Regional News

(Trinidad Guardian) If T&T returns to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), this could actually help T&T’s economy, according to former NAR finance minister Selby Wilson.

(Trinidad Guardian) In a special report from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released on Wednesday, Trinidad and Tobago has returned to a watch list of countries for concerns of intellectual property violations due to “a lack of enforcement actions.”

(Trinidad Guardian) T&T will end up in an International Monetary Fund-supported programme by next year, economist Marla Dukharan has predicted as she said the $15.5 billion deficit being projected by Finance Minister Colm Imbert may just be the tip of the financial iceberg facing the country.

QUITO, (Reuters) – The International Monetary Fund has approved a request from Ecuador for emergency financing to fight the coronavirus pandemic, granting a $643 million loan, the Andean country’s economy ministry said yesterday.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – At least 17 prisoners in a Venezuelan jail were killed yesterday as they attempted to escape during a riot, according to a military report seen by Reuters and an opposition lawmaker from the area.

HAVANA,  (Reuters) – With Communist-run Cuba on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, Havana’s Revolution Square was eerily empty and gray yesterday for International Workers Day, bereft of the usual parade of thousands of flag-toting Cubans.

(Barbados Nation) Fallout from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is so serious that it is likely to see Barbados suffering its biggest economic contraction since World War II.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The National Security Ministry has signed a partnership with the Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association (JGRA) and JamaicaEye to connect approximately 121 gas stations to the national surveillance system.

(Jamaica Gleaner) A justice of the peace (JP), who is also a cop, is to face the Parish Court and possible disciplinary actions within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for alleged breaches of the Disaster Risk Management Act recently.

(Jamaica Star) Acts of goodwill almost cost a good Samaritan his manhood on Wednesday.

(Trinidad Guardian) A 23-year-old man was wounded in a police-involved shooting incident today, after he ran into the La Brea Police Station after another man who had gone there seeking help, and tried to attack him with a hayfork.

Lyndon “Dracula” Mohammed, also known as Jason Aguillera, was shot and killed during a police-involved shooting in Cocorite, on Thursday.

(Trinidad Express) Digicel has asked all employees, including managers, to take a temporary salary reduction due to the financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Trinidad Guardian) Any nation that assists Venezuela in avoiding embargoes will face sweeping sanctions imposed by the United States.

The World Bank  yesterday announced that Saint Lucia will benefit from US$10.5 million activated from World Bank projects to bolster the country’s COVID-19 response.

(Barbados Nation) With the Government of Barbados set to lose more than $450 million in revenue over the next year, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced a $2 billion plan designed to stimulate business and provide relief for the most vulnerable over the next two years.

(Jamaica Gleaner) “Mi foot dead! Mi foot dead!” were the reported cries of a 16-year-old schoolboy to his cousin after he was allegedly attacked by a group of Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers in his Majesty Gardens, St Andrew, community on Sunday.

(Jamaica Star) A trip for revelling and ‘palancing’ in Trinidad and Tobago turned into one of distress for a Jamaican mother as she is currently stuck in the twin-island republic due to the novel coronavirus that has been lashing the country, causing all ports to be closed.

(Trinidad Guardian) Government is proposing to slash by half the penalties of 80,000 unpaid traffic tickets that are before the courts.

(Trinidad Express) Nine people were detained by police on Monday night for gathering in a group that exceeded five.