Police officer in St Vincent charged with double murder
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: A 27-year-old Constable of
the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force
was on
Friday evening charged with a double murder.
Police Constable Erikson Harris will be taken to court
on Monday for
the killing of Jeannie Gill and Vonley
Llewellyn,
Anna Nicole Smith finally laid to rest in the Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas (AFP): Former Playboy model and
billionaire's widow Anna Nicole Smith was finally laid
to rest
in the Bahamas Friday, following three weeks
of legal battles over her body. Pallbearers carried the
pink-draped coffin
over a red carpet into a flower-
festooned church for a ceremony.
Repo man snags cargo ship from Haiti
LACOMBE, USA (UPI): A Lacombe, La., repo man has
retrieved a 700-foot cargo ship from Haiti amid
widespread civil
unrest in the country. F. Max
Hardberger, who says he has repossessed about a
dozen massive boats since 1991, retrieved
the Aztec
Express from under guard.
Cuba says it curbs narcotics flow without US help
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Fewer drug traffickers are
using Cuba as a corridor to the United States thanks
to tough
enforcement and cooperation with other
countries, the ruling Communist Party newspaper
Granma said on Friday.
Japanese discuss sustainable use of fisheries resources in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: A team of experts from the
Japan International Cooperation Agency are in
Guyana holding discussions
on the aquaculture and
large pelagic sector. The objective includes the
formulation of a master plan on sustainable
use of
fisheries resources for coastal community
development in the Caribbean.
Jamaican government increases spending
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): The first estimates for the
2006/07 fiscal period were tabled in Jamaica's House
of
Representatives on Tuesday, reflecting a $13.88
billion (US$206.6 million) increase in government
spending from $358.19
billion to $372.07 billion. The
Finance Committee will examine the estimates next
week.
Netherlands Antilles signs tax information exchange agreements with Australia and New Zealand
CANBERRA, Australia: Alex Rosaria, State Secretary of
Finance of the Netherlands Antilles, signed two tax
information
exchange agreements with Australia and
New Zealand. Peter Dutton, Australian Minister for
Revenue & Assistant
Treasure and John Larkindale,
New Zealand High Commissioner, also signed.
Nevis Public Utilities Commission orders suspension of rates increases
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: The Nevis Public Utilities
Commission (PUC) has directed that the proposed
rate increases
by the Caribbean Cable Television of
Nevis be suspended from 1st March 2007 until the
Commission determines fair and
reasonable rates to
be charged by the Cable Television.
St Kitts' Warner Park transformed for Cricket World Cup
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Security and infrastructure
requirements are under review at the Warner Park
Cricket Stadium
as the start of ICC Cricket World Cup
(CWC) matches in St Kitts and Nevis is less than two
weeks away. In order to
prepare the stadium for the
event, 6,000 temporary seats have been added,
USVI delegate chairs insular budget hearing
WASHINGTON, USA: In the first such hearing in the
last 12 years, US Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress
Donna
M. Christensen presided over the House
Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs
hearing on the Fiscal Year
2008 Budget Request for
the Department of Interior's Office of Insular Affairs.
OAS and CARICOM salute stronger bonds of cooperation
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) and the Organization of American States
(OAS) at their
fourth meeting in Georgetown, Guyana,
Friday hailed a stronger working relationship between
the two organizations,
underscoring the contributions
that both have made towards institutional
strengthening in Haiti.
OAS Assistant Secretary General hails 25 years of Bahamas membership
WASHINGTON, USA: Marking the 25th anniversary of
the formal relationship with The Bahamas,
Ambassador Albert
R. Ramdin, the Organization of
American States (OAS) Assistant Secretary General,
has praised the role played by the
Caribbean nation in
deepening and strengthening hemispheric relations.
Air Jamaica introduces special flights for CWC 2007
NEW YORK, USA (JIS): Air Jamaica has introduced
special flights from South Florida and around the
region for
the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. The flights
from South Florida will be offered during the group
and semi final stages.
Commentary: Integrating Latin America and the Caribbean
Guyana has become the first English-speaking
country to host a summit meeting of the Rio Group
made up of 21
Latin American and Caribbean nations.
In addition to the Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo,
seven other Heads of Government
of the Rio Group
were in Guyana for the meeting.
