NEWS
US Embassy official: Pt Lisas may be ideal site for AI data centre
The Point Lisas Industrial Estate could emerge as the preferred location for at least one of the US-backed data centre projects proposed for Trinidad and Tobago, with construction potentially beginning within months once negotiations are completed. US Embassy Economic Officer Jeff Cernyar said industrial estates such as Point Lisas provide the ideal environment for large-scale data centres because they already accommodate heavy industry and are located away from residential communities, addressing one of the main public concerns surrounding the developments. A consortium led by Hummingbird AI has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government to develop a 150-megawatt data centre, while a separate consortium led by EY is proposing a 300-megawatt facility. The projects were among three major investment initiatives announced by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar last week, alongside plans to restart the Iron and Steel Company of T&T (ISCOTT). Read more here
US dining brands arrive in Trinidad
Trinidadians may know Applebee’s and IHOP from commercials during their favourite US cable TV shows. Some may have visited the restaurants when they travelled. Now the experience is coming to local shores, Grand Bazaar in Valsayn to be exact, in less than a month. Excitement and anticipation are already building on social media as the restaurant seeks a mid-August opening date. CEO Vishnu Maharaj said it was originally a Red Lobster project on the verge of becoming a reality. Read more here
POLITICS
PNM gears up for court fight over Balisier House financing probe
The People’s National Movement (PNM) says it is preparing for a legal battle after confirming it has been served with court documents relating to the financing of the renovation and construction of its Tranquility Street, Port-of-Spain headquarters, Balisier House. The party said its legal team is reviewing the documents. Last week, High Court Judge Margaret Mohammed granted a Preliminary Unexplained Wealth Order requiring the party, through its trustees, to disclose how the multi-million-dollar project was funded. The order, granted on Friday, was sought by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) under the provisions of the Civil Asset Recovery and Management and Unexplained Wealth Act, which was introduced by the PNM while it was in government in 2019. Read more here
BUSINESS
Inflation stays at 0.3%
The Central Statistical Office has reported no change in the inflation for June compared to the previous month, according to the consumer price index (CPI). In a release on day, the CPI stated the Inflation Rate for June 2026, which measures the percentage change in the all items index for the month of June 2026 over June 2025, was 0.3 per cent. The CSO said, “This remains unchanged from the previous period (May 2026/May 2025). The Inflation Rate for the comparative period (June 2025/June 2024) was 1.5 per cent.” The release stated the all items index calculated from the prices collected for the month of June 2026 was 126.0, representing an increase of 0.3 points or 0.2 per cent above the All Items Index for May 2026. Read more here
Energy Chamber of T&T raises concerns over Titan shutdown
The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago has expressed concern over the impact that the idling of Methanex’s Titan plant and Nutrien’s ammonia facility will have on exports, foreign exchange earnings and businesses operating within the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. On Wednesday, Methanex said it would begin the process of indefinitely idling its Titan methanol plant after failing to reach agreement on a new natural gas supply contract. The announcement followed Nutrien Ltd’s October 23 decision to commence a controlled shutdown of its Trinidad Nitrogen operations at Point Lisas. Read more here
REGIONAL
Gov’t unveils social housing programme as it targets 40,000 new homes
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday outlined plans for a new social housing programme that will provide between 3,000 and 5,000 homes for vulnerable Guyanese. As part of the wider housing push, he disclosed that the government has already received more than 270 expressions of interest from private developers to help accelerate home construction across the country. The initiative forms part of the administration’s broader strategy to shift its focus from distributing house lots to expanding homeownership, with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) committing to construct 40,000 housing units during its second term in office. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Iran accuses US of hitting civilian infrastructure
Iran has accused the US of hitting civilian infrastructure in the latest wave of air strikes since peace talks collapsed. State media and provincial authorities said bridges, a train station and an airport were hit. BBC Verify has confirmed an attack on one bridge in Hormozgan province. US Central Command (Centcom) has not given a list of targets, but said the attacks were intended to "further degrade Iranian military capabilities". Read more here
17th July 2026