Caribbean

Friday, Dec. 30, 2011

Cuba gives unusual Christmas gift

Cuba: In what has been described as an unusual Christmas gift, Cuba’s supreme governing body on Dec. 23 pardoned nearly 3,000 prisoners, including some convicted of political crimes, but President Raul Castro refuses to ease travel ban to the United States. Comment.

U.N. envoy sends condolences to Haiti

Haiti: The head of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Haiti on Dec. 27 sent his condolences to the country’s president and families of the 38 people who died at sea after their boat sank off Cuba’s eastern coast last week. Comment.

Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011

CARICOM aims to build on gains made in 2011

Suriname: The outgoing chairman of CARICOM, the 15-nation Caribbean Community integration movement, says that the group achieved much in the past year and expects succeeding leaders to build on gains made in 2011. Comments (1).

Not time to remove embargo: Obama

Cuba: U.S. President Barack Obama believes that this is not the time to lift the embargo on Cuba, according to the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Comment.

USAID defends its $3.4m Cuba grant

Cuba: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has vehemently rejected complaints of political favoritism in its grant of US$3.4 million to a human rights group closely linked to a Miami-based nonprofit organization. Comment.

Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011

Major boost to Jamaica JazzFest

Music & Fashion: Across the Caribbean Diaspora, Jamaican promoter Walter Elmore’s Art of Music Productions (AMP) successful bid to attract mega star Celine Dion to the 2012 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival is being viewed as a boost for the festival and for the region. Comment.

Friday, Dec. 23, 2011

Caribbean Round-Up

Trinidad and Tobago: A voluntary electronic tagging system could be introduced in Anguilla early next year to monitor inmates who have been released early from her Majesty’s Prison. Comment.

Bucknor blasts Windies players, administrators

Caribbean: Former world-rated cricket umpire Jamaican Steve Bucknor has painted a damning picture of the recent cop of West Indies players and administrators. Comment.

Marriott to open hotel in Haiti

Haiti: Marriott International recently announced it will open its first hotel in Haiti in 2014, a move that will create more jobs and tourism opportunities to Port-au-Prince. Comments (1).

SVG reminds rich nations to honor their aid pledges

St Vincent: St. Vincent and the Grenadines has reminded rich countries to honor their pledges of development assistance to poorer nations, especially in the wake of the global economic crisis. Comment.

T&T PM apologizes to Cuban president

Trinidad and Tobago: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has apologized to Cuban President Raul Castro who was not allowed to stay at the Hilton Trinidad for the one-day CARICOM-Cuba Summit recently. Comment.

Call for infrastural renewal in Belize

Belize: I was born and raised in Dangriga Town 56 years ago on Sawai Street and grew up with Punta Rock Stars, Muhubub and Miamie in the heart and central part of the town. Comment.

Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011

Winning Against Poverty

Caribbean: As 2011 comes to a close, with the global economy facing yet another economic slowdown, the World Bank says it is drawing “key lessons” from the impact of the Great Recession of 2008/2009 and the quick recovery on the region’s poor. Comment.

Clinton-Bush nonprofit gives $1.5 million to Haiti

Haiti: PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund says it hopes $1.5 million in grants will help Haiti build its hotel, education and technology sectors. Comment.

Canada to revoke citizenship of fake Carib applicants

St Vincent: In the wake of what has been described as heightened fraudulent claims for asylum in Canada by Vincentians and other Caribbean nationals, the Canadian government says that it intends to revoke the citizenship of at least 1,800 immigrants who allegedly used fraudulent means to become Canadians. Comment.

Cuban banks begin offering home, business loans

Cuba: HAVANA (AP) — Cuban banks have begun offering bank credits to people hoping to redo their home or invest in a private business, continuing a series of free market reforms pushed by President Raul Castro. Comment.

Cholera cases decline

Haiti: PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti has seen a steady decline in the number of cholera cases as the Caribbean nation settles into its dry season, humanitarian groups said Tuesday. Comment.

