NEWS
Kidnappers wanted $1m
Maria Dass-Supersad was kept in a makeshift camp deep in the Caura forests by two kidnappers, who used a sedative to drug her while they kept her under close watch. In the camp, the two made contact with Dass-Supersad’s loved ones and demanded $1m for her safe release. The men were arrested on Wednesday night and Dass-Supersad rescued by police. Two men, both in their 20s, and both from Diego Martin were arrested. Police seized two guns from the kidnappers. Read more here
Rescued kidnap victim now under police guard
Although kidnap victim Maria Dass-Supersad was successfully rescued unharmed from her kidnappers on Wednesday night and two suspects were held, investigators are expected to interview a close male relative as their investigations continue. Dass-Supersad was too traumatised when Guardian Media attempted to speak to her yesterday. Her husband Vikash Supersad, when contacted, said the family was also not ready to comment yesterday but promised that a statement was being prepared for distribution to the media by today (Friday). Read more here
POLITICS
MP: We want Sandals cost, environmental impact
Opposition MP Ramona Ramdial says despite the release of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Government and Sandals Resorts on the proposed Tobago project, a number of questions remained, including the overall cost, tax concessions and the impact on the environment. She said there was: “Nothing in the MOU to say, ‘Yes we have got the answers we’ve been asking (for).’” On Wednesday Communication Minister Stuart Young announced the MOU was being made public, partly to quell the “distractions” of the Opposition calling it a secret deal. Read more here
Fraudsters stole $45m in flood relief - PM
More than $45 million that was supposed to go to flood victims in portions of North East Trinidad last month was instead obtained by fraudsters, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says. This amount of money lost to fraud was almost double what the Government originally intended to give to victims of the flooding. Initially, Rowley had earmarked $25 million to be allocated to flood victims, with the possibility of the flood relief figure "going a little above it" if necessary. However, he said a total of $118 million was eventually spent. But forty per cent was taken by fraudsters, an audit from the Ministry of Finance has stated. Read more here
BUSINESS
$50-ham sales rake in big $$ for Massy
In just a few hours, Massy Stores raked in around $1 million in ham sales. The supermarket chain held its one-day sale on Great Foods picnic hams yesterday. Read more here
Trade Minister: Angel investors unlocking innovation
Angel investors, an alternative to traditional banks for new entrepreneurs, are often overlooked although their vision is important in unlocking innovation and insight, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon said yesterday. “It is no secret that access to adequate finance to launch, develop and grow is a critical challenge for SME’s in the region,” she told participants at a Caribbean Angel Investor Forum at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. “Limited options within the traditional banking system are difficult to secure due to collateral requirements and venture capital. Therefore, if our businesses are to compete globally, the support of diverse investment modalities is crucial. I must applaud the angel investors investment ecosystem in Trinidad and Tobago which has helped to create a programme which provides a forum for budding entrepreneurs to receive much-needed venturing and capital.” Read more here
REGIONAL
She Was Going To Impact The World - St Hugh's High Devastated By Loss Of Honour Roll Student In House Bombing
Fifteen-year-old St Hugh's High School student Tashi Munda had several great moments that highlighted her young life. However, the one that stood out the most for her principal was when Tashi stood tall at her school's last awards ceremony to receive numerous awards and was presented with her certificate summa cum laude(with the highest distinction), becoming a distinguished member of the school's honour roll. But Tashi will never realise her dream of one day making a significant contribution to society. On Wednesday, the teen succumbed to injuries she received on Sunday when the house she shared with her mother and other family members on Race Course Road in Salisbury Plain, St Andrew, was fire-bombed, allegedly by her stepfather. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine bars Russian men aged 16-60 from entry
'I'm scared for the future of my baby here': French Jews live in fear amid rising anti-Semitic acts
In a Parisian suburb, Myriam sits at her parents' dinner table, the Shabbat candles flickering before her. Together with her husband and newborn son she takes stock of the painful week she's had. It's a regular conversation for many French Jews. Myriam, who did not want to give her last name over fears for her own safety, questions whether France is a country where her family can prosper, a place they can still call home. According to the Jewish Agency for Israel, 55,000 French Jews have left the country since the year 2000. "I'm scared of the future of my baby here," Myriam told CNN. "I hope that he will have a future here, and you know Jewish communities are a part of the history of France." Read more here
30th November 2018