Regional News

Fidel Castro says US embargo against Cuba must go

HAVANA (Reuters) – Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro said on Sunday the US trade embargo against Cuba must go, but he was mum on his brother Raul Castro’s recent offer to talk with Washington about “everything,” including political prisoners and human rights.

BBC Caribbean News in Brief

Tourism ministers meet Tourism Ministers of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are meeting in St Vincent this week to discuss initiatives to improve the industry’s performance.

Stanford asks to unfreeze funds to pay lawyers

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Allen Stanford, the Texas financier facing civil charges for a massive fraud, has asked a judge to unfreeze at least $10 million in assets to allow him to pay his defense attorneys, according to court documents filed on Sunday.

Hardliners sweep to victory in Turk Cypriot vote

NICOSIA, (Reuters) – Turkish Cypriot hardliners  swept to victory in parliamentary elections in northern Cyprus   yesterday in a result that could hamper peace talks with Greek  Cypriots essential to Turkey’s EU membership ambitions.

Mandela boosts ANC’s Zuma in final election rally

JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – ANC leader Jacob Zuma,  boosted by the support of Nelson Mandela at a final election  rally, dismissed accusations his ruling party planned to change  South Africa’s constitution and appealed for national unity.

Chavez proposes US envoy in move to mend ties

PORT OF SPAIN (Reuters) – Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez said yesterday he had proposed a former foreign minister as his ambassador to Washington in a move toward restoring normal ties with the United States.

Clinton: US ready to listen

Washington (Miami Herald) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday that the Obama administration is reviewing a US policy of deporting undocumented Haitians and left open the possibility of expanding travel to Havana beyond the families of Cuban exiles in the United States.

Fish deal?

(Barbados Nation) – There is an unofficial fishing agreement between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

Venezuela seeks asset freeze on opposition leader

CARACAS (Reuters) – A Venezuelan prosecutor is seeking to freeze the assets of a top opposition leader who is in hiding following corruption charges by the government of leftist President Hugo Chavez, the government said yesterday.

Spending stalls in T&T

…as summit approaches (Trinidad Express) Business and consumer spending has stalled in Port of Spain during the past week, and now there are fears of million-dollar losses on the opening day of the Fifth Summit of the Americas tomorrow.

700 forced to vacate summit building as fire alarm trips

(Trinidad Express) – Summit officials along with accredited delegates and media were forced to evacuate the National Secretariat’s headquarters, at the new International Waterfront Centre, when a fire alarm was triggered by generators, following a power outage at the building yesterday.

BBC Caribbean News in Brief

Mr Ban wants jobs for Haiti UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on donor countries to create at least 100,000 jobs in Haiti over the next two years.

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