Category: CANA News

Romario Shepherd produced a sensational display of power hitting to help defending champions Amazon Warriors snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against the Desert Vipers and maintain their unbeaten start in the Global Super League (GSL) here on Saturday.

Batting at number nine, Player-of-the-Match Shepherd bludgeoned 52 from just 21 balls as the Amazon Warriors chased down the Vipers’ competitive total of 205 for six, scoring 206 for eight in 19.3 overs at Providence Stadium.

Shepherd came to the crease with his side all but defeated at 95 for seven in the 11th over and completely transformed the match during a 91-run partnership in seven overs with Mohammad Nabi, who scored 40 not out off 29 balls. By the time wrist spinner Vitel Lawes dismissed Shepherd, he had struck six sixes and two fours and carried the Amazon Warriors within sight of victory at 186 for eight in the 18th over.

Nabi, along with Dwaine Pretorius, who hit 17 off nine balls, then took the Amazon Warriors across the line with three balls remaining, giving them their second win in as many matches, while relegating the Vipers to their second straight loss.

Earlier, Rilee Rossouw led the Vipers to a formidable total with a knock of 61 off 48 balls.

He was supported by Kyle Mayers who scored 35 off 18 balls, Bevon Jacobs who made 30 off 17 balls and Vriitya Aravind, who blasted an unbeaten 28 from only 11 balls.

Imran Tahir was the pick of the bowlers with 2-37, while Shepherd, Nabi and Gudakesh Motie took one wicket apiece.

The police in the western city of Montego Bay say they are preparing for the expected deportation of a former reputed area leader from the Flanker community in the western parish of St. James, while maintaining that his return will not reverse the significant reduction in violent crime achieved across the area over the past decade.

The issue was raised during a town hall meeting this week as Commissioner of Police Dr. Kevin Blake met with senior officers in Area One to review crime trends, evaluate policing strategies and discuss plans to safeguard recent gains against emerging security threats.

During a meeting earlier this week in Montego Bay, Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, commander of the St. James Police Division, confirmed that law enforcement is aware the man-who was previously deported from the United States to Jamaica in 2018-is expected to be returned to the island once again.

Although Samuels declined to discuss specific operational plans, he said police have already begun preparing for the deportation and are confident the individual’s return will not undermine years of sustained crime-fighting efforts.

The strategic review was chaired by Assistant Commissioner of Police Glenford Miller, commander of Area One, and included the commanders of the police divisions in the western parishes of St. James, Westmoreland, Hanover and Trelawny .

Figures presented by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) highlight the dramatic decline in murders across Area One. The four divisions recorded 563 murders in 2018-the highest annual total during the review period. By the end of 2025, that number had dropped to 135, representing a 76 percent reduction.

As of July 18, 2026, Area One had recorded 68 murders, comprising 38 in St. James, 15 in Westmoreland, 10 in Hanover and five in Trelawny.

The statistics show that murders climbed from 467 in 2017 to 563 in 2018 before falling sharply to 240 in 2019, a decline of more than 57 percent. Murders increased to 303 in 2020, 352 in 2021 and 413 in 2022 before beginning a sustained downward trend, with 401 murders in 2023, 297 in 2024 and just 135 in 2025.

Addressing officers, Blake praised the transformation in the region’s security landscape.

‘Remember those days? Last year it was 135, coming from 563. That’s some amazing achievement,’ he told the gathering.

He also highlighted the turnaround in St. James, once regarded as one of Jamaica’s most violent police divisions.

‘Last year at this time, we were celebrating because we had, I think, one month with one murder. That is unheard of for St. James,’ Blake said.

Despite the progress, the commissioner urged officers not to become complacent, stressing that the Jamaica Constabulary Force remains committed to driving the country’s murder rate down to levels comparable with regional averages.

Area One has historically experienced some of Jamaica’s highest levels of violent crime, particularly in St. James and Westmoreland. Communities across the region have long been affected by organized criminal networks, including the Stone Crusher, Killer Bees and Flanker gangs in St. James, as well as entrenched gangs operating in Kings Valley, Russia, Logwood, Cacoon, Warsop and Duncans.

