Category: CANA News

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

CASTRIES – 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.

KINGSTON – Jamaica has recorded the lowest quarterly murder figure recorded in more than three decades, with 407 people killed so far this year, as compared with 534 during the same period last year.

PARAMARIBO – 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.

BELMOPAN – Prime Minister John Briceño has announced a cabinet re-shuffle of his government ending days of speculation.

GEORGETOWN – 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.

SPORTS:

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

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 Caribbean has been described as a region that is booming, with vibrant, innovative business and entrepreneurs and should use the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) to deal with the challenges facing its untapped potential.

Addressing the three day CIF2026 here on Tuesday, Fiona Ramsey, who currently serves as the Ambassador of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, said the EU is very proud to be a very long-standing partner of Caribbean export. The CIF is the region’s premier platform for advancing transformative Caribbean projects toward investment. It is organised by the Caribbean Export Development Agency and continues to drive high-impact investments that power the Caribbean’s sustainability, digital transformation, regional integration, and inclusive growth.

Ramsey told the conference that having spent the past year living and working in the Eastern Caribbean region, she has had the privilege of speaking with many people from Caribbean entrepreneurs to European companies who have been visiting or are present in the region.

‘And what is clear to me is that the Caribbean is booming with vibrant, innovative businesses and entrepreneurs. It’s a region full of untapped opportunity, clear growth potential, and bright trade prospects.’

The EU diplomat said that at the same time, she acknowledges the hurdles, the challenges of attracting foreign investment, accessing capital, retaining the region’s incredible talent, and getting Caribbean businesses the global attention that they truly deserve.

‘And for me, the Caribbean Investment Forum is a way to tackle these hurdles. It is how we can convert our shared knowledge of the region’s opportunities into lasting, real-world partnerships,’ she said, adding that she is delighted to see such a significant portion of the Forum dedicated to those investment-ready projects.

Ramsey said that while she knows investments take time, ‘the tangible results of this week may only become visible in the months and years to come.

‘But I’m already picturing, actually, in my mind, a future meeting with a company or government partners who I think will smile and tell me, well, it all started at the Caribbean Investment Forum …in Barbados…’.

She said that the Caribbean Investment Forum is also an example of how the European Union, through its Global Gateway approach, is building partnerships across the region.

‘Our focus is on uniting public policy objectives with private investments that can deliver sustainable growth. And by that, I mean growth that strengthens local value chains, creates high-quality jobs, growth that allows Caribbean talent to flourish right here at home, growth that capitalises on the Caribbean’s unique assets and empowers the region’s products and services to compete in the global economy.’

The EU diplomat said the pharmaceutical sector provides a ‘concrete’ example of the development going forward, noting that the Caribbean currently imports 9 per cent of its medicines.

She said Barbados, Guyana, and other countries in the region want to change that and three years ago, in discussions with Prime Minister Mia Motley of Barbados and the President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, the European Union committed to supporting this vision of change.

‘And today, that commitment is taking shape. Biomedics Barbados is an established European-Barbadian joint venture bringing together expertise and capital for applied biomedical research here in the Caribbean,’ she said, adding that Barbados Pharmaceutical Inc. is in Milan and one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical market affairs ‘deepening partnerships with the European industry.

‘These practical steps are supporting Caribbean expertise and skilled jobs in the pharmaceutical sector and the type of opportunities I hope this forum is designed to advance.’.

She reiterated that pharmaceuticals are just one example and that the European Union is working across the region pursuing similar investment opportunities in renewable energy, maritime transport and connectivity, digitalisation, and the sargassum value chain.

She said as the EU seeks to further strengthen the partnership with the Caribbean ‘I have no doubt that we will find increased opportunities for trade, technology transfer, and sustainable investments.

‘We are building partnerships where we truly count on each other,’ she added.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy and Energy Industries Minister, Dr Roodal Moonilal, has described as ‘unfortunate the decision of the Canadian-based fertiliser giant, Nutrien Ltd to shut down its Trinidad Nitrogen operations at the Point Lisas Facility here following an extensive review of strategic alternatives and engagement with relevant stakeholders.

