Category: CANA News

Results of the playoffs in the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Men’s 50-over Championship here on Wednesday.

FINAL

At Liberta Sports Club: Barbados defeated Jamaica by 116 runs.

BARBADOS 320-9 in 50 overs (Justin Parris 100, Kelani Clarke 49, Kemar Dixon 48, R’Jai Gittens 37, Jordan Graham 21, Rajeev Parsooram 14 not out; Alixandre Elliot 4-40, Jahdae Moore 3-58).

JAMAICA 204 in 43.5 overs (Demario Hall 47, Pajay Nelson 36, Tyson Gordon Jr 28, Perico Henry 22 not out, Demarco Scott 13, Alixandre Elliott 12; Justin Parris 5-35, Asher Branford 3-19).

THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF

At Bethesda Sports Ground: Trinidad and Tobago defeated Leeward Islands by seven wickets.

LEEWARD ISLANDS 88 in 26.5 overs (Tanez Francis 22, Eirette Richards 19, Lyhte Richards 13; Renaldo Fournillier 4-26, Daron Dhanraj 2-14).

T and T 89-3 in 15.1 overs (Brendan Boodoo 49 not out, Ethan Ramharan 10; Matthew Miller 2-25).

FIFTH PLACE PLAYOFF

At Pigotts Sports Ground: Guyana defeated Windward Islands by 53 runs.

GUYANA 184 in 49.2 overs (Dhanesh Persaud 53, Emmanuel Lewis 43, Romario Ramdehol 15, Khush Seegobin 13, Adrian Hetmyer 11; Theo Edward 3-12).

WINDWARD ISLANDS 131 in 27.1 overs (Earshino Fontaine 28, Khavaughn Bartholomew 27, Derwin Lewis 26, Tyler Venner 24, Johnathan Daniel 12; Gilbert Griffith 4-19, Romario Ramdehol 2-13, Adrian Hetmyer 2-38).

President Irfaan Ali said buoyancy bags will be used to try and re-float the MV Barima which capsized last Saturday resulting in the deaths so far of 57 people, including 15 children and the rescue of 76 others.

The official manifest for the vessel showed it had 116 passengers and 17 member crew, but officials say that the figure could be 179 as the search and rescue operations continue. Latest figures released by the government state that four bodies were recovered on Wednesday, bringing the figure to 57, of which 44 have been positively identified by family members. So far 18 of those identified have been released to their families.

Ali, speaking to the families of persons who were on board the vessel, said ‘today is going to be a very complex operation’ and that Guyana Coast Guard, assisted by several regional and international partners will utilise a number of specialised boats and specialised pieces of equipment, ‘some of which are already mobilised…to try to get inside of the wreckage, to get inside of the wreck’.

He said on Tuesday, divers were able to have a full assessment of the situation including the positioning of the wreck, the challenges and difficulties.

‘So right now, the operation will have started to try to position the wreck so that entry can be made to make as much recovery as we can from within the wreck,’ Ali said, adding that the rescue teams are ‘trying to reposition the vessel …to see if they can move the vessel to shallow waters and then enter the vessel to make as much recovery as possible’.

He said another aspect of the operation will be the launching of 1,500 tonnes of buoyancy airbags.

‘The divers are going to try to get down to the vessel, to tie these buoyancy airbags onto the vessel, to see if they can lift the vessel. Because we want to maximise every potential in making maximum recovery as possible,’ he said.

Ali said that while he is awaiting a first report from the team, today, two additional troops on foot will be conducting searches along the coastline and that a ‘chopper will be deployed once again and other technology to maximise our opportunity today in terms of recovery.

‘As you know, we are racing against time. And they’re going to be trying everything, all the tools, assets are out there. So to the families, we’re going to continue to be here with you, again, all day, today, tonight, as we confront this difficult, unimaginable, heartbreaking situation.’

Ali said he is continuing to pray that the relatives ‘are granted the faith and the patience and the spiritual food to help you through this period.

‘We are also going to assemble here tonight for prayers. As you know, this is a site that was heavily laden with grief. This is a site where most of the loved ones recovered came and tonight, in our national day of prayer, we’ll have members of the community join us here in prayers for their loved ones, our loved ones, and the beautiful souls that were left us.’