Three Guyanese officials in trouble

Guyana: In a sign that the new Donald Ramotar administration is not waiting on the combined opposition to force it to act on key issues, authorities are moving to take action against three high ranking officials involved in separate police incidents in recent weeks including an attempt by a presidential adviser to kill an opposition supporter by running her down with a state vehicle. Comment.

Guyana police chief steps aside

Guyana: A 34-year-old woman has made some explosive allegations against Police Chief Henry Greene, forcing him to step aside this week while authorities prepare to call in investigators from Jamaica to determine whether the claims made by the woman have credence. Comment.

Carib expats not contributing enough to their homeland economies

St Vincent: St. Vincent and the Grenadines U.N. envoy, Ambassador Camillo Gonsalves, says most educated Caribbean migrants are not giving back enough in remittances to the region. Comment.

Teacher pens book of inspiring life lessons

Guyana: Cheryl Ainsworth-Martin came from an education dynasty that started in Victoria Village – a small community on the East Coast of Demerara, Guyana. Her parents who were both principals instilled in their nine children the momentousness of education, and the satisfaction it would bring in sharing it. As such, they all became teachers. Comments (1).

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011

Haitians mourn activist Sonia Pierre

Haiti: “What a big loss,” writes Mauritia St. Fleur. “Our sister, our voice, our warrior, our fighter, our cover,” mourns Ms. St. Fleur from the Dominican Republic on the sudden and premature passing of human rights activist Sonia Pierre who died of a heart attack there at the age of 48 on Dec. 4. Comment.

GKMS announces I Pledge Too Program

Jamaica: General Manager of GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS), Joan-Marie Powell recently announced the launch of the company’s newest initiative to enhance literacy in Jamaican primary schools. The program dubbed “I Pledge Too” allows residents of the USA to make contributions to the Western Union effort to computerize primary schools. Comment.

Grenadian caregivers get new yoga skills

Grenada: A group of 22 participants, 11 of which were child care workers from five of Grenada’s children’s homes, successfully graduated from a Teen Yoga Teacher Training course held from Dec. 2-4. This training, which was organized and funded by REACH Grenada, took place at the Fountain of Youth Yoga Studio in Grenada and was delivered by Erin Wilson of the New York based Karma Kids Yoga Company. Comment.

T’s beginning to look a lot like…

New York: On occasion I have offered last-minute suggestions to procrastinators waiting for last-minute sales before Christmas Day. Comment.

Pro and con Cuba bills axed from U.S. budget

Cuba: United States Congressional leaders have dropped both a measure to restrict Cuban-American travel and remittances to the Spanish-speaking Caribbean island and another to make it easier for Cuba to buy U.S. goods. Comment.

Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011

Petioni Plaza opens in Harlem

Manhattan: Finally, the long wait is over. Comments (1).

Grenadians graduate from MWSU

Grenada: Grenadian students Emma Gay and Joel Donnell Thomas both earned master’s degrees at Midwestern State University’s December 2011 Commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 10. They were part of a group of 20 Caribbean students who also walked the stage. Comment.

Exceptional year for Coast Guard Carib security

Caribbean: The United States Coast Guard says 2011 marked “a year of exceptional security operations” in the Caribbean. Comment.

Monday, Dec. 19, 2011

JA PM appeals for peaceful elections

Jamaica: In the wake of reported sporadic violence in Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued an appeal for calm before, during and after the post-Christmas elections. Comment.

Lady English to launch new bath salt

People: Lady English whose Fountain Pimento Oil has won over die-hard holistic practitioners will unveil a new addition to her product line just in time for the holiday season. Comment.

SHAGGY DELIVERS

Music & Fashion: The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival was hailed by a musical superstar as one of the remaining bastions in support of not just reggae music but other musical genres and culture as a whole. Comment.

