October, 2006
CHATHAM, TRINIDAD (EXPRESS- 9/16/06)- A temporary peace washed
over the Chatham/Cedros area after several days of protest against the
proposed construction of an aluminum smelter plant. Constant police
patrols have acted as a deterrent to the protesting residents who felled
several large trees across Food Crop Road, which brought traffic to a
standstill.
Protesters at a makeshift camp set up here, promised to intensify their
protest against aluminum giant Alcoa, until they are granted an audience
with Prime Minister Patrick Manning.
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS (NATION- 9/15/06)- Prime Minister Owen
Arthur is in Cuba to attend the 14th Non-Aligned Movement(NAM)
Summit which began this week. Leaders of the 100-plus NAM member
countries are expected to focus their discussion on the revitalization and
strengthening of the movement to make it a more effective body.
The organisation serves as a political, economic and cultural mouthpiece
for poor and developing countries. This is the second time Cuba has
assumed the presidency of NAM, having first led it from 1979 to 1983.
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS (NATION- 9/15/06)- As the exodus of
highly-trained people continues to plague the Caribbean, Barbados has
appealed for help to stem the tide of "brain drain". With the region losing
more than half of its college graduates and 30% of those with a secondary
education, Dame Billie Miller, Barbados' Senior and Foreign Minister, told
a meeting at the UN in New York that the figures have serious implica-
tions for future development in Barbados.
Addressing representatives from around the world at the "Dialogue On
Migration and Development" at the UN, Dame Billie cited a study which
showed almost all Caribbean nations fell within range of the top 20
countries in the world with the highest emigration rates of graduates. In
fact, the Caribbean has the highest rate of migration into the world's
richest countries in proportion to its labour force.
"Our region is a major exporter of highly-qualified labour, in particular,
teachers, nurses and other health care professionals", Dame Billie
explained. On average, the Caribbean loses 400 nurses yearly to the U.S.,
Canada and Great Britain, costing the region between $15-20 million(US)
to train them.
ST. CATHERINE, JAMAICA (JA OBSERVER-9/16/06)-Councillors from
both the JLP and the PNP of the parish council expressed objections to a
proposal to build a cement factory in Spanish Town. They stated their
concerns about possible environmental and health issues, its close prox-
imity to the public hospital and schools in the area.
During a stormy debate, the councillors said they were not averse to
development in the parish that provides jobs and generates economic
development, but insisted that proper thought must first be put into the
type of development and its location.
"We can't be penny-wise and pound foolish", said former mayor Dr. Ray
Notice. "We have to look at the repercussions on the population. We
need factories here, but we can't have this one. It would be a health
hazard and an environmental danger."
HAVANA, CUBA (AP- 9/23/06)- Cuban authorities have intensified their
campaign against dengue fever, sending military planes to fumigate
streets, buildings and rooftops in the capital and going door-to-door to
spray mosquitoes.
They have remained silent however, on the number of victims of the
disease. A full-blown epidemic in Cuba in 1981 left 158 people dead.
Dengue, a disease found in tropical and subtropical regions, causes
severe joint pain, high fever, nausea and a rash. In severe cases it causes
internal bleeding and leads to death. The virus is most commonly spread
by mosquitoes that have contracted it after biting infected humans.
EDUCATION:
ST. JOHN, US VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI DAILY NEWS- 9/3/06)- The first
week of school proved to be less than ideal for students at Guy Benjamin
Elemementary School. They spent it without water. A check of the cistern
on the first day of school showed that it had been contaminated sometime
during the summer when repairs and maintenance were done at the
school.
Insular Superintendent Emily Carter released a statement reporting that
the cistern had been drained and cleaned and water was being trucked in
to refill it.
Although the statement said water was provided by school administra-
tors, parents reported that they had to send water to school with their
children. PTO President Kristen Cox said, "The Dept. of Education
dropped the ball, and the local people picked it up." Cox said VI Public
Works brought water after calls from parents.
CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT:
JOHANNESBURG, S. AFRICA (OBSERVER- 9/8/06)- Rita Marley
announced, on behalf of the Bob & Rita Marley Foundation, that she
will bring the AFRICA UNITE 2007 here in 2007. "Our family is committed
to keeping the legacy and teachings of Bob alive to spread 'One Love'
worldwide through the power of music, which is a gift from God", said Ms
Marley. "It is our goal to bring life to the words of 'Africa Unite' and aid
where help is needed, while creating opportunities and sustainable
change for youth in Africa and worldwide."
AFRICA UNITE 2007 will commence on Bob Marley's birthday, February
6th and continue throughout Black History Month. Through a series of
benefit concerts, symposia, fund raisers and events, it will encourage
peace, education and empowerment for youth, while reinforcing the sig-
nificance of Bob Marley's songs of freedom to manifest change through
out the world.
Born in Ethiopia in 2005 and again realized in Ghana in 2006, the now-
annual event came to life from the unwavering passion and spirit of Ms.
Rita and her family. She is inspired to spread Bob's spirit and legacy and
to actively work towards a united Africa.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA (GLEANER- 9/3/06)- Musicians and entertainers
never thought there would be a day when their instruments are consid-
ered a safety threat, but they have now. Since British police foiled a
terror plot there, there have been stories of missed shows, damaged
instruments and bad weaves.
Noted saxophonist Dean Fraser says traveling by plane is "devastating"
in many ways. "They have called the police on me already in Europe
because I refused to put it (my saxophone) on the plane. Mi guitar player
almost had to fight a staff member who was running him down trying to
take his guitar away. But so far I have defeated them. But one of these
days you are going to hear that me going to jail..."
KINGSTON, JAMAICA (OBSERVER- 9/3/06)- The remains of Joseph
"Culture" Hill arrived in the island from Germany where he passed away
August 19th. There will be a service of Thanksgiving and a celebratory
event for the life and work of the roots reggae icon in which a number of
his peers will be performing.
Hill, as lead vocalist, embodied the name of the trio CULTURE, after the
runaway success of the 1977 single, "Two Sevens Clash". He was often
seen to be from the same mold as Burning Spear, The Abbyssinians and
Black Uhuru in terms of cultural and socio-political themes in his songs.
Fans on the African continent, especially in Ghana and Nigeria, were
devastated by Hill's passing. His family has been getting requests for his
remains to be buried in Ghana. He will be buried at Dovecot Memorial
Park in St. Catherine- Hill's native parish.
