NEWS
Industrial Court president to serve on IMF tribunal
President of the Industrial Court of TT Deborah Thomas-Felix will be joining with judges from across the globe to form the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Administrative Tribunal according to a release from the Industrial Court on Sunday. Thomas-Felix who presided over the case between members of the Oilfield Workers' Trade Union (OWTU) and the now defunct Petrotrin in 2018, was appointed to the tribunal on March 1. She will be joining with judges from South Africa, the US, Spain and Lebanon to make up the tribunal which has responsibilities in resolving employment disputes between the IMF and their employees, the release stated. Read more here
Demerit Point System takes effect today
The UTURN Software Management System which introduces a Demerit Point System for motorists across the country goes live today. “This new modern technological platform will allow for the full implementation of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act No. 9 of 2017 for the introduction of a Demerit Points System, new Traffic Ticketing System, and Red-Light Camera Enforcement System in Trinidad and Tobago,” a release from the Ministry of Works and Transport system. Introduction of the software, which facilitates the process for motorists to be notified via mail after being caught in breach of traffic regulations on camera, also involves distribution of new Handheld Mobile Traffic Ticketing Devices to officers of the T&T Police Service (TTPS), Licensing Division and Traffic Warden Division, which will be put into use.” Read more here
POLITICS
Neurosurgeon suspended over alleged confidentiality breach
A visiting neurosurgeon has been suspended over alleged breaches of patient confidentiality, reported Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh. He was responding to a question in Parliament on Friday from Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe, who asked the reason for the suspension of privileges of Dr Peter Mayer and for a status update on the case. Read more here
Latt in uproar over PM's stand on impeachment of CJ
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has once again refused to reconsider his stance on the impeachment of Chief Justice Ivor Archie. This time, the Prime Minister wrote to the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) making his view clear. “I have considered, fully taken into account and observed the findings and statements of Mr Justice (Vashiest) Kokaram in his judgment. I, therefore, reconsider my decision on the HDC (Housing Development Corporation) issue with an open mind and without regard to any political or other motivation on the part of the LATT,” he said. “After such consideration, I have decided not to make a representation to the President under s137 of the Constitution. I adopt those reasons for my said reconsidered decision and do not set them out here. Read more here
BUSINESS
A pain for already hurting economy
The deadly coronavirus does not only threaten lives but will cast a dark and dangerous shadow over Trinidad and Tobago’s economy. Read more here
REGIONAL
Cruel Act! - 65-Year-Old Woman Allegedly Killed By Man 11 Years Her Senior
The children of 65-year-old Patsy Donaldson-Powell are in shock and have been overcome with grief after finding their mother with her throat slashed allegedly by a 76-year-old farmer who lives with his wife and children in Junction, St Elizabeth, but has a child with the deceased. The accused was taken into custody in connection with the murder of the woman, who was a livestock farmer of Exton district in Junction. According to the police, shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday, Donaldson-Powell’s daughter, who lives next door to her mother’s house, came home and noticed that the lights inside her parent’s house were on and went to investigate. Read more here
‘We’re well prepared’
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has given the assurance that all systems are in place for smooth elections today as Guyanese go to the polls to elect a new government. Over 600,000 Guyanese are eligible to vote in the 2020 General and Regional Elections. “We are well prepared,” GECOM Chairman, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh told Kaieteur Radio on Sunday. “We are prepared to deliver free, fair and credible elections. Everything has been put in place towards transparency.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
EU launches 'coronavirus response team'
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has launched a "coronavirus response team", in an attempt to stem the spread of the disease across Europe. She also said the EU had raised its coronavirus risk level from "moderate" to "high". Read more here
Biden races to lock down moderates as Buttigieg exit rocks rapidly shifting Democratic race
Joe Biden is moving closer to consolidating the support of moderate Democratic voters and donors after a resounding victory in South Carolina and Pete Buttigieg's departure from the party's presidential race. The question heading into Super Tuesday is whether the former vice president and his growing momentum will be enough to keep pace in the delegate race with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. He'll also need to stave off former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose ads have blanketed the airwaves and social media apps in Super Tuesday states. Bloomberg could be positioned to be a spoiler for Biden, helping Sanders rack up delegates by dividing moderate voters. Read more here
2nd March 2020