Antigua court restrains cable company from broadcasting CWC matches
ST JOHN'S, Antigua: The government of Antigua and
Barbuda this week applied for and obtained an
injunction in
the High Court of Justice asking the court
to order the cable company CTV from transmitting the
broadcast of Cricket
World Cup 2007 matches to three
businesses in Antigua.
St Vincent opposition stages protest over one-dollar port charge
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: Supporters of the
parliamentary opposition New Democratic Party came
out Friday to stage
a protest at the Grenadines Wharf
in Kingstown, St Vincent. The protest was aimed at
having the government remove
the EC$1 user fee
persons have to pay when travelling to the Grenadines
by sea.
Austria charges bank after Cuban accounts cancelled
VIENNA, Austria (Reuters): Austria is charging
BAWAG, currently being taken over by US investor
Cerberus Capital,
with violating European Union rules
after the bank cancelled the accounts of around 100
Cubans, foreign minister Ursula
Plassnik said late on
Thursday.
Fifteen killed in Haitian ferry accident
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters): At least 15
Haitians died and dozens were injured when a ferry hit
a sandbar
and spilled passengers overboard off the
impoverished Caribbean nation's southern coast,
authorities said on Thursday.
Fidel factor a wild card at Cuba's May Day events
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuba's communist authorities
are mobilizing at least six million people to mark May
Day May
1, but have not confirmed whether President
Fidel Castro -- who has not appeared in public since
he underwent major
surgery nine months ago -- will
take part.
New jobs expected as Dominica continues to grant concessions
ROSEAU, Dominica: In an effort to increase the
number of hotel rooms in Dominica and to increase
the level of
economic activity in the country, the
government continues to grant concessions to a
number of private sector entities
on the island.
Grenada puts plans in place for the use of national stadium
ST GEORGE'S Grenada: Now that Cricket World Cup
matches have ended in Grenada, the goverment has
said it will
work out a logistical plan for the nation with
regard to activities being staged there. Sports Minister
Roland Bhola
says his government would continue
bidding to host other international cricket games.
Caribbean meteorological chief seeks re-election on UN body
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Coordinating Director of the
Trinidad-based Caribbean Meteorological
Organization, Tyrone
Sutherland, is seeking re-
election as Second Vice-President of the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO), the UN
Specialized Agency that coordinates global activity in
weather, water, and climate
Guyana's opposition leader faces challenge to party leadership
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyana's Opposition
Leader is preparing to face a fierce challenge to retain
leadership of
the People's National Congress Reform
(PNCR), following disclosures that senior party
officials were eyeing another
candidate for party
leader.
UN advisory group reports on mission to Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: A recent mission to Haiti by
the UN Economic and Social Council's Ad Hoc
Advisory Group
on Haiti had been struck by the
magnitude of the challenges in that country, but
encouraging factors included the
achievement of a
measurable degree of political stability.
Caribbean and Latin American countries urged to work together for development
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Resident Representative
of the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), Juan Carlos
Espinola, has called on
Caribbean and Latin America countries to work
together to achieve social and economic development.
Puerto Rico's commitment to sustainable tourism praised
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: "Puerto Rico is the perfect
location for next month's Caribbean Media Exchange
on Sustainable
Tourism (CMEx) because its
leadership so closely aligns with our social and
philanthropic mission," said Lelei LeLaulu,
president
of Counterpart International which organizes the
events.
St Kitts-Nevis to host regional sports conference
BASSETERE, St Kitts: St Kitts and Nevis will be the
venue for another first, when preparations to host one
of
the most prestigious sports conferences are
complete. The International Council for Health,
Physical Education Recreation,
Sport and Dance
convenes its first Caribbean Conference on May 11
and 12.
Former Suriname insurgents suspend protest demonstration
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Former armed rebels in
Suriname suspended protest demonstrations in the
capital, Paramaribo,
on Thursday after a brief meeting
with acting Speaker of the House, Caprino Alendy. The
ex-rebels of the insurgent
group Jungle Commando
are demanding full implementation of a 1992 peace
agreement.
Suriname to perform household survey on drug use
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: The National Anti-Drug
Board (NAR) will conduct a nation-wide household
survey in Suriname
on drug use and abuse in May
and June, officials here have confirmed. The Inter-
American Drug Abuse Control Commission
(CICAD)
will finance the study.
