Category: CANA News

Head coach of the Barbados Pride, Vasbert Drakes has lauded his team’s work ethic after they captured the CG United Super50 Cup title in Trinidad on Saturday.

The Pride captured the US$100, 000 first prize with a dominant nine-wicket victory over the home side Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, to claim their first Super50 title since 2018.

Speaking to members of the media on Sunday, moments after touching down at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados, Drakes said the team’s preparations before and during the tournament was a major factor in their success. I’m happy for the group of players. I think they worked fantastically well during the preparation phase which started from May this year.

‘Obviously, leaving Barbados we recognised that we had to prepare really well because going into Trinidad, certainly with the weather situation, we knew that we wouldn’t get the practice sessions that we wanted to, so as a group the guys worked really hard and I’m really happy for them,’ Drakes said.

‘Before the guys went onto the field yesterday [Saturday], they recognised that playing for Barbados is a privilege and an honour, but not a given. The guys recognised that once you have these colours they’re up for it.’

Drakes praised the leadership of captain Kyle Mayers, while pointing out that it had been a total team effort.

‘The captain really led from the front, he led exceptionally well, and he was well supported by the whole group; Kraigg Brathwaite sharing his wisdom, Desmond Haynes, and then having the support of the BCA, this trophy means so much not only to the BCA but to the people in Barbados and I’m really happy for everyone,’ he said.

West Indies won the toss and elected to field against New Zealand on the opening day of the first Test here at Hagley Oval on Monday.

Ojay Shields will make his Test debut for the West Indies.

WEST INDIES: Roston Chase (captain), Tagnarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach, Kemar Roach, Johann Layne, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham (captain), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.

Umpires: Alex Wharf, Paul Reiffel.

TV Umpire: Alladhuddien Paleker.

Reserve Umpire: Kim Cotton.

Match Referee: Javagal Srinath.

Representatives of three political parties and eight independents are on Monday seeking the vote of an estimated 180, 000 voters, who are expected to cast their ballots at 285 polling stations scattered across St. Lucia.

The Electoral Department said it expects a free and fair general election in which the 44 candidates are seeking entry into the17-member Parliament.

The ruling St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP),which won 13 seats in the July 26, 2021 general election, is again contesting 15 seats, while providing some level of support to two independent candidates in former prime miniser Stephenson King and Richard Frederick, both of whom had also contested the last general election as independent candidates and later joined the Phillip J Pierre administration.

The main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) is contesting all 17 seats and under the leadership of former prime minister Allen Chastanet, it is hoping to turn around the results of the last poll, when it won only two seats.

The third political party, a husband and wife team of the National Congress Party is not expected to have any major impact on the election on Monday.

The polling stations open at 6.30 am (local time) and closes at 6.00 pm, unlike previous occasions when voters had a 12 hour window to elect their representatives.

Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre comfortably won his Castries East seat as the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) appeared to be on course to repeat the margin of victory it secured in the July 2021 general election.

The SLP contested 15 of the 17 seats in the election, as it did the last time around and the preliminary results show that the SLP was leading in 13 of the 17 seats in the Parliament with the two ‘independent’ candidates, former prime minister Stephenson King and Richard Frederick, also on course to repeat their 2021 victory.

The main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) is leading in two constituencies with its leader, Allen Chastanet, leading the SLP’s Shandee Lee Harracksing in the Micoud South constituency.

Pierre, who led the SLP into the general election for a second consecutive time, polled 3,871 votes, easily defeating Peter Denis Chicot who received 1,110 vots, while deputy prime minister, Dr. Ernest Hilaire, easily brushed aside Tommy Descartes of the UWP and the independent, David Hird.

‘The SLP won on Phillip Pierre campaign, ‘said political commentator and newspaper columnist, Rick Wayne, who said Chastanet would now have to look at ‘giving up’ the leadership of the party, having lost two consecutive general elections.

Prime Minister Philip Davis has expressed his ‘disappointment’ after the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT), voted to take industrial action, after raising concern over the long promised salary increases that were paid out last week.

‘I’m disappointed they are not (satisfied])’ Davis said, adding that ‘the increases are something that I gave to them, and they will have an opportunity during the course of their negotiations for the new industrial agreement to raise those issues there.

‘That was not a matter that was negotiated by them. It was something I did for them.’ he added.

But BUT president Belinda Wilson said that an internal poll showed that 87.8 per cent of members indicated they were prepared to take industrial action, and 92 per cent supporting a strike vote.

