Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has dismissed concerns raised by San Fernando East MP Brian Manning regarding the expenditures of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). The dispute arose during the Standing Finance Committee’s session on October 24, where a budget allocation of $2,943,574,800 for the THA was approved. Manning questioned the insurance costs for vehicles used by the Assembly, suggesting potential irregularities. Tancoo firmly refuted these claims, stating, ‘This is not the PNM. So not everything is about racket.’ He emphasized that the THA provides comprehensive insurance for its vehicles, dismissing Manning’s concerns as unfounded. Tancoo also recalled similar questions raised by Manning earlier in the week, urging clarity to prevent unnecessary debate. Manning, however, persisted, requesting detailed information on state vehicles insured by third parties, including the insurance amounts and agencies involved. Committee Chairman Jagdeo Singh advised Manning that while his inquiry might be legitimate, the committee was not the appropriate forum for such questions. Manning adjusted his request to focus solely on THA vehicles. The committee is set to reconvene on October 25 to finalize the budget, with key government departments, including the Office of the Prime Minister and the Judiciary, among the final areas of expenditure to be reviewed. The Senate is scheduled to begin its budget debate on October 27.
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Bajan Thorpe searches for glory with Sneaky Cheeky
Racing enthusiasts are in for a treat as Santa Rosa Park in Arima gears up for an action-packed six-race card on October 25. The highlight of the day will be the penultimate race, a 1,100-meter turf event featuring a competitive field of five runners. Among the contenders, Sneaky Cheeky, ridden by Barbados’ leading apprentice jockey Raheem Thorpe, is tipped as the pre-race favorite. Thorpe, who has been brought in by trainer Ramesh Ramroop, will also ride Dreamcatcher, Uncle Rog, and Free Pass across the day’s events. The race card also includes the first two-year-old race of the 2025 season, with Dream Maker and Sweet Bird, trained by John O’Brien, set to compete. Post time for the races is scheduled for 12:45 pm, promising an exciting day for punters and racing fans alike.
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UN, Japan help Tobago with sargassum management
Tobago has taken a significant step forward in addressing its sargassum problem with the donation of specialized management equipment by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Japanese government. The handover ceremony took place on October 21 at the Shaw Park Complex, attended by THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, UNDP resident representative Ugo Blanco, and Japanese Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Akima Umezawa. Augustine highlighted the severe environmental and economic impacts of sargassum, which first appeared in Tobago East in 2011, affecting fisheries, tourism, and coastal businesses. He expressed gratitude for the investment, emphasizing that the equipment would be managed by the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) with guidance from the Department of Environment. Augustine also noted that the donation marks the beginning of a broader effort, with plans to acquire boats and booms for further sargassum management. Allan Stewart, Director of TEMA, described the event as historic, recalling the devastating effects of sargassum on the island since 2011. He stressed the importance of capacity building for small-island developing states in the Caribbean. Ambassador Umezawa reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting Tobago in its cleanup efforts, calling the donated tractor a symbol of cooperation. UNDP’s Ugo Blanco also emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative, underscoring its significance for Tobago’s environmental sustainability.
