Protesting Trinidad doctors back on the job
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Protesting doctors at the
public health institutions in Trinidad and Tobago are
back
on the job after withholding their services and
threatening mass resignations.
Former US Virgin Islands Governor pardoned felons as he left office
ST JOHN, USVI: Jean Greaux, a spokesperson for the
US Virgin Islands Governor's office, told Caribbean
Net News
on Friday that Governor deJongh was
alarmed when he learned of the relatively large
number of pardons and commutations
of sentences
granted by the former governor.
Cuba's Communist regime will outlast Fidel Castro, says niece
LISBON, Portugal (AFP): Cuba's 48-year-old
Communist Revolution will survive long after Fidal
Castro's death,
the ailing leader's niece Mariela said
in an interview published in Portugal on Thursday.
Mariela is a leading academic
and campaigner for gay
and lesbian rights in Cuba.
Prisoners take turns sleeping in Haiti's overflowing jails
12:11 pm est
Crime among hemisphere's top challenges, says OAS secretary general
WASHINGTON, USA: Organization of American States
(OAS) Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza,
addressing officials
and students of the Inter-
American Defense College, has called for more
attention from governments to the issue of
crime,
which he said was among the major challenges.
Puerto Rico lender's shares plummet after ratings cut
NEW YORK, USA (Bloomberg): Shares of Doral
Financial Corp., Puerto Rico's largest mortgage
lender, dropped 9.8
percent as two bond services
lowered their ratings on the company's senior debt.
US urges political, economic opening in Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): The United States on Friday
urged Cuba's communist government to embrace
political and economic
reforms, again nixing
engagement with interim leader Raul Castro.
Norway, Cuba deplore US-owned hotel ban
OSLO, Norway (Reuters): Norway and Cuba on Friday
deplored the decision of a US-owned hotel in Oslo to
deny lodging
to a Cuban delegation in compliance
with US trade sanctions against Havana.
Venezuela's Chavez names brother education minister
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez on Friday named his older
brother as education
minister, reaffirming his family's
role in public life and continuing a cabinet reshuffle
that strengthens his grip
on government.
Venezuela TV closure a threat to free speech, says OAS
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuela's refusal
to renew the license of an opposition-linked
television station
threatens free expression, the
Organization of American States said on Friday.
Jamaica and Haiti to deepen diplomatic relations
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Jamaican Prime Minister,
Portia Simpson Miller, has described her recent talks
with
Haitian president Rene Preval as a further step
in deepening the diplomatic relations between
Jamaica and Haiti. She
said both leaders applauded
the establishment of the Single Market.
Commentary: Fire in their bellies: Do Caribbean leaders have it?
The heads of government of the 15-nation Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) countries will meet shortly to
decide
how they could take their nations forward
economically in a highly competitive global
environment.
Letter: JHTA says no to Caricom visa
Under bold headlines 'JHTA says no to Caricom visa',
Horace Peterkin, president of the Jamaica Hotel and
Tourist
Association stated in a Jamaica Observer
article 'the industry would prefer if Caricom abandons
the visa requirement...'
US planning stepped up for possible post-Castro Cuban refugees
WASHINGTON, USA (Bloomberg): The US Coast Guard
and other agencies are stepping up planning for
handling a possible
surge in Cubans seeking refuge in
the US once communist leader Fidel Castro dies,
according to officials involved
in the effort.
Parties meet in emergency session to end crisis at Trinidad hospitals
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The Public Services
Association of Trinidad and Tobago, the recognised
bargaining body
for the country's public servants,
met Wednesday with a representative group of
protesting doctors.
USVI Delegate sworn-in on historic day on Capitol Hill
ST JOHN, USVI: US Virgin Islands Delegate to
Congress, Donna Christensen, was sworn in for a
sixth consecutive
term on Thursday on Capitol Hill,
during a day marked by historical significance.
Representative Nancy Pelosi of California
was
affirmed by Congress as the first female Speaker of
the House.
