Category: CANA News

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles Friday described the TT$63.3 billion (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) budget presented to Parliament earlier this week by the Trinidad and Tobago government as ‘deceitful, deceptive, and destructive’ and that the oil rich-twin island republic has entered into a recession.

‘Mr. Speaker, what makes this worse is that this is a recession caused by the UNC (United National Congress) Government and its failed policies, which are anti-people, anti-business, and anti-investment.’

In her two and a half hour rebuttal of the fiscal package presented by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo on Monday, Beckles said that the government had increased electricity rates, introduce a series of new taxes all designed to make doing business in Trinidad and Tobago much more difficult.

‘It is not an investor-friendly budget. It is in fact a disaster,’ she said, adding that throughout his presentation, Tancoo ‘struggled to articulate anything: an economic plan or the way forward.

‘He failed to share any meaningful achievement under his inept …Government. Basically, that Minister spent over two hours reading the UNC’s (United National Congress) diagnosis of how they have failed this country. He struggled and still failed to convince the population of anything worthwhile that the UNC did in the last 18 months or is going to do in the next year.’

She said that the budget was ‘bereft of any vision’ adding ‘it was empty on improving lives, it is empty on reducing the cost of living, especially food prices, which, despite the Minister’s illusionary rhetoric, have skyrocketed since May 2025

‘The budget was empty on new projects or programmes, empty on diversification, empty on focus on youth, empty on job creation, empty on economics or finance,’ she said, adding that since coming to office in April last year, it has fired tens of thousands of people, introduced a landlord tax, a coconut oil tax, as well as increasing taxes on alcoholic beverage, passport and birth certificate fees and driver’s licence fee’.

Beckles quoted the lyrics of one of the tunes by the calypsonian, The Mighty Sparrow, who is being laid to rest on Friday following his death in the United States last month, saying ‘and in a million different ways they violate the law. It’s the same good, no-good bastards who oppress the poor with their false declaration, tax evasion, defrauding customs duty.’

Beckles said that the UNC government had come into office ‘riding a wave of pseudo-popular support amidst falsely promising to improve the lives of those whom they courted for votes

‘They promised that everybody would win. Mr Speaker, some people were hopeful. They believed in pie-in-the-sky promises like 50,000 jobs to be created, 500 houses per week, 10 per cent salary payments and arrears across the board, opportunities for businesses to prosper…and many more promises.

‘Now, after only a short time in office…the people of this country know that was the greatest scam. The people are now utterly fed up. They are frustrated. They are angry. The people cannot wait one more day to see the backs of this wicked and vindictive government.’

The Opposition Leader said that the budget is anti-people, anti-development, authoritarian and anti-democratic.

She said On Monday, the Finance Minister ‘wasted everyone’s time delivering an underwhelming budget, an empty and bikini budget.

‘The budget delivered absolutely nothing of substance to the people of Trinidad and Tobago. Instead, he followed his fake and fraudulent budget of 2026 with an even worse budget in 2027 of deceit and deception, malice and mamaguy.

‘Today I declare, it was an awful budget. It did nothing to excite the business community out of its depressed state. There was nothing to attract domestic and foreign investors. In fact, Mr. Speaker the changes to withholding tax and tax losses carried forward will actually chase away investors.

‘Mr Speaker, if there were anything lower than an ‘F’, I would have given that grade to the budget presentation of this Minister of Finance. Indeed, I give him a ‘U’, which is no grade at all. It is the grade you get when you are absent for an exam.’

She said that the fiscal package gave little or no reporting on the out-turn from the previous year, or on the performance of projects and programmes announced in the previous 2026 budget documents.

‘Worse of all, it completely failed to identify the problems we face as a country at this time and present any type of solution. Mr Speaker, it was short, skimpy, and it avoided any discussion of our economic situation, which should be at the core of all budgets. Instead, this budget covered very little of the important things. We thus deem it to be a bikini budget.’

She told legislators that the government ‘has shamelessly recycled promises from the 2026 budget that it failed to deliver on including the NEXTCLASS programme which is intended to create an AI-powered user interface platform that empowers teachers with the resources to enhance their teaching effectiveness and foster a more personalised learning environment.

She said the government had promised that the project would begin in January tis year, but Tancoo in his budget presentation indicating that the project should be rolled out next year.

Beckles questioned what happened to the much-touted Employment Fund of TT$475 million which ‘was supposed to contribute directly towards job creation in the country.

