NEWS
PAHO warns of increase in younger covid cases in the region
With 399 covid19 cases recorded on Wednesday, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is highlighting the increase in hospitalisations and deaths of younger people across the Americas. In a media release on Wednesday director of PAHO Dr Carissa F. Etienne said Brazil’s mortality rates doubled among those younger than 39, quadrupled among those in their 40s, and tripled for those in their 50s between December 2020 and March. Read more here
SATT: Hard to get vaccine supplier now
COVID-19 crises in India and Brazil have now diverted any excess vaccines that the local private sector was hoping to purchase. Head of the Supermarkets Association of T&T (SATT), Rajiv Diptee is now recommending that the Government utilise the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF) to pay for the vaccines. In March, the private sector, represented by ANSA McAL and SATT met with the Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh to discuss importing vaccines privately. Read more here
POLITICS
Trade Minister meets with new TT Chamber head
Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon held a virtual meeting on Wednesday with new president of the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce Charles Pashley. During the meeting, according to a ministry press release, several matters related to supporting the growth and expansion of the local private sector were discussed. Among issues raised were combating illicit trade, the Government's export booster initiative and labelling. Read more here
Ministry offers SEA students option to defer exam until 2022
The Ministry of Education is giving parents of students set to write the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination on June 10, the option to defer and instead have their children sit the exam in 2022 instead. Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly confirmed to Guardian Media late yesterday evening that a memo circulated to school supervisor and principals stating the option was legitimate. According to the two-page memo from the Chief Education Officer of the Ministry of Education, “The Ministry of Education is cognizant of the challenges experienced by students preparing to sit the SEA 2021, and having consulted with key Educational Stakeholders, has decided to offer the option to apply for a deferral of the sitting of the SEA from 2021 to 2022.” Read more here
BUSINESS
Crossover to PPEs saves Lazuri Apparel garment company
It's no secret that it's been a difficult year for business. For businessman Roger Roach, his ability to refocus and bank on the silver lining of every dark cloud has kept his company afloat. Roach is the CEO of Lazuri Apparel, a garment factory at 147 Eastern Main Road, Barataria. “It's easy to get distracted, to get caught up in covid19, vaccines confusion, crime, and unemployment," Roach told Business Day during a recent interview. "Whether I think about it or not, it will still be happening. But I can't let that affect what I'm doing in my business.” Read more here
BHP: Ruby field will not add any net natural gas
BHP Billiton’s Ruby field will not mean any net additional gas will be added to the company or T&T’s natural gas production but would instead be used to keep present production at peak levels for a longer time. Country Manager of BHP T&T, Michael Stone, told Guardian Media that at present, BHP produces from its Angostura field between 300 and 360 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) and Ruby will allow it to maintain production in the higher range. He explained, “With just Angostura it ranges between 300mmscf/d and 360mmscf/d. What we would expect Curtis is with the 80mmscf/d coming on from Ruby, it allows us to produce at the upper end of that range sustainably, but it’s not going to increase beyond the upper end of that range. Read more here
REGIONAL
Electricity for Kamwatta, Whitewater by year end
Days of contending with darkness are coming to an end for residents of Kamwatta and Whitewater, Region One (Barima-Waini), as the government has initiated plans to construct power generation facilities, valuing collectively $27.5 million, by the end of this year. Efforts to “shine light on those communities” were augmented on Tuesday, when Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, turned the sod as part of a ceremonial exercise, to mark the commencement of work at the site, where the facilities will be built. Read more here
66-year-old offers hand of mercy to abductors after hellhole torture
After a horrific encounter in which he was forced down a 55-ft hole, 66-year-old George Smart said he has forgiven his abductors and is ready to spend the rest of his life serving God and preaching love for humanity. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Nepal's cases skyrocket, prompting concern the country's outbreak could mimic India's
In Nepal, a situation is unfolding that looks chillingly familiar. Covid-19 cases are skyrocketing, hospitals are overwhelmed, and the country's Prime Minister is pleading for help from other nations. Nepal is now reporting about 20 daily Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people -- about the same number as India was reporting two weeks ago. Last weekend, 44% of Nepal's Covid tests came back positive, according to government figures quoted by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), as it warned of an impending crisis. Read more here
India Covid aid: Is emergency relief reaching those in need?
As India's devastating Covid-19 crisis mounted last month, countries around the world began sending emergency medical supplies to help stem the surge. Planeloads of ventilators, medicines and oxygen equipment began pouring into India, from countries including the UK and the US, at the start of last week. By Sunday, some 300 tonnes of supplies on 25 flights had arrived at Delhi International Airport alone. But - as cases continue to reach record levels across the country - concerns are mounting about delays in supplying the aid to those most in need. Read more here
6th May 2021