NEWS
Judge orders release of Venezuelan minors, mothers from heliport
A High Court judge has ordered the release of ten Venezuelan children and their mothers who were being held at the State’s quarantine detention facility at the heliport in Chaguaramas. On Tuesday, Justice Joan Charles ordered the release of the group of children and four mothers. Separate applications were filed for the group before arrangements could be made for their repatriation. Read more here
Guards call for reinforcements to quell attempted riot at MSP
Prison officers had to call in additional reinforcement from a special unit to quell another attempt at an uprising at the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca yesterday. Guardian Media understands that inmates were protesting the failure of the judicial system because they were not being taken before their judges and magistrates for matters. Prison sources said there was a stand-off between inmates and officers some time after 2 pm yesterday, where inmates allegedly threw their meals on the ground while cussing and quarrelling with the officers. Officers were also threatened. Read more here
POLITICS
Young: Human traffickers using children
Human traffickers may be using children to conceal their cargo of women being shipped to TT for prostitution and other illegal activities, according to the Minister of National Security. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Stuart Young said the use of children was a "typical red flag" in the crime of human trafficking. He said while children "pulled on the heart strings" of people, it was a trend law enforcement authorities are familiar. Read more here
Govt moving to plug private party loophole
As citizens continue to ignore public health regulations not to congregate, government officials say they have been left with no choice but to use the law to compel people to adhere to the regulations. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said while they are still using moral suasion as the first means of reaching people, recent behaviours had necessitated the introduction of stricter means as appeals were falling on deaf ears in some quarters. Read more here
BUSINESS
Some Venezuelans are being exploited
A Venezuelan worker was paid $50 a day to work in a farm in South Trinidad from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. One family was forced to leave their seven-year-old child to look after his siblings aged six and four, so that the parents could go out to work. Read more here
REGIONAL
Strengthening the Bond
Both Guyana and Suriname are anticipating massive economic advancement within the coming years because of their new-found oil wealth, so, instead of being competitors, the two countries will “join hands” and develop together through a physical connection in the form a bridge over the Corentyne River. Bridges, roads and other forms of infrastructure are metaphorically referred to as “arteries to development”, catalysing economic growth by increasing trade, transportation and other economic activities. Read more here
Tighter Curfews For Christmas, New Year's Holidays
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced tighter curfew hours for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. However, there will be a relaxation for the other days of December and January. At present, the curfew kicks in at 9 p.m and ends at 5 a.m the next day. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Biden stakes out his anti-Trump presidency
Joe Biden has already kept his first promise -- his approach to the presidency will be a top-to-bottom repudiation of the behavior, policies and obsessions of President Donald Trump. The President-elect is building his administration on old-fashioned notions that facts matter, that commanders-in-chief must project stability, that Cabinet officials need experience and expertise, that a fractured nation is governable and that the world wants the US to lead. Read more here
Russia 'threatened to ram' US ship in Sea of Japan
Russia says one of its warships caught and chased off a US Navy destroyer after it entered territorial waters in the Sea of Japan on Tuesday. Moscow accused the USS John S McCain of travelling 2km (1.2 miles) across its maritime border in Peter the Great Gulf and says it threatened to ram the ship. The US warship then left the area, according to Russia. However, the US Navy denied any wrongdoing and said its ship had not been "expelled". Read more here
25th November 2020