The iconic Halloween extravaganza, Mask, is set to make a grand return to the Sport of Kings venue at Gulfstream Racetrack in Hallandale, South Florida, on October 25. This year marks a significant milestone as the event celebrates its 25th anniversary, promising an unforgettable night filled with surprises and electrifying performances. Co-founded by Jamaican Jaime Young, Mask has become a staple in South Florida’s entertainment scene, blending Caribbean culture with Halloween festivities. Attendees are encouraged to unleash their creativity by donning extravagant costumes, embodying their alter egos for a night of freedom, fun, and flair. This year’s edition, aptly titled ‘The Masked Performer Edition,’ will feature a special birthday celebration for Gyptian, the renowned reggae artist who turns 42 on the same day. The event will be powered by a lineup of top-tier DJs, including Delano of Renaissance, Selecta Renegade, DJ Nicco 876, DJ LS One, and Nocturnal Sound, led by Papa Keith. These maestros will keep the crowd moving to the infectious rhythms of reggae, dancehall, and soca. Young, a veteran promoter with three decades of experience in South Florida, has curated high-profile events such as Stages Miami, Naked, French Reserve, Truckstop, and Foam Wet Fete. He proudly describes Mask as Miami’s premier annual themed costume event, a vibrant celebration of creativity, culture, and connection.
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Durant agrees to NBA Rockets two-year $90m extension — reports
NBA icon Kevin Durant has inked a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets, as confirmed by multiple sources on Sunday. The 37-year-old forward, a two-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, will now hold the record for the highest career earnings in NBA history, surpassing LeBron James’s $583.9 million with a staggering $598.2 million.
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Police raid nets 75.35 kilos of marijuana
In a significant crackdown on organized crime, law enforcement officers from the National Operations Task Force and Southern Division conducted a successful raid in San Fernando on October 18, seizing approximately 75.35 kilogrammes of marijuana. The operation, carried out under Section 12 of the Emergency Powers Regulations, targeted an apartment on La Pique Street, where three Spanish-speaking individuals were present. During the search, police discovered a white crocus bag and a brown cardboard box containing 145 packages of marijuana. Additionally, eight one-gallon plastic containers with an orange-colored substance, four notebooks, and five cellphones were confiscated. All items were transported to the San Fernando Police Station for further analysis. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) emphasized their commitment to aggressively dismantling drug trafficking networks and urged the public to report suspicious activities through official channels. The operation was led by senior officers including ACP Tactical Support Collis Hazel, ACP South Michael Pierre, and Senior Supt Simon, with support from various units and personnel.
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Birchwood: No apprenticeship programmes targeting at-risk youth in budget
In a passionate address during the House of Representatives’ budget debate on October 17, Laventille East/Morvant MP Christian Birchwood voiced his concerns over the 2026 national budget’s failure to include apprenticeship initiatives aimed at engaging youth from at-risk communities in state-funded projects. Birchwood, an engineer by profession, highlighted the Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s acknowledgment of a significant contraction in the labor market, with nearly 70,000 jobs lost over the past decade and labor force participation dropping from 62% to below 55%. Birchwood argued that these statistics should serve as a benchmark to evaluate the government’s employment initiatives and hold them accountable. He questioned the absence of targeted apprenticeship programs and community job centers in the new budget, which he believes are crucial for connecting young people from high-need districts to state-funded projects. Birchwood urged Tancoo to ensure that residents from Laventille and surrounding communities are employed in infrastructure and development programs across the northwest corridor. He emphasized the importance of linking public spending to local participation to prevent the Employment Fund from becoming a mere line item rather than a tool for empowerment. Birchwood also called for measures to guard against bureaucracy and ensure fair access for single-parent households, micro-entrepreneurs, and youth start-ups as the country transitions from the Cepep and URP models to the Employment Fund. He concluded by stressing that infrastructure projects should bring dignity to the people on the ground, not remain abstract statistics.
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Man Utd stretch Liverpool losing streak to four games
In a historic turn of events, Manchester United clinched a 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, marking their first win at the iconic stadium in nearly a decade. This triumph also handed Liverpool their fourth consecutive defeat, a feat not seen in 11 years. Harry Maguire’s decisive 84th-minute header sealed the win, propelling United to their first back-to-back Premier League victories under manager Ruben Amorim. The match began dramatically, with Bryan Mbeumo scoring just 61 seconds into the game, only for Cody Gakpo to equalize late in the second half. However, defensive lapses allowed Maguire to capitalize on a Bruno Fernandes cross, securing the three points for United. Liverpool, now four points behind league leaders Arsenal, continues to grapple with squad integration issues despite a £450 million spending spree in the transfer market. The loss further complicates their pursuit of a record 21st English top-flight title, while United’s resurgence eases pressure on Amorim, who celebrated his most significant win in nearly a year at the helm.
