NEWS
Two accused of flying drones into prison appear in court today
After being detained a month ago on Preventive Detention Orders (PDOs), two men accused of flying drones into prisons were charged on Saturday and are to appear in court virtually today. The men, Verrell Johnson and Johnathan David Albert, were identified in their PDOs as “main participants in an organised criminal enterprise involving the smuggling of contraband into a correctional facility.” The men were charged under Section 8(1) B of the Emergency Powers Regulations, 2026, which speaks to the illegality of prohibited articles in a prison. Defence attorney Steffon Boodooram, who is representing Albert, said the month-long delay between the detention of his client and the charges is a breach of his constitutional rights. Read more here
Hannah walks the graduation stage
Eighteen years ago, Hannah Bhagwandeen captured the hearts of citizens locally and abroad, as the baby girl born with a rare liver disease struggling to hold on to life. By her first birthday, she had undergone a Kasai operation and two liver transplants. But the little girl persevered. She went on to write the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination and reached a remarkable milestone last month when she graduated from secondary school. Read more here
POLITICS
PM: Crime data shows T&T is becoming safer
PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has pointed to the latest COMPSTAT report as evidence of progress in the Government’s anti-crime strategy, highlighting the 15% decline in serious reported crime. In a social media post on Friday, Persad-Bissessar said the figures showed that Trinidad and Tobago was becoming safer under her administration’s approach to tackling crime. Persad-Bissessar said the latest TTPS data showed serious crimes had declined from 6,469 incidents between January 1 and July 20, 2025, to 5,514 during the corresponding period this year, a reduction of 955 offences. “The data clearly shows a safer T&T in 2026 with a nationwide decrease in serious crimes,” the Prime Minister stated. Read more here
BUSINESS
CWU eyes TSTT wage settlement
The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) is calling on Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) to move quickly to conclude outstanding wage negotiations following the company’s announcement that it recorded its strongest financial performance in 17 years and returned to positive retained earnings. In a statement on Saturday, the union said that while TSTT chairman Kern Dass and management highlighted the role of executive leadership in the company’s recovery, the contribution of employees should not be overlooked. “TSTT has stated that another milestone highlighted in the release was the Group’s return to positive retained earnings of $35 million, the first time in several years that accumulated losses have been fully recovered,” the union said. Read more here
REGIONAL
International, regional experts appointed to conduct thorough investigation of MV Barima tragedy
A FIVE-MEMBER international Commission of Inquiry (COI) has been granted sweeping powers to investigate every aspect of the MV Barima tragedy, including whether negligence, misconduct, institutional failures or breaches of maritime safety laws contributed to Guyana’s deadliest maritime disaster. The commission, whose members will be sworn in on a date to be announced, has been mandated to conduct a comprehensive and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima, examine the search, rescue and recovery efforts, identify any shortcomings and recommend legislative, regulatory and operational reforms to strengthen Guyana’s maritime safety system. Announcing the appointments on Sunday, President Ali said the commission was established in keeping with his earlier commitment and under Section 21 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Oil price dives as US and Iran pause attacks
The price of oil has fallen sharply on hopes that a pause in attacks between the US and Iran could help lead to a resolution to the conflict. Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, sank more than 9% to below $88 a barrel at one point, marking a sharp turnaround from last week when it had risen above $100. The fall came after the US ambassador to the UN said attacks on Iran had been halted for a second night in a row to give "talks some space". An Iranian army spokesperson said on Sunday that Tehran had halted "retaliatory" attacks in the region in response. Read more here
27th July 2026