SmallShop.... Caribbean News

Scrap dealer murdered by bike bandit

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:02:00 +0000

Stabroek News: "A 35-year-old scrap metal dealer was fatally shot yesterday afternoon on Brickdam by one of two bandits who had seconds before snatched a bag containing some $2 million from his wife."

Harnarine: HCU beyond recovery

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0000

The Trinidad Guardian "It’s the end of the road for the Hindu Credit Union (HCU), according to its president Harry Harnarine.
* About 900 employees out of work
* $776 million in liabilities
* Assets to be liquidated
* About 190,000 members should recover their deposits within six months...or longer.
“I don’t think we can recover from this,” a defeated-looking Harnarine said yesterday, during a press conference at the HCU’s Edinburgh office yesterday."

Ready for DNA - Government Forensic Lab says it'sprepared to handle more cases

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:55:00 +0000

Jamaica Gleaner News "THE GOVERNMENT'S Forensic Laboratory is improving its technology to deal with the expected increase in requests for DNA tests under the latest anti-crime plan.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced plans to allow the taking of 'non-invasive' DNA samples and the establishment of a DNA database as part of efforts to help the police identify and secure the conviction of criminals."

Minister: We won’t lock Udecott doors

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:54:00 +0000

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday"ONE DAY after the Government announced Professor John Uff as the chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott), the beleaguered state corporation remained in the spotlight at yesterday’s Whitehall post-Cabinet press briefing with two Government ministers failing to shed light on questions about the billion-dollar enterprise.

Where is my home?

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:53:00 +0000

The Nation Newspaper "THE Urban Development Commission (UDC) is refusing to construct a house for a disabled woman even after it partially dismantled her dilapidated home.
Nola Cumberbatch, who lives in Nurse Land, Eagle Hall, St Michael, said the UDC visited her last year and arrangements were made to rebuild her old wooden, two-bedroom home. As a result, in July last year workmen started to dismantle the house by removing the doors, windows and floor."

US send Haitians back home

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:48:00 +0000

Radiojamaica.com..."The United States Coast Guard has sent more than 100 Haitians back to their homeland after spotting an overloaded ship southwest of the Bahamas over the weekend.

It said the crew had boarded the ship and distributed life jackets to the migrants as well as other essential items, along with necessary medical attention.
The Coast Guard said the 107 Haitians were sent back to the north of the country.
It said one thousand three hundred and thirteen Haitians had been sent back since October 1 last year."

Court grants Govt full control of HCU

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:46:00 +0000

The Trinidad Guardian "The High Court has given the Government full control of the Hindu Credit Union Co-Operative Society Limited (HCU).
The Commissioner for Co-Operative Development, Charles Mitchell, applied and got several orders yesterday afternoon, taking full control of HCU, which has been experiencing financial problems over the past months."

Prof Uff heads Udecott probe

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:43:00 +0000

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "Leader of Government Business Colm Imbert yesterday told the House of Representatives that the long-awaited commission of inquiry into Udecott and the construction sector would be headed by Prof John Uff, CBE, QC, an eminent British engineer and barrister, and would begin sitting by October or November.
Imbert hailed Uff as a “world renowned expert in construction practice, engineering and law.”"

Bruce defiant - Scoffs at claims anti-crime measures are insufficient

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:43:00 +0000

Jamaica Gleaner News "Prime Minister Bruce Golding is defending his government's new anti-crime measures following stinging criticisms from some members of the local human-rights community.
Yesterday, the prime minister scoffed at claims that the anti-crime proposals announced in Parliament on Tuesday are insufficient to make an immediate impact on the orgy of violence gripping the island."

ONE TUNE

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:41:00 +0000

The Nation Newspaper "THREE CHRISTIAN CALYPSONIANS criticised by former Pic-O-De-Crop chief judge Jeff Shepherd never objected to Shepherd judging them in this year's Pic-O-De-Crop.
Ronnie De Announcer Clarke, Sheldon Hope and Owen Dragon Slayer John said yesterday they never made formal objection to the Barbados Association of Tent Managers (BATMAN) or anyone else, and took issue at the mention of their names as objectors in yesterday's DAILY NATION lead story, carried in detail on Page 3 and headlined Chief Judge Out."

