Category: CANA News

A highly anticipated President’s Cup match between S.L. Horsfords St. Paul’s United FC and Rams Village Superstars FC was abandoned at halftime on Sunday night following a large-scale on-field brawl, prompting an immediate investigation from the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA).

In a strongly worded statement, the SKNFA condemned the violence that forced the premature end of the fixture, calling it ‘wholly unacceptable.’

‘The altercation stands in direct contradiction to the values of respect, discipline, and fair play that the Association promotes,’ the statement read.

The SKNFA confirmed it has launched an immediate investigation and that ‘all players, officials, and other participants involved in the brawl will be subjected to the appropriate disciplinary process.’

Reaffirming its ‘zero-tolerance policy toward violence,’ the Association also issued a sincere apology to fans in attendance. ‘We recognise the disappointment caused by this unfortunate disruption,’ the statement continued, pledging to ensure future matches provide a ‘safe and enjoyable environment for all.’

The incident has drawn the attention of the nation’s highest office. Prime Minister Dr Terrance M. Drew announced early Monday that he has intervened to help mediate the conflict.

‘I have spoken with the presidents of the Village Superstars and St. Paul’s United football teams, as well as officials from the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association,’ Dr Drew stated in a social media post.

The Prime Minister has offered his office to facilitate reconciliation talks, emphasising that ‘violence has no place in our sports or among our people.’ He urged support for the players ‘as they work to resolve this matter in the spirit of harmony, respect, and togetherness.’

In a powerful display of solidarity, Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles and Jamaican sprint legend Asafa Powell have joined forces to deliver critical aid to communities in Jamaica ravaged by Hurricane Melissa.

Noah Lyles Partners with Asafa Powell to Aid Hurricane Victims in Junelle Bromfield’s Hometown

The devastating Category 5 storm made landfall last Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction across St. Elizabeth and neighbouring parishes.

The relief initiative, centred in Georges Valley, St. Elizabeth, the hometown of Lyles’ fiancée, Junelle Bromfield, saw the duo and a team of volunteers help to distribute essential supplies like groceries and toiletries to residents whose lives have been upended.

The personal connection to the crisis was a driving force behind the effort. Bromfield, a former standout athlete at St. Elizabeth Technical High School, shared a heartfelt video explaining her motivation to ‘give back’ to the community that supported her throughout her youth.

‘The community was always helping me out, whether it was in high school to go to Penn Relays, they raised money, taking me to school for free. So I really wanted to give back,’ Bromfield said, visibly moved after witnessing the widespread devastation.

The mission was officially launched by Noah Lyles via his X (formerly Twitter) account, where he announced the collaboration with Powell through his Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation.

‘Hey, Everyone, the Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation and Asafa Powell are teaming up to send aid to smaller communities in Jamaica! We have already set a trip for St. Elizabeth,’ Lyles stated.

But their work is far from over. Lyles extended a call to action, encouraging his followers and the public to contribute to the ongoing recovery efforts.

‘Please help us raise money for our next trip to where we will be targeting areas in Westmorland and Trelawny. No amount is too Big Or Small. THANK YOU!’

Former record holder Powell, who lives in Jamaica, said he jumped at the opportunity to assist those in urgent need.

‘There are people who are suffering right now, and as much as I can help, I will help. I am in a better position to help, and I see a lot of people helping, and I must give a big thanks to Noah and Junelle.’

The Minister of Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF), Pedrica Saint-Jean, has ‘strongly condemn’ the rape of a 16-year-old girl, who had been detained at the Saint-Marc police station by an officer of the Haitian National Police (PNH) assigned to that station.

Saint-Jean said she wanted to strongly condemn ‘this extremely serious act’ since it was committed by a public official entrusted with the duty to protect and serve.

She is urging the relevant authorities, particularly the PNH and the Ministry of Justice, to take all necessary administrative and legal measures without delay to ensure that the perpetrator is punished in accordance with the Decree of July 6, 2005, concerning sexual assault.

In a statement, the Ministry of Women’s Rights and Family Affairs (MCFDF) said as the central body responsible for promoting and defending women’s rights, it ‘cannot tolerate such actions and calls for the mobilization of all institutional and organizational actors to ensure that justice is served for the victim in accordance with the laws of the Republic’.

