Category: CANA News

A 59-year-old man is due to re-appear in court on February 2 charged with the stabbing death of his nephew, reportedly during an argument about what to cook.

Police charged Emmanuel Matthews with killing Brandon Child on December 29, last year. He has since appeared in the Serious Offences Court where Chief Magistrate Colin John read the indictable charge to him.

Matthews was allowed to plead to the charge at that point and John informed him that bail was not open to him at that stage.

Matthews was remanded in custody until February 2, this year for his next hearing with the magistrate informing the lead investigator, Detective Constable Jemmy Arthur, to be as ready as possible on that date.

Media reports said that Child died after being stabbed during an argument over whether to cook rice or ‘sauce food’.

The Kieron Pollard-led MI Emirates romped into the final of the International League T20 with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Jason Holder’s Abu Dhabi Knight Riders here on Friday in Qualifier 2.

Alishan Sharafu scored an unbeaten, even half century and Alex Hales made 29, but none of the other Knight Riders batters showed up to the party, as they were restricted to 120 for eight in their 20 overs after being sent in to bat at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The West Indian trio of Sunil Narine (4), Andre Russell (3) and Holder (1), all failed with the bat in a disappointing display.

Andre Russell scored just three runs

AM Ghazanfar (3-24), Muhammad Rohid (2-19) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-30), were the main destroyers for the Emirates.

Tom Banton then smashed an unbeaten 63 off 53 balls with six fours and one six, and Shakib Al Hasan made 38, to see the Emirates cruise to 121 for three in 16.1 overs.

The pair shared a partnership of 82 for the third wicket, that rescued their side from 36 for two and carried them to safety.

The Emirates will play the Desert Vipers in Sunday’s final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says a four-year-old child was shot and killed and two teenage girls, including a Canadian national, are nursing gunshot wounds as a result of separate incidents of illegal gun salutes heralding the new year.

The JCF said that the incidents occurred ‘despite repeated warnings’ from the police ‘against the dangerous and unlawful practice’. The JCF said that a 13-year-old Canadian national who was visiting relatives was standing on a balcony at a residence in Portmore, St. Catherine, south east of here, observing New Year’s fireworks celebrations when she was struck by bullets.

‘Moments after midnight, loud explosions were heard, after which the teen felt sharp pains to her thigh and back. She was assisted to hospital, where she has been admitted in stable condition,’ the JCF said.

It said in the other incident, a 14-year-old girl was also injured while sitting beneath a tree in the capital, Kingston.

‘The teen reported feeling a burning sensation to her shoulder, after which it was discovered that she had been shot. She was also taken to hospital for treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.’

The JCF said that it ‘strongly condemns this reckless and irresponsible behaviour, once again emphasizing that gun salutes are illegal, extremely dangerous, and pose a serious threat to innocent lives.

‘These incidents underscore the real and devastating consequences of discharging firearms indiscriminately,’ the JCF said, adding that investigations into both shootings are ongoing.

Meanwhile, a four-year-old child has died after being shot during a deadly firefight between gunmen and the police in St James, north west of here on New Year’s Day.

‘Two armed men were fatally shot and a high-powered rifle seized during a confrontation with the police,’ the JCF said in a statement, adding that the incident took place as members of the security forces acted on intelligence and reports of illegal gun salutes despite repeated public warnings against the practice.

The police said preliminary information indicates that a group of individuals had gathered in the community and were in possession of prohibited firearms, allegedly with the intention of conducting illegal gun salutes.

‘On the arrival, the security forces came under gunfire from armed individuals in the area. The police took evasive action and returned fire in keeping with their training and the prevailing threat. When the situation was brought under control, two male individuals were found with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. They were later pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

‘During this incident, a four-year-old child sustained gunshot injuries and later succumbed to those injuries while receiving medical treatment. A 68-year-old woman was also injured and treated,’ the JCF said, extending ‘sincere condolences to the family of the child and expresses deep regret at the loss of this young life’.

The police recalled that in the lead-up to the New Year, repeated public advisories were issued by both the JCF and the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA), warning against the use of illegal firearms and the practice of celebratory gunfire.

‘These warnings highlighted the grave danger such actions pose to innocent lives, particularly children and other vulnerable persons. The JCF reiterates its appeal to members of the public to reject gun salutes and to cooperate with law enforcement by providing information on illegal firearms and criminal activity.’

Governor General Dame Susan Dougan, the first women ever to be appointed head of state in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, says she will step down on Monday, January 5, ending 50 years of public service.

‘I am also pleased to say that I demit office on the 5th of January, so it is indeed a pleasure to swear you in before I leave,’ Dame Susan said as she sworn in members of the Public Service Commission (PSC) at Government House on Old Year’s Day. Dame Susan, who turns 71 on March 3, said she had planned to demit office last September, coinciding with her 50th anniversary of public service, but had decided decided to stay on as head of state until the end of the year, in light of the general election, which was held on November 27

‘I served 50 years as a public servant, and I felt it was time for me to demit any public office that I’m holding,’ said Dame Susan, who was sworn in as Governor General on August 1 2019, becoming the first woman here to hold that office.

