Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Scoreboard of the second day of the first Test between India and West Indies here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.

WEST INDIES 1st innings 162

INDIA 1st innings

(overnight 121 for two)

Yashasvi Jaiswal c +Hope b Seales 36

KL Rahul c Greaves b Chase 100

Sai Sudharsan lbw b Chase 7

*Shubman Gill c Greaves b Chase 50

+Dhruv Jurel c +Hope b Pierre 125

Ravindra Jadeja not out 104

Washington Sundar not out 9

Extras (b12, lb3, nb1, w1) 17

TOTAL (five wickets; 128 overs) 448

Yet to bat: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Fall of wickets: 1-68, 2-90, 3-188, 4-218, 5-424.

Bowling: Seales 19-2-53-1, Layne 15-0-38-0, Greaves 12-4-59-0, Warrican 29-5-102-1, Pierre 29-1-91-1, Chase 24-3-90-2.

Toss: West Indies elected to bat after winning the toss.

Position: India lead West Indies by 286 runs with five wickets remaining.

Umpires: Alex Wharf, Richard Illingworth.

TV Umpire: Paul Reiffel.

Reserve Umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal.

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft.

Barbados and Dominica have signed a landmark agreement to collaborate on promoting their tourism products and offering enhanced multi-destination packages.

The partnership was signed at the on going State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) between the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) promoting sustainable tourism, and developing new vacation experiences for travellers.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishes a joint framework for cooperation, focusing on marketing, knowledge exchange, and enhancing visitor experiences across both destinations.

Tourism officials say this collaboration is especially timely as the Caribbean continues to attract travellers from Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Latin America seeking diverse and enriching experiences.

BTMI chief executive officer, Andrea Franklin, and the DDA counterpart, Marva Williams, signed on behalf of their organisations with Franklin acknowledging Barbados’ reputation as a tourism leader, stressing that the MOU would be mutually beneficial, emphasising the need for creative collaboration and regional unity.

‘Dominica may see Barbados as a tourism ‘grandparent,’ but there’s so much we can learn from each other. Barbados is proud to be the premier home port cruising destination in the region, and we see this as an opportunity to attract more business to neighbouring islands as well,’ Franklin said.

She said that the MOU serves as a stepping stone and could open doors to similar agreements with other islands.

‘When it comes to attracting airlift to the region, it’s vital that we stop viewing ourselves as individual countries competing for flights. Instead, we must work together to bring more airlift into the Caribbean. If Barbados serves as the hub, we should channel that connectivity to our sister islands, like Dominica, ensuring all destinations benefit.

‘Our teams will meet to strategise on marketing and to engage airlines and cruise lines, ensuring we maximise the benefits of this partnership. We’re especially excited to collaborate in areas such as sports, eco-tourism, and sustainable tourism, all of which are essential to the future of Caribbean travel ‘ Franklin said.

Williams in her remarks, underscored the value in leveraging the already strong relationship between the nations. They intend to ensure it benefits both destinations financially.

‘This collaboration is part of a larger conversation, and we look forward to learning from Barbados, which will help build greater awareness and create a ripple effect on the GDP and economic opportunities for both our countries,’ Williams said.

‘We all have unique attributes to offer, and this partnership isn’t just about tourism; it’s about exploring opportunities in other industries, such as manufacturing, that can benefit both nations. Improving air access is essential so that our people can move around the Caribbean efficiently and effectively,’ she added.

The key areas of collaboration outlined in the agreement include, curating and promoting multi-destination tourism packages that highlight the unique cultural, eco-tourism, adventure, and wellness offerings of Barbados and Dominica as well as supporting the development of air and cruise connections to facilitate seamless travel between islands.

In addition, the MOU allows for coordinating media exchanges, media familiarisation tours, joint training, and public relations events to raise the profile of both destinations globally and sharing aring expertise in sustainable tourism and product enhancement to ensure lasting benefits for local communities and the environment.

Historically, Caribbean nations have recognised the value of working together to attract long-haul visitors, allowing travellers to experience the region’s diversity in a single trip.

The BTMI’s Director (Caribbean) Graham Clarke said that the new MOU builds on this tradition.

‘Today’s global travellers are seeking value-added experiences and deeper engagement with local communities. This collaboration with the Nature Isle adds a unique dimension to the Barbados tourism product, and we believe Dominica will benefit in the same way. We’re excited for what this partnership means, not just for our tourism sectors, but for visitors, who will enjoy richer, more meaningful experiences across both destinations,’ Clarke said.

A joint working group will oversee the implementation of the MOU, with biannual progress reviews and the development of a detailed action plan to ensure the partnership achieves its objectives.

