Tropical storm kicks off Atlantic hurricane season
MIAMI, USA (Reuters): A tropical storm bearing down
on Florida formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday, just
in
time for the official June 1 start of the Atlantic
hurricane season. The Miami-based National
Hurricane Center said
Tropical Storm Barry was 235
miles west of Key West, Florida, at about 5:30 p.m. on
Friday.
Castro practically recovered: Cuba's Alarcon
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): Cuban leader Fidel Castro
has nearly recovered from intestinal surgery, the third-
most
powerful man in Cuba said in an interview with
CNN, without mentioning whether Castro would return
to the presidency.
"He still has to continue a very strict
regime of exercising, rehabilitation," said Alarcon.
Lula tells Chavez to mind his own business
BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP): President Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva Friday told Venezuela's Hugo Chavez to mind his
own
business, after Chavez called Brazilian
lawmakers US lackeys for criticizing his decision to
shut down an opposition
TV station. Ratcheting up the
pressure, Lula asked his foreign ministry...
Switzerland extends freeze on ex-Haitian dictators assets
GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP): Switzerland decided on
Friday to extend a freeze on some 7.6 million Swiss
francs
(4.6 million euros, 6.2 million dollars) held by
Haiti's former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier in Swiss
banks, a government
spokesman said.
No new taxes in 2007-08 Budget, says Bahamas government
NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS): The Free National
Movement Government has assured the Bahamian
people that there will
be no new taxes, neither
increases in existing taxes in the 2007-2008 Budget.
The Budget was presented in the House
of Assembly
on Wednesday, with a marathon debate expected on
Tuesday, June 5.
Spain, US agree to work more closely on Cuba
MADRID, Spain (AFP): Spain and the United States
will work more closely together to encourage
democracy in Cuba,
despite conflicting approaches to
the communist state, US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice said Friday. Washington
has a
policy of isolating Cuba and ailing President Fidel
Castro.
Vietnamese leader kicks off three-day visit to Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Vietnamese leader Nong Duc
Manh began a three day visit to Cuba Friday to meet
with interim
president Raul Castro and other officials,
and possibly to sign an oil exploration agreement,
officials said. The
official agenda for Manh's visit
states he will be signing a series of agreements with
Cuba.
Dominica and South Africa desire broader cooperation
ROSEAU, Dominica: The Commonwealth of Dominica
and the Republic of South Africa have both expressed
the need
for cooperation on a broader range of issues.
Online training comes to Grenada
ST GEORGE'S Grenada: The Grenada leg of an
Advance Negotiations course will be officially launch
on Wednesday
June 6, at the Red Cross Conference
Room. The programme, which is an initiative of the
United National Development
Program (UNDP), will
involve one hundred Grenadians in online training
Counterpart supplies pharmaceuticals to 9,200 Haitians
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: With a generous donation of
US$10,000 from the Community of Christ, Counterpart
International
has procured more than a million dollars
worth of pharmaceuticals in partnership with
Medicines for Humanity and airlifted
them to Haiti for
use in clinics run by the United Nations and Doctors
Without Borders.
Haiti makes biggest cocaine bust in over a decade
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters): Haiti has seized
925 pounds (420 kg) of cocaine in the impoverished
country's
biggest drug bust in more than a decade,
authorities said on Friday.
Montserrat breaks ground for new broadcasting facility
BRADES, Montserrat: Acting Chief Minister Idabelle
Meade led a special ceremony to signal the start of
construction
of state of the art broadcasting facilities
on Montserrat. The ground breaking ceremony took
place at the site in
St. Peters, identified for the building
of a new home to house Radio Montserrat,
Caribbean Development Bank gives St Kitts-Nevis good economic report
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM): Economic growth in
St Kitts and Nevis rose slightly in 2006 to 4.4 percent
from
4.1 percent in 2005, driven mainly by a surge in
construction, strong gains in agricultural and
manufacturing output,
and continued growth in
tourism and related services.
Venezuela row over TV shutdown spills to Internet
MIAMI, USA (AFP): While thousands of Venezuelans
demonstrate in Caracas against the government
shutdown of opposition
RCTV, TV and radio
operators, pro- and anti-government bloggers have
taken their fight to the Internet.
