Category: CANA News

Three West Indians who impressed on the recent tour of Nepal have been rewarded by being named in West Indies white ball teams to face Bangladesh later this month.

Former West Indies Under-19 captain Ackeem Auguste has earned his maiden call up to the ODI team, while left-arm pacer Ramon Simmonds and Amir Jangoo have been included in the T20I squad.

However, no room has been found for veterans Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder or Kyle Mayers, while the promising Jewel Andrew has also been left out.

The two teams, which will face Bangladesh in three ODIs and three T20Is between October 18 and 31 in Dhaka and Chattogram, were released by Cricket West Indies on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Auguste was the third highest run scorer on the ill-fated T20I tour of Nepal, which West Indies lost 2-1. He scored 73 runs in the three matches at an average of 36.50, including an unbeaten 41 in the last game which West Indies won by 10 wickets.

Auguste is one of three changes to the Windies’ ODI squad that recorded their first bi-lateral ODI series win over Pakistan in 33 years and their first home series triumph in 37 years, when they defeated them 2-1 back in August.

He replaces Andrew, who failed to impress on the tour of Nepal, while Alick Athanaze has been recalled in place of the injured Evin Lewis and left-arm spinner Khary Pierre replaces Matthew Forde, who is also recuperating from an injury.

Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, who made his Test debut against India earlier this month, has earned a recall to the shorter format to support Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase in the spin department.

Head coach Daren Sammy said he was excited to continue the progression of the ODI team while exposing more players to strengthen the pool for the 2027 World Cup.

‘The squad assembled will strive to maintain a winning mentality and strong team cohesion, essential components for long-term success ahead of the World Cup.

‘Facing Bangladesh provides another opportunity to earn crucial points in our push for automatic qualification to the showpiece event,’ Sammy said.

‘The selection of Ackeem reflects the pathway Cricket West Indies is creating for our emerging players who have shown the qualities to perform at the international level. He is a player for the future, one who has progressed from Under-15s to the senior level, and another Academy graduate to feature in an international squad this year.’

Meanwhile, Jangoo, the top run scorer on the tour of Nepal with 109 runs at an average of 54.50, and Simmonds, who took four wickets in his debut series, tied for third most, have been drafted into the T20I team.

Jangoo has been selected as the second wicketkeeping option, while Simmonds also earned his place following an impressive showing in the Caribbean Premier League where he took 13 wickets.

CWI also revealed that Keacy Carty, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, along with Auguste and Jangoo had been sent to a preparatory camp at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai, India, in an effort to provide players with valuable exposure to sub-continent conditions in advance of the series.

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe said it was important for players to get accustomed to those conditions, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup being held in Sri Lanka and India.

‘With the 2026 T20 World Cup around the corner, it is important for our players to get as much practice as possible in these conditions, with that tournament being held in India and Sri Lanka.’

‘In addition to the important aspect of acclimatisation, the camp will feature skill and tactical training and development specific to those conditions, which is critical to preparing the players ahead of this series as well as next year’s World Cup,’ Bascombe said.

TEAMS

WEST INDIES ODI SQUAD: Shai Hope (captain), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Jediah Blades, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.

WEST INDIES T20I SQUAD: Shai Hope (captain), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Ramon Simmonds.

West Indies Tour of Bangladesh 2025

First ODI: October 18- Mirpur, Dhaka

Second ODI: October 21- Mirpur, Dhaka

Third ODI: October 23- Mirpur, Dhaka

1st T20I: October 27- Chattogram

2nd T20I: October 29- Chattogram

3rd T20I: October 31 – Chattogram

A new United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Child Alert report says an ‘unprecedented’ number of children are on the run in Haiti as the number of children displaced by violence almost doubled in the past year, with 680,000 now uprooted from their homes.

The report says an alarming 3.3 million children – the highest number on record – are now in need of humanitarian assistance, and that cases of acute malnutrition, child recruitment, gender-based violence and other children’s rights violations are on the rise.

‘Children in Haiti are being displaced at a distressing pace and scale,’ said UNICEF chief Catherine Russell on Wednesday. ‘Each time they are forced to flee, they lose not only their homes but also their chance to go to school, to be safe, and to simply be children.’

The report says that decades of shocks from deadly earthquakes to political fragility and economic chaos have led to one of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies in Haiti.

It says armed gangs now control over 85 per cent of the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as key roads, cutting families off from food, healthcare, protection and forcing them to flee.

