Tropical Storm Ernesto forms in Caribbean
MIAMI, USA (UPI): Tropical Depression No. 5 became
Tropical Storm Ernesto Friday afternoon as it headed
across
the Caribbean toward Jamaica and Cuba. At
11 p.m. EDT, the center of the storm was 260 miles
south-southeast of Santo
Domingo, Dominican
Republic.
Blair's eldest son discharged from Barbados hospital
LONDON, England (AFP): Euan Blair, eldest son of
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, has been discharged
from
a hospital in Barbados, the prime minister's office
said Friday. Sky News television reported earlier that
the 22-year-old
university student had
suffered "abdominal pains".
Suriname to accommodate possible refugees from Guyana
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: The Surinamese government,
with national institutions and assistance of the
international
community, is prepared to accommodate
Guyanese nationals fleeing possible violence in
connection with the elections
on August 28.
Two Trinidad Digicel officials resign following company shake up
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Two senior management
officials of Trinidad and Tobago's Digicel
Telecommunications
group have resigned, following a
reported shake up within the Group.
Electoral reform process in St Kitts-Nevis endorsed
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts: Local political leaders and
representatives of regional and international
organisations
have endorsed the Road Map for
Electoral Reform that would lead to a formulated and
legally reformed electoral system
in the Federation of
St Kitts and Nevis.
Commonwealth to work to enhance socio-economic progress of member states
LONDON, England (JIS): New Commonwealth Deputy
Secretary-General, Ransford Smith, has pledged to
work to strengthen
the ability of the Commonwealth
Secretariat to enhance the socio-economic progress
of member states.
Trinidad Central Bank raises 'repo' rate
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The Trinidad and Tobago
Central bank has raised its REPO rate to 8 percent.
The latest
inflation figures released by the Central
Statistical Office in Trinidad indicate that headline
inflation measured
8.6 percent.
Former PAHO director receives Suriname’s highest national award
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Former director of the Pan-
American Health Organization, Sir George Alleyne was
decorated
on Thursday with Suriname’s highest
national award. The distinction as ‘Bearer of the
Grant Sash in the Honorary Order
of the Palm’ was
conferred on Alleyne.
Caribbean Hotel Association updates its image
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: The Caribbean Hotel
Association has launched its new logo and corporate
identity, following
the approval of the Board of
Directors during the organization's annual conference
in Miami. The new brand image responds
to the
organization's need to update its identity.
Barbados to pursue offshore drilling
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Oil companies could have
permission by the end of the year to drill in deep
waters off
Barbados, according to Minister of Energy
and the Environment, Elizabeth Thompson.
One of the bodies found adrift off Barbados now identified
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: One of the 11 bodies
discovered on a small yacht off Barbados four months
ago has now been
identified but there is as yet no
word on burial arrangements for the men.
Trinidad Government establishes Heritage Stabilization Fund
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The Trinidad Government is
moving to establish a new Heritage Stabilization Fund
to
buffer against the uncertainties and potential
depletion within its energy sector.
Cubans in US less fearful on immigration
WASHINGTON, USA (UPI): Cuban-Americans are less
likely than other Hispanics to see the immigration
debate as
heightening discrimination, the Washington-
based Pew Hispanic Center said.
Former Trinidad and Tobago president dies
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Reuters): Noor Hassanali,
who served as president of Trinidad and Tobago from
1987 to
1997, died on Friday at age 88, after a brief
illness.
Commentary: Dancing to the music of heritage: Conservation and Caribbean cultural investment
From the beating of steel-pans in Trinidad, to John
Canoe celebrations in Bahamas, to the Caribbean
Queen Show
in Antigua, to Jamaica's reggae stars;
right across the region the inherent richness of
Caribbean culture permeates...
Letter: Grenada does not need a new Spice product
Grenada does not need a new Spice product,
Grenada needs to concentrate on alternative fuel
sources i.e, ethanol-sugar
cane production, as in
Brazil.
Letter: I have become a victim of the 2007 Cricket World Cup
I have become a victim of the 2007 Cricket World
Cup to be held in the Caribbean. A hotel room in Port
of Spain
has changed from US$98 per night to
US$300 per night.
