NEWS
Udecott steps into Eddie Hart police-army post dispute
After two days of confrontation over the Eddie Hart mobile police post, the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) has stepped into the dispute, identifying itself as project manager and agreeing to meet with officials of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC) on Monday. TPRC chairman Josiah Austin told Guardian Media yesterday that Udecott contacted the corporation on Friday night to request the meeting. The development comes as questions remain over whether work on the Eddie Hart project has been completed. While Rural Development and Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen said construction was completed on Friday, the mobile police unit had not been placed on the newly built foundation when Guardian Media visited the grounds yesterday morning. No workers were on site and the concrete platform appeared complete. Read more here
POLITICS
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to meet PM on energy, security
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau is expected to meet Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar during a visit to Trinidad and Tobago from Sunday to Tuesday, with energy, security and economic cooperation expected to feature prominently on the agenda. Landau’s visit is part of a wider regional trip that will also take him to Guyana, where he is scheduled to meet President Irfaan Ali and members of the Guyanese Cabinet. According to a media note issued by the US State Department on Sunday, Landau’s discussions with Persad-Bissessar will focus on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The State Department said the talks will include “shared energy and security priorities” as well as efforts to advance economic cooperation. Read more here
BUSINESS
Keep fetes, alcohol out of Bird Sanctuary tours, says Pouchet
The push to turn Trinidad’s wetlands and other natural attractions into high-value ecotourism products is facing growing concern among tourism operators and environmentalists: whether some new-style boat tours are putting entertainment ahead of conservation. The issue has surfaced around the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, where operators have introduced on-water dining and other experiences, but complaints have emerged about alcohol consumption, noise, litter and visitor behaviour. Tourism operators are not calling for the end of these experiences. Instead, they want clear rules governing what can and cannot happen inside protected areas, along with stronger enforcement. The concern is gaining importance as ecotourism has been identified by the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism as one of the six areas targeted for growth. Read more here
Japan eyes T&T oil and gas
As the US-Iran war continues to limit maritime movement across the Strait of Hormuz, choking energy supplies to countries that have historically sourced much of their oil and gas from the Middle East, Japan says it may turn to Trinidad and Tobago to fill the void. During a one-day visit to this country on Friday, Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi met with Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers to discuss potentially sourcing oil and natural gas from Trinidad and Tobago, as well as collaboration as the country assumes a non-permanent seat on the United Nations’ Security Council. The meeting was described by Japanese officials as a “good occasion to align understandings and perspectives” against the backdrop of the international community. Read more here
REGIONAL
Rezoning of trade businesses among plans for Enmore, other communities
President, Dr Irfaan Ali has announced plans to rezone sections of Enmore and other communities to move noisy and environmentally disruptive businesses away from residential areas, as the government advances its Model Village Initiative and moves to improve living conditions across the country. Speaking during a community consultation at Enmore, East Coast Demerara, last week, President Ali said the government has been working with engineers, planners and urban-development specialists to assess the existing layout of communities and develop options for their transformation. Central to those plans, he said, is better separation of residential, commercial and industrial activities, particularly businesses such as spray-painting operations, mechanic shops and other enterprises that can create noise or environmental disturbances for residents. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
World's oceans hit record-high July temperatures
The world's oceans hit their hottest ever recorded temperatures for July, partly fuelled by developing El Niño conditions in the Pacific, according to the EU's climate monitoring service. The average sea surface temperature (SST) outside the world's polar regions - between 60 degrees north and 60 degrees south - was 20.96C last month, beating the previous high of 20.89C, set in 2023. Last month was the joint second-warmest July globally on record, with temperatures 1.47C above the estimated pre-industrial average, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Read more here
10th August 2026