Cuba -- Archbishop of Santiago uses two church vans to evacuate Ladies in White from El Cobre Basilica amid fears that police would beat them.

Trinidad & Tobago

St. Martin/Maarten -- GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- In preparation of the Cycle II final examination, grade six (year 4) of the Marie Genevieve de Weever Primary School visited the Council of Ministers on Tuesday. The school is currently covering the topic 'Government of St. Maarten' and in this regard the school took the…

Dominica -- Dominica VibesOrganizers of the 2012 Real Mass celebrations has hailed the annual event as a huge success, claiming that it would not have been possible without the assistance of several individuals and organizations. Top on the list are the police authorities who ensured peaceful celebrations as…

St. Martin/Maarten -- Dear Editor, It’s human nature to want and feel appreciated in our standing in life. What is self-preservation? Self-preservation is the sibling of self-care. In the same way that we need to care for ourselves we need self-protection, too. There is no point caring for ourselves if we then don’t

Jamaica -- Police yesterday charged a 73-year-old deacon with breaches of the Child Care and Protection Act after he was accused of having sex with an 11-year-old girl at the church where they both attend. The senior, who had been under investigations following an i

Belize -- Last week, we reported that the Social Security Board decided to terminate Merlene Bailey Martinez as C.E.O. for insider trading at the S.S.B.  We also reported that chairman Lois Young is opposed to the termination. Young is out of the country for health reasons so the acting chair is Dennis…

Jamaica -- AS I pondered the implications of what has been alliteratively referred to as the 'Death of a Diva', I could not help but reflect on Ernest Hemingway's morose musing on mortality summed up in his succinct observation "all true stories end in death". As if to underscore the veracity of his analysis,

St. Kitts & Nevis & Caricom & Global -- BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (AP) — A police spokesman in the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis says a "person of interest" is in custody in the robbery of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.

Antigua & Barbuda & Caricom -- Caribbean Journal - Antiguan National Security Minister Dr Errol Cort is reiterating his stance that there will be “zero tolerance” for violent gun crimes in the country, following its first murder of 2012.

Guyana & Suriname & Global --       Suriname on Monday honored outgoing Guyanese Ambassador, Merlin Udho, with one of the country’s highest decorations. Also conferred with the Grand Ribbon of the Order of the Yellow Star was Brazilian Ambassador José Delouses Machado whose tenure is up too. According to…

Guyana --   Troy John, the 17-year-old boy who allegedly had sex with a 12-year-old relative, on Christmas Eve day last year, has been charged with rape. John appeared on Monday at the Charity Magistrate Court before Magistrate Leron Daly. Bail was subsequently refused and he is scheduled to make his…

Belize -- Tonight’s question is: Would you believe the current government deserves a second term in office? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or post your vote on our e-poll at channel5belize.com. You can also send an email with your comments to questions@channel5belize.com.

Barbados -- A commuter train crash at a station in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, has killed 48 people and left hundreds injured, police say.

Bahamas & Dominica & Global -- Dominica VibesNASSAU, Bahamas — A top executive at Air China says direct service to The Bahamas is not an option but China’s flag carrier is instead targeting more flights to North American hubs and striking up partnerships with local carriers to funnel traffic into the Caribbean. Zhihang…

Haiti & Dominica -- Dominica VibesPORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haitian president Michel Martelly escaped injury after being attacked in a Carnival procession recently. According to a statement issued on the incident, troublemakers were responsible for the attack which occurred near Champs de Mars plaza. Eye witness…

Guyana & Global --   Police in the interior are investigating two more murders that have occurred on Monday. One of the murders involves a Guyanese called “Tall Man” while the other is that of a Brazilian. Police yesterday said that they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Raimundo…

Caricom -- Tony Ritch, LIME Country Manager After years of struggle, argument, patient mediation and occasional threats of legal action, local telephone companies at last launched the long-awaited — and first in the English-speaking Caribbean — number portability on Monday. Heralded by a release…

Cuba & Venezuela -- FABIOLA SANCHEZ,Associated Press CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez has raised serious doubts about whether he'll have the stamina for a successful re-election bid, revealing that he needs to return to Cuba to have a lesion removed that is probably malignant.

Jamaica & Caricom -- Wednesday, February 22, 2012St John’s—The West Indies Cricket Board yesterday said it regretted comments made by Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller at the Jamaica Cricket Association awards dinner on Saturday.

Jamaica -- THIRTY persons — seven of them women — were arrested and 12 motor vehicles, as well as cash and household items, seized during police operations in Montego Bay over the weekend.

Jamaica & Global -- THE German businessman accused of being the mastermind behind an alleged pornography ring and fertility centre in Jamaica was further remanded into custody when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Trinidad & Tobago

Grenada -- ST. GEORGE, GRENADA, 13th FEBRUARY, 2012_The Government of Grenada gives the fullest possible assurance to the general public and visitors to Grenada that the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) will remain in full and effective operation.

Guyana --     Dear Editor, The media has a significant role to play in shaping any society and particularly the conflict-torn and prejudicially polarised Guyanese society. This issue has emerged repeatedly in recent times, and the role of the media must not be underestimated. In this regard, the…

Bahamas -- KFC employees showed up for work yesterday but were met by locked doors, according to union representatives. Secretary General of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU), Darren Woods, said employees were instructed to show up to work. However, management failed to follow suit.

Guyana & Antigua & Barbuda --   St. John’s, Antigua – Michelle Duncan, the Guyanese woman who allegedly hid her baby in a freezer after delivery, has pleaded guilty to concealment of birth. Duncan appeared in the High Court on Friday, before Justice Richard Floyd. She however pleaded not guilty to the more serious…

Jamaica -- Danville Walker has scoffed at the cynical reactions of some members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) over his decision to end his short stint in representational politics. Walker, who yesterday revealed he had only...

Cuba -- Midfielder Jermaine Hue says he was surprised when he got the call-up to join the Reggae Boyz training squad ahead of their upcoming friendlies against Cuba at the National Stadium and the Montego Bay Sports Complex....

Guyana & Bahamas --   (Nassau, Bahamas) – Five people, including three Bahamians, ages 56, 45 and 32 along with two Guyanese, ages 28 and 26, are in police custody after they were found in possession of a large quantity of cocaine. Preliminary reports indicate that around 17: 00 hrs on Sunday, last,…

Barbados -- Several street vendors who ply their trade from Marhill Street in The City are crying foul because their permits have not been renewed since December last year.

