As President Barack Obama comes to the end of his eight-years as President of the United States of America, many there are who are beginning to make their assessments of his tenure. They should all try to remember where the world was in 2008 before attempting those assessments, says Ewart Walters whose article below was written at the moment of Barack Obama’s election victory in November 2008. “America has come to its senses” Part I Oh yes, we can! by Ewart Walters In the sweet...
Western Union Takes on Jamaican Lottery Scammers! Curtis A. Ward (11 Jan. 2017) — I went to Western Union (WU) yesterday (January 10, 2017) and sent some money to Jamaica. Upon handing me my receipt the agent gave me a number to call WU to answer a few questions before the money transfer would be completed. You can well imagine my consternation and immediate reaction. However, on calling WU the first question to me was whether my money transfer was in response to a lottery and the purpose...
Challenges to EC Citizenship by Investment Programs Spark Nasty Debate Curtis A. Ward (04 Jan 2017) —The debate over the efficacy of the citizenship by investment programs in a number of Eastern Caribbean countries has caught fire over the January 1, 2017 CBS 60 Minutes program drawing attention to a number of deficiencies in these programs. This debate is not new but has taken on new dimensions when critics of these programs are being accused of treason and in some cases likened unto...
Ending Jamaica’s Tribal Politics Curtis A. Ward (01 Jan 2017) — Taking time to assess 2016 and contemplate what’s ahead for 2017, my thoughts turned to Jamaica and some of the intractable issues which ails our beloved country. I searched my mind for the one issue that perhaps could create a paradigm shift in the political, economic and social architecture of Jamaica. An issue that could effectuate transformational change that is fundamental to move Jamaica forward. Several troubling...
Russia Warns U.S., Sanctions Will Affect Cooperation on Syria Curtis A. Ward (26 Dec 2016) —The Russian Government, in response to new U.S. sanctions on members of Russia’s financial sector, imposed on December 23, 2016, warns the Obama Administration of the sanctions’ adverse effect on Russian cooperation on Syria. A statement by the official representative of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Lukashevik warned specifically that, “If the Administration continues...
Obama Sticks it to Trump’s Russian Partner Curtis A. Ward (22 Dec. 2016) — I have been watching and waiting to see what action President Barack Obama would take against Vladimir Putin’s inner circle and critical sectors of the Russian economy in response to Putin’s interference into the U.S. presidential elections. As President Obama said in his final press conference on December 16, 2016, there would be responses that are known to the public and there would be responses not...
Trinidad and Tobago’s Economic Shocks by Adam Raffoul (Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago) Word from Guyana, is that the Bank of Guyana has instructed local cambios to stop buying Trinidad and Tobago Dollars (TTD) and Barbadian Dollars (BBD). The claim from authorities in Guyana is that Trinis and Bajans were flying into Georgetown with their respective local currencies, offloading it there, and purchasing US Dollars. This caused a situation where Guyanese business people were complaining...
Christmas Message from Her Excellency Audrey P. Marks Ambassador of Jamaica to the United States of America Fellow Jamaicans and Friends of Jamaica, I greet you warmly at this special and most wonderful time of the year. Jamaicans across the globe look forward to Christmas for so many compelling reasons. It is a time for celebration and festivities as we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ; for family gatherings; and for sharing with those less fortunate. It is also a time for quiet...
Jamaican Diaspora Engagement Imperatives: A Youth Perspective By Lisa K. Soares I spoke recently at the Jamaica Youth Forum UK 2016, at Portcullis House, UK Houses of Parliament on “Harnessing the Power of the Diaspora: The Global Jamaican Immigration Card” providing my perspective on this new initiative by the Economic Growth Council (EGC). Given the political, legal and global implications of this proposal, I was a bit apprehensive to speak on the subject—especially with little...
Trump v. Congress on New Russian Sanctions Curtis A. Ward (10 Dec. 2016) — When faced with indisputable facts that the Russian Government interfered with the U.S. presidential elections Congress will be forced to act by imposing new sanctions against Russia. President Barack Obama will have the last laugh as he sets the table for a showdown between a Republican Congress and a Republican President. Lest anyone should forget, Republican leaders plotted from day one of the Obama...
