WTO rules US web gaming ban illegal
LONDON, England (Bloomberg): The US ban on
offshore Internet gambling payments is illegal, the
World Trade Organization
said Friday, upholding a
previous decision that allowed for possible sanctions.
Antigua and Barbuda has challenged
Bush
administration efforts to close the estimated $12
billion global business to US residents.
Former Suriname minister charged with 21 counts of fraud
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: A former cabinet minister in
Suriname has been charged with 21 counts of fraud in
relation
with alleged corruption at the Ministry of Public
Works. Prosecutor general Subhas Punwasi told the
court that former
minister of Public Works, Dewanand
Balesar, needed money.
Controversial soybean shipment escorted out of Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Following days of
uncertainty and in the midst of a court battle, the Myra,
which had been
moored mid-stream in Guyana since
March 10, set sail for France late Thursday carrying
onboard some 900 tonnes of
soybean believed to be
contaminated with salmonella typhimurium.
British police to assist in stalled Woolmer murder probe
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): A team of British
detectives are expected to arrive in Jamaica next week
to assist in
the investigation into the murder of
Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer, police said
Friday. Jamaica deputy police
commissioner Mark
Shields confirmed that officers from Scotland Yard
had been sought to "review" the progress of the
probe.
Dissident coalition in Cuba pushes for release of political prisoners
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): A newly organized dissident
coalition in Cuba launched a campaign Thursday to
free political
prisoners, promising to take its fight to
international courts. The National Constitutionalist
Alliance groups
225 organizations with a total of some
3,000 members.
Broader cooperation pursued as Dominica's prime minister travels to Japan
ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominica’s Prime Minister,
Roosevelt Skerrit will be seeking to deepen and
broaden areas of
cooperation with Japan when he
travels to that country next week. A number of
important issues of relevance to Dominica,
CARICOM
and matters of international concern will be discussed.
Minister gives upbeat assessment of Dominica's tourism sector
ROSEAU, Dominica: Minister for Tourism, Industry
and Private Sector Relations, Yvor Nassief, has given
an upbeat
assessment of Dominica’s Tourism
Sector. The Minister made the remarks at a press
conference organised by his ministry
last week.
Betonsports's Kaplan arrested in Dominican Republic
NEW YORK, USA (Bloomberg): Betonsports Plc
founder and fugitive Gary Kaplan, indicted along with
his company
last June for racketeering and
conspiracy related to illegal Internet gambling, has
been arrested in the Dominican
Republic.
Miss CARICOM International team visits Montserrat
BRADES, Montserrat: Organisers of the Miss
CARICOM International Pageant will arrive on
Montserrat this weekend
to begin promotions for the
event, which will be held on the island later this year.
They will spend one day on Montserrat,
looking at the
state of the art Cultural Centre at Little Bay.
Nevis farmers asked to embrace new technology
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Farmers on Nevis should
continue to embrace new technologies, as the Nevis
Island Administration
strives, through consultation, to
provide a climate conducive to continued progress
and growth. Minister of Agriculture
on Nevis Robelto
Hector impressed on farmers the importance of
technology.
Brazil's Lula, cooling to Chavez, heads to Camp David
BRASILIA, Brazil (Bloomberg): Brazilian President Luiz
Inacio Lula da Silva, seeking to bolster his nation's
influence
in Latin America, heads to Camp David
Saturday for the first state visit to the US presidential
retreat in 16 years.
Lula and President George W.
Bush will flesh out an agreement to boost ethanol
production
US trade mission to Florida attracting eastern Caribbean participants
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: The US Commercial
Service of the United States Embassy to Barbados
and the Eastern Caribbean,
in partnership with the
Florida Foreign Trade Association (FFTA), is
organising a trade mission for business persons
seeking to source products and services
CARICOM ambassadors celebrate anniversary of abolition of slave trade
WASHINGTON, USA: Pledging "to urge Member
States to continue implementing measures that are
geared towards eradicating
the effects and
consequences of the Slave Trade and Slavery," the
Permanent Council of the OAS, through a resolution,
marked the bicentenary of the abolition of the
Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Some aspects of Sunset Legislation may stay, says CARICOM Chairman
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Some aspects of the
Sunset Legislation currently in place in the nine
countries hosting Cricket
World Cup 2007,in the
Caribbean may remain, but others may not, Chairman
of the Caribbean Community, Dr Ralph Gonsalves,
Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, said
on Wednesday.
