Former Grenada Minister for Foreign Affairs, Karl Hood.

Prime Minister Tillman Thomas announced yesterday, May 17th, that he had accepted Hood’s resignation. No reason was given for the sudden decision but in an address to the nation last night, Thomas said he will now assume that vacant portfolio.

It comes just two days after PM Thomas survived a vote of no confidence at the end of a marathon debate on the motion late Tuesday night, May 15th, in the House Of Representatives.

Most government parliamentarians voted along party lines depriving the main opposition new national party of the four votes needed for the motion to carry.

After a robust, 13-hour debate, the opposition motion was defeated eight votes to five with one abstention and one absentee.

Backbencher Michael Church was the only government mp to support the motion, which called for the dissolution of parliament and fresh elections.

PM Thomas said Thursday night that “the decision of the House of Representative is a clear manifestation that we are concerned about the preservation of our democratic institutions, our practices and the sustainability of the peace and stability of our land.”

Hood is the second senior minister to resign in less than a month, following the departure of tourism minister Peter David. Four ministers have either been fired or resigned since Thomas became prime minister in 2008.

PM Thomas, meanwhile, announced a national thanksgiving rally at the Grenville Car Park on Sunday, May 20th from 3 PM.

OCTV, which jumped on board to help present the inaugural forum last June, has again signed on to the second annual Caribbean Tourism Organization and Hard Beat Communications investment forum, slated for June 6, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City.

“We are pleased to be joined by OCTV for a second year in a row,” said Felicia Persaud, CEO of Hard Beat Communications and convener of Invest Caribbean Now. “What OCTV has done is reiterated its investment commitment to this region and that is certainly a breath of fresh air in an investment arena here few respect this region as a fertile investment destination.”

“OCTV is proud to partner with Hard Beat Communications at Invest Caribbean Now Power Forum because it brings together so many like minded” people who see the Caribbean as a future place to do business, not just in recreation and tourism, but the many areas of untapped resources and talent the region has to offer,” said OTV officials. “We look forward to meeting people at the forum that we can not only do business with, but form long term partnerships and friendships!”
One Caribbean Television (OCTV) started off as a Caribbean Weather Channel, serving the Caribbean, Latin, Central and South America with current conditions and severe weather, tropical storm and hurricane coverage. That platform has been rapidly expanding to News, Business Reports, Sports Reports, Entertainment and Local Events as well as reports from correspondents on the islands and reports from New York City, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Our goal is to provide as much Caribbean content as possible and to continue to provide our viewers the quality programming that they deserve.

OCTV is expanding its cable penetration in the Caribbean, Latin, Central and South America and is projecting its launch in the US and Canadian markets!
The Invest Caribbean Now Power Forum is done in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization to educate the private sector on Wall Street of the hot Caribbean market as well and boost interest in investment opportunities in the Caribbean and its Diaspora.

This year’s panelists are Chairman of Blue Equity, Jonathan Blue; President and co-founder of Solamon Energy Corp, Jay Yeo, Hon. Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization & Minister of Tourism & International Transport Government of St. Kitts & Nevis, Ricky Skerritt and Lisa Lake, the chief development director of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship – Caribbean. The 2012 Leadership Award recipient is Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group.
Invest Caribbean Now returns for a second year as Chinese investment in the Caribbean continues to boom in this free trade region that is politically stable and boosts attractive tax incentives, a highly literate work force and an established tourism market, and which the International Monetary Fund and World Bank forecast will see a 3.5 percent growth into 2013, higher than those of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and similar to those of East Asia.

Invest Caribbean Now 2012 sponsors include La Chambre Consulaire Interprofessionnelle de Saint-Martin, (CCISM) and One Caribbean Television while supporting sponsors are the PR Newswire, WSEE TV, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, Damoola Inc., The Museum of American Finance and The Affiliated Lawyers of the Americas.

Additional information on the event can be found at InvestCaribbeanNow.com, the event’s pages on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/people/Invest-Caribbean/100002110419705 and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/InvestingCarib.

Invest Caribbean Now 2012 sponsors also include La Chambre Consulaire Interprofessionnelle de Saint-Martin, (CCISM), the PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, Damoola Inc and The Affiliated Lawyers of the Americas (“ALTA”) and the Museum of American Finance.
For additional partnership opportunities email Joe Bernstein at joe@investcaribbeannow.com or log on to the sponsorship section of investcaribbeannow.com.

That’s the word from the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, (MSF).
The number of people treated by MSF alone in the capital, Port-au-Prince, has quadrupled in less than a month, reaching 1,600 cases in April, the organization said in a statement Wednesday.

