NEWS
Noted historian, writer Prof Brinsley Samaroo dies
Professor Emeritus Dr Brinsley Samaroo, noted historian, retired university lecturer and past government minister, died on Sunday after a brief illness. He was 84. Former colleagues hailed his enduring contribution to the study of history and the practice of politics. His daughter Kavita Samaroo issued a statement saying he died peacefully at 12.45 pm. "We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this period and wish to request some private time to grieve. An announcement will be made regarding his memorial service." University historian Prof Bridget Brereton told Newsday Samaroo was a pioneer in the study of TT's history, whose influence would endure. Read more here
19 TML top performers awarded
Nineteen pupils who excelled in the 2023 Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examinations have been awarded by TML San Fernando Primary School. Among them was Mila Zoro, who achieved an outstanding score, coming close to perfection. These pupils ranked among the best performers nationwide, prompting some parents to submit requests for their national ranking under the Freedom of Information Act. During the event, acting school principal Wahida Mohammed-Narine applauded the students for their remarkable achievements. The top performers, including Zoro, Zia Khan, Arisa Rajan, Ehsan Ahmed, Kayleb Nandlal, Melanie Bajnath, Vinai Rajack, Christyana Singh, Sasthi Dabideen, Devisa Ramdial, Sidheshwari Ramsumair, Angelica Ali, Saeed Dhanraj, Alina Dwarkah, Divya Lutchmansingh, Reisha Bachan, Abdurahman Salim, Mikaeel Baig, and Anish Rampersad, were each presented with trophies in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Read more here
POLITICS
Government puts organisations on alert - CYBER ATTACK FEARS
Government and the Opposition are said to be concerned about the potential for future cybercrime attacks, after one such attack on the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs last Friday. In a statement on Sunday, the National Security Ministry said its cyber security incident response team (TT-CSIRT) is urging all organisations to take the necessary precautions to mitigate against rising ransomware attacks. Ransomware is malware designed to deny a user or organisation access to files on their computer servers. Malware is software designed to disrupt, damage or gain unauthorised access to a computer system. Read more here
Rice farmers seek Govt help to restart operations
Rice farmers in southeast Trinidad, who had previously shut down their operations, are interested in re-entering the industry and are seeking the Government’s help to do so. They made the call Agriculture Minister Kazim Hosein distributed 200,000 pounds of high-yielding, disease-resistant rice seeds to farmers at the National Seed Bank in Chaguaramas last Tuesday. Speaking to Guardian Media, farmer Outam Ramnarine said many rice farmers could not operate because of delays in getting payments from the National Flour Mills, before the COVID-19 pandemic. He said farmers had loans with the Agricultural Development Bank and because of soaring prices of fertilizers, delays in payments, and high operating costs they had no choice but to shut down operations and seek alternative employment. Read more here
BUSINESS
Irresponsible to cut oil production now
The head of global energy giant Shell says it would be “irresponsible” to cut oil and gas production at a time when the world economy is still dependent on fossil fuels. In an interview with the BBC released on Thursday, Shell CEO Wael Sawan also refused to rule out moving the company’s headquarters and stock market listing from Britain to the United States. “The reality is, the energy system of today continues to desperately need oil and gas,” Sawan said. “And before we are able to let go of that, we need to make sure that we have developed the energy systems of the future — and we are not yet, collectively, moving at the pace (required for) that to happen.” Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana experiencing profound transformation, change and hope
Guyana and the United States of America have solidified their status as close partners, with United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken affirming the strength of the nations’ relationship. During a joint press conference with President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, last Thursday, at State House, Secretary Blinken expressed his appreciation for Guyana’s significant role as one of the United States’ closest partners in the Caribbean region. The high-level US official said that the partnership is rooted in shared values and principles, such as the rule of law and democracy. Secretary Blinken added that both countries are committed to upholding these fundamental principles and working together to ensure that every nation abides by them. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
China kindergarten stabbing: Six dead in Lianjiang
Six people including three children have been killed in a kindergarten stabbing in China's south-eastern Guangdong province. Police said they have arrested a 25-year-old man with the surname Wu in Lianjiang. The other victims are a teacher and two parents, AFP reported, quoting a local official. One person is also injured. Police have called this a case of "intentional assault" but not elaborated on a possible motive. The attack happened on Monday at 07:40 local time (23:40 Sunday GMT), just as parents were dropping their children off for summer classes. The man was arrested at 08:00. A storeowner who works near the kindergarten told the BBC the surrounding area had been sealed off. Read more here
10th July 2023