Cuban Coast Guard kills two alleged Bahamian drug traffickers
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): The Cuban coast guard shot
and killed two suspected drug traffickers, thought to
be Bahamian
nationals, and seized almost 600
kilograms (1,300 pounds) of marijuana from their
boat, authorities said Friday.
US plans to remove web gaming from WTO commitments
LONDON, England (Bloomberg): The US has moved
to "clarify" its commitments to the World Trade
Organization, saying
its ban on offshore Internet
gambling isn't part of its trade pledges. The US action
follows rulings by WTO judges
against its ban.
Twenty two dead, dozens missing after Haitian boat capsizes
MIAMI, USA (AFP): At least 22 people died and dozens
more were missing after a sailboat packed with
Haitian migrants
capsized on Friday in shark-infested
waters while being towed by a police boat, the US
Coast Guard reported.
Former government official sentenced in US Virgin Islands bribery scandal
WASHINGTON, USA: The former director of the US
Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural
Resources (DPNR)
Division of Environmental
Protection has been sentenced to four years in prison
for conspiring to defraud the Virgin
Islands
government of approximately $1.4 million,
Antigua-Barbuda reacts to US action in gambling dispute
ST JOHN'S, Antigua: The government of Antigua and
Barbuda expressed its deep disappointment on
Friday over the
announcement by the Bush
Administration that the United States was withdrawing
its commitments in the gambling and
betting services
sector under the WTO's General Agreement on Trade
in Services.
S&P sees Bahamas' growth continuing under new PM
MIAMI, USA (Reuters): Newly elected Bahamian Prime
Minister Hubert Ingraham was sworn in on Friday and
Standard
and Poor's predicted the islands' economic
expansion would continue during his five-year term.
Ingraham's FNM ousted
outgoing Prime Minister Perry
Christie's Progressive Liberal Party,
Austrian bank to resume business with Cuban clients following protests
VIENNA, Austria (Bloomberg): Austria's Bawag PSK
Bank plans to resume business with its Cuban clients
after the
Austrian government and customers
protested against the cancellation of accounts. Bawag
had cancelled the accounts
by saying US laws ban
businesses with Cuban citizens.
Cuba honours officer killed in failed hijacking
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): A Cuban officer killed in a failed
hijacking was awarded a posthumous medal for
bravery,
local media reported Friday, one day after two
army deserters tried to seize a plane in Havana and
flee to the United
States.
Reunion 2008 launched in Dominica
ROSEAU, Dominica: Over 600 people packed the
grounds of the State House in Dominica's capital city,
Roseau and
thousands more joined in via the internet
for a night of Dominica's very best in culture, art,
music and song as Reunion
2008 was officially
launched on Monday.
Dominican Republic president confident of victory ahead of party primary
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic: Incumbent
president, Leonel Fernandez, has officially announced
that he intends
to seek the nomination of his PLD
party for next year's presidential election in the
Dominican Republic. His announcement
co-incided
with rallies throughout Santo Domingo and the
surrounding areas.
Murder suspects arraigned in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Three people have been
charged in Guyana for killing a woman they claimed
was a blood-sucking
evil spirit. Two men and a
woman were on Wednesday arraigned for murder at
the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court following
the
brutal death of the woman.
Free health care for minors in Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): As of May 28, children
under the age of 18 years will receive free care at all
government
hospitals and health facilities in Jamaica,
except the University Hospital of the West Indies.
Prime Minister, Portia
Simpson Miller made the
announcement during her contribution to the 2007/08
Budget Debate.
Murdered Pakistani coach Woolmer privately cremated
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP): Slain Pakistani
cricket team coach Bob Woolmer was on Friday
cremated during
a private family function in Cape
Town, the family said. "Yes, my father was cremated
this morning (Friday). The service
was held at Doves
(parlour) in Salt River at 11a.m," Woolmer's son, Dale,
told AFP.
Media workshop opens in St Lucia
CASTRIES, St Lucia: In addressing the participants at
the opening of the World Press Freedom Day
workshop in
St Lucia, President of the Association of
Caribbean Media Workers, Dale Enoch, called for
strong media associations
across the region.
