Category: CANA News

West Indies produced the highest successful run chase in their men’s T20I history, and the second-highest in the format, as Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 off 45 balls and Sherfane Rutherford’s 84 off 37 powered them past India’s 249-5 with six wickets in hand, levelling the five-match series 1-1 here Friday.

India’s massive total, built on Sanju Samson’s 82 and a ferocious finish from Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma, proved too little on a dewy surface highway in Ranchi.

The 501 runs scored on the night made it the second-highest aggregate in men’s T20Is, but the gap between the sides came down to some typical Caribbean big hitting.

West Indies struck 20 sixes to India’s 13, with nine of them coming off Hope’s bat. The dew, as Hope had predicted at the toss, did the rest, and India’s spinners bore the brunt: Axar Patel conceded 63 in 3.3 overs, while Kuldeep Yadav went for 53 in four.

After Hope won the toss and sent India in, the evening initially seemed headed in one direction, with West Indies undoing their own efforts through poor fielding.

Samson, under pressure after a lean run, was scratchy early, edging his first boundary past the keeper before being dropped by Kamil Pooran at cover when he was just on six.

He punished the free hit from Akeal Hosein over long-on almost immediately. Two overs later, he took Hosein for two sixes and two fours in a 22-run over.

A second drop, at mid-off on 42, was followed by a 21-ball fifty, the joint-fastest by an Indian against West Indies.

With Ishan Kishan cracking 43 off 22 on his home ground, the pair added 97 in 43 balls, and India reached halfway at 127-1.

Roston Chase, who finished with 3 for 24, removed Abhishek Sharma, bowled Kishan with one that stayed low, and had Shivam Dube dragging on.

India managed only 42-3 between overs 11 and 15, a period that saw Samson upper-cut a Shamar Springer slower ball straight to a squarer-than-usual third man for 82.

Iyer, fresh from his maiden T20I hundred, and Tilak took 80 off the last five overs. West Indies helped them along with wides, full tosses and a slow over-rate that left only four fielders on the rope for the final over.

Tilak hit Springer’s first three balls of the 20th over for sixes and finished unbeaten on 44 off 18, while Iyer made 40 off 18.

India could not have asked for a better start to the defence. In the first over, Mayank Yadav had Pooran top-edging a pull and then got Shimron Hetmyer first ball with a 144kph delivery that jagged back onto middle stump.

But from then on, the tide turned. Hope took Axar for two sixes and a four in the fourth over, and Rovman Powell raced to 24 off 13 before Mayank sent his off stump cartwheeling.

Rutherford walked in and hit three of his first four balls to the fence, and by the end of the Powerplay West Indies were 72-3, at par with the scoring rate.

What followed was the partnership that won the match. Hope, who had followed back-to-back ODI hundreds with a fifty in the first T20I, reached another in 24 balls.

Rutherford, dropped on 39 by Mayank at short fine leg, cleared the large boundaries with ease. India tried to hide the ball wide of off, and for a while it worked, but Axar’s 12th over went for 23 and Naman Dhir’s next over went for 18.

Rutherford’s fifty came in 24 balls, his third successive fifty-plus score in T20Is.

The pair added 120 off 54, and by the time Kuldeep found Rutherford’s edge in the 15th over, the target had shrunk to 72 off 35.

That should have been India’s opening. Instead, Romario Shepherd, who had limped off while bowling in the first innings, walked out and shut the game down.

Kuldeep’s 17th over went for 24, Hope clearing long-off twice before Shepherd went down on one knee to hit another over mid-wicket. Arshdeep Singh’s 18th then went for 17, effectively shutting the door.

With 10 needed off 12, Hope finished it off in three balls from Axar, slog-sweeping a six to reach 96 and then lofting another over long-off to bring up his magnificent hundred and the win. West Indies finished on 250-4, leaving India to rue a total that had looked imposing until Hope and Rutherford turned Ranchi into a theatre of a record-breaking chase.

The Guyana government says it putting measures in place to guard against H5NI Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) amid reports of an outbreak in neighbouring Suriname.

