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  • Yara Trinidad Ltd tops Amcham HSSE awards

    Yara Trinidad Ltd tops Amcham HSSE awards

    Yara Trinidad Ltd emerged as the standout winner at the American Chamber of Commerce’s TT (Amcham TT) 15th Annual National Excellence in HSE Awards, held on November 10 at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain. The company secured the prestigious Excellence in HSE Award, while Sonriz Engineering Services Ltd received an honorable mention. Additionally, Yara Trinidad Ltd claimed first place in the Towards Operational Resilience Category, with ASCO Logistics Ltd earning honorable mention in the same category. The event, which marked a significant milestone for Amcham TT, celebrated outstanding achievements in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) across various industries. In the Outstanding Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and Environment Project category, National Energy Corporation of TT Ltd won the large energy category for its Phase II Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Education Project, while La Brea Industrial Development Company Ltd took the small energy category. The Airports Authority of TT triumphed in the large services category. Acado Foods, a division of Acado Trinidad Ltd, won the large manufacturing category in the HSE Evolution Award, with Nu-Iron Ltd securing the large energy category and the TT Unit Trust Corporation winning in the large services category. CEO Nirad Tewarie emphasized the evolution of the awards from a recognition program to a movement fostering shared values of safety, health, and environmental care. He praised the leadership of awardees, highlighting their resilience and innovation in the face of adversity. Head judge Gerard Rajkumar noted the awards’ expansion beyond the energy sector, reflecting the growing importance of HSE across industries. He also detailed recent enhancements to the awards process, including mentorship programs aimed at supporting companies in achieving HSE excellence.

  • Tuberculosis killed 1.23 million last year– WHO

    Tuberculosis killed 1.23 million last year– WHO

    GENEVA, Switzerland – Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be the world’s deadliest infectious disease, claiming approximately 1.23 million lives in 2023, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While recent data shows a 3% decline in TB-related deaths and a 2% drop in cases, the WHO cautioned that these gains are precarious and could be reversed without sustained efforts.

  • Roxborough Hospital’s outpatient clinic gets recognition

    Roxborough Hospital’s outpatient clinic gets recognition

    Roxborough Hospital’s medical outpatient clinic has made history by becoming the first facility in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to be recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System (AFHS) by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). This prestigious designation underscores the clinic’s commitment to delivering exceptional, personalized care tailored to the needs of older adults. The AFHS initiative, a collaborative effort between The John A. Hartford Foundation and the IHI, aims to elevate the standard of healthcare for the elderly population. Dr. Naila Edwards, a leading geriatrician and age-friendly initiative leader at Roxborough Hospital, emphasized that this recognition is more than an accolade—it is a pledge to the community to provide evidence-based, harm-free care that aligns with patients’ priorities. The AFHS framework is built on four core principles, known as the 4Ms: What Matters (aligning care with patients’ health goals), Medication (ensuring medications do not hinder mobility or cognition), Mentation (addressing mental health issues like dementia and depression), and Mobility (promoting safe daily movement). To celebrate this milestone, Roxborough Hospital and the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) will host a community outreach event on November 14 at the Belle Garden community center. The event will feature educational booths, physical therapy demonstrations, dementia screenings, and medication safety consultations, engaging older adults and their support networks. Dr. Edwards highlighted the significance of this achievement, positioning Tobago as a leader in geriatric healthcare within the Caricom region. The TRHA continues to provide high-quality healthcare services, with Roxborough Hospital’s outpatient clinic at the forefront of innovation and excellence in patient care.

  • NWAC calypso queen registration opens

    NWAC calypso queen registration opens

    The National Women’s Action Committee (NWAC) has announced significant updates to the 2026 National Calypso Queen competition, aiming to foster greater artistic development and inclusivity. In a press release issued on November 12, NWAC revealed that the competition will introduce a semi-final round and welcome back past winners, thanks to a revision of the entry rules. Previously, winners were barred from re-entering the competition, but this restriction has now been lifted. Starting in 2026, a winner can participate again until she secures a second title, effectively allowing her to exit the competition only after two victories. This rule change has been made retroactive, enabling any past winner to re-enter, provided she has not won titles in other major competitions such as the calypso monarch, road march, soca monarch, or chutney monarch. The final is scheduled for January 25 at Queen’s Hall in Port of Spain, while auditions will commence on December 13 at Scarborough Secondary School in Tobago. These updates aim to enhance the competition’s dynamism and provide more opportunities for female calypsonians to showcase their talent.

  • Months after rig’s partial collapse – work begins to recover man’s body

    Months after rig’s partial collapse – work begins to recover man’s body

    Well Services Petroleum Company Ltd has announced the commencement of a salvage operation to recover the remains of Pete Phillip, an employee presumed dead following the partial collapse of Rig 110 in December last year. The operation, led by a US-based contractor, is being conducted in two phases. Phase one, currently underway, focuses on risk mitigation and site stabilization to ensure the safety of personnel, protect the marine environment, and preserve the integrity of surrounding assets. Regulatory approvals, including a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), have been secured. Additionally, ‘Letters of No Objection’ have been obtained from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, the Ministry of Works and Transport – Maritime Services Division, and the Occupational Safety and Health Agency. Phase two will involve the recovery of Phillip’s remains and the removal of the rig structure. The company has kept Phillip’s family informed and remains committed to a safe, transparent, and environmentally responsible process, coordinating closely with regulators and stakeholders.