Ronald 'Boo' Hinkson to perform at St Lucia Fond d'Or Jazz
CASTRIES, St Lucia: Barbara Cadet, Ronald 'Boo'
Hinkson, Kalbas and Cable and Wireless Diamond
Steel Orchestra
will be performing at the Fond d'Or
Jazz in St Lucia on Saturday. The foreign musicians
down to perform at that venue
include Fuego Latino
out of Trinidad and Tobago, and Tambou Combo from
Haiti.
EU warns Suriname over pesticides residue in vegetables
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Suriname is risking a total
ban of its vegetable exports to the European Union
(EU) if
farmers continue to violate regulations
concerning food safety. In April, the Suriname
authorities on several occasions
received so-
called 'rapid alerts' warning of inadmissible amounts
of pesticide residues.
USVI Delegate re-introduces Chief Financial Officer legislation
WASHINGTON, USA: USVI Delegate to Congress
Donna M. Christensen re-introduced legislation this
week that would
create the office of the Chief Financial
Officer for the Virgin Islands government. The bill
which passed the US House
of Representatives, was
re-introduced with changes to reflect the current
realities in the territory.
Dengue prevention alert issued for US Virgin Islands
ST THOMAS, USVI: Recent and heavy downpours
across the US Virgin Islands have made certain areas
a haven for
mosquito breeding. With the increased
rains during the hurricane season, which officially
starts June 1, 2007, residents
should take steps to
reduce their risk from Dengue Fever.
Chavez's nationalisation threats more than bluster
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): President Hugo
Chavez could well deliver on threats to nationalize
banks, a steelmaker
and cement companies, having
taken over Venezuela's largest media firm despite its
attempts to meet his demands.
Caribbean sugar exporters reject EU reform proposals
NADI, Fiji, (AFP): Sugar producing countries have
rejected the European Unions plan to cut preferential
prices
for their exports to Europe. Sugar exporting
members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific
countries met this week
to draw up a response to the
EU's reform proposals.
UK forecasters update 2007 hurricane predictions
NEW YORK, USA (Bloomberg): Two hurricanes and
three tropical storms may strike the US East and Gulf
coasts this
year, as part of an above-average storm
season, London-based Tropical Storm Risk said.
The forecasters lowered
their prediction for the
number of tropical storms.
Commentary: The culprits of harmful tax
Back in 2000, the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD), delivered a
body blow to small
countries that operated offshore
financial services by blacklisting them as "non
cooperative". Now it seems that OECD
countries are
the non cooperative culprits over their own rules.
Commentary: The Greater Caribbean This Week: The Rio Group and the European Union support Haiti
At recent international meetings, a point of consensus
has been achieved with respect to Haiti, on different
aspects
of regional integration, despite the fact that it
has undergone difficulties spanning a period of two
decades. During
the process of transition toward
democracy, it suffered several coups d'état.
Letter: The headline of the century
'No fallout yet over CWC finale confusion', the
Barbados Advocate, Friday 4th May 2007. This has to
be the headline
of the century. Type 'Barbados
Closing Ceremony' into Google News and you will
see what a ridiculous conclusion this
is.
Sarwan believes West Indies can still perform even without Lara
ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Newly appointed West Indies
captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is optimistic that the
current regional
side can still perform at a higher
standard than predicted by pundits, even without the
services of world record holder
Brian Lara, who retired
from international cricket last month.
Results of the 2007 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta announced
MILAN, Italy: For the second consecutive year, Officine
Panerai served as the Platinum Sponsor of the
Antigua
Classic Yacht Regatta, as well as the race's
official timekeeper. Celebrating its 20th year, the
Regatta took place
April 19-24, during which time over
60 yachts converged on the waters off the island.
Cuban officer killed in failed hijack attempt at Havana airport
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): A Cuban officer was killed on
Thursday by two military deserters who tried to hijack
an airplane
at Havana's airport and flee to the US, the
interior ministry said. Armed with AK-47 rifles, the two
deserters entered
the airport at dawn in a bus with
several hostages and boarded a parked plane
Caribbean murder rates hurting growth, says World Bank
MIAMI, USA (Reuters): The tourism-dependent
Caribbean may now have the world's highest murder
rate as a region,
severely affecting potential economic
growth, the World Bank and a UN agency said in a
report on Thursday.
