West Indies skipper Brian Lara apologised to the Caribbean people yesterday for his team’s dismal performance in the current Cricket World Cup. His comments came after the West Indies suffered their fourth successive defeat in the Super-8s yesterday, effectively ending their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.

It is such a scene of desperation that forms the backdrop for the first international match at the new Grenada National Stadium. The impressive facility, built with Chinese money, is a superior, scenic successor to the edifice which Hurricane Ivan blew down almost two years ago.

A carnival atmosphere erupted on the quiet Morne Rogue Ground, St George?s, Grenada, on Monday, as a host of Trinidad and Tobago soca stars celebrated Caribbean Star Airlines’ fourth anniversary. The show attracted hundreds of islanders. The entertainers, among them Xtatik’s Machel Montano, 2004 Road March champion Shurwayne Winchester and reigning International Soca Monarch Bunji Garlin, were brought to the island by the airline as part of their relief effort and rebuilding drive for the hurricane-ravaged nation.

FIFA Finance Committee has approved a fund worth US $1 million to assist in the rebuilding of football in Caribbean countries affected by Hurricane Ivan. Through the efforts of CONCACAF President Jack Warner, who met with other FIFA officials in Zurich last week, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Bahamas will benefit from the fund which will ensure that football related activities such as travel arrangements for national teams in upcoming international tournaments, replacement of equipment, continuation of courses and other related matters are ensured continuity.

Grenada may need as much as $2.2 billion, or four times its annual economic output, to rebuild after Hurricane Ivan slammed the tiny Caribbean island two weeks ago, an official said on Tuesday. All that money would have to come from abroad as the island's main industries -- nutmeg and tourism -- were devastated, said Patrick Antoine, Grenada's ambassador to the World Trade Organization.

The ravages of Hurricane Ivan have left deep scars across the Caribbean - but despite a lingering sense of shock, the victims are trying to put their lives in order once again.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning said yesterday some 100 CEPEP workers were likely to go to Grenada shortly to assist the hurricane-ravaged country, noting that Trinidad and Tobago would prefer that rebuilding programmes be implemented rather than have Grenadians migrate to this country.

CARICOM leaders could begin arriving in Port of Spain as early as today for an emergency summit tomorrow to discuss the way ahead after Hurricane Ivan, which last week devastated Grenada and then slammed Jamaica, after also impacting on St Vincent, Barbados and Tobago.

More than 1,276 tonnes of food and water and 638 tonnes of construction material have been transported to hurricane-ravaged Grenada by the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.

The prime minister of Grenada has been rescued by the Royal Navy after his home was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan which has killed at least 15 in the southern Caribbean. Grenada has been worst hit and Keith Mitchell was forced to seek shelter on board HMS Richmond as many homes on the island were flattened.

The stench of death hovered over Grenada yesterday as islanders cowered together in makeshift tents to spend the night in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, which has left a trail of destruction and fear among the population of just over 96,000 people. There were confirmed reports of over 24 deaths up to late last night and the death toll was expected to climb.

Hurricane Ivan made a direct hit on Grenada, killing at least three people as it turned concrete homes into piles of rubble and hurled the island's landmark red zinc roofs through the air. The most powerful storm to hit the Caribbean in 10 years also damaged homes in Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent, just days after hurricane Frances rampaged through and went on to cause massive damage in Florida.