A violent home invasion in Maloney Gardens has left a nine-year-old boy and his father hospitalized with gunshot wounds. The incident occurred in the early hours of October 15, when the father, awakened by loud banging on his front door around 4 am, initially mistook the noise for a police visit. As he prepared to open the door, two masked assailants forcefully entered the apartment. Sensing danger, the father rushed into his son’s room, but the gunmen pursued him and opened fire, striking both victims in the legs. Emergency services promptly transported the injured pair to a nearby hospital, where they are currently in stable condition. Authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Alcohol, tobacco duties to apply locally first
In a significant fiscal move, Trinidad and Tobago has announced a 100% increase in customs duties on alcohol, beer, and tobacco, effective immediately. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo unveiled this decision during the presentation of the 2025-2026 national budget on October 13. Contrary to widespread assumptions, the hike applies equally to both locally produced and imported goods, marking a substantial shift in the country’s taxation policy.
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One dead, three injured in Brasso shooting
A violent shooting incident in Brasso, Central Trinidad, has left one person dead and three others injured, including two teenagers. The tragic event occurred in the early hours of October 15 in a wooden structure on Caparo Valley Basso Road. The victims were identified as 20-year-old construction worker Ricky Joseph, who was confirmed dead, and his brother Colley Joseph, 23, along with their friends Darias Shadrack, 16, and Jerell Ganesh, 15. Initially, Shadrack was reported dead, but police later indicated he might still be alive and receiving treatment at the hospital. The injured were first taken to the Chaguanas Health Centre before being transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope. Villagers reported hearing gunshots and discovering Ricky’s body with multiple bullet wounds. Police from the Central Division and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region Three, are investigating the incident and gathering evidence.
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Obika: Budget heavy in rhyme but hollow economically
Economist and former senator Taharqa Obika has delivered a scathing assessment of the United National Congress (UNC) administration’s inaugural $59.2 billion national budget, labeling it as “heavy in rhyme but hollow in economic reason.” Obika, who once served as a UNC senator before defecting to the People’s National Movement (PNM), criticized Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s budget presentation for its lack of substantive economic direction despite its rhetorical flair. Speaking to Newsday via WhatsApp, Obika remarked that while Tancoo’s delivery was energetic and even poetic, it failed to address critical economic challenges. He argued that the budget missed the opportunity to establish a robust foundation for the country’s recovery over the next five years, leaving “gaping holes” in areas such as revenue generation, pension reform, and taxation policy. Obika, who holds an MBA in Finance and a BSc in Economics, highlighted the absence of concrete strategies to meet expenditure targets, particularly in revenue collection. He warned that the lack of detail could indicate the government’s inability to balance the books without resorting to devaluing the TT dollar. Obika also criticized the proposed replacement of the Value Added Tax (VAT) system with a sales tax, calling it “a mere statement rather than a well-developed policy intervention.” He cautioned that tampering with VAT, which accounts for over 10% of government spending, without a clear replacement plan is “fiscally reckless.” Additionally, he condemned the decision to raise the National Insurance System (NIS) pension age from 60 to 65, phased between 2028 and 2036, which he said would place undue strain on workers. Obika also predicted that the new landlord tax would lead to rent increases of at least 3.6%, further burdening citizens. He concluded that the budget, rather than inspiring confidence and guiding investment, “reads more like a poem than a plan.”
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Tancoo: Hotel school to be reopened
In a significant move to revive the hospitality and tourism sector, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has announced the government’s plan to reopen the TT Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI) in Chaguaramas. The institute, which was established to train professionals in the hospitality industry, including chefs and support staff, ceased operations in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions and the non-payment of subventions by the previous administration. The TTHTI had been operational for approximately two decades before its closure. Minister Tancoo also hinted at similar developments in Tobago, indicating a broader effort to bolster the sector. Further details regarding the reopening are expected to be provided by the Trade, Investment, and Tourism Minister, Satyakama Maharaj. This initiative is seen as a crucial step in addressing the skills gap and supporting the recovery of the hospitality and tourism industry post-pandemic.
