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India elected to bat first after winning the toss against West Indies on the opening day of the second Test here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday.

West Indies have made two changes with Tevin Imlach and Anderson Phillip replacing Brandon King and Johann Layne, while India has named an unchanged squad from the first Test.

SQUADS

WEST INDIES: Roston Chase (captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Alick Athanaze, Tevin Imlach, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales.

INDIA: Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Umpires: Paul Reiffel, Richard Illingworth.

TV Umpire: Alex Wharf.

Reserve Umpire: KN Ananthapadmanabhan.

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft.

The authorities at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) say they are treating recent public bribery and extortion allegations concerning overweight baggage fees for Caribbean Airlines with the utmost seriousness.

In a statement on Thursday, CJIA sought to assure the public that it is working closely with the airline and relevant authorities to investigate the claims raised by a Caribbean Airlines passenger thoroughly.

‘Passengers are reminded that all official payments, including for overweight baggage, must be made directly to the airline through approved channels, and an official receipt must be issued. No payment should ever be made to any individual officer or staff member,’ the statement noted.

CJIA said travellers are strongly encouraged to immediately report any witnessed or encountered bribery or corruption to the nearest police station, or CJIA Security.

During the first nine months of 2025, the airport security unit has recovered and returned numerous items to passengers, including – laptops, mobile phones, travel documents, electronic devices and cash.

‘The success of this unit is a direct reflection of the professionalism and integrity we uphold. As we reaffirm our zero-tolerance stance on corruption, we remain focused on transparency, accountability, and service excellence in every aspect of our work,’ said the airport’s Public Relations Officer Shunza Samuels .

Tropical Storm Jerry is continuing to strengthen has it approaches the Leeward Islands.

In the latest update from the Miami based National Hurricane Centre, at 11 am (local time) , the center of the storm was located near latitude 15.9 North, longitude 59.1 West.

Jerry is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph and a turn toward the northwest is expected late Thursday, followed by a slightly slower northward motion on Friday and Saturday.

On the forecast track, the center of Jerry is expected to pass near or to the northeast of the northern Leeward Islands later Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph with higher gusts and gradual strengthening is forecast during the next few days as the forecast states that vJerry could become a hurricane by late Friday or Saturday.

Meanwhile, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a Tropical Storm warning for Barbuda.

While a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Antigua, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Montserrat, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius, Guadeloupe and the adjacent islands

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 12 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

The National Hurricane centre says interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands should monitor the progress of Jerry.

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Thursday, October 9, 2025.

UNITED NATIONS – 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.

KINGSTON – Chief Justice Bryan Sykes says Jamaica has become one of the first countries in the region implement clear rules for how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used in its courts.

ST GEORGE’S – Five Indian nationals who arrived in Grenada via a flight from Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport using fake passports were ordered removed from the island.

PORT OF SPAIN – Regional carrier, Caribbean Airlines (CAL), has been recognised for its service and has been named as the Caribbean’s Leading Airline Brand for 2025 at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards.

SPORTS

NEW DELHI – West Indies Test captain Roston Chase has admitted that while a string of bad results has seriously dented the confidence of the players, he still believes they can turn things around in the second Test which bowls off here on Friday.

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.’

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

West Indies Test captain Roston Chase has admitted that while a string of bad results has seriously dented the confidence of the players, he still believes they can turn things around in the second Test which bowls off here on Friday.

The West Indies head into the final Test on a four-match losing streak and have not won a Test match since defeating Pakistan in early January.

To make matters worse, their last four Test defeats have come inside three days, having lost the opening Test by an innings and 140 runs before tea on the third day.

Needing a victory to tie the series 1-1, Chase said his troops had the power to change their fortunes.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Chase said the team’s batsmen in particular just needed a big score to regain their confidence. ‘Obviously we’re down right now, but it has to change at some point, and the change will start from now, but it starts with the belief and the mindset of each and every player and to keep motivating the guys that we can still play some positive cricket and change around our downfall at the moment.

‘The guys are lacking confidence but it’s just to get that one score, to get that start and to then kick on from there,’ Chase said.

‘I just think that once you obviously get that good innings, that 100 or that big 50, that then gives you the confidence to then know that I can actually do it.’

Chase maintained that his players trusted and believed in their abilities and skills to perform at the highest level.

However, the skipper said for that to happen they needed to put the disappointing results of past series out of their minds.

‘I think everyone is confident, but when we got out there we didn’t start well as a batting unit and the pressure is on and it’s for us to soak up that pressure as batters and still find a way to score and put back the pressure onto the Indian bowlers, so I just think that is the biggest challenge for us.

