Category: CANA News

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has called for his troops to be more consistent in the Powerplay ahead of their crucial fourth T20I against India here on Wednesday.

Following their 14-run defeat in Sunday’s third T20I, which gave India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, the West Indies are now faced with a must-win scenario at the Rajiv Ghandi International Stadium.

Speaking during a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Sammy said the deciding factor in the last match was India’s performance in the Powerplay.

He said even though the Windies’ bowlers were able to restrict the home side’s batters to under 10 runs an over for 14 overs of the match, India was still able to post a competitive total because they bludgeoned 87 runs from the first six overs.

‘I thought the difference in the game that prevented us from going 2-1 up in the series was the Powerplay. Minus the Powerplay, we restricted India under 10 [runs an over] in the other three phases; 7-10, 11-15 and then in the backend.

‘But they did so much damage up front in the Powerplay where they went almost 14 and a half runs an over, that kind of gave them the cushion. So even though we bowled them out, they got a total that was defendable,’ Sammy explained.

‘When we look at the series, our batting has matched them. We’ve definitely out-sixed them in the games, so for us it’s about controlling that Powerplay because so far, we’ve been having to pull back the game every single time. So controlling that Powerplay is an area that we could work on, and we’ve seen that once outside the Powerplay we find ways to keep the scoring down.

‘Sometimes on a surface, if it’s a 220 wicket then you know its 11-runs an over, so if you’re going at 10 it’s still good on the surface. So I think it’s an area we really have to start well and to beat India in India you really have to win both Powerplays with bat and with ball,’ he added.

Trade unions were divided on the TT$63.3 billion (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) budget presentation with one veteran trade unionist describing it as ‘excellent’ and nurses and public sector workers saying they are disappointed.

On Monday, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo said that the government had allocated funds within the 2026-27 fiscal package to meet the proposal to pay 40 per cent of outstanding arrears in cash to public sector workers.

Tancoo said that despite trying financial circumstances, last December, the government provided for a partial cash payment of TT$230 million to members of the Public Service Association (PSA).

But PSA president, Felisha Thomas, speaking to reporters that the union will not be accepting ‘any 40 per cent cash.

‘We will not be considering any non-cash items. We did put some considerations before the CPO (Chief Personnel Officer) which was rejected and we will not be accepting what is on the table right now,’ she added.

President of the Trinidad and Tobago National Nurses’ Association (TTNNA), Letitia Cox, said she is disappointed by the budget presentation.

Cox said there was no mention of nurses despite previous promises by the Kamla Persad-Bissessar government that nurses would be taken care of and that the silence on nurses’ arrears and the proposed 10 per cent wage increase was particularly disappointing.

‘I must say we were optimistic. We were hoping that the Honourable Minister of Finance would have made good on the promise he made during the Mid-year Budget Review. He actually called nurses’ names, saying that we would be addressed and would receive the increase,’ she said, adding ‘we expected him to speak to that, and here it is: I came personally to sit in the gallery to hear that good news, and I was disappointed.’

Cox said the TTNNA will participate in the public march against Government on October 23,encouraging members not to lose faith.

‘I know you are discouraged. I know you are disheartened, but we are here for you and we want you to come out with us on the 23rd of October. We want you to know we are ready for the fight and we are going to defend you with all that we have,’ she added.

President General of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU), Ancel Roget, described the fiscal package as ‘excellent.’

The OWTU is supportive of the government’s plans to reopen the Petrotrin oil refinery and had through its business company, submitted an unsuccessful bid to the last government in a bid to take ownership of the refinery.

On Monday, Tancoo said the government intends restarting the refinery that was officially shut down on November 30, 2018, by the Keith Rowley administration due to billions of dollars in debt and operational losses.

The previous government had said that the 101-year-old refinery had accumulated an estimated TT$12 billion (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) in debt and lost about eight billion dollars over a five year period.

‘We will restart the refinery. We are advancing the phased restart of the Guaracara Refinery at Pointe-a-Pierre. Following receipt of the Comprehensive Report of the Refinery Restart Committee, government is evaluating proposals from a shortlist of serious local and international investors.

