Category: CANA News

Manchester City took a potentially decisive step toward the WSL title on Sunday, grinding out a 2-1 victory over London City Lionesses that stretched their lead at the summit to nine points. After Chelsea’s loss to Arsenal a day earlier, City seized the opportunity with a late, gritty winner from Jamaican forward Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who netted in the 86th minute.

‘Job done,’ Shaw told reporters post-match, summing up a performance that was more resilient than refined.

‘It was a difficult game today, but we’ve shown throughout the season that we never give up. We came out here knowing what we had to do, and we got the job done.’

For long stretches, City laboured against a stubborn London City side, but Shaw’s decisive intervention secured a win that may ultimately prove priceless.

With just nine games remaining and 27 points left to play for, City now sit firmly in the driver’s seat. Even a defeat in next Sunday’s headline clash with Chelsea would leave them six points clear, boasting a vastly superior goal difference.

The numbers tell a story of relentless dominance. City are riding a 12-game winning streak in the WSL, a run sparked after an opening-day loss to Chelsea.

They have scored in 27 consecutive league matches, a club record, and average 2.7 goals per game this season. Stopping City from scoring has become a task in itself; taking points off them has grown nearly unimaginable.

At the heart of this offensive juggernaut is Shaw, whose 13 league goals this campaign make her the overwhelming favourite to claim a third consecutive Golden Boot.

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has officially sanctioned a comprehensive technological upgrade to the nation’s Immigration infrastructure, featuring the implementation of automated electronic gates (e-gates) at all air and sea ports. The move, marks a transition toward a fully digital border experience.

The new system is designed to allow travellers to process their own entry by swiping electronic passports, effectively replacing traditional manual checkpoints with high-speed, automated kiosks.

The Director General of Communications, Maurice Merchant, stated that the upgrade is a direct response to the need for increased efficiency and modernization at ports of entry. ‘

Key features of this upgraded system include enhanced passenger screening capabilities, automated processing of passenger information, and seamless integration across air and sea ports,’ Merchant confirmed. ‘We will introduce electronic gates, or e-gates, whereby you take your passport, you swipe, and you go.’

Beyond traveller convenience, the government is prioritizing national security through advanced biometric integration. The new system will include expanded fingerprint databases and watch list functionality that syncs in real-time with international aviation and law enforcement platforms.

‘This is about more than just speed; it is about the integrity of our borders,’ Merchant noted.

‘By utilizing real-time data and biometric matching, we are ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda remains a hostile environment for those who seek to circumvent our laws, while remaining a welcoming one for legitimate travellers,’ he said.

‘The system is designed to be fully integrated,’ Merchant added. ‘This means whether a traveller is arriving by air at V.C. Bird International or by sea at one of our heritage quays, the security protocols and the ease of entry remain exactly the same.

‘The new system will strengthen security through improved biometric and watch list functionality, expanded fingerprint databases, and upgraded reporting tools,’ Merchant explained.

‘It will also integrate with international law enforcement and aviation platforms, supporting compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, and future developments, such as next generation e-passports.’

Merchant emphasized that the technology is designed to be future-proof, ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda remains in step with global travel trends.

He noted that the system is fully automated and will extend coverage to maritime arrivals as well as aerial ports, ensuring that border security is uniform and robust across both islands.

The deployment of this technology is expected to begin shortly, with the government aiming for a seamless transition that minimises disruptions to current travel schedules.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has pushed back against criticism from Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader Ralph Thorne over the timing of the upcoming general election, saying the process followed the law and that claims to the contrary are based on a misunderstanding.

Thorne raised concerns at the DLP’s islandwide rally on Saturday, arguing that the election was announced before the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) completed the voters’ list, which he said was not due until January 31. According to Thorne, the early election call created confusion and undermined the process.

Responding later that evening while on the campaign trail in St John, Mottley rejected the assertion and pointed to the Representation of the People Act to support her position. She noted that the legislation requires the voters’ register to be published no later than January 31, not on that exact date.

Mottley said the register of electors was officially published on January 15, ahead of the election announcement, and therefore served as the valid register for the 2026 poll. She added that once an election is called, preliminary lists are also issued to allow for corrections and updates.

The prime minister also reminded the public that the window for adjustments to the voters’ list was rapidly closing, with less than 48 hours remaining for individuals to confirm their registration details or update their address.

Addressing claims of irregularities, Mottley said discrepancies in the voters’ list are not unusual and have occurred in every election cycle for decades. She rejected suggestions that the issues were politically motivated, noting that persons associated with both major political parties had been affected.

