NEWS
Family outraged over Keithisha's death: Solve this case
Keithisha Cudjoe was a fighter, a relative of the deceased woman told Newsday on Wednesday as she imagined the 21-year-old’s last moments. Cudjoe, originally of Covigne Road, Diego Martin lived at Harding Place, Cocorite and was last seen alive on January 24. Her semi-nude decomposing body was found in the Heights of Aripo on January 28 and positively identified on Tuesday. Read more here
PAHO: 14 countries in Americas yet to vaccinate 40% of their people against COVID-19
Washington D.C. (PAHO) — While 63% of people in Latin America and the Caribbean have now been vaccinated against COVID-19, coverage remains uneven, with 14 countries and territories immunizing 70% of their populations and the same number failing to reach even 40% coverage, the Pan American Health Organization Director Carissa F. Etienne said during a media briefing on Wednesday. With 7 million new infections and over 34,000 deaths reported in the region since last week, the PAHO Director highlighted “worrisome gaps” in the vaccination of at-risk populations – with some countries reporting lower coverage among the elderly compared to younger groups who are less at risk for severe disease. Read more here
POLITICS
No budget approved for Carnival yet: Taste of bacchanal
Two days after National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman Winston “Gypsy” Peters announced that $25-$30 million has been allocated for a scaled-down version of Carnival, the government said on Wednesday no such budget has yet been approved. Minister of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts Randall Mitchell, at a news conference at the ministry at Waterfront Towers, Port of Spain, said the figure quoted by Peters was “indicative” and has not been approved by the Cabinet. Read more here
Cabinet concludes two-day retreat
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley may be speaking ahead about Cabinet’s recently-concluded two-day retreat. This was hinted yesterday by Government sources. The retreat for Government members which began on Tuesday finished around 6 pm that day and yesterday’s final leg was ongoing yesterday evening. Ministers and other officials were expected to speak on the “deliverables” in their Ministries, detailing plans for Government’s path ahead. Yesterday Communication Minister Symon de Nobrega didn’t reply to queries on decisions, outcomes or other developments - including if a reshuffle would occur as some have speculated. Read more here
BUSINESS
Double D Fitness: Simon brothers expand gym enterprise into wellness store
Personal trainers Derrick and Dexter Simon have added a new business venture to their fitness portfolio. On January 5, the Simon brothers will open the doors to Double D Fitness, a nutrition and fitness store, at Kilbracken Road, in Glencoe. Derrick told Business Day the store was approximately seven years in the making and is the “end game” in the full fitness and nutrition package they have always wanted to give to their clients. Read more here
BA to operate extra flight from London
Trinidad and Tobago is expecting an increase in visitor arrivals from Europe and St Lucia with an extra flight from London next month. The Tourism Ministry, in a release on Wednesday, said British Airways currently flies from London to Trinidad, via St Lucia, four times a week. However, from March 27, 2022, the airline will add another flight to its weekly service. The ministry noted, effective this same date, March 27, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will be continuing its service from Amsterdam into Port of Spain. Read more here
REGIONAL
Latest oil find a ‘springboard’ for massive development in Berbice
The latest oil find by CGX Energy Inc., offshore Guyana, is expected to serve as a springboard for development and massive investments in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), according to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat. It was reported that less than two months after encountering hydrocarbons at the Kawa-1 well in the Corentyne Block, offshore Guyana, CGX Energy Inc. announced that its drilling campaign has produced greater results. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Europe entering Covid pandemic 'ceasefire', says WHO
The World Health Organization's (WHO) Europe director says the continent could soon enter a "long period of tranquillity" in the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Hans Kluge cited high vaccination rates, the end of winter and the less severe nature of the Omicron variant. Speaking to reporters, he said: "This period of higher protection should be seen as a 'ceasefire' that could bring us enduring peace." It comes as a number of European nations end Covid-19 restrictions. Denmark became the first nation in the European Union to lift all rules, including the wearing of face masks, earlier this week. Read more here
3rd February 2022