DAILY BRIEF
THURSDAY 25TH JUNE, 2015
NEWS
Close Call
National women's footballer Ahkeela Mollon survived a hail of bullets that smashed the windscreen of her car parked outside the family home on Tuesday, after she was caught in cross-fire between rival gangs. The 30-year-old mid-fielder and striker was pulled to safety by her mother and hid from gunmen as they fired. Mollen was thanking God for life: "I am still in shock. The shots were spot-on on my car. I am so thankful to God. He is the only one that made by mom open that door at that time. If this had gone another way, my mother would have been crying today". The incident occured at around 9.10 p.m. when Mollon, who is also known as "Lady Latapy", pulled up to her home at La Monte Street, Longdenville. She was returning home from training with her team CNGC Rush, of the Women's Premier League. Mollon had opened her gate to reverse her Nissan Primera when she heard loud explosions. Read more...
Trini gets Queen’s Young Leader award
One of 60 Commonwealth awardees to receive the Queen’s Young Leader Award at Buckingham Palace, London, England, on Tuesday, T&T national Teocah Arieal Anika Dove is preparing to launch the Phoenix Project, a programme aimed at transforming the lives of at-risk children and youth locally. Dove, a Chevening scholar with close to ten years of volunteerism, advocacy and activism experience was one of the first female recipients of this honour. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the British High Commission in T&T described the Queen’s Young Leader Award as one which recognised exceptional youth, (aged 18-29), who have shown substantial commitment and verve as a leader in community development. . Read more...
Burglar shot dead
The tables were turned on criminals yesterday when an Arima businessman shot and killed a burglar during a confrontation at the proprietor’s liquor mart. Businessman Steve Jules told Newsday he felt no remorse after shooting and ending the life of the burglar during the predawn hours yesterday at his businessplace located at the corner of Quesnel and Guanapo streets.“You know, in situations like that those bandits would not think twice to kill you. That is why I am not feeling anyhow about shooting him,” Jules said. The owner of J and R Liquor Mart was calm as he spoke about the incident. “I have been running this business for five years now and this is the first time such an incident has happened to me,” Jules said. He added that he noticed persons were stealing from his business and gaining access by passing though a space between the galvanise and a gate on the northern side of the building.
POLITICS
Rowley: Jack made Kamla leader
People’s National Movement (PNM) political leader Dr Keith Rowley yesterday declared it is “insulting to the population’s intelligence” that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar continues to allege there is a political alliance between himself and Independent Liberal Party (ILP) political leader Jack Warner. Responding to Persad-Bissessar’s descriptions of Warner and himself as the “gruesome twosome” and as dinosaurs, Rowley said, “That is a shameless try.”Rowley countered, “Just remind her that Jack (Warner) didn’t make me leader of the PNM. He made her leader of the UNC (United National Congress). She could attempt to run but she can’t hide that truth.” Warner played a key role in the campaign to elect Persad-Bissessar as UNC political leader over then incumbent leader Basdeo Panday on January 24, 2010. Read more...
Social Activist wants Mc Leod’s seat
A band of tassa players heralded yesterday’s arrival of 37-year-old social activist, Allan Gopaul, to the Rienzi Complex headquarters of the United National Congress to file his nomination papers to contest the constituency of Pointe-a-Pierre, an area formerly held by former Minister of Labour, Errol McLeod. Gopaul appeared tall and royal in the midst of the band members and other members of the constituency who had accompanied him to show his support. In fact, while Gopaul entered the office to file his nomination, the band remained outside playing with supporters standing by. Some supporters could be seen holding placards that read, “Allan will bring victory”, “Allan, a people’s person” and “Greatest PM Ever, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Newsday caught up with Gopaul following his exit from the office. He explained his decision to run, and what he could bring to the Pointe-a-Pierre constituency. Read more...