Nevis tourism industry and economy stand to benefit from declining crime rate
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Top cop in the Nevis Police
Division, Superintendent Joseph Liburd, has said the
island's
tourism industry and the economy, by
extension, stood to benefit from the declining crime
rate on Nevis. He said the
police had recorded a 7.2
percent decline in crime.
Cuban delegation 'boycotted' by US-owned Oslo hotel
OSLO, Norway (AFP): An Oslo hotel belonging to the
Nordic chain Scandic has refused to admit a
delegation of
Cubans because it has been bought by
the US hotel group Hilton, Scandic said on Thursday.
Cuba says its infant mortality rate is lowest in Latin America
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): In 2006, Cuba had the lowest
infant mortality rate in its history and of all Latin
America,
putting it in second place behind Canada for
the Americas as a whole, according to a health
ministry report.
Chavez brings fresh allies into Venezuela cabinet
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuela's leftist
President Hugo Chavez has appointed a new vice-
president, finance
minister and justice minister,
bringing fresh allies into the Cabinet to strengthen his
grip on government.
UK producer to supply gas to Trinidad & Tobago
LONDON, England (Bloomberg): BG Group Plc, the
UK's third-biggest oil and gas producer, has agreed
to supply
natural gas to Trinidad & Tobago for 15
years from 2009, as the supplier expands its
operations outside Britain.
Caribbean Marketplace 2007 aims for sound business development
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: Two years ago, Caribbean
Marketplace took a first step in its 26-year history to
reduce
waste by going paperless, replacing bulky
printed directories, with electronic directories that
are continuously updated.
Banner year for offshore finance, says Cayman law firm
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: As we begin 2007,
2006 can be summed up in a single word, "more”,
according to Walkers,
the Cayman Islands-based
offshore law firm.
National Adaptation Strategy critical to empowering people, says St Kitts-Nevis PM
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: As the St Kitts-Nevis Labour
Government implements its National Adaptation
Strategy, which
is aimed at transforming the
economy into a well diversified, competitive, service-
oriented economy, it will become
critical that the
people are further empowered.
Japan and United Nations extend assistance to Grenada
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: The Government of Japan
and the United Nations have decided to extend
assistance to Grenada
through the Trust Fund for
Human Security for a project entitled Restoring
Livelihoods in Grenada after Hurricanes
Ivan and
Emily.
Commentary: My predictions for 2007: Pat Robertson and Anglican bishops beware...
On Tuesday, crackpot televangelist Pat Robertson
ensured that no one would heed my predictions when
he predicted
– based on his most recent message
from God – that: "...evil people will come to
America..."
Move to recall US Virgin Islands senators
ST CROIX, USVI: Voters on St Croix in the US Virgin
Islands have initiated a petition to recall three
senators
who voted "yes" to a measure giving hefty
pay raises to themselves, the governor and
lieutenant governor.
US crime fighter visits Trinidad for talks with local officials
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: American crime fighter,
and crime consultant, Bernard Kerik, has arrived in
Trinidad
for talks with local officials on ways of
curtailing the country's spiraling crime wave. The
country has experienced
at least three killings for the
year 2007.
Rapper Wyclef Jean to be Haiti's roving ambassador
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters): Haitian President
Rene Preval has appointed Haitian-born hip-hop star
Wyclef
Jean as a roving ambassador to promote the
troubled country's image abroad, government officials
said on Wednesday.
Jean moved to New York when
he was nine.
Jamaican driver faces possible death penalty for migrants' deaths
HOUSTON, USA (AFP): A Jamaican truck driver
convicted for the deaths of 19 illegal immigrants in a
truck he was
driving in south Texas faced the
possible death penalty when his sentencing hearing
opened Tuesday.
Worldwide Anglicans to meet in Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS): Anglicans from around the
world are expected to meet in The Bahamas,
beginning January
15, 2007, to begin formal
discussions on the controversial election and
consecration of a practicing homosexual as
Episcopal
Bishop in New Hampshire, United States of America.
