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  • ‘A woman is not the property of a man,’ judge says in 2020 Avocat Village killing

    ‘A woman is not the property of a man,’ judge says in 2020 Avocat Village killing

    In a landmark ruling addressing domestic violence, High Court Justice Trevor Jones has issued a powerful judicial condemnation against gender-based violence while sentencing Vishal Birju for the 2020 killing of Gabriella Amanda Dubarry, the mother of his child. The court accepted a plea agreement that reduced the charge from murder to manslaughter by reason of provocation, resulting in a final sentence of 12 years and 23 days after accounting for time served.

    The case stems from the January 9, 2020 incident where Birju, disguised in women’s Islamic clothing, forced entry into Dubarry’s Avocat Village residence. The 28-year-old insurance agent was preparing for work when the masked intruder confronted her. According to evidence presented, Dubarry’s mother recognized Birju’s voice and fled the premises, hearing gunshots moments later. She returned to discover her daughter fatally wounded by gunshots to the head and torso, while Dubarry’s infant child, present during the attack, miraculously remained unharmed.

    Justice Jones delivered a stern message alongside the sentencing, emphasizing that “society must understand that a woman is not the property of a man” and that “the retributive sentence must reflect this.” The judge further recommended that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions reconsider accepting plea agreements in cases involving domestic violence and allegations of infidelity.

    During the proceedings, Birju expressed remorse for his actions, particularly acknowledging the impact on his young son: “I turned my son’s fairytale life into a nightmare when I took his mother from him. The person I’ve caused the most pain to was him.”

    Police investigations revealed that Birju had purchased the .38-caliber firearm weeks earlier and confessed to acting under stress related to custody disputes and ongoing conflicts with Dubarry’s family. He subsequently led officers to where he had discarded the weapon following the shooting.

    Legal representation included Michelle Ali and Shuzvon Ramdass from the Public Defenders’ Department for Birju, while state prosecutors Solange Devenish and Josiah Soo Hon represented the prosecution.

  • Trinidad and Tobago Under-20s blank WoLF XI for first ‘Jewels’ win

    Trinidad and Tobago Under-20s blank WoLF XI for first ‘Jewels’ win

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-20 women’s football team claimed their inaugural victory in the DecembHER Football – Jewels of the Caribbean tournament with a decisive 2-0 triumph over TT Women’s League Football (WoLF) United XI on December 18 at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

    The week-long competition showcases both Under-17 and Under-20 divisions, featuring national teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and US-based club Indy Premier SC across both age categories. Additional participants include the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Future Stars XI in the Under-17 bracket and the WoLF XI in the Under-20 group.

    Following challenging opening matches that saw TT’s Under-17 squad suffer consecutive defeats against Indy Premier (4-0) and Jamaica (2-1), and the Under-20 team fall 2-0 to Indy Premier on December 16, the national program finally celebrated success two days later.

    Flanking sensation Sonia Lamarre emerged as the match’s definitive hero, netting both goals in a performance that demonstrated exceptional technical quality. The dynamic winger broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion during the 24th minute, cutting inward from the right flank before unleashing a perfectly curved left-footed strike from approximately 25 yards that found the upper corner.

    Despite numerous additional opportunities, including a narrowly missed long-range free kick from Madison Campbell just before halftime, the score remained 1-0 deep into the second half. TT coach Damian Briggs’s strategic substitution of attacking midfielder Orielle Martin nearly produced a second goal in the 76th minute, but WoLF goalkeeper Akilah George made a crucial save.

    The WoLF XI nearly equalized during a frantic goalmouth scramble in the 86th minute that saw the ball strike the crossbar, with attackers J’Eleisha Alexander and Onika Denoon unable to provide the finishing touch. Lamarre ultimately secured the victory in stoppage time, heading home from close range after defender Kaitlyn Darwent delivered an accurate corner from the right side.

    The result positions Trinidad and Tobago (three points) just one point behind group leaders Jamaica and Indy Premier (both four points), who played to a 2-2 draw in the day’s earlier match. The tournament continues with critical matches at Sangre Grande Recreation Ground on December 20, culminating in championship finals at Hasely Crawford Stadium on December 21.

  • Tafari Waldron, Alexia John land wins at NAAA Cross-Country Champs

    Tafari Waldron, Alexia John land wins at NAAA Cross-Country Champs

    Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain became the stage for athletic excellence on December 13 as the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) Cross Country Championships crowned its champions. The open category titles were seized by former Carifta champion Tafari Waldron and the formidable Alexia John, who both delivered masterclasses in endurance and strategy.

