NEWS
Veera Bhajan's discrimination lawsuit to proceed
An Appeal Court judge has ruled the Equal Opportunity Tribunal (EOT) and its chairman failed to establish any “special circumstances” to justify the staying of the lawsuit brought against it by lay assessor Veera Bhajan over her not being able to take up her position. As a result, Friday's trial will proceed as directed by the trial judge. The EOT and chairman Donna Prowell-Raphael had asked for a stay of the proceedings before Justice Avason Quinlan-Williams to appeal her refusal to hear their application to set aside the permission she gave Bhajan to advance her judicial review claim. Read more here
Chambers fear another lockdown as COVID cases climb
laces like bars, cinemas and gyms have only just reopened their doors but, with COVID-19 cases on the rise so too is the anxiety among businesses. Several business groups are worried the Government may resort to another lockdown to curb the spread of the disease. Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Gabriel Faria, said there is disquiet among members who have been asking whether they will have to close their doors again. Faria told Guardian Media even with the lifting of restrictions consumers have been cautiously spending only on essential items. Read more here
POLITICS
Persad-Bissessar slams independent senators
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar questioned the impartiality of the independent senators when she addressed a UNC virtual meeting on Monday. She chided their voting record and hit Senator Anthony Vieira's censure motion against opposition members for their behaviour last month at the Electoral College meeting called to vote on President Paula-Mae Weekes' recent performance. Read more here
MOH: Fake image of the Minister of Health in circulation
The Ministry of Health has announced that the image circulating purporting to show the Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health at a beach on a jet ski is False. Details follow in this press release from the Ministry of health: The Ministry of Health has noted with concern the FALSE information in circulation around an image purporting to show the Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health at a beach on a jet ski. It appears as though the image was shared by a well-known social media activist. Read more here
BUSINESS
Trinidad and Tobago companies exhibit at China import expo
Ten Trinidad and Tobago export companies are participating in the 4th Annual China International Import Expo (CIIE), in which they seek to foster trade relations between both countries. A press release from the Ministry of Trade and Industry said the exhibition began on November 5 and will conclude on November 10. Read more here
CREAD, KGL sign clean energy deal
The Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica (CREAD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kenesjay Green Limited (KGL), CEO of CREAD, Francine Baron, and Philip Julien, the Chairman of KGL signed the MOU during the Glasgow Climate Change Conference (COP26) in the NDC Partnership Exhibit Presentation area. The agreement will seek out options for Dominica to harness its approximately 2GW of geo-thermal energy as part of its transition to a low carbon economy. Read more here
REGIONAL
Vaccination of persons 5-11 years old expected soon
Persons aged five to 11 years will soon be eligible for vaccination against COVID-19, according to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony. SPEAKING during Tuesday’s edition of the COVID-19 update, the Health Minister said local officials are still awaiting final documentation from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States, but once those reports are public, a decision would be taken. Dr Anthony noted, however, that his ministry has been training staff locally on administering doses to children which would be one/third of the dose applied to adults. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
The US and Europe have finally reconnected, but they're moving in different directions on Covid-19
In September, when the White House announced its long-awaited plan to welcome vaccinated European travelers, the United States was consumed by a Covid-19 surge that far outpaced Europe's. At that point the US rate of new cases per capita dwarfed Europe's by nearly three to one. While European governments were plotting their roadmaps towards normality, America was battling a rise in infections and warning of pressure on hospitals. But by Monday, when the new rules came into effect and thousands of tourists jetted across the Atlantic to American cities, the two regions had experienced a dramatic reversal in fortunes. Read more here
10th November 2021