SmallShop Caribbean News

(Antigua) Minister of Agriculture Charlesworth Samuel who had earlier been reported missing by his family has been found dead in Antigua... Gov't Antigua and Barbuda Charlesworth Samuel was born on the 27th December 1944 in the Village of Swetes. He attended the All Saint's Government school. His professional life began as a surveyor trainee at the Public Works department. He began his teaching career in 1957 at the Swetes Government School. In 1964 received his first appointment as Headmaster at the John Hughes Primary School. In 1972, he graduated from The University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Physics. He won the general elections of 1976 and 1980 in his present constituency. He lost the seat in 1984 and became the Senate's minority leader. His political career led him to study law in 1987. He recieved his LL.B from the Holborn Law School in England.

Stabroek News : "After two days of relative calm, unrest returned to the East Coast corridor yesterday and close to 200 angry residents were prevented from marching to the city to condemn Saturday's massacre at Lusignan. Police fired tear gas canisters at the protestors after repeatedly warning them that their march was unlawful."

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "The Federation has recorded its first homicide for 2008 following a shooting incident in Nevis which has left 28-year-old Leon “Gravo” Westerman of Low Street Nevis dead."

Antigua Sun : "The nation was shocked last night by the news that Minister of Agriculture Charlesworth Samuel had gone missing. Yesterday, Samuel’s family reported to the police that he had not been seen since the previous night. The 69-year-old was last seen at his Cassada Gardens home at approximately 10 o’clock on Tuesday night and his family has not heard from him since that time. The SUN spoke with one family member who said that Samuel left his Nissan Pathfinder behind, and was believed to have left home on foot. Samuel’s travel documents also remained at home."

Jamaica Gleaner News "Four members of the audit department at the University of Technology Jamaica (UTech) were yesterday sent on leave, after information from an auditors' report involving financial queries at the institution was circulated to the media. The report, which was commissioned by Dr Blossom O'Meally-Nelson, former Pro-Chancellor of UTech, outlined over-expenditure on transport and accommodation for Prof Errol Morrison, president of the institution."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "THE education ministry has slapped a ban on cellphone use in schools, and imposed behaviour and dress codes on students and teachers as part of efforts to curb the high level of violence in the institutions. Minister of Education Andrew Holness, who outlined the new measures yesterday, said that as a minimum standard, cellphone use during classes and other designated times would be banned."

The Nation Newspaper "LEAVE the Value Added Tax (VAT) alone! That's the advice to the new David Thompson-led administration from University of the West Indies economist Professor Michael Howard. In an open letter to Prime Minister Thompson, Howard, who is also a director of the Central Bank, warned against tampering with the VAT. He highlighted three areas on which the new Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Government ought to focus: the economic management of the country, tax policy and the high cost of living."

Prensa Latina Islamic Organization leader Haji Fazeel Feroze took part in a service of mourning at Mohamed's home, from where he called upon all the Guyanese people to desist from any violent response to the massacre. "Muslims, Hindis, Christians, Africans, Indians Indian-Americans, we are all of them," he said, "and taking justice into our own hands will revive the flames of racial discord." The Commission of Ethnic Relations advocated for a national debate to face the increasing tension in the nation. Guayana's ethnic conflict is chiefly between the community of Indian-born workers who immigrated in the 19th Century and which supports President Jagdeo, and groups of African-origin.

Georgetown, ( Prensa Latina ) Guyanese authorities have asked the population to maintain calm to allow police and soldiers to focus on the search for Saturday's killers of eleven people, instead of being distracted by road blocks and demonstrations. Although Interior Minister Clement Rohee reported a tense calm Wednesday, isolated incidents persist. Protest manifestations have been the rule since a gang of unknown people, believed to be of African descent from Buxton village hostile to indigenous people, murdered eleven members of an indigenous family, including five children in Lusignac village.

People's Daily Online : "Cuba's Jan. 20 general elections' final results published on Wednesday showed that this Caribbean island's registered voters reelected convalescing leader Fidel Castro as deputy of Cuba's national Assembly. Cuban leader Fidel Castro was reelected Santiago de Cuba's 7th district deputy with 98.26 percent of the votes in his favor for the 7th District's."

Trinidad Express : "Finance and Enterprise Development Secretary Dr Anslem London has assured that there was no need to panic over the high headline inflation in Tobago recorded last month."

The Nassau Guardian "Former Blue Hills MP Leslie Miller did the 'right thing' when he publicly expressed his apparent lack of interest in the upcoming election court case for the Blue Hills constituency, his opponent told The Guardian Wednesday.

Kaieteur News Guyana : "The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was a scene of confusion shortly after 11:00 hours yesterday when more than 30 disoriented students of Urmilla’s Institute, on the East Coast of Demerara, were rushed there for medical attention.The children, ranging in ages from four to fifteen years, accompanied by their teachers, parents, and other relatives, crowded the hospital canopy near the emergency unit entrance as they desperately sought assistance."

BVI News "Two men pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing license stickers from the Vehicle Licensing Department. Linden Shurland Peters, 25, a Guyanese with Belonger status but residing at Greenland, and Anthony Mathew, 29, of St. Vincent and residing in Long Look, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday where they pleaded guilty."

