Latest news with #Trinidad
GMA Network
18 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP: 23 Chinese ships monitored in WPS amid bad weather
File photo of a China Coast Guard vessel patrolling the waters as the sun sets in the West Philippine Sea. JUN VENERACION/GMA Int The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that 23 Chinese vessels were monitored in key areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last week amid the bad weather. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the WPS, said a total of seven Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and seven People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships were sighted in Bajo de Masinloc between July 21 and 27. Additional deployments included four CCG and two PLA Navy vessels in Ayungin Shoal, one PLA Navy ship in Sabina Shoal, and one CCG and one PLA Navy ship near Pag-asa Island. No aggressive acts by Chinese forces were recorded during the latest monitoring period, according to Trinidad. However, he stressed that the continued presence of foreign ships within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) remains a "concern." 'We will keep performing our mandate of securing our national territory and protecting our sovereignty and sovereign rights,' said Trinidad. 'The Department of National Defense has been very clear—we will be resistant and unwavering against the aggressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party. Your Armed Forces are prepared to sacrifice, pay even the ultimate sacrifice in furtherance of this mandate.' 'Steadfast' AFP officials said that under the Marcos administration, the defense sector has intensified both domestic preparedness and regional engagement with allies. 'From 2022 onwards, we have seen an escalation in our defense diplomacy,' Trinidad said, citing new agreements such as the Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan and a Visiting Forces Agreement with New Zealand. 'More than statements of support, we have seen ships, aircraft and troops from like-minded countries performing activities with your Armed Forces on land, sea, and air.' AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla also reiterated the military's alignment with the administration's modernization and self-reliant defense agenda. 'Whether it's securing our democracy, defending our sovereignty, or saving lives—we remain your steadfast guardians,' she said. Padilla added that the AFP is supportive of the U.S. government's recent plans to establish ammunition production in the region, seeing it as a potential complement to the country's Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP). 'This is also part of our alliance-building with other nations. We welcome this initiative and will support it in whatever way the DND deems appropriate,' she said. Looking beyond the West Philippine Sea, Trinidad said the AFP has expanded its defense focus across the archipelago, including the southern borders, eastern seaboard, and northernmost islands such as Batanes and Babuyan. 'We are no longer just looking west. We are securing the entire archipelago—from internal to external defense,' he said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Podcast Tuesday: Pipeline: Left to Die & The Retrievals Season Two
In 2022, while making repairs to a undersea pipe off the coast of Trinidad, four professional divers got sucked hundreds of metres into a 76cm- wide pipe full of oil. The story of what happened next has been made into a podcast called Pipeline: Left to Die (Daily Mail) Ximena Smith reviews this and The Retrievals Season Two (NY Times and Serial Podcast) Photo: Divernet
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
A Birdwatcher's Paradise Awaits At Trinidad's Asa Wright Nature Centre
Asa Wright Nature Centre is managed by HADCO Experiences, a Trinbagonian destination management ... More company that specializes in eco-conscious luxury tourism. While the Caribbean is home to a wealth of wildlife-rich islands, few destinations offer such a fascinating blend of biodiversity as Trinidad. Located just off the coast of Venezuela, this storied island comes equipped with a truly diverse array of native species, with both Caribbean and mainland South American wildlife thriving across its borders—and for a thorough immersion into the vibrant fauna of Trinidad, it's tough to find a better destination than Asa Wright Nature Centre. Named in honor of Iceland native Asa Wright, this sprawling estate has been a popular destination for birdwatching since the 1950s—and in the modern era, the property is perfect for an ecotourist's getaway into the Northern Range, with 29 spacious rooms and a charming main lodge that's ideal for photographers and casual birdwatchers alike. Though top-tier ecotourism destinations abound all across Trinidad, the Asa