Earlier, Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips urged Guyanese to stand together in support of the families affected by the MV Barima tragedy as the country observes three days of national mourning.

He told a radio programme here that this period of mourning should be marked by compassion, prayer and solidarity as the nation continues to grieve the lives lost in the maritime disaster.

‘This is a time that, as a nation, we all have to hold hands together and see ourselves through this difficult moment in our country,’ Phillips said, encouraging religious organisations across Guyana to continue praying for the victims, survivors and grieving families.

‘While we offer psychosocial assistance, we recognise that, at this time, prayers are also effective in helping people to cope with what they are going through,’ he said, expressing gratitude to all those who have contributed to the ongoing search and recovery efforts.

‘I also want to express our appreciation to all those people out there, not only on the Coast Guard, the Police and the government side, but also to all the private individuals who participated and continue to be out there as part of this whole effort to recover bodies,’ Prime Minister Phillips said, reiterating that the government remains focused on bringing closure to affected families while continuing search and recovery operations and providing every possible form of assistance during this difficult period.

The number of people who lost their lives when the MV Barima capsized last weekend, rose to 65 on Wednesday as efforts continue to re-float the 87-year-old vessel that sank as it made its way from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, a small village within the Barima-Waini administrative region of the country.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips told a news conference that five new bodies had been retrieved on Wednesday and that ‘the total number of bodies recovered since the commencement of search and rescue operation now stands at 65’.

He said 44 of the bodies have been positively identified by family members and ‘to date 23 of those identified have been released to their families.

‘Regional authorities together with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security continue to work closely with grieving relatives to facilitate the release of the deceased for funeral rites and burials,’ Phillips said, adding that ‘the number of rescued passengers and crew remains unchanged at 76’.

He stressed that the government’s immediate priority is supporting grieving families and completing the rescue and recovery operation.

‘The focus now is not on compensation. The focus is on recovering bodies, financing the burial and funeral rites, and providing whatever assistance the families need now,’ he said, adding that the support currently being extended to families should not be interpreted as compensation.

‘That is not deemed compensation. That is the government’s responsibility in times like this to assist families,’ he said, adding ‘as we close off the rescue and recovery operation, it is the intention of the government to have a commission of inquiry mounted as early as possible.

‘After the commission of inquiry, then the issues of compensation will be determined because it will be guided by the commission of inquiry, the report, and the recommendations,’ he told reporters.

Phillips said that maritime assets and personnel from the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Brazilian Navy have arrived at the incident site and have joined the ongoing search, rescue and recovery operation.

‘Their teams will support diving operations and other specialised recovery activities A total of 19 vessels and three aircraft are now engaged in the operations,’ he said, adding that the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration Department have deployed the smaller vessels to conduct searches for the inland in an effort to locate any remaining passengers.

Prime Minister Phillips told reporters that technical teams continue to carry out detailed assessments of the capsized vessel to determine the ‘safest and most effective method’ for improving access for the diving teams operating at the site and that the current recovery plan involves repositioning the vessel before installing marine salvage airbags.

He said these buoyancy balloons around the wreckage to restore buoyancy and once afloat ‘the vessel will be towed closer to the shoreline to facilitate further search and recovery operations’.

Guyana has declared three days of national mourning, starting Wednesday ‘in honour of those who lost their lives in this tragedy.

Phillips said that during this period all national flags are to be flown at half-mast and that Wednesday has also been declared a national day of prayer.

‘Members of the public are invited to gather at the Kingston seawall at 6.00 pm (local time) for a national service of prayer and reflection. A night of reflection and prayer will be held at Port Kaituma on Thursday …and in Mabaruma on Friday,’ Phillips said.

He said that the government ‘ remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the ongoing recovery effort providing assistance to affected families and ensuring that every available resource continues to be deployed until the operation Is complete’.

The authorities also announced that a third person had been taken in for questioning by the police as the investigations continue into the cause of the fatal incident.

‘The third person who has been arrested is ….the Superintendent who oversaw the loading of the boat. My understanding is that he was invited in for questioning by the CID to explain his actions and he turn up with a lawyer and they detained him for further questioning.’