Commentary: Recovery from Trauma
Mary Spooner, PhD recently commented on the tragic
death of Shermel Williams (Caribbean Net News,
February 26,
2007). This is not an isolated case.
Women and children continue to be targets of abuse
with little or no intervention
by police. The pain and
trauma of assaults on women and children can have
life-long effects
Letter: Reporting without comment or analysis
I am concerned that Caribbean Net News often
quotes or rewrites US propoganda without comment
while failing to
critically analyze each claim.
Today: "Cuba sanctions must remain, says
Gutierrez ... remain "economic captives" mired
in "indentured servitude," he said.
ICC to open new front in doping battle at CWC 2007
DUBAI, India (AFP): The International Cricket Council
(ICC) will step up its battle against doping by target-
testing
players at the 2007 World Cup. The game's
governing body decided to take the extra steps after
Pakistan pace duo Shoaib
Akhtar and Mohammad
Asif both tested positive for banned substances last
year.
ICC names World Cup umpires
DUBAI, India (AFP): The International Cricket Council
on Friday named the 16 umpires who will officiate at
the
2007 World Cup in the Caribbean. The list is
made up of nine officials from the elite panel and
seven members of the
international panel.
Football supremo questions Caribbean's cricket readiness
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Top Caribbean football
administrator Austin 'Jack' Warner has blasted
organisers of
the cricket World Cup for
their "atrocious" marketing of the sport's global
showpiece. "This event was government
funded, so
they do not have to worry about money," Warner said
of the nine host nations.
Sobers to open World Cup
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): West Indies legendary all-
rounder Sir Garfield Sobers will officially open the
2007
World Cup, organisers said on Friday. "It's a
great honour to declare the Cricket World Cup open.
I'm taking it in
my stride and I'm looking forward to the
occasion," said Sobers
Opposition stages protest march in St Vincent
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: A large cross-section of
persons heeded the call by the St Vincent and the
Grenadines
opposition New Democratic Party, and
converged on the capital city of Kingstown for a march
and rally, which was aimed
at getting the Unity Labour
Party government of Dr Ralph Gonsalves to call fresh
elections.
Chavez denies planning to 'sabotage' Bush's Latin American trip
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez denied Wednesday he planned to wreck
US President
George W. Bush's Latin American tour
next week by visiting Bolivia and Argentina around the
same time. Chavez insisted
that his trip had been
planned since early this year
Improving Fidel Castro could return to work, says Cuban foreign minister
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AFP) - Defying US
predictions, Cuba said its ailing leader is mending so
well he may retake
the reins of the Americas' only
communist country. Fidel "has gained weight, is much
stronger and we are very optimistic
about his total
recovery and his return to work," the Cuban Foreign
Minister said.
Trinidad PM in new moves to impeach Chief Justice
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago's
Prime Minister Patrick Manning has initiated fresh
action for
impeachment proceedings aimed at
removing the country's Chief Justice Satnarine
Sharma from office. This is among
the latest
developments in the case involving Sharma.
Amid Anna Nicole furore, Bahamas gears for election
NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters): It's not obvious from
the news coverage, but amid the fuss over the late
Playboy model
Anna Nicole Smith's burial in the
Bahamas the country is gearing up for an election.
The ruling Progressive
Liberal Party is bidding for a
second term against the Free National Movement.
HIV/AIDS Commission launches CWC 2007 campaign in Barbados
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: A comprehensive mass
media campaign aimed at bringing about behavioural
change with the
theme “it’s your wicket, protect it,” has
been launched in Barbados by the government’s
national HIV/AIDS Commission.
Caribbean hoping for big World Cup windfall
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Reuters): West Indies
governments have spent an estimated $400 million
on hosting the cricket
World Cup which they hope will
enchant visitors with the attractions of their sun-
soaked islands.
Honduras sends first ambassador to Cuba in decades
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (Reuters): Honduras
assigned an ambassador to Cuba on Wednesday,
restoring full diplomatic
relations with the socialist
island for the first time in nearly half a century.
Pressured by the United States, Honduras
broke off
diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961.
Burning ship sinks off Haiti, 52 dead or missing
MIAMI, USA (Reuters): Two Haitians were rescued
from the sea in poor condition and as many as 52
others were
dead or missing from a sail-powered
freighter that caught fire and capsized off Haiti, the US
Coast Guard said on
Thursday. A yacht crew rescued
the two survivors on Wednesday.
