NEWS
100 workers in limbo as Dansteel, La Romaine gutted by fire
Over 100 employees of Dansteel Ltd are now in limbo, after a fire ravaged the multi-million-dollar structure and its fully stocked hardware at La Romaine on Thursday morning. Cashier Cindy Bhola, who has been employed at the company for the past nine years, stood teary-eyed as she contemplated her future. “This is our bread and butter. This is like a second family for us. “We thought it would have been something small and could have been resolved quickly. But after two hours, we realise everything gone.” She said their employer, Terry Bhagwansingh promised to take care of the workers. Read more here
250,000 customers without water as pipeline ruptures—WASA
For three consecutive days, approximately 250,000 customers in north Trinidad have had no water due to a broken main at the Caroni Water Treatment Plant. This is according to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) who have been conducting repairs since the pipe ruptured on Tuesday. Amongst the thousands of affected customers were homeowners and many Port-of-Spain business owners. People from Oropune Gardens, Curepe, Valsayn, St Joseph, Mt Hope, San Juan, Santa Cruz, Barataria, Morvant, Port-of-Spain, St James, Cocorite, and Cascade are among the areas affected, according to WASA. In a release, president of the Downtown Owners and Merchants’ Association Gregory Aboud rebuked WASA and noted that stores in downtown Port-of-Spain had to close up for the day. Speaking to Guardian Media, Aboud said he could not give an exact figure for the affected businesses however, there were many complaints. Read more here
POLITICS
Congressman Jeffries: ‘We hear your concerns’ - US BACKS TT GUN FIGHT
In admitting that most of the guns that illegally enter TT are manufactured in his country, US House of Representatives' Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has given assurance to Caricom that this will be addressed with great urgency. He said the administration of US President Joe Biden "has heard the concerns related to gun trafficking and gun violence here in TT and throughout the Caribbean, and we're prepared to respond decisively to address it." Jeffries was part of the delegation that visited TT for the 45th Caricom heads of government summit, held from Monday-Wednesday. US State Secretary Antony Blinken also attended the summit. Read more here
BUSINESS
First Citizens opens West Vale branch
First Citizens has opened its newest branch in West Vale, located at the Diego Martin regional corporation administrative complex. The branch will offer a wide-range of banking and investment services, including deposits, withdrawals, loans, and other financial products and services, to meet the needs of the local community. In a press release, First Citizens said this branch-opening is a testament to its commitment to delivering excellent in-branch and digital banking services to its customers throughout TT. Read more here
‘Labour law reform urgent’
Chairman of the Employers’ Consultative Association (ECA) Keston Nancoo is calling on stakeholders to move with “urgency” to reform the nation’s labour laws, given rapid changes in the world of business and the workplace. “It is no secret that this whole question of labour legislation and reform has been in the public domain for quite some time. In 2016, the ECA submitted a position paper which was the subject of discussion at the National Tripartite Advisory Council (NTAC) and we were able to come up with a document which the committee council believed was in the best interest going forward in dealing with labour law reform. “The last thing was that these proposals were sent to Cabinet. With NTAC not being in place, we are not aware of where in the process this is stuck. The level of urgency really needs some fire.” Read more here
REGIONAL
Blinken praises Guyana for leadership in food security
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has commended Guyana for its leadership in food security and its commitment to a low-carbon development agenda, even as the country prepares to become a major oil-producing nation. “Guyana will soon be the highest producing country per capita in the world, but it is also a leader in forest conservation, demonstrating that it is possible to prioritise climate mitigation [and] environmental protection while responsibly using oil and gas resources,” the high-level US official said during a joint press conference with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali at State House, on Thursday. Blinken visited Guyana for bilateral engagement with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and his Cabinet after meeting with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders in Trinidad and Tobago. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Amazon deforestation down by a third in 2023, says Brazilian government
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon fell by 33.6% in the first six months of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's term compared with the same period in 2022, the government says. Its suggests the rainforest shrank by 2,649 sq km this January-June, down from 3,988 sq km in those six months last year under President Bolsonaro. The released government satellite data has not been independently verified. Lula has pledged to end deforestation, or forest clearance, by 2030. But he faces a huge challenge to achieve this target, as the area of rainforest still reported to be lost under his rule is more than three times the size of New York City. The past few years have seen an alarming rise in deforestation. The Amazon rainforest is a crucial buffer in the global fight against climate change. Read more here
7th July 2023