AGP Executive Report

Steelpan & Community: Tobago’s Buccooneers kicked off Steelpan Month with a Sunday School-style steel orchestra night, bringing Katzenjammers and Tobago Pan-thers together to share the national instrument with locals and visitors. Cricket & Youth Development: Cricket West Indies named 22 Under-19 women for a High-Performance camp in Antigua (Aug 17–29), with seven players from Trinidad & Tobago’s title-winning Rising Stars squad. West Indies in the Spotlight: Justin Greaves and Hayley Matthews won ICC Player of the Month awards for July, giving the West Indies a rare double. Culture & Arts: Sharon Rowley debuted her acrylic work “Beyond the Blue Shutters” in Barbados, turning a lifelong love of art into a public exhibition. Local Lifestyle: A feature on Trinidadian music therapy highlights how board-certified practitioners are using music to support children and adults with social, emotional and mental wellbeing needs. T&T in the Diaspora: Brooklyn will host the first Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day Parade on Aug. 30, with steelpan, food and family activities on Flatbush Avenue. Sports Culture: CPL confirmed Dwayne Bravo and Ian Bishop as the inaugural Hall of Fame inductees, to be honoured at a Sept. 15 gala in Barbados.

Arts & Personal Triumph: Sharon Rowley trades the courtroom for canvas, debuting her acrylic work “Beyond the Blue Shutters” in Barbados after years of nurturing her creative side. Music Therapy: Martina Chow-Antoine, one of T&T’s few board-certified music therapists, is using sound to support children and adults with social, emotional and mental health needs. Tobago Governance: IDA is pressing THA for answers on why Tobago’s planned Aug. 10 autonomy convention never happened, calling it a pattern of grand promises without follow-through. Regional Justice Explained: A fresh look at the CCJ breaks down what the court does for Caricom states and why misunderstandings keep spreading. Interior Design With Impact: Toni Crockett SuratSingh says good design can change how people live, blending creativity with problem-solving. Crime & Safety: Police say two men were killed in a La Romaine raid after officers encountered suspects allegedly armed with firearms. Cricket & Women’s Sport: T&T Women win the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 title, then CWI names 22 players for a High-Performance camp in Antigua. Steelpan & Community: Tobago’s Buccoo Sunday School steelpan sessions kick off Steelpan Month with visiting panyards. Soca in Brooklyn: Machel Montano’s “Journey of a Soca King” exhibition opens Aug. 22 at Brooklyn Public Library. Independence Abroad: T&T’s first Brooklyn Independence Day Parade heads to Flatbush Avenue on Aug. 30 with steelpan, food and family activities.

Cricket Glory: Trinidad and Tobago Women are crowned CWI Rising Stars Under-19 champions, dethroning Barbados by six wickets in Antigua after a flawless six-match run. Steelband Culture: PanTrinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore blasts police handling of the Silver Stars clash at the TRIBE band launch, arguing officers lacked understanding of steelband culture. Local Arts & Literature: Friends of Mr Biswas marks VS Naipaul’s Aug. 17 birthday with “Mothering” at NALIS, exploring his links to “Moth­er Trinidad,” “Moth­er England” and “Moth­er India.” Community Health: The Ayana S. Dyette Foundation hosts a free Pap Party with Pap smears at Bishop’s Anstey High School East in Trincity. Energy Policy: Govt says it will restart the Local Content Committee after a three-year gap, aiming to boost local participation across the energy value chain. Music & Events: T&T hosts the 4th Annual Caribbean Music Awards on Sept. 19 at NAPA, bringing the region’s stars to Port of Spain. Sports Abroad: England-born T&T goalkeeper Simone Eligon signs with QPR Women ahead of the new FA Women’s National League season. Diaspora Culture: Brooklyn Public Library prepares “Journey of a Soca King: The Exhibition” celebrating Machel Montano, opening Aug. 22.

