Category: CANA News

West Indies Women defeated Zimbabwe Women by eight wickets in the third T20I at the Takashinga Sports Club here on Wednesday.

ZIMBABWE WOMEN 142-6 in 20 overs (Kelis Ndhlovu 63, Christine Mutasa 24 not out; Stafanie Taylor 2-8, Jahzara Claxton 2-35).

WEST INDIES WOMEN 143-2 in 17 overs (Stafanie Taylor 64 not out, Jahzara Claxton 38, Realeanna Grimmond 17, Jannillea Glasgow 15 not out; Christine Mutasa 1-19)

A High Court has found Kevin Taylor not guilty of attempting to murder his girlfriend after he allegedly sat her on January 12, 2024.

The nine-member jury, including eight women, told Justice Neil Brathwaite that they found Taylor not guilty on the two charges of attempting to murder Syretta Dames or in the alternative, caused dangerous harm to her.

The court heard that on January 12, 2024, the couple went to an eating place where they got into argument with Taylor allegedly sitting on Dames’ neck, affecting her mobility.

According to Taylor’s statement to the police, following the argument, Dames allegedly got out of the vehicle and sat in the street He said he encouraged her to get back into the vehicle, but she refused.

He said a car was coming and he lifted Dames and accidentally fell on her. Shortly after the mishap, Dames was unable to move.

At one point, Taylor flagged down an ambulance and the attendants checked Dames but did not take her to the hospital.

Taylor eventually took Dames to Doctors Hospital and she gave him her bank card to pay the bill.

The prosecution did not lead any evidence concerning the extent of Dames’ injuries and Taylor’s lawyer, Miranda Adderley, pointed out that there was no history of domestic violence between the couple.

She also made reference to her client’s efforts to assist his girlfriend.

Prime Minister Phillip Davis has welcomed the re-election of The Bahamas to another three-year term on the Council of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), following the election in Paris.

‘This achievement reflects our country’s commitment to advancing quality, strengthening competitiveness and contributing to the global standards that shape trade and economic development,’ Prime Minister Davis said in a statement.

The Bahamas was represented at the Paris meeting by Dr. Renae Ferguson-Bufford, the Executive Director of the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ) and Senator Kevin Simmons.

The Bahamas originally made history in 2023 by becoming the first Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state elected to the ISO Council, with Dr. Ferguson-Bufford becoming the first woman from the Caribbean to serve on it.

In his congratulatory message, Prime Minister Davis quoted Dr. Ferguson-Bufford as saying that this seat ensures that The Bahamas remains ‘at the table’ where important global standards decisions are made.

‘For a small island nation, having a voice in these discussions matters. It gives us the opportunity to ensure that our national interests and the needs of our businesses and citizens inform the development of international standards,’ Prime Minister Davis said, adding that Nassau was looking ‘forward to serving with purpose over the next three years, strengthening international partnerships and advancing standards that support opportunity and sustainable growth for The Bahamas’.

Scoreboard of the third T20I between Zimbabwe Women and West Indies Women at the Takashinga Sports Club here on Wednesday.

ZIMBABWE WOMEN

Kelis Ndhlovu c Hector b Claxton 63

Beloved Biza c Henry b Hector 21

Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano st + Mangru b Taylor 7

Chiedza Dhururu lbw Taylor 9

Nyasha Gwanzura c Claxton b Henry 3

Christine Mutasa not out 24

Michelle Mavunga b Claxton 6

Loryn Phiri not out 1

Extras (b2, nb 3, w3) 8

TOTAL (six wickets; 20 overs) 142

Did not bat: Kudzai Chigora, Tendai Makusha, Nomvelo Sibanda.

Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-40, 3-79, 4-90, 5-130, 6-136

Bowling: Hector 3-0-20-1, Henry 3-0-26-1, Claxton 4-0-35-2., Ramharack 4-0-36-0, Fletcher 2-0-15-0, Taylor 4-1-8-2

WEST INDIES WOMEN

Realeanna Grimmond b Mutassa 17

Jahzara Claxton b Biza 38

Stafanie Taylor not out 64

Janillea Glasgow not out 15

Extras (lb 1, nb2, w6) 9

TOTAL (two wickets; 17 overs) 143

Did not bat: *Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Zaida James, +Mandy Mangru, Afy Fletcher, Shawnisha Hector, Karishma Ramharack.

Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-90.

Bowling: Mutasa 3-0-19-1. Mukusha 2-0-16-0, Gwanzura 2-0-15-0, Chigora 2-0-18-0, Phiri 1-0-11-0, Biza 4-0-28-1, Sibanada 2-0-21-0, Mavunga 1-0-14-0

Result: West Indies Women won by eight wickets to sweep the three-match series 3-0.

Player of the Match: Stafanie Taylor

Player of the Series: Jahzara Claxton

Umpires: Kim Cotton, Iknow Chabi

Reserve Umpire: Foster Mutizwa

Match Referee: Owen Chirombe.

The Suriname government says it will not hesitate to take firm action against any importer attempting to bring agricultural crops into the country without the necessary permits.

The statement by the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Mike Noersalim comes amidst an ongoing court matter involving the seizure by Customs of 282 big bags of parboiled rice imported from Guyana by a local businessman’You must not underestimate this. The rice was brought in without permission from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. It is therefore smuggling, and we must protect our people. We will not compromise,’ Noersalim told the De Ware Tijd newspaper.

He said that apart from the unfair competition for local rice farmers, various diseases can also be imported and tthat the importer had attempted to circumvent the ministry’s control system, including failing to comply with the mandatory phytosanitary import conditions.

Noersalim said that the importer had only submitted the necessary documents after the authorities had been made aware of his activities, describing the situation as ‘desception.

‘The smuggling decree is here. For those guilty of smuggling, the fine will be severe,’ he said, adding ‘If we allow this we create an unfair playing field.

‘Our farmers have to produce under difficult circumstances, and we cannot allow anyone to bring in rice without following the procedures to compete against our hardworking rice farmers. Whoever it may be, this minister will not allow it.’

Meanwhile, the court case involving the seizure of the rice is due to resume on Thursday after the importer filed summary proceedings against the State to release the shipment.

During the proceedings on Tuesday, the court heard that the Customs Department and not the Economic Control Service (ECD) had seized the controversial consignment of parboiled rice.

A Customs official said that the seizure was made on Monday on the orders of the Inspector of Import Duties and Excise. The consignment had been declared on September 30, but the authorities said that not all the necessary documents were available.

A 76-year-old cook will return to court on November 6 after he was charged with the murder of six-year-old Zi Feng Cao on October 1 this year.

Quan Sheng Li appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the offence and was remanded to prison. The prosecution had earlier said that the post-mortem report and witness statements were still outstanding and requested additional time to compete the matter.

The six-year-old child was chopped to the neck at his East Bank Essequibo home and was pronounced dead at the De Kinderen Regional Hospital last Wednesday

The accused upon his arrest led investigators to the area where he had disposed of the murder weapon, a 12′ stainless steel blade.

The police said that Li had confessed to the killing that apparently stemmed from a money dispute with the boy’s parents who operated a Chinese restaurant. Li had reportedly went to the restaurant last Wednesday to collect the money.

However, he became violent and chopped the little boy who had only just returned home from school. Media reports said that the little boy had only just hugged the man, greeting him after he came home from school,

The child was cremated on Sunday.

The Dominica Electricity Services Limited (DOMLEC) Wednesday announced that it had received approval for a new electricity tariff rate from November 1, this year, saying the approval marks an important step in the continued evolution of island’s electricity sector.

In a statement, DOMLEC, the lone supplier of electricity on the island, did not indicate the level of the new tariff which it said had been approved by the Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC). It said the last tariff review was undertaken in 2007 even though a tariff review every three years is mandated by the Electricity Act.

‘Despite the inflation over the last two decades, our fixed charges for operations and maintenance haven’t been adjusted since; this change allows us to address needs that allow us to deliver a better service,’ said DOMLEC’s general manager, Dwayne Cenc, adding that the approval is critical to the company’s ability to provide quality service and ensure reliability of electricity supply to customers.

The IRC had earlier indicated that the new structure includes lower rates during off-peak periods and that before implementation, DOMLEC is expected to carry out public relations and outreach activities so customers can become familiar with the changes before they begin appearing on electricity bills.

The new tariff structure will be applied in accordance with the approved regulatory framework, IRC’s executive director Justin Kase said.

‘The Commission intends to monitor customer bills from this period through the end of the year and potentially longer. The exercise will examine whether the expected impact is appearing on bills while also determining whether DOMLEC is achieving the revenue targets established through the rate review.