US, Spain demand Venezuela lift TV station ban
MADRID, Spain (Reuters): The United States and
Spain demanded on Friday that Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez
reopen an anti-government television
station he banned and accused him of repressing
free speech.
Caribbean Insurance Fund launched in time for hurricane season
KINGSTON, Jamaica: The world's first ever regional
insurance resource, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk
Insurance
Facility (CCRIF) was launched June 1. The
CCRIF provides participating Caribbean governments
with immediate access
to liquidity if hit by a hurricane
or earthquake.
Commentary: The Greater Caribbean This Week: Redimensioning the rum dialogue in the greater Caribbean
As outlined in Article III of the Convention Establishing
the ACS, one of the objectives of the Association of
Caribbean
States (ACS) is to harness the collective
capabilities of its Members in its different areas, as
well as consultation,
co-operation and concerted
action.
Commentary: A new president of the world's bank or the World Bank?
US President George W Bush has nominated Robert
Zoellick to replace Paul Wolfowitz as the President of
the World
Bank. His endorsement by the Board of the
Bank is likely to be effortless. Since the creation of the
World Bank and
the International Monetary Fund (IMF),
the convention has developed that the managing
director...
Letter: Regarding Natalee Holloway, please write also about Rebecca Middleton
I like what you wrote about the Natalee Holloway in
Aruba by Dan McGee. I just hope you will give at least
equal
coverage to happened to 16 year old Canasian
tourist, the late Rebecca Middleton in 1996 in
Bermuda.
Travellers from BVI to Jamaica now need visas
ROAD TOWN, BVI: People in the British Virgin Islands
wishing to travel to Jamaica must have a visa with
effect
from Friday. The Government of the BVI was
notified by the Government of Jamaica this week that a
visa regime for
BVIslanders travelling to Jamaica will
take effect on June 1.
War on crime will take multi-dimensional approach, says Bahamas minister
NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS): Bahamas Minister of
National Security 'Tommy' Turnquest said this week
that crime is the
"single most important" challenge
facing the Caribbean region and that governments,
citizens and law enforcement officials
must work
together to arrest this "scourge of crime"
Suriname ratifies European convention on prisoner transfers
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: In a unanimous vote,
Suriname's parliament has ratified the European
Convention on the
transfer of sentenced persons,
allowing foreign prisoners to serve sentences in their
homelands.
Venezuelans gearing up for more protests over TV shutdown
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Thousands of pro- and
anti-government protesters were planning massive
street marches
around the country later this week over
President Hugo Chavez's decision to close an
opposition TV station.
Belize forest hit by warming struggles to survive
MOUNTAIN PINE RIDGE FOREST, Belize (Reuters): A
once-majestic pine forest in Belize is struggling to
recover
from a devastating plague of beetles that
scientists say was caused by climate change. Tiny
pine beetles destroyed
up to 80 percent, or close to
70,000 acres, of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest.
Smoking ban in BVI to be enforced
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Minister for Health and Social
Development Ronnie Skelton has told people in the
British Virgin
Islands of the regulations to mark the
coming into force of the Territory's new Tobacco
Products Control Regulation.
US NBC news show to broadcast from Cuba
NEW YORK, USA (AFP): The US NBC television
network said Thursday it got Havana's permission
after 18 months of
talks to broadcast its
popular "Today" news morning show from Cuba. "It's
always timely to go to Cuba. There's always
news
there," said Jim Bell, executive producer of the news
program starring Matt Lauer.
Washington hopes Spain will help bring democracy to Cuba, says official
MADRID, Spain (AFP): The United States hopes that
Spain will use its influence over Cuba to help bring
democracy
to the communist Caribbean island, a
senior US official said Thursday in a newspaper
interview.
Community tourism projects to be showcased in Dominica
ROSEAU, Dominica: A number of community tourism
projects in various parts of the island will be
showcased and
unveiled by the Ministry of Tourism,
Industry and Private Sector Relations during a Press
Tour starting in Grand Bay
and culminating in
Calibishie.
Guyana government sees Digicel's BlackBerry service as key to national security
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Home Affairs Minister,
Clement Rohee has challenged Digicel and the
makers of BlackBerry,
Research In Motion (RIM), to
engage in a partnership with Government to enhance
national security. The challenge was
thrown out
during a VIP party on Tuesday evening,
Guyana president to address US-Caribbean conference
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) Secretariat here said that Guyana's
President Bharrat Jagdeo,
the head of government
with lead responsibility for agriculture in CARICOM,
will deliver the feature address at the
opening session
of the historic Conference on the Caribbean.
