NEWS
Nutrimix flour prices drop by 10 to 13%
The price of flour at Nutrimix has dropped to between 10 to 13 per cent on certain goods as of Monday. In a media release on Monday, Nutrimix said it recognised the importance of keeping basic food items at minimal and affordable prices. “As a leading manufacturer of flour, one of our key priorities is to continuously seek out initiatives to ensure that our products are safely produced and sold at competitive prices. Effective July 3, Nutrimix Flour Mills will immediately reduce the prices on our range of Country Pride and Nutrimix Premium Grade 2kg and 10kg flour products. This price reduction ranges from 10% to 13% on our 2kg flour and 10% to 12% on our 10kg size.” Read more here
Over 11,000 students pass SEA, grades up
There was a marked improvement in grades among pupils across Trinidad and Tobago who wrote the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) exam this year. According to the Ministry of Education (MoE), 11,015 students passed the test out of the 18,797 who wrote mathematics, creative writing and language arts. Close to 400 of those students scored above 90 per cent while 2,547 students ranked below 30 per cent. Last year, 5,306 students scored less than 30 per cent among the 19,079 who wrote the exam. That same year, 7,071 pupils obtained SEA success, marking a 37.06 per cent pass rate. In 2021, 10,259 of 19,544 students passed. Read more here
POLITICS
PM tells regional leaders: Caricom is making a difference
The Prime Minister invited listeners to consider how wonderful the region could have been if it had united into one nation. However, he said Caricom, as a bloc of nations, has still achieved much for its populations. Addressing the launch of the 45th Regular Meeting of Caricom heads at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain on Monday evening, Dr Rowley noted Caricom's 50th anniversary, saying children should be taught its relevance and history. He said this regional family of nations can be proud of its 50 years of achievements. Read more here
Caricom leaders to work towards regional transport solution
A number of parties have expressed interest in being part of a transport solution for the Caricom region. The initiative is moving to a stronger position of solution, and the current Caricom summit will allow leaders to see how fast they can move on this idea. Guyana’s President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said so during an interview with T&T Guardian yesterday. Ali is among Caricom leaders in T&T for the 45th Caricom meeting which celebrates Caricom’s 50th anniversary. Ali chairs Caricom’s food security committee. Read more here
BUSINESS
China seeks to strengthen trade relations with Trinidad and Tobago
As China forges ahead in its path of modernisation, it is ready to work with TT as part of its global development initiative (GDI). Visiting assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Hua Chunying said the success story of China’s modernisation can be an inspiration for all developing countries. She was speaking at the National Library (NALIS), Port of Spain on Monday, on the sidelines of the Caricom 50th anniversary celebrations. Read more here
New chief exec ‘excited about possibilities’ at Heritage
Chief executive officer at Heritage Petroleum Company Ltd (Heritage) Erik Keskula has assumed duties at the State-owned oil and gas company. This follows the retirement of Arlene Chow on June 13. Heritage announced his selection to the post in May. At a recent company meeting, Keskula assured staff that he will continue to build capacity within the organisation by equipping employees with the right skills and fit-for-purpose business intelligence tools to stay ahead of evolving workforce trends. Read more here
REGIONAL
Food security concerns, climate finance agenda
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government meet in Trinidad and Tobago, July 3-5, 2023, for their 45th Regular Meeting and to launch a year of celebrations to mark the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the regional grouping. The packed agenda for the meeting tackles several pressing issues for the Community, including food security concerns, climate change and the climate finance agenda; the ongoing difficulties in Haiti; security issues, external relations matters and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The Heads of Government will engage several international guests, including the President of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame; the UN Secretary-General, H.E. Antonio Guterres; President-Designate of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28), H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jabe; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea H.E. Han Duck-Soo; US Secretary-of-State, Mr Anthony Blinken, and Minority Leader in the US House of Representatives, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
SCO summit: Putin says sanctions making Russia stronger
Russia will continue to oppose Western sanctions, President Vladimir Putin has said, following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. His address to a virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit was his first to an international meeting since last month's mutiny in Russia. Mr Putin backed trade accords between SCO nations in local currencies - seen as an attempt to blunt sanctions. The 2023 SCO summit is taking place virtually, under India's leadership. Mr Putin used the platform to send a message of defiance to the West, saying "Russia counters all these external sanctions, pressures and provocations and continues to develop as never before". He has made several public appearances since the Wagner mercenary group staged a short-lived mutiny in late June, but this was the first time he'd been seen with a group of international leaders. Read more here
4th July 2023