ACP wants concessions

African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries have requested a continuation of their zero-duty sugar exports to the European Union after 2015.

The ACP member states say they have suffered heavy income losses after the 2005 reform which cut prices of raw sugar exports.

The countries say the price cuts have destroyed many of their sugar industries and caused thousands of job losses.

Last week the EU told sugar producing countries within the grouping that there is little chance they will receive additional aid to help restructure their sugar industries.

Armed smugglers capture migrants

A group of illegal Haitian immigrants have been held at gunpoint by armed smugglers during a US Coast Guard operation. A Coast Guard spokesman said Thursday that the smugglers’ boat was intercepted near the Haitian barrier island of La Tortue and 35 of the approximately 100 illegal passengers were taken on board.

The 26 men and nine women apprehended were repatriated to Haiti on Wednesday, but six armed smugglers threatened other passengers and prevented them from getting on the Coast Guard ship.

The smugglers escaped with the remaining migrants and have so far evaded the Haitian coast guard and police.

Government not affected

Antigua’s Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer says issues surrounding the resignation of his deputy have been blown out of proportion.

Wilmoth Daniel stepped down earlier this month, citing differences with the prime minister.

But he remains in the cabinet as health minister.

Spencer told BBC Caribbean the resignation has not affected his United Progressive Party government.