More charter flights from Europe to Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica: In recent years, the number of
European visitors arriving in Jamaica by charter flights
has
continued to show a steady increase. In the three
months to the end of March this year, 40 per cent of
Jamaica's European
visitors arrived via charter flights
rather than regular scheduled airline flights.
Montserrat's chief minister appointed CDB alternate governor
BRADES, Montserrat: Montserrat's Chief Minister, Dr
Lowell Lewis, has been appointedto the position of
Alternate
Governor on the Board of Governors of the
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and has
revealed plans to utilise his attendance
to acquire
financial assistance for the country.
USVI governor submits first fiscal budget
ST THOMAS, USVI: Governor John deJongh this week
submitted the Fiscal Year 2008 budget for the
Executive Branch
in accordance with provisions of the
Revised Organic Act of 1954. The balanced spending
plan totaling $799.2 million
dollars was presented to
the Legislature during a meeting with the Governor.
US issues travel warning over Venezuela demonstrations
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The US State Department
Thursday issued a travel warning for Venezuela,
urging US citizens
to avoid the danger posed by
ongoing demonstrations there over the shutdown of
an opposition TV station.
Commentary: Another whitewash, or is it? And why ignore Curacao?
Natalee Holloway. It's a name that hangs like a cloud
over the island of Aruba. Her disappearance two years
ago
has given both the island and its Ministry of
Justice a black mark. Finally, after being on the
sidelines for most
of the past year-and-a-half,
authorities from the Netherlands have acted.
Digicel challenges competitor to substantiate market claims
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Caribbean mobile operator
Digicel Group, and new entrant to Central America,
has raised concerns
over competitor Cable &
Wireless' recent End of Financial Year (March 31,
2007) claims with regard to C&W's
market share in
the region.
American Eagle to launch new service from St Lucia to Barbados
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: American Eagle, the regional
affiliate of American Airlines, continues to grow its
service
in the Caribbean with a new inter-island flight
between St Lucia and Barbados beginning
September 5. The flight will
operate each Wednesday,
Thursday and Saturday using 64-seat Super ATR
aircraft.
Commentary: Chávez wielding absolutely-corrupt power with impunity
No one should be surprised that Venezuelan
President (for life) Hugo Chávez is a bullying, thin-
skinned megalomaniac
for whom freedom of
expression is tantamount to anarchy. Nor should
anyone be shocked, shocked that he's hell-bent
on
squashing any political opinion that challenges his
Castro-inspired quest,
Letter: Regarding "Rethinking Cuba"
The article "Rethinking Cuba" written by Laura Wayne
was inspiritional to some extent. It caused me to
ponder
the question: What is worse at distorting
reality? Miami sunglasses or the myopia caused by a
ideological agenda.
Swiss court thwarts Haitian ex-dictator's bid to recover account
GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP): A Swiss court has issued
an injunction preventing Haiti's former dictator Jean-
Claude
Duvalier from recovering some of the 7.6
million Swiss francs (4.6 million euros, 6.2 million
dollars) held in frozen
bank accounts here, lawyers
said on Wednesday.
For Puerto Rico, a deal on status is in the pipeline
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The US Congress is likely
to act within weeks on the long-controversial status of
the
US territory of Puerto Rico, pushing the Caribbean
islands of four million people toward either
independence or becoming
a US state, lawmakers
said.
Board faults repairs, FAA in 2005 Bahamas-bound plane crash
WASHINGTON, USA (Bloomberg): A seaplane crash
near Miami in December 2005 that killed all 20 people
on board
when the right wing fell off resulted from
poor maintenance and faulty oversight by the Federal
Aviation Administration,
a US safety board said. The
58-year-old Grumman Turbo Mallard plane crashed...
Caracas students seek release of jailed protestors
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Hundreds of students
marched for 182 minutes in Caracas Wednesday to
demand the release
of 182 people arrested this week
while protesting President Hugo Chavez's decision to
close an opposition TV station.
RCTV has been
broadcasting for 53 years and until its shutdown
midnight Sunday.
