Category: CANA News

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says he welcomes the ongoing ‘raging’ public debate regarding a request by the United States to temporarily install a radar at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) and the deployment of US military assets on or near Grenada.

But he said that his administration has not yet taken a decision on the matter and that he would be making a statement to the nation in due course.

‘Nothing much has changed since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that we were considering the request. We are still doing so. It is a technical matter and requires a lot of technical people to provide us with guidance on what it is we are being asked to accommodate,’ Mitchell said during his ‘DM with the PM’ programme on social media and other platforms on Tuesday night.

He said that the public became aware of the request from Washington through media reports, ‘but this request was made since August and we are in October, so if we were in a position to make a decision.and if we wanted to rush to do so, we could have done so’.

Scoreboard of the second One Day International between Bangladesh and the West Indies here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

BANGLADESH

Saif Hassan c Greaves b Hosein 6

Soumya Sarkar c Pierre b Hosein 45

Towhid Hridoy c Hosein b Motie 12

Najmul Hossain Shanto c King b Athanaze 12

Mahidul Islam Ankon c Rutherford b Athanaze 17

*Mehidy Hasan Miraz not out 32

+Nurul Hasan c and b Motie 23

Rishad Hossain not out 39

Extras (b5, lb1, nb2, w2) 10

TOTAL (seven wickets; 50 overs) 213

Did not bat: Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.

Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-41, 3-68, 4-96, 5-103, 6-128, 7-163.

Bowling: Hosein 10-1-41-2, Chase 10-2-44-0, Pierre 10-0-43-0, Motie 10-0-65-3, Athanaze 10-3-14-2.

WEST INDIES

Alick Athanaze lbw b Hossain 28

Brandon King lbw b Ahmed 0

Keacy Carty lbw b Hossain 35

Ackeem Auguste c Hossain b Islam 17

*+Shai Hope not out 53

Sherfane Rutherford lbw b Islam 7

Gudakesh Motie b Hossain 15

Roston Chase c +Hasan b Ahmed 5

Justin Greaves run out 26

Akeal Hosein b Hassan 16

Khary Pierre not out 2

Extras (b1, lb3, w5) 9

TOTAL (nine wickets; 50 overs) 213

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-52, 3-82, 4-90, 5-103, 6-128, 7-133, 8-177. 9-211.

Bowling: Ahmed 10-0-38-2, Miraz 10-1-38-0, Rahman 8-0-40-0, Islam 10-0-42-2, Hossain 10-0-42-3, Hassan 2-0-9-1.

WEST INDIES (SUPER OVER)

*+Shai Hope not out 7

Sherfane Rutherford c Hassan b Rahman 0

Brandon King not out 3

Extras 0

TOTAL (one wicket; one over) 10

Fall of wicket: 1-1.

Bowling: Rahman 1-0-16-1.

BANGLADESH (SUPER OVER)

Soumya Sarkar c Motie b Hosein 3

Saif Hassan not out 2

Najmul Hossain Shanto not out 0

Extras (lb1, nb1, w2) 4

TOTAL (one wicket; one over) 9

Fall of wicket: 1-6.

Bowling: Hosein 1-0-9-1.

Toss: Bangladesh elected to bat after winning the toss.

Result: West Indies won the Super Over to tie the three-match series at 1-1.

Player-of-the-Match: Shai Hope.

Umpires: Chris Gaffaney, Tanvir Ahmed.

TV Umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal.

Reserve Umpire: Gazi Sohel.

Match Referee: Dean Cosker.

With a hectic 2026 schedule fast approaching, West Indies Women have begun an intensive eight-week training camp in Antigua to prepare themselves for a rigorous year of cricket.

The camp, which started on October 20 and is scheduled to end the week of December 8, is designed to lay a strong foundation as the Maroon Warriors gear up for a demanding international schedule that features six tours, 15 ODIs, a Test match and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Approximately 20 senior squad members are in camp, with the goal of having the entire group fully prepared by the end of the year to sustain peak performance, particularly for the World Cup.

The camp is structured around three pillars: strength and conditioning, individual skill development, team culture and leadership, with small-group coaching being put in place to ensure individualized attention and high-performance standards. West Indies Women’s head coach, Shane Deitz underscored the importance of the camp as the team looks to improve on their semi-final finish in the last T20 World Cup, in addition to achieving success across the various series.