Caribbean Net News: "The United States might be spending per capita, for the primary and secondary education of its pupils, more than any other country in the world, yet the result is less than satisfactory. The youngsters, who come from Jamaica, Barbados or, as matter of fact, Haiti, will climb very soon to the top of the class after some five to six months of transitional adaption."

The Freeport News - National Arts Festival faces challenges despite progress, culture director says : "While she is proud that the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, Director of Culture Dr. Nicholette Bethel disclosed yesterday that this progress has now given rise to infrastructural and monetary challenges"

The Jamaica Star "The loss of one child is sometimes way too much for a mother to bear, so imagine not having the slightest idea of the whereabouts of not one, not two, but six of your children."

The Haitian Times "NEW YORK — While Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama exchanged their sharp barbs into this grueling campaign last week, Haitian-Americans have been anxiously awaiting the chance to cast their vote for the Illinois senator"

Stabroek News : "Hundreds flocked Tract 'A' Lusignan Pasture yesterday to bid farewell to 22-year old Lusignan cricket club member Shazam Mohammed who was gunned down in his kitchen when a group of about 25 gunmen slaughtered 11 persons including children on Saturday morning."

Amandala Online : "Last Thursday morning Prime Minister Said Musa appeared on the KREM WUB with hosts Mose Hyde and Kalilah Enriquez. While he said on that show that not one cent of public funds had been used to settle the hospital’s $45 million debt with the Belize Bank, we have since been informed that the Government of Belize has entered into a multimillion-dollar agreement for services from the new owners"

The Bahama Journal” : "Former Blue Hills MP Leslie Miller said Tuesday he has absolutely no interest in being a member of parliament at this time, but the Progressive Liberal Party would have to decide whether to withdraw his petition before the Election Court. Former Blue Hills MP Leslie Miller said Tuesday he has absolutely no interest in being a member of parliament at this time, but the Progressive Liberal Party would have to decide whether to withdraw his petition before the Election Court."

St. Lucia Star Online "It is not the first time that Kenny Anthony and Stephenson King have been involved in a controversy centered on rent money. In 1997 shortly after the Labour Party took office the new prime minister Kenny Anthony publicly announced that at least three ministers of government, one of them Stephenson King, was several years behind with rent payments owed the government."

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "A judge sentenced a young man, who assaulted a 70-year-old woman, to 15 years in prison last Friday at the High Court. The January 2008 Criminal Assizes started last week and the first case to be tried involved a burglary case which included a vicious attack on an elderly woman. According to the prosecution, in June 2006 Jason Gilbert broke into the house of 70-year-old Veronica Caines with the intention of killing and robbing her. “He said he come to kill me,” Caines, an elderly resident of Dorset, testified last Wednesday to the jury."

Antigua Sun : "Fourteen Jamaican dancers operating from several popular nightclubs were reportedly nabbed by police and handed over to the Immigration Department. The women were picked up over the weekend, after members of the Royal Police Force carried out an early morning sting operation on several local business places."

Jamaica Gleaner News "THE PEOPLE'S National Party Youth Organisation (PNPYO) has disparaged a recommendation in the Meeks' Report that the organisation be disbanded. The report was commissioned by the PNP after it lost the September 3, 2007, General Election to the Jamaica Labour Party."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "Leader of Opposition Business Dr Peter Phillips called the 'divide' after minister of labour and social security Pearnel Charles rejected a proposal from the Opposition to increase the new minimum from $3,700 per week to $4,000 or by 20 per cent."

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "TRINIS ARE chicken licking crazy — especially at Carnival! For this week alone, more than one million heads of chicken will be sold, compared with the average 725,000 to 800,000 heads, Poultry Association president and Arawak manager, Robin Phillips told Newsday yesterday."

The Trinidad Guardian : "THE National Carnival Bandleaders Association (NCBA) will select their own judges for the 2009 King and Queen of Carnival competitions. NCBA president Owen Hinds said the move was as a result of the “deteriorating” judging system, which has caused several competitors to query results over the years."

Advocate : "AS this year's Drug Awareness Month draws to a close it is heartening to note the frankness of Magistrate Faith Marshall-Harris as she contributed to a radio broadcast on multiple issues associated with illegal narcotics, not least marijuana which is wreaking havoc mainly among our junior citizens."

The Nation Newspaper : "THE NEW YEAR is well on its way; a new Government led by Prime Minister David Thompson is in place; economic forecasts call for prudent management with fears spreading across the globe of a recession primarily in the United States but which has immediate repercussions for Barbados.

Prensa Latina The Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) urged its member countries to present a list of products that will be put under price control at an organizational level, a Saint Lucia official reported on Tuesday.Saint Lucia's Industry and Trade Minister Guy Mayers revealed the governments should present, in a meeting scheduled for February 27, national lists with the Common Foreign Tax themes they would be ready to readjust or eliminate.

chicagotribune.com : "PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - It was lunchtime in one of Haiti's worst slums, and Charlene Dumas was eating mud. With food prices rising, Haiti's poorest can't afford even a daily plate of rice, and some take desperate measures to fill their bellies. Charlene, 16 with a 1-month-old son, has come to rely on a traditional Haitian remedy for hunger pangs: cookies made of dried yellow dirt from the country's central plateau."

