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Judiciary releases information on outstanding judgments

THE JUDICIARY has released detailed information on outstanding judgments and decisions of High Court and Court of Appeal judicial officers in response to a freedom of information request from a transparency advocate in November.

On November 25, attorneys for Anthony Dopson, a civic activist and former Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union branch secretary, demanded the release of detailed records on long-standing court judgments.

The FOIA request, sent by Freedom Law Chambers, was addressed to Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh.

The firm, led by Anand Ramlogan, SC, argued that delays eroded trust in the Judiciary and violated the constitutional promise of timely justice. The request gave the Chief Justice until December 25 to issue a decision.

A letter accompanying the request noted a national concern about judicial backlogs, questioning whether judicial resources are being efficiently managed.

“Given that the Judiciary is constitutionally mandated to uphold the rule of law and ensure access to justice, prolonged delays undermine its constitutional role and impair public confidence in this critical institution. These matters are plainly of national concern.

“They affect citizens’ constitutional right of access to justice, the efficiency of a core branch of the State, and the credibility of the judicial system,” attorney Aasha Ramlal wrote.

The FOIA request sought a list of all matters in which High Court judges, masters, registrars and Court of Appeal judges have reserved judgments for more than six months; all matters where decisions on applications or costs have remained outstanding beyond three months; all statements of costs filed but unassessed after one year, with the assigned registrar identified; all pending appeals where written reasons remain outstanding more than six months after the notice of appeal; the number of decisions of each High Court judge that have been reversed by the Court of Appeal over the past five years.

CJ COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY

In its response, the Judiciary’s disclosure covered judges of the Court of Appeal, the High Court, masters, and registrars, providing data as of November 25.

It also provided a list of reserved judgments outstanding for over six months; outstanding decisions on costs; statements of costs filed but not yet assessed; outstanding reasons for appeals over six months; and appeals filed where High Court decisions were overturned by the Court of Appeal in the past five years.

In the statement, the Office of the Chief Justice emphasised the Judiciary’s commitment to public accountability and transparency.

It said the information was compiled primarily from judicial officers’ own reporting, with registrars reviewing hundreds of Court of Appeal orders dating back to 2020. It also said the information was being simultaneously disclosed to the media “in acknowledgement of its duties of accountability to the public and transparency in its operations.”

The statement added, “The information we have provided is based largely on the reporting of the judicial officers themselves. The Judiciary understands the importance of maintaining accurate records and tracking the progress of cases in which decisions are pending, and we will continue to update our records as new monitoring systems are implemented.”

The Judiciary noted that while there are no statutory timelines for the delivery of judgments in Trinidad and Tobago, six months is generally considered a reasonable benchmark. Oral judgments are often delivered within this period, although decisions from higher courts, including the Privy Council, can take longer.

Highlighting the principles guiding judicial conduct, the statement cited the Statements of Principles and Guidelines for Judicial Conduct, which instruct judges to dispose of court business “efficiently, fairly, and with reasonable promptness.” It noted that factors such as case complexity, workload, or health issues can affect timelines.

“The Judiciary recognises that one of its core functions is to ensure that judgments and decisions are provided ‘with reasonable promptness’ and that adequate reasons are given in the event of an appeal.

“Most judicial officers monitor their performance to ensure compliance with their obligations.

“Most judicial officers also work diligently, striving to hear and dispose of cases fairly and within a reasonable time. At times, however, judicial officers, like everyone else, undergo health and other challenges which impact their efficiency.”

To support the timely delivery of judgments, the Judiciary outlined ongoing initiatives to facilitate general compliance. These include: continued training on oral and written judgments; monitoring judicial performance by officers and the Office of the Chief Justice; mentoring and advising newer judicial officers; strengthening systems for tracking judicial performance; public reporting on judicial activity; and encouraging timely submissions from attorneys to facilitate prompt decisions.

Judiciary apologises

The statement acknowledged that some court users have experienced delays and offered a sincere apology, committing to delivering outstanding judgments as quickly as possible.

“We acknowledge that some court users have had to wait a long time for judgments and decisions to be given.

“For this, the Judiciary sincerely apologises. We commit to doing all that is humanly possible to ensure that these outstanding judgments will be delivered in the shortest possible time. We will also work diligently to deliver reserved judgments and decisions within a reasonable time as we move forward.

“We ask for the understanding of the public as we strive to fulfil our mandate within the existing constraints of resources.” The Judiciary said the disclosure reflected its dedication to ensuring timely justice.

“It is also a recognition of our duty to be accountable to the public to enhance trust and confidence in the judicial system.”

In the letter, Dopson’s attorneys noted, “The Judiciary is one of the three constitutional branches of government. Its operations must be transparent to ensure public confidence. Delayed judgments, particularly those delayed beyond the accepted six-month standard, affect the credibility of the institution.

The Hall of Justice, Port of Spain. – File photo

“Disclosure will allow the public to understand the extent of systemic delays and whether corrective measures are needed. Judicial officers, while constitutionally independent, are still accountable to the public for the performance of their duties. Timely judgment delivery is a core judicial responsibility. Transparency in this regard facilitates informed discourse on judicial efficiency, resource allocation, and administrative reform,” the letter said.

It also stated that Dopson intended to publish any information received “so that members of the public, attorneys and litigants can identify whether cases have been omitted and press for accuracy.

“This way, judges can be assisted by litigants and attorneys whose matters were inadvertently omitted to ensure that they have a complete list of outstanding judgments,” the letter said.

What the records show

The Judiciary disclosed detailed records showing which judges and masters have cleared long-outstanding decisions and which matters remain pending across the High Court, Family and Children Division and Court of Appeal.

In the High Court’s civil division, several judicial officers reported having no decisions reserved for more than six months. Those in full compliance include Justices Carol Gobin, Frank Seepersad and Margaret Mohammed, along with Masters Sherlanne Pierre, Coreen Findley, Rishma Ramrattan, Wrenerson Lochan and Antoinette Alleyne.

Records also show a list of outstanding civil matters before other judges, involving civil trials, interim applications and constitutional cases. Some date back several years, with reasons cited including delayed submissions, complex legal issues, transcript preparation and intervening circumstances such as the death of court staff or litigants. Delivery dates for many of these rulings are scheduled between December and mid-2026.

Judges with outstanding civil matters include Justices Joan Charles, Devindra Rampersad, Robin Mohammed, Nadia Kangaloo, Marcia Ayers-Caesar, Kevin Ramcharan, Avason Quinlan-Williams, Jacqueline Wilson, Karen Reid, Christopher Sieuchand, Westmin James and Marissa Robertson. In some cases, judgments have been drafted and await formal delivery, while in others oral decisions were given but written reasons remain pending.

In the criminal division, 13 judges reported no outstanding decisions or judgments, including Justices Devan Rampersad, Hayden St. Clair-Douglas, Kathy Ann Waterman Latchoo, Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds, Gail Gonzales, Nalini Singh, George Busby, Mauriceia Joseph, Gillian Scotland, Sherene Murray-Bailey and Tricia Hudlin-Cooper, as well as acting judges Maria Busby-Earle-Caddle and Trevor Jones.

Several masters in the criminal division also reported full compliance. A small number of matters involving reasons pending appeal remain under the supervision of Master Sarah De Silva.

Most cases cleared in Family & Children Division

The Judiciary’s update on the Family and Children Division shows that a significant number of judges and masters have cleared all matters reserved for more than six months before Nov. 25, 2025.

Family Court judges with no outstanding matters include Justices Sharon Gibson, Halcyon Yorke-Young and Linda Khan. Numerous family court masters and children court judges and masters also reported no pending decisions.

