NEWS
Trinidad and Tobago promoters slam Government’s announcement – Tasteless Carnival
The TT Promoters Association is dismissing the announcement by the government of a safe-zone Carnival which specifically excludes parties, fetes and other similar gatherings. In a statement on Thursday in response to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s statement on Wednesday, the association said the so-called Taste of Carnival has absolutely no effect on its industry, but is an “important intervention for the state public relations machine.” Read more here
T&T reports record 1,068 new COVID cases
With 1,068 COVID-19 cases, Trinidad and Tobago broke its record for daily confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday, beating the previous record of 984 cases reported on December 3, 2021. Yesterday’s count was the first time for the pandemic to date the Ministry of Health had confirmed and reported to the public over 1,000 cases in a day. On November 15, 2021, Technical Director, Epidemiology, Dr Avery Hinds, had said if the then-current rate of infections continued, T&T would record 1,000 new cases in a day. In the last 24 hours, the ministry also reported that 18 more people had died to COVID-19, two of whom were young adults and four of whom had no underlying health conditions. There were also eight elderly males, two elderly females and six middle-aged patients among the deaths. Read more here
POLITICS
Special Economic Zones Bill 2021 passed
The House of Representatives unanimously passed the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bill, 2021, in Parliament on Wednesday. The bill provides for the designation, development, operation and management of special economic zones, establishes an SEZ Authority of 11 members and repeals the Free Zone Act Chap. 81:07, and deals with tax relief, operations of a free zone, licences and matters related thereto. Businesses that apply and receive SEZ operator's licences from the authority will be subject to regulations that comply with foreign direct investment's global tax standards. Read more here
BUSINESS
Consumers pay more for Kiss breads
In its second increase in less than a year, the prices on some Kiss breads have raised between 50 cents to $1.50. Consumers will now pay $15 for a Kiss whole wheat sandwich loaf, up from $13.75 – an increase of $1.25. White milk bread is $14, also increasing by $1.25 from $12.75. Whole grain costs $17, up $1.50 from $15.50. The price changes by Kiss were implemented on January 10, after the decisions by major suppliers, state-owned National Flour Mills (NFM) and Nutrimix to raise flour prices. In a statement in December, Kiss Baking Co Ltd said it would increase retail prices on some bread products by an average of nine per cent, noting, “Flour represents a core ingredient in the manufacturing of bread. Read more here
Yellow-band maxi fees going up from Monday
Commuters who travel by yellow-band maxi-taxis between Port of Spain and areas in West Trinidad will have to dig deeper into their pockets from Monday. Chairman of the Yellow Band Route One Association Eon Hewitt told the Express yesterday the fares will go up by $1 across the board, and $2 for the Chaguaramas route. The fare is now $5 and will increase to $6. Passengers who are paying $5 to Chaguaramas will have to pay $7 next week. Read more here
REGIONAL
Livestock industry earns $14.9B in 2021
FOR the Year 2021, Guyana’s thriving livestock industry has raked in an impressive $14.9 billion in revenue. This is according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who said that these earnings were as a result of local sales only. “This is what we’re making from the local market alone; imagine what we can do when we start to export,” Minister Mustapha said in a brief interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
False banana: Is Ethiopia's enset 'wondercrop' for climate change?
Scientists say the plant enset, an Ethiopian staple, could be a new superfood and a lifesaver in the face of climate change. The banana-like crop has the potential to feed more than 100 million people in a warming world, according to a new study. The plant is almost unknown outside of Ethiopia, where it is used to make porridge and bread. Research suggests the crop can be grown over a much larger range in Africa. "This is a crop that can play a really important role in addressing food security and sustainable development," said Dr Wendawek Abebe of Hawassa University in Awasa, Ethiopia. Enset or "false banana" is a close relative of the banana, but is consumed only in one part of Ethiopia. Read more here
21st January 2022