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‘Rebuilding’ Trinidad and Tobago women select squad for friendly with ‘Reggae Girlz’
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has unveiled a 24-member squad for the upcoming friendly match against Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz on October 28 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. This encounter serves as a vital preparatory step for the 2025/26 Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers, which kick off next month. Trinidad and Tobago, placed in Group F alongside Barbados, El Salvador, and Honduras, will begin their qualifying campaign against Barbados on November 30. The squad, announced on October 24, features a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talents, including overseas-based players Kedie Johnson and Maria-Frances Serrant. Notable inclusions are forward Kennya Cordner, defenders Karyn Forbes and Victoria Swift, and the dynamic Naomie Guerra. The team also boasts emerging stars like Kaitlyn Darwent and Nikita Gosine, alongside the attacking trio of Alexcia Ali, Afiyah Cornwall, and Aaliyah Prince. Goalkeeping duties will be contested by Nicolette Craig, Keri Myers, and Tenesha Palmer. The team’s preparation has been marred by challenges, including the sudden resignation of former head coach Angus Eve just three weeks after his September 30 appointment. His departure, confirmed by a TTFA official on October 21, has left the team under the interim guidance of coaches Damian Briggs and Densill Theobald. Briggs emphasized the team’s focus on rebuilding and fostering unity, stating, ‘We are in a rebuild stage with a blend of experienced and young players. Our immediate goal is the Jamaica friendly, after which we’ll reflect and improve for the qualifiers.’ The match against Jamaica, coached by Hubert Busby, will be a significant test for the TT women, who have recently played practice games against local youth teams, including a dominant 7-1 victory over St Mary’s College Under-14s. As the team gears up for the Concacaf qualifiers, questions remain about potential additional friendlies before their November 30 clash with Barbados. The qualifiers will culminate in the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Championship, which serves as a pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
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PNM MPs: Opposition doing its job at SFC
The Standing Finance Committee of Trinidad and Tobago’s House of Representatives witnessed intense disagreements during its budget deliberations on October 21 and 22, as opposition and government members clashed over time management and the handling of inquiries. Speaker Jagdeo Singh opened the October 22 session by acknowledging the committee’s poor performance the previous day, particularly in managing time effectively. Singh emphasized the need for a balanced approach, urging both sides to collaborate and streamline the process. He suggested that some questions could be addressed in writing to save time, citing Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles’s earlier request for written responses as an example. Leader of Government Business Barry Padarath defended the government, placing the blame squarely on the opposition for the delays and inefficiencies. However, Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales and Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young countered, accusing the government of evading questions and failing to provide clear answers. Young described the government’s responses as a ‘boldface refusal’ to address critical issues. Despite the tension, Singh called for a conciliatory spirit moving forward, and Gonzales pledged the opposition’s commitment to completing the budget review within the allotted five days. The committee approved expenditures for several public bodies without incident, but the heated exchanges underscored the deep political divide. The budget deliberations are set to conclude by October 25, with both sides vowing to continue their respective approaches.
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Chaguanas North lose appeal, Presentation crowned SSFL central zone champs
Presentation College Chaguanas has officially been crowned the champions of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) championship division for the 2025 season. This victory was solidified after the league’s appeals committee upheld a prior decision to award the school all three points for a match against Chaguanas North Secondary that was abandoned on September 22. The disciplinary committee had initially ruled in favor of Presentation on October 13, granting them a 3-0 win due to Chaguanas North’s failure to adequately prepare the Edinburgh 500 Recreation Ground venue. Chaguanas North contested this decision, arguing that they had made every effort to meet the required standards before the scheduled kickoff. However, on October 22, the appeals committee, comprising Forbes Persaud, Rudolph Hope, and chairman Derek West, reviewed the case virtually and unanimously supported the disciplinary committee’s ruling. The final verdict was delivered on October 24, confirming Presentation’s victory. Chaguanas North officials had claimed that the referee overstepped his authority in abandoning the game and cited a precedent from the previous season where a match involving Presentation was rescheduled due to field issues. Nonetheless, the appeals committee emphasized the referee’s ultimate authority under Law 1 of the game, which governs the field of play. Following this decision, Presentation went on to defeat Chaguanas North 3-1 in their reverse fixture on October 14, finishing the central zone with 27 points from ten games. Chaguanas North secured second place with 22 points. With the matter resolved, Presentation now sets its sights on the First Citizens Boys’ ‘Big 5’ campaign, aiming for promotion to the premier division. They will begin their campaign on November 1 against Speyside Secondary, the Tobago championship division winners. Hillview College (east) and Mucurapo West Secondary (north) have also secured their spots in the Big 5, with the top three teams earning promotion for the 2026 premier division season.
