SmallShop Caribbean News

Mexican police find bullet-riddled body of Cuban-American in Cancun - International Herald Tribune : "CANCUN, Mexico: The body of a Cuban-American who was under investigation in a migrant smuggling case was found riddled with bullets along a road outside this Caribbean resort, authorities said Tuesday. Luis Lazaro Lara Morejon, who was wearing only white Bermuda shorts, was found handcuffed and blindfolded with duct tape late Monday night. He had been shot at least 10 times, said Didier Vazquez, the director of the judicial police in Quintana Roo state, where Cancun is located."

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "Dr. Gilbert Morris, writing for Caribbean Net News speaks of the “Coming catastrophe – Avian flu”, and although his commentary might not cause immediate wholesale panic, it will bring to everyone’s attention the seriousness of such an issue, especially for countries such as those of the Caribbean mostly because of their lack of massive populations. It will also create quite a stir among people of those countries who understand the problems that could be so easily associated with tourism. "

Tropical depression in Atlantic poses little threat Bonds News Reuters.com : "MIAMI, July 31 (Reuters) - The third tropical depression of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season has formed northwest of Bermuda and was not expected to pose any threat to land, forecasters said on Tuesday. The depression that formed late on Monday was not likely to last long as it moved over cooler waters, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said."

Fewer Americans Visit Caribbean - Forbes.com : "SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of the Caribbean appear to be losing some of their allure for U.S. tourists. Americans who flocked to the islands in record numbers until recently are finding new destinations or staying home, leading to declines of more than 10 percent this year in islands including Jamaica, St. Lucia and Grenada."

Penalties for politicians - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "Golding made the announcement as he gave an overview of the JLP manifesto to a large crowd of supporters, business and other private interests, who attended the launch of the document at the Jamaica Conference, downtown Kingston. He said that the JLP is proposing serious sanctions for persons who 'perpetuate the kind of conduct that tends to entrench the garrison phenomenon'."

The Trinidad Guardian : "Marlene Maharaj carried her baby boy to full term. She thought she had the model pregnancy and marvelled at the agility of her unborn son. “He was always moving and kicking. I used to wonder if I had a footballer or a cricketer in my belly...he used to move so much,” she recalled. Last week Wednesday, the 40-year-old mother of two boys and one girl went into labour around 3 pm. "

The Bahama Journal : "Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest on Monday slammed former Prime Minister Perry Christie over the most recent promotions in the Royal Bahamas Police Force, accusing him of politicizing the process. It was the latest round in an exchange of accusations in recent weeks involving changes in the hierarchy of the force and came days after Mr. Christie accused the new administration of political interference in the restructuring of the RBDF"

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : : "FOUR more Trinidadians were extradited to the United States yesterday morning to face trial for kidnapping US war veteran Balram “Balo” Maharaj. Anderson Straker, Christopher Sealey, Kevin Nixon and Wayne Pierre failed to file an appeal against the order for extradition. Six special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) came to Trinidad in a special FBI aircraft to take the Trinidadians to the US. "

Jamaica Gleaner News - A mad escape - Alleged madman shoots three cops, then flees - Tuesday July 31, 2007 : "A MANHUNT is currently under way for 24-year-old Gordon after he reportedly shot and injured three policemen at the Frankfield Police Station in Clarendon Sunday night. Reports coming from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) are that around 8:00 p.m. Sunday, policemen from the Frankfield Police Station unsuccessfully attempted to transport Gordon to May Pen from his holding area."

Stabroek News : "The nude body of a 69-year-old Corentyne farmer was found early yesterday morning in a pool of blood in his home and a relative who lived in the same house is now in custody. The body of Deonarine Bhansingh of Lot 24 'K' Albion Front, Corentyne, was discovered by the police after they were alerted by a neighbour who had visited the man's house to borrow a tarpaulin and saw blood dripping through the flooring. According to reports, the house was not broken into, but the man's room was ransacked and his wardrobe door broken. Relatives said they believe robbery was the motive. "

St. Lucia Star Online : "Castries Central MP Richard Frederick got high praise yesterday from listeners to his radio talk-show when he announced that he would try to settle the longstanding dispute between the Graveyard and Grass Street factions. The alleged gang violence in the Grass Street area last week disrupted Carnival Monday’s celebrations. Sounding very much like Reverend Al Sharpton, Frederick said he would organize a football match or some other event which he hopes would lead to an eventual truce among the residents of the two ‘ghettos’, which are less than a mile apart. Callers to the show pledged their wholehearted support to the initiative."

Trinidad Express : "The murder toll continued to climb over the weekend with the deaths of two men in separate incidents. And late yesterday a man's body was found floating in the Caroni River but investigators were unable to determine whether his death was due to foul play. The deaths of Leroy Greenridge and Michael Homer pushed the murder figure to 178 for the year, 31 fewer than for the same period last year. "

Jamaica Gleaner News - Montego Bay couple slain - Murder in full view of 3-y-o - Monday July 30, 2007 : "Anger, shock and emotion came to a boil in Seaview Heights in Flankers yesterday when residents woke to hear that three persons had been shot, two fatally. Family members and residents could not come to terms with the news that Cecil 'Jimmy' Spence, 49, and his wife, Pauline 'Yvonne' Spence, 43, had been murdered by men armed with AK-47 rifles."

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "With the high cost of airfare already impeding intra-regional and international travel by locals, there is now an additional cost at the airport which may exacerbate the situation. The SUN has learnt that as of 1 Oct., the cost of departure tax will increase significantly. Locals will now be paying $77 in departure tax, while visitors will be shelling out $85, up from the present $50 and $58, respectively."

Antigua Sun : "Belting out one of his most memorable hits, Sir McLean “King Short Shirt” Emmanuel, a living legend of the calypso art form, added yet another title to his long and distinguished career on a memorable night for the 50th anniversary of Carnival. "

Haiti debates a homegrown army - Los Angeles Times : "PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — 'In this land, we are the only masters,' the Haitian national anthem proudly boasts of this country that in 1804 overthrew slavery and colonization. But for more than a dozen years, Haiti has been without an army, dependent on a politicized national police force and foreign troops of the United Nations who protect its leaders, respond to natural disasters and quell violence in some of the hemisphere's most wretched slums."

