Category: CANA News

In a landmark moment for Saint Lucian sport, 19-year-old John Didier delivered a dominant and historic performance at the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships on Friday, becoming the first boxer from his nation to ever advance past the opening round of the global tournament.

John Didier

Competing in the light heavyweight (80kg) division at the Dubai Tennis Centre, Didier announced his arrival on the world stage with a commanding and technical display against the Ivory Coast’s Fofana Moussa Ben Ali.

From the opening bell, the Saint Lucian teenager seized control. Fighting from the red corner, Didier unleashed a relentless barrage of powerful, precise shots, overwhelming his more experienced opponent.

His superior ring generalship, technique, and power were evident as he swept the first round 10-8 on all five judges’ scorecards, forcing two standing eight-counts and a point deduction against Ben Ali.

Though the second round was more competitive, Didier maintained his edge, winning on a 4-1 split decision. The contest was ultimately halted at 1:04 of the third and final round when Azerbaijani referee Gadirov Rovshan disqualified Ben Ali for excessive holding, cementing Didier’s place in the Round of 16.

Speaking in the aftermath of his historic win, an elated Didier dedicated the victory to his homeland, which was simultaneously celebrating the inauguration of a new Prime Minister.

‘Today is a big day at home, and so I wanted to go out and make it special,’ said Didier. ‘I am happy with the result. This win is for Saint Lucia and everyone who continues to support and believe in the national boxing programme.’

The monumental achievement was celebrated courtside by David ‘Shakes’ Christopher, President of the Saint Lucia Boxing Association, who hailed the teenager’s performance.

‘It was nothing short of exceptional,’ stated Christopher. His discipline, determination, and technical brilliance are a testament to the hard work he has put in. The entire nation is proud.’

Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Kennedy Swaratsingh, Monday said some of the main structural vulnerabilities persistently facing the Caribbean have restricted the region’s fiscal spaces and slowing down productivity growth among other challenges.

Swaratsingh, who is chairing the 22nd meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC), said that the region stands at a critical juncture.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Kennedy Swaratsingh, addressing the 22nd meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC).

‘Some of the main structural vulnerabilities we have persistently been working to alleviate include high debt, exposure to climate shocks, limited economies of scale and an overreliance on a narrow set of economic sectors,’ he told delegates to the conference being held under the theme ‘Unlocking Caribbean potential: enhancing growth and development through South-South cooperation’.

‘ While these factors have restricted our fiscal space, slowed productivity growth and hampered our ability to invest in more rapid and wholistic diversification, human capital, and innovation, we have never given up as a region or made our presence felt on the world stage in terms of advocating for ourselves.

‘Over time, we have also been strengthening a solution that is deeper; more structured and strategic cooperation with our neighbours in the global South, especially within Latin America,’ Swaratsingh told the opening ceremony, adding ‘this is the focus of our conversation today’.

Swaratsingh told the conference which is being held in collaboration with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) that So

‘It allows us to build partnerships that reflect our realities, our ambitions, and the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). For Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean, the question is no longer whether South-South cooperation is useful.

‘The real question, and the one this seminar invites us to answer is how we can leverage it more deliberately to support structural transformation, increase resilience and expand opportunities for our society and citizens.’

Among the topics on the agenda are financing for development: finding ways to increase the Caribbean’s access to climate finance and other innovative financing for development mechanisms as well as digital bridges for Caribbean integration and institutional strengthening: a South-South cooperation perspective

Swaratsingh said whether in the digital sphere, resilience-building, innovation, the sustainable use of natural resources or governance reforms, there is tremendous value in learning from the experiences of countries that have tackled similar challenges and achieved meaningful progress.

‘For the Caribbean, one of our greatest assets is our proximity to a diverse and dynamic Latin American region. This diversity provides us with a range of development experiences, policy innovations and institutional models that can help inform our own national and regional strategies.

‘As we confront the long-term imperatives of economic diversification, climate resilience, food and energy security and institutional strengthening, this network of Southern partnerships becomes even more valuable.’

But, Swaratsingh said cooperation must be purposeful, saying that the Caribbean region must focus on building the capabilities and systems that allow us to translate collaboration into measurable development outcomes.

He said this requires modern, adaptable public institutions; stronger coordination among ministries and agencies; and a clear sense of national and regional priorities, adding these are the foundations upon which meaningful cooperation is built.

‘Equally important, is the need for the Caribbean to approach South-South cooperation from a position of confidence. Our region is not only seeking support, but we also have expertise to share.

‘The Caribbean has made meaningful strides in areas such as disaster preparedness, renewable energy integration, financial regulation, public service innovation, and cultural and creative industries. These experiences can add value to South-South initiatives and help shape a more balanced model of cooperation.’

Swaratsingh said as chair of the CDCC, Trinidad and Tobago is committed to supporting a more coherent and coordinated Caribbean voice within the wider Latin American and Caribbean framework.