Both parties have agreed that each will bear its own implementation costs, with joint initiatives subject to separate funding agreements as needed.

The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) is appealing to Belizeans to curb various acts of violence here, saying ‘we are increasingly confronted with the painful reality of interpersonal violence in our streets, homes and communities.and sometimes even at our hospital doors.

‘Hospitals are meant to be places of healing. Yet, too often, we are forced to act as the final battleground where the consequences of violence arrive in blood, trauma and death especially experienced over this past week. No amount of medical skill can fully mend the physical and emotional scars caused by inter-personal violence,’ the KHMH said in a statement.

It said that as the national referral hospital for Belize its doctors, nurses, and staff dedicate themselves every day to saving lives, comforting families, and restoring health.

‘In the aftermath of violence .we see the broken bodies, torn by bullets, knives, and fists. We see the pain and suffering on the faces of families waiting anxiously and in fear for news of a loved one in our operating theaters. We see the toll it takes on our doctors, nurses, Security personnel and staff who fight to preserve life against overwhelming odds.’

The hospital said every bullet fired and stab wound creates ‘indiscriminate ripples that extend far beyond its target to families, health workers, police officers and the nation as a whole.

‘Together, we must address the roots of violence and protect life. We call on every member of the public to join us in doing their part in being a part of the solution to this violence plaguing our community.

‘Violence does not solve problems. It tears communities and families apart, endangers children, traumatizes survivors, and overwhelms our health systems. We make this urgent appeal,’ the KHMH said.

‘Help us keep the national referral hospital a place of healing, not fear. Together, Belize can curb interpersonal violence. Together, we can build a safer, healthier, and more hopeful nation,’ it added.

The statement by the hospital comes as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country continues to register various cats of violent crimes, with a 28-year-old man being the latest fatality, while a toddler and two other men remain hospitalised, following a shooting incident in the capital.

Gun violence has gripped the area over the last seven days, leading to multiple deaths and injuries. Police said in the latest incident, a gunman fired upon a group of people who were socialising in front of an apartment building, killing Dane Gillett and injuring Antuan Rivero, 26, and 28 -year-old Francis Nolberto. A woman sitting outside with her two-year-old nephew watched in horror as the child was struck by a single bullet in the back.

During the first six months of this year, Belize recorded 41 murders compared to 58 in 2024.

The non-government organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Friday said that as the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, sinks deeper into a crisis marked by violent clashes between armed groups and police forces, there has been an increase in the number of civilian causalities arriving at its facilities.

MSF, also known as Doctors without Borders, said that while nearly two in five Haitians are in urgent need of medical care due to widespread insecurity and violence, 60 to 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince’s health facilities are closed or non-functional for the same reasons.

It said that between January and June 2025, MSF teams assisted 2,600 victims and survivors of sexual violence, admitted 13,300 patients to emergency rooms and treated 2,267 victims of violence.

Among these, 26 per cent were minors, compared to 11 per cent in 2024 with MSF stating that most minors were under the age of 15, and one third were girls. Thirty per cent of all minors admitted for violence-related injuries suffered gunshot wounds.

‘These figures reflect the alarming deterioration of the situation in Haiti, where civilians, including women and children, are increasingly exposed to danger every day,’ says Mumuza Muhindo Musubaho, MSF head of mission in Haiti, adding ‘civilians must be spared by the parties to this conflict’.

MSF said that on September 20, at least 17 wounded people were treated at the MSF hospital in Drouillard following a drone attack carried out the same day in the Cité Soleil neighbourhood.

Among these patients were two men who were already dead on arrival, and another man who died while being transferred, 10 women – one of whom died en route to MSF’s trauma hospital in Tabarre – and three children who tragically did not survive their injuries. Two more women injured in this attack died at the nearby Isaïe Jeanty maternity hospital, where MSF is also working.

‘This violence is occurring in the context of a territorial conflict, with communities directly on the frontlines, trapped between the threat of explosive drones and the brutal violence of armed groups that loot and burn homes, destroy neighbourhoods, terrorise communities, and increasingly use sexual violence as a weapon of control, punishment, and extortion,’ MSF said.

It said on average, about 18 per cent of patients followed through MSF’s general healthcare project in neighbourhoods controlled by armed groups report that they avoid using public transportation to reach medical facilities outside these areas, fearing they might be targeted.

MSF said that the restricted movement of residents, combined with the widespread closure of hospitals since 2024 due to armed attacks, looting, the exodus of medical staff, and difficulties in supplying medicines, has drastically reduced and centralised the availability of healthcare, leaving a large share of people without access to vital services.

