NEWS
Senior Cop On Killing Of Intruder: Defend Yourself Within The Law
A senior policeman says while people have a right to defend themselves and their property against any criminal threat, they must always do so within the law. And to heighten this point, the TTPS issued a release on Wednesday outlining the consequences holders of Firearms Users Licence (FUL) can face if they contravene laws within the Firearms Act. “I continue to implore people about the need to get themselves properly trained in the use of firearms. We do not want people to be holders of FULs and when the need arises, they operate in fear. Read more here
Migrants vow to continue hunger strike
Venezuelan migrants embarked on the second day of a hunger strike yesterday, protesting their detention at the Chaguaramas Heliport. The detainees, who began the hunger strike on Tuesday, have promised to keep at it until there is a decision by the court or the Government regarding their release. The migrants are also protesting what they have described as the worsening conditions at the facility, which is manned by members of the T&T Coast Guard. ost of the detainees were arrested on July 9 following a raid at a bar in St James where they were attending a party. Initially, there were 143 of them, however, about 20 of them have since been released. A letter addressed to Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds by the law firm Quantum Legal, whose attorneys are representing 70 of the detainees, outlined the conditions at the heliport as of July 31. The letter was also dated that same day. Read more here
POLITICS
Rambally: Are PM's lawyers seeking statements against THA chief secretary?
Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally has criticised the Prime Minister for writing a pre-action protocol letter against Tobago House of Assembly (THA) whistleblower Akil Abdullah. He also questioned whether PNM lawyers are in the process of preparing an indemnity agreement to allow Abdullah to make statements against THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine. Rambally made these statements at a UNC meeting in Chaguanas on Monday. In a television interview on July 29, Dr Rowley disclosed that his personal lawyers sent a pre-action protocol letter to Abdullah for allegations that Abdullah made against him. Read more here
Kamla under fire for ‘empty the clip’ comments
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bisessar has come under fire for her now popular “empty the whole clip” on intruders comment. The People’s National Movement (PNM) has described Persad-Bissessar’s comments as worrying, and the party is urging her supporters to not be misled into the path of lawlessness. In promoting the United National Congress’ (UNC) proposed “stand your ground” laws along with easier access to legal firearms, the Opposition Leader in Chaguanas on Monday evening went a bit further than she usually does on this topic and envisioned a UNC-led future where lawful firearm holders can “empty the whole clip” on intruders in your homes as she believes it is time to “fight fire with fire”. Almost immediately that part of her speech was posted on various social media platforms with comments ranging from, “I didn’t know Aunty Kams does lime on the block”, to, “Did Kamla really say that?!” Some even pledged their support in the upcoming Local Government Elections. Read more here
BUSINESS
Chinese Laundry urges entrepreneurs to embrace innovation, technology
The multi-talented – now DJ Artiste – Anthony “Chinese Laundry” Chow Lin On urged small, upcoming and established entrepreneurs to be more creative and less dependent on technology. “Understand that within your creativity lies your superpower – innovation is what you have,” he said at the National Entrepreneurship Development Co (NEDCO) entrepreneurship conference on Wednesday. Chow Lin On said this is one of the ways micro and small businesses can develop and grow. This falls in line with NEDCO’s theme, Unlocking the Innovative Mindset for this year’s conference. Read more here
‘We need more flights from T&T’
Most Caribbean countries are heavily dependent on their tourism industries to keep their economies bouyant, and it is for this reason a reliable regional airline is needed. In a one and one interview with the Business Guardian, St Lucia’s Minister for Investment, Tourism and Creative Industries Dr Ernest Hilaire said another Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) is needed to fly regional skies once again. “LIAT is part of the regional landscape. Now that does not say LIAT does not have problems or anything like that, but the airline is needed. “In fact, for everyone who criticised the regional carrier, what would they pay to have the airline operating once again? Read more here
REGIONAL
President Ali: ‘My commitment and desire to destroy racism will succeed’
Recognising the challenges that must be overcome while celebrating the country’s successes, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to removing the destructive element of racism from the Guyanese society. In an interview on the government’s third year in office, President Ali firmly stated that Guyana is already on the path of destroying the scourge. “I assure you today that my commitment and my desire to destroy racism, to destroy disunity, to remove it from the psyche of our people, to disallow the intellectual authors [from using] it will succeed,” the Guyanese leader posited. He added, “It will succeed because of my strong commitment and belief in the spirit of Guyanese; in what makes us the Guyanese people. And I believe…very strongly, that we are on the path of removing this destructive element of regression from the psyche of our nation, and that will be a tremendous accomplishment.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Marseille riots: French officer in custody row admits firing riot gun
A French policeman suspected of shooting a 22-year-old man in the head with a rubber bullet while Marseille was hit by riots a month ago has admitted opening fire. Hedi, who is an assistant restaurant manager, was badly wounded and disfigured by the "flash ball". The officer has been held in custody for weeks, prompting an outcry from colleagues in Marseille and elsewhere. The public prosecutor asked a court on Thursday to keep him in detention. The officer's lawyer has appealed for his release, but the prosecutor said the risk of "fraudulent collusion" with colleagues had to be taken into account. The suspect is one of a group of four policemen facing prosecution on a charge of violence by a group with authority, for actions during riots that erupted across France at the beginning of July. Read more here
3rd August 2023