with the law sends a clear message ‘these elected leaders are not serious about New Yorkers’ safety.

‘Today, we are taking action to ensure the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office performs the duties required of it under state law, because no one in New York State is above the law,’ she added.

President and chief executive officer of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Murad Awawdeh, said he applauds the decision taken by James and Hochul ‘for taking every step necessary to ensure that New York’s law enforcement agencies remain accountable to the communities they serve and focused on keeping all New Yorkers safe, not carrying out ICE and the Trump administration’s deportation agenda.

He told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that every law enforcement agency in New York has a duty to serve and protect every resident, while upholding state and local law.

‘Instead of complying with the new state law, the Sheriff’s Office in Rensselaer County has chosen to defy state law, putting political posturing ahead of its responsibilities and obligations to its community.

‘This lawsuit makes clear that no one is above the law, not even an elected sheriff,’ Aawadeh said.

James said that Thursday’s lawsuit is the first legal action brought by the newly established Office of Immigrant Trust (OIT), which was created to enforce New York laws limiting state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement. It is authorised to investigate potential violations and bring civil actions when warranted.

She said that, in June, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a federal lawsuit challenging the legislation and that on August 3, the US District Court for the Northern District of New York denied the federal government’s request to block New York’s ban on 287(g) agreements.

The Trinbago Knight Riders defeated the Barbados Tridents by seven wickets in the 19th match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League here at the Queens Park Oval on Friday.

BARBADOS TRIDENTS 127-9 in 20 overs (Zachary Carter 28, Chris Green 27; Sunil Narine 2-14, Keiron Pollard 2-19)

TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS 128-3 in 14.5 overs ( Sunil Narine 55, Colin Munro 37; Chris Green 1-20)

Haiti Friday said that the massacre that occurred in Kenscoff, a mountainous commune south-east of Port-au-Prince last weekend, underscored the need for the international community to put in place measures to enforce an arms embargo on the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

In addition, Haiti said that the attack last Sunday also calls for the full and rapid deployment of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) a UN-backed multinational security mission to be deployed in Haiti to dismantle violent gangs and protect civilians.

GSF personnel from various contributing countries began operations on June 1 this year with the deployment of 5,500 expected by October 2026.

The assault claimed the lives of at least 47 persons, including three boys and two girls. It also left dozens abducted and many others injured, and caused further displacement and suffering. Homes were also set ablaze, and local population seeking refuge from the violence was attacked, including at a church, where gang members executed people and killed others as they attempted to escape.

As the international community condemned the massacre at an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council called requested by Panama, the United States and Colombia, Haiti’s ambassador Eric Pierre said his country condemns ‘in the strongest possible terms these acts of extreme barbarism’ that followed the deadly gang attack on August 23-24.

‘We express our deep solidarity with the victims, their families and the communities affected by this violence and we remain mobilised to provide urgent responses commensurate with the security challenges,’ he said, adding that ‘these attacks constitute a new demonstration of the capacity for violence and terror of armed criminal gangs despite the considerable efforts made by the Haitian National Police and the armed forces of Haiti which remain fully mobilised on the ground with the support from the Gang Suppression Force.

‘The heinous criminal attack in Kenscoff underscores the urgent need for the international community to accelerate the deployment of the GSF to the planned strength of 5,500 personnel as soon as possible and above all to provide it with the full means necessary to carry out its missions alongside the national security forces.’

Pierre said that all security forces in Haiti have been placed on high alert in order to gradually regain control of the areas occupied by the gangs, adding that the ‘instructions are clear, protect, secure and restore the authority of the state’.

Pierre noted that in recent years, the UN Security Council has adopted a number of important decisions on Haiti in order to held the government in its efforts to restore security and the authority of the state.

He said that the government led by the Prime Minister, Alex Didier Fils-Aimé, is continuing with the same momentum, in particular through the implementation of the P4000 project, which aims to substantially increase the number of personnel and the operational capacities of the Haitian National Police as well as continuing to strengthen the armed forces.

‘Today, we need greater synergy at the international level to support the government in restoring security, which is an essential condition in order to organise the upcoming elections in the country.’

The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) recently announced that the first round of long-awaited presidential and legislative elections, alongside a constitutional referendum, for December 13, this year, marking the first time Haitians will be casting ballots since 2016 when President Jovenel Moise was elected. Moise was later assassinated on July 7,2021.

The preliminary results are expected to be published December 19, with final results for the first round scheduled for January 9, 2027. A second round of presidential and legislative elections, along with local elections, is scheduled for February 21, 2027 with final results for the second round of presidential and legislative elections scheduled for March 7, with final local election results expected March 12.

The electoral campaign for the first round is scheduled to begin October 5 and run through December 12. The campaign for the second round is scheduled for January 10 through February 20, 2027.

