Category: CANA News

The West Indies’ unimpressive form in 2026 will not be a determining factor in how far they go in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, says captain Shai Hope.

The regional side began their quest for an unprecedented third T20 World Cup title with a comfortable 35-run victory over Scotland at Eden Garden on Saturday, thanks mainly to outstanding performances from Shimron Hetmyer and Romario Shepherd.

It was just their third T20I win in eight matches for the year – counting their warmup match against Afghanistan – following bilateral series losses to Afghanistan and South Africa last month.

The results followed a 3-1 T20I series defeat to New Zealand in December.

Speaking in a post-match press conference, Hope admitted that while the Windies had not been in the best of form lately, he said the team was intent on turning their fortunes around at the World Cup.

‘That is my focus here today. We started the tournament; this is a World Cup we’re playing. Yes, you have to look at what happened in the past, but our main focus was to start the tournament well and continue the momentum for as long as we can and see how deep we can go in the tournament and hopefully, at the end we can lift the trophy again similarly to what the guys did back in 2016.

‘We can’t hide from the truth. We haven’t had the success that we would have liked in the last few bilateral series, but again, the main focus is here on this World Cup. Put the past in the past and let’s make sure that we do the business here in India,’ Hope said.

The West Indies captured their second T20 World Cup title at Kolkata back in 2016 when they defeated England by four wickets in a thrilling contest.

Hope said playing their opening match of the competition at that same venue and having the experience of head coach Daren Sammy and players Johnson Charles and Jason Holder, who were all part of that 2016 winning team, gave them a boost against Scotland.

‘If we were placed at a different venue the same mindset would have applied, the same plans, maybe slightly different depending on the type of surfaces that you’re playing on.

‘But we have a few members in our squad who have been a part of that; from coach to a couple players in Johnson Charles and Jason Holder, so that does instill some extra confidence in the dressing room and a bit of experience as well,’ Hope said.

‘Being in that position, knowing what it feels like to lift the trophy, just trying to share that amongst the group, I’m sure the guys are really ready to go, but it’s a good feeling to have two guys who’ve been there and done that in a sense.’

The Jamaica Basketball Association (JBA) is pressing ahead with efforts to host the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

The national senior men’s basketball team, The JamRockers, continue their quest to secure World Cup qualification for the first time when they take on Bahamas on February 26 and Canada on March 1 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Group B action in Americas Qualifiers.

According to the Jamaica Observer, the JABA have not yet secured the full $44 million required to host the Qualifiers, but are in advanced talks to have the funding in place ahead of the two fixtures.

Jamaica was forced to forego hosting duties in November in their opening game against Puerto Rico following an unsuccessful inspection two months prior by world governing body FIBA.

The two potential venues, the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston and the Montego Bay Convention in St James, did not meet mandatory standards, including the absence of an internationally approved scoreboard and upgraded basketball hoops.

It meant that Jamaica had to play their first two games in San Juan but ended up winning both games against the Puerto Ricans, 92-90 and 97-92 to move joint top of the group.

Caribbean immigration advocates on Friday welcomed a ruling by a United States District Judge in Massachusetts ordering the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration from sharing taxpayer data with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), protecting Caribbean immigrant families.

This is the second federal judge to temporarily block the information-sharing deal between the IRS and ICE.

US District Judge Indira Talwani ruled on Thursday that sharing of taxpayer data with DHS and ICE could violate parts of the Tax Act of 1976 that encompass privacy protections for taxpayers.

Murad Awawdeh – president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), an umbrella policy and advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York – told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the IRS is mandated to guard tax information within its agencies, and that, over the years, it has consistently assured undocumented Caribbean and other taxpayers that their information is confidential and that it is safe for them to file tax returns.

Awawdeh said undocumented New Yorkers contribute US$6.7 billion in local, state, and federal taxes each year, while immigrants with status contribute US$74.8 billion.

‘We applaud the federal court in Massachusetts for protecting immigrant taxpayers and sending a clear message that government agencies cannot exploit sensitive information to target immigrant communities,’ he said. ‘This is not only a victory for taxpayers, but also a rebuke of the administration’s lawless and cruel intentions.

