British Bases and Cypriot officers conduct joint training to combat human trafficking

The UK Border Force National Safeguarding and Modern Slavery (SAMS) team were in Cyprus recently to conduct joint training in the British Bases with Immigration and Customs officers from the Sovereign Base Areas and the Republic of Cyprus, a press release issued on Wednesday by the British Bases (SBA) said.

According to the press release, “modern slavery and human trafficking is a deepening issue in the region and for Cyprus, due to its boundary with the north, it is an area of concern.”

As noted, the training, which also included the SBA and Republic of Cyprus Police and representatives from British missions in Nicosia and Athens, is part of a wider push to protect vulnerable people, with sessions focusing on spotting the signs of trafficking, understanding the law – both UK and international – putting victims first, and working together across agencies to stop traffickers.

According to Charlotte Wright, Officer in Charge of Customs and Immigration, based in Akrotiri, the training was absolutely critical to the mission.

‘I was delighted to welcome the Border Force SAMS team because safeguarding the vulnerable, both at our boundaries and within the wider community, remains a cornerstone of our mission and a shared priority for Immigration and the police. Ensuring our officers are equipped to identify and support those at risk i fundamental to delivering effective safeguarding outcomes,’ she noted.

It is added that joint training between Bases and Republic of Cyprus officials took place in both 2020 and 2022 and according to Amanda Read, the UK SAMS lead, it is working.

‘Significant progress has been made in addressing modern slavery and human trafficking, with enhanced safeguarding measures and stronger partnerships delivering real, lasting change. The commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and dismantling exploitation networks is clearer than ever,’ she noted.

Furthermore, Bases Head of Customs and Immigration, Mark Hartley, said cooperation is vital to tackling the global trafficking of vulnerable individuals and said the close working relationship with his RoC counterparts is vital to its success.

“The Bases is unwavering in its commitment to combating Organised Immigration Crime. Our strong relationship with the Republic of Cyprus is central to this effort, and our joint training initiatives in modern slavery and human trafficking exemplify the importance of collaboration,” he noted.

“Tackling people smuggling in all its forms remains a priority, and through shared expertise and intelligence, we are better equipped to address this global challenge. Together, we are building judicial and intelligence capacity, enhancing our ability to dismantle organised criminal groups and bring offenders to justice, both locally and internationally,” he added

Finally, Cyprus Police representative on the course, Floris Nikandrou, also referenced the importance of the working relationship.

‘The Cyprus Police welcome’s initiatives like this course, organised by the Bases. We were very happy to be invited and given the chance to be trained alongside our colleagues in SBA Customs and Immigration. It is important that we share a close working relationship in order for us to effectively tackle this deeply problematic issue and we look forward to continuing that in the future,’ he said.

CRICKET-NZL/WIS-INNINGS West Indies 164-6 (20 overs) vs New Zealand – 1st T20I

West Indies reached 164 for six after being sent in by New Zealand in the first T20 International here at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Scores:

WEST INDIES 164-6 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 53, Rovman Powell 33, Roston Chase 28; Jacob Duffy 2-19, Zak Foulkes 2-35).

President inaugurates new premises of UCY Faculty of Engineering

President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides inaugurated Wednesday the new premises of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Cyprus in Nicosia.

In his speech President Christodoulides noted that investment in knowledge and research is the most essential and the most valuable investment a state can make.

The project, he pointed out, was designed to serve the modern educational and research mission of the University, adding that the Faculty’s research activities touch on critical and decisive areas and challenges before us, such as the green transition, natural resource management, civil protection, improving infrastructure and strengthening the resilience of our cities.

He also reiterated that the Government sees the University as a strategic partner in the joint effort to make Cyprus a regional research center.

He also referred to the strategy for ensuring the quality of higher education, its internationalization and its interconnection with the labor market.

In his greeting, UCY Rector Tasos Christofides said that the Faculty of Engineering is a living organization of research and innovation, a vibrant hive of knowledge, a technological and scientific park, where its people can unleash their creativity and contribute decisively to the development of science.

The Rector emphasized that according to the Shanghai list, the Faculty holds high positions in environmental science and engineering, electrical and electronic engineering and the field of automation and controls, while according to the Engirank ranking, which focuses on the ranking of Engineering Schools, the School is ranked in forty-eighth place in the whole of Europe.