BUSINESS
TTMA president: Issues please, not just Jack
President of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) Dr Rolph Balgobin yesterday expressed concern that the general election campaign has so far been dominated by issues relating to disgraced Independent Liberal Party leader Jack Warner. He called for a balanced media coverage and a focus on issues of policy. “What I am looking for going forward is a balance in media coverage that does not just fixate on the sensational, tabloid fodder, but balances that with a mature discourse on where this economy is going and where this society is going,” Balgobin told reporters. He was speaking moments after delivering a feature address at the launch of Corporate Asset Protection Company Limited, a security firm which hopes to offer intelligent video surveillance services.. Read more...
Phoenix Park IPO weeks away
The long awaited initial public offering (IPO) in Phoenix Park Gas Processors will be launched within the next few weeks, president of the National Gas Company (NGC) Indar Maharaj said on Tuesday night. Speaking with reporters following a tour of NGC’s facilities at Point Lisas, Maharaj said the prospectus for the IPO has already been submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for review. “They will review the prospectus and send it back to us with their comments so we can make adjustments. Then we wil send it back to them for a final review and once they are okay with it, they will authorize us to do the IPO. Once that happens, the IPO will be launched,” he said. Maharaj said the IPO would have been ready if issues had not arisen with the First Citizens Bank IPO≥ However, he said, one it is launched citizens will have a fair opportunity to own part of T&T’s energy sector. Read more...
Flavorite trades 31,511 shares
Overall market activity resulted from trading in ten securities of which one advanced, four declined and five traded firm.Trading activity on the First Tier Market registered a volume of 84,981 shares crossing the floor of the Exchange valued at $1,957,000.25. Flavorite Foods Ltd was the volume leader with 31,511 shares changing hands for a value of $151,252.80, followed by First Citizens Bank Ltd with a volume of 23,388 shares being traded for $835,951.60. Sagicor Financial Corporation contributed 15,237 shares with a value of $95,234.25, while ANSA McAL Ltd added 9,222 shares valued at $620,179.50. Scotiabank T&T Ltd enjoyed the day’s sole price increase, climbing $0.03 to end the day at $62.19. Read more...
T&T takes half of region’s FDI
Half of the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the Caribbean find their way to T&T. “This is because of T&T’s petrochemical sector and also the country is known for its insurance and banking sector, so most of the FDI go towards insurance, banking, petrochemical and value added,” said Tobias Schulze Frenking, lecturer, MBA International Trade, Logistics and Procurement at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business. Speaking at the launch of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (Unctad) 2015 World Investment Report yesterday, Frenking said foreign investors usually evaluate the political stability of a country.“Political stability is one of the major drivers of foreign direct investment inflows and certainly a change of government can cause some disruption in that stability. So there may be some investors opposed to investing just before a political change may occur. Read more...
REGIONAL
The future of the Commonwealth – Part 1
Questioning the relevance and value of the Commonwealth of Nations is nothing new – for such has occurred ever since the modern Commonwealth was created in 1949. However, doubts have intensified in recent time about the voluntary association of now 53 countries. Claims are repeatedly made that the organisation is no longer relevant or useful. Its persistent portrayal is that of a relic of Britain’s colonial past or a hypocritical grouping which declares commitments to shared values but fails to uphold them. The Commonwealth is now, once again, at a crossroads. Its member states can allow it to continue a slow march to oblivion, or they can rejuvenate and re-energise it to make it work in their mutual interest and for the benefit of the global community. Read more...
INTERNATIONAL
Charleston victim funerals begin, as Confederate flag falls in other states
The body of Pastor Clementa Picknev returns home Thursday evening, where his flock has been preaching love in the face of the hate crime that took his life and those of eight others. The wake for the late reverend and state senator shot dead teaching a Bible class over a week ago will commence in the house of worship where he was felled - Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. And mourners in Charleston, South Carolina, will begin committing to the ground the remains of the people whom Dylan Roof, 21, killed in a racist shooting spree on June 17. On Thursday, they say goodbye to Ethel Lance and Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton. Before bullets struck Lance down at age 70, she was enjoying retirement after dedicating 34 years to the performing arts. She had worked backstage at Charleston Gaillard Auditorium, which hosted renowned touring stage acts. Read more...
25th June 2015