Jamaica
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No interest rate hike on PetroCaribe loans, Paulwell says
(Jamaica Observer) KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Phillip Paulwell has refuted media reports of plans by the Government of Venezuela to increase the interest rate on loans provided under the PetroCaribe Agreement. “We have been in contact with the Government of Venezuela through our Embassy in Caracas, and can confirm that no such decision has…
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Microchips won’t rein in farm thieves – Wellington
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner – Livestock geneticist and veteran cattle breeder, Dr Karl Wellington has expressed reservations about the use of microchips to address the wide-scale theft of farm animals, as is being mooted by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. “I wouldn't jump at it,” he told The Gleaner Tuesday at the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial…
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GraceKennedy to enter Nigeria by year-end
(Jamaica Observer) GraceKennedy is expected to send its first shipment to Nigeria by year-end. The food, financial and money services conglomerate has already established itself in Ghana, and is now in the final stage of lengthy product registration and due-diligence processes in the neighbouring West African country, said Don Wehby, GraceKennedy Group’s chief executive officer. Though not ruling out French…
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JAMAICA-AGRICULTURE-FAO approves funds for dairy industry
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has approved a seven million US dollar grant for Jamaica to support a five-year development plan aimed at resuscitating the island’s ailing dairy sector. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Roger Clarke said the five-year plan will include improvement in breed and pasture management as part of rebuilding initiatives and that…
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Political bacchanal in Trinidad
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer – Politics in the twin state of Trinidad and Tobago has always been a carnival of strong personalities such as Messrs Uriah Butler, C L R James, George Padmore, Stokeley Camichael, Basdeo Panday and Dr Eric Williams. The democratic process has experienced some unusual events, including two attempted coups. The first in 1970 after black power demonstrations,…
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PetroCaribe interest rate may go up by 100% -report
(Jamaica Observer) The Jamaican Government appears to have been taken by surprise by reports on the weekend that Venezuela is contemplating a 100 per cent increase on interest payable on oil it exports to the region under the PetroCaribe agreement. Both Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell and Finance and Planning Minister Dr Peter Phillips were unable to comment yesterday beyond that…
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British naval vessel to help with Jamaica’s drug fight
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…
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Gov’t data vulnerable to cyberattack
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner – With sensitive top-secret data becoming more susceptible to hackers in cyberspace around the world, the Jamaican Government could easily become the next victim of this global threat. Julian Robinson, state minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining and chairman of Parliament's joint select committee on cybercrimes, said as it stands now, the Government's…
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JAMAICA-COURT-Police groups to appeal ruling by Constitutional Court
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…
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Cultural orientation critical to China-Caribbean relations
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer- With most Caribbean countries experiencing high debt, unemployment and anaemic growth, offers by China of low-cost loans and investment projects are understandably viewed favourably by regional governments. There are many obstacles along the way to unleashing these investment possibilities, however, and it is important that both the Chinese authorities and regional governments actively address these gaps. Otherwise,…
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