NEWS
PAEC discusses NP financial statements
The Parliament’s Public Accounts Enterprises Committee (PAEC) will discuss the 2018 and 2019 audited financial statements of the National Petroleum Marketing Company Ltd (NP) when it sits at the Red House, Port of Spain on Wednesday from 10 am. This committee is chaired by Opposition Senator Wade Mark. On Friday, the Committee on Human Rights, Equality and Diversity will hold a public inquiry on the prevalence of child labour when it meets at the Red House from 10 am. Read more here
Browne: Public education coming for groups travelling overseas
Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne says the ministry will soon undertake a public campaign to advise groups seeking to travel abroad to engage in different types of activities. Browne made these comments after a group of 100 children and 55 adults associated with the Jaric Titans Sports Development Club in Tobago were unable to pay for their accommodation when they went to Manchester, England to participate in the Manchester International Easter Football Cup. The tournament ran from March 29-31. The group is expected to return to Tobago sometime this week. Read more here
POLITICS
Barriers still up; Harpe Place residents renew call for gates
Although residents of Harpe Place, Port-of-Spain have begun to receive counselling following the mass shooting on March 16 that left five people dead, they say it is not enough to help alleviate the mental trauma and anxiety they continue to suffer daily. Speaking with Guardian Media 17 days after the deadly mid-morning incident, several men and women yesterday said Harpe Place was still unsafe. Admitting they were frightened every time a car slowed or stopped in front of the Housing Development Corporation’s (HDC) site at Observatory Street, one woman said, “Right now, we are unsafe. We want proper gates and higher walls. That would be a start to helping us feel safe again.” Read more here
Housing Minister holds high-level security talks on HDC communities
Housing Minister Camille Robinson-Regis has been engaged in high-level talks with both the army and police to develop a plan to assist in improving security and eradicating criminal elements in all the Housing Development Corporation’s (HDC) communities. It is one of two major security measures officials are aiming to implement at HDC developments. Those discussions reportedly took place days before Saturday’s deadly stabbings at Oropune Gardens, Piarco and followed the mass shooting at Harpe Place, Port-of-Spain, on March 16 in which five people were killed. HDC’s Managing Director Jayselle Mc Farlane told Guardian Media yesterday the discussions led by Minister Robinson-Regis took place last week. Read more here
BUSINESS
Touchstone records 151% increase in production
TOUCHSTONE Exploration Inc reported that its average quarterly production increased by 151% to 8,504 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) in the last quarter of last year compared to the previous quarter. TOUCHSTONE Exploration Inc reported that its average quarterly production increased by 151% to 8,504 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) in the last quarter of last year compared to the previous quarter. Read more here
REGIONAL
Global support mounts over Guyana’s right to develop its resources
President Dr Irfaan Ali’s recent interview with BBC’s Stephen Sackur has garnered significant attention worldwide, as the Guyanese leader’s steadfast stance on climate change, environmental preservation, and his challenge to perceived Western hypocrisy has sparked a global conversation. During the interview on BBC’s HARDtalk, Sackur questioned President Ali about whether Guyana’s focus on fossil-fuel extraction contradicts global efforts to combat climate change. President Ali responded assertively, highlighting Guyana’s vast forest, which stores a significant amount of carbon, and its commitment to environmental stewardship. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Iran vows to avenge deadly Syria strike blamed on Israel
Iran has vowed to respond to what it said was an Israeli strike on Monday that destroyed an Iranian consulate building in Syria's capital, Damascus. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel would "regret this crime", while President Ebrahim Raisi insisted that it would "not go unanswered". Iranian state TV reported that seven Revolutionary Guards, including two generals, and six Syrians were killed. The Israeli military said it did not comment on foreign media reports. Read more here
2nd April 2024