MSF also said it has increased treatment capacity in the city and in the town of Léogâne, and is preparing to open additional treatment sites in the country. Nearly 200,000 cholera cases were reported during the rainy season last year, between May and October.

MSF officials added that while Haiti’s Ministry of Health and Populations claims to be in control of the situation, health facilities in many regions of the country remain incapable of responding to the seasonal fluctuations of the cholera epidemic and the surveillance system, which is supposed to monitor the situation and raise the alarm, is still dysfunctional.

“Too little has been done in terms of prevention to think that cholera would not surge again in 2012,” said Gaëtan Drossart, MSF head of mission in Haiti. “It is concerning that the health authorities are not better prepared and that they cling to reassuring messages that bear no resemblance to reality. There are many meetings going on between the government, the United Nations and their humanitarian partners, but there are few concrete solutions,” he said.
An MSF study in the Artibonite region, where approximately 20 percent of cholera cases have been reported, has revealed a clear reduction of cholera prevention measures since 2011. More than half of the organizations working in the region last year are now gone. Additionally, health centers are short of drugs and some staff have not been paid since January.

“Rain is just one of the risk factors for contamination. But as soon as the rains end, cholera subsides, and funding stops until the next rainy season, instead of money being channeled towards cholera prevention activities. As a consequence, people are still highly vulnerable when cholera comes back,” said Maya Allan, MSF epidemiologist.

The majority of Haitians do not have access to latrines, and obtaining clean water is a daily challenge. Of the half-million survivors of the January, 2010 earthquake who continue to live in camps, less than one third are provided with clean drinking water and only one percent recently received soap, according to a April 2012 investigation by Haiti’s National Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation.

“Hygiene advice is of little use if people are unable to put it into practice,” said Drossart. ”People urgently need the means to protect themselves against cholera.”

While the cholera vaccination being used in some parts of Haiti can help control the disease, it is not a foolproof solution. The vaccine provides immunity for approximately three years and is estimated to be only 70 percent effective. Only major improvements of Haiti’s water and sanitation systems will provide durable solutions to the epidemic, but that will take time.

“The priority today is to save lives,” said Drossart. “All health actors in Haiti need to start working towards this goal immediately.”
Since cholera emerged in Haiti in October 2010, 535,000 people have been infected and more than 7,000 people have died, according to the Ministry of Health and Populations. To date, MSF has treated more than 170,000 people, or 33 percent of total cases, across the country.

“Our meetings in New Orleans were exceptionally rewarding and gratifying,” said Mr. Mayard-Paul. “We are solidifying valuable partnerships with outstanding agencies that will help advance our goals for building a stronger, more resilient Haiti under the umbrella of Katye Pam Poze, Haiti’s community-based decentralization program.”

According to Mayard-Paul, Ochsner, which has been a reliable partner to Haiti since the earthquake, is interested in establishing a relationship with Haiti’s Justinien hospital and the Ecole Polytechnic De Mayaya La Victoire, allowing Ochsner physicians and medical students to provide health services in and around Cap-Haitien. “Ochsner plans to implement a recurring medical mission to Haiti, supported by United States board-certified physicians,” he said. “They expect to launch their first mission this year.”

The MOI also plans to include Ochsner as a key health services partner within KPP, to help strengthen capacity building through training, and access to basic services through regional health centers and hospitals, in order to increase coverage throughout the country. “The Government of Haiti is seeking to enhance healthcare services available to Haitians by encouraging and supporting Ochsner and others to contribute to the health and well-being of the people of Haiti throughout the country,” added Mayard-Paul.

In signing the agreement with Tulane’s Payson Center, the Minister of the Interior emphasized that in its post-earthquake recovery process, the Republic of Haiti faces many challenges for which the Payson Center can provide meaningful solutions. “The Center is interested in providing its well-known expertise and experience in legal system reform, affordable housing and higher education, through a public-private partnership with the Government of Haiti,” said Mayard-Paul. The minister pointed out that Payson showed special interest in introducing online learning within the education module of Katye Pam Poze (KPP).
In addition, Tulane expressed an interest in also providing technical assistance/collaboration in waste water management, given its expertise in this particular area and the importance of this service to Haiti and KPP. “All of this is aligned with Haitian priorities,” highlighted Mayard-Paul, who reiterated that he was “greatly encouraged to find a long-term partner who shares the government’s vision of increasing access to basic social infrastructure and services through a ‘bottom-up’ approach so that, in the end, people would have no need to migrate out of their communities and into urban areas. This is the cornerstone of KPP and the government’s National Decentralization Agenda,” added Mayard-Paul.