Bird flu symptoms in chickens include sudden death, lethargy, loss of appetite, respiratory distress (coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge), swelling or purple discoloration of the comb and wattles, diarrhea, neurological signs like loss of coordination, and a sudden drop in egg production.

Agriculture Minister said that he earlier this week officially informed by the World Health Animal Organization (WHO) adding ‘when I heard about the rumors I started to put things in place, as a matter of fact, I activate a multi stakeholder committee that is meeting very regularly, sometimes twice per week, sometimes.

‘We have the GLDA (Guyana Livestock Development Authority), which is of course, taking the lead but we have a number of other organisations,’ Mustapha added.

The other organisations that are part of the stakeholder committee include the Civil Defense Commission, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Revenue Authority, and the Poultry Producers Association.

Mustapha said the authorities have since increased farm surveillance across the country, acknowledging that there are also some unofficial sites where normally vessels come across from Suriname.

We are also strengthening those areas to ensure that we don’t have any of those poultry products comes across to our country,’ Mustapha said, noting that there are 1,025 farms around the regions, with 24 plucking shops. Currently, there are over four million birds in Regions Four, Five and Six.

‘We are monitoring it on a daily basis. As a matter of fact, I have increased the extension services in the GLDA and the NPPO Staff plus the NAREI Staff are also complementing the GLDA Staff.

‘So, we have put intense mechanism in place to strengthen surveillance around the country. We are also doing a lot of random testing in various parts of the regions so hopefully we will not have an outbreak here,’ he said, adding that systems are being put in place to ensure that all farms are up to standard in their hygiene.

‘I want to assure the public out there that the government has been working through the ministry of agriculture, through GLDA auspiciously to ensure that we don’t have an outbreak in our country because that is a very dangerous disease and it could disseminate our population in our poultry industry’.

He said that the stakeholder committee is expected to create and distribute brochures shortly to make the public aware of the symptoms and what they should look for in their birds. Mustapha said there are six tunnel ventilated pens with 40,000 birds being produced every six weeks and another 10 is expected to be established before the end of the year.

‘I’m working very hard to ensure that we have maximum production of these products in the country,’ he stated.

Meanwhile, the trading and distribution company, Subisco International NV, (Subisco) has sued the the state of Suriname as it seeks to get release of 11,700 kilograms of frozen chicken from France.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) has refused the import permit due to the import ban on poultry products from Europe, which came into effect on February 6, 2026, because of the threat of avian influenza.

Subisco is asking the court to force the authorities to import and release the consignment of chicken within 24 hours, or pay a penalty of SRD20,000 (One SRD=US$0.02 cents)

Subisco is also seeking a court order compelling the state to grant all necessary consents and permits for the import, customs clearance, and actual delivery of the goods. The company also requests that the state be ordered to pay the legal costs.

But the government has responded by saying that Subisco applied for a veterinary import permit on March 27, this year but was rejected by the LVV because, since February 6, no veterinary import permits have been issued for poultry products from Europe and infected areas in the United States.

According to the LVV, all involved importers were informed of this measure in writing on February 5 adding that Subisco purchased and paid for the chickens on February 23, 2026, noting that it is 17 days since the ban came into effect.

The state is asking the court to dismiss Subisco’s claim.

Security officials from several Caribbean countries are meeting here exchanging knowledge and developing effective approaches to prevent, investigate, and respond to cybercrime across borders.

The event, organised by Colombia, has brought together security officials from Curaçao, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Aruba, Suriname, and Jamaica.

‘Technology has become inseparable from virtually every dimension of modern life. The same technology that creates opportunity and accelerates development can also be exploited by the criminal actors to conceal their identity, target victims, steal information, move illicit proceeds, recruit accomplices, and coordinate criminal activities across the future,’ said Belize Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado.

Captain Jose Alejandro Reyes Duque said that there are several topics that have been prepared for this exchange of knowledge.

‘One of the emerging technologies is cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, and ransomware, which is the kidnapping of information, one of the most aggressive forms of attack in the world today.

‘We have identified that in many countries, this type of modalities or crimes are very common and use the same techniques regardless of the country,’ he added.

Rosado said that one of the main things that the conference is looking forward to, apart from building capacity, is sharing best practises and developing networks.

