SmallShop Caribbean News

The Nation Newspaper BARBADOS' FIRST FREE VILLAGE has lost a significant part of its history. On Wednesday morning, workmen from the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) demolished the only slave hut which was still standing at the Rock Hall Freedom Village in Rock Hall, St Thomas.

Kaieteur News When 29-year-old Anjanie Madhoo, left her Alexander Village home last Monday to go to work, her family had no clue that the next time they will see her would be at the Lyken Funeral Home mortuary. Madhoo’s body was fished out of a trench at La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara, near the LBI Pay Office at around 07:00 hours yesterday. Residents in the area made the gruesome discovery of the woman lying face down in the drain and immediately called the police.

Stabroek News Disturbed by the official reaction to the death of prisoner James Nelson in the Brickdam lock-up, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) yesterday called on international agencies to demand immediate improvement in the treatment of detainees as a condition for continued funding of reforms to the criminal justice system.

The Jamaica Gleaner COLIN POWELL, former United States secretary of state, says that, while he opted not to seek election as that nation's first black president 13 years ago, Democratic candidate Barack Obama now has a good shot at the most powerful job in the world. Powell told The Gleaner yesterday that he decided against running because he did not wish to run for political office. "I didn't think it was the right thing for me and I didn't have the kind of passion one needs," he said.

The Jamaica Observer FOUR men were killed yesterday and another three - two women and a Jamaica Defence Force soldier - were injured when the security forces engaged heavily armed men in a gunfight in Rema, a tough inner-city community in Jamaica's capital, Kingston. The names of the dead were not ascertained last night. A rifle, a shotgun, a 9mm pistol, several rounds of assorted ammunition and two magazines were seized and at least 15 men were detained following the shooting, the police said.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, enjoying a lead in many polls, returned to familiar themes in his final push for the White House. He retooled his slogan of "change" to address the nation's economic crisis and to distinguish himself from Republican rival, Senator John McCain. Obama made history as the nation's first African-American to run for president on a major party's ticket. VOA's Robert Raffaele takes a look at Obama's rise to prominence and his dramatic year in the spotlight.

Hispanics have registered to vote in the 2008 election in key locations at record levels. In south Florida, the numbers are up 20 percent from two years ago, and many of those new Hispanic voters are registering Democrat. In Miami, the changes mean that a long-time Republican base, Cuban-Americans, no longer dominates the political scene. VOA's Brian Wagner has this report.

The Nassau Guardian Precious Armbrister, a resident of the crime-ridden area surrounding Kemp Road, goes to bed just about every night to the sound of gunshots. "Oh Lord!" Armbrister cried. "The boys around here get carried away. Every night you hear the gunshots, pap, pap, pap, pap...all through the night," she said imitating the sounds of guns being fired. One of Armbrister's neighbors, who did not want to be named, said when she returns home from work she is greeted by the sight of young girls and boys on the street corner selling drugs and "whatever else they have to offer".

The nation newspaper EVEN THOUGH CASES of "red eye" are reported to be on the decline, Chief Medical Officer Dr Joy St John is warning Barbadians to remain cautious. Why? Because the Ministry of Health has identified two isolated conjunctivitis viruses that are far more serious than the usual strain seen in Barbados.

The Trinidad Express A friend of schoolgirl Rebekah Sugrim's family appeared in court yesterday charged with her murder last November. Delano De Leon, 20, who lived less than a mile from Sugrim's home in Central Trinidad, was taken before Chaguanas First Court Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde John. He is accused of killing Sugrim some time between November 23 and 30, last year.

The Jamaica Gleaner THE WORST fears of the family of Ananda Dean were yesterday confirmed by the police, after a month of speculation that a body found in Belvedere, St Andrew, was that of their loved one. Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields made the announcement during a press conference held yesterday at the NCB Towers in New Kingston. While it is now certain the body located on Sunday, September 28, is that of Ananda, hundreds of other children remain missing, the likely victims of criminal acts. Yesterday, a policeman was charged with carnal abuse, indecent assault and attempting to pervert the course of justice in connection with the abduction of 14-year-old Jhaneel Goulbourne. Goulbourne was taken from her home in Harbour View, eastern Kingston, last Friday. The police are appealing to the public for information that could assist in locating her.

