West Indies captain Shai Hope is brimming with confidence as his team prepares to face New Zealand in a five-match T20 series, set to commence on November 5 at Eden Park, Auckland. Fresh off a commanding 3-0 sweep against Bangladesh, Hope believes the series is a crucial opportunity to test the team’s adaptability and build momentum ahead of next year’s ICC T20 World Cup.
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PM pledges support for education in Tobago
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, during her inaugural official visit to Tobago, unveiled a comprehensive plan to revitalize the island’s education system and create new opportunities for its youth. Speaking at Signal Hill Secondary School on November 4, she emphasized her government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring no child is left behind, regardless of their circumstances. The Prime Minister’s visit marked a significant moment, as it was her first official trip to Tobago since assuming office in April. Addressing a diverse audience of students, including those from primary, secondary, early childhood, and special needs schools, Persad-Bissessar announced several key initiatives. She pledged support for the Signal Hill Secondary Cultural Group to perform in an African country next year, a promise that resonated deeply with the students. Additionally, she revealed that every Form One student at the school would receive a laptop under the government’s Digital Learning Initiative by the end of the academic year. Reflecting on her own humble beginnings, Persad-Bissessar shared personal anecdotes about her childhood in Siparia, where she walked barefoot to school on muddy roads. She credited her mother’s belief in education as a transformative force for her success. The Prime Minister also outlined plans to strengthen early childhood education, including training 500 teachers in AI-supported lesson planning to foster innovation in classrooms. She highlighted the importance of reviving the laptop program, which had been discontinued, and stressed its critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Persad-Bissessar further emphasized expanded opportunities in tertiary and vocational education through institutions like the University of Trinidad and Tobago and the College of Science, Technology, and Applied Arts. She also reaffirmed her commitment to special needs education, pledging to revive the national network of enrichment centers for children with disabilities. In her closing remarks, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to parents and teachers for their dedication and vowed that Tobago would never be overlooked again. Quoting Nelson Mandela, she underscored the importance of investing in children as a reflection of society’s soul.
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Williams appointed CEO of Pan-American Insurance
The Pan-American Life Insurance Group (PALIG), a leading provider of life, accident, and health insurance across the Americas, has named Winston S Williams as its new CEO for the Caribbean region, effective November 1. Williams, a seasoned insurance professional with over 40 years of experience, takes over from Youil Homsi, who significantly enhanced PALIG’s Caribbean operations during his tenure. Williams’ extensive background includes leadership roles at Sagicor Life Inc, Colonial Life Insurance Company Ltd, and Caribbean Atlantic Life Insurance Company Ltd. As the former agency manager of PALIG’s Port of Spain and San Fernando offices, he achieved 12 consecutive years of growth, fostering robust relationships with producers and customers. José S Suquet, PALIG’s chairman and CEO, highlighted Williams’ deep market understanding and strong client relationships as key factors in his appointment. Dan Costello, PALIG’s executive vice president for international markets, emphasized that Williams’ leadership marks a pivotal step in the group’s Caribbean expansion strategy. Following regulatory approvals in Trinidad and Tobago, Williams will also serve as CEO of Pan-American Life Insurance Company of TT Ltd. In his new role, Williams aims to focus on culture, collaboration, and performance, driving innovation and strengthening risk protections to deliver exceptional value to customers.
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FNM’s Brian Brown tops wealth list in Golden Isles by-election disclosures
In the lead-up to the Golden Isles by-election, financial disclosures published in The Tribune have unveiled the economic profiles of the candidates vying for the parliamentary seat. Brian Berkley Brown, the Free National Movement (FNM) candidate, has emerged as the wealthiest contender, with declared assets surpassing $2.6 million. Brown’s financial statement reveals total assets of $2,627,657, an annual income of $139,000, and liabilities of $235,000, resulting in a net worth of $2.39 million. His portfolio includes $1.7 million in securities and investments, $780,000 in real estate, and $50,000 in personal property.
