NEWS
Woman killed as homeowner fights bandits – 3 dead in Westmoorings shootout
Residents of Cherry Crescent, Westmoorings, are in mourning after a home invasion ended with the death of one of their neighbours and the deaths of two suspected bandits. Police said Nicole Moses, 49, was at her home at around 8.15 am when two bandits jumped over the front wall of their home. Read more here
UNC: Barataria is now crime-ridden
Barataria is now crime-ridden and has become like Beetham and Malick and the Barataria police station must be reopened. Imtiaz Seepersad (Barataria station council) indicated this at Thursday’s UNC Barataria meeting. He said Barataria had become like the two other areas as people are afraid to come out of their homes to visit family or go to the grocery because of crime, "Barataria needs to have the Barataria police to be reopened." Read more here
POLITICS
Manning: Ukraine crisis can affect Trinidad and Tobago's economy
Minister in the Ministry of Finance Brian Manning said the situation in the Ukraine could have an economic impact extending to Trinidad and Tobago, speaking to Newsday on Thursday the day after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. "We are monitoring the situation very closely," he said. Bloomberg News on Thursday reported the price for Brent crude oil had climbed to US$103 per barrel and the Henry Hub price for natural gas was up at US$4.72 MMBtu. Read more here
Minister: Research on list of items imported from Russia being compiled
Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon says research on the list of items imported from Russia is now being compiled as the Russian war on Ukraine escalates to frightening proportions. Gopee-Scoon is expected to release further information as the situation unfolds. In a statement on Thursday, Gopee-Scoon said, “The Ministry of Trade and Industry is actively monitoring events in Ukraine as it relates to a possible disruption of international trade.” She added, “The ministry has commenced research as to the specific items which may be impacted and will work with all relevant stakeholders to mitigate against any negative impact.” Read more here
BUSINESS
CAL to enter air sir services agreement with Qatar Airlines
An air services agreement between Caribbean Airlines (CAL) and Qatar Airways is imminent according to a statement issued by CAL yesterday. The announcement follows talks that were held between Chairman of CAL, Ronnie Mohammed and officials from Qatar Airways, including Esmir Ganic, Head of Aeropolitical and Corporate Affairs, Pablo Gonzalez Zamora, Alliance and Partnership, Haresh Sunderji Nanda, Manager Corporate Planning and Dwayne Brian, Senior Manager Aeropolitical and Regulatory Affairs. Read more here
Serious questions about infrastructure, says APETT
The Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT) believes that the islandwide electrical blackout on February 16 raises serious questions about the resilience of the country’s infrastructure to withstand and recover from various kinds of natural or man-made disasters. While commending the quick response by the Government in appointing an independent team to investigate the event, APETT also said it needs to be viewed in its entirety and not just from the blackout perspective. Read more here
REGIONAL
Int’l Energy Conference and Expo created vital business linkages
The recently concluded International Energy Conference and Expo has accomplished 12 main areas of success and has laid a foundation for the next edition of the event slated for 14 -17 February, 2023. According to the organisers of the Conference and Expo, the event landed 32 sponsors and saw 822 conference attendees, which included members of the diaspora and had 153 exhibitors. Some 47 speakers also delivered presentations at the conference which was held under the theme, “Charting a sustainable energy future.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Russian forces seize Chernobyl nuclear power plant
Russian military forces have seized control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukrainian officials say. Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak said the "totally pointless attack" on Thursday amounted to "one of the most serious threats in Europe today". An explosion at Chernobyl in 1986 led to the worst nuclear disaster in human history, both in cost and casualty. Ukraine's president warned such a disaster could happen again if Russia continued its invasion. "Our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote earlier on Twitter. "This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe." Read more here
25th February 2022