Former Trinidad diplomat appointed next OAS representative in Haiti
WASHINGTON, USA: Assistant Secretary General
Albert Ramdin on Friday hailed the appointment of
Arthur Gray, a
Trinidad and Tobago diplomat and
former official of the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM), to be the next Organization
of American
States (OAS) country representative in Haiti.
Commentary: The hypocrisy of aid
The development ministers of the world’s most
economically powerful nations – the G8 – met in
Berlin this month
to consider aid to developing
countries. The conference underlined two things: first,
aid is not a response to need:
it is a tool for achieving
the objectives of the donor;
Commentary: The Greater Caribbean This Week: Entrepreneurs of the region on the road to integration
For almost half a century, the subject of Latin
American and Caribbean integration has been under
discussion,
and much has been said and done in
favour of attaining this goal. Yet, we still cannot
anticipate when the Americas
will be integrated in the
medium or long term. However, significant progress
has been made.
Letter: Carnival Destiny schedule
I played back my recording on the Down to Brass
Tacks programme on Sunday 25th March and Minister
Lynch ‘categorically’
stated that the Carnival Destiny
will act as a floating hotel for four weeks. He and
Senator Lynton also denied that
there was any
Government loan from a commercial bank to charter
Carnival Destiny.
Letter: We love Anthony Hall
Just wanted you to know we have your site on our
favorites now and we LOVE Anthony Hall. Thank you
for having
him in your publication!
Lara appeals for unity amidst West Indies unrest
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): West Indies captain Brian
Lara issued an appeal for unity as tensions within the
World
Cup hosts' camp surfaced after their seven-
wicket Super Eights defeat by New Zealand. This
latest loss came hot on
the heels of a 103-run
thrashing by world champions Australia.
Vaughan relieved as England grab points
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): Michael Vaughan
breathed a huge sigh of relief as England got their
World Cup Super
Eights campaign off to a winning
start on Friday with a 48-run victory over Ireland. The
win also gave England their
first two points which
moved them provisionally into fourth place in the table.
On the Cricket Pitch: Semi finals pick
Prior to the start of the Super Eight round, South Africa,
Australia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies were my
picks
for the semi finals of the 2007 ICC Cricket World
Cup. Sentiment may have been as responsible as
anything else for
my inclusion of the West Indies
among my top four
Judge wants Pakistan investigators on Woolmer case
KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP): A Pakistani former judge
who led a key probe into match-fixing during the
1990s
urged the government to send investigators to
Jamaica to help probe the murder of cricket coach
Bob Woolmer. Justice
Malik Mohammad Qayyum also
demanded a judicial inquiry into the teams World Cup
exit
Castro gives signs of a comeback as he blasts Bush
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuban leader Fidel Castro
signaled a possible comeback Thursday as he
blasted US President
George W. Bush for promoting
biofuels in his first article since surgery eight months
ago. Bush has promoted
the use of ethanol, which is
made from corn or sugarcane.
Malaysia to test Cuban cancer vaccine
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Malaysia's Bioven
biotechnological center will start tests on a Cuban
vaccine against cancer,
which has sparked great
expectations in that Asian country. The Bioven center
will carry out tests on the vaccine
with the cooperation
of the Clinical Research Institute at Kuala Lumpur's
Hospital.
US planning to deploy naval vessel to Caribbean
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The US is preparing to
deploy a naval vessel, the USS Carney in the Eastern
Caribbean Sea
for several weeks, US Embassy
officials in Guyana said on Thursday. While in the
region, the ship will make port calls
at Antigua,
Barbados, St Lucia, Jamaica, Martinique and Trinidad
and Tobago.
Barbados minister meets with Irish labour official
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Labour officials in
Barbados have been learning more about the Irish
model of social partnership
and tripartism. This
follows a recent meeting between Minister of Labour,
Rawle Eastmond, and Director of Industrial
Relations,
Irish Business and Employers Confederation,
Brendan McGinty.
