NEWS
Forever 15: Family marks what would have been Izzy's 17th birthday
October 7 should have been a day of celebration for the Teelucksingh family of Las Lomas No 1. Instead, family and close friends of Isabella Megan Teelucksingh, affectionately called Izzy, are marking what would have been her 17th birthday with quiet reflection and remembrance. Isabella was just 15 when her life was cut short by gunfire in January 2024, near the family's home on Savary Road. The Form Four student at Carapichaima East Secondary School died on January 16, 2024, at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope, a day after the shooting, which left a female relative wounded. Her mother, Priscilla Teelucksingh, says this birthday, like many days since her daughter's death, is filled with a complex mix of grief, guilt, anger and aching love. Read more here
Renewed calls for upgrades to St Ann’s Hospital in 2026 Budget
Professor of Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI St Augustine, Dr Gerard Hutchinson, says the St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital is in urgent need of attention. His comments follow concerns raised by Idi Stuart, President of the Trinidad and Tobago National Nurses Association (TTNNA), who recently described the facility as “antiquated” and “unfit for modern psychiatric care.” Speaking with Guardian Media, Hutchinson acknowledged that “there are buildings in St Ann’s Hospital that are in a very dilapidated state and major infrastructural work is needed to address this.” He noted that while there will always be a need for a psychiatric hospital, the number of inpatient beds could be reduced if proper community-based services were developed. “Significant investment is needed to ensure adequate community mental health care and housing resources,” he said, adding that “major upgrades at St Ann’s are also necessary for patients and staff to feel comfortable working there.” Read more here
POLITICS
Hosein promises efficiency, quicker land titles
Newly named Land and Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein said bringing all issues regarding land under one ministry will lead to a quicker, efficient, transparent and accountable distribution of state lands and regularisation of tenure. On October 4, it was announced in the Gazette that Hosein, in addition to his responsibilities as Minister of Legal Affairs, will now be responsible for matters relating to lands and surveys, land management, regularisation of tenure/housing for squatters, surveys and mapping, valuation, Land Settlement Agency, Land Survey Board of TT, and the Estate Management And Business Development Company. Speaking to Newsday on October 6, Hosein described the move as a realignment rather than a reshuffle. Read more here
Army to be called into prisons
Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander is promising a major overhaul and reform of the prison system, including sending in the Defence Force to monitor activity inside and outside the country’s prisons. Alexander revealed his plans yesterday, as he said the changes were deemed necessary after scrutiny of the institutions, which have been the subject of severe scrutiny. Noting a drive to improve infrastructure, security and rehabilitation systems, Alexander said, “First of all, you will see a prison from the roadway; you will probably be able to see it from the airport. Because I have instructed the Commissioner of Prisons and his team, I want a clean surroundings. That area must be cleaned and maintained, the trees cut et cetera. There will also be an increased presence of both police and army personnel operation-wise in and around the prisons.” Read more here
BUSINESS
CAL named region’s leading airline brand
For the ninth consecutive year, Caribbean Airlines has been named the Caribbean’s Leading Airline Brand at the World Travel Awards. The airline was also nominated for the Caribbean’s Leading Airline and Caribbean’s Leading Cabin Crew awards, which were won by Bahamasair and InterCaribbean Airways, respectively. Additionally, Caribbean Airlines has been nominated for this year’s World’s Leading Airline Brand and World’s Leading Cabin Crew awards. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Guyana ready to claim its place in the 21st century world economy’ — President Ali
Signalling Guyana’s ambition to assert itself as a modern, forward-looking player on the global stage, President, Dr Irfaan Ali has said that this nation is ready to claim its position in a 21st century economy. The Head of State while addressing thousands of excited Guyanese, government officials and special invitees at the commissioning of the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge on Sunday, noted that deliberate and strategic investments in super structures such as the new bridge will propel the country’s economy. “Infrastructure is not merely a physical structure. Infrastructure is also a statement. It is a signal to the world that a nation is ready. And this bridge speaks loudly, declaring Guyana is ready! Ready to modernise, ready to industrialise, ready to claim its place in the 21st century world economy,” the President said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Jeremy Bowen: Two years on, will Israel and Hamas seize the chance to end the war?
After two years of war, there is a chance of a deal that will end the killing and destruction in Gaza and return the Israeli hostages, living and dead, to their families. It is an opportunity, but it is not certain that it will be seized by Hamas and Israel. It is a grim coincidence that the talks are happening exactly two years after Hamas inflicted a trauma on Israelis that is still acute. The 7 October attacks killed around 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, and 251 were taken hostage. The Israelis estimate that 20 hostages are still alive and they want the return of the bodies of 28 others. Israel's devastating military response has destroyed most of Gaza and killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians and including more than 18,000 children. Read more here
7th October 2025