NEWS
SICKNESS STRIKES*: Health minister hospitalized
An ill-advised Health Ministry news release coupled with poor international relations are being blamed for the panic regarding the need for evidence of yellow fever immunisation on the World Health Organisation (WHO) international vaccination cards. In June, the Health Ministry issued a news release advising all regional and international travellers to present the WHO international vaccination cards at points of entry. Read more here
No security on island ferries
In the midst of port officers continuing their protest action yesterday by not working any additional hours, some members of the public are now calling for the matter to be speedily settled, given claims that sailings were taking place without the presence of any port officers on board the vessels. One passenger said yesterday it was “ridiculous” that the matter had been dragging on for so long especially as it appeared that the public was at some risk. President of the Estate Police Association Branch of the Port Authority, Richard Ryan, said it was in fact true that sailings were taking place without port officers, adding that it was a decision taken by management. “We have all sorts of crime taking place and added to that is human trafficking and it is very dangerous to have vessels sail without any officers on board at all. Read more here
POLITICS
Queries over leader’s party card
Even as the PNM’s Tobago Council regrouped at a convention yesterday following election of new Tobago PNM leader. Kelvin Charles, queries arose over Charles’ party membership. Neil Wilson, whose chairmanship of the Tobago Council ended at 6 pm yesterday following election of a new executive, however, defended Charles, saying his name was on the PNM membership list. PNM’s PNM Tobago Council held a convention yesterday to elect executive members following election of a new leader the previous week in a run-off exercise. It followed a tightly contested poll earlier on. Charles was successful in the run-off against contender, Tracy Davidson-Celestine. He is now leader-designate. Read more here
Young: UNC being irresponsible
MINISTER in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Stuart Young yesterday accused the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) of being irresponsible in making a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, to make public, the Sir Anthony Colman Report into Clico. Referring to the statement which Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley made on the report in the House of Representatives on July 1, Young told Newsday, “The Colman Report was forwarded to the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) on the instructions of the Cabinet. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
UK interest rates held at 0.5%
The Bank of England has held the UK's main interest rate at 0.5% despite speculation that it would cut rates. The Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 to leave rates unchanged, but minutes of the meeting showed most members think the Bank will take some action next month. Sterling soared more than 2% to $1.3480, although both the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 share indexes fell. Financial markets had priced in an 80% chance of the Bank cutting rates. The Bank said: "The precise size and nature of any stimulatory measures will be determined during the August forecast and Inflation Report round." Only one member of the MPC, Jan Vlieghe, voted for a rate cut this month. Read more here
REGIONAL
US embassy denounces claims by Saint Lucia PM
The US embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, has rejected claims by newly elected Saint Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet that the United States government was slashing funding for security assistance in the region and contributing to regional crime by deporting criminals back to their countries of origin. He also claimed that 800 criminals were deported to Saint Lucia in one year. Read more…
Police Shootings in America Trigger Bahamas Advisory for US-Bound Citizens
It’s usually the other way around, but the Bahamas is issuing advisories to its citizens who’re planning to go to the United States.The rare travel advisory cites racial tensions, and recommends that young men in particular exercise caution in cities impacted by recent police shootings. Read more…
INTERNATIONAL
Photographer sneaks into Fukushima 'Red Zone'
t was the largest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, and since March 11, 2011, parts of Fukushima, Japan, have lain silent, abandoned in the days and weeks following a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. A 9.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Japan that day, leaving more than 20,000 people dead or missing in the earthquake and tsunami that followed, while hundreds of thousands more lost their homes. Read more…
The black cop who has a problem with 'Black Lives Matter'
"Black Lives do not matter to most black people...Only the lives that are taken at the hands of cops or white people, matter."That is the conclusion of a strongly-worded post that has been shared more than 130,000 times on Facebook and has racked up hundreds of thousands of views on other media platforms such as Imgur. While the sentiment is provocative, it is the identity of the author that triggered particular interest. Jay Stalien's profile indicates he is an active police officer in Florida and previously Baltimore. And he is black. Read more…
14th July 2016