BVI purchases new election equipment
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The Office of the Supervisor of
Elections in the British Virgin Islands has purchased
new elections
equipment as part of its preparations
for general elections this year. Elections are
constitutionally due in the territory
in June but must be
held before October 10.
Dominica's prime minister leads popularity poll
ROSEAU, Dominica: Prime Minister and Leader of the
Dominica Labour Party, Roosevelt Skerrit is the most
popular
political leader in Dominica today, according
to a public opinion poll conducted by Caribbean
Development Research
Services INC (CADRES)
between February 2 and 5, 2007.
More hotels for the Dominican Republic
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic: The
president of Spanish hotel group NH Hotels, Gabriele
Burgio, announced
during a visit to the Dominican
Republic that the company will be operating two
additional five-star hotels in the
country, a US$150
million investment.
Campaign to be launched accusing Dominican Republic of enslaving Haitians
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic: International
organisations are reportedly preparing to launch a
US$30 million
international campaign accusing the
Dominican Republic of enslaving Haitians that work in
the country and of denying
Dominican nationality to
Haitians that were born here.
Grenada ready for successful Super Eight tournament
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: In common with the other
host countries, Grenada is doing its part to ensure
that it stages
successful Super Eight games in the
ICC Cricket World Cup tournament. Caribbean Net
News carried out a survey on the
readiness of some
of the key aspects of the country's Cricket World Cup
preparation.
Guyana responds to critics by staging successful Super Eight match
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The jitters of staging a world
event at a spanking new facility built literally from
scratch
have receded as scores of fans poured into
the National Stadium at Providence in Guyana to
watch a nation’s dream
become reality.
UWI professor proposes reparations as investment in human resource development
NEW YORK, USA (JIS): Vice Chancellor Emeritus of
the University of the West Indies, Professor Rex
Nettleford,
has stressed that on the issue of
reparation, instead of capital transfer, there should be
serious investment in human
resource development
in countries that suffered,
IMF gives positive report on St Kitts-Nevis economy
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM): The Washington-
based International Monetary Fund (IMF) says, despite
the closure
of the sugar industry in St Kitts and Nevis,
economic growth has accelerated in 2006, fiscal
imbalances have improved
significantly and monetary
aggregates have continued to grow in line with
economic growth.
Premier urges Nevisians to return to local food consumption
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Premier of Nevis Joseph
Parry made a passionate plea to Nevisians, to return
to the soil
and to consume locally produced foods if
they are to guard against diseases and a shortened
lifespan. The call came
when he made remarks at the
opening ceremony of the 13th Agriculture Open day
All systems go for St Lucia Jazz in May
CASTRIES, St Lucia: All systems are go for the 16th
annual St Lucia Jazz Festival from May 4 to 13, 2007,
says
newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Senator
Allen Chastanet. Director of Tourism Maria Fowell has
showered praise
on BET J for its role in positioning St.
Lucia jazz as a key event in the Caribbean tourism
calendar.
St Lucia tourism officials off to the UK
CASTRIES, St Lucia: Senior tourism officials are
preparing to visit the UK to attend the final week of the
annual
St Lucia Month of marketing and promotional
activities to be held under the theme "The Future's
Bright."
Commentary: World affairs from the ridiculous to the sublime: Anna Nicole and Iran
When Americans began spewing indignation at
Aruban authorities over their failure to solve the
mysterious disappearance
of Natalee Holloway, I felt
obliged to admonish them that they would be well-
advised to spew that indignation at American
authorities over their failure to solve the mysterious
disappearance...
Commentary: Upcoming Caribbean conference provides opportunity for US diaspora to shine
Brace yourself. This June, you should expect to
witness an event in Washington, DC that could
crystallize
the political awakening of the Caribbean
region and its diaspora in the United States. The US
State Department and
the Caucus of Ambassadors of
the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are gearing up
for a summit.
We need four from four, says beaten Lara
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Dejected West Indies
captain Brian Lara admitted on Thursday that his side
need to
win all four of their remaining Super Eights
games if they are to salvage their World Cup dream.