‘That follow-up matters, because a tariff review is ultimately tested outside the consultation room. Customers experience it through the bills they receive each month,’ Kase added.

The approved tariff takes effect as the country advances its transition towards a more sustainable and renewable energy-based electricity system, including the introduction of geothermal power into DOMLEC’s energy mix.

DOMLEC said geothermal power is an indigenous renewable energy resource that reduces the electricity system’s dependence on imported diesel fuel, which is subject to international market price fluctuations.

According to DOMLEC business development engineer Felix Julien, customers are already experiencing the positive impact of Dominica’s growing use of geothermal energy.

‘Geothermal is already helping to cushion the high cost of fuel, and we are seeing our prices starting to stabilise due to its increased production.’

The country’s investments in renewable energy, battery energy storage and related infrastructure are part of a broader effort to achieve the national goal of 100 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2030.

DOMLEC said it recognises that changes to electricity rates are of significant interest to customers, and is committed ‘to providing clear, timely and accessible information to help customers understand what the approved tariff means for their electricity bills.

‘Over the coming weeks, DOMLEC will provide customers with additional information on the new tariff, including explanations of the different customer classes, how electricity bills are calculated, the role of the fuel surcharge, Time-of-Use considerations and practical ways customers can manage their electricity consumption.’

DOMLEC said in the meantime, customers are encouraged to understand their customer class, review their electricity consumption and take advantage of opportunities to manage their energy use. Simple actions such as switching off appliances when not in use, using energy-efficient equipment, and being mindful of when and how electricity is consumed can contribute to better control of monthly electricity costs.

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) opened its new law term in St. Lucia on Wednesday with its President, Justice Winston Anderson noting that over the past two decades the Court has built a strong foundation of institutional excellence guided by principles and values which underpin, support, and drive its work.

‘Judicial independence and impartiality, enhanced accessibility, technological innovation, and adaptability, and a strong service ethos have remained central to the Court’s operations,’ Justice Anderson said, adding that ‘adherence to these principles has enabled the Court to deliver justice at the highest level while developing a distinct and robust body of indigenous jurisprudence that stands as a source of pride for the region’.

Justice Anderson, the fourth president of the CCJ, since it was established in 2001 and inaugurated four years later to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s highest and final court, said that the two decades had been spent building the Court.

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) opened its new law term in St. Lucia on Wednesday with its President, Justice Winston Anderson noting that over the past two decades the Court has built a strong foundation of institutional excellence guided by principles and values which underpin, support, and drive its work.

‘Judicial independence and impartiality, enhanced accessibility, technological innovation, and adaptability, and a strong service ethos have remained central to the Court’s operations,’ Justice Anderson said, adding that ‘adherence to these principles has enabled the Court to deliver justice at the highest level while developing a distinct and robust body of indigenous jurisprudence that stands as a source of pride for the region’.

Justice Anderson, the fourth president of the CCJ, since it was established in 2001 and inaugurated four years later to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s highest and final court, said that the two decades had been spent building the Court.

‘Now we must deepen its reach and strengthen its impact. As we move into this new judicial year, we do so with a clear sense of purpose, an unwavering commitment to service, and renewed resolve to fulfil our mandate,’ Justice Anderson said. Watch video

The CCJ is holding its first-ever itinerant sitting here until Thursday coinciding with the opening of the 2026/2027 judicial year and Justice Anderson said that while much has been achieved and the Court has much to be proud of, ‘it has not been an easy road’.

He noted that at the Court’s inception, Guyana and Barbados immediately acceded to the Court’s appellate jurisdiction, followed by Belize in 2010, Dominica in 2015, and most recently St. Lucia in 2023.

‘The pace of accession to the appellate jurisdiction by other member states has not been as swift as we would have hoped. The Court has continued to thrive in its ability to cultivate a truly Caribbean jurisprudence in both the original and appellate jurisdictions, steadfastly pursuing its mission of advancing Caribbean jurisprudence by providing accessible, efficient, and substantive justice to the people and states of the Caribbean community.’

The CCJ President said that since its establishment, the Court has heard and determined more than 500 matters in both the original and appellate jurisdictions, noting that the figure surpasses some of the CCJ’s larger and more established counterparts.

