NEWS
CoP on end of his contract: Wait and see after August 18
Four months before his contract comes to an end, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith says he is unsure of his next step in life, but said he has served the country well for about two decades, and whatever he decides will be for the betterment of TT. During a police media briefing on Thursday, Griffith said those wondering if he will be interested in remaining Police Commissioner after August 18 will have to wait and see. Read more here
T&T to send more relief to SVG today
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) is coordinating the shipment of a further 100 pallets of water to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Ministry of National Security has confirmed. According to a release issued by the Ministry today, the additional shipment is expected to leave T&T today, via Tropical Shipping. The ODPM collected some 260 tonnes of relief items, which were transported on Tuesday 13th April 2021, to Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), via the Galleons Passage and the C26 Aircraft attached to the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF). Read more here
POLITICS
Imbert agrees with UWI economist on forex
Finance Minister Colm Imbert agreed on Thursday agreed with views expressed by UWI economist Dr Dave Seerattan about foreign exchange. Seerattan's views were reported in Newsday's Business Day magazine. In a tweet, Imbert said, "Just read an article on TT economics, in the Business Newsday. An interview with Dr Dave Seerattan, a UWI economist." He added, "His views on growth, forex (foreign exchange), expenditure levels etc are a breath of fresh air – balanced, sensible and relevant. Amazed that such views exist there." Read more here
UNC undecided on returning to House amid COVID concerns
The Opposition remains undecided about returning to the Lower House—even for its private Members’ Day later this month—until there’s confirmation on COVID safety in the Parliament. United National Congress (UNC) MP Rudy Indarsingh indicated this yesterday regarding the UNC’s boycott of Parliament for last Friday’s Lower House sitting, Tuesday’s Senate meeting and Wednesday’s Lower House meeting also. This was to highlight UNC’s concerns over COVID safety and sanitisation of the Parliament following the Prime Minister’s recent positive test for COVID. He’s quarantined in Tobago and being treated. Read more here
BUSINESS
Global economy bouncing back after covid19
The global economy is bouncing back in terms of confidence, orders, employment and spending, according to the latest ACCA and IMA Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS). The survey of 1,000 senior accountants and finance professional across the world recorded the biggest jump in economic confidence this first quarter (Q1) in the 12 years it has been running. The balance of those more optimistic minus those less optimistic increased by 26 points in this survey. Read more here
MovieTowne will not close
Movietowne will not be closed in spite of the Wednesday’s announcement to suspend in house dining at cinemas, bars and restaurant. Owner of Movietowne Derek Chin confirmed that its theatres will remain open, but concessions will not be sold. “Movietowne will remain open from tomorrow and will show movies only,” Chin told the Guardian via text, “Concession stands will be closed in compliance with the new restrictions.” Read more here
REGIONAL
Persons 18+ now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines
From today, all persons aged 18 years and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines locally, Adviser to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has said in a post on his Facebook page. On Thursday, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Dr. Ramsammy lamented the spread of false claims that the country does not have enough vaccines to give the required second dose to individuals who received their first ‘jab’ of the COVID-19 vaccine. “I wish to make it pellucidly clear, everyone that has had a first dose is guaranteed their second dose,” Dr. Ramsammy said, adding: “And I can say that with confidence, and with 100 per cent assurance, because for every dose we have administered, we have put aside the second dose.” Read more here
Leave of absence for Wright
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is set to ratify that George Wright, the embattled Westmoreland Central member of parliament, go on a leave of absence from the party until investigations into allegations that he was involved in a brutal beating of a woman are concluded. Party sources told The Gleaner on Thursday evening that a marathon meeting of government members of parliament ended with some disgruntlement about how the party was handling the matter, which has stoked outrage in the society. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
8 people killed in shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, police say
A gunman opened fire outside and inside a FedEx facility near Indianapolis' main airport Thursday night, killing eight people, wounding several others and sending witnesses running before taking his own life, police said. Police were called to the facility at about 11 p.m. local time for what has become the country's deadliest shooting since 10 people were killed March 22 in a grocery shooting in Colorado. The names of the victims or gunman were not immediately released. Read more here
Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai sentenced to 14 months for pro-democracy protests
Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after being found guilty of unauthorised assembly. Mr Lai was one of several activists in court on Friday who were earlier found guilty of charges relating to large pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019. The 73-year-old founder of Apple Daily is a fierce critic of Beijing. The verdict comes as the mainland is increasingly cracking down on Hong Kong's rights and freedoms. Several other activists were sentenced on Friday for participating in two demonstrations, on 18 August and 31 August 2019. They include veteran campaigner Martin Lee, 82, and lawyer Margaret Ng, 73, whose sentences were suspended. Read more here
16th April 2021