Steelband & policing tensions: PanTrinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore hit out at police handling after the July 4 Silver Stars clash at TRIBE, saying officers “should not be a police officer” if they don’t understand steelband culture. Local governance & energy jobs: Govt plans to restart the Local Content Committee after a three-year gap, aiming to boost local participation across the energy value chain. Literature & legacy: Friends of Mr Biswas marks VS Naipaul’s birthday with a “Mothering” memorial at NALIS, exploring his links to Trinidad, England and India. Health & women’s support: Ayana S. Dyette Foundation held a Pap Party with free pap smears at Bishop’s Anstey High School East. Culture & music industry: Pan Trinbago announced a Trinidad and Tobago steelpan Geographical Indication (GI) Board to protect and certify authentic T&T steelpans. Cricket (youth women): Trinidad and Tobago dethroned Barbados to win the CWI Rising Stars U19 Women’s title in Antigua by six wickets. Sports (powerboats): Great Race powerboats battled rough seas; Heatwave took “First to Tobago” and the 80mph class. Arts & events: T&T will host the 4th Annual Caribbean Music Awards on Sept 19 at NAPA, with the Elite Weekend Experience bringing regional and diaspora talent.

Steelpan & Culture: Pan Trinbago announced a Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan Geographical Indication (GI) Board to protect and certify authentic local steelpans, while a World Steelpan Day reflection spotlights how pan can turn global recognition into lasting social and economic value. Arts & Community: T&T will host the 4th Annual Caribbean Music Awards on Sept. 19 at NAPA, bringing regional artistes and industry figures to Port of Spain under “Sounds of the Caribbean.” Remembering Willi Chen: Tributes followed the death of playwright, poet and cultural judge Willi Chen (1932–2026), praised for lifting standards and nurturing generations of artists. Cricket (Rising Stars): Trinidad and Tobago dethroned Barbados to win the CWI Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 title by six wickets in Antigua, finishing unbeaten. Sport (Great Race): Despite a yellow alert and rough seas, Heatwave and Track Heatwave delivered standout Trinidad-to-Tobago powerboat wins, with several boats unable to finish. Safety & Lifestyle: Siparia residents joined a peace walk as police declared Sennon Village and environs a “no crime zone,” pairing community pledges with added police presence. Education Support: Book grant payments for vulnerable families are expected to begin around Aug. 24 ahead of the Sept. 7 school reopening.

Steelband & community culture: A Siparia peace walk follows a spike in gun violence, with police declaring Sen(n)on Village and environs a “no-crime zone,” while steelband history gets spotlighted in “Badjohns, the generals of the steelbands.” Sport & youth pride: Trinidad and Tobago U19 Women crowned CWI Rising Stars champions in Antigua, beating defending champs Barbados by six wickets after a dominant tournament run. Public safety & governance: Government’s anti-crime strategy rolls out with mobile units and near-complete joint army-police posts (Grand Bazaar, Tarouba, Eddie Hart Grounds), plus plans to tighten deportation loopholes. Education support: Debe families get free book bags and stationery as the $20M book grant payments move toward disbursement ahead of the Sept 7 school reopening. Faith & heritage: Gita Mahotsav celebrations bring Ramleela and Krishna Leela narrations together, with Indian mission leaders highlighting cultural ties. Arts & music: Princes Town artist MR DSJ pushes Trafrobeat as a way to carry Trini dialect and storytelling into Afrobeats rhythms. Independence symbolism: “Suryapath Tiranga” marks India’s 80th Independence Day with a global flag relay reaching across continents, including Trinidad and Tobago.

Education Support: Acting Education Minister Barry Padarath says the $20M book grant payments for vulnerable families could start as early as August 24, with approvals expected to be finalised by early next week before funds move to the Accounts Department. Youth & Culture: CARICOM Youth Ambassadors of Saint Lucia launched What CARICOM Means to YOUth, a regional anthology collecting poetry, stories, song lyrics and spoken word from young people across nine member states. Steelpan & Community: Tributes and memories filled the Queen’s Park Savannah as Trinidad and Tobago’s steelpan fraternity bid farewell to internationally acclaimed pannist Robbie Greenidge. Cricket (U19 Women): Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-19 women beat Barbados by 84 runs in the Rising Stars final-round dress rehearsal, setting up the championship final in Antigua on Saturday. Regional Governance Watch: The CCJ president, Justice Winston Anderson, condemned leaked confidential correspondence and urged protection of the court’s legacy, as debate over trust and governance continues. Sports & Travel: Caribbean Airlines added 1,200 extra seats for the Great Race weekend to ease the Tobago rush.

