CALL US AT:

The woman killed in a freak accident along the North Coast Road in Maracas, is Natalia Noel.

Reports say, the vehicle plunged several feet down a precipice.

The driver was injured.

The tragedy occurred around 1.30pm, yesterday during heavy rains.

The mini-bus, which plies the North Coast route from Port of Spain, was making its way between the Maracas lookout and the Spring Bridge, when a large tree suddenly toppled onto the road.

The impact knocked the vehicle off the carriageway, and over the edge.

Several motorists who witnessed the crash stopped to help, and contacted police and fire officials.

Fire service search and rescue officers from the Santa Cruz fire station responded, along with crews from the San Juan fire station, the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the ministry of rural development and local government’s backhoe team.

Rescuers were able to retrieve the injured driver and passenger from the wreckage; both were taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital where Mrs. Noel died.

Emergency teams used chainsaws to cut the fallen tree into sections, before clearing the road.

The 63-year-old man reported kidnapped has been found dead in Couva.

Vishnu Lalla was found in Brechin Castle at around 11:01 last evening.

Newscentre five understands, Mr. Lalla was taken a day earlier, and a $100,000 ransom was demanded for his release.

Police say a portion of the ransom had already been paid.

The Hunters Search and Rescue was asked to assist in finding Mr. Lalla

Captain Valence Rambarath has confirmed the find.

It is said two suspects, one, a police officer are in custody.

Investigators believe Lalla may have been murdered, before the ransom demand was even made.

Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John present, several of the projects to come on stream.

During a power point and video presentation yesterday, minister John revealed several glitzy developments.

Her first reveal was linked to National Security.

The minster unveiled a sprawling prison facility, complete with a national security complex, command centre and onsite courtroom, to be built in Tamana. 

Minister John also announced an end to the Carrera Island Prison, and the start of a spanking new five star resort. 

She explained that lands, which once housed inmates, would become communities with art and cultural performance halls.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar is again, assuring Trinidad and Tobago is at war with no one.

Yesterday, responding to questions from reporters in Tobago, the prime minister sought to quell concerns and anxieties.

United States media last week told of plans by the Donald Trump administration, to move in on Venezuela and target facilities.

Those reports caused panic and chaos on the roads.

She also dismissed perceptions that she and her government intend to pull, Trinidad and Tobago out of Caricom.

Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said, she has no reason to believe the tensions in and around local waters are affecting Tobago’s tourism.

The prime minister has been getting flack at home and abroad, for her support from the US led military strikes on boats said to be carrying drugs and guns from Venezuela.

An official visit to Tobago by, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has started.

The prime minister last night arrived with a delegation, which includes ministers and parliamentary secretaries from some ministries.

The trip comes on the invitation of Tobago House of Assembly’s Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, under provisions of act 40 of 1996.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar will pay a courtesy call on the chief secretary, and Tobago’s autonomy is among the items on the agenda of the visit.

Our correspondent Elizabeth Williams yesterday, outlined some of the activities the prime minister will participate in today. 

The minority in the Tobago House of Assembly is skeptical about the visit.

The PNM in the house of assembly sees a special sitting, of the legislature as a betrayal of the people of Tobago.

It is also warning, Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bisessar against using the issue of autonomy, to cloud the upcoming THA election.

Port of Spain South MP, Keith Scotland is convinced the government badly handled the chaos, which followed US reports a strike on Venezuela was imminent.

Last Friday, there was panic in Trinidad and Tobago after media reports in the United States, told of plans by forces to enter Venezuela and target some facilities.

Here at home there was talk that the defence force, and the police service were called out and put on alert.

The Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar told reporters she was not aware of any such plan by the US, or the calling out of soldiers and police officers.

Mr. Scotland earlier this morning said, the government caused the panic, with some work places and schools allowing staff and students to leave early.

Mr. Scotland also said, the rationale for the extension of the SOE is not good enough.

After hours of debate, the opposition Peoples National Movement rejected the government’s bid, for an extension of the state of emergency.’

Defence Minister Wayne Sturge says, Trinidad and Tobago is not at war with Venezuela, but if this happens, the Americans would come to its rescue.

As tensions escalate among Venezuela the United States and Trinidad & Tobago, the minister yesterday said, people should not panic.

In an interview with TV6 earlier this week, minister Sturge insisted the United States is taking action against Venezuela, in order to wipe out narco drug traffickers in this part of the region.

He notes the attacks on the prime minister by Venezuela’s Vice-President, Delcy Rodriguez.

Minister Sturge’s comments come, as the American missile destroyer USS Gravely remains docked at the Port of Spain port, conducting joint exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago defence force.

On Friday government will seek to extend, the state of emergency, for a second time via the parliament.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced her government intention, having looked at the recommendations of the security forces

Mrs. Persad Bissessar said, yesterday she is satisfied with the results of the existing S.O.E.

The current state of emergency, which was declared on July 18^th , 2025, is set to expire on Tuesday, October 28^th, 2025.