Natixis Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Pinterest, Inc. ( NYSE:PINS – Free Report ) by 21.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 107,130 shares of the company’s stock after selling 29,156 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC’s holdings in Pinterest were worth $3,468,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of PINS. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd bought a new position in Pinterest in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Pinterest during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in Pinterest by 157.7% in the second quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 750 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 459 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Pinterest by 113.4% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 762 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC bought a new position in Pinterest in the second quarter worth about $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.81% of the company’s stock. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Gokul Rajaram sold 1,150 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.73, for a total value of $34,189.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 32,536 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $967,295.28. This represents a 3.41 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Also, CFO Donnelly Julia Brau sold 30,280 shares of Pinterest stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.72, for a total transaction of $990,761.60. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 297,351 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,729,324.72. The trade was a 9.24 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last three months, insiders have sold 32,580 shares of company stock worth $1,063,499. 7.11% of the stock is owned by insiders. Pinterest Stock Up 2.4 % Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on PINS shares. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Pinterest from $50.00 to $48.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $41.00 price objective (down from $45.00) on shares of Pinterest in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Oppenheimer lowered their price objective on shares of Pinterest from $45.00 to $40.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Pinterest from $49.00 to $41.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Pinterest from $38.00 to $36.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $42.00. View Our Latest Report on Pinterest Pinterest Profile ( Free Report ) Pinterest, Inc operates as a visual search and discovery platform in the United States and internationally. Its platform allows people to find ideas, such as recipes, home and style inspiration, and others; and to search, save, and shop the ideas. The company was formerly known as Cold Brew Labs Inc and changed its name to Pinterest, Inc in April 2012. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Pinterest Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pinterest and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
As a professional makeup artist and beauty content creator, I'm blessed to receive monthly PR packages from my favorite beauty brands. It's like Christmas every month. I test out the latest and greatest products, from must-have makeup palettes to innovative skin-care treatments, before they even hit shelves. My in-home beauty studio resembles a mini Sephora, stocked to the brim. It's a beauty girl's dream come true — but you'll still catch me shopping in stores to scout out new launches and restock personal faves. Makeup artists know that it's not just about the quantity of products — it's about quality. I'm incredibly selective about the products that I use: I consider inclusivity, innovation, ease of use, and IRL performance with every product I try. When I recommend a product, it's because I'm incredibly impressed, and this extends to giving beauty gifts . I've mastered the art of picking out makeup and skin-care gifts for friends and family based on their personality, skill level, and willingness to try new things. Keep scrolling to see what's on my heavily vetted beauty gift guide as a professional makeup artist this holiday season. For the Blush-Obsessed Babe LYS Beauty Mini Higher Standard 3-Piece Cream Glow Blush Stick Set ($25) Blush meets highlighter in this chic set, which offers three two-in-one color varieties that are universally flattering and easy to blend out. I own a lot of cream blushes, but this one is by far among the nicest formulas. The glowy finish and color payoff impart a radiant, naturally flushed look. For the Skin-Care Curious Preteen/Teen Bubble Winter Warm-Up 3-Step Hydrating Routine ($34) Thanks to TikTok, teens are becoming more interested in skin care . A simple three-step routine is all they need to develop pride in caring for their skin. Bubble is one of those trendy brands that leans into welcoming young beauty enthusiasts into the world of skin care, and this set includes a cleanser, face mist, and moisturizer gentle enough for daily use. I gifted this bundle to my 11-year-old goddaughters for their birthday after they mentioned seeing a girl their age using the brand on YouTube. For the Fancy Friend Yves Saint Laurent LoveShine Lip Oil ($45) This limited-edition tube is gorgeous, and the pops of glitter added to the beloved YSL LoveShine Lip Oil make it so special. It's the perfect gift for the friend who likes to splurge on luxury beauty items and enjoys collecting limited-edition launches before they sell out. This is the type of gift that will have your friend thinking of you every time they apply it. For the Skin-Care Enthusiast Sephora Favorites Skincare Must Haves ($58) We all have that one friend obsessed with skin care — you can bet that