Archives for Tuesday, May 17, 2005:

Suriname Opposition informs OAS observers of voters’ list irregularities

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Political parties in Suriname have expressed concern that the outcome of the May 25 general elections could be tainted. Five opposition parties on Monday had a meeting with the observer mission of the Organization of American States (OAS)... read more...

St Kitts Health Minister hopes new university will curb nurses’ exodus

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts: As regional governments face losing nurses from the Caribbean, Rupert Herbert, St. Kitts and Nevis Minister with responsibility for Health, is hopeful the soon-to-be-opened International University of Nursing in St Kitts, will assist in the reduction of the brain-drain of Caribbean nurses... read more...

Grenada determined to fill financing gaps with IMF assistance

ST. GEORGE’S Grenada: The government of Grenada in its 2005 budget appears determined to do its share to fill the financing gaps highlighted by the IMF. The budget contains revenue measures that will yield over two percent of GDP... read more...

Changes to Canadian law good for Caribbean students

OTTAWA, Canada: Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Mr. Joe Volpe has announced changes to the Canadian immigration policy that could help attract more international students to that country... read more...

Jamaican health ministry seeks to expand human resource base

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Jamaican Ministry of Health will be seeking to have its professionals remain at the cutting edge of global health care by placing emphasis on training and exposure to health systems in the global community during the 2005/2006 fiscal year... read more...

St Vincent & Grenadines Opposition launches new candidate

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: The opposition New Democratic Party in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday launched Norrel Hull, its candidate for Central Leeward in the next general elections.  The NDP has so far announced eight and launched three of its candidate for the next general election... read more...

COMMENTARY

European Union Constitution in trouble: What lessons for the Caribbean?

While the member states of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) are going through some soul searching over the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) the member states of the European Union (EU) have also been suffering anxiety over whether their proposed European Constitution will become a reality... read more...

Banana wars continue: Likely big losers will be CARICOM’s Windward Islands 

Ever since the U.S. charged in 1999 that the European Union (EU) trade preferences given to developing African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries were not in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations, the economies of many Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have been rendered incapable of competing on the world market and are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy... read more...

The insult of the Plantation Inns continues

The Maafa which is Kiswahili for “Disaster” or “Terrible Occurrence” is now being used by intellectuals to describe the African Holocaust of the Middle Passage, Plantation Slavery, Colonialism, Racism and Exploitation... read more...

TRAVEL NEWS

$200 air credit for travel to the USVI

US VIRGIN ISLANDS: Just in time for summer vacation planners, the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association (HTA) & the Department of Tourism (DOT) are announcing the Summer Super Saver promotion, offering a $200 air credit, with a minimum five night stay, and a coupon booklet with savings of up to $500... read more...

Air Jamaica web sales ‘soaring to new heights’

MIAMI, USA: Air Jamaica announced on Monday that the number of tickets sold via the company’s Web site during the first quarter of 2005 increased by 50% over the same period in 2004. More than 7,100 tickets were sold in total, including a one-month record high of 2,839 tickets sold in February... read more...

SPORTS NEWS

West Indies omit Lara from one-day series against Pakistan

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): The West Indies have omitted batting superstar Brian Lara from the 13-man squad to play the three one-day internationals against Pakistan... read more...

Pakistan not taking West Indies lightly says Woolmer

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer expects a stiff challenge from West Indies in their imminent series of three one-day internationals and two Tests, despite the pasting the home team has taken from South Africa... read more...

West Indies players just as disappointed as fans, says coach

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: Coach of the West Indies cricket team Bennett King on Monday said his team is just as disappointed as their fans by the dismal performance during the just concluded one-day series against South Africa.  King’s remarks came shortly after the team arrived in St. Vincent around midday Monday... read more...

Puerto Rico's Trinidad returns to retirement after loss to Wright 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AFP): Puerto Rican boxing legend Felix Trinidad has announced his second ring retirement, calling it quits at the airport after returning from a career-ending loss to Ronald "Winky" Wright... read more...