Cuba offers more assistance to OECS countries
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM): Cuba has
reaffirmed its strong commitment to building
economic, social and cultural
ties with the nations of
the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States
(OECS). This affirmation has come from Cuba's
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Felipe Perez and his
delegation.
Spanish PM to discuss differences over Cuba with Rice
MADRID, Spain (AFP): Spain's Socialist Prime Minister
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said Wednesday that
he will
discuss differences with Washington over
Cuba when he meets with US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice later this
week. Rice criticized
Madrid's policy of constructive engagement with Cuba,
US laughs off charge that Bush wanted Castro killed
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The White House reacted
with laughter on Wednesday to Cuban leader Fidel
Castro's accusation
that President George W. Bush
had sought to have him killed. "Oh, my goodness,"
replied White House spokesman Tony
Snow, when
questioned about an article released on Monday.
Cuba hosts talk on evils of cultural globalization
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuba next month will host a
meeting of experts from 39 countries on how best to
promote cultural
diversity over cultural globalization,
Cuba's Deputy Minister of Culture Rafael Bernal said
Wednesday.
Castro urges G8 to press Bush on climate change
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Convalescing Cuban leader
Fidel Castro is urging industrialized nations to press
US President
George W. Bush to say what he really
thinks about climate change at a summit next week.
Castro said it appeared "very
difficult" for Europeans
and Americans to nail down an agreement on climate
change.
Cost of air travel in region needs addressing, says Dominica PM
ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominica's Prime Minister and
new Chairman of the OECS Authority, Roosevelt
Skerrit has called
for the matter of the cost of air travel
within the region to be addressed as a "matter of
urgency". Skerrit made
the remarks at the opening of
the 45th Meeting of the OECS Authority in Grenada.
Dominica man sentenced for daughter's manslaughter
ROSEAU, Dominica: A Roseau man has been
sentenced to two years' imprisonment at the State
Prison for the death
of his nine-year old daughter
Renee Xavier in 2004. Oliver Xavier was originally
charged for murder in October 2004,
but later pleaded
guilty to manslaughter; a lesser charge.
Pirates under attack in Dominica
ROSEAU, Dominica: A Roseau man has pleaded not
guilty to six separate charges of illegal reproduction
and sale
of the unreleased "Pressure" album from the
Triple Kay Band. Businessman, Richie Andrew, who
was arrested on Tuesday,
is on bond of EC$20,000,
while the investigation is still ongoing.
Letter: Selling homosexuality and prostitution to Guyana
What is the price of vigilance? Some would say too
high, but Ronald Reagan would disagree. Christian
that he
was, and being more than anyone responsible
for bringing an empire of repression and semi-slavery
to its knees in
this last century, he once put it this
way: "Evil cannot thrive when good people are
unafraid".
CARICOM agriculture requires new finance, says Guyana's president
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: If the agricultural sectors of
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are to
remain viable
amidst reformations to longstanding
preferential arrangements and other emerging
threats, then the injection of new
and added finance
into the Region's agriculture is necessary.
A new chapter on the rebirth of Montserrat
LITTLE BAY, Montserrat: The people of Montserrat, a
country rich in tradition and fine arts, have celebrated
another
milestone on the road to the rebirth of their
cultural core. The long awaited Montserrat Cultural
Centre opened its
doors on May 12, 2007.
Nevis trade minister calls for a new enterprise culture
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Minister of Trade in the Nevis
Island Administration (NIA) Hensley Daniel is of the
view
that a new enterprise culture should be nurtured
in St Kitts and Nevis. He said at present there was a
psychological
block to enterprise development among
many local people, particularly black people,
US companies to establish second gold mine in Suriname
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: US mining companies
Newmont and Alcoa are negotiating with the
Suriname authorities to
establish a goldmine in
Suriname, company and government officials here
disclosed. Surgold NV, a joint-venture company
of
Newmont, and Alcoa will submit an application for a
gold production contract.
Trinidad climate change conference to focus on new opportunities for the Caribbean
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: "Climate change is rapidly
moving up the international agenda. Politicians
globally
recognise that as the debate shifts its focus to
environmental security, opportunities will emerge in
regions such
as the Caribbean to encourage
international support for new policies."
Letter: The best by far?
