NEWS
Man on bail fights off would-be kidnappers
A man out on bail was almost kidnapped after he stopped to buy breakfast in Diego Martin. Around 8.20 am on April 30, the 37-year-old from Patna Village resident parked his black Toyota Rav 4 SUV on Salandy Street, Diego Martin, left it idling, and went to a nearby breakfast shop. A short while after, a white heavily-tinted Nissan AD Wagon stopped in front of the shop and two men wearing balaclavas got out. Read more here
Ex-PNM AG Jeremie returns under UNC
John Jeremie, SC, was sworn in yesterday as Trinidad and Tobago’s new Attorney General at President’s House—marking a historic return to public office under a different political banner. Jeremie, who previously served as AG under Patrick Manning’s People’s National Movement government from 2003 to 2007 and again from 2009 to 2010, is now the first person to hold the position under two political parties. His endorsement of United National Congress (UNC) leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar began publicly at a Penal meeting on April 14, where he praised her leadership and their long-standing personal connection. Read more here
POLITICS
Kamla's promise on return to government: 'A PM for all'
In an impassioned and heartfelt address, newly appointed Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar vowed to lead a government defined by compassion, unity, and resolve. Speaking after she was sworn in at President’s House, St Ann's, Port of Spain, on May 1, she promised a new era of inclusion, care and responsible governance for all citizens. In a notable difference from her first swearing-in, Persad-Bissessar chose to swear on the Constitution, as opposed to her 2010 swearing-in, when she took the oath on the Bhagavad Gita, the Hindu holy book. As she read the oath, administered by President Christine Kangaloo, Persad-Bissessar's voice wavered with emotion. Persad-Bissessar, now 73, was 58 when she sworn in on May 24, 2010. Read more here
PNM leadership reduced to three
The leadership of the People's National Movement (PNM), which has been reduced by five officers and now comprises lady vice chairman Camille Robinson-Regis, general secretary Foster Cummings and Tobago Council leader Ancil Dennis, will be the team setting a timeframe for the party to elect a new leader within six months. The leadership structure was reduced by the resignations and removals of senior officers on Wednesday, after Monday’s General Election defeat of the PNM by the United National Congress. Read more here
BUSINESS
Is the UNC about to renege on its campaign promises?
Last Monday, one of the guests on Guardian Media’s general election night broadcast, made a predictable but nonetheless surprising attempt to foreshadow the current administration’s inability to deliver on the many promises it made during the campaign. Speaking generally about the economy over the next five years, economist Dr Indera Sagewan, made the following point: “I want to say there is the politics and the election and then there is governance. And I would say that what the UNC (United National Congress) has that the PNM (People’s National Movement) does not have, is that when they get into office and they are confronted with the reality—because they don’t know the reality, they would only be speculating—so when they get in there and they see the reality, they can now honestly speak to the population. But more importantly, I think, there needs to be a very clear pathway to hope. And I believe people need to understand the challenges—because there is no quick fix, there is no magic bullet—to have diversification happen tomorrow.” Read more here
Quamina resigns as TPHL chairman
MICHAEL Quamina has resigned as the chairman of Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Ltd (TPHL) and two of its subsidiaries. Quamina was appointed TPHL chairman in August 2019. TPHL is responsible of managing Trinidad and Tobago’s oil and related assets. Its four subsidiaries are Heritage Petroleum Company Ltd, Paria Fuel Trading Company Ltd, Guaracara Refining Company Ltd, and the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Petrotrin). Read more here
REGIONAL
Better gains in store for local workforce as Guyana progresses
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has acknowledged the legendary and heroic struggles of workers here in Guyana and throughout the world, who have fought day and night for “bread, justice, and dignity”-not just in the workplace, but in society as a whole. In his Labour Day message, he reminded the nation that the rights and benefits workers enjoy today-better pay, better working conditions, and a higher living standard-are the long hard-won fruits of years of struggle and unity in the labour movement. “These advances were not granted,” President Ali emphasised, adding: “They were secured after decades of struggle, of courage, of unwavering solidarity.” President Ali honoured generations of past and present workers, who paved the way for today’s accomplishments. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Activists say ship aiming to sail to Gaza was attacked by drones
Activists who were planning to sail a ship to Gaza say it was struck by drones in international waters off the coast of Malta - appearing to accuse Israel of being behind the attack. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said its ship The Conscience was targeted at 00:23 local time on Friday and issued an SOS signal right after the attack. The BBC was sent a recording of the distress call from the flotilla ship, recorded by a crew member on a nearby oil tanker. The captain of the flotilla ship can clearly be heard reporting drone strikes and a fire onboard. The Maltese government said everyone aboard the ship is "confirmed safe" and that a fire onboard the ship was "brought under control overnight". Read more here
2nd May 2025