Retired Rear Admiral,Elton Bennett said ‘we also have seven different countries participating in this activity, which will definitely be good opportunities for us to engage with them as well’.

The policy advisor in cybersecurity in Suriname, Franklyn Maanster said that cybercriminals are always a step ahead, ‘so that’s why this kind of workshop, it lets us see our weaknesses and also our strengths’.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé says he has instructed members of the Cabinet and officials of the public administration ‘to demonstrate neutrality and impartiality and to provide their full support to the smooth running of the electoral process’ as Haiti prepares for a December 13 election.

General elections, repeatedly delayed since 2019, are scheduled for December 13, marking the first time Haitians will be casting ballots since 2016 when President Jovenel Moise was elected. Moise was later assassinated on July 7,2021Fils-Aimé said that ‘the credibility of the electoral process rests on citizens’ trust in the neutrality of public institutions and in the equal treatment of all candidates, political parties, groups, and coalitions of political parties’.

He said that it is therefore necessary to reassure the population, political parties, and civil society actors of the government’s neutrality in the electoral process.

A resolution reaffirming the government’s commitment to neutrality in the electoral process was adopted at the last meeting of the Council of Ministers.

According to the resolution, the government acknowledged having regard to the electoral decree of June 2, 2026, and amended one month later that there is ‘the need to establish leadership based on trust, balance, and neutrality at the Executive level’ noting that ‘these are essential conditions for the prompt organization of inclusive and transparent elections to install elected authorities’.

The resolution also notes that it is the government’s responsibility to take all necessary measures to create a safe and stable environment conducive to the conduct of elections and that in keeping with the relevant orders ‘no public official, civil servant, employee of the national public administration, member of the Government, or senior official may use State equipment and resources to engage in electoral propaganda activities in favour of one or more candidates, political parties, groups, or coalitions of political parties, under penalty of sanctions’.

The government is also warning that any one breaching the principle of neutrality during the electoral process shall face the penalties provided for by the laws and regulations in force.

Meanwhile, Haitian have revised the electoral rules for the third time in four months amid fears that the December 13 poll date will not be met.

According to the revised electoral decree, which was published in the official Gazette on Thursday, establishes the framework for organizing elections for president, legislative and local officials along with a constitutional referendum.

The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has been pushing for the deadline for online candidate registration and submission of required documents to October 31, postponing the official start of campaigning.

It said that a new updated electoral calendar would soon be published, and although the revised decree continues to bar individuals sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council from running for president, Parliament and local elections, it does not automatically disqualify those who have been sanctioned solely by individual foreign governments, including the United States and Canada, or by the European Union.

Belize Thursday held a national dialogue on ending violence against children as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country prepares to participate in the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, scheduled to be held in the Philippines, November 18-19.

The dialogue which brought together several national, regional and international stakeholders, agreed that violence against children remains one of the most pervasive violations of children’s rights globally.

‘It undermines children’s health, education, protection, and overall well-being, with consequences that can last a lifetime. Every child has the right to grow up free from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation,’ according to the statement issued following the dialogue.

It said that the national dialogue represented an important opportunity for Belize to review progress made since joining governments from around the world at the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Colombia, in 2024.

According to the statement, Belize had pledged to accelerate efforts to end violence against children and since then the country has been advancing a multisectoral approach to translate these commitments into action through national policies, programmes, and partnerships aligned with the INSPIRE strategies for ending violence against children.

The statement said that the contributions of the various stakeholders will help ensure that future commitments are informed by the realities children face and reflect solutions that respond to their needs.

Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs Minister, Thea Garcia-Ramirez, told the dialogue that the real measure of the country’s success will not be what is said at an international conference.

‘It will be what changes for children in Belize upon return. It will be whether a child is safer in their home. Whether a child feels protected and supported at school. Whether a child who experiences violence can access the services they need.

‘Whether the systems we have built actually respond when a child reaches out for help. And whether we, as adults and as institutions, listen when children tell us what they need. Every child in Belize has the right to grow up safe, protected, and heard,’ Garcia-Ramirez added.

