Category: CANA News

MUMBAI, India, Feb 15, CMC – West Indies elected to field after winning the toss against Nepal in the 25th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup here at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

West Indies have made one change with Matthew Forde replacing Romario Shepherd, while Nepal has also made one change with Sompal Kami coming in for Lalit Rajbanshi.

WEST INDIES: Shai Hope (captain), Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.

NEPAL: Rohit Paudel (captain), Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Dipendra Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Umpires: Alex Wharf, Gazi Sohel.

TV Umpire: Adrian Holdstock.

Reserve Umpire: Langton Rusere.

Match Referee: Dave Gilbert.

CMC rb/26

Following last week’s general election, the Swearing-in Ceremony for members of Cabinet and Parliamentarians will be held on Monday.

The ceremony, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. (local time), will see officials take their Oaths of Office before the President of Barbados, Jeffrey Bostic.

(Details in Politics section)

Scoreboard of the 25th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup between Nepal and West Indies here at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

NEPAL

Kushal Bhurtel b Hosein 1

Aasif Sheikh c Hetmyer b Holder 11

*Rohit Paudel lbw b Forde 5

Dipendra Airee c Powell b Holder 58

Aarif Sheikh c Forde b Holder 2

Lokesh Bam c +Hope b Joseph 13

Gulsan Jha b Chase 11

Sompal Kami not out 26

Karan KC c Forde b Holder 1

Extras (lb1, nb1, w3) 5

TOTAL (eight wickets; 20 overs) 133

Did not bat: Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-17, 3-17, 4-23, 5-46, 6-73, 7-127, 8-133.

Bowling: Hosein 4-0-30-1, Forde 4-1-10-1, Holder 4-0-27-4, Joseph 4-0-38-1, Motie 2-0-17-0, Chase 2-0-10-1.

WEST INDIES

Brandon King c Bhurtel b Yadav 22

*+Shai Hope not out 61

Shimron Hetmyer not out 46

Extras (nb1, w4) 5

TOTAL (one wicket; 15.2 overs) 134

Did not bat: Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.

Fall of wickets: 1-43.

Bowling: Karan KC 2-0-12-0, Kami 2-0-23-0, Yadav 3-0-24-1, Lamichhane 3-0-38-0, Airee 3.2-0-19-0, Bhurtel 2-0-18-0.

Toss: West Indies elected to field.

Player-of-the-Match: Jason Holder.

Umpires: Alex Wharf, Gazi Sohel.

TV Umpire: Adrian Holdstock.

Reserve Umpire: Langton Rusere.

Match Referee: Dave Gilbert.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Ambassador Johann Hesse was dismissed after court filings revealed that a US$450,000 introductory commission had been paid in the United Kingdom in connection with the 2024 sale of the superyacht Alfa Nero.

Speaking on his weekly programme, the Browne and Browne Show, the Prime Minister said the payment – made to Hesse’s business partner, Rufus Gobat – had not been disclosed to the government. He stressed, however, that there is no evidence Hesse acted illegally.

The issue surfaced in court-related filings that referenced emails concerning what was described as an undisclosed US$450,000 commission tied to the yacht’s sale, naming both Hesse and Gobat.

The filings were framed in a manner that appeared to link Hesse to the Prime Minister, prompting Cabinet to summon the ambassador ‘in the interest of transparency and accountability,’ according to Cabinet spokesman Maurice Merchant.

Hesse, who served as Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the African Union, appeared before Cabinet last Wednesday after the documents came to light. He told ministers that the commission arose from a private business arrangement during the early phase of the bidding process and was not connected to public funds. He further stated that no government official, Cabinet member, or family member – including the Prime Minister – benefited from the transaction.

Cabinet recorded that a UK-registered company owned by Gobat received the US$450,000 after securing a buyer during the initial stage of the sale process. Gobat joined the Cabinet meeting virtually and indicated that the commission had been declared in the United Kingdom and that applicable taxes were paid there. Both men, Cabinet noted, have sworn affidavits supporting their position and intend to issue public statements.

