Top US official heading to Caribbean
WASHINGTON, USA (UPI): The US State
Department's top official on Latin America has
promised Caribbean leaders
he would be in the
region in coming months. Thomas Shannon told
leaders from 15 Caribbean nations of his plans,
following
meetings in Washington.
Cuba says no talks with EU until sanctions dropped
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): Cuba's communist
government has rejected calls from the European
Union for negotiations
to improve relations on Friday
and said talks can only happen when the EU scraps
sanctions imposed on the island in
2003. Cuba also
sent a stern warning to the EU.
Venezuela says some oil majors reject takeovers
CARACAS, Venezuela(Reuters): Some oil majors
have rejected Venezuela's terms for the takeover of
their multi-billion
dollar projects and can leave the
OPEC nation, President Hugo Chavez said on Friday,
days before a deadline for them
to strike
nationalization deals.
OAS committed to a strengthened hemispheric commission of women
WASHINGTON, USA: The Organization of American
States remains very committed to a strengthened Inter-
American
Commission of Women that will carry out its
mandate in an even more effective manner. That was
the focus of discussions
held between OAS Secretary
General José Miguel Insulza and CIM President ,
Cuba approves oil exploration request
LONDON, England (Bloomberg): Gold Oil Plc shares
had their biggest gain in 10 months after the UK
company said
Cuba's National Office of Mineral
Resources gave it permission to explore for oil and
gas. Gold Oil has been given
permission to run
exploration wells "both onshore and in the territorial
waters offshore Cuba."
Dominica and Costa Rica explore areas of deeper cooperation
ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominica is seeking to broaden
its bilateral relations with Costa Rica by exploring
cooperation
in the areas of Tourism, Sustainable
Agriculture, Renewable Energy, Housing and Agro-
Processing. This information
was revealed by
Dominica's first Non-Resident Ambassador to Costa
Rica.
Premier thanks Taiwan for supporting Nevis
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Premier of Nevis, Joseph
Parry, has expressed gratitude to the government of
Taiwan on behalf
of the people of Nevis, for its
continued financial support and investment in the
development of Nevis. Ambassador
Liu commended
Premier Parry for his dynamic leadership.
St Lucia receives new medical equipment
CASTRIES, St Lucia: The Victoria Hospital in St Lucia
will be presented with new ophthalmic equipment
from the
regional and other partners of the Saint Lucia
Blind Welfare Association (SLBWA) as a result of the
government signing
a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Association in 2004.
Commentary: Time for a single Caribbean dollar
Serious attention has to be given to the creation of a
single currency by the countries of the Caribbean
Community
and Common Market (CARICOM) that
earlier this year signed an agreement to establish a
Single Market. If they don't,
the single market will
begin to unravel
Commentary: The Greater Caribbean This Week: Platforms for disaster reduction
The urge to include another stanza from the old poem
was irresistible, as it so well captures our racial bias
for
the pound of cure over the ounce of prevention.
Shiny, new helicopters and warehouses full of water
and candles will
always seem more sexy to us than,
say, baseline assessments.
Letter: Increase of just US$10?
On Thursday 21st June 2007, one of the Barbados
daily newspapers carried extracts of an interview with
Mark Darby,
the Chief Executive Officer of LIAT. Mr
Darby was asked, 'Have Liat's fares increased in the
past few months?'
Letter: Nevis loses a champion
We recently suffered a great loss on our tiny island of
Nevis. The sudden death of Mr. Malcolm Guishard,
former
Deputy Premier of Nevis of the opposition party
CCM (Concerned Citizen Movement), has left a
tremendous hole in the
heart of our souls.
England warning for West Indies and India
LONDON, England (Reuters): England's new one-day
captain Paul Collingwood warned West Indies and
India on Friday
to expect a more aggressive opponent
when they face his side over the next three months.
Collingwood was named captain
by the England and
Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after Michael Vaughan quit.
Powell believes he is a step above last season
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Asafa Powell is a man on a
mission and he knows that, if everything goes
according to plan,
this season could be the biggest in
his early career, thus far. There has been much
speculation about the form of
the Jamaican - some
saying he will not be as dominant as he was last
season.
No clash between Powell and Bolt at Jamaica Championships
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Despite recent speculation as
to a possible clash between 100m world record
holder Asafa Powell
and World Junior record holder
Usain Bolt over 200 metres at the Jamaica National
Championships, Bruce James, president
of the MVP
track club to which Powell belongs, has written off the
possibility.
