Archives for Friday, March 19, 2004:

Aristide says Jamaica has 'nothing to fear' from his stay

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): Ex-Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide assured Thursday that Jamaica has "nothing to fear" from his visit which has caused friction with the new Haitian government... read more...

Caricom to decide Haiti's future in regional grouping next week

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): Caribbean leaders will decide next week whether to recognize Haiti's new interim government, which sidelines former president Jean Bertrand Aristide's Lavalas party, a spokesman for the Caribbean Community said Wednesday... read more...

Cuban dissidents languish in prison one year after crackdown

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): A year after one of the worst waves of repression Cuba has launched against dissidents, 75 opponents of the communist state languish in prison, many ailing, as Cuba defies international criticism... read more...

US denies visas to Cubans who persecuted 75 dissidents jailed one year ago

WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The State Department announced Thursday it will deny visas to any Cuban who helped persecute 75 dissidents jailed a year ago for speaking out against the regime... read more...

Four candidates confirmed for Dominica by-election

ROSEAU, Dominica: Four candidates have been selected to contest the by-election in Dominica's southern constituency of Grand Bay next month, the Dominica Electoral Office disclosed on Wednesday night... read more...

Grenada-registered bank at the centre of international controversy

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada: The main man behind an offshore bank incorporated in Grenada, American citizen Richard Henry Hinkle is now sitting in a Costa Rican prison, where he is fighting extradition to the United States to face criminal charges... read more...

Britain to scan Jamaican mail for cocaine

LONDON, England: According to BBC News, British customs officers are to test new equipment designed to scan all mailbags arriving in the UK from Jamaica. It is hoped the move will halt an alarming increase in the amount of cocaine sent to the UK in the mail... read more...

Automatic fingerprint identification system planned for Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips announced this week that the Jamaican government plans to introduce a new automatic fingerprinting identification system, which should boost crime fighting strategies... read more...

American Airlines to begin nonstop daily service to St. Lucia from Miami

MIAMI, USA: American Airlines announced Thursday that it will begin nonstop daily service to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia on November 1. American will fly the route with a Boeing 737-800 aircraft featuring seating for 16 Business- Class and 126 Coach-Class passengers. This is one of the newest aircraft in American's fleet... read more...

SPORTS NEWS

West Indies desperate to restore pride in second Test

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): West Indies will be playing to restore pride when they face England in the second of four Tests starting on Friday at Queen's Park Oval... read more...

West Indian XI for England tour match

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): The West Indies selection panel on Thursday named the 12 players who will form an invitational team to play against England in a three-day tour match on March 26-28... read more...