Archives for Thursday, December 11, 2003:

Grenada PM expresses concern over police actions during recent election

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: Prime Minister Keith Mitchell met Wednesday with the senior ranks of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), which included Commissioner of Police Fitzroy and Deputy Commissioner James Clarkson, to discuss several issues... read more...

Nigeria, Jamaica to strengthen bilateral relations

ABUJA, Nigeria (AFP): Nigeria and Jamaica have resolved to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of tourism development, oil and gas, communications and information, officials said Wednesday... read more...

Washington clamps down on travelers visiting Cuba under embargo restrictions

MIAMI, USA (AFP): The United States has moved to tighten existing travel restrictions against Cuba after President George W. Bush announced October 10 he was toughening US policy towards Havana, a top US official said Wednesday... read more...

Haiti's education minister submits resignation

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): Education Minister Marie Carmel Austin resigned Wednesday, days after armed supporters of Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide attacked a group of university students and professors, officials said... read more...

Kidnapped teenager recovered by Guyana police

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Members of the Guyana police Force's anti kidnapping unit swooped down on a house in Alberttown Wednesday, and recovered an 18-year-old kidnap victim, who had been abducted the previous day... read more...

Caribbean struggles to meet new port security laws

MIAMI, USA: Many Caribbean nations will be unable to comply with tough new security standards for ports taking effect next year and could face severe restrictions in their $20 billion trade with the United States, security experts said Wednesday... read more...

Jamaica to cooperate with British police to tackle drug gangs

LONDON, England: British and Jamaican police are beginning a joint drive to tackle international drug syndicates and violent criminal gangs which it is feared are picking Britons and other Europeans as mules - drug couriers. The two countries are expected to run joint intelligence operations... read more...

BUSINESS NEWS

Missing US$600m in Cayman Islands fund deepens crisis for Italian food giant

MILAN, Italy (AFP): Credit rating agency Standard and Poor's slashed its debt rating for crisis-struck Parmalat for the second time in two days on concerns the Italian food group could default on its bonds. The cause of Parmalat's latest problems lies in a statement on Monday that the company had been unable to recover US$605 million dollars from a fund called Epicurum, based in the Cayman Islands... read more...

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

No-show Jamaican reggae star foils gay protest

LONDON, England: Controversial Jamaican reggae star Bounty Killer pulled out of a gig in London at the weekend. But the venue's bosses said his non-appearance on stage was nothing to do with the high-profile demonstration being planned - in fact he did not even get on the plane from Jamaica... read more...

Another Jamaican reggae star in the news, this time for growing marijuana

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Grammy nominated reggae artist Buju Banton pleaded not guilty Monday in the Resident Magistrate's Court in Kingston, Jamaica, to marijuana possession and cultivation charges, which carry a maximum penalty of six months in jail and fines... read more...

TRAVEL NEWS

Fina Air introduces Saab 340A service in the Dominican Republic

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: Saab Aircraft Leasing has recently delivered a Saab 340A to Fina Air of San Juan, Puerto Rico joining two other Saab 340As leased from AeroCentury. The aircraft was remarketed by Saab Aircraft Leasing on behalf of Bank of America... read more...

SPORTS NEWS

West Indies may gamble on greenhorns in first Test against South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP): Injury-ridden West Indies may be forced to gamble on greenhorn fast bowlers Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampaul in their first Test against South Africa starting Friday... read more...