DAILY BRIEF
FRIDAY 3RD JULY, 2015
NEWS
Gunman murders man at mosque
San Fernando Jama Masjid worshippers hid in their mosque on Wednesday night when a man walked onto the masjid’s compound and killed the son of a popular People’s National Movement (PNM) activist. Daniel Bostic, 35, of Drayton Street, San Fernando, had just broken his fast and was preparing for prayer when the hooded gunman followed him to the ground level of the mosque, where he was praying, to head to the upper level and shot him in the back of his head. As he slumped to the ground, the gunman stood over him and fired four more shots at point- blank range, hitting him in the chest and head. Read more...
Jack claims he's peacemaker in Enterprise
Corruption accused Jack Warner last night claimed to have brought peace to warring gangs in Enterprise, Chaguanas. Warner, who originates from neighbouring Longdenville, after reminiscing about his childhood playing with friends from Enterprise said he has spent the past few weeks mediating with opposing factions in the community.As he blasted Chaguanas East MP Stephen Cadiz for failing to save the community, said he was pleased to announce that the gang leaders had agreed to a ceasefire. Enterprise has shot into the news over an increase in what appears to be gang warfare, which some say has risen among gangs including Rasta City and the Muslims. Read more...
UTT corruption
Deputy chairman of the current Board of Governors of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) Kwasi Mutema, Minister of State in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, yesterday testified that while the board in July 2012, took a decision to commence legal action against former president Ken Julien and five former directors, it was the Office of the Attorney General (AG) which had conduct over the legal action.Mutema said the forensic team of auditors investigating alleged corruption and questionable dealings at the UTT included attorneys Gerald Ramdeen and Varun Debideen, both of whom also represent the university in the case now before the courts. . Read more...
POLITICS
Jack: 5 women betrayed me
Independent Liberal Party (ILP) leader Jack Warner has alleged that in his life he felt betrayed by five women, including Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and so is unfazed by the recent defection of former ILP deputy leader, Anna Deonarine. He spoke at an ILP cottage meeting on Wednesday night at Chaguanas. “I’ve made it clear I have no time for Anna, none whatsoever. I have sat down and I have looked through my life and I have seen some women who have failed me, who have betrayed me. One more can’t kill me,” Warner said. . Read more...
EBC releases voters’ list:1,099,205 registered
THE Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has released the annual voters list which reveals that 1,099,205 people are registered to vote in this country. In 2010, the figure was 1,049,061. The annual list of qualified electors which was published on Wednesday is now available for inspection at the commission's registration offices and Sub-Area offices located throughout Trinidad and Tobago. It can also be accessed on the EBC's website www.ebctt.com. “All qualified electors are urged to make an earnest effort to examine the list to ensure that their names and addresses are correctly recorded.”. Read more...
BUSINESS
NEL profit up by 144 per cent
Investment holding company National Enterprises Ltd (NEL) has recorded a 144 per cent increase in profits for the year ended March 31. The company’s recently published consolidated financial statements show a profit of $490.5 million, up from the $200.5 million recorded in the corresponding period last year. NEL chairman Kenny Lue Chee Lip, in his statement to shareholders, attributed the strong performance to TSTT’s return to profitability and an improved performance by NGC NGL Company Ltd (NGC NGL), among other factors. “Your board’s strategic decisions to pursue a diversification strategy by seeking new investments and strengthening management has also started to produce results,” he said. Read more...
Energy Minister tours rig
On June 29 (Monday) Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine toured a land based rig (Well Services Rig 4) at Grand Ravine, Palo Seco along with members of staff of the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs. Given the Ministry’s commitment to safety in the Energy Sector, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs (MEEEA) is hosting a series of Rig Inspection Workshops (RIW) for MEEA employees at the Ministry’s Head Office. This visit was used as an opportunity to sensitize participants about how to conduct a Rig Inspection. The RIW focused on the most common equipment deficiencies and recurring problems discovered during rig surveys performed by Lloyd’s Register Energy-Drilling. It described and explained the working principles of major drilling equipment. Read more...
Shutdown
Telecommunications provider Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago's (TSTT) mobile, voice and data services were shut down for almost an hour yesterday following a problem on its network. At 3.20 p.m., an infrastructure problem was detected at one of TSTT's exchanges. Thousands of cellphone customers lost service from TSTT's bmobile network around the country. TSTT's acting head, public relations and external affairs, Graeme Suite told the Express that company engineers went to the exchange to repair the problem. He confirmed that the loss of service was widespread and affected all TSTT customers but would not say exactly how many people lost mobile, voice and data service. A statement from the company later yesterday said service was restored 50 minutes later. Read more...
REGIONAL
Packed agenda for CARICOM summit
When Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders started their 36th regular summit in Barbados on Thursday, under the theme CARICOM: Vibrant Societies, Resilient Economies, they will have a packed agenda. Key topics will include: key issues and recommendations from the round table dialogue - CARICOM: Vibrant Societies, Resilient Economies; A Partnership For Implementation; The Caribbean Community’s sustainable development in the context of the international agenda; the United Nations Post 2015 Development Agenda; the third international conference on financing for development; and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP21), Paris, France, December 2015. Read more...
INTERNATIONAL
ISIS publicly smashes Syrian artifacts
ISIS militants reportedly smashed cultural treasures from the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, including an artifact dating back to the second century, according to a statement from the group and Syrian state media. A man smuggling at least six ancient statues through Aleppo province was captured by jihadis and transferred to a self-proclaimed Islamic court in the ISIS-controlled city of Manbij, a Thursday release on the group's social media sites read. Militants shattered the relics with sledgehammers and lashed the smuggler in a public square packed with onlookers after the court ruled the centuries-old objects violated ISIS' radical interpretation of Islam. Read more...
3rd July 2015