The advisor, Health Systems and Service with the Pan America Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Dr. Roberto Bohrt, said that while no single sector can prevent and respond to violence against children and adolescents in isolation, the UN organization in its technical cooperation role to Belize, understands the fundamental role that the health sector should play within a multisectoral response.

He said that health services provide a key point of contact with children, adolescents, and their families and can contribute to the early identification of violence and risk factors, provide comprehensive care and support to survivors, and facilitate timely referrals to protection services and response mechanisms in other sectors.

Bohrt said that the health sector also has a central role in primary prevention by incorporating preventive interventions into programmes and services designed to promote the health and well-being of children and adolescents, and can generate and use data to understand the magnitude and characteristics of violence, identify groups and situations at greater risk.

UNICEF’s representative for Belize, Sajid Ali, reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to promoting dialogue and collaboration to end violence against children while underscoring the importance of placing children at the center of solutions.

‘Ending violence against children requires collective action across all sectors of society, and children must be at the center of these conversations,’ he said, highlighting the need for a coordinated, child-centered approach to creating safer families, schools, communities, and online spaces for every child in Belize.

The West Indies defeated India by six wickets in the second T20I at the JSCA International Stadium Complex here on Friday.

INDIA 249-5 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 82, Tilak Varma 44 not out, Ishan Kishan 43, Shreyas Iyer 40; Roston Chase 3-24, Shamar Springer 2-64)

WEST INDIES 252-4 in 18.3 overs (Shai Hope 102 not out, Sherfane Rutherford 84, Romario Shepherd 34 not out, Rovmaan Powell 24; Mayank Yadav 3-36)

The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Friday said that it is participating in a project intended to strengthen the business management, digitalisation, and resilience of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The region’s premier financial institution said that through its Private Sector Division, it is partnering with Invest Turks and Caicos to carry out the project through to November 30,and that the bank’s flagship MSME technical assistance programme, will provide technical and financial support with a focus on digital and social media marketing, business continuity planning, and financial literacy and management.

‘Providing technical assistance in these areas reflects CDB’s commitment, through CDB|PROPEL, to strengthening the managerial and operational capacity of MSMEs in the Turks and Caicos Islands,’ said Michel Thomas, Senior Operations Officer wthin the CDB’s Private Sector Division.

‘The initiative aims to build resilience, expand access to finance, improve competitiveness, and create opportunities for increased revenue.’

More than 30 MSME owners, managers, and employees in the tourism, transportation, agriculture, and creative sectors are expected to benefit from training workshops and follow-up, one-on-one technical assistance.

This support will help participants apply the knowledge and information gained to improve their businesses’ operations and competitiveness.

The chief executive officer of Invest Turks and Caicos, Angela Musgrove, said Invest Turks and Caicos is pleased to partner with the Caribbean Development Bank on initiatives that equip entrepreneurs with practical tools to reach customers, strengthen financial management and decision-making, and support business growth.

‘We recognise that financial literacy, digital marketing, and business continuity planning are essential to building strong, sustainable businesses, and we value the bank’s continued support for the development of the Turks and Caicos Islands business community. CDB has long supported capacity-building initiatives such as these, and we look forward to continuing our partnership as we strengthen and support local entrepreneurs.’

The Office of the Attorney General says the High Court claim concerning the electoral process in Grenada is being ‘addressed appropriately’.

According to a statement issued by the Office, the claim before the High Court ‘seeks to challenge certain aspects of the electoral process,’ but did not elaborate.

It said it has retained and is instructing external counsel to give legal advice and representation to the defendants in the claim and that the team led by former attorney general Dr. Francis Alexis KC and includes Ruggles Ferguson KC and Ian Sandy.

‘This legal team is treating with these proceedings in the appropriate manner and is taking all necessary steps to represent the interests of the defendants and to assist the Court in the determination of the issues raised.’

Last month, former attorney general, Cajeton Hood said he is asking the High Court to settle a growing controversy over the electoral rights of Grenadians living overseas, arguing that the courts should decide who qualifies to vote before Grenada goes to the polls.

Last weekend Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell announced November 5 as the date for the elections, almost a year before the constitutional deadline of October 2027.

