EU to commit 22 billion euros in aid to ACP countries
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP): The European Union is
expected to commit some 22 billion euros (28 billion
dollars)
in aid to the African, Caribbean and Pacific
(ACP) group of countries from 2008-2013, an EU
official said Thursday.
All quiet on Day 1 of hurricane season
MIAMI, USA (UPI): There were no tropical systems
moving off Africa toward the Americas Thursday, the
first day
of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season.
Trinidad's million-dollar blimps out of commission
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Two of Trinidad and
Tobago's most expensive anti-crime fighting air
security surveillance
systems have been taken out of
commission.
Two journalists detained by police in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Two journalists were on
Wednesday briefly detained by police while they were
covering a police
operation in a section of
Georgetown, Guyana's capital.
St Kitts-Nevis National Assembly approves acquisition of land for tourism development
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The St Kitts and Nevis Federal
Assembly has approved the Federal Government’s
acquisition
of 852 acres of land for public purpose -
the construction of a five-star tourism development.
Rice scraps plans to attend OAS meeting in Dominican Republic
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice has cancelled plans to attend the
upcoming general
assembly of the Organization of
American States (OAS) and will instead be sending
her deputy, her office announced
Thursday.
Guyana bauxite company temporarily closes, lays off workers
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): The dumping of cheap
Chinese bauxite on the international market has
forced a temporary
shutdown and hundreds of layoffs
at a Guyana-based bauxite company largely owned
by Cambior of Canada, officials said
on Wednesday.
Bermuda's IRF European to buy stake in Greece bank
ATHENS, Greece (Bloomberg): IRF European Finance
Investments Ltd., a Bermuda-based investment fund,
has agreed
to buy as much as 30 percent of the
Greek lender Proton Investment Bank.
Schering-Plough closes Puerto Rico plant, fires 1,100
CHICAGO, USA (Bloomberg): Schering-Plough Corp. is
cutting 1,100 jobs, closing one manufacturing plant
in Puerto
Rico and streamlining operations at other
plants there and in New Jersey.
Trinidad bank robbers appear in court
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Two men, one from
Trinidad and the other from Tobago, who reportedly
stole a bank vault
containing more than TT$340,000
in cash and bank equipment, appeared before a San
Fernando court on Wednesday.
AIDS deaths decline in Barbados
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: HIV infection levels have
remained stable in Barbados, but the number of AIDS
deaths in
the country appears to be on the decline,
according to the UNAIDS 2006 Report on the Global
AIDS Epidemic.
CARICOM countries urged to join international court
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: The Coalition for the
International Criminal Court on Thursday called on
Bahamas, Grenada,
Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts
and Nevis, and Suriname to ratify or accede to the
Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court.
Commentary: Les Affaires embarrassantes du Prince Albert of Monaco...
In my mission to help transform the consciousness of
Caribbean natives - from a colonial to an independent
mindset
- I have seized upon every opportunity to
undermine the esteem too many us still accord the
vestiges of colonialism.
Letter: Are there ever 'founded' racist remarks?
You report that "the CGID has taken Trinidad and
Tobago's opposition leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar,
to task
over what the Institute says are apparently
unfounded, racist comments..."
Indian batsmen confirm strength in drawn tour match
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): India's batsmen confirmed
that they could be their side's strength during the
upcoming
Tests against West Indies, when four of
them reached half-centuries as the tour match with
Antigua and Barbuda ended
in a predictable draw on
Wednesday.
Lara expects test of character in India series
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (Reuters): West Indies face a
true test of character in the four tests against India
after
winning the one day series 4-1, captain Brian
Lara said on Thursday.
South Africa to face West Indies in record Twenty20 match
DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters): A Texan-born
billionaire is financing a world record $5 million
Twenty20 international
between West Indies and
South Africa in Antigua this November, Cricket South
Africa (CSA) said on Thursday.
King expelled from Jamaica squad for England friendly
LONDON, England (Reuters): Jamaica striker Marlon
King has been sent home from the squad for a breach
of discipline,
the team said in a statement on
Thursday.
