KINGSTON, Jamaica -Describing it as the most far-reaching piece of public health policy undertaken in recent times, Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson has announced that as of July 15, no smoking will be permitted in public spaces across Jamaica.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The leader of the main opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM) Tuesday accused the police of colluding with the ruling St. Kitts-Nevis labour Party (SKNLP) and called for fresh general elections in the twin island Federation.
Last weekend, the police denied the PAM permission to stage a protest march in the capital on Wednesday and warned persons they would be prosecuted if they participate in any illegal march.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua - We could not be happier as we witness what appears to be a serious attempt to bring Antigua & Barbuda fully into the information age. A highly important plan to make information available to the public, at little or no direct cost, has been in the news recently. The plan is for an “Open Data” information system to be established so that the public can get access to non-sensitive information, which the government has at its disposal.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas Tuesday dismissed opposition claims that he was leading a minority government in St. Kitts-Nevis. Appearing on his weekly radio programme “Ask the Prime Minister”, Douglas told listeners that his St. Kitts-Nevis labour Party (SKNLP) administration holds a majority in the National Assembly. Six opposition legislators have already said they will support a vote of no confidence in the government and have even gone to the courts to get Parliament to debate the issue as a matter of urgency.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Chairman of the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), Dr. David Estwick, is urging regional countries to place special emphasis on the implementation of policies and recommendations in the fishing industry.
“An area where focus is definitely needed is the implementation of policies and recommendations in a much more timely manner. We have seen tardiness to this end in the implementation of policy decisions from the Ministerial Council.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The regional Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy 2013-2023 will be among matters to be discussed when Caribbean disaster ministers meet in Suriname on Friday. The fourth meeting of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Council of Ministers will discuss the strategy that is intended to advance the achievements realized since the CDM approach was introduced to the region in 2001.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - PREMIER Rufus Ewing of the Turks and Caicos Islands yesterday responded to the Jamaica Observer’s June 21, 2013 editorial which criticised the British Overseas Territory for its treatment of Beaches resorts and Jamaicans generally. Ewing acknowledged the vast contribution of Beaches to the island’s economy but suggested the Government was batting for more jobs for locals.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - A WEEK from tomorrow Heads of Government of the 15-member Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) should be in Port of Spain for a three-day regular annual summit that officially gets underway on Thursday, July 4.
The historical significance of this regular summit being hosted in Port of Spain to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the regional economic integration movement is undoubtedly a proud occasion for the people and Government of Trinidad and Tobago, where CARICOM had its ceremonial inauguration at Chaguaramas.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - THE current trade concerns, discussed by Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, represent the growing pains within the regional trading environment after 40 years of endeavour and investment intended to arrive eventually at a viable common economic and cultural space. We will then be able to develop strategies to promote further regional advancement, while confronting the convolution born of the world recession.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - THE global economy is traversed by a network of constantly shifting economic/trade blocs, of which the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has been the second-longest running economic integration scheme, at 40 years old, counting from the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Only the European Union (EU) has been around longer, having begun as an integration project with six countries in 1958, now grown to 27 member states.