NEWS
Blackout at Pt Fortin Hospital
The Point Fortin Area Hospital was plunged into darkness for almost an hour Wednesday night when a power outage was compounded by a malfunctioning generator which failed to kick in. Patients who spoke to Newsday, said there were anxious moments as some of them started to panic when shortly after 7 pm, the power went and the back-up generator did not come on automatically as it should. As the darkness persisted, staff informed patients in the Accident and Emergency Department, who were awaiting medical attention, they had two options as doctors could not attend to them in the darkness. Read more here
82 convicted killers to be resentenced
Eighty two death row inmates, whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment over 14 years ago, have scored a major legal victory which will see them being resentenced to definite prison terms. Delivering a 22-page judgment at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain yesterday, Chief Justice Ivor Archie and Appellate Judges Alice Yorke-Soo Hon and Mark Mohammed ruled that High Court judges have a discretion to decide commuted sentences based on the particular circumstances of each case. Read more here
Long wait for renewal of licences
Hundreds of people waited outside the San Fernando High Court yesterday as hearings for the annual renewal of licences were conducted. Read more here
POLITICS
Panday, Warner cautious about calls to rejoin UNC
UNC founder Basdeo Panday and former party chairman Jack Warner have both declined comment on remarks by Barataria/ San Juan MP Dr Fuad Khan that they should return to the party. However, Panday and Warner said they have spoken to Khan since he made his statement at a UNC meeting, though they did not reveal the contents of their discussions. Read more here
PM meets with women activists today
Despite often being criticised for being disrespectful to women, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says he will be sitting down with several women activists today for “frank discussions” on improving the plight of women. In celebration of International Women’s Day, Rowley said the breakfast meeting will take place today at the Diplomatic Centre and will be geared to improving the quality of life for women in T&T. Read more here
President can’t ignore PM’s concern
Will the President or Prime Minister take action? Or will the Chief Justice remove the necessity for either (of them) to act? Read more here
BUSINESS
Scotiabank customers: Don’t forget human touch when going digital
There have been several changes in recent years to laws and banking regulations meant to enhance the anti-money laundering (AML)/counter financing of terrorism (CFT) regulatory environment. Read more here
Building relationships
President of the Central Finance Facility (CFF) Esme Raphael says the key to women becoming successful in the boardroom is the ability to build relationships as they climb the corporate ladder and eventually take up posts as board members. She said when relationships are built with co-workers, aspiring women leaders elevated to the boardroom would carry that practice of building relationships with them, rather than going to the boardroom to “fight.” Read more here
Levitt headlines UWI ‘National Conversation
Canadian economist Kari Levitt is due to deliver the feature address at the first installment of a National Conversation Series, which is being undertaken by the Trade and Economic Development Unit (TEDU) of the University of the West Indies, in collaboration with the Trinidad Express and the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES). Read more here
REGIONAL
Shaw Holds Back Tax Axe - No New Revenue Measures This Fiscal Year
Armed with the traditional pink book, which usually contains the dreaded revenue measures, Finance and the Public Service Minister Audley Shaw yesterday paraded the tax book before Parliament. But on the cover was emblazoned 'No new taxes'. Shaw, in his inimitable 'man-a yaad' style, led Government members in a chorus of 'No new taxes!' as they seemingly taunted their opposition counterparts in parliamentary banter. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Talks bombshell sets up stunning Kim-Trump summit
President Donald Trump's stunning decision to meet Kim Jong Un sets up the prospect of the most mind-boggling diplomatic summit in modern history. Trump, a reality star turned convention busting President, has dubbed Kim "Little Rocket Man" and threatened to rain fire and fury over North Korea, raising fears of a devastating war across the world's last Cold War frontier. Read more here
India allows 'living wills' for terminally ill
9th March 2018