NEWS
Mother of worker who died after NiQuan accident: NOBODY AIN'T TELLING US NOTHING
Relatives of the late Allan Lane Ramkissoon, 35, are demanding answers from NiQuan Energy Trinidad Ltd (NETL) as to how their loved one met a fiery death on June 15. “We want honesty, we want the truth,” his younger sister Ruth Lane Ramkissoon-Balgobin told the Newsday at the family's St Croix Road, Barrackpore, home on Tuesday. “We want to know what happened. We want to know how my brother died. We want to know who is responsible for this. Words cannot express how we are feeling right now but we need answers about my brother’s death.” Read more here
Storm alerts in Barbados, Dominica as Bret approaches
Although it poses no direct threat to Trinidad and Tobago, all eyes are on Tropical Storm Bret, which was located just over 1,300 kilometres east of Tobago yesterday evening. Tropical storm watches have been issued for Barbados and Dominica, where tropical storm conditions are possible on Thursday. According to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC), yesterday, Bret moved quickly west near 30 KM/H, and this general motion is expected to continue through the next several days. The NHC said, “On the forecast track, the centre of Bret is expected to move across portions of the Lesser Antilles Thursday afternoon and Thursday night, and then move across the eastern Caribbean Sea on Friday.” Tropical Storm Bret strengthened over a 24-hour periods, with maximum sustained winds of 75 KM/H and higher gusts. The NHC forecasts additional strengthening Wednesday, and Bret will remain a tropical storm when it reaches the central Lesser Antilles by Thursday into Thursday night. Bret remains a small tropical storm with tropical storm-force winds extending 75 kilometres outward from the centre. Read more here
POLITICS
PM: Rodney Charles 'mischievous' to ask about Coast Guard fleet
The Prime Minister on Tuesday accused Opposition MP Rodney Charles of being mischievous in his questioning about the seaworthiness of Coast Guard vessels. During urgent questions for the Prime Minister in Parliament on Tuesday, Charles asked whether one of the Coast Guard’s 11 large vessels was operational. Dr Rowley said he knew nothing of what Charles was referring to and refused to answer, claiming the premise of the question did not exist. Read more here
BUSINESS
Caribbean telecoms operators to meet with Big Tech to push for compensation
Caribbean telecommunications operators will hold a second meeting with Big Tech operators – Meta, Google and Netflix – where they will address the impact Big Tech has on the Caribbean telecommunications industry and the need for these companies to contribute financially to regional telecoms network infrastructure. The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) will host the meeting at the Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel and Executive Meeting Centre on Friday. This meeting comes on the heels of the first meeting, held on February 17. Read more here
T&T signs contract to boost ports’ efficiency
The Ministry of Trade and Industry yesterday executed a contract with the French company, SOGET, for the provision of consulting services for the implementation, maintenance and support of a Port Community System for Trinidad and Tobago. In a news release, the Ministry of Trade said SOGET is a leading Port Community System (PCS) operator in France and a global leader in the development of Port Community Systems. The Port Community System is an electronic platform that connects the border clearance IT systems used by the Customs, the ports, the TTBizLink platform operated by the Ministry of Trade and other border clearance agencies. Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ayleen Alleyne-Ovid signed the contract on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and SOGET’s CEO, Herve Cornede, signed on behalf of the company. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Our interest is to make lives better’
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, reiterated his commitment to continue fostering development in communities across the country and working along with stakeholders within these areas for the betterment of their constituencies. The President made those remarks during impromptu visits to the Lamaha Gardens community and Newtown Kitty area with the newly elected constituency representative, Alfonso De Armas. During his visit to those areas, a major concern for residents was that of security, especially regarding street lights. Additionally, the other priority issues were related to drainage and the easy flooding of communities. While he was on the ground, the Head of State also had with him several technical personnel from the Ministry of Public Works and other agencies to address those concerns. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine war: Zelensky admits slow progress but says offensive is not a movie
President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged battlefield progress has been "slower than desired", weeks into Ukraine's military offensive to recapture areas occupied by Russia. "Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It's not," he told the BBC. "What's at stake is people's lives." Ukraine says its counter-offensive has reclaimed eight villages so far in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk to the east. Mr Zelensky said the military push was not going easily because 200,000 sq km (77,220 sq miles) of Ukrainian territory had been mined by Russian forces. "Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best," Mr Zelensky added. Read more here
21st June 2023