NEWS
Griffith: My days of service are not over
“My days of service are not over,” says former commissioner of police Gary Griffith, as High Court judge Nadia Kangaloo ruled that his acting appointment and that of DCP Mc Donald Jacob as acting commissioner of police were unconstitutional. The judgement leaves the police service leaderless and, because of the dissolution of the Police Service Commission (PSC), no mechanism to appoint a substantive or acting commissioner. Read more here
POLITICS
Trade Minister reveals that non-energy exports soar
After a dismal 2020, when the sudden impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restriction meant to mitigate the virus’ spread, this country’s export numbers for 2021 have shown real improvement. According to the Minister of Trade Paula Gopee-Scoon, T&T’s export numbers in the non-energy are even an improvement on its performance in 2019, in a pre-pandemic market. “During the period January to August 2021, total non-energy exports average approximately $1.3 billion per month, which is in an estimated 43 percent higher compared to 2020. When on average, we would be doing about $873 million. Furthermore. I can tell you with the trend that we have seen, this average has surpassed that for the same period in 2019, which on average was $1.1 billion. As I said, now, we are seeing $1.3 billion,” said the Trade Minister as she detailed the export numbers for fiscal 2021 during the Budget debate last Saturday. Read more here
BUSINESS
Caballero appointed Institute of Chartered Accountants CEO
The Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICATT) has announced the appointment of Marsha Caballero as its new CEO. Caballero officially took up the position on October 4. In a media release, ICATT noted, "Caballero is an accomplished professional with over 15 years’ progressive experience in multinational organisations and industries spanning banking, financial, professional services, public sector and telecommunications. Read more here
TCL offers low-carbon cement
AS the world battles climate change, Claxton Bay manufacturer Trinidad Cement Ltd (TCL) says it is doing its part by offering its ECO Cement. The brand has achieved the CEMEX Vertua seal, the company’s global standard for products which offer a reduction in carbon emissions ranging from 15 per cent to over 40 per cent during production, TCL officials said yesterday. CEMEX is TCL’s majority shareholder. The ECO Cement brand is also cheaper. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana outperforms Caribbean at CAPE
When it comes to academics, Guyana continues to be a topper within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and even amid a global pandemic, this year is no different. Director of Operations at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Dr. Nicole Manning, said Guyana’s performance at this year’s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) has been “marginally higher” when compared to the rest of the region. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Afghanistan: Explosions strike Afghan mosque during prayers
More than 30 people are dead and 90 injured after three explosions tore through a Shia mosque during Friday prayers in the Afghan city of Kandahar. Pictures from inside the Bibi Fatima mosque show shattered windows and bodies lying on the ground and other worshippers trying to help. The BBC has been told it was a suicide bombing. Witnesses described three bombers to local media, who detonated devices at the main door and inside the mosque. Friday prayers are the busiest congregation of the week, and the building was full of worshippers at the time. At least 15 ambulances were at the scene afterwards, an AFP journalist said. Read more here
15th October 2021