NEWS
Tornado wrecks houses in west Trinidad
The convergence of a low-level trough and daytime heating caused the formation of a weak tornado which tore roofs off and damaged houses in Westmoorings and Victoria Gardens at noon on October 7, traumatising residents who were home at the time. Videos posted on social media of the tornado moving through the area showed roofing sheets circulating like confetti, dancing through the air above the area. The tornado then moved into the Gulf of Paria and became a visible waterspout. Later videos of the affected areas showed torn off roofs lying in the road, crumpled roofs and other structures. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) said homes in Cherry Crescent, St Anthony’s Drive, Rowland Road and Western Circular in Westmoorings were affected. It said approximately 150-200 homes were affected by power outages in the area. Read more here
North Coast residents struggle as flooding hits Maracas Beach access road
Poor planning and substandard infrastructural works are being blamed for the flooding that occurs at the Maracas Beach carpark every time there are torrential showers along the North Coast. Residents from villages scattered along the northern peninsula, such as Las Cuevas, La Fillette, Rincon, and Blanchisseuse, complained of the delays they had to endure every time the main access road to Maracas Beach is flooded. Several hours of intense rainfall yesterday, coupled with the high tide, led to the river overflowing and flooding the public carpark and roadway with over three feet of water in some places. The road was impassable for several hours, and students and residents making their way back home—or leaving the area—were forced to beg rides from Good Samaritans before darkness descended. Read more here
POLITICS
Tancoo, Padarath confident about budget's passage
Both Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo and Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Barry Padarath are confident that the 2025/2026 budget will be passed in Parliament without any problems. They expressed their optimism on October 7, hours after a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) indicated the budget will be presented by Tancoo on October 13 at 1.30 pm. It is the UNC government's first budget since the April 28 general election. In a WhatsApp comment, Tancoo told Newsday, "If it's not passed by October 31, then it will be passed after." He made no other comment about the budget. In a separate WhatsApp comment, Padarath said, "There is nothing in law which says the budget must be read within the first week of October." Padarath, who is also a Minister in the OPM and Public Utilities Minister, said government considered several factors in determining the date. Read more here
Ministers dismiss claims Cabinet changes delayed budget
Two government ministers are denying that the recent reassignment of Cabinet responsibilities delayed or complicated the announcement of the 2026 National Budget date. Yesterday, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo confirmed that Budget Day will be October 13, noting that while this remains within the legal timeframe, budgets have traditionally been presented in the last week of September or the first week of October. However, Land and Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein and Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath both told Guardian Media the recent realignment of ministerial portfolios had no bearing on the Budget’s finalisation or timing. Hosein, whose expanded portfolio now includes responsibility for Lands and Surveys, Land Management, Squatter Regularisation, Surveys and Mapping, Valuation, the Land Settlement Agency, the Land Survey Board, and the Estate Management and Business Development Company, said the new structure would not complicate funding arrangements. Read more here
BUSINESS
Digicel celebrates 20 years in T&T, having invested $1.2b
When Marcelo Cataldo slipped off his suit jacket midway through his interview with Express Business, revealing a red short-sleeved Digicel polo and tattoos, it felt symbolic. Under his leadership, Digicel has been doing much the same, shedding non-core areas to focus on its strengths and true identity. Across its 25 markets, the company has taken a similar approach, embracing the authenticity and distinctiveness of each country rather than imposing a uniform model. On May 1 last year Cataldo officially took the helm of the Digicel Group. Read more here
Trinidad and Tobago can cash in on Net-zero framework
This country may see economic benefits if the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Net-Zero Shipping Framework (NZF) becomes law. The framework’s intention is to see a reduction of emissions in the maritime sector. It was approved in April and is set for adoption this month pending a vote which will take place during the Marine Environmental Protection Committee meeting from October 14-17. 108 members are eligible to vote, including ten from Caricom. If adopted, it will come into effect in 2028. The framework seeks to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping to align with the 2050 net-zero target. A news release from the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Chamber’s website on October 6 said that key components include a Global Fuel Standard (GFS) setting annual GHG intensity reduction targets, a two-tier carbon price mechanism, and a credit trading system funded by penalties to reward zero and near-zero emission fuels and support a just transition. Read more here
REGIONAL
President Ali orders study for commercial rail link along East Coast, East Bank corridors
Within the next six weeks, the Ministry of Housing will complete a study for the possible construction of a commercial rail link along the East Bank and East Coasts of Demerara corridors, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said. The Head of State, during a visit and assessment of several road works ongoing at Buzz Bee Dam to the Land of Canaan interconnecting highway on Tuesday, identified a high dam that could possibly facilitate the construction of a railway. “That is a dam that we had identified for the possibility of a rail link, so that high dam is left there as the rail link possibly and right now I have asked the ministry of housing to come up with a study within the next six weeks as to the cost for commercial rail link along the East Coast, East Bank Corridor,” the President said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Key US and regional mediators join talks in push to end Gaza war
Top US envoys and prominent regional figures have joined the third day of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt on President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza. Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are in Sharm el-Sheikh along with Qatar's prime minister and Turkey's intelligence chief for what is expected to be a key day indicating whether progress can be made. As the negotiations resumed, a senior Hamas official told the BBC it had shown "the necessary positivity" and submitted a list of the Palestinian prisoners it wanted Israel to release in exchange for the hostages being held in Gaza. Israeli media cited officials as saying there was "cautious optimism". Read more here
8th October 2025