07 January, 2009 - Published 11:24 GMT

BBC Caribbean News in Brief

Guyana wants ceasefire

Guyana's president Bharrat Jagdeo has condemned Israel's bombing campaign in Gaza.

	Israel's "war" described as sanctioned genocide

The state-owned Guyana Chronicle newspaper quotes President Jagdeo as describing Israel's military action in Gaza as a form of sanctioned genocide.

He said Guyana condemns absolutely, the atrocities being perpetrated against the Palestinians, especially what President Jagdeo described as the murder of innocent women and children.

The Guyanese leader has called for an immediate ceasefire.

Israeli ambassador expelled

The Venezuelan government has expelled the Israeli ambassador and some of his embassy staff, in protest at the ongoing military action the Israelis are engaged in in Gaza.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez sharply criticised the Israeli government for the conflict.

He called the offensive in Gaza an act of barbarism.

A BBC correspondent in Caracas says Mr Chavez often uses strong language to criticise Israel, and is a close ally of Iran - one of Israel's main enemies.

Flights being cancelled and diverted in Antigua

Antigua and Barbuda's aviation minister Harold Lovell says the flow-control restriction implemented by the country's air traffick controllers is impacting negatively on the economy and aircraft movement.

	Airline flights being cancelled or diverted in Antigua

The system limits the number of landings over a certain time period, and regional airline Liat said the action was causing its flights to be delayed.

It had been suggested that the measure was a form of industrial action by the air traffic controllers over outstanding grievances.

Mr. Lovell says international and regional carriers have been forced to either cancel flights or divert to other destinations.

Cubans embrace housing reform

Hundreds of Cubans are rushing to repair their homes.

They're cashing in on a government announcement that private citizens can construct buildings for the first time in decades.

President Raul Castro announced the new measure on Sunday.

It allows Cubans to build houses using private funds, once they follow guidelines set by the government on the dimensions and size of the dwelling.

Previously all homes in Cuba were provided by the state, with private construction prohibited.

The government believes the new policy will allow the quick construction of hundreds of thousands of new buildings.

Opposition press for relief measures

Dominica's opposition leader Ron Green says the government in Roseau should do much more to address the hardships facing the people of the country because of the global economic downturn.

Mr Green acknowledged government action that brought down the price of fuel.

But he says other relief measures are needed, to reduce the cost of electricity and taxes.

Insurance and mutual funds hit

The premier of the British Virgin islands says the sectors in the BVI most likely to be affected by the global economic downturn are captive insurance and mutual funds.

Premier Ralph O'Neal has been telling the House of Assembly that the Financial Services Commission has already seen evidence of this in the increased number of requests by funds for voluntary cancellation.

The Premier said there was likely to be "minimal growth" in these types of structures particularly in the first half of this New Year.

Holloway probe winding down

In Aruba - prosecutors say their investigation into the 2005 disappearance of US teenager Natalee Holloway is coming to an end.

They have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos said his office still needs another few months to investigate statements made by the only remaining suspect.

He was referring to statements made by Joran van der Sloot during a hidden camera interview broadcast on Dutch television last year.