Tropical Storm Ernesto may be forming in Caribbean
MIAMI, USA (Bloomberg): Tropical Storm Ernesto may
be christened within a day, as a patch of
thunderstorms and
winds in the Caribbean turned into
a tropical depression, the fifth of the season, the US
National Hurricane Center
said.
Security forces vote in Guyana amidst ballot concerns
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Close to 8,000 members of
the Disciplined Services, which includes the police,
soldiers and
prison officers, officially kicked off the
2006 General and Regional Elections in Guyana on
Monday.
San Andres truck accident yields $40m in cocaine
BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters): Colombian police
responding to what looked at first like a simple traffic
accident
on the Caribbean island of San Andres found
$40 million in cocaine hidden in an overturned Ford
truck, they said on
Wednesday.
OAS following Guyana elections closely
WASHINGTON, USA: The Secretary General of the
Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel
Insulza, said
Thursday that the OAS is closely
following the development of the electoral process in
Guyana.
Couples Resorts to build another resort in Jamaica
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica: Couples Resorts has
announced plans for expansion with the addition of a
fifth resort to
its brand. The new resort will be
situated near the multi-billion dollar Harmony Cove
luxury tourism project in Trelawny,
Jamaica.
Poverty declining in Dominica says World Bank
ROSEAU, Dominica: The number of persons in
Dominica living in poverty has fallen, according to a
World Bank report,
which says that the percentage
of the Dominican population living in poverty is now 33%.
Hemispheric countries urged to collaborate to counter aviation risks
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaican Minister of Housing,
Transport, Water and Works, Robert Pickersgill, has
called for
increased collaboration among countries in
the western hemisphere to counteract the risks and
challenges in aviation
transportation.
Commentary: Hey, my big brother is a Bishop!
On Wednesday, at the 94th International General
Assembly of the Church of God of Prophecy in
Nashville, Tennessee,
my brother, Dr Joseph Leon
Hall, was ordained a “newly deemed Bishop”.
Commentary: Petrocaribe, the curse of a dead agreement
Most of Petrocaribe’s member countries don't have
appropriate infrastructure and neither do they have
control
over their energy resources, port operations
and storage tanks.
US offers to lift Cuba embargo if Havana embraces democracy
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The United States,
keeping up the pressure on Cuba in the absence of
ailing leader Fidel
Castro, said Wednesday it would lift
a 44-year trade embargo if the communist
government embraced democracy.
BVI Chief Minister calls for public assistance in solving murder
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister of the British Virgin
Islands Dr Orlando Smith has urged the public to
assist
the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force in solving
Tuesday's violent crime that resulted in the death of
25 year-old
Vere Brown Jr.
Commonwealth and CARICOM officials in St Kitts for launching of Electoral Reform Exercise
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Representatives of the
London-based Commonwealth and the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM)
in Georgetown, Guyana, were
due to address the official launching of the St Kitts
and Nevis Electoral Reform Exercise
on Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Debby strengthens slightly
MIAMI, USA (Reuters): Debby, the fourth tropical
storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season,
strengthened slowly
on Wednesday over open waters
but posed no threat to land, the U.S. National
Hurricane Center said.
Cuba and Navajo nation talk business without Fidel
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): The highest-level US
delegation to visit Cuba since Fidel Castro handed
over power left
the island on Wednesday with a
historic deal on trade between the communist
country and a Navajo agribusiness.
Poland's Kwasniewski proposes 'round table' in Cuba
WARSAW, Poland (Reuters): Polish ex-President
Aleksander Kwasniewski, who helped negotiate a
peaceful end to
Ukraine's "Orange Revolution", has
offered to mediate talks between the Cuban
government and Cuban opposition leaders.
Fidel Castro recovers free of workload - brother
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cuban leader Fidel Castro is
relaxing for the first time in his life as he recovers
from
intestinal surgery free of his excessive workload,
his older brother, Ramon Castro, said on Tuesday.
Cuba steps up fight against dengue mosquito
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): With the help of a Russian-
built biplane, Cuba has stepped up measures to check
the spread
of dengue, a mosquito-transmitted virus
that causes a fever that can be deadly.
Jamaicans should explore micro and small business sector, says minister
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Minister of State in the Ministry
of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce,
Senator Kern
Spencer has said that Jamaicans
needed to explore all the available opportunities
within the micro and small business
sector.