    In the men’s fiercely contested 8K race, Waldron of UTT Patriots demonstrated superior stamina to conquer the four-lap challenge in 28 minutes and 18 seconds. The athlete secured a decisive victory over Defence Force’s Christopher Mitchell, who finished 22 seconds behind at 28:40. MAP’s Donnell Francis claimed the third podium position with a time of 31:09, while Ajani Titus-Baynes completed the top four finishers at 32:54.

    The women’s 6K event witnessed a breathtaking performance from 25-year-old Alexia John of Pace and Performance Factory. Establishing an extraordinary four-minute margin over her closest rivals, John dominated the three-lap race with technical precision and powerful running. Experienced campaigner April Francis of Abilene Wildcats secured second place, while Wolf Pack’s Dana Taylor captured third position in the open division.

    Emerging talents made their mark in the junior categories, with national youth athlete Aniqah Bailey showcasing exceptional promise in the Under-20 women’s 6K. The Pace and Performance Factory runner clocked an impressive 16:25, establishing a nearly three-minute advantage over second-place finisher Kiesha Adams of Memphis Pioneers (19:14). Another Pace and Performance athlete, Ayoola Alfred, completed the top three with 19:44.

    Darius Harding continued his winning streak from last month’s Secondary Schools Track and Field National 5K by triumphing in the men’s Under-20 6K event. The Concorde athlete stopped the clock at 13:18, holding off a strong challenge from Pace and Performance’s Omare Thompson (13:44). Cougars’ Isaiah Alder rounded out the podium with a time of 14:18.

    The Under-17 categories produced equally compelling contests, with Pace and Performance’s Shian Lewis leading a club one-two in the girls’ 4K with 17:02. Gianna Pichery secured second (18:54), narrowly edging QRC Athletics’ La Queen Welch (18:57). In the boys’ equivalent, RJRT’s Jeremy Samaroo (14:31) outperformed Carifta Games 800-meter gold medalist Brion Scott, who finished second in 14:48. Jamal Bailey completed the top three with 14:59.

    Additional youth champions included Secmyah Andrews (girls’ Under-11 2K), Myles Edwards (boys’ Under-11 2K), Nyla Kerr (girls’ Under-15 2K), and Ashton Torres who led a Redline International one-two finish in the boys’ Under-15 2K ahead of teammate Raymond Lewis.

    The masters categories celebrated veteran excellence with victories from Anselm LeBourne (men’s 60-plus 6K), Guswil George (men’s 40-plus 6K), and Susannah Joefield (women’s 60-plus 6K).

  • Orange mixed-berry chantilly cake

    Orange mixed-berry chantilly cake

    NAOMI ANDERSON of Unicakery, a renowned Trinidad & Tobago baking studio, has unveiled the artistry behind her celebrated Mixed Berry Chantilly Cake—a dessert masterpiece harmonizing delicate textures and sophisticated flavors. This creation exemplifies how meticulously crafted components can elevate pastry work into an experience of refined indulgence.

    The cake’s architecture begins with an airy Orange Chiffon Sponge, achieving its ethereal texture through precise technical execution. Egg whites are whipped to soft peaks and carefully folded into a citrus-infused batter containing fresh orange juice and zest. Baked in an ungreased pan and cooled inverted, this sponge forms the foundational layer that perfectly absorbs the berry compote’s juices without becoming soggy.

    The Mascarpone Chantilly Cream introduces luxurious richness without heaviness, blending cold heavy cream with mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Anderson emphasizes temperature control throughout the whipping process to maintain the cream’s soft structure, noting that overwhipping would compromise the desired delicate mouthfeel.

    The vibrant Mixed Berry Compote provides the cake’s flavor centerpiece, combining fresh or frozen berries with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and an innovative dash of aromatic bitters. Thickened with a cornstarch slurry, this compote delivers a sophisticated balance of tartness and warmth that cuts through the cream’s richness.

    Assembly involves horizontal layering of the cooled sponge with alternating strata of cream and compote, finished with a simple yet elegant topping of fresh cream and berries. Anderson recommends refrigerating the assembled cake for up to two days, allowing the flavors to meld while maintaining structural integrity.

    With twelve years of professional pastry expertise, Anderson has transformed Unicakery into both a specialty bakery and educational hub, offering workshops that demystify such technically nuanced desserts. Her approach demonstrates how disciplined technique and quality ingredients can create desserts that are visually impressive yet fundamentally comforting—proof that elegance need not equate to complexity.

  • A trifle for Christmas

    A trifle for Christmas

    The humble trifle, a dessert with origins tracing back to 18th century England, has found a vibrant second home in the Caribbean culinary tradition. What began as a simple “Fool”—a pureed fruit and sweetened cream concoction—evolved through centuries into the layered masterpiece we recognize today: wine-soaked biscuits harmoniously stacked with custard and crowned with whipped cream.

