NEWS
Agriculture Minister to revisit compensation process for farmers
In the wake of farmers in Aranguez suffering hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses due to flooding over the weekend, Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram says he intends to re-examine the compensation process to make it easier for farmers. Standing next to a field of tomatoes and lettuce, covered by almost 18 inches of muddy water on Samaroo Trace in Aranguez, on May 18, Ratiram said the previous administration is to be blamed for the farmer’s losses. Describing the farmers’ losses as “heartbreaking”, he said the failure to clear watercourses in a timely manner led to the flooding. Ratiram said he is not surprised, though, by the destruction. Read more here
Adverse weather brings floods, landslips to parts of Trinidad
Members of Parliament and local government representatives, led by the Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen, were on the ground yesterday, as over 40 reports of flooding, landslips and fallen trees were received across Trinidad. An adverse weather alert, which came into effect on Saturday and was expected to end yesterday evening, was extended until 6 pm today. The Met Office had warned of isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds as well as street and flash flooding. The rain, which began at 2 am yesterday, fell consistently in some areas for 12 hours and varied in intensity. Yesterday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar instructed all her MPs to hit the ground to assist constituents and instructed Ameen, Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John and Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram to lead the efforts. Read more here
POLITICS
Rampersad: 'Politically sound' move for PNM to merge political, opposition leader roles
Political analyst Dr Indira Rampersad says the PNM's recent announcement that the post of political leader should coincide with that of opposition leader is a "politically sound move." She said separating leadership roles can contribute to divisiveness in any space. The PNM recently announced it will choose a new leader by casting ballots on June 22. Pennelope Beckles is currently the opposition leader. Public relations officer Faris Al-Rawi said Dr Keith Rowley's stepping down as prime minister, appointing Stuart Young to the position and remaining political leader was "an experiment." Read more here
TPP leader warns MPs: Don’t get distracted by power in PoS
Tobago People’s Party (TPP) political leader Farley Augustine has asked members of his party to get ready for the next THA election, even though no date has been announced. He’s also advised the TPP’s two MPs to stay on the ground and not get distracted by power in Port-of-Spain. Speaking at a Thanksgiving service at Rovenel’s Resort on Saturday night, Augustine told party supporters and THA executives to be prepared when the call comes. Using a biblical analogy, he said, “So you better get your lamps trimmed and burning. Those who are wise and have their lamps trimmed and burning will be ready for whenever that date will be. Those who are unwise and who will be ill-prepared at that time, you will find yourself on the losing end of the stick.” Read more here
REGIONAL
President Ali announces plans to raise NBS loan limit to $30M, cap interest at 5%
President, Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that the government is in active discussions with the New Building Society (NBS) to increase its mortgage ceiling from $20 million to $30 million, with a capped interest rate aimed at making homeownership more accessible to Guyanese. Speaking at a Labour Brunch hosted at State House on Sunday, the Head of State said he gave instructions at 09:45hrs on Sunday for the Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, to formally write NBS, requesting the increase. “At 9:45 am, I instructed the Minister of Finance to write to the New Building Society and to increase their loan limit to $30 million,” President Ali said, noting that the raised ceiling would come with a guaranteed interest rate not exceeding five per cent for loans at or below that amount. This initiative, he said, is part of his government’s ongoing efforts to ease the path to homeownership for ordinary Guyanese. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Liberal mayor Dan beats nationalist in tense race for Romanian presidency
The liberal, pro-EU mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, has fought off a strong challenge from a Romanian right-wing nationalist to win the presidency after months of political turbulence. George Simion, the leader of the far-right AUR party, won a dramatic first-round victory earlier this month, riding a wave of anger from Romanians who had seen the presidential race annulled late last year because of claims of Russian interference. But it was the softly spoken Nicusor Dan who swept to victory with 53.6% of the vote, even though Simion was more successful in the diaspora. "We need to build Romania together irrespective of who you voted for," said Dan, once his victory was secure. Read more here
19th May 2025