LIMA, Peru (AP) — After Joran van der Sloot pleaded guilty Wednesday to the 2010 murder of a Peruvian woman he met at a Lima casino, his lawyer argued that the killing was tragically triggered by fallout from the very event that originally brought his client notoriety. (more)
Our nation is not yet out of the economic woods. Americans are trying to regain their footing and businesses are still searching for reassurance before they make long-term investments. In this environment, it is crucial for Congress not to restrict growth in any corner of the nation. Yet there is an economic threat to the U.S. territory of the Virgin Islands with ramifications for businesses and local governments nationwide. (more)
Selena Gomez has received a string of death threats after she was pictured kissing teen star Justin Bieber while holidaying on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. (more)
Golfer Greg Norman has secretly remarried just 11 months after a bitter divorce from his second wife, Wimbledon champion Chris Evert. (more)
Well now that THAT’S over… (more)
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to America’s economic challenges. States and territories are working hard to stabilize their local economies, provide essential services for residents, and keep budgets balanced. This means ensuring local leaders are empowered to use smart economic strategies and public-private partnerships that reduce their dependence on federal assistance. The U.S. Virgin Islands has found good answers, but unnecessary federal intervention risks halting the territory’s progress. (more)
The Toronto International Film Festival is famous for its star-studded, Oscar-caliber lineup, but it showcases films featuring stellar turns from lesser-known performers too. Before the festival’s conclusion Sunday, The Times’ film staff caught up with some of the players poised to break out of this year’s pack. (more)
Beth Holloway, mother of missing American teen Natalee Holloway, broke into a Peru prison to confront Joran van der Sloot – the man suspected in the case of the younger Holloway’s 2005 disappearance – Beth Holloway’s attorney, John Kelly, confirmed on Friday’s Today show. (more)
The question of whether it’s a baby bump or a costume has been answered: “Penelope is 4½-months pregnant,” reps for Penélope Cruz and husband Javier Bardem confirm. (more)
It would seem that giving away piles of coveted goodies like iPads, diamond jewelry, Palm Pixis and Caribbean vacations would be enough to draw hungry crowds to swag lounges on Emmy Awards weekend. (more)
What are we to make of Congressman Charles Rangel now that even President Obama has thrown him “under the bus” (something Obama is expert at doing to anyone inconvenient, so look out Maxine), saying that Rangel should “end his career with dignity”? Perhaps we need to look back to whence Rangel came from, New York’s “Adam Clayton Powell, Junior” Congressional District. (more)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to cancel Haiti’s $268m (£176m) debt and lend the impoverished Caribbean nation a further $60m. (more)
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) rebels were trying to retake a strategic mountain area near the Caribbean coast when they were hit. (more)
Federal forecasters Thursday called for an “active” to “extremely active” hurricane season this year. They predict anywhere from 14 to 23 named storms to form in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. (more)
An 18-year-old woman who pursued fame on a cable TV reality show after being prosecuted for her role in the “bling ring” celebrity burglary case agreed Monday to plead no contest to felony residential burglary and was sentenced to six months in jail. (more)
Ministers of energy from across the Western Hemisphere will descend upon Washington this week. While they may be able to catch the cherry blossoms, their principal reason for visiting is not tourism. Instead, they have been invited to Washington by Energy Secretary Steven Chu to forge a new chapter in energy cooperation and collaboration in our hemisphere. (more)
A group of scientists exploring the Cayman Trough in the Caribbean said they have found the deepest known undersea volcanic vent. The waters near the vent are so hot they could yield clues to how life started on Earth and could contain never-seen-before marine life, scientists say. (more)
Disney is searching for real treasure chests for its upcoming shoot of the next “Pirates of the Caribbean” swashbuckler — that is, women with natural breasts. (more)
First-quarter severance charges for 2010 are currently estimated to be approximately $150 million to $200 million on after tax. Job cuts will occur through 2011. (more)
Over the course of good years and bad, the countries of Latin America have recently been taking diverging paths to very different futures. (more)
