Suriname authorities expel Guyana’s most wanted man
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Guyana’s most wanted man
Shaheed Roger Khan was deported early Thursday
morning and sent
back to his country by the
authorities in Suriname. However he never reached
Guyana as he was met by US law enforcement
officials in Trinidad & Tobago.
Caribbean leaders to tackle important issues during next week’s summit
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Secretary General at the
CARICOM Secretariat, Dr Edwin Carrington, has been
speaking about
the several issues which the regional
leaders will tackle during the July 3rd to 6th Meeting
in St Kitts. He said
it was a very important meeting,
with some very weighty matters.
Venezuela to provide $29.4m to finance housing development in Dominica
ROSEAU, Dominica: The Government of Venezuela
has agreed to grant Dominica $29.4 million for the
construction
of houses in Dominica. This follows a
request made by Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit to
Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez.
CIBC signs agreement to buy Barclays stake in FirstCaribbean
TORONTO, Canada (Bloomberg): Canadian Imperial
Bank of Commerce, Canada's fifth-biggest lender, has
signed a
definitive agreement to take control of
FirstCaribbean International bank by acquiring a
$1.08 billion stake from
Barclays Plc.
Petroleos Venezuela and St Kitts Energy create joint venture
CARACAS, Venezuela (Bloomberg): Petroleos de
Venezuela SA, South America's largest oil company,
formed a joint
venture with St Kitts Energy Company
Ltd as part of Venezuela's PetroCaribe initiative.
Cuban dissidents say repression increasing as summit nears
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): The Cuban government has
stepped up arrests and harassment of critics as it
prepares to host
the Nonaligned Movement Summit in
September, a human rights organization on the island
charged on Thursday.
Jamaica decides not to give out condoms in prisons
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters): Jamaica has decided
not to distribute condoms in prisons, where violence
has broken
out in the past over mere suggestions
that men have sex with men in the facilities, an
official said on Thursday.
Guyana’s President to miss next week’s CARICOM Heads Meeting
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Guyana’s President, Bharrat
Jagdeo, is to miss next week’s 27th Regular Meeting
of the
Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government
in St Kitts next week. Guyana’s High Commissioner
informed the St Kitts
and Nevis Prime Minister that
the Guyana leader will not attend.
Commentary: PetroCaribe: Let’s look this gift horse in the mouth
It was reported here on Wednesday that Grenada
and Dominica are the latest Caribbean countries to
buy into the
PetroCaribe initiative that Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez is touting as a “Bolivarian
Alternative” to the FTAA.
Commentary: Caribbean Issues Summit: An alternative to an existing reality
A look at how Caribbean-Americans celebrated the
first Caribbean Heritage Month reveals a disturbing
reality
that reflects our community’s psyche. Almost
every event to commemorate this milestone was a
party, game, dinner dance.
West Indies and India claim advantage for last test
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters): West Indies captain
Brian Lara and India skipper Rahul Dravid agreed to
differ on
the eve of the fourth and final test, saying
their own sides held the initiative going into the
match. The teams go
into the game with the series
deadlocked after three draws.
Lara targets winning finale against India
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): West Indies captain Brian
Lara insisted Thursday that his side are capable of
snatching
a series win against India. Lara was
speaking ahead of the fourth and final Test, which
opens on Friday at Sabina
Park.
Chappell under pressure as India stutter in the West Indies
NEW DELHI, India (AFP): India's cricket chiefs are
losing patience with coach Greg Chappell over his
team's failure
to clinch a Test win on what is proving
a forgettable West Indies tour.
Martinique-born Pognon defends 100m title at European Cup
MALAGA, Spain: Martinique-born Ronald Pognon, the
European indoor 60-metres record holder won two
medals competing
for France in the sprints at the
two-day 2006 Spar European Cup in Malaga, Spain,
which ended on Thursday. Pognon
ran away with the
men's 100m dash on Wednesday.
Bermuda cricket to benefit from ICC financial assistance
LONDON, England (Reuters): The International
Cricket Council (ICC) will give more than $9 million to
Bermuda
and five other associate member countries
in an effort to raise standards before the 2011 World
Cup.
OECS must affirm its presence, says St Vincent PM
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: Immediate past chairman of
the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States
(OECS), Dr Ralph
Gonsalves, has commented further
on his statement last week that there are forces
trying to undermine the sub-regional
grouping.
Dominica PM criticises treatment of Guyanese at CARICOM ports of entry
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Prime Minister of
Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, has openly criticised the
treatment dished
out to Guyanese at the ports of
entry of some Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
countries.
Two killed in Trinidad power company explosion
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Two Trinidadian men
employed at the Power Generation Company of
Trinidad and Tobago
Limited have been killed and
another seriously injured following an explosion on
Wednesday morning.
