NEWS
Police foil theft of calypsonian Abbi Blackman's car
In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday night, St Clair police foiled a brazen carjacking attempt involving calypsonian Abbi Blackman, near the KFC car park on Saddle Road, Maraval, leading to the arrest of one suspect and the discovery of a stolen car with fraudulent licence plates. At about 9.50 pm, police on patrol saw the victim, Blackman, being accosted by two men outside her silver Kia Sportage. A third suspect was spotted in a silver Hyundai Elantra which appeared to be blocking her car. Reports described one suspect as six foot tall, slim-built, wearing a cream shirt, cream pants and a dark brown bucket hat. The man was demanding Blackman's car keys, grabbed her by the neck and forcibly took them. Read more here
Kidnapped Cunupia businessman freed after a month
Close to a month after his brazen abduction by men dressed as police officers, Cunupia businessman Suvesh Ramnarine has been released safely. The 33-year-old is said to be resting and in good spirits with his family. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, in a statement, confirmed that around 1.15 am yesterday, Ramnarine’s captors allegedly contacted his family, directing them to a location on Jerningham Road in Cunupia. A male relative reportedly arrived at the site at approximately 1.54 am, where he found Ramnarine waiting and safely brought him home. Following his return, the family alerted the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU). Sgt Daulat and his team promptly took Ramnarine to a medical facility for a thorough check-up. After examination, he was discharged and reported to be doing well. Read more here
POLITICS
Ex-IIR head: Dragon deal can survive Trump term
The Dragon field deal for TT to access natural gas from Venezuela can survive the ascent of Donald Trump as new US president, opined Institute of International Relations former head Dr Anthony Gonzales. "We are not clear exactly how Trump will approach it. Remember Trump is a bit shifty, a bit mercurial, and changes positions a lot." Gonzales recalled that Trump in his first term had spoken against Maduro and had advocated a policy of maxim pressure and sanctions. Read more here
Farley 'anxiously' awaiting US President-elect’s policies for T&T
Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says Tobago looks forward to working with US President-elect Donald Trump and his administration. He also extended advance courtesies to the ambassador to be appointed by Trump. Speaking to Guardian Media last evening, Augustine congratulated the citizens of the United States of America for voting in large numbers, saying he now wishes the US had a smooth transition of power. Augustine also mentioned that the people of Tobago are eager to see Trump’s policies on Latin America, the Caribbean, and T&T. “Like the rest of the world, we look forward to seeing a peaceful transition of power, and we anxiously await the incoming president’s policies towards Latin America and the Caribbean, and in particular Trinidad and Tobago.” Read more here
BUSINESS
US acquisition will transform ANSA McAL, says CEO
In his large corner office with a panoramic view of the south-western tip of the Queen’s Park Savannah, ANSA McAL group CEO, Anthony N Sabga III was in a relaxed, upbeat mood on Tuesday afternoon. He is engaged in telling the story of the group’s US$327 million acquisition of 100 per cent of Bleachtech, a company based in Cleveland, Ohio that operates two chlor-alkali plants in that state and in Virginia. Bleachtech is a profitable producer of high purity bleach, hydrochloric acid and caustic soda. “Through superior engineering expertise, a unique manufacturing process and strong customer service, Bleachtech has become the low-cost bleach producer of choice in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions,” according to a ANSA McAL news release. Read more here
Enhancing security, digital transformation, and economic efficiency
For the upcoming budget, the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (Amcham T&T) is calling on the Government to enhance national security measures by introducing a comprehensive maintenance plan for crime detection and enforcement equipment and implementing advanced DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) testing and forensic capabilities. Amcham T&T recommended considering modern investigative techniques and retraining current officers accordingly; ensuring that the dedicated DNA lab meets international standards and is equipped with the latest technology and trained staff; and developing a comprehensive, centralised database with DNA profiles of all convicted offenders, suspects, missing persons, and victims. Read more here
REGIONAL
Disaster preparedness must be integrated into policies, development strategies across industries
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has implored Caribbean leaders to treat resilience as a priority across all sectors. He emphasised that disaster preparedness must be integrated into policies and development strategies across industries, from education and healthcare to agriculture and tourism. “We must engage our communities, particularly our youth, in this mission; they are active participants in securing our future. We must, therefore, empower our young people to engage in disaster preparedness to foster a generation that values and understands resilience; a generation that will be well prepared to lead,” the Prime Minister said during his remarks at the 14th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Israeli strikes kill at least 40 in east Lebanon - health ministry
At least 40 people were killed in Israeli air strikes in eastern Lebanon on Wednesday, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The Israeli military said the strikes, in the governorates of Baalbek and Bekaa, hit operatives and infrastructure of the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah. Lebanon's culture minister said one of the strikes seriously damaged an Ottoman-era building in the vicinity of the Roman ruins in the city of Baalbek, which is a Unesco World Heritage site. Strikes also hit the southern suburbs of Beirut on Wednesday, after the Israeli military issued new evacuation warnings. The military said it struck Hezbollah command centres, weapons stores and other infrastructure. Read more here
7th November 2024