‘The Minister did not make a single mention of this Fund. Mr. Speaker, Where are the Funds??

The fact is, not one cent had been spent out of this Fund to employ people. The Minister said that it required legislation to be implemented, and then he refused to give any further details.’

She said nowhere’ is the dangerous incompetence of this government more evident than in its mismanagement and mishandling of the economy.

‘Maybe out of shame, maybe in an attempt to deceive…… This Minister of Finance, for the first time in the 64-year history of this country, did not give an economic report as part of the budget statement.

‘He did not explain or present the economic performance for 2025 or what the expectations for 2026 and 2027 would be,’ she said, offering a suggestion that Tancoo had purposely refrained from making the presentation because of the ‘bad’ state of the economy.

‘The Minister of Finance, either intentionally, or out of dereliction of duty, failed to present the true state of the economy. Instead, he attempted to deceive,’ she said, quoting from an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report in 2024, ‘the last Article 4 Consultation’ under the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) government.

She said that the report had stated ‘For the first time in a decade, Trinidad and Tobago is undergoing a gradual and sustained economic recovery,’ with Beckles saying that it exposes ‘ the deceit that the Minister of Finance continues to parrot about who crashed the economy.

‘The facts are very clear, and the Minister of Finance knows it: in April 2025, he inherited a growing economy,’ she said, adding that his ‘own Review of the Economy 2026 shows economic growth in 2022 of 1.1 per cent, economic growth in 2023 of 1.4 per cent and in 2024, economic growth of 26 per cent.

Beckles said that in April this year, the IMF, based on the growth trajectory established by the previous government, had estimated ‘growth for Trinidad and Tobago of 2.4 per cent in 2025, and 1.1 per cent this year.

But she said instead as soon as the Kamla Persad-Bissessar government came into office, it immediately commenced terminating workers by the tens of thousands. They attacked businesses, large and small, calling some cartels and others worse, while killing business and investor confidence.

‘They cancelled loan guarantee arrangements and other business support programmers for small businesses. They scrapped the access to foreign exchange for small manufactures provided through the Exim Bank.

‘They imposed high taxes, fines, surcharges, levies and fees. They increased rates, increasing costs for businesses and consumers alike,’ Beckles said, adding that the government oversaw the shutdown of Nutrien over a disagreement about port fees, and the curtailing of operations at Methanex and Proman in the energy sector.

‘They plunged this country into a perpetual state of emergency, further stymieing economic growth,’ she said, adding that the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago data shows that the previous quarter, the fourth quarter of 2025, also experienced a decline of 0.9 per cent per cent.

‘That marks two consecutive quarters of economic decline going into 2026,’ she said, adding that the ‘Review of the Economy 2026, prepared by his Ministry of Finance, is forecasting GDP to contract for a second consecutive year, by 2.2 per cent.

Mr Speaker, with two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth and two consecutive years of accelerating contraction in real GDP, I take no pleasure in saying what the Minister of Finance is afraid to say, what the Central Bank Governor may not want to admit, and what many economists are seeing: Mr Speaker, this country is now in a recession’.

The West Indies will be hoping for a winning end to their white-ball tour of India when the two teams clash in the fifth and deciding T20I here on Saturday.

However, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has maintained that regardless of the result, he considers the tour a ‘success’ with the regional team having showed they can compete with the world’s best teams.

After losing the ODI series 2-1, the Shai Hope-led unit will be beaming with confidence after another superb performance in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday saw them register a 24-run victory to tie the series at 2-2.

While Sammy admitted that it would be the icing on the cake to close out the series with a win, he said the West Indies had made tremendous strides that could not be ignored.

‘For us what success means may be different to the viewers, but with us as a group I think this is the first time we’ve won more than two games on an Indian tour in 20 years, so for us success is progress.

‘In spite of all the challenges that we faced, that we could come here and compete against the best team in the world, the defending champions. We tick boxes that keep us in the conversation,’ Sammy said.

‘Before this series started we all know about the pay cuts and everything that happened. And [with the] West Indies doing well, we continue to be a team that brings entertainment to the world when we are doing well, and it’s not because of, it’s in spite of all the challenges that we face.

‘So my rule – and by extension management – with the players is to go out there and do our best. Sometimes it’s hard, it’s inconsistent, but I think the leadup after the World Cup, the leadup up to the Qualifiers that we’re going into, what I’ve seen and this series here will give the guys a lot of confidence, because I did say it was a way to measure where we’re at and I think the way we’ve played will send a strong message.

