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Vybz Kartel wins DJ of the Year titles again

The Gaza just rolls on and on and on. Vybz Kartel walked away with the DJ of the Year title at the annual EMEs for the second consecutive year, adding an exclamation mark to an incredible 12 month run that included eight number one singles, as well as a Billboard R & B chart hit, and oodles of controversy. The deejay also copped the Recording Artiste of the Year title as well as the songwriter/lyricist of the year titles this year.

It was a great night for the Portmore Empire as Jahvinci shared the Breakthrough Artiste of the Year trophy with Chino, and Merital Family laughed all the way to the bank as they won the Duo/Group of the year award based on the strength of their ultra-popular My Money Ha Ha single.

Spanner Banner Wins EME Award for Biggest Comeback Artist of the Year

Reggae star Spanner Banner has been working hard to regain his former status in the local music industry since he returned to Jamaica a few years ago. The prolific hit maker was residing in the UK for over three years hence his absence from the local music scene in the earlier part of this decade. Despite all the obstacles he has faced in his bid to achieve this goal, Spanner Banner has stepped back into the local spotlight wit his recent number one hit single Rolling Stones.

His return to the local musical landscape has found favor with fans and music industry insiders alike. Therefore it comes as no surprised that he has copped the award for Biggest Come Back Artist of the Year in the Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards (EMEs) which was held last night at The Gardens at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

When contacted Spanner Banner was in a very happy mood as he expressed his gratitude to the fans who voted for him on the EMEs website; “Right now I man haffi big up all the fans who vote for me, them and Jah made it possible and I give thanks to them and the creator who give I the inspiration to write and sing good music.”

Spanner Banner was also one of the performers at the EMEs. He and his three musical siblings Pliers, Richie Spice and Snatcha gave patrons attending the event an extra special performance that was dubbed the Bonner Brothers Moment.

Julian Marley Brought Marley Magic To Negril One Love Reggae Concert

Two days after his brothers Stephen and Ziggy picked up Grammy Awards in the Best Reggae Album and the Best Children’s album category respectively, Julian Marley played to a full house at the Negril Escape Resort at Negril One Love Reggae Concert show which was held on Tuesday February 2, 2010. It was Marley Magic all the way as Julian Marley rocked the house in fine style.

His nearly two hour long performance saw him reeling of songs such as Father’s Plce, Harder Dayz, Boom Draw, Awake, Lion In The Morning and Loving Clear along with several of his father’s timeless hits. The huge audience sang along, screamed and applauded right throughout his performance.

The show was opened by Ras Noble, Power Drill and Iron Head all these acts gave a good account of themselves.

The next show in the Negril One Love Reggae Concert winter series will feature veteran lovers rock singer John Holt along with Richie Melody and the Uprizing Band.

Timmi Burrell Impresses at the EME Awards

Rising reggae/dancehall artist Timmi Burrell was in fine form when he performed at the Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards (EMEs), which was held on the 4^th of February 2010 at The Gardens at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. The dapperly dressed young man was the first performer in a segment of the awards show dubbed the Tribute To Studio One and he got things off to a very good start with a splendid rendition of Horace Andy’s timeless classic Skylarking, which was produced by the great Jamaican producer Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd who founded the Studio One studio and label in the 1960s.

Judging from the response of the audience his effort was well appreciated. The main man behind the EMEs Richard Burgess was very pleased with Timmi Burrell’s performance; “Timmi got the show off to a very fine start I must say, he is certainly poised for great things”, said Richard Burgess when asked for his thoughts about the budding artist’s performance.

EME AWARDS 2010

(For recordings and overall impact between Oct. 01, 2008 – Sept. 30, 2009)

Note….. more or less than six (6) nominations in a category is the result of ties

CATEGORIES NOMINEES

1. DJ OF THE YEAR (MALE)

(for overall impact as a solo vocal performer in the eligibility year)

VYBZ KARTEL

BEENIE MAN

BOUNTY KILLER

ELEPHANT MAN

BUSY SIGNAL

DING DONG

FLIPPA MAFIA

KIPRICH

WINNER – VYBZ KARTEL

2. DJ OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)

(for overall impact as a solo vocal performer in the eligibility year)

