Term Slug
member
PM says Jack Warner was a distraction to government
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar said she accepted the resignation of her embattled national security minister Austin “Jack” Warner because he had become a major distraction to the work of her coalition People’s Partnership government.
“Mr Warner’s resignation from the Cabinet comes with a degree of regret as he was a highly industrious and productive member of the government, having served with distinction in the Ministries of Works and National Security,” she said.
A&B to benefit from US $42 million fund to protect reefs
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua & Barbuda is in line to benefit from a US $42 million fund to protect marine and coastal habitats.
It comes under a project called “the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI)” – led by the Nature Conservancy (TNC) – which seeks to have 20 per cent of near shore areas in Caribbean islands set aside as marine protected sites by the year 2020.
Countries are first required to create National Conservation Trust Funds and show how they will sustainably finance them. The funds will be used strictly to create and manage marine protected areas.
Opposition leader calls for removal of VAT on medication
CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC-Leader of the Opposition Stephenson King has written to Prime Minister Kenny Anthony, concerning the long-standing issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) on medication.
In a letter, King brought to the attention of the prime minister the number of citizens who complain about their inability to purchase medication in a timely manner due to the additional burden brought on by the tax.
C’bean Airline Services workers stage sick out
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua & Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU), bargaining agents for the 117 Caribbean Airlines Services (CAS) workers will be meeting with management today following a sick-out by workers yesterday.
ABWU General Secretary David Massiah told OBSERVER media CAS management and employees have long been at an impasse over negotiations for a new collective agreement.
“We were not satisfied with the positions that were put forward by the company and we have responded, and they have responded likewise. So it has been a counter and back-and-forth,” he said.
LIAT, CAL and the Caribbean
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua - The financial woes of LIAT and Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) featured in the news this past week.
Opposition Leader says lack of confidence led to bond being under-subscribed
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace says a lack of confidence in the finances of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government is responsible for the EC$40 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) 10-year bond issued last month being significantly undersubscribed.
Eustace said over the years, he has been complaining about the declining finances in the country.
“A lot of bills are not being paid by the government because they don’t have the cash to pay,” he said, adding that the Ralph Gonsalves government owes the private sector millions of dollars.
Haiti to host ACS Summit
Port of Spain, Trinidad, CMC – Several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states will be represented at the 5th Summit of the Heads of State and/or Government of The Association of Caribbean States (ACS), to be held in Haiti this week.
Sustainable tourism, trade, air and maritime transport and disaster risk reduction are some of the issues to be discussed at the Summit, themed: “Revitalizing the Vision of the Association of Caribbean States for a Stronger and More United Greater Caribbean.”
Making sense of Jamaica’s growth challenges
KINGSTON, Jamaica - There is much anxiety today among Jamaicans at home and abroad concerning Jamaica's economic future. Those who have been brave enough to look over the economic precipice often return to the fold with grossly disturbing news.