Duke of York calls on Guyana's president
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Head of State
President Bharrat Jagdeo was paid a courtesy call by
His Royal Highness
Prince Andrew Albert Christian
Edward, Duke of York at State House. Accompanying
Prince Andrew, the second son of
Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II was Mr Yohan Eliasch, a Swedish
businessman
Bahamas to hold general election
NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters): The Bahamas will hold
a general election on May 2 in which the ruling
Progressive
Liberal Party will try to a second term
amid the continuing furor over the death of former
Playboy Playmate Anna Nicole
Smith.
BVI government forms Territorial Bicentenary Committee
ROAD TOWN, BVI: In his weekly update to the territory,
Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands Dr Orlando
Smith
said government has formed a Territorial
Bicentenary Committee to spearhead the territory's
yearlong observance of
the 200th anniversary of the
abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Jamaica promotes 'Fairtrade' concept in the banana industry
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): The Ministry of Agriculture
and Lands is promoting the 'Fairtrade' concept among
banana
farmers to boost income and ensure the
sustainability of the industry.
Rodney Bay Marina to host cricket fans for semi-finals in St Lucia
CASTRIES, St Lucia: Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Chief
Executive Officer of the Local Organizing Committee
(LOC), has
indicated that after discussions with the
Rodney Bay Marina Officials, the marina will be used
as a landing spot for
cruise ship passengers. Ships
carrying cricket fans will be docked at Rodney Bay.
Good Friday…
One of the things I found most dispiriting about
growing up as the son of a preacher man was having
to listen
to the same sermons over and over again,
knowing full well that he expected me to be moved by
the Holy Spirit anew
each time. But I never grew tired
of the rituals that attended the Easter Season.
World Cup stifling West Indian spirit, says Richards
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): West Indies great Vivian
Richards believes World Cup organisers are to blame
for the
low crowds that have dogged the tournament
because they've placed too many restrictions on local
fans. For former
West Indies captain Richards, the
lack of atmosphere has been a real worry.
Caribbean cricket fears for lost generations
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AFP): Thirty years ago, they
would have taken their place on the conveyor belt, the
raw
materials for the all-conquering West Indies
cricket machine.
Just keep it simple, Ambrose tells West Indies bowlers
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): Fast bowling legend
Curtley Ambrose has told West Indies' World Cup
bowlers to avoid
trying to be too ambitious on the
Caribbean's unhelpful pitches.
West Indies go to Paradise as they search for change
PARADISE, Grenada (Reuters): World Cup hosts
West Indies, stung by criticism after three successive
defeats,
returned to training on Thursday with
Ramnaresh Sarwan saying it was time for the players
to be honest with themselves.
EU offers full market access to Caribbean and other nations
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP): The EU offered on
Wednesday to scrap most tariffs and quotas on
exports from African,
Caribbean and Pacific nations to
boost talks on new trade pacts, but the proposition
quickly met with scorn. The European
Commission
and the ACP are struggling to make progress to
conclude new trade agreements
US biofuel policy could spark world 'holocaust', says Castro
HAVANA, Castro (AFP): Fidel Castro on Wednesday
warned that US energy policies could spark a
global "holocaust,"
in his second newspaper column
in a week. Castro said making fuel from grain would
divert food from the world's poor
in order to satisfy the
demands of drivers in wealthy countries.
Czech Republic criticises Spain over Cuba policy
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AFP): Czech Foreign
Minister Karel Schwarzenberg criticised on
Wednesday Spain's decision
to patch up diplomatic
ties with Cuba's communist regime. "The Czech
Republic has a different long term opinion to
that of
Spain when it comes to dealing with the Cuban
regime," said Schwarzenberg.
Haiti Prime Minister lauds OAS support
WASHINGTON, USA: Haiti’s Prime Minister Jacques-
Edouard Alexis, on a visit to the headquarters of the
Organization
of American States (OAS), thanked the
hemispheric organization for its longstanding support
of Haiti. The Prime Minister
expressed the
appreciation of President René Préval’s government
Venezuela staggers under Easter booze ban
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Venezuela's government
left bar-owners reeling by imposing an alcohol ban
over Holy
Week and Easter weekend, forcing drinkers
in the whisky-mad Catholic country to use covert
methods in search of a
fix.