No sub-20, but Bolt optimistic about clash with Spearmon at Reebok Grand Prix
OSTRAVA, Czech Republic: Jamaican Usain Bolt said
he's upbeat about the head-to-heat contest with
American Wallace
Spearmon, the 2005 World
Championships silver medallist from Helsinki, Finland.
Sharing the record for now might not be so bad after all for Powell
OSLO, Norway: Jamaican co-world record holder
Asafa Powell says sharing the record with American
rival Justin
Gatlin has helped him to concentrate on
lifting his performances at every meet.
Caribbean countries may support Japan's bid to resume commercial whaling
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: At least one Caribbean
country has said it will support Japan’s bid to resume
commercial
whaling at the International Whaling
Commission (IWC) meeting as the region comes into
focus as St Kitts hosts the
58th meeting of the IWC.
US weather experts forecast above-normal hurricane threat
MIAMI, USA (AFP): Caribbean and US coastlines are
under greater threat in this year's tropical storm
season with
five out of nine projected hurricanes
expected to rank as intense storms, US climatologists
said Wednesday.
OECS and CARICOM in transformative stage, says ECCB governor
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: The Governor of the ECCB,
Sir K Dwight Venner, has expressed the view that the
OECS in
particular and CARICOM in general are “in
what can only be defined as a fundamentally
transformative stage."
Trinidad opposition leader criticised over alleged racist remarks
NEW YORK, USA: The Caribbean Guyana Institute for
Democracy has taken Trinidad and Tobago's
opposition leader,
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, to task
over what the Institute says are apparently
unfounded, racist comments.
Grenada parliament to discuss petrol tax law
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada: A special sitting of Grenada’s
parliament will be held on Friday to take the Petrol
Tax
Amendment Act through all its stages.
Bodies found adrift off Barbados to remain in storage until investigation complete
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: The Barbados government
says it's spending at least BDS$500 a day storing the
bodies of
the 11 men found in a vessel floating off
the coast of the island in April.
USVI strengthens Homeland Security measures
10:05 am edt
BET Networks promoting Caribbean talent
NEW YORK, USA: The Caribbean sometimes seems to
have as many international jazz and music festivals
as it has
islands, but some believe that regional
talent is often marginalized.
Caribbean nations call for review of benefit from Global Fund
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Caribbean countries on
Wednesday called for a revision of the eligibility
criteria by the
Global AIDS Fund, which places undue
emphasis on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) without
recognising vulnerability issues.
Joseph beats ball against Indians in tour match
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Sylvester Joseph
plundered an undefeated hundred for his native
Antigua and Barbuda
to expose some of the
limitations of India's bowling in a two-day tour match
on Tuesday at the Police Recreation Ground.
West Indies target more success against India in first Test
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): West Indies are hoping to
build on the momentum they have gained from their
triumph
in the preceding One-day International
series, when they face India in the first Test of their
four-match rubber,
starting on Friday.
Powell eyes record and jackpot at Bislett Games
OSLO, Norway (AFP): The Golden League gets under
way at the Bislett Games here on Friday with holders
of 21 current
global outdoor titles set to compete at
the fast, newly-laid track.
World Cup 2006 factfile: Trinidad and Tobago
BERLIN, Germany (AFP): Thirty-two teams have
qualified for the 2006 World Cup finals which take
place in Germany
from June 9-July 9. AFP has
prepared factfiles on all the finalists. Following is a
factfile on Trinidad and
Tobago.
Bolt, Ferguson and Moreno score wins in Ostrava
OSTRAVA, Czech Republic: Jamaican sensation Usain
Bolt, Bahamian 2000 Olympic 'Golden Girl' Debbie
Ferguson and
Cuba's Yipsi Moreno scored victories at
the IAAF Super Grand Prix Golden Spike meeting in
Ostrava.
One year later, Natalee Holloway case still unsolved
ORANJESTAD, Aruba (UPI): Tuesday marked the one-
year anniversary of the still unresolved
disappearance of Birmingham,
Ala., high school
graduate Natalee Holloway in Aruba.
