Grenada no-confidence motion defeated
On Tuesday, the no confidence motion tabled in Grenada's House of Parliament by the opposition New National Party (NNP) was debated and ultimately defeated.
In debating the motion, opposition leader Dr Keith Mitchell castigated the leadership of Prime Minster Tillman Thomas and the state of political and economic uncertainty in the country.
In response, lead government spokesman, Minister of Youth Empowerment Patrick Simmonds, offered a compilation of statistics that outlined the achievements of the administration.
Finance Minister Nazim Burke described the NNP motion as “political opportunism”.
Former Minister of the Environment, Michael Church, who was an early casualty of the Thomas administration, pointed to the suffering and victimization of his constituents who should have benefitted from development initiatives that had been approved for his constituency of St John, which he won in 2008 on an NDC ticket, but had been put on hold since his resignation from the Thomas Cabinet.
Church cited a fish plant built by the Japanese in 2009 but has remained shut. NDC promises of housing rehabilitation have been ignored since he demitted Cabinet, he said. He reiterated that his constituents deserved much better and the recalcitrance of Burke and Thomas led him to support the no-confidence motion.
Government ministers Lett, Quarless, Burke and former tourism minister Peter David all spoke against the motion. Like Simmonds, the three government ministers read out a stack of statistical information that attempted to tell Grenadians that, although the infighting was evident, government was full speed ahead with work attending to the nation’s business.
David’s contribution to the debate attracted great attention in that it clarified two critical speculations: David and Mitchell were not collaborative partners in the NNP-introduced motion and David remains a firm member of the NDC but gave clear warning to Thomas that he will be challenged at a future party congress.
'Believe in The Bahamas' resonated among voters
The international research firm that explained to the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) why it lost the 2007 general election in The Bahamas and told it how to turn things around is congratulating the party on its success at the polls last week.
The PLP ran a strong campaign that centered on believing in the potential of the Bahamian people, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner said in a statement.
“Believe in The Bahamas resonated with voters as the [Free National Movement] government’s policies failed to put the Bahamian people ahead of special interests and neglected a staggering problem with crime,” said the company, which provided services for the PLP during the 2012 general election campaign.
“The PLP’s detailed plan to fight crime, create jobs for Bahamians, and double the investment in education and training was strongly endorsed by the electorate.”
Kristi Lowe, senior associate at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, noted that, “Christie and the PLP achieved a great victory.”
Lowe said, "We extend them our best wishes as they approach the challenges of reducing crime, reviving the economy, and enacting policies that put faith in what the Bahamian people can achieve if given the opportunity.”
Christie and the PLP took 29 of the 38 seats in Parliament. Greenberg Quinlan Rosner noted that this is a strong majority.
After its loss at the polls in 2007, the leadership of the PLP commissioned the research firm to study what went wrong for the party.
That report revealed that 57 percent of respondents cited Christie’s perceived ‘weak leadership’ as the reason they decided not to vote PLP.
The ‘weak leadership’ issue was widely discussed with now former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham stating repeatedly that the 2007 election was about leadership. The survey said the alleged scandals that plagued the PLP leading up to the vote took their toll.
The report highlighted the perception of scandal within the PLP ranks as well as the perception that the leader of the PLP was considered a weak leader.
The report also highlighted steps that the party should take to rebrand its image, so as to gain the confidence of the Bahamian electorate.
It recommended expanding the party's base; cleansing the party’s reputation; conveying Christie’s leadership qualities and advancing a progressive social agenda.
“It needs to take concrete actions that convey its seriousness about purging corruption from the party and state,” said the report.
“There is a perception among voters -- one deepened by the FNM -- that the PLP has become more focused on doing things that benefit its own politicians than for people.”
It’s a claim Ingraham made repeatedly on the campaign trail in the months and weeks leading up to the 2007 and 2012 elections.
Ingraham also accused Christie of presiding over “the most chaotic, last-minute, indecisive and incompetent government since independence”.
Ingraham had claimed that the PLP was besieged by scandal and incompetence and had painted the party as corrupt.
But in one of his final campaign speeches before the recent election, Christie noted that, while Ingraham repeatedly accused the former PLP administration of corruption, he failed to bring any evidence to prove this, and failed to cause anyone to be prosecuted for this alleged corruption.
