NEWS
Bullied boy's mom begs school officials: Save my son
The mother of a 13-year-old Form One student of a secondary school in south Trinidad is appealing to officials of the school and Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly to intervene immediately to end the vicious and constant bullying he has been enduring at the hands of both male and female students since he started at that school. After seeing a photo of an open grave with people looking into it, with the words, "The only time they show they really care," on his Instagram account, the mother, in a phone interview with Newsday on October 9, said she fears her son may become a victim of suicide. Read more here
Parents claim gang activity at Penal Sec has students fearful
Yet another report of gang activity in schools has surfaced, this time at the Penal Secondary School, where at least two children have stopped attending classes due to threats and attacks. Assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Mystar has been informed of the alleged presence of the Rankers gang at the school and has mandated a team to investigate. Parents claimed that students who exposed the gang, which identifies itself with tattoos, are now receiving threats. Two parents spoke out about the gang activity, while a third came forward late yesterday. All of them requested anonymity, though they agreed to make official reports to the police. Read more here
POLITICS
Finance Minister's parting shot as budget debate ends: Kamla, UNC 'shameless'
Finance Minister Colm Imbert says Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the UNC are shameless to present unfounded allegations against the government during the 2024/2025 budget debate in the House of Representatives. Hinting this may be the last budget before next year's general election, Imbert was confident that based on measures in the budget and the work it has done over the last nine years, the PNM will be re-elected whenever the election bell is rung. He made these comments as he concluded debate on October 10. Read more here
PM urges UNC dissidents to support laws proposed by Gov’t
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday urged the five dissident members of the United National Congress (UNC) and the wider Opposition to back legislation proposed by his Government aimed at tackling crime. He told Parliament the Government is developing a mechanism for nationals returning from conflict zones. It is one of the proposed laws he hopes the Opposition will support, given the rising tensions in the Middle East. “I am instructing the Attorney General to speak to all members on the other side, especially those who have indicated, and as the draft is ready, to make the draft available to them and we will see who will come to this House and support it so we can advance that,” he said. Rowley said he plans to introduce the Tobago Self-Governance Bill immediately after the Budget debate concludes and noted that Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes, Naparima MP Rodney Charles, Mayaro MP Rushton Paray, Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Dr Rai Ragbir, and Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally have the opportunity to vote with their conscience after being sidelined by their leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Read more here
BUSINESS
Carib Brewery to host distributor conference
Carib Brewery will host its biennial Distributor Conference, with the theme Impacting Through Partnership, from October 16-18 at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain. A Carib Brewery media release on October 10 said the event is poised to highlight the pivotal role the company’s distributors play in contributing to its success. Adrian Sabga, managing director of international and business development, said, "We believe our distributors are the backbone of our business and this conference is an opportunity to strengthen our partnerships while celebrating the milestones we have achieved together.” Read more here
Term Finance makes Grenada acquisition
Term Finance (Grenada) has obtained regulatory clearance to acquire the assets and lending operations of My Finance Grenada (Ltd), which is called MyFI. The acquisition took place last month. MyFi is the largest lender to micro, small and medium-size (MSMEs) businesses in Grenada. Since it was licensed to operate six years ago, MyFi has disbursed over EC$15 million in loans to MSMEs, over 80 per cent of which are asset-backed. Dr Christian Stone, chief executive officer of Term Finance (SME) told Guardian Media, “What we love about this business is the extent to which they stood by their customers’ sides through COVID-19 and Hurricane Beryl. There was no hold-back in granting loans, so tremendous brand equity was built through those difficult years.”
REGIONAL
‘We don’t make noise, we take real action’
Honouringan oath to ensure that Guyanese enjoy a better standard of living, President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday unveiled a slew of measures geared at addressing the rising cost of living. The Head of State, in an extensive address at a special sitting of the National Assembly held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, revealed that Guyanese will instantaneously benefit from a $200,000 one-off cash grant. This accumulates to a $60 billion investment of disposable income that would be placed into the pockets of citizens. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
'Russians invaded my house and held a soldier captive there'
Marina Perederii’s home in the small mining city of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine was her pride and joy. 17 Sadova Street was little more than a shell when she and her husband bought it. They lovingly renovated the house, painting cherry blossom and doves - symbols of love and well-being - in their bedroom. They built a swimming pool in the garden and a sauna in the basement. Read more here
11th October 2024