He also said that its people, its academic staff, and the researchers have attracted 706 external research programs since its foundation with a total budget for the University exceeding 168 million euros.

The President of the Council of the University Tasos Anastasiou said that we are inaugurating an emblematic building, with state-of-the-art facilities, infrastructure and laboratories, and expressed the certainty that it will become a reference point for its architectural dimension and a center of innovation, scientific cooperation and excellence for the entire wider region.

He assured that the project will allow the maximization of the academic, research and economic footprint of the Faculty of Engineering and the University of Cyprus in general, ensuring that EU funding will bring long-term multiplier benefits to the economy and society of Cyprus.

Themis Christofidou, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional Policy and Urban Development, said in her speech that today we are celebrating a vision that is becoming reality, a project that brings research, technology and innovation to the heart of development.

She added that the research laboratories of the Faculty are a milestone for Cyprus with a total public expenditure of 44 million euros and co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund of 85 percent of the amount.

Christofidou also stressed that political cohesion does not only concern projects, but mainly people, the new generation who study and research, and the Commission’s goal is to give young people the right and incentives to stay in their place of choice.

Vice Governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank, Thomas Bocek said that the Bank follows the development of the University Campus from the very beginning and is proud to be present at the inauguration of the Faculty of Engineering.

He said that the Bank will continue to support the further development of the UCY Campus and looks forward to returning soon for the inauguration of new buildings.

Over 4,000 graduates

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The Faculty of Engineering welcomed its first students in 2003. It has over 4,000 graduates, four departments, three research centers, two centers of excellence for research and innovation and more than 70 laboratories. It offers 6 undergraduate, 13 postgraduate (many in English) and 7 doctoral programs and has secured over 170 million euros in research funding. It has also secured 16 grants from the European Research Council and 1 in 4 of its academic members are ranked among the 100,000 leading scientists internationally, based on the Stanford list.

The Faculty has more than 65 academic members, in addition to 25 administrative members, more than 300 researchers and more than 1,100 students and its modern facilities have the potential to accommodate 1,500 people in its interior spaces.

CMCFeature-BELIZE-FINANCE-Belize invests in infrastructure to boost growth potential

Blessed by nature with lush forests, coral reefs and a strategic location near Mexico and the United States, Belize’s economy is highly reliant on tourism, which directly contributes about 12 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). But infrastructure bottlenecks restrict the future growth of the tourism industry.

To unlock its full potential, Belize seeks to boost investment in infrastructure to address tourism capacity constraints, expand financing to the private sector, and create more opportunities for its labor force.

In 2024, Belize received over half a million ‘stayover’ tourists (those who stay in hotels, as opposed to cruise ships visitors), growing by 18 per cent relative to 2023 and outpacing many more famous Caribbean destinations.

However, three quarters of these visitors arrived in the country’s only international airport in Belize City, which has hotel capacity for only about a fifth of them. Although overall the country has enough room capacity, according to our estimates, the distribution does not align with its most popular touristic sites, some of which require long drives or boat rides that create additional bottlenecks.

Strong growth in tourist arrivals in Belize. Caribbean tourism Board February 2025 and IMF staff calcuations

Other operational and infrastructure constraints also exist. Our analysis shows that flights to Belize are already close to capacity (compared to other countries in the region), suggesting that a future surge in stayover visitors (like last year’s) could run into issues like airport terminal capacity limits or airlines’ ability to quickly add more flights.

The country is trying to address these issues with diversification and infrastructure investment. Examples include eliminating border fees for short-stay Mexican visitors; the planned developments of a new airport in the resort island of San Pedro and a potential international airport in Placencia in the south; the modernization of the Port of Belize; and the Tren Maya, which would connect Mexico and Guatemala through Belize, enhancing regional mobility and expanding tourism capacity.

Expanding access to finance

Luckily for Belize, its banks have the capacity to support this expansion, holding ample liquidity and capital. However, since access to financing is still challenging for many businesses, the government and the central bank took several initiatives to increase the formalization of firms and to expand the range of assets they can use as guarantees for loans.

