NEWS
Drivers falling victim to armed bandits — Rideshares under attack
Rideshare drivers are coming under attack in various parts of the country, with two falling victim to armed bandits within the space of 48 hours this week. One of the two, driver Keston Ramsey, 35, told police he believed he was saved by prayers on May 27 after four men abducted, beat and left him tied up in the forests near Santa Cruz. Police sources revealed Ramsey's account to Newsday and showed the mental torture he felt while in grip of the bandits. Police said Ramsey went to San Juan around 3 pm on Tuesday to pick up a rideshare client. Read more here
Expert advises teachers: Set up social media accounts to monitor your students
Clinical traumatologist Hanif Benjamin is advising teachers to set up social media accounts so that they can keep updated with what’s happening with their students. Speaking at the Caribbean Colour Splash 10th Bi-annual Secondary Schools Anti-Bullying conference at the National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain, Benjamin said this will allow the teachers to be in the loop. “The other day I was in a thing and I said to teachers you cannot have no social media, and not on no Facebook, is for old people now,” he said. He added, “Because you will know when something is about to ‘pop off’ in a school, so you need to be there to protect.” Focusing on this year’s theme, “Seek Help,” Benjamin told the auditorium filled with students and their teachers that for young people to do seek such help, they must trust the adult. Read more here
POLITICS
PNM general election post mortem at Balisier House
The PNM held a post mortem to discuss the April 28 general election on the evening of May 28 at Balisier House, Port of Spain. With Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles having arrived earlier for the 5 pm meeting, Newsday saw several parliamentarians arrive from 4.30 pm including Senate opposition leader Dr Amery Browne, Senator Janelle John-Bates, Senator Melanie Roberts-Radgman, Senator Vishnu Dhanpaul, Diego Martin Central MP Symon de Nobriga, Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland and Malabar/Mausica MP Dominic Romain. Read more here
PM, Augustine officially meet to talk Tobago matters
A five-hour meeting between Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has drawn criticism from Minority Leader Kelvon Morris who claimed the session reflected close alignment between Augustine and the United National Congress (UNC). Morris said both parties “were joined at the hip.” The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, included Leader of Government Business Barry Padarath and Leader of Assembly Business Zorisha Hackett. Topics discussed included Tobago’s autonomy and right to self-determination, the expansion of the THA’s legislative and regulatory authority, national security and border control, unresolved land title issues, Town and Country Planning concerns, and tourism development. While the Prime Minister’s Office described the discussions as being held in the national interest to support development on both islands, Morris objected to Augustine’s reported claim that many of Tobago’s problems stemmed from neglect by People’s National Movement administrations. Read more here
BUSINESS
What Trinidad and Tobago can learn from India's agri boom
AS one of the fastest growing economies in the world, India is well-poised in the global market making strides in industries including agriculture. Born out of a need to address national food shortages and the threat of famine in the 1960s, a “Green Revolution” which saw India’s national food production going from 25 metric tonnes in 1950 to 100 metric tonnes by 1980, emerged. This was achieved not only by the use of advanced agricultural practices such as the use of genetically-modified seeds which could yield up to three more times that of regular seeds but also by the expansion of irrigation facilities and enhanced support mechanisms to give incentives for farmers to grow crops. Read more here
Trade wars: What does Trump want and what can Europe offer?
Top officials at the European Union’s executive commission says they’re pushing hard for a trade deal with the Trump administration to avoid a 50 per cent tariff on imported goods. Trump had threatened to impose the tariffs on June 1, but has pushed back the deadline to July 9, repeating an oft-used tactic in his trade war. European negotiators are contending with Trump’s everchanging and unpredictable tariff threats, but “still, they have to come up with something to hopefully pacify him,” said Bruce Stokes, visiting senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Stokes also sees more at play than just a disagreement over trade deficits. Trump’s threats “are rooted in frustration with the EU that has little to do with trade,’’ Stokes said. “He doesn’t like the EU. He doesn’t like Germany.” What exactly does Trump want? What can Europe offer? Here are the key areas where the two side are squaring off. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘PPP/C is the right party for Guyana’
Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Leader Lenox Shuman has officially endorsed President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for the upcoming 2025 Regional and General Elections, praising them for what he describes as their “visionary, dynamic, and innovative leadership”. The former Toshao of Pakuri Village and former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, in a video message on Wednesday reflected on his return to Guyana after decades abroad. He contrasted the PPP/C’s governance with that of the previous A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration, citing a range of failures under the latter, including its refusal at one point to continue the issuance of Amerindian land titles, a claim he substantiated by quoting a former Lands Commissioner as saying, “I am not giving out anymore Amerindian land titles”. Shuman recalled that the issue at reference occurred during his tenure as Vice-Chairman of the National Toshaos Council. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Israel announces major expansion of settlements in occupied West Bank
Israeli ministers say 22 new Jewish settlements have been approved in the occupied West Bank - the biggest expansion in decades. Several already exist as outposts, built without government authorisation, but will now be made legal under Israeli law, according to Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The issue of settlements - which are widely seen as illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this - is one of the most contentious between Israel and the Palestinians. Read more here
29th May 2025