Public-sector workers, worried about their jobs in light of the planned modernisation process, will have to wait until late this year to find out if they will be sent home. It could be another two to three months before the country even knows how many...

TAXPAYERS may have to fork out US$57 million or approximately J$4.8 billion as exit fees from a currency-swop arrangement. Parliament yesterday approved a loan guarantee to refinance a €204.4-million loan from...

NEWS THAT tertiary-level students could face a staggering 100 per cent increase in tuition fees in the 2011-2012 academic year sent shock waves through a committee meeting in Parliament yesterday and threatens to reverberate across the society....

STUDENTS AT the tertiary level who obtain loans from the Students' Loan Bureau (SLB) and flee overseas to escape servicing those liabilities may, in future, be barred from leaving the country.Currently, there is draft legislation to amend the Students'...

The multibillion-dollar Highway 2000 project is causing fresh headaches for the Bruce Golding administration. The Government's point man for the project, Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry, yesterday...

The wait is over.

SANTO DOMINGO.- The Dominican State-owned Power Companies (CDEEE) hosted a summer camp for the children of its employees, focused on teaching the youngsters the importance of protecting the environment and saving energy.

Jakarta, Indonesia.- A new Greenpeace investigation into the operations of Sinar Mas, one the most notorious destroyers of Indonesia?s rainforests, reveals how it is continuing to break its own environmental commitments on protecting forests and peatland.

Santo Domingo.- The Taigüey Foundation inaugurated on Monday the first management course for coordinators and facilitators of the Technological Centers and Centers for Community Access to Technology (CACTs).

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.- Puntacana Resort & Club hosted a gathering over the entire weekend for families to fully enjoy all the activities prepared especially for them.

SANTO DOMINGO. ? Bowing to mounting pressure from political parties, business groups and other sectors, the Government announced on Thursday that it will seek a consensus a bill which would add a 9 peso tax to fuels and eliminate tax breaks.

FIFA vice-president and Trinidad and Tobago government Minister Jack Warner received dishonourable mention ’Down Under’ yesterday as the Australian daily newspaper, the Melbourne Age, revealed a string of questionable and expensive payouts made by the FFA (Football Federation of Australia) as part of the nation’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup tournament.

One of four men accused of plotting to kill thousands and cause an economic catastrophe by blowing up John F Kennedy International Airport pleaded guilty to a lesser charge yesterday.

People’s National Movement (PNM) Senator Pennelope Beckles has turned down an offer by Political Leader Dr Keith Rowley to be one of his four deputy political leaders, sources said yesterday.

Former prime minister Patrick Manning was a no-show at his San Fernando East constituency office last evening where the People’s National Movement (PNM) held a second round of screening of nominees interested in being candidates for the upcoming Local Government elections.

Officials of the Urband Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) were told yesterday that the delay in the improvement works to the Red House was unacceptable.

AN EXPLOSION at a TT Electricity Commission (TTEC) substation in Port-of-Spain left three workers injured and parts of downtown Port-of-Spain in complete darkness for almost two hours yesterday afternoon.

AUTOPSIES on the dismembered and decapitated bodies of Dianne Williams, 37, and her son Shaquille Morgan, eight, revealed that Williams died as a result of shock and haemorrhaging consistent with multiple gunshot and chop wounds while her son was killed by multiple chop wounds.

After three months in office, Chief Executive Officer of the Water and Sewerage Authority, Andrew Smith has resigned, and appointed to act in the position is former Public Utilities Minister Ganga Singh.

REMEDIAL works to correct flaws on houses constructed by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) under the Patrick Manning-led PNM administration could cost up to about $130 million.

UNDISPUTED Calypso King of the World, the Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) underwent emergency surgery on Sunday, after collapsing at a concert in Maryland, USA. Sparrow, 75, had to be rushed by ambulance to Montgomery General Hospital in Maryland, where he underwent emergency surgery.

In the past few weeks, there has been a rich and varied response to the Conservation Bill at multiple levels. Several individuals, non-governmental organisations and community groups have indicated to me that while the public consultation period ended on Friday (16 July), they would still like an opportunity to make a contribution to the development of our national environmental policy.

