Category: CANA News

Richard Levi and AB de Villiers both smashed half centuries as South Africa Champions trounced West Indies Legends by 97 runs when the World Championship of Legends continued here on Sunday.

Levi struck a destructive 87 off just 39 balls with eight sixes and five fours, while de Villiers blasted 70 off 39 balls, inclusive of five sixes and four fours, to guide the Proteas to a massive 242 for five in 20 overs at the Sharjah Cricket StadiumThe pair put on 104 runs for the second wicket in just seven overs following the early loss of Faf du Plessis, to put South Africa in a strong position of 135 for one in the 11th over.

Dave Mohammed was the Windies’ best bowler with 2-29.

Chris Gayle then scored 60 runs off 31 balls at the top of the order, but he got little other support as West Indies folded for 145 in 18.2 overs.

Carlos Brathwaite, who made 29 off 13 balls and Rayad Emrit, who scored an unbeaten 14, were the only other batters to score in double digits.

The West Indies were rocked by spinner Imran Tahir (3-24) and Aaron Phangsio (3-49), while Robert Frylinck took 2-22.

West Indies Women elected to field after winning the toss against Zimbabwe Women in the second T20I at the Takashinga Sports Club here on Monday.

Zimbabwe Women have made four changes with Christine Mutasa, Chiedza Dhururu, Loryn Phiri and Nomvelo Sibanda replacing Sharne Mayers, Michelle Mavunga, Olinder Chare and Francisca Chipare.

SQUADS

WEST INDIES WOMEN: Chinelle Henry (captain), Eboni Brathwaite, Jahzara Claxton, Realeanna Grimmond, Stafanie Taylor, Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Mandy Mangru, Afy Fletcher, Shawnisha Hector, Karishma Ramharack.

ZIMBABWE WOMEN: Josephine Nkomo (captain), Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Beloved Biza, Christine Mutasa, Nyasha Gwanzura, Chiedza Dhururu, Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda, Kudzai Chigora.

Umpires: Kim Cotton, Oscar Tafirenyika.

Reserve Umpire: Langton Rusere.

Match Referee: Owen Chirombe.

A High Court judge Monday denied a bail request for the coordinator of Guyana’s Border Patrol Unit, Daniel Seeram, pending his sentencing for assaulting his ex-wife.

Justice Joy Persaud-Singh said that the application by attorney Nigel Hughes, on behalf of his client did not meet the test for judicial review. The judge upheld Magistrate Abigail Gibbs’ decision to remanded Seeram to prison until his sentencing on November 2. .

The judge’s decision was made after she heard similar arguments by lawyers for the State, that he should not have been remanded to prison.

Hughes told the court that the magistrate’s decision to remand Seeram violated the Bail Act and that the one month remand to prison awaiting sentencing amounted to a sentence without the benefit of several reports.

Deputy Solicitor General Shoshanna Lall, representing the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, agreed with Hughes’ arguments, saying that the law allows the magistrate the option of a fine or imprisonment of up to five years.

‘It’s almost as if the magistrate had showed her hand,’ Lall said, adding that Seeram’s remand ‘almost renders his sentencing hearing rotisserie and perfunctory.’

Hughes said he would appeal Justice Persaud-Singh’s decision immediately to the Guyana Court of Appeal

Seeram reportedly assaulted his ex-wife, causing grievous bodily harm on September 11, 2023 at an apartment in Georgetown they both shared.

He was arrested and placed on GUY$50,000 (One Guyana dollar=US$0.008 cents) station bail.

Two companies have submitted bids to carry out the first phase of the expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, with the proposals now set to undergo evaluation.

Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer said the tenders were opened on September 30 and an evaluation team will now assess the submissions.

Speaking on the Virgin Islands Voice programme, Rymer said the first phase involves a 787-foot extension at the western end of the airport’s runway.

He did not identify the bidders or disclose the value of their proposals, saying further details would be provided after the evaluation process is completed.

Rymer’s announcement came as Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley discussed the government’s infrastructure programme and competing demands on public finances, including improvements required at the airport.

The BVI Airports Authority in May invited firms and joint ventures to submit bids for the western runway extension at the Beef Island airport.

The proposed contract includes the design, construction, completion, testing and commissioning of the extension, as well as the correction of any defects.

The wider airport expansion project has for several years been the subject of discussions between the BVI government and the United Kingdom concerning financing and the territory’s borrowing limits.