‘If we can be consistent and if the players that we have go out there and give their all, when they do that they can compete and win games against anyone in the world,’ he added.

Despite their impressive performances thus far, Sammy said the team was fully focused on what would be a historic series win.

He said such an achievement would be a major boost for the entire Caribbean community.

‘…The fact that we’ve made the cricket really competitive is good for viewership. People in the Caribbean, once West Indies is doing well it lightens the mood of every single person.

‘It’s been box office TV and hopefully tomorrow gives us that opportunity to bring the curtains down on an excellent tour of India and an excellent series,’ Sammy said.

Belize Prime Minister John Briceño says dependence on imported energy leaves households, businesses, and public finances exposed to external shocks.

Addressing the Caribbean Ministerial Meeting, held on the margins of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Briceño highlighted the impact of rising energy costs on his country’s economy, noting that fuel prices had increased by 27.7 per cent since the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting here provided an opportunity to address the economic pressures facing Caribbean countries and the support needed to strengthen their resilience.

Prime Minister Briceño sai that his government had sought to cushion the impact of rising costs through fuel tax reductions, while maintaining fiscal discipline.

But he said despite these pressures, Belize expects to maintain a primary surplus in 2026, while public debt continued its downward trend, reaching 66.4 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in August.

‘Our immediate challenge has been to provide relief without compromising the fiscal position needed to withstand future shocks,’ Prime Minister Briceño said, addressing also the longer-term challenges to Belize’s economic growth, including an ageing population, declining fertility, informal employment, and low female labour-force participation.

He spoke of the need to improve productivity, expand opportunities for young people and women, strengthen domestic revenue, and invest in skills, health, and resilient infrastructure.

Prime Minister Briceño called for closer regional cooperation in reducing costs and expanding opportunities for small states, particularly in renewable energy, green finance, payments, and technical capacity.

He urged the IMF, the World Bank, and other partners to provide targeted technical assistance and financing that responds to the particular needs and vulnerabilities of small states.

‘We ask the Fund, the World Bank and our other development partners to support these efforts through relevant, targeted technical assistance, coupled with financing that is affordable, predictable and responsive to the particular needs and vulnerabilities of small states.’

Prime Minister Briceño also called for greater access to financing instruments that can provide timely support when countries face economic or disaster-related shocks, including contingent credit lines, catastrophe bonds, and parametric insurance.

The Bermuda government says the country has recorded four consecutive years of employment growth this year, with total filled jobs reaching 33,820 last year.

Economy and Labour Minister Jason Hayward told a news conference that the 2026 Bermuda Job Market Employment Briefs highlight growth across several key industries, increased earnings for Bermudian workers, and emerging employment opportunities, while identifying ongoing workforce challenges associated with Bermuda’s ageing population.

He said the latest Employment Survey confirms that Bermuda’s labour market continued to expand in 2025, with total filled jobs increasing to 33,820, representing an increase of 369 total jobs filled.

‘This represents four consecutive years of employment growth, with more than 2,500 additional filled jobs since 2021,’ Hayward said, noting that over the past four years, there have been sustained employment growth, an expanding business base and increasing earnings for workers.

He said that these results are encouraging and consistent with the broader efforts to strengthen Bermuda’s economic foundations, support business development, attract investment and create employment opportunities across our economy

The survey showed that construction and quarrying recorded an increase of 106 jobs, or 4.9 per cent, transportation and storage increased by 97 jobs, or 7.3 per cent, human health and social work gained 85 jobs representing growth of 3.2 per cent.

Hayward said the accommodation and food service activities increased by 63 jobs; public administration recorded an increase of 116 jobs and Bermuda’s international business sector also continued to expand, reaching 5,070 jobs in 2025.

Hayward said that while the overall employment figures are encouraging, the survey also identifies areas requiring continued attention. He said that the number of jobs held by Bermudians declined marginally by 65 positions, or 0.3 per cent between 2024 and 2025.

‘The decline in Bermudian jobs can be attributed to the reality that Bermuda is experiencing a significant demographic transition. As our population ages, an increasing number of experienced Bermudian workers are reaching retirement age and leaving the workforce. It is estimated that approximately 1200 workers reached the age of retirement in 2025.’

Hayward said that the ageing of Bermuda’s workforce is not evidence that the economy is failing to create opportunities.

