Daily Brief - Friday 9th February, 2018

NEWS

Families of missing fishermen hold out hope

Three years ago, fisherman Edmund Charles survived an 18-hour ordeal at sea with only a plastic bucket to keep him and another man afloat after they had been thrown overboard by pirates off the coast of Moruga. It is this resiliency which is now giving hope to Charles’ family that somehow, he will survive at sea despite being missing since Tuesday night. Read more here

Sea bridge link sinks

The cancellation of the T&T Express from the seabridge yesterday resulted in chaos and confusion at the Port of Port-of-Spain, as scores of passengers were left stranded for several hours at the height of the Carnival season. The cancellation, the T&T Guardian was told, stemmed from the vessel not being granted a further extension of its class certification or its sea worthiness. Last year, the vessel was granted an extension of its certification, which expired this week. Read more here

18 years after man’s death: Woman freed of murder charge

Ira Mitchell, who was yesterday freed of a murder charge after 12 years, pleaded for faster trial dates for the inmates she left behind at prison. She said it was unfair to have people waiting for so many years for their trials. Read more here

 

POLITICS

Review of crime, economy at retreat

Government will undertake a comprehensive review of the economy, its legislative agenda and other matters next Wednesday at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s. On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley instructed all government MPs and senators to attend a one-day retreat there on Ash Wednesday. This news came during a brief meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in St Clair, which began at 3 pm and ended an hour later. Read more here

 

BUSINESS

Plan to disrupt Carnival

Four men are in police custody after the were held in relation to an alleged plot to disrupt Carnival activities. This was confirmed in an emergency press conference held at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain yesterday evening. Ag ASP Michael Jackman would not disclose identities of the people or the nature of the suspected attack. He said the Police Service will continue to partner with other national security agencies to combat all threats and urged members of the public to do their part by reporting any suspicious activities. Read more here

bpTT president: Mexico visit a success

Following a recent visit to Altamira, Mexico where bpTT’s Angelin platform is being built, bpTT Regional President Norman Christie has described it as a successful learning experience. Leading a delegation from Trinidad to the fabrication yard on January 30, Christie said, “Building a competitive fabrication industry in T&T will require the full collaboration of the private sector, government and the community." Read more here

Massy profits flat

Massy Holdings Ltd yesterday reported an after-tax profit that declined by less than one per cent to $149.8 million from $151.2 million, in its first quarter ended December 31, 2017. Read more here

 

REGIONAL

'Yes-Men And Lackeys!' - Knight Says Some Lack Guts To Tell PM He Is Wrong In Acting Chief Justice Saga

Senior Opposition lawmaker Senator K.D. Knight has suggested that those close to Prime Minister Andrew Holness who do not have the fortitude to tell him he is wrong in the controversial decision to appoint Bryan Sykes as acting chief justice are "yes-men and lackeys". Addressing the hot-button issue during his contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Upper House yesterday, Knight said Holness had nothing to lose by appointing Sykes as chief justice. "You do not want to appear to be that prime minister who is interfering in the operations of the judiciary, which must remain independent if our democracy is not to crumble," Knight cautioned. Read more here

 

INTERNATIONAL

US Congress votes to end brief shutdown

US lawmakers have voted to pass a two-year budget, meaning the country's second shutdown in three weeks could end before the working day begins. The measures have passed the Senate and the House but still need to be signed off by President Donald Trump. Federal funding for government services expired at midnight (05:00 GMT), after the Senate missed a voting deadline. The 650-page plan proposes an increase in spending, by about $300bn (£215bn), on defence and domestic services. Read more here

Winter Olympics opening ceremony sees historic handshake

South Korean President Moon Jae-in shook hands with Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the 2018 Winter Olympics began in spectacular fashion in Pyeongchang. Moon greeted a number of world leaders including Kim and Kim Yong Nam, the head of the North Korean delegation. Read more here

9th February 2018

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