NEWS
KFC, Yung Bredda celebrate children of Sea Lots
Screeches of laughter echoed across the Sea Lots Basketball Court on December 14, as children darted between games, queued patiently for face-painting and waited eagerly for toys and food. Supported by a corporate giant and in collaboration with one of the country’s fastest-rising local artistes, the court hosted a youth-centred celebration led by the Sea Lots Legacy Foundation, initially planned for about 250 children. s word spread through the community, attendance quickly swelled beyond expectations, with at least a couple hundred more children welcomed and entertained rather than turned away. Budding artiste Yung Bredda — born Akhenaton Lewis — took centre stage, performing several prominent tracks. Read more here
POLITICS
Penny tells Tobago: Beware election gifts
People’s National Movement (PNM) political leader Pennelope Beckles has warned Tobagonians to beware of election gifts. Beckles addressed supporters on December 13 at the ballroom of the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort for the party's "Red Revival" campaign launch and presentation of candidates. She said she has heard from good sources of gifts prepared to be shipped to Tobago on the port. “There is money galore. I want to remind you that in Trinidad in particular, they went to certain constituencies offering ham, lamb and jam; offering from microwave, bed, fridge, stove. "Many people believed that when people come bearing gifts that they are genuine. People of Tobago, I am warning you, be careful – do not come and offer me gifts just for elections. If you want to see Tobago advance and develop, it must be consistent. Read more here
BUSINESS
Alcohol duty shock for T&T Carnival
Few industries in T&T operate with margins as thin and expectations as high as Carnival. For masquerade bands, where the product is not simply a costume but an all-inclusive, all-immersive experience, every component now sits under scrutiny following the Government’s 100 per cent hike in customs and excise duties on alcohol and tobacco products. Those measures were announced by Minister of Finance Davendranath Tancoo during his October 13 budget presentation, in which he said that 80 per cent of the projected revenue increases in the 2026 budget are attributable to the hike in customs duties on alcohol and tobacco products. Under the revised structure, duties on rum and spirits doubled, rising from $79.25 to $158.50 per cent of alcohol content. Beer duties also doubled from $5.14 to $10.28 by gravity. Read more here
REGIONAL
Consistency, clarity, continuity central to govt’s policy agenda –Dr. Singh says, emphasises importance of Budget 2026
“We pride ourselves on policy, clarity and policy continuity. We pride ourselves as a party in government, and we have been very clear about what we intend to do over the next five years before the 2025 general elections of the first of September,” the finance minister said during an appearance on the ‘Starting Point’ podcast that aired on Sunday. Dr Singh emphasised that policy consistency, clarity and continuity remain central to the administration’s approach. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
'This felt inevitable': Australian Jews react to Bondi attack with grief and anger
Bondi Beach is almost unrecognisable. The sun is out but the surf is empty. The usually heaving main street is hushed. Helicopters track overhead. Forensic investigators - bright blue figures in the distance - comb over the crime scene from Sunday afternoon when two gunmen opened fire at an event marking the Jewish festival of Hannukah, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 40 others. Beach chairs, crumpled towels, wads of clothing, a pair of children's sandals lie in a neat pile at the edge of the sand - all the things people left behind as they fled what police are calling Australia's deadliest terror attack. Read more here
15th December 2025