Regional News

Minister meets displaced workers Workers of the St Kitts Marriott Resort who were made redundant earlier this month were due to meet the labour minister yestersday, to discuss possible options for re-employment.

(Jamaica Observer) – Police and soldiers were kept busy on Tuesday clearing roadblocks mounted in the Corporate Area and St Catherine in protest against the new tax package, especially the $8.75 cess on each litre of gasoline, imposed by the government last week.

(Trinidad Guardian) – The close-knit community of “Vegas” in Morvant reeled with shock on Tuesday, after the murder of “community leader” Sean “Bill” Francis.

(Trinidad Express) – The test needed to confirm whether a victim has contracted swine influenza, A (H1N1) virus, is not yet available at the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC).

(Trinidad Express) – Caribbean Airlines will be providing face masks and anti bacterial gel aboard all its flights to and from North America for persons displaying any flu-like systems.

(Trinidad Express) Why was 12-year-old Adrian Richards hunted down and killed?

(Trinidad Express) Four lost guns left five families without shelter after men believed to be gang members set fire to their houses in Phase Four, Beetham Gardens, on Monday.

(Barbados Nation) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged the Antigua and Barbuda government to move decisively in response to the challenges presented by the global economic crisis.

Swine flu precautions Health officials throughout the Caribbean are taking precautionary measures following the outbreak of Swine Flu in Mexico.

HAVANA (Reuters) – The Cuban government said yesterday it would limit flights to and from Mexico as one of its measures to prevent an outbreak of swine flu on the island nation.

(Trinidad Guardian) – Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert led a team of officers from the North Eastern Division on Saturday and arrested three police officers accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of protected birds, reptiles and wild meat.

(Trinidad Express) – Over $7 million in marijuana was seized by the Coast Guard early Sunday morning and Saturday night.

(Trinidad Express) – No economic growth and more job losses this year.

– US receiver HOUSTON (Reuters) – Records show the assets of Stanford International Bank were vastly overstated, leaving only a fraction to pay investor claims, the receiver in charge of Stanford’s operations and assets said in a court filing on Thursday.

GENEVA (Reuters) – Fresh efforts and funding to tackle malaria in recent years have brought the goal of eradicating the deadly disease within sight, health experts said yesterday.

(Jamaica Observer) – Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) flooded the streets of the Corporate Area on Thursday, and in addition to their riot gear, brought along garbage trucks and tractors to clear blocked roads amid rumours of planned protests against tax increases.

Caribbean category for US census A Bill calling for Caribbean nationals to have their own origins category on the US Census form has been introduced to the House of Representatives.

(Trinidad Express) – Police on Wednesday arrested 17 people after raiding several homes in the Factory Road, Covigne Road and Dillon Street, Diego Martin, areas between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

Jamaicans have been bracing for what local media’s been describing as a big tax package in the budget being presented by Finance Minister Audley Shaw.

MONTEGO BAY, St James (Jamaica Observer) – Contrary to reports that 21-year-old hijacker Stephen Fray slipped undetected through the Sangster International Airport’s security system, security cameras recorded a rather different train of events.