NEWS
Presto Fresh expansion ramps up across T&T
Agostini Group is betting big on convenience retail, rolling out a revamped “Presto Fresh” concept that blends barista coffee, ready-made meals, and the familiar Linda’s pastries customers already know. Director of New Business at Agostini Limited, Jean Luc Mouttet, told Guardian Media that the company is pushing ahead with a major transformation drive across its store network, despite tighter economic conditions. Speaking at the launch of Presto Fresh O’Meara last Thursday, Mouttet said the concept was first introduced at the Aranguez location and is designed to serve customers seeking fast, convenient meal options. “We’ve introduced fresh barista coffee, hot and cold. We still have the same Linda’s pastries you know and love, which are exclusively sold to us by Linda’s manufacturing facility. Read more here
Support for Nelson name change
Historians have welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to rename Nelson Island. However, they say that a change in name should reflect the island’s full history and not just Indian indentureship. On Saturday, during a visit to the island with India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Persad-Bissessar said the island would be renamed to honour the “jahaji legacy” and the thousands of Indian indentured labourers who first arrived there from India. Read more here
POLITICS
Education Minister: School violence requires national response
Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath says tackling school violence will require a coordinated national effort involving parents, educators, communities and students themselves, as concern continues to mount over a recent spate of violent incidents in schools. Responding to questions from Guardian Media yesterday, Dr Dowlath said while the Ministry of Education remains deeply concerned about rising incidents of indiscipline and aggression among students, the Revised National School Code of Conduct launched in March remains a critical tool in promoting safer school environments. “The National School Code of Conduct has positively impacted school violence in Trinidad and Tobago by promoting discipline, accountability, student support and safer school environments,” Dr Dowlath said. “While school violence remains a national challenge, the Code provides an important framework for prevention, intervention and rehabilitation.” He stressed, however, that disciplinary policies alone would not solve the issue. Read more here
Moonilal: No secrecy over oil spill
Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal says there was no secrecy over an oil spill that originated in Trinidad and Tobago on May 1 as it was “minor” in nature after Venezuela complained it had caused damage to its coastline. Moonilal said yesterday immediate action was taken to address the spill and that Government was committed to working with the Venezuelan administration to manage any incidents that impact the shared border. Read more here
BUSINESS
Guardian Media Q1 loss widens
GUARDIAN Media Ltd has reported a total comprehensive loss of $7.9 million for the first quarter ended March 31, marking a 29% increase from the loss recorded in the corresponding period last year. According to the company’s unaudited financial statements for the quarter, its Print segment recorded a pre-tax loss of $3.8 million, while its Multimedia segment posted a pre-tax loss of $3.7 million. Guardian Media Ltd, the media arm of conglomerate ANSA McAL Ltd, reported a total comprehensive loss of $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana building economy to last ‘100 years ahead’
Guyana’s future will not be measured by the discovery of oil alone, but by how the country uses that wealth to build an economy capable of lasting “100 years ahead”, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. Speaking at the Maple Leaf Gala hosted by the Guyana-Canada Chamber of Commerce in Toronto, Canada, the Head of State said Guyana is pursuing a development model grounded in diversification, strategic investment, human capital and international partnerships, all steps towards positioning itself as a leader in energy, technology and sustainable growth. As Guyana continues to gain recognition on the international stage, he emphasised that this recognition is built on more than the discovery of oil, but the development of structures, policies and an economy, which he said will last for decades ahead. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
US and French nationals test positive for hantavirus after leaving ship
An American and a French national who have returned to their home countries having left a cruise ship hit by a deadly outbreak of hantavirus have tested positive, authorities say. The US health department said a second American national on the repatriation flight had also shown mild symptoms, adding that both passengers had travelled back in "biocontainment units out of an abundance of caution". French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said a woman was isolating in Paris and her health was deteriorating, with 22 contact cases traced. More than 90 passengers of the MV Hondius ship, currently docked in Spain's Canary Islands, are being repatriated. Read more here
11th May 2026