News

WASHINGTON, USA — Fewer Americans are losing their jobs. Employers are struggling to squeeze more work from their staffs. The US is producing so much oil that imports are plunging, narrowing the trade deficit. A string of data Thursday raised hopes for stronger hiring and US growth in coming months. More jobs would spur spending and help energize the economy, which has yet to regain full health nearly four years after the Great Recession officially ended.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - Key stakeholders in the business community in western Jamaica are cautiously optimistic about the deal struck between the Government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and have given the Richard Byles and Brian Wynter-led monitoring committee its vote of confidence.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - JAMAICANS are being urged to plan ahead for the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which is expected to see the Caribbean facing at least one major hurricane. Acting Director of the National Meteorological Service, Jeffrey Spooner, said this is based on projections of Colorado State University, which has — for the first time in a long while — indicated that the Caribbean is "in line" for a hit from a major hurricane.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Stabroek News - Perusing the statements by West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief executive officer Michael Muirhead and newly elected Board president Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron regarding Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies this year, which will comprise five One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Twenty20 (T20) matches, one is left none the wiser as to what precisely were the “circumstances” Mr Cameron was referring to that “dictated” that no Test matches would be played.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate -Today is World Press Freedom Day and the theme for this year is “Safe to Speak_ Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media”, with the focus on preventing acts of violence or discrimination against journalists and media personnel as they seek to report on the happenings around the world. However, it is fair when considering “press freedom” that one critiques the content of what the press is “free” to publish; for with freedom comes great responsibility.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- The brother of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was beaten and robbed during early Thursday morning at his business place, in downtown Kingston. The police have confirmed that between 3.30am and 4.30am, armed men broke into the store owned by Vincent Simpson who is the elder brother of the Prime Minister. The men demanded money and during the holdup and then proceeded to beat and stab Simpson.

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC - Assuria insurance company has acquired the Trinidad and Tobago-based Gulf Insurance Ltd in a move the company says will solidify moves to expand its operations into the Caribbean. The cost of the sale has not been disclosed, but Assuria’s general manager Stephen Smit told shareholders that the Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) had granted permission to buy the Trinidadian company and that the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago had approved the sale months ago.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate -According to the Minister of Finance, a lot of interest is being shown in Barbados by outside investors.

Minister Christopher Sinckler stated recently that he has been taking meetings with investors that are very interested in coming into the Barbadian market.

Speaking at a press conference on the state of the local economy, the Finance Minister told of meetings that he took just last week with a business willing to invest millions in the Barbados economy in the near future.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC - The Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) is warning criminals it will continue to pursue its mandate obligations to the country even as they adopt new strategies to carry out their illegal activities in Antigua and Barbuda. “The counterdrug efforts remain consistent but increasingly challenging as the criminals are learning from our successes against them and altering or innovating their techniques to evade detection,” said ONDCP director Lieutenant Colonel Edward Croft.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - From June 4, Barbadians will have their hands on crisp, boldly coloured, newly designed bank notes. News of this broke yesterday at the Central Bank at the launch of the new family of currency notes. Though the same familiar portraits of well accredited Barbadians and the familiar colours will remain associated with each note denomination, the bills have been modernised in design, with several new features being added to boost security as well as assist the visually impaired. Said Dr.