Outstanding matters were identified for a limited number of judges. Justice Joseph Tam, a temporary judge, reported several reserved decisions, some dating back years. Justice Betsy Ann Lambert-Peterson reported 19 outstanding decisions, along with pending costs rulings and appeal reasons, some originating from the Civil Division. Other judges reported one or two pending matters, most with delivery dates set between December 2025 and January 2026. The Judiciary also released an updated schedule of reserved judgments before the Court of Appeal that have been outstanding for six months or more, listing more than 60 matters across civil, criminal, family, magisterial and procedural appeals.

Some civil appeals date back to 2013, with several high-profile cases involving the Attorney General, state agencies, media houses, trade unions and former public officials. While a number of judgments were delivered in December 2025 or are scheduled for early 2026, dozens remain pending, including criminal and AJIPA appeals reserved between mid-2024 and April 2025.

Data cataloguing hundreds of High Court and tribunal decisions that were set aside, varied or remitted by the Court of Appeal between 2012 and 2025, were provided. The cases span constitutional, commercial, labour, immigration, family and public law matters, with many remitted for rehearing or reconsideration.

 

Caricom/TT tiff: Minister calls for closed-door meetings

A senior Barbados government minister is suggesting that Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders meet “behind closed doors” to discuss “concerns on all sides” amidst fears of a widening split within the 15-member regional integration grouping.

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Senior Minister Kerrie Symmonds said while he is aware of the “uncompromising voice which is perhaps unaccommodating” from the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, he does not think, “I’m hearing genuine disharmony.”

“I think, though, that it is always helpful for leaders to have dialogue. And if I could risk saying something to my superiors, because all of the leaders are obviously my superiors, I would want to say that it is perhaps best to have the dialogue behind closed doors and that there’s a sharing of concerns on all sides.

“I don’t think that anybody’s concern is illegitimate in this instance because the national security interest of any of our countries is a common national security interest. And interestingly, in all of this, the missing thing that has not hit the headlines is the basic fact that in Caricom’s charter… security is seen in Caricom as a regional undertaking. We don’t really speak to security as one island and not the other,” Symmonds said.

He said that security for this region is understood to be a common, endeavour “and I think that if we see it through that lens, then we will realise that we’re all pretty much in the same boat even if we’re not paddling in the same canoe at this particular time.”

In recent days, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on Persad-Bissessar to “produce the evidence” that Caricom, including Antigua and Barbuda had aligned itself with “the Maduro narco government headed by a dictator” in Venezuela.

Symmonds told reporters that while he is hearing “an uncompromising tone because, obviously, the new prime minister (of TT), has to project a certain sense of authority and projecting power…I also believe that this region is simply facing a moment of uncertainty.

“And there will be in a regional relationship of sovereign states, moments where there’s some tension, a moment of some difficulty,” Symmonds said, adding he believes that “we are in a better position in this region in terms of cooperation than the world is in terms of its own cooperation.

“We’re in a better position in terms of trust and dialogue than the world is in terms of its own trust and dialogue among among nations. But this is just a moment in time. It is not eternity. They’re going to be concerned inevitably over the need for us a number of considerations arising out of national sovereignty and national interest.”

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. – Photo by Faith Ayoung

The Barbados foreign minister said that Persad-Bissessar is speaking about her country’s national interest, and “she is thinking, I believe, largely about the state of the oil and gas sector in Trinidad.”

He said when he listens to Persad-Bissessar, “though she reflects largely on the interest of Trinidadian people, there are some unshakable considerations that Caricom stands on.

“The regional organisation is the reason for all of us, being part of it simply because it is through that organisation that we have collective strength, that we have stability,” he said, noting “we all lack a certain amount of capacity.

“We lack technical expertise in many areas. We lack financial resources. May I say Trinidad, at this moment, is facing a massive credit squeeze. Their Central Bank is not allowing any entity to get more than 2,000 US dollars or thereabouts in any given month. These are considerations that I know have to be at the back part of the prime minister’s mind.”

Symmonds said that the question of the institutional capacity for any one of the countries, even Trinidad, to go it alone, obviously, would have to be raised.

“And I don’t think that when I look at the trade statistics that I see that is going to unplug itself from Caricom. The trade statistics tell me that in 2024, for example, Trinidad And Tobago would have earned maybe around one billion US dollars from Caricom trade.

“They’re not going to walk away from that. In fact, that is the the second largest trading partner that Trinidad And Tobago has outside of the United States itself,” Symmonds said, noting that the Common External Tariffs (CET) makes goods coming into the region much more expensive and works in favour of Trinidad manufacturers “because our consumers are paying a tariff so as to protect domestic manufacturing.

“But what is the country with the largest manufacturing base in Caricom? That country, as you know, is Trinidad and Tobago and has always been. So that they’re benefiting a large way from Caricom.

“I hear you talk about Caricom an unreliable partner, but my own judgment is that, you know…it depends on where you sit and what you’re thinking about at the time when you say these things, because there are not many people in the world who are going to look to the North and say that that which they see is either paternal, collegial relationship or that that which they see is something that can be depend can be depended on, in the context of reliability.”

Symmonds said that in an unpredictable world where you’re “not getting the sense of fraternity and and and camaraderie and collegiality that perhaps you may have wanted to see, I don’t know that you’re going to walk away from a Caricom which has been a trusted, and and true proven partner.

“So I I hear the noise, and I think what we have to do is to remember what I just described as being the fundamental and the unshakable considerations that keep this, have kept it together. That is as far as I could say to you on that,” Symmonds said.

Private sector groups recommit to Caricom

THE Caribbean Community (Caricom) Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) has reaffirmed its commitment to regional integration and the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in light of the ongoing spat involving regional leaders and the future direction of the 15-member grouping.

In a statement, the CPSO said since it became an “associate institution” within Caricom, it has worked with fellow private sector companies and business organisations “to advance projects and representations to pursue the noble objectives of the CSME,” which allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the region.

The CPSO said that the CSME has “delivered tangible benefits to firms and workers throughout the region, supporting significant intra-regional trade, strengthening regional supply chains and contributing meaningfully to foreign exchange earnings and economic activity in member states, including Trinidad and Tobago.”

In recent days, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to “produce the evidence” that Caricom, including Antigua and Barbuda had aligned itself with “the Maduro narco government headed by a dictator,” in Venezuela.

She said that Venezuela has been threatening to invade Guyana for years, and since last June, began making similar threats that Trinidad and Tobago is a part of Venezuela.

“Yet Caricom has chosen to support the Maduro narco government through the fake zone of peace narrative which is clearly designed to get the American military to leave the Caribbean region and therefore enable Maduro to remain as dictator in Venezuela.

“An organisation that chooses to disparage our greatest ally the United States but lends support to the Maduro narco-government headed by a dictator who has imprisoned and killed thousands of civilians and opposition members as well as threatened two Caricom members is one that has clearly lost its way,” Persad-Bissessar said in a statement.

“My priority is in the best interests of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago,” she added.

In its statement, the CPSO which serves as the umbrella body for at least seven national private sector organisations, said it places great value on the benefits derived both from intra-Caricom trade “and from the Community’s strong trading relationships beyond the region, including with the United States, the largest collective external trading partner for Caricom.

“From a private sector standpoint, these relationships are not in competition, they are complimentary, reinforcing economic resilience and diversification”.

The CPSO said at a time of global economic uncertainty, “the private sector depends on confidence, stability and constructive engagement among member states.

“In these times, the phrase ‘stronger together’ is particularly relevant. Caricom continues to serve as the forum for leaders, governments, institutions and the people of our Community to join hands and stand shoulder to shoulder. In solidarity to transform vulnerabilities inti assets by building resilience and strategically integrating into the global economy.”

The CPSO warned that in a world of increasing isolation “we recognise that Caricom and the CSME vision are critical for our joint sustainability.

