NEWS
T&TEC sends team to Carriacou
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) has sent a team to Carriacou to help restore power there after the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 1. In a statement, the commission said the 18-strong contingent of linesmen left on July 28. Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales was at Piarco International Airport to see them off. “Go there, represent your families, colleagues and Trinidad and Tobago well. We are proud of you,” he told them. Read more here
Autopsy: Bank worker stabbed several times
An autopsy on Scotiabank employee Giselle Peters confirmed she was stabbed several times during an attack by bandits who stormed her property over the weekend. The autopsy was conducted at the Forensic Science Centre in St James. Peters had gone to Phase 2 of the Reform Residential Development in Gasparillo on Saturday to check the progress of construction on her two-storey home. Her screams altered the neighbours around 11.35 am, and the suspects were seen fleeing the house. As they entered a maroon vehicle, one of them was heard shouting, “Drive, Drive, Drive.” Peters was found “beating up” on the floor with a knife stuck in her neck. She died before the ambulance and police got to the scene. The assailants stole her bag. Read more here
POLITICS
Crackdown on dark tint
Motorists are being warned that the Licensing Authority is gearing up to enforce the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (windscreen and window tint) regulations 2020 as part of the Ministry of National Security’s fight against the criminal element. The law carries fines of up to $2,000 and demerit points and law enforcement will be using new handheld devices to detect infractions. During its official launch and operationalisation at the ministry’s Port-of-Spain offices yesterday, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds underscored that the law, which was amended in 2017, is aimed at bolstering road safety and security and noted the role of heavily tinted vehicles in criminal activity. Read more here
BUSINESS
Comfort Inn now Green Key certified
Comfort Inn and Suites has achieved Green Key certification. On July 26, the hotel joined six other properties in Tobago that hold the designation. Green Key is reportedly recognised internationally as the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation in the tourism industry. Certified operators must maintain strict environmental practices set by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to have their certification renewed annually. At a presentation ceremony at the hotel in Orange Hill, Scarborough, Green TT director Willard Harris presented the certificate, a plaque and flag to the general manager of the hotel, Maria Yip-John, who is also vice president of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA). Read more here
Analyst warns of energy fallout
Trinidad and Tobago’s Dragon gas deal with Venezuela could be impacted by potential civil unrest following the recent election results in which incumbent President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory yesterday, socio-economic analyst Indera Sagewan has said. As massive civilian protests built in Caracas yesterday in support of the Venezuelan opposition, Sagewan said T&T must keep eyes on potential unrest in that country. Sagewan said T&T must also pay attention to the United States government’s reaction to the Venezuela election results and the potential for further US sanctions that could impact the crucial energy deals with this country. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Our borders should not be used as tools’
Inter-Agency collaboration and international support are crucial to combatting transnational crime in the Caribbean, and while regional leaders have made progress in enhancing their respective security systems, more will be required to tackle the smuggling of guns and drugs into the region. This is according to Guyana’s President and outgoing Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr. Irfaan Ali during his address at the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in St. George’s, Grenada, on Sunday. He said that leaders in the region remain committed to strengthening border security. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Israeli protesters enter army base after soldiers held over Gaza detainee abuse
Israeli far-right protesters broke into an army base in a show of support for soldiers accused of severely mistreating a Palestinian prisoner there. Large crowds gathered outside the Sde Teiman compound after Israeli military police entered it to detain the reservists, who are now subject to an official investigation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement strongly condemning the incident and calling for “an immediate calming of passions”. Protesters also broke into a second military base, where the reservists were taken for questioning, but a police spokeswoman said officers were able to clear it. Sde Teiman, near Beersheba in southern Israel, has for months been at the centre of reports of serious abuses against Gazan detainees. Read more here
30th July 2024