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Showing posts from August, 2011

Gonzales denied - Grenada's James snatches 400m at Worlds

JamaicaObserver.com : "DAEGU, South Korea (AFP) — Grenada teenager Kirani James produced a fantastic final sprint and desperate lunge at the line to snatch world 400m gold from defending champion LaShawn Merritt yesterday. Reigning Olympic champion Merritt, returning to the world stage after a doping ban for testing positive for anabolic steroid DHEA, could only look on in horror as James pulled out his dip."

Murder of 17-year-old

nationnews.com : "Detectives attached to the Southern Division of the Royal Barbados Police Force are investigating the unnatural death of Justin Jean, age 17, #744 Kingsland Terrace, Christ Church, which occurred at about 9.50 p.m on Tuesday August 30th 2011, at Kings Court, Lodge Road, Christ Church. The deceased was involved in an altercation with another man when it is believed that he received a stab wound to his chest. The deceased ran from the scene and collapsed a short distance away."

Son battled gunman to save his mom

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "When Elon Hayden Mayo rushed to his mother’s defence as a gunman shot her and attempted to steal her vehicle at their home on December 3, 2010 — he never gave thought to his own safety as he wrestled the bandit to the ground, and was shot in the process. Today, the 30-year old Research and Development Specialist employed with the Ministry of Public Administration will receive the Hummingbird Medal, Bronze for Gallantry at the 49th National Awards Ceremony at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain"

Missing CLICO assets

nationnews.com : "THE JUDICIAL MANAGER of CLICO International Life Insurance Ltd may be challenged in valuing and recovering that company’s assets as some supporting documentation is missing. Deloitte Consulting Ltd represented by Oliver Jordan and Patrick Toppin said accounts provided by the company as at April 13, 2011, showed that assets totalled $802 million."

Katia forecast to become a Category 3 hurricane

Caribbean360 : "BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Wednesday August 31, 2011 - In the latest National Hurricane Centre advisory Tropical Storm Katia continues to strengthen and is expected to become a hurricane later today. "Katia is moving toward the west-northwest near 21 MPH and this motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours" according to the National Hurricane Centre report."

Under Scrutiny: Racially wounded!

The Barbados Advocate "My eyes and ears were glued to the live telecast on CBC television at the time Gline Clarke, the Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and representative for St. George North, made the above comments, and I couldn’t believe what I had heard. Straight away I felt it was a technological glitch, because I was convinced that no right-thinking MP in 2011 – so I thought – would ever make a speech with racial connotations on the floor of the House. But not all MPs are right-thinking, as the YouTube link of the speech a white Barbadian friend of mine sent to me confirmed. "

No bail for ‘gang leaders’

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : "Criminal charges were read against two gang leaders and 21 gang members yesterday morning at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Eighth Court when the group of men made their first appearance before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar. The men were all charged under the Anti-Gang Act (No10 of 2011). "

National plan for seaweed invasion

Antigua Observer Newspaper : "ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association (AHTA) is hoping that mobilisation of the public would be a major plank of the national plan being formulated in response to the seaweed invasion on the east coast. The optimism has been expressed by AHTA Chairman Alistair Forrest, who is relieved that government has mandated the Ministry of Agriculture to work on a response to the problem that started more than two weeks ago."

Tropical Storm Jose forms near Bermuda

Stabroek News "MIAMI, (Reuters) – Tropical Storm Jose formed near Bermuda today, becoming the the 10th named storm of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, U.S. forecasters said. The Miami-based U.S. National Hurricane Center said Jose formed about 115 miles (185 km) south-southwest of Bermuda and was moving northward. It posed no threat to the U.S. coast or to energy interests in the Gulf of Mexico." 'via Blog this'

video--Usain Bolt crashes out of 100 metres final

Bad border business!

Amandala Online : "In keeping with its habit of fomenting trouble between Belize and Guatemala at their western border, the sensation-seeking Guatemalan newspaper, La Prensa Libre, reported inaccurately that on Monday, August 22, a Guatemalan citizen had been wounded in the Adjacency Zone, on the Guatemalan side of the border, by a Belizean military patrol. On Monday, August 22, 2011, the Belize Defence Force reported an incursion into Belize territory in the Chiquibul area of the Sapote Camp by armed illegal Guatemalans carrying weapons, one with a prohibited assault rifle, an AK-47, and stated that they (the Guatemalans) had opened fire on them."

GANG LEADERS HELD AT HYATT

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "Two gang leaders hiding out at the exclusive Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain were arrested yesterday morning by police under the anti-gang legislation. The two men ages 36 and 31, along with a 22-year-old woman checked into the hotel on Tuesday and stored large sums of cash and jewelry in safes provided in the hotel room suites. "

St Lucia: Government came close to declaring state of emergency

Image via Wikipedia Go-Jamaica : "CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC - St. Lucia’s National Security Minister Guy Mayers says his Government came close to declaring a state of emergency here earlier this year when it was faced with a spate of rising crime, but was discouraged by the effect the move would have on the economy. Commenting on the move by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to call a state of emergency in an effort to quell rising crime Mayers said his government considered the move when heightened criminal gang activity earlier this year resulted in 15 homicides during the first three months of 2011. " Related articles 100 held in Trinidad and Tobago's state of emergency (news.smallshop.com)

Boy mauled to death

Image via Wikipedia Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "NINE-YEAR-OLD Jesse Boisselle of Clovis Trace in Maraval was mauled to death outside his home on Tuesday night by the family’s pet pitbull. According to information received by Newsday, Jesse’s brother Rudy returned home at 8.45 pm and did not see Jesse anywhere. He enquired among residents who said they did not see him. The home is located on a steep hill and it was feared Jesse may have fallen. While checks were being made around the house it was noticed that there were tracks leading down the hill made by the family’s pet pitbull “Damien”" Related articles T&T boy, 11, killed by own pit bull - (news.smallshop.com)

Dudus strikes out - US judge axes Coke's motion to suppress wiretap information

Jamaica Gleaner "Alleged drug kingpin Christopher 'Dudus' Coke's attempt to avoid a lengthy prison sentence has received a possibly fatal blow with a United States district judge rejecting his motion to suppress wiretap information. "This decision means that Coke's chances of being freed in connection with this indictment are now statistically very low," US-based Jamaican law Professor David Rowe told The Gleaner." Related articles Franklin Knight: Of Dudus and building a better Kingston (repeatingislands.com)

T&T boy, 11, killed by own pit bull -

Image via Wikipedia Stabroek News "( Trinidad Guardian ) Another pit bull attack has claimed the life of an 11-year-old autistic boy at his home on Clovis Trace, Maraval , on Tuesday night. Jessie Boiselle was found dead in a ravine at the back of his house around 9 pm. Police said his brother, Dillon Boiselle, left the family’s home around 10 am on Tuesday and when he returned later in the afternoon found his younger brother had been mauled by their pit bull. Detectives said when they arrived at the scene, the dog, named “Damian,” which had attacked Jessie, attacked them. The officers shot and killed it. Two other dogs, not pit bulls , remained on the property up to late yesterday evening."

100 held in Trinidad and Tobago's state of emergency

The Guardian : "More than 100 people have been detained in Trinidad and Tobago after the country imposed a national state of emergency in response to a wave of violent crime linked to drug trafficking. The Caribbean nation declared a limited state of emergency after 11 people were killed over the weekend. The move comes amid growing concern that drug gangs are using Trinidad as a transshipment point for South American cocaine heading to Europe and the United States. "

video--Hurricane Irene batters Bahamas with 115 mph winds as it heads to US coast

video-- Hurricane Irene, now a major Category 4 storm, batters the Bahamas with powerful winds and washes away homes.

‘Poor burials’ scam unearthed at Good Hope cemetery -

Stabroek News Subscription "Coffins with unclaimed bodies due for burial have been discovered stacked atop each other in single shallow grave plots at the Good Hope Cemetery, in what is believed to be a scheme to defraud the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) of funds paid out for their disposal."

