NEWS
Mask-wearing in schools not mandatory, but recommended
Wearing face masks in schools will no longer be mandatory in the upcoming 2022/2023 academic school year. This was announced by Chief Education Officer Dr Peter Smith on Monday. But Smith said while mask-wearing will no longer be mandatory, it will remain necessary. He was speaking at the Ministry of Education’s news conference at its St Vincent Street office to give an update on the preparedness for reopening of schools. Read more here
Northside Road in Castara closed temporarily
A section of the Northside Road in Castara, Tobago, has been closed temporarily to heavy traffic for several days, because it has been compromised by weeks of heavy rainfall, and must undergo emergency rehabilitation work. “As a result of the high risk associated with the failure of the roadway, the roadway will be closed temporarily to all traffic from … Tuesday 30 August 2022 at 6 pm,” said a release from the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and Urban Development (DIQUD). DIQUD notes “a Rotational Failure of the slope” has occurred, prompting the temporary closure. It hopes to restore “basic functionality to this essential roadway” in the shortest possible time. Read more here
POLITICS
Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica sign MoU to address trade concerns faster
A memorandum of understanding was signed between this country and Jamaica on Monday which it is hoped will improve trade between the two nations and resolve trade issues faster. In a media release on Monday, the Trade Ministry said Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne and Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith signed the MoU establishing a trade complaints mechanism that will create an avenue “for the expeditious resolution of trade complaints.” Read more here
Kamla: UNC played no part in scrap iron protest
The United National Congress had no involvement in yesterday’s protest by scrap iron workers in Claxton Bay. This was the word from Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar last night as she defended her party against accusations by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley that it was behind yesterday’s action. Scrap iron workers protesting the ban on metal exports blocked the northbound lane of the Solomon Hochoy Highway in Claxton Bay yesterday morning, causing gridlock traffic for several hours. Speaking at the Monday Night Forum, Persad-Bissessar, however, defended her party—and people’s right to protest. Read more here
BUSINESS
Eastern Caribbean countries agree
The Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) says it will take the Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) government to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) regarding the non-payment of millions of US dollars linked to the collapse of Trinidad-based insurance companies CLICO and British American Insurance Company (BAICO) in 2009. Chairman of the ECCU sub-committee on insurance, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, said the decision to take the Keith Rowley administration before the Port of Spain-based CCJ was taken over the weekend. Read more here
REGIONAL
Ramping up food production
President, Dr Irfaan Ali told residents across a number of hinterland communities in Deep South and Central Rupununi that his government will continue to maximise investments, particularly to strengthen the food-production systems of their communities. The Head of State made this pledge as he addressed thousands of residents during a three-day outreach at Lethem, Shulinab, Sand Creek, Aishalton, Masakenari, Parabara, Achiwib, Shea Village, Rupunau and St Ignatius in Region Nine. “I can tell you that you can expect a massive investment in this region in your food- production system because what the world has taught us in this pandemic and this global food crisis and cost-of-living crisis, is that we must produce more, we must produce more within our communities. And, we are going to work with all of the communities in developing plans and programmes to ensure that our food-production capacity is improved.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Pakistan floods are ‘a monsoon on steroids’, warns UN chief
Pakistan is facing "a monsoon on steroids", the UN's secretary general has warned, after floods submerged a third of the country. Antonio Guterres urged the world to come to Pakistan's aid as he launched a $160m appeal to help the tens of millions affected in the disaster. He blamed "the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and flooding". At least 1,136 people have been killed since June and roads, crops, homes and bridges washed away across the country. This year's record monsoon is comparable to the devastating floods of 2010 - the deadliest in Pakistan's history - which left more than 2,000 people dead. Read more here
30th August 2022