Following the election last Monday, Ingraham announced that he will not take his seat in Parliament and that he will resign as leader of the Free National Movement.
Story courtesy of the Nassau Guardian
Cuba places third as tourist destination in the Caribbean
Carlos Vogeler, general director for the Americas of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), said Cuba now is in the third position as the Caribbean country that receives more tourists per year, trailing the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
During his visit to the King’s Gardens in a tour after the end of the International Tourism Fair FITCUBA 2012, the official said Cuba is improving its tourist industry and that shows in the increasing number of arrivals each year.
At the same pace Cuban tourism has improved so have the fairs, then the idea to take it this year to such an attractive place as Cayo Santa Maria, said Vogeler.
He added that this visit to King’s Gardens allowed many foreigners to get to know the natural beauties that one can find in the Coco and Guillermo Keys, because it is a very valuable product barely known outside Cuba, he said.
Tour operators, travel agents, and hotel chains and airline representatives toured the different facilities in the keys off the northern central Cuban coast. There they could see the beauty of the Playa Pilar resort, one of the most beautiful places in Cuba, where the sand dunes are among the best preserved in the region.
Cannes Film Festival jury denies 'sexism' claim
The jury for the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or has spoken out over claims of sexism prompted by the lack of female filmmakers in the running.
Critics have complained that all 22 films in the contest have been directed by men, many past winners of the award.
But jury member British director Andrea Arnold said: "I would absolutely hate it if my film was selected because I was a woman.
"I would only want my film to be selected for the right reasons."
The festival opens with the film Moonrise Kingdom later.
Starring Bruce Willis and Ed Norton it was directed by Wes Anderson and is one of the films screening in the competition.
Others who have made the cut include Brit Ken Loach, Michael Haneke and Jacques Audiard - all previous winners of the prize.
In an open letter to the media, a group of French filmmakers have accused the organisers of failing to recognise the achievements of female directors.
Last year, four women were included on the list, including Scotland's Lynne Ramsay, director of We Need to Talk About Kevin.
But speaking at a press conference earlier, Arnold said the lack of women in competition reflected the industry as a whole.
"Last year was obviously a good year," she said. "I was asked this earlier and it's true the world over, in the world of film there are just not many woman film directors.
"I guess Cannes is a small pocket that represents how it is out there in the world and that's a great pity, a great disappointment."
Led by Italian director Nanni Moretti and including fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, Oscar-winning writer and filmmaker Alexander Payne and Scots actor Ewan McGregor - the jury will watch all the nominated films and announce a winner on 27 May.
German actress Diane Kruger, known for films including Inglourious Basterds and Troy, is one of four women on the jury.
She starred in the film Lily Sometimes, which closed the Cannes director's fortnight - a special section of the festival which shows features, documentaries and short films - in 2010.
It was directed by a woman, Fabienne Berthaud and Kruger insisted: "My impression is that women are made welcome in Cannes."
Other female filmmakers who are showing at Cannes include the first female Saudi director Haiffa al Mansour and France's Catherine Corsini and Sylvie Verheyde - who are competing in the Un Certain Regard category.
Will Smith supports Obama's position on gay marriage
Will Smith says he supports US President Barack Obama's position on gay marriage.
The Hollywood actor says the question of whether gay people should be allowed to legally marry is "about semantics".
He told reporters in Berlin yesterday that "if anybody can find someone to love them and to help them through this difficult thing that we call life, I support that in any shape or form".
Still, Smith says the president's support for gay marriage was a "brave" move in an election year.
The actor is in Berlin to promote his new film, Men in Black III, that premiered in Germany yesterday.
'Kush Morning' rhythm brings success for ZJ Sparks
Local disc jockey and producer ZJ Sparks is celebrating the success of her reggae rhythm the Kush Morning. The rhythm was recently featured on international Vh1 Television series Basketball Wives, and ZJ Sparks believes that this is testimony that reggae is not dead.
"The production for Kush Morning is a collaboration with my label Twelve 9 Records and Dynasty Records. This is not my first project but this is the most successful," ZJ Sparks said.
The Collie Budz single I Feel So Good on the Morning Kush rhythm was the song featured, and according to ZJ Sparks this marks the first time that reggae music was played on the popular sitcom.
"The person who was representing the musical aspect of the show called Collie Budz and then called us to tell us, and of course we said yes. It's a good feeling and a slap in the face for those who were saying that reggae music is dead. It is also a good for Dynasty Records and my label Twelve 9 Records," ZJ Sparks said.
