Category: CANA News

Prolific middle order batsman Shimron Hetmyer will take no further part in the International League T20 tournament after picking up a hamstring injury.

The 28-year-old Guyanese, who turned out for the Desert Vipers, suffered the injury while playing against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) last week.

He has been replaced in the Vipers’ squad by former England batter Jason Roy.

Hetmyer, who played in all seven of the Vipers’ games up until the time of his injury, had been having a below par season, scoring just 111 runs in six innings at an average of 18.50.

His highest score was 48 off 25 balls against ADKR on December 5.

Tom Moody, Vipers’ Director of Cricket, said losing Hetmyer was a hard pill to swallow for the team.

‘We are extremely disappointed to lose a player of Shimron’s quality and experience as he has played a positive role in our squad this season, but securing someone of Jason’s pedigree and experience certainly softens that blow,’ Moody said.

‘Jason ticks all the boxes for us. He knows the format inside-out, he is a versatile batter who can go through the gears, he provides us options up and down the order, he has been playing recently, and he has experience in the ILT20.’

The Vipers currently sit at the top of the table with 14 points with seven wins from their nine games.

President Jennifer Greelings-Simons has established a six-member working group tasked with preparing the necessary inventories and policy proposals, in close consultation with indigenous and tribal peoples, as the government seeks to deal with the long-running and complex issue of land rights and decentralization in Suriname.

The working group, which will meet with the head of state on a monthly basis, is also tasked with preparing policy measures in the area of land rights and decentralization, with a specific focus on the position of indigenous and tribal peoples.

According to presidential spokesperson, Roberto Lindveld, the working group serves as the head of state’s direct working arm and its mission is to systematically map out which legal, administrative, and social aspects should be considered in the land rights issue.

It will also take into account existing documents, including the document from the Association of Indigenous Village Leaders in Suriname.

‘The President’s expectation is clear: this issue must ultimately be resolved. At the same time, she recognises that this is a complex process that requires careful and time-consuming work,’ says Lindveld.

The working group includes the presidential advisor on land rights and decentralization Edgar Dikan, and will focus on inventory, evaluation, and consultation with all relevant stakeholders to build support for future policy decisions.

Dikan said collaboration with the communities involved is essential for the mission’s success.

‘Only by working together with the communities can we build support and ownership. This is necessary to make gradual progress and demonstrate that actual results will be achieved in the coming years,’ he added.

Suriname’s land policy fails to legally recognise indigenous and tribal peoples’ collective rights, despite international rulings and recommendations, leaving their ancestral lands vulnerable to extractive industries and creating severe human rights issues, with a stalled land rights law and proposed amendments contradicting international standards like FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent).

The state claims ownership of all land, preventing indigenous communities from securing tenure, impacting their culture, environment, and access to services, forcing them to rely on advocacy and mapping efforts for recognition and protection.

Nicholas Pooran hammered an unbeaten half century and together with Muhammad Waseem carried MI Emirates to a convincing eight-wicket victory over the struggling Gulf Giants when the International League T20 continued on Tuesday.

Playing at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Pooran blasted 69 not out off 49 balls, with six fours and three sixes, while Player-of-the-Match Waseem hit an unbeaten 59 off 42 deliveries with three sixes and three fours, as the Emirates easily overhauled the Giants’ total of 141 for six, racing to 142 for two in just 16.3 overs.

Following the early losses of Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton, who both fell for ducks to see the Emirates reduced to two for two, Pooran and Waseem shared an unbroken partnership of 140 runs to comfortably see their side to victory.

Earlier, Romario Shepherd took two wickets to restrict the Giants to a below par total.

Shepherd bowled captain James Vince for two and had Asif Khan caught for 12, to see the Giants slump to 27 for three in the fourth over.

Only Moeen Ali, who struck 51 off 48 balls with two sixes and two fours and Barbadian Kyle Mayers, who scored an unbeaten 28 off 18 balls, inclusive of four fours and one six, put up any resistance.

Fazalhaq Farooqui was the pick of the Emirates’ bowlers with 2-17, while Shepherd claimed 2-36 from his four overs.

The win propeled the Emirates to second in the standings on 12 points from their nine matches, two points behind leaders Desert Vipers.

Meanwhile, the Giants maintained fourth position on six points with a 3-6 record.

The Trinidad and Tobago government Wednesday criticised the use of drones to acquire photos of ‘military installations and equipment’ noting ‘with great concern’ drone activity in close proximity to both the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and the ANR Robinson Airport in Tobago.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence, which said it is responsible ‘for securing our borders, including the airspace and territorial waters,’ said it had taken note of ‘recent drone activity’ near the two airports.