if it's gone viral on TikTok, it's on their bathroom vanity. If this sounds like someone you're shopping for this holiday season, this Sephora Skincare Must Haves set is the perfect gift. The 10-piece exploratory kit includes some of the best-selling skin care at the beauty retailer. Secretly, I'm this friend, so trust me when I say that nothing makes me happier than mini versions of my favorite skin-care products, especially when I need to pack for a trip. For the Beauty Newbie Anisa Beauty Everyday Makeup Brush Collection ($90) A makeup brush set is always a great starter gift for someone just getting into makeup. This set from Anisa Beauty includes three essential brushes that deposit everyday makeup like a pro, plus a carrying case. I own multiples of each brush (for foundation, concealer, and powder) and am happy to report that they hold up beautifully over time. The quality and feel of these brushes will leave your loved one feeling so thankful. For the Person Who Deserves a Spa Day OSEA Golden Glow Body Set ($90) As we age ever so gracefully, we need to focus more on the moisture retention of our body skin. This body care set from OSEA includes a plant-based body brush, exfoliating body scrub, and their best-selling Undaria Algae Body Oil — clinically proven to improve skin's elasticity and moisture levels. It's basically a mini trip to the spa in the comfort of your own home. I gifted my mom a similar set last year, and she absolutely loved it. For the Minimalist-Makeup Lover Elemis The Glow Edit ($85) Skin prep is the secret to great makeup, and having a solid cleansing routine is essential to keeping your skin in the best condition. I use this cleansing balm nearly every day; it gently removes full-coverage and waterproof makeup without stripping moisture from the skin. Someone who already owns a good bit of makeup will surely appreciate having a nice skin-care bundle that works in tandem with their favorite foundation. The 13 Best Gifts For Travelers For the Sensitive-Skin Girlie Kiehl's Keeping Up With Kiehl's Holiday Vault Set ($98) I've used every item included in this Kiehl's best-sellers set, and I love how my skin responds. The Better Screen UV Serum is one of the best sunscreens around for sensitive skin, while the Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Solution is my go-to for a breakout. I keep the Ultra Facial Cream in my pro kit to use on clients; it's simple, hydrating, and works beautifully under makeup. For the Friend With Personal Style Danessa Myricks Lightwork VI Freedom Palette ($128) Give the gift of expression with this versatile eyeshadow palette from Danessa Myricks. The Light Work VI Freedom palette includes three unique color stories to create endless looks. The larger palette can also be transformed into three smaller customizable palettes, so you can swap out the shades to your liking for easy use on the go. I'd give this to a friend who likes to play with color — and loves to tailor their makeup looks to their outfits. Jonet Williamson (she/her) is a pro makeup artist and beauty educator with a belief that beauty should empower you and inspire others. Her work has been featured in commercial campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Nike, Barneys, Glow Recipe, and more. As a trusted voice in the beauty industry, Jonet's expert advice has been featured by InStyle, Allure, Refinery29, Byrdie, Women's Health, and more. Jonet is a PS Council member.To some crime news and a WA man who allegedly had an hour’s worth of child exploitation videos on his phone will appear in court today. An AFP investigation began in November after the 24-year-old man arrived at Perth International Airport following a holiday in the Philippines. The man and his luggage were examined by Australian Border Force officers, who allegedly found 21 videos containing child abuse material on his phone. He was taken to Perth Watch House before being charged with one count of possessing child exploitation material and released on bail. The maximum penalty for the offence is seven years’ imprisonment. AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Andrea Coleman said the victims suffered each time images or videos of their abuse was viewed or downloaded “To those who wish to prop up this vile industry for their own gratification – the AFP and its partners will find you,” she said. ABF Acting Superintendent John Sweet said protecting the most vulnerable members of the community from the “abhorrent” industry would always be a priority. Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE . If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000. Here’s what’s making headlines today: Police and members of the Jewish community outside the Adass Israel synagogue on Friday. Credit: Simon Schluter It’s a top of 29 degrees today, with next week’s forecast looking well and truly like summer. Good morning all and welcome to this week’s last live blog! This morning, court reporter Rebecca Peppiatt has revealed more on why 28-year-old influencer Andre Rebelo killed his mother. The jury delivered a guilty verdict on Thursday afternoon, ending a trial that lasted several months. A court sketch of Andre Rebelo during his murder trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Credit: Anne Barnetson Politics reporter Hamish Hastie has written that The West Australian is considering the future of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas’ weekly column. Today, his 10 Things column was still there, but it was right next to a similar one written by Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti. And, in case you missed it yesterday, a Bunbury woman who was awarded more than a million dollars in damages after successfully claiming she had suffered injury as a result of eating hot chips laced with caustic soda, will now get less than half the payout. Stay with us as more news breaks.
