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Opposition wants full probe

probe KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has called for a full scale investigation into reports that National Security Minister Peter Bunting had been held up and robbed over the weekend.
Opposition spokesman on National Security and Justice Delroy Chuck in a statement said while the JLP had learnt of the “unfortunate incident” and was also relieved that Bunting had not been injured, given the conflicting accounts of what happened, there was need for a thorough probe.

Caribbean nations search for offshore oil amid spill fears

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - The turquoise waters that have long brought treasure seekers to the Caribbean now are drawing a new kind of explorer as countries across the region increasingly open their seas to oil exploration.
From the Bahamas and Cuba down to Aruba and Suriname, international oil companies are lining up to locate potentially rich offshore deposits in the Caribbean. The countries hope drilling could lead to a black-gold bonanza, easing demand for imported oil and diversifying their economies.

Cyprus debt and Caribbean defaults

KINGSTON, Jamaica - In the last few days, the government of Cyprus has begun to implement the measures demanded of it by the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In return for providing €10 billion (US$13 billion) in support, a sum small by international standards, Europe has taken steps down a route that may set a precedent for Slovenia and others in the Eurozone such as Italy and Spain, if they are unable to resolve their long-term economic problems.

BRICS plan development bank

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Leaders of five of the world's emerging economic powers agreed Wednesday to create a development bank to help fund their US$4.5-trillion infrastructure plans - a direct challenge to the World Bank that they accuse of Western bias.
But the rulers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — known as the BRICS group — were unable to agree on some basic issues. Foreign Minister Pravin Gordhan of South Africa told reporters that there were "different views" about how much capital such a bank would need.

Jamaica’s energy problem needs urgent attention

KINGSTON, Jamaica - A FORMER head of the country's utilities regulation body has warned that Jamaica's energy problem now requires the same urgency as the lottery scam and has proposed a draft of measures he says can help to address the issue.
With stakeholders divided between the use of coal as against liquified natural gas (LNG), J. Paul Morgan, the man who led the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) until five years ago, says it is time the Government steps forward and present a very clear energy policy.

IMF delays hurting us - Phillips hopes to strike deal soon amid concerns in market

KINGSTON, Jamaica - ONE WEEK after Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips disclosed that contingent talks between the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank were holding up the approval of an extended fund facility (EFF), he now says the country is being negatively impacted by the delay.
Phillips, who yesterday announced at a Jamaica House press briefing that Jamaica would not meet its deadline to secure an IMF agreement by month end, said the issues being discussed relate to funding support for Jamaica's programme.

EDITORIAL - Damp squib from Cabinet retreat

KINGSTON, Jamaica - The People's National Party (PNP) socialists of the 1970s may have been dismal at managing the economy, but they knew how to rally people to their cause. The PNP of the current era, in so far as we can tell, has lost the art of mobilisation. So, the Cabinet has just emerged from a three-day special session to discuss the economy and to advance the Government's so-called growth agenda. Very few would argue if we conclude that it was a damp squib.

Small states, big problems: size does matter

KINGSTON, Jamaica - FOR decades the small developing states of the world, led by the advocacy of Caricom, have been at pains to explain to the world that their economies are very vulnerable to adverse external events, to which they have severely limited capacity for adjustment.

Moderate quake rattles

(Jamaica Observer) - A moderate earthquake has rattled Trinidad & Tobago, causing some alarm, but no reported damage or injuries.
The US Geological Survey says the magnitude-4.8 quake struck early yesterday and was centred some 50 miles north east of Roxborough, an eastern town on the tourism-dependent island of Tobago. It was also felt in the Caribbean country of Barbados.
Its epicentre was about 46 kilometres (29 miles) below the surface.
In Tobago, police said they received calls from some jittery residents who lingered outside after the quake. (Entire Article)

Thirty-three Haitians land in Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Thirty-three Haitians were taken ashore on Saturday afternoon after they were intercepted by Coast Guard officials off the coast of the eastern parish of Portland.
The Haitians - 16 adult males, four adult females and 13 children including two infants were spotted by fishermen who alerted the marine police and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
They were examined by a medical team and the Office Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) alerted.

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