NEWS
Suspension letters coming for 7 prison officers
Suspension letters have been prepared for seven prison officers allegedly involved in the July 24 jailbreak in Port of Spain. The letters, however, are yet to be served on the officers who were on duty on the day of the brazen escape. The Express was reliably informed the suspension letters are to be served on an acting superintendent, an acting supervisor, two prison officers II, two prison officers I and a woman prison officer who were all on duty on the day of the event. Senior prison sources confirmed that a high-powered meeting took place last Friday with Commissioner of Prisons Sterling Brain Stewart and other senior prison officers to discuss and deal with the matter of officers who were allegedly involved in the prison break. Read More...
DPP cautions media on pre trial publicity
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard, SC, has issued a warning to the media over pre trial publicity in the case of 11 men charged with murder of former special State prosecutor Dana Seetahal, SC. Gaspard gave the warning yesterday in a press release issued exactly one week after the group’s lawyer Criston J Williams made a plea for his (Gaspard’s) intervention on the issue during their first court appearance before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar, in the Port-of-Spain Eighth Court. Gaspard’s advice to the media also comes after both Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley spoke extensively on the case at their respective political meetings last week. Read More...
BUSINESS
Don’t appeal judgment on CL bailout info
The Constitution Reform Forum (CRF) has called on Finance Minister Larry Howai to refrain from embarking on an “unnecessary drain on the Treasury” by appealing the decision of a High Court judge, who ordered two weeks ago that the Minister fulfil a request by president of the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) Afra Raymond for financial details relating to the bailout of CL Financial. The CRF issued a release yesterday stating that if the decision is appealed, not only will it be a waste of finance but such a course of action will also demonstrate a “lack of commitment by the Government to the spirit and intent of the Freedom of Information Act FOIA”, under which the request was made. Read More...
Oil just above T&T budget peg
Oil prices on international markets sank to six-month lows yesterday ending the trading session just a few cents above the US$45 a barrel on which the T&T national budget is pegged. West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the benchmark crude which is closest in price to the range of crudes produced in T&T, dropped to its lowest level in more than four months. It tumbled 4 per cent to settle at US$45.17 a barrel but was still above its March low when it dipped under US$43 a barrel. Read More...
Anthony heads Republic Bank in Suriname
Gloria Anthony, the woman at the helm of Republic Bank’s newly opened six-branch network in Suriname, has pledged to build on the bank’s legacy of excellence in customer satisfaction, employee engagement and social responsibility. “We’re essentially driven by a philosophy of expansion through organic growth and by ensuring strong local participation in all our investments for the long term,” she said as Republic Bank (Suriname) NV began operations yesterday at locations in Paramaribo and Nickerie. This followed the bank’s acquisition of RBC Royal Bank (Suriname) NV from RBC Financial (Caribbean) Limited through the purcahse of Royal Overseas Holdings (St Lucia) Limited. Read More...
REGIONAL
US-Mexico border drug tunnel found near Tijuana
Security forces in Mexico have discovered an underground tunnel aimed at crossing into the United States. The unfinished tunnel, in the border city of Tijuana, is believed to have been built by the Sinaloa cartel with the aim of smuggling drugs into the US. Last month Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman, the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, escaped from a maximum security jail through a 1.5km-long (1 mile) tunnel. Guzman, one of the world's most wanted drug dealers, is still on the run. Read More...
Puerto Rico highlighted as one of the best places for business in America
Excellent business incentives, highly educated and skilled human capital, and various opportunities to promote international growth, make Puerto Rico the best kept secret to make business, according to a group of international entrepreneurs. The attributes of the island as a business destination are part of a video series "Business Advocates: In their own words", created by the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (PRDEDC), as a component of the agency's continued efforts to promote Puerto Rico as a key business and investment destination. "As members of the Economic Development team, we continue forward with our efforts to diversify the local economy towards a knowledge-based economy that will take advantage the opportunities given by globalization. Who better than recognized entrepreneurs to validate that Puerto Rico continue to be an ideal destination for business? Puerto Rico continues strong on its path to reorganization and to encourage economic growth," said Alberto Baco Bague, secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce. Read More...
INTERNATIONAL
Climate change: Obama unveils Clean Power Plan
US President Barack Obama has unveiled what he called "the biggest, most important step we have ever taken" in tackling climate change. The aim of the revised Clean Power Plan is to cut greenhouse gas emissions from US power stations by nearly a third within 15 years. The measures will place significant emphasis on wind and solar power and other renewable energy sources. However, opponents in the energy industry have vowed to fight the plan. "I'm convinced no challenge provides a greater threat to the future of the planet," Mr Obama said. "There is such a thing as being too late." Read More...
4th August 2015