Regional News

-DEA says he attempted to buy cocaine from undercover cop (Jamaica Observer) The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said that Reggae artiste Buju Banton and two other men were arrested in an undercover operation in Florida that ran over four days and during which the deejay made an attempt to taste cocaine that they sought to buy from an undercover cop.

(Antigua Sun) Extradition proceedings against the former head of the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) Leroy King which were expected to get underway on Monday have been delayed.

(Jamaica Observer) POINT, Hanover — Montego Bay cambio dealer Adrian ‘Ruddy’ Armstrong, who was arrested five years ago pursuant to an extradition request by the United States for him to answer allegations of money laundering, has been freed.

BOYACA, Ecuador (Reuters) – A drought in Ecuador is causing power blackouts throughout the country, slowing the economy’s recovery and helping to push Rafael Correa’s popularity to the lowest point of his presidency.

HAVANA (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s warning to Latin American nations about their ties with Iran was “an overt threat,” especially to his country and Bolivia.

(Trinidad Guardian) – A Tobago couple has been shot dead. Reports say that Kenneth George and his partner Daislyn Hunte had just returned from closing their respective business places, and were having a meal, when they were attacked.

– during row with relative (Trinidad Express) – A husband and wife are fighting for their lives at hospital after being burnt during an altercation with a relative.

HAVANA, (Reuters) – Cuba and Venezuela signed cooperation deals worth nearly $3 billion on Saturday,  underscoring Caracas’ role as the communist-run island’s  closest political and commercial ally.

(Trinidad Express) Several major findings emerge from this annual survey of public opinion as it relates to governance.

(Jamaica Observer) The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (USDEA) on Saturday confirmed that reggae artiste Buju Banton is now in a Florida lock-up after being charged with intent to distribute cocaine.

(Trinidad Express) Group chief executive officer of the Neal & Massy conglomerate, Bernard Dulal-Whiteway, has died.

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazil and Peru yesterday  condemned the refusal by the de facto government of Honduras to  allow ousted President Manuel Zelaya to leave the country  unless he drops his demand to be reinstated.

CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela said yesterday it  arrested the former president of its National Securities  Commission, the capital markets regulator, in a widening  criminal probe into seven small private banks shuttered by  authorities last week.

(Jamaica Observer) Assis-tant Commissioner Justin Felice, head of the constabulary’s Anti-Corruption Branch, says he has been the subject of deep resentment from members of the force as well as the public.

HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba and Venezuela were set to  sign cooperation deals worth about $3 billion yesterday, underscoring Caracas’ role as the communist-run  island’s closest political and commercial ally.

(Jamaica Gleaner) – Minister of Education Andrew Holness has said that the government will be looking to enact legislation to ban the use of corporal punishment in schools in the next legislative year.

(Barbados Nation) Emigration of nurses is costing some CARICOM countries an estimated US$16 million in losses.

(Jamaica Gleaner) It was high drama on the streets of Ocho Rios on Mondsy afternoon when gunmen and the police traded bullets after a daring daylight robbery at a cambio in the resort town.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Jamaicans from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States are expected to make presentations to a parliamentary committee dealing with issues affecting the diaspora next month.

(Trinidad Express) A Barataria woman was killed and her husband critically injured on Monday when gang members opened fire on the couple while they slept.