The Jamaica Observer A school which was being built on undetected caves at Discovery Bay in St Ann, has had to be shelved, flushing $30 million down the drain, a parliamentary committee was told yesterday. The bustling town of Discovery Bay on the island's north coast, is well known for its underground Green Grotto Caves, which were used as a popular escape route by runaway slaves. The caves are now a popular tourist attraction.

The Antigua Sun The 29-year-old man charged in connection with offences allegedly linked to the serial rapes has been remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison. The man was arrested and charged last week and granted bail on charges of rape and buggery. However, he was picked up again this week and faces two charges of a similar nature alleged to have occurred on 20 Dec., last year. Police prosecutor, Constable Dane Bontiff, objected to bail on several grounds. The prosecutor told the court that the accused is now facing four sexually related charges, which are indictable and can only be tried in the High Court before a judge and jury.

St.Lucia Star For almost a year now Customs Comptroller Terrence Leonard has been pursuing charges that MP Richard Frederick under invoiced vehicles imported from Miami some five years ago. Word of the allegations first surfaced when the STAR broke the story that Offshore Alert had featured an item concerning the local Customs department and three St Lucian men, including Richard Frederick.

St. Lucia is not a manufacturer of firearms, yet there has been an increase in gun-related crimes on the island. This has led several concerned citizens to question from where those guns are coming. The Assistant Police Commissioner for Crime Vernon Francois says the Force has information to suggest that firearms enter the island through a gun-trade involving St. Lucia, Martinique and St. Vincent. ACP François says lawmen are working to clamp down on such operations by strengthening security along our borders.

CBS News Political Analysts Dee Dee Myers and Dan Bartlett comment on Sen. Barack Obama's final push with network airtime and Sen. John McCain campaigning with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

             Jamaica Observer   Girl left to die A distraught Antonette Ford (right), whose four-year-old sister Renae Brown died in the fire on King Street, Montego Bay Monday night, looks at the remains of the burnt-out dwelling with another relative, Shantel King. (Photo: Horace Hines) MONTEGO BAY, St James - A four-year-old girl whose stepfather forgot she was still inside a burning building on Monday evening became the latest fire statistic, ironically as the country kicked off Fire Safety Awareness Week. Jamaica Observer  

The Jamaica Gleaner A group of academics and a theologian are warning the Government to look to other strong economies for assistance, as Jamaica could see foreign aid and foreign direct investment (FDI) from the United States gradually dry up after the election of either Barack Obama or John McCain to the White House. Speaking at a Gleaner Editors' Forum at the newspaper's North Street, central Kingston, offices yesterday, the stakeholders called for the Government to lure more investments from outside the US.

 Kaieteur News Opposition vows to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice  On Monday evening, the People’s Progressive Party Civic rejected the main opposition party’s motion on torture, calling for evidence of the allegations while dismissing the motion as irrelevant and riddled with accusations. According to executive member of the PPP/C, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, the allegations of torture mentioned did not conform with the United Nation’s definition, and however deplorable, it was more or less the “roughing up” of suspects.

The Trinidad Guardian Seven killers, who were freed last year after being unlawfully detained, are going after the State, seeking millions of dollars in compensation for being kept behind bars without justification. In one instance, one of the men is seeking $5 million in damages. If he is awarded this sum, it will create history in the Commonwealth as there is no case upon which the local courts can seek assistance.

Trinidad Express A new company has been established to manage the Community, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP), which has more than 100 contractors who employ over 5,000 contract workers. The newly-formed CEPEP Co Ltd will fall under the Ministry of Works and Transport, and has been established more than one year and ten months after Deputy Speaker Penelope Beckles said this would be done while she had served as the line minister for the programme in January 2007.

The Nation Newspaper THE BARBADOS ECONOMY  is not heading for recession despite the global economic turbulence, says Central Bank Governor Dr Marion Williams. However, in her sternest caution in recent times, the country's lead economist advised consumers to buy local products in order to keep imports down and be circumspect about getting into long-term debt in the current environment.