‘In carrying out its mandate, the Court has continually sought to enhance access to justice and embrace emerging technological advancement. It has attracted and appointed competent and dedicated judges and staff from across the world, while engaging with external stakeholders regionally and internationally to solidify its status as a respected apex Court.’

Justice Anderson said that in doing so, the Court has fulfilled not only its responsibility to administer efficient and fair justice, but also its responsibility to uphold the rule of law, protect fundamental rights and freedoms of the Caribbean people, and contribute to the development of a coherent and authoritative body of community law.

He said in the last judicial year in the appellate jurisdiction, the Court delivered 17 judgments from appeals and special leave applications from the five member states, including St. Lucia, and that these matters were of great public importance, as well as providing ‘measured clarification and develop specific areas of the law’.

He said that in March this year, the CCJ received its first referral matter when the Supreme Court of Belize sought interpretative assistance ‘ and this request was honoured in a ruling delivered in July 2026’.

He said that this landmark ruling followed the Court’s sustained efforts, including its referral workshop series and sensitisation sessions on the original jurisdiction throughout the region, and that the CCJ hopes that this development signals a growing appreciation and understanding of the referral obligation ‘and we certainly look forward to receiving many more referrals as national courts continue to engage with issues of community law’.

Justice Anderson said that in the coming year, the Court will remain fully engaged in the timely and efficient resolution of matters filed with it. He said in the appellate jurisdiction, these comprise nine appeals, 14 special leave applications.

‘Currently, there are eight matters pending delivery in the appellate jurisdiction where judgement has been reserved,’ adding that since St. Lucia acceded to the CCJ there has been a 600 per cent increase in judgments issued by the CCJ for St. Lucia when compared with a corresponding period at the Privy Council.

‘In fact, the registry has recorded a recent overall 40 per cent increase in filings before the CCJ,’ Justice Anderson said, noting that he was citing these stats to demonstrate that the Court will remain active in dispensing justice in the coming year.

He said looking ahead, the plan for this judicial year is to continue building on the foundation, advancing the Court in every possible area.

‘This plan includes strengthening our operations, increasing internal efficiency, reviewing and modernising our internal and external processes, and ensuring the Court remains responsive to the growing demands of the landscape in which it operates.

‘Additionally, the Court will remain focused on progressing work under a strategic plan 2025-2032, which will continue to guide our operations over the next six years,’ he added.

West Indies veteran Stafanie Taylor etched her name into the history books on Wednesday, becoming only the fourth woman to complete the double of 3,000 T20I runs and 100 wickets, as the regional women crushed Zimbabwe by eight wickets to complete a clean 3-0 series sweep here on Wednesday.

Taylor’s historic moment came with the ball, but her all-round brilliance defined the match at the Takashinga Sports Club.

After Zimbabwe elected to bat, the hosts looked set for a competitive total before Taylor intervened.

The Zimbabwean innings was anchored by opener Kelis Ndhlovu, who scored her fifth T20I half-century. Ndhlovu struck a fluent 63 off just 48 deliveries, peppering the boundary with six fours and three sixes.

She guided Zimbabwe to 40 for 1 in the powerplay, but the introduction of Taylor changed the complexion of the game immediately.

Taylor struck with just her second delivery, having Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano stumped by Mandy Mangru for seven to claim her 100th T20I wicket.

She later returned to trap Chiedza Dhururu lbw for nine, finishing with remarkable figures of 2 for 8 from her four overs.

Supported by Jahzara Claxton (2 for 35), the West Indies bowlers restricted the hosts despite a late surge. A 40-run stand off 27 balls between Ndhlovu and Christine Mutasa helped Zimbabwe post 142 for 6, taking 41 runs off the final four overs.

In response, Claxton led the charge with a composed 38 off 37 balls at the top of the innings. However, it was her 71-run partnership with Taylor for the second wicket that killed the game as a contest.

Opener Realeanna Grimmond chipped in with 17, but Taylor took control of the chase. The major difference between the two sides was the middle overs (overs 7 to 16).

While Zimbabwe managed only 61 for 3 during that phase, West Indies plundered 85 runs for the loss of just Claxton, who was bowled by Beloved Biza.

Taylor finished unbeaten on 64 off just 39 balls, an innings laced with 11 boundaries. She and Janillea Glasgow (15 not out) put on an unbroken 53-run stand for the third wicket to see the West Indies home with 18 balls to spare.