NEWS
Criminologist welcomes stronger judicial oversight in new bill
Criminologist Dr Randy Seepersad has welcomed the stronger judicial oversight proposed under the new Special Operations Bill but cautions that the legislation risks becoming little more than a crime-suppression measure if it fails to address the social conditions that contribute to criminal activity. Speaking with Guardian Media by phone, Seepersad said the latest version of the legislation includes stronger checks and balances, particularly through increased judicial involvement. However, he expressed concern about what appears to be a diminished focus on social intervention programmes. “If that is something that is largely absent from the new iteration of it, then that’s a massive red flag for me because then it’s nothing more than a crime-suppression initiative,” Seepersad said. Read more here
Not renewing SoE a positive signal, says economist
Barbadian economist Jeremy Stephen believes not renewing the State of Emergency (SoE) could give investors a reason to take another look at Trinidad and Tobago, as the country moves away from more than six months of emergency powers and towards the longer-term challenge of creating a more stable environment for business and investment. “Releasing or removing or lifting a state of emergency would signal to investors, who may be interested that maybe it’s time to give another serious look at investing aggressively in T&T,” Stephen told Business Guardian. The SoE, declared on March 3, is set to expire on September 17, bringing an end to the latest period of emergency measures. Read more here
POLITICS
Law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear, says Kamla
Law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear as Trinidad and Tobago is about to be placed under a sweeping new seven-district security net, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said. The districts will have specially designated police units empowered to launch targeted operations against gangs, gunmen and violent criminals under the Government’s proposed Special Operations legislation. Persad-Bissessar noted yesterday that the Special Operations Bill, 2026 will be passed in the House of Representatives after it is debated today. Read more here
BUSINESS
Methanol-powered trucks hit T&T roads
Four heavy-duty trucks powered entirely by methanol were officially launched Wednesday, marking a milestone project between Proman Trinidad and Dumore Enterprises Ltd. The trucks are the only 100% methanol-powered heavy-duty vehicles of their kind operating on public roads outside China. They were unveiled Wednesday night at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts in San Fernando during a programme themed “Methanol in Motion,” accompanied by strobe lights and tassa music. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana eyes fuel storage network
Guyana is exploring proposals to expand its fuel-storage capacity as the country moves to establish itself as a regional energy hub, President Dr Irfaan Ali has said. The Head of State made this disclosure during a recent press conference, in response to a question about whether discussions with Qatar had advanced on the construction of fuel-storage facilities. Dr Ali said major players in the energy sector have been raising the issue, noting that Guyana’s growing energy profile makes additional storage capacity increasingly important. “Every single major player in the energy sector has asked that very question, because Guyana is positioning itself naturally as energy hub in the region, we have a few proposals, as you know, in terms of our ability to store fuel not only for national demand and having greater reserves here, but also to integrate in northern Brazil market, that’s important,” he said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Canadians dream of Europe as Carney floats longshot plan for living and working in EU
Miriam Levin-Gold likes Prime Minister Mark Carney's idea of Canadians being able to live and work in the European Union under proposed closer ties with the trade bloc. "I think that's great for young people to explore different parts of the world and work in different places and have different experiences," the commuter told the BBC in Toronto. Canadians woke up to news of Carney's speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday morning, welcoming the EU's ambition for Canada to become its first "associate member" as he urged closer co-operation on defence and energy. Read more here
18th September 2026