NEWS
Doctor: Stop downplaying covid19 symptoms
County Medical Officer of Health for Caroni Dr Jeanine St Bernard said some covid19 patients who are sequestered at home continue to downplay their symptoms to avoid being hospitalised. She said this was a dangerous practice and pleaded with patients not to do this. Speaking at Monday’s media conference, St Bernard outlined the signs and symptoms which could accompany a rapid decline. These included shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, increasing fatigue, chills, chest pain or discomfort and fever. Read more here
Full online school sessions start but...
Full engagement of all students from 483 primary and 141 secondary schools began yesterday, as teachers across the country engaged in blended learning sessions. But despite weeks of planning for a smooth rollout, National Primary School Principals Association president Lance Mottley said there were still hiccups as some schools did not have the basic material for paper-based learning. Read more here
POLITICS
Kamla: PM/CoP spat bad for democracy
The Opposition leader urged on Monday morning that the Prime Minister and the Commissioner of Police (CoP) sort out the discrepancies on charging and arresting people for breaking the Public Health Regulations. There has been debate about what constitutes a breach of the regulations relating to the covid19 pandemic. Read more here
TTFF receives $200,000 grant from Ministry of Tourism
The Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival Committee received a grant of $200,000 from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, under the Culture and Creative Arts Fund (CCAF). Minister of Tourism Randall Mitchell presented the cheque to Mrs. Kamille-Ann Lynch-Griffith, of FILMCO, at the Ministry’s office at the International Waterfront Complex this afternoon. Read more here
BUSINESS
Scotia adds functions to its bank machines
Scotiabank customers can now pay their credit cards at any of the bank’s 67 enhanced ATMs outside of regular banking hours, which eliminates the customer from having to do over-the-counter transactions at the branches. Read more here
REGIONAL
Power companies left in the ‘dark’
The first day of the 2020 budget debates kicked off on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) and, while it was well ‘lit’ inside, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, argued that local power companies were left in the ‘dark’ with billions of dollars in debt, by the former APNU+AFC administration. From the onset of the debates, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Raphael Trotman, who started the day, argued that progress was visible, over the past five years, under the APNU+AFC administration, but contrary to his claims, Minister Indar said a rapid assessment of all agencies under his ministry proved otherwise. Read more here
Elated Relatives Turn Out To Support State Ministers At Swearing-In
King's House, the residence of Jamaica's Head of State was not as bustling amid COVID restrictions on Monday afternoon, like in times past, for the swearing-in of state ministers. But in the audience were a few close relatives of the nine junior ministers appointed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness to compete his 28-member executive. Levaughn Flynn, the husband of Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, the new state minister for health and wellness was among those who turned up. "I'm very happy for her and I know she’s going to do a good job. She’s a hard worker and she’s dedicated to anything she takes on," said Flynn. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Why the stability of the 2020 race promises more volatility ahead
In a presidency of unprecedented disruption and turmoil, Donald Trump's support has remained remarkably stable. That stability, paradoxically, points toward years of rising turbulence in American politics and life. Trump's approval ratings and support in the presidential race against Democratic nominee Joe Biden have oscillated in a strikingly narrow range of around 40%-45% that appears largely immune to both good news -- the long economic boom during his presidency's first years -- and bad -- impeachment, the worst pandemic in more than a century, revelations that he's disparaged military service and blunt warnings that he is unfit for the job from former senior officials in his own government. Read more here
Alexei Navalny: Poisoned Putin critic 'will return to Russia'
The poisoned Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny is to return to Russia, his spokeswoman has said. "It's puzzling to me why anyone should think otherwise," Kira Yarmysh posted on Twitter. Mr Navalny also posted a picture on Instagram for the first time since he was poisoned, announcing that he was breathing free of ventilation. He collapsed on a flight from Siberia on 20 August. Tests have shown he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent. He was transferred to the Charité hospital in the German capital, Berlin. His team alleges he was poisoned on the orders of President Vladimir Putin - the Kremlin denies any involvement. Read more here
15th September 2020