“We acknowledge the collaborative and inclusive framework afforded to the regional private sector by the Caricom Heads in our pursuit of the full implementation of the CSME. We in the private sector across the region are committed to working together with our governments and other stakeholders in Caricom to achieve this vision,” said the CPSO in the statement that was also signed by the Private Sector Organisation of TT, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Barbados Private Sector Organisation, Private Sector Commission of Guyana, the OECS Business Council, the Suriname Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Rum price hike sends Ponche a Creme, black cake prices soaring

T’was the night before a Trini Christmas

and make no mistake,

Folks were excited

for ponche a creme and black cake

Alas! Some bakers expressed a deep fear

that ingredients had become oh so dear.

Since Dave’s budget in October, he tacked on some taxes

that RUMped up Xmas treat prices right up to their maxes.

Increased costs placed a good few in a position

as to not enjoy many a Trini Christmas tradition.

Business Day spoke to businesses

Both big and small

Some said they increased black cake and ponche a creme prices

Others didn’t make any at all.

Alcohol increases humbug Xmas prices

SINCE MINISTER of Finance Davendranath Tancoo announced a 100-per-cent increase in customs duties on rum and spirits – starting with local businesses – Trinidad and Tobago’s bar, beverage, entertainment and night-life industries have been reeling.

Angostura did announce a reduction in the price of alcohol for the remainder of the year, but bar, night club and restaurant owners still complained that sales have gone down significantly in bars.

On October 31, weeks after Tancoo announced the increase in duties for alcohol, Trotters group CEO Peter George Jr announced the closure of its San Fernando branch, citing a list of reasons including steep new taxes and hefty input costs.

The black cake and ponche a creme industries, bolstered by artisans and small business owners who work extra hard to maximise earnings for the brief Christmas season, have also felt the impact of the increase in prices, especially rum and brandy which are key ingredients in these two much loved Trini Christmas delights.

Dawn Ramkissoon-Ali, owner of Aurora Fine Delights, who specialises in ponche a creme and pastelles, is one of many small businesses taking a conscious decision to not make ponche a creme for sale this Christmas.

She told Business Day that, for her, the cost of making it went up by at least $40. She said she would have had no choice but to move the price from $150 a bottle to between $180 and $200.

“It would have just been too expensive to make. We would have had to ask our customers to pay higher prices. It just didn’t make sense,” she said.

“I use both White Oak and Forres Park Puncheon. The prices of both of these rums just skyrocketed. My customers asked if I was making it and I said even if I made it I would be working for free, so it is better I didn’t. They understood.”

Black cake too, was hit hard by the increase in the price of alcohol.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo peruses Olatunde Celestin’s Tunde’s Treats booth at the Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) in July. –

Amrika Singh, owner of Cake Zone, said her prices were also affected by the increase in the price of alcohol, prompting her to increase the price of her black cakes.

However, she said while she did increase the price, the temporary reduction in prices from Angostura lessened the blow.

“Well, there was an increase in alcohol but Angostura agreed to lower prices for December with White Oak and Forres Park Puncheon. So I would say there was a price increase due to the increase in alcohol prices but because of the provisions until the end of December, I didn’t increase it by any exorbitant cost.”

She said her cakes were increased from $150 for an 8-inch foil pan cake last year. This year it is $175.

She said while she didn’t make ponche a creme, her brother did. He also decided not to make any for sale though.

“He was already charging $175 for a bottle last year. Based on the flavour as well it was between $175 and $200 per 750 ml bottle, he said it was almost a 50 per cent increase in the cost. It would have been too expensive for him to make to sell.”

Shirley Roban, a micro-business owner who sells black cake and pepper sauce said she will increase the price of her black cakes from next year.

“Just before the increases came into effect, I bought my alcohol and started soaking my fruits,” she said. “I soak my fruits early, so I didn’t get ketch with the increases.”

Kathy Collins, owner of Copa de Leche in Arima which does both black cake and ponche a creme said she resorted to improvising and compromising on alcohol brand in order to maintains a more competitive price.

“The price of rum really did affect the price of ponche a creme, since it is a key ingredient. We had to either try to get cheaper brands or not make any to sell.”

Instead of Angostura rums, Collins said she resorted to using alternative and cheaper brands of puncheon rum. She said she did the same with milk products. As for black cake, Collins, like Roban began soaking her fruits earlier in the year and was spared the new alcohol prices.

“The only thing I didn’t buy was the sherry brandy, which went up drastically,” she said.

Olatunde Celestin smiles over his delicious range of flavoured ponche a creme at an event in Paramin. –

Olatunde Celestin, owner Tunde’s Treats, who specialises in ponche a creme said his products – including ponche a creme, pastries with ponche a creme and all the different flavours and mixtures including ponche a creme would see an increase in prices.

“It just so happens that my prices were already due for an increase. It was something I was holding off, but when the price of alcohol increased, it was just something I couldn’t hold back on again.”

He said his ponche a creme prices went up from $150 to $180 per bottle.

Other pastries done by Tunde’s Treats such as a doughnut with a ponche a creme-cream cheese filling will also see an increase in price.

“We try to manage the prices because it is a situation where the cost of living itself has seen an increase. You don’t want to price yourself out, but at the same time you want to be able to provide a quality product which requires quality ingredients.

“We have a standardised recipe, so the quality is pretty much the same across the board. We use a formula to produce our ponche a creme and we’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback in terms of the quality – but being one of the more affordable ponche a creme products on the market is one of our key selling points. A lot of customers appreciate that.”

Not only rum went up

It wasn’t just the price of alcohol that affected the price of ponche of creme. The price of other inputs such as milk, eggs and condensed milk have also shot upward.

“Even stuff like the cost of bottles went up,” said Celestin. “While Angostura did absorb some of the increase in the price, that is just one input. Some of the condensed milk over the past five years increased from as low as $66 for a case, now it fluctuates between $80 for the case and can go as high as $93.

“There are other periods where other inputs would also fluctuate. The increase in alcohol is something that we would have to manage but there are other things we have to manage as well. We’re hoping that the balance of our inputs maintain their prices. We hope that we can continue at $180 for our ponche de creme.”

Artisans said while the price increase was noticeable among customers they were still given a lot of support, particularly from their regular and loyal customers.

Delectable black cake slices from Cake Zone. –

Ramkissoon-Ali said while she will not be making ponche a creme next year as well, her pastelles and other treats remain heavily supported by her regular customers.

“With pastelles there wasn’t an increase in prices, but for sure ponche a creme will remain off the menu next year.

“I have new customers but about 85 per cent of our base are repeat customers. People are still making sure that they have quality food for Christmas. They need food. We are also based on tradition, so even if they order smaller amounts, we will still honour our commitment.”

“They (customers) were okay with the increase in price,” said Singh, “However, I think it was because of the quality of the cakes. It (the quality) doesn’t usually change because my ingredients don’t change. I try to stay consistent.

“These are my regular customers as well. I have had them for between three to four years. I also had new customers but my regular client base has carried me through.”

Celestin also said that despite the increase in price loyal customers continued to support.

“At $180 the cost is still good,” he said.

“It may be a little bit harder for people to purchase as many, but people have also been supportive of the price increases. I think people understand the fact that ponche a creme is a drink that contains alcohol and the increase in the price of this key ingredient was sharp.”

 

TTBWA: No HDC housing for the blind

DESPITE reports that the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) had allocated over 120 housing units for 2025, the Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association (TTBWA) said that no blind or visually impaired person benefited from the initiative.

Although noting the importance of long-awaited housing being provided to families, the TTBWA advocated for housing to be provided for all.

“Housing is not merely a social benefit, it is a fundamental component of independence, dignity, safety and inclusion. For blind and visually impaired persons, many of whom face persistent barriers to employment, income stability and accessible living environments, the absence of representation in national housing allocations is a matter of serious concern,” The TTBWA said in a media release on December 25.

“People with disabilities, including those who are blind or visually impaired, are citizens with equal rights and legitimate expectations to benefit from public housing initiatives, particularly where vulnerability and long waiting periods are acknowledged as qualifying factors.”

The TTBWA called for deliberate inclusion of disabled people in future distributions, better tracking of housing applicants with disabilities and more engagement with organizations that represent the disabled community to ensure inclusive housing policies.

