Strong quake jolts Trinidad
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): A strong earthquake
measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale rocked Trinidad
and Tobago
on Friday, alarming locals and leaving
major areas of the Caribbean country of 1.3 million
without electricity.
Oil refinery blaze in Cuba leaves one dead, one injured
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): A huge blaze at Cuba's biggest
oil refinery in Havana left one worker dead and
another injured,
television reports said late Thursday.
Guyana Parliament convenes despite legal challenges
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Ninth Parliament of
Guyana was convened on Thursday following a
ceremonial parade and
an address by President
Bharrat Jagdeo despite the non-attendance of the
People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).
The PNCR
is challenging the convening of the Parliament.
Bahamas to extradite Czech financier Kozeny to US
NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters): A Bahamian court has
ordered the extradition of a Czech financier who
faces a long
list of corruption charges in the United
States, authorities said on Friday.
Montserrat animal society responds to allegations of misrepresentation
BRADES, Montserrat: A veterinary surgeon in
Montserrat, Dr Wolf Krebs, has voiced disappointment
in the Montserrat
Animal Protection Society’s (MAPS)
attempt to solicit funds for their free animal clinic in
Montserrat.
OECS tourism ministers to meet in Puerto Rico
CASTRIES, St Lucia: The 4th meeting of the OECS
Council of Tourism Ministers is to take place in Puerto
Rico.
The three day meeting begins on Wednesday
October 4 with OECS Directors of Tourism discussing
issues such as enhanced
collaboration in marketing.
BVI not unique in imposing smoking ban, says Chief Minister
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister of the British Virgin
Islands Dr Orlando Smith says the BVI is not unique in
its
steps towards imposing a ban on smoking in public
places in the territory.
USVI National Guard wins best 'chow' award
ST JOHN, USVI: Spokeswoman Karen Williams of the
USVI National Guard, has announced that the Virgin
Islands 651st
General Support Maintenance Company
has won the Connelly Award for Region II.
Jamaica to boost employment and entrepreneurship
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Minister of Labour and
Social Security, Derrick Kellier, has said that the
Jamaican
government is committed to employment
creation through small business development.
Senior BVI Customs Officers graduate from Train the Trainers Workshop
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Nine senior Customs Officers
received internationally-recognized certificates on
Thursday after
successfully completing a Train the
Trainers workshop organized by the British Virgin
Islands Tourist Board BVITB.
The training comes as
part of the customer service component.
Commentary: Trade and aid negotiations with Europe set to get tougher
8:51 am edt
Commentary: The Caribbean Sea: A constant in the ACS agenda
The Caribbean Sea is a theme that one finds
constantly in the agenda of the Association of
Caribbean States (ACS).
Moreover in the Convention
establishing this Association, in 1994, the Caribbean
Sea is presented as the founding
element for
cohesion.
Letter: I am very concerned about the state of affairs in Grenada
I am very concerned about the state of affairs in
Grenada at present and those in charge in public
office and
their blunders. Moving around the island I
noticed the same old trend.
Cricket World Cup clamps down on ticket auctions
ST JOHN'S , Antigua (AFP): World Cup organisers are
clamping down on tickets for next year's Caribbean
showpiece
being auctioned off on websites.
Organisers urged fans to ensure they acquire match
tickets through authentic sources.
Jamaica Cricket World Cup team targets North American fans
KINGSTON, Jamaica: With less than six months to the
start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West
Indies,
members of the Jamaican Local Organising
Committee (LOC) will embark on a second major
North American promotional
tour.
Huge blaze injures two at Cuba's biggest oil refinery
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): A blaze of "huge proportions"
broke out late Wednesday at Cuba's biggest oil
refinery in
Havana, leaving at least two people
injured, authorities said.
Anna Nicole Smith son died from overdose, says pathologist
LOS ANGELES, USA (AFP): Former Playboy playmate
Anna Nicole Smith's son died from a lethal cocktail of
anti-depressants
and methadone, a private
pathologist hired by the model has found.
