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Health, Local news, News

ACTING CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, DR. HAZEL LAWS, TO CHAIR NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MARIJUANA

http://sknis.kn/acting-chief-medical-officer-dr-hazel-laws-to-chair-national-commission-on-marijuana/ #

Published: 5 April 2017

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, April 5, 2017 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, announced the establishment of a National Commission on Marijuana/Cannabis sativa, to be headed by acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Hazel Laws.

Prime Minister Harris, speaking at his monthly press conference, said the establishment of the National Commission is a follow through of a commitment made by the Team Unity Administration to facilitate national engagement on the issues surrounding the production and use of marijuana in St Kitts and Nevis.

According to the prime minister, the other members of the Commission will be named publicly after discussions have been held with them. Membership is expected to be drawn from education, health, law enforcement, the banking association, religious bodies, the Rastafarian community and youth, among other stakeholders.

Understanding the impact any decision on this highly controversial matter would have on St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Harris noted that broad based national discussions; covering health, religion and legal implications; are critically important.

“We wish that the Commission would conduct or utilize research to guide an exhaustive consultation both in St Kitts and in Nevis on this subject matter and make recommendations for consideration by the Cabinet,” the prime minister said. “I expect a vigorous enquiry into the social, economic, health and legal issues surrounding production and marijuana use in St Kitts and Nevis as a precursor to a determination on the current drug classification of marijuana.”

The honourable prime minister pointed out that in 1961, the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs; now referred to as the Convention on Psychotropic Substances; described marijuana as a schedule one drug in the same serious category as opium, coca, their derivatives heroin and cocaine.

He further stressed that “one hundred and about eighty plus members of the 193 United Nations body has signed on to this convention, which means the majority of 180 plus of 193 member states of the UN have agreed with the classification of this drug, firstly as a schedule one and now as a schedule two drug, so we are part of a responsible community.”

Dr. Harris used the current situation in Jamaica, where that country’s government has decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use, to strengthen his point of the need for serious consultations.

“We await the outcomes of the consultation on this matter which will have far reaching implications for our health system, our judicial system, our international reputation and perception, and our financial system as banks can be penalized and are being penalized; if we are to draw on the Jamaican experience that has been reported to us; if they accept clients they know are trading now in marijuana, and this follows naturally from the dangerous drugs act which has been passed in many countries and it is a natural follow on from the classification at the UN to which so many countries have become party,” the nation’s leader continued.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Harris reminded all that the use of marijuana in St. Kitts and Nevis is still illegal and called on citizens and residents to abide by the laws of the land.

Crime/Justice, Education, Local news, News

STUDENTS PLEDGE TO TAKE A NEW PATH IN LIFE AFTER COMPLETING PROJECT “STOP ‘N’ THINK BEFORE YOU PROCEED”

Published: 5 April 2017

Andrew Mosquito speaks to the crowd of mostly school-aged students at the rally

Kadeem Carty delivers powerful message at anti-crime youth

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 05, 2017 (SKNIS):Recipients of a three-month-long intensive training on combating crime in St. Kitts and Nevis, especially among young people, pledged to take a new path in life and showed appreciation to Dr. Neals Chitan, International Social Skills Consultant and Crime Reduction Specialist, during an anti-crime march and rally held in St. Kitts on Tuesday, April 04, at the Independence Square in Basseterre.

The event, which heard persons shouting the rallying anti-crime cry “Stop ‘n’ Think before you proceed,” came as a result of the successful completion of a powerful social skills campaign that was launched at the Advanced Vocational Education Centre (AVEC) in January 2017. The project was designed to engage strategies to help individuals, families and communities, in the Federation avoid a number of destructive behaviours, including but not limited to, disrespectful confrontations; criminal and violent activities; and impulsive quick reactions.

Speaking at the anti-crime rally, Andrew Mosquito, an AVEC student, reflected on the lessons imparted to him, while noting that they impacted him on both a personal and professional level.

“Dr. Chitan’s presentations were nothing like I have experienced before. The most impressive part about his discussions was that he grasped everyone’s attention using only raw facts. Over the last three months, his wealth of knowledge impacted me in a tremendous way, and the manner in which he broke down realistic situations opened my eyes on life experiences and allowed me to view reality from a different perspective,” said Mr. Mosquito. “Anxiously, I looked forward to attending his sessions because his interesting discussions aroused my curiosity for learning. I feel confident now that I can apply what I have learned to my-day-to day life,” he added.

Mr. Mosquito described Dr. Chitan as brilliant and saluted him for his generosity in putting the programme together. “I know there is much more to learn from you so I am inviting you back to sit with us once again, for as a new leaf turns, there will be new students, fresh minds to teach and more eyes to be opened,” he said, addressing Dr. Chitan at yesterday’s rally.

Kadeem Carty, also a student at AVEC, noted that Dr. Chitan was an exceptional teacher, as he made sure that no student was left behind. He added that Dr. Chitan took a step-by-step approach to ensure that persons understood life, how to go about it, and listened attentively to their impacting stories.

Addressing the mostly school-aged audience, Kadeem then said, “Whatever you can do in life, my [advice] to you is to move forward. Never, ever, let anyone stop your dream. Your dream is your reality, your dream is your success, your dream is phenomenal,” he said, while encouraging persons to stand up and be positive. “Please, St. Kitts and Nevis, why are we ill-treating one another, why are we killing our brother [or sister] when he or she can be loved, when he or she can make a success for St. Kitts and Nevis?”

Mr. Carty encouraged persons to stop and think before they act because doing anything impulsive could harm the country’s tourism product.

Both young men paid recognition to Dr. Chitan for his commitment and dedication to crime-fighting. They extended thanks to him for believing in the students and being a positive role model in the lives of many.