Taiwan Headlines : "Saint Kitts and Nevis will not waver in its diplomatic relations with Taiwan and will continue to support the island in joining the U.N., the Caribbean country's Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Sylvester Harris said on Sunday in an exclusive interview in Taipei prior to the scheduled opening of the country's embassy in Taiwan today. 'This is history in the making because it (the embassy) is the first embassy my country is opening in Asia. It is a significant milestone in light of celebrating the country's 25th year of political independence,' Harris said."

Jamaica Gleaner News "A former member of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Dr Alfred Sangster, is supporting the prime minister's decision to recommend the dismissal of the five-member body. In a letter to the governor general late last year, the prime minister, Bruce Golding, recommended that the PSC members be dismissed for misbehaving, and yesterday, Dr Sangster expressed agreement with the recommendation."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "An aerodrome equipped with immigration and customs departments to accommodate both international and domestic flights is to be built in Duckenfield, on crown lands bordering Portland and St Thomas, state minister in the office of the Prime Minister Daryl Vaz confirmed yesterday."

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "A hard-hitting social commentary on absentee fathers earned Megan Walrond, 17, the coveted title of the 2008 Junior Calypso Monarch at the Jean Pierre Complex in Port-of-Spain yesterday. Walrond, a student of Bara-taria Senior Comprehensive school, defeated 12 contestants to claim the $6,000 prize as she put on an impressive performance in front of scores of spectators during her rendition of “Remember Me Not” a composition denouncing absentee fathers who only remember their children they abandoned in times of helplessness."

The Trinidad Guardian "Residents of Brickfield and Bank Village in Carapichaima, Central Trinidad, broke down in tears when they heard that teenage cricketer Rajkumar Rishi Rampersad—victim of a hit and run accident—had succumbed to his injuries yesterday. As the news spread, angry villagers took to the streets to protest the failure of the police in arresting the killer."

Stabroek News : "Several schoolchildren were affected yesterday after police used tear gas to break up the demonstrations by residents of several East Coast Deme-rara villages who continued to protest the lack of security in their areas following the weekend murders of 11 people including five children at Lusignan."

The Nation Newspaper "ABOUT 15 PRISON OFFICERS at Her Majesty's Prisons Dodds who were not appointed, even though they were in the service for more than ten years, are claiming 'victimisation' and are seeking legal advice. These officers said they felt they were victimised because they gave evidence at last year's Commission of Inquiry into the burning of Glendairy Prisons."

Jamaica Gleaner News : "Two brothers who chased a man, causing him to injure his ankle while he was jumping over a wall, will each have to spend five years in prison for causing grievous bodily harm. Fitzroy and Leroy Nelson, of Middle Baxton, St Ann, had appealed their convictions and sentences on the grounds that the identification evidence was weak. The Court of Appeal dismissed their appeal last Wednesday."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "PORTIA Simpson Miller's poor and divisive leadership has been blamed by People's National Party (PNP) supporters for the party's loss at the September 3, 2007 general elections, an appraisal commissioned by the party has shown."

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "OPPOSITION LEADER Basdeo Panday sneaked back into Trinidad on Saturday afternoon after more than a month in England and India. With his party colleagues expecting him yesterday, Panday decided to return a day early. He declared that he was raring to go for Wednesday’s 1.30 pm sitting of the House of Representatives and is prepared to speak in the debate on the Government’s motion on crime which will continue on that day."

The Nation Newspaper "THIRTY-FIVE BARBADIAN FARMERS are ready to take on one of the world's largest oil giants. That's the word from the Southern Farmers group, which is expected to call an extraordinary meeting this week – perhaps as early as today – to clear the air with Shell Barbados Limited."

The Jamaica Star "The police say they will be implementing tougher measures to aid in the fight against illegal porn DVD sellers who noticeably line the streets of Half-Way Tree and downtown Kingston. These DVDs often bear the images of scantily clad or fully naked women and are offered for sale to just about anyone."

Jamaica Gleaner News "Despite the introduction of legislation to allow parish councillors to access pension benefits three years ago, there are many former local government representatives living their twilight years in abject poverty, without a pension."

International concern grows for disappeared Haitian human rights defender, Lovin : "International concern grows for disappeared Haitian human rights defender, Lovinsky Pierre Antoine Acclaimed actress Vanessa Redgrave joins a growing list of prominent people worldwide who have expressed concerned with the safe return of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, the missing human rights activist kidnapped in Haiti on 12 August 2007 after meeting with a visiting US human rights delegation."

guyanachronicle.com "AS THIS first month of 2008 draws to a close, Caribbean Community governments find themselves facing some major decisions that require urgent attention to avoid further problems down the road. The challenges are viewed as being more acute as a consequence of four changes in government in CARICOM-- St. Lucia, The Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados--within the past 13 months, and at least two more general elections expected later in the year following next month's in Belize.."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "'They told me I was too young. They told me I didn't have enough money and that I couldn't do this, that I don't have the wisdom, the strength, or the experience. They told me I would never come back home.'"

35 very ill political prisoners in Cuba - rights group The Courier-Mail : "THERE are 35 political prisoners in Cuba in very poor health, and authorities now have a novel way of taking dissidents out of circulation for a short time, a leading human rights group said in a report. Out of a total of 290 dissidents and prisoners of conscience in Cuba at the close of 2007, 35 'are in a deplorable state of health inside prisons,' the National Coordinator of Current and Former Political Prisoners (CNPP) said in the report issued in Havana."

