Category: CANA News

The St. Kitts and Nevis Patrits defeated the Barbados Royals by 12 runs in the eighth match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League here at Warner Park on Thursday.

SCORES:

PATRIOTS 174-8 in 20 overs (Kyle Mayers 42, Jason Holder 38; Ramon Simmonds 3-26).

ROYALS 162 in 18.2 overs (Kadeem Allyene 42, Brandon King 22; Jason Holder 4-14).

Barbados were crowned champions of the CWI Rising Stars Under 17 2-Day Championship on Thursday, sealing the title with a dominant 10-wicket victory over the Windward Islands at Queen’s Park Oval in the final round.

The title was built on the back of a phenomenal bowling display by Justin Parris, whose match figures of 9 for 46 dismantled the Windwards and underscored Barbados’s superiority throughout the competition.

After skittling the Windwards for a paltry 91 in their first innings, thanks to Parris’s 5-15, Barbados posted a commanding 195 for 9 declared.

Despite a fight from Aravinda Bishop, who took 6-47 for the Windwards, the Bajan total proved more than enough.

Forced to follow on, the Windwards could only muster 131 in their second innings, with Parris again the chief destroyer, claiming 4-31.

Barbados needed just 6 overs to knock off the required 29 runs without losing a wicket, emphatically securing the championship.

The final round of matches saw a clean sweep of victories across the board. At the National Cricket Centre, hosts Trinidad and Tobago finally broke their duck, securing a convincing 10-wicket win over Jamaica.

The victory was set up by a magnificent 7-37 from Ra’ed Ali Khan in Jamaica’s first innings, which restricted them to 142. A solid batting response, led by Saleem Khan’s 68, gave T and T a crucial first-innings lead.

Roberto Badree then sealed the deal with 4-16 in the second innings, leaving T and T a simple target of 34, which they chased down effortlessly.

Meanwhile, at Inshan Ali Park, the Leeward Islands eased to an eight-wicket win over Guyana. Jathan Edward was the star with the ball, taking 4-34 in Guyana’s first innings and 3-29 in the second to keep the opposition’s totals low.

A composed, unbeaten 64 from Tanez Francis in the run chase guided the Leewards home comfortably.

With the two-day format concluded, attention now turns to the 50-Over Cup, which commences on August 24 and runs through to September 1.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors won the toss and elected to bat against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the ninth match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League here at North Sound on Friday.

TEAMS:

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons XI: Jewel Andrew (wk), Rahkeem Cornwall, Karima Gore, Bevon Jacobs, Shakib Al Hasan, Imad Wasim (capt), Fabian Allen, Shamar Springer, Obed McCoy, Jayden Seales, Usama Mir

Guyana Amazon Warriors XI: Ben McDermott, Kevlon Anderson, Shai Hope (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Moeen Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Romario Shepherd, Dwaine Pretorius, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Imran Tahir (capt)

Umpires: Chris Wright, Zahid Bassarath

TV Umpire: Carl Tuckett

Reserve Umpire: Leslie Reifer

Match Referee: Denavon Hayles

The Suriname government says persons who have been affected by land allocations in Reeberg, which is situated nearby to the village Koewarsan, will have their land allocation reinstated.

Land Policy and Forest Management Minister, Stanley Soeropawiro, told a meeting of affected residents that land will be reallocated, rolling back a decision by then former government.

Soeropawiro said that the decision also aligns with President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons’ vision, which prioritises transparency and good governance.

‘This decision does justice to the affected citizens.,’ he said, with some affected residents saying ‘after a long time, we can finally sleep soundly again’.

During a meeting with Soeropawiro on Tuesday, President Geerlings-Simons made it clear that there is no room for arbitrariness, saying ‘if it turns out that allocations have been made outside the correct procedures, they will be revoked’.

In Parliament, two legislators, Bronto Somohardjo and Ebu Jones, described the decision as ‘a victory for transparency and good governance,’ saying representatives have a duty to defend citizens’ rights and correct abuses.

The issue gained momentum this week after residents of Reeberg held a protest demonstration informing reporters of the wrongful land allocation.

