NEWS
Galleons Passage completes maiden voyage
Works and Transports Minister Rohan Sinanan says he hopes the first few trips of the Galleons Passage will restore confidence in the seabridge from Port of Spain to Scarborough. Speaking to media this morning, before the maiden commercial voyage of TT’s newest ferry, Sinanan said he was happy to prove naysayers wrong. The Galleons Passage departed Port of Spain at 6.07 am and was scheduled to arrive in Scarborough at 11 am. Sinanan said the vessel, which is built to facilitate up to 700 passengers, had approximately 100 passengers aboard for the maiden commercial voyage. Read more here
No turning back on Petrotrin now—Espinet
Petrotrin chairman Wilfred Espinet says there will be no turning back on the decision to shut down the company and terminate workers despite yesterday’s injunction granted by the Industrial Court in favour of the Oilfields Workers Trade Union. In fact, he says the company is prepared to go all the way to the Privy council if it has to. Speaking to the T&T Guardian hours after the court’s decision, Espinet said Petrotrin’s attorneys will file an appeal today, adding they hope to get a hearing immediately. He said the injunction only stops the company from issuing letters to workers who are represented by the OWTU, but turning back is not an option because the plan to shut down operations “has been effected, it effectively means we have stopped bringing in materials.” Read more here
POLITICS
Tewarie: ‘Will cooking gas go up?’
The prospect of a hike in the price of cooking gas was raised by Caroni Central MP Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie yesterday in the House of Representatives’ budget debate. Saying Petrotrin will no longer pay a $170 million annual subsidy on the consumer cost of cooking gas known as LPG, he asked if the Government will subsidise it, or would Phoenix Park Gas Processors, a viable source of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) recently cited by Energy Minister Franklin Khan. Finance Minister Colm Imbert muttered something from his seat in reply. Read more here
Deyalsingh: More delivery of CDAP drugs
In order to ease shortages affecting the public, delivery of CDAP drugs will be once a month instead of every two months and moves are also being made to change the Blood Bank system to a 100 per cent volunteer system. Also, Government will have to overcome a Zika infection image if it wants to develop the Sandals Tobago resort—particularly for "couples" tourism. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh spoke about the issues during yesterday's 2019 budget debate in Parliament. Read more here
Imbert: Economy will suffer if Petrotrin is prevented from moving forward
Finance Minister Colm Imbert has warned that Trinidad and Tobago’s economy will suffer “profound implications” if Petrotrin is prevented from moving forward with its restructuring plan. Read more here
BUSINESS
Oh Ghee! the matter is settled
A legal battle between the sole distributor of Cow Brand Ghee in Trinidad and Tobago and another company that recently began the importation of a similar product for sale on the market has been settled. Read more here
REGIONAL
Not Changing Course - Health Ministry Remains Adamant With Sugary Drink Message
Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton is refusing to tweak the message in his ministry's current campaign, which strongly discourages citizens from consuming excess sugar. Last week, Professor Errol Morrison, honorary president of the Diabetes Association, questioned the clarity of the message during an interview on RJR's 'Beyond the Headlines'. He said he believed there should be some adjustments to the campaign, as the consumption of sugar alone does not contribute to diabetes. The ministry has been strongly pushing for citizens to avoid overconsumption of sugary products in a bid to prevent non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Interpol chief's arrest shows one-party rule is the only important thing to China
Beijing's forced disappearance of one of China's most prominent international officials shows the government appears ready to sacrifice anything, including its international reputation, to safeguard the Chinese Communist Party. Meng Hongwei, head of the international policing organization Interpol, vanished after he flew back to China in late September, only for Beijing to announce in recent days he was being held for corruption. The first Chinese official to be reach the top of Interpol, Meng's appointment just two years ago had been seen as a victory for Beijing and was widely celebrated in state media. Read more here
Jamal Khashoggi: Turkey to search Saudi consulate
9th October 2018