Trinidad poised for more oil and gas exploration
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD: More oil and gas
reserves may eventually be added to the Trinidad and
Tobago energy
sector, following government approval
for several foreign companies to explore and produce
oil and gas from nine onshore,
offshore and
deepwater blocks.
Claims of corruption in Trinidad's purchase of offshore vessels
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: An opposition Member of
Parliament in Trinidad has raised some issues he
says points
to corruption by the Patrick Manning-led
administration's acquisition of three offshore patrol
vessels.
US pledges support for security efforts in Trinidad
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Information released from
the US Embassy in Port of Spain says the US
government plans
on tightening its relationship with
Trinidad and Tobago on security issues. The US says
it will continue to cooperate
with the Trinidad and
Tobago government to improve national security for its
citizens.
Mexico's ex-president Fox calls Chavez "dictatorial"
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Reuters): Former Mexican
president Vicente Fox said he was ready to ride his
horse to Venezuela
to defend the South American
nation from the "dictatorial" government of Hugo
Chavez, a Mexican newspaper reported
on Thursday.
Commentary: A US welcome in the world?
Barack Obama made an important foreign policy
statement on April 23rd to the Chicago Council on
Global affairs.
It is a statement that most people in the
world would welcome from someone seeking to
become the most powerful person
on earth - the
President of the United States.
Commentary: The Greater Caribbean This Week: The Association of Caribbean States as an international organisation
There are more than 250 international organisations
(IO) in the world today. Emerging at the end of the 19th
century,
and evolving slowly in the early 20th century,
IOs picked up cruising speed after the Second World
War. The outcome
of this war showed that the world
should no longer be subjugated...
Letter: Regarding the letter "Concentrating Solar Power"
Dr Gerry Wolff (Letter: Concentrating Solar Power,
2007-04-23) clearly illustrates the difference between
scientists
and engineers. Scientists will make claims
of what is 'possible' and what 'can be'. Engineers, on
the other hand,
must take into account practical
considerations of what is feasible and affordable.
McGrath rates Lara just ahead of Tendulkar
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Reuters): Australia pace
bowler Glenn McGrath rated West Indian Brian Lara
just ahead of
India's Sachin Tendulkar among the
batsmen he has bowled against in a 14-year
international career. McGrath, 37, will
follow Lara into
international retirement after Saturday's World Cup
final
Sobers or Imran - who's greatest all-rounder?
LONDON, England (AFP): Sobers or Imran. Legendary
all-rounders. But who is the greatest of all time? Like
all
questions, it depends on who you ask. West Indies
star Sir Garry Sobers, whose home ground of
Kensington Oval in Barbados
is the venue for
Saturday's World Cup final, is tops according to the
respected cricinfo website.
Grenadian boxer qualifies for the Pan American games
ST GEORGE'S Grenada: Senior light-weight boxer,
Grenadian Jewel Lewis, has qualified for the XV Pan
American
Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, starting
July 7. Jewel booked his place in the semi-finals of
the 3rd Pan American
Games Qualifier when he
outscored his opponent Obrey Moore of Guyana.
Three die in plane crash in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Three persons have been
confirmed dead as a small BN 2A Islander twin-
engine aircraft crashed
minutes after take off in the
southwestern region of Guyana. A 36-year-old woman
and her six-year-old son were the
only survivors.
Labour agreement ends dispute at Suriname gold mine
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Workers at Rosebel Gold
Mines (RGM) in Suriname will receive a salary
increase of 24 percent,
company and union officials
here disclosed. RGM's management signed a
collective agreement Wednesday with the Rosebel
Gold Mines Worker Union (RGWO).
Antigua-Barbuda 'encouraged' by US online gambling proposal
WASHINGTON, USA (Bloomberg): US Representative
Barney Frank, the Democratic chairman of the House
Financial Services
Committee, has introduced
legislation to allow online gambling in the US,
loosening a ban enacted last year and drawing
praise
from Antigua and Barbuda.
Taiwan says it may regain recognition from St Lucia
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Bloomberg): Taiwan may regain
statehood recognition from St Lucia, boosting the
island's diplomatic
partners to 25, foreign ministry
spokesman David Wang said. Taiwan broke ties with
St Lucia in 1997 when the Caribbean
nation switched
recognition to China.
