NEWS
Jasher's dad: New autopsy confirms suspicions
THE father of six-year-old Jasher Francois, who died at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital on August 7 after being treated for a persistent cough, said an independent autopsy has confirmed his suspicions over the cause of death. In a telephone interview on April 10, Aaron Francois said the autopsy took place earlier that day. The autopsy was supposed to have taken place on August 9. Read more here
Grieving mom calls on youths to be cautious on roads
Despite repeated pleas from his father to stay home, 18-year-old Adrian Neemah went out with his 36-year-old friend Rondell Mungroo — a decision that ended in tragedy when both men were killed in a crash in Charlieville, Chaguanas, yesterday. The two were among five people killed in four road accidents over the weekend. Speaking to Guardian Media yesterday at her Solomon Street, Vistabella home, Lindsay Neemah recalled how her husband, Barry, had asked their son not to go out just hours before the accident. She said the two had been drinking before they left. “He turned 18 in April and finished school last year at San Fernando Open Bible,” she said. Read more here
POLITICS
Minister monitoring TUCO issue, expects transparency
Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin said she is monitoring the developments happening within the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) and will take necessary action without hesitation, if necessary. Last week, some TUCO members complained of the organisation’s operations and about disbursement of funds. This prompted an August 6 media release from the organisation about the matter in which it detailed its achievements, plans forward as well as issues raised by calypsonian Errol “Bally” Ballantyne. Read more here
Farley: Govt off to good start but budget will be big test
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says the new United National Congress coalition Government has done well in its first 100 days since the April 28 General Election. However, he believes, for Tobago, that the real test will come with the national budget expected next month. “I think we have a Government that seems insistent on delivering on what they have promised. We have a sense of assertiveness from the Prime Minister that we did not get the first time around… very confident in the steps that they are taking,” Farley tolkd the edia during the Courts Business Solutions Showroom launch at Gulf City Mall, Lowlands, on Friday. Read more here
BUSINESS
Ansa McAl lower share price a ‘gift’ says group CEO
ANSA McAl (Ansa) Group CEO Anthony N Sabga III did not seem perturbed by the decline of the group’s share price, which has been down 34 per cent since the group announced it would suspend dividend payments in March. In fact, Sabga suggested that the current share price was a steal of a deal, as the company reported an upswing in profits and revenues for the second quarter. It’s, in my view, a once in a lifetime opportunity, the ability to buy Ansa Mc Al shares at this price,” he said as he fielded questions from the media at Ansa’s quarterly investor briefing at the Brix Hotel on August 8. Read more here
Moonilal: Govt looking to restore investor interest in energy sector
Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has sent a message of optimism and assurance to the energy workforce and the wider public as the ruling United National Congress completes its first 100 days in office. That message is: “The policies of Mrs (Kamla) Persad-Bissessar’s Government will resuscitate and revive the energy sector and create thousands of well-paying jobs, and secure the future of the country.” The UNC administration is touting a wave of early achievements in the energy sector, ranging from increased production levels to renewed investor interest and progress on renewable energy initiatives in its 100 days since the general election. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘We are your every day, every moment, every season’
FOR 75 years, through every struggle and every triumph, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has stood shoulder-to-shoulder, no matter the season, with the people of Guyana, and President Dr. Irfaan Ali believes that that record of service will only grow stronger in the years ahead. Addressing a mammoth crowd at Bath, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on Sunday, the President declared, “We are your every day, your every season, and your every moment. Every time this country needed the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, we were right there, from colonisation to independence, to fighting dictatorship, to returning democracy, to rebuilding a bankrupt economy, to giving our children a future they can look forward to.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Five Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli strike in Gaza
Five Al Jazeera journalists including prominent reporter Anas al-Sharif have been killed in a targeted Israeli strike near Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital. Sharif and another correspondent, Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa were in a tent for journalists at the hospital's main gate when it was struck, the broadcaster said. The "targeted assassination" on Sunday was "yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom", it said. The Committee to Protect Journalists said it was appalled by the attack. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it had targeted Sharif, alleging he had "served as the head of a terrorist cell in Hamas". Read more here
11th August 2025