‘Individual skill development is the main focus.

‘It’s also about getting our players focused on what they’re here to achieve, push harder than they’ve ever pushed before, and maintain that motivation to train every day. We only get this one opportunity to do this period of training and what we do now will determine our success next year,’ Deitz said.

‘One area we’ve got to get right is our strength and conditioning and team fitness. We need fast, athletic and robust cricketers who can play the style of cricket we want, entertain the crowds, put on a massive show and win lots of games, but also stay fit and healthy through a tough period.’

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe spoke to the alignment of the camp to CWI’s long-term development focus.

‘This is an example of the intentional investment being made in high-performance across all levels of West Indies cricket. The aim is to take a very individual approach to player development, providing each player with specific support in the areas that would allow them to take their game to the next level,’ Bascombe said.

‘Whether it be skill development, strength and conditioning or mental and leadership skills, this camp reflects our long-term objective of building a sustainable pathway to success. Initiatives like this reinforce our commitment to developing world-class cricketers capable of excelling on the global stage.’

The regional side will start the year by hosting Sri Lanka in February, followed by an all-format home series against Australia in March and April.

In May, the squad travels to Ireland for a tri-series with the hosts and Pakistan before heading to England for the T20 World Cup.

After the tournament, they return to Ireland for a bilateral ODI series in July.

September and October will see the squad do battle against Zimbabwe in a white-ball focused tour, before closing the year with another white-ball home series against Pakistan in December.

Bangladesh reached 213 for seven off their 50 overs after electing to bat against the West Indies in the second One Day International here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

BANGLADESH 213-7 in 50 overs (Soumya Sarkar 45, Rishad Hossain 39 not out, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 32 not out, Nural Hasan 23, Mahidul Islam Ankon 17, Najmul Hossain Shanto 15, Nasum Ahmed 14, Towhid Hridoy 12; Gudakesh Motie 3-65, Alick Athanaze 2-14, Akeal Hosein 2-41).

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Tuesday said it is collaborating with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and other stakeholders in the investigation of reports of a fish kill observed along sections of the Palisadoes strip on Monday.

The Palisadoes strip is a long, narrow tombolo, or spit of sand, in Jamaica that forms a natural barrier for the Kingston Harbour and serves as the location of Norman Manley International Airport and a road used for recreation and travel.

Palisadoes strip (File Photo)

NEPA’s chief executive officer, Leonard Francis and his NFA counterpart, Dr Gavin Bellamy, have visited the site nd are coordinating the probe.

These are being carried out in collaboration with various entities, including the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard and the Jamaica Constabulary Force Marine Police,’ the NEPA said in a statement.

It said that preliminary findings, which comprised of observations, interviews, technical assessments, and samples taken from the water and affected fish, ‘revealed that the fish kill was localised and was caused by an external factor or eutrophication’ a condition resulting from nutrient overload in water bodies

NEPA says it is determined to resolve ‘this ongoing issue ‘and will be exploring options to include the installation of real-time monitors in the area, the use of cameras and enlisting the help of the police, coast guard, businesses, fishermen, community members and oters who frequent and use the area’.

NEPA said that in the meantime, it is urging members of the public ‘to refrain from fishing, collecting or consuming fish or other marine life from the affected area until further notice’.

‘NEPA and the NFA remain committed to protecting Jamaica’s coastal and marine ecosystems and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.’

Captain Shai Hope and Akeal Hosein combined to lead West Indies to an unlikely, heart stopping victory over Bangladesh in the second One Day International that had to be decided by a rare Super Over.

In pursuit of 214 for a series leveling victory after Bangladesh did well to get up to 213 for seven from their 50 overs at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, West Indies seemed down and out at 133 for seven, before Hope rescued his side with an unbeaten half century that helped them tie the scores at 213 for nine off the last ball of their innings.

Playing in just their second ODI Super Over, the West Indies lost the wicket of Sherfane Rutherford while mustering just six runs off the first five deliveries bowled by pacer Mustafizur Rahman, until Hope picked up a fortunate boundary off the last ball to carry his side to 10 for one.

Akeal Hosein then made amends for bowling a wide and no-ball in his first two deliveries in the Super Over, to restrict Bangladesh to nine for one and seal victory by one run for his side. The result tied the series at 1-1 with the third and decisive ODI slated for Thursday at the same venue.

