Communist allies China and Cuba hold landmark summit
November 20, 2008
China’s President Hu Jintao on Wednesday was to wrap up a landmark visit to Cuba where he brought millions of dollars in aid and promises of closer trade ties.
The Chinese leader brought 4.5 tonnes of humanitarian aid for victims of three hurricanes that battered Cuba this year, which was handed over late Monday after Hu’s arrival at the Jose Marti International Airport.
Receiving the gift, Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Rodrigo Malmierca said Cuba “deeply appreciates the visit of President Hu Jintao, at the exact moment the country is struggling to recover and continue its development.” Read more
Caribbean region needs to work together to deal with challenges, says Guyana president
November 20, 2008
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday evening told representatives of participating countries at the Caribbean Development Bank/Inter American Development Bank (CDB/IDB), Civil Society Organizations dialogue not to allow themselves to be lectured into creating a set of values in the region which may cause them to lose sight of their challenges and their unique way of dealing with them.
He stated that the challenges facing countries like Guyana demand that the region work together to deal with these issues. Read more
Is there a conspiracy to prevent soca/calypso music from making it?
November 18, 2008
Dear Sir:
Based on what I read on BBC Caribbean News, Nov 17, 2008, Popular Barbadian and Caribbean calypsoian John King thinks there is an international conspiracy against that popular Eastern Caribbean music genre. However, I personally believe that soca/calypso will break into the international music market, when the Eastern Caribbean countries unite as one strong force as a trading bloc.
In order for soca/calypso to constantly make the billboard chart, Eastern Caribbean countries must promote the music as an industry. Trinidad & Tobago alone cannot be the only Caribbean country Read more
Drug trade on the rise in Guyana, says crime chief
November 18, 2008
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Despite managing to seize some 60 pounds of cocaine and more than 74,000 pounds of marijuana this year, tackling the drug trade remains one of the major hurdles for Guyana’s law enforcement agencies.
This is the word from the head of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Seelall Persaud who Friday last revealed that at the end of October, police had destroyed more than 50 ganja fields’ totalling 44-1/ 2 acres, which amounted to more than 33,000 kilograms of marijuana. Read more
Where are all the men in the fight against HIV/AIDS
November 16, 2008
By Royston King
I AM not talking about those few men who appear in television advertisements, or the very few who volunteer to do community work. I am talking about the men in our local communities who are supposed to be making a big difference in the lives of our children; our young men and women and their partners; men who have a responsibility to provide the moral and spiritual rudder, for families, communities and our society. Where are these men? Read more
Jamaica to buy more rice from Guyana
November 15, 2008
Published on Tuesday, November 11, 2008
By Oscar Ramjeet
Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Jamaica’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Karl Samuda has said that his government will buy more rice from Guyana as of next year.
Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Karl Samuda. Samuda, who was in Guyana over the weekend, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to purchase 60,000 tonnes of rice from Guyana next year. Read more
Calypsonian Black Stalin gets honorary doctorate from UWI
November 15, 2008
Published on Monday, November 3, 2008
By Oscar Ramjeet
Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Well known calypsonian Leroy ‘Black Stalin’ Calliste, immortalised for his ‘Caribbean Man’ calypso, was conferred with an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies (UWI).
He was the third calypsonian to have received an honorary doctorate from the UWI. The others were Slinger Francisco (the Mighty Sparrow), and Hollis Liverpool (Chalkdust).
The Trinidad Express stated that ‘Stalin’ urged young and upcoming calypsonians to remain dedicated to the art form and to work hard because, he said, “Hard work pays off”. Read more
When a government is unprepared, people die
November 15, 2008
INTRODUCTION
It has been over a week since a U.S. private plane disappeared in our jungle. What I found criminal is that it took over 24 hours before the Ministry of Transport got involved. With the international community paying close attention to this incident, one would have thought that an immediate response would have been launched.
