NEWS
Promoters’ warning after ban on Udecott venues
A day after the prime minister banned all fetes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) in Tarouba, the TT Promoters Association (TTPA) has described the sudden ban on using not only the academy, but all Udecott-controlled facilities to host fetes and other Carnival-related events as “destructive, short-sighted and a death knell for the entertainment industry.” In a press release issued on November 12, the association called for an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the hope that she would reconsider her decision. However, in a terse response to a query by Newsday, the prime minister said on the evening of November 12: “I have no intention of meeting with the TTPA. The decision stands and will not be reversed.” Read more here
POLITICS
Persad-Bissessar: Ralph free to take legal action
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is standing by Minister in the Ministry of Housing Anil Roberts' social media revelations which allege wrongdoing in the acquisition of three Housing Development Corporation (HDC) units at the upscale Victoria Keyes development in Diego Martin, by the wife and children of St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. In fact, in WhatsApp messages sent to Newsday on the evening of November 12, the Prime Minister said Gonsalves was free to do whatever he wanted, including pursuing legal action. On November 11, in his Doubles and Coffee social media blog, Roberts raised issue over the acquisition of three HDC apartments by Gonsalves' wife Eloise and their children – son Storm Gonsalves and daughter Soleil Gonsalves. Read more here
THA dissolved as Augustine paves way for election
The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has been dissolved following a formal request from Chief Secretary Farley Augustine during a plenary sitting last evening. This paves the way for THA election to be held, although no date has yet been announced. Speaking during the sitting, Augustine said his administration assumed office amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and leaves behind a record of resilience. The dissolution comes just weeks before the current term was due to end on December 6. Under the law, an election must now be called within 90 days. With the Assembly dissolved, the Chief Secretary and Executive Council will continue operating in a limited, caretaker capacity until a date for the poll is announced. Read more here
BUSINESS
Realities of revitalisation: Business leaders on way forward with economic blueprint
The government has a grand vision for the future. With high-rise buildings, medical complexes, new roads and waterfront properties, the government in its Revitalisation Blueprint unveiled on November 7 promises to transform TT to a first-world nation in ten years, providing more than 50,000 jobs in the process and heralding a new era of TT excellence in the region. The revitalisation plan has already gained significant endorsements with key figures in the business sector calling the plan “colourful” and “ambitious.” Read more here
How cognitive skills can drive entrepreneurial innovation in T&T
Entrepreneurship, the act of taking risks in pursuit of an opportunity, drives economic growth, fosters innovation and increases a country’s competitiveness. Over the years successive governments of T&T have proposed major infrastructure and urban-development projects with the potential for entrepreneurial opportunities. This includes the Point Lisas Industrial Development project of the 1990’s or the more current East Port of Spain Redevelopment or the recently announced Carrera Island Resort Development, these projects offered the opportunity for entrepreneurial activities of varying sizes and scope and socio-economic impact. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Guyana could become a global petrochemical destination’
With a vision to expand Guyana’s oil and gas sector beyond crude production, President Dr Irfaan Ali has said the country could become a major global petrochemical hub once the right investments and opportunities are leveraged. Speaking at the Berbice Development Summit on Tuesday, held at the Georgetown Marriott, the Head of State outlined several pathways the country could take to monetise its gas reserves, boost value creation, generate jobs, and spur industrial development. He told a packed conference hall of private sector representatives, investors, and stakeholders that Guyana could extract the highest possible value from every molecule of gas. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump signs spending bill to end longest shutdown in US history
President Donald Trump has signed a spending bill to reopen the government and end the longest shutdown in US history. He signed the short-term budget into law just hours after the House of Representatives voted 222-209 to approve it on Wednesday night, and two days after the Senate narrowly approved the same package. In the Oval Office, Trump said the government would now "resume normal operations" after "people were hurt so badly" from the 43-day shutdown. Read more here
13th November 2025