Jamaica Gleaner News "A repentant gunman with blood on his hands says corrupt policemen and politicians are helping to sustain violent crime in Jamaica. From atop a two-storey building in one of Kingston's most desolate inner-city communities, Gunner (not his real name) calmly and candidly speaks of his life of crime and a desire to change. Just 27 years old, he has a past that he is struggling to leave behind; but this is proving difficult because he was introduced to guns from as early as age eight."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "Veteran politician D K Duncan yesterday withdrew his candidacy for the post of general-secretary of the People's National Party (PNP), saying that he had done so after talks with the party president, Portia Simpson Miller, and that he was guided by a recommendation that no sitting member of parliament should occupy the post."

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Gunmen stormed into a coastal village early yesterday and shot dead 11 people, President Bharrat Jagdeo said, in escalating violence blamed on a gang leader who has threatened widespread attacks. Also on Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday ‘High Noon Battle’ blazing good Billed as “the Battle at High Noon” yesterday’s staging of Calypso Fiesta at S...

Stabroek News : "A large gang of gunmen early this morning slaughtered eleven people, including five children in a macabre, 20-minute carnage at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara during which the sole intent of the attackers was to kill."

Stabroek News : "Awakened from his bed by the sound of gunshots, which sounded too close to home, Lusignan resident Nazir Mohamed scrambled to seek shelter along with his family of four yesterday but was shot while still on his bed. A little distance away in the kitchen, his young son Shazam Mohamed collapsed on the floor after being hit by bullets that penetrated the walls of their wooden home. Nazir Mohamed was shot twice in both legs but his son was fatally wounded."

Stabroek News : "Several hours after the bloody assault on Lusignan, which left 11 people dead and four injured (see story and photos on page 16), East Coast residents spanning over six villages erupted into an uncontrollable rage, burning debris and clashing with Cabinet ministers in a prolonged protest that continued throughout the day yesterday."

The Trinidad Guardian "Guyana—Gunmen stormed into a coastal village and killed 11 people, including five children, in violence blamed on a gang leader who has threatened widespread attacks. The assault sparked angry protests. The killings in Lusignan came hours after gunmen attacked police headquarters in the capital, firing indiscriminately and wounding two guards. The incidents prompted outrage in the South American country, which has struggled with violent crime in recent years, and is known as the site of the Jonestown mass-suicide and killings, led by the American cult leader Jim Jones."

The Nation Newspaper : "CRASHING WAVES hurled themselves unmercifully on the shoreline, devouring beaches and severely limiting lateral access along the south coast. The sea was protesting"

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Caribbean countries could soon have to bid for international matches being played in the region, West Indies Cricket Board director Deryck Murray said Thursday."

Stabroek News : "A week has passed since the heavily pregnant Tenisha Morgan left her Buxton home for the city to deliver a baby and things are beginning to look dire in the eyes of her relatives."

Stabroek News : "National Milling Company (Namilco) workers yesterday held a protest in front of Buddy's International Hotel at Providence to coincide with the start of a Caricom trade meeting, charging that the business would go under if the dumping of Trinidadian flour continued here."

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "The fate of Romeo ‘Buncum’ Cannonier was decided yesterday when High Court Justice Francis Belle sentenced him to death by hanging. Belle supported his ruling by stating that the “aggravating factors prevailed” and that the “heinous” crime committed was “one of the most brutal slayings” amidst the “sea of crime in the country”. Following a week long trial, a 12-member jury convicted ‘Buncum’ on 23 Oct., 2007 for what was described by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Paulina Hendrickson, the “heinous” murder of Police Officer #454 Delvin Nisbett which took place 25 July 2004."

Antigua Sun : "Director of Works Charlesworth “Barry” Davis has refuted allegations of financial mismanagement associated with roadwork surrounding the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground and issued a detailed statement of expenditure for the project. Davis was responding to allegations from the opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) that the roadwork spending was anomalous, amounting to $70 million on approximately seven miles of road, or as much as $10 million per mile."

Jamaica Gleaner News "ONE DAY ahead of the People's National Party's (PNP) National Executive Council (NEC) meeting where the party is slated to elect a new general secretary, Dr. D.K. Duncan is said to be weighing his options. Gleaner sources have said that Dr. Duncan is getting ready to pull out of Sunday's race, which could leave Peter Bunting, the Central Manchester member of parliament, in pole position for the job."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "TWO government ministers were among 10 passengers and crew members on a domestic airline which developed engine trouble shortly after take-off Thursday and was forced to make an emergency landing at the Tinson Pen aerodrome in Kingston."

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "CURTIS EUSTACE is seeking to establish a new record of wins in the King of Carnival competition. He is tied with Peter Samuel on eight victories. But Eustace stumbled on Thursday night at the King of Carnival preliminaries at the Queen’s Park Savannah. He placed second with “Chromatic Chaos” from Evolution’s “Evolution — Colour of Imagination” and fell six points behind the North King, Geraldo Vieira Sr, who portrayed “Night of the Iguana” from Trini Revellers’ “Que Viva Mexico”."

The Trinidad Guardian "A midday robbery yesterday left Digicel Independence Square outlet employees shaken, as a man armed with a cutlass attacked and robbed a female worker. The unidentified man carefully concealed the weapon in his pants upon entry into the store, located in the heart of downtown. As he was enquiring about a particular cellphone, the man reportedly pulled out the cutlass and ordered the employees and three other customers to the back room of the store."