The hosts slumped
to a second defeat in two days
when New Zealand coasted to a seven-wicket win
West Indian Richards offers to help struggling India
MUMBAI, India (Reuters): West Indies batting great Viv
Richards has offered to assist struggling India after
their
shock first-round elimination at the World Cup
last week. "I would certainly like to help India in this
aspect of
their preparation," the former West Indies
captain wrote in a syndicated column on Thursday.
Security cameras may yet yield clues to Woolmer murder, say police
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Detectives probing the
murder of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer said
that better-than-anticipated
security video footage
could provide vital clues. A painstaking operation to
transfer hours of footage from well-worn
VHS tape into
a digital format has been completed,
Cuba's Fidel Castro 'in one piece', says elder brother
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): The elder brother of Fidel
Castro said Wednesday the sidelined leader is well
and strong
after eight months' recovery from intestinal
surgery. "He is in one piece," said Ramon Castro,
and "very well."
Contaminated cargo saga continues in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyana's attorney general
Doodnauth Singh on Wednesday appealed a High
Court decision to
release a shipment of 900 tonnes of
soya suspected to be contaminated with salmonella
typhimurium on board a
ship, Myra, moored mid-
stream in the Demerara River.
Daniel Smith inquest delayed in Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas (UPI): Concerns about potential
juror bias delayed the start of jury selection in a
Bahamian
inquest into the death of Anna Nicole
Smith's son. Prospective jurors and the media were
asked to leave the courtroom,
the Bahama Journal
reported Wednesday
First Caribbean closes US$46 million financing with Grace Kennedy
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: FirstCaribbean
International Bank announced on Wednesday that it
has closed a US$46 million
transaction with
GraceKennedy Limited, one of the Caribbean’s
leaders in the distribution, financial and food
processing
industries.
BVI undertakes constitutional education programme
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister of the British Virgin
Islands Dr Orlando Smith says thr government will
undertake
a major public education programme as
soon as the new BVI Constitution is finally agreed.
The Chief Minister said
he expects final work on the
new Constitution to be complete by mid-April.
Spain's foreign minister to make two-day visit to Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Spain's foreign minister will visit
Cuba in early April, Madrid's embassy announced
Wednesday,
the first EU diplomat to visit the island
since European Union sanctions in 2003. Miguel
Angel Moratinos will meet
with Cuban officials "to
review bilateral relations."
Cuba says US rules limiting food trade
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cuba signed up to import
more US food products this week but said payment
procedures
introduced by the Bush administration in
2005 were hindering trade and forcing it to make
deals with other countries.
Heavy rains cause death and destruction in Dominican Republic
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic: Continued
heavy rains in the Dominican Republic have been
blamed for the deaths
of four people in the province of
Duarte (San Francisco de Macoris) and the weather
department says that the heavy
rains will continue
until at least Thursday.
Sailboat with 103 Haitians beaches in Florida, one dies
MIAMI, USA (AFP): A sailboat with 103 would-be
immigrants from Haiti aboard ran aground at a beach
just north
of Miami, the US Coast Guard said
Wednesday. One person died on the beach. The
group arrived aboard a cargo sailboat
of between 50-
60 feet long early Wednesday.
TIEA between Netherlands Antilles and US enters into force
WILLEMSTAD, Curacao: In a joint meeting with the
press, the Government of the Netherlands Antilles and
the Consul
General of the United States to the
Netherlands Antilles announced on Wednesday that
diplomatic notes have been exchanged
that bring into
force the tax information exchange agreement.
Suriname and China agree to strengthen bilateral relations
SURINAME, Paramaribo: The governments of
Suriname and China have agreed to advance bilateral
relations and deepen
mutually beneficial economic
and technical cooperation in various fields. During a
one-day visit Tuesday of a high-level
Chinese
delegation to Paramaribo both parties signed an
agreement.
Venezuelan Urbina gets 14 years for attempted murder
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Former star relief
pitcher Ugueth Urbina received a 14-year sentence
from a Venezuelan
court for attempted murder of
workers on his farm outside Caracas, Venezuela's El
Universal reported on Wednesday.
OAS calls for greater effort to erradicate effects of slavery
WASHINGTON, USA: Commemorating 200 years
since the trade in African slaves was abolished by
Britain, the Organization
of American States (OAS)
passed a resolution on Wednesday urging member
states to continue implementing measures to
eradicate the effects and consequences of the slave
trade and slavery.
