Category: CANA News

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) says it is recruiting more than 100 enforcement officers as part of efforts to strengthen its crackdown on illegal dumping across the island .

(file photo)

NSWMA Executive Director Audley Gordon said the recruitment exercise would bolster the agency’s Enforcement and Compliance Unit, allowing for a greater presence in communities affected by improper waste disposal.

Speaking during a recent clean-up exercise in Norwood, St. James, Gordon said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) would administer entrance examinations and provide training for the recruits.

Training is scheduled to begin in the first week of November at the National Police College of Jamaica’s Camp Verley Training Campus in St. Catherine.

Gordon said the expanded enforcement unit was expected to become more visible across the island next year, with increased emphasis on ensuring compliance with waste disposal regulations.

‘We are building an enforcement unit that will be serious, that will be decisive because while we court the better behaviour, while we beg and beseech, there will come a time when we’re going to have to just enforce the law,’ he said.

The NSWMA head also urged Jamaicans to take greater responsibility for proper garbage disposal, warning against the practice of dumping household waste on vacant lots and in secluded areas.

He encouraged residents seeking to dispose of bulky items, including mattresses, refrigerators and other household materials, to contact the agency to arrange collection.

‘[Not] because you see an open lot or a corner that is secluded [means] you can just dispose of what you don’t need anymore. We don’t believe this is how we should operate,’ Gordon said.

The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has named Amir Jangoo and Karishma Ramharack as their International Players of the Year following a string of impressive performances for the regional team in 2026.

The duo took home the coveted awards at the TTCB’s annual national awards ceremony, which was held at the Dennis P. Ramdhan Complex last week.

Jangoo, who was unable to attend the ceremony as he was in India with the West Indies team, enjoyed a prolific year on the international stage, highlighted by a magnificent 233 in the first Test match against Sri Lanka in July, his maiden hundred in the format.

The match-saving knock formed part of a 401-run sixth-wicket partnership with captain Roston Chase, the largest in Test cricket history.

During the second ODI against India last month, Jangoo hit a 70-ball century – his second in the format – on his way to scoring a career-high 114, as the West Indies compiled a record-breaking 405 in the first innings.

In five ODIs during the 2026 calendar year, Jangoo scored one century and three half-centuries in five matches at an impressive average of 78.

On the Test scene he amassed 306 runs from six innings at an average of 51.

Meanwhile, Ramharack claimed the award in recognition of her contribution to the West Indies Women’s team, where she was instrumental in helping the regional side reach the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Red Force captain and wicket-keeper/batsman Joshua Da Silva was named National Player of the Year after playing a leading role in Trinidad and Tobago’s successful West Indies Championship campaign, where he scored 413 runs at an average of 59.

His contribution included a superb 220 against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, as the Red Force captured their first regional first-class title in 20 years.

Da Silva’s performances also earned him a recall to the West Indies Test team in July, and he is now on his way to Bangladesh for the upcoming two-match series later this month.

Ricky Jaipaul was another major winner on the night, taking home the TTCB Premiership Player of the Year award after claiming 77 wickets across all competitions.

Lendl Simmons and Chadwick Walton scored unbeaten centuries as West Indies Champions captured the World Championship of Legends title with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over England in the final here on Sunday.

Dwayne Bravo’s three-wicket haul helped West Indies restrict England to 159 for seven at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium after they were sent in to bat.

Moeen Ali’s 60 off 39 balls with four sixes and four fours proved to be the catalyst for England, while Owais Shah scored an unbeaten 38 off 28 balls.

The pair added 54 runs for the sixth wicket after Bravo’s heroics with the ball had reduced them to 61 for five in the 10th over.

After Ali was dismissed by Raymon Reifer in the 15th over, Shah shared an unbroken stand of 28 with Toby Roland-Jones which helped them post a competitive total.

Player-of-the-Match Bravo claimed 3-21 from his four overs, while Fidel Edwards, Sheldon Cottrell, Reifer and Carlos Brathwaite took a wicket apiece.

Openers Chris Gayle and Simmons then gave the Windies a speedy start during a partnership of 42 runs inside six overs.

Ajmal Shahzad broke the stand by bowling the former for 21 off 14 balls, with his dismissal bringing the in-form Walton to the crease.

The pair then took over the contest during an unbroken partnership of 124 runs, which carried the West Indies to victory with 18 balls remaining.