Police attribute the sustained decline in murders to intelligence-led operations, targeted anti-gang initiatives and close coordination among the four divisions. They say those strategies will remain in place as they prepare for future security challenges, including the anticipated deportation of the former area leader .

New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined a coalition of 18 other attorneys general in urging the United States Congress to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians.

The attorneys general also urged Congress to pass legislation to allow for judicial oversight of TPS decisions ‘to ensure TPS holders are not subject to illegal deportations.’

In June, the US Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could move forward with stripping TPS from hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Syrian immigrants.

The attorneys general said the decision threatens the nearly 350,000 Haitians who have spent years living, working and raising their families in the US, particularly in New York, which is home to one of the nation’s largest Haitian communities.

They said the Supreme Court’s decision also makes it ‘significantly more difficult to challenge TPS terminations in court, threatening these protections for other vulnerable immigrants nationwide.’

In a letter to Congressional leadership, the coalition urges Congress to pass legislation requiring judicial oversight of TPS decisions and extending TPS for Haitian immigrants who are facing deportation.

‘This administration’s attempt to claw back protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants living and working across the United States has caused untold chaos and confusion,’ said Attorney General James on Friday. ‘All across our country, Haitian TPS holders have raised families, started businesses and made valuable contributions to our economy.

‘TPS was intended to help those who cannot safely return to their home country, and I urge Congress to strengthen our laws to protect TPS holders,’ she added.

James said the US has a long history of providing a safe haven to those who flee armed conflict, natural disasters and repressive conditions, and that Haitian immigrants were granted TPS protection in 2010 after a deadly earthquake.

She said these protections have been extended over the last 16 years as the country faced additional natural disasters, political turmoil and public health outbreaks.

As James and the coalition stated in their letter, Haitian TPS recipients make ‘invaluable contributions to the communities and economies where they live.

‘Haitians fill critical health care jobs and contribute an estimated US$5.9 billion to the US economy annually and pay approximately US$1.6 billion in taxes,’ the letter says.

‘Revoking TPS for Haitians will jeopardize the safety, health, and economic wellbeing of communities throughout the country and cause chaos for families who have been living and working in the United States for years,’ they say, noting that the House has already passed a bill to extend TPS to Haitians.

The coalition is urging the Senate to do the same.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB/the Bank) and the Government of Belize have marked major milestones in education development in Orange Walk District, with groundbreaking ceremonies for two new schools and the handover of a rehabilitated classroom block aimed at improving learning opportunities for rural students.

The groundbreaking and handover ceremonies form part of a broader suite of key infrastructure achievements delivered under the CDB-supported Belize Education Sector Reform Programme II (BESRP II), which is constructing and equipping 35 school building projects across the country.

The new Indian Church Primary School will accommodate approximately 96 students across four classrooms, with administrative and staff facilities, sanitation amenities, and supporting infrastructure. Built to modern construction standards, the facilities will incorporate hurricane-resilient features, water storage and drainage systems, and fire safety measures, representing an investment of approximately US$1.3 million .

The day’s activities also included the handover of a rehabilitated classroom block at Trial Farm Government School, completed at a cost of approximately US$120,000 and the commencement of works on new pre-primary and primary facilities in the Blackwater area of Trial Farm Village, representing a further US$1.51 million investment. Together, these projects will improve learning environments for hundreds of students and strengthen educational access across the district.

Speaking on the significance of these developments, Dr. Isaac Solomon, Vice-President (Operations), CDB, underscored the Bank’s broader vision for the investment.

‘Our commitment goes beyond building infrastructure-we are supporting a stronger and more resilient education system that equips students with the knowledge and skills they need for the future, while contributing to broader social and economic development. Indian Church Primary and the Belize Education Sector Programme as a whole, is pivotal in advancing educational excellence-an ambition that resonates deeply with my Bank’s refocused vision, anchored in the pillars of Innovate, Transform, and Thrive.’

The projects reflect a shared commitment by the Government of Belize and CDB to deliver educational infrastructure that is resilient, inclusive, and responsive to community needs, helping to build human capital and create opportunities for future generations of Belizeans.

This support for Indian Church Primary School, Blackwater Primary, Trial Farm Government School and the wider BESRP II Programme directly advances CDB’s Strategic Plan 2026-2035.