God and Goddesses engaging exhibiton

Arts & Theater: Self-taught artist and illustrator for almost 20 years, Brooklyn born and bred, now Bronx resident Laura James of Antiguan heritage, is having a show of paintings and objects, rich in images, texture and feeling, entitled “God and Goddesses” in the Corridor Gallery of the Interchurch Center in Manhattan. Comment.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011

Magnificent Martinique on the road

Music & Fashion: Recently the Martinique Magnifique Road Show arrived in mid-town New York. Comment.

Friday, Dec. 16, 2011

Caribbean Round-Up

Trinidad and Tobago: Grenada Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism organization (CTO), Senator Richard Skerritt said local politicians must put aside their own interests to ensure that the region’s tourism sector survives these times. Comment.

Cuba, CARICOM fight illict drug trade

Cuba: Cuba has offered to assist CARICOM countries fight the illict drug trade and small arms trade. Comment.

Woman accuses Guyana national police chief of rape

Guyana: GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — A woman is accusing the chief of Guyana’s National Police of rape and says several officers refused to take her complaint. Comment.

Vincentian group honors prominent community worker

St Vincent: For the third time in less than a month, prominent community organizer, Verna Arthur, has been honored by a Vincentian group in the United States, prompting remarks that this is her “special year.” Comment.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011

Call for passage of NYS Dream Act

Manhattan: Dozens of young people, community leaders, and elected officials gathered on the steps of City Hall Friday, Dec. 9, to demand greater access to higher education for youth, regardless of status. Comment.

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011

LEADER ON THE ROPES

Barbados: In a move few would deem a surprise, 11 Barbadian MPs including seven senior cabinet ministers are considering an internal rebellion against Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, saying his boring, unimaginative and lackluster leadership style could make the governing Democratic Labor Party (DLP) lose the government next year. Comment.

150 candidates to contest JA elections

Jamaica: Following Nomination Day on Dec. 12, Jamaican electoral authorities say that 150 candidates have registered to participate in general elections on Dec. 29. Comment.

US hinders Raul Castro at Port of Spain meeting

Trinidad and Tobago: President Raoul Castro flew to the oil- and gas-rich Caribbean trade bloc twin-island of Trinidad and Tobago for a meeting with regional leaders last week only to discover that the extra territorial arm of the United States will seek him out wherever he goes, as the Obama Administration banned the Hilton Hotel chain from allowing the meeting to be held there as planned. Comment.

Caribbean shopping at Courts USA

Queens: Courts, the Caribbean’s largest furniture, electronics and appliances retailer has many door buster deals and gifts, which can be used to furnish your home in the U.S. or be delivered directly to your loved ones in the Caribbean during this holiday season. Comment.

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011

Exiles defy Castro ban on fireworks

Cuba: A Cuban exile flotilla shot bright fireworks into the sky only about 13 miles from the Havana coast on Dec. 9 in a defiant show of support for dissidents on the Spanish-speaking Caribbean island. Comment.

Monday, Dec. 12, 2011

Haiti makes a push for overseas investment

Haiti: A top Haitian government official says that the Michel Martelly administration plans to push several critical laws in coming weeks aimed at making the country more business-friendly and lure investments. Comment.

Jamaicans look to Olympic ice skating

Jamaica: Optimism is high for Jamaican athletes competing in next year’s summer Olympics in London, England. However, if an endorsement from nationals abroad is approved, the fervor could extend to the distant future and the 2014 Winter Games in Russia. Comment.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011

Church confirms pope’s visit to Cuba

Cuba: HAVANA (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI will visit Communist-run Cuba this spring, a senior Roman Catholic Church official said Thursday, the first trip by a pontiff since John Paul II’s historic tour in 1998. Comment.

Friday, Dec. 9, 2011

Caribbean Round-Up

Trinidad and Tobago: An Antiguan businessman is facing up to 20 years in jail for human trafficking after becoming the first person to be charged under the country’s recently-passed Trafficking in Persons Prevention Act. Comment.

