As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, residents and government agencies are intensifying preparations for the anticipated landfall of the Category 3 storm, expected on October 28. The eastern parishes of St. Thomas and Portland have already experienced early effects, including flooding, strong winds, and storm surges. With winds reaching 145 miles per hour, Melissa poses a significant threat to the island, as well as neighboring Cuba and Haiti.
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Ramkissoon elected TTCB treasurer, John remains 2nd VP
Stephen Ramkissoon has successfully retained his position as treasurer of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) following the organization’s annual general meeting (AGM) and elections held on October 25 at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva. Ramkissoon, who assumed the role earlier this year after his predecessor Kiswah Chaitoo was ousted in a motion of no confidence, will now serve a full four-year term. He secured the position with a decisive 29-12 victory over Central Sports owner Richard Ramkissoon, who is no relation. The elections also saw Kerwin John, head of the Tobago Cricket Association, retain his role as second vice-president after defeating Rajendra Mangalie 27-13. Additionally, Avinash Suruj of the Central Zone was elected third vice-president, outpacing veteran administrator Parasram Singh 29-12. Five new members—Ravi Teeluck, Anand Rampersad, Ann Brown John, Frank Simmons, and Mitra Ragoonanan—joined the executive with membership status, while Sharaz Mohammed of the Secondary Schools Cricket League fell short with only ten votes. Azim Bassarath, who has led the TTCB since 2009, retained his presidency uncontested. However, this marks his final term due to recently amended term limits. Altaf Baksh and Henry Chase were also elected unopposed as first vice-president and general secretary, respectively. Ammar Samaroo, secretary of the TTCB elections committee, confirmed the process was seamless, stating, ‘Everything went extremely smoothly and according to plan.’
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NLCL Nation’s Cup to kick-off Xmas holidays
Trinidad and Tobago’s premier youth football academies and clubs are preparing to showcase their talent against Caribbean rivals at the NLCL Nation’s Cup – International Holiday Fun Festival. Scheduled to take place from December 19 to 21 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, this event promises to be a thrilling showcase of young footballing talent. The tournament will feature competitions in four age categories: Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, and Under 15, with participants vying for cash prizes, trophies, and medals. Organized by the Next Level Foundation, the event builds on the success of previous NLCL Community Cup tournaments. Bermudez Biscuit Company’s Dixiee returns as an official sponsor, alongside key supporters such as Next Level Consulting Ltd, Agostini Ltd, Point Lisas Nitrogen Ltd, and First Citizens. Notable youth clubs like City FC, Cox Coaching School, Creek Sports & Cultural Club, Dunstan Williams Soccer Academy, and Union Hall United have already confirmed their participation. Beyond the matches, attendees can enjoy live performances, DJs, a Family Fun Zone, and complimentary samples from vendors. Brian K Jordan, foundation chairman, emphasized the event’s focus on community engagement and youth development. Germaine Jordan, tournament chairperson, encouraged additional sponsors and teams to join, highlighting the importance of investing in young footballers. For further details, interested parties can visit NLCL Community Cup’s social media pages or contact the organizers directly.
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‘Warship not just here for training’ – public worried about possible Gravely fallout
The US naval vessel USS Gravely arrived at the Port of Spain on October 26, drawing curious onlookers to the waterfront. The warship, escorted by tugboats and Coast Guard vessels, docked at approximately 9:30 am as part of a joint training exercise with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. The exercise, scheduled to conclude on October 30, involves approximately 60 members of the TT Defence Force, including infantry officers, medics, engineers, and Special Forces troops, alongside members of the 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Security was heightened at the port, with marked and unmarked police vehicles and officers in both uniform and plain clothes patrolling the area. While onlookers at ground level struggled to view the vessel due to obstructing fences and a moored tug, guests at the Hyatt hotel enjoyed an unobstructed vantage point.
The arrival of the USS Gravely comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela. The US has recently claimed to have destroyed 11 vessels in regional waters, killing 49 alleged drug traffickers. President Donald Trump has labeled regional drug traffickers as ‘narco terrorists’ and approved covert military operations in Venezuela, with considerations for targeting land-based drug trafficking hubs.