Guyana & St. Kitts & Nevis --     St. Kitts (SKN Vibes) – Resia Caines and Guyanese, Neil Dalton, recently dubbed the Cheese Bandits, begged the court for leniency on Monday after pleading guilty to larceny, an offence they committed February 12. Appearing before Her Lordship, Josephine Mallalieu at the…

Belize -- A university student may have to trade in the classroom for a prison cell if he is convicted on a charge of rape levied against him today. The accused student is eighteen year old Oyinkro Akpobodor, a naturalized Belizean who is originally from Nigeria.  A sixteen year old minor has alleged that…

Jamaica -- FORMER Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker, today pled not guilty to breaches of the Contractor General Act when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

Guyana --   Some eight persons including two women were arrested yesterday following a multi-million dollar robbery at Lot 721 Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara. Businessman Mohamed Shazam Khan, along with his two brothers, was robbed over US$17,500, $140,000 in local currency and multiple cell…

Jamaica -- A National Security Policy to tackle the country's ballooning crime rate with an intent to reduce murders from the current three per day to less than one over the next five years is to be made public next month, National Security Minister Peter Bunting announced yesterday.

Guyana --   A 20-year-old man has been remanded to jail for the alleged murder of 53-year-old Kumar Plummer, a watchman who was found dead at an Arimu Backdam, Cuyuni mining camp where he had worked for several years. Esau Thomas of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, was not required to plead to the…

Jamaica -- SECURITY Minister Peter Bunting this morning announced that 165 murders have been recorded since the start of the year.

Jamaica -- AN elderly mam died in a fire at Cobbler District, Manchester yesterday.

Bahamas -- Police believe they have solved the February 10 murder of 23-year-old Deshante Bain. Thaddeus Williams, 19, of Hospital Lane, appeared before Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez on the murder charge yesterday. Williams was not required to enter a plea and was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison. The…

Turks & Caicos & Global -- (CNS): Officials in the Turks and Caicos Islands said that the interim government has launched a new white paper summarizing proposed new and amended pieces of legislation to guide the future governance in the islands for public review. The document circulated on Monday was prepared by the EU…

Haiti -- LES CAYES, Haiti (defend.ht) - Martelly sways outrageously during first day carnival in Les Cayes running from February 19 to 21. Before thousands of carnival-goers, the "president" was engaged in improper conduct judged unworthy of a head of state and suggesting that Martelly is more than ever…

Dominican Republic -- SANTO DOMINGO. - The head of the news source ElSiglo21.com affirmed Monday that the information that the Popular bank funds the vice presidential campaign of the first lady Margarita Cedeño came from the account of Novosit, a company whose address IP is in the name of Francis Reyes, a prominent…

St. Martin/Maarten -- St. Maarten – Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams says that the nation is praying for the wellbeing and recovery of Prince Friso. The 43-year-old prince, who is the second son of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, was temporarily buried in an avalanche in Austria around midday Friday. Doctors at…

Barbados

Belize -- Now to crime news; a taxi operator was viciously murdered inside his cab over the weekend. Before mid-night on Saturday, he was found with close to fifteen stab wounds inside his vehicle in the vicinity of Lacroix Boulevard. Police still haven’t been able to determine a cause for the latest…

Jamaica & Caricom -- Kingston, Jamaica – Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller wants an end to the standoff between Chris Gayle and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and has called for the left-hander’s reinstatement to the regional side.

Barbados & Caricom -- BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — The Caribbean Community (Caricom) is in "crisis" and faces the possibility of being dismantled over the next few years if vital changes are not made to its administrative structure, according to a mandated assessment of the 15-member grouping.

British Virgin Isles. -- ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The reported increase in break-ins and thefts recently is not necessarily being blamed on the Cash for Gold business that takes place certain days of the week but according to Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, the unwelcomed trend is not surprising and could be as a result of…

British Virgin Isles. -- The Territory's leader, Premier Hon. Dr. Orlando Smith is pleased with the work of consultants hired since the new Government took up office. However, the Premier finds speculations that his wife, Mrs. Lorna Smith has a contract with Government unfortunate.

Jamaica -- THE management of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) is assuring the public that efforts are being made to ensure normalcy at the Sangster International Airport despite the fact that the immigration officers in Montego Bay are restive.

Guyana --   -    cops revisit crime scene For three days, Marlon Welcome’s thick dreadlocks concealed the fact that he was the victim of an elaborately-planned execution-style killing. But yesterday, a post mortem by Government pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh finally revealed that someone had shot the

Bahamas -- The government spends millions of dollars to provide dialysis treatment for Bahamians suffering from kidney disease every year, according to Health Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis. Dr. Minnis told The Nassau Guardian yesterday that there are currently 138 patients receiving the hemodialysis treatment…

Aruba --         152 Pictures more    

Trinidad & Tobago -- Duane O’Connor is the 2012 Calypso Monarch. O’Connor was crowned at the end of the Dimanche Gras show, this morning, beating 11 other calypsonians at the Queen’s Park Savannah, in Port of Spain. O’Connor’s two songs – “The Hunt is On” and “Long Live Calypso” – earned him the…

Barbados & Global -- Rumours no more.... Rihanna and Chris Brown have both released remixes of their songs, “Birthday Cake” and “Turn Up the Music”. Rihanna sent out tweets to her fan of the release.

Trinidad & Tobago & Guyana --     Immediate Surgery would affect his speech   “I know God saved my life for me to testify to his greatness,” said International Radio Cricket Broadcaster Sean Devers on his return from Trinidad last week where he visited Radiologist Dr. Omar Khan and Brain Surgeon Dr. Robert…

Aruba -- Dutch prince Johan Friso is fighting for his life in a coma as Austrian doctors say it will be the end of the week before they can say if he will live or die. The prince has been unconscious since needing artificial resuscitation after being buried beneath an avalanche while skiing in Austria last

Jamaica -- Munro College's Delano Williams emerged as one of the stars of the show at last weekend's MILO Western Athletics Championship after defeating World Youth 100m champion, Green Island High's Odail Todd, in the Boys' Class...

Dominican Republic -- SANTO DOMINGO. - The president of the technology company Novosit Monday denied it send an email which affirms that the Popular bank funds the campaign of the first lady Margarita Cedeño.

Jamaica & Caricom -- HAGUE, Trelawny — Today's staging of the Hague Agricultural and Livestock Show in Trelawny promises to be one of the best in recent years. The show, which, in the late 1960s and 1970s was seen as the biggest and best cattle show in the Caribbean, is held in association with the Jamaica…

British Virgin Isles. -- "I was walking by myself heading home,and I got jumped. I got hit above the right eye with an object, it was bloody and I got attacked from behind by several guys," Franklin Montgomery Jr. testified yesterday, February 20 before the High Court.

Jamaica & Global -- 'I would love to hear radio stations playing my songs the way they play Vybz Kartel. At least give the people an opportunity to hear both sides," opined veteran singer Joel 'Bunny' Brown, whose latest album, Bunny Brown Sings The Classic Soul Hits, was released on Valentine's Day. Produced by Brown

Guyana --   Commercial sex workers operating in the mining sector would soon be given an opportunity to learn an alternative new skill. According to Simone Broomes, President of the newly established Guyana Women Miners Organisation, the sex workers will benefit from training to be heavy-duty operators

US Virgin Islands -- At maximum capacity, 1,100 participants are registered for St. John’s 16th annual 8 Tuff Miles race on Saturday.  read more

Guyana --   Thousands of faithful turned up yesterday at the Guyana Sevashram Sangha, (Cove and John Ashram), to observe their annual Maha Shivaratri, where the devotees worship and take part in various activities held throughout the day. In English, “Maha Shivaratri” translates to the “Night of…

Haiti -- Thierry Mayard-Paul, Haiti's minister of the interior, said the earthquake-ravaged, French-speaking country may soon receive the first cruise ship to berth there for more than 25 years.Mayard-Paul described the upcoming event as another instance ...