Montserrat’s volcanic concerns abate
BRADES, Montserrat: For Montserrat, the month of
September started with great trepidation for the
authorities
and public who were concerned about
new volcanic activity and the associated risks.
Suriname police detain foreigners with cocaine
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Police in Suriname recently
detained several foreign nationals for possession of
cocaine
and marijuana after the Narcotics Squad was
tipped off that two African individuals were heading
for the east border
with a quantity of cocaine.
Azerbaijani foreign minister in Cuba to talk oil
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister
Elmar Mamedyarov arrived Thursday for his first
official visit
to Cuba to discuss possible energy
agreements, according to officials.
Caribbean Star Airlines completes 2006 fleet expansion
ST JOHN’S, Antigua: Caribbean Star Airlines on
Thursday took delivery of its newest aircraft, a state-
of-the-art
Bombardier Q300 Dash-8 Model 315,
completing a year-long fleet expansion program.
US continues support for law enforcement programmes in Suriname
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Suriname and the United
States of America on Wednesday signed an
Amendment to their Letter
of Agreement on support
for law enforcement programmes, ensuring continued
close cooperation.
ECLAC launches project to improve social statistics in the Caribbean
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: All countries collect census
data and population statistics, but many use
different
methods and measurements, which makes it
nearly impossible to accurately compare their
information or social indicators.
British Virgin Islands to get its own postal code
ROAD TOWN, BVI: British Virgin Islands Finance
Minister Ronnie Skelton speaking in last week's sitting
of the
Legislative Council said that the adoption of a
postal code system will lead to more efficient mail
service.
Atlantic depression turns into Tropical Storm Isaac
MIAMI, USA (Bloomberg): A tropical depression that
formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday
strengthened to
become the ninth storm of the
hurricane season, taking the name Isaac, US
forecasters said.
Commentary: The crucifixion and resurrection of South Africa’s Jacob Zuma...
Until last summer, Jacob Zuma was the unchallenged
heir apparent to South African President Thabo
Mbeki. After
all, as deputy president, Zuma’s rock-
star appeal amongst the (predominantly poor and
uneducated)
Letter: The Caribbean is nobody's back yard
I must tell you I am uncomfortable - and surely not
alone - with such prominent attention to the views
of a pair
of US uncivil servants - Dr Rice and Mr
Bolton.
Letter: An island-centered perspective may be both fair and profitable
I value the Caribbean Net News but am concerned
that its coverage seems to favor a US perspective.
In "Rice spurns
Venezuela's bid for UN Security
Council seat" little credit is given to Chavez's
contribution.
Haitian coach delighted after victory in Digicel Caribbean Cup group opener
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Haitian head coach Carlo
Marcelin was full of praise for his team after they
hammered St Vincent
and the Grenadines 4-0 in their
opening Digicel Caribbean Cup Group D match at the
National Stadium in Kingston.
Powell arrives home savouring success in Europe
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): World 100m record-holder
Asafa Powell was back in Jamaica in celebratory
mood this week,
savoring a successful 2006
campaign.
Russia negotiating Cuba debt and fresh credit
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Russia will make it easier
for Cuba to repay $160 million in debt and set aside
for now
a dispute over Cold War-era credits as it
seeks to sell planes to the former Soviet client, a
Russian diplomat said
on Wednesday.
Trinidad Foreign Affairs Minister resigns
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago's
Foreign Affairs Minister, Knowlson Gift, has resigned
from the
Patrick Manning Administration. The shock
resignation came in a four-page letter to Manning as
the Prime Minister
was on a trip to the US.
USVI Delegate calls for return of rum revenues to the territory
ST JOHN, USVI: US Virgin Islands Delegate to
Congress Donna Christensen has called the Internal
Revenue Service's
(IRS) practices in the territory
since the passage of the American Jobs Creation
Act "intrusive" and a barrier to
investment in the
Virgin Islands.
Barbados one of the world's most competitive countries
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Barbados has been identified
as one of the most competitive countries in the world
to do
business. In a list compiled by the World
Economic Forum, the country comes in at number 31
out of 125 countries.
