Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco from April, 2009
Americas: 5th Summit Reactions
The much-hyped Fifth Summit of the Americas is now over, culminating with the Hemispheric leaders' adoption of the Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain - albeit with one signatory - the Prime Minister of host country Trinidad and Tobago, who purportedly signed on behalf of all participating leaders. This signaled to many a clear lack of unanimity on the final declaration, hardly surprising given the differing agendas of the 34 participating nations. Bloggers were quick to post their impressions of the three-day engagement.
Jamaica: Hostages Released
Breaking news in Jamaica this morning is that a hostage situation has developed with the crew of a Canadian jet at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Canadian mainstream media is since reporting that the situation was resolved without any loss of life when "an anti-terrorism unit of the Jamaican military stormed the plane and disarmed the gunman", but bloggers Caribbean-wide and throughout the diaspora are still in disbelief.
Bahamas: The Economics of Culture
“It is not foreign investment that economists and development agencies are suggesting is the engine of economic development in the 21st century; it’s culture”: Nicolette Bethel thinks that the Bahamian government's apparent postponement of the Caribbean Festival of Arts is “a terrible idea”.
Haiti: Election or Selection?
Repeating Islands reports that Haiti's Senate elections this past weekend were “marred today by sporadic violence, forcing authorities to cancel polling in parts of the country”. Pwoje Espwa notes: “Fanmi Lavalas (ex-President Jean Bertrand Aristide's political party) will not be in the race due to not being able to satisfy...
Jamaica: Perspective on Pirates
Jamaica-based blogger Annie Paul happened to be reading a manuscript about pirates at a time when “the pirates of Somalia were rousing international consternation by capturing a US ship and holding its crew hostage” – and she shares an alternative perspective on this age-old profession.
Caribbean: 5th Summit Begins
As the heads of member states of the Fifth Summit of the Americas gather today in Trinidad and Tobago, bloggers Caribbean-wide are eager to discuss the pros and cons of the event.
Guyana: CLICO Judicial Manager Shot
News broke yesterday that Insurance Commissioner Maria van Beek, who also happens to be the woman in charge of dissolving failed conglomerate CLICO Guyana, was shot yesterday in Georgetown. Bloggers have been trying to make sense of the attempted murder...
Haiti: Mounting Tensions
The Haitian Blogger identifies what he calls “the Forces aligned against Haiti's political, agricultural and economical sovereignty”, while My Life, an Open Book… is concerned about the mounting tension on the island in anticipation of this weekend's elections.
Barbados: The Danger of Hate Speech
Bajan Dream Diary makes a case for hate speech legislation in Barbados.
Bermuda: National Debt
When Vexed Bermoothes learns that Bermuda's national debt currently works out to about $58,000 per person, he suggests putting “a National Debt Clock in front of the Cabinet Office, just to remind those sweet talkin’ big spenders what they are doing to Bermuda’s future generations.”
Haiti: Donor's Conference
“When it comes to development, it is not a one day conference that matters most but long-term engagement”: Haiti Innovation reviews the recently concluded Haiti Donors Conference, while Haiti, Land of Freedom notes that “the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) plans to go forward with partial Senate elections this weekend.”
St. Kitts & Nevis: Film Festival
Repeating Islands blogs about the upcoming Nevis Film Festival, which has “a particular focus on the Caribbean region and emphasis on the discovery of first film works by new talent and emerging filmmakers.”
Cuba, U.S.A.: Remembering the Prisoners
“Cuban Americans may be about to flood the island with cash and visits,” says diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense, “but political prisoners in the Castro gulag are not likely to enjoy any benefits of the largesse.”
Guyana: Journalistic Ethics
“I have known for some time that the various media houses seem to have no documented policies against journalists accepting gifts” – but Imran Khan thinks it a “grave, tragic and reprehensible situation” that Guyanese journalists are reportedly taking bribes.
Americas: Eye on the Summit
As the much-anticipated opening of the Fifth Summit of the Americas - which will see 34 Western Hemisphere leaders coming together to discuss issues related to human prosperity, environmental sustainability and energy security, not to mention the global financial crisis - fast approaches, regional bloggers continue to closely monitor developments.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Play Ball
“The ball is in Cuba’s court after Obama threw it yesterday, as he announced new flexibility in his policies toward Cuba”: From Havana, Generation Y says: “The game would become more dynamic if they let the Cuban people take hold of the erratic ball of change. Many would kick it...
Bahamas: Health Care Paradigm
Larry Smith, writing at Bahama Pundit, says that “the government will soon propose major medical reforms”, but notes: “The big challenge today is to find a sustainable solution…we will have to change our frame of reference from over-reliance on tertiary medicine, which focuses on expensive hospital care, to lower-cost preventive...
Barbados: HIV & Young People
Bajan Dream Diary takes a look at the HIV epidemic among Barbados’ youth.
Barbados: Reputation & Governance
Barbados has hired a Canadian company to transform the Barbados Stock Exchange into an international one, but in light of existing integrity and freedom of information laws, Barbados Free Press says: “One has to wonder…if Barbados’ international reputation is more a result of luck, hype and spin than a reflection...
Cuba, U.S.A.: Extending an Olive Branch?
The Obama administration yesterday announced some key changes to U.S. policy designed to "reach out to the Cuban people in support of their desire to freely determine their country’s future." While the policy shift allows for a lift on travel and remittance restrictions and paves the way for greater telecommunications links with the island, some bloggers are concerned that the measure has not gone far enough...
Americas: The 5th Summit Gets Underway
The Fifth Summit of the Americas, to be held in Port of Spain, the capital city of the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, from April 17-20, 2009, is already capturing intense regional and international interest. Regional bloggers weigh in.
