NEWS
Benjamin: TTPS focusing on root causes of student fights
Police are putting a greater emphasis on social intervention and tackling the root causes of student violence, as new police data shows reported fights involving schoolchildren have increased from 27 in 2025 to at least 36 so far this year. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration) Junior Benjamin said the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is analysing the figures to identify patterns, including where fights are occurring, as officers increasingly find that confrontations are moving away from school compounds and onto surrounding streets. Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, Benjamin said this could eventually require greater police visibility along routes used by students, but stressed that the TTPS does not see increased enforcement as the primary solution. Instead, he said police intend to deepen engagement with at-risk students, parents, teachers and principals to understand what is driving violent behaviour. Read more here
‘Drought’ could mean higher Christmas prices
Farmers in Aranjuez, an area long hailed as one of the “food baskets” of the nation, have called for discussions and action to proactively address a potential “drought” forecast for the coming weeks. This week the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) reported Trinidad is facing a drought watch in September, while Tobago and parts of north-eastern Trinidad could move into drought warning conditions in October. The TTMS said the agriculture sector faces an elevated risk to crops and livestock because of irregular rainfall, an increase in hot-spell days, and declining soil moisture. During a visit to Aranjuez yesterday, a number of farmers were out in their fields under the noon-to-early afternoon sun, misting and flooding their fields to fight the soaring temperatures. Read more here
POLITICS
Siparia council showdown ends with PNM walkout
A special sitting of the Siparia Borough Corporation came to an abrupt end yesterday after People’s National Movement (PNM) members, along with two former United National Congress (UNC) members who have since crossed the floor, walked out following heated clashes. The dispute centred on the interpretation of the Standing Orders governing the appointment of chairmen of various “ad hoc” committees. The PNM now holds a majority on the council, with seven votes to the UNC’s five, after former UNC members Victor Roberts and Councillor Jason Ali crossed the floor to sit with the PNM. Another UNC councillor, Romona Roberts, was murdered in November 2025. Read more here
BUSINESS
TTSE launches green bond guidelines
A call is being made for investors, companies and financial institutions to take advantage of a new financing avenue that can channel billions of dollars into projects ranging from renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure to housing, healthcare and education. Chief executive officer of the T&T Stock Exchange (TTSE), Eva Mitchell, issued the appeal yesterday as the TTSE launched new guidelines for the issuance of Green, Social and Sustainability Plus (GSS+) bonds, describing the framework as an important step in connecting development projects with private capital. Speaking at the launch which took place at the Hyatt Regency, Mitchell stressed that the success of the initiative would not be judged by the publication of guidelines alone, but by the investments and transactions that emerge from them. “It will be measured by the transactions that follow,” she said, noting that the framework creates another avenue through which capital can support the development of this country. Read more here
Manatee could be a US$500m opportunity for local businesses
Trinidad and Tobago could capture as much as US$500 million from the estimated US$2 billion Manatee gas project, but only if the country does more to ensure local companies win a bigger share of the work, according to Ramps Logistics executive Javed Razack. Razack, vice-president of shared services at Ramps Logistics, said the much-anticipated gas project presents a significant opportunity for local businesses but questioned how much of the investment will ultimately remain in the domestic economy. “The question for me is: how much of that US$2 billion is actually going to be spent in T&T?” Razack asked. Read more here
REGIONAL
Qatar, Guyana vow to strengthen ties during President Ali’s Doha visit
HIS Highness (HH) Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and His Excellency (HE) Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, held an official talks session at the Amiri Diwan Tuesday morning. At the outset of the session, HH the Amir welcomed HE the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the accompanying delegation, wishing the relations between the two countries further development and growth. HH the Amir expressed his hope that the visit would contribute to broadening the prospects for joint co-operation in a manner that serves the interests of both countries. For his part, HE the President of Guyana expressed his thanks and appreciation to HH the Amir for the warm reception and generous hospitality, affirming his country’s keenness to strengthen co-operation relations and advance them toward further development and growth. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Oil hits $100 a barrel for first time since July after US and Houthi strikes
Oil prices rose past $100 (£74) a barrel on Wednesday after further strikes in the conflict between the US and Iran and continuing Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia. In back and forth attacks, the US hit five Iranian tankers in reprisal strikes after Tehran targeted one of its warships. Brent crude - which is the global benchmark for prices - has not been as expensive since the end of July, when a ceasefire between Iran and the US collapsed. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement also attacked oil facilities in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and have been targeting tankers in the Red Sea. Read more here
9th September 2026