NEWS
‘Govt planning a hostile takeover’
Pan Trinbago has condemned Government's intended move to audit and divest of the organisation, stating yesterday it views such activities as the lead-up to a “hostile takeover”. In a news release yesterday, Pan Trinbago's public relations officer, Michael Joseph, accused the State of acting to infringe on the citizens' right to enjoy the national instrument, the pan, and to “usurp” the role of the organisation in the staging of Carnival. “We are viewing the move by the Ministry and the NCC (National Carnival Commission), as a hostile takeover of the Carnival interest groups. Read more here
Carmona wants T&T team to receive gold medal at Tokyo Games
President Anthony Carmona yesterday urged the local Olympic Committee to write to the International Olympic Committee to allow the “golden quartet” to receive their gold medal at the 2020 Olympics in Japan. Commenting on the Trinidad and Tobago 2008 relay team being in line for Olympic gold as a result of the disqualification of the Jamaican relay team, the President congratulated the four athletes—Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard “Torpedo” Thompson— who originally earned silver. The Jamaican team has been disqualified due to Jamaican sprinter Nesta Carter being tested positive for a banned substance. Read more here
POLITICS
Campaign over, get to work
Newly-sworn in members of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) are being told the elections are over and it is time to govern the island. The call was made by President Anthony Carmona yesterday, as he addressed those present at the tenth inauguration of the THA. Read more here
JSC still meeting
Finance Minister, Colm Imbert, yesterday said it would be improper, at this time, to comment on the contents of a letter written by Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, to United States President, Donald Trump, about the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). Sources yesterday indicated the leaking of Persad-Bissessar’s letter to Trump could undermine the work of the parliamentary joint select committee (JSC), which the Opposition demanded, to deal with the Tax Information Exchange Agreement 2016. The bill is critical to this country being FATCA compliant. Read more here
BUSINESS
TT warned of infrastructure danger
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy Selwyn Lashley says that after 100 years of commercial gas production, Trinidad and Tobago is painfully aware of the age of its infrastructure. Given this fact, he said, the country must be aware of the risk of accidents which could result in loss of life and damage to equipment and the sea. He added that business continuity is another consideration and any disruption, results in a lack of economic opportunity. Read more here
REGIONAL
Jamaica partners with Singapore to develop special economic zone
Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Thursday morning met with Daniel Seah, Deputy Director of Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and representatives from the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) to discuss the partnership between both governments to develop Jamaica’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ). A memorandum of understanding (MoU), which was signed between the Jamaican government and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise in December 2016, will see the development of a comprehensive road map, which will foster a SEZ environment. Read more here
Britain takes over Commonwealth operations from Dominica baroness
Sir Simon Gass, a recently retired senior official with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), has been appointed acting chief operating officer at the Commonwealth Secretariat, in an attempt by the British government to shore up the troubled organisation amid concerns over the leadership of Dominica-born Baroness Patricia Scotland. Gass was appointed at the suggestion of the FCO, which is funding his salary, the BBC reported. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
How Donald Trump changed the presidency in 7 days
Washington (CNN)Forget the first 100 days. It's only been a week and Donald Trump is reinventing the presidency. Amid a torrent of action, disruption and protest, the new President's moves on trade, immigration and foreign policy have honored his campaign promises -- and dramatically reshaped Washington's role in national and global affairs. Read more here
Mexico wall: Trump condemned over imports tax proposal
Mexico has condemned a US suggestion that it may impose a 20% tax on Mexican imports to pay for President Donald Trump's planned border wall. Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said such a tax would make Mexican imports more expensive for US consumers and they would end up paying for the wall. The Mexican president earlier cancelled a visit to the US over the row of who would pay for the barrier. Read more here
27th January 2017