NEWS
Vieira: We aimed to improve, not undermine Children's Life Fund Bill
Independent Senator Anthony Vieira,SC, questioned a recent newspaper editorial which spoke about independent and opposition senators testing their limits during committee deliberations on the Children's Life Fund Amendment Bill 2025 in the Senate on June 24. During those deliberations, Senate President Wade Mark was called upon to break three tied votes in favour of the government, before the Senate passed the Children's Life Fund Amendment Bill 2025 with amendments. On each of those occasions, the government rejected amendments proposed by independent and opposition senators. This resulted in a tied vote when the question to support these amendments was put to senators. Read more here
Judge calls for urgent reform to address school violence
More than 21,000 school suspensions were recorded between 2022 and 2025, prompting High Court Judge Frank Seepersad to call for urgent reform in how the nation addresses school violence and student behaviour. In his address at the 2025 graduation ceremony of Dayanand Memorial Vedic School on Friday, Justice Seepersad described the statistics as “alarming,” noting that they point to deeper issues within homes and communities. “It was revealed this week that over the last three years, approximately 21,661 school children were suspended. This is alarming. It suggests that we have to examine our collective behaviour and critical changes urgently are required,” he said. Read more here
POLITICS
Penny to lead PNM with love
Pennelope Beckles, the first female political leader of the PNM, has vowed to lead the party with love. She made the promise while delivering her maiden speech after taking the oath of office at the PNM's special convention at City Hall on June 29. The rain and change of venue at the last minute did not dampen the mood as almost 900 people turned up to celebrate the new executive taking their oaths of office. PNM supporters could not contain their excitement as the official results of the June 22 internal election were read out and the victorious candidates took their seat at the executive table on stage. Read more here
UNC accuses Independent senators of bias ahead of key Pension Bill vote
The United National Congress (UNC) launched a scathing attack on the Independent Senate bench yesterday, not only questioning their independence but inferring that the President, who has close PNM ties, placed them there to thwart the government. This came one day before the Senate was set to debate the controversial Prime Minister’s Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025 which will effectively disqualify Stuart Young from receiving a prime minister’s pension for having failed to hold office for at least one year. Read more here
BUSINESS
EV sales surging across T&T
The electric vehicle (EV) transition in T&T is charging ahead rapidly. In the past two months, several notable car brands such as Mini (Aceman), BYD (Shark), Proton (eMas7) and even roll-on, roll off dealer HSM Marketing (Riddara RD6) have introduced new electric and hybrid vehicle models to the market. While initially, local dealers may have been testing the waters by introducing these models, the local attitude to the EV market has clearly changed in the past year and a half. The EVs are selling, and quickly at that. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Safeguard the homes of God for future generations’
The St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Beterverwagting (BV) on the East Coast of Demerara, on Sunday celebrated its 150th anniversary. Delivering an address to the church’s congregation was President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who called the celebration of 150 years, a “glorious anniversary.” He stated that the church has marked a century and a half of service, spiritual nourishment, community service and architectural majesty. Reflecting on the church’s history, President Ali stated that St. Peter’s has stood the test of time, endured, and has been faithful to its mission. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Hundreds of families displaced by wave of Israeli air strikes on Gaza, witnesses say
Israel has carried out a wave of air strikes across the Gaza Strip, triggering the mass displacement of hundreds of Palestinian families, witnesses say. Rescue teams recovered the bodies of five people, while dozens of injured civilians were evacuated to Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, according to local reports. The bombardment follows one of the largest evacuation orders issued since the war resumed in March. It comes amid increasing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refocus efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement. Read more here
30th June 2025