Caribbean and Latin American leaders seek fresh anti-drug strategy
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AFP): Latin
American, Caribbean, European and US officials
participated in
a summit here Friday to draw up new
strategies against illegal drugs flowing from the
Americas to the rest of the
world.
Castro exercising daily, recuperating, says Cuban foreign minister
LISBON, Portugal (AFP): Convalescing Cuban
President Fidel Castro has gained weight and is
exercising daily,
Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez
Roque said on Friday during a visit to Portugal. The 80-
year-old leader "is recuperating
progressively and his
recovery is constant", he told reporters
Antigua-Barbuda official refutes allegations of missing weapons
ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Chief of Defence Staff of the
Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Colonel Trevor
Thomas has
categorically refuted allegations that a
consignment of weapons and ammunition has gone
missing.
Nuclear power plant and aluminum smelter planned in Suriname
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Embarking on an ambitious
plan, investors are diiscussing construction of a
nuclear power
plant and an aluminum smelter in
Suriname, officials here have confirmed. According to
Suriname’s ambassador, Jules
Ramlakhan, the
authorities have to look into different aspects.
'Cuban mafia' chieftain sentenced in Miami
MIAMI, USA (Reuters): A leader of a "Cuban mafia"
organized crime syndicate called The Corporation
was sentenced
on Friday to nearly 16 years in prison
for racketeering and ordered to forfeit $642 million.
Jose Miguel Battle Jr.
was convicted last year on
various racketeering conspiracy charges.
Cuba may upset Imperial Tobacco takeover bid
MADRID, Spain (AFP): Cuba might upset a likely
takeover bid by Imperial Tobacco for Spanish-French
group Altadis
because it has an option to buy the cigar
division, press reports and analysts said on Friday.
US organisations call on IDB to cancel Haiti's debt immediately
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: When the Inter-American
Development Bank meets this weekend (March 16-
20) in Guatemala
City, the agenda will include
finalising a proposal to cancel the debts of five
countries: Bolivia, Nicaragua, Honduras,
Guyana, and
Haiti.
Hotels reaping substantial benefits from CWC 2007, says Jamaican senator
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Minister of State in the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator
Delano
Franklyn has said that the tourism sector in
Jamaica is benefiting tremendously from the ICC
Cricket World Cup (CWC)
2007, as thousands of
visitors are in the island for what is billed as the third
largest spectacle.
Montserrat makes history at London's St Patrick's Day parade
BRADES, Montserrat: The island of Montserrat will be
represented for the first time ever during the annual
London
St Patrick’s parade and festival on Sunday
18th March 2007. Montserrat’s representation is
being organised by
the Volcanics Group.
Venezuela says new spy technology to fight drugs
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (Reuters):
Blamed by Washington for a surge in narcotics
shipments through
its territory, Venezuela said on
Friday it was arming itself with Chinese satellite
technology and Russian Sukhoi-30
jets to help crack
down on the illegal drug trade.
ACS calls for legal instruments to be ratified
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Association of Caribbean
States (ACS) ministers, at their 12th Ordinary Meeting
of the
Ministerial Council, made a formal call for all
members and associate members who have not yet
done so, to sign or
ratify any legal instruments on
which they have not yet acted.
Panama optimistic about energy consensus at next OAS General Assembly
WASHINGTON, USA: “We cannot fathom development
in our countries without having reached consensus
and made substantial
progress on the complex and
important issue of energy, which will determine the
future of our generations,” Panama’s
Vice President
and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Lewis Navarro,
said
Caribbean leverages presence at two US travel shows
NEW YORK, USA: The Caribbean region was
prominently featured at two recent US consumer travel
shows -- The New
York Times Travel Show and the
Adventures in Travel Expo -- both of which included a
Caribbean Pavilion of booths,
entertainment, prize
giveaways, representative members of the CTO and
the CHA
New US passport rules for Caribbean cause spike in demand, delays
ATLANTA, USA (Reuters): Americans are putting an
unusual strain on passport offices because of new
US rules requiring
them to carry the documents for air
travel to the Caribbean, as well as Canada and Latin
America.
Commentary: Medical tourism: A chance to address many ills
Many of the state owned hospitals in the Caribbean
are in poor condition. Notwithstanding competent
doctors and
nurses, the physical condition of many of
the hospitals is bad and their equipment and
technology are inadequate.