Education Support: In Debe, dozens of children received free book bags and stationery ahead of the new school term, with Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal saying the wider return-to-school programme will include vouchers and support across the constituency. Public Services & Jobs: Government has agreed to build a data centre in Golconda, south Trinidad, with land identified inside the Debe Special Economic Zone—aimed at kick-starting industrial activity after long closures in the area. Music & Identity: Princes Town artist-producer MR DSJ St John is pushing “Trafrobeat,” a hybrid meant to bring Trinidad and Tobago dialect, storytelling and cultural references into conversation with Afrobeats. Steelpan & Community: The steelpan fraternity bid farewell to internationally acclaimed pannist Robbie Greenidge, remembered for decades of service from Laventille to global stages. Culture in Motion: Laventille’s Emancipation Steelband Street Parade, themed “Kife Jòba,” filled Success Village with youth-led bands and pan music. Sports (Youth Cricket): T&T U19 women beat Barbados by 84 runs in the Rising Stars final dress rehearsal in Antigua, setting up a tournament final rematch. Law & Governance: The CCJ president responded to leaked internal correspondence, warning that unauthorized disclosures are eroding trust in the region’s top court. Travel & Lifestyle: Caribbean Airlines added 1,200 extra seats on the Trinidad–Tobago airbridge for Great Race weekend, easing the rush for spectators. Safety & Rights: A Trinidad corrections officer in Colorado was arrested over alleged child sex crimes and weapons charges, following an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation.

World Steelpan Month & Pan Spotlight: Kevon “KB The Pannist” Bass shares how steelpan from South Trinidad became a global career, while World Steelpan Day (Aug 11) celebrations keep pushing pan as youth empowerment and cultural identity. Local Culture & Community: Notting Hill Carnival turns 60, spotlighting Caribbean music and food in London, and Brooklyn’s Central Library is set to open “The Journey of a Soca King” (Aug 22) celebrating Machel Montano’s impact. Tobago Development: The ANR Robinson airport terminal is expected to open before October (possibly within a month), with THA saying it will be ready for Carnival visitor surges. Youth & Inclusion: Tobago Youth Awards honoured standout young people, and La Brea’s Rose Foundation received a $10,000 one-off grant to support vulnerable women micro-enterprise training. Sports (Cricket): Trinidad & Tobago U19 Women beat Leeward Islands in the Rising Stars tournament, with Samara Ramnath leading the wicket haul. Safety & Preparedness: A Trini earthquake survivor urges stronger national seismic readiness beyond ODPM, stressing family plans and supplies. Serious Crime (Abroad): Colorado arrested Trinidad corrections officer Gage Vidal Montoya on child exploitation and weapons charges after an NCMEC cyber-tip.

Disaster Preparedness: Trini quake survivor Wayne Mohan is urging Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen emergency readiness beyond ODPM, warning a major seismic event could strain everything from hospitals and telecoms to roads and utilities—while families are told to plan and stock essentials. Tobago Youth & Leadership: UN Youth Leader Anthurium Lewis swept the 2026 Tobago Youth Awards with three honours, as Chief Secretary Farley Augustine challenged young Tobagonians to “kick down the door” and claim space. New Tobago Airport Terminal: THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says the ANR Robinson terminal could open within a month, before October, with work in its second phase and Cabinet approval still pending. Independence Celebrations & Noise Debate: Fireworks are set to return to Queen’s Park Savannah for Aug. 31, with a mix of traditional and low-noise options plus drones—while CANP pushes for controlled displays near sensitive sites. Culture & Identity: A debate on “Callaloo or tossed salad?” spotlights growing discomfort with cultural mixing, sparked by controversy around UWI’s African Emancipation Day programme. Soca Spotlight Abroad: Brooklyn Public Library is launching “The Journey of a Soca King” on Aug. 22, celebrating Machel Montano’s impact on Caribbean culture. Sports (Women’s U19 Cricket): Trinidad and Tobago’s Young Divas booked the final after beating Leeward Islands by eight wickets, led by Samara Ramnath’s wicket haul. Community Support: The Ministry of the People awarded a $10,000 one-off grant to The Rose Foundation for a La Brea micro-enterprise empowerment programme targeting vulnerable women. Crime & Exploitation (Abroad): Colorado corrections officer Gage Vidal Montoya was arrested on alleged child sexual exploitation and weapons charges, following a cybertip.

