NEWS
ILO: Young workers most affected
An analysis of the impact of covid19 on the international labour market exposes the “devastating and disproportionate effect on young workers.” The research was done by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and also analyses measures being taken to create a safe return-to-work environment. The ILO issued a statement on Wednesday. According to the ILO Monitor: Covid19 and the World of Work, “The substantial and rapid increase in youth unemployment seen since February is affecting young women more than young men.” Read more here
Arima man held with illegal weapon
A 22-year-old Arima man was arrested yesterday for possession of a firearm and related paraphernalia. Officers were on patrol on Righteous Lane in Pinto, Arima, when they saw the suspect throwing a bag on the side of the roadway. He was held and the bag was searched. Read more here
POLITICS
Deyalsingh: Data debunks ‘hidden’ covid19 deaths
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said that data from the Registrar General’s Office debunks a claim by the Opposition that TT had deaths due to the covid19 parallel healthcare system. He was responding to a question in the House last Friday which requested the total number of deaths in TT for the period January to March for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. He said the Central Statistical Office (CSO) reported the total number of deaths for the requested period for 2018 was 3,002. For the requested periods in 2019 and 2020 unedited data received by the Registrar General’s Office, and pending verification by the CSO, reported 3,107 deaths for 2019 and 3,052 for 2020. Read more here
Back to business in T&T
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has given permission for the resumption of almost all economic activity one week ahead of the third phase of reopening. Scheduled to take effect on June 7, phase three will now kick in on June 1.The move follows the same pattern when Rowley announced the resumption of phase two four days earlier than previously scheduled. In addition to all public servants returning to work from Monday, the retail sector as well as lottery agents, bookstores, professional services, dentists, opticians and therapists will also resume business operations. Read more here
BUSINESS
Moody’s changes NGC, TPHL to negative
Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) affirmed the Ba1 corporate family rating on National Gas Company of Trinidad & Tobago’s (NGC) and its $400 million global bonds due 2036. Read more here
REGIONAL
No eyes on police, army - After years of promises, not one body camera in action
More than half a decade after moves were made to equip personnel with body cameras to guard against unprofessional conduct and extrajudicial killings, national security and defence officials have confirmed that neither the police nor the army has any of the surveillance equipment currently deployed. The revelation comes in the wake of the controversial killing of Susan Bogle, a disabled woman, in an alleged running gun battle between soldiers and armed men in August Town, eastern St Andrew, last week. Read more here
Police Commissioner presents immigration data to GECOM
Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, as requested, has provided Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh with the immigration information on a list of individuals whom the APNU+AFC claims could not have voted on E-Day because they were overseas. Justice Singh had requested this information of the Police Commissioner on May 22, 2020, by way of letter. “The APNU/AFC is alleging that persons whose names and date of birth appear on the list attached had migrated and could not have exercised their franchise on March 2, 2020. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
While Trump shelters in the White House, America cries out for leadership
Under siege in the White House, President Donald Trump is aggravating America's latest racial anguish in a nation now simultaneously beset by violence-wracked cities, a deadly disease and staggering economic deprivation. After being briefly moved to an underground bunker during Friday night's protests outside the White House, Trump spent Sunday night again sheltered as violence raged nearby amid protests sprung up from Minneapolis to Miami and Portland to Philadelphia. The show of fury was sparked by the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man whose throat was constricted by a white policeman's knee. City after city Sunday imposed curfews after days of protests and looting, even as the country tentatively tries to open up after weeks of coronavirus stay-at-home orders. Read more here
George Floyd death: Violence erupts on sixth day of protests
Violence has erupted in cities across the US on the sixth night of protests sparked by the death in police custody of African-American George Floyd. Curfews have been imposed in nearly 40 cities, but people have largely ignored them, leading to tense stand-offs. Riot police clashed with protesters in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, firing tear gas and pepper bullets to try to disperse the crowds. Police vehicles were set on fire and shops were looted in several cities. The National Guard - the US reserve military force for domestic emergencies - said on Sunday that 5,000 of its personnel had been activated in 15 states and Washington, DC, where crowds once again gathered near the White House, this time lighting fires and throwing stones at riot officers. Read more here
1st June 2020