MACKA DIAMOND

STACIOUS

TIFA

LADY SAW

SPICE

LADY G

PAMPUATTAE

LISA HYPE

WINNER - SPICE

3) VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (MALE)

(for overall impact as a solo vocal performer in the eligibility)

ROMAINE VIRGO

JAH CURE

TARRUS RILEY

RICHIE SPICE

STEVIE FACE

DAVILLE

HEZRON

WINNER – JAH CURE

4) VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)

(for overall impact as a solo vocal performer in the eligibility year)

ETANA

SOPHIA BROWN

CHERINE ANDERSON

ALAINE

TAMI CHIN

PHYLLISIA

BARBEE

WINNER – CHERINE ANDERSON

5. PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)

(for overall impact as a record producer in this category in the eligibility year)

TARIQ ‘RUSSIAN JOHNSON - CHIMNEY RECORDS

STEPHEN MCGREGOR - BIG SHIP

D. & C. HARRINSINGH, C. MARSH - DASECA

LINTON ‘TJ’ WHITE - TJ RECORDS

NOTNICE - AINSLEY MORRIS

NOTICE - UNGA & WELCH

JASON HENRIQUES/SHAWN ANDERSON/ MATTHEW GRAY - COPPER SHOT

ARIF COOPER - FRESH EAR

WINNER – STEPHEN McGREGOR

6. PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)

(for overall impact as a record producer in this category in the eligibility year)

KEMAR’DJ Flava’ Mc GREGOR – NO DOUBT RECORDS

DELMAR ‘Della’ DRUMMOND – DANGER ZONE

DONOVAN BENNETT – DON CORLEON LABEL

SLY & ROBBIE – TAXI LABEL

DONOVAN GERMAIN – PENTHOUSE RECORDS

LLOYD JAMES JNR. - JAM II LABEL

STEPHEN McGREGOR – BIG SHIP LABEL

WINNER – DONOVAN GERMAIN

7. BEST NEW ARTIST (MALE)

(award to an artist whose overall impact during the eligibility year establishes his public identity as a recording artist)

GEE-WHIZZ

RAS PENCO

WASP

ROMAINE VIRGO

CHASE CROSS

CHEVAUGHN

MERITAL

WINNER – G WHIZZ

8. BEST NEW ARTIST (FEMALE)

(award to an artist whose overall impact during the eligibility year establishes her public identity)

STREAM

GAZA INDU

PHYLLISIA

RAINE SEVILLE

SOPHIA SQUIRE

GAZA KIM

LISA HYPE

TIMEKA MARSHALL

WINNER – LISA HYPE

9. DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR

(for overall impact as a vocal performer by established duos or groups in the eligibility year)

RDX

LUST

TOK

ANDREW & WADA BLOOD

BONAFIDE

VOICEMAIL

SUGAR ROY & CONRAD CRYSTAL

MERITAL

WINNER - MERITAL

10) BIGGEST COMEBACK ARTIST

(award to an artist whose release(s) in the eligilibility year marked his/her ‘return’ to the charts after a long break)

CHUCKLE BERRY

ANTHONY RED ROZE

LLOYD LOVINDEER

RUFFIAN

SPANNER BANNER

MIKEYLOUS

WINNER – SPANNER BANNER

11. SONG OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)

(award to the artist and producer who score the biggest charting song in this category during the eligibility year)

COMPLETELY

MOCKING BIRD

I AM BLESSED

MIND PON MI MONEY

LIFE

FROM MAWNING

HOLIDAY

GOOD GIRL, GONE BAD

WINNER - HOLIDAY

12. SONG OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)

(award to the artist and producer who score the biggest charting song in this category during the eligibility year)

SO IN LOVE - HEZRON

CALL ON ME – JAH CURE/ PHILLISIA

A THOUSAND MILES AWAY – RAS PENCO

CAAN SLEEP – ROMAINE VIRGO

MAMA YOU ALONE – I-OCTANE

LIONESS ON THE RISE – QUEEN IFRICA

TELL IT LIKE IT IS – STEVIE FACE

ONE MORE NIGHT – BUSY SIGNAL

WINNER – CALL ON ME

13. ALBUM OF THE YEAR

(award to artist(s) and producer(s) if different from artist(s) whose album had biggest impact in this category in the eligibility year)