Jamaican on life support in Miami

JamaicaObserver.com : "THE University Hospital of Miami, through the Guardianship Programme of Dade County, has launched a desperate search for relatives of Jamaican Henrietta Vance, a critically ill patient at the facility. Vance has been in a coma and the hospital needs a next of kin to give legal permission for what it calls a Do Not Resuscitate Order , said Abed Johnson, case manager with the Guardianship Programme in Dade, Florida. A Do Not Resuscitate Order, or DNR, is a legal order written in respect of a patient's wish not to undergo CPR or advanced cardiac life support if their heart or breathing fails. The request is usually made by the patient or health care power of attorney ."

Animal excrement concern

Image via Wikipedia nationnews.com : "HEALTH AUTHORITIES ARE concerned about people who walk their dogs on the beach and leave their excrement there. It comes in the wake of several reports of sea bathers contracting cutaneous larva migrans , a disease that penetrates the outer layers of the skin, leaving wormlike burrows that are clearly visible. Investigations are being conducted at some of the island’s popular beaches including Browne’s Beach at Bay Street, St Michael."

Where is Gibbs?

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "THE Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday signalled its intention to write Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs and his fellow Canadian-born Deputy Police Commissioner Jack Ewatski for an explanation as to why they were absent at the time a state of emergency was imposed. In their absence, deputy Commissioner Stephen Williams has marshaled the Police Service. Commissioner Gibbs who was in Brazil attending a conference returned home at about 1.30 pm yesterday and is due to resume official duties today. Calls to his cellphone proved futile. Ewatski is on vacation leave and is back in his native Canada. This leave ends next Tuesday. " 'via Blog this'

Top cop detained

nationnews.com : "PORT-OF-SPAIN – The Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday questioned the whereabouts of the Trinidad and Tobago police commissioner Dawyne Gibbs, after media reports indicated that he had been detained for “some hours” in Brazil." 'via Blog this'

2 gunmen killed by cops

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday SEVEN HOURS after this country was placed under a limited state of emergency police officers swung into action killing two thieves and apprehending a third, during a foiled early morning robbery at an Arima racing pool yesterday. Up to late yesterday, the dead men remained unidentified, while the third suspect who remains detained, is said to be from St Joseph area.

Four charged in beheading case

Jamaica Star Four men have been charged with murder in the connection with last month's murder of two women in Lauriston, St Catherine. They are 29-year old security guard Adrian Campbell, otherwise called Mad Max or Tall Man; Fabian Smith, 24, also known as Gabba; Kemar Riley, 20, otherwise called Blacks; and Rushane Goldson, otherwise called Rush Dog. The men are facing the additional charges of conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Video--Belize...Tropical storm Harvey...aftermath

video--Hurricane Irene Heads Toward Bahamas and US

Hurricane Irene cut a destructive path through the Caribbean, raking Puerto Rico with high winds and rain, then spinning just north of the Dominican Republic on a track that could carry it to the U.S. Southeast by the end of the week.

Woman strips naked at airport

Bermuda News : A 36-year-old woman stripped naked at LF Wade International Airport after she was informed that Customs officers wanted to search her, Magistrates’ Court heard. Loukai Phillips, who was in a public area in the airport’s Customs hall at the time, today pleaded guilty to indecent exposure in a public place. Her lawyer Charles Richardson said the former Bermuda resident “took her clothes off out of frustration”. He described the move as “an impetuous decision”.

video--Hurricane Irene Slams Puerto Rico...

A big bull, and a dead, naked man!

Amandala Online : Police said that they have identified a Hispanic man who they found dead, in an advanced state of decomposition, with puncture wounds about an inch and a quarter in circumference on the back of his legs, upper left back thighs, rib cage, and left upper chest. He was known only as “Macho Man;” he was naked, and his organs were seen hanging out of his body, evidence of a terrible death. The remains of his underwear had been dragged down to between his knees and ankles.

Massive spying operation uncovered in Dominica

Massive spying operation uncovered in Dominica : Roseau, Dominica (TDN) - Dominicans are reeling from news that the government of Dominica through the National Joint Intelligence Committee (NJIC) has been discretely spying on the activities and actions of several Dominicans over the last few months. The NJIC is a secret outfit allegedly set up by the authorities, and comprising of security officers of the Dominica Police Force. It is said to be headquartered at the sixth floor of the Financial Services Building in Roseau.

Driver insists she did not cause accident

Bermuda News : The sacked driver at the centre of the bus dispute has described the last eight weeks as “a living hell”. Jennifer Harvey said she was “very relieved” that transport and union bosses were now going to arbitration. The dispute is to be settled by independent arbitration with the Department of Public Transportation (DPT) and the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) having to acce

Storm cancelled flights to resume today

Antigua Observer Newspaper : ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Scores of passengers are leaving Antigua today, a day later than scheduled after dozens of flights were either cancelled or delayed yesterday as Tropical Storm Irene passed south of the country with wind gusts of 45 mph. The VC Bird International Airport, which was closed early Sunday morning, re-opened at 2:30 pm. Earlier, scores of passengers had crowded the terminal hoping to secure a seat on outgoing flights.

27 murders in eight months…Richards appeals!

SKNVibes BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH the Federation holding its head in despair as a result of the unprecedented homicide rate, 27 murders in eight months, Member of Parliament (MP) on the Opposition Benches Shawn K. Richards has made a clarion call to the government to listen to the people of the land and heed their suggestions as possible solutions to the sickening escalation in gun-crime. Only hours ago (Aug. 20), 20-year-old Lincoln Liburd was shot to death while in the bed of his Lime Kiln home, with police informing that the assailant(s) pointed their gun(s) through his window and shot him to the head, face and abdomen.

Lime Kiln youth gunned down while in bed

SKNVibes BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis goes into further mourning as another of the nation’s youth was this morning (Aug. 20) gunned down while in his bed. Dead is 20-year-old Lincoln Liburd of Lime Kiln Housing Project, who is said to have been shot multiple times to the body. Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Inspector Franklyn Belgrove, told SKNVibes that at about 4:45 a.m. officers at the Basseterre Police Station received a report of a shooting incident in the Lime Kiln area and members of various units, including the CID and Crime Scene Department, responded immediately.

Storm Warning discontinued, regular school, business day

The Daily Herald CAY HILL--The tropical storm warning for St. Maarten, issued on Saturday night, was discontinued at 5:00pm on Sunday by the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) in conjunction with the Meteorological Department of Curaçao (MDC) after Tropical Storm Irene moved closer to the US Virgin Islands. As a result, today is a normal school and business day for St. Maarten.

Residents denounce government during latest protest

Virgin Islands Daily News : ST. CROIX - About 50 people marched on Government House in Christiansted on Friday afternoon to voice frustrations on a variety of issues centered by a perceived failure to provide fundamental services. The biggest issue for the protesters was the V.I. Water and power Authority's Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause.

'Psychopaths' - beheaders have severe personality disorders

JamaicaObserver.com : PROFESSOR of Psychiatry in the Department of Community Health and Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Dr Fred Hickling says that recent beheadings in the country are the work of psychopaths who will kill again without a second thought. "Our research in this country indicates that 20 per cent of all murderers in Jamaica have severe psychopathic personality disorders," Dr Hickling told persons at the weekly luncheon meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Kingston at the Wyndam Kingston Hotel on Tuesday.

Is Tropical Storm Irene brewing in the Atlantic Ocean?

TheSunNews.com : Hurricane experts are warning a tropical wave in the Atlantic Ocean has a 90 percent chance of becoming a tropical depression in the next 48 hours. A tropical weather outlook issue at 2 p.m. Saturday showed that the wave located about 250 miles east of the Lesser Antilles is getting better organized. The system is moving west at about 20 mph, but there was no evidence of a surface circulation. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane is on the way to investigate the system, according to National Hurricane Center.

Raw Video - Tropical Storm Harvey reaches Belize

Tropical Storm Harvey Makes Landfall Over Belize | FoxNews.com : MIAMI -- Tropical Storm Harvey has made landfall over Belize and is expected to move into northern Guatemala later in the day. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Saturday that Harvey was centered about 35 miles south of Belize City, moving west at about 13 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 60 mph. Harvey is expected to start weakening now that it's moving over land. The storm is expected to bring as much as 6 inches of rain to parts of Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Forecasters say flash floods and mudslides are possible. Tropical storm warnings were still in effect for the northern coast of Honduras from Punta Sal westward, as well as coastal Belize and Guatemala.

