TTMA IN THE NEWS
Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana strengthen trade ties
Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon is leading a private sector delegation on a six-day trade mission to Ghana. The mission, organised by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) and ExporTT, will take place from March 12-17, a ministry release on March 11 said. "The mission will comprise of 21 companies from the food and beverage, chemical and household, construction, apparel and textiles and financial services sector," the release said. Read more here
NEWS
Cops worried over increase in pedestrian deaths
Police say drivers and pedestrians should be more careful on the nation's roads. In a statement on Monday, the Roadway Surveillance Unit (RSU) said ten pedestrian deaths were recorded over the past six weeks – five on highways and five on main roads. Police Road Traffic Safety co-ordinator Sgt Brent Batson expressed concern over the five deaths on main roads. He said these roads have a 50 kmph speed limit, which is generally associated with non-fatal pedestrian injuries. Read more here
Community shocked over pastor’s spy claims
Shocked, surprised and stunned. That’s how neighbours of Malabar Pastor Ian Albert Ezekiel Brown described his confession of being a spy for the country’s main intelligence gathering agency the Strategic Services Agency (SSA). Yesterday, while Brown’s neighbours were amazed by his spy link to the SSA, he told Guardian Media during a brief telephone interview that he was Israeli-trained and the owner of 11 SIM cards and seven phones. He, however, declined a face-to-face interview. On Saturday, police raided Brown’s Arima home at Aleon Street and his churches—Jerusalem Bride (JB Church) in Malabar, Arima, and the Eden Restored Church in Caratal. Read more here
POLITICS
National Security JSC rejects request to probe SSA changes
The Parliament's National Security Joint Select Committee (JSC) has rejected a request from its two opposition members – Dr Roodal Moonilal and Jayanti Lutchmedial – to investigate recent events involving the Strategic Services Agency (SSA). These included its director Major Roger Best being sent on administrative leave on March 2; Ambassador to Washington, DC, Brig-Gen Anthony Phillips-Spencer being made acting SSA director; and the agency's operations being reviewed. Moonilal and Lutchmedial made their request to committee chairman, Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland, in a letter dated March 5. Read more here
Gary says he ‘won’t sell his soul to get into govt’
While entering Government may only occur with some type of strategic alliance, National Transformation Alliance leader Gary Griffith says he won’t sell his soul since he holds certain principles—and he’s seen what happened from 2010 to 2015. And while there may be other parties that have more support, financing and seats, Griffith said, “At the end of the day the whole is greater than the sum of its parts—without us you cannot enter government, but our job is to ensure there’s mutual respect.” The People’s Partnership, which was a coalition government comprising the United National Congress and other parties was in office from 2010-2015. Griffith spoke about the issues at last Saturday’s NTA cottage meeting in St Joseph, the first of NTA’s many meetings, he said. Griffith noted he’d spent half of his life in St Joseph and was a “St Joseph boy.” Read more here
BUSINESS
IMF predicts T&T to grow 2.4% in 2024
A staff mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday reported that for the first time in a decade, T&T is undergoing a gradual and sustained economic recovery. The IMF mission, led by Camilo Tovar, was in Port of Spain between February 28 and March 8, during which they held consultations with stakeholders, including government departments, private-sector organisations, and state institutions under Article IV of the institution's articles of agreement. In a news release containing its main conclusions and recommendations, the IMF said T&T's economic growth is projected to gain momentum in 2024 after it is estimated to have further expanded by 2.1 per cent in 2023. Read more here
Saddam: When will Valuation Tribunal be appointed?
Member of Parliament for Barataria/San Juan Saddam Hosein is questioning the status of the Valuation Tribunal, under the Valuation Division of the Ministry of Finance. Speaking at a United National Congress (UNC) news conference yesterday, Hosein said he had written to President Christine Kangaloo to enquire on the tribunal’s status, given its role in receiving objections to Property Tax assessments. Read more here
REGIONAL
Education, regular check-ups key to combatting chronic kidney disease – gov’t physicians
In the continuous fight against chronic kidney disease (CKD), specialists are using education as a potent tool more and more. Proactive steps to combat this crippling ailment are more important than ever, as CKD affects millions of people globally, and is becoming more common. The Ministry of Health is stressing that healthcare education is more crucial than ever as the world gets ready for World Kidney Day, which is celebrated every year on the second Thursday in March. According to nephrologist at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Baldeo Singh, CKD, characterised by the gradual loss of kidney function over time, poses significant health risks if left unchecked. However, with the right knowledge and awareness, he said individuals can take steps to prevent, detect, and manage the disease effectively. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Gaza medics tell BBC that Israeli troops beat and humiliated them after hospital raid
Palestinian medical staff in Gaza have told the BBC they were blindfolded, detained, forced to strip and repeatedly beaten by Israeli troops after a raid at their hospital last month. Ahmed Abu Sabha, a doctor at Nasser hospital, described being held for a week in detention, where, he said, muzzled dogs were set upon him and his hand was broken by an Israeli soldier. His account closely matches those of two other medics who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. Read more here
12th March 2024