News
-
South Korea Moves to Defuse Tensions With the North
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea appeared to ease its stance on North Korea on Thursday by calling for dialogue to help defuse tensions, as its president moved to calm foreign investors whose confidence the North has tried to shake with increasingly belligerent maneuvers. “We hope the North Korean authorities come out to the dialogue table,” Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae,…
Read More » -
South Korea says North likely to test-launch missile
SEOUL/WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – South Korea said yesterday there was a “very high” probability that North Korea, after weeks of threats of war, would test-launch a medium-range missile at any time as a show of strength. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said South Korea had asked China and Russia to intercede with the North to ease tension that has mounted since the…
Read More » -
Corbeaux deaths raise many environmental concerns
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, Guardian – The sudden death of a few fish and 150 or so corbeaux may not seem to be particularly alarming—especially the latter, as they are considered by many to have only nuisance value and are not blessed with the aesthetics of other birds. This may be one reason why the response of the…
Read More » -
IMF good news should stabilise the dollar
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer – IN a press briefing yesterday, Governor Brian Wynter expanded on Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) statement released that morning on the foreign exchange market. In the BOJ's press statement, they had noted that the fall in the exchange rate “had occurred in the context of extended negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new borrowing…
Read More » -
Holness urges caution on pending IMF deal
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer – OPPOSITION Leader Andrew Holness has warned Jamaicans to be cautiously optimistic as news emerges that an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) nears. Holness said yesterday that while the IMF agreement is likely to be approved by the end of April, the sentiment in some quarters that Jamaica’s problems were solved has been misguided. “We…
Read More » -
EDITORIAL – Getting The Economic Ducks In A Row
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner – THE GOVERNMENT is beginning to get its critical economic pieces in their place. Last week, Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips tabled an expenditure budget that, taking into the account the effects of inflation, projects spending at more than a fifth less than the previous fiscal year. This sharp reduction (14 per cent in nominal terms) in…
Read More » -
Gov’t Focuses On Renewable Energy For Smaller Hotels
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner – Some $15 million has been set aside in the 2013-14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-size hotels through the use of renewable energy. The Caribbean Hotel Energy and Action Project is a carry-over from the last fiscal year, and is being implemented by the Ministry…
Read More » -
Tax Talks – Crucial Meeting Between Finance Ministry, Sector Interests To Discuss Removal Of Waivers
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner – The Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ) is among several interest groups scheduled to meet with tax administrators at the Ministry of Finance and Planning today to discuss the likely impact the removal of tax incentives could have on their members. “Yes, we have been invited to a meeting in Kingston,” Yoni Epstein, chairman of…
Read More »