KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has defended the decision of his government to nominate Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, for the position of Commonwealth Secretary-General, even as regional leaders gear up to meet on Wednesday to discuss the controversy that has erupted over Kingston’s position.

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry has renewed a call for greater unity among the population as Haiti observers the 35^th anniversary of the 1987 Constitution.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – More than 450,000 low- and middle-income households, consuming up to 200 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per month, will receive a 20 percent contribution towards their bill payments over the next four months, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr. Nigel Clarke has announced.

Tallahassee, FL —Governor Ron DeSantis’ assault on voting rights and attempts to eliminate Florida’s Black congressional districts has the Congressional Black Caucus preparing to hold a hearing in Tallahassee on April 13. The inquiry will help determine the next step in the fight against what is being described as an all-out assault on African American participation and representation in the political process.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has renewed her call for reparation for the Atlantic slave trade saying she does not consider the issue a contentious one.

BELMOPAN, Belize – Belize has become the latest Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to signal its intention to replace the Britain’s Queen Elizabeth as its head of state and adopt republican status.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Barbados government says it is working closely with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to create a legislative framework for the mandatory reporting of child abuse.

WASHINGTON , DC - Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness arrived at the Reagan International airport in Washington DC on Tuesday night for a five-day working visit in the United States Capitol.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) says it will use the three-day visit of the British Royal couple, to raise several issues including Jamaica becoming a republic as well as support for the Reparations Movement.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders are expected to meet later this week to discuss the controversy that has arisen following Jamaica’s decision to announce that its Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith will challenge the incumbent Baroness Patricia Scotland for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General in June.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith has stated that he is now interested in becoming the Prime Minister of the twin island republic.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica government says it will provide J$25,000 (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents) in vouchers to operators of public passenger vehicles, including route taxi operators and contract carriage operators, to cushion the rising cost of fuel.