NEWS
Family grateful as Chloe secures full funding for cancer care
Cancer survivor Chloe Ramnarine has successfully secured all the funds needed for her post-transplant care and will no longer require public donations, her family has confirmed. In a message shared with Guardian Media, Ramnarine’s mother, Thillyer Ramnarine, said, “Thankfully, we have gathered enough finances for Chloe’s post-care and as such don’t need any more financial help at this time. We kindly ask that this update be shared with the public … We are truly grateful for everything that you’ve done and we are truly humbled towards the public for all the help.” The update comes months after Ramnarine underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat stage 2B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Ramnarine was diagnosed in early 2023 and had to pause her computer science studies at the University of the West Indies to raise $980,000 for her treatment in Colombia. Read more here
Brazilian coconuts to revitalise industry
Coconut farmers are excited to get their hands on a new strain of the fruit being introduced to the country through an international initiative involving several regional bodies and non-governmental organisations. The European Union, International Trade Centre, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Caribbean Forum of ACP States (Cariforum) and Alliances for Action partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries to import 5,000 Brazilian green dwarf coconut seed nuts. This variety is popular for its high productivity, disease resistance and adaptability to changing climatic conditions. Read more here
POLITICS
Bill setting threshold to access PM's pension on the agenda
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar faces her first round of direct questioning from the Opposition People’s National Movement during this afternoon’s Parliament sitting. Persad-Bissessar will hold the spotlight in the Lower House today prior to the mid-year review being presented by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo. The Prime Minister’s Pension (Amendment) Bill 2025, listed on today’s agenda, proposes to establish a threshold for eligibility to access the pension. According to government officials yesterday, the bill “sets parameters and will prorate” the award of the pension. Questions for the Prime Minister was a feature introduced to the Parliament under Persad-Bissessar’s People’s Partnership administration, targeting additional accountability, transparency and the role of the Parliament. Read more here
T&T deficit set to rise to $8.7 billion
The $5.6 billion deficit is expected to rise to $8.7 billion unless the Government can find new sources of revenue in this fiscal year. When Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo presents the mid-year review today at 1.30 p.m. in the House of Representatives, at the Red House, Port of Spain, the country will know the answer to this question. When former finance minister Colm Imbert presented the 2025 national budget last September, he projected a $5.6 billion deficit in his $59.7 billion fiscal package. Read more here
BUSINESS
Hilton planning Roxborough resort
Global hospitality provider Hilton, yesterday announced the signing of Elephant Tree Resort and Villas Tobago, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, which is to be located in the Tobago village of Roxborough. In a news release, Hilton said the plans for the resort include 40 guest rooms and 126 fully furnished residences, including 88 three-bedroom units and 38 two-bedroom units. The branded residences will offer buyers the opportunity to join an optional rental programme that will allow them to add their units to the hotel’s inventory. Each residence will offer up to 1,560 square feet of living space, featuring elevated decor and high-end materials such as quartz countertops, and private terraces that invite guests to relax and soak in the stunning surroundings, Hilton said. Read more here
Moonilal: T&T looking to reclaim regional energy hub status
Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal says Trinidad and Tobago must prepare for a new global energy era by leveraging its infrastructure, technical expertise, and regional partnerships to reclaim its position as the Caribbean’s energy hub. “Energy diplomacy will be critical to navigating the new and emerging geopolitical realities and positioning Trinidad and Tobago to re-emerge as the energy hub of the Caribbean,” he told Express Business, outlining his vision for a multi-dimensional energy strategy that balances energy security, investment, and the energy transition. Read more here
REGIONAL
GECOM approves polling day officials for appointment
As the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) continues its preparations for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, Returning officers (RO) and Supernumerary Returning Officers (SRO) have been approved for appointment. This is according to People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)-nominated commissioner Sase Gunraj, who provided an update on the Commission’s meeting on Tuesday. In keeping with amendments to the Representation of the People Act (RoPA), the SROs are set to perform functions similar to ROs to head the sub-districts that are in Electoral Districts Three, Four, and Six. Electoral districts Three, Four and Six were divided for the purpose of the tabulation of votes. District No. Three was divided into three sub-districts, while District No. Four was divided into four sub-districts, and District No. Six into three. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump weighs joining Iran strikes after calling for 'unconditional surrender'
US President Donald Trump is considering whether to join Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, as the conflict continues for a sixth day and angry rhetoric ramps up between all sides. American strikes could involve using superior weaponry to hit an underground nuclear site at Fordo, according to five sources who spoke to the BBC's US partner CBS News. The president met with his national security team on Tuesday to discuss next steps. Israel and Iran have exchanged deadly strikes since Friday. Analysts say Trump's comments suggests a willingness to join the Israelis, despite his earlier call for de-escalation and his vocal support for a diplomatic solution to limit Iran's nuclear research. Read more here
18th June 2025