The Bermuda Sun Billionaire businessman Richard Branson was forced to ditch his world record Atlantic crossing attempt and divert to Bermuda after gale force winds ripped the main sail of his mega yacht. The owner of Virgin Airways and Virgin Megastores had been attempting to break the trans-Atlantic record by sailing from New York to the southern tip of the UK in less than six days, 17hours, 52 minutes and 39 seconds

Two arrested on suspicion of murder of Estella Scott-Roberts Police on Tuesday night (28 October) announced the Monday-afternoon arrest of two men on suspicion of the 10 October murder of community leader Estella Scott-Roberts. While the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service did not identify the men, pending charges being laid, both had George Town addresses and were aged 27 and 23.  Police spokeswoman Deborah Denis was unable to provide details.   Cayman Net News 

Luanda, Oct 28 ( Prensa Latina  ) The Cuban community in Angola condemned on Tuesday the US trade, political, and financial blockade against Cuba during a meeting in that capital. The Association of Cuban residents in Angola (ACRA) also demanded the release of five Cuban anti-terrorists imprisoned in US jails, and expressed solidarity with the Cuban victims of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

The Trinidad Guardian A High Court judge ordered the immediate release yesterday of a convicted killer from St Ann’s Mental Hospital, but when Miguel Francois’ lawyers went to the hospital armed with the court order for his release, the authorities refused to release him.

A 15-year-old boy died after he got shot in the head while he and his friends played with a gun at a house in Laventille yesterday. Police have since detained a 19-year-old youth for questioning about the circumstances surrounding the killing of Ricardo John, a student of Barataria Senior Secondary School. Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday

KEEP THEM IN JAIL Father calls for justice as gunman kills daughter A SHORT TRIP to buy fireworks unwittingly led 14-year Kimberly Monderoy to gunfire at Cuthbert Circular, Diego Martin, which did not claim the life of the intended target, but hers instead.  Trinidad Express

A large contingent of taxi operators took to the streets of downtown Basseterre around 1 p.m. today (Oct. 27), as they staged a mobile protest to what one taxi driver called “unfair treatment by the government”. Some 15 ...   Today's News From   SKN Vibes Read More SKN Vibes.com

The Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal went into session yesterday, with a special “sitting” ceremony to welcome Hugh Rawlins, chief justice. Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and other dignitaries were present at the Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore Judicial Complex where the appeals court got into action to attend to various cases, after the ceremony. Today, the court is expected to hear appeals filed for Louis “Tooloo” Gardener, Sheldon “Hatcher” Isaac, Romeo “Buncum” Cannonier and Ruedeney “Denney” Williams. Sun St.Kitts/Nevis  

– hero rescues home alone children Ten people are now homeless following two separate fires in Berbice, which completely destroyed two buildings. Stabroek News  

THEON Smith, 17, of Annandale, East Coast Demerara, was yesterday sentenced to a total of 61 years imprisonment on conviction for several offences. But Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle said all the five-year sentences will run concurrently, so the prisoner will be imprisoned for only 15 years. Guyana Chronicle  

The body of the last known missing person from the ill-fated passenger boat which sank in the Corentyne River last Friday has been recovered. Kaieteur News understands that the body of Henry Gonsalves was recovered at around 21:00 hours on Sunday night at the Number 67 Village Foreshore, Corentyne. A source in the area said that fishermen had spotted the body as early as 16:30 hours and eventually brought it to land. Kaieteur news  

Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson called on Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham to reorganize both the Ministry and Department of Education and has dismissed the word of both the minister and acting director of education as worthless to the union. Full story   The Bahama Journal

The Daily Herald  (st.Maarten) AMSTERDAM--The Netherlands will not force Saba and St. Eustatius to implement Dutch as the language of instruction in schools once the islands are integrated in the Dutch Constellation. However, Dutch Education Minister Ronald Plasterk is encouraging students to master the Dutch language before engaging in studies in the Netherlands.

Virgin Islands Gov. John deJongh Jr.'s administration is taking action aimed at equalizing the cost of gas for St. Croix and St. Thomas. Historically, gas prices on St. Croix have been about a dollar cheaper than on St. Thomas and remain so today

Sunshine Food workers stage protest at Bureau of Standards Monday, 27 October 2008 Workers employed to Sunshine Food processors Monday picketed the offices of the Jamaic... Full Story Radio Jamaica.com

The Jamaica Gleaner United States nationals living in Jamaica have been going into the American embassy in St Andrew to cast their vote in the presidential election. One national, who requested anonymity, spoke with The Gleaner yesterday hours after voting in the much-publicised electoral showdown between Republican senator John McCain and Democratic senator Barack Obama.

The Jamaica Observer GOVERNMENT says it will be demanding a higher level of performance from the island's over 20,000 public school teachers in return for the new $15 billion pay packet to be implemented in December.

