NEWS
Union head: Shot prison officer in stable condition
Prison Officers Association president Gerard Gordon is calling on prison officers to remain vigilant as wounded officer, 38-year-old Govindra Balgobin continues to recover after he was shot on June 20. “He is stable and receiving the necessary medical care and attention. We remain hopeful and prayerful for his full and speedy recovery. Let us all continue to keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers,” Gordon said in a message circulated on social media. “These are indeed some of the most challenging times our service has ever faced. The threats are real, the risks are high, but so too is our resolve.” Read more here
Business heads keen to work with Howai on forex crisis
Several business chamber heads want to see the foreign exchange crisis and other issues addressed by new Central Bank Governor Larry Howai. Addressing Howai’s appointment yesterday, Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce president Kiran Singh said he was pleased to hear that the foreign exchange issue is high on the new governor’s agenda. He noted that the business community is eager to learn how the shortage will be dealt with, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “For some time now, we have felt that the distribution has been inequitable. When we look at import-oriented organisations, some appear to have no problems with forex access while others complain bitterly about inadequate supply and reliance on the black market,” Singh said. Read more here
POLITICS
House debates bill to curb prime minister's pension
The House of Representatives will sit at 1.30 pm on June 27 to debate a bill to set limits on the award of a pension to a prime minister. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo is listed on the order paper to present the bill, the Prime Minister’s Pension (Amendment) Bill 2025. Newsday was unable to get any comment from either the government or opposition as to how they see the debate doing. Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales via WhatsApp told Newsday, "We are having a caucus tomorrow to finalise our position." Read more here
BUSINESS
Carib Glassworks earns dual climate leadership badges
CARIB Glassworks Ltd, a subsidiary of the Ansa McAL group of companies, has earned two prestigious recognitions through its participation in the Global Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition (Supplier LOCT) programme. The Supplier LOCT programme connects global brands and suppliers in a shared mission to address Scope 3 emissions – those associated with supply chains, distribution and downstream product use. In a release on June 26, Carib Glassworks said this was a major milestone in its ongoing sustainability journey. "These achievements reaffirm the company’s position as a leading advocate for environmental responsibility and transparent climate action within the manufacturing industry," the release said. Read more here
Morris, Augustine clash over Tobago’s reported economic growth
Minority Leader Kelvon Morris has slammed the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) for using what he described as misleading narratives to create the impression of economic growth in Tobago in its 2025 budget estimates. The THA’s $3.71 billion budget proposal for 2025 was presented on Monday by Finance Secretary Petal-Ann Roberts. Read more here
REGIONAL
Some $4B to be spent on first phase of new Parika port facility
President Ali announces, says farmers will have access to new Caribbean markets, cold storage, agro-processing and packaging facilities. THE contract for the first phase of a multibillion-dollar international port facility in Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara) has been awarded and soon farmers will have access to new markets across the Caribbean. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Tehran is coming back to life, but its residents are deeply shaken
In the heart of the Iranian capital, the Boof cafe serves up refreshing cold drinks on a hot summer's day. They must be the most distinctive iced Americano coffees in this city – the cafe sits in a leafy corner of the long-shuttered US embassy. Its high cement walls have been plastered with anti-American murals ever since Washington severed relations with Tehran in the wake of the 1979 Iranian revolution and the hostage crisis – which still cast a long shadow over this tortuous relationship. Inside the charming Boof cafe, Amir the barista says he'd like relations to improve between America and Iran. Read more here
27th June 2025