CARICOM Cost-of-Living Push: CARICOM leaders met in St Lucia and agreed on measures to ease household expenses, including tax cuts on imported fuel, freight cost adjustments, steps to lower intra-regional cargo costs, more renewable energy, and plans to fast-track a regional ferry service. Power Sector Governance: Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath installed a new PowerGen board—Jasodra Rampersad (chair), Nathan Jeremie (deputy), with Omesh Ramberran and Hardeo Bahall—tasked with strengthening governance and reliability. Broadband for Underserved Areas: TATT launched new broadband infrastructure in Navet under the Universal Service Programme, targeting about 140 homes and linking residents to education, healthcare and jobs. Housing Scam Warning: HDC warned the public about scammers posing as HDC/Ministry agents offering homes outside the official allocation process, saying payments to third parties are likely lost and properties can be reclaimed. Business & Trade: The T&T Chamber’s Canada mission will focus on market readiness and sales training before travel, while MITTCO used TIC 2026 to expand steelpan trade links internationally. Finance: Government completed an oversubscribed US$800m sovereign bond issuance in the US market at a 6.20% coupon. Crime: A 24-year-old woman, Aaliyah Naipal, was charged with the fatal stabbing of Chaguanas businessman Gregory Reece. Transport Deal: Caribbean Airlines launched limited-time discounted one-way Trinidad–Barbados fares from US$142 for selected September 2026 dates.
AGP Executive Report
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CARICOM Cost-Cutting Push: Trinidad and Tobago will temporarily provide a cargo vessel to move goods between CARICOM member states, aiming to cut intra-regional shipping costs and ease the rising cost of living after the 51st CARICOM Heads meeting in St Lucia. Regional Governance Row: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says some of her concerns about CARICOM operations were “ironed out,” while former PM Keith Rowley dismisses claims of a diplomatic win, as CARICOM leaders agree to seek a Caribbean Court of Justice advisory opinion on the Secretary-General reappointment process. Public Finance: The Government has raised US$800 million via a sovereign bond in the US market, oversubscribed by about 400%, priced at a 6.20% coupon. Business & Jobs: Opposition MP Brian Manning blames UNC policies for Nestlé’s decision to exit its local manufacturing plant, while Trade Minister Satyakama Maharaj argues investor confidence remains strong and says the restructuring is a chance for local entrepreneurs. Cybersecurity: Government says it is monitoring cybersecurity incidents affecting several ministries and state agency websites. Culture & Community: Calypso fraternity mourns the deaths of veteran entertainers Bill Trotman and The Mighty Wanderer. Humanitarian Relief: Sewa International TT launches a Venezuela earthquake relief campaign with supermarket partners collecting donations at checkout. Legal/Detention: Cabinet rescinded Blue Waters land lease decisions and the matter was sent to police; Dominic Hadeed and his wife seek an urgent Court of Appeal hearing over detention.
CARICOM Legal Showdown: Trinidad and Tobago’s objection has pushed CARICOM to seek a Caribbean Court of Justice advisory opinion on the procedural legality of Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett’s reappointment, with the current status quo maintained while the court rules. CARICOM Cost-of-Living Push: Leaders agreed measures to ease prices across the region, including using Trinidad’s vessel as a proof-of-concept for a regional cargo ferry, and tasking COTED to adjust common external tariffs on basic food items. T&T Sovereign Bond: The Government has completed a US$800 million sovereign bond sale in the US market, priced at a 6.20% coupon after demand oversubscribed by about 400%. Trade & Manufacturing Focus: Trade Minister Satyakama Maharaj told the Trade and Investment Convention that manufacturers should get priority access to foreign exchange, and said investor confidence is strong despite Nestlé’s restructuring. Business Links With Guyana: The TT Chamber and Georgetown Chamber signed an MoU to deepen trade, investment and private-sector cooperation and tackle non-tariff barriers. IP Capacity Boost: Minister Saddam Hosein signed a WIPO agreement to strengthen local patent drafting capacity, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign expertise. Science Spotlight: Scientists on a deep-sea expedition say they’ve discovered a possible new octopus species in T&T waters, with the specimen preserved for study. Local Safety Concern: Police and search teams are investigating reports of what appeared to be a baby’s body floating in the Marabella River.
