NEWS
Movement in closed areas: What the SOB means for residents
Movement into and out of designated communities could become subject to a permit system if an area is declared a “closed area” under Government’s new Special Operations Bill, 2026. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives shortly after midnight on Saturday and is now headed to the Senate. It is intended to replace the Government’s defeated Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) Bill. The legislation establishes seven policing districts across Trinidad and Tobago and creates a legal framework for special operations by law enforcement targeting criminal activity. But what does it mean for residents and others who need to travel through an area once it is designated a closed area? Read more here
POLITICS
PM to address UN General Assembly today
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is expected to address the United Nations General Assembly around 6 pm today, beginning what is expected to be a packed diplomatic schedule in New York before returning home for Republic Day celebrations on Thursday. Persad-Bissessar will deliver Trinidad and Tobago’s national statement on the opening day of the General Debate of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, which runs from today until Saturday before concluding on Monday. Persad-Bissessar left Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday night, with Jearlean John appointed to act as Prime Minister in her absence. She is accompanied by Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Nicholas Morris and Head of the Public Service Natasha Barrow. Read more here
BUSINESS
Browne: Household strains highlight deeper economic challenges
T&T’s economic challenges are increasingly showing up in grocery carts and supermarket aisles, where consumers are buying smaller quantities and carefully managing every dollar spent, says commentator Mariano Browne. Speaking on CNC3’s The Morning Brew Programme yesterday, Browne noted retailers are reporting declining purchase volumes, a sign that many households are under pressure even as inflation remains relatively contained and major energy projects remain years away from delivering their full benefits. “What I do know, anecdotally from discussing with the retailers, or speaking to retailers, is that the volume of purchases at supermarkets is down,” Browne explained. Read more here
Supermarket Association names new president
The Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) has elected Kevin Kissoon of Tru Valu Supermarkets as its new president for 2026-2028. His election follows the association’s annual general meeting held at the Valpark Chinese Restaurant in Valsayn. In a release yesterday, SATT stated that the newly elected executive leadership and board members will steer the association into its next chapter of advocacy, industry growth, and community engagement. Read more here
Explosion rocks High Street plaza in San Fernando
Clouds of smoke filled the air on High Street, San Fernando, after an explosion at a three-storey plaza on Monday evening. The explosion occurred around 5 p.m. inside Skyline Pub, located on the third and highest floor of R&M Plaza, located midway along the city’s main commercial street. Glass from the front of the upper floor shattered, sending debris onto sections of the pavement and roadway near the Penal taxi stand, where taxi drivers and commuters were gathered at the time. Read more here
REGIONAL
US EXIM backs Guyana’s transformational drive
The United States Export-Import Bank (US EXIM) is deepening its support for Guyana’s development agenda, with financing and investment discussions ranging from the Gas-to-Energy Project Phase Two (GTE 2), a Deepwater Port, affordable housing and other major infrastructural initiatives. The commitment was reaffirmed following a meeting between President Dr Irfaan Ali and US EXIM Bank President and Chairman, John Jovanovic, in New York, where the two sides reviewed Guyana’s transformative projects and the growing partnership between the country and the US institution. President Ali, in a video posted to his social media, said US EXIM had demonstrated its continued commitment to Guyana’s development agenda, including by working with other international stakeholders to find solutions for existing projects. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Lithuania ready to 'fight back' but has evacuation plans in face of Russia threats, PM tells BBC
Lithuania's prime minister has told the BBC his country has made evacuation plans in the face of threats from Russia, but added they "will not surrender" if attacked. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius told Newsnight that Lithuanians feel "constantly threatened" by Russia, in part because of drones entering the nation's airspace. He told Newsnight if his country was attacked, "we will fight back... we will engage". But he said there were plans for a "variety of scenarios" and used an example of getting elderly citizens out of cities "smoothly" and avoiding traffic jams. Read more here
22nd September 2026