NEWS
Ethical reporting on suicides urged
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Vishwanath Partapsingh Monday urged the media to respect the families and memories of suicide victims as they report on such instances and be wary of sensational reporting and exaggerated facts. Speaking at the launch of the National Media Guidelines for Responsible Reporting on Suicide at the Trinidad Hilton, La Boucan Room, Partapsingh said the media played a crucial role in informing the public and bringing about much needed societal changes, but lamented the lack of sensitivity of the media in some recent reports of suicide. Read more here
Cedros residents flooded out again
While some parts of the country experienced crippling water shortages over the past 72 hours, over 150 families in Cedros were left marooned yesterday when flood waters invaded the community of Bonasse. A rising tide coupled with one hour of heavy rainfall caused the flooding which settled inside residents’ yards and homes. Deodath Toolsie and his wife Eileen tried to put their furniture and appliances on higher ground when the floods started to rise. “We have about 18 inches of water inside the house right now. It was terrible, the worst I have seen so far,” Eileen explained before passing the phone to her husband. Toolsie said the floods were caused by an incomplete floodgate. Read more here
Lockdown coming soon
Even as three police officers are being questioned in connection with the kidnapping of Natalie Pollonais, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith is appealing to citizens not to disrespect the men and women in blue. Read more here
POLITICS
Garcia: Ministry did not deceive public
Education Minister Anthony Garcia Monday said his ministry followed protocol and procedure in gathering information from each school principal through its School Supervision Division in the seven education districts on the attendance of teachers last Friday. The trade union movement had called for Friday to be a “day of rest and reflection” and for workers to stay home. Garcia said the ministry did not deceive the public with its statistics, as claimed by president of the TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) Lynsley Doodhai in an article in Newsday Monday, “Doodhai says Friday was a success: We’ll see if it got Garcia’s attention.” Read more here
Two detained cops assisting in kidnapping probe
Police Commissioner Gary Griffith yesterday confirmed that three people have been arrested for the abduction of Natalie Pollonais, two of whom are police constables attached to the La Romaine Police Post. In a media release yesterday, Griffith said the two constables were arrested around 8 pm Monday while on duty. The third person was arrested 30 minutes later when police intercepted an AD Wagon along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway, San Juan. The vehicle was being used to transport Pollonais and was driven by a civilian who was also arrested. Read more here
Hopes for normal school today
Education Minister Anthony Garcia says he is keeping his fingers crossed that by the time pupils of schools affected by the water shutdown arrive at school this morning there will be water in the taps. Read more here
BUSINESS
Collect outstanding taxes
While Government has kept the “ship of state steady” thus far, senior economist Dr Ronald Ramkissoon says to access much needed income, more effort must be made in collecting outstanding monies. He said the Dr Keith Rowley administration had help in remaining afloat, primarily due to the increases in the prices of oil and natural gas. “I think there are some positive signs in respect of the energy sector firstly and more immediate in respect of natural gas and then in terms of the possibility for oil,” he said. Read more here
Flavorite returns
Months after it ceased local production, resulting in a complete absence of its products from supermarket shelves, Flavorite Foods Limited has resumed churning out its well-loved ice cream and frozen novelties. Read more here
REGIONAL
On Alert! - Utility Companies Ready To Respond Quickly In Case Of Gilbert-Type Disaster
On September 12, 1988, Jamaica was devastated by Hurricane Gilbert, a powerful and deadly Category Three storm. While the name of the hurricane was subsequently retired by the World Meteorological Organisation, because of the widespread damage and loss of lives it caused, the dangers of being hit once again by a monster storm is an ever-present reminder. As a result, the country's four main utility companies, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), National Water Commission (NWC), FLOW and Digicel Jamaica, are reporting that they are ready and operationally strong to respond. Gilbert was the most devastating hurricane to hit Jamaica since Charlie in 1951. Still, it was an event not equalled by any subsequent weather events to date. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Steeling for Hurricane Florence, Trump seeks praise for Maria
As he braces for Hurricane Florence, President Donald Trump is stoking new outrage over his refusal to accept any blame for the relief effort following Puerto Rico's monster storm last year. On Tuesday he insisted the operation had been "incredibly successful," despite shocking new figures putting the death toll at nearly 3,000. Again Wednesday morning, Trump said his administration's work in Puerto Rico was not appreciated. Read more here
Skripal poisoning: Putin says suspects 'civilians, not criminals'
12th September 2018