NEWS
Autopsy for murdered teen postponed to April 28
The autopsy for 15-year-old Malini Persad, a murdered autistic teen, which was originally scheduled for April 24, has been postponed to April 28, coinciding with the general election. Her father, Andrew Persad, said no explanation was given for the delay, but he remains hopeful the autopsy will proceed on Monday, allowing the family to finally lay her to rest. Read more here
Another trade union settles wage negotiations with Govt
A third trade union has settled wage negotiations with the Government in less than a week. The latest signature came from the Contractors and General Workers’ Trade Union (CGWTU) for the periods 2014 to 2016 and 2017 to 2019. The settlement includes market rate-based salary adjustments and brings closure to several outstanding matters, including the regrading/classification of several positions. The union signed off following a meeting with Chief Personnel Officer Dr Daryl Dindial yesterday. Read more here
POLITICS
PEP tells third parties to ‘stand down’ and join the UNC in victory
As the election race nears the finish line, political leader of the Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) Phillip Alexander is advising third parties to "stand down" from the process and join with the UNC in defeating the PNM. Stating that third forces did not stand a chance as independent entities, he advised them “not to run interference for the PNM.” Alexander’s PEP has joined forces with the UNC in a coalition of interest that includes the Congress of the People (COP) the trade union movement and LOVE party to contest the 2025 general election. Read more here
Farley: Duke’s political career is dead
Tobago People’s Party (TPP) leader Farley Augustine says the political career of his former ally Watson Duke is over and he’s ready to bury it on April 28. Speaking at a political meeting in Castara, Augustine said while he still respects Duke, the leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP), as a person, his time in politics is finished. “I am very much conscious that God has already outed the light on his political career and come the 28th of April, we have to bury him and bury him dead because there is no place here,” he said. Read more here
BUSINESS
Kent Investments selected to manage 53-room NAPA hotel
Kent Investments (Trinidad) Limited has been selected to manage, market, and operate the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) hotel that has barely been used since the opening of NAPA in 2009. The NAPA hotel, housed within the northern wing of the academy’s architectural landmark in Port-of-Spain, comprises 53 rooms, including luxury suites with sweeping views of the Queen’s Park Savannah. The hotel’s main access point on Chancery Lane leads into a spacious hallway or lobby area with front desk facilities, lounge and administrative spaces. Read more here
Massy to raise $600m
Massy Holdings Ltd, through First Citizens Bank Ltd, has announced plans to raise up to $600 million through a $300 million fixed-rate bond and a $300 million medium-term loan, according to separate notices filed with the Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission. The funding will be used for debt refinancing, the notices stated. In one material change report posted by the TTSEC stated that Massy Holdings Ltd and First Citizens mutually agreed to the commercial terms for the issue of a Fixed Rate Bond not exceeding $300 million. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Our vision is in line with the needs, aspirations of the people’
Flooded with hundreds of suggestions from citizens across the country and the diaspora, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo says the engagement confirms that the party’s vision aligns with the aspirations of the Guyanese people. During a press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, Jagdeo shared that the PPP has received a surge of responses following last week’s public call for citizens to submit ideas for the party’s next term in office. Contributions were welcomed via WhatsApp at 741-2575 or delivered to Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown, and PPP offices across the country. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Why Zelensky can't and won't give up Crimea
Vladimir Putin initially denied having anything to do with Russia's capture of Crimea in February 2014, when mysterious masked commandos in unidentified green uniforms seized the local parliament and fanned out across the peninsula. Those "little green men" marked the start of Russia's war on Ukraine, which culminated in the 2022 full-scale invasion. The future of Crimea is now at the centre of President Donald Trump's peace plan and has prompted Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to rule out recognising Russian control of the peninsula. Read more here
25th April 2025