NEWS
Court rules prison beard policy unconstitutional
A T&T Prison Service policy barring Muslim prison officers from keeping beards has been deemed unconstitutional. High Court Judge Margaret Mohammed issued the declaration yesterday as she upheld a constitutional lawsuit brought by Arshad Singh. Singh’s victory in the case came less than two weeks after another High Court Judge dismissed a somewhat different case over a similar policy within the T&T Police Service (TTPS). According to the evidence in the case, Singh admitted that he had previously been allowed to keep a short beard for security reasons but claimed that he wrote to the Prison Service seeking permission after it grew longer when he went to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Read more here
POLITICS
Country-to-country financial reporting bill passed in Senate
The Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Inclusive Framework (Country-by-Country) Reporting Bill, 2023 was passed in the Senate on Tuesday. Finance Minister Colm Imbert said the bill was part of government’s initiative to assist with compliance with one criteria of the list of non-co-operative jurisdictions for tax purposes of the European Union. The bill’s full title is An Act to provide for the Country-by-Country Reporting (CBCR) by Multinational entities relative to the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Inclusive Framework and to provide for matters related thereto. Read more here
Gonzales again says he’s ready to appear before JSC on TSTT cyber attack
Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales has again reiterated that he is prepared to appear before Parliament’s Joint Select Committee to deal with the cyber breach at the Telecommunication Services of T&T (TSTT). Gonzales made the comment yesterday, after United National Congress MP Barry Padarath called for the JSC to summon Gonzales after Monday’s stinging statements by former TSTT CEO Lisa Agard and CFO Shiva Ramnarine about how the board handled the matter. Gonzales reinforced his recent position that he was willing to appear before the JSC if needed (as he’d said after the first JSC on the TSTT issue in January). “And I maintain that position, but I will not be distracted by the sideshow politics that’s being mounted,” Gonzales added, referring to Padarath’s comments. Read more here
BUSINESS
Young: Caricom has its own energy answers
Energy Minister Stuart Young is urging for greater collaboration among Caricom states in a bid to address energy security concerns within the region. In his address at the day two of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo yesterday, Minister Young said such an effort was the best answer to external pressures being placed on the region to suddenly address climate change and renewable energy demands now being asked of region. "It is going to cost US$14 billion to move the Caribbean Caricom island states to renewables. Put quite simply, that is not realistic, because when you look at the financial feasibility and the bankability of changing the grids, moving to renewables, it simply isn't there on population size, on island space size, etc," said Young, who explained the pooled resources of Caricom could provide a solution. Read more here
Youth unemployment ‘disproportionately higher’ than national average
THE fear of remaining unemployed after years at university is prevalent among graduates and those awaiting graduation, and for Shamila Singh, it has unfortunately become a depressing reality. Singh, who earned a degree in social work from The University of the West Indies (The UWI) in 2019, expressed feeling like she has been begging on the streets for a job since graduating. “It is frustrating, a sign of helplessness, I feel as though I am on the streets begging, not for food, but for a job. The sad part is that I am still paying for my student loan. I do voluntary work for Freedom to Rise, a non-profit organisation and although I give my time, I am not able to help financially as I would love to do,” stressed Singh. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Investors need not worry; Guyana’s borders are clearly defined’
Maintaining that all developments are being done within Guyana’s territory, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, has reassured investors that they need not worry because it is clear where Guyana’s borders are. During an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday, the President again rejected the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s spurious claim over Guyana’s territory. According to Dr Ali: “…The greatest assurance that we can offer is that Guyana is sure of its territorial integrity, we are sure of our borders and in 1899, our borders were settled. Venezuela participated in the settlement of those borders. So, there is absolutely no doubt as to where our borders are.” He then went on to reflect on why Guyana’s Spanish-speaking neighbour ignited this controversy. It was decades ago when Guyana was about to attain independence. However, Dr Ali further reminded Bloomberg that the matter is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Guyana has fully submitted itself to international law. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Israel Gaza: China condemns US veto of call for immediate ceasefire at UN
China has sharply criticised the US for vetoing a United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Beijing said the move sent the "wrong message" and effectively gave a "green light to the continued slaughter". The White House said the Algerian-proposed resolution would "jeopardise" talks to end the war. The US has proposed its own temporary ceasefire resolution, which also warned Israel not to invade the city of Rafah. Algeria's resolution was backed by 13 of the 15 members of the UN Security Council - with the UK abstaining. Under the council's rules, any resolution that is vetoed by one of its five permanent members - which includes the US - is immediately thrown out. Read more here
21st February 2024