Cuba's Roman Catholic Church has said that a second Spanish priest has been killed near the capital in five months.

The church said the body of 74-year-old Reverend Mariano Arroyo's body was discovered on Monday in his room.

It said early indications are that he was murdered.

The outlawed Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation told the Spanish news agency, Efe, that Rev Arroyo was found stabbed, burned and with his hands tied.

In February, another Spanish priest, Eduardo de la Fuente Serrano, 61, was found dead by the side of a road west of the capital. News reports said he had been stabbed to death.

US, Cuba resume talks

Talks between the United States and Cuba on immigration issues were due to re-start on Tuesday at the United Nations in New York.

	On the table is an agreement to prevent the mass exodus of Cubans

Both countries have indicated in recent weeks that they are ready to move to thaw relations, which are currently conducted through third countries.

Discussions on immigration issues with Cuba were suspended by the former American President, George Bush, in 2003.

President Obama has called past American policy towards Cuba a failure.

TCI direct order proclaimed

Britain has carried out its pledge to restore direct rule in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Governor Gordon Wetherell has proclaimed the UK parliamentary order giving him the power to suspend parts of the territory's constitution.

The Governor said however that he didn't intend to use it until the completion of an ongoing court case.

Next month, the English Court of Appeal will hear an appeal from former TCI premier Michael Misick against the dismissal of his application for a judicial review of the constitution order.

Guyana, Venezuela discuss border

Guyana and Venezuela are said to be close to agreeing the appointment of a new representative of the United Nations to restart negotiations over their border dispute.

The facilitator's post has been vacant since the death two years ago of the Barbadian jurist, Oliver Jackman.

Venezuela has claimed two-thirds of Guyana - the Essequibo region - for more than a century.

The foreign ministers of the two countries met in Caracas over the weekend and spokespersons for both sides said they made progress on reaching a consensus on the next steps.

Antigua faces Stanford lawsuit

A lawsuit has been filed against Antigua over its alleged role in the Allen Stanford affair.

Reuters news service reports that investors from four countries claim that Antigua benefited from, and knew about, Mr Stanford's alleged US$7 billion fraud.

The lawsuit, filed in Houston, claims Mr Stanford "stuffed Antigua's coffers - and its officials' pockets - with money stolen from unsuspecting customers."

The Texan financier faces civil and criminal charges related to a scheme US prosecutors say was centered around the activities of his Stanford International Bank in St John's.

AG stays put, says Manning

The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago has rejected an offer to quit from his Attorney General.

John Jeremie handed in a letter of resignation after a local group of lawyers passed a no confidence motion against him.

The Law Association cited an alleged attempt by Mr Jeremie to influence prosecutors in bringing a case against two high profile figures.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning said he applauded the integrity of Mr Jeremie to act in the highest principles by offering his resignation.

Mr Manning stuck to his position that the no-confidence motion was politically inspired.

Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday described the affair as a hoax.