Caribbean governments,
financial institutions and tourist resorts should invest
in health tourism.
Commentary: A constructive plot to return Guantanamo Bay to Cuba in the near future
The Bush administration has made several
declarations expressing its willingness to help Cuba
make a smooth transition
to a Washington-
approved “democracy,” achieved through a “soft
landing.” This transition would take effect upon Fidel
Castro’s death or complete incapacitation.
Letter: Disheartened to see Cuba's Fidel Castro regaining health
It is quite disheartening to see that a tyrant like Fidel
Castro is regaining health and strength and may soon
be
back to work, oppressing his people under his evil
Communist government. In the Cayman Islands, we
have a Memorandum
of Understanding , which I think
was orchestrated by the UK and Cuba.
Gibbs troubles Dutch as Kiwis see off England
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AFP): Herschelle Gibbs
smashed his way into the record books as the World
Cup witnessed
another heayweight nation deliver a
brutal knockout blow to a hapless contender on Friday.
Powell to start overseas campaign with relay races
OKLAHOMA, USA: Jamaican 100-metres World record
holder Asafa Powell, is set to compete at two relay
meetings
in the United States in April. Powell will
compete as part of the Maximizing Velocity and Power
track and field club
team at the 49th Mount SAC
Relays in San Antonio, then at the 113th Penn Relays
in Philadelphia.
Warner wins fifth term as CONCACAF president
NEW YORK, USA: Jack Warner, the Trinidadian FIFA
vice-president has been re-elected as Confederation
of North,
Central American and Caribbean Association
Football (CONCACAF) President for another four-year
term, which will run
from 2007-2011, the CONCACAF
office announced on Wednesday.
Castro will eventually be fit to reassume power, says top official
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuba's ailing President Fidel
Castro will eventually be fit enough to resume the
presidency
he handed over to his younger brother
Raul in July, the communist state's parliamentary
leader Ricardo Alarcon said
Thursday. Alarcon made
the statement during a meeting to prepare the March
election.
Bahamas police discuss Smith case with Florida investigators
FORT LAUDERDALE, USA (UPI): Police investigating
the death of Anna Nicole Smith have met with
prosecutors in
the Florida state attorney general's
office, it was reported Thursday. A Bahamas police
representative also met with
the Florida investigators.
Guadeloupe-born French national sentenced to nine years for Australia terror plot
PARIS, France (AFP): A Paris court Thursday
sentenced Guadeloupe-born French national Willie
Brigitte to nine
years in jail for conspiring with
Pakistani extremists to plot terrorist attacks in
Australia. Brigitte, 38,
showed no emotion as the
verdict was read out in the Paris criminal court.
Bush still the devil, CIA trying to kill me, says Chavez
NEW YORK, USA (AFP): Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez has defended his description of President
George W. Bush
as the devil, in an interview accusing
the US intelligence services of plotting to kill him.
Chavez said he stood
by his speech but that personal
remarks about Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
were only a joke.
Mobile interconnection agreement signed in BVI
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Cable & Wireless and the only
mobile provider in the British Virgin Islands, CCT
Global Communications,
have signed an
Interconnection Agreement Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the companies. This
understanding
is the final milestone prior to the
liberalisation of the telecoms market.
BVI Chief Minister receives courtesy call from new USVI governor
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister of the British Virgin
Islands Dr Orlando Smith received his first official
courtesy
call from Governor of the US Virgin Islands,
John de Jongh Jr. According to the Director of
Communications in the
Chief Minister's Office Sandra
Ward, the leaders used the visit to discuss matters of
common interest.
Minister identifies challenges facing agriculture in Dominica
ROSEAU, Dominica: Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries
and the Environment, Senator Dr John Colin McIntyre
has
identified some of the challenges of the enabling
environment affecting the growth and development of
the agricultural
sector in Dominica.
Montserrat to liberalise telecommunications
BRADES, Montserrat: The government of Montserrat
has this week signalled its plans to work on
liberalising the
island’s telecommunications industry.
The move was highlighted by the Minister of
Communications and Works Idabelle
Meade.
New sports betting kiosks for Dutch Caribbean casinos
LAS VEGAS, USA: ISI Maritime/Islands officials have
announced it will soon introduce its new sports
betting kiosks
(the iSports Stand) to casinos
throughout the Dutch Caribbean, including St.
