Popular Music Promoter Loftus ‘Lofty’ Emmanuel died Earlier this Morning at the PMH at Age 65; he Succumbed to illness; Play Writer & Producer Alex Bruno Broke the news to Q95 this Morning

Reporter: Marilyn Isles Date: Wednesday ,May 9, 2012

Well known Playwright Alex Bruno notified Q95 news this morning that the very popular local music promoter Mr. Loftus “Lofty” Emmanuel died earlier this morning at the Princess Margaret Hospital at the age of 65, allegedly having succumbing to a long standing illness. The details of Mr. Loftus “Lofty” Emmanuel’s alleged illness, has yet not been confirmed.  Q95 News will seek to bring you more updates on that matter in the coming days. According to Mr. Bruno, “Lofty” as he was affectionately known, had been at the hospital for some time. Bruno called Q95 tom report that sad news of his passing, just about twenty minutes after he had passed.

Vedic Science & Technology Doctor Lucia John says Human Consumption of Cold Water, Lowers the Temperature of the Body, the Blood Thickens, and is Unable to Circulate Normally Throughout the System ….

Reporter: Marilyn Isles Date: Wednesday, May 9, 2012  

Vedic science & technology doctor Lucia John says when humans consume cold water, what they are actually doing is lowering the general temperature of their body, and when this happens, the blood gets thicker, and is not able to circulate all over the body at the rate that it usually would, under normal circumstances. John says humans are warm blooded beings; the body functions at an optimum state when the temperature is normal, therefore, if the temperature is changed even a few degrees higher or lower than its normal state, then it will create some imbalance, and cause problems in the body. She says the body would require greater pressure to pump the blood thru its various vessels.  

Back to top

UWP Leader Edison James says Finance Minister Skerrit’s Disregard for the Condition of the Prime Minister’s Official Residence, and his Acknowledgement of Failure to Repair it shows Contempt ….

Reporter: Marilyn Isles Date: Wednesday, May 9 , 2012 

UWP leader Edison James views statements made by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit in respect of the prime Minister’s residence being infested with termites, as simply a reflection of even greater contempt for the country. James questions why would the Finance Minister allow the official premises of the country’s Prime Minister to fall into such a poor state of disrepair, and then to go about touting that failure to the people of the country, who voice their concerns about things that are not right, or that are a cause of distress to them, and which they rightfully expect their government fix.                                                                                                                                                                                             Back to top

Lennox Linton says after 21 Years, Dominica’s Economic Citizenship Experiment has come to be Identified only as the Layou River Economic Citizenship Programme with No Hotel to Show ….

Reporter: Marilyn Isles Date: Wednesday May 9, 2012

Speaking on his weekend radio talk show “Between you & me”, Lennox Linton says twenty one (21) years ago, Dominica embarked on a journey now known as the Economic Citizenship Programme, which was intended to bring new life into the economy and attract new monies for investment purposes in strategic areas of need, that would allow for growth and development of the economy. He noted that the programme began in 1991, and in 2012, the 21^st birthday of that economic citizenship experiment, it has come to be known and remembered as the Layou River Economic Citizenship programme, where investors were encouraged to put in US$35,000 into an account for a hotel development in Dominica, in exchange for a passport of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Linton asks where is the hotel complex that was supposed to bring so much economic development in the country.                                                                                                                                                                             Back to top

Kiwani Jackson of Goodwill Pleaded Guilty in High Court Earlier Today to a Charge of Wounding with Intent to Disfigure his Victim’s Face; He is Expected to be Sentenced for the Crime on May 31 ….  

Reporter: Zakiya Shillingford Date: Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Kiwani Jackson of Goodwill pleaded guilty in high court earlier today to a charge of wounding with intent to disfigure. He is to be sentenced for the crime on May 31. According to the facts of the case Jackson threatened to slice the victims face at a bar in Roseau during the wee hours of the morning of October 23 2010. Later during a scuffle he used a small flip knife to slash the left side of the complainant’s face and then fled the scene.The victim was rushed to the hospital where she was told that she would carry a permanent scar from the wound. Jackson is represented by attorney Kondwani Williams.

                                                                                                                                                           Back to top

Charles Maynard Former DFP Trade Industry & Tourism Minister Died this Morning at the PMH at the Age of 78; Former Ag Chief Justice Sir Brian Alleyne & DFP Leader Judith Pestaina Pay Tribute ….

Reporter: Correspondent Date: Tuesday May 8, 2012

Charles Maynard Former DFP Trade Industry & Tourism Minister Died this Morning at the PMH at 2:00 am this morning, at the Age of 78. Former Ag Chief Justice Sir Brian Alleyne & DFP Leader Judith Pestaina Pay Tribute to him. Sir Brian Alleyne says quote … “Dominica has lost a hero and the country will miss him”. Charles Maynard’s most recent stint was as Dominica’s ambassador to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and as a special adviser to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. Sir Alleyne and Maynard were friends and colleagues for 40 years. Mr. Maynard held a variety of Ministerial Portfolios during the 15 year rule of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) from 1980. The DFP’s current leader, Judith Pestaina, credits him with having helped the country make inroads in primary health care when he was minister of health. Sir Brian Alleyne recalls working with Charles Maynard in “business, politics, church”, and he recalls laughing at his friend and colleague for his tendency to be careless in wearing different colour socks on his left and right feet. Pestaina says the former DFP government minister also contributed significantly to trade development and helped put Dominica’s tourism on the map. Pestaina sums up Charles Maynard as “A nationalist” who made a “stalwart contribution”.      