Jamaican PM appoints Cabinet sub-committee for CWC
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Jamaican Prime Minister,
Portia Simpson Miller, has appointed a Cabinet sub-
committee
to monitor all aspects of the government's
activities in its preparation of the ICC Cricket World
Cup. Minister of
Information and Development, Donald
Buchanan made the announcement on Monday.
Trinidad police threaten Cricket World Cup strike
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): Police officers in
Trinidad and Tobago, where India and Sri Lanka will
play their
first round World Cup matches, have
threatened to go on strike during the tournament in a
pay dispute.
Trinidad tourism company signs deal with BBC
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago's
Tourism Development Corporation (TTDCO) has
signed a deal with
the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC) centered around the upcoming ICC
Cricket World Cup matches to be played
in the country
and is aimed at giving exposure to the islands during
the event.
BP's Trinidad venture boosts LNG supplies to Europe, Asia
SINGAPORE (Bloomberg): BP Plc's Atlantic LNG in
Trinidad & Tobago has increased shipments of
liquefied natural
gas to Europe and Asia to fetch
higher prices, while shipments to the US fell. Trinidad
chilled 748 billion cubic
feet of natural gas into 307
LNG cargoes last year.
USVI governor appears before Washington panel
WASHINGTON, USA: US Virgin Islands Governor John
deJongh appeared on Wednesday before a meeting
of the Interagency
Group for Insular Affairs in
Washington, DC. The meeting was the opportunity for
governors and delegates from the
offshore territories
to present their priorities to the federal government.
Interpol to subject CWC supporters to MIND control
MIAMI, USA (Reuters): Travellers arriving in the
Caribbean for the cricket World Cup should be
prepared for some
MIND control. MIND, which stands
for Mobile Integrated Network Data, is a security
system developed by the international
police agency
Interpol to identify potential threats.
Commentary: "Hey, Tony, what's up with the brothers wearing white wigs?"
The inviting image of white sand and bright sun
glistening off the crystal-blue waters of our Caribbean
Sea has
formed the backdrop of almost every
television report from The Bahamas on the Anna
Nicole saga. Yet it’s the fleeting
glance of a black
lawyer striding across the courtyard of our Supreme
Court...
AWOL Cuban boxers to be unveiled in New York
BERLIN, German (AFP): Three Cuban Olympic
champion boxers who disappeared from a training
camp in Venezuela in
December are to be unveiled at
a press conference in New York next week. Cuba
reacted angrily in December when the
three joined a
long list of Cuban sports stars who have gone
missing.
Bowlers set for tough World Cup in the Caribbean
LONDON, England (AFP): Bowlers have been
complaining that cricket is a batsmen's game for
arguably as long as
the game has been played. But
when it comes to the one-day format they may well
have a point. And with the World Cup
set to be played
on a series of relatively small grounds in the
Caribbean, there are fears that bowlers will be
reduced
to the status of stooges.
Big Dwayne sparks Bermuda dreams
HAMILTON, Bermuda (AFP): With many believing that
minnows like Bermuda have no place at the World
Cup, there
is bound to be a crescendo of sniggers
when Dwayne Leverock takes to the field during the
competition. The 35-year-old
Leverock, known
affectionately as Sluggo, is big, huge, massive, even.
World Cup win vital for West Indies morale, says Lloyd
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AFP): West Indies cricket
legend Clive Lloyd believes victory in the World Cup
would be
a crucial boost to morale in the Caribbean.
Lloyd led the West Indies to victory in the first two
World Cups in 1975
and 1979 but the Windies have
failed since to add a third title to their names.
Castro comes out on Venezuelan radio
HAVANA, Cuba (UPI): Cuban President Fidel Castro
spoke Tuesday on a Venezuelan radio show, the first
time the
ailing leader has made a live address since
falling ill in July. Speaking on the morning program of
Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez, Castro said he
was recovering well and had "lots of energy."
Fleeing gangs establish new bases in rural Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters): Heavily armed
gangs, fleeing Haiti's dangerous slums in the face of
UN peacekeeper
raids, have established new bases
in provincial areas, creating panic in rural populations,
officials and witnesses
say.
