NEWS
Fire investigation delays funeral plans for Cunupia family
A male relative of Angela Ali, 53, and Ambika Carerra-Ali, 30, says the investigation into what caused a fire at the Persad Avenue, Mon Plasir, Cunupia home is still being conducted. The relative who did not want to be named spoke to reporters at the Forensic Science Centre, St James on September 16. He said the relatives identified both bodies and were waiting for the autopsies to be done. Read more here
85 EPoS residents start Up Skill Me programme
A cohort of 85 East Port-of-Spain residents travelled to Woodford Lodge, Chaguanas, early yesterday for the orientation of the Up Skill Me programme. Both the East Port-of-Spain Development Company (EPOS) and the National Energy Skills Centre (NESC) Technical Institute collaborated on the creation of the programme, which offers five hands-on courses. Those courses include automotive services, automotive electrical & HVAC maintenance, heavy equipment operation, audio recording for video production, and air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance. The contact hours range from 60 to 280 depending on the course. Read more here
POLITICS
Moonilal claims Government collapsed SSA
Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal has claimed that the government collapsed the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) because its officers refused to do its bidding. Moonilal made this statement at a UNC public meeting in Chaguanas on September 16. Recalling the sequence of events from March 2, when an audit was launched into the operations of the SSA, Moonilal claimed the government moved to undermine the agency because its officers refused to put an interception order on the phone of a former People's Partnership (PP) government minister. Read more here
Govt organising online property tax payment option
There will soon be an online payment option for those tired of waiting in long lines to pay property tax. This was confirmed by both Minister in the Finance Ministry Brian Manning and Tunapuna MP and Deputy House Speaker Esmond Forde yesterday. Speaking on a radio programme yesterday, Manning said there are 400,000 homes registered, with some 175,000 people receiving notices that they needed to pay their property tax. Asked about the long lines at the nine payment centres and the complaints over the lack of online payment options, Manning said that is being addressed. Read more here
BUSINESS
Govt selling Gulf Stream
The Ministry of Works and Transport on Friday issued a request for proposals for the sale of the Gulf Stream barge, which in February, capsized off the southern coast of Tobago, in the vicinity of the Cove Eco Industrial and Business Park Tobago, discharging thousands of barrels of fuel oil that polluted some of the island's beaches. According to the notice on the ministry's website, the sale is being organised on a “as is and where is,” basis and the award to the successful acquirer "will be executed in accordance with the pre-defined evaluation criteria." The criteria is outlined in the solicitation document, which is available from the ministry. Read more here
IDB budgets US$572,000 for 3-year digital inclusion project
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has budgeted US$572,200 (approximately $3.89 million) for a three-year project focused on enhancing digital inclusion for individuals living with disabilities, rural communities, and the elderly in Trinidad and Tobago. “Funded by the Japan Special Fund and supported by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the project is set to deploy digital tools, curricula, and capabilities that bridge the digital divide. This effort is crucial as it aligns with Trinidad and Tobago’s national digital transformation strategy to ensure equitable digital access and improve service provision across all segments of society,” the IDB stated in a release yesterday. Read more here
REGIONAL
Investors signaling ‘strong interest’ in Guyana’s manufacturing, agro-processing industry
GUYANA’S agro-processing industry is rapidly growing, positioning the country as a food hub and prominent exporter of value-added products. As a result, investors are expressing significant interest in the country’s manufacturing and agro-processing sectors. This is according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who during a press engagement with stakeholders from the upcoming International Business Conference (IBC) pointed out that the government has made significant investments and policies to support the growth of the productive industries. Dr. Ali highlighted that now investors from the Middle East and the United States are showing a strong interest in manufacturing and agro-processing. “The ease and access to markets is becoming much simpler, less bureaucratic. So all of this combines itself to give us an enormous platform, a competitive platform for investment in manufacturing, especially supporting small manufacturers and medium size, focusing on agro processing, focusing on technology, focusing on machining,” the Head of state said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
'I am a rapist', admits husband in French mass rape trial
Dominique Pelicot, the 71-year-old man accused of drugging his wife to sleep and recruiting dozens of men to abuse her for over 10 years, has admitted to all the charges against him in his first testimony since the trial opened on 2 September. Referring to the 50 co-defendants who are accused of raping his now ex-wife Gisèle, Mr Pelicot said: "I am a rapist like the others in this room." "They all knew, they cannot say the contrary," he said. Only 15 of the 50 defendants admit rape, with most saying they only took part in sexual acts. Read more here
17th September 2024