Wright News Trinidad and Tobago

19/08/2025

2 KILLED IN EARLY MORNING ACCIDENT IDENTIFIED

Roxanne Phillip, a SWAT officer and Mustapha Khan, a bus driver, have been identified as the deceased in this morning’s accident involving a PTSC bus and a truck on the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway near Freeport.

A friend of Roxanne described her as a very hardworking mother.

Khan was described by people on social media as someone who drove carefully on the roads.

19/08/2025

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Senator Eli Zakour, has extended his deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those affected by Tuesday’s tragic accident, which occurred south of the Freeport intersection along the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway and left two persons dead.

19/08/2025

14-Year-Old Creates History in Carib Great Race 2025

The roar of engines and the thrill of competition at the Carib Great Race 2025 were overshadowed by a historic achievement — a 14-year-old competitor who etched his name into the record books.

Josh G. Charbonne became the youngest offshore powerboat driver in history after securing first place in the 50mph Cruiser Class last Saturday.

Charbonne’s victory is being hailed as a milestone in offshore racing. Competing against seasoned veterans, the teenager displayed maturity, composure, and technical ability far beyond his years.

His journey to the winner’s podium has been a lifelong dream. As a preschooler, when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, Charbonne answered: “A Great Race driver.” More than a decade later, he turned that vision into reality.

Speaking after his victory, he said:

> “I’ve been dreaming of this moment my whole life. To win at 14 is an honor I can hardly put into words. I am grateful for the opportunity. My biggest wish now is to see this achievement recognized by the Guinness World Records.”

The Carib Great Race, a tradition dating back to 1969, is one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious offshore events. This year, however, the spotlight belongs to its youngest champion — Josh G. Charbonne.

19/08/2025

19/08/2025

So every month the taxpayers are funding the largest ever Cabinet with the highest salaries in our history. A number of the Ministers up to now don't even know what their actual job entails. But today the Prime Minister is asking a political party to conduct the 2025 Independence Day Military Parade on behalf of T&T.
Were political parties asked to host Official and State visits by foreign dignitaries to our nation? Were political parties asked to host Official religious commemorations on behalf of the State? Is a political party expected to speak on behalf of the State at the United Nations? A Government that views this nation's Independence as a partisan political event finds itself at variance with the right-thinking citizens, and the Prime Minister should focus on nation building rather than division.
Please note that every time the Independence events were hosted in the past, all Government and Opposition members were invited and Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar failed to attend as Opposition leader.
And also note that without exception I refer to the Prime Minister with respect and absence of personal insult because that is how I was raised....but the individuals who have insulted and slandered her the most are the ones on the fringes of her team right now fighting up to be deemed as her loudest defender.

19/08/2025

$2.8M HIT ORDERED ON MINISTERS AND STATE OFFICIAL

A collective bounty of $2.8 million has reportedly been placed on the lives of three sitting Government ministers and a State official.

🎯 Targets Identified

Wayne Sturge – Minister of Defence

Khadijah Ameen – Minister of Local Government

Barry Padarath – Minister of Public Utilities

Feroze Khan – URP Manager

According to senior police sources, the threats are linked to ongoing CEPEP and URP clean-up exercises. Law enforcement intelligence suggests the orders were issued by a network of contractors and criminal elements seeking to protect their lucrative influence in State programmes.

🕵️ Key Suspects Behind the Plot

A Trinidadian with Colombian ties, wanted for the 2024 double murder of Kevon “Shrek” Lucas and Sherayne Salandy, is believed to be a key player. He is currently in hiding in Colombia.

He is closely linked to a Toco/Sangre Grande contractor and another contractor from Santa Cruz, both alleged financiers of criminal gangs and political campaigns.

Sources further allege that these individuals poured nearly $20 million into the UNC’s 2025 election campaign, expecting lucrative State contracts in return.

⚠️ Escalating Threats

Police confirm that security for the ministers has been significantly increased. Intelligence indicates that a Jamaican hitman has been brought in to assist local elements in executing the plot.

The threats intensified in recent months, particularly against Minister Sturge. Police also confirm disputes between the criminal syndicate and a prison gang boss over URP contracts, with one July incident seeing armed men storming URP’s Guaico headquarters.

Employees were forced to lock themselves inside until police intervened.

🚨 Security Forces on High Alert

Authorities describe the situation as an active, credible threat. Investigations are ongoing, with intelligence units monitoring the contractors, gang affiliations, and possible Colombian connections fueling this assassination plot.

19/08/2025

The bill states, "The proposed penalty is $500,000 and 20 years imprisonment." In cases of aggravating factors during a home invasion, the bill continues, "the convicted offender faces a fine of $750,000 and 25 years imprisonment.

19/08/2025

Security Guard Shot in Penal — In Stable Condition

Penal, Trinidad — A 42-year-old security guard is in stable condition after being ambushed and shot multiple times inside his home on Sunday night.

Police identified the victim as Jackson Woods of Beckles Street, Penal, who sustained gunshot wounds to his left hand, waist, and right foot.

According to investigators, around 8:30 p.m. Woods was in his bedroom when a man entered through an open doorway. He reported hearing several loud explosions before feeling a burning sensation. Realising he had been shot, Woods fled to Fraser Street, where he sought help.

He was initially treated at the Siparia District Health Facility before being transferred to the Point Fortin Area Hospital for further care.

Separate Firearm Seizure in Point Fortin

Meanwhile, police arrested a 22-year-old man in F***y Village, Point Fortin, after he was found carrying an AR-15 assault rifle and five rounds of 5.56 ammunition.

Officers from the South Western Division Task Force, conducting operations between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Sunday, said they observed the youth standing along Country Trace with a bulge in his waist. Upon searching him, they seized the rifle and ammunition.

He was taken to the Point Fortin Police Station, where charges are expected to be laid.

19/08/2025

🇺🇸 U.S. Military Deployed to the Caribbean

President Trump has ordered the deployment of American air and naval forces to the region after officially designating drug cartels as “narco-terrorist organizations.”

The move is part of a wider strategy to disrupt drug trafficking routes and reinforce regional security.

19/08/2025

Fatal Crash in Warrenville

One person has died following a collision between a maxi-taxi and a car around 5:00 a.m. today along the Southern Main Road, Warrenville, Cunupia.

This remains a developing story.

19/08/2025

Bishop Anstey High School Mourns Loss of Dedicated Staff Member

The Bishop Anstey High School community is deeply saddened by the passing of Ms. Sharon Castanada, a valued and beloved member of staff who served with distinction in the Physical Education department.

Ms. Castanada was especially passionate about basketball, where she made lasting contributions both on and off the court. She also supported netball and other sporting activities, earning admiration and respect from students and colleagues alike.

The school extends heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, students, and the wider basketball community during this time of mourning

19/08/2025

Lighting Upgrade Completed at Esmeralda Recreation Ground 💡

We are pleased to announce that the lighting upgrade at the Esmeralda Recreation Ground has been fully completed. ✅

Residents have expressed their gratitude to the Office of the MP for Chaguanas East and to T&TEC for their prompt support and efficient ex*****on of the project. 👏🏽