作者: admin

  • TCL reports $86m in profits

    TCL reports $86m in profits

    TCL Group has announced a substantial quarterly profit of $86 million for the period ending September 30, as revealed in its consolidated interim financial report published on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange’s website. This marks a notable increase compared to the $34.6 million profit recorded during the same period the previous year. The surge in earnings is attributed to heightened revenues, strategic cost optimization measures, and improved market conditions. For the quarter, the group generated $607 million in revenue, up from $522.4 million in the prior year, while operating earnings soared to $149.5 million from $43.8 million. Earnings before tax also saw a significant rise, reaching $141 million compared to $43.7 million in 2024. The directors, Chairman David G. Inglefield and Managing Director Francisco Aguilera Mendoza, highlighted robust sales in Jamaica and Guyana, alongside favorable regional pricing, as key drivers of this growth. These gains offset weaker domestic sales in Trinidad and Tobago. Approximately 88% of the profit increase stemmed from Jamaica’s operations, with Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Barbados each contributing 4%. The group also benefited from a strategic restructuring program implemented in 2025, which reduced administrative expenses. However, the group faced challenges, including the adverse impact of Hurricane Beryl, which affected operations in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica in 2024. Despite the strong quarterly performance, TCL Group reported a decline in annual profits for the year ending September 30, 2025, with profits dropping to $159.6 million from $210.6 million the previous year. This was due to lower sales in Trinidad and Tobago and increased expenses related to fixed asset impairments and restructuring costs in Barbados. Nevertheless, the group’s revenue for the year rose to $1.8 billion from $1.7 billion, driven by growth in Jamaica and Guyana.

  • Reflections on Mexico’s Día de Muertos in TT: Honouring memory, building bridges

    Reflections on Mexico’s Día de Muertos in TT: Honouring memory, building bridges

    The Embassy of Mexico in Trinidad and Tobago recently hosted a heartfelt celebration of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a tradition that resonates deeply with its themes of love, memory, and cultural connection. The event, held in St. Clair, featured a meticulously crafted ofrenda (altar) adorned with photographs, marigolds, sugar skulls, and flickering candles, creating a serene and reflective atmosphere. This year’s commemoration held special significance as it honored the victims of the catastrophic floods that devastated regions of Mexico, including Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí, in October. The embassy’s tribute from afar underscored the compassionate spirit of Mexican culture and its commitment to solidarity. The celebration also highlighted the role of embassies as bridges of cultural diplomacy, fostering understanding and unity through shared traditions. Día de Muertos, with its vibrant blend of life and loss, serves as a joyful remembrance of loved ones, reminding us that memory can be both celebratory and healing. In Trinidad and Tobago, similar observances like All Saints’ Day, Indian Arrival Day, and Emancipation Day reflect shared values of resilience and heritage. The event emphasized how cultural exchanges deepen appreciation for both foreign traditions and our own humanity. As the evening concluded, the embassy’s courtyard glowed with warmth, symbolizing the enduring connections forged through empathy and shared experiences. The Embassy of Mexico’s celebration of Día de Muertos exemplified how diplomacy transcends politics, rooted instead in the quiet power of remembrance and friendship.

  • Come cleanon centre

    Come cleanon centre

    A recent review of the Draft Estimates for the Development Programme 2026 has unveiled a troubling policy change that has sparked widespread concern. The project for the Construction of a Socially Displaced Assessment Centre, initially allocated $15 million in the previous year, has been completely defunded, with its budget reduced to $0.00 under the Infrastructural Development Fund. This abrupt decision has raised questions about the government’s commitment to addressing homelessness and social displacement. The centre, which was envisioned as a $50 million facility, aimed to provide shelter, healthcare, job training, and other essential services to at least 200 homeless individuals. Its defunding casts a shadow over the future of this critical initiative, leaving many to wonder if the socially displaced are no longer a priority for the new administration. Statistics from the former government indicate a 13.4 per cent increase in homelessness since 2011, with hundreds of citizens living on the streets. The complete removal of funding for a project designed to tackle this growing crisis has been interpreted as a failure to uphold civic responsibility and social justice. The public is now demanding transparency and accountability from the Minister of People, Social Development, and Family Services regarding the future of this project and the government’s broader policy direction.

  • Jevonte David wins Parapan Games shot put F42 gold

    Jevonte David wins Parapan Games shot put F42 gold

    Trinidad and Tobago’s para-athlete Jevonte David soared to victory, securing the gold medal in the men’s F42 shot put event on November 4 during the 2025 Parapan American Youth Games in Santiago, Chile. The event, held at the Mario Recordon Stadium, witnessed David’s exceptional performance as he hurled the shot an impressive 10.27 meters, outpacing a formidable lineup of competitors from the Caribbean, South, and Central America. David’s triumph marks a significant milestone for Trinidad and Tobago in the international para-athletics arena. Beyond the shot put, David is poised to compete for top honors in the men’s discus throw F45 and javelin throw F45 events. He is accompanied by his teammate Odessa Wilkinson, who is set to participate in the women’s shot put F40-41, discus throw F41, and javelin F41 events, further bolstering the nation’s presence at the Games.

