NEWS
Abdool-Richards: No beds left in ICUs
The country's parallel healthcare system devoted to covid19 patients basically has no more beds for any new patients in its intensive care units (ICUs). This warning was issued by Principal Medical Officer of Health Dr Maryam Abdool-Richards on Monday at the Ministry of Health's virtual briefing. She began by saying some 94.2 per cent of patients in the parallel health care system were unvaccinated, amounting to 4,178 out of 4,437 patients. Read more here
POLITICS
Kamla attacks Independent Senators
Opposition leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar has roasted Independent Senators for their criticism of the UNC’s behaviour in last Thursday’s Parliament sitting on its motion to remove President Paula-Mae Weekes and has also threatened legal action against the House Speaker. Speaking at last night’s UNC Forum, Persad-Bissessar said the tradition was not to criticise Independent senators but added that those days are over. “You stepped out of your crease to do battle for the PNM in the political gayelle (in Parliament)...so check yourself! We are on your case and we shall expose who you are!” Read more here
BUSINESS
Young: T&T committed to doing its part to reduce global warming
Trinidad and Tobago is committed to doing its part to reduce global warming by producing greener, cleaner energy and commodities, working towards decarbonisation, and becoming more energy efficient whilst balancing the needs of our oil and gas industry economy, Energy Minister Stuart Young has said. Young made the statement as he contributed to the Pre-COP26 Public Seminar hosted yesterday as a collaboration between the United Nation’s Resident Coordination Office and the British High Commission of T&T. The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will be convened on Sunday with a view to accelerating action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Read more here
Atlantic CEO: LNG has key role in energy transition
As the countdown continues to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change conference (COP 26), Atlantic is giving the assurance that it will continue all efforts to reduce carbon footprints locally. This was shared during (The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago) AMCHAM TT’s 25th annual Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) conference held virtually yesterday. Speaking yesterday, chief executive officer of Atlantic, Ronald Adams said amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, T&T’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry should continue evolving to remain relevant within the ongoing global energy transition. Read more here
REGIONAL
Licence granted to commence $620M quarry operations
Against the backdrop of local construction and infrastructural booms emanating from accelerated housing programmes, massive highways and other major developments being undertaken, the quarry sector continues to be expanded to support Guyana’s developmental trajectory. The latest effort was manifested on Monday when Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell Dennison, signed a licence for quarry operations with Kamaira Quarry paving the path for a $620 million operation by the local investor. According to the Institute of Quarrying, this activity involves the process of removing rock, sand, gravel or other minerals from the ground in order to use them to produce materials for construction or other purposes. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Climate change: Australia pledges net zero emissions by 2050
Leading global coal and gas supplier Australia has pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Prime Minister Scott Morrison however said the plan would not include ending Australia's fossil fuel sectors. The nation will also not set ambitious targets for 2030 - an objective of next month's COP26 global climate summit. His plan has drawn criticism, with Murdoch University fire ecology expert Joe Fontaine saying it had "all the strength of a wet paper bag". Australia has long dragged its heels on climate action. It is one of the dirtiest countries per head of population and a massive exporter of fossil fuels. Read more here
26th October 2021