NEWS
Father loses two sons in 10 years: Leave the guns alone
After both his sons were shot dead ten years apart, Mohan Ramlakhan is pleading with young people to "leave the guns alone." On March 2, Ramlakhan’s younger son Rajesh died in hospital after being shot at his home on Achong Trace, Tunapuna. Rajesh was with a relative and another man in a house on a family compound when a single gunshot was heard. Relatives found him sitting in the room alive but with a gunshot wound to his head. Read more here
TEMA: No more oil leaking from vessel
Nearly a month since the Gulfstream barge ran aground off the coast of Cove spewing bunker fuel, officials have announced that the leaking has stopped. The vessel was first spotted on February 7 after it separated from its tug, later identified as Solo Creed days before. Currently, extensive salvage and containment efforts are in full swing, with multiple vessels and organisations—local and international—working collaboratively to control the situation. While the salvage operations are ongoing, Tobago Emergency Management Agency director Allan Stewart is hopeful the strategy to contain and remove the Gulfstream barge would work. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Stewart said, “What we have experienced over the past 72 hours is the answer we have been looking for as I can report there is no longer any oil emitting from the vessel. The T&T Salvage team has taken control over that process of the vessel.” Read more here
POLITICS
PM: Government acted responsibly with SSA
The Prime Minister said the Government did not act irresponsibly when it took the decision to send Strategic Services Agency (SSA) director on administrative leave, appoint Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador to Washington DC Brig-Gen Anthony Phillips-Spencer as acting director and review the agency's operations. Dr Rowley made those statements at a Conversations with the Prime Minister forum at Skiffle Bunch Pan Yard, Coffee Street, San Fernando, on March 5. A statement on March 3 from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said, "The National Security Council (NSC) has recommended to the Cabinet that the head of the SSA be replaced immediately and that new leadership and management be installed with despatch." Read more here
UNC to know outcome of Lengua election petition appeal in 3 weeks
The United National Congress (UNC) will have to wait three weeks to learn the fate of its appeal over the dismissal of its election petition for the district of Lengua/Indian Walk. Appellate judges Charmaine Pemberton, Vasheist Kokaram, and Carla Brown-Antoine reserved their judgment to March 26 after hearing submissions, from lawyers for the UNC, the People’s National Movement (PNM) and the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) during a hearing at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain, yesterday. Whatever the outcome, the appeal panel’s decision will be final as under the Representation of the People Act, election petitions are only heard by the local courts with no possibility of a final appeal before the country’s highest court, the United Kingdom-based Privy Council. Read more here
BUSINESS
Atlantic, Massy Wood enter partnership
Atlantic LNG has partnered with Massy Wood Group for an exclusive three-year Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreement which demonstrates Atlantic’s commitment to delivering world-class performance and creating value for the organisation, its stakeholders and more broadly T&T. In a news release issued by Atlantic yesterday, its chief executive officer, Ron Adams, expressed enthusiasm for this new phase of the relationship with Massy Wood Group. Read more here
You cannot grow in your comfort zone
As Natasha Scotland began her final year studying law at The University of the West Indies, her grades suggested that graduating with First Class honours would require nothing less than a miracle. Yet, grounded in her Christian faith, Scotland held on to the belief that miracles were still possible. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana aims to become transshipment hub for the region
Guyana is positioned to emerge as a pivotal transshipment hub, fostering vital connections between South America and the global arena. President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Tuesday met with DHL Caribbean executives, urging them to explore opportunities and extend services to northern Brazil from Guyana. Given Guyana’s strategic geographical location on South America’s edge, it stands as the shortest and most cost-effective route for Brazilian exports through the Panama Canal. President Ali envisions Guyana evolving into a key transshipment hub, highlighting the importance of DHL’s commitment to enhancing its services. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Father's plea for starving children in north Gaza after son dies of malnutrition
"What is the fate of the children suffering from hunger? Will they find someone to save them or will they die? My son Ali has already died." The father of Ali, a Palestinian baby boy who recently died of malnutrition and dehydration at northern Gaza's only paediatrics hospital, has appealed for help for the other children being treated there, as the UN warns of famine if aid deliveries are not substantially increased. "Ali was born in wartime and there was no food or anything for his mother to eat - a matter which caused his kidneys to fail," the man - who did not want to be named - said in an interview recorded for BBC Arabic's Gaza Lifeline radio service. Read more here
6th March 2024