Jamaica -- Dear Counsellor Q: I have been married for 19 years and have two teenage daughters, but to my surprise, I am pregnant at my age of 41 and, worse, it is not for my husband.

Cayman Islands -- SOY founder George Roper addresses the young footballers Three teams took honours at the SOY Foundation Football Extravaganza fund-raiser and competition on Saturday at the George Town Annex, bringing home a message of positive choices for young people. Twelve teams took part, watched by hundreds…

Jamaica -- NORWOOD, St James— Violence reared its ugly head during a demonstration over a dust nuisance affecting members of this community of St James yesterday morning after the development of a stone-throwing bout between a JLP supporter and his PNP counterpart.

Belize -- There was another hike in fuel prices over the weekend, the second in two weeks. The price increase for premium gasoline was the smallest, going up by five cents to eleven dollars and sixty-three cents. Regular, however, is up eighteen cents and is now selling for eleven dollars and thirty cents…

Belize -- Unemployment is hovering at twenty-three point five percent; that puts a large number of bread winners out of the work force. Meet Bryant Peters, who has discovered that there are opportunities if you can foster an entrepreneurial spirit. Along with a group of other jobless persons, he has started

Belize -- Last Friday two inmates escaped from the Belize Central Prison in Hattieville. Security at the facility managed by the Kolbe Foundation was breached in daylight by Luis Urbina, a high profile and dangerous convict along with David Burgos. Burgos was believed to be heading north to see his wife in…

Trinidad & Tobago

Netherland Antilles & Global -- WILLEMSTAD, Curacao:--- On 30 January 2012, a contingent of 35 volunteers from the 429th Expeditionary Operations Squadron located at the U.S. Forward Operating Location (USFOL) spent the afternoon cleaning the beach and the areas alongside JFK Blvd and local beaches near the Holiday Beach Resort…

Aruba & Netherland Antilles & Suriname -- Anansi the ages old spider still has an important message for us in the the 21st century. To demonstrate this Anansi expert Mr. Mirto Laclé and popular storyteller Hillie Arduin will team up on Friday February 24th for a unique presentation about Anansi folktales at the Library.Hillie Arduin is…

Jamaica -- ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — A stray dog is getting credit for thwarting a prison break in Paraguay.

Cayman Islands & Global -- (CNS Business): Although the newly released US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) regulations have been tempered into a more workable format, financial services experts warn that the new requirements for reporting by Cayman financial institutions with US assets or clients will still require

Cayman Islands -- After-school programmes for “At Risk” youth were given a boost when corporate sponsor PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) donated 15 computers and laptop bags to the after-school curriculum set up by the Ministry of Education, Training and Employment. The programme aims to expose ‘At Risk’ youth…

Bermuda -- Bermuda’s Appleby, with 805 staff in 11 offices around the world, is the largest offshore law firm, according to the results of The Lawyer’s annual survey.

British Virgin Isles. -- ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI [Posted 7:00 a.m.] - Information reaching this news site from its team of reporters around the Virgin Islands is that Police Commissioner Reynell Frazer is expected to retire from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) after over 38 years of service.

Grenada -- Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, says the ongoing dispute between his island and Taiwan should never have reached the courts

Trinidad & Tobago

Guyana --     A 25-year old Corentyne man was killed on the spot while doctors at the New Amsterdam Hospital were battling to save the life of his friend, following a horrific smash up at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice last night. Dead is Quadir Arkhan of Springlands, Corentyne, while 18-year…

Jamaica -- The post-Cabinet press briefing has become bastardised. Introduced by PJ Patterson when he was prime minister, the press briefing was a useful means of communicating decisions of Cabinet and matters discussed at its meetings to the public mostly by the prime minister. Not all matters discussed were

Jamaica -- THE Digicel Bob Marley One Love Celebrity football matches take place today at the Constant Spring field starting at 2:00 pm with a host of celebrities expected to participate.

Trinidad & Tobago -- Machel Montano’s “Pump Yuh Flag” was played 233 times to make him a runaway winner of the 2012 Road March, adding to his Digicel International Power Soca Monarch and Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch triumphs.

Barbados -- Former Insurance company executive Leroy Parris (at right) and president of CLICO Terrence Thornhill (at left) have been charged.

Belize -- In the north, another missing man was found murdered. Days after he disappeared, a search party on Monday discovered the body of twenty-one year old Abel Robinson from Orange Walk Town. The badly decomposed body was lying under a tree off a picado road in the Palmar area. Abel left home on Friday…

Antigua & Barbuda -- Why do I ask that question? You might wonder. For many years now I have been looking at religions with a constructively critical eye.

Jamaica -- THE swimming coach who is accused of stabbing to death a University of Technology student last month, during a dispute over a woman, was again remanded into custody when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

Global -- Sven Littkowski, the German businessman implicated in the child pornography case, is serving more jail time as he was again remanded in court.

Haiti -- LES CAYES, Haiti (defend.ht) - One person drowned and another is missing following the sinking of a yacht Sunday off the coast of Les Cayes. The two were trying to reach the third largest city of the country where the national carnival is organized this year.

Jamaica & Caricom -- Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller wants an end to the standoff between Chris Gayle and West Indies Cricket Board and has called for the left-hander’s reinstatement to the regional side.

St. Vincent & Bahamas & Global -- The chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is calling on governments to be ‘bolder” when it comes to reducing taxes on airlines. Ricky Skerritt moderated a special strategic planning session at Routes Americas 2012 this week at Atlantis, that specifically analyzed the issue of…

Barbados & Global -- Jason Lipshutz of Billboard, wrote a controversial open letter to Bajan singer Rihanna to consider her actions more carefully as she is a role model now for young women- especially those in turbulent relationships. The letter was written after rumours surfaced last week that the singer and her ex…

Jamaica -- FORMER Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker is now challenging in the High Court the contractor general's recommendation that he be charged with allegedly obstructing a probe last year into a breach of the scrap metal ban.

Jamaica -- After more than 40 years struggling with crack cocaine addiction, Clayon Chamberlain is giving God thanks for a second chance. No more do his neighbours refer to him as a crackhead. He is now 'Mr Chamberlain'. And that brings tears to his eyes....

Jamaica -- Scotiabank Jamaica's J$500 million Productive Sector Growth Fund II was fully subscribed at mid-January, the bank said Tuesday. The loans, ranging from J$2 million to J$20 million, were priced at 8.95 per cent....