‘The president and executives of the BUT will advise the members on the way forward,’ Wilson said.

The BUT and the Bahamas Public Servants Union (BPSU) have been at odds with the government over pledges of pay salary raises for their members.

Officials have said the exercise aims to narrow gaps between public service pay and the wider public sector, citing base-pay gains of eight to 31 per cent over four years, including a 19 per cent rise for college graduates, such as graduate nurses and teachers.

Prime Minister Davis had promised in June that public servants across all levels would receive their increases by September.

But the payment was delayed with Prime Minister Davis indicating that the delayed payments would be made in December, leading members of both unions to take to the streets in protest even as the prime minister insisted that the payment would be made ‘before Christmas’.

But when the payments were made, Wilson described them as ‘crumbs’, noting that some teachers received nothing, while others received increases between US$150 and US$341.

She said many workers were demanding clarity on how the increases were calculated, adding that frustration was particularly high among those aware that other civil servants received US$3,000 or more, with payments retroactive to September 2024.

The Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Latrae Rahming defended the increase amounts, noting they should not be viewed ‘in isolation’ but rather in the context of the Davis administration’s broader ‘commitment to equity within the public sector, salary adjustments over the last four years’.

Rahming said the government will spend US$20 million annually to sustain the salary increases and that more than 17,000 civil servants received their adjustments on Wednesday.

Wilson, however, has maintained that the union is displeased and disappointed.

‘We are still awaiting the listing as to who was paid and how much,’ she said, adding ‘to add insult to injury, Prime Minister Davis says he is disappointed in the reaction of the civil servants.

‘But maybe if he had open dialogue and proper consultation with the BUT and the BPSU then he would not need to be disappointed.’

Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre said he remains ‘confident’ that his St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) will be returned to office in Monday’s general election.

‘I am confident, my party is running on its record. It is clear. We were the first party to put out a book that speaks about it record and I think the people of St. Lucia have seen what we have done,’ Pierre told reporters after casting his ballot.

‘We have impacted positively on the lives of almost every citizen,’ he said, adding ‘our destiny is in the hands of the people and I trust the people of St. Lucia. I trust them to make the right choice and envitably the choice will be the St. Lucia Labour Party.

Pierre said he is pleased that voters were expressing themselves ‘and what you see here is people expressing themselves and I am very pleased with what I see and I just hope that it manifests itself in the polling stations

The leader of the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Allen Chastanet, said he was also pleased with the turn out, especially among the young people.

‘Thank you to all the young people powering this movement for change. Your hope, your voice and your vote matter. When you vote for the UWP, you’re voting for opportunity, fairness and a country that invests in its youth.

‘So talk to your friends, encourage them to vote and let’s show the nation what’s possible when the youth lead with courage and purpose,’ he wrote on his Facebook page after casting his ballot.

The Electoral Department said 180,000 voters are eligible to cast ballots and that it expects a free and fair general election in which the 44 candidates are seeking entry into the17-member Parliament.

The contest is a stright fight between the SLP and the UWP.

In the last general election, the UWP won 13 seats with the UWP winning two and two others going to ‘independent’ candidates, Stephenson King and Richard Frederick,, who later joined the government.

Both men are again contesting the election as independent candidates.

The 285 polling stations, which opened at 6.30 am (local time) will close at 6.00 pm, unlike previous occasions when voters had a 12 hour window to elect their representatives.

The polls are being monitored by observer teams from the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Monday accused the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) of being financed by the ‘local drug mafia’ of fuelling an anti-United States ‘narrative’ as concerns continue to be raised here over the installation of radar systems by the United States military here.

The political Leader of the PNM’s Tobago Council, Ancil Dennis, has since called on the government to remove the military radar it recently installed at the ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago.

Radar system in Tobago, installed by the United States military.

In a video circulated on social media, Dennis accused the government of ‘taking us for fools’ as he pointed to the radar while standing on a road near to the airport.

‘You see that camouflage thing spinning in there? ‘That’s the road that the Prime Minister said a few days ago was being built by a foreign government to assist us here in Tobago.

‘According to your Chief Secretary this is a refuelling plane, and according to the MP for Tobago East, this camouflage device is standard international upgrades to our new airport,’ he added.

Last week, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said he was unaware of the radar system, prompting a meeting between him, Attorney General John Jeremie, Defence Minister Wayne Sturge and Chief of Defence Staff Commodore Don Polo last weekend.

