NEWS
Tobago woman loses baby Miracle
For Tobago mom Shirese Moore-Beckles, her baby Crytelle Precious Miracle was special. Moore-Beckles, 36, of Whim, did not plan to have another child, nor did she think she could have any more children, so when she and her husband found out she was pregnant, the couple was elated. “The baby was, therefore, a living testimony of their faith in the Lord and the love and spiritual connection which the mother shared with her baby, and was overwhelming and joyous,” attorneys representing the security guard said in a pre-action protocol letter on April 14. Read more here
Injured bandits seeking ‘backdoor’ treatment
Where does a bandit go when he is shot? If he ends up in the hospital, he is likely to be arrested. So what are his other options to get healthcare? Police believe some private doctors may be coerced into providing secret “backdoor” treatment for criminals. It was reported that in December 2013, a private doctor was held at gunpoint and forced to perform surgery at a private health facility to remove 17 cocaine pellets from the stomach of a man in St Augustine. The incident prompted a police investigation and public discourse over whether the doctor should be charged for failing to report the incident to police. However, police said no charges have been laid up to this time. Between January 1 and April 1, there have been 156 cases of woundings and shootings. However, police said those may not be an accurate number of instances, as some woundings are simply not reported to the police. Read more here
POLITICS
Gonzales alleges political discrimination in Morne Diablo water racket
Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales says there is evidence of political discrimination when it comes to water in TT that can cause people to shiver. “You have been a victim of corruption at the highest level,” Gonzales told residents of Morne Diablo in Penal. He spoke at the commissioning ceremony for the Morne Diablo water supply improvement project on April 13 at the Morne Diablo Recreation Ground at Scotts Road. Read more here
St Augustine MP ‘okay’ after hostage scare
St Augustine MP Khadija Ameen says she is “okay” after someone reported to the police that she was being held against her will. Around 2.22 am yesterday, PC Singh, of the Valencia Police Station, was stopped while on mobile patrol and told that Ameen was being held against her will somewhere in Macoya Extension, Tunapuna. PC Singh contacted another officer, triggering an immediate operation in the Northern Division that included at least two units - the High-Performance Team and the Northern Division Task Force. Police said Cpl Jaikaran had a brief conversation with Ameen, who “gave certain information” before her cellphone “went dead”. Read more here
BUSINESS
Stock Exchange to expedite settlement of trading transactions
Since a lot can happen in 24 hours in the world of stock trading, the TT Stock Exchange's (TTSE) highly-anticipated switch from T+3 to T+2 settlements on April 15 is expected to bring fresh life to the market. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently approved two amendments to the TTSE's rules, which chief executive Eva Mitchell said is widely supported by stakeholders. Mitchell said the latest amendments, which take effect on April 15, are among the most consequential and represent a period of transformation at the 43-year-old organisation. Read more here
T&T is region’s sixth-largest plastic polluter
T&T discards 26,000 tonnes of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic containers a year, which is enough to start a local plastic recycling facility. The bulk of these plastics, which enter the country’s three landfills at Beetham, Forres Park and Guanapo, are single-use bottles. Plastic pollution has become a silent menace and poses a big threat to the environment and human health. Global calculations indicate that the world will have 7.8 billion tonnes of plastic by 2015- this is equivalent to more than one tonne of plastic for every person living today. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Peace should never be a negotiated issue’
Amidst global tension compounded by troubling events in various parts of the world, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has delivered a loud cry for global peace, emphasising the critical need for de-escalation in conflict-torn regions. In a moving speech at the First Family’s annual Eid-ul-Fitr celebration on Saturday night, the Guyanese leader highlighted the seriousness of the situation in the Middle East, encouraging nations to prioritise diplomacy and co-operation in the pursuit of long-term peace. He emphasised the profound unity that binds Guyanese together—a unity forged not only by different circumstances but by shared values and a deep-rooted passion for their nation. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Flights cancelled and disrupted after Iran's attack on Israel
Airline passengers are facing cancellations or disruption to flights to Israel and surrounding countries after Iran's airstrikes at the weekend. EasyJet has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including Sunday, 21 April. Wizz Air said it would resume journeys to Israel on Tuesday, 16 April after stopping flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday and Monday. However, it warned: "Passengers may experience some schedule changes." Wizz Air said that it was "closely monitoring the situation with the relevant authorities and keeping its passengers informed of all schedule changes". Read more here
15th April 2024