Venezuela, assumes Chair of OAS Permanent Council
WASHINGTON, USA: Venezuela’s Permanent
Representative to the Organization of American States
(OAS), Ambassador
Jorge Valero, assumed the
chairmanship of the Permanent Council Wednesday
and talked about the need for deeper conceptual
and
institutional change within the hemispheric
organization.
Reader’s letters regarding the Anna Nicole Smith saga
The following is the second series of the many letters
we have received from our readers concerning Anna
Nicole
Smith -- her death, the inquest into her son’s
death, custody battle over her daughter Danielynn and
the people involved:
Fernando sees Sri Lanka to thrilling win over England
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Dilhara Fernando took a
wicket with the last ball of the match to seal a dramatic
two-run
win for Sri Lanka against England in their
World Cup Super Eights clash at the Sir Vivian
Richards Stadium here Wednesday.
Lloyd rallies for West Indies support
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): World Cup winning
West Indies captain Clive Lloyd Wednesday threw his
weight behind
the troubled hosts, saying they are
capable of playing better than they have done in the
Super Eights. After three
successive defeats in the
Super Eights, the hosts face an early exit from the
World Cup
He lived for cricket, he died for cricket: mourners recall Woolmer
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AFP): The late Pakistan
cricket coach Bob Woolmer was remembered
Wednesday at a memorial
service in his adopted
South African homeland as a passionate man who
lived and died for the sport he loved. Pakistan
Cricket
Board chairman Naseem Ashraf conveyed the
sadness at Woolmer's death
Discussions held on special election for USVI constitution
ST THOMAS, USVI: The US Virgin Islands moved one
step closer to its fifth Constitutional Convention
Monday with
the announcement that eligible delegate
candidates can obtain petitions which will enable
them to appear on the ballot
for the June 12, 2007,
special election.
Forecasters predict five major hurricanes
NEW YORK, USA: Five major hurricanes may form in
the Atlantic Ocean this year, forecasters from
Colorado State
University said, a "very active" season
after a quieter-than-usual 2006. Those storms,
bearing winds of at least 111
mph, will be among nine
Atlantic hurricanes, scientists Philip Klotzbach and
William Gray said.
Pearl murder investigator to assist Jamaica police
KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP): A Pakistani policeman who
led the probe into the murder of US reporter Daniel
Pearl
will travel to Jamaica to help police investigating
the death of cricket coach Bob Woolmer, officials said
Tuesday.
St Vincent Prime Minister levels criticisms at West Indies team
KINSTOWN, St Vincent: St Vincent and the
Grenadines' Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has
lent his voice in
criticizing the poor performance of the
West Indies cricket team. While addressing the media
in St Vincent, Dr Gonsalves
said the team's
performance "has amounted to a betrayal of the
Caribbean people"
Paternity of Anna Nicole's child still a mystery
NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters): DNA test results
ordered by a Bahamas judge to identify the father of
late Playboy
Playmate and tabloid star Anna Nicole
Smith's six-month-old baby daughter, Dannielynn,
were not made public on Tuesday.
Cuba, Spain agree to talk rights; dissidents skeptical
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuba and Spain renewed ties
damaged by Havana's 2003 crackdown on dissidents,
who on Tuesday
saw little hope in the bilateral
agreement to discuss human rights and to reinstate
Spanish aid. The deals were struck
on the second day
of a visit by Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel
Moratinos,
Havana's Chinatown a glimpse of a different Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): In communist-run Cuba, a
land of ration books and rusting Chevrolet taxis from
the 1950s,
there is a tiny pedestrian street where
capitalism is flourishing.
Jamaica gets $914 million to carry out social development projects
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): A total of $914 million has
been allocated to the Jamaica Social Investment Fund
in
the 2007/08 Estimates of Expenditure, which are
now before the House of Representatives. The funds
are being provided
by the Caribbean Development
Bank; the European Union;
2nd annual Caribbean-American Carnival in Tampa poised for growth
TAMPA, USA: The second annual Caribbean-
American Carnival in Tampa, Florida, billed as King
Kong Caribbean-American
Euphoria, to be held on
April 28, 2007 at the Florida State Fairgrounds, is
poised for growth.
