Archives for Monday, July 18, 2005:

Haitian leader threatens backlash after journalist's murder

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): Prime Minister Gerard Latortue threatened Friday to unleash ex-soldiers to combat crime and armed gangs throughout the country after the brutal kidnapping and murder of a prominent Haitian journalist... read more...

Nothing conclusive on Trinidad bombing says Security Minister

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad:  Almost one week after a city explosion injured over a dozen people, police are no closer to solving the case.  Speaking in Parliament, the Minister with responsibility for National Security Martin Joseph, said word from the experts indicated that the blast was caused by a "low-level device."... read more...

Former Suriname dictator abandons presidential bid

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: In a surprise move Friday night, former military strongman Desi Bouterse announced the nomination of Rabin Parmessar for the presidency in Suriname... read more...

Explosion blacks-out Bermuda

HAMILTON, Bermuda: A catastrophic explosion at Bermuda's only power plant in the early hours of last Thursday morning resulted in an Island-wide blackout and subsequent rolling power cuts as power company staff worked to get the Island back online in time for the start of business on Monday... read more...

Emily brushes Grand Cayman

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: The centre of Hurricane Emily passed by some 100 miles to the south of Grand Cayman during the early hours of Sunday morning, bringing with it strong winds but no heavy rainfall... read more...

Hurricane Emily sideswipes Jamaica

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (AFP): Hurricane Emily roared past densely populated Jamaica Saturday, packing intense winds and rains that could trigger flooding and mudslides on the mountainous Caribbean island, officials said... read more...

Grenadians worst nightmare revisited

ST. GEORGE’S Grenada: Grenadians faced what they described as their worst nightmare on September 7, 2004 when Hurricane Ivan battered Grenada and, after ten months, to many the nightmare was revisited last week.  Hurricane Emily struck on Thursday with winds up to 90mph, damaging trees, roads and housing stock... read more...

Grenada PM assesses damage from Hurricane Emily

ST. GEORGE’S Grenada: Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell during his visit to see damage done to Cariacou and Petit Martinique has expressed great sadness at the level of destruction... read more...

St Kitts-Nevis ready to assist Grenada

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts: Ten months after receiving a pounding from Hurricane Ivan, the 'Spice Isle' has suffered another blow, this time by Hurricane Emily, which has forced the Grenada Government to make an appeal to the regional and international community for urgent assistance... read more...

Grenada’s tourism product intact

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: On July 13, 2005 Hurricane Emily -- a category one system -- impacted on Grenada. Its passage did not result in any damages to the hotel plant. Consequently, all hotels are functioning as normal as well as the established tourist sites and attractions, restaurants and dive sites... read more...

Jamaica open for business after passing of Hurricane Emily

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Aloun N’Dombet-Assamba, Minister of Industry and Tourism, reported Sunday that Hurricane Emily passed Jamaica and the Hurricane Warning has been officially lifted island-wide. All tourism regions have reported little or no damage... read more...

No State of Emergency, says Trinidad PM

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad:  Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, is not interested in declaring a state of emergency as a result of last Monday’s explosion, which damaged a store and injured a number of persons in the capital.  The Prime Minister's reaction came after repeated calls from Christian Mouttat... read more...

Electoral bill passed in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: A critical election bill has been approved in Guyana, paving the way for continuous registration ahead of next year’s general elections... read more...

Barbadian police officers face charges

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Three police officers, including a female, have been charged with perverting the course of justice in a rape case... read more...

Brazil's Lula warns no democracy in Haiti if aid not stepped up

PARIS, France (AFP): Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called Friday for aid to Haiti to be increased despite the Brazilian-led UN peacekeeping mission being unable to ensure security in the strife-torn Caribbean nation... read more...

St Vincent & the Grenadines to assist Cuba and Haiti

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: Cuba and Haiti will receive US$50,000 each from the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to assist with their recovery from damage sustained during the passage of Hurricane Dennis... read more...

New St Kitts-Nevis ferry schedule goes into effect Monday

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts: A new ferry schedule providing inter-island service between the two islands of St. Kitts and Nevis takes effect from Monday 18th July.  The Department of Maritime Affairs announced Friday that the new schedule was drawn up following several meetings that solicited the input of the ferry operators... read more...

Bush waives Cuba lawsuits another six months

WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): US President George W. Bush said Friday that he was extending for another six months a measure barring lawsuits by Americans whose property in Cuba was taken by Fidel Castro's government... read more...

Agriculture is most important sector, says IICA Director General

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation (IICA) on Agriculture, Dr. Chelston Brathwaite believes agriculture is the most important sector in reaching an agreement on global trade... read more...

WEEKEND SPORTS ROUNDUP

Sri Lanka win first Test against West Indies

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AFP):  Muttiah Muralitharan grabbed 6-36 on his return to international cricket after almost a year as Sri Lanka thumped a weakened West Indies side by six wickets in the first cricket Test here on Saturday... read more...

Unexpected West Indies resistance stings Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AFP): Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu on Sunday called for an improved display by his batsmen after Saturday's hard-fought six-wicket win over a weakened West Indies in the first cricket Test here... read more...

Chanderpaul praises his West Indies youngsters

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka:  West Indies senior team captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul had high praises for his young players despite the team's six wicket loss to Sri Lanka in the first of their two Test match series at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on Saturday... read more...

West Indies' Lawson reported for suspect action

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AFP): West Indies fast bowler Jermaine Lawson was reported for an illegal bowling action during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Sunday... read more...

Samuels century not enough for West Indies 'A'

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka:  Former West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels hit his first century on the tour of Sri Lanka but the West Indies 'A'-team lost to Sri Lanka 'A' by five wickets under the Duckworth/Lewis system in the second one-day international at the Colombo Cricket Club on Thursday... read more...

USA defeat Jamaica 3-1

BOSTON, USA:  Jamaica Reggae Boyz fell short once again to score their first victory against the United States when they crashed out at the quarter-finals stage of the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament 3-1 to the hosts in the second match of a double header at the Gillette Stadium in Foxboro on Saturday... read more...

CAC sprint stars heads to Thessalonica

THESSALONICA, Greece:  The Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Senior Championships 100-metre gold and silver medallists Darrel Brown and Marc Burns of Trinidad and Tobago will take part in the IAAF Grand Prix II Thessalonica 2005 meeting in Greece on Sunday... read more...

Martinique-born Pognon in form at French Championships

ANGERS, France:  Martinique-born French sprinter Ronald Pognon showed his 200-metres abilities with three impressive performances at the 2005 French Championships on the weekend.  The former junior and youth star broke registered time faster than his previous personal best, all were legal performances... read more...

Sanchez beaten in Madrid Grand Prix

MADRID, Spain: On a night when Olympic Pole Vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia produced yet another spectacular clearance of 4.95m to improve her World record, World and Olympic champion Felix Sanchez was soundly beaten in windy conditions in the men's 400-metres hurdles at the "Meeting de Atletismo Madrid 2005", the fifth leg of the IAAF Super Grand Prix Series in Madrid on Saturday... read more...

Sanchez not worried about losing in Madrid

MADRID, Spain:  Dominican Republic's superman Felix Sanchez said he is not worried about losing to American Bershawn Jackson in the men's 400-metres hurdles at the "Meeting de Atletismo Madrid 2005", the fifth leg of the IAAF Super Grand Prix Series in Madrid on Saturday. The World champion said the times are not a problem... read more...

Trinidad and Tobago coach says it's time to refocus

MIAMI, USA:  Trinidad and Tobago's head coach Leo Beenhakker admits that his team lacked quality in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, but the team must now refocus on getting back in the race for a World Cup qualifying spot... read more...