NEWS
Scrap iron dealers support govt's new policy
Emphasising that change is necessary for the TT Scrap Iron Dealers Association (TTSIDA) to grow and reach its full potential, its president said he supported government's new scrap metal policy 99 per cent. The policy was formed out of a collaboration between the Ministry of Trade and Industry and scrap metal dealers. Alan Ferguson said he disagreed one per cent, considering that there are still outstanding issues that must be addressed, like the packing of containers. Read more here
RC priest: Put Jesus back into Christmas
So advised Fr David Khan of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church at Harris Promenade, San Fernando, on Sunday during holy mass. “Stay awake” are the watchwords of advent, the priest said, which means the beginning in the celebration of the coming in the Lord. The RC church worldwide celebrated the start of advent on Sunday. “Advent is a period of rejoicing. Staying awake does not mean you will not sleep again. It means that you will be conscious that Jesus is ever-present. He is always with us,” Khan told the spaced-out congregation. Read more here
POLITICS
Bodyguard rescues couple trapped in car by floodwaters
A bodyguard who rescued a couple who were swept away in their vehicle by floodwaters last Thursday, is grateful that he was in the right place at the right time to save them. The couple Michael Gomes rescued turned out to be longtime People’s National Movement stalwart Ferdie Ferreira, 89, and his wife Pearl, 83. Last Thursday, heavy rains lead to flooding along the Macqueripe Road in Chaguaramas, leading the river to burst its banks. Read more here
Dennis condemns ‘dotishness’ in Finance party video
Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis has condemned the persons who breached COVID-19 rules at an event held by a THA Division last Friday. In a follow-up message to Guardian Media on the issue, Dennis confirmed that the event took place at the Division of Finance. However, he said it was not a party. Despite this, he said, “The actions and activities that I saw in that video were very unnecessary and irresponsible, especially on the part of public servants. Read more here
BUSINESs
Agostini records consistent growth despite COVID-19
Agostini’s Ltd has recorded 3.7 per cent in growth as its net profit moved from $163 million to $169 million. This was reflected in the company’s bottom line growth for the year ended September 30. The company said this was achieved in spite of the ravaging effects of COVID-19. Read more here
The Jamaica Stock Exchange
The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) became the first stock exchange in the Caribbean after its incorporation in 1968 and commencement of its operations in 1969. Read more here
REGIONAL
Golding Under Fire - In Leaked Rant, Crawford Slams New PNP President, Says Hanna Is Popularity Junkie
Claiming to be more popular than Lisa Hanna, People’s National Party (PNP) firebrand Damion Crawford has ripped into President Mark Golding and suggested that he will launch a presidential bid in the next five years. The outburst is bound to open a new frontier of division in the 82-year-old party which has been roiled by internecine conflict with two leadership challenges in 14 months. The pro-Golding faction will be stirred to crush the Crawford rebellion before further disunity mushrooms.. Read more here
Over 3,000 jobs
A single investment is enough to reinvigorate a community or an entire sector through employment and other spill-off benefits; so, in about a year’s time, when hoteliers pump close to US$640 (G$137B) million into the local economy, the benefits which would accrue to the country would undoubtedly be immense. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
A leaderless America slips deep into a grim pandemic winter
America is sliding into a winter limbo of alarming spikes in Covid-19 cases and deepening economic pain while an apathetic lame duck White House and a deadlocked Congress provide no political leadership. The darkest holiday season in modern history beckons, yet President Donald Trump and his closest aides, sulking after his election defeat, are doing little to save lives, apart from claiming credit for a vaccine that represents a way out of the nightmare of 2020 but remains months away for most Americans. Read more here
Covid vaccine: Moderna seeks approval in US and Europe
Moderna is filing for US and European regulatory approval of its coronavirus vaccine so that it can be recommended for widespread use. Regulators will look at trial data for the mRNA vaccine and decide if it is safe and effective enough to recommend for roll out. Clinical studies show the jab is more than 94% effective at protecting people from becoming ill with Covid-19. Pfizer, which has a similar jab, has already filed for the same US approval. UK regulators are also reviewing data on the Pfizer vaccine, as well as another type of Covid vaccine from AstraZenca and Oxford University for emergency approval. Read more here
30th November 2020