Merchant said Cabinet had not previously been aware that Hesse and Gobat were involved in identifying prospective buyers and called them in to ‘get to the bottom’ of the matter. He also rejected characterisations in the court material describing Hesse as a ‘right-hand man’ of the Prime Minister.

During the post-Cabinet briefing, questions were raised about whether Hesse’s diplomatic role placed him in the category of a politically exposed person, potentially subjecting his private commercial dealings to heightened scrutiny. Merchant dismissed the implication.

‘So what? If he’s politically exposed, he should not be involved in private practice?’ he asked, arguing that the central issue was whether public funds had been misused. He reiterated that the commission did not come from ‘government coffers’ or from the direct proceeds of the sale, adding that documentation related to the direct sale had already been released.

‘The government believes that the Alfa Nero is a dead issue,’ Merchant said, maintaining that while officials are not focused on the matter, they will continue to defend the sale against legal and political challenges.

The commission disclosure adds a fresh dimension to a transaction that has remained under scrutiny long after the yacht’s departure from Antigua. The government sold the Alfa Nero for US$40 million in July 2024, but the sale has since generated litigation and discovery efforts in multiple jurisdictions.

In proceedings before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, a federal judge previously allowed attorneys for Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov – who has challenged the sale – to pursue subpoenas for financial records linked to transactions involving Antiguan officials and entities. A January 2, 2026 status report filed in that court confirmed that discovery efforts remain active, including a July 2025 subpoena to yacht brokerage Northrop and Johnson, and signalled further targeted applications for records.

The filing also states that documents produced in the U.S. proceedings have been admitted into related matters in Russia, where hearings are scheduled for March 2026. Proceedings in Antigua and Barbuda connected to the sale also remain pending.

Prime Minister Browne has consistently rejected allegations of wrongdoing, describing claims surrounding the sale and its proceeds as defamatory.

The Cabinet has approved a suite of policy measures designed to expand local participation in the tourism economy, including a new certificate programme for tourism businesses and the allocation of land at three locations for Antiguans to develop tourist accommodations.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant announced the decisions the recent post-Cabinet briefing, describing them as part of an ‘inclusive growth strategy for entertainment, leisure, and local economic participation.’

‘The Cabinet agreed on a number of key policy decisions. One of them being the establishment of a certificate program by the Ministry of Tourism, and this is to legitimize and strengthen the participation of local businesses in the tourism, entertainment, and leisure certificates,’ Merchant said.

Cabinet also approved the introduction of a licensing regime for real estate agents and property managers to protect consumers, raise industry standards, and support professionalism in the real estate sector.

The policy measures come as government projects the economy will reach close to EC$7 billion in output for the first time in the nation’s history. Merchant told reporters that recent estimates show robust GDP growth in 2025 with a projected expansion of around 5% this year, reflecting what Cabinet describes as ‘disciplined economic management, strategic investment, rising employment, and expanding economic activity.’

Cabinet members agreed that the unprecedented growth must translate into ‘broad-based opportunity and prosperity for local people,’ rather than remaining what Merchant termed ‘an enclave industry.’

In what Merchant described as efforts to ‘deepen local engagement and ownership in high-level tourism assets,’ Cabinet agreed to make land available at three locations for Antiguans and Barbudans to purchase and develop income-generating tourist accommodations.

Cabinet also decided to make condominium units available for purchase by local individuals and business persons at the Heritage Hotel in St. John’s, where renovations are currently underway.

‘This is for Antiguans and Barbudans to purchase and develop income-generating tourist accommodations, further enabling our citizens to participate in and also benefit from the tourism accommodation boom,’ Merchant said.