In February, Wheatley said the UK was reviewing the project’s business case because the proposed borrowing would exceed the territory’s established debt ratios.

He said the government was awaiting UK approval before moving to the next stage of the procurement process.

Wheatley also said the government intended to make information from the business case public after determining what details should be redacted to avoid compromising the tender process.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has lauded captain Shai Hope for his exceptional performance in Saturday’s ODI victory over India.

Hope kept wicket for 50 overs and then batted all 48.2 overs on his way to scoring an unbeaten 162 off 143 balls, to lead the visitors to a record run chase of 352 for five at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

Speaking after his side completed their highest-ever run chase in an ODI, Sammy spoke highly of Hope, describing his effort as ‘special’.

‘The skipper stepping up is not anything new to him, but to keep 50 overs and then put on your pads and go and play an innings like that was special,’ Sammy said.

The head coach said it was yet another example of Hope’s exemplary leadership qualities.

Sammy said while Hope was not necessarily a big talker, his performances on the field spoke volumes about his character.

‘He doesn’t really say much, but when he speaks, he’s quite clear as to what he’s expecting from himself and from the group.

‘I don’t think he gets enough credit for what he’s done for West Indies, how he’s played, and the commitment he’s given us. Class player, great individual,’ Sammy said.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Oct. 4, CMC Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet with President Irfaan Ali, Indigenous leaders, members of the British business community, and young scientists and environmentalists during their visit to Guyana later this month, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda.

In a statement on Sunday Royal Communications said the visit will form part of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s Autumn Tour, which runs from October 27 to November 4, 2026.

The King, who is Head of the Commonwealth, will visit Guyana from Thursday, October 29 to Friday, October 30.

The visit will also mark 60 years of bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Guyana.

According to the statement, King Charles will first meet with President Ali at State House.

His Majesty and the President will then attend a State Reception in the gardens of State House, where they will join representatives of various communities in Guyana to celebrate the 60-year bilateral relationship between the two countries.

On the second day of the Royal Visit, the King will attend a reception with British businesses operating in Guyana and other local stakeholders, where he will hear about their partnerships and investments in the country.

‘The Reception will highlight the strong economic relationship between the UK and Guyana, as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world,’ a section of the statement read.

As Patron of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the King will also join members of the Guyanese community, including veterans, at the Georgetown (Rabbit Walk) Memorial, where wreaths will be laid to commemorate the shared loss and sacrifice of British, Guyanese and Commonwealth forces.

The King will also have the opportunity to meet elected leaders of the National Toshaos Council. During a tour of a garden in Georgetown, he will hear about its botanical features and ongoing conservation work within the city.

The King will also meet young Guyanese from environmental clubs who are taking part in activities focused on sustainability and conservation. His visit will coincide with the Global Biodiversity Alliance Conference.

His Majesty will meet scientists, Indigenous community members and innovators to hear about their work on biodiversity, conservation and restoration. His Majesty will also hear about the work of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development, an organisation which manages roughly 371,000 hectares of tropical forest in Guyana, and of which His Majesty has been Patron since 2000, following a visit to the forest when Prince of Wales,’ the statement read.

The King’s final engagement in Guyana will take place along the Georgetown seawall, where he is expected to meet participants in the Wilton Park Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative Dialogue and learn about practical steps being taken towards sustainable urbanisation ahead of CHOGM 2026.

‘Whilst at the seawall, His Majesty will hear about the renewed focus on mangrove restoration and work being undertaken to replant mangroves that help protect Georgetown’s coastline and encourage wildlife to flourish,’ the statement said.

The King last visited Guyana in February 2000, when he was the Prince of Wales.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be held from November 1 to 4 in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. It will bring together leaders from the 56 Commonwealth countries, as well as representatives from business, civil society and youth organisations.

The theme of this year’s meeting is ‘Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.’

In addition to Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda, the King will also visit The Bahamas.

Despite going down to India in their One Day International series, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said his team’s performance showed they had the ability and skill to compete with the best teams in the world.

India won the opening two matches by eight wickets to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, before the Windies produced a record-breaking batting performance to claim the third and final match on Saturday.

Speaking on his team’s showing during a post-match press conference, Sammy said the 10th ranked West Indies had fought valiantly against the top ranked ODI side in the world.

‘We came here knowing the quality that India has and to measure ourselves against a quality team like that, and we showed that when we do things consistently well for long enough, we could match the number one team in the world.