Wright Nature Centre offers a glimpse into the pristine beauty of the Arima Valley, with plenty of unforgettable avifauna to find along the way. In addition to Trinidad, the tufted coquette can also be found in Venezuela, northern Brazil and the ... More Guianas region. Immediately upon arrival, visitors can bask in the splendor of the Spring Hill Estate building, with high-definition photographs and detailed wildlife paintings lining its walls—but it's the open-air verandah that draws birders in droves, with fresh bananas and other fruit set out each morning to attract all sorts of native species. Within minutes, visitors can marvel at eye-catching birds like the green honeycreeper, silver-beaked tanager and purple honeycreeper, while state-of-the-art spotting scopes are also in place across the verandah, providing visitors with a chance to glimpse species like the channel-billed toucan or common black hawk resting far off in the treetops. Amidst the fresh fruit, the area is also brimming with hummingbird feeders, transforming this idyllic space into a captivating flurry of beating wings by mid-morning. Classic South American species like the blue-chinned sapphire and white-chested emerald are abundant across the gardens, while the ruby topaz is a particular favorite thanks to the brilliant yellow and red plumage of the males—but there's one species in particular that draws birdwatchers in droves. Known as the tufted coquette, this tiny hummingbird is renowned for its striking appearance, with males boasting a prominent orange head crest and lengthy neck plumes that give the animal a polka-dotted appearance. The oilbird is one of few avian species that use echolocation to navigate its surroundings. Guests can have a truly fulfilling day of birdwatching without setting foot beyond the main lodge, but there's plenty of can't-miss avian opportunities to be found across the property's hiking trails as well. While there are more than 15 kilometers of trails to explore across the entirety of Asa Wright Nature Centre, you don't have to venture far from the main lodge to find one particularly fascinating site—the white-bearded manakin lek, to be precise. Each day, this small patch of forest springs to life as males compete for the attention of watching females, engaging in a time-honored ritual that involves leaping, head-bobbing and loud, firecracker-like wing snaps—and to sweeten the deal, the eye-catching bearded bellbird can be found just a short walk away from the lek, inviting birders to cross off two species from their life list in one fell swoop. Beyond the manakin lek, guests can also embark on a guided journey to spot one of Trinidad's most elusive creatures. Known as the oilbird, this cave-dwelling animal is an evolutionary oddity, serving as the sole flying nocturnal frugivore in the bird world—and the Asa Wright Nature Centre provides the perfect viewing opportunity during daylight hours. After a brief hike along one of the preserve's most scenic rivers, guests will arrive at the mouth of a small cavern, with plenty of native frogs and crabs to spot along the way. Upon entering the cave, several nesting oilbirds can be found dwelling within as they gear up to search for food at twilight, providing visiting birders with a megatick that's otherwise particularly difficult to accomplish. The Asa Wright Nature Centre grounds measure in at more than 525 hectares of protected rainforest. Though Asa Wright Nature Centre offers some of the finest birdwatching opportunities in all of the Caribbean, the property also comes equipped with a wealth of other amenities to keep guests occupied during a stay. After a long birding session, explorers are welcome to cool off with a trip to one of the estate's natural bathing pools, with roaring waterfalls and verdant foliage found at each site. Meanwhile, entomology buffs should be sure to embark on a guided night hike that showcases the many species that roam the forests of the Northern Range in the dead of night. Stick insects, scorpions and spiders are a common sight, while lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of a porcupine scurrying through the canopy. In addition to ecotourism, the Asa Wright Nature Centre is also a top spot for a thorough immersion into the richness of Trinidadian cuisine. During morning hours, guests can look forward to a superb breakfast spread that offers some of the island's most beloved dishes, with options spanning from melongene choka—a hearty eggplant dish that's brimming with notes of garlic—to saltfish buljol, a vegetable-heavy dish that's infused with salted cod. Later in the day, visitors can dine on savory plates like curried goat and curried shrimp, but no visit is complete without sampling some of the fresh fruits that grow across the island, with options including governor's plum, papaw and Julie mango.
