NEWS
PoS cops promise more patrols after uptick in copper thefts
Police in the Port-of-Spain Division say they have also reported a noticeable increase in copper thefts, including telecommunications cables and are initiating heightened police activities in a bid to quell further vandalism and thefts of valuable equipment. The response comes one day after president of the Downtown Owners' and Merchants' Association (DOMA), Gregory Aboud, raised concerns over the theft of copper materials from businesses in the capital, including a reported $2 million worth of privately owned air conditioning and electrical equipment. Responding to Guardian Media Ltd's questions through the TTPS Corporate Communications Unit on Wednesday, head of the Port-of-Spain Division Snr Supt Raymond Thom confirmed that preliminary data reflected an increase in reports of copper theft during the first half of the year compared to the same corresponding period in 2025. Read more here
‘Dilapidated’ school
Members of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at the Marabella North Secondary School yesterday described the school as being in a dilapidated state. They called for the Ministry of Education’s intervention. PTA vice-president and a former student at the school Marlon Jaikaran said it was disheartening to observe the condition of the school. “The classrooms are unfit for teaching purposes (and) for children going in there to start to learn for the coming new term. When you come out to learn, you need to have somewhere safe and comfortable and clean, and they are not getting it in the school.” Read more here
POLITICS
Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister flies to Venezuela today for diplomatic talks with counterpart
A long-anticipated diplomatic meeting between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela is set to take place today, with Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers travelling to Caracas for talks with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia. Senior United National Congress (UNC) Government officials confirmed the visit yesterday, describing it as “the opening of doors” and expressing optimism that it could lead to meaningful progress in relations between the two countries. The one-day visit will see Sobers lead a delegation that includes the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and other officials. However, he is not expected to meet acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez. Read more here
T&T, Venezuela move to renew ties
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says Trinidad and Tobago is looking forward to strengthening its long-standing ties and friendship with Venezuela as a high-level Government delegation leaves for Caracas today for talks with officials from T&T’s South American neighbour. Read more here
BUSINESS
First Citizens appoints acting CEO
First Citizens Group Financial Holdings has appointed Sana Ragbir as acting Group CEO, after the substantive position became vacant at the resignation of former CEO, Jason Julien, as at August 31. Ragbir, who was the Group Deputy CEO business generation, assumed the acting CEO role on September 1. On the T&T Stock Exchange website, First Citizens said her appointment follows Julien’s resignation after nine months and nine days as Group CEO, adding another leadership change to the top ranks of the majority state-owned bank. Ragbir was appointed Deputy CEO business generation on July 6, 2026. She brings more than 16 years of management experience, including 11 years at the senior executive level, with a career spanning the retail, commercial and investment banking sectors. First Citizens said Ragbir has a track record in delivering financial, operational and strategic results and will now take on the responsibility of leading the group. Read more here
75,149 travel on airbridge in August
Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has recorded what it calls continued strong performance on the domestic airbridge, carrying 75,149 passengers between Trinidad and Tobago in August during the 2026 peak summer travel season. A release from the State-owned airline yesterday stated that these results followed its performance in July when 66,814 passengers were transported between Trinidad and Tobago. It noted that in response to anticipated demand, the airline increased capacity in phases—first in mid-July, followed by a further increase at the beginning of August and additional capacity for the Great Race weekend. Read more here
REGIONAL
Massive investments, housing push, social support for Region 10 –President Ali tells residents
President Dr. Irfaan Ali has outlined a sweeping programme of infrastructure, housing, social protection and economic initiatives for Linden and the wider Region 10, insisting that his government is fulfilling every commitment made in its Manifesto. Addressing residents during a community engagement at Coomacka, Region 10, the President framed the interventions as part of a broader, integrated national development agenda in which a “stronger Linden means a stronger Guyana”. He stressed that development “is not disjointed” but “connected seamlessly”, saying that what happens in the national economy inevitably shapes the fortunes of communities like Coomacka and Linden. “We cannot speak about the development in isolation of what is happening in Region 10 and Linden, because development is not disjointed. Development is connected seamlessly, and whatever happens at the centre affects everything around it,” President Ali said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
UN warns of 'supersized' El Niño as countries prepare for impact
The world has entered a "danger zone of extreme weather" as the impacts of El Niño start to be felt globally, UN head António Guterres has warned. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released the latest data on the natural weather phenomenon showing it could be the strongest for more than 70 years and last until at least February 2027. El Niño changes weather patterns around the world, pushing some regions into drought whilst others experience stronger typhoons and flooding. Forecasters also say El Niño will boost temperatures in some places, coming on top of rising heat globally from human-induced climate change. Read more here
3rd September 2026