Category: CANA News

Nicholas Pooran’s struggles with the bat continued as MI Cape Town suffered a heartbreaking one-run loss to the Paarl Royals when the SA20 continued here on Friday.

Led by half centuries from Player-of-the-Match Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who scored an unbeaten 98 off 65 balls, and fellow opener Asa Tribe, who made 51, the Royals posted a competitive total of 181 for three in their 20 overs. Pretorius, who struck 10 fours and two sixes, and Tribe shared an opening partnership of 100 in under 11 overs to give the home side the perfect start.

Rashid Khan took 2-10 to be best bowler for Cape Town.

Cape Town too was given a solid foundation in their chase, with openers Rassie van der Dussen (59) and Ryan Rickelton (36), putting on 77 runs in eight overs, but they fell just short on 180 for eight to register their third loss in four games, with the other match being abandoned.

Batting at number three, Pooran made a pedestrian 12 off 13 balls, his third failure of the competition, as Ottneil Baartman grabbed four wickets and Sikandar Raza claimed three to derail the innings.

Baartman ended with 4-51 while Khan took 3-21 in a winning cause.

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.’

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) says domestically, the the fluid geopolitical tension between the United States and Venezuela is contributing to building economic uncertainty.

‘Nonetheless, inflation is well contained, credit growth is still reasonable, and liquidity conditions have improved. However, economic growth is somewhat tentative,’ the CBTT said in its Monetary Policy statement issued on Wednesday, the the last working day in 2025. It said that the positive effect of higher energy production in the second quarter of 2025, driven by two new natural gas fields, may be partially offset by a non-energy sector that is losing momentum across several sub-sectors.

‘This suggests that the domestic economy is still in need of support to engender a sustained recovery,’ the CBTT warned.

According to the policy statement, domestically, a boost to natural gas production in the second quarter of 2025, with first gas from bpTT’s Cypre and bpTT/EOG’s Mento fields, underpinned a resurgence in energy sector output 10.4 per cent year-on-year.

According to data from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries for the second quarter of 2025, the production of natural gas rose by 11.7 per cent year-on-year, while crude oil production increased by 8.9 per cent.

The petrochemical industry recorded expansions in ammonia (23.6 per cent) and urea (51.3 per cent), while methanol output continued to decline (-12.7 per cent). Meanwhile, the slowdown in non-energy sector activity is estimated to have persisted during the second quarter of 2025.

‘Indicators monitored by the Central Bank suggest softer performances for the distribution, construction and manufacturing sectors, which countered gains in the finance and utilities sectors.’

The CBTT said that domestic inflation has held firm at the lower end of single digits during the second half of 2025 and that headline inflation, as measured by the Central Statistical Office’s (CSO) Consumer Price Index, measured 0.5 per cent in November 2025 compared with 1.5 per cent in June 2025.

It said core inflation, which excludes food prices, rose by 0.5 per cent while food inflation decelerated to 0.8 per cent, pulled down by lower international food prices and few weather related disruptions to domestic agricultural supplies. Building material price increases slowed to 1.5 per cent year-on-year during the third quarter of 2025 compared with 2.2 per cent the previous quarter.

The CBTT said that domestic financial conditions are finely balanced. It said system liquidity constraints have eased in recent months, despite continued government borrowing activity and notable upticks in interbank and repo market activity.

‘After declining to TT$3.5 billion in October 2025, commercial banks’ excess reserves at the Central Bank averaged TT$4.4 billion in November 2025, and rose further to TT$5.3 billion by mid-December 2025.

‘Conversely, the pace of private sector credit expansion has slowed. Private sector credit rose by 6.3 per cent year-on-year in October 2025, down from growth of 8.6 per cent in June 2025. ‘

The CBTT said that the slowdown was primarily influenced by more modest business credit growth (6.6 per cent in October compared with 11.8 per cent in June 2025). Consumer lending growth slowed to eight per cent from 9.7 per cent over the same period, driven by lower loan demand for credit cards, motor vehicles and bridging finance. Real estate mortgage loans increased by 5.8 per cent.

The CBTT said that its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has noted that global inflationary pressures have fared much better, though not fully contained, than initial expectations when the US reciprocal tariff regime was first announced in April 2025.