To respond to the front page Barbados Daily Nation
article headlined 'The Best by Far' by Roy Morris dated
28th
May 2007. 'Stating repeatedly he would not back
down from his assessment that CWC represented
Barbados finest hour',
Lynch noted that 63,480 long-
stay visitors were on the island in April,
Antigua-Barbuda supports St Vincent on whaling
ANCHORAGE, Alaska: Antigua and Barbuda along
with other Eastern Caribbean islands reiterated their
support for
St Vincent and the Grenadines' request for
its 2008 to 2012 quota of Humpback whales.
Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada,
St Vincent and the
Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and
Barbuda expressed support.
Four army officers held on weapons theft charges in Suriname
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Military Police in Suriname
have arrested four army officers on weapons theft
charges,
the Surinamese National Army (SNL), said in
a press release Monday. The officers were arrested
after seven hand grenades
were unaccounted for at
the army post in Stoelmanseiland.
Haitians try to stop ex-dictator from reclaiming frozen funds
GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP): Two Haitians on Tuesday
lodged a bid in a Swiss court to prevent former dictator
Jean-Claude
Duvalier from recovering some 7.6
million Swiss francs (4.6 million euros) from frozen
bank accounts. The money held
in Swiss bank
accounts had been blocked at the request of Haiti's
new government.
Rice criticises Spain over Cuba policy
BERLIN, Germany (Reuters): US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice criticised Spain for its dealings with
Cuba
and said she would press Spanish officials on
the issue in Madrid this week. After several years of
tense relations
with Spain, Rice is set to make her
first visit as the top US diplomat to Madrid on Friday.
Castro accuses Bush of seeking his death
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuban leader Fidel Castro
accused US President George W. Bush of wanting to
have him killed
in an article released Monday, the
most recent in a series of pieces written while
recuperating from surgery.
Castro recovering well after 'risky' period, says Cuban official
BOGOTA, Columbia (AFP): Cuban President Fidel
Castro is recovering well after having passed through
a "risky"
period following surgery 10 months ago, the
head of the country's parliament said in a television
interview. "I can
assure you that he has recovered a lot
and is progressing well," Ricardo Alarcon said.
Youth and agriculture should be given focus, says Dominica's PM
ROSEAU, Dominica: Youth and agriculture
development should be given greater focus in the
business of the Organisation
of Eastern Caribbean
States (OECS) in the coming year. That view was
expressed by Dominica's Prime Minister, Roosevelt
Skerrit,
Jamaica health minister dismisses concern about funds
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaica's Minister of Health,
Horace Dalley has dismissed concerns that the
Government cannot
afford to provide the funds
necessary for the Bustamante Hospital for Children, in
light of the implementation of
the new health care
policy for 18 year olds and under.
Puerto Rico and OECS to forge closer relationship
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM): The
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the member
nations of the Organisation of Eastern
Caribbean
States (OECS) have agreed to strengthen their
relationship. OECS leaders held a very productive
meeting
with the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico,
Fernando Bonilla.
Trinidad gas company and British Gas sign billion-dollar deal
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago 's
National Gas Company (NGC) has signed a US$2
billion agreement
with British Gas-Chevron, for the
supply of 220 million metric cubic feet of gas per day.
Indian official visits Trinidad
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The Minister of Overseas
Indian Affairs from the Republic of India, Vayalar Ravi,
is
in Trinidad for an official visit. Ravi's visit is for the
Indian Arrival Day celebrations in Trinidad.
USVI colonel deployed to Afganistan
ST CROIX, USVI: Colonel Eddy L. Charles, former
Virgin Islands National Guard Adjutant General, was
deployed
for a 400-day tour of duty to serve as the
senior advisor and mentor to the Afghan National
Police and National Security
Force. According to VI
National Guard sources there is a high demand for
military police.
Chile defends freedom of expression in Venezuela TV row
HELSINKI, Finland (AFP): Chilean President Michelle
Bachelet on Tuesday defended the principle of
freedom of
expression after Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez shut down an anti-government
television station. "For Chile, freedom
of expression is
the golden rule, given our political history," Bachelet
told reporters in Finland.
US calls on Venezuela's Chavez to reverse television closure
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The United States called
on Venezuela's leftist president, Hugo Chavez,
Tuesday to reverse
his decision to close the country's
oldest television station, the openly anti-government
Radio Caracas Television
(RCTV) network.
