NEWS
Mother of 12-year-old arson suspect: My life is in danger
A woman claiming to be the mother of a 12-year-old boy (not ten as previously reported) suspected in the arson attack on a house on Monday, claims she is being threatened by residents of East Port of Spain where the incident occurred. One man was killed and another severely burnt. The woman said her ex-husband has full custody of the child. She said she only learnt of the incident yesterday after reading the newspaper and felt inclined to reach out to the child’s father. Read more here
T&T spent $669m in alcohol
Out of a $5.6 billion food import bill, T&T has spent a staggering $669 million on alcoholic beverages alone. The startling figure was revealed in the Senate on Tuesday by Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat in his budget contribution. Touching on the food import bill, Rambharat said this was one area the media and citizens often questioned him about. Read more here
Report: CARIDOC responsible for fire on ‘T&T Spirit’
Private shipyard company Caribbean Dockyard and Engineering Services Ltd (Caridoc) should be held liable for an engine room fire on the T&T Spirit, according to a Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) report which accuses the company of “gross negligence. Read more here
POLITICS
Sinanan: File sent to AG
Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan yesterday disclosed the questionable acquisition of a building identified for a licensing office in Arima will be investigated. In his contribution to the budget debate in the Senate, Sinanan said this building was purchased for $27 million under the former People’s Partnership (PP) government. He said a file in his ministry said the building was later deemed unfit and earmarked for demolition. However, Sinanan continued, “a Cabinet note went without including that in it.” Read more here
Kamla staving off palace coup
United National Congress (UNC) political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar might be trying to stave off a palace coup within the party by bringing forward the election for the political leader by a year. That is the view of political analyst Dr Bishnu Ragoonath, head of the Political Science Department at the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies. “It is really an attempt to stifle any challenge she may have, not only as political leader but as Leader of the Opposition. Somehow I believe she might have got wind of some kind of moves afoot and she is using the opportunity to stifle whatever challenge there might be,” he told the T&T Guardian. Read more here
Sinanan on proposed port: Toco has a lot to offer
The Government has engaged a consultant to conceptualise a fast ferry port for Toco, the establishment of which would open up Trinidad’s eastern seaboard for commerce, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, said yesterday. Read more here
BUSINESS
TT Chamber announces 2017 Champions of Business Awardees & Finalist
Pennywise Cosmetics founder, the late Lall Paladee and Southern Medical Clinic co-founder Dr Rupert Indar are this year’s Business Hall of Fame inductees in the Chamber’s Champions of Business awards. Announced on Tuesday afternoon, the award ceremony and gala cocktail reception will be held on November 11 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, Port of Spain. Read more here
Trade minister Gopee-Scoon: Govt to crack down on profiteering
Government will closely monitor post-budget price adjustments to address any profiteering since businesses must also be part of the 2018 burden-sharing, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon said yesterday. Speaking in the Senate’s 2018 Budget debate, she said: “There are those that will use this time of adjustment as an opportunity to exploit and profiteer. “To guarantee that prices aren’t raised indiscriminately and disproportionately, the Consumer Affairs Division will closely monitor post-budget price adjustments and address all unfair and abusive business practices swiftly and decisively. Read more here
Another bank limits US$$ availability
Foreign exchange availability issues have forced yet another financial institution operating in T&T to announce restrictions on card access to foreign currencies. JMMB Bank T&T Ltd said yesterday it was reducing access of its customers to foreign exchange through its JMMB international Visa debit card. Read more here
REGIONAL
Bail Scandal! - Fraud Land Title Used As Surety For Murder Accused; Concerns Document Was Used Repeatedly
A probe ordered by the nation's chief prosecutor, Paula Llewellyn, has found that a St Catherine man used a fraudulently obtained land title to secure bail for a man who was convicted of murder in absentia after he absconded midway his trial, law enforcement sources have revealed. There are concerns, too, that James Alphonso Bailey may have also used the same title at the Supreme Court and the St Andrew Parish Court to post bail for a number of persons charged with violent crimes, including shooting. The Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force confirmed yesterday that Bailey was formally charged on Tuesday with forgery, uttering forged documents, attempting to pervert the course of justice, conspiracy to deceive, and making a false declaration. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Thailand begins royal cremation for late King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Kenya election: Police clash with opposition supporters
Kenyan police clashed with protesters in opposition strongholds Thursday as the nation voted for a new president for the second time in three months. The main opposition candidate had urged his supporters to boycott the latest race, reflecting bitter divisions in the country. In the western town of Kisumu, police used tear gas and water cannons on opposition supporters and roads remained barricaded. Voting materials arrived, but electoral commission officials could not be found at some polling stations. Many Kisumu residents are staying away from the polls as a protest. Read more here
26th October 2017