It contributes to the Bank’s Social Resilience objective and its Investing in Youth operational priority by expanding equitable access to quality education. The support further reflects CDB’s Rebirth Vision to Innovate, Transform and Thrive, as the Bank scales up investment in resilient infrastructure to safeguard learning environments across the Caribbean.

Guyana’s parliamentary opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is calling for the National Assembly to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima ferry disaster, which has unofficially claimed more than 100 lives.

In a letter to Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, Opposition Leader in Parliament Dr. Terrence Campbell requested that Monday’s sitting of the 65-member House include a debate on the establishment of the commission and the adoption of its terms of reference.

The opposition says a transparent and independent investigation is essential to determine the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the Government-owned ferry, identify those responsible, and recommend measures to prevent a similar tragedy.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), APNU’s largest constituent party, Sherwin Benjamin, warned that the opposition is prepared to organize mass protests if the Government refuses to support its call for a Commission of Inquiry.

Benjamin said the party intends to apply ‘the necessary pressure’ to ensure the matter is addressed urgently, adding that public demonstrations remain an option if Parliament does not act.

Meanwhile, APNU parliamentarian Saiku Andrews pointed to Government tender documents issued in March this year for the docking and rehabilitation of the 87-year-old Scottish-built MV Barima. According to Andrews, the tender required engineers to inspect approximately 10,000 square metres of hull plating and structural frames and replace deteriorated sections where necessary.

The scope of works also included replacing about 3,000 kilograms of corroded steel framing, 2,000 kilograms of deteriorated hatch beams over the cargo hold, 30 zinc anodes, 150 metres of fire lines, 20 air vents, and 180 square metres of hatch-cover tarpaulin. The tender further called for ultrasonic testing of the vessel’s hull and a detailed thickness assessment.

Andrews argued that the tender documents demonstrate Government engineers had already identified significant structural concerns months before the disaster.

‘The real issue is not whether Item 16 contains an error,’ Andrews said. ‘The real issue is that the Government’s own engineers identified the need to examine the hull, replace deteriorated steel, replace wasted hatch beams, replace zinc anodes, service critical components and carry out ultrasonic thickness testing only months before the tragedy.’

Also addressing the media, APNU parliamentarian and attorney Dexter Todd announced that a team of 15 lawyers has been assembled to represent and protect the interests of survivors and affected families.

Todd also disclosed that the captain and two crew members remain in police custody and could face manslaughter charges as investigations into the ferry disaster continue

CMC President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali says an international and independent Commission of Inquiry will be established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the capsizing of the ferry – the MV Barima.

In a statement on Saturday, the President said the five member panel to be announced Sunday, would comprise ‘distinguished experts and professionals’ with extensive experience in law, marine engineering, maritime safety and disaster investigation.

He said the members had been selected for their independence, technical expertise and proven ability, and would determine their own procedures and methods of work.

The Commission will be mandated to conduct what the President described as a ‘thorough, impartial examination’ of the disaster, including the events leading to the vessel’s capsizing and sinking, the emergency response, and all related matters.

Its investigation will seek to identify any shortcomings or failures, recommend accountability where appropriate, and propose reforms to improve the safety and reliability of Guyana’s maritime transport system.

Among the issues to be examined are the vessel’s loading, passenger boarding procedures, conditions on board, seaworthiness and maintenance history, compliance with maritime laws and safety standards, the conduct and competence of the master and crew, passenger management, life-saving arrangements, and the impact of weather, sea conditions and other operational factors.

The Commission will also review the search, rescue and recovery operation, assessing the adequacy, coordination and effectiveness of the response by all agencies and stakeholders involved.

Ali said the inquiry would have the authority to determine whether negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty or institutional failures contributed to the tragedy, and to recommend any legislative, regulatory, institutional or operational reforms needed to prevent a similar disaster in the future.

The announcement follows the sinking of the MV Barima, one of the deadliest maritime disasters in Guyana’s history, which claimed dozens of lives and prompted calls for a full independent investigation.

The President had previously committed to establishing an international Commission of Inquiry once the search and recovery phase of the operation had progressed.

West Indies reached 127 for three at tea against Pakistan on the opening day of the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy here on Saturday.

