Lucian heritage players on England soccer squad

For those who are following World Cup Soccer (Football) and for those who are not, England beat Slovenia 1-0 on a goal scored by Jermain Defoe, whose parents hail from St Lucia. Pity Rio Ferdinand, another St Lucian heritage player on the English Squad, was unable to play due to injury. A little titbit of information.

St. Lucia to introduce law for deportees

The St Lucian government says it will shortly be introducing legislation to closely monitor the movement of criminal deportees. The national security minister Guy Mayers, who is also the chairman of the Barbados-based Regional Security System, says efforts are also being made to have the legislation adopted across member countries.
Mayers says St. Lucia and other Caribbean countries need to put in place procedures that will prevent persons convicted overseas from getting involved in similar activities when they’re deported to the region. He says deportees will be placed on a special watch list, while convicted sex offenders and child molesters will be required to register with the police as well as to notify the public of their presence. - Go-Jamaica.com

St. Lucia's Unmounted Police

Why everybody's going coocoo for coconut water

Did You Know... . . . that coconuts are one of the wonder foods on earth that amply provides for all human needs? They can even save your life!

Few people (even fewer doctors) understand how important the coconut is to stabilizing blood sugar; lowering cholesterol; healing; hydration; and even replacing blood plasma in an emergency. Referred to as kalpa vriksha (Sanskrit for "the tree that supplies all that is needed to live") in ancient India, the coconut palm has been recognized as a top immune booster, antifungal, antibiotic, antiviral and antibacterial remedy for thousands of years all over the world. Yet, it has only been recently that modern researchers have begun to fully discover the massive health benefits this amazing fruit seed offers.

To give just one example of coconuts' live-saving properties, they were used extensively in the Pacific during World War II. Since blood plasma supplies were scarce, it was very common for medics to siphon pure coconut water from young coconuts to be used as emergency plasma transfusions for soldiers who were injured. Since coconut water is nearly identical to human blood, it was suitable for people of all blood types.

Because of its strong antioxidant properties, the coconut can be used to:

• Lower cholesterol==>


• Improve digestion==>


• Ward off wrinkles==>


• Stabilize glucose levels==>


• Fight off viruses ==>


• Build cells==>


• Regulate hormones==>


• Increase thyroid production==>


• Lose weight==>


• Increase metabolism==>


• Fight infections==>


• Stave off memory loss==>


• Kill bacteria==>


• And more!

Considered one of the most treasured foods of all time, coconut products -- including coconut flesh, coconut water, coconut oil, and coconut cream -- each deliver superb health benefits. Coconut oil, for instance, is considered the best and safest oil to use for cooking -- even superior to extra virgin olive oil when it comes to giving the body what it needs for optimum health. Unlike other fats and oils that we typically use for cooking and baking, coconut oil does not form polymerized oils or dangerous trans fatty acids in our bodies, which can raise our cholesterol levels; clog our arteries and even make our skin sag and wrinkle.

Plus, this ultra-safe oil can give your body important antioxidants that can help build stronger cells and improve your overall health and well being. Here are a few ways that you can use coconut products to stave off disease and to recapture the look and feeling of youth:Coconut Water - The coconut is a natural water filter. It takes almost 9 months for a coconut to filter every quart of water stored within its shell.

This makes the resulting coconut water completely pure and sterile, which is one reason why it can be used for blood transfusions. Another benefit of coconut water is the fact that it has the highest concentration of electrolytes than anything else found in nature. This makes it an excellent source of hydration.Coconut Oil - In addition to being superior for cooking and baking, coconut oil also makes a superb topical oil that can help to naturally rid the skin of dangerous toxins. It also gives the skin the perfect mix of hydration and antioxidants that it needs to stay healthy, smooth and younger-looking longer.

Another great benefit of coconut oil is in protecting your teeth from the bacteria that can cause cavities and disease. Simply rubbing a little fresh coconut oil on your gums and teeth can keep them stronger and healthier than virtually any other dental treatment. Most people don't realize that coconut oil can actually help you lose weight! Yes, simply changing your cooking oil from the unsaturated fat variety to coconut oil can help you lose those extra pounds.

