Daily Brief - Friday 7th August, 2020

NEWS

Amnesty International: TT violating V’zuelans' human rights

Amnesty International (AI) is condemning the recent repatriation of 165 Venezuelans from TT back to their country. In a release, AI researcher for the Caribbean Louise Tillotson lamented that TT criminalises irregular entry into the country. This, she said, is contrary to international human rights standards. Read more here

Mille Fleurs handed over to National Trust

A historic piece of the Magnificent Seven has been returned to its original glory, Mille Fleurs, 116 years after it was initially constructed. And while standing a testament to history, it would also hope to guide the way forward as it would now house the National Trust, non-governmental organisations, and host cultural events. Read more here

300 staff members called in for testing

Eight police officers have tested positive for Covid-19 over the last two weeks. The latest two confirmations are officers who are attached to the St Clair Police Station and the Besson Street Police Station. Read more here

 

POLITICS

Persad-Bissessar: Report discrepancies at polling stations

UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is calling on citizens to become national observers and report any discrepancies at polling stations during the general election on Monday. In July, Persad-Bissessar asked for international observers to be invited to ensure the integrity of the election process. Government acquiesced to her request and invited observers from the Commonwealth and Caricom, but financial considerations and the requirement for people entering the country to quarantine for 14 days, because of the covid19 pandemic, posed a challenge. Read more here

Rowley knocks Kamla for racist ad campaign

“I demand that those UNC ads be removed!” That was the roar from People's National Movement leader Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley last night as he accused Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar of abusing black people “in the most disgusting and disgraceful way”. Rowley vigorously rebuked the UNC leader during last night’s final PNM campaign meeting - in Sangre Grande - before Monday’s election. Read more here

 

BUSINESS

Central Bank reveals concept designs for new notes

The Central Bank has unveiled its concept designs for the new polymer banknote series. According to the bank’s website which displayed the new notes, the elements of the updated design are consistent with the $100 polymer notes that replaced the old cotton-based notes which ceased to be legal tender on December 31, 2019.The new bank notes in the $50, $20, $10, $5 and $1 quantities feature T&T Coat of Arms, the national flag above the bills’ denominations and a clear window which can be seen from the front and back of the note. Read more here

PM won’t be rushed on Petrotrin sale

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley would not rush to sign sale and purchase agreement with Patriotic Energies and Technologies before the general election if it is not in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. Read more here

 

REGIONAL

Preparation in full swing for President’s inauguration
Preparation for the inauguration of President Irfaan Ali, on Saturday, is in full swing at the National Cultural Centre (NCC). When the Guyana Chronicle visited, on Thursday, members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Mounted Branch were seen practising, in uniform, on their horses, just outside the Centre. Read more here

PM threatens tougher protocols amid 30-case COVID one-day jump

Amber lights are going off in the Government. The warnings were serious enough to force a meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday to respond to a jaw-dropping 30-case spike in COVID-19 infections within a 24-hour span in Jamaica. Fearing that the early alarm could be the tip of the iceberg, the surge is set to trigger tighter restrictions even as Prime Minister Andrew Holness has ditched moral suasion to get compliance with COVID-19 protocols. Read more here

 

INTERNATIONAL

How judges responded to warnings about ammonium nitrate stored at the Beirut port

Newly released documents suggest multiple government agencies in Lebanon were informed about ammonium nitrate being housed at a warehouse in Beirut port, including the Ministry of Justice.  The information adds to a growing body of evidence, including emails and public court documents, that officials had been notified about a shipment of thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate -- described by one Russian analyst as a "floating bomb" -- that is linked to Tuesday's catastrophic explosion in the seaside capital. Read more here

Climate change: Lockdown has 'negligible' effect on temperatures

The dramatic drop in greenhouse gases and air pollutants seen during the global lockdown will have little impact on our warming planet say scientists. Their new analysis suggests that by 2030, global temperatures will only be 0.01C lower than expected. But the authors stress that the nature of the recovery could significantly alter the longer term outlook. A strong green stimulus could keep the world from exceeding 1.5C of warming by the middle of this century. Read more here

 

7th August 2020

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