Regional News

BBC Caribbean News in Brief

Cuba urged to free contractor A senior US official says Cuba’s continued detention of an American contractor is impeding moves by Washington to improve ties with the communist-ruled island.

Jail them: Govt Senator on CL Financial, Clico collapse

(Trinidad Express) – Clico, the country’s largest insurer, and its parent, CL Financial, perpetrated an elaborate “Ponzi scheme” on thousands of unsuspecting investors and the people responsible for it should be jailed, Government Senator Patrick Watson has said.

Ratings boost for Chavez ahead of Venezuelan vote

CARACAS (Reuters) – Polls show Venezuela’s parliamentary election is a tight race between President Hugo Chavez’s allies and his opponents, but Chavez’s rising popularity and favourable election rules may tip the balance.

BBC Caribbean News in brief

Race relations concerns British Labour MP Dianne Abbott says cuts being made by the Coalition administration of Prime Minister David Cameron could put back race relations by a generation.

Police, criminals ‘working arm-in-arm’

(Trinidad Express) Police officers assigned to an elite unit known as the Repeat Offenders Programme Task Force (ROPTF) are alleged to be in collusion with—and, in some cases, controlled by—gangs in East Port of Spain.

Arthur knocks Barbados CLICO salvage plan

(Barbados Nation) Some pensioners could find themselves penniless as a result of a reported multimillion-dollar plan to salvage personal investments in CLICO International Life Insurance Company (CIL), says former Prime Minister Owen Arthur.

Two suspects nabbed in Tudor Street blaze

By: TIM SLINGER (Barbados Nation) Police have arrested two young men in connection with the fire-bombing tragedy which claimed the lives of six young women on Friday night two weeks ago at Campus Trendz in Tudor Street, The City.

Loving memory

(Barbados Nation) Thousands of Barbadians on Friday mourned the loss of six lives in last week’s firebombing of a Tudor Street, Bridgetown store.

BBC Caribbean News in Brief

Focus on human rights A United Nations expert says human rights should be at the centre of Haiti’s reconstruction, following the earthquake in January.

Colombian rebels mount offensive, 45 killed

BOGOTA (Reuters) – Forty-five Colombian police, soldiers and guerrilla fighters have been killed over the past week as leftist rebels launch attacks meant to show they are still a threat after an eight-year US-backed security push.

BBC Caribbean News in Brief

Divergent Caricom views Two former St Lucia Prime Ministers have been giving their views on the choice of a new secretary general of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Barbados PM back in NY hospital

(Barbados Nation) – Prime Minister David Thompson battles on at a New York City hospital after a weekend “complication” forced his return there from Barbados and he is focused on getting back to good health.

BBC Caribbean News in Brief

Higher oil prices help economy In its first national budget presentation, the new Trinidad and Tobago coalition government has said that confidence is returning to the economy.

Today's Paper

The ePaper edition, on the Web & in stores for Android, iPhone & iPad.

Included free with your web subscription. Learn more.