NEWS
Georgia-Lee Gill secures Miss World Top 40 spot
Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Georgia-Lee Gill has secured a place in the Top 40 of Miss World 2026 after winning the Americas and Caribbean regional leg of the Head-to-Head Challenge. Gill advanced after delivering a presentation on her Beauty With a Purpose project, The Silver Circle, which advocates for greater support, resources and guidance for families caring for loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Her presentation placed her among the Top Five representatives from the region, alongside The Bahamas, Martinique, Bolivia and the United States. The Top Five then faced another challenge yesterday, delivering messages to young girls and women across their region. Gill used the opportunity to encourage women and girls to believe in themselves, have faith in their abilities and boldly pursue the future they envision. Read more here
More Lotto Won’t Work
A third weekly Lotto draw will not generate additional revenue for the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB), president of the Electronic Lotto Agents Association of Trinidad and Tobago Allen Campbelle has said. Campbelle’s comments came yesterday after NLCB chairman Ken Emrith said on Sunday that the board is considering introducing a third weekly Lotto draw. According to Campbelle, Lotto sales are driven primarily by the size of the jackpot, rather than the number of draws. Read more here
POLITICS
Caricom hires external counsel over T&T challenge to Barnett’s reappointment
The 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom) has employed a regional law firm to present its response to the challenge by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar regarding the reappointment of Caricom Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett. Caricom chairman and St Lucia Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre said his recent meeting with Persad-Bissessar in Port-of-Spain was “very cordial.” Pierre said, “Basically, the Prime Minister wanted an update. I went to give an update on the advisory opinion … and what was the state of play on the opinion that the Government of T&T requested on the appointment of the Secretary General of Caricom. “As you know, the Government of T&T agreed that they wanted an advisory opinion from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the appointment of the Secretary General. So we went to update each other. I updated her as to where we were as Caricom, and she updated me as to what the Government of T&T was doing in terms of asking for that opinion. It was a very cordial meeting.” Read more here
BUSINESS
Shell stalls Aphrodite talks with NGC
Chairman of the National Gas Company Gerald Ramdeen yesterday said negotiations with Shell are ongoing amid international reports that suggest Shell’s Aphrodite natural gas project in Trinidad and Tobago is in doubt. According to a Reuters report, which was shared on several international energy websites, Shell shelved the offshore Aphrodite natural gas project in Trinidad and Tobago as of August 2026. The reports stated the decision was related to the failure to come to a commercial terms agreement with the NGC. When contacted on Monday evening, Ramdeen said he was unaware of the international reports. He stated the NGC had ongoing negotiations with Shell concerning Aphrodite and other projects, but he could not divulge anything further due to non-disclosure agreements related to those talks. Read more here
Resilient amid economic strain
FIRST Citizens Bank’s strong capital and liquidity are helping shield it from the economic and fiscal pressures facing Trinidad and Tobago, according to a new assessment by S&P Global Ratings reaffirming the bank’s investment-grade credit rating. “We expect First Citizens Bank Ltd (FCBL) to maintain adequate intrinsic creditworthiness through 2026 and 2027. We think the bank will continue to benefit from sound capital, liquidity, and credit loss reserves, protecting its creditworthiness from hypothetical strains on asset quality amid Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T’s) fragile economic recovery and government fiscal challenges,” S&P stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
President Ali urges responsible social media use, warns against ‘calculated’ misinformation
PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has issued a strong appeal for responsible use of social media in Guyana, warning that the spread of misinformation is often a deliberate act designed to achieve divisive and harmful outcomes. Responding to questions during a recent press conference the President condemned the reckless circulation of false information and distressing images online, particularly during times of tragedy. He stressed that misinformation is not accidental, but intentional. “Misinformation is always calculated information. Misinformation is a description, but it’s calculated for a specific purpose so whether its media houses, whether its individuals or leaders a calculated move by persons or entity to achieve a calculated outcome, “President Ali said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
China warns it will safeguard its interests after US widens sanctions against Iran
China has vowed to protect its interests after the US announced plans to widen economic sanctions against Iran and its trading partners, which include Beijing. Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China was firmly opposed to what it called "illegal unilateral sanctions" and would take "all necessary measures" to safeguard its rights. This came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the new measures on Monday, warning any nation financially partnering with Iran would be isolated. China is the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, although the trade has declined under the US blockade of Iran's ports. Read more here
25th August 2026