Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. will be expanding its reach into the Caribbean, with plans to open 14 shops over five years in the Dominican Republic.

The company said yesterday that it has reached a franchise-development agreement with Dominspec, S.A., which also operates Burger King and Papa John's restaurants in that country.

"Having an experienced and successful franchise partner like Dominspec, S.A. introduce Krispy Kreme in the Dominican Republic is a great opportunity for Krispy Kreme," said Jeff Welch, the president of Krispy Kreme's international division.

Isabel Turull, the managing operator for Dominspec, said that adding Krispy Kreme franchises will "strategically complement and widen" Dominspec's food and beverage operations.

Once Krispy Kreme begins operating in the Dominican Republic, it will have shops in 19 countries -- the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad — Authorities barred Jamaican rapper Bounty Killer from entering Trinidad for a weekend show where he was scheduled to appear, a concert promoter said Sunday.

Verne Extavour, spokesman for Jacho Entertainment, told The Associated Press that Bounty Killer was turned away upon arrival and flew back to Jamaica.

No explanation was given, Extavour said. Immigration officials did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The last time Bounty Killer was in Trinidad, he was arrested on stage and charged with using obscene language. Authorities in Jamaica arrested him for the same reason during last year's Reggae Sumfest.

Best known for the album "My Xperience" and for collaborating with No Doubt on the song "Hey Baby," Bounty Killer was one of a number of musicians scheduled to perform at Saturday's concert.

Among them was Vybz Kartel, with whom Bounty Killer has a long-standing rivalry that has led to violence between their fans.

Promoters had said the concert would represent a truce.

Trinidad and Tobago has a new Miss World delegate.

Last evening, eleven young ladies vied for the title and the chance to take part in the pageant, which will be held this December in South Africa.

The women started off the night at Queen's Hall in swimwear from the Inn Collection before being grilled during the personal interview.
 
Finally, the Miss T&T delegates showed off their evening gowns before the judges decided that Ashana Arthur was the best of the best.

Judges at last night's event included Miss World 1986 Giselle Laronde-West, ex-priest turned Minister of Public Administration, Kennedy Swaratsingh and well-known journalist Andy Johnson.

Ashana Arthur, who also won Miss Photogenic, now begins an intense, three-month training period, before flying to South Africa where she will vie with over 100 other contestants for the crown.

TAIPEI, Taiwan--(Business Wire)--
Taipei The foremost non-profit trade and investment promotion organization in Taiwan, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) has been entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Taiwan to organize and lead a trade mission to Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and St. Lucia to conduct trade meetings, exhibitions, seminars and other relevant promotional activities, from the 24th of September to the 4th of October.

Bringing with them the latest information as well as new opportunities for business and trade, the delegation comprises dynamic enterprises that represent various industries, ranging from fashion, gifts and stationery, furniture, auto parts, electronics to high tech industries. The trade mission not only serves as a platform for networking and meeting among all enterprises but it is also seen as an ideal occasion for establishing closer trade ties between Taiwan and the
countries within the Caribbean region.

The delegation initially begins their trade mission with a 2-day stop in Trinidad & Tobago from Sept. 24 to 25. A seminar on Sept. 25th, which will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Port of Spain, shall present Taiwan`s latest business opportunities. Various trade meetings between the Taiwan delegates and local enterprises will follow after the occasion. From Sept. 28 to 29, the delegates will be exhibiting their products at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown of St. Vincent, and from Oct. 2 to 4 the delegates will be exhibiting their products at the Gaiety in St. Lucia.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago -- Playing time on the U.S. national team is precious. Just ask Ricardo Clark.

The midfielder, who did not even dress for the Americans' World Cup qualifier victory over El Salvador last Saturday, was just about to be yanked from the Yanks' tense, frustrating qualifier Wednesday here against Trinidad and Tobago.

So in a grand act of self-preservation, both for himself and the U.S. team, Clark rocketed a bending, 25-yard shot into the back of the T&T net to give the Americans a 1-0 victory and propel the squad into first place in the CONCACAF standings.

