Archives for Tuesday, February 17, 2004:

Three killed as Haiti rebels seize town

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): Three people died Monday as Haitian rebels seized the central town of Hinche, according to residents and radio reports... read more...

Cayman Islands yield to European Union

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: The Cayman Islands will fall in line with the European Union's Saving Tax Directive (EUSD) effective 1 January 2005 following a vote in the Legislative Assembly last Friday... read more...

Dominican Republic closes border with Haiti

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AFP): The Dominican Republic closed its border Monday fearing a weeklong rebellion against President Jean Bertrand Aristide could spill over from Haiti... read more...

Australia's spy network blames France for delayed arrest of Guadeloupe-born terror suspect

CANBERRA, Australia (AFP): Australia's intelligence agency ASIO blamed an oversight by its French counterparts Monday for a delay in authorities here learning that Guadeloupe-born terror suspect Willie Brigitte was in Australia... read more...

OECS Tax Reform Commission releases report

BRADES, Montserrat (GIU): Members of the OECS Tax Reform and Administration Commission say leaders of the sub-regional grouping have agreed on a strategy for transforming OECS economies and achieving sustained growth rates of 6.0 percent per annum, high quality jobs, a reduction in employment to 6.0 percent or less, and a level of poverty below 6.0 percent... read more...

Kerry sets sights on Caribbean tax havens

LONDON, England: John Kerry, favourite to become the Democratic candidate to take on George W. Bush in this year's US presidential race, has promised to tackle tax evasion at British-owned tax havens... read more...

26-year-old sentenced to life for murder in Anguilla

THE VALLEY, Anguilla: Twenty six-year-old Kallus Rogers of Anguilla has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Judith Wach of Celebration, Florida on Sept 14th 2002... read more...

UN Secretary-General calls for decolonisation of Caribbean territories

NEW YORK, USA: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has reiterated the call for decolonisation of remaining listed territories, including seven Caribbean territories, a process in full partnership with the administering powers as well as with the active participation of the peoples of the territories... read more...

Agriculture sector important to economic sustainability of St Vincent-Grenadines

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: The Agriculture sector has been named as one of the main contributing factors to the sustainability of the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines... read more...

Upgraded EC$20 to start circulating in St Kitts-Nevis

BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The phase in process of the recently upgraded ECCB banknotes will commence in St Kitts and Nevis on February 18, 2004, when the twenty-dollar notes will be put into circulation... read more...

BUSINESS NEWS

Survey results crucial to BVI financial services sector

ROAD TOWN, BVI: Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Finance of the British Virgin Islands, Mr Ronnie W. Skelton, believes the findings of a recent opinion survey of individuals who work in the financial services sector are crucial for the continued development of the industry in the BVI... read more...

Bank of Bermuda shareholders approve sale to HSBC

HAMILTON, Bermuda: Bank of Bermuda shareholders voted overwhelmingly on Monday to sell the island's largest financial institution to HSBC Holdings Plc for $1.3 billion... read more...