分类： society

A devastating fire on November 18 left a prison officer and three elderly women homeless after it destroyed their homes in Manuel Junction, Guaracara, Tabaquite. The fire, which broke out around 1:30 pm, consumed both the front wooden and concrete structure and the rear two-bedroom concrete house, sparing only the kitchen. Rishi Ramlal, 45, his mother Chandra Sammy, 74, and her sisters Sita Sammy, 67, and Tulsie Sammy, 76, lost all their belongings in the blaze. Sita, who lived in the rear structure, recounted smelling smoke and seeing curtains ablaze. Her sisters and Ramlal’s 13-year-old son, who was visiting, escaped unharmed. Despite the loss, the family expressed gratitude for their lives, with Sita stating, ‘The main thing is that we have life. We thank God for that.’ Neighbors attempted to control the fire by throwing water until firefighters from the Chaguanas Fire Station arrived to extinguish it. The Brasso Police Station officers, including Sgt Andrews, PC Mathura, and WPC Kennedy, were among the first responders. The family spent the night at a relative’s home and received a visit from local councillor Henry Awong. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the family is seeking assistance to rebuild their lives.

The future of Carnival 2026 in Trinidad and Tobago remains uncertain as two major venues—the Hasely Crawford Stadium (HCS) and the Jean Pierre Complex—have been banned from hosting fetes for most of the season. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced on November 18 that these venues will only be available for a nine-day window, from the Thursday before Carnival Monday to the Saturday after, with strict operating hours from 12 noon to 10 pm. This follows the earlier decision to prohibit events at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) in Tarouba. Persad-Bissessar emphasized the need to balance cultural traditions with community well-being, addressing concerns over noise pollution. The National Carnival Commission has been tasked with improving sound systems to mitigate noise issues. Promoters are now scrambling to find alternative venues, with some events likely to be canceled. Jules Sobion, a prominent event producer, remains optimistic, stressing the importance of delivering a memorable Carnival experience. Meanwhile, Woodbrook residents have expressed support for measures to control noise, advocating for coexistence with disciplined event planning.

San Fernando West marked the beginning of the Christmas season with a vibrant celebration of music, culture, and community spirit. On November 14, the constituency hosted its first Christmas fundraiser under the patronage of MP and Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath at the Naparima Bowl. The event, aimed at supporting the annual Christmas toy drive, brought together patrons for an evening of live parang music, local cuisine, and festive camaraderie. Singer Joel John opened the night with nostalgic renditions of Christmas classics, setting a warm and cosy tone. The energy escalated with Fuego Caribeño, a parang band from Vistabella, whose fiery performance in vibrant red outfits electrified the stage. Their set included a Spanish twist on ‘Dance with Me,’ Scrunter’s soca parang hit ‘That Eh Working Here Tonight,’ and their award-winning ‘El Annuncio,’ culminating in a lively rendition of ‘La Bamba.’ Una Solo Voz followed, offering a contrasting elegance in black attire. Their performance, accompanied by the legendary Clarita Rivas on the cuatro, showcased the band’s versatility and captivated the audience. Amid the festivities, Dr. Dowlath honoured four distinguished constituents for their contributions to society, including Sabrina Mowlah-Baksh, Dr. Catherine Ali, Ivan Toolsie, and Dr. Jamwant Maharaj. The evening concluded with outdoor celebrations, featuring food stalls and continued music, fostering a sense of community and Christmas cheer while raising funds for the toy drive.

