In a thrilling second leg of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup semifinal, Mount Pleasant Football Academy secured their place in the final with a 5-2 aggregate victory over Defence Force, despite a 1-0 loss in Kingston, Jamaica, on November 5. Defence Force, the TT Premier Football League champions, fought valiantly but fell short of overturning the significant deficit from the first leg. Mount Pleasant now awaits the winner of the semifinal clash between Universidad O&M FC and Cibao FC, who are set to face off after press time on November 6. Defence Force’s captain Kevin Molino gave his team a glimmer of hope with a 13th-minute goal, but their reliance on counter-attacks and limited possession (32%) proved insufficient against Mount Pleasant’s solid defense. Goalkeeper Isaiah Williams shone for Defence Force with seven crucial saves, but Mount Pleasant’s first-leg dominance ensured their progression to the final and a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Defence Force still has a chance to qualify for the Champions Cup through the third-place playoff against either Cibao FC or Universidad O&M FC.
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Christopher Mitchell, Alexia John win Tobago Subway Road Race
The inaugural Subway Road Race Tobago Edition, held on November 1 at the Parade Grounds near Dwight Yorke Stadium, brought together runners, walkers, and fitness enthusiasts for a vibrant celebration of health and community spirit. The event, a collaboration between Subway TT and Scarborough-based A+ Fitness Studio, aimed to promote an active lifestyle while raising funds for the Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Christopher Mitchell emerged as the overall and men’s category winner, completing the 12K race in 50 minutes and 18 seconds. Kade Sobers and Kwame Gordon secured second and third places, respectively. In the women’s category, Alexia John led the pack with a time of 53:07, followed by April Francis and Kenya Muir.
The scenic race route, which passed through Bacolet, Scarborough, and both Subway restaurants on the island, was filled with positive energy as participants of all ages took part. Johann Mendoza, vice president of Subway TT, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming community support, emphasizing the company’s commitment to fostering well-being beyond offering healthy food.
Proceeds from the race registration and fundraising efforts will directly benefit the Coalition Against Domestic Violence, aiding their critical work in providing support, advocacy, and safe housing for survivors and their families. Anthea Alfred of A+ Fitness Studio highlighted the event’s dual focus on physical health and community impact, calling it a perfect fit for their mission.
Organizers declared the event a resounding success and announced plans to make the Subway Road Race – Tobago Edition an annual fixture, further strengthening its role in promoting fitness and community solidarity.
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TTPFL matchday three set for November 9 to aid senior team prep
The Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) has rescheduled its third matchday to November 9, consolidating all six games into a single day across various venues in Trinidad. This adjustment aims to facilitate the training and preparation of the men’s national football team, led by coach Dwight Yorke, for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica and Bermuda on November 13 and 18, respectively. Originally, the matches were planned for November 7-9, including a double-header at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago. However, to accommodate Yorke’s request for a practice game against a TTPFL select XI on November 7, the league has shifted its schedule. While the venue for the practice game remains undecided, the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo or the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva are the likely options. TTPFL acting CEO Yale Antoine confirmed the changes on November 4, emphasizing the league’s commitment to supporting the national team’s World Cup campaign. The rescheduled matchday will feature key clashes, including Caledonia AIA vs. Terminix La Horquetta Rangers and Miscellaneous Police FC vs. Defence Force at the St James Police Barracks. Additionally, the postponed matchday one fixture between Phoenix and Rangers has been rescheduled for November 15 at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, following flight delays on the league’s opening night. The fourth matchday will now take place on November 19, instead of the originally planned November 14-16.
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Trinidad and Tobago women’s team named for RAN Sevens tournament
The Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Union (TTRU) has officially announced a 13-member women’s squad set to compete in the 2025 Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens tournament. The event will take place at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar from November 21 to 23. The team, revealed via a TTRU social media post on November 5, includes seasoned players such as Nicolette Pantor, Kalena Burke, Ornella George, Fayola Jack, and the versatile Ketara Munroe. The squad will be led by coach Richard Staglon. This year’s tournament will feature six women’s teams, including Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, Jamaica, and reigning champions Mexico, alongside Trinidad and Tobago. The men’s competition will see eight teams in the tier one category, with six additional teams in tier two. Notably, the top three men’s tier one teams (excluding Canada) and the top two women’s teams will secure qualification for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in the Dominican Republic. Additionally, the tier two men’s winner, provided they are a full RAN member union, will earn a promotion opportunity. Last year, the Trinidad and Tobago men’s team finished as runners-up, while the women’s ‘A’ team placed third behind Mexico and Jamaica. The women’s ‘B’ team secured fifth place. The upcoming tournament promises intense competition as regional teams aim to challenge Canada’s dominance and secure coveted spots in future international events.
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Three killed in new US strike on alleged drug boat in Caribbean
In a recent development, US forces conducted another controversial strike in the Caribbean, targeting an alleged drug trafficking vessel and resulting in the deaths of three individuals. Pentagon spokesperson Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation, which has now raised the total death toll of Washington’s anti-narcotics campaign to at least 70. The strike, carried out in international waters, was part of a broader initiative launched in early September to combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific regions.
