NEWS
Police troubled by increase in drunk driving
The police are warning drivers to follow the road rules especially those regarding alcohol and speeding. In a statement on Sunday, the police said there was a troubling trend where police observed an increase in the number of drivers found exceeding the legal alcohol limit. It said, “Over the past 48 hours, three persons were arrested for driving under the influence, while officers were conducting routine traffic stop-and-search exercises along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Uriah Butler Highway and the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway.” Read more here
Boy, 12, accused of abusing 11 children, 2 animals at Home
The manager of the Couva Children’s Home and Crisis Nursery Kerri-Ann Leon Sing, as well as several caregivers, who asked not to be named, have come forward saying that several children have been sexually and physically abused by an older resident over a six-year period. The whistleblowers also claimed that attempts to have the child transferred were initially blocked by superiors. But the matter has now been engaging the attention of the police, with the TTPS’ Children’s Protection Unit removing the alleged perpetrator from the home. According to the whistleblowers, children at the home had been terrified, fearing that the boy would attack or molest them. Between 2018 and 2024, there were 25 incidents of sexually inappropriate behaviour by the alleged perpetrator against 11 children and even two dogs. Read more here
POLITICS
Al-Rawi expects fierce competition in June 17 by-elections
Rural Development and Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi says by-elections are nothing new and the PNM is always very pleased to put its candidates into the field. He lauded the party's two candidates for upcoming by-elections – pastor Autly Granthume for Lengua/Indian Walk and Anderson Nanan for Quinam/ Morne Diablo. The districts fall under the Princes Town Regional Corporation and Penal/Debe Regional Corporation (PDRC). Both are UNC-controlled corporations. Al-Rawi recalled the circumstances of the by-elections set for June 17, saying Granthume did the unthinkable. Read more here
Trips by PM to Ghana, India meant to ‘grow T&T economy’
Touting himself as the country’s number one salesman, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said his trips to Ghana and India in the past two weeks were to cement a shift in the country’s economy. Rowley addressed the media at the Piarco International Airport’s Conference Room upon his return and said it was imperative that the country diversify its economy away from oil and gas. He said his visits to Ghana and India were aimed at doing just that. He said Ghana is an opportunity for the country to grow as the country has a population of 34 million and a gateway to another 200 million potential customers. “There comes a time when you have to understand that there are limits within your own border especially if you are and have been a trading nation,” he said. Read more here
BUSINESS
‘Four-day work week drives productivity’
FORM Architects Ltd is one of T&T’s first companies to successfully implement a four-day workweek and its management is now encouraging other local companies to follow their innovative path. The debate on the four-day workweek is currently at an all-time high. Just last month, US Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders announced his intention to bring a Bill to legislate a 32-hour workweek that would not decrease salaries in the US. If successful that legislation can have global implications. Following the growing trend globally, in February, Germany, Europe’s largest economy started a trial where employees from select companies worked for four days with the same salary, In February, Sunday Business published an article in which the Employers’ Consultative Association (ECA), T&T’s largest employer-umbrella organisation said in a statement that it is not sure that the domestic economy is ready for the four-day work week concept. FORM Architects Ltd, a Caribbean design firm located in St Clair, Port-of-Spain, is one local company that has put the modern workweek on trial and is weighing in on the conversation. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest of Israeli and Hamas leaders
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas's leader in Gaza for war crimes. Karim Khan KC said there were reasonable grounds to believe that both men bore criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity from at least 7 October 2023. Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh, its military chief Mohammed Deif are also wanted for arrest. The ICC, based in The Hague, has been investigating Israel's actions in the occupied territories for the past three years - and more recently the actions of Hamas as well. Mr Netanyahu recently called the prospect of senior Israel figures joining the ICC's wanted list "an outrage of historic proportions". Read more here
20th May 2024