Finance Minister Dave Tancoo has issued a stark warning about Trinidad and Tobago’s rapidly aging population, emphasizing its profound implications for the country’s economic stability. Speaking at the TT Stock Exchange’s Capital Markets and Investor Conference in Port of Spain on October 24, Tancoo highlighted the urgent need for reforms to the National Insurance System (NIS) and initiatives to mobilize domestic capital. He revealed that the proportion of citizens aged 65 and older has surged from 5% in 1980 to over 11% today, with projections indicating it will exceed 26% by 2060. This demographic shift, he cautioned, threatens the sustainability of the NIS, which is already paying out more in benefits than it collects in contributions. Tancoo warned that without immediate action, the National Insurance Fund could be depleted by 2032, leaving thousands of retirees without support. To address this, the government plans to increase NIS contribution rates by 3% in 2026 and 2027, gradually raise the retirement age starting in 2028, and deepen the country’s capital markets. Tancoo also announced the launch of a $1 billion National Investment Fund bond and a state-sponsored Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) to encourage domestic investment and unlock value in public assets. These measures, he stressed, are essential to ensuring financial security for retirees and fostering long-term economic growth.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Carter into 50m butterfly final in final leg of Swimming World Cup
Trinidad and Tobago’s elite swimmer, Dylan Carter, is set to conclude his 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup journey with a determined push for a podium finish in Toronto, Canada. On October 25, Carter will compete in the men’s 50-meter butterfly final at 6:32 PM (TT time), aiming to cap off his campaign with a medal. Earlier in the day, during the preliminary rounds, the 29-year-old secured second place in heat four with a time of 22.49 seconds, trailing behind Canada’s Ilya Kharun, who dominated with a blistering 21.85 seconds—the fastest time across all heats. Carter’s performance ranked seventh overall in the prelims, signaling the need for a stellar effort in the final to add to his two bronze medals earned earlier in the competition. In the first leg of the Swimming World Cup in Indiana, Kharun claimed gold in the 50m butterfly with a time of 21.86 seconds, while Carter finished fifth in 22.57 seconds. The second leg in Illinois saw Kharun repeat his golden feat in 21.69 seconds, with Carter placing seventh at 22.48 seconds. Carter’s previous successes include bronze medals in the 50m backstroke (first leg) and 50m freestyle (second leg), showcasing his versatility and determination throughout the tournament.
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Alta announces Arlene Wallace-Romero as new CEO
Alta, a prominent non-governmental organization dedicated to literacy development in Trinidad and Tobago, has announced the appointment of Arlene Wallace-Romero as its new Chief Executive Officer. Wallace-Romero succeeds founder Paula Lucie-Smith, who will now focus on advancing the Alta programme. Since its inception in 1992, Alta has been offering free reading, writing, and spelling classes to both youth and adults, significantly impacting the community.
Wallace-Romero brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having held senior management positions at Carib Brewery and the Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation (Plipdeco). Her journey with Alta began in 1999 as a volunteer, and over the years, she has taken on various roles, including class coordinator, tutor trainer, workplace administrator, and board member. With 26 years of involvement, she is deeply familiar with Alta’s mission and operations.
In a statement, Wallace-Romero expressed her admiration for Alta’s systematic approach to education, emphasizing how her management expertise aligns with the organization’s goals. She highlighted her commitment to protecting Alta’s legacy and expanding its reach, particularly through Alta Online, an interactive literacy programme designed for individuals aged nine and above. Wallace-Romero envisions a society where basic literacy skills are as valued as learning to play a musical instrument or swim.
Founder Paula Lucie-Smith praised Wallace-Romero’s dedication and leadership, noting that her industry experience is crucial for Alta’s next phase of growth. The board of directors has warmly welcomed her appointment, confident that her leadership will drive innovation and further the organization’s mission. Alta continues to invite individuals to join its classes, volunteer as tutors, or support its initiatives through sponsorship. For more information, contact Alta at 624-2582 or Altapos.tt@gmail.com, and follow their updates on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn under Alta TT.