US lawmakers propose easing travel, agriculture sales to Cuba
WASHINGTON, USA (Bloomberg): The top two US
lawmakers on trade have proposed a measure to
ease restrictions on
travel and farm trade with Cuba,
predicting that their long-time demands to ease the
US embargo would bear fruit.
Venezuela's Chavez mulls buying submarines during Moscow visit
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez said Thursday he might purchase some
Russian submarines
when he meets with Russian
President Vladimir Putin later this month in
Moscow. "What's so strange about us buying
submarines," Chavez, a virulent critic of the United
States, asked.
Haitian leader says priorities drugs, corruption
WASHINGTON, USA (Reuters): Haiti's president said
on Thursday that fighting drug trafficking and
corruption in
his impoverished Caribbean country was
now the priority of his government. Rene Preval said in
an interview that sustainable
social and economic
development was not possible unless both plagues
were fought.
Jamaica calls for international assistance on deportees and guns
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Prime Minister Portia
Simpson Miller has called on the US and other
countries responsible
for deporting thousands of
persons to Jamaica and other Caribbean countries in
recent years, to cooperate with the
country and the
region in implementing measures to cut off the flow of
guns,
Construction resumes on recreation grounds in BVI
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Government has resumed
construction work on the eight-lane rubberised track at
the A.O. Shirley
Recreation Grounds in the British
Virgin Islands, after a three-month break. Chief
Minister Dr. Orlando Smith made
the announcement
in his Weekly Update to the Territory on Tuesday.
Eyeing transition, Cuban dissidents call for unity
HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters): A coalition of moderate
Cuban dissidents called on Thursday for the country's
opposition
groups to unite and come up with a
common proposal for a transition to democracy on the
communist island.
New book disputes Guyana assassination theory
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Twenty-seven years after
the death of Dr Walter Rodney, a new book, penned by
a former Guyana
army officer, William Gregory Smith,
disputes Rodney's assassination theory. The new
book, "Assassination Cry of a
Failed Revolution: The
Truth About Dr. Walter Rodney's Death," is set to hit
shelves soon.
Guyana president to sign water sector aid pact
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyana's President Bharrat
Jagdeo is expected to travel to Japan in the coming
days, where
he is expected to sign an aid agreement
for the water sector and lobby Prime Minister, Shinzo
Abe for assistance to
curtail the effects of excessive
rainfall in the CARICOM nation.
New US$500m resort for St Kitts
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM): Kiawah
Development Partners of South Carolina has
announced it is part of a group
planning to build a
US$500 million to US$600 million luxury getaway
resort on the island of St Kitts. The announcement
comes three weeks after the Cabinet "reaffirmed its
strong support."
Venezuela reopens key bridge a year after collapse
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez on Thursday opened a crucial
bridge linking Caracas
to the Caribbean coast more
than a year after a span collapsed, causing traffic
jams and criticism of the leftist
leader.
Venezuela's Chavez decries businesses that hoard
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez threatened on Thursday to
expropriate businesses
found guilty of hoarding
merchandise amid a broad nationalization campaign.
Venezuela in recent months has suffered
nagging
shortages of basic foodstuffs like chicken and eggs.
American Express launches Caribbean promotion
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: American Express
announced the launch of a new promotion in the
Caribbean region at the
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism
Conference (CHTC), held at the Hyatt Regency Miami,
Florida, June. The meeting was presented
by the
Caribbean Hotel Association and American Express.
Commentary: Salman Rushdie's knighthood: An insult to Muhammad?
Alas, Muslim fanatics have issued another fatwa
against author Salman Rushdie. But this time
Rushdie did not
even do (or write) anything to incite
their religious bloodlust. Instead, these zealous and
narcissistic executioners
of Islamic hegemony are
braying for his head simply because the British
government...
Commentary: Civil society and media concerns - Wherefore thou goest?
It has been well over a decade since the West Indian
commission recommended the creation of a civil
society charter
for the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM). The enlightened articles, which have
become a standard document of reference
for
signatory states, continue to endure the test of time,
Letter: Open letter to President Rene Preval of Haiti
There is a prevailing attitude in Haiti that must be
changed if Haiti expects to progress. This attitude can
be
summarized in these terms: Anything that belongs
to a Diaspora or Foreigner is there to be taken - to be
stolen whenever
possible. This is not only an attitude
of the poor - but also of many officials.