IMF team in Dominica for annual Article IV consultation
ROSEAU, Dominica: A team from the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) is currently in Dominica to
conduct an Article
IV Consultation, which is an annual
economic surveillance mission undertaken in all
member countries of the IMF.
Doing business workshop held in Dominica
ROSEAU, Dominica: A one-day workshop on Doing
Business in Dominica took place this week at the
Public Service
Training Centre in Roseau. The
workshop was hosted by the Government of Dominica
through the Reform Management Unit,
Establishment,
Personnel and Training Department.
Grenada is back in business, says PM
ST GEORGE'S Grenada: The country has successfully
staged its leg of the Cricket World Cup Super Eight
games at
the National Stadium on April 20 and Prime
Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said Grenada has
succeeded in convincing the
international community
that the country is indeed back in business.
EU experts in Guyana to identify possible biofuel support
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: A two-member delegation
from the European Union (EU) is in Guyana to identify
possible areas
where the EU may be able to support
the country's biofuel plans, which have gained
momentum over the last few weeks.
Veteran Guyanese journalist dies
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Veteran Guyanese
journalist, Paul Persaud, who was popularly known
as "Paul O'Hara", died
Thursday afternoon at the age
of 93, following a prolonged illness. According to his
relatives, Persaud was, up to
several days before his
death, still writing articles for a television show.
Woolmer's body on its way to South Africa
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): The body of Bob
Woolmer, the late coach of Pakistan's cricket team,
began its long trip
home from Jamaica on Thursday
and is expected to arrive in South Africa by Sunday,
police said here. Woolmer, 58,
was found dead in his
Kingston hotel room on March 18.
Jamaican senator calls for greater collaboration between the Caribbean and Africa
LONDON, England (JIS): Jamaica's Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Anthony
Hylton has stressed
that the Caribbean and Africa
need to collaborate more on opportunities in the
international arena. The Minister was
speaking at the
opening of the African Union Caribbean Diaspora
Conference in London.
Heavier fuel oil to reduce cost of electricity in St Kitts-Nevis
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM): The St Kitts and
Nevis government has taken measures to reduce the
cost of electricity
to consumers. At this week's Cabinet
meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, Dr
Denzil Douglas, the improvement
of the cost and
quality of electrical supply was discussed.
Federal Government and Nevis Island Administration discuss issues
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM): Debt and financial
management, security and crime and infrastructure
development
were some of the issues discussed last
week between the Federal Government of St Kitts and
Nevis and the Nevis Island
Administration, Prime
Minister Dr Denzil Douglas has disclosed.
Take advantage of business opportunities, Nevis minister tells students
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Minister of Trade and
Industry and Youth Hensley Daniel has urged a group
of business students
they should think of ways to
apply technology to business ideas to make them
more viable. He also urged them to take
advantage of
opportunities which the Nevis Island Administration
would make available.
Education administrators must adapt to change swiftly, says Nevis official
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Principal Education Officer in
the Department of Education on Nevis Jennifer Hodge
told education
officers that, as administrators of
education, they had to adapt to change quickly if they
were to provide an effective
and empowering
framework, to manage the changes of the 21st century.
St Lucia Cadet Corps outreach program continues
CASTRIES, St Lucia: Starting in 2006, the Sergeants
Mess of the Saint Lucia Cadet Corps adopted an
initiative
to give a food hamper to a home for youth.
This year the Sergeants have committed to present
the hamper to Eugenia
Faustin Children's Home. The
presentation is scheduled to take place on Sunday in
Soufriere.
Repsol-YPF ready for oil drilling in Suriname
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Well ahead of planning,
international oil company Repsol-YPF has completed
initial explorations
offshore Suriname and is gearing
up to commence drilling, a Suriname oil official here
has confirmed. "The (Repsol-YPF)
is well ahead of
schedule for drilling an exploratory well"
Trinidad's Transparency Institute elects new head
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The Trinidad and Tobago
Transparency Institute (TTTI) has elected Victor Hart
as the
new Chairman of its new Board of Directors.
On assuming office, Hart affirms that "TTTI will
continue to monitor events
in both the public and
private sectors, to encourage good governance."