Dwindling active labor force

Expanding access to finance can also create more opportunities for women to participate in the labor force, which is critical for future growth. Belize’s population is growing more slowly, and the labor force participation has declined, from 65 percent of the working age population before the pandemic to 57 percent in 2024. The situation is particularly concerning among women, as only just about half of them are in the work force, compared to three quarters of the male working age population. This gap is one of the highest in the Caribbean.

Our estimates suggest that fully closing this gap could boost GDP by over 20 percent in the long run. But achieving that will require additional actions from the government, including raising educational levels and reducing salary disparities and higher unemployment among women. Improving access to affordable, high-quality childcare would reduce the economic and logistical barriers, enabling more women to join and remain in the workforce.

The government is expanding access to childcare and training programs, along with initiatives to promote entrepreneurship and foster job placement. Supporting greater female labor force participation will be critical for boosting Belize’s growth potential.

*Ziad Amer, Bunyada Laoprapassorn, and Shane Lowe are economists in the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department.

G/c and T/c parties call upon leaders to give consent to UN to publicise convergences

Leaders and representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties participating in the bicommunal dialogue under the auspices of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Nicosia, have called upon the leaders of the two communities to give their consent to the United Nations to publicise the convergences so far reached in the Cyprus negotiations.

In a joint communique, issued Wednesday after their regular meeting at the Ledra Palace Hotel, it is stated that “they called upon the Leaders to give their consent to the United Nations to publicise the convergences so far reached in the negotiations, as documented by the United Nations itself, so that people realise how much space is truly left towards reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and the prospect for a common European future for all Cypriots”.

It is added that they held a discussion on the topic presented by the hosting party, United Democrats: ‘Renewed hope for Cyprus! Let’s grasp this new opportunity to bring about an agreed solution to the Cyprus problem which has so far put on hold the lives of at least three generations of Cypriots. Let’s release the opportunities for a brighter future for us and generations of Cypriots to come.’

“The representatives of the political parties exchanged views on the presented issue, especially with reference to the clear mandate received by the new Turkish Cypriot Leader and made suggestions as to how new Confidence Building Measures and the resumption of meaningful negotiations can pave the way for a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem” the Joint Communique says.

It adds that “they called upon the Leaders to give their consent to the United Nations to publicise the convergences so far reached in the negotiations, as documented by the United Nations itself, so that people realise how much space is truly left towards reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and the prospect for a common European future for all Cypriots”.

The non-resolution of the Cyprus problem for so many decades, they point out, ” has had a great economic and social cost borne by three consecutive generations of Cypriots and political will and accountability are required to be able to move forward”.

The next meeting of the leaders and representatives of the political parties will be held on 3 December 2025 with VOLT Cyprus as the hosting party.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format is expected later this year.

María Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties, while former European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, designated by the Commission as Special Envoy for Cyprus, is also expected to contribute to the settlement process, in cooperation with Holguín.

JAMAICA-WEATHER- UN agencies call for urgent donor support for Jamaica

The Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Wednesday issued a donor alert to mobilise critical resources for the health response following Hurricane Melissa, which has left a trail of destruction across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

The alert, now available online, outlines the most pressing health needs and the funding required to address them over the next six months in Jamaica.

The hurricane has claimed more than 50 lives and displaced over one million people across the Caribbean. Jamaica has been particularly hard-hit, with 2.8 million people exposed to destructive winds and flooding.

Destruction in Jamaica caused by Hurricanes Melissa

As of Monday, the country recorded 32 death, 94 injuries treated, and over 7,000 people remain in shelters. Five major hospitals are severely damaged in Western and Southern regions of the country.

Seventy water supplies were inoperable due to high turbidity and electrical outages. Forty per cent of the facilities island-wide still have power instability further complicating recovery efforts.

Initial health assessments reveal a dire situation in Jamaica. The continuity of essential health services is under severe strain, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions. Infrastructure damage and service disruptions have made access to care extremely difficult.

Mental health needs are also emerging as a critical concern. Communities are grappling with trauma and loss, and the demand for psychological support and community-based interventions is growing rapidly.

The risk of disease outbreaks is substantial. Flooding, sanitation breakdowns, and widespread displacement have created conditions ripe for the spread of waterborne, foodborne, mosquito-borne, and respiratory illnesses, particularly in shelters where overcrowding heightens transmission risks.

