(Jamaica Gleaner) The man entrusted by the United States (US) to monitor the gamut of its military-related affairs in approximately 31 countries and 15 areas of special sovereignty in the Western Hemisphere is urging the Portia Simpson Miller administration to be unyielding in its efforts to rid Jamaica of corruption. Commander of the US South Command, General John Kelly, last week declared that the Government of Jamaica needs to move decisively to root out the “cancer” of corruption at all levels.

LOS ANGELES, CMC - The 55th Grammy Awards here Sunday night paid tribute to legendary Jamaican reggae superstar Robert Nesta Marley, renowned worldwide as Bob Marley. But, for a moment, it appeared as though there would hardly be any tribute to the late great reggae artist when about two-thirds of a set that was supposed to honour him was used by other performers. Bruno Mars and sting kicked off the tribute by singing not anything from Marley's massive repertoire but their own songs. Mars did reggae-influenced “Locked Out of Heaven,” and Sting sang The Police's “Walking on the Moon”.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Five months after St. Lucia introduced a 15 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT), medical officials are warning the Kenny Anthony administration that patients could die because of their inability to meet the increased costs of medication. The St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) is expressing its "deep concern" over the decision to put VAT on medicine, warning of the "dire" social and economic consequences of the new measure.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government is urging nationals to accept the stringent measures that will accompany a multi-million dollar Stand By Agreement (SBA) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that would include increases taxes and the launch of a national debt exchange offer on Tuesday. In a joint address to the nation on Monday night, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and her finance minister Dr.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Opposition Leader Owen Arthur is warning of a “fiscal cliff” in Barbados and accuses the Freundel Stuart government of putting the country in that crisis. Addressing a political meeting of his Barbados Labour Party (BLP) on Sunday night, Arthur, who is seeking to regain the government he lost in 2008, said that the decision of the government to call the general election so late could have an effect on the economy particularly as it relates to the government’s Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.