The MPC also considered that aggregate demand may increase as household incomes are perched to receive a boost in the coming months.

‘Against this backdrop, given Trinidad and Tobago’s high propensity to import, safeguarding the country’s international reserves becomes paramount. Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign reserves stabilised in recent months, moving from US$4.6 billion in October 2025 to US$5.3 billion as at December 19, 2025. However, conventional international indicators of reserve adequacy suggest close monitoring is warranted,’ the CBTT said.

It said given the softness in the non-energy sector, reflected in part by slowing business credit growth, and in the context of low inflation and the narrowing of the TT-US short term interest rate differential, the MPC agreed to maintain the repo rate at 3.50 per cent.

‘The MPC will actively monitor the likely effects of recent wage adjustments on aggregate demand and import growth in the coming months. The MPC is prepared to take the necessary monetary policy actions to maintain a prudent balance between safeguarding the foreign reserves and fostering favourable funding conditions supportive of domestic economic activity,’ the CBTT said in its policy statement.

GROS ISLET, St. Lucia, Jan 1, CMC- A Saint Lucia squad infused with West Indies talent but seeking competitive sharpness will open their 2026 Windward Islands Women’s T20 campaign this weekend, aiming to erase the memory of a last-place finish in the 2025 tournament.

The team, which went unbeaten in the 2024 edition, enters the competition without veterans Malika Edward and Teaddie Crawford. Leadership now falls to 21-year-old West Indies all-rounder Zaida James, who will captain the side, with fellow 21-year-old Namiah Marcellin as vice-captain.

Saint Lucia’s hopes will lean heavily on its core of regional players. Alongside Captain James, the squad includes seasoned Windward Islands campaigner Nerissa Crafton and West Indies Under-19 bowler Selena Ross.

They are bolstered by the return of 35-year-old veteran wicketkeeper-batter Ashlene Edward, one of only four players in the 14-member group over the age of 26.

The lineup blends this experience with what coach Philippa Thomas-Eudovic, a former West Indies player, calls ‘seasoned youngsters.’

These include Niesha Cherry, Cian Felix, and Skyy Smith. Natalia Philip and Elisha James return to the fold, while Krishna Joseph rejoins the team.

Notably, the selectors have invested in youth for the future, naming two uncapped teenage bowlers, Ammie Antoine and Gillia Mc Laurent.

Despite the presence of three West Indies representatives, a significant challenge looms: a glaring lack of match practice. While men’s cricket in the region enjoyed a full slate of domestic tournaments in 2025, women’s cricket faced a ‘dearth of competitive action,’ often forcing players to seek games in men’s competitions to maintain fitness.

‘The talent is undeniable,’ said team manager Yasmine St Ange, a former Windward Islands player. ‘Our task is to translate that talent into performance quickly, despite the preparation hurdles.’

The six-day Windwards T20 tournament runs from January 4 to 9 at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex. Saint Lucia will be looking to dethrone the hosts, St Vincent and the Grenadines, who won the last 50-over competition in February 2025.

Saint Lucia Squad: Zaida James (Captain), Namiah Marcellin (Vice-Captain), Ashlene Edward, Nerissa Crafton, Selena Ross, Niesha Cherry, Cian Felix, Skyy Smith, Natalia Philip, Elisha James, Krishna Joseph, Ammie Antoine, Gillia Mc Laurent.

Management: Philippa Thomas-Eudovic (Coach), Eldridge Charles (Assistant Coach), Yasmine St Ange (Manager).

A 23-year-old woman fatally stabbed her eight-year-old stepson with a knife shortly after the New Year celebrations.

According to police reports early Thursday, the woman identified as Mamchella T, allegedly killed her stepson, Jaden Amor Bhola.

The police say the woman was under the influence of alcohol and angry with the child’s father, with whom she had argued shortly before the incident.

The fatal stabbing occurred shortly after midnight as the boy was sleeping.

The stepmother reportedly locked the father out of the house and proceeded to destroy household items and threatened to harm the child. The father unsuccessfully attempted to re-enter the home.

According to his statement, the argument began after he had spoken with a neighbor outside the house, who offered him a glass of whisky. This reportedly angered his partner.

