NEWS
TTSEC: Ponzi schemes banned
Ponzi schemes are now illegal in TT due to recent changes in the law, said the TT Securities Exchange Commission (TTSEC) in a recent statement. Named after Italian swindler Charles Ponzi (1882-1949) who operated in the US and Canada, a Ponzi scheme pays investors in a non-existent enterprise merely by funds from new investors rather than profits generated by productive business activity. The TTSEC announced certain amendments to the Securities Act, (done under the Finance Bill (No 2) 2021.) Read more here
Pay for Jalil’s medical treatment
Three days after rescuing her three-year-old son Jalil from the jaws of a raging dog, CassyAnn Dass is threatening to sue its owner for negligence and calling on him to pay for her son’s medical treatment. Dass’ representative, Freedom Law Chambers, led by Anand Ramlogan SC, has issued a pre-action protocol letter to the dog’s alleged owner, Imran Solomon, calling on him to pay for Jalil to attend a private medical institution recommended by doctors at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH). Guardian Media contacted Solomon yesterday, but he said had not received it. Read more here
POLITICS
WARNER IN A CORNER: Privy Council makes way for Jack’s US extradition
Former FIFA vice president and government minister Jack Warner may have lost his challenge to his extradition to the US to face a barrage of fraud-related charges, but he still has some fight left in him. On Thursday, Warner received the Privy Council’s decision on his challenge and said, in an immediate response, it was “unfathomable” for a US district attorney to start a prosecution against him “based solely on the fact that monies payable to me passed through the American banking system.” Warner said he has no bank account or property in the US, nor has he done any business there. Read more here
We need to close ranks
Former Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus has begged Tobagonians to forgive the People's National Movement for whatever wrong they think the party did. And Government meets with European Union officials today (Friday) to discuss getting T&T off the EU's blacklist. Baptiste-Primus made the appeal at Thursday night's Leaders in Service (LIS) campaign meeting in Tobago. Energy Minister Stuart Young, who also spoke, hinted about the EU meeting. The LIS team is seeking to win the PNM's executive when the party holds its internal elections on November 26-27 and December 4. Read more here
BUSINESS
Carnival extremely safe, says minister
Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell is not too concerned that the United States travel advisory cautioning people to reconsider visiting this country might negatively affect tourists’ interest in Carnival 2023. The US updated its travel advisory for T&T last week Tuesday, upgrading this country from a Level 2 (exercise extreme caution) to a Level 3 (reconsider travel). Speaking to the media following the contract signing of six hotels for upgrades (Cara Hotels, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Par-May-La’s Inn, Royal Hotel, Sundeck Suites and Tradewinds) at The Brix hotel in Port of Spain on Wednesday, Mitchell said Carnival is generally extremely safe. Read more here
REGIONAL
More money in pockets of public servants
As part of its continued efforts to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of public sector workers, the government has approved an eight per cent retroactive salary increase for public servants, teachers, members of the disciplined services, constitutional office holders and government pensioners. In a virtual address on Thursday evening, President, Dr Irfaan Ali said the increase will be granted retroactively to January 1, 2022. He related that work will start immediately to ensure that the increase is processed and paid to eligible employees together with their December salaries. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Mohammed bin Salman: Saudi leader given US immunity over Khashoggi killing
The US has determined that Saudi Arabia's de facto leader - Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - has immunity from a lawsuit filed by murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi's fiancée. Mr Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi critic, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. US intelligence has said it believes Prince Mohammed ordered the killing. But in court filings, the US State department said he has immunity due to his new role as Saudi prime minister. Mr Khashoggi's ex-fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, wrote on Twitter that "Jamal died again today" with the ruling. She - along with the human rights group Democracy for the Arab World Now (Dawn), founded by Mr Khashoggi - had been seeking unspecified damages in the US from the crown prince for her fiancée's murder. Read more here
18th November 2022