NEWS
Fear the living not the dead
Residents living near two funeral homes and crematoriums in San Fernando are not fearful of health concerns relating to cremation of bodies in the facilities. Several residents told Newsday that they are not worried in any way about the cremations. However, when bodies are being burnt, it lets out a distinct odour which some people hate. “I am living in the area for the past 15 years and it does not worry me. I have never heard a complaint about it with regards to health or the environment,” said Linda Wankin,75, of Medine Street, San Fernando. Read more here
No repairs to orphan road
Close to 600 residents of North Oropouche Road, Sangre Grande are pleading for help to repair an almost impassable road leading to their community but it seems no one is responsible for the roadway as it neither falls under the jurisdiction of the regional corporation nor the Ministry of Works. Yesterday, some of the residents protested in the blazing sun to get the authorities to act. The road, known as Boodoo Highway stretches for about two miles from North Oropouche Road ending at the Sangre Chiquito. It was constructed by a private land developer. Read more here
Cops Probe Origin of Voice Note
The Police Service is investigating the origin of a voice note circulating on social media purportedly posted by a member of the service, describing events that led to her issuing two traffic tickets to the wife of former minister of national security Howard Chin Lee. Read more here
POLITICS
Opposition concerned by AG’s contradiction
The Opposition is satisfied with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s affirmation in Parliament on Friday that there are ISIS cells operating in Trinidad, and concerned that Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi has appeared to contradict those statements. “The Prime Minister is the head of the National Security Council so he is fully aware of what is happening. Read more here
Lack of terror info destabalising T&T
Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said the Government has destabilised the country with its lack of information sharing in the face of the admission from the head of the National Security Council, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, that there is an ISIS terror cell in T&T. He said when Rowley was questioned on the alleged plot to disrupt Carnival in the Parliament on Friday, he continued to be vague, saying that it was a threat to disrupt the Carnival parade. Read more here
Camille defends North Grove plans
The proposed North Grove housing community will not affect the St Augustine nurseries and is not a part of any voter-padding plan but based on demands for housing in the East-West Corridor, says acting Housing Minister Camille Robinson-Regis. Read more here
BUSINESS
MASSY, TCL earnings decline
This week, we at Bourse review the most recent financial results of Trinidad Cement Ltd (TCL) and MASSY Holdings Ltd (MASSY). Despite higher revenues, MASSY posted a decline in corporate earnings. TCL recorded declines in both revenues and earnings. We look at their performance and provide a brief outlook. Read more here
REGIONAL
Battle Over Bank Fees - Opposition MP Says He Is Not Attempting To Legislate Prices; King Disagrees
University of the West Indies' senior lecturer in the Department of Economics, Dr Damien King, was forced to fend off an onslaught of criticisms from Opposition-backed supporters on the weekend, following his pronouncement that the Banking Services Bill brought by Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson was better off dead. "My first-year economics students already know that attempts to legislate prices nearly always leave customers worse off. And the bank fees bill was such an attempt," King wrote on social media site Twitter. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Students after Florida shooting: You're either with us or against us
Anthony Borges, 15, was shot five times during the mass shooting at his high school, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office. On Sunday, the injured teenager remained in a hospital bed with his face swollen and his body tethered to IV and oxygen tubes. "Fortunately, he is recovering -- but has a long road ahead with more surgeries needed," according to a Broward County Sheriff's Office Facebook post. Read more here
Iran crashed plane found in mountains, reports say
19th February 2018