Chavez defends shutting down RCTV, ridicules protesters
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Lashing out at
the "capitalist" values broadcast by Radio Caracas
Television
(RCTV), Venezuela's firebrand President
Hugo Chavez on Tuesday vigorously defended his
decision to close a TV
station that openly opposed his
government, and ridiculed demonstrators who
protested the move.
New ministers to attend OAS General Assembly
PANAMA CITY, Panama: Assistant Secretary General
Albert R. Ramdin of the Organization of American
States (OAS)
arrived in Panama Tuesday, ahead of
the formal start of the 37th Regular Session of the
OAS General Assembly. Ramdin
said he was very
much looking forward to a successful conference.
OECS Tourism Ministers to hold talks in Grenada
CASTRIES, St Lucia: The impact of HIV/AIDS on the
OECS' Tourism Sector will be among the major items
on the agenda
of OECS Tourism Ministers as they
meet in Grenada this week. The 5th meeting of the
OECS Council of Tourism Ministers
from May 31 -
June 1, 2007 is booked for the Grenadian by Rex
Resorts.
OECS heads approve new treaty; agree on public education campaign
CASTRIES, St Lucia: OECS Heads of Government
meeting gave their approval to a draft treaty on OECS
Economic Union
- a move expected to pave the way
for the creation of a single economic space among
the islands in the sub-region.
They also agreed to
immediately begin an intensive process of public
education.
Virgin Atlantic adds Jamaica flights, code-sharing
LONDON, England (Bloomberg): Virgin Atlantic
Airways, the UK airline controlled by billionaire
Richard Branson,
will double flights between London
and Jamaica after the Caribbean country's national
carrier decided to stop flying
to the UK.
Commentary: Law and Politics: The calm after the storm!
After all the hectic buildup to the CWC 2007 that took
place in the nine pre-selected venue states in the
region,
it seems that the only issue still deserving of
comments and attention, is the mystery surrounding
Bob Woolmer's death
in Kingston Jamaica on March
18 after Pakistan was beaten by Ireland.
Letter: Building a dictatorship of relativism
Recently, Pope Benedict XVI was in Brazil reaffirming
the same crucial message he stressed on the eve of
his
election to the papacy in April 2005. At that time the
Pope spoke of an insidious trend that is threatening
society.
West Indies places up for grabs says Moore
LEEDS, England (AFP): West Indies coach David
Moore said there "will certainly be questions asked on
both the
batting and bowling side" after what the
Australian described as his team's "ugly" innings and
283 run second Test
defeat against England here at
Headingley.
West Indies suffer grievous blow as Sarwan out of England tour
LEEDS, England (AFP): West Indies captain
Ramnaresh Sarwan was ruled out on Tuesday of the
remainder of his side's
Test and one-day series in
England after injuring his shoulder in the second Test
at Headingley, tour manager Michael
Findlay
announced. Sarwan injured himself while chasing a
ball to the boundary.
Powell starts with world-leading time in Belgrade
BELGRADE, Serbia: World 100m record holder Asafa
Powell of Jamaica declared himself fit after producing
a world-leading
9.97 seconds to win his 2007 debut
100m dash to highlight the second Artur Takac
Memorial in the Serbian capital on
Tuesday.
Reporters held at gunpoint in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: For the third time in less
than five years, Guyana's leading newspaper,
Kaieteur News, came
under attack from gunmen.
According to police, two men invaded the editorial
department shortly after noon on Friday
and held
several reporters at gunpoint including, Editor-in-
Chief, Adam Harris.
Venezuela sues CNN for linking Chavez to Al-Qaeda
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Venezuela filed lawsuits
Monday against US cable network CNN for linking
President
Hugo Chavez to Al-Qaeda, and against a
Venezuelan TV network for encouraging Chavez's
assassination.
Castro calls Bush 'apocalyptic,' slams US war policy
HAVANA, Cuba (Bloomberg): Cuban President Fidel
Castro has branded George W. Bush "apocalyptic,"
criticising
his Iraq war policy a day after Bush signed
legislation that includes almost $100 billion in
emergency spending for
the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. "Bush is an apocalyptic person," Castro
wrote.