Suriname minister calls for rational approach to Taiwan offer
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: A cabinet minister here
calls for a rational approach to Taiwan's offer to assist
Suriname
in its development goals in return for
diplomatic recognition. Minister of Planning and
Development Cooperation, Rick
van Ravenswaay said
that "if Taiwan is serious, we should look at their offer
very seriously."
Chavez threatens to nationalise largest steel maker, banks
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez threatened Thursday to nationalise the
country's largest
steel company and private banks
unless they make national interests a priority. The
outspoken champion of "21st
century socialism"
holds the power to rule by decree for 18 months.
Barbados: twelfth fattest country in the world
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Barbados has been rated
as having the 12th fattest population in the world.
That's according
to a Forbes report, which indicates
that Barbados also has the second greatest
percentage of overweight people in
the Caribbean.
Belize to host CARICOM-Central America summit
BELMOPAN, Belize: Prime ministers of the Caribbean
Community and presidents of Central America will
converge
in Belize to attend a summit meeting of
Heads of State and Government of CARICOM and
SICA scheduled for May 12, 2007.
American Eagle announces new service between BVI and Antigua
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister and Minister of
Tourism in the British Virgin Islands, Dr Orlando
Smith, describes
as great news American Eagle's
announcement this week to introduce a new service
between the BVI and Antigua starting
June 1. This
follows meetings the Chief Minister held with the
president of American Eagle.
Cuban airport shootout may mark new efforts to flee
MIAMI, USA (Bloomberg): Cuban-American groups in
Miami said a deadly gun fight between Cuban police
and three
military deserters attempting to hijack an
airplane may mark a new round of violent efforts to
flee the Communist
island.
FBI probing Posada's alleged links to Havana bombing
MIAMI, USA (AFP): US authorities are probing a 1997
bombing that killed an Italian tourist in Havana to
determine
whether it involved former CIA operative
Luis Posada Carriles, the Miami Herald reported
Thursday. The daily said
FBI agents recently traveled
to the communist country to gather evidence on the
attack.
Three Dominican Republic clothing plants to close
WASHINGTON, USA (Bloomberg): Hanesbrands Inc.,
the underwear maker spun off by Sara Lee Corp., will
shut three
Dominican Republic plants in September
that employ 1,400 people. Hanesbrands is
consolidating sewing production into
larger, more
efficient facilities, according to a statement.
Guyana indigenous group seeks millions from Credit Suisse over timber deal
ZURICH, Switzerland (AFP): Groups representing
indigenous peoples in Guyana, along with Cambodia,
Malaysia and
Papua New Guinea, on Thursday urged
the Swiss bank Credit Suisse to pay them 10 million
dollars in compensation because
of its links with a
Malaysian timber company.
Conference should strengthen US and Caribbean ties, says Jamaican ambassador
WASHINGTON, USA (JIS): Jamaica's ambassador to
the United States, Professor Gordon Shirley has said
that the
Conference on the Caribbean set for June 19-
21, in Washington, should serve to strengthen and
deepen the relationship
between the governments of
the US and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Veneuzela vows to eject Conoco if resists takeover
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuela
threatened on Thursday to eject ConocoPhillips from
the OPEC nation if
it further resists President Hugo
Chavez's plans to nationalise its multibillion-dollar
investments in the massive
Orinoco reserve.
Commentary: Historic upset in national elections in The Bahamas
The consensus opinion going into national elections
in The Bahamas on Wednesday was that the two
major parties
were so evenly matched that the
outcome was very much in doubt. And, unofficial
results show why there was so much
doubt.
According the Nassau Guardian, the opposition FNM
has ousted the ruling PLP.
Letter: Congratulations on your editorial
That was a remarkable editorial regarding St Lucia
and its relationship with Taiwan. Are we experiencing
gun
boat diplomacy round two?
Letter: Domestic violence article ignored male victims
Mary Spooner's commentary on domestic violence
was extremely one-sided and misleading, in that it
ignored female
perpetrators and left male victims and
their children invisible. ("Domestic violence is not
women's fault" 4/30/07.)
Letter: Is there a logic with regional airfares?
The lowest fare that can be currently booked online to
St Maarten from Barbados with Caribbean Airlines is
US$436.55,
a distance of 840 miles return. Yet you
can book from Kingston to St Maarten, a distance of
1,794 miles, for US$334
return.
