NEWS
Farmers upset as Udecott repossesses Diego Martin land
Farmers were upset on Tuesday as state lands they claimed to have occupied for over 50 years was repossessed by the Urban Development Corporation of TT (Udecott) to prepare for phase two of the Diego Martin Sporting Complex. A statement from Udecott on September 3 said it secured the lands to begin construction work. "This project would complement phase one, strategically providing educational, sporting and recreational facilities for the community." The statement listed a homework centre, children's play park, a community playfield, two multi-purpose hard courts, a swimming pool, a pavilion, public washrooms and an electric kiosk. Read more here
Dickson says police officers committed to using body cameras
Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association president, ASP Gideon Dickson, has reaffirmed the association’s commitment to the use of body-worn cameras by officers, describing the technology as “essential” for modern policing. “We have gone on record indicating that we want all our officers to utilise the body-worn cameras provided to engage in patrols and inquiries,” Dickson said yesterday, underscoring that the cameras are crucial for “accountability” and “transparency” in law enforcement. Speaking during a telephone interview, Dickson addressed past concerns about the implementation of body cameras, clarifying that any hesitation was due to practical issues rather than opposition from officers to its use. Read more here
POLITICS
Young gets update on Woodside Energy's LNG operations
Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Stuart Young met with natural gas production company Woodside Energy country manager Kellyanne Lochan on September 2 to discuss operations at the company. In a statement issued on September 3, the ministry said Lochan provided Young with an update on operations at Woodside Energy coming out of the recent asset upgrade at Greater Angostura as Woodside Energy continues to pursue opportunities to maximise value and safely optimise production and operating costs in Trinidad and Tobago. Read more here
BUSINESS
RBC promotes Jardine to T&T MD
RBC has appointed Marc Jardine as managing director of RBC Royal Bank (Trinidad & Tobago). In a news release yesterday, RBC said this news was announced by Chris Duggan, head of Caribbean Banking. Jardine will replace current managing director, Richard Downie, who announced that he will retire later this year. Jardine is currently RBC’s vice president of business banking in T&T. As managing director, he will lead and oversee the overall operations and business strategy for RBC Trinidad & Tobago. Read more here
Nestlé advances digitalisation and sustainability
NESTLÉ is striving to maintain its brand prominence through strong sustainability initiatives and the digitalisation of its operations, which include tracking shipments and monitoring warehouse logistics globally, according to outgoing market head of the Anglo-Dutch Caribbean, Eduardo García Pallares. García Pallares noted that in recent months, the company has expanded its Valsayn headquarters to include a conference room, and a control room dedicated to monitoring shipments and product movement. Read more here
REGIONAL
President Ali calls for legal frameworks for evolving AI, Silica City
To bolster Guyana’s legal architecture, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said there is an urgent need for legislative frameworks addressing artificial intelligence (AI) and the “futuristic” Silica City project. He made this call during the swearing-in ceremony for three additional Law Reform Commission members Teni Housty, Clarissa Riehl and Deenawatie Panday at the Office of the President on Tuesday. The Commission is chaired by Attorney-at-Law Emily Dodson, and includes Everton Singh-Lammy, Dr. Marie Correia, Shuman and others who were already sworn in before. During his address to the commissioners, President Ali underscored the critical role the commission plays in modernising Guyana’s legal framework, a task that has gained heightened importance with the rapid advancements in technology and the ongoing development of Silica City, Guyana’s first ‘smart city’ project. President Ali charged the Commission to tackle these emerging challenges head-on, advocating for comprehensive legal frameworks that will protect the nation’s interests in the face of technological and environmental changes. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Zelensky meets Irish PM, thanks people of Ireland
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Simon Harris has met the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Kyiv. The leaders signed a memorandum of understanding between the two counties. President Zelensky said he wanted to "express his gratitude to Ireland" after signing the bilateral deal. The deal includes common work on demining Ukraine, which Mr Zelensky said will save Ukrainians and improve the resilience of Europe. Read more here
4th September 2024