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Diving tragedy survivor files negligence claim against Paria Fuel Trading, LMCS
Christopher Boodram, the sole survivor of the 2022 Paria Fuel diving tragedy, has filed an amended claim in the High Court, accusing Paria Fuel Trading Co Ltd and LMCS Ltd of negligence in the incident that claimed the lives of four of his colleagues. Boodram, 39, sought permission to revise his statement of case on October 24, following new medical reports diagnosing him with post-concussion syndrome, spinal injuries, and chronic neurological and sexual dysfunction resulting from the accident. His application was supported by an orthopedic report from Dr. Rishi Jagdeo, dated October 22.
The tragic event occurred on February 25, 2022, when Boodram and four other divers—Kazim Ali Jr, Yusuf Henry, Rishi Nagassar, and Fyzal Kurban—were performing maintenance on a 30-inch underwater pipeline at Berth 6, Pointe-a-Pierre. They were suddenly sucked into the pipeline by a powerful differential pressure event known as Delta P. Boodram, who spent nearly four hours trapped in the dark, oil-filled pipeline, was the only one to survive.
In his claim, Boodram alleges that both Paria and LMCS failed to identify and mitigate the risk of a Delta P event, provide proper safety equipment, or establish an emergency response plan. He also accuses Paria of obstructing rescue efforts by volunteers and LMCS divers. Boodram’s legal team, led by Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, argues that both companies breached their duty of care. They cite findings from the commission of enquiry (CoE) report issued by chairman Jerome Lynch, KC, in November 2023, which highlighted ambiguous instructions and poor oversight by both companies as contributing factors to the deaths.
Boodram, who was rescued by diver Ronald Ramoutar after defying a no-dive order, continues to suffer from severe physical and psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, speech impairment, and an 80% permanent partial disability. He is seeking general and special damages, including loss of earnings estimated at $438,927.45, as well as aggravated damages for emotional distress and alleged mistreatment post-incident.
The court has ordered Boodram to file and serve his amended statement of case by November 10, with the defendants’ amended defences due by November 20. The case is set for a management conference on May 5, 2026, presided over by Justice Christopher Sieuchand. Separate claims by Vanessa Kussie, the widow of diver Rishi Nagassar, and ancillary proceedings between LMCS and Paria are also part of the matter, with each company attempting to shift full liability to the other.
LMCS has consistently denied responsibility, asserting that Paria was to blame for both the unsafe conditions and the failure to conduct a timely rescue. The company’s lawyers argue that Paria is guilty of gross negligence based on evidence presented to the CoE. Meanwhile, both companies and their executives face separate OSHA charges and ongoing proceedings under the Workmen’s Compensation Act.
Attorney Prakash Ramadhar, representing the families of Kurban and Henry, has proposed an ex gratia payment of $5 million to each family. Former Prime Minister Stuart Young had announced a $1 million ex gratia payment for each family and Boodram before the April 28 general election, but as of November, the payments remain unresolved due to legal and logistical issues. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has expressed commitment to compensation but emphasized the need to address legal complications first.
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Mega contractor NH leads initiative to mitigate fraud threat
NH International (Caribbean) Ltd (NH), a prominent local contractor, is taking a proactive stance against an escalating fraud threat targeting merchants during the high-volume Christmas season. The company has developed comprehensive fraud prevention guidelines and is collaborating with the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce and regional chambers to disseminate these materials widely. This initiative follows NH’s identification of a sophisticated impersonation scheme where criminals forged NH documents and counterfeit cheques to defraud businesses. In October 2025 alone, a merchant lost TT$377,000 in one such incident. While NH itself has not suffered financial losses, the company views protecting the broader business community as a corporate responsibility, especially during the peak fraud period from October to December. Emile Elias, NH’s executive chairman, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, ‘This isn’t about legal obligation—NH is the victim of identity theft. But when our name is being weaponized against fellow businesses, silence isn’t an option.’ The fraud scheme has evolved beyond counterfeit cheques, with criminals now depositing fraudulent instruments directly into merchant accounts, creating false confidence that payments have cleared. By the time banks detect the fraud—typically within three to five business days—goods have been collected, and perpetrators have vanished. NH’s security manager, Antonio Ventour, highlighted the critical timing of the initiative, noting that merchants handling peak holiday volumes face compressed decision windows, which fraudsters exploit. The company’s Fraud Alert Reference Sheet provides specific protocols for businesses to protect themselves without slowing legitimate operations. Key measures include contacting NH’s main line to verify transactions directly with the procurement manager and never releasing goods until payments fully clear—even for manager’s cheques, which can be counterfeit despite their authentic appearance. NH is also coordinating with law enforcement and urging businesses to report suspected fraud immediately to the Fraud Squad while preserving all documentation. The company’s Fraud Alert Guidelines are available through NH’s main office and will be distributed via chamber networks as partnerships are confirmed. ‘This affects our entire commercial ecosystem,’ Elias said. ‘We’re choosing transparency and collective protection. The Christmas season should be about legitimate commerce thriving, not merchants getting victimized.’
