News

Should Spanish Language Instruction Be Compulsory in Jamaican Schools?

World Bank Plans Haiti Strategy

Above: a factory in Haiti (WB Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff The World Bank’s strategy in Haiti in 2012 will focus on disaster management, infrastructure, education and jobs, the organization announced. The 2012 Haiti Interim Strategy Note programs $255 …

Donald Ramotar Wins Guyanese Election

By the Caribbean Journal staff Donald Ramotar has won the Guyanese election, having secured 48.6 percent of the vote in the 2011 general and regional elections, according to the Guyana Elections Commission. It is the first minority government for the …

Jamaica Food Security Project a Success, European Union Says

By the Caribbean Journal staff The European Union-funded EU Food Facility in Jamaica has recently completed, and the EU is urging the programme’s beneficiaries to build upon its success. The $7.8 million plan sought to improve agricultural productivity and increase …

OAS Says St Lucian Campaign Finance Rules in a “Gray Zone”

By the Caribbean Journal The OAS’ electoral observer mission is concerned that St Lucia’s campaign financing rules remain in a “gray zone,” despite a recommendation in 2006 calling for established rules. The mission said that in the absence of appropriate …

Grenada Looks to Tourism Ambassadors

By Lincoln Depradine The Grenadian government is considering initiatives to attract “bona fide” investors to the country and generate greater employment opportunities. The initiatives were revealed Tuesday during the unveiling of a new strategic plan for taking Grenada’s tourism industry …

Bahamas’ Atlantis, Ocean Club Resorts Change Hands after Restructuring Deal

By the Caribbean Journal staff Brookfield Asset Management will assume Kerzner International’s ownership interests in the Atlantis Paradise Island resort, along with the interest in the One&Only Ocean Club resort, which is also on the country’s Paradise Island. Kerzner has …

Nigeria, Jamaica Talk in Kingston

Above: Nigerian Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru (UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras) By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaican Foreign Minister Dr Kenneth Baugh held talks yesterday with Nigerian Foreign Minister Olugbenga Adeyemi Ashiru in New Kingston’s Courtleigh Hotel. The two officials discussed a …

Cayman Premier Bush on Jamaica Visit

Above: Cayman Premier McKeeva Bush and Jamaican PM Andrew Holness By the Caribbean Journal staff Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush is in Jamaica with a six-person team on a study tour. The Premier is looking at Jamaica’s procurement system, along …

IDB, Haitian Government and Korean Firm Break Ground on Industrial Park

By the Caribbean Journal staff The government of Haiti, along with the US government, the Inter-American Development Bank and Korean apparel manufacturer Sae-A Co, Ltd, have laid the foundation stone for a new industrial park in the city of Caracol. …

Is Rum Barbados’ Newest Green Energy?

Above: the Mount Gay Distillery in Barbados By the Caribbean Journal staff Like most industries, Barbados’ rum sector is facing rising energy costs — but one Barbadian minister has a solution. By using vinasse, which is the material output from …

Governments of Trinidad and Tobago, India Hold First Joint Commission

Above: India’s External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and Trinidad Foreign Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan (UN Photos/Mark Garten and Paulo Filgueiras) By the Caribbean Journal staff Trinidad Foreign Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan is in India today attending the Inaugural Session of …

Eastern Caribbean Could Get Fast Ferry

By the Caribbean Journal staff Above: a water taxi in Trinidad Grenada is among four Caribbean islands which could be in the route of a proposed inter-island fast ferry that would travel between Trinidad, Grenada, St Vincent, St Lucia and …

Jamaica’s Shirley Leads OAS Electoral Observation Mission in Guyana

By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaican Gordon Shirley, the principal of the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies and a former permanent representative to the OAS, is leading the body’s electoral observation mission for tomorrow’s elections in …

Barbados Launching Energy Smart Fund

Above: the government-built Solar House By the Caribbean Journal staff Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart announced that the government will launch a so-called Sustainable Energy Investment Programme tomorrow at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. The programme, which is aimed at …

Bartlett: Tourism Underrated in Jamaica

Above: Goldeneye in Jamaica By the Caribbean Journal staff There is a general ignorance of tourism’s contribution to Jamaica, according to Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett, and there is evidence that some people are prepared to position the industry in a …

Actor Steven Seagal Jumps into St Lucia’s Elections, Endorses Candidate

By the Caribbean Journal staff American actor Steven Seagal has jumped into the St Lucian political fray, endorsing a candidate for the country’s parliament. Seagal, who has played in the past with his jazz band at the Saint Lucia Jazz …

Jamaica Signs Deal on ICT Loan as Part of Wider Technology Strategy

Above: Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Dr Christopher Tufton (JIS Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff The Jamaica Promotions Corporation and the Development Bank of Jamaica Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday on a $20 million loan facility to …

Trinidad on High Alert after Alleged Assassination Plot on PM, Government

Above: Trinidad PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar (Photo: TGISL) By the Caribbean Journal staff Trinidad is in high alert, with security forces in control of the situation after a claimed assassination threat against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and members of the government. …