The central American/ Caribbean state of Belize will offer a rare state funeral for musician Andy Palacio.  Andy Palacio was no ordinary musician he single-handedly put Belize on the world music map.  His 2007 album Wátina had become one of the most critically acclaimed recordings of the year in any genre.  Perhaps the most unanimously revered world music album in recent memory, Wátina appeared on dozens of 'Best of the Year' lists in major media outlets around the globe and was roundly praised in glowing terms. World music critics described Andy Palacio as an iconic musician and cultural activist in his native Belize and impassioned spokesperson for the Garifuna people of Central America.  He died on Jan 19th in Belize after falling ill following a massive stroke in Chacago.  After having been waylaid in Mobile, Alabama while en route to emergency care in Chicago, Andy was taken back to a hospital in Belize so that he could die in his homeland. In 2007, Palacio was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace and won the prestigious WOMEX Award. At home in Belize, the international success of Wátina has sparked a revival of Garifuna music, as young musicians have become inspired by Palacio's example.   The Garifuna people are descended from rebellious slaves on the Caribbean island of St Vincent.  Removed after a failed rebellion in St Vincent, the Garifuna people were finally taken to another then British territory, British Honduras, now known as Belize

Shoot Out In Guyana

One soldier was killed and another seriously wounded during a shootout in Guyana between gunmen and the country's security forces.  The incident occurred on Wednesday night while the security forces were patrolling the village of Buxton, considered a haven for heavily armed gangs.  The gun battle came in the wake of police assurances that they had stepped up security arrangements, following reports that a pregnant woman believed to be the common-law wife of one of the country's most wanted men had gone missing.

Mitchell ready to step down

The Prime Minister of Grenada, Keith Mitchell, has said he would be prepared to step aside if the governing New National Party so wishes.  There is no evidence, however, that anyone is prepared to make a bid to unseat him.  Dr Mitchell's statement comes as the country prepares for general elections within 15 months.  The NNP, which has held office for the past 13 years, will be seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive term in office.

Dominica opposition wants ALBA debate

Dominica's opposition United Workers Party has tabled a parliamentary motion asking for an urgent debate on the government's plans to join a political and economic organization set up by Venezuela.  Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced earlier this month that Dominica will become a member of ALBA, the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas.  The opposition leader Earl Williams said little was known about the organization.

Jamaica's minimum wage rises

Jamaica's minimum wage is to be increased by 15 percent from Monday.  Labour Minister Pearnel Charles has announced that pay at the very base of the scale will rise to US $53 for a 40-hour work week, from US $45.   Mr. Charles warned employers that they could face sanctions if they are found guilty of paying workers less than the minimum wage.

Rice prices increase

Guyanese are having to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for rice. At the centre of the increase in rice prices are sharp hikes in fertilizer and fuel prices.Local authorities have blamed the increase on a surge in foreign demand and a global shortage, due to a shift toward corn production to meet ethanol requirements. They have also raised concerns about suspected hoarding by exporters hoping to take advantage of an international rice shortage, that has seen the price moving from US $200 per ton to as much as US $500 per ton.

The ruling Peoples United Party in Belize says if re-elected in the February 7 general election, it would abolish income tax on annual salaries of less than 50 thousand dollars.  The party which presented its election manifesto on Tuesday, is also promising to create 20 thousand new jobs, salary hikes for teachers, nurses and the police, as well as doubling the size of the police force.  Prime Minister Said Musa and his PUP are seeking a third term but face a stiff challenge mainly from the United Democratic Party which recently launched its own manifesto.
 

UNC Snubs Caribbean Court

Trinidad and Tobago is yet to fully embrace the Caribbean Court of Justice, although the CCJ is based in Port of Spain.  It is intended to replace the British Privy Council as the final appellate body for Caricom-member states, but only Barbados and Guyana have signed up fully to the regional court.   The opposition United National Congress in Port of Spain has refused to support any legislation brought by the government to remove the Privy Council as the final court of appeal and to accept the CCJ.

USVI To Fight Corruption

The governor of the US Virgin Islands has promised a zero tolerance policy on crime, and pledged to clamp down on corruption.  In a state of territory address, Governor John de Jongh Jr. said issues of corruption were being aggressively pursued.  He made reference to recent indictments brought by the federal government as well as those initiated locally, telling US Virgin Islanders that the authorities had found evidence that corruption reached into the highest levels of government.  The governor has promised that those involved would be prosecuted.

Geothermal Energy For Nevis

Nevis is turning to geothermal energy to boost the tiny island's electricity supplies.  Officials there say a geothermal development drilling program was launched on Tuesday, with the aim of drilling five production wells.   West Indies Power which is undertaking the project, says Nevis is expected to have its base load electrical power supplied by geothermal power by the end of this year.  

Oil refinery on track

The government in Roseau says Dominica and Venezuela will go ahead with plans to build an oil refinery on the island despite objections from local environmentalists. Housing, lands and telecommunications minister Reginal Austrie has dismissed claims by the local Waitukubuli Ecological Foundation that the refinery would pollute Dominica which markets itself as the Nature Island. In defending the project the minister said the government needed to find new ways of bringing economic activity and relief to the people of the country. He said the refinery would generate work on an island which has a fragile agriculture-based economy.