“As a nation, our progress is measured not only by the number of homes delivered, but by who is included in that progress. The TTBWA remains ready and willing to engage constructively with policy-makers and housing authorities to support more inclusive outcomes in future allocations.”

Moruga man in court for relative’s death

A 59-YEAR-OLD Moruga man appeared before a High Court Master on Christmas Eve, charged with the manslaughter of his relative Brian Figaro.

Servulus Figaro, also of Moruga, stood before Master Gray in the South Criminal Court “D” on December 24. He was not called on to enter a plea as the matter was adjourned to January 27.

According to reports, Brian Figaro was involved in a heated argument with a relative on December 8. During the altercation, Figaro was allegedly struck several times with a baton, sustaining serious injuries to his head and abdomen.

Three days later, on December 11, Figaro collapsed at his home. He was rushed to the Princes Town District Health Facility, where he was pronounced dead.

Following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on December 23, Servulus Figaro was arrested and charged.

In a separate incident a 26-year-old Petit Bourg man has been remanded into custody after appearing in court charged with the murder of Mickel Browne.

Dylan Collette of Jackson Street, appeared before Master Indira Chinebas on December 24. In addition to murder, Collette faces charges of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and common assault.

The charges stem from an incident on December 5, when 31-year-old Browne of Champ Fleurs, was at a bar in San Juan lining with a group of people. Reports say a gunman approached the group, pointed a weapon at Browne and fired several times before fleeing the scene.

Browne was taken to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. Collette reportedly surrendered to officers at the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (HBI) Region II on December 19. He is expected to return to court on January 7.

Seecheran: Regulated framework for traditional medicine

THIS country has signalled its intention to move toward a regulated integration of traditional medicine into its public health system. Minister in the Ministry of Health Dr Rishad Seecheran described the approach as a strategic step towards more inclusive and people-centred healthcare.

Speaking at the second World Health Organization (WHO) Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi, India, Dr Seecheran told delegates that health systems worldwide are being challenged to become more resilient, culturally responsive and equitable. He said traditional medicine has a role to play in achieving these goals.

Seecheran said the integration of traditional medicine was no longer a marginal issue but an important component of advancing universal health coverage.

“Traditional medicine represents centuries of accumulated knowledge, practices and beliefs deeply rooted in culture and community life,” he said, adding that when appropriately integrated, it can complement conventional medicine, strengthen preventive care and improve management of chronic diseases.

He noted that in Trinidad and Tobago, many citizens already use traditional remedies alongside Western treatments. The task for policy-makers, he explained, was not to ignore this reality but engage with responsibly.

As a result, the government is working toward the standardisation of traditional medicine products, practices and practitioners, and is developing a regulatory framework to ensure oversight, safety and quality.

This effort will be supported by increased investment in research to help facilitate the eventual integration of traditional medicine into the public health sector.

Dr Seecheran said TT intends to partner with international agencies and affiliates to build human resource capacity and to identify appropriate models for integration suited to local needs.

The minister commended the WHO for its leadership through its Traditional Medicine Strategy, which encourages countries to explore the potential of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine while grounding policies in scientific evidence.

Piparo family keeps watch on mud volcano

WORKS and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John spent Christmas morning in Piparo, visiting residents affected by ongoing seismic activity at the mud volcano.

On December 25, John shared a 45-second video on social media, showing her speaking to someone who was surprised to see her in the community on the holiday. In the video, John remarked, “Christmas is just another day when people are in crisis.”

She was accompanied by Ryan Rampersad, chairman of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation, and other officials. At least five homes were affected when the volcano rumbled on Wednesday, spewing hot mud and smoke into the air.

Roads near the volcano sustained major cracks, making them impassable to vehicles.

One of the closest residents to the site, Fedell Solomon, told Newsday by phone that he spent Christmas Day with relatives closely monitoring the volcano.

“It is a bit quiet for now. There are still movements, but not as fast as yesterday. But we have new cracks popping up around the house. The noises from the volcano have lessened a lot. I do not know if it is a sign to worry or not. Overnight, the roadway that was cordoned off has worsened,” Solomon said.

Solomon lives in a two-storey, seven-bedroom house with his wife, three children, and his elderly parents.

“The minister assured us that by next Wednesday, we would have the road rehabilitated to a point where we could have a proper exit, if we have to. We informed her that we are out of water because the main line was ruptured due to the land movement.”

According to Solomon, John pledged to alert the relevant authorities to rectify the water issue.

On the afternoon of December 24, the Rural Development and Local Government Ministry announced that access to the Piparo Road had become restricted due to the volcano’s activity. Earlier in the day, the volcano had shown seismic activity.

The ministry urged people to use alternative routes and, with the traffic restrictions in place, encouraged drivers to exercise caution and adhere to all safety advisories.

Six years ago, in October 2019, Piparo experienced heightened geological activity with mud bubbling and spewing in the air

A major eruption occurred in 1997, forcing evacuations in the community.

Solomon recalled that in 2019, government officials had asked his family to relocate due to increased activity at the site. He said the family was offered an HDC unit at a rental cost of $3,400 monthly for a two-bedroom house, but they chose to remain. Responding to comments on social media, Solomon said the family’s home was built about 38 years ago, before there were any visible signs of a volcano.

“When our house was erected, there were no signs or thoughts of a volcano being there. Some people make comments like ‘Who say build a house on a volcano?.’ For the most part, we have the support of relatives coming over, helping around,” Solomon said.

He also praised fellow villagers in the close-knit community for their help. Solomon said his family, like other villagers and officials, is monitoring the situation.

Christmas joy in south, SWRHA welcomes holiday babies

THE corridors of the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) were filled with extra cheer Christmas morning as the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) celebrated the arrival of two Yuletide bundles of joy.

The SWRHA shared the festive news via its Facebook page, noting the hospital welcomed two healthy baby girls 15 minutes apart.

The first Christmas miracle arrived at 3.45 am to proud parents Kimberly Singh and Azruddin Waseem Ali. The couple was all smiles as they were photographed with their newborn daughter who was tucked warmly in her mother’s arm.

Marking the occasion, nurse Hazel Ann Mills presented the happy couple with a commemorative gift on behalf of the authority. Also present to share in the moment was Patient Care Co-ordinator Sandra Ramkisson-Bholai.

The maternity ward didn’t have to wait long for its second arrival. Just fifteen minutes later, at 4 am, Yalizmar Moreno Mata delivered her baby girl.

From left, Yalizmar Moreno Mata holds her daughter, the second Christmas baby born at the San Fernando General Hospital, at 4 am on December 25. With them are nurse Hazel Ann Mills and patient care coordinator Sandra Ramkisson-Bholai. – Photo courtesy SWRHA Facebook

The newborn, swaddled in pink and sleeping soundly, was the centre of attention as Mata posed for photos with her daughter. Mills and Ramkisson-Bholai were once again on hand to offer congratulations and present Moreno with a gift to celebrate the special Christmas delivery.

Meanwhile, Omella Gill had the first Christmas baby in the East, giving birth to a five-pound boy at the Sangre Grande Hospital Campus.

Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) CEO Angelina Rampersad-Pierre and deputy chairman Dr Stephan Bhagan personally visited to the maternity ward to congratulate the new mother, gifting her a hamper filled with toys, personal-care and baby items. Midwife Marella Mark performed the delivery.

 

SoE and US/Venezuela tensions hit tourist arrivals in Tobago

IT HAS been a blue Christmas Season for many hoteliers and guest house and bed-and-breakfast operators in Tobago, which the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association is blaming squarely on the ongoing military tensions between the United States and Venezuela.

The state of emergency (SoE) – even with no curfew in effect – has also contributed to the downturn in bookings and tourist arrivals, association president Reginald MacLean said during a recent interview with Newsday.

Speaking on Christmas eve on December 24, MacLean said it was clear that tourism in Tobago this Yuletide Season has seen a drop in arrivals.

