NEWS
EMA advises caution in handling displaced wildlife
With the start of the rainy season, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) is advising extreme caution among citizens who encounter animals, especially reptiles, that may end up in homes or properties during flooding. While not naturally aggressive, the EMA says many reptiles can become defensive when are cornered or if they feel threatened. Some species are venomous or otherwise harmful due to sharp teeth and claws. In light of this, the EMA urges citizens to avoid attempting to move these animals and maintain a safe distance. For guidance on appropriate action, assistance in properly identifying the animal or to request safe removal, citizens are advised to immediately contact the Emperor Valley Zoo’s Wildlife rescue Hotline at 800-4966 or the Wildlife Section under the Forestry Division of the Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Ministry at 225-3837. Read more here
TTPS launches probe into Kartel’s US$950,000 payment
Acting Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin has confirmed that the Financial Investigations Branch (FIB) is probing the source, method, and timing of the US$950,000 payment made to Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer by a local promoter to appear at last Saturday’s One Caribbean Music Festival. Benjamin was speaking at a vehicle handover ceremony yesterday at the Police Academy in St James, where 67 Toyota RAV4 SUVs were officially commissioned for use by the police service across the country. Benjamin said while “the TTPS has not received any formal report on the matter”, they are proceeding with their own investigation. The acting top cop assured, “Nevertheless, we continue to look at the matter, and based on that, I have already engaged the FIB to look into the matter, so we will look into it and will see what are the ramifications that come out of it.” Read more here
POLITICS
Minister steps in on verification delays
Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit worked informally over the past long-weekend with a team from the National Insurance Board (NIB) to address the matter of significantly reducing the backlog of queries pending information for the processing of social welfare grants, including the senior citizens’ pension. A release from the ministry on June 3 said dedicated team remains fully mobilised to bring closure to the remaining cases, as both entities are working diligently to complete the verification process in the shortest possible timeframe, while maintaining a strong commitment to accuracy, fairness, and transparency. Read more here
Opposition warns of major job cuts at State agencies
Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles is accusing Government of planning major job cuts across ministries and State agencies. During her first press conference as Leader of the Opposition held at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition on Charles Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, Beckles said the country would soon come to realise that when the United National Congress (UNC) wins, everybody did not win. Beckles said, “You cannot within a month of assuming office or the first week or second week, whether you go to WASA (Water and Sewerage Authority), whether you go to TSTT (Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited), whether you go to the Ministry of Youth (Ministry of Youth Development and National Service), your first objective is to send a clear message to employees that you’re going to review contracts, you’re going to review policies, and you’re going to remove persons. “So, the public very soon will understand in no uncertain terms that they really were not serious that everybody was going to win. What they’re doing is making it abundantly clear that they are going to be removing persons. They have gone into several ministries to remove anybody who they feel they want to remove and replace them with their people.” Read more here
BUSINESS
Rise Guyana announces US$29m close on real estate, infrastructure fund
Rise Guyana has announced the final close of its inaugural private investment fund at US$29 million, the first institutional real estate and infrastructure fund in Guyana. Backed by global investors from the US, United Kingdom, Europe, South America and the Middle East, the fund capitalises on Guyana’s rise as the fastest-growing country in the world and the new frontier for high-impact investment. The closing comes as international oil giants ExxonMobil and Chevron square off in a high-stakes arbitration battle over a US$1 trillion oil discovery in Guyana’s Stabroek block—underscoring the country's growing strategic significance on the global stage. Read more here
T&T eyes leadership in Power-to-X economy
What is Power-to-X, and how is Trinidad and Tobago already leading? Power-to-X refers to the process of using renewable electricity—such as solar or wind—to produce valuable products like hydrogen, chemicals, or alternative fuels. According to Richard Ramrattan, a hydrogen specialist consultant at the United Nations, Trinidad and Tobago is already ahead in this field, thanks to a captive demand of 1.5 to 1.7 megatons per year of rehydrogen used in ammonia and methanol production. He made these remarks on the opening day of the T&T Energy Chamber’s Caribbean Sustainable Energy Conference, held at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre. The theme for the 2025 event was “Adapting and Recalibrating.” Read more here
REGIONAL
Mechanisms being examined to facilitate 3M travellers by 2030
As Guyana welcomes KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the flag carrier of the Netherlands, President, Dr Irfaan Ali has emphasised that government continues to invest in enhancing the aviation sector, creating opportunities for locals and a first- world experience for foreigners. At a reception held on Tuesday night at Cara Lodge to celebrate the launch of the Amsterdam to Georgetown route, President, Dr Irfaan Ali stated that this new connection to one of the world’s most prestigious hubs, will open vast opportunities, not just for travellers, but also for Guyana’s wider economy. The inaugural flight is expected to land at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, today. “It opens up tremendous opportunities for our economy itself and where we are positioning the economy in relation to our agro-processing potential, our cargo potential and our ability to now move products and produce in a more efficient way throughout the region,” President Ali said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
IDF says roads to Gaza aid centres are 'combat zones' as sites close for day
Aid distribution centres in Gaza will be closed for a day on Wednesday, as the Israeli military warned roads leading to the sites will be considered "combat zones". The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial US and Israel-backed aid network which began operating last week, said it was closing its sites for "update, organization and efficiency improvements works". In a separate update, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that people would be "prohibited" from entering the distribution centres or travelling on roads leading to them. Early on Tuesday, at least 27 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire close to a distribution centre, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defence Agency. Read more here
4th June 2025