Daily Brief - Tuesday 15th May, 2018

NEWS

Community lives in fear

Over a dozen people are believed to be marked for death following the murder of millionaire car dealer Sheron Sukhdeo. His associates and residents from his community say they are now living under a self-imposed curfew as they brace for the expected casualties between warring family members. Read more here

T&T ready to boost trade, health finance with China

Trinidad and Tobago is ready to boost cooperation with China in trade, health and finance, says Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. Rowley and his delegation, which included wife Sharon Rowley and Government Ministers Stuart Young and Dennis Moses, arrived in China yesterday and on his first day of an official visit. Read more here

 

POLITICS

Govt talk Couva Children’s Hospital

The government last Friday began talks with officials from the University of the West Indies (UWI) with regards to the Couva Children’s Hospital (Couva Medical and Multi-Training Facility). In a media release from the Communications Unit of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Ministry, it said that Stuart Young coordinated the meeting. He is the minister in the ministry as well as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister. Read more here

Imbert: Comentators should declare their political interests

Persons are entitled to express their view on any topical issue but they should declare their political interests rather than portray themselves as “independent”, says Finance Minister Colm Imbert. Imbert yesterday rejected an invitation from economist Indera Sagewan-Alli to discuss the mid-year budget review presentation after he criticised her and four others—Roger Hosein, Marla Dukharan, Mariano Browne and Patrick Watson—as he wound up the debate on the Finance Bill last Friday. Read more here

 

BUSINESS

Tax Doubles

The doubles man should be made to pay taxes like everyone else, a tax expert has recommended. Angelique Bart said government should pay greater attention at the low and none tax-compliant sections of society including doubles vendors and taxi drivers, as these people who provide good and services, make profits with nothing going into the state’s coffers. Read more here

‘No economic turnaround with this murder rate’

Economist Dr Roger Hosein says the economy has not turned around when there is such a high murder rate. “Each day that passes I think about migrating.” Speaking at Amcham’s mid-year budget analysis, Hosein said the murder rate could surpass 550 (the record high in 2008) and he has started to think about options for his children migrating, although he had planned to die in Trinidad. He stressed that crime and the murder rate should be the first things discussed on any diversification agenda. In light of a mid-term review, with not one word on crime or the murders, “We are in more trouble than we think.” Read more here

 

REGIONAL

NWC To Launch $15 Billion Bond

The cash-strapped National Water Commission (NWC) has turned to the public for much-needed capital. The NWA has advised that it has established a $15 billion local bond facility, arranged by National Commercial Bank Capital Markets Limited. “This facility will enable the NWC to become more financially viable, to allow for the re-balancing of its loan portfolio and to reduce its use of Government Guarantees,” the utility company said in a statement on Monday. Read more here

Post-Cabinet Press Briefings To Resume Shortly, Format Being Reviewed - Gov't

The Government says post-Cabinet press briefings will resume shortly, noting that the format is under review and that the outcome will be communicated to the media and the public. Last week, the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) complained that the press briefings have been absent since November 2017 and called for their urgent resumption. Read more here

 

INTERNATIONAL

Thomas Markle photo controversy: Who will walk Meghan down the aisle?

Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle, has reportedly said he will not attend his daughter's wedding to Prince Harry, prompting speculation over who will walk her down the aisle on Saturday. It's the latest in a series of challenges for the royal couple who announced their engagement last November, and are due to tie in the knot in front of a worldwide audience at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. Read more here

Tension in Gaza as Palestinians begin to bury 58 dead

Funerals are being held in Gaza for 58 people killed on Monday when Israeli troops opened fire during Palestinian protests, in the deadliest day of violence there since a war in 2014. The burials coincide with the 70th anniversary of what Palestinians call the Nakba - a mass displacement of Palestinians after Israel's creation. Read more here

15th May 2018

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