Earlier this week, the captain and a crew member had been arrested after they were found to have failed a drugs test.

Prime Minister Phillips said that it is too early to determine what charges, if any would be brought against any saying ‘you know they will take statements and the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) will do their technical work and make their recommendations.

‘That process has started. If they want more time they will go back and ask for another 72 hours. Okay, we have to follow the law here. I think we must leave this press conference with the understanding that we are following the established law, following established procedures in keeping with police investigative work,’ Prime Minister Phillips added.

The official manifest had 116 passengers and a 17 member crew, but the authorities said that as many as 179 passengers and crew may have been on board the vessel.

President of the Court of Justice, Iwan Rasulbaks, has told an international conference that corruption not only undermines the rule of law but also hinders Suriname’s economic development, increases crime, and erodes the trust of citizens and investors.

He told the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC) Anti-Corruption Congress that combating corruption also requires a fundamentally different method of investigation compared to traditional criminal cases.

The Congress heard that a well-functioning whistleblower system not only contributes to the detection of corruption but also has an important preventive effect.

‘That this provides an impetus for awareness, accountability, and responsibility among the direct recipients of this pernicious phenomenon; namely, among public officials charged with combating corruption, but also among public officials who, for whatever reason, cannot resist the temptation to unlawfully benefit themselves and/or their inner circle, in exchange for serious harm to people and society,’ said Rasulbaks

The Chief Justice told the Congress that brought together domestic and international experts to deliver presentations on the fight against corruption from various perspectives, that corruption leads to an unfair distribution of wealth, underdevelopment, increasing crime, and declining trust in the government.

He said that foreign investors and international organizations become hesitant when confidence in a country’s integrity declines.

Rasulbaks referred to international rankings, including Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index and the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index. He said that based on these organizations’s findings Suriname still needs to take significant steps to strengthen the rule of law and combat corruption more effectively.

In contrast, he noted that countries like Singapore has grown into one of the least corrupt countries in the world through investments in strong institutions, transparency , and specialized anti-corruption measures.

The Chief Justice said that a corruption investigation rarely begins like a classic criminal investigation and that while traditional cases often revolve around witness statements, forensic evidence, or arrests in flagrante delicto, a corruption case usually starts with suspicious money flows, unusual bank transactions, complex tax structures, or unexplained wealth growth.

He said precisely for this reason, combating corruption requires a different way of thinking and investigating.

He said this means that the police, the Public Prosecution Service, and other investigative agencies must adapt their knowledge and working methods.

Rasulbaks said financial investigation, the analysis of corporate records and financial reports, tracking digital trails, and unraveling complex international structures are becoming increasingly important.

‘In these areas, corruption investigations differ fundamentally from traditional investigations,’ he told the the Congress, emphasising that countries that are successful in combating corruption invest not only in stricter legislation, but above all in strong institutions, specialized investigation, transparency, international cooperation, and good governance.

He said Suriname must also follow this direction to restore the trust of citizens, investors, and international partners and to enable sustainable economic development.

In his address to the Congress, Justice and Police Minister, Harish Monorath, said the fight against corruption cannot be won solely through investigation and prosecution.

‘Corruption poses a serious threat to every democratic constitutional state and hinders the socio-economic development of our country,’ Monorath said, noting that combating corruption is a shared responsibility of the government, the business community, civil society organizations, and citizens.

He told the Congress that an ethical governance culture is only possible when all segments of society fulfill their role within it. He disclosed that the government is working on a more robust and effective anti-corruption policy with the emphasis being on the modernisation of legislation, the strengthening of state institutions, and the promotion of integrity within the public sector.

According to Monorath, dozens of legislative proposals from the Ministry of Justice and Police are currently in preparation or under consideration that are intended to contribute to the further strengthening of the rule of law.

Monorath said that Suriname bases its approach on the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which provides an international framework for prevention, criminal prosecution, cooperation between countries, and the recovery of assets obtained through crime.

Monorath told the Congress that administrators bear a special responsibility to set a good example themselves and that integrity, transparency, and responsible leadership must be visible in the daily actions of the government.

‘Integrity begins with personal responsibility. It is the choice we make, even when no one is watching,’ he told the Congress, adding that Suriname can only achieve sustainable development if corruption is not normalised and citizens’ trust in the government and its institutions is strengthened.

