Can Lara still cut it?
That question has been engaging cricket fans ever since it was confirmed that English side Surrey were lining up a bid to tempt Lara with the offer of a contract to play Twenty20 cricket.
Lara, 40, has been in the nets at The Oval and has begun talks with Surrey’s cricket manager Chris Adams and chief executive Paul Sheldon.
“We have been in discussion with Brian regarding his possible involvement with the club,” said Surrey in a statement.
“However, we have no further comment to make at this stage.”
The former West Indies captain and double world record holder has not played competitive cricket for two years.
JetBlue Airways Announces Plans to Offer Barbados – New York Flights
NEW YORK, April 23, 2009 JetBlue Airways announces plans to continue its successful international expansion with new service this fall to the Caribbean island of Barbados, subject to receipt of government operating authority.
2010 BMA Nominees Announced
The 2010 Barbados Music Awards Nominees has been announced. Here are the nominees.
Soca Up-Tempo Single
Edwin Yearwood- In De Middle A De Road
Mikey- Rhythm Section
Timmy- Tim De Tool Man
Red complete listing here:>>
Barbados PM says spending cuts coming
Prime Minister David Thompson says cuts in government spending are just around the corner.
Thompson said Sunday that he had already advised his Cabinet Ministers that they will be required to find ways to reduce expenditure in their various ministries.
“I believe that at some point shortly we would be approving that adjustment of expenditure,” said Thompson, who is also Finance Minister.
But he said that there are certain “critical policies that you have to continue to pursue because they enhance empowerment, which is an important contributor to economic activity or they may be socially necessary”.
The Prime Minister’s disclosure comes against the backdrop of a recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) assessment of the local economy in which it recommended a number of measures that the Thompson administration could implement to ride out the economic downturn.
Among those recommendations is to continue to moderate wages to lower the public sector wage bill, sell government assets, broaden the tax base and raise existing taxes.
Opposition Leader Mia Mottley said she was concerned about the state of the economy under Thompson’s management.
“Enough is enough. I don’t think the issues were handled appropriately. It is clear the Barbados economy is on a knife’s edge. If we slip, we will slide,” she told a press conference on Saturday.
“The precarious nature of where we stand today must be a concern to all Barbadians.”
But Minister of State in the Finance Ministry Darcy Boyce said on a local radio programme Sunday that the decline in the Barbados economy is not out of line with what has been happening in other parts of the world.
“This is not a case that things are being run in a way that is totally out of control. We have to make a choice – in this situation do you contract the economy so much by holding your fiscal deficit down….and call it a retrenchment economy or do you…keep people going,” he said.
In the meantime, Thompson said he remains hopeful of an economic turnaround late next year, while at the same time he acknowledging that may not happen fully before 2011.
“We would expect that towards the latter part of 2010 we will see some improvement for Barbados. One has to make the distinction between the improvement in the United States economy, the European economy and then what happens to Barbados because there will be a lag for as many as two quarters for Barbados,” he said, adding that government was “planning for the worst but hoping for the best”.
Sean Paul To Perform At Marlins Game
Grammy – winning Jamaican dancehall star, Sean Paul, is set to perform at a Marlins game later this week.
The singer, who admits he is no baseball fan, is set to perform at the Sept. 26th Marlins game against the New York Mets.
The 36-year-old says he will perform some hits off his new tracks along with some of the older ones. He is also expected to pitch the first ball at the game.
Paul’s album, entitled ‘Imperial Blaze,’ was released on August 18, 2009. The lead single is ‘So Fine.
Trinis drink more alcohol than water
T&T is ranked as the 98th among countries with the highest consumption of alcohol. Minister of State in the Social Development Ministry Alicia Hospedales said so during her contribution to Wednesday’s debate on the Provisional Collection of Taxes Order in the House of Representatives. She said that information was provided by the World health Organisation (WHO).
Hospedales said the Government’s decision to increase taxes on alcohol and tobacco products was a good one as it is intended to act as a deterrent to users of those products. Responding to claims from Opposition MPs Ramesh Maharaj, Dr Roodal Moonilal and Chandresh Sharma that the initiative was not likely to succeed, Hospedales said she begged to differ. She said the measure would be successful.
The minister said T&T had been ranked among the countries with the highest number of Alcoholics Anonymous groups per capita in the world.
She added that it was a strong indicator that alcohol use and abuse “was a major problem in T&T.” She said from statistics it seemed that citizens of this country were drinking more alcohol than water.
Hospedales said the use of alcohol had caused a myriad of problems for individuals, families and the society as a whole. She quoted statistics which showed that in T&T “66 per cent of highway deaths was due to alcohol use, 63 per cent of fire deaths, 60 per cent of motor cycle deaths, 50 per cent pedestrian accidents, 50 per cent of drownings have all been due to alcohol consumption.”
Caribbean residents in New York are gearing up for one of the biggest events in the American cultural calendar – the West Indian American Day Labor Carnival to be held on Monday, September 7, 2009.
