PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The coalition People’s Partnership government Monday named High Court judge Anthony T. Carmona as its nominee for the head of state to replace outgoing President George Maxwell Richards. Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar in an address to the nation described 59-year-old Justice Carmona as an internationally respected member of the judiciary and had been recently elected as a judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague.
Trinidad and Tobago
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, Guardian - Former Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) president Michael de la Bastide does not believe there’s any fixation in T&T with retaining British QCs. Rather, it’s a provision in local law that enables a lawyer from a Commonwealth country to practise here that makes people bring them, said de la Bastide, also a former Chief Justice. Dismissing the cost, which he said he could not give, he said the law makes provision for a minister, after consultation with the Chief Justice, to make an order for lawyers from England to be retained for a case.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, Express - FOR many, Carnival is a time to 'free up', but it is also a high-risk period for transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, yet there has been a dismal lack of HIV prevention programmes especially during this time of the year, laments founder and project coordinator of RED Initiatives, O'Leo Lokai. "Prevention is better than cure, not only should there be ongoing HIV prevention throughout the year, but given that the Carnival season is also a high risk season, the focus should be on prevention and behaviour change programmes.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, Express - AS the race for the presidential election heats up, a new contender is being considered—Independent Senator Subhas Ramkhelawan. However, Justice Anthony Carmona is tipped to be leading the lot which includes Justice Amrika Tiwary-Reddy and House Speaker Wade Mark. The Express understands that Carmona is considered the best choice by most Government members and has majority support.
(Trinidad Guardian) The T&T Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) yesterday maintained its objection to giving free airtime to government programmes. President of the TTPBA Kiran Maharaj raised objections during yesterday’s meeting with Communications Minister Jamal Mohammed at his Nicholas Towers office. Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal also attended the meeting, a follow-up to one in October last year. Government is seeking one hour per day of free airtime for its programming, but media owners claim the Government is seeking to dictate the content on the airwaves.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Following the submission by the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) on their choice for President , Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is scheduled to meet with Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley on Monday morning for last-minute discussions on the matter. The PNM has selected Justice Rolston Nelson of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as their person to be considered to for the post of President.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The coalition People’s Partnership government has filed a suit against former Miss Universe, Wendy Fitzwilliam alleging that she failed to properly advise the directors of a state-owned company on whether to enter into a TT$30 million (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) investment in 2005 with the China-based Bamboo Network Ltd (BNL).
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – High Court judge Mira Dean-Armorer says she expects to deliver before March 29, a judgement in the case in which several people, including former government ministers and two financiers of the ruling United National Congress (UNC) are challenging the decision of the State to repeal legislation they said would have prevented them from facing fraud related charges stemming more than 10 years ago.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jan 30, CMC – One of the five members of a Commission of Inquiry probing the activities that led to the 1990 attempted overthrow of the Trinidad and Tobago government by members of the radical Muslim group, the Jamaat Al-Muslimeen, has asked to be excused after one newspaper queried his qualifications.
The Trinidad Guardian newspaper said that Dr Hafizool Ali Mohammed had “obtained his doctorate of science (DSc) in international relations from Atlantic International University (AIU), which is described by various Web sites as a diploma mill.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - FORMER EAST Portland Member of Parliament (MP) Sam Lawrence was yesterday remembered by the House of Representatives for his contribution to Jamaica's legislative process. Opposition MP Karl Samuda, who served with Lawrence as MP between 1989 and 1997, and Government member Fitz Jackson, who entered the House in 1994, recalled that Lawrence was instrumental in getting the Cabinet to consider the wishes of the House. Jackson, MP for South St Catherine, said by moving a resolution which was passed by the House, issues from Parliament found their way to Cabinet.