Category: CANA News

Barbadians Johann Lashley and Jamar Griffith will play pivotal roles for the USA Under-19 Men’s team at the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, having been named as part their medical staff.

Lashley will serve as the team’s sports therapist, while Griffth will act as strength and conditioning coach for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Namibia and South Africa from January 15 to February 6.

Lashley previously worked with the USA Under-19s at last year’s West Indies Regional Rising Stars competition. He has also served with several national teams, including Barbados’ Under-21 netball team which competed at the World Youth Netball Cup in Gibraltar in 2025, as well as with the senior netball team at the 2023 Netball World Cup in South Africa.

Lashley was appointed sports therapist to Barbados’ senior men’s national team in 2024, having previously served with the Under-20 and Under-17 men’s teams, as well as the Under-20 women.

Griffith, meanwhile, is a former professional cricketer who represented Harthill as well as Atherton Cricket Club in the United Kingdom.

His performances earned him selection to Barbados ‘A’ and a Vice Chancellor XI, along with appearances in a T20 series against Zimbabwe.

The Bahamas government says it is awaiting a response from China regarding the construction of a US$277 million 200 bed hospital.

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. Michael Darville, told a news conference that the Phillip Davis government is waiting response from Beijing for the finalisation of documents associated with the project on New Providence. Last year, the government signed an agreement to borrow US$195 million from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of China covering an estimated 73 per cent of the funding for the project.

The government had indicated that the remaining US$72 million will be funded by the Ministry of Finance.

‘I’m pleased to report that the Chinese EXIM Bank forwarded a document to the Ministry of Finance that was signed and forwarded back to Beijing for finalization,’ Darville said, adding ‘once that is in our possession. all of the other details associated with the project will be finalised.

‘And once that exists, I’ve made it very clear in the House of Assembly that I would bring a communication in the House where I would lay on the table all of the parameters associated with that contractual signing.’

The main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) has questioned the government regarding the labour component of the point.

‘The new day administration does not like to talk about just how many Chinese workers will come into the country as part of their deal,’ said former prime minister, Dr. Hubert Minnis, adding ‘I have asked before what that number will be. Will it be 500, or 800 or more than 1,000?

‘Why won’t they answer this question? Are they hiding the number?’

The government said the new hospital will feature specialized maternal and pediatric wards, emergency intensive care services, diagnostics, lab facilities, surgical suites, infectious disease isolation units, and a lot of green spaces for holistic healing.

he Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) says 100 Brazilian miners have been suspended from all mining operations with immediate effect.

In a brief statement, the GGMC said it is also suspended with immediate effect the miners permission to operate and any related authorisation. ‘Such suspension takes effect immediately and shall remain in force pending the affected persons’ engagement with, and compliance to the satisfaction of, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission,’ the GGMC said, adding that this notice is issued ‘without prejudice to any further regulatory or enforcement action which the Commission may lawfully pursue’.

Last weekend the Guyana government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, said it had carried out joint operations with the GGMC, the ministry’s Compliance Unit, and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

It said during these operations, several undocumented individuals were processed, gold was seized, and the verification of persons of interest was successfully completed.

‘This initiative is a part of our ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and the trading of precious metals in our country,’ the ministry said in a statement.

Last Friday, President Irfaan Ali said gold miners who fail to declare their production will face immediate consequences, including deregistration, prosecution, and possible expulsion as the government intensifies its crackdown on illegal and non-compliant mining operations.

‘All registered dredges with no declaration will be deregistered, and all foreign miners operating illegally in Guyana must be identified for prosecution and expulsion,’ Ali said.

Guyana last year set a target of 500,000 ounces of gold and according to a government statement, Ali directed that immediate action be taken to ensure that all gold miners fully comply with their obligations to declare all gold produced in 2025.

The opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) is calling on the Dominica government to ‘immediately halt’ the implementation of the agreement with the United States to facilitate third country refugees to be sent to Dominica so as to mitigate scenarios where Washington cannot return these individuals to their state of birth or origin.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told a news conference on Monday that during discussions with the State Department there has been careful deliberation of the need to avoid receiving violent individuals or individuals who will compromise the security of Dominica. He said given the importance of bilateral relationships between the United States and Dominica, he as prime minister and head of government, ‘believe it is important to find key points of agreement and compromise between our countries.

