PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): Haitians celebrated in the streets Thursday after Rene Preval was declared president following a reshuffling of blank ballots, in a internationally brokered deal over fraud claims. While crowds danced and sang in the streets of Port-au-Prince, the second placed candidate said Preval's victory was a "reward for violence." read more..

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: It is time is for celebration among the supporters of Rene Préval. Most of them stayed all night long, from Wednesday to Thursday, around the Presidential Palace, waiting for the proclamation of their candidate's victory. Joyous demonstrations continued throughout the day Thursday. read more..

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: A team of investigators probing Wednesday's massive fire on Frederick Street in Port of Spain say they have found from their initial inquiries that the blaze, which gutted several buildings, including damage to a Republic Bank Branch, had been deliberately set. read more..

CURACAO, Netherlands Antilles: The Dutch government has described the handling of AMFO's (Antillean Co Financing Organisation) accounting as "jiggery-pokery" and confirmed that an annual budget of 9.5 million euros (US$11.2m) has been suspended until all monies given to AMFO could be properly accounted for. read more..

NEW YORK, USA (UPI): The parents of missing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway have sued one of the Aruba teenagers questioned in the case. read more..

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Iranian parliament speaker Gholam Ali Hadad-Adel on Thursday started an official two-day visit in Cuba, a staunch backer of Iran's disputed nuclear program. read more..

BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Four cruise ships with just over 3,700 passengers and 1,800 crew visited St Kitts on Thursday, the Marine Division of the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority said. read more..

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: Journalists from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Barbados met in St Lucia last week for a two-day workshop on education, which commenced amid concerns that, despite the many strides made, there are still too many people who do not have access to an education. read more..

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: The West Indies again found themselves in unpleasant environment ahead of yet another Test series. Poor attitude and bad performances have virtually placed the regional side in a catastrophic gutter, which has now come to haunt them as they get ready for their latest Test series. read more..

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: Following the West Indies' disappointing 3-0 loss in Australia last November, Chanderpaul's leadership skills have been called into question, but despite numerous calls for the Guyanese to be dismissed from his post, Jamaican batsman Wavell Hinds said the team is fully behind their skipper. read more..

ST JOHN'S, Antigua: The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has appointed Leeward Islands batsman Sylvester Joseph to lead the region's A-team for the first unofficial Test against England 'A' starting next Friday at the Antigua Recreation Ground. read more..

SESTRIERES, Italy (AFP): The US Virgin Islands' 'Grandma Luge' Anne Abernathy has appealed to the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) to be reinstated as an Olympic luge entrant after missing the event with a broken wrist. read more..

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AFP): New Zealand beat the West Indies 3-0 in international cricket's first ever bowl-off after their series opener Twenty20 match ended with the scores tied at 126 each here Thursday. read more..

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Hosts Suriname beat Chile by one run on the second day of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League (WCL) Division three tournament in the Americas region at the Snellen Park stadium in capital Paramaribo on Thursday. read more..

Having read Hudson George's letter, I somehow feel moved to add a few words to that which was said or even alluded to in that letter. read more..

Hudson George's letter to Caribbean Net News attracted my attention because it goes straight to the heart of the matter. read more..

FAYETTEVILLE, USA: As predicted, Olympic 200m champion Veronica Campbell of Jamaica ran away with the women's 60-metre dash Invitational title at the Tyson Invitational, held at the Randal Tyson Track Complex on the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. read more..

LEIPZIG, Germany: Jamaican Lacena Golding-Clarke recovered from a slow start to snatch the women's 60m hurdles in a world leading time over Helsinki World 100m Hurdles champion Michelle Perry of USA at the 3rd LE Athletics meeting in Leipzig on Sunday. read more..

MELBOURNE, Australia: Bahamian athlete Debbie Ferguson has announced that she will not defend her Commonwealth Games sprint double titles in Melbourne in March. read more..

CESANA PARIOL, Italy (AFP): 'Grandma Luge' Anne Abernathy from the US Virgin Islands has accused Olympics officials of failing to consult her before pulling her out of the Games when she broke a wrist in training. read more..