Category: CANA News

Regional carrier, Caribbean Airlines (CAL), has been recognised for its service and has been named as the Caribbean’s Leading Airline Brand for 2025 at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards.

This is the 9th consecutive year that Caribbean Airlines has won the award.

The World Travel Award acknowledges, rewards, and celebrates excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries; and is globally recognized as the hallmark of quality in global travel and tourism.

According to a statement, through its expansive route network, dedicated service, and commitment to regional integration, Caribbean Airlines continues to elevate the standard for aviation excellence in the region, and the latest accolade reaffirms the airline’s unwavering commitment to delivering value, reliability, and a uniquely Caribbean experience to its customers.

In addition to the top honour, Caribbean Airlines has also won awards for the Caribbean’s Leading Airline, Caribbean’s Leading Cabin Crew and Caribbean’s Leading In-flight Magazine.

Over the past year, the airline has expanded its network into the French Caribbean, now connecting 28 destinations across North and South America and the wider Caribbean. It has also introduced innovative enhancements to its airport baggage handling systems and refined its product offerings to better meet evolving customer needs.

The award comes at a time when there appears to be major management changes taking place at Caribbean Airlines, with the company’s CEO recently announcing his resignation.

Cricket legend Brian Lara was honoured with a lifetime achievement award during the 2025 CEAT Cricket Rating Awards on Tuesday.

Tyre manufacturers CEAT devised the cricket rating system in 1995, and Lara won the CEAT Cricketer of the Year award one year later.

The 56-year-old Lara, who holds the world record for the highest individual Test match score of 400 not out, was presented with the award by Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar.

Brian Lara (right) poses with his CEAT Lifetime Achievement Award which was presented to him by Indian legend, Sunil Gavaskar (centre).

In a post on social media, CEAT praised Lara for his outstanding career.

‘Some careers set records; a few set horizons.

‘Tonight, we honour Brian Lara with the CEAT Lifetime Achievement Award – a salute to craft, charisma, and a legacy that continues to guide how greatness is imagined,’ the CEAT post said.

Former Indian leg-spinner, BS Chandrasekhar also received a lifetime achievement award.

English star batsman Joe Root won CEAT’s International Cricketer of the Year award, with his countryman Harry Brook copping the men’s Test Batsman of the Year award in a year which has seen him scoring over 500 runs at the Test level at an average of 53.90.

The Test Bowler of the Year award went to Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya.

The top One-Day International (ODI) awards went to the Kiwi pair of Matt Henry (ODI Bowler of the Year) and batting star Kane Williamson (ODI Batsman of the Year).

The T20 International Bowler of the Year award went to Indian leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy, with Indian teammate Sanju Samson getting the honours as the top T20 International Batsman of the Year.

In other awards, South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma received an award for his exemplary leadership in leading the Proteas to a World Test Championship title win over Australia in June, while Indian stalwart Rohit Sharma received a special memento for leading his country to the International Cricket Council Champions Trophy earlier this year.

The Indian pair of Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma won the respective Women’s International Batter and Bowler of the Year awards.

Long time football administrator Gwen Salmon has expressed her delight having been named to FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee.

Salmon is one of the country’s longest serving football executives, who has held the position of vice-president of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) since 2011, and is also the current president of Greenbay Hoppers FC.

Gwen Salmon

One of the many responsibilities of the FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee is to oversee the FIFA Women’s Development Programme, which aims to provide all 211 member associations with the opportunity to apply for and access additional resources and specialist expertise to develop women’s football at a national level.

Salmon, who will serve on the Committee from 2025 to 2029, said the appointment was a testament to her hard work and that of the ABFA.

‘This appointment means a great deal, not just personally, but for women’s football in Antigua and Barbuda and across our region.

‘It has been a long journey filled with hard work, challenges and moments of having to reset and rebuild our programmes especially here in Antigua and Barbuda. But through teamwork, working with FIFA, CONCACAF and CFU, we have made tremendous progress,’ Salmon said.

‘This appointment is a reflection of that collective effort of everyone who has played a part in advancing women’s football in our region.’

Salmon said she was looking forward to advancing women’s football throughout the region.

‘As the appointment is very recent, I am still waiting for full details of my specific role and responsibilities on the committee.

‘However, I understand that the FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee plays a key part in guiding and advancing the global growth of women’s football. I am eager to contribute wherever I can to share experiences from our region, learn from others and help strengthen the structure that supports women and girls in football worldwide,’ Salmon said.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has asked the United Kingdom to exempt the territory from sanctions to breach its debt ratios as part of plans to expand the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport.