In a statement posted on X, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, said that ‘many persons, groups, politicians, and businesses who are profiting from drug trafficking are fuelling this anti-American narrative.

‘The law-abiding citizens know that we have suffered for decades with violent, out-of-control murders and crime. The majority are happy for the help we are getting,’ she said, encouraging citizens ‘to look at the persons, politicians, groups, businesses, and media that are actively against the drug interdiction efforts.

‘When people show you who they are, believe them,’ she said, adding that ‘it is not surprising that the PNM, a party long suspected of being financed by the local drug mafia and connected to numerous allegations of paedophilia, will be against the Government’s anti-drug and anti-human-trafficking efforts.

‘The PNM are concerned with covering up allegations of paedophilia within their hierarchy, as well as protecting the illegal profits of their drug mafia financiers over the safety of citizens,’ Persad-Bissessar wrote’.

The Trinidad and Tobago government leader, who has said that those involved in the illegal drugs trade should be killed ‘violently’ has backed Washington’s so-called intervention in the Caribbean to eradicate the drugs trade.

But political observers say that Washington is also engaged with regime change in Venezuela, whose leader, Nicolas Maduro, it has accused of being the head of the drug gang in the South American country.

The US military has carried out several hits on vessels, killing more than 80 people, including two Trinidad and Tobago nationals, without providing any proof that they were engaged in drugs.

Last week, US President Donald Trump said that land strikes against Venezuela will start ‘very soon’.

Last week, the chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine visited Trinidad and Tobago for talks with Prime Minister Persad Bissessar and his visit comes as Trump has ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean Sea ordering an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean as part of his effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels.

A nuclear-powered attack submarine, additional P8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, several destroyers and a guided-missile cruiser have also being allocated to US Southern Command as part of the mission. In addition, the US largest carrier, the Gerald Forde has joined the build-up.

Persad-Bissessar said that the meeting with Caine focused on tackling narco-trafficking and regional security-not Venezuela and that contrary to public speculation, she was the one who requested the US to put up a radar system here.

‘Months ago I made the request to the local US Embassy for a US-supplied radar as a temporary solution for our poor surveillance capabilities. A system will also be installed at a site in Trinidad until a permanent replacement for our ineffective existing radar system can be installed.’

Last week, Persad Bissessar, denied that the US presence on Tobago was for military purposes saying ‘they are helping us with something to do at the (Arthur NR Robinson International) airport’ and that their presence had something to do with a roadway near the airport.

‘It is is not a military force as such. We are not about to launch any campaign against Venezuela.’

But she later acknowledged that she kept the real reason for the US military presence here a secret, saying ‘since it is a sensitive national security issue which provides for the protection of our territory and citizens, I did not think it was wise on Wednesday outside the Parliament to publicly broadcast to narco and human traffickers as well as other criminals that we were installing a radar.

‘It would be counterproductive to our citizens’ safety,’ she told the local media, adding that the ‘security advantage has been lost’ now that the upgrades have been exposed to local and transnational criminals.

Defence Minister, Wayne Sturge, speaking at a news conference over the last weekend, urged citizens to avoid ‘panic mode’ over the presence of United States marines and technical personnel in Tobago.

‘The airport in Crown Point is not a launchpad for any military operations. In the Atlantic, very close by, is the USS Gerald Ford, the largest and most destructive moving object ever built, and it is there for that purpose. There is no need for our country, particularly Tobago, to be used for any military operation.’ he said, insisting that Trinidad and Tobago has benefited from US operations in the region even as Washington pursues its own strategic objectives.

According to Sturge, the installation underway at ANR Robinson Airport involves new radar equipment intended to strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s surveillance capabilities, particularly in the fight against drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and the increasingly concerning trend of human trafficking into Tobago.

In her statement on Monday, Persad-Bissessar, reiterated that Tobago’s air and sea territory are the most secure they have ever been, and the people of Tobago are the safest they have ever been.

‘I am ultimately responsible for their safety and security and will ensure they never have a bloody year like 2024. The 2024 murders in Tobago were mainly driven by fights for drug turf. A number of Trinidadian criminals went to Tobago and sought to create havoc with gang violence and drug trafficking.

‘I requested a temporary radar system be installed here, and I am thankful that the US gave us one of the best systems available and the assistance to install and operate it,’ she wrote.

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has launched 70th Annual Health Research Conference (AHRC) to be held in Guyana in April next year.