After returning to the house, the situation escalated further. The woman allegedly continued damaging the interior, took a knife from the kitchen, and went to the bedroom where the child was sleeping.

When the father eventually managed to get inside, he found his son critically injured. During a struggle with the suspect, the handle of the knife broke off. The boy briefly regained consciousness but succumbed to his injuries shortly afterward.

During her initial police interview, the suspect reportedly admitted responsibility for the killing but later retracted her statement, claiming that the father was responsible. However, a neighbor who witnessed the aftermath corroborated the father’s account and stated that he restrained the woman until police arrived.

Following consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, Mamchella T. has been remanded in custody. The Homicide Division continues the investigation with support from the Forensic Investigation Department.

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ spin duo along wth captain Jason Holder orchestrated a comprehensive 50-run victory over the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 Eliminator here on Thursday, setting up a high-stakes clash with MI Emirates for a spot in the final. The win, sealed at the Dubai International Stadium, was built on a blistering century-opening stand and emphatically finished by a collective stranglehold from the Knight Riders’ bowlers.

Choosing to bat, the Knight Riders were turbocharged by opener Michael Pepper, who smashed a scintillating 72 from just 49 balls.

Alongside the steady Phil Salt, who scored 43 off 34, the pair found the right seasoning following a dominant 122-run partnership in 81 deliveries, seemingly setting a platform for a mammoth total.

However, the Capitals’ bowlers staged a stunning fightback.

The dismissal of Salt in the 14th over with teh score at 122, triggered a spectacular collapse of seven wickets for just 36 runs.

The innings unravelled as Mohammad Nabi with 3-25, led the charge, with Pepper’s run-out adding to the chaos.

A late, cameo from skipper Jason Holder who scored 22 not out off 11, provided crucial impetus, lifting his side to a competitive 158-7.

In reply, the Capitals’ chase never found momentum. The Knight Riders’ spin attack applied an unrelenting squeeze from the outset. Sunil Narine struck early blows, removing key batters and setting the tone with his trademark control.

The pressure mounted as Liam Livingstone and the canny Holder, operating with the ball, joined the party. The trio shared nine wickets between them, with each claiming three scalps.

The Capitals’ innings crumbled from 43-4 to 64-6 at the halfway mark, losing wickets in a cluster with runs drying up completely.

Despite a brief resistance from captain Nabi who stroked 27, Holder delivered the final blows in the 16th over, bundling the Capitals out for 108 and extinguishing any lingering hope.

With this emphatic victory, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders live to fight another day. They now face the MI Emirates in Qualifier 2 on Friday, with the winner earning the right to challenge the Desert Vipers in the final on Sunday, January 4.

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman, Jan 1, CMC – Cayman Islands junior squash has announced its arrival on the international scene with a series of standout performances at two of the world’s most prestigious tournaments: the Canadian and US Junior Opens.

The campaign began in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, from December 13-16, where a five-strong Cayman contingent delivered a stunning collective effort.

Maximillian Woolf, Claudia Bullmore, Gavon Ramos, Kaylee Pierre, and Brodey McComb combined for a remarkable 12-match wins.

Woolf led the charge with five victories, while Pierre, McComb, and Bullmore each secured two wins, and Ramos added one. This success propelled McComb to a plate final and saw both Pierre and Bullmore advance to the quarter-finals.

‘Our juniors at the Canadian Open provided the bonus of exceeding expectations,’ said assistant national coach Julian Jervis, who accompanied the team.

The challenge intensified at the famed US Junior Open, considered among the world’s premier junior tournaments, where Woolf, Pierre, and debutant Sienna Scarpa faced elite competition in their respective age divisions.

While match wins proved elusive against the world’s best, the trio earned widespread respect for their courage and grit.

‘They impressed other countries and their coaches,’ Jervis noted. ‘More importantly, they returned hungry for more and keen to improve. They saw that the top juniors use the same tactics we practise at home; they just commit more time, effort, and focus, which are 100% free. That was the most important lesson.’

Jervis highlighted the unique challenge for athletes from a small island: a lack of regular exposure to higher-level competition.

‘It’s hard to see the bigger picture day-to-day,’ he explained. ‘That’s why these trips are everything. They push the goalpost and provide the vision that motivates the kids to be their best.’