She also revealed that since the song was featured on the Basketball Wives the rhythm has soared up the iTunes charts.
"It was doing well before, but since the song by Collie Budz went on the show, the rhythm went number 22 on the iTunes album charts. We have also been approached by international distribution company Promo Only because they want it to be distributed to their North American and Caribbean market, and most of the songs they distribute normally go on Billboard," she continued.
"It would be nice to be on Billboard, but my reason to do music is to add my perspective to it and to spread Jamaican culture. A lot of people before us made people recognise reggae music, and I am just doing my part to let people know that reggae music is not dead," she said.
passionate disc jock
The seemingly passionate disc jock believes that local DJs are to share the blame for the dull local presence of reggae music. According to Sparks, DJs aren't prepared to take risks.
"Some selectors are more about the hype and are not willing to take risks. They just want an easy forward ... reggae music is not dead, it just needs to be pushed more in Jamaica, and this is ironic because this is the land of its birth," ZJ Sparks said.
Sparks also believes that the local music business is too saturated. She said the Morning Kush rhythm was given ample time to expand its boundaries, instead of releasing another production from her record label, which could kill the development.
"Productions pick up at different areas and regions at a slow pace so we have to slow it down and give the music time to grow," she concluded.
Other artistes featured on the Kush Morning rhythm include I-Octane, Jah Vinci, Serani and Ikaya.
Jazzing it in St Lucia
There were sell out crowds at this year’s just concluded St Lucia Jazz Festival.
Many who attending, including a number of Barbadians, said they enjoyed the event. They were especially wowed by headliner Diana Ross, who thrilled with some hits including I'm Coming Out, the theme from Mahogany, Do You Know Where You're Going To, Love Child, Endless Love, Stop in the Name of Love, Love Hangover, Touch Me in the Morning and I Will Survive.
The international cast also featured Toni Braxton, Kirk Franklin, Keri Hilson, Gipsy King, Robzi Taylor Hugh Masekela, and Ziggy Marley.
Spain borrowing costs set to rise amid Greece fears
Spain's borrowing costs look set to spike on Thursday when the country's treasury sells up to 2.5bn euros (£2bn; $3.2bn) of three- and four-year sovereign bonds.
It could pay buyers about 5% on the longest bond - up from just over 4% at its last auction two weeks ago.
The auction comes amid fresh fears contagion from Greece could trigger a Spanish banking crisis.
Spain's prime minister says borrowing costs could become "astronomical".
Mariano Rajoy called on European leaders to publicly back highly indebted European countries and said debt levels would have to be brought down to bolster market confidence.
"All these measures are to get out of the hole we find ourselves in," he said on Wednesday.
Spain is in recession and unemployment is rising. Investors are concerned about the health of its public finances and banks.
Despite banking sector reform, borrowing costs have continued to rise.
Yields have risen significantly in secondary markets, suggesting the same will be true in the government auction.
Fracture
In the wake of inconclusive elections in Greece amid growing public resistance to submitting to more austerity, there are escalating fears that Greece will leave the euro.
The ensuing turmoil could force a more serious fracture of the currency union, watchers warn.
Spain currently has a record 24.4% of people out of work, at about 5.6 million.
Unemployment in the eurozone reached a record high again in March as spending cuts continued to hit the working population.
Spain and Italy are both in recession and the rising borrowing costs have sparked concerns that they may need help or even bailouts.
Bank governor warns of eurozone crisis 'storm'
The Bank of England has cut its growth forecast for this year to 0.8% from 1.2%, saying the eurozone "storm" is still the main threat to UK recovery.
The eurozone was "tearing itself apart" and the UK would not be "unscathed", said its governor Sir Mervyn King.
He also confirmed that the Bank has been making contingency plans for the break-up of the euro.
The rate of inflation will remain above the government's 2% target "for the next year or so", the Bank said.
Sir Mervyn was presenting the Bank's quarterly inflation report.
He told a news conference that the euro area posed the greatest threat to the UK recovery, and there was a "risk of a storm heading our way from the continent".
"We have been through a big global financial crisis, the biggest downturn in world output since the 1930s, the biggest banking crisis in this country's history, the biggest fiscal deficit in our peacetime history, and our biggest trading partner, the euro area, is tearing itself apart without any obvious solution.