In a statement on Sunday, the PNH announced that it is ‘actively searching for the police officer accused of raping the 16-year-old in July this year.

‘At the request of the Saint-Marc Police Station and the Office of Citizen Protection, the PNH intends to bring him before the investigating judge,’ the statement said.

It said the Inspector General’s Office has been notified, and has ordered the immediate arrest of the officer and that a warrant has been issued to facilitate the arrest of the police officer.

‘The High Command of the Haitian National Police (PNH) reaffirms its zero tolerance for any breach of ethics or the law. The institution assures the public of its full cooperation with the justice system to establish accountability and ensure the application of the law.’

A technical assessment mission for the United Nations Support Office in Haiti has completed its work that is intended to validate the concept for the establishment of the UN Support Office.

UN Deputy Spokesman, Farhan Haq, said that the Support Office was authorised by the Security Council adopted on 30 September.

‘As you can imagine, the purpose of this assessment mission was to move forward with this process and to validate the mission support concept for the establishment of the UN Support Office.’

He said that a team of technical experts and planners from the Department of Operational Support – including engineering, procurement, logistics, telecommunications, together with security colleagues travelled to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The team, alongside representatives from the departments of Peace Operations and Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, also went to Washington D.C. to work with key interlocutors.

‘Throughout the mission, the team met with a variety of stakeholders to prepare for the transition of support. This included Haitian authorities, the UN Country Team and our political mission in Haiti – BINUH.

‘They also met with Dominican Republic authorities, current contractors, the Organization of American States and member states who are supporting Haiti,’ Haq said, adding that immediately following the adoption of the Security Council resolution in September, the Department of Operational Support initiated its operational planning across all mandated areas to assume responsibility for full logistical support to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) by the end of March next year – and to meet the six month timeline of the mandate.

‘Planning and delivery for the UN Support Office will be undertaken with strong coordination and cooperation across the UN system, also in line with the Security Council Resolution,’ Haq added.

The GSF is a new multinational security force approved by the UN Security Council in September to replace the previous Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. Authorised for an initial 12-month mandate, the GSF will be larger and will have a mandate to proactively ‘neutralize, isolate, and deter’ gangs in Haiti, in addition to supporting the Haitian National Police (HNP).

The GSF is also tasked with securing key infrastructure, combating illicit arms trafficking, and creating conditions for elections and other institutional stability. It has a more aggressive mandate to conduct independent, ‘intelligence-led’ operations to neutralize gangs, unlike the previous mission which was limited to supporting the HNP.

The GSF, which will have a maximum of 5,550 personnel, consisting of 5,500 uniformed troops and 50 civilians, is authorised to arrest suspected gang members.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett says it is imperative that the 15-member regional integration grouping focus on energy security through the renewable energy potential that exists in all the member states.

‘Energy security is no longer a distant goal; it is a regional priority that requires bold, forward-thinking deliberations and decisions. We must invest in energy systems that empower our people, and embrace the technologies that will shape our future,’ she said in a statement, as the region observes the month of November as CARICOM Energy Month 2025 under the theme ”Invest, Innovate, Sustain: Leading the Charge in Renewable Energy Frontiers’.

She said access to affordable finance for critical climate-resilient infrastructure is therefore essential.

‘Concessional financing, along with innovative mechanisms such as green bonds are vital to attracting long-term investment in renewable energy technologies. Public-private partnerships are important to reduce dependence on public finances. These approaches promote long-term resilience and prosperity.’

Barnett said that the theme for CARICOM Energy Month 2025, ‘conveys our collective ambition, shared commitment and readiness to embrace a future where energy is clean, sustainable, and a catalyst for economic resilience, social equity, and regional solidarity’.

Barnett said beyond adopting new technologies, the region must also craft innovative solutions that are scalable and tailored to its unique context.

‘ From battery storage and microgrids, to electric vehicles and smart energy management, CARICOM member states can leverage natural resource assets and intellectual capital to pioneer forward-looking solutions.

‘Regional collaboration, knowledge exchange, cross-sector partnerships and community engagement can amplify these efforts and help to position our Community as a leader in climate-smart energy innovation.’

She said that true sustainability means achieving energy security while simultaneously advancing economic growth, social equity, and climate resilience. Energy systems should minimise environmental impact, foster social inclusion, and deliver equitable economic benefits.