During an exploratory working visit, members of the parliamentary committees, said they discovered that previously allocated land had been reallocated and that this was not a case of error, but rather bad faith.

‘Suriname’s land belongs to the people. This is the time to correct mistakes and establish a fair land system,’ Somohardjo said, adding the situation is therefore inevitable.

For his part, Jones said when land is deliberately allocated twice ‘it is not a mistake but an act against the interests of the people.’

The committees’ findings will soon be discussed in the National Assembly.

A brilliant all-round performance from captain Jason Holder propelled the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to a tense 12-run victory over the Barbados Royals in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League thriller here at Warner Park on Thursday.

In a match that ebbed and flowed, the Royals, chasing a target of 175, seemed well-placed at 92-3 at the halfway mark.

However, their innings unravelled in the face of a devastating bowling spell, led by their opposing skipper.

Holder was the undeniable architect of the win, first blasting a crucial 38 runs from just 21 balls to help the Patriots post a competitive 174-8.

He then turned the game with the ball, producing a scintillating spell of 4-14 that included two separate bursts of two wickets in two balls.

His clinical execution effectively broke the Royals’ chase, culminating in him trapping Jomel Warrican lbw in the 19th over to seal the result.

The Patriots’ innings was built on a solid foundation from Kyle Mayers, who top-scored with 42.

For the Royals, left-arm quick Ramon Simmonds was the standout bowler, claiming impressive figures of 3-26 from his four overs.

This victory, their second of the tournament, lifts the Patriots into second place on the table. More significantly, it marks a dramatic turnaround in their bowling fortunes.

After historically struggling to bowl teams out, a 50-inning drought without taking all ten wickets, Holder’s side has now achieved the feat twice in this year’s competition alone.

For the Royals, captained by Rovman Powell, who won the toss and elected to field, it is a second consecutive defeat as they continue their search for a first win in the 2025 CPL campaign.

The Jamaica-based JN Money Services has expanded its remittance services into 10 countries, including Gambia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Ghana and India, deepening its global reach and strengthening financial lifelines for more migrant families.

JN Money Services manager, Horace Hines, said the service has also bee extended to Honduras, Kenya, Philippines, Senegal and Uganda and that the decision to expand into these markets was driven by customer needs.

He said that the expansion is especially essential for the large number of migrants from these countries, so that they can contribute to the welfare of their families in their respective home countries.

Hines said JN Money is poised to strengthen its role as a trusted bridge between migrants and their families, even amid evolving policy challenges.

‘A significant number of migrants reside in the regions where JN Money operates, By expanding to these countries, we are creating a convenient, trusted and secure channel for customers to send funds back home to their loved ones.

‘This not only strengthens family connections but also supports financial stability in communities across borders. We want to ensure families have the reliable financial connections they need to support one another,’ he added.

Hines said that JN Money’s expansion is being powered through a partnership with MasterCard Transaction Services and that this collaboration allows customers to initiate transfers from JN Money locations in the United Kingdom (UK), the United States, Canada and the Cayman Islands, to their recipients, who are then able to access the funds through physical partner outlets.

He said also that while service in the new markets will remain consistent in respect of reliability and security, customer engagement will be tailored to match and resonate with the cultural nuances and market dynamics of each territory.

‘JN Money will maintain the same high level of service our customers know and trust, but we are also ensuring our communication resonates with each unique community,’ he said.

The expansion into the 10 additional territories brings JN Money’s remittance footprint to 18 countries, cementing its status as a top player in the sector and setting the stage for its continued strong financial performance year-over-year.

It follows on reports of JN Money’s ongoing efforts to also strengthen its presence in key diaspora markets, particularly the United States.

The company earlier this year opened a third branch in Florida, adding to the network of locations across Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania where the company already operates. JN Money also plans to enter additional states in 2025.

. ‘Our expansion has been carefully planned and guided by market research, customer needs and sustainable growth strategies. Our top priority is ensuring that migrants always have a secure and cost-effective way to send money to their loved ones,’ Hines said, noting that the company’s expansion is deliberate and strategic.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Thursday confirmed the resignation of Customs Comptroller Raju Boddu, due to what the government believes is ‘wilful neglect’ linked to vehicle purchase breaches.