TT Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has welcomed the US Navy’s presence, praising their efforts against drug traffickers and asserting that the region is ‘not a zone of peace.’ However, some citizens expressed concerns over the potential fallout if the US and Venezuela engage in conflict. One onlooker warned that TT’s alignment with the US could make the country a target for Venezuela, emphasizing the need for transparency from the government.
Despite differing opinions on the warship’s presence, all onlookers shared a common sentiment: they have no plans to leave Trinidad and Tobago, regardless of the potential consequences. ‘This is my country,’ one man stated, ‘Why should I leave?’
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Mottley: US military threatening regional peace
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has strongly criticized recent US military airstrikes in the southern Caribbean, labeling them as a threat to regional peace. Speaking at the Barbados Labour Party’s annual conference on October 25, Mottley emphasized that disputes should be resolved through the United Nations rather than unilateral military actions. Her remarks were later shared by former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley on his Facebook page on October 26. Mottley argued that extra-judicial killings, even of suspected criminals, violate the rule of law and undermine regional stability. She urged the US to share intelligence with Caribbean nations if there is an immediate threat, stressing that dialogue and negotiation are essential to prevent conflicts. Mottley’s comments came shortly after an Al Jazeera report where Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Minister Wayne Sturge defended the US actions, stating that the US has the prerogative to interpret and act against perceived terrorist threats in international waters. Mottley countered that almost all wars in history have been resolved through dialogue, advocating for preemptive discussions to avoid violence.
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Foreign Minister, students disagree on Jamaica evacuation
As Hurricane Melissa approached Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers addressed concerns about the safety of TT nationals studying on the island. Speaking at a press conference on October 26, Sobers detailed the government’s efforts to assist students, though many students claimed the reality on the ground differed significantly from the minister’s assurances. The US National Hurricane Center began monitoring the storm on October 21, warning of potential impacts on Jamaica by October 23. Sobers stated that the ministry acted swiftly after receiving emails from concerned students and parents on October 22. A ‘blast email’ was sent to all 268 students in Jamaica on October 23, offering them the option to return home. However, only 72 students accepted the offer, 13 declined, and 183 did not respond. Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) was informed, and additional flights were arranged on October 24 to accommodate students. Despite these efforts, students reported issues with flight availability and increased ticket prices, with some paying over $700 for one-way tickets. Sobers acknowledged that some students might not afford the flights but defended the government’s decision not to fund the trips, citing the low response rate. He also announced plans for a free flight after the storm. Meanwhile, students criticized the lack of timely communication, with many claiming they were notified too late to book flights. The government provided supplies to students who remained in Jamaica, though social media posts suggested the provisions were insufficient. Sobers condemned the opposition for spreading misinformation and reaffirmed TT’s commitment to assisting Jamaica during the crisis.
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Paul misses Track World Championship medal
Trinidad and Tobago’s cycling sensation Nicholas Paul narrowly missed out on a podium finish at the 2025 Track World Championships in Santiago, Chile, on October 26. Paul, who had previously secured silver medals in the 2021 and 2023 editions, finished fourth in the men’s sprint event, marking a disappointing end to the nation’s campaign. This year’s result contrasts sharply with the past two championships, where Paul had been a standout performer. Ranked fourth in the International Cycling Union’s individual sprint standings, Paul faced Dutch speedster Harrie Lavreysen in the semi-finals. Despite a valiant effort, Paul was outclassed by Lavreysen, who went on to claim gold in the final. In the bronze-medal race, Paul faced Australian Leigh Hoffman. Although Paul briefly took the lead in the first race, Hoffman’s resilience in the sprint lane secured him the bronze. The second race saw Hoffman dominate, leaving Paul without a medal. The championships also saw mixed results for other Trinidad and Tobago cyclists. Makaira Wallace, making her World Championships debut in the women’s keirin, failed to advance beyond the first round. Akil Campbell finished 16th in the men’s elimination race, while his sister Teniel did not complete the women’s points race. Despite the setbacks, Paul’s performance in the keirin and 1km time trial, along with the participation of veteran Njisane Phillip, highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s presence on the global stage.