It added that more than 2.7 million people, 1.6 million of whom are women and children, are estimated to be living under the control of armed groups.

The report warns that the scale of displacement is unprecedented as the number of refuge sites has soared to 246 nationwide in the first half of this year alone.

In Port- au-Prince and surrounding areas, the report says classrooms have become targets and shelters and more than 1,600 schools were closed, while 25 were occupied by gangs, depriving many thousands of students the opportunity to learn.

The report says the cost of education is an additional barrier alongside gang violence and school closures.

It notes that only 15 to 20 per cent of schools are public, and even those still require families to pay for textbooks and uniforms.

UNICEF said it has treated over 86,000 children with wasting – a life-threatening form of malnutrition – and is providing healthcare to 117,000 people, reaching 140,000 people with safe water, among other actions.

Yet, the UN agency said its work remains severely underfunded, warning that, without an immediate injection of resources, critical programs will be severely constrained.

‘The children of Haiti cannot wait,’ Russell warned. ‘Like every child, they deserve a chance to be safe, healthy and to live in peace. It is up to us to take action for Haiti’s children now.’

Commonwealth Secretary General, Shirley Botchwey, has held talks with President Irfaan Ali, according to a statement issued here on Wednesday.

‘During the meeting, Ms Botchwey thanked President Ali for his support during her election and for his stewardship and leadership on global issues,’ said the statemen, noting that Botchwey is visiting Guyana for the first time since her election victory on 1 April 2025.

It said that a luncheon held in her honour on Wednesday with President Ali emphasising that ‘Guyana and the Commonwealth are aligned in advancing key issues within an ever-changing and dynamic global environment, such as climate change and biodiversity; and sustainable development, particularly with a focus on women, children, and persons with disabilities’.

Botchwey was presented with a painting titled ‘The Koker’, created by local artist Merlene Ellis.

A High Court Wednesday granted Housing Minister Dr. David Lee bail in the sum of one million dollars (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) less than 24 hours after he was arrested by police on charges relating to tax exemption for parliamentarians on a luxury vehicle.

Businessman Hugh Leong Poi, who was also arrested with Lee, was also granted TT$600,000 bail.

The two men appared before Master Lisa Singh-Phillip where the minister was granted bail with one surety, while Leong Poi was granted bail with his named surety approved by the court.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad says she remains confident that the courts will ‘deliver a just result’ with respect to Lee, who along with the businessman, had been taken into custody by police on Tuesday.

A High Court Wednesday granted Housing Minister Dr. David Lee bail in the sum of one million dollars (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) less than 24 hours after he was arrested by police on charges relating to tax exemption for parliamentarians on a luxury vehicle.

Businessman Hugh Leong Poi, who was also arrested with Lee, was also granted TT$600,000 bail.

Housing Minister Dr. David Lee

The two men appeared before Master Lisa Singh-Phillip where the minister was granted bail with one surety, while Leong Poi was granted bail with his named surety approved by the court.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad says she remains confident that the courts will ‘deliver a just result’ with respect to Lee, who along with the businessman, had been taken into custody by police on Tuesday.

‘We have respect for the courts of the land. Minister Lee was acquitted of these allegations before. Now that the charges have been relaid we have confidence in the courts to deliver a just result,’ she said in a brief statement.

On Tuesday, the police said that judicial warrants had been issued for the ‘apprehension’ of Lee and businessman Hugh Leong Poi.

The statement gave no details why the warrants were issued , but added that ‘in accordance with the legal mandate and without delay, both individuals were taken into custody by officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, and are presently undergoing standard processing procedures.

‘The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service remains committed to upholding the rule of law and executing all judicial instructions with integrity, impartiality, and procedural rigour,’ the statement said.

Opposition Leader, Pennelope Beckles, has called on Prime Minister Persad Bissessar to immediately inform the country whether Lee will continue to serve as a minister of Government while facing criminal charges.

Businessman Hugh Leong Poi stands next to the Mercedes G wagon at the center of the court case.

Prior to the April 28 general election, Lee was cleared of fraud charges related to tax exemptions on his vehicle as a parliamentarian.

Acting Chief Magistrate Christine Charles dismissed the charges of conspiracy to defraud and misbehaviour in public office after upholding a no-case submission presented by Lee’s legal team, led by Wayne Sturge and Mario Merritt.

The magistrate ruled that the prosecution presented insufficient evidence to sustain the charges or proceed to trial. She also acquitted Leong Poi of Sport Outlet Limited, who faced a joint charge with Lee for conspiracy to defraud.