Commentary: Obama unschooled
Between the United States and the Caribbean...but
exhibited primarily by Caribbean people, there is
an “expectation
interest”. That is, an expectation –
particularly in the northern Caribbean - that Americans
or the American government
will show sensitivity
toward the affairs of our various nations.
Commentary: Woolmer's murder shows India must allow betting
(Bloomberg): This year's Cricket World Cup,
overshadowed by the still-unsolved murder of
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer
in his Jamaican hotel
room, has brought the 400-year-old game into
disrepute. The police are investigating the possibility,
among others, that Woolmer was murdered by an
illegal betting syndicate.
Letter: Minister Lynch's whimsical pronouncements exposed
According to the Barbados Government Information
Service posted on the 20th November 2006 under a
banner heading
of ‘Million Dollar Money Resolutions
for Parliament’ the ‘Prime Minister will move the
passing of a Resolution to
approve the guarantee by
government for repayment by the BTA.'
Cricket World Cup match reports
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Australia skipper Ricky
Ponting said the world champions are approaching
their best
form after demolishing the West Indies by
103 runs in their opening World Cup Super Eights
match on Wednesday.
Lara defends top order after crushing defeat
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (Reuters): West Indies captain
Brian Lara defended his top-order batsmen despite
the 103-run
defeat to Australia on Wednesday in the
World Cup Super Eights. Opener Chris Gayle and
number four Marlon Samuels
both got out to poor
shots as the World Cup hosts fell to 20 for three.
Campbell opens season with 400m relay leg
OKLAHOMA, USA: Jamaica's Olympic 200m
champion Veronica Campbell made a return to the
track after injuries when
she competed as part of a
relay team at the Annual ASU Invitational Meet, held at
the Joe Selleh Track at Sun Angel
Stadium.
Woolmer murder witness appeal as Pakistanis head home
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Police probing the murder
of cricket coach Bob Woolmer made an international
appeal
for witnesses Tuesday as Pakistan's squad
headed for home declaring they were "not suspects".
Deputy police commissioner
Mark Shields said
investigators wanted to track down anyone who visited
the hotel
China protests to St Lucia over Taiwan visit
BEIJING, China (Reuters): China criticised St. Lucia
on Tuesday for allowing the foreign minister of
diplomatic
rival Taiwan to visit the Caribbean nation
and blasted Taipei for trying to split China. Taiwan
Foreign Minister James
Huang visited St Lucia last
week at the host government's invitation.
Four charged with USVI tax evasion, conspiracy
WASHINGTON, USA (Bloomberg): A federal grand jury
has charged a St Louis car dealer, two Texas men
and a US Virgin
Islands resident with using a US
Virgin Islands economic development program to
evade $74 million in taxes.
Caribbean Community wants slavery memorial at UN
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM): The Caribbean
Community is committed to ensuring that a
permanent memorial, in
honour of those who
perished under slavery, is prominently placed in the
halls of the United Nations, as an acknowledgement
of the tragedy and in consideration of the legacy of
slavery.
Cayman Islands seeks to improve visitor experience
RICHARDSON, USA: The Cayman Islands has
solicited the expertise of the service training company,
FG Destinations,
a subsidiary company of
FreemanGroup, which specialises exclusively in
helping Caribbean and other global destinations
supersede visitors’ expectations.
Cuba, China pledge to build on growing trade
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cuba and China pledged to
build on their rapidly growing trade on Tuesday,
ending two
days of meetings with a vow to do more in
industries like oil, pharmaceuticals, nickel, medical
services and tourism.
Another Cuban music legend, "El Guayabero," dies
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cuban musician Faustino
Oramas, adored for his saucy ballads and one of the
last remaining
stars behind the acclaimed Buena
Vista Social Club compact disc, died on Tuesday at
age 95, Cuban state radio said.
North American clothing plants to move production to Dominican Republic
TORONTO, Canada (Bloomberg): Gildan Activewear
Inc., North America's biggest T-shirt maker, will close
five plants
in Canada, the US and Mexico and cut
1,830 jobs to move production to lower-cost factories
in the Dominican Republic
and Central America.