Most Venezuelans oppose TV station closure, says poll
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Almost 70 percent of
Venezuelans oppose the imminent closure of an
opposition television
station but worry more over the
loss of risque soap operas than free speech, a
pollster said on Thursday.
OAS Assistant Secretary General reports on Haiti task force
WASHINGTON, USA: Building capacity and
strengthening institutions in Haiti should be a high-
priority "cross-cutting
exercise" in all projects and
programs carried out by the Organization of American
States in that country, with the
active support of the
Haitian diaspora, OAS Assistant Secretary General
Albert R. Ramdin said.
Commentary: Judge rules OK! For Birkhead to take his baby home... for good!
For months now, cable TV, tabloid newspapers and
Internet-gossip sites have manufactured drama and
made cash
by fueling idle speculation about who is
Anna Nicole's baby-Daddy and about who would win
custody of this purported
million-dollar baby. But from
the outset, I assured readers...
Commentary: What makes a reputable offshore financial centre?
A cursory look at leading financial centres such as
Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas and the
Channel
Islands leads one to instantly detect certain
underlying ingredients which underpin their
international tax planning
industry (often erroneously
referred to by laymen as "offshore banking").
World Cup is too long, admits Speed
LONDON, England (AFP): International Cricket
Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed admitted
on Thursday
that the 2007 World Cup, which lasts for
a marathon seven weeks, is too long. The World Cup
staged its first competitive
match on March 13 when
West Indies played Pakistan in Kingston.
West Indies no fear over new foreign affair
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): West Indies cricket chiefs
would have no hesitation in hiring another foreign
coach
to take over from Australian Bennett King who
resigned after the doomed World Cup campaign.
Bruce Aanensen, the West
Indies Cricket Board chief
executive, said the crucial factor would be ability and
not nationality.
Jamaica's Sinclair to race at Prefontaine Classic
OKLAHOMA, USA: World Indoor silver medallist Kenia
Sinclair of Jamaica has been confirmed to compete in
the women's
800m in this year's 33rd edition of the
annual Prefontaine Classic Grand Prix, which will be
held at the Hayward Field
in Oregon, USA, on June 10.
Former Trinidad PM threatens legal action against House Speaker
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Former Prime Minister of
Trinidad and Tobago Basdeo Panday, says he will
take his battle
against the PNM and the House
Speaker to the streets. He was blocked by police
officers from entering the parliament
building at last
Friday's sitting of the House of Representatives.
Castro is 'very well,' but don't expect May Day show, says official
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): A top Cuban official has moved
to quash speculation that Cuban leader Fidel Castro
might
appear at a May Day parade. National Assembly
speaker Ricardo Alarcon, said he thought Fidel Castro
should take a
pass and opt for a television
appearance instead.
Twenty-three lost at sea off Dominican Republic
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (Reuters):
Twenty-three people were missing at sea on
Wednesday after their
fishing boat capsized off the
Dominican Republic, authorities said. The US Coast
Guard said 16 of those aboard the
vessel were
plucked to safety after it sank about 1 a.m. on Tuesday.
Suriname to negotiate bauxite mining deal with multinationals
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: A negotiating team is to
start talks soon with multinationals Alcoa and BHP-
Billiton for
a bauxite mining agreement with the
Suriname government. Officials disclosed on
Wednesday that Suriname is aiming
at establishing
an integrated bauxite industry in West Suriname.
BVI police working to solve spate of armed robberies
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The community of the British Virgin
Islands has been assured by the police force that they
are
working diligently to apprehend the perpetrators in
the recent armed robberies targeting businesses in
the territory.
British bank faces pressure from MP on Cuba ban
LONDON, England (Bloomberg): A British member of
Parliament has criticised Barclays Plc over its plans to
close
accounts held by two Cuban organisations after
pressure from the US. Barclays has asked for the
withdrawal of accounts
held by Havana International
Bank and Cubanacam, a state-owned travel
organisation.
Seven Cuban dissidents freed
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): The Cuban government has
released seven dissidents from prison, including a 42-
year-old man
who had been behind bars for 17 years,
dissident sources said. Six dissidents were released
Tuesday after spending
two years in prison, the
sources said.