    This colonial import arrived on Caribbean shores with British plantation owners during the colonization era, yet its popularity has not merely endured but flourished with distinctive tropical adaptations. Food writer Wendy Rahamut celebrates the trifle as her preferred Christmas dessert, noting its creamy, fruity, and subtly alcoholic characteristics make it an ideal make-ahead celebration dish.

    Rahamut recounts her early trifle-making experiences featuring sponge cake saturated with cherry brandy beneath thick, sliceable custard. Today, she elevates the dessert using store-bought ladyfingers or jam rolls, complemented by quality spirits, fresh fruit, whipped cream, and toasted almonds.

    The article presents three innovative trifle variations that blend traditional techniques with Caribbean influences:

    1. Wendy’s Fabulous Cheesecake Trifle: A rum-infused creation combining cream cheese, peaches, and ladyfingers, garnished with toasted almonds and cherries

    2. Fruited Trifle Roll: A jelly-roll style presentation with brandy-brushed sponge, custard, fruit cocktail, and whipped cream

    3. Christmas Trifle: A classic layered assembly featuring jam roll, dark rum, mixed fruits, and vanilla custard

    Each recipe emphasizes make-ahead convenience and generous servings, perfect for holiday gatherings. The transformations demonstrate how colonial culinary traditions have been creatively adapted and embraced within Caribbean food culture, particularly during Christmas celebrations.

  • Tancoo: Not a ‘beep’ over salaries and back pay paid on time

    Tancoo: Not a ‘beep’ over salaries and back pay paid on time

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has ignited controversy through his unconventional use of WhatsApp status updates to address media relations and government payments. The minister utilized the platform’s status feature to assert that public servant salaries and partial back pay had been disbursed promptly as committed, while simultaneously accusing local media outlets of biased reporting.

    The digital confrontation emerged when Newsday journalists attempted to obtain clarification regarding the $3.8 billion back pay owed to Public Services Association (PSA)-represented employees. Despite multiple attempts to contact the minister directly between December 16-19, Tancoo remained unresponsive to media inquiries until choosing to communicate via social media platforms.

    According to verified WhatsApp timestamps, the minister’s message declaring successful payments was delivered and read at 2 AM on December 17, though no official ministry updates or press releases confirmed the transaction details. The Treasury Division had previously announced on December 1 that government employee salaries would be processed on December 18.

    PSA President Felisha Thomas, when contacted on December 18, referenced a posted notice regarding agreed payment timeframes but subsequently became unreachable for further commentary. The December 2 agreement between the PSA and Chief Personnel Officer stipulated partial back pay distribution in December, with the promised 10% salary increase—a key campaign commitment of the ruling UNC party—scheduled to take effect in January.

    Critical questions regarding the exact proportion of the $3.8 billion debt addressed this month and the number of benefiting public servants remain officially unanswered, highlighting ongoing transparency concerns within the government’s communication strategy.

  • TT Chamber calls out Government, demands action on forex crisis

    TT Chamber calls out Government, demands action on forex crisis

    The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has issued an urgent appeal for coordinated national action to address the country’s escalating foreign exchange crisis. In a December 19 statement accompanied by a comprehensive working paper, the business organization warned that inaction is no longer viable for the national economy.

    The Chamber’s analysis identifies three primary drivers of the forex shortage: the current exchange-rate regime that has maintained an overvalued TT dollar for over a decade, declining energy production that traditionally supplies over 80% of forex inflows, and excessive dependence on imported goods across critical sectors including food, vehicles, and pharmaceuticals.

    Businesses throughout the economy are experiencing severe operational challenges, including delayed access to foreign currency, rising operating costs, and diminished competitiveness. The Chamber notes that black market currency trading signals deepening market imbalances that threaten economic stability.

    The organization proposes a multi-stakeholder approach involving government, the Central Bank, and private sector collaboration. Key recommendations include aligning the exchange rate with market demand and supply through a gradual transition to a more flexible and transparent framework. The Chamber emphasizes that timely, coordinated action offers a more orderly path toward stability than forced corrections later.

    For the private sector, the Chamber advocates collective measures to increase forex inflows through profit repatriation, foreign direct investment attraction, and leveraging remittances through formal channels. Import substitution initiatives are also encouraged to reduce structural dependence on foreign goods.

    The warning comes amid recent negative outlook revisions from major credit rating agencies Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, both citing concerns about declining forex reserves.

  • Danny Guerra’s SoE detention review stalled

    Danny Guerra’s SoE detention review stalled

    The legal challenge mounted by businessman Danny Guerra against his preventive detention under Trinidad and Tobago’s state of emergency has encountered procedural delays. The Emergency Review Tribunal adjourned proceedings on December 18 to accommodate attorneys representing the Minister of Homeland Security, who requested additional time to prepare written submissions.

