The European Commission has unveiled plans to accelerate aid to developing countries grappling with the global economic crisis.

Warning that failure to act could pose a threat to global stability, the executive arm of the European Union said it was bringing forward to this year nearly $5.82 billion of previously earmarked funds to help poor countries fight the current recession.

Aid agencies have welcomed some components of the plan but said it fell way short of the needs of the developing world.

EU officials said the commission intends to accelerate payment of 72 per cent of the budget support to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) nation countries.

Budget measures being assessed

Jamaicans are assessing a new budget intended to stimulate the country's economy.

It comes at a time when the impact of the global economic downturn is being felt on an island grappling with a heavy debt burden.

The budget features sharp cuts and has been accompanied by announcements of a wage freeze in the public sector and a voluntary pay cut by the prime minister.

Financial analyst Orville Johnson has warned that Jamaicans should brace themselves for more job losses.

He told BBC Caribbean that he hoped the efforts of the Golding administration to stimulate the economy would be successful.

US lawmakers want to help Haiti

A delegation from the US Congress has promised to help increase efforts in Washington to get much needed aid to Haiti.

	Haiti's been subjected to battering from floods and storms in addition to its economic and social problems

Members from the Black Caucus group of the Congress who have just completed a visit to the country, met with top Haitian officials including President Rene Preval and Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis.

Democrat Congresswoman Donna Christensen was a part of the trip to Port-au-Prince.

She said that, despite its own problems, the United States can assist Haiti with its infrastructure and agriculture development plans.

Anti-Castro militant indicted

Anti-Castro Cuban militant Luis Posada Carriles was accused on Wednesday in a federal indictment of lying about his involvement in a series of 1997 bombings which targeted tourist spots in Cuba.

The former CIA operative and US army soldier was indicted in Texas on 11 counts, including perjury and obstruction of a federal proceeding.

The indictment is the first time Mr Posada has been formally accused in the United States of being involved in the bombings.

Cuban authorities have long accused him of orchestrating the bombings as well as a deadly 1976 bombing of a Cuban jetliner off Barbados.

The 81 year old militant is wanted in Venezuela and Cuba in connection with the airline bombing.

Fidel favours improved ties

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has urged Washington to take steps to improve ties with Havana, according to an opinion article published on Wednesday.

He is reported to have written in a government-run newspaper that the ball was now in President Barack Obama's court.

Fidel Castro met late Tuesday with three US lawmakers from the Congressional Black Caucus, a meeting he is said to have described as "magnificent".

US delegation leader, Democratic lawmaker Barbara Lee, said she hoped to urge President Obama to reconsider the US position on Cuba, ahead of next week's Summit of the Americas in Trinidad.

Promoting Caribbean music

Caribbean music could soon find a wider audience in the UK and Europe.

Organisers of a project to market the region's culture say they will push for this at various forums.

They plan to turn their attention next month to a showcase of Caribbean music being planned for the northern British city of Liverpool.