04 September, 2008 - Published 21:59 GMT

BBC Caribbean News in Brief

Haiti counts losses

Authorities in Haiti say the number of people killed in the wake of Tropical Storm Hanna has risen to more than 90.

A third of those killed were in the north-eastern city of Gonaives - the worst hit area, where 70,000 people are staying in shelters.

Floodwaters have left tens of thousands of people cut off from aid - some spent a third day on their rooftops on Thursday, in the hope of being rescued.

The neighbouring Bahamas also took a beating from Hanna.

Stephen Russell, the Director of the National Emergency Management Agency told BBC Caribbean so far there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities, but there was minimal damage in some islands in the south east.

Officials in the Bahamas are also keeping an eye on Hurricane Ike and Tropical Storm Josephine, which are behind Hanna.

Aid for storm victims

Caribbean nations affected by recent tropical storms and hurricanes are receiving aid from charities and foreign countries.

Spain said it has sent four planes with humanitarian aid to Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.

The first plane was due to arrive in Jamaica on Thursday with over six tonnes of items, including hygiene kits, kitchen sets, construction tools and electric generators.

In nearby Cuba, state-run media have highlighted the arrival of Russian aid, the latest sign that the former Cold War allies are out to strengthen their relations.

The British Red Cross has also launched a nationwide appeal to fund emergency aid for the affected nations.

Dominica to sign EPA

Dominica has announced that it will sign a liberalised trade deal that Caribbean nations have negotiated with the European Union.

Trade Minister, Collin McIntyre, said Dominica could not afford to reject the Economic Partnership agreement because that might mean higher tariffs on its banana exports to the EU.

Guyana is the only country to reject the EPA outright, citing concerns about the development aid on offer and possible competition from cheaper European products.

Caribbean leaders plan to meet in Barbados on Wednesday to talk about the agreement.

Peacekeeping mission could be extended

The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has recommended a 12-month extension to the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti, citing recent political unrest as chief among his concerns.

That would take the mission through to October 2009.

Mr Ban said the appointment of Michele Pierre-Louis as Haitian Prime Minister was an important step forward.

The previous Prime Minister, Jacques-Edouard Alexis, was sacked in April, following riots over the rising cost of living.

US agriculture sales

The United States department of Agriculture has announced it is making available $300 million in credit guarantees for sales of American agricultural commodities in the Caribbean.

Twenty-one countries are eligible including Caricom member nations and French, Dutch and English territories in the region.

The programme promotes sales of US farm goods by assuring lenders they will get paid even if a borrower defaults.