Letter: An excellent commentary by Sir Ronald Sanders
I thought that Sir Ronald Sanders' commentary, "A US
Welcome in the world?" was excellent. Hearing
thoughtful
and constructive criticism of my country and
its leaders is rare. As a US citizen, it often seems that
the mistakes
this country makes is what makes the
news, not the good we do.
West Indies drop Samuels for England Tests
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Batsman Marlon Samuels
has been dropped for the 15-strong West Indies
squad that will
play four Tests against England
starting this month. Samuels headlines the list of four
active players who took part
in the World Cup who
have missed out on the trip to England,
Venezuela's Valero stretches run of knockout victories
TOKYO, Japan (AFP): World Boxing Association super
featherweight champion Edwin Valero of Venezuela
Thursday
beat challenger Nobuhito Honmo for a
stunning 22nd consecutive knockout victory.
Bahamas voters oust ruling party
NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters) - Bahamian voters
ousted their government and returned former Prime
Minister Hubert
Ingraham's party to power in
parliamentary elections dominated by economic
issues and political scandals. Ingraham's
Free
National Movement won 23 of the 41 seats in the
House of Assembly.
Haiti prison population rises; US aid ineffective, audit says
WASHINGTON, USA (Bloomberg): Haiti's prisons are
swelling with people awaiting trial, and US aid aimed
at alleviating
the situation is having little impact, an
audit said. The number of prisoners has been
climbing since February 2004,
when jails were
emptied upon the resignation of President Jean-
Bertrand Aristide.
Trinidad university tightens security following attacks on students
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The St Augustine campus
of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad has
announced
a number of measures it says are aimed
at improving the security of its students. The new
security measures come in
the wake of continued
reports of students being robbed and attacked.
Antigua-Barbuda to discuss deportee issues with US Homeland Security
ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Minister of Public Safety Senator
Colin Derrick is heading an Antigua and Barbuda
delegation
to New York to conduct meetings with
officials of the United States Department of Homeland
Security.
Haitian police officers on exchange programme in Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS): Police officers from Haiti
are in The Bahamas taking part in a law enforcement
exchange
programme set up after Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of National Security Cynthia Pratt
and Commissioner of Police
Paul Farquaharson
visited that country in November 2006.
Japanese official in Havana for talks on UN, Korea and trade
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Japan's Vice Minister for
Foreign Affairs Midori Matsushima was in Cuba
Wednesday for bilateral
talks, in a rare visit by a
Japanese official to the communist-run Caribbean
nation. Matsushima is the most senior
Japanese
official to visit Cuba to discuss bilateral issues in the
past 10 years.
Castro recovery lifts Cuban government's spirits
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cuban leader Fidel Castro
was not strong enough to appear at the annual May
Day workers
rally, a highlight of the communist
calendar, but his recovery from a life-threatening
intestinal disorder is already
being felt.
Dominican Republic credit rating raised
NEW YORK, USA (Bloomberg): The Dominican
Republic's credit rating has been raised by Moody's
Investors Service
Inc. as the country recovers from the
2003 banking and exchange-rate crisis.
Jamaica spends millions to address social concerns of sugar workers
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): The government of
Jamaica is to spend JA$100 million to address the
social concerns
of sugar workers, Prime Minister
Portia Simpson said during her contribution to the
2007 Budget Debate. She said the
Ministry of
Agriculture and Lands has engaged in consultations
with trade union leaders.
Negative cotton history will not be repeated, says Nevis official
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Director of Agriculture on
Nevis Dr Kelvin Daly said that the Department of
Agriculture has
considered the negative history
associated with cotton production on the island and
gave his assurance that the Department
had would
endeavour to ensure that the mistakes of the past
would not be repeated.
US navy hospital ship to visit Trinidad
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: A 900-foot US Navy
hospital ship, known as the Comfort, is expected to
visit Trinidad
and Tobago soon. The visit is part of a
four-month deployment to the Caribbean and Central
and South America, providing
specialised medical aid.
Sports to take centre stage in Turks and Caicos
GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands: Fresh on
the heels of hosting what has been described by
many as the best
CARIFTA Games ever, the Turks &
Caicos Islands Minister of Sports Dr Carlton Mills has
revealed that it is his
Ministry's intention to build on
this momentum. He also noted the other plans his
Ministry has.