Participation by transnational corporations (TNCs) and the strategic use of foreign investment can help the world’s small economies jump-start “low-carbon” economic development, UNCTAD´s World Investment Report 2010 says. UNCTAD launched its 20th edition of the WIR on 22 July 2010. The 2010 flagship report is subtitled ‘Investing in a Low-Carbon Economy’.

With the hurricane season now underway, the Governor’s Office, on behalf of the Consular Directorate of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and a number of honorary consuls in the Cayman Islands, has reminded all nationals to ensure that their travel documents are in order. Copies should be made of key documents, including passports, birth certificates, work permits and drivers’ licenses, and stored in a safe place, separate from the originals.

Grand Cayman’s Eastern Districts are getting their own Neighbourhood Watch programme. With the theme, “Get involved and be part of the solution”, the programme starts at Pease Bay and extends most of the way to East End and will be in effect this autumn. It is being spearheaded by a number of like-minded citizens who are cooperating with their neighbors to make their communities just a little safer.

After a 30-year hiatus, Cayman Brac roads are receiving a face-lift. Major road upgrading recently began and a one-mile stretch of Spot Bay Road has already been resurfaced, with another mile underway. These ongoing road works were enabled by the Ministry of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture’s recent acquisition of an asphalt plant and heavy equipment. Launching the upgrading project on 30 June...

During his address at Sunday?s official opening of the 2010 CBN WINLOT Inter schools Games at the George Odlum Stadium (GOS) in Vieux Fort, Minister of Sports, Lenard Montoute, referred to it as more than just a sports and fitness facility, but a temporary health facility accommodating patients following the fire at St Jude Hospital [...]

Did the minister in charge of planning, development control and the city council really set out to shaft Robby Skeete when he decided to give a prime city location to one of his best friends? The initial story by Robby Skeete published in the Wednesday STAR generated a ton of controversy and feedback about the ill-effects [...]

Is there a cause that you would die for?  Is there an issue that you feel so passionately about that you would publicly, and without reservation, speak out for?  Do people know about this passion, this cause?  Are you lending your voice for changes you wish to see? If we wish to see change, we [...]

Aiasha Tierra Rebecca Gustave is not an unfamiliar face. Particularly if you?re an avid reader of the SHE Caribbean magazine. In that case you?d have likely seen her gracing the pages of the magazine in fashion by some of the most highly regarded designers in the region. Aiasha Gustave first started modeling for SHE at [...]

It sounded like a great idea. The kind of thing that should be done every year. The foreign ministry and the OECS ambassador in particular were assigned to target St Lucians in the diaspora and woo them with an event called Homecoming. The idea was like a staycation for St Lucians who live outside of St Lucia. [...]

-notwithstanding AFC decision The Joint Opposition Political Parties (JOPP) comprising the PNCR, GAP, WPA and the NFA, yesterday announced that they would continue consultations towards forming ...

By Kwesi Isles A Guyanese couple living in Suriname has been missing since Monday after leaving to go fishing, according to reports from their relatives. Missing: Anjanee ...

The man found dead on the Amelia?s Ward, Linden Highway on Tuesday has been identified as Jim Ryan Williams of Bendoff, Parika, East Bank Essequibo. Jim ...

By Tamica Garnett Two groups, Temptation Promotions and GT Promotions, are set to make football history by staging the first ever football match between a Guyana ...

-981 ranks to share $9M Businessman and member of the `A? Division Policing Group, Oudit Seenarain was yesterday recognized for his bravery in fighting off armed ...

BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced plans on Wednesday to embark on shuttle diplomacy in a bid to resolve a diplomatic crisis between antagonistic neighbors Venezuela and Colombia. Lula told reporters he was to travel to Caracas and Bogota on August 6.

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) -- Cuba's lawmakers on Wednesday mulled legalizing more small private businesses, perhaps expanding a limited program to include farm and food industries in the economically struggling communist nation, state media said. Committees in the National Assembly were reviewing...

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AFP) -- Hospitals in El Salvador have been overwhelmed by an unexpected rise in respiratory diseases including pneumonia and dengue fever, health authorities said on Wednesday. The official said acute respiratory disease has shot up, totaling some 1.3 million cases.

LONDON, England (AFP) -- West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been signed by Essex for the English county's Twenty20 finals day. Essex qualified for the last four with victory over Lancashire on Tuesday and have moved quickly to add an overseas player to their ranks ahead of the Rose Bowl.

