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Barbadian left-arm pacer Jakeem Pollard was one of only five West Indians snapped up at the ILT20 auction on Thursday.

The 18-year-old speedster, who impressed in his debut at the 2026 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), was purchased by the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for US$10, 000. He will have fellow West Indian Andre Fletcher as a teammate, after he was bought for US$40, 000 and will link up with Dwayne Bravo, who will serve as a coach at the Knight Riders.

Veterans Sunil Narine and Jason Holder were also retained by the franchise.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Alzarri Joseph was the most expensive West Indian at the auction, with the Gulf Giants snapping him up for US$230, 000. He will join forces with fellow fast bowler Shamar Joseph (US$80, 000) and top order batter Alick Athanaze who was purchased for US$10, 000.

The tournament will still feature several West Indians with Shimron Hetmyer being retained by the Desert Vipers, Rovman Powell by the Dubai Capitals and Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford by MI Emirates.

However, several other West Indians including Roston Chase, Brandon King, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Quentin Sampson, Gudakesh Motie went unsold.

Antigua and Barbuda Thursday introduced a new biometric immigration system which officials say is designed to make arrivals at the country’s two main airports faster and easier for returning citizens.

The ‘Welcome Home Antigua’ was given a soft-launched and will be operational at both the V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua and the Burton-Nibbs International Airport in Barbuda. The programme is expected to be filly operational by October 15.

Under the new system, Antigua and Barbuda citizens will no longer be required to complete an Embarkation/Disembarkation form when entering the country. Instead, they will be required to download the Welcome Home Antigua mobile app on an Apple or Android device and enrol in the system.

Biometric technology will then scan and recognize the passenger’s face, allowing for a faster immigration process.

Chief Immigration Officer Katrina Yearwood said the initiative places the island among regional leaders in the use of biometric technology for immigration.

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration Minister E.P. Chet Greene and Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Charles Fernandez were among the first to use the system after returning from overseas trips.

Greene described the initiative as another step in the country’s modernisation, while Fernandez stressed that technology should complement quality service provided by immigration and other airport personnel.

Immigration advocates have welcomed a United States federal court’s ruling that struck down a policy by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in arresting Caribbean and other immigrants at courthouses.

The Southern District Court of New York on Thursday issued a final, landmark ruling in the African Communities Together and The D00r versus Todd Kyons in striking down one of the Trump administration’s most extreme policies that allowed ICE agents to arrest migrants for showing up at immigration courts

‘With this ruling, ICE officers cannot conduct civil immigration enforcement actions in or near immigration courthouses, except under limited circumstances, in New York City and across the nation,’ Harold Solis, co-legal director for the immigrant advocacy group, Make the Road New York (MRNY), told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

‘The court’s ruling is a monumental victory for immigrant families and the rule of law. It brings to an end the cruel and callous practice of arresting immigrants simply for showing up to their court hearings-something that no one should have to worry about, and yet so many were forced to live under that cloud of fear,’ he added.

Solis said that the ruling marks a turning point, and that the focus now shifts to doing everything power to ensure the government fully complies with the court’s decision.’

The court found the government’s mass immigration court arrest policy to be ‘arbitrary and capricious’ under the Administrative Procedure Act, and restores pre-existing policies barring immigration courthouse arrests, except in rare circumstances.

Solis said that, originally, the case also challenged a related 2025 Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) policy that urged immigration judges to dismiss noncitizens’ immigration proceedings without proper procedural protections.

In this order, the court dismissed that claim as ‘moot’, because the government had already fully and permanently rescinded it as result of an earlier order in this case.

‘The ruling is an enormous win for every noncitizen seeking to safely attend their immigration court proceedings,’ said Amy Belsher, director of Immigrants’ Rights Litigation at the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU).

‘For too long, we watched masked, often armed, ICE officers ambush noncitizens in courthouse hallways, throw immigrants to the ground, and tear sobbing children from their parents.

‘But, with today’s order, the court made clear: ICE’s cruel, unjustified policy of conducting mass immigration arrests in courthouses is unlawful and cannot stand,’ Belsher added.

Oscar Sarabia Roman, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) Immigrants’ Rights Project, said Caribbean and other immigrants ‘should not be arrested for doing exactly what the legal system requires of them.