The Congress is aimed at raising the awareness within legal practice regarding the consequences of corruption for the rule of law and society. It is also intended to strengthen the cooperation between national and international partners in the fight against corruption.

Justin Parris cracked a superb century and also grabbed five wickets to help Barbados defend their title in the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Men’s 50-over Championship here on Wednesday.

His efforts helped Barbados dominate Jamaica by 116 runs in the final, capping an unbeaten run in the competition.

In other results, Trinidad and Tobago thrashed the Leeward Islands to finish third, while Guyana defeated the Windward Islands to cop fifth place.

At Liberta Sports Club: Barbados expectedly captured their second successive title, thanks mainly to a standout performance from Justin Parris.

Parris hit an even 100 as Barbados capped off a strong batting performance in the tournament by posting a competitive 320 for nine in their 50 overs.

Parris then returned to grab five wickets with his off spin, as Jamaica were bowled out for 204 in 43.5 overs.

It was Barbados’ sixth win on the trot and capped off one of the most dominant showings in the tournament’s recent history.

Their strong position was set up by another impressive display by their batters, led by Parris.

Jahdae Moore got rid of opener Gadson Bowens cheaply for just eight, but Kelani Clarke and Jordan Graham led a recovery during a 74-run partnership for the second wicket that carried them to 95 for one in the 16th over.

Alixandre Elliot struck to remove Clarke for a brisk 49 off 44 balls, Demarco Scott bowled Seth Smith for three, and Elliot returned to snare the wicket of Graham for 21, to reduce the defending champions to 101 for four.

However, Parris and Kemar Dixon put Barbados back in the ascendancy by adding 108 runs for the fifth wicket.

And when Elliott bowled Dixon for 48 off 71 balls and had Jahidi Hinds caught for one, Parris and R’Jai Gittens, who slammed 37 from 19 balls, bludgeoned 80 runs off eight overs to see Barbados motor along to 291 for seven after 48 overs.

Parris reached his century in the penultimate over but was dismissed shortly after by Joel Williams after scoring 100 off 98 balls, with 12 fours and one six.

Rajeev Parsooram then finished the innings in style by clobbering 14 runs off five balls.

Elliot was Jamaica’s best bowler with 4-40, while Moore took 3-58.

Needing a solid start to have any chance of overhauling their target, Jamaica immediately found themselves on the backfoot when pacer Asher Branford trapped Odane Binns lbw for seven, had Joel Williams caught for a duck and also dismissed Demarco Scott by way of the lbw route, to see them slip to 46 for three.

After Tyson Gordon Jr was dismissed by Hinds for 28, Demario Hall and captain Pajay Nelson added 58 runs for the fifth wicket to keep Jamaica in the contest at 134 for four.

But Parris ended any hopes of a comeback by dismissing Hall for 47, while Parsooram accounted for Nelson’s wicket after he had scored 36, to make the score 150 for six.

Parris then grabbed the wickets of Ryan Lyttleton for two and Geovanni Grey for a duck to see Jamaica slump to 152 for eight, before cleaning up the tail by dismissing Elliott and Moore.

Parris ended with 5-35, while Branford took 3-19.

At Bethesda Sports Ground: Trinidad and Tobago easily disposed of the Leeward Islands by seven wickets to end the tournament on a winning note and claim third place.

The Leeward Islands produced their worst batting performance of the competition to be skittled out for a paltry 88 in 26.5 overs after choosing to bat first.

Renaldo Fournillier was the main destroyer, grabbing three of the first four wickets to fall to orchestrate the collapse.

He claimed the wickets of top scorer Tanez Francis for 22, along with those of Matthew Miller and Kunal Tilokani to leave the Leewards 48 for four.

Eirette Richards, who made 19 and Lyhte Brown, who made 13, were the only other batters to score in double digits as the Leewards lost their last six wickets for 40 runs.

Fournillier finished with 4-26 and Daron Dhanraj took 2-14.

In response, skipper Brendan Boodoo then scored an unbeaten 49 off 46 balls to guide T and T to 89 for three in 15.1 overs.

