CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters): Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday his US counterpart Barack Obama was at best an "ignoramus" for saying the socialist leader exported terrorism and obstructed progress in Latin America.

"He goes and accuses me of exporting terrorism: the least I can say is that he's a poor ignoramus; he should read and study a little to understand reality," said Chavez, who heads a group of left-wing Latin American leaders opposed to the US influence in the region.

"When I saw Obama saying what he said, I put the decision back in the drawer; let's wait and see," Chavez said on his weekly television show, adding he had wanted to send a new ambassador to improve relations with the United States after the departure of George W. Bush as president.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (JIS): Caribbean Local Government Ministers have approved the final draft of the Regional Policy and Co-operation Framework on Local Governance, which will serve as a guide towards enhancing Local Government in the region.

The sanctioning of the policy came after two days of meetings in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from December 1 to 2.

The policy, which will serve as a reference tool for countries that are developing, reforming, introducing or reintroducing Local Government, will be submitted to the CARICOM Heads of Government for consideration at their next summit.

NEW YORK, USA: For 30 years he has called America his home. The place where his four children were born and raised. The land where his family and friends reside. The country that still embraces his dreams of a better future. And now, for Jamaican immigrant Roxroy Salmon, the idea of “home” could change. Salmon faces deportation, as immigration officials and community advocates debate whether he belongs here, or back in Jamaica.