Cancer is third cause of premature death in Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Cancer has become the third
cause of premature deaths in Cuba at present, mainly
due to alcoholism
and smoking. According to the
National Data Office, in 2005, 168.6 out of 100
thousand inhabitants died of malignant
tumors, while
in 2006 this figure increased to 171.5 deaths.
OECS staff enhance skills in diplomacy and protocol
CASTRIES, St Lucia: What is Diplomacy? What is
Protocol? How do the two relate? With these matters
part of their
daily routine, OECS Secretariat Staff are
sharpening skills on the good, bad and indifferent
issues of diplomacy and
protocol through a series of
workshops. Staff commended the workshop for
meeting its objectives
Hotel room disaster in Barabdos!
Even up to appearing on the popular radio
programme ‘Down to Brass Tacks Sunday’ as
recently as March 25th ,
2007, the Barbadian Minister
of Tourism, Noel Lynch, was denying that government
has borrowed any money to charter
the Carnival
Destiny
Fans disappointed as West Indies team arrives in Grenada
ST GEORGE’S Grenada: It was a disappointing
moment for West Indies fans in Grenada, as well as
officials from
the CWC Local Organizing Committee
on Monday when only five members of the squad
touched down at the Point Saline
International Airport
in on a Caribbean Airlines flight.
World Cup chief braced for West Indies exit
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AFP): World Cup
organisers are confident the 2007 tournament will
survive the West Indies'
expected elimination. World
Cup chief executive Chris Dehring said the local
committees in the Caribbean will have
to be resolute if
the hosts fail to make the semi-finals.
Clinical South Africa pull off comfortable win over Ireland
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): South Africa defied
rain and a fighting Ireland to cruise to a seven-wicket
win in
a World Cup Super Eights match at the Guyana
National Stadium here on Tuesday.
Police study poison theory in Woolmer murder probe
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Detectives leading the
Bob Woolmer murder inquiry said Monday they are
studying the
possibility that poison was used to
incapacitate the burly Pakistan cricket coach before he
was strangled.
Bank clients probed by German tax office after Cayman Islands files stolen
ZURICH, Switzerland (Bloomberg): Several Julius
Baer Holding AG customers are being investigated by
German tax
authorities, who are using information
sent to them by a former Cayman Islands bank
employee accused of stealing secret
client files.
Spain seeks better relations with Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Spain's Miguel Angel Moratinos
became Monday the first EU foreign minister to visit
Cuba
since the EU imposed sanctions in 2003,
hoping to breathe fresh impetus into tense relations.
Moratinos held talks
with Cuban counterpart Felipe
Perez Roque, Perez Roque thanked Moratinos for the
talks.
Britain out of Falkland Islands, says Chavez
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez proclaimed on Monday that the Falkland
Islands belong
to Argentina on the 25th anniversary of
the Argentine invasion of the territory which sparked a
war with Britain.
"Enough already with colonialism,"
Chavez said on state television
Six Guyanese nationals deported, says Barbados immigration chief
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: The Immigration
Department in Barbados has confirmed the detention
of ten Guyanese nationals
for various offences. Of
these, six were deported and four asked to leave.
Cuban Americans moderate views on Cuba
WASHINGTON, USA (Reuters): A majority of Cuban
Americans still stand by the US economic embargo
on Cuba, a survey
showed on Monday, but their
support has fallen to its lowest level since the survey
was first taken in 1991.
South African security specialists to arrive in the Caribbean
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: When a contingent of
security personnel from South Africa arrives in
Grenada on Easter
Sunday, 8 April, they will add to the
ranks of extra regional security specialists who are in
the Caribbean for the
Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007.
French presidential candidate visits Martinique
PARIS, France (AFP): On a visit Sunday to the French
Caribbean island of Martinique, Centrist presidential
candidate
Francois Bayrou has taken a carefully
aimed swipe at France's governing establishment,
calling for the abolition of
the elite training college, the
National Administration School (ENA).
Montserrat gears up to host major beauty pageant despite volcano
BRADES, Montserrat: The government of Montserrat
says it is ready to host the 2007 Miss Caricom
International
Pageant later this year. Chief Minister Dr
Lowell Lewis says the event will provide Montserrat
the opportunity to
showcase the island’s new
facilities, and encourage support to achieve
sustainability,
Nevis minister challenges youth to help build nation
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Minister of Youth in the Nevis
Island Administration Hensley Daniel has challenged
the youth
of Nevis to grab hold of the chance to help
build the nation and shape the society through their
participation in
Youth Month 2007 activities. The
Minister made the call during an address to launch
Youth Month 2007.
