Barbados begins public sector cuts in ailing economy
The Barbados government Friday began laying off the first batch of workers in the public service as it seeks to reverse an ailing economy.
The Freundel Stuart administration had been forced to push back the January 15 date for sending home 3,000 public sector workers over the coming months, after indicating that it had not drawn up the list of employees to be sent home.
Workers employed at the National Housing Corporation (NHC) were among the first to receive dismissal letters after the government had earlier this month rejected proposals from the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) as not going far enough to meet the objective of a significant cut in public sector expenditure.
NUPW general secretary Denis Clarke told reporters that some of the workers dismissed had been with the NHC for as much as 15 years and complained that the government had not kept its promise to provide the union with the official retrenchment list.
He hinted at possible court action to ensure dismissed workers receive their due compensation.
Source-Caribbean Media Corporation
Jamaican lawyer named IACHR rapporteur on women right
A Jamaican has been appointed a Rapporteur on the Rights of Women as well as on the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Transsexual, Bisexual, and Intersex Persons (LGTBI).
In addition, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) said that Tracy Robinson will now be the Thematic and Country Rapporteur for Bahamas, Honduras, Nicaragua and Suriname; Rapporteur on the Rights of Women; and Rapporteur on the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Transsexual Bisexual and Intersex Persons (LGTBI).
The IACHR said that the appointment was made during a two-day working meeting that ended on Friday with the distribution of Thematic and Country Rapporteurships.
Robinson, a lawyer, is a lecturer in Gender and the Law, Constitutional Law and Commonwealth Caribbean Human Rights at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica.
IACHR said she has also been a consultant for international agencies such as the United Nations Fund for Women and UNICEF, and she has advised Caribbean governments on topics related to legislation on gender and children rights, among others.
Robinson, who is also the IACHR first vice-president, was elected at the 41st Organisation of American States (OAS) General Assembly in June 2011 for the standard four-year term, which began on January 1, 2012.
The IACHR said that it had also appointed rapporteurs for several Caribbean islands including Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Kitts-Nevis, Belize, Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Haiti, Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. It has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
Source-Jamaica Observer
NYCD to observe World Wetlands Day
As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Dominica is exposed to several unique vulnerabilities such as the impact of Climate Change; economic impact of natural disasters and lack of economies of scale.
As such, Dominica has adopted the principles of sustainable development in charting its course to an improved quality of life for present and future generations.
One of the core activities forming part of the NYCD’s 2013-2015 work-plan is the facilitation of national observances on international days for protection of the environment such as Earth Day, World Water Day and World Wetlands Day.
World Wetlands Day (WWD) has been observed on the 2nd of February each year since 1971, to promote sustainable management of wetlands and raise awareness of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This year WWD is being observed under the international theme ‘Wetlands and Agriculture: Partners for Growth’.
The NYCD plans to observe WWD from Sunday February 2nd-7th, 2014, through advocacy and educational activities and civil society dialogue on the issue of ‘Sustainable Wetland Management’.
In order to take action to preserve Dominica’s wetlands, we must firstly make ourselves more knowledgeable as to the nature, importance and value of our wetlands.
Dominica exhibits three main types of wetlands: Freshwater swamps, located at the Indian River; montane swamps, located near the Fresh Water Lake and coastal marshes, located at the Cabrits Wetland.
Wetlands can also be found within the communities of Woodford Hill, La Plaine and near the mouth of the Layou River.
The main uses of Dominica’s wetlands include, community tourism (tour guiding), education, research and artistic inspiration. This demonstrates the great socioeconomic value of our wetlands.
Wetlands also play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance within the natural environment. Certain species of plants and animals including the Kobo Crab, Fiddler Crabs, “Red-leg” crabs, swamp ferns and certain sedges, are only found within wetlands.
Many species of fish (marine and freshwater) utilize the Indian River wetland and the pools within the Cabrits National Park wetland as a nursery. Wetlands also serve as a wintering ground for some migratory birds
Wetlands play an important role in the hydrological cycle and also function as a natural form of flood-water control.
The sustainable management of Dominica’s wetlands is a joint responsibility in which every citizen must play their part, so that Dominica will remain the Nature Island of the Caribbean for Generations to come.
Antigua Attorney General ‘stable’ in hospital after collapse
Antigua and Barbuda's Attorney General, Justin Simon QC, remained in hospital late Saturday in stable condition after collapsing at a restaurant, an official source has said.
Simon, said to be in his fifties, reportedly collapsed around 4.30 pm, while out with friends at Big Banana, a popular eatery in downtown St Johns.
He was rushed to the Mount St John's Medical Centre, the main state hospital about a kilometre away.
A senior government official who said he was receiving regular updates on the attorney general's health but asked not to be identified, told the Caribbean Media Corporation that Simon was conscious, alert and in stable condition.
Key figures in government could not be reached for details of Simon's illness and condition.
The Dominica-born Simon was appointed as Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General in the original cabinet of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer when his United Progressive Party (UPP) swept to power in March 2004, ending the 28-year rule of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP).
Simon, who had originally told Spencer he intended to serve one-term as the government's principal legal adviser, has stayed on past the UPP's election to a second term in office in 2009.
Source-CMC
Israeli Leaders Criticize Kerry's Boycott Warning
Top Israeli officials are warning U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that they will not be bullied into a peace deal with the Palestinians.
Israeli leaders reacted angrily Sunday after Kerry warned that if peace talks with the Palestinians fail, Israel could face growing international boycotts.
At the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Israeli officials took those remarks as a direct threat: make concessions to the Palestinians, or pay a heavy price.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said international pressure on Israel harms peace efforts because it causes the Palestinians to harden their positions. He called attempts to impose a boycott on Israel "immoral and unjust."