Grenada receives good rating from WTTC
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada: As travel and tourism
continues to be one of the world’s fastest growing
industries and
employers, the World Travel & Tourism
Council (WTTC produces detailed annual Tourism
Satellite Accounting reports.
Early harvest on road to CARICOM Single Economy
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: CARICOM Secretary-General
Edwin Carrington, in his welcome remarks to a
gathering at the
Sherbourne Conference Centre in
Barbados on Wednesday, pointed to “early harvest”
in the CARICOM Single Economy process.
Digicel invests additional $22m in Haiti
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Proparco has signed a Credit
Agreement with Unigestion Holding S.A. to finance
the development
of Digicel Haiti, a new mobile
telecommunication operator.
BVI to mark 50th anniversary
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The government of the British
Virgin Islands will host a special ceremony this
Saturday, July
1, to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of the Virgin Islands becoming a Territory.
Caribbean Star Airlines postpones Curacao launch
ST JOHN’S, Antigua: Caribbean Star Airlines
announced Wednesday that it has postponed plans
to offer new service
to/from Curacao. The move
comes as the carrier re-focuses and expands its
efforts toward achieving Category One status.
Tobago's minority leader set to give budget response
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Tobago's Minority Leader,
Ashford Jack, is expected to respond to the island's
2.7 billion
dollar fiscal package presented on Monday
by Anselm London, Secretary for Finance.
Antigua-Barbuda to host CARICOM security meeting
ST JOHN’S, Antigua: The region’s security
preparations for Cricket World Cup 2007 will top the
agenda when Antigua
and Barbuda hosts the Second
Meeting of the Council of Ministers Responsible for
National Security and Law Enforcement.
Letter: It is wrong to call for a boycott
Whilst many people with have sympathy with the
views of Linda Wilson from Miami about the whaling
situation and
Japan, it is very wrong of her to call for
a boycott of the islands that support the motion.
Letter: Realism before conservationism
I really do not quite understand why these people
just can't quit, rather than continuously drowning
themselves
in all this hypocrisy?
Jamaica's Smith breaks Decathlon record in Ratingen
RATINGEN, Germany: Jamaica's multi-athlete Maurice
Smith continued his great form this season with
another impressive
performance in the Decathlon,
this time it was at the "International Mehrkampf-
Meeting", held in Ratingen, Germany,
last weekend.
OECS countries ready to sign on to Single Market
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Antigua and Barbuda,
Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St
Vincent and the Grenadines
will sign onto the Single
Market on 30 June according to Prime Minister of
Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit.
Montserrat now at volcano level 4 alert
BRADES, Montserrat: Scientists at the Montserrat
Volcano Observatory (MVO) have reported that there
is an ongoing
swarm of volcanic earthquakes at
shallow depths, “the likes of which have not been
seen at the MVO for years.”
Woman sues over Turks & Caicos hotel attack
NEW YORK, USA (UPI): A New York woman is suing a
Turks and Caicos Islands resort after she and a friend
were
robbed at gunpoint.
Grenada signs supply contract with Venezuelan oil company
CARACAS, Venezuela (Bloomberg): Petroleos de
Venezuela SA, South America's largest-oil company,
has signed a
long-term supply contract to sell
petroleum products to the Caribbean island of
Grenada as part of Venezuela's PetroCaribe
initiative.
EU increases aid to Haiti
BRUSSELS, (Reuters): The European Union
announced an increase in development aid for Haiti
on Tuesday, in a show
of support for visiting
President Rene Preval and his newly elected
government.
Two stowaways found dead aboard ship from Dominican Republic
MIAMI, USA (UPI): Crew members of a ship docked at
Miami found two dead stowaways sealed inside a
cargo container,
the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Barbados prisoners to go on trial for burning prison
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Twenty-six men will soon go
on trial for burning down Glendairy Prison in Barbados
last
year during an uprising at what was then the
country's only adult penal institution.
Dominica officials elaborate on new crime prevention and control policy
ROSEAU, Dominica: Minister of State in the Prime
Minister’s Office, Rayburn Blackmoore and
Superintendent of
the Dominica Police Force,
Nicholas George, have been elaborating on Dominica’s
National Crime Prevention and Control
Policy.
Additional relief for flood victims in Suriname
WASHINGTON, USA: This past week, in a brief
ceremony in Suriname, the Resident Representative
of the OAS and
the representative of the IICA signed
a grant agreement for the amount of $13,500 to
further assist the victims of
flooding in Suriname.
Dominica PM urges support for Haiti
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Haiti’s development will
depend largely on the Caribbean Community’s
(CARICOM) institutional
support, according to the
Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit.