Expert: T&T in midst of dengue outbreak

Stabroek News (Trinidad Express) Trinidad is in the middle of a dengue outbreak, Dr Rai Ragbir, the chairman of a special purpose State-board involved in the Government’s fight against dengue, has said. Ragbir, chairman of the Community Improvement Services Limited, made the statement on Wednesday before meeting with Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma to discuss plans to combat dengue across the country.

Tropical Storm Harvey to become hurricane

AFP: TEGUCIGALPA — Central American emergency services were on alert Saturday as Tropical Storm Harvey -- forecast to turn into a full-fledged hurricane -- barreled across the Caribbean and gathered strength. By 1200 GMT, Harvey was around 105 miles (170 kilometers) southeast of Belize City, with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles (95 kilometers) per hour. It was moving westward at 12 miles (19 kilometers) per hour, the Miami-based US National Hurricane Center said, predicting "hurricane conditions" along part of the Belize coast later on Saturday. The NHC said Harvey could become a hurricane before it moves inland Saturday afternoon or evening, and that a US Air Force Reserve "Hurricane Hunter" was en route to the storm to carry out measurements.

Superb! 12-year-old boy gets six passes in CSEC

Jamaica Gleaner Kuti Ra of Greater Portmore, St Catherine, passed six subjects in this year's Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams at the age of 12. His passes include a distinction in human and social biology. Ra, who will be starting classes at Jamaica College next month, got grade two passes for English A and biology, and grade three passes in geography, mathematics, and social studies. He only recently celebrated an average in the high 80s in his GSAT exams.

video--Call to strike buggery laws

Local gay rights activist group, United and Strong has called on the government to reconsider the buggery law currently on the islands law books. The appeal comes in the wake of a judicial review of the buggery law in Belize. Co-Executive of United and Strong Kenita Placide says that it is about time that the government of St. Lucia consider doing the same and has called on the present administration to address the matter, which she says won't go away.

video-- Dengue fight continues

A decrease in the number of Dengue cases on the island has been reported. The Bureau of Health is reporting a success in their extensive campaigning against the virus. The Bureau embarked on a number of campaigns after a rise was noted prior to the Tpassage of Tomas last year. The island unfortunately experienced one death- but is asked not to let it's guard down as the next rainy season approaches.

Prisons chief probes beating of TB patient

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday Prisons Commissioner John Rougier has written to the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) requesting a report on an alleged beating of a patient at the Caura Chest Hospital last week, in which it was reported that three prisons officers had been called to the facility to beat up a patient. Rougier told Newsday he learnt of the incident which had been highlighted in this newspaper yesterday and had asked prison officials to visit the Caura hospital to begin their own investigation.

Tropical Storm Harvey forms in the Caribbean

CNN.com : CNN) -- A tropical storm formed in the Caribbean Friday and is expected to move across the coast of Belize Saturday afternoon or night. Tropical Storm Harvey has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, with higher gusts, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center. The storm is forecast to strengthen somewhat before its center reaches Belize. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the coast of Belize and for the Bay Islands of Honduras, which Harvey is predicted to pass near Friday night. A tropical storm watch is in effect for the coasts of Honduras, Guatemala and the southeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, from Punta Gruesa south to Chetumal.

Tropical Storm Harvey forms, approaches Honduras

BlueRidgeNow.com : Tropical Storm Harvey has formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is threatening to bring high winds and several inches of rain to parts of Central America. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for the Bay Islands of Honduras, the coast of Belize and parts of the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Watches are in effect for coastal Honduras and Guatemala. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Friday that Harvey's maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (72 kph). The storm was centered about 125 miles (201 kilometers) east of Isla Roatan, Honduras. It was moving west at 12 mph (19 kph).

video-Tropical Wave

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VP Records pays homage to Joel Chin

JamaicaObserver.com : VP Records Joel Chin was on Tuesday night shot and killed at his home in Stony Hill, St Andrew. The grandson of VP Records founder Vincent Chin, son of famed reggae producer Clive Chin and nephew of the owners of VP Records, Chris and Randy Chin, Joel literally grew up in the reggae business and put his vast knowledge and connections at the service of the music he loved passionately.

Man murdered at bus stop

Jamaica Star The murder of a man at a bus stop yesterday brought traffic to a crawl along the Nelson Mandela Highway in St Catherine. Dead is Romaine 'Frank' Johnson, 23-year-old labourer, of Lauriston district, Spanish Town, St Catherine. Reports from the Ferry police are that about 2:30 p.m., Johnson was at the bus stop heading towards Spanish Town when explosions were heard and he was found suffering from gunshot wounds.

NY official picked as chief justice in Barbados

WSJ.com : GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — A New York court official has been chosen to be the next chief justice of the Caribbean island nation of Barbados. Marston Gibson tells The Associated Press he has accepted the job to be the top judicial official in his native country. Gibson currently serves as a court referee for the New York State Supreme Court in Mineola, on Long Island. His responsibilities are that of a judge, deciding on disputes on civil court matters. The longtime Hempstead, N.Y., resident says he will assume his new duties at the end of this month.

Mom shot dead

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday WHY would someone want to shoot dead a young mother of three, is the question asked yesterday by grieving relatives of Cindy Rampersad, whose body which bore a single gunshot wound to the head, was found in a cane field two weeks ago. Rampersad’s body was discovered in a cane field near Daisey Road in Ste Madeleine two weeks ago. She was last seen alive on July 28, in the St Margaret’s area in the company of three men in a vehicle.

Music producer at top reggae label killed by gunmen outside his home in Jamaica’s capital

The Washington Post : KINGSTON, Jamaica — A Jamaican music producer for a top reggae label has been shot to death outside his home in an upscale neighborhood of the Caribbean island’s capital. Police in Kingston say Joel Chin was attacked late Tuesday after he stepped out of his car in the driveway of his home. Police have not disclosed a possible motive.

Is your daughter working in a Bridgetown firetrap?

Barbados Free Press : One year after the Campus Trendz slaughter, sleep does not come easily for my friend. In her mind she still sees the weeping desperate men in the smoke at the rear of Campus Trendz – cursing and yelling as they used hand sledges to break through the brick wall all too slowly. She couldn’t watch any longer, she couldn’t listen any longer and there was nothing the girl could do so she walked away. Pearl Amanda Cornelius, 18, Kelly Ann Welch, 24, Shanna Griffith, 18, Nikita Belgrave, 23, Tiffany Harding, 23 and Kellisha Ovivierre, 24, burned to death because two evil men robbed the store and smashed flaming bottles of petrol. That is one of the causes of their deaths.

Cops being probed over alleged drug ties

Subscription - Stabroek News - Guyana : Several members of the police force hierarchy are under investigation as a result of allegations of ties between them and the drug trade and police yesterday confirmed that a junior officer has tendered his resignation after being transferred following questioning.

‘Black Clothes’ police running drug blocks

Kaieteur News : More damning revelations at a fiery senior police administrative meeting are emerging, with Crime Chief Seelall Persaud and his sleuths from the Criminal Investigations Department working overtime to establish the credibility of allegations made. This newspaper was further informed that revelations of police ranks operating personal drug blocks were made by Assistant Commissioner Steve Merai, prompting Commissioner of Police Henry Greene to order the investigation.

Online reports secure, says CXC

JamaicaObserver.com : THE Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has sought to dismiss media reports that its online results had been tampered with, stating that they are secure. However, the regional examinations body says that some students may be changing their exam results after downloading them from its website, and reminded educational institutions and employers to request from students the official transcripts.

'Black Friday' protest against high light bills

JamaicaObserver.com : A wide cross-section of Jamaicans, including a government senator and an Opposition member of parliament, have given support for a social media campaign calling for Jamaicans to wear black tomorrow to protest against exorbitant electricity bills from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS). The campaign, which began on the BlackBerry messenger service and Facebook — dubbed JPS Black Out Fridays — is gaining traction as the Government mulls over setting up a commission of enquiry to probe high electricity bills that have been crippling consumers.

