NEWS
Cybercrime Unit probing attack at PoS corporation
The Port of Spain City Corporation is dealing with a cyber attack, likely committed by a hacker or hackers outside the country. The corporation is dealing with ransomware, a form of malicious software that infects a computer and displays messages, usually demanding payment of a fee in order to unlock a system or not to publicly release confidential information. It is not yet clear if the corporation was effectively extorted, as is common in such attacks, or whether the ransomware has been removed. Read more here
Deja Brew struggles to survive
Along El Socorro Road, several business spaces have folded since the because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The road contains several buildings offering spaces for rent to businesses, offices and factories, many of which have become vacant. One business owner, Alex Christian of Deja Brew Cafe, has been determined not to become one of them. Read more here
POLITICS
Spencer: 'THA to develop plan for Man and the Biosphere site'
The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is drafting a management plan to govern activities in northeast Tobago, which was recently designated a UN Educational Scientific and Culture Organisation (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere site. Secretary for Food Production, Forestry and Fisheries Hayden Spencer made the announcement on Wednesday at the post-executive council media briefing at the Victor E Bruce Financial Complex, Scarborough. Read more here
Ministry probes possible HDC employee links to housing scams
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Penelope Beckles has confirmed a probe is underway to determine if any member of staff at the Housing Development Corporation was involved in any of the recent housing scams. “Since I have become minister, I have received a lot of complaints,” she revealed, “and the most painful thing for me is that many of the complaints come from single mothers—people who have worked so hard and sacrificed, and borrowed this money.” Read more here
BUSINESS
IMF report: T&T banks face potential risks
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded that this country’s banks could be at risk. The IMF came to that conclusion after completing its Financial Stability Assessment Program (FSAP) with T&T on August 31, 2020 and reported in its Financial System Stability Assessment (FSSA) report that the country’s banks might be facing potential vulnerabilities. Read more here
NEL reports $327.5m loss
The National Enterprises Ltd (NEL) has recorded a net loss for the year ended March 31, 2020 of $327.5 million, compared to net profit of $12.5 million for the previous fiscal year. Read more here
REGIONAL
Ralph Romps To Fifth Straight Election Win In St Vincent And The Grenadines
St Vincent and The Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has created history in the Caribbean Community leading the Unity Labour Party (ULP) to a fifth consecutive victory in Thursday's general election. Preliminary figures released by the electoral office showed that the ULP had won nine of the 15 seats in the Parliament, an increase of three seats on the one-seat majority he had in the past two general elections. Read more here
Dr Ashni Singh appointed Senior Minister with responsibility for Financ
President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, swore in Dr. Ashni Singh as a senior minister with responsibilities for finance under the Office of the President. Dr. Singh took the oath in the presence of Cabinet ministers and other Government officials at a ceremony at the Office of the President.
The Office of the President will retain its oversight role but Dr Singh would be responsible for finance. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
US Election 2020: Biden inches ahead of Trump in key state Georgia
Democratic candidate Joe Biden has pulled ahead of Donald Trump in Georgia, a key state in the US presidential race, voting data shows. Mr Trump must win Georgia to leave him with a path to win. According to the most recent data, Mr Biden is leading in the state by 917, with most votes now counted. With its 16 electoral votes, winning the state would put Mr Biden just one shy of the crucial 270 threshold needed to win the presidency. Read more here
Italian regions lock down and Paris tightens rules as Europe smashes virus records
The Italian regions worst-hit by the second coronavirus wave entered a new lockdown Friday after the country tallied its highest daily number of both infections and deaths the previous day. Italy is under a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. nationwide curfew, with bars and restaurants closing at 6 p.m., while certain areas face harsher restrictions. Residents in "red zone" regions -- Lombardy, Piedmont, Valle d'Aosta and Calabria -- may only leave home for necessities, health or work. Those in "orange zones" are banned from leaving their towns except for work or health reasons -- and bars and restaurants are closed except for delivery and takeout. Read more here
6th November 2020