CARPHA said that in partnership with the Guyana government, the April 22-24 event will be held under the theme ‘Innovations in Health’ and that the year marks seven decades of advancing scientific inquiry, strengthening regional health systems, and shaping public health policy through evidence-driven research.

Recognised as the longest-running health research conference in the English-speaking Caribbean, CARPHA said that the conference carries special significance as the Port of Spain-based regional health institution highlights the legacy and future of regional collaboration and the contributions of researchers, practitioners, and partnerships across the Caribbean.

‘The 70th Annual Health Research Conference is not only a celebration of our past but a bold step into the future of Caribbean public health. Innovations in public health are the engines of modern well-being, transforming entire societies by pushing the boundaries of what is possible in disease prevention, diagnosis, and community care,’ said CARPHA’s executive director, Dr. Lisa Indar.

‘They turn once-deadly outbreaks into manageable obstacles, extend life expectancy, and bring high-quality health services to the world’s most remote corners. From AI-powered tools that predict epidemics before they start, to smart vaccines that save millions of lives, public health innovations do not just improve life-they redefine it, creating healthier, more resilient, and more equitable futures for all,’ she added.

CARPHA said that as host country, Guyana’s role is especially impactful given its growing investments in health systems, infrastructure, and scientific development.

It said it offers significant benefits including expanding research capacity and a cultural and ecological environment ideal for discussions on health equity, climate resilience and emerging diseases.

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, in welcoming the partnership with CARPHA, said ‘we believe in the future of health and the new ideas that are developing and thought that this conference would help to showcase some of the emerging technologies.

‘By hosting it in here Guyana, we can share some of our experiences and lessons learned in health. For example, we’ve done quite a lot of work in the elimination of some infectious diseases; Guyana is on target to eliminate five neglected infections by the year 2030. Sharing this type of experience will help countries the region to learn what is being done and use the techniques should they have such challenges.

‘Guyana is pioneering a lot of work in digital health: with an extensive telemedicine network, the use of drone technology for the delivery of medicine, the use of AI for interpretation of x-rays and CT scans, and at this conference we will be able to share showcase some of these innovations to countries that will be visiting,’ he added.

CARPHA said that the 70th AHRC will highlight how novel, digital and/or technological advancements are reshaping health and strengthening our collective preparedness.

‘Each year, the Conference brings together hundreds of Caribbean researchers and global experts, medical and public-health professionals, students and young investigators, regional and international health institutions and policymakers and development partners.’

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Monday, December 1, 2025.

CASTRIES -St. Lucians are voting to elect a new government.

KINGSTOWN – Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday says he expects to name his cabinet on Tuesday, following last weeks general election in which his ruling New Democratic Party (NDP) won a crushing 14-1 victory at the polls.

PORT OF SPAIN -Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Monday accused the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) of being financed by the ‘local drug mafia’ of fuelling an anti-United States ‘narrative’ as concerns continue to be raised here over the installation of radar systems by the United States military here.

GEORGETOWN – The Director of the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) Coordinating Unit (PCU), Dr Wendy Telgt Emanuelson, Monday promised an ‘AIDS-free Caribbean for generations to come’ even as she acknowledged that the path towards ending AIDS by 2030 ‘was never meant to be easy’.

WASHINGTON – Jamaica has secured a comprehensive package of up to US$6.7 billion over a three year period to strengthen the country’s recovery and reconstruction efforts following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October.

PARAMARIBO – King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, arrived here at the state of a three-day state visit that officials here signal efforts to improve the socio-economic and political relationship with the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

SPORTS:

LEON – Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago finished ninth and 10th respectively when the 2025 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup concluded here over the weekend.

Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago finished ninth and 10th respectively when the 2025 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup concluded here over the weekend.

Jamaica’s quartet of Nicholai Brown, Malik Lawrence-Anderson, Jabulani Newby and Durand Scott were eliminated from medal contention after suffering two close defeats to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Saturday.

The previously unbeaten Jamaicans were edged by Puerto Rico 21-20 in their opening match in Pool B, before going down to the Dominican Republic 17-15 in another tight encounter.

Meanwhile, T and T’s team of Chike Augustine, Ahkeem Boyd, Ahkeel Boyd and Tyrik Singh put up a commendable showing despite losses to Canada and Argentina in the main draw.

T and T lost to Canada 21-16 and 21-17 to Argentina in Pool C action.

USA captured both the men’s and women’s titles, with both teams playing unbeaten throughout the tournament.