Category: CANA News

Veteran batsman Kane Williamson has been included in New Zealand’s 14-man squad for the first Test against the West Indies in Christchurch, marking his return to the red-ball setup. The selection, announced Monday, also sees a recall for pace bowler Blair Tickner for the first time since early 2023, while the promising seam duo of Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes have retained their places following impressive debuts.

Williamson’s comeback is the headline news, bolstering the batting order and leadership group.

Head coach Rob Walter expressed his delight at having the former captain back in the fold.

‘Kane’s ability on the field speaks for itself, and it will be great to have his skills as well as his leadership back in the Test group,’ Walter said.

Tickner, who last played a Test against Sri Lanka in March 2023, has been rewarded for his strong form in the recent ODI series against England, where he claimed eight wickets in two matches.

He joins a pace contingent that includes the in-form Foulkes, who took nine wickets on a dream debut against Zimbabwe.

The squad is captained by Tom Latham in the continued absence of Tim Southee, who is being managed through the early part of the home summer.

The selection was made without several key bowlers, as Matt Fisher (shin), Will O’Rourke (back), and Ben Sears (hamstring) were all unavailable due to injury.

This two-Test series against the West Indies marks New Zealand’s first step in the new 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.

New Zealand Squad for 1st Test vs West Indies:

Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

The Belize government has unveiled the the country’s first global digital services investment policy with a focus on the Orange economy project .

The policy was presented by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Investment, through its Investment Policy and Compliance Unit, together with the Spanish consultancy firm, Congenia CYL, SL. The consultancy project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), seeks to develop a strategic approach to transform Belize’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry into a global digital services industry offering higher-tier services that support the long-term growth of the sector.

The approach is to identify measures including policies, legislation, and business cases as well as programmes and activities that will facilitate an enabling environment for the advancement of the global digital services sector and to adapt to the future global demand.

The government said the country’s BPO sector employs approximately 20,000 persons, and changes in the global economic landscape with the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) open several opportunities to move up the value chain in the industry.

‘The emphasis on the Orange economy is due to its activities, such as animation, software development, digital art, entertainment through social media platforms, gaming, etc., forming part of the higher-tier activities of the Global Digital Services sector, which shows a growth trajectory in the future,’ according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Investment.

It said that the findings presented by Congenia proposed six pillars for the global development services investment policy includes incentive framework modernization, legal and regulatory modernization, strategic transformation, cultural output visibility, creative workforce development and digital infrastructure.

‘The validation exercise was held to confirm that the policy’s technical framework integrates with the existing digital infrastructure and aligns with national priorities. The consultants also shared critical insights and strategic actions to address current gaps and strengthen sectors, including digital skills and financial services such as content monetization and international payments to Belize,’ the statement added.

Off spinner Kemar Smith and Kraigg Brathwaite played major roles as Barbados Pride cruised to a seven-wicket win over the Windward Islands Volcanoes, their second successive victory in the CG United Super50 Cup here on Sunday.

Smith ran through the Volcanoes’ top and middle order and sparked a spectacular collapse that saw them capitulate from 104 for two, to be all out for 137 in 37.2 overs.

Brathwaite, the former West Indies Test captain, then scored an unbeaten half century as Barbados sped to 138 for three in just 24.1 overs. The Volcanoes were given a good start by openers Johann Jeremiah and Stephan Pascal, who added 58 runs for the first wicket.

And even when Smith and skipper Kyle Mayers removed Pascal for 22 and Jeremiah for 26, respectively, Teddy Bishop and Sunil Ambris put their side in a comfortable position at 104 for two, during a 44-run partnership.

However, once Javed Leacock dismissed Ambris for 20, the Hurricanes’ innings went up in smoke.

Smith trapped Bishop lbw for 28 and accounted for the wicket of Darron Nedd in the same fashion, while pacer Dominic Drakes bowled Dillon Douglas for two, to leave the score 133 for six.

Smith also claimed the wickets of Shadrack Descarte and Kenneth Dember to end with figures of 5-25 from his 10 overs, while Leacock supported with 2-22.

The Pride got off to a horrible start, losing openers Leniko Boucher and Mayers to slip to seven for two.

But Zachary McCaskie and Brathwaite made sure there would be no comeback by the Volcanoes, as they took the momentum away from their opponents during a 104-run partnership that essentially decided the outcome.

McCaskie was eventually dismissed by Dember, three runs short of a well-deserved half century, after facing 57 balls and striking four fours and one six.

Brathwaite was not to be denied, though, as he finished on 59 not out off 64 deliveries, inclusive of six fours, and together with Kevin Wickham comfortably guided Barbados to a predictable win.

