NEWS
Inquest into stabbing death of Chaguanas teen
The man who had been detained in relation to the stabbing death of teenager Reshard Singh on Carnival Monday has been released from police custody. According to a release from the TTPS, deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Honore-Paul, on Sunday, ordered a coroner’s inquest into Singh’s death. Police said the suspect, a 29-year-old Carlsen Field man, was released pending the outcome of the inquest. Read more here
JSC hears: National Quarries hired one person 49 times
Questions have been raised regarding the contracting of one person at least 49 times by State-entity National Quarries to conduct training in the Information Technology (IT) field. The issue was brought to the fore during yesterday’s Joint Select Committee (JSC) meeting which was chaired by Independent Senator David Small and held in Parliament. Raising the matter was former Government Minister Fazal Karim who said, “Outsourcing ...basically in terms of Microsoft, computer literacy and Excel is being outsourced to one person 49 times. Read more here
Total disorder follows police killing
East Port of Spain was a scene of total disorder yesterday following the police killing of a resident early in the morning and the shooting of a hearing-impaired man in the afternoon, said to be caused by a stray bullet. Read more here
POLITICS
Al-Rawi: East PoS riots prove need for anti-gang legislation
Yesterday’s riots in East Port of Spain prove the need for anti-gang legislation, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi has said. “The crux of the matter is that this is a response from the neighbourhood relative to law enforcement activities,” the AG told Newsday in a telephone interview yesterday. Early yesterday morning, Akeil “Christmas” James was killed by police during an exercise, and residents responded by protesting, including blocking roads and dumping rubbish. Read more here
Nafeesa terminated as PM’s adviser
Attorney Nafeesa Mohammed’s short term contract with the Prime Minister’s Office was terminated yesterday. This was confirmed by Mohammed, who said a letter to that effect was received. She had been employed on contract as a legal adviser with the Prime Minister since last December, she added. She was a former deputy leader of the ruling PNM in previous years. Read more here
Al-Rawi says ISIS comments were 'misunderstood'
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi stated yesterday that the comments he made on terrorism and the presence of ISIS cells in Trinidad and Tobago were misunderstood. In a release, the AG stated that he observed commentary appearing in the media and from Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar which seeks to paint “conflicting views” in the Government relative to Trinidad and Tobago's stance against the continuous threat that is posed by terrorism in all its forms. Read more here
BUSINESS
E-IDCOT gets new CEO
Lois Leslie has been named the new CEO of the Eco-Industrial Development Company (E-IDCOT), which manages the Cove Eco-Industrial Business Park (CEIBP). She assumed her new position on February 1. Leslie has a varied background with experience in project management, marketing, communications, education, training, and property matters. Read more here
Tobago still a strong destination for airline
While not specifically declaring that Tobago is a lucrative destination Andre Bello, Commercial Manager of Virgin Atlantic (Caribbean region) said the sister isle is an important part of the airline’s network of destinations. Bello’s comments come as the impasse on the seabridge continues unabated, resulting in Caribbean Airlines Ltd having to pick up the slack and move passengers between the islands. Read more here
SEC making progress on takeover probe
The Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC) says there are “standardised” reasons for granting exemptions from making public disclosures to companies that request it, even if the exemption is for the sale of a significant block of shares in the company. Read more here
REGIONAL
8-Y-O Fears For Future – August Town Murder And Mayhem Crippling Education Of Honour Roll Student And Schoolmates
Seriously concerned about the future of her education, Bianca Gardener, eight-year-old honour-roll student at August Town Primary School in St Andrew, is beseeching the authorities to put an end to the violence wreaking havoc across Jamaica for the sake of the nation's youth. Violence came too close to home for the child, after gunmen unleashed fury in her community yesterday, killing 35-year-old correctional officer David Stewart and injuring two others, forcing her school to close its gates until further notice. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Syria war: Scores of civilians killed in Eastern Ghouta strikes
Exclusive: Mueller's interest in Kushner grows to include foreign financing efforts
Special counsel Robert Mueller's interest in Jared Kushner has expanded beyond his contacts with Russia and now includes his efforts to secure financing for his company from foreign investors during the presidential transition, according to people familiar with the inquiry. This is the first indication that Mueller is exploring Kushner's discussions with potential non-Russian foreign investors, including in China. US officials briefed on the probe had told CNN in May that points of focus related to Kushner, the White House senior adviser and son-in-law of President Donald Trump, included the Trump campaign's 2016 data analytics operation, his relationship with former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and Kushner's own contacts with Russians. Read more here
20th February 2018