Trinidad & Tobago

Saying the health of the nation is of paramount importance, the government of Trinidad and Tobago has placed a temporary ban on the importation of chicken from the U.S. This after officials in the U.S. discovered the bird flu virus among chickens in Delaware. This is the second ban of food products from the U.S. after beef was banned in the recent mad cow disease scare.

Haiti

The Jean Bertrand Aristide government continues to face an escalation of violence and dissention among Haitians who are dissatisfied with his government. The resulting instability has prompted Caricom to intervene, encouraging both the government and opposition to adhere to Caricom guidelines by seeking the disarmament of strong-arm groups, releasing detainees and negotiating rules for demonstrations.

Barbados

When local companies in small regions such as a Barbados establish alliances with large multi-National corporations it is evidence of the march to globalization. One such recent alliance took place recently between Tower Consultants in Barbados and Bucknall Austin, one of Britain’s leading construction and property consultancy companies. It is the view of the Hon. Dale Marshall , Barbados’s Minister of Industry and International Business, that companies have to see the benefits of forming strategic alliances outside of their borders to establish niches, have access to outside resources and most importantly build the Barbados brand name.

Dominica

One of the most exciting and possibly astounding bit of news to come out of the region recently speaks to the possibility of the discovery of a cure for AIDS in the forest of Dominica. It seems to have a sound basis as it is being reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed enough interest to lead to an investigation. The name of the purported miracle herb as well as the herbalist behind its discovery is still a mystery, as according to his agent, he wants to guarantee patent for the product before coming public. A few patients are said to have benefited from its use so far.

St Lucia

One of St Lucia’s tour companies, exploreSAIL ha s been named as one of the UK’s top ten, in outdoor pursuit holidays. The tour outfit which is privately owned has made its mark by offering innovative tours and cruises.
They have included on their itinerary a three day cruise from St. Lucia through the Caribbean and along the Atlantic Coast of South America. The Esquibo, Guyana’s largest river down to the Shanklands Rainforest is also included.

Antigua & Barbuda

According to reports published on February 14 the ruling ALP seems to be locked in a dead heat with the opposition ULP with the elections only a month away. This is the first time in more than four decades of government leadership by the ALP that the results don’t seem guaranteed. According to the New York based North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) the ALP is barely ahead 1 percent - 44 percent to the ULP 43. The ALP is going for their third term under the leadership of Prime Minister Lester Bird.

Submitted By:
Andrea Daley