Meanwhile, the match between the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Jamaica Scorpions was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to heavy showers.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has hailed the 2025 General and Regional Elections as a defining moment in Guyana’s democratic journey, recognising it as among the most transparent and professionally administered in the country’s modern history.

According to UNDP’s article, Strengthening Trust in Democracy: UNDP’s Support to Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections, the international development agency credits the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for demonstrating professionalism, impartiality, and a deep commitment to transparency while noting the pivotal support provided through UNDP’s technical assistance programme funded by the United Kingdom.

The West Indies’ fast bowling duo of Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph are expected to recover in time to participate in next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

That is according to head coach Daren Sammy, who said while both pacers have been ruled out of action for the rest of the year, he was optimistic they would be available to participate in the marquee event, which is being co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India from February 7 to March 8. Alzarri was ruled out of the Test series against India with a back injury, while Shamar, who also missed the Test series, was scrapped from the tour of Bangladesh due to a shoulder injury.

Speaking during a virtual press conference hosted by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday, Sammy said he was hopeful they would return when the West Indies face Afghanistan and South Africa in warmup series before the start of the World Cup.

‘Alzarri is doing his rehab in Antigua. Both of them saw a specialist; Shamar on his way from Bangladesh stopped in England to see a shoulder specialist and from the reports I’m seeing from the medical team he was supposed to just rest the shoulder for a bit.

‘I think whatever procedure that was done, he was just supposed to not do anything strenuous, let the shoulder heal and I think probably next week or so he will start his physical rehab,’ Sammy said.

‘We know we won’t see them in any cricket for the rest of the year, but our Future Tours programme; we have Afghanistan in January and we have South Africa right before the World Cup, so we’re pushing for these two guys to be available for selection going into the World Cup.

‘The rehab is coming along nicely, and I really hope that when we select the World Cup squad they will be in contention and in a position to be selected,’ he added.

Results from the third round of the CG United Super50 Cup here on Sunday.

At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground: The match between Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Jamaica Scorpions was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

At the Queen’s Park Oval: Barbados Pride defeated Windward Islands Volcanoes by seven wickets.

WINDWARD ISLANDS 137 in 37.2 overs (Teddy Bishop 28, Johann Jeremiah 26, Stephan Pascal 22, Shadrack Descarte 21, Sunil Ambris 20; Kemar Smith 5-25, Javed Leacock 2-22).

BARBADOS 138-3 in 24.1 overs (Kraigg Brathwaite 59 not out, Zachary McCaskie 47, Kevin Wickham 14 not out; Kenneth Dember 2-36).

Despite being beaten by New Zealand in both the T20I and ODI series, West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales believes they could have won both series had they executed at the death.

The Kiwis claimed the five-match T20I series 3-1 and won all three matches in the following One Day International series.

After winning the opening T20I, the Windies lost the next two matches by three runs and nine runs respectively, in games that were decided in the final over.

They then lost the first ODI by seven runs, before conceding 40 runs in the last three overs to lose the second ODI by five wickets with three balls remaining.

Seales said the results did not do the regional team justice. ‘I think we got in good positions throughout the series. We played great games of cricket and probably lost it in the last five overs almost every game, or the last two overs, and we came within touching distance a lot.

‘.In every game that we played we always felt like we were in it, except for the last T20, I think we were outplayed there,’ Seales said.

‘But throughout the entire T20 series we felt like we were always within touching distance, a couple runs saved here, a couple better balls bowled here, a couple more runs made somewhere.

‘So, it’s just for us to go back to the drawing board and see where we can make the little bit of adjustments here and there and the next time that we come to these shores we can make wrong things right,’ he added.

Seales admitted that while the team’s top order batters did not perform as well as they would have liked, the bowlers’ efforts were admirable.

‘With the batting we didn’t have the big starts that we would like, but there was always fight shown from the middle and lower order, which is always something good to see. We know once the top order gets runs and gives that platform to the middle and lower order, then we will be a force to be reckoned with.

‘And with the bowling, Matthew Forde has been superb throughout the series, Roston Chase and Romario Shepherd, when they bowled they bowled well and even Jason Holder in the T20Is,’ Seales said.

‘We’re coming together really well; it’s just for us to execute a bit better and use the conditions a little bit more.’

The West Indies will now face New Zealand in three Test matches beginning December 2.

Seales said the team’s competitiveness on the tour had given them a boost of confidence.

‘Going into the Test series I think there is a lot of confidence in the group. I know for myself that I’m pretty confident.

