LEADERS OF CARIBBEAN NATIONS CREATE MARIJUANA COMMISSION—02/28/15
Shortly after Jamaican became the first country in the Caribbean to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana, leaders in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) decided to create a commission charged with investigating the legalization of the drug throughout the region. The current CARICOM chairman, Prime Minister Perry Christie of the Bahamas, expects the group to examine the economic, health and legal matters that surround marijuana legalization.
MONTSERRAT TO HARNESS VOLCANO ENERGY—03/01/15
The Caribbean island of Montserrat has decided to harness the energy of its signature Soufriere Hills volcano to “turn ash into cash.” According to the nation’s Premier Donaldson Romeo, the volcano presents an opportunity to foster regional cooperation in finding ways to develop sustainable energy sources. The energy produced by the volcano could be used wherever electricity could be substituted easily.
WORLD BIRTH DEFECTS DAY MARKED IN CARIBBEAN—03/03/15
Caribbean countries joined with other nations around the world to observe World Birth Defects Day. The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) noted that birth defects represent the second-most frequent cause of death in children under the age of five in the Caribbean. Forty-four percent of children’s deaths are due to birth defects in the region.
NO AGREEMENT ON ONE CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY GENERAL—03/04/15
Leaders of CARICOM have been unable to reach an agreement on a one single candidate to serve as secretary general of the Commonwealth, Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, says
there was also a lack of agreement on a candidate for assistant secretary generation of the Organization of American States (OAS).
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ANGRY ABOUT UGANDAN DOCTOR PLAN—03/05/15
Critics in Trinidad and Tobago are opposing plans by Uganda to send hundreds of physicians and nurses to T&T, despite the fact that they are needed in their native country. Some are taking legal actions against the government. Uganda plans to send over 200 doctors and nurses to the Caribbean country under an agreement that is meant to improve health services in Tobago. The agreement also stipulates that both Uganda and Tobago will select the staff designated to work in the Caribbean.
CARIBBEAN LABOR MINISTERS START DISCUSSIONS IN BAHAMAS—03/06/15
The Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Perry Christie, made the keynote speech at the Ninth International Labor Organization meeting held in Nassau. The meeting of Caribbean labor ministers will consider the issue of jobs for youth. Christie noted that this issue was of critical importance, since people who are young and desperate and feel they have no way to improve their lives will cause trouble for the general society.
