NEWS
Woodbrook businesses take safety measures – Crime curfew
Business owners in Woodbrook are implementing various precautionary measures in response to the rising crime rate, which has made both them and their staff feel increasingly unsafe. Pappy's – Home of Brian's Fricken Chicken, a popular fast food restaurant, recently announced a change in its opening hours, citing the increasing crime rate as the reason. Newsday visited the restaurant on November 12 and spoke to the manager, Roshinder Singh, who said this precaution has significantly helped everyone's comfort level. Read more here
Valencia Primary’s Career Day: Inspiring pupils to believe and achieve
Career Day at Valencia RC/Government Primary School is more than just a date on the calendar—it is a vital experience that plays a key role in shaping the pupils’ futures. This annual event is designed to inspire and guide young minds, equipping them with insights essential for their personal growth and future aspirations. So said the principal Ann Sambrano at the event held last week at the school. “It is a day dedicated to broadening pupils’ horizons, sparking their imaginations, and helping them to focus on the future.” The principal said this year’s Career Day, with the theme “Imagine, Believe, and Achieve,” was a “resounding success.” Read more here
POLITICS
Imbert: Multilateral convention signing good for Trinidad and Tobago
Finance Minister Colm Imbert said the recent signing of a multilateral convention on mutual administrative assistance in tax matters, and ongoing discussions with the European Union (EU) to have Trinidad and Tobago removed from its list of non-co-operative tax jurisdictions, has bolstered this country's ability to attract foreign investment which in turn can stabilise incoming currency flows. In a press release issued after his return from France – where he signed the multilateral convention and approached the EU to have TT removed from the non-compliance blacklist – Imbert said the signing enable TT to exchange information with 148 other jurisdictions, including major global financial centres. Read more here
Robinson-Regis says no truth to Moonilal’s claims: HDC not evicting Kareem Marcelle supporters
Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal has accused state-owned HDC, which falls under Housing Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, of receiving a political directive to evict customers supporting candidates seeking leadership change in the PNM. Asked yesterday for evidence of his claims, Moonilal, the UNC’s shadow Housing Minister, said he received information that HDC has sent eviction notices to people who voted in support of PNM’s Laventille West hopeful Kareem Marcelle instead of the incumbent MP for the constituency, Fitzgerald Hinds. Moonilal added it was not the right time to threaten eviction since most of the tenants owing HDC are struggling financially due to the high cost of living. Read more here
BUSINESS
Angostura wins Green Agenda award for sustainability
Angostura has been awarded the Green Agenda award from the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce for its efforts towards sustainability and environmental responsibility. The award was presented at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber's Champions of Business Awards and Gala at the National Academy for the Performing Arts on November 7. In a release on Monday, Angostura welcomed the award and said the company embeds sustainability into everything – from its distilling process to packaging – striving to reduce its environmental effect. Read more here
Active black market will drive inflation
Former Minister in the Ministry of Finance Mariano Browne does not agree that the Finance Minister's stance is solely based on an attempt to protect the country from inflation or a heightened cost of living. Rather, Browne argues that by maintaining the current rate amid limited supply of foreign exchange in the country, inflationary pressure has already come to bear on the public. Last Sunday, in response to an article in Guardian, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said, "All a devaluation will do is cause a massive spike in the cost of living and make everything more expensive. It will not create any additional US dollars for the country or make forex more readily available for ordinary citizens." Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Contracting and putting in a bid is serious business’
President, Dr Irfaan Ali early Tuesday morning issued a stern warning to contractors and engineers stressing the need for greater accountability and commitment in completing government’s development projects. Speaking candidly during the meeting at State House, the President expressed frustration with the delays and substandard work that have been hindering progress on projects across the country. “Contracting and putting in a bid is serious business,” President Ali said as he emphasised the gravity of the situation. ” When you don’t complete the work, you’re holding up an entire nation. You can’t bid at a price that you can’t do the work and then believe you can just forfeit the work. It won’t happen like that. It doesn’t happen like that.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
US says Israel hasn't breached its law against blocking aid in Gaza
The US says Israel has not breached American laws on blocking aid supplies, after a 30-day deadline it gave Israel to boost humanitarian aid access in Gaza or risk having some military assistance cut off lapsed. Officials said on Tuesday that Israel has taken a number of steps to address its demands to surge supplies into Gaza, but added that more progress must be made. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel cited the opening of a new land crossing, and deliveries resuming in the north - although he did not say any had entered the besieged Jabalia refugee camp. Read more here
13th November 2024