Macro*World Investor : "PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti-The executive director of Haiti's embattled electoral council resigned Friday, raising concern that an overdue election for 10 Senate seats will be further delayed. President Rene Preval and the nine-member council met Friday to select a replacement for Jacques Bernard, who was appointed by an interim government in 2005, council member Ginette Cherubin said. A council spokesman declined to say why Bernard resigned."

AOL News : "NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) - The Bahamas' top security official ordered authorities on Friday to step up patrols around the island chain, after scores of Haitian migrants were detained. The Royal Bahamas Defense Force arrested 128 Haitians on Thursday after spotting their boat about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of New Providence, the main island."

International Business Times - : "HAVANA (AP) - Fidel Castro revealed Thursday that he thought he was dying when he fell seriously ill in July 2006, and he hastily made plans to give up power as doctors fought to save his life." "When I fell gravely ill the night of the 26th and dawn of the 27th of July, I thought that would be the end, and while the doctors fought for my life, the head aide of the Council of State read at my urging the text and I dictated the necessary arrangements," the ailing 81-year-old wrote in an essay published on the front page of state newspapers.

UK Responds Favourably To "Whitelisting" Lobby : "Minister of Finance Dr. Errol Cort is reporting “favourable” news following a meeting with the United Kingdom (UK) Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe on Antigua and Barbuda’s “whitelisting” application. Approval of the application would have given remote gaming operators in Antigua and Barbuda permission to advertise their services to consumers in the UK."

CBC.bb : "Prime Minister Stephenson King Thursday said his government is anxious to have the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) established as St Lucia’s final court as he attempted to clear the air on a previous statement made about the regional court."

Over 40 earth tremors at East Cuba Cuba News Headlines. Cuban Daily News : "Over 40 earth tremors in the country's south-eastern zone in the last few hours concern Friday experts and people from that region."

The Nation Newspaper "THERE'S BEEN AN UPSURGE in shooting incidents across Barbados over the past several weeks and police are concerned it's blemishing an otherwise almost crime-free record. 'We are very concerned about this sudden amount of shooting incidents and we have put plans in place to deal with those responsible for these dangerous and reckless acts,' acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Morgan Greaves told the WEEKEND NATION yesterday."

The Bahama Journal : "Saying that Perry Christie continues to be in a deep state of delusion, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham last night laid the failures of the parliamentary registration system at the PLP leader’s feet, and added that the 'game' Mr. Christie’s party has been playing since it lost the election last year is over. 'Even after the ruling of the Election Court, they are still in denial, and they are looking for someone to blame,' said Mr. Ingraham during an FNM rally where speaker after speaker pointed to the recent court victory of Pinewood MP Byran Woodside."

The Bermuda Sun : "Cole Simons today emerged as the new deputy leader of the United Bermuda Party after seeing off challenges by former deputy Patricia Gordon-Pamplin and Bob Richards. A statement released this afternoon said Mr. Simons was elected by the party's MPs at a meeting on Wednesday night."

Antigua Sun : "Director of Works Charlesworth “Barry” Davis has refuted allegations of financial mismanagement associated with roadwork surrounding the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground and issued a detailed statement of expenditure for the project. Davis was responding to allegations from the opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) that the roadwork spending was anomalous, amounting to $70 million on approximately seven miles of road, or as much as $10 million per mile. He further went to the defence of Ambassador David Shoul, whose office the ALP picketed last week alleging mismanagement of government funds."

Stabroek News : "Customs officers yesterday unearthed $14M in counterfeit Guyana currency hidden among some items in a barrel which had been sitting at the John Fernandes Wharf for almost two years now. The stunning discovery was made late yesterday morning after a decision was taken to open up the barrel which was shipped from London through the Harrison Shipping Company in May, 2006 to an Essequibo Coast resident."

Advocate : "Prime Minister David Thompson has identified three economic priorities that are attracting his attention and they are all the same  reducing the cost of living. To address this issue, Thompson yesterday announced that a forum with the private sector will be convened in the near future, saying, We must create the conditions to drive prices down in the market place, and also allow young entrepreneurs to observe a dream of owning their businesses."

The Nation Newspaper "THERE IS DEFINITELY 'something wrong' with how the highway expansion project is being executed and the new David Thompson administration intends to get to the bottom of the issue."

The Nation Newspaper "THERE IS DEFINITELY 'something wrong' with how the highway expansion project is being executed and the new David Thompson administration intends to get to the bottom of the issue."

The Trinidad Guardian "TWELVE Chinese workers have been hospitalised after contracting dengue fever during the past two weeks. This was confirmed by chief medical officer Dr Rohit Doon, yesterday. Six of them remained warded at St Clair Medical Centre up to last night. The Chinese, who were working on the construction of the Academy of Arts on Keate Street, live in an apartment building on Frederick Street in Port-of-Spain. About 100 Chinese workers live in the building, where four men occupy a room 12 by 20 feet."

