NEWS
Chairman: No stone unturned in Petrotrin probe
Canadian forensic investigators Kroll Consulting, on Tuesday last, began a probe into Petrotrin’s US$11 million ‘fake’ oil scandal and has been given an all-clear directive to report any employee who refuses to cooperate with them. Petrotrin’s management is to be informed within 24 hours of any non-compliance with directives by Kroll Consulting, as the team of forensic experts review company records to investigate just how company personnel reported on the levels of oil produced by one of the company’s lease operators, the issuing of sales tickets and its fiscalisation (audit for payment), for the period January to June 2017. Read more here
Prison officer shot at bar
Plans for birthday celebrations turned to funeral arrangements yesterday, after prison officer Richard Sandy was killed by an ex-convict he knew while liming at a bar in Gasparillo. The father of five died around 4.20 am at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the San Fernando General Hospital after he underwent emergency surgery, where his right leg was amputated. Sandy, who would have celebrated his 47th birthday today, suffered massive blood loss after the bullet severed a major artery in his thigh. Read more here
Women speak out on hot topics
A new television show premiered last night on CCN TV6, the purpose of which is to provide an expansive platform upon which women can speak out on a range of topics and issues important to them. Read more here
POLITICS
Garcia acts on violent attack
Minister of Education Anthony Garcia yesterday said action will be taken against several schoolboys who were identified carrying out assaults on other students, including robbery and assault, while on the compound of the Siparia West Secondary recently. Garcia’s comment came after videos of the assaults were posted on social media over the weekend and drew scathing criticism from members of the public. The minister strongly condemned what he saw in three videos he said were sent to him on Saturday. Read more here
Imbert: Overdraft at Central Bank almost at the limit
Finance Minister Colm Imbert says that a couple weeks ago he only had enough money in the Government’s current account to run the country for five minutes. He was speaking on Friday night at the People’s National Movement (PNM) post-budget public meeting held at Piggott’s Corner, Belmont. Read more here
Kamla defends use of $12.7b NGC profits
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is defending her administration's use of billions of profits from the National Gas Company (NGC) while in office. Read more here
BUSINESS
UWI Economist says Tobago needs Sandals
The proposed Sandals Resort for Tobago will help promote Tobago as an international tourism destination said Dr Anthony Birchwood, University of the West Indies (UWI) lecturer. “Sandals Resort is important as a marketing tool for Tobago. We need large international brands in Tobago.” Birchwood spoke on Thursday night at a post budget forum at the UWI Campus in St Augustine. Read more here
Budget 2018 in focus
This week, we at Bourse take a closer look at the main features of the 2017/2018 fiscal Budget as presented by the Minister of Finance on October 2, 2017. We focus specifically on measures likely to affect investors and the possible investment opportunities. Read more here
REGIONAL
Ronnie Ready To Rumble - MP Livid Over NHT's Attempt To 'Evict' His People
Member of Parliament for Central Kingston Ronald Thwaites is preparing to go to battle with the National Housing Trust (NHT) over its attempt to acquire property in at least three communities in his constituency. The NHT is trying to acquire a large swathe of land in Central Kingston under its Urban Mass Regeneration Project, but Thwaites has joined with residents of Allman Town, Kingston Gardens and Campbell Town in criticising how the land valuation and acquisition phase of the project is being done. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump goes rogue
Even by the hyperactive standards of Donald Trump, it was a wild weekend. While most of the country settled in for a Columbus Day holiday break, Trump orchestrated a cacophony of threats, offered dark warnings of military action and waged bitter political feuds on multiple fronts. Read more here
Spain Catalonia: France snubs independence bid
9th October 2017