NEWS
Rescued Venezuelan teen gives info – 4 human-trafficking suspects held
Despite the trauma of being snatched, a 14-year-old Venezuelan girl showed great composure and bravery in providing critical information to national security agents which led to the arrest on November 11 of four suspected human-traffickers in Penal. A statement from the Ministry of Homeland Security confirmed the arrests. Deputy Director of the Counter-Trafficking Unit (CTU) Dane-Marie Marshall, praised the teen's bravery saying during an interview with Newsday, “The execution of the evidence she provided to investigators is what led to the arrest of the suspects.” Asked if further action could be expected in the case, she said the unit continues to investigate multiple reports and will take necessary action on each. Read more here
‘What about us?’—King’s Wharf residents in the dark about revitalisation plan
While many have welcomed the Government’s Revitalisation Blueprint, an ambitious plan to transform T&T’s economic and infrastructural landscape, residents tucked away along King’s Wharf, San Fernando, are wondering what’s really in it for them. Many hope that Government officials will meet with the roughly 100 residents face-to-face to explain the project and hear their concerns. As part of the Revitalisation Blueprint launched at the Diplomatic Centre last Thursday, the Government proposes to transform San Fernando’s waterfront into a coastal city. The plan includes retail spaces at Plaza San Carlos, a new waterfront hotel and convention centre, oceanfront residences, and a modern transport hub. But when Guardian Media visited Old Train Line Road, residents of the struggling seaside community said they hadn’t even heard about the new plans to turn their coastline into a futuristic hub. One mother explained, “We don’t have any electricity, so news we don’t really watch it as much.” Read more here
POLITICS
Quarry operators meet ministry officials through third party
THE shutdown of the unregulated quarrying industry is over. This after Nigel Tenia – president of the operators' representing body the TT Aggregate Producers Alliance (TTAPA) – announced "positive engagements" with officials of the Ministry of Energy. However, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Tenia declined to name the ministry officials he and the group would have spoken to or the intermediary through whom discussions were held. He cited sensitivity of ongoing talks. Speaking at the Flamingo Room, Hilton Trinidad, Port of Spain, Tenia said the alliance has reached “a level of comfort” after a series of indirect communications with the ministry. Read more here
BUSINESS
Refinery report coming by month end, says minister
The long-anticipated restart of T&T’s refinery operations is inching closer to reality, with Minister Roodal Moonilal confirming that the Government remains on schedule to receive a critical report by the end of November. The report, which will guide Cabinet-level decisions, is expected to outline the technical, financial, and safety requirements necessary for resuming operations. Moonilal, who spoke to member of the media at Amcham T&T's 2025 Health Safety Security and Environment (HSSE) conference yesterday, said the Prime Minister has also expressed a strong interest in the matter, and the committee has conducted a detailed technical and financial assessment of the refinery’s various units. Read more here
First Citizens, UDeCOTT ready to drive Govt’s infrastructure transformation
First Citizens Bank and the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) are ready to provide financing and critical support for the Government’s national infrastructure transformation programme. So said attorney Shankar Bidaisee, who serves as chairman of both First Citizens and UDeCOTT, during his address at the launch of the Revitalisation Blueprint last Thursday at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana seals new energy deal with US$15M signing bonus
Guyana has officially sealed a new Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with a consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, and PETRONAS for the exploration of Shallow-Water Block S4, marking another major milestone in the nation’s energy evolution. The signing, which took place on Tuesday at the Pegasus Corporate Suites, comes with a US$15 million signing bonus, a figure that surpasses the previous US$10 million ceiling for shallow-water blocks. The funds will be deposited directly into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) within 15 days. “This US$15 million for the exploration of the shallow-water block will be paid directly into the Natural Resource Fund. It is gazetted for everyone to see, and the Minister of Finance has an obligation to submit quarterly inflows to the National Assembly,” Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat confirmed during the ceremony. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian warehouse and land as West Bank attacks surge
Dozens of Israeli settlers launched arson attacks targeting a Palestinian warehouse, a Bedouin village, and farmland in the north of the occupied West Bank on Tuesday. Several Palestinians were injured. The incidents were the latest in a recent surge in settler violence coinciding with the olive harvest season, when Palestinians head to their agricultural land around towns and villages. It comes just after the UN's humanitarian office said the number of violent attacks by settlers last month was the highest since it began collecting figures nearly 20 years ago. Read more here
12th November 2025