‘Let me be clear, we will approach the restart of this national asset with fiscal discipline. Our objective is to secure a credible, commercially viable and fully financed arrangement that protects the national interest while creating the conditions for renewed economic activity,’ Tancoo said.

Meanwhile, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TTIC) has welcomed the government’s renewed focus on the non-energy manufacturing sector and support for local industry.

It said that manufacturers continue to face significant challenges but said measures aimed at improving business competitiveness and facilitating growth were positive developments.

The American Chamber of Commerce of T and T (Amcham T and T) said the business community would be closely monitoring how quickly announced initiatives are translated into meaningful outcomes.

‘Amcham T and T firmly believes the true measure of Budget 2027 will not merely be policy announcements, but the speed, transparency and accountability with which these commitments are translated into measurable results,’ it added

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

BASSETERRE – Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew Tuesday said he had been given a ‘clean bill of health’ by his doctors and has since been discharged from the United States hospital where he had been rushed to after suffering a stroke last month.

ROSEAU – Doctors employed with the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, Tuesday, staged protest action in support of their demands for the payment of outstanding salaries as well as job security.

BELMOPAN – The Belize government has defended Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology Minister, Francis Fonseca, after China on Monday accused him and a senior government minister in Paraguay of adopting ‘anti-China’ policies.

GEORGETOWN – Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and two of his workers were arrested and taken into custody early Tuesday morning

NASSAU – National Security Minister Myles LaRoda says he is hoping the discovery by police last week of a rocket-propelled grenade launcher is not an indicating that such high powered weapons are finding their way into The Bahamas.

SPORTS:

GEORGETOWN – Imran Khan smashed an impressive century to lead West Indies Over-40s to a comprehensive 159-run victory over a Rest of the Caribbean (ROTC) team in a practice match on Monday as part of preparations for the upcoming International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s World Cup.

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew Tuesday said he had been given a ‘clean bill of health’ by his doctors and has since been discharged from the United States hospital where he had been rushed to after suffering a stroke last month.

Dr. Drew, a medical practitioner, had been flown to Miami for medical evaluation and treatment on September 2, after being airlifted from St. Kitts to the French-island of Martinique on August 31.

Last month, Dr. Drew said that he had suffered a stroke that was caused by a dissection of the vertebral artery, a tear in one of the arteries at the back of the brain. He had initially experienced persistent nausea, vomiting, neck pain, dizziness, and difficulty walking or balancing.

‘From the depths of my soul, thank you. Thank you for every prayer whispered in the quiet of the night. Thank you for every message, every call, every kind word. I felt your love and care. I felt your faith. And I believe, I truly believe, that it helped to carry me through,’ Dr. Drew said in a radio and television broadcast. Watch video

‘Let me confirm that I have completed my rehabilitation, both inpatient and outpatient, and I am doing well. I also want to confirm that I visited the doctors again today, and I was given an excellent bill of health and I was told that I am fit to return to full duty,’ Prime Minister Drew said.

‘This experience, as is obvious, has been a trial. But it has also been a testimony. A testimony to the power of God, the power of prayer, and a testimony to the love of my family and of our people.

‘Today, I address you not from a hospital bed, not in a rehabilitation centre, but as your Prime Minister, ready to serve, ready to resume my full-time duties,’ he said, noting that while recuperating he had been brought up to date on all the projects being undertaken by the government under the capable leadership of acting Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley.

‘Plans were in place. The transition was smooth. The work continued. That is a testament to the strength of our institutions, to the character of our people who serve in them, and also to the maturity of my Cabinet colleagues.

‘My commitment to you and to the vision we share for our beloved Federation remains firm, with God at the centre,’ Drew said, acknowledging that when one ‘faces his or her own mortality, one begins to see things somewhat differently, as is obvious.

