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The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) has announced that it will award honorary doctoral degrees to three distinguished citizens at its 2025 graduation ceremony on November 19. The honorees include Peter Elias, who will receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts; Israel Khan, who will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws; and Jamwant Maharaj, who will be honored with an honorary Doctor of Science. Additionally, Gilman Figaro, founder and chairman of the Sunshine Awards and a prominent supporter of Caribbean music, will be named an honorary distinguished fellow.

Peter Elias, a renowned figure in the fashion industry, has made significant contributions to couture and Carnival costume design, particularly through his work with The Lost Tribe. His selection marks only the ninth honorary doctorate in fine arts at UTT, with Meiling Esau (2017) being the only other active fashion designer previously honored.

Israel Khan, president of the Criminal Bar Association and founder of Justitia Omnibus Law Chambers, has been a leading figure in the legal field since 1979. In 2023, he was recognized as one of the six most distinguished graduates of the Hugh Wooding Law School on its 50th anniversary. Khan has also served as a tutor at the institution for over three decades.

Jamwant Maharaj, a former chemistry teacher at Naparima College, has authored and published educational books for CSEC and CAPE students. He continues to mentor students through the online platform WEXL, leaving a lasting impact on the field of education.

An honorary doctorate, or honoris causa, is a prestigious recognition of an individual’s lifetime achievements and contributions to society. Unlike traditional academic degrees, it does not require formal scholarship but acknowledges the profound impact of the recipient’s work. This award inverts the conventional educational paradigm by celebrating a body of work that may itself become a subject of academic study.

UTT has a history of honoring influential figures, including Nelson Mandela, who received over 50 honorary degrees for his anti-racism and peace advocacy. Since 2005, UTT has recognized a diverse group of luminaries, such as Geoffrey Holder, Mungal Patasar, and Le Roy Clarke. Notably, only five of these honors have been awarded posthumously, highlighting the importance of celebrating living contributors to society.

In Trinidad and Tobago, where free government-funded education is a norm, 14-year-old Annalisa (name changed) has been left behind due to systemic failures and relentless bullying. Despite passing her SEA examinations in 2023 and being assigned to a secondary school, her educational journey turned into a nightmare. Annalisa faced severe bullying, including physical threats and online harassment via a WhatsApp group, which escalated to the point where she was forced to hide in school and eventually withdraw entirely. Her parents, Cynthia and her husband, sought help from school authorities and the Ministry of Education (MoE) but encountered resistance and bureaucratic hurdles. Despite filing a police report and reaching out to multiple officials, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Michael Dowlath, the family received no substantial support. Annalisa briefly attended a private school but had to stop due to financial constraints. Now, she remains at home, her dream of becoming an attorney fading with each passing day. Minister Dowlath acknowledged the case but cited the ministry’s bureaucracy as a significant barrier to resolving such issues. This case highlights the persistent problem of school violence and the inefficiencies within the education system, leaving many children like Annalisa without access to education.

The peaceful village of Moruga was plunged into grief as Marvin Hamilton, a 45-year-old heavy-equipment driver and father of three, was brutally murdered in his car over the weekend. The tragic incident occurred just days after Hamilton celebrated his 45th birthday, leaving his family and community in shock. His 83-year-old mother, Inez Hamilton, expressed her profound sorrow and faith, stating she is leaving everything in the hands of the Lord. Hamilton’s death marks another tragic chapter for the family, following the natural passing of his father, Dolton, in August last year. Dolton was the grandfather of Moruga/Tableland MP Michelle Benjamin, who mourned her uncle’s untimely death in a heartfelt Facebook post, questioning the senseless violence that claimed his life. Hamilton was described as a quiet, hardworking man who was deeply devoted to his family. His mother recalled his daily check-ins and the phone he bought her to stay connected. The community echoed these sentiments, remembering him as a kind and non-confrontational individual. The circumstances of his death suggest an attempted car-jacking, with Hamilton found in the driver’s seat of his locked Nissan B14. This incident adds to a series of violent crimes in St Mary’s Village, including the murders of Josiah Carthy, Seon Carthy, Drupatee Chance, Enrico Guerra, Anika Guerra, Oba Gill, Brandon Seenath, Nigel Chance, and Surita Deosaran over the past few years. Investigations into Hamilton’s murder are ongoing, as the community grapples with the loss and seeks justice.

In a shocking incident on the evening of November 8, 30-year-old Darrina “Darri Boss” Dow was fatally shot outside Strood’s Bar in Tunapuna. According to police reports, Dow was engaged in a card game with friends when a white AD Wagon pulled up around 10:30 pm. A masked assailant, clad in black, emerged from the vehicle and opened fire, striking Dow four times in the back. The gunman swiftly returned to the car, which then sped away from the scene. A harrowing video of the attack has since surfaced on social media, capturing the tragic moment.

Witnesses recounted that Dow’s father and a bystander rushed her to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival at 11:25 pm. The following day, Newsday visited the scene, finding the bar closed and the outdoor area still wet, with visible water slicks. Residents in the neighborhood remained reticent, revealing only that Dow had rented an apartment a few houses away from the bar but was not originally from the area. A visit to her apartment complex revealed closed gates and no signs of occupancy.

Crime scene investigators from the North Central Division and officers from the Region II Homicide Bureau have processed the scene, and police investigations are ongoing. Efforts to reach the area’s MP and Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, for comment were unsuccessful.

President Christine Kangaloo presided over the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at Memorial Park in Port of Spain on November 9, honoring the soldiers of Trinidad and Tobago who perished in World Wars I and II, as well as other conflicts. The solemn event, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, featured the traditional laying of wreaths at the cenotaph, a monument dedicated to the nation’s fallen heroes. President Kangaloo was the first to place a wreath, followed by Attorney General John Jeremie, who represented an absent Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Other dignitaries, including Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge, and Chief of Defence Staff Captain Don Polo, also paid their respects. Diplomats from Australia, Colombia, Germany, Jamaica, Korea, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Turkiye, Canada, China, Ghana, Argentina, and the European Union delegation participated in the ceremony, alongside Port of Spain Mayor Chinua Alleyne. The event, marked by a brief prayer and no formal speeches, was notably subdued, with fewer spectators than in previous years. The cenotaph, crafted from Portland stone and bronze, bears the names of TT nationals who died in both World Wars and features symbolic sculptures representing courage, sacrifice, and victory. Originally unveiled in the 1920s, the monument has been the centerpiece of TT’s Remembrance Day observances for nearly a century.