“The big drop was as a result of the US/Venezuela issue, and this has been compounded by the current state of emergency,” MacLean said.

The association head pointed to the Blue Waters Inn in Speyside – where he is general manager – as an example of the drop. “This Christmas season , we aren’t full, ah mean we ent too bad eh, we’re at approximately 70 per cent. But at this same time in 2024, we were full…booked solid.”

THA Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris. – File photo

Questioned about other establishments across the island, he said the association’s membership had reported a general decline in bookings.

“Listen, Tobago is as busy as it can get with the limited flights and ferry services that we have. When you don’t have enough planes coming into an island, you can’t fill that island’s hotels and hospitality institutions.”

He is calling on government to get serious about tourism.

“They have not at this point. They claim they want to diversify (away from the oil and gas economy) but I am not seeing anything happening positively from the government’s standpoint. All we’ve gotten are promises.”

The association’s former president Alpha Lorde, agreed with MacLean’s sentiments.

Lorde, the general manager of Mt Irvine Bay Hotel said that Mt Irvine was very quiet for the Yuletide season.

“We’ve had a quiet Christmas, unfortunately. But we’re seeing some positive trends as we look to the New Year period.

“Last year Christmas, it was just about the same, so I can say that both 2024 and 2025 have been fairly dismal.” Lorde said other establishments were also feeling the pinch.

“I don’t think there is an operator on the island who would tell you differently. No one can truthfully say that they are having anything close to a bumper Christmas season. That is definitely not the case.”

Lorde said from a tourism standpoint, this year was very challenging.

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine. –

“We started the year with a state of emergency. Then there was the general election and a change in government which in itself was a disruptive period as government-related activity when it came to taking care of the tourism product slowed down.

“Then we went back into another state of emergency, and this US/Venezuela issue…all of these things had an impact on our tourism. We’ve had a dismal year.”

Lorde said he and others in the hospitality industry are hoping, praying and looking forward to better times in 2026.

“I think everybody has a quiet optimism that something is going to break and the dam will start to flow again.”

Newsday made several attempts to contact Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, and THA Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris, for their views, but all calls and WhatsApp messages went unanswered.

 

Minister vows to tackle deficit owed to MTS: Barry Padarath's $850m promise

BARRY PADARATH, Minister of Public Utilities, has vowed to tackle a deficit of $850 million owed to the National Maintenance Company (MTS) under the former PNM regime, he told Newsday in a voice-note on December 23.

The MTS provides security services to schools and law courts, plus other services.

The $m hole in the State enterprise for which Padarath has now become line minister was revealed by Ombudsman Jacqueline Sampson-Meiguel in her special report #2 of 2025 laid in the House of Representatives in November. Sampson-Meiguel was the former Clerk of the House of Representatives.

The report addresses an administrative injustice by the MTS in the delay in payment of retirement benefits.

Padarath said this was a matter he had inherited upon coming into government, after the UNC took office last April.

“We have been in negotiations with our clients, namely the Ministry of Education, which is our major client, where a number of outstanding receivables are due to the company. But these are matters which were left to languish under the former administration.

“It was a runaway horse inside of there in terms of no accountability and no transparency.”

Padarath alleged that friends, family and financiers under the former regime had received bloated contracts at the MTS, allegedly without following proper process.

“Therefore I have been left to settle a number of outstanding payments with contractors. However we are to follow due process. We have to make the contracts are in fact bona fide contracts which would have been done.

“Therefore we are at the negotiation table with the Ministry of Education to sort these matters. So it is active. It is something we are addressing right now and I am hoping within the coming weeks in the new year we would be in a position to settle some of these matters, with the Ministry of Education in particular. There are others as well.”

‘We inherited this from the PNM’

He reiterated that this was a situation that has been left to languish before the UNC administration.

“There were a number of persons within the company itself that did not perform due diligence. Therefore we are taking the necessary steps to hold the (former) management accountable and to put round pegs in round holes instead of the square pegs in round holes that we encountered there.

“That is taking some time in terms of getting the resources and the right people, so there can be a greater degree of transparency and accountability in terms of public funds and also holding clients to their payment and having these payments done in a more timely manner.”

Padarath said the Ministry of Education and others were now at the negotiating table to go through the outstanding receivables, invoicing, etcetera, to ensure due process was followed and that no “ghosts” were being paid in all this.

“There are a number of friends, family and financiers in the PNM who were benefiting in a very significant way through MTS.”

Newsday sent a query via WhatsApp to MTS former chairman Jackie Lazarus, but had gotten no reply.

The Office of Ombudsman had been monitoring claims for payment of retirement benefits when it unearthed the $850 million hole in the MTS’s finances.

The report said MTS told the ombudsman in September that the MTS’s receivables exceeded $850 million. The report said while from time to time the State may owe sums to its enterprises, this becomes a matter of concern when accumulated to a point so as to affect the company’s ability to meet its obligations.

It said MTS has 200 employees retiring annually, creating an average annual retirement liability of $20 million.

“With a workforce of approximately 6,500 employees and other operating costs, the company has informed this office that its financial position has become strained resulting in its inability to honour its commitments to retirees when due.” Most of these people are security officers and maintenance staff whose modest wages would not have let them accumulate any substantial savings to sustain themselves after retirement, such that they rely heavily on the payment of their retirement benefits.

“The company has indicated that if it receives a a significant payment towards its outstanding receivables, it will be in a position to clear the arrears owed to retirees,” the report said.

The report said in 2002–2025 the ombudsman received 68 complaints of unpaid or delayed payment of retirement benefits.

“To date, thirty nine of these complaints received have been successfully resolved, the majority only after repeated and persistent intervention by this office.”

The remaining claimants were still waiting on their benefits including nine waiting more than two years. Some 29 retirees were waiting, while 16 had received partial payments, the report said.

All complaints have submitted the required documentation long before the retirement. A bar chat showed 40 claimants waiting one-to-years and 20 claimants waiting two years plus.

Where a matter is of sufficient public importance, where the ombudsman has made a recommendation, and where within the time specified by him no sufficient action has been taken to remedy the injustice, the ombudsman shall lay a special report on the case in Parliament.

Ombudsman’s report

Alleging insufficient efforts to timely resolve the matter, the special report justified the basis for its issuance: Delays would deny the citizen justice and undermine the standard of public administration. “The decision to escalate a matter is not taken lightly.”

The report detailed one ex-worker who had to wait two years (from January 2023-January 2025) to get a retirement partial payment of $50,000.

The ombudsman used the occasion to dwell at length of the many hardships imposed on a retiring worker who was denied her/his benefits.

Deprived retirees cannot meet their monthly essential living expenses – rent/mortgage, utility bills, good and transport – the ombudsman lamented. Delay meant some were forced into short-term loans, credit arrangements or informal borrowing from family members.

“In some cases, interest-bearing debt quickly accumulated, creating a burden that should never have arisen had the company complied with its obligations.”

Delayed pensions threatened retirees physical health and longevity, the ombudsman said.

“Retirees living with chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and asthma reported difficulty purchasing medication or accessing medical care.

“One retiree stated that she resorted to using expired medication due to the high cost of her prescriptions.”

Further, many retirees felt emotionally stressed, the ombudsman lamented.

“Their repeated attempts to obtain information from the company, often without acknowledgement or response, left individuals feeling ignored, anxious and distressed.

“Several described feeling ‘humiliated’, ‘forgotten’ or ‘treated as though they no longer mattered.'”

The ombudsman lamented the lost dignity for individuals who had dedicated decades of service.

The report said retirement was a time of transition, from active employment to fixed income.

“Any disruption to expected income during this period is more than an administrative inconvenience.

“It undermines personal stability, security and the ability to plan meaningfully for the future.

The delays disrupted that transition and placed a disproportionate strain on individuals, who should have been able to rely on predictable payments.