BVI Chief Minister says 95 percent of constitutional aims achieved
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister of the British Virgin
Islands, Dr Orlando Smith, speaking from London at
the end
of the fourth round of constitutional talks, said
the Territory's negotiating team has achieved 95% of
the proposals
for a modern constitution for the people
of the BVI.
Appeals court confirms Anna Nicole Smith to be buried in the Bahamas
MIAMI, USA (AFP): In the latest twist in the legal tangle
over the body of ex-Playboy model and billionaire's
widow
Anna Nicole Smith, a Florida appeals court on
Wednesday upheld a ruling that the controversial
celebrity be buried
in the Bahamas.
Anna Nicole tour makes new Bahamas attraction
NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters): Visitors to the
Bahamas can sunbathe, snorkel, golf, gamble and
shop. Now there is
a ghoulish new tourist attraction:
touring the sites connected to deceased former
Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith.
BVI Legislative Council without a Deputy Speaker
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The post of deputy speaker of the
British Virgin Islands' Legislative Council became
vacant when
Delores Christopher was appointed as
acting Minister of Natural Resources and Labour.
This post was recently
held by Eileen Parsons.
Batmobile goes to the Cayman Islands after bidding war in London
LONDON, England (Bloomberg): A shopper from the
Cayman Islands with 119,000 pounds ($233,000) to
spare went away
with a vehicle fit for a superhero
when a Batmobile from the 1960s television
series "Batman" was sold at auction
on Tuesday.
American spy for Cuba sentenced to five years in prison
MIAMI, USA (AFP): A US judge Tuesday sentenced a
professor in Miami to five years in prison for being a
covert
agent for Cuba's government, and his wife to
three years for failing to report the illegal activities.
The Cuban-American
couple had pleaded guilty to the
charges.
Cuba sentences five jailed demonstrators
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Five dissidents arrested in
2005 in demonstrations against Cuba's Communist
government
were sentenced on Tuesday to jail terms
of up to two years, human rights activist Elizardo
Sanchez said.
Eight heads-of-government confirmed for Rio Group meeting, says Guyana minister
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Eight heads of government
have confirmed their participation at the summit of the
Rio Group,
which started Wednesday with a meeting
of National Coordinators in Georgetown, Guyana. The
meeting was to set the
agenda for the formal meeting
of the Rio Summit on Saturday.
EC provides funding to Guyana’s sugar action plan
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The first financing
agreement for implementing Guyana’s National Action
Plan on Accompanying
Measures to mitigate the
effects of the EU sugar price cuts, was signed on
Wednesday between Guyana and the European
Commission. The agreement is for the disbursement
of Euros $5.6 million.
Suriname to tackle sham marriages
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Authorities in Suriname are
currently taking steps to tackle sham marriages in the
country,
officials have confirmed. In its weekly cabinet
meeting Wednesday, the government sanctioned a
bill put forward by
justice minister Chandrikapersad
Santokhi to curb this illegal practice.
Bush compliments Suriname government on fighting crime
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: US president George W.
Bush has praised the Suriname government for its
efforts in fighting
corruption and crime in this
CARICOM member state. At a brief meeting Tuesday
with newly appointed Surinamese ambassador
to the
US, Jack Kross, President Bush expressed his
appreciation.
EU imports more bananas from Caribbean countries
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters): European Union
countries imported 4.185 million tonnes of bananas
from Caribbean
and other countries in 2006, up by
12.3 percent on 2005, European Commission data
showed this week.
Belfast university hosts Caribbean coordinator of WINFA
BELFAST, Northern Ireland: Coinciding with the start
of Fairtrade Fortnight, Renwick Rose, coordinator of
the
Windward Islands National Farming Association
(WINFA), spoke to students at Queen’s University
Belfast. Fairtrade’s
involvement in the Windward
Islands is positively welcomed by Rose.
Taylor hopes to become Caribbean lethal weapon
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Jerome Taylor is not built
along the lines of the traditional West Indies fast
bowler.
He’s not tall like Joel Garner. Nor is he rugged
like Wayne Daniel. He is however, just as lethal as
any of them,
and over the last year, he has emerged
as the kingpin of the West Indies attack.
Gayle force can power West Indies
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Chris Gayle is widely
recognised as one of most laid-back players in
cricket. At the
risk of sounding clichéd however, his
relaxed demeanour mirrors the calm before the storm,
as he has often proven
he can devastate the
confidence of his opponents with his dashing batting.