Barbados & Global -- Last night Rihanna was spotted in London at the Stella McCartney’s Winter 2012 London Evening Wear Presentation, wearing a stunning blue high slit dress.

Trinidad & Tobago -- Wednesday, February 22, 2012Masqueraders literally pumped their flags and rolled on the ground as they pranced across one of the main judging points at downtown South Quay, Port-of-Spain, during Carnival Tuesday celebrations.

Caricom & Global -- Brussels, Belgium - An international conference on Somalia, scheduled for Thursday in London, will be attended by high-ranking European Union (EU) officials, including the High Representative of the EU for External Policy and Common Security, Ms. Cathérine Ashton, and the European Commissioner in

Jamaica -- ESPN-TV commentator Larry Rawson will be the special guest presenter in the Gibson Relays Technical Corner set for the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport tomorrow evening, starting at six o'clock.

Caricom -- Wednesday, February 22, 2012 

Bahamas -- A pastor’s sons are accused of last week’s murder of Akyto Smith. Investigators believe that Rashad Nottage, 24, and Ramon Nottage, 21, of Bethel Avenue, Stapledon Gardens, are responsible for Smith’s shooting death. They are the sons of Pastor Randy Nottage of Mount Tabor Full Gospel Church.

Belize

Bahamas & Global -- A U.S. judge has denied requests by Credit Suisse and Cushman & Wakefield to dismiss fraud charges made by a former investor in the Ginn Sur Mer development. In a recent court document obtained exclusively by Guardian Business, Judge Ronald E. Bush offered a “report and recommendations”…

Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago

Guyana --     Dear Editor, Last Friday (February 17) in Georgetown, I watched and I listened, first in amusement, then amazement, then stupefaction and finally anger, real hot anger as Carl Greenidge, the failed Minister of Finance under both Burnham and Hoyte Governments, attempted to justify the

Guyana --   Five days after he stabbed a man to death in a fight over a woman, 33-year old Rabindra Gossai was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, to answer a murder charge. Gossai of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, who was…

Aruba & Caricom -- Hyatt Regency is to launch its new Caribbean-themed spa at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino in early 2012. ZoiA, which translates as ‘balance’ in local language, will be based on four elements – sun, sand sea and love – and is scheduled to open during the first…

Jamaica & Global -- Facilitator Tamar Nelson (second left), senior productivity specialist at Jamaica Productivity Centre, in conversation with Japanese productivity consultant Akira Tonouchi (left), managing director of Make Your Mark Consultants...

Cayman Islands -- Aidan’s family at a loss after water tragedy Aidan Cupid She can hardly speak, trembling on the verge of tears from one moment to the next. Shana Pars is outside her Minzett Drive home waiting for Aidan’s father, Keron Cupid, to appear. “He doesn’t know what to do. He’s taking it so…

Dominica -- DNO is delighted to be able to stream live to viewers free of charge, carnival activities from the streets of Roseau. Coverage this morning will include the parade of traditional bands and T-shirt bands.

Caricom -- - Hopes for arresting the crisis depend on Heads of Government ‘biting the bullet’THE Caribbean Community is in “crisis”. And the discouraging news is official.

Bermuda -- A new takeout seafood restaurant has opened on the North Shore in Devonshire and it’s already seeing brisk business. The Seaside Grill, below the former Gravity nightclub, specialises in fish dishes including supersized fish sandwiches, and codfish breakfasts on Sundays.

Jamaica -- DAVID McFADDEN,Associated Press KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaica is developing a new policy to battle crime as gang violence drives the homicide rate higher, the country's top security official said Tuesday.

Jamaica -- The Kingston Central Police have rejected blame for the failure of the downtown Kingston Transport Centre to operate as a viable entity.

Antigua & Barbuda

Trinidad & Tobago -- Monday, February 20, 2012 

Dominica -- Dominica News Online will today provide live streaminhg of carnival 2012 activities on the streets of Roseau. Beginning at 10.00 am today, DNO will stream live the Traditional Mas Parade and Parade of T-Shirt Bands free of charge to viewers.

Global -- NEW YORK, USA (AP) — Nick Cannon has stepped down from his New York City radio show. Cannon said in a statement on the 92.3 NOW website that Friday was his last day hosting the two-year-old show, called Rollin'. He said doctors had ordered him to cut back on his professional commitments and…

Bermuda -- A vicious cycleFebruary 16, 2012Dear Sir,From time to time we here about incidents of sexual abuses against our children in our community, this is very disturbing, even if one case is reported let alone a string that has come to the fore recently.

Haiti -- PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) – Rector at the State University of Haiti, Jean Vernet Henry, regretted the event that occurred on Friday at the School of Ethnology between students and a crowd that accompanied President Michel Martelly.

Global -- TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) 14 A doctor in Honduras says another victim of the worst prison fire in a century has died, bringing the death toll to 359.

Grenada & Caricom -- LINDA STRAKER, Associated Press ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (AP) — George Brizan, a former prime minister who was a founder of Grenada's ruling party, has died in his Caribbean homeland. He was 69.

Jamaica -- LONDON (AP) — Actress Judi Dench is battling to save her sight. The James Bond star said in an interview published Saturday that she had been diagnosed with macular degeneration, an eye condition which can cause blindness, and that her eyesight was already so bad that she couldn't even read…

British Virgin Isles. -- ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- If at some point the Virgin Islands decides to have a referendum or plebiscite on whether or not the Territory should become an independent country, who should be allowed to vote? Virgin Islanders or citizens?

Barbados -- BARBADOS CONTINUES to earn valuable foreign exchange from the external programmes offered by the Ministry of Labour.

Guyana --     The Guyana Women Miners Association, which is expanding opportunities for women and alleviating the stigma of prostitution in the mining sector, is blowing a fresh wind of hope for those of their gender while upsetting some men. They stirred up hope and controversy Saturday during a…

Jamaica -- CATHERINE HALL, St James — St Elizabeth Technical High swept both sections of the Milo County of Cornwall Athletics Association's (COCAA) Western High schools Championships on Saturday night as the championships ended at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

Cuba -- ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Commenting on his radio programme Straight Talk on February 14, 2012, Donald deCastro believes that while the Youth Unemployment Register and Job Fair are good initiatives youth are still not understanding “what needs to be done”.

Bermuda -- Touched by the growing number of Bermudians out of work, a missionary society attached to St Paul AME Church will host a free dinner tonight for the unemployed. Admission is free but tickets must be obtained in advance and residents who are struggling financially are invited to attend.