Guyana vows to prove critics wrong
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): Guyana will put on a
World Cup to remember despite a catalogue of
problems with the
brand new Providence Stadium
here, the local organising committee chief executive
Karan Singh said Tuesday.
Government of Montserrat sets out its volcano emergency response activities
BRADES, Montserrat: The Government of Montserrat
says it is speaking to Britain's Department for
International
Development to provide volcano
emergency funding in several areas. The move
comes after the Government was advised
of the
increased probability of pyroclastic flows down the
Belham Valley to the sea.
Trinidad's Congress party supports Panday's constitutional reinstatement
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The Congress of the
People Party says it will support the full reinstatement
of Basdeo
Panday as the Member of Parliament for
Couva North, but insists that it must be done through
the dictates of the Trinidad
and Tobago constitution.
The Congress of the People in Parliament supported
a petition.
Trinidad broadcaster freed on summary offence charge
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidadian Broadcaster
Inshan Ishmael has been freed on a summary
offence charge, which
came after an incident in
January this year. Director of Public Prosecutions,
Geoffrey Henderson, discontinued
prosecution.
Caribbean corporate community urged to take advantage of CARICOM Single Market
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM): Another call has
come from St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil
Douglas
for the corporate community in the Caribbean
to develop and take advantage of the CARICOM Single
Market. He told guests
at the launching of CLICO
International General Insurance Limited
IMPACS communications centre established within CARICOM
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: A Regional
Communications Centre (RCC) has been established
as a specialist unit within
the CARICOM
Implementation Agency for Crime and Security
(IMPACS), to effectively manage crisis
communications
in respect of Cricket World Cup
2007.
Letter: Anguilla - what is happening to this lovely island?
I was visiting my sister in Anguilla March 6-13. During
that time, there were two robberies in the Cul de Sac
area
of Blowing Point. One woman was threatened
with rape. I have seen no news on this at all and am
wondering why?
Letter: Montserrat SAC report
While what was reported in your news item on the
Montserrat SAC Report was what was reported in
general terms,
it was very lacking in the "meat" of what
was said. Yes, they did say that a lateral blast
was "possible", they said
the likelihood was only one
half of one percent.
Letter: Throw open your doors to young people
In a recent Caribbean Net News column, Bevan
Springer observes, "There is much that the Caribbean
and America,
for that matter, can learn from the
Singaporean model, but the gains which this island
nation have enjoyed throughout
the years require
strong leadership and vision."
Hayden hammers West Indies before rain trumps Australia
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Matthew Hayden's
commanding innings of 158 left world champions
Australia in a strong
position against hosts West
Indies before rain forced the opening Super Eight
match of this World Cup into a second
day.
Shelton salvages draw for Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters): Jamaica came from
behind to hold Panama to a 1-1 draw in their friendly
football
international at the National Stadium late on
Monday. Panama's Jose Luis Garces silenced the
16,554 crowd in
the third minute with a ferocious shot.
Netherlands Antilles' Martina to test Powell at Penn Relays
OKLAHOMA, USA: The Netherlands Antilles' sprinter
Churandy Martina will compete against Jamaican
world record
holder Asafa Powell in the men's 100-
metres at the 113th Penn Relays in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania next month, according
to coach Robert
Kitchens.
Guyanese leader calls for reparations over slave trade
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): European nations
should pay reparations for the horrors of the slave
trade, Guyanese
President Bharrat Jagdeo said
Monday. He called on the international community to
recognize that there was not
only a Jewish Holocaust,
but also an African one.
Tobago Christian leaders want Elton John banned
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Reuters): Pop singer Elton
John should be banned from performing at a jazz
festival
in Tobago because his homosexuality could
influence young people, some Christian leaders on
the Caribbean island said
on Monday.
Cricket killing a setback in Jamaica crime fight
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters): Jamaica was making
headway against its murderous reputation before the
strangulation
of Pakistani cricket coach Bob Woolmer
further tarnished the image of the Caribbean tourist
playground.
Taiwan official visits St Lucia, irks China
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Reuters): Taiwan's foreign minister
has visited St Lucia, despite a lack of diplomatic ties,
causing
concern in Beijing, which has formal relations
with the Caribbean nation, a Taiwan Foreign Ministry
spokesman said
on Monday.