As part of the broader package, ministers agreed to waive duties and taxes on capital equipment for tour and water sports operators to reduce barriers to entry and modernize local offerings in water-based tourism activities. Cabinet also approved incentives for local leisure and entertainment businesses to enhance their competitiveness, stimulate investment, and support growth of local entrepreneurs in the sector.

In a related move responding to concerns over foreign labor participation, Cabinet decided to centralize and strengthen oversight of work permit approvals.

Going forward, the minister responsible will be assisted directly by Cabinet in the review and approval of work permits to ensure that jobs created by economic expansion prioritize qualified national workers.

Merchant said the measures reflect ‘a clear national agenda ensuring that the unprecedented growth being experienced over the past decade in the economy of Antigua and Barbuda is translated into broad-based opportunity and prosperity for local people, and also preserving the competitive edge of Antigua and Barbuda in the global leisure economy.’

Even with the West Indies having punched their tickets to the next phase of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, skipper Shai Hope is adamant there will be no letdown in focus when they take on Italy in their final preliminary match on Thursday.

The West Indies produced a fine all-around effort to trounce Nepal by nine wickets at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday to qualify for the Super Eights.

But even with qualification already assured, Hope said the Windies would not be taking their eyes off the prize when they face Italy.

‘It’s just about continuing the brand of cricket that we want to play, ensuring that we’re hitting our straps, focusing on all of the little details that we tend to neglect every now and again, and just about continuing the way we’ve been playing.

‘We’ve been playing really good cricket over the last couple of games and series and it’s just about bringing it together and hopefully we can carry it all the way through to the backend of the tournament,’ Hope said in an interview after the match.

The captain said he was especially pleased with his bowlers, who set up the victory by limiting Nepal to 133 for eight.

Jason Holder was the main destroyer with 4-27, while Matthew Forde conceded just 10 runs from his four overs while taking a wicket.

‘The guys put the ball in the right areas. It’s something that Matthew has been doing very well, especially at the start of the innings, and it put them under pressure for the entire time, and it was difficult work for them in the Powerplay.

‘Then throughout the innings it was just about trying to limit the flow of runs and keep picking up wickets. We didn’t pick up as many wickets as we wanted to in the backend, but I’m very happy with the bowlers today,’ Hope said.

Jason Holder led a sterling bowling performance by the West Indies that helped to setup a straightforward nine-wicket victory over Nepal and send them sailing in to the Super Eight phase of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup here on Sunday.

For the third time in as many matches, the Windies’ bowlers fired on all cylinders, with Player-of-the-Match Holder’s four-wicket haul playing a major role in restricting Nepal to a paltry 133 for eight from their 20 overs, after they were sent in to bat at the Wankhede Stadium.

Captain Shai Hope then finally got among the runs, scoring an unbeaten half century, while Shimron Hetmyer continued his impressive form as the regional side coasted to 134 for one in 15.2 overs to record their third successive win in Group C.

The result carried them to a maximum six points and ensured qualification to the next stage of the tournament ahead of their final match against Italy on Thursday.

Nepal was never really in the contest after losing the toss and being asked to bat first on a pitch that offered pace and bounce for the bowlers.

Akeal Hosein struck in the day’s first over when he bowled Kushal Bhurtel through the gates with his fifth delivery.

Rohit Paudel scored just five before he was trapped lbw by Matthew Forde playing across the line, and without another run added, Jason Holder had Aasif Sheikh caught at deep fine leg with his first ball of the fifth over, to leave Nepal reeling on 17 for three.

Their efforts helped to restrict their opponents to 22 for three after six overs, the lowest Powerplay score of the 2026 World Cup to date.

Things got even worse for Nepal when Holder had Aarif Sheikh caught at midwicket for just two to see them slip further into trouble at 23 for four.

And when Lokesh Bam gloved Shamar Joseph behind and Roston Chase comprehensively bowled Gulsan Jha, Nepal crumbled to 73 for six and looked in danger of being bowled out for under 100.

But a 54-run partnership between Dipendra Airee and Sompal Kami, breathed life back into the innings.

