NEWS
Siparia man remanded in severed head case
A Siparia man, accused of committing one of the most gruesome murders this year, has been remanded into state custody following his appearance at the Siparia Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Michael Randy Edwards, 44, an unemployed labourer, has been charged with the murder of Siparia grandmother Joanne Estick, whose severed head was discovered in a cooler on March 13. After weeks of investigation and extensive searches, including pig farms in the Siparia area, police apprehended Edwards on March 25. He was subsequently charged by WPC George of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations: Region III and brought before Court Master Indira Chinebas in the South Court A. Read more here
UK to increase visa fees from April 9
The UK government will be increasing the fees for visas and applications made outside the UK for entry and transit beginning on April 9. The increases will range from £4 to £96 ($37.80-$907.20). The increase in fees comes weeks after the announcement on March 12 that TT nationals need to apply for visas to visit the UK with immediate effect. British High Commissioner to TT Jon Dean, in a video on social media, said there would be a six-week transition window, expiring on April 23, for those who had already booked trips and received their electronic travel authorisations (ETAs) to travel to the UK without a visa. Read more here
POLITICS
Imbert: No water rate increase for at least 2 years
Public Utilities Minister Colm Imbert has dismissed concerns by Princes Town MP Barry Padarath that the PNM will increase water rates if voted back into government as “ridiculous”. Speaking at the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce's annual business meeting on April 2, Imbert outlined the process to change the price of electricity and water. He said TT was years away from any possible change in water rates. Imbert explained there are multiple stages in determining what the rate should be for the provision of water or electricity. Read more here
Gopee-Scoon to monitor effects of tariff hike on T&T
Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon says she will be monitoring how the 10% tariffs US President Donald Trump levied on T&T yesterday will affect the country going forward. “I am reviewing the announcements made. As you know, US/Caribbean trading arrangements are governed under the Caribbean Basin Initiative. Further clarity is required,” Gopee-Scoon said hours after Trump announced the sweeping global tariffs as part of what he called “discounted reciprocal” rates. The 10% tariff was the same levied on other CARICOM countries. The exception was Guyana, who now face a 38% tariff. Speaking from the White House Rose Garden, Trump said the tariffs are designed to “level the playing field” and counteract what he described as unfair trade practices by other nations. Read more here
BUSINESS
Domus expands footprint with hurricane-ready products
Months after entering the Jamaica market, Trinidad-based Domus Windows & Doors is continuing its regional expansion. Following a tour of its Factory Road, Chaguanas plant on March 26, Domus CEO Terry Ortt said the company is currently establishing a footing in the Barbados market. The factory was built in 2018 and Ortt said business really kicked off in 2021 after the covid19 pandemic. Read more here
T&T’s average natural gas prices
Last week, we shared information on benchmark prices in three key natural gas markets internationally and some of the factors which impact the price of gas internationally and the potential for impacts in T&T. Within T&T, there are no published benchmark gas prices, but it is possible from published data in the annual reports and other regulatory filings to get an indication of average realised gas prices. These average realised gas prices are a combination of differently priced contracts under which natural gas is sold by the producer. This will typically include tranches of gas sold at a low price to NGC for onward sale to T&TEC for electricity generation, gas sold under contract to NGC for onward sale to downstream petrochemical producers and gas sold through various LNG marketing contracts (minus transport and liquefaction costs). While the specifics of each sales contract are commercially confidential, companies publish an average price arising for the mix of each of the sales contracts. Read more here
REGIONAL
President Ali’s vision for healthcare strengthened with One-Health Project
In a move to bolster the country’s preparedness for future health crises, the Government of Guyana has signed a landmark US$22 million agreement with the World Bank under the One Health Project. The signing took place on Wednesday between Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, and the World Bank’s Resident Representative, Diletta Doretti. The project, which includes a US$7 million loan from the World Bank and a US$15 million grant from the Pandemic Fund, aims to strengthen Guyana’s ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to health emergencies. The initiative encompasses key components such as enhanced laboratory and workforce capacity, a rapid data-driven health surveillance system, improved public health workforce, and stronger border security measures. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump announces 'historic' tariffs as he says America's been 'looted, pillaged'
President Donald Trump on Wednesday unveiled a long-promised, sweeping set of baseline tariffs on all countries and what he described as "kind reciprocal" tariffs on nations he claimed were the worst offenders in trade relations with the U.S. "My fellow Americans, this is Liberation Day," Trump said from the White House Rose Garden, claiming the action will free the U.S. from dependence on foreign goods. Read more here
3rd April 2025