Category: CANA News

Ukraine Monday awarded Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, its Order of Merit in recognition of his contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The award, conferred by decree of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on August 24 this year, recognises Sir Ronald’s contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ukraine’s Chargé d’affaires, Denys Sienik, in resenting the award on behalf of President Zelenskyy, described Sir Ronald, who is also Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS as ‘an outstanding diplomat, a principled statesman, and a true friend of Ukraine’.

Sienik credited the Mission of Antigua and Barbuda, under Sir Ronald’s leadership, with serving as a principal driving force behind the OAS’s consideration of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

He highlighted Sir Ronald’s work in initiating diplomatic action, negotiating texts and mobilising support for resolutions and declarations defending Ukraine, including the February 2022 declaration condemning the invasion, the March 2022 resolution calling for Russia’s immediate military withdrawal, and the April 2022 resolution suspending Russia’s status as a Permanent Observer at the OAS.

Sienik also recognised Sir Ronald’s subsequent advocacy at OAS General Assemblies and his sustained public support through widely published commentaries.

In accepting the honour, Sir Ronald said he shared it with the Antigua and Barbuda government, whose support for Ukraine rested on principles essential to the country’s own existence: sovereignty, territorial integrity and every nation’s right to determine its future.

‘For Antigua and Barbuda, and for smaller nations everywhere, sovereignty is the freedom to govern ourselves, preserve our identity and decide how our people will live. International law protects that freedom. When it is violated with impunity in one country, its protection is weakened for all.’

‘Ukraine’s people bear the suffering of this war. But the principle they are defending belongs to every nation: our unequal power does not diminish our equal rights,’ he told the ceremony, expressing solidarity with Ukrainian families who had lost loved ones or been displaced.

In his address, Sir Ronald called for a just and lasting peace that respected Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

‘They also deserve the support of every nation that believes in justice, international law, democracy and the right of all peoples to live free from threats and coercion,’ he added.

Belize is hosting a four day conference discussing the challenge facing tax administrations across the Caribbean on how to improve taxpayer compliance, safeguard government revenues, and deliver more effective services while making the best use of limited resources.

The third Compliance Risk Management (CRM) Community of Practice event has brought together tax administration representatives from Barbados, Curaçao, Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, and Belize, with technical support from the International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Affairs Department (IMF/FAD) and the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC).

The organisers said that the four day event, which ends on Thursday, provides a platform for each participating country to present how CRM is currently being applied within its tax administration, supported by practical examples of initiatives, results, challenges, and lessons learned.

They said that these exchanges will help countries identify effective approaches, strengthen risk-based decision-making, and develop more targeted strategies to address non-compliance.

Addressing the opening ceremony on Monday, the Director General of the Belize Tax Service, Mrs. Michelle Longsworth, said that the CRM is more than a technical framework and represents a fundamental shift in how tax administrations operate.

‘The real value comes from how we use information – how we turn data into intelligence, intelligence into action, and action into measurable improvements in taxpayer compliance,’ she said.

Longsworth said that effective compliance risk management requires sustained institutional commitment, investment in people and systems, and a willingness to learn from both successes and challenges.

The organisers said also that the event comes at an important stage in the continued modernization of Belize’s tax administration, as the Belize Tax Service works to strengthen its use of data, improve compliance strategies, and promote greater voluntary compliance.

The gathering also reinforces the importance of regional cooperation, recognizing that while Caribbean tax administrations may differ in size and resources, many of the compliance challenges they face are similar.

‘Through this collaboration, participating countries aim to move beyond sharing experiences to identifying practical improvements that can be implemented within their respective tax administrations.’

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has lauded his team’s performances in the shorter format of the game over the past few months, pointing out that he had seen major improvements in all facets of the game.

His comments came following Saturday’s no result in the fifth and final T20I between his side and India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which left the series tied at 2-2.

Only 7.4 overs were bowled during the rain-hit contest, with India reaching 118 for five before heavy showers forced a premature end to the decider.

Speaking during a post-match press conference, Sammy said the fact that the seventh ranked West Indies was able to hold its own against the second best T20I side in the world could not be overlooked.

In the three previous T20I bilateral series between the two teams in India, the home side won all, with the Windies mustering a solitary win.

Earlier this year the Windies reached the semifinals of the 2026 T20I World Cup before being knocked out by India and followed it up with a 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka in their T20I series at home in June.

