NEWS
Thomas wants ‘truth shared’ about his arrest, removal from Barbados
Businessman and firearms dealer Brent Thomas is hoping that the “truth” will be shared about this detention and extradition after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s criticism on Tuesday about the role in which Caricom played in his arrest from Barbados to Trinidad and Tobago in October 2022. When contacted yesterday, Thomas said, “I hope one day the persons responsible will be exposed and the truth shared in the public domain.” Thomas had previously called for an investigation into the role played by former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley’s administration. Read more here
POLITICS
Secretary of State urges Caricom to confront transnational crime with US help
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for closer security and energy cooperation between Washington and Caribbean nations, warning that transnational criminal networks pose what he described as the most urgent threat to the region. Rubio delivered the remarks during a closed-door session at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Caricom Heads of Government, outlining what he framed as a renewed US focus on the Western Hemisphere under President Donald Trump. “We believe that perhaps the most urgent security threat in the region—that includes us, but obviously all of you—is the threat of these transnational criminal organisations,” he said, noting that some groups possess funding and firepower rivalling that of the states. Read more here
PM: Rubio to help reopen refinery
United States President Donald Trump has invited Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to a leaders summit in Florida, USA, on March 7. The Prime Minister disclosed this to the media yesterday following her one-on-one meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in St Kitts and Nevis. The meeting was held on the margins of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom). According to international media reports, Trump has invited Latin American leaders to participate in a summit in Florida, USA, on March 7. Read more here
BUSINESS
Town Restaurant relocating across the road
After 14 years at its current address on Cipriani Bouvelard in Port-of-Spain, Town Restaurant & Bar is preparing to turn the page, but not close the book.In a social media post yesterday, the restaurant announced that Saturday will be its last day at the location it has occupied for over a decade. “After 14 years, the time has come to say goodbye to this location. We are moving, and Saturday is our last day here. Join us this week to celebrate one last time at this location,” the post read. The message thanked loyal guests for their continued support and “amazing memories,” while promising a new chapter ahead. The wording triggered an immediate reaction online. Several customers flooded Town’s Facebook page, admitting they were alarmed and initially thought the restaurant was shutting down. Read more here
REGIONAL
Productive, focused and positive
President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday held bilateral discussions with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), as regional leaders intensified diplomatic engagement with Washington on security, economic cooperation and development priorities. On the sidelines of the ongoing CARICOM meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis, President Irfaan Ali addressed questions from reporters regarding regional security. He noted that over the past few years, Guyana has engaged in “expressive amounts of bilateral revolution in social security” and emphasised ongoing efforts to coordinate on security challenges in the region. “This is an engagement that has been ongoing,” he said, adding that the goal is to ensure better coordination among countries in addressing regional security issues. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
US and Iran begin talks seen as crucial to prevent conflict
US and Iranian officials are meeting in Geneva for a third round of indirect talks seen as crucial to averting conflict, with President Donald Trump threatening to strike Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached. The discussions come amid the largest US military build-up in the Middle East since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and with Iran vowing to respond to an attack with force. The talks are again being mediated by Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who said negotiators had "demonstrated unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions". But the chances of an agreement remain unclear. Read more here
26th February 2026