Photos

The Digicel Foundation has been a true partner in Haiti. This is a picture where the foundation is celebrating the opening of its 150th School in Haiti

At the opening of the 150th school built in Haiti by the Digicel Foundation, the company's founder, Dennis O'Brien addressed those present at Ecole Nationale de Grande Savane's grand opening by outlining the direction needed to secure Haiti a brighter future. The company's focus on education, with investments into these new school facilities costing many millions of dollars, was not by chance. According to O'Brien, Haiti's very future is heavily dependent on the investment into children and education people can make today. Putting money where his mouth is, O'Brien announced that the company will be continuing the project with a new 2-year programme.

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Here is a pictur of Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe in the city of Port-de-Paix, Haiti

On what might be one of his last official duties as Prime Minister of Haiti, Laurent Lamothe was present in Port-de-Paix on Monday, December 8 for a tour and the inauguration ceremony of the Place d'Armes and the memorial Capois-La-Mort. During the tour, Lamothe spoke with Regional Directorate of Ed'H officials about the issue of electricity in the Northwest, and addressed the public about how the 9 completed projects have changed the area. The construction was of 7 km of road, 5 km of sidewalk, and the restoration of the age-old Iron Market.

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On the same day That President Michel Martelly made a public announcement to accept the recommendations of the Commission, major protests are taken place all over the Haitian Capital to demand his resignation

Président Michel Martelly accepts the recommendations of the Commission

The announcement was made during a short telecasted speech made by the President, at which the Prime Minister was present, though he did not speak. Despite these assurances from the President, many noted that he did not say the Prime Minister would step down. The uncertainty has had some doubtful as, noted by one patron who listened to the broadcast, the government has failed to fulfill promises before.

While Martelly stated unequivocally that Lamothe had been pivotal in driving the country's progress, the escalating spate of anti-government protests meant action is necessary on the part of the government. As such, the resignations of the secondary parties have been recommended to take place before December 25, 2014. These steps would allow for the formation of a new consensus government. It is to be seen if this course will appease the masses, many of whom believe the long delay is a ploy by the administration to have President Martelly free to rule by decree upon the dissolution of parliament in January.

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Here is a picture of Prime Minister Lamothe with US envoy Thomas Shannon.

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President Michel Martelly received officially the result of the consultative commission on December 9, 2014

Haiti commission calling for Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe to resign. In addition, other recommendations were made, including that the Supreme Court president and all the present Provisional Electoral Council members also resign before December 25, 2014. It must be noted that no recommendation was put forward that coincided with the opposition's solution of the President himself stepping down. There was a similar call, however, for a number of political prisoners held at random, and who have not yet been put before a judge, to be released at once.

All this was announced at a press conference at which the President stated that there wasn't a sacrifice too high he was unwilling to make for the country. He presented the commission's recommendations and said he would have to think over it for the next two days. Prime Minister Lamothe was noticeably missing from this conference.

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Here is a picture of Mgr Ogé Beauvoir who participated in the Presidential Commission to find a solution to the election crisis

Haiti commission calling for Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe to resign

A curious change in the recent demands for executive resignation was the Haiti commission's call for the stepping down of Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe. Undoubtedly, most of the cry, while it would include the entire administration of the President, was toward the Head of State, Michel Martelly. Possibly even more surprising is that the commission was set up by the President himself.

The panel of 11 members that consisted of religious leaders and former officials was set up on November 28, 2014 with the aim to find a resolution for the current political situation that has seen the overly-long, hotly-contested delay of the municipal and legislative elections in the country. The panel met for eight days, and at the end of it came up with this solution of the Prime Minister stepping down, so that a consensus government could be formed.

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The former US President Bill Clinton doesn't think that it is a good idea to remove Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe as it was suggested by the Commission.

Haiti's Big Mistake: Removing Lamothe

Ex-President Clinton said to force Prime Minister Lamothe to resign will be an enormous mistake, setting Haiti back, obliterating the gains it has achieved since the earthquake.

Clinton praised Lamothe for a job well done, adding Haiti ". . . is the most consistent and decisive government . . ." he has worked with on issues across-the-board. They have attracted a wealth of private investment and to throw it all away does not make sense to him.

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An annual event in the South of the country, Marche de Noel du Grand Sud or Christmas Market of the Great South - Haiti.

Government Funds Annual Great South Christmas Market

For many year Jacmel is holding its Great South Christmas Market. Southeast Tourism Director, Joan Raton, officiated at the opening ceremonies. The event will run from December 12th to the 14th.

Moro Creations and Women Artisans will showcase their wares, and entertainment will happen at Jacmel's tourist port and the Convention Center.

Southeast Tourism Directorate has spent almost $3 million gourdes for the event, while the Ministry of Tourism has kicked in $2.5 million gourdes.

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InterCaribbean Airways New Jamaica-Haiti Flights

New InterCaribbean Routes to Increase Travel to Haiti

Regional airline, InterCaribbean Airways (ICA), will inaugurate new routes to serve the region. Already new non-stop service between Kingston and Port-au-Prince, and Port-au-Prince to Santo Domingo has begun.

ICA CEO Trevor Sadler says, ". . . these new routes . . . give . . . choices and more connectivity across the Caribbean . . . to the vacation visitor" The new routes will also make possible growth for Haiti's economy as business travel increases.

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US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected in Haiti Friday, Devember 12, 2014.

Secretary of State John Kerry's 38 Years in Public Service

Secretary of State John Kerry was born in 1943 in Denver, Colorado. He attended Yale and earned his J.D. from Boston College.

Serving in the Navy in Vietnam, he earned three medals of Honor. He practiced law privately before becoming Massachusetts's Lieutenant Governor.

He is a five-term senator and chaired the Foreign Relations Committee. He made an unsuccessful run for president in 2004, and in 2013 was installed as the 68th secretary of state.

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