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Quarry operators accuse State of double standard
On November 6, members of the TT Aggregate Producers Alliance (TTAPA) staged a protest at National Quarries Ltd in Turure, Sangre Grande, calling for urgent government intervention to address what they describe as a ‘crippling’ regulatory vacuum. The protest, closely monitored by police, saw the arrest of at least one individual for disorderly conduct. TTAPA President Nigel Tenia led the demonstration, accusing the state-owned National Quarries of operating without a valid processing licence under the Minerals Act of 2000. Tenia emphasized that the alliance’s 24 members unanimously decided to suspend operations earlier this week to raise public awareness and protect themselves from potential criminal charges. He highlighted the sector’s precarious position, noting that legitimate operators are technically in breach of the law due to the absence of processing licences. Tenia called on Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal, Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John, and Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro to investigate National Quarries’ licensing status and enforce regulations uniformly across the industry. Moonilal later issued a statement acknowledging receipt of TTAPA’s October 28 letter but denied the group’s claim that no company has obtained a processing licence. The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) asserted that it has granted numerous licences in recent years and has actively engaged with operators to address licensing concerns. However, the ministry did not specify which companies hold licences or address TTAPA’s allegation that National Quarries continues to operate without one. TTAPA warned that the licensing impasse threatens thousands of jobs and could delay national construction projects, as the sector remains ‘suffocated by bureaucracy.’ The protest is set to continue until the government resolves the 25-year licensing void.
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3 to get honorary doctorates at UTT graduation
The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) has announced it will confer honorary doctoral degrees on three exceptional individuals during its 2025 graduation ceremony. The event, scheduled for November 18 at the Lord Kitchener Auditorium, National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port-of-Spain, will also recognize Gilman Figaro as an honorary distinguished fellow. The honorary doctorates will be awarded to Peter Elias (Doctor of Fine Arts), Israel Khan, SC (Doctor of Laws), and Jamwant Maharaj (Doctor of Science). Additionally, UTT will confer seven Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in education, entrepreneurship, commercial studies, and health administration. The ceremony will celebrate approximately 1,500 graduates across disciplines such as engineering, arts, sports, and fashion. UTT Chancellor President Christine Kangaloo will preside over the event. Peter Elias, a renowned fashion designer with over 30 years of experience, has significantly contributed to Caribbean culture through his work in Carnival design and the Miss Trinidad and Tobago Pageant. Israel Khan, a prominent legal figure, has served as president of the Criminal Bar Association of TT and is recognized for his contributions to international criminal law. Jamwant Maharaj, affectionately known as the ‘Chemistry Raja,’ has made significant strides in education through his publications and teaching. Gilman Figaro, a celebrated Caribbean cultural icon, has enriched the region’s artistic landscape through music, poetry, and dance.
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Government eyes 500-acre Tamana Prison Campus
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has unveiled an ambitious ‘Revitalisation Blueprint’ aimed at transforming the nation’s historic prison facilities into vibrant cultural, economic, and residential spaces. The plan, launched on November 6, was presented to private sector representatives and diplomats at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, signaling a call for both local and foreign investment.
Central to the initiative is the consolidation of all prisoners and select justice facilities into a state-of-the-art 500-acre Tamana Prison Campus, designed to house 6,000 inmates. This move is projected to save the State $60 million annually. The campus will feature a youth/juvenile detention center, agricultural facilities, training programs, and maximum-security units, all focused on education, reform, and reintegration. According to the TT Global Hub website, the project reflects the government’s commitment to fostering a fairer, more compassionate society.
Under the plan, the historic Carrera Prison Island will be redeveloped into a 75-room luxury resort, while the Port of Spain Prison will be transformed into an exhibition and event hall named ‘Dem Boyz Jail,’ inspired by the lyrics of the Mighty Shadow. The facility will include classrooms for artist education and workshops. The land currently occupied by the Golden Grove Prison will be repurposed for housing developments, featuring single-family homes, high-rise apartments, and townhouses.
In addition to these transformations, the government proposed the creation of a National Security Complex in Mt Hope to centralize national security operations. A South West Security Hub in Cedros will house the Coast Guard, Customs, and Immigration teams, with upgrades planned for the Coast Guard’s Staubles Bay and Teteron Barracks. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar described the initiative as a ‘bold modernization agenda’ essential for national security and economic growth. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander also emphasized efforts to strengthen the TT Police Service by filling vacancies to combat crime effectively.
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Markets drop as valuations and US jobs, rates spook investors
Global stock markets experienced a downturn on Friday, mirroring Wall Street’s losses as investors grappled with weak US jobs data and mixed signals from the Federal Reserve regarding potential interest rate cuts. The week’s volatility culminated in a negative close, fueled by a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas revealing that US layoff announcements reached a 22-year high last month. This marked the worst year for layoffs since 2020, when the pandemic severely impacted the labor market. Investors, relying on private data due to the ongoing government shutdown, faced heightened uncertainty about the US economy’s health. While recent private hiring data showed an increase, concerns about the labor market persisted, pressuring the Fed to consider a third consecutive rate cut in December. However, comments from Fed officials, including Cleveland Fed chief Beth Hammack and Chicago Fed boss Austan Goolsbee, suggested that another rate reduction was not guaranteed. Hammack emphasized the need to address high inflation, calling the current policy ‘barely restrictive.’ Goolsbee expressed unease about making decisions without comprehensive data during the shutdown. Wall Street’s major indexes, particularly tech-heavy Nasdaq and S&P 500, ended the day down, with tech firms bearing the brunt of the sell-off. Asian markets, including Tokyo and Seoul, also declined, while European markets showed mixed results. The recent market rally, driven by AI investments and hopes for rate cuts, has sparked concerns about overvaluation and potential corrections. Pepperstone’s Michael Brown noted the fragility of market sentiment but maintained a bullish outlook, citing robust earnings growth and a resilient economy.
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Bellingham, Foden recalled to England squad for World Cup qualifiers
LONDON, United Kingdom — England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced the recall of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden to the national squad ahead of the final World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. The Three Lions, having already secured their spot in next year’s tournament, will conclude their Group K campaign with a home match against Serbia at Wembley on Thursday, followed by an away fixture against Albania three days later.