‘Rather, it is a structural demographic challenge that affects the availability of labour and the rate at which net Bermudian employment can expand. This means Bermudians entering the workforce are simply replacing Bermudian workers who retire or otherwise exit employment leading to negative net employment figures.’

Hayward said that one of the most notable findings of the survey is the continued increase in employment among older workers. In 2025, the number of filled jobs held by persons aged 65 and over increased by 172, or 5.7 per cent, reaching 3,176.

He said the survey reveals that the median age of Bermudian jobholders is 49, compared with 43 for Other Non-Bermudians.

‘The survey also recorded continued growth in Bermudian employment earnings. The median gross annual income for Bermudian jobholders increased by 2.4 per cent, from US$68,256 in 2024 to US$69,915 in 2025, representing an increase of US$1,659. The overall median gross annual income increased by 2.4 per cent to US$72,858.

‘It is also important to note that, with the progress made, the number of filled jobs is now only 558 fewer in 2025 compared with the pre-pandemic level of 2019,’ Hayward said.

He told reporters that the annual survey is an essential tool for assessing employment trends and informing labour policies as well as giving the government a clear understanding of the employment landscape on the island.

‘While these figures demonstrate overall positive advancement in many areas, the government is more than aware of the need to continue its unwavering focus on the creation of sustainable employment opportunities, especially for Bermudians. Our responsibility is to prepare Bermudians for the jobs of today and the new opportunities that will emerge as our economy continues to develop.’

Hayward said that by investing in people, ‘strengthening workforce planning and supporting continued economic expansion, we can build a labour market that is resilient, inclusive and capable of delivering lasting prosperity for Bermuda’.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Friday said that growth across the Western Hemisphere has remained resilient, supported by strong United States demand, high commodity prices, easier financial conditions, robust tourism, and remittance inflows.

In its regional economic outlook for the Western Hemisphere, the Washington-based financial institution said that these tailwinds have cushioned the negative effects of trade uncertainty, higher and more volatile energy prices, and shifts in immigration.

But the IMF said that, public debt remains high, policy space is limited, and medium-term growth prospects are subdued.

It said higher global energy and food prices are also delaying the return of inflation to target and that policymakers should use the current favorable conjuncture to rebuild fiscal buffers, preserve price stability, and protect vulnerable households through targeted support.

The West Indies will be hoping for a winning end to their white-ball tour of India when the two teams clash in the fifth and deciding T20I here on Saturday.

However, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has maintained that regardless of the result, he considers the tour a ‘success’ with the regional team having showed they can compete with the world’s best teams.

After losing the ODI series 2-1, the Shai Hope-led unit will be beaming with confidence after another superb performance in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday saw them register a 24-run victory to tie the series at 2-2.

While Sammy admitted that it would be the icing on the cake to close out the series with a win, he said the West Indies had made tremendous strides that could not be ignored.

‘For us what success means may be different to the viewers, but with us as a group I think this is the first time we’ve won more than two games on an Indian tour in 20 years, so for us success is progress.

‘In spite of all the challenges that we faced, that we could come here and compete against the best team in the world, the defending champions. We tick boxes that keep us in the conversation,’ Sammy said.

‘Before this series started we all know about the pay cuts and everything that happened. And [with the] West Indies doing well, we continue to be a team that brings entertainment to the world when we are doing well, and it’s not because of, it’s in spite of all the challenges that we face.

‘So my rule – and by extension management – with the players is to go out there and do our best. Sometimes it’s hard, it’s inconsistent, but I think the leadup after the World Cup, the leadup up to the Qualifiers that we’re going into, what I’ve seen and this series here will give the guys a lot of confidence, because I did say it was a way to measure where we’re at and I think the way we’ve played will send a strong message.

‘If we can be consistent and if the players that we have go out there and give their all, when they do that they can compete and win games against anyone in the world,’ he added.

Despite their impressive performances thus far, Sammy said the team was fully focused on what would be a historic series win.

He said such an achievement would be a major boost for the entire Caribbean community.

‘…The fact that we’ve made the cricket really competitive is good for viewership. People in the Caribbean, once West Indies is doing well it lightens the mood of every single person.

‘It’s been box office TV and hopefully tomorrow gives us that opportunity to bring the curtains down on an excellent tour of India and an excellent series,’ Sammy said.

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has welcomed a federal district court’s ruling dismissing a lawsuit brought by the Trump administration challenging the city’s Sanctuary Laws for Caribbean and other immigrants.

