Posts in category Caribbean News

Jamaican sprinter tested positive for banned substance. Bolt’s triple-triple record in jeopardy Emotions across Trinidad and Tobago are bittersweet as the country celebrated its third Olympic gold medal, which came at the expense of Jamaica in the 4×100 relay at the Beijing games after one of their sprinters, Nesta Carter, was disqualified for using a banned substance. On Tuesday, January 24, the International Olympic Committee revealed that a reanalysis of the Jamaican’s sample showed the presence of the banned stimulant methylhexanamine, which has been on the prohibited list since 2004. Although it was reclassified in 2011, its use still carries …

Trinidad and Tobago is mourning of the death of former Prime Minister Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning who died on 2 July 2016 at the age of 69. Mr. Manning had the distinction of serving two terms as Prime Minister of the twin island Republic, from December 17, 1991 to November 9 1995 and from December 24, 2001 to May 26 2010, and was the longest-serving member of the country’s House of Representatives. He was the leader of People’s National Movement (PNM) from 1987 to 2010. During his tenure as Prime Minister, Manning created a strong economic and energy infrastructure and …

Egbert Gaye Throughout the month of May and well into June, friends and supporters in a jubilee celebration at home and in the Diaspora will join Guyanese as the nation marks it 50th Anniversary of Independence. Today, the Caribbean country of 750,000 a founding member (2008) of Union of South American Nations and a cornerstone of the Caribbean Community Common Market (CARICOM), whose headquarters is based in its capital city, Georgetown, distinguishes itself as the only English speaking nation on the South American land mass. As such, in the 50 years since it acquired its Independence from the United Kingdom, …

By Taharka Carrington T&T Police probe warning about ISIS bombing Police are currently investigating the authenticity of two audio recordings now circulating on social media, warning of a threat by ISIS operatives to detonate bombs at local shopping malls here in Trinidad. In the first recording directed to a What’s App group, the man uses the word “batch” which is commonly used by soldiers, and makes reference of information he says came out of the camp he is in. The man then says the word reaching the camp is that ISIS is planning to detonate bombs in the malls sometime between Thursday and …

Venezuela Venezuelans Face Tough Times Ramón Muchacho, Mayor of Chacao in Caracas, said the streets of the capital of Venezuela are filled with people killing animals for food. Through Twitter, Muchacho reported that in Venezuela, it is a “painful reality” that people “hunt cats, dogs and pigeons” to ease their hunger. People are also reportedly gathering vegetables from the ground and trash to eat as well. The crisis in Venezuela is worsening everyday due in part to shortages in all areas of food availability. This to go along with the world’s highest level of inflation that’s lurking around 70 percent. …

The Caribbean Caribbean needs Billions to deal with Housing problem A study on the state of housing in six Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries has revealed that approximately US$1.8 billion is needed to end poor housing conditions for more than one million citizens. The study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) looked at the housing problem in The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The study, which analysed the implementation of social housing programs in the Caribbean from 2000 to 2015, underscores the importance of housing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the larger agenda in …

Champion… Champion… Champion… Champion… Champion… Egbert Gaye At least two million US dollars flowed into the Caribbean after both men and women teams of West Indies won the Cricket World T20 2016 title on April 3, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India. Both teams did it in spectacular fashion with the women team trouncing world champions Australia by eight wickets, ending the Aussies four-year domination of the tournament. It was the WIndies women’s first hold on the championship. The game, which was played in the morning, saw Australia batting first and amassing a 148 for five, the team’s highest total in …

Cuba Fidel criticizes Obama’s visit Retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro accused US President Barack Obama of sweet-talking the Cuban people during his visit to the island last week and ignoring the accomplishments of communist rule in an opinion piece titled “Brother Obama” carried by state-run media in Cuba on Monday. “One assumes that every one of us ran the risk of a heart attack listening to these words,” Castro said in his column, dismissing Obama’s comments as “honey-coated” and reminding Cubans of the many US efforts to overthrow and weaken the Communist government. “We don’t need the empire to give …

Trinidad and Tobago T&T’s ANSA McAL buys country’s highest award on Ebay The Trinidad-based conglomerate, ANSA McAL Group, has bought the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT) after President Anthony Carmona expressed his disgust at the attempt to sell the country’s highest award on the social website, Ebay. THE ANSA McAL Group paid US$25,000 for the ORTT that was awarded posthumously in 2011 to the late labour leader Adrian Cola Rienzi. A statement issued by the group said, “It’s official — ANSA McAL brings home pride and secures bid for ORTT medal.” The statement quoted the head …

Jamaica JLP Wins Close Jamaican Election Jamaica’s opposition narrowly won the general election last Thursday, with its message of deep tax cuts and massive job creation winning over voters weary of years of tough IMF-mandated austerity measures. The Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) led by Andrew Holness won 32 of the 63 seats with Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller’s party taking 31 seats. Initially, it was reported that the JLP won by a 33-30 margin, but a recount gave an extra seat to the PNP which allowed them to cut into an already slender JLP victory margin. “We will grow the Jamaican …