PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide emerged from months of seclusion for a second straight day and took several swipes at the current government.
Speaking to a small group of mostly Haitian reporters and The Associated Press at his home in the capital Thursday, Aristide covered topics ranging from his shock at seeing the devastation caused by the 2010 earthquake to his political party's strength as the country heads to legislative and local elections.
He also thanked the thousands of supporters who cheered his motorcade Wednesday during a rare outing to ans
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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide on Wednesday held a three-hour, closed-door audience with a Haitian investigative judge, as part of the ongoing murder investigation into the unsolved assassination of agronomist-turned-journalist Jean Léopold Dominique.
ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Dominica has launched a scathing attack on countries and companies seeking to destroy the local banana industry as the European Union launched an EC$54 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) banana support package to help the island adjust to the new trading arrangements for bananas.
“They are the ones who challenge us at the WTO (World Trade Organization) conscious of the ramifications. They are the ones who manufacture the inputs and sell them to us at exorbitant and prohibitive prices.
“Simply put, dear friends, we can’t buy so get out.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - IN the context of what he says is increasing unemployment and poverty in Barbados; high incidences of non-communicable diseases; the current contracting of the economy; and a decrease in tourism arrivals and spend, the all-encompassing aspects of agriculture must play a greater role in the economic and social empowerment policies of this island.
This view came from Dr.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - Agro-parks must be good things. Roger Clarke, the agriculture minister, talks about them a lot. So, too, does Peter Phillips, the finance minister.
Indeed, in these hard economic times, in which he is facing the strictures of the International Monetary Fund, Dr Phillips is allowing the agriculture minister to spend more than J$1 billion on these parks.
Both men believe that the agro-parks, eight of which are supposed to be established by the Government, will be transformational.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - When Dr Peter Phillips announced the approval of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal as he wrapped up the annual Budget Debate last week, many in the House and across the nation were happy - the ecstasy had waned by then. Dr Phillips, who earned respect by the way he handled the negotiating process, must be congratulated for getting the deal done, and warding off some of the harsher conditions while lengthening some timelines. He did not linger at happiness.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - The Jamaican Government and the United States (US) are expected to sign an agreement by July aimed at endorsing a new hegemony tax act called the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), which requires local financial institutions to rat out US account holders.
Concurrently, a government working group is seeking to get a number of institutions exempted from FATCA compliance based on their low risk.
"Our intention is to protect our financial institutions by signing the agreement by the end of July this year, have financial institutions registered and assigned ...
CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC - Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has challenged Cabinet secretaries and heads of the Public Services in the Commonwealth Caribbean to set examples in their professional lives so others in the service may be inspired and motivated.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell is returning home Friday after holding talks with his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart, Kamla Persad Bissessar on further improving trading and other relations between the two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries.
A joint statement issued late Thursday night following their discussions noted that Trinidad and Tobago is Grenada's largest trading partner accounting for approximately 36 per cent of merchandise trade and 49 per cent of banking services. Insurance services are also significant between the two countries.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Prepare for an active hurricane season.
Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Judy Thomas sounded this warning yesterday saying that residents should prepare homes and businesses against flooding and strong winds.