Anna Nicole victim of accidental drug overdose
DANIA BEACH, USA (Reuters): An accidental
overdose of prescription drugs including a potent
sedative killed Anna
Nicole Smith, officials said on
Monday, ending weeks of uncertainty over the tabloid
star's sudden death.
BVI government addresses high cost of living in territory
ROAD TOWN, BVI: British Virgin Islands Chief Minister
Dr Orlando Smith said the cost of living is challenging
for
everyone. According to the Chief Minister, by the
end 2006 the rate of inflation stood at 2.7 percent and
this trend
was largely driven by overall increases in
the price of food, housing and services.
BVI and USVI officials identify areas of mutual interest
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister of the British Virgin
Islands Dr Orlando Smith and US Virgin Islands
Governor
John de Jongh Jr have identified several
areas of mutual interest and benefit for continued
cooperation between the
two Territories.
Thunderstorms set to cause CWC havoc in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (Reuters): The Super Eights
matches in Guyana are likely to be disrupted as
thunderstorms
are forecast for the next eight days.
South Africa are scheduled to clash with Sri Lanka on
Wednesday.
Jamaican police probe contents of murdered Pakistani coach's computer
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Investigators probing the
murder of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer are
analyzing
the hard drive of his computer, but have
found no reference of match-fixing at this stage, police
said on Monday.
CWC 2007 CEO defends Jamaica's security arrangements
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Chief Executive Officer and
Managing Director of the ICC Cricket World Cup
(CWC) 2007,
Chris Dehring is defending the security
arrangements in place for the event. "We have
reviewed security arrangements
in place and we
believe that they are adequate for the event," he said.
Government of Montserrat says no to further extension of unsafe zone
BRADES, Montserrat: The Scientific Advisory
Committee (SAC) has briefed the Volcano Executive
Group (VEG) on
their latest findings. The VEG said it
has considered this advice carefully and decided that
no extension of the boundaries
of the “unsafe” area is
required for the time being.
Venezuela seizes 16 estates to convert into farm cooperatives
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Hugo Chavez's populist
government has seized 16 estates with more than
330,000 hectares
of land, as the Venezuelan leader
pursues his quest to refashion the country into an
egalitarian leftist society.
He said the land would be
converted to farming cooperatives
Law and Politics: The judiciary, corruption and political ethics
If we are ever going to achieve justice and peace in
the new Caribbean that is daily unfolding before our
very
eyes up and down the region, we have to take up
the challenge that is also daily confronting us in every
sector of
our lives. The days for blind trust and
submissive confidence in those we have elected to
serve the people...
Commentary: Small island makes it big
NEW YORK, USA: Last week, I was missing in action,
this time in Southeast Asia en route to the United
States
via the Middle East. While I intended to write my
column using my thumbs on my blackberry, the seven
hour flight between
Singapore and Dubai would have
taken me past my deadline,
Letter: International Caribbean Day - everybody needs to know... pass it on
Engendering disharmony amongst the slaves, whose
numbers greatly outnumbered that of their overseers,
was to
ensure that the blacks would distrust each
other, cooperate badly and be inefficient at organizing
themselves for
concerted action.
World Cup Super Eights team by team prospects and games schedule
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (Reuters): The following are
prospect reports on the World Cup Super Eight teams.
The stage
begins with the match between Australia
and West Indies in Antigua on Tuesday.
Lara wants West Indies to match Aussie standards
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): West Indies captain Brian
Lara has admitted his side still have plenty of work to
do
if they are to match the standard set by reigning
world champions Australia at this World Cup. But he
believes that,
with several weeks to go to the final,
time could work in favour of his youthful side.
Where have all the fans gone?
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AFP): When Inzamam-ul-
Haq bid a tearful farewell to international one-day
cricket, the
crowd rose to acclaim the great Pakistani.
The problem was that there were so few people
inside the 20,000-capacity
Sabina Park in Kingston.
Barbados and Guatemala play to goalless draw
NATIONAL STADIUM, Barbados: The second in the
series of Digicel International Matches on Sunday
evening saw hosts
Barbados take on the Central
American, Gold Cup qualifiers, Guatemala at The
National Stadium.
