NEWS
Craziness on the road is never justified
Whatever the circumstances, craziness on the nation’s road is never justified, according to Works and Transport Minister, Fitzgerald Hinds, as he called on citizens yesterday to do their part to prevent road carnage and, injuries. “Craziness is never justified and that is one of the reasons why we are here to ask the citizens of this country, do not justify craziness in your minds... Read more...
Recovering addict spared jail after cutlass attack
A Penal man who admitted to having a drug and alcohol abuse problem was ordered to pay $25,000 to his sister-in-law yesterday for chopping her in October, 2007. Errol McIntyre, 52, of Penal Rock Road, Penal, pleaded guilty to the charge of wounding with intent on August 13 when the matter came before the San Fernando High Court. Read more...
I still hope Jade will return
Wayne Peters has packed the clothing, schoolbooks and other belongings of his daughter, Jade, into a suitcase. He knows she will never use them again. Peters said it was probably the hardest thing he ever did in his life, but it was even harder looking at the clothes and shoes and other possessions every day. Read more...
POLITICS
Govt won’t hide wrongdoing
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley declared his administration will not condone public officials keeping wrongdoing a secret. The Prime Minister made this declaration during a radio interview yesterday in which he announced he will soon address the nation on a range of issues, including the state of the country’s economy, and Government’s plans going into 2016. Read more...
PM backs Garcia
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday defended his Government’s choices for State boards and the actions of those new boards. An exclusive in yesterday’s T&T Guardian reported disquiet at Urban Development Corporation (Udecott) over the decision of new chairman Noel Garcia to appoint an interim CEO on his own, without advertising for the position. Read more...
Always be alert, Energy Minister advised
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday admitted Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre was related to Gina Olivierre, the founder of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which solicited funds from businesses in her La Brea constituency. He was speaking in an interview with radio station I95FM. The Sunday Express reported exclusively that Olivierre had admitted to making an error when she wrote to energy companies seeking contributions to support a number of events under her patronage. Read more...
BUSINESS
Oil prices bounce off 11-year lows, bearish outlook caps gains
Brent crude touched an 11-year low yesterday, rebounding slightly after settlement, as a bearish outlook for 2016 and weaker profits for refining oil products kept a lid on gains. Brent crude for February delivery settled at US$36.11 a barrel, after earlier dipping to US$35.98, below an eleven-year low. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures flipped to a premium to Brent, settling at $36.14 a barrel, up 33 cents, or 0.92 per cent. Read more...
Rowley ‘needs to speak up’
The time has come for Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to address the nation on the state of the economy. This is according to heads of business organisations, as sales continue to plummet days before Christmas. Businessmen complained that 2015 has had the slowest sales in recent years. Chaguanas Chamber president, Richie Sookhai, said sales were slower than last year in Chaguanas. He said shoppers appeared to be taking precautions in spending their money, as they anticipate a “tough” 2016. Sookhai said sales picked up last week, but not as in previous years. Read more...
REGIONAL
Haiti's Presidential and Legislative Run-off Elections Postponed
The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) in Haiti has announced that the elections of local authorities and the partial parliamentary and presidential runoff ballot that were scheduled for December 27, 2015, have been postponed until January, amid accusations by the opposition candidate of fraud and irregularities. "We are technically ready for the election but the election has been postponed because there is a commission assessing the process," Pierre Manigat Jr, vice president of the electoral council, said. "This commission will make recommendations to the electoral council. We could not go on organising the election without waiting for the recommendations of the commission." Read more...
Full Probe Now Under Way To Unearth Source Of Bad Gas
THE Bureauof Standards Jamaica (BSJ) and the state-owned Petrojam oil refinery yesterday started a major probe into allegations of substandard gas that has been distributed by petrol stations across the country, leaving some motorists incensed as they dig deep into their pockets to repair damaged vehicles. Julian Robinson, state minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, who has been given the task of leading a team of regulators and industry stakeholders to investigate the incidence of bad gas in the market, said the ministry would be in a position to submit its findings next week. Read more...
INTERNATIONAL
Syria conflict: Russia air strikes 'killed 200 civilians'
First survivors, and bodies, pulled from China landslide
Rescuers have found the first survivors of a deadly landslide in Shenzhen after a mountain of construction waste engulfed part of the southern Chinese city, collapsing buildings and burying vehicles. Two people were rescued in the early hours of Wednesday morning after being buried for more than 60 hours, state-run news agency Xinhua reported. Read more...
23rd December 2015