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KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner - STAKEHOLDERS IN western Jamaica say Government must now provide the nation with a comprehensive growth package to complement the measures announced by Prime Minister Portia Simpson and her finance minister, Dr Peter Phillips, earlier this week.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner - AMID THE hue and cry from sections of the society in response to a $16-billion tax package passed by Parliament this week, Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips has urged Jamaicans to be guided by the country's economic reality as well as the global financial climate. "I think it important and I plead for the country and all the stakeholders to have a realistic understanding of the kind of world within which we operate," Phillips said.

(Barbados Nation) There has been a worrying spike in dengue cases so far this year. And the Ministry of Health views the situation so seriously that it has issued a bulletin to doctors, reminding them to report any suspected cases of the disease. In the bulletin, the ministry revealed that six people were admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital during the first four weeks of this year with dengue fever or dengue haemorrhagic fever. This is double the number of hospitalizations for the same period last year.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Stabroek News - An excessive deference to figures in authority and an unhealthy obsession with titles, especially academic ones, are traits not necessarily confined to the Caribbean. German education minister Annette Schavan resigned last week, after Düsseldorf’s Heinrich Heine University found her guilty of plagiarism and stripped her of her doctorate. Ms Schavan maintains that she did no wrong and has vowed to clear her name.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Investment promotions agency, JAMPRO, has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with American Global MD (AGMD) for the country’s first ‘five-star’ medical tourism facility valued at US$170 million. John Marcocchio, the local project manager and director of Implementation Limited, said Thursday that the project is likely to break ground in 12 to 18 months after design is completed and construction approvals have been received.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Nation News - BARBADOS’ LARGEST BEVERAGE CONGLOMERATE Banks Holdings Limited (BHL) recorded a $1.1 million decline in profit for the 2012 financial year despite export growth and improved operational performance. But it has seen significant improvement in results for the first three months of the 2013 financial year. That’s according to statements recently published by the company.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Nation News - FINALLY, AND within a day of each other, the respective manifestoes for the February 21 general election will be available to the public from the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and the incumbent Democratic Labour Party (DLP). Therefore, as has often happened elsewhere within our Caribbean Community, the Barbadian electorate have a week to read, compare and determine which of these two traditional contestants for control of state power deserve to be victorious.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Nation News - Students at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus could soon see a 100 per cent increase in their amenities fee. Pro-vice-chancellor and principal Professor Sir Hilary Beckles made this revelation Wednesday night while delivering UWI’s 50th anniversary public lecture at the Errol Barrow Centre For Creative Imagination. The fee, which is paid by all students, is used to cover food services, provide full health insurance, sporting and recreation facilities as well as aid in the personal and professional development of the students.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago government and environmentalist Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh appear headed for another confrontation after Works and Infrastructure Minister Emmanuel George described as “good news” an unsigned report by an independent committee on the controversial seven billion (One TT dollar = US$0.37 cents) highway south of here.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Following Tuesday’s announcement of a J$15.9 billion (One Jamaica dollar = US$0.01 cents) tax package, Finance Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips has stated that the additional tax package should not have come as a surprise as several signals had already been given. Phillips, was responding to those who have taken him to task over the timing of the announcement and for not holding consultations.