Antigua & Barbuda -- Police in Antigua are reporting no leads that would lead them to the perpertrators of a gas station heist which left a Dominican dead. The Antigua Observer reports that Dorothy Prince was killed on Friday when four masked men robbed... MORE

Caricom -- A call has been issued for young people to get involved in a fledgling Youth Think Tank for the Caribbean, a project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Cayman Islands -- (CNS): Jeffrey Barnes who was arrested following an island-wide man hunt last year has finally been charged in connection with two serious offences. The 32 year old man from George Town denied raping two different women after he was arraigned in the Grand Court on Friday morning. He has pleaded not

Global -- (The Lawyer): Appleby is set to become the second offshore firm in mainland China when it opens a Shanghai office on 2 April this year. The offshore giant is kicking off its People’s Republic of China (PRC) office with fiduciary and administration services. Group chairman Peter Bubenzer told The

Global & Caricom -- The Caribbean Artisan Network is proud to announce that His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester will be officially opening the 8th annual Caribbean Arts and Crafts Festival at a 2 o’clock ceremony in the Trellis bay village on the 9th of March. We are also excited to relay the news that The…

Jamaica & Global -- HIGH School athletes from eastern Jamaica will invade the National Stadium today as the 26th staging of the Jamaica National Building Society/Eastern Secondary Schools Sports Association is set to start at 9 a.m., with some...

Guyana --     The utility pole which has been leaning dangerously on the Farm, East Bank Demerara public road for over a year has finally been fixed. The unstable pole was featured on the front page of Kaieteur News last month. Members of the Farm community and neighbouring Herstelling, who were…

St. Kitts & Nevis & Global -- Officials of the St Kitts & Nevis Athletic Association have come under fire after they announced that athletes selected to represent the two-island state at the World Indoor Championships next month in Istanbul, Turkey, will have to pay 20 per cent of the gross earnings from the meet.

Antigua & Barbuda & Global -- General Manager of the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association (AHTA) Neil Forrester is sceptical that the island will see much growth in tourist arrivals from the UK market in 2012.

Trinidad & Tobago -- Monday, February 20, 2012 

Caricom -- One of the studios featuring the most state-of-the-art equipment in the Caribbean is being established in Trench Town, Kingston. Renowned for its famous contribution to the world as the birthplace of reggae music, and the dwelling place of Bob Marley, the little community has been experiencing a…

Jamaica -- MONTEGO BAY, St James — Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson announced that the Portia Simpson Miller-led political administration has taken a decision to include a nurse on the board of each of the four regional health authorities.

Grenada & Caricom -- ST GEORGE'S, Grenada (AP) — George Brizan, a former prime minister who was a founder of Grenada's ruling party, has died in his Caribbean homeland. He was 69.

Guyana -- The door of the Honda Civic car left behind as the vehicle raced towards a parked truck. Three persons died and six others injured in as many accidents on Sunday, the latest fatality being Qadir Arkhan of the Corentyne. Police confirmed that Qadir Arkhan, said to be about 18 years, died when the…

Barbados -- THERE SHOULD BE a regional resolution to the CLICO debacle.

Barbados -- Barbadian art and crafts, culture and talent were on display yesterday at the Holetown Festival’s 36th annual Banks/Coca Cola Street Fair And Parade. 

Jamaica & Caricom -- LUNA is making its debut at the prestigious London Fashion Week 2012, as part of the showcase for Caribbean Collections.Amid the anxiety and anticipation, designer Arlene Martin has revealed the inspiration behind the pieces...

Jamaica -- While Jamaica looks forward to marking its 50th birthday in August, Hilda Maud Daley will today celebrate a doubling of that feat.Yesterday, friends and well-wishers gathered at the Will's Rest Home in Ingleside, Manchester, to celebrate 100 years...

Guyana -- An inmate of the New Amsterdam prison was jailed for a further 12 months for chopping another prisoner in a brawl over a cell phone. Chetram Narine, 32, of Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice was jailed by Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s court after he pleaded guilty to

Caricom

Guyana -- Children’s Mashramani Costume Parade stops traffic!-leaves adult audience awestruck“A SPECTACLE,” “Well organized,” “Better than last year,” and “Beautiful!” were among numerous sentiments that flowed from the lips of spectators as they watched the Children’s Mashramani Costume

Trinidad & Tobago & Barbados & Caricom -- Barbados defeated arch rivals Trinidad & Tobago by five wickets about 20 minutes after the lunch interval on the final day of their third round match in the West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional 4-Day Tournament at Kensington Oval on Sunday.

Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago -- Monday, February 20, 2012 

Grenada & Caricom & Global -- Montreal, Canada, February 19, 2012 – A Grenada government is seeking the support of nationals abroad in providing more educational opportunities for young Grenadians living at home in the Caribbean. Tourism Minister Peter David told Grenadians in Montreal on Saturday that the continued…

Barbados -- As part of World Thinking Day 2012 yesterday, more than 3 000  Girl Guides, Brownies and Blossoms participated in a parade from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic to the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex for a service.

Jamaica -- What do you say about two entrepreneurs who put a combined investment of $3 billion (US$34 million) into an economy that is still facing the headwinds of the global economic recession? Are they seeing connections between the financial, labour, technological, consumption, human capital and…

Trinidad & Tobago -- Monday, February 20, 2012 

Guyana -- Industrial action a breach of contractThe following is a letter sent to President of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), Dr Patsy Francis on Friday by UG Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Prem Misir,

St. Vincent & Guyana & Caricom -- Sunday, February 19, 2012Caribbean luminaries including T&T Paula Lucie-Smith—Public & Civic Contributions, St Vincent’s Prof Leonard O’Garro—Science & Technology (a plant pathologist), and Guyana’s George Simo

Trinidad & Tobago -- THE RENOWNED Trinidad All Stars retained their large band title while two bands from sister isle Tobago finished in the top two places when the 2012 Carnival Panorama competition came to a grand climax at the Queen’s Park Savannah Saturday night.

Guyana --     A 35-year-old minibus driver was killed on the spot at around 01:30 hrs yesterday after crashing into a parked truck on the Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara Public Road. Teddy Persaud, called ‘Bow Foot’ of Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara was the lone occupant of the Route 31…

Haiti -- PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht)- Prime Minister Gary Conille, alone, appeared before the Senate to submit his travel documents that included four passports. All 18 ministers requested a postponement of the Senate Committee’s convocation to submit their documents on the 24th.

Jamaica -- A quarter century is a long time by any measure, more so when it's used in the context of a weekly TV show.

Jamaica & Caricom -- THE name Aneka Brissett might not be a household name as yet, but in a few weeks' time, the entire Jamaica and the wider Caribbean could be singing her praises.

Guyana --     Former member and judge of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Mohan Persaud has passed away and the boxing community is much the poorer for the loss. Mr. Persaud drew his last breath on February 14 last after enduring a period of illness. Former Secretary of the GBBC, Trevor…

Guyana -- * Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder sing at memorial serviceNEWARK, N.J. (Reuters) - Stars, family and friends mourned Whitney Houston in a spirited Baptist funeral service at her hometown church yesterday, a week after the death of the singer whose spectacular voice made her one of the biggest pop stars

Jamaica -- FORMER St Jago High School long jump coach, athletics aficionado and ambassador, Norman Livingston 'Bongo' Barrett, was remembered for his love and passion for his alma mater and sport which lasted for almost a half-a-century.