Born 1971, one-day cricket grows into giant
NEW DELHI, India (AFP): When a rain-ruined Test
between Australia and England in 1971 resulted in the
first one-day
international at Melbourne, few believed
that this new form of cricket would become a global,
money-spinning affair.
Jamaican netballers to play Test series against New Zealand and Australia
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaica's Sunshine Girls
netball team will continue their preparation for the
World Netball
Championships (WNC) in New Zealand
later this year, when they play both Australia and New
Zealand in two-Test series.
Former West Indies all-rounder named Ireland coach
DUBLIN, Ireland: Former West Indies and Trinidad
and Tobago all-rounder Phil Simmons has been
appointed
Ireland's coach and will start his duties
after the team's final game of the ICC Cricket World
Cup in the Caribbean.
Castro's dominance over Cuba to end this year, says US intelligence
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): Ailing President Fidel
Castro's dominance of Cuba will probably end during
2007, the head
of US intelligence said Tuesday.
Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell
said that the post-Castro
transition in Cuba has
begun after nearly five decades of Fidel Castro's rule.
Suriname health minister rejects euthanasia, embraces abortion
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Suriname’s health minister
Celsius Waterberg has caused a stir by rejecting the
idea of
euthanasia, while supporting the legalisation
of abortion. “As long as I am the Minister of Health,
everyone can just
forget about euthanasia. Such a bill
I will never present to parliament for approval,” he said.
St Vincent opposition to stage march and rally
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: Members and supporters of
the parliamentary opposition in St Vincent and the
Grenadines,
the New Democratic Party, are expected
to march in Kingstown, with the aim of pressing for
fresh elections. The march
will highlight issues of
crime, drugs, poverty, education, victimisation and
other matters.
Guyana official takes legal action against Stabroek News
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The prolonged issue of the
withdrawal of Guyana government advertisements
from Stabroek News
took a legal turn on Monday
when a writ in the name of a senior government
official was served on the media entity.
Legal fight over Smith's child continues in Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas (UPI): Attorneys arguing in a
Bahamian court on custody and paternity issues
surrounding Anna
Nicole Smith's 5-month-old
daughter will return in mid-March. Larry Birkhead and
his attorney Debra Opri attended
Monday's hearing
over custody of the child.
Atlantis II begins a new era in the Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas: When the research vessel
Atlantis II was retired by Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution in
1996 the headlines read “...the end of an
era”. Since arriving on the shores of its new home,
Grand Bahama Island,
The Bahamas, in late 2006,
Atlantis II has undergone a major restoration
BVI governor appoints acting minister to cover absences
ROAD TOWN, BVI: British Virgin Islands Governor,
David Pearey, acting on the advice of the Chief
Minister, Dr
Orlando Smith, and in accordance with the
constitution, has appointed Delores Christopher to act
as Minister for Natural
Resources and Labour for the
period February 23 to March 4.
Telecoms licences extended in BVI
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The Telecommunications
Regulatory Commission in the British Virgin Islands at
its first meeting
earlier this month extended the
existing non-exclusive telecommunications licences
held by Cable and Wireless (West
Indies) Limited;
Caribbean Cellular Telephone Limited; and BVI Cable
TV Limited.
Cuba sanctions must remain, says Gutierrez
WASHINGTON, USA (UPI): US Commerce Secretary
Carlos Gutierrez told the American Enterprise Institute
for
Public Policy Research that lifting sanctions will not
solve Cuba's problems. President Fidel Castro and
his brother
have "destroyed the ability for Cubans to
succeed, prosper and make a life for themselves," he
said.
Local artistes to perform at TEMPO concert in Grenada
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: The island of Grenada will
be showcased on one of the Caribbean's most
popular entertainment
channels on Saturday, March 3.
TEMPO will stage a mega concert promoting local
artistes, while at the same time giving
them the
chance to be viewed by the wider Caribbean.
New coalition asks MINUSTAH to stop violence in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: The Haitian Non-Violent,
Non-Partisan Coalition (HNVNPC) is an initiative of
relatively
unknown, non-partisan human rights
volunteers and AUMOHD an agency which has been
working with victims of political
persecution since the
end of 2003.
