NEWS
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at Tunapuna market
Two men were killed and three other people injured in a shooting near the Tunapuna Market on Wednesday night. One man died on the spot, and another was declared dead on arrival at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Centre, Mt Hope. They were identified as Mikel Voison and Aaron Leander. The three injured were a 22-year-old woman, Christine Hosein, Alex Alexander, 33, and Nathaniel Gajadar, 22, all of whom were listed in stable condition. It is reported that a car pulled up near the Bus Route access to the market and a gunman began shooting, hitting the five victims. By 8.45 pm, police and army officers were seen restricting access to the market. Read more here
Tobago’s ‘Heavy Roller’ to be laid to rest today
Tobago will bid farewell to its first chief secretary, Hochoy Charles, today. Charles died at the Scarborough General Hospital on December 31 at the age of 77. The funeral service will be held at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex from 11 am. During a media conference yesterday, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said all Tobago House of Assembly offices will be closed, granting leave to employees to attend the funeral. He also said all schools on the island will be closed, with each school sending a group of 20 students and two teachers to pay their respects. To accommodate the funeral procession, the stretch of road between Scarborough Secondary School and the Food Hub will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic from 8-9 am. Viewing of the body will take place from 9-11 am. Pre-recorded tributes will be paid during the funeral service. Read more here
POLITICS
PM on Integrity Commission's lawsuit over funding: 'Too much politics in probes'
The Prime Minister said the Integrity Commission is undertaking too many ill-advised and politically-motivated investigations which are eroding its limited funds. Dr Rowley suggested that the commission undertake more circumspect investigations in accordance with the Integrity in Public Life Act (IPLA). He made these comments on Wednesday in response to a statement issued by the commission on Tuesday which stated that it has initiated legal action in the High Court to determine what is the State's obligation under the IPLA to provide it with adequate financial support to do its duty. In its statement, the commission said the IPLA gives it the powers to ensure that people in public life and exercising public functions comply with its requirements. Read more here
BUSINESS
Businesses, workers weigh effects of $3 increase – Minimum wage conundrum
The proportion of the population that earns and survives on the minimum wage of $20.50, up by three dollars, may be considerably higher than commonly believed, according to a limited but revealing survey involving members of the TT Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI). The TTCSI is an alliance of local service organisations and associations, which focuses on issues critical for the sectors to help them thrive in a competitive global environment. Its membership represents roughly 60 per cent of registered services. Minister of Labour Stephen Mc Clashie said the minimum wage increase, which took effect on January 1, will benefit around 190,000 workers. Read more here
New minimum wage for migrants too
Every worker in the country, including undocumented migrants, must be paid the new minimum wage of $20.50 an hour which took effect on January 1, 2024. This according to a representative of the Ministry of Labour, who said employers failing to comply, regardless of the company’s size, will be held liable for breaching the law. The warning came yesterday from Labour Inspector II Paula Achaibar during an interview on TV6’s Morning Edition programme. Read more here
REGIONAL
Gov’t to invest heavily in STEM, art and culture in 2024 – says President Ali
In pursuit of a comprehensive promotion of Guyana’s culture and realisation of its full potential, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has declared the government’s plan to allocate resources towards the establishment of a museum and art gallery. This revelation was made by the Head of State during a stakeholder meeting over the weekend, with an emphasis on the allocation of significant investments to STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) initiatives. “What we have to do is invest heavily in STEM in the school system, invest heavily in STEM in the communities, building out our infrastructure to promote STEM subjects and STEM output,” the president said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Swedish snow chaos leaves 1,000 vehicles trapped on main E22 road
People who got trapped in 1,000 vehicles in heavy snow for more than 24 hours have been evacuated, Swedish authorities say. Rescuers worked through the night to free people stuck on the main E22 road in the Skane area of southern Sweden. Many of those trapped were evacuated by rescue teams and told to return to their cars later. The travel chaos occurred amid plummeting winter temperatures across the Nordic countries. Extreme cold weather has hit parts of Sweden, Finland and Norway, and snow storms in Denmark have left drivers trapped on a motorway near Aarhus since Wednesday. The Kvikkjokk-Arrenjarka weather station in northern Sweden recorded its coldest night for 25 years on Tuesday night, with temperatures dropping to -43.6C. Read more here
4th January 2024