NEWS
Major twist in probe into theft of guns, ammo from PoS station
Seven police officers have now been arrested in connection with the disappearance of three firearms and a quantity of ammunition from the Central Police Station at St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain. Senior police officials confirmed the major twist in the probe yesterday, saying the officers, who were of varying ranks, would have been on shift the night when the arms and ammunition went missing. According to senior police, the officers were being questioned up to late yesterday but no charges had yet been laid. The missing items include three Glock pistols, three magazines and 45 rounds of .9 mm ammunition. The items were lodged at the Central Police Station for safekeeping by municipal police officers attached to the Port-of-Spain Division around 2.47 pm on August 10. Read more here
Chicken shortage drives up depot prices
Poultry depots says they continue to face the brunt of an ongoing chicken shortage in the country. Contacted by the Express yesterday, several poultry depot owners said they had no choice but to pass on the limited supply with increased prices to customers. The owner of Reeyad’s Poultry Depot, San Juan, who did not want to be identified by his full name, said despite getting a good number of chickens every day to sell, they were small and cost more. “We get a good amount every day, (but) the chickens are smaller, we had to raise prices, and because of that, we had to cut back on the amount of chicken parts we sell. So, we basically are limited to selling only whole chickens,” he said in a telephone interview. Read more here
POLITICS
PM gets update on Caricom secretary general issue
St Lucia Prime Minister and Caricom chairman Philip J. Pierre has updated Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on efforts to seek an advisory opinion from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) over the appointment of Caricom Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett. The issue was among matters discussed when Pierre met with Persad-Bissessar here in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday evening, for talks aimed at strengthening regional cooperation. According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, Pierre, in his capacity as Caricom chairman, briefed Persad-Bissessar “on the matter of seeking an advisory opinion from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) with respect to the appointment of the Caricom Secretary General.” The issue surrounding the appointment of Barnett has been the subject of regional discussion following concerns over the process surrounding the reappointment. Read more here
PSA tells WASA workers: No work ‘as usual’ over stalled wage talks
THE Public Services Association (PSA) has instructed Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) workers not to work “as usual” until management advances the union’s counter-proposals for approval, accusing the authority’s director of Human Resources of failing to move negotiations forward since January. PSA president Felisha Thomas said the union was at WASA’s Sports Club, St Joseph, yesterday with workers awaiting management action and had called on board members to approve the necessary submission to the Finance Ministry. The PSA has been in longstanding negotiations with the Chief Personnel Officer over arrears owed to public servants for the 2014-2016 and 2017-2019 periods. Thomas was speaking with TV6 News and said that the director of Human Resources was responsible for moving the negotiations from the bargaining table to the board before the proposals could be transmitted to the ministry, but had not prepared a note for the Human Resources Advisory Committee. Read more here
BUSINESS
PM, ExxonMobil discuss energy deals
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday met with Dr Bram Willemsen, Trinidad and Tobago operations manager for ExxonMobil, for discussions on the company’s ongoing activities and future opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector. During the meeting, Dr Willemsen spoke positively about the ease of doing business in Trinidad and Tobago, noting that this was the fastest ExxonMobil has been able to secure the necessary approvals and complete the administrative procedures required to begin seismic activities, a release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
Government to address flooding, boost farming, advance key community works in Nabaclis
Residents of Nabaclis have described their engagement with President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday as “very productive,” after securing commitments for critical community infrastructural works, support for farmers and improved facilities for vendors and children. During the meeting held at State House, the group of residents praised the government’s accessibility and responsiveness to concerns raised over time. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Major oil slick washes up on Iran coast after Hormuz ship strike
Verified videos show a major oil slick washing up on Iran's Qeshm Island, which analysts have said comes from a ship hit by a strike in the Strait of Hormuz. BBC Verify has also analysed satellite imagery suggesting the oil spill originated from an attack on a vessel in Omani waters on 3 August. A week later, the apparent fuel leakage from the Minoan Pioneer bulk carrier had spread across a large area of the strait. Environmental experts say the spill threatens wildlife, protected ecosystems and fishing communities around Qeshm, which is home to mangrove forests, nearby coral reef habitats and nesting sites for critically endangered Hawksbill turtles. Read more here
14th August 2026