Maarten. The announcement follows the
successful
launch of 12 of the new iSports Stands on gaming
floors.
Cunard’s Queen Victoria to visit St Kitts in 2008
BASSETERRE, St Kitt's (CUOPM): St Kitts has been
included in the schedule of the Queen Victoria,
Cunard’s newest
cruise liner, when it sets sail on its
Caribbean tour following her maiden world voyage
next year. 2008 will mark
an exciting year on the
Cunard Cruise Line calendar.
Nevis civil servants to get affordable housing finance
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Civil servants and non-
established workers in the Nevis Island
Administration (NIA), will
now have access to
affordable housing through an EC$10 million loan
from the St. Kitts and Nevis Social Security Board
following an amendment to the Nevis Island
Government Loan Ordinance 2002.
St Kitts-Nevis prime minister institutes post-Cabinet briefings
BASSETERRE, St Kitt's: In keeping with the St Kitts
and Nevis government’s stated move towards
transparency and
accountability, and responding to
calls from the news media for more frequent
information, Prime Minister Dr Denzil
Douglas
launched the first post-Cabinet briefing at Government
Headquarters on Monday.
Rhythms and Culture event to showcase St Lucia
CASTRIES, St Lucia: Over the next few days, the St
Lucia Tourist Board has organised a celebration of
cultures
and music from Canada , England, Kenya
and New Zealand. This special event is called
Rhythms and Culture and will
take place at different
venues around the island.
Trinidad & Tobago: How tweet it is - a birder’s paradise
PORT-OF-SPAIN,Trinidad: There are few places in the
world where so many birds, many of them unique or
rare, can
be seen in such a small area. For that
reason, bird watchers from around the world flock year
round to Trinidad &
Tobago to catch a glimpse of the
islands’ more than 460 diverse species.
Federal officials commit to reinstating local drug interdiction unit in USVI
ST THOMAS, USVI: Three federal agency
representatives in the US Virgin Islands have joined
Acting Police Commissioner
James McCall in
committing the resources necessary to provide a
return to the VI of the drug interdiction unit known
commonly as the “Blue Lightning Strike Force.”
Commentary: UPDATE: Resolving the legal mess Anna Nicole left behind
Today is being heralded as a day of reckoning in the
late Anna Nicole Smith’s baby-Daddy drama. But, as
was the
case with everything in her life, today’s
proceedings will be characterized far more by surreal
fanfare than legal
resolve. In fact the only moment of
reckoning for parties to the Dannielynn-paternity...
Commentary: Adolescent health in the Caribbean
A survey on the health of school youth in the
Caribbean has been reported in Cajanus, the journal
of the Caribbean
Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI).
Over 15,000 youngsters between the ages of 10 and
18 were surveyed in schools
in nine English speaking
Caribbean countries.
Letter: What are our leaders in Antigua doing?
The letter of March 14, 2007 from Mr Adrian Loveridge
is very timely and it should cause those leaders to
stop
and think about what they are doing to the people
of their respective countries. For the past year, all you
hear coming
out of the mouths of the leaders is the
amount of money the country will be making during
the World Cup season.
Cricket World Cup match reports
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP) : Sri Lanka were just
as pleased with skipper Mahela Jayawardene's return
to form
ahead of two big World Cup games as they
were with their crushing win over hapless Bermuda.
Smith puts West Indies doubters in their place
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Dwayne Smith repaid the
West Indies' selection panels faith in him when he
starred with
bat and ball to inspire his side to victory
over Pakistan in their World Cup opener. When the
West Indies 15-man squad
was announced last
month, there were strong objections throughout the
Caribbean.
Recovering Castro tells Chavez he feels 'very well'
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuban leader Fidel Castro,
recovering from intestinal surgery, told his Venezuelan
counterpart
and close ally Hugo Chavez that he
feels "very well," the official newspaper Granma said
Wednesday. The Cuban leader,
80, is still recovering
from intestinal surgery eight months ago.
Feared gang leader arrested in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters): One of Haiti's
most wanted gang leaders was arrested on Tuesday
as security
forces intensified efforts to crack down on
criminal gangs in the troubled Caribbean country,
authorities said. The
gang leader, who goes only by
the name Evans, was arrested near the southern town
of Les Cayes.