Earlier this week, the Trinidad Guardian newspaper published a photo what it said showed images of ‘several trucks and utility vehicles positioned within the restricted area, along with a small tent and another temporary structure located close to the equipment, suggesting use for operational or shelter purposes. A number of portable toilets were also observed at the site’.

But Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar dismissed the suggestion that the image is that of a military base, saying the photo shows ‘support offices’ for the US military radar system on the island.

While she did not explicitly describe the compound as a military base, Persad-Bissessar told the newspaper ‘the picture is self-explanatory. There is a radar with the support offices to operate it’.

Persad-Bissessar would later describe the newspaper and the main opposition People’s National Movement (PPNM_ of ‘appearing obsessed’ with getting the ‘radar and the Americans out of the country,’ saying that the only people who would benefit from such an outcome would be drug traffickers.

In its statement, the Ministry of Defence said that ‘objective verification shows drones were flown within the five kilometer no fly zone of our airports, contrary to claims made that the drones operated outside five kilometers from our airports.

‘The Ministry of Defence wishes to highlight the reckless endangerment created by drone operators from the obvious and inherent danger posed to both incoming and outgoing commercial aircraft during which drone operations with the real possibility of collisions which potentially lead to loss of life on a massive scale’.

It said quite apart from the obvious dangers posed ‘the desire to obtain footage of military installations and equipment to disseminate same to media houses and by extension the world at large, is inimical to national security interests and exposes the citizenry to those who would benefit from the use of such information to our detriment’.

Last month, Persad-Bissessar defended her decision to withhold details about the installation of United States radar systems in Tobago, even as she criticised the previous administration for leaving Trinidad and Tobago’s borders ‘exposed.’

She had also dismissed suggestions that the US presence in Tobago was military in nature. ‘They are helping us with something to do at the (Arthur NR Robinson International) airport,’ she said, pointing to work connected to a roadway near the airport. ‘It is not a military force as such. We are not about to launch any campaign against Venezuela.’

Persad-Bissessar has denied being part of the efforts by the United States to effect regime change in Venezuela, where Washington has accused President Nicolas Maduro of being a narco trafficker, a term the prime minister is now using to refer to the administration in Caracas.

Two American nationals were denied bail after they appeared in a magistrate’s court charged with raping a 25-year-old woman on a cruise ship, the Carinival Sunrise.

The prosecution alleges that Sayjuan Readous and Antoine Meadows raped the woman on December 15. Readous also faces a charge of abetment to rape, while Meadows is charged with a second count of rape by himself.

Magistrate Abigail Farrington denied bail to the men and advised them of their right to seek bail in the Supreme Court as they were not required to enter pleas to the charges.

In an era where international relations are often dominated by headlines of discord and unilateral action, the recent and successful engagement between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States over new security proclamations stands as a masterclass in mature, effective diplomacy.

The outcome, which safeguards the interests of our citizens while respecting U.S. security imperatives, is not a matter of luck. It is the direct result of calm, professional and persistent diplomatic efforts, led with distinction by our Ambassador to the United States and the OAS, Sir Ronald Sanders.

Faced with the potential disruption caused by the U.S. proclamation of December 16, 2025, our government moved with swiftness and strategic clarity. Under the direct guidance of Prime Minister Gaston Browne and my ministerial leadership at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Sanders was instructed to engage immediately with the highest levels of the U.S. State Department.

He did not go to Washington to protest or posture but to negotiate, clarify and secure the interests of every Antiguan and Barbudan citizen

The results, as detailed in Ambassador Sanders’ statement, are unequivocally positive. The U.S. has confirmed it will respect all existing visas, providing immediate certainty to our students, business travellers, tourists and families. It has guaranteed no revocation of pre 2025 visas, protecting the substantial investments and plans of our people.

This immediate clarity alleviated the foremost anxieties of our citizens, a testament to diplomacy that listens to and acts upon the concerns of the people.

For future arrangements, Ambassador Sanders, working in lockstep with the Cabinet, secured a cooperative path forward.

The alignment of biometric systems is a practical measure of enhanced security cooperation and must not be seen as a punitive barrier. As he emphatically stated, the process for our citizens will be no different; only the technology will be harmonized. This was a key concession achieved through negotiation, ensuring our systems are compatible while preserving the dignity and ease of travel for our people.

