NEWS
Minister calls on Children’s Authority directors to resign after audit uncovers $77M in alleged financial mismanagement
The board of the Children’s Authority of T&T has been called on to resign immediately by Minister of the People Vandana Mohit. She made the call during a conference at the United National Congress’ (UNC) headquarters in Chaguanas yesterday, as she said the authority is facing financial issues that are deeply troubling and were caused by alleged prolonged financial mismanagement and a lack of oversight. “Today, I call for the immediate resignation of the current board of the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago…The Children’s Authority now finds itself mired in a serious financial debacle with liabilities dating as far back as 2020, reportedly reaching in the vicinity of $77 million dollars and counting,” Mohit said. “There are credible concerns regarding frivolous expenditure and inflated hiring practices, which have compounded the authority’s financial stress. The inevitable consequences of this action is the inability of the authority to meet its obligations to critical suppliers and service providers, placing operational continuity at risk.” Read more here
‘A journey of boundless faith’
Once driven underground by law and mocked by society, the Spiritual Shouter Baptist faith is today celebrating 75 years of religious freedom in Trinidad and Tobago. The theme of the celebrations is “A journey of boundless faith”. Church leaders say the anniversary is not only about remembrance, but about recognising how a once-persecuted religion has grown into a major spiritual and cultural force. Read more here
POLITICS
THA confirms pending departure of US troops but mum on date
The exit date for US troops now in Tobago is being treated as a national security issue. This as Tobago House of Assembly Secretary of Youth Empowerment and Sport Keigon Denoon reiterated a statement by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine that the US military would be leaving the island within days, but refused to give the exact date. “Because that is a sensitive issue in terms of Homeland Security and so on, the exact timeline would not be given, but they would be leaving shortly,” Denoon said during a media conference at the Hochoy Charles Administrative Complex, Calder Hall. The US troops have maintained a consistent presence in Tobago since arriving last November to install a military-grade Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (GATOR) radar at the ANR Robinson International Airport in Crown Point. Read more here
BUSINESS
Analysts: Prolonged war could devastate living standards in T&T
The war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran could negatively impact living standards in T&T, as it could result in higher food prices, increases in the price os gasoline and possibly an erosion of the country’s foreign reserves. This is the view of economists and a former energy minister who spoke to the Sunday Business Guardian about the war, which is engulfing the Middle East. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said it will not allow “a litre of oil” through the Strait of Hormuz as the closure of the key Gulf waterway continues to roil global energy markets, since the war that started on February 28. The IRGC has even threatened that oil prices could reach as high as US$200 a barrel of oil. On Friday, Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, closed trading at above US$100 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate Crude, the US benchmark fell by 2 per cent. Read more here
Noble to drill 3 offshore wells
Energy major bp has awarded Noble Corporation a contract for its semi-submersible rig Noble Developer to drill three wells offshore Trinidad and Tobago, with work expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027. The drilling programme is expected to last about 240 days at a day rate of US$375,000, with options for up to three additional wells. Noble made the confirmation in its full year results for 2025. With 12 offshore platforms and two subsea installations, bp is one of Trinidad and Tobago’s largest hydrocarbon producers. Read more here
REGIONAL
Cancer-care expansion, cutting-edge treatments on Guyana’s health agenda
President Ali says, highlights plan for integrated health infrastructure to position Guyana as a regional medical hub. AS part of the broader push to position Guyana as a regional healthcare hub, President, Dr Irfaan Ali recently disclosed plans to expand cancer treatment and accelerate advanced medical services. The President highlighted the ongoing discussions during the recent commissioning of the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital’s new six-storey outpatient pavilion. “…Dr Madhu and this family have already approached government in finding a solution for cancer care and investing in that solution and those are ongoing discussions,” the President said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine's urgent fight on the financial frontline
For Ukraine the financial frontline is perhaps the unseen battlefield in the war with Russia. Keeping the economy on a level footing isn't just about today, but central to the future that they've spent four years fighting for. We don't want to be just a poor neighbour [to the EU]," says Ukraine's Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko. "We want to provide for Europe, something which they lack," he explains, in reference to the military expertise that the country has reluctantly gained since February 2022. Marchenko adds that the "very painful" experience his country has gained could help the rest of the continent defend itself. Read more here
16th March 2026