NEWS
IOM distributes tablets to at-risk, migrant children
On December 30, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Port of Spain office donated 200 tablets to the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ), the Office of Law Enforcement Policy (OLEP) of the Ministry of National Security and the TTV Solidarity Network (TTVSOLNET). Handed over at an event at the UN House in Port of Spain, the tablets will be distributed to children within local marginalised communities and the Venezuelan migrant community. The initiative was funded by the US Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. Read more here
Deyalsingh: Door open for COVID-19 home test kits
The door is open for COVID-19 home self-test kits according to the Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh at Monday’s virtual press conference. He said the ministry is looking forward to its use locally and it has cleared a path for its approval and importation into the country. “The process to get approval for home kits is a simple one. We just ask importers to just submit your documents to Chemistry, Food and Drugs and they are committed to turning around this (approval) in the shortest possible space of time,” he said. The only criteria for the kits, he said, will be that they are registered with the country of manufacture. Read more here
POLITICS
Young against fireworks being sold to the public
Member of Parliament for Port-of-Spain North/ St Ann’s West Stuart Young does not support fireworks being sold to members of the public. Young made this point as he again visited the charred remains of homes in his constituency which were destroyed after a fire on New Year Day. The fire destroyed four houses on Quarry Street after residents were using fireworks and lanterns to celebrate the turn of the new year. Twenty-five people were left homeless. The MP’s call came after Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi announced that he had already drafted legislation on fireworks that are now being prepared for public consultation. Read more here
BUSINESS
Carib raises its beer prices
eer lovers will now have to pay more for their favourite beverage. This as Carib has increased its prices by $1. A statement from Robin Cumberbatch, Head of Sales at Carib Brewery many of the brewery’s alcoholic beverages will increase, with the suggested retail price (SRP) to the consumer going up by $1 per bottle/can. The beverages affected are Carib, Carib Pilsner, Stag, Carib Blue, Royal Extra Stout, Coors, Heineken, Guinness, Smirnoff Ice and Blue Moon. Read more here
Baking inputs also going up
With the price increase in flour taking effect as of yesterday, some of the other main inputs used in the baking of bread, cakes and pastries as well as packaging items have also increased. The Express yesterday obtained a list from Puff N Stuff, showing the price increase between October 2021 and January 2022: Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana could become gas export hub
Owing to major discoveries of oil offshore Guyana, the country is not only on course to becoming a major producer of this lucrative resource, but it is also set to become a major export hub for gas — an accompanying resource discovered while drilling wells. Already, the nation which is nestled at the edge of South America, has earned over US$534 million in direct revenue from its burgeoning oil and gas sector. And based on preliminary assessments of the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, the producer, ExxonMobil, believes that there is scope for 10 projects, which could generate billions of U.S. dollars in revenue for Guyana over the coming years. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Elizabeth Holmes: Theranos founder convicted of fraud
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has been convicted of defrauding investors after a months-long landmark trial in California. Prosecutors said Holmes knowingly lied about technology she said could detect diseases with a few drops of blood. Jurors found Holmes guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud against investors and three charges of wire fraud. She denied the charges, which carry a maximum prison term of 20 years each. Holmes was not taken into custody, with no date confirmed yet for sentencing and a further hearing scheduled next week. Read more here
4th January 2022