WEST INDIES 127-3 in 43 overs (Kavem Hodge 56 not out, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 21, Amir Jangoo 21, Brandon King 12, Shai Hope 11 not out; Mohammad Abbas 2-40).

Kavem Hodge’s unbeaten half century has put West Indies in the driver’s seat against Pakistan after day one of the historic first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy here on Saturday.

Hodge wrote his name in history’s pages, becoming the first batter to score a half century at Test cricket’s newest venue, with his 83 not out carrying West Indies to 194 for three on a rain-affected day that saw only 67 overs being bowled.

Together with Shai Hope, who is not out on 39, they shared an unbroken partnership of 88 runs after coming together with the Windies in a tricky position at 106 for three.

The home side endured a nervy start to their innings after captain Roston Chase won the toss and elected to bat, with openers Brandon King and Tagenarine Chanderpaul only mustering 13 runs from the first eight overs.

That pressure eventually told when King chopped a wide delivery from medium pacer Mohammad Abbas on to his stumps to be dismissed for 12.

With the score 23 for one after 14 overs, heavy showers forced the players off the ground, with lunch taken as result.

On resumption, Chanderpaul and Hodge scored at a much faster rate during a 51-run partnership for the second wicket that took the home side to 64 for one.

Hodge was quick to dispatch anything short or wide, highlighted by a magnificent pull of Abbas that raced away to the square leg boundary.

Chanderpaul’s laboured innings of 21 off 77 balls eventually came to an end when he edged a wide delivery from Aamer Jamal straight into the hands of second slip where Salman Agha took a regulation catch.

Hodge continued to be positive, hitting Jamal for two consecutive boundaries that carried him to 39.

Hodge and Amir Jangoo looked good during a 42-run stand, until Jangoo missed a straight delivery from Abbas and was plumb lbw for 21, to make the score 106 for three.

His dismissal brought Hope to the crease, and he immediately showed signs of discomfort in the area of his left shoulder – an injury that kept him out of the opening Test against Sri Lanka earlier this month.

However, after receiving medical assistance from the team’s physiotherapist, Hope settled down and showed no further signs of unease.

Hodge eventually brought up his fourth Test half-century off 86 balls by driving spinner Ali Usman to the boundary, as the pair took the Windies to the tea break at 127 for three, to leave the game still in the balance.

That balance shifted in the last session though, with Hodge and Hope frustrating Pakistan’s bowlers to put the Windies in control.

Hodge did survive some nervous moments though, including being saved by a review after initially being given out lbw.

When he was on 77 and the score 179 for three, he was adjudged out after being hit on the pads by Abbas. However, a review showed the ball was going over the stumps, much to the delight of a relieved Hodge.

And in Abbas’ next over, he thought he had Hodge lbw again after he was given not out, but a Pakistan review once again showed the ball bouncing over the stumps.

There were no further alarms after that, with the two batters seeing out the remaining overs before the day’s play ended due to bad light.

Hodge has so far hit eight fours in his 181-ball knock, while Hope has faced 91 balls and struck two fours.

Abbas has so far taken 2-44 for Pakistan.

West Indies elected to bat after winning the toss against Pakistan on the opening day of the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy here on Saturday.

WEST INDIES: Roston Chase (captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.

PAKISTAN: Babar Azam (captain), Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas.

Umpires: Alex Wharf, Richard Kettleborough.

TV Umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal.

Reserve Umpire: Zahid Bassarath.

Match Referee: Jeff Crowe.

The police in the western city of Montego Bay say they are preparing for the expected deportation of a former reputed area leader from the Flanker community in the western parish of St. James, while maintaining that his return will not reverse the significant reduction in violent crime achieved across the area over the past decade.

BELIZE CITY – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB/the Bank) and the Government of Belize have marked major milestones in education development in Orange Walk District, with groundbreaking ceremonies for two new schools and the handover of a rehabilitated classroom block aimed at improving learning opportunities for rural students.

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined a coalition of 18 other attorneys general in urging the United States Congress to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians.

GEORGETOWN – Guyana’s parliamentary opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is calling for the National Assembly to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima ferry disaster, which has unofficially claimed more than 100 lives.

SPORTS

PORT OF SPAIN- West Indies elected to bat after winning the toss against Pakistan on the opening day of the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy here on Saturday.