NEWS
TTUTA tells THA: Majority of Tobago students not progressing
TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) Tobago Officer Bradon Roberts has disagreed with the THA Division of Education, Research and Technology which said the island’s education system was showing signs of progress. During a media conference on July 7 at the division, Scarborough, Education Secretary Zorisha Hackett said more primary schools had performed above the national average in this year’s SEA (Secondary Entrance Assessment). However, Hackett said the island still faced serious challenges, particularly in English and Mathematics, along with the performance of boys. Twelve schools, she said, scored above the national average this year when compared to just five in previous years, describing that as a significant achievement. Read more here
WASA says new executive structure saving utility $39M
The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) says its newly revised executive structure will slash senior management costs by $39.1 million a year. According to WASA, the now-abandoned proposal for 2025 would have created 112 senior positions, including 37 executives and 75 department heads. However, officials said yesterday that they’ve reverted to a “more efficient” 2013-style model, now made up of nine executives and 33 heads. The nine-member executive, WASA said, is now fully in place, while 25 of the 33 heads have been named. Read more here
POLITICS
NGO: Enforce anti-noise laws!
THE NGO, Citizens Against Noise Pollution In Trinidad and Tobago (CANPTT), keenly welcomed the government's promise of new laws to curb several sources of noise pollution, but said what was also needed was action to enforce anti-noise laws by bodies such as the police and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA). They also advocated "quiet time laws." CANPTT vice president Lindy-Ann Bachoo spoke to Newsday on July, after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar promised new anti-noise measures, at a UNC Monday Night Forum at Penal on July 7. Read more here
Padarath stands firmly behind current UNC leader as internals loom
Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath has thrown his full support behind United National Congress (UNC) political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, rejecting speculation that he harbours leadership ambitions ahead of the party’s forthcoming internal election. “Without a doubt, Mrs Persad-Bissessar is the undisputed leader now and for several years to come,” Padarath told Guardian Media yesterday in response to queries about whether he had such ambition. During the UNC’s Monday Night Report in Penal, Persad-Bissessar declared her intention to run for the position she has held since 2010, after putting the party on notice that the election was close. “The Natex will meet this week to decide on the date for the internal election of the political leader. I intend to contest for the position of political leader. Any member of the UNC can file a nomination for the position of political leader. If you want it, come and take it; I will be waiting,” Persad-Bissessar told supporters. Read more here
BUSINESS
Trinidad and Tobago joins Global Biofuel Alliance
Minister of Energy Dr Roodal Moonilal said Trinidad and Tobago will join the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), a collaborative initiative spearheaded by India and launched during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi. The announcement was made on Friday after a special joint assembly of the Electoral College, held on the occasion of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to TT. A release from the ministry said the GBA’s primary objective is to promote the widespread adoption of biofuels globally, emphasising partnerships with private sector entities to enhance the biofuel capabilities of its member countries. Read more here
REGIONAL
165 healthcare workers begin training through GOAL
HOLISTIC development continues to unfold across Guyana’s key sectors, with the most recent initiative coming from a groundbreaking partnership between the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and India’s Medvarsity. This collaboration has led to the launch of a new Health Services Programme, offering more than 300 courses to a new cohort of 165 nurses and doctors. According to Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, the programme is a critical next step in further developing Guyana’s healthcare system by investing in human capital. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine suffers heaviest attack as Trump criticises Putin
President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine has been hit by the biggest ever aerial attack from Russia - 728 drones and 13 cruise or ballistic missiles hit cities around the country in multiple waves. Zelensky condemned the "telling attack", adding: "It comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire, and yet only Russia continues to rebuff them all." The overnight strike came after President Donald Trump said the US would send more weapons to Kyiv - a reversal of last week's suspension which US media said Trump had not known about. Read more here
9th July 2025