Jamaica's cultural heritage must be viewed as an investment, says minister
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Minister of Tourism,
Entertainment and Culture, Aloun Ndombet Assamba,
has stressed the importance
of viewing the Jamaican
cultural heritage as an investment, which has
economic benefit for the country.
Sharks not significant threat to Cayman, says government
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: The Cayman Islands
Department of the Environment (DoE) has reassured
the public
that shark sightings in shallow water are
not unusual for this time of year and pose no
significant threat.
Commentary: Caribbean women living with HIV – Part 2
The Caribbean has not been spared the ravages of
HIV/AIDS which has had a devastating impact on
women in the
region. The World Health Organization's
2005 update found the Caribbean with the second
highest HIV prevalence in
the world.
Letter: Reggae music has lost a great man
I am surprised that I have not seen an article on the
passing of Joseph Hill, lead singer and song writer for
the
Reggae band Culture from Jamaica.
Powell hails Gatlin for cooperating
FLORIDA, USA: Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, who is
now the sole owner of the men's 100-metre world
record,
following the ban of his main challenger Justin
Gatlin, applauded the World and Olympic champion for
his willingness
to cooperate with authorities.
Gatlin to contest eight year doping ban
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): Disgraced sprint king
Justin Gatlin is to contest the eight-year ban he
received for doping
and hopes to be back in
action "as soon as possible", his lawyers said on
Wednesday.
8:32 am edt
First murder for 2006 in BVI
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Police in the British Virgin Islands
have mounted an investigation into the first murder
recorded
for the year after 25-year-old Vere Brown
Jr. was found dead on Tuesday morning.
Chavez to seek oil contracts, political support in China
BEIJING, China (AFP): Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez arrived in China Tuesday for a visit aimed at
forging
closer energy and economic ties, as interest
also centered on whether the trip would boost his
anti-US platform. Chavez's
six-day tour comes at a
crucial time for his country.
Tropical Storm Debby may form soon
MIAMI, USA (Bloomberg): A tropical depression that
emerged Monday near the Cape Verde Islands may
become Tropical
Storm Debby as early as Tuesday
night, forecasters said. The fourth tropical depression
of the Atlantic hurricane
season has top sustained
winds of about 35 miles per hour.
Dominica has most ambitious nursing programme in the Caribbean says PM
ROSEAU, Dominica: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
has said that Dominica has the most ambitious
training programme
for nurses in the Caribbean.
Skerrit made that disclosure on Sunday, when he
compared the shortage of nurses that
existed a few
years ago to action now being taken.
Venezuela to reconsider anti-drug accord with U.S
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuela has
doubts about signing a stalled anti-drug accord with
the United States
after Washington last week opened
a special intelligence bureau for Venezuela and Cuba,
a Venezuelan minister said
on Monday.
New disaster management office for Nevis
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: The Nevis Disaster
Management Office will soon have new and expanded
offices, to deliver
maximum services to the people of
Nevis in the event of a disaster. A two acre site at
Long Point had been cleared
and construction work is
scheduled to commence in September 2006.
Traffic planning and transportation seminar held in BVI
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister of the British Virgin
Islands Dr Orlando Smith says a seminar held last
week on
traffic planning and transportation in Road
Town will not be in vain.
Miami school board wants Cuba book off its shelves
MIAMI, USA (AFP): Miami's school board decided
Tuesday to appeal a ruling ordering its libraries to
reinstate
a children's book about Cuba, which exiles
claim paints an overly rosy picture of the communist-
run island.
Toronto celebrates first ever Caribbean Week
TORONTO, Canada: Toronto will be able to
experience the sights, sounds, colours, culture and
unique vacation
attributes of the Caribbean with the
celebration of Caribbean Week from Thursday,
October 12 through Sunday, October
15, 2006.
Jamaica appoints new Director of Tourism
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Basil Smith has been selected to
fill the position of Director of Tourism of the Jamaica
Tourist
Board (JTB), after an extensive local and
international search. His appointment has been
announced by Dennis Morrison,
Chairman of the JTB.
PM outlines vision for health sector in Dominica
ROSEAU, Dominica: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
has outlined his vision for the health sector in
Dominica.
