NEWS
Cop, Student gunned down
THE Aranjuez Main Road, outside a popular bar-b-que outlet became the scene of a bloodbath as a police constable and a student of the University of the West Indies (UWI) were riddled with bullets during the early morning hours yesterday. Hours after the killings, police confirmed that four men were detained in connection with the incident.
The main road was cordoned-off by police while crime scene officers, the district medical officer and detectives from the Homicide Investigations Bureau examined the bodies. Constable Russel Ramnarine, 24, was found dead off the pavement alongside a car belonging to the other victim, UWI student Avery Keshwar, 22. Read more…
Coast Guard sailor unable to secure bail
Coast Guard sailor Emile Garraway was granted bail by a Port of Spain magistrate yesterday on a charge of unlawfully killing his 23-month-old step-daughter, Khristha Knutt, last week but was made to spend last night in custody as he was unable to have the bail bond secured. Read more…
Two warehouses gutted
TWO warehouses located side by side in San Juan were gutted by an early morning fire yesterday, leaving behind over $50 million in losses. One warehouse was owned by the operators of Samaroo’s Party and Carnival supplies while the other was owned by Michael Nahous of Joseph Nahous Ltd. Carnival costume supplies including feathers, beads, bolts of cloth, glue, paint, masks were all destroyed. Read more…
POLITICS
PNM concludes China Forum
THE ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) said its members had a successful participation in a forum for political parties for Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC) which took place last week in Beijing, China. Read more…
‘Put talk into action’
TRADE and Industry Minister, Paula Gopee- Scoon, observed that the current economic circumstances in which the country has found itself, underscores the need for diversification of the economy. The Minister made the point when she addressed the Penal/ Debe Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Dinner and Awards at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) in San Fernando. Read more…
BUSINESS
Should there be a quota system?
THE ongoing shortage of foreign exchange (forex) - US dollars in particular - has prompted some to ask if Trinidad and Tobago should introduce a quota system. Not so, says Managing Director of Scotiabank Anya Schnoor, who instead, recommends working together to identify right policies to address the situation. Read more…
Brace for hike in water, light bills
Citizens may have to brace for an increase in water and electricity rates next year.
Public Utilities Minister Ancil Antoine hinted at this yesterday when questioned by the media following the installation of a new board of directors for the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC).Read more…
REGIONAL
Leading attorney concerned about fragile Caribbean electoral systems
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (WINN) -- In commenting on the St Vincent and the Grenadines general elections, St Kitts and Nevis Bar Association president Charles Wilkin QC has likened Caribbean societies to truculent adolescents who place appearance over substance, whose bravado masks deep insecurities and who have perverted notions of respect. Read more…
IDB urges region to step up trade as exports decline
WASHINGTON, United States, Monday December 14, 2015 – Exports from Latin America and the Caribbean will drop about 14 per cent in 2015 due to a steep decline in prices and weak demand for the region’s main exports from key trading partners, according to a new report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Read more…
INTERNATIONAL
Syria conflict: Kerry seeks to narrow divisions with Russia
Ahead of his meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Mr Kerry said he hoped to find common ground.
Later, he will meet President Vladimir Putin, as the two nations seek to narrow the gap on which groups should be included in the planned talks. Read now…
Bowe Bergdahl faces court-martial and possible life imprisonment
U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will face a military court on charges of desertion and endangering fellow soldiers, the U.S. Army announced Monday.
Gen. Robert Abrams, the commander of U.S. Army Forces Command, ordered the court-martial on Monday, breaking with the U.S. military officer overseeing Bergdahl's preliminary hearing who recommended that Bergdahl be referred to a special court-martial and face no jail time. Read more…
15th December 2015