‘One begins to understand what truly matters and for me, what truly matters has always been the things that I consider to be truly important. My faith in God, my family, the love of the people, the health and well-being of every citizen, the future of our country, and the legacy we leave for our generations to come. ‘

Drew said that later this week, he will be travelling to Washington DC to participate in an important U.S.-Caribbean dialogue on October 15.

‘This meeting presents a valuable opportunity to engage directly with senior United States officials on matters that are important to our Federation, including energy security, economic investment, national security, healthcare, and opportunities for all of our people.

‘I consider my personal participation especially important. We have already laid the groundwork for several meaningful partnerships, and I want to ensure continuity in those discussions, strengthen the relationships we have built, and advance commitments that can bring real benefits to our country’

Prime Minister Drew said that it his responsibility as the head of government, along with the Federal Cabinet, ‘to ensure that St. Kitts and Nevis has a strong voice wherever important decisions affecting our future are being discussed, and I intend to continue doing just that.’

He said that based on his health update, ‘I will be home in short order to continue serving you in St. Kitts and Nevis.

‘I love this country, and I know you do as well. I love our people, and I am grateful, so grateful, for the opportunity that you have given me to serve you. This experience has not weakened me at all. To the contrary, it has strengthened my resolve. I am ready to work.

‘I am committed to building and advancing our beloved Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. I therefore ask for your continued prayer, as I also will pray for you, and I extend my blessing to every home, every family, and every community,’ he said in the broadcast.

West Indies players Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford have each received an official reprimand and one demerit point after admitting to separate Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against India in Ranchi.

According to the ICC, Powell was found guilty of breaching Article 2.2, which relates to ‘abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.

His offence occurred in the sixth over of West Indies’ innings, when he hit the ball away with his bat after being dismissed by Mayank Yadav.

Rutherford was found to have breached Article 2.8, which covers ‘showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.’

In the 13th over, he yelled aggressively at the umpire after a wide was not given.

The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Jayaraman Madanagopal and Rohan Pandit, third umpire Nitin Menon and fourth umpire Virender Sharma.

Both Powell and Rutherford admitted their offences and accepted the sanctions.

Mexico remains at the top of Concacaf, but the latest Men’s National Team Rankings show movement behind them after the 2026/2027 Concacaf Nations League and the September/October international window.

Mexico (2,097) stays first, with the United States (1,877) second after friendlies. Canada (1,821), Panama (1,655) and Costa Rica (1,534) hold third, fourth and fifth, leaving the top five unchanged.

Jamaica tops the Caribbean in latest CONCACAF rankings

Panama remains the highest-ranked Central American nation. Costa Rica and Honduras (1,464) are next among Central American sides after securing 2027 Gold Cup Prelims places through League A.

Guatemala (1,446) is fourth after reaching the League A Quarterfinals, and El Salvador (1,145) completes the top five after earning a League A+C Play-In berth.

In the Caribbean, Jamaica (1,530) leads after qualifying for the League A Quarterfinals. Haiti (1,516) and Curaçao (1,398), also through to the quarterfinals, are second and third.

Suriname (1,328) and Trinidad and Tobago (1,200) round out the Caribbean top five.

Barbados was the biggest climber, moving up seven spots to 28th overall after an unbeaten run to win Group B and qualify for the Nations League B Championship.

Curaçao delivered the window’s biggest upset, overcoming a 3-0 halftime deficit at Costa Rica to win 4-3 in League A.

The Concacaf Ranking Index evaluates all national teams, with points earned in the Nations League, Gold Cup, World Cup Qualifiers and other international matches.

The Donald Trump administration says it has filed denaturalization actions in multiple US district courts against one Haitian and two Cuban nationals among 40 individuals accused of ‘serious offenses’, including acting as an agent for a foreign government, committing voluntary manslaughter, and aggravated sodomy against a special-needs man.

Filed between August 21 and October 2, 2026, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said these complaints represent ‘the largest volume of complaints submitted in a single period under the Trump administration.’

The DOJ said the Haitian national whose US citizenship would be stripped is Arnouse Merlien, while the Cuban nationals are Javier Marrero-Pando and Lazaro Trujillo Viton.