CARICOM Ferry Push: CARICOM leaders are moving ahead with an affordable regional ferry plan to cut the cost of moving cargo between islands, with Trinidad and Tobago exploring the use of an existing ferry as a pilot while regulations are finalised. CCJ Advisory Opinion Row: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says T&T will not adopt the CCJ as its final court of appeal “at this time,” even as CARICOM agrees to refer the CARICOM Secretary-General reappointment process to the CCJ for an advisory opinion. Passport Governance: Opposition leader Mickela Panday alleges a passport booklet shortage reflects governance failure, while Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander insists there is no shortage and that supplies are being managed for a transition to an electronic passport system. Energy Business Mood: An Energy Chamber survey reports mixed conditions in T&T’s energy services sector in Q2 2026, with more firms saying business value and volumes were below normal. Local Safety Alert: Police and search teams are investigating reports from Marabella residents who claimed they saw a baby’s body floating in a watercourse. Deep-Sea Discovery: Scientists on a deep-sea mission say a rare octopus specimen collected in T&T waters may represent a species never documented here before. Tech & Skills: Tertiary Education Minister Prakash Persad says the government is repositioning training with micro-credentials and short, industry-aligned courses to prepare workers for an AI-shaped economy. Broadband Expansion: TATT is extending broadband access to underserved communities, with Navet among the latest areas to benefit.
CARICOM Court Fight: Trinidad and Tobago’s objection to the CARICOM Secretary-General reappointment process is set to go to the Caribbean Court of Justice for an advisory opinion under Article 212, with the Secretary-General staying in post while the CCJ reviews the matter. Regional Health Jobs: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar says plans are underway to create regional job opportunities for Trinidad and Tobago doctors across CARICOM nations, easing cost-of-living pressures and boosting workforce mobility. AI Skills Push: The Tertiary Education Ministry says it’s repositioning training for an AI-shaped economy, including short-cycle industry-aligned courses, micro-credentials and flexible learning pathways. Broadband for Underserved Areas: TATT is expanding broadband access via a partnership that is bringing connectivity to communities like Navet, with homes already being connected and more areas targeted. Education Innovation: The Education Ministry is rolling out curriculum reforms aimed at sparking innovation, including continuous assessment and deeper science, arts and digital learning. Science in T&T Waters: Scientists on a national deep-sea expedition say they may have collected a previously unknown deep-sea octopus species, to be studied and preserved locally. Digital Voting for Groups: A new Trinidad and Tobago-developed iVote Live platform is being promoted to modernise voting and member participation for organisations, reducing manual counting and delays. Tourism & Travel Deals: Caribbean Airlines announces a three-day flash sale on Trinidad–Orlando one-way fares for summer travel.
CARICOM-CCJ Standoff: CARICOM leaders have agreed to seek a Caribbean Court of Justice advisory opinion to settle Trinidad and Tobago’s objection to the reappointment process for Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett, with the status quo maintained until the court rules. Digital Voting Push: A T&T-developed iVote Live platform was unveiled to help member-based organisations modernise elections, cut manual counting, and support hybrid participation. Air Travel Deal: Caribbean Airlines launched a three-day flash sale on Trinidad–Orlando one-way fares (from US$338 outbound, US$262 inbound) for travel between July 13 and Aug. 31. Tobago Crime Update: One suspect, Sherman Irvine, was charged over a Plymouth ATM heist, after police say attackers used stolen equipment to rip out a vault. Passports Accountability Row: Opposition leader Penelope Beckles renewed calls for the Home Affairs Ministry to disclose how many passport booklets remain, despite assurances more are on the way. Health Aid for Aaron: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the Health Minister intervened to secure support for 11-year-old Aaron Edwards through the Children’s Life Fund. AI for the Region: The Caribbean AI Forum 2026 is set for July 23–24 in Port of Spain, focusing on governance, innovation and resilience.
CARICOM/CCJ Row: CARICOM Heads of Government agreed to seek a Caribbean Court of Justice advisory opinion on the process used to reappoint Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett, after Trinidad and Tobago objected—keeping the current status quo until the ruling. Diplomatic Fallout: Political scientist Prof Hamid Ghany says PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar scored a “diplomatic coup” by pushing the referral, arguing the dispute is really about CARICOM’s integrity and trust. Regional Tech Push: The Caribbean AI Forum 2026 will be held July 23–24 in Port of Spain, aiming to boost AI governance, innovation and digital transformation across the region. Local Education Win: SEA success stories highlight inclusion, with blind and visually impaired students breaking barriers, plus top performers credited to steady family support. Legal/Detention Update: Bottled water owner Dominic Hadeed and his wife appealed their detention over an alleged plot to assassinate top T&T officials, arguing it’s politically driven retaliation. Earthquake: A 4.5 quake early Tuesday (near Carúpano, Venezuela) shook parts of Trinidad; no casualties reported.
