Regional News

SAN CARLOS, Mexico, (Reuters) – Hurricane Jimena  smashed flimsy buildings, bent trees and tore fishing boats  from their moorings as it collided with Mexico’s Baja  California peninsula yesterday.

(Jamaica Gleaner) An investigation is now under way at the GraceKennedy-owned First Global Bank after the discovery of trading irregularities at the institution that have resulted in predicted bond-trading losses of approximately US$19 million (J$1.68 billion).

(Jamaica Gleaner) West Kingston strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke could face a maximum sentence of life in prison if he is extradited and convicted by United States authorities.

(Trinidad Express) “I will do it again.” These were the words of Diane Baptiste yesterday, after she received a national award for gallantry for fighting off a gunman in defence of her daughters.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has received the first allocation of money from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the special drawing rights (SDRs).

(Barbados Nation) Barbados’ tourism industry is in line for more developmental aid from the Organisation of American States (OAS).

(Jamaica Observer) Superintendent Harry ‘Bungles’ Daley on Monday denied that he had an arrangement to collect payment from a St Catherine businessman in return for protection, as he took the witness stand to start his defence during his corruption trial.

(Trinidad Express) Express Editor-at-Large Keith Smith has been honoured this year with the Humming Bird Medal Silver.

(Jamaica Gleaner) In what is likely to be his most frank admission yet, Prime Minister Golding has conceded that his administration could have made better use of the early period in office.

(Trinidad Express) Four police officers from an elite crime-fighting unit in the Southern Division were taken in for questioning Thursday, over their alleged involvement in the theft from a casino of almost $100,000.

-320 to go home (Jamaica Gleaner) Forced to temporarily close the doors to one of his three Montego Bay resorts, Iberostar Rose Hall’s Managing Director Philipp Hofer said he had no option but to take the difficult decision to send 320 of his employees home.

(Jamaica Observer) Foreign Affairs Minister Kenneth Baugh on Thursday confirmed that the US Government has formally requested the extradition of influential Tivoli Gardens don and businessman, Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

(Jamaica Observer) Telecommunications giant Digicel was on Thursday identified in court as the entity which had its system hacked into and from which 26-year-old computer specialist and computer programmer Philpott Martin allegedly stole over J$10 million worth of call credit.

-Emile Elias (Trinidad Express) Time to send them back home. This was the main condition laid down on Wednesday by local contractor Emile Elias, as he argued forcefully that Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s declaration of intent on Monday, to work with the local construction industry, must be followed by tangible action.

BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Argentina’s president sent  a media reform bill to Congress yesterday, saying it would  strengthen democracy by reducing the control of a handful of  companies that dominate broadcasting.

HAVANA, (Reuters) – Diplomats from European Union  countries went to the home of a jailed Cuban dissident  yesterday to express their concern about the case and what they  view as ongoing efforts by island authorities to quell  dissent.

(Barbados Nation) CLICO has voiced disappointment over LIAT’s decision to withdraw its pension funds, but says that the company will rise to the occasion.

BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia yesterday filed a  formal complaint against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez with  the Organization of American States, accusing the leftist  leader of meddling in its domestic affairs.

GENEVA (Reuters) – Climate change has made history  an inaccurate guide for farmers as well as energy investors who  must rely on probabilities and scenarios to make decisions, the  head of a United Nations agency said yesterday.

BOSTON (Reuters) – New ultra-sensitive blood tests  can rapidly detect when heart muscle is dying from a heart  attack, even from the moment the patient arrives in the  emergency room, according to two studies yesterday.