Cuba -- A prominent Cuban dissident wants Pope Benedict XVI to use his power and visibility as a world leader to shine light on alleged human rights abuses and political oppression in Cuba.

Jamaica & Global -- A member of the Marley family has finally come out against a recent cover article by influential financial publication Forbes magazine which questioned whether the heirs to the Bob Marley estate were destroying the legacy of the late reggae icon. Speaking with the Sunday Observer last Wednesday at

Global & Jamaica -- The father of the unarmed Jamaican teen who was shot and killed by the police in New York nearly two weeks ago says he is still searching for answers as to why his son was killed.

Haiti -- PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht)- Chairman of the ad-hoc senate committee investigating the nationality of members of the executive, Joseph Lambert (Sud-Est/independent) was disowned by his political platform Inite and challenged by his colleague Jean-Charles Moise who said he should be excluded…

Guyana & Global -- …wonders if move was orchestrated by Govt. With the single largest project ever to be undertaken by Guyana now hinging on an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan, the local Opposition parties are flabbergasted that the entity’s President visited Guyana but did not meet with them. Alliance

Jamaica -- IN his early teens, Peter Whittingham had an unmistakable choice -- succumb to the mind-bending pressures of the sprawling slums of Canterbury, St James, or rise above its desperate poverty, senseless violence and wanton waste of often promising young lives.

Barbados --  The Police have arrested and charged Jean Marc Cozier, 37 years, of Market Hill, St. George, for the offence of unlawful possession of 473 assorted rounds of ammunition.

Jamaica -- Not satisfied with dominating the outdoor scene, Jamaica's sprinters are making the indoor circuit their own, a point underlined in no uncertain terms with Lerone Clarke leading home a Jamaican trifecta and resetting the national record in the 60m final at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham,…

Caricom & Jamaica -- Ian Chapell says without Chris Gayle the West Indies do not have a chance of beating Australia in their upcoming series in the Caribbean.

Jamaica -- AN appeal earlier this month by Everald Warmington, former chair of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Committee of Parliament, that money to be made available to the members of Parliament (MPs) for the three new constituencies added last year, has borne fruit.

Jamaica & Caricom -- Not many Jamaicans are aware of a series of movies called Hush. They will soon get their chance. After two very successful movies, the Hush franchise is opening its third, HUSH Twisted Innocence, in the island.

Suriname --     Dear Editor, A formal communiqué has not been issued from the mini-summit between President Ramotar and his Surinamese counterpart President Bouterse, but what we know of the discussions so far is encouraging. One glaring omission so far is the question of our border dispute with…

Guyana & Caricom --     Dear Editor, Your Friday, February 10, 2012 back page story captioned (Guyana lose more International matches)  about the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) removal and transfer of 2012 international cricket matches from Guyana caught my attention, troubled me and raised many…

Jamaica -- Triple-service provider Columbus Communications, which trades as Flow Jamaica, said its network infrastructure was already capable of supporting local number portability (LNP) and it was committed to working with stakeholders to ensure its im-plementation as quickly as possible.

Global -- IRELAND lost the first of two ICC World Cricket League matches against Kenya by seven wickets after a match-winning innings by Tanmay Mishra in Mombasa.Ireland won the toss but made just 200 all out having opted to bat first, Paul Stirling top-scoring with 46.

Guyana --     ….says she was not negligent   The mother of the five-year-old girl who was brutally raped on December 22, last year, under the Canje River Bridge has broken her silence. She was sharing her feelings with hundreds gathered at a Prayer vigil for abuse victims at Port…

Venezuela --     …when she joined sex predator in a dash for Venezuela   “What does the law account for? I want to see this man being also charged for fleeing the jurisdiction and holding my daughter captive for 14 horrifying days. After all, if wasn’t for my efforts and tact, I would…

Caricom -- Deeper economic union is at the centre of the Eastern Caribbean's attempts to build a platform for sustainable growth, the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank said on Thursday.

Global -- VITALI Klitschko defended his WBC heavyweight title with a points victory over Britain's Dereck Chisora in Munich.

Jamaica -- KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Luckless Leeward Islands plunged to another embarrassing defeat, yesterday, going down to rampant defending champions Jamaica by an innings and 201 runs at Sabina Park.

Trinidad & Tobago

Guyana -- MENTION Linden and sports to any individual and readily that person would say football and basketball and even mention players such as Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules, Kayode McKinnon, Akeem ‘The Dream’ Kanhai and Dwayne ‘Sugar’ Roberts, just to name a few. If one should try to relate cricket

Barbados -- Bobby Brown left the funeral of his ex-wife Whitney Houston before it ended and sought to explain the reason through a representative.

Jamaica -- Today is the 49th day of 2012. There are 317 days left in the year.

Jamaica -- From left: Stephen Marley, Capleton, Sean Paul and Geefus hang out at The Bob Marley Museum after the Grammy Awards.

Trinidad & Tobago -- Machel Montano retained his Power Soca Monarch crown at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain this morning. He was also crowned Groovy Soca Monarch. Montano sang "Pump Yuh Flag" in the...

Cayman Islands

Guyana & Trinidad & Tobago

Grenada -- Former Grenada Prime Minister George Brizan has died at the age of 69.  Brizan served as prime minister from February 1995 to June 1995 when the NDC lost the election to Dr. Keith Mitchell of the NNP.  More on this story later.

Caricom -- The Mona Pelicans are advanced in their plans to dominate The University of the West Indies inaugural Invitational Hockey Competition scheduled for today at the Mona Hockey Turf.

Trinidad & Tobago & Haiti & Caricom -- PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Former Caribbean football mogul Jack Warner has again come under fire over missing Haiti emergency aid money, with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) alleging Thursday that its former special advisor had taken sole responsibility for the funds.

Guyana & Suriname -- - piracy, crime among issuesTHE fight against piracy, intelligence sharing, strengthening of bilateral cooperation and

Guyana & Global -- …company signals intention to establish operations herePRIME Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the duties of President, yesterday joined the Chinese community in commissioning the Haier Guyana Service Centre, at 92 Middle Street, Georgetown.

Jamaica -- MAY PEN, Clarendon — Promoted sides Jamalco and Four Paths continue to exceed expectations in this season's Clarendon/Captain's Bakery Major League, with contrasting mid-week results keeping the duo atop the standings.

British Virgin Isles. -- By Dickson Igwe Yours truly enjoys reading the news stories and commentaries of native, expatriate, and staff writers in the Virgin Islands press. He finds them rich with information, and very instructive, and they are part of his modus Vivendi of sources frequently quoted in his weekly narratives.

Dominica -- The stage is set for the 2012 calypso final at Pottersville Savannah tonight as nine male calypsonians try to dethrone reigning Monarch and sole female competitor, Tasha P. The other finalists are Sye, Bobb, Karessa, Vigilante, Web, Dice, Explosion and... MORE

Barbados -- POLICE are looking for a “building contractor” who has allegedly defrauded several Barbadians of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and left a trail of bounced cheques at hardware stores.