During the delegation’s visit with the World Trade Center New Orleans, Mayard-Paul, met with Jessica Steverson, Marketing Director of the World Trade Center and they discussed the ways in which they could partner to “bring to life” the myriad of energy, agriculture and maritime investment opportunities available in Haiti. “Louisiana and the Gulf South region have many companies with the knowledge and capacity to develop these critical areas,” assured Mayard-Paul. During the discussion both parties agreed to work on building investment opportunities and establishing reciprocal trade missions between the two regions.
Of special significance to Mayard-Paul and the Haitian delegation was a meeting with the city of New Orleans including Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu, who successfully led the efforts to rebuild the city and restore thousands of jobs following Hurricane Katrina.

“Mayor Landrieu’s rebuilding efforts set a viable model for Haiti to learn from,” remarked Mayard-Paul. “Looking at New Orleans’ regional economy, it is clear it has begun to diversify, spearheading growth in knowledge-based industries. As a result, entrepreneurship in New Orleans has spiked dramatically post-Katrina. With jobs a pressing need in Haiti, this is a valuable take-away from our visit.”

The City of New Orleans welcomed the idea of partnering with the Ministry of the Interior and the Government of Haiti by providing technical expertise and support in different fields that enable building back a better Haiti, as well as facilitating other investment opportunities identified by the minister.
Mayard-Paul was “humbled and grateful” for the warm reception provided by WCEF and its participants to Katye Pam Poze, Haiti’s innovative “bottom-up” approach to community integration and sustainable development, which is focused on improving delivery of government services, as well as fostering development and job creation by promoting strong community involvement. “KPP has been designed as a holistic community-based program, where the end prize is to improve the quality of life of the Haitian people by enabling safe and prosperous communities right where they live, so they don’t have to migrate to urban centers to look for jobs.”

The REVLON Run/Walk aids the fight against all cancers affecting women and was held on Saturday, on May 5, 2012 in Manhattan, New York and ended in Central Park

Cameron took the three-mile journey on a rainy Saturday morning alongside cancer survivors, family members of those who have lost the battle and those who are in support of finding a cure to the life-threatening disease.

Cameron’s team members for this were two other dynamic Guyanese women: designer Michelle Cole of COLEFACTS, who lost her mother, Hermie Cole to cancer, and Natasha Blu-Martindale, an artist and accountant who lost her father and a grandfather to the disease.

Also present at the much anticipated annual event were Hollywood celebrities and Revlon’s global ambassadors Emma Stone and Olivia Wilde along with celebrity late night show host Jimmy Fallon.

Cameron reached the finish line in 42 minutes in high spirit and has already expressed the desire to be part of this event every year. The reigning queen highlighted that it is important that more people stand together so that a cure for women’s and all cancers will be found soon.

This annual event started in 1994, and has been committed to supporting pioneering cancer research and providing psycho-social as well as financial support for women fighting the deadly disease. So far, this initiative has distributed over US$65 million these efforts and has also aided in providing diagnostic treatments services for women who are medically under-served.

