NEWS
TT supports 2 UN resolutions against Russia, but abstains from suspension vote
This country has joined with other Caricom member states in supporting two recent United Nations (UN) General Assembly Resolutions condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This was confirmed by Minister of External and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne in response to queries by Newsday. He also confirmed that this country however abstained from the vote on a resolution tabled on Thursday at the UN General Assembly calling for Russia to be suspended from the Human Rights Council. Read more here
Beetham residents: Fires at landfill annual events
A fire at the Beetham Landfill could have been seen miles away on Thursday, as the smoke covered Port-of-Spain and surrounding communities such as Sea Lots. Beetham Gardens residents who spoke to Guardian Media described fires as annual events that they are faced with. They said their only concern is the hazardous effect of the toxic smoke created by such events. Read more here
POLITICS
Faris rolls out agenda for new ministry
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Faris Al-Rawi rolled out plans for his ministry on Thursday which included surveying of roads for potholes for future repairs and maintenance, decriminalisation of offences pertaining to vendors, streamlining waste management and expanding and retooling the municipal police to include a Gender Based Violence Unit. Read more here
Minister: No culprits found in blackout report
Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales says the report into the February 16 islandwide blackout will not lead to any punitive action being taken against anyone. Speaking to the media on Thursday at the ministry’s head office in Port-of-Spain, Gonzales confirmed he too had gotten a copy of the report, submitted by the independent expert committee of Chandrabhan Sharma, Keith Sirju and Allister Guevarro on Tuesday. The committee presented the report to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. Read more here
BUSINESS
Ministry to set up rainwater harvesting systems
Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales said there are many changes taking place, including transformation at the Water and Sewage Authority (WASA), in order to ensure better water supply and distribution to citizens. Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for a National Rainwater Harvesting programme held at the ministry’s head office in Port of Spain yesterday, Gonzales revealed that within the next week or two he would be taking a note to Cabinet for an integrated resource management strategy for the country. Read more here
REGIONAL
Morning Glory cereal factory to resume full operations
STAFF members of Morning Glory Inc., popularly known as the Anna Regina Cereal Plant, on Thursday went home satisfied knowing that they will receive full employment. Currently, six persons are employed at the factory on a part-time basis. Its total staff complement is expected to reach 25. The good news was delivered by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who visited the factory Thursday afternoon with a delegation from his ministry. The announcement by Minister Mustapha follows a recent visit to the Essequibo Coast by Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who promised employees of the factory that operations will be restored in full. The factory had scaled down operations due to COVID-19. The government recently removed all the COVID-19 restrictions. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Kramatorsk: At least 1,000 at railway station when rockets hit – witness
More than 1,000 people were crowded into a railway station in eastern Ukraine when it was hit by rockets on Friday, an eyewitness has told the BBC. At least 39 people died and dozens more were wounded when missiles exploded at Kramatorsk station as civilians were queuing to evacuate, according to the regional governor. Images from the scene show bodies and abandoned bags lying on the platform. Ukraine said Russia targeted civilians. Russia has denied the attack. Read more here
8th April 2022