NEWS
TTPS: Murders on the increase since 2011; no spike
The Homicide Bureau of Police Service says murders have been on the increase since 2011 with an average of 428 people killed every year. At a media briefing Tuesday, public information officer ASP Sheridon Hill said the TTPS has no evidence that there was any spike in murders since former commissioner Gary Griffith’s term came to an end ten weeks ago. Responding to a media report earlier this week, Griffith said there were 55 murders in the ten weeks since his contract expired, saying there was a spike in murders. But when asked yesterday, Hill denied this. “We have no information regarding that upsurge in crime relating to the former commissioner, we have no evidence of that,” Hill said. Homicide Bureau superintendent Rishi Singh presented data showing the increasing trend from 2011 to 2019. Read more here
'What price difference?'
The majority of shoppers who left Massy Food Stores in Trincity yesterday said they saw no difference in prices after the Government’s removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on 65 food items. Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon visited Xtra Foods in Endeavour, Chaguanas around 10 a.m. yesterday and Massy Food Stores in Trincity around 12.30 p.m. Both supermarkets had a trickle of their usual weekend crowds. Read more here
POLITICS
Young, Lightsource BP consider Trinidad and Tobago solar parks
Energy Minister Stuart Young met Lightsource BP CEO Nick Boyle and other company officials on Tuesday to discuss solar park projects in Trinidad and possibly also in Tobago, said a statement on the Facebook page of the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday. Young is in the UK with the Prime Minister for the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26. The post reported: "The discussions surrounded the commitment to build two solar parks in Trinidad with a planned cumulative output of 112.2 MW (megawatts.) Read more here
BUSINESS
Hotel room stock set to climb
While Covid-19 continues to have major economic effects on the tourism industry globally, the expansion of the Marriott, Hilton, and Radisson brands to Trinidad and Tobago indicates that investor confidence exists in the local tourism economy. This was revealed to the Express Business by Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell during an interview on Friday. Mitchell explained that globally, tourism investor confidence and optimism continue to rise gradually even in the face of the still very present pandemic. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana eyes 70 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030
AS the world continues to contend with the challenges created by climate change, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said that Guyana will work with local communities to conserve, protect and sustainably manage its forests, biodiversity and freshwater supplies, and at the same time reduce its carbon emissions by at least 70 per cent by 2030. During his address to world leaders at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, President Ali said that the reduction in carbon emissions will be achieved through a “cleaner” energy mix, which will include solar power, wind, ‘hydro’ and natural gas. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Glenn Youngkin: Win for Republican in Virginia governor vote
Republican Glenn Youngkin has been elected as Virginia's next governor in a major upset, according to US media projections. He was 2.1 points ahead of Democrat Terry McAuliffe, with 99% of votes counted. Mr McAuliffe, who served as governor from 2014-18, saw his opinion poll lead vanish in recent weeks. The ballot has been widely seen as a referendum on Joe Biden's presidency, and defeat will unnerve the Democrats. Mr Biden won by 10 points in Virginia in the presidential election just a year ago. In a speech to cheering fans, Mr Youngkin promised to get to work straight away to transform the state. Read more here
3rd November 2021