NEWS
Afra: It cost TT a true learning experience
Activist and past president of the Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry, Afra Raymond, has said the abrupt way the Tobago Sandals project was stopped has cost TT a “true learning experience.” “I do not think that it is a good thing that the project was stopped and in this manner, since we are unlikely to get any true learning from the experience, given our natural tendency to ship along to the next new thing. I heard a project management guru say that the only failed projects are the ones we learn nothing from, so I am going to try to learn from all this,” Raymond told Newsday in an e-mailed statement. Read more here
POLITICS
COP: Pull-out over transparency?
CONGRESS of the People leader Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan reacted to Sandals’ withdrawal from Tobago by saying the real issue seems to be transparency, which she said is sorely needed, as TT is no banana republic. Sandals CEO Gebhard Rainer has blamed the company’s withdrawal on “negative publicity” and “persistent badgering”. “I think it was about this whole thing about being open and transparent with the details of the agreement,” Seepersad-Bachan told Newsday. Read more here
2 Monday murders push toll to 15
The murder toll jumped to 15 on Monday night with a deadly home invasion in El Dorado and a fatal drive by shooting in Port-of-Spain. The victims have been identified as Charisse Bramble, 32, and 70-year-old Rupert Derrick, of Picton Road, Laventille. In that incident, in which Derrick, a retired mason from the Ministry of Works was killed, three other men were shot and wounded. All four were shot in a drive by shooting that occurred at George Street at about 8 pm. Police said occupants in a black Nissan Xtrail drove past and opened fire. Read more here
BUSINESS
2,069 to benefit from $50m Petrotrin backpay
PETROTRIN yesterday transferred $50 million to commercial banks to fulfill its commitment to pay all former non-permanent workers outstanding backpay for the period 2011 to 2018. Read more here
REGIONAL
Petrojam Takeover Close - Gov't Ready With Legislation To Reclaim Venezuela Shares In State-Owned Oil Refinery
Amid calls by the parliamentary Opposition for the Government to reconsider its decision, the special legislation being crafted to sanction the decision by the Andrew Holness administration to retake Venezuela's stake in Jamaica's state-owned oil refinery Petrojam is expected to be unveiled in the House of Representatives next week. In fact, Jamaica's Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte has revealed that the plan was to have the proposed bill tabled during yesterday's sitting of the Lower House. Already, Malahoo Forte said the bill, entitled an 'Act to Provide for the Compulsory Acquisition of the Shares Held by PDV Caribe in Petrojam and for Connected Matters', has been reviewed by the legislative committee of Cabinet. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
US report says rapidly modernizing Chinese military has set sights on Taiwan
Over the last few years China has made a series of ambitious military reforms and acquired new technology as it aims to improve its ability to fight regional conflicts over places like Taiwan, according to a new report from the US Defense Intelligence Agency. "Beijing's longstanding interest to eventually compel Taiwan's reunification with the mainland and deter any attempt by Taiwan to declare independence has served as the primary driver for China's military modernization," said the agency's report, titled "China's Military Power." Read more here
Brexit: Theresa May faces confidence vote after huge defeat
16th January 2019