Tropical wave over central Caribbean becoming better organized

ABC Action News "TAMPA - A tropical wave over the central Caribbean Sea is showing signs of development, according to forecasters at the National Hurricane Center. So far, there are no signs of surface circulation and pressures have not fallen in the region. The system is moving west at 15-20 mph and is expected to stay south of the Tampa Bay area. There is a medium chance - 30 percent - that it could develop into a tropical storm within the 48 hours."

Kamla has dengue.....

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "THE nation’s latest dengue victim is none other than Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, said a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) yesterday, entitled, “Honourable Prime Minister diagnosed with Dengue”. TT had been alerted to the dengue threat by the sad death of Asia Archibald, eight, on August 4, from a supposed mutant form of the virus, at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), Mt Hope."

Level playing field needed for local doctors

Cayman Net News "The concessions given by the government to Dr Devi Shetty to establish his Narayana Cayman Hospital should be given to all local doctors and health facilities to maintain a level playing field, Dr Steve Tomlinson has noted. He said that local doctors will be in breach of the law if they see medical tourists without a special license to do so."

Drug link allegations…..Rohee in ‘serious discussions’ with Top Cop

Kaieteur News : "Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has disclosed that he has had serious discussions with Police Commissioner Henry Greene over allegations of police links to local drug traffickers. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Rohee said that he is very concerned about the allegations which were reported in the Sunday edition of this newspaper and he has indicated that he will be having further discussions with the Top Cop on the matter. “I think that in any part of the world where allegations of a similar nature are raised, the political person that is responsible would be concerned. It is not something that we take lightly,” Rohee emphasised to media representatives."

Blow to gay ad - TVJ rejects J-FLAG’s PSA

JamaicaObserver.com : "THE push by the gay lobby — Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) — to air a public service announcement (PSA) encouraging families to embrace homosexual members may not see the light of day. The PSA, which features former Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe Christine Straw and her gay brother Matthew Straw encouraging Jamaicans to show love to their family members and friends who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, was launched last month. J-FLAG was hoping to have the PSA aired on national TV this month."

Ladyville bank jack!

Amandala Online : "At approximately 1:55 p.m. at the Atlantic Bank Ladyville branch, a team of armed robbers shot two security guards inside the bank during an attempted holdup. According to police, a man entered the bank “pretending to conduct a transaction.” He was the only customer inside the very small establishment, which is about 20 feet in length. "

Hamilton workers down tools for fired garbage collector

Bermuda Sun.. "TUESDAY, AUGUST 16: Manual workers for the City of Hamilton downed tools today after a dispute over a garbage collector fired after being convicted of hitting a teenage girl. Bermuda Industrial Union members responsible for trash collection, road cleaning and parks maintenance left work for a meeting at the union HQ. Gary Edwards, acting chief operating officer at the City of Hamilton, confirmed that BIU members had walked off the job for a meeting on Tuesday morning, but returned to work after lunchtime."

Scholarships ‘not only marker for success’

nationnews.com : "PRINCIPAL of Harrison College, Winston Crichlow, thinks too much emphasis is being placed on scholarships to the detriment of other CAPE students. In a telephone interview on Monday, Crichlow said schools should not be judged on how many scholarship winners they produced but rather on the number of students who passed the exam overall."

video--Stabbing in Fond Assau

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the stabbing death of a Babonneau man. According to Law Enforcement Officials, the Fond Assau resident died from injuries sustained in an altercation with another individual in the wee hours of Saturday.

video--Two die in Micoud crash

Each year thousands of injuries and deaths are caused by improper medication use. Many of these injuries could have been prevented. In order to help raise awareness about safe medication use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Women's Health has created a new public service announcement (PSA) titled "Use Medicines Wisely".

video--Aruba Judge Orders Md. Man Held in Disappearance

Prosecutors on the Caribbean island of Aruba say a judge has agreed to their request to continue holding an American tourist as a suspect in the death of a woman who was traveling with him.

Tearful teen bandit leads cops to partner

Kaieteur News : "Due to the relentlessness of ranks of a police anti-crime unit patrolling the East Coast of Demerara, two young men from the village of Vryheid’s Lust spent Sunday night in custody for the first time and could soon get their first taste of the Camp Street jail. The youths, whose ages are 17 and 19, were nabbed shortly before midnight Sunday, a few hours after they had relieved a 19-year-old woman of her jewellery and some foreign and local currency."

Man shot dead in North West

Kaieteur News : "While intervening in a squabble between two men, one of whom was a relative of his, 42-year-old Emanuel Evans was shot and killed at Powis Backdam, Five Star, North West District, in the wee hours of yesterday morning. Reports are that Evans was shot in the chest while representing his relative, 23-year-old Ewart Hescott who was also shot, but in the region of his groin. He was said to be bleeding profusely and needed serious medical attention. Evans previously resided at lot 60 Kuru-Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway."

Minister: CSEC results not compromised

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "The Ministry of Education has assured the integrity of the 2011 CSEC results has not been compromised amidst claims that some students had tampered with the online results which had been posted on the Caribbean Examinations Council website last Friday. Ministry officials yesterday said while they had received reports of persons changing grades and printing the results with the CSEC logo before it had been removed from the CXC website — the original copy of the grade slip provided by the Ministry of Education to all school principals contains the true grades."

Dominica judge charges 3 in Irishman's murder

Taiwan News Online : "Authorities in Dominica have charged three men with murder and assault in an attack that killed an Irish national and wounded a U.S. couple who own a hotel on the eastern Caribbean island. A magistrate charged the suspects Tuesday in the slaying of Joseph Costello, a 43-year-old Dublin native. The trio were remanded to an island lockup. Defense attorney Wayne Norde did not speak to reporters. Detectives say three masked men brandishing a machete, a hatchet and a plank of wood demanded money from the U.S. couple outside their Pagua Bay House hotel and restaurant in Marigot."

Man from Dominica granted new immigration hearing

Toronto Sun : "TORONTO - A former head of security for Roosevelt Douglas, the late prime minister of Dominica, has won a bid for refugee status claiming he will be ‘politically persecuted’ if deported to his Caribbean nation. Errol Theophile, of Toronto, arrived from the U.S. in 2008 and filed a failed refugee claim which was successfully appealed to the Federal Court of Canada. The court granted him a new hearing last week in front of the Immigration and Refugee Board. Theophile is a former member of the Dominica Labour Party and claimed he was persecuted for political reasons by “thugs” belonging to the opposition United Workers Party."

Trinidad cops abandon jobs during 1-day walkout

Seattle Times Newspaper : "PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad — Officials in Trinidad say roughly 25 percent of the Caribbean country's police officers have joined in a one-day strike. A police union called for a day of 'rest and reflection' Monday as a way to protest the government's offer of a 5 percent pay raise. The union says that isn't enough"

Hurricane season heads toward peak

cayCompass.com : "Mid-August marks the point where tropical cyclone activity starts to increase significantly in the Atlantic Basin and almost on cue a large and vigorous tropical wave entering the Caribbean Monday has some potential to develop and impact the Cayman Islands 
later this week. The westward-moving tropical wave, which was re-designated Invest 93L by the National Hurricane Center in Miami Monday morning after it was dropped over the weekend, was given a low 20 per cent chance of developing into a tropical cyclone through Wednesday. "

One man dead after stabbing at Oistins Fish Market last night ....

nationnews.com : "A stabbing last night at Oistins Fish Market has left one man dead. Glyne Wilkinson, 43, was stabbed around 7:30 p.m. last night but succumbed to his injuries this morning at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Wilkinson lived at Bourne's Land, Silver Sands, Christ Church. Police Public Relations Officer Inspector David Welch told NATIONNews this morning there is already someone in custody who is assisting with investigations into the stabbing death. "

video--Police detain Suspect

The St. Lucia Police Force has arrested a suspect in an alleged rape case involving three young children. The three young girls from the Castries area accused a man of rape. The alleged victims are said to be seven, ten and eleven. Speaking in light of the case, President of the local chapter of the Caribbean Feminist Research and Action, CAFRA says that the issue of rape is too prevalent on the island and called for more community action to fight such action.