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Hurricane Melissa forces postponement of Army’s return leg with Mt Pleasant
The semifinal matches of the 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup have been rescheduled due to the anticipated impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. The second leg between Defence Force and Mount Pleasant Football Academy, originally set for October 29, has been moved to November 5. This decision was announced by Concacaf’s chief football competitions officer, Carlos Fernandez, who emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of players, officials, and fans. Jamaica’s Meteorological Office had upgraded the alert level from a hurricane watch to a warning on October 24, prompting the change. Additionally, the all-Dominican Republic semifinal clash between O&M FC and Cibao FC has also been postponed. The first leg of this matchup will now take place on October 30, with the second leg scheduled for November 6. In the first leg between Defence Force and Mount Pleasant, the latter dominated with a 5-1 victory, maintaining their flawless record in this year’s tournament. Raheem Edwards scored twice, while Kimoni Bailey, Shaqueil Bradford, and Warner Brown added to the tally. Defence Force’s Kaihim Thomas managed a late consolation goal. The rescheduled second leg will be held at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. The Caribbean Cup champion will secure a direct spot in the round of 16 of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, with the second- and third-placed teams advancing to the first round.
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Christmas tree eggless sugar cookies
As the holiday season approaches, many are eager to dive into festive baking. Naomi Anderson, founder of Unicakery, shares a beginner-friendly recipe for eggless Christmas tree sugar cookies that are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating. This recipe is ideal for those looking to create festive treats without the use of eggs, making it accessible to a wider audience.
To make the dough, you’ll need 3 cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ tsp of baking powder, ¼ tsp of salt, 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 2 tbsp of milk (with an optional extra tablespoon if needed), and 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Start by sifting the dry ingredients together. Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, then add the milk and vanilla. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels dry, add a bit more milk.
Once the dough is ready, divide it in half, wrap it, and refrigerate for at least an hour. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness, and cut into Christmas tree shapes. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are golden. Let the cookies cool before decorating with royal icing, sprinkles, or powdered sugar.
Naomi Anderson, a seasoned pastry chef with over 12 years of experience, founded Unicakery in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. Her studio offers workshops and classes, inspiring bakers of all levels to create beautiful desserts. Follow her on social media @unicakery or visit www.unicakery.com for more culinary inspiration.
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$59.2 b budget approved by Lower House
The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago has officially approved the $59.2 billion national budget for the fiscal year 2025/2026, following an extensive five-day review by the Standing Finance Committee. The final vote, held on October 25, saw unanimous support from the 28 government members, while all 12 opposition members voted against the proposal. The budget, initially presented by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo on October 13, is based on projected oil and gas prices of US$73.25 per barrel and US$4.35 per mmbtu, respectively. Despite these optimistic projections, the fiscal package carries a deficit of $3.865 billion. The next phase of the budgetary process will commence on October 27, when Senators are scheduled to debate the financial plan at 10 am.
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Nicholas Paul 12th in 1K time trial…begins quest for sprint medal at UCI World Cycling Champs
Trinidad and Tobago’s star cyclist Nicholas Paul has redirected his attention to the men’s sprint event following an underwhelming performance in the men’s 1K time trial at the 2025 Tissot Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Track World Championships in Santiago, Chile. On October 24, Paul finished 12th in the qualifying round with a time of 1:00.206, failing to secure a spot among the top eight cyclists who advanced to the final. The qualifying round was dominated by Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen, who set an impressive time of 57.681 seconds, followed by Great Britain’s Joseph Truman (58.807) and another Dutch rider, Jeffrey Hoogland (58.962). Lavreysen ultimately clinched gold in the final, with Hoogland taking silver and Truman earning bronze. This setback comes after Paul’s seventh-place finish in the men’s keirin on October 23, where Lavreysen once again emerged victorious. Paul will now compete in the men’s sprint qualifying round on October 25, alongside his compatriot Njisane Phillip, in a field of over 30 cyclists. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s endurance rider Akil Campbell faced challenges in the men’s points race, failing to complete the event. Campbell will seek redemption in the men’s omnium on October 25, while rising sprint star Makaira Wallace will represent the nation in the women’s 1K time trial.