Claim of police Labor Day misconduct

Brooklyn: A major United States publication claims that some police officers in the New York Police Department (N.Y.P.D) have maligned paradegoers at the annual West Indian American Day Carnival parade, calling them “animals” and “savages,” among other things. Comment.

Decline in tourists spending expected

Travel: Caribbean tourism officials said that while the Caribbean anticipates another surge in visitors this winter, they are warning that the amount of tourists spend while on vacation will decline. Comment.

Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011

Post-election tension on the rise in Guyana

Guyana: Political tension in Guyana rose to new heights following the Nov. 28 general elections after riot police on Tuesday opened fire on opposition protesters sending nearly a dozen to hospital, as well as students and a teacher from a nearby primary school who were forced to inhale tear gas smoke that wafted into the school, as officers went on the rampage in the city. Comment.

Vigil raises $800 towards HIV/AIDS

Jamaica: Team Carib Connect raised more than $800 during its second Annual Candlelight Vigil in observance of World Aids Day in Queens on Saturday, Dec. 3. 2011. Comment.

Indo-Carib trade and investment opportunities

Caribbean: The United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) says that the region could become an “important trading partner” with India, noting that exports from regional countries to India represented only 0.9 percent of the region’s total exports in 2008-2010. Comment.

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011

BVI Tourist Board lures tourists with promotion

Travel: The turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and the beauty of the British Virgin Islands under the theme - Discover the Hidden Treasures of the BVI – 60 Islands One Unforgettable Experience - was the backdrop for a spectacular Full Moon celebration, hosted by the BVI Tourist Board to woo travelers to their breathtaking islands in the Caribbean. Comments (1).

Belafonte ‘Sing Your Songs’ at Schomburg

Movies: Entertainer and Civil Rights activist Harry Belafonte will once again take the spotlight when his acclaimed film documentary “Sing Your Songs” screens during a one-time showcase at the Schomburg Center for Research on Dec. 8. Comment.

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011

JA govt concerned about convicted Buju

Music & Fashion: Acting on reports from attorneys for convicted Jamaican native Buju Banton, Olivia Grange, the island’s minister of youth, sports and culture said she is concerned about the conditions he must endure while incarcerated at a federal facility in Texas. Comment.

BACK WITH A BANG

Music & Fashion: Richie Stephens is back! And, although still in what he says is “a healing process” the popular Jamaican music maker declared he is not just back, but “back with a bang.” Comment.

Garifuna Coalition honors former SVG consular aide

Brooklyn: J. Erlene Williams-King, a former aide to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ New York Consul General, was honored on Nov. 19 by the New York-based Garifuna Coalition U.S.A, Inc. at the group’s Yellow, White and Black 2011 Gala at the Eastwood Manor, Bronx. Comment.

Obama seeks more money for global AIDS relief

Health: President Barack Obama says he is seeking more federal money for efforts to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS in the U.S., the Caribbean and globally. Comment.

Monday, Dec. 5, 2011

Ramotar sworn in as Guyana’s 7th president

Guyana: Donald Rabindranath Ramotar, 61, was sworn in last weekend as Guyana’s seventh executive president following the Nov. 28 general elections; but it’s clear that the road ahead will be tough for his administration to control the daily affairs of the country but not the legislative agenda in parliament. Comment.

Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011

ETHNIC SCHISM IN T&T

Trinidad and Tobago: High education officials in Trinidad are to meet with the leaders of a sometimes radical Hindu organization, teachers and the umbrella teaching service commission this week in a bid to temper a simmering row over allegations that the Hindu school is refusing to teach non-Hindu students and fires teachers who ignore orders to enroll students, particularly those of African origin. Comment.

Jamaica: Jamaica’s newly-appointed Prime Minister Andrew Holness made his first official visit to New York recently. Comment.
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