Jamaica Gleaner News - Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) set to launch manifesto today - Monday July 30, 2007 : "The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) will launch its 2007 manifesto this afternoon at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston. The launch of the manifesto comes less than one week before Nomination Day, August 7, and exactly four weeks before the general election on August 27."

The Bahama Journal : "Although the crime situation has become worrying for many Bahamians, it is not a threat to tourism, according to an official at the U.S. Embassy in Nassau. 'I don’t see any threat to The Bahamas tourism industry at this point based on the level of crime that you have here,' said Dr. Brent Hardt, charge d’ affaires, who was the special guest on the radio Love 97/JCN TV programme, 'Jones and Company', which aired on Sunday."

The Nation Newspaper Beware China bearing gifts, says CaPRI head : "CARIBBEAN GOVERNMENTS have been advised to tread cautiously when accepting gifts from China, including foreign aid, new stadiums and new hotels. President and research director of the recently formed Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI), Dr John Rapley is cautioning that the gifts are in fact not free, and recipients often ended up paying the price. "

The Nation Newspaper TRAGIC SUNDAY : "A BLANKET OF GRIEF was thrown over Barbados yesterday when six lives were lost in a horrific accident, mere minutes away from the annual East Coast Calypso Bowl party. "

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday :: : "The remarkable thing about Arthur Richards, 85, and his wife Earthtice, also 85, is that they don’t know what the other looks like. They are both blind. He from the age of five. She at 18 years. They see each other as young and attractive and agree that their love grows stronger every day. "

Portia rebukes Buchanan - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth - President of the People's National Party (PNP) Portia Simpson Miller scolded her general secretary at a mass rally here Saturday night for defying her instructions not to respond to criticisms levelled at her by Opposition Leader Bruce Golding."

Bridgetown Barbados ,Six people were killed on the way to the party monarch competition.Details are sketchy at this time.Reports indicate that up to 37 people have been injured with many undergoing surgery and 11 in critical condition.

Dehring recounts nightmare exit of 'Asian giants' - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "For organisers, it was a nightmare. Both India and Pakistan knocked out in the first round of the Cricket World Cup to be replaced by minnows Bangladesh and Ireland in the Super Eights and for a long-anticipated clash on April 15 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Managing Director and CEO of ICC CWC 2007, Chris Dehring still gets a furrowed brow at the memory." Related West Indies Cricket

Jamaica's PM suspends talks with opposition as political violence continues - International Herald Tribune : "KINGSTON, Jamaica: Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller indefinitely suspended talks with the Caribbean island's opposition after rocks were thrown at her motorcade — part of escalating violence a month ahead of national elections. People's National Party General Secretary Donald Buchanan said Saturday that the prime minister told supporters of the decision during a rally in the capital shortly after opposition activists hurled rocks at a motorcade carrying her and other candidates on Friday."

Trinidad Express : "Emancipation Day, like Indian Arrival Day, invariably gives rise to reflection about the links which exist between diasporas and their ancestral roots. Much has been written about African slavery and the construction of an African diaspora in the Caribbean and the Americas. A great deal of that writing has been the work of Caribbean peoples who over time sought to better understand who they were and what role Africa was to play in shaping their identity as a people, and how that identity must adjust to other economic and socio-cultural realities in the emergent Caribbean civilisation. "

Searchlight Newspaper St. Vincent and the Grenadines : "Prominent criminal defence lawyer Kay Bacchus-Browne says that the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) office is tardy and Colin Williams is not correct when he suggests that she is the reason why her High Court cases are not being heard."

The Nation Newspaper COSTLY MAS' : "THERE ARE FEWER BANDS REGISTERED for Kadooment, but hundreds of thousands of dollars more will be made from masquerade costumes than last season. Last year's record high of 29 mas' bands generated just over $3 million from costume sales, but the 23 slated to hit the road from the National Stadium to Spring Garden on Monday, August 6, are estimated to produce a whopping $3.6 million in sales. "

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "The Member of Parliament for Arouca South had today advised the Honourable Patrick Manning that she no longer wishes to be considered as a candidate for Arouca/Maloney.’ "

Observers for polls - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "DIRECTOR of Elections Danville Walker has confirmed that the August 27 general elections will be observed by representatives of the 35-member, Washington-based Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Caribbean Community (Caricom)."

Haiti: Top UN official condemns lynching increase Jerusalem Post : "The top UN official in Haiti on Friday denounced a sharp increase in lynchings and other mob attacks, including the killing of two innocent men as they traveled to a wedding. At least six people were killed by mobs in a single week in different attacks this month, according to the UN mission's human rights section. At least 105 people have been reportedly lynched in Haiti since 2005. "

Dominican Today : "SANTO DOMINGO. – The National District Prosecutor and the National Drugs Control Agency (DNCD) investigate some 10 laboratories and medicine import companies which market the controlled drug ketamine, although just one of those companies was shuttered and drug trafficking charges filed against its executives. "

Amandala Online : "The Christian Workers Union (CWU) has called an executive meeting for Friday, July 27, to discuss, among other things, a recent discovery that as many as 40 forged cheques valuing about $18,000 have been cashed against the CWU’s account"

Trinidad Express : "Kenny Gopaul suffered a heart attack and collapsed at his South Trinidad home after learning that his children were killed in a road accident in the United States. And the family of five of the six Trinidadians killed in the fiery accident in Virginia may have to wait as long as three weeks before they can bury their relatives. "

Stabroek News : "The body of an ex-policeman was yesterday morning discovered lying on the road a short distance from his home with a gaping wound to the forehead and it is suspected that he was the victim of a robbery. Dead is Aubrey Laurie, 32, of Lucky Spot, Dakoura, Linden which is about four miles from West Watooka. He left the force in 2000 after 12 years of service. "

'Polls must be clean' - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "DANVILLE Walker, director of the Electoral Office of Jamaica - the agency that runs the country's elections - vowed yesterday to protect the secrecy of the ballot and the confidentiality of the electoral process in the August 27 polls."

