Caribbean archive

Caribbean

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

HEADS WILL ROLL

Trinidad and Tobago: It is becoming clear with each passing day that the tenure of Trinidad and Tobago’s police chief Dwayne Gibbs and at least one other high-ranking expatriate officer hired under the previous Patrick Manning administration with a mandate to lower the twin-island’s soaring crime rate are very numbered, judging from the latest failing grade for the police top brass in the past week. Comment.

Ivan’s Stress-Free Beach Bar turns 20

Travel: It was an enchanting evening in the British Virgin Islands, on Feb. 13, when scores of dinghies pulled up onto the sandy beach of White Bay, on the popular island of Josh Van Dyke. Comment.

Machel Montano cops three titles

Music & Fashion: Trinidad & Tobago Carnival officially begins with the Machel Monday Concert. The reigning champion annually holds this sellout concert to treat fans to a wide variety of hits. This year he celebrated three decades in the Soca industry. Comment.

Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

Beaches first line of defense in Barbados

Guyana: BRIDGETOWN, Feb. 17 - Like most of its neighbors in the English-speaking Caribbean, Barbados’s main economic asset is its coastal zone. Comment.

Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012

Machel Montano’s hat-trick of titles

Music & Fashion: Soca star Machel Montano who described himself as “Mr Fete,” has copped an unprecedented hat-trick for 2012 when he took the Road March title with his song “Pump Yuh Flag.” He scored back-to-back wins having captured last year’s Road March with his tune “Advantage.” Comment.

Friday, Feb. 24, 2012

Caribbean Round-Up

Trinidad and Tobago: A new school of medicine in Barbados will in no way conflict or compete with similar facilities of the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus in Barbados. Comment.

Nursing brain drain affecting Caribbean

Caribbean: The migration of nurses to the First World is having a very negative impact on the Caribbean and the more incentives are offered to nurses and other critical health workers, the greater chance of retaining them in the region, says a recent World Bank study. Comment.

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

Police raids on media threaten press freedom

Trinidad and Tobago: PORT OF SPAIN, Feb. 13 - Four months before the island hosts the World Congress of the Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI), the Trinidad and Tobago government finds itself on the defense in the wake of police raids on two national media houses in six weeks. Comment.

‘Mama P’ faces prejudice, economic challenges

Jamaica: KINGSTON, Jan. 25 - Running on promises of job creation, economic growth and wider stakeholder consultations, Jamaica’s most popular politician and the country’s first female prime minister Portia Simpson Miller swept to power in a victory almost no one had predicted. Comment.

T&T thespian Sullivan Walker passes

Trinidad and Tobago: Caribbean nationals residing in Brooklyn will not soon forget Sullivan Walker. He epitomized the federation West Indians imagined if all the countries in the region had united under one banner instead of branching off to seek independence. Comments (1).

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

St. Lucian Taj Weekes to be recognized

St Lucia: The legendary St. Lucian artiste and philanthropist Taj Weekes has been selected for the St. Lucia House Foundation’s Humanitarian Award for his selflessness and dedicated humanitarian efforts. Comments (1).

Keeping prescription medications affordable

Jamaica: Since founding Comunilife, I have worked with many New Yorkers from underserved communities – from children to seniors - and those living with HIV/AIDS or mental illness. As anyone working in healthcare today knows, one of the most significant challenges facing New York and our country as a whole is the staggering number of people who are unable to afford their prescription medications. Comment.

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

CRICKET SCANDAL DEEPENS

Guyana: Guyana’s government’s public pledge to dismantle the elected Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) because of alleged widespread corruption and take over the administration of cricket by installing its Interim Management Committee (IMC) took a new turn over the weekend when local police arrested board secretary Anand Sanasie on suspicion that he was part of an organized ring that sold visas to ordinary Guyanese by passing them off to Western embassies as bona fide cricketers. Comment.

Caribbean Day at children’s museum

Arts & Theater: Immersing yourself in the Caribbean spirit through arts is a wonderful way for the family to warm up an early March afternoon. Comment.

Ex-Grenada PM George Brizan passes at 69

Grenada: Former Grenada Prime Minister George Brizan, a co-founder of the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC), died on Feb. 18 at the General Hospital in St. George’s, the Grenada capital, following a prolonged illness. He was 69. Comment.

US pleads for unity in Haiti

Haiti: The United States have called on all political parties and legislators in Haiti to work closely together in order to avert a political crisis in the French-speaking, earthquake-ravaged Caribbean country. Comment.

Montano wins two carnival titles

Music & Fashion: Soca superstar Machel Montano scored a double when he took the International Power Soca Monarch and the Groovy Soca Monarch titles on Fantastic Friday night at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain. Comment.

Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

Guyana Cricket Board resumes control

Guyana: A High Court judge in Guyana has allowed the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to resume control of the sport in the South American country. Comment.

Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012

Jamaican republican status on the fast track

Jamaica: The newly-elected government of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in Jamaica has begun initial discussions on the country’s transition to republican status, a government statement issued in New York on Feb. 16 said. Comment.

MARLEY’S GRAMMY

Music & Fashion: Perhaps it was less than a surprise when Bob and Rita Marley’s youngest son Stephen took the best reggae album category at the recent Grammy awards. Comment.

Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

Artists uncover the beauty of Church Avenue

People: Church Avenue will have five new colorful and vibrant additions to the neighborhood in Spring 2012. Comment.

Bay Gardens Beach Resort, Jet Blue support St. Lucia’s Independence Gala

St Lucia: As Saint Lucians in New York prepare to commemorate their country’s 33rd anniversary of National Independence, the Saint Lucia House Foundation has announced that Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa and Jet Blue Airways are major donors to this year’s Independence Gala on Feb. 25. Comment.

High price tag for Trinidad spinner

Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago mystery spinner Sunil Narine, who shot into the cricket limelight last year was purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (ILP) for the fifth highest price behind India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene, India pacer Vinay Kumar and New Zealand batsman Brendan McCullum. Comment.

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

POLICE INVADE NEWSDAY

Trinidad and Tobago: No one, including expatriate Trinidad and Tobago Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs seems to know exactly why a battery of police officers invaded the offices of Trinidad’s Newsday newspaper in Port of Spain last week, spent several hours searching computers, files and other company property before carting away computer hard drives and flash drives, as well as other material in a move that shocked all across the island’s political divide. Comment.

Canadian economic aid for Carib localities

Caribbean: Canada’s Minister of International Cooperation Beverley J. Oda, announced on Feb. 10 her country’s support for local economic development in the Caribbean to the tune of CAN$20 million. Comment.

Trinidad’s former PM flown to U.S. after stroke

Trinidad and Tobago: PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Trinidad’s former Prime Minister Patrick Manning has been airlifted to Walter Reed Medical Center in the United States for treatment following a stroke. Comment.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Grenada airport remains open despite Taiwan’s squeeze

Grenada: The government of Grenada has assured its citizens and visitors to the island that the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) will remain in full and effective operation. Comment.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

Trinidad economy ‘turning the corner’: IMF

Trinidad and Tobago: After concluding Article IV consultation with government authorities and other officials in Trinidad and Tobago, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says “there is concrete evidence” that the twin-island republic’s economy is “turning the corner.” Comment.

New Citi Pond Kids Program

People: Citi hosted its first Citi Pond Kids program at Citi Pond at Bryant Park on Friday, Feb. 3, to benefit 50 children from the YMCA of Greater New York. Torino 2006 Olympic Games silver medalist figure skater Sasha Cohen was on hand to help inspire and motivate the kids, ages 8 to 10, from the Y After School Academy, the Y’s after-school program located at P.S. 57 in Harlem, at 11:00 a.m. Comment.

Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

U.S. govt responds to Buju’s appeal

Jamaica: MIAMI (AP) — The U.S. government says plenty of evidence supports a federal jury’s conviction of Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton on cocaine conspiracy and trafficking charges. Comment.

Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012

Top cop, on trial for rape, buys more time

Guyana: Facing a criminal charge of rape, embattled Police Chief Henry Greene has secured a temporary court order barring junior officers from charging him as he challenges the recommendation from the state prosecutor’s office to indict him on the felony charge, saying the evidence in the complaint is too weak to secure a conviction. Comment.

Carib nationals as XLVI pioneers

Puerto Rico: “The key thing is to remember this: that all things are possible for those who believe. And we always believed, we always knew we could get here.” -- Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said at City Hall. Comment.

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012

Fast ferry service for Eastern Caribbean

Trinidad and Tobago: A fast ferry service between the Eastern Caribbean islands is soon to start sailing. Comment.

Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

Caribbean Round-Up

Trinidad and Tobago: Despite the region spending millions of dollars to secure airlift to the Caribbean, ticket prices are still too high and remain insufficient to sustain the industry, according to Josef Forstmayr, president the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). Comment.

Lawyer for Cuban agents vows last-ditch appeal

Cuba: HAVANA (AP) — A lawyer for five Cuban agents sentenced to long jail terms for spying in the United States said Wednesday he is preparing a last-ditch appeal, arguing that one of the men received bad counsel and that the jury for all five was prejudiced because the U.S. paid several journalists who covered the trial. Comment.

U.N. says Caribbean crime hurting economies

Trinidad and Tobago: PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Rising crime across the Caribbean threatens the region’s tourism-based economy and has exposed a weak and ineffective judicial system, according to a sweeping U.N. study released on Wednesday. Comment.

ALBA approves new economic system, admits Haiti

Venezuela: Leaders of the eight-nation Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) on Feb. 5 approved a new economic integration system, called ECOALBA, admitted Haiti to the bloc and heard membership requests from two more Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states. Comment.

Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

BATTLE LINES AT BOURDA

Guyana: Chaos and disorder loomed large for the game of cricket in Guyana this week as government seemed determined to arbitrarily move aside the elected governing board, replace it with its own political appointees and take over operations generally but if the Antigua-based West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has its way, Guyanese won’t see an international match for months or years to come. Comment.

Groundbreaking for agro-tourism farm

St Kitts and Nevis: St. Kitts & Nevis Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Sen. Ricky Skerritt praised a proposed 20-acre Agro-Tourism Demonstration Farm during a recent groundbreaking ceremony, stating that the project, while poised to be entertaining, will also be educational, and will represent a unique marriage between agriculture and tourism. Comment.

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012

Gayle heads to Bangladesh

Caribbean: Embattled West Indies batsman Chris Gayle topped the list of 12 West Indies players who were signed to play in the inaugural Bangladesh Twenty20 Premier League (BPL) next month. Comment.

JFF prez apologizes for bribery scandal

Caribbean: Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Horace Burrell has apologized on behalf of members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) for their involvement in the cash-for-votes, bribery scandal involving former FIFA presidential candidate, Mohamed bin Hamman. Comment.

Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

Music & Fashion: Phoenix Francisco realized her love for the performing arts at the tender age of six. Comment.

Rebel salute on Jamaica’s and Tony’s 50th birthday

Music & Fashion: Jamaican reggae artist Tony Rebel celebrated his 50th birthday at his annual Pepsi Rebel Salute 2012 which took place in Port Kaiser Sports Complex, St. Elizabeth on Saturday, Jan. 14 right through the morning of the 15th with a huge birthday cake, an impressive list of veteran and emerging reggae artists and a massive of die-hard roots-music lovers. Comment.

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012

Greetings to Grenada from USA

Grenada: Grenadians continue their milestone achievement this week and were acknowledged by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who dispatched this correspondence about their independence celebration this week. Comment.

Friday, Feb. 3, 2012

Eliminating U.K. airfare tax not a priority: Hague

Grenada: Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague says eliminating or modifying an airfare tax is not a priority even though his government understands its implications on the Caribbean’s tourism business. Comment.

Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

Jagdeo gets revenge against ardent critic

Guyana: In what is a clear case of political spitefulness against its critics, members of Guyana’s ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, used its majority on the University of Guyana’s board in the past week to publicly fire longstanding political science lecturer Freddie Kissoon, as sweet revenge for years of criticism and helping the opposition unearth startling facts pertaining to race relations and discrimination in Guyana and PPP governance of the country. Comment.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012

Venezuela brings home $9B in gold

Venezuela: CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela repatriated a final shipment of gold from foreign banks Monday, saying the country has withdrawn a total of $9 billion in its gold reserves and moved it to the country’s Central Bank. Comment.

Manhattan Boro prez honors Haitians

Haiti: For the past six years during the month of January, the Haitian community has joined Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer in paying tribute to Haiti’s Independence, which in fact is celebrated every Jan. 1. The first and only successful slave rebellion, Haiti’s independence was an inspiration for independence for many Latin American countries. Comment.

U.N. says Duvalier must be tried for Haiti abuses

Haiti: GENEVA (AP) — The U.N.’s human rights office has sharply criticized a Haitian judge’s recommendation against trying former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier for alleged crimes against humanity and other rights abuses. Comment.

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012

BRAZIL TO THE RESCUE

Haiti: By Nelson A. King Comment.

Brooklyn doctor quells HPV vaccine concerns

Guyana: Concerns raised by Guyanese parents in the New York area about the side-effects of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine that was launched among school-age girls in Georgetown, was quickly quelled by Guyana-born gynecologist, Dr. Mahendranaugh Sohan during a recent interview in his downtown Brooklyn office. Comments (1).

Canadian solar farm for Jamaica

Jamaica: The Toronto-based Solamon Energy Corp. said on Jan. 24 that it plans to build the largest solar power plant in the Caribbean. Comment.

Cuban begins offshore oil-drilling project

Cuba: After approval from United States authorities, offshore oil drilling has begun off Cuba, officials in Havana and the U.S. said. Comment.

Trench Town Trifecta in Jamaica

Jamaica: A three-day festival in Trench Town, Kingston will mark three significant milestones in the nation’s history. Comment.

Monday, Jan. 30, 2012

Official funeral for Dudley Thompson

Jamaica: Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced in Parliament that Dudley Joseph Thompson, the island’s “dedicated politician and public servant” will be given an official send-off by the government. Comment.

Jamaica launches emergency jobs initiative

Jamaica: KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaica’s month-old government on Wednesday launched the first phase of an emergency jobs program that was the centerpiece of its winning election campaign. Comment.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

Jamaican deportee seeks redress in CCJ

Trinidad and Tobago: A Jamaican woman, Shanique Myrie who claimed that she was sexually violated, verbally abused, locked up and thrown out of Barbados by immigration officials last March has filed an action in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Comment.
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