Category: CANA News

All-rounder Justin Greaves and opening batsman Brandon King have been drafted into the West Indies squad for the final two One Day Internationals against New Zealand in Barbados.

Greaves and King have been named as replacements for the injured Roston Chase and John Campbell.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the changes in a statement on Friday, while also disclosing that left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, who featured in the three matches in Guyana, will return to Trinidad.

Greaves, who was named Player-of-the-Series in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka, missed the opening three matches of the ODI series due to a back injury. ‘Justin Greaves and Brandon King have been called into the squad, replacing Roston Chase and John Campbell, respectively.

‘Chase is continuing his recovery from a laceration and contusion to his right index finger, an injury he sustained during the second Test against Sri Lanka,’ the statement read.

‘Campbell, meanwhile, will undergo a scan on Friday to assess the extent of the left hamstring injury he suffered while batting in the third ODI in Guyana on Thursday.’

New Zealand currently holds a 2-1 lead in the five-match-series, with the final two games slated to be played at Kensington Oval on July 19 and 21.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security says all 33 children residing at the privately-owned Hope Children’s Home on the East Coast of Demerara have been safely evacuated following a fire at the facility on Friday.

It said that at the time the fire broke out, the children were attending Vacation Bible School (VBS) in the church building on the compound and that the blaze reportedly started in the boys’ dormitory.

‘All children were immediately evacuated and assembled in a safe area on the dam. The Ministry can confirm that every child has been accounted for, comprising 15 girls and 18 boys,’ the ministry said, adding that ‘the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), along with officials from the Ministry, has already begun relocating the children to state care facilities, where they will continue to receive the care, protection and support they need’.

The ministry did not say what caused the fire, adding ‘the safety and well-being of the children remain’ its highest priority.

In May 2023, at least 20 children died as a fire swept through a dormitory at the Mahdia Secondary School 100 miles south-west of Georgetown.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has described former West Indies cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers as a brilliant and humble man.

In a statement issued by CARICOM following Sir Garry’s passing at the age of 89 on Friday in his homeland of Barbados, the regional body said he was a giant both on and off the field.

‘The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) joins the Government and people of Barbados and the global cricket fraternity in mourning the passing of cricket legend, Sir Garfield Sobers.

‘A son of the Caribbean, Sir Garfield embodied the excellence and resilience that define our community. His brilliance on the field, and his humility and graciousness beyond it, transcended the boundaries of cricket and earned him global recognition and admiration,’ the statement read.

‘In acknowledgment of his remarkable talent and impact he was deservedly conferred with CARICOM’s highest honour, the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC) in 1998.

‘His legacy lives on in the generations he has inspired to pursue excellence and represent the Caribbean with distinction.

‘CARICOM extends deepest condolences to the Government and people of Barbados, his loved ones, cricket aficionados across the Region and the world, and all who mourn his passing,’ it further added.

Prime Minister Philip Davis has welcomed the decision of the New York based global financial services, J.P. Morgan to open an officer in The Bahamas, saying ‘this is a statement of confidence.

‘It reflects a belief in the future, and today it sends a clear message: J.P. Morgan continues to believe in The Bahamas,’ Davis said, noting that for more than four decades, J.P. Morgan has been part of the country’s financial services industry, building relationships that have stood the test of time. ‘The relationship between J.P. Morgan and The Bahamas is one that has endured, and I am grateful for the confidence you have continued to place in our country,’ Prime Minister Davis said, adding that success is often built on partnership.

‘As a government, our responsibility is to create the conditions for investment through sound fiscal policy and a stable economic environment. The private sector’s role is to seize those opportunities, create value, and contribute to national development. Together, that partnership drives The Bahamas forward.’

Davis said that when his administration assumed office in 2021, it had inherited an economy under significant strain.

‘From day one, we pursued disciplined fiscal management and implemented policies designed to restore confidence and strengthen the foundation of our economy. Today, the results speak for themselves.

‘We have significantly reduced our debt-to-GDP ratio, moved from deficits to surplus, and strengthened government revenues through improved compliance. And, after years of downgrades, my administration has secured credit upgrades that recognize the progress The Bahamas has made,’ he said, adding that these achievements reaffirm that the local economy is moving in the right direction.

He said the country has also continued strengthening its regulatory framework and that for many years, The Bahamas, like other international financial centres, has had to navigate evolving global standards and the threat of being blacklisted – impacting investor confidence in the jurisdiction.

‘While these challenges are not always within our control, our response has always been clear: to meet and exceed the highest standards. Today, The Bahamas stands among a select group of jurisdictions to achieve compliance or largely compliant ratings across all 40 of the Financial Action Task Force’s Recommendations – a reflection of the collaborative work of government, regulators, and the financial services industry.’