She again urged eligible voters to take personal responsibility for ensuring their information is accurate, encouraging them to review the list before the deadline.

Scoreboard of the 26th match of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup between West Indies and Ireland here at the High Performance Oval on Sunday.

WEST INDIES U19S

Tanez Francis lbw Riley 19

Zachary Carter run out 8

+Jewel Andrew c Bates b Murray 66

*Joshua Dorne c Murray b Ford 17

Jonathan van Lange c Riley b Wilson 28

Shamar Apple c +Ogilby b Murray 15

Shaquan Belle c Riley b West 11

Aadian Racha c Murray b Wilson 28

Micah McKenzie c Wilson b West 4

Jakeem Pollard b Wilson 0

Vitel Lawes not out 18

Extras (b2, nb 1, w9) 12

TOTAL (all out; 46.5 overs) 226

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-30, 3-67, 4-134, 5-162, 6-163, 7-180, 8-205, 9-206, 10-226.

Bowling: Wilson 8.5-1-50-3, Riley 8-1-36-1, Murray 10-0-37-2, Lecky 6-0-47-0, Ford 7-1-30-1, West 7-0-24-2.

Ireland U19s

James West b Lawes 45

+Freddy Ogilby c Apple b Racha 14

Adam Lecky b McKenzie 18

Rob O’Brien c Van Lange b McKenzie 26

Sebastian Diijkstra b McKenzie 7

Marko Bates c Van Lange b McKenzie 22

*Oliver Riley c Dorne b Lawes 7

Reuben Wilson not out 16

Bruce Whaley not out 1

Extras (b1, lb1, w6) 8

TOTAL (seven wkts; 40 overs) 164

Dis Not Bat: Luke Murray, Thomas Ford

Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-82, 3-84, 4-98, 5-136, 6-143, 7-161

Bowling: Pollard 6-0-27-0, Belle 7-0-24-0, Racha 5-0-27-1, Van Lange 2-0-7-0, Lawes 10-0-41-2, McKenzie 10-0-36-4.

Toss: West Indies Under-19s elected to bat first.

Result: West Indies Under-19s won by 25 runs (DLS method)

Player-of-the-Match: Micah McKenzie

Umpires: Iknow Chabi, Shaun Haig

TV Umpire: Graham Lloyd

Reserve Umpire: Virender Sharma

Match Referee: Neeyamur Rashid

West Indies Under-19s defeated Ireland by 25 runs under the Duckworth Lewis Stern method in the rain-affected 26th match of the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup here at the High Performance Oval on Sunday.

WEST INDIES U19S 226 in 46.5 overs (Jewel Andrew 66, Jonathan van Lange 28, Aadian Racha 28, Tanez Franciss 19, Vitel Lawes 18 not out; Reuben Wilson 3-50, James West 2-24, Luke Murray 2-37)

IRELAND U19S 164-7 in 40 overs (James West 45, Rob O’Brien 26, Marko Bates 22, Reuben Wilson 16 not out; Micah McKenzie 4-36, Vitel Lawes 2-41)

Legendary former West Indies captain, Sir Clive Lloyd believes that the West Indies have ‘a good chance’ of making a deep run at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The regional team will be going after a record third title when the tournament, which is being co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India bowls off on February 7.

They will be hoping to improve on their performance at the 2024 World Cup where they were eliminated at the Super Six phase. The West Indies will compete in Group C alongside England, Nepal, Italy and Scotland. Bangladesh was removed from the tournament and replaced by Scotland following their refusal to travel to India to play their opening three matches.

Speaking during an interview on Isports 195.5 FM on Thursday, Sir Clive said the West Indies had a good group of T20 cricketers capable of beating any team.

‘.I think we have a good chance. I don’t see why we can’t do well.

‘I think most of the team is pretty good and well versed as far as T20s are concerned and we have some good strikers of the ball. It’s just getting the right formation,’ Sir Clive pointed out.

While Cricket West Indies is yet to name their T20 World Cup squad, Sir Clive said he would like to see the team spend some time together in a camp before the competition.

He said from his experience, it allowed players to gel and build bonds, which he said were necessary for success.

‘I would like to see the guys playing together for like two weeks in a camp, somewhere where they can discuss all the tactics of one day cricket, give them a chance to run between the wickets with one another, let them bowl together and be a team.

‘I think we were lucky when I was playing. Our One Day team wasn’t too far off from our Test team, so the guys were playing together, and they got to know one another quite well. In tight situations you knew who to bowl or who to send out to bat,’ Sir Clive said.