NPA also concerned about sex

noreply@blogger.com (Meister) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:53:00 +0000

The President of the National Principals Association says the programme is not to teach students how to have sex, but how to say no. Cyrus Cepal says the NPA is concerned about the level of sexual promiscuity among students. However, he insists the problem of carnal knowledge involving teachers and the sex education campaign are unrelated. Cyrus Cepal says the level of sexual activity among young children is alarming especially for lower classmen.

Herb black is king

noreply@blogger.com (Meister) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:37:00 +0000

The new Calypso Monarch beat out ten other competitors to win his first ever Calypso Monarch title. Earlier, Herb Black won the Groovy Soca Monarch title with his popular piece – Suzette and he used that song in tandem with “What You Bringing” to capture the more coveted title. Herb Black had indicated that while he was happy to win the groovy soca crown, he would be more gratified with the Calypso Title. The perennial finalist in the competition, Herb Black came close many times but had never won the big prize, until

Saturday night. His songs – “What you Bringing” and “Suzette” were fan favourites from start to finish. Among the ten finalists he beat, were seven former Calypso Monarchs. Defending Calypso monarch – Menelle had to settle for third place.
The second place finisher was Morgie – another strong competitor who returned to the arena this year after a break.
The fourth place went to six-time Calypso Monarch – the Mighty Pep.HTS Channel 4 St.Lucia

Carnival killing

noreply@blogger.com (Meister) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:13:00 +0000

Mc Cartney Edwards is the island’s latest homicide victim. Edwards was stabbed in the chest while attending the Caribbean Soca Monarch show at Marchand. The incident took place about 1:30AM Monday. Edwards’ stabbing followed a verbal dispute reportedly over a stolen gold chain. The Assistant Police Commissioner for Crime Vernon Francois says lawmen are investigating. Mathilda Monrose – the mother of the deceased says when her son last words to her on Sunday were “Mom I’m not going to the field”. Monrose says her son was not the type to look for trouble. She says the prosecution of the perpetrator will never make up for the sadness she feels from losing her son. HTS Channel 4 St. Lucia

Emotions run high as… : Lindo families give DNA

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:27:00 +0000

Stabroek News: "Emotions ran high yesterday when relatives of those killed at Lindo Creek visited the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary to provide DNA samples in the hope that they match burnt remains found at the mining camp in June."

Kidney transplantation to become a regular feature at GPHC

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:25:00 +0000

Kaieteur News: "Local surgeons operating at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) may soon be able to perform kidney transplant procedures without the assistance of overseas-based specialists like Dr Rahul Jindal, who recently undertook the first such operation in Guyana on July 19 last.
Dr Jindal, who was aided by a team of doctors and nurses from the United States, performed the inaugural operation on 18-year-old Munesh Mangal, of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, with his 41-year-old mother, Leelkumarie Nirananjan Mangal, being the donor."

Power of prayer...Priest, mom saved from gunmen

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:22:00 +0000

The Trinidad Guardian "An Anglican priest and his bedridden mother were held up at gunpoint by two men as they prayed inside their Vistabella home yesterday.
One robber was caught by police as he fled empty-handed from the Gopaul Street, Vistabella, house.
Last night, the suspect was being quizzed in connection with several robberies, while a manhunt was on for his accomplice."

Seeing blue over ‘blue food’

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:19:00 +0000

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "CONSUMER AFFAIRS Minister Peter Taylor’s recent advice to start eating ‘blue food’ (certain types of ground provisions) may very well be out of the reach of many persons in the lower income bracket.
Checks with various vegetable vendors in Port-of-Spain yesterday revealed the price of dasheen and eddoes has almost doubled, with dasheen selling for as much as $8 per pound, up by four dollars a pound in June."

