ST. JOHN’S, Antigua - The silly season of election politics has begun and there is much talk around town about the possibility of early elections. This is to be expected because there is never a Caribbean election that enters its final year that does not start the rumours that the incumbent will use certain perceived advantages to surprise their opponent with a snap election. On all sides of the political coin (because Antigua’s political coin seems to have more than two), there will be strong arguments both for and against the gamble.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC - Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas Wednesday said he remains confident that the twin island federation would record near two per cent economic growth this year.
He said the 1.9 per cent growth being predicted is reasonable based on “what we have seen from the performance of the local economy, having undergone a number of structural adjustments in changes generally and the importance revenue that is being provided especially to the leading productive sector in the economy.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The Eleventh Caribbean Fisheries Forum is imperative, timely and the findings discussed and deliberated on will be of great benefit to the region if they are creative, innovative and implemented.
This according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management Michael King who delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of the forum at Accra Beach Hotel and Spa (Barbados), pleading for action across all sectors.

WASHINGTON, CMC - The World Bank says it is helping to improve the quality of secondary education in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Washington-based financial institution said this is being done through a project that trains more teachers and provides more classrooms. The bank said that, since 2004, it has supported the government in constructing and rehabilitating secondary schools creating an additional 750 school places, increasing secondary enrolment by about 30 percentage points, and provide instructional materials.

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Haiti welcomed delegates to the Fifth Summit of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) with Foreign Minister Pierre Richard Casimir, indicating that the event is essential in strengthening regional cooperation. Several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are being represented at the summit that is being held under the theme “Revitalizing the Vision of the Association of Caribbean States for a Stronger and More United Greater Caribbean” and ends on Friday.