NEWS
Tragic end for dad & son as gunman strikes St James home in dead of night
Instead of preparing for the first birthday of her infant son, Leona Allen now has to make funeral arrangements for her son and common-law husband, after an early morning shooting in Dundonald Hill, St James. Police said Joseph Sutton, 25 and his 11-month-old son Jayden were asleep on the bed in their home just before 1 am when they heard their pet dog barking loudly. Allen went to check on what was causing the commotion when a stranger stuck a gun through the bedroom window of the house, shooting both father and son, before fleeing on foot. Both Sutton and his infant son were taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital by relatives, where they were declared shortly after. Read more here
POLITICS
Farley rejects calls to sell or shutdown CAL
Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is pushing back against suggestions that Caribbean Airlines (CAL) should be shutdown or sold, arguing that the airline’s economic value to the country far outweighs its financial challenges. “For us, CAL is a public transportation service and the economic benefits far outweighs balancing the finances,” Augustine said. His comments come after an exclusive Sunday Guardian report revealed there is a division of opinion on the airline’s board about its viability, with chairman Reyna Kowlessar advocating for further State support while at least two directors favour closure or sale. There is also a recommendation for the removal of the airbridge subsidy and cutting on unprofitable routes. Read more here
BUSINESS
TTMB unveils three new mortgage products
The Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Bank (TTMB) has unveiled three new mortgage plans following research into modern demands of prospective homeowners and affordable housing. The bank, which was established in 2024, following a merger between Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Ltd (TTMF) and the Home Mortgage Bank (HMB), announced the new mortgage options during the event ‘Own Your Future: Expanding the Mortgage Landscape Programme’ at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre yesterday. “The products are inclusive. These products are designed to open doors for more citizens, ensuring that home ownership is accessible to diverse communities. Inclusivity is not just the principle. It is embedded in the way we structure solutions for families, professionals and entrepreneurs. Each product reflects our commitment to understanding the unique needs of our clients, whether through flexible financing or tailored support, we put empathy into action, ensuring every customer feels supported on their journey,” said acting CEO Brent Mc Fee. Read more here
Interest builds in Islamic Finance for T&T economy
Islamic finance is gaining traction as a potential new pillar of Trinidad and Tobago’s financial sector, with growing interest from policymakers and industry players seeking to diversify funding sources and attract new investment. In an interview with Express Business, KPMG said discussions over the past six months suggest increasing attention to the sector, which some view as a strategically relevant complement to the country’s existing financial architecture. “The discussions we have had over the last six months have been productive and give a good indication that there is interest in this sector from policymakers and the finance industry. Islamic Finance is seen by some as strategically relevant as a complementary pillar within Trinidad and Tobago’s financial sector,” it stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana building smarter, future-ready security system
PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Tuesday declared open the National Defence Institute’s Certificate in Defence Studies Programme and underscored the need for a forward-looking and people-centred approach to national security. While delivering the feature address at the launch of the certificate programme, the Prime Minister said the initiative represents a significant shift in how Guyana prepares for emerging threats. “Today is not simply the launch of a new programme; rather, it marks a meaningful step forward in our country’s development and how we prepare for the future of Guyana’s national security broadly defined,” he said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
China is trying to play peacemaker in the Iran war - will it work?
As the war in the Middle East enters its second month, choking the world's energy supply and sending oil prices soaring, China is trying to step in as a peacemaker. It comes as President Donald Trump says US military action in Iran could end in "two to three weeks", but there is no clear sense yet of how that will happen or what comes after. China joins Pakistan, which has emerged as an unlikely mediator in the US-Israel war against Iran. Officials in Beijing and Islamabad have presented a five-point plan with the aim of bringing about a ceasefire and re-opening the vital Strait of Hormuz. Read more here
1st April 2026