UNITED NATIONS (CMC):

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has expressed concern at the slow pace of progress in Suriname's implementation of the Women's Convention. As the Committee discussed Suriname's periodic report on Thursday, members said, while that country knows what needs to be done, it is yet to "achieve tangible results".

Glenda Simms, an expert from Jamaica, said the report contains a "very clear definition of human rights," but noted that, "the challenge is, however, to translate the ideology of human rights into actions and plans that make a difference."

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados(CMC):

Barbados health officials say an acute nursing shortage at the island's main health care facility will soon be over.

Director of Nursing Services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bernadette Harris, said the hospital was awaiting the results of 90 students who took the nursing programme at the Barbados Community College, with a view of hiring them to bring the hospital to its full complement of 420-plus nurses.

Harris said there were currently 85 nursing vacancies at the 600-bed facility resulting in the present contingent of nurses working long overtime hours to make up for the shortfall.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia (CMC):

The United States Homeland Security will elevate the terror threat to the Caribbean in March when the region plays host to the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup 2007, a senior U.S. official has said.

International quality adviser at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Patrick Shea, speaking here at an Organisation of American States seminar on border security, noted that knowledge about the thousands of visitors expected in the region for the March 5 to April 28 tournament, would be critical to the success of the event.