The Prime Minister was at the time
addressing a Town Hall Meeting in the village of Paix
Bouche on Sunday evening.
Commentary: Caracas and Washington:Though politically divorced, the economic union goes on
Washington’s incendiary response to Venezuela’s
candidacy for the Latin American UN Security Council
seat is
indicative of its standard combative riposte to
any serious challenge against the neo-liberal global
economic order.
Letter: Beware of CGID’s propaganda
Some four years ago I met Mr Rickford Burke at a
Conflict Resolution Conference in Washington, D.C.
organized
by the late Dr Cedric Grant, Mr Clarence
Ellis, and myself.
Gatlin agrees to eight-year ban, forfeits world record
NEW YORK, USA (Bloomberg): Olympic 100-meter
champion Justin Gatlin has agreed to an eight-year
ban from track
and field events, avoiding a lifetime
suspension in exchange for providing information that
may assist the US Anti-Doping
Agency in its effort to
eradicate drugs from the sport.
Puerto Ricans edge China in overtime at world basketball
SAPPORO, Japan (AFP): China's quest to reach the
playoff rounds of the World Basketball Championship
suffered
a huge setback Tuesday with a 90-87
overtime loss to Puerto Rico, keeping the Asian
champions winless.
Cuban Robles takes 110m hurdles in Monaco Grand Prix
MONACO, France: Cuban former World Junior silver
medallist Dayron Robles defeated a relatively strong
field to
win the men's 110-metres Hurdles at
the 'Herculis 2006,' an IAAF Super Grand Prix meeting
in Riviera on Sunday, August
20.
Haitian gang leaders shelve disarmament plan
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters): Gang leaders in
Haiti's largest slum said on Monday they were putting
disarmament
plans on hold due to raids by U.N.
peacekeepers on the notoriously violent streets they
control.
Petty offenders in Dominica to do community service
ROSEAU, Dominica: Community service labour is an
option being presented to rehabilitate lawbreakers in
Dominica
instead of serving a jail sentence at the
State prison.
Montserrat’s ten-year outlook is virtual!
BRADES, Montserrat: Normally accused of lacking
transparency, the newly elected government of
Montserrat is now
collaborating with the country’s
key media stakeholders and members of the general
public.
US ramping up its spying, says Venezuela's Chavez
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): President Hugo Chavez
on Sunday struck back at US intelligence, which
announced earlier
that it had named a special case
manager to focus on Venezuela and Cuba.
Bahamian PM seeks regional education network
NASSAU, Bahamas: Perry Christie, Prime Minister of
The Bahamas, has called on universities across the
Caribbean
to establish a regional co-operative
education network, which would see university
students travelling to different
islands to complete
aspects of a single degree programme.
Apathy a serious issue in Jamaican universities says opposition leader
MANDEVILLE, Jamaica: The Leader of the Opposition
in Jamaica Bruce Golding has challenged graduates of
the Northern
Caribbean University to change the
prevailing tide of apathy pervading Jamaican
university campuses, by rekindling
the fire and
intellectual fervour.
Chavez visits China as Venezuela curbs US oil ties
CARACAS, Venezuela (Bloomberg): Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez will visit China this week to
cement a relationship
aimed at loosening his oil
industry's ties to the US.
Commentary: Law and Politics: Carnival over - CWC 2007 to come!
There can be little doubt that Carnival (spice mas)
2K6 generated widespread interest, in addition to its
own
kinds of peculiar landmarks and differences. And
now that it is over, the usual analysis would have to
be very carefully
dissected.
Jamaica’s relay team praises coaches after World Junior gold medal
BEIJING, China: After getting the better of their rivals
in the 4x100-metre finals at the 11th IAAF World
Junior
Track and Field Championships in Beijing, the
Jamaican boys team praised the coaches for the
marvelous work they did
with them.
Justin Gatlin keeps his record -- for now
BEIJING, China (AFP): The International Association
of Athletics Federations (IAAF) confirmed here
Monday that
Justin Gatlin's world 100 metres record
of 9.77 seconds will stay on the books -- at least for
the moment.
Three charged with pressmen killings in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Shackled and under maximum
security in a tension-filled atmosphere, three men
accused of
killing five Kaieteur News employees were
slapped with murder charges on Friday when they
appeared at the Georgetown
Magistrates' Court
before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan.
