Regional News

BANOS, Ecuador (Reuters) – Villagers fled their homes yesterday after a volcano in central Ecuador erupted, spewing rocks, gas and ash that prompted officials to issue an alert and order the evacuation of nearby communities.

(Jamaica Observer) Jamaican scientist Dr Henry Lowe on Thursday night threw a lifeline to men worldwide when he announced that he had developed a formula that can reduce and eliminate prostate cancer, the number one cause of cancer deaths among males.

Caricom Trade Ministers yesterday agreed on the goods that Haiti will be able to export within the Single Market on a non-reciprocal preferential basis for three years.

(Trinidad Express) A new agreement will have to be negotiated between Government and former chairman of CL Financial Lawrence Duprey for the State to be in a strong position to recover billions of dollars it invested to save the insurance and real estate conglomerate.

(Trinidad Express) Local manufacturers have complained that their exports in Caricom countries faced product boycotts after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s statements on how Trinidad and Tobago would offer assistance following the destruction caused by Hurricane Tomas.

(Jamaica Observer) – Celebrated Jamaican scientist Dr Henry Lowe will this evening announce the launch of a research and development institute, which will develop pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals from indigenous Jamaican plants.

(Trinidad Express) – There are 110 gangs operating in Trinidad and Tobago, each with an average membership of 12 people, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said on Wednesday.

Reform debate launched Cuba has launched a public debate on plans to transform its struggling socialist economy by reducing the role of the state and boosting private enterprise.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, (Reuters) – Haiti’s elections at the  weekend were “fairly good” and were not derailed by the call for  annulment made by a group of presidential candidates, two of whom  later recanted, the top United Nations official in the country  said yesterday.

• West Indies Union dissolved; replaced by Jamaica Conference, Atlantic Caribbean Mission(Jamaica Observer) MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The West Indies Union (WIU) Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is no more.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – Thousands of Venezuelans fled  their homes yesterday after landslides and swollen rivers  killed at least 21 people and threatened to cause more damage.

(Trinidad Guardian) Twenty-seven thousand new jobs are set to stimulate the economy with the construction of two major projects being undertaken by the Ministry of Works.

(Jamaica Observer) A high percentage of the ambulances assigned to public hospitals are down and almost out for the count, a probe of the institutions by the Sunday Observer has found.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Canadian police say May’s operation to capture Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke in Tivoli Gardens, west Kingston, and the tumbling of the headquarters of the Shower Posse have had a far-reaching effect on law enforcement in Toronto.

(Trinidad Express) – Police probing the murder of Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago employee Kenny Goddard have unearthed a corrupt practice involving three of their colleagues and a TSTT employee, who were providing security for work crews in high risk areas.

Campaigning closes It’s the last official day of campaigning in presidential and parliamentary elections in Haiti.

(Trinidad Express) A United States soldier and his friend were shot dead when gunmen attempted to relieve the soldier of a silver Nissan Almera motorcar early on Wednesday, police said.

(Jamaica Gleaner) A delegation from the Association for the Resettlement of Returning Residents was expected to meet with the British High Commissioner to Jamaica yesterday.

LIMA (Reuters) – Two Peruvian soldiers were killed after stumbling onto landmines set by a remnant band of Shining Path rebels involved in the cocaine trade, the armed forces said on Wednesday after its worst setback in months.

BRASILIA, (Reuters) – Brazil’s incoming economic policy  team surprised financial markets by promising deep cuts to budget  spending yesterday, moving to shore up the main weakness in the  country’s booming economy.