‘I don’t think that we’re not confident, I just think that we need to get that start and kick on and we’ll be fine. I think the key is to stay in the present and not think too far ahead or too far back,’ Chase said.

‘You have to play each delivery on merit and play what you see, not what you think. I think that led to my downfall in the last game.so it’s just to stay positive at the crease and always look to score. Even though it’s Test cricket I don’t think you can just go out there looking to survive.’

Five Indian nationals who arrived in Grenada via a flight from Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport using fake passports were ordered removed from the island.

However, they are currently inmates at the Richmond Hill prison because they did not pay the fine as imposed by the magistrate.

A press release from the Community Relations Department of the Royal Grenada Police Force said on Monday, officers attached to the Immigration and Passport Department arrested and charged five Indian nationals, one male and four females, for the offence of Uttering a Falsified Passport.

The release said the charge was laid against the Indians after they all presented falsified passports to Immigration officers, to gain entry into Grenada.

The five individuals made their first court appearance here earlier this week and they all pleaded guilty to the charge.

‘As a result, they were fined EC$6000.00 each to be paid forthwith, or in default four months imprisonment,’ said the release.

A follow- up with the police confirmed that as of Friday, the five failed to pay the fine and were sent to prison.

Once the money is paid or the sentence is served, the Indians will be removed from the state as ordered by the court.

When asked if the five were suspected as victims of human trafficking an official at the Community Relations Department said ‘we do not have this information at hand.’

The Ministry of Trade has commenced stakeholder consultation that will lead to a possible ban on certain chemicals that are used in many popular sun-screen lotions.

Senior Trade Policy Analyst in the Ministry, Jomica Carbon explained that the Ministry is undertaking the consultation to support the development of a WTO-compliant and CARICOM aligned policy to ban the importation, manufacture, sale, and distribution of sunscreens containing harmful chemicals, such as; Oxybenzone, Octinoxate; Avabenzone, Homosalate; and Octocrylene, Octisalate.

‘This initiative is driven by the urgent need to protect Antigua and Barbuda’s coral reef ecosystems, which are vital to the country’s tourism-dependent economy, and to address emerging public health concerns related to these chemicals.

The proposed approach draws inspiration from international best practices, particularly the successful ban implemented by Palau, which prohibits a range of reef-toxic chemicals to preserve marine biodiversity,’ said Carbon who was speaking at a meeting of the task force this week.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ambassador Dr. Clarence Pilgrim welcomed the members of the task force to the consultation noting that the goal is to take a closer look at the trade, consumer, environmental, and health implications of sunscreen products and explore the path toward a possible national policy and ban on harmful chemicals.

‘We know that sunscreen plays a vital role in protecting human skin from ultraviolet rays and in preventing skin cancer. Yet, recent scientific research reminds us that the same products designed to protect human health are now causing harm to marine life and ecosystems.

‘As noted in one study, organic UV filters have been found to bio-accumulate in corals, algae, mollusks, and marine vertebrates, leading to coral bleaching, endocrine and neurologic disruption, and other toxic effects,’ he noted.

According toPilgrim this issue is particularly pressing for Antigua and Barbuda, being a Small Island Developing State whose economy, environment, and cultural identity are intimately tied to its oceans and coral reefs.

‘The Cabinet recognised the urgency of this matter and has called for decisive policy and action. As a member of the OECS, CARICOM, and the global SIDS community, Antigua and Barbuda has an opportunity to lead on developing environmentally responsible standards and legislation in this area,’ he observed.

The framework for the scope of work presented by Corbin indicates that October 2025-January 2026 has been set aside for meetings of the task force; February to March, 2026, Circulation of draft policy and feedback collection; April, 2026, final policy revision and submission to Cabinet; mid-2026, has been earmarked for policy implementation pending the approval of the Cabinet.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has welcomed the ceasefire announcement between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group, secured through the efforts of the United States, supported by Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.

‘ We join the positions expressed by the UN Secretary-General, France, China, and Saudi Arabia in calling for an immediate, sustainable halt to hostilities and unfettered humanitarian access,’ the Govenrment said in a statement on Thursday.

‘This ceasefire is a hard-won pause that must lead to full humanitarian relief, restoration of essential services, the release of all hostages and detainees, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza. This is the necessary basis for restoring durable security and stability.’

The Govenrment has called on all sides to use ‘this fragile opening to establish a credible political path toward a just and comprehensive peace, based on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security.’

‘Antigua and Barbuda will work to support these steps, consistent with international humanitarian law,’ the statement added.