In a serendipitous encounter, an oilbird was discovered roosting at St. Benedict’s College in La Romaine, south Trinidad, far from its known colonies. This rare sighting provided a unique teaching opportunity for the school staff. The oilbird, a nocturnal marvel, is one of the most remarkable yet overlooked species in Trinidad’s rich biodiversity. Unlike the vibrant hummingbird or the powerful hawk-eagle, the oilbird’s unassuming appearance belies its extraordinary adaptations and ecological significance. Native to Trinidad, which shares much of its ecology with South America, the oilbird thrives in darkness, spending its days in lightless caves and emerging at night to forage. With a wingspan exceeding one metre, these birds embark on nightly journeys, sometimes covering over 100 kilometres in search of their exclusive diet of fruits from palms, laurels, and bursera trees. This dietary specialization makes them vital seed dispersers, ensuring the propagation of their food trees. Oilbirds possess unique sensory adaptations, including echolocation and an unparalleled sensitivity to light, with retinal rod densities of one million rods per millimetre—the highest among vertebrates. Their social structure is equally fascinating, with monogamous pairs raising broods in large colonies that can number in the thousands. Despite their ecological importance, oilbirds face threats from human exploitation, historically hunted for their oil and meat. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect this enigmatic species and its habitat, ensuring its survival alongside humanity.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Unlocking the next generation economy
The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce (TT Chamber) recently hosted its annual post-budget meeting at the Le Rêve Conference Centre in San Fernando, marking a historic milestone in its mission to strengthen engagement with the nation’s business communities. Under the theme *Unlocking TT’s Next Generation Economy*, the event emphasized the Chamber’s commitment to fostering economic resilience and diversification in a volatile global landscape.
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‘Men vs boys,’ Army thumped by Mt Pleasant in 1s leg of Caribbean Cup semis
In a stunning display of football prowess, Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant Football Academy delivered a crushing 5-1 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force in the first leg of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup semifinals on October 22. The match, held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, showcased Mount Pleasant’s dominance from the opening whistle, leaving the home team reeling. Despite entering the game with a perfect group stage record, Defence Force was outclassed in every aspect of the game. Mount Pleasant’s relentless pace and tactical precision proved too much for the Trinidadian side, who struggled to contain their opponents. Interim coach Devorn Jorsling admitted his team was outplayed, describing the match as ‘men versus boys.’ Mount Pleasant’s Warner Brown opened the scoring in the fifth minute, setting the tone for a match that saw Raheem Edwards and substitute Shaqueil Bradford adding to the tally. Defence Force managed a consolation goal in stoppage time, but the result leaves them with a monumental task in the second leg. Jorsling remains focused on securing a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, emphasizing the need for improvement and resilience.
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Playwrights Workshop hosts dramatic reading of Help by Kaithlyn De Gazon
Playwrights Workshop Trinbago (PWT), in partnership with the Trinidad Theatre Workshop (TTW) and Torch Theatre Company, is set to present a dramatic reading of Kaithlyn De Gazon’s poignant play, ‘Help,’ on October 24. The event will take place at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop, located at 6 Newbold Street, St Clair, starting at 7 pm. This monthly series of dramatic readings offers a platform for emerging playwrights to showcase their work and engage with the audience.
‘Help’ delves into the harrowing journey of a young girl grappling with the ghosts of her past and the emotional turmoil they evoke. The narrative explores how these internal struggles profoundly impact her relationships with those around her. The play, which marks De Gazon’s debut as a playwright, was first introduced in the PWT Monthly Readers Theatre Series (MRTS) in 2021 and later featured as a dramatic reading at the 2023 Bocas Lit Fest.
Kaithlyn De Gazon, a theatre arts teacher and graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI) with a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts, has a rich background in the performing arts. Her journey began as a dancer in secondary school, eventually leading her to acting and technical theatre.
PWT is extending an invitation to actors, playwrights, directors, producers, and the general public to attend the reading and participate in a post-performance discussion. This dialogue aims to provide constructive feedback to assist De Gazon in further refining her script. The discussion will be conducted with sensitivity, given the play’s exploration of themes such as severe depression and suicide. Attendees are advised to exercise discretion due to the intense subject matter.