‘They should be able to come to court, take part in their cases, and leave without fear,’ he said, while Katie Rosenfeld, partner at the law firm Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward and Maazel LLP, said Caribbean and other immigrants ‘should not have to choose between attending a required immigration hearing and risking detention, or staying away and risking a deportation order for failing to appear.

‘This ruling restores important safeguards and makes clear that ICE cannot abandon those protections without a reasoned explanation. Due process requires a meaningful opportunity to be heard, and that means people must be able to come to court without fear,’ she added.

MRNY said it originally filed the lawsuit on August 1, last year and in arch this year, the Trump administration admitted that a 2025 memorandum, which it had relied on throughout the case to justify its immigration court arrest policy, does not and has never authorised any immigration courthouse arrests.

Immediately after, MRNY said the organizations asked the court to reconsider its denial, and the court issued a stay. MRNY said this final federal ruling affirms that order, and expands it to apply nationwide. It is effective immediately.

On September 24, MRNY welcomed an order by a US district court in New York granting a permanent injunction that requires ICE to improve detention conditions and mitigate overcrowding in lower Manhattan.

MRNY said the permanent injunction came months after documents revealed that ICE violated a court order to reduce overcrowding at temporary holding facility in New York.

The Bermuda government Friday said it intends intention to commence an exploratory process into the potential development of a digital identity framework for the island.

‘As Bermuda continues to modernise public services and support greater digital transformation across the economy, it is important that government considers how residents and businesses can interact with services in a manner that is secure, efficient, and fit for the future,’ Economy and Labour Minister, Jason Hayward told Parliament.

He said digital identity is one of the tools being explored internationally to achieve these objectives.

Hayward told legislators that he wanted to make it clear from the outset that the David Burt administration has not made any decision to implement a digital identity system.

He said the work currently being undertaken is exploratory in nature and is focused on gathering information, understanding international best practices, and determining whether a digital identity framework could provide meaningful benefits for Bermuda.

‘A digital identity is a secure and trusted means of verifying a person’s identity when accessing services, whether online or in person. Today, individuals are often required to repeatedly provide passports, driver’s licences, utility bills, and other documentation to multiple organisations in order to verify their identity.

‘A digital identity framework has the potential to streamline this process by enabling individuals to securely confirm who they are through trusted digital credentials.’

Hayward said that the objective is not simply to digitise existing processes, but rather, it is to explore whether identity verification can be made more secure, more convenient, and more efficient while ensuring that individuals retain confidence in how their personal information is managed.

He said that the government recognises that digital identity is a significant public policy issue and one that requires careful consideration.

‘For residents, a well-designed digital identity system could make access to services simpler and more convenient while reducing administrative burdens and repetitive identity checks. It may also strengthen protections against fraud and identity theft through more reliable methods of identity verification.

‘For businesses and service providers, digital identity could support more efficient customer onboarding, reduce compliance burdens, and improve confidence in the authenticity of identity information.’

Hayward said broadly, digital identity has the potential to contribute to a more connected and modern service environment that supports Bermuda’s wider digital transformation objectives.

However, he noted that these potential benefits must be balanced against important considerations relating to privacy, governance, accessibility, and public trust.

He said that as part of this exploratory process, the government will on Monday issue a Request for Supplier Qualifications, commonly referred to as an RFSQ.

‘This procurement exercise is not intended to select a vendor or commence implementation of a digital identity programme. Rather, it will allow Government to identify organisations with relevant experience and gain a clearer understanding of the legal, technical, operational, and governance considerations associated with digital identity solutions.

‘The information gathered through this process will help Government assess the options available, understand lessons learned in other jurisdictions, and determine what safeguards would be necessary should Bermuda consider moving forward in the future,’ Hayward said.

The Economy and Labour Minister said that the government also recognises that public confidence and public engagement are essential to any discussion concerning digital identity.

‘For this reason, transparency and consultation will form a central part of the exploratory process. Residents, businesses, industry stakeholders, and other members of the community will have opportunities to learn about digital identity, ask questions, provide feedback, and contribute to the discussion as this work progresses.

‘The government is committed to ensuring that any future decisions are informed not only by technical expertise and international experience, but also by the views and expectations of the people of Bermuda.’

Hayward said that work currently underway represents an opportunity for Bermuda to better understand whether digital identity could support the country’s future economic and digital development objectives.

