NEWS
Cops warn errant drivers at demerit system launch
Errant drivers caught in a roadblock at the lay-by on the foreshore in St James during the launch of the demerit point and new ticketing system on Wednesday were let off with a warning. But they were told the warning will be put on record and if they are caught for the same offences again they will have to face the full brunt of the law. Police stopped one driver with two broken tail lights and one headlight, smooth tyres and three goats poorly secured on the tray of his pick-up truck. The violations would have left him with a fine of $3000, but because of a clause in the ticketing system, he would only have got about three demerit points. Read more here
ACP Hackshaw cleared after finance probe
An intense three-month police investigation into ACP Irwin Hackshaw, following a newspaper report which claimed he had allegedly been flagged for suspicious financial activity at three banks, has been closed by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service with the officer being exonerated from any criminal wrongdoing. Sources told Guardian Media last evening that the investigation was conducted by ACP William Nurse of the Port-of-Spain and Western Division and was later submitted to Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith. Read more here
POLITICS
Moses: Rio Treaty could not stop Rodriguez's TT visit
TT did not support recent decisions taken under the Rio Treaty to curb the travel of Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, and so was not bound by them, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dennis Moses told the Senate on Tuesday. He was replying to an Opposition motion on the adjournment. Read more here
Absentee P/Town MP upsets constituents
Princes Town residents say they love their MP Barry Padarath but feel hurt that he abandoned them during COVID-19 lockdown.Padarath flew out of the country to be with his daughter Sejal in the United States shortly before the lockdown of T&T’s borders in late March. Guardian Media yesterday visited his Princes Town constituency of and spoke with residents, many of whom say they were suffering from a lack of representation. Randy Sumchan of School Trace, New Grant, said Padarath has not been around to assist those who put him in power.“School Trace has big, big holes. We can’t see Barry and he is not doing anything,” Sumchan said. However, vendor Jean Kowlessar, of Sancho Road, said Padarath was a good MP who has always kept in touch with his constituents. She said since he left T&T during the COVID-19 pandemic, their councillor Gowrie Roopnarine has been picking up the slack. Read more here
BUSINESS
'The little engine that could'
J Mac Industries Ltd is ready to take over the world. The small family-based business from Orange Hill in Tobago is poised to start exporting its range of eco-friendly detergents and dishwashing liquids to the region, hopefully within the next two months. It's also eager to expand its market in Trinidad. After 25 years in business, the company is about to go through an economic metamorphosis. It's an ambitious task but one that managing director Edward "Ted" Jones feels confident of accomplishing. Read more here
Imbert: Interest-free loans coming for small businesses
More help is coming for small businesses during this financially difficult time, Finance Minister Colm Imbert has announced. Imbert made the statement yesterday during a virtual press conference held by the Finance Ministry. Small businesses will soon be offered an interest-free loan that they will not have to make a payment on for two years, Imbert said. “We are finalising the loan programme this week where the First Citizens will be issuing soft loans to small businesses, small and medium enterprises, over a four-year period with a two-year moratorium on payments and the Government will be covering all of the interest,” Imbert said. Read more here
REGIONAL
51 vendors fined for operating without a face mask.
Some 51 vendors operating at Albouystown, Stabroek, and Bourda markets, were, on Wednesday, charged and fined for not wearing a face mask, while plying their trade. The Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown had implemented several measures, in keeping with the guidelines set out by the Ministry of Public Health to fight the Coronavirus (COVID-19). One of the measures was that all stallholders/vendors and their staff are required to wear face masks throughout the duration of their operation. Failing to comply with this directive, persons will be charged a penalty fee of five thousand dollars ($5,000.) Additionally, shoppers will not be allowed to enter the market if they are not wearing a face mask. Read more here
JDF under fire - Disabled woman killed in August Town, complaints to INDECOM soar
With fresh allegations of a soldier killing a 44-year-old disabled woman in August Town, St Andrew, on Wednesday, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is coming under the radar after a rise in reports of assault and other criminal conduct. Up to May 28 this year, the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) commenced probes into at least 18 incidents involving the JDF. The watchdog, which has oversight responsibility for investigating police and army excesses, probed 15 incidents for all of 2019, checks by The Gleaner have unearthed. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Hong Kong security legislation backed by China's parliament
China's parliament has backed security legislation for Hong Kong which would make it a crime to undermine Beijing's authority in the territory. The resolution - which now passes to China's senior leadership - has caused deep concern among those who say it could end Hong Kong's unique status. It could also see China installing its own security agencies in the region for the first time. The move has already sparked a new wave of anti-mainland protest. Clashes broke out on Wednesday as Hong Kong's parliament debated a different proposed law, which would make it a crime to disrespect the Chinese national anthem. Hundreds of people were arrested in protests over that and the security law. Read more here
While some countries clap for doctors, health workers in Russia face open hostility
Frontline medical workers in the US, the UK and elsewhere may face major risks in their efforts to battle the coronavirus pandemic, but they've also seen an outpouring of public appreciation. In Russia, health workers say they face fear, mistrust -- and even open hostility. Tatyana Revva, an intensive care specialist in the central district hospital of the city of Kalach-on-Don in southern Russia, shared a video in late March about equipment shortages with the Doctors Alliance, an advocacy group aligned with Russia's political opposition. After the video went viral, she said, she was summoned by local police about it. Read more here
28th May 2020