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica on Saturday for a three-day official visit.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, during the trip, Ablakwa will participate in discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Johnson Smith said discussions will focus on expanding engagement in trade, investment, health, education, tourism, and technical exchange.

The visit comes as Jamaica and Ghana mark more than 50 years of diplomatic relations.

‘We look forward to warmly welcoming Minister Ablakwa this weekend,’ Johnson Smith said in a statement issued on Friday.

‘The visit is not only a great opportunity for him to visit with the 54 Ghana Defence Force members who are here providing excellent recovery and rebuilding support, but also an opportunity for us to advance our bilateral cooperation, bringing modern elements to our deep historical ties.’

The foreign minister will be joined in the engagements by ministers of health, education and culture, along with their respective teams.

Ablakwa is also expected to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and visit Ghanaian engineers and medical personnel.

The team of 49 army engineers and five medical doctors have been deployed in Jamaica since December 18, 2025, to support recovery and rebuilding efforts following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The National Conference of Actors for New Governance (NCANG) in Haiti has written to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett, seeking the intervention of the 15-member regional grouping in ‘the immediate creation of the mediation and transfer of power committee,’ amid efforts to remove Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime within 30 days.

The NCANG in its January 23 letter to Barnett, a copy of which has been obtained by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), said that together with several Haitian civil society organizations, they wanted to alert CARICOM ‘of the gravity of the national crisis and the rapid deterioration of the political and social situation’ in the French-speaking member CARICOM state.

‘With the expiration of the mandate of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) approaching on February 7th, 2026, it has become imperative to establish a Mediation Committee. This committee must serve as an impartial and inclusive framework to initiate negotiations among Haiti’s various stakeholders, with the goal of reaching consensus on the new governmental structure that will replace the CPT,’ the letter noted.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley had sought to allay concerns that new United Kingdom travel rules for United States citizens could affect the British Virgin Islands, stating that the territory is not subject to the UK’s electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system.

He was responding to media reports that the UK’s new ETA requirement would also apply to overseas territories.

The Premier said he would investigate the matter further but rejected claims that the policy automatically extends to the overseas territories. Referring to a Forbes article circulating online, he cautioned against accepting the reports without verification.

‘That Forbes article in terms of applying to overseas territories is not accurate,’ the Premier said. ‘So allow me to do some further research about that, but let’s not take that as gospel.’

He stressed that immigration and visa matters are devolved to the BVI and governed by local law.

‘I’m the minister of immigration, and of course, that’s our area devolved to the local government,’ Wheatley said. ‘We control any kind of visa restriction or anything like that that’s implemented. That’s something that’s done by legislation here in the Virgin Islands.’

The Premier added that the discussion underscored the importance of autonomy, particularly in areas tied to economic competitiveness. He warned that decisions taken in London without local input could place the territory at a disadvantage.

‘If that’s not an area that was devolved to us and that we had a say in it, we would be subject to that,’ Wheatley said, adding that such a move could make the BVI ‘much less competitive’ than other Caribbean destinations that offer visa-free access to US travellers.

For now, Dr Wheatley said US citizens travelling to the British Virgin Islands do not require a UK-style electronic travel authorisation, reaffirming that immigration policy remains firmly in local hands.

Outgoing British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, says the United Kingdom has joined the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) which aims to mobilise international financing and technical expertise to protect the planet Earth.

‘It feels right that we should join the Global Biodiversity Alliance,’ she said Friday night at a farewell ceremony in her honour, adding ‘this is a very important initiative in slowing down the global biodiversity loss’. Launched in July, 2025, the Guyana-led GBA seeks to mobilise resources in keeping with the provisions and principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Guyana estimates that the world invests just US$200 billion per year in nature, but US$700 billion is needed to meet the targets set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Miller said that President Irfaan Ali, who was also present at the ceremony, will be travelling to London next week ‘for further discussions’ on the GBA.

‘This is a very important initiative in slowing down the global biodiversity loss,’ she said.

President Ali told the ceremony that the GBA’s five pillars are advancing the global goal of conserving at least 30 per cent of land and oceans by 2030, embedding biodiversity in national and corporate planning through measurable indicators, unlocking innovative finance, including biodiversity credits, green bonds, and debt-for-nature swaps, empowering Indigenous Peoples and local communities-the guardians of nature-and institutionalising monitoring and transparency through the Global Biodiversity Product and the Gross Biodiversity Power Index.

Then UK Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, had also added his voice to the need for support in a number of areas to counter biodiversity loss and had congratulated President Ali for launching the GBA and bringing together such a ‘group of powerful advocates for nature in Guyana’.