Archives for Wednesday, October 19, 2005:

Hurricane Wilma rapidly becoming stronger

MIAMI, USA (UPI):  Tropical Storm Wilma tied another record Tuesday when it strengthened into the 12th hurricane of the season.  By 8 p.m., winds at the center had increased to almost 100 mph, making it a Category 2 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center predicted that Wilma would become a major hurricane... read more...

'We know who the bombers are,' says Trinidad's Prime Minister

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidadian Prime Minister Patrick Manning on Monday said the identity of persons responsible for four explosions in Port of Spain is no longer a mystery and that the government knows exactly who the culprits are... read more...

High tides raise new concerns of widespread flooding in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Evacuation started Monday in several coastal communities in Guyana after spring tides knocked down sections of the country's sea defence causing severe flooding.  The army has been deployed to affected communities where they are working closely with the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs)... read more...

Smuggled video decries Cuban executions

WASHINGTON, USA (UPI): Relatives of three Cubans executed for a trying to hijack a boat to the United States in 2003 testified in their damage suit on a video smuggled out of Cuba... read more...

US Embassy warns of visa lottery fraud

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: The Embassy of the United States of America to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean has released details of an email fraud purporting to offer “lottery winners” green cards upon payment of certain fees... read more...

USVI police test new strategy to curb domestic violence

ST CROIX, USVI: In an attempt to focus attention on domestic violence crimes in the US Virgin Islands, VIPD Commissioner Elton Lewis announced that the names and photos of persons arrested on domestic violence charges will be sent to the media... read more...

US security chief strives to expel all illegal immigrants, including Cubans

WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Tuesday his department aims without exception to expel all those who enter the United States illegally... read more...

CCJ not a final court for Jamaicans, says minister

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Head of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Robert Miller has said that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was not a court of appeal for Jamaicans... read more...

Cayman Islands introduce new curbs on illegal weapons

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: Persons found with illegal guns in the Cayman Islands will have to spend no less than 10 years behind bars before any possibility of release, according to a soon to be implemented change to the local Firearms Law... read more...

Cuba praises Ibero-American summit's call for end to US 'blockade'

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuba praised the Ibero-American summit Monday for urging the United States to end its 43-year-old embargo against the communist island and describing it as a "blockade."... read more...

Jamaican government strengthens surveillance against bird flu

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The government of Jamaica is strengthening its surveillance systems as part of the country's response to the outbreak of the deadly Avian Flu (Bird Flu) virus in South East Asia, which experts fear may become a global pandemic... read more...

Forensic doctors use DNA tests to identify victims of Martinique air crash

CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): French and Venezuelan forensic doctors on Monday began to examine DNA samples to help identify victims of an airline crash last August that killed 152 French citizens en route to the Caribbean island of Martinique, local media reported... read more...

Antigua-Barbuda tourism minister to address shipping association meeting in Barbados

ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Antigua and Barbuda's Tourism Minister Harold Lovell left on Tuesday for Bridgetown Barbados, where he will be a featured speaker at the Caribbean Shipping Association’s Annual General Meeting and Exhibition at the Hilton Barbados.  Minister Lovell is expected to present a paper to over 250 delegates... read more...

Jamaicans in UK urged to use Diaspora group to voice concerns

LONDON, England: High Commissioner to London, Gail Mathurin has urged United Kingdom-based Jamaicans to use the Diaspora organization to voice their concerns about issues, which affected them and their communities... read more...

SPORTS NEWS

West Indies squad depart for Australia

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The West Indies team, minus Devon Smith, Wavell Hinds and Chris Gayle left the Caribbean on Monday for Australia where they will play the hosts in a three-Test series... read more...

West Indies coach King confident ahead of Australia tour

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados:  West Indies head coach Bennett King is full of confidence ahead of his team's upcoming three Test series with world champions Australia... read more...

Sarwan tops KFC Cup batting averages

GEORGETOWN, Guyana:  West Indies’ vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan topped the batting averages in the just-concluded KFC Cup West Indies limited-overs championship... read more...