NEWS
Family Planning Association: Address ‘cultural norms’ which contribute to gender-based violence
The Family Planning Association has said that some factors which contribute to domestic violence have become “cultural norms” in Trinidad and Tobago, and they should be “addressed and eliminated.” In a news release on Friday – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – the association called on the nation to “look within… “…Examining our governance structure, our laws, our society, our language, our policies and practices in institutions, workplaces, and places of businesses as well as cultural practices and norms in communities and families to introspect and examine our own individual mindsets, attitudes and responses to abuse in all forms.” Read more here
EXPLAINER: What we know and don’t know on new COVID variant
South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province. It’s unclear where the new variant first emerged, but scientists in South Africa alerted the World Health Organization in recent days, and it has now been seen in travelers arriving in several countries, from Australia to Israel to the Netherlands. On Friday, the WHO designated it as a “variant of concern,” naming it “omicron” after a letter in the Greek alphabet. Read more here
POLITICS
MSJ: Extend property evaluation forms deadline, shelve revenue authority plan
Two days before the November 30 deadline for the submission of property evaluation forms, Finance Minister Colm Imbert and his Government are being asked to give people more time to comply. Various chambers of commerce, as well as former finance minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira who brought the property tax bill to the Parliament under a Patrick Manning administration in 2009, has advocated for a deferral as far as 2025. At a virtual news conference on Sunday, Political Leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) David Abdulah expressed support for the postponement. Read more here
PM tells Coast Guard—Go after gun, human trafficking trade
As the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) commissioned their two new Cape Class vessels yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley urged the Coast Guard officers to utilise the vessels properly to cut down on human trafficking and the illegal gun trade. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas, the Prime Minister said the officers have a duty to defend, own and explore T&T’s interests at sea from criminal elements. He said the horrendous accounts from local fishermen being attacked and trafficking victims are well-known. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana to end 2021 on high note
Although oil prices have dipped because of a new COVID-19 variant which was detected in South Africa, Brent – the benchmark Guyana uses to sell its crude – still remains over US$70 per barrel of oil, giving Guyana an opportunity to end the year with over US$600 million in its Natural Resource Fund (NRF). Revenues reaching close to US$70 million could be earned from the sale of the country’s final oil lift for this year, which was completed by the company producing offshore Guyana, ExxonMobil, a few days ago. Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, confirmed on Sunday that the country received its final lift and it will soon be exported. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Omicron: Australia pauses next phase of border reopening
Australia has paused plans to reopen its borders to some foreign nationals amid fears over the new Covid variant. The country was due to allow vaccinated skilled migrants and international students entry from 1 December. But Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a delay of a fortnight was "necessary" following Omicron's discovery. The heavily mutated variant was detected in South Africa earlier this month, with initial evidence suggesting it has a higher re-infection risk. It prompted the UK, EU and US to issue a travel ban on Southern African countries - a decision criticised by South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa. Japan announced on Monday that all foreigners would be banned from entering as a result of the variant, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has said poses a high risk globally. Read more here
China extols isolation as countries rush to impose Omicron travel bans
As countries around the world scramble to impose travel bans to stem the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, China remains outwardly calm -- at least for now. Despite two confirmed cases of the heavily mutated variant in Hong Kong, Chinese public health experts have expressed confidence in the country's existing border control measures. China's response -- or the lack thereof -- is hardly surprising. The country's border restrictions are already among the strictest in the world, with most foreign visitors, from tourists to students, banned from entering mainland China. Those few who are allowed to enter, as well as returning Chinese citizens, must undergo at least 14 days of strict centralized quarantine. And that can be extended to up to 28 days by local authorities, often followed by another lengthy period of home observation. Read more here
29th November 2021