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Showing posts with the label International

T&T Government Expresses Support For Continued U.S. Actions Against Iran

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The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs said it “wishes to express its support for the continued actions of the United States of America aimed at preventing oppressive regimes from acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities that would jeopardize international peace and security. The proliferation of such weapons is a grave threat to the global community.” In an Advisory issued on Saturday (28th February, 2026), the Ministry said it “expresses sympathy for all loss of life due to events occurring in the Middle East and reaffirms our support for the peaceful existence for all persons. The Ministry stands in firm solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Gulf, including those in the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain and State of Qatar who have come under attack and condemn in the strongest possible terms any acts of aggression that threaten their sovereignty, security, and stability.” The Ministry added, “The safety and security of Trinidad and Tobag...

Operation Epic Fury: 3 U.S. Service Members Killed, 5 Seriously Wounded — Trump RESPONDS

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According to United States Central Command (CENTCOM), as of 9:30 AM ET this morning (Sunday 1st March, 2026), three (3) U.S. service members have been killed in action and five (5) are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury . CENTCOM notes that, “Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty. Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.” U.S. President Donald Trump provided an update on Operation Epic Fury a short while ago this evening: President Donald J. Trump provides an update on Operation Epic Fury: pic.twitter.com/Vte8QKpISn — The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 1, 2026 CENTCOM stated this morning that an Iranian Jamaran-class corvette war ship was struck by U.S. forces durin...

Advisory From Ministry of Foreign And CARICOM Affairs On Developments In The Middle East

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The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago said it is closely observing the evolving developments in the Middle East . In a Media Release today (Saturday 28th February, 2026), the Ministry said nationals are strongly encouraged to undertake the following precautionary actions: Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities. Stay vigilant and informed by monitoring credible news sources and official advisories. Register promptly with the Ministry's Registration System for Nationals Abroad:
 https://register.foreign.gov.tt . Ensure that all travel documents are valid and up to date. Comply fully with safety and security directives issued by local authorities. Ascertain the location of the nearest emergency shelter in the event of intensifying hostilities. Formulate contingency plans for departure, particularly where personal safety may be at risk. Nationals are also reminded...

Trump Announces Death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

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UPDATE 3:  Iran has confirmed the death of the Ayatollah after hours of denial, even after Donald Trump announced he was dead. UPDATE 2:  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump were reportedly shown an image of Khamenei's body after it was recovered from his compound. UPDATE: Khamenei's four (4) family members were also killed in the strikes, along with two (2) high-level military leaders — Rear Adm. Ali Shamkhani and Commander of the IRGC, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour. “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead.” This according to a statement released a few moments ago this afternoon (Saturday 28th February, 2026) by United States President Donald Trump, announcing the death of 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader since 1989. He was reportedly killed after Israeli jets dropped thirty (30) bombs on his compound. The United States and Israel struck Iran in a major operation earlier today that President T...

U.S. Forces Launch Operation Epic Fury — Uses One-Way Attack Drones In Historic First

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United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said it commenced Operation Epic Fury today (Saturday 28th February, 2026) at the direction of the President of the United States, Donald Trump. CENTCOM's Task Force Scorpion Strike — for the first time in history — is using one-way attack drones in combat during Operation Epic Fury. “These low-cost drones, modeled after Iran's Shahed drones, are now delivering American-made retribution.” In a statement issued a short while ago this afternoon, CENTCOM said, “ U.S. and partner forces began striking targets at 1:15 AM ET to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations that posed an imminent threat. Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. ” According to Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of CENTCOM, “The President ordered bold action, and our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Gu...

U.S. President Donald Trump Announces MAJOR Combat Operations Against Iran

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UPDATE 3:  United States President Donald Trump has announced the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , Iran’s supreme leader since 1989. He was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike on his Tehran compound. UPDATE 2:  Scenes of chaos unfolded in Qatar after debris from an intercepted missile fell from the sky, sending bystanders scrambling for cover. Cellphone footage circulating online shows several people running in panic as fragments descended overhead before striking the ground and exploding. UPDATE: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump monitored the situation overnight at Mar-a-Lago in Florida alongside members of his national security team. “The President spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu by phone. Prior to the attacks, Secretary Rubio called all members of the gang of eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members. The President and his national security team will continue to c...

