NEWS
bpTT cancels pan space over 'security concerns'
Citing “insurmountable security concerns.” bpTT has confirmed that it decided not to move forward with plans to hold a proposed activity in the Savannah as part of its support of pan, after a risk assessment. In a release, bpTT said it had been discussing with the National Carnival Commission (NCC) a proposal for use of a small area of the Savannah opposite bpTT’s head office during the Carnival season. “The proposal was a new initiative as part of bpTT’s overall support for pan. It would have included a designated public space highlighting steel pan music, including performances by steel bands, all open to the public. Read more here
QPS workers threaten shutdown as fear lingers after killing
Workers hired to transport materials used to construct vending booths around the Queen’s Park Savannah for the upcoming Carnival season, are threatening to shut down work at the site unless security is assigned to their area. It means that the deadline to have the booths constructed and completed by February 10 could be in jeopardy. Carnival will be held on February 12 and 13. The threats came days after a 26-year-old loader was gunned down near the Paddock after completing work on a booth. Read more here
POLITICS
Browne slams bad behaviour at Panday funeral
Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne condemned HOPE political leader Timothy Hamel-Smith and his deputy Karen Nunez-Tesheira after they climbed over a fence in San Fernando on Tuesday, to attend the state funeral service of former prime minister Basdo Panday. Hamel-Smith was Senate president under the UNC-led People's Partnership coalition government in 2010-2015. Nunez-Tesheira was finance minister in the Patrick Manning administration from 2007-2010. She resigned from the PNM last year after unsuccessfully challenging the Prime Minister for the party's leadership. Nunez-Tesheira and Hamel-Smith climbed over a fence along the Rienzi Kirton Highway to enter the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) as other guests were arriving to attend Panday's funeral. Read more here
BUSINESS
Massy names Kerry to replace Parisot-Potter
Massy Holdings Ltd corporate secretary and senior vice-president of corporate governance, Wendy Kerry, has, for the time being, stepped into a role vacated by Angélique Parisot-Potter, the group's former general counsel and executive vice president of business integrity. Massy Holdings yesterday announced that Kerry has been appointed as its acting general counsel. Her appointment took effect on Monday, January 8, 2024. Parisot-Potter resigned as Massy’s executive vice president of business integrity and group general counsel, on December 28, 2023, ten days after she raised concerns about the group’s executive leadership consulting firm—the Florida-based Delphi Sphere Consulting at the company's annual general meeting. Read more here
UN report: Outlook for region remains challenging
The outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean remains “challenging”, with gross domestic product (GDP) growth expected to slow from 2.2% in 2023 to 1.6% in 2024, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ World Economic Situation and Prospects 2024 report has stated. And according to the report Trinidad and Tobago’s GDP growth is expected to slow from 3.1% in 2023 to 2.2% this year. “Growth performance exceeded expectations in 2023 amid resilient consumption and investment, robust capital inflows, and solid external demand. While inflation has been receding, it remains elevated, and structural and macroeconomic policy challenges persist. In 2024, tighter financial conditions will undermine domestic demand, and slower growth in China and the United States will constrain exports,” it stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
APNU+AFC PAC members’ claims clear attempt to distract from coalition’s actions that require closer investigation
Minister of Public Works and member of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Juan Edghill, on Tuesday, set the record straight and noted that the committee will not gloss over the 2019 and 2020 Auditor General’s reports which should uncover illegalities and corruption between that period. In a statement posted to his page, he noted that the nation was again greeted by another attempt by the opposition APNU+AFC to “mamaguy” the Guyanese people concerning the sittings of the PAC. He said that the committee is currently examining the reports of 2019 which happens to be the year after the successful passage of the motion of no-confidence against the coalition government in 2018. “This is the period during which, the APNU+AFC refused to demit office. It is abundantly clear, that the current APNU+AFC Opposition would have preferred a situation, where three of their members could meet as the PAC, and gloss over the illegalities, corruption, mismanagement, and maladministration, that occurred during that period,” he said in the post. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
US and UK navies repel largest Houthi attack on Red Sea shipping
UK and US naval forces have repelled the largest attack yet by Yemen's Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, the UK defence secretary says. The Iran-backed group launched at least 21 drones and missiles overnight, according to the US military. They were shot down by carrier-based jets and four warships, it added. No injuries or damage were reported. The Houthis have not commented, but they have targeted vessels in response to the war in the Gaza Strip. They have claimed - often falsely - that the ships were linked to Israel. The US military's Central Command said Tuesday's attack was the 26th since 19 November. At around 21:15 local time (18:15 GMT), Iranian-designed one-way attack drones, anti-ship cruise missiles and anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen towards international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea, it added. Read more here
10th January 2024