  • Kamla bans fetes at Brian Lara Cricket Academy

    Kamla bans fetes at Brian Lara Cricket Academy

    In a decisive move to address the growing issue of noise pollution, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced on November 12 the immediate cessation of all fetes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. The announcement, made via social media, highlighted the unbearable noise levels that have long plagued local residents. The Prime Minister emphasized that her government is committed to tackling this issue head-on, a promise made during her campaign. The Brian Lara Stadium has been a popular venue for major Carnival events such as Stink + Dutty, Out in South, and Prestige. Additionally, Persad-Bissessar revealed plans to introduce the Fireworks Legislation and enhanced noise pollution laws by the end of 2025. These new regulations will include designated quiet hours and stricter controls on fetes, music trucks, residential parties, and bars.

  • Internet before more buildings

    Internet before more buildings

    In a scathing critique of Trinidad and Tobago’s government, Rudy Paul, a concerned citizen, highlights the impracticality of multi-billion-dollar projects announced without clear funding sources. These projects, earmarked for completion over a decade, starkly contrast with the government’s five-year mandate, raising questions about their feasibility and underlying political motives. Paul draws parallels to Patrick Manning’s “Vision 2020,” a plan inspired by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) but derailed by early elections and political shifts. He also points to the unfinished Arouca project and other abandoned initiatives, suggesting that such long-term planning is a tactic to secure re-election rather than genuine development. Paul advocates for completing existing projects, improving infrastructure like internet connectivity, and prioritizing practical solutions over grandiose, unfulfilled promises.

  • New initiative to support network for Caribbean entrepreneurs

    New initiative to support network for Caribbean entrepreneurs

    The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), headquartered in Barbados, has joined forces with RevUP Caribbean to unveil the RevUP Founders Growth and Community Support Network. This innovative digital ecosystem is poised to offer enduring support to entrepreneurs across the Caribbean, marking a significant milestone in regional economic development.

  • Small businesses in St James cry for help after Melissa

    Small businesses in St James cry for help after Melissa

    Small business owners in St James, Jamaica, are urgently seeking government assistance to recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 storm caused widespread destruction, leaving many businesses in ruins and their owners grappling with significant losses. Among the hardest hit is Andre Hall, whose barbershop and cook shop in Tucker district were severely damaged. Hall recounted how the storm washed away essential equipment and destroyed the roof, leaving only fragments of his business behind. To make matters worse, the few materials he salvaged were later stolen. Hall emphasized the need for building materials like cement, plywood, and 2x4s to rebuild his livelihood. He also highlighted the role of improper waste disposal in exacerbating flooding and is now advocating for better waste management practices in the community. Similarly, O’Brien Sterling, owner of Where Dirty Meets Clean car wash in Catherine Hall, faced extensive damage as floodwaters swept through his compound, destroying equipment and ripping off the roof. Sterling expressed the financial strain of starting over and the urgency to take action despite the challenges. Nearby, Juici Jerk Restaurant co-owner Nick is struggling to clean up his mud-filled eatery and repair the damaged roof. The lack of electricity and running water has further complicated recovery efforts. Nick appealed for government support to help small businesses like his rebuild. Gavin Beckford of K&N Auto and Monica McIntosh of DoDo’s Ply Rental also shared their struggles, with floodwaters washing away valuable materials and slowing business operations. Despite the hardships, these resilient entrepreneurs are determined to rebuild and restore their businesses, underscoring the need for immediate assistance and community solidarity.

  • D&G Foundation donates $250,000 to United Way of Jamaica

    D&G Foundation donates $250,000 to United Way of Jamaica

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant move to bolster national development, the Desnoes & Geddes (D&G) Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Red Stripe, has donated $250,000 to the United Way of Jamaica (UWJ). This generous contribution is earmarked for a variety of community-driven projects aimed at enhancing education, empowering families, and fostering social resilience. These initiatives are particularly crucial as Jamaicans grapple with the lingering effects of Hurricane Melissa and escalating cost-of-living pressures.

    During the official handover ceremony, D&G Foundation representatives emphasized their unwavering dedication to initiatives that improve quality of life and create opportunities for Jamaicans to flourish. The collaboration between the D&G Foundation and UWJ is built on a mutual vision of cultivating sustainable and empowered communities through joint efforts and compassion.

    Kerry Lue Lynch, Acting CEO of the United Way of Jamaica, expressed profound gratitude for the donation, highlighting its potential to amplify the organization’s capacity to address community needs and broaden the scope of its social programs. ‘When entities like the D&G Foundation step up, it enables us to extend our reach and effect lasting change in the lives of those who need it most,’ Lynch remarked. ‘This partnership exemplifies the transformative outcomes achievable through collective action for the greater good.’

    Dennis Beckford, Accountant at the D&G Foundation, underscored the foundation’s commitment to social impact. ‘The United Way of Jamaica remains a beacon of hope and support for numerous families and community groups across the island,’ he stated. ‘Our donation embodies the foundation’s conviction that genuine progress stems from investing in people and fostering collaborations between the private sector and organizations driving social change.’

    This donation marks another milestone in the D&G Foundation’s ongoing efforts to contribute to Jamaica’s socio-economic development, reinforcing the importance of private sector involvement in addressing societal challenges.