NEWS
IDA: Tobago's health care lacks accountability
Innovative Democratic Alliance (IDA) political leader Dr Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus says Tobago’s healthcare system lacks accountability. Speaking at a media conference on August 13, Tsoiafatt-Angus said many people from across the diaspora would like to return home, but added: “Their greatest concern is: what is the standard of care that I would receive, in my age bracket, coming into Tobago?” She said while there were many good doctors and nurses working in the system, there were also numerous inefficiencies that resulted in the suffering of many people. Read more here
Bandit dresses as priest to evade cops but still caught
There was mid-morning drama in upper Port-of-Spain yesterday, after bandits fleeing a crime scene in Maraval were intercepted by police officers. One of the suspects fled into the nearby Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, where he disguised himself as a priest to evade capture. However, that plot failed when he was eventually held by a police officer inside the church. Read more here
POLITICS
Deyalsingh: Health Ministry can treat mpox
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said Trinidad and Tobago’s public-health system can treat the monkeypox (mpox) virus locally should it arrive in the country. He made the announcement after the World Health Organization (WHO) said the spread of the virus was a public-health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared mpox a PHEIC on August 14 owing to the upsurge of the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries. It was also declared a PHEIC from July 2022-May 2023. In a recorded message on Wednesday, Deyalsingh said four cases were treated in TT in 2022. Read more here
BUSINESS
First Citizens empowers female entrepreneurs
Young women from all walks of life took centre stage at First Citizens Girls First Festival 2024 to explore entrepreneurship. The event, themed Dream, Dare, Do, focused on nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit and skills of the budding businesswomen. The two-part festival was held on July 28 at the Bishop Anstey East, Trincity and on August 4 at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort. In a release, First Citizens said the event featured motivational lectures by guest speakers, workshops and breakout sessions, giving participants hands-on experience in business planning, digital marketing strategies and financial management. Read more here
UTC sees 83% rise in total comprehensive income
The Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation has reported an 83% increase in its total comprehensive income for the half-year ended June 30, 2024, compared to the corresponding period last year. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, UTC reported total comprehensive income of $44.96 million, up from $24.61 million compared to the same period in 2023. “I am pleased to report that the Group has achieved commendable results, demonstrating its resilience in a challenging environment. For the six months ending June 30, 2024, the Group recorded an overall Net Income of $45 million, an 87% improvement compared to $24 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023,” UTC’s chairman Jo-Anne Julien stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
$80M to be invested in Kurukabaru this year
President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday announced that the government’s plans to invest over $80 million in the hinterland community of Kurukabaru, in Region Eight, by the end of 2024. “We have to ensure that we work together. As we build this new Guyana, every community, every citizen, every household, every corner of our country is touched with development, and by development. And that is why we are going across the country, so that we can communicate with you,” the Head of State told residents during a community outreach. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Travellers advised to consider mpox vaccine
Travellers should consider getting vaccinated against mpox if they will be visting affected areas in Africa, new advice says. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has updated its recommendations in response to outbreaks of a new strain of the virus. Other continents, including Europe, can expect some cases too, it says. ECDC says the risk of it spreading everywhere is low, despite the World Health Organization recently declaring the mpox situation a global emergency. Read more here
16th August 2024