NEWS
Library restoration stalled
What is happening with the old Public Library in Port of Spain? This was the question posed Friday by historian Dr Brinsley Samaroo. Restoration of the library, at the corner of Knox and Pembroke Streets, started in 2013 under the People’s Partnership government, and appears to be almost complete. In August 2013, education minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh said funds would be allocated to restore and refurbish the building as a library and museum. At the time, Samaroo said, the intention was for the library to house historical artefacts from past presidents and prime ministers of TT. Read more here
Men shot outside Tarouba party
Two men were shot following an argument with a group of men outside the We Summer Festival at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba yesterday. While Kevon Martin remained warded at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex last night, the other victim left the hospital. A report stated that around 4 am, Martin, 26, of Longdenville, was liming with friends outside the stadium when they had an argument with another group. One of the men pulled out a gun and fired several shots in their direction, striking Martin and Rakesh Deolal, in the face. The gunmen then left the scene, leaving Martin and Deolal bleeding on the ground. Martin and Deolal were taken to the Chaguanas District Health Facility by their friends, where they were treated and transferred to the hospital at Mt Hope. Ste Madeleine police responded and interviewed a few people, however, no one was arrested up to late yesterday. Read more here
My Pension Injustice
Tears flowed yesterday as former chief justice Clinton Bernard bared his heart and spoke of pain inflicted by the injustice he faces with his pension, and the love of his wife who helped him survive such inequity. Read more here
POLITICS
Serious policy concerns over PM’s proposed housing bonds
Former Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal said the Prime Minister’s proposed housing bond is a recipe for disaster. The opposition MP said, asking primarily young aspiring home owners to invest in such a bond as a savings scheme for purchasing a house in the future spells disaster unless such a policy is embedded in law. “This proposal, like the declaration by Dr Rowley three months ago, to spend $9 billion in housing, is another pie in the sky madcap plan that will not get off the ground. Read more here
18,000 removed from food card system
There are currently more than 3,000 people with food cards in this country that the Government has been unable to confirm actually exist, Minister of Social Development and Family Services Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn has said. Crichlow-Cockburn made the statement as she addressed the People’s National Movement (PNM) meeting at the Upper Malabar Community Centre on Saturday night. She said advertisements have been placed in the newspapers calling for more than 3,000 people, who they have been unable to contact, to come to the ministry to have the process of recertification undertaken. Read more here
Rowley: No rapist in PNM
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has apologised to the Hindu community over the controversial “sari skit”, as he criticised Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and former Central Bank governor Jwala Rambarran, whom he said have an obsession in painting him as a rapist. Read more here
BUSINESS
Imbert: Housing bond to be more attractive than NIF
Finance Minister Colm Imbert has described the National Investment Fund (NIF) bond issue as a “tremendous success” stating that the final tally for bond applications was $7.3 billion. Imbert said this figure represented an 82 per cent over-subscription of the NIF bond and shows that the population has overwhelming confidence in the People’s National Movement (PNM) Government. As a result of the success of the NIF, Imbert said a $1.5 billion housing bond will be offered next year. Imbert made the statements during a PNM political meeting in Malabar on Saturday night. Read more here
AMCL improves, MASSY flat
This week, we at Bourse review the most recent financial results of two companies within the Conglomerate sector—Ansa McAL Limited (AMCL) and Massy Holdings Limited (MASSY). While both companies recorded higher revenues, they fared differently with respect to earnings growth. We take a closer look at the results and offer some insight into possible sources. Read more here
REGIONAL
Leash Stray Dogs - Veterinary Body Decries Delay In Establishing Population Control, Ownership Laws
Until the issue of responsible dog ownership and population control is given legislative priority, tragedies such as the mauling to death of senior citizen Whittingham Cole by free-roaming dogs is a risk to which most Jamaicans will remain exposed, according to the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA). However, Dr Paul Cadogan, JVMA public relations chairman, says the media focus on attacks by big-breed dogs such as Rottweilers and pit bulls masks a much bigger picture of dog attack on humans in general as well as widespread livestock depredation. Cadogan told The Gleaner yesterday that while the Ministry of Health does not track dog bites, "The little mongrels bite people and the issue goes well beyond Rottweilers and pit bulls. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Pope on Pennsylvania sex abuse report: 'We abandoned the little ones'
Pope Francis has acknowledged "with shame and repentance" the Catholic Church's failure to act over sexual abuse by clerics against minors going back decades, writing "we showed no care for the little ones; we abandoned them." In an unusually blunt letter released by the Vatican on Monday, the Pope wrote, "I acknowledge once more the suffering endured by many minors due to sexual abuse, the abuse of power and the abuse of conscience perpetrated by a significant number of clerics and consecrated persons. "Looking back to the past, no effort to beg pardon and to seek to repair the harm done will ever be sufficient. Looking ahead to the future, no effort must be spared to create a culture able to prevent such situations from happening, but also to prevent the possibility of their being covered up and perpetuated." Read more here
Greece emerges from eurozone bailout programme
20th August 2018