NEWS
Energy Chamber: Investment dependent on fiscal regime change
The Energy Chamber of TT and oil and gas operators said future investment is reliant on changes to the fiscal regime still being considered by the Energy Ministry and Ministry of Finance. In a release issued after its Upstream Operators Forum on Thursday, the chamber said the forum gave details of a wide range of potential activities, including new exploration and development, drilling installation of new sub-sea infrastructure, new onshore and offshore pipelines, new production facilities, projects to increase efficiency and reduce emissions and a wide range of maintenance and asset-integrity related projects. Operators, however, noted that potential supply chain disruptions and long lead times for delivery meant that more than ever upstream companies needed to plan ahead. Read more here
Crime reduction, food security high on SATT’s budget wish list
The Supermarket Association hopes the 2023 Budget includes provisions to deal with crime and food security, while the Progressive Empowerment Party hopes there’s sufficient attention in the Budget to properly secure T&T’s ports against drug and illegal firearms entry. Those were some of the views of various groups ahead of next Monday’s 2023 Budget presentation. The Budget will be presented by Finance Minister Colm Imbert in the Parliament. SATT president Rajiv Diptee said, “The big-ticket item now is crime, which has particularly been underscored after the recent attack at Pennywise, La Romain. All SATT members are concerned, especially about brazen daylight attacks and the type of weapons we see being used. The fear factor will also be high among workers and shoppers. Read more here
POLITICS
UNC Women's Arm extends condolences to Hazel Brown's family
The UNC National Women's Arm has extended condolences to the family of Hazel Brown who passed away today. In a press release issued today, the women's arm described Mrs Brown as a "dedicated servant of the people who spent her life helping to educate and empower women." The following is a press release from UNC National Women's Arm: "The UNC National Women's Arm has extended condolences to the family of Hazel Brown who passed away today. In a press release issued today the women's arm describes Mrs Brown as a "dedicated servant of the people who spent her life helping to educate and empower women." On behalf of the UNC National Women’s Arm , we offer sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Hazel Brown . Mrs. Brown was a dedicated servant of the people who spent her life helping to educate and empower women. Read more here
BUSINESS
CAL upgrades club lounge at Piarco
Caribbean Airlines says its business class passengers and Caribbean Club members can expect an “elite pre-flight experience” at the airline’s newly upgraded Caribbean Club lounge at Piarco International Airport. To celebrate, the airline is offering a 20 per cent discount off membership for enrolments and renewals between September 21 and October 31, 2022. In a statement, CAL said the “refreshed” Caribbean Club lounge boasts of 3,062 square feet and was officially reopened on September 21. It said Caribbean Club members and Business Class travellers now have a modern and comfortable place to relax before boarding their flights. According to CAL, some of the amenities include a self-serve bar with catered breakfast, lunch and dinner options, a variety of snacks, free Wi-Fi, meeting pods, charging stations and cable TV. Read more here
Quick Dam flood bags in high demand
With flooding being a serious issue in Trinidad and Tobago, a product manufactured in the United States called Quick Dam flood bags to prevent water from seeping into homes is in high demand here. The Quick Dam website states the flood bags contain a super absorbent powder that activates when wet and grows to full size in five to ten minutes. Once activated the inner gel acts as a barrier to divert problem flood water away. The website further states that the bags and barrier can be left in place for up to six to eight months and it can be stored and reused after placing it to dry for 2-3 months. Read more here
REGIONAL
Over $64B in pockets of Guyanese
The Government, over the past two years, has placed more than $64B into the pockets of Guyanese through the removal of burdensome taxes, creation of part-time jobs and increases in pensions and education grants, among other interventions. This is according to Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who was at the time addressing scores of fishermen at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground, on the West Coast Demerara on Wednesday. The occasion was the rollout of the $150,000 one-off fisherfolk grant in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). The Vice-President pointed out that aside from the grant for fishermen, which is geared at helping them to cope with the increase in cost of living, a number of interventions have been made by the government to bring relief to all Guyanese across the country. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Cancer-killing virus shows promise in patients
A new type of cancer therapy that uses a common virus to infect and destroy harmful cells is showing big promise in early human trials, say UK scientists. One patient's cancer vanished, while others saw their tumours shrink. The drug is a weakened form of the cold sore virus - herpes simplex - that has been modified to kill tumours. Larger and longer studies will be needed, but experts say the injection might ultimately offer a lifeline to more people with advanced cancers. Read more here
23rd September 2022