Advocate : "THE Police Financial Investigations Unit (FIU) was 'carrying out investigations at Glendairy Prison'. This revelation came yesterday from Acting Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (ASP), David Broomes, who said that on March 30, 2005, the second day the jail was burnt by prisoners, officials from that department turned up with a warrant to 'search the computer in Acting Superintendent of Prisons Lieutenant Colonel John Nurse's office.'"

Caribbean360.com : "KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 25, 2007 - The latest opinion poll in Jamaica puts the ruling People's National Party (PNP) ahead of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to win the August 27 general elections."

Husband's deportation forces wife, daughters to move to Jamaica : "BANGOR, Maine — All Tiffany Nelson wants is to have her husband and the father of her two young daughters back at home. Since a judge ruled that can’t happen, the 38-year-old mother is preparing to sell nearly everything her family owns and move to a country she has never seen so her family can be together."

: Radio Jamaica "Grenada's Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, has strongly refuted claims that he is a citizen of the United States of America. The Prime Minister made the comment based on a statement by former Attorney General Lloyd Noel, who said he had been provided with information that the Prime Minister is still a US citizen."

Grenada Broadcast - PRIME MINISTER VS MEDIA --- AGAIN!!! : "St. George, July 26, 2007 -- Prime Minister, Dr. Hon. Keith Mitchell, has accused broadcast journalist, Eugenie Mason, of accosting him at last week's sitting of Parliament. The veteran GBN reporter had followed the Opposition outside of Parliament to obtain a comment from them when they walked out, before returning to cover the remainder of the sitting. During the lunch break she attempted to obtain a comment from the Prime Minister who felt that she had accosted him."

Guilty - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "TWO of the three persons charged with the 2005 murder of gas station operator L G Brown and his fiancée, Sandra Campbell, in Stony Hill, St Andrew, were last evening found guilty by a panel of 12 jurors in the Home Circuit Court."

Caribbean Net News: UN chief to pay official visits to Haiti, Barbados next week : "UNITED NATIONS (AFP): UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is to pay official visits to Haiti and Barbados next week, his press office announced Thursday. "

Stabroek News : "I have read the letters (particularly one by Carl Veecock) pertaining to bringing liquor on board aircraft with much amusement. I went through the same experience as other travellers and am now thoroughly familiar with the airline's policy. There is nothing sinister or discriminatory in the policy of the carrier. In fact, the policy on purchasing or bringing liquor on board with you as carry on is the same worldwide as it pertains to travelling to North America, especially the US "

'Mud volcano' erupts in ocean Herald Sun : "MUD spewing out of the sea 8km off the eastern coast of Trinidad could be a mud volcano that could form a temporary island. Richard Robertson, head of the Caribbean nation's Seismic Research Unit, said the mud was pouring out of an opening or several openings in an underwater hill or mountain at a depth of 12-15m near the Point Radix coast."

The Trinidad Guardian : "For five months Carol James endured sleepless nights, fearful her 20-year-old son Steve James, a motorcyclist, would be killed in an accident. On Wednesday, James’ fears were realised when her son lost control of his motorbike and crashed into a railing at the side of Clarke Road in Penal. "

Trinidad Express : "SIX Trinidadians were killed in Suffolk, Virginia, when the car they were travelling in flipped a median, collided with a truck and burst into flames. Five of the victims are believed to be siblings but, because of the extent of the injuries, police are unable to determine their ages. A relative of the victims told the Express that their ages ranged from 12 to 25. "

Antigua Sun : "The Central Housing & Planning Authority, CHAPA, has joined the growing list of disgruntled statutory bodies whose employees are seeking to bring attention to their plight by resorting to industrial action. This latest protest, which began yesterday, takes in the authority’s junior and administrative staff, along with fieldworkers, who staged a sick-out in protest of what they say are long-standing issues to include mediocre pay and unsatisfactory working conditions."

Bermuda Sun' : "When Shoshana Williams went into hospital feeling tired in December last year she was not expecting to be told her baby was on the way. Mrs. Williams, 29, was five months pregnant; the baby wasn't due until April 24. Yet here she was three centimetres dilated. "

Bahama Journal : "A 16-year-old was on Tuesday charged with the murder of another 16-year-old, which occurred in New Providence on Monday night. Family members of Ulrick Johnson Jr. and bystanders stood on the sidelines on Bank Lane as officers from the Central Detective Unit pulled up with the murder accused in the back of a car."

St. Lucia Star Online : "The St Lucia Labour Party came out of apparent hibernation on Tuesday evening and drew an election-time crowd to the steps of the Castries Market, the party’s main platform. Among lead speakers were Alva Baptiste, Dr Robert Lewis and Philip J Pierre, the former tourism minister. "

Cuba finds itself isolated from financial systems - International Herald Tribune : "HAVANA: Heightened scrutiny of banking transactions by the United States since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks has led European and Canadian banks to curtail dealings with Cuba, according to bankers and businesses. Cuba ceased exporting armed revolution to Latin America two decades ago, but Washington still lists the Communist country, along with Iran, Syria, Sudan and North Korea, as a 'rogue' state that sponsors terrorism."

BBCCaribbean.com Fidel absent on Cuba's National day : "Cuba's acting president, Raul Castro, has led revolution day celebrations, filling in for his ailing brother Fidel who was last seen in public a year ago. Raul said that the months without Fidel had been 'difficult' but insisted that his brother was recovering well."

Jamaica Gleaner News - Jamaica to brace for more deportees - Thursday July 26, 2007 : "WITH Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown's recent commitment to deport 4,000 prisoners in the next year, Jamaica can again brace itself for the mass relocation of deportees from that region. Prime Minister Brown was yesterday quoted in the U.K. press as saying his government intends to double the number of foreign convicts to be removed by December, which was previously targeted at 2,000."

Storm season quiet so far, but peak nears Chron.com - Houston Chronicle : "The 2007 hurricane season, having produced just two minor storms, has come in like a lamb. But don't take comfort yet. More than 90 percent of Atlantic hurricanes develop between Aug. 15 and Oct. 15. And if that weren't enough, consider the 2004 hurricane season with its eight hurricanes, four of which battered Florida. Its first storm didn't form until Aug. 1."