Jamaica Gleaner News "Since the confession of Detective Constable Carey Lyn-Sue two Tuesdays ago in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court that he fabricated evidence in a murder case, several policemen have been nabbed in various criminal matters, some dating as far back as 2006. Two policemen have been charged and an ex-policeman is yet to be indicted, after a 10-year-old boy was beaten and robbed at gunpoint on Saturday, June 10, 2006. The incident allegedly occurred when the men were stationed at the Freeport Police Station in Montego Bay."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "After six years of marriage, 32-year-old Reginald Hird and his wife Keisha decided that they would try to start a family. She wanted one child. He wanted two."However, six weeks into the pregnancy the couple learnt that they would have their hands full. They were going to have quadruplets.

Stabroek News : "A shoot-out last night between patrolling ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and gunmen in the East Coast village of Buxton left one soldier dead and two persons wounded. Dead is 24-year-old Troy Williams who took a gunshot to the left shoulder which exited the left side of his chest, according to sources at the Georgetown Hospital last night."

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "Yesterday, the security forces executed a search warrant on premises at Canada Estate for firearms, drugs and ammunitions. One .45mm pistol with seven rounds of ammunitions, one bullet proof vest, one black mask, one camouflage uniform, one sniper scope, one tape recorder, and one rifle bipod were recovered from the premises. Kimbal Williams of Canada Estate was arrested for possession of the illegal items. He will be charged for the offences and will be taken before the court shortly."

Antigua Sun : "Brave residents in the Cashew Hill community came to the help of a neighbour yesterday morning when fire attacked the home. Starting at approximately 11 o' clock, the fire ate through some of the interior of the two-bedroom wall house, while the exterior remained virtually untouched."

St. Lucia Star Online "What an irony that precisely when some here are questioning his credentials, Keith Mondesir has been declared Caribbean Optometrist of the Year by the Caribbean Optometrist Association, based in Trinidad. While Mondesir himself has been tight-lipped about the reasons for the special recognition, the citation from CARIOA explains that he has been 'credited for the development of optometry in St Lucia and St Kitts/Nevis.' Moreover, that he has been 'a key figure in the development' of the association that on January 6 declared him Optometrist of the Year."

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "GRIEVING mother Francine Edwards, 42, lamented, “This is my birthday gift” minutes after she heard about the murder of her 19-year-old son, whose bullet-riddled body was found along a dirt track at Scorpion Alley in Carenage yesterday. This latest murder has brought the murder toll to 35 for the year thus far."

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "The race to capture the Panorama championship heated up yesterday as the preliminaries results revealed that reigning champions Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars and rival Phase II Pan Groove are once again locked in a musical battle. Both bands tied for first place, each securing 268 points."

The Trinidad Guardian "“WHO killed my son?” This is the question grieving mom Hafeeza Ali asks herself everytime she closes her eyes and sees the body of her son lying face down in a tomb at the Oropouche Cemetery. The fifth of Ali’s 11 children, Ellias Thomas, 17, was found murdered in the cemetery on February 3, 2004, metres from their Coker Street, Oropouche, home. Thomas’ siblings, Ali said, had all become withdrawn since their brother’s death."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "EMBATTLED alternative investment player Cash Plus Limited yesterday ended its running legal battle with the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and announced it would seek to register with the regulatory body. The announcement came at the expected start of the highly anticipated case brought by Cash Plus, seeking a declaration in the Supreme Court that its operations did not amount to securities trading, which would require it to be regulated by the state-run FSC."

Jamaica Gleaner News "A national registration system first proposed by the then Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) in 1994, is one of several initiatives announced by Prime Minister Bruce Golding to cramp the worrying crime rate in Jamaica. Last year 1,574 Jamaicans were murdered. Mr. Golding's announcement has received support from Director of Elections Danville Walker who said that the country should have established such a system years ago."

Radiojamaica.com... today's news... today | Burial, Brothers, Council, Centre, News | Burial of wanted men and baby still stalled - One day after a major drama unfolded in Old Har... : "One day after a major drama unfolded in Old Harbour Bay St. Catherine over the burial of two brothers who were featured on the police most wanted list, our news centre is receiving word that their burial is still stalled. Tuesday the RJR News Centre reported that the bodies of the Dryden brothers, as well the 10-month-old daughter of one of them, was not buried due to angry protests by the residents. An official of the St. Catherine Parish Council on Wednesday morning told our News Centre that the late father of the men had approached the council seeking to purchase a burial spot at the cemetery."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "THE National Minimum Wage and the minimum rates for industrial security guards are set to increase by 17 per cent as of next Monday, Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles announced yesterday."

Jamaica Gleaner News "Scores of children - some from very poor families - across Western Jamaica are being lured out of school to work in ganja fields, helping with the mass production of the narcotic drug for export. The increase in ganja production over the past six years has kept Jamaica on the United States' 'blacklist' as one of the major drug-producing countries."

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "A JUDGE yesterday ordered the immediate release of insane killer Selwyn Dillon who was virtually dumped and forgotten at Carrera Island Prison in 1988, and never medically treated for 15 years. In 2004, Government psychiatrist Dr Iqbal Ghany submitted a report to the then Attorney General John Jeremie that Dillon, 50, was no longer a threat to society and should be released."

Amandala Online : "Motorcades of red, blue and yellow rolled in the streets of Belize City this morning and this afternoon, as the political parties brought their candidates to Mahogany Street for nomination for General Elections 2008, scheduled for Thursday, February 7, 2008. This is the day, Nomination Day, when everybody is still a winner, in his/her mind. The energy and the excitement were high."