The report lamented the recurring theme of MTS’s lack of meaningful communication.

“Retirees frequently reported unanswered calls, unreturned messages and an absence of clear time-lines or updates on when payment could be expected.

“This lack of engagement caused prolonged uncertainty and deepened the hardship experienced.”

The ombudsman lamented a pattern of “unjust, unreasonable and improper administration.”

The report noted delays of several months to two years to pay retirees.

“The extent and consistency of these delays over several years amount to a systemic administrative failure rather than isolated errors.”

Misconduct body misconducts itself

YOU MAY have missed it because you were busy with your ham and grog over the yuletide season.

But on December 17, the Court of Appeal handed down what has to be one of the most embarrassing rulings against the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) in that body’s history.

Of all the people in the land, it should be safe to assume that lawyers – as a group of professionals – can be trusted to understand the sacrosanct requirements of due process and procedural fairness.

Not so, given what was revealed in that case, which was a lawsuit brought against the association’s very own disciplinary committee, by a group of lawyers.

That committee is supposed to be the one which upholds standards of the profession.

But in its handling of complaints lodged by a man in 2020 against lawyers who represented him in a land dispute, it is the committee itself that failed to uphold elemental tenets.

According to Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, in his ruling, “There was an absence of the structured approach to a disciplinary hearing that both the complainant and the attorneys…might have been expected to have.”

The rules required a sifting process to determine whether there was a preliminary case to answer before a fuller trial on particulars. That prima facie case stage didn’t really happen.

Instead, said the CJ, “The committee seemed to be engaged at the hearing in trying to understand the complaint and allowed the attorneys representing the appellants to give their views on it.

“The hearing then morphed into a finding of guilt and a discussion on an appropriate penalty and then imposition of a penalty. There was no process for the complainant to particularise his complaint, give his evidence, and most importantly, to be cross examined.”

Transcripts suggested no reasoning was given.

Additionally, Justice of Appeal Nolan Bereaux, concurring, said the committee was “plainly wrong” and, mincing no words, claimed, “The chairman did not proceed with care. Indeed, his approach was almost cavalier.”

Extraordinary are such findings against any committee composed of lawyers; even more extraordinary are such findings in relation to the Law Association, the statutory law profession body, and its disciplinary committee, whose membership at the time comprised one “silk,” one former independent senator and several longstanding attorneys.

The case may well be appealed by all.

For now, the body in charge of dealing with legal misconduct has been found guilty of legal misconduct. We can think of few things more shambolic in our republic.

We are used to questions being asked about standards within the Police Service. For good reason, too, judges are well-scrutinised, from CJs to Masters.

But what does it say when ordinary lawyers, among those most at the frontline of law and order, cannot even regulate themselves properly – or in keeping with the very laws they are sworn to uphold.

Alex Cassidy’s proper love for Trinidad and Tobago

BAVINA SOOKDEO

LOVING Trinidad and Tobago is almost instinctive for locals. When that same devotion captures the heart of a foreigner from his very first encounter, it reveals something truly special about the soul of our islands. For 24-year-old UK-born content creator Alex Cassidy, that love was evident from his very first visit – and with time, it has only deepened.

Cassidy, who now splits his year evenly between Tobago and the UK, has become a familiar face on TikTok and Instagram, where his videos celebrating TT life, culture, food and music have attracted a growing global audience. While content creation may have been unplanned for Cassidy, his connection to TT runs deep, evidenced by his decision to learn and play the national instrument, the steelpan.

“I’ve been coming to Trinidad and Tobago since I was seven years old,” Cassidy explained. “It was my stepdad who introduced me to the islands. He’s Trinidadian, but all his family are Tobagonian. He was born in Tunapuna.”

Those early visits truly impacted on Cassidy. As a child travelling back and forth, he recalls falling in love with the country almost immediately. “From the first time I came here, I started falling in love with the place,” he said. “As I got older, I started to appreciate the culture more… the cooking, the vibes, going out, Carnival – all of that.”

While his upbringing was rooted in England, where he attended Platform One, a creative education college, and trained classically as a pianist, TT shaped his cultural identity in quieter but lasting ways.

Now a working musician in the UK, Cassidy performs as both a pianist and a pannist. Alongside his stepfather, he plays at weddings, private functions and other events, while his steelpan performances are presented as a solo act.

Going viral

Content creation only entered the picture in March 2024, almost by accident. Cassidy had been building a modest house in Tobago and wanted to document the finished product. “It was a board house I built for about £3,000,” he said. Inspired by UK TikTok vloggers documenting life abroad, he posted a video aimed at showing British audiences what was possible in the Caribbean.

“The video blew up in March of 2024,” he recalled. “And then I realised it was all Trinis that were watching the content.” What began as a casual experiment quickly turned into a growing platform. “I never intended to be a vlogger or a full-time one,” Cassidy admitted. “I’m a musician, so I thought maybe I could promote my music. But I’ve ended up turning into a vlogger and not uploading any music,” he laughed.

Drawing from years of lived experience, Cassidy’s content naturally evolved. From cooking and slang to liming, Carnival and everyday island life, his videos reflect an intimate understanding of the culture. “Because I’ve been growing up here, I had so much knowledge,” he said. “The content just kind of developed.”

Love for TT

His love for TT, he insists, was not a sudden realisation but a gradual awakening. “From about the age of ten or 11, I really started to fall in love with the culture, appreciating it even more” he said, recalling moments like driving through Tobago with his stepdad as neighbours called out to him by his nickname ‘What ah ting.’ “That difference in culture, how open people are, how interconnected everyone is…I really liked that.”

Alex Cassidy says one the things he loves about TT is the ability to cook a pot anywhere – by the river, by the beach. –

One childhood experience that left a lasting impression was a harvest he experienced in Tobago. “As a kid coming from England, it was hard to understand why everyone was always together and giving out food,” he said. “But that sense of community, I had never experienced that before.”

So why is TT more meaningful to Cassidy than other places he visited? “It’s nostalgic at this point because I’ve grown up here,” he said. “The food, the freedom of the people, Carnival, the nightlife, the music – soca is so unique. Trinidad has such a strong identity and Trinis are so proud to be Trinidadian, especially those living abroad.”

He describes TT nationals as “very extroverted… very welcoming people” who are always ready to lime, cook and feed you. Even the accent captivates him. “I absolutely love the accent,” Cassidy said. “It’s such a unique mix – East Indian, African, European influences. It’s probably one of the most unique accents in the world.”

While he struggles to choose a single favourite aspect of the culture, moments of togetherness stand out most. “Cooking a pot anywhere – by the river, by the beach – I just love that,” he said. “I absolutely love that.”

The TikToker said he thinks TT gets a negative reputation because of media reports reflecting crime and other ills. While he admitted he feels safe and has not experienced anything negative, he stressed that exercising “common sense” is necessary to staying safe in any part of the world.

Cassidy believes TT as a whole remains underrated on the global stage, particularly from a UK perspective. He explained that while destinations such as Barbados, St Lucia and Jamaica are widely recognised abroad – so much so that his Rastafarian stepfather is often assumed to be Jamaican – TT does not receive the appreciation it deserves. He said this lack of awareness fuels his mission on TikTok: to show British audiences the Caribbean is more than just Jamaica. He emphasised TT is the birthplace of calypso, limbo and the steelpan – iconic elements of Caribbean culture that many people enjoy without realising their origins.

A sense of belonging

With over 136,000 followers on TikTok and 91,000 on Instagram, he wants his followers “to see what the vibes are like… how free the people are, how fun they are.” He said, “I want to show what limin’ is all about and encourage them to come here.”

That mission is already working. “I met a guy in Tobago who said he’d never been here before, and he came because he was watching my videos,” Cassidy shared. “So at least I know it’s worked for one person.”

As he juggles life between two countries, Cassidy wishes he can live in Tobago full-time. He admits he misses plenty when he’s away – “the people, the weather, the beaches… just the way of life.”

