In honor of San Fernando City Month, the San Fernando Tennis Club is set to organize a one-day Juniors and Open tournament at Skinner Park on November 29, starting at 9 am. This event aims to celebrate the city’s rich tennis heritage and showcase the talents of its standout players. Senior member Patrick Charles highlighted the club’s 62-year history, emphasizing its role in nurturing champions across various local formats. Among its notable alumni are Akiel Duke and Kino Francis, both of whom have represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Davis Cup (Americas) level. Akiel Duke, a 31-year-old left-handed player with a double-handed backhand, first competed in the Davis Cup as a junior in 2014 and made his most recent appearance in 2023. A former University of TT (UT) Patriots Tennis student-athlete, Duke is the 2019 Shell Tranquility men’s singles champion and holds a National Engineering Technician Diploma (NETD) in mechanical engineering. In 2020, he established Duke’s Tennis Academy, now based at Heritage Petroleum, Pointe-a-Pierre. Kino Francis, another product of the San Fernando Tennis Club, has been a member since he first picked up a racquet. Raised in Embacadere, San Fernando, Francis developed through the local tennis pathway and went on to represent Trinidad and Tobago. His passion for player development led him into coaching, where he has made significant contributions. Francis served as the Junior Davis Cup coach in 2023 and 2024, guiding TT to consecutive second-place finishes—the country’s best results in the tournament’s history. In 2025, he coached the boys U14 World Juniors team to a fourth-place finish. Francis also played a pivotal role as an assistant coach for the TT men’s Davis Cup team in 2024. Today, he continues to shape future champions through his tennis academy, Kourtside Konnection, dedicated to developing young talent and expanding opportunities for youth in the sport.
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Colin Mitchell re-elected as chairman of The Shelter
Colin Mitchell has been re-elected for a fifth consecutive term as chairman of The Shelter – A Safe House for Survivors of Domestic Violence. The announcement was made during the organization’s annual general meeting (AGM) held on November 20. The Shelter, which operates with a fully volunteer board, has seen significant progress over the past year, including advancements in the construction of the new WAND Expansion Wing, improvements in internal governance and HR systems, and strengthened collaborations with national institutions.
The AGM coincided with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, highlighting the ongoing urgency of The Shelter’s mission in Trinidad and Tobago, where domestic violence remains a pressing concern. Outgoing board members Sean Medina, Anna-Lise Nanton, and Kelly Betts were recognized for their contributions, while three new members joined the board: Shivan Camacho, an ICT specialist tasked with leading the digitization of the case management system; attorney Andrea De Matas, who will serve as secretary; and Dr. Indira Persad-Couch, a leadership development specialist focused on operational strengthening and stakeholder engagement.
Continuing board members include Stacey-Ann Paty as vice chair, Neela Moonilal-Kissoon as treasurer, and Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards, Dr. Camille Huggins, and Kim Martins. Supporters are encouraged to participate in The Shelter’s 2026 fundraising events, including the Annual Golf Tournament in June and the Shelter Sunset Soirée in October. For more information or to support The Shelter, visit www.trinidadshelter.com.
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Laptops for nation’s students arrive
In a significant move to enhance educational technology, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath announced on Tuesday via a Facebook ‘live’ video that laptops have arrived in Trinidad. These devices are set to be distributed as a Christmas gift to the nation’s secondary school students, fulfilling a key election promise by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The announcement was made at the TTPost headquarters in Piarco, where Padarath was joined by TSTT chairman Kern Dass and acting CEO Keino Cox. Padarath emphasized that the Public Utilities Ministry, leading the laptops in schools program, had tasked state telecoms company bmobile/TSTT with the procurement of these devices. Over the next week, most of the laptops will be handed over to the Ministry of Education for nationwide distribution. Padarath highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating that it represents a progressive step towards equipping students with the necessary technological tools to gain a competitive edge in the future. The laptops come pre-loaded with carefully selected educational content and are accompanied by padded backpacks featuring a charging port, allowing the devices to be charged without removal. Further details on the distribution process will be revealed by the Ministry of Education in the coming days. Padarath expressed his satisfaction with the timely arrival of the laptops, noting that it would serve as a special Christmas gift from the Prime Minister to the students. He also thanked various agencies, including the Customs and Excise department and TTPost, for their collaboration in ensuring the success of this initiative.
