NEWS
CSO on the ground to get data for census
The Central Statistical Office (CSO) of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs, and Development is beginning a nationwide geospatial data update exercise (GDUE) on January 26, as part of preparations for the upcoming Population and Housing Census. This exercise involves trained field staff visiting communities to collect geo-located and attribute data on every building, household, business, institution, and agricultural holding using digital technology. In a media release on January 25, the ministry said the GDUE marks a major step in transitioning the CSO from a primarily paper-based system of mapping and data collection to a fully digitised approach. Read more here
Algae, pump failures shut down Morvant, Laventille community pools
The Morvant Community Swimming Pool was oversubscribed after its launch in 2021 and produced swimmers who surpassed each stage of the Learn To Swim programme. Now, instead of swimmers growing in the sport, algae have taken over the pool. Guardian Media visited the pool on Thursday after receiving complaints about the Laventille Community Swimming Pool, which was opened two years earlier. Both pools were constructed under the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) while the People’s National Movement (PNM) was in power. Residents of Cedarwood Street, Morvant, where the pool is located, said the area was without a constant supply of water. The residents, who did not want to be identified, said they were baffled at the idea that a pool was built without such amenities. Read more here
POLITICS
New Caricom chair signals openness to talks with T&T PM
As he begins his tenure as Caricom chair through to June 30, St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew has acknowledged that he assumes the role at a moment of acute pressure, shaped by geopolitical uncertainty and growing questions about the bloc’s unity and relevance. Drew said “unity” sits at the forefront of his agenda, noting that he has already held face-to-face discussions with the prime ministers of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda to gather candid feedback on Caricom’s direction. He also confirmed that he formally expressed his willingness to meet with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, though he did not say whether she has responded. “What I’m doing here is a strategy of talking as much as possible, face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball with our leaders, asking the difficult questions so that, in a sense, everything can be put on the table and the best position reached,” Drew said. “So, yes, I would love to come and have a conversation with her over some doubles.” Read more here
BUSINESS
Proman positions methanol to strengthen Caribbean energy security
As geopolitical uncertainty, volatile fuel prices and global decarbonisation pressures reshape energy markets, Proman is positioning methanol as a key transition fuel to diversify its markets and support energy security across the Caribbean. Ahead of its participation in the Energy Conference starting today, Proman Trinidad deputy managing director Giselle Thompson and Power32 managing director David Knipe outlined the group’s strategy, including pilot projects in methanol-powered transport and a growing push into methanol-to-power solutions for Caricom states still reliant on imported diesel and heavy fuel oil. Read more here
REGONAL
Highly anticipated Budget 2026 to be unveiled today
Having already signalled priorities for growth, delivery and national development, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, will today present the 2026 fiscal package to the National Assembly. Speaking in the build-up to today’s presentation, Dr Singh had previously underscored the central role of “policy, consistency, clarity and continuity” in guiding the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s economic agenda. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
'This is horrifying' - Minneapolis residents reel from second deadly shooting
At the Calvary Baptist Church in Minneapolis, the doors swung open and shut as locals sought refuge from the biting cold on Sunday. The 140-year-old building sits just blocks away from where Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, was shot dead by federal immigration agents during a confrontation on Saturday morning. In the wake of the shooting, which marked the second time in less than a month that a US citizen has been killed by agents in the city, the church has become what locals describe as a haven from the unrest and uncertainty outside. There was no service here on Sunday. Instead volunteers and church staff, such as Ann Hotz, who works at the church's daycare centre, handed out coffee, snacks and hand warmers to those who stopped by. Read more here
26th January 2026