GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Chronicle - THE Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA) is perhaps the greatest platform for showcasing the cultural diversity of the various Caribbean countries. It presents an excellent opportunity for networking and developing long-lasting relationships between the citizens of those countries.
The recently-concluded 11th edition of this festival is a complete manifestation of just that, as it was our neighbour’s, Suriname’s, turn to organize and host this auspicious event, which was nothing short of spectacular this year.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - SMALL Island Developing States (SIDS) in the region have been given some pointers on how they can foster private sector partnerships, with the help of banks. Deputy Premier of the British Virgin Islands Kendrick Pickering says the BVI has developed a programme fostered and promoted through their National Business Bureau. He was speaking during a high level dialogue during the just concluded Inter- Regional Preparatory Meeting, in preparation for the Third International Conference on SIDS at the Hilton Barbados.

JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – Anti-apartheid leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela returned to his home yesterday where he will continue to receive intensive care after three months in hospital with a lung ailment.
Mandela, 95, had spent 87 days in a Pretoria hospital after he was rushed there in early June suffering from a recurring infection of the lungs, a legacy of the nearly three decades he spent in jail under apartheid.

BEIRUT/WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Syria hailed a “historic American retreat” yesterday, mockingly accusing President Barack Obama of hesitation and confusion after he delayed a military response to last month’s chemical weapons attack near Damascus until after a congressional vote.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said tests had shown sarin nerve gas was fired on rebel-held areas on Aug. 21, and expressed confidence that U.S. lawmakers would do “what is right” in response.
Washington says more than 1,400 people, many of them children, were killed in the attack.

NEW YORK, CMC – Police were searching for gunmen who killed a one-year-old boy with a bullet intended for his Trinidadian-born father. Police said Antiq Hennis was in his stroller, inches from his Trinidadian parents, when he was shot in the head. The incident occurred a few meters from the family’s home in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. Police said the toddler’ unidentified father was unharmed.