NEWS
WASA implements emergency measures to combat harsh dry season
The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has implemented emergency measures to combat the effects of a harsh, five-month dry season that is threatening the country's water supply. A WASA statement on Monday said it established a Central Command Centre (CCC) to monitor production and supply 24 hours a day, increased its water trucking capacity; opened its call centre for 24 hours a day; added three phone numbers (463-8360/496-6738/709-7793) for use between 10 pm and 6 am; redirected supply to adversely affected areas; got Desalcott to provide additional water to south-west and south-central Trinidad; contracted Seven Seas Desalination to increase production by 300,000 gallons per day (gpd); reviewed water supply schedules; and prioritised supply for health institutions, senior citizens homes, schools and religious institutions. Read more here
Community stumped by murder of bank worker
Residents in the Barataria community, where bank employee Shermell Roberts lived, remained shocked yesterday by her murder as they struggled to understand why she was killed. Investigators were also stumped, saying they were yet to determine a motive for the incident. Roberts, 37, was ambushed and shot several times in her car right in front of her home as she arrived from work. Roberts was employed as a support officer with the First Citizens Bank, Queen’s Park Savannah branch. Police said around 4 pm residents of Kitchener Avenue heard several gunshots, and on checking, they found Roberts clinging to life in her red Honda Civic motorcar. She was shot in the head and neck. She succumbed to her injuries at hospital. Read more here
POLITICS
Khan tells AG: 'Stop pappy show,' don't ask lawyers to apply for silk
Senior Counsel Israel Khan has called on Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, to withdraw his invitation to attorneys to submit their applications for consideration for the appointment of “silk.” Khan made the call in response to the AG’s invitation gazetted on May 13. In a notice, Armour called on attorneys who wished to be considered to submit their applications by midnight of May 20. He advised the appointment would be according to the 1964 legal notice which sets out the procedure for appointing senior counsel, or silk. Read more here
PM: My agenda is to make the most reasonable decision in the public interest
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday brushed off UNC MP Dinesh Rambally’s criticism of the Cabinet’s decision to extend Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher’s tenure. Rambally, via a statement, aimed criticism directly at the Prime Minister as National Security Council head, calling on Rowley to account for the decision. PM Rowley, who is in Ghana, was contacted by the Guardian on Rambally’s statements. Rowley replied, “Rambally’s agenda is different to mine. My agenda is to make the most reasonable and studied decision available to the Cabinet in the wider public interest.” Read more here
BUSINESS
NEL reports $133m loss over 6 months
The National Enterprises Ltd (NEL) has reported a loss of $133.3 million for the six-month period ending March 31. Company chairman Ingrid L-A Lashley made this comment in NEL's condensed financial statements for this period. Lashley attributed the loss to the volatility and depressed prices in the energy sector over the comparative period last year. "The decline is also reflected in the operating profit of $110.7 million compared to $381.2. million in the same period of 2023. Read more here
Beyond Stress: How burnout affects the economy
Burnout is becoming a pervasive issue, with many sharing their struggles on social media. Yet, its impact extends far beyond individual experiences, with significant implications for economies. President of the T&T Association of Psychologists (TTAP), Kelly McFarlane, explained how burnout manifests in employees, emphasising that a burnt-out employee is more likely to make mistakes, struggle with concentration, and ineffectively manage tasks and responsibilities “They may also become withdrawn or more prone to conflict, and experience a decline in the quality of their work. It is very important to note that chronic or untreated burnout is linked to an increased likelihood of developing chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and mental illnesses,” added McFarlane in an e-mail exchange with Express Business. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana, Jamaica eye stronger economic ties
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, on Wednesday, met with the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce of Jamaica, Aubyn Hill, who is currently leading an Export and Investment mission in Guyana from May 12-25, 2024. Minister Hill is accompanied by representatives from the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA) and Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation. During the meeting, the two sides underscored the importance of enhancing trade and investment opportunities between Guyana and Jamaica, and stressed the need for greater collaboration and co-operation between the private sectors of both countries. The visit by Minister Hill and his delegation was considered a positive step in this direction, in light of Guyana’s economic trajectory. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Biden plans to send $1bn arms shipment to Israel
The White House has told Congress it wants to send more than $1bn (£800m) in new weapons to Israel. This comes despite the US being opposed to a full-scale invasion by the Israeli military on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It said last week it had paused a shipment of bombs to Israel over concerns civilians would be killed if used in densely populated areas. The new package, confirmed by US media, must still be approved by lawmakers. It would include $700m in tank ammunition, $500m in tactical vehicles and $60m in mortar rounds, according to the Associated Press news agency. Read more here
15th May 2024