NEWS
Pan Elders win 7th medium title, eye possible move to large band
Following their seventh victory in the medium-bands category, the Pan Elders Steel Orchestra may be entering a new area of competition next Carnival, according to band leader Hollister Smith. The San Fernando-based band secured the top spot, earning 289 points, beating ten other medium bands, including close rivals the Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille, who earned 284 points and the Pamberi Steel Orchestra, who came in third with 278 points. Both the Pan Elders and the Sound Specialists have been in a close race since the early stages of this year’s competition, with the latter securing a three-point lead over the Pan Elders in the preliminary phase, while the Pan Elders took the lead during the semi-final stage. Read more here
POLITICS
PM tells revellers: Enjoy Carnival, but don’t embarrass yourselves
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is calling on masqueraders to refrain from doing anything to embarrass or humiliate themselves or their loved ones while enjoying the Carnival revelry. Her comment came amidst calls by Archbishop Jason Gordon for the Government to regulate the festivities. Guardian Media asked the Prime Minister yesterday to weigh in on the controversy surrounding the distribution of adult toys by mas band Tribe in their goodie bags to female masqueraders this Carnival. On Sunday, the Roman Catholic Archbishop, in his homily, condemned the move. He said if Carnival continues to slip into this type of “hedonism,” the Government should step in and regulate, particularly Carnival Monday and Tuesday, if mas bands fail to do so. In a WhatsApp response on the issue, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar offered some words of advice, urging masqueraders not to embarrass themselves or their families. Read more here
BUSINESS
UWI economist urges end to free tertiary education
Dr Daren Conrad, senior lecturer and head, Department of Economics at The University of the West Indies (UWI), says the State should end full financing of tertiary education, arguing that public funding should stop at secondary school, as Trinidad and Tobago can no longer absorb the number of university graduates being produced. Speaking at The UWI’s Trade and Economic Development Unit panel discussion on the “Impact of Backpay Promises on the Macroeconomy”, Conrad said 100% funding for university education has contributed to labour market saturation, wage suppression and growing frustration among highly qualified graduates who are unable to secure meaningful employment. Read more here
REGIONAL
Mustapha confident five-year plan will return GuySuCo to profitability
AGRICULTURE Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has defended the government’s five year strategic plan for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), insisting that the sugar industry can return to profitability by 2030 through aggressive mechanisation and factory recapitalisation. Responding to questions during the Committee of Supply’s consideration of estimates and expenditure, Mustapha on Tuesday said the plan previously presented before Parliament is designed to “change the modus operandi” of the corporation and put it back on a sustainable footing. He said: “The five year plan is a strategic plan that will work to ensure that GuySuCo goes back to profitability… and we are working towards that, and hopefully we can make a change from this year.” The minister reported that over 41 per cent of GuySuCo’s cane cultivation is already mechanised, and that the plan envisages a significant step up in the coming months. He said the corporation will acquire new machinery, including billet cutters and planters, with the ultimate objective of moving to fully mechanised planting and harvesting. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Tumbler Ridge mass shooting: What we know so far
Canadian police say nine people have been killed in a mass shooting at a school and home in the remote rural community of Tumbler Ridge in the western British Columbia province. Another 25 people were injured, and the suspect's body was also found at the scene. This is what we know so far about one of the deadliest gun attacks in Canada's history. Read more here
11th February 2026