IN JAMAICA: Scholarship winner wants to make a difference

Scholarship winner wants to make difference

Sunday, August 25, 2013

SHAVEL Scarlett believes pursuing a university degree is the only thing that will rescue her from poverty. As much as she wanted to attend university, however, the chances were slim, for though she graduated from Rusea's High School with eight Carib ...more

Is it time for a career change?

Sunday, August 25, 2013

LIFE is filled with decisions, one of which is whether or not to switch one's career. With recent statistics showing Jamaica's unemployment rate at an all-time high of more than 16 per cent, this decision becomes a bit more complicated. "In ... Read more:

'Jamaica out of recession'

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) estimates that Jamaica has exited the recession.

The State agency is projecting economic growth in the range of 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent for the current quarter, which ends September 30.

"There is an expected return to positive performance for most industries reflecting a resurgence in output following the impact of Hurricane Sandy," said Colin Bullock, director general of the PIOJ, at the organisation's quarterly press briefing held yesterday.

He figures that the continued roll out of growth inducing capital projects approved for the current fiscal year, which runs to next March, and restoration of investor confidence with the passing of the first International Monetary Fund (IMF) test, will also aid in boosting the economy.

Continued recovery in the global economy also factors in, and with expectation that Jamaica will end the year with growth coming from several fronts, including the Bank of Jamaica, the recovery in the domestic economy is expected to be sustained. Read more:

Bill De Blasio Surges Ahead In New York City Mayoral Race: Poll

New York City public advocate Bill de Blasio has pulled further ahead in the New York City mayoral race, coming close to the 40 percent threshold he'd need to avoid a runoff in the Democratic primary, according to a poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University.
De Blasio took 36 percent among likely Democratic primary voters, by far the largest share of the vote any candidate has garnered in polling so far. New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and former city comptroller Bill Thompson trailed at 21 and 20 percent, respectively. Three other candidates, former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), city comptroller John Liu and former city councilmember Sal Albanese, each polled in the single digits.
If there is a runoff, de Blasio would lead Quinn, 59 percent to 30 percent, and Thompson, 52 percent to 36 percent. Read More...

G. Todd Baugh Petition: Judge Who Gave Stacey Rambold 30 Days For Rape Of Student Urged To Resign

A petition calling for the resignation of Judge G. Todd Baugh has been circulated on MoveOn.org

A district court judge who handed down a controversial sentence in the case of an ex-teacher who raped a student is being petitioned to resign.
The MoveOn.org petition accuses Judge G. Todd Baugh of "victim shaming... [and] increasing the possibility that more child predators, relying on the laxity of a judge who more readily sympathizes with the abuser than the abused, will prey on other children in the future." Read More...

Obama: Syrian Government Behind Chemical Weapons Attack, No Decision On Action (VIDEO): 'I Have Not Made A Decision'... REPORT: Strikes 'Within Days'... 116 Members Of Congress 'Strongly Urge' Obama To Receive Congressional Approval... Intel Committees: We Haven't Been Properly Consulted... Brits Will Wait For UN Investigation... UK Labour Party Plans Pushback... Arab League Doesn't Back U.S. Strike... POLL: Just 25% Support Strikes... 3 Lingering Questions

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Bashar Assad, Obama Administration, Syria, Video, Bashar Al Assad, Bashar Al-Assad, Syria Bashar Assad, Syria Civil War, Syria Violence, Syria Chemical Attack, Syria Chemical Warfare, Syria Chemical Weapons, Syria , Syria , Syria Uprising, Syria War, Us Syria, Us Syria Attack, Us Syria Conflict, Politics News

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama on Wednesday declared unequivocally that the United States has "concluded" that the Syrian government carried out a deadly chemical weapons attack on civilians. But new hurdles emerged that appeared to slow the formation of an international coalition that could use military force to punish Syria.
Obama did not present any direct evidence to back up his assertion that the Syrian government bears responsibility for the attack. While he said he is still evaluating possible military retaliation, the president vowed that any American response would send a "strong signal" to Syrian President Bashar Assad.
"We have concluded that the Syrian government in fact carried these out," Obama said during an interview with PBS' NewsHour. "And if that's so, then there need to be international consequences." Read More...