‘This is not the commencement of a digital identity programme, nor is it a commitment to implementation. It is a prudent and responsible process of research, evaluation, and engagement that will allow Government to make informed decisions based on evidence, best practice, and public input.

‘The government’s commitment is to proceed carefully, transparently, and responsibly while ensuring that privacy, security, accessibility, and public trust remain at the centre of any future considerations, Hayward told legislators.

The state-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) Friday announced the introduction of a non-stop service between Trinidad and Toronto as well as the resumption of flights between Trinidad and Caracas, Venezuela as well as a series of charter flights between Port of Spain and Panama.

In a statement, CAL said the move is part of its efforts to enhance its network operations and ‘these services will offer customers greater choice for leisure, business and family travel, while supporting tourism, trade and stronger regional and international connectivity’.

CAL said that from October 25, it will introduce a weekly non-stop service to Toronto on a Sunday and that ‘this will provide a direct connection between Tobago and one of its key international markets.

‘From October 31, 2026, Caribbean Airlines will resume commercial passenger service between Trinidad and Caracas. This will restore direct air connectivity between our neighbouring countries and facilitate business travel and tourism’.

CAL said that from December1 this year it will operate a series of charter flights between Trinidad and Panama on selected Tuesdays and Fridays.

CAL had in August announced that it would discontinue the direct routing of its Trinidad/Tobago/Barbados return services, effective September 2, ‘as part of on-going schedule optimization across its regional network’.

In May, CAL announced that it would discontinue services on the Dominica, St Kitts, and Ogle in Guyana to Suriname routes from June 1, this year as it continues to ‘focus on operational reliability, customer experience and long-term financial stability.’

The airline also said it will reduce the frequency of its flights to the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly.

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) said that labour market conditions weakened during the first quarter of 2026 with the unemployment rate measuring 5.4 per cent up from 4.9 per cent in the corresponding third quarter of 2025.

In its latest Monetary Policy’ statement, in which the CBTT said it would maintain the repo rate at its current level of 3.50 per cent, The Central Bank noted that sectoral employment showed mixed developments during the first quarter of 2026.

The Central Bank said that the supplementary indicators it has monitored suggest that labour demand softened through July 2026

According to the CBTT, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its July World Economic Outlook update, projected a reduction in global growth to three per cent for 2026 and 3.4 percent for 2027, reflecting the effects of the war in the Middle East and its impact on energy importers and vulnerable economies.

It said the persistently high inflation rates in several advanced economies and other concerns about the economic environment have resulted in central banks, in the US, Japan and the Euro area, adjusting their monetary policy rates upwards.

‘Unlike the experience internationally, inflation levels in Trinidad and Tobago continue to remain low, with the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) for July 2026 showing headline inflation of 0.6 per cent. Food inflation rose to 1.7 per cent while core inflation steadied at 0.2 per cent

The CBTT said the most recent data from the CSO indicated that in the fourth quarter of last year, the non energy sector grew by 0.2 per cent, while the energy sector contracted.

It said recent indicators of economic activity suggest that in the first quarter of 2026 there was a slow down in the construction and distribution sectors offset by a pick up of 4.3 per cent in the manufacturing sector.

‘On the energy side, an uptick in petroleum exports was offset by marginal declines in the methanol, ammonia and natural gas production. This slowing will likely be arrested as the energy sector benefits from increasing production of crude oil and natural gas as investments in new acreage and projects begin to bear fruit. In the case of the non-energy sector a pick-up in construction is likely as Government projects come on stream.’

The CBTT said rhat on a year-on-year basis, consolidated system credit growth continued but at a slower rate over the first half of 2026.

‘Consolidated system credit expanded by 3.4 per cent in July 2026, down from 4.2 per cent in March 2026 and 3.5 per cent in June 2026. On a year-on-year basis, consumer lending slowed to 4.3 per cent in July 2026, down from 5.2 per cent in March 2026, while business lending eased from 3.7 per cent to 0.6 per cent over the same period.

‘Over the period March to July 2026, real estate mortgage lending expanded from 4.4 per cent to 5.6 per cent. Real estate mortgages for both residential and commercial properties continued to grow, despite the slowing down of the demand for residential mortgages. Data to June 2026 show that interest rates on new mortgages increased to 5.33 per cent up from 5.24 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.’

