I was delighted to see in the programme for government a significant support for the next generation of farmers — with commitments to maintain the young farmer schemes, to use the taxation system to encourage land mobility and succession, to ensure access to affordable credit and a review of agricultural education.

A German aid ship with 36 Sudanese and another rescued African that has been sailing southern Mediterranean waters for three weeks in search of a haven has been turned away from a Sicilian port today.

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.

HAITI'S government yesterday rejected proposals that President Jean-Bertrand Aristide step down to end a bloody uprising, while rebels threatened the Caribbean nation's second-largest city.