Chief Minister Lewis says leaders have been focusing on unity

OEC leaders meeting in Montserrat have been discussing the proposed economic union.

The sub-regional grouping has also launched a series of public consultations on the proposed economic union, which is expected to be launched in 2009.

Montserrat's Chief Minister Lowell Lewis told BBC Caribbean that Thursday's morning session focused on the unity issue.

OECS chairman, Grenada's Tillman Thomas, also called on his colleagues to give serious consideration to the proposed union with Trinidad and Tobago.

Jamaica impacted by financial crisis

The Ministry of Labour in Jamaica has reported that a spate of job cuts is expected soon, as the global financial meltdown begins to take its toll.

Labour Minister Pearnel Charles has confirmed that several locally-based companies, especially those with overseas ties, have written to his ministry advising that redundancies have started and will intensify.

Meanwhile the hotel and tourism industry has warned that the global financial crisis together with a worsening crime problem has sent the sector into a tailspin.

Opposition criticises delay in governor's appointment

Grenada's opposition New National Party has criticised the government for its delay in swearing in a new governor general.

Sir Daniel Williams demitted office on Tuesday, and his successor, former education minister Carlyle Arnold Glean, is to be sworn in next Thursday.

The swearing in ceremony was postponed from yesterday, due to, the government says, the non arrival of the royal commission of appointment.

But the NNP says the swearing in of the new governor general should have been a priority for the government.

And the party also criticised Prime Minister Tillman Thomas for leaving the island pending the appointment of a new head of state.

Mr Thomas is attending the OECS heads summit in Montserrat.

Concerns about malnourished Haitian children

Aid workers say at least 26 severely malnourished children have died in Haiti in recent days, and they fear many more deaths unless more help comes.

Max Cosci, who heads the Belgian contingent of Doctors without Borders in Haiti, said at least 65 other severely malnourished children have been treated on site, or evacuated to hospitals.

Hunger contributed to deaths likely caused by diarrhea, fever and other conditions over a two week period.

But Dr Cosci said medical teams arrived too late to determine how each child died.

Haiti has been hit by spiralling food prices, which resulted in riots last April.

The situation was compounded in August and September, when four storms claimed close to 800 lives and crippled food production.

Death penalty debate continues

Jamaican parliamentarians have been given a few more days to consider how they will vote on the death penalty.

The debate was adjourned at Wednesday evening's sitting of the House and the MPs are now expected to vote next Tuesday.

In what is being described as a conscience vote, they will be expect to decide on whether to retain or remove capital punishment.

At Wednesday's session, labour minister Pearnel Charles appealed for members of parliament to support the retention of hanging.

Government MP Daryl Vaz told BBC Caribbean he will also vote in support of the death penalty.