But the CBTT said noted that on the other hand, labour market conditions weakened during the first quarter of 2026, according to official data from the CSO, with the unemployment rate measuring 5.4 per cent during the period, up from 4.9 per cent in the corresponding quarter of 2025.

‘Sectoral employment showed mixed developments during the first quarter of 2026. Supplementary indicators monitored by the Central Bank suggest that labour demand softened through July 2026.

The CBTT said that excess liquidity in the banking system remained well balanced over the period June to August and that during that period the government operations resulted in a net domestic fiscal injection of TT$3,436.9 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents). Sales of foreign exchange to authorised dealers, though not a liquidity absorption measure, indirectly removed $2,405.4 million over the period.

‘Overall, liquidity decreased from a daily average of TT$4,252.5 million in June 2026 to TT$4,053.9 million in August, which is overall within a comfortable range for the system. Interbank market activity reached a daily average of $119.8 million over 27 trading days during June to August 2026.’

The CBTT said that interest rate differentials moved in opposite directions in August 2026. Movements in the respective US and Trinidad and Tobago three-month Treasury bill rates resulted in the TT-US yield differential on three-month Treasuries improving by thee basis points over June to August 2026, settling at -91 basis points below parity.

‘At the longer end of the curve, the TT-US ten-year yield differential declined by 15 basis points over June to August 2026, reaching 157 basis points at the end of the period.’

The CBTT said that its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) noted that global economic conditions remain highly uncertain due, in part, to persistent geopolitical tensions, elevated inflation, and tightening monetary conditions.

‘On the domestic front, the Committee considered the moderation of economic activity, slowing private sector credit expansion, and low inflation conditions. Taking all factors into account, the Committee decided to maintain the repo rate at its current level of 3.50 per cent,’ the CBTT said, adding it will continue to monitor international and domestic developments and will take further actions as necessary.

Following a successful ODI series, West Indies Women’s head coach Shane Deitz is expecting the younger players to come to the fore in their upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe Women.

The Windies took the preceding three-match ODI series 2-1 with a convincing 91-run win in the final match last Sunday.

The focus now shifts to the shorter format, with the two teams clashing at the Takashinga Sports Club in the opening contest on Saturday.

Deitz said he hoped the team could carry forward their good showing in the ODI series into the T20Is.

‘Obviously it was a good series win even though we probably wanted to win 3-0. We played some good cricket over the three games but probably had a period of about 45 minutes where it sort of unraveled in game two, but we had some success.

‘Some players have had some good form as well, so it’s about carrying that form over and that momentum into this series,’ Deitz said.

‘There’s a good feel in the group and a lot of young players are going to get a lot of opportunities here now.’

With captain Hayley Matthews missing in action for the T20I series, Deitz said this was the perfect opportunity for some of the younger players to step up.

Matthews, who smashed two centuries in the ODI series and finished with the most runs, was named Player-of-the-Series.

‘I thought Aaliyah [Alleyne’s] 10 overs in a row last game was a great spell, I think [Ashmini] Munisar has bowled really, really well in these conditions as a young player, and just the energy in the field and the way we’ve conducted ourselves has been really good.

”[Realeanna] Grimmond had a 50 in the first game, so there are signs there that our young players are really stepping up and what we need to do, particularly in this series, is to get those young players stepping up and not just showing their skill level, but showing their match-winning performances and their mindset is ready to be a proper, international cricketer who can take responsibility and take on important roles in the squad,’ Deitz said.

‘In the ODIs Hayley dominated the show, but now someone has got to take over that Hayley role.’

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) Friday mourned the death of prominent journalist, Brian St. Juste, 68, who died ‘after a period of illness marked by medical complications’.

In a statement, PAJ said that the career of the Jamaican-Trinidadian journalist, producer, and son of the late Trinidadian broadcasting pioneer Franklyn St. Juste, spanned more than three decades in film, television, and journalism.

He was also the brother of the late Jamaican radio personality, François St. Juste.

The PAJ said that he last served as the managing director of Timecode Productions Ltd., where he oversaw broadcast coverage of major sporting and cultural events, including the IAAF World Junior Championships (2002), the IFNA World Netball Championships (2003), and the ICC Cricket World Cup Opening Ceremony (2007).