Tropical depression forms in Atlantic, no threat to land
MIAMI, USA (Bloomberg): The ninth tropical
depression of the Atlantic hurricane season formed
Wednesday in the
central Atlantic Ocean, US
hurricane forecasters said.
St Kitts-Nevis PM says visit of Disney Wonder important to tourism development
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The visit of the Disney
Wonder to St Kitts is an important development in
the local cruise
industry, and it is an indicative of
efforts to enhance the quality of visitor experiences
in the twin-island Federation.
So says St Kitts and
Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Denzil Douglas
Atlanta launch for the Turks & Caicos Film Festival
GRAND TURK, Turks & Caicos Islands: The Turks and
Caicos Islands are gearing up to host the 2006
International
Film Festival Scheduled to take place
October 17 - 21, 2006 in Providenciales. Officials from
the Ministry of Tourism
have held promotional events
in cities throughout the United States.
Cricket World Cup will create a legacy for future events, says US diplomat
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Outgoing United States
Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean , Mary Kramer,
said next year’s
World Cup Cricket, though seen as a
threat to Caribbean economies in some quarters is an
investment for the future.
Kramer said Caribbean
businessmen should plan strategically.
Puerto Rico wants stronger trade ties with Trinidad and Tobago
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Puerto Rico is said to be
one of the countries in the region that now suffers
from a
critical trade imbalance and is seeking to
increase trade with Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados,
and other countries
in the region.
Infection scare forces increased vigilance at Tobago hospital
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Infection control measures
are being increased at the Tobago Scarborough
Hospital, in
order to ensure the vigilance of staff and
the infection control team.
Thousands of Tobagonians protest against foreign land ownership
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Thousands of Tobagonians
have formed a pressure movement protesting against
the sale
of land on the island to foreigners. More than
three thousand names have so far been collected by
way of a petition.
Trinidad PM stresses drug trafficking and illegal arms trade as top security challenges
WASHINGTON, USA: Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime
Minister Patrick Manning, speaking on Wednesday at
the Organization
of American States (OAS) in
Washington, stressed the multifaceted security
challenge facing the Americas.
Seminar in Trinidad and Tobago seeks to strengthen teacher education in the hemisphere
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: During a visit on
Wednesday to the new campus of the University of
Trinidad and Tobago,
education experts from around
the hemisphere learned about the country’s new
policies to ensure that schoolteachers
can earn a
university education.
Jamaican exports up 39 per cent
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): President of the Jamaica
Exporters Association (JEA), Dr Andre Gordon, has
reported
a 39 per cent growth in exports for the
period January to May 2006, with earnings moving
from approximately $641,361,000
to $827,000,000.
Carnival Miracle to visit St Kitts late 2007
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: St Kitts is on the itinerary
when Carnival Cruise Line’s supership, the 2,124-
passenger
“Carnival Miracle,” is repositioned to the
Southern Caribbean in late 2007.
Antigua-Barbuda Attorney-General addresses the UN General Assembly
UNITED NATIONS, New York: Attorney-General and
Minister of Legal Affairs, Justin Simon, representing
Prime Minister
Spencer, on Wednesday delivered
Antigua and Barbuda's annual address to the United
Nations. In so doing, he becomes
the first Attorney
General in the nation's history to do so.
Antiguan film director says Caribbean distribution network needed
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Speaking just after his
second film was screened to another packed room,
Antiguan film
director, Howard Allen, said events like
the CARIFESTA Film Festival provides a channel for
their work to be dispersed.
CARICOM ministers' meeting with US Secretary of State 'instructive'
UNITED NATIONS, New York: CARICOM Ministers met
this week with United States Secretary of State
Condoleeza Rice
and, according to Antigua and
Barbuda's Attorney General and Minister of Legal
Affairs, Justin Simon, the meeting
was conducted in
an atmosphere of cordiality and mutual respect.
Letter: Unfriendly immigration officers in Grenada
After reading Mr Strachan's letter to the editor about
Point Salines Airport, I would like to add another
comment.