‘This engagement is based on our responsibility to safeguard the wellbeing of our people, particularly their access to lawful travel, education, employment and family connections, while strengthening cooperation between our governments.

‘I believe this will further deepen our longstanding relationship and signal clearly that Dominica remains a willing and reliable partner of the United States in the region,’ Skerrit said.

But the UPP said that while it recognises Dominica’s humanitarian traditions, ‘this decision raises fundamental questions that demand immediate answers from the administration.

‘The Prime Minister’s brief statement announcing this agreement falls far short of the transparency he has repeatedly promised the people of Dominica. Most troubling is his declaration that this is ‘a done deal’ – a unilateral decision made without any consultation with the Dominican people. This represents a blatant disrespect to the citizens of this nation and a dangerous precedent for governance.’

The UPP said it is demanding that Prime Minister Skerrit halt the implementation of this agreement until proper consultation with the Dominican people has occurred as well as ‘release the full terms of this deportee agreement to the public’

The opposition party is also calling on the government to provide detailed information about security vetting procedures and protocols, provide detailed information about financial compensation and support mechanisms as well as outline specific plans for housing, employment, and integration

The party is calling for consultation with all stakeholders, including opposition parties, civil society, and affected communities and allow ‘parliamentary debate and scrutiny of this agreement before any implementation proceeds’.

During the news conference on Monday, Prime Minister Skerrit was asked to disclose which countries the migrants would be coming to Dominica, but responded by saying ‘there are details’ which he cannot share with the country at this stage.

‘But all of the questions you have asked have been considered as part of the discussions and part of the agreement, the MOU between Dominica and the United States,’ Skerrit said, noting that Washington ‘has been very respectful and reasonable and understanding of our concerns’.

The Bermuda government Tuesday said it is extending to January 31, this year, the public consultation on modernising the island’s jury and providing residents with additional time to share their views.

The consultation was originally scheduled to have concluded at the end of December last year, and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Kim Wilkerson, said the decision to extend the consultation period reflects the Government’s commitment to broad and meaningful public engagement, including focused outreach to young people. ‘The feedback we have received to date, from public meetings, online submissions and radio discussions, has already been insightful, and this continued engagement will help shape meaningful change.

‘Extending the consultation period allows us to ensure that a wide range of perspectives are considered,’ said Wilkerson, thanking ‘everyone who has participated in the consultation so far, including those who attended parish council meetings and those who took the time to engage with us through public forums and media discussions’.

She said their contributions ‘are valued and form an important part of this process’ and that as part of the extended consultation period, the Ministry of Justice will host a dedicated engagement session later this month.

The session will focus on introducing senior school students to the role and importance of juries and inviting their perspectives on how Bermuda’s jury system can continue to evolve.

Wilkerson said that directly engaging young people represents a unique and forward-looking element of the consultation.

‘We believe that engaging students at this stage allows us to better understand how young Bermudians view civic responsibility and participation, and those insights can help inform a reformed jury selection system that reflects the society it serves,’ Wilkerson added.

Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has revealed that it was not his choice to retire from Test cricket almost 11 years ago.

Speaking recently on the Beard Before Wicket Podcast, the 42-year-old said he believed then West Indies head coach, Otis Gibson was responsible for pushing him out of the side.

Bravo, considered one of the greatest-ever T20 players, played 40 Tests for the West Indies, scoring 2200 runs, inclusive of three centuries and 13 half centuries at an average of 31.42. He also took 86 wickets with two five-wicket hauls, at an average of 39.83. ‘No, I didn’t decide to give up Test cricket, they decided to give me up. So, it’s funny that you ask that question because my assistant coach, Otis (Gibson), is the guy who was the coach of West Indies team back then, when my Test career came (to an end).

‘I didn’t think it had anything to do with Sammy because I think at that time Sammy was a young captain and the captaincy was just given to him, so he didn’t have much influence, so much say over what team was selected,’ Bravo said.

‘So, I always tell Gibbo it was him and the selectors back then and the board’s decision. It was never my personal decision to finish Test cricket and that’s (the) God honest truth.’

Bravo said he made the tough decision to retire after he was left off the Test team for five years.

He recalled that the selectors saw him mainly as a white-ball cricketer, despite declaring his interests to play Test cricket.

