NEWS
Charge those involved in marijuana cover-up
An online petition has been started for the police to arrest and charge former government ministers and a former senior police officer were allegedly involved in a cover-up after a small quantity of marijuana was found at the private home of former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. During the general election campaign, then political leader of the Independent Liberal Party, Jack Warner, claimed a quantity of marijuana was found at Persad-Bissessar’s Philippine residence in April 2013. Warner said that he, with the assistance of two other ministers and a former senior police officer had covered up the crime. Read more…
IWRN: Communicate with child
Whilst parents are within their rights to punish their kids, the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN) says they need to understand the difference between discipline and abuse. IWRN President, Sandrine Rattan, yesterday reiterated the non-governmental organisation’s (NGO) strong condemnation of “any forms of psychological or physical abuse that (have) life-threatening effects on children.” IWRN was prompted to remind parents of this following the recent viral video of a two-year-old girl being abused by a man who was feeding her a liquid that resembles milk. The couple fled their St Joseph home early last week but were subsequently arrested by police in Vistabella last Thursday. Advocating “continuous and effective communication” between parents and their children, Rattan cited studies on corporal punishment which she said have shown negative results, including emotional and mental challenges, as well as behavioural problems for the affected children, both in adolescence and adulthood. Read more…
Couple in court today for abuse of toddler
The couple caught on camera abusing a toddler will appear in court today.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service took to its Facebook page to thank the public for its assistance in the arrest of the duo. “Trinidad and Tobago Police Service thanks the public for its assistance in the arrest of the two suspects in the abuse of a minor. The accused will appear before a Tunapuna Magistrate on Monday October 26, 2015,” the TTPS stated. Read more…
POLITICS
Stakeholders call on PM: Establish environment ministry
Some environmental sector stakeholders—and the Opposition—believe there should be a dedicated Environment portfolio—or at least, empowerment of the Environmental Management Agency to handle this. The views follow Government’s capitulation in appointing a Gender and Child Affairs Ministry when the original Cabinet had none. Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced last week a rethink on the issue in light of a viral Facebook video depicting child abuse. Read more…
Kamla: Say no to Property Tax
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called on supporters of the United National Congress to stand up against several initiatives contained in the National Budget. She mentioned in particular the return of the Property Tax and the applications of a ‘means test’ for students accessing the Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (GATE) programme. “We are hearing of their plan to bring back the Property Tax, and so we must band together to again revisit, re launch and fight the tax,” Persad-Bissessar said. Read more…
Rowley vows to always do the right thing
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has said he will do the right thing at all times, to ensure good governance continues in the country. Rowley said he will deal with the issues plaguing the country as they arise. “There is a lighter side, there is a humane side, but, most importantly, serious issues require serious expressions and at this time there are serious issues in this country, and my stewardship as prime minister will bring serious attention to those serious issues. Not all of them will bring me the accolades, some of them might bring me ridicule, but sometimes you have to do the right thing all times, in the right way, for the right results,” Rowley said. Read more…
BUSINESS
Retired banker: T&T needs Brics Bank
Retired banker Richard Young has suggested that Finance Minister Colm Imbert to invite the Brics Bank to set up back office operations at the International Financial Centre (IFC) in T&T. He said the move could boost the country’s revenue. Speaking on a recent T&T Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI) radio programme, Young said what Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) established was an institution that focused on development. Read more…
In pursuit of income
This week, we at Bourse consider some opportunities available to investors in the fixed income sphere both locally and internationally. We take a closer look at two particular USD bonds which may be of interest to investors, while providing an illustration on USD bonds as a source of income generation. Read more…
REGIONAL
Bahamas PM 'optimistic' about bankrupt megaresortv
Despite a winding up hearing looming on November 2 and Friday’s dismissal of 2,000 Baha Mar employees due to the “perilous financial position of the companies”, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie on Friday told diplomats that he looks forward to the stalled megaresort project opening “in the not too distant future” and remains optimistic following discussions with stakeholders on Thursday night. It was unclear if Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirlian took part in those talks. During an address at Diplomatic Week: ‘The Bahamas, 2015 Diplomacy and the Post 2015 Development Agenda’, Christie said with so much at stake, a resolution must come. Read more…
Central Westmoreland MP Demands End To Crime Spiral
Central Westmoreland MP Dwayne Vaz took to the platform in Petersfield Westmoreland at a People’s National Party (PNP) mass meeting Sunday evening telling supporters that crime in the parish was at intolerable levels. “It can’t continue,” Vaz said in reference to what he called the “crime business in Westmoreland”. The MP did not cite figures but earlier this month the police listed the western parishes of Westmoreland, Hanover and St James as problem places. Read more…
INTERNATIONAL
Tony Blair says he's sorry for Iraq War 'mistakes,' but not for ousting Saddam
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he's sorry for "mistakes" made in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, but he doesn't regret bringing down dictator Saddam Hussein. "I can say that I apologize for the fact that the intelligence we received was wrong because, even though he had used chemical weapons extensively against his own people, against others, the program in the form that we thought it was did not exist in the way that we thought," Blair said in an exclusive interview on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS that airs Sunday. Read more…
AuraVisor virtual reality headset has built-in computer
26th October 2015