‘We believe that our collective priorities, sustainable development, economic transformation, social inclusion, and resilience are best achieved when tackled together. Strengthening our institutional platforms, improving information-sharing, and fostering a culture of collaboration are critical steps in this direction.’

He said today’s event is an important space to reflect on how South-South cooperation can help us advance these shared objectives.

‘But it is also an opportunity to reaffirm long-standing principles of solidarity, mutual benefit, equality of partnership, and respect for national priorities. These principles must continue to guide our efforts as we pursue new forms of cooperation and explore innovative ways of supporting the development of our people.’

He told delegates that they should use the time together not only to examine what is possible, but to identify practical, forward-looking approaches that will carry the region into the next decade of sustainable development.

‘The future we seek is one that is resilient, competitive, and inclusive, which depends on our ability to work together, to learn from one another, and to act with clarity and purpose,’ Swaratsingh added.

Caribbean financial stakeholders have ended a two-day forum here discussing efforts to modernise the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) financial sector so as to align the region’s financial architecture with global standards.

Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT), Dr. Dorian Noel, described the discussions as critical to strengthening financial market infrastructure and improving inclusiveness in the regional financial space.

Acting CARICOM Assistant Secretary General for Economic Integration, Innovation and Development, Dr. Wendell Samuel

He spoke of the importance of aligning regional efforts with international conventions and standards, and of addressing key concerns around financial integrity, cybersecurity, stability, and consumer protection.

The CBTT official said that independent national initiatives, should converge into a single regional strategic framework to save resources and achieve a unified, interoperable digital financial infrastructure.

‘The future of payments in the Region is not just about technology; it is about trust, inclusion, and opportunities,’ he said.

Presentations and discussions during the two-day meeting here focused on governance models for cross-border payment systems; digital public infrastructure for central banks; a CARICOM public-private pilot for real-time, inclusive cross-border payments and securities settlement; and remote brokerage and digital settlement solutions.

A statement issued Monday by the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat noted that the ‘outcomes of the meeting are expected to enhance the region’s ongoing efforts to modernise its financial architecture and advance a more integrated, digital, and resilient CARICOM financial ecosystem’.

The meeting to advance cross-border payment and settlement innovation in CARICOM was convened by the CARICOM Secretariat’s Economic Policy and Development Programme with support from the 11th European Development Fund (EDF).

The acting CARICOM Assistant Secretary General for Economic Integration, Innovation and Development, Dr. Wendell Samuel, underscored the pivotal context of the meeting, noting that the discussions are essential to supporting economic growth and deepening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME),which allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the region.

‘Modern commerce, requires that cross-border payments move with speed and reliability; that regional investment is supported by strong, predictable settlement arrangements; that liquidity can move safely across jurisdictions; and that development partners continue to support experimentation with secure cross-border financial infrastructure.’

He said that the region has already laid meaningful groundwork with several central banks have launched or piloted digital currencies; payment providers are innovating; stock exchanges and regulators are open to new cooperative models.

The BLACKCAPS’ fortress has become a hospital ward, and with the West Indies arriving in Wellington with renewed belief, New Zealand’s selection panel is scrambling to assemble a fit XI for the second Test starting on Tuesday.

New Zealand pace spearhead Matt Henry has been ruled out with a calf injury.

In a brutal triple blow, New Zealand Cricket confirmed pace spearhead Matt Henry has been ruled out with a calf injury, while allrounder Nathan Smith is also out with a side strain, and spin-bowling stalwart Mitchell Santner will be missing with a groin problem.

All have been ruled out for the remainder of the series, as the devastating news compounds the existing absence of wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, who has been sidelined after tearing his hamstring on day one in Christchurch.

The casualty ward has forced a radical reshuffle. In a rare sliver of stability, middle-order rock Daryl Mitchell is set to return after his lengthy stint as a substitute fielder in the first Test.

From the chaos, opportunities arise, as Glenn Phillips, who joined the squad early as a fielder, has been formally added following a Plunket Shield fitness audition and is now a genuine contender for a batting spot.

Behind the stumps, Mitchell Hay stands on the cusp of a Test debut after being called up to replace Blundell.

Most telling, however, is the frantic search for bowling firepower. With Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke still in managed ‘return-to-play’ protocols, selectors have turned to uncharted territory.

A day after summoning uncapped seamer Michael Rae, they have called in Kristian Clarke, a 24-year-old seam-bowling allrounder from Northern Districts.

Clarke, a recent replacement in the ODI squad, earns his maiden Test call-up as a direct replacement for Smith.

This leaves Blair Tickner, the reserve in Christchurch, firmly in the frame, with a potential debut toss-up between Rae and Clarke for the Basin Reserve.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD FOR SECOND TEST:

Tom Latham (capt), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell, Zak Foulkes, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner, Michael Rae, Kristian Clarke.