For Caribbean, Rum More Interesting Than Ethanol

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:17:00 +0000

For Caribbean, Rum More Interesting Than Ethanol: "SAO PAULO (Dow Jones)--Although Brazil and the U.S. have urged the tropical countries to use more sugarcane for ethanol, Caribbean producers think making rum is a much better use for the commodity. After two years of an ethanol boom, the Central American and Caribbean sugarcane producers have yet to turn to ethanol in any way.
There has been no movement toward a national gasoline blending policy like those in the U.S. and Brazil or toward an export strategy targeting the duty-free U.S. ethanol market."

Bermuda PM’s son held on abuse charges

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:15:00 +0000

DAWN "The doctor son of Bermuda’s premier Ewart Brown was arrested in Los Angeles on Monday over sex abuse allegations, including rape, involving six patients, prosecutors said.

Kevin Brown, 37, who had already been charged with sexual battery of a female patient and an undercover police officer, now faces charges relating to six more women, the District Attorney’s office said.

Brown, a doctor at Crenshaw Expo Medical Centre in Los Angeles, was detained in lieu of four million dollars bail following his arrest at his home. He is due to be arraigned in court on Wednesday."

Caribbean sugar production falters - Volumes, exports down in current year

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:14:00 +0000

Jamaica Gleaner News "Caribbean sugar factories have produced and exported less sugar so far this crop year than the prior season, a portion of which is due to Trinidad and Tobago's total exit from the market.
The Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) said in its May report on production figures that operations began slowing down ahead of the close of the current crop."

Haiti’s children still suffering grave human rights violations

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:13:00 +0000

UN report: "Haitian children remain the target of kidnappings, killings, sexual violence and child trafficking, and they have also been active participants in recent public protests, the United Nations peacekeeping mission to the impoverished Caribbean country reports.
The latest report from MINUSTAH, covering the period from January to July this year and released this week, found that children continue to be affected by armed violence, despite the general improvement in the security situation in Haiti."

Vieux Fort residents want piggery relocated: NDC stands firm!

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:10:00 +0000

St. Lucia Star "Residents and owners of property at Morne Beausejour, Vieux Fort have been kicking up a stink over the on-going construction of a piggery and a chicken farm in their area. More than three months ago they issued a letter of complaint to the executive chairman of the National Development Corporation, Mr Nicholas John, copied to the minister in charge of NDC, Mr Ausbert d’Auvergne and to the chairman of the Development Control Authority.
Signed by Mr Eudes Bourne, the letter revealed that the writer had been mandated by the other concerned residents and property owners to inform the authorities of their malodorous situation. Moreover, that the piggery was being constructed on crown lands vested in the NDC. Observed Bourne in his letter: 'The area in question is situated at the base of the hill and beyond, opposite the solid waste landfill and is being cleared by spot burning and heavy equipment.'"

WEEKEND ATTACK ... Man assaulted, forced to strip

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:06:00 +0000

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis: "I had to co-operate they forced me to. I complied because I didn’t want to get beaten up. It was six of them, I didn’t know if they were armed. They made me take off my clothes and told me to run round town naked.”
This was the cry of a local bottle collector and fisherman, 35-year-old George Elliot of Caunt Street, Newton as he recalled an assault during an exclusive interview with Sun St. Kitts/Nevis. The incident allegedly occurred last Saturday at the bottom of Fort Street, Basseterre, during the wee hours of the morning."

FORT JAMES FIASCO ... Russell and beach goers cry foul

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:05:00 +0000

Antigua Sun: "Russell Hodge, proprietor of the Russell’s Fort James Seafood Restaurant, is exploring his legal options after access points to the Fort James Beach were reportedly blocked on Sunday to accommodate the hosting of the “Wet Fu Daze” jam.
Several beach goers have raised concerns about the lack of access to Fort James.
Reports reaching the Antigua Sun indicate that people were not allowed on the beach unless they paid the $10 fee which was required for the fete organised by the Carnival Development Committee (CDC)."

TOUGH!

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:05:00 +0000

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM: "PRIME Minister Bruce Golding yesterday promised tough new legislative measures to reduce crime, including a minimum 10-year sentence for gun crimes.
'It is proposed to introduce legislation to specify that, on conviction for serious gun crimes, a person shall not be eligible for parole before 10 years,' Golding told the House of Representatives, in a statement outlining the measures agreed to by the Government and the Opposition in previous bipartisan discussions."