Flying fish, frozen fish and beer are among several items from Trinidad and Tobago that will now be subject to monitoring licences by the Barbados Government, adding to the tensions created by an already-heated fishing dispute. Prime Minister Owen Arthur announced the measures yesterday in a press conference carried live on Barbadian radio and television from Government headquarters in Bridgetown.

Less than 18 hours after engaging in a brawl in the car park of Angostura Ltd on Thursday night, Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon and Destra Garcia are once again close friends. Both women issued a joint statement yesterday, apologising to the nation, fans and respective families for their distressing behaviour.

Director of Public Prosecution Geoffrey Henderson said yesterday that organised crime in this country is being supported by many legitimate businesses. He said because of this, legitimate and criminal interests have become ‘so entangled that large segments of society depend upon the perpetuation of criminal activity for their livelihood.’

An apparent feud between soca artistes Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon and Destra Garcia exploded on Thursday night, when they clashed head-on during a gig they were billed to perform at. The event, Angostura Limited’s annual calypso competition, which was hosted at its Laventille home base, came to a halt when the two divas engaged in what was described as a fist fight in the car park of the compound.

A Trinidad and Tobago native residing in New York City has been added to the US Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list. Wanted for the murder of his sister and an ex-girlfriend, along with a parole violation and illegal entry into the United States, 39-year-old Andre Neverson is the subject of a manhunt involving three participating agencies of the Marshals Service regional task force in the New York/New Jersey area.

The Canadian Government, in the last six months, has been warning its citizens of an increase in crime and kidnapping in Trinidad and Tobago, Canadian High Commissioner Simon Wade confirmed yesterday. However, he said there had been no massive increase in Trinidad and Tobago nationals applying to go to Canada, or seeking refugee status there.

Highly regarded and experienced coach, former national goalkeeper Lincoln ‘Tiger’ Phillips, has been appointed Technical Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF). Phillips’ position was among several confirmed by the Executive Committee of the TTFF, following a meeting at its headquarters on Friday evening.

'I smoke herb on a meditative vibe. It's a spiritual thing to me, yuh know whah ah mean?'
Like Michael Jackson, Buju Banton's latest troubles have received worldwide attention. His arrest three weeks ago for marijuana possession was carried as breaking news by Rolling Stone, MTV, Billboard, Yahoo, ABC News, the BBC, the Scotsman, the Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, even the Springfield News Sun in Ohio.

Neil Iwer George has called on his fellow soca artiste Machel Montano to change the name of his band. George said yesterday Montano was "disrupting" the value of the Road March title by calling his group the Road Marching band. Montano said he had no comment, adding, "The only George I know is George Chambers."

A police constable charged with murder and wounding with intent of two party-goers was yesterday shielded from the media by his colleagues, when he appeared at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Eighth Court.

The police officer accused of the shooting death of Cunupia teenager Kevin Cato and the wounding of another man during a Carnival fete last weekend, appeared in court yesterday and demanded a speedy trial. His attorney, Mario Merritt, told Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls that just as Cato's relatives had called for justice following the shooting, so too should PC Dave Burnett be given justice by a fair hearing and a speedy trial.

When 18-year-old Kevin Cato of Cunupia put on his red clothes on Saturday night to attend the Outrageous in Red fete at Pier 1, Chaguaramas, he would not have known that his own blood would flow at the fete.

AFTER almost a month of verbal wrangling, Jamaican billionaire businessman Michael Lee Chin and St Joseph Member of Parliament Gerald Yetming have buried the hatchet. Lee Chin and his company, AIC Ltd, said yesterday they had considered and accepted Yetming's statement in Parliament on January 16 when he stated he never said Lee Chin or AIC had paid a bribe or committed any other illegal or improper act.

As Carnival begins to heat up, two-time national Panorama champion Phase II Pan Groove may be without its arranger, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe. The 50-year-old ace pannist was rushed to the St Clair Medical Centre yesterday after suffering from a stomach infection, diarrhoea, dehydration and high blood pressure.

Jamaican business tycoon Michael Lee Chin filed civil lawsuits in Ontario, Canada, and in Jamaica, yesterday, against UNC MP Gerald Yetming. Both Lee Chin and Canadian-based company AIC, of which the billionaire businessman is chairman and majority shareholder, are seeking damages arising from defamatory statements made by Yetming at last Friday’s sitting of Parliament.

The Manning/PNM administration has become increasingly divided on how to deal with the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen and other splinter factions, with at least five ministers objecting to what they say is the Government's "pandering to the will of dangerous groups".

For the first time in 18 years, David Rudder will not be releasing an album in time for Carnival. Speaking from his home in Canada yesterday, Rudder said music piracy was the main reason for the decision.

A radio talk show host testified yesterday at the preliminary inquiry into charges against Jamaat-al Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr. Bakr reappeared in the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls charged with conspiring to murder Salim Rasheed and Zaki Aubaidah.

A diplomatic row is brewing between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, whose envoy has accused Opposition MP Gerald Yetming of bringing that country’s financial sector into disrepute. Yetming had claimed that Jamaican billionaire Michael Lee Chin had paid a Trinidad and Tobago Government Minister for a slice of State-owned First Citizens Bank.

Around 70 daily-rated workers at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) protested between the hours of 10 am and noon yesterday, voicing their discontentment towards the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) and the National Union of Government Federated Workers (NUGFW) for issues pertaining to their employment.

The Copyright Organisation of T&T is moving to suspend the payment of royalties to any artiste whose songs contain unauthorised samples. Allison Demas, COTT’s chief executive, said yesterday after a general meeting in December, it was agreed drastic measures should be adopted to stop illegal sampling.

National Security Minister Martin Joseph launched the first salvo, yesterday, in Government?s newest crime plan, saying gangs would be the main targets of the recently-launched Special Anti-Crime Unit of T&T.

Former finance minister Gerald Yetming said has no intentions of apologising to business tycoon Michael Lee Chin by midday today. "I am not responding to that. Ignore that," he added. Lee Chin gave Yetming the ultimatum on Sunday, 48 hours after he (Yetming) told Parliament that an undisclosed sum of money was paid to an unnamed Minister as part payment for 20 per cent of First Citizens Bank.

The love bite left by a lesbian love affair resulted in the deaths of a newlywed couple yesterday. Investigators are working on two theories-that Arjoon Baldeo strangled his wife, Hayshani, after he confronted her about the bite; or that the couple made a suicide pact after her affair became known in the village where they lived.