NEWS
Lennox Petroleum protest resumes in San Fernando
The management of Lennox Petroleum Services Ltd (LPSL) has called on former workers to immediately "cease and desist" their ongoing protests, which the company considers illegal. The call came on Thursday, when ex-workers simultaneously staged their latest protest outside LPSL at Princess Margaret Street in San Fernando from 10 am. Read more here
Former Lennox Petroleum workers take kids to protest
In a desperate act to get their outstanding backpay before Christmas, former workers of Lennox Petroleum brought their wives and children to protest yesterday. As they demanded that the company pay US$9.5 million retroactively, the workers said they wanted the company officials to see the impact the struggle was having on their children. But the company officials stayed indoors. Some of the children held up placards which read, “Pay the workers to please,” and God doesn’t like wickedness.” Read more here
POLITICS
Rowley: Stiffer penalties for human smugglers
The Prime Minister vowed tougher penalties for individuals found to be encouraging the illegal entry into Trinidad and Tobago of Venezuelan migrants, speaking at Thursday’s post Cabinet briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s. “You are going to see new and firmer laws for persons who encourage the illegal trade, and stiffer penalties for human trafficking.” Read more here
Duke celebrates PSA win, others await results
While incumbent Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke was busy yesterday celebrating the win of his slate, the Game Changers, in Monday’s PSA elections, at least one of his challengers says they are still awaiting results. On Wednesday evening, the following message was posted on the Game Changers Facebook page: “Public Services Association President, Mr Watson Duke is pleased to thank all PSA Members who supported the GameChangers team in the PSA Elections which was held on Monday 14th December 2020. GameChangers won PSA Elections 2020 with a landslide victory with 1200 more votes than the closest rival.” Read more here
BUSINESS
NGC, Trinity in energy deal
The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (NGC) and Trinity Exploration and Production will now explore and develop new energy projects together. Read more here
REGIONAL
Bengal Lawsuit - Gov’t Sued For Constitutional Breaches Over Puerto Bueno Mining Permit
The fight to block mining in the ecologically sensitive Puerto Bueno Mountains on Jamaica’s northern coast is heading to the Supreme Court as residents are suing the Government and the mining company for alleged breaches of constitutional rights. The eight claimants filed their claim in the Supreme Court on Thursday against the attorney general, the Natural Resources and Conservation Authority (NRCA), and Bengal Development Limited, the owners of the 569-acre property in St Ann. Read more here
US$100M hotel with helipad to be built
The Golden City, El Dorado, may be fictitious but the concept of elegance is one which Artsunac, a local business services company, is looking to mimic with its proposed US$100 million Hilton-branded “El Dorado Hotel”. The investment is expected to create over 150 jobs and cater for every citizen and traveller. Although a location for this facility has not yet been finalised, the investors are confident that the proposed 17 to 20-storey hotel will be ‘iconic’ and ‘magnificent.’ A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of this hotel was signed by the investors and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, on Wednesday. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump fights for a job that he's not doing as coronavirus rages
When the history of the pandemic is written, one of the great mysteries will be what President Donald Trump was doing in the waning days of his presidency as the number of Covid-19 deaths in the US soared past 3,000 each day, the virus spread unchecked and Congress dithered over the details of an emergency relief package that could be the difference between people being able to eat and being forced to sleep on the streets this holiday season. Read more here
US cyber-attack: US energy department confirms it was hit by Sunburst hack
The US energy department is the latest agency to confirm it has been breached in what is being described as the worst-ever hack on the US government. The department is responsible for managing US nuclear weapons, but said the arsenal's security had not been compromised. Tech giant Microsoft also said on Thursday that it had found malicious software in its systems. Many suspect the Russian government is responsible. It has denied any role. The US treasury and commerce departments are among the other targets of the sophisticated, months-long breach, which was first acknowledged by officials on Sunday. Read more here
18th December 2020