Archives for Friday, September 19, 2003:

Caricom officials for free trade discussion in Miami

MIAMI, Florida: Caricom officials will be in Miami tomorrow, Saturday, 21st September, for a seminar aimed at increasing awareness of the benefits and challenges of the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

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Former European Presidents call for Castro to go

BUDAPEST, Hungary: Several European leaders want Cuban President Fidel Castro ousted. Former Presidents Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic, Lech Walesa of Poland and Arpad Goncz of Hungary, in an open letter appearing in newspapers across Europe and the United States, issued a call for the creation of a "Cuban Democracy Fund" to aid pro-democracy dissidents and promote peaceful change on the island. 

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St. Kitts turns 20 today

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts: The islands of St. Kitts/Nevis turns 20 today. St. Kitts/Nevis gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1983. Now Nevis is lobbying for independence from St. Kitts. 

A delegation of officials from Saba, including Acting Lt. Governor and Commissioner of General Affairs, Mr. Will Johnson, and Kittian-born Chief of Protocol, Mr. Dave Levenstone, will join nationals of the Federation for the 20th independence anniversary celebrations.

Bermuda's Finance Minister talks tough after Fabian

HAMILTON, Bermuda: Bermuda will not buckle under the strain of paying for the damage caused by Hurricane Fabian. So says the island's Finance Minister Eugene Cox.

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Jamaica's PNP conference continues today

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Members of Jamaica's Peoples National Party are expected to get down to business today following opening sessions for the 65th annual conference yesterday morning at the National Arena.

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St. Lucia PM slams refugee claims

Castries, St. Lucia: St. Lucia Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has described as "alarming and a source of deep shame" the fact that Saint Lucia now ranks the second on the list of Caribbean countries making claims of refuges status to gain entry into Canada. A total of one hundred and forty seven claims have been received from Saint Lucia, while St. Vincent and the Grenadines topped the list with two hundred and eleven claims.

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Florida cruise association says Caribbean must upgrade product

Miami, Florida: Caribbean tourist destinations must seriously consider providing more attractions and refreshing their existing product offerings if the region is to convert cruise passengers into land-based tourists. 

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Killing of seven-year-old brings Scotland Yard to Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Three Scotland Yard detectives touched down at the Norman Manley International airport in Jamaica earlier this week, to apparently investigate the death of seven-year-old Toni-Ann Byfield, and her father, former crack dealer Mr. Bertram Byfield, both Jamaicans living in Britain, the Jamaica Gleaner has reported.

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OECS nationals to travel easier soon

BRADES, Montserrat: National of some states that are members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, will soon be able to travel between countries with only a valid drivers licenses. 

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U.S. Navy plane makes emergency landing in Cayman Islands

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: Problems with engine pressure forced a U.S. Navy plane to make an emergency landing in the Cayman Islands yesterday.  The Associated Press reported that the Navy P-3 plane, which has four engines, landed safely with its 13 passengers. 

BUSINESS NEWS

Chinese delegation leaves Trinidad & Tobago after talks

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Li Zhaoxing and his eight-member team left Port-Of-Spain at 8 a.m. this morning arrives following discussions with Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Knowlson Gift and the signing of a taxation agreement between the two countries as well as the presentation of one million worth of office furniture.

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Bahamas electricity rates drop

NASSAU, Bahamas: Electricity consumers in New Providence, Paradise Island and the Family Islands, will soon pay less for electricity for the first time in the history of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation. 

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Venezuela President refuses to recognize Iraqi delegation

CARACAS, Venezuela: Venezuelan President Mr. Hugo Chavez says he will not recognize an Iraqi delegation at the upcoming meeting of OPEC ministers next Wednesday, 24th September. The Associated Press quoted Mr. Chavez as saying, "We don't recognize a 'government' under foreign occupation." 

A delegation from Iraq is slated to attend the meeting for the first time since U.S.-led forces deposed former President Saddam Hussein. They will reportedly be seeking reintegration into OPEC, which is crucial to the country, given the importance of oil exports to the economy. 

Jamaica government to revamp 117-year-old poor relief law 

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaica's Poor Relief Act, the existing legislation that governs the island's social welfare system, has long outlived its purpose and will be revamped. That's the word from Senator Floyd Morris, Jamaica's Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Trinidad government may make tassa drum national instrument

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The tassa drum may soon join the steel pan as Trinidad and Tobago's second national musical instrument.

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SPORTS NEWS

Cricket Council backs HIV/AIDS fight

MUMBAI, India: For the first time in cricket, the International Cricket Council has joined forces with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to take up the fight against the disease in cricket playing countries, some of which are hardest hit by the epidemic. 

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Samuels is still Jamaica's pick for Red Stripe tourney

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Robert Samuels has been renamed skipper of the Jamaican team in the upcoming Red Stripe Bowl tournament, despite harsh criticism, CMC has reported. 

Samuels faced criticism recently, with many fans favouring giving the title to a younger player.

It's 15 days to the first Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride on Saturday, 4th October in Flushing Meadows Park, Queens. Join the effort and support immigrant workers rights today. Pledge your support at http://www.immigrantworkersfreedomride.com and make it a date!