In September 2022, authorities accused the pair of conspiring to defraud the state of TT$1.4 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) in tax revenue related to the importation of a Mercedes Benz G63 AMG, valued at over two million dollars.

The charges involved TT$293,094.02 in Value Added Tax (VAT), TT$298,650 in motor vehicle tax, and TT$824,548.62 in customs duty.

Prosecutors had alleged that Lee falsely claimed ownership of the vehicle to benefit from tax exemptions granted to MPs. The alleged offences occurred between 24 March and 8 June 2019.

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Roger Gaspard, had appealed the acting Chief Magistrate’s ruling and according to the warrant, issued by Justice Hayden St Clair-Douglas, he was of the opinion that the evidence before acting Chief Magistrate ‘was sufficient to put the said Hugh Leong Poi together with another person, on trial for conspiracy to defraud and misbehaviour in public office.

‘This is to command you forthwith to apprehend Hugh Leong Poi and to convey the said Hugh Leong Poi to the Port of Spain Prisons.and there deliver him to the keeper of the said prisons together with this warrant,’ according to the warrant that was signed by the judge on October 6.

The first physical appearance of the two men before the High Court will be scheduled once the DPP formally files the indictment, confirming the matter is proceeding to trial.

Jamaica has formally submitted its candidature for re-election to Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, with elections scheduled for December 2025.

Under Secretary for the Foreign Trade Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Jamaica’s Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Esmond Reid, said that Jamaica is actively seeking the support of the IMO membership in its bid for re-election to Category C of the Council.

‘We hope to have the opportunity to continue to contribute to global oceans advocacy and the work of the IMO Council,’ he said, pointing out that the Caribbean country has made significant strides in advancing its marine stewardship mandate.

He said a noteworthy achievement is Jamaica’s progress in safeguarding 15 per cent of its territorial waters at the national level, alongside its active role in advancing regional cooperation through the draft CARICOM Ocean Policy.

‘We also celebrate achievements on the international stage, including the consensual adoption of the Nice Declaration at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2025, and the milestone ratification by over 60 countries of the High Seas Treaty earlier this month,’ the Under Secretary said.

Reid said that this historic step has paved the way for the agreement’s entry into force in January 2026, marking a significant milestone in regional maritime cooperation.

‘Looking ahead, Jamaica will continue to play an active and valuable role in the international maritime sector, both as a trusted partner of the IMO and four other international partners,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Reid noted that the 30th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 30), scheduled for November in Belém, Brazil, presents a critical opportunity to advance the climate-ocean nexus.

He also pointed out that, as host country of the International Seabed Authority and the only Caribbean small island developing state represented on the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, ‘Jamaica reaffirms its commitment to championing ocean governance within the multilateral arena’

A tropical storm watch has gone into effect for several Caribbean islands as Tropical Storm Jerry is forecast to become a hurricane on Thursday.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that the storm is located about 835 miles east sout east of the northern Leeward Islands and has maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (mph).

A tropical storm watch is in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, Saba , St. Eustatius, Guadeloupe and the adjacent islands.

The NHC said that interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands should monitor the progress of Jerry, the 10th named storm of this year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season that ends in November.

The NHC said that Jerry is moving toward the west-northwest near 23 mph and that this

general motion is expected to continue with a decrease in forward speed during the next couple of days, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest and north beginning on Friday. ‘On the forecast track, the core of the system is expected to be near or to the north of the northern Leeward Islands late Thursday and Friday. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected during the next few days, and Jerry is forecast to become a hurricane on Thursday,’ the NHC said.

The NHC said that on Thursday into early Friday, rainfall of between two to four 4 inches is expected across the Leeward Islands with a risk of flash flooding, especially in areas of higher terrain.

It said swells generated by Jerry are expected to reach the Leeward and Windward Islands on Thursday, then spread westward toward the Greater Antilles on Friday.

‘These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.’

Silver medalist Akeem Stewart was showered with praises on his return home on Monday from the recently concluded World Para Athletics Championships in India.

Stewart, who finished second in the men’s F44 discus with a season’s best throw of 59.64 metres, was met by officials from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA)and the Sport Company of T and T (SporTT) at the Piarco International Airport.

Akeem Stewart copped silver at the just concluded World Para Athletics Championships

An ecstatic Stewart was satisfied with his performance, as it was his first medal since 2017.

‘I was sick leading up to the games, and it looks bad on an athlete to prepare, train hard and not perform. Winning this is something I really wanted. Silver is a steppingstone in the right direction,’ Stewart said.

