NEWS
TSTT replaces acting CEO after review of his tenure
Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT) has appointed Reza Hosein as its acting Chief Executive Officer, with the change coming after the company’s board reviewed the performance of former acting CEO Keino Cox. The appointment took effect yesterday, as TSTT announced that Cox’s tenure as acting CEO had come to an end. Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath confirmed this to Guardian Media last night, saying he was advised by TSTT chairman Kern Dass that the board met yesterday and after “careful consideration and review,” decided to appoint Hosein to lead the company. Padarath also dismissed reports that Cox had been escorted from TSTT’s premises by security. “I’m advised that it was untrue,” Padarath said. Read more here
POLITICS
Padarath: Telecom board orders review of Amplia decision
Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath says the board of the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has ordered an immediate review of a management decision affecting about 150 call centre workers contracted through Amplia. Speaking with Guardian Media, Padarath confirmed he met with TSTT yesterday, a day after concerns emerged that the State-owned telecommunications company was considering ending its arrangement with Amplia and transferring the call centre work to another contractor – Hummingbird Holdings. The workers have reportedly been told their contracts will not be renewed beyond September 30, giving them about 30 days’ notice. Read more here
BUSINESS
Global supply chain disrupting T&T’s chicken supplies, says WGM
Trinidad and Tobago’s chicken supply chain is coming under pressure from a combination of heat, disrupted international shipping and weaker supplies of imported hatching eggs, a situation WGM Group chief operating officer Soraya Mohammed says is temporarily affecting the availability of chickens nationwide. Mohammed says the pressure is being felt at both ends of the production cycle, with extreme temperatures in the United States affecting the quality of hatching eggs imported into Trinidad, while hot weather locally is affecting chicken growth, mortality and production efficiency. The disruption has also been compounded by erratic sea-freight schedules, making it more difficult to maintain the normal flow of eggs and chicks through the production system. WGM Group is one of Trinidad and Tobago’s major integrated poultry operations, with its business extending across feed production, hatchery operations, farming and meat processing. Read more here
Some questions about the proposed data centre
It is understandable that the government is seeking ways to diversify the economy and create jobs for citizens, given our serious economic problems. The question is whether the development of two data centres will achieve that objective in part. This rests on sustainable job creation, the capacity to provide the massive energy and water required to run the data centres and cool the computers without depriving citizens of these vital resources, the viability of the proposed data centres for long-term income generation, and what does the Government/country get out of the deal beyond short-term job creation? I will leave the question of pollution aside for the moment, as much has been said about that. Read more here
REGIONAL
President Ali maintains all assets have been declared
President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Tuesday maintained that all his assets, including his farm, have been fully declared to the Integrity Commission, as he questioned the credibility of corruption allegations levelled against him by We Invest in Nationhood leader Azruddin Mohamed. Responding to questions at a press conference, Dr. Ali dismissed claims that he owns a 150-acre “multi-million-dollar” ranch, saying the property is “60-plus acres”, and that the figure being circulated is “not even half” of what has been alleged. “How credible is the person making the allegations? How credible are the allegations?” the President asked, as he pushed back against claims made by Mohamed, who is currently fighting extradition to the United States, where he faces charges including alleged gold smuggling and money laundering. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump pauses new tariffs on Canada for three days, saying deal close
US President Donald Trump said he will delay imposing new tariffs on a wide array of Canadian goods for three days as the countries firm up a trade deal. "I have paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada, that were scheduled to kick in tomorrow morning for a three day period, based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL!" Trump said in a social media post. The announcement came less than two hours before a 50% levy on nearly $20bn (£14.8bn; C$28bn) of Canadian imports was set to go in place. The two sides have been at an impasse on several issues, including US tariffs on autos and many Canadian provinces banning American liquor sales. Read more here
19th August 2026