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probe KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has called for a full scale investigation into reports that National Security Minister Peter Bunting had been held up and robbed over the weekend.
Opposition spokesman on National Security and Justice Delroy Chuck in a statement said while the JLP had learnt of the “unfortunate incident” and was also relieved that Bunting had not been injured, given the conflicting accounts of what happened, there was need for a thorough probe.

conference ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – A two-day meeting allowing for the heads of Financial Intelligence Units from the English-speaking Caribbean to share best practices and experiences in asset forfeiture, money laundering and proceedings of crime, gets underway here on Wednesday.
The April 3-4 meeting will be addressed by Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and Jeffrey Robinson, described by the British Bankers’ Association as ‘the world’s leading financial crime author’.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago is to consider establishing another option to provide reliable electricity to customers following last weekend’s power outage that plunged the country into total darkness for more than eight hours.
Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine, who is expected to submit a report to Cabinet on Thursday on the blackout, said “the time has come to examine whether we have too many eggs in one basket, the natural gas basket.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The Antigua and Barbuda government says there has been no “substantial progress” with the United States with regards to the long standing internet gaming dispute despite recent rulings in its favour by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Baldwin Spencer government says it has sought to keep the trade dispute with Washington on “the front burner” of the WTO meetings even as it continues to seek an amicable solution to the matter.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - The turquoise waters that have long brought treasure seekers to the Caribbean now are drawing a new kind of explorer as countries across the region increasingly open their seas to oil exploration.
From the Bahamas and Cuba down to Aruba and Suriname, international oil companies are lining up to locate potentially rich offshore deposits in the Caribbean. The countries hope drilling could lead to a black-gold bonanza, easing demand for imported oil and diversifying their economies.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Officials in the Ministry of Agriculture are seeking to formulate a national plan for youth to drive further development within the agricultural sector.
The mid-term plan will not only address the current needs of youth involved in the sector, but will also guide them in terms of future advancements.
Director of Agriculture Jedidiah Maxim told OBSERVER media the ministry would be working in tandem with regional organisations, to formulate a comprehensive programme addressing youth in agriculture over the next four to five years.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Prime Minister Freundel Stuart of Barbados has taken over the chairmanship of the Regional Security System (RSS). He was selected to head the regional body at its just concluded meeting in St. John’s, Antigua. Mr. Stuart replaces Errol Cort, the National Security Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
Coming out of that meeting, the new Chairman has re-emphasised this country’s commitment to the grouping that comprises the member states of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts, Grenada and Barbados.

KINGSTON, Jamaica - In the last few days, the government of Cyprus has begun to implement the measures demanded of it by the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In return for providing €10 billion (US$13 billion) in support, a sum small by international standards, Europe has taken steps down a route that may set a precedent for Slovenia and others in the Eurozone such as Italy and Spain, if they are unable to resolve their long-term economic problems.

warning BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned Caribbean countries, including Barbados, they face an uphill battle fighting the debt crisis that has them in a stranglehold.
An IMF paper released yesterday, titled Caribbean Small States_ Challenges of High Debt And Low Growth, said the average debt as a percentage of GDP for the region now hovered around 79 per cent with some individual nations’ ratios over 100 per cent and the global financial crisis had worsened the debt crisis.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Discussions surrounding movement of goods, services and of people throughout CARICOM should be at the forefront of a lecture tonight at the Grand Salle, Frank Collymore Hall. The lecture begins a series of events over the next few days to mark the inaugural National Services Week. Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM, Robert “Bobby” Morris and International Business Minister, Donville Inniss, will be among the headline speakers.