Trinidad & Tobago

Jamaica -- Our calendar, it appears, contains not only the days of the week and the dozen months, but also denotes almost every one of the year's 365 days to honour something or other. This week, we added a new "day" to the list. In case you haven't heard, last Monday was World Radio Day - the first of what…

Trinidad & Tobago & Haiti & Caricom -- Former Caribbean football mogul Jack Warner has come under fire again over missing Haiti emergency aid money, with the Trinidad and Tobago Federation

Jamaica -- THE opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) says that the breakdown of a successful management system of managing the Riverton City dump established under its administration resulted in the week-long fire there, and not the failure to cover the dump as has been stated by the Government.

Guyana --     Guyana’s efforts to protect and preserve its forests have attracted international attention with seven officials from Ghana visiting to learn about chainsaw milling. Yesterday, the group which included two officials and Ghana’s Forestry Commission and the rest from the private…

Jamaica -- FORMER Customs boss Danville Walker, who last December unsuccessfully contested the general election on a Jamaica Labour Party ticket for the Central Manchester seat, has chucked the candidate caretaker post to return to the private sector.

Bermuda -- WASHINGTON Like so many others, I was stunned to hear about Whitney Houston's death at age 48. You just can't overlook the pleasure Houston's music brought into the lives of so many. Several of her songs could immediately make me tear up with joy.

Dominican Republic -- SANTIAGO.- The journalist Marcos Martinez on Friday harshened his allegation that first lady Margarita Cedeño has €43 million account in a Danish bank by stating that if fact, the amount is 76 million Euros, and acknowledged her right to file slander charges against him.

Dominica

Cayman Islands & Caricom -- The Cayman Islands Olympic Committee (CIOC) has announced they will be hosting the first ever Caribbean Coaching Certification Programme (CCCP) training workshop in the Cayman Islands. In partnership with the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), the CIOC will host this…

Dominica -- Nadira Lando of the Kalinago Territory is Miss Dominica 2012. Miss Lando outperformed five other contestants to win the title at the Carnival Queen Show held last night. Lando’s win gives the Kalinago Territory its second beauty pageant title for carnival... MORE

Jamaica -- SIX events have been upgraded to Championship status for this year's second staging of the Ben Francis Invitational track and field meeting to be held at the Vere Technical High School in Hayes, Clarendon today starting at 9:00 am.

Dominican Republic & Global -- Santo Domingo.– Dominican Navy Chief of Staff Nicolas Cabrera announced yesterday that the U.S. Southern Command is planning to build a naval base and a deck in Catuano, in Saona Island, aimed at strengthening maritime surveillance in the Dominican East. Vice Admiral Cabrera said the work will be

US Virgin Islands -- V.I. Next Generation Network (viNGN) board members approved two resolutions Friday to help advance internal operations, along with plans to construct a territory-wide broadband network to be up and running on the business side by June 2013. read more

Global -- (REUTERS) - Former Test captain Graham Gooch was appointed England's full-time batting coach yesterday.

US Virgin Islands -- Shania Querrard wins with "confidence." read more

Guyana & Cuba --   Efforts in the making for another coach from Cuba to also assist To assist in the widespread development of swimming in Guyana, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport (MCY&S) welcomes Kumiko Inuzuka of JICA to share her wealth of knowledge and experience she acquired over the past 20…

British Virgin Isles. -- Had many not tuned into CNN for the coverage of Whitney Houston's funeral, they would not have known that Kareem Nelson Hull had journeyed to be as close as possible to the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey today, February 18.

Dominican Republic & Global -- Santo Domingo.- Argentina Foreign Relations minister Héctor Timerman said his country won’t use troops to solve the century-old dispute with Great Britain over the Falklands Islands, during a meeting with president Leonel Fernandez , who stated Dominican Republic’s support to the South…

Jamaica -- A STUDENT of the Spanish Town High School in St Catherine was yesterday stabbed to death, while another is on the run in relation to the incident.

Jamaica -- MORANT BAY, St Thomas:AFTER MORE than 30 years' involvement in coconut cultivation, processing, and research, Michael Black is arguably one of Jamaica's foremost authorities on the crop.

Barbados & St. Martin/Maarten -- The Barbadian low cost airline, REDjet, has announced plans to begin servicing a new route from Barbados to St Maarten for which it expects to begin selling seats within the next two weeks.

Jamaica -- A timely five-wicket haul from Odean Brown and a well-played 155 from Donovan Pagon put Jamaica in a strong position heading into today's third day of their Regional Four-Day Tournament clash against the Leewards at Sabina Park.

Jamaica -- YALLAHS, St Thomas:FROM BENEATH her tent located along the main road near the Yallahs Bridge, Tanya - her real name withheld on request - has a good location for attracting business from "walk-foot" customers and motorists alike, She also has an opinion on what needs to be done to give people like

Cayman Islands -- Dianne Connolly of Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (far left) and Disney Representative Barda Kosovrasti (far right) with the Disney’s Planet Challenge winning class from Triple C. Out of more than 1,300 entries from 69 classes across the Cayman Islands, the ultimate winner of Disney’s…

Jamaica -- SEAFORTH, St Thomas: Say National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica (NDTC), and two names that never fail to come alive are Professor Rex Nettleford and 'Kumina'.

Guyana & Global -- …company signals intention to establish operations herePRIME Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the duties of President, yesterday joined the Chinese community in commissioning the Haier Guyana Service Centre, at 92 Middle Street, Georgetown.

Guyana --       A 15- year- old Mount Sinai, West Canje girl has been missing for over a week. Veronica Sinclair, a drop- out from the Vryman’s Erven Secondary School left her mother’s home last Thursday after being sent on an errand. Her mother, Daphne Williamson, said that she sent her…

Belize -- In other news, a twelve year old student from the Cayo District claims she has been gang raped. According to the minor, she left her school in San Ignacio at around four o’clock on Thursday. But before she could get home, she was attacked by a man dressed in black at an overgrown empty lot. [...]

Guyana --   A 49-year-old man is nursing a gunshot wound to his left hand after being shot and robbed at around 15:00 hrs in North East La Penitence. The victim, Jolyon Harry, of Freeman Street, East La Penitence said that he was going to check on his brother when he was cornered by two men, whom [...]

Belize -- It was clearly an emotional day for Yolanda Schakron. The petition against the government was defended by Rodwell Williams of Barrow and Williams along with Michael Young of Young’s Law Firm. Young told News Five that the case was straightforward and the Returning Officer had a duty to uphold the

Guyana --   Justice Roxanne George yesterday sentenced an Essequibo man to 18 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of having carnal knowledge of an eight-year-old boy. The defendant Clifford Benjamin had committed the act on August 25, 2008. State prosecutor Teshanna James-Lake presented the…

Jamaica -- HOLA amigos, como estan? Admittedly that is as far as my Spanish goes, so I will now quickly return to English before my multi-lingual readers start communicating with me in España and my ignorance floors me yet again. I have been a little under the weather lately. Like a lot of other…

Haiti & Global -- TRENTON DANIEL,Associated Press PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti's national police force is the best body for providing security in this poor nation and the government should concentrate on building up the force, a senior U.S. diplomat said Thursday.