PNP: Homosexuality, death penalty serious issues

JamaicaObserver.com : "ANTHONY Hylton recognises that dealing with cultural diversity issues such as the death penalty and homosexuality will continue to prove ticklish for Jamaica’s relationship with its international partners. However, he believes that how the dialogue is managed will make a big difference."

Police seek public’s help

nationnews.com : "THE POLICE is seeking the public’s assistance in finding any information pertaining to the death of Adrian McDonald Wilkinson. Wilkinson, 27, of Sealy Hall, Merricks, St Philip, died after he was shot in the stomach just after 3 a.m yesterday while at a fête near the Speightstown bypass road in St Peter. Police were able to respond quickly and took control of the crime scene where the young man’s body lay motionless as curious onlookers gathered to get a glimpse."

Crime crisis

nationnews.com : "VIOLENT CRIME in this country is at crisis stage and, according to former Attorney General Dale Marshall, some communities are “under siege”. The opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) parliamentarian told the DAILY NATION that an average of two murders per month was unacceptable, adding that “Barbadians now have to endure an ineffective administration and a doubly ineffective Attorney General”."

Storm brewing over gay ad

Jamaica Gleaner "It's an indication of our backwardness, appalling intolerance and bigotry that an ad calling for 'unconditional love' of our homosexual family members and friends is unlikely to be shown on local television because the stations are just too scared to show leadership in this area. The decision-makers there know better, but they also know Jamaica, and they know the backlash and outrage that would overwhelm them if they dare transgress in this area. It's profit over any principle of pluralism, and concern for ratings over reason. I understand their dilemma. I am taking daredevil risks with my own popularity and 'ratings' for writing this column. It takes courage to write any such lead in a Jamaican newspaper, for it is bound to generate rumours that I myself am gay, bisexual or at least uncertain about my own sexuality."

video-Gay man marries transexual in Cuban first

A man and a transgender woman have married in what's been seen as Cuba's first gay wedding.

Cops arrested for collecting $3M from cocaine dealer

Kaieteur News : "Three ranks from the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) are reportedly under close arrest for demanding $3M from a cocaine dealer and also taking a portion of his drugs. Sources said that a corporal and two constables were implicated after the alleged dealer secretly recorded them during the transaction. Kaieteur News understands that the incident occurred Thursday, when the ranks arrested a man with four kilogrammes of cocaine."

Lights out!

JamaicaObserver.com : "“It was the light bills that just kept on increasing,” said Anna Chin, proprietor of Jo Jo’s, as she explained how each bill was like a nail was being hammered into the coffin lid of her business. Her voice was thick with tears as she explained to the Sunday Observer Thursday last, that a half-a-million dollar light bill had been the final straw that broke the camel’s back, closing a business that had survived in various forms for over two decades."

Layoffs a problem

nationnews.com : "Private sector bosses are resorting to layoffs despite promises to keep workers employed during the current economic crisis. And Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) general secretary Sir Roy Trotman says “it is a very serious problem, and not an isolated case here or there”."

Gunned down

nationnews.com : "THE CRIME WAVE has hit Haynesville, St James. Terrence “Papa T” Phillips was gunned down near the steps of Haynesville playing field just before 5 p.m. yesterday. The 44-year-old father of two was rushed to hospital, reportedly in a private vehicle, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Residents claimed his death was like a gangland-style execution."

A tropical storm could develop near Bermuda

Bermuda Sun "FRIDAY, AUGUST 12: A weather system with a 60 per cent chance of developing into a tropical storm could develop close to Bermuda, the US National Hurricane Center said today (Friday). The low pressure system is currently 200 miles north of Bermuda and is expected to merge with a frontal system on Saturday, that is moving north east at around 20 to 25 miles an hour. The NHC said today: “This system has a high chance of becoming a tropical or subtropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.” The NHC added: “A sharp trough of low pressure located about 1,000 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands is moving west-northwestwards at near 20 miles per hour. “Although thunderstorm activity has has become a little better organised, there are no signs of a surface circulation at this time."

Two girls top at CSEC

Kaieteur News : "After five years of hard work and hours of gruelling classes, extra lessons, working through the holidays and studying night after night, the wait is finally over. CSEC results are here. The Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate is the pinnacle of high school for any student, since it is necessary to move on to the next phase of life, whether it be working or studying. This year there were 188 students out of an entire batch of 70,000 who scored eight or more grade Ones at the CSEC examinations."

Olint boss gets 30 years

JamaicaObserver.com : "DAVID SMITH, the Jamaican who headed the collapsed investment scheme, Olint, was yesterday sentenced to 30 years in prison by the United States District Court in Orlando, Florida. Smith, who was accused of defrauding thousands of customers of more than US$220 million, was convicted after pleading guilty to 18 counts of money laundering, four counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. US District Judge Mary Scriven handed down the sentence after hearing three hours of legal arguments and victim testimony, which was emotional at times."

Mutant dengue attacks children

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "The strain of the dengue virus prevalent in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) is fatal to children, Minister of Health Dr Fuad Khan yesterday announced during a press conference at the Ministry of Local Government’s Kent House office in Maraval. Khan said the dengue virus has been present in TT for the past 30 years, but a “mutant” strain of the virus has evolved, which has proven to be fatal to children, “the most vulnerable group in the country.” Dengue fever can be caused by any one of four types of the dengue virus: DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4. A person can be infected by at least two, if not all four types, at different times during a life span, but only once by the same type."

Jamaican drug smugglers plead “Guilty” in Barbados. The Devil responds…

Barbados Free Press : "Think about the logistics of stuffing twenty or thirty drug mules all at once and getting them onto an airplane bound for Barbados. Think about the recruitment. Think about the enemas the day before. Think about the pickup in Barbados and drug retrieval. Accommodation, meals, controls on movement, security. Flight back. Payment. Distribution. This was a big operation. Good for the Bajan authorities who identified and arrested this lot – but where are the bosses? Where are the money men and organizers in Barbados? Why aren’t they being arrested?"

Police tackle pirates

Aruba Tourism Authority on the mysterious death of another American

USATODAY.com : "The mysterious disappearance of a 35-year-old American who allegedly was snorkeling with a male American companion on Aruba marks the second time a female U.S. tourist has vanished on the popular Caribbean island in a decade. The Associated Press reports that Robyn Gardner of Frederick, Md., is missing and that her travel companion, Gary V. Giordano, said she never returned to shore after he signaled for them to go in on Aug. 2. The Aruba prosecutor's office says Giordano (whom they identify only as 'GVG') is being detained for questioning."

US issues renewed dengue warning

The Nassau Guardian : "The United States Embassy in Nassau issued an emergency e-mail message yesterday warning potential visitors about the outbreak of dengue fever in The Bahamas. “U.S. citizens should be aware of the recent dengue fever outbreak in The Bahamas,” said an official e-mail from the embassy received by The Nassau Guardian. “In the past few weeks, over 200 cases have been reported and almost 1,000 cases have been reported of individuals suffering from symptoms that match dengue.” The embassy also reported in its message that The Bahamas had begun mitigation efforts to control the spread of the disease. “The Ministry of Health has begun spraying local communities, especially the more densely populated areas, and they have stressed to the public the importance of prevention,” the message continued."

Air J declined while new owner soared

JamaicaObserver.com : "LAST January would have marked the twenty-eight consecutive month of decline in revenue passenger miles (RPMs) to and from the US for Air Jamaica, even while its new owner — Caribbean Airlines (CAL) — saw a near doubling of its passenger carriage over the same period. What's more, according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the former national carrier, which was enjoying increases in the amount of plane seats filled up to March 2010, has since only seen decline in its load factor — the number of passegers carried as a percentage of seats available."