Plot a course to Tobago
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Minister of Youth in the Nevis
Island Administration Hensley Daniel has challenged
the youth
of Nevis to grab hold of the chance to help
build the nation and shape the society through their
participation in
Youth Month 2007 activities. The
Minister made the call during an address to launch
Youth Month 2007.
German embassies evacuated in Venezuela
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): The British and
German embassies in Venezuela were evacuated for
hours on Monday
from the building housing them both
in Caracas after a hoax bomb threat to the British
mission, authorities said.
Venezuela bans liquor - so order cola with a wink
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): President Hugo
Chavez's government may have banned liquor in the
days leading up
to Easter Sunday to cut road deaths,
but "Blondie" the barman still pours a bracing "Coca
Cola" for hard-drinking
Venezuelans.
Commentary: Law and Politics: What else can we expect?
Although we still have three or four weeks to go before
the end of the current Cricket World Cup 2007, I can
very
well begin to imagine the headlines and excuses
that would be hitting the media waves. In fact, we can
already begin
to discern where they are coming from
and what we should be expecting.
Commentary: Commemoration, yes; but what about reparations?
As we commemorate the 200th anniversary of the
abolition of the English slave trade I am left to ponder,
how
does this all benefit me or other black people?
Yes it’s all well and good to commemorate such a
historical and significant
event but it must be noted
that 200 years later we as black people are still
catching our tails
Commentary: Mother Kali as Virgin Mary: A Hindu-Catholic phenomenon in Trinidad
“National unity,” “one love,” “inclusion” and “multi-
culturalism” are catchwords used by politicians, public
speakers
and tourist guides to camouflage tensions
and divisions in ethnically plural societies like
Trinidad and Tobago.
Letter: Why was there no Plan B in Antigua?
As a onetime resident on Antigua it saddens me that
Australia's captain felt the need to complain about the
state
of the outfield during the recent World Cup match
against Bangladesh. If your report is correct, why was
there no
Plan B in the event of the breakdown of the
so-called 'Supersopper'?
New Zealand on track for Cricket World Cup semis
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): New Zealand captain
Stephen Fleming praised his patched-up side after a
commanding
nine-wicket win over Bangladesh
opened up the path to the World Cup semi-finals.
West Indies fined for slow over rate after Sri Lanka defeat
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): West Indies' World
Cup miseries multiplied on Monday when match
referee Jeff Crowe
handed the hosts a fine for their
slow over-rate during their 113-run defeat against Sri
Lanka.
Reggae Boy Burton playing for new deal with Wednesday
LONDON, England: Former Reggae Boyz striker Deon
Burton is hoping to finalise a new deal with Sheffield
Wednesday
before the end of the season. Burton's
current contract with the Coca-Cola Football League
Championship side is set
to expire in the summer.
Ponting complains over rain farce in Antigua
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Australia captain Ricky
Ponting criticised the efforts of groundstaff at the Sir
Vivian
Richards Stadium after his side's Super Eights
match against Bangladesh was delayed by five hours.
Heavy overnight
rain caused problems when the
ground's only SuperSopper broke down.
CARICOM chairman to push progress on functional cooperation
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Chairman of the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM), Ralph Gonsalves, Prime
Minister of St Vincent
and the Grenadines, hopes
during his tenure as Chair of the 15-member
grouping, to engender more progress in the area
of
functional cooperation within the Community.
India's Reliance Group explores investments in Suriname
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Reliance Group, India’s
largest private company is exploring possibilities for
investments
in Suriname, company officials have
confirmed. During a two-day visit to Suriname last
week a top delegation has shown
interest in oil, gas
and uranium exploration and production of jatropa
seeds for bio-fuel.
UN to help fight kidnappings in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (UPI): The UN peacekeeping
mission in Haiti will help local police fight resurgence
in
the kidnapping of young children. After a period of
significant improvement earlier this year, five girls and
three
boys, most of them younger than 4, have recently
been kidnapped.
Visa requirement for Jamaicans comes into effect in BVI
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Under the new regulations, all
Jamaican nationals will now be required to have a
visa to enter
the British Virgin Islands. Exceptions are
persons with belonger or residency status in the BVI.