Stabroek News : "Acting Commissioner of Police Henry Greene says the Guyana Police Force is discharging its duty in protecting citizens but he warned victims and witnesses to crimes to resist the offers of filthy lucre to remain silent. Greene said some victims of crimes were being paid by criminals to withdraw cases in court, while others were offered bribes not to report crimes. He said witnesses were also sometimes 'bought' by criminals and their agents not to testify in court, which aided the defence in securing an acquittal. "

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday: : "Laventille residents think Government’s plans to rebuild the community, to complete the redevelopment of East Port-of-Spain, is a good idea, but fear they will be displaced by the venture."

The Nation Newspaper BLAME US! : "IT'S OUR FAULT! We should take the heat. That was the stunning declaration of Acting Assistant Superintendent of Prisons, David Broomes, yesterday. During his third day of marathon testimony at a Commission of Inquiry, Broomes said himself and his supervisor, Acting Superintendent of Prisons, Lieutenant-Colonel John Nurse, should take full responsibility for the riot which led to Glendairy Prisons being destroyed by fire two years ago. "

BBC NEWS Business Caribbean phone fight nears court : "Telecoms group Cable & Wireless (C&W) has dismissed claims it illegally prevented competition in the Caribbean. C&W is facing a multi-million dollar damages lawsuit from Caribbean rival Digicel at the High Court in London. "

COHA Report: Another in a Series of Reports on Drugs, Terror and Criminality in Latin America and the Caribbean - Council on Hemispheric Affairs : "Growing Criminality Along With the Advent of The ‘Terror” Factor in the Caribbean In the past, matters of U.S. concern with the Caribbean have been related to stepped up flows of illegal northbound immigration as well as the region’s ominous role as an emerging major portal for incoming narcotics from South America and Mexico. However, most recently, the Caribbean Basin now has achieved a much darker silhouette because of its connection to Russell Desfreitas, the Guyanese-American who was indicted last month for his role in leading a group of Trinidadians in a plot to attack the fuel supply system at John F Kennedy Airport in New York City.

Jamaica Gleaner News - Stalwarts honoured with Order of Jamaica - Wednesday July 25, 2007 : "Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has announced that the Order of Jamaica is to be conferred on Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair, by Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall."

Caribbean Net News: Four dead in Haiti flooding : "PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): Flooding in Haiti triggered by torrential rain has killed at least four people and destroyed dozens of homes, local authorities said. 'The victims were found in the water that flooded the streets of two areas near Port-au-Prince,' Haitian civil protection spokesman Dieufort Delorges said on Monday. "

Drugs and Politics in Haiti - July 24, 2007 : "The US Drug Enforcement Agency's recent attempt to hunt down former policeman, paramilitary commander and presidential candidate Guy Philippe on drug charges can be traced back to a recent arrest in the town of Gonaives, Haiti. Haitian police and Argentinean units of the UN arrested Wilfort Ferdinand, alias Ti Wil; on May 26 after he gave a lengthy interview on local radio station Radio Gonaives FM. Although news of Ferdinand's arrest received scant attention in the international press it was one of the top stories throughout Haiti the following day. Much of the reporting in the Haitian press focused on the shared history of Wilfort Ferdinand and Guy Philippe in leading paramilitary forces that helped to oust the government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide. "

Amandala Online : "United Democratic Party (UDP) City Councilor, Dean Samuels, 34, appeared in Magistrate’s Court #2 this afternoon, where he was read charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and threatening behavior. He is alleged to have threatened a former press office employee, Reese Rudon, 28, a resident of the Kings Park area, with a 9mm pistol."

Brown ignites crowd at election rally : "PLP supporters came out Thursday in their hundreds - some say at least a thousand showed up - to hear leader and Premier Ewart Brown sound the battle cry for the next general election."

Parliament dissolved - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "BOTH Houses of Parliament are to be dissolved today, paving the way for the nomination of parliamentary candidates on August 7 and the holding of general elections on August 27 - the 15th poll since Jamaicans won the right to vote in 1944."

Stabroek News : "The Guyana Police Force yesterday said that it considers the female police corporal's action at the Mocha Police Outpost involving two teenage girls who had run away from home as 'reflecting poor judgement in a matter of this nature,' and an inquiry has since been launched. "

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "St. Kitts/Nevis is reporting a near 30 per cent decrease in criminal activities for the first six months of this year compared to the previous year."

St. Lucia Star Online > News Home : "In an exclusive interview with the STAR recently Acting Police Commissioner John Broughton spoke frankly about the media coverage of the recent horrific murder of public servant Marcia Philbert-Jules. A 15-year-old male stands accused of Jules’ murder, which occurred on June 25 at her home in Piat, Grande Riviere. Jules was found semi-nude in her bathroom with multiple stab wounds."

Antigua Sun : "Two separate families were left homeless when an early morning fire destroyed their homes at Sweeny Alley in the Point area. The fire apparently started in the two-bedroom home of Gloria Samuel around 1 a.m. Tuesday. Standing in front of the charred remains of the wooden structure, the visibly shaken mother of five spoke to the Antigua Sun. "

Advocate : "Haiti is very much a Caribbean state and it very much falls to us as Caribbean people to put the sustainable development of Haiti very permanently on our agenda as a matter that must always engage the Caribbean... In many respects the basic requirement of modern society and economy in Haiti do not as yet exist... The region now stands ready to work with the international community and especially Canada to make sure that the basic requirement of a civil society as established, the basis of a modern economy are put in place. It is not just enough to throw a lot of resources at Haiti, financial resources and congratulate yourselves as to how big the pledges are. The most important thing in Haiti is to develop the capacity to absorb the financial pledges, he explained. "

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "Government said consumer protection is high on its agenda and is making steps towards tackling the issue of the high cost of living. Minister of Consumer Affairs Dr. Timothy Harris said the government has heard the cries of consumers regarding the frequency of upward price movements on a range of products and matters relating to consumer protection. " Useful related caribbean Information Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt : Stressing the price increase was minimal and all will be done to protect consumers, Leong Poi said this may be difficult to do if US grain prices increase ...www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,47253.html The Anguillian Newspaper: - Cost Of Living Too High I have lived outside the island in places where price control measures were ... It calls for political will and a real interest in consumers for politicians ...www.anguillian.com/article/articleview/1270/1/146/

