NEWS
Supermarket Association surprised at flour price increase
"Surprised" was Supermarket Association (SATT) president Rajiv Diptee's response to the announcement by National Flour Mills (NFM) of a 33 per cent increase in flour prices. Speaking at the launch of Southex Agriculture and Food Expo at the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Columbus Circle, Westmoorings, on Wednesday, he said the company did not try to cushion the impact on the public. “I am very surprised NFM did not attempt to work out a strategy as a state entity, where perhaps some of this cost could have been subsidised. Wheat flour in particular is a staple in household diets. In villages they still give porridge as meals to the children. Read more here
Monkeypox alert
Be vigilant. Assume the person next to you has monkeypox. And be cautious how you mix with persons who recently travelled to any country where monkeypox has been detected. That’s the advice of Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh yesterday as he cautioned the public to be proactive about the monkeypox outbreak. Speaking during the Ministry of Health’s virtual news conference yesterday, Deyalsingh said, “Just because we don’t have a confirmed or suspected case of monkeypox in Trinidad, don’t wait until we confirm one to then be careful. We are asking persons to be vigilant from now. To be vigilant if you are in close personal contact especially skin-to-skin contact or sharing bedding and clothing with someone who may have recently travelled to one of the 43 countries that are now reporting monkeypox cases. Read more here
POLITICS
UNC stages fifth walkout on AG
The Opposition UNC staged its fifth parliamentary walkout on Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, on Wednesday. The latest walkout came as Armour prepared to contribute to debate on the National Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022 in the House of Representatives. The fourth walkout happened earlier in the sitting, when Armour made a ministerial statement on public procurement legislation. Read more here
Opposition MP deeply concerned about AG’s memory
Attorney General Reginald Armour’s latest statement on his disqualification from a Miami court in relation to a Piarco International Airport fraud matter has raised more questions than it has answered, according to Opposition MP Dinesh Rambally. Rambally has also expressed deep concern about Armour’s memory after the AG explained that he detailed his involvement in the Piarco Airport case based on his “best recollection.” “Mr Reginald Armour, SC, has failed his Office, the Government and people. His conduct as a lawyer, and more so as an Attorney General, warrants admonition and rebuke,” Rambally said after Armour broke his silence on Monday via a media release, after his initial response to concerns. Read more here
BUSINESS
Blue Water Shipping sails through supply chain rough seas
The cost of shipping and freight is expected to remain high over the next year because of the impact of logistic complexities to every part of the supply chain. It is one of the challenges the shipping industry continues to face, Blue Waters Shipping (Trinidad) general manager Nooriana Seerattan said in an interview with Business Day. She explained the operations, cost, and opportunities the company and the industry has had over the past two years. The covid19 pandemic and now the Russia-Ukraine conflict has disrupted the freight and supply chains in multiple ways – from sanctions to higher fuel costs to higher shipping and freight costs. Read more here
Try flour from local ground provisions
The National Agricultural Marketing Development Corporation (Namdevco) says alternative flour sources are available at local markets amid a rise in local flour prices. On Tuesday, National Flour Mills Ltd (NFM) announced a 33 per cent increase in the wholesale price of flour and an average of 28 per cent increase on the retail price of the commodity. Chief executive officer Ian Mitchell attributed the rise to a turbulent period for wheat supply and food security. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana’s Samuel Haynes to attend UN education meeting in Paris
The 2021 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) top performer and former Queen’s College student, Samuel Haynes, will be representing Guyana next week at the United Nations’ Transforming Education Pre-Summit in Paris, France. The pre-Summit will be held from June 28 to June 30. The full Summit will be held in September in New York City, U.S. Haynes will be one of two persons representing Guyana at the meeting, according to Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, during her address at a public event. The meeting focuses on the future of education worldwide. The other participant, whose name was not provided, is described as a young teacher from Mahaicony Creek. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine war: Russia aiming to 'destroy' Donbas, Zelensky says
A key advisor to Ukraine's president has said the battle for the eastern cities of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk has reached a "fearsome climax". Oleksiy Arestovych said Russian forces could soon encircle the twin cities and cut them off from Ukrainian territory. "The threat of a tactical Russian victory is there, but they haven't done it yet," he said. It comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of trying to "destroy" the Donbas region. "There were massive air and artillery strikes in Donbas. The occupier's goal here is unchanged, they want to destroy the entire Donbas step-by-step," Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address. Read more here
23rd June 2022