In a significant legal development, Andrew Sutton, a Malabar resident accused of the 2021 murder of Arouca businessman Nicholas Mohith, has been acquitted by the High Court. Justice Nalini Singh delivered the verdict following a judge-only trial at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain. Sutton had been charged with the fatal shooting of Mohith, who was killed at his business premises on March 11, 2021. The incident occurred when an unidentified gunman entered the establishment and shot Mohith before fleeing the scene. Another individual, Renaldo Thomas, was also charged in connection with the murder but was discharged earlier this year due to the prosecution’s failure to present sufficient evidence. Thomas’s case faced repeated delays due to the State’s non-compliance with disclosure requirements, leading to multiple adjournments. Ultimately, Master Sarah De Silva ruled that no further extensions would be granted, and with no evidence presented, Thomas was discharged under Section 24 of the Administration of Justice (Preliminary Inquiries) Act. Sutton was represented by attorneys Delicia Helwig-Robertson and Sara Julien, while the prosecution was led by Shervon Noriega and Cassie Bisram.

Lt Commander Claudio Luces Smith, a 45-year-old Coast Guard officer and welfare officer for Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force, has dedicated over two decades to serving his nation and mentoring its youth. Known in the music industry as Naldinyo, Smith combines his passion for music with mentorship through his Never Give Up project, aiming to inspire young people to overcome challenges and make meaningful life choices. Growing up in Boyce Trace and Kernaham Trace, Chin Chin Cunupia, Smith’s early life was shaped by the values of hard work and discipline instilled by his parents. His journey from Madras Government Primary School to becoming head prefect at Presentation College, Chaguanas, laid the foundation for his unwavering determination. Smith’s career in the TT Defence Force began at 22, driven by a desire to serve his country. A pivotal moment came when he coordinated a life-saving medical evacuation, reinforcing his commitment to service. Beyond his military duties, Smith founded the Futuro Stars Football Academy and Youth Club in 2009, focusing on youth development. Recognizing the power of music, he launched the Never Give Up project, releasing five songs that blend mentorship with positive messaging. Smith’s work addresses critical issues faced by young men, including drug misuse, bullying, and mental health struggles. He emphasizes the importance of positive male role models in guiding youth toward better choices. As a father of four, Smith credits his family’s support and effective time management for balancing his responsibilities. On International Men’s Day, he encouraged young men to embrace determination and persistence, urging them to rise above setbacks and shape their destinies. Smith’s vision is to expand his initiative into schools and community programs, fostering self-belief and purpose among the youth. He also calls on society to celebrate and uplift positive male figures, whose stories can inspire the next generation.

Jack Warner, the 82-year-old former FIFA vice president, has added another milestone to his diverse career by earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Entrepreneurship and Commercial Studies. The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) conferred the degree on November 18 during its 2025 graduation ceremony held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain. Warner’s doctoral thesis, titled ‘Corporate Entrepreneurship and Disruptive Business Model Innovation for Adoption in the Local Print Media,’ explored the challenges faced by the print media industry in adapting to digital transformation. Drawing from his experience as the publisher of the weekly Sunshine newspaper, Warner proposed innovative strategies to help traditional media remain competitive in a digital-first era. His research emphasized the importance of diversifying revenue streams and maintaining credibility in an evolving media landscape. Warner’s academic journey was supervised by Professor Prakash Persad, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, and Professor Pooran Bridgemohan. Accompanied by his supervisors, Warner received a warm reception from President Christine Kangaloo and acting UTT president Rean Maharaj. He was among seven PhD graduates during the morning session and made history as UTT’s oldest doctoral recipient. Warner, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Diploma in International Relations from the University of the West Indies, expressed his elation, stating that his achievement proves ‘education does not have a shelf life.’ He credited his professors, family, and colleagues for their unwavering support during challenging moments. Warner also shared his hope that his accomplishment would inspire young people in Trinidad and Tobago to pursue their dreams relentlessly. Currently studying law, Warner continues his educational journey, demonstrating his commitment to lifelong learning. His son, Daryll, expressed pride in his father’s determination and success, vowing to follow in his footsteps. Warner’s academic triumph comes after a decade-long extradition case related to corruption charges during his FIFA tenure collapsed in the High Court on September 23. Justice Karen Reid ruled that the extradition process was ‘flawed,’ marking a significant legal victory for Warner. Reflecting on his journey, Warner emphasized his mission to rebuild his life and reputation.