Archives for Wednesday, February 18, 2004:

Haiti asks for foreign help, US rebuffs call

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): Faced with spreading rebellion, Haiti appealed Tuesday for foreign help, but the United States rebuffed the call, telling the government to focus on fundamental reform and warning rebels against a violent takeover... read more...

Cuban dissidents held in "alarming conditions"

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP): Dozens of dissidents arrested last year in Cuba are being held in "alarming conditions", the special representative of the UN Commission on Human Rights for Cuba said Tuesday... read more...

Regional media organisations question attempted censorship in the Cayman Islands

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: Both the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) and the Associated Press (AP) requested comments from members of the Cayman Islands Government in relation to the Cabinet's ban on advertising in our sister publication Cayman Net News... read more...

US Coast Guard stops 131 Dominicans from reaching Puerto Rico

MIAMI, USA (AFP): The US Coast Guard said Monday it intercepted two boats carrying 131 Dominicans who were trying to reach the US island of Puerto Rico... read more...

BVI hosts annual attorneys general conference

ROAD TOWN: The 13th Annual Conference of Attorneys General of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs) is being held in the BVI from February 17 to 19... read more...

KYC News reacts to libel writ issued by Ritz-Carlton Cayman developer

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: KYC News publisher David Marchant insists that every detail that appeared in his story concerning the Ritz-Carlton contractor Fluor Daniel suing the developer of the project is true, and he says he has documents to prove his claims... read more...

Cuba leads regional tourism recovery

TORONTO, Canada: Cuba has taken once again the way to growth in tourism in 2003, with the arrival of tourists growing by 13% relative to the year 2002, receiving in excess of 1.9 million tourists. Tourist revenues grew by 18.9% in the same time period, although the exact figures are not currently available, reports Travel Video... read more...

International community backs CARICOM plan to resolve Haitian crisis

WASHINGTON, USA: The CARICOM initiative aimed at brokering a peaceful solution to the current political crisis in Haiti received a boost last week with a strong statement of support from the United States (U.S.) Government, the Government of Canada, as well as the Organization of American States (OAS)... read more...

Ratings agency sees regional expansion of Trinidad & Tobago's banks as a double-edged sword

NEW YORK, USA: Fitch Ratings reported Tuesday that, capitalizing on their relative strength, Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) leading banks are increasingly looking to diversify assets and continue their growth through expansion into the Caribbean region... read more...

HEALTH NEWS

Ban on US beef to be lifted by Netherlands Antilles 

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten: According to the Head of the Hygiene & Veterinary Department Antonio Boyrard, the ban on U.S. beef issued by the Antillean Government will be lifted gradually in the coming months. "However certain food safety measures will need to be put into place first," said Boyrard... read more...

TRAVEL NEWS

Divi Carina Bay Casino brings World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour to St. Croix

CHAPEL HILL, USA: Divi Carina Bay Casino is proud to bring the explosion of poker mania to St. Croix, by hosting Bellagio's World Poker Tour, March 10-12, 2004. The Tour is creating a buzz, captivating millions of poker enthusiasts on television weekly, through non-stop inquiries, and registrations. The Casino has already successfully hosted the Binion's World Series of Poker, February 4-6, 2004... read more...

SPORTS NEWS

Barbados retains regional first class title

ST. THOMAS, USVI: Barbados successfully defended their Carib Beer title with a match to spare after a resounding victory over the Leeward Islands inside three days in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, on Saturday... read more...