NEWS
Chinese embassy confident local authorities can subdue crime
While officials from the Chinese embassy in Trinidad have taken note of the escalating crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago, they are confident that the authorities are capable of adequately protecting citizens. Speaking during a media briefing on the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Chinese embassy, Long Circular Road, Maraval, on Monday, ambassador Fang Qiu outlined several areas of interest where his country and TT can collaborate. Among these were areas of law enforcement as he noted that personnel exchanges and capacity-building exercises were possible between Chinese police and the TTPS. Read more here
Gunfire from warring gangs forces closure of Rose Hill RC School in Laventille
The Rose Hill RC Primary School in Laventille will remain closed for the rest of the week following the latest shooting incident between warring gangs on Monday, in which gunfire was heard echoing through the hills of Laventille. And following preliminary approval by the Ministry of Education (MoE) on Wednesday, the staff and pupils are to be temporarily relocated to the St Dominic’s Children’s Home in Belmont. Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM) CEO Sharon Mangroo confirmed a building on the compound has been designated for use and they are hoping to have the pupils back in school by Monday. However, she warned: “While we are aiming for Monday, the reality may be different, as the limiting factors are transport for students and for the furniture etc. The former may take a while to arrange, as there are costs to be approved.” Read more here
POLITICS
THA tackles outstanding gratuities, increments, severance pay
The THA is moving swiftly to address the issue of outstanding gratuities and increments across all of its divisions. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine made the announcement on Wednesday at the close of the THA’s two-day executive and administrative heads meeting at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex. Chief Administrator Ethlyn John, administrators and technical advisers and officers from the various divisions attended the meeting. Read more here
Rowley unveils Leaders in Service team ... urges youth to come out for PNM internals
General elections aren’t far off and the People's National Movement has to start preparations from now, says Energy Minister Stuart Young, who's seeking the chairmanship. And Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has encouraged youths to come forward and take responsibility for the PNM and T&T. Both spoke at the launch of the Leaders in Service candidates for upcoming internal executive election at Belmont Community Centre. The LIS candidates are Rowley (Political leader), Young (chairman), Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly (Vice chairman), Camille Robinson-Regis (Lady vice chairman unopposed), Foster Cummings (General secretary unopposed), Patricia Alexis (Assistant general secretary), Kazim Hosein (Treasurer), Laurel Lezama-Lee Sing (Education officer), Faris Al-Rawi (PRO unopposed), Jennifer Baptiste-Primus (Labour relations), Indar Parasram (Elections officer), Terrence Beepath (Elections officer), Maxine Richards (Welfare officer), Jeniece Scott (Youth officer), Kwasi Robinson (Social media officer) and Irene Hinds (Operations officer). Read more here
BUSINESS
How positive leadership can revolutionise HSSE
Safety is not the absence of accidents; it is the presence of capacity – and a key factor in building capacity in any part of a business, and most especially in the field of health, safety, security and the environment (HSSE), is positive, accessible and engaging leadership. Bill Simms Jr, author of a must-read book on achieving sustainable behaviour change in teams in the businessplace, Green Beans and Ice Cream, gave the feature presentation on achieving excellence in HSSE at the 2022 Amcham HSSE conference at the Hyatt in Port of Spain. He explained just how positive reinforcement could not only build a problem-solving team in a business but create a culture of excellence. Speaking to Amcham members and heads of industry, he applied this to the necessity of safety protocols in the workplace. Read more here
Cemex TCL expands in Jamaica
Cemex TCL Group’s Jamaican subsidiary, Caribbean Cement Company Ltd (CCCL) will spend US$40 million in the coming months to increase its cement capacity by up to 30 per cent. The announcement was made by Cemex CEO Fernando Gonzalez at a ceremony to break ground for the project during his recent visit to Jamaica. Also in attendance was Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness. A statement from the company said Cemex was in the final stages of the engineering phase and would be obtaining permits from local authorities to begin construction. “Very soon we will begin to procure equipment needed for this initial phase of the project that will not only expand our capacity, but also allow us to optimise our heat consumption in the manufacturing process and therefore reduce the carbon footprint of our facility in Jamaica,” Gonzalez said. Read more here
REGIONAL
Korean investors express interest to develop new ‘Silica City’
A Trade delegation of some Korean and United States Officials on Wednesday met with the Government and Private sector representatives, where they expressed their interest in the development of the new Silica City. The engagement was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Greater Georgetown, where President Dr. Irfaan Ali and several government ministers listened to presentations made by various businesses on their intention to invest in Guyana. As these presentations were being made, President Ali urged those local private sector representatives present to take advantage of the opportunity, and partner or work along with the visiting representatives of companies. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Hadis Najafi: Iran police clash with mourners of female protester
Clashes have erupted between Iranian security forces and a crowd marking the 40th day of mourning for a young woman shot dead while protesting near Tehran. Authorities shut a cemetery to stop thousands of people reaching the grave of Hadis Najafi, who has become a symbol of the unrest engulfing Iran. Videos showed protesters blocking a highway in Karaj, burning a vehicle and shouting anti-government slogans. Security personnel were seen firing tear gas towards them in other footage. Read more here
3rd November 2022