Jamaican senator satisfied with progress of CSM
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Jamaican Minister of State
for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Delano
Franklyn,
has expressed satisfaction with the
progress made since the implementation of the
CARICOM Single Market (CSM) last
year. He noted
however that the process was being undertaken
incrementally.
Jamaica issues 778 CARICOM skills certificates
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Minister of State in the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator
Delano
Franklyn has reported that Jamaica has
issued 778 Skills Certificates to eligible CARICOM
nationals. 40 per cent or
311 of the total amount have
been issued to Jamaicans.
Trinidad earthquakes described as unusual
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Two earthquakes have
now been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago in the
space of one week.
The lastest earthquake struck on
Tuesday morning around 9:26 and was felt in several
parts of the country.
Caribbean Airlines officials deny fire onboard aircraft
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The management of
Caribbean Airlines says that, although smoke was
seen in one of their
aircraft on Monday, there was no
fire. Emergency and safety procedures were, however,
carried out on board the plane,
and in the airport area.
Venezuela could trigger regional arms race
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): US intelligence chief,
Michael McConnell said on Tuesday that Venezuela's
weapons purchases
could spark an arms race in the
region. He also accused the Venezuelan leader of
trying to "politicize" the country's
armed forces.
Caribbean wants EU trade deal this year, says trade negotiator
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters): Caribbean countries
want to clinch a new trade and investment deal with
the European
Union this year, breaking ranks with
those African nations which are seeking a delay, a
Caribbean trade negotiator
said on Monday.
US to host conference on Caribbean in June
WASHINGTON, USA: In June 2007, the US
government, in collaboration with Caribbean
Community (CARICOM), will be
hosting a Conference
on the Caribbean, which all 15 CARICOM Heads of
States/Government are expected to attend.
Open Letter to the directors and staff of Caribbean Airlines
This is an open letter from the people of Trinidad and
Tobago to you and your staff because it is quite
apparent
after the Carnival fiasco that there lies a
serious discrepancy between the image of Caribbean
Airlines and the actual
product.
Canada piles on Cup misery for Bermuda
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Man-of-the-match Abdool
Samad smashed 83 off 86 balls to lead Canada to a
three-wicket
win over Bermuda in the Tri-Series
tournament. It was Bermuda's second defeat in two
games having lost their opening
match to Bangladesh.
No plans to attack Iran, says US Ambassador to Barbados
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: The US Ambassador to
Barbados has made it clear that her country does not
have any immediate
plans to carry out a military attack
on Iran. Speaking to members of the local media in St
Vincent, Mary Ourisman,
said an emphatic "no" when
questioned about plans to stage a military attack on
Iran,
Cuba's trade booms with China and Venezuela
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cuba's trade with China
more than doubled in 2006 to nearly $1.8 billion, the
Chinese
customs office said on Monday, as the
Communist-run Island prioritised its new revolutionary
partners China and Venezuela.
BVI governor sets aside PAC request to conduct inquiry
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The governor of the British Virgin
Islands, David Pearey, has set aside a request from
the Public
Accounts Committee to conduct a public
inquiry into an American consultancy group that has
done work for the New Democratic
Party in the BVI
before it formed the government after the 2003
general elections.
Florida court halts Anna Nicole Bahamas burial
MIAMI, USA (Reuters): A Florida appeals court
suspended on Monday a lower court ruling that would
have allowed
the burial of former Playboy Playmate
Anna Nicole Smith in the Bahamas, as the battle over
her baby shifted to the
Bahamian capital.
Consumer protection committee launched in Barbados
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (GIS): The Barbados
government has created a Consumer Protection
Committee to look after
the interests of consumers.
This was revealed by Minister of Consumer Affairs,
Senator Lynette Eastmond. The Committee
will be
chaired by retired Permanent Secretary, Elsworth
Young.
EU provides additional BZ$5.4m to support banana productivity in Belize
BELMOPAN, Belize: The European Union has
approved an additional allocation of euro 2.11 Million
(approximately
5.4 million BZD) to Belize to promote
sustainable development and poverty alleviation in the
traditional banana growing
areas of southern Belize.
BVI public servants commit to improve service
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Senior public servants in the British
Virgin Islands have recommitted themselves to
continuing
to improve the public sector’s service
delivery and performance. At a retreat over the
weekend, the senior public
servants were involved in
discussions over a wide cross-section of reform
actions.
