THE CARIBBEAN

Historic Haiti trade mission by Bill Clinton fuels conversation, optimism

A historic Haiti trade mission led by Bill Clinton fueled conversation and changed perceptions among both Haitians and, hopefully, investors.

HAITI

Clinton welcomes potential Haiti investors

Former President Bill Clinton, the U.N.'s special envoy to Haiti, welcomed potential investors and promised to help them succeed in Haiti.

Bill Clinton in Haiti on trade mission

Former President Bill Clinton welcomed a trade mission in haiti Thursday, committing his and the Inter-American Development Bank staff to personally follow up with each investor interested in creating jobs but may need help finalizing a real deal.

Caribbean nations find new financial allies

As a tourism-dependent Caribbean struggles to stay afloat amid the global financial crisis, an increasing number of nations are forging fresh ties with unexpected allies.

AMERICAS CONFERENCE

Bill Clinton sees big opportunity for Haiti

Speaking as U.N. special envoy to Haiti, Bill Clinton applauded Latin American support and reiterated his push for temporary protected status for undocumented Haitians.

President Clinton says Haiti has a good shot at success

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton said Haiti enjoyed the backing of its Latin American neighbors more than ever on Tuesday as he spoke on the opening day of the Americas Conference.

A cruise ship pullout could be an economic detriment to Caribbean nation

A recent decision by Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines to drop Antigua and Barbuda from its seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise itinerary could cost the tourist-dependent nation more than $40 million, the country's tourism minister told The Miami Herald Tuesday.

CARIBBEAN ECONOMY

Bahamas credits careful borrowing for financial survival

While Jamaica and several other cash-strapped Caribbean nations are turning to the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance in the wake of the global meltdown, the Bahamas won't be among them, Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said.

Haiti project of recycled paper charcoal among 12 finalists in BBC contest

Now, the factory that turns trash into that form of energy known as -- briquettes -- has made Port-au-Prince, Haiti among 12 finalists in the World Challenge 09 competition, sponsored by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World News. The competition began Monday and runs through Nov. 13.

Jamaican banana firm works to rebrand itself

Wafer-thin chips sizzle in two oversized steel fryers in a factory where two masked workers steadily add barbecue and other secret Jamaican seasonings to the finished batch.

THE CARIBBEAN

How Jamaica is coping with crisis

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has outlined his cost-cutting plans to see the island nation through the global economic crisis.

JAMAICA

Jamaica seeks to diversify battered economy

Hurricanes, coupled with the collapse of key industries, have forced Jamaica to look into ways of diversifying its battered economy.

HAITI

Royal Caribbean boosts Haiti tourism push

By far the biggest private investment in Haiti tourism in decades, a multimillion-dollar expansion by Royal Caribbean on the northern coast is igniting hopes of a tourism comeback.

Groups commit almost $600 million to help Haiti

The Green Family Foundation, a Miami-based nonprofit organization working to improve health in Haiti, is pledging $280,000 to help fight poverty in the central region of the Caribbean nation through its Millennium Village Project Haiti.

ACHIEVEMENT

Miami author Edwidge Danticat wins `Genius Award'

Haiti-born writer Edwidge Danticat has won the prestigious MacArthur Foundation fellowship, which comes with $500,000.

Father of family slain in Florida arrested in Haiti

Haitian National Police have arrested Mesac Damas, 33, who is wanted by police in Naples in the death of five children and their mother.

Mario Andresol, the head of the HNP, told The Miami Herald that Damas was arrested Monday morning in Tabarre, a community near the Port-au-Prince airport.

IMMIGRATION

TPS issue gaining traction for Haitians this week

The issue of temporary protected status for Haitians fleeing their homeland gained traction this week, even as the designation's future remained uncertain.

Guyanese firm wins 'Pioneer of Prosperity'

A Guyanese firm that makes building materials for homes from locally harvested woods, and then recycles the sawdust by giving it away to chicken farmers, has been named a ``Pioneer of Prosperity,'' taking home a $100,000 grant in a regional Caribbean business competition.

IMMIGRATION

Haitians up pressure for special immigration status

Advocates are stepping up pressure to gain Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants.

HAITI

Haitian businesses say downgraded travel advisory doesn't go far enough

Business leaders in Haiti have welcomed the U.S. State Department's revision of its travel advisory, but say the language should be changed further to encourage new growth.