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Moonilal, Young spar over increased ministry allowances
During the final session of the Standing Finance Committee on October 25, a heated exchange erupted between Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young and Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal over an $82,000 increase in electricity allowances within the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries’ budget. Young, a former energy minister, questioned whether the hike was tied to the establishment of additional offices for Moonilal and junior minister Ernesto Kesar in south Trinidad. The increase was listed under the sub-heading ‘goods and services – general administration.’ Young argued that the additional offices were an unnecessary burden on taxpayers, particularly since the Ministry already operates from Port of Spain. Moonilal countered that the funds were allocated to cover arrears owed to TTEC, the national electricity provider, which he claimed were left unpaid by Young during his tenure. He further defended the southern offices, stating they were a long-standing presence in San Fernando and provided convenience for stakeholders in the energy sector. The debate intensified as Young also challenged a $150,000 increase in rent, which Moonilal attributed to unpaid arrears from the previous administration. Young accused Moonilal of excessive spending on office renovations, emphasizing that most energy sector stakeholders are based in Port of Spain. The session concluded without resolution, highlighting ongoing tensions over fiscal responsibility and resource allocation within the Ministry.
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Caribbean Sea’s new compact for survival: Reflections from COP18
October 24 marks United Nations Day, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the UN under the theme ‘The Future We Want: The UN We Need: Reaffirming Our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism.’ This year’s celebration holds particular significance for the Caribbean, following the historic Eighteenth Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP18) to the Cartagena Convention, held in Kingston, Jamaica, from October 13-16. The event brought together over 80 delegates from 20 nations and 15 observer groups, including youth representatives, to address the pressing challenges facing the Caribbean Sea. The central message was unequivocal: the health of the Caribbean Sea is intrinsically linked to the livelihood and identity of its people, making united action not just desirable but essential. COP18 was groundbreaking in its integrated approach, combining discussions on the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) protocol and the Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution protocol into a single, cohesive agenda. This innovative structure enabled delegates to tackle cross-cutting issues such as pollution control, species protection, and coral reef restoration in a unified framework. The outcomes of COP18 are transformative, aligning with the Regional Seas Strategic Direction (RSSD) for 2026-2029, which envisions healthy, productive marine ecosystems that support a sustainable ocean economy and combat biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. Key decisions included the approval of an action plan to address sargassum inundation and the development of conservation management plans for species like the silky shark and oceanic whitetip shark. Additionally, the meeting operationalized a workplan and budget for 2026-2027, focusing on three core goals: securing biologically diverse and climate-resilient ecosystems, enhancing knowledge management and science-policy dialogue, and elevating the global profile of the regional seas program. The event also strengthened regional partnerships, exemplified by collaborations with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on oil-spill response and the Caribbean Wildlife Enforcement Network. However, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Reports presented at COP18 revealed that the Caribbean’s coral reefs, vital to tourism and fisheries, are under severe threat from heat stress, disease outbreaks, and mass bleaching events driven by rising ocean temperatures and acidification. The decisions made in Kingston mark a pivotal shift from passive defense to active restoration, emphasizing the need for stronger national coastal frameworks and species management plans. As the Caribbean commemorates UN Day, the spirit of COP18 serves as a beacon for sustained effort and stronger partnerships. The Caribbean Sea is not merely a body of water; it is the lifeblood of the region. Through the Cartagena Convention, the Caribbean has reaffirmed its shared duty to protect, restore, and sustain this precious resource for future generations.
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Trump’s plan for the region
In a series of bold and controversial moves, US President Donald Trump has unveiled an expansionist agenda that has sparked widespread debate and concern across the Americas. Trump’s initial statement about taking over Iceland, Canada, and Mexico was followed by the symbolic renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, a move that many interpret as a clear indication of his intentions for the region.