Mali Richards finally emerges from Viv's shadow
WORCESTER, England (Reuters): Mali Richards, son
of former West Indies' captain Viv, was given the
opportunity
to live his dream on Thursday and play for
West Indies after an injury crisis depleted their squad.
Mali, 23, was
drafted in from Oxford (Brookes)
University, where he is three years into a four-year
tourism degree.
West Indies board says A team Zimbabwe tour still on
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Reuters): The West Indies
Cricket Board (WICB) said on Thursday it will go-
ahead with a
planned 'A' team tour of Zimbabwe,
despite pleas from the players' union to call off the trip.
Tony Deyal, head of
communications at the WICB,
said they had no reason to abandon the tour.
Indonesia beat Jamaica 2-1 in friendly
JAKARTA (AFP): Hosts Indonesia beat Jamaica 2-1 in
a friendly here Thursday in a slow game that pitted the
mostly
defensive visitors against an aggressive but
uncoordinated home team. Indonesia pressurised the
Jamaicans most of
the time.
Brooks' agent believes this is the year for her break-through
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Kris Mychasiw, the agent of
Jamaican Sheri Ann Brooks believes this is the year
for the sprinter
to shine and he is expecting great
things from her as the 2007 season progresses.
Brooks has been impressive, thus
far in the season.
Bolt working on finishing strategy ahead of big clash
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaica's World Junior record
holder Usain Bolt is again preparing himself for
another head-to-head
clash with his good American
friend Wallace Spearmon, who seemed to be always
popping up from behind and nipping the
Jamaican at
the line.
Bush, Caribbean leaders agree to boost trade, mull IT pact
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): US President George W.
Bush and his Caribbean counterparts said after talks
Wednesday
that they intend to negotiate an
information technology agreement and firm up trading
arrangements. They also agreed
to work more closely
on immigration security issues,
Antigua-Barbuda claims $3.4b from US over gambling ban
LONDON, England (Bloomberg): Antigua and
Barbuda said it's entitled to $3.44 billion in
compensation from the
US in a World Trade
Organization dispute over an American ban on Internet
gambling. The compensation would be in the
form of
Antigua withdrawing protection for US intellectual
property.
Cuba says EU's call for dialogue is the right step but not enough
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuba said on Wednesday the
European Union call for dialogue was a step in the
right direction,
but also demanded the EU give up
once and for all the idea of reimposing sanctions
against the communist-run island.
The EU introduced
sanctions against Cuba in 2003, but suspended them
later.
Self-censorship by Venezuela media mogul rewarded
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): The shutdown of a
Venezuelan television station critical of President
Hugo Chavez
may prove a windfall for the owner of a
rival network: millions of dollars in advertising
revenue. The extra income
could help media mogul
Gustavo Cisernos reclaim his position as Venezuela's
richest man.
Bahamas Defence Force to get upgrades
HMBS CORAL HARBOUR, Bahamas (BIS): Minister of
National Security, O.A.T. "Tommy" Turnquest told 30
new Royal
Bahamas Defence Force Marines that the
Force will be provided with the resources, assets and
equipment needed for
them to properly do their job
over the next several months and in the coming years.
Belize Red Cross TWC administrator appointed CARICOM youth ambassador
BELMOPAN, Belize: Belize Red Cross Together We
Can (TWC) administrator Tashera Swift has been
appointed a CARICOM
Youth Ambassador (CYA)). As
a CYA, Swift is tasked to: oversee the development
and execution of the national work
plan in partnership
with Technical Working Groups.
Guyana's tourism sector to receive more assistance
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): The government of
Guyana is working to push the tourism sector and
attract tourists
from around the world to make the
industry viable and, toward this end, assistance is
being sought from several areas
and agencies
geared towards tourism promotion.
Jamaica's national security policy gets greenlight in parliament
KINGSTON, Jamaica: The National Security Policy for
Jamaica was tabled in Parliament this week, ushering
in a
new era of heightened national cooperation and
strategic collaboration on national security. The
National Security
Policy advances an ambitious vision
for national security.