  • Olympian Kirt Sinnette chairs new boxing board

    Olympian Kirt Sinnette chairs new boxing board

    In a significant move to bolster Trinidad and Tobago’s boxing sector, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) Phillip Watts officially appointed a five-member Trinidad Boxing Board of Control (TBBC) on November 5. The ceremony, held at Nicholas Tower in Port of Spain, marked the beginning of a two-year term for the newly installed board. The TBBC is tasked with regulating and promoting boxing under the Boxing Control Act, Chapter 21:52, Section 2(1).

    The board is led by Kirt Sinnette, a national boxing champion and former Olympian, who assumes the role of chairman. He is supported by deputy chairman Kim Quashie, a seasoned boxing coordinator. Other members include sport administrator Kwanieze John, business administrator Hemrajh Rampersad, and attorney Bryan Basdeo. The diverse expertise of the board members underscores its mission to uphold the nation’s rich boxing heritage while driving modernization and creating opportunities for emerging athletes and coaches.

    Minister Watts emphasized the board’s critical role in preserving Trinidad and Tobago’s proud boxing history and modernizing the sport to build a legacy of opportunities for future generations. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering discipline, resilience, and national pride through boxing, particularly in grassroots communities.

    The MSYA remains dedicated to uniting stakeholders and advancing sport and youth development as part of its broader vision for the nation’s future. This appointment signals a renewed focus on enhancing the sport’s infrastructure and ensuring its continued growth and relevance in Trinidad and Tobago.

  • St Paul’s Anglican crowned Victoria District U11 champs

    St Paul’s Anglican crowned Victoria District U11 champs

    St Paul’s Anglican Primary School emerged victorious in the Victoria District Under-11 final, securing a decisive 3-0 win against San Fernando Boys’ RC at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella on November 4. The match showcased stellar performances from the young athletes, with Malachi Joseph opening the scoring in the 10th minute. Khadeem Flemming extended the lead in the 30th minute, and Wraydenn Charles sealed the triumph with a final goal in the 33rd minute. This victory marks St Paul’s second district championship in three years, following their dominant 3-0 semi-final win against defending champions San Fernando Boys’ Government. Head coach Rondel Renwick attributed the team’s success to rigorous preparation and unwavering commitment from the players, coaching staff, and school administration. Renwick emphasized the importance of discipline, development, and the collective effort in shaping the future of Trinidad and Tobago football. The team now sets its sights on the national tournament, with preparation remaining a cornerstone of their strategy.

  • Cyclist Wallace motivated after World Track Champs debut

    Cyclist Wallace motivated after World Track Champs debut

    Trinidad and Tobago’s emerging track cycling sensation, Makaira Wallace, has described her inaugural appearance at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Santiago, Chile, as a profoundly inspiring and motivating experience. Competing for the first time as a senior rider, Wallace marked a significant milestone in her burgeoning career.

  • 7 new members appointed to NIF board as 4 resign

    7 new members appointed to NIF board as 4 resign

    The National Investment Fund Holding Company Ltd (NIF) is undergoing significant changes as four board members have resigned, and seven new members have been appointed. The resignations, effective from October 28, include Chairperson Jennifer Lutchman, along with board members Nadira Lyder, Dexter Jaggernauth, and Cindy Pierre. The vacancies have been filled with the appointment of Dr. Sandra Sookram as the new chairperson, Patrice Jameela Ayoung-Chee as deputy chairman, and Aiden Boodoo, Shivanand Maharaj, Vandanna Singh-Maharaj, and Dexter V. Ragoonath as board members. The new board will serve a two-year term starting October 28. Established in 2018, the NIF was created to manage assets received by the government from Clico’s shareholdings, following a $4 billion government bailout in 2009. The fund has since repaid the bailout and made significant interest distributions, totaling $2.4 billion since its inception. Notable assets under the NIF include Republic Financial Holdings Ltd, One Caribbean Media Ltd, West Indian Tobacco Company Ltd, Angostura Holdings Ltd, and TT Generation Unlimited. The NIF has also made multiple coupon payments to bondholders, including a recent $9 million payment under the NIF 2 bond offer launched in 2022.

  • Nakhid wants six-month SSFL season

    Nakhid wants six-month SSFL season

    The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL), a cornerstone in nurturing young football talent, is under scrutiny for its limited three-month duration. David Nakhid, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and former national football captain, has voiced concerns that this short season stifles the potential of emerging players. Speaking on TV6’s Morning Edition on November 5, Nakhid emphasized the need for innovation in Trinidad and Tobago’s football system, drawing parallels to transformative changes in countries like Germany and Belgium during the 1990s. He highlighted the importance of integrating technology and extending the SSFL season to six months, a proposal supported by SSFL President Merere Gonzales. Nakhid underscored the league’s significance, noting its role in securing scholarships for students to attend US universities and its widespread engagement among parents, students, and stakeholders. He envisions a system where more young footballers gain recognition from international scouts, thereby enhancing their opportunities for both athletic and academic advancement.

  • TTFA, Ato Boldon plan relief efforts for Jamaica

    TTFA, Ato Boldon plan relief efforts for Jamaica

    In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on Jamaica, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and Olympic legend Ato Boldon have stepped up to spearhead relief efforts. The Category 5 storm, which struck on October 28, unleashed winds exceeding 185 mph, causing widespread devastation and leaving numerous communities in ruins. The death toll in Jamaica has surpassed 30, with Haiti also reporting over 40 fatalities.