Minister optimistic about three major tourism projects for Dominica
ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominica’s Tourism Minister,
Senator Yvor Nassief is “fairly confident” about the
success of
three major tourism investments for the
north of Dominica. Nassief said that the architects on
the five-star resort
at Woodfordhill were in Dominica
two weeks ago.
Jamaica to promote national interest abroad
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Governor-General
Professor Kenneth Hall has said that the government
will continue to
pursue sound policies in the
management of Jamaica's international relations and
promotion of the country's interests
overseas,
including the protection of its nationals.
Pakistan Cricket Board sends official back to Jamaica
LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters): The Pakistan Cricket
Board has asked the assistant manager of the
national team to
return to Jamaica and remain in
Kingston until the body of Pakistan cricket coach Bob
Woolmer is sent to his hometown
of Cape Town.
Tobago prison officers upset over prison conditions
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Prison Officers in Tobago
are upset over the state of their prison facilities. In an
interview
with local media, Station Representative in
Tobago Andre Roach said for many years a new
prison facility has been
promised but officers have yet
to see this as a reality.
UWI comes to the Turks and Caicos
GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands: The
Ministry of Education, Youth Sports and Culture, in
collaboration with
representatives from The University
of the West Indies (UWI), met recently with students
and teachers from the Turks
and Caicos Islands.
USCG sets up security zone around USVI refinery
ST CROIX, USVI: The US Coast Guard has given an
official status to a security zone in the waters around
the Hovensa
Refinery on St Croix in the US Virgin
Islands, which will protect the area from "potential
subversive acts."
Documents from 1992 coup show Venezuelan Chavez's path
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): How far will
President Hugo Chavez press his effort to install
Cuban-inspired socialism
in oil-rich Venezuela? The
answer may well have been written in his failed coup
plans 15 years ago.
Some regional security arrangements to remain after CWC 2007
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: When Cricket World Cup
(CWC) 2007 ends on 28 April some of the security
arrangements
that Caribbean Governments have put
in place to ensure a safe and secure environment for
the tournament will remain.
OAS looks toward the fifth summit of the Americas
WASHINGTON, USA: Representatives of the
Organization of American States (OAS) member
countries met on Thursday
to study the progress
made in implementing the mandates of the last
Summit of the Americas and to begin discussions
on
the priority issues that the 34 Heads of State will
address at the Fifth Summit,
Commentary: Disabled but included - redefining Caribbean markets
For many people in the Caribbean Community and
indeed the world, a new human rights treaty that
would protect
the rights of the world’s 650 million
persons with disabilities opened for signing at the
United Nations (UN) on 30th
March 2007. This
convention has produced many winners!
Commentary: Elton John banned? You’ve got to be kidding!
I read with amusement the words of pastor Terence
Baynes who expressed his thoughts regarding Elton
John’s upcoming
performance in Trinidad. Does
pastor Baynes really believe that Elton John’s music
will encourage young people who
are “not sure” of
their sexuality to finally declare themselves gay?
All is not lost for West Indies, says Lara
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): West Indies skipper
Brian Lara has said he remains optimistic of making it
to the World
Cup semi-finals despite his team's third
successive defeat in the Super Eights. The hosts have
just two points from
four games following a crushing
113-run defeat against Sri Lanka.
Angry West Indies fans call for Lara's sacking
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Reuters): Irate West Indies
fans called for captain Brian Lara to be sacked
following the
team's third consecutive defeat in the
Super Eights of the World Cup on Sunday. The defeat
was likely to spell the
West Indies' eventual exit from
the tournament before the semi-finals.
Jamaica's Powell sympathises with Gatlin
OKLAHOMA, USA: Jamaica’s world record holder
Asafa Powell has showed some sympathy for banned
American sprinter,
Justin Gatlin. Powell and Gatlin,
who both ran world records last year, were seen as
perhaps the key individuals
to bring back the life in the
track and field sprinting world.
Netherlands Antilles' Martina runs personal best in 400m
EL PASO, USA: The Netherlands Antilles' star sprinter
Churandy Martina captured the men's 400m dash at
the UTEP
Springtime Invitational, held at the Kidd
Field in El Paso, Texas on Saturday. Martina clocked
a hard-fought
46.13-seconds.
