Regional News

(Jamaica Observer) Prime Minister Bruce Golding handed over the remaining state-owned assets in the sugar industry to the China-based company COMPLANT International at Jamaica House on Monday, signalling what both parties say will be a new era of development for the sugar industry in Jamaica.

(Trinidad Guardian) Both Minister of Communication Dr Suruj Rambachan and Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh on Monday declined to comment on recent reports that the National Security Council, headed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, had met with Digicel to get assistance in tapping cellphones.

HAVANA,  (Reuters) – The first group of Americans to  tour Cuba under new, more liberal U.S.

MIAMI,  (Reuters) – One of Communist-ruled Cuba’s  best-known singers, Pablo Milanes, said in quoted comments he  would like to see more freedom to protest on the island as he  prepared for a controversial concert this month in Miami.

MOSCOW, (Reuters Life!) – Russia’s Bolshoi Theatre  celebrated the 90th birthday of Cuban dancer Alicia Alonso with  a gala performance this week of Russian classics performed by  her pupils and countrymen.

(Jamaica Observer) MALVERN, St Elizabeth – Education Minister Andrew Holness is targeting the end of October for completion of a rehabilitative residential school now under construction to serve “disruptive students”.

(Barbados Nation) The police are seeking the public’s assistance in finding any information pertaining to the death of Adrian McDonald Wilkinson.

(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – The fuel price in Suriname is now among the highest in the region.

(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Friday laid down the law to police officers who are threatening to stay away from work tomorrow to “rest and relax.”

(Barbados Nation) Terrence ‘Papa T’ Phillips was gunned down near the steps of Haynesville playing field just before 5 pm on Friday.

(Jamaica Observer) The judge’s order for David Smith to pay US$55 million in restitution and forfeit a US$730,000 house he purchased in 2006 for his sister and brother-in-law, could give hope to investors in his failed ponzi scheme, Olint.

(Trinidad Guardian) As the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) embarks on new housing projects across the country, Housing and the Environment Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal says a new building code will be taken to Cabinet next month to ensure all contractors adhere to proper standards.

RIO DE JANEIRO,  (Reuters) – Gunmen yesterday  ambushed and killed a Brazilian judge known for taking a hard  line against criminals, including corrupt police officers.

(Trinidad Guardian) In the midst of the global economic downturn and a slow recovery, the ANSA McAL Group of Companies has recorded its best first half results with a profit of TT$426 million before tax. 

(Trinidad Exress) The ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago was shut down Thursday night after a Virgin Atlantic plane entered a closed-off section of the runway and blew a tyre which left the aircraft disabled.

(Jamaica Gleaner) “What I did was inexcusable (but) I am not a terrible person,” convicted Olint Ponzi scheme operator David Smith told the United States District Court in Orlando on Thursday while he awaited sentencing.

(Trinidad Guardian) Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh says laptops, expected to be delivered to new secondary school students in September, will cost US$150 less than last year. 

(Trinidad Express) Claiming neglect by the People’s Partnership Government, residents set up burning barricades along every road leading to Point Fortin on Thursday.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Police investigators say more investors in the unregistered investment scheme Nipon Farms are coming forward following the arrest of its principal, businessman Carl Ranglin.

(Jamaica Observer) David Smith, the former head of the failed investment scheme, Olint, is reportedly in good spirits despite receiving a 30-year sentence from the United States District Court in Orlando, Florida yesterday.