Several transfers have also been made as the government tightens oversight.

The Prime Minister revealed the development during the sitting of Parliament’s Lower House on Thursday morning .

Boddu tendered his resignation, bringing an unexpected end to his longstanding tenure at the helm of the Customs and Excise Division.

Reports indicate that Boddu submitted his resignation earlier this week, a move that has taken many by surprise.

In his letter, Boddu reportedly cited health concerns as the primary reason for stepping down.

Boddu, an experienced customs administrator, has served in Antigua and Barbuda for several years, earning a reputation for his strict enforcement of customs regulations and efforts to modernize the division.

Officials have not yet announced who will act in the position pending a formal replacement.

Archbishop Edward Joseph Gilbert, former Bishop of Roseau and later Archbishop of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, died in Florida on Wednesday at age 88.

Born in the United States on December 26, 1936, Gilbert served as Bishop of Roseau from 1994 to 2001, where he reorganized the diocese, launched the Diocesan Synod, promoted vocations, and appointed the first woman chancellor. He also established the Dominica Catholic newspaper.

Appointed Archbishop of Port of Spain by Pope John Paul II in 2001, Gilbert led the archdiocese until his retirement in 2011. A member of the Redemptorist order, he was ordained in 1964 and held a Doctorate in Canon Law from The Catholic University of America.

He died in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, after a period of illness.

The management of Beryllium security company has filed a criminal complaint with the police after millions of dollars in cash was stolen from one of its trucks on the weekend.

A 32-year-old driver of the security company has been listed as the prime suspect in the theft of more than J$15 million.

It is reported that on Saturday, the suspect, along with four other security officers, went to the MegaMart Superstore to service the ABM.

The driver was left in the armoured truck, but on the return of the other workers to the vehicle, they observed that he was missing.

They made checks with the security personnel at MegaMart and viewed CCTV footage which revealed that the driver exited the front of the vehicle with a backpack.

He then went to the back of the armoured truck, then entered but he was later seen exiting the armoured vehicle with the same bag and left the compound.

He left his uniform and the firearm assigned to him.

A team later went to his house in the central parish of St. Catherine, but he was not found.

The efforts to contact him via cellular phone proved futile.

Young people from across Barbados have urged policymakers and international partners to channel more financing into disaster resilience, rather than response, during the National Youth Platform marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR).

Held under the global theme ‘Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,’ the forum brought together youth leaders, government officials, and representatives of the United Nations and development partners to spotlight the urgent need for greater investment in measures that protect communities from climate and disaster risks.

Speakers emphasized that while young people are among the most affected by disasters, they are also vital contributors to national resilience efforts.

Captain Robert Harewood, Deputy Director of the Department of Emergency Management, said youth engagement is critical to Barbados’ disaster preparedness. ‘Involving young people in national resilience planning ensures a safer, more sustainable future for all,’ he said.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Simon Springett echoed the call for intergenerational collaboration, stressing that youth priorities must be integrated into policy and financing decisions. ‘No single entity can tackle these challenges alone,’ he said. ‘Strengthening our collective response is essential, and this National Youth Platform is a step in that direction.’

Saskia Carusi, Deputy Chief of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction for the Americas and the Caribbean, noted that disasters are becoming more destructive due in part to ‘risk-blind investments’ that heighten vulnerability. She underscored the need for smarter, risk-informed financing to reduce future losses.

Delivering the government’s keynote address, Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams said that investing in resilience is not a cost but a safeguard.

‘Every dollar spent on resilience saves many more in recovery,’ he said. ‘For Small Island Developing States like Barbados, shifting from reaction to prevention is not optional – it is the difference between vulnerability and viability.’

A youth-led panel discussion explored how innovation, partnerships, and financing can drive resilience across the Caribbean. UNICEF Youth Advocate for the Environment Maria Marshall called for young people to be recognized as ‘powerful agents of change,’ noting that their ideas and local knowledge can strengthen community preparedness.

The event also featured the launch of the World Tsunami Awareness Day 2025 Film Festival, set for November, which aims to raise awareness about tsunami hazards in the Caribbean through film and community engagement.