That sense of belonging has shown up in small but significant ways. Cassidy shared, with a laugh, that he has even learned how to steups – a sign, he says, that the culture has truly rubbed off on him. He also joked that he loves drinking Puncheon and is looking for a Trini wife. “I’m sure I’m going to find her one day” he laughed.

Ultimately, he hopes his content captures something deeper than visuals. “I recently went to buy some roti and the lady there just invited me into the into the kitchen and showed me how to make a buss-up-shut. It’s that friendliness and homeliness you would never get in England,” he said. “I could go to a million shops there and never get that type of treatment. I want to really show how warm and welcoming Trinbagonians are.”

While Cassidy will be spending the holidays in Tobago, for those TT nationals abroad longing for home, his advice is to “Bring out the ham, bring out the rum… play your parang. Just try not to get too much tabanca – because they know how sweet it is here.

 

The device that is poison

DR LESTER PHILIP

IT’S REMARKABLE that a device small enough to fit in the palm of your hand has become powerful enough to shape – and in many ways damage – the modern household. The smartphone, often praised as one of the greatest inventions of our time, has quietly become one of the most disruptive.

Steve Jobs is celebrated for bringing this innovation to the world, and yes, it has its conveniences. But convenience doesn’t erase the cost. In many families today, the cellphone has become a silent intruder, slipping into our bedrooms, our dinner tables, and even into the sacred spaces of our hearts.

Think about the role this device now plays in everyday life. For many people, the last thing they see at night is not their partner, not their children, not a book or a prayer – but the bright, addictive glow of a screen. If we wake up in the middle of the night, what do we reach for? The phone. And without question, the first thing most people touch in the morning is not a loved one or a moment of reflection, but once again, the phone.

How ironic that Apple – a company named after the fruit in the Garden of Eden – is the one that created a device people cannot resist. I’m not saying the phone is an evil apple, but the symbolism is hard to ignore. Temptation often comes in shiny, appealing packages. And like that first temptation, the consequences have spread far wider than anyone expected.

Today, the cellphone has become the number one source of news for millions of people. Yet the irony is painful: the same place where we get most of our “news” is also the place where most of it is false. Anyone can upload anything, call it breaking news, give it a dramatic headline, and within minutes it spreads like wildfire. By the time people realise it was fake, the damage is already done. Reputations destroyed. Opinions shaped. Lies believed.

More and more, people struggle to tell what’s real from what’s fabricated. Scammers roam freely in this digital paradise, creating fake stories, fake accounts, fake videos, and even fake voices – and the public often swallows it whole.

And the politicians? They’re loving it. This new digital landscape gives them endless opportunities to twist public opinion, manipulate emotions, and gather support with carefully crafted posts designed to divide and inflame. The cellphone has become the greatest tool for brainwashing ever invented – and at this point, it feels unstoppable.

This Christmas, the most requested gift among teenagers and young adults won’t have been a book, or a bicycle, or anything that encourages real imagination. It would have been a cellphone. A device so addictive that many young people react to losing it with more panic and heartbreak than they might feel if a family member just passed away.

Some teenagers behave as if their entire world has collapsed when their phone breaks. Something is deeply wrong when an object made of plastic, electronics, and glass holds more emotional power than the people in our lives.

What’s most dangerous is that we’ve welcomed this device – this subtle poison – into our homes willingly. We consume its influence every day, often unaware of how it is affecting our relationships. And like a sweet poison, it tastes great. It’s fun, convenient, entertaining – until one day you look around the dinner table and realise the people sitting inches apart are worlds away from each other.

Families don’t talk the way they used to. Couples aren’t separated by distance but by distraction. Children grow up with parents who are physically present but mentally absorbed in screens. And children themselves are disappearing into digital worlds, shaped more by social media trends than by family values.

Just as we require a licence to use a gun, I believe we should require a licence to own a smartphone. Learning by trial and error in the digital world is not like learning to ride a bicycle. The consequences can be lifelong. And in some cases, digital ignorance can even cost a life.

We cannot cling to worldly values. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Yet today, many minds – especially young ones – are being shaped not by family, faith, or community, but by influencers, algorithms, and social platforms that reward vanity, outrage, and shallow validation.

We must reclaim what we have allowed to slip away. We must put the device down and reconnect with what truly matters: faith, family, friendship, and presence. The phone may be convenient, but convenience is not the same as wisdom. It is time to choose wisdom. It is time to choose each other.

Early warning on democracy

THE EDITOR: This could be construed as an early warning.

Democracies are not destroyed overnight; they are weakened gradually through silence, excuses, and uncritical loyalty. When supporters applaud every action of a political leader and dismiss all criticism as hostility, accountability erodes and institutions suffer.

This concern is relevant to the current political climate. Support for any leader should never require the suspension of judgement. Healthy democracies depend on scrutiny, dissent, and the willingness of citizens to question decisions made in their name.

History shows that when personality overtakes principle and loyalty replaces accountability, nations drift toward outcomes that are difficult, if not impossible, to reverse. Constructive criticism is not sabotage; it is civic responsibility.

TT’s future depends not on applause, but on informed citizens who place country above party and institutions above individuals.

DR FUAD KHAN

via e-mail

The meaning of Christmas

PAOLO KERNAHAN

WHEN I was younger, there was just something special about Christmas; it’s tough to put your finger on it. There was something in the air that you could almost breathe – everything felt lighter. Fellow motorists would cuss you just a little bit softer as they gave you a bad drive by the roundabout.

“All de bess fuh de season, eh!” That breezy salutation always rolls off the tongue effortlessly; it’s like people mean it.

There are many things I treasure about the seasons of yore. There was a predilection of long-lost friends and family to turn up unannounced to hoover up a spread of black cake, pastelles, ham and other holiday comestibles. These seasonal delights were served, at least in my house, on ornate glass plates designated exclusively for Christmas use. If you were ever caught eating so much as a slice of cheese off these plates out of season, you would incur the wrath of Khan.

And on a Christmas morning, shrouded by a drizzle so fine it was practically a mist, out on the porch or “gyallery,” we kids would endure pinched cheeks from relative strangers who didn’t like us enough to come around more often during the year when no food or drink was in the bargain.

I took for granted all of my mother’s Yuletide self-flagellation; a voluntary campaign of drudgery to hold the entire world of Christmas on her shoulders. She ground fruits in a hand-cranked grinder that looked and felt like a stone crusher repurposed from a quarry.

There was so much work to be done, but far more than was necessary, in retrospect. New curtains every year were a needless flourish and far more exasperating than they were worth. Curtains are to keep people out, not in. And too besides, I don’t recall ever hearing in my entire young life any visitor to our home tell my mother, “But Jackie, who does your curtains? Sublime!”

Speaking of black cake, my sister’s is a close second to my mother’s, which is, to date, unrivalled in its excellence. And I don’t care who vex. A good black cake should have enough rum in it to cause you to fail a breathalyser test with just one slice under your belt; you shouldn’t be able to smoke around it.

Even though I don’t carry on the traditions once practised in my home, it does warm the heart to see others holding the fort, as it were. In my occasional trips to the grocery, I saw several carts bursting with Blue Band. Look, even though Blue Band isn’t even in the same molecular family as actual butter, the cake still have to make!

If you did all your Christmas cooking with the Rolls-Royce of butters like Anchor and such, your meals would have to be served under armed guard. Rising prices increasingly influence the way we celebrate Christmas. If Scrunter’s classic, “Eat something before you go’ were adapted to reflect modern times, it would probably be changed to, “Make sure to eat something before you reach.”

I’ve noticed fewer grocery stores carrying a broad range of chocolates in the way that they once did. Priced at $250 and up, such confections strayed into the territory of major investments. It may be time to take a chance with some of the cheaper Turkish offerings; they’re doing way more than teeth and hair transplants nowadays.