Houston ICE Witness Case: A witness in the deadly Houston ICE shooting has been released after a habeas corpus petition, as detainees increasingly use federal court to challenge detention legality. T&T–US Relations: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar says ties with the United States are at a “historic high,” pointing to cooperation on energy, critical minerals, trade, and fighting transnational crime. World Steelpan Day & Pan Culture: T&T marks World Steelpan Day with youth showcases and renewed calls for steelpan as a youth-development and cultural-growth tool. Rising Stars Cricket (U-19 Women): Trinidad & Tobago’s Young Divas keep winning, crushing the Leeward Islands to set up a big final preliminary clash with Barbados. LGBTQ Community Safety: Police say there’s no evidence LGBTQ people are being targeted, even as tributes and calls for justice continue after the killing of activist Kwasi Dion Gill. Local Lifestyle & Travel: Caribbean Airlines launches a five-day Orlando–Trinidad fare sale, aiming to boost travel in the quieter season. Food & Health Focus: A UWI-linked report highlights that many in T&T can’t afford healthy diets, shifting the conversation from food supply to nutrition access.

LGBTQIA Rights & Safety: Trinidad and Tobago Police say there’s no evidence so far that the LGBTQ community is being targeted, even as investigations continue into the murders of Kwasi Dion Gill and Kobe Daniel Thomas. Community Grief & Activism: PrideTT and partners mourn Gill, describing him as a mentor, performer, and builder of community spaces, while calls for justice grow louder. First Peoples Recognition: Chief Ricardo Bharath argues Amerindian/First Peoples history and contributions deserve sustained national attention, not just ceremonial moments. Food & Health: UWI St Augustine researchers warn T&T’s food security debate must shift from availability to access to healthy, nutritious diets as affordability pressures deepen. Steelpan Culture: Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore urges government to refurbish panyards to keep youth engaged and preserve the national instrument. Cricket (Rising Stars): T&T Under-19 Women stay unbeaten with another win over the Leeward Islands, while the tournament sets up a big clash for the final preliminary round. Caribbean Music Awards: CMA names Shyne, Calypso Rose, Alan Cavé and Patra as honourees for Sept. 19 at NAPA in Port of Spain. Travel & Lifestyle: Caribbean Airlines launches a five-day Orlando–Trinidad fare sale, aiming to boost travel in the quieter season.

Caribbean Music Awards: Shyne, Patra, Alan Cavé and calypso icon Calypso Rose are set for honours at the fourth annual CMA in Port-of-Spain on Sept. 19, with the event framed as a “Sounds of the Caribbean” destination weekend. Steelpan & youth culture: Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore is urging the Government to refurbish panyards nationwide, arguing youth already gather there and need upgraded spaces; meanwhile, World Steelpan Day celebrations included an Ancestral Pan Walk that spotlighted young players and the pan’s role in passing on heritage. Independence Day tech debate (Tobago): Tobago’s Independence Day plans may include a grand drone show, with officials saying systems are “go” and raising questions about whether it replaces fireworks amid noise and animal-welfare concerns. Sports (T&T in focus): T&T’s Under-19 Women’s team kept rolling in the CWI Rising Stars Championship, while local cricket also saw T&T beat Windward Islands by 10 wickets. Community & policy: NATUC warns against using prisoners as cheap labour, saying any prison-work programme must prioritise rehabilitation and education. UK immigration note: New UK guidance lists Dominica and Trinidad & Tobago among nationalities exempt from proving English for settlement/citizenship applications.