Prime Minister Davis said that at the same time, The Bahamas has shown that fiscal responsibility and innovation can exist together.

‘Our internationally recognized Debt-for-Nature transaction demonstrated that The Bahamas can pioneer financial solutions that strengthen both fiscal resilience and environmental stewardship.’

Davis said that these achievements are about creating the confidence that allows institutions like J.P. Morgan to succeed here, urging the New-York based company to also invest in Bahamians.

‘Mentor them. Train them. Develop them. Give them the opportunity to become the next generation of financial trust professionals and leaders in this industry,’ he said, adding ‘I also invite you to partner with us as we expand opportunities in blue finance and carbon markets. ‘Together, we can position The Bahamas as a leader in the next generation of global financial innovation. You can count on a government that will continue doing its part by providing responsible fiscal management and a stable regulatory environment. And, I know that I can count on J.P. Morgan to continue doing yours by investing in our people and helping us build an even stronger international financial centre here.’

How do you tackle corruption in a country grappling with insecurity, weak institutions and widespread impunity? In Haiti, the government and the United Nations are betting on the country’s youth.

Corruption and related financial criminality come in many forms in the embattled Caribbean island nation, according to the regular quarterly report of the UN Secretary-General. They include money laundering, financial crimes, illicit trafficking of weapons and ammunition, financing of armed groups, political and business collusion with gangs, non-transparent public contracting in security, customs, immigration and penitentiary services as well as impunity that enables corruption and organized criminal networks.

Recently, 60 students and young civil society leaders – selected from 180 applicants – took part in the first Summer School on Anti-Corruption, organized by Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) with support from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC).

During an intensive week of lectures, interactive workshops and practical exercises, participants learned how to identify, prevent and report corruption.

Using real-life scenarios, they confronted ethical dilemmas, deciding whether to report corrupt practices depending on the role they had been assigned. They also practiced filing complaints through the ULCC’s anti-corruption hotline (5656), gaining firsthand experience with official reporting mechanisms.

For Adamson Junior Lavéus, the programme was transformative.

‘As a citizen, this activity enabled me to understand the phenomenon of corruption through its various manifestations: extortion, illicit enrichment, misappropriation of public assets, and bribery, among others,’ he said in a testimonial collected by UNDOC.

Beyond expanding his knowledge, the training reinforced his belief that everyone has a role to play.

‘Civic education is essential. It contributes to the empowerment of Haitian society and allows us to build our foundations on moral values.’

The programme’s success has sparked strong interest. This year, a second Summer School is being organized, attracting hundreds of applications within just a few days.

For Adrian Banu, UNDOC’s anti-corruption adviser in Haiti, the Summer School is far more than a training programme. In a country where more than half the population is under 25, it is an investment in the generation that will one day rebuild public institutions.

‘This is not work that will yield an impact in a year or two,’ he said in an interview with UN News. ‘It is work whose results might only be seen in 20 years, but it is work that can truly bring about profound societal change.’

The initiative forms part of a broader prevention strategy. With UNODC support, around 50 integrity clubs have already been established in schools across Haiti, where students take part in role-playing exercises, short plays and awareness campaigns highlighting the consequences of corruption and the importance of civic responsibility.

‘In doing so, young people are developing a genuine culture of integrity,’ Banu emphasized.

The strategy also focuses on reinforcing Haiti’s justice system.

In late May, with United Nations support, the authorities inaugurated two specialized judicial units: one dedicated to financial crime and corruption, and another focused on mass crimes, particularly sexual violence. Twenty-five specially trained magistrates have been appointed to investigate and prosecute these complex cases.

‘What can change the situation regarding impunity in Haiti is the creation of a system,’ Banu explained. ‘These judicial units are not a magic bullet, but rather a solution within a broader system.’

According to him, progress is already visible. Thanks to stronger cooperation between institutions, the ULCC has referred 68 investigation reports to judicial authorities over the past four to five years – more than during the previous 17 years combined.

UNODC is also helping strengthen protections for magistrates, witnesses and whistleblowers in an environment where gang violence makes investigations especially dangerous.

The agency is supporting the development of legislation to better protect those who report corruption.

‘When I had someone before me who wanted to blow the whistle, the first question was: ‘How can you protect me if I share something sensitive with you?” recalled Mr. Banu, a former police investigator in Romania.

Protecting magistrates remains another priority. Measures such as improving courthouse security and providing specialized equipment are under consideration, although no safeguard can fully eliminate the risks posed by Haiti’s current security situation.