Through their efforts, Bangladesh bludgeoned 60 runs off the last five overs, with Airee scoring 58 off 47 balls with three sixes and three fours, while Kami hit an unbeaten 26 off 15 balls with four boundaries.

Holder returned to break the partnership, however, dismissing both Airee and Karan KC in the last over to limit the damage.

He finished with figures of 4-27 from his four overs.

Needing to score at just under seven runs an over, West Indies were given a decent start by openers Brandon King and Hope, despite neither of them being at their best.

They added 43 runs for the first wicket in five and a half overs before King slapped a short delivery from Nandan Yadav straight into the hands of mid on after scoring 22 off 17 balls.

Hetmyer and Hope then shared an unbroken partnership of 91 to carry the Windies to a predictable victory.

Hetmyer was not his usual aggressive self, but it did not stop him from scoring an unbeaten 46 off 32 balls, inclusive of four fours and two sixes.

Hope started slowly, but he accelerated with the target in sight, smashing Bhurtel for a four and six off consecutive deliveries in the 13th over, before bringing up his 10th T20I half century off 38 balls by hitting Lamichhane over long off for six, as the Windies sped to 122 for one in the 15th over.

He then scored the winning runs by guiding Airee to long on for a single with 28 balls to spare to continue the Windies’ unbeaten streak at the Wankhede Stadium in T20 World Cups.

Following last week’s general election, the Swearing-in Ceremony for members of Cabinet and Parliamentarians will be held on Monday.

The ceremony, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. (local time), will see officials take their Oaths of Office before the President of Barbados, Jeffrey Bostic.

The Barbados Police Service has advised that to facilitate the event, traffic in the surrounding areas will be fluid between 6 a.m. and noon.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley was sworn in for another term last week after her Barbados Labour Party (BLP) secured victory at the polls. The party retained a commanding majority in the 30-member House of Assembly, continuing its dominance of the political landscape since its historic clean sweep of all seats in the 2018 and 2022 general elections.

Monday’s ceremony will formalize the appointment of Cabinet ministers who will be responsible for key portfolios including finance, health and wellness, education, tourism and international transport, and foreign affairs and foreign trade.

Barbados, which transitioned to a republic in November 2021, replacing the British monarch with a Barbadian head of state, conducts its swearing-in ceremonies in keeping with constitutional provisions that require ministers and Members of Parliament to take the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office before assuming their duties.

The ceremony is expected to be attended by senior public officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and invited guests.

Security and drug control collaboration between Jamaica and the Organization of American States (OAS) took centre stage during a recent high-level dialogue in Washington DC, hosted by the Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the OAS at the Embassy of Jamaica.

Security cooperation, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and drug abuse prevention and control were the key areas of focus in discussions on the collaboration, pursued through the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE) and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD).

During the dialogue with representatives of CICTE and CICAD, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the OAS, Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, reaffirmed Jamaica’s commitment to regional cooperation and multilateral engagement.

He underscored the importance of sustained partnerships in advancing shared goals related to citizen security, public safety, and sustainable development.

The meeting highlighted Jamaica’s continued commitment to working closely with international and regional partners to advance peace, strengthen security, and build resilience across the hemisphere.

Discussions also explored new and emerging areas for future collaboration, with emphasis on capacity-building, technical assistance, information sharing, and strengthening institutional frameworks to address evolving regional security challenges.

Representatives of CICTE and CICAD welcomed Jamaica’s continued engagement and affirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in support of national and regional priorities.

MUMBAI, India, Feb 15, CMC – Nepal reached 133 for eight after being sent in to bat by the West Indies in the 25th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup here at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

NEPAL 133-8 in 20 overs (Dipendra Airee 58, Sompal Kami 26 not out, Lokesh Bam 13, Gulsan Jha 11, Aasif Sheikh 11; Jason Holder 4-27).

CMC rb/26