NEWS
Tobago welcomes first direct Toronto flight
Tobago has secured a direct air link with Toronto, with Caribbean Airlines’ inaugural flight touching down at the ANR Robinson International Airport on Sunday night as the island seeks to expand its Canadian tourism market. The arrival of 61 passengers aboard BW615 came less than two weeks after the new billion-dollar east terminal was opened by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. As Captain Faraz Hosein and his crew touched down around 9.27 pm, Minister of Civil Aviation Eli Zakour, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, Tourism Secretary Zorisha Hackett and Assistant Secretary Niketa Percy looked on proudly. Read more here
‘Fears preventing spending’
With the Christmas shopping season fast approaching, rising crime in Trinidad and Tobago is threatening retail sales in Port of Spain and other areas, as business leaders warn that customers’ fears are keeping them from spending. Business groups yesterday noted that violent robberies by bandits, attacks on shoppers and theft of commercial equipment were affecting consumer confidence, operating conditions and the public’s willingness to go about their daily lives. Read more here
POLITICS
PM blasts former Caricom leaders over Cuba embargo appeal
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has accused former regional leaders of hypocrisy, telling them to stop supporting a political system abroad that they would not want imposed in their own countries. Her remarks come as former Caricom leaders urge countries to support the annual United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for an end to Washington’s decades-old economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. Among the signatories to the appeal is former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, whose endorsement places him alongside other former Caribbean leaders calling for international support for the measure. “I encourage these former Caricom heads to lobby to convert their own countries into dictatorships run by the political parties that they didn’t belong to,” the Prime Minister said in a response to Guardian Media yesterday. Read more here
BUSINESS
Sagewan: Visit of Sucre State delegation positive
Economist Dr Indera Sagewan has welcomed a Venezuelan delegation’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago, describing it as an important step towards rebuilding bilateral relations and strengthening economic cooperation, particularly in energy security. The delegation of public and private-sector officials from Sucre State, Venezuela, is in this country until Wednesday to explore economic partnerships and identify opportunities for cooperation across several sectors. Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has confirmed that the visiting delegation is from local government in Venezuela, rather than the country’s central government. The delegation is here to discuss trade, tourism and investment.
However, former Energy Minister Stuart Young has questioned the Government’s handling of relations with Venezuela, arguing that the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration has work to do to repair ties with the neighbouring country. Read more here
T&T, Venezuela energy chambers sign agreement
THE Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela’s Petroleum Chamber have signed a letter of intent to strengthen cooperation and promote closer ties between the countries’ hydrocarbon sectors. The agreement was signed by Álvaro Pérez Díaz, president of the Venezuelan Petroleum Chamber (La Cámara Petrolera de Venezuela, CPV), and Dr Priya Marajh, president and chief executive officer of the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, during the Venezuela International Oil & Gas Summit in Caracas. Read more here
REGIONAL
Caribbean nations must work together to reduce shipping costs, mobilise capital to improve port infrastructure
MORE than 400 delegates have gathered in Guyana for the Caribbean Shipping Association’s (CSA) 56th Annual General Meeting, Conference and Exhibition, where regional leaders are calling for stronger co-operation, greater investment and modernised maritime infrastructure to address high shipping costs and strengthen trade across the Caribbean. President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, addressing the opening ceremony on Monday, identified high shipping costs, uneven port infrastructure, weak trade among Caribbean countries, climate-related disasters and geopolitical instability as five major challenges facing the region’s shipping sector. He said these issues have direct consequences for businesses, consumers and the wider economies of Caribbean countries, making coordinated action and investment critical to the industry’s future. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Turnout so far highest in decades as Israelis vote in pivotal election
Turnout is at its highest so far in more than four decades, as Israelis vote in what many view as one of the most pivotal elections in the country's history. Polling published on Friday suggests incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu is almost neck-and-neck with former military chief Gadi Eisenkot in the race to become prime minister. But neither of their political blocs are projected to win the 61 seats needed to form a majority government - meaning weeks or months of political wrangling may lie ahead. Read more here
27th October 2026