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St James kicks off massive clean-up operation following Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, a comprehensive clean-up initiative has been launched in St James, Jamaica. Spearheaded by the St James Municipal Corporation and the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), the operation commenced on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, with Catherine Hall and Westgreen being the first areas targeted. The effort involves a robust deployment of resources, including heavy equipment, tipper trucks, and a dedicated workforce comprising laborers and chainsaw operators. Audley Gordon, Executive Director of the NSWMA, emphasized the urgency of the task, describing the current living conditions in affected communities as ‘subhuman.’ He expressed hope for favorable weather to facilitate a thorough clean-up and restoration process. Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon outlined the phased approach, starting with Westgreen and Catherine Hall, followed by the city center, with the aim of restoring normalcy by the weekend. The operation also includes providing essential services such as potable water, food aid, and assistance in cleaning homes to support the residents in rebuilding their lives.
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Civil society groups demand climate justice in wake of Hurricane Melissa
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, a coalition of 43 civil society organizations and prominent individuals in Jamaica has issued a unified call for immediate climate justice measures. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck Jamaica’s southwest coast last Tuesday, has claimed 32 lives and caused extensive destruction across western Jamaica before moving on to affect parts of Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. With wind speeds surpassing 185 miles per hour and unprecedented rainfall, Hurricane Melissa is now regarded as one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the island.
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Antigua’s Gaston Browne reiterates call for Caribbean to be a zone of peace
In a compelling address at the launch of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference (CHOGM) in Antigua, Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda called for the Caribbean to remain a zone of peace. He expressed deep concerns over the recent military build-up by the United States in the region, ostensibly targeting drug traffickers. Browne warned that such actions could lead to disproportionate suffering for small island states, particularly those within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), due to their inherent vulnerability. He highlighted the region’s dependence on imports from North America, emphasizing that any disruption in shipping or airlift services could have severe consequences. Drawing parallels to the economic impact of the Russian war on Ukraine, Browne underscored the potential fallout from military actions within the hemisphere. He urged Caribbean nations to unite against any form of military intervention, stressing the importance of defending national interests and promoting peace. Browne also reminded the audience of the shared humanity that binds all people, regardless of race or nationality, and called for a global commitment to justice and equity. His remarks come amid recent US airstrikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels in international waters, which have drawn criticism from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.
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Junkanoo prep continues amid parade management chaos
As the highly anticipated Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Junkanoo parades approach, participants remain steadfast in their preparations despite escalating tensions between the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) and the government over event management. The conflict centers on the JCNP’s refusal to recognize The Way Forward Valley Boys, a splinter group led by Trevor Davis, reportedly the brother of Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. In response, the government has proposed transferring parade oversight to the National Junkanoo Committee (NJC), a move supported by 19 of 21 Junkanoo groups in a recent poll. However, many artisans and participants express loyalty to the JCNP, emphasizing its decades-long role in organizing the parades. A Saxons member highlighted the unity among major groups, stating, “We support the JCNP because they represent the people who actually make Junkanoo happen.” He criticized the government’s intervention, suggesting it undermines established structures. Meanwhile, artisans from groups like the World Famous Valley Boys and One Family report that production remains on schedule, with costumes and preparations adhering to JCNP guidelines. Leslie Johnson, former JCNP chairman and a One Family artisan, argued that changing management this late in the year is impractical, given that preparations began in February. He called for a formalized partnership between the government and JCNP, proposing that any changes be implemented next year. Johnson also suggested a compromise allowing both Valley Boys factions to compete this year while maintaining JCNP’s leadership. Despite the uncertainty, participants remain committed to the parades, driven by their passion for Junkanoo and the cultural significance of the event.