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PNM tells PM: Look within UNC for ‘criminal ties’
Trinidad and Tobago’s political landscape has been thrown into disarray following Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s explosive allegations against the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM). In a statement on October 24, Persad-Bissessar accused the PNM of being financially supported by the local drug mafia, a claim the opposition has vehemently denied, labeling it as “baseless, reckless, and defamatory.” The PNM countered that the Prime Minister’s accusations were a desperate attempt to divert attention from her government’s failures and the growing public discontent with her leadership. The opposition further criticized her for refusing to address the nation during a period of heightened regional tensions with Venezuela, accusing her of adopting an erratic and isolationist foreign policy. The PNM emphasized its commitment to maintaining strong international relations, particularly with the United States, citing long-standing security agreements like the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. In response, Persad-Bissessar doubled down on her claims, accusing the PNM of protecting drug traffickers and undermining national security. International relations expert Prof. Anthony Bryan weighed in, describing the Prime Minister’s language as “strong and defamatory,” and potentially libelous given the lack of evidence. The ongoing feud has further polarized the nation, with citizens demanding accountability and transparency from their leaders amidst economic instability and rising hardships.
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Tobago police expect largest, incident free carnival
The Tobago Carnival 2024, now in its fourth edition, is poised to be the largest yet, with an unprecedented influx of visitors expected to descend on the island this weekend. Senior Superintendent of Police Earl Elie, speaking at a press conference on October 23 at the Scarborough Police Station, emphasized that safety remains the top priority for law enforcement. Elie revealed that approximately 23,000 people are anticipated to arrive via Caribbean Airlines, with additional travelers expected to come by ferry. Despite the surge in attendance, the carnival events have so far been incident-free, and authorities are optimistic this trend will continue. To manage the festivities, over 50 officers from Trinidad will join local police, alongside a significant contingent from the Defence Force, ensuring a robust security presence. Assistant Commissioner of Police Oswain Subero highlighted the collaborative efforts of the TT Police Service, the Tobago House of Assembly, and other agencies in implementing a comprehensive operational and security plan. This plan covers all aspects of carnival activities, from pre-carnival events to the main-day parades, with a focus on traffic management, crowd control, and intelligence-led policing. Subero stressed the importance of both enforcement and community engagement, noting that emergency response units and traffic departments are working in unison to ensure minimal disruptions and rapid incident response. The Tobago Carnival promises to be a vibrant celebration, underpinned by meticulous planning and a commitment to public safety.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Dedicated Whatsapp line for persons with disabilities
KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a proactive move to safeguard vulnerable populations, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has introduced a dedicated WhatsApp line, 876-447-0444, specifically for persons with disabilities to communicate their needs as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches. The announcement was made by Portfolio Minister Pearnel Charles Jr during a special press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday.
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Jamaica Food and Drink festival wins third Caribbean title
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) has once again been honored as the “Caribbean’s Best Culinary Festival” at the prestigious World Culinary Awards, marking its third consecutive win after triumphs in 2021 and 2022. This accolade solidifies Kingston’s reputation as a hub for regional gastronomy and underscores the festival’s remarkable evolution over its 11-year history. What began as a local celebration has blossomed into a regional phenomenon, attracting renowned international chefs, global media outlets like Forbes, and food enthusiasts eager to savor authentic Jamaican flavors.
Festival Director Alicia Bouges expressed immense pride in the achievement, stating, ‘This win means everything to us. Three-time winners…that’s not luck. That’s legacy. It’s proof that when Jamaica shows up, we set the standard. JFDF has become the blueprint for how a culinary festival in this region should look, feel, and taste. We’ve built something the world is watching; something that honors our culture, celebrates our people, and inspires others across the Caribbean. Kingston is no longer just hosting a festival; we are leading a movement. And this award is a reminder that the flavor of the Caribbean begins right here in Jamaica.’
The 2025 edition of the festival is set to take place from November 13 to 16, promising an array of culinary delights with events such as Kuyah, Decade 2.0, Meet Street & The Market, and the grand Brunch finale. For further details, visit www.jamaicafoodanddrink.com or follow @jfdfja on Instagram.