After the early losses of Christian Lall and Levi Ghanny for two and eight respectively, along with that of Ethan Ramcharan for 10, Boodoo and Tariq Richards shared an unbroken partnership of 41 for the fourth wicket, as T and T completed a comfortable victory.

At Pigotts Sports Ground: Guyana exacted revenge on the Windward Islands by defeating them by 53 runs in the fifth-place playoff match.

Guyana, who lost to the Windwards in the final round of action on Monday, produced an impressive performance with the ball after their batters failed to fire for the second straight match.

Dhanesh Persaud scored 53 off 73 balls and Emmanuel Lewis made 43, but there was little other support, with the Windward Islands eventually dismissing them for 184 in 49.2 overs.

The pair shared a partnership of 92 runs after coming together with their team in dire straits at 72 for five in the 22nd over.

When Lewis was dismissed by Theo Edward, Guyana lost their last five wickets for a mere 20 runs.

Edwards captured 3-12 to be the Windward Islands’ best bowler.

After losing opener and captain Edward to the second ball of the innings, the pair of Derwin Lewis and Earshino Fontaine carried the fight to Guyana’s bowlers in a partnership of 46 runs.

But once Lewis was trapped lbw by Adrian Hetmyer, the Windward Islands lost wickets at regular intervals to find themselves struggling at 76 for five.

Tyler Venner, who made 24 and Khavaughn Bartholomew, who scored 27, tried to rescue the innings in a 37-run stand, but Gilbert Griffith dismissed both batters to end any chance of a Windward Islands comeback.

Griffth claimed 4-19, Romario Ramdehol took 2-13, and Hetmyer 2-38.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it has approved US$232,000 in grant funding to strengthen the capacity of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) across its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs).

The region’s premier financial institution said that the garnt will enhance their ability to finance small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), climate resilience, renewable energy, and sustainable development.

The funding was approved under the Special Development Fund (SDF) 11 programme and the technical assistance initiative will support the delivery of four specialised training programmes and the deployment of a web-based SME credit scoring and risk rating platform to participating DFIs throughout the Caribbean.

The project forms part of CDB’s commitment to building stronger financial institutions capable of driving private sector development and increasing access to finance for businesses that are critical to economic growth and resilience.

The CDB said that participating DFIs will receive training in SME credit risk management, specialised sector financing for agriculture and renewable energy, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards and compliance, and climate and sustainability finance instruments.

The programme will also provide participating institutions with access to the SME eSMART digital credit assessment platform, enabling more efficient and consistent evaluation of SME loan applications.

CDB’s vice president of Operations, Dr. Isaac Solomon said lending capital alone is not enough to transform economies.

‘Strong institutions are essential to ensuring that finance reaches the businesses and sectors that will have the greatest development impact. This initiative will equip Development Finance Institutions with the technical expertise and digital tools needed to strengthen lending decisions, support innovation, and expand financing for enterprises that contribute to resilient and inclusive growth across the Caribbean,’ he said.

The CDB said that DFIs play a vital role in addressing financing gaps faced by SMEs, particularly in sectors that are often underserved by commercial lenders. The initiative responds to identified capacity needs across the regional DFI network and is expected to strengthen institutions’ ability to assess credit risk, structure financing for climate and renewable energy investments, integrate ESG considerations into lending, and mobilise finance for sustainable development.

The project will be delivered in partnership with Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS), leveraging regional expertise and internationally recognised training providers to deliver practical, Caribbean-focused learning.

‘The Caribbean’s economic transformation will be driven by entrepreneurs, but enabled by strong institutions,’ said Lisa Harding, Division Chief, Private Sector, CDB.

‘Development Finance Institutions play a pivotal role in unlocking investment for businesses that generate jobs, foster innovation, and build resilience. By strengthening their capacity, CDB is helping to create a more dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable private sector across the region.’

The programme is expected to benefit at least 11 Development Finance Institutions across the Caribbean, providing training opportunities for more than 300 professionals through a series of online courses delivered over multiple sessions.

The CDB said that the project aligns with CDB’s Strategic Plan 2026-2035 by strengthening institutions, accelerating climate action, advancing digital transformation, and building both economic and environmental resilience across the region.

