Trinidadian prime minister Patrick Manning says Port of Spain can't ignore the thrust by the OECS countries to come together next year in an economic union.

	PM Manning wants to play a part in economic union

Mr Manning told supporters of his governing Peoples National Movement at their convention on Sunday that his Cabinet had taken a decision to be involved in that initiative in the interest of economic cooperation and growth.

"Trinidad and Tobago wishes to be a part of that," he told the convention.

He said countries in the region prepared to move on a fast track to economic integration as a prerequisite to political union should monitor the OECS initiative and "commit ourselves in some form".

New ministers in charge in Grenada

Grenada's new government ministers were taking up office Monday, after having been sworn-in at a ceremony in the country's national stadium on Sunday.

The Tillman Thomas led government includes Finance Minister Nazim Burke, and dual citizenship holder Peter David who has the foreign affairs portfolio.

Mr Thomas led his National Democratic Congress to a landslide 11-4 victory over the New National Party of former prime minister Keith Mitchell in last Tuesday's general election.

Petro Caribe terms made better

Caribbean countries signatory to Venezuela's Petro Caribe oil accord can expect an improved arrangement, after President Hugo Chavez announced plans to improve its terms.

Speaking at a meeting of the Petrocaribe group, Mr Chavez said that the member countries will only have to pay for forty-percent of the oil they purchase in the first ninety days and will then have up to twenty-five years to pay the remaining sixty-percent.

Figures revealed by Venezuelan officials show that three years after the arrangement began, Petro Caribe is still not operating at full strength because of transportation and storage problems.

St Vincent and the Grenadines expects to complete construction of a storage facility next year with Venezuelan help.

Dominica was scheduled to begin building a Venezuelan-financed oil refinery but that's been put on hold pending local consultation.

Storm Watch still on in Bermuda

The people of Bermuda were continuing to keep a close watch on Tropical Storm Bertha.

Forecasters said overnight that the storm with winds of 65 miles per hour threatened to lash Bermuda with rain and high winds.

Business owners in the British territory said they planned to send workers home by noon Monday as a preventive measure.

Beaches were closed to tourists and locals on the weekend as a precaution.

Britain and Caribbean allies hold talks

Several foreign ministers from the region are in London for a three-day summit being held under the banner of the UK/Caribbean Forum.

They are discussing a range of issues including the economic partnership agreement Caribbean countries negotiated with the European Union.

The British minister responsible for Caribbean affairs - Meg Munn, who's co-chairing the summit, said she hoped it would help strengthen Britain's relationship with the Caribbean.

Jamaica's tough cop wants acting career

Jamaica's best known tough cop is quitting the force to pursue an acting career.

Feared police commander Reneto Adams, known locally as Rambo, led a commando-style team accused of multiple killings across Jamaica.

Mr Adams who retired on Saturday, was considered effective but ruthless as commander of an elite, anti-crime unit.

A media sensation, tough cop Adams often had Jamaicans asking for his autograph, and local musicians have compared him in song to Rambo, Saddam Hussein and Dirty Harry.