NEWS
WRIGHTSON ROAD SHOOTOUT: Suspect shot dead after failed abduction
A morning shootout on Wrightson Road in Port of Spain ended with one man dead and hundreds of commuters, who witnessed the event, traumatised. Within the span of ten minutes – after police intercepted the suspect driving east in a stolen silver Nissan B15 , they chased him, returned fire and were then seen rushing him to the St James Medical Complex in the back of a police van. Head of the Port of Spain and Western Divisions ACP William Nurse told Newsday the officers involved were left traumatised by the incident and will receive counselling. Read more here
Help Zelia fight cancer
Zelia Castello is accustomed to helping others, having served as a traffic warden before becoming a municipal police officer. But just two years after serving for the Siparia Municipal Police, Castello is facing the worst setback of her life. In January 2021, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Speaking to Guardian Media, Castello said following a series of tests she was told in April that cancer had started spreading aggressively in her bones. Read more here
POLITICS
UNC leaves Parliament for AG's contribution
Almost all of the Opposition MPs present in the Parliament on Monday walked out before Attorney General Reginald Armour began his presentation on the Bills of Exchange (Amendment) Bill, 2022. Only Whip David Lee remained in the chamber, with the other MPs returning after Armour finished his presentation. The walkout came after Opposition Leader and Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the Opposition lacked confidence in the legislation if it was drafted by Armour. “When and by whom was it drafted? I have a great concern in that I have no confidence in the AG and his office, in light of matters that have transpired. So it would be important for us in having trust and confidence in the piece of legislation to know from whence it emanated and by whom it was drafted and approved.” Read more here
15 members of Kamla’s slate to face election unopposed
Incumbent UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s Star Team is unopposed in 15 of the 18 National Executive positions and only three posts—including her leadership—will be contested in the party’s June 26 elections. Former UNC minister Dr Fuad Khan, who is challenging Persad-Bissessar for leadership, says he doesn’t want to be Prime Minister but wants to be party leader to help rebuild the UNC so Persad-Bissessar can be Prime Minister again. “So don’t go on no platform and get worried I want to take your Prime Ministership—no!” Khan said in a video addressing Persad-Bissessar. Read more here
BUSINESS
Energy windfall is temporary
Trinidad and Tobago’s Central Bank yesterday warned that the “windfall” of energy revenues the country is currently receiving is temporary and should be used to fund the adjustment to the Covid-19 pandemic. The comments came in the Central Bank’s May 2022 Monetary Policy Report, which was published yesterday, as public sector trade unions gear up to continue negotiations with the Government over new salary packages. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana could become major transport hub
Guyana’s geographical location on the edge of South America has made the country the shortest and most economical route for exports from Brazil through the Panama Canal, according to the Government of the Brazilian State of Roraima. A video demonstration released recently by the State of Roraima shows that shipping through Guyana could significantly decrease the existing transport cost. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Unprecedented flooding conditions force Yellowstone National Park to close all entrances and leave locals trapped
Yellowstone National Park will remain closed to visitors through at least Wednesday due to dangerous flooding conditions, which have prompted park evacuations and left some in surrounding communities trapped without safe drinking water, officials say. The park announced Monday afternoon that all park entrances were closed to visitors, citing "record flooding events" and a forecast of more rain to come. "Our first priority has been to evacuate the northern section of the park where we have multiple road and bridge failures, mudslides and other issues," Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly said in a statement Monday. Read more here
14th June 2022