‘I’m not coming off the greatest of series, but understanding the conditions, knowing what needs to be done, the lengths that need to be bowled and utilising the conditions as much as possible,’ Seales said.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has hailed the 2025 General and Regional Elections as a defining moment in Guyana’s democratic journey, recognising it as among the most transparent and professionally administered in the country’s modern history.

According to UNDP’s article, Strengthening Trust in Democracy: UNDP’s Support to Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections, the international development agency credits the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for demonstrating professionalism, impartiality, and a deep commitment to transparency while noting the pivotal support provided through UNDP’s technical assistance programme funded by the United Kingdom.

The UNDP, elections are not merely the act of voting. They are a cornerstone of public trust, institutional credibility, and civic empowerment.

For Guyana, the 2025 elections represented a critical opportunity to reinforce the confidence of citizens in their democratic system.

UNDP’s technical support to GECOM focused on increasing transparency, improving communication, strengthening logistics, and enhancing operational systems.

The Electoral Support Project deployed a multidisciplinary team of experts working closely with GECOM, ensuring assistance was timely, practical, and responsive to the Commission’s needs.

This support helped build long-term resilience and institutional capacity, beyond just election day operations.

Reflecting on the peaceful conduct of the polls, smooth tabulation, and broad acceptance of results by political parties and observers, the Team Lead, UNDP Electoral Technical Support to GECOM, said: ‘As Team Leader. it is reassuring when your strategic advice is implemented to unlock bottlenecks throughout the process.’

Central to the success of the 2025 elections was a major transformation in how GECOM communicated with the public.

The programme also prioritised inclusivity, working with disability-representative organisations to inform staff training and ensure accessible voter information that reflected Guyana’s rich cultural diversity.

‘The strengthened engagement with all electoral stakeholders ensured the electoral process was more inclusive, credible, and widely accepted,’ the UNDP Communications Specialist noted.

The organisation says it looks forward to deepening its partnership with GECOM and other bodies to ensure every future election further strengthens transparency, unity, and civic trust.

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has agreed to extend the examination timetable for Jamaica. Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon made the announcement in the Senate on Friday.

In responding to questions, following a statement on the impact and response to Hurricane Melissa., Morris Dixon also informed that no final decision has been taken on the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations.

‘In terms of PEP, we are looking at extending the dates for PEP. We have not made a final decision on PEP.but we are going to have to extend the dates there.

‘In terms of CXC, they have already agreed to extend the timetable for exams for Jamaica. So, we will have a longer period, so our exams will be later than the other territories, so that’s already in train.’

She also said an announcement will soon be made regarding lower CXC fees.

‘We have been negotiating lower fees for our students, by next week, you will hear more on what the final amount is,’ she said.

Meanwhile Morris Dixon said that in recognising the critical threat to students preparing for external examinations, the Ministry has adopted targeted strategies.

She said discussions are advanced with the Caribbean Examinations Council to determine necessary relief, including adjustments to deadlines and requirements for School-Based Assessments (SBAs) and practical examinations.

‘We are looking at how we can change the deadlines for those and there is a lot of flexibility built in. We are also looking at flexibility in syllabus coverage and also cost implications; also, provision of options for students to reduce the number of exams they sit based on their situation,’ she said.

As it relates to the National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQ-J), the Minister informed that the November sitting has been postponed.

She noted that examinations are tentatively rescheduled for February 2026, with a further option in June 2026, to allow students and institutions adequate time to prepare.

Turning to City and Guilds, she said the entity has proposed a two-cohort examination model with sittings in June and November 2026, offering increased flexibility for schools in the most severely impacted regions.

‘We are working with our primary external partners to ease the burden on our children as best as possible,’ Morris Dixon said

More than 600 educational institutions sustained damage during the passage of the Category five hurricane, which made landfall on October 28.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has stressed that global partnerships will be essential to the recovery of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), from external shocks, such as Hurricane Melissa, which devastated Jamaica.

He made the statement at the G20 summit under way in South Africa.

The summit brings together leaders from the world’s largest economies to address pressing global challenges and foster economic cooperation.

Holness delivered remarks during session one of the high level dialogue on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, held under the theme ‘Leaving no one Behind: Building our Economies, the Role of Trade, Financing for Development and the Debt Burden.’

The Prime Minister noted that Jamaica’s economy was transformed after decades of instability, but hurricane Melissa will negatively affect the island’s debt trajectory.

He called on the G20 to advance a more equitable, rules-based global trading framework that enhances predictability for small economies.

Meanwhile, President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa expressed condolences to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean community following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Approximately 88 people were killed by the storm in the Caribbean.

Reports suggest that Haiti recorded 43 casualties, and Jamaica recorded at least 45 deaths.