‘The ruling reaffirms the IRS’s fundamental responsibility to protect taxpayer confidentiality,’ Awawdeh added. ‘With tax season here, this ruling ensures that immigrant families can meet their civic obligations without fear of retaliation or surveillance.

‘We call on all federal agencies to uphold these protections, and we hope this temporary block is made permanent so that immigrant families can have lasting security.’

In her ruling, Talwani ruled that, ‘Defendants DHS, Secretary Noem, ICE, Acting Director Lyons, and their agents, are enjoined from inspecting, viewing, using, copying, distributing, relying on, or otherwise acting upon any return information that had been obtained from or disclosed by the IRS Defendants pursuant to the information sharing arrangements, including the information received August 7, 2025.

Judge Talwani’s ruling follows a similar one by US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who ruled that sharing Caribbean and other immigrants’ data with the DHS and ICE violated taxpayer confidentiality law.

Shimron Hetymer and Romario Shepherd’s record-breaking performances propeled West Indies to a comprehensive 35-run victory over Scotland in their opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup here on Saturday.

Hetmyer, who only arrived in India on Friday, showed no signs of jet lag on the way to scoring the fastest half century by a West Indian at a T20 World Cup, with his 64 off 36 balls the mainstay of their total of 182 for five in 20 overs at Eden Gardens.

At one stage Scotland was in the hunt for a historic win, before Shepherd’s hat-trick – the first by a West Indies bowler at a T20 World Cup – saw them being bowled out for 147 in 18.5 overs.

It was an important win for the Windies, who will face one of the pre-tournament favourites England in their next Group C match on Wednesday.

The win was setup by Hetmyer’s scintillating knock, which resuscitated life back into the Windies’ innings following a slow start by openers Brandon King and Shai Hope.

The opening pair struggled to get going and by the end of the power play had only mustered 33 runs.

King started to accelerate, hitting pacer Safyaan Sharif for a six and two fours to start the seventh over that leaked 17 runs to bring up the Windies’ 50.

Four runs later, off spinner Michael Leask put Hope out of his misery by bowling him for a pedestrian 19 off 22 balls, as he played across the line of a straight delivery.

Batting at his new position at number three, Hetmyer started streaky, with two attempted slogs ballooning into the air but landing safely between fielders.

After scoring 35 off 30 balls, King slapped a delivery from left-arm spinner Oliver Davidson straight into the hands of George Munsey at backward point to leave the score 58 for two in the 10th over.

His dismissal brought Rovman Powell to the crease, and the pair transformed the West Indies’ position during an 81-run partnership in six overs.

Hetmyer slapped Davidson over long off for six and followed up by smacking Leask over long on for another maximum.

Spinner Mark Watt was given the same treatment, with Hetmyer hitting him for consecutive sixes in the 10th over.

He moved into the 40s with a six and four off Sharif in the 13th over and brought up his 50 off just 22 balls, bettering Chris Gayle’s 23-ball half century against Australia in 2009.

Powell bludgeoned Leask for another six to end the 15th over, but three balls later he hit Brad Currie down the throat of deep backward square leg to be out for 24 off 14 balls.

Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford, who made 26 off 13 balls added 36 runs in just over three overs, but their dismissals in the space of two balls helped Scotland fight back at the death.

Hetmyer struck six sixes and two fours, while Rutherford clobbered four fours and one six.

The West Indies then made a promising start with the ball, claiming the early wickets of Michael Jones for one, Brandon McMullen for 14 and Munsey for 19 to a spectacular diving catch by Hetmyer, to restrict Scotland to 38 for three at the end of six overs.

But captain Richie Berrington and Tom Bruce put on 78 runs for the fourth wicket in just eight overs to put Scotland in a strong position of 115 for three at the start of the 14th over.

Bruce was dropped twice, with Jason Holder failing to hold on to a catch running back at mid off when he was five, while Matthew Forde dropped a regulation catch at cover when he was 25.

Holder redeemed himself by having Berrington caught on the deep point boundary for 42 off 24 balls, before Shepherd snared four wickets in the 17th over to decide the contest.

