NEWS
Korea, Trinidad and Tobago keen on environmental ties
The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) welcomed a visit from Seijoong Kwon, the new ambassador of the Republic of Korea on November 8. He was accompanied by Seung-ok Ryu, a researcher in the political and economic affairs division of the embassy. A media release from IMA on November 8 said Kwon was noted for his expertise in climate change and environmental sustainability. He presented his credentials to the President on September 5. Read more here
Police: Insufficient evidence to show bullying led to Jayden’s death
Police say the investigation into the death of 15-year-old Jayden Lalchan remains active, even though they found there is insufficient evidence that showed bullying led to the teen ending his life. Yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Mystar issued a statement to the media, giving an update on the highly publicised probe. In it, Mystar said, “The evidence garnered to date does not meet the evidential threshold.” As such, no charges would be laid. Jayden, who was a student of St Stephen’s College in Princes Town, ended his life on October 3 at his home. Yesterday, after the police issued the statement, Guardian Media visited Jayden’s parents at their home. Read more here
POLITICS
Kamla rejects MP's claim of no transparency in UNC election screening
UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has rejected claims from Naparima MP Rodney Charles that there is no transparency in the party's screening for general-election candidates. Persad-Bissessar, who is also Opposition Leader, also rejected Charles's claims that she is more interested in preserving her position as UNC leader than in good governance. Last year, Charles announced he would not stand for re-election in 2025 when the next election is constitutionally due. Read more here
PNM screenings on track; next 15 seats to be done on December 2
Screening of the nominees for 15 of the PNM’s 22 constituencies—the majority of PNM seats—will all be done on December 2 in six batches. Each batch will be screened for approximately half an hour. This was confirmed by a party notice after last Friday’s deadline for nominations. The PNM issued a call on October 21 for nominees for those 15 areas. Members of both the PNM and UNC are preparing for election early in 2025, sources from both political parties said yesterday. Read more here
BUSINESS
Republic's profits hit $2B
The Republic Financial Holdings Ltd (RFHL) achieved a profit attributable to equity holders of $2 billion for the year ended September 30, 2024. This is an increase of $250 million or 14.6 per cent over the profit of $1.75 billion reported for the final year ended September 30, 2023, according to a news release from the financial services group yesterday. In announcing the fourth quarter results, RFHL’s chairman, Vincent Pereira, said that throughout the final year, the group made notable progress in executing on its strategy. By maximising the value of its core business segments—retail, mortgage, SME, and corporate markets— and through the group’s commercial excellence programme, the company continued to optimise efficiency and to simplify the way the group delivers performance. Read more here
UTT appoints Jupiter and Hosein as honorary professors
Energy expert Prof Andrew Jupiter and petroleum engineer Prof Raffie Hosein have been appointed honorary professors (Teaching and Research) in the Energy Systems Engineering Unit at the University of Trinidad and Tobago for a three-year term, effective September 1. “Prof Hosein is a distinguished petroleum engineer who has contributed extensively to education, research, and industry, primarily through his work at the University of the West Indies. His industry experience spans roles such as Petroleum Engineer with Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Energy and senior associate Prof at Texas A&M in Dohan. Prof Hosein is the recipient of the SPE (Society of Professional Engineers) Regional Distinguished Achievement Award,” a release from UTT stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
More housing, commercial buzz to transform East Bank corridor
With investments surpassing $80 billion, the East Bank Demerara corridor is undergoing a transformative expansion, with a focus on new housing, commercial growth, and major infrastructure projects, marking a pivotal moment in Guyana’s rapid development, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said. “This development, when you look at all the new investment on the East Bank alone, we’re talking maybe investment approximately close to $80 billion or more than $80 billion,” President Ali remarked during a Monday afternoon walkabout exercise at the back of Diamond/Grove where massive works are being done to open up new lands for housing. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
'Man of his word': Jan 6 rioters expect Trump will keep pardon promise
Out of all of Donald Trump’s supporters, Derrick Evans has a particular reason to be happy with November’s election results – he hopes the president-elect will give him a pardon for participating in the 6 January riot at the US Capitol. “A pardon will be life changing,” said Evans, who was a member of the West Virginia legislature when he and at least 2,000 others stormed the Capitol in 2021. It was part of an effort to overturn the results of the US election, inspired by the false belief that it was Trump, not President Joe Biden, who had won. He reached an agreement with prosecutors which saw him plead guilty to civil disorder and spent three months in federal prison in 2022. On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly said he would pardon the rioters, whom he has called “patriots” and “political prisoners”. But who exactly will be pardoned - and when - is still an open question. Read more here
12th November 2024