UNIVERSAL CURE – JAH CURE

RASTA GOT SOUL – BUJU BANTON

MR BROOKS – A BETTER TOMORROW
CONTAGIOUS – TARRUS RILEY

MONTEGO BAY – QUEEN IFRICA

2 SIDES OF MY HEART – GRAMPS MORGAN

MADE IN JAMAICA – COURTNEY ‘YOGI’ JOHN

IMPERIAL BLAZE – SEAN PAUL

2 SIDES OF MY HEART VOL. 1 - GRAMPS MORGAN

14. RECORDING ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(award to the artist with the most charting hits in the eligibility year)

VYBZ KARTEL

MAVADO

ELEPHANT MAN

DING DONG

KONSHENS

QUEEN IFRICA

WINNER – VYBZ KARTEL
15. CULTURAL /POSITIVE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(award to artist with the best/biggest cultural/positive recording(s) in the eligibility year)

TARRUS RILEY

QUEEN IFRICA

RICHIE SPICE

JAH CURE

I – OCTANE

KONSHENS

LUTAN FYAH

WINNER – TARRUS RILEY

16. BREAKTHRU ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(award to artist whose work attracted local and international attention, and who is seen as poised as a leader for the next generation of reggae/ dance hall stars)

CHINO

CHARLEY BLACK

BLACK RYNO

JAHVINCI

DING DONG

FLEXX

BRAMMA

TYRICAL

WINNER – CHINO & JAHVINCI (TIE)

17. SONG WRITER/ LYRICIST OF THE YEAR

(award to artist whose writing skills on all ‘charting’ songs were of a consistently high standard )

VYBZ KARTEL

BUSY SIGNAL

MAVADO

KONSHENS

ASSASSIN

QUEEN IFRICA

WAYNE MARSHALL

DEMARCO

WINNER – VYBZ KARTEL

18. SINGJAY OF THE YEAR (MALE)

(award to the artist with the biggest overall impact in this category in the eligilibility year)

NESBETH

MAVADO

MR VEGAS

CHARLEY BLACK

I – OCTANE

CHINO

SERANI

KONSHENS

WINNER - MAVADO

19. SINGJAY OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)

(award to the artist with the biggest overall impact in this category in the eligibility year)

CECILE

D’ANGEL

QUEEN IFRICA

TANYA STEVENS

BLACK QUEEN

RUFFIAN

ISHAWNA

WINNER – QUEEN IFRICA

20. COLLABO OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)

(for a collaborative vocal performance by artists who do not normally perform together)

COMPLETELY – VYBZ KARTEL & INDU

THINK BOUT MI – MACKA & UNICORN

UGLY SO – KIPRICH & BLACKER

GOOD GIRL, GONE BAD – TARRUS RILEY & KONSHENS

DIP AGAIN – ELEPHANT MAN & DING DONG

HOLIDAY - DING DONG & CHEVAUGHN

VERSITILITY – VYBZ KARTEL & INDU

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY – VOICEMAIL & BUSY SIGNAL

WINNER - HOLIDAY

21. COLLABO OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)

(for a collaborative vocal performance by artists who do not normally perform together)

CALL ON ME – JAH CURE Feat PHYLLISIA

DUMPLING SHOP – LLOYD LOVINDEER & MAMA TIA

PRESSURING THE POOR – SPRING-1 & RAS SHILOH

YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVING FEELING – NODDY VIRTUE & JODIAN PANTRY

KING AND QUEEN – RICHIE SPICE & ALISON HINDS

FOREVERMORE – TARRUS RILEY/ ALAINE

TRY JAH LOVE – JOSIE MEL & SMOKEY BENZ

JAH JAH SEE DEM A COME – SUGAR ROY & CONRAD CRYSTAL

WINNER – CALL ON ME

22. RHYTHM OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)

(award to the producer of the reggae rhythm with the biggest impact in the eligibility year)

CHANGES – DON CORLEON RECORDS

AUTOMATIC – PENTHOUSE RECORDS

SWEETNESS - MAC D RECORDS

GOOD LOVE – JAM 2 RECORDS

SWEET RHYTHM – NO DOUBT RECORDS

KARMA RHYTHM – ARROWS RECORDING

WINNER – GOOD LOVE (Prod. By Baby G)