Young Jamaicans unemployable, says report
KINGSTON, Jamaica (UPI): A survey published
Wednesday showed 44 percent of 18-24 year-old
unemployed Jamaicans
lack the skills to work at
anything, the Jamaica Gleaner reported. The
newspaper noted its commissioned poll also
found 8
percent of young people in that age range had given
up looking for a job entirely.
Guyana president wants cooperation with Suriname on bio-fuel
WASHINGTON, USA: Guyana is likely to cooperate
with Suriname in the near future in promoting,
research, development
and production of bio-fuel.
Both countries should seek options on how to work
closely together in this field,
Guyana president Bharat
Jagdeo has indicated.
Quake hits Venezuela, Colombia, no damage reported
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): An earthquake shook
Venezuela and Colombia on Wednesday but there
were no reports
of damage, including to any of
Venezuela's vital oil operations, officials said. The
quake, which hit northeastern
Colombia and
southwestern Venezuela, should not produce any
significant damage.
Ganga tells West Indies to follow Chanderpaul's lead
CHESTER-LE-STREET, England (AFP): West Indies
captain Daren Ganga said the side should look to the
example of
Shivnarine Chanderpaul if they wanted to
end their winless run in Test cricket. Defeat in the
fourth and final Test
against England sealed a 3-0
series loss for West Indies.
Injury rules Simpson out of Jamaica Championships
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Sherone Simpson, the fastest
woman in the 100m and 200m in 2006, will miss the
Jamaica national
track and field championships this
weekend because of a nagging hip injury. Simpson,
who ran personal bests of 10.82
and 22.00 last
season, has been nursing the injury for some weeks
now.
Dominican Republic Olympic champion Sanchez ready for hurdles opener
OSTRAVA, Czech Republic: Dominican Republic's
Olympic champion Felix Sanchez is hoping to start
landing some
consistent performances as he seeks
another 400m Hurdles title at this summer's World
Championships in Osaka, Japan.
I want back my name, says Dominican journalist
ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominican journalist Lennox
Linton wants his reputation back; a status which he
feels has been
tainted by emigration officials in
Antigua. According to Linton, who was deported from
that country last week, his
expulsion was unjustified
and he will be taking legal action against the Antiguan
government.
Cuba mourns Vilma Espin, rebel 'first lady'
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuba held a day of mourning
Tuesday for Vilma Espin Guillois, the guerrilla who
became the
most powerful woman in the revolution
that propelled her brother-in-law Fidel Castro to
power. For some 40 years,
Espin performed the
ceremonial functions of Cuba's first lady.
Atlantic may have 10 tropical storms from July through November
LONDON, England (Bloomberg): The Atlantic
hurricane season probably will have 10 systems of at
least tropical-storm
strength from July through
November, UK government meteorologists said, a
prediction that's lower than other forecasts.
US pledges to reduce passport waiting time
WASHINGTON, USA (Reuters): The US government
promised on Tuesday to cut the waiting time for
passports, as senators
complained their phone lines
were jammed by furious citizens caught up in a
backlog of some 3 million applications.
Rangel says he plans Cuba legislation aimed at Bush's 'emotion'
WASHINGTON, USA (Bloomberg): A longtime critic of
US trade restrictions on Cuba, representative Charles
Rangel
said he plans to attach a measure easing
restrictions on traveling and sending money to Cuba
to other legislation
to try to encourage President
George W. Bush to sign it.
Spanish foreign ministry official meets with Cuban dissidents
MADRID, Cuba (AFP): A senior Spanish foreign
ministry official met Tuesday in Madrid representatives
of eight
associations of Cuban dissidents who are
living in exile in Spain, the foreign ministry said. Javier
Sandomingo discussed
the state of relations between
Cuba and both Spain and the European Union.
Morales says Castro may have had 10 operations
LA PAZ, Bolivia (Reuters): Cuban leader Fidel Castro
may have undergone more than 10 operations for a
serious
intestinal illness last year, Bolivian President
Evo Morales said on Tuesday. Leftist Morales said
Castro spends most
of his time studying
environmental issues and has recovered well,
Take pride in our accomplishments, says OECS chairman
ROSEAU, Dominica: Chairman of the OECS Authority
and Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of
Dominica, Roosevelt
Skerrit has called on OECS
citizens to continue to "exude pride in our numerous
accomplishments". Skerrit made the
remark on the
occasion of the 26th Anniversary of the founding of the
OECS.