Full Article…
Bajan wins hurdles in photo finish
Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados, who didn’t even qualify for last year’s Olympic final, won by a nose over Americans Terrence Trammell and David Payne in the 110-metres final Thursday at the world championships.
View video
Usain Bolt runs 9.58secs to smash world record in 100 metres
Usain Bolt confirmed his status as the fastest man on earth as he scorched to victory in the 100 metres at the World Championships in Berlin in a new world record time of 9.58secs.
Bolt, a triple gold medal winner at last summer’s Olympics, smashed the mark of 9.69sec he set in winning the 100 metres in Beijing, carving another 11 hundredths of a second off his old gold standard.
The Jamaican’s rivals were simply left trailing in his wake, as he capitalised on a perfect start to open up a two-metre gap at half distance before streaking even further clear in the closing stages.
Tyson Gay, the champion from Osaka in 2007, had to settle for second place in what was still a personal best time of 9.71 seconds and a new American record, with another Jamaican, Asafa Powell, in third.
“I was feeling good after the semis. I knew it was going to be a great race and I executed it,” Bolt said. “It’s a great time, a great feeling, I feel good in myself and I knew I could do it.
“There was a big build up, great atmosphere. It wasn’t going to be an easy race but I had a perfect start and just went from there.
“I came out here to do my best and I did what I had to do. There’ll be no partying for me ahead of Tuesday. I’ll rest up as always, I need to rest up for the 200m.”
Gay, who endured a miserable Olympics in 2008 after rushing back to competition from a debilitating hamstring injury, had promised revenge on Bolt but the American could not get close enough to mount a challenge despite running the third fastest time ever.
He said: “I ran the best I could. I just wanted to give my best tonight, it wasn’t enough but I’m happy to have the national record.
“I knew I had to put out a championship performance. I gave it my best and that’s all I could do.”
Britain’s Dwain Chambers clocked exactly ten seconds but finishing only sixth.
Sean Paul to ‘blaze’ American television
In anticipating for his fourth album Imperial Blaze, which drops on August 18, top’-notch deejay Sean Paul will soon be hitting American television hard.
Sean Paul is racking up major prime-time mileage on big networks in the United States such as BET, MTV, FOX and ABC. The appearances that he has already made includes Fox’s wildly popular series So You Think You Can Dance and one of America’s top-rated morning programmes Good Morning America. He’ll be appearing again on the well-liked BET’s 106 & Park on Thursday, September 17, and paying visits to the Wendy Williams Show and It’s on with Alexa Chung on MTV, both on Friday, September 18.
“We’ve been on the road, just straight promoting Imperial Blaze,” said the Grammy-winning artiste. “So Fine has been doing well, we’re winding down to that time for the album to drop, and the second single is ready to be released too.”
Press It Up, the second single set to be released from the album, has already been getting positive feedback from club and radio DJs, shared Sean Paul. Imperial Blaze was recorded in Jamaica and features productions from Jamaican producers such as Jeremy Harding, Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor, Arif Cooper, Don Corleon, Craig ‘Leftside’ Parks, Delano Thomas and Sean’s own brother, Jason ‘Jigzagula’ Henriques.
re-creating history
Sean Paul is hoping to re-create his past victories of Billboard Hot 100 charters and number ones. Sean Paul has had three number one singles which include Temperature, Get Busy and Baby Boy; five 10 Ten hits (including We Be Burnin’ and Gimme The Light), and eight chart entries. He has also secured two worldwide multi-platinum albums. The Trinity confirmed Sean’s stature as an international superstar, with total global sales in excess of four million. The album followed Sean’s 2002 RIAA 2x platinum certified VP/Atlantic debut, Dutty Rock, which sold more than six million copies worldwide.
Sean Paul has also racked up a stunning array of prestigious awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album, the American Music Award for Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artiste, Billboard Music Awards’ Hot 100 Single of the Year (Temperature) and the MTV Europe Award for Best New Artiste.
Showbiz boss: Let’s go beyond kaiso
An interesting article was published in the Nation news paper recently and we thought it interesting for every Bajan to give their feedback on this issue of Crop Over, the Music and the entire future of the festival.
Excerpt:
————————————–
THE CROP-OVER FESTIVAL has to move beyond the diaspora and attract a wider audience.
This is the view of Phil Phillips, entertainment entrepreneur and former manager of the band krosfyah, as he commented on the just finished Crop-Over Festival.
“We don’t have the luxury as a small developing nation to only stage something that appeals to the fancy of Barbadians and Barbadians in the diaspora,” Phillips said yesterday in an interview with the DAILY NATION.
“We also have a mandate for our culture to be exported and while some aspects of the society may be comfortable that we have people coming in from Brooklyn and London, we can’t be content, because then we are not any different from any other festival in the region.”
Phillips also said that Barbados could not afford the luxury of staging a festival that only promoted one genre of music.