Ankara, Istanbul host outstanding educators on Teacher’s DayDimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF (NYSEARCA:DFSE) Holdings Raised by Pathstone Holdings LLCJaipur, Dec 6 (PTI) Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Kirodi Lal Meena on Friday accused the police of acting against him over his “objections” on the SHO’s behaviour while detaining people who sought cancellation of SI recruitment exam over alleged irregularities. He claimed that he could tell on whose direction the “FIR” was registered. However, police commissioner Biju George Joseph said that no FIR was registered against him but the sequence of events was mentioned in a daily diary or ‘Rojnamcha’ by the SHO of Mahesh Nagar Police station regarding the incident of Tuesday night. The SHO on Tuesday night detained Manju Sharma, who is seeking the cancellation of the SI recruitment exam. She then went to the Vikas Bidhuri’s residence to detain him on directions of the senior police officers following intelligence inputs that they were planning to disrupt the prime minister’s visits to Jaipur in support of their demand. When the SHO was at Bidhuri’s residence and was trying to call him out, Kirodi Meena reached there and scolded her. He allegedly rebuked her and questioned her actions. On Friday, Meena held a press conference and demanded action against Mahesh Nagar SHO Kavita Sharma. “Only the chief minister can tell on whose behest the FIR was lodged. Why was it lodged, what is the reason? As per the provision in BNSS, I went to save (Manju Sharma and Vikas ) from the police. I did not take the law in my hands,” he said. He said that he would reveal the names of the officers and political leaders who have acted against him only after meeting the BJP state president. Meena said that the “strictest” action should be taken against SHO Kavita Sharma. He said that some officers were protecting her and the government should take the matter seriously. He demanded her arrest in a case that was registered against her in the past. On Wednesday morning, Kirodi Meena reached the residence of Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham with Manju Sharma and Vikas Bidhuri and demanded action against the SHO. He alleged that some officials have given an intelligence report to the state government stating that he has plans to disrupt Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming events in Rajasthan. The prime minister will inaugurate the Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit on December 9. Without naming any official, Meena termed it an attempt by the officers to spoil his image and to create a divide between him and the chief minister. Meanwhile, when contacted Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph, he said, “No FIR was registered against the minister. The SHO mentioned the sequence of events in the Rojnamcha’. PTI SDA HIG HIG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
Pathstone Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited ( NYSE:BABA – Free Report ) by 5.7% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 37,149 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after buying an additional 1,987 shares during the period. Pathstone Holdings LLC’s holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $3,942,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of BABA. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group in the first quarter worth $312,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Alibaba Group by 17.6% in the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,387 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $245,000 after acquiring an additional 506 shares during the period. 1832 Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in Alibaba Group by 277.5% during the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 80,488 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $5,824,000 after acquiring an additional 59,167 shares during the last quarter. SVB Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in Alibaba Group by 252.6% during the first quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 21,057 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,524,000 after acquiring an additional 15,085 shares during the period. Finally, Progeny 3 Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group in the first quarter valued at about $9,986,000. 13.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In BABA has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Barclays decreased their target price on Alibaba Group from $137.00 to $130.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and set a $90.00 target price on shares of Alibaba Group in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. Susquehanna cut their target price on shares of Alibaba Group from $135.00 to $130.00 and set a “positive” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $100.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $92.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $114.07. Alibaba Group Trading Down 2.9 % BABA stock opened at $83.13 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The firm has a market cap of $199.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.86, a P/E/G ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 0.35. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a 1-year low of $66.63 and a 1-year high of $117.82. The business’s 50 day moving average is $98.42 and its 200-day moving average is $85.87. Alibaba Group ( NYSE:BABA – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 15th. The specialty retailer reported $15.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.87 by $13.19. Alibaba Group had a return on equity of 12.28% and a net margin of 8.98%. The firm had revenue of $236.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $239.45 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.82 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Alibaba Group Holding Limited will post 8.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Alibaba Group Profile ( Free Report ) Alibaba Group Holding Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides technology infrastructure and marketing reach to help merchants, brands, retailers, and other businesses to engage with their users and customers in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company operates through seven segments: China Commerce, International Commerce, Local Consumer Services, Cainiao, Cloud, Digital Media and Entertainment, and Innovation Initiatives and Others. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BABA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alibaba Group Holding Limited ( NYSE:BABA – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Alibaba Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alibaba Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg Leads Suit Against South Coast Air Quality Management District's Effective Ban on Certain Gas Appliances