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BpTT report: Cypre project entering next phase
bpTT, a subsidiary of BP, has made significant strides in its gas development projects in Trinidad, marking a new chapter in the country’s energy sector. Recently, bpTT President David Campbell and Executive Vice President of Gas and Low Carbon Energy William Lin met with Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to discuss the progress of two major initiatives: the Cypre gas field and the upcoming Ginger project. The Cypre field, operational since March 2025, is bpTT’s third subsea development, featuring seven wells connected to the Juniper platform via flexible flowlines. Located 78 kilometers off Trinidad’s southeast coast, the field has successfully completed its startup phase, with phase two’s subsea equipment now ready for deployment. The Seven Arctic subsea construction vessel, arriving from Norway, will commence offshore operations in late 2025, further advancing the project’s innovative and reliable framework. Meanwhile, the Ginger project, expected to produce first gas by 2027, will include four subsea wells linked to the Mahogany B platform. At peak production, the field is projected to yield 62,000 barrels of oil per day. Campbell and Lin also toured bpTT’s Galeota and Beachfield facilities, which process offshore gas and liquids for midstream and downstream supply. Campbell emphasized the importance of strong government partnerships, having met with key ministers to discuss unlocking value for Trinidad’s energy industry. ‘Building strong country relationships is foundational to delivering our strategy,’ Campbell stated, underscoring bpTT’s commitment to collaborative progress.
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Dylan Carter misses out on 50m free final at Swimming World Cup
Trinidad and Tobago’s swimming sensation, Dylan Carter, narrowly missed securing a spot in the men’s 50-metre freestyle final during the third leg of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Toronto, Canada, on October 23. Competing in lane five of the sixth and final heat, Carter clocked in at 21.36 seconds, finishing fourth, just 0.11 seconds behind Canada’s Ruslan Gaziev (21.25). The heat was dominated by American swimmer Jack Alexy, who secured first place with a time of 20.92 seconds, followed by Estonia’s Ralf Tribuntsov at 21.22 seconds. Overall, Carter ranked ninth out of 51 participants, narrowly missing the eighth and final qualifying spot for the final, which went to New Zealand’s Cameron Gray with a time of 21.30 seconds. Alexy, who recorded the second-fastest time in the prelims, will advance to the final alongside USA’s Chris Guliano (21.02) and Canada’s Josh Liendo, who topped heat four with a blistering 20.87 seconds. Carter’s journey in the World Cup has been a mix of highs and lows. In the first leg in Indiana, he finished fourth in the 50m freestyle final, while in the second leg in Illinois, he clinched bronze. Additionally, he secured a bronze medal in the 50m backstroke during the opening leg on October 11. Despite this setback, Carter remains a formidable contender in the swimming world.
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Hillview, Mucurapo West clinch SSFL championship division titles
The 2025 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) season has reached a thrilling juncture as Hillview College and Mucurapo West Secondary have secured their places in the prestigious Big 5 playoffs. These playoffs, set to commence on October 29, serve as the gateway to the premier division for the following season. Both schools clinched their respective zonal titles on October 21, showcasing their dominance in the championship division. Hillview College, representing the east zone, concluded their campaign with a flawless record, amassing 24 points and a commanding goal difference. Their emphatic 4-0 victory over El Dorado East in their final match solidified their status as east zone champions. Meanwhile, in the north zone, Mucurapo West Secondary edged out East Mucurapo by a single point, sealing their triumph with a resounding 9-0 win against Diego Martin Central. The south zone remains undecided, with Pleasantville Secondary temporarily leading after a 4-0 victory over Rio Claro West. However, Palo Seco Secondary, with two games in hand, remains the favorite to claim the title. Their postponed match against Point Fortin East, delayed due to a bee infestation, is set to be replayed on October 24. In the central zone, Presentation College (Chaguanas) awaits a ruling from the league’s Appeals Committee following an appeal by Chaguanas North Secondary regarding an abandoned fixture. Should the appeal be dismissed, Presentation will be crowned central champions. Speyside Secondary has already secured the Tobago zone title and is poised to begin their Big 5 campaign against the south zone winners. The upcoming Big 5 tournament promises intense competition as these top schools vie for promotion to the premier division.
