Three young men were shot and killed in their beds in St Lucia Monday morning.

Another is being treated in hospital for gunshot wounds.

Two of the three killed were said to be brothers.

St. Lucians are said to be horrified.

The killings bring the number of murders in St Lucia so far this year to 25.

JA AA deal probed

	The Jamaica government has defended the decision.

Jamaica's Contractor General is to probe the controversial air-lift guarantee deal between the government and American Airlines.

In the deal the government will pay more than 4.5 million US dollars to American Airlines to guarantee airlift to Jamaica.

The Contractor General's Office is a government body set up to prevent governmental irregularities.

The deal, which came to public attention last week, has been severely criticised by the opposition Peoples National Party, officials of Air Jamaica and the unions representing workers at the airline.

They say see it as the government helping the main competitor of the national airline.

The Jamaica government has defended the decision, claiming that it’s mainly for US airports where Air Jamaica doesn’t fly.

Heroes welcomed home

Some of the Caribbean's Olympics medal winners from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago returned home Monday.

Jamaica's triple gold winning record breaking track star Usain Bolt touched down to a hero's welcome in Kingston.

In Trinidad, the country's two Olympic silver medals sparkled in the sunlight as the national Olympic squad returned home this morning.

There to meet greet them were the fans led by Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

UN to launch Haiti appeal

The United Nations is planning to launch a flash appeal for Haiti, following the passage of Hurricane Ike.

Port au Prince has been hit by four major storms in as many weeks, and the latest, Hurricane Ike, has claimed over 60 lives so far.

While the country escaped a direct hit from the storm, torrential rains caused flooding in a number of areas.

The weather is hampering relief efforts for those still struggling with the effects of Hurricane Hanna, which struck late last week.

Hundreds died in the flooding and mudslides, particularly in the northern city of Gonaives.

The UN's emergency relief co-ordinator John Holmes said they will appeal for tens of millions of dollars from the donors for the various UN agencies and NGOs.

Jagdeo proposes 'goods only' agreement

Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo has proposed that Caricom sign a 'goods only' agreement with Europe, as regional leaders prepare to discuss the Economic Partnership Agreement later this week.

Mr Jagdeo and other Caricom leaders who oppose the EPA, say it is not in the region's best interest.

The Guyana government recently held a national consultation on the new trade deal, which was reached between Europe and Cariforum countries last December.

Speaking ahead of the Barbados talks, Mr Jagdeo said a 'goods only' agreement would give Caribbean leaders more time to discuss the full implications of the EPA.