Antigua Sun : "President of the Antigua and Barbuda Fisherman’s Cooperative, Gerald Price, said the price of fish is likely to increase by this weekend due to a hike in the cost of ice. And the Cooperative is pleading for Government intervention. Gerald Price said that the Antigua Fisheries Ltd. informed fishermen last Friday that as of yesterday the price of ice will be moved from $7 to $10 per basket. "

Radio Jamaica : "A senior United States official has taken responsibility for what has been described as a 'massive backlog' in processing passports for travellers to the Caribbean, Canada, Central and South America and Bermuda. " Related New US Passport Rule Could Cost Region More Than $1 Bil In ‘07 "For those persons who in the past didn’t need a passport to travel, they accelerated it…The Caribbean is the world’s most tourism-dependent [region], ...www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=13254 Cayman Islands - Cay Compass News Online - Passport relief legislated US citizens travelling to the Caribbean who have applied for, but have not yet received a passport, can now temporarily enter and depart the US by air with ...www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1023629

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt : : "KEVIN Williams became a hero on Saturday night after he helped to save his friend Curtley Scipio who had slipped into a diabetic coma while they watched the blockbuster movie, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”, at Globe cinema, Princes Town. "

The Trinidad Guardian -Online Edition Ver 2.0 : "In an attempt to change the social fabric of the crime-plagued Laventille community, Government is considering the establishment of a massive re-development exercise “from top to bottom.” Prime Minister Patrick Manning announced this last evening, while addressing People’s National Movement (PNM) supporters after a hastily-planned walkabout in John John. "

The Nation Newspaper BOOKED SOLID : "It's a bumper Crop-Over season and the flights are all full – coming and going! That was the picture painted by travel agencies contacted by The NATION yesterday. One travel agent described the season as tremendous, and said one of the results was higher fares for people wishing to leave the island. " Other crop over news Advocate Noting that a post Crop Over meeting will become an integral aspect of ensuring the future success of the festival, all groups, who have truly enjoyed the ...www.barbadosadvocate.com/NewViewNewsleft.cfm?Record=31968 Jamaica Gleaner News - Crop-over festivities have begun ... Saturday July 7, marked yet another Crop Over Gala sponsored by the Barbados National Bank at Queen's Park, Bridgetown, Barbados. This is an annual all-day ...www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070719/cook/cook6.html Advocate Crop Over art exhibition to feature new artists and prizes ... THE Inaugural FirstCaribbean International Crop

Privy Council In Error : "In a decision handed down on Monday, the Privy Council ruled that it had been wrong in reaching an earlier decision in relation to an extradition matter originating out of The Bahamas. The London-based court also said that one of the Bahamian men wanted by the United States on drug related charges had been wrongly imprisoned through the misunderstanding or misapplication of the law of the Court of Appeal and of the Privy Council itself."

St. Lucia Star Online > News Home : "For years under the St Lucia Labour Party government Victoria Charles-Clarke was Acting Director of Public Prosecutions. It was not until the United Workers Party took office that Charles-Clarke was given the official position of overseeing the prosecution of crimes against the public. "

Antigua Sun : "A spectacular fireworks display followed by the first lap street jump-up lifted the curtains on the milestone two-week golden jubilee celebration of Antigua’s Carnival. Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who gave a brief address, said he is hoping that as the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the festival that everyone will be reminded of the real reason for the event. "

Mtn View gunfight - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "THE police yesterday detained 12 men following a gunfight with gunmen at Jacques Road, a volatile community off Mountain View Avenue in Kingston. The area is well known for its support of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). However, it was unclear yesterday whether the men allegedly involved in the shooting had anything to do with the recent upsurge of political violence in the South-East St Andrew constituency."

Stabroek News : "More price increases loom for Guyanese consumers as cost of production in the agriculture sector spirals, with the rising price of fertilizer, a key input. International demand and spiking markets overseas have seen increases in a number of items this year and the local agriculture sector was not spared. The sugar and rice industries would likely be the greatest affected in terms of increased cost of production. "

Jamaica Gleaner News - Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) might pip leaders on line - Monday | July 23, 2007 : "With 36 days to go before the general election on August 27, the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is looking to close the gap between itself and the governing People's National Party (PNP). The latest Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll, conducted on July 14 and 15, placed the PNP and JLP at 40 per cent and 34 per cent, respectively, in popular standings."

African Path : "While President Jean-Bertrand Aristide remains in forced exile in South Africa, his Lavalas supporters continue the campaign to bring him back to Haiti. " Related historical news Slum may be key to Haiti's fate - Haiti Info It is here that Aristide’s Fanmi Lavalas Party recruits the young toughs known as chimere, who thwarted a march by anti-Aristide opposition (...)www.haiti-info.com/spip.php?article1292 Ousted leader's party to register jailed priest as candidate for ... HAITI - Supporters of Aristide's Lavalas Family political party chant slogans ... Aristide's Lavalas Family party said it would register the Rev Gerard ...www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20050906T030000-0500_87725 Jamaica Gleaner - Aristide prepares for departure to S Africa ... OUSTED HAITIAN President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is making final preparations to leave Jamaica and take up asylum in South Africa, an official said yesterday ...www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/200405

Advocate : "This new model must address six important steps. These include: promoting appropriate classroom management; implementing discipline codes across the schools; ensuring that these disciplinary codes are strictly enforced; instituting various programmes that tackle bad behaviours; finding alternative placements for illdisciplined students; and having all the stakeholders from parents and teachers to religious organisations and the general public, working together to promote and support good behavioural practices in children. " Related Historical news Advocate School discipline is a topic that can evoke several emotions. How should you discipline a child who wilfully disrespects and disobeys the teacher? ...www.barbadosadvocate.com/NewViewNewsleft.cfm?Record=31914 The Freeport News - The other side of discipline Discipline donned a new hat at Michael Bishop Eldon School (formerly Freeport Anglican High School and Discovery Primary School) this semester. ...freeport.na