Wheatley recently confirmed that has written to the UK government seeking clarity and support for the multimillion-dollar project, which aims to boost the territory’s economic development and tourism potential.

‘As it pertains to what we hope to be supported on by the United Kingdom government, I’ve written to the United Kingdom government, and one of the matters that I’ve raised with them initially, as it pertains to support for the airport expansion, has to do with ratios,’ Wheatley stated.

He explained that the runway extension would cost ‘several hundreds of millions of dollars,’ which would put the territory beyond its permitted borrowing thresholds.

‘Based on our ratios, we would fall outside of our ratios as it pertains to debt. So one thing that we are seeking from the United Kingdom is confirmation that those won’t be considered a breach of the ratios,’ he explained.

The BVI’s borrowing limits are governed by the Protocols for Effective Financial Management, an agreement between the UK and the territory that sets strict fiscal rules, including debt-to-revenue ratios. The arrangement requires approval from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for large public sector loans or guarantees.

Wheatley said discussions are ongoing with the UK about how these protocols affect the Virgin Islands’ capacity to fund major infrastructure.

‘We are engaged with the United Kingdom as well as it pertains to the protocols for effective financial management and how they affect our ability to be able to engage in economic development as we seek to expand our economy,’ he added.

The Premier did not disclose a specific timeline for the airport project or the source of financing, though he recently met with potential investors in ports and infrastructure while in the UK.

The airport expansion has been a long-standing goal of successive governments to accommodate direct international flights and larger aircraft, but it has faced repeated delays due to financing constraints and concerns about the impact on public debt.

The Ministry of Finance has not yet announced how the exemption request will be assessed or whether approval will be granted by the UK.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has welcomed the ceasefire announcement between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group, secured through the efforts of the United States, supported by Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.

‘ We join the positions expressed by the UN Secretary-General, France, China, and Saudi Arabia in calling for an immediate, sustainable halt to hostilities and unfettered humanitarian access,’ the Govenrment said in a statement on Thursday.

‘This ceasefire is a hard-won pause that must lead to full humanitarian relief, restoration of essential services, the release of all hostages and detainees, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza. This is the necessary basis for restoring durable security and stability.’

The Govenrment has called on all sides to use ‘this fragile opening to establish a credible political path toward a just and comprehensive peace, based on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security.’

‘Antigua and Barbuda will work to support these steps, consistent with international humanitarian law,’ the statement added.

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Thursday set November 6 and 7 as the dates to hear the case of the Trinidad and Tobago-based political analyst, Derek Ramsamooj, challenging the conduct of the State of Suriname following his detention in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country in 2020.

Newly appointed CCJ President, Justice Winston Anderson, said the judges were looking forward to see all parties ‘at the seat of the court sixth and seventh November and yo try this matter at the time’.

He said that a case management (CMC) was held in January this year, in which the CCJ issued certain orders regarding the filing of documents.

‘The timetable has been complied with, we have all of the documents in hand including.CARICOM (Caribbean Community) an amicus brief .responding to specific questions raised by the court.

The CCJ President said that the witness statements have also been received, adding that the meeting on Thursday ‘was to make sure that we have everything arranged for the trial to take place on the sixth and seventh of November and in particular we wanted to ensure hat we have he order in which the witnesses will give their evidence’.

Ramsamooj, 64, who holds both Trinidad and Tobago and British passports, was summarily detained in Paramaribo in October 2020, and was not allowed to leave the country until September 2022. He suffers from a range of medical issues including diabetes, hypertension and severe coronary artery disease.

A presiding judge had ordered the authorities in Suriname to return his passports, noting that Ramsamooj had, at all times, demonstrated a willingness to support due process, and had consistently stated his desire to clear his name through the legal routes.

The analyst, who has worked in several Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, Guyana, Grenada, St Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis, was told by Suriname police on October 6, 2020, that they only wanted a statement to support an enquiry into operations at the Surinamese Post Savings Bank (SPSB).

Ramsamooj had conducted customer surveys for the SPSB, as well as bank employee surveys, in addition to conducting two country risk assessments of Suriname in his capacity as an analyst and researcher. The activities were paid for by the financial institution.

The CCJ, which was established in February 2001 replacing the London-based Privy Council, also acts as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of the Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement.

In his application to the CCJ, Ramsamooj is seeking a number of relief measures including a declaration that Suriname infringed his right to freedom of movement as well as a right to provide services.

In addition, Ramsamooj wants a declaration that Suriname infringed his right not to be discriminated against on the ground of his nationality as well as a declaration that the Suriname breached its obligations under Article 9 of the Revisted Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) that governs the 15-member regional integration movement, CARICOM.