Bahamas money manager gets four years for laundering funds
NEW YORK, USA: Martin Tremblay, a Canadian
money manager who operated an investment firm in
the Bahamas, has
been sentenced to four years in
prison for laundering $20,000 in purported drug
money, as part of a government sting
operation.
Arrest expected in Grenada in connection with attacks on diplomats
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: The Royal Grenada Police
Force believe they have enough evidence to lay
charges against
an individual who has been assisting
them in connection with an attack on the Cuban
Ambassador. While the name
of the individual was
not released, the police indicated that an arrest was
expected by Thursday.
Stern's testimony vital at Smith inquest in Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas: Interest in Howard K. Stern's
testimony in a Bahamian inquest into the death of
Anna Nicole
Smith's son, Daniel, is higher since she
died, officials said. Stern was the lawyer and
companion of Smith, who died
February 8 in Florida of
unknown causes.
Repression tightens in Cuba, say dissidents
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuban dissidents said Tuesday
that the government is tightening its repression of
their group
for its insistence on peaceful, gradual
change toward democracy in the country. Cuba, with
the Americas' only
communist government, contends
the internal opposition is financed by the United
States.
Pernod wins right to use Havana Club rum trademark in Spain
PARIS, France: Pernod Ricard SA, the world's second-
largest liquor company, has won a legal victory over
use
of the Havana Club rum trademark in Spain. A
court in Madrid barred Bacardi Ltd., the world's biggest
rum maker, from
using the brand in Spain, Paris-
based Pernod said this week in an e-mailed
statement.
Guyana reiterates commitment to address climate change
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): The government of
Guyana has said that it is cognisant of climate
changes that are
occurring as a result of changing
land use and other factors, and has accordingly
restated its commitment to put in
place appropriate
mechanisms to prevent effects that may occur over the
next 25 years.
BBC reporters arrive in St Lucia
CASTRIES, St Lucia: A BBC crew comprising of 5 men
and 2 women arrived in St Lucia on a chartered flight
on Wednesday
about 6.00 am. The group attended
the opening ceremony and the first game of the
Cricket World Cup between West Indies
and Pakistan
in Jamaica, which West Indies won by 54 runs.
Canadian High Commissioner attends CWC matches in St Lucia
CASTRIES, St Lucia: The Canadian High
Commissioner to St Lucia and the OECS, Michael
Welsh, is visiting the Island
to attend the first Cricket
World Cup match Canada versus Kenya. The High
Commissioner will travel to Barbados on
Thursday
and return to St Lucia on Sunday to attend the game
Canada versus England.
Chile recalls Venezuela envoy over TV comments
SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters): Chile has ordered its
ambassador in Venezuela to come home and explain
a television
interview he gave in Caracas in which he
gave sensitive details of a conversation with President
Michelle Bachelet.
Chilean Foreign Minister Alexandro
Foxley said he expected the diplomat to arrive soon.
Caribbean countries should take advantage of changing age structure, says UN
UNITED NATIONS: Caribbean countries should take
advantage of the window of opportunity offered by the
rapid transition
in the age structure of the region’s
population, a United Nations report recommends. The
region is undergoing a little-noticed
but dramatic
demographic shift, says the report.
Commentary: The Greater Caribbean This Week: The Rio Summit reinforces regional integration
The president of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, inaugurated
the successfully concluded 19th Rio Summit In the
presence
of more than ten Heads of State and
Government. This event must be acknowledged for
the high level of the meeting,
and also for the scope of
the dialogue among the leaders in attendance.
Letter: Hotel bookings fall short
It is no wonder than the public gets confused over
what is considered one of the Caribbean’s major
industries,
tourism. In a Jamaica Observer article
entitled ‘Major Kingston hotels fully booked as cricket
world cup bowls off’
a senior tourism official pointed
out that the hotels in Barbados were fully booked for
the event.
Caribbean wakes up to World Cup hangover
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): The Caribbean woke up
on Wednesday with a hangover. It did not come from
the bottom
of a rum or beer bottle, although plenty may
have been consumed overnight by fans still ecstatic,
following West Indies'
54-run victory over Pakistan in
the opening match of the 2007 World Cup on Tuesday
at Sabina Park.
Bermuda's big Dwayne is mother's pride
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): The mother of giant
Bermudan spinner Dwayne Leverock has warned his
World Cup
rivals to stop making fun of her son's size.