At the same time, logistical challenges continue to hinder access to affected communities, delaying damage assessments and the delivery of life-saving supplies.

To respond effectively, PAHO/WHO say they are seeking US$14.2 million in donor support, adding that this funding will help restore health care delivery, intensify disease surveillance, ensure safe water and sanitation, and improve coordination of humanitarian assistance.

The largest portion-US$10.2 million-is earmarked to support the continuity of essential care delivery, including critical mental health support, and restore the capacity of damaged health services.

The two UN agencies say they have already activated emergency procedures and contingency plans. Twelve international experts have been deployed to Jamaica to support infrastructure damage assessment, environmental health, mental health and psychosocial assistance, emergency medical teams, logistics, and coordination.

Daily collaboration is underway with the national Health Emergency Operations Center, the United Nations Country Team and other humanitarian partners.

PAHO/WHO is also leading health sector coordination and participating in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) efforts, while mobilizing medical supplies from its regional reserves in Panama and Barbados.

Additional resources are urgently needed to scale up and sustain critical health response operations on the ground to protect the lives and health of affected populations.

Cyprus participated with a national pavilion in GITEX GLOBAL in Dubai

Cyprus participated for the fourth consecutive year in the international technology exhibition GITEX GLOBAL 2025, in Dubai, which took place from October 13 to 17 in Dubai.

The Cyprus pavilion was organised by the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Trade Center, the Ministry said in a press release, here on Wednesday.

Cyprus’ participation forms part of the ongoing efforts to highlight the country’s role as an emerging innovation and technology hub in the Eastern Mediterranean, promoting the international presence of Cypriot tech companies and strengthening bilateral collaborations with foreign enterprises.

The Cyprus pavilion at GITEX GLOBAL 2025 hosted 14 pioneering technology companies based in Cyprus, active in sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, IT consulting services, hosting and managed services, among others.

During the Tech Talk Sessions of the exhibition, Cypriot companies had the opportunity to present their business activities, products, and solutions they develop, as well as technology applications for international markets – showcasing investment and cooperation prospects with organizations and companies abroad.

The Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, George Papanastasiou,visited the national pavilion and held individual discussions with representatives of the 14 Cypriot companies.

At the same time, he held scheduled meetings with government officials and senior company executives, aiming to promote the rapidly growing technology and IT sector of Cyprus and to strengthen international collaborations.

ST. LUCIA-DEVELOPMENT-St. Lucia supports Doha Political Declaration

St. Lucia Wednesday welcomed the Doha Political Declaration describing it as a framework to ‘accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthen implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, and foster inclusive and sustainable development.

Equity, Social Development and Ecastical Affairs Minster, Joachim Henry, addressing the second World Summit for Social Development here, said as a small island developing state, St. Lucia seeks to build a resilient, inclusive society where all individuals have access to opportunities, participation and dignity through a ‘people-centred approach’

Equity, Social Development and Ecastical Affairs Minster, Joachim Henry, addressing DOHA conference in Qatar on Wednesday.

He said key initiatives include promoting decent work, making thousands of women permanent employees, establishing a Ministry for Persons with Disabilities, ensuring free maternal and child healthcare, expanding social housing and pensions, and providing early childhood and tertiary education.

Global leaders meeting here have adopted a landmark pledge to build a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable future for all people, a guiding document the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described as ‘a booster shot for development’ and ‘a people’s plan’.

The UN said that by adopting the Doha Political Declaration by consensus, countries agreed to step up efforts to deliver on the promises made 30 years ago at the first Social Summit in Copenhagen and to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Declaration renews and expands the 1995 commitments to meet today’s complex challenges, strengthening action on the interlinked pillars of poverty eradication, decent work, and social inclusion. It calls for universal, gender-responsive social protection and equitable access to health and education while emphasizing the need to counter misinformation and hate speech that threaten democratic values.

Cuba’s Prime Minister, Marrero Cruz, said that three decades after Copenhagen, humanity faces unprecedented challenges under an unjust international order.

He said millions still suffer from hunger and conflict, denouncing ‘genocide by Israel’ and threats by the United States against Venezuela.

He emphasized that unilateral coercive measures, including the economic blockade imposed on Cuba for over 60 years and its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, remain among the greatest obstacles to sustainable development.