We've visited Grenada twice now and have
so enjoyed the country and people.
Letter: Delighted at St Maarten's decision not to allow captive dolphins
As a UK-based charity campaigning worldwide for the
conservation and protection of dolphins and whales,
the Marine
Connection is delighted to hear the
decision taken by the government of St Maarten not
to allow captive dolphin facilities
on the island.
Jamaica’s Simpson already thinking of next season
OKLAHOMA, USA : After a dominant short sprint
season in 2006, Jamaican Commonwealth Games 200-
metres champion
Sherone Simpson is already looking
forward to what she expects to be a busy 2007
season.
Rice spurns Venezuela's bid for UN Security Council seat
NEW YORK, USA (AFP): The UN Security Council
needs "responsible states" and not those who want
to air their anti-American
views at the expense of
solving crucial problems, United States Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice said in a clear
reference to
Venezuela.
Dominican Republic says ex-minister stole school money
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (Reuters): The
government of the Dominican Republic on Tuesday
accused a former
education minister of stealing $20
million that was supposed to have paid for school
meals for poor students.
Antigua-Barbuda minister leads high level delegation to Washington
WASHINGTON, USA: Dr Errol Cort, Minister of Finance
and Economy and other senior Antigua and Barbuda
government officials
arrived in Washington, D.C., last
weekend for a series of meetings with US Government
officials.
8:50 am edt
Chinese Foreign Minister visits St Lucia
CASTRIES, St Lucia: Li Zhaoxing, Foreign Minister of
China, paid an official visit to St Lucia from
September
24 to 25. It is the first visit by the
Chinese Foreign Minister to St Lucia since the two
countries established diplomatic
relations in 1997.
Promotion for Grenada soldier who won Britain's top military honour
LONDON, England (AFP): A young Grenada-born army
private who received Britain's highest military honor
but who
paid a physical and emotional price for his
heroism in Iraq has been promoted to lance corporal,
officials said Tuesday.
Johnson Beharry was awarded
the first Victoria Cross in 23 years.
BVI appoints air crash investigator
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The Governor in the British Virgin
Islands David Pearey has appointed Air Safety
Support International
(ASSI) as the Investigator in
Charge to provide a report on the accident to a “Fly
BVI” aircraft.
Caribbean postal service plans share sale in London
LONDON, England (Bloomberg): SkyPostal, which
delivers mail in the Caribbean for clients including
Deutsche Post
AG and American Express Co., plans to
sell shares in London to raise money to complete its
satellite mail-tracking
system.
BVI college official speaks out against recent assault
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The President of H. Lavity Stoutt
Community College in the British Virgin Islands Dr.
Michael
O’Neal has spoken out against a recent
incident at the college whereby one student allegedly
assaulted another.
US accuses Chavez of destabilizing Latin America
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The US ambassador to the
United Nations, John Bolton, accused Venezeluan
President Hugo
Chavez on Monday of using his
country's oil wealth to destabilize other Latin
American nations. Bolton said the leftist
president has
formed a "very close bond" with Fidel Castro.
Atlantic tropical depression could form this week, says NHC
NEW YORK, USA (Reuters): A tropical depression
could form in the Atlantic late Tuesday or
Wednesday, the National
Hurricane Center said in an
outlook issued Tuesday.
Outgoing US ambassador suggests more regional economic diversification
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The St Kitts Marriott Beach
Resort and Royal Beach Casino and the several
medical schools
are genuine opportunities and
engines for economic growth in St Kitts and Nevis,
says outgoing United States Ambassador
to the
Eastern Caribbean, Mary Kramer.
New chairman for Caribbean Examinations Council
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Professor Eon Nigel Harris
was elected Chairman of the Caribbean Examinations
Council (CXC)
at a Special Meeting of the Council
held on September 22 in Jamaica. Professor Harris, a
Guyanese by birth, brings
to CXC a wealth of
experience in education.