In a contest that both sides had chances to win, Bangladesh would be disappointed at not being able to grab a series leveling victory.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, they were initially pegged back by the Windies’ bowlers, which shockingly featured an all-spin attack.

When Gudakesh Motie dismissed Nasum Ahmed to leave the home side struggling at 128 for six in the 39th over, they were in danger of being bowled out inside their 50 overs.

However, captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored an unbeaten 32 and Nural Hasan added 35 for the seventh wicket, before Miraz teamed up with Rishad Hossain, who belted 39 off just 14 balls with three sixes and three fours, during an unbroken partnership of 50.

In all, Bangladesh bludgeoned 82 runs from the last 10 overs to get up to their eventual total.

Motie led the way for the West Indies with 3-65, Alick Athanaze took 2-14 and Hosein 2-41.

The West Indies lost Brandon King for a duck in the first over of their chase, but Alick Athanaze and Keacy Carty added 51 runs for the second wicket to carry them to 52 for one.

But similarly to the opening ODI, the visitors suffered a collapse, losing the wickets of Athanaze for 28, Carty for 35, debutant Ackeem Auguste for 17, Sherfane Rutherford for just seven and Gudakesh Motie, to crumble to 128 for six in the 33rd over.

Five runs later Roston Chase was caught behind off the bowling of Nasum Ahmed, to leave Bangladesh firmly in control.

But Hope and Justin Greaves put on 44 for the eighth wicket to transform the complexion of the match and carry the West Indies within sight of victory.

However, Greaves was run out for 26 by a direct hit following a spectacular piece of fielding by Miraz at cover with the Windies still needing 37 runs from 31 balls.

Hosein joined Hope at the crease and the pair dominated proceedings during a partnership of 34 that took them to the brink of a memorable win.

Hope brought up his half century off 65 balls with two runs to deep point and the West Indies seemed firm favourites with just five runs required from the last over bowled by Saif Hassan.

Hosein completely missed the first two balls, before both he and Hope picked up singles off the third and fourth deliveries, respectively.

Hassan then struck by bowling Hosein with the penultimate ball of the innings, to leave West Indies requiring three runs off the last ball.

Last man Khary Pierre was lucky not to be dismissed when his sweep shot found the top edge and ballooned into the air at midwicket, but wicketkeeper Nural Hasan dropped the chance to allow the batsmen to run two and tie the scores to force the Super Over.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders have called for the urgent renewal of two initiatives that provide duty-free treatment in the United States for certain Haitian manufactured textile and apparel goods.

In a statement, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that the regional leaders made the call in respecct of the Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Enhancement for Haitian Prosperity (HOPE) and Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Acts, reiterating ‘CARICOM’S strong support for the programmes under the HOPE/HELP Act which provide significant benefits to Haiti and the USA’.

The regional leaders note that the preferential trade framework has been vital to the economic and social development of Haiti while supporting mutually beneficial trade and economic linkages between United States and Haitian businesses.

‘Heads of Government noted that the loss of this preferential arrangement negatively impacts business continuity, investment and employment in Haiti and exacerbates the worsening economic and social situation at a time when the people of Haiti require greater international support.’

The 15-member regional integration grouping of which Haiti is a member, ‘therefore, expresses its strong support for the renewal of HOPE/HELP legislation and urges the US Administration and the US Congress to take urgent steps to move the legislation forward and restore the HOPE/HELP programmes’.

The Belize government says it is extending the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME)tax to the end of this year, urging those businesses to to take advantage of the opportunity to clear outstanding business tax penalties and interest.

In addition, they are also being told to do so in order to qualify for up to one year of business tax exemption.

‘This will also allow additional time to process outstanding applications from previous Roadshow stops and ensure that all eligible MSMEs receive their Tax Amnesty Certificates’ the government said in a statement.

The government sad it is adopting the extension of the tax exemption in partnership with BELTRAIDE, the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit (IPCU), the Belize Tax Service (BTS), the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR), the Economic Development Council (EDC), the Ministry of Local Government and City/Town Councils.

The extension was announced during a special sitting of Parliament and the statement said that it provides ‘additional time’ to MSMEs.