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Harris Promenade to become a monument park
The First Peoples of Moruga have made a powerful statement of their ancestral land claim with the unveiling of a majestic golden statue of Amerindian Chief Utayaney on San Fernando’s historic Harris Promenade. The event, held on November 18, coincided with the 37th anniversary of San Fernando’s city status and marked a significant step in recognizing the indigenous heritage of the region. San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris announced plans to transform the Promenade into a “monument park,” inspired by similar spaces in Jamaica and Barbados, emphasizing the importance of the First Peoples among the existing monuments. Grand Chief Eric Lewis of the First Peoples of Moruga expressed both pride and sorrow, noting that the recognition came over 500 years after the displacement of his ancestors. Lewis lamented the ongoing marginalization of indigenous communities, stating, “We are not welcomed in society. We are ostracised, still sidelined, still put on the back burner.” He highlighted the historical injustice of European settlers taking their land and erasing their contributions. Lewis drew parallels with Chief Utayaney, who once led 300 warriors in defense of their land, and vowed to continue the fight for recognition through education and awareness. The event also featured remarks from Alderman Villiana Ramoutarsingh, who emphasized the importance of accurately teaching the history and culture of the First Peoples. Senior Superintendent Subash Ramkhelawan, head of the Whiteland Police Youth Club, which sculpted the statue, pledged to use the country’s 100 police youth clubs to promote indigenous heritage awareness. Kiran Singh, President of the Greater San Fernando Chamber, called for long-overdue recognition of the First Peoples, pledging the chamber’s full support. The ceremony, held in the refurbished amphitheater of the Harris Promenade, included a smoke ceremony and blessings, symbolizing the enduring presence and dominance of the First Peoples on their ancestral lands.
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Maxi drivers ‘hopeful’ after meeting with police
In response to a recent surge in robberies targeting public transport vehicles along the Priority Bus Route (PBR), Route Two maxi taxi drivers are optimistic about newly proposed security measures. These initiatives were developed following discussions between the Route Two Maxi Taxi Association and law enforcement officials, including the head of the transit police. The collaboration aims to address the safety concerns of both drivers and passengers. On November 19, a distressing incident occurred when five men, one armed with a knife, boarded a maxi taxi near Bon Air West. They robbed the driver of $300 and stole personal belongings from terrified passengers before escaping. Brenton Knight, president of the Route Two Maxi Taxi Association, revealed that the association is preparing to implement undisclosed security measures, emphasizing the need for careful planning. He also supported the police’s recommendation for drivers to install dash cams, which could provide crucial evidence in criminal investigations. Assistant Commissioner of Police Rishi Singh highlighted the potential of such footage to aid in solving crimes. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander acknowledged the challenges faced by the transit police, which he claimed had been neglected over the past nine years. Despite these issues, Alexander noted a significant reduction in robberies along the PBR, with only one reported this year compared to ten in the previous year.
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Over 19,000 Women Killed in Five Years Across the Region
A recent United Nations report has unveiled a harrowing reality of gender-based violence in Latin America and the Caribbean, with over 19,000 women killed in the past five years. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) disclosed that 3,828 women lost their lives in 2024 alone, averaging approximately 11 deaths per day. The majority of these murders were perpetrated by current or former intimate partners, highlighting the pervasive issue of domestic violence in the region. Honduras, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic recorded the highest femicide rates, while Chile reported the lowest. In Belize, the Crime Observatory documented nine femicides in 2024, including a recent incident where a Coast Guard officer allegedly stabbed a woman multiple times, leaving her hospitalized. This incident occurred on the eve of the global ’16 Days of Activism’ campaign against gender-based violence. ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, condemned the statistics as ‘unacceptable levels of gender-based violence’ and called for urgent governmental action. He emphasized that femicide is not merely a criminal issue but a profound human rights crisis that hinders societal progress and equality. Although most countries in the region have enacted laws to combat gender-based violence, the UN has cautioned that enforcement remains inconsistent and inadequate.
