NEWS
11 days after teen killed, stuffed in outhouse: Mom, sons held for murder
While Salisha Seebaran is grateful police have been able to arrest a woman and her adult sons for the murder of her grandson, 15-year-old Videsh Dookran, she and her family are still distraught over his murder earlier this month. Dookran’s body was found in an outhouse at the back of a pluck shop at Golconda between October 8 and October 9. An anonymous female caller told police of the murder and officers found Dookran’s body stuffed into the latrine with his broken legs sticking out. Police said the 46-year-old woman and her sons, 18 and 22, were arrested on Tuesday in relation to the murder. Read more here
CinemaOne gambles on Chaguanas
In the midst of a period of recovery, CinemaOne is seeking to boost its business through expansion. Last week the company hosted a joint press conference with Endeavour Holdings Ltd, where it was announced the company would be opening CineCentral in the first quarter of 2023. The cineplex, which is set to cost $15 million, is set to take up the space vacated by MovieTowne Chaguanas in 2020. The announcement came whilst the company was still preparing to open its Gemstones Luxury theatres cineplex at Gulf City Mall. Read more here
POLITICS
Cox: We're trying to wean people off state assistance
Minister of Social Development and Family Services Donna Cox has urged the public to be "your brother's and sister's keeper. Ensure they access the grants, programmes and services offered by the ministry." She made the comments on Tuesday at her ministry on St Vincent Street, Port of Spain. The ministry joined the international community to commemorate the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP). This year's theme is "Dignity for all in practice: The commitments we make together for social justice, peace and the planet." Read more here
Faris, Camille among 4 PNM candidates elected unopposed, 35 to face internal poll
Of the current 39 nominees for the People’s National Movement’s upcoming executive election, 35 will face the polls since four people have been elected unopposed. This was indicated yesterday after the PNM’s Elections Supervisory Committee (ESC) issued an update. ESC members didn’t answer calls on queries. Last Monday, 42 nominees filed nominations. The ESC’s release stated that those who withdrew were Brian Manning (who was contesting Vice Chairman), Curtis Shade (Field Officer) and Ndale Young (Youth Officer). The ESC said, “To date, there are 39 nominees—four unopposed and 35 who will face the polls.” Read more here
BUSINESS
Retirement at 65: Who does the proposed change benefit?
Like most working people around the world, Trinidad and Tobago nationals look forward to retiring, when they can sit back and enjoy the fruits of decades of labour. Retirement for many means they are now free – they can enjoy their golden years making up for lost time with family, friends and loved ones or seeking an adventure and exploring the world. So, it was no surprise that when Attorney General Reginald Armour announced that government is seeking to finalise legislation to increase the mandatory retirement age from 60, to 65, it would have ruffled some feathers. Read more here
Keep a regulatory eye on credit unions, cooperatives
I understand and appreciate the power of credit unions. I know of someone who made their financial dreams come true because of a credit union. The credit union’s reasonable interest rates helped him secure a mortgage and fund his son’s education. This is however not an isolated incident. Credit unions have saved many lives. Sadly, I have also seen the negative aspects of a credit union. Read more here
REGIONAL
CARICOM leaders, Canada’s PM discuss Haiti’s crisis
President, Dr Irfaan Ali and other CARICOM leaders met virtually with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss the crisis in Haiti on Wednesday night.
The President was joined by Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud. The French creole-speaking Caribbean nation has been affected by gang violence and several social issues that have paralysed the country. “… the humanitarian crisis is immense now and we are ready to fully support [them],” President Ali told journalists in an invited comment following an event at the British High Commissioner’s residence on Tuesday. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukrainians told to 'charge everything' as power grid hit by Russia
Ukraine's national energy company has urged citizens to "charge everything" by 07:00 (04:00 GMT) Thursday because of expected power cuts caused by Russian missile strikes. Energy plants were hit by Russian missiles again on Wednesday - part of a wave of such strikes since 10 October. Outages of up to four hours at a time will affect the whole country on Thursday, grid operator Ukrenergo said. It comes as Russia declares martial law in areas of Ukraine it has annexed. Heightened security measures have also come into force in Russia - mostly areas along the Ukraine border. Read more here
20th October 2022