New forecast sees bad hurricane season, but milder than 2005
PARIS, France (AFP): A long-range forecast issued
Thursday became the second prediction in just over
a week to
declare that this year's Atlantic storm
season would be bad, but nowhere as brutal as the
2005 record crop that produced
Hurricane Katrina.
Earthquake hits French-Guiana, Suriname
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: An earthquake measuring
5.2 on the Richter scale rocked French-Guiana at
1.30 pm local
time Thursday, sending thousands
fleeing from buildings.
FBI unable to assist Guyana authorities with controversial tape
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The FBI has so far been
unable to identify the voices contained in a
controversial taped
telephone conversation
purportedly between Guyana's Commissioner of Police
and a senior member of the main opposition
party.
Venezuelan oil company studies supply depot in Antigua-Barbuda
CARACAS, Venezuela (Bloomberg): Petroleos de
Venezuela SA, South America's largest oil company,
is studying construction
of a storage facility complex
on the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and
Barbuda as part of its PetroCaribe initiative.
Haiti rejoins Caribbean Community
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): Haiti has been
officially readmitted to the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) after being
kicked out in 2004, according
to the headquarters here of the Caribbean trade and
economic development bloc.
UN peacekeepers, gangs clash in Haiti slum
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters): UN troops and
gangs exchanged gunfire in Haiti's largest slum in the
first such
clash in months, and witnesses said on
Thursday that three people were killed.
Guyana key to Republic Bank's growth
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Republic Bank (Guyana) is
being seen as the platform where Republic Bank could
expand its
growth in the South American region,
according to the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Permanent secretaries reshuffled in the BVI
ROAD TOWN, BVI: There has been a re-shuffle of
permanent secretaries in the various Ministries in the
British
Virgin Islands. Four permanent secretaries
have been given new ministry assignments.
BVI strengthens port and border security
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The Customs Department in the
British Virgin Islands continues to put additional
measures in
place to protect the ports and borders in
the territory.
Montserrat welcomes new minister of tourism
BRADES, Montserrat: The Caribbean island of
Montserrat has a new Minister with responsibility for
Tourism, with
the swearing in of Dr Lowell Lewis on
June 2, 2006.
Commentary: Here’s to PM Gonsalves for demonstrating true leadership (and friendship)
As a Caribbean native, I am loath to comment on the
domestic political affairs of fellow islanders --
especially
from my vantage point in Washington, D.C.
Nonetheless, I feel constrained to admonish the
Leader of the Opposition
in St Vincent.
Injury rules out Sreesanth from second test against West Indies
GROS ISLET, St Lucia (AFP): India have suffered an
injury setback two days before the second Test
against West
Indies, starting on Saturday at the
Beausejour Stadium.
Trinidad's Hislop ready to wait for World Cup chance
BREMEN, Germany (AFP): Shaka Hislop may have to
settle for a place on the substitutes bench when
Trinidad and
Tobago make their first-ever World Cup
appearance against Sweden in Dortmund on Saturday.
Isaksson out of Trinidad clash thanks to former clubmate
BREMEN, Germany (AFP): Sweden suffered a blow 48
hours away from their opening World Cup salvo
against Trinidad
and Tobago when goalkeeper
Andreas Isaksson was ruled out after taking a shot
from former Rennes team-mate Kim Kallstrom
in the
face.
Birchall dreaming of Trinidad and England success
WUEMME, Germany (Reuters): England winning the
World Cup, but losing to Trinidad & Tobago along the
way would
be the perfect scenario for Chris Birchall.
Swedes prepare tough debut for Trinidad
LEVERKUSEN, Germany (Reuters): Sweden plan to
ruin Trinidad & Tobago's World Cup debut on
Saturday and give
themselves a flying start ahead of
seemingly tougher matches against Paraguay and
England.
Yorke will not be used up-front, says Trinidad's coach
ROTENBURG, Germany: Trinidad and Tobago's Dutch
coach Leo Beenhakker has confirmed he will not be
using captain
Dwight Yorke as an out-and-out striker
for their first FIFA World Cup tournament group
match, which is scheduled for
Saturday.
Beenhakker says warm-up defeats are learning experience
ROTENBURG, Germany: Trinidad and Tobago's coach
Leo Beenhakker is hoping his team can use their
recent experience
from warm-up matches as
preparation to face some of the top European teams
in the 2006 World Cup tournament.