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : : "Two persons were shot dead in two separate incidents in Diego Martin on Friday night. The killings pushed the murder toll to 173 for the year. The first murder occurred around 9 pm. Reports revealed that Shecko Gocking, 32, a father of three was sitting under a mango tree, next to his home at Edward Street, Diego Martin, when he was approached by a lone gunman who fired five shots at him. Gocking ran a short distance and collapsed. "

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "Government has decided to relieve the National Housing Corporation (NHC) of the burden of having to distribute land to potential property owners. This was disclosed as Cabinet announced plans to establish a new land sales office for the special land distribution initiative expected to be implemented early next month. Under the new scheme, 5,000 plots of land in 24 different locations around St. Kitts have been earmarked to be distributed to nationals as young as 18 years. The lots will have a minimum size of 4,000 square feet in residential projects that will have roads, electricity, water and other important infrastructure installed."

The Nation Newspaper HOOKED! : "BARBADOS IS fast becoming a nation of Internet 'shopaholics'. And in their drive for price savings, wider variety and assortment and convenience, they are going online in an effort to save money even when high shipping costs, duties and taxes are included. But two University of the West Indies researchers are warning that the long-term implications of their preliminary findings may be disturbing for local retailers as more and more Barbadians begin to shop online. "

Stabroek News : " Amid a resurgence of execution-style killings in the city, gunmen early yesterday morning shot dead a security guard of Crown Mining Company, located on North Road near the junction of Church and Albert streets during an apparent attempt to hijack his car. Dead is Ovid King, 26, of East La Penitence, George-town. He sustained two gunshot wounds in the region of the heart and died on the spot. Police up to press time were still searching for the killers. Detectives have questioned several homeless persons who dwell on the Merriman Mall as well as residents around the area. Meanwhile there are conflicting accounts as to how "

Antigua Sun : "A spectacular fireworks display followed by the first lap street jump-up lifted the curtains on the milestone two-week golden jubilee celebration of Antigua’s Carnival. Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who gave a brief address, said he is hoping that as the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the festival that everyone will be reminded of the real reason for the event. Spencer urged Antiguans and Barbudans to celebrate in love and unity and added that everyone, both young and old, should get involved in one way or the other, thus ensuring that this year’s festival will be the most memorable. "

'In the name of our ancestors' - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "Tourism, Entertainment and Culture minister Aloun Assamba has asked journalists to help in reinforcing the public awareness in the Transatlantic Trade of Africans (TTA), better known as the slave trade, which took place nearly 200 years ago."

South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com : "Jean-Bertrand Aristide wants to come back home, and many of his supporters want him to return. Welcoming the deposed president back to Haiti, though, would be a big mistake. Aristide's South Florida supporters, in particular, must understand that his presence in Haiti would do more harm than good. Instead, they should give President Rene Preval, Aristide's longtime friend and successor, a chance to rebuild the country's political, social and economic infrastructures for the betterment of the Haitian people." Related Historical information or news Haitian Connections - Haiti Info ... of René Preval and the Lavalas Party, Mr. Aristide has ruled Haiti like a .... pilot fish to the bleeding ruin of Haiti under Jean Bertrand Aristide, ...www.haiti-info.com/spip.php?article12 Haitian president-elect takes power May 14 - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM NEW YORK - Rene Preval, president-elect, Haiti speaks at a Security Council ... 2004 revolt topple

The Nation Newspaper Harper: Free trade a better deal : "OVER the next ten years, the Canadian Government will 'intensify' its free trade efforts with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). That promise came from the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper on the last day of his official visit to the island, when he announced it was the key purpose for his visit. " Related Canada, Caricom working on new economic pact - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper (left) speaks as Barbados' Prime ... a much improved "partnership agreement" between Canada and Caricom , and both ...www.jamaicaobserver.com/.../20070719T200000-0500_125436_OBS_CANADA__CARICOM_WORKING_ON_NEW_ECONOMIC_PACT.asp Stabroek News Referring to the upcoming 2008 Canada-CARICOM Leaders Summit, ... Caribbean region, Prime Minister Harper offered to host a Canada-CARICOM Summit next year. ...www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article_general_news?id=56525036 - Jul 21, 2007 Caribb

Trinidad Newsday A MAN who killed his estranged wife and one-year-old son in Diego Martin five years ago, escaped the hangman when the Court of Appeal yesterday ordered that he serve 20 years in prison. Peter Cadette was sentenced to hang by Justice Anthony Carmona in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Criminal Court on November 30, 2005 for the murders of his wife Grace Barbour-Cadette, and their son, Jabari. Mother and son were chopped to death at upper Roxborough Street, Diego Martin, on March 10, 2002.

The Nassau Guardian - : "BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — A new 'economic partnership' is in the works between Canada and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) which could effectively replace the expiring one-way free trade pact known as CaribCan. "

Amandala Online : "Derrick Sampson, 22, and Michael Trapp, 21, showed no remorse this evening when a jury of 8 - 7 women and one man, after deliberating for about two hours unanimously found them guilty in connection with a violent crime in which a couple were robbed and the young woman, 19 at the time, was raped on the seawall near the roundabout on Marine Parade, shortly after 12:30 a.m. on May 13, 2006."

