NEWS
Griffith to TTPS: You don't need my input to investigate merit list issue
Former commissioner of police (CoP) Gary Griffith has described as disgraceful the words of acting CoP Mc Donald Jacob that the police need a statement from him in order to investigate what took place with the Police Service Commission (PSC) order of merit list. In a letter to Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard on Monday, Griffith called for a probe into why the police failed to investigate his reports on the rescinding of the list. He claimed he wrote to Jacob on numerous occasions calling for him to launch a transparent investigation of the issues surrounding the merit list, but to date nothing has been done. Read more here
WASA owes Desalcott over $60 million
The Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) is owing US$9 million (TT$60.8 million) to the desalination company of Trinidad and Tobago. The revelation was made on Thursday during a Joint Select Committee on land and physical infrastructure with focus on WASA. Responding to questions from JSC member Barry Padarath, WASA's Head of Finance Giselle Spence provided an update on the status of the arrears. Read more here
POLITICS
Mark to Armour: How much does the State owe you?
Opposition Senator Wade Mark wants newly appointed Attorney General Reginald Armour to declare how much money he and his firm are owed for work done for the State for the past two years. At a media conference at the Opposition Leader’s office, Charles Street, Port of Spain on Thursday afternoon, Mark said Armour would have received over $10 million up to 2020 for work done for the State, and wanted to know how much he was owed since. Read more here
Seukeran delighted with son’s new role as Local Government Minister
The mother of former Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi does not believe her son’s reassignment to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is a demotion but views it as an opportunity for him to serve in a different capacity. “I am delighted. I have no problem with it at all. I think it is an excellent opportunity to serve,” an excited Diane Seukeran told Guardian Media in a telephone interview yesterday. She was speaking of Al-Rawi’s removal as AG by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Wednesday, which came as a shocker to the country. Read more here
BUSINESS
Movie screening to raise funds for domestic violence safe house
The Shelter, a safe house for survivors of domestic violence, will host a key fundraiser on April 28, at MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain, with the screening of Downton Abbey. The fundraiser is being held as the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an upsurge in reports of domestic violence nationwide and caused a rise in demand for shelter residency, while fundraising activities to meet operational costs have become more challenging. Read more here
Businesses hopeful for meaningful change
Several business groups are hopeful the Cabinet reshuffle will yield results and deal with the issues affecting the citizens. In a surprising move on Wednesday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley reshuffled his Cabinet, with a number of ministers picking up different portfolios. Among the major changes was the switching of Faris Al-Rawi from the post of attorney general to that of Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Our economy is becoming stronger’
The resilience of Guyana’s economy is being demonstrated as the country continues to progress despite grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and, more recently, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In his message to commemorate the Festival of Colours, Phagwah, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, said: “This year, we have much cause for celebration; our country is on the path towards a return to normalcy. The evidence suggests that the local COVID-19 outbreak is waning, so much so that we have been able to relax social restrictions. However, we must continue to exercise good sense.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Shells rain down on Kharkiv as Ukraine's army stands firm
Ukraine's second city Kharkiv has been the constant target of Russian attacks for three weeks. The BBC's Quentin Sommerville and cameraman Darren Conway report from the front line where Ukrainian troops continue to repel the enemy advance. Read more here
18th March 2022