Former Trinidad players hold differing World Cup views
PIARCO, Trinidad: Former Trinidad and Tobago
internationals Warren Archibald and Everard
Cummings revealed contrasting
viewpoints ahead of
Friday's start of the FIFA 2006 World Cup tournament
in Germany.
Powell heads Caribbean sprinters for Paris Golden League meet
PARIS, France: Asafa Powell, the joint world record
holder over 100 metres, heads four Caribbean
sprinters already
confirmed for the men's dash at the
Meeting Gaz de France Paris Saint Denis on Saturday
8 July 2006.
New floods hit Suriname
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Over the last three days
several villages in Suriname where the water level
had receded
were hit again by flooding after several
days of torrential rains, the National Coordination
Centre for Disaster Management
(NCCR) reports.
Opposition criticises visit by St Vincent PM to Taiwan
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: The Leader of the
Opposition in St Vincent and the Grenadines has
criticised Prime Minister
Dr Ralph Gonsalves for
visiting Asian ally Taiwan at a time when the
opposition there is calling for the resignation
of
President Chen Shui-bain.
Haitian Senate approves coalition cabinet
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): The Haitian Senate
approved late Tuesday a coalition cabinet under new
Prime Minister
Jacques-Edouard Alexis, who pledged
to re-establish the rule of law in the impoverished
Caribbean country.
ECCB and Commonwealth Secretariat strengthen region’s debt management
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The St Kitts-based Eastern
Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is hosting a two-week
Commonwealth
Secretariat Debt Recording and
Management System (CS-DRMS) 2000+ Regional
Workshop from June 7.
Bidding farewell to the Antigua Recreation Ground
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): For the last 25 years, the
Antigua Recreation Ground, nestled in between the
hustle
and bustle of this capital city has provided
several thrilling moments in Tests.
Chile's Bachelet heads to Haiti, Jamaica and Dominican Republic
SANTIAGO, Chile (AFP): President Michelle Bachelet
leaves Wednesday for a tour of Haiti, Jamaica and
the Dominican
Republic and a visit to the United
States, where she will meet with President George
W. Bush, Chile's foreign ministry
said.
Bermuda insurer downgraded, causing default on credit line
NEW YORK, USA (Bloomberg): Quanta Capital
Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda insurer that stopped selling
new policies
last month, said it was downgraded by
rating service A.M. Best Co., sending it into default
on its line of credit.
Venezuelan energy company to help Cuba increase oil production
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Petroleos de Venezuela
SA, South America's largest energy company,
pledged to help
Cuba increase production of oil and
improve the quality of gasoline.
Suit by Japan emigrants to Dominican Republic rejected
TOKYO, Japan (Reuters): A Tokyo court rejected on
Wednesday a suit by Japanese who emigrated to the
Dominican
Republic under a government scheme a
half century ago, only to find a "hellish nightmare"
instead of the expected
"paradise".
Brazil appoints ambassador to CARICOM
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Trade and economic
relations as well as south-south cooperation between
the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) and Brazil are
expected to expand under the stewardship of Arthur
Vivacqua Correa Meyer, Brazil's new Ambassador
to
CARICOM.
St Kitts on 'Legend of the Seas' itinerary next year
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Royal Caribbean International
announced Wednesday that St Kitts is on the
itinerary when
its 2,064-passenger “Legend of the
Seas” is home ported for the first time in the
Dominican Republic from late next
year.
Lara bemoans circumstances of controversial catch
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): West Indies captain Brian
Lara has described as "ridiculous" the controversy
that surrounded
the catch taken by Daren Ganga to
dismiss Mahendra Dhoni in India's second innings.
Collins replaces injured Edwards in West Indies squad
LONDON, England (Reuters): Left-arm seamer Pedro
Collins will replace his injured half-brother Fidel
Edwards
in the West Indies squad for the second
test against India starting on Saturday in St Lucia.
Trinidad team is decided, says coach Beenhakker
WUEMME, Germany (Reuters): Trinidad & Tobago
coach Leo Beenhakker says his players know him so
well he does
not need to tell them his side for their
opening Group B game against Sweden on Saturday.
Facts: Trinidad & Tobago v Sweden
WUEMME, Germany (Reuters): Trinidad & Tobago
face Sweden in their opening Group B match of the
World Cup
finals on Saturday. Where:
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund. When: Saturday June
10, 1800 local (1600 GMT).
