ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Two public relations experts have chided LIAT for its mishandling of a humorous complaint letter, which sparked huge global attention.
The letter took the spotlight after Virgin Atlantic owner Sir Richard Branson shared it on social networks.
In response, LIAT released two videos, one of which poked fun at Sir Richard and issued him a challenge.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Major disruption to a number of LIAT flights scheduled to depart Antigua today has been averted. OBSERVER media understands a last-minute attempt by LIAT CEO Ian Brunton to bring pilots back to the negotiating table was successful, after pilots had threatened to keep at least eight LIAT flights – due to depart Antigua this morning – on the ground. That event would have had major knock-on effects for LIAT and other airlines.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - THE VALUE OF BARBADOS’ currency could be taking a plunge soon unless Government moves speedily to slash the deficit between its revenue and expenditure. Charlie Skeete, a retired senior economist at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, has issued this warning.
WASHINGTON, CMC – The World Banks says it has aided young, vulnerable women in Haiti in successfully learning new skills in joining the labor force. Through a US$1 million grant, the Washington-based financial institution said the Haiti Adolescent Girls Initiative (AGI) has empowered young ladies, aged 17-20, to gain employment through non-traditional and soft-skills training and accompaniment.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - The Pan–Afrikan Reparations Coalition of Europe (PARCOE) has voiced concern about the approach being taken by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in establishing National Reparations Committees. At the recently concluded CARICOM Heads of Government Conference in Trinidad, the leaders agreed to set up national reparations committees in each of the 15 member states as a first step toward tackling an issue that was previously ignored.
BLUEFIELDS BAY, Jamaica - YOUNG fish leap in the wake of a warden’s patrol boat as it motors through waters off Jamaica’s southwest coast that are a brilliant palette of blues. Beneath the surface, reefs bristle with spiny lobsters, and rainbowcoloured parrotfish graze on algae and seaweed. After rampant destruction of local fish habitats over decades, marine life is gradually rebounding in Bluefields Bay now that every minnow and mullet, each sea urchin and snapper is protected from spear guns and nets.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - SOME of the comments made following the passage of Tropical Storm Chantal were disturbing, to say the least. That system, which passed about 45 miles north of Barbados last Tuesday, did not do any damage to the island and most Barbadians were relieved that we were spared once again from the adverse weather conditions. But there were those among us who felt there was no need to close down the country, as the predicted path of Chantal would have taken it away from our shores.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - When disaster hits in the Caribbean, Barbadians take pride in reaching out to help. Still, we do not seem to understand that the disasters which have left a path of destruction across the Caribbean can also happen here. Just reflect on David in Dominica in 1979, Gilbert in Jamaica in 1988 and Ivan in Grenada in 2004. An average tropical storm, Tomas, brought so much damage to our island in 2010 that the houses of some people are, up to this day, not in a habitable state. Just imagine if we were to be hit by hurricane-force winds.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Strengthening training strategies will be the key to meeting the challenges in the labour market in the Caribbean region. This came out of the ILO American Centre for Knowledge Development in Vocational Training (ILO-CINTERFOR) meeting held in Trinidad last week, where 65 vocational institutions from 27 countries attended. Elizabeth Tinoco, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, told participants that the meeting takes place at a time in which vocational training is considered more than ever as a key component for the future of our societies.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Venezuela, now in international headlines as a likely asylum home for US espionage fugitive Edward Snowden, is also worthy of heightened attention in bilateral relations with Trinidad and Tobago. As he registered his presence in T&T during this month’s CARICOM talks, Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro followed a trail blazed by US Vice President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Though each of the three leaders identified and pursued specific national interests, it is the man next door, who will likely cast the longest-lasting shadow on T&T.