NEWS
Cops on lookout for pre-curfew mad rush drivers
Describing the nation's highways and main roads as racetrack courses an hour before the curfew starts, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith is promising swift action against errant, speeding and reckless drivers. In fact, speaking on Monday morning at a press briefing, Griffith said a plan would be in place where there would be an increased police presence Monday evening to catch speeding drivers just before the clock strikes 9 pm, for the start of the curfew. Read more here
Doctors report 25 cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
There remain 25 reported cases of COVID-19-related Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (Mis-C) in Trinidad & Tobago. While there have been 40 cases reported in total, only 25 of the children tested positive for COVID-19, while 15 were negative, according to Dr Joanne Paul, the Medical Chief of Staff at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Speaking during yesterday’s Ministry of Health COVID-19 update, Paul said, “Because Mis-C comes after the COVID infection, they might not be positive, so it’s very common for them to not have a PCR positive or antibody positive.” Read more here
POLITICS
Cox: Gov’t supported more than 1/3 of population during pandemic
Minister of Social Development and Family Services Donna Cox said the government has provided support to more than one-third of the population during the pandemic. She was speaking during debate on the Finance (Supplementation and Variation of Appropriation) (Financial Year 2021) Bill in the Senate on Friday. Cox said as of May, 2021 the ministry provided support to 182,044 individuals and households through its various programmes. Read more here
BUSINESS
CariCRIS rates DFL bond AA
Regional rating agency, CariCRIS, has assigned an initial issue rating of CariAA- (Local Currency Rating) on the regional rating scale, and ttAA- on the Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) national scale to the proposed bond issue of $150 million of Development Finance Ltd (DFL). DFL is proposing to issue a secured fixed rate bond in the amount of up to $150 million. The net proceeds of the issue will be used to fund loans and investments and for general corporate working capital purposes. Read more here
REGIONAL
$21.3B supplementary budget approved
The National Assembly last night approved a $21.3 billion Supplementary Budget for the remainder of 2021. The funds will be spent on addressing a number of key issues, including the ongoing floods; the purchase of more COVID-19 vaccines; the execution of much-needed repairs to the Demerara Harbour Bridge and increased support for the Guyana Sugar Corporation. As it relates to flooding, the House cleared a sum of $10 billion which will be spent on intensifying the government’s relief efforts, particularly as it relates to the provision of food, sanitary and medical supplies to those affected. The supplementary funds for flooding will also facilitate the execution of critical emergency repairs to a number of public infrastructures such as roads and bridges that have been destroyed by unprecedented levels of floodwaters. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Beijing tells Nato to stop hyping up China threat
China has accused Nato of slandering its peaceful development after alliance leaders warned about "systemic challenges" coming from Beijing. China's actions, including expanding its nuclear arsenal, threatened "rules-based international order", Nato said. It was the first time Nato had placed China at the centre of its agenda. In its response, China said its defence policy was "defensive in nature" and urged Nato to "devote more of its energy to promoting dialogue". "Our pursuit of defence and military modernisation is justified, reasonable, open and transparent," China's mission to the European Union said in a statement. Read more here
Russian mercenaries implicated in the torture and killing of civilians in Central African Republic
Fatouma was at home with her children in the town of Bambari when the firing began, on the afternoon of February 15. Terrified, she gathered them up and fled to the nearby mosque, thinking it would be a safe refuge in the Central African Republic (CAR) market town. But instead of finding sanctuary within its walls, she and dozens of others -- men, women and children -- became targets. Both her children were shot but survived. At least a dozen people didn't. Read more here
15th June 2021