Powell, Gatlin match-up rescheduled
LONDON, England: For the second time this season
the joint world's fastest men, Asafa Powell and Justin
Gatlin,
have set a London head-to-head match up.
Insulza says weak finances undermining the OAS
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (Reuters): The
Organization of American States acknowledged on
Tuesday that
weak finances were undermining its
ability to operate effectively. OAS Secretary-General
Jose Miguel Insulza detailed
the economic hard times.
USVI Congressional delegate arrested during protest
WASHINGTON, USA: US Virgin Islands delegate to
Congress, Donna Christensen, was arrested on
Tuesday as she joined
her Congressional Black
Caucus colleagues in a peaceful protest in front of
the Sudanese embassy to put pressure on
that
government to end the genocide in Darfur.
Four charged in St Vincent with raping American visitors
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: Four men were on Tuesday
remanded to prison after appearing before a
Kingstown magistrate
charged with the alleged rape
of an American woman and two of her daughters at
La Soufričre in St Vincent last week.
Haiti PM names cabinet, to address prisoner issue
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters) : Haitian Prime
Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis unveiled his cabinet
on Tuesday
and vowed to deal with the burning issue
of political prisoners. Alexis went before the Senate
to outline his plan
for governing as part of the formal
process of installing a new government.
Spain hunts trafficker blamed for death of Africans found adrift off Barbados
MADRID, Spain (AFP): Spanish police have launched
an international manhunt for a human trafficker who
left 47
African migrants on his boat to starve to
death as they drifted across the Atlantic towards the
Caribbean island of
Barbados.
French train maker wins contract for Santo Domingo subway
PARIS, France (Bloomberg): Alstom SA, the world's
second-biggest train maker, won an order worth 92.5
million
euros ($118.6 million) to supply 19 train sets
for the first subway line in Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic.
Antigua-Barbuda makes submissions to US Congress on gaming laws
WASHINGTON, USA: The influential Judiciary
Committee of the United States House of
Representatives met recently
to consider the so-
called ‘Goodlatte and Leach Internet Gaming Bills’ and
the Government of Antigua-Barbuda was given
an
opportunity to make written submissions to the
Committee.
New leaders of Haiti, Jamaica and Montserrat to attend next CARICOM summit in St Kitts
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Heads of State and
Governments of Haiti, Jamaica and Montserrat will be
among the new faces
when the 27th Conference of
Caribbean Heads of Government convenes in St Kitts
next month.
Commentary: Law and Politics: Somewhat late - but better late than never
When Sir Ronald Sanders was delivering his lecture
on the CSME in Barbados, I doubt he could have
been anticipating
the extent of the reaction his
comments on that occasion engendered. But some
very useful responses have been forthcoming.
Commentary: Regaining the quality of self-reliance: Caribbean integration must be fair to all!
We are at a critical juncture in the forward
movement of the Caribbean Community, as we join
together in the
fight for a standard of living which is
acceptable to one’s self worth and comfort.
West Indies escape India's noose
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Tailenders Fidel Edwards
and Corey Collymore nervously batted through the
last 3.1
overs of the fifth and final day to help West
Indies wriggle free from the clutches of defeat to
earn a draw against
India in the opening Test.
Lara and Dravid hail 'great' test match
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (Reuters): West Indies captain
Brian Lara and India's Rahul Dravid were left
searching for
superlatives following the dramatic
drawn first test on Tuesday.
‘Not a perfect race,’ but McFarlane happy with Reebok win
NEW YORK, USA: Surprise 2004 Athens Olympic silver
medallist Danny McFarlane of Jamaica, says despite
the fact
that he didn't run a perfect race he was
happy with his winning performance in the cool
conditions at the New York
Reebok Grand Prix.
Peru-Venezuela tensions cast shadow over OAS summit
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AFP): Growing
tensions between Venezuela and Peru have cast a
shadow over
the opening of an annual summit of the
Organization of American States (OAS).
Guyana authorities recover stolen gun, warn of instability
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyanese law enforcement
officials on Sunday claimed success in their efforts to
recover
thirty-three stolen AK-47 assault rifles from
the army's headquarters, when it reported the find of
one of the guns.
Visa dispute between Canada and Haiti on the way to being solved
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: The visa dispute between
Ottawa and Haitian Prime Ministerial nominee,
Jacques Edouard
Alexis, is reportedly on the way to
being solved, according to Canada’s Foreign Affairs
Minister.