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Phillip Watts spoke highly of Stewart.

‘Akeem has once again proven that resilience, dedication, and the heart of a champion are the true hallmarks of a titan.

‘His silver medal is not just a personal victory but a beacon of inspiration for our entire nation,’ Watts said.

‘On behalf of the Government and the proud citizens of T and T, I extend our deepest congratulations. We are immensely proud of his achievement on the world stage, and the Government remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting our athletes as they continue to fly our flag high.’

Electoral officials say that voter confirmation process in Dominica is set to begin next Wednesday with the mission being to to modernise the electoral process, making it transparent, inclusive, more efficient, and credible.

‘For many years, electoral reform and modernisation have been central to national dialogue in Dominica. It has been a process marked by reflection, consultation, and commitment, all driven by a shared goal: to strengthen our democracy and ensure that every vote truly counts,’ said the chairman of the Electoral Commission, Duncan Stowe.

Duncan Stowe speaking at news conference

He told a news conference that the mission is clear and it is to ‘modernise the electoral process, making it transparent, inclusive, more efficient, and credible,’ adding ‘we have sought to enhance transparency, build trust, embrace responsible use of technology, and ensure that the system works fairly for every Dominican’.

The Electoral Reform legislation was passed earlier this year by parliament and Stowe said that since the passage of the legislation the Electoral Commission has been working diligently to operationalise the reforms, including training personnel, strengthening systems, and preparing for full implementation.

‘It has not been without challenges, but the progress has been steady and determined. Today we announce that we are ready to begin the confirmation process from October 15 2025,’ Stowe said, adding that the Commission believes that ‘democracy must continually evolve to serve the people.

‘This reform is more than an administrative change , it is a renewal of trust between the people and the institutions that safeguard their voice. We have come a long way, and though challenges remain, we are proud of our progress and confident in the work ahead,’ Stowe added.

Chief elections officer, Anthia Joseph, said that the voter confirmation process will take place over the next 15 months.

The main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has in the past expressed serious concerns regarding the electoral reform legislation calling for amendments to ensure fair, free, and credible elections in Dominica.

The UWP argues that while the proposed reforms aim to address long-standing issues within the electoral process, they fall short of meeting public expectations for genuine change.

Among the concerns include the integrity of the voter registration system with the party calling for a complete re-registration of voters to ensure an accurate and legitimate electoral roll.

Suriname is seeking to become the first country in the world to issue Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), a new mechanism within the Paris Climate Agreement, similar to carbon credits and is looking to the German-based Deutsche Bank for assistance.

A delegation from the Frankfurt based multinational investment bank and financial services company, held talks on Tuesday with President Jennifer Greelings-Simons to explore possibilities for cooperation.

According to the Communications Service Suriname (CDS), the government’s information and communication service responsible for disseminating information to the public, the meeting was also attended by the Minister of Oil, Gas and Environment, Patrick Brunings.

It said that the bank delegation is in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to assess the country’s preconditions and potential in this area.

‘While the delegation conducts its investigation, we are examining how we can better protect our forests, what mechanisms we already have in place, and, above all, how any proceeds can be spent responsibly,’ said Brunings.

He said that ITMOs, although related to carbon credits, are a new international instrument under the Paris Agreement.

‘The value of one ITMO is around US$25, and Suriname has an estimated 4.5 million ITMOs to trade,’ Brunings said, adding that the ‘revenues must be used for environmental projects. ‘Suriname must therefore not only protect its forests but also make clear how the resources are being used,’ Brunings said.

The meeting proposed the establishment of a technical team with representatives from various ministries and experts, under the supervision of an oversight committee including the Head of State.

CDS said that the team will investigate the feasibility of ITMO projects and oversee the process and Brunings said it could be installed ‘as soon as possible.

‘We want to proceed carefully, but it looks promising. The world of carbon credits is developing rapidly, and Suriname now has a serious potential partner who is considering our options..

‘If we approach this project properly, we’ll start with US$25 per ITMO, but in the long run, the sky’s the limit,’ Brunings said, adding ‘that depends on how seriously we, as Surinamese, take protecting our environment’.

‘We don’t want to rush anything, but the outlook is positive. The world of carbon credits is constantly evolving, including in terms of regulations. With Deutsche Bank, we now have a serious partner who is investigating feasibility. If it turns out we’re ready for the next step, this could be the start of something promising,’ he said.