News: Caribbean

Dr PETER Phillips last night confirmed he would make a second bid for the presidency of the People's National Party (PNP), telling an enthusiastic crowd he has what it takes to return the party to its socialist roots. Phillips, member of parlia-ment for East Central St Andrew...

The historic truce which members of the volatile August Town signed last month is expected to last for five years. But if the University of the West Indies (UWI) has anything to do with it, peace in August Town will last forever...

Mention the name of Flankers in Montego Bay to Jamaicans who are familiar with current affairs, and they could tell you a thing or two that are not impressive about it. This image is, however, being changed by the work of the Flankers Peace and Justice Centre...

Children who are undernourished during the first two years of life are more likely to underperform in school and develop self-esteem issues as adults than those who receive adequate nutrition in early childhood, research has found...

"Nuh ton hova di piepa til mi tell yuh we fi du," a teacher at the Hope Valley Experimental School, St Andrew, told her students before the beginning of an examination. Under other circumstances, this reporter would have been taken aback...

WESTERN BUREAU:Gunmen continued their reign of terror in the western parish of St James yesterday, killing an 89-year-old man.The senior citizen, who lived alone, was attacked at his home in the volatile Hendon/Norwood community about 6 a.m.

Some members of the Jamaican Diaspora are calling for the introduction of a mandatory retirement age for politicians to ensure that new blood is continually injected into the political process. They are arguing that politicians should be required to retire at a stipulated age...

Trinidad seeking involvement in the OECS economic union, new ministers now in office in Grenada, and more stories.

DESPITE A senior citizen's discount, complimentary flights, free food and complimentary accommodations granted to Prime Minister Bruce Golding, he and his delegation spent approximately $12.7 million on official travel overseas in his first eight months as head of government.

THE PEOPLE'S NATIONAL Party (PNP) is on tenterhooks today as it prepares for what could be the official start of the challenge to its president, Portia Simpson Miller.

Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry disclosed yesterday that the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), for which he is interim chairman, is spending $150,000 per day to secure the safety and security of its staff in the wake of the gunning down of its chairman, Douglas Chambers, two weeks ago.

THE JUNE 27 murder of Jamaica Urban Transit Company chairman Douglas Chambers revived memories of Edward 'Ted' O'Gilvie, a high-ranking civil servant who suffered a similar fate 31 years ago.

The flashbacks of blood, screams and tyre screeches rushing through his mind caused him to break down before he could even tell his tale to The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre.

Each year, many communities across the island are severely impacted by flood waters. The causative factors are both man-made and natural. In a series of articles, Enterprise Reporter Mark Titus takes an in-depth look at flood-prone Jamaica.

NINE MONTHS after the Bruce Golding administration took the reins of power, Parliament is yet to give birth to a major piece of legislation. However, at least seven pieces of minor legislation have been passed.

THE MUNICIPALITY of Portmore, St Catherine, is on the brink of massive major developments, Mayor Keith Hinds has disclosed. Chief among the planned developments is the construction of a US$150 million (J$10.8 billion) 300,000 square-foot building to house the municipal council's office, an office of the Registrar General's Department, a local tax collectorate, a pre-university campus ...

BBC Caribbean InterActive on July17th will debate the food crisis and agriculture in the region. Have your say early.

A summary of some of main stories covered in BBC Caribbean's 'News in Brief' this past week.

The protection of witnesses is being breached by the practice of accused criminals who gain access to sensitive witness information, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington. Speaking yesterday at a forum on crime and violence in the workplace...