Category: CANA News

In a pulsating Caribbean Premier League contest that swung like a pendulum until the very last ball, the St Lucia Kings held their nerve to defeat the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by four runs in a high-octane finish at the Arnos Vale Ground here Sunday night.

Chasing a competitive 188 for victory, the Falcons looked destined to cruise to back-to-back wins, with the match predictor at one stage giving them a near-90% chance. But cricket, in its cruellest form, had other plans. The chase came down to the final over with 13 runs required, and when the dust settled, it was Kings’ seamer Matthew Forde who emerged as the coolest man in the stadium, conceding just eight runs to seal a dramatic victory.

The Falcons’ reply began with intent, as Evin Lewis and Rahkeem Cornwall tore into the Kings’ new-ball attack, racing past 30 inside the first three overs.

Cornwall fell soon after to Maheesh Theekshana for 27, but Lewis continued his assault, propelling the Falcons to 65 in the powerplay and a commanding 109 at the halfway mark, despite Theekshana striking again when he got rid of Tim Robinson for 30.

Lewis looked set for a match-winning knock until the 11th over, when left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop got him to hold out to a nervy Darren Need in the deep for a well-constructed 48 off just 24 balls.

That triggered a mini-collapse. Skipper Roston Chase decided to turn his arm over with his off-spin, and he sent back Karima Gore for two and Tajinder Singh for 21 in quick succession, and by the 16th over, the Falcons had stumbled to 142 for 5, needing 46 from the final four overs.

The 17th and 18th overs produced just 13 runs between them, turning the screws on coach Paul Nixon’s men.

Skipper Fabian Allen, with 28 not out, was at the crease, but he managed to face only two deliveries in the final over, as Jahmar Hamilton, who had struggled through a 10-off-20-ball innings at a critical juncture, was unable to rotate strike.

Hamilton eventually got run out, but Shamar Springer, despite hitting a four, could not come up with the goods as Forde kept his lengths immaculate, and the Falcons fell agonisingly short, finishing on 183 for 7.

Earlier, Kings captain Roston Chase won the toss and elected to bat, and it was Player of the Match Andries Gous who anchored the innings with a masterful 82 off 51 balls.

The American wicketkeeper-batter took strike from the very first ball and batted through to the 18th over, holding the innings together even as wickets tumbled around him.

Ackeem Auguste was the only other batter to offer meaningful resistance with a laboured 18 off 20 balls at No. 3, as the Falcons’ bowling attack kept striking at regular intervals.

Alzarri Joseph continued his fine form with figures of 3 for 32, following his 3 for 34 in the tournament opener, while Springer chipped in with 2 for 39.

But Gous’s timely boundaries and clever rotation ensured the Kings posted a defendable 187 for 8.

Actor, filmmaker, and media personality Borger Breeveld, best kknown for his starring role as Roy in the film ‘Wan Pipel’, died on Monday, his family has confirmed.

Breeveld, who was born on July 20, 1944, developed into a multifaceted personality within the Surinamese media and film gaining widespread fame with his portrayal of Roy in the 1976 film. Besides Wan Pipel, he appeared in various other productions over the years

Breeveld was instrumental in establoshing the Film Institute Paramaribo and was also involved with the Surinamese Film Academy.

In addition, Breeveld was closely associated with the Surinamese Television Foundation (STVS), where he held various positions and also contributed behind the scenes to numerous television and film productions.

A senior United States government official Monday said he has been ‘saddened’ that over the years, Washington’s relationship ‘with our friends in the Caribbean have not been as close as they should be’

‘I mean, the United States and the Caribbean countries seems to me are united in many ways by geography, by history. There’s so much that we can do together. And I feel, I really do feel like this Prime Minister here in Trinidad today is really opening the door for a new vision of US-Caribbean relations that nobody has ever opened before,’ said United States Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau.

Landau, who was speaking at the re-opening of the Ibis Steel Company, a local subsidiary of the US-based Pinnacle Steel and Vanadium Corporation occupying the site of the former ArcelorMittal steel mill that closed in March 2016, said that his presence here ‘is really a sign of recognition and respect and appreciation for that kind of partnership’ .

Ever since she led her United National Congress (UNC) led coalition to victory in the Apri 28, 2025 general elections, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has pushed Port of Spain firmly towards the United States, defending Washington’s war on illegal drugs in the Caribbean even as regional countries urged that the Caribbean remain a zone of peace.

In March, she joined President Donald Trump at the ‘Shield of the Americas’ summit as he launched the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition to fight regional transnational crime.

Last week, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Jim Risch, publicly thanked Trinidad and Tobago for an ‘active role’ in the arrest and extradition of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.

But Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has maintained that local military personnel were not involved in the January 3 operation in Caracas, even as she declined to clarify what Risch meant by an ‘active role,’ telling reporters that they should ask the US senator directly.

In July, she said that her discussions with Deputy Assistant Secretary, Barbara Feinstein were aimed at ‘deepening cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.

