NEWS
Is UTT’s president quitting to return to Iraq?
An e-mail sent to the media on Thursday has left more questions than answers as to whether or not Prof Sarim Al-Zubaidy had quit his post as president of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). An unattributed e-mailed statement from one "Ms Hosein" claimed he left the post, but the university's corporate communications unit told Newsday they knew of no such thing. The e-mail claimed, “Iraqi Sarim Al-Zubaidy has resigned as President of UTT. Professor Prakash Persad is now in charge. Al Zubaidy is reported to be rushing to his homeland in Iraq to rescue his relatives from US rocket attacks in Al Asad.” Read more here
Call for family, friends to help domestic violence victims
Gender activist Asiya Mohammed has called for families and friends to play a greater role of intervention in abusive relationships. “I think we all have a personal responsibility whether it is at the individual level, whether it is at the NGO level or whether it is at the government level, to do our very best to provide support to those living in abusive relationships who want to leave. They may want someone to speak to, they may require counseling,’ said the CEO of Conflict Women during an interview on the CNC 3 News last night. Mohammed said often domestic violence victims are encouraged to stay in strained relationships with potential danger because they are told that disagreement or conflict are seen as normal. “That’s often what we see is a huge challenge with domestic violence. Parents of the survivor, for example, may say its family business you may work this out, work hard on your marriage. They’re not recognising domestic violence as a crime,” she said. Read more here
POLITICS
Ex-head of defence staff: Diplomacy tops war in Iran
The US and Iran are capable of hurting each other militarily and so they should be helped to reach a diplomatic solution to their conflict, advised TT former chief of defence staff Rodney Smart. Newsday spoke to Smart minutes after US President Donald Trump’s live address the day after Iranian missiles hit bases in Iraq housing US soldiers, who eluded death. “The US is undoubtedly a superpower while Iran is a middle power,” Smart said. “Both are capable of inflicting heavy losses on each other, and heightened conflict between these two powers would no doubt destabilise the region, and by extension could lead to challenges throughout the world.” Smart urged a better outcome. Read more here
PM welcomes Moonilal’s court action over text comments
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has welcomed “going to court” after he was sued by UNC MP Dr Roodal Moonilal whom he allegedly named in a conversation with Fixin T&T’s Kirk Waithe. It was published in the Express recently. Rowley spoke about the development at a cocktail party on Wednesday hosted by the ruling PNM at the Auditorium at the Government Campus Port-of-Spain. He said he received the pre-action protocol letter earlier. The alleged remarks at issue were made in a 2019 WhatsApp exchange between Rowley and Waithe who had expressed concerns about Minister Camille Robinson Regis’ controversial 2016 banking transaction. Read more here
BUSINESS
Don’t raise the prices please
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has appealed to manufacturers, importers, distributors and supermarket owners to refrain from increasing prices in the current economic climate. Read more here
REGIONAL
Crawford In Limbo - Paulwell Says Portland East Exit Not A Done Deal; Confirms Fagan In St Catherine South East
Uncertainty looms over the political future of People’s National Party (PNP) Vice-President Damion Crawford heading into the next general election, but campaign director Phillip Paulwell says the party is working to heal a new fracture. Crawford yesterday confirmed that he has been wanting to step out of the PNP’s shadow Cabinet because he has taken a financial hit since returning to representational politics. The PNP politician lost a by-election last April against the Jamaica Labour Party’s Ann-Marie Vaz to represent Portland Eastern. Read more here
GTA equipping businesses for tourism sector
With Guyana having been named one of the top tourism destinations for 2020, Guyanese business persons and entrepreneurs are set to benefit from higher levels of income. Many of these entrepreneurs have been making strides to enhance their services and their capacity to fulfil the needs of their various consumers. The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has implemented several strategies, including training, to ensure business persons are well equipped to benefit from the growing levels of business that will be experienced from the growing tourism sector. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Iranian official says reports that missiles downed Ukrainian passenger plane 'a big lie'
A spokesman for the Iranian government said reports that missiles downed the Ukraine International Airlines flight that crashed near Tehran Wednesday are "a big lie," state-run media reported. The spokesman, Ali Rabiei, accused the United States of spreading misinformation about the crash, in which all 176 people on board were killed. "No one will assume responsibility for such a big lie once it is known that the claim had been fraudulent," Rabiei said in a statement, according to Press TV. "It is unfortunate that the psychological operation of the US government, and those supporting it knowingly and unknowingly, are adding insult to the injury of the bereaved families and victimizing them for certain goals by propagating such fallacies." Read more here
Boeing 737 Max: Worker said plane 'designed by clowns'
10th January 2020