Following their 3-2 One Day International series loss to New Zealand, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has accepted that the regional side will have to go through the Qualifiers to book their spot at the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The Windies men began the series 10 points behind Bangladesh for the final automatic qualifying spot, and needing to win all five of their matches to have a realistic chance of overtaking them.

But after a winning start, they were let down by their batters, which resulted in them losing the next three matches before winning the fifth and final match at Kensington Oval on Tuesday.

With just two more remaining ODIs against India in September, it is all but guaranteed that the Windies will have to go through the World Cup Qualifiers, which will see the top four finishers assured a spot at the World Cup.

The Windies last played at the 2019 World Cup, having missed out on the 2023 event after they failed to advance out of the Qualifiers.

While no dates or venues have yet been announced by the ICC for those Qualifiers, speaking in a post-match press conference on Tuesday Sammy said he would love for them to be played in the Caribbean.

‘We have no information on where and when it’s going to be. We do understand though, the qualifying method, but as to when and where [we don’t know]. I did ask the director a question on that earlier this week and he’s going to get back to me on that.

‘If we have a choice, home is where the heart is. I’m pretty sure all the guys would love to play at home in Barbados, Saint Lucia or even Antigua where we do quite well, but it’s out of our hands. Actually, myself and the analyst we were checking during the game to see if there was a possibility, but it looks like we really have to go through the Qualifiers and then book our place,’ Sammy said.

Speaking on the series against New Zealand, the head coach said he was not satisfied with the result.

He said the home side’s batting had let the team down for the majority of the five matches.

‘No, 3-2 is not a fair result at all…before that Sri Lanka series we tried to make home our fortress, and we were on the cusp of doing that. We won the last four series in a row before Sri Lanka, and we wanted to continue winning games.

‘Guyana was a challenge, but yet we started off the series quite well. I think if we reflect and look back, too many opportunities we had to win, the batting really did let us down – especially batting first. It doesn’t matter the score at home, when we’re chasing it’s just a boost of confidence for the guys and I think we really need to change that mindset…but I think 3-2, we were not looking for that result,’ Sammy said.

The Trinidad and Tobago government Wednesday said that all six crew members aboard the fishing vessel, St Vincent VII, have been rescued alive after spending several days in distress at sea.

The Ministry of Defence in a statement said that the rescue followed a coordinated response involving a commercial vessel and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and that all six fishermen had been accounted for and were in reasonably good health, with no remarkable injuries reported.

The vessel departed Chaguaramas, west of here, on July 6 with a six-member crew employed in the yellowfin tuna fishing industry. Four of the crew are Trinidad and Tobago nationals, while the others are a Vincentian and a Guyanese captain, Eshwar Persaud, also known as ‘Shanie’.

According to relatives, the fire broke out around 6:30 a.m. (local time), on July 13 while the vessel was operating near the maritime border between Suriname and French Guiana. There has been no contact with the crew since then.

Amanda Suraj, the wife of crew member Shannon ‘Joey’ Mohammed, had appealed for immediate assistance from neighbouring countries and vessels transiting the area.

She urged regional governments, maritime authorities, coast guards and international search-and-rescue agencies to expand search efforts and remain alert for any sign of the missing vessel or its crew.

In its statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said that the Maritime Operations Command Centre had received a report at on Tuesday night from the crew of the MV Marvel Kite, which was en route to the United States, indicating that while travelling westward approximately 349 nautical miles east of Galeota, they spotted the fishing vessel St Vincent VII which appeared to be in distress.

The crew of the MV Marvel Kite altered course and approached the vessel, where they found six people on board. The ministry said the identities of those rescued matched those of the crew members previously reported missing.

It said that following confirmation that the fishermen had been located, the Maritime Operations Command Centre directed a Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard vessel to rendezvous with the commercial ship.

The rescue brings a successful conclusion to what had become an anxious search for the six-man crew after the fishing vessel was reported missing and although the ministry did not disclose the circumstances that led to the vessel becoming stranded or experiencing difficulties, it said those rescued appeared to have escaped the ordeal without serious injury.

