Regional News

HAVANA (Reuters) – Peas and potatoes have become the harbingers of change in Cuba as President Raul Castro chips away at some of the Cuban revolution’s most hallowed social programmes.

Patent office recommended Caribbean ministers have agreed to recommend one office for the region for issuing patents.

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – United Nations peacekeeping forces will not leave Haiti any time soon as the country, one of the world’s poorest, remains fragile, the Brazilian general in charge of the UN troops told Reuters.

Cuba must make human rights gestures The European Union’s development commissioner wants Cuba to show signs it’s serious about protecting fundamental human rights.

HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba has ordered all state enterprises to adopt “extreme measures” to cut energy usage through the end of the year in hopes of avoiding the dreaded blackouts that plagued the country following the 1991 collapse of its then-top ally, the Soviet Union.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – David Williams acknowledges the enormity of the task, but he feels West Indies can spring a surprise, and topple Australia in their three-Test series, starting later this month.

(Jamaica Observer) Government on Sunday opened tenders for the construction of a modern firearms tactical training unit at the Jamaica Police Academy in Twickenham Park, St Catherine.

(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Patrick Manning could not hide his feeling of vindication and national pride as he opened the TT$480 million controversial National Academy for the Performing Arts on Monday.

(BBC) The International Monetary Fund has approved a US$1.7 billion loan programme to help the Dominican Republic through the economic crisis.

(Antigua Sun) – Guyanese Latchman “Ricky” Bhola was convicted, fined and ordered deported from Antigua and Barbuda after he pleaded guilty to presenting forged documents to immigration officials.

(Jamaica Gleaner) – Angry residents last night set fire to a police service vehicle in Kitson Town, St Catherine to protest against a police killing.

(Barbados Nation) The Barbados Association of Journalists (BAJ) is urging a speedier processing of the Freedom of Information Act and Defamation Act so that media workers can work in a “freer and more friendly” environment.

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) – Honduras’ ousted president and  de facto leader gave signs they would try again on Saturday to  form a unity government to guide the country out of a four-month  crisis after the process collapsed a day earlier.

(Trinidad Express) Republic Bank has recorded an annual net profit attributable to shareholders of TT$948.4 million for 2009.

(Jamaica Observer) It may take another 40 years before Jamaica’s productivity increases to the level of its Caribbean neighbours.

(Antigua Sun) A 21-year-old Guyanese man was ordered deported from Antigua after he was convicted for remaining in the country after the expiration of his permit.

(Trinidad Express) The three-storey structure currently being constructed at the Prime Minis-ter’s residence in St Ann’s is estimated to cost $10 million and will be completed by year’s end.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Police seized 15 guns and arrested 69 students for criminal offences at public schools throughout Jamaica during the 2007/08 academic year, according to statistics compiled by the Ministry of National Security.

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – United Nations peacekeeping forces will not leave Haiti any time soon as the country, one of the world’s poorest, remains fragile, the Brazilian general in charge of the UN troops told Reuters.

Cuba must make human rights gestures The European Union’s development commissioner wants Cuba to show signs it’s serious about protecting fundamental human rights.