NEWS
Online trading under assault
Facebook Marketplace is becoming the preferred shopping destination for local criminals. On June 11, a 24-year-old man arranged to purchase a Nissan Wingroad vehicle at a location in Barataria. Instead, he was robbed of $27,500 in cash, his Nissan Tiida and his cellphone. These robberies and assaults are becoming more commonplace, along with other minor thefts that victims are likely to be too embarrassed to report. The police Cyber and Social Media Unit issued a warning in May 2024 noting an increase in scams using Facebook Marketplace and Instagram to lure victims to vulnerable locations. Read more here
Murdered man thrown out of car in Arima
The identity of a man who was shot and thrown out of a speeding vehicle in Arima, remained unknown up to late yesterday. Officers from the Northern Division Task Force received a report of a shooting on Balsam Trace, near Malabar Extension at around 9.50 am and went to the scene where they found the body of a man on the road with a gunshot wound. Investigators said the man had a charger cord around his neck and two plastic tie straps around his right hand. There were several bruises on the body which police said were likely caused by the impact when he was thrown from a car. Officers from the Region II Homicide Bureau visited the scene with a district medical officer. Read more here
POLITICS
Al-Rawi: Watch out for UNC 'drama, bacchanal'
Opposition Senator Al-Rawi described Leader of Government Business Barry Padarath as "the little butcher" and claimed the UNC is connected with an unknown, faceless group called the PNM Changemakers to destabliise the party. He made these statements at a meeting of PNM political leader-elect Pennelope Beckles's One PNM slate at San Fernando City Hall on June 14. He claimed there were mass firings in URP and Cepep. Cepep now falls under Padarath as Public Utilities Minister. Read more here
Further funding for 2025 Budget being sought in Parliament today
Finance Minister Dave Tancoo said the increased allocation to the 2025 Budget which will be examined in Parliament today is necessary because of previous government’s under budgeting. The Standing Finance Committee (SFC) will meet this afternoon to examine additional funding for ministries and divisions up to the end of the 2025 fiscal year in September. The 2026 Budget, which will be presented after that, has to be in place by the end of October. Last Saturday, sources hinted that the additional funding being sought today is likely to be approximately just over $3 billion for about 28 key ministries and divisions, including the T&T Police Service (TTPS). Read more here
BUSINESS
Energy ministers meet with executives from CGCL, Proman
With Trinidad and Tobago ranked as the world’s second-largest exporter of methanol, Minister of Energy and Energy IndustriesDr Roodal Moonilal and Minister in the Ministry Ernesto Kesar met separately on Wednesday with executives from two of the country’s major methanol producers. According to releases issued last Thursday, the separate meetings with Proman and Caribbean Gas Chemical Ltd (CGCL) were held at the Ministry’s Head Office at the International Waterfront Complex in Port of Spain. In his meeting with CGCL, Moonilal called on the company to work with the Government to help realise Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s vision of Trinidad and Tobago reemerging as the “Energy Capital” of the region by leveraging the country’s resources, experience, and expertise. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Stay the course’
President, Dr Irfaan Ali has called for unwavering commitment to national development, urging citizens to “stay the course” as the country continues its journey of transformation and growth. Speaking last week at the launch of a new marine service in Guyana, the President reaffirmed his administration’s focus on creating sustainable opportunities for economic prosperity and job creation, particularly in sectors such as the maritime industry. “We are not only creating jobs, we are creating the future,” President Ali said. “This is why it is critical that we do not lose momentum. We’re in full take-off mode and now is not the time to look down or go backwards. Now is not the time for hesitation or doubt. Now is the time of execution, acceleration and transformation. Now is the time to stay the course with the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
'Nowhere feels safe': Iranians on life under Israeli attacks
"Stuck". That is the word most people who have spoken to the BBC use to describe life in Iran right now. After three days of Israeli attacks, "everyone is trying to escape" Tehran "one way or another," one resident told BBC News Persian. On Sunday, long queues formed at petrol stations across the city. Many people tried to leave for remote areas, away from any possible Israeli target, but could not even get out of the province because of heavy traffic. "Tehran isn't safe, clearly," one resident said. "We get no alarms or warnings from officials about Israeli attacks. We just hear the blasts and hope our place isn't hit. But where can we go? Nowhere feels safe." Read more here
16th June 2025