Cuban cigar sales rise despite smoking bans
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Facing public smoking
bans around the world, cigar aficionados are
spending more on finer
smokes for the fewer
opportunities they have to light up, and that boosted
sales of Cuban cigars last year, makers
said on
Monday.
Dominica PM speaks at Fairtrade Fortnight
LONDON, England (AFP): Dominica Prime Minister
Roosevelt Skerrit was to speak at a gathering in
London on Monday
as part of Fairtrade Fortnight, an
annual event used to encourage Britons to buy
Fairtrade products that guarantee
producers in poor
countries a higher price for their goods.
Guyana will be secure for CWC, says police commissioner
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Acting
Commissioner of Police Henry Greene and
International Criminal Police Organisation
(Interpol)
Secretary General Ronald Noble met on Sunday to
review Interpol’s state-of-the-art police communication
system installed at Guyana’s Interpol National Central
Bureau.
Jamaican senate begins debate on Proceeds of Crime Act
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Debate on the Proceeds of
Crime Act, which will provide for the forfeiture of the
assets
and properties of persons, found to have
accumulated wealth through criminal activities, began
in the Jamaican senate
last week.
Authorities check fishing vessels in Suriname
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Under the auspices of the
US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Suriname's
Ministry of
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and
Fisheries has conducted inspections on fishing
trawlers. The vessels were scrutinised
as to whether
installed turtle excluder devices (TED) were
functioning properly.
Judicial officials in Suriname receive specialist drug enforcement training
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Officials from several law
enforcement agencies in Suriname have received
specialist training
in drugs enforcement strategies
from the United States of America. Twenty six officers
from the Suriname Police Force,
Customs and Military
Police were trained by officials from the US Drug
Enforcement Administration.
Barbados envoy 'bigs up' Air Jamaica
NEW YORK, USA: Barbados' Consul General in New
York, Jessica Odle, is calling on all Barbadians in the
US to
support Air Jamaica's new daily service to the
island. The Consul General said the community has
a responsibility
to support "the only carrier of the
region today."
Commentary: Law and Politics: As we draw closer - any better?
By the time you are reading this, we may or may not
have had the “Stadium Rally” that was promoted as
the blessing
of the National Stadium. Whatever may
have happened, and however we may see or accept it
as individuals, will be according
to our opinions and
from which side of the fence we are standing.
Commentary: Caribbean-China policy and the resurgence of slavery
Perhaps it is because we are in the midst of History
and Heritage Week and at the same time
commemorating the
200th anniversary of the Abolition
of Slavery, but the arguments promoting the
Caribbean-China (mainland China) policy
are
sounding very much like those used to justify the
promotion of slavery in the 17th century.
Nafees leads Bangladesh to convincing win over Bermuda
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Opening batsman Shahriar
Nafees hit his fourth One-day International hundred to
lead
Bangladesh to an eight-wicket victory over
Bermuda in the first match of their three-nation series
on Sunday at the
Antigua Recreation Ground.
The rise and rise of cricket's World Cup
NEW DELHI, India (AFP): Gone are the days when a
batsman would plod for 60 overs to make a measly 36
in a one-day
match as India's Sunil Gavaskar did in
the inaugural World Cup in 1975. Gone also is a
cricket World Cup that would
comprise only 15
matches over five playing days with no live global
television coverage and little money.
Powell left disappointed, as Bolt stars in Kingston
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Despite a bullet start on the
lead-off leg of the men's 4x100m relay finals at
Saturday's
Gibson Relays, Asafa Powell was left
disappointed as his team failed to complete the event.
Powell, the World record
holder in the 100m with a
sparkling 9.77 seconds, set the MVP team up with a
brilliant first-leg.
Rampaul leads Trinidad to Carib Beer Challenge defence
POINTE-A-PIERRE, Trinidad: Fast bowler Ravi
Rampaul claimed seven-wickets in the second
innings to help defending
champions Trinidad and
Tobago retain the Carib Beer Challenge title at
Guaracara Park on Sunday.
World Bank to launch Caribbean disaster insurance
WASHINGTON, USA (Reuters): As scientists warn that
climate change will lead to stronger storms, the World
Bank
is launching on Monday the first disaster
insurance plan to offer emergency money to 18
Caribbean countries immediately
after they are hit by
hurricanes or earthquakes.