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (GIS) -- Local and regional broadcasters and newspaper editors are meeting in Grenada to discuss the free movement of skilled persons and other issues related to the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). This week’s workshop, financed by the European Development...

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Deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has given the de facto government until Monday to consider his counter-proposal for ending the country's political crisis.

A representative of the ousted leader, Ricardo Martinez, said if no agreement is reached by then, the dialogue is broken.

Deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya says talks on ending the stand-off stemming from his ouster have broken down.  Speaking from the Brazilian Embassy in the capital, Tegucigalpa, where he has taken refuge, Mr. Zelaya told reporters the talks are suspended until the other side presents what he called a "reasonable" stance.

More than three months into a political crisis in Honduras, business leaders are starting to feel the pain. Owners say the dispute between ousted President Manuel Zelaya and the interim government is scaring off new investment and creating other problems.  "This is the Tegu Honduras factory," explains U.S. entrepreneur Chris Haughey. He has high hopes for his fledgling toy manufacturing company in Tegucigalpa.

From Yahoo Sports

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)?Honduras is going to the World Cup for the first time since 1982.

Carlos Pavon redeemed himself for last weekend?s penalty kick miss against the United States by scoring in the 64th minute, and Honduras beat El Salvador 1-0 Wednesday night to qualify for the World Cup for only the second time.

MEXICO CITY ? There were reports of a deal on Wednesday, followed by reports of no deal. By the end of the day, the Honduras political standoff was mired in the same confusion that has characterized it from the start.

An opposition legislator's US permanent resident status comes under the microscope in the Kittitian courts.

Bird wants electoral commission tribunal disbanded, Bouterse prepares for office - and more.

Are Caribbean attitudes towards sex and sexuality hampering the fight against Aids? Join the debate.

Trinidad's new PM has said her country cannot be the "ATM" of the Caribbean region. Join the debate.

It's estimated that over 250,000 people in the Caribbean are affected by HIV/Aids - and the rate of infection is not falling.

Cuban nationals can be found every day at the busy corner of Amazonas and Naciones Unidas avenues in the Ecuadorean capital, where the National Civil Registry Office is located.

Carlos sold his house, Juana got a divorce so she could remarry and obtain resident status, and Pedro bought a "letter of invitation" with 10 years of savings... These sorts of stories are common amongst Cubans anxious to make a new life in Ecuador.

The anniversary of the attack on the Moncada barracks, commemorating Revolution Day, one of the most important dates on Cuba's calendar, found the country caught up in speculation that Fidel Castro might appear on the platform, and raised fresh expectations about changes promised four years ago.

InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based NGOs, with over 190 members. Its head, Sam Worthington, spoke recently with IPS about the role of NGOs in Haiti, the U.S. and throughout the world.

For the past 19 years, Wendell Eversley has been staging a one-man protest calling for a public inquiry into the failed coup by a group of radical Muslims against the then Trinidad and Tobago government headed by Prime Minister Arthur N.R. Robinson.

PORT WASHINGTON, NY--(Marketwire - 07/28/10) - StockProfile.com is pleased to announce that Caribbean Casino and Gaming Corp. (Pinksheets: CGAQ - News ) has become a member of StockProfile.com. StockProfile.com provides the investing public with a unique information portal for investors who like to conduct their own research as well as make their own investment decisions. The StockProfile.com ...

The owner of a popular Halifax restaurant was given a reprieve after being ordered to close earlier this week.

Three year-old Hannah Graham Slides down the blow up slide at the fair grounds.

MIAMI, FL--(Marketwire - 07/27/10) - Caribbean Casino and Gaming Corp. (Pinksheets: CGAQ - News ), in association with ESPN Deportes, DeCuba Presents, and R. Paniagua, has confirmed today that the Fight Club Series Round 2 will be held at the Polideportivo Sports Center in Puerto Plata. The larger location seats an additional 5000 boxing fans and will feature Felix Diaz, Hector Sanchez, Juan ...

Finally, a Caribbean beach that's everything a Caribbean beach should be -- quaint, with hammocks strung from palm trees, crystal-clear water perfect for snorkeling, white sand, a first-rate beach bar and enough water toys to keep the kids happy (banana boat ride anybody?). Welcome to Rum Point on Grand Cayman's North Side.