In a blistering and sobering assessment of Trinidad and Tobago football, legendary former Technical Director and iconic goalkeeper Lincoln ‘Tiger’ Phillips has declared the nation’s recent World Cup qualifying failure ‘no big surprise,’ painting a picture of a system in profound crisis.

Lincoln ‘Tiger’ Phillips

Speaking exclusively to Andre Errol Baptiste on ISports on i95.5 FM on Saturday, the 1970s star, widely regarded as one of the nation’s finest goalkeepers, did not mince words.

He cited a catastrophic failure in coaching development, poor administration, and a lack of structured planning as reasons why T and T has been left behind.

‘A lot of countries are catching up with us. They’ve caught up with us. They’ve gone past us,’ Phillips stated. ‘They’ve studied the game. They’ve listened to people. And we’re there in Trinidad just wandering about, wondering about this, going from here to here. Not really doing much planning and preparation.’

Phillips, who served as Technical Director, expressed deep disappointment with the final qualifying campaign but placed the blame squarely on systemic failures that have festered for years. His prognosis for the future under the current administration is ‘bleak’ if radical changes are not implemented.

While voicing support for head coach Dwight Yorke, Phillips was clear that the former Manchester United star cannot succeed alone.

‘I feel that he can do a lot for football, but if we don’t take care of our administration first, then we’re just wasting a lot of time,’ he cautioned. He emphasised that Yorke needs help and, most critically, that sustainable funding must be found, stating bluntly, ‘without that there is no advancement.’

The solution, according to the football patriarch, is not a quick fix like the recently debated ‘Grandparents Law’ for player eligibility. He called it insufficient, arguing that true development must be homegrown.

Phillips issued a clarion call for a complete overhaul, starting at the youth level.

‘I would suggest that we start a youth development program from under-10s, throughout the country. This program must be year-round. Soccer is no longer a seasonal sport.’

Ultimately, Phillips believes the talent and expertise exist within Trinidad and Tobago to revive the sport, but only if a fundamental shift occurs. He stressed that all stakeholders must set aside differences and work collectively. ‘There are persons in TT that can be used to assist the football,’ he said, ‘but all stakeholders have to get on board and work together.’

Belizean authorities have cracked down on illegal fishing within the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve following the discovery of a three-mile-long fishing line loaded with dead marine species, including sharks.

The Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) together with the Belize Coast Guard and Fisheries Department have since conducted a special operation resulting in the arrest of two Honduran nationals and the seizure of dozens of illegally harvested fish.

Hammer head shark among fishes caught illegally in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve

The foreign nationals were fined BDZ$6,000 (One Belize dollar=US$0.49 cents) each.

TIDE project manager, Florencio Coc, said earlier this month, they conducted a special operation as a result of a previous incident on December 1 where the authorities came across a long line spanning three miles long.

‘ And on that line, they retrieved numerous species, including one hammer head shark and several reef sharks. Unfortunately, when these guys retrieved the long line, these fish were already dead,’ Coc said, adding that as a result, it led to an increase in patrols day and night. He said another joint operation operation was conducted ‘where we apprehended two Hondurans and found in their possession several species of marine life, which include 37seven bone fish which we know is illegal to harvest within the reserve.

‘They were brought in and formally charged at the Punta Gorda Magistrate where they were charged for illegal harvesting of marine life without commercial license. They were charged for possession of gillnet, for possession of bone fish and for boat vessel without valid Belize license and immigration offense, which is illegal entry,’ Coc added.

The Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve is an expansive protected area in southern Belize, protecting the southernmost tip of the Belize Barrier Reef, featuring 14 mangrove and sand cayes, clear lagoons, and rich biodiversity, crucial for fisheries and supporting marine life like turtles, manatees, and sharks.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site component managed for sustainable use, tourism, and conservation.

The Suriname government says it will on Monday relaunch the school feeding programme launched by the Santokhi administration in 2023, and implemented under the supervision of then-First Lady Mellisa Santokhi-Seenacherry.

But according to a government statement, after an evaluation period, the programme will now be under a public tender chosen on November 21.

The state-owned Communications Service Suriname (CDS) said that President Jennifer Simons has repeatedly emphasised that every child in Suriname has the right to education and a daily meal.

It said that to guarantee this, SRD 270 million (One SRD=US$0.02 cents) has been reserved for the renewed programme and that more than 15,000 students will receive a sandwich daily, while nearly 2,900 children will receive a hot meal. This will allow the programme to reach a larger part of the country than before.

The programme was temporarily suspended in July of this year after the new government decided on an assessment on how it should be further implemented.

According to the CDS, school feeding makes a significant contribution to improved school performance, higher attendance, and healthier child development with the government emphasises that hunger should never be an obstacle to learning and growth.