G8 Summit disappointing, says Guyana president
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): The annual G8
summit of the leading industrialised nations held in
Heiligendamm, Germany
was disappointing for
Guyana's president Bharrat Jagdeo because of the
lack of support by some industrialised nations
on the
issue of carbon emissions.
Pain at the pump spurs strike action in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: A two-day transport strike
last week gripped Haiti's major cities and
underscored a mounting
crisis over fuel prices, which
rose nearly 20 percent in just two weeks. Transport
workers shut off their engines,
leaving residents
largely without the services of taxis or the colourful
buses.
Jamaica urges calm after shootinng
KINGSTON, Jamaica (UPI): The political ombudsman
of Jamaica called for two rival political parties to avoid
inciting
further violence after a shooting at a recent
political rally. Bishop Herro Blair met with officials from
the ruling
People's National Party and the opposition
Jamaica Labor Party about recent attacks.
USVI culinary team receives creative awards
ST THOMAS, USVI: VI flags waved high as the US
Virgin Islands Culinary Team received multiple
honours at the
annual Taste of the Caribbean
Competition sponsored by the Caribbean Hotel
Association. Competing against 12 other
regional
teams, the VI Culinary Team used their mystery
basket of ingredients...
In Venezuela, obstacles to 21st Century socialism
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): President Hugo
Chavez's ambitious project to bring "21st Century
socialism" to
Venezuela is running into obstacles --
easy cash, corruption and an expanding class of
citizens who are growing rich
by exploiting economic
distortions.
US opens Caribbean summit with call to boost competitiveness
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The United States opened
a summit with Caribbean nations Tuesday with a call
to some of
the poorest nations in its own backyard to
strengthen competitiveness and create a business-
friendly environment.
The United States is the
Caribbean's closest developed country neighbour.
Commentary: US-CARICOM: Who stoops to conquer
Today, we are at the a Conference on the Caribbean
in Washington DC; which is ostensibly a joint
CARICOM-US effort
aimed - again ostensibly - at
stroking the Caribbean toward the foundational
development necessary, not only for its
survival, but
critical to its capacity to develop.
Letter: Regarding the upcoming flogging in the Bahamas
In regards to the upcoming flogging of Andrew
Bridgewater in the Bahamas, you have my full support
for what ever
worth you deem my opinion. This sort of
justice makes us feel very safe in your country. The
majority of Americans
would applaud the verdict.
England beat West Indies by 7 wickets
CHESTER-LE-STREET, England (AFP): England beat
West Indies by seven wickets in the fourth and final
Test at Riverside
here Tuesday, a result that saw
them win the series 3-0. England, set 110 for victory
on the last day, finished on
111 for three with captain
Michael Vaughan 48 not out and Paul Collingwood five
not out.
Castro vows to bolster military, deter US 'invader'
HAVANA, Cuba (Bloomberg): Cuban President Fidel
Castro has vowed to strengthen his military to deter
an invasion
he said is being planned by US President
George W. Bush. Castro said the US is also seeking
to overthrow President
Hugo Chavez who was ousted
for two days in 2002 in what Castro called a US-
backed coup.
OAS concerned about spate of violence against the media
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Secretary General of the
Organization of the American States (OAS), Jose
Miguel Insulza has
expressed concerns over the
increase spate of violence against journalists in the
Caribbean region. Delivering opening
remarks at a
seminar for some 30 reporters and editors,
British Virgin Islands appoints new attorney general
ROAD TOWN, BVI: Governor David Pearey has
announced that Kathleen Quartey Ayensu has been
appointed the next
Attorney General of the British
Virgin Islands. Ayensu's first day in office will be
Monday, June 25, when she will
be sworn into office.
Trinidad minister responds to expulsion of Caribbean journalists
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago's
Foreign Affairs Minister Arnold Piggott has responded
to the expulsion
of two Caribbean Journalists from
Antigua and Barbuda. One journalist is Trinidad and
Tobago national Vernon Khelawan,
while the other is
Dominican-born Lennox Linton.
