NEWS
NWRHA willing to compensate parents for NICU deaths
The North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) is willing to settle with families whose babies died at the Port of Spain General Hospital's (PoSGH) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). However, the compensation comes with the caveat that the authority will not accept liability for the deaths. The parents, through their attorneys, have declined the offer of what they believe is tantamount to "hush money." Read more here
Senior cop blames Cocorite turf war for mass shooting
Senior Supt of the Western Division, Garvin Henry, says investigators believe the recent murders in Cocorite are a result of feuding factions in the community. He warned that law enforcement officials will not allow the fight for turf and power to further disrupt and disenfranchise the lives and well-being of residents. “There isn’t any turf. The area belongs to the community to be utilised primarily for their well-being. We are going to resist, prevent and dismantle any claim or fight for turf,” Henry said. Read more here
POLITICS
Imbert: Full confidence in team to probe $2.6b revenue understatement
Finance Minister Colm Imbert says he has full confidence in the ability of a team appointed by the Cabinet to investigate the understatement of revenue for the last financial year and other related matters. He made this statement during a virtual news conference on May 7. Imbert began the briefing by announcing Cabinet's approval of a team recommended by him to investigate this matter. The team will be chaired by retired High Court Justice David Harris. Read more here
PM Rowley heads to Ghana
Prime Minister Keith Rowley left T&T yesterday evening for London en route to Ghana where he has been invited to attend the celebration of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene’s ascent to the throne. It is the Asantehene’s 25th year of ascension to the Golden Stool and reign as the King of Asante. The Office of the Prime Minister confirmed the development yesterday. Rowley said last month he would be going to Ghana this month for the event. In 2023, the Asantehene and his delegation visited T&T to commemorate this country’s Emancipation Day celebrations. Read more here
BUSINESS
Trinidad and Tobago pavilion featured at global energy event
Seven companies are representing Trinidad and Tobago at the 2024 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas. Trinidad and Tobago is one of 14 international country pavilions being featured at the conference. This global energy conference brings together key decision-makers with jurisdiction over the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and the Americas. State-owned National Energy Corporation of TT Ltd (National Energy) has set up a country pavilion booth to showcase TT's energy services, including engineering, infrastructure, logistics and professional services. Read more here
T&T has 11 more years of gas at current usage
T&T had 11.49 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas under contract to be developed at the end of 2022, Energy Minister Stuart Young told a news conference yesterday. Addressing the public disclosure of the natural gas audits for the years 2021 and 2022, Young said with gas usage at just under 1 trillion cubic feet. “So by projection, if you have 11 and a half tcf, and if we are to continue gas production at current rates, we have 11 more years of natural gas in our fields.” He said T&T has an additional 9 tcf of natural gas that is known to exist but requires exploration and appraisal wells to be brought to production. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana’s trajectory positive under President Ali’s stewardship
Former Colombian President, Ivan Duque, has highlighted Guyana’s potential as a burgeoning superpower in energy, environment, and economic transformation. In outlining the nation’s potential, Duque also commended President, Dr Irfaan Ali for his leadership, and efforts towards developing solutions to local, regional and global issues. In an exclusive interview with Arick Wierson for Newsweek Magazine, the former Colombian President expressed optimism about Guyana’s trajectory under President Ali’s stewardship. He said, too, that with concerted efforts and international support, Guyana has the potential to realise its vision of a prosperous and sustainable future for all its citizens. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
US reveals it paused shipment of bombs for Israel over Rafah concerns
The US last week paused a bomb shipment for Israel over concerns it was going ahead with a major ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a senior US administration official says. The shipment consisted of 1,800 2,000lb (907kg) bombs and 1,700 500lb bombs, the official told CBS News, the BBC's media partner in the US. Israel has not "fully addressed" US concerns over humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah, the official says. Israel made no immediate comment. Read more here
8th May 2024