NEWS
$5.4m tool ‘lost in hole’ oilwell
A $5.4 million “lost in hole” lawsuit is engaging the High Court in San Fernando, between an oil services company and a contractor who has ventured into the oil business. Tucker Energy Services of Princess Margaret Street, San Fernando slapped the lawsuit on TN Ramnauth & Co, claiming US$803,577.77 for a logging tool which got lost in one of TN’s oil wells. Justice Frank Seepersad is adjudicating in the matter, in which Tucker is contending that in 2014, by agreement, the company provided wireline logging services to TN, a company based in Penal. Read more here
Four charged with violence against Chinese nationals
Police have charged four men with robbery with violence and possession of a firearm and ammunition against two Chinese nationals. The Police Service said in a release yesterday that the men were charged after being arrested by officers of the Rio Claro Criminal Investigations Department (CID) during an anti-crime exercise in the district. Eliot Hamilton, 27, a security guard of Lamonte Street, Longdenville; Odell Prieto, 19, a labourer of Sand Hill Road, Tabaquite; Keron Martin, 25, a labourer of London Street, Longdenville; and Omar Alexis, 18, of no fixed place of abode, were also jointly charged with assault with intent to rob, following investigations into an incident which occurred on September 9. Read more here
Activist: Sensitise cops to sexual harassment
Advocates for women’s rights have said stronger efforts are needed to sensitise the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to sexual harassment. This after a Trou Macaque woman was told by a female senior superintendent she is, at least “attractive”, after complaining of unwanted advances from officers posted to her community. Read more here
POLITICS
Hold your hand on Petrotrin
Government’s decision to shut down the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery is based on inaccurate data, and the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union is prepared to challenge that information, president-general Ancel Roget said yesterday. The Systems Application Product is the programme that stores current data for the refinery, Roget said. It requires comprehensive cleaning, but that hasn’t happened. Read more here
More licks for ‘Oreo’ comment but..
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday refused to apologise to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for describing him as an “Oreo” and instead defended her statement, insisting there “was not an iota of racism in my statements.” In a release issued last evening, Persad-Bissessar said whilst she took note of comments by some people that there may have been some insensitivity, she acknowledges that “relevant truths can be spoken with less sensitive words in future.” During the United National Congress’ Monday Night Forum meeting, Persad-Bissessar claimed that the “one per cent” (referring to the Syrian/Lebanese community) “owns Keith Christopher Rowley.” Read more here
Rowley: No apology for representing ‘one per cent’
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says he makes no apology for representing the largest block of Syrian, Arab and Lebanese in his constituency as he slammed Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar for descending into "gutter politics". Speaking at a People's National Movement (PNM) meeting in San Fernando tonight, Rowley took issue with Persad-Bissessar's reference to him as an "oreo" controlled by the "one per cent". Read more here
BUSINESS
Decline in arrivals
Brian Frontin, CEO of the Trinidad Hotels, Restaurant and Tourism Association, says T&T’s tourism industry is suffering and it is time for the Government to take action. He said the industry has been in decline for several years and the Government has stood idly by while the tourist arrivals have plummeted and hotels are on the brink of closure. He referred to the decline in visitor arrivals in the 2017 and 2018 Carnival seasons based on data from the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO). Read more here
How to save millions on refinery
Energy company efficiency experts, HSB Solomon Associates made 13 recommendations on how State-owned Petrotrin could save millions of US dollars at its Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, which would make the crude oil processing facility a reliable, efficient and effective entity. Read more here
REGIONAL
Sidelined! – Business Operators Near Three Miles Chide Gov’t For Downturn In Sales
With noticeably fewer customers turning out and observing sharp dips in earnings just five days into the planned eight-month closure of the Three Miles intersection, businesses operating within the proximity of the major crossroads are fearful that the full term might cripple their establishments. While stating that they have been ramping up alternative methods such as increasing their delivery capabilities to preserve their customer base, the business heads who spoke with The Gleaner yesterday agreed that the early signs were not encouraging, arguing that the road project was founded in poor planning, execution, and communication. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Typhoon Mangkhut: Millions in path of 'monster' storm
Hurricane Florence makes landfall in North Carolina, with plenty of destruction and suffering ahead
Hurricane Florence has made landfall in North Carolina, but its crawling pace and overwhelming storm surges are setting up hours and hours of destruction and human suffering -- with dozens desperately awaiting rescue in one flooded town alone. The Category 1 hurricane, with wind of more than 90 mph and dumping 3 inches of rain an hour, made landfall at 7:15 a.m. ET near Wrightsville Beach, just east of Wilmington. Read more here
14th September 2018