Prior to her appointment, she had served as the governor-general’s deputy since December 2014.

And so, I enjoy what I did over the years. I love children, and I will continue to work with them under the foundation under my name. And I always say, whatever you have to do, you have to do it with passion, with love, and that caring for people,’ she told the state-owned NBC Radio.

‘And it has been my guide throughout my public life, and so the decision to demit was not recently decided. That was a decision I discussed with my husband and family and because the elections were due just two months later than that date in September, I decided to stay on until the end of the year.’

Dame Susan said her 50-year career as a public servant has been ‘very, very fruitful,’ adding ‘I also enjoyed being Governor General because I was able to do more and help a lot of young people in my daily work.’

She urged more people to get involved ‘in what is really important to us.

‘I would like to see people join organisations, get involved in community work, try as far as possible to educate the young ones by being mentors for them and help them to become who they really are.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony earlier, Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock recognised Dame Susan’s ‘tremendous and valuable service to our peoples in St Vincent and the Grenadines’ and expressed hope that the outgoing head of state enjoys her retirement.

‘And there will be a new governor general of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It’s the wish of this administration – and I speak for the prime minister – that we see a clear recognition and distinction between the role of state and government and we give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s

‘Those things that are state functions must be represented here at State House, Government House, and those things that are government must be represented at the Prime Minister’s Residence, where, say, the seat of government.’

Prime Minister Andrew Holness Friday defended the decision of his administration to facilitate financing for the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) to accelerate grid restoration, including a loan facility valued at US$150 billion.

‘The JPS is a private company with public interest. The JPS provides a public service. And that public good cannot in any way be disrupted,’ Holness said as he addressed a ceremony marking the arrival of additional trucks with specialised equipment to aid JPS restoration works. He said that the financing arrangement was deliberately separated from ongoing negotiations regarding the company’s operating licence, ensuring that electricity restoration in the wake of the passage of Hurricane Melissa would not be delayed.

Holness said as a result of this support, JPS now has more than 270 trucks and approximately 470 workers deployed, bringing total manpower to nearly 900 line workers and close to 500 trucks.

He said that the government wants to see a strengthening of the national power grid as part of efforts to boost Jamaica’s resilience and that the displacement caused by Hurricane Melissa highlighted the need for infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters, such as hurricanes, and reduce electricity downtime.

He spoke of the need for stronger light poles, the presence of micro-grids, and placing power lines underground and that following the passage of the Category 5 strom in October last year, that killed 45 people and left damage estimated at more than US$9.9 billion, the government had directed the JPS to explore, where feasible, putting sections of the national power grid underground.

Holness said that a suggestion had been made for the ‘Elegant Corridor’ and ‘Hip Strip’ in Montego Bay, St James, to be among the areas considered for this solution.

Holness said the matter is being discussed at Cabinet and with the utility company and that costings have been received.

‘No doubt the costs are high. But sometimes you have to compare high cost with high loss. What do we lose by not having resilience in the grid?,’ Holness said expressing confidence that Jamaica will recover better from Melissa.

‘The strength of the recovery is not just to restore; it is to build forward, not to build back. We’re going to be building Jamaica forward, and we’re going to build Jamaica better than it was before.’

Holness said that Jamaica’s post-hurricane recovery compares favourably with other countries impacted by similar storms, adding that the island has achieved approximately 90 per cent electricity restoration island wide and close to 70 per cent recovery in the worst-affected parishes.

‘I think that is a creditable response on the part of the government and on the part of the JPS,’ he said, adding that electricity restoration will continue even in remote and rural communities, regardless of cost.

‘We are going to be building Jamaica forward and we are going to be building Jamaica better than it was before.’

In his address, Prime Minister Holness pointed to what he said ere two major national achievements that justify optimism for the year ahead, namely economic performance and reduction in violent crimes.

He cited the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) recently reporting more than five per cent growth in the July to September quarter of 2025, noting that this was significant as, historically, the country has taken years or even decades to recover from major crises.

In 2024, Jamaica was impacted by Hurricane Beryl, which plundered economic gains for the country, including reversing some 12 consecutive quarters of post-pandemic growth for the island.

‘What we have seen. is that when we are hit by super phenomenal events. the ability of the economy to head back to growth within the year of the impact is phenomenal.’

He attributed this turnaround to what he described as increased resilience within the Jamaican economy.

‘It is a word called resilience. The Jamaican economy is showing very strong signs of resilience,’ Holness said, describing also the significant decline in murders as a historic achievement.

‘For the first time in 31 years, the country can collectively celebrate. the reduction of murders,’ he said, noting that murders have fallen to 673 for the year, representing a more than 40 per cent decline and the third consecutive year of reductions.

‘We have cracked the psychological barrier of a thousand murders per year,’ Holness said, adding that Jamaica is now moving toward the regional average of 15 murders per 100,000 people.

