NEWS
Call for China to view Caribbean as equal partners
A call has been made for China to view the Caribbean region as an equal partner when it comes to interaction with media outlets from that region. The call came on Monday during the China Latin America and Caribbean Media Forum in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It came from Keith Eccleston Campbell, CEO of the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica. He was the only media representative from the Caribbean to speak at the forum where over 20 heads of media outlets contributed. Read more here
Work on damaged St Helena Bypass Road begins
Local contractor Coosal’s mobilised a team on Monday night and began repairs to the St Helena Bypass road which has been left in a state of disrepair for over three weeks. This comes after complaints by residents and motorists that condition of the road had the potential to cause serious accidents as drivers dodge craters left behind when the asphalt was removed. Conditions on the road worsened as heavy rains and flooding over the past two months removed even more material. Guardian Media visited the site and residents of St Helena said they were fearful that the current condition of the road poses a serious safety risk to motorists. Read more here
POLITICS
PTSC investigating bus theft
WORKS and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan says the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) is investigating the theft of one of its vehicles in Chaguanas on Monday which was later used to ram into a number of vehicles. He was responding to a question in Senate yesterday from Opposition Senator Wade Mark on what measures are in place to ensure PTSC vehicles are properly secure in light of the theft. Sinanan said PTSC was currently conducting an investigation into the breach to identify any gap in standard operating procedures and will take immediate and appropriate action to mitigate against any further breaches. Mark asked if security measures were in place at the PTSC compound in Chaguanas during the theft. Read more here
Petrotrin pension fund ok for now—Khan
Nearly 1,300 members of the Petrotrin Employees Pension Plan (PEPP) aged 50 and over are expected to retire on December 1 and become entitled to lump-sum pension payments totalling $1 billion—but that may be until the 2040s when the PEPP may run out of benefits. “The key word is ‘may....’” Energy Minister Franklin Khan advised in the Senate yesterday. “However, the PEPP has comfortably enough assets to cover benefit payments well into the 2040’s according to the actuarial projections. Beyond that, there may be a deficit but it’s too early in the game to speak that type of language. As we speak, the workers are comfortable.” Read more here
BUSINESS
How close is Govt to CLEXIT?
Last week was hugely significant in terms of T&T business news, with the announcement that Jamaica’s largest financial institution, NCB, plans to increase to US$2.65 a share its takeover offer for T&T’s Guardian Holdings Ltd (GHL) from the original offer of US$2.35 a share. Read more here
REGIONAL
No Unrestricted Police Powers - Lawmakers Frown On Proposal To Detain Persons For Up To 14 Days Without Filing Criminal Charges
Lawmakers yesterday levelled damning criticisms at the police, declaring that "too often" citizens are being charged with criminal offences without any investigation. The disapproval came after the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) proposed to a parliamentary committee that the so-called anti-gang legislation be amended to give investigators the power to detain suspected gang members for up to 14 days without criminal charges being filed. Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte and K.D. Knight, opposition senator and former national security minister, were blunt in their response to the proposal. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump's Saudi support highlights brutality of 'America First' doctrine
It is the Trump doctrine laid bare. By letting Saudi Arabia get away with the murder of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the President sent a message of startling clarity about how the United States will conduct its business in the world. Refusing to break with Saudi strongman Mohammed bin Salman over the killing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Trump effectively told global despots that if they side with him -- Washington will turn a blind eye to actions that infringe traditional US values. Read more here
Interpol presidency vote: Russia in surprise loss to South Korea
21st November 2018