The others whose US citizenship would be stripped are nationals of Colombia, Mexico, United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Nepal, Peru, Ghana, Iran, China, Cambodia, Canada and Afghanistan.

The DOJ said that, under the US Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalized US citizen’s citizenship may be revoked, and certificate of naturalization canceled, ‘if the naturalization was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation.’

US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the announcement marks ‘the largest denaturalization effort in modern history.

‘From an individual convicted of espionage to others convicted of sexual offenses against minors, these defendants concealed critical facts from the US government and represent serious criminal offenders,’ he said.

Blanche said under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice will continue to employ the denaturalization process ‘to maintain our national security and protect the American people’.

Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division said every single one of these individuals lied their way into US citizenship.

‘This administration will continue to pursue the largest denaturalization effort in department history to restore trust and integrity in US citizenship. Our message is clear: the United States will not tolerate deception in the naturalization process.’

The DOJ said that, on September 28, it filed a complaint in the Southern District of Florida seeking the denaturalization of Merlien, 48, a resident of West Palm Beach, Florida, because ‘she committed tax fraud during her naturalization proceedings.’

The DOJ said Merlien naturalized as a US citizen in 2016.

The DOJ said in 2018, in the Northern District of Georgia she was charged with, and convicted of Conspiracy to Defraud the Government with Respect to Claims.

‘In the years leading up to her naturalization, Ms. Merlien participated in a conspiracy to defraud the US government by submitting fraudulent claims for income tax refunds with the IRS,’ the DOJ said.

‘The United States seeks the denaturalization of Ms. Merlien in a three-count complaint alleging she illegally procured her naturalization because of her conviction for tax fraud, her false testimony in naturalization proceedings, which demonstrates she did not have the requisite good moral character needed for naturalization, and because she procured her naturalization by concealment of material facts or by willful misrepresentation,’ it added.

The DOJ said that, on August 31, it filed a case in the Middle District of Georgia seeking the denaturalization of Cuban Javier Marrero-Pando, 60, a resident of Athens, Georgia, because ‘he failed to disclose during his naturalization proceedings that he had committed aggravated sodomy against a special needs man.’

In June 2022, the DOJ said he was convicted by guilty plea for aggravated sodomy.

‘During his plea hearing, Mr. Marrero-Pando admitted that, in May 2020, he forced the victim to perform sexual acts against the victim’s will. For that offense, he was sentenced to life in prison, with all but 15 years suspended’

At his naturalization interview in October 2020, the DOJ said Marrero-Pando ‘falsely stated under oath that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested, inducing immigration authorities to grant his naturalization application.’

The DOJ said the United States filed a three-count complaint against Marrero-Pando seeking his denaturalization due to his ‘illegal procurement of naturalization, lack of good moral character, and false statements in his naturalization proceedings.’

The DOJ said it also filed a complaint, on October 1, in the District of Columbia seeking the denaturalization of another Cuban-born, Lazaro Eduardo Trujillo Viton, 40.

It said Trujillo ‘concealed throughout the naturalization process that he was involved in a conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and that he himself submitted fraudulent Medicare claims for reimbursement, for which he was convicted after naturalization.

‘Because Trujillo committed these crimes prior to naturalization and continuing through naturalization and concealed his involvement therein, he obtained naturalization through a concealment or willful misrepresentation of a material fact,’ the DOJ said.

The main opposition New National Party (NNP) Sunday launched its ‘Better Grenada’ rally ahead of the November 5 general election with party leader Emmalin Pierre telling supporters that they should remain focus on winning the general election that has been called almost a year ahead of the constitutional deadline.

”Don’t mind the bribery and propaganda, I say one thing to you, stay focus and mind your business until 6.00 pm (local time) on the fifth of November when Grenada will see a new government, when Grenada will see a party and a government that is formed among the people of this country,’ Pierre told the rally held at the National Stadium on the outskirts of the capital, St. George’s.

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell last week announced the date for the general election indicating that he was confident that his National Democratic Congress (NDC) that won the June 23, 2022 would be victorious again.

