NEWS
Crushed on Tow Truck
The owner of a wrecking service was killed in a tragic accident while trying to help the owner of a vehicle who stopped on the shoulder of the northbound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway, in the vicinity of the Charlieville Masjid yesterday afternoon. According to reports, Shiraz Mohammed of Barrackpore, who is the owner of Shaz Wrecking Service, was assisting the driver of a Mercedes Benz SUV whose right front tyre had blown out when the driver of a silver Nissan Wingroad drove into them pinning them on the wrecker. Mohammed died on the scene and the other driver was taken to hospital where he is said to be in critical condition. Read more here
Two chopped at Princes Town bar
Police are searching for the suspect who is seen in a video circulating on social network sites savagely chopping two men at a bar in Princes Town. The incident, which occurred at Punisher’s Bar in Princes Town on July 30, reportedly stemmed from an argument over a woman. The two men, Keane Marcano and Kareem Ellis, who received chop wounds, spent some time being treated at the San Fernando General Hospital, but has since been discharged. The suspect had an argument with them over a woman, left and returned to the bar which is near Broomage #1 around 2.30 am. Read more here
Rude Cop
Photos shared online yesterday, which appeared to be of a policewoman in suggestive poses while in uniform, are currently being “looked into” by the Police Service. So said Ellen Lewis, head of the Police Public Relations Unit; but she declined further comment yesterday. President of the Police Social and Welfare Association, Insp Michael Seales, said that, from their preliminary investigation, the woman is a Special Reserve Police officer who works for a Government ministry and she is not under the purview of the Police Commissioner. Read more here
POLITICS
Imbert unfazed by Permell’s legal action threat
Finance Minister Colm Imbert was yesterday unfazed by threats of possible legal action by Clico Policyholders Group chairman Peter Permell. He also dismissed claims from Permell about being targeted. Responding to a statement issued on Saturday by Permell, Imbert said, “If Permell was serious about a threat of legal action, he should have taken action five years ago.” The minister asked, “Who is he threatening to take action against anyway?” At last Thursday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, Imbert identified Permell and Carlton Reis as two of the “mouthpieces” for CL Financial (CLF) shareholders. Imbert said Permell has no shares in CLF and cashed in his Clico policy in May 2012. A subsequent statement issued by the Finance Ministry last Friday said, Permell received the sum of $75,000 in cash for each policy with the rest being paid in bonds. Read more here
Pan body head blames erroneous media reports: Nothing to hide from Govt
Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz yesterday defended the organisation against erroneous reports in the media which sought to put them against the National Carnival Commission (NCC) regarding monies owed to pan men since February. Addressing the issue during Pan Trinbago’s Annual Interfaith Service at the Trinity Cathedral, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, Diaz denied they had anything to hide from the Government in terms of financial accounting. Insisting that Pan Trinbago could produce audited financial statements for the past 20 years, Diaz dismissed reports that claimed the NCC was owing Pan Trinbago in excess of $4.5 million. Read more here
BUSINESS
Indarsingh tells unions: Confront Govt on surrender to IMF
Trade unions and their members must confront the Prime Minister and the Government regarding the “surrendering” of the running of the country to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), says Opposition MP Rudy Indarsingh. Indarsingh made the comment last Friday following a protest demonstration by united trade unions. He said the Opposition expressed solidarity with the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC), Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FITUN), and commended them for making their voices heard. Indarsingh, who recalled that the Finance Minister had said in previous statements that the Government would seek assistance from the IMF in certain areas, accused the Government of “surrendering” T&T to IMF and the multi-lateral lending agencies. He noted the IMF recently sent a team to T&T for annual consultations. That occurred over the last week. Read more here
Banks report higher revenues
This week, we at Bourse review the nine-month results for the period ended June 2017 of three stocks within the Banking sector: Republic Financial Holding Limited (RFHL); and First Citizens Bank Ltd (FIRST). Read more here
REGIONAL
EXCLUSIVE: St Lucia PM outlines his vision for the country
On Friday, the prime minister of Saint Lucia, Allen Chastanet, discussed his vision for the island generally and his approach to tourism, crime and the Leahy Law in particular, in an exclusive interview with Caribbean News Now. This followed the signing on Thursday afternoon of an agreement between the government of Saint Lucia, Range Developments and Marriott International to establish and operate a luxury Ritz Carlton resort at Black Bay. Read more here
'I'm Moving Forward' - Stunned Elaine Vows Comeback After 100m Loss
Elaine Thompson kept a brave smile as she made her way off the London Stadium track, following last night's IAAF World Championships women's 100m final. As the world struggled to make sense of what had just transpired, Thompson was willing herself to look on the bright side after failing to not only match her pre-championship expectations, but missing the podium altogether. Thompson has had her way in the 100m for the last two or three years, the double Olympic champion suffering just three losses in her previous 34 races over the 100m ahead of last night's finale. But midway the race, it became clear that Jamaican fans would be in for another rough evening at a championship that has only so far returned Usain Bolt's bronze medal in the men's 100m from a night before, after promising quite a bit more. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
India media storm over 10-year-old pregnant rape victim
North Korea vows retaliation against US for sanctions
North Korean state media has slammed the latest round of sanctions approved by the United Nations calling them a "flagrant violation of our sovereignty," and vowed retaliation against Washington. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted new sanctions Saturday in response to Pyongyang's long-range ballistic missile tests on July 4 and July 28. The measures aim to make it harder for North Korea to make money across the globe. They target North Korea's primary exports -- including coal, iron and seafood -- and attempt to cut off its additional revenue streams by targeting some of its banks and joint ventures with foreign companies. Read more here
7th August 2017