Antigua Sun Repeated attempts by the hierarchy of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) to get Wigley George to back down from running in the St. Paul’s Constituency are being flatly resisted, as the AT&LU president’s resolve to contest the seat has deepened. George, speaking to the Antigua Sun yesterday, said several offers have been placed before him in exchange for him to give the ALP candidate, Paul Chet Greene the opportunity to engage the UPP candidate Eleston Adams in a straight fight for the constituency.

Antigua Sun Construction on the US$25 million expansion project at the American University of Antigua (AUA) at Jabberwock has halted. When contacted by the Antigua Sun, managing director for contractors Leeward Construction, Andy Green, confirmed that management took the decision to suspend work and that workers had been called off the site last Wednesday afternoon. The reasons, Green said, are essentially contractual and he expressed concern for some 150 workers who have been sent home, uncertain of when work on the project will recommence.

The Trinidad Guardian Pensioner Dolly Bisnath had planned to spend Christmas with her children in New York after celebrating Divali with her grandchildren in Trinidad. But her plans ended abruptly on Saturday afternoon when a driver allegedly ran into her with his car, killing her on the spot.

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Kimberly Monderoy, a 13-year-old student of Mucurapo Comprehen-sive School, was shot dead late yesterday afternoon when she was caught in the crossfire of two warring gangs, at Cuthbert Circular, Four Roads, Diego Martin. Police reported that about 5.30 pm yesterday, Monderoy was walking to a nearby shop when two groups of men had a heated argument. One group began firing at the other group which returned fire. In the crossfire Monderoy who lives at Cuthbert Circular was shot in the chest.

Kaieteur News “I watched as waves snatched my sister, friend”, Sherry Ann Haynes “After I reached to shore, I feel so happy I found the energy to run for help”, Leslie Owen Austin The relatives of Henry Gonsalves, who is still missing following last Friday’s boat mishap in the Corentyne River which has so far claimed the lives of five, are still hoping for the best. Their hopes were heightened yesterday after Sherry Ann Haynes, a visiting nurse from the USA, who was also a passenger on the ill-fated boat, was found alive.

Stabroek News Five people drowned, two are missing and one miraculously made it to the shore, after a river mishap that occurred just after 5.30 pm on Friday, involving a speedboat that plies the Guyana/Suriname “backtrack” route; the boat was returning from Suriname.

The Jamaica Observer OUTSPOKEN clergyman Rev Al Miller says Government would not be fulfilling its role as God's authority to dispense justice in the land, if it does not support the death penalty which is a clear command in scriptures.

The Jamaica Gleaner The robust guns-for-drugs trade on the Clarendon coast is threatening potential earnings from a lucrative tourism development being planned for the southern belt. At the same time, the Clarendon police chief, Superintendent Dathan Henry, says corruption within the ranks is inhibiting efforts to dent the trade.

The nation newspaper WE DID THE RIGHT THING! President of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), Walter Maloney, is stoutly defending his union's decision to accept last week's 10.5 per cent wage increase from the Government, in the face of criticism from former Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Clyde Mascoll.

The Trinidad Express Last week, in a gun store in West Virginia, sales abruptly went through the roof. Residents had heard that "the Muslim" was going to be the next president of the US and was going to ban the sale of handguns. In Florida, a middle-aged white Obama supporter, helping to fill in an absentee ballot for his traditionally Democratic, but bigoted, 95-year-old father, tried to slip Obama past him by suggesting he tick the "straight Democratic" box. The father mumbled assent. Then, as he was leaving, the old man raised his head. "Make sure you vote for that coloured boy," he told him.

CANA News BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) wrapped up their one-day special summit with Trinidad’s Prime Minister Patrick Manning here late Thursday, saying they were ready to go to the public with their planned economic and political union. “It was a very successful meeting, we have seen the way forward,” host Prime Minister Denzil Douglas told reporters at a news conference held immediately following the talks which took place at the headquarters of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

The Bahama Journal The series of stories linking a PLP parliamentarian with a police corruption investigation has led Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell to lash out at the FNM, police and The Tribune, charging that members of these organizations are a part of a political campaign "rooted in malice and deceit."