Patrons vex about after-party

NationNews Barbados "PATRONS CONTINUE to be loud about the fallout from last Friday’s after-party for Rihanna at Limegrove. Disgruntled fans have been using Facebook and other social media to vent about a number of things: not being able to get into the venue even though they had bought tickets, the inadequate accommodation at the upscale mall, and lack of an opportunity to meet and greet the woman of the hour. Reports are that Rihanna, who gave a near two-hour show at her homecoming concert at Kensington Oval, spent 15 minutes at Limegrove before taking off."

video-SLP continues attack

Suspects in shooting of Bajan cops found with MAC-10

Stabroek News - Guyana : "(Barbados Nation) A high-powered MAC-10 machine gun was among a cache of firearms found at the home of one of two suspects in last Saturday night’s shooting of two police officers. The two, a 22-year-old from St George and a 19-year-old from Christ Church, were held by a squad of detectives early yesterday."

Dead man robbed at crime scene?

Jamaica Star "A man who reportedly tried to steal $30 from a body that was fished only minutes before from the Forum Beach in Portmore is now in police custody after he was held in a nearby house with items of clothing that was said to be in the dead man's pocket. Police report that last Thursday, the body of Garfield Goldsmith, 50-year-old labourer, of Cumberland, Portmore, St Catherine, was pulled from the sea near the Forum Hotel. It is reported that Goldsmith had gone for a swim in the area when he got into difficulties and drowned. Residents saw his body floating about 1 p.m., on Thursday and summoned the police. The Marine police were called and the body removed."

Guyanese-born UK MP calls for BlackBerry Messenger suspension to calm riots

Stabroek News "LONDON/TORONTO, (Reuters) – A lawmaker called today for BlackBerry’s instant messaging service to be suspended after rioters used it to mobilise in London and other British cities. Guyanese-born David Lammy, Member of Parliament for Tottenham, where London’s worst riots for decades began on Saturday, appealed on Twitter and on BBC radio for BlackBerry maker Research in Motion to suspend BlackBerry Messenger (BBM). “This is one of the reasons why unsophisticated criminals are outfoxing an otherwise sophisticated police force,” he tweeted. “BBM is different as it is encrypted and police can’t access it.” The riots, in which shops are being looted and cars and buildings set ablaze, spread to Britain’s second-largest city Birmingham and other centres. Politicians and police are blaming the violence on criminals and hooligans but some commentators and local residents say its roots lie in anger over economic hardship in a city where the prospects for many

Ministry denies meddling in St Lucian elections

Taipei Times : "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday denied a media report alleging Taiwan was meddling in general elections in diplomatic ally St Lucia by offering “an unprecedented huge level of political funding” for its ruling United Workers Party (UWP). “What was said in the report was not true,” ministry spokesman James Chang (章計平) said. “The government provided aid for the St Lucia government to implement projects that benefit its people, not to interfere in its election.” In an analysis published in the Trinidad Express on July 20, the newspaper said Taiwan had offered US$3.8 million a year for expenditures in 11 constituencies won by UWP lawmakers in the December 2006 general elections when the party defeated the then-governing St Lucia Labour Party of then-St Lucian prime minister Kenny Anthony."

Ministry denies meddling in St Lucian elections

Taipei Times : "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday denied a media report alleging Taiwan was meddling in general elections in diplomatic ally St Lucia by offering “an unprecedented huge level of political funding” for its ruling United Workers Party (UWP). “What was said in the report was not true,” ministry spokesman James Chang (章計平) said. “The government provided aid for the St Lucia government to implement projects that benefit its people, not to interfere in its election.” In an analysis published in the Trinidad Express on July 20, the newspaper said Taiwan had offered US$3.8 million a year for expenditures in 11 constituencies won by UWP lawmakers in the December 2006 general elections when the party defeated the then-governing St Lucia Labour Party of then-St Lucian prime minister Kenny Anthony."

Rihanna, Tone It Down A Notch! Simulating Sex On-Stage With With A 60-Year-Old Stranger? Ick!

Hollywood life "Rihanna sure is a repeat sexual offender! No stranger to embracing sexual taboos—one of her hit songs, after all, is called “S&M”—the sassy songstress has once again prompted jaws to drop and eyes to stare in disbelief. This time, the brouhaha follows a concert in Rihanna‘s native Barbados earlier this week, when she pulled a grey-haired sixtysomething male out of the audience onto the stage, and proceeded to give him a raunchy lap dance. She laid on top of him, she straddled him, she simulated sexual activity—while wearing fishnets legs, short shorts and a leather bra."

Barbados Government blames Myrie’s lawyers for delay

Go-Jamaica : "A newspaper report out of Barbados has quoted a senior government official as blaming lawyers, representing Shanique Myrie, for the delay in dealing with the case. Myrie claims she was detained for hours and subjected to derogatory cavity searches on March 14 at the Grantley Adams International Airport. The lawyers have complained about Barbados’ delay in allowing Myrie to return to that country and identify those whom she has accused of violating her privacy. However, the Barbados Nation newspaper said the Barbados government has placed the blame on Myrie’s lawyers, saying they have attempted to block her from being questioned. According to the news report, the government is willing to have Myrie return to identify her attackers, but is insisting that the authorities also be allowed to question Myrie."

Hunt on for rape suspect

nationnews.com : "POLICE combed the Mount Tabor, St John area today on the hunt for a suspected rapist. They were investigating a report that a woman was raped at her home. Police public relations officer Inspector David Welch told the DAILY NATION that around 12 midday a masked man entered the house armed with a gun, raped the occupant and fled. He said police were carrying out investigations."

Guyanese soldier on child molestation charges in US

Kaieteur News : "A Guyanese Lieutenant has been placed on US $ 50,000 bail after he was charged with sodomy and child molestation charges in the US. Lieutenant Martin Douglas from the Guyana Defence Force was pursuing a military course in Missouri, USA. The army in a press statement yesterday afternoon said that the Lieutenant was arraigned on Thursday last before a judge on alleged sodomy and child molestation charges. He has been placed on US $50,000 bail and is being held at the St Louis County Jail. The army has said that they have dispatched staffers from its Embassy in Washington DC, to visit Douglas and assess his case with providing legal assistance. The Lieutenant’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 11."

NY Visitor shot, robbed on arrival

Kaieteur News : "An overseas based Guyanese who returned home yesterday morning for a religious function for his mother was welcomed by bandits who shot him in his neck and robbed him shortly after he had touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. His cousin was also shot in the leg during the brazen attack by two gunmen. Shortly after 05:00 hours yesterday, 28-year-old Prem Persaud of the United States and his cousin Sathrohan Persaud were attacked just as they arrived at the home of a relative at Middle Road La Penitence."

JEALOUS MAN SETS WOMAN ON FIRE - Tried to hold her as she burned

Jamaica Star "An attempted murder suicide in Westmoreland over the weekend has left a couple hospitalised, THE STAR has learnt. The incident happened on Ricketts Street in Savanna-la-Mar. Information reaching THE STAR is that about 6 a.m. on Saturday, a man, in a fit of jealous rage, set ablaze his common-law wife while she was asleep. It is reported that the woman who had moments earlier retired to bed after attending a party was awoken to her clothes on fire. It is further reported that the woman who tried to escape from the room was allegedly held by her common-law husband. The common-law-husband was also reportedly on fire. Meanwhile, neighbours who heard the woman crying for help later assisted the woman to escape."

Two Earthquakes Recorded Near Caribbean Island Nations

Irish Weather Online : "Minor shaking was felt in the Barbados capital, Bridgetown on Monday after an undersea earthquakes struck to the northeast of the small Caribbean island nation. It was the second earthquake to hit the region in as many days. The quake occurred at 10:43 AM local time and was centred 99 km (61 miles) NNE of Bridgetown, 191 km (118 miles) E of Castries, St. Lucia and 213 km (132 miles) ESE of Fort-De-France, Martinique. It was recorded at a shallow depth of 6.5 km (4.0 miles), according to the United State Geological Survey (USGS). A slightly stronger quake, measuring 5 magnitude on the Richter Scale, occurred at 4:01 AM on Sunday and was centred 72 km (44 miles) ESE of Castries, St. Lucia, 113km northwest of Bridgetown, Bermuda, and 116 km (72 miles) SE of Fort-De-France, Martinique."

