NEWS
5 deaths, 153 new covid19 cases
The Ministry of Health has reported five deaths and 153 new covid19 cases on Monday. In its 4 pm update, it said the number of deaths to date is now 1,605, the number of active cases is 4,329 and there have been 54,267 positive cases in Trindad and Tobago since March 2020. It said 48,333 patients have recovered and 274 are in hospital. Read more here
Manhunt for bomber after panic at Parkade
A nationwide manhunt was up to last night continuing for a suspect in yesterday’s explosion at the Government Plaza Parkade in Port-of-Spain, which forced the T&T Police Service and Fire Service to cordon off parts of the capital city from pedestrian and vehicular traffic for several hours as they investigated. Investigators told Guardian Media that they have a lead from Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) video from buildings in the area and an arrest could be imminent. Guardian Media understands that just minutes to 11 am, staff and other persons at the Parkade heard a loud explosion near the Parkade, located between Edward and Richmond Streets. Read more here
POLITICS
Mark: PSC crisis will affect T&T's investment climate
The crisis concerning the Police Service Commission and other high levels will affect T&T’s investment climate since foreign investors won’t be attracted if they lack confidence in T&T’s institutions or think there’s a political conspiracy to appoint a “puppet” Commissioner of Police. That was the view of UNC Senator Wade Mark, delivering his Budget 2022 statement in the Senate yesterday. Mark dismissed the Budget as a “weaponised” mechanism meant to inflict maximum injury on the people “while (PNM) simultaneously enriches themselves, their family, and their financiers.” Read more here
BUSINESS
More CAL flights for Trinidad and Tobago airbridge
Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) advised on Monday that from Tuesday, six more flights will be added to the domestic airbridge between Trinidad and Tobago. The additional flights were scheduled between 10.10 am and 5.45pm. The airline added that two flights, BW1526 and BW1527 were re-timed and will take off 45 minutes earlier than before. The added flights mean that there will now be 12 flights between Trinidad and Tobago on a daily basis. Read more here
Young: Govt reaches Manatee deal with Shell
Trinidad and Tobago’s perseverance with the Loran Manatee field has paved the way for the largest gas production deal in decades, according to Energy Minister Stuart Young. While addressing the Senate as the budget debate continued in the Upper House yesterday, Young revealed major strides had been made in the project. Read more here
REGIONAL
Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, met with President of that African nation, Nana Akufo-Addo.
Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who was on a recent three-day visit to Ghana, met with President of that African nation, Nana Akufo-Addo. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Why vaccinated people dying from Covid-19 doesn't mean the vaccines are ineffective
Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell died on Monday of Covid-19 complications. His family announced that he was fully vaccinated. He was 84 years old, and had multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. Health officials worry that anti-vaccine activists will seize upon Powell's death to make the claim that vaccines don't work. If you can still die after being vaccinated for Covid-19, what's the point of getting the vaccine? Read more here
North Korea fires suspected submarine-launched missile into waters off Japan
North Korea has fired a suspected submarine-launched ballistic missile into waters off the coast of Japan, South Korea's military has said. Pyongyang unveiled the missile in January, describing it as "the world's most powerful weapon". It comes weeks after South Korea unveiled a similar weapon of its own. North Korea has carried out a flurry of missile tests in recent weeks, including of what it said were hypersonic and long-range weapons. Some of these tests violate strict international sanctions. The country is specifically prohibited by the United Nations from testing ballistic missiles as well as nuclear weapons. Read more here
19th October 2021