After Gudakesh Motie trapped Bruce lbw for 35 to make the score 122 for five in the 15th over, Shepherd had Matthew Cross and Leask caught in consecutive deliveries and then bowled Davidson to complete the hat-trick, becoming the 10th bowler to achieve the feat at a T20 World Cup.

For good measure, he closed out the over by having Sharif caught at long off, to end with the impressive figures of 5-20 from his three overs, as Scotland slumped to 133 for nine.

Holder then wrapped up the match by dismissing last man Mark Watt, to finish with 3-30.

A political commentator has voiced concern about the territory’s immigration policies and warned that without firm policy decisions, citizens risk being sidelined in their own homeland.

Speaking during her Morning Facts talk show, Cindy Rosan said discussions about labour shortages, residency delays and business needs often miss the real issue.

‘How do we control the future of the Virgin Islands for Virgin Islanders? That’s the crux of it,’ she said.

The outspoken commentator criticised the absence of firm immigration control mechanisms, particularly a rollover policy which limits the number of continuous years an expat can work in a country before being required to leave. This prevents individuals from automatically qualifying for residency or citizenship based solely on time spent in the workforce.

She referenced the Cayman Islands’ seven-year rollover policy as a model, noting that it was introduced despite intense opposition from major industries.

‘They had serious pushback from financial services, hospitality and private businesses – and they put their foot down,’ Rosan said.

‘When you make seven years in the Cayman Islands, you’re gone.’ She added that Cayman implemented the policy retroactively and remains economically strong. ‘They were thinking about where the Caymanian would be in 20 years, 30 years,’ she said.

Rosan went on to accuse BVI lawmakers of lacking the political will to prioritise locals. ‘These guys that we elect, we put them in the House, and the last thing on their mind is what’s best for Virgin Islanders,’ she said, suggesting some politicians are more focused on re-election and campaign financing than long-term planning.

She also raised an alarm about what she views as unchecked population growth tied to work permit holders.

Rosan argued that without clear limits, people quietly accumulate time in the territory until they qualify for residency and, eventually, citizenship. She also referenced Filipinos and other expat groups who constantly get pregnant and have children in the BVI simply because there are no laws against it.

With elections on the horizon, Rosan urged voters to demand concrete answers from those seeking office. ‘You’ve got to ask them what the plans are to curb what’s going on,’ she said, warning that without decisive action, the territory risks losing control of its future.

The mandate of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) came to an end on Saturday leaving the future of the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country in limbo even as the outgoing president said the Council of Ministers ‘under the direction of the prime minister will take charge’.

The United States has signalled its strong support for Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimè’s leadership ‘in building a strong, prosperous, and free Haiti’ but other parties have nominated persons they believe will be best able to steer the country ahead of presidential elections likely to take place later this year.

In late January, members of the CPT unsuccessfully sought to oust Prime Minister Fils-Aime,

‘The presidential council has done its work by paving the way for a governance mindful of security and electoral issues,’ said Prime Minister Fils-Aimè said at the ceremony.

‘Today, we are aware of the challenges and.the government that I have the honour to lead will get to work,’ he noted, promising to address the country later on Saturday.

The prime minister was flanked by five of the nine-members of the council with the notable absentees being Edgar Leblanc Fils and Fitz Alphonso Jean.

The CPT was established in April 2024 to restore political stability, address the security crisis caused by powerful armed gangs, and facilitate a transition of power following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The nine-member council was created to select a new prime minister and cabinet, prepare for, and oversee the nation’s next elections, which are planned for early 2026. Since April 2024, Haiti has held no national elections.

It left office on Saturday with its tenure marred by infighting, poor governance and paralysis, as well as persistent allegations of influence peddling, corruption , collusion with armed gangs and of diverting public resources for personal gain.

Although there is broad agreement between Haiti’s civil and political leaders that the CPT should step down, a consensus yet to emerge over what structure should replace it.

Among them is the Forum of Civil Society Groups, which it says has links with more than 13,000 ‘grass roots’ organisations that has named educator Dr. Charles Tardieu, as its presidential candidate.