‘So, we’ll take a lot of learning from this, belief as well…and it was a well-deserved victory,’ Sammy said.

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell Sunday announced November 5 as the date for a general election here, almost a year ahead of the constitutional deadline in October 2027.

Mitchell, an attorney, who will be leading the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) into a second consecutive general election, did not name the date for nomination of candidate. But according to the official Government Gazette in an extraordinary publication ‘the date for nomination of candidates shall be 15th October, 2026’ .

The NDC is expected to face a challenge from the main opposition New National Party (NNP) headed by Emmalin Pierre, who succeeded former prime minister and party founder Dr. Keith Mitchell as leader. Mitchell bowed out of active politics last week, telling a special sitting of Parliament ‘no one voted me out’ after 42 years as the parliamentary representative for the the constituency of St. George’s North West.

Pierre became leader in 2024 and will become the first woman to lead the party into a general election.

Former foreign affairs minister Peter David, who launched the Democratic People’s Movement DPM) on November 16 last year, is also expected to contest the 15 seats inn the Parliament.

Prime Minister Mitchell in a short statement to supporters at the party’s campaign and candidate launch in St. Mark on the northwest coast of the island, said he is confident of winning the elections saying that some supporters were calling for a clean sweep of all 15 seats in the Parliament.

In the last Parliament, the NDC enjoyed a 9-6 majority with the NNP being the only party in Grenada’s political history to have won all the seats on three occasions in the past.

‘I shall not keep you waiting much longer,’ he told supporters, noting that the conch shell, the the hard, spiral-shaped outer home of a large, tropical sea snail, which the NDC uses instead of a bell to announce a significant political event, would soon be blown.

‘ And so tonight, tonight, we sung the conch shell again. Let us get ready for the song of the conch shell. So, you’ve heard the call. You’ve heard the shell. The decision now belongs to you.

‘And therefore, general elections will be held on 5th November 2026. So on 5th November, when we touch down in St. Mark, the whole place will be shelled down. When we touch down in St. Mark, the whole place will be shelled down,’ Mitchell said.

He told supporters that the 15 candidates have been presented and ‘you’ve seen them, you’ve heard some of them.

‘You understand that we are about service…and that we are asking you humbly and respectfully to continue with the team that is the National Democratic Congress to make sure that you, me, us are ready for more and ready to take Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique forward.

‘And remember, from tomorrow, it’s boots, boots, boots, boots on the ground,’ he added.

GraceKennedy Foods has announced a voluntary recall of specific batches of its Grace Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch one-litre product across seven Caribbean markets.

The affected products were distributed in Jamaica, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, the Turks and Caicos Islands and St Maarten.

The recall covers products carrying the best-before codes July 21, 2027, L6, or July 22, 2027, L6.

GraceKennedy said the recall is limited to the identified batches and markets and does not affect other Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch products or batches distributed elsewhere.

The company said the matter is considered a product-quality issue and not a food-safety concern, adding that no adverse health effects are expected from consuming the affected product.

It said there have also been no reports of illness or other adverse health effects linked to the recalled batches.

Consumers who have the affected product are being advised not to consume it and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement.

GraceKennedy said it is working with distributors and retailers across the affected markets to remove the products from sale.

The Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) says it will meet with members this week to decide its next move following a 24-hour withdrawal of services that ended Saturday morning.

The industrial action began at 8:00 a.m. Friday and ended at the same time Saturday, after causing significant disruption across the public health sector.

The doctors took action over what they described as the prolonged delay by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) in ruling on their dispute with the government over overtime payments and related issues.

The JMDA had warned that its members would withdraw their services if the tribunal failed to issue a ruling by Friday, despite the IDT indicating that it needed more time.

JMDA President Dr. Jubilee Brown Service said the protest had achieved its objective by sending a clear message that doctors would no longer tolerate what she described as exploitation.

She said the association would meet early this week to determine its next steps if there is still no response from the IDT.

In a statement issued Saturday, Brown Service warned that the continuation of normal operations now depends on the tribunal, adding that further delays could result in renewed disruptions.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said the country’s Regional Health Authorities reported no adverse events during the industrial action.

He said hospitals and health centres operated under emergency arrangements, prioritising patients with life-threatening and other serious conditions, as well as well as those already admitted, including patients in intensive care units.