British police in major hit on Jamaican drugs barons
LONDON, England (AFP): British police officers
swooped in pre-dawn raids across the country on
Wednesday, aimed
at taking out major crack cocaine
dealers in an international drugs chain. More than 400
officers were involved, smashing
their way into homes
in an attempt to break a network ferrying drugs from
Jamaica.
Italy, Qatar and India get St Kitts-Nevis support on Human Rights Council
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM): St Kitts and Nevis
will support Italy, India and Qatar for three of the four
seats
on the United Nations Human Rights Council
next month. The election of fourteen members of the
Human Rights Council
will be held on 17 May 2007.
Authorities in Suriname prepare for possible flood disaster
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Authorities in Suriname
have taken precautions againts possible flooding due
to torrential
rains, which have set in with the main
rainy season, officials announced. A severe
cloudburst hit the coastal area
Wednesday causing
serious submersion in several residential areas in
Paramaribo.
Trinidad public warned of food shortage
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: International market forces
are being blamed for shortages of some food items in
Trinidad
and Tobago, according to former president of
the Trinidad and Tobago Supermarkets Association
and CEO of the Arima
Discount Mart in east Trinidad,
Balliram Maharaj.
USVI governor meets with emergency management council
ST THOMAS, USVI: US Virgin Islands Governor John
P. deJongh, Jr. on Tuesday convened a meeting of the
government's
Emergency Management Council which
is comprised of the Department and Agency Heads.
The meeting was the first in a
series of meetings that
will take place through the end of the year.
Venezuela, Cuba hit US for harbouring convicted plane bomber
NEW YORK, USA (AFP): Venezuela and Cuba sought
Wednesday to ratchet up pressure on the United
States over the
release of ex-CIA operative Luis
Posada Carriles, who Caracas convicted for the 1976
bombing a Cuban jet.
Venezuela in Orinoco deals with all but Conoco
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuela signed
agreements on Wednesday with five foreign oil
companies to hand
over operations of four massive
Orinoco heavy oil projects, with ConocoPhillips alone
failing to sign the accords.
'America' celebrates 500th anniversary of its naming
GENEVA, Switzerland (Bloomberg): "America"
celebrated the fifth centenary of its naming in France
on Wednesday,
the anniversary of the first use of the
word on a map based on the travels of Florentine
navigator Amerigo Vespucci.
Commentary: Haiti Festival Season: A wonderful experience for all
Haiti, from May 1st to November 1st is an enchanted
island, one on which Haitians whether from Haiti or
the Diaspora
and those few tourists who have a taste
for the adventurous can make the trek from village to
village, completing
the circuit of the Haitian Religious
Festival.
Commentary: Straight Talk
It's all about dating, love, sex, friendship, and
marriage - so let's talk. Email your relationship
questions
to my attention. Question from: "In love but
lonely in paradise": Dear Betty, I recently moved to the
island for many
of the same reasons most people
want to live in paradise. As luck would have it, I met
someone.
Letter: Now that CWC 2007 is almost over, what will happen to regional airfares?
Ticket prices are currently the highest in our history,
having been compounded in many cases by vast
increases
of government departures taxes or service
fees. CWC must have brought a financial windfall to
carriers like the merged
LIAT/Caribbean Star and
BWIA's replacement, Caribbean Airlines.
McGrath and Tait fire Australia into World Cup final
GROS ISLET, St Lucia (AFP): Glenn McGrath and
Shaun Tait struck it rich as Australia stormed into a
fourth successive
World Cup final with a crushing
seven-wicket win over South Africa here on
Wednesday. South Africa were dismissed
for 149, as
Tait finished with 4-39 while man-of-the-match
McGrath took 3-18.
New West Indies skipper to be named on Sunday
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters): West Indies will
announce a new captain, to replace the retired Brian
Lara, when
their board meets on Sunday. The West
Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said the squad for next
month's tour of England
would be finalised once the
new skipper had been appointed.
US intelligence sees Castro recovering
WASHINGTON, USA (Reuters): US intelligence
agencies, which appeared to be on a death watch for
Cuban leader Fidel
Castro a few months ago, now
believe his health is rebounding and cannot rule out a
full return to power, officials
said on Tuesday.
