BERMDUA: Mega-schools the source of problem. I read with great interest an article in The Royal Gazette on Thursday, October 16, 2008. This article was basically the thoughts of Shadow Education Minister Dr. Grant Gibbons. I actually read the article three or four times. You know, first you read and react, then you read and meditate, and then you read and communicate. Hence, I will share some thoughts on the matter of replacing the Bermuda School Certificate. Full article

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS: Gangster music - cause or effect of violence? As Jamaica continues to grapple with the massive crime problem, more fingers are pointing at DJs' 'gangsta' lyrics as one of the causes of the violence. Full article

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: New Study Explores Alcohol Use and HIV Risk in the Dominican Republic. Associate professor Vincent Guilamo-Ramos of the Columbia University School of Social Work and assistant professor Mark Padilla of the University of Michigan School of Public Health have been awarded a $430,000 grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The grant will be used to develop a venue-based alcohol and HIV-prevention intervention for adults in the Dominican Republic (D.R.). Full article

JAMAICA: LETTER. Corporate Jamaica and youth employment. Full article

JAMAICA: LETTER. Query re youth programme. Full article

JAMAICA: Policeman in custody for teen’s abduction. A policeman has been taken into custody in connection with the abduction of a teenager in Harbour View St. Andrew on Friday night. Full article

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Girl student gunned down in gangs crossfire. Kimberly Monderoy, a 13-year-old student of Mucurapo Comprehen-sive School, was shot dead late yesterday afternoon when she was caught in the crossfire of two warring gangs, at Cuthbert Circular, Four Roads, Diego Martin. Full article

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: 'A life of crime will kill you'. JAMAICAN REGGAE icon Luciano had a message of hope for students of Beetham Servol Life Centre. Full article

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Former Holy Faith student gives advice to grads. WHAT LIES behind you and what lies before you are small matters compared to what lies within you. Full article
 

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Boy, 15, killed. A 15-year-old boy died after he got shot in the head while he and his friends played with a gun at a house in Laventille yesterday. Full article

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Teen pointed out. A 17-YEAR-OLD youth, arrested on Thursday morning at Piarco International Airport is expected to be charged this weekend with shooting acting police Sgt Edward Allen and will appear before an Arima magistrate on Monday. Full article

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Youth held with ‘ganja’ to know fate Tuesday. Magistrate Avason Quinlan wants to know why young people seem allergic to the concept of freedom. Full article