NEWS
Doctor: Diabetes, cancer, hypertension patients must be vaccinated
People with illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and asthma are strongly advised to get fully vaccinated against covid19 as soon as possible. Dr Abdul Hamid from the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) offered this advice to the public during the virtual health news conference on Wednesday. At the same briefing, NCRHA CEO Davlin Thomas said a total of 181,845 people have been vaccinated against covid19 at the NCRHA's facilities to date. He added that 60-69 per cent of the NCRHA's doctors and nurses have been vaccinated to date as well. Read more here
Delta variant patient spent five days in circulation before being detected
One of the two people who was recently diagnosed with the Delta variant of COVID-19 after travelling into T&T, possibly spent five days in public circulation before showing symptoms and testing positive with the virus. This was confirmed by Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram at yesterday’s COVID-19 media conference. Having arrived in the country fully vaccinated and with a negative PCR test 72 hours before travelling, Parasram said the passenger was allowed to go home and only got tested when he developed symptoms five days later. The passenger eventually went to a health centre to get tested. Read more here
POLITICS
New Tobago party mobilising for next THA election
The Innovative Democratic Alliance (IDA), which was launched on August 2, has unveiled its executive, as it begins to mobilise for the next THA elections. The members were announced on Monday during a news conference at the party’s headquarters in Scarborough. Tobago Festivals Commission chairman Dr Denise Tsoiafatt Angus is the IDA’s political leader, while retired special branch police officer and guidance counsellor Bevon Dennis is its chairman. Read more here
Moonilal replies to Pritchard demanding details on alleged probe
United National Congress MP Dr Roodal Moonilal has called on retired Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard to give details of the role he allegedly played in a probe of police officers. Pritchard, in return, has recommended Moonilal take his queries to his Parliamentary colleagues in the Government. The war of words continued after Moonilal brought up Pritchard on Monday, saying the hiring of two private citizens to investigate the conduct of police officers in 2020 was unlawful. On Tuesday, however, Pritchard fired back in a blistering letter to Moonilal covering various points. Read more here
BUSINESS
NGC says demand rising, users say no real savings: Has CNG drive run out of gas?
Compressed natural gas (CNG) has been dubbed by many in the energy sector as “the transition fuel” for Trinidad and Tobago, because of its accessibility and its low carbon emissions. As oil and gas goes the way of the dinosaur, the fuel was supposed to drive TT to the future with the National Gas Company (NGC) at the wheel – promoting and supporting a CNG industry that would see conversions of gasoline-burning cars, buses, maxi taxis and trucks, as well as the introduction of brand-new CNG vehicles. Read more here
Scrap iron dealers say Petrotrin ignoring them
The fight for former State-owned oil company Petrotrin’s scrap iron has intensified with the Trinidad & Tobago Scrap Iron Dealers Association (TTSIDA) alleging they are being denied a piece of the pie while “companies” are carting off material. TTSIDA president, Allan Ferguson, made the allegation at a press conference at Signature Hall in Chaguanas on Monday. He estimated that Petrotrin’s scrap iron, which is being sold to certain companies, may fetch them around US$1 million while the TTSIDA has put an offer on the table of US$300 million. Read more here
REGIONAL
Construction supplies company opens $800M complex at LBI
Ahead of an impending construction boom in Guyana, IBIS Construction Equipment Sales and Rentals (ICON), owned jointly by the local Farfan & Mendes Group and FT Farfan of Trinidad and Tobago, has expanded its operations with an $800 million complex at LBI, on the East Coast of Demerara. The company was established officially on September 19, 2020, but, owing to its owners, boasts over 100 years of experience in the construction industry. Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, while delivering remarks at the launch of the new complex, said the government welcomes private sector development for the modernisation and transformation of Guyana. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Biden administration tells ex-Trump officials to resign from military academy advisory boards or be dismissed
The Biden administration has told 11 officials appointed to military service academy advisory boards by former President Donald Trump to resign or be dismissed, a source familiar with the situation tells CNN's KFile. The officials asked to resign include prominent former Trump officials like former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, former senior counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway and former national security adviser H.R. McMaster. They were appointed to the advisory boards of the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and West Point respectively. Read more here
Afghanistan: Protesters defy Taliban intimidation
Protesters have again taken to the streets in several parts of Afghanistan, defying Taliban pressure to stay at home. Dozens of demonstrators gathered near the Pakistan embassy in Kabul and Taliban gunmen opened fire to disperse them, protesters said. More demonstrations were reported in Parwan and Nimruz provinces. Photos have also emerged showing injuries inflicted on two journalists who covered protests on Wednesday. They are reported to have been badly beaten after being arrested by the Taliban in Kabul. Read more here
9th September 2021