NEWS
Lost in the system – Arima teen out of school for two years
WHILE most of Trinidad and Tobago’s teenagers benefit from free government-funded education, one Arima child has been left behind. Fourteen-year-old Annalisa (not her real name) has not attended secondary school for a combined total of two years. The Calvary Hill resident passed her SEA examinations in 2023 and was assigned to a secondary school along the East-West Corridor, but what should have marked a new beginning, instead turned into a nightmare. On a quiet morning at their modest Arima home, Annalisa sat silently on the veranda, her hands clasped on her thighs, as her mother Cynthia (not her real name) revisited the events that shattered her daughter’s school life. Read more here
Canadian help for T&T ganja
THE Government’s plan to develop a local medical marijuana industry is on the agenda for this fiscal year although no mention was made of it in the national budget last month. Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Dr Kennedy Swaratsingh, confirmed the Government’s commitment during a telephone interview with the Express last Thursday. Read more here
POLITICS
COP praises PM’s ‘bold vision’ master development plan
THE CONGRESS of the People (COP) has expressed confidence in Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s recently launched ten-year nationwide infrastructural development plan. The party’s deputy political leader, Imran Ali, said the party "acknowledges the courage and clarity of purpose required to chart such a transformative path for TT." He said it could restore confidence in governance and drive sustainable development. In a statement issued on November 8, COP congratulated the PM and her administration, saying the party welcomed the government’s "boldness of vision and leadership" in presenting a comprehensive framework for long-term growth. Read more here
BUSINESS
Not all Sabgas are the same
NOT all Sabgas are the same. This was the comment made by Group chief executive officer of ANSA McAL Anthony N Sabga III as he sought to dispel rumours that the sale of Standards Distributors was merely a family deal. On Monday, ANSA McAl announced that after 80 years, Standard Distributors Ltd had officially closed its retail doors, marking the end of an era for the country’s first locally owned appliance store. Read more here
REGIONAL
Consultations on city drainage development begin today
The Head of State convened a meeting last week with a multi-agency team of representatives from the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and the Georgetown City Council. Following the meeting, President Ali said that the team will commence city-wide consultations with various stakeholders. Against this backdrop, the National Drainage Task Force will kick off consultations in two constituencies in the city. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
US Senate passes deal aimed at ending longest ever government shutdown
A deal aimed at ending the US government shutdown has passed the Senate, paving the way for the record-breaking impasse to be broken. After a weekend of negotiations in Washington, a minority of Democrats joined with Republicans and voted in favour of an agreement. The vote is a procedural first step towards passing a compromise to fund the government since it ran out of money 1 October. It will need to clear several more hurdles - including a vote from the House of Representatives - before federal employees and services return, but it is the first serious sign of progress after 40 days of deadlock. The Senate is expected to return for further debate at 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT) on Monday. Read more here
10th November 2025