It said that this situation also places extreme pressure on the facilities that remain operational, notably MSF’s trauma hospital in Tabarre, which has increased its bed capacity by 50 per cent, with 26 per cent of trauma cases linked to violence.

Only one major public hospital is still functioning in the capital, Hôpital universitaire de la Paix, and it is regularly overwhelmed.

‘This devastating context fuels a profound sense of abandonment among Haitians. And, it must be said, the severe decline in healthcare availability – a crisis within the crisis – also leaves the few remaining humanitarian and medical actors with the impression of being overwhelmed by ever-growing needs,’ Musubaho said.

MSF said it remains fully committed to supporting the people of Haiti and is working closely with the Ministry of Public Health and Population, adding ‘it is imperative that civilians, healthcare workers, and medical facilities be protected’.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has dismissed reports that Guyana is facing a foreign exchange crisis, saying that the recent increase in demand for United States dollars is largely linked to massive capital projects being executed in the oil-rich country.

Jagdeo, speaking at his weekly news conference, said that Guyana’s reserves and inflows remain strong and that companies are borrowing more from local banks to finance the procurement of equipment, temporarily pushing the demand for demand foreign currency.

‘Once those projects are finished, the demand goes down,’ he told reporters, adding that the savings will also come down when the landmark Gas-to-energy (GTE) projects comes on stream, since Guyana will be able to produce its own energy and supply cooking gas locally, which will then decrease imports.

He said this will allow Guyana to ‘have more foreign currency coming in and less going out,’ adding ‘that is why this talk about a crisis is nonsense’.

Earlier this week, the Guyana government unveiled a new plan aimed at stemming the outflow of United States currency that has now almost quadrupled over the past year to about US$1.2 billion.

A statement issued by the Office of the President, Dr Irfaan Ali, said the new measures would require importers to provide their invoice, bill of lading and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) compliance to commercial banks before payments are released.

‘The implementation of these nine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is designed to tighten foreign exchange controls, improve transparency, and prevent abuse of the system, especially in the context of rising demand and capital flight,’ the statement said.

The government is also mandating commercial banks to monitor credit card usage to ensure they are being used for personal rather than business transactions, with the government noting a sharp escalation in credit card usage as part of the broader concerns regarding foreign exchange outflows.

In 2023, total credit card clearance stood at approximately US$91.3 million, surging to US$347.5 million last year. The government said that in 2025, the amount has already reached close to US$252 million, signalling continued high-volume activity.

Providing statistics showing the Central Bank’s intervention in the foreign exchange market, the government said last year, US$332 million was provided to meet foreign exchange demand, rising to US$1.2 billion so far this year, with an additional US$160 million still pending.

The government said that an interagency Task Force, including technical support, was convened to comprehensively review the increase in demand for foreign exchange.

Jagdeo during the news conference also dismissed the idea of capital flight, saying that Guyana continues to see strong inflows because of the many opportunities available in the economy.

At the same time, the Vice President raised concerns about abuses of the system by some non-Guyanese entities who are exploiting Guyana’s liberal exchange market to buy U.S. dollars and funnel it abroad.

‘We have non-Guyanese entities using our free floating system to access foreign currency here and then taking it abroad to meet their own demands. That cannot continue,’ he said, adding that’s why President Ali announced the nine measures to ensure companies submit invoices for large foreign currency transactions.

‘If you don’t have the invoice, you’re not going to get it,’ Jagdeo said, making it clear that ‘this will not apply to small businesses or individuals’.

He cited cases where some foreign-owned supermarkets operating in Guyana were not even registered with the local tax system yet were using the banking system to access large sums of foreign currency.

‘We can’t allow that. This is about protecting our system and ensuring fairness,’ Jagdeo said, adding that the government is determined to keep the system free and accessible to legitimate businesses and individuals while cracking down on loopholes that undermine tax compliance and foreign exchange stability.

The non-government organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Friday said that as the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, sinks deeper into a crisis marked by violent clashes between armed groups and police forces, there has been an increase in the number of civilian causalities arriving at its facilities.

MSF, also known as Doctors without Borders, said that while nearly two in five Haitians are in urgent need of medical care due to widespread insecurity and violence, 60 to 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince’s health facilities are closed or non-functional for the same reasons.

It said that between January and June 2025, MSF teams assisted 2,600 victims and survivors of sexual violence, admitted 13,300 patients to emergency rooms and treated 2,267 victims of violence.

Among these, 26 per cent were minors, compared to 11 per cent in 2024 with MSF stating that most minors were under the age of 15, and one third were girls. Thirty per cent of all minors admitted for violence-related injuries suffered gunshot wounds.