23. RHYTHM OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)

(award to the producer/ label of the dance hall rhythm with the biggest impact in the eligibility year)

SET ME FREE - HEART OF LOVE PRODUCTION

MOVIE STAR - CHIMNEY RECORDS

STREET TEAM - FIRE LINKS MUSIC

GOOD LIFE - LIV UP RECORDS

NATIONAL PRIDE - FRESH EAR PRODUCTIONS

TRIPLE BOUNCE - CR0203 RECORDS

FITNESS - DI GENIUS MUSIC

GO GO CLUB – HEAD CONCUSSION MUSIC

WINNER – GOOD LIFE Prod. By Liv Up Records

24. REGGAE // DANCE HALL COMPILATION OF THE YEAR – VARIOUS ARTISTES

(award to the distributor // licensor of the reggae/ dance hall compilation with the biggest impact in the eligibility year)

THE HIT LIST – VARIOUS ARTISTS/ TADS

REGGAE GOLD 2009 – VARIOUS ARTISTES/ VP

THE ULTIMATE REGGAE/DANCEHALL X-PERIENCE – VARIOUS ARTISTES/ TADS

NATIONAL PRIDE – VARIOUS ARTISTS/ TADS

GOOD LIFE RIDDIM – VARIOUS ARTISTS

GREATEST REGGAE ONE DROP ANTHEMS (2009) –VARIOUS ARTISTES/ GREENSLEEVES

STRICTLY THE BEST VOL. 40/ 41- VARIOUS ARTISTES/ VP

WINNER – GOOD LIFE RIDDIM – VARIOUS ARTISTES – LIV UP RECORDS

25. MOST IMPROVED ARTIST

(award to a ‘next generation’ artist whose career improves most dramatically in all areas over the eligibility year)

CHINO

BLACK RYNO

JAHVINCHI

WASP

TIFA

ROMAINE VIRGO

KHAGO

FLEXX

WINNER – TIFA & FLEXX (TIE)

26) GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(award to the gospel artist with the biggest impact in this category in the eligibility year)

GODDY GODDY

PRODIGAL SON

DJ NICHOLAS

OMARI

JUDITH GAYLE

CARLENE DAVIS

RYAN MARK

CHEVELLE FRANKLIN

WINNER – DJ NICHOLAS

27) INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(award to the artist scoring the biggest charting International Hit during the eligibility year)

SEAN KINGSTON

MAVADO

SEAN PAUL

SERANI

VYBZ KARTEL/ SPICE

CHERINE ANDERSON

WINNER – SEAN PAUL

28. BEST THEATRICAL PRODUCTION

(award to the theatrical production with the biggest impact in the eligibility year)

BASHMENT GRANNY

BASHMENT GRANNY 2

DIANA

THE XTORTIONISTZ

ME AND MI CHUPSIE

WINNER - BASHMENT GRANNY

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS :

29. VIDEO OF THE YEAR (REGGAE) - Feels So Good by Barbee…Director(s) Ras Tingle & Rupert Campbell

30. VIDEO OF THE YEAR (DANCEHALL) – Dance the Night Away by Voice Mail & Busy Signal ….Director Jeremy Whittaker. Producers Melissa Llewellyn & Conroy Forte

31. PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR – Bounty Killer at Reggae Sumfest 2k9

32. BEST DRESSED ARTIST – Cecile

33. SHOW OF THE YEAR - Shaggy & Friends 2K9

34. BEST ORIGINAL DANCE MOVE OF THE YEAR – Skip to Ma Lue by Ding Dong & Ravers Clavers

HONOUR AWARDS:

35. ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR AWARDEES:

(Jamaican Artist (s) of International Accclaim who’s led his/her life by example and have brought their offspring into the world of Reggae)

TOOTS HIBBERT

DENROY MORGAN

36. INTERNATIONAL FRIEND OF REGGAE AWARDEE

( International. Super Star(s) will receive this Awards for his/her support of Reggae Music)….INDIA ARIE

source: entertainment by Rallo, outaroad.com, one876entertainment.com,

Rebuilding Haiti

More than two weeks after the earthquake which killed some 200,000 people, rescue efforts are now entering a new phase.

Haitian authorities and aid teams are starting to clear up the rubble from the destroyed buildings and take stock of how to rebuild the shattered country.