Throughout this delicate process, Ambassador Sanders exemplified the highest standards of diplomatic service. He kept Prime Minister Browne, Attorney General Cutie Benjamin and myself continuously abreast of all developments, ensuring our leadership was fully informed and that our national strategy was executed with precision. His approach, combining unwavering advocacy for Antigua and Barbuda with a deep respect for the U.S’s security prerogatives, created the atmosphere of the mutual trust necessary for a rapid and fair resolution.

This successful outcome also speaks to the receptive and professional conduct of the officials within the United States Department of State. We express sincere appreciation for their expeditious and good-faith response to our request for engagement. Their willingness to listen and work constructively reflects the enduring strength of the bilateral relationship our nations have nurtured over decades.

This entire episode underscores the outstanding and effective leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From the strategic direction set at the political level to the expert execution by our ambassador in the field, our diplomatic machinery proved its worth.

We demonstrated that a small state, when guided by principle and professional diplomacy, can engage with the world’s largest power not from a position of weakness but from one of respect and reasoned partnership

Antigua and Barbuda has reaffirmed our commitment to being a responsible international partner, pledged to security cooperation and steadfast in protecting the rights and interests of our citizens. This is what effective governance looks like.

We have achieved clarity, preserved vital people-to-people ties while at the same time strengthening the framework of our cooperation with the United States. For this, the nation owes a debt of gratitude to the diplomatic team, led by Sir Ronald Sanders, whose skill and dedication turned a potential challenge into a demonstration of diplomatic excellence.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Sir Steadroy Benjamin, says he is encouraged by the response from the legal fraternity and the general public regarding the establishment of a Constitutional Review Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Antigua and Barbuda Constitution.

He said that former attorney general, Justin Simon, KC has agreed to serv as deputy chairman of the Commission that will make recommendations for the consideration of the Cabinet and the parliament. Sir Steadroy said letters of appointment have already been sent to the persons who have been identified as possible members and that they have all responded in the affirmative to the invitation to serve.

He said apart of Simon, others who have agreed include Richard Lewis, the parliamentary representative for St. John’s Rural West Constituency. Sir Steadroy said that Lewis’s acceptance ensures that the views of the opposition are well represented throughout the discussions.

The other members of the Commission who have agreed to serve are; Dr. Lenworth Johnson, Carlton Knight, Fitzmore Harris, a lawyer representing the diaspora community, Ralph Bowen and Beverly Benjamin from the Antiguans and Barbudans for Constitutional Reform and Education (ABCRE), which is based in the United States, Debra Burnett, and a representative from Barbuda with attorney in the Attorney General’s Chambers, Zachary Phillips.

Sir Steadroy said he wants a broad-based representation on the Commission with more appointments expected from non-government organizations to be announced shortly.

‘I am very happy with the response that we have been receiving and the public support for some of the areas of the constitution that we wish to review and to make recommendations for change.

‘Areas such as the Republican status and a possible recommendation for ministers of religion to be eligible to serve in elective politics have generated much positive reviews from the public thus far,’ he added.

The Attorney General said he is confident that when next the country holds a referendum on constitutional reform to include adopting the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the final appellate court that with the support of both political parties, the measure should earn the support of the public.

Sir Steadroy praised ABCRE for the work that it has been doing over the last several years to educate Antiguans and Barbudans both at home and in the diaspora, about the need for Constitutional reform.

He said the work has made a significant difference regarding the public’s appetite for Constitutional reform

Parliament has already adopted the measure to change the Oath from swearing to the British Monarch to swearing to Antigua and Barbuda. The legislation was signed into law by the Governor General on December 18 and will be Gazetted by Wednesday December 24.

With the grandfather law in full effect, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has intensified its overseas recruitment drive aimed at attracting eligible footballers to their national teams.

The TTFA extended invitations to UK-based and UK-born footballers to join the Under-17 and Under-20 men’s national team residential training camps.

The players, who are currently attached to professional and semi-professional clubs in England, arrived in Trinidad on December 19 to train, live, and integrate with the local environment as part of the ongoing assessment process.

Those players who have arrived from the UK are Archie Lovatt (central midfielder, Southampton FC); Tate Ormonde (central midfielder/right back, Brighton and Hove Albion FC); Jashaun Christmas (central midfielder, Crystal Palace FC); Kayden Bancey (central midfielder, Reading FC); and Eden Ormonde (central midfielder, Welling United (Brighton FC pathway). The camps run until the end of December, with players remaining in Trinidad for the duration. These players along with a group from North America have already engaged in sessions with Under-17 head coach Randolph Boyce and Under-20 head coach Marvin Gordon.

