TTMA IN THE NEWS
Minister: Networking opportunities for T&T exporters in Jamaica
Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon yesterday officially commenced a trade mission from this country to Jamaica by delivering remarks at the “Doing Business in Jamaica Seminar”. In addressing the audience, Gopee-Scoon said, “This trade mission aims to provide T&T’s exporters with networking opportunities, a chance to share market information, and the opportunity to meet with potential buyers and agents.” “Under the broader ambit, this visit also re-enforces the principles underlying the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which promotes regional production of goods and services, especially with a view of maximising foreign exchange earnings on the basis of international competitiveness, attaining food security, and improving the standard of living for our people,” a release posted on the Trade Ministry’s Facebook page stated yesterday. Read more here
NEWS
Met Office: Yellow-level adverse weather alert to last until Wednesday
The Met Office, on Monday afternoon, issued a yellow-level adverse-weather alert which is expected to be in effect until Wednesday night. On Monday afternoon the office issued a yellow-level riverine flood alert which was originally expected to be in effect until Tuesday night. In its alert, the office said the water level in the Caroni River was near 90 per cent and was expected to continue rising. Another alert issued shortly after reported that heavy rain was expected to begin on Tuesday afternoon affecting Tobago and parts of eastern Trinidad. Read more here
Blame game as CoE learns of Paria, LMCS deficiencies State energy firm’s OSHA team had no subsea expertise
While the Paria Fuel Trading Co Ltd and LMCS argued to absolve themselves of wrongdoing in the deaths of four divers yesterday, expert reports presented at the Commission of Enquiry (CoE) into the Paria/LMCS Diving Tragedy revealed deficiencies in the process and operations of both entities. Presenting reports from investigations into the February 25 incident at Paria’s offshore facility in Pointe-Pierre, CoE counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, revealed that diving gear and competencies were inadequate when five LMCS divers reported for duty.On February 25, Fyzal Kurban, Kazim Ali Jr, Yusuf Henry, Rishi Nagassar and Christopher Boodram were engaged in subsea repairs on Paria’s 30-inch diameter Sealine 36 pipeline. It is believed a Differential Pressure (Delta P) incident occurred, which led to the death of Kurban, Ali, Henry and Ali. Boodram is the only survivor and eyewitness. Read more here
POLITICS
Ruling on postponing PNM internal election on Wednesday
A High Court judge is expected to rule, on Wednesday, on an application to postpone the PNM’s internal election for 21 days as one of its contenders for the post of political leader, Karen Nunez-Tesheira, and two members of her slate, challenge changes to the party’s electoral process. At a virtual hearing on Monday, Justice Devindra Rampersad heard submissions on the preliminary application for interim relief. After a little over two hours of submissions, the judge said he will give his decision on Wednesday at 3 pm. Read more here
UNC makes 2nd challenge to LG extension
More United National Congress legal action on the Local Government election is coming. The Opposition yesterday filed an injunction against Government, seeking to prevent Local Government councillors and aldermen from continuing to act in those positions after councils’ original expiration date of December 3. The Government recently extended the term to December 2023, when councils will now expire. Read more here
BUSINESS
T&T welcomes back cruise ships
T&T’s tourism sector is set to receive a further boost in economic activity with the start of the cruise season. The first cruise ship to dock at the Scarborough port on Sunday was the Silver Moon of Silversea Cruises, which arrived at 7.30 a.m., carrying 528 passengers. Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Tourism Secretary Tashia Burris, in a Facebook post on Sunday, said that the cruise season officially began with the arrival of the vessel at the Scarborough Port. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘We are here for you’
Over 100 children and youths celebrated World Children’s Day (WCD) on Sunday at a special event hosted at State House by the First Lady of Guyana, Arya Ali, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Under the theme, “Inclusion for every child”, Guyana joined global WCD celebrations with the transformation of State House into a safe space for children and other youths who were invited to creatively express their feelings through art. “The event was very great; I got to go and say a poem. It was very nice; I can’t believe I got to… The art pieces were beautiful; they all did a wonderful job… [It’s] something that I would want to go back and do again,” said 11-year-old Neerav Persaud, who recited the poem, “Rising”, to the assembled children and dignitaries. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Club Q Colorado shooting: Attack was ended by dad and drag performer
A father and a drag performer managed to subdue a gunman who opened fire at an LGBT nightclub in the US state of Colorado, it has emerged. The attacker killed five people and left 17 others with injuries at Club Q in Colorado Springs on Saturday night. Officials named the "heroes" who halted the attack as Richard Fierro and Thomas James, without detailing their actions. Mr Fierro provided his account of events, saying he tackled the suspect, took the weapon and hit him with it. It is not clear if Mr James is the drag performer Mr Fierro says then stepped in to help. Read more here
22nd November 2022