Bring to finality the creation of the single market, says Dominica minister
ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominica's Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Trade and Labour and new Chairman of the
Council for
Trade and Economic Development
(COTED), Charles Savarin, has urged his colleague
ministers of the imperative "to bring
to finality the
creation of the Single Market so that we may reap the
benefits."
Magazine slams US for enforcing Cuban cigar ban
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cigar Aficionado, the glossy
magazine for lovers of expensive cigars, criticized the
US
Treasury Department for continuing to spend
federal funds chasing people for buying Cuban cigars.
Cocaine running jeopardizes what's left of Haiti
JEREMIE, Haiti (AFP): The mention of its name closes
mouths and diverts eyes, but cocaine is everywhere in
Haiti,
an unstable society exploited by traffickers eager
to move their illegal merchandise to the United States.
Jamaica offers its youngest free health care
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters): Jamaica began
offering its youngest citizens free health care on
Monday under a
plan unveiled three weeks ago by
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. Under the
program, Jamaicans aged 18 and under
are to be
treated free of charge at all the Caribbean island's
public hospitals and clinics.
St Lucia commemorates African Liberation Day
CASTRIES, St Lucia: Universally, African Liberation
Day (ALD) has been celebrated on May 25, every year,
since
1963. St Lucia is no exception when it comes to
commemorating African Liberation Day.
President Venetiaan visits flooded areas in Suriname
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: President Ronald Venetiaan
over the weekend visited several communities
affected by serious
flooding, including his home
village Vierkinderen, in the Para district. The hundreds
residents refused to accept
the president's offer to be
evacuated as water levels were as high as 3 feet.
Suriname signs adjusted PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: The Suriname government
has signed an adapted PetroCaribe oil deal with
Venezuela, a government
official here disclosed.
Energy minister Gregory Rusland signed the
agreement last week in Caracas after adjustments
were made to meet the requirements of the Venetiaan
administration.
EU presidency condemns closure of Venezuelan channel
BERLIN, Germany (AFP): The German presidency of
the European Union on Monday criticised the closure
of Venezuela's
oldest TV network after President Hugo
Chavez refused to renew its licence.
CARICOM and Cuba to sign historic health agreement
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) and Cuba will sign an agreement this
week in St. Vincent
and the Grenadines for Scientific
and Technical Collaboration in the Health Sector.
Commentary: Sustainable tourism and the new Caribbean consciousness
CAYMAN ISLANDS: From one tourism conference to
the other, I am becoming more convinced that
sustainable tourism
is more than a pair of buzzwords.
Failure to encourage development that is balanced,
sensible and smart will result
in an inverted model of
development that would benefit the rich nations.
Grenada needs a strong workforce
We can all agree that Grenada needs a skilled
workforce. Much investment is needed in production
techniques and
to improve our fledgling industries. I
am encouraged that Venezuela is willing to have
closer cooperation with Grenada
in terms of trade,
training and skills.
The truth about RCTV
In recent weeks a number of press articles have
claimed that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is
closing down
the TV station RCTV and that this is a
sign of increasing censorship and restrictions to the
freedom of expression
in Venezuela.
England inflict West Indies' record Test defeat
LEEDS, England (AFP): England inflicted West Indies'
worst Test defeat of all time, breaking a 50-year-old
record,
as they won the second Test by an innings
and 283 runs to go 1-0 up in the four-match series
with more than a day
to spare at Headingley here
Monday.
West Indies Coach confirms Sarwan could miss rest of series
LEEDS, England: West Indies coach David Moore
believes the team captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is a
major doubt for
the rest of the four Test series against
England. The Guyanese middle-order batsman
suffered an injury to his right
acromioclavicular joint
during the second Test match against England.
Bolt sizzled to 19.96 seconds half-lap win in Trinidad
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Jamaica's World Junior
record holder Usain Bolt became the third sprinter this
season
to run under 20-seconds in the 200-metres,
following his sizzling 19.96 seconds effort to win the
event at the Hampton
International Games at the
Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, at
the weekend.
Powell ready for fast return in Belgrade
BELGRADE, Serbia: Asafa Powell will finally make his
long awaited international debut, as he is set to run in
the
men's 100-metre dash at the Artur Takac
Memorial in the Serbian capital of Belgrade on
Tuesday. Powell, the Jamaican
World record holder,
heads a strong field of contestants.
