NEWS
Operation BLAST sees success as weed seized in west
A quantity of high-grade compressed cannabis was found and seized in the Western Division on the night of January 1. A statement from the police on January 2 said around 7.45 pm on January 1, they went to a house at Kandahar Street, St James and found a suitcase, a black garbage bag and a crocus bag which contained 70 packages of cannabis. All the packages combined weighed 36.6 kilogrammes. No arrests were made in this exercise. Also in the Western Division on January 1, police held an exercise between 10 pm and 8 pm. Read more here
Road safety concerns rise as 2024 ends with record pedestrian deaths
As road fatalities surged in 2024, Arrive Alive President Sharon Inglefield is urging the Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) to form a committee to implement critical road safety measures, particularly to protect pedestrians. Speaking to Guardian Media, Inglefield revealed that pedestrian deaths reached alarming levels, accounting for 45 per cent of road fatalities. “Certainly, that is a recommendation we would like to make to the Ministry of Works and Transport—that interventions to make our roads more forgiving, to save pedestrian lives, is critical,” she said. Inglefield highlighted the socio-economic factors behind pedestrian fatalities, particularly on highways. Many pedestrians are preoccupied with providing for their families rather than prioritising road safety, she said. Arrive Alive statistics show a sharp rise in fatal accidents, increasing from 89 in 2023 to 104 in 2024—a 17 per cent spike. Correspondingly, road deaths rose by 16 per cent, from 95 to 110. Read more here
POLITICS
Finance Minister removes taxes from electric charging and sporting equipment
The Finance Minister has released a list of the electric vehicle chargers and parts and sporting equipment on which buyers will be exempted from paying customs duty, value added tax and online purchase tax, as stated in the 2024 budget statement. It is to be noted that the list covers sporting and not general fitness equipment. The exemptions are covered in Legal Notice Nos. 249, 250 and 251 of 2024. Read more here
BUSINESS
PowerGen celebrates 30 years in business
The Power Generation Company of Trinidad and Tobago (PowerGen) celebrated its 30th anniversary last month. In a release, the company said it commemorated the occasion by providing 500 food hampers to needy families in several communities. "Community has always been at the heart of what PowerGen does. Keeping the lights on is not just a job, it’s a service and the company’s social programmes are well aligned to how PowerGen relates to the communities it serves," the release said. Read more here
Imbert extends tax, NI amnesty
Minister of Finance Colm Imbert said yesterday that the tax amnesty and national insurance amnesty introduced by the Finance Act 2024, which expired on December 31, 2024, will be extended to January 31, 2025. In a news release yesterday, Imbert said the necessary orders to extend the deadline will be published by today and be retroactive to December 31, 2024. The minister reminded the public that the extended tax amnesty covers penalties and interest in relation to the following unpaid taxes for previous years and the year of income ending December 31, 2023. Read more here
REGIONAL
75 years on… PPP’s philosophy of fighting for freedom, unity, democracy remains strong
THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in its 75th year of existence, remains steadfast in its pursuit of uniting Guyanese, strengthening and protecting the country’s democracy, and creating a better life for all, General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo has said. Even while other political parties continue to recycle old faces and do not have a prominent youth arm, this is not the case for the PPP, Jagdeo said. The party has continued to prioritise youth development and empowerment and as a result, young people are at the forefront. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Attempt to arrest S Korea president suspended after dramatic standoff
After a dramatic six-hour long standoff with security, South Korean police have called off an attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. The 150 officers involved found themselves helplessly outnumbered - first by the large number of pro-Yoon supporters who had gathered outside his residence before sunrise, and then by a human wall of security staff inside the property. Police were trying to carry out an arrest warrant issued earlier this week after Yoon ignored three summonses for him to appear for questioning. Read more here
3rd January 2025