KINGSTON, Jamaica: Officials assisting the progress of the CARICOM Single Market (CSM), have said that one of the main reasons behind the push for full free movement of skills/labour in the region, is the increasing demand from burgeoning regional industries. read more..

BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank is reporting continued robust growth for 2005 and there is good reason to anticipate the future with high expectations of continued growth and profitably. The Bank’s assets increased by EC$195 million or 15 percent from EC$1.3 billion in 2004 to EC$1.5 billion in 2005. read more..

ROSEAU, Dominica: Economic data for the calendar year 2005 has confirmed that Dominica's economy achieved its second consecutive year of growth following an estimated growth rate of 3.6 per cent in 2004. read more..

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK (UPI): Of the many challenges that will face Haiti's new president, a high-ranking United Nations official says, the most difficult may be a place where no ballots were cast in the country's first election in over five years. read more..

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Very early Thursday morning Heads attending the 17th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in Port of Spain, Trinidad, got down to business with the CARICOM Single Market and Economy dominating the entire morning session. read more..

WASHINGTON, USA (UPI): Street violence and organizational snafus did not mar Tuesday's Haitian presidential elections, roundly hailed a success by international monitors. But as the results are tallied in the coming days, some analysts say opponents of front-runner Rene Preval may thwart the country's best hope for recovery. read more..

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: A Venezuelan military aircraft landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with a quantity of supplies in support of Guyana's appeal for international assistance to deal with the impact of the recent floods, officials said Thursday. read more..

FORT LAUDERDALE, USA: Spirit Airlines, the leading low cost carrier to the Caribbean, on Thursday launched its twelfth Airbus A319 aircraft. In a private ceremony, the airplane was named "Spirit of Turks & Caicos Islands". "We can't wait until next week when we start service to the Turks and Caicos Islands," said Barry Biffle, of Spirit Airlines. read more..

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Amidst a strong police presence, public servants took to the streets of Georgetown, Guyana's capital Wednesday to protest against poor wages and the government's disrespect for trade unionism. Police equipped with riot gear and high-powered rifles were stationed at strategic points in the city. read more..

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Caricom leaders, who are in Port of Spain, Trinidad, for the 17th International Heads of Government Conference, are prepared to re-instate Haiti back into the Caricom community. read more..

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AFP): South Africa will look into the possible return of deposed Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide to his homeland once it is safe for him, the foreign minister said Thursday. read more..

BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP): President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Thursday that Brazilian peacekeepers will remain in Haiti until its new government sends them home. read more..

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): The US ambassador to Haiti said Thursday this week's elections demonstrated that former president Jean Bertrand Aristide, who fled the country with US help two years ago, "is a man of the past." read more..

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): Former president Rene Preval won about 61 percent of the vote in Haiti's presidential election, according to partial results based on 15 percent of the votes, a member of the electoral council told AFP Thursday. read more..

JERUSALEM, Israel (AFP): An Israeli immigration police officer involved in the beating of the wife of the Dominican Republic's ambassador to Israel has been demoted, army radio said Thursday. read more..

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): A Cuban dissident journalist has agreed to be fed intravenously after an eight-day hunger strike left him in critical condition, a family member told AFP on Thursday. read more..

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (AFP): Theodore Whitmore, Jamaica's hero in the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals in France where he scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Japan, has hinted he is quitting international football. read more..

LONDON, England: Jamaican international Marlon King has won the Coca-Cola Championship Powerade Player of the Month award for January, while countryman Ricardo Gardner takes an FA Cup award. read more..

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Triple world record holder Brian Lara, the West Indies batting maestro, received high praise from several cricket officials in Trinidad and Tobago for his role in the country's recent Carib Beer Series success. read more..

THE VALLEY, Anguilla: Digicel, principal sponsors of West Indies cricket, brought Windies stars Daren Powell, Ryan Hinds and Darren Sammy to Anguilla Thursday to join forces with local celebrities Omari Banks, Cardigan Connor, Lanvil Harrigan and Alex Adams to compete in a friendly under 19s versus Seniors 20-over match. read more..