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Manning Cup round of 16 groups decided
The ISSA Wata Manning Cup has reached a pivotal stage as the round of 16 teams have been determined following a series of intense matches on Saturday. Defending champions Kingston College (KC) experienced their first setback of the season, settling for a 0-0 draw against Tivoli Gardens High School. Despite this, KC secured the top spot in Zone B with 28 points, while Tivoli Gardens claimed second place with 21 points. Meanwhile, Charlie Smith clinched third place in Zone B with an 18-point tally after a narrow 2-1 victory over Haile Selassie High, who finished fourth with 14 points and missed the cut for the next round. In Zone A, St George’s College edged out Hydel High in a thrilling 4-3 encounter, securing second place with 21 points. Hydel, despite their fourth defeat, advanced as the best fourth-placed team with 16 points. Excelsior High emerged as Zone A leaders with 24 points after a hard-fought 2-2 draw with St Jago High, who slipped to third but still progressed. In Zone D, St Catherine High maintained a flawless record with 10 wins from 10 games, finishing top with 30 points after a 1-0 victory over Eltham High, who secured second place with 24 points. Campion College, third in Zone D, also advanced. The round of 16 has been divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. Group 1 features Excelsior High, Tivoli Gardens, St Andrew Technical High, and Wolmer’s Boys. Group 2 includes KC, Calabar, Campion, and Hydel. Group 3 comprises St Catherine High, St George’s College, Charlie Smith, and Vauxhall High. Group 4, arguably the toughest, pits Mona High, Jamaica College, Eltham High, and St Jago against each other. The round of 16 kicks off on Tuesday, October 21, promising exciting matchups.
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Pundit at murdered mom, son’s funeral reminds of importance of family
The joint funeral of Gracelyn ‘Momin’ Ramberan, 48, and her son Randy ‘Jacks’ Rampersad, 26, held at Mosquito Creek, became a poignant moment of national grief. Pt Artma Maharaj, who officiated the ceremony, emphasized the profound sorrow not only for the bereaved family but for the entire nation. He urged the community to guide one another toward positive choices, stating, ‘It is important for us, as young people, as adults, as parents, as custodians, to make good choices, to advise our children and family to walk the path of truth.’ The tragic incident occurred on October 10, when gunmen stormed the family’s home in Friendship Village, San Fernando, fatally shooting the mother and son. Randy’s father, Vijay Rampersad, and his wife, Kimberly Rampersad, were also injured but survived. The funeral, held on the eve of the Divali holiday, saw the bodies cremated side by side at the Shore of Peace cremation site in La Romaine. Pt Maharaj reflected on the fragility of life and the importance of family unity, offering prayers for the grieving family. The Southern Division and Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region Three, are actively investigating the case, but the perpetrators remain at large.
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Opposition MPs query budget figures, revenue streams
During a press conference held by the People’s National Movement (PNM) at Balisier House in Port of Spain on October 18, opposition MPs criticized the government’s 2025/2026 budget for alleged inconsistencies, inflated revenue projections, and biased allocations. Diego Martin North/East MP Colm Imbert highlighted discrepancies in the budget, including an overestimated oil price of $73.25 per barrel for 2026, compared to international agencies’ projections of $50-60. This, he argued, inflated revenue by at least $1 billion. Imbert also pointed out that the government understated debt service payments, allocating $7 billion instead of the actual $11-$13 billion required, which could lead to increased borrowing or cuts in planned expenditures. He further criticized the 45% increase in National Insurance contributions, arguing it was based on outdated actuarial reports from 2020 that failed to account for economic recovery. Arouca/Lopinot MP Marvin Gonzales accused the government of neglecting the North West Water Improvement Programme, diverting funds to other regions, and raising electricity rates despite campaign promises to the contrary. Diego Martin Central MP Symon de Nobriga highlighted biased allocations, with PNM-controlled constituencies seeing reduced funding while UNC areas received increased support. The opposition warned that these decisions would harm public services and impact upcoming local government elections.
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T&T opts not to endorse Caricom position amid US military strikes
In a notable divergence from its Caribbean Community (Caricom) counterparts, Trinidad and Tobago has opted not to endorse a unified regional stance on critical security and stability matters, particularly concerning the increasing presence of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean. This decision emerged during a recent Caricom meeting where regional leaders convened to address pressing issues, including the security buildup in parts of the Caribbean and its implications for member states. While other Caricom nations reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and emphasized dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution, Trinidad and Tobago reserved its position, offering no immediate explanation for its dissent. The meeting followed a series of U.S. military strikes targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels off the Venezuelan coast, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of two Trinidad and Tobago nationals. Caricom leaders also reiterated their dedication to combating narcotics trafficking and the illegal arms trade, underscoring the need for international cooperation and adherence to international law. Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has remained silent on both the regional security discussions and the fatalities, drawing criticism from opposition figures who have accused her of evading her responsibilities. Persad-Bissessar has previously expressed support for the U.S. military campaign, praising its efforts to curb drug trafficking and protect regional stability.
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Robbers steal French crown jewels from Louvre in 7 minute heist
In a brazen daylight robbery, thieves armed with power tools targeted the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday, making off with some of France’s most valuable crown jewels. The audacious heist, which lasted a mere seven minutes, saw the culprits flee the scene, leaving behind a damaged 19th-century gem-encrusted crown near the museum. Authorities have launched a manhunt, but the perpetrators remain at large. The incident forced the immediate closure of the Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum, which houses iconic treasures such as the Mona Lisa. Armed soldiers patrolled the area around the museum’s glass pyramid entrance, while evacuated visitors and tourists were kept at bay behind police tape. Witnesses described the scene as reminiscent of a Hollywood movie. The robbers reportedly used a powered, extendable ladder—typically employed for moving furniture—to access the gilded gallery housing the crown jewels. The stolen crown, belonging to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, is adorned with 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed that three or four thieves targeted two displays in the museum’s ‘Galerie d’Apollon,’ though the full extent of the stolen items remains unclear. The Louvre’s management stated that the closure was necessary to preserve evidence for the ongoing investigation. Experts fear the stolen jewels may be dismantled for their precious materials, as they would be ‘completely unsellable’ in their current state. This incident highlights a growing concern over museum security in France, following a series of high-profile thefts in recent months. French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to enhance the Louvre’s security as part of a broader renovation plan.