NEWS
Vybz Kartel concert promoters unsure of ticket sales revenue
Jacho Entertainment promoter Odane Anderson says he does not yet know how much money he will receive from ticket sales for the One Caribbean Music Festival, as ticketing platforms Island eTickets and Frontline Ticketing have promised refunds to patrons. On June 2, Frontline Ticketing, based in Florida, said it would give refunds to patrons who did not attend the event, while Island eTickets, based in TT, said they would be issuing refunds to all patrons. Speaking to Newsday by phone on June 5, Anderson said he understood the two platforms were giving refunds to patrons but did not understand on what basis. Read more here
Arrest them! PM reveals move to expel, prosecute violent students
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is taking a zero-tolerance approach to school violence, declaring that students caught assaulting other students, teachers and principals will be expelled. Parents of these students and parents taking matters into their own hands, using threats or violence, would have to face the full brunt of the law, the Prime Minister revealed. Her announcement follows the latest reported school fight that left one female Form 5 student of the South East Port-of-Spain Secondary School hospitalised, after being viciously attacked by three other students. The recorded attack has been circulating on social media. The three students involved are facing suspension. Read more here
POLITICS
Penny: New PNM era to listen, learn, love
Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles had the opportunity to receive feedback from constituents in Central Trinidad about the April 28 general election and lessons the PNM must learn from the election as it rebuilds. The occasion was the PNM's first town hall meeting in Central Trinidad on May 31. In a post on her Facebook page on June 5, Beckles said the meeting. "heralded a new era in how we listen, learn and love." Constituents from Couva North, Couva South, Chaguanas East, Chaguanas West, Claxton Bay, Tabaquite, Caroni Central, and Caroni East had the opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions to Beckles and other PNM parliamentarians at the meeting. Read more here
PM Kamla warns Venezuelan leader: T&T off limits
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has issued a direct warning to the Venezuelan government: Trinidad and Tobago’s territory is off limits. And she has also made it clear T&T is standing with the United States on its policies against the Nicolás Maduro regime. “Today, I want to make it very clear to the Venezuelan government and officials that they can do whatever they want on Venezuelan territory, but they cannot come here. T&T territory is off limits to them,” she declared during a post-Cabinet media briefing at the Red House, Port-of-Spain. She added, “No amount of rhetoric from the Maduro government will drive any wedge between this UNC-led government and the US government. We stand solidly with the American government on the issues concerning Venezuela. That will not change.” Read more here
BUSINESS
PM: Central Bank refusing to divulge forex info
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday that Central Bank Governor, Dr Alvin Hilaire, is refusing to divulge information on the top users of foreign exchange in this country. At yesterday's post-Cabinet news conference at the Red House in Port-of-Spain, the Prime Minister was asked when can the country expect the report on the foreign exchange cartel. Describing trying to get information from the Central Bank as being "like a bed of thorns or pulling teeth," she referred to a case in court that the Government may have to bring to persuade the country's financial regulator. "The Central Bank Governor refuses to divulge information," she said, adding that Hilaire had failed to provide the Auditor General with information in 2024 and again this year. She said that situation was worrying her. Read more here
No legal obligation for State enterprise directors to resign
DIRECTORS serving on the boards of State enterprises are under no legal obligation to resign following a change in government, despite a widely held public perception to the contrary, according to a release from The UWI-Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business (ALJGSB). “The management of SOE (State-owned enterprise) boards should not be dictated by changes in political leadership. Directors, particularly in companies governed by the Companies Act, are legally bound to serve the interests of the entity and its shareholders, not the party in power. While statutory bodies may involve direct ministerial appointments, even these should aim for professionalism and continuity,” the release stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
Latest U.S. sanctions….Guyana requests information from U.S to take action, further clamp down on drug trafficking
The Government of Guyana will be seeking additional information from its United States (US) counterparts in relation to recent sanctions that have been imposed on four Guyanese nationals, including a senior police officer, for drug trafficking. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event on Thursday evening, President Dr. Irfaan Ali disclosed that he has already engaged the US ambassador requesting additional information to aid in a thorough investigation here. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Israel strikes southern Beirut on eve of religious holiday
Israel has carried out air strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, saying it was targeting Hezbollah's drone production. The attack on Thursday night, the eve of Eid Al Adha, one of the most important celebrations in Islam, followed evacuation warnings for several buildings in the area, where Hezbollah is based in the capital. There were no initial reports of injuries. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had identified a Hezbollah unit producing "thousands" of drones underground, funded by "Iranian terrorists". The attack occurred despite a ceasefire being in effect between Israel and the armed group for the past six months. Lebanon's prime minister said he "strongly condemns" the strike. Read more here
6th June 2025