NEWS
Tobago oil spill mystery deepens as tug boat vanishes
The mystery surrounding the oil spill in Tobago deepened on February 14 when it was revealed that the Gulfstream, which was found overturned in the sea 200 metres off the coast of the Cove Industrial Park on February 7, was one of two vessels involved in the incident. But the whereabouts of the other vessel – a tugboat identified as Solo Creed – remains unknown. In a release, the Ministry of National Security said video footage and other information obtained by the TT Coast Guard confirmed that the two vessels were a tugboat and a barge. It added the Coast Guard is collaborating with other local and regional agencies, including Caricom Impacs, the Guyana Coast Guard, the Maritime Services Division and IR Consilium, through a consultant, to identify the vessels and their owners. Read more here
Mical Teja now has Road March in his DNA
It was the outcome many soca lovers predicted, as Mical Williams— better known as Mical Teja—shot past the competition in taking the 2024 Road March title with his smash 2024 Carnival hit DNA. During a media briefing at the VIP Lounge in the Paddock of the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) president Ainsley King announced that DNA was played a total of 341 times between Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Last year’s Road March winner Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez fell to a distant second place with Carnival Contract being played 225 times and Patrice Roberts’ Anxiety was third after being played 48 times. Read more here
POLITICS
Farley accuses Govt of hiding info on oil spill vessel
Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is demanding that the owner of the vessel which ran aground along the coast off the Cove come forward and take responsibility for the oil spill that has devastated the island’s shoreline and ecosystem. At the same time, he is suggesting Government may have withheld critical information it had on the vessel early on and wants this cleared up. The vessel, which was spotted spewing oil last Wednesday morning, was identified by the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) yesterday. Read more here
BUSINESS
Award-winning author: Women in Caribbean Oil and Gas 'not a male-bashing encyclopaedia'
Recognising the need to tell the untold stories of women who work in the energy field, Celeste Mohammed’s non-fiction debut, A Different Energy, Women In Caribbean Oil and Gas, provides an intimate look into the compelling stories of eight women in the oil and gas industry. Mohammed, a lawyer turned award-winning author, and publisher Deborah Benjamin launched the book at the TT Energy Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain on January 23. In a panel discussion moderated by former CNC3 news anchor Shelly Dass, Mohammed said contrary to what people may think, the book is not a “male-bashing encyclopaedia.” Read more here
Taxing commercial property promotes best use
While retail store owners and business groups continue to push back against the re-imposition of the tax on commercial properties, the chief executive of Home Construction Ltd (HCL), Richard Le Blanc argues taxing commercial properties in Port-of-Spain is one way to contribute to the revitalisation of T&T’s capital. While there are certain parts of T&T where retail has died, that is not to be confused with Port-of-Spain, which has suffered a degradation of some of its properties, Le Blanc argues. “Retail is not dead. Port-of-Spain as a retail destination has now become, in my humble view, outdated. People just don’t go there to shop as they once used to do,” said Le Blanc. The proof of his theory, the real estate executive said, is the number of people who walk the streets of Port-of-Spain every day and their purchasing power. Read more here
REGIONAL
GTU head encourages striking teachers to put house on the line
President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Mark Lyte, has urged teachers not to worry over the potential loss of their homes or vehicles due to financial difficulties arising from the ongoing strike action, which was deemed illegal by the government. Lyte, who is known to have multiple sources of income, stressed that these hardships are vital sacrifices for a “just cause.” The GTU head sought to rally educators, urging them to prioritise the fight over personal financial stability. “When we can’t pay our mortgage, that’s not a problem. The banks will take all of our homes and then it becomes a bigger problem for the country to find housing for us. When the bank takes over homes, it becomes a bigger problem for the government because they have to find shelter. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine war: Attack on Belgorod shopping centre in Russia near border
At least five people have been killed in an air attack on the Russian city of Belgorod, the region's governor says. Eighteen others are said to have been wounded in the strike not far from the Ukrainian border. Videos circulating on social media showed several ambulances parked outside a heavily damaged shopping centre with shattered windows. Russian officials said air defence systems had shot down 14 Ukrainian missiles over the Belgorod region. Russian Zvezda TV, which is closely affiliated with the ministry of defence, said one rocket hit a shopping centre and one landed on the city's sports stadium. Belgorod lies about 30km (19 miles) from the border with Ukraine. Read more here
15th February 2024