TTMA IN THE NEWS
Consultation on workplace vaccinations
Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis is expected to meet today with stakeholders including trade unions and business groups, on a “possible workplace policy regarding Covid-19 vaccinations for Trinidad and Tobago”. A news release yesterday from the Ministry of Planning advised that the meeting, to which Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has been invited to participate, is scheduled for 3 p.m. today and “involves key representatives of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGOs (FITUN), the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) and the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC)”. “The umbrella businesses organisations also confirmed are the Employers Consultative Association, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Service Industries, Trinidad and Tobago Group of Professional Associations, American Chamber of Commerce of T&T, the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association and the Energy Chamber,” the Ministry said. Read more here
NEWS
CMO confirms covid19 delta variant in community spread 'for several weeks'
Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram said the delta variant of the covid19 virus has been in community spread for several weeks. Parasram was speaking at the Ministry of Health’s weekly press conference on Monday. He said, “Delta seems to be in community spread for a couple weeks, if not longer.” He added that travel protocols continue to be updated and amendments will be made if they are deemed necessary going forward. The delta variant is more easily transmitted than the original strain of the virus. Read more here
POLITICS
UNC Youth Arm demands AG resigns
The UNC National Youth Arm has called for the immediate resignation of the Attorney General and MP for San Fernando West Faris Al-Rawi. A release from the UNC Youth Arm claimed Al-Rawi had forced TT into a constitutional crisis because of his incompetence. It said it supported Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar's call for the resignation of both the Police Service Commissioners and the AG. Read more here
BUSINESS
Rise in Kiss bread prices
Kiss Baking Company, one of the leading brands of breads, cakes and pastries in Trinidad and Tobago, announced on Monday an increase in the price of its bread products. The company said this happened because raw material prices have escalated by as much as 30 per cent. It also said it is experiencing increases in shipping costs as a result of continuous strains on the supply chain worldwide because of covid19. In a release Kiss said despite attempts to save on cost, prices of several bread products have gone up. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana’s next oil lift could rake in almost US$80M
AS oil prices continue to rise globally, Guyana’s petroleum revenues will remain on an upward trajectory, with the country’s eighth oil lift positioned to rake in close to US$80 million. More specifically, the price for brent crude was pegged at approximately $79.24 on Monday morning. This could rise even further, but if oil prices remain the same when Guyana’s eighth oil consignment is lifted, then the country could stand to earn at least US$79,240,000, or G$16.5 billion from its latest sale, making it the most lucrative yet. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
A dangerous new era of superpower confrontation was signaled this weekend
China wasn't even pretending. The swift release of two Canadians after a diplomatic deal ended a standoff over Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who faced extradition from Canada to the US, is a troubling sign of a new era of superpower confrontation. The Canadians were arrested on espionage charges in China shortly after Meng was detained in Vancouver in December 2018. She was hit with fraud charges on an American warrant in a case over alleged violations of US sanctions against Iran. As part of a complex deal with US authorities to defer prosecution -- in which Meng pleaded not guilty but confirmed that she misrepresented Huawei's relationship with an Iranian subsidiary -- Meng was released from house arrest and returned to China to a hero's welcome. Read more here
28th September 2021