World Steelpan Day: Trinidad and Tobago marked World Steelpan Day with youth showcases and messages from Acting President Wade Mark and the Ministry of Culture, spotlighting pan as national identity and a pathway for young people into composition, education and cultural industry. Pan in the streets: Ancestral walks and panyard celebrations brought pan lovers from Massy All Stars to bp Renegades, while Trinidad All Stars outlined plans for a pan-and-arts cultural hub. Independence Day tech + noise debate: Tobago’s Ravi Ratiram says a grand drone show is planned for Independence Day, but Citizens Against Noise Pollution (CANPTT) is pushing for controlled, time-limited fireworks and responsible management for residents, pets and vulnerable people. Policy pushback: NATUC warns against using prisoners as “cheap labour,” insisting any prison work linked to upkeep must prioritise rehabilitation and education. Sports & culture crossover: T&T’s Under-19 women stayed unbeaten in the CWI Rising Stars after a ten-wicket win over the Windward Islands, with Samara Ramnath starring. Heritage conversation: First Peoples chief Ricardo Bharath challenges the long-held claim that “Ari­ma/Hyari­ma” means “water,” saying research points instead to a gathering place.

LGBTQIA+ Tragedy: Kwasi Dion Gill, a 41-year-old advocate, was found shot dead in Belmont after being reported missing—his family identified the body and police investigations continue. World Steelpan Day: Trinidad and Tobago marks Aug. 11 with youth-focused pan celebrations at Queen’s Park Savannah, including performances, an ancestral walk, and a major youth concert under “Rhythm and Rise.” Youth & Culture in Pan: The Ministry of Culture says steelpan can build discipline and tolerance while feeding future composers, arrangers, educators and builders. Cricket (CWI Rising Stars U19): T&T’s women’s U19 T20 campaign continues in Antigua as they look to keep momentum after a tense win over Guyana. Heritage & Indigenous Recognition: The National Trust highlights Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Banwari Trace, calling for greater respect and implementation of Indigenous rights. Community Support: Tobago’s TRHA marks World Breastfeeding Week with its 25th Family Walk & Breakfast, while RBC donates TT$15,000 for schoolbooks and uniforms via the Saidwan Foundation. Security & Policing: Couva South’s Barry Padarath says discussions are underway for a police post, with Carli Bay among locations due to gang activity and piracy concerns. Weather Disaster Watch: Philippines storm and monsoon deaths rise as landslides and flooding continue, with Trinidad and Tobago-linked coverage also noting the wider regional impact.

World Steelpan Day: Trinidad and Tobago marks Aug. 11 with a full youth-led showcase at Queen’s Park Savannah, anchored by performances from top steel orchestras, plus an Ancestral Walk paying tribute to steelpan pioneers. Local Sports & Community: The TTDA National 501 League wrapped up with E-Z Lines defending their A Division title in a tight finish, while other divisions crowned their champions. Public Health & Family Support: Tobago’s THA is preparing to roll out a Universal Child Benefit—$500 monthly for children born after Jan. 1, 2026, for the first five years—alongside World Breastfeeding Week activities. Safety in Sport: TTFA marked Safe Sport Day 2026 with a call for athletes, parents and clubs to help prevent abuse and build safer, inclusive sporting spaces. Culture & Identity: Indigenous leaders marked World Indigenous Peoples’ Day with ceremonies calling for stronger recognition and government support. Race & Unity: Soca artiste Benjai apologised after backlash over a social media post amid heightened racial tensions, while Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar dismissed a racial slur complaint as the EOC process moves ahead. Crime & Policing: Security stakeholders welcome the plan for 30 police posts, but a criminologist warns the biggest test may come when the State of Emergency ends.