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Monday, December 8, 2025.

PORT OF SPAIN – Trinidad and Tobago is hosting the 22nd meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee being held under the theme ‘Unlocking Caribbean potential: enhancing growth and development through South-South cooperation’.

PORT OF SPAIN – The business community ios awaiting the next move by the authorities after the weekend dismissal of the chief executive officer of the Export Import Bank (EximBank), Navin Dookeran.

ST. JOHN’S – Prime Minister Gaston Browne says government will next year launch a public ‘citizens’ portal’ where all government purchases and contracts will be published as part of a wider governance reform effort sparked by recent controversy over vehicle acquisitions within state entities.

NASSAU – Prime Minister Phillip Davis is warning of a ‘crisis among males’ in the country, saying he wants a Bahamas where ‘our sons walk beside our daughters as equals in education, in work and in leadership’.

KINGSTOWN – A secondary school teacher, who was fired in November 2021 under the then government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, is returning to the classroom, less than a week after the Godwin Friday administration took up office here following the November 27 general election.

SPORTS

LIMA -The cricket finals at the 2025 Bolivarian Games in Lima, Peru, delivered some high-octane action as Barbados and Jamaica emerged victorious to claim the coveted gold medals in the men’s and women’s competitions, respectively, here at the Lima Polo club.

The United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen/Air Missions (NOTAM) temporarily downgrading the Argyle International Airport (AIA) forcing the cancellation or delayed of several flights over the last weekend.

The AIA was informed on Sunday that it had been temporarily downgraded to accommodate aircraft with a maximum take-off weight below 225,000lbs

The measure follows the ongoing problems of holes appearing in the runway with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) reporting since February about the issue of the hole appearing in the runway, as quickly as they are patched.

On Saturday night, CMC witnessed a Miami-bound American Airlines flight AA3098, a Boeing 737-823, taxing out to the runway around 5:24 pm(local time). The aircraft then turned around and taxied back to the ramp.

Two pick-up trucks then drove to a section of the runway, and the occupants exited, appeared to be picking up items from the surface and placing them in plastic buckets

Inquiries by CMC later revealed that the aircraft had refused to take off because of a hole that had appeared in the runway.

The situation delayed a Caribbean Airlines flight, BWA554 to New York, a Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, which departed the airport at 7:56 p.m.

However, the American Airlines flight was cancelled because the crew had run out of duty time.

The decision by the FAA led to the cancellation of the Virgin Atlantic flight, which was scheduled to operate between London and St. Vincent via Barbados.

The ruling New Democratic Party (NDP) administration, which came to office last Tuesday, is yet to comment on the ongoing situation, but on October 13, CMC asked then-prime minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves about the cause of the issue and the permanent solution his government was considering.

‘There is a challenge with the part. And this is not unusual, with the aerodrome at Argyle or anywhere else, and the management at Argyle International, they’re doing temporary fixes, but they have a more permanent fix what they’re dealing with. and they have assured me that they have Everything in hand, and they’ve given me all the reports, and that’s basically it,’ he said then.

However, one source familiar with the situation told CMC that AIA management has little choice but to close the airport if they are to implement a lasting fix to the runway issues, but has been trying to avoid doing so.

The source, however, said that with the developments this past weekend weekend, might force the authorities to do what they have been trying to avoid for more about a year.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says government will next year launch a public ‘citizens’ portal’ where all government purchases and contracts will be published as part of a wider governance reform effort sparked by recent controversy over vehicle acquisitions within state entities.

Speaking on his weekly radio programme, Prime Minister Browne said the new platform will allow any member of the public to review state spending.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne

‘We’ll have a citizens portal. So all the purchases that we make, all the contracts that we give will be on that portal so anybody can go and examine.’

The issue surfaced in October after reports indicated that several government vehicles were procured for various ministries without full Cabinet or ministerial approval, prompting questions about procurement oversight and the handling of public assets.

Housing and Works Minister Maria Browne, who is also the wife of the prime minister, has rejected calls for her resignation as public pressure builds for an independent probe into the controversy now being called ‘Vehicle-Gate.’

Browne has insisted that her ministry’s role has been misrepresented, telling reporters ‘the vehicles were purchased without proper authority. The 30 vehicles were returned. It’s as simple as that, clean cut,’ adding that efforts to connect her ministry to a separate customs-related duty-free matter are misplaced.

On his radio programme, Prime Minister Browne linked the initiative to concerns raised during the vehicle-purchase dispute and said the government intends to strengthen oversight systems to prevent misuse of state resources.

He described instances in which individuals resisted accountability measures and suggested that the portal will help curb abuse by making procurement information fully accessible.

Browne said the administration is actively ‘plugging gaps’ across government systems and expects the digital portal to form a central part of a modernized procurement framework in the coming year.