The reigning Miss Guyana World is planning to take part in the upcoming “AIDS Walk New York” event on May 20.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION,
Plaintiff,
v. Case No. 3:09-CV-
0298-N
STANFORD INTERNATIONAL BANK, LTD.,
ET AL.,
Defendants.
NOTICE OF LAST DAY TO SUBMIT A PROOF OF CLAIM FORM
TO ANY CLAIMANTS OF THE RECEIVERSHIP ENTITIES LISTED IN THE BOX BELOW
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas has entered an order establishing September 1, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. (prevailing Central Time) (the “Bar Date”) as the last date for each person or entity (including individuals, partnerships, corporations, joint ventures estates, trusts and governmental units) who asserts a claim (collectively, “Claimants”, as more specifically defined below) against any of the Receivership Entities listed in the box below to submit a Proof of Claim Form.
Receivership Entities
Stanford International Bank, Ltd.
———————————
Stanford Trust Company
Stanford Group Company
Stanford Financial Group Company
Stanford Capital Management, LLC
Stanford Coins & Bullion, Inc.
The list above contains only the more significant of the Receivership
Entities. A complete list of the Receivership Entities is available
at www.stanfordfinancialclaims.com
———————————————————————
A Claimant must identify, in the Proof of Claim Form, the Receivership Entity against which it is asserting a Claim if such information is available to the Claimant. However, a Claimant may submit Proof of Claim Forms against several or all of the Receivership Entities if, based upon a reasonable investigation, such Claimant believes that it holds a Claim against those Receivership Entities or is unsure which Receivership Entity against which it holds a Claim. If the Receiver or his Claims Agent requests additional information regarding the identity of the Receivership Entity or Receivership Entities against which the Claimant’s Claim is properly asserted, the Claimant must respond to the request and provide the requested information if available to the Claimant.
The Bar Date and claims filing procedures set forth below apply to all claims against the Receivership Entities that arose prior to February 16, 2009, the date the Receiver was appointed. If you believe any of the Receivership Entities may owe you money, you should consider filing a claim before the applicable Bar Date. Holders of claims that arose after February 16, 2009 are not required to submit a Proof of Claim Form at this time.
WHO MUST SUBMIT A PROOF OF CLAIM FORM
You MUST submit a Proof of Claim Form if you have a Claim against any of the Receivership Entities that arose prior to February 16, 2009. This includes any Claim based on acts or omissions of Receivership Entities that occurred before February 16, 2009, even if those claims are not now fixed, liquidated, or certain and did not mature or become fixed, liquidated or certain before that date.
All persons or entities (including, without limitation, individuals, partnerships, corporations, joint ventures, estates, trusts, and governmental units) that believe they possess a potential or claimed right to payment, or a claim of any nature, against any of the Receivership Entities and believe that they are owed any money by, or are entitled to a distribution from, any of the Receivership Entities must submit a Proof of Claim Form, unless otherwise expressly stated herein, regardless of whether such claim has been acknowledged by the Receiver (each a “Claimant”).
Claimants include, but are not limited to, any person or entity (including, without limitation, individuals, partnerships, corporations, joint ventures, estates, trusts, and governmental units) that holds a Claim. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Claimants specifically include, but are not limited to, any person or entity holding:
• a Claim based on an investment in, with or through a Receivership Entity or a customer transaction with or through a Receivership Entity (“Customer Claims”), including but not limited to claims relating to (1) certificate(s) of deposit issued by Stanford International Bank, Ltd. (“Stanford International Bank, Ltd. CD Claim”); (2) other customer accounts or transactions with Stanford International Bank, Ltd. (“Other Stanford International Bank, Ltd. Claim”); (3) investments in, with or through Stanford Coins & Bullion, Inc. or other customer transactions relating to coins and bullion (“Coin & Bullion Claim”); (4) investments in partnerships or other entities sponsored by a Receivership Entity (“Partnership Claim”); (5) investments in and transactions relating to brokerage accounts held through a Receivership Entity (“Brokerage Account Claim”); (6) investments in, with or through or customer transactions with Stanford Development Company (“Stanford Development Company Claim”); and (7) investments in, with or through any other Receivership Entity or a customer transaction with any other Receivership Entity (“Other Customer Claim”); and

• a Claim of any other kind whatsoever against any Receivership Entity, including, without limitation, Claims based on or relating to (1) the provision of goods or services to any Receivership Entity for which payment has not been made in whole or in part (“Services Claim”); (2) real estate owned or leased by Receivership Entities, including but not limited to past due rent (“Real Estate Claim”); (3) money loaned to any Receivership Entity and that has not been repaid in whole or in part (“Loan Claim”); (4) unpaid wages, compensation, or other employment benefits (“Employment Compensation Claim”); (5) tax liabilities, including those held by federal, state, local or other governmental entities or authorities (“Tax Claim”); and (6) primary, secondary, direct, indirect, secured, unsecured, or contingent liability, whether based on contract, tort, indemnity, reimbursement, subrogation, or other legal or equitable theory (“Other Claim”).
If the Claimant reasonably believes that it has or may have more than one type of Claim against the Receivership Entities, the Claimant must submit a separate Proof of Claim Form for each type of Claim. A Claimant’s failure to submit a separate Proof of Claim Form for each type of Claim shall be a basis for the Receiver to issue a Notice of Deficiency, to which the Claimant must respond.

