Monthly Archives: January 2010

Business & Finance

S&P: Jamaica Rating Revised To ‘SD’ Due To Domestic Debt Exchange Program

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A not unexpected move from Standard & Poor’s, which has been deeply negative on Jamaica for some time now. Rival rating agency Fitch issued a similar downgrade, cutting the island’s local currency rating to ‘C’ from ‘CCC” on Thursday.

It’s not all bad news though – the debt exchange that triggered the rating actions will significantly improve Jamaica’s fiscal footing, and affects virtually all of the country’s J$ denominated outstanding debt.
Continue reading S&P: Jamaica Rating Revised To ‘SD’ Due To Domestic Debt Exchange Program →


Previous entry in the "The Credit Crisis and the Caribbean" series
Media, Trinidad & Tobago

T&T media FAIL, Haiti edition

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Dear Trinidadian media: the Haitian earthquake is the biggest and most important Caribbean story, bar none, of the moment and the year to date.

What, exactly, is your excuse for your utter inability to update your sites to reflect this state of affairs, per the following screenshots (taken at approximately 8.55pm Trinidad time):

Screenshot of the Express front page at 8.55pm on Tuesday Jan 12
Screenshot of the Guardian Online's front page at 8.55pm on Tuesday Jan 12
Screenshot of the Newsday's website front page at 8.55pm on Tuesday Jan 12

Poor.


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Uncategorized

Haiti.

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Too often, relatively inconsequential events are referred to as “a tragedy” or “tragic”.

But what is happening in Haiti – dozens dead, many more injured and dying in the aftermath of a 7.3 earthquake that also damaged and possibly destroyed the country’s National Palace – is a tragedy.

Readers, Haiti needs your help. In the coming days, weeks and months the island’s people will need food, water, shelter, medical care as they attempt to rebuild – for the umpteenth time – their shattered lives and nation.

There will undoubtedly be campaigns by the Red Cross, AmeriCares and other such organisations. Please give.

Give, and give generously, because the Haitian populace needs your support more than the myriad fete promoters and purveyors of glorified bikinis do; more than the enforcers of racism and classism along Ariapita Avenue.

Give.