The lawyers for the political analyst said that Suriname failed to ensure that their client was not subjected to arbitrary imprisonment and/or denial of Counsel and/or denial of adequate medical attention and/or discrimination on the ground of nationality and/or the several rights identified in the Charter of Civil Society.

In addition Ramsamooj is seeking damages and cost.

The Ministry of Trade has commenced stakeholder consultation that will lead to a possible ban on certain chemicals that are used in many popular sun-screen lotions.

Senior Trade Policy Analyst in the Ministry, Jomica Carbon explained that the Ministry is undertaking the consultation to support the development of a WTO-compliant and CARICOM aligned policy to ban the importation, manufacture, sale, and distribution of sunscreens containing harmful chemicals, such as; Oxybenzone, Octinoxate; Avabenzone, Homosalate; and Octocrylene, Octisalate.

‘This initiative is driven by the urgent need to protect Antigua and Barbuda’s coral reef ecosystems, which are vital to the country’s tourism-dependent economy, and to address emerging public health concerns related to these chemicals.

The proposed approach draws inspiration from international best practices, particularly the successful ban implemented by Palau, which prohibits a range of reef-toxic chemicals to preserve marine biodiversity,’ said Carbon who was speaking at a meeting of the task force this week.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ambassador Dr. Clarence Pilgrim welcomed the members of the task force to the consultation noting that the goal is to take a closer look at the trade, consumer, environmental, and health implications of sunscreen products and explore the path toward a possible national policy and ban on harmful chemicals.

‘We know that sunscreen plays a vital role in protecting human skin from ultraviolet rays and in preventing skin cancer. Yet, recent scientific research reminds us that the same products designed to protect human health are now causing harm to marine life and ecosystems.

‘As noted in one study, organic UV filters have been found to bio-accumulate in corals, algae, mollusks, and marine vertebrates, leading to coral bleaching, endocrine and neurologic disruption, and other toxic effects,’ he noted.

According toPilgrim this issue is particularly pressing for Antigua and Barbuda, being a Small Island Developing State whose economy, environment, and cultural identity are intimately tied to its oceans and coral reefs.

‘The Cabinet recognised the urgency of this matter and has called for decisive policy and action. As a member of the OECS, CARICOM, and the global SIDS community, Antigua and Barbuda has an opportunity to lead on developing environmentally responsible standards and legislation in this area,’ he observed.

The framework for the scope of work presented by Corbin indicates that October 2025-January 2026 has been set aside for meetings of the task force; February to March, 2026, Circulation of draft policy and feedback collection; April, 2026, final policy revision and submission to Cabinet; mid-2026, has been earmarked for policy implementation pending the approval of the Cabinet.

Five Indian nationals who arrived in Grenada via a flight from Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport using fake passports were ordered removed from the island.

However, they are currently inmates at the Richmond Hill prison because they did not pay the fine as imposed by the magistrate.

A press release from the Community Relations Department of the Royal Grenada Police Force said on Monday, officers attached to the Immigration and Passport Department arrested and charged five Indian nationals, one male and four females, for the offence of Uttering a Falsified Passport.

The release said the charge was laid against the Indians after they all presented falsified passports to Immigration officers, to gain entry into Grenada.

The five individuals made their first court appearance here earlier this week and they all pleaded guilty to the charge.

‘As a result, they were fined EC$6000.00 each to be paid forthwith, or in default four months imprisonment,’ said the release.

A follow- up with the police confirmed that as of Friday, the five failed to pay the fine and were sent to prison.

Once the money is paid or the sentence is served, the Indians will be removed from the state as ordered by the court.

When asked if the five were suspected as victims of human trafficking an official at the Community Relations Department said ‘we do not have this information at hand.’

West Indies Test captain Roston Chase has admitted that while a string of bad results has seriously dented the confidence of the players, he still believes they can turn things around in the second Test which bowls off here on Friday.

The West Indies head into the final Test on a four-match losing streak and have not won a Test match since defeating Pakistan in early January.

To make matters worse, their last four Test defeats have come inside three days, having lost the opening Test by an innings and 140 runs before tea on the third day.

Needing a victory to tie the series 1-1, Chase said his troops had the power to change their fortunes.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Chase said the team’s batsmen in particular just needed a big score to regain their confidence. ‘Obviously we’re down right now, but it has to change at some point, and the change will start from now, but it starts with the belief and the mindset of each and every player and to keep motivating the guys that we can still play some positive cricket and change around our downfall at the moment.