St Kitts-Nevis National Assembly approves electoral reform
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The St Kitts and Nevis
National Assembly approved without debate, the St
Kitts-Nevis Labour
Government’s road map to
electoral reform.
Belize placed on 'worst offenders' human trafficking list
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): Belize has been added to
a "Tier 3" worst offenders blacklist of countries
trafficking
in people, a US State Department report
said Monday.
Aged Japanese emigrants to Dominican Republic sue government
TOKYO, Japan (Reuters): Fifty years ago, Toru
Takegama joined hundreds of Japanese farmers on a
one-way voyage
to the Dominican Republic in search
of fortune on a promised "paradise in the Caribbean
Sea".
Trinidad and Tobago gripped by football fever
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Reuters): Football fever
has gripped Trinidad and Tobago, the smallest
country to qualify
for the World Cup finals in
Germany. The former British colony is living up to its
carnival reputation with parties
celebrating the
achievement of the Soca Warriors.
Caribbean concerned over feminisation of HIV/AIDS epidemic
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The world has been told that
there is a great deal of concern in the Caribbean
region over
the overall expansion and feminisation of
the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Legal fraternity meeting in Grenada focuses on OECS integration
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada: There was a packed
programme of activities for the legal fraternity over
the weekend with
the OECS Bar quarterly Council
Meeting in Grenada.
Caribbean committed to HIV/AIDS care and treatment by 2010
UNITED NATIONS, New York: Prime Minister of St
Kitts and Nevis and Chair of the Pan Caribbean
Partnership Against
HIV/AIDS, Dr Denzil Douglas, has
committed the Caribbean to the goal of universal
access to prevention, care, treatment
and support
by 2010.
Radiation treatment now available in USVI
ST THOMAS, USVI: The Charlotte Kimelman Cancer
Institute in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, is now
treating cancer
patients with radiation, providing
welcome news to the region’s cancer sufferers.
Guyana's Commissioner of Police to respond to allegations of misconduct
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Prime Minister of
Guyana, Samuel Hinds, has written to the
Commissioner of Police, Winston
Felix, seeking an
immediate response to allegations stemming from a
taped telephone conversation purportedly between
the Commissioner and a member of a political party.
West Indies chase 392 after Indian fightback
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): A day of high drama on
Monday ended with West Indies chasing 392 for
victory in the
opening Test against India at the
Antigua Recreation Ground.
Trinidad and Tobago end barren spell
HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters): Trinidad and Tobago
coach Leo Beenhakker dismissed claims that his side
were tired
ahead of their opening World Cup game
after they ground out a 2-1 win against German third
division side St Pauli
on Monday.
Winning performance in Oslo not too spectacular, says Powell
OSLO, Norway: Joint 100-metre world record holder,
Jamaican Asafa Powell, said he made minor mistakes
in his
winning performance at Friday's Golden League
Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway, that cost him a better
time.
First-timers Trinidad and Tobago fly in for World Cup
BREMEN, Germany (AFP): Trinidad and Tobago flew in
on Sunday for their first ever appearance in the
World Cup
finals. The Caribbean squad, coached by
Dutchman Leo Beenhakker, completed their series of
warm-ups with a 3-0 defeat
to fellow finalists the
Czech Republic on Saturday.
Montserrat gets new coalition government
BRADES, Montserrat (Reuters): A new coalition
government took office in Montserrat on Friday, two
days after
the volcano-scarred British Caribbean
territory held a general election that failed to
produce a clear winner.
American visitors raped in St Vincent
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: Police in St Vincent say
four men will appear before a Kingstown magistrate
on Tuesday
to answer charges related to the alleged
rape of three female American visitors to the island
last week.
Trinidad government scraps 'Trinity Cross' as nation's highest award
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: What was once Trinidad
and Tobago's highest national award, the 'Trinity
Cross', is
no more. Prime Minister Patrick Manning
made the announcement in Parliament on Friday that
the Trinity Cross will
be replaced.
Conserve energy, says Dominica PM
ROSEAU, Dominica: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
wants nationals to conserve energy and regulate
their consumption
levels, following a new price
increase on fuel, gas and kerosene in Dominica. The
new retail prices represent a 5.7%
or 65 cents
increase on gasoline.