Letter: I am outraged that your islands would host the IWC
I am outraged that your islands would host the IWC
and take blood money from those whaling scoundrels
in Japan.
West Indies hope ICC world cup will bring passion back to cricket
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (AFP): If sport is a metaphor
for life, then the passion and pain of the struggling
West
Indies cricket team are an apt reflection of the
region which will welcome the 2007 ICC World Cup.
Lara laments lack of firepower
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (AFP): West Indies captain
Brian Lara claimed neither his side nor India seem
capable of
delivering the knockout punch in their
Test series after the third Test ended in a draw.
London showdown between Gatlin and Powell in doubt
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): The sprint showdown
between co-world record holders Asafa Powell and
Justin Gatlin may
not take place next month unless a
deal can be reached soon, said Powell's manager on
Monday.
Powell confident in his abilities
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaican co-world record holder
over 100-metres, Asafa Powell, says he's capable of
running
any sprint event competitively at the
moment, as he's in the best shape of his life.
Jamaica’s Sinclair targets 1500m IAAF World Cup spot
KINGSTON, Jamaica: With Cuban World champion
Zulia Calatayud already a sure pick for the 10th IAAF
World Cup
in Athens, Jamaica's top middle distance
female runner Kenia Sinclair said she's now targeting
a qualifying time for
the 1500m event.
OECS fully supports CSME, says Dominica’s PM
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Prime Minister of
Dominica, Roosevelt Skerritt has given an assurance
that the countries
of the Organisation of the Eastern
Caribbean States (OECS) “are in total support of the
CARICOM Single Market and
Economy (CSME).”
Taiwan rolls out red carpet for Dominican Republic's president
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP): Taiwan on Monday rolled out
the red carpet to welcome President Leonel
Fernandez of the
Dominican Republic, one of the 25
countries still maintaining diplomatic ties with the
island. The Dominican Republic
leader was welcomed
with a 21-gun salute and a military honour guard.
St Kitts to expand financial services sector with captive insurance
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: St Kitts will soon introduce
captive insurance legislation, according to St Kitts
and Nevis
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr
Denzil Douglas, who told service providers including
lawyers, accountants
and representatives of the
financial services sector in Zurich.
US prison officer charged in BVI with explosives offences
ROAD TOWN, BVI: An American correctional officer
with the Justice Department in St Thomas, US Virgin
Islands,
has been arrested and charged in the British
Virgin Islands with explosives and firearms offences.
BVI government to help small businesses
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The government of the British
Virgin Islands is putting mechanisms in place to help
small businesses
in the territory and to further
stimulate the creation of independent small
commercial enterprises.
Clamp down on music pirates in St Vincent
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: Carnival planners in St
Vincent have selected the semi finalists for the
National Soca
Monarch and National Calypso
competitions this weekend, even as the Minister of
Culture sent a “final warning” to
music pirates.
Caribbean telecoms to invest in 4G wireless networks
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic: Caribbean
telecoms have announced plans to increase their
investment in next
generation 4G network capacity,
to make the region more internationally competitive
in mobile information and communications
technology.
Commentary: Law and Politics: CSM(E) on hold until December, 2006!
In the highly competitive world of politics, diplomacy,
and public administration generally, it must be
accepted
and fully understood, that the business of
the people takes time. And that is so, in a nutshell.
Commentary: Sun, sea and sand
While few could deny that these three attributes
have enormous appeal, it would be in my humble
opinion a massive
mistake for policymakers to
continue viewing these as the only marketing options.
Commentary: The search for justice for Haiti’s Yvon Neptune and his fellow inmates - All political prisoners
René Préval has an enormous task ahead of him, as
he picks up the reins of a battered and demoralized
nation.
Reforming the Haitian judicial system,
however, is perhaps the most critical of his multiple
burdens.
Third straight draw for West Indies and India
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (AFP): West Indies and India
both failed in their bids for victory in the third Test
that
ended in a predictable draw at Warner Park here
on Monday. Chasing 392 for victory, India reached
298 for four in
their second innings, when the two
sides decided it was pointless to continue.
Lara has no regrets about follow-on decision
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (Reuters): West Indies captain
Brian Lara had no regrets about not enforcing the
follow-on
after the drawn third test against India on
Monday.
Simpson doubles up as Powell flashes to world-leading mark at Jamaica Nationals
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Joint 100-metre world record
holder Asafa Powell and Commonwealth Games
champion Sherone Simpson
shared the spotlight with
two sizzling runs in the men's and women's 200m
dashes respectively at the Jamaica National
Track
and Field Championships.