‘The guys are lacking confidence but it’s just to get that one score, to get that start and to then kick on from there,’ Chase said.

‘I just think that once you obviously get that good innings, that 100 or that big 50, that then gives you the confidence to then know that I can actually do it.’

Chase maintained that his players trusted and believed in their abilities and skills to perform at the highest level.

However, the skipper said for that to happen they needed to put the disappointing results of past series out of their minds.

‘I think everyone is confident, but when we got out there we didn’t start well as a batting unit and the pressure is on and it’s for us to soak up that pressure as batters and still find a way to score and put back the pressure onto the Indian bowlers, so I just think that is the biggest challenge for us.

‘I don’t think that we’re not confident, I just think that we need to get that start and kick on and we’ll be fine. I think the key is to stay in the present and not think too far ahead or too far back,’ Chase said.

‘You have to play each delivery on merit and play what you see, not what you think. I think that led to my downfall in the last game.so it’s just to stay positive at the crease and always look to score. Even though it’s Test cricket I don’t think you can just go out there looking to survive.’

Three West Indians who impressed on the recent tour of Nepal have been rewarded by being named in West Indies white ball teams to face Bangladesh later this month.

Former West Indies Under-19 captain Ackeem Auguste has earned his maiden call up to the ODI team, while left-arm pacer Ramon Simmonds and Amir Jangoo have been included in the T20I squad.

However, no room has been found for veterans Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder or Kyle Mayers, while the promising Jewel Andrew has also been left out.

The two teams, which will face Bangladesh in three ODIs and three T20Is between October 18 and 31 in Dhaka and Chattogram, were released by Cricket West Indies on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Auguste was the third highest run scorer on the ill-fated T20I tour of Nepal, which West Indies lost 2-1. He scored 73 runs in the three matches at an average of 36.50, including an unbeaten 41 in the last game which West Indies won by 10 wickets.

Auguste is one of three changes to the Windies’ ODI squad that recorded their first bi-lateral ODI series win over Pakistan in 33 years and their first home series triumph in 37 years, when they defeated them 2-1 back in August.

He replaces Andrew, who failed to impress on the tour of Nepal, while Alick Athanaze has been recalled in place of the injured Evin Lewis and left-arm spinner Khary Pierre replaces Matthew Forde, who is also recuperating from an injury.

Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, who made his Test debut against India earlier this month, has earned a recall to the shorter format to support Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase in the spin department.

Head coach Daren Sammy said he was excited to continue the progression of the ODI team while exposing more players to strengthen the pool for the 2027 World Cup.

‘The squad assembled will strive to maintain a winning mentality and strong team cohesion, essential components for long-term success ahead of the World Cup.

‘Facing Bangladesh provides another opportunity to earn crucial points in our push for automatic qualification to the showpiece event,’ Sammy said.

‘The selection of Ackeem reflects the pathway Cricket West Indies is creating for our emerging players who have shown the qualities to perform at the international level. He is a player for the future, one who has progressed from Under-15s to the senior level, and another Academy graduate to feature in an international squad this year.’

Meanwhile, Jangoo, the top run scorer on the tour of Nepal with 109 runs at an average of 54.50, and Simmonds, who took four wickets in his debut series, tied for third most, have been drafted into the T20I team.

Jangoo has been selected as the second wicketkeeping option, while Simmonds also earned his place following an impressive showing in the Caribbean Premier League where he took 13 wickets.

CWI also revealed that Keacy Carty, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, along with Auguste and Jangoo had been sent to a preparatory camp at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai, India, in an effort to provide players with valuable exposure to sub-continent conditions in advance of the series.

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe said it was important for players to get accustomed to those conditions, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup being held in Sri Lanka and India.

‘With the 2026 T20 World Cup around the corner, it is important for our players to get as much practice as possible in these conditions, with that tournament being held in India and Sri Lanka.’

‘In addition to the important aspect of acclimatisation, the camp will feature skill and tactical training and development specific to those conditions, which is critical to preparing the players ahead of this series as well as next year’s World Cup,’ Bascombe said.

TEAMS

WEST INDIES ODI SQUAD: Shai Hope (captain), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Jediah Blades, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.

WEST INDIES T20I SQUAD: Shai Hope (captain), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Ramon Simmonds.

West Indies Tour of Bangladesh 2025

First ODI: October 18- Mirpur, Dhaka

Second ODI: October 21- Mirpur, Dhaka

Third ODI: October 23- Mirpur, Dhaka

1st T20I: October 27- Chattogram

2nd T20I: October 29- Chattogram

3rd T20I: October 31 – Chattogram