Vaughn Lewis says decision-making instruments are essential

Two former St Lucia Prime Ministers have been giving their views on the choice of a new secretary general of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Kenny Anthony, the current Opposition Leader, wants regional leaders to tread carefully in the search for a successor to the retiring Edwin Carrington.

He said the choice should be an inspirational figure.

However his predecessor as Prime Minister, Vaughan Lewis, says the decision-making structure in Caricom may ultimately be more important than who is in charge.

Clinton speaks of Caribbean drug fears

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has said that leaders of Central America and the Caribbean are worried about being overrun by drug gangs.

Mrs Clinton made the remarks in an appearance before the Council on Foreign relations, a Washington-based think tank.

She said North, South and Central America and the Caribbean were facing an increasing threat from well organised drug traffickers.

Mexico is feeling the brunt of the violence as cartels fight for turf control in some cities.

Mrs Clinton said Central American and Caribbean leaders were also voicing concerns that they lacked the institutional capacity to fight back.

She added however that the US relationship with the Caribbean was not all about crime, drugs and violence.

She said that Washington was seeking to provide economic help as well.

Fire rages at oil terminal

A fire blamed on a lightning strike has halted operations for a second day at a Venezuelan oil terminal on Bonaire.

Witnesses said the heat was intense around the terminal's 23 storage tanks and flames and smoke could be seen across the Dutch Caribbean island.

Governor Glenn Thode says crews have isolated the fire and should extinguish it by the end of Thursday.

Offenders seek sanctuary in Caribbean

Law enforcement officials in the United States suspect that sex offenders may be finding refuge in Puerto Rico.

The officials told the Associated Press that some sex offenders believe that Puerto Rico, where restrictions are less strict than in many US jurisdictions, is an ideal place to hide.

Deputy US Marshal Rafael Escobar said federal agents had arrested at least six sex offenders over the last year for failure to register in Puerto Rico and sent them back to the US to face prosecution.

He said the marshals are investigating 10 cases of unregistered offenders suspected to be on the island.

Creole singer passes away

The actress and singer, Jenny Alpha, regarded as the grande dame of French Creole culture has died at the age of 100.

Originally from Martinique, Alpha moved to Paris in 1929 to become a teacher. She soon started singing bossa nova in French cabarets and music halls.

In a tribute, the French minister of culture Frédéric Mitterrand said Alpha devoted all her energy and talent to the defence and recognition of Creole culture.

Alpha recorded her last album two years ago.