‘He played a pivotal role in Jamaica’s democratic process, producing the televised debates for the Jamaica Debates Commission since 2007. Internationally, he served as a consultant to the National Democratic Institute and the U.S. Commission on Presidential Debates, helping countries across the Caribbean to stage nationally televised debates,’ the PAJ said.

It noted that his contributions were recognized with industry honours, including the Doctor Bird Award for Creative Achievement, underscoring his impact on Jamaica’s film and television sector. He also served as President of the Jamaica Film Producers Association, advocating for stronger film policy and industry development.

‘The Press Association of Jamaica joins the wider media fraternity in extending profound and heartfelt condolences to his widow and loved ones, honouring his legacy and standing with them in this time of grief and loss,’ the PAJ said, adding that funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

The Jamaica government Friday sought to re-assure citizens that health care facilities remain available to them, even as junior doctors embarked upon industrial action in support of their demands for a ruling by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) on a J$31-billion (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.004 cents) overtime dispute.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Wellness said that emergency and essential health services remain available at public health facilities islandwide.

But it acknowledged that said some facilities may need to make temporary adjustments to routine services in the coming days.

It said members of the public may notice longer waiting times at some locations; rescheduling of some non-urgent appointments, clinics and elective procedures; and adjusted opening hours at selected facilities.

The ministry said in collaboration with regional health authorities, it has put measures in place to safeguard patient care, including senior medical staff being available at facilities to support coverage; giving priority to emergency and urgent care; and managing admissions and outpatient schedules so that resources are directed where they are most needed.

The ministry said that persons with medical emergencies should go to the nearest accident and emergency department without delay. At the same time, persons on medication for chronic diseases should not allow their supply to run out and should collect refills early where possible.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) says the industrial action by the junior doctors will continue until 8:00 am (local time) on Saturday, October 3, even as it warned the public to expect longer wait times, scaled-back services and delays in the completion of procedures.

JMDA President Dr Jubilee Brown-Service said the doctors ‘cannot guarantee normalcy’ during the period, adding ‘we have been working at the same overtime rates since 2021. This is unacceptable.’

Brown-Service has called on the IDT to hand down its award without further delay.

The JMDA is seeking an award of J$31 billion in retroactive overtime payments, while the government says its own calculations show a bill of J$23 billion.

The JMDA said that it has completed its case before the IDT on April 1, and that Section 12(1) of the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act provides for an award within 21 days of a dispute being referred, or ‘as soon as may be practicable’.

The IDT had in a statement on Wednesday, while acknowledging concerns said complex matters can require extensive review of exhibits and legal authorities, stressing that ‘justice must also be careful’.

The Antigua and Barbuda Coalition for the Protection of Whales has presented a petition to Prime Minister Gaston Browne urging that the Caribbean island withdraw its draft resolution to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) at its ongoing 70thmeeting in Australia.

Commercial whaling has been banned globally by the IWC since 1986 and although Antigua and Barbuda has never engaged in commercial whaling itself, it has for many years been one of the most prominent advocates at the IWC for lifting the moratorium that has protected whales from commercial whaling. Observers say St. John’s position is guided mainly y its diplomatic relations with countries such as Japan which have been providing financial and other assistance to the island..

This is the third time Antigua and Barbuda has submitted a resolution of this kind to the IWC, following earlier versions in 2022 and 2024. On both occasions, the resolutions were withdrawn.

The 2026 resolution is co-sponsored by Palau, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and Togo.

The petition, with 5,585 signatures, was delivered on Thursday and is urging St. John’s to withdraw the draft resolution it has introduced at the IWC that could lead to the resumption of commercial whaling.

The petition has been signed by people from 87 countries and territories across the world. In addition, the Coalition has also submitted a document containing a sample of the thousands of comments, together with seven letters previously emailed to the Prime Minister Browne.

In its letter , said it believes a review of the comments will give him and Commissioner Daven Joseph an important understanding of the impact that the country’s pro-whaling position has already had on Antigua and Barbuda’s international reputation.

‘These signatures come from our own citizens and from the visitors, sailors and yacht owners who choose Antigua and Barbuda because of our healthy oceans,’ said the Coalition’s Martha Watkins Gilkes..

‘They are telling us clearly that support for commercial whaling does not reflect who we are as a nation. We respectfully ask the Prime Minister to listen, and to withdraw this resolution.’