CARICOM Legal Clash: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the reappointment of CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett was unlawful and wants the dispute sent to the Caribbean Court of Justice, with interim steps proposed while the CCJ rules. Local Governance: The same CARICOM row is spilling into closed-door summit talks in St Lucia, with Jamaica also urging stronger engagement with Port-of-Spain. LGBTQ+ Rights: A landmark JCPC appeal in London on July 8 will hear Trinidad and Tobago’s colonial-era anti-gay laws, with campaigners warning the laws could be upheld. Immigration & Passports: Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander denies passport processing is being slowed due to low stock, while the government moves toward e-passports. Economy & Industry: AMCHAM calls for a national 7% GDP tech target as diversification pressure grows; Prestige reports a sharp profit drop; and Methanex’s Titan plant idling at Point Lisas raises fresh economic worries. Public Safety: Police investigate a Mayaro kidnapping claim involving alleged drugging and torture before escape. Business & Tech: Flytxt partners with Digicel T&T to roll out AI-led customer engagement tools. Earthquake Preparedness: Engineers warn many homes and informal structures may not hold up in a major quake.
CARICOM Leadership Rift: Trinidad and Tobago’s PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar says its objection to CARICOM SG Carla Barnett’s reappointment is “neither personal nor political,” arguing the process broke the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and urging leaders to seek an urgent CCJ advisory opinion. Regional Pressure Builds: Jamaica’s PM Andrew Holness tells CARICOM he’s not trying to overturn the Feb reappointment, but remains concerned the approach didn’t resolve the matter or meet treaty goals. CARICOM Chair Focus: St Lucia PM Philip J Pierre takes over chairmanship pledging unity amid rising tensions and asks “What more can CARICOM do for me?” Digital Cooperation: UWI and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union sign an MoU to push regional digital policy, research, capacity building and implementation. Tourism Push: T&T targets tourism growing to US$1.7b GDP by 2030, with priority niches like yachting, eco, health, conferences, culture and sport. Public Finance Watch: NIBTT is said to owe over $50m to a vendor for its Empower tech upgrade, as a finance committee probes service delivery and collections. Humanitarian Aid: Relief supplies are being packaged and shipped to Venezuela after twin quakes. US Embassy Courtesy: US Chargé d’Affaires Philip Kern meets Attorney General John Jeremie on continued cooperation against narco-trafficking and financial crime.
Venezuela Earthquake Relief: Trinidad and Tobago is stepping up humanitarian support after the twin quakes, with regional corporations collecting, sorting and packing donated supplies and relief buckets for shipment, including food, sanitation items and medical supplies. CARICOM Summit Tensions: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has travelled to Saint Lucia for the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, where a dispute over the Secretary-General’s reappointment is expected to be a key flashpoint. Diplomatic Passport Crackdown: A fresh debate is reignited over the purpose of diplomatic passports after reports that former PM Stuart Young’s passport was recalled, with calls for clarity on whether such privileges are for office business or lifetime rewards. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John says the revitalisation blueprint is now in the request-for-proposal stage, with contract awards expected in the next two to three months. Youth Football: The TTFA National Youth League wrapped with a push for a stronger youth pathway under a decentralised model, despite early operational challenges. Heritage Preservation: The National Trust launched a drive to assess more than 300 archaeological sites across Trinidad and Tobago to protect ancient heritage from development and environmental change. Community Policing: TTPS held a Cunupia forum after residents raised concerns about gang activity, security gaps and declining police visibility, with plans for stronger patrols and faster response. Business Watch: Prestige Holdings reports a sharp profit drop for the half-year ended May 31, 2026, blaming higher supplier costs, national insurance contributions and foreign exchange constraints.