Here's why: Unsaturated fats found in canola, corn and other vegetables oils, as well as margarine suppress the metabolism, which makes it harder to lose weight -- and easier to gain it. Over time, this metabolism suppression may result in 20-30 pounds of excess weight that your body cannot get rid of. Coconut oil, on the other hand, helps to increase thyroid function and boost your metabolism -- 2 important components to shedding unwanted pounds.Coconut Cream - The best skin treatment product one can use to achieve flawless skin may quite possibly be coconut cream.

Unlike traditional skin creams which can actually introduce fats and oils to the skin that will break it down over time, making it look older, creams derived from the coconut can actually replenish the skin, giving it a more youthful and healthy glow than most other skin care products on the market. When it comes to buying coconut products, coconuts are not all created equal. Wild coconuts are always best, but can be hard to obtain if you don't live in a tropical country. Whether you are using this wonder food to boost your immune system; increase your metabolism or fight wrinkles, using products from young coconuts will help you reap the most benefit.

Young coconuts contain the purest unsaturated fat, compared to the fat found in the more mature varieties. This is why they offer the most rejuvenation properties for the body's tissues. But how can you tell how old a coconut is? Young coconuts are usually green in color and oddly shaped. The brown hairy ones are mature coconuts, and while they offer a lot of healthy benefits, they aren't nearly as good for you as younger varieties.

The best place to find young fresh coconuts is, of course, in the markets of the tropics, so be sure to seek them out if you travel to those areas.

Available at http://www.kakesa.com/. Click on 'Coconut Culture' link. Or order from Harry Best at 510 222 123

The Big Start: St. Lucia's first reality show

The Big Start was born out of recognition, by the OPSR, of the marked absence of a culture if entrepreneurship and rampant uncertainty in the minds of potential entrepreneurs. Both contribute to the public perception that the only form of employment is with prominent establishments and agencies.
In collaboration with Accela Marketing, The Big Start was conceptualised to be a highly entertaining show providing young Saint Lucians with the chance to develop their business ideas and turn them into real entities.
The Big Start will impart sound knowledge on the approach to the principles of business, nurture innovative business ideas, inform persons on the benefits of entrepreneurship and create a cultural shift towards entrepreneurship by removing the invisible barrier of fear of entrepreneurship.

Click here for video:
http://thebigstartshow.com/bigstart/

No St. Lucian presence in SF Carnival

The annual Bay Area Carnival came and passed Memorial Day weekend without any showing of a Lucian presence. A handful of Caribbean groups, mainly Trinidadians and Vincentians paraded down Mission St. in the City in modest but colorful costumes. Gone are the huge costumes of years past. There was no live Caribbean music, save a group of drummers led by Val Serrant and pan students of Jim Munzenrider's Nueva School. Hope we can wave the Pitons at next year's Carnival.

Republic of T & T elects it's first Female PM

Kamla Persad-Bissassar who replaced Basedeo Pandy as leader on the United national Congress (UNC), assembled a coalition of opposition parties and forced a general election by threat of a no-confidence vote defeated Patrick Manning's People's National Movement (PNM) to become the first female Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Persad-Bissassar, a 59-year old swept to power by a wave of public revulsion against alledge corruption an uncontrollable violent crime wave which is now a Caribbean pandemic. Manning was pressured into call elections 30 month ahead of schedule and lost the government from a 25-15 majority to a 29-12 defeat.

Two days after the defeat Manning's ugnaminios rsignation as PNM boss braught to an end a political chapter of a man who virtually by accident, rose to become PM at the age of 44. His downfall may be contributed in part for spending $1billion to stage the Fifth Summit of the Americas, which was attended by US President Barack Obama, in spite of publis outrage over the critical and pressing urgency of confronting poverty and crime and other social and economic issues. There was a double dose for manning having already committed himself to hosting the conference of Commmonwealth leaders. There was also claims of corruption in his government.
-LTD

Crime in St. Lucia increases two fold

Vernon Francois

As the month of May 2010 come to an end, the recent increase in crime took center stage as the Government, the Opposition St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and the Royal St. Lucia Police Force sat down to address the record string of murders and gangland violence in the country.