In the last Parliament, the NDC enjoyed a 9-6 majority with the NNP being the only party in Grenada’s political history to have won all the seats on three occasions in the past.

Apart from the NNP, the ruling party is also expected to face a challenge from the Democratic People’s Movement (DPM) headed by former foreign affairs minister Peter David that was launched on November 16 last year.

But Prime Minister Mitchell has dismissed suggestion here of the possibility of a hung parliament, saying ‘while anything is possible, I don’t think we will have a hung parliament at all’.

While he did not rule out the need to win all 15 seats, Mitchell said ‘for me I am just interested in winning. What matters is eight seats and once you have eight seats you will be able to for the government and if the population votes and the swing is we get all15 seats we will manage that when the time comes, but from my experience and observation of Grenadian politics there is no discernable advantage in having all 15 seats’.

Mitchell and attorney said ‘well let’s put it this way, those who had it did not seem to put it into good use’.

Former prime minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, 80, who was among those on the NNP platform on Sunday night, promised Grenadians that the ‘NNP is bringing Pierre pressure’ to the campaign.

Pierre as she addressed supporters promised to cut corporate tax from 28 to 25 per cent, provide free transportation for students who need assistance, and expand night and weekend bus services.

She said that the business tax reduction would give companies an opportunity to expand their operations, stimulate the economy and create employment.

‘We want to be a partner with our business community,’ she said, pledging cooperation towards national and economic development.

Pierre, the first woman to lead the NNP into a general election since its formation in August 1984, is promising students free tuition, plus transportation, meal, and uniform assistance, adding that tuition relief alone was insufficient when children could not afford to get to school.

‘We’re going to work with the Bus Association, and we are going to find a formula together so that we can run a proper pilot project for free transportation for students who need that support,’ Pierre said.

Pierre is also promising to strengthen ‘safe, reliable, and dependable transportation at nights and on weekends,’ noting that inadequate services should not prevent rural residents from accepting hotel jobs in the capital.

Other proposals included a medical card providing free doctor visits and basic prescription medication, solar farms across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and a dedicated fund to assist farmers affected by praedial larceny.

The NNP is also promising elder citizens that it will work with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to allow orkers retire between 60 and 65.

‘We’re not going to force them to stay up to 65,’ she said.

Pierre said that an NNP government will invest aggressively in solar farms across the country to bring down electricity costs and ease the burden on Grenadian families as well as adjusting the increase in the monthly personal income tax threshold from EC$3,000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) to EC$6,000, removal of value added tax (VAT) on electricity and sugar, abolition of the water levy and tax exemptions for tips, gratuities and bonuses.

‘When we launch the manifesto, we will tell you how we intend to fund the Better Grenada plan,’ she told supports, pledged also to accelerate oil and gas exploration and development, saying the sector should deliver benefits throughout the country.

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) Monday called for an account after Radio Jamaica News correspondent Henry Shirley was excluded from a St Thomas Municipal Corporation committee meeting on October 7.

In a statement, the PAJ described the situation as a direct blow to public transparency, adding that it is ‘particularly troubled by the ultra-aggressive conduct of the Jamaica Labour Party’s John Lee during the exchange and the decision by committee chairman and Deputy Mayor, the JLP’s Michael McLeod, to order Mr Shirley to leave.’

A 10-minute recording of the exchange was captured by the journalist, with the PAJ describing the conduct of Lee, who is the Councillor for the Yallahs Division, as ‘well below the standard of civility and professionalism expected of an elected representative’.

PAJ president Tyrone Reid said that while he recognises that the committee chairpersons must maintain order and that legitimate concerns about confidentiality and privacy deserve consideration, objections must be addressed through ‘lawful, proportionate procedures, not by resorting to conduct that intimidates journalists or arbitrarily restricts access to public proceedings.

‘Disagreement with media coverage cannot justify hostility towards a journalist performing his professional duties,’ he added.

The PAJ also called for urgent clarification from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development on the rules governing media access to municipal council and committee meetings.