They have joined home-based players and US-based players already in camp, all vying for selection to the final squads ahead of the 2025 Concacaf Under-17 and Under-20 Men’s Qualifiers, scheduled for February and March.

Head of overseas recruitment Brent Sancho, who has been leading similar recruitment initiatives across the region, including with Grenada, St Lucia, and St Kitts and Nevis, highlighted the importance of early engagement and cultural immersion.

‘This is about giving players a real opportunity to connect with TT, not just through football, but through living and training here.

‘We want them to understand the culture, the expectations, and what it truly means to represent the red, white and black. There is a strong pool of players overseas, and this is only the beginning,’ Sancho said.

Meanwhile, TTFA president Kieron Edwards underscored the strategic value of the initiative and the importance of continued collaboration with government and key stakeholders.

‘This overseas recruitment drive is not just about our youth teams – it is an investment in the entire football ecosystem of TT,’ Edwards said.

‘By identifying and integrating eligible players early, we are strengthening the pathway to our senior men’s national team and, by extension, creating long-term benefits for our women’s national teams as well.’

This latest wave of recruitment follows the recent passing of the grandparent law, which has expanded eligibility pathways for players with ancestral links to TT.

While some of the invited players were already eligible to obtain TT passports due to their age, the updated legislation has further strengthened the association’s ability to widen its talent pool globally.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is projecting growth in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) to be between three and four per cent this year.

NASSAU – The Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBB) says that the domestic economy tempered pace of growth persisted during the month of November relative to the corresponding period in 2024, with key economic indicators converging closer to their medium-term potential.

BRIDGETOWN – The Barbados-based regional politiccal analyst, Peter Wickham, Tuesday said he believes Prime Minister Mia Mottley will go ahead with her plans to call an early general election in the country even though the polls are not constitutionally due until 2027.

BASSETERRE – Police say they are investigating reports that women are being drugged at bars and social events and subsequently sexually assaulted.

In a statement, the police said that the Special Victims Unit is ‘actively’ investigating the matter and that law enforcement officials take ‘these reports seriously and are committed to identifying those responsible and ensuring that victims receive appropriate support and justice.

PARAMARIBO – The former head of the Directorate of National Security (DNV),Lieutenant Colonel Danielle Veira, faces a possible nine year prison sentence as the Military Court prepares to deliver its verdict next week in a case in which she is accused of, among other things, complicity in hostage-taking, trespassing, complicity in theft and robbery with violence, and unauthorized distribution of firearms passes.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is projecting growth in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) to be between three and four per cent this year.

The ECCU consists of eight island nations and territories, namely Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, all sharing the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC) as their common currency and managed by the ECCB. In his annual Christmas message, ECCB Governor, Timothy Antoine said that despite the heightened uncertainty with the global economy, ‘our hyper-open economies continue to demonstrate resilience’ and that growth in the ECCU is likely to be around 3.7 per cent in 2025, slightly higher than 2024.

‘We are grateful that our fair isles were spared a major hurricane during another very active hurricane season. Our thoughts, prayers and practical support continue for the people of Jamaica and other countries affected by Hurricane Melissa. Our EC dollar remains strong with a current backing approaching 99 per cent and our international reserves continue to grow,’ Antoine said.

He said inflation, largely imported, though still challenging, has slowed compared with the past three years.

Antoine said that this past year, the ECCB advanced its shared agenda for transformation and shared prosperity on multiple fronts.

He said the highlights in 2025 include the launch of the First Step Account in partnership with the ECCU Bankers’ Association, the launch of Regional Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility (REIIF) in partnership with the World Bank and the launch of the Retail Government Bond programme with the Grenada government.

‘As we set our sights on 2026, we are mindful of climate change and the everchanging geopolitical environment. In respect of economic prospects, we currently project growth in the ECCU between three and four per cent’.

He said that the ECCB will launch a new strategic plan focused on its ‘Big Push’ challenge framed as a simple question, ‘what will it take the double the size of our economies over the next decade? And personalized with the question: what will it take to double your net worth?

The Grenadian-born ECCB Governor said that the ECCB focus for next year will include financial stability, the establishment of the Office of Financial Conduct to better protect customers of financial institutions as well as the establishment of a regional regulator for the Citizenship By Investment Programmes (CBI).

In addition, Antoine is hoping for the expansion of the Retail Bond programme to help more savers become financial investors, Data Privacy and Protection, Data and AI Strategy and the modernisation of the payments and financial Inclusion.