NEWS
Neonatal care expert: 'Vulgar' narrative on NICU deaths hurting babies' parents
Neonatologist Dr Petronella Manning-Alleyne has condemned what she described as a vulgar narrative being pursued in the media with respect to the babies who died at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Port of Spain General Hospital (PosGH) and the NICU's staff. She claimed this narrative is being pursued by people who are attempting to exploit the vulnerabilities of the babies' parents and the NICU staff, for their own benefit. Seven babies died from a bacterial infection at the NICU between April 4 and 9. The parents of these babies have since initiated legal action against the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) over their babies' deaths. Read more here
EMA probes destruction of Turtle Beach nesting site
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has launched an official investigation into the devastation of a turtle nesting site at Turtle Beach, a crucial site for endangered leatherback turtles in Tobago. This after a video on social media surfaced showing land works from a private property running through the sand and out into the sea. Along the path, damaged turtle eggs could be seen scattered in the area. Contacted for comment yesterday, EMA CEO Hayden Romano said the agency will leave no stone unturned in investigating the matter. “An official investigation has been launched. We have viewed the video. The leatherback turtles are coming up this season and it’s an animal that has been around for so long and we need to protect this species for our children and grandchildren,” Romano said, adding he was heartbroken by the act. Read more here
POLITICS
Moonilal: UNC could have toppled Government, but for absent MPs
Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal on April 29 told Newsday the absence of five UNC MPs on April 26 prevented the Opposition defeating the Government in Parliament and causing a snap general election. Moonilal said Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally was one of five MPs missing the crucial vote in the House of Representatives to give an extension for the Government to submit its public accounts for Trinidad and Tobago. Also absent from the vote were Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes Alleyne (who had requested leave), Naparima MP Rodney Charles, Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Dr Rai Ragbir and Mayaro MP Rushton Paray. Read more here
Auditor General accounting audit impasse Imbert orders full probe
Finance Minister Colm Imbert has sought legal counsel on a letter from Auditor General Jaiwantie Ramdass’ attorney Anand Ramlogan SC’s Freedom Chambers, which Imbert says contains “outrageous, false and defamatory accusations and allegations”. And Imbert says the letter’s insinuation that he as Minister of Finance, or ministry officials, unethically backdated the Amended Public Accounts to January 31, 2024, to cover a mistake, when the true date on the Amended Public Accounts is April 16, 2024, is a blatant untruth that has been put into the public domain and this matter now requires a full independent investigation. Read more here
BUSINESS
Republic records $1b in half-year profit
Republic Financial Holdings Ltd (RFHL) has recorded a half-year profit attributable to its equity holders of $1 billion for period ended March 31. This represented an increase in profits after tax of $213 million or 27% over the $787 million reported in the corresponding period last year. “Excluding one-off losses reported in the prior period, core profits after tax and non-controlling interest increased by $130 million or 15%. Total assets stood at $117.5 billion at March 31, 2024, an increase of $3.4 billion or 3% over the total assets at March 2023,” a release from RFHL stated yesterday. Read more here
REGIONAL
Local Gov’t Ministry says played no part in removing vendors outside Demico House, Discount Store
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has said unequivocally that it was not involved in Sunday’s removal of vendors from outside Demico House and Discount Store. The ministry, on Monday, responded to an article in Monday’s Stabroek News that it called “erroneous” by stating that the sellers were removed due to legal action, and that the ministry had no input, contrary to what Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore had suggested. “At no time was there any communication between the Mayor and City Council and the ministry on this matter. The mayor’s comments were clearly devoid of facts and aimed at misleading the nation and creating mischief,” the statement added. Read more here
INTERNATONAL
Columbia protesters take over building after defying deadline
Dozens of pro-Palestine demonstrators at Columbia University have escalated their protest over the war in Gaza by occupying an academic building. Activists at the university in New York City seized Hamilton Hall early on Tuesday, barricading themselves inside. One student said the campus was "lawless", as officials grapple with the long-running demo which has prompted a wave of rallies elsewhere. Columbia has urged students and staff to stay away from campus on Tuesday. It earlier began suspending students who defied Monday's deadline of 14:00 EST (18:00 GMT) to leave their two-week encampment nearby. Read more here
30th April 2024