ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has listed Allen Stanford’s case as one of its most significant for 2012. Stanford, who headed a global financial titan and many businesses in Antigua, was brought down by US investigators looking into a US $7 billion fraud scheme. He was convicted and, in June 2012, sentenced to 110 years in jail for running a Ponzi scheme.

In another bizarre twist to the seemingly never-ending political intrigue that has enveloped the Cayman Islands in recent weeks, it seems that Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly did not resign with the rest of her government colleagues from the United Democratic Party last weekend. Attempts to determine Ms O’Connor-Connolly’s official status within the UDP were unsuccessful by press time. The premier did not respond to repeated requests for comment about the matter throughout the week.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Government and opposition were continuing their barbs over the need to reform the security system in Guyana with the embattled Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee saying it is “very regrettable” that the opposition parties were not willing to support the new initiative. The Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) have both said while they welcomed the initiative they were not prepared to work with Rohee on the matter.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, (Reuters) – Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide yesterday won a delay until next week in a court hearing to address accusations he exploited former street children for political gain. Aristide, who did not appear in court, has not been charged with a crime and a judge will ultimately decide whether any charges should be filed. His lawyer successfully argued that the hearing should be delayed to next Wednesday because the court summons was served improperly.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The financial problems affecting the University of the West Indies have trickled down to the UWI Open Campus programme.
Reports indicate that the Open Campus which operates in 16 nations is owed millions by contributing countries and, as a result, is struggling to pay its bills.
The major defaulters, according to a source, were the Eastern Caribbean countries which were feeling the brunt of the economic downturn.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados says it has signed an Avoidance of Double Taxation agreement with the Republic of San Marino as well the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on income.
A government statement said that the agreement was signed in New York last month and formalises the bilateral agreement which was initialled in July 2012.
Barbados Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Joseph Goddard and Permanent Representative of the Republic of San Marino, Ambassador Daniele Bodini signed the accord.

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – China is providing more than US$4.8 million to Grenada under an economic and technical agreement, a government statement has said here. It said that the accord was signed by Finance Minister Nazim Burke and China’s Ambassador to Grenada, Xu Jianguo. “On behalf of the government, I wish to place on record our profound gratitude to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China for its continued financial support in assisting us to meet the needs of our people,” Burke said.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Lackin confirms the European delegation in Suriname is about to leave the country. “I regret this decision and we are doing our utmost to keep the EU here in the current form.” Lackin says he was informed of the EU’s new plans a year ago. These plans include working from regional offices to cut costs.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, /PRNewswire/ -- The governments of Haiti and Vietnam are demonstrating that South-South cooperation can lead to the fruitful exchange of resources, technology and knowledge. A series of significant agreements signed in late December 2012 provide the framework for a novel form of long term cooperation that will allow Haiti to address food security, one of its key challenges. The government of Haiti hopes that these agreements will enable Haiti to leapfrog development stages as it attempts to create a resilient agricultural production system.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Jan 4, CMC - Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony says St. Lucia has the largest fiscal deficit in the Caribbean as he prepares to address the nation on Sunday on the economic challenges facing the island. "Where as other Caribbean states might have a fiscal deficit of seven to eight per cent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), we are climbing up to 10 per cent. That’s a warning sign so we have really got to ensure that we bring it under some degree of control, and resolve those differences.