Daily Brief - Friday 9th July, 2021

NEWS

Scotiabank continues covid19 outreach with hampers, devices

Scotiabank continues its support for communities and people affected by the covid19 pandemic, as it has been doing over the past months through donations to NGOs and charities. In a specific initiative, over 5,500 people throughout the country have recently benefited from food hampers through the bank’s collaboration with the NGOs Is There Not a Cause (ITNAC) (Central and Tobago communities), Kindness Makes a Difference Foundation (South communities), Living Water Community (Port of Spain and environs) and the Toco Foundation (east communities). Read more here

5 months after appointment: WASA’s executive director walks

Perceived actions by Water and Sewerage Authority’s (WASA) executive director, Dr Lennox Sealy, which were not in keeping with Government’s mandate to transform the authority, have led to his shocking resignation yesterday, a mere five months after being appointed to the position. Sealy’s departure followed the suspension of a senior director last week over misleading information presented to WASA’s board. WASA has commenced an investigation against the director for alleged misconduct. Guardian Media was reliably informed that changes are also expected to be made soon with WASA’s executive structure. Read more here

 

POLITICS

Young on ‘supermarket’ restaurants: Obey the law

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young is warning businesses about trying to circumvent the public health regulations. He was responding to the reopening of El Pecos Grill on Ariapita Avenue in Port of Spain. The owners of the restaurant have registered the business as a supermarket and have a shelf with grocery items such as rice, flour, sauces, bread and cookies. They are also selling their traditional meals but in a pre-packaged grab-and-go format. Read more here

 

BUSINESS

CWU calls for forensic audit into TSTT

“While the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has experienced 35 per cent reduction in value, the company has embarked on another reorganisation exercise, that when successfully implemented, is expected to yield significant profits going forward.” This statement made by chairman of National Enterprise Limited Ingrid Lashley on June 25 as part of NEL’s summary audited financial results for the year ended March 31, has caused consternation for the Caribbean Workers Union. In a Facebook Live video yesterday. CWU’s head Clyde Elder called on Lashley to explain what she meant. Read more here

 

REGIONAL

U.S. commended for re-joining Paris Agreement on Climate Change

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has issued commendations to his United States (U.S.) counterpart, Joe Biden, for the country’s decision to re-join the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and for committing to the reduction of greenhouse emissions by 50 per cent by the year 2030. Dr. Ali was at the time addressing a function hosted to commemorate ‘Fourth of July,’ an iconic celebration that marks the 245th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. “Guyana looks forward to working closely with the Government of the United States, to build a more resilient and sustainable post-COVID-19 future and to combat and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change,” the Head of State told those gathered at the official residence of Sarah-Ann Lynch, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana. Read more here

 

INTERNATIONAL

Southern Africa hoped it was through the worst of Covid-19. Then the Delta variant arrived

Patients are crammed into every corner of the hospital's emergency room ward. They lie on beds and gurneys, or sit slumped in wheelchairs. Many suck on oxygen, but nobody talks. Some die while waiting for a bed. On the worst nights in Johannesburg, currently in the grips of a terrible wave of infections, medics at one hospital must turn away ambulances carrying Covid-19 patients. It may be a diversion order more common to mass casualty events, but 16 months into the pandemic here, Covid-19 is a mass casualty event. Read more here

9th July 2021

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