NEWS
Cops, watch your backs – Police Commissioner warns of growing threat to law enforcement
Amid apparent death threats to law-enforcement personnel, Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro on July 22 issued an "advisory" reminding officers on and off duty to stay on alert so they can be prepared to defend themselves against criminals. He acknowledged that working in law enforcement was, "by its very nature, very dangerous." However, in the current climate and particularly under the ongoing state of emergency, he said those risks had been further increased. "Officers are reminded that their safety is of paramount importance, and their vigilance both on and off duty must remain uncompromised," Guevarro said via a media statement. Read more here
Man killed by police during Couva firearm search
A man was shot and killed by police during an anti-crime operation in Couva last night, as Central Division officers responded to intelligence on illegal firearms and ammunition. Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro this morning confirmed that officers entered a home in the district where they were confronted by an armed man. “Responding to the immediate threat, officers discharged their service-issued weapons, injuring the suspect in the process. Despite efforts to secure medical attention at the Couva Health Facility, the individual later succumbed to his injuries,” Guevarro said. A firearm was recovered at the scene. The incident is under investigation. Guevarro said the shooting was one of several law enforcement operations conducted across the Central Division overnight. Read more here
POLITICS
Antigua minister: We did not put Rowley on Interpol list
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda lamented the delaying of former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley on two occasions recently in transiting through that country's airport, a senior government minister told Newsday via a phone-call on July 22. At a media briefing at his Glencoe home on July 21, Rowley said his transit through Antigua and Barbuda to go to Montserrat had been delayed in him going on July 13 and on his subsequent return. On his outbound trip, he eventually learnt the delay was caused by him being flagged as being on a watch-list. On his return flight, an airport supervisor had tried to blame his second delay on a case of mistaken identity, but Rowley's follow-up inquiries to contacts and colleagues in the region indicated he was on Interpol's watch list. Read more here
Govt to debate SoE extension Monday
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has confirmed that the House of Representatives (HOR) will meet next Monday afternoon to debate an extension of the current State of Emergency (SoE). Persad-Bissessar responded to calls for clarification yesterday following a media report that the House would be meeting “Friday” to do the extension. The House will emerge from its current recess for an extraordinary sitting to debate the extension after the SoE was launched last Friday. Certain officials expect the SoE may be extended by three months. Some sources said an SoE can be extended by a minimum of three months but can be halted within that period. If extended by three months, it would end in October. Read more here
BUSINESS
Brechin Castle Solar Ltd achieves first electrons
The Brechin Castle Solar Ltd, a joint venture partnership between bp (35 per cent), Shell (35 per cent) and NGC (30 per cent), has achieved first electrons from the nation’s first utility-scale solar farm. In a release on July 22, bpTT said these electrons have successfully been delivered to the TT Electricity Commission (T&TEC) sub-station at Brechin Castle – providing cleaner energy into the country’s electricity network. On July 17, first electrons were transmitted from the southern segment of the Brechin Castle Solar farm, which will be gradually ramped up to deliver up to 40 megawatts (ac) of power to T&TEC. Read more here
T&T edges closer to removal from EU tax blacklist
Trinidad and Tobago is on track to be removed from the European Union’s tax blacklist, after earning an overall rating of “largely compliant” in a second-round review by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. The 2025 Second Round Report, newly released by the Global Forum, assessed the country’s progress compared to its first-round evaluation in 2011. The report concluded that Trinidad and Tobago is “rated overall largely compliant with the standard,” signalling improved alignment with international tax transparency benchmarks. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo told Express Business that while the country remains on the EU’s list, the government is determined to meet the remaining requirements in the shortest possible time. Read more here
REGIONAL
President Ali launches free crop insurance for rice farmers
President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, officially launched a groundbreaking crop insurance programme aimed at benefitting more than 6,000 rice farmers across Guyana. The initiative, introduced in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, UPL Costa Rica, Philip Morris International, and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB)—marks a major step toward strengthening the nation’s agricultural resilience. Speaking before thousands of farmers from Regions Two, Three, Five, and Six at the Anna Regina Secondary School, President Ali described the launch as a clear reflection of the government’s commitment to safeguarding livelihoods and fortifying the rice sector. “This launch signifies not only a bold step in climate resilience but also a demonstration of the government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the livelihoods of our farmers and strengthening the foundation of our national food security,” the President said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Gaza health ministry says 33 people died from malnutrition in 48 hours
At least 33 Palestinians, including 12 children, have died as a result of malnutrition across the Gaza Strip in the past 48 hours, the Hamas-run health ministry has said. The deaths of 11 adults and four children were reported over the past day, a spokesman told the BBC. It came as UN Secretary General António Guterres told the UN Security Council that "malnutrition is soaring" and "starvation is knocking on every door" in Gaza. He has said the 2.1 million population is facing grave shortages of basic supplies and that Israel has an obligation to facilitate humanitarian assistance by the UN and its partners. The Israeli military body responsible for co-ordinating aid deliveries, Cogat, accused Hamas of "conducting a false campaign regarding the humanitarian situation". Read more here
23rd July 2025