The Cuban prime minister said most countries, as demonstrated at the General Assembly, stand against this ‘criminal policy’, calling for the establishment of a new, fairer international order.

Several countries focused their statements on expanding safety nets and improving food security and other basic social services.

‘Place people at the heart of development,’ urged the representative of the Gambia, who said his country is prioritizing social development by expanding opportunities for all, particularly women and youth.

PRESS RELEASE – EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Commission boosts Europe’s competitiveness with new plans for high-speed rail and sustainable fuels for aviation and waterborne sectors

The European Commission today adopted a comprehensive transport package. It will accelerate the roll-out of Europe’s high-speed rail network and to boost investment in renewable and low-carbon fuels for the aviation and waterborne sectors.

Competitiveness and sustainability are the guiding principles of this package, which aims to make the EU transport system more efficient, interconnected, accessible, clean and resilient. The measures presented today cover two key areas – rail, where Europe already leads on sustainability, and fuels, where Europe must now accelerate investments for its energy transition.

Faster, more connected rail across Europe

The new High-Speed Rail Action Plan sets out the steps needed to create a faster, more interoperable and better-connected European network by 2040. It aims to cut journey times and make rail a more attractive alternative to short-haul air travel, thus increasing passenger numbers and boosting regional economies and tourism.

Building on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the plan foresees to connect major nodes at speeds of 200 km/h and above. Passengers will be able to travel from Berlin to Copenhagen in four hours instead of the current seven, and from Sofia to Athens in six hours instead of the current 13 hours and 40 minutes. New cross-border links will also enable faster and simpler journeys such as Paris-Lisbon via Madrid and improved connectivity between the Baltic capitals.

To deliver this vision, the Commission proposes four key strands of action:

Removing cross-border bottlenecks through binding timelines to be set by 2027 and the identification of options for higher speeds, including well-above 250 km/h when economically viable.

Developing a coordinated financing strategy, including a strategic dialogue with Member States, industry and financiers leading to a High-Speed Rail Deal to mobilise the required investment.

Improving the conditions for the rail industry and rail operators to invest, develop innovative solutions and operate competitively, including through a more attractive regulatory environment, by enhancing cross-border ticketing and booking systems, supporting a second-hand market for rolling stock, accelerating the deployment of the EU digital management systems, and fostering R and D and cooperation on scalable solutions.

Strengthening EU-level governance, requiring infrastructure managers to coordinate on capacity for cross-border long-distance services, and facilitating standardisations and authorisations.

Beyond shorter travel times, the plan will ease congestion and free up capacity on conventional lines, facilitating night trains, freight transport, and military mobility, while strengthening Europe’s competitiveness in tourism and industry.

Scaling up investment in renewable and low-carbon fuels

The second initiative adopted today – the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) – sets out a common approach to boost investment in renewable and low-carbon fuels focusing on aviation and waterborne transport.

To meet the RefuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime targets, around 20 million tonnes of sustainable fuels (biofuels and e-fuels) will be needed by 2035. Achieving this will require an estimated pound 100 billion in investment.

The STIP sends a clear signal to investors that Europe’s targets remain in place and that the Commission will support the transition to a climate neutral economy. By accelerating domestic production of biological and non-biological fuels, Europe can reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhance the competitiveness of its industries and lead the clean-energy transition globally.

Key investment measures aiming to mobilise at least pound 2.9 billion through EU instruments by 2027 include:

At least pound 2 billion for sustainable alternative fuels under InvestEU.

pound 300 million through the European Hydrogen Bank to support hydrogen-based fuels for aviation and shipping.

pound 446 million for synthetic aviation fuel and maritime fuel projects under the Innovation Fund.

pound 133,5 million in fuels-related research and innovation under Horizon Europe.

On the top of these measures, the Commission with the Member States is preparing to launch an eSAF Early Movers Coalition pilot project by the end of 2025, aiming to mobilise at least pound 500 million for synthetic aviation fuel projects. The Commission will also work to strengthen the enabling conditions for market investments to bridge the investment gap.

In the medium term, the Commission will work towards establishing a mechanism to connect fuel producers and buyers, providing revenue certainty and reducing investment risk. The Plan will also strengthen international partnerships to expand global fuel production and attract imports which meet the EU sustainability criteria while ensuring fair competition for EU producers and users.