Defence Minister Wayne Sturge expressed the government’s gratitude to the commercial vessel’s crew for their actions, adding that the government appreciated the assistance provided by the MV Marvel Kite. He said further updates on the incident would be released in the coming hours.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have joined legislators in paying tribute to Trinidadian-American soldier d, who was killed in an Iranian missile strike last week.

Sgt. Rampersad was originally from the Ozone Park neighbourhood of Queens, New York. Her parents, Basdeo and Carol Rampersad, are originally from Trinidad and Tobago.

‘Today, New York mourns the loss of one of our own, Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad of Ozone Park, who is believed to have been killed in action while serving our nation on July 17,’ Hochul said, adding ‘my heart is with her family, loved ones and the soldiers who stood beside her as they grieve this unimaginable loss.

She said Sgt. Rampersad lived a life of ‘courage and selflessness’ and ‘New York and our nation are safer because of brave Americans like her who answer the call to serve.

‘May we honour her memory, remember her sacrifice and keep all who loved her in our prayers,’ she added.

Mamdani said Sgt. Rampersad was killed at a military base in Jordan ‘while serving our country’ and that her ‘courage and sacrifice will be remembered not just in Queens, but across all five boroughs.

‘My deepest condolences are with her family, loved ones, and all those grieving this profound loss. For so many New Yorkers, wars overseas are never distant-they are felt here at home. The sacrifices made by service members and their families are a constant reminder of this,’ Mamdani said, adding ‘we are forever grateful for their service and will work every day to honour it’.

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Joann Ariola said in a joint statement that ‘our city mourns the presumed loss of Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad, an Ozone Park resident who died this past weekend in Jordan serving her country.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends as they grieve the loss of their beloved. As this conflict continues in the Middle East, we pray that all our service members remain safe and return home to their families.’

New York State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar, representative for the 38th Assembly District, which encompasses Ozone Park, described Sgt. Rampersad as an ‘American hero’.

She told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that Sgt. Rampersad, 28, was serving at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, when it came under enemy attack.

‘She answered America’s call with courage, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to defending our nation and the freedoms we hold dear. Sgt. Rampersad embodied the very best of the United States Army and of our country.

‘She served far from home, stood in harm’s way, and carried out her duty with honour. Her service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by Ozone Park, Queens, New York City, or a grateful nation.

‘We have a sacred obligation to honor those who wear our nation’s uniform and the families who serve and sacrifice alongside them,’ Rajkumar said, adding ‘as a member of the New York State Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, my commitment is to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who serve and stand with the families who bear that sacrifice alongside them.

‘I stand shoulder to shoulder with her family, especially her parents, Basdeo and Carol, and with all who love her during this unimaginable loss,’ she said.

The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that Sgt. Rampersad ‘is believed to have been killed in action on July 17, 2026, during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan.

‘The incident is under investigation. US Central Command previously announced this soldier as missing. The soldier status was updated to a Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown and is believed to be deceased.’

Jamaica police are investigating the gruesome murder of a 10-year-old school child, whose partially nude body was found with her throat slashed on a dirt track in bushes in Tyre district near Troy, Trelawny, northwest of here on Tuesday night.

The authorities have identified her as Shanai Coke, otherwise called ‘Kaidra’, a Troy Primary student.

The police are also investigating the death of Delroy Clarke, killed after a mob attacked him and his father following the discovery of the child’s body. The father’s condition is not known.

Residents have accused Clarke of raping and killing the child.

One resident told the Jamaica Observer newspaper that ‘a farmer went to look for his cow when he stumbled on the little girl’s body’.

Meanwhile, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) Wednesday condemned the killing saying it is horrified and deeply saddened.

In a statement, the CPFSA said the murder is a painful reminder that too many of Jamaica’s children continue to fall victim to horrific acts of violence perpetrated by adults who should be protecting them.

‘There are simply no words that can lessen the pain of this tragedy. This 10-year-old child should have been given the opportunity to fulfil her dreams; her parents should have been given the chance to see her graduate from primary school, from university, to see her walk down the aisle,’ said CPFSA chief executive officer, Laurette Adams Thomas.

:Instead, she was made to become a statistic, another victim of unspeakable violence. We cannot continue to accept these horrific acts as a normal part of our society. Every time a child is abused or murdered, we fail in our collective duty to protect those who depend on us most,’ she added.