Former CPT member, Leslie Voltaire, said that following three days of ‘inter-Haitian dialogue’ an agreement had been reached regarding the formation of the next government.

He said hat a three-member presidential panel would include himself, a Supreme Court justice and a representative of civil society. But the choice of a prime minister remained unresolved.

Outgoing CPT president, Laurent Saint-Cyr in a statement on Saturday, said ‘we need to put our personal interest to the side and continue progress for security,’ adding that the Council of Ministers ‘under the direction of the prime minister will take charge’.

He reminded Prime Minister Fils-Aimè that failure is not an option.

The ceremony coincided with the 40th anniversary of the downfall of the Duvalier regime in Haiti and eve as he paid ‘homage’ to those killed during that period ‘because they are convinced this country deserves freedom, peace and a better life for everyone’.

Even as he acknowledged the difficulties faced by the CPT in carrying out its mandate, Saint-Cyr said, nonetheless the various institutions functioned and the government remains in place.

‘We stopped the country from falling into chaos. The state is not collapsed,’ he said, adding ‘we did not resolve everything, but we have launched the battle’ .

The first contingents of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which replaces the struggling Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, are expected to arrive in the country in April and its mission is to restore state authority and public order, reduce gang territorial control, secure critical infrastructure, and support the Haitian people as they work toward a return to elected governance and long-term stability.

Earlier this week, The United States has confirmed that at the direction of Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, the USS Stockdale, the USCGC Stone and the USCGC Diligence have arrived in the Bay of Port-au-Prince.

‘Their presence reflects the United States’ unwavering commitment to Haiti’s security, stability, and brighter future. The US Navy and US Coast Guard stand as symbols of partnership and support, working to ensure a safer and more prosperous Haiti,’ the US Embassy noted.

Criminal gangs control almost all of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and are responsible for killing 6,000 people and injuring more than 2,700 last year, according to the United Nations. It said that more than 10 per cent of the population have been displaced by the violence and another six million face acute food insecurity, including 1.2 million children under the age of five. Haitian police have been conducting large-scale offensives against the gangs in recent weeks ahead of the CPT mandate coming to an end.

‘Today the fear sits in the camp of the criminal gangs. They all understand they don’t have any other choice; drop their guns or die,’ Saint-Cyr said.

The PNH has deployed a significant security presence in the capital, particularly around the Villa d’Accueil, where the ceremony took place on Saturday. Three recently donated armored battle tanks from South Korea have been deployed in response to the risk of a coup or reprisals from armed gangs.

The mandate of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) came to an end on Saturday leaving the future of the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country in limbo even as the outgoing president said the Council of Ministers ‘under the direction of the prime minister will take charge’.

The United States has signalled its strong support for Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimè’s leadership ‘in building a strong, prosperous, and free Haiti’ but other parties have nominated persons they believe will be best able to steer the country ahead of presidential elections likely to take place later this year.

In late January, members of the CPT unsuccessfully sought to oust Prime Minister Fils-Aime,

‘The presidential council has done its work by paving the way for a governance mindful of security and electoral issues,’ said Prime Minister Fils-Aimè said at the ceremony, promising to address the country later on Saturday.

The CPT was established in April 2024 to restore political stability, address the security crisis caused by powerful armed gangs, and facilitate a transition of power following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Scoreboard of the second match of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup between West Indies and Scotland here at Eden Gardens on Saturday.

WEST INDIES

Brandon King c Munsey b Davidson 35

*+Shai Hope b Leask 19

Shimron Hetmyer c McMullen b Sharif 64

Rovman Powell c Jones b Currie 24

Sherfane Rutherford c Jones b Currie 26

Romario Shepherd not out 6

Matthew Forde not out 1

Extras (b1, lb2, w4) 7

TOTAL (five wickets; 20 overs) 182

Did not bat: Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.

Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-58, 3-139, 4-175, 5-175.

Bowling: McMullen 1-0-7-0, Currie 4-0-23-2, Watt 4-0-38-0, Sharif 4-0-46-1, Davidson 3-0-23-1, Leask 4-0-42-1.

