NEWS
Pro-Palestine march in Chaguanas
Members of the Muslim community once again took to the streets and called for peace in a march to show solidarity with the Palestinians affected by the ongoing war with Israel. Many participants wore the colours of Palestine flag— green, white and black— and waved flags as they marched through the streets of Chaguanas on Sunday afternoon. Some shouted "Free Palestine." Under the watchful eyes of the police, the march started at Centre Pointe Mall and ended at the Barakah Grounds Endeavour, Chaguanas. the group repeatedly criticised Israel and its allies, including the US, calling the decades-old deadly conflict between the Jews and the Arabs a genocide. Decades ago, the Jews had fled Europe and were given refuge in Palestine. Read more here
Third man killed outside police base in a week
The brazenness of the country’s gangsters claimed another life just metres away from a police base on Saturday night. Twenty-three-year-old Christian Sansavoir was shot dead a stone’s throw away from the Duncan Street Police Post. His killing is the third in a week coming out of the ongoing gang rivalry said to be between the Sixx and Seven gangs. Police reported that around 7.30 pm on Saturday, Sansavoir was with five others liming between building 47 and 49 Duncan Street when gunmen walked up to them and opened fire. The killers then got back into a waiting white Nissan X-trail parked opposite the Duncan Street Police Post and escaped. The SUV was later found abandoned on Clifton Street near St Paul Street. Police recovered one rifle magazine with 28 rounds of 5.56 ammunition and 55 spent 5.56 rounds at the scene. Police have labelled the killing as gang-related although they have not identified Sansavoir as being associated with any gang. Read more here
POLITICS
MP, residents demand fire truck for Mayaro
Residents of Mayaro are concerned about the imminent danger posed to their lives and property by the absence of a fire tender at Mayaro Fire Station. The residents claimed there have been at least five house fires in the community in the last few months and as recent as a week ago when eight members of a family, including three children, escaped death in an arson attack. Mayaro MP Rushton Paray said his inquiries revealed that about two months ago the fire tender was sent for repairs because of a leaking tank. While the Rio Claro Fire Service is servicing the area, he said, the problem was the response time due to the distance and the state of the roads. He said residents had to form a bucket brigade to extinguish a house fire in Ortoire Village last month. “This is not 1923, this is 2023, and we are depending on bucket brigades to out fires in a very complex community like Mayaro. Read more here
BUSINESS
T&T explores opportunities in Colombia’s IT and BPO sectors
Information Technology (IT) and the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors are topping the list of opportunities for local businesses in Colombia. With plans underway to strengthen bilateral relationships and develop trade in the service sector between Trinidad and Tobago and Colombia, the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI), in partnership with the Embassy of Colombia, hosted a webinar to highlight investment opportunities for local businesses in a segment called ‘Doing Business with Colombia. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana positions itself at forefront of climate discussions
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has unveiled Guyana’s strategic vision for the upcoming COP28, which will showcase the nation’s commitment to playing a pioneering role in global climate leadership. During a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Saturday, the President highlighted key initiatives and goals, outlining a comprehensive plan that positions Guyana at the forefront of climate discussions. He shared plans for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference/Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC also known as COP 28, which will be held from November 30 to December 12 at the Expo City, Dubai. President Ali acknowledged Guyana’s achievements in climate change initiatives, particularly through the implementation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. Read more here
INTENATIONAL
Sacked OpenAI boss Sam Altman to join Microsoft
Sam Altman is joining Microsoft, the tech-giant has announced, ending speculation he might return to OpenAI just 48 hours after his chaotic ousting. Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Mr Altman would be joining Microsoft to lead "a new advanced AI research team". Meanwhile, ex-Twitch CEO Emmett Shear will become OpenAI's new boss. Writing on X, he called the job a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity". But he added the way Mr Altman had been sacked was "handled very badly" and "seriously damaged our trust". Read more here
20th November 2023