The month ended with the senseless murder of four persons making it the most violent month in the history of the country. To date 22 homicides have been recorded for the year, plus several victims of gun shot wounds recovering at Victoria Hospital.

This has prompted the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, to request an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Stevenson King and the Minister of National Security, Guy Mayers, when a high level of deligation from the private sector would take the concern and recommendations of the sector to the government.

During the meeting with the Government, the SLP proposed that the Prime Minister urgently consider it's ten proposal for curbing crime in St. Lucia. The recommendations included enhancing the capacity of the Police Force and the National Security apparatus as well as social intervention like outreach programmes and job creation. The SLP believes that after almost four years in office, the UWP Administration has no plan for the crime situation which they had all the answer for before thay were elected. They accused the UWP of promising to reduce the level of crime in the society and restore the feeling of peace, security and safety in the community. But since they took over there has been a steady increase in public unrest. Last year, the country registered a record 40 homicided. The UWP countered by pointing their finger at the previous SLP Adminiatration's track record on crime.

The SLP vehemently defended it's record claiming the incumbent UWP which staked it's election campaign on the issue failed to follow through on many policies and programs started under the its stewardship. SLP's first-deputy Leader Philip J. Pierre said the programs were a work in progress and the country would have been ahead of the curve had the UWP completed the task. Formet national Security Minister - Calixte George - who also addressed the media during the meeting said that the police force has regressed under the current regime. He said that the SLP increased wages, provided technical advisors, vehicles, equipment, police stations, and accelerated recruitment to offset the impact of a high attrition rate. He admonished the Government for not persueing investments in modern technological advancement like finger printing service and a forensic lab.

The government Pierre said, is too interested in things political and not interested in governing the country. "The Prime Minister and his National Security Minister has failed to build on the structure put in place by the previous SLP Administration or even to replace them with their own plans and programmes. Crime is getting out of control because after four years, Mr. King and his Government have done little to attempt to stop the slide."

Pierre called on the PM to urgently request the Commissioner of Police to provide an assessment of the state of readiness of the police to deal with the situation in the context of the current crime wave and the state of police morale in the circumstances.

Public sentiment is that the police has had a bad relationship with the citizens who feel that the police are still using the same failed methods of attacking crime. The citizens refuse to talk to the police because they of the opinion that the majority of police officers are corrupt and to talk with them could mean retaliation from the drug lords and gang mamber. They feel that just like them the policemen live in the community. They know all the thieves, drug dealers, drug pushers, murderers, gang and gang members living in the community, so how come they are not reporting crime to police like themselves.

Vernon Francois, the assistant commissioner responsible for crime said that "the main problem we need to overcome in this country is fear. The very people who criticize the police for doing nothing are the same ones with the information and they refuse to go on record with it. For some time now St. Lucians are always quick to criticize the police when the police engage in certain offensives. thye should not be bemoaning the offensive undertaken by the police tody in stepping up their aggression towards crime"

The citizens of the country have no confidence in the way the country's top lawmen are approching the fighting against the crime wave. In a National Poll conducted in April, 80 percent of the people who took part agreed that the Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police should be resign.


News Break
Police Commissioner removed from Post

In a national address Sunday evening ( May 30), Prime Minister Stevenson King announced that Police Commissioner Ausbert Regis would be removed from hid present post and be re-assigned to the Prime Minister's office as the Minister and Director of Special Initiatives. His replacement was his deputy Vernon Francois, who is now the acting Police Commissioner of Police.

At a news conference where he was intoduced, Francois vowed to clean up the police force of corrupt officers. He also questioned the effectiveness of the police complaints unit and advocate for an independent body to be set up to investigate police officers. He promise that his new police team will take crime head on and calls for the help of public.
"Criminals need to made to feel in uncomfortable in St. Lucia," he said.

