KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner - The Center on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) says the recent decision by the World Trade Organization (WTO) siding with Antigua and Barbuda against the United States in their online gambling dispute "presents a troubling scenario" for Washington. "If the United States claim that the world's 15th smallest economy is engaged in some form of economic bullying, attempting to force its hand in altering gambling laws by increased pressure from Hollywood lobbies, seems farcical, then so be it," said COHA, a Washington-based think tank.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has confirmed that a second debt exchange programme will be implemented. In a joint national broadcast with the Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips this evening, Simpson Miller said the programme called a National Debt Exchange Offer will be launched Tuesday morning. The debt exchange is part of measures that the Government is relying on to reduce the debt from the current 140 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - Let us pull together, PM appeals to country FINANCIAL institutions and holders of domestic bonds will this morning be asked to take a haircut on interest for the second time in three years as the Government starts implementing measures critical to signing a funding arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - GOVERNMENT has agreed to a number of preconditions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a requirement for an extended fund facility with the multinational. Some of the preconditions were announced last night buy the finance minister, Dr Peter Phillips, during a joint national broadcast to the nation with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. They include_ Tax waivers to go Minister says concrete steps will be taken to reduce and virtually eliminate discretionary tax waivers. Parliament will be provided with details today.

WASHINGTON, CMC - A United States federal district court has dismissed a US$750,000 breach of contract lawsuit against the Antigua and Barbuda government that had been brought by the son of the owner of a company based on the island. The suit was filed on July 19, 2010, by Dan Abraham Sarfati, the son of Maurice Sarfati, of Roydan Ltd, regarding the payment of three promissory notes issued to the company and signed by then agriculture minister Hilroy Humphreys in June 1990 and guaranteed by the Ministry of Finance.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The man entrusted by the United States (US) to monitor the gamut of its military-related affairs in approximately 31 countries and 15 areas of special sovereignty in the Western Hemisphere is urging the Portia Simpson Miller administration to be unyielding in its efforts to rid Jamaica of corruption. Commander of the US South Command, General John Kelly, last week declared that the Government of Jamaica needs to move decisively to root out the “cancer” of corruption at all levels.

(Barbados Nation) Digicel Barbados could be one step closer to entering the local landline market following a Fair Trading Commission (FTC) decision, according to chief executive officer of Digicel, Barry O’Brien.

LOS ANGELES, CMC - The 55th Grammy Awards here Sunday night paid tribute to legendary Jamaican reggae superstar Robert Nesta Marley, renowned worldwide as Bob Marley. But, for a moment, it appeared as though there would hardly be any tribute to the late great reggae artist when about two-thirds of a set that was supposed to honour him was used by other performers. Bruno Mars and sting kicked off the tribute by singing not anything from Marley's massive repertoire but their own songs. Mars did reggae-influenced “Locked Out of Heaven,” and Sting sang The Police's “Walking on the Moon”.

LONDON, CMC – More than 800 Jamaicans are in jails in the United Kingdom, according to figures released during a debate in Parliament. The website bernews.com Monday reported that there were approximately, 1007 nationals from the West Indies incarcerated in jails across England and Wales at the end of 2012. It said that Jamaicans made up the bulk of that number, with 821 behind bars. There was no information on what the individuals were jailed for, but the website said, six Bermudians were jailed last year.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Five months after St. Lucia introduced a 15 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT), medical officials are warning the Kenny Anthony administration that patients could die because of their inability to meet the increased costs of medication. The St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) is expressing its "deep concern" over the decision to put VAT on medicine, warning of the "dire" social and economic consequences of the new measure.