KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner - The Trinidad and Tobago-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) Friday cancelled a number of flights to the United States because of a snowstorm that was making its way up the Atlantic coast affecting New York and other cities.
The cancellation is expected to affect a number of nationals who were expected for the Carnival celebrations that climax with street parades and jump-up tomorrow.
Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - PRIME Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips will update the nation on the status of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a joint broadcast tonight. They are also expected to outline Jamaica's revised economic programme and reform measures. The joint broadcast comes in the wake of the visit last Tuesday of the IMF staff mission to Jamaica when further talks were held in an effort to conclude a new agreement between the parties.
(Jamaica Observer) A senior security official who worked in the US Embassy in Kingston is expected to be charged soon for his alleged role in helping the manager of a popular Jamaican entertainer obtain a US visa to leave the island in the face of legal troubles, according to highly placed law enforcement sources.
(Jamaica Observer) Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart yesterday urged Jamaicans to stop sitting around waiting for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal and to get on with the job of moving Jamaica forward through export earning. “We are all sitting around waiting for an IMF deal to draw down on funds from various sources. All that represents is borrowing, borrowing, and more borrowing,” the business mogul said.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - A new database developed jointly by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the World Bank reveals that trade costs fall disproportionately on the Caribbean and other developing countries. The World Bank said this has taken place although the international economy has integrated considerably in recent decades.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer -LABOUR and Social Security Minister Derrick Kellier says the country is currently experiencing an unprecedented degree of industrial stability, pointing out that this is a result of the robust and mature industrial relations mechanism that now exists in Jamaica. Speaking at a press briefing held at the Ministry's North Street offices in downtown Kingston on Wednesday, Kellier reported that work stoppages have declined over the 2010/2012 period.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - THERE were two occurrences within the past week that reminded me that Jamaica still has a lot to do in order to see long-term sustainable development. There was an announcement that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team is on the island, and it is expected that a staff-level agreement should be reached after this visit. This means that we can expect board approval within six weeks, which would be just before the 2013/14 budget is tabled.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - IN his report on Jamaica's epic 0-0 draw against mighty Mexico in the Azteca stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday night, Sports Editor Mr Ian Burnett asks the rhetorical question "who would have thought it possible?"
Truth is, not many of us.
The Reggae Boyz, their coaching and support staff, deserve our salutations not just for their achievement in becoming the first Jamaican football team to come away from Mexico City with a point, but also for their obvious belief that it was possible and that their time had come.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - THE population of developed countries is ageing rapidly as people in those affluent societies live longer as a consequence of good nutrition and better health care, as well — a drop in the birth rate, reflecting more women in the workforce and the desire for fewer children. These twin trends have resulted in a major demographic shift in population structure with a higher percentage of these populations being over 60 years of age and a lower percentage of working age.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - THE big storm heading for the United States Northeast is already disrupting air travel.
United Airlines said it has cancelled 900 flights for today in advance of the storm. Delta Air Lines Inc cancelled 740.