Belize oil trader wins Ecuador diesel contract
LIMA, Peru (Bloomberg): Projector SA, a Belize-based
oil trader, has won a contract to supply diesel to
Ecuador,
the Andean country's state-owned oil
company said. Projector will supply PetroEcuador's
Esmeraldas and Libertad refineries
with 2 million
barrels of diesel in 200,000-barrel shipments in the
second half of the year,
Legislative Council dissolved in the BVI paving the way for general elections
ROAD TOWN, BVI: In accordance with clause 47(2) of
the Virgin Islands (Constitution) Order, 1976, Governor
David
Pearey, after consultation with the Chief
Minister, dissolved the Legislative Council with effect
from June 15.
Vilma Espin, sister-in-law of Fidel Castro, dies in Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Vilma Espin Guillois, the wife of
acting Cuban President Raul Castro and the country's
first
lady, died Monday at the age of 77 after a lengthy
illness, Cuban television reported. Espin, a chemical
engineer
by training, became one of the most
powerful woman in the communist regime,
UN Rights Council drops Cuba monitors
GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP): The United Nations has
dropped independent expert monitors of alleged
human rights
abuses in Cuba and Belarus, as part of
a deal on new rules for the UN Human Rights council,
officials said Tuesday.
EU offers 'dialogue' with Cuba, keeps sanctions on hold
LUXEMBOURG (AFP): European Union foreign
ministers on Monday agreed not to reactivate
sanctions against Cuba
and held out an offer
for "open political dialogue" with the communist
island. Some of the EU member states, led by
Spain
which normalised its relations with Havana, are in
favour of dropping the sanctions.
Machine readable passports to come on stream in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Guyana will be
joining other Caribbean countries next month to
provide a more secure
passport system which the
region is introducing to protect against multiple
issuance of the travel document.
Trinidad police arrest twenty-five people in Gulf of Paria
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad police have
arrested 25 persons after they were caught illegally on
two vessels
in the Gulf of Paria. All were held during a
routine exercise by coast guard officers. Three
shotguns were found as
officers intercepted a
Venezuelan trawler and a Taiwanese fishing vessel.
Trinidad nationals given opportunity to earn revenue from energy sector
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Provisions have been
made for Trinidad and Tobago nationals to earn a
stake in the country's
wealth producing energy sector.
One of the country's leading financial institutions, the
Trinidad and Tobago Unit
Trust Corporation (UTC), on
Monday launched what it called the " Unit Trust Energy
Investment Fund".
Conference on the Caribbean opens in Washington
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The largest ever contingent
of Caribbean community (CARICOM) leaders to gather
in Washington
DC, began their series of meetings on
Monday when the foreign ministers of CARICOM met
with the United States Secretary
of State of State,
Condoleezza Rice.
Collingwood century gives England the edge over West Indies
CHESTER-LE-STREET, England (AFP): Paul
Collingwood's hundred on his Durham home ground
left England with the
advantage in the fourth and final
Test against the West Indies here Monday.
Cuban Robles 'ready for anyone' this season
PARIS, France: World Indoor 60m Hurdles silver
medallist Dayron Robles has said that he has been
working hard
all year and definitely ready to take on
anyone. "I'm ready," Robles said, following his run in
extremely wet weather
conditions at the Jean Bouin
stadium in Paris on Sunday 17 June.
Gold Cup 2007: The magic Gwadaboys in Chicago!
POINT A PITRE, Guadeloupe: For their first Gold Cup
tournament, the national football club of Guadeloupe
doesn't
cease to surprise all observers. Just before
their last match against Honduras, it's quite certain
that nobody
in Central America had ever heard about
Guadeloupe.
Zoellick warns Venezuela is heading for trouble
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Reuters): Robert Zoellick,
almost certain to be the next head of the World Bank,
on Saturday
took aim at Venezuela's leftist president,
Hugo Chavez, warning that his oil-fueled socialist
revolution was headed
for trouble. Chavez has used
surging oil revenues to pay for a socialist revolution.
'Grenada Thirteen' to be resentenced
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: After years of uncertainty,
the "Grenada Thirteen" will be re-sentenced on
Monday. The
week-long re-sentencing hearing will be
held at the Grenada Trade Centre, which will be used
as the high court for
the purpose.
Castro 'very pleased' after meeting with Nicaragua's Ortega
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuban President Fidel Castro
had a "brotherly" meeting with visiting Nicaraguan
President
Daniel Ortega, the latest in a parade of
friends underscoring that the Cuban leader is well on
the mend. Ortega also
met Saturday with Raul Castro,
said the official statement.
