NEWS
Funeral Feud
The funeral for media worker Carlet Holder was halted mid-service yesterday, when a woman, said to be Holder’s aunt, walked into the St Theresa RC Church in Woodbrook and declared before shocked mourners and Fr Emmanuel Pierre, “This funeral can’t happen!” With a shocked silence following this announcement, the woman added that the funeral is being postponed due to circumstances “beyond my control” and they would be told later on of new arrangements for Holder’s final rites. This triggered a transformation among mourners from one of tears and sorrow to anger and confusion as arguments broke out and exclamations of, “what is this?” and, “what really going on here?”, could be heard. In the end, as Fr Pierre left the church, Holder’s casket was hurriedly placed back into the hearse and whisked away to the Funeral home. The service for Holder, who lost her battle to lupus last Saturday, was scheduled to begin at 9.30 am. Read more here
Canadian firm has experience in ferry business
The company contracted to service the Trinidad and Tobago sea bridge with the MV Cabo Star and the Ocean Flower 2 has stated that it has experience in the ferry business. It also stated that there is a delay in the arrival of the Ocean Flower 2 to Trinidad because of rigorous customs stops and numerous refuelling as the ship set sail from Korea. Read more here
POLITICS
Government committed to preserving environment
Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson- Regis says Government is expected to sign the Kigali Agreement of the Montreal Protocol which seeks to reduce the emission of environmentally harmful chemicals known as Hydro Flouro Carbons (HFC’s) which have been attributed to the depletion of the ozone layer. Robinson- Regis was speaking yesterday at an induction ceremony for the installation of a new board of directors for the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) at the Old Fire Station, Abercromby Street yesterday. She said despite challenges, government is committed to reducing environmental degradation through harmful chemicals. “At a time when the economy is challenging, environmental issues are also very much at the forefront,” Robinson- Regis said. “Locally, since 1999, we have been doing a series of activities to ensure that we reduce the emission of HFC’s in the atmosphere. Read more here
Ayers-Caesar files action against JLSC
Former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar has initiated legal action against the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) headed by Chief Justice Ivor Archie and the Office of the President for its decision to strip her of her position as a High Court judge. Following the controversy since April when she resigned from the Magistracy and was appointed to the High Court Bench before being made to also step down from that position, Ayers-Caesar is now seeking to have the court judicially review the move by the JLSC which she says is illegal. Read more here
BUSINESS
Company, union meet today
Officials of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU) are set to meet with Angostura’s chief executive officer, Genevieve Jodhan, just after noon today to discuss the removal of a senior manager accused of violating several aspects of the collective bargaining agreement. Satisfied that weeks of ongoing lunch-time protests by the workers had finally culminated in management’s willingness to meet to discuss the issue, SWWTU president Michael Annisette yesterday said, “We have the documents and empirical evidence in support of our claims.” Revealing that some of the information had already been shared with management, Annisette said the workers had lost confidence in the manager who was installed at Angostura just over one year ago. Read more here
Recession hits Witco, smokers
The recession has hit smokers.Tough economic conditions and higher taxes also have hurt profits at the West Indian Tobacco Company (Witco). Read more here
REGIONAL
New Bermuda premier sworn in
New premier of Bermuda, David Burt, was sworn in to office on Wednesday following his Progressive Labour Party (PLP) victory at the polls on Tuesday. The PLP were voted into office in a resounding victory, securing a clear mandate to govern with 59 percent of the vote in a 24-12-seat victory over the ruling One Bermuda Alliance (OBA). At 38-years-old, Burt is the youngest premier in the island’s history. With his technology background and fresh approach, he is perceived as understanding the business of the future. Read more here
Get Cracking! - Golding Urges Gov't Not To Linger With New Corruption Body, Questions Hang Over Cabinet's Powers
The Government, former Prime Minister Bruce Golding has said, should not delay establishing the single anti-corruption agency with prosecutorial and investigative powers, following yesterday's Senate approval of the enabling legislation. "I see no delay because the agencies that it will now incorporate are already up and running. What is going to be involved is the actual admini-strative work to sort of pull the agencies together," said Golding, who, as prime minister between 2007 and 2011, was a strong proponent of a special prosecutor and a single corruption agency. Yesterday, government and opposition senators beat Gordon House's desks as they hailed the passage, with 103 amendments, of the Integrity Commission bill, which will establish the agency. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump tests the limits of presidential power
Donald Trump is the no-limits President. During his six months in power, Trump has made few concessions to the conventions and protocol of an office shaped by his predecessors for more than two centuries. Though his voice now carries the resonance of a head of state, he's more often adopted the impulsive boss' persona that made him a flamboyant Manhattan real estate magnate and star of "The Apprentice." Now, a series of extraordinary comments and incidents are raising questions about whether the commander in chief has thought deeply about the institutional curbs on the power of his office, or the duties he owes as President to the rule of law, the public and to the conduct of good governance. Read more here
Greece-Turkey earthquake: Two killed on island of Kos
21st July 2017