In his ruling, Judge Ramón Reyes, Jr. who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, wrote that the Trump administration lacks standing to bring its 2025 lawsuit claiming New York City’s Sanctuary Laws are preempted by federal law.

‘This is a victory for New Yorkers and a rebuke to ICE’s (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency) deportation agenda,’ Mayor Mamdani said.

‘The federal government came to court seeking to force New York City to turn its public servants into deportation agents and divert our resources toward carrying out ICE’s cruel agenda. Today, they lost.

‘The court made clear that the federal government has no standing to bring this case and cannot commandeer our city workers to do its bidding. Our local laws make New York City safer. They allow us to focus our resources on protecting and serving our communities and ensuring that every New Yorker can turn to their city government without fear that asking for help will make them a target for deportation. ‘

The Mayor said that the federal government wanted to use fear to divide the city, adding ‘we will not let them. We will continue to uphold our local laws and use every tool at our disposal to protect New Yorkers from ICE’s abuses.

‘Our city belongs to all of us, and we will not abandon our neighbors to satisfy an inhumane, xenophobic agenda,’ he said.

New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Faiza N. Ali said that, for decades, New York City’s Sanctuary laws have helped build trust between immigrant New Yorkers and their local government.

‘These local laws are essential to ensuring that all New Yorkers can access critical public services, including health care, housing and public education, without fear. At a time when federal immigration enforcement is destabilizing and separating families and putting communities across the five boroughs at risk, defending these protections has never been more important.

‘Today’s ruling is a win for New York City and immigrant New Yorkers. It affirms our right to determine how to best use resources to serve and protect our communities. The federal government’s attempt to undermine our laws has been rejected, and we will not back down from our commitment to protecting our immigrant neighbours.’

She said her office will’keep working to ensure immigrant New Yorkers know their rights, can access trusted support and have the opportunity to live with safety and dignity.’

President and chief executive officer of New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Murad Awawdeh,an umbrella organization of over 200 immigrant and refugee groups in New York, hailed Judge Reyes for ‘upholding our constitutional rights and the state’s rights to pass laws that keep our communities safe.’

Awawdeh said Trump’s lawsuit was ‘a last-ditch attempt to make an end run around the Tenth Amendment.’

Awawdeh said neither New York City nor New York State will be bullied by the federal government to give up our rights and protections.

In his ruling Justice Reyes wrote that, ‘even if the United States has standing – and it does not – its preemption claims fail.

‘All of the United States’ preemption claims – express, conflict and field – fail because the relevant federal statutes do not regulate private actors,’ he said, adding that ‘there is nothing within federal law that obligates states to participate in federal immigration enforcement or compels states to comply therewith,

‘The United States’ preemption arguments amount to nothing more than a backdoor around the Tenth Amendment and rest on a false distinction between (a) compelling local governments’ participation in federal immigration enforcement and (b) prohibiting local governments from dictating how their personnel and other resources may be utilized towards federal immigration enforcement,’ the judge said.

The West Indies will be hoping for a winning end to their white-ball tour of India when the two teams clash in the fifth and deciding T20I here on Saturday.

However, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has maintained that regardless of the result, he considers the tour a ‘success’ with the regional team having showed they can compete with the world’s best teams.

After losing the ODI series 2-1, the Shai Hope-led unit will be beaming with confidence after another superb performance in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday saw them register a 24-run victory to tie the series at 2-2.

While Sammy admitted that it would be the icing on the cake to close out the series with a win, he said the West Indies had made tremendous strides that could not be ignored.

‘For us what success means may be different to the viewers, but with us as a group I think this is the first time we’ve won more than two games on an Indian tour in 20 years, so for us success is progress.

‘In spite of all the challenges that we faced, that we could come here and compete against the best team in the world, the defending champions. We tick boxes that keep us in the conversation,’ Sammy said.

‘Before this series started we all know about the pay cuts and everything that happened. And [with the] West Indies doing well, we continue to be a team that brings entertainment to the world when we are doing well, and it’s not because of, it’s in spite of all the challenges that we face.

‘So my rule – and by extension management – with the players is to go out there and do our best. Sometimes it’s hard, it’s inconsistent, but I think the leadup after the World Cup, the leadup up to the Qualifiers that we’re going into, what I’ve seen and this series here will give the guys a lot of confidence, because I did say it was a way to measure where we’re at and I think the way we’ve played will send a strong message.