CSME benefit to OECS disputed
CASTRIES, St Lucia: Caribbean hotelier and graduate
economist Allen Chastanet is standing by his
statement that
the Caribbean Single Market and
Economy (CSME) offers nothing for the Organization
of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
More details emerge about boat found drifting off Barbados
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: More details are emerging
about the circumstances surrounding the death of 11
people whose
bodies were found on a boat off the
coast of Barbados last month.
More growth recorded in Nevis economy
CHARLESTOWN , Nevis: The Nevis economy has
performed well and, according to Vance Amory,
Premier of Nevis and
Minister of Finance in the Nevis
Island Administration (NIA), indicators point to
continued growth by the end of 2006
and 2007.
Air Jamaica to fly media to St Lucia
CASTRIES, St Lucia: Caribbean carrier Air Jamaica is
spearheading another initiative to expose the
wonders of
the island of St Lucia to international
audiences.
Cuban dissident to complete fourth month on hunger strike
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Frail and fed through an
intravenous tube, hunger-striking Cuban dissident
journalist Guillermo
Farinas finishes a fourth month
Wednesday defying communist authorities and
demanding Internet access even to his
death.
Injury doubts over Trinidad and Tobago stalwart Andrews
PARIS, France (AFP): Trinidad and Tobago coach Leo
Beenhakker has expressed concern over the fitness
of his veteran
central defender Marvin Andrews.
Five percent economic growth for St Kitts-Nevis in 2005
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The Barbados-based
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has reported that
economic activity
in St Kitts and Nevis continued to
improve in 2005.
Alexis endorsed as Haiti's prime minister
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: Haiti’s Deputies Chamber
endorsed Jacques Edouard Alexis for Prime Minister
last week,
thus conforming their choice with that of
the Senate.
Digicel invests more in Dominica and Curacao
ROSEAU, Dominica: Digicel has introduced its range
of products and services to the Caribbean islands of
Dominica
and Curacao and has announced an
increased investment of US$5 million to meet surging
demand.
Scientists set the stage for international whaling conference in St Kitts
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Nearly 200 scientists from
around the world are in St Kitts for the scientific
meetings
that are being held in preparation for the
June conference of the International Whaling
Commission.
Caribbean women called to attend faith-based workshop
CASTRIES, St Lucia: Women of the Caribbean are
being called to take a break from the daily stresses
of life to
refresh their spirits, along with their St
Lucian sisters and women from North America.
St Kitts court dismisses election petition
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: An Eastern Caribbean High
Court Judge on Monday dismissed an election petition
from an
opposition candidate challenging the October
2004 re-election of the incumbent Labour Party
Representative, Dr Earl
Asim Martin.
New CARICOM institute to be based in Suriname
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) Secretary General, Edwin Carrington, has
announced the proposed
establishment of a CARICOM
Institute of Translation and Interpretation in
Suriname.
CARICOM delegation for UN HIV/AIDS session
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Approximately 50
representatives of the CARICOM-coordinated Pan
Caribbean Partnership Against
HIV/AIDS (PANCAP)
will attend the United Nations General Assembly
Special Session on HIV/AIDS on May 31 to June 2.
Commentary: Law and Politics: Our political activities are backward looking
The happenings in our political comings and going,
and their ups and downs, have been bothering me for
some time
now. The concerns are ever-present, and
I share them and listen to others’ concerns in regular
discussions.
Letter: Biased letter demands an answer
The biased letter from Alexander Baldal about the
Holloway case demands an answer from an American.
First, he
accuses the American media of hypocrisy
because he feels it ignores the suffering of Iraqis and
Palestinians.
Lara upbeat after West Indies clinch ODI series over India
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): Brian Lara's possible
final international appearance on home soil in the
two-island
republic of Trinidad and Tobago brought
the West Indies captain great satisfaction.
Ghana post morale-boosting win over Jamaica
LEICESTER, England (AFP): Ghana did much to put
memories of their disappointing African Nations Cup
campaign
behind them as they continued their
preparations for the World Cup with a morale-
boosting 4-1 win over Jamaica here
on Monday.
Trinidad PM defers local government elections
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago's
Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, has postponed the
country's local
government elections for one year,
elections which normally would have been held by
July of this year.
