The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) has issued a stern call for mutual respect and dignified discourse in public discussions on legal and constitutional matters, particularly among high-ranking officials. This appeal follows recent comments made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in response to LATT’s critique of the appointment process for the new Chief Justice, Ronnie Boodoosingh. On October 23, LATT raised concerns about the consultation process, describing it as ‘hastened and truncated.’ In a sharp retort, Persad-Bissessar dismissed LATT’s concerns with derogatory remarks, stating, ‘I have no regard for anything the eat-ah-food filth of the hierarchy of the Law Association says.’ LATT, in its October 24 statement, reaffirmed its statutory duty to comment on matters affecting the administration of justice and the rule of law. The association emphasized its commitment to acting independently, without bias, and in alignment with the highest professional standards. It stressed the importance of constructive engagement among all branches of government to uphold democratic institutions. LATT also vowed to continue its mandate of providing principled guidance on legal matters, undeterred by external criticism. Boodoosingh was sworn in on October 22 by acting President Wade Mark, following the retirement of former Chief Justice Ivor Archie. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has criticized the appointment process, claiming she was not consulted as required by the Constitution. Mark is currently acting in place of President Christine Kangaloo, who is abroad.
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Tenth US strike off Venezuela claims six lives
In a decisive move against narco-terrorism, the United States military executed a targeted strike on a vessel allegedly operated by the Tren de Aragua (TdA), a designated terrorist organization, in the southern Caribbean on October 24. The operation, conducted in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, resulted in the deaths of six alleged narco-terrorists. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike in a post on X, stating it was carried out overnight under the directive of President Trump. He emphasized that the vessel was identified by intelligence as part of a narcotics smuggling network and was traversing a known trafficking route. This marks the first nighttime strike in the ongoing campaign against narco-terrorism. Hegseth issued a stern warning to drug smugglers, vowing to treat them with the same severity as Al-Qaeda. Since September, the US military has reportedly killed 13 individuals in similar operations, including two Trinidad and Tobago nationals in a strike on October 14.
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Penny: Consultation on CJ was rushed
Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has voiced concerns over the lack of adequate consultation in the appointment of the new Chief Justice, Ronnie Boodoosingh. Speaking to the media outside the Red House in Port of Spain on October 24, Beckles emphasized that her objections were not about Boodoosingh’s qualifications but rather the rushed timeline of the process. She highlighted that a letter with errors was presented at 6:30 PM while she was in Parliament, corrections were sought by 8:30 AM the next morning, and the appointment was finalized by 2 PM the same day. Beckles described this as insufficient consultation, though she acknowledged Boodoosingh’s competence, noting his background as an ethics teacher at the University of the West Indies (UWI). Boodoosingh was sworn in by acting president Wade Mark on October 22. The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago also raised concerns about the expedited and abbreviated process leading to his appointment.
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TTSE announces shift to T+1 trade settlement by 2026
The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE) is set to transition to a one-day trade settlement cycle (T+1) by 2026, as part of its broader efforts to modernize operations and align with global standards. CEO Eva Mitchell made the announcement during her opening remarks at the TTSE’s 2025 Capital Markets and Investor Conference held at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain on October 24. Mitchell highlighted that the exchange had already reduced its settlement cycle from T+3 to T+2 in 2024, and the move to T+1 will further enhance market efficiency. The T+1 system, already adopted by major exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange, will reduce settlement time to a single day, improving liquidity and minimizing counterparty risk. Mitchell emphasized that this transition aligns the TTSE with global best practices for advanced exchanges. Alongside the settlement cycle change, the TTSE is rolling out a series of technology upgrades, including an updated depository portal set to launch in November. The new portal promises faster processing, smarter systems, and enhanced scalability, while also enabling the collection of valuable data to better understand market trends and opportunities. Additionally, the exchange introduced TOBI, a user-friendly digital assistant designed to help investors access information and ask questions about the market and its services. Mitchell also revealed that the TTSE has completed infrastructure for a new Spot Market to support derivatives trading, marking a first for the Caribbean. The exchange is also exploring the introduction of a ‘market maker’ framework to improve liquidity and price stability. In line with its commitment to sustainability, the TTSE has partnered with IDB Invest to develop a Green Bond Guide and joined the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (UNSSE) Initiative. Mitchell acknowledged the subdued local market but urged stakeholders to focus on long-term growth, emphasizing the importance of modernizing the market, embracing innovation, and fostering transparency and trust.
