News
Al Rawi: Better days coming for Sando
Attorney General and MP for San Fernando West, Faris Al-Rawi handed out keys to residents in his constituency while officially lighting up Independence Square for the Christmas season on Tuesday.
At the ceremony, Al-Rawi announced that government was making history as the first two unexplained preliminary wealth orders were being executed. Read more here…
Lotto agents want audit of NLCB
The TT Lotto Agents Association (TTLAA) said it was fed up of ill treatment by the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) and called on Finance Minister Colm Imbert to audit the state agency at a press conference on Tuesday. Read more here…
Politics
Govt, Central Bank in talks on money concerns
Finance Minister Colm Imbert was up to yesterday still seeking options to help business people and those without bank accounts who may have old $100 notes come December 31.
Government was in talks with the Central Bank and commercial banks on what could be offered to deal with whatever old $100 notes are presented at the December 31 submission deadline. However as of yesterday the deadline for submission of the old paper-based bills remained December 31, Imbert told in Parliament. Read more here…
TRHA audit report still secret
The internal audit report into the finance, human resources, and information technology departments of the Tobago Region Health Authority remains secret. Secretary for the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development Dr Agatha Carrington promised twice, in July and September, to make the findings public. The audit was completed in July and during a post-Executive Council media briefing Carrington announced the final report would be provided “very promptly.” Read more here…
Business
Digicel CEO takes aim at TSTT on 5G launch
igicelTT is coming out swinging against rival TSTT and its claim of having the capacity to upgrade to 5G technology.
“A shot without the bullet," is how DigicelTT CEO Jabbor Kayumov sees TSTT's declaration. "I was disappointed with the product I saw launched.” Read more here…
ANSA Merchant acquires Bank of Baroda
ANSA Merchant Bank Limited has signed an agreement to purchase Bank of Baroda’s operations in T&T, which if approved will allow it to do all aspects of commercial banking.
The announcement was made yesterday by ANSA which announced a share purchase agreement to acquire the Bank of Baroda Trinidad and Tobago Limited.
The agreement was signed yesterday, December 11, with the acquisition subject to regulatory approval and the fulfilment of specific conditions as contained in the share purchase agreement. Read more here…
South/Central chambers lament Xmas changeover of $100
The change of the paper $100 to the new polymer note can lead to chaos and frustration for citizens.
On Monday, at a meeting of the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers, several chambers raised concerns about the process, Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce president Ramchand Maraj told Business Day. His members, he said, took issue with the timing of the move. Read more here…
Regional
Earth Today | Caribbean Energy Security Under Threat
AN INCREASE in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius is projected to bring with it a variety of risks for Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS), not the least of which is compromised energy security.
This is reflected in the recent research work of Peter Donk and others in their examination of the Afobaka hydropower scheme in Suriname, which supplies some 40 per cent of that island’s power demand. Read more here…
No foreign service shake-up
WHILE some have questioned the government’s announcement that it would be recalling a number of its foreign diplomats — many of whom have enjoyed extended tours of duty beyond the official limit — President David Granger has asserted that the move is in keeping with his administration’s vision to professionalise the Foreign Service. Read more here…
International
Trump tariff deadline looms: 'It's very scary'
The 15 December deadline when the US is due to impose another round of tariffs is just days away. For the New Jersey company, it will mean a new 15% tax on the shoes it designs, makes in China, and sells to retailers like Walmart.
Chief executive Matt Feiner is still hoping for a last-minute reprieve. Without one, he said, the company, which employs about 100 people in the US, may not survive. Read more here…
Indian military deployed and internet shut down as protests rage against citizenship bill
Troops have been deployed to India's ethnically diverse northeastern states of Assam and Tripura, amid violent protests against the passing of a controversial and far-reaching law that offers a path to Indian citizenship for non-Mulism minorities from three neighboring countries. Read more here…
12th December 2019