Sun St. Kitts William Benjamin testified in the High Court yesterday that when he killed his sister-in-law Michelle Weekes-Benjamin, he was confused and frustrated. His lawyer, Reginald James, said William is not guilty of murder, but is perhaps guilty of manslaughter. “His defence can be summed up in one word – provocation,” James told the jury yesterday, just before William testified. “He was provoked. Would a reasonable young man get so angry after seeing his sister-in-law and do what he did?” The trial for the murder of Weekes-Benjamin began on Tuesday in the High Court in Basseterre. The prosecution alleged that William murdered his sister-in-law, and then with the help of friends disposed of the body in a septic tank, in a building that was under construction on Rosemary Lane, in October 2006.

Dominican Republic News Central Bank Governor Hector Albizu Valdez says the increase in interest rates and changes in legal procedures are tough fiscal policies, but these moves are necessary in order to maintain micro-economic stability. Albizu added that these measures are transitory, though unavoidable. He said that once markets return to normal the measures would be reviewed to determine if they are necessary.

Bermuda Sun Bermuda could get its own lottery, along with hotel casinos, after Government confirmed today they are taking a serious look at the island's gambling laws. Making a formal announcement this morning, Premier Ewart Brown appeared to acknowledge that he may be putting himself on collision course with the church lobby. However, he also said that many Bermudians would welcome being able to gamble on the island, rather than having to make gaming trips to the States.

Stabroek News Heavily armed bandits struck on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway last night, shooting the driver and a female passenger of a mini-bus that was heading to Lethem and robbing the travellers of cash and jewellery before escaping. During the course of the incident, driver Dhanram Singh called ‘Bedi’ was grazed by a bullet in the back while Brazilian national, Barbara Ferreira was shot in her wrist. Ferreira had run into the bushes as the incident unfolded and was not located until after 11 pm.

The Trinidad Guardian Life imprisonment will be the penalty for various offences against children including sexual intercourse with a child, seduction of a child and touching a child in any sexual manner, Social Development Minister Amery Browne said yesterday. Also today on The Trindad Guardian ‘Wall was approved by Beetham groups’ Managing Director of the East Port-of-Spain Development Company Limited Deborah Thomas maintains there was consultation and approval by the Beetham Gardens community over the proposed development plan. $4m coke seized in Tunapuna A 35-year-old car washer of Longdenville was arrested yesterday morning after more than $4 million worth of high grade cocaine, bound for Canada, was seized from a car at the corner of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway and Pasea Main Road, Tunapuna. Cops nab 45 in morning raid Police raided Beetham Gardens yesterday and held 45 men who they said were being sought in connection with a series of crimes.

The Nation Newspaper THE PRICES of goods from the "usual suppliers" have not been coming down. And consumers should not expect to see prices coming down just because local gas and diesel prices have themselves been dropping.

Jamaica Observer CONSUMERS will have to wait until another six to eight weeks before they begin to see a reduction of between eight and 10 per cent in the cost of food prices, Industry Minister Karl Samuda said yesterday. Samuda, speaking at a press briefing at his ministry in Kingston, said he was disappointed that local food prices saw a marginal increase this month compared to September, which he said was contradictory decreases in the world market.

Jamaica Gleaner Consumers should expect a decrease in food prices for the Christmas season and cheaper fertilisers. Karl Samuda, minister of industry, investment and commerce, yesterday said the downward trend of food prices was likely to take effect in another six to eight weeks. "The outlook is good," he said, adding that it would take just over a month before Jamaicans began to feel the impact of the reduction in world prices in food items.

Kaieteur News Police detained an army rank with a grenade and more than 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition on Wednesday night, after the rank allegedly threatened to ‘blow up’ the home of his 16-year-old girlfriend’s mother. Police sources said that the rank was arrested in a yard in Anira Street, Queenstown, where his girlfriend’s mother resides.

Stabroek News Linden footballer Troy Richards, popularly known as “Kang,” was electrocuted last night during a disruption in the power supply to Blue Berry Hill. While some residents suffered electrical shocks, 35-year-old Richards, who plays for the Silver Shattas Football Club, died shortly after 7pm at his girlfriend’s house at 998 Blue Berry Hill.

Newsday Are you a gangster? Dial 625-4932 or 623-8440 to get out of your life of crime. That’s the appeal of Acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert who, yesterday, announced that two hotlines have been set up for members of gangs to call if they want to surrender and get help to turn around their lives. Also Today on Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday Grants for rent, clothes increase THE MINISTRY of Social Development yesterday announced a multi-million-dollar ... US$70 oil price lower than Iraq’s FINANCE MINISTER Karen Nunez-Tesheira yesterday said Government’s decision to ... Speyside school floods out Staff and students of Speyside High School, Tobago were evacuated to the Speys...