New HIV/AIDS 'prevention' drug coming - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "The product, which is currently undergoing trials for safety in a number of African and Asian countries, can be applied to the vagina in a gel form prior to sexual intercourse to prevent, or at least significantly reduce the risk of HIV and other STIs." other Money for HIV/AIDS idle - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM SYDNEY, Australia - Jamaica was yesterday named among Caribbean countries which have allowed money received from the World Bank to fight HIV/AIDS to sit ...www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20070720T000000-0500_125463_OBS_MONEY_FOR_HIV_AIDS_IDLE.asp Jamaica Gleaner News - Street children not targeted in fight ... According to the document, 'Street Children and HIV/AIDS', on the website streetchildren.org.uk, these young men and other children who live on the streets ...www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070701/lead/lead6.html Stabroek News Sport called on to join HIV/AIDS fight ... Emphasizing that

The Nation Newspaper FIGHTBACK : "A CARIBBEAN COUNTER-ATTACK on the Chinese construction invasion across the region is about to be launched. President of the Barbados Contractors Association, Achal Moorjani, one of the pioneers of the plan, said this united front was necessary as it was perceived that the Chinese were out to 'kill the regional construction industry'. " Related Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt : No fewer than a total of 500 Chinese construction labourers are in Trinidad and Tobago at the moment but their presence here, how they live, ...www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,60612.html - 20 Jul 2007 The Financial Gleaner Chinese building contractors are in big demand by the Trinidad and Tobago Government, and are often tagged for major projects over home-grown construction ...www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/efg/08-June-07/Regionalnews/rgnl2.htm The Nation Newspaper Concern over Chinese steel The importation of one thousand tons of Chinese steel is

Commentary:Caribbean Net News: The Greater Caribbean This Week: The threat within The Caribbean is said to be the most tourism dependant region in the world and the contribution of tourism to fo reign exchange earnings, direct employment and its linkages to other sectors is well documented. Critical to the survival of the region’s tourism industry is maintaining the image of the Caribbean as a safe haven for tourists. One element that is tarnishing the region’s image and consequently affecting the sustainability of the tourism industry is a threat that lies within. Very few countries, if any, are exempt from increased levels of crime in general, and in particular crime targeted at the hospitality and tourism sector. Caribbean net news Related The Nassau Guardian - www.thenassauguardian.com Having a travel advisory issued warning people of the violent crime in the country could have crippling effects on the tourism industry as the deadly ...www.thenassauguardian.com/national_local/297

Cayman Net News : "THE issue of beach access and usage is an important one not only in the Cayman Islands, but throughout the Caribbean where tourists and residents compete for limited space along the water’s edge. While beaches in the Cayman Islands are public, many individuals have voiced their concerns that business establishments, such as resorts and hotels along Seven Mile Beach, continue to encroach towards the shore. When this is done, less space is left for members of the public to enjoy the coastline. Cayman Net News has received complaints recently from members of the public in relation to this contentious issue. "

The Bahama Journal: "Outraged by the rising murder count, several civic organizations have formed a coalition to formulate a community response to crime, saying they have come across people who are prepared to take the law into their own hands."

The Trinidad Guardian - : "AN official of the International Monetary Fund yesterday advised the Government to stop including Cost of Living Allowance (Cola) clauses in wage settlements as they entrench inflation. Delivering a statement at a news conference at the Ministry of Finance yesterday, IMF official Max Alier said the IMF team that was in T&T for the last two weeks had learnt that some recent wage settlements have included Cola clauses. "

JLP constituency office manager shot dead - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "THE Opposition Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Corporate Area leadership yesterday withdrew from bipartisan discussion on political violence with the PNP's Region Three, in the wake of Thursday night's gun murder of a key functionary of the JLP's South East St Andrew constituency."

Jamaica Gleaner News - Leveraging new Internet -What's all the hype about Web 2.0, and why should you care? - Friday July 20, 2007 : "In the Caribbean, there is vibesconnect.com network of sites and Caribbeanmassive.com the Caribbean social networking site. 'It's more about participating, socialising, interacting, creating, sharing, collaborating. They Google, Flickr, blog, contribute toWikipedia, Socialtext it, Meetup, post, subscribe, feed, annotate, and above all share,' says Donna Menton, a senior consultant with POWERi Technologies."

Canada, 15 Caribbean states to open talks on free trade : "In contrast, Arthur said Cuba should be respected for what it is, and be allowed to follow its own political and economic path, without foreign criticism or interference. “We have a relationship with Cuba that’s over 30 years old,” said Arthur, who reportedly has a close friendship with Cuban leader Fidel Castro. “Respect for people’s sovereignty, and non-interference, and the right of people to pursue alternative paths to their development,” Arthur said, should guide the world’s approach to Cuba." Related Stabroek News Referring to the upcoming 2008 Canada-CARICOM Leaders Summit, the release stated that in support of Canada's vision of a dynamic, forward-looking ...www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article_general_news?id=56525036 - 21 Jul 2007 Canada, Caricom working on new economic pact - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM He added that he felt that the conditions and mood exist for a much improved "partnership agreement&quo

Should the Caribbean be wary of Chinese goods? - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "The quality of Chinese goods has come under great scrutiny of late with many markets, more particularly the United States and Europe, deeming many Chinese products substandard and in many cases dangerous to the consumer. With China looking increasingly to the Caribbean and its balance of trade with the region increasing year-on-year, should the Caribbean be wary of Chinese goods?" Related Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt : No fewer than a total of 500 Chinese construction labourers are in Trinidad and Tobago at ... At the first stops, the Chinese Embassy, Immigration Office, ...www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,60612.html - 20 Jul 2007 Tobago News, Tobago Newspaper, Tobago Business, Tobago Sports ... Chinese workers are coming to Tobago to carry work on THA construction projects, but before we ... Now to the issue of the week, the Chinese are coming! ...www.thetobagonews.com/index.pl/article?id=12

Bloomberg.com: Canada : "July 19 (Bloomberg) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper plans to begin free trade negotiations with the Caribbean Community countries, as part of efforts to bolster investment and trade links with the region. ``A free trade agreement would complement and help further develop the regional cooperation that you are already taking,'' Harper said today in a speech in Bridgetown, Barbados. Barbados holds the presidency of the Caribbean Community. "

Mobile phone provider Digicel accuses rival of blocking Caribbean expansion - International Herald Tribune : "SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: Digicel, a fast-growing Jamaica-based mobile telephone provider, filed a lawsuit Thursday accusing rival Cable & Wireless PLC of illegally withholding technical cooperation to delay its entry into Caribbean markets. The lawsuit filed in a British court seeks unspecified compensation for lost profits, fees and market share."