Belafonte arrives in St Kitts for New Year’s Gala
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: African-American
entertainment icon, musician and actor Harry
Belafonte, the guest speaker
at the Sixth Annual
Prime Minister’s New Year’s Gala this coming
Saturday, January 6, arrived in St Kitts on
Wednesday
afternoon. Also expected on Thursday
are The Drifters.
Chairman of Puerto Rico lender resigns over financial plan
NEW YORK, USA (Bloomberg): Doral Financial Corp.,
Puerto Rico's largest mortgage lender, said John Ward
has resigned
as chairman of the board in a dispute
over how to raise capital and "address the continued
viability of the company."
British teen sails to Antigua and into the record books
LONDON, England (AFP): A 14-year-old British
schoolboy has become the youngest person to sail
single-handed across
the North Atlantic Ocean after
a voyage to Antigua of more than six weeks, his
spokesman said here Wednesday. Michael
Perham
battled shark-infested waters and huge waves.
Cricket World Cup fans warned about buying illegal tickets
NEW DELHI, India (Reuters): West Indies cricket
World Cup (CWC) organisers have warned fans
against unauthorised
buying or selling of tickets after
cancelling around 200 submitted for sale on auction
Web sites.
CWC 2007 regional travel should address Guyana/Barbados issue, says minister
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Regional immigration
authorities should use the opportunity of Cricket
World Cup 2007
to discuss issues that relate to
immigration, including the issue that exists between
Guyana and Barbados, said Guyana's
Minister of
Home Affairs Clement Rohee.
Implementation of value-added tax off to shaky start in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Businesses in Guyana started
the New Year in a mixed atmosphere, as confusion
reigned over
a range of issues relating to Value-
Added Tax (VAT), which took effect from January 1.
Prior to the implementation
of the new tax, the
government had estimated varying effects on prices.
Caribbean Airlines soars to smooth transition in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Caribbean Airlines, which
replaces the Trinidad-based BWIA, commenced
operations in Guyana
on New Year’s Day, with an
almost smooth transition despite losing 20 percent of
its staff. On December 31, BWIA ground
to a halt
after 66 years of service to the Caribbean.
Guyana police re-issue wanted bulletins in minister’s assassination
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Guyana Police Force has
re-issued bulletins for several persons wanted in
connection
with the murder of Minister of Agriculture
Satyadeow Sawh, as well as for other murders and
serious offences.
Letter: Caribbean parents don't know when they are emotionally abusing their children
I am a 15 year old female who often has thoughts of
suicide, not because the pressures of life get to me,
but
often at times when my parents strike me and
think it is a normal way to educate a child.
Hinds to lead Barbados as 2007 regional series bowls off
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: West Indies all-rounder
Ryan Hinds will captain Barbados in the 2007 regional
Carib Beer
first class series. Hinds, who was
reappointed by the Barbados Cricket Association, will
also skipper the Bajans in
the KFC Cup.
Gunshots interrupt Jamaica football league game
KINGSTON, Jamaica: A Jamaica Wray and Nephew
Premier League game was forced to be abandoned
after the sound of
gunshots close to the Collie Smith
Drive area had players, officials and spectators
taking cover Wednesday evening.
Crisis looms at Trinidad public health institutions
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Protesting doctors at the
nation's public health institutions in Trinidad are
threatening
mass resignations. The action comes
following an injunction filed by government to
prevent them from abandoning their
jobs.
Cuba's Santeria priests foresee a 'gloomy' 2007
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Now that the New Year
celebrations are over, the high priests of Cuba's Afro-
Cuban Santeria
religion have sobering visions for
2007: a "gloomy" year marked by war and military
interventions. The babalawos,
or priests, issued their
annual predictions Tuesday.
Guyana set to benefit from US$460m debt write-off, says President
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Following months of
reportedly intense lobbying by Head-of-State,
President Bharrat
Jagdeo, for 100 percent debt relief
from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB),
Guyana could now benefit from
as much as US$460
million in debt write-off.
