KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - A new database developed jointly by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the World Bank reveals that trade costs fall disproportionately on the Caribbean and other developing countries. The World Bank said this has taken place although the international economy has integrated considerably in recent decades.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer -LABOUR and Social Security Minister Derrick Kellier says the country is currently experiencing an unprecedented degree of industrial stability, pointing out that this is a result of the robust and mature industrial relations mechanism that now exists in Jamaica. Speaking at a press briefing held at the Ministry's North Street offices in downtown Kingston on Wednesday, Kellier reported that work stoppages have declined over the 2010/2012 period.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - THERE were two occurrences within the past week that reminded me that Jamaica still has a lot to do in order to see long-term sustainable development. There was an announcement that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team is on the island, and it is expected that a staff-level agreement should be reached after this visit. This means that we can expect board approval within six weeks, which would be just before the 2013/14 budget is tabled.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - IN his report on Jamaica's epic 0-0 draw against mighty Mexico in the Azteca stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday night, Sports Editor Mr Ian Burnett asks the rhetorical question "who would have thought it possible?"
Truth is, not many of us.
The Reggae Boyz, their coaching and support staff, deserve our salutations not just for their achievement in becoming the first Jamaican football team to come away from Mexico City with a point, but also for their obvious belief that it was possible and that their time had come.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - THE population of developed countries is ageing rapidly as people in those affluent societies live longer as a consequence of good nutrition and better health care, as well — a drop in the birth rate, reflecting more women in the workforce and the desire for fewer children. These twin trends have resulted in a major demographic shift in population structure with a higher percentage of these populations being over 60 years of age and a lower percentage of working age.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - THE big storm heading for the United States Northeast is already disrupting air travel.
United Airlines said it has cancelled 900 flights for today in advance of the storm. Delta Air Lines Inc cancelled 740.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The police in the central parish of Clarendon have four Haitians in their custody, two have been charged with illegal entry. According to reports here, two Haitian men were picked up on the weekend by the police as they carried out spot checks in the parish. It was then discovered that the men had illegally entered the country. The men were charged and taken to the police lockup in the parish capital of May Pen. While there, two women went to see them, during the visit it was discovered that they were also from Haiti.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner - THREE OF the country's leading private-sector groups have given Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell and the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) 30 days to lay out a clear road map to secure massive reductions in electricity rates. The Government was banking on the introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to reduce the cost of electricity by up to 40 per cent. However, the fate of the LNG project hangs in the balance following the withdrawal of the Government from the process.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica says it will continue to promote technical and economic co-operation with developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as with traditional partners Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and the European Union.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner - Long admired for world-class academics moulding young minds, the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, could be depleted of such individuals in the next few years. Professor Hubert Devonish has estimated that some 300 academics are due to retire in the next five years, and replacements are hard to find because of comparatively low salaries. Devonish noted that UWI brought salaries down to regional levels decades ago, but the continuing slide of the Jamaican dollar has had a negative impact.