CARICOM secretary general praises security forces
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Secretary General of the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Edwin Carrington,
has praised
the contribution made by the armed
forces in providing a safe and secure environment for
Cricket World Cup 2007. The
Secretary General also
praised the contribution made by South Africa.
CARICOM security head pleased with troops performance
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Wherever challenges
arose during Cricket World Cup 2007 they were
relatively small,
and were dealt with quite quickly.
Commander of the CARICOM Operations Planning
and Co-ordination Staff (COPACS),
Colonel Antony
Anderson, gave the region this assurance.
42,000 CARICOM visas issued by end of April
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: According to Mia Motley,
Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados and chair person
of CARICOM
Ad Hoc Committee on Security, the
introduction of the Common CARICOM Special Visa
has assisted countries of the Caribbean
Community
(CARICOM) in averting efforts at human trafficking in
the region.
Security major legacy of CWC 2007
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Head of the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) Ad Hoc Committee on
Security and Other Related
Matters for Cricket World
Cup 2007, Mia Mottley, Deputy Prime Minister of
Barbados, has identified the Barbados based
Joint
Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) as one of
the major legacies of CWC 2007.
Scientist doubts warming-hurricane link
MIAMI, USA (UPI): Chris Landsea, a scientist at the
National Hurricane Center in Florida, says there is no
link
between global warming and the frequency of
hurricanes. Landsea said in a study released
Tuesday that previous claims
of a link were unreliable,
Editorial: Chinese threats will win no friends in the Caribbean
The intemperate reaction by mainland China to the
resumption of diplomatic relations between Saint
Lucia and
Taiwan is ill-advised and inappropriate,
albeit predictable. According to a statement by
China's Foreign Ministry
spokesman Liu Jianchao, the
government of Saint Lucia will be "fully responsible for
the consequences incurred," Liu
said.
Commentary: Mother Russia likes what she now sees in Cuba
Relations between Cuba and the former Soviet Union
amplified during the early 1960s, reaching their
culminations
in October of 1962 during the Cuban
Missile Crisis, which put the world at the brink of a
nuclear conflict between
Washington and Moscow.
Bahamian Atkins runs world-leading 9.98 in California
CALIFORNIA, USA: Bahamian Derrick Atkins, the man
rumoured to be the cousin of world record holder
Asafa Powell,
sprinted his way into the world elite after
he became the latest member to join the group of
athletes who have legally
gone under 10-seconds in
the 100-metre dash.
St Lucia restores ties with Taiwan, angers China
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP): Taiwan announced Tuesday
that it had re-established relations with the Caribbean
state
of St Lucia in a diplomatic victory, which
immediately drew anger from rival China. Taiwan's
Foreign Minister James
Huang, currently in St Lucia,
signed the communique with his counterpart Rufus
Bousquet.
Cuba's Castro stays away from anti-US parade
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cuban leader Fidel Castro
stayed away from a massive May Day workers parade
on Tuesday,
apparently still too weak to appear in
public nine months after emergency surgery forced
him to step aside as president.
Parliamentary commissioner says Bahamas election will be fair
NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS): Parliamentary
Commissioner Errol Bethel has assured Bahamian
voters that Wednesday's general
election will be fair
and free from corruption. Bethel told a news
conference on Monday that several initiatives are
in
place, including a ban on cell phones, lap top
computers and cameras,
Venezuela takes control of privately run oil projects
JOSE, Venezuela (AFP): Venezuela on Tuesday took
control of privately run installations in what could be
the
world's richest oil fields, as part of leftist President
Hugo Chavez's nationalization drive. "This is the true
nationalization
of our natural resources," Chavez said.
Bahamas to get its own AIDS lab
NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS): Curry House, a historic
three-storey building in Nassau, Bahamas, is being
redesigned
to serve as a HIV laboratory and training
centre, Dr Bernard Nottage said. With assistance from
the Clinton Foundation,
a three-year plan on HIV/AIDS
has been developed.