Crime rate in Suriname drops 19 percent
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: According to police
statistics, the crime rate in Suriname has dropped by
19 percent in
2006. Nationwide 17,317 felonies were
committed in comparison to 21,605 crimes in 2005.
Suriname records fewer fireworks incidents
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Authorities in Suriname have
recorded a significant drop in fireworks incidents
resulting
in injuries. Officials at the emergency room
of the Academic Hospital Paramaribo reports a total
of 34 injuries.
Cuba marks revolution's 48th anniversary but Castro still absent
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuba celebrated Monday the
48th anniversary of the revolution that brought Fidel
Castro to
power, but the ailing leader remained out
of sight five months after intestinal surgery that
sidelined him.
Chavez wishes Fidel Castro a full recovery
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez sent gifts and wishes for a full recovery to
ailing Cuban
leader Fidel Castro, his friend and close
political ally, on the New Year's Day anniversary of
Cuba's revolution,
official media reported Tuesday.
Cuba condemns 'illegal' Saddam Hussein execution
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cuba on Monday
condemned the execution of deposed Iraqi leader
Saddam Hussein as an assassination
and called for an
end to the US-led war.
UN report on Haiti recommends 12-month extension of mission
UNITED NATIONS, New York: Citing “significant
challenges” for Haiti’s Government, the United
Nations Secretary-General
has recommended
extending the world body’s mission in the
impoverished country for a further 12 months until
February
2008.
Commentary: Bullies and bystanders
When I was young, I remember the times I was
bullied. It occurred when my mother would send me
to the store to
pick up a few things. I always had to
walk past a group of young boys who would taunt
and tease me.
New US Virgin Islands governor takes office
ST THOMAS, USVI: The election mandate of the
residents of the US Virgin Islands was fulfilled on
Monday, on the
first day of the New Year, when John
deJongh and Gregory Francis took the oath of office
for VI Governor and Lieutenant
Governor respectively.
Premier tells Nevisians to prepare for a year of challenges and hard work
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Premier of Nevis Joseph Parry
expects a year filled with challenges but was
confident that
with cooperation and hard work could
be overcome. He made the comment while he
delivered his televised New Year's
message on
Sunday.
Kittitians and Nevisians called upon to put aside differences
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: St Kitts and Nevis Prime
Minister Dr Denzil Douglas, in his New Year’s
Message, has called
on Kittitians and Nevisians to
put aside petty differences and work together to
carry the twin-island Federation forward.
The St
Kitts-Nevis leader said 2007 is going to be a turning-
point.
Regional integration will benefit St Kitts-Nevis, says PM
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Current CARICOM Chairman,
St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas
said on Monday
that 2006 was punctuated with the
implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and
Economy (CSME), to which his nation
signed on to
last year.
Commentary: Law and Politics: Into another New Year with hopes and dreams
I suppose that being the believers many of us like to
think we are, it is not too difficult, as we are
entering
another New Year, to again entertain hopes
and really dream of, or imagine worthwhile changes in
our lives for the
New Year.
Letter: What is the TRUE picture?
'This year could be a disastrous one for the small
hotel and accommodation sector in Barbados if
bookings do
not increase for the period before and
after the Cricket World Cup finals.'
Jamaican-born sprint legend spends Christmas in the Caribbean
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Britain's Linford Christie, a
Jamaican-born former World and Olympic champion
celebrated Christmas
in Jamaica along with his family,
which included his wife and three children.
Jamaica's Bolt and American trio to challenge 200m world record
KINGSTON, Jamaica: He was overshadowed by a
more dominant Jamaican, Asafa Powell, on the
international circuit
last season, but World Junior
record holder Usain Bolt is still being scouted as one
of the young sprinters who is
capable of taking the
200-metres to the level of the legendary Michael
Johnson.