‘Let us strengthen partnerships across governments, Regional Institutions, development agencies, and with the private sector and civil society. Together, we can build a Caribbean Community that is energy-secure, climate-resilient, economically dynamic, and a leader in renewable energy.’

The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) says it is working urgently to restore banking services, including access to cash, in communities hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

In a statement, the BOJ, which also functions as the country’s central bank, said it is working in collaboration with the Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA) and that several banks have already resumed operations in some locations.

However, it acknowledged that significant obstacles remain in reactivating branch networks and automated teller machines (ATMs) across the island.

The BOJ said that these challenges include physical damage to facilities, displacement of staff, impassable roads, and extensive power and telecommunications outages. Security concerns have also emerged amid the difficult post-hurricane conditions.

Despite the disruptions, the BOJ said that critical payment systems, such as its Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) platform, remain operational and that it has also suspended RTGS transaction fees for financial institutions until further notice and has urged banks to extend this relief to their customers.

The BOJ said it is also assessing other temporary measures to support depositors and businesses, particularly in parishes most severely affected by the hurricane that tore into the country last Tuesday, killing at least 28 people and leaving a trail of damage, destruction and death.

The BOJ reiterated that it is coordinating closely with the banking sector to restore access to cash and full banking services as soon as possible and all the banks are committed to providing regular updates on their progress.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica National Group,(JN Money Services) Monday said it is waiving fees on money transfers to Jamaica until Thursday to assist families and friends trying to help loved ones in Jamaica.

‘The move is in addition to the facilitation of efforts under the ISupportJamaica Fund for Hurricane Melissa. Donations to the fund will benefit the most vulnerable; children’s homes, early childhood institutions, homes for the elderly, healthcare facilities, as well as registered community groups operating in the worst affected areas,’ the JN Money Services said.

‘These initiatives reflect our unwavering commitment to supporting our people during challenging times,’ said Horace Hines, general manager of JN Money Services, adding ‘we have witnessed unprecedented devastation from Hurricane Melissa, and it will take our collective effort to rebuild and recover. We are heartened by the support already extended and remain committed to doing our part to help with these critical efforts’.

New York-based immigration advocates have strongly condemned the Trump administration’s cap on Caribbean and other refugees admitted to the United States.

Last Friday, President Donald Trump published in the Federal Register his refugee admissions goal for the fiscal year 2026 (FY26), confirming early reports that he will admit the fewest number of refugees in the 45-year history of the refugee program.

‘The FY26 Presidential Determination of 7,500 refugees will make the refugee programme accessible primarily to Afrikaners from South Africa, excluding tens of thousands of individuals with approved refugee status and who are vulnerable and at high risk but in limbo since January 2025,’ Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

NYIC is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York and Awawdeh said that the US Refugee Admissions Programme has long been a critical lifesaving programe offering a safe and legal pathway for people who have fled violence and persecution.

‘For over four decades, it has saved hundreds of thousands of lives while simultaneously enriching local communities and economies across the country,’ he said, adding that while while Trump’s war on asylum seekers and refugees is ‘no secret’, his administration ‘reached a new low’ in Friday’s decision.

‘After defying US law by failing to consult with Congress, the Trump administration unequivocally shut the door on our proud, centuries-long tradition of welcoming those fleeing violence and persecution, leaving thousands in limbo and many more in peril,’ Awawdeh said.

He said the administration’s justifications for practically eliminating refugee admissions ‘remains vague, posing a major threat to the cultural and economic vitality of New York.

‘Refugee communities have stabilized neighborhoods and contributed significantly to our economy from Brentwood to Buffalo. We call on the Trump administration to reverse course and uphold our country’s long standing refugee program by prioritizing those most at-risk, including religious minorities, unaccompanied refugee children, families awaiting reunification, and others.’

In his Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2026, Trump wrote that ‘the admissions of up to 7,500 refugees to the United States during Fiscal Year 2026 is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.

‘The admissions numbers shall primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa pursuant to Executive Order 14204, and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands,’ Trump wrote.

‘Refugee admissions under this determination, which may reach but not exceed the numerical limit described herein, are in all respects subject to the requirements of other Presidential policies and actions, whether issued prior or subsequent to this determination.’

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) says it fully supports the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) after it announced a crackdown on illegal mining and smuggling of gold.