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PM distancing himself from escalating Junkanoo dispute
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has firmly distanced himself from the escalating Junkanoo dispute, emphasizing, “Don’t bring me into it,” as the government races to finalize parade plans just weeks before the season kicks off. During a meeting with Junkanoo Corporation New Providence (JCNP) chairman Dion Miller last Friday, Mr. Davis clarified that he has delegated the matter to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the National Junkanoo Committee (NJC). “I’m not involved in that at all because they accuse the matter of being political, and so don’t bring me into it. I’ve directed the Minister of Youth and Sports and the NJC, they are dealing with it, and I’m leaving it to them,” he stated. Despite his efforts to remain neutral, critics argue that the government is sidelining the JCNP due to its unfavorable stance toward the Prime Minister’s brother, Trevor Davis, in a dispute over the rightful claim to the Valley Boys group. The controversy deepened as JCNP officials convened Wednesday night to discuss the Prime Minister’s meeting and chart a path forward. JCNP public relations officer John Williams revealed that while Mr. Davis expressed a desire for resolution, he offered no direct intervention. “It’s very late,” Mr. Williams lamented. “It’s November, essentially, and we had to come up with a plan and a course of action. It’s action time. So we just have to do what we have to do.” He added that member groups were dissatisfied with the meeting’s outcome and expressed exhaustion over the prolonged feud. “I think everybody is just tired at this point. Just tired of the back and forth and going through all of this. We’ve never been through this sort of thing before,” he said. Ten major Junkanoo groups, including One Family, Saxons, Roots, The Valley Boys, and The Mighty Eagles, have rallied behind the JCNP. Roots chairman Duane Ellis voiced his frustration, stating that his group would only participate in a parade managed by the JCNP. “My frustration as a junkanooer is that by now, I thought both sides would come to some mutual agreement for the betterment of Junkanoo and not personalities,” he said. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Perry Christie expressed hope for a timely resolution, emphasizing the unifying power of Junkanoo. “It is always a regret when Junkanoo and culture are subjected to division because it’s the one area in the country which should unite people,” he said. “I’m hopeful, therefore, that the minister and all that he’s doing will be successful in ensuring that Junkanoo reigns supreme.”
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Grand Lucayan power cut amid dispute over who pays overdue electric bill
The Grand Lucayan Resort in Grand Bahama experienced a temporary power outage on Thursday morning, reportedly due to unresolved electricity bills tied to the property’s recent change of ownership. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) confirmed that the issue was swiftly resolved, attributing it to a minor hiccup during the transition process. Latrae Rahming, Director of Communications at the OPM, stated, ‘The matter of power supply at the Grand Lucayan has been resolved, and electricity has been reconnected. This was a matter of reconciling utility bills between the government and the new owners.’ The resort, currently unoccupied, remains in a transitional phase as redevelopment efforts progress. Approximately 300 employees are still on staff to manage operations during this period. Sources revealed that the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) disconnected the resort’s power supply due to unpaid arrears from the previous management. The new owners, Miami-based Concord Wilshire Capital, reportedly refused to assume the debt, leading to the brief disruption. GBPC declined to comment on the matter. The government sold the 56-acre property to Concord Wilshire in May for $120 million as part of an $827 million redevelopment plan aimed at transforming the resort into a mixed-use complex featuring a hotel, casino, marina, and cruise port. The incident highlights the challenges of transitioning ownership and the expectations for tangible progress on the project, which is seen as pivotal to revitalizing Grand Bahama’s tourism sector after years of setbacks, including hurricane damage and stalled ownership changes.