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt : : "THREE murder accused, described as “armed and dangerous,” escaped from their cells at the Remand Section of the Golden Grove State Prison, Arouca, between Tuesday night and early yesterday morning. The prisoners who are all awaiting trial on charges of murder reportedly used hacksaw blades to cut through the bars of their cells. "

Antigua Sun : "Police reports have now confirmed that the frozen baby found in the freezer of a Bendals Village resident has been there since August of last year. Following the bizarre discovery early Wednesday, police have further told the Antigua Sun that they have now learnt that the child was a boy, but it remains too early for them to ascertain who exactly are the parents. "

Stabroek News : "Amid a deepening rift between two factions, former PNCR MP Vincent Alexander says that he will not contest the leadership elections without full verification of the voters list and is prepared to resort to legal action to stop the polls. "

St. Lucia Star Online > : "The Richard Frederick case took another curious turn yesterday beginning with an appearance in the High Court before Justice Brian Cottle. Lawyer Petra Nelson—Frederick’s representative—appealed to the judge to hear an application filed on July 3, which questioned the current investigation by police of the Castries Central MP. "

Money for HIV/AIDS idle - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "SYDNEY, Australia - Jamaica was yesterday named among Caribbean countries which have allowed money received from the World Bank to fight HIV/AIDS to sit idly."

The Nation Newspaper Breakthrough! : "POLICE HAVE MADE a major breakthrough in connection with a series of robberies and shooting incidents across the island. They have also recovered firearms and a quantity of ammunition and up to late last night, were questioning a number of suspects, who are expected to be charged over the weekend. "

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt : : "Operations of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope (EWMSC) were crippled yesterday when hundreds of workers walked of their jobs to protest delays in paying salary increases. Nurses, patient-care assistants, radiology technicians, dental technicians, drivers, clerical staff and a host of other support staff began their protest at about 10 am, and vowed to continue to stay away unless the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) and Ministry of Health address their concerns. "

Forgotten in prison - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "People at the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate's court were left astonished Tuesday on hearing the cases of two men who were left to languish in state custody for a combined seven years without being sentenced, merely because they were forgotten by the authorities."

The Nation Newspaper Killers freed : "THREE MEN who were part of a gang who killed Bajan-Yankee Earlyn Garnes 16 years ago have appealed to young people to stay away from bad company. These comments came as the three had their first taste of freedom as mature men when they walked out the doors of Harrison Point jail yesterday afternoon. "

Jamaica: Election Strife Bad for Tourism - Forbes.com : "KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica's prime minister appealed for calm ahead of Aug. 27 national elections, two days after a motorcade of the main opposition party was reportedly attacked by gunfire. Portia Simpson Miller also warned Tuesday that a repeat of violence that marred previous votes could hurt the Caribbean island's vital tourism industry."

Grenada's premier calls for released coup prisoners to show remorse - International Herald Tribune : "ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada: Prime Minister Keith Mitchell has called on three men released from prison last month for their roles in a 1983 coup to show remorse in order to help the southern Caribbean island close a painful chapter of its history. Mitchell said in a national address Tuesday that old wounds were opened by the release of the men involved in a palace coup that led to the U.S. invasion of Grenada nearly 25 years ago."

CARIBBEAN: Unknown State of Whales and Dolphins : "HAVANA, Jul 18 (IPS/IFEJ) - The Wider Caribbean region is the habitat of a quarter of the planet's sea mammals, but little is known about the state of their conservation here, warn experts."

Jamaica Gleaner News - Understanding flooding in Jamaica - Thursday July 19, 2007 : "Water-related disasters, often referred to as a hydro-geologic (hydro referring to water and geologic, for land) disasters, are most common in the small island states of the Caribbean, given our geological history and geographical setting. What is commonly described as flooding in the small and steep mountainous terrain seen throughout the Caribbean are simply a number of physical processes commonly referred to water flood, debris flood and debris flow."

Klassic Grenada : "Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell has given an assurance that under his watch, Grenada will not experience the oppression of one group by another. Dr. Mitchell delivered an address to the on Monday evening, focusing on the recent re-sentencing hearing and the subsequent release of three of the Grenada Thirteen."

The Trinidad Guardian - : "Frequent complaints from the public, including some doctors’ failure to remove “material” from patients before suturing them up after operation, prompted the Government to amend the Medical Board Act, Health Minister John Rahael said yesterday. Rahael made the point in the Senate while piloting the amendment to Chapter 29:50 of the legislation. The bill carries a $10,000 fine plus two years’ jail for people who purport to be medical “specialists” but who are not genuine medical personnel. "

Antigua Sun : "Governor-General Louise Lake-Tack took the oath of office yesterday under the gaze of hundreds who turned out to witness the first woman assume the role of representative of Queen Elizabeth II as head of state of Antigua and Barbuda. Lake-Tack is also the second native Antiguan to hold the post. Former governor-general Sir James Carlisle, who was not in attendance at the ceremony, held the office between 1993 and 2007."

Trinicenter.com - : "The state drops case against Swami Jagadguru Ram Tripathi Maharaj who had been charged on May 18th with performing a grievous sexual assault act on a 22 year old woman. The Swami walked out of the San Fernando Magistrates Court a free man after the decision was made by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard, to offer no evidence in the matter. Mr. Gaspard claimed that the evidence dealing with the alleged rape victim's lack of consent was tenuous and as such, the state would not be able to a make prima facie case against the accused."

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "Jurors empanelled for the robbery case of Ramie Gumbs, Jamal Parris, Karim Dickenson and Devon Wattley are probably bewildered as to how the vehicle the police used in their apprehension of the four became riddled with bullet holes. "

The Bahama Journal : "According to police reports, on Sunday morning seven-year-old Eric Thomas and his parents – all American, of Cincinnati, Ohio – were spending their shore leave from the cruise ship Majesty of the Seas on Cabbage Beach. Eric’s mother had rented a jet ski, and according to reports, lost control of the vehicle around 11:30AM. The child was reportedly thrown from the vessel and sustained fatal head injuries. He was rushed to Princess Margaret Hospital, but pronounced dead on arrival."

Sports Betting : "Mark, you've been Antigua's counsel on this case for a while now, and I thought maybe you could give us a little history of the case for our readers who might not be familiar with it."