‘We also call on the Ministry to issue clear written guidance to all municipal corporations and on the St Thomas Municipal Corporation to explain the legal and procedural basis for Mr. Shirley’s removal.’

The PAJ said that public institutions exist to serve the people and that ‘their proceedings must not be shielded from scrutiny merely because an official is uncomfortable with the presence of the press.

‘We expect the Ministry and the corporation to investigate this incident, address any conduct found to be inappropriate and take steps to prevent a recurrence,’ the PAJ said, adding press freedom is not a privilege granted at the discretion of public officials. It is an essential safeguard of democratic accountability.’

The PAJ said it was releasing the audio recording in the interest of transparency and accountability ‘so that the public can hear the exchange and make its own assessment of whether the conduct of the elected representatives and public officials involved meets the standards expected of those entrusted with public office.

‘Where a recording exists, the public should not be left to rely solely on competing accounts. Let the evidence speak for itself,’ Reid said.

The heavy lift vessel of the Netherlands-based Heerema Marine Contractors has commenced a significant offshore installation campaign offshore Trinidad, involving the transportation and installation of two offshore platform jackets and topsides for two separate energy operators.

The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago said that having already started offshore operations on the first platform, he vessel, Sleipnir, will execute both installation campaigns consecutively, maximising efficiency through a seamless back-to-back schedule.

It said completion of the overall campaign is anticipated around the beginning of November.

‘As one of the world’s most capable heavy lift vessels, Sleipnir brings unparalleled lifting capacity and advanced installation capabilities to the region, supporting the safe and efficient development of Trinidad’s offshore energy infrastructure,’ the Energy Chamber said.

It said that a key contributor to the success of both projects has been local fabrication specialist TOFCO, which played an instrumental role in the fabrication and loadout of the jackets.

‘The collaboration highlights the strength of local industry participation and the value of combining international offshore construction expertise with Trinidad and Tobago’s established fabrication capabilities.’

The Energy Chamber said that the campaign underscores continued investment in the country’s offshore sector while demonstrating Heerema Marine Contractors’ commitment to delivering complex offshore construction projects safely, efficiently, and in close partnership with local stakeholders.

Meanwhile, EnerMech has announced a contract award from Subsea7 to deliver pre-commissioning services for the Ginger subsea development project in Trinidad and Tobago. The Energy Chamber said EnerMech is providing pipeline and subsea pre-commissioning activities to support the development’s offshore infrastructure.

It said drawing on its established presence in Trinidad and Tobago, EnerMech is executing the scope through a combination of local expertise, experienced personnel and equipment already positioned within the Caribbean region.

This approach supports efficient delivery, maximizes local participation and provides a responsive delivery model for the customer.

Under the contract, EnerMech is delivering a comprehensive pre-commissioning package covering pipeline and subsea testing, flushing, hydrotesting, water filling, leak testing and commissioning support activities required to prepare the field’s subsea production system for safe operation. The scope supports both installation and commissioning phases of the development.

‘As offshore developments become increasingly sophisticated, the ability to provide integrated pre-commissioning and commissioning services is critical to maintaining schedules, reducing interfaces and supporting successful project delivery. Our teams continue to demonstrate that capability on major developments around the world,’ said Charles ‘Chuck’ Davison, Jr., EnerMech chief executive officer.

‘We are proud to support Subsea7 on the Ginger subsea development project and look forward to contributing to its successful execution.’

Vice President, Caribbean at EnerMech, Darrel Sookdeo, said, the company’s established presence in Trinidad and Tobago brings significant advantages to projects of this scale.

‘By combining local knowledge and experienced personnel with equipment already available within the region, we can support our customers with a responsive and efficient delivery model.

‘This contract highlights the strength of the capability we have built in-country and our commitment to supporting local content wherever possible. Working alongside our global pipeline and subsea specialists, our Caribbean team is helping deliver a critical phase of the development.

‘We are proud to be supporting a project that showcases the expertise available within the region while creating opportunities for local participation and in-country delivery,’ added Sookdeo