NEWS
Judge stays lawsuit on SoE regulations on police detention powers
A High Court judge has stayed proceedings in a constitutional challenge against the Emergency Powers Regulations, 2025, pending a ruling from the Privy Council on a related case. Delivering his decision on October 16, Justice Frank Seepersad said that while he found it “inherently inconsistent and wholly unnecessary” for police officers to share powers with magistrates to extend detention periods beyond 48 hours, his hands were tied by an existing Court of Appeal decision upholding the constitutionality of a similar provision. “Suffice it to say, in as much as the regulation recognises that a magistrate can also make an order of longer detention, I find it inherently inconsistent and wholly unnecessary that that power was also extended to the police, especially in a society where the public does not repose much trust and confidence in the police,” Seepersad said. “However, the Court of Appeal has already expressed a view on the constitutionality of an equivalent provision.” Read more here
Liquor prices soar! Angostura, Carib announce price hikes in response to Tancoo's higher taxes
The recently announced doubling of the excise duty on alcoholic beverages in the 2025–2026 National Budget has begun to ripple through the local market, with Carib Brewery Ltd and Angostura yesterday confirming immediate price adjustments across several of their flagship brands. In response to the new fiscal measures outlined by Finance Minister Dave Tancoo this week, Carib was the first to announce yesterday that, effective immediately, consumers would see higher prices on beers, stouts and malt beverages, including Carib, Stag, Guinness, Royal Extra and Malta. Head of Marketing at Carib Antron Forte said the company had “no choice” but to act in accordance with the Budget’s excise changes, describing the increase as a measured and responsible adjustment made to protect business sustainability while maintaining affordability. “Based on the increase in excise that has been shared by the Government in the National Budget, we’ve had to change or adjust our prices accordingly,” Forte explained. “Not every brand has increased, but our brands that contain alcohol and malt, because malt is affected by excise, have been increased,” he said. Read more here
POLITICS
Cabinet mum on claim of TT deaths on 'drug boat'
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told reporters she had to promptly join a virtual meeting of Caricom heads and then host her weekly Cabinet meeting as she rushed off from a land distribution ceremony for former Caroni (1975) Ltd workers at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's, on October 16. Reporters had wanted to ask if she had any confirmation of claims that two nationals of TT were aboard the fifth alleged drug boat obliterated by the US military. If so, did this change her support for US anti-narcotics strikes in the Southern Caribbean, along with the fact of US President Donald Trump admitting he had given the nod to the CIA to do covert operations inside Venezuela, reporters had wished to ask the PM. At the function, reporters spotted Defence Minister Wayne Sturge but he too was seen rushing off. Reporters interviewed Minister of Land and Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein on the Caroni land distribution and then asked about the government's stance on the latest "drug boat" obliteration. Read more here
BUSINESS
Employees to pay 23% more in NIS contributions in 2026
The National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIB) says that while it understands the concerns of some citizens who will soon be required to contribute more to the National Insurance System (NIS), it believes the proposed increases are reasonable. The NIB maintains that the adjustment is necessary to protect contributors’ benefits and ensure the long-term stability of the fund. Minister of Finance Davendranath Tancoo announced a phased six per cent increase in National Insurance contributions, three per cent in January 2026 and another three per cent in January 2027, to protect the fund and ensure its sustainability. He also revealed that the retirement age for receiving a full NIS pension will gradually rise from 60 to 65 starting in January 2028. The last increase came in 2016, moving from 12 per cent to 13.2 per cent of the employee’s monthly salary. Read more again
REGIONAL
CCJ is a symbol of Caribbean pride, maturity of our independence
Justince Arif Bulkan on Thursday took the oath of office before President Dr. Irfaan Ali, becoming the third Guyanese to be added to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in 20 years. Justice Bulkan was officially sworn in at a simple but significant ceremony held at the Office of the President. The Head of State described the occasion as one of national pride and regional significance, noting the importance of Justice Bulkan’s appointment and the continuous development of the CCJ. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Zelensky to make case for missiles at White House, after Trump and Putin agree meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday, as Trump weighs whether to arm Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles capable of striking deep into Russia. Their meeting comes a day after Trump said "great progress" was made during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the pair agreeing to face-to-face talks in Hungary. Trump said the call, the first with Putin since mid-August, was "very productive", adding that teams from Washington and Moscow will meet next week. As Zelensky arrived in the US, his third visit since January, he said Moscow was "rushing to resume dialogue as soon as it hears about Tomahawks". Read more here
17th October 2025