    Led by Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, the ministerial legal team’s request for extension faced strong opposition from Guerra’s defense counsel. Richard Thomas, KC, heading a legal team comprising Nerisa Bala and Emily Rampersad, contended that the minister’s representatives failed to adhere to established practice directions governing such review proceedings.

    The tribunal ultimately granted the extension, setting December 23 as the deadline for the minister’s submissions, with Guerra’s legal team afforded until the following day to formulate their response. No subsequent hearing date has been scheduled.

    Guerra’s detention stems from his November 20 arrest by the Special Investigations Unit, which alleges his leadership of an organized criminal network engaged in arms trafficking, money laundering, and illegal quarry operations. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander’s detention order further references an alleged assassination plot targeting a government minister.

    Notably, Thomas received special authorization through Legal Notice 459, gazetted on December 17, enabling his representation in Trinidad and Tobago courts despite not being locally admitted.

    This case represents another chapter in Guerra’s legal difficulties, following previous charges filed on October 11 against both him and his son for unlicensed aggregate processing. Those charges resulted in $50,000 bail for each defendant granted by a justice of the peace.

    The current state of emergency, initially declared on July 18 and extended for three months in October, remains in effect until January 2026, providing the legal framework for Guerra’s ongoing detention without formal charges.

  • Bleak Xmas for NCRHA security officers

    Bleak Xmas for NCRHA security officers

    Security personnel employed by Safety Investigations Security Services, contracted by Trinidad’s North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA), are confronting severe financial hardship as Christmas approaches, with many reporting unpaid wages since September. The crisis emerges from a protracted financial dispute between the security firm and the healthcare authority, creating a cascading effect on frontline workers.

    According to a senior operations officer who spoke with Newsday on December 19, the NCRHA’s failure to settle outstanding payments for contracted services has left the security company without sufficient funds to compensate its employees. This financial deadlock has forced workers to make painful sacrifices during the holiday season.

    One female officer, requesting anonymity due to fears of victimization, revealed the personal toll: “I haven’t purchased Christmas gifts for my children, and with the holiday less than a week away, I must borrow money simply to buy groceries.” Another employee confirmed seeking alternative employment amid the uncertainty.

    Company representatives acknowledged the distress while emphasizing their limited control over the situation. “We understand their frustration, but until we receive payment, we cannot pay them,” one official stated. An accountant within the organization noted efforts to resolve the issue before Christmas but could provide no guarantees, citing complete dependence on government disbursements.

    The security company representatives detailed a pattern of chronic underpayment, explaining that even before the recent government transition, payments were consistently delayed. When partial payments arrived, they typically represented merely five percent of invoiced amounts. “When we received a payment last month, we immediately distributed it to staff,” a representative emphasized.

    NCRHA chairman Dr. Tim Gopeesingh attributed the crisis to what he characterized as years of financial mismanagement predating his administration. He revealed the authority inherited debts totaling $321 million owed to 521 service providers. While the current board has reduced this number to approximately 100 suppliers through structured repayments approved by the Ministry of Health, significant challenges remain.

    Gopeesingh identified systemic procurement irregularities as the core issue, uncovering security companies operating without formal contracts for 18 years and cleaning services functioning without contracts since 2017. These services cost the authority approximately $32 million and $44 million annually respectively, without proper documentation.

    “We cannot authorize payments without valid contracts and verification of delivered services,” Gopeesingh stated. “To do otherwise would constitute financial negligence.” The NCRHA is now strictly adhering to procurement legislation and considering an external professional audit to investigate historical spending practices that diverted resources from patient care. Criminal investigations remain possible as enquiries continue.

  • OWTU stands up for PriceSmart cashiers – ‘give them chairs’

    OWTU stands up for PriceSmart cashiers – ‘give them chairs’

    PORT OF SPAIN – In a remarkable display of labor advocacy, Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) members staged protests outside PriceSmart’s Trinidad outlets on December 19, demanding basic seating accommodations for cashiers rather than traditional wage-related benefits. The demonstration highlighted a 15-year unresolved struggle that has left over 100 local cashiers standing throughout their eight-hour shifts while their counterparts in Jamaica and Barbados enjoy seated positions.

    Union officials presented disturbing health implications stemming from the prolonged standing requirement. Second Vice President Reesa Ramlogan-Jodha detailed numerous cases of chronic back pain, varicose veins, and even pregnancy complications among cashiers. “Having to leave the workplace in pain should not be required as evidence of a productive day,” she asserted, emphasizing concerns about long-term mobility issues that could force workers to “be walking around with sticks” in their senior years.