KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - JAMAICA'S effort to tackle the perennial problem of drug-trafficking in her waters will be getting a much needed boost from Britain's Royal Navy. Come early next week, Her Majesty's Ship Lancaster, which is currently docked at the Kingston Harbour, will set out in search of drug-runners, Commander Steve Moorhouse told reporters who were given a tour of the 400-foot-long vessel on Friday.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Five police groups opposed to a recent ruling that will give the Independent Commission for Investigations (INDECOM), the power of arrest, have instructed their lawyers to appeal the decision.
Last week, the court ruling that the Commissioner of INDECOM, Terrence Williams will now be able to arrest and charge members of the police force and the military, without the guidance of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Paula Llewellyn.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Following a ruling handed down on Friday in which two men accused of killing 11 people were acquitted, the prosecution says it intends to appeal the ruling. Anthony Hyles,24 and Mark Williams,28 were freed of charges stemming from the 2008 massacre that occurred in the farming village of Lusignan. They were accused of using high-powered rifles and shotguns to kill 11 people, including children, as they slept.
WASHINGTON, CMC – Mining is one way to reduce poverty and promote economic growth in Haiti. This is according to the World Bank which states t hat while mining is a “complex sector”, when managed in a transparent and sustainable fashion, this sector could be beneficial to the nation.
ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – The Ministry of Health here has issued an alert concerning an outbreak of dengue fever. So far seven cases of the disease have been confirmed while the authorities are awaiting confirmation on eighteen suspected cases. There have been no reported deaths.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - BARBADOS has potential to do more transhipment business from both ports of entry. Tourism Minister Richard Sealy says it is with this recognition that some changes will be needed to facilitate an around the clock operation. According to Sealy, “What we are saying is that there are some legislative adjustments and other things we would have to do if we want to make ourselves a modern services logistics hub through which cargo is being transhipped.”
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Observer - Antigua & Barbuda is to acquire a new Border Management System to be used by the Immigration Department intended to integrate critical areas such as the work permits. It will also improve on the efficiency in processing incoming and outgoing passengers. The system will be used at all ports of entry into the twin island nation. According to a release from the Ministry of National Security, the new system is a milestone for the Immigration Department and the start of a new era.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Nation News - BARBADIANS TOOK THEIR eyes off productivity in the last decade and this has led to the current economic woes, says CARICOM ambassador Robert “Bobby” Morris. Stating that Government started “pelting money at problems” once it got past the difficulties of the 1990s, Morris said such a system could never have been sustainable once salaries and wages exceeded the level of productivity in a country.
HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – A global specialty property insurer has announced that it is expanding its study of coral reefs with a new campaign in the Caribbean and Bermuda. On Thursday, the Catlin Group Limited said based on the Catlin Seaview Survey, it will "significantly widen opportunities for ocean, coral and climate scientists to understand the changes occurring within the region". The group said the survey started in Belize and will move on to Mexico, Anguilla, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guadeloupe, Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas in the coming months.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Guardian - Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to send a contingent of 100 people to Suriname for the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) at a cost of $3 million. Deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism Vel Lewis confirmed that the details of this country’s participation had been finalised, and the contingent would participate in a number of activities at the event from August 16-26.