Police constable Leverock weighs in at a huge 255
pounds and found himself
on the front pages of
international newspapers last week
West Indies have conquered stage fright, says Lara
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): West Indies captain Brian
Lara believes his team has conquered the stage fright
which
threatened to cripple their campaign to become
the first host nation to win the World Cup. West Indies
won the first
ever World Cup match held in the
Caribbean
Relief for West Indies but questions remain
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters): World Cup hosts
West Indies' opening day victory over Pakistan
provided evidence
that, while frustratingly inconsistent,
Brian Lara's side are capable of beating anyone on
their day. Friday's warm-up
defeat to India had set
alarm bells ringing among the home support.
Cricket World Cup match reports
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (Reuters): Australian skipper
Ricky Ponting cracked his fourth World Cup century to
guide
his side to a 203-run thrashing of Scotland in
their opening Group A match on Wednesday. Ponting
batted magnificently
after being dropped on 23 to
make 113 with five sixes.
Second Digicel international match announced
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Following Digicel’s
announcement of an international match in Jamaica
this week, the Caribbean
telecommunications
company has announced that it is to deliver another
match when Barbados play host to Central American
side Guatemala.
Fidel Castro, at 80, may be the next comeback kid
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuban leader Fidel Castro,
sidelined by intestinal surgery almost eight months
ago, is now
recovering at a faster pace, taking part in
daily government affairs, and fueling talk he may
return to the helm of
Cuba's communist government
soon.
Smith shines in West Indies win over Pakistan
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters): West Indian all-
rounder Dwayne Smith dominated with bat and ball to
ensure the World
Cup hosts opened the competition
with a 54-run victory over Group D rivals Pakistan at
Sabina Park on Tuesday.
Chavez lavishes oil, cooperation on impoverished Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): Venezuela's President
Hugo Chavez, on a visit to Haiti, lavished oil on the
poorest
country in the Americas before heading home
Tuesday after a regional tour cast as an alternative to
the one made by
US President George W. Bush.
Suriname minister resigns over financial misconduct
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Minister of Transport,
Communication and Tourism Alice Amafo resigned
Tuesday after mounting
pressure from opposition and
coalition parties over alleged financial misconduct.
Amafo stated that since she is politically
responsible
for her department, she is stepping down.
Recovering Castro phones Chavez in Haiti
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Convalescing Cuban leader
Fidel Castro is gradually getting back to work on
matters of
state and took part by telephone in a
presidential meeting in Haiti this week, officials said.
Cuba says it wants normal US relations
HAVANA, Cuba (UPI): Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe
Perez Roque said Monday he would like "normal and
respectful
relations with the United States," EFE news
agency reported. During a visit to Paris, Perez Roque
said he is
prepared to hold bilateral talks anytime the
United States is ready.
Dominica ready to reposition agri-industry
ROSEAU, Dominica: A strategy to reposition the
agricultural sector through the encouragement of
investment here
in Dominica is underway, through a
National Symposium. The two-day dialogue between
stakeholders will focus on a number
of major
challenges within the sector.
Jamaica, Venezuela sign LNG agreement
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez made a three-hour visit to Jamaica on
Monday, during
which he held discussions with Prime
Minister Portia Simpson Miller on a range of bilateral,
trade, cultural and economic
matters. The two leaders
signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
Montserrat leader to head CARICOM delegation on disaster management
BRADES, Montserrat: Montserrat’s Chief Minister, Dr
Lowell Lewis, will lead a Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) delegation
to a disaster management
symposium in New York in June 2007. Lewis and his
team will visit New York’s Office of Emergency
Management to look at the organisation’s institutional
infrastructure.
Cuban delegation visits Montserrat
BRADES, Montserrat: Montserrat will host a two
member delegation from Cuba this week, as part of a
new push to
explore ways of assisting each other in
several areas. The Cuban team of Dr Jaime Davis
Wright, Directorate of International
Relations, and
Marlene Ruiz- Fonseca from the Ministry of Culture,
was due to arrive on Montserrat on Tuesday.
Nevis minister examines housing challenges
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: During an interview with the
Department of Information Minister of Housing and
Lands in the
Nevis Island Administration, Robelto
Hector said housing development partnerships were
important and government would
have to play a major
role in the provision of affordable housing.
