Hurricane Ivan has weakened slightly as it left behind a trail of destruction in Jamaica and bore down on the Cayman Islands with winds close to 155 mph, according to the US National Hurricane Centre.

Hurricane Ivan grew into the deadliest of storms today, packing winds of 160mph as it headed straight for Jamaica and left a devastated Grenada with 20 dead.

Former Haitian exile Gerard Latortue has been sworn in as the country’s prime minister, promising to unite the country after months of bloodshed and political strife that led to the ousting of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Ousted Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his wife will travel to Jamaica next week, returning to the Caribbean from exile in Africa less than three weeks after he fled, Jamaica’s prime minister says.

The US sent combat-ready Marines into Haiti’s capital and messages to rebel leader Guy Philippe, prompting him to announce his men would lay down their arms, signalling an end to a rebellion that claimed at least 130 lives.

Foreigners, some guarded by US Marines, were fleeing Haiti in droves today, as looting erupted in the capital and pressure grew for an international intervention and for President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to step down.

THE Jamaican prime minister has called for creating a republican form of government and dropping Queen Elizabeth as the country’s head of state.

In a close and tense general election fraught with fears of political violence, Jamaicans today voted for politicians promising to stem spiralling crime and kick-start a sluggish economy.

In a close and tense general election fraught with fears of political violence, more than one million Jamaicans are expected to vote today for politicians promising to stem spiralling crime and kick-start a sluggish economy.

Jamaica’s prime minister was rushed to a hospital after he collapsed during a speech. He was later released and was resting at home.