Regional News

Lethem attracting interest (Trinidad Guardian) Repub-lic Bank chairman Ronald Harford and Barbadian billionaire Kyffin Simpson were at the forefront of an international team of investors who visited Boa Vista city in the north of Brazil last week, media sources in that country said on Friday.

(Trinidad Express) Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma on Saturday heaped praise upon the late Dr Eric Williams, hailing his vision on several societal issues.

(Jamaica Observer) Prime Minister Bruce Golding on Friday urged the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to forge a unified approach to effectively address issues such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and fallout from the current global economic crisis.

(Jamaica Gleaner) – Earl Fray, father of Stephen Fray, attempted hijacker, is expected to be charged with ‘negligence caused in the theft or loss of a firearm’ by the police.

Taiwan chases Grenada funds Jilted Taiwan is demanding the immediate repayment of US$25 million owned by Grenada.

(BBC) – The opposition in Barbados has told the government to prepare for a backlash over a planned amnesty for illegal aliens from Caribbean Community (Caricom) nations.

Haitian MPs cry fraud Some lawmakers have alleged that there was fraud in last month’s parliamentary elections in Haiti.

CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela yesterday approved legislation allowing the nationalization of a group of oil service companies, opening the door for future takeovers as President Hugo Chavez extends control over the oil industry.

(Jamaica Gleaner) – Staring nine counts of illegal possession of a firearm, shooting with intent and robbery with aggravation in the face, accused attempted hijacker Stephen Fray wasn’t about to look at any of the two judges in court on Tuesday.

(Jamaica Gleaner) –  It was 30 minutes of terror which the survivors will never forget.

Banker says lending has declined Loan demand in the Caribbean is tapering off during the financial crisis, according to a senior regional banker.

(Trinidad Guardian) – The common-law wife of a man accused of kidnapping eight-year-old Leah Lammy smiled on Tuesday after she was granted $25,000 bail by a Chaguanas magistrate.

Taxi driver to be charged (Trinidad Express) Salis Mack – the “PH” taxi driver charged with kidnapping and robbing eight-year-old Leah Lammy in a case still unsolved – is to be charged with the murders of two women found tortured and killed.

(Trinidad Express) Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert says “it is impossible” that he could have “spirited away US$6 million” from a stadium project in Grenada which his firm, ICS, carried out ten years ago, as has been claimed by two Opposition MPs in the Parliament and the subcontractor on the job, NH (International) Caribbean Ltd (NHIC).

White House quizzed on Caribbean Caribbean concerns about a new US crackdown on offshore tax centres were raised by a journalist at a White House press briefing on Monday.

(Jamaica Observer) – Three men were shot dead as police and soldiers engaged in a stand-off with gunmen in the volatile Mountain View community in Kingston on Sunsay.

Pay talks resume The St Lucian Prime Minister, Stephenson King, was to meet labour leaders yesterday to try to head off more unrest.

(Barbados Nation) – Extra medical personnel and new systems have been implemented at the Grantley Adams International Airport and the Bridgetown Port in an attempt to keep the swine flu virus out of Barbados.

CARACAS (Reuters) – An earthquake sent residents running from their  homes and shook buildings across oil exporting Venezuela’s densely populated coastal region, including the capital Caracas, before dawn yesterday.

CARACAS (Reuters) – Seventeen people were killed when a Venezuelan military helicopter crashed on patrol in a mountainous region near the border with Colombia, The dead included an army general, several military officials and a civilian, the state news agency said.