NEWS
Cheating Going On
Moments after failing to qualify for the next round of the Men’s 50M freestyle swim event yesterday at the 2016 Rio Olympics, veteran TT Olympic swimmer George Bovell lashed out at world swimming governing body FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation Amateur), alleging the organisation was not serious in going after cheaters in the sport. Speaking to journalist Andy Bull of the London Guardian, Bovell - a five time Olympian - said that after 16 years he is done with swimming and the people who run it. “I came into the Olympics, my first Olympics, believing in the ancient legacy of heroic sporting glory,” Bovell said shortly after his final race in the 50m freestyle. Read more…
Zika cases now likely in thousands—CMO
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh yesterday said the number of Zika cases they had recorded were inaccurate and there were more than the 247 confirmed cases, with the likelihood that the figure was in the thousands. He was speaking to the media during a mosquito eradication exercise at Boissierre Village, Maraval. Members of the Insect Vector, Army Rapid Response, Diego Martin Regional Corporation and Zika Task Force were present. The exercise began at the Ellerslie Plaza car park and took the group up Vallot Street, across Harold and down Tapti Road. During the exercise, Deyalsingh visited the home of several residents pointing out places that were potential breeding places for the mosquitoes. Read more…
5 fraud accused warned: Don’t make threats
The five people charged with defrauding the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation (CTTRC) have been warned against making threats against anyone involved in the case. Corporation CEO Carol Dyal, county superintendent Maniram Mohess, engineer Barry Samaroo and road officer Ian Gokool, along with businessman Mahase Sookai, are charged with conspiring to defraud the CTTRC of $149,500, in connection with the installation of exercise equipment at the Palo Seco Recreation Ground and Todd's Road Activity Centre. They made their first appearance in the Port of Spain Magistrates' Court on Monday, and the cases were transferred to the jurisdiction where the alleged offence happened–Couva. Read more…
POLITICS
Imbert: PM is coming home
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley will be returning home from California as scheduled. This was disclosed by Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert at yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair. Imbert indicated at the outset, “I am simply here to answer questions.” Asked if the Prime Minister will be back in the country next week as he indicated prior to his departure on August 4, Imbert replied, “He is scheduled to return next week.” When asked specifically about Rowley’s health, Imbert said, “The Prime Minister would like all questions relating to his overseas travels to be directed to him.” Rowley has said he did his examinations locally, those results were sent to his doctors abroad and both sets of doctors agreed, further tests should be done. Rowley is in California on vacation and is undergoing medical examinations at a clinic there this week. Read more…
Ex-ministers praise Manning’s legacy
If Patrick Manning was still alive and prime minister of T&T, citizens would be benefiting greatly from his Vision 20/20 plan, former public utilities minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid says. Abdul-Hamid, who served in the People’s National Movement (PNM) government between 2001 to 2010, was one of a few former ministers who defended Manning’s legacy at a memorial service on Wednesday at the Southern Academy for Performing Arts. “We have a lot to learn and I would hope that our present and future governments take pattern from Mr Manning and will consult or refer to his work. What this country sorely needs is to go back to 2010 and pick up from where we left off,” Abdul-Hamid said. Read more…
Govt gives $.1m for Daaga's funeral
Government has agreed to give the family of former National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) founder Makandal Daaga $100,000 for his funeral. In response to a question on whether any assistance will be given from the Government, acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert said at yesterday's post-Cabinet news conference that Daaga does not qualify for a state or an official funeral but the Cabinet believed that a contribution should be made on behalf of the State. He said there are three types of funerals recognised by the State. Read more…
BUSINESS
ANSA McAL declares $353m profit
The ANSA McAL group yesterday declared after-tax profit of $352.8 million for the first six months of this year, an increase of less than 1 per cent compared with the same period in 2015. The group's unaudited results described these results as a modest improvement over 2015. Revenues increased by $16 million to $2.88 billion while the Earnings Per Share (EPS) improved by 1.7 per cent to $1.78 for 2016 compared with $1.75 in 2015. Chairman of ANSA McAL, Norman Sabga, attributed the group's positive results despite "contracted market activity" to its conglomerate model. Read more…
World Bank and Caribbean Export to strengthen investment opportunities
The Caribbean Export Development Agency has partnered with the World Bank group to bring greater access to finance for Caribbean entrepreneurs and develop the region’s angel investment ecosystem. The programme, “Link-Caribbean” aims to stimulate private investment into early stage enterprises by providing funding products that help entrepreneurs raise capital. The programme will also develop a Regional Angel Investor Network (RAIN Caribbean) that will support the development of an early stage investment community in the region. RAIN Caribbean, is part of the World Bank Group’s Entrepreneurship Program for Innovation in the Caribbean (EPIC), a seven-year, CAD$20 million program funded by the government of Canada that seeks to build a supportive ecosystem for high-growth and sustainable enterprises throughout region. Read more…
REGIONAL
Belize strikes down anti-sodomy laws
The Belize Supreme Court on Wednesday made a historic ruling in favour of gay activist Caleb Orozco, and has struck down the country’s anti-sodomy law. This is the first case launched in the Caribbean and the first case where the sodomy laws have been overturned. The case was brought to court in 2010, heard in 2013 and the ruling came on Wednesday. The long process has been spearheaded by Caribbean allies, activists, advocates, academics, and legal experts. Read more…
Golden League - Jamaica's Track-And-Field Stars Take Their Mark In Rio
The first pages of the newest chapter of Jamaica's Olympic track-and-field history will be turned inside the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro today. Daina Levy will become the first Jamaican to compete in the hammer throw event; Fedrick Dacres has a good shot at getting a medal but must first navigate his way to the men's discus final; oh, and there's the matter of the women's 100m, where history-chasing Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and perhaps her biggest threat - training partner Elaine Thompson, will stretch their legs and lay down the first markers in the women's 100m heats. Throw in the giant Dutch star, Dafne Schippers, and that one promises to become rather feisty by the time we get to tomorrow's final. Read more…
INTERNATIONAL
Thailand blasts target Phuket and Hua Hin tourist spots
Michael Phelps makes yet more history to win 22nd Olympic gold
Michael Phelps is used to rewriting history -- now he's eclipsing it too. You have to go back around 2,160 years, give a week or two, to find an athlete who could challenge the imperious record held by the "Baltimore Bullet." The US star claimed the 22nd Olympic gold of his Olympic career Thursday after powering past the opposition in the final of the 200-meter individual medley. Read more…
12th August 2016