ST. JOHN’S, Antigua - This year’s observance of International Women’s Day will be especially poignant for women across this country, coming as it does one week after the brutal slaying of a mother of five, while at work. Forefront in the minds of the women of this country must be that most basic of rights – the right to be safe in their homes, on the street and in the workplaces. A recently conducted informal survey indicated that fear is the overriding emotion in Antigua & Barbuda, especially amongst women who live alone.
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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Caribbean only two women heads of government Friday pledged to end violence and discrimination against women in their respective countries as they joined the global community in observing International Women’s Day. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and her Jamaican counterpart, Portia Simpson Miller said the theme to observe the occasion is timely and resonates not only for women but every sector of their countries.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - The fallout from Jamaica’s recently approved debt exchange arrangement has hit at least one of Barbados’ biggest financial institutions.
Sagicor Financial Corporation, which has hundreds of millions of dollars in investments in Jamaica, had some of its companies placed “under review with negative implications” for its financial strength rating by international insurance rating company A.M. Best Co.
HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC - The 25-year-old son of a Bermuda cabinet minister has been jailed for 18 years in Florida for a string of violent offences. Tyler Abbott, son of the Minister Without Portfolio Leah Scott, received the sentence after a plea bargain. US law enforcement authorities said that Abbott had threatened an 87-year-old woman and stole her purse and led police on a high-speed chase that ended in a car crash last March.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – A delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has arrived here to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of Jamaica’s cancer control capacity in the areas of cancer planning, cancer information, prevention, diagnosis and treatment, palliative care, and training.
The delegation is expected to make recommendations to the authorities following its review.
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC - Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace says his lawyers have written to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves demanding an apology and compensation for statements he made about him on a recent radio programme.
“I want to confirm that by letter dated Wednesday, February 27th, Dr. Gonsalves was informed by my lawyers of my intention to pursue legal action against him, if certain conditions are not met.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The St. Kitts-Nevis government says it will appeal a ruling by the High Court regarding the appointment of an attorney general for St. Kitts and Nevis under the present constitution.
“The government has been advised to appeal the matter, firstly, on the question as to whether the interpretation that has been given by the Learned Judge, whether that is the only interpretation that exists.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas Wednesday insisted that his administration would not be rushed into debating a motion of no confidence against him and that the presentation of the national budget is a priority matter to be dealt with.
Dr. Douglas told a news conference that “the motion of no confidence has its place (and) the government has an agenda for which it is responsible”.
KINGSTON, Jamaica- THE NATIONAL Housing Trust (NHT) could be called upon by the Government to assist in ensuring the success of the economic programme Jamaica is pursuing with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced at Jamaica House yesterday that the Government would be making concessions, through its agencies, to public-sector workers who have agreed to a wage freeze until 2015.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - As at December 2011, the market capitalisation of shares on the Guyana Stock market (GASCI) was G$89.48 billion. This valuation improved to G$123.41 billion as at December 2012, or by a margin of almost 38 per cent. Briefly, as at the end of October 2012, the valuation was even higher at G$125.84 billion.