‘It’s a true reflection of how all the teams have played, especially for our guys. I’m pretty sure when the series started, we probably didn’t have a chance. But that was just the opinion of others.

‘We would have liked to win because that’s something we’ve not done forever in India, so it would have been nice. I think the cup still is in our favour because we won the home leg the last time we played (in 2023) 3-2,’ Sammy said.

‘We understand what success means to us; we don’t ever take for granted where we are as a team and the challenges that we face. We just look to make those strides, and I think after this series, we’ve taken a massive step. We played against the defending champions and we’ve matched them, [and] in certain areas we’ve outplayed them, especially in their backyard.’

With the regional team’s financial woes well publicised, Sammy said he hoped their progress on the field would lead to financial stability off of it.

Before the start of the tour Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced major financial restructuring featuring a number of moves, including a 25 per cent pay cut for contracted international players.

‘…I think it’s important to understand what West Indies cricket means, not only to the region, but to the world and to the game…’ Sammy said.

‘I’ve heard the stories of guys [from past West Indies teams] spending three-four months in a place touring, playing warm-up matches, spreading their talent by the way they played and the fanbase that they created, and the revenue they generated for so many people.

‘I think it’s important; my mom always says you must have a care factor. No matter what you do in life, the human nature should never lose that care factor. I think we’re in a position where we need somebody to put a [hand around the shoulder of] West Indies cricket. Financially, that is, and series like this, here in India, against the best team in the world, puts us in a conversation closer to that,’ he maintained.

Governor Daniel Pruce has warned those responsible for a series of armed robberies in the territory tha law enforcement authorities will track them down and bring them to justice.

Pruce issued the warning after visiting the scenes of recent robberies here and meeting with victims, whose accounts he described as horrifying.

‘The law enforcement agencies in this territory will find you and when you are found you will be brought to justice,’ the Governor warned.

He praised the victims for their resilience and composure during the incidents, describing their experiences as deeply traumatic.

Pruce also appealed to members of the public with information about the robberies to cooperate with police investigators.

He said the Acting Commissioner of Police accompanied him during the visits and confirmed that the incidents would receive further attention at the National Security Council.

His comments follow three armed robberies at businesses on Tortola in recent weeks, including two on consecutive nights.

The latest incidents occurred on October 10 and 11 at businesses in Manuel Reef and Road Reef.

Police said preliminary investigations indicated that two masked men wearing gloves and travelling on scooters were involved in both robberies.

An earlier incident occurred on September 25 at a business along Blackburn Highway in Purcell, where two masked men reportedly demanded cash before escaping with money from the cash registers.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has since intensified targeted patrols and is investigating whether the three incidents are connected.

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) says it is recruiting more than 100 enforcement officers as part of efforts to strengthen its crackdown on illegal dumping across the island .

(file photo)

NSWMA Executive Director Audley Gordon said the recruitment exercise would bolster the agency’s Enforcement and Compliance Unit, allowing for a greater presence in communities affected by improper waste disposal.

Speaking during a recent clean-up exercise in Norwood, St. James, Gordon said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) would administer entrance examinations and provide training for the recruits.

Training is scheduled to begin in the first week of November at the National Police College of Jamaica’s Camp Verley Training Campus in St. Catherine.

Gordon said the expanded enforcement unit was expected to become more visible across the island next year, with increased emphasis on ensuring compliance with waste disposal regulations.

‘We are building an enforcement unit that will be serious, that will be decisive because while we court the better behaviour, while we beg and beseech, there will come a time when we’re going to have to just enforce the law,’ he said.

The NSWMA head also urged Jamaicans to take greater responsibility for proper garbage disposal, warning against the practice of dumping household waste on vacant lots and in secluded areas.

He encouraged residents seeking to dispose of bulky items, including mattresses, refrigerators and other household materials, to contact the agency to arrange collection.

‘[Not] because you see an open lot or a corner that is secluded [means] you can just dispose of what you don’t need anymore. We don’t believe this is how we should operate,’ Gordon said.

The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has named Amir Jangoo and Karishma Ramharack as their International Players of the Year following a string of impressive performances for the regional team in 2026.

The duo took home the coveted awards at the TTCB’s annual national awards ceremony, which was held at the Dennis P. Ramdhan Complex last week.

