Archives for Monday, May 16, 2005:

Reducing public debt in Grenada is urgent, says IMF

ST. GEORGE’S Grenada: Reducing public debt to a safer level is a matter of economic urgency and social responsibility, according to IMF official Mr. Prakash Loungani. An IMF team visited Grenada last week and presented the 2005 Article IV consultation discussion on Grenada’s economy... read more...

Government to strengthen families, says Antigua PM

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua: Acknowledging a breakdown in family values, which has resulted in a number of ills plaguing society, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer used the observance of International Day of the Family on Sunday to remind the people of Antigua and Barbuda that "cohesive productive families are essential" to the country's future... read more...

Fire the government, says Trinidad opposition leader

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Leader of the Parliamentary Minority, Basdeo Panday has lashed out at the Peoples National Movement (PNM) Government of Prime Minister Patrick Manning saying that it is unable to curb the high crime wave now affecting the twin-island Republic.  Panday also repeated his call for constitutional reform... read more...

Comprehensive school in Trinidad gutted by fire

CHAGUANAS, Trinidad:  A fire, described by officials as one of the most destructive blazes to have occurred at schools in the country, caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage at the Chaguanas Senior Comprehensive School on Friday... read more...

Haitians deported from Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (UPI): Hundreds of Haitians were sent home from neighboring Dominican Republic last week following the death of a Dominican Republic citizen... read more...

High-school student gang-raped in Antigua

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua: The reported "gang-rape" of a female high school student last  week, has angered the Professional Organization of Women in Antigua.  A Criminal Investigation Department (CID) spokesman also confirmed to Caribbean Net News that a "dragnet" of sorts has been set as officers are on the lookout for the male trio... read more...

Dominican PM announces new Cabinet

ROSEAU, Dominica: Newly re-elected Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, on Thursday announced the names of his new Cabinet ministers.  Local businessman Yvor Nassief has been named as the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Private Sector Relations. He will join the Cabinet in September... read more...

Multi-national Tradewinds exercise prepares for CWC 2007

CAMP CRABBS, Antigua: Tradewinds 2005, an annual multi-national training exercise, is being conducted in Antigua from May 4 to 19th for Caribbean region security forces, focusing on security issues the region will face while hosting Cricket World Cup in 2007... read more...

Cayman Islands general elections run smoothly

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands:  By all reports, last week's general elections in the Cayman Islands, which were postponed from November 2004 due to Hurricane Ivan, ran smoothly with no reports of violence or other problems at the 34 polling stations in six districts across the islands... read more...

Dutch government adopts proposals to ban Caribbean youngsters

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP): The Dutch government said Friday it plans to deport "underprivileged and problematic" young people arriving from the Netherlands Antilles, effectively exiling them from their own mother country... read more...

Cuba, China seek new ways to work together

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Senior Chinese Communist Party leader Jia Quiglin kicked off an official three-day visit to Cuba, seeking "new prospects" for bilateral cooperation, Havana's official Communist Party newspaper, Granma, reported Friday... read more...

Haiti's former PM 'stable' despite hunger strike

WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): Haiti's former prime minister Yvon Neptune is in stable health, despite a three-week hunger strike, the government said Friday, two days after the Caribbean Community pleaded for his life... read more...

US$380 million multi-use resort for St Lucia

CASTRIES, St. Lucia: What will become the most sophisticated hotel property in the Eastern Caribbean is due to open in the quiet village of Laborie in St Lucia by March 2007, hopefully in time for Cricket World Cup.  Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony officiated at a sod-turning ceremony for Sapphire Cove... read more...

Almond Resorts to invest US$40 million in St Lucia

CASTRIES, St. Lucia: Over US$40 million dollars is to be pumped into St Lucia’s tourism plant in the coming months following a change in the management and ownership of St. James Club at Choc formerly the Wyndham Morgan Bay... read more...

US Virgin Islands matriarch dies at 105

ST THOMAS, USVI: Blanche Mary Joseph Sasso, seamstress of the original US Virgin Islands flag has died. Mrs Sasso passed on May 10, 2005, at Schneider Hospital... read more...

Caribbean Tourism Week to showcase life in the tropics

NEW YORK, USA: New Yorkers dreaming of a Caribbean vacation will be exposed to one full week of the region’s pleasurable lifestyle during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week 2005, from May 29 to June 4... read more...

Uncertainty hangs over Grenada’s Spicemas 2005

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada: A cloud of uncertainty hangs over Grenada’s Spicemas 2005, with the season drawing near there are still a number of issues such as venues yet to be dealt with.  Caribbean Net News understands that the date for the launch of Grenada’s Carnival is June 4 and some believe that this is a late time to start the season... read more...

Turks and Caicos Islands Second Annual Music & Cultural Festival announced

TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS: The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, in association with BET Event Productions, has announced that the Islands’ Second Annual Music & Cultural Festival is scheduled for July 25-August 1, 2005 on the island of Providenciales... read more...

WEEKEND SPORTS ROUNDUP

Clean sweep for South Africa in ODI series against West Indies

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP):  South Africa completed a seven-wicket victory in the rain-marred fifth and final one-day international against West Indies on Sunday... read more...

Afridi leads Pakistanis to easy win against Antigua-Barbuda XI

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): A flattering all-round performance from Shahid Afridi helped Pakistan to a commanding 248-run victory in their West Indies tour opener, a limited-overs practice match against Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday... read more...

Jamaica’s Ricardo Chambers breaks 24-year-old 400m school record

TENNESSEE, USA: When the Jamaican national track and field trials kick off early next month one of the main events at the meet will definitely be the men's 400m, especially after the showings at the nation's International last Saturday and the Penn Relays a week before... read more...

Smith puts racial row to rest

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): South Africa captain Graeme Smith has decided to put the racial row between himself and Dwayne Bravo to rest... read more...

Wright posts unanimous decision over Puerto Rico's Trinidad

LAS VEGAS, USA (AFP): Winky Wright easily beat former three-time world champion Felix Trinidad, posting a unanimous 12-round decision in their non-title middleweight bout here on Saturday... read more...

South Africa beat West Indies in 4th ODI

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): Ashwell Prince and Justin Kemp, helped by a comedy of fielding errors from their opponents, piloted South Africa to a six-wicket victory in the fourth one-day international against West Indies on Saturday.  Chasing 232 to win from 50 overs, South Africa reached their target in the 47th over... read more...

Smith hit with ban for South Africa's slow over rate

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned South African captain Graeme Smith for four one-day international matches for his side's slow over rate... read more...

Third annual Anguilla “Mix-Up” Regatta a great success

THE VALLEY, Anguilla: According to the Anguilla Sailing Association, the third annual Anguilla “Mix-Up” Regatta was a great success, with increased participation over last year and three days of great wind and sailing conditions... read more...

IAAF Qatar Super Grand Prix in Doha: Report

DOHA, Qatar:  On a day when Olympic champions Justin Gatlin and fellow American Shawn Crawford were beaten, Jamaicans Delloreen Ennis-London and Ian Weakley registered big wins at the IAAF Super Grand Prix in Qatar on Friday... read more...