NEWS
Scrap-iron dealers want government help: Foreigners taking over
The TT Scrap Iron Dealers' Association (TTSIDA) is seeking an urgent meeting with the government to address issues threatening the industry. Chief among concerns, according to its president, Allan Ferguson, is the proliferation of what he calls an "international mafia" seeking to dominate the local market. At a press conference at Computer Tech and Services Ltd in Couva on September 22, Ferguson accused the group of international traders of taking over local scrap yards and swaying supply-chain elements away from supporting TTSIDA member yards. Read more here
Autopsy: Mariah beaten to death; severe head trauma inflicted
Twelve-year-old Mariah Seenath was beaten to death, an autopsy has confirmed. Police said the autopsy, performed at the Forensic Science Centre yesterday, revealed she died from blunt force trauma to her head. Seenath, a Form Three student at San Fernando East Secondary School, was found dead by a resident around 12.50 pm on Saturday, about five feet in the bushes off a track near the recreation ground in her neighbourhood at Friendship Village, Ste Madeleine. Seenath had spent the night at her grandmother’s home and returned home shortly after 7 am. She put her school uniform to soak and took a photograph of her father sleeping in the hammock before she left home. It is believed she was heading back to her grandmother’s home when she was attacked and dragged into the bushes. There was a bruise on her stomach and chest, and grass around her neck. Read more here
POLITICS
Sobers, Morris await PM at UN General Assembly
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is due to fly out to the United States on an unnamed date to address the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) taking place in New York on September 22-30. Sources recently told Newsday her departure is expected to be after Republic Day, marked on September 24, and she told reporters outside the Red House, Port of Spain, before a parliamentary sitting, that she would speak publicly at Republic Day celebrations. "A major highlight of the visit will be the Prime Minister’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled for Friday, September 26." Read more here
Varun Maharaj named UTC chairman
The Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) has announced accountant, attorney and chartered wealth manager Varun Maharaj as the chairman of the board of directors, effective August 8. UTC announced the appointment in advertisements in local newspapers. "Maharaj is a highly accomplished financial services executive with over 25 years of leadership experience across the Caribbean region," UTC said in the advertisement. "Over the course of his distinguished career, he has led transformational initiatives in banking, investments, capital markets and economic development – consistently strengthening institutions, introducing innovative financial products and elevating the region’s competitiveness in global finance." Read more here
BUSINESS
Heritage names Rampersad as acting CEO
Heritage Petroleum Co Ltd’s Land Business Unit leader Kerry Rampersad was yesterday appointed acting chief executive officer of the State-owned oil company. “Mr Rampersad is a highly experienced professional with over 26 years of leadership expertise in the oil and gas industry. He has held senior management positions at Caribbean Gas Chemicals Ltd (CGCL), Repsol, and IPSL, and within Heritage, he has served as Midstream Business Unit leader, HSE leader (Ag), Business Development leader (ag), and most recently, as Land Business Unit leader,” Heritage stated yesterday. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana’s oil output to hit 1.5M bpd
Guyana’s march toward becoming a top global oil producer has taken another leap, with ExxonMobil, on Monday, announcing a final investment decision (FID) for the US$6.8 billion Hammerhead development, its seventh project in the Stabroek Block. Scheduled for startup in 2029, Hammerhead will add 150,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) to national output, pushing total production capacity across the block to an unprecedented 1.5 million bopd. The Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed that it has granted approval for the Hammerhead Field Development Plan (FDP) and issued the Petroleum Production Licence (PPL), making way for what will be one of the largest offshore expansions in the country’s history. President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, Dan Ammann, hailed the milestone as proof of the company’s long-term partnership with Guyana. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump to address UN General Assembly after France recognises Palestinian state
France has formally recognised a Palestinian state, becoming the latest in a wave of countries to take the step. Speaking at the UN in New York, President Emmanuel Macron said "the time for peace has come" and that "nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza". US President Donald Trump is due to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, as will the leaders of key regional players such as Jordan and Qatar. On Monday, the US did not attend a one-day summit hosted by France and Saudi Arabia which focused on plans for a two-state solution to the conflict. Fellow G7 states Germany and Italy were also absent. Read more here
23rd September 2025