BVI government receives final draft of proposed new constitution
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister Dr Orlando Smith
said, as head of the British Virgin Islands
Constitutional Negotiating
Team, he is pleased to
announce that, after months of negotiations and talks
with the British Government, they have
received the
final draft of a new Constitution.
Castro's recovery dampens opposition hope
HAVANA, Cuba (UPI): After nine months of grave
illness, Cuban President Fidel Castro is making a
comeback, much
to the dismay of would-be
reformers. Castro is now believed to be blocking
moves that would give Cubans the ability
to open
small businesses.
Guyana's president appeals for unity in trade union movement
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): President Bharrat
Jagdeo joined workers at several venues in Guyana to
observe the
annual May Day celebrations held under
the theme "Let Us Build on Success and Continue
Our Progress". The President's
first stop was the
National Insurance Scheme sport ground.
UN congratulates Haiti on elections
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (UPI): UN officials in Haiti
congratulated the country Monday on conducting
successful
local, state and legislative elections.
Edmond Mulet said he wanted to recognize "the
excellent collaboration" between
the United Nations
peacekeeping force and the country's electoral council.
Jamaica Diaspora Foundation closer to reality
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): The establishment of the
proposed Jamaican Diaspora Foundation is a step
closer to reality,
as the Articles of Incorporation to form
the Foundation have been drawn up and is being
reviewed by the government.
The Foundation will be
located on the Mona campus of UWI.
Puerto Rico governor proposes spending cuts for 2008 budget
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Bloomberg) : Puerto Rico
Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila has proposed a $9.23
billion budget
for fiscal 2008 that would cut spending
for a second consecutive year. Acevedo Vila called for
reducing expenditures
by $261 million, or more than 2
percent, in the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Vermiculture: the latest thrust in agriculture on Nevis
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: The Department of
Agriculture on Nevis is determined to move forward
with its thrust towards
the use of vermiculture to
maximise the benefits from organically produced
foods and to ensure sustainability, which
an
agriculture official on Nevis said was a simple
technology anyone could adopt.
Land distribution and housing policies in St Kitts-Nevis to be overhauled
BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The government of St Kitts
and Nevis has announced a plan to overhaul its land
distribution
and housing policy in a manner that it
says would empower nationals. Minister of State for
Information and Technology
Nigel Carty unveiled the
new plan.
Trinidad moves to deal with food problems
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The Trinidad and Tobago
government is moving to deal with high food prices
and a shortage
of some food items in the country. The
government now plans to import cheap food from
around the region and to effect
special duties charges
on some items.
Officials from Colombia's anti-kidnapping unit visit Trinidad
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Two senior officials from
the Specialised Anti-Kidnapping Unit of Colombia,
which is
known by the acronym Gaula, are now on a
visit to Trinidad and Tobago. The Colombian unit is in
the country to review
operations of the Trinidad and
Tobago Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
Natonal health insurance scheme for Turks and Caicos
GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands: Deputy
Premier and Minister of Finance, Floyd Hall has
announced that plans
for the construction of two state-
of -the-art hospitals in Grand Turk and Providenciales
in the Turks and Caicos Islands
are well underway.
Hall noted that construction of the two hospitals
should begin shortly.
More needed for region's poor, says OAS assistant secretary general
WASHINGTON, USA: The Organization of American
States' (OAS) Assistant Secretary General, Albert R.
Ramdin, has
renewed the call for stronger public
policies and more investment to boost education and
job opportunities and provide
basic amenities for the
hemisphere's most disadvantaged citizens.
Commentary: Quality management: A tool for breaking environmental abuse
Astronomers have discovered a planet, named 581c,
outside our solar system, which researchers say is
potentially
habitable because of its earth-like
temperatures. It is about 120 trillion miles away and
orbits a "red dwarf, " which
is a smaller, cooler and
dimmer version to our sun.
Letter: In response to Mr Powell
As a regular reader of your online editions, I have just
discovered the following and wanted to respond with
an
alternate view. I grow tired of hearing of
the 'oppression' of persons of African descent,
especially from those who
have achieved educational
and careeer success.
Venezuelan boxer tipped to stay undefeated
TOKYO, Japan (AFP): Venezuela's World Boxing
Association super featherweight champion Edwin
Valero is favoured
to remain undefeated when he
takes on Japanese challenger Nobuhito Honmo this
week. The 25-year-old Valero, the defending
champion, has won 21 out of 21 bouts, all of them
knockout victories.
