NEWS
NFM blames Ukraine war for 33% price hike – Flour Rise Again
National Flour Mills Ltd (NFM) has raised the price of its wholesale flour for a second time since January, by a staggering 33 per cent, with a suggested retail price increase of 28 per cent, as of today (Wednesday). As a result, consumers can expect an increase in the price of many basic food items where flour is a main ingredient. Read more here
Attorneys to move ahead with no-confidence motion against Armour
Although Attorney General Reginald Armour has broken his silence on his disqualification from the Piarco International Airport civil matter in a Miami court, the group of attorneys calling for a motion of no-confidence in him will go ahead with their petition. This is according to attorney Kiel Taklalsingh, who spoke briefly to Guardian Media yesterday. Taklalsingh was among a group of 40 attorneys who requisitioned the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) on June 15 for a meeting to debate and vote on a motion of no-confidence in Armour. Read more here
POLITICS
Imbert: e-payment for public servants coming
Finance Minister Colm Imbert said Government will soon move to pay public servants by electronic means rather than by cheques. He revealed this while contributing to debate on Tuesday in the Senate on the Bills of Exchange Bill 2022, piloted earlier by Minister in the Ministry of Finance Brian Manning. Imbert said most payments by government were for salaries and wages for public sector employees. Read more here
Govt working on measures to decrease food prices
Condensed milk produced regionally such as in Jamaica carries no duties as opposed to extra-regional milk and another government guaranteed long-term facility of up to $500 million in loan guarantees will soon be launched for small and medium businesses. Minister of Trade Paula Gopee-Scoon yesterday cited the measures among those geared to decrease food prices. She was replying in the Senate to Opposition Senator Wade Mark’s queries on rising food and cooking oil prices and steps being taken to mitigate the cost of living increases. Gopee-Scoon listed the Government’s responses to price increases since 2021, including the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on some food items. Read more here
BUSINESS
Heritage looking for a new CEO
State-owned Heritage Petroleum is looking for a new Chief Executive Officer to replace Arlene Chow who is retiring. In a newspaper advertisement the company said the incumbent will report to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and provide a vision and strategic leadership for the organisation’s success. In September 2019, Chow was appointed as the company’s interim CEO after American Mike Wylie returned to the US for cancer treatment. Read more here
HHSL looks south for growth
For Anthony Vieira, the founder and managing director of HHSL Safety Systems Ltd, safety is not just a job, it is a calling—a culture he is driven to inculcate wherever he is and whatever he is doing. In an industry that depends on word-of-mouth referrals and references, Vieira built the reputation of his company by restlessly focusing on diversification and expansion as well as reinvesting in upskilling his employees and acquiring cutting-edge equipment. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘They couldn’t incriminate me in my most unguarded moment’
Rather than implicate him in an alleged web of corruption, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said that a recent documentary by Vice News titled “Guyana for sale,” has instead vindicated him as being upright in his dealings with business officials, since the report produced no evidence linking him to collecting bribes. Dr. Jagdeo sought to bring clarity to certain aspects of the recently released Vice News episode, which featured a 15-minute segment on Guyana, and included several accusations but no evidence. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Half Russian separatist force dead or wounded – UK
Russian and Russian-backed separatist forces in the Donetsk region of Ukraine have suffered heavy casualties, according to UK intelligence officials. They estimate the Donetsk militia alone has lost 55% of its original force. Russian forces are focused on conquering all of neighbouring Luhansk, aiming to encircle the city of Lysychansk, say Ukrainian leaders. Regional chief Serhiy Haidai said there had been "colossal destruction" in the city. He said the situation in its sister city of Severodonetsk was "hell", and quoted the mayor as saying some 7,000-8,000 civilians remained there. Read more here
22nd June 2022