Category: CANA News

New Zealand won the toss and elected to field against West Indies in the fourth T20I here on Sunday at Saxton Oval.

West Indies have made one change with Roston Chase replacing Akeal Hosein, while New Zealand has also made a solitary change with Mark Chapman coming in for Mitchell Hay.

SQUADS

WEST INDIES: Shai Hope (captain), Alick Athanaze, Amir Jangoo, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Ackeem Auguste, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Shamar Springer.

NEW ZEALAND: Mitchell Santner (captain), Tim Robinson, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Jimmy Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy.

Umpires: Kim Cotton, Wayne Knights.

TV Umpire: Shaun Haig.

Reserve Umpire: Chris Brown.

Match Referee: Phil Whitticase.

Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke on Saturday paid tribute on the passing of Jamaica Consul General to New York Alsion Roach-Wilson.

Roach-Wilson died at her home in New York on Saturday.

‘On behalf of the people of New York’s 9th Congressional District, the Clarke family, and myself, I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Omar, and to the family, colleagues, staff, and loved ones of the Hon. Alsion Roach-Wilson, CD, upon learning of her passing early this morning,’ said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, whose 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, is overwhelmingly Caribbean.

‘On a very personal note, I am extremely heartbroken by the news of the passing of my dear friend and sister, Alsion Roach-Wilson,’ added Clarke, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus. ‘Beyond her distinguished service to the Jamaican people, Caribbean-American and diplomatic communities, Alsion was someone whose spirit radiated warmth, compassion, and authenticity, above all else to others. She was, indeed, my sister in service.

‘In her role as Consul General, Alsion served with extraordinary dedication and pride,’ the congresswoman continued. ‘She was a tireless champion for the Jamaican National community and its Diaspora, always willing to listen, advocate, and fight for the needs of the community.

‘She has left a lasting legacy through her tireless body of work in national development in education, technology, and healthcare,’ she said. ‘But it was her kindness, humility, and generosity, reflected through her philanthropic work, that defined her most.’

Clarke said she will ‘cherish the memories’ of their conversations, their shared commitment to their Caribbean heritage, ‘and the laughter along the way.

‘May we honor Alsion’s legacy by continuing to serve with the same love, passion and devotion she embodied,’ she said. ‘And may her soul rest in eternal and perfect peace.

‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord,’ added Clarke, quoting Matthew 25:23.

In a post on the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York Facebook page, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Akamai a Johnson Smith said Roach-Wilson ‘served Jamaica at the highest level of excellence during her tenure from July 2019 to present.

‘She was recently conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander, by the Government of Jamaica, a fitting recognition of her work and impact,’ Johnson Smith said. ‘She was a warm and generous human being who exemplified professionalism, loyalty to country and friendship to the world.

‘On behalf of the Government of Jamaica and its people, including the Diaspora in the United States, I extend deepest condolences to her husband and the rest of the family,’ she added. ‘May her soul rest in eternal peace.’

Juliet Holness – currently serving as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member for St. Andrew East Rural in Jamaica, and who is the wife of Prime Minister Andrew Holness – also said in a Facebook post that she was ‘deeply saddened by the passing of Alison Roach Wilson, a dear friend, and Consul General of Jamaica to New York.

‘Alsion was a true ambassador for Jamaica – her warmth, professionalism, and tireless advocacy for our people in the Diaspora reflected her deep commitment to national service,’ Mrs. Holness said. ‘Through her leadership, she strengthened connections between Jamaicans abroad and at home, always representing our country with dignity and pride.

‘Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew her and those she served with such dedication,’ she added. ‘My deepest condolences go out to her family, loved ones, and the Jamaican community she worked so passionately to uplift.

‘May her soul find eternal rest, and may her legacy of service and compassion live on in all of us,’ Holness said.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, has again sought to clear the air on the ongoing extradition case involving the Mohammeds, explaining that the withdrawal of tax-related charges by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) was a necessary legal adjustment under the terms of Guyana’s extradition treaty, not a political act.

Last week, the GRA withdrew and discontinued tax-related charges against the leader of the main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed.

No reasons were given for the decision of the GRA to withdraw the charges against Mohamed and his father, the billionaire businessmen Nazar Mohamed of Mohamed’s Enterprise.

On Saturday the Attorney General told the Department of Public Information (DPI), that the decision has been widely misunderstood, noting that the public discourse on the issue has been ‘dominated and polluted’ by misinformation.

‘It is an accepted and well-established principle of extradition law that domestic arrangements sometimes have to be adjusted to facilitate extradition,’ Nandlall explained.

‘All countries are required to do it. It is part of our treaty. The charges could not proceed here while an extradition request was active for the same or related offences.’

He clarified that the charges filed by the GRA were criminal.

‘These are criminal charges. If a person goes to jail, the taxes are not recovered,’ he said, explanning that ‘The state has a range of other legal remedies to recover outstanding sums, and that process is already underway. An assessment of approximately GUY$191 billion has been completed, and the law provides a path for recovery through civil means.’

Addressing claims that the extradition process is politically motivated, Minister Nandlall firmly rejected the assertion.

‘The two subjects of the extradition request were not politicians when these things happened,’ he said, before stating, ‘The offences charged are not political in any form or fashion. The political narrative came after the sanctions were issued, and one of the subjects entered politics. That was a deliberate choice, and now politics is being used as a shield.’

He emphasised that the United States Government initiated the extradition process, and therefore any claim of political motivation would have to be directed to the US, not to the Government of Guyana.

‘If political reasons are being advanced, they would have to be associated with the United States,’ he stated. ‘Let them say what political relationship exists there. It has nothing to do with the Government of Guyana.’

The Attorney General also clarified a key point that has been widely misunderstood. He made it clear that the prosecutors appearing in the matter represent the Government of the United States, not the Government of Guyana.

‘That fact is not yet appreciated.The Jamaican attorneys who are in court are representing the interests of the U.S. Government. This is standard practice. When we requested the extradition of Marcus Bisram from the U.S., the U.S. Attorney’s Office represented Guyana’s interest there. It’s a reciprocal arrangement’, Nandlall said.

He said this demonstrates international mutuality and respect, adding that the Government of Guyana’s role is to ensure the process aligns with treaty obligations, domestic legislation, and constitutional safeguards.

Turning to concerns about alleged constitutional violations, the Attorney General described the ongoing proceedings as sui generis: a special class of inquiry that does not amount to a criminal trial in Guyana.

‘Extradition proceedings are not criminal trials. No one is being charged here for an offence in Guyana.The Constitution expressly recognises extradition as a lawful exception under the right to liberty provisions. The process allows a person to be held pending surrender, not because they’ve been convicted, but because the law requires custody before extradition.’

He stressed that the right to a fair trial and presumption of innocence apply when an individual is charged and tried in Guyana.

‘The trial, if it happens, will take place in the requesting country. That’s why this process exists, to determine whether the request meets the legal and treaty requirements’, he said.

The attorney general reiterated that extradition is a routine legal mechanism, not a political spectacle.

‘If this were an ordinary case, it would have gone through the courts quietly,’ he said, stating before that, ‘Because of who is involved, there’s heightened attention. But legally, this is a standard process, guided by law, treaties, and the principles of fairness and reciprocity.’

The Sandals Foundation has injected J$6-million worth of equipment and resources to help the Corporate Area based Bustamante Hospital for Children accept and care for the critically ill neonates, babies, and children who are being transferred to the institution from areas that were ravaged by Hurricane Melissa.

A suite of machines and supplies, including a neonatal ventilator, infusion pump, blood gas analyser, catheter, blood pressure machine, humidifier, nebuliser/ suction machine, IV Pole, exam light and more, have been purchased by the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International – building the capacity of the island’s only specialist paediatric hospital.

‘Four of our island’s major paediatric centres have been affected by the hurricane, so here at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, we have made a commitment that we will take the paediatric surgical patients, because we have the surgical specialists, the neonates, and any other sub-specialties such as cardiology, renal patients, and more,’ said Chief Medical Officer at the Bustamante Hospital for Children Dr Michelle-Ann Dawson.

‘It’s going to be difficult for parents because some may have to be separated temporarily from their families, but we are also looking at how we can support the parents with care packages, with information, dialogue, and psychological support,’ Dawson said .

Within days of the island being hit by the category 5 storm, members of the philanthropic organisation were in dialogue with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to determine critical resources needed to strengthen the services and capacity that were anticipated.

Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clake, said, ‘Our children and healthcare are two areas that resonate with us, especially in times of emergency. Being able to work alongside the Ministry of Health and our doctors and nurses that are working round the clock to serve those most affected – we are very pleased to be able to hand over this equipment that we hope will help in the weeks ahead until our other hospitals are able to recover.’

‘We are happy that with your donations yesterday, we were able to give the best care to a preterm neonate 26 weeks gestation weighing only 830g that we accepted last night,’ she said.

The Bustamante Hospital for Children is the only specialist paediatric hospital in the English-speaking Caribbean and Jamaica’s major referral hospital.

The institution, which serves patients 0-12 years old, provides a wide range of services including cardiology, neurology, asthma/respiratory, nephrology, neurosurgery, urology, ophthalmology, cardio-thoracic, and dental.

According to Dr Sharon McLean-Salmon, paediatric haematologist oncologist, the donated supplies will also enhance the care of patients with cancers and serious blood disorders.

‘We have received two equipment which are essential for our team in terms of managing patients who are affected with cancer and who need intense monitoring to ensure that they are stable and doing well while receiving lifesaving treatment.’

Approximately 1.5 million Jamaicans have been impacted by the Category 5 storm, with seven parishes being the most significantly affected.

The Bustamante Hospital will provide a place of refuge for patients from the paediatric centres at the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland, the Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth, Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James, and the Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny.

The fourth T20I between New Zealand and West Indies ended in a no-result here at Saxton Oval on Sunday.

WEST INDIES 38-1 in 6.3 overs (Alick Athanaze 21, Amir Jangoo 12 not out).

For the second straight match New Zealand held their nerves to thwart another remarkable West Indies fightback and take the third T20I by nine runs in another thrilling contest here on Saturday.

New Zealand would have been disappointed with their total of 177 for nine from their 20 overs after electing to bat first at Saxton Oval, after a blistering start put them in a strong position to score over 200.

The West Indies’ top order failed yet again in their run chase to see them slump to 88 for eight, until Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer’s heroics fell just short to see them dismissed for 168 off the penultimate ball of the match.

It gave the home side an all-important 2-1 lead in the five-match-series, with the fourth match set to be played on Sunday at the same venue.

West Indies did well to restrict New Zealand to their eventual total after opener Devon Conway, who scored 56 off 34 balls, forged meaningful partnerships with Tim Robinson for the first wicket and then Rachin Ravindra that put them in the ascendancy at 97 for one in the 11th over.

But once Shepherd prised out the wicket of Ravindra for 26, the Black Caps lost their momentum.

Conway, who struck six fours and two boundaries, was run out by a direct hit from Alick Athanaze at deep midwicket and Michael Bracewell also went by the run out route to leave New Zealand 144 for four in the 16th over.

Daryl Mitchell hit some lusty blows in his knock of 41 off 24 balls containing three sixes and two fours, but New Zealand only mustered a further 33 runs from their final four overs, while losing five wickets.

Matthew Forde was the pick of the Windies’ bowlers with 2-20 from his four overs, while Jason Holder took 2-31.

West Indies’ opening pair of Amir Jangoo and Alick Athanaze began positively, hitting Kyle Jamieson for three boundaries in the first over of the innings that went for 13 runs.

However, Jangoo’s stay at the crease was short lived as he chopped the first ball of the ensuing over from Jacob Duffy onto his stumps.

Four balls later, captain Shai Hope pulled a short delivery from Duffy straight into the hands of deep backward square leg to see the West Indies slip to 15 for two.

Athanaze and Ackeem Auguste added 38 runs for the third wicket before the latter, who was dropped on 19, edged a delivery from spinner Ish Sodhi to be caught behind for 31.

Sherfane Rutherford’s wretched form with the bat continued, as he made just one before he miscued his attempted drive off spinner Michael Bracewell and was caught at short third man.

Rovman Powell was then bowled by Sodhi attempting a big heave and Auguste was run out after sauntering for a sharp single to leave the visitors sputtering on 68 for six.

Jason Holder scored three runs before being dismissed by Mitchell Santner and Forde hit a boundary but was then trapped lbw by Sodhi to put New Zealand firmly in control at 88 for eight.

However, Shepherd and Springer’s partnership of 78 runs in just over six overs pumped life back into the Windies’ chase.

Shepherd hit Duffy for a six and four off consecutive balls in the 15th over and Springer joined in on the action by smashing Jamieson for successive boundaries in the 17th over.

He followed that up by blasting pacer James Neesham for a four and six to start the 18th over, which Shepherd ended by clobbering the bowler over fine leg for six.

Needing 24 runs from the last two overs, Shepherd smashed Duffy’s second and third ball of the penultimate over for a four and six.

Duffy made amends, though, by pulling off a spectacular catch, diving full stretch to his left, to dismiss Springer off the last ball of the over for a well-played 39 off 20 balls and leave the score 166 for nine.

The Windies would have fancied their chances of getting the required 12 runs off the last over with Shepherd at the crease, but similarly to the second match, Jamieson bowled a spectacular final over by conceding just two runs and claiming the prized wicket of Shepherd for 49 off 34 balls to end the match with one ball remaining.

Player-of-the-Match Sodhi ended with 3-34 and Duffy 3-36.

Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre Sunday night named December 1 as the date for the general election in St. Lucia.

In a nationwide radio and television broadcast, Pierre, who led the ruling St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) to a 13-4 victory in the July 26, 2021 general election, said Nomination Day will be on on November 21, 2015.

Pierre said he has asked the Governor General Errol Charles to dissolve the Parliament on Monday, December 10

The SLP will face a challenge from the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) led by former prime minister Allen Chastanet, who lost the 2021 election to Pierre, who was leading the SLP into an election for the first time.

In the 2021 polls, two former UWP members, including former prime minister Stevenson King, successfully won seats as independent candidates and later supported the government during the four and half year period. They are both expected to contest the December 1 poll.

Both the SLP and the UWP held political rallies on Sunday, with the ruling party at the traditional site of the market steps in the capital, Castries, while the UWP was in the western town of Anse La Raye.

Scoreboard of the fourth T20I here between New Zealand and West Indies here at Saxton Oval on Sunday.

WEST INDIES

Amir Jangoo not out 12

Alick Athanaze c Mitchell b Neesham 21

*+Shai Hope not out 3

Extras (w2) 2

TOTAL (one wicket; 6.3 overs) 38

Did not bat: Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Ackeem Auguste, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Shamar Springer.

Fall of wicket: 1-30.

Bowling: Jamieson 2-0-15-0, Duffy 2-0-10-0, Bracewell 1-0-5-0, Neesham 1-0-5-1, Sodhi 0.3-0-3-0.

NEW ZEALAND: Mitchell Santner (captain), Tim Robinson, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Jimmy Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy.

Toss: New Zealand elected to field.

Result: No-result.

Umpires: Kim Cotton, Wayne Knights.

TV Umpire: Shaun Haig.

Reserve Umpire: Chris Brown.

Match Referee: Phil Whitticase.

West Indies will now have to fight to level their T20I series against New Zealand after the fourth match was rained out here on Sunday.

Only 6.3 overs were possible before heavy showers forced the sides off the ground for the second time with the West Indies 38 for one.

It means the Windies can only draw level, with New Zealand now holding an unassailable 2-1 lead with just one more match remaining.

The home side had the better start, as openers Alick Athanaze and Amir Jangoo struggled to get going after they were sent in to bat.

They only managed three runs off the first over bowled by Kyle Jamieson and two runs off the ensuing Jacob Duffy over.

Athanaze finally broke the shackles by hitting Jamieson for a four and six in the third over and he followed that up by pulling Duffy for a six over midwicket.

Rain then forced a brief delay after five overs, with the Windies 30 without loss.

New Zealand struck almost immediately once play resumed, with James Neesham having Athanaze caught at mid-on for 21 after his mistimed drive ballooned into the air.

Only seven more deliveries were sent down, however, before the rain returned and the umpires eventually agreed to abandon the match after close to two hours of persistent showers.

Jangoo was unbeaten on 12 off 18 balls, while Hope was three not out.

The fifth and final T20I will be played on Thursday at Dunedin.

St. Lucians will go to the polls on December 1 to elect a new government 11 months before the general election is constitutionally due in November 2026.

Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre in a radio and television broadcast said that he had already advised the Governor General, Errol Charles to dissolve the Parliament on Monday and that Nomination Day will be November 21.

Pierre said that the last election was on July 26, 2021 and the parliament met in August of that year. He said under the St. Lucia Constitution, the election is constitutionally due ‘for the latest three months after the first sitting of Parliament, which was held on 12th August 2021.

‘Confident that we have delivered what we have promised and the need to carry on the normal business of government, today I advised the Governor General to dissolve the Parliament of St. Lucia, tomorrow, Monday 10th November and to issue writs of elections to pave the qay for the general election,’ Pierre said.

In an immediate response, the leader of the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Allen Chastanet wrote on his Facebook page ‘The bell has finally been rung. Freedom Day is December 1st 2025- We are ready’.

One prospective UWP candidate welcomed the announcement telling party supporters ‘this year, I certainly will wish you a Merry Christmas. It will come early from December 1 this year.

‘Time to celebrate our freedom,’ he added.

Supporters of the ruling St. Lucia Labour Party at their traditional market steps rally in Castries on Sunday night

Chastanet, who is leading the United Workers Party (UWP) into another general election will attempt to reverse the 13-4 defeat the party suffered in the July 26, 2021 general election, when two former UWP members, including former prime minister Stevenson King, successfully won seats as independent candidates and later supported the ruling St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government during the four and half year period. They are both expected to contest the December 1 poll.

In a near 12 minute address, Pierre, who will lead the SLP into a general election for the second consecutive occasion, said he was asking the electorate to ‘judge us on our record.

He said since coming to office in 2021, the island’s economy has improved significantly with the level of debt in 2024 is 73.5 per cent, a reduction of eight per cent in 2021 with outstanding payable due to local suppliers 79 per cent, a reduction of 39 per cent.

‘As of September 2025, outstanding payables is EC$38.9 million (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents), a 700 per cent reduction from 2021, ‘Pierre said, adding that his administration had concluded negotiations with public servants as well as providing a Christmas bonus.

‘Ladies and gentlemen these statistics clearly show the level of debt inherited by the St. Lucia Labour Party government and the progress made so far. Together, we built an economy that was in decline, we have experienced economic growth and primary surpluses,’ Pierre said, adding ‘we are steadfast in making St. Lucia a better place.

‘As a government we have delivered on our promise to put you, the people first,’ he said ‘.

Both the SLP and the UWP held political rallies on Sunday, with the ruling party at the traditional site of the market steps in the capital, Castries, while the UWP was in the western town of Anse La Raye.