Last week, last week, former Jamaica prime minister Bruce Golding expressed the hope that ‘the United States will soften the tone of its relationship with Jamaica and rekindle the strong, decades-old bond between both nations which Jamaicans cherish.

He said current current demands by Washington are ‘at odds with the very essence of true friendship’, pointing to the many challenges facing the island as established rules are being discarded and ‘new rules are being handed down, not after discussions and negotiations, but unilaterally by social media postings at 2:30 in the morning when most of us are asleep’.

The United States has frequently expressed concern over China’s expanding economic and infrastructural footprint in the Caribbean, viewing Beijing’s investments in local ports, telecommunications, and construction as a strategic challenge to its security and influence in the region.

Landau, who will hold talks with Persad-Bissessar before he flies out of Guyana to meet with President Irfaam Ali, told the ceremony that Persad-Bissessar, much like President Trump, campaigned on economic renewal and security renewal.

‘And those are both really important, critical objectives for both our governments. And so we are delighted to work together. And again, I am here to show that both sides are reaching out their hands of friendship and this plant is probably as concrete a symbol of that friendship and that cooperation as can possibly be imagined.’

He said that the private sector in the US has played a supporting role in ensuring the US’s vision for the socio-economic development of the region, adding that ‘it’s not the government that has made the United States the leader of the free world.

‘It’s our dynamic private sector. And I feel very proud as an American to be represented by our colleagues from Pinnacle here and by Pinnacle in general. I know you guys really are going to be (12:36) real ambassadors for our country here in Trinidad and Tobago.’

He said that the plant ‘is a great symbol of the renaissance that we have in our relationship and really the incredible opportunities in the future, not just for Trinidad, but really across the entire Caribbean region.

‘I think it’s a region with huge economic opportunities. And it’s one, frankly, that, you know, the United States is refocused on this region under President Trump, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio.’

The chief executive officer of the US-based Pinnacle Steel and Vanadium Company, Edwin Bennet, says the refurbishment of the former ArcelorMittal steel facility, is aimed at transforming Trinidad and Tobago into a major producer of vanadium.

‘Our vision for this facility is that it will be one of the most technologically advanced, lowest cost, and environmentally friendly steel mills in the world, putting Trinidad on the map not only as a steel producer, as a critical minerals producer, but as on the forefront, the leading edge of steel production technology,’ he told the ribbon cutting ceremony that was also attended by United States Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau.

He said that the initial investment in the Ibis Steel Company at Point Lisas in central Trinidad, on the site of the former ArcelorMittal plant, which closed in 2016 is planned at US$250 million.

Results of the second round of matches in the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Women’s Championship here on Sunday.

At Bethesda Sports Ground: Barbados Women beat Windward Islands Women by nine wickets.

WINDWARDS WOMEN 67 in 14.3 overs (Daisey Woods 24, Mikayla Adams 6; Zaniyah Bruce 3-2, Zoe McCallister 2-15).

BARBADOS WOMEN 68-1 in 11.4 overs (Jadaeya Holder 26 not out, Theanny Herbert-Mayers 16 not out, Eboni Brathwaite 11).

At Liberta Sports Club: Jamaica Women beat Leeward Islands Women by six wickets

LEEWARD ISLANDS WOMEN 90-4 in 20 overs (Aaliyah Weekes 31 not out, Innka Wilson 19; Sashane Ricketts 2-8).

JAMAICA WOMEN 92-4 in 19.4 overs (Teandra Morgan 28, Ashantie Guthrie 10 not out, Zariah Blair 8 not out; Cquinya Dasent 2-21).

At Liberta Sports Club: Trinidad and Tobago Women beat Guyana Women by three wickets

GUYANA WOMEN 79-7 in 20 overs (Allia Henry 22, Akeela Stephen 12; Samara Ramnath 3-20)

T and T WOMEN 80-7 in 16.1 overs (Jessica Davis 19, Brianna Harricharan 17; Kaiana Leitch 3-16)

United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will travel to Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana from August 9-12 for talks focused on regional security, energy and expanded economic cooperation. In Trinidad and Tobago, Landau is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Washington and Port of Spain.

The talks will focus on shared energy and security priorities as well as opportunities to deepen economic cooperation, according to the US State Department.

Landau will then travel to Guyana, where he is expected to meet President Irfaan Ali and members of his Cabinet.

Discussions in Georgetown will focus on expanding bilateral economic cooperation, strengthening investment opportunities and enhancing collaboration in strategic sectors, including energy and critical minerals.

The State Department said the visit reflects Washington’s commitment to strengthening partnerships across the Western Hemisphere.

It said the United States is seeking to advance shared priorities with regional partners, including regional security, energy resilience and economic prosperity.

The August 9-12 visit comes as Washington continues to deepen its economic, security and energy ties with the Caribbean, particularly with energy-producing Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

ROSEAU, Dominica, Aug 9, CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that a by-election will be held in the Roseau North constituency on September 7, following the resignation of former parliamentary representative Miriam Blanchard.

In a statement on Sunday, Skerrit said he has advised President Sylvanie Burton to issue a writ under the Public Seal of the State for the holding of the by-election.

