NEWS
Court: Ex-bank employee must repay $800k to customer
On Wednesday, ex-Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) employee Leanna Pereira was ordered to pay almost $725,000 to Dilks Diseree Pierre, of La Romaine. Pereira was also ordered to pay costs of $80,300. The order was made by Justice Frank Seepersad, who was presiding over Pierre’s claim against Pereira and the bank. The matter was expected to go to trial. The claim against RBC was withdrawn and Pierre was ordered to pay its costs, amounting to $90,000. In her lawsuit, Pierre was seeking to hold the bank vicariously liable and negligent over Pereira's alleged conduct. Read more here
Clean-up operations continue in areas affected by flood
As the public continued to brace for more rain yesterday, clean-up operations were being carried out in several areas across Trinidad. Despite the light rains, workers of the Ministry of Works and Transport Drainage and Highways Division as well as the Diego Martin Regional Corporation were not deterred as they removed debris and washed muddy roadways. Along Saddle Road, Maraval yesterday, several teams were hard at work shovelling grass, mud, slush, fallen trees and bamboo, and removing garbage from waterways as they sought to ensure they are clear as the rainy season continues. At the Royal Palm Hotel, Maraval, employees were seen power washing the premises, while much of the same continued at the nearby Sherwin Williams outlet. Read more here
POLITICS
PM on chief administrator issue: I’ll resign if I’m wrong
The Prime Minister is staking his job on his version of the events that have led to no one being appointed to the office of chief administrator in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) since May 17. On Wednesday, Rowley delivered a lengthy statement in the House of Representatives on the issue, saying the matter has finally been resolved, more than a month after Ethlyn John’s retirement. He said an acting chief administrator will be appointed. He said if his version of events was wrong, he will resign his post. He also laid a dossier in the House surrounding the appointment of a chief administrator. Read more here
BUSINESS
Trifactor MD on solar power use: 'Let's make renewable energy affordable'
As countries, including TT, grapple with how to transition to renewable energy sources, one Gasparillo-based firm has taken steps to provide solutions to local and regional clients. Trifactor Technical Sales and Services Ltd, a renewable energy equipment provider, caters to the needs of farmers, residents and industrial clients. For all clients, pressurised solar water heating systems, solar perimeter lights, all-in-one complete solar system packages are offered while rotating machinery, pumps, compressors, pipes and valves among other tools for its oil and gas, petrochemical, manufacturing, and renewable energy customers. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘We have to find a way to ensure they are accommodated’ – Jagdeo on Plaisance vendors
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday reiterated the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s commitment to working along with the vendors of the Plaisance ‘Line Top’ to find a practical, accommodating solution as the government proceeds with road expansion works along the Railway Embankment. Dr. Jagdeo, who met with the residents at a community meeting on Tuesday, chided the main political opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) for using the situation to gain political mileage rather than deal with the concerns of the citizens. “The government plans to ensure that we will accommodate them; we will try as far as possible to ensure that they can ply their livelihood,” Dr. Jagdeo reassured during a press engagement at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Sweden Quran burning sparks anger across Muslim world
Several Muslim-majority countries have condemned the burning of a copy of the Quran in Sweden at a protest. Salwan Momika, said to be an Iraqi living in Sweden,set fire to a copy of the Muslim text in front of Stockholm's central mosque on Wednesday. Middle Eastern nations including Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt strongly criticised the burning. And Turkey, a Nato member with a say over whether Sweden gains membership, called it a "despicable act". Turkey - which was also angered by a Quran burning protest earlier this year - said it was "unacceptable" to allow such "anti-Islamic actions" to take place "under the pretext of freedom of expression". Read more here
29th June 2023