Cuban regime's number-two official, Raul Castro, turns 75
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Raul Castro, the official
political heir to Cuba's communist regime led by his
brother Fidel,
turned 75 Saturday with a flurry of
glowing coverage in state-run media.
Castro's death could spark refugee crisis
MIAMI, USA (AFP): As Cuban President Fidel Castro
nears his 80th birthday, US authorities planning for
the fallout
in Florida from his eventual death fear a
dangerous mass migration of Cubans, The Miami
Herald reported Friday.
Cuba sends 135 medics to quake-hit Indonesia
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP): Visiting Cuban Foreign
Minister Felipe Perez Roque said Friday his country
was sending
135 medical specialists to treat
survivors of the earthquake on Indonesia's Java
island.
Guatemalan diplomat takes helm of UN peacekeepers in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): The new
representative of UN chief Kofi Annan in Haiti,
Guatemalan diplomat Edmond
Mulet, arrived Friday in
Port-au-Prince to head the UN peacekeeping mission
in the troubled country.
Cuba says US denied visa to UN AIDS delegate
UNITED NATIONS, (Reuters): Cuba complained on
Friday that the United States denied a visa to the
head of its
delegation to a UN AIDS conference, but
a US spokesman said he applied too late.
OAS chief Insulza seen facing 'impossible task'
MIAMI, USA (Reuters): When Jose Miguel Insulza was
elected secretary-general of the Organization of
American
States in May 2005 there was hope the
Chilean statesman might revive a body long seen as
ineffectual and dominated
by Washington.
Cuban prisoners hailed as heroes at home
HAVANA, Cuba (UPI): Five Cubans serving lengthy
prison terms for espionage-related acts in the United
States
are being hailed as heroes in their native land.
Brazil sending more troops to Haiti
BRASILIA, Brazil (UPI): Brazil has sent an additional
280 troops to Haiti, where the South American nation
leads
the UN peacekeeping mission, Brazilian officials
said Friday.
Commentary: Mergers of Caribbean firms: Key to competitiveness
Dr Richard Bernal, the Head of the Caribbean Regional
negotiation Machinery (CRNM), has produced a most
important
paper on the survival of Caribbean
businesses in a competitive global environment.
Letter: The cause of the disastrous floods in Suriname
With respect to Mrs Linda Petrusi, I would like to give
my opinion on the cause of the disastrous floods in
my
country Suriname during the first weekend of May.
India fight back against West Indies
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Opening batsman Wasim
Jaffer ran amok on loose West Indies bowling to hit
his second
Test hundred and help India claw their
way back into the opening Test on Sunday at the
Antigua Recreation Ground.
Jaffer was undefeated on
a Test-best 113 when stumps were drawn.
Powell starts million dollar hunt with two sub-10 runs in Oslo
OSLO, Norway: Jamaican ace, Asafa Powell, the joint
100m world record holder, started his hunt for a
million
dollars with two sub-10 seconds and Jamaican-
born Sanya Richards captured the women's 400m at
the ExxonMobil Bislett
Games, an IAAF Golden League
meeting in Oslo, Norway, on Friday.
Bolt, Campbell beaten; McFarlane stands alone at Reebok Classic
NEW YORK, USA: Jamaican Olympic 200m champion
Veronica Campbell and countryman Usain Bolt were
both defeated
at the 2006 Reebok Grand Prix at New
York City's Icahn Stadium Saturday evening.
England outclass Jamaica
MANCHESTER, England (AFP): Peter Crouch scored a
hat-trick as England concluded their preparations for
the World
Cup by knocking six goals past a
hopelessly outclassed Jamaica here on Saturday. The
combination of Crouch and Michael
Owen in attack
was highly effective.
Czechs beat Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 in friendly
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Reuters): Striker Jan Koller
notched a pair of goals and Pavel Nedved added
another as
the Czech Republic beat Trinidad and
Tobago 3-0 on Saturday in their final tune-up ahead
of the World Cup finals.
Trinidad and Tobago are
making their first appearance in the World Cup finals.
Powell, Gatlin want to take 100m to another level
OSLO, Norway: Joint 100m world record holders
Asafa Powell of Jamaica and Justin Gatlin of USA
want to use their
rivalry to take 100-metre sprinting
to the highest level. "Expect some good performance
from us (Powell and Gatlin)
this summer," Powell told
Caribbean Net News.