                                                                                                                        Back to top

Dominica Public Service Union General Secretary Thomas Letang appears to be Concerned that “Politicians and Others” may have Colluded to Keep Workers away from May Day Activities ….

Reporter: Corresdpondent Date: Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Dominica Public Service Union General Secretary Thomas Letang appears to be concerned that “politicians and others” may have colluded to keep workers away from May Day activities, an occasion which the movement uses to place its achievements on record, and to look the way forward for workers. The unions in Dominica may not have been pleased that the Catholic Church embarked on a “Hike with the Clergy” event on May Day. The Catholic Church which was the main organizer of the hike however, says the event was a success, and is likely to say that it was not its intention to keep workers away from Labour Day activities. The Church used May Day celebrations to hike on Waitukubuli National Trail segment 13 from Penville to Capuchin. Many persons took part in the hike. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Bishop of Roseau Gabriel Malzaire, Portsmouth parish priest Fr. Herman Sharplis and other members of the clergy displayed their fitness on the trail, and made speeches on the beach. The hike was said to be a “fund raiser” for the catholic

                                                                                          Back to top

Bahamas PM raises vote buying concerns

caricomnewsnow.com - Friday 4 May 2012  

FRESH CREEK, Bahamas -- Prime minister of The Bahamas Hubert Ingraham said on Tuesday night he had received troubling reports” of alleged bribery in order to influence the vote in the May 7 general election.I do not want to believe... that money is being thrown around, Ingraham told supporters at a Free National Movement (FNM) rally.That money is being paid up front, with a requirement that individuals photograph how they vote on cell phones to enable them to get the balance of the money promised after they have voted. That;s despicable and insulting, so I dont want to believe it.” The prime minister did not name anyone in particular in reference to the matter, but said that the offers should be treated with the contempt they deserve. On Tuesday, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) leader Perry Christie made similar claims. Christie charged that the government was using the public treasury to bribe voters with contracts and pre-election jobs. However, the FNM on Wednesday dismissed that claim as untrue.

 Back to top

Further consolidation of medium and long term policies expected in 2012

caricomnewsnetwork.com - Tuesday 7th February 2012  

St. Kitts, 6th February 2012 – Fiscal 2012 will see a further consolidation of the medium and long term policies implemented in previous years to cope with the crude economic and financial realities globally that continues to present grave challenges to the Federation’s small open economy.The Ministry of The Office of the Prime Minister will continue to be guided by its mission of providing strategic support to the government in its pursuit of good governance and accountability, in order to improve the quality of life of all citizens and residents of the Federation, by providing quality service and advice designed to enhance the human resource capacity.“The Office of the Prime Minister, recognizes its responsibility to provide strong leadership to the Public Service during this prolonged period of economic challenges, caused by the series of crises faced globally whose effects continue to be felt locally,” said Prime Minister Denzil Douglas. In 2012, the Ministry of the Office of the Prime Minister will be ready to provide the necessary momentum that is required to turn the challenge into opportunity. “I sincerely believe that the measures we are now taking throughout the Public Service and in the economy at large will provide the necessary growth to ensure the sustainability of the Public and Private Sectors and a better and brighter society for all our citizens,” said Prime Minister Douglas in his message in Volume II of the Estimates for Fiscal Year 2012.He said that the “very sacrifices that we are now called upon as a nation to make can easily be eclipsed if we do not take the necessary measures to reverse the increase in serious crimes that our country now faces.” “It is for this reason that after serious and careful consultation that I implemented a minor reshuffle of ministerial responsibilities. This new structure allows me as leader of our Country to lend my experience having been Minister of National Security for almost a decade toassist with dealing with this very serious threat,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who added that the Anti-Crime Unit now brings the police and defence force, the institutions responsible for crime prevention and fighting directly under my purview as part of the Ministry of the Office of the Prime  Minister.                               

                                                                                                                         Back to top

LIAT may sue Caribbean Airlines for unfair competition

caricomnewsnetwork.com - Tuesday 7th February 2012 

Regional airline, LIAT, is reportedly considering taking legal action against Caribbean Airlines over "unfair competition." LIAT says it lost 46 million U.S. dollars last year, following up on a 20 million U.S. dollar loss in 2010. The airline put some of the losses down to competition from Caribbean Airlines because of subsidised fuel. Caribbean Airlines currently buys oil from Trinidad and Tobago at a subsidised price of 50 U.S. dollars a barrel. LIAT on the other hand pays between 110 to 120 U.S. dollars a barrel. Vincentian Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves who also chairs the shareholder governments of LIAT, says he is taking advice on whether or not the subsidies are legal under Caricom rule. He says he has no problem with competition noting that it has to be on a level playing field.

                                                                                           Back to top