Regional News

(Jamaica Gleaner) Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson is lamenting over the state of Jamaica’s moral decline, which he said has deteriorated ‘beyond belief’ over the last twenty years.

(Trinidad Express) There has been “a massive 22 per cent drop” in road fatalities between 2010 and 2013.

(Barbados Nation) It will cost in excess of Bds$300 000 to stage the two-day crusade here next month featuring celebrity evangelist Benny Hinn.

HAVANA, (Reuters) – The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce praised the growth of free enterprise in Cuba upon his arrival in Havana yesterday at the start of a three-day visit that was criticized by a leading supporter of the U.S.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – An imprisoned former Caracas police commissioner at the center of stalled political talks between Venezuela’s government and opposition went on a hunger strike yesterday, demanding he be released due to frail health.

(Jamaica Observer) Montego BAY, St James — The killing of prominent People’s National Party (PNP) activist Kenley ‘Bebe’ Stephens has left the party’s organisation in St James in shock.

(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO — Large masses of floating sea grass have affected fishery along the entire Suriname coast causing the catch to drop significantly.

(Trinidad Guardian) Caribbean Airlines (CAL) says cocaine found aboard a flight which landed in Guyana over the weekend was stashed there by employees working on the ground at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. In

(de Ware. Tijd) PARAMARIBO — President Desi Bouterse has promised the legislature that his government will go to war against all proven cases of corruption.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO — Financial gain from Kersten seems to be bigger than the religious and historical interests to retain the Kersten building.

(Jamaica Observer) Montego BAY, St James — The killing of prominent People’s National Party (PNP) activist Kenley ‘Bebe’ Stephens has left the party’s organisation in St James in shock.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (Jamaica Gleaner) – Church leaders clad in black as well as students of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and other Jamaicans yesterday morning stepped up their protest against the dismissal of Professor Brendan Bain as director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Resource Training Network (CHART) by the UWI.

CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s foreign minister yesterday rebuked his US counterpart, John Kerry, for criticizing the handling of street protests and reiterated accusations Washington wants to topple the socialist government.

BOGOTA (Reuters) – President Juan Manuel Santos and opposition challenger Oscar Ivan Zuluaga scrambled yesterday to win the support of candidates eliminated from Colombia’s presidential election and gain the upper hand ahead of a runoff vote next month.

(Trinidad Guardian) Spending hours in a “stink” morgue, being called “Taliban”, thinking of getting shot in the head by officers—memories of Venezuela that have left Hamza Mohammed, imam of the Montrose mosque, still trembling today. In

(Trinidad Express)  A five-star hotel, convention centre and administrative  centre will be constructed in South Trinidad, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced yesterday.

(Trinidad Express) Last week, the Sunday Express reported on the growing force of the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen in Carapo under Imam Hassan Ali and his son, Rajaee Ali.

(Trinidad Guardian) The Media Association of T&T (MATT) has issued a statement condemning acting Police Com-missioner Stephen Williams’s comments on death threats against journalist Mark Bassant.

(Trinidad Guardian) Former National Security minister Jack Warner sought to get Planning Minister Bhoe Tewarie to approve an invoice in 2012 for $5.5 million for work at Laventille by a certain company—although checks for the company’s phone number revealed no company.

HAVANA (Reuters) – An independent news website that had been blocked in Cuba since its debut on Wednesday became available to Cuban Internet users yesterday.