Parade of Nations and Cultural Explosion in Turks & Caicos
GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands (GIS):
Guyana, Jamaica, the Bahamas and India were just
some of the many
countries represented at a Parade
of Nations in Providenciales. Citizens of the many
countries making up the populace
of the Turks &
Caicos Islands displayed their native dishes, dress
and culture.
Affordable housing community opens in Turks and Caicos
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands: The
Government Affordable Homes Housing Community
in Wheeland,
Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos
Islands continues was officially declared open on
March 7, 2007. The Belglade
Parker Gardens is a
housing community of presently 20 homes with more
under construction.
Turks and Caicos plane crash victim walks again
MIAMI, USA: Soon after a plane crash left Thomas
Wilson paralysed from the waist down, he arrived at
Jackson
Memorial Hospital by an air ambulance. On
March 2, he was released from the hospital and went
home to Turks
and Caicos walking on his own.
Wilson couldn’t feel his legs when he arrived at JMH.
Rest of CARICOM to determine membership in Rio Group
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Guyana’s Head of
State President Bharrat Jagdeo at the recently held
19th Rio Group
Summit declared his intention to seek
full membership in the Group for Guyana outside of
the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
umbrella at the
end of its term in the Troika.
EU seeks to boost trade talks with former Caribbean colonies
BONN, Germany (Reuters): The European Union
sought common ground in trade talks with African,
Caribbean and Pacific
states on Tuesday by
promising flexibility and aid, and stressing the clock
was ticking to get a deal by the year-end.
Suriname has new envoy at OAS
WASHINGTON, USA: Ambassador Jacques Kross on
Tuesday presented credentials as Suriname’s new
Permanent Representative
to the Organization of
American States (OAS). During the ceremony
Ambassador Kross presented his letters of
accreditation
to Secretary General José Miguel Insulza.
Mets drop Cuban hurler after rough outing
NEW YORK, USA (AFP): Alay Soler, a right-handed
pitcher who defected from Cuba and achieved his
dream of hurling
in Major League Baseball, was
released by the New York Mets here Tuesday. Soler
surrendered two runs and three hits,
including a
home run, in only 1-2/3 innings on Monday.
Jamaica's Facey looking towards NCAA success
TEXAS, USA: Her goal was to win at least a medal at
the NCAA Indoor National Championships, held at
Arkansas'
Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville at
the last weekend, but Jamaican Simone Facey failed
to finish in the top
three-places in both the 60m and
200m sprints.
Digicel international matches announced
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Digicel has announced that it is
to deliver a series of friendly international football
matches
across the Caribbean and Central America
that Digicel is funding with the objective of further
supporting the development
of football in the region.
Dutch prosecutor investigating possible Jamaican bribe
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Bloomberg): Dutch
prosecutors are investigating whether the payment by
commodity firm
Trafigura Beheer BV to a group tied to
Jamaica's governing party may have been a bribe.
Trafigura said on March 9
that the J$31 million
($459,000) payment to the ruling People's National
Party was returned.
Former Suriname dictator apologises for 1982 killings
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: On Sunday, former army
chief and military dictator of Suriname Desi Bouterse
for the first
time publicly apologised to the surviving
relatives of 15 political opponents killed in December
1982 when he ruled
Suriname with an iron fist. The
fifteen victims were tortured and executed.
Cuba invaders would pay a high price, warns Raul Castro
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): The Cuban revolution
is "unbeatable" and all attackers of the communist
nation would pay
a high price, interim leader Raul
Castro warned on Monday. "If anyone attacks us, we're
ready to pay any price necessary,
but the price paid by
invaders of our country will be much higher," said
Raul,
Venezuelan leader cheered by crowds in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters): Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez was cheered by crowds of
slum-dwellers in Haiti
on Monday after he arrived to
highlight Venezuelan aid for the impoverished country.
Many in the crowd ran alongside
Chavez slow-moving
motorcade through the crammed streets of the capital.
Navy leader of Grenada invasion dead at 79
WASHINGTON, USA (UPI): Navy vice Adm. Joseph
Metcalf III, who led US forces in the invasion of
Grenada more than
13 years ago, died earlier this
month at the age of 79. Known for heading up the all
four branches of the US military
in the invasion of the
Caribbean nation in 1983, Metcalf died March 2 in
Washington after suffering several strokes.
