NEWS
Bureau of Standards partners with TTIFC
The TT International Financial Centre (TTIFC) has formalised a strategic partnership with the TT Bureau of Standards (TTBS) through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing the acceptance and receipt of payments for government services. This initiative – a TTBS press release said on Monday – signals the next wave of convenience for government transactions, beginning with payments collected under TTBS’ Implementation Division. It is designed to offer customers additional accessible and convenient payment options. Read more here
Police, education officials probe Jayden’s death
Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly is asking the public to be responsible with their comments and actions in response to the death of 15-year-old St Stephen’s College student Jayden Lalchan. Following allegations that Lalchan took his own life on October 3 because he was being bullied at school, there has been outrage and sadness on social media. However, some individuals have begun targeting and attacking a student believed to have been involved in the matter, naming him and posting pictures on social media, inflaming the situation further. In a WhatsApp response to Guardian Media yesterday, the minister said his death is tragic and the ministry extends its condolences to the bereaved family and Jayden’s school community. Based on the report received, however, she said the first indication that Jayden was having difficulty at school came in the form of a letter from Jayden to a teacher on September 17. The letter referenced teasing by another student, which was being investigated by the dean. Read more here
POLITICS
MPs play political tennis over public utilities
It was a strong game of political tennis as government MP and minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales and opposition MP Barry Padarath debated issues on public utilities, namely the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), and the achievements and future of entities under Gonzales’ portfolio. Gonzales opened the October 7 segment of the budget debate by saying come November, WASA would have a new executive. The company announced its new nine-member executive team headed by Keithroy Halliday in September. It is expected to assume office on November 1. Read more here
Six months after babies die at PoSGH NICU
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh is being cautious when it comes to answers for parents of babies who died at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital’s (PoSGH) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Six months after eight babies died from bacterial infections at the NICU, some parents say they feel forgotten and abandoned. However, Deyalsingh said parents should allow the legal process to take its course. Former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, who is representing over one dozen families, issued pre-action protocol letters against the Northwest Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) for medical negligence. Read more here
BUSINESS
Gopee-Scoon: Govt committed to low food prices
Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon yesterday used part of her budget contribution to show how food imports dropped between 2015 and 2023. Speaking yesterday in the Lower House, Gopee-Scoon said according to data from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) several major food items declined between 2015 and 2023. “Meat and meat preparations in 2015, 52 million kilograms, in 2023 it went to 41 million kilograms a 21 per cent decline. Fruits and vegetables in 2015 140 million kilograms and in 2023 130 million, a drop of seven per cent. In 2015, dairy products and eggs 39 million, in 2023, 31 million, which represents a six per cent decline,” she read out. Read more here
Padarath calls for report into TSTT cyberattack
Member of Parliament for Princes Town, Barry Padarath, is questioning the whereabouts of the “independent report” on the cyberattack against Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) from last October. Padarath made the call in Parliament yesterday during his contribution to the ongoing debate on the 2025 budget. He slammed Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales for his failure to address the issue of cyber attacks on TSTT to assure citizens about the security of their personal information in his budget contribution. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana to record better yields, enhanced food production
Now equipped with cutting edge technology, Guyana’s soil chemical services laboratory will serve as an integral component of the government’s overarching plan to boost the country’s food production and agriculture ecosystem. The upgraded laboratory, located at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Mon Repos, was commissioned on Monday, October 7, by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Does China now have a permanent military base in Cambodia?
Two grey shapes, visible from satellites for most of this year at Cambodia’s Ream naval base, seem to confirm growing fears in Washington: that China is expanding its military footprint, beyond the three disputed islands in the South China Sea which it has already seized and fortified. The shapes are type A56 corvettes of the Chinese navy - 1,500-tonne warships - and they have been berthed alongside a new, Chinese-built pier that is big enough to accommodate much larger vessels. Onshore there are other facilities, also built by China, which are presumed to be for the use of the Chinese navy. Read more here
8th October 2024