‘We have taken note of the media reports regarding the indefinite shutdown of operations by Nutrien at Point Lisas. The decision taken by Nutrien is unfortunate,’ Moonilal told the Trinidad Express newspaper.

On Monday Nutrien said that ‘due to ongoing natural gas constraints and uncertainty, this was determined to be the optimal path to enhance free cash flow and return on invested capita’.

The company said it has previously implemented a ‘controlled shutdown’ of the facility on October 23, 2025, in response to port access restrictions and a lack of reliable and economic natural gas supply that reduced the free cash flow contribution of the Trinidad Nitrogen operations over an extended period of time.

‘We greatly appreciate the contributions and dedication of our Trinidad team and are committed to managing the transition responsibly and safely,’ said Dean Perkins, Senior Vice President, Upstream, Nitrogen and Proprietary Product Operations.

But Moonilal told the newspaper that the Kamla Persad Bissessar government, through the National Gas Company (NGC), had been in discussions with Nutrien since October 2025 to resolve issues surrounding the continued operation of the PCS Nitrogen complex.

‘Those efforts will continue on the part of the Government,’ he said, disputing Nutrien’s explanation that the shutdown was driven by natural gas constraints.

Moonilal said that the company’s decision was instead motivated by ‘the desire to extract a margin that is suitable to their shareholders.

‘The government is compelled to act in the best interest of their shareholders, the citizens of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago,’ he said, adding that NGC had made every effort to keep the facility operating, including making an offer to purchase the PCS Nitrogen complex.

Moonilal said the plant is an important asset and its restart is a priority for the government, whether with Nutrien or a new operator.

‘At all material times, the National Gas Company has engaged with Nutrien in good faith. They were invited to engage with the NGC for the supply of gas to the facility but refused to accept that invitation.

‘It is unfortunate that the pursuit of profit has trumped the best interests of this country, the energy sector and the citizens who have in some cases given their entire professional career and adult lives to Nutrien.’

Moonilal said Nutrien’s decision would prompt the government to pursue discussions ‘in a more aggressive manner’ with existing stakeholders and potential investors, with the aim of restarting the facility.

‘We are working to rebuild the domestic energy sector and through this we intend to mitigate the impacts of the decision by Nutrien,’ he said, adding that the government wanted the Point Lisas facility operating again ‘in the not-too-distant future’.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has also defended the position taken by NGC saying that it must act in the best interests of its own workforce.

She told the Trinidad Guardian newspaper that NGC has a duty to make decisions that safeguard its employees.

‘NGC has to make decisions to ensure NGC doesn’t have to send its workers home and NGC has done so,’ she said, adding that ‘the government respects the rights of both NGC and Nutrien to run their businesses as they see fit.’

She also dismissed dismissed suggestions that Nutrien’s departure reflected a failure by her government.

‘Nutrien has to run their business how they see fit to satisfy their shareholders. I have no problem with their decision to shut down their plants. I wish them the best,’ she said, adding

‘NGC must run its business to ensure the citizens of this country get maximum return from gas sales.’

Earlier, former energy minister Stuart Young blamed the government for the closure of the company saying the closure underscores the ‘ incompetence’ of the ruling United National Congress (UNC) led coalition ‘in managing our delicate and important energy sector’.

He said that the closure of Nutrient will result in ‘a loss of foreign exchange, massive loss of jobs, not only at the plants but all associated service providers as well’

Nutrien said said that there will be no impact to its 2026 Nitrogen sales volume guidance as the company assumed no production from its Trinidad Nitrogen operations.

Last year, Nutrient, which states that it operates a world-class network of production, distribution and retail facilities, had ‘shut down’ its operations resulting in an estimated 350 contract workers being sent home while Nutrien’s permanent employees remained on the job.