DominicanToday.com : "Santo Domingo.- The Cane and Sugar Producers Association today praised the U.S. Academy of Arts and Cinematographic Sciences for its decision to exclude 'The price the sugar' from the five productions to compete for this year’s Oscar in the documentary category. They say the film is slanderous."

St. Kitts-Nevis: "Basseterre; St. Kitts} Almost every reporter, if not all, in the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, has at one point or another, been issued unsavory words and rebuff by a disgruntled, peeved and even enraged photo subjects, because, for one reason or another, they did not want their picture taken. What is perplexing to me, as I’m sure it has been to my colleagues, is the apparent widespread belief of some that taking pictures of persons, not withstanding it being done in a public place; is wrong."

Broad Street Journal Online "seems that St. Lucia’s minister of tourism Allan Chastanet may be following closely on the heels of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, who Prime Minister David Thompson said on Sunday was here to explore the feasibility of boosting maritime transport in the region and landing nutritional food into Barbados at more affordable prices, as well as Arden Mclean, a senior Minister in the Cayman Islands government, who flew in to start talks about strengthening Barbados’ financial services sector."

Radiojamaica.com "The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) is warning that it will resist any attempt by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to make another recommendation for the position of Solicitor General."

Antigua Sun : "Brave residents in the Cashew Hill community came to the help of a neighbour yesterday morning when fire attacked the home. Starting at approximately 11 o' clock, the fire ate through some of the interior of the two-bedroom wall house, while the exterior remained virtually untouched. The eight-year-old house is owned by John Hughes, but was rented to an unnamed Jamaican woman and her daughter. Allegations are that she was given notice to leave the premises late last year and had been preparing to leave."

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "The Shipping Association (SA) has been accused of breaching its contract with the Stevedoring Association of St. Kitts (SAS) by requisitioning foreign workers for a vessel which docked at the seaport last Friday."

Kaieteur News Guyana : "Three prisoners at the New Amsterdam Female Prison are alleging that they are being victimised because of their sexual preference. They are also alleging that the perpetrators of the act of victimisation are senior officers (names provided) at the institution. The women claim that when they report the incidents to the officer in charge of the prison they are penalised. They are also alleging that they are forced to sit on the floor of their cell to eat, and indicated that their cell is in close proximity to that of another inmate who is of unsound mind and who urinates and excretes on the floor, with matter flowing over to their cell."

The Bahama Journal : "The leadership of the Progressive Liberal Party faces dire consequences as a result of the vindication of FNM MP Byran Woodside in the Election Court last night, according to some political observers. After a scrutiny that lasted more than 10 hours, Mr. Woodside comfortably won the seat by 49 votes. The May 2 election official results had put him ahead by 64 votes. Allyson Maynard Gibson, the defeated PLP Pinewood candidate, brought the case to court, challenging the votes of 159 people. Mr. Woodside challenged 41 votes."

The Freeport News "Organizers of the upcoming Grand Bahama District Spelling Bee are gearing up for what is expected to be one of the most keenly contested competitions in the 12-year history of the Bee locally."

The Jamaica Star "An angry mob on Sunday attacked and mercilessly beat a policeman at a market in Montego Bay, St. James, police confirmed yesterday. The policeman was hospitalised with chop wounds shortly after the incident, which occurred at the Charles Gordon Market, and is temporarily paralysed, police told THE STAR."

The Haitian Times : "PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Protesters set fire to a government building in Cité Soleil last week in an apparent effort to disrupt the inauguration of a U.S.-backed project to help fight crime, witnesses and officials said."

Man who snatched Budget from late PM explains his actions Advocate : "THE man who snatched the Budget from the late Prime Minister Tom Adams in 1979 and was later sent to the Psychiatric Hospital, yesterday explained why he did it. Trevor Armel Eastman told the Court of Appeal, which comprised acting Chief Justice, Frederick Waterman and Justices of Appeal, Peter Williams and John Connell: 'I snatched the Budget in 1979 because it was meant to put Barbados on a road which I knew wasn't good for Barbados.'"

Advocate : "The Caribbean island of Barbados held general elections to choose a new government on January 15. The Opposition, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), was elected to office winning 20 of the 30 parliamentary seats and replacing the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) which had formed the government for 14 years. As with every general election, many issues were thrown out to the electorate, but in reality only one mattered, and that was: should the Barbados Labour Party, led by Owen Arthur, continue in office for a fourth consecutive term."

MiamiHerald.com : "PORT-AU-PRINCE -- (AP) -- The U.S. Coast Guard brought 243 Haitian migrants back to the impoverished Caribbean nation on Tuesday after seizing their boats near the southern Bahamas. The most crowded vessel, carrying 163 Haitians, was found Sunday by helicopter about 45 miles southwest of Great Inagua, Bahamas, according to U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer Barry Bena. The migrants were brought onboard a cutter the next morning."

Stabroek News : "The disc jockey and the taxi driver stood emotionless in the dock at the Mahaicony Magistrate's Court yesterday after they were further remanded to prison for allegedly clubbing a US-based nurse to death. The beginning of the preliminary inquiry into the murder has been set for February 11."

