BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Nation News - The state-owned Transport Board has started laying off workers – and the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) was last night readying itself to respond. It also appeared last night that the matter was headed for the office of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:29-30 THIS week, here is an amalgam of web feeds which may inspire hope for the future of the Caribbean. (1) The VISION: “Dr. C. Fred Bergsten, Director Emeritus of the Peterson Institute, has suggested that the upswing in the global economy will filter down to the Caribbean.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - INDEPENDENT Senator, John Watson is arguing for greater assistance to the small business sector in a way that would stimulate economic activity and put Barbadians back to work. And to this end he also called for a policy to reduce imports especially where domestic substitutes are available, and to review some of the duty free concessions which are allowed certain businesses in Barbados.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - THE recession has not caused the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) to renege on their election promises, but it has impacted upon them. This is according to Finance Minister, Christopher Sinckler, who was speaking at a joint branch meeting between his constituency of St. Michael North West and St. Michael North recently.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - Small farmers also have a vital role to play in the growth of the agricultural sector and the overall contribution that this industry can make to the development of the Barbadian economy. This is the belief of Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, Denis Kellman, who spoke to the media after touring the various stalls on the last day of Agrofest at Queen’s Park yesterday.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, CMC – The United States Immigration and law enforcement (ICE) agency says a 21-year-old Puerto Rico man has been arrested at his home for production of child pornography. On Saturday ICE said its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents made the arrest after receiving a referral from the Puerto Rico Police Department. According to the criminal complaint, William Vergara-Alamo began text messaging with a 14-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe, after she mistakenly called his cellphone.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Mar 3, CMC – Dr. Conrad Murray, the cardiologist, who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of pop icon Michael Jackson, has arrived here to participate in the annual Carnival celebrations. Dr. Murray, accompanied by his son Che, daughter Chanel and fiancee Nicole was met on arrival by close friends, Garreth and Karla Kalloo.
CASTRIES, St.Lucia, CMC- The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has formally agreed to help St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines as both countries continue to recover from devastation caused by torrential rains in December. During recent missions to St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, the head of the FAO’s operations in the Caribbean, formally signed livelihood rehabilitation and resilience building assistance totalling US$630,000.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - A two day police operation at the Kingston Container Terminal has led to the seizure of more than J$10 million worth of marijuana. The operation was carried out on the weekend by the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division with assistance from the Ports Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Contraband Enforcement Team of Jamaica Customs. The teams conducted several searches at the container terminal where the drug totalling 2,168 pounds was seized.
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – President Michel Martelly has led the country in paying tribute to Guy Alexandre, a former Haiti ambassador to the Dominican Republic who died yesterday of a heart attack. He was 68. “The Head of State, on behalf of the Government and people of Haiti, expressed his sincere condolences to the family, relatives and friends of the diplomat who spent much of his career to defend the interests of Haiti in neighbouring Republic,” according to a statement issued by the Office of the President.