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Partygoers cause Tobago tour boat to sink
A festive outing turned perilous at Tobago’s Nylon Pool on Saturday, October 25, when a glass-bottom boat partially sank due to overcrowding. The vessel, named Rush Hour, had departed from Pigeon Point Jetty at 4 pm with 65 passengers for a reef tour. However, by 6:15 pm, while docked at the Nylon Pool jetty, the boat began to take on water after patrons from other reef boats boarded, causing the stern to submerge. Local pirogue operators swiftly intervened to evacuate the passengers, averting a potential disaster. Authorities from the Crown Point Police Station promptly responded to the incident, ensuring the safety of all involved. This incident highlights the need for stricter safety regulations and crowd control measures during popular tourist activities.
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PNM: Budget betrays people’s trust
The People’s National Movement (PNM) has vehemently opposed the 2025/2026 national budget, labeling it a ‘betrayal of the people’s trust’ and a continuation of the United National Congress (UNC) government’s ‘deliberate campaign of deception.’ The budget, passed on October 25 after five days of deliberation in the House of Representatives, faced unanimous rejection from the 12-member Opposition. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar condemned the PNM’s stance, accusing them of betraying the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. However, the PNM countered, asserting that the budget disproportionately burdens the poor, squeezes the middle class, and protects the wealthy. Key measures criticized include the landlord tax, electricity rate hikes, increased NIS contributions, and taxes on single-use plastics, all of which are expected to escalate living costs. The PNM also highlighted unfulfilled promises, such as the broken housing pledge, cuts to training programs, and the absence of a 10% salary increase for public officers. Additionally, the opposition criticized the government’s ‘National Recruitment Drive’ as a publicity stunt, citing re-advertised jobs and insufficient funding. The PNM accused the UNC of hiding the true fiscal deficit, manipulating expenditure figures, and engaging in political victimization by slashing funding to PNM-led corporations while favoring UNC-controlled regions. The opposition vowed to continue exposing what they describe as the UNC’s ‘reckless economic mismanagement’ and deceptive practices.
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Port of Port of Spain services relocated to Port of Pt Lisas
In a strategic move to ensure smooth port operations, the Customs and Excise Division, alongside the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TT), the Port of Port of Spain (PPOS), and the Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Ltd (PLIPDECO), has introduced coordinated measures to manage vessel traffic at the Port of Port of Spain from October 22 to 30. This initiative was necessitated by the docking of the USS Gravely at the port from October 26 to 30. The Finance Ministry, in a statement on October 26, highlighted the collaborative efforts of these entities to temporarily redirect and process vessels and cargo to the Port of Point Lisas. This redirection ensures that shipping lines, agents, and shippers opting for this alternative can receive their cargo as expected. The ports’ management teams have been diligently working to guarantee seamless berthing, cargo handling, and documentation processes. The PPOS has forwarded all pertinent information to the Port of Point Lisas, and interested agents have provided their vessel details, which are now included in the vessel schedule at the Port of Point Lisas. Shipping agents have been advised to contact their vessel agents to confirm the availability of services at the Port of Point Lisas. Additionally, Customs and Excise Officers have been deployed to support enhanced inspection and clearance operations at both ports. Accommodations have been made for full export and transshipment containers in inventory at the Port of Port of Spain to be transferred to the Port of Point Lisas. Measures have been implemented to minimize disruptions to normal customs port operations, ensuring a seamless and timely transfer of containers. The Port of Point Lisas has extended its gate hours to accommodate all service requests. This arrangement will remain effective until October 30, ensuring that export containers are transferred efficiently and without delay. This collaboration underscores the shared commitment to national trade resilience and operational flexibility within TT’s port network. The teams have worked closely to efficiently accommodate all vessels and maintain the integrity of cargo flows across both ports. The agencies expressed their gratitude to all stakeholders for their cooperation and promised continuous updates as normal operations resume at the Port of Port of Spain.