Digicel opens its doors in Dominica
ROSEAU, Dominica: Digicel officials say they expect
to acquire an 85 – 90 percent market share in
Dominica within
the next few years and “destroy” the
competition.
St Kitts-Nevis records strong growth in tourism in 2005
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The tourism sector in St Kitts
and Nevis continued to record strong growth for the
third
successive year in 2005, the Caribbean
Development Bank (CDB) has reported.
Aruba to host Caribbean Marketplace 2007
ORANJESTAD, Aruba: The Caribbean Hotel
Association has announced the selection of Aruba as
the site for the 2007
edition of Caribbean
Marketplace, the largest trade event showcasing
Caribbean travel products and services.
Petrobras to sell $500m of fuel oil to Puerto Rico generator
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Bloomberg): Petroleo
Brasileiro SA, Brazil's state-controlled oil company,
has agreed
to sell $500 million of fuel oil to the
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the island's
state-controlled energy
generator.
British Virgin Islands share secrets with Caribbean media
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The British Virgin Islands Tourist
Board is getting serious about the regional Caribbean
travel
market and made a major move last week to
increase its share of the regional pie.
St Kitts readies for e-government
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: A forum that will address E-
Government Policy Formulation and Implementation is
scheduled
for May 30-31 at the new NEMA
Headquarters in St Kitts.
Jamaican reggae legend Desmond Dekker dies of heart attack
LONDON, England (AFP): Reggae legend Desmond
Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack at his
home in Surrey,
south-east England, just a week
before his next concert, his manager said on Friday.
Grenada ratifies Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism
WASHINGTON, USA: Grenada on Friday became the
18th member of the Organization of American States
(OAS) to deposit
instruments of ratification of the
Inter-American Convention against Terrorism.
Antigua-Barbuda to host Caribbean environmental forum
ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Antigua and Barbuda will host
the 3rd Caribbean Environmental Forum & Exhibition,
in
collaboration with the 12th Annual Wider Caribbean
Waste Management Conference on June 5-9.
Commentary: Canada and CARICOM - A relationship for good
A most remarkable conference on strengthening
Canada’s relationship with the Caribbean took place
on May 23rd.
It was remarkable for several reasons
not least because it was initiated not by the
Caribbean.
Letter: Commentary, Caribbean style
I am always impressed with the way Anthony L. Hall
handles the English language, and selects topics that
must
be of interest to many of your readers.
Letter: Is the Guyana government in bed with indicted drug dealers and criminals?
The Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy
(CGID) is concerned about the continuous and
shocking admissions
in the Guyanese media
attributed to indicted Guyanese alleged drug lord,
Shaheed "Roger" Khan.
West Indies cruise to victory over India, win series 4-1
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): West Indies cruised
to a 19-run victory over India here Sunday, wrapping
up a
4-1 one-day series victory after a fine all-round
batting and bowling display.
Gatlin pulls out of Gateshead showdown with Powell
EUGENE, USA (AFP): World and Olympic 100-meter
champion Justin Gatlin of the United States will not
compete next
month in England against the man with
whom he co-owns the world 100m record.
West Indies name first Test squad
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): West Indies have
named a 14-member squad for the opening Test of
four against
India, starting at the Antigua Recreation
Ground on Friday.
West Indies have a new attitude, says Lara
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): West Indies captain
and batting superstar Brian Lara has indicated a new
attitude
has gripped his side after they completed a
six-wicket victory over India in the fourth one-day
international on Friday.
West Indies wrap up series against India
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): Half-centuries from
hometown boys Brian Lara and Dwayne Bravo piloted
West Indies
to a comfortable six-wicket victory in
the fourth one-day international against India on
Friday.
Gatlin faster than Powell at Prefontaine Classic
EUGENE, USA: American Justin Gatlin, the World and
Olympic champion, won the 2006 Prefontaine Classic
Grand Prix
men's 100m, run in separate races, over
Jamaica’s Asafa Powell here in Eugene, Sunday
afternoon.
Wales defeat Trinidad in World Cup warm up match
GRAZ, Austria: Trinidad and Tobago suffered a minor
set-back in their preparation for next month's World
Cup
in Germany after they were beaten by an
inexperienced Wales side in their latest warm-up
match on Saturday.
