NEWS
One pathologist at Forensic Science Centre, bodies piling up
An assurance from government that the shortage of pathologists at the Forensic Science Centre (FSC) would be dealt with in the new year has not yet materialised, and up until yesterday, the centre was operating with one pathologist, Dr Hughvon Des Vignes. This has been so since the resignation of Russian pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov, which took effect from January 1. Read more here
Midday murder on busy Duke Street
A gunman yesterday opened fire on the occupants of a car stuck in traffic along Duke Street during the lunch-time rush hour, killing a passenger and injuring another. According to police reports, Luke Adams, 19 who was seated in the front passenger seat of a blue Mitsubishi Lancer was shot repeatedly around 11.30 am. Read more here
Canada warns of terrorism
The Canadian High Commission in Port of Spain has updated its travel advice on this country to include a separation of the travel advisory on crime for Tobago from Trinidad, and a warning on terrorism. The update has come a day after a round of courtesy calls on Trinidad and Tobago Government ministers, culminating with Tuesday's meeting between Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young and Canadian High Commissioner Carla Hogan Rufelds. Read more here
POLITICS
New President to be elected today
T&T is expected to get its first female President today when the Electoral College, comprising 42 members of the House of Representatives including the Speaker and 31 members of the Senate, meets this afternoon. The lone nominee for the position, Justice Paula-Mae Weekes, will not be in Parliament when the vote is taken. This was confirmed by Parliament’s Corporate Communications Manager Jason Elcock who said the meeting of the Electoral College will be “a very staid exercise.” Read more here
BUSINESS
Staff wishing transfers will be accommodated
As the Government continues to work on establishing the T&T Revenue Authority (TTRA) assurances have been extended to all staff of the Board of Inland Revenue (IRD) and the Customs & Excise Division (CED) that staff wishing transfers will be accommodated. In a release late Wednesday, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Allyson West said, “The Government is mindful of its responsibilities to all the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, private and corporate.” Read more here
Govt wants Revenue Authority in 2018
The Government has indicated its intention to have the Revenue Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TTRA) implemented during this fiscal year. A press release issued by the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday stated that the Government has initiated a programme geared towards the engagement and sharing of relevant information with stakeholders, so as to facilitate the smooth implementation of the TTRA. The objective of the programme is to bring awareness to stakeholders and provide answers to their questions. Read more here
REGIONAL
Finally! - - St James Residents Welcome State Of Emergency
Residents of several volatile communities in St James yesterday welcomed members of the security forces with open arms as the Government's latest initiative to quell the parish's rampant lawlessness started with a joint police-military operation and subsequently evolved into a public state of emergency. "This is the best thing that could happen to Montego Bay at this time. It is like a belated Christmas gift," an elderly resident of Salt Spring told The Gleaner. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Washington is broken
When Washington is this broken, it's always the most vulnerable who get hurt. Political careers may be made and lost Friday as President Donald Trump and Republicans and Democrats in Congress trade blame while the government races toward a midnight shutdown deadline. Read more here
Cancer blood test ‘enormously exciting’
19th January 2018