Daily Brief - Friday 27th October, 2017

NEWS

Over 500 UWI grads told: Ability to think is greatest asset

Newly installed Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Robert Bermudez, yesterday encouraged more than 500 graduates not to allow anyone to deter them from their dreams. Bermudez was yesterday speaking to 562 UWI graduates at the ceremony held at the UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (SPEC), St Augustine Campus. Read more here

Train line residents risk life on rickety bridge

Residents of Bayshore, Marabella, are appealing to the authorities to demolish a dangerous derelict foot-bridge and replace it with safe structure before someone is either seriously injured or killed. Earlier this year the steel and concrete bridge, built in the ‘train line’ community overlooking the Gulf of Paria over 100 years ago, was closed by the San Fernando City Corporation, but residents, including children, still take a chance to walk or run across the structure as it is the only access point to their homes. Read more here

Granny shot at health centre 

A 69-year-old woman is nursing gunshot injuries following a shooting incident at the Petit Valley Health Centre. The victim has been identified as Oharra Christian of Simeon Road, Petit Valley. Read more here

 

POLITICS

Small: Board directors breaching Govt standards

Independent Senator David Small is claiming that non-executive directors and chairmen are “running roughshod” over management personnel in State companies. Contributing on Wednesday to debate on the 2018 budget, Small said the scenario constituted a challenge in governance which has led to what he called “a failing State sector.” “We have State enterprises and we have directors on boards and chairmen. My understanding, having been in that portfolio myself, is that you are a non-executive director. Read more here

Sturge fined $5,000, guilty of contempt

Former United National Congress (UNC) Senator and criminal defence attorney Wayne Sturge was convicted of contempt of court and fined $5,000 yesterday. Sturge was found guilty and sentenced by High Court Judge Norton Jack in the Port-of-Spain High Court. Read more here

PM: Opposition fears AG

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday defended Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, dismissing allegations made against the AG as “organised” by the Opposition United National Congress (UNC). Rowley said the Opposition was seeking to destroy Al-Rawi because they fear him. Read more here

 

 

BUSINESS

Imbert invites gaming owners, operators to meeting

Nine days after casino workers protested outside the home of Finance Minister Colm Imbert, he has invited all the owners, shareholders and directors of private members’ clubs and other similar business establishments that engage in casino-type gambling, to a meeting. While the date and time of the meeting is yet to be decided, Imbert said it will take place at the Eric Williams Financial Complex, Port-of-Spain. Read more here

TTNGL profit jumps 30% 

For the nine months ending September 30, 2017, the publicly listed holding company for Phoenix Park Gas Processors, TTNGL, recorded an after-tax profit of $150.7 million, an increase of 30 per cent compared with the same period in 2016, according to the company's interim results which were published yesterday. Read more here

 

REGIONAL

JUTC Probe - Contractor General Investigating Allegations Of Procurement Breach

For the last four months, the Office of the Contractor General has been conducting a probe into the Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited's (JUTC) engagement of Millennium Security Limited (MSL) to provide services to the state-owned bus company, Dirk Harrison revealed yesterday. Managing director of the JUTC, Paul Abrahams, told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre yesterday that the company paid some $12 million to MSL for providing security at its facilities, which store spare parts and lubricants, in an effort to control theft. He said this interim arrangement was in place for eight months. Read more here

 

INTERNATIONAL

Catalan crisis: Spain PM Rajoy demands direct rule

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has called on senators to approve direct rule over Catalonia, amid an escalating crisis over the region's push for independence. He said he wanted to dismiss Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, his vice-president and all regional ministers. Mr Rajoy's speech was met with applause in the Spanish senate, where his Partido Popular has a majority. Earlier this month Catalonia held a disputed referendum on the issue. Mr Rajoy said he was calling for exceptional measures because there was no other choice and said "law, democracy and stability" needed to be returned to Catalonia. Read more here

Niger attack: US convoy separated during ambush, soldier says

The vehicles carrying the 12-member Green Beret-led team that was ambushed in Niger by ISIS militants earlier this month became separated during the firefight, US officials and a Nigerien soldier present told CNN Thursday. The team was traveling with 30 Nigerien soldiers when they were attacked by approximately 50 ISIS affiliated fighters armed with rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and heavy machine guns, according to US military officials. During the subsequent gun battle, which lasted for hours, four US soldiers were killed and two were wounded. Five Nigerien soldiers were also killed. Read more here

27th October 2017

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