For Banu, fighting corruption is ultimately a long-term undertaking. The young people being trained today could become tomorrow’s leaders, helping build institutions founded on transparency, accountability and integrity.

Drawing on more than thirteen years of anti-corruption experience, he points to Romania as proof that change is possible.

‘Thirty years ago, corruption was far more prevalent there,’ he said. While challenges remain, the country’s anti-corruption system has become ‘functional’.

That experience underpins his optimism for Haiti.

‘Progress – I would say it is possible, even in Haiti.’

West Indies batting coach Floyd Reifer is confident that the regional side will put up a much-improved batting showing against New Zealand in the remaining two One Day Internationals at Kensington Oval.

The West Indies’ batters were undone by the visitors’ spinners, led by Jayden Lennox, for the second straight match, to slump to a six-wicket defeat at Providence Stadium on Thursday.

After winning the opening contest, the home side was skittled out for scores of 138 and 140 in the following two matches after being asked to bat first and now trail the five-match series 2-1.

Speaking in a post-match press conference on Thursday, Reifer said while the conditions in Guyana were challenging, there was no excuse for the Windies’ disappointing display with the bat. ‘Obviously the last two games we didn’t bat to the best of our ability, but the conditions were very challenging. Batting first in Guyana the toss is a major factor where we know the ball will spin, the pitch is slow and stuff like that, then on evenings you have the dew factor which is easier to bat.

‘However, saying that, I still thought that we could have put up a better batting performance. If we had gotten anything past 200 or 210 runs, we would have made a game of it, but there is no excuse really for the batting performance that we displayed over the last couple of games,’ Reifer admitted.

He said based on the team’s batting performances over the past 18 months, and especially at home, he was confident there would be major improvements in the final two matches of the series in Barbados.

‘If you look back at the games that we played in the past year and a half we’ve been batting really well in this format…We have two more games left in the series and we go to Barbados and two bad batting performances don’t make a bad batting side.

‘I’m still confident in the guys, the guys are still confident that when we get to Barbados, we will put up some good batting performances,’ Reifer said.

The prosecution has filed an appeal against the ruling of a High Court judge who imposed an EC$8,000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) fine on entertainer Harrison Horsford, better known as Jesse Fyah, after he was found guilty of two sexual offences committed against a young woman in 2020.

The Court ordered that Horsford to pay an EC$5,000 compensation award to the complainant following his conviction for serious indecency and an EC$3,000 fine on the charge of indecent assault.

But the state in its appeal is arguing that the punishment is unduly lenient and does not reflect the seriousness of the offences, each carrying a maximum prison term of up to five years. Horsford had remained in custody since May, when a jury convicted him on both counts after deliberating for less than an hour.

The court was told that on October, 27, 2020, that a woman, in her early twenties, and who had known Horsford for several years in what had been described as a casual relationship, had accepted a lift from Horsford, believing he was taking her home.

Instead, he drove to another location explaining that he needed to meet someone regarding a billboard. But the court heard no such meeting took place and that once there, Horsford allegedly began making sexual advances that the complainant repeatedly rejected.

The court heard that he kissed her against her will, grabbed her by the throat as she resisted, exposed and fondled her breasts, and forcibly touched her genital area while telling her she belonged to him.

Despite her repeated pleas to be taken home, Horsford instead ordered her out of the vehicle, leaving her on the roadside.

A passing motorist, who stopped after seeing the complainant, testified that she was crying, visibly shaken and holding her clothing together before asking to be taken to the Johnson Point Police Station, where she made a report.

Horsford denied committing the offences and in an unsworn statement from the dock, claimed he had simply offered the complainant a ride after seeing her standing in the rain. He told jurors they spoke amicably during the journey and that he had even offered to help her secure employment.

He said that thewoman had requested EC$3,000 from him, which he refused to provide and that he had dropped her off without incident. Horsford said he only learned of the allegations later that evening after receiving a Facebook message accusing him of rape. He said he responded by warning that legal action would follow if the false allegations continued.

But the jury rejected Horsford’s version of events and convicted him on both charges.

Justice Ann Marie Smith in delivering the sentennce said Horsford appeared to believe the complainant’s perceived sexual history entitled him to treat her as he did. The judge rejected that notion, saying that every woman has the right to refuse unwanted sexual advances and that consent must be respected regardless of past relationships or reputation.

At least six people were killed and two others injured following a head-on crash between a truck and a minivan along the Trelawny leg of the North Coast Highway on Friday. Emergency personnel, including members of the Jamaica Police Constabulary and and the Jamaica Fire Brigade are at the scene of the accident as investigators work to determine the cause of the crash.

The names of those killed have not yet been disclosed.