Francois has been given six months to produce results. Many believe that replacing the Police Commissioner with his deputy who was part of the senior management team, and responsible for crime, is not exactly progress. There are questions as to what new initiative that Francois could bring to the table that he couldn't have done before. Surely, the majority feel that the problem lies in the fact that for three years plus, Guy Mayers, the Minister of National Security, who is responsible for policing is incompetent and totally out of his depth. He has failed to show any leadership or direction to the police.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Regis may seek legal action against the government for his transfer. He has directed all press inquiries to his attorney. -LTD

2010 Carnival venue still in limbo

Sports Minister Leonard Montoute sent the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) committe into a tailspin when earlier this year he declared that the Mindoo Phillip Park - the traditional host venue- will not be used for the staging of major Carnival events this year.

But following a meeting with the CDF, the Minister recanted his statement saying that he is now open to both culture and sports co-existing in the same venue, but he placed the onus in the hands of Sports Saint Lucia Inc. Sports Saint Lucia Inc manages all major sporting venues on the island. Now getting them to agree to host Carnival at the Mindoo Phillip Park is now the job of the CDF.

Just weekes to go before the official launching of the 2010 Carnival, there seems to be a case of more questions than answers. Original scheduled for a May 30 date, the launching had to be postponed to June 6 due to a myriad of issues relating to venues for various shows. Executive Director of the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), Kennedy "Boots" Samuel said a series of ongoing meeting have been organized 'to thrash out the ongoing logistics and other matters relating to Carnival 2010."

All major Carnival activities including the Power Soca Monach and the King and Queen of the Bands competition have been held at that park for more than a decade. Carnival organisers have also expressed concern regarding the availability of a suitable venue to stage major carnival events like calypso and soca competition.

According to Montoute, the government had invested $700,000 to upgrade the facility and wanted to protect their investment from the damage usually caused by carnival. Press secretary Darnley Lebourne says government representatives are looking forward to meeting with a recently appointed task force to come up with an alternative yet suitable venue to host the carnival shows. He added that the government is fully committed to support the growth and development of St. Lucia's carnival heritage. Carnival is Saint Lucia's premiere cultutal showcase.

Samuel said that the most likely alternative for the launch is Pigeon Island National Landmark. The setting, he said, creates an appropriat backdrop for the cultural event despite concerns from many who think that the true carnival feeling will be lost. - LTD

Best makes Lions dangerous says - Madden 11

The Detroit Lions first-round draft pick Javid Best has been given some pretty good ratings from EA Sports for the Madden 11 Football video game.
Best, a running back out of The University of California, Berkeley, received a 95 for speed, a 94 for accuracy, a 92 for vision and a 97 for agility. According to the madden.com, that makes him a "full-fledge Madden 11 star and could make the Lions a "dangerous" team for the new Madden edition.

The Web site has a poll, giving viewers a chance to chime in on whether Best makes the Lions a legitimate Madden 11 threat. In the early going the verdict was an overwhelming "yes" (90%).

ESPN conducted an interview about Madden 11 with the Lion's latest young running back, and updated that same interview with some of his official ratings directly from EA Sports. The interview briefly detailed what it's like for the young running back to make the leap from NCAA Football 11, to a full-fledge Madden NFL 11 video game star, and let us all know just how dangerous he'll be in this year's most popular football video game.

"NCAA Football 10 was pretty perfect the way they captured me, but it didn't have my name or face or anything like that," he said. "They had my speed, they had my agility and catching ability and they did a good job. But in Madden, "now it's actually me. It's going to be my face , my name. It's actually me. It's going to be amazing to see."

St Lucia gets set for Caribbean week in New York

Nerdin St Rose, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board's Vice President of Marketing and Sales

CASTRIES, Saint Lucia -- Senator Allen Chastanet, Saint Lucia's Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Nerdin St. Rose, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board's Vice President of Marketing and Sales, are leading the island's delegation to the 2010 edition of Caribbean Week in New York which officially gets under way in New York City this weekend. -- Caribbeannetnews.

Read full story here: http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-23454--20-20--.html