The Antigua Sun   The government has poured some $1.5 million into immediate relief for Hurricane Omar victims. News of this was revealed at a press conference organised by the Ministry of Housing and Social Transformation yesterday. Also Today on the Antigua Sun Oct24 20/20 mania returns to Antigua Oct24 2008 Carnival winners awarded Oct24 APUA assists Turks & Caicos after Hurricane Ike Oct24 Brothers granted bail in wounding case Oct24 CCJ hosts seminar Oct24 Court convicts Jones on traffic charges Oct24 Electoral Commission points out registration irregularities Oct24 Ex-husband gets 14 years for attempted murder Oct24 Massiah calls for adjournment after getting ‘cold feet’ Oct24 Ministry clarifies hurricane voucher spending system Oct24 Nationals in New York join in Independence celebrations Oct24 Newest senator takes seat in house Oct24 Twenty complete Project Management Training Programme

The Jamaica Gleaner Sky-rocketing crimes against women have stirred the police to warn them to take greater pre-cautions, particularly urging them not to patronise unlicensed taxis. Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields told  The Gleaner  yesterday the murder of women has gone up 30 per cent over last year.

The Nation Newspaper By ALBERT BRANDFORD THE PRICE of fuel at the pump was cut yesterday for the third time in two weeks. Prime Minister David Thompson, in giving the news last night, also announced a series of upcoming economic consultations with stakeholders and international experts to head off the...  [more]

Sun St. Kitts&Nevis ST. JOHN, Antigua – Police in Antigua are seeking to assist Dominica police in identifying a man who was shot and killed in that country following a rape incident. The Dominica police have not been able to identify the man and have sought the assistance of local authorities in this regard.

The Antigua Sun The Ministry of Health has denied reports that the country has recorded 30 cases of dengue fever since the passage of the strong weather associated with the passing of Hurricane Omar through the region. “While it is true that the incidence of dengue fever may increase in areas where water stagnate (mosquito breeding sites), there is a ten-day incubation period for the dengue virus in the vector – the Aedes Egypti mosquito before it can infect humans,” a press release from the Ministry of Health stated yesterday. Full Story

The Nation Newspaper SMOKING IS ON THE RISE in Barbados particularly among young people, especially teenage girls.

The Barbados Advocate I told them so! I said to the three Republican Strategists in Washington six weeks ago that it was a strategic error to hinge the Home Stretch of the McCain campaign on a 20-year-old Obama-Bill Ayers encounter. I never thought the issue would have resonated among American voters. For Bill Ayers to be a major issue in an American election campaign today, he would have to physically mount a Republican platform and introduce new details of his past association with Obama. As long as Ayers and Obama remain tight lipped on the issue, it will not fly. Full Story

The Jamaica Observer We are not in the least surprised that Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic Party candidate, is the overwhelming choice of Jamaicans for United States president. If there is any surprise in our online poll results published on the front page of today's edition, it is that Senator John McCain managed to pick up 5.7 per cent of Jamaicans who responded to the question "Who do most Jamaicans prefer to win the US presidential elections?"

The Jamaica Gleaner A prominent Montego Bay-based doctor was yesterday granted bail in the sum of $250,000 in the city's Resident Magistrate's Court on a charge of rape. Dr Garfield Campbell, a 34-year-old family practitioner who operates his private practice from a Corner Lane address in Montego Bay, was jailed at the Montego Freeport lock-up last Saturday after a patient reported that he had sexually assaulted her during an examination.

Stabroek News West Berbice’s electricity woes have been resolved somewhat, but the water situation continued to be troublesome and residents of Cotton Tree took to the streets yesterday, after not receiving supplies for over two weeks.

The Trinidad Guardian CLUTCHING a pair of crutches, Carlene Sanoir left her hospital bed yesterday to bid farewell to chemical engineer Chris Joseph, who was killed while liming in her company, along with his cousin, at the Corner Bar in Woodbrook on Sunday.

The Trinidad Guardian Approximately 20 national scholars, including three President’s Medal winners, who are studying at the University of Toronto, said the Government had not honoured its commitment to pay their school fees for the current year which began in September.

The Nation Newspaper TONNES of mud came sliding down the scenic East Coast hills yesterday leaving the road impassable and houses under threat. It is believed that recent heavy rains contributed to the landslide which according to officials was expected to intensify last night if rain continued.