Gun haul

nationnews.com : "A HIGH-POWERED MAC-10 machine gun was among a cache of firearms found at the home of one of two suspects in last Saturday night’s shooting of two police officers. The two, a 22-year-old from St George and a 19-year-old from Christ Church, were held by a squad of detectives early yesterday. The weapons were found at the home of the 22-year-old. “We are actively and vigorously investigating the murders which occurred at Salters, St George, and we are vehement in our resolve to solve these cases,” public relations officer of the Royal Barbados Police Force, Inspector David Welch, told a Press conference yesterday,"

Myrie twist

nationnews.com : "THE SHANIQUE MYRIE saga has taken a new twist. While the Jamaican woman’s lawyers are complaining about Barbados’ delay in allowing Myrie to return to identify those whom she accused of violating her privacy, the Barbados Government is objecting to an attempt to block her from being questioned. Myrie claimed she was subjected to a cavity search by Immigration officers, who denied her entry into the island. In a strongly-worded statement, attorneys Hylton Brown and Anthony Hylton accused the Barbados authorities of trying to cover up the issue involving Myrie’s arrival at Grantley Adams International Airport on March 14"

Hinds: No apology

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "PNM Senator Fitzgerald Hinds yesterday said he has nothing to apologise for, notwithstanding criticisms over statements he made in relation to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in relation to the Integrity Commission. “There is absolutely nothing to apologise for,” Hinds said yesterday. He said he had, up until yesterday afternoon, not yet received a pre-action protocol letter from Persad-Bissessar’s attorney’s calling on him to apologise or else face legal action for defamation in relation to comments he made last week."

BELMOPAN POLICE INVESTIAGTE MURDER IN ST. MATTHEW’S VILLAGE

LoveFM News Belize"At about 5:45 this morning acting on information received of a shooting incident, Belmopan Police visited an unnamed street in St. Matthew’s Village where upon arrival saw the body of a Hispanic male person who was later identified as 20-year-old Jorge Mario Augustine, a resident of St. Matthew’s Village lying face down in a pool of blood with what appeared to be three gunshot wounds, one to the right side of the head, left arm and right foot. Initial investigations reveal that sometime around 11:30 last night a neighbor said they were sleeping when they heard four gunshots; when they heard the first gunshot they thought it as someone hunting in the area but after hearing three more they thought something was wrong but fearing for their live they decided to wait until the morning when a check was made and that was when they discovered the body and informed the Police. The body was transported to the Western Regional Hospital where it awaits a post mortem.”"

'APOLOGISE'

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "PRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday made good on her promise to take legal action against Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) Senator Fitzgerald Hinds for accusing her of misleading the country when she said that the Integrity Commission has no pending complaint against her with respect to her stay at the private residence of Ralph and Maureen Gopaul in Tunapuna or any other matter."

Four Jamaicans facing drug charges

nationnews.com : "Four of the ten people detained at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) after arriving on a Caribbean Airways flight from Jamaica last Wednesday have been charged with drug possession. Twenty-year-old Gregory DaSantos of Fairy Valley, Christ Church, who allegedly passed out more than 150 packages of marijuana, will appear in the District “B” Magistrates’ Court today to answer the charge."

More incursions, hangings needed — says pastor

JamaicaObserver.com : "REV Merrick 'Al' Miller yesterday urged the Government to resume capital punishment as a means of stemming wanton acts of murder, and at the same time, called for islandwide incursions into criminal dens, but minus any bloodshed. 'Those who say that capital punishment is not a deterrent, are clearly not giving careful thought. I don't have to go to anything, but the scriptures is abundantly clear that man who shed the blood of man by man should his blood be shed,' said the controversial clergyman."

Manhunt

nationnews.com : "Police have launched a massive manhunt for two men who opened fire on patrolling officers in the upscale Navy Gardens, Christ Church neighbourhood late Saturday night. Up to late last night, squads of plain clothes and uniformed officers, heavily armed and using tracker dogs, combed several districts across the island, looking for the wanted men, who remained at large up to the time of writing."

Death at gay show

nationnews.com : "The gay community was plunged into mourning Sunday when a contestant in the Miss Galaxy World 2011 contest died in the midst of the show. Shawn Bubbles Waterman was leading the competition on points when he collapsed and was declared dead during the wee hours of Sunday at the Plantation Garden Theatre."

Buju moved

JamaicaObserver.com : "Defence attorney David Oscar Markus, who represented the embattled artiste, in his drug trial, told the Sunday Observer that United States magistrate James Moody recommended that Banton serve his sentence at a facility in Florida, but a shortage of beds caused him to be transferred to the Mississippi-based prison. 'The judge recommended that he serve his time in Florida, but there were no beds in Miami, and the ultimate decision was made by the Bureau of Prisons. We are hopeful that when a bed opens up down here (Florida) that we can get him transferred so that it is easier on his family (and us) to see him,' Markus said."

Gay TV advert angers clerics

JamaicaObserver.com : "A new public service announcement (PSA) encouraging families to embrace their homosexual members and which is expected to hit local airwaves sometime this month, is causing some church leaders great discomfort. The made-for-television PSA was launched more than a week ago and features former Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe Christine Straw and her gay brother Matthew Straw encouraging Jamaicans to show love to their family members and friends who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)."

Two police officers shot in Navy Gardens, Christ Church

nationnews.com : "Two police officers were shot late last night while patrolling Navy Gardens in Christ Church. Police public relations officer Inspector David Welch told NATIONNews.com this morning that Sgt Christine Husbands and Constable Terry Pierre were shot around 11:50 p.m. He said Husbands was shot in the left side, while Pierre received shots to his right hand and torso. Up to about 8 this morning, Pierre was in surgery, while Husbands was treated and discharged."

Contestant in Miss Galaxy World pageant collapses and dies

nationnews.com : "Tragedy struck the Miss Galaxy World 2011 around 1 o'clock this morning after one of the contestants collapsed and died. Dead is Shawn Waterman, also known as Bubbles, who was in his early 20s. Waterman died while contestants and patrons were awaiting the results of the show which was held at the Plantation Garden Theatre in Christ Church."

Harmless moderate earthquake near St. Lucia, Martinique and Barbados

Quake Flash report "Just after midnight local time a moderate earthquake struck below the sea-floor of the triangle St. Lucia, Martinique and Barbados. Based on the first I Have Felt It reports from the area, this earthquake has been felt as a “light shaking” (MMI IV) in Saint Lucia and as a weak shaking (MMI III) in Martinique, Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The distance from the epicenter (in between Saint Lucia and Barbados) to the nearest populated island is too big to generate any damage or injuries."

Guyanan engineers begin to dismantle crashed jet

Sacramento Bee : "GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- A Guyanese official says engineers are dismantling the wreckage of a Caribbean Airlines jet that skidded off a runway of the country's international airport a week ago. Airport executive Ramesh Ghir says workers expect to have the aircraft removed from the runway by the middle of next week. The jet carrying 163 passengers overshot the runway and split in half just after landing on July 30. About three dozen passengers were injured."

video-US loses its AAA credit rating for first time

Police make arrests in brutal weekend slaying.

The Dominican : "Police in Dominica is said to have apprehended at least two of the individuals involved in the brutal slaying of hotel manager Joe Costello. Costello was attacked by cutlass wielding men who were attempting to rob the business place of his friends American couple Rick and Alicia Davison. He is being hailed as a hero for attempting to defend the couple sometime late on Sunday night as three masked men attempted to rob their dwelling. Forty-three year old Costello who has lived on the island for over nine months died shortly after the attack and the Davisons’ who are longtime residents’ continue to nurse their injuries at the Princess Margaret Hospital."

More rains, more damage

The Vincentian : "Even as clean-up measures are still taking place frantically in some parts of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Roxtanne Marshall-Millington, Communications Officer with the Building Roads and General Service Authority (BRAGSA) is warning citizens to look for “secondary slides.” Her warning comes in the wake of heavy rains associated with tropical storm Emily which, though veering northwards, unleashed its force on St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the August Monday Weekend (July 30- August 1). Roads were made impassable by landslides; rivers overflowed their banks; trees lining roadways tumbled; tree crops suffered; some houses fell under the force of gushing water, combining to set the country back into a tail-spin of some confusion and setback."