Approximately 308 students across St. Kitts who worked along with Dr. Chitan over the last 12 weeks will graduate on Saturday, April 08 and receive their Life Skills Achievement Certificates. With their certificates now in hand, they will be better equipped to make more informed decisions.

Similarly, a second march and rally is scheduled for Nevis on Thursday, April 06, starting at the Grell-Hull Stevens Netball Complex.

A section of students assembled in the Independence Square for the anti-crime rally

Business, International news, News

World food prices back down in March after two-year high: FAO

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-economy-food-idUSKBN1781BF #

Published: 6 April 2017

World food prices were back down in March after hitting a two-year high last month, with cereal harvests expected to be robust and markets stable this year, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday.

Prices for food products fell for five straight years due to ample supply, a slowing global economy and a strong U.S. dollar but in the last two months the index rose and reached 175.5 points in February, a record high since the same period in 2015.

In March the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) price index, which measures monthly price changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar, averaged 171 points, down 2.8 percent compared to the previous month.

All food prices were down due to large supplies and the expectation of strong harvests, but meat ones were up 0.7 percent due to high demand for bovine and pig meat from Asia.

FAO forecasts global cereal production to be 2,597 million this year, just under the record output in 2016, because of a reduction in global wheat production and planting cuts expected in Australia, Canada and the United States.

The inching down with respect to last year is mainly due to an expected reduction in global wheat production, due to fall 2.7 percent this year.

Consumption of cereal is expected to grow by 0.8 percent in 2017 to 2,597 million tonnes as the use of grains for biofuels and to feed animals will grow less than in the past.

(Reporting by Giulia Segreti)

Business, Economics, International news, News

Uncertainty over Brexit negotiations keeps sterling under pressure

Published: 6 April 2017

By Ritvik Carvalho | LONDON

Some British sterling money in coins and bank notes is seen September 2, 2005. BANKG REUTERS/Catherine Benson

Britain’s pound edged lower against the dollar on Thursday, as investors saw uncertainty surrounding Britain’s departure from the European Union outweighing some signs of economic resilience.

The pound bounced on Wednesday on stronger-than-expected services data, which gave investors a sign Britain’s dominant services sector — key to its economy — was still thriving.

But it reversed some of those gains on Thursday, as investors took the view that until either Britain or the EU shows signs of softening their negotiating stances, Brexit would be negative for the British economy.

Sterling was off 0.1 percent at $1.2479 by 0902 GMT. It was also 0.1 percent lower at 85.85 pence per euro.

“The moment I’ll turn my view around and turn materially long on sterling is when I know the European Union is willing to give Britain a good deal on services — financial services to be more specific,” said Jordan Rochester, currency strategist with Nomura.

“Confidence on both sides is pretty firm, so the initial talks are going to be slow and it’s not until mid-May when those talks start so we’re a good six weeks away from them.”

Sterling has lost nearly a fifth of its value against the dollar since Britain voted to leave the EU last June.

Since then, investors have broadly stayed bearish on the currency despite initial signs of resilience from the economy that confounded expectations of a slowdown, worried about long-term uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

Speculators took their bets against the pound versus the dollar to record high levels last month, and although they have since trimmed those short positions, they remain close to those levels. [IMM/FX]

European Council President Donald Tusk will meet British Prime Minister Theresa May in London on Thursday.

The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, on Wednesday insisted that Britain must stop pressing for immediate parallel talks with the bloc on a post-Brexit free trade deal, and first agree on withdrawal terms.

Investors are now eyeing the EU summit on April 29, where EU directives for Brexit negotiations will be ratified.

“The ebb and flow of Brexit negotiations looks well underway, with PM May seemingly softening some of the red lines (e.g. free movement) during a transition period post-Brexit. Yet cable (sterling/dollar) could well trade well within $1.23-26 for a couple more weeks,” ING strategists wrote in a note to clients.

(Reporting by Ritvik Carvalho Editing by Jeremy Gaunt.)

International news, News

U.S. weekly jobless claims post largest drop in almost two years

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-idUSKBN1781JE #

Published: 6 April 2017

New applications for U.S. unemployment benefits recorded their biggest drop in nearly two years last week, pointing to a further tightening in the labor market.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits declined 25,000 to a seasonally adjusted 234,000 for the week ended April 1, the Labor Department said on Thursday. The drop was the largest since the week ending April 25, 2015.

The prior week’s data was revised to show 1,000 more applications received than previously reported.

Claims have now been below 300,000, a threshold associated with a healthy labor market for 109 straight weeks. That is the longest stretch since 1970 when the labor market was smaller.

The labor market is currently near full employment.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast first-time applications for jobless benefits falling to 250,000 last week.

A Labor Department analyst said there were no special factors influencing last week’s claims data. Claims for Louisiana were estimated.

The four-week moving average of claims, considered a better measure of labor market trends as it irons out week-to-week volatility, fell 4,500 to 250,000 last week.

Last week’s claims data has no bearing on March’s employment report, which is scheduled for release on Friday. Claims rose during the survey week for March’s nonfarm payrolls, suggesting some moderation in the pace of job growth after two straight months of employment gain in excess of 230,000.

A survey on Wednesday showed a measure of services sector employment slipping in March, but remaining at a level consistent with growing payrolls. Another report, however, showed private payrolls surged by 263,000 jobs in March.

According to a Reuters survey of economists, nonfarm payrolls likely increased by 180,000 jobs last month after rising 235,000 in February. The unemployment rate is seen steady at 4.7 percent.

Thursday’s claims report also showed the number of people still receiving benefits after an initial week of aid decreased 24,000 to 2.03 million in the week ended March 25. The four-week moving average of the so-called continuing claims fell 7,750 to 2.02 million, the lowest level since 2000.

((Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Andrea Ricci))