Media reports said that the death toll in traffic crashes in Trelawny since the start of the year has risen to 20, five more than what had been recrded for the corresponding period last year.

out recovery operations while investigators work to determine the cause of the crash.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has been declared ‘persona non grata’ by the Venezuelan National Assembly in October last year, says she is ‘deeply touched’ to have receive a letter from Acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

In a statement posted on her social media page X, Persad-Bissessar, whom Caracas had accused of supporting United States military aggression against the Bolivarian Republic, said that the letter expressed ‘the gratitude of the Government and people of Venezuela for Trinidad and Tobago’s support following the devastating earthquakes of June 24.

‘In my response, I reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to stand with the people of Venezuela during this difficult time. To date, more than 230 tonnes of humanitarian supplies have arrived in La Guaira, we continue to facilitate the delivery of vaccines, and we have approved overflight requests to support international relief efforts

A High Court judge Friday issue an order that the extradition proceedings against the former vice president of the International Football Federation (FIFA) Jack Warner to the United States ‘be permanently stayed’.

In addition, Justice Karen Reid ruled that the defendants should shall pay to Warner ‘damages in respect of the breaches’ of his constitutional rights that would be assessed by the Court in default of an agreement. In the 71-page ruling, the defendant, the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, is also ordered to pay Warner’s costs certified fit for Senior and Junior Counsel and that the assessment of damages is fixed for case management conference on September, 30 this year.

Warner, 82, faces 29 charges from United States authorities for fraud, racketeering, and illegal wire transfers that allegedly took place in the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and other countries between 1990 and June 2011.

He was arrested on a provisional warrant under the extradition request and later released on TT$2.5 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) bail. Warner is one of several senior FIFA officials indicted following a 2015 US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice probe into corruption in international football.

In August last year, Attorney General John Jeremie launched an internal investigation into how the State handled Warner’s extradition case, after serious allegations emerged regarding misrepresentation and misconduct tied to a 2015 agreement with the United States.

Former chief magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle had in June 2023 said that there was no formal written agreement between Trinidad and Tobago and the US authorizing Warner’s extradition.

The extradition proceedings were halted following the grant of an application made by Warner to refer a number of questions to the High Court for determination pursuant to section 14(4) of the Constitution.

On 21 September, 2015, the then Attorney General issued an Authority to Proceed (‘ATP’) pursuant to section 9 of the Extradition (Commonwealth and Foreign Territories) Act, which authorises the commencement of the formal extradition proceedings before the Magistrate.

On 27 November, 2015, Warner commenced judicial review proceedings challenging the legality of the ATP, but those proceedings were dismissed by the trial judge on 27 September, 2017.

Warner appealed against the trial judge’s order and that appeal was subsequently dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 11 June, 2019. The Court of Appeal’s order was then appealed and dismissed by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on 17 December, 2022, making way for the resumption of the extradition proceedings before the Magistrate.

The extradition proceedings then recommenced before the then Chief Magistrate, following which Warner made an application on 3 March, 2023 to refer certain constitutional questions to the High Court, which questions now form the subject of this judgment.

These constitutional questions concern what Warner alleges are breaches of his constitutional rights arising from what he asserts to be an alarming breach of the state’s duty of candour during the proceedings

In her ruling Justice Reid said that the issuance of an Authority to Proceed in the absence of an arrangement with the Requesting State that guarantees the protections on specialty required under section 8(3) of the Extradition (Commonwealth and Foreign Territories) Act, ‘constituted a breach of the claimant’s right to liberty and his right not to be deprived thereof except by due process of law’ as enshrined in the Trinidad and Tobago Constitution as well his right to the protection of the law.

She said that continuing the extradition proceedings against Warner following the proceedings in Privy Council Appeal of 2020 in which the defendant ‘falsely’ represented that a special or bespoke arrangement on specialty had been entered into between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago regarding Warner, and ‘wrongfully obtaining an order permitting the continuation of the same on the basis thereof, constituted a breach of the Claimant’s right to liberty’.

She ruled that it also breached Warner’s ‘right not to be deprived thereof except by due process of law as enshrined in Trinidad and Tobago Constitution.

The judge said that the continuation of extradition proceedings against Warner in the absence of an arrangement between the US and Trinidad and Tobago that guarantees certain protections constituted a breach of Warner’s right to liberty and his right not to be deprived of that liberty except by due process of law as in the Constitution.

She issued an ‘Order that the extradition proceedings against the Claimant be permanently stayed’ as well as ‘an Order prohibiting and/or a final injunction restraining the Defendant from enforcing the costs orders made against the Claimant in the earlier judicial review proceedings’.