NEWS
TATT agrees to award $240,000 in ICT bursaries
The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) has signed agreements to provide selected students with a total of $240,000 in bursaries to pursue studies in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at the State's three tertiary-level education institutions. TATT signed the agreements with the College of Science Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) on July 1. Read more here
$1.5m damage to SWMCOL tyre facility
After Monday’s fiery protests in the capital city, Trinidad and Tobago's Solid Waste Management Company (SWMCOL) says that there is still smoke emanating from the tyre recycling facility in Sea Lots causing concerns about air quality. Speaking with Guardian Media, SWMCOL’s Manager of Communications, Sales and Marketing, Damien Manswell, expressed concern about the poor air content following the incident. He said, “The air quality right now is not adverse, however, we will still ask residents to proceed with caution, bearing in mind the material that is burning is tyres, so the issues you have surrounding the burning of tyres is a threat.” Read more here
POLITICS
PM: Judiciary must save society from repeat offenders
Government’s loss of a key tool in the fight against crime to keep the most violent and repeat offenders behind bars without bail for at least four months in the first instance, has now shifted the onus on the Judiciary to protect society in a country burdened by crime. The Prime Minister, speaking at a post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's on Thursday, said just 116 people accused of serious crimes were to be subject to the bail restrictions, and 75 of them had five or more pending cases. On Wednesday, the government's attempt to give life to the bail legislation beyond August 4 for people charged under anti-gang laws, for firearm offences, illegal drugs, sexual offences, anti-terrorism offences and human trafficking, failed to get the required support in the Senate. Five Independent senators voted against any extension of the law which has been in place for the past five years. Read more here
PM weighs banning scrap iron industry to end infrastructure thefts
Angered by the constant pillaging of State infrastructure by scrap iron thieves, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is considering a ban on the entire industry. Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, yesterday, the Prime Minister did not mince his words about the impact these thefts have on the country. “There are persons in the society who are now taking the position that they do not care who they harm, but they make a living by destroying our infrastructure to market the material from which the infrastructure is made,” Rowley said. “Manhole cover, it doesn’t matter if you fall in the hole and break your neck, or kill your wife, or kill your child, they are selling that, they cutting the cables, now they cutting the water lines,” he added. Read more here
BUSINESS
Pandays return to court in Piarco case
Attorneys representing former prime minister Basdeo Panday, his wife Oma, along with former minister Carlos John and businessman Ishwar Galbaransingh have asked the court to discharge their clients on charges arising out of alleged corruption in the Piarco airport project. The offences were alleged to have taken place while the United National Congress (UNC), under Panday, was in government between 1995 and 2000. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana, Belize agree landmark partnership
Guyana and sister Caribbean Community (CARICOM) State, Belize are set to foster closer symbiotic ties following their signing of a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday. Among areas of interest on which the two countries will work closely, via the memorandum, are agriculture and food security, tourism, and climate change. The pact was agreed by Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration Mr. Eamon Courtenay, and Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr. Hugh Todd on Day Three of the four-day official visit here by Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceño, and will be implemented by a joint commission presided over by the foreign ministries of both countries. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Boris Johnson: Tories vie for leadership as race to replace PM begins
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt is considering a Tory leadership bid as the race to succeed Boris Johnson heats up following his dramatic resignation. Allies claim Mr Hunt is attracting a lot of support from Tory colleagues. Senior backbencher Tom Tugendhat and Attorney General Suella Braverman have already announced plans to stand. Mr Johnson was forced out as Tory leader after a cabinet revolt over his leadership but wants to stay on as PM until the party chooses a successor. Opposition parties and some Tories want him to go now - but that appears unlikely to happen. Read more here
8th July 2022