KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - The opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), has called on the government to have dialogue with Caribbean Airlines (CAL) about the reduction of flights to Jamaica. Edmund Bartlett, Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, in his contribution to the 2013/2014 Budget Debate on Wednesday said he is worried about the implications for the country, as last year, CAL accounted for 50 percent of flights to the Norman Manley International Airport and 10 percent at the Sangster International. Bartlett wants Tourism Minister, Dr.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - The Governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Canada have agreed to co-host a CARICOM Public-Private Partnerships Seminar and business-to-business meetings in Port-of-Spain later this year. The agreement was reached following discussions held in Ottawa on Thursday between Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar who is on a four day official visit to Canada.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC - The Barbados government Thursday stood behind its medium term fiscal strategy (MTFS) in the face of a sluggish economy that has contracted by 0.4 per cent during the first quarter of the year. “It is not this government’s view that the MTFS has failed. That strategy like another was first set as a guide to ensure that we knew where we wanted to be at certain periods over the medium term in our deficit reduction programme,” Finance Minister Chris Sinckler told a news conference.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Government might be strapped for cash on some occasions, but Finance Minister Chris Sinckler says the state has never defaulted on local or foreign debt.

The demands of today’s technology-driven world present a challenge to the Caribbean to invest in relevant development of its human resources. The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), in response to this challenge, is launching the first CAPE Digital Media Syllabus to give students across the region the opportunity to develop skillsets necessary to create digital content and master digital media.

WASHINGTON, CMC - The World Bank has commended Guyana for its Education Strategic Plan, saying it is seeking to achieve the “Education for All” goals and Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by 2015.
The Washington-based financial institution noted that the School Feeding Program (SFP) is a component of the Education for All -Fast Track Initiative (EFA-FTI), whose objectives include building more community participation in schools and improving children’s human development outcomes, such as student enrollment and attendance, nutritional status and learning outcomes.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - A political showdown between former national security minister Jack Warner and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley is expected to take place at the Parliament today.
Warner is expected to defend himself against a private motion filed by Rowley which takes issue with the allegations of corruption against Warner in his private capacity as a former football jefe and criticises Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for inaction in protecting the image of this country.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Chaguanas West Member of Parliament Jack Warner addressed his constituents at a meeting at the Pierre Road Recreation Ground in Charlieville on Thursday night, as he sought to clear the air on his recent resignation as National Security Minister and chairman of the United National Congress (UNC). Warner told the audience that he remains loyal to the UNC but he intends to tender his resignation as Chaguanas West MP and contest the subsequent bye-election as a UNC candidate.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Former national security minister Austin “Jack” Warner Thursday night announced his resignation as a legislator paving the way for a by-election in the Chaguanas West constituency within 90 days.
Warner, who resigned earlier this week as a Cabinet minister and as chairman of the United National Congress (UNC), the biggest partner in the four-party coalition People’s Partnership government, said he had already informed Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar of his decision.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Prime Minister of Haiti, Laurent Lamonthe has sought to clear the air on reports of the forced eviction of Haitians we have been living in tent camps since the earthquake of 2010. According to Lamonthe, the Government of Haiti is committed to protecting the human rights of all Haitians. “Since taking office, the Martelly-Lamothe government has been committed to moving our men, women and children from these camps – where people have indeed been living in subhuman conditions.