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Jamaica confirms leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa
The Jamaican government has confirmed a significant outbreak of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease transmitted through contaminated water and soil, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton reported that nine cases have been confirmed, with 28 suspected cases and six suspected deaths linked to the outbreak between October 30 and November 20. The hurricane, a Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica on October 28, causing widespread flooding, landslides, and nearly $9 billion in damages, which created ideal conditions for the spread of the disease. Leptospirosis, which thrives in environments contaminated by the urine of infected animals such as rats, dogs, and livestock, has been recorded in multiple parishes, including St. Elizabeth, St. Catherine, and Hanover. Symptoms of the disease range from flu-like conditions such as fever and muscle aches to severe complications like kidney failure, jaundice, and meningitis. Dr. Tufton emphasized that the outbreak poses a significant public health risk, particularly to farmers, emergency responders, and residents involved in cleanup efforts. Authorities are managing the situation through a coordinated response, including the distribution of antibiotics in hospitals and support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Public health inspectors are working to monitor cases, educate communities, and urge residents to avoid floodwaters. Dr. Tufton noted that the current outbreak far exceeds the typical number of cases observed in previous years, highlighting its unusual scale. Residents are advised to seek medical care if symptoms arise and to take precautions to minimize exposure to contaminated environments.
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Maduro Gives Airlines 48 Hours to Resume Flights
Venezuela’s aviation authority has imposed a stringent 48-hour deadline on international airlines to resume flights to the country, threatening to revoke their traffic rights if they fail to comply. This directive follows the suspension of services by several carriers, including Iberia, Turkish Airlines, and Avianca, in response to a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety alert. The FAA’s warning highlighted escalating security risks and increased military activity in Venezuela’s Maiquetía Flight Information Region, urging pilots to exercise extreme caution during all phases of flight, including overflights, arrivals, and departures. While local carriers such as Caribbean Airlines have temporarily halted operations to evaluate risks, Venezuelan airlines continue to operate unaffected. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has emphasized the need for improved coordination between authorities and airlines, cautioning that Venezuela’s ultimatum could exacerbate the already critical reduction in air connectivity. Meanwhile, the U.S. has escalated tensions by designating Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his allies as members of a foreign terrorist organization, paving the way for stricter sanctions and potential military actions. Maduro has vehemently denied all allegations.
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DRC calls for more balanced and progressive AU-EU partnership
During his participation in the debate on Peace, Security, Governance, and Multilateralism, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) emphasized the critical need to address pressing issues that hinder prosperity and development. Speaking at the AU-EU Summit, Tshisekedi highlighted that peace and security are foundational to any discussion on trade, investment, and human mobility. He described the current situation in the DRC as a ‘critical emergency,’ marked by massacres, sexual violence, forced displacement, and persistent insecurity. Tshisekedi argued that sustainable economic agendas and migration projects cannot succeed if they overlook these human tragedies. He called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism, stressing the importance of transparency, cooperation, and genuine solidarity in addressing global challenges. The president expressed optimism that the summit would mark a turning point in AU-EU relations, fostering concrete actions that prioritize peace, human dignity, and shared prosperity in their collaborative efforts.
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PAHO: Violence against women remains a serious problem in the America
Violence against women and adolescent girls remains a deeply entrenched issue in the Americas, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The findings, released in conjunction with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, highlight the alarming lack of progress in addressing this pervasive problem. Data spanning from 2000 to 2023 reveals that despite heightened awareness and the implementation of multisectoral policies and health service interventions, the reduction in violence has been minimal. Intimate partner violence continues to be the most prevalent form of abuse, with rates showing little change over the past two decades. Britta Baer, an advisor at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), emphasized that the stigma and shame surrounding sexual violence often deter victims from reporting incidents, suggesting that the actual figures are likely far higher than those documented. This underscores the urgent need for more effective strategies and societal shifts to combat this enduring crisis.