Media rights group slams Venezuela over TV licence
NEW YORK, USA (Reuters): A US-based media rights
group on Tuesday condemned Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez's
decision to deny a new broadcast
licence to an opposition television station. RCTV will
not have its permit renewed
in late May, part of
Chavez's running battle with opposition broadcasters.
Suriname authorities preparing for massacre trial
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Authorities in Suriname are
finalising preparations for the trial in relation to the
notorious
mass killings of 8 December 1982. Over 20
suspects, including army officers, politicians, civilians
and ex-army officers
are being prosecuted for the
extra-judicial killing of 15 opponents.
South Africa honours Sir Shridath Ramphal
PRETORIA, South Africa: The South African
government Tuesday conferred its highest national
honour on Sir Shridath
Ramphal, former three-term
Secretary General of the Commonwealth, and former
Chairman of the West Indian Commission
and
Chancellor of the University of the West Indies.
Haitian foreign minister visits Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Haiti's Minister of Foreign
Affairs Jean Renald Clerisme arrived in Cuba this
week on an
official visit at the invitation of his
counterpart Felipe Perez Roque. The Hatian official's
visit is seen as a way
to strengthen bilateral relations
between the two Caribbean nations.
Six Cuban dissidents freed
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): At least six dissidents were set
free Tuesday after serving prison terms of almost two
years
each for defying the communist Cuban
government, dissident sources said. Elizardo
Sanchez, a dissident spokesman,
announced the
releases.
One year later, police in Guyana still hunt minister's killers
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyana's Home Affairs
Minister has assured that the police are on a
relentless hunt for the
killers who assassinated
Agriculture Minister, Satyadeow Sawh on April 22, last
year. The assurance came as relatives
and friends
remembered the fallen Minister.
Improvements in electoral system to continue in Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Jamaica's Director of
Elections, Danville Walker, has pledged to work to
improve the
electoral system and to continue the trend
of peaceful elections in the island since 1997. Walker
has served
for 10 years as Director of Elections and
will be in the post for another seven years.
Transforming the public service sector in Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): When the government of
Jamaica implemented the Public Sector
Modernization Programme
(PSMP) in 1996 it was with
a vision to transform the public sector into one of
which every Jamaican citizen could
be proud, and
today, the fruits of this initiative are evident.
Government of Montserrat outlines import duty exemption policy
BRADES, Montserrat: The Government of Montserrat
continues to implement a policy of granting financial
incentives
to private entrepreneurs looking to operate
a business or currently operating a business on
Montserrat.
Anti-money laundering seminar to be held in St Lucia
CASTRIES, St Lucia: The Association of Certified
Chartered Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute
Chartered Accountants
of the Eastern Caribbean
(ICAEC) will be hosting an anti-money laundering
seminar in St Lucia on May 11, 2007.
Venezuela to petition UN over decision to release Cuban militant
CARACAS, Venezuela (UPI): Venezuelan officials have
said they will petition the United Nations about the US
decision
to release on bond Cuban exile militant Luis
Posada Carriles. President Hugo Chavez said he
would take his complaint
to the international body.
Resort operator says Air Jamaica is key to Caribbean growth
MIAMI, USA: The Barbados-based operator of four all-
inclusive hotels in the Eastern Caribbean is crediting
Caribbean
carrier Air Jamaica for adding significantly
to its growth from the North American market. Air
Jamaica is the national
carrier of Jamaica and also is
the designated flag carrier of Barbados.
CARICOM visas hit 40,000 mark as CWC final draws near
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: With the Cricket World Cup
2007 in its final week, CARICOM has issued 40,000
Special
Visas to visitors to the region. Of these,
10,000 visas have been issued in London, United
Kingdom, while Australia,
Canada, India and the
United States have issued between five and six
thousand visas each.
Regional efforts ongoing to address climate change
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) states have been making
efforts to respond to
the potential impact of climate
change, an issue that is now on international
agendas. The CARICOM Secretariat recently
held a
forum on climate change.