Jangoo, who was unable to attend the ceremony as he was in India with the West Indies team, enjoyed a prolific year on the international stage, highlighted by a magnificent 233 in the first Test match against Sri Lanka in July, his maiden hundred in the format.

The match-saving knock formed part of a 401-run sixth-wicket partnership with captain Roston Chase, the largest in Test cricket history.

During the second ODI against India last month, Jangoo hit a 70-ball century – his second in the format – on his way to scoring a career-high 114, as the West Indies compiled a record-breaking 405 in the first innings.

In five ODIs during the 2026 calendar year, Jangoo scored one century and three half-centuries in five matches at an impressive average of 78.

On the Test scene he amassed 306 runs from six innings at an average of 51.

Meanwhile, Ramharack claimed the award in recognition of her contribution to the West Indies Women’s team, where she was instrumental in helping the regional side reach the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Red Force captain and wicket-keeper/batsman Joshua Da Silva was named National Player of the Year after playing a leading role in Trinidad and Tobago’s successful West Indies Championship campaign, where he scored 413 runs at an average of 59.

His contribution included a superb 220 against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, as the Red Force captured their first regional first-class title in 20 years.

Da Silva’s performances also earned him a recall to the West Indies Test team in July, and he is now on his way to Bangladesh for the upcoming two-match series later this month.

Ricky Jaipaul was another major winner on the night, taking home the TTCB Premiership Player of the Year award after claiming 77 wickets across all competitions.

Lendl Simmons and Chadwick Walton scored unbeaten centuries as West Indies Champions captured the World Championship of Legends title with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over England in the final here on Sunday.

Dwayne Bravo’s three-wicket haul helped West Indies restrict England to 159 for seven at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium after they were sent in to bat.

Moeen Ali’s 60 off 39 balls with four sixes and four fours proved to be the catalyst for England, while Owais Shah scored an unbeaten 38 off 28 balls.

The pair added 54 runs for the sixth wicket after Bravo’s heroics with the ball had reduced them to 61 for five in the 10th over.

After Ali was dismissed by Raymon Reifer in the 15th over, Shah shared an unbroken stand of 28 with Toby Roland-Jones which helped them post a competitive total.

Player-of-the-Match Bravo claimed 3-21 from his four overs, while Fidel Edwards, Sheldon Cottrell, Reifer and Carlos Brathwaite took a wicket apiece.

Openers Chris Gayle and Simmons then gave the Windies a speedy start during a partnership of 42 runs inside six overs.

Ajmal Shahzad broke the stand by bowling the former for 21 off 14 balls, with his dismissal bringing the in-form Walton to the crease.

The pair then took over the contest during an unbroken partnership of 124 runs, which carried the West Indies to victory with 18 balls remaining.

Simmons scorched 77 off 53 balls with eight fours and three sixes, while Walton slammed 58 off 35 balls, inclusive of four sixes and three fours, as England’s bowlers tallied without further success.

Walton was named Batter of the Tournament while Shivnarine Chanderpaul took home the Legend of the Tournament award.

Following the victory, a delighted Gayle said the win would be celebrated by fans in the Caribbean.

‘I’m absolutely delighted for the guys. England played brilliantly, and I want to congratulate them.

‘Bravo and Chadwick Walton had fantastic tournaments. In a final, you never know what can happen, so I gave extra energy but made sure not to pull a muscle! Chanderpaul stepped up with a terrific knock in the semifinal. This victory means so much to the Caribbean people, especially after the West Indies T20I team drew 2-2 with India,’ Gayle said.

Two Jamaican nationals and a Haitian are among 16 immigrants charged in the United States with election-related offences, including illegally voting in federal elections and falsely claiming US citizenship.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the charges, announced on Friday, involve immigrants in North Carolina, New York and Idaho, including lawful permanent residents and an undocumented immigrant.

Jamaican national Lawton Caswell McKenzie, 46, a lawful permanent resident, faces charges of falsely claiming US citizenship and voting illegally. Prosecutors allege that he registered to vote in 2007 and 2012 and cast ballots in the 2012, 2020 and 2024 general elections.

Another Jamaican, Mervin Sylvester Bogle, 60, also a lawful permanent resident, is charged with falsely claiming citizenship to vote.

According to the DOJ, Bogle registered in 2024 and completed a ballot in that year’s general election. He is also accused of voting in the 2008 and 2012 elections.