T&T Prime Minister Meets With U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Trump Meeting To Follow In Early March

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Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, met on Wednesday (25th February, 2026) with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a one-on-one bilateral discussion during the CARICOM 50th Regular Meeting in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The Honourable Prime Minister was among a select group of regional leaders afforded the opportunity to engage in these high‑level talks. Mrs. Persad-Bissessar is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on 7th March, 2026, after receiving an invitation to attend what is being called the “Shields of the Americas” summit in Florida. The disclosure came following her closed-door talks with Secretary Rubio on Wednesday — a development that is already drawing regional attention. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is set to meet United States President Donald Trump next month, after receiving an invitation to attend what is being called the “Shields of the Americas” summit in Florida. The disclosure came following her closed-door talks wi...

Breaking: Cuban Border Guard Troops Open Fire On Florida-Registered Speedboat — 4 Dead, 6 Wounded

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Cuban officials announced this afternoon (Wednesday 25th February, 2026) that four (4) people aboard a Florida-registered speedboat were killed by Cuban border guard troops and six (6) wounded, when the vessel allegedly violated its territorial waters. A Commander of the Cuban border guard was also shot during the confrontation. Cuban officials allege that the Florida-registered vessel had initiated the firefight. U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet responded to the incident. The Cuban Embassy in the U.S. issued a note from Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior via X this afternoon, stating, “On the morning of February 25, 2026, a violating speedboat was detected within Cuban territorial waters. The vessel, registered in Florida, United States, with registration number FL7726SH, approached up to 1 nautical mile Northeast of the El Pino channel, in Cayo Falcones, Corralillo municipality, Villa Clara province. When a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, ...

THREE (3) More Killed In Caribbean In Latest U.S. Kinetic Strike On Drugs-Vessel

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At the direction of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel earlier today (Monday 23rd February, 2026), operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs), killing three (3) aboard. The latest action, announced by SOUTHCOM this afternoon, was conducted in the Caribbean. On Feb. 23, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/XUHImPAZik — U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 23, 2026 According to SOUTHCOM, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three (3) male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military force...

THREE (3) More Killed As U.S. Strikes Vessel In Eastern Pacific

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At the direction of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel on Friday (20th February, 2026), operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs), killing three (3) aboard. The latest action, announced by SOUTHCOM on Friday night, was conducted in the Eastern Pacific. On Feb. 20, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/PzWQFfNgHm — U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 21, 2026 According to SOUTHCOM, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three (3) male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military...

Trinidad And Tobago Removed From EU Tax List

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UPDATE: Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, has issued the following statement after the announcement that Trinidad and Tobago has been removed from the EU tax list:  “Trinidad and Tobago is no longer blacklisted. Our country has officially been removed from the European Union’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes — a designation applied to countries that fail to meet international standards for tax transparency.  This is a major step forward. The previous PNM administration failed to take the necessary actions to secure compliance and removal. Since assuming office, your UNC Government moved swiftly and decisively to fix it. Through legislative reform, sustained international engagement, and stronger institutions, we restored credibility and rebuilt trust. Blacklisting constrained investment, limited opportunity, and weakened confidence in our financial system. In less than a year, we strengthened our laws, enhanced transparency, ...

8 Skiers Dead In Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe, California — 1 Missing Also Presumed Dead

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Eight (8) people are confirmed dead and another presumed dead following a devastating avalanche during a backcountry skiing expedition on the California side of Lake Tahoe on Tuesday (17th February, 2026). The bodies of those killed remain at the scene, where significant avalanche risk persists. Six (6) others in the party survived while one (1) person is still missing, though presumed dead, officials said, as searchers fight near-whiteout conditions in the area. The survivors range in age from thirty (30) to fifty-five (55) years old. According to reports, the avalanche, about the length of a football field, struck around 11:30 AM local time on Tuesday, sometime after the group of skiers left a set of backcountry huts at Frog Lake, according to Blackbird Mountain Guides, which had four (4) guides leading the trip. The skiers had been staying at the lake, which is located Northwest of Lake Tahoe and North of the Donner Summit, since Sunday (15th February, 2026). In a statement issued o...

ELEVEN (11) Dead As U.S. Strikes Multiple Vessels In Eastern Pacific And Caribbean

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UPDATE: The families of a number of St. Lucian fishermen say they were killed in recent U.S. boat strikes in Caribbean waters. Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, confirmed that “people had lost their lives” under circumstances, but clarified that he had received no official notification on these circumstances to date.  His statement followed reports that the burnt-out hulls of at least two (2) fishing vessels had surfaced off Canouan and Bequia in St. Lucia, following the deadly U.S. strikes on 13th February and 16th February, 2026. At the direction of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted three (3) lethal kinetic strikes on three (3) vessels late last night (Monday 16th February, 2026), operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs), killing a total of eleven (11) aboard. These actions, announced by SOUTHCOM this afternoon (Tuesday 17th February, 2026), were conducted in the East...

