A LIGHTNING fast visit to Saint Lucia and the Caribbean Thursday by Julie Chung, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States Department of State, is breathing fresh air into relations between the Caribbean and its more powerful neighbour to the north. Chung, who first stopped in Barbados before visiting Saint Lucia, the Caribbean trip being her first ever, had a brief discussion with The VOICE Newspaper in which she explained her country’s recommitment to the Caribbean region by way of a multi-year strategy known as the U.S./Caribbean 2020 Strategy that would assist the Caribbean in many areas such as in education, citizen security, prosperity, energy, diplomacy, health and more. “This year since I came into this job there was a deep commitment in Washington to recommit, to re-energize, and revitalize this strategy and this commitment. It crosses many areas, diplomatic engagement, security, economic prosperity, … [Read more...] about Chung Breathes Fresh Air in US/Caribbean Relations
Breath fresh air
Breathing Fresh Air Into Legal Aid Council
The emergence of Aliyu Bagudu Abubakar, as the new Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria has been hailed as a “welcome development” for the nation. Bagudu, who took over from Tunde Ikusagba, is a tested hand and his coming would mean several things for the Council.The Council, established as far back as 1976 by the then Military Government through the Legal Aid Decree No. 56 of that year, exists mainly to provide legal aid, assistance and generally free access to justice to the society’s poor and indigent. With these laudable objectives and, in spite of its long history to date, many Nigerians are unaware of the Council’s existence much less its capacity to assist the ordinary Nigerian who cannot for any reason whatsoever afford the services of legal practitioners. The challenges facing the Council can be categorized into two. The first and most important of all is funding which is a general problem for all government ministries, departments … [Read more...] about Breathing Fresh Air Into Legal Aid Council
Emmanuel Macron Looking for Political ‘Fresh Air’ Amid Nationwide Protests
World International Affairs French President Emmanuel Macron is facing a testing week, as hundreds of nationwide protests coincide with the recent resignation of an interior minister and an imminent Cabinet reshuffle. On Tuesday, trade unions launched nationwide strikes and called on workers, students and pensioners to unite in protest against Macron’s pro-business policies, which they say are “destroying France’s social model” and attacking “once again the weakest, most precarious and the poorest.” Macron has long pledged to loosen France’s labor laws and slash public spending. But while he has already implemented parts of his agenda, two of his latest targets—pensions and unemployment benefits—are particularly sensitive politically. His new wave of reforms aims to overhaul the current system and reorient it toward the individual, tying pensions to on-job performance and unemployment benefits to trying to find work. … [Read more...] about Emmanuel Macron Looking for Political ‘Fresh Air’ Amid Nationwide Protests
North Stander: Saturday showed us why Hurst can be such a breath of fresh air
Opinion PUBLISHED: 06:00 08 October 2018 Freddie Sears impressed again at Swansea. Picture: PAGEPIX Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738 As Jimmy Greaves used to say, football is a funny old game - and thank goodness for that, writes North Stander Terrt Hunt. Gwion Edwards has a very subdued celebration with Andre Dozzell after he equalised for Ipswich at Swansea. Picture: PAGEPIXIf our trip to Swansea had gone according to the form book, we would now be speculating about the end of Paul Hurst’s very short stay at Portman Road. Instead, after a thrillingly unexpected victory, the talk among fans is of a turning point, the spirit in the squad, and one of the most entertaining Town performances for years.A funny old game indeed...MORE: Hurst’s relief at first winLet’s be honest, none of us saw that coming, did we? It could well be an afternoon which changes the course of our whole season. That result, and the way it was achieved, will instil a huge amount of … [Read more...] about North Stander: Saturday showed us why Hurst can be such a breath of fresh air
Free Market Friday: A breath of fresh air
Jonathan Small Oklahoma higher education is a notorious devourer of cash. That’s why new University of Oklahoma President Jim Gallogly is such a breath of fresh air. Gallogly is a shock to the system because he’s putting students and taxpayers first. He’s proposing that an academic institution with a $2.12 billion annual budget should be efficient, accountable, and focused on education. Gallogly’s emphasis on education is clear from remarks delivered during a recent Greater Oklahoma City Chamber event. “There are so many window-dressing things that people do,” he said. “I’m interested in graduation rates. Frankly, we’re going to do a lot better job than we’ve done in the past on that.” Only 40 percent of OU students graduate in four years. Gallogly isn’t afraid to go over the budget line by line. “I’ve asked about our study-abroad programs just like I have every other part of our institution,” he … [Read more...] about Free Market Friday: A breath of fresh air