Haitian national Lionel Paul, 62, a lawful permanent resident, faces charges of falsely claiming citizenship and voting illegally after allegedly registering and casting a ballot in the 2024 general election.

The other defendants include nationals of El Salvador, Bosnia, Germany, Panama, Britain and Canada, among other countries.

Meanwhile, US immigration authorities have announced a separate charge against Bahamian national Terrance Patrick Evans, 37, a lawful permanent resident living in Ocala, Florida.

Evans is accused of voting in the 2024 federal election despite knowing he was not a US citizen.

The charge followed an investigation involving Homeland Security Investigations, Florida election authorities and the Citrus County Supervisor of Elections.

If convicted, Evans faces a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison.

The announcements come ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections, with federal authorities maintaining that efforts to prosecute alleged illegal voting are aimed at protecting election integrity.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is calling for greater involvement of countries and regional institutions in reshaping the global health system amid tightening financial resources and concerns over fragmented health services. PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, addressing the World Health Summit 2026 in Berlin, said clearer responsibilities at national, regional and global levels could reduce duplication and improve the use of limited resources.

‘As the global health architecture evolves, regional institutions must have a stronger voice in shaping decisions, not only in implementing them,’ Barbosa said.

‘Country ownership, regional leadership and effective partnerships are essential to building a more inclusive, responsive and sustainable global health system.’

His comments come as World Health Organization (WHO) member states and international partners review how global health cooperation is governed, financed and delivered, with recommendations expected to go before the World Health Assembly in 2027.

Barbosa highlighted PAHO’s more than 120 years of regional cooperation, citing joint procurement, primary healthcare, disease elimination and health innovation as examples of successful collaboration.

He said countries must lead their own health priorities, while regional institutions should adapt global policies to local realities and international bodies provide standards and technical guidance.

The PAHO director also stressed the importance of sustainable financing, noting that most countries in the Americas, including the Caribbean, are middle-income nations that rely heavily on domestic resources to fund healthcare.

He said better coordination of national funding, development assistance and international cooperation could help countries achieve improved health outcomes.

During the summit, Barbosa also held discussions with international partners on pandemic preparedness, dengue, noncommunicable diseases, mental health, artificial intelligence and digital healthcare.

‘The future of global health must be built on health sovereignty, country ownership and regional solidarity,’ he said.

Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González has signed a resolution formally requesting US President Donald Trump and Congress to admit the Caribbean territory as the 51st state of the United States.

González, who signed the measure on Friday, said the move fulfilled an election commitment to prioritize statehood and reflected the wishes of Puerto Ricans expressed in previous non-binding referendums.

‘With this signing, we fulfill the commitment of our government program to prioritize statehood and honor the will of our people expressed at the ballot box,’ she said.

The governor, who leads the pro-statehood New Progressive Party (NPP), said House Joint Resolution 391 establishes an official request by the Puerto Rican Government for admission to the United States on equal terms with existing states.

She said previous efforts had focused on communicating the results of plebiscites to Washington, rather than submitting legislation formally requesting admission.

‘Within the framework of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we take our request for full equality to those who have the power to act,’ González said.

‘We will continue working in Puerto Rico and Washington to advance it.’

Puerto Rico has been a United States territory since 1898, and its political status remains a longstanding source of division.

While the NPP advocates statehood, the opposition Popular Democratic Party (PPD) supports maintaining the island’s commonwealth relationship with the United States, while the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) favours independence.

González, accompanied by government officials and NPP lawmakers, maintained that the resolution reflected the will of the people, despite continuing opposition to statehood.

‘This is the time to define ourselves. The time for decolonization has arrived,’ she said.

The governor noted that Puerto Ricans, who have been United States citizens since 1917, have contributed to the country’s development and served in its armed forces.

‘It is now up to Congress to heed that will and exercise its constitutional authority to admit Puerto Rico as a state of the Union,’ she said.

Puerto Rico has held several non-binding referendums on its political status, but Congress has not approved legislation establishing a binding process to determine the territory’s future.

Previous congressional proposals have included statehood, independence and sovereignty through free association as possible alternatives.

However, the latest resolution specifically seeks admission as a state.

Under the US Constitution, Congress has the authority to admit new states, and the resolution does not itself change Puerto Rico’s political status.

The Trump administration has not announced a position on the latest request