For More Information

Communication from the Commission: Connecting Europe through High-Speed Rail

Communication from the Commission: Sustainable Transport Investment Plan

Questions and answers – European high-speed rail network Plan

Questions and answers – Sustainable Transport Investment Plan

Factsheet – European high-speed rail network Plan

Factsheet – Sustainable Transport Investment Plan

RLCF Alliance webpage

ReFuelEU Aviation webpage

FuelEU Maritime

News item – Commission launches plan to accelerate high-speed rail across Europe

News item – Commission unveils the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan: a strategic approach to boost renewable and low-carbon fuels for aviation and waterborne transport

Webpage – High-speed rail plan – Mobility and Transport – European Commission

Webpage – Sustainable transport investment plan – Mobility and Transport

Quote(s)

High-speed rail is cohesion in action. Improving travel times between capitals across Europe is a tangible and pragmatic result of our will to make Europe more united and more efficient. It will bring citizens closer together, make business easier throughout the EU, and contribute to what we call the ‘right to stay.

Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms

Today’s package is about strengthening Europe’s competitiveness while moving decisively towards a net-zero future. By investing in faster, better-connected rail and scaling up renewable and low-carbon fuels, we are making Europe’s transport system cleaner, more resilient and more affordable for citizens.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism

CRICKET-NZL/WIS-LEAD Hope, Chase steer West Indies to gritty victory in Eden Park thriller

The West Indies drew first blood in their five-match T20I series against New Zealand, defending a modest total of 164 to claim a nail-biting seven-run victory at Eden Park here on Wednesday.

The win, which saw them successfully defend the lowest-ever total at the venue, was set up by a captain’s knock from Shai Hope and a masterful all-round performance from Roston Chase, before a late onslaught from New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner provided a heart-stopping finish.

Sent into bat, the West Indies top order struggled to adapt to the bouncy Auckland pitch after coming off less juicy surfaces on tours of Bangladesh and India.

They found themselves in early trouble at 43 for 3, after Jacob Duffy sent back Brandon King in the first over for three, and then Kyle Jamieson had Alick Athanaze caught for 16.

Jimmy Neesham then got in on the act, as he sent back the inform Akeem Auguste for two.

But skipper Shai Hope orchestrated a rescue mission. Overcoming a sluggish start, Hope weathered the storm and accelerated to a vital 53 off 39 balls, anchoring the innings.

He found a reliable partner in Roston Chase (28), who was involved in the two biggest partnerships of the innings. Hope and Chase added 54 for the fourth wicket, after which Chase and Rovman Powell put on 49 runs for the fifth wicket.

Powell (33), who was dropped twice, helped push the total to 164 for 6, with Romario Shepherd finishing off the innings with a couple of boundaries.

For New Zealand, Duffy was the pick of the bowlers, with a miserly 2 for 19 from his four overs.

The West Indies defence was ignited by a fiery spell from returning seamer Matthew Forde. Playing his first competitive cricket since July, Forde was menacing with the new ball, troubling the Kiwi top order with swing and pace.

He clean-bowled Devon Conway for 13, in a powerplay burst that yielded just 9 runs from his first three overs.

From the other end, the spin of Roston Chase proved devastating. On a ground known for its short boundaries, Chase’s clever off breaks yielded 3 for 26, tearing through the New Zealand middle order and reducing the hosts to a precarious 107 for 9 in the 17th over.

Jayden Seales wasn’t to be undone, as he bagged three for 32 to help break the heart of the Kiwi batting lineup.

Just as a comprehensive victory seemed certain, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner launched a stunning counter-attack. He smashed an unbeaten 55 from just 28 balls, single-handedly turning the chase on its head.

His late fireworks, which included a 23-run over off Forde, electrified the sparse crowd and brought New Zealand back from the brink.

The match went down to the final over, with the Black Caps needing 20 runs. Santner clubbed a six off Romario Shepherd to keep hopes alive, but the bowler held his nerve under extreme pressure to seal the win by seven runs.

West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul was pleased that his troops were able to come away with the victory.

‘We’re very happy with our performance. You know, we didn’t have much time here, and coming and seeing how the guys performed with the energy that they put in and the execution that they did in the match was really commendable. ‘