Simmons scorched 77 off 53 balls with eight fours and three sixes, while Walton slammed 58 off 35 balls, inclusive of four sixes and three fours, as England’s bowlers tallied without further success.

Walton was named Batter of the Tournament while Shivnarine Chanderpaul took home the Legend of the Tournament award.

Following the victory, a delighted Gayle said the win would be celebrated by fans in the Caribbean.

‘I’m absolutely delighted for the guys. England played brilliantly, and I want to congratulate them.

‘Bravo and Chadwick Walton had fantastic tournaments. In a final, you never know what can happen, so I gave extra energy but made sure not to pull a muscle! Chanderpaul stepped up with a terrific knock in the semifinal. This victory means so much to the Caribbean people, especially after the West Indies T20I team drew 2-2 with India,’ Gayle said.

Two Jamaican nationals and a Haitian are among 16 immigrants charged in the United States with election-related offences, including illegally voting in federal elections and falsely claiming US citizenship.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the charges, announced on Friday, involve immigrants in North Carolina, New York and Idaho, including lawful permanent residents and an undocumented immigrant.

Jamaican national Lawton Caswell McKenzie, 46, a lawful permanent resident, faces charges of falsely claiming US citizenship and voting illegally. Prosecutors allege that he registered to vote in 2007 and 2012 and cast ballots in the 2012, 2020 and 2024 general elections.

Another Jamaican, Mervin Sylvester Bogle, 60, also a lawful permanent resident, is charged with falsely claiming citizenship to vote.

According to the DOJ, Bogle registered in 2024 and completed a ballot in that year’s general election. He is also accused of voting in the 2008 and 2012 elections.

Haitian national Lionel Paul, 62, a lawful permanent resident, faces charges of falsely claiming citizenship and voting illegally after allegedly registering and casting a ballot in the 2024 general election.

The other defendants include nationals of El Salvador, Bosnia, Germany, Panama, Britain and Canada, among other countries.

Meanwhile, US immigration authorities have announced a separate charge against Bahamian national Terrance Patrick Evans, 37, a lawful permanent resident living in Ocala, Florida.

Evans is accused of voting in the 2024 federal election despite knowing he was not a US citizen.

The charge followed an investigation involving Homeland Security Investigations, Florida election authorities and the Citrus County Supervisor of Elections.

If convicted, Evans faces a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison.

The announcements come ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections, with federal authorities maintaining that efforts to prosecute alleged illegal voting are aimed at protecting election integrity.

The high-scoring, blockbuster T20I series between India and West Indies came to a disappointing end on Saturday with the fifth and final match ending in a no result.

Heavy showers forced the start of the match to be delayed by over two overs and when the covers were finally removed the contest was reduced to nine overs per side.

India’s batters capitalised on a strong start to reach 118 for five in 7.4 overs, but another series of persistent showers sent the players and umpires off the ground.

Those rains continued past the cutoff time, leading to the match eventually being called off.

It left the five-match series tied at 2-2 and robbed the thousands of spectators who packed into the M Chinnaswamy Stadium of what was shaping up to be an exciting finale.

After winning the toss and sending the home side in to bat, Keemo Paul’s first over leaked 14 runs, but he also had Abhishek Sharma caught at midwicket by Shamar Joseph.

Ishan Kishan greeted Romario Shepherd with a huge six over backward square to start the second over, before adding another maximum and two fours for good measure.

But after racing to 30 off just 10 balls, he miscued a pull off pacer Shamar Joseph and was caught at mid on to leave the score 45 for two in the third over.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer wasn’t at his best in his knock of 22 off 14 balls, but Naman Dhir’s unbeaten 24 off six balls with three sixes and a four, kept India’s run rate above 15 runs an over.

When Shamar Springer got Tilak Varma to drag a wide yorker onto his stumps, it proved to be the last ball of the match with the slight drizzle turning into a downpour.

Springer ended with 2-17 and Paul took 2-34.

A former central bank governor, a Cabinet minister, a corporate executive and a philanthropist are among six Jamaicans who will receive the Order of Jamaica (OJ) at Monday’s National Heroes Day ceremony.

The recipients are former Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles; Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz; Sagicor Group Jamaica Chief Executive Officer Christopher Zacca; philanthropist Donette Chin-Loy Chang; and former government ministers Maxine Henry-Wilson and Derrick Smith.

They are among scores of Jamaicans who will receive national honours and awards at the ceremony, which will be held on the lawns of King’s House.

Twenty-five people will receive the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD), while 41 will receive the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD).