Fidel Castro says recuperation prolonged but not hopeless
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Ailing Cuban leader Fidel
Castro said on Saturday his recuperation will be a
long process
but that "the battle is far from lost."
Castro broke his silence over his health in a
statement issued to mark the
48th anniversary of
Cuba's revolution as well as the coming new year.
Trinidad's BWIA management blocks disposal of airline's assets
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The Communications,
Transport and General Workers Trade Union in
Trinidad and Irenia
Patterson, BWIA's acting area
manager for Jamaica, through the industrial court in
Trinidad, have blocked the management
of the
national airline from disposing of its assets.
Alleged smugglers charged with killing Jamaican migrant in Florida
HOBE SOUND, USA (UPI): Two men charged with
killing a would-be immigrant from Jamaica have been
arrested as they
attempted to leave a Florida wildlife
refuge by taxi. Ricky Thompson and Johnson Leon
Brice allegedly operated a 36-foot
boat that came
ashore Thursday at Jupiter Island.
Antigua-Barbuda PM restructures Cabinet
ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Prime Minister of Antigua and
Barbuda, Baldwin Spencer has announced changes in
his Cabinet,
which he says are designed to ensure
that the country's critical imperatives will stay on
course, on time, and on
budget. The changes
announced by the Prime Minister are as follows:
Trinidad inflation rate falls slightly
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The latest data released
by the Central Statistical Office in Trinidad indicate
that
headline inflation measured 9.6 percent for
November, compared with 10 percent in the previous
month.
Bachelor auctions Jamaica vacation -- with him
WOKINGHAM, England (UPI): A 39-year-old British
man dumped by his girlfriend is auctioning a
Valentine's Day
vacation in Jamaica -- with himself
as part of the package -- through eBay. Adam Croot,
jilted by girlfriend Laura,
was left with a broken heart
and two $2,400 non-refundable tickets.
USVI inaugural to be broadcast live online
ST THOMAS, USVI: In an effort to make the 2007
Inaugural ceremonies available to as wide an
audience as possible,
the de Jongh/Francis Transition
office has announced that Monday’s inaugural
ceremonies in the US Virgin Islands will
be available
on the Internet.
Guyana's economy performs well, says president
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyana's economy is said to
have performed well during 2006, with a seven
percent economic
growth which represents a
turnaround from 2005 when the country was severely
affected by flooding, President Bharrat
Jagdeo said
last week.
US Virgin Islands honour President Ford
ST JOHN, USVI: Flags were being flown at half mast
Sunday at the US Virgin Islands Legislative Building in
downtown
Charlotte Amalie, in recognition of the
passing of President Gerald Ford on Tuesday. The 93-
year-old former president
took office in 1974,
following the resignation of Richard Nixon.
Caribbean agency addresses disaster management issues for 2007
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CDERA): Coordinator of the
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency
(CDERA), Jeremy
Collymore has appealed to the
region not to be lulled into state of complacency as a
result of the relatively inactive
hurricane season
Commentary: Nation-building 101: The case of Haiti
Some seven years after Haiti's bicentennial, and the
bicentennial of the assassination of its founding
father,
it is fitting to stop, reflect and ponder on
where Haiti has been, where it is now and where it is
going.
Commentary: Straight Talk
It’s all about dating, love, sex, friendship, and
marriage - so let's talk. Email your relationship
questions
to my attention. Question from: “Grandma
with a guilty conscience.” Dear Betty – I broke up
with my children's father...
Letter: Wither Bwee!
I am sure that I am not alone in feeling a tinge of
sadness with the demise of BWIA today (31st
December 2006),
perhaps the closest the region has
ever been to having an air carrier servicing
international routes that truly represents
the
Caribbean.
Letter: I thank God for freedom of speech
I am writing in response to Mr Hudson George’s letter
entitled “Humming birds are not extinct in Grenada” in
which
it would appear I was singled out for what can
be described as a personal, abusive and unprovoked
attack.