Fidel Castro shares his ideology. (1959)

The Antigua Sun A ruptured jet fuel line belonging to the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) caused some unease among residents living in the Upper Fort Road area over the past few days. According to reports reaching the Antigua Sun, the company did not notice that the fuel line was damaged until residents began to complain about the pervasive and intolerable smell of fuel.

Stabroek News Police are investigating the death of a prisoner in the lockups of the Brickdam Police Station. James Nelson, 47, of Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara, was found dead in the Brickdam lock-ups at around 06:30h yesterday. Police said that Nelson, who had a history of mental illness, had sustained injuries, reportedly after banging his head against a cell wall.

Stabroek News A 47-year-old Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara man was discovered dead in the Brickdam Police Station lock-ups early yesterday morning with marks of violence about his body and his relatives believe that he sustained fatal injuries at the hands of the police.

The Trinidad Guardian A bearded Nazir Ali turned up in court yesterday and said quite emphatically that a man charged with trafficking 14 kilos of marijuana was innocent. “That marijuana is mine...I found it by the river,” he said.

The Nation Newspaper THE CASE of missing man Sheldon Clarke has taken a bizarre twist with the arrest and charging of one man for blackmailing. Police confirmed yesterday that a man had been charged with blackmailing Clarke's family who admitted paying a ransom for Clarke, missing from his Gemswick, St Philip home since September 29.

Residents of Faux a Chaud awoke to a strong stench emanating from the decomposed body. Trevor “Flecky” Anderson discovered the corpse before 7AM on Monday morning. Anderson says he was going along his daily routine of jogging when he saw the lifeless body floating in the harbor. Anderson says he then alerted a nearby security officer of his findings. HTS St.Lucia

Declining oil prices on the world market have fueled much debate in every nook and cranny of the island. People want to know why consumers here are not being given a relief in gas prices at the pumps now that international crude oil prices are below eighty US dollars a barrel. Former Consumer Affairs Minister Phillip J Pierre says the UWP government is unable to pass on the price reductions to St. Lucians because it was failing to generate revenue in other areas.H TS St.Lucia

In the closely fought US state of Florida there is a large and vibrant Cuban community. For years they have reliably voted Republican, but in this election year their loyalties appear to be shifting, as Al Jazeera's Lucia Newman has been finding out.

Kaieteur news The victim of a Meadowbrook Drive robbery turned the tables on four gunmen who had invaded his home, at around 08:00 hrs last night, shooting one of them dead and wounding another. Raheem Lewis, 20, of Victoria Road, Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, was shot in the chest and succumbed minutes after arriving at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

The Jamaica Gleaner Senior police investigators are still trying to determine what led to the fatal shooting of at least four persons in a crowded nightclub in the Corporate Area early yesterday morning. Eyewitnesses claimed that the drunken rage of a member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) resulted in nine persons, including the soldier, being shot.

The Jamaica Observer FOUR men were early yesterday morning shot dead and four others injured when a Jamaica Defence Force soldier allegedly opened fire inside the crowded Double Diamond Gaming Lounge in Kingston.

The Trinidad Express TWO foreigners have been sexually assaulted in Black Rock, right on the heels of the murders of Swedish couple Ake Olsson, 73, and Anna Sundsval, 62. The property co-ordinator of the Black Rock Dreams guesthouse in Tobago, who preferred not to be named, yesterday confirmed the latest attack against foreigners on the island. He said he was asleep on the compound when he was alerted by the visitors as to the incident.

The Trinidad Guardian General secretary of the Prisons Association Burton Hill says there is a lack of urgency on the part of the authorities, with regard to the safety of prisons officers and other law enforcement officials.

The Nation Newspaper FOOD PRICES may come down, but it will have little to do with falling fuel prices. Managing director of SuperCentre David Neilands made it clear yesterday that food prices were primarily governed by the cost of the supplier and not fuel.

The telegraph The drugs were reportedly found strapped to the three women and one man as they disembarked from the P&O ship Arcadia at Southampton. The liner had just returned from a 23-day cruise of the Caribbean, with island stops on Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada and Barbados.

The Barbados Advocate There is a lot of land lying idle in Barbados, which can be put to agricultural use to aid in addressing issues of food security and food sovereignty in the country.