US names spy operations 'manager' for Cuba, Venezuela
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The United States has
named a special "manager" for its intelligence
operations against
Cuba and Venezuela, in effect
putting the two Latin American nations on a par
with "axis of evil" states confronted
on multiple levels
by the Bush administration.
Muslim cleric may be deported to Jamaica
LONDON, England (UPI): An Islamic cleric tied to the
July 7, 2005 bombings of London's transportation
system
will likely be freed and deported to Jamaica.
Trinidad to begin public consultation on new Constitution
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The government of
Trinidad and Tobago is due to begin widespread
consultation before
the end of the year on a
proposed new National Draft Constitution for the
country.
Candidate registers to face Venezuela's Chavez
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuelan
presidential hopeful Manuel Rosales on Saturday led a
march of thousands
of supporters to register his
candidacy against popular President Hugo Chavez in
December elections.
New seasonal direct flights from Glasgow to Barbados
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: According to recent media
reports, low cost carrier Flyglobespan will begin non-
stop weekly
flights from Glasgow to Barbados on
Sundays starting January 21 until April 15, 2007 with
Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
Grenada Tourism Board responds to Carnival complaints
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: The Grenada Board of
Tourism (GBT) has responded to complaints made by
the Manager of the
Grenada Carnival Secretariat,
Dexter Mitchell.
Venezuela claims it caught US spies
CARACAS, Venezuela (UPI): Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez claims to have caught four US spies
and sent them
home, El Universal reported Saturday.
Raul Castro says he'd talk with US
HAVANA, Cuba (UPI): Raul Castro's first public
comments as Cuba's acting president focused on
initiating dialogue
with Washington, the Miami Herald
said Saturday.
Guyana not seeking Trinidad military assistance, says president
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Despite the alarmingly sharp
increase in gun-related crimes and killings in Guyana
in the
last few months, President Bharrat Jagdeo
believes that the local security forces are able to
deal with the situation
without the assistance of
troops from neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago.
Upgrades planned for BVI ports
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Newly appointed Managing
Director of the Ports Authority in the British Virgin
Islands, Vincent
O’Neal, said that he is optimistic
about the potential development of the Territory’s
port facilities.
BVI teachers prepare for new school year
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Teachers in the British Virgin
Islands begin a four-day summer institute on Monday
aimed at improving
classroom instruction in
preparation for the new school year.
Commentary: Protecting our future by safeguarding resources
As a conservationist, I often remember the words of
a great scientist who not only helped to unleash the
awesome
power of the atom, but who is considered a
tremendous thinker of all times. He is Albert Einstein.
Commentary: Immigration issues: The US Arrival/Departure Document
Heightened safety and security concerns in the
United States (US), along with immigration matters
have made the
US Arrival/Departure Document a vital
part of the tracking mechanism and intelligence.
Letter: Freedom from the tyranny of communism
Caribbean influence in the transition Cuba will face
when Fidel Castro’s life and rule come to an end,
should
be decidedly geared towards the
implementation of a new democracy.
Three more medals for the Caribbean: World Junior Championships Final Day
BEIJING, China: Caribbean athletes captured three
medals on the sixth and final day of the 11th World
Junior
Championships on Sunday 20 August in the
Chaoyang Sport Centre in Beijing, China.
NBA's Arroyo sparks Puerto Rico past stubborn Senegal
SAPPORO, Japan (AFP): Puerto Rico, sparked by 29
points from National Basketball Association guard
Carlos Arroyo,
rallied twice in the second half Sunday
to beat Senegal 88-79 at the World Basketball
Championships.
Anthony leads US past Puerto Rico in world basketball opener
SAPPORO, Japan (AFP): Carmelo Anthony was
scoring so well Saturday in a 111-100 US victory
over Puerto Rico at
the World Championships that
the basketball found its way into his hands even
when he was not playing.
Powell seeks new finishing strategy to improve world record
ZURICH, Switzerland: Still smarting from his hat-trick
of world record runs, Jamaican Asafa Powell is now
left
wondering what he needs to do next to get to
the finishing line a bit quicker than the 9.77-seconds
record this season.