Verbal salvos between government and opposition over oil agreement

CANA "CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC - The opposition Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and the United Workers Party (UWP) government continued to trade verbal salvos Friday even as the prime minister pleaded with his predecessor to help the government get out of a deal with a controversial and notoriously litigious American oil developer. In the latest development, the SLP accused the government of seeking to launch legal proceedings against the Opposition Leader and former prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony for signing the Grynberg agreement in 2000."

Stop the harassment!

SKNVibes "BASSETERRE St. Kitts – IMAGINE taking a stroll in the heart of Basseterre on a cool, bright day, minding your own business only to have your mood disturbed by a vagrant. He or she is either ‘hustling’ you for money or shouting obscenities. In another instance, you are a business owner who has just opened up the doors to your store only to have an unwelcome guest wander about your place of business and in spite of continuous efforts to have the vagabond put out, he or she insists on staying and making a scene. If you imagined yourself in situations such as these on an almost daily basis, how would you feel? Imagine these situations being forced upon tourists... then you would understand how they would feel. It may not seem like a big deal but in an island that relies solely on tourism as its means of making money, it can be and probably is doing more damage than one may think."

Drug convict deported.....

Antigua Observer Newspaper : "ST JOHN’S, Antigua – A Jamaican man who was convicted and fined $700,000 on drug related charges, has been deported. Roy Bell spent three years behind bars at Her Majesty’s Prison awaiting the court’s decision for possession and importation of more than 600 pounds of cannabis. Magistrate Joan Fung ordered Bell deported at the request of the Immigration Department."

Two charged with triple murder

The Nassau Guardian : "Two men charged with triple murder limped into court when they made their first appearance before a magistrate yesterday. Shawn Knowles, 39, and Timothy “Timmy” Saunders, 32, both of Cowpen Road, appeared in distress as officers from the Central Detective Unit escorted them into the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez."

Chaderton: Start hanging

nationnews.com : "SUPERMARKET OWNER Charles Chaderton says Tuesday’s double murder indicates it’s time to resume hanging in Barbados. Chaderton’s 79-year-old brother Arthur was shot dead at his Salters, St George home, along with Arthur’s brother-in-law, Austrian-born Gerhart Metamara Stock. “It’s very sad. I think it’s time to start a protest of some sort to have the hangings restarted,” the 77-year-old Chaderton told the SATURDAY SUN."

Pilot apologises for error in judgement

Kaieteur News : "Evidence is emerging that the pilot of the Caribbean Airlines Limited craft that ran off the runway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, last Saturday, might have made an error of judgement. In probably the clearest indication of pilot error as the cause of the mishap, a taxi driver, who claimed to have overheard a conversation between the pilot, Fareed Deen, and his crew, related that Deen kept apologizing for what he believes was a human error. Manfred Williams, who transported the pilot and his crew to the city immediately after the crash, recalled that Deen was inconsolable throughout the journey."

ARMLESS VEERA ROBBED

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "“What type of person walks up to someone without arms, sticks their hands in her pocket and steals her money?” Attorney-at-law Veera Bhajan, 22, who was born without arms was reacting to an incident in which she was robbed of just over $100 in cash on Tuesday in Chaguanas."

Ri-Ri roars

nationnews.com : "LOUD! The name of Rihanna’s world tour adequately described the experience at the biggest show to come to Barbados to date. It took a long time in coming, but Rihanna’s first major showing in her hometown was definitely well worth the wait. Fans had to wait well over an hour to see the star last night, but from the time she took to the stage singing Only Girl (In The World), through the seven wardrobe changes, down to Umbrella at the end was gripping."

Girl, 8, suspected dengue death

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : "ONE week after Health Minister Dr Faud Khan announced there was a dengue outbreak in Trincity, there is an unconfirmed report that an eight-year-old girl died of the disease after being discharged from the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope. It was reported that the girl, Asia Archibald, had symptoms of the illness and was taken to the Arima District Facility, earlier this week, and her relatives were given a referral letter for the Mt Hope complex."

Showtime!

nationnews.com : "Barbados will experience its biggest moment – musically – as it hosts the LOUD Rihanna show at 7:30 p.m. at the Caribbean’s cricketing mecca Kensington Oval. In what will certainly be the country’s grandest concert and arguably its biggest technological production, LOUD will be staged before 25 000 fans and a few million more on the World Wide Web. And at centrestage will be the world’s most sought after pop artiste and Barbadian daughter Robyn Rihanna Fenty, who is booked to thrill fans with 90 minutes of hit songs and risqué dance moves."

Emily breaks up after soaking Haiti

Taiwan News Online : "Former Tropical Storm Emily has broken apart after causing floods and damaging hundreds of homes in Haiti. National Hurricane Center forecasters in Miami, Florida, said late Thursday that the storm is now a low pressure system that is dumping rains over Hispaniola. All watches and warnings have been canceled. Strong winds whipped through palm trees in the capital of Haiti while heavier rains fell further north, damaging homes as well as a cholera treatment center. But there were no reports of deaths."

video--THE HERO WHO VANISHED: WHAT HAPPENED TO JOE GAETJENS

Joe Gaetjens scored the greatest goal in United States Football history, but few people in his native Haiti have ever heard of him. 60 years after he scored the winning goal against mighty England, Todd Baer of Al Jazeera English travels to Haiti to investigate his disappearance and to find out who killed him.

$1 000 gets best view

nationnews.com : "PEOPLE PAYING TOP dollar for the Rihanna LOUD concert will have a bird’s eye view of the Grammy Award-winning artiste tomorrow night. Luxury VIP and the 80 people who paid for the $1 000 tickets will have limited seating on a deck to the right of the stage, while the others will be standing in the wings on the other side."

video--Dengue Death # 1

The island records its first death as a result of Dengue Fever. A seven year old of La Croix Maingot passed away on Wednesday- coming from treatment in Martinique. The island is reportedly suffering from many cases of dengue fever- as the Ministry of Health continue their sensitization campaigns. The situation was described by the family as touching- as they mourn the loss.

video--Tropical Storm Emily--Canaries woman loses her home

One resident of the Community of Canaries has been plunged into mourning after a landslide severely impacted her house. Agartha Joseph says she lost everything in her house as a result of a landslide caused by heavy rains from early Tuesday morning. However, Chief Engineer Lestor Arnold is reporting minimal damage to the island's infrastructure as a result of heavy rains caused from Tropical Storm, Emily.

Tropical Storm Emily churns through Caribbean toward the U.S.

latimes.com : "Bringing drenching rains, Tropical Storm Emily crossed the Caribbean on Wednesday, heading for a possible landfall near Florida. Meanwhile, other parts of the South and central United States continued to bake in record high temperatures. Emily, the fifth named storm of the season, was moving through the Caribbean at about 14 mph, the National Hurricane Center reported Wednesday. The storm was packing winds of better than 50 mph and could become a low-level hurricane as it moves over the weekend toward Florida. Tropical storm warnings were in place across large sections of the northern Caribbean early Wednesday as Emily advanced toward the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the National Hurricane Center said."

KAMLA: SHARMA GETS THIRD LIFE

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "Minister of Local Government Chandresh Sharma was yesterday evening resting comfortably at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) after being involved in a car crash on the Lady Young Road, Morvant, in the vicinity of the walkover. Sharma and his driver were kept at the hospital overnight for observation. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar later described his survival as a miracle and said he had received “a third life”."

Barbados Attorney General statement on crime

NationNews Barbados "Following the latest murders in Barbados – the killing of 79-year-old retired engineer Arthur Chaderton and his 42-year-old son-in-law, Metamara Stock, – Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite yesterday issued the following statement on the crime situation in the island. As a responsible Government, we constantly assess the state of affairs in our country, particularly societal behaviour and any evolving patterns of criminal activity across our communities that are, for the most part, alien to our culture. It is in this regard, and at the end of another successful Crop Over Festival, that I need to draw attention to a recent trend that has reared its ugly head, particularly on weekends and on public holidays." Read More on nation news