‘I had made it very clear that I wanted to continue my Test journey and obviously they had different plans and different ideas and there’s not much I could have done.

‘But if it was my decision, I would have played a lot more Test matches and longer,’ Bravo admitted.

However, while he was disappointed to have his Test career cut short, Bravo acknowledged that the outcome also opened the door to a different chapter of his career and one that would eventually redefine his legacy.

‘It was cut short and you lose here, but I gained here. Because I think if I continued to play more Test matches, I would not have the T20 career that I have,’ he acknowledged.

The Organization of American States (OAS) Tuesday said it is prepared to play a meaningful role in the future development of Venezuela as member countries split over whether the United States’ decision to invade the South American country last Saturday, seizing its head of state, upholds accountability or undermines a foundational principle of international order.

OAS Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, told a special meeting of the OAS Permanent Council following the US military action that led to the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, that there is need to ‘reaffirm the importance of unity within the American region, recognising that diversity of views exist by underscoring the shared responsibility to peace and stability in the hemisphere’. Ramdin said member states are the corner stone of that unity and as the ‘shared adherence to international law in the Inter-American legal framework which provides a common point of reference for dialogue and collective consideration including respect for sovereignty, human rights and democratic governance.

‘As we go forward we must consider in what way we all can find the moment to re-affirm the collective commitment of member states to these norms and values that underpin our unity and peaceful coexistence in our hemisphere’.

Ramdin said that the Americas has historically aspired to be a zone of peace and that safeguarding this position ‘continues to be in the collective interest of all member states’.

He said with regards to Venezuela, the ‘commitment is clear,’ and that morally, the member states owe the Venezuelan people ‘our solidarity.

‘Strategically, a stable democratic and prosperous Venezuela is in the interest of every single member state around this table. At a minimum we share responsibilities for m=finding solutions that deliver concrete improvements to people’s lives, respecting the inalienable right of the Venezuelan people to determine its own government and its own leadership in a representative democracy’.

Ramdin said that the OAS also welcomes the willingness of several member states as stated today to cooperate in good faith and in diverse ways ‘during this particular sensitive period’.

He said that the strength f the Inter-American system lies not in the uniformity of views ‘but in the capacity of member states to engage constructively despite ideological differences.

‘Therefore we encourage member states to continue using this forum to listen to one another, seek areas for convergence and avoid actions that could deepen divisions or heighten tensions.

‘We must also reaffirm that maintaining the Americas as a hemisphere of peace is a shared achievement and a shared responsibility requiring cooperation, prudence and sustained management and engagement’.

The OAS Secretary General said that following private meetings on Monday and requests regarding the role of the OAS Secretariat in restoring democracy, the hemispheric body based on its responsibilities, mandate and charter ‘is here to safeguard democracy, defend human rights, promote development and stability and strengthen multi-dimensional security to keep our hemisphere a zone of peace.

‘The stability of our region depends on our collective response. A stable democratic Venezuela is good for its people and good for the whole hemisphere,’ he said, reiterating that the OAS will be a key venue for dialogue, reflective and collective engagement consistent with its mandate.

‘We must highlight the potential value of the OAS as an honest broker,’ Ramdin said, adding that the body acts as ‘a trusted partner to our members.fully respecting the principles of sovereignty, non-intervention and constitutional order’.

But he said that the OAS would continue to monitor and document the human rights situation in Venezuela with particular attention to political prisoners.

‘We are convinced that Venezuela’s path must be grounded in the will of its people,’ he said, noting that ‘sustainable stability and democratic legitimacy can only be achieved through peaceful means.’

But he acknowledged that recent reports ‘on top of all what we already knew are giving us reasons to be concerned. Repression and political prosecution must not be tolerated in Venezuela or anywhere else in our hemisphere’.

Ramdin ended his presentation by recalling the words of Simon Bolivar, given more than 200 years ago that ‘each nation may govern itself according to its character and circumstances, but all require order, justice and cooperation if freedom is to endure. Without unity of purpose and adherence to common principles, no republic can hope to achieve stability much less peace’.

Earlier, the 15-member regional integration grouping, CARICOM, in a statement read out by the Jamaica delegation, reiterated a call for ‘peaceful dialogue’ to ensure stability in Venezuela.