The GGMC had carried out enforcement exercises in the Sand Hills and Toroparu areas during which several illegal miners and raiders were detained, and several illegal shops and operations were dismantled.

In its statement, the GGDMA also commended the Guyana Police (GPF) for its support in the exercise, while urging the GMC to increase its enforcement efforts to stamp out illegal gold mining.

‘The GGDMA calls on the GGMC to expand this exercise to other areas and commence the regularization of landings in the mining areas. It must be noted that illegal gold mining and the operation of illegal shops fuels other associated illegal activities, such as human trafficking, gold smuggling and the sale of illegal drugs. These activities have in the past been tied directly to the gangs in Venezuela including the notorious Sindicato gang.

‘At a time when Guyana is under threat from its aggressive neighbour, the country must take all steps to stop activities linked to the financing activities in Venezuela,’ the GGDMA said.

It said it has always called for an end to illegal mining, reminding miners that all gold must be sold to the Guyana Gold Board or authorized dealers and detailed records be kept for verification.

Meanwhile, police are continuing their investigations into the murder of a 22-year-old man, who was working as a miner at Issano Landing in Middle Mazaruni, Region 7 on Sunday.

The policce said that he has been identified as Samuel Marciano and that he was shot multiple times while attending a social gathering at a shop in the gold mining area of Linden. It is unclear what led to the shooting.

However, the Police said its preliminary inquiries have indicated that Marciano was shot multiple times by two known individuals.

CMC/gt/ir/2025

Two Caribbean nationals have been selected to participate in the United Nations Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent, hosted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva.

The National Community Foundation (NCF) said its Executive Director Vanya Reid-Hinkson and a Jamaican national are among nine fellows selected globally for the 2025 cohort and tat their selection speaks to the Caribbean’s enduring resilience and commitment to advancing equitable development, inclusion, and social justice across the region.

‘This fellowship is both an honour and a responsibility. It provides an opportunity to represent Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean in the global conversation on equality and human development.

‘The lessons from this experience will help strengthen how we, as communities and institutions, respond to the needs of our people with fairness, compassion, and accountability,’ said Reid-Hinkson.

The Fellowship Programme was initiated by the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section in 2011 and was further supported by General Assembly resolution on the Programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent.

It is an annual, intensive human rights training programme in Geneva for individuals from the diaspora who are actively promoting the rights of people of African descent.

The goal is to provide participants with a deeper understanding of international human rights law, strengthen their skills in advocacy, and give them hands-on experience with UN human rights mechanisms. The programme covers return airfare, living expenses, and basic health insurance for the duration of the training.

Fellows will participate in an intensive three-week programme at the United Nations Office in Geneva, engaging with experts, international organisations, and permanent missions, while developing practical projects that address the specific needs of their countries.

As part of her fellowship, Reid-Hinkson will focus on strengthening national mechanisms for human rights education, community empowerment, and policy accountability – areas that align closely with Saint Lucia’s development goals and ongoing efforts to promote inclusion, social protection, and citizen participation.

The NCF said it views this fellowship as a valuable opportunity to deepen partnerships with government agencies, civil society organisations, and the private sector, reaffirming its mission to uphold dignity, equity, and inclusion as pillars of sustainable national development.

The wait is nearly over for racing enthusiasts across Jamaica, as live horse racing is officially set to resume at Caymanas Park on November 15.

With the facilities set to be some 60 per cent ready, the organisers of racing in Jamaica, Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), said they will be ready to open the Park and have live racing off and running again, despite challenges with full electrical power.

The announcement has sent a wave of anticipation through the sporting community, signalling a triumphant return to normalcy for the beloved industry.

After a prolonged hiatus, the historic track is preparing for a month of packed action.

The November calendar is stacked with high-profile events. The action kicks off with the United Racehorse Trainers’ Association of Jamaica race day on November 15.

The excitement escalates immediately with the prestigious Jamaica Cup slated for November 16. This marquee event is sure to draw the country’s top contenders, setting the stage for a thrilling early showdown.

The following weekend continues the momentum with two key trophy races. The Racehorse Aftercare Trophy on November 22 highlights the industry’s commitment to animal welfare, while the Alsafra Trophy on November 23 promises another day of competitive racing.

Finally, the month will draw to a close on November 29 with the Jockeys’ Agent Race day.