With just four matches remaining for each nation in the final round of North, Central American and Caribbean qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, Trinidad and Tobago have much to do if they are to recover from their slow start and advance. The top three teams qualify for the finals, while the fourth-placed enter a two-game play-off in November against the fifth-placed finisher in South America for the last berth.

T&T are at the bottom of the six-nation table, equal on points with El Salvador, but trailing on goal difference. But with five points in hand after a recent win, the South African dream lives on in the Caribbean camp, as FIFA.com found out.

The Soca Warriors have had plenty to endure of late, including nerve-wracking ties and eventual losses in matches where a point had seemed likely. They have also had to confront the familiar debate as to the optimal mix of veterans and newcomers, an absence at the latest CONCACAF Gold Cup, as well as a recent coaching change.

It will be the first child for her and the second for her boyfriend/manager/producer of the past nine years, Brian Morris. He is the father of a 13-year-old daughter who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Garcia, known for hits like "Tremble It", "Sassiness", "Bonnie and Clyde", "I Dare You", "Obsessive Winers" and "Carnival", told the Express she had some "mixed emotions at first".

"I've always had a bit of an irregular cycle, so I was not sure it was that, but my gynaecologist recently confirmed for me that yes, I am very pregnant. I hope my fans are very happy for me."

The soca star, who is the face of Digicel in Trinidad and Tobago, said the news took her by surprise because there had been no morning sickness. Her stomach has only "just" started to show, she said. Contacted for a comment, Sponsorship and PR manager for Digicel Marita Laurent extended congratulations to Garcia and Morris on the pregnancy.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) -- An early Cornell Glen strike earned Trinidad and Tobago a desperate 1-0 win against fellow World Cup qualifying struggler El Salvador at Hasely Crawford Stadium on Wednesday.

Trinidad's first win in six matches in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying kept the Soca Warriors last in the six-team group but with renewed hope of making a second straight World Cup finals.

El Salvador remained fifth.

"I am delighted for Trinidad and Tobago, we needed to win this game to get back into the competition and that is what we achieved," Soca Warriors coach Russell Latapy said. "What it did with the victory today it keeps us in touching distance.

"We have four games to go and we are going to try to win all four of them but we know its going to be four cup finals. Its Honduras next and we need to start preparing for that."

Yearwood's 'In The Middle Of The Road' beat out Mikey with 'I In Dat,' and Red Plastic Bag with 'Something Happening.'

'In The Middle Of The Road' was produced by Monstapiece Productions and blared from numerous trucks and bands playing mas from the National Stadium to the Spring Garden Highway. The Krosfyah lead singer and the only calypsonian to win three crowns in one season said he was thrilled by the song's success and the win.

Crop Over in Barbados wrapped up Monday.

(CNN) -- Michael Jackson, the show-stopping singer whose best-selling albums -- including "Off the Wall," "Thriller" and "Bad" -- and electrifying stage presence made him one of the most popular artists of all time, died Wednesday, according to multiple sources, including the Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press.

CNN has not confirmed this information.

He was 50.

He collapsed at his residence in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles, California, about noon Pacific time, suffering cardiac arrest, according to brother Randy Jackson. He died at UCLA Medical Center.

Three days shy of his 40th birthday, arranger Sheldon Benjamin, fondly known as “Shel Shok,” succumbed to a type of cancer (non-Hodgkins lymphoma) at 2.25 pm yesterday. He had been battling the disease for a few months and died at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.

On Sunday, friends had organised a fund-raiser at Club Zen in Port-of-Spain to aid with medical expenses for the cancer-stricken music producer. Among those who had spent time with Benjamin and his parents June and Lennox in his final moments were Elizabeth Montano, mother and manager of soca artiste Machel Montano. Montano said: “We are happy most of us were able to share the last moments with him. Machel, Patrice, people from our band and Destra’s band. Destra’s manager Brian Morris was there. A lot of dancers were there. The good thing is he had people who cared for him during his last moments.”