Category: Regional

By Cathy Lashley Bridgetown, Barbados: (BGIS) — Figures for 2010 show the Barbados economy has stopped contracting, and there was evidence of modest advancement, reinforced by a 2.8 per cent growth in the first three months of this fiscal year. Now is the time for all citizens and businesses to be recommitted to the sustainable development of Barbados, “as a just and thriving society”, emphasised Prime Minister Freundel Stuart on Wednesday, May 11, as he delivered the feature address at the 51st Annual General Meeting and Luncheon of the Barbados…

Tens of thousands of Mexicans on Sunday, May 8, marched into the capital city to protest the wave of killing that has claimed 38,000 lives since President Felipe Calderon launched his war on drug gangs in late 2006. Demonstrators, many wearing white and walking in silence, held up placards that read “Not a single more death,” “Enough already” and “No more bloodshed.” The march started on Thursday, May 5, about 45 miles (72 km) from the capital in the tourist city of Cuernavaca, which has been rocked by drug-related violence…

In Thursday, May 12, the United Kingdom Visa Application Centre in Kingston, Jamaica will close operation. Beginning on Monday, May 16, all persons applying for UK entry visas should attend the West Gate of the British High Commission, on 28 Trafalgar Road, to submit their biometrics and supply documents in support of their applications. Applications must still be completed online at www. visa4uk. fco. gov. uk before any visit to the High Commission. Applicants will not be admitted without an appointment. Effective next Wednesday, May 11, all applications must be…

Farmers have halted protests following “substantial” headway and “enormous” progress in discussions with TT Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal and Food Production Minister Vasant Bharath. The farmers have agreed to examine relocation sites offered by the state. Headway came in a two-hour meeting at Bharath’s ministry on Thursday, May 5th. Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar was part of government’s team, offering legal advice. Following the conference, TT Sheep and Goat Farmers’ Association president Shiraz Khan confirmed there had been “substantial headway”, while Moonilal said there had been “enormous progress”. The development…

The St Kitts and Nevis government is moving with speed to make it a criminal offence for persons under 18 years old to be admitted to night clubs and other entertainment spots. Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs Patrice Nisbett is seeking parliamentary approval, when the National Assembly meets on Thursday, April 28th, to make it a criminal offence for a person to be permitted to enter any form of adult entertainment if that person is under the age of 18. Under the Criminal Amendment (Amendment) Bill,…

Antigua’s American-born legal counsel in World Trade Organization (WTO) matters, Mark Mendel, says the United States may have opened itself up to a new challenge when it shut down certain offshore Internet gambling sites last Friday. “The WTO ruled that these kinds of laws criminalising the provision of remote gaming services are contrary to the obligations of the United States under the WTO agreements,” said Mendel, in a statement. “The United States, being a very heavy user of the WTO rules to its own benefit, simply cannot continue to prosecute…

To facilitate an almost 40-member delegation on a five-day visit to Brazil, government has chartered one of Caribbean Airlines’ 737s—which can seat 154 people—at a cost of US$85,000. Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner confirmed that CAL would have been flying the TT delegation to Brazil Monday but he was unaware of the specific details. In turn, CAL has had to wet-lease another aircraft, for substantially more money, to facilitate its travel agenda for the high-traffic Easter period. The Guardian understands that the wet-leased cost, during peak travel season and…