Archives for Monday, December 15, 2003:

Malvo's mother defends strict parenting in Jamaica

CHESAPEAKE, USA: Una James says that whenever she would "flog" her son, Lee Boyd Malvo, with a leather belt to keep him in line, she felt little regret because corporal punishment is a way of life in her country. "In Jamaica, we beat people who are rude," she said. "In America, it's an abuse." ... read more...

Puerto Rico may have to choose between statehood and independence

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: Puerto Ricans could be pushed to choose between statehood and independence by a White House task force named to study the future of the island... read more...

Dominican Republic troops not expected to cut short Iraq tour

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic: A U.S. official says troops from the Dominican Republic stationed in Iraq are expected to stay there for the full year promised and not leave ahead of schedule... read more...

Professor Nigel Harris is new vice-chancellor of UWI

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Professor Nigel Harris, a Guyanese-born citizen of the United States and son of the well-known Guyanese novelist, Wilson Harris, has been unanimously chosen as the new Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies... read more...

St Kitts tourism officials focus on attracting mid-week direct flights from North America

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts: With an increase in weekend airlift from North America and Europe, tourism officials in St. Kitts and Nevis now have their eyes set on attracting mid-week direct flights... read more...

BUSINESS NEWS

More turmoil at Parmalat following non-payment of US$600m by Cayman Islands fund

MILAN, Italy: Calisto Tanzi, founder and majority owner of Parmalat, is on Monday expected to step down as chairman and chief executive - three days after the dairy group just avoided default on a large part of its $7.35bn debt. The group's financial crisis started last month when it was unable to recover a controversial $605m investment in Epicurum, an obscure Cayman Islands mutual fund... read more...

SPORTS NEWS

Lara puts South African bowlers to the sword

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP): West Indian captain Brian Lara who said he was inspired by India, made a battling century before finishing the third day of the first Test against South Africa in a blaze of glory at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday... read more...