NEWS
RED LIGHT DEVILS: Sinanan reveals 15,000 breaches at one location
Even amid upgrades to traffic-lights to help the blind and disabled cross safely, came the disturbing news that these lights are often “broken” by speeding drivers, reporters learnt yesterday at a commissioning of lights at the corner of Wrightson Road and Dock Road, Port-of-Spain. Some 15,000 errant drivers “broke the red light” at that location over a three-month period, said Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan. Read more here
Transgender slain; cops arrest guard
Almost two weeks after the death of transgender woman Keon Alister Patterson in Port-of-Spain, another transgender woman, Keil Lensay, was murdered in Debe yesterday. However, police described Lensay’s death not as a hate crime but a crime of passion. Investigators said Lensay, 35, of St John’s Trace, St Augustine, was killed following an argument with her lover, who accused her of giving him Aids. Read more here
Airport heist accused denied bail
Five hours after being brought to the Arima Magistrates' Court, three men and an eight-months-pregnant woman were denied bail when they appeared before a magistrate for their alleged role in the December 6 $5 million Piarco Airport heist. The money, which was destined for First Citizens bank in Tobago, was taken from an armoured security vehicle at the airport. Read more here
POLITICS
AG calls meeting on Cuban dissidents
Local authorities are moving to deal with issues concerning a group of Cubans - hoping for asylum in the US - after the group yesterday moved onto the United Nations’ property at Chancery Lane, Port-of-Spain. Officials at the UN building called the police for the Cubans yesterday, but they did not budge at the end of the day. Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi has called a meeting for today with the UN office, Cuban Embassy in T&T, Living Waters and the T&T Police Service to ascertain the facts of the issue involving a 25-plus group of so-called Cuban “dissidents.” Read more here
PM: Red House restoration done by October
After numerous delays, issues with contractors and budget constraints, the Red House restoration project is on track to be completed in October 2018. Read more here
BUSINESS
Scotia’s Vision Achiever programme picks up steam
Scotiabank continues to lead the way in opening up avenues for budding local entrepreneurs by way of its Vision Achiever Business Training initiative. According to a release, the programme aims to inspire both personal and professional development, helping business owners learn how to grow and build more profitable businesses through mentorship and coaching. Over the past two years, the Bank partnered with Action Coach; the world’s number one business coaching firm known to have helped thousands of companies achieve more profit and build stronger teams. Read more here
Investor confidence returning to T&T says Trade Ministry
There has been an increase in private sector investments because of the successful implementation of Government policy according to Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon. A Ministry of Trade media release yesterday quoted the Minster as saying: "The commissioning of Unicomer Limited’s Freeport Campus, Baron Foods (Trinidad and Tobago) Limited’s manufacturing facility in Chaguanas, Excellence Stores’ new retail outlet in Arima and the extension of the Point Lisas Business Park, all occurring in the last quarter of 2017 are clear indications that investor confidence is being restored in the economy." Read more here
Angostura workers get 10%
Some 300 employees of Angostura Holdings Ltd (AHL) are set to receive backpay in January 2018, after the company and the Seamen and Waterfront Workers' Trade Union (SWWTU) yesterday signed off on a ten per cent increase for 2017-2019. Read more here
REGIONAL
Last Chapter - Accomplished Boyne Was Ready 'To Go Home', Says Confidant
His wit, patriotism and insatiable appetite for knowledge secured his legacy as one of Jamaica's foremost journalists while making him a household name. Ian Anthony Boyne, 60, host of Jamaica's longest-running television interview programme, 'Profile', and host of Television Jamaica's riveting talk show, 'Religious Hardtalk', died at the University Hospital of the West Indies yesterday morning after a brief illness. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump unveils national security plan, blasts previous presidents
President Donald Trump on Monday framed his foreign policy as an extension of his populist economic message, lambasting past presidents and trumpeting his own achievements during a speech meant to outline the guiding principles of his national security strategy. In a speech that closely resembled a campaign address, Trump offered a laundry list of accomplishments and a reiteration of his view that Americans have been left behind as a result of decisions made by past administrations, including on immigration, the Iran nuclear deal, and trade pacts. Read more here
Yemen rebel ballistic missile 'intercepted over Riyadh'
19th December 2017