Entrepreneurship: A tool for breaking the domestic abuse cycle
PHILIPSBURG/BASSETERRE: Developing home-
based businesses can help to break the cycle of
domestic abuse, says
Nerissa Golden an
entrepreneur and motivational speaker. She believes
that if more women are financially capable of
caring
for themselves and their family, they have more
options available
Caribbean community forum to focus on immigration
NEW YORK, USA (JIS): Immigration will be the main
focus at the annual Caribbean community forum on
Thursday,
April 26, at the Wynnefield Presbyterian
Church in Philadelphia. This forum is another in the
annual series sponsored
by local churches and
businesses within the Philadelphia Caribbean
community.
Letter: The real costs of CWC 2007?
As the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC) event draws to
a close, with the hosting of the final in Barbados on
28th
April, it is perhaps now time to analyse in-depth,
exactly what economic benefits it has brought to the
nine hosting
countries.
Letter: One West Indian witness to history in Bolivia
On Monday at the Presidential Palace in La Paz
Bolivia, President Evo Morales Ayma signed into law
the Nationalisation
of the Natural Gas Industry of
Bolivia; one of the largest reserves in the world.
President Morales is the first Indigenous
Amerindian
Head of State in the Americas in almost five centuries.
Jayawardene guides Sri Lanka into World Cup final
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Sri Lanka captain Mahela
Jayawardene led his side into the World Cup final with
a maiden
tournament hundred as the 1996
champions beat New Zealand by 81 runs at Sabina
Park on Tuesday.
Woolmer's body to be released shortly
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters): The body of Pakistan
cricket coach Bob Woolmer is to be released shortly
and returned
to his family, Jamaican government
officials said on Monday. The ministry of national
security said in a statement
that it was agreed to
return Woolmer's body to his family in South Africa.
New refinery to turn long-time importer Cuba into oil exporter
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): A modernised oil refinery is set
to go on line in December, official media reported, in a
shift
due to turn imports-dependent Cuba into an oil
exporter. Overhauled with capital from a joint
Venezuelan-Cuban company,
the Cienfuegos refinery
in south-central Cuba will meet the Caribbean
country's own demands.
Historic budget session convenes in Turks and Caicos
GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands: "Despite
the phenomenal gains of recent times, our best days
as a people
and as a country are still ahead." These
words came from Deputy Premier and Minister of
Finance Floyd Hall, when the
Second Sitting of the
First House of Assembly convened in Grand Turk.
Heightened security for CWC semi-final in Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): With thousands of fans
expected to turn up at Sabina Park in Jamaica for the
semi-finals
of the ICC Cricket World Cup on Tuesday,
security will be increased in and around the venue,
according to Senior Superintendent
of Police, Ealon
Powell, who is co-chair of the Security Committee.
British Virgin Islands approves telecommunications policy
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The government of the British
Virgin Islands has approved a telecommunications
liberalisation
policy setting out the number of
operators allowed in the market and restricting the
market to the three existing
operators for three years.
Cuban dissident sentenced to 12 years in prison, says opposition
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): A Cuban dissident considered
a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International has
been sentenced
to 12 years in prison in a secret trial
in Havana, an opposition group said on Monday.
Ousted Haitian president Aristide to receive doctorate in African Languages
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP): Ousted Haitian
president Jean Bertrand Aristide, exiled in South
Africa, will
receive a doctorate in African Languages in
a ceremony attended by President Thabo Mbeki.
Aristide has been a guest
of the South African
government since fleeing an uprising in the
Caribbean nation in 2004.
Jamaica must increase productivity of banana farmers, says Minister
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Jamaica's Minister of
Agriculture and Lands, Roger Clarke said that the
sustained challenges
by the Latin American
producers of Jamaica's trading arrangement with
Europe has underscored the necessity of increasing
the quality and productivity of banana farmers.
St Kitts music festival raises the bar
BASSETTERRE, St. Kitts: Chairman of the Marketing
and Promotions Subcommittee for the St. Kitts Music
Festival,
Clement 'Juni' Liburd said the 11th annual
staging of the show will meet and surpass
expectations as a new decade
of excellence is
ushered in.
Reuters media crew on cricket assignment in St Lucia
CASTRIES, St Lucia: A crew of five media personnel
from the Reuters news service is on St Lucia to cover
the
second semifinal of ICC Cricket World Cup. Andy
Clark, Senior Photographer, told Caribbean Net News,
that he has visited
St Lucia on numerous occasions,
but this is his first cricket assignment here.
