NEWS
Nutrien closure leaves workers fearful for future; Employees also unhappy with severance package
The announcement by fertiliser giant Nutrien Ltd on Monday that it would be closing its doors in Trinidad caught hundreds of employees by surprise, leaving them stunned, scared and more nervous about the future. Three employees spoke with Guardian Media yesterday about how the closure has left them reeling. Forced to start over afresh as they struggle to pick up the pieces, one long-time employee said news of the closure hit him hard as he faces the challenge of navigating the job market once again. “A 22-year-old career just like that was over. Read more here
Birdie returns home for final farewell
The body of the late celebrated calypsonian The Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) returned home yesterday. Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin and Sparrow’s son, fashion photographer Sancho Francisco were present to receive the legendary calypsonian’s body at Piarco International Airport. Sparrow, also fondly dubbed “Birdie”, died on September 27 in Queens, New York, USA. He was 91. Read more here
POLITICS
Age-limit Bill passes 15-12; Govt gets no outside support
The Senate has passed legislation raising the legal age for drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco in Trinidad and Tobago to 21, and for gambling and cannabis use to 25, but the Government failed to attract a single “yes” vote from either the Opposition or Independent benches. The Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026, was approved early Wednesday morning, with 15 Senators voting in favour, 12 against and three abstaining. All 15 votes in favour came from Government Senators. Independent Senators Dr Marlene Attzs, Francis Lewis and Alicia Pauline Lalite-Ettienne abstained, while the remaining Independent Senators joined the Opposition in voting against the legislation. Read more here
‘The law will come down on you’
Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander says the newly proclaimed special operations legislation will be implemented with an “element of surprise” and strategically deployed by law enforcement against criminal elements. He warned yesterday that the law will come down on them like a “tonne of bricks”. In a telephone interview with the Express, Alexander welcomed the proclamation of the legislation, saying it provides an additional weapon in the State’s arsenal to fight crime and protect law-abiding citizens. Read more here
BUSINESS
MovieTowne restaurant lays off workers for three months
More than 10 workers at Trader Jack’s Restaurant at MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain, have been placed on temporary layoff as the business confronts a difficult financial period. General manager Ryan Achim confirmed the development yesterday after a town hall meeting was held with staff to explain the company’s position and measures being taken. Achim explained that sales had declined compared with the corresponding period last year, while expenses including rent and purchasing costs had increased. Management had already taken steps to reduce costs and renegotiate arrangements with suppliers. Those measures provided some initial relief but were not enough to ease the financial burden. Achim noted that management ultimately decided the issues had to be addressed internally, leading to the temporary layoff of workers. Read more here
Caribbean Airlines audits expose major gaps in financial records
Audits of Caribbean Airlines’ long-delayed 2017, 2018 and 2019 financial statements have revealed extensive gaps in the airline’s accounting records, with PwC unable to verify billions of dollars in assets, revenue and expenses and identifying millions of dollars in unrecorded tax liabilities. The findings are contained in audit reports that became public after Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo laid the financial statements in Parliament last week, following Caribbean Airlines’ announcement that the three long-outstanding audits had been completed. Read more here
REGIONAL
More than 100 witnesses to appear before MV Barima CoI
MORE than 100 witnesses, including a survivor, relatives of victims, first responders and officials, are expected to appear before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the MV Barima tragedy. Secretary to the commission, attorney-at-law Javed Shadick made the disclosure on Tuesday at a press conference ahead of the formal hearings scheduled to begin next Wednesday. The five-member CoI will commence evidence-taking on Wednesday, October 14 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), following a week of meetings and site visits that are intended to familiarise the commissioners with the people, locations and institutions connected to the July 18 disaster. “On Wednesday, (October 14) we plan to commence the first sitting of the commission here where we will start gathering evidence from persons who we would have processed,” Shadick said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
France halts use of stun grenades after boy's hand blown off in student protests
France has suspended the use of stun grenades for policing student protests that have swept the country, after a 15-year-old's hand was blown off earlier this week. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said he had requested the pause until the facts of Monday's incident in Lens had been "clarified", with conflicting accounts offered by protesters and officials. Several groups have complained of police using disproportionate force towards teenagers. Read more here
7th October 2026