Dominica News online Dominica's Minister of Public Utilities and Infrastructure Ambrose George could resign this week following new allegations of corruption against him. Word is that George who is at the centre of new allegations of corruption had written his letter of resignation following mounting pressure to do so, but it is unclear whether he had handed it over to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. Sources close to the matter however indicated that enough was enough and the Labour Party Cabinet could issue a statement on the matter this week.

kaieteur news Guyana will definitely benefit from increased assistance from the United States of America to fight the drug trade. This assurance was given by newly appointed US Ambassador to Guyana, John Jones, during an exclusive interview with the Kaieteur News. Jones said that the issue of US narco fighting assistance was not one of those discussed during his meeting with President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The jamaica gleaner Amid cries for Jamaicans to return to their roots, a popular church leader has called for the state to resume the hanging of convicted murderers. Speaking yesterday during the Heritage thanksgiving service held at the Waltham Park New Testament Church of God in Kingston, Bishop Ronald Blair said he believed capital punishment had its place.

The Trinidad Guardian Chris Joseph, 24, a chemical engineer, who worked at bpTT, was celebrating his transfer to Mexico. The celebrations turned into a nightmare on Saturday night.

The nation newspaper A LONGSTANDING non-governmental organisation (NGO) wants a ban on all violent video games and toy weapons for children in Barbados.

Cuba has opened its first Orthodox church, a decade and a half after the communist island lifted a ban on religion. Hundreds of people, including the countrys leader Raul Castro turned out to watch the consecration. Russian Metropolitan Kirill blessed the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral, which took two and a half years to build.

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said on Sunday that Mexico has agreed to return Cuban migrants who arrive without documents, a move that may threaten the main exit route for Cubans seeking to leave the island

People & Power looks at the relationship between Venezuela and the small English-speaking Caribbean island of Dominica.

kaieteur news A media trip to Ituni ended tragically yesterday evening, after a minibus transporting journalists and GT&T personnel from Ituni slammed into a moving truck at Amelia’s Ward, Linden, killing NCN reporter Akila Jacobs, 23, and minibus driver Terrence Tappin. Tappin, 60, of Lot 71 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, died on the spot after he was pinned in the wreck of his bus.

The Daily Herald Hurricane Omar did more damage than many had expected. One reason is that the system passed closer than expected at 55 miles instead of the 100 miles originally forecast. It was also a Category Three by the time it passed, rather than a Category Two storm as predicted

The Royal Gazette A mother-of-three is today behind bars after being convicted of smashing a love rival in the face with a glass.

The Jamaica Star Ten-year-old Cassandra Smith has not had the chance to enjoy a normal childhood and the joys that come with it's whether it is skipping home from school with a friend, playing hide and seek, or just running around wildly with friends in her mother's yard.

Newsday A day after five murders were recorded in one night, five more murders have rocked the country between Friday night and yesterday morning. This brings the murder toll to 431 so far for the year. With just over two months left in the year the figure may now even surpass the 450 figure suggested by Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday. Four of the victims, all male, were killed in a space of six and a half hours. The last was killed yesterday afternoon.

The Trinidad Guardian A towering wall being constructed parallel to the Beetham Highway is now the centre of controversy among Beetham Gardens residents.

The Nation Newspaper PRIME MINISTER DAVID THOMPSON has called on the business community to "have a heart" and immediately cut the cost of certain food items in the light of two successive fuel price reductions in a single week. "That's the fair and honest thing to do," he said yesterday.

Reliefweb The West Coast of Dominica received a severe battering from Hurricane Omar from about midnight October 15, 2008. A preliminary report from the Office of Disaster Management has indicated that there is wide spread infrastructural damage to roads, sea defenses, ports and utilities from sea swells and several families have been affected. About 30 families or approximately 125 persons from the West Coast were made homeless and are currently with friends and families. The Community of Scotts Head in the south, with a population of 450, is cut off from the rest of the country and will be for a few days since the coastal road to that community is extensively damage. That community is without electricity, water and landline telephones.

The Jamaica Observer KINGSVALE, Hanover - A masked gunman brutally murdered a woman district constable inside her house here just after midnight yesterday then tried to rape her 19-year-old daughter before fleeing with the victim's service revolver and handbag. Related  COP MURDERED - Second policewoman to be killed since start of the year  District Constable Vinnette Guthrie was yesterday murdered in her Hanover home. The 39-year-old mother became the second policewoman to be slain since the start of the year.