Al Bawaba
5 days ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Accor Cluster Dubai Deira & Dubai Gold District Partner with Nikon to Launch ‘Createcation'
This August, Accor Waterfront Properties is teaming up with Nikon to launch Createcation: Dubai Deira Gold Summer Edition; a fun, fully hosted staycation experience designed exclusively for aspiring content place across six vibrant properties in the heart of Old Dubai, Createcation offers a full-board summer stay that blends fun and learning. Participants will have the opportunity to capture lifestyle, travel, and hospitality content using the latest cutting-edge equipment provided by Nikon. This one-night, two-day experience across Novotel Dubai Gold District, Mercure Dubai Deira, ibis Styles Dubai Deira, Mercure Dubai Gold District, ibis Styles Dubai Gold District, and Aparthotel Adagio Dubai Deira, features an exclusive creator workshop led by Suzette Peachy, a selection of surprise gifts, and multiple creative challenges to help participants sharpen storytelling skills and build standout social content. Best of all, select content may be showcased across the property's official digital platforms, offering creators enhanced visibility and reach. It offers content enthusiasts a hands-on opportunity to learn, relax, and collaborate with a leading hospitality brand, while gaining real-world experience and using professional-grade tools to build their portfolio in Dubai's growing creator than just a content trip, this weekend is a creative escape. Giving aspiring creators the chance to refine their storytelling skills with expert guidance, all while enjoying the joy of a summer getaway. From golden-hour poolside moments and indulgent feasts to exploring the soulful streets of Deira, every part of the journey is designed to inspire and spark Trinidad, Cluster Marketing and Communications Manager, shared, 'With Createcation, we're offering aspiring creators the platform, tools, and inspiration they need to thrive. By nurturing local talent, we're helping creativity flourish not just within our properties, but across the city.' Limited slots available. The experience runs from August 2-3, 2025. To apply, send a sample video of your previous content work along with your portfolio to tcapr1903@ Successful applicants will be contacted with full details. Apply by emailing the following to tcapr1903@ with the subject line 'Createcation Application': • First name:• Surname:• Email:• Instagram / TikTok handle:• Follower count:• Type of content you typically create:• Link to sample video• Your portfolio For more details, call: +971 50 4603905
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ExxonMobil negotiating with Trinidad and Tobago to explore seven deep-water blocks
ExxonMobil has initiated discussions with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to potentially explore for oil and gas in up to seven deep-water blocks off the east coast, reported Reuters, citing sources. This move marks the company's potential return to the Caribbean nation after leaving more than two decades ago. The company ceased operations in Trinidad and Tobago in 2003 following an unsuccessful exploration attempt. The areas of interest for Exxon lie to the north of its highly productive Stabroek block in Guyana, one of the fastest-growing oil production regions globally. Together with partners Hess and CNOOC, Exxon has discovered more than 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil and gas resources in Stabroek. The partners are planning to produce nearly 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) of light sweet crude later this year. Trinidad and Tobago's Energy Minister, Roodlal Moonilal, mentioned that the country is engaging with several leading oil and gas corporations. 'We are in discussions with major players to ramp up exploration and production within and outside of bid rounds,' Moonilal stated, opting not to reveal any specific names. Exxon has declined to comment on the ongoing discussions, stating that it does not respond to rumours or speculation, the report said. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Trinidad is aiming to attract fresh investments, particularly in offshore ventures, to bolster gas production essential for the nation's liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petrochemical sectors. Trinidadian legislation permits the government to negotiate on exploration and production areas individually if they are not part of a competitive bidding process. While the country is currently conducting a deep-water auction, set to conclude on 17 September, the blocks Exxon is interested in are not included in this auction. If the negotiations between Exxon and Trinidad culminate in an agreement, Exxon could potentially secure nearly all the available ultra-deep-water blocks that remain unlicensed. The recent significant discoveries in the Guyana-Suriname basin have sparked renewed interest in Trinidad's deep-water potential, as highlighted by the energy minister at a conference in early July. Moonilal hinted at the ongoing talks, suggesting that Trinidad is open to considering proposals outside of the auction process. Furthermore, ExxonMobil is said to be in discussions to re-enter the oil sector in Iraq. This comes approximately one year after the corporation exited one of the major oil-producing sites in the country. ExxonMobil halted its activities at the West Qurna 1 field in the south of Iraq in 2024, passing on its operational duties to PetroChina, which currently holds the leading share. "ExxonMobil negotiating with Trinidad and Tobago to explore seven deep-water blocks" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
