NEWS
Brutal bandits storm doctor's home in Fairways, 3 luxury vehicles taken
POLICE said they expect to make an arrest soon after a retired neurosurgeon was robbed of three cars, cash, alcoholic beverages and a licensed firearm at his home at Fairways, Maraval, on Sunday night. According to police, the 84-year-old victim and a caretaker, 42, were at the victim's house located off Golf Course Road, sometime between 7 p.m. and 7.45 p.m., when five bandits stormed in. The bandits beat the two men, with the neurosurgeon sustaining a wound to his right foot, before they were both tied up...read more
Community saddened by woman's kidnapping
Residents of Bhaggan Trace, Chase Village, where Aliyah Kissoon lived up until a month ago, say crime is out of hand after she was kidnapped on March 14. Kissoon's boyfriend of Mokka, Maraval, told police he last communicated with her around 8.14 pm on March 14, when she said she was going to purchase food. He said he later received a call from her phone but there was a male voice on the other end. "We have your girlfriend," the person said before hanging up...read more
New Finance Minister promises not to introduce austerity measures
‘No need for pain’
Newly appointed Finance Minister Vishnu Dhanpaul yesterday pledged that his tenure will not bring financial hardship to the people of Trinidad and Tobago. Dhanpaul, who previously served as a permanent secretary in the Finance Ministry, has worked with eight finance ministers across successive administrations since 1991. He also recently held the position of High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Yesterday, he officially replaced Colm Imbert, who served as Finance Minister since 2015. Following his swearing-in at President’s House, Dhanpaul immediately displayed a different leadership style from his predecessor, who largely restricted direct media access by blocking journalists from contacting him. In a quiet but notable gesture, Dhanpaul shared his contact information with reporters and personally shook their hands after the interview. He also made a bold declaration about the economic direction under his leadership. “You have to make tough decisions as a minister of finance. You would like to not make tough decisions. What I would tell you as a, I don’t want to say a promise to the country, but the people of Trinidad and Tobago, there will be no hardships. Not under my watch. That is not going to happen.”...read more
POLITICS
'AG one day, judge the next?'
The appointment of Stuart Young SC as prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago on Monday was an attack on the democracy of citizens, says Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The appointment of Stuart Young SC as prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago on Monday was an attack on the democracy of citizens, says Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar. And she described Young’s appointment as a “bloodless coup” on this country’s constitution. Young, she said, was forced upon the nation and citizens had lost the right to select and elect a prime minister, after Dr Keith Rowley demitted office...read more
Changes to five key Cabinet posts: Young's A-Team
PRIME MINISTER Stuart Young and Attorney General Camille Robinson-Regis were sworn in to form the basic core of a Cabinet, and hours later, 27 other ministers also took oaths of office, administered by President Christine Kangaloo at President's House, St Ann's, on March 17. Young retains his role as Energy Minister. Former public utilities minister Marvin Gonzales became new Minister of National Security, replacing Fitzgerald Hinds who becomes a Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Former permanent secretary and diplomat Vishnu Dhanpaul is the new Finance Minister, replacing Colm Imbert who became Public Utilities Minister...read more
Why I moved Hinds, Imbert
PRIME Minister Stuart Young said yesterday he wanted to open a new chapter in national security and in finance with the reshuffle of both Fitzgerald Hinds and Colm Imbert. Asked about the removal of Hinds from National Security to the Office of the Prime Minister and appointment of Marvin Gonzales as Minister of National Security, Young said: “I think one of the things we are looking to do now is to open a new chapter and what you are going to see is a lot of different things happening built on a solid platform.” Young said Gonzales had always served on the National Security Council and had experience in the police service and as an attorney...read more
BUSINESS
Act on forex shortages, business leaders tell Dhanpaul
T&T's business leaders are largely optimistic and eager to work with new Minister of Finance, Vishnu Dhanpaul, and are calling on him to address the thorny issue of foreign exchange availability. Dhanpaul was sworn in as the minister on Monday afternoon, replacing Colm Imbert who, after almost ten years as Finance Minister, was reassigned to the Ministry of Public Utilities. The T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce said in a release it "is encouraged by the appointment of Mr. Vishnu Dhanpaul as Minister of Finance. His extensive experience in economic policy and public sector transformation will be critical to addressing fiscal challenges, restoring business confidence, and accelerating economic recovery. We look forward to working collaboratively to advance policies that support entrepreneurship, strengthen the ease of doing business, and bolster Trinidad and Tobago’s global competitiveness."...read more
SMEs to benefit from new initiative
Republic Bank is collaborating with the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) on a capacity-building initiative to position small businesses for expanded success. The initiative, which is being co-funded by the European Union through the third Regional Private Sector Development Programme, is intended to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in accessing finance and export opportunities. “By investing in SMEs, this initiative is creating a ripple effect where stronger businesses lead to stronger communities and economies. With the right support, these enterprises can fuel innovation, create jobs, and position themselves as key players in the regional and global marketplace,” said a joint news release issued yesterday...read more
REGIONAL
Antigua: Mejia remanded for the brutal murder of 9-Year-old, Chantel
Twenty-year-old Angela Mejia has been remanded to His Majesty’s Prison following the charge of the brutal murder of 9-year-old Chantel Crump. According to police reports, Mejia allegedly picked up Crump from Grays Farm last Wednesday before driving her to Glanvilles, where the child’s life was tragically taken. Authorities have yet to fully disclose the details surrounding the young girl’s death, but the crime has sparked an overwhelming outpouring of grief and disbelief throughout the region. Mejia appeared in court earlier today before Magistrate Ngaio Emmanuel, where she requested legal representation...read more
INTERNATIONAL
18th March 2025