Five bodies were recovered and 22 people were rescued and taken to hospital, according to the latest press statement from Haiti's civil protection agency.

As many as 60 people were believed to be on board when the boat capsized.

Dominica requests IMF funding

Dominica is the latest eastern Caribbean nation to announce that it is seeking low-interest funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

But it has sought to point out, that like St Vincent and St Lucia, the funds are coming from a concessional IMF facility for countries hit by financial turbulence that was largely out of their control.

Dominica said it had made a formal request for US5 million from the Fund's Exogenous Shock Facility to help meet a shortfall in export earnings.

Minister explains absence from IMF talks

Jamaica's finance minister, Audley Shaw, has been explaining his absence from a delegation that has opened discussions with the IMF on traditionally more onerous standby agreement for balance of payment support.

He said that the minister was not involved in the preliminary stage of the talks.

The opposition had called on Mr Shaw to explain his absence from the talks.

Barbados firm signs election deal

The Philippines' election agency has signed a $150 million deal with a Barbados-based firm and its local partner to supply vote counting machines after days of delay and controversy.

Automation is intended to speed up the counting of votes, which has been done manually in previous elections.

The contract to supply 82,200 vote counting machines was signed with Barbados-based Smartmatic and local partner Total Information Management.

Support for Caricom parliament

The speaker of Guyana's parliament wants the Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians (ACCP) to be revived.

Mr. Ralph Ram Karran was speaking the opening of a meeting of parliamentarians from across the region.

The assembly, which was intended as a type of parliament for Caricom, has met twice - in 1996 and 1999.

Mr Ram Karran said the ACCP can make a positive difference to integration once effectively organised and adequately supported.

Cuban leader in Algeria

The Cuban president, Raul Castro, is in Algeria for talks with President Abdulaziz Bouteflika.

It's Mr Castro's second visit in recent months, and Algeria has already signed deals to trade its crude oil for Cuban medicine, vaccines and sugar.

More than 100 Cuban doctors have also been working in Algeria.

The two countries have enjoyed close relations since 1963, when Cuba sent tanks and troops to support Algeria in a border war with Morocco.

London ballet for Cuban shows

Britain's Royal Ballet is in Havana for what officials said would be five days of sold-out performances in the company's first visit to Cuba.

The performances, which begin on Tuesday, will include a tribute to Cuban ballet legend Alicia Alonso and feature the return of Carlos Acosta, a Cuban who is the ballet's principal guest dancer.

Classical ballet is hugely popular on the island and all the tickets sold within hours.

The Director of the Royal Ballet, Dame Monica Mason, said the national passion for ballet was one of the attractions of going to Cuba.