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Ansa McAL appoints Attzs, Pemberton to board
ANSA McAL Ltd has unveiled significant changes to its leadership structure, appointing Dr. Marlene Attzs and Joel ‘Monty’ Pemberton to its board of directors, effective November 1. The announcement, filed with the TT Stock Exchange on October 22, highlights the company’s commitment to strengthening its governance framework. Dr. Attzs, a distinguished development economist and lecturer at the University of the West Indies, brings expertise in sustainable development, climate resilience, and disaster-risk management. Pemberton, a seasoned energy-sector executive, offers extensive regional and local experience. These appointments come as ANSA McAL navigates a transformative phase, marked by strategic acquisitions and financial recalibration. The company’s latest financial disclosure revealed a 14% decline in profit after tax for the first half of 2025, totaling $310 million compared to $362 million in the same period of 2024. However, second-quarter revenue surged by 12% year-on-year to $1.99 billion, with profit before tax climbing to $217 million from $189 million. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) also grew by 31% to $409 million. In March 2025, ANSA McAL announced a three-year suspension of dividend payments to channel capital toward expansion and debt reduction, following its $327 million acquisition of Bleachtech LLC, a U.S.-based chlor-alkali manufacturer. Despite initial share price fluctuations post-announcement, the company’s diversified business model and robust balance sheet have since stabilized investor confidence. ANSA McAL, a conglomerate with interests spanning automotive, beverages, construction, financial services, and utilities, remains focused on long-term regional growth and portfolio diversification. The roles of the new board members in specific committees or additional responsibilities have yet to be disclosed.
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“Pres” aiming to break Naparima win-streak in SSFL southern showdown
In a pivotal showdown that could reshape the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premiership, fourth-placed Presentation College San Fernando is set to challenge the undefeated league leaders, Naparima College, on October 22 at Lewis Street. The ‘Pres Lions,’ currently holding 21 points, trail Naparima by six and are determined to become the first team this season to defeat the dominant ‘Naps.’ A win for Presentation would not only halt Naparima’s nine-game winning streak but also reignite the title race, with defending champions Fatima College and 2024 Coca-Cola Intercol winners San Benedict’s College still in contention. However, coming off a 1-0 loss to St Anthony’s College, Presentation faces their toughest test yet and must deliver a flawless performance to challenge Naparima’s supremacy. Naparima, under the guidance of head coach Angus Eve, has been formidable, conceding just two goals in nine matches, thanks to their solid defense and goalkeeper Mikhail Clement. A victory for Naparima would extend their lead at the top of the 16-team standings, creating a significant gap from their closest rivals. Meanwhile, Fatima College, second in the standings with 22 points, aims to recover from a surprising 3-2 defeat to Signal Hill Secondary as they host eighth-placed Arima North. Third-placed St Benedict’s College, tied with Presentation on 21 points, is favored to secure three points against winless Carapichaima East. Other matches include St Anthony’s College facing San Juan North, Queen’s Royal College hosting Malick, and Trinity Moka welcoming St Augustine. Two fixtures, St Mary’s College vs. Signal Hill and Trinity East vs. Scarborough, have been postponed. The SSFL standings highlight Naparima’s dominance, with Fatima and St Benedict’s closely trailing, setting the stage for an intense battle for the 2025 crown.
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UWI law dean lauds students’ excellence: Integrity worth more than grades
The Faculty of Law at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine, celebrated a historic milestone on October 17, 2025, as it honored a record number of students for their exceptional academic achievements. The Evening of Excellence ceremony, held at the university, not only recognized academic success but also highlighted a transformative shift within the legal education community. Dean Dr. Alicia Elias-Roberts, addressing an audience of students, parents, and colleagues, praised the awardees as the most accomplished cohort in recent memory. She noted a significant increase in the number of students graduating with first-class honors, making the Dean’s Honor List, and receiving special awards for excellence. Statistics revealed that 18 first-year, 28 second-year, and 41 third-year students made the Dean’s List, while 38 law students graduated with first-class honors—a milestone Dr. Elias-Roberts described as evidence of a rising culture of excellence. In her speech, the dean emphasized the importance of resilience, integrity, and a commitment to justice, qualities she deemed essential in a rapidly evolving legal landscape shaped by artificial intelligence and innovation. She also highlighted the faculty’s growing partnerships with international organizations such as the UNDP, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the JB Fernandes Memorial Trust, which support initiatives like the Human Rights Legal Aid Clinic and internship opportunities in development financial law. These collaborations, she said, bridge academia and real-world impact, providing students with invaluable exposure and opportunities to serve communities. The ceremony also featured a personal message from Dr. Elias-Roberts, urging graduates to remain humble and grounded, emphasizing that integrity and professionalism define a person more than academic grades. The event honored numerous achievers, including Solange Joseph, Reshad Ahmed, Jehoshua Williams, and Kreshaun Gordon, who graduated with first-class honors and received special recognition from the Law Society executive. The dean concluded by reminding graduates that their LLB degrees carry a responsibility to lead, serve, and advocate for the marginalized, shaping the next generation of ethical and compassionate legal professionals. The ceremony, which included an address by Attorney General John Jeremie, celebrated not only academic success but also the broader mission of preparing lawyers to be stewards of justice in a changing world.