Woolmer poisoned then strangled, says TV programme
LONDON, England (Reuters): Pakistan cricket coach
Bob Woolmer, who was murdered in Jamaica during
the World Cup
more than a month ago, was poisoned
before being strangled, a BBC documentary said on
Monday. Police in Jamaica have
not yet made any
arrests in connection with Woolmer's death,
Venezuela says it will quit IMF, World Bank
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuela's
President Hugo Chavez said on Monday the OPEC
nation will withdraw
from the Washington-based
international multilateral lending organizations, the
IMF and World Bank.
Cubans unsure Castro will appear, resume governing
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cubans prepared on
Monday for massive May Day workers' parades
unsure whether Fidel Castro
would resume governing
the country with his first public appearance since
falling seriously ill nine months ago. It
would be the
first time in four decades that Castro has missed the
Workers' Day rally
British peer commissions Caribbean advertising campaign to counter proposed resumption of whaling
LONDON, England: Lord Ashcroft KCMG has
commissioned an unprecedented television
advertising campaign, which
he hopes will persuade
six small Caribbean nations not to back Japanese-
inspired plans to overturn the ban on commercial
whale hunting. Ashcroft has devised and funded the
US$500,000 campaign.
Visas must remain current to enter the British Virgin Islands
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Nationals of the 90 countries
including five from the Caribbean who must have a
visa to enter
the British Virgin Islands, and who are
already residing in the Territory, are being reminded
that their visas should
be current at all times.
US seeks to bar anti-Castro extremist speaking of CIA ties
MIAMI, USA (AFP): The US government is seeking to
bar former CIA agent Luis Posada Carriles, who is
wanted in
Venezuela and Cuba for the downing of an
airliner, from talking about his links with the agency
when he goes on trial
in May.
Jamaica's opposition leader offers to join with PM on family life issues
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Jamaica's Opposition
Leader, Bruce Golding has offered to join with Prime
Minister Portia
Simpson Miller to address the issue of
family life and the restoration of traditional values. He
argued that the society
could not ignore the threat to
social order and that this had to be confronted.
Montserrat to host prison conference
BRADES, Montserrat: Montserrat will host a
Conference for Chairman of Prison Visiting
Committees from Britain's
Overseas Territories from
May 8 to 10, 2007. Delegates are expected from five
Overseas Territories, namely, Anguilla,
Bermuda,
British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos and the
Cayman Islands.
Puerto Rico bank pins financial survival on private-equity talks
NEW YORK, USA (Bloomberg): Doral Financial Corp.,
a Puerto Rico-based bank, said it may be forced out of
business
unless talks with a private-equity firm result
in a cash infusion of at least $700 million.
Suriname rejects Taiwan's request for diplomatic relations
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Suriname has rejected a
formal request from Taiwan to enter into diplomatic
relations,
a government official here has confirmed.
Foreign Affairs minister Lygia Kraag-Keteldijk told 'de
Ware Tijd' newspaper
that she received a request
from the Taiwanese government, which was
subsequently turned down.
Suriname and Guyana call for greater access to international rice market
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: The Suriname government
and Guyana insist on a free and fair international rice
trade in
which rice producing countries in CARICOM
have better access to international markets, it
emerged here during the
annual meeting of the Joint
Working Party on Rice (JWP).
Chavez, allies wrap up summit with promises of cooperation
BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela (AFP): Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez and his Latin American allies
wrapped up their
summit here late Sunday with
promises of closer economic integration after
Venezuela offered its leftist friends guarantees
of
cheap energy supplies. Chavez and his guests
signed a series of agreements
Venezuela hikes minimum wage 20 percent to mark May Day
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuela raised the
minimum wage 20 percent to mark May Day despite
failing to
tame Latin America's highest inflation in an
economy driven by strong oil prices and government
spending.
Health sector scores for CWC 2007
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Much has been written and
said about the nine Caribbean host countries' gains
and losses
from staging Cricket World Cup (CWC)
2007. But while there are disappointments, the
enhancement of the health sector
and the inter country
collaboration built into the response system have
been widely hailed among CWC's enduring legacies.
OAS makes progress on rights of indig
