NEWS
Tropical wave to cause unstable weather on Monday
The Meteorological Service is monitoring an active tropical wave to the east of the Windward Islands. In a release on Sunday, it said there are no alerts, watches or warnings in effect for TT. The Met Office said the National Hurricane Centre has given this tropical wave a low (20 per cent) chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in 48 hours and a low (30 per cent) chance of development in five days. Read more here
Nestlé implements hybrid work culture
Nestlé Trinidad and Tobago believe they are moving in the right direction following the recent implementation of a standard hybrid work culture in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was made even as the food and beverage company officially opened its recently renovated Anglo-Dutch Caribbean office in Valsayn on Friday. Nestlé invested over US$2 million into the introduction of a new plant-based beverage production line and remodelling of their corporate workspace. Read more here
POLITICS
Tancoo tells PNM ministers, MPs: Ride bikes to work Monday
MP for Oropouche West Davendranath Tancoo knocked PNM MPs on Sunday saying they should all ride bikes to Parliament on Monday. He was taking shots at Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland, Minister of Sport Shamfa Cudjoe and minister in the Ministry of Finance, Brian Manning for their comments in the aftermath of the reading of the 2022-2023 budget on September 26. In a media release on Sunday, Tancoo said: "This is how this PNM government views citizens. While they give their friends, family, and financiers billions of taxpayers’ dollars, the PNM's recommendation to citizens is to go back to coal pot and bicycle. Read more here
Nunez-Tesheira battles Rowley for PNM leadership ‘People want change’
Dr Keith Rowley is set to face some opposition as he campaigns to hold on to the post of People’s National Movement (PNM) political leader, following the shock announcement by former finance minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira that she will run for the post in the internal election later this year. In confirming her intention yesterday, Nunez-Tesheira said although she has deliberately maintained a low profile that has kept her out of the political limelight for several years, her loyalty is forever vested in the PNM. This is why she said she can no longer ignore what is taking place in terms of how the country is being managed, adding her decision to contest the leadership of the party came after she was approached by other PNMites to get back into the arena. The PNM’s internal election is scheduled for December 4. Read more here
BUSINESS
Amcham CEO: Need to look at work in post-pandemic world
American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) CEO Nirad Tewarie has said there is a need to examine what type of work models best suit individuals and organisations in a post-covid19 pandemic world. He made this observation when he spoke at an Amcham Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) conference at Cara Suites Hotel, Claxton Bay on Thursday. The meeting is one of the precursor events to AMCHAM's HSSE Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port of Spain from November 1-3. Read more here
First Citizens stops US$175m loan negotiations
Majority State-owned First Citizens Group Financial Holdings has decided to discontinue its loan application process with the private sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for US$175 million. In a notice of material change posted on the website of the Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC) on Friday, First Citizens said the decision to discontinue negotiations for the US$175 million loan was made noting: • A rising interest rate environment in the United States of America and other global financial markets; and • First Citizens has sufficient US dollar liquidity to fund its initiatives within the short to medium term. Read more here
REGIONAL
Two thumbs up
Noting the importance of anti-corruption in the development of the business community, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Paul Cheong commended the progress Guyana has made in strengthening anti-corruption framework and fiscal transparency. The country’s improvements in this area was recently highlighted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) it its report documenting the conclusions of its Article IV Consultation with local authorities. “We have always echo the importance of anti-corruption framework because without it, it can lead to many ills. It could drive away good investors and your cost to financing would be more,” Cheong said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Indonesia: Fans 'died in the arms' of players in stadium crush
Football fans "died in the arms" of players during a crush at Indonesia's Kanjuruhan stadium, the home team coach has said, as the number of children killed in the tragedy rose to 32. Javier Roca said the crush at the match in Java, in which 125 people lost their lives, left him "mentally shattered". Authorities say the youngest victim of Saturday's disaster was just three. Some 18 officers are being investigated after police fired tear gas at fans who invaded the pitch when the match ended. More than 320 other people were injured as supporters were trampled on and suffocated in crushes as they fled the gas. Indonesia's deputy minister of children and women affairs said the children were aged between three and 17. Read more here
3rd October 2022