CARICOM Summit Watch: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar heads to the 51st CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Saint Lucia, with Works Minister Jearlean John acting in her absence—while Regional Governance Tensions simmer over the Barnett reappointment row and fresh scrutiny around Dr. Terrance Drew’s CARICOM chairmanship. Humanitarian Relief: The Social Development Ministry says it has delivered over TT$265,000 in disaster relief to Penal/Debe and Siparia households, including relief grants and home repair support. Venezuela Earthquake Response: Rural Development Minister Khadijah Ameen reports 1,000+ relief buckets are ready for shipment to Venezuela, packaged and labelled by regional corporations. Healthcare & Research Partnerships: UWI St Augustine signs new MoUs with the North West Regional Health Authority and the Princess Elizabeth Home to expand clinical training, internships, and biomedical/digital health research. Finance & FX Oversight: The Central Bank says it plans tighter oversight of cross-border cash shipments and foreign exchange reporting, including updates to the Exchange Control Act amid questions after a US$2m cash seizure. Co-ops & Jobs: International Day of Cooperatives highlights 219 registered cooperatives and an asset base over TT$20 billion, pushing innovation and youth involvement.
Diplomatic Passport Crackdown: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the review of diplomatic passports will also target former PM Dr Keith Rowley, after concerns from international partners; she noted 985 people still hold such passports despite not meeting criteria. Police Recruitment Push: The TTPS is moving to hire 2,316 new officers to reach 10,200 over five years, with recruitment details now online as critics question whether numbers alone will fix crime-fighting gaps. Central Bank on US Cash Exports: The Central Bank clarified that authorised financial institutions can legally export US currency, as investigations continue into a US$2m cash seizure linked to NCB Merchant Bank at Piarco. Prison Conditions Debate Reignites: The detention of Dominic Hadeed under PDOs has revived long-running claims about prison conditions and medical support, with prison sources disputing parts of the allegations. Energy Transparency Row: A renewed Methanex-NGC gas pricing dispute is fuelling calls for more openness on how state gas prices are set. CARICOM Day Debate: Op-eds again question why CARICOM Day isn’t a regional public holiday. Sports (Regional): Pakistan named Babar Azam as Test captain for West Indies and England tours starting in Trinidad later this month.
Central Banking & FX: The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago says exporting US currency is legal for authorised dealers and licensed institutions under the Exchange Control Act, clarifying that routine shipments are matched by wired credits back home—while stressing it won’t comment on the specific investigation. Business & Jobs: Nestlé has begun a strategic review of its Trinidad and Tobago operations, including possible restructuring of its dairy and juice businesses, with the Government saying it will engage the company to protect jobs and local factory operations. Diplomatic Passports: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the Government will reclaim diplomatic passports from former PMs Dr Keith Rowley and Stuart Young after concerns over issuance and abuse, with hundreds reportedly holding passports despite not meeting criteria. Public Health Security: CARPHA inaugurated a CARPHA Regional Emergency Operations Centre in Port of Spain to coordinate regional preparedness and response across 26 member states, funded through the EU. Regional Integration: CARICOM leaders, marking CARICOM Day, renewed calls for deeper regional cooperation—covering climate, food and energy security, crime, youth opportunities, and digital transformation. Scam Watch: UWI warned the public about a fake UWI website collecting personal information, urging people to use only official UWI channels. Earthquake Link: UWI seismic researchers say coastal uplift at Cedros, Trinidad was linked to Venezuela’s twin earthquakes, matching fault-system activity. Finance Safety for Seniors: BATT ran a “Banking for Seniors” session in Santa Cruz to help older adults spot scams and protect themselves as fraud tactics become more sophisticated, including AI-driven tricks.
Diplomatic Passport Crackdown: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says Trinidad and Tobago is tightening control over diplomatic passports after foreign partners raised concerns about issuance and “abuse,” with former PMs Dr Keith Rowley and Stuart Young now being asked to surrender theirs. Nestlé Restructuring Watch: The Government says it will engage Nestlé after the company began a strategic review of its local dairy and juices operations, with assurances aimed at protecting jobs while options like a sale are considered. NCB Cash Seizure: NCB Merchant Bank insists the US$2 million seized at Piarco was part of a legitimate inter-institutional transaction, and says it will cooperate with authorities. MiLAT Suspension Fallout: The suspension of the Military-Led Academic Training programme has sparked alarm among educators and youth advocates, warning vulnerable young men could lose a key anti-crime pathway. Energy Anxiety: Economist Mariano Browne and business leaders warn that gas supply uncertainty could hit Pt Lisas jobs and SMEs as Methanex moves to idle operations. Public Safety & Scams: BATT and TTARP ran a “Banking for Seniors” session to help older people spot digital banking scams and AI-enabled fraud. Regional Health Security: CARPHA opened a Regional Emergency Operations Centre in Port of Spain to strengthen Caribbean preparedness and response to public health emergencies. Tobago Community Funding: THA launched a $2.25m Electoral District Fund, allocating $150,000 per district to help area reps tackle local issues.