Daughter of terror suspect arrested in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyana police on Friday
detained and later released a daughter of JFK terror
plot suspect,
Abdul Kadir, after photographs surfaced
of her and other family members posing with what
authorities said were high-powered
guns. Additionally,
local police also briefly questioned another of Kadir's
sons.
CARICOM urged to press its needs during US-Caribbean conference
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Former Commonwealth
Secretary-General, Sir Shridath Ramphal, has urged
Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) leaders to send a
message to the United States about the region's real
needs during the upcoming Conference
on the
Caribbean.
Netherlands Antilles and Colombia to hold discussions over customs and tax issues
WILLEMSTAD, Curacao: State Secretary of Finance of
the Netherlands Antilles, Alex Rosaria, will be in Santa
Fé
de Bogotá by the end of this week to hold talks with
his Colombian counterpart about a Double Taxation
Agreement (DTA)
and a Mutual Customs Assistance
Treaty.
Business network group comes to St Lucia
CASTRIES, St Lucia: Business Network International
(BNI) will hold an informational briefing session in St
Lucia
on June 21, 2007. Curtis Belgrave, National
Director for BNI Caribbean will be in St Lucia to
conduct the briefing
session.
Suriname court rejects motions on 1982 mass killings
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: A court in Surname has
handed down a ruling ordering the prosecution of ten
suspects who
were fighting a legal battle to be taken
off the list of suspects in relation to the extrajudicial
killing of 15 government
critics in December 1982.
The suspects will go on trial later this year.
Trinidad university and OAS join forces against substance abuse
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The University of the West
Indies (UWI), the Government of Trinidad and Tobago,
and
the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control
Commission (CICAD) of the Organization of American
States (OAS) are teaming
up in the worldwide war
against substance abuse.
Trinidad hydrographer elected to UN commision on maritime issues
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago
national, Francis Charles, a Hydrographer and Land
Surveyor, has
been elected to serve a five-year term
on the United Nations Commission on the Limits of
the Continental Shelf.
US Virgin Islands police investigating three, unrelated violent crimes
ST THOMAS, USVI: On Thursday, June 14, 2007, the
Major Crime Unit of the US Virgin Islands Police
Department
arrested Akeem Corrapse in connection
with the shooting death of Pauliano Remy that
occurred on June 1, 2007 on St.
Thomas.
USVI reparations group returns from Denmark ready to act
ST CROIX, USVI: In recent months, additional
Caribbean government representatives and
reparations activists have
continued to organise
around the issue of reparations for slavery and crimes
against humanity. Leaders have all made
formal
reparations claims against European nations
responsible for slavery.
Most Venezuelans back student protests, says poll
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): A majority of
Venezuelans support student protests over the
closure of an opposition
television channel, a poll
showed on Sunday, despite President Hugo Chavez
insisting the demonstrations were part
of a US plot to
topple him.
US-Caricom summit seeks new partnerships
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The United States and
some of the poorest nations in its own back yard
begin three days
of meetings here Tuesday, as the
US-Caribbean Community summit focuses on forging
new, more stimulating partnerships.
Haiti will be
represented by its President Rene Preval.
OAS hosts CARICOM journalists at Washington seminar
WASHINGTON, USA: Some thirty journalists from 14
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries will
participate in
a two-day seminar that opens at the
Organization of American States (OAS) Monday, ahead
of the historic June 19 to
21 CARICOM-USA Summit in
Washington, D.C.
Letter: 'Tourism not at heart of the region'
In an article published recently in the Jamaica
Gleaner, St. Lucia's Minister of Tourism, Allan
Chastanet, while
addressing a meeting of the
Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association, again hit the
nail on the tourism head.
Edwards rocks England as West Indies fight back
CHESTER-LE-STREET, England (AFP): Fidel
Edwards stunned England as West Indies took
charge of the fourth and
final Test at the Riverside
here Sunday with three late wickets. At stumps on the
third day England were 121 for four
in reply to the
tourists' first innings 287, a deficit of 166.
West Indies A tour to Zimbabwe must be scrapped, say players
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Reuters): West Indies'
planned A tour to Zimbabwe should be cancelled
because of player
safety concerns, the West Indies
Players' Association (WIPA) said. The West Indies `A'
team is due to embark on a
three-week tour in July,
but the WIPA said players were not willing to make the
trip.
