Accredited Third States
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US prosecutors charge powerful Caribbean American legislator with embezzlement
NEW YORK, CMC – United States federal prosecutors have charged a powerful Caribbean American legislator with embezzlement. New York State senator, John L. Sampson, who represents the largely Caribbean 19th Senatorial District in Brooklyn, had been charged with stealing funds from the sale of foreclosed properties and using the money to help finance his race for Brooklyn district attorney. Sampson,…
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Ally of slain Curacao politician suspects ‘political motive’ in attack by 2 assailants
A close ally of a charismatic but divisive politician killed by two assailants in Curacao said Monday he believes the lawmaker was slain in some sort of politically motivated attack on the Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela. Donald Balentina, president of the Curacao political party founded by slain politician Helmin Wiels, told The Associated Press that he…
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Netherlands PM denounces murder of Curacao politician
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, CMC – Prime Minister Mark Rutte Monday condemned the assassination of Helmin Wiels, the leader of the largest political party in Curacao's coalition government who was shot dead late Sunday in the Punda section of the Dutch island's capital. Rutte spokesman Henk Brons said it is not yet clear whether the Netherlands will assist the police investigation, and…
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IMF predicts economic growth for the Caribbean
WASHINGTON, CMC – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Caribbean countries will experience economic growth of just over one per cent this year, even as Latin America and the Caribbean will record half a percent economic growth in 2013. The IMF said that the growth will be supported by stronger external demand, favourable financing conditions and the effects of earlier…
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UNITED STATES-POLITICS-Cuban president’s daughter gets permit to attend gay forum
WASHINGTON, CMC – The United States has changed its mind in allowing the daughter of Cuban President Raúl Castro to attend a gay rights forum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, reversing a previous rejection. Sexologist Mariela Castro, the director of Cuba’s National Center for Sex Education and a vocal proponent of same-sex marriage and gay rights, has received a US visa to…
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Low-key US plan for each nation to set climate goals wins ground
BONN, Germany (Reuters) – A US-led plan to let all countries set their own goals for fighting climate change is gaining grudging support at UN talks, even though the current level of pledges is far too low to limit rising temperatures substantially. The approach, being discussed this week at 160-nation talks in Bonn, Germany, would mean abandoning the blueprint of…
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N Korea could eventually reach US with nuclear arms – Pentagon report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – North Korea’s continuing development of nuclear technology and long-range ballistic missiles will move it closer to its stated goal of being able to hit the United States with an atomic weapon, a new Pentagon report to Congress said yesterday. The report, the first version of an annual Pentagon assessment required by law, said Pyongyang’s Taepodong-2 missile, with…
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Venezuela opposition challenges Maduro’s win in court
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles challenged President Nicolas Maduro’s narrow election victory before the Supreme Court yesterday, prolonging what appears to be a futile effort to overturn last month’s vote. Capriles refused to accept the results of the April 14 vote for a successor to late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, and called on supporters to take the…
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US economic reports hold out hope for hiring gains
WASHINGTON, USA — Fewer Americans are losing their jobs. Employers are struggling to squeeze more work from their staffs. The US is producing so much oil that imports are plunging, narrowing the trade deficit. A string of data Thursday raised hopes for stronger hiring and US growth in coming months. More jobs would spur spending and help energize the economy,…
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Canada apologises for botched naval exercise
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer – THE Canadian High Commission has apologised to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) for a botched naval exercise in March, which saw live 50-calibre rounds being fired in Jamaican coastal waters by two of that country's naval vessels and the interference with a boat in which former Prime Minister Bruce Golding was travelling. The disclosure came on…
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