The Haitian government and international officials have started drawing up a strategy to help rebuild the long-impoverished country.

Efforts have also been stepped up to provide emergency aid to the hundreds of thousands of survivors left homeless by the January 12 earthquake.

There’s been much criticism of an apparent lack of coordination providing aid to earthquake survivors.

Air Jamaica saga continues

The opposition in Jamaica says it’s not quite clear on the status of Air Jamaica and has criticised the government for making the matter “a moving target”.

	Air Jamaica’s future is ‘ up in the air’

People’s National Party(PNP) spokesman on transportation, Robert Pickersgill, says the airline is critical to Jamaica’s tourism industry - and is a source of national pride.

But he also told BBC Caribbean that the conditions laid down by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the government to get out of the airline business make it an unattractive prospect.

That is a key element in negotians between the Jamaica government and the IMF for a loan of $US 1.6 billion.

At present the parties known to be interested in taking over the airline are the Trinidad and Tobago government-owned Caribbean Airlines and the Jamaica Airline Pilots Association.

Cayman Immigration

The Cayman Islands government said it is fast-tracking changes to local immigration laws to avoid an exodus of international companies and financial service jobs.

Premier McKeeva Bush has issued directives to immigration policymakers to extend the work permits of foreigners working in the crucial offshore financial sector.

He is also reducing the time that foreigners are required to remain outside the territory once their initial work permit expires.

Speaking at a business conference, Premier Bush also said the immigration changes are important for the survival of the Cayman Islands economy.

Turks and Caicos

The leader of one of the political parties in the Turks and Caicos is questioning the manner in which the territory is being managed by the British government.

Last year, the UK suspended the constitution of the overseas territory and brought it under direct rule with a resident Governor in charge.

The move followed a massive corruption scandal that implicated the then government of Michael Missick.

In an interview with BBC Caribbean, People’s Democratic Movement leader Douglas Parnell said what had started as a process to improve governance in the Turks and Caicos Islands is turning out to be a disappointment.

“Initially there was enthusiasm that the British took action, people wanted to see the back of the Misck government but that process has not played out the way people anticipated.

People thought that the British would bring in an aid package but this has not happened”, he said.

Caribbean Haiti fundraisers

Across the Caribbean this weekend, major events, parties and concerts are being held as regional efforts continue to help Haiti’s earthquake survivors.

On Saturday the cream of the crop of Barbadian artistes perform in what the organisers are describing as a massive concert and telethon to support Haiti.

About 114 entertainers, including David Rudder of Trinidad, will be involved in the ten-hour event.

In Jamaica, the country’s Football Federation and the Salvation Army are staging a help Haiti fundraiser.

At least 30 members of the Haitian Football Federation including players, referees, coaches, administration died in the earthquake.

The fate of another 20 is uncertain.

As part of the event Jamaica’s senior football team will play a friendly international against Canada.

In the Bahamas some 300 thousand dollars was raised this week and there are many songs for Haiti coming out.

Guyana’s miners’ concerns

The Guyana government is to meet with miners and the mining community in the bartica region in a bid to quell growing anger over the possible closure of the operation.

The government has announced a planned six-month overhaul of the mine.

Miners have said that they fear closure of their operations during the period and they plan to hold public protests early next week.

The proposed work is aimed at getting Bartica’s mines in line with new low carbon strategy agreements signed between Guyana and Norway.

In an attempt to head off the growing concern, Chairman of Guyana’s Land Use Committee, Robeson Benn, said the restoration period will not stop work in Guyana’s key gold mining industry.

Barbados

PM meets with Barbadian leaders overseas BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) — Investment, concessions on returning to Barbados and challenges in making philanthropic contributions were among the main issues discussed during a meeting with Prime Minister David Thompson and some 50 leaders of Barbadian organisations of the Tri-State area. read more…

Barbados tourism to regain momentum in 2010 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) — Key tourism decision makers and local industry partners are optimistic that Barbados will see positive recovery in 2010, since the island finished on target at the end of last year. Despite the 2009 global economic downturn, tourism was only marginally less than targeted. read more…

Cuba

Cuba participates in Dublin Tourism Fair HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) — Thousands of people were able to admire some of the services and products offered by the Cuban tourist industry exhibited in the island’s stand at the Holiday World Show recently held in Dublin, the Irish capital, and which is the major exhibition for the tourism industry in Ireland. read more…