Larger and more luxurious cruise ships have implications for Caribbean industry
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The Caribbean needs to begin
playing close attention to the implications of the
larger
and more luxurious cruise ships that are being
placed into service. “It can place severe pressure on
the facilities
that we have in St Kitts," said Denzil
Crooke.
Commentary: Law and Politics: What next in judiciary versus authority?
Under our adopted democratic system of
Government -- grounded in our Parliamentary system
of passing laws, for
the peace, order, and stability of
our society -- we have also taken on board a written
Constitution.
Letter: Point Salines International Airport
Perhaps I should start by congratulating the
Government of Grenada and, in particular, the
Minister whose portfolio
includes tourism, for not only
visiting, but touring the United Kingdom earlier this
year in a promotion exercise.
Jamaica’s Williams highlight of Shanghai Golden Grand Prix
SHANGHAI, China: Jamaica’s top female quarter-miler
Novlene Williams improved her personal best to win
the 400-metres
dash in the Shanghai Stadium during
the second annual Shanghai Golden Grand Prix on
Saturday evening.
US radio ad fuels debate on Haitian sovereignty
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters): A radio ad urging
Haitians to reveal illegal weapons caches to the U.S.
Embassy
has angered politicians and fueled debate on
whether the troubled Caribbean nation has become a
tacit U.S. protectorate.
Cuba fires telecoms, computing chiefs in shake-up
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cuba has fired the heads of
two of the country's most influential companies in a
bid
to bring the computing and telecommunications
enterprises back under firm state control amid a
national anti-corruption
drive, industry sources said
on Monday.
Trinidad president speaks of 'political and social issues' facing the nation
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago 's
President George Maxwell Richards has spoken of
what he terms
"convulsions," which are taking place
in the country as food and social issues currently
affect the nation.
Guyana says immigration department not involved in passport scam
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyanese authorities have
expressed concern over recent statements made by
Barbados Chief
Immigration Officer Gilbert Greaves,
who sounded a call for his Guyanese counterparts to
tighten the system for issuing
passports.
USVI farmers take special course on finances
ST JOHN, USVI: Farmers in the USVI are struggling to
maintain their way of life as the cost of fresh produce
in
grocery stores on St Thomas and St John, most of
it from the mainland, or other parts of the Caribbean,
is priced
beyond the means of many shoppers.
Union wants 'enhanced severance package' for Guyanese
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: General Secretary of the
Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU),
Grantley Culbard
has indicated that the union will be
pressing for an “enhanced severance package” for
employees of BWIA.
OAS partners with Trinidad and Tobago on education seminar
WASHINGTON, USA: A four-day seminar entitled "New
Approaches to Policy and Practice for Teacher
Educators in
the Americas" opens Tuesday in Port-of-
Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago.
USVI excavation project seeks to reveal 'Voices From Beyond the Grave'
ST CROIX, USVI: St Croix activist Shelly Moorhead,
who has led delegations to Denmark to discuss
reparation for
the ancestors of enslaved Africans,
recently announced a new collaboration between
Denmark and the Virgin Islands
entitled "Voices from
Beyond the Grave."
Air Jamaica promises great jazz and blues festival in January
NEW YORK, USA: The 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz and
Blues Festival, to be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica,
January 25 to
27, promises to be the best ever,
according to Air Jamaica senior executive George
deMercado.
Tourism and media minds can help fight HIV/AIDS, says global AIDS chair
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Dr. Carol Jacobs, Chairman
of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria,
says the tourism sector is of critical
importance in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Commentary: The rising tide of young Caribbean - agony, joy and hope
These days when you pick up a newspaper, turn on
the radio or hear the telephone ring, you immediately
begin
to wonder if there is any bad news in store for
you today. Your heart may skip a beat when you see
the picture of
a damaged body.
Powell promises to make up for Yokohama false start
YOKOHAMA, Japan: Following a disappointing final
race to in what was an exceptional season leading up
to the
finale, Jamaican world record holder Asafa
Powell has vowed to make up for false-starting out of
the 2006 Super Meet
in Yokohama.