Nomination Day has been set for Friday, August 21, while electors in Roseau North will go to the polls on Monday, September 7.

The vacancy arose after Blanchard resigned as parliamentary representative for Roseau North on June 12.

Skerrit said the by-election is being called pursuant to Section 12 of the House of Assembly (Elections) Act and in keeping with the Constitution.

Section 55 (3) of the Constitution provides that when the seat of an elected representative becomes vacant for a reason other than the dissolution of Parliament, a by-election must be held within three months of the vacancy unless the House is dissolved earlier.

‘The democratic process established under our Constitution ensures that the people of Roseau North will have the opportunity to elect a representative to serve their interests in Parliament and continue the important work of national development,’ Skerrit said.

The prime minister urged eligible voters to participate and called for a peaceful and orderly campaign focused on the issues.

‘I urge all eligible electors in the constituency to participate in this important democratic exercise and conduct themselves in a manner that promotes a peaceful, orderly and issue-based campaign,’ he said.

Skerrit, who leads the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP), said the party intends to engage voters in Roseau North during the campaign and present its plans for the constituency and the wider country.

‘The Dominica Labour Party Government, which I have the honour to lead, looks forward to engaging the people of Roseau North throughout this by-election campaign, presenting our vision for the continued development of the constituency and the country,’ he said.

The prime minister did not name the DLP candidate for the by-election in his statement.

The police are continuing their high level operation at Kingston Container Terminal (KCT) following a major cocaine bust last week

The estimated value of the cocaine seized is more than J$1 billion.

According to police reports, several people employed to KCT were taken into custody on Friday after operatives from the FNID and Jamaica Customs Agency, backed by the Specialized Operations Branch, swooped down on the facility.

Ten people are reportedly being held in connection with the drug find.

The employees are suspected of running a smuggling syndicate at the terminal.

The British Virgin Islands is developing a new water policy outlining assistance and subsidies for farmers as it moves ahead with plans to improve water storage at the Paraquita Bay Agricultural Station. Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley said the policy is expected to be completed soon and is intended to address longstanding water challenges affecting the agriculture sector.

‘The Ministry of the Premier’s Office should produce for us very soon a water policy for our farmers that will help to clarify what types of assistance and subsidies our farmers get as it pertains to water,’ Wheatley said.

The Premier made the disclosure during a recent news conference while responding to questions about the impact of drought and water shortages on residents and farmers.

He said the government is also advancing plans to construct reservoirs at the Paraquita Bay Agricultural Station, with the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) overseeing the project.

‘I got a good update on the reservoirs we’re seeking to build at the Paraquita Bay Station, agricultural station, which will provide water for our farmers,’ Wheatley said.

He said the RDA is moving ahead with the project, which the government hopes will be completed next year.

Efforts to establish a reliable water supply for farmers at Paraquita Bay have been underway for several years amid complaints about unreliable supplies and the high cost of purchasing water.

In May 2025, the RDA signed a US$224,639.60 contract for the design and construction management of the Farmers’ Reservoir. The project includes engineering design and oversight of water mains and other infrastructure to support irrigation and livestock.

Five farmers also received 1,000-gallon water tanks in March under an Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States-supported programme aimed at improving rainwater harvesting, irrigation and water reserves for livestock.

Wheatley said the government is providing assistance to farmers while work on the reservoir project continues.

‘In the meantime, we’re doing our best to provide water to our farmers,’ he said, acknowledging the challenges facing the sector.

The Premier said the territory’s broader water problems are also being addressed through investments in pipelines, reservoirs and distribution infrastructure, with water designated as a critical national priority.

Former Arizona television news anchor and Republican politician Kari Lake will have to wait until at least September for a possible Senate vote on her nomination as the next United States Ambassador to Jamaica. Lake’s nomination was listed for Senate consideration last Friday, but lawmakers did not vote on it before leaving for recess. The nomination remains pending and has not been rejected.

The Senate is not expected to resume sittings until September 14.

President Donald Trump nominated Lake in May to serve as Washington’s chief diplomatic representative in Jamaica. If confirmed, she would take up the post at the US Embassy in Kingston.

During her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in June, Lake pledged to work with the Jamaican government to tackle transnational criminal organizations, narcotics trafficking and lottery scams targeting Americans.

She also drew criticism from Beijing after saying the United States needed to counter China’s growing economic influence in Jamaica, particularly its investments in ports, infrastructure and other critical sectors, which she argued could have long-term strategic and security implications.

China rejected the criticism and defended its 53-year relationship with Jamaica, pointing to more than US$2.1 billion in investments and other assistance to the country.

The Chinese Embassy in Kingston said Beijing would continue to pursue a relationship with Jamaica and the wider Latin American and Caribbean region based on equality, mutual benefit and common development.

Lake also underscored Jamaica’s economic importance to the United States, noting that bilateral trade surpassed US$3 billion in 2025 and that Americans accounted for more than 70 percent of visitors to the Caribbean island.

China, meanwhile, said its bilateral trade with Jamaica exceeded US$1.4 billion in 2025.