NEWS
Robbery suspect slips police
A suspected robber escaped police after they tried to stop him on September 27. Police said at about 11 am on September 27, officers of the Port of Spain Task Force were on roving patrol duty when they spotted the driver of a white Honda Vezel on the corner of Frederick and Prince Street. The man is allegedly wanted in Tobago for several robberies. The officers intercepted the vehicle and ordered the driver to stop, but the driver drew a gun and aimed it at the police. Officers responded by firing in the suspect's direction. The suspect sped off in the vehicle, but officers were unable to capture him. Read more here
Grieving cop quits TTPS
The T&T Police Service is offering condolences and promising to look into the circumstances that led to the resignation of junior officer Russell Bedasse, days after his mother, Shelawaithie “Meera” Bedasse, was found dead in mysterious circumstances. However, Bedasse is not accepting the words of comfort from his former senior officer, DCP Junior Benjamin, and insists he will not return to the TTPS. “I am not accepting those condolences and if it has to take them five days due to pressure, then it is not genuine,” Bedasse said when contacted. Read more here
POLITICS
Local government chairmen denies receiving property tax funds: We got nothing
Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation chairman Josiah Austin flatly denied receiving monies from the government through property tax. In a media release on September 28, Austin said he had to respond to comments made by Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development Dr Kennedy Swaratsingh in the Senate on September 26. Newsday also spoke to San Fernando mayor Robert Parris and the Penal/Debe Corporation chairman Gowtam Maharaj on the issue. In response to a question from Opposition senator Faris Al-Rawi, Swaratsingh said 132,124 people paid a total of $135,534,838.81 in property tax as of May 2, 2025. Read more here
PM vows to tackle brain drain at diaspora forum in NY
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has lamented Trinidad and Tobago’s worsening brain drain, driven by crime and other factors, as she vowed to strengthen ties with citizens living and working abroad. Persad-Bissessar estimated that up to 700,000 T&T nationals are working and living in the state of New York alone. Giving the feature address to members of the diaspora at a Republic Day celebration hosted by the Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the Consulate General of T&T, Persad-Bissessar said, “Aside from the immediate social impact of criminality on our population, the economic impact and loss of our nationals who have migrated abroad because of fear, is equally undesirable, as we have lost some of our brightest sons and daughters who have chosen to live abroad.” Read more here
BUSINESS
Prison officers to get support from TTMB
The Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Bank Ltd (TTMB) and the Prison Officers’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking what the bank says is the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at expanding access to affordable mortgage financing, financial literacy, and investment opportunities for prison officers and their families. The signing ceremony, held at TTMB’s head office at Albion Court, Port of Spain on Friday, brought together senior representatives from both organisations, including Brent McFee, acting chief executive officer of TTMB, and Gerard Gordon, president of the Prison Officers’ Association. The event was attended by members of both institutions, and featured remarks, a ceremonial signing, and a celebratory toast to the partnership. Read more here
REGIONAL
President Ali announces major initiatives to elevate indigenous athletes into national sports
TO ensure that indigenous athletes have access to opportunities in Guyana’s national sports arena, President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has announced several new measures for them in cricket, football, and volleyball. He made the announcement when he joined athletes and spectators for day four of the 2025 Heritage Games on Saturday. The president recently returned from the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. For far too long, indigenous youth have not had equal opportunities to represent the Golden Arrowhead, the president acknowledged, noting their skills and potential to represent Guyana nationally. To address this, he said,” I’ve asked Minister Charles Ramson, of course, Sarah, and Jacobs, to ensure that our indigenous communities are given an equal chance to represent the Golden Arrowhead in all of our national sports.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump to push new peace plan in talks with Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump will push a new peace plan to end the Israel-Gaza war during White House talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. Trump has talked up prospects of reaching an agreement, telling journalists on Friday: "I think we have a deal". But Netanyahu said on Sunday "it's not been finalised yet", while Hamas said they had not formally been sent the proposal. According to leaked copies of the plan published by US and Israeli media, it stipulates the release of all hostages within 48 hours of the deal being confirmed. Once they are returned, Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences. Read more here
29th September 2025