Archives for Friday, November 25, 2005:

Commonwealth secretary-general addresses human rights forum

VALLETTA, Malta: Mr. Don McKinnon, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, has issued a call to Commonwealth member countries who have not signed and ratified several very important human rights conventions, to do so as soon as possible.  McKinnon made the call during Monday's Commonwealth Human Rights Forum... read more...

Jamaica's murder rate hits all-time high

KINGSTON, Jamaica (UPI): The Jamaican government wants scientific answers on why the country's murder rate has hit an all-time high, with 1,476 homicides so far this year... read more...

'Non-partisan' protest march held in Antigua

ST JOHN'S, Antigua: A large crowd of Antigua residents, many of whom were supporters of the opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP), on Thursday took part in what organizers called a non-partisan national protest to voice their displeasure over the way the 18-month old United Progressive Party (UPP) administration is running the country... read more...

EU agrees 'radical' reform of sugar sector

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP): EU farm ministers agreed Thursday to a "radical" reform of their sugar sector after a sweetened set of proposals broke a deadlock that had consumed three days of haggling... read more...

US pressures Caribbean banks

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: Caribbean banking officials are feeling pressured and financially burdened by the US authorities, claiming that they use their banks to demand regular operational changes since the September 11 terror attack in North America.  The Caribbean Association of Indigenous Banks met in Grand Cayman... read more...

Anti-crime amendments now law in the Cayman Islands

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: Nine amendments to legislation in the Cayman Islands, aimed at further curbing crime through a number of new measures ranging from longer jail time to the right of police to request information from phone companies, are now enforceable by law... read more...

Commonwealth youth discusses crime and conflict, HIV/AIDS and unemployment

VALLETTA, Malta:  Crime and conflict, HIV/AIDS and unemployment were some of the main issues discussed at the just concluded Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF), which gives way to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which opens here on Friday.  The CYF brought together over 100 young people... read more...

From Antigua to Zambia: the Commonwealth in a nutshell

VALLETTA, Malta (AFP): The Commonwealth, which meets in the Mediterranean island state of Malta from Friday to Sunday, is a loose grouping of countries that emerged from the gradual dissolution of the British Empire in the mid 20th century... read more...

Antigua-Barbuda government moves to complete medical centre

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua: The Antigua and Barbuda government is moving ahead to resume work on the multi-million dollar Mount St John Medical Centre, with a completion date set for the latter part of 2006.  Health Minister John Maginley met with non-resident ambassador to China Sir David Shoul and several Chinese delegates earlier this week... read more...

Regional banks have unique assets, says Cayman's Financial Secretary

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: Opportunities for Caribbean indigenous banks to solidify a place in the market can come through leverage of their unique assets, and use of strong leadership to take advantage of these resources.  This is the view of Cayman Islands Financial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson... read more...

Poverty assessment provides insight into St Lucia's social fabric

CASTRIES, St. Lucia:  A Country Poverty Assessment exercise currently underway in St Lucia is reportedly providing planners with vital insights into the social fabric of the island.  Deputy Chairman of the National Assessment Team (NAT) Donavan Williams says sixteen communities island-wide have been specially selected to be part of the exercise... read more...

Skilled Cuban workers get pay raises

HAVANA, Cuba (UPI): The Cuban government Thursday announced pay raises for the country's most productive, skilled and educated government workers... read more...

World’s leading poker players head to St Kitts for Caribbean tournament

BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Over 400 of the world’s leading poker players descend on St Kitts this weekend for the 2005 Caribbean Poker Classic Tournament.  The tournament at the St Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino not only allows players to soak up the sun, but take home the estimated prize pool of US$2 million... read more...

Barbados manufacturers urged to remain competitive

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Local manufacturers in Barbados have been warned that sentimentality and business do not mix. This was the overarching message from Catherine Beckett, a locally-based consultant, as she addressed manufacturers attending a Ministry of Industry-sponsored Manufacturers’ Forum... read more...

SPORTS NEWS

Aussies guard against 'dead rubber syndrome' with beaten West Indies

ADELAIDE, Australia (AFP): Ricky Ponting is demanding that his Australian team banish the "dead-rubber syndrome" mentality as they attempt to complete a three-Test sweep over the hapless West Indies here on Friday... read more...

West Indies lack spin options for final Test

ADELAIDE, Australia (AFP): The West Indies will rely on skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan as their threadbare spin options against Australia in this weekend's final cricket Test on a wearing Adelaide Oval pitch... read more...