NEWS
Man stabbed on Oxford Street, Port of Spain
An argument between two men in upper Port of Spain on November 25 led to one being stabbed in plain view of passing drivers and pedestrians. The stabbing happened at around 9.30 am, while the victim, a 45-year-old security guard, was standing at the corner of Oxford and Abercromby Streets. A man approached him and the two began arguing and then fighting. During the fight, the attacker took out a knife, stabbed the victim in the right shoulder and left ankle and ran off. Read more here
Domestic violence against teenage girls rising
The permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Gender and Child Affairs Unit says the number of teenage girls facing domestic violence is increasing in this country. Speaking during a National Youth Rally at Queen’s Hall yesterday as 16 days of activism kicked off with the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Vijay Gangapersad said the number of women reporting being abused had been rising. He said teenage girls had also been reporting this type of abuse. “The data is suggesting that this is a youthful phenomenon, with the vast majority of victims ranging between the ages of 15 to 34. We must understand what the data is saying to us as Trinbagonians. This is unacceptable, this is intolerable, and this must change.” Read more here
POLITICS
Labour Ministry: OJT fills 5,000 spaces annually
The Ministry of Labour in a statement on November 25 said the On-the-Job Training (OJT) programme facilitates over 5,000 practical training placements annually. It said a programme review would be done in 2025 to update data about the programme and provide information to the ministry for its transformation. The statement quoted the International Labour Organization's 2019 Hackathon Report about OJT’s effectiveness, which showed an 80.7 per cent satisfaction rate. The report said 68 per cent of participants were able to secure positions in their field of study or interest after being in the programme. Read more here
Duke backs PM’s pay increase, tells unions to demand equity
The Prime Minister’s proposed salary increase is “not enough,” says Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) political leader Watson Duke. Duke told Guardian Media the base salary for the PM should start at $100,000. Duke, in a social media video yesterday afternoon, said the Prime Minister was worth more than the $87,000 recommended by the Salaries Review Commission (SRC). The SRC’s recommendations include raising Dr Keith Rowley’s salary from $59,680 to $87,847 over three years, while Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s pay would increase from $29,590 to $52,159. Judges, magistrates, and other high-ranking officials, including THA officials, are also set to benefit. Read more here
BUSINESS
NGC chairman positive on Dragon gas
The wholly state-owned National Gas Companyof T&T (NGC) will continue to proceed with the Dragon gas deal, while monitoring the geopolitical conditions. NGC chairman Joseph Ishmael Khan said his team will continue to be keep a positive outlook concerning the deal despite Donald Trump's victory in the recent United States presidential election. Trump's victory has prompted speculation concerning the deal, with some including former energy minister, Kevin Ramnarine, expressing concern that the policies of the Trump administration could impact the domestic energy sector. Ramnarine said T&T may no longer benefit from the Biden Administration's pause on liquefied natural gas export approvals. Read more here
Bryden pi, Cafe Barista donate $20,000 to Grant-A-Wish and Caribbean Theatre
Bryden pi, in partnership with Café Barista Hot Chocolate, has extended a helping hand to the Grant-A-Wish Foundation and Caribbean Theatre Productions Ltd with a cash donation of $20,000. Read more here
REGIONAL
Gov’t approaches House for $84.5B to advance crucial initiatives
As government continues to advance its transformational agenda, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Monday presented Financial Papers Numbers three and four for 2024 to the National Assembly, seeking parliamentary consideration and approval for development support totalling $84.5 billion. Under Financial Paper Number 3, approval for Supplementary Estimates (Current) is being sought in relation to advances made from the Contingency Fund, totalling $456.9 million for the period 2024-11-07 to 2024-11-22. These advances are primarily related to security services for the Ministry of Education and Regions One and Six. Under Financial Paper Number 4, approval is being sought for Supplementary Estimates (Current and Capital) totalling $84.1 billion for the period ending 2024-12-31. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Russia confirms capture of British man accused of fighting for Ukraine
A Russian court has confirmed a British man who was allegedly fighting for Ukraine has been captured in Russia's Kursk region. Video had been circulating online in recent days showing a man dressed in military clothing who identifies himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, and says he formerly served in the British Army. A Russian court said it had ordered Mr Anderson be held in custody, alleging he had "participated in hostilities in the territory of the Kursk region". Read more here
26th November 2024