Puerto Rico & Caricom -- SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tourism officials say the Caribbean saw a small increase in visitors last year despite the global economic crisis.

Dominica -- Dominica VibesBeauty? Talent? Yes these girls got it all. Seven lovely young ladies presently enrolled at the Dominica State College (DSC) will on Friday afternoon compete for the title of Miss DSC Mas Jamboree 2012. Makerah George, Omean Charles, Naomi Nichols, Octavia Prosper, Micah Rodney and…

Dominica & Global -- Dominica has tacitly backed an ALBA vote against a UN resolution that strongly condemned the continued “widespread and systematic” human rights violations by the Syrian authorities and demanded that the Government immediately cease all violence and protect its people.

Dominica -- Former road march winner Murphy “Sye” Jno Jules is the winner of the 2012 Bernard Georges Show Down Mas Camp competition. Sye with his popular rendition “Burn, burn” was able to beat Black Diamond with his popular number ‘Pit Toilet.”... MORE

Bermuda -- A Warwick man stole a woman’s laptop computer after binging on alcohol and cocaine. Ernest Smith, of Harbour Road, said he regretted the theft almost immediately, and had a member of the public call the police.

Global & Dominica -- Dominica VibesA Dominican adult male who was residing in the Bronx, New York has died in a fire on Friday morning. According to the NY Daily News; “The fire broke out in the family’s third-floor apartment on E. 234th St. in Wakefield at 12:51 a.m. and was brought under control at 1:28 a.m.,

Barbados & Guyana & Caricom -- BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Legendary former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd has resigned as a director of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) over his involvement with the controversial takeover of cricket in Guyana.

St. Martin/Maarten -- The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) released its official Carnival 2012 schedule on Thursday, outlining two weeks of mostly local events and concerts from the opening of Carnival Village on April 19 to the Burning of King Momo on May 2. Carnival lovers will also get four local…

Haiti -- PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht/AP) - Haitian President Michel Martelly was attacked as he walked in a Carnival procession in downtown Port-au-Prince, but he escaped unharmed, the National Palace said Friday.

Antigua & Barbuda -- Wadadli Day, the island’s single largest display of indigenous culture, will be held on Saturday February 25 at the Botanical Gardens.

Trinidad & Tobago

Jamaica -- The St James police are investigating the fatal shooting of two brothers in Bogue Hill, in the parish yesterday. The brothers have been identified as 21-year-old Javaughn Jagdath and brother Jamal, 17...

Belize -- Wednesday was nomination day for the municipal elections and News Five had coverage from Belize City and Belmopan. But there were some sparks flying in Benque Viejo over the crowd that gathered for the United Democratic Party Nominations. According to P.U.P. Cayo West Standard Bearer, Oscar Sabido,

Dominica -- Dominica VibesA local hotelier here has expressed outrage about the recent spate of attacks on tourists on the island. Owner of Garraway Hotel Judith Pestaina told a press conference organized by the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association on Thursday that the situation is alarming. She said never…

Dominica -- Watch six beautiful young ladies vie for the title of Carnival Queen 2012  live from Festival City. This year’s contestants are Kimberly Jno Charles of St. Joseph, Fancille Lavinier of Pichelin, Ameka Cognet of Elmshall, Indiana Griffith of Goodwill, Nadira... MORE

Aruba -- Officials said the prince, 43, was buried under the snow for about 15 minutes before being rescued by emergency teams. He was resuscitated at the scene and taken to hospital in Innsbruck, said Austrian media. Dutch officials told Reuters he was in a critical condition. Prince Johan is the second…

Guyana -- DIGICEL Guyana yesterday promised a great show for their 5th anniversary celebrations at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, featuring international artiste Keri Hilson, Morgan Heritage, I-Octane, Times X and local artistes, tonight at 21:00hrs.

Jamaica -- THE WEEKEND STAR has learnt that the students at the Bog Walk High School in St Catherine who recently 'exchanged wedding vows' on the premises have been expelled. Apart from the students, the security guard who officiated...

Belize -- Nomination day for the March seventh general elections is this Friday. But will Yolanda Schakron make it on the ballot paper? There are last minute moves tonight to block her from running for general elections in Lake Independence. An objection to have her rejected this Friday is churning to crush

Antigua & Barbuda

Barbados & St. Lucia -- THE MANAGEMENT of popular Bajan artiste Peter Ram is seeing red over reports out of St Lucia that he failed to show up for a concert there over the weekend, causing that country’s government to pledge it would come down on promoters who flout its laws.

Jamaica -- A video of a fight between two female university students yesterday became an instant rage online accumulating thousands of views in a matter of hours.

Barbados -- THE PROSECUTION ALLEGED it was a long-standing feud between two girls that left one in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) with 12 stab wounds and a collapsed lung.

Jamaica -- The St Catherine South police is searching for two men who yesterday shot and killed a woman said to be the mother of one of Barrington Levy's children.

Jamaica & Global & Caricom -- Caribbean Journal - Jamaica has begun talks concerning the country’s transition into a republic, according to Information Minister Sandrea Falconer.

Trinidad & Tobago

Jamaica -- THE Greater Portmore police are investigating the brazen murder of a woman yesterday.

Jamaica & Bermuda -- Jamaican police may travel to Bermuda as thhey investigate the gun murder of Bermudian Karen Hudson-Lewis, the detective leading the case said.

Jamaica -- PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA) Brian Pengelley is calling on educated school leavers to apply for jobs with manufacturing companies, through the JMA.

Barbados & Jamaica & Caricom -- THE suit brought by Jamaican finger rape victim Shanique Myrie against the Barbadian Government is expected to get underway in the Caribbean Court of Justice in April.

Bahamas & Global -- Paul Kokoski likes to spread his fiction far and wide. His latest letter, ostensibly about St Valentine, was also published in Ireland, Bahamas

Jamaica -- People are saying Aundre Franklin is struggling to hang on to his Gen Sec position, but word is he's on a very slippery slope. The big election loss has left a bad taste. Hoping to gain from his pain is Edmund Bartlett, fresh from his perceived victory in the St James electoral staff debacle.

Jamaica & Global -- JAMAICA will find it difficult to attract direct investments from Japan if the island fails to curtail its crime problem, says Japanese ambassador Hiroshi Yamaguchi.

Jamaica & Cayman Islands -- SIX months after her disappearance in the Cayman Islands, loved ones of Jamaican nurse Kerran Baker are still hoping that she may still be alive.

Guyana -- Hundreds of sugar workers attached to the Blairmont Estate entered their fourth day of industrial action yesterday to press the Guyana sugar corporation to address several grievances affecting them. The strike action is severely hampering the estate’s operations. Early yesterday, the workers,…