Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has once again come to the defense of Cuba in the face of criticism by the United States of America. Speaking during the Cuban’s President’s visit to the Modern Medical Complex at Georgetown on Sunday, Dr Gonsalves chastised Washington for what appears to be a direct assault on the medical mission programme for which Cuba is known around the world. Dr. Gonsalves said the Cuban medical programme is a reflection of the “selflessness of the Cuban people” and urged the United States to “stop badmouth Cuba”. “They tell they lie and they put it in…
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Earlier this year, Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves while addressing concern about the state of the National Insurance Services (NIS) said, “So instead of contribution rate gradually increasing, draconian costs could be jumping contribution rate significantly. So we’re at 10%, a draconian measure, probably, will move it from 10 to 20.” As it were, Gonsalves warning seems to be nearing something of an eventuality given what the Director of the NIS, Stewart Haynes had to say recently. Haynes, addressing a media conference last week Tuesday, declared that the NIS is unsustainable in the medium and long term and would remain so…
It must be just me because I do not understand how and when all these plans were discussed and presented to the public for input. There I go again, thinking we (the people) should have some input before a final decision and public proclamation. I certainly should have learned by now that public participation is not necessarily required for government-funded public projects. The Planning Department should facilitate a citizen participation process on all government-funded projects. It must become the norm. Because I don’t know, I am asking for some assistance in understanding the plan for Kingstown. I have long advocated…
Persons across St. Vincent and the Grenadines can now “join the evolution and live the easy life.” This is because Sagicor has launched eLife – a convenient, client-friendly portal that allows individuals to purchase in the first instance, life insurance solutions completely online from end to end. The site was launched in mid-November with unique and affordable life insurance options. From anywhere on-island, and at any time of the day, as long as they have access to the internet, individuals have access to eLife by visiting elife.sagicor.com. They simply log on to the platform, choose their financial solution, answer a…
Jomo Thomas In September 2021, a three-member appellate panel from the Australian Labour Board dismissed the appeal of Jennifer Kimber, a worker at a nursing home. Kimber claimed unfair and wrongful dismissal. She claimed that in 2018 she suffered an adverse reaction to a flu shot and sought an exemption from any further vaccinations. Even though Kimber offered medical proof of her condition, the Appeal Board was not impressed. In dismissing the appeal, the majority said, “We do not intend, in the circumstances of the current pandemic, to give any encouragement to a spurious objection to a lawful workplace vaccination…
For decades, SVG fishermen have been crying out for a fish processing factory, but successive governments have failed to invest in this industry. In 2013, SVG’s Fisherman of the Year reiterated the call for SVG to embark upon a fish processing programme. He said that government has not done enough to develop the industry and help fishermen. He pointed out that there are billions of dollars of resources in the sea and thinks more could be done to utilise those resources. Today, in 2022, our fishing industry is still undervalued, under-resourced and under-utilised. Fish is a multi-billion dollar industry and…
Introduction The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently concluded its Article IV consultation on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and published statements including its statement from the Executive Board. It would be fair to say that the government of SVG received a very positive review from this international organization on its management of our economy during the tumultuous two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the eruptions of La Soufriere and Hurricane Elsa. The Executive Board commended the government lead by comrade Ralph and highlighted several positives including the “decisive policy responses by the authorities, that protected lives and livelihoods…
By Professor Richard A. Byron-Cox (PhD) America and other military colossuses of this world can and indeed do in their practice of foreign policy, follow Kissinger’s doctrine of having no permanent friends, only interests. However, if tiny, extremely vulnerable, poor, and virtually powerless nations like SVG were to ignore the need for solidarity, this would be perilous. Building solid fraternal relations is sin qua non not only for protecting their sovereignty and independence, but to their survival! Their viability as sovereign states depends inter alia on appreciation by others of their unique challenges, hence their need for genuine friends, while…
(Excerpts of Senator Shevern John’s Presentation at the Young Demz Convention) What an excellent topic we are addressing today! ‘My Decision, My Future’! Stay with me over the next few minutes, so I can humbly share with you my interpretation of the topic. Then, I will provoke and challenge you to recognize that it is ‘Your Decision and Your Future’, so you must not take it lightly. Every now and then (sometimes more often than we wish) someone will ask us: “How are you doing and what are doing with your life?” To be asked that question is a privilege.…
Joemar James, originally from the village of North Union, who, through his passion for graphic design, has paved his own path in the business world. Joemar, through his business Don Digitals and Artwork produces designs for as well as prints, signs, billboards, banners, business cards, labels, vehicle graphics, and more. In an interview with ANN, he shared with us just how he got his start in the graphic design business. ‘I used to do music cover arts for a friend that used to do music and I used to do it for free, then I started to produce some nice…