Haiti

Staying in Haiti, the right choice NEW DELHI, India — The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) saluted one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world for redoubling its commitment to Haiti after this month’s deadly earthquake. Responding to an announcement by Choice Hotels that it will not be pulling out of Haiti. read more…

UN group urges $700 million investment in Haitian agriculture RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Bloomberg) — An investment plan to restore Haiti’s agriculture industry and secure food production will require $700 million in international aid, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said on Friday. The plan, designed by the Haitian government and supported by FAO… read more…

Haiti must learn to live with earthquakes, experts say PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP) — It will be difficult to convince Haitians to spend extra money and rebuild their quake-ravaged country with structures able to withstand another powerful earthquake, experts said Friday. Some 170,000 people were killed in the devastating January 12 quake. read more…

US steps up effort to protect children in quake-hit Haiti WASHINGTON, USA (AFP) — The United States is stepping up efforts to combat the potential trafficking of Haitian children separated from their families after the January 12 earthquake, the State Department said. The United States was mobilizing a coordinated effort to protect vulnerable children with UNICEF. read more…

Haiti’s once posh golf course now a tent city PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP) — Petionville’s manicured golf course, once a favorite haunt of Haiti’s elite, is now a massive tent city where tens of thousands left homeless by a devastating earthquake have taken refuge. These rolling hills once a playground to the most privileged, is now home to the most desperate. read more…

Montserrat

Montserrat Parliamentary Secretary wants Caribbean youth involved in regional integration BRADES, Montserrat — Jermaine Wade, former CARICOM Youth Ambassador (now Parliamentary Secretary of Youth Affairs, Community Services and Sports in Montserrat), told the Special Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development that politicians must do more. read more…

Montserrat celebrates St Patrick’s Day with week-long festival BRADES, Montserrat — With the distinction of being the only nation outside of Ireland to celebrate St Patrick’s Day as a national holiday, the island of Montserrat comes alive with Caribbean flair for the annual event. Showcasing a unique mix of Irish and African heritage, the week-long festival will take place from March 13-20. read more…

St Kitts & Nevis

CARICOM observer team says St Kitts-Nevis electorate voted without intimidation and harassment BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM) — The CARICOM Observer Team that monitored the general election in St Kitts and Nevis said voters were able to cast their ballots without intimidation or harassment, which augured well for the conduct of an orderly and peaceful election. The CARICOM team said that voting and counting… read more…

St Lucia

Magazine names St Lucia number one in the Caribbean FORT LAUDERDALE, USA — Porthole Cruise Magazine, a leading consumer magazine,  has named Saint Lucia the Best Caribbean Island for 2010. In the magazine’s Editor-In-Chief’s 2010 Awards, Saint Lucia received the number one selection, while Soufrière’s Jade Mountain was named the Best Caribbean Resort. read more…

Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago launches tourism quality service improvement programme PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — In a move to increase Trinidad and Tobago’s share of the lucrative global tourism market, the Tourism Development Company Limited on Wednesday launched a National Tourism Quality Service Improvement Programme, a three year multi-faceted programme. read more…

US Virgin Islands

Proposed legislation would limit ability of US Caribbean territories to finance economic development projects WASHINGTON, USA — A Congressional Research Service analysis of the rum excise tax cover over program, from which Puerto Rico receives about $400 million annually and the US Virgin Islands about $90 million annually, finds that proposed legislation by the Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner would be detrimental. read more…

Venezuela

Venezuela receives two bids for Carabobo oil, says Chavez CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) — Venezuela received two bids in the Carabobo auction of three projects in its vast Orinoco heavy crude belt, President Hugo Chavez said on Friday. “Yesterday in fact, two offers were received, two were received for three projects,” Chavez said during a speech to students. read more…

Chavez orders seizure of Venezuela unit of Mexican food company CARACAS, Venezuela (Bloomberg) — Gruma SAB, Mexico’s largest maker of corn flour for tortillas, fell to a three-week low after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday his government will seize one of the company’s local units, Molinos Nacionales CA, the maker of Robin Hood flour. read more…

source: bbccaribbeannews.com, caribbeannetnews.com