Gang crackdown and emergency powers: A prominent Syrian businessman, Dominic Hadeed, his wife Genevieve, and her aunt Star Sabga were detained under Preventive Detention Orders after claims of a conspiracy to assassinate senior government figures, with UK barrister Sir James Eadie brought in to prosecute. Diplomatic passport row: Former PM Stuart Young says he was told “out of the blue” to return a diplomatic passport he never requested, and he wants the request made formally in writing. Business and finance: NCB Merchant Bank says a seized US$2 million cash shipment at Piarco was a legitimate inter-institutional transaction, while Nestlé begins a strategic review that could include restructuring its dairy and juices operations. Public health security: CARPHA opened a Regional Emergency Operations Centre in Port of Spain, funded by the EU, to strengthen regional outbreak and disaster response. Venezuela earthquake relief: T&T is coordinating a nationwide relief drive, with municipal corporations acting as collection points, and the Health Ministry also sending medical supplies. Tobago community and health: THA launched a $2.25m electoral district fund, and Tobago surgeons performed 14 minor procedures during a regional conference. Tourism and local economy: Store Bay vendors completed a quality and food-safety workshop, and Caribbean Airlines says domestic flights can soon be booked and paid in T&T dollars. Sports: Jaden Mills set new personal bests at the Bahamas swim championships; TNT Sports secured 600 hours of Commonwealth Games coverage.
Legal & Accountability: Former PM Stuart Young says he was told to return his diplomatic passport after it was issued automatically when he left office, but he wants a formal written request and claims the move fits a wider pattern of political victimisation. State of Emergency Scrutiny: Preventive detention orders against Dominic Hadeed, his wife Genevieve, and Star Sabga have been published, detailing allegations including a plot to assassinate senior government figures. Finance & Markets: Government indicates it wants to borrow up to US$750 million on the international capital market for general development and/or refinancing, with JP Morgan Securities and Citibank named as joint lead managers. Business & Jobs: Nestlé has started a strategic review of its Trinidad and Tobago operations, with workers told it may explore selling its dairy and juices business. Local Economy & Food Security: A chicken shortage is exposing structural weaknesses in the poultry industry, with analysts pointing to overreliance on imported broiler eggs. Tourism & Trade: T&T is cutting yacht clearance times to 15 minutes to attract higher-value visitors. Tech & Culture: An AI-writing controversy continues after Trinidadian Jamir Nazir’s Commonwealth prize win, while AMCHAM pushes for higher-value tech and AI in BPO. Sports: Jayden Seales eyes a Test century milestone as T&T prepares for the NACAC U18/U23 championships in Mexico after funding was secured. Regional Aid: Government-organised aid for Venezuela is being moved via Galleons Passage as the death toll from earthquakes rises.
Preventive Detention Orders: The Gazette has published the grounds for the PDOs against Dominic Hadeed, Genevieve Hadeed and Star Sabga, alleging an ongoing conspiracy to assassinate senior government figures and warning the claims are tied to threats during the State of Emergency. Children’s Authority Debts: The Ministry of People, Social Development and Family Services says it has settled TT$36.04 million in audited Children’s Authority outstanding payments, including security, works at the National Care and Empowerment Centre, and janitorial services, to protect care delivery and reduce litigation risk. Tourism & Creative Economy: Trade, Investment and Tourism Minister Satyakama Maharaj says T&T can become the Caribbean’s creative hub, pushing culture as an industry to drive year-round tourism and jobs, including a transatlantic gateway concept linking Africa and Asia to the region. Tobago Food Upgrade: Store Bay crab and dumpling vendors have completed mandatory training after concerns about declining standards, with organisers expecting a higher, more consistent product for visitors. UWI Environment Push: UWI has launched a five-year Bio Resilience Project backed by US$3.5 million to restore degraded farmland, boost biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience for food security. Digital Cooperation: Public Administration and AI Minister Dominic Smith met Singapore’s CARICOM ambassador to discuss deeper cooperation on digital government, AI governance, cybersecurity and public service innovation. Youth Opportunity (Tobago): Tobago’s Junior Tourism Secretary Shania Phillip highlights youth-led tourism ambitions, while the Tobago Youth Development Fund is also being promoted for eligible students studying abroad. Crime & Courts: A Trinidad I-25 vehicular homicide case in Colorado ended with sentencing after a guilty plea to vehicular homicide-DWAI, with the judge stressing the lifelong impact on the victim’s family.