This incident alone has grave effect on our economics, since this is a major foreign investor pumping large sums of dollars into a Uranium project that has positive implications for our nation. This lack of immediate response can affect future investments if companies feel we do not have adequate resources for contingencies, or even care. Read more
Trinidad PM threatens to take the media to court
November 15, 2008
Published on Monday, November 10, 2008
By Oscar Ramjeet
Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, is hopping mad with the media and has threatened to go to court about allegations made against him in the press.
He told newsmen that he would not hesitate to visit media houses and complain if he disapproves of the content they produce.
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning. AFP PHOTO The Trinidad Guardian reported that Manning said, “I have taken a personal decision and that decision is that if ever I am aggrieved by anything the media does in the future, I am going to the courts.” Read more
Number of female murders doubles in Trinidad and Tobago
November 15, 2008
Published on Tuesday, November 11, 2008
By Oscar Ramjeet
Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The number of female murders has doubled in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago so far for the year.
The Sunday Express in an article said that 44 females have been murdered for the year, 22 more than the same period last year. Read more
Crime hits the high seas in Trinidad
November 15, 2008
Published on Wednesday, November 12, 2008
By Oscar Ramjeet
Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: A day of fun at sea turned out to be an evening of terror when six men, in pirate-style, attacked a boat carrying 20 passengers, killing one and injuring seven others.
The Trinidad Express reported that 42-year-old Assim Ali, a carpenter from Cunupia, was killed by a gunshot wound.
Three others remained in serious condition at the hospital and another received minor injuries.
According to the newspaper, the gunmen had targeted six persons that were part of a group of 20, who went on the trip and were on their way back near Five Islands when the 25-foot pirogue was “rammed” on the port side by another boat. The occupants thought it was an accident, but the speedboat that hit the pirogue began to circle the vessel and two of the six men who had guns started to open fire on the group. Read more
President of Guyana assures CARIFESTA workers will be paid
November 15, 2008
President of Guyana assures CARIFESTA workers will be paid
Published on Tuesday, November 4, 2008
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference on Saturday urged local Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) participants to bear with the Administration as accounting procedures are finalised. He assured that by the end of this week, this process should be completed and they would receive their payments.
The president was responding to queries on the issue, which has been in the public domain for some time now and which has seen some of the festival’s participants protesting for their payments, which they claim they have not received from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, though the event has concluded over two months now. Read more
Letter: A national disgrace in Guyana by Rickford Burke
November 15, 2008
Published on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Dear Sir:
I am happy that Guyana’s second largest opposition political party, the AFC, has come out in support of Adam Harris’ and Guyana’s former Chief Magistrate, Juliet Holder-Allen’s, crusade for their retirement benefits which the Guyana government refuses to pay. These benefits are owed, due and payable, and must be honored forthwith.
I know both of these individuals. They are decent citizens and Guyanese patriots who, over the years, demonstrated unmistakable patriotism and dedication to public service in Guyana. They stayed at home in Guyana and labored in the most depressing, politically unstable circumstances imaginable. Read more
Chanderpaul’s hundred in vain as Pakistan clinch series
November 15, 2008
ABU DHABI (AFP): Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit a fighting century but couldn’t stop Pakistan winning the second day-night international by 24 runs here on Friday, securing an unbeatable 2-0 lead.
The 34-year-old left-hander notched an unbeaten 107 — his ninth one-day hundred — but failed to get much support at the other end as Pakistani bowlers kept it tight to dismiss the West Indies for 208 in the 49th over.
Pakistan were also restricted by some disciplined deliveries by Jerome Taylor (3-38) and Daren Powell 3-50, with the team eventually bowled out for 232 in 49 overs on a slow Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch.
The third and final match is on Sunday. Read more
Courts Caribbean lights up on Main Street in Guyana
November 15, 2008
COURTS ushered in the Christmas season last evening by hosting its 8th annual Christmas Concert and tree lighting ceremony along with the Stash of Cash Promotion in the avenue outside its main branch on Main Street in the city.
The theme this year was “Give a Gift this Christmas from Courts” and was hosted by television personality Ms. Wanita Huborn.
Minister of Social Security and Human Services Ms. Priya Manickchand, ceremoniously lighted the tree by using an imaginary green button placed in her hand by Courts representative Howard Lorimer. Read more