NEWS
Govt moves to raise legal age for alcohol, tobacco to 21
More than a year after signalling intentions, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the Government will be moving to strengthen legislation aimed at protecting Trinidad and Tobago’s young people from the harmful effects of substance abuse and gambling. In a Facebook post yesterday, Persad-Bissessar announced that the United National Congress (UNC) Government will bring legislation to Parliament tomorrow seeking to amend several laws governing dangerous drugs, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and gambling. The proposed Bill, titled “An Act to amend the Dangerous Drugs Act, Chap. 11:25, the Registration of Clubs Act, Chap. 21:01, the Tobacco Control Act, Chap. 30:04, the Children Act, Chap. 46:01, the Liquor Licences Act, Chap. 84:10, the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act, 2021 (Act No. 8 of 2021) and the Cannabis Control Act, 2022 (Act No. 10 of 2022),” is expected to introduce significant changes to the existing legal age thresholds. Read more here
POLITICS
How will it be enforced?
ROAD SAFETY non-governmental organisation Arrive Alive and the Bar Owners Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BOATT) say they support Government’s move to raise the legal drinking and tobacco consumption age from 18 to 21. However, BOATT has raised concerns about how the proposed legislation will be enforced. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in a social media post yesterday that Government will introduce a bill in Parliament tomorrow titled The Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026. Read more here
MARK STEPS IN AGAIN
Senate President Wade Mark again cast his deciding vote last night in a chaotic ending to secure passage of Government’s Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Amendment Bill. This was amid a 15-15 tie of Government votes for the bill and combined 15 Opposition and Independent votes against it. Opposition Senators called for Mark’s reasons - but he stood by what he had said last Thursday when he had also cast his vote to assist passage of Government’s Special Operations Bill amid a 15-15 tie there also. Last night, the repeat arose in the Senate just before 9 pm when the vote was taken on the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Amendment Bill 2026. Read more here
BUSINESS
ANSA McAL to consolidate its two banking businesses
ANSA Merchant Bank Ltd (AMBL) is proposing to consolidate its banking operations under ANSA Bank to create a new financial holding company overseeing the ANSA McAL Group’s banking, wealth management, insurance and regional financial services businesses. The proposal, outlined in a news release yesterday, would see ANSA Bank become the single licensed operating commercial bank within the ANSA McAL Group, combining AMBL’s banking experience and customer relationships with ANSA Bank’s retail, commercial and digital capabilities. Subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, the restructuring is targeted for implementation on January 1, 2027. Under the proposed structure, AMBL would transition into ANSA Financial Holdings Ltd (AFHL), which would become the holding company for ANSA Bank, ANSA Wealth Management, ANSA Financial Holdings (Barbados) Limited and Tatil and its subsidiaries. Read more here
Despite volatile fuel market, Paria reports $203.9m profit
PARIA Fuel Trading Co Ltd increased its profit to $203.9 million in the year ended September 30, 2025, from $192.6 million a year earlier, despite a volatile market marked by falling refined-product prices. Interim chairman Kent Samlal said the company’s performance reflected disciplined cash management, a focus on customer service and reliable fuel supply as geopolitical tensions and changes in global oil production weighed on the market. “Paria’s 2025 performance was achieved in a marker environment characterised by volatility and downward pressure on refined product prices,” Samlal stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
President orders immediate remedy to regional service delivery bottlenecks
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on Monday, issued a series of on-the-spot instructions to Regional Executive Officers (REOs), Regional Education Officers and Regional Health Officers from all 10 administrative regions, as he moved to clear bottlenecks holding up services in the education and health sectors. The Head of State met with the regional officials at the Baridi Benab, State House, where each region raised its concerns and challenges directly with him. The meeting focused on the level of service delivery, efficiency, and the systemic changes the government is introducing to ensure citizens across the country can access quality education and healthcare. Officials also reviewed improvements already made in both sectors. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Hurricane Polo makes landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast
Hurricane Polo has made landfall along the northern Pacific coast of Mexico, lashing the state of Baja California Sur with life-threatening winds and heavy rain that has already flooded some coastal areas. Mexican officials said Polo moved ashore just south of the surfing and fishing village of Las Barrancas bringing maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h). Polo is moving northeast and on the forecast track, its core is predicted to continue passing over Baja California Sur before moving inland over the southern part of the Mexican state of Sonora later on Tuesday. Residents in threatened areas have been encouraged to seek shelter. Read more here
29th September 2026