Antigua Sun : "A 79-foot yacht was completely destroyed by fire early yesterday morning after it was reportedly struck by lightning. Although firefighters struggled for almost three hours in heavy rains and thunderstorms trying to extinguish the flames, they were unable to save the yacht which was docked in the Falmouth Harbour. The vessel reportedly erupted into flames some time before 6 a.m."

The Nation Newspaper "BEWARE of divisiveness! There is 'a level of divisiveness' that is possible in Barbados. And general secretary of the Barbados Workers' Union (BWU), Sir Roy Trotman, is warning that if the matter is not dealt with effectively, no amount of repairs could restore the country to what it once was."

People's Daily Online : "The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti should form a competent police force in the country, a top UN official said on Monday. Hedi Annabi, the UN assistant secretary general for peacekeeping operations, said in Brazilia that one object of the mission in Haiti for the next five years would be raising the number of Haiti's policemen from 8,000 to 14,000."

ITAR-TASS : "HAVANA, January 22 (Itar-Tass) - Fidel Castro has been re-elected to the National Assembly of People's Power (parliament) as a result of polls in which the island's population participated actively. Maria Ester Reus Gonzalez, president of the National Electoral Commission (CNE) announced here on Monday that, according to preliminary data, 91 percent of people voted by block for the entire list of candidates, with the Cuban leader's candidacy included."

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday "THREE residents of Tobago, allegedly part of an international cocaine ring operating between the Caribbean and England, appeared in court in Port-of-Spain yesterday to answer a warrant for their extradition to the United Kingdom to face trial. Owen Alfred, Oswin Moore, and Dexter Thomas, all 39 years old, were arrested on Sunday afternoon in Tobago by members of the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau. They were flown to Trinidad aboard a helicopter operated by the Special Anti-Crime Unit and detained in Port-of-Spain."

The Trinidad Guardian "AFTER weeks of speculation, it is now confirmed that Justice of Appeal Ivor Archie will assume office as this country’s eighth Chief Justice on Thursday. He succeeds CJ Satnarine Sharma who reaches the retirement age of 65 on the same day. Archie will take the oath of office on Thursday at President’s House, a statement from the office of the President said yesterday. Archie, who at 49 would become the longest serving Chief Justice."

Stabroek News : "Semi-autonomous agencies and individuals were also issued with army weapons during the Forbes Burnham-led PNC administration in the 1970s and beyond, well-placed sources in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said yesterday. The sources said also that according to the GDF's records, at least one current senior PNCR official, in whose name weapons were issued, had not returned them to date."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "WOOD GROVE, St James - Eldon Calvert, the alleged leader of the notorious Stone Crusher Gang, and who was at the top of the police's most wanted list, was yesterday captured by the police in a pre-dawn raid led by Operation Kingfish in this rustic rural community. A police source said the alleged gangster, who was wanted on numerous murder charges, wept when he was held by detectives and begged the police not to kill him. Two other men and a woman, who were holed up in the six-bedroom one-storey house with Calvert, were also held in the special police operation."

Jamaica Gleaner News "June Campbell, the woman whose son a detective constable confessed in court to fabricating evidence against, says she has forgiven the repentant cop and wishes him well in his new life in Christ. 'I am happy that he has confessed because my son had always insisted that he was innocent,' Ms. Campbell told The Gleaner yesterday. 'I am a born-again Christian myself, so I am also very happy that he found God and has decided to walk in his grace.'"

Bird Flu prompts Ban on imports of Poultry Products from DR into the turks and caicos

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "The Federation has recorded its third road fatality following a traffic accident last Friday evening which took the life of a young Nevisian teenager. According to a police report, 18-year-old Valencia Robins was travelling along the island’s main road in the vicinity of the RAMS Supermarket in Bath Village, when a pickup truck, P9592, driven by Rolston Caines of Morning Star and travelling from the Charlestown direction, collided with her."

Antigua Sun : "Tony Whyte, a local radio disc jockey, has been released from police custody, but the cops have now switched their attention to another well known ZDK radio personality as they pursue all possible leads in the Mansoor building bombing. Reports reaching the Antigua Sun over the weekend are that investigators are seeking the assistance of another radio personality in relation to last week’s explosion at the family owned building on Corn Alley and Tanner Street. Reports are that Percival Simon, a popular voice on the opposition aligned radio station, ZDK, is being sought for questioning in relation to the alleged fire-bombing of the building."

St. Lucia Star "If over-sensitive supporters of the incumbent United Workers Party imagined they were rid of troublesome Rufus Bousquet they now have good cause to think again: this week the former foreign minister largely responsible for the nation’s current halÈ-kasÈ relationship with Taiwan complained that there was something smelly about his dismissal several months ago by a terminally ill Sir John Compton. By Bousquet’s own account, almost everything about that episode demands clarification, at the very least."

JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM : "SEVERAL motorists and their passengers yesterday expressed fear for their lives as they slowly made their way along the flooded Palisadoes road - the only access road to Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport and Port Royal."

Jamaica Gleaner News "WHILE HE is now a hero to the church community which has hailed his confession as 'the right thing to do', some policemen are labelling Detective Constable Carey Lyn-Shue a traitor, saying he has breached the code of silence among colleagues."

MirrorNewsOnline.com : "President Bharrat Jagdeo has sent a congratulatory message to new Prime Minister designate of Barbados, David Thompson following his victory at the recently concluded election in that island.