NEWS
KFC starts the party for Carnival
KFC is getting the party started with KRUNCHNIVAL, a campaign for Carnival 2026 to delight lovers of KFC and the national festival. In a media release on Janaury 5, KFC said KRUNCHNIVAL combines the two entities at every touch-point – from the road, to the fetes, to the digital feeds. "At the heart of KRUNCHNIVAL is an iconic musical collaboration between soca powerhouses Yung Bredda and Destra, who have come together to remake the classic Carnival anthem, It’s Carnival.” KFC said the refreshed track brings a modern, high-energy twist to song generations know and love, reinforcing the message that Carnival vibes and KFC moments go hand in hand. Read more here
Venezuelan fishermen in South still fear going home
Even as Venezuela’s detained president, Nicolás Maduro, appeared before a US federal court to face charges including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine, Joel Cedeno was unconvinced that his country had turned a corner after more than two decades under the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). Maduro was arrested on Saturday in Caracas during a US-led operation and flown to New York to answer federal charges. Venezuela’s vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, was later sworn in as interim president. The developments have drawn mixed reactions internationally, with supporters welcoming the move and critics questioning Washington’s motives. For Cedeno, a fisherman who crossed the Serpent’s Mouth countless times over four decades, the news brought little sense of relief. Read more here
POLITICS
Browne: No one knows what US will do
Former minister in the ministry of finance Mariano Browne says it remains to be seen what leverage the US will use in order to pursue its agenda in Venezuela, after its military forces captured and extracted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from a fortified compound in Caracas around 2 am on January 3. Browne made this comment in response to a statement by US President Donald Trump repeating on January 5, that the US intends to run Venezuela for the time being and what that may involve. In an interview with reporters, Trump said, "We are in the business of having countries around us that are viable and successful and where the oil is allowed to freely come out because that's going to get some prices down. He added this would be good for the US. Read more here
Watch out for Trump! Caribbean leaders warned to tread carefully after US ousts Venezuela President
Trinidad and Tobago, along with other Caribbean nations, is being warned of the dangers posed following the United States’ removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—an operation Washington has framed as the execution of an arrest warrant linked to alleged narcotics trafficking. The warning follows Maduro’s arraignment in a New York City court yesterday, where he and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges. Their court appearance came days after their dramatic removal from Caracas on Saturday, in a United States-led operation that has sent shockwaves across the Caribbean and raised questions about the legality and consequences of such unilateral action. As regional governments weigh the implications, analysts are warning the move could destabilise the Caribbean and set a troubling precedent under international law. Read more here
BUSINESS
Relief for Trinbago Express customers
After months of uncertainty, some customers of Trinbago Express USA have begun receiving long-delayed cargo, following intervention by the Port Authority of T&T (PATT). However, significant concerns remain, particularly for customers whose goods are still held at other ports, including the Port of Point Lisas. Last month, PATT confirmed it was aware that citizens utilising the services of Trinbago Express had been unable to take delivery of their cargo for several months, due to circumstances outside the Port Authority’s control. The situation caused hardship for hundreds of customers, many of whom had personal and household items held at local ports, with little clarity on when it would be released. Guardian Media has been tracking the matter since August, when Trinbago Express CEO Pamela Lindsay publicly assured affected customers that efforts were underway to clear the containers and return goods to their owners. Despite those assurances, customers continued to complain of limited communication, mounting storage costs, and deteriorating cargo. Read more here
MovieTowne closes Tobago cinema
MovieTowne in Lowlands, Tobago closed its doors for the last time yesterday as it ended operations. In a social media post, MovieTowne Tobago wrote: “Today (yesterday), the curtain falls on MovieTowne Tobago. After years of laughter, thrills, and unforgettable stories shared on screen, we say goodbye with full hearts.” “Thank you for every ticket, every smile, and every cheer—for making this cinema more than a place, but a part of your memories. Our doors may close today, but the memories will live on forever.” MovieTowne Group chief executive officer Amrita Baboolal said the group was deeply saddened by the closure. Read more here
REGIONAL
AG exposes Mohameds’ lawyers plan to delay extradition hearing using ‘frivolous litigation
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, has exposed the plans of US-indicted businessmen Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed to delay the extradition proceedings with what their lawyers claim to be “strategic steps,” including an appeal of the recent High Court ruling. The High Court in Demerara, on Monday, refused an application seeking to stay extradition proceedings for the Mohameds. In referencing an interview done by Attorney-at-Law, Roysdale Forde, who is one of the lawyers representing the Mohameds, Nandlall said: “Forde said his clients plan to appeal the decision of the learned Chief Justice. Again, I say, these are attempts at delaying the hearing and determination of the commital proceedings.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Selfies and smiles: South Korea seeks 'new phase' in ties with China
South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung has called for a "new phase" in ties with China as he met its leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday. Regional security and lifting Beijing's unofficial ban on Korean pop culture is high on Lee's agenda, as he continues his four-day trip in China. He is set to meet China's Premier Li Qiang and the chairman of parliament, Zhao Leji on Tuesday. It marks the first visit by a South Korean leader since 2019. Bilateral ties had soured under Lee's predecessor, impeached ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was very critical of China. Xi, meanwhile, has appeared keen to shore up ties with South Korea amid a diplomatic row between China and Japan. Read more here
6th January 2026