NEWS
Marabella teen car-crash victims to be buried on February 19
Two friends who died after being injured in a car accident on February 11 will be buried side by side at the Marabella Cemetery, on February 19. The funeral of Kelita Jamal King, 16, of Riverside Road, Battoo Boulevard, and Trey Collymore, 14, of Union Park East, both of Marabella, will take place at the Marabella Evangelical Church, 63 Battoo Street, at 2 pm. After the service, the friends will be laid to rest side by side. Read more here
Foreign policy experts urge regional leaders to shift trading with US
As Caricom Heads of Government meet today, Professor of International Relations Andy Knight urges leaders to consider strengthening partnerships with Canada and China to diversify trade away from the United States of America (US). Last week, US President Donald Trump directed his economic team to develop reciprocal tariffs on countries taxing US imports, citing fairness. Speaking at the University of the West Indies’ virtual Vice-Chancellor’s Forum, titled President Trump’s Great Policy Shift, Knight noted that Trump’s numerous executive orders affecting foreign policy present an opportunity to reduce dependence on the US. He suggested investing in digital infrastructure and e-commerce platforms to open new markets and enhance trade relations. “In digital trade, there is an opportunity to break geographical barriers, allowing businesses to thrive and reach customers in Asia, Europe, and China,” Knight said. Read more here
POLITICS
Retired cop mum on running for Tabaquite for PNM
Retired police inspector Michael Seales kept his cards close to his chest when Newsday contacted him on February 18 about the possibility of his running as the PNM prospective candidate for Tabaquite in the upcoming general election. The former head of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association (PSSWA) stood as PNM candidate in 2020, when the UNC's Anita Haynes won the seat by 11,440 votes to the PNM's 5,209 and the PEP's 221. On February 17, the PNM issued a statement saying it had screened and chosen prospective candidates for 40 seats (out of 41). Read more here
BUSINESS
Maritime CEO: Proactive management of imports needed
Foreign exchange limitations continue to pose significant challenges for individuals and businesses, particularly small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Trinidad and Tobago. To address this issue, Varun Maharaj, chief executive officer of Maritime Capital Ltd, emphasised the need for proactive management of imports and government debt, along with strong fiscal policies. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyanese to soon benefit from reduced wholesale, retail fuel costs
Guyanese consumers and businesses could soon benefit from a significant reduction in fuel prices, as President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced a new fuel terminal infrastructure project in partnership with Curlew Midstream. During his remarks at the opening of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, President Ali underscored the transformative impact of the agreement, which will move Guyana towards becoming “energy independent”. Curlew Midstream, a US-based energy infrastructure provider headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, operates terminal facilities in South Louisiana, and will play a key role in facilitating fuel trade between the United States and Guyana. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
'Real life Squid Game': Kim Sae-ron's death exposes Korea's celebrity culture
Actress Kim Sae-ron's death in an apparent suicide has renewed criticism of South Korea's entertainment industry, which churns out stars but also subjects them to immense pressure and scrutiny. Kim - who was found dead aged 24 at her home in Seoul on Sunday - had been bombarded with negative press coverage and hate online after a drink-driving conviction in 2022. Police have not provided further details about her death. Experts found the circumstances leading to it depressingly familiar. Other celebrities also ended up taking their lives after careers upended by cyberbullying. Read more here
19th February 2025