"The idea that we could reasonably hope to sail serenely through this with growth close to the long-run average and inflation at 2% strikes me as wholly unrealistic," Sir Mervyn said.
A 'mess'
Andrew Balls, the managing director in London of global investment firm Pimco, said it was reasonable for Sir Mervyn and other policymakers to plan for a Greek exit.
"Yes, maybe they should plan for an exit, but the thing is, speculating about it can make the event more likely, so the Europeans really do have a mess there," he told the BBC.
"If Greece is to slide out of the euro and collapse, how are they going to protect Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Italy?"
Separately, Prime Minister David Cameron also spoke of the financial storm clouds across Europe, warning that eurozone leaders must act swiftly to solve its debt crisis or face the consequences of a potential break up.
He said during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons: "The eurozone has to make a choice. If the eurozone wants to continue as it is, then it has got to build a proper firewall, it has got to take steps to secure the weakest members of the eurozone, or it's going to have to work out it has to go in a different direction,
"It either has to make up or it is looking at a potential break up. That is the choice they have to make, and it is a choice they cannot long put off."
The Bank's report said, however, that the eurozone crisis was not the only issue weighing on the UK economy, with volatile energy and commodity costs, and the squeeze on household earnings also having an impact.
It all meant that the UK economy would not return to pre-financial crisis levels before 2014, Sir Mervyn said.
Nevertheless, he remained optimistic about the longer term. "We don't know when the storm clouds will move away. But there are good reasons to believe that growth will recover and inflation will fall back," he said.
On quantitative easing, he said that no decisions had been made whether or not to continue pumping money into the economy. The last stimulus programme was still "working its way through the system".
'Outlook is probably better'
Sir Mervyn's comments came on the day that official unemployment figures showed a fall in the jobless rate, underlining recent surveys that the private sector had become more confident about hiring labour.
He said the fall in joblessness was consistent with the expected gradual recovery in the UK economy.
But Graeme Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, said of the Bank's report: "Talk about kicking an economy when it's down.
"On top of the euro crisis and a double-dip recession, the Bank of England is now saying inflation may not fall fast enough to permit more quantitative easing.
"Actually we think the inflation outlook is probably better than the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) thinks, with the impact of the euro crisis, declining real incomes and weak money supply growth suggesting inflationary pressures may recede later this year and into 2013.
"After many years of underestimating inflationary pressure let's hope the MPC is now making the opposite mistake by overestimating it".
Ed Balls, Labour's shadow chancellor, said: "The Bank of England has once again slashed its growth forecast for Britain, but despite this the government says it will just plough on regardless with policies that are hurting but not working.
"The governor is right to warn of a coming storm from Europe. That is why we warned George Osborne not to rip up the foundations of the house and choke off Britain's recovery with spending cuts and tax rises that go too far and too fast.
"What happens in the eurozone in the coming weeks and months will have an impact on our weakened economy," Mr Balls added.
Japan's economy grows 1.0% on rebuilding spending
Japan's economy grew 1.0% between January and March compared with the previous three months, as government spending helped fuel a gradual recovery from last year's earthquake and tsunami.
That translates to annualised growth of 4.1%, the Cabinet Office said.
A recovery in private consumption has also helped boost the economy.
However, analysts were still cautious about the future, as growth slowed in the US, Europe and China.
Reconstruction spending
"The data does not change the outlook for the economy," said Takeshi Minami, from Norinchukin Research Institute in Tokyo.
"Consumer spending is proving robust but the key to sustainability for the economic recovery is whether or not exports regain strength."
The main drivers of growth were public investment and consumer spending, which analysts said were helped by extra budgets after the earthquake.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has pledged more than 20tn yen ($249bn; £156bn) on reconstruction.
"With government polices behind the quarterly growth, we can't say this is a reflection of real strength in the Japanese economy," said Yoshimasa Maruyama from Itochu Economic Research Institute in Tokyo.
Outpaced
The expansion in Japan, however, exceeded that of many major industrial nations. The US reported 2.2% annualised growth in the same three months.
Japan also outperformed Germany, Britain and France.
Martin Schultz from Fujitsu Research said the data out on Thursday had made him very optimistic for the year.
"We did know there is a huge amount of money for reconstruction but we didn't know how positive the impact is. We know now this is a positive," he said.