Baptiste and Harper win 100m titles at Trinidad Championships
BACOLET, Trinidad: Collegiate Kelly-Ann Baptiste and
Jacey Harper captured the men's and women's 100-
metre dash
titles at the Sagicor National Track and
Field Championships held at the Dwight Yorke
Stadium in Bacolet, on the weekend.
Preval 'delighted' at Haiti's return to CARICOM
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: Newly elected President of
Haiti, René Preval has expressed delight at Haiti's
resumption
of formal arrangements with the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
St Kitts-Nevis 'thoroughly displeased' at Greenpeace, says minister
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Minister of Agriculture and
Fisheries Cedric Liburd reported to the recent
International
Whaling Commission meeting that the
government and people of St Kitts and Nevis were
thoroughly displeased with the
"illegal activities" of
Greenpeace.
OECS raises new flag
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The Organisation of Eastern
Caribbean States (OECS) marked an historic point in
its existence
on Wednesday, June 21 , when it raised
the first ever OECS flag.
Castro makes party elite feel corruption campaign backlash
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuban authorities last week
jailed a senior Communist Party member for 12 years
for corruption
in a rare sanction against high level
fraud.
Cuba hails 'plantibody' breakthrough for hepatitis vaccine
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): In what scientists billed as a
breakthrough, Cuba has developed the first
monoclonal antibody
from transgenic plants --
dubbed a "plantibody" -- used in making a human
vaccine.
Former chief of Bermuda investment fund being investigated by UK regulators
LONDON, England (Bloomberg): The former executive
director of Langbar International Ltd., a Bermuda-
based investment
company which is missing 370
million pounds ($673 million), is being investigated by
U.K. accounting regulators.
Kidnapped Canadian missionary freed in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters): A Canadian
missionary held by kidnappers in Haiti for almost a
week was freed
after a $2,000 ransom was paid, a
Haitian police official said on Sunday.
Jamaican PM gets warm Florida reception
FORT LAUDERDALE, USA (UPI): Jamaica's new Prime
Minister Portia Simpson Miller drew an appreciative
audience
in Florida despite waning popularity a home,
the Miami Herald said.
Repair problems uncovered in Bahamas-bound seaplane crash
MIAMI, USA (UPI): Investigators have uncovered
maintenance problems at the airline that operated a
seaplane which
crashed in Miami en route to the
Bahamas last December killing 20 people, a report
says.
Dialysis treatment may soon be available in Grenada
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada: Dialysis treatment could be
available in Grenada in the very near future. The
treatment
will be provided by a private company,
Island Health Services (IHS), which is in the process
of organizing its clinic
at Belmont St George’s.
Rio Group wants UN Mission to remain in Haiti
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Rio Group members are
advocating an extended life and mandate of the
United Nations (UN)
Stabilisation Mission in Haiti
(MINUSTAH).
US will continue to support Haiti, says ambassador
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: The United States plans to
assist the Haitian government, the United Nations
Stabilisation
Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the
Organisation of American States (OAS) in "the
completion of local elections".
Venezuelan energy minister to sign PetroCaribe agreement in Dominica
ROSEAU, Dominica: A delegation from Venezuela
headed by Minister for Energy and Petroleum and
President of PDVSA,
Rafael Ramirez, arrives in
Dominica on Monday for the signing of an agreement
to cooperate in energy-related matters.
Nevis polling day set for July 10
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Nevisians will go to the polls
on July 10, 2006. The date was announced by
Premier Vance
Amory as he addressed hundreds of
his Concerned Citizens Party supporters at a rally on
Thursday June 22, 2006.
Commentary: Financing Caribbean development
Banks are not institutions that normally attract praise
for their good work. But, the Caribbean Development
Bank
(CDB) is an exception. The CDB was born in
stormy circumstances in January 1970 after
considerable debate and rancour.
Commentary: Saving whales, swimming with the devil and economic sabotage
As leaders from the eastern Caribbean gathered
together to unveil the first ever flag, an international
controversy
is swimming like an angry shark in the
economic waters around the Caribbean community.
Four late West Indies wickets leaves Test well poised
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (AFP): West Indies have been
left to rue their questionable decision not to enforce
the
follow-on, after losing four wickets in their
second innings in the third Test against India at
Warner Park here on
Sunday.
Simpson sizzles to world-leading 10.82 at Jamaican Nationals
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaica’s reigning
Commonwealth Games 200-metres champion Sherone
Simpson struck great form
at the National Track and
Field Championships in Kingston, Saturday evening
when she raced to a world leading 10.82
seconds to
win the women's 100m crown.
Canada beat Barbados 71-3 in Rugby World Cup qualifier
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AFP): Canada romped to an
11-try victory over Barbados on Saturday, beating
the Caribbean
island nation 71-3 (h-t: 45-0) in a
2007 Rugby World Cup qualifier.