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Govt to arrange evacuation flight for Bahamian students in Jamaica as Tropical Storm Melissa may soon be hurricane
Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis has announced urgent measures to ensure the safety of Bahamian students in Jamaica as Tropical Storm Melissa looms, with potential to escalate into a hurricane. The storm, currently drifting north-northwestward, is forecasted to intensify, prompting a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch for Jamaica. In response, Prime Minister Davis has directed Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper to coordinate an evacuation flight for the students. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is maintaining constant communication with the students and will provide ongoing updates. The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings of severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, life-threatening floods, and strong winds, expected to impact Jamaica and parts of Hispaniola over the weekend. Alveta Knight, the Bahamian Consul General in Jamaica, reported that her office is closely monitoring the situation and ensuring that Bahamian nationals, particularly students, are adequately prepared. Approximately 160 Bahamian students are enrolled in Jamaican universities, alongside 20 to 70 permanent residents, though these numbers vary.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Flow pauses disconnections as Jamaica braces for Melissa
In anticipation of Tropical Storm Melissa, telecommunications provider Flow Jamaica has unveiled a series of measures to ensure its customers remain connected and supported during the impending weather event. The company has announced a temporary halt on service disconnections and is offering additional mobile data to prepaid customers as part of its storm-readiness initiative.
Danielle Savory, Senior Communications Manager at Flow, emphasized the critical role of connectivity during emergencies. ‘In times like these, connectivity becomes more than convenience — it’s a lifeline,’ she stated. ‘We recognize the importance of staying connected to loved ones, accessing emergency updates, and staying informed. That’s why we’re prioritizing our customers’ needs by keeping them connected and supported throughout this period.’
To further assist customers, Flow is doubling the core mobile data for all prepaid users who activate a seven-day or longer unlimited talk, text, and social plan. This initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted access to vital information during the storm. Additionally, the company has decided to close all its retail stores on Friday to safeguard the safety of both staff and customers. Customers are encouraged to manage their accounts and purchase credit online via topupflow.com or the Topup Flow app.
Flow has also advised its customers to take precautionary measures, such as charging their devices, topping up in advance, and keeping a list of emergency contacts readily available. The company’s local crisis management team has activated its emergency response protocols to maintain network resilience and service continuity. These measures include site inspections, refueling of generators and storage units, and deploying standby crews across key locations. Notably, approximately 60% of Flow’s cell sites are equipped with backup power systems to sustain connectivity during potential outages.
For emergency reports or service inquiries, customers can contact Flow at 1-800-804-2994 (residential) or 1-800-744-0222 (business). To report theft or vandalism of Flow’s network assets, individuals are urged to contact the nearest police station or the company’s emergency operations center at 876-929-9834 / 876-929-9837 / 876-920-7935.
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#EyeOnMelissa: MoBay airport cancels flights to and from Fort Lauderdale, NMIA remains open
In response to an active tropical storm warning, MBJ Airports Limited, the operator of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, has announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, effective Friday. The disruptions are expected to continue through the weekend, affecting flights on Saturday and Sunday as well. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines directly for rebooking options and updated flight statuses. Despite the cancellations, Sangster International Airport remains open and operational. Similarly, PAC Kingston Airport Limited, which manages Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, has confirmed that their facility is also open, with officials closely monitoring the storm’s trajectory and making necessary preparations. Travelers are encouraged to stay informed through airline advisories and adjust their travel plans accordingly before heading to the airport.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Jamaica’s storm preparations should be rushed to completion — NHC
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a critical warning on Friday morning, urging residents of Jamaica and Haiti to expedite preparations for the impending arrival of Tropical Storm Melissa. The storm, which had initially stalled in the Caribbean Sea, began moving at a sluggish pace of two miles per hour by 11:00 am, heightening concerns over prolonged and severe weather conditions. The NHC emphasized the escalating risks of destructive winds, torrential rainfall, and life-threatening flash flooding, which could trigger landslides and storm surges across the region. Jamaica is particularly vulnerable, with the storm expected to unleash multi-day periods of hazardous weather starting as early as Saturday. Haiti faces catastrophic flash flooding and landslides, especially in the southwest, which could isolate communities and cause extensive damage to infrastructure. The southern Dominican Republic is also at risk of similar conditions, while Cuba has been advised to monitor the storm’s progress closely. Tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches remain in effect for Jamaica and Haiti’s southwestern peninsula, underscoring the urgency for immediate action to safeguard lives and property.