‘The region reiterates its call for peaceful dialogue through diplomatic channels to ensure Venezuela’s stability, good governance, democracy and prosperity for the people of Venezuela,’ the diplomat said, adding that ‘CARICOM remains ready to support all such efforts, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect’

The Jamaican delegate said that the regional grouping ‘assures that every effort is being taken to ensure the safety and security of citizens of the Region’ and that it ‘will continue to monitor the multifaceted impact of this evolving situation and the implications for economic activity within the Community, particularly air travel’.

The United States delegate in his address disrupted by a woman protestor, told the OAS Special sitting that Washington wanted to uphold peace, democracy across the hemisphere.

‘Let me be clear the United States did not invade Venezuela. This was a targeted law enforcement action that resulted in the arrest of an indicted criminal and co conspirators with the objective of bringing them to face American justice,’ he said urging the member states to read the indictments against the Maduros.

‘This action was not taken lightly,’ he said, with President Trump in the past offering President Maduro ‘several opportunities’ to resolve the matter, which he refused.

‘This is not about democracy, this is not about human rights. We want a better future for Venezuela and its democratic future,’ he said, calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners, which Washington estimates to be at least 1,000.

He said the United States was not going to allow Venezuela to be turned into an ‘operating hub’ for Iran Russia, Cuba, China among others.

‘You cannot continue to have the largest reserves of oil in the world under the the control of the adversaries of the Western Hemisphere while the people of Venezuela have no electricity sub standard quality of life and its profits don’t benefit the people of Venezuela,’ the US diplomat told the OAS.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines government says it is monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely, following the invasion by the United States and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

‘Indeed, we are members of the families of nations, of the United Nations and of the Organisation of American States. So, you can well appreciate that the situation is of grave concern to our country and our region,’ said Foreign Affairs Minister, Fitz Bramble.

He said Kingstown recognises that there are ‘possible, far-reaching implications’ for St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a small island developing state.

‘Resultantly, we will continue to follow closely the situation in Venezuela as it unfolds, and we will continue to assess and respond when necessary to possible economic and other impacts,’ Bramble said.

He said Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday and his just over one month old government government remain committed to the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Caribbean region.

‘As a member of CARICOM, we align ourselves with the statements made by the CARICOM conference of heads of government and the Bureau of the Conference of heads of government, made on January 2nd and third, 2026, respectively,’ Bramble said.

The Bureau reiterated a call for ‘peaceful dialogue’ to ensure stability in Venezuela and in their statement, the CARICOM Bureau, comprising the St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, the CARICOM chairman, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness and their St. Lucian counterpart, Phillip J. Pierre, said ‘CARICOM is firmly committed to the fundamental principles of international law and multilateralism enshrined in the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and respect for human dignity.

‘The Region reiterates its call for peaceful dialogue through diplomatic channels to ensure Venezuela’s stability, good governance, democracy and prosperity for the people of Venezuela,’ the Bureau said, adding that ‘CARICOM remains ready to support all such efforts, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect’.

Bramble said that the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government ‘will continue to monitor the situation in Venezuela and will keep the people of our blessed land informed of further developments’.

Bramble said Kingstown has been in constant contact with its ambassador in Caracas, Gareth Bynoe, who has advised that all Vincentian diplomatic staff are safe and the country is calm.

He said Bynoe had also advised that the Vincentian embassy had not been contacted by any Vincentian who might be in Venezuela.

Bramble said that both Venezuela and the United States are friends of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

‘Indeed, we are members of the families of nations, of the United Nations and of the Organisation of American States. So, you can well appreciate that the situation is of grave concern to our country and our region,’ said Bramble, a former diplomat.

Following the US invasion, President Donald Trump told a news conference that the US is going to ‘run’ Venezuela ‘until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition. He sad US oil companies will fix Venezuela’s ‘broken infrastructure’ and ‘start making money for the country’.,

But in an address on state television, Venezuela’s Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez, who is being sworn in as head of state latter on Monday, said Maduro is the country’s only president even as Trump had earlier shared a photo he said was of Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima. The image shows him blindfolded and wearing ear defenders.

Maduro has been indicted in New York on drug and weapons charges. He has previously denied being the leader of drug cartel despite the US placing a ransom of US$50 million on his head. Venezuela has declared a national emergency, denouncing ‘extremely serious military aggression’.