A further 33 people will receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service, and 30 will be awarded the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.

Three civilians will receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry. They are Danielle Anna-Marie Barnswell, her husband, Councillor Scean Barnswell, and Susan Annmarie Higgins.

Members of the uniformed services will also receive the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service. The recipients include 25 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 13 from the Department of Correctional Services, 15 from the Jamaica Fire Brigade and 12 from the Jamaica Defence Force.

Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen will preside over the ceremony.

Jamaica’s National Honours and Awards system is governed by legislation promulgated on July 18, 1969. It provides for six Orders of Honour, including the Order of National Hero, the Order of the Nation, the Order of Excellence, the Order of Merit, the Order of Jamaica and the Order of Distinction, as well as medals and badges recognising gallantry and meritorious service.

All-rounder Shamar Springer has earned a maiden call up to the West Indies Test team for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh.

Springer replaces fellow all-rounder Keemo Paul, who Cricket West Indies (CWI) said will return home for ‘personal and family reasons’.

Shamar Springer

A statement issued by CWI said pacers Ojay Shields and Nial Smith were also among those considered but were ultimately ruled out of contention due to injuries.

The 28-year-old Barbadian has played 12 T20Is and three One Day Internationals for the West Indies.

Springer ended the just concluded five-match T20I series against India with seven wickets, the second most behind Paul’s eight.

The Ministry of Health is considering legislation and other tougher measures to curb unhealthy consumption, including eliminating trans fats from foods, as the Government steps up efforts to tackle cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable conditions.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said the country needs a different approach to health promotion, noting that after 10 years in the post, he remains unconvinced that public messaging is sufficiently influencing behaviour.

‘We are going to have to take a different approach because I am not yet convinced, having been in this position for 10 years, that the message is sufficiently getting across,’ Tufton said.

‘We spend a lot of money on health promotion – and it could have been far worse if we didn’t – but we are going to have to step up the pace. We are going to have to get more creative in getting buy-in to lifestyle changes,’ he added.

Tufton was speaking at the launch of the National Health Fund’s Double Subsidy for Persons Living with Disabilities.

He said a submission is to go to Cabinet on measures including eliminating trans fats from foods, arguing that consumers may not know what they are buying or may not read product labels.

‘We are going to have to stop the manufacturers or the traders who bring trans fatty acids in foods that ultimately lead to significant cardiovascular disease, because frankly speaking, many consumers don’t know. They don’t read the labels,’ he said.

Tufton also cited front-of-package labelling, the School Nutrition Policy and measures to protect children from sugary drinks as areas requiring action. He raised concerns about the routine consumption of alcohol and energy drinks, linking unhealthy habits to cardiovascular conditions.

‘The point I’m making is that health advocacy has to become a more dominant feature of a healthier environment,’ he said.

Tufton said the Government must be prepared to take firm action, noting that some harmful substances remain legal and are widely available.

‘We must be bold about it; we must be brave. We must look people in the face, because some of the more toxic substances we’re putting in our body are legal…. They’re in fast food outlets, and they impact us eventually, though they give us temporary joy,’ he said.

The fifth and final T20I between India and the West Indies at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium ended in a no result here on Saturday.

Scores

INDIA 118-5 in 7.4 overs (Ishan Kishan 30, Naman Dhir 24 not out, Shreyas Iyer 22, Sanju Samson 16; Shamar Springer 2-17, Keemo Paul 2-34).

Scoreboard of the fifth and final T20I between India and West Indies at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday.

INDIA

+Sanju Samson b Springer 16

Abhishek Sharma c Joseph b Paul 6

Ishan Kishan c Powell b Joseph 30

*Shreyas Iyer c Joseph b Paul 22

Tilak Varma b Springer 7

Naman Dhir not out 24

Extras (nb1, w12) 13

TOTAL (five wickets; 7.4 overs) 118

Did not bat: Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Prince Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh.

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-45, 3-66, 4-88, 5-118.

Bowling: Paul 2-0-34-2, Shepherd 1-0-24-0, Joseph 1-0-18-1, Motie 2-0-25-0, Springer 1.4-0-17-2.

Toss: West Indies elected to field.

Result: Match ended in a no result to leave the five-match series tied 2-2.

Player-of-the-Series: Shai Hope.

Umpires: Nitin Menon, Rohan Pandit.

TV Umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal.

Reserve Umpire: Virender Sharma.

Match Referee: Prakash Bhatt.