NEWS
New traffic plan, robust security for CPL matches
As thousands of cricket lovers get ready to descend upon the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, for the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the police said it has activated a robust and well-coordinated security and traffic management plan ahead of the Trinbago Knight Riders’ home fixtures, to ensure fans can safely enjoy the games. Fans have complained about the traffic before and after past CPL games at the Tarouba venue for a number of years. In the past, a shuttle service was implemented to alleviate the traffic, but this failed to accommodate the large number of fans leaving the venue simultaneously. There will be no shuttles this year. Read more here
Prison supt accused of attempt to infiltrate Teteron Barracks
A prison officer with alleged links to murder accused Rajaee Ali, is one of the latest people to have a detention order issued against him under the State of Emergency. According to the detention order, which was gazetted yesterday and signed on August 18, Garth Guada, of Malabar, Arima, is allegedly an associate of the Radical Islamic Criminal Gang and other gangs. The Radical Islamic Criminal Gang, according to order, is led by Ali. The order against Guada stated: “He has been confirmed to be providing support to other gang leaders and members who are incarcerated in furtherance of their participation in, involvement in or commission of violent gang-related activities, including the imminently planned killing of public officials in public spaces using high-powered rifles.” The order said as a prison supervisor, Guada “repeatedly facilitated the breach of prison security measures for the benefit of the gang members and has been trying to engage in further breaches at their current place of incarceration (Teteron Barracks).” Read more here
POLITICS
Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada discuss sharing energy expertise
Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal said TT is ready to support Grenada in the development of its oil and gas sector, following high-level meetings with Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and other officials on that island. It is hoped this collaboration would allow for the transfer of skills and technology, which in turn would bring mutual benefits to the people of TT and Grenada through jobs, income, and opportunities, a media release said on August 26. The release said Moonilal met with Mitchell, Grenadian AG Claudette Joseph and chairman of Grenada’s Hydrocarbons Technical Working Group Nazim Burke among others over a two-day period, August 23-24. Read more here
Queries on national engagement as stand-your-ground consultations near end
Despite earlier promises that consultations on the proposed stand-your-ground legislation (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill, 2025, will reach every constituency, Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein could not confirm yesterday that sessions were held across the 13 Opposition constituencies. Pressed on the matter during an interview with Guardian media, Hosein sidestepped the issue, stating that the question should be placed squarely to Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, and insisting that responsibility for engaging constituents does not rest with the Government alone. “You’ll have to ask Ms Beckles. I know she is often asleep at times, so maybe she needs to wake up and assume her position as Opposition Leader, but the Government is busy at work. They are more concerned about other trivial matters; we are concerned about governance and protecting our citizens,” Hosein said. At least one Opposition MP stated that no consultation on the proposed legislation had yet taken place in their constituency. Guardian Media attempted to contact Opposition Leader Beckles on the matter but she did not respond to questions up to press time. Read more here
BUSINESS
Businesses warned: AI cyberthreats loom
As Trinidad and Tobago grapples with rising crime and persistent economic pressures, business leaders are being urged to confront a less visible but rapidly accelerating threat: the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), cybercrime, and digital disruption. Speaking at the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s breakfast meeting at Passage to Asia on August 7, Ian John, chief executive officer of CyberEye, emphasised, “We are living in the most exciting and the most uncertain times in all of human history.” He also called for a dramatic shift in thinking as the pace of technological change overtakes traditional business models, regulatory frameworks and even social norms. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘You have the love, compassion of an entire nation’
President, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday evening met with the 10-year-old boy who was wounded in the harrowing Charlotte Street murder–suicide of his parents. Dr Ali, in a post on his official Facebook page, offered the child words of comfort and assurance as he recovers from his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The child, who was shot in the chest by his father after witnessing his mother’s brutal killing earlier in the day, remains in a stable condition under close medical care. Speaking after his hospital visit, President Ali said he was deeply moved by the young survivor’s courage in the face of such trauma. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump's 50% tariff on India kicks in as Modi urges self-reliance
Donald Trump's steep 50% tariffs on India have kicked in, weeks after the US president issued an executive order imposing an additional 25% penalty on India over its purchases of Russian oil and weapons. This makes India - one of the US's strongest partners in the Indo-Pacific - among the countries hit with the highest tariffs in the world. This could deal a blow to exports and growth in the world's fifth largest economy, given that the US was, until recently, India's largest trading partner. The tariff setback has sent the Indian government into firefighting mode. Earlier this month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a promise to cut taxes to mitigate their economic impact. He has also urged domestic self-reliance. Read more here
27th August 2025