‘If we can be consistent and if the players that we have go out there and give their all, when they do that they can compete and win games against anyone in the world,’ he added.

Despite their impressive performances thus far, Sammy said the team was fully focused on what would be a historic series win.

He said such an achievement would be a major boost for the entire Caribbean community.

‘…The fact that we’ve made the cricket really competitive is good for viewership. People in the Caribbean, once West Indies is doing well it lightens the mood of every single person.

‘It’s been box office TV and hopefully tomorrow gives us that opportunity to bring the curtains down on an excellent tour of India and an excellent series,’ Sammy said.

A tribunal appointed by the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago (MBTT) has dismissed a complaint seeking to suspend or revoke the temporary medical licence of cardiologist Dr Conrad Murray following his manslaughter conviction in connection with the death of pop superstar, Michael Jackson.

‘The ruling does not determine the merits of the complaint nor exonerate the Respondent (Dr Murray) of the substantive complaint,’ said attorney, Shankar Bidaisee, who chaired the Tribunal.

‘This decision underscores the fundamental requirement that disciplinary proceedings must be conducted fairly and impartially, in a manner that maintains public confidence in its processes,’ Bidaisee is quoted as saying in a report published Friday by the Trinidad Guardian newspaper.

On June 25, 2009, Jackson, 50, died at his Los Angeles home from cardiac arrest caused by an overdose of propofol and benzodiazepines. The medication had been administered by the Grenadian-born Dr Murray to help Jackson sleep.

Dr Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter and was convicted by a California jury in November 2011. Although he was sentenced to four years in prison, he was released after serving just under half of his sentence, partly because of prison overcrowding and good behaviour.

In May 2023, Dr Murray opened DCM Medical Institute here and the disciplinary proceedings against him were based on a complaint brought by the Board under Section 24 of the Medical Board Act in June 2018.

Under the legislation, the Board is entitled, after an inquiry, to censure, reprimand, suspend or revoke a practitioner’s temporary licence if the practitioner has been convicted of a crime or has engaged in infamous or disgraceful professional conduct.

But when Dr Murray’s trial before the tribunal commenced in April, his lawyer, Kiel Takalalsingh, took issue with delays in raising the complaint and conducting the disciplinary process.

Takalalsingh during the cross-examination of one of the witnesses got him to admit that he had been approached by a doctor to provide a witness statement in the matter.

Takalalsingh immediately called for the proceedings to be paused so the tribunal could consider the implications of the admission.

On resumption, the three-member tribunal raised concerns about the continued participation of the witness, who eventually agreed to recuse himself.

In the ruling, the tribunal said that a fair-minded and informed observer would conclude that the witness was biased and that ‘this conduct went beyond an ordinary administrative interaction.

‘This concern is heightened by the significance of Dr Baggan’s evidence, his knowledge of the relevant records and the importance of his credibility to the Complainant’s case,’ the tribunal said, adding that it could not continue to preside over the case in the absence of the witness.

‘The remaining members of the Tribunal considers it procedurally unfair and contrary to natural justice to proceed with hearing and determining the evidence of (former MBTT secretary Dr Peter) Baggan despite knowing the same was procured by the then chairman of the Tribunal on behalf a party to the proceedings,’ Bidaisee said.

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Friday, October 16, 2026.

BANGKOK – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Friday said that growth across the Western Hemisphere has remained resilient, supported by strong United States demand, high commodity prices, easier financial conditions, robust tourism, and remittance inflows.

PORT OF SPAIN-Opposition leader Penelope Beckles responds to the TT$63.3 billion (One TT dollar=US$).16 cents) budget presented by the Trinidad and Tobago government on Monday this week.

SANTO DOMINGO — The Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), has launched a new initiative designed to identify, assess, structure, and accelerate renewable energy, decarbonization, and new business development projects led by National Oil Companies (NOCs) across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

WASHINGTON -The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) says it has mobilised a record $12.2 billion in private capital last year, demonstrating its growing ability to attract private investment and amplify the impact of its development financing in Latin America and the Caribbean.

PORT OF SPAIN – A star-studded cast of local artistes, including Machel Montano, Destra Garcia, Superblue, and Crazy will take the stage to pay tribute to calypso legend Slinger ‘Mighty Sparrow’ Francisco, who will be buried on Friday.

SPORTS:

BRIDGETOWN -West Indies white-ball captain Shai Hope has come in for high praise from the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) following a string of superb showings during the ongoing tour of India.