NEWS
No bail for husband in wife’s murder
Narad Sankar was remanded into custody without bail after he appeared before the court yesterday charged with the murder of his partner of 18 years, Laura Sankar. Narad Sankar, a 41-year-old handyman of New Grant, appeared virtually before Master Shabiki Cazabon and the murder charge was read to him...read more
Hannah Mathura's parents charged for her murder
THE parents of Hannah Mathura, whose remains were found in the backyard of her home at Butu Road, Valsayn, on March 12, have been charged with her murder. Seven months after the grisly discovery, officers of the Homicide Region 2 arrested Andrew Mathura, 65, and Alana Mathura, 63, around noon on October 15 at the house where Hannah's remains were found...read more
WI WOMEN ‘RAMAJAY’...book T20 W/Cup semis berth after humbling England
West Indies women saved their best performance of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup for when it mattered most, in a clinical six-wicket victory over England that saw them progress to the semi-finals phase. In a must-win game, Qiana Joseph scored her first-ever T20 half-century while captain Hayley Matthews struck an even 50, as the Caribbean side chased down England’s 141 for seven, finishing on 144 for four off 18 overs...read more
POLITICS
'I apologise'
Energy Minister Stuart Young has issued an apology for controversial and offensive comments he made against Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the Parliament. His apology comes one week later as his comments were made last week Thursday during the budget debate in the House of Representatives...read more
Labour Minister: HIV/AIDS legislation, sexual harassment workplace policy coming in 2025
HIV/AIDS legislation, a sexual harassment workplace policy and the re-operationalisation of the tripartite labour council are just some of the issues at the fore of the Labour Ministry’s agenda in 2024/2025. This was revealed as Parliament’s Standing Finance Committee, on October 15, examined the ministry’s expenditure for last fiscal year and its planned spend for the upcoming fiscal...read more
BUSINESS
Govt withdraws US$209.56M. HSF's net asset value dips
The total net asset value of the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund as at June 30, 2024, was US$5.76 billion, a 2.32 per cent declined compared to US$5.89 billion as of March 31, 2024. This was reported in the HSF’s quarterly investment report for the period April 1 to June 30, 2024, which was published on the website of the Ministry of Finance yesterday. It said of this total, the investment portfolio was valued at US$5.75 billion, while the remaining portion was held in operating cash accounts to meet the day-to-day expenses that arise from the management of the Fund...read more
Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon: Standards crucial to T&T's competitiveness
T&T can position itself within the global digital ecosystem, harness the power of AI and focus on high value information and communication technology (ICT) services. This from Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon, while speaking at the World Standards Day stakeholder appreciation and networking event which took place on Monday evening at Macoya,Tunapuna. Noting that the role of standards is now more critical than ever, Gopee-Scoon added, "It is the foundation upon which we build safety, quality, and trust across industries. Despite their importance, standards are invisible and often overlooked."...read more
REGIONAL
Tropical depression possible near Leeward and Virgin Islands this week
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) is continuing to monitor a weather disturbance in the Central Tropical Atlantic which now has a 40 per cent chance of formation in seven days. The NHC in its 8 am update says a tropical depression could form as the system moves near the Leeward and Virgin Islands late this week...read more
Suriname: US imposes sanctions on Surinamese companies
The United States has imposed sanctions on three Surinamese companies because of their alleged trade links with companies in the Iranian oil sector. Washington announced the sanctions against Strong Roots Provider, Glazing Future Management, and Engen Management after it imposed sanctions on companies operating in the Iranian oil sector following Iran’s attack on Israel on October 1 when approximately 180 missiles were fired at the Jewish state. America has also imposed sanctions on companies in India, Malaysia and Hong Kong that reportedly help facilitate the sale and transport of oil and oil products from Iran...read more
INTERNATIONAL
Zelensky presents 'victory plan' to Ukrainian parliament
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has presented MPs with a long-awaited "victory plan" that aims to strengthen his country's position enough to end the war with Russia. Zelensky told parliament in Kyiv that the plan could finish the war - which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 - no later than next year. Key elements include a formal invitation to join Nato, the lifting by allies of restrictions on long-range strikes on Russia, a refusal to trade Ukraine’s territories and sovereignty, and the continuation of the incursion into the Kursk region of Russia...read more
Hoax bomb threats spark panic for Indian airlines
At least 10 Indian flights have received hoax bomb threats over the past 48 hours, leading to long delays and diversions. On Tuesday, Singapore's Air Force sent two fighter jets to escort an Air India Express plane away from populated areas following a bomb threat. Hours before that, an Air India plane from Delhi to Chicago had to land at a Canadian airport as a precautionary measure...read more
16th October 2024