NEWS
Economists urge Govt: Check the fine print of US$750M steel plant revival
While the planned US$750 million revival of the former ArcelorMittal steel plant at Point Lisas could provide a much-needed boost to Trinidad and Tobago’s economy, two economists are warning that the potential risks and fine print surrounding the investment cannot be ignored. Economists Professor Patrick Watson and Dr Jamelia Harris both believe the project could generate foreign exchange, stimulate economic activity and create employment, but say its ultimate benefit to the country will depend heavily on the arrangements underpinning the investment. Watson, however, is particularly cautious, questioning whether the country has seen enough information to determine if the deal is as beneficial as it appears and warning that multinational corporations ultimately pursue their own interests. Read more here
HELP THE PANYARDS
Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore is calling on the Government to refurbish panyards throughout the country. In a telephone interview with the Express yesterday, following the Ancestral Pan Walk held to commemorate World Steelpan Day, Ramsey-Moore said the Government should consider putting a pause on the construction of community centres. She said more youths assemble at panyards rather than community centres. “I have been making that call for the longest while. Young people spend long hours at panyards, so they need to be upgraded. I made this call last year, and I want to renew this call. The only modern panyards are really those sponsored bands, but most of the unsponsored bands have the challenge of needing repairs and upgrades to their bathrooms and so on,” Ramsey-Moore said. Read more here
POLITICS
Ratiram: Grand drone show planned for Independence Day
A grand drone show is being planned for Independence Day celebrations. This announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Ravi Ratiram during an interview with Guardian Media at the Division of Community Development and Social Protection in Scarborough, Tobago. However, Ratiram declined to say whether the drone show would replace the traditional Independence Day fireworks display at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. Animal-rights activists, officials at the nearby Emperor Valley Zoo and groups against noise pollution have protested vehemently in the past for the eradication of fireworks from the celebration. Read more here
T&T ‘hot’ as global ties grow
Trinidad and Tobago is “hot” right now and reaping the benefits of strengthened diplomacy with its international partners, including the United States, says Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers. “I have never seen such international engagement with Trinidad and Tobago within the last decade; this is the new form of diplomacy that we are building upon,” Sobers said in response to questions from the Express yesterday. The minister said the official visit of United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Monday augurs well for T&T, and demonstrates the seriousness with which the US views its partnership with this country. Read more here
BUSINESS
Pt Lisas steel plant set for revival, with vanadium as new prize
The long-idled Point Lisas steel plant is set to restart with a US$250 million ($1.7 billion) investment by Pinnacle Steel and Vanadium, with the project expected to create 350 jobs during refurbishment and 500 permanent positions once production begins. Pinnacle, a US-based metals and industrial investment company, said the total investment could eventually reach US$750 million as it expands and modernises the facility. The company has already begun refurbishment work at the plant, which has been idle for about a decade, and is targeting first production by the end of 2027. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana, US deepen security co-operation with new agreement
Guyana and the United States have moved to deepen their longstanding security partnership with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening existing security co-operation between the two countries. President Dr Irfaan Ali witnessed the signing on Tuesday at the Office of the President, where Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Minister Hugh Todd and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau formalised the agreement. According to a press release from the Office of the President, the new MoU builds on the existing Memorandum of Security Cooperation between Guyana and the United States, with a focus on enhancing collaboration in areas including counter-narcotics and wider security cooperation. The agreement is expected to further strengthen the two countries’ longstanding partnership and provide a framework for expanded co-operation on shared security priorities. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Woman pulled alive from rubble 36 hours after Colombia quake
A 32-year-old woman, who had been trapped under rubble for 36 hours following the 7.4-magnitude quake which shook western Colombia, has been rescued alive. Daniela Largo was pulled from beneath a collapsed building in the city of Pereira after a 10-hour-long rescue operation. Firefighters finally managed to reach her via a tunnel they dug below four concrete slabs under which she had been buried. At least 188 have died in the quake, according to official figures, and hundreds remain missing. Read more here
12th August 2026