NEWS
Police: 2 Carnival murders solved
Two of the murders which took place during Carnival Tuesday in St James and Sangre Grande have been solved say police. At a media briefing at the Police Administrative building on March 11, Acting DCP operations Curt Simon said police were concerned about the murder rate, including the seven murders that took place during the Carnival weekend and immediately after. Read more here
Police hunting ‘elusive’ 13 suspects on SoE detention list
The T&T Police Service (TTPS) is currently searching for 13 persons of interest for whom Preventive Detention Orders (PDOs) under the current State of Emergency (SoE) have been issued. This was confirmed by acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Curt Simon during a media briefing at the Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. Simon revealed that 44 of 57 people for whom PDOs had been issued had been detained so far and it was proving challenging to round up the remaining individuals. The acting DCP explained, “Yes, there are some persons, who, there are orders that have been granted and we are to do the needful as they are evading or seemingly avoiding contact with the police.” Of the 44 detained via PDOs, Simon categorically dismissed public suggestion that no charges would eventually be laid against these persons. Read more here
POLITICS
Roberts: UNC govt will re-negotiate Dragon gas deal
UNC Senator Anil Roberts says TT’s Dragon Gas deal with Venezuela, which seems to be in some doubt after the US administration announced a change in policy in relation to Venezuelan energy, is a good deal. Roberts told a UNC cottage meeting in the Moruga on March 10, that the Dragon would dance if properly negotiated with a duly elected Venezuelan president. The US billion-dollar deal will see TT developing fields to produce gas which will be imported through a pipeline from Venezuela to platforms off the northwest coast. Read more here
Political analysts: PNM should focus on policies before announcing candidates
The People’s National Movement (PNM) is switching things up when it comes to the usual election timeline, having selected all 41 prospective candidates to contest the general election before the election date has even been announced. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s successor, Stuart Young, is remaining mum about the election date but says the party is eager to announce all candidates on Sunday at Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain. And while announcing candidates and essentially campaigning before a date is announced may be unique to T&T, according to political observers, Young believes he’s doing what’s best for the party. He reminded the population that he still has seven months for the election bell to be rung. When asked about announcing candidates before the election date during a media briefing at Balisier House on Monday, Young said, “The People’s National Movement is doing what is necessary for the population to see 41 candidates for a general election that could be called anytime between now and November of this year.” Read more here
BUSINESS
T&T, Japan seek stronger collaboration
T&T and Japan are seeking to develop further collaboration and investment opportunities for the mutual benefit of both countries. This was the focus of talks that took place yesterday between Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon and newly-appointed Japanese Ambassador to T&T Dr Akima Umezawa. Gopee-Scoon, who received a courtesy call from Umezawa, emphasised T&T’s thrust towards diversification and the attractiveness of the local market to investors due to this country’s trade agreements in the region, which offer easy market access. Read more here
NiQuan’s assets being sold off
AN unused piece of equipment intended for NiQuan Energy Trinidad Ltd’s operations is among several assets now up for sale by the receiver, just after the seventh anniversary of the gas-to-liquid plant’s grand opening. The unused FT Max Catalyst-T 2811, weighing 231,000 pounds and used in gas-to-liquids (GTL) processes, is being sold by receiver manager Varune Mungal. Read more here
REGIONAL
More strategic partnerships for regional energy security imminent
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, met with newly appointed US Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, on the sidelines of CERAWeek in Houston, Texas. The Guyanese Head-of-State during the engagement, highlighted the the strong partnership between Guyana and the United States in advancing energy security for regional prosperity and integration. President Ali also underscored the strategic opportunities in regional security, and reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to being a stable and democratic partner. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepening collaboration, strengthening ties, and fostering greater cooperation now and in the future. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Amazon forest felled to build road for climate summit
A new four-lane highway cutting through tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest is being built for the COP30 climate summit in the Brazilian city of Belém. It aims to ease traffic to the city, which will host more than 50,000 people - including world leaders - at the conference in November. The state government touts the highway's "sustainable" credentials, but some locals and conservationists are outraged at the environmental impact. Read more here
12th March 2025