Hood wants the High Court to interpret the provisions governing voter registration and determine who is entitled to be registered, who can remain on the voters’ list and for how long.

‘I’m asking the court to interpret the provisions relating to the general elections,’ Hood said, adding that he also wants the court to determine ‘who’s entitled to be registered, who’s entitled to remain on the list and for how long.’

At the center of the dispute is whether or not Grenadians residing overseas can participate in the election with Hood wanting the High Court to determine what the law requires rather than rely on competing political interpretations.

‘I’m simply asking the court to make a ruling on it. I don’t want to be over there arguing this matter in public. The court is entitled to and has the power to make a ruling, the interpretation, and everybody abides by what the law is supposed to be,’ said Hood, who is also challenging the legislation’s constitutional implications, arguing that parliamentary enactment does not necessarily end the legal inquiry.

‘The majority in Parliament could pass any law they want,’ he said.

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, himself a lawyer, and the Supervisor of Elections have been named as defendants, with Hoods indicating that the Supervisor is intended to ensure that any eventual ruling can be implemented through the electoral system.

The first hearing is scheduled for October 29.

Meantime, the Office of the Attorney-General said it ‘remains satisfied that the electoral process is being conducted in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Grenada’ reiterating ‘its commitment to upholding the rule of law to support a fair, transparent and orderly electoral process.’

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Friday, October 9, 2026

PORT AU PRINCE – Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé says he has instructed members of the Cabinet and officials of the public administration ‘to demonstrate neutrality and impartiality and to provide their full support to the smooth running of the electoral process’ as Haiti prepares for a December 13 election.

WASHINGTON -The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Guyana’s economy continues to expand at one of the highest rates in the world, supported by strong oil production and robust, broad-based non-oil activity.

ST. GEORGE’S -The Office of the Attorney General says the High Court claim concerning the electoral process in Grenada is being ‘addressed appropriately’.

GEORGETOWN – The Guyana government Friday dismissed allegations suggesting that approximately one million pounds of contaminated chicken may have been allowed to be sold on the local market.

SANTO DOMINIGO – Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Phillips is urging regional leaders to enhance collaboration on long-term energy planning to ensure sustainability and viability for the future.

SPORTS:

RANCHI -India posted 249 for five in 20 overs after being sent in by the West Indies in the second T20I at the JSCA International Stadium Complex here on Friday.

The Guyana government Friday dismissed allegations suggesting that approximately one million pounds of contaminated chicken may have been imported into the country and allowed to be sold on the local market.

‘These claims are without supporting evidence and have the potential to create unnecessary fear among consumers and undermine public confidence in the relevant government agencies’ ability to safeguard the country’s food supply,’ the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement. ‘There is no evidence to support claims that the chicken being imported temporarily into Guyana through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) in contaminated,’ it said, adding that Guyana has established sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures governing the importation of agricultural and food products.

‘These measures are in keeping with international food safety and animal health standards and are designed to protect consumers, safeguard local agricultural production and prevent the introduction and spread of animal diseases.

‘All poultry imported through the NGMC must satisfy the necessary sanitary, veterinary, and food-safety requirements. These include certification and approval procedures in the country of origin, along with the required inspections and regulatory oversight in Guyana. The NGMC also ensures that appropriate transportation and handling measures are maintained throughout the importation and distribution process.’

The ministry said that in the case of chicken imported from Brazil, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) issues the necessary no-objection only after the relevant requirements have been satisfied.

It said this includes consideration of the animal-health status of the exporting country and monitoring of diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease.

The ministry said that upon arrival in Guyana, the GLDA, the Veterinary Public Health Unit, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant authorities inspect and oversee imported poultry products before clearing them for distribution.

‘The public can therefore rest assured that food safety remains a priority and that the established sanitary, phytosanitary, and veterinary requirements will not be compromised.

‘Persons who have established social media platforms under the guise of creating a space for balanced dialogue and public interest have a responsibility to provide credible evidence and verified information. Any legitimate concerns relating to food safety should be reported to the relevant authorities so that they can be properly investigated.’

The government says it ‘remains fully committed to protecting consumers, supporting local producers and ensuring that all imported food products meet the required standards of safety, quality and hygiene’.