NEWS
FFOS: Redirect parade savings to assist small pig farms
Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) urged the Prime Minister to redirect the $2.9 million saved from cancelling the Independence Day street parade toward assisting small pig farmers who lost their livelihoods in the culling to contain the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) outbreak. The call came after the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries confirmed on August 14 that the humane depopulation of all pigs at an affected farm in north Trinidad was completed under strict biosecurity protocols. A statement from the ministry quoted acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Lisa Musai as saying the swift and coordinated response reflected the government’s commitment to protecting livestock health and the viability of the pork industry. Read more here
Woman unaware of pregnancy loses baby after alleged ambulance delay
There are calls for an investigation after a woman, who did not know she was pregnant, waited two hours for an ambulance that allegedly never arrived as she went into labour at the Centre of Excellence. The newborn baby boy died soon after being born. The mother and baby were eventually taken to the hospital by a relative, who rushed to the location. On arrival at the hospital, it was learnt that the baby was dead. Police said the woman and a friend were at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, around 1 pm on Saturday when the woman reported experiencing a sharp pain around her waist and went to the bathroom. The woman later reported feeling a “flushing” sensation throughout her body but did not realise she was going into labour until security guards at the facility came to her assistance and told her what was happening. Read more here
POLITICS
Trade Minister meets with US congressman on tariffs
Minister OF Trade and Industry Satyakama Maharaj met with South Carolina Congressman Rep. Ralph Norman to raise concerns about tariffs imposed on TT exports to the US. Maharaj announced his meeting with the congressman on his social media pages on August 16. He said the meeting took place while he was “away on private business.” “The discussion was well received and I am optimistic that these issues will be addressed in the near future,” he said. Maharaj recently called the imposition of a 15 per cent tariff on TT exports to the United States as a “blessing,” while speaking to reporters at the Emancipation celebration on August 1 at Emancipation Village in the Queen’s Park Savannah. Read more here
Gonzales calls for action after reported plot against Sturge
Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales has called on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (National Security Council chairman) to name the attorney with “close ties to the UNC Government” who is demanding certain questionable hirings—so much so that it has resulted in reported death threats against Defence Minister Wayne Sturge. “Who is the UNC attorney demanding questionable and unapproved hirings? Is this Reshmi Ramnarine 2.0 to the Kamla 2.0?” Gonzales asked, following the recent report of a plot to kill Sturge. The report identified conspirators as a “lawyer with close ties to the ruling UNC administration,” an illegal quarry operator from Toco, another from Santa Cruz, and a senior military officer. The attorney, who is said to be influential, was reportedly demanding the ability to select staff in Sturge’s ministry, the Toco/Sangre Grande constituency office (where Sturge is MP), the military, and the Unemployment Relief Programme. The State of Emergency was declared following a threat from a crime syndicate operating inside and outside of the prison system. Read more here
BUSINESS
Caribbean, China delegations strengthen trade ties
Delegations from both the Caribbean and China have agreed to strengthen ties by expanding education at the primary and secondary school levels, establishing direct air links, increasing Caribbean participation in China’s trade exhibitions and creating forums to address issues like climate change, renewable energy and development financing. These discussions, among Caribbean and Chinese foreign ministry officials, were held at the 9th Round of the China-Caribbean Consultations in Beijing. Since its establishment in 2002, the forum has facilitated discussions between governments on deepening relations and addressing international issues like the climate crisis and the situation in Haiti. Read more here
ANSA launches new banking app
ANSA Bank Ltd is changing how customers interact with financial services, with the launch of a new mobile banking app that executives say will make transactions faster, simpler, and more intuitive without compromising security. The unveiling, hosted at the ANSA Bank’s Falls at Westmall branch on Thursday, brought together bank executives, directors, partners, regulators and customers to celebrate what they described as the next phase of the group’s digital transformation strategy. In his opening remarks, chairman David Dulal-Whiteway said the journey began with a vision to “change how banking is done” and “create new experiences” for customers. “To achieve that vision, we must have certain ingredients. We must have a very supportive shareholder, which we found in the ANSA McAL group. We have to have staff who are willing to roll up their sleeves and create a new way of doing business. We were also fortunate to attract directors who not only bought into the vision but were excited to make this a reality. And of course, our customers, who wanted something different from their bankers and were willing to give us an opportunity to serve their needs,” he said. Read more here
REGIONAL
President Ali unveils massive social support package for PPP/C’s next term
Ahead of today’s highly anticipated manifesto launch, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced a slew of social support measures aimed at significantly improving the lives of Guyanese families, students and pensioners. The announcement came on Sunday during a massive rally held in Lethem, Region Nine, where thousands gathered to hear from the Head of State and other members of the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Among the major measures revealed was a substantial increase in support for school-aged children. Each child will now benefit from a total of $200,000 grant annually, marking one of the most significant education-related investments by the government to date. He explained that the ‘Because We Care cash grant will be increased from the current $50, 000 to $100,000 per child. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
‘The Cemetery of Living Men’
Arturo Suárez says he was beaten by guards as soon as he arrived at El Salvador’s notorious Cecot prison. When he regained consciousness - his glasses smashed - everything was blurred, he says, but he heard the greeting clearly. "Welcome to hell. Welcome to the cemetery of living men. The only way you leave here is dead." Arturo says the person speaking was the jail’s director, Belarmino García. Cecot - the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism - was designed for the mass incarceration of El Salvador’s most violent and dangerous gang members, a symbol of President Nayib Bukele's hardline approach to the wave of murders and extortion that had terrorised the country. Since it was opened in 2023, authorities have been secretive about life inside Latin America’s largest prison. And with few inmates ever let out, there has been little information available about what goes on behind its concrete walls and electrified fences. Read more here
18th August 2025