Tiny St Kitts at centre of World Cup great game
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (AFP): St Kitts and Nevis are
basking in the glory of hosting the World Cup even if it
means
finding themselves at the centre of a high-
stakes, geo-political game. The Warner Park Stadium
here was built with
a 12 million dollar donation from
Taiwan.
St Lucia ready for historic occasion, says CEO
GROS ISLET, St Lucia (Reuters): St Lucia will
celebrate one of its greatest moments when the
island hosts group
matches and a semi-final in the
Cricket World Cup, the head of the local organising
committee said on Sunday.
St Vincent's Findlay triumphs against the odds
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (Reuters): Overcoming
isolation and size, tiny villages scattered throughout
the Caribbean
have spawned magnificent cricketers
ranking alongside any of their contemporaries from
more privileged backgrounds.
Diamond Resorts to buy Caribbean vacation properties firm
NEW YORK, USA (Bloomberg): Diamond Resorts
LLC, a closely held developer and manager of
vacation properties,
has agreed to buy Sunterra Corp.
for $325 million. Diamond Resorts will pay $16 a
share and assume $375 million in
debt, Sunterra said
in a statement on Monday.
IDB approves new support for Caribbean renewable energy projects
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: A sustainable energy and
climate change initiative has been approved by the
Board of Directors
of the Inter-American Development
Bank (IDB) to help the countries of Latin America and
the Caribbean to expand the
use of renewable energy
and energy efficiency technologies.
OAS addresses regional security
WASHINGTON, USA: The Organization of American
States on Monday examined the correlation between
the high levels
of inequality, social exclusion and
extreme poverty in the Americas and their impact on
citizen security in the member
countries, with a view to
finding solutions and strengthening the region’s
democracies.
Caribbean tourism meeting seeks unity in addressing climate change
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: The Caribbean Hotel
Association, its environmental subsidiary, the
Caribbean Alliance
for Sustainable Tourism, along
with the Caribbean Tourism Organization, will be
hosting a meeting in London on March
13, to discuss
recent developments in UK government policy
affecting the travel industry.
Commentary: Law and Politics: What message are they sending?
Across the Caribbean today, it seems that the more
talk and even action we hear and see from those in
authority
of our public affairs, it is the more chaos and
confusion and disunity that always result. It is as
though we
have an inborn capacity to do very strange
and baffling things.
Commentary: Morality interrupted - The legality of abortion
The debate that continues around the legality of
abortion and the moral beginnings of life continues to
polarize
people and has been for nearly thirty years.
Even the definition and status of the child in
international law does
not provide a clear definition on
when life begins.
Letter: Violence comes from lack of right education
To commemorate International Woman's Day, the
meeting Friday March 9 at the Cultural Center in
Philipsburg was
a success, well thought out and
organised. MC Dorothy Richardson was very
entertaining, the children playing the Sint
Maarten
song were beautiful.
Lara says West Indies have recovered from Indian battering
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters): West Indies skipper
Brian Lara said his team had recovered from the
shattering pre-tournament
defeat to India before
Tuesday's World Cup opener against Pakistan in
Group D. India beat West Indies by nine wickets
in
their final warm-up game on Friday at Trelawny,
World Cup teams skip immigration and escape media scrum
FRIGATE BAY, St Kitts (Reuters): Secrecy and tight
security cloaked the arrival of four World Cup Group A
squads
in St Kitts on Monday. Champions
Australians, top-ranked South Africans and minnows
Scotland and the Netherlands all
touched down on the
small eastern Caribbean island on one flight at 1930
local time.
West Indies and Pakistan set for explosive Cup opener
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Hosts West Indies and
unpredictable Pakistan, two teams equally blessed
with the same
explosive potential, fittingly open the
2007 World Cup here on Tuesday at Sabina Park. The
two sides have fought some
epic battles in the past.
Mad world for travelling cricket fans
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AFP): It's cost thousands
of dollars to get here and, when they arrive, hotel
prices have
tripled, traffic doesn't move and
telephones have a mind of their own. You don't have to
be barmy to be a World Cup
fan, but it helps.
Sobers declares 2007 World Cup open
DANIEL TOWN, Jamaica (AFP): The 2007 Cricket
World Cup, the first to be held in the Caribbean, was
opened here
on Sunday in a three-hour, two-million
dollar opening ceremony. Sir Garfield Sobers,
arguably the greatest player
the game has ever
known, declared the 16-team, 49-day, 51-match
tournament open.