Watch: THREE (3) Killed As U.S. Strikes Vessel In Caribbean

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At the direction of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel on Friday (13th February, 2026), operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs), killing three (3) aboard. This was announced by SOUTHCOM on Friday night. On Feb. 13, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/y50Pbtexfi — U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 14, 2026 According to SOUTHCOM, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three (3) narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed.” More on this as it becomes available....

James Van Der Beek of ‘Dawson's Creek’ Fame Dies At Age 48 After Cancer Battle

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TMZ is reporting that “Dawson's Creek” actor James Van Der Beek has died. The Travis County Medical Examiner's Office in Austin, Texas, received a report of Van Der Beek’s death at 6:44 AM local time this morning (Wednesday 11th February, 2026).  While no official cause of death was given, Van Der Beek revealed he was battling colorectal cancer in late 2024. He became emotional while discussing his cancer battle on “Good Morning America” last year. Van Der Beek was supposed to join his fellow “Dawson's Creek” cast mates in September 2025, but was forced to drop out of the reunion for health reasons. After rising to prominence as the titular character in the hit series, which ran for six (6) seasons from 1998 to 2003, he later gained recognition for his roles in “Scary Movie,” “Varsity Blues” and “Pose.” Van Der Beek was just forty-eight (48). He is survived by his wife and six (6) children. More on this as it becomes available.  This is a developing story - refresh this pa...

Watch: TWO (2) Killed As U.S. Strikes Another Drugs-Boat In Eastern Pacific

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At the direction of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel on Thursday (5th February, 2026), operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs), killing two (2) aboard. This was announced by SOUTHCOM on Thursday night. On Feb. 5, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking… pic.twitter.com/B3ctyN1lke — U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 6, 2026 According to SOUTHCOM, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two (2) narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed.” More on this as it b...

Medical Product Alert: Falsified Cancer Medicine IBRANCE (Palbociclib)

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The Ministry of Health, via its Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division (CFDD), is advising of the WHO Medical Product Alert concerning falsified IBRANCE (palbociclib) capsules. The product is a cancer medicine used for the treatment of certain types of breast cancer in adults. In a Media Release today (Tuesday 3rd February, 2026), the Ministry said the falsified products deliberately misrepresent identity, composition and source, and the genuine manufacturer, Pfizer, has confirmed that the products mentioned in this alert are falsified. The WHO Alert stated that falsified IBRANCE (palbociclib) products have been detected in Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya and Türkiye. According to the Ministry, “Laboratory testing conducted by the genuine manufacturer confirmed that the falsified products contained no active pharmaceutical ingredient. Since these falsified medicines lack the required active ingredient, they must be considered unsafe and their use can lead to treatment failure, unc...

2 Dead In U.S. Lethal Kinetic Strike On Drugs-Vessel In Eastern Pacific; Survivor Reported

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At the direction of United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Friday (23rd January, 2026), operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs), killing two (2) aboard. There was one (1) reported survivor. This was announced on Friday evening by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). On Jan. 23, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern… pic.twitter.com/BzeBBapfMQ — U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 23, 2026 According to SOUTHCOM, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two (2) narco-terrorists were killed and one (1) survived the st...

U.S. Military Forces Seize Seventh Sanctioned Oil Tanker Linked To Venezuela

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The United States military seized Motor Vessel Sagitta this morning (Tuesday 20th January, 2026) in the Caribbean — marking the seventh oil tanker apprehended in the last month. The announcement was made a short while ago tonight by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which said the tanker was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. Through #OpSouthernSpear , the @DeptofWar is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with @USCG , @DHSgov and @TheJusticeDept . This morning, U.S. military forces, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended… pic.twitter.com/UPADtiw681 — U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 20, 2026 According to SOUTHCOM, “Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Securi...

Government Plans To Raise US $1 Billion (TT $7 Billion) On International Market

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The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is planning to raise US $1 billion (TT $7 billion) on the international market. This was revealed in Legal Notice No. 9 of 2026, published online and dated 13th January, 2026, and signed the previous day by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, on 12th January, 2026. The item said while the Government intends to issue notes of up to US $1 billion on the international market and offer them for sale to qualified institutional buyers, both within and outside of the United States, it was now expedient that the Minister make an order to do so. It further said the Government has appointed JP Morgan Securities LLC and Bank of America Securities Inc., to act as joint lead managers/arrangers to facilitate the issuance of the notes. With this deal being done under Trinidad and Tobago’s External Loans Act (Section 6), the act allows the Minister (by order) to exempt certain items – the payment of principal, interest and any other debt charges – from all taxe...