‘The Government of Belize also takes this opportunity to congratulate the many MSMEs that have already benefited from the programme and taken important steps toward formalization and growth,’ the statement added.

Chairman of the Regional Security System (RSS), Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre says that the threats that led to the formation of the Barbados-based entity have evolved rather than disappeared.

Addressing a high level meeting convened to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of the RSS, the St. Lucia Prime Minister cited cybersecurity, organised crime, climate-related instability, and gang violence as among the most pressing challenges confronting the region today.

St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre, who is also chairman of the Regional Security System (RSS), addressing the 43rd anniversary of the Barbados-based organisation (CMC Photo).

‘We cannot take for granted that our region remains a zone of peace. The work of the RSS continues to be indispensable to the safety, stability, and prosperity of our citizens,’ Pierre said.

The meeting, which ends later on Tuesday, has brought together heads of security, defence, and law enforcement from across the region to review emerging threats and strengthen cooperation in safeguarding the Caribbean’s peace and stability.

Pierre said that security is the foundation of economic development and social progress, noting that both public and private investment depend on an environment of peace and rule of law.

He called on member governments to deepen collaboration, increase investment in training, particularly in cybersecurity and harmonise legislation to ensure consistency in addressing transnational crimes.

The RSS was created out of a need for a collective response to security threats, which were impacting on the stability of the region in the early 1970’s and 1980’s. In October 1982, four members of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States, namely, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Barbados to provide for ‘mutual assistance on request’.

St. Kitts and Nevis joined in 1983 and Grenada two years later. Guyana became a member in 2022.

The MoU was updated in 1992 and the RSS acquired juridical status in March 1996 by way of the Treaty which was signed in St. Georges, Grenada.

In his address to the conference, Prime Minister Pierre reaffirmed St. Lucia’s commitment to the RSS, and encouraged continued engagement with international partners such as the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, and the United States.

He also expressed support for the eventual expansion of the RSS within CARICOM to strengthen regional resilience.

Pierre emphasised the importance of succession planning and institutional independence, urging the organisation to safeguard its credibility and operational focus while remaining responsive to the region’s evolving security landscape.

Government and several other stakeholders are condemning acts of femicide as they express ‘profound sorrow and outrage’ at the deaths of a mother and her young son during the early hours of Monday morning.

Femicide is defined as an intentional killing with a gender-related motivation. It is different from homicide, where the motivation may not be gender-related.

Police are investigating the deaths of Angelita Majana and her young son, Tishan Godoy, who ‘tragically lost their lives’ in the fire that occurred in the Orange Walk District, north-west of here.

Two other people, Miguel Novelo and Shadia Majana, continue to receive medical care after surviving the fire.

The Ministry of the Public Service, Governance, and Disaster Risk Management has since commended law enforcement authorities for ‘their swift action in detaining the accused arsonist and acknowledges the tireless efforts of the National Fire Service and all first responders who assisted at the scene’.

In a joint statement, the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs, the Office of the Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children, and the National Women’s Commission said ‘preliminary investigations indicate that this was a deliberate act of domestic violence, an appalling case of femicide.

‘This horrific event is a painful reminder of the persistent and devastating impact of gender-based violence in Belize. Femicide, the most extreme form of violence against women, must be recognized, condemned, and urgently addressed. Violence within our homes and communities can no longer be accepted or ignored. Every woman and child deserves to live in safety, dignity, and peace,’ they added.

They said as national bodies charged with advancing gender equality and the protection of families, ‘we stand united in our commitment to action’ and that ‘efforts are ongoing to strengthen Belize’s legislative and institutional frameworks to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

‘There is continued advocacy for the formal recognition of femicide in Belizean law. Ending violence against women and children is not the responsibility of the government alone; it requires a collective national response.’

The stakeholders said that they are calling on community leaders, village councils, educators, youth organizations, civil society, and faith-based groups ‘to join us in building a culture of zero tolerance for violence.

‘Change begins with awareness, accountability, and the courage to speak out and intervene. Through collaboration with local NGOs, shelters, and advocacy organizations, we continue to expand access to services, strengthen community networks, and promote education and prevention at every level.

‘Together, we must ensure that no life is lost to violence and that survivors receive the protection and support they deserve,’ they said, urging the public to contact them or the nearest police station ‘if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence.