Category: CANA News

CMC Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, has announced that discussions with the Government of the United States are expected to resume shortly, at the request of the United States, concerning the possible reception in Antigua and Barbuda of a limited number of third-country nationals removed from the United States. The discussions form part of a wider United States initiative involving a number of countries, including several Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Antigua and Barbuda will enter the resumed negotiations on the basis of the Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives earlier this year , which established the principles and safeguards governing the country’s participation in any such arrangement.

Among other safeguards, the parliamentary framework preserves Antigua and Barbuda’s sovereign authority to approve or reject every individual proposed for transfer on a case-by-case basis.

It rejects any automatic or open-ended programme and requires satisfactory legal, operational, financial and administrative arrangements before any transfer can take place.

These include adequate arrangements concerning identity and documentation, accommodation and support, legal status, security, funding, and responsibility for onward movement or return.

The negotiations will also be conducted under the oversight of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs the Honourable Sir Steadroy Benjamin, and Minister of Foreign Affairs E. Paul Chet Greene.

According to Sanders no final agreement has been settled with the United States and no transfer of any third-country national has been authorised under the proposed arrangements.

The purpose of the resumed discussions is to determine whether terms can be agreed that are consistent with the parliamentary framework, Antigua and Barbuda’s laws and international obligations, and the national interest.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda continues to approach the discussions in a spirit of cooperation with the United States, while ensuring that the country’s sovereignty, security, financial interests and limited absorptive capacity are fully protected and that its legal and international obligations are respected.

Consistent with the commitment to transparency that has guided the Government’s handling of this matter, the public will continue to be informed of the status of the negotiations and of any material developments.

Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and colleagues, led by Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, have written to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), demanding a ‘thorough, transparent, and comprehensive’ federal investigation into the numerous incidents of Black people found hanging across the country. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Wednesday that the letter follows a series of deaths that raise ‘suspicion of foul play given the role of lynching in American history.

‘The growing number of Black people found hanging in public is a national crisis,’ said the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, pointing to a recent report that documented more than 70 modern-day lynchings in the United States between 2000 and 2025.

In 2026 alone, Clarke said there have already been at least 10 reported hangings of Black people.

She said they were as young as 18 years old and lived in different parts of the country, including Mississippi, Michigan and New York.

Clarke said many families have publicly questioned the conclusions of local and state investigations.

‘Inaction by the federal government is tantamount to complicity,’ says the letter addressed to Attorney General Todd W. Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel. ‘This is part of the legacy of racial terror in the United States, and this neglect has long-term consequences.

‘Not only are innocent lives lost, but lynching inflicts deep traumatic and psychological wounds on family members, neighbors, and the entire black community,’ it adds, noting that Congress enacted the Emmett Till Antilynching Act in 2022 ‘to ensure the DOJ and FBI are empowered to fully investigate suspicious deaths and hold individuals accountable.

‘It is incumbent upon you to do just that,’ the letter continued, demanding ‘a thorough, transparent and comprehensive federal investigation into every hanging death of a Black individual across the United States.

‘At a minimum, each investigation, with permission of the decedents’ families, should include an independent autopsy, an audit of local and state law enforcement investigations, review of physical and testimonial evidence, and a final report submitted to Congress explaining the agency’s findings,’ the letter urges.

It also calls for ‘robust data collection that tracks the hanging deaths of Black people transparently and systematically.’

‘We would appreciate the opportunity for our offices to connect with your teams at regular, scheduled intervals to share updates, feedback, and concerns from the broader community, as appropriate,’ the lawmakers requested.

The Trinbago Knight Riders Women elected to bat after winning the toss against the Guyana Amazon Warriors Women in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League Final at Kensington Oval here on Thursday.

SQUADS

TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS WOMEN: Deandra Dottin (captain), Sushma Verma, Laura Harris, Marizanne Kapp, Madeline Penna, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Shikha Pandey, Samara Ramnath, Karishma Ramharack, Brianna Harricharan.

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS WOMEN: Chloe Tryon (captain), Realeanna Grimmond, Tazmin Brits, Eboni Brathwaite, Shemaine Campbelle, Nadine de Klerk, Erin Burns, Shabnim Ismail, Sheneta Grimmond, Chedean Nation, Shamilia Connell.

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Thursday, September 17, 2026

GEORGETOWN – A Trans Guyana Airways aircraft skidded off the Mabaruma airstrip in Region One on Thursday morning after the pilot reportedly saw a dog running towards the runway during the aircraft’s landing roll.

KINGSTON – Work is under way on an $8.1-billion (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents) project to reconstruct and upgrade the aircraft apron at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA), as part of a major modernisation programme at the Kingston facility.

KINGSTOWN – The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has signed a data management and protection agreement with California-based Quantum Inc., paving the way for local dasheen and hot pepper farmers to enter the United States market.

BRIDGETOWN – Barbados is exploring the use of pump harvesters to collect sargassum at sea before the seaweed reaches the island’s heavily affected beaches.

SPORTS

MIES – The latest FIBA World Ranking for Women has revealed a seismic shift in the global basketball landscape, with Caribbean nations making significant strides up the ladder.

The latest FIBA World Ranking for Women has revealed a seismic shift in the global basketball landscape, with Caribbean nations making significant strides up the ladder.

While the United States continues its undisputed reign at the top with 1076.1 points, the real story for fans in the region is the impressive upward mobility of several island nations. The Bahamas has emerged as the standout performer in the Caribbean, leaping an astounding 20 spots to claim rank No. 67 globally. With 97.8 points, the Bahamian squad has signalled their intent to become a major force in the region.

Right behind them in terms of momentum are the U.S. Virgin Islands. The territory climbed 16 places to land at No. 48 with 138.1 points. This significant jump places them as the third-highest-ranked Caribbean team in the world, behind only Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Further down the table, Guyana recorded the largest point movement of any nation in the update. The Guyanese squad skyrocketed 23 places to rank No. 95 (52.6 points), marking the biggest climb of any team in the ranking.

Among the traditional powerhouses, Puerto Rico remains the highest-ranked Caribbean side. Las Boricuas moved up one spot to No. 12 with 543.5 points, sitting just behind Canada (No. 11) and Brazil (No. 10).

The Dominican Republic also continued its ascent, moving up four spots to No. 32 with 206.1 points.

Jamaica also saw positive movement, rising four places to No. 105 (40 points). While they sit at the bottom of the Caribbean pecking order in this update, the upward trend is a positive sign.

Not all news was positive for the region. Cuba experienced a slight setback, dropping two spots to No. 52 with 127.1 points. They were the only Caribbean nation to see a decrease in their ranking in this update.

At the very top, the USA remains untouchable with zero movement. Brazil and Canada both experienced slight drops (down one and four spots respectively), allowing Puerto Rico to close the gap in the top 15.

Top Caribbean Rankings (FIBA Women’s World Ranking):

Puerto Rico: No. 12 (+1)

Dominican Republic: No. 32 (+4)

Virgin Islands: No. 48 (+16)

Cuba: No. 52 (-2)

Bahamas: No. 67 (+20)

Guyana: No. 95 (+23)

Jamaica: No. 105 (+4)

Chedean Nation produced one of the greatest comebacks in Limacol WCPL history, powering the Guyana Amazon Warriors to their maiden title with a thrilling two-wicket victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders here at the Kensington Oval on Thursday.

Chasing 145, the Warriors were staring down defeat at 71 for 6 in the 13th over, still needing 74 runs from 46 balls. The Jamaican Nation walked to the crease at No. 8 and immediately changed the mood, unleashing a stunning counterattack.

The 39-year-old smashed four sixes in a sensational unbeaten cameo of 39 from just 21 balls, turning the match on its head.

Captain Chloe Tryon combined with Nation with the Warriors still 74 runs from victory, and together they swung the momentum decisively back toward the eventual champions.

The pair blasted 40 from just 23 balls before Tryon was bowled by Laura Harris for 32 in the 17th over.

When Sheneta Grimmond fell for 10 in the 19th, the Knight Riders were back in contention, with the Warriors needing 16 runs from nine balls. But Nation refused to buckle.

Taking on seamer Shikha Pandey and off-spinner Karishma Ramharack, she kept her composure to bring the Warriors home with three balls to spare, finishing on 149 for 8 and sparking wild celebrations.

It was Nation’s first opportunity with the bat in only her second appearance of the season, and she made it count when it mattered most.

The Warriors’ chase had appeared to be slipping away after their top order wobbled. In-form batters Tazmin Brits, who made 22, and Shemaine Campbelle, who scored 9, were among the first five batters dismissed before the 10-over mark, handing the momentum to the Knight Riders.

The spirited TKR bowling attack was led by captain Deandra Dottin, with Ramharack and Pandey claiming two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Dottin won the toss and opted to bat under sunny conditions. Debutant Sushma Verma top-scored with 39, anchoring the Knight Riders’ top and middle order, before Marizanne Kapp (25) and Pandey (27) provided a late surge to lift TKR to 145 for 6.

Warriors seamer Shabnim Ismail finished with two wickets, while Shamilia Connell delivered an economical four-over spell, claiming 1 for 18.

The triumph marked the third time the Warriors had reached the WCPL final, following appearances in 2023 and 2025, but this time they finally completed the journey to the title.

The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors by nine wickets in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Qualifier 1 at Kensington Oval here on Thursday.

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS 76 in 15 overs (Glenn Phillips 16, Shai Hope 16, Romario Shepherd 14 not out; Sufyan Moqim 4-13, Shadab Khan 4-16)

ANTIGUA and BARBUDA FALCONS 77-1 in 5.2 overs (Rahkeem Cornwall 49, Evin Lewis 23 not out, Amir Jangoo 4 not out; Imran Tahir 1-20)

CMC Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, has announced that discussions with the Government of the United States are expected to resume shortly, at the request of the United States, concerning the possible reception in Antigua and Barbuda of a limited number of third-country nationals removed from the United States. The discussions form part of a wider United States initiative involving a number of countries, including several Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Antigua and Barbuda will enter the resumed negotiations on the basis of the Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives earlier this year , which established the principles and safeguards governing the country’s participation in any such arrangement.

Among other safeguards, the parliamentary framework preserves Antigua and Barbuda’s sovereign authority to approve or reject every individual proposed for transfer on a case-by-case basis.

It rejects any automatic or open-ended programme and requires satisfactory legal, operational, financial and administrative arrangements before any transfer can take place.

These include adequate arrangements concerning identity and documentation, accommodation and support, legal status, security, funding, and responsibility for onward movement or return.

The negotiations will also be conducted under the oversight of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs the Honourable Sir Steadroy Benjamin, and Minister of Foreign Affairs E. Paul Chet Greene.

According to Sanders no final agreement has been settled with the United States and no transfer of any third-country national has been authorised under the proposed arrangements.

The purpose of the resumed discussions is to determine whether terms can be agreed that are consistent with the parliamentary framework, Antigua and Barbuda’s laws and international obligations, and the national interest.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda continues to approach the discussions in a spirit of cooperation with the United States, while ensuring that the country’s sovereignty, security, financial interests and limited absorptive capacity are fully protected and that its legal and international obligations are respected.

Consistent with the commitment to transparency that has guided the Government’s handling of this matter, the public will continue to be informed of the status of the negotiations and of any material developments.

Barbados is exploring the use of pump harvesters to collect sargassum at sea before the seaweed reaches the island’s heavily affected beaches. National Project Coordinator of the Sargassum Seaweed Collection Unit, David Carter, said the initiative is aimed at reducing the amount of sargassum reaching shorelines while limiting the environmental damage associated with removing large quantities of seaweed from beaches.

‘We’re using the pump harvester to get away from destroying the beaches,’ Carter told reporters on Wednesday.

He was speaking as a visiting team from the Dominican Republic explored opportunities for sustainable sargassum management in Barbados.

Carter said the equipment would be placed in the water and use floating booms and mesh to help prevent fish and turtles from being drawn into the harvesting system.

‘It is just to get the sargassum out of the water through a pump system, so that this sargassum can be used later for biogas and stuff like that,’ he said.

The Sargassum Seaweed Collection Unit, part of the Ministry of the Environment, is considering River Bay in St Lucy as a possible location for the first pump harvester. Skeetes Bay in St Philip is also being assessed.

Carter said River Bay’s relatively calm conditions make it more suitable for the equipment, while rougher seas at Skeetes Bay could present logistical challenges.

The proposed approach would allow sargassum to be harvested before it reaches the shoreline, where its removal can contribute to coastal erosion.

Meanwhile, about 150 workers are deployed daily to clear sargassum from beaches across the island. Carter said approximately 3.6 million pounds of the seaweed had been removed from Barbados’ beaches so far this year.

Among the most challenging locations are River Bay, Skeetes Bay and Long Beach in Christ Church.

Carter said some beaches, including Enterprise, also known as Miami Beach, have gone several weeks without being cleared, creating frustration for beachgoers and seaside businesses.

He said the authorities are continuing to examine ways to harvest and utilise the seaweed, including its potential use in the production of biogas and other products.

A Trans Guyana Airways aircraft skidded off the Mabaruma airstrip in Region One on Thursday morning after the pilot reportedly saw a dog running towards the runway during the aircraft’s landing roll.

Trans Guyana Airways Public communications consultant Kit Nascimento said the aircraft landed at Mabaruma at 8:15am (local time) with 12 passengers on board.

He said preliminary information revealed the plane skidded off the end of the runway.

Nascimento said the pilot, Jessica Ramcharitar, reported that the incident occurred during the landing roll. According to Ramcharitar she saw a black dog running towards the runway, causing her to brake ‘aggressively.’

The aircraft subsequently skidded off the runway and spun sideways.

Nascimento said a video of the accident was captured on a camera from the terminal building. However he said the video is not ‘well defined.’

Nevertheless, he said a ‘complete’ investigation has already started into the accident.

While the passengers were not visibly injured, 11 of them were examined at the hospital.

According to Nascimento, the aircraft suffered a ‘fair amount’ of damage, which has disabled it.