It was quite funny to see so many folks reacting in horror upon discovering their favourite Christmas biscuits were not, in fact, a product of Denmark, but Delhi. The reaction trend online was spurred by the circulation of videos of alleged factories in India manufacturing cookies in less than hygienic conditions. In several videos, many of the workers were of the four-legged, bewhiskered variety. Of course, not all manufacturing facilities in India are the same, but that’s not how internet outrage works. Trinis seem to have forgotten that the biscuits they now scorn cost $22; the real deal is closer to $40.

But, ultimately, it isn’t about the cookies, ham, turkey or pastelles. What so many of us are trying to do is curate an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie in a world that can, at times, seem unrelenting in its hardness. That’s why, to me, Trini Christmas has always been more a feeling than a season – that’s why we do it differently.

Parang With Rome keeps the culture alive

PARANG WITH ROME once again affirmed its place on Trinidad and Tobago’s Christmas calendar as over 3,000 patrons filled the Cipriani Labour College on December 20 for a high-energy celebration of parang, music and festive tradition.

Now in its sixth consecutive year, the event delivered vibrant performances, enthusiastic crowd participation and strong social media buzz, further cementing its status as one of the country’s most anticipated Christmas events, said a media release.

Marcia Miranda during her performance at Parang With Rome. –

Headlined by Itz Rome and powered by Karma the Band, the night featured standout performances from parang icons Eddie Charles, Crazy, Marcia Miranda and Los Alumnos de San Juan. During the evening, Alicia Jagessar of Los Alumnos de San Juan was presented with the Parang With Rome Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the parang genre.

Surprise appearances by soca stars Nailah Blackman, Blakka Dan, Ravi B, Alison Hinds and Iwer George elevated the experience, creating a seamless fusion of parang and soca that united generations of music lovers, the release said.

Nailah Blackman makes a surprise appearance at Parang with Rome. –

Patrons also enjoyed a lively Christmas food village showcasing local seasonal favourites, completing a truly TT Christmas experience. “Parang With Rome is about keeping parang alive and giving people a true Trini Christmas experience,” said Rome. “It’s about preserving our culture, celebrating the season and bringing generations together through music.”

Alison Hinds elevates the exeperience at Parang With Rome. –

With its continued growth and strong cultural impact, Parang With Rome’s sixth staging has set an even higher standard for years to come.

 

Kerby Young bridges cultures at Swahili Fashion Week

TRINIDAD and Tobago based Guyanese-born designer Kerby Young stamped his fashion passport and bridged cultures at Swahili Fashion Week 2025, championing sustainable fashion.

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Celebrating its 18th year, Swahili Fashion Week 2025 once again became a global stage for fashion innovation, said a media release.

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Last year, Young made history as the first Caribbean designer to be featured at this prestigious event. Returning this year with The Journey, a collection symbolising his evolution from Guyana to his established presence in TT with Kerby Young Designs (KYD), he once again captivated audiences.

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While inspired by the vivid colour palette of Santorini, Greece, Young’s collection featured hues of deep Mediterranean blue reminiscent of tranquil waters, crisp whites echoing the iconic Grecian architecture, bright greens evoking lush island foliage and rich reds symbolising the vibrant flowers nestled among Santorini’s stone houses, Young also infused the collection with traditional artisan techniques. He incorporated tie-dyeing and fabric manipulation and collaborated with Crochet Peace to add beautifully handcrafted crochet elements to several pieces, making each garment a testament to cultural fusion, the release said.

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As the models walked to the rhythm of African drums and the soulful voice of Ella Andall and the late Devon Matthews’ D Journey, each piece told a story of heritage and modernity. The finale, set to Lala by Square One, had the audience clapping along, celebrating not just fashion but a journey of self-belief and resilience.

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Half of the collection found new homes in Africa and upon returning to Trinidad, Young plans to produce more pieces – though some signature designs will remain exclusive to this Tanzanian debut.

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“This experience is one I will carry with me forever,” Young shared. “It’s a testament to never giving up on your dreams, and I’m grateful for the warm welcome in Tanzania and the support from my Caribbean and Guyanese roots.”

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With a growing social media following and a successful pop-up shop accompanying his showcase, The Journey is just the beginning of even greater ventures. The Swahili Fashion Week was held on December 5-7 at Parthenon Hall Dar Es Salaam, Kerby showed on the December 7 marking another milestone in his career, the release said.

Swahili Fashion Week, a platform renowned for embracing sustainability, provided the perfect backdrop for Young’s vision. “It was a wonderful bridge of cultures,” Young said, “and I was warmly welcomed in Tanzania. The shared emphasis on sustainability made it a natural fit, and I’m sure I’ll be back.”

 

Everybody does not win with new fireworks rules

THE EDITOR: The new fireworks legislation has the potential to open the proverbial floodgates when it comes to the sale and usage of fireworks throughout TT. Weak legislation is worse than no legislation and the Summary Offences (Amendment) Act 2025 is an example of such.

The fact that permits are not needed for the discharge of fireworks on public holidays means that on any of these 14 days we can – and most probably will – be subjected to fireworks barrages in our residential communities. We booming for Easter. We booming for Labour Day. We just booming.

As if Divali and Old Year’s weren’t bad enough, noise terrorism will become more prevalent in spite of the Prime Minister’s bold promise to curb noise pollution. The PNM’S failure to pass reforming legislation was obscene in itself, but the UNC’s amended act hands over the reins of control, so to speak, to fireworks importers and creates the opportunity for them to run amok. The legislation is a boon to the importers who may see their profits multiply further, as our scarce foreign exchange goes up in smoke.

An uninterrupted hour of fireworks explosion is protracted and horrendous and will inevitably result in harm to humans and animals alike. For those who have eyes to see, let them see: This new legislation seeks to and essentially cements the influence of fireworks importers and places their financial interests above the common good.

“With UNC everyone wins,” but not in this case. Has the family of the child who died on Divali night won? The thousands of pet owners whose dogs have died, ran away never to be found, maybe killed on the roads, have they won?

The parents of autistic children who are traumatised by loud noises, have they won? The elderly and infirm in their homes or in senior citizen homes, have they won? Zoo animals and hospital patients, afforded only a half mile of protection, have they won?

The average citizen who wants to be comfortable in their own home without being jarred by loud noises or burning projectiles falling on their roofs, have they won?

The need to break off from the influence of the fireworks importers and serve the common good through an effective ban on the importation and sale of fireworks is long overdue.

Here’s hoping that this would be the case, so that this government actually has something to boast about and can truly say that with the UNC everybody wins. Time will tell.

MICHAEL JATTAN

Diego Martin

Can police really monitor fireworks?

THE EDITOR: Please allow me space in your newspaper to ask a few pertinent questions on fireworks and loud music in residential areas.

Who is really going to monitor the use f fireworks in residential areas? Was residential areas deliberately omitted from the following list: public hospitals, private hospitals, nursing homes, homes for the elderly, airports, zoos, registered animal shelters, farms, forest reserves and national parks?

Don’t we have the elderly, babies and animals in residential areas? Are we now to experience fireworks on public holidays between 8 and 9 pm as mentioned in the recently passed legislation?

Why no mention was made of scratch bombs? Who is to stop the idiots who walk the roadways and throw these scratch bombs in people’s homes? Do the police have the resources and manpower to answer every call when the matter arises?

Is it not ironic that a smiling and happy managing director of a fireworks company is expecting an explosive Boxing Day sale and a high turnout for its buy one get one free sale at the company? Who will monitor those who discharge fireworks without a permit?

While loud music is banned from bars, etc, what about from house parties in close-knit residential areas and communities where roofs and windows vibrate constantly from the loud pounding music up, yes, to 5 am – just over a week ago?

An accident victim with a fractured hip and ribs lives a mere two buildings away. What could she have done? Can the police really answer to the pleading calls of the elderly and infirmed?

Who really cares? Who really won?

God help us!

S BHAGWANDEEN

Monte Grande