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US strike kills 6 more, off Venezuelan coast
In a significant escalation of efforts to combat narcotrafficking, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a military strike in international waters off the coast of Venezuela on October 14, resulting in the deaths of six individuals. The operation, carried out under Trump’s authority as commander-in-chief, targeted a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) involved in drug trafficking. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike, which occurred within the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) operational area. Trump described the deceased as ‘narcoterrorists’ and emphasized that no U.S. personnel were harmed. This marks the fifth such strike in the past month, bringing the total death toll to 27. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the U.S. military presence, accusing Washington of attempting to orchestrate regime change. Maduro has vowed to protect Venezuela’s sovereignty, launching nationwide military exercises like ‘Independence 200’ to bolster defense against external threats. Venezuelan officials, including Delta Amacuro State Governor Loa Tamaronis, have reaffirmed their commitment to national independence, rejecting foreign intervention. The U.S. has long accused Maduro of facilitating narcoterrorism, a claim he denies, further straining bilateral relations.
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Ashe wins TTUTA presidency by landslide
In a decisive electoral triumph, Crystal Ashe has been elected as the new president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA). The election, held on October 14, saw Ashe secure a commanding victory, amassing 3,546 votes—more than triple the tally of outgoing president Martin Lum Kin, who received 1,019 votes. Ashe’s total also surpassed the combined votes of all other presidential candidates, solidifying her position as the clear choice among educators.
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Women Warriors open Concacaf W Qualifiers vs Barbados on Nov. 30
The Trinidad and Tobago (TT) senior women’s football team is set to begin their 2025/26 Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers campaign with an away match against Barbados on November 30. The schedule was officially confirmed by Concacaf on October 14, marking the start of a challenging journey for the Women Warriors. TT has been placed in Group F alongside Barbados, El Salvador, and Honduras. Following their opener, the team will face Honduras on March 4, 2026, and then host El Salvador in a crucial home fixture. The squad is under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Angus Eve, who previously coached the senior men’s team, with Densill Theobald, a successful TT Premier Football League coach, serving as his assistant. With six weeks remaining before their first match, the team is intensifying training and preparation to ensure a strong start. The Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers, spanning from November 2025 to April 2026, will determine the six group winners who will join the USA and Canada in the 2026 Concacaf W Championship. This championship is a pivotal qualifier for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 LA Summer Olympics, marking a significant milestone in Concacaf’s revamped women’s national team calendar.
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Morris hits ‘deceitful’ budget: Tobago’s development allocation reduced
Tobago’s Minority Leader Kelvon Morris has sharply criticized the island’s $2.96 billion fiscal package for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, labeling it as ‘seasoned with deceit, deception, and in some respect, dishonesty.’ Speaking at a media conference on October 15 at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort in Lowlands, Morris emphasized that ‘the devil is in the details,’ pointing out a significant reduction in development funds for Tobago.
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Procope continues marathon swim, thanks supporters during break
John Procope, a determined long-distance swimmer, is currently undertaking an extraordinary challenge: swimming 100 kilometers around the island of Tobago. This ambitious endeavor began on October 13 at Pigeon Point and is expected to conclude on the morning of October 15. Procope’s journey is divided into two distinct phases: the first half in the relatively calm Caribbean Sea and the second half in the more turbulent Atlantic Ocean, which poses significant physical and mental challenges. On October 14, Procope took a brief pause at Blue Waters Inn in Speyside to express his gratitude to his supporters. Treading water, he thanked his family, friends, and crew for their unwavering encouragement and assistance. His support team includes two fellow swimmers, Jacob Cox and William Carr, who accompany him for portions of the swim, as well as a support vessel and a kayaker providing essential supplies. This is not Procope’s first attempt at such a daunting feat. In October 2024, he successfully swam from Tobago to Trinidad in approximately 25 hours, showcasing his remarkable endurance and commitment to pushing the boundaries of human capability.