NEWS
Retired teacher found dead at Malabar home
Residents of Pamphille Avenue in Malabar are more angry than frightened after the discovery of their elderly neighbour Judith Harris, found dead in her bedroom on March 12. Her decomposing body was found with a chair filled with clothes over her head and another over her legs. Newsday visited the community on March 14 and met a group of residents gathered at the corner of the cul-de-sac near Harris's home, watching as yellow caution tape fluttered in the wind, tied to her front gate. Speaking to Newsday, one neighbour said Harris was a former school teacher at the Malabar Government Primary School and lived in the area for over 30 years. Read more here
POLITICS
Rowley on energy: Trinidad and Tobago's eggs not all in one basket
The Prime Minister says while he is not sure if the Dragon gas deal agreed with Venezuela is in jeopardy, the government does not have all its eggs in that basket. The deal is worth US billions and will see TT develop fields to produce gas which will be imported through a pipeline from Venezuela to platforms off the northwest coast. However, the US government has announced a change in policy in relation to Venezuelan energy which leaves the deal in doubt. Speaking with journalists during his final television interview on March 13, Rowley was asked if he thought the deal was in jeopardy. Read more here
Hinds: T&T criminals fleeing to avoid police caused spike in UK asylum cases
National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds says local criminals fleeing to the United Kingdom to seek asylum to “avoid accountability to the law,” was one of the reasons T&T nationals now require a visa to travel there. On Wednesday, British High Commissioner to T&T Jon Dean revealed that T&T citizens would no longer be eligible to travel to the UK under the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme and would require a visa to enter the country. The decision, he said, was due to a spike in the number of locals seeking asylum. Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, Hinds echoed what he stated in a Facebook post hours before, where he said: “In circumstances where our criminals, their supporters and their supported as well as certain categories of persons have targeted the UK to flee our country, in some cases to avoid accountability to the law and to you.” Hinds said this led to increased numbers of such individuals seeking asylum in the UK. Read more here
BUSINESS
CAL reintroduces non stop service from Jamaica to Florida
The Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) says it has reintroduced its non-stop service between Montego Bay in Jamaica and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. CAL said this move reaffirms its commitment to connecting Jamaicans with their homeland. The airline said it resumed the daily flights on March 11, offering 1,323 seats per week in each direction. It said the decision to restart the service is based directly on customer feedback. "With over 300,000 Jamaicans living in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas, this route provides a seamless travel option for those looking to reunite with family, friends and the vibrant culture of Jamaica," CAL said. Read more here
Digicel T&T appoints new CEO
Netherlands-born Pieter Verkade has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Digicel (Trinidad and Tobago) Ltd. His appointment took effect on February 21. Verkade replaces Abraham Smith, who resigned in February after serving as CEO since October 2020. “Verkade brings a wealth of international telecommunications experience and a proven track record of driving growth and innovation to the company,” a release from Digicel has stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Delusional’ to think partnering with Mohameds would impact PPP’s support base –Jagdeo tells opposition
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo has contended that it is delusional for the opposition forces to think that teaming up with the Mohameds family will affect the party’s support base. He made those remarks during a press conference at Freedom House on Thursday. Jagdeo once again reemphasised that Guyana’s interest will always come first, and the country will not be put in a precarious position because of individual interests. This was in response to the US-sanctioned businessman Nazar Mohamed, who made allegations of unfair treatment towards him. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Fierce protests as eight-year-old rape victim dies in Bangladesh
An eight-year-old child who was raped in Bangladesh died of her injuries on Thursday, setting off fierce protests around the country. The girl was raped while visiting her elder sister's house in the city of Magura some time between the night of 5 March and the following morning, according to a case filed by her mother. The elder sister's 18-year-old husband, along with his parents and brother, were arrested and placed on remand. On Thursday night, after hearing news of the child's death, an angry mob descended on the house where the incident is alleged to have taken place, setting it on fire. Read more here
14th March 2025