The CEP said that 17 out of the 18 political groups, representing 228 political parties have received approval to contest the polls.

Pierre told the UN Security Council that as the country gears up for the polls, the actions of the international community must be directed towards accelerating the deployment of the GSF.

‘…in this context, we thank Chad, Mongolia and Cote d’Ivoire, which have already signed agreements with Haiti, to join the GSF, and steps are underway in this direction with Jamaica, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and Guatemala.

‘We call on the members of the international community to strengthen their contribution to upholding and implementing of the arms embargo imposed by the Security Council Sanctions Committee Resolution 2653 on Haiti in order to stem the flow of arms and ammunitions which fuel the violence of criminal gangs.’

Pierre told the UN Security Council that the urgency of the situation calls for a ‘rapid, coordinated and resolute response’ adding that ‘Haiti continues to count on the support of its partners in the international community to accompany it in its efforts to restore lasting security, to fully restore the authority of the state and to create the conditions necessary for the holding of elections’.

Earlier, the Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Carlos Ruiz Massieu, said that last weekend’s massacre ‘is deeply shocking, but it is not an isolated tragedy.

‘It is the latest in a series of attacks affecting the commune of Kenscoff since early 2025. It demonstrates the continued capacity and determination of gangs to terrorise the population, expand their influence beyond the capital and pose a direct challenge to state authority and the rule of law’.

Massieu said Haitians continue to pay a devastating and intolerable human cost, with BINUH documenting 1,408 people killed and 656 injured between April and June 2026 alone.

‘The attack in Kenscoff has generated a new wave of public indignation across all sectors of Haiti’s society, as well as international partners, with renewed calls to protect populations, strengthen security institutions and restore public order. These reactions reflect a growing recognition that security is the foundation for progress in all other areas.’

The senior UN official in Haiti said that national security institutions cannot be left to confront this threat without adequate support and that the GSF ‘represents a critical component of the international response authorised by this Council.

‘Its swift and full deployment must now be accelerated. Sustained cooperation and coordination among national authorities and with the Gang Suppression Force will remain essential to address insecurity, protect communities and restore confidence among Haitian citizens.

‘For far too long, Haitians have lived in fear of being killed, kidnapped or subjected to sexual violence,’ he said noting that this latest attack occurs at a critical moment in Haiti’s political transition.

‘Without improved security conditions, efforts to strengthen governance, accelerate the political process and advance electoral preparations will remain severely constrained and vulnerable to setbacks.’

He said equally important is breaking the cycle of impunity and that the perpetrators of the attack on Kenscoff, as well as those who finance, arm and enable gang violence must be held accountable.

‘The effective activation and operationalization of the specialized judicial units mandated to investigate mass crimes, sexual violence, financial crimes -including the prompt opening of investigations into the attack on Kenscoff – will be paramount to strengthen the rule of law and restore public confidence in State institutions.’

In his address to the UN Security Council, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Indrika Ratwatte, said more than half of Haiti’s population, an estimated 6.4 million people, need humanitarian assistance and that the ‘latest attack on Kenscoff is yet another grim reminder of the suffering Haitians face every day.

‘And violence is not the only threat. Haiti remains highly vulnerable to recurring climate shocks and other natural hazards. Hurricane Melissa brought death and destruction to Haiti last year, and now the country is facing another hurricane season. Recent seismic activity in the region is a stark reminder of Haiti’s vulnerability to earthquakes,’ he said.

He said that as Haitians confront the reality of the daily situation, deportations to Haiti continue at scale.

He said that in the first eight months of 2026, almost 200,000 people were forcibly returned, a 10 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.

‘Many arrive without resources, documentation or support networks, and some have especially urgent protection needs, including survivors of sexual violence, pregnant and lactating women, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied and separated children.

‘Our humanitarian partners have recorded over 5,500 incidents of gender-based violence, or about 30 cases per day, in the first six months of the year alone. Women and girls constitute the vast majority of survivors. Approximately 70 per cent of reported incidents of gender-based violence involved rape, and nearly three quarters of reported rape cases involved collective rape. Women and girls are being subjected to horrific sexual violence with utter impunity. This must stop,’Ratwatte said.

He asked the international community to consider three issues.

‘First, stop the violence. No child should fall asleep to gunfire. Hospitals, schools and aid workers must never be targets. Second, fund the response. Humanitarian organizations remain committed and ready to deliver life-saving assistance, but surging needs mean we need continued predictable and flexible funding…, and third, tackle the causes of this crisis.

‘Lasting progress requires broader efforts including in the realms of security, political stability, and sustained investment in essential services. The people of Haiti deserve more than mere survival. They deserve safety, opportunity, and hope for a better future,’ Ratwatte told the UN Security Council.