WHO DOES NOT NEED TO SUBMIT A PROOF OF CLAIM:

“Administrative Claimants” that provided goods or services to the Receivership Entities or the Receiver after the Receiver was appointed on February 16, 2009, are not required to submit a Proof of Claim Form prior to the Bar Date. Claimants that have previously submitted a “Claimant Form” through the Receiver’s website (http://stanfordfinancialreceivership.com/claims.php) are not required to submit a proof of claim prior to the Bar Date but may wish to do so in order to provide additional information to the Receiver. However, upon request from the Receiver, the Claimant may be required to submit additional supporting documentation in order for the Claim asserted in the Claimant Form to be allowed. Beginning on May 4, 2012, the date the Court entered the order setting the Bar Date, Claimants may no longer submit a Claimant Form but shall, instead, submit a Proof of Claim in accordance with the terms of the Court’s Bar Date Order.
WHEN AND WHERE TO SUBMIT A PROOF OF CLAIM

Proof of Claim Forms must be submitted so as to be sent or postmarked on or before September 1, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (prevailing Central Time) in the following manner: (1) electronically online at www.stanfordfinancialclaims.com; (2) by mail to Stanford Financial Claims, P.O. Box 990, Corte Madera, CA 94976-0990; (3) by courier service, hand delivery, or mail addressed to Stanford Financial Claims, 3301 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901; (4) by electronic mail, as an attachment in portable document format (.pdf), info@stanfordfinancialclaims.com or (5) by facsimile or by telecopy to 415-258-9639. For Proof of Claim Forms sent by mail, an official postmark shall serve as proof of the date sent. Claimants who choose to submit Proof of Claim Forms by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile should retain a copy of their bill of lading or other proof that their Proof of Claim was sent by the Bar Date.

CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A PROOF OF CLAIM BY THE BAR DATE

If, as described in this notice, you are required to submit a Proof of Claim Form but do not do so on or before the Bar Date of September 1, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. (prevailing Central Time) you shall be forever barred, estopped, and enjoined to the fullest extent allowed by applicable law from asserting, in any manner, such Claim against the Receivership Entities and their respective property or estates; shall not be permitted to object to any distribution plan proposed by the Receiver on account of such Claim; shall be denied any distributions under any distribution plan implemented by the Receiver on account of such Claim; and shall not receive any further notices on account of such Claim. Further, the Receivership Entities and their respective property or estates shall be discharged from any and all indebtedness or liability with respect to such Claim. You may wish to consult an attorney concerning this matter.
To obtain additional information and a Proof of Claim Form call: 1-866-964-6301 or (317) 324-0757 Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (prevailing Pacific Time). Or write to: Stanford Financial Claims, P.O. Box 990, Corte Madera, CA 94976-0990. Or email to: -info@stanfordfinancialclaims.com

A copy of the Bar Date Order, Proof of Claim Form, instructions, and additional information for potential claimants is available at www.stanfordfinancialclaims.com

Leading the conversations – which includes interviews, performance highlights, film footage and audience questions – are renowned Caribbean broadcast pioneers Dave Elcock and Eric St. Bernard, as well as, international photojournalist Colin “Soulboy” Williams. The full series is as follows:
• Sunday June 3 at 5p.m. Artist David Moore whose life’s work has been dedicated to documenting disappearing scenes of Caribbean traditions on canvas. The opening also features an exhibit of Moore’s work and a grand reception. Trinidad and Tobago Consul General Mrs. Rudrawatee Nan Ramgoolam will bring remarks on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago government.
• Friday, June 8 at 8p.m. The brilliant and ever witty Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco), who is heralded as the undisputed calypso king for his unmatched recording and performing career and his trailblazing record of cultural, social and political activism.
• Friday, June 15 at 8p.m. Steelband innovator Dr. Elle Mannette – who at 86 – is celebrating his 75th anniversary in developing the steelpan, a career of innovation which has earned him the title “Father of the modern day steeldrum instrument.”
• Friday, June 22 at 8p.m. Hitmaker Rawlston Charles, owner of Charlie’s Calypso City record store in Brooklyn and founder of the legendary Charlie’s Records, a famous independent record label established in the 1970s that produced some of the Caribbean’s greatest calypso hits.
• Friday, June 29 at 8p.m. Promoting legend Flag Woman Janet, a former renown dancer in Trinidad and Tobago adjudged “T&T’s #1 Soul Queen,” who brought her signature flair and dynamism to promoting cultural and social events for decades in New York.

Producer Nandi Keyi, a longtime cultural enthusiast and writer, is thrilled to provide this forum in the midst of Trinidad and Tobago 50th anniversary celebrations. “This body of influential artists has spent a lifetime innovating, creating and showcasing Caribbean music and arts,” she said. “At the Feet of the Masters” is an excellent opportunity to garner first hand insight and ask questions about the personal and professional journeys that recreated the mastery.”
Tickets for each conversation, priced at a nominal 20.00, are available at SmartTix.com and leading local Caribbean outlets. For information call 347-636-0079 or email ashenandi@gmail.com.