KINGSTON, Jamaica - For centuries we have been socialised that marijuana is destructive and harmful to our health. Astounding as that assertion is, it is true. During the 1970s the subject of the benefits of marijuana was first explored, since then not much has been done to advance this subject. The current issue is how Jamaica can capitalise on the potential of the medicinal properties of marijuana to revitalise our economic performance.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Tuesday praised the Jamaica government over its economic policies and said the island’s economic reform programme remains strong.
IMF Resident Representative, Bert van Selm, in a brief statement recalled that an IMF mission to Jamaica had indicated that policy implementation under Jamaica’s Fund-supported economic reform programme has been strong.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - he regional conversation on the decriminalisation of cannabis would appear to be firmly re-fixed again in the public domain. We use the term “re-fixed” advisedly since, while the latest initiative in this context might be reasonably attributed to the Honourable Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, readers may recall an earlier suggestion to similar effect by one of our puisne judges, Mr. Justice Randall Worrell, as well as sundry others over the years from individuals such as the late Dr.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - PRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar used her “conversational message” on Monday with the people of Trinidad and Tobago for yesterday’s 37th anniversary of this nation as a constitutional republic to signal the coming of some significant political changes for improved democratic governance and building of a more united society.
She chose the high road in pledging commitment by her People’s Partnership administration “currently revealing some non-threatening cracks” to “build a nation where each of us has the same opportunities”.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados health authorities confirmed there have been more than 500 confirmed cases of dengue fever so far this year as a local newspaper reported that a senior banker may have died as a result of the mosquito-borne illness.
The Ministry of Health in a statement said that there were 511 confirmed cases of dengue so far this year compared with 169 for the same period last year”.
In 2012, Barbados recorded 431 confirmed cases.
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has confirmed six cases of the “Influenza A H1N1 Pandemic 09” in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, according to a statement issued by Chief Medical officer, Simon Keizer.
Last week, classes at the Troumaca Secondary School were suspended after the Ministry of Health confirmed that it had become aware that the largest number of patients seeking medical attention for an “acute illness” in the Chateaubelair health district had been from the school. Classes resumed on Monday.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will address the United Nations General Assembly today at 7:30 p.m.
Persad-Bissessar arrived in New York yesterday morning to attend the 68th United Nations General Assembly. She is due to return home tomorrow.
According to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister, as current Chair of CARICOM, the Prime Minister will deliver the CARICOM statement to the General Assembly, and in addition speak as the lead Member State in CARICOM responsible for the security portfolio in the Quasi Cabinet
UNITED NATIONS, CMC – The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began its annual debate here on Tuesday grappling with problems from ethnic and religious extremism to the ongoing global economic and financial crisis.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador, John W. Ashe, who is presiding over the UNGA debate said the world headlines are now filled with reports of wars; grinding poverty and malnutrition; gender violence; adverse effects of climate change and loss of valuable biodiversity; and the struggles of men, women and the young seeking to live with human dignity and peace.
ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – The Dominica government Tuesday provided a shopping list that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries should examine as efforts continue to deepen the regional integration movement.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, speaking to reporters after his Cabinet met with a delegation from the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat, said the list included the need for hassle free travel, air and maritime transportation, renewable energy and food production among others.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Prominent Barbadian jurist Sir David Simmons Monday called on the Trinidad and Tobago government to review the Commission of Inquiry legislation after the leader of the Jamaat-al Muslimeen group failed to appear before the Commission probing the circumstances that led to the failed 1990 coup against the then government of prime minister ANR Robinson.