NEWS
Elon Musk's Starlink coming to Trinidad and Tobago
Two new mobile networks, one owned by billionaire businessman and CEO of Twitter Elon Musk will be coming to TT. Musk’s network Starlink is expected to begin service in the second quarter of this year, while the Blue Mobile Network launches on Friday. In a media release, Blue Mobile Network which is the official mobile network of STAR network said it will host a launch event at Level 2 Invaders Bay Tower in Port of Spain. Read more here
Increase in road fatalities in T&T
There was an increase in fatal road accidents last year with 95 deaths compared to 69 in 2021, a 38 per cent increase. The number of road deaths rose from 75 in 2021 to 95 in 2022, reflecting a 27 per cent increase in lives lost. Those figures were provided by Minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport Richie Sookhai on Wednesday when he delivered the feature address at a Road Safety Awards function at the ministry’s headquarters in Port-of-Spain. Sookhai said legislative measures are being put in place to ensure greater road safety. He praised the 113 awardees comprising police officers, traffic wardens, fire officers, licensing officers and ambulance personnel for their hard work and dedication and noted the devastating effects of traffic injuries and deaths on families and communities. The awards were sponsored by Woodside Energy. Read more here
POLITICS
PM meets with US VP Harris
The Prime Minister held comprehensive discussions with US Vice President Kamala Harris. According to Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne, Dr Rowley spoke Thursday at the Heads Meeting with VP Harris in the Bahamas. Browne said the PM gave particular focus to the issues of regional security and regional energy security, and spoke in the interest of all the people of the Caribbean Community. Rowley is the lead Head in Caricom for Regional Security matters. Read more here
US invests more than $100M to help Caribbean
A recently established regional Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU) headquartered in T&T will be among the beneficiaries of an investment of more than US$100 million by the Government of the United States that will be used to crack down on weapons trafficking, help alleviate Haiti’s humanitarian crisis and support climate change initiatives. US Vice President Kamala Harris announced the investment yesterday as she embarked on an official trip to the Bahamas for a meeting of Caribbean and US leaders hosted jointly with Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is among the regional leaders taking part in the meeting. Read more here
BUSINESS
Let's go to La Vega, Trinidad's best kept secret
La Vega Estate is well-known locally, but owners of the estate Bertram Bert Manhin and Pat Manhin said business has been down, especially post-pandemic, mainly because of the distance. Though the estate is opened to the public during the weekends and on public holidays, the couple is hoping people put aside their fears of long distances and seek serenity in their nature reserve. The Manhins bought the estate almost 40 years ago. The offer of plants for sale and the introduction of many fruits, that are labelled as local fruits, were because of Bert’s hobby that he said went overboard. Read more here
ECCB pleased with progress of digital currency initiative
Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Timothy NJ Antoine, says he is pleased with the performance of DCash, the bank’s digital currency pilot aimed at improving financial inclusion and modernising payment systems. DCash is a digital version of the Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar currency and the ECCB is using the latest technology to provide a new payment option to advance financial services within its member countries. Two years after the pilot was launched, Antoine said that DCash has been recognised globally as a pioneer and a model for retail central bank digital currencies. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘We borrow to invest in things that matter’
The General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday, addressed concerns regarding the government’s borrowing practices, and countered ill-informed criticisms by highlighting that Guyana’s national debt stands at a mere 12 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Owing to its low debt-GDP ratio, Guyana has one of the lowest rates worldwide compared to the past when the country was highly indebted. In his response, Dr. Jagdeo emphasised the party’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and highlighted the successful management of debt, underscoring the positive impact on the country’s financial viability and development. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
El Niño planet-warming weather phase has begun
A natural weather event known as El Niño has begun in the Pacific Ocean, likely adding heat to a planet already warming under climate change. US scientists confirmed that El Niño had started. Experts say it will likely make 2024 the world's hottest year. They fear it will help push the world past a key 1.5C warming milestone. It will also affect world weather, potentially bringing drought to Australia, more rain to the southern US, and weakening India's monsoon. The event will likely last until next spring, after which its impacts will recede. Read more here
9th June 2023