West Indies Under-19 all-rounder Aadian Racha believes the regional side is in prime position to capture their second ICC Under-19 World Cup title.

Racha, the lone Trinidadian selected in the 15-member squad, has lofty expectations for the team at the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6.

During a recent interview with Newsday, the pacer said the squad was comprised of quality players who had the skills to beat any team in the competition and add to the lone title they won in 2016.

‘I think the team has a really good chance. We’ve been working well together and gelling well as a team. There’s definitely a strong bond and camaraderie among the players.

‘Each player brings unique strengths we can build upon, and we have an understanding of our individual roles and collective responsibilities. Overall, I’d say we stand a very good chance at that World Cup,’ Racha said.

Racha, who has been preparing for the tournament under the watchful eyes of former T and T leg-spinner Imran Khan and current Red Force coach Rayad Emrit, said he was looking forward to making a meaningful contribution.

He revealed that being selected to the team was a ‘dream come through’ and an opportunity he intends to grab with both hands.

‘I want to thank God and CWI for giving me this opportunity to represent the region and my country in such a prestigious tournament on the world stage. It’s a really proud moment, and I consider it a significant milestone in my career.

‘To be selected for the Under-19 World Cup squad is an incredible feeling. It’s a dream come true and being the only representative from TT is extraordinary also,’ Racha said.

‘It’s not only my dream, but my dad’s dream was also to represent West Indies at any level. It’s not only a dream come true for me, but it’s a dream come true for him as well.’

A 38-year-old man was sentenced to 11 months in jail after his 80-year-old grandmother, who was given a chance to decide whether he should go to prison, virtually slammed the prison cell door shut with her words with him inside.

‘Well, I can’t go against the court. Whatever the court says, I have to satisfy. That ain’t mean that he going behave himself better. . He is very rough and rude. Sometimes, you talk to him and he listen, other times he don’t,’ Kerhen Jacobs told Chief Magistrate Colin John when asked her what she thought of the prosecution’s suggestion that her grandson be given a suspended sentence.

As a result, Jamel Douglas will spend the next 11 months in prison for assaulting his grandmother on December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day – causing actual bodily harm. And when he is released from prison, he has two months to compensate the woman EC$270 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) for her cellphone, which he smashed during the same incident, or spend a further six months in prison.

Douglas first appeared in court on December 29, last year where he pleaded guilty to a charge that on December. 26, 2025, without lawful excuse he damaged one black Nokia cellular phone valued at EC$270, Jacobs’ property, intending to damage such property.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge that he assaulted Jacobs, causing actual bodily harm.

During the sentencing hearing, the prosecutor, Shamrack Pierre, had suggested that Douglas be given a suspended sentence.

However, when Chief Magistrate Colin John asked Jacobs what she thought about that, she pointed out that Douglas has repeatedly been aggressive to her.

‘So, whatever the court decides, I can’t go against it and I won’t go against it,’ Jacobs said.

The court heard that on December 26, Jacobs was at her home in her porch in conversation with a friend, when the Douglas showed up at her house and sat on a table. Douglas and Jacobs live in separate houses in the same yard.

Jacobs told Douglas that she was having a conversation and asked him to excuse himself.

As a result, Douglas jumped on top of the table and began behaving aggressively.

Jacobs had her cellular phone in hand and made a phone call. Douglas pulled the cellular phone out of Jacobs’ hand and, in doing so, squeezed the fourth finger on her left hand.

He then took the phone and slammed it to the ground, and left.

In mitigation, Douglas gave a rambling excuse for his action, telling the court that he had had a history of mental illness but his last episode was over five years ago.

He presented himself as unfairly treated by the other members of his family.

After hearing Douglas’ mitigation, the chief magistrate told Douglas that he thought he would have used the opportunity to apologise to his grandmother.

Douglas then went on to apologise to his grandmother even as he made excuses for his actions.

The chief magistrate told Douglas that a person’s home is their castle.

‘Your grandmother should be allowed to enjoy her home in comfort without disturbance by you. You are a big man; you are 38 years old, and you should not be going there to harass your grandmother.

‘I have to ensure that at least for the next 11 months that your grandmother enjoys some level of comfort without you interfering with her.

‘I hope that you learn when you are in prison and not repeat that behaviour,’ the chief magistrate added.