NEWS
Social media can lead to mental health problems
In keeping with World Mental Health Day Wednesday, the South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) held a symposium at Naparima Bowl in San Fernando. The SWRHA focused on youths under the theme Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World. Clinical psychologist Giselle Dumas said, “The more time you spend on social media, the more likely you are to suffer from mental health issues.This is especially true in children and teens.’ Read more here
Petrotrin resumes terminations
Hours after the Court of Appeal granted Petrotrin a stay of an injunction awarded to the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) which had previously barred the company from retrenching workers, the distribution of termination letters resumed. Guardian Media obtained a copy of the internal memo that was addressed to all employees yesterday, which stated that the distribution of letters had resumed and will continue today. Employees were asked to “please make every effort to attend” the distribution at the Pointe-a-Pierre Staff Club at the Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery. It stated that yesterday’s letters were only for permanent employees. Read more here
POLITICS
Le Hunte: Desalcott repairs ahead of schedule
Minister of Public Utilities Robert Le Hunte yesterday told WASA customers in Central and South, affected by the four-day shutdown of the Desalcott plant, that they should have their supply restored by tomorrow night. He said repairs were completed yesterday, hours ahead of schedule, though it would take at least 48 hours before the water supply is restored. Le Hunte said engineers at Desalcott worked tirelessly from the shutdown on Monday to speed up the repairs. Read more here
Pieces of puzzle coming together—Moonilal
That’s how United National Congress MP Roodal Moonilal said he felt yesterday after he claimed several “pieces of the puzzle started coming together” concerning the recent allegations he’s made against Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. “Forty-eight hours after the allegations and without one investigation being launched, I feel vindicated that at least I was on a path—I’m inspired by the Attorney General, you really do have to ‘follow the money.’” Moonilal spoke to reporters during a break in yesterday’s Standing Finance Committee meeting in Parliament. He was commenting on various reports about the allegations he made during Tuesday’s 2019 Budget debate. Read more here
BUSINESS
The way forward
In 2008, T&T recorded a debt/GDP ratio of 14 per cent (a record low), just one decade later this important ratio stands at a shocking 61 per cent. The Government should be commended for announcing in this week’s budget its strengthening of the social safety net; with increases in allocations towards food cards, disability grants, public assistance grants, senior citizens pensions, and tax allowances for tertiary education. The economic wave approaching T&T may call for further strengthening of this safety net in the future. The digital economy, with its impetus on mechanisation and the meandering but certain death of brick and mortar retail, are sure to have significant negative impact. Read more here
REGIONAL
Shelton Tackles Biggest Challenge - Striker Battles Chronic Disease
One of Jamaica's most prolific goalscorers, Luton Shelton has been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. At 32 years old, Shelton could still play football at the highest level, however, not much was seen of him since his return to his boyhood club Harbour View FC in the 2016-17 season of the Red Stripe Premier League. His second stint at the club was a short-lived one owing to constant ailments and niggling injuries. The Gleaner was invited into his upper St Andrew home where he resides with his wife Bobbette. The couple, who has been together for 13 years, will celebrate their fifth year of marriage in December. They have three young children aged nine, eight, and three. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Hurricane Michael leaves 'unimaginable destruction'
Turkey has 'shocking' audio and visual evidence of Saudi journalist's murder
Turkish authorities have audio and visual evidence that shows journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul just over a week ago, a source familiar with the ongoing investigation told CNN. The source, who was briefed by a Western intelligence agency, says the evidence showed there had been an assault and a struggle inside the consulate. There is also evidence of the moment that Khashoggi was killed, the source said. Read more here
12th October 2018