SCOTLAND

George Munsey c Hetmyer b Joseph 19

Michael Jones c Rutherford b Holder 1

Brandon McMullen b Shepherd 14

*Richie Berrington c Joseph b Holder 42

Tom Bruce lbw b Motie 35

+Matthew Cross c Rutherford b Shepherd 11

Mark Watt c Shepherd b Holder 15

Michael Leask c Powell b Shepherd 0

Oliver Davidson b Shepherd 0

Safyaan Sharif c Holder b Shepherd 0

Brad Currie not out 2

Extras (lb1, nb1, w6) 8

TOTAL (all out; 18.5 overs) 147

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-31, 3-37, 4-115, 5-122, 6-133, 7-133, 8-133, 9-133, 10-147.

Bowling: Forde 2-0-15-0, Holder 3.5-0-30-3, Shepherd 3-0-20-5, Joseph 4-0-26-1, Motie 4-0-29-1, Hosein 2-0-26-0.

Toss: Scotland elected to field.

Result: West Indies won by 35 runs.

Player-of-the-Match: Shimron Hetmyer.

Umpires: Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski.

TV Umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal.

Reserve Umpire: KN Ananthapadmanabhan.

Match Referee: Javagal Srinath.

West Indies reached 182 for five in their 20 overs after being sent in to bat by Scotland in the second match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup here at Eden Gardens on Saturday.

WEST INDIES 182-5 in 20 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 64, Brandon King 35, Sherfane Rutherford 26, Rovman Powell 24, Shai Hope 19; Brad Currie 2-23).

The European Commission (EC) on Friday said the European Union (EU) will this year provide pound 123.3 million in humanitarian aid to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people in Latin America and the Caribbean.

‘In a year of shrinking global aid, the EU is choosing solidarity, delivering life-saving aid and standing by international humanitarian law,’ the EC said.

It said part of this aid will also bolster disaster preparedness and response, given the region’s high exposure to natural hazards.

The EC said in 2025, 15.6 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean were identified as needing humanitarian assistance.

In 2026, because of severe budget cuts, the EC noted that the revised target presented in the United Nations is set to reduce this figure by half, ‘leaving millions without vital aid.

‘These cutbacks underscore the critical importance of the EU humanitarian aid for the region,’ it said.

The EC said pound 52 million will provide relief to ‘the Venezuelan people in need in the region, wherever they are, and their host communities.’

In Colombia, the EC said pound 17 million will mostly be allocated to support people affected by armed conflict, as well as people displaced in border areas.

Additionally, the EC said a regional allocation of over pound 16.3 million for the rest of South America will support disaster preparedness and response to humanitarian crises in the region.

In the Caribbean, the EC said pound 23 million will be used to address the humanitarian impact of escalating armed violence in Haiti, ‘helping affected populations meet their most urgent needs.’

The EC said an additional pound 4 million will be awarded to the rest of the Caribbean, with a particular focus on the humanitarian situation in Cuba and in the Dominican Republic, as well as in countries hosting refugees and asylum seekers.

The EC said pound 11 million will support vulnerable people affected by violence, forced displacement, and food insecurity in Central America and Mexico.

‘Latin America and the Caribbean face complex humanitarian crises driven by factors such as armed conflicts, widespread violence, political instability, displacement, socio-economic crises and environmental hazards,’ the EC said. ‘Up to 21 million people are forcibly displaced in the region, with limited access to essential services like healthcare and education.

‘Food insecurity is on the rise, while humanitarian operations are being scaled back globally due to funding cuts,’ it added.

The EC said many crises in the region are forgotten, and that humanitarian response capacities are severely limited by a dramatic funding gap.

It said almost all the Humanitarian Response Plans in the region in 2025 were funded at less than 20 percent.

Furthermore, the EC said the region is the second most exposed to extreme weather events in the world, with nearly three quarters of the population living in high-risk disaster areas.

‘In the aftermath of these events, communities are destroyed, and people are forced to flee their homes, resulting in cyclical fragility and increasing humanitarian needs,’ it said.