NEWS
Seven in custody as search for missing Angelo widens
Seven people, including four men and three women, are now in police custody in Tobago as police seek answers on the disappearance of two-year-old Angelo Tobias-Plaza. The Goodwood home of one of the suspects was raided yesterday as cops searched for clues to locate the toddler. In a media release yesterday, police said its Cyber Unit has been tasked with analysing and gathering evidence from all electronic devices seized. Angelo was reported missing from his Cambridge Trace, Goodwood home around 7.30 pm on May 11, triggering a multi-agency response comprising the Special Victims Department, Tobago Division Gang Unit, Homicide Bureau, Task Force, the Canine Unit and Criminal Records Office, with assistance from the Tobago Emergency Management Agency and the Hunters Search and Rescue Team. Read more here
Police: Samaroo shooting file to move to DPP
Police have reported that a forensic report into the January 20 shooting death of Joshua Samaroo and injury of his common-law wife, Kaia Sealy, has been received and investigators are expected to approach the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for his determination. In a statement yesterday, police said as part of the investigative process, several exhibits were submitted to the Forensic Science Centre in Federation Park for analysis, and investigators were awaiting this report which was received yesterday. “The investigating officers will now approach the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, where the file will be reviewed and further guidance provided on the way forward,” the statement read. Read more here
POLITICS
Gonzales challenges Govt over Immigration corruption claims
Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander’s claims of corruption within the Immigration Division—including allegations that foreigners paid up to $50,000 for work permits and as much as $250,000 for citizenship documents—have triggered fresh political backlash, with former national security minister Marvin Gonzales demanding why no arrests or charges have followed if authorities truly possess evidence of a large-scale racket. Gonzales told Guardian Media that during his nearly five years serving on the National Security Council, reports of such a racket never once came to light, calling the current allegations “wild statements for news headlines.” He is now challenging the Government to produce results. Read more here
PM hails IMF report
Trinidad and Tobago is moving in the right direction after a decade of “damage and disorder” under the former People’s National Movement (PNM) administration, says Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. She said this has been validated by the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) positive assessment of the country.
Persad-Bissessar was responding to questions from the Express yesterday about the IMF’s conclusion of its 2026 Article IV consultation with Trinidad and Tobago. Read more here
BUSINESS
NGC signs gas deal with MHTL
Amid mounting questions about operations at various Point Lisas facilities, Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Ltd has signed a new natural gas supply contract with the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago. In a release yesterday, NGC disclosed it signed the contract with MHTL at the company’s head office in Point Lisas. The statement by the NGC said, “The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC) has taken another significant step in advancing its downstream gas contracting agenda with the formalisation of a new gas sales contract (GSC) with Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Limited (MHTL). MHTL is the largest methanol producer on the Point Lisas Estate. The execution of this contract evidences renewed confidence of the petrochemical producers and MHTL in particular, in the management of the downstream petrochemical sector by NGC.” Read more here
Harnessing creativity for global progress
According to McKinsey’s 2026 Tech Agenda, the most successful innovators are no longer trying to automate creativity. Instead, they are using Agentic AI to handle the heavy lifting of data and iteration, freeing up humans to do what machines cannot. For the Caribbean’s Orange Economy, this is a massive win. We have always been resource-constrained but imagination-rich. In 2026, the cost of bringing a complex creative vision to life (be it a film, a fashion line, or a new festival concept) has dropped by 70%, provided you know how to direct the technology. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Act responsibly’ — President Ali warns transport operators against excessive fare hikes
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday called on public transportation providers, fuel importers and private sector stakeholders to act responsibly and avoid placing additional pressure on citizens as global fuel prices continue to rise due to ongoing international instability. In a national address, the Head of State said Guyana has already exhausted major policy measures to cushion consumers from inflationary shocks caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis and rising international energy and shipping costs. The President’s remarks come amid growing complaints from commuters over unauthorised fare increases by some public transport operators. “We are asking those who are supplying the public service to be fair to the consuming public,” President Ali said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Xi basks in spotlight as he hosts Putin days after Trump
Cheering children - check. Military honour guard – check. Cannon fire and marching band - check. Vladimir Putin's welcome outside the Great Hall of the People was a near mirror image of the reception for Donald Trump last week. Two high-stakes presidential visits, just days apart, is exactly the image Xi Jinping wants to project to the world: talking to everyone, tied to no-one. For China, these visits are proof that because of its massive economy and new-found diplomatic clout all roads now lead to Beijing. Read more here
20th May 2026