Poloce Friday said that two Brazilian gold miners died after a mining pit collapsed at Chenapou, North Pakaraimas, in the spectacular Pakaraima Mountain Range in Region 8, known for its dramatic tabletop mountains. The miners have been identified as Cleumiton Da Silva Santos, 37, and 44-year old Antonio Filho and the police said that the incident occurred on December 30, at ‘S’ Bend Backdam.

‘Preliminary enquiries revealed that the two deceased were working inside a mining pit when a quantity of sand collapsed into the pit. While other workers managed to escape, both men became trapped and were later retrieved motionless,’ the Guyana Police Force said in a statement.

It said that due to the remote location, the bodies are currently at ‘S’ Bend Backdam and arrangements are being made to transport them to the Mahdia District Hospital where post-mortem examinations will be conducted.

West Indies fast bowler Jason Holder ended 2025 in record-breaking fashion by setting a new record for the most T20 wickets in a single calendar year.

The 34-year-old Barbadian finished the year with 97 wickets, eclipsing the previous record of 96 wickets held by Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan since 2018.

Holder played in 69 matches last year at an average of 21.42 at an economy rate of 8.30 runs per over. He achieved the landmark when he picked up 2-24 against the Gulf Giants in the International League T20 on Sunday.

Naveen-ul-Haq (78), Andre Russell (76) and Andrew Tye (75) are the other seamers to pick up 75 or more T20 wickets in a calendar year.

He represented six teams throughout the year; the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Islamabad United, Khulna Tigers, Los Angeles Knight Riders, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and the West Indies.

Holder was just as proficient with the bat, scoring 846 runs at 24.17 at a strike rate of 159.92, his best batting performance in a year.

Before 2025, Holder never had a strike rate of over 145 in any calendar year where he batted more than twice.

The following is the CANANews Schedule for Friday January 2, 2026.

PORT AU PRINCE – The Gang Suppression Force (GSF) says it remains focused on dismantling gangs, restoring security and laying the foundation for lasting peace and democratic governance in Haiti.

BASSETERRE – The St. Kitts and Nevis government says the recent military exercises conducted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) around the Taiwan Strait ‘heighten tensions and risk undermining peace, stability, and prosperity’.

KINGSTON – The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says a four-year-old child was shot and killed and two teenage girls, including a Canadian national, are nursing gunshot wounds as a result of separate incidents of illegal gun salutes heralding the new year.

KINGSTOWN – Governor General Dame Susan Dougan says she will step down on Monday, January 5, ending 50 years of public service.

PARAMARIBO – The Suriname Police Force (KPS) is warning of sophisticated online sales scams with fraudsters using forged bank transfer receipts to steal goods without paying.

Barbadian forward Niall Reid-Stephen has reached an agreement with New Mexico United to play in the 2026 United Soccer League Championship (USL).

The 24-year-old’s move from South Georgia Tormenta FC for an undisclosed fee equals the record fee paid by a USL Championship club to a USL League One side and is awaiting league and federation approval. Reid-Stephen had an impressive outing in his debut season in the USL League One in 2025, scoring 13 goals and providing 13 assists on his way to being named in the 2025 All League First Team.

He also scored three goals and had one assist in the US Open Cup and USL Cup.

Sporting Director at New Mexico United, Itamar Keinan said he was looking forward to having Reid-Stephen at his disposal.

‘Niall is someone we have been monitoring for a long time, and I am thrilled that we are able to bring him to our club.

‘He is an exciting player and a real attacking threat, and I look forward to seeing him score goals in front of our fans,’ Keinan said.

The Antigua and Barbuda ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS), Sir Ronald Sanders, has been appointed as the new Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG).

President Irfaan Ali said that the Guyanese-born diplomat and educator ‘brings to this role an exceptional record of scholarship, public service, and international engagement that aligns closely with the University’s aspirations for academic excellence and global visibility’.

President Ali said the office of the Chancellor had become vacant following the competition of the ‘distinguished tenure’ of Professor John Edward Greene, a former Assistant Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and that the UG council had identified Sir Ronald to succeed him.

Sir Ronald, a former Guyanese broadcaster and at that time was the youngest General Manager of the now defunct state-owned Guyana Broadcasting Service (GBS), migrated to Antigua and Barbuda and, under the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ALP) administration, was appointed a diplomat to the United Kingdom and the United States.

A former Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford, he holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Sussex, and has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of the West Indies and an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Guyana.

He has served as Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, and as Senior Fellow at Massey College, University of Toronto. He was Rapporteur of a Special Committee appointed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London on the future of the Commonwealth Institute and was an elected member of the Executive Board of UNESCO.

Internationally, President Ali said Sir Ronald is among the Caribbean’s most accomplished diplomats and that his experience in ‘multilateral diplomacy, scholarship on small states, and sustained engagement with leading global policy institutions reflect a depth of intellect, credibility, and international respect that would further enhance the academic stature and global reach of the University of Guyana.

‘ At a moment of major investment in human capital, his leadership would strengthen the University’s role at the heart of Guyana’s emerging knowledge economy,’ President Ali added.