——————————————-
Visit the following link to view complete article and you can post your comments. If you don’t see your comments you can post them here on our site.
Crop Over Photos up! more coming..
Mikey at Cohobblopot performing his hits "IN DAT" and "Riddim Sekshun"
We are working hard to upload all of this weekends action. Cohobblopot, Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, Fore-day Morning and Grand Kadooment. Stay connected to our blog for more photos.
2009 Kadooment Costume Band Results
Results are shown in order of winning.
Historical –
1.Ooutraje Trevor Chase The Beginning.
2.Betty West Betty West Barbados Back Den.
3.Mas’ Explosion Neal Robinson The People Who Came.
Topical –
1.Radikal Amanda Forde Tourism Is We Business.
2.Wednesday 2000 Mackie Holder Kadoonival.
3.De Renegades Doug Hoyte Rum Glorious Rum.
Community –
1.Bajana Trydeijha Britynee Entwine Seasons.
2.Youth Exlosion Quincy Jones Energy Yuh Want, Energy Yuh Gine Get.
3.No prize awarded.
Traditional –
1.Betty West Betty West Barbados Back Den.
2.Gwyneth Squires Gwyneth Squires Hidden Treasures.
3.Ooutraje Trevor Chase The Beginning.
Advertising –
1.Gwyneth Squires Gwyneth Squires Hidden Treasures.
2.De Renegades Doug Hoyte Rum Glorious Rum.
3.No prize awarded.
Fantasy –
1.Rebel Vibes Andre Elias Psychomachia.
2.Baje International Corey Knight Fire & Ice.
3.Gwyneth Squires Gwyneth Squires Hidden Treasures.
Large Band –
Jump Promotions Renee Ratcliffe Sweet Fuh Days
Small Band –
De Renegades Doug Hoyte Rum Glorious Rum
Most Colourful Large Band –
Gwyneth Squires Gwyneth Squires Hidden Treasures
Most Colourful Small Band –
Ooutraje Trevor Chase The Beginning
Crop-Over Anniversary Award –
1.Wednesday 2000 Mackie Holder Kadoonival.
2.Jump Promotions Renee Ratcliffe Sweet Fuh Days.
3.Bajana Trydeijha Britynee Entwine Seasons.
HIV/AIDS Awareness Award –
Jump Promotions Renee Ratcliffe Sweet Fuh Days.
Best Band On The Road –
1.Gwyneth Squires Gwyneth Squires Hidden Treasures.
2.Betty West – Barbados Regatta Betty West Barbados Back Den.
3.Ooutraje Trevor Chase The Beginning.
Flag Person –
1.Dee Dee Winston Gwyneth Squires Hidden Treasures.
2.Sue Ellen St Louis Wednesday 2000 Kadoonival.
3.Sedia Jackman Youth Exlosion Energy Yuh Want, Energy Yuh Gine Get.
Best Individual – Male
1.Adzil Stuart – The Silver Lining Ooutraje The Beginning.
2.Ewan Pilgrim – Harrison’s Cave Gwyneth Squires Hidden Treasures.
3.Randolph Auld – A Fishing Boat Betty West Barbados Back Den.
Best Individual – Female –
1.Marilyn Rice-Bowen – Splendour of the Coral Reef Betty West Barbados Back Den.
2.Jasmine Babb – Blue Skies Power x 4 Sweet Fuh Days.
3.Marlina Forde – Soft & Sweet Betty West Barbados Back Den.
Small Band Of The year –
1.Ooutraje Trevor Chase The Beginning.
2.Mas Explosion Neal Robinson The People Who Came.
3.Bajana Trydeijha Britynee Entwine Seasons.
Large Band Of The Year –
1.Gwyneth Squires Gwyneth Squires Hidden Treasures.
2.Jump Promotions Renee Ratcliffe Sweet Fuh Days.
3.Power x 4 Chetwin Stewart Love & Revelry 15 years.
Festival Designer Of The Year –
1.Gwyneth Squires.
2.Betty West.
3.Renee Ratcliffe.
Queen Of The Bands –
1.Lynn Callender – Hidden Beauty Gwyneth Squires Hidden Treasures.
2.Sophia Chase – Mukuru The African God Of Agriculture And Harvest Trevor Chase The Beginning.
3.Betty West – Barbados Regatta Betty West Barbados Back Den.
King Of The Bands –
1.Trevor Chase – Mukuru The African God Of Agriculture And Harvest Trevor Chase The Beginning.
2.Trevor Nicholls – Hidden Culture Gwyneth Squires Hidden Treasures.
3. No prize awarded
* No prize awarded for Best Overseas Band
Edwin Road March and Peoples Champion
Edwin Yearwood is a double winner for 2009. He is this years’ People’s monarch and road march winner. Click above photo to view Edwins’ profile. Road March results 1st Place: Edwin Yearwood – In De Middle Ah De road Second Place: Mikey – IN DAT Third Place: RPB – Something’s Happening