The State Department issued a clarification, saying Kerry's remarks were taken out of context. It said the Secretary of State staunchly opposes any boycotts against Israel and was only referring to actions taken by others.
The European Union, for instance, has been threatening to boycott products from Jewish settlements, and several European companies have stopped doing business with Israeli companies operating in the West Bank.
Source-Voice Of America
36 Killed as Syrian Forces Target Aleppo
Syrian government aircraft continued dropping crude barrel bombs Sunday on rebel-held areas in the northern city of Aleppo, with a monitoring group reporting at least 36 fatalities. Nearly 90 civilians were reported killed in the same districts on Saturday.
Activists identified 13 of Sunday's dead as children. They said helicopters and warplanes targeted at least 15 opposition-held neighborhoods in the divided city.
The latest bombings come as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad slowly advance into rebel-held areas in southeastern Aleppo. Analysts are calling the advances the most significant government gains since opposition fighters seized parts of the city in mid-2012.
The army gains include territory around Aleppo's airport, which was closed for almost a year by nearby fighting before reopening last month.
The first round of United Nations-brokered peace talks between Syria's warring sides ended Friday with little progress reported. More talks are set for next month.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week called on both sides -- particularly the Syrian government -- to allow unrestricted aid worker access to civilians trapped in blockaded areas of Homs, and rebel-held areas of southern Damascus.
Source-VOA
Kerry has Rare Meeting With Iran's Foreign Minister
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held a rare meeting Sunday with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference to discuss issues concerning Tehran's controversial nuclear program.
A senior U.S. State Department official said Kerry reiterated to Zarif the importance of both sides negotiating in good faith and Iran abiding by its commitments under the Joint Plan of Action that came out of an international meeting in November. He also made clear that the United States will continue to enforce existing sanctions.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the Kerry and Zarif one-on-one meeting is "incredibly important" as the international community prepares for further comprehensive talks.
World powers are set to begin another round of negotiations with Iran in Vienna on February 18 in an effort to reach a comprehensive agreement with Iran about its nuclear program.
The U.S. has accused Iran of trying to build a nuclear bomb. Iran has insisted its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful civilian purposes.
Iran reached a landmark preliminary agreement with six world powers in November that at least temporarily brings a halt to Iran's controversial nuclear program and eases economic sanctions. The six-month pact agreed to in November gives negotiators time to design a more comprehensive solution to the decade-long standoff Tehran has had with the West over its nuclear program.
Afghan Presidential Campaign Kicks Off
Campaigning for Afghanistan's presidential election has begun.
The campaign for the successor to Hamid Karzai officially began Sunday for the April 5 poll. Karzai cannot run for a third term under Afghan law.
Analysts cite several strong presidential candidates: former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, former finance minister Ashraf Ghani and the president's elder brother, Qayum Karzai.
The election kickoff comes a day after gunmen killed two of Abdullah's campaign workers in the western city of Herat.
Violence threatens the campaign as the Taliban has vowed to disrupt the poll.
The presidential vote will be a crucial test of whether Afghanistan can ensure a stable political transition as NATO combat forces ready their withdrawal after nearly 13 years of war.
Karzai had been expected to sign a bilateral security agreement late last year, which would allow about 10,000 U.S. troops to be deployed in the country after NATO withdraws by December.
However, the Afghan president refused to sign the deal, and has said his successor might now complete negotiations. The delay in signing the deal has strained relations between the U.S. and Afghanistan.
El Salvador, Costa Rica Vote for New Leaders
Voters are casting ballots in presidential elections in two Central American countries Sunday.
In El Salvador, Vice President Salvador Sanchez Ceren is struggling to keep the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front in power after only one term. The party is facing criticism that it has done little about the sluggish economy and rampant gang violence.
Norman Quijano, the ARENA candidate, is trailing closely behind Sanchez Ceren. The 67-year-old Quijano has been the mayor of San Salvador.
The two are likely to meet in a runoff, as a third candidate is far behind in public opinion polls to replace President Mauricio Funes. El Salvador elects a president for a single five-year term.
In Costa Rica, Johnny Araya, the ruling National Liberation Party's candidate, has sought to distance himself from the corruption allegations of President Laura Chinchilla's government.
Araya's main contender is Jose Maria Villalta, a congressman with the Broad Front Party.
Analysts say a runoff between the two is likely in Costa Rica, where a president is elected for a single four-year term.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
Protesters Disrupt Thailand Election
Although voting is under way in Thailand's tense national elections, anti-government protesters have forced the closure of hundreds of polling stations in the capital, Bangkok.
The main opposition Democrat Party is boycotting the elections, and protesters were reported to still be in the streets of Bangkok as polls opened Sunday. They have obstructed voting by blocking the distribution of ballots and preventing voters from entering polling stations.
Officials say voting is is proceeding unobstructed in other parts of the country.
Dozens of gunshots were reported Saturday in northern Bangkok, with several people wounded. The Bangkok Post reported that the Thai Elections Commission is keeping 158 polling stations in the Lak Si district closed Sunday and that voting there will take place at a later date.
Protests and violence erupted three months ago when the prime minister's ruling Pheu Thai party sought to grant amnesty to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Mr. Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, remains very influential in Thailand, even though he was convicted of corruption and lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai.
Bangkok's urban middle class and royalist elite are opposed to the amnesty and have responded to its proposal with calls to oust the government.
Protesters say the vote should not be held before widespread reforms take place, while Prime Minister Yingluck insists the election is the only legitimate way to end the political stalemate.
The election commission had called for the vote to be delayed, citing fears of violence that has killed at least 10 people since November.
The Thai army has increased its presence in the capital to prevent further unrest during the elections and a state of emergency has already been declared.
The military, which has staged 18 coups in the past 81 years, has said it will not interfere in the political situation unless absolutely necessary.