Crime & Courts: Police detained a 25-year-old woman after a fatal stabbing of 37-year-old Chaguanas businessman George Reece, previously charged in a $1.4M cheque fraud case, found dead at a Woodford Gardens apartment following a dispute. Public Utilities & Jobs: T&TEC appointed two new managers the same day it dismissed two others—Aniel Jairam as internal audit manager and Bisnath Maharaj as head of security. Education & Equity: A UNESCO report says Trinidad and Tobago’s SEA still sorts children too early, warning it can reproduce inequality even as access to secondary school has expanded. Youth Programmes: Opposition leader Penelope Beckles urged the Government to reverse the temporary suspension of MiLAT, arguing it’s a major setback for youth development and crime prevention; Defence Minister Wayne Sturge says it’s not shut down and a review is underway. Business & Finance: Trinidad Cement Ltd signed a $100m three-year revolving loan with ScotiaBank T&T, while Endeavour Holdings reported a 52.4% drop in after-tax profit to $22.93m. Digital Payments: Sendana launched a digital US$ platform for Caribbean users, offering a virtual US account and Visa debit card for receiving and spending US dollars. Economy Pressure: A survey of Chaguanas businesses points to falling sales, higher operating costs and cautious consumers. Energy & Industry: Copper prices are rising globally, and local analysts link that to increased copper theft targeting critical infrastructure.
MiLAT Fight: Opposition leader Penelope Beckles is demanding the Government reverse the suspension of the Military-Led Academic Training (MiLAT) programme, calling it a major setback for youth development and crime prevention, after Defence Minister Wayne Sturge said MiLAT was only temporarily suspended while officials review its financial viability. Energy Pressure: Energy analyst Gregory McGuire warns petrochemical shutdowns could cost T&T between US$500m and US$700m in annual foreign-exchange earnings, as gas supply tightens and plants face expiry and viability issues. Methanex Update: Methanex says it is starting the process to indefinitely idle its 860,000 mt/year Trinidad methanol plant after failing to agree a new gas contract, citing commercially unviable operations. Regional Diplomacy: Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers says T&T’s Mercosur associate membership bid has advanced after talks with South American leaders, with potential benefits for manufacturing and trade. Tech & Skills: Minister Dominic Smith says T&T’s digital transformation can’t be driven by Government alone, while an AWS AI specialist urged businesses to adopt AI to avoid being left behind. Business Moves: AS Bryden & Sons Holdings appoints Shelley Sylvester as Group CFO, effective July 1, as the group reports weaker first-quarter results. Public Health: WHO declared the DRC and Uganda Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of international Concern, with T&T urged to stay vigilant as cases rise.
Commonwealth Prize Fallout: Jamir Nazir’s “The Serpent in the Grove” won the overall Commonwealth short story prize despite online claims it was AI-written, with the Commonwealth Foundation saying it reviewed drafts and confirmed AI wasn’t used. Digital Economy & AI Push: Public Administration and AI Minister Dominic Smith says T&T’s digital transformation can’t be government-only, while AWS AI specialist Anton Alexander warns businesses that don’t adopt AI risk falling behind. Energy Shock—Methanex Titan: Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal says the door remains open for Methanex to restart, but NGC insists the Titan shutdown was driven by gas pricing, not supply. Legal/Detention Tensions: The Hadeeds’ detention challenge was dismissed, keeping them in custody as debate grows over the State’s use of emergency detention powers. Local Governance: Tobago’s THA Electoral District Fund is now live to speed up small community projects. Public Safety & Crime: New PDOs target alleged gang-linked suspects, including claims of bank-customer robberies. Community & Culture: Breakfast Shed gets a court reprieve to stay open until its January 2027 trial. Regional Integration: T&T moves closer to Mercosur associate membership, with trade and manufacturing opportunities highlighted.
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