Trump taps forceful ally of hard-line immigration policies to head Customs and Border Protection
Tetairoa McMillan, one of the best wide receivers in Arizona history, will skip his final year of eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on social media on Thursday. Projected as a top-10 draft pick, the 6-foot-5, 212-pound McMillan finished his illustrious career at Arizona with 3,423 receiving yards, breaking the mark set by Bobby Wade (3,351). In three seasons, the Hawaii native also posted the fourth-most catches (213) and third-most touchdowns (26) in school history. "Wildcat Nation, this journey has been everything I dreamed of and more," McMillan wrote on Instagram. "From the moment I committed to the University of Arizona, to every second spent wearing that Arizona jersey ... it's been an absolute honor. "The University of Arizona has provided me with the platform to grow and chase my dreams. ... Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the best fans in the country, I appreciate you for all of the love and support you have given me these last 3 years. I will always be a Wildcat." In 2024, McMillan totaled 84 grabs (ninth in Division I) for 1,319 yards (third in Division I) and eight touchdowns for the 4-8 Wildcats. He also ranked third in Division I with 109.9 receiving yards per game. McMillan is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the most outstanding receiver in college football. --Field Level MediaTinubu Appoints CEOs For NUC, NERDC, NEPAD, SMDFScientists have been fascinated by hailstone formation for decades, specifically how these icy spheres develop inside storm clouds. Hail occurs when raindrops are swept into the upper, colder regions of clouds during thunderstorms, where they freeze and grow larger before falling back to Earth. Recent research from the Meteorological Service of Catalonia has taken a breakthrough step with CT scanning technology, allowing researchers to examine the internal structure of hailstones without destroying them. The study, published in Frontiers in Environmental Science , highlights how CT scans have enabled scientists to visualize the internal makeup of particularly large hailstones from a significant thunderstorm that struck the northeast Iberian Peninsula in August 2022. Hailstone formation Carme Farnell Barqué, a researcher at the Meteorological Service of Catalonia and lead author of the study, expressed enthusiasm about the findings. “This is the first time we’ve directly observed the complete internal structure of hailstones, offering valuable insights into how they form and potentially improving forecasting methods.” After the severe storm, which produced hailstones measuring up to 12 centimeters in diameter, researchers collected samples from residents who had preserved them in their freezers. This collaboration allowed scientists to analyze the stones back in the lab using CT scanning, a method typically reserved for medical imaging but adapted here to study weather phenomena . In the lab, three hailstones were selected for detailed scans, revealing a wealth of information about their growth. The researchers employed advanced imaging equipment previously found only in dental clinics. Senior author Professor Xavier Úbeda from the University of Barcelona noted, “We aimed to gain more insight into the internal layers of the hailstones without damaging the samples. The clarity of the images we obtained exceeded our expectations.” Scientists created over 500 3D images, or “slices,” for each hailstone using this technology. These scans detailed the density and structure, allowing researchers to identify different layers associated with their growth during the storm. Co-author Professor Javier Martin-Vide explained , “CT scans reveal density variations, helping us pinpoint the growth stages of the hailstones and the processes that led to their formation.” The results provided fascinating insights that challenge previous assumptions about the shape and structure of hailstones. Using CT scan Researchers discovered that the internal axes and planes of the stones were not always regular, even though they appeared nearly spherical from the outside. The cores of some hailstones were located off-center, suggesting that these stones can grow unevenly in three different directions. Moreover, the researchers observed that the layers of the hailstones varied in density. Some samples exhibited thicker sections, indicating the side that faced downward during their fall. This observation contradicted the previous belief that only irregularly shaped hailstones could form large sizes. However, the team also noted some challenges associated with using CT scans. The imaging process can be costly, and some images reveal anomalies researchers have yet to comprehend fully. Addressing these issues is crucial, especially given predictions of future more frequent and severe hail events due to climate change. With more extreme weather expected to affect economies and communities worldwide, researchers believe their findings could aid in developing strategies to reduce the potential damage from hailstorms. Exploring hailstone formation enhances scientific understanding and improves forecasting and preparedness measures for severe weather events. As scientists continue to analyze the complex insides of hailstones, this innovative research opens new avenues in meteorological studies, paving the way for safer communities in the face of increasingly severe storms.
Jakarta: Indonesia’s new leader, President Prabowo Subianto, is seeking closer cooperation with the UAE on Jakarta’s industrialization efforts as he made his first official trip to Abu Dhabi since taking office last month. Indonesia’s relations with the UAE grew under former President Joko Widodo, who in 2021 secured a more than $46 billion investment commitment from the Gulf state. The two countries signed a free trade deal a year later, which came into force last September. The UAE was Prabowo’s last stop in his first foreign trip since becoming Indonesia’s new leader in October. “Now that I have earned the trust from my people to lead Indonesia, I want to continue our good relations,” Prabowo told UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan during their first official meeting in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Jakarta’s priorities are focused on defense, food security and energy security, he said, adding that the government also wants to implement a downstream policy that includes domestic processing of raw materials. “This means we want to perform a massive industrialization,” Prabowo said. “In this context, we see that the UAE and Indonesia have similar priorities. We can work together across different sectors and we want to invite the UAE to actively participate in our economy.” The two leaders also presided over the signing of several agreements as part of their meeting, covering areas such as technology, renewable energy, infrastructure and health. “They agreed to increase trade between the two countries, specifically by optimizing the utilization of Indonesia-UAE CEPA,” Indonesian foreign ministry spokesperson Roy Soemirat told Arab News on Sunday. “President Prabowo welcomed the UAE president’s invitation to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure and collaboration in international forums to resolve global issues, including peaceful conflict resolution.” Prabowo’s visit to Abu Dhabi was his second this year, following a trip in May as president-elect. He was concluding his first overseas trip as president, which also included stops in China, the US, and the UK.Enzo Maresca ‘thankful’ for connection at Leicester ahead of return with ChelseaThere is nothing wrong and everything right about various sectors of the population asking questions of Government about expenditure of public money and the standard of infrastructural works. Whether it is the official political Opposition, the Tobago Business Chamber, letter writers, radio callers, newspaper editorials or the man in the street with a thought bubble over his head, it is right and proper to seek answers from top-level decision-makers who disburse money that is supposed to be wisely spent, closely guarded and equitably distributed for the uplift of all citizens. We begin with this reminder about the basics of democratic governance because, as expected, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley launched an offensive against the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) and its leader, former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, for disclosing contents of claim assessment documents relating to the ANR Robinson Airport expansion project. According to Mrs Persad-Bissessar, two consultants’ reports estimate the project’s highest cost overruns could reach US$67,910,689.92 or TT$461,792,691 and show multiple instances of failure to meet specifications and building codes on the terminal building’s superstructure and foundation. The appropriate reaction from the Government to those allegations was outlined by Tobago Business Chamber chairman Martin George who told this newspaper that any normal, responsible government would provide full transparency. The Public Procurement legislation was recently proclaimed, with the whole rationale behind it being to avoid scenarios such as this, he said. Mr George made a predictable reference to the 1996 $1.6 billion Piarco Airport project out of which came allegations of bid-rigging, kickbacks, bid inflation, political interference and fraud and corruption charges. Those corruption cases have been described as the biggest in T&T’s history with the longest trials. Against this background, we agree with Mr George that all action in furtherance of full transparency is the legitimate public interest expectation. Having first mouthed off on the Opposition Leader, the Prime Minister then asked Finance Minister Colm Imbert to explain to the public what is happening with the Tobago airport project in the context of allegations raised by the Opposition. We cannot say that what transpired at the post-Cabinet news conference yesterday meets the standard of full transparency. Mr Imbert relied upon obfuscation, arrogance, word play and deflection. While two international consultants on the project submit monthly reports, Mr Imbert relied upon basically word of mouth from those consultants, read off his cellphone, to reassure the population that there have been no breaches of building codes and the foundation and superstructure of the new airport are being built in accordance with appropriate international standards. No formal written report was shared with the media. The minister did not deny that the quantum of claims for delays made by the contractor was close to $.5 billion and deflected queries about the identities of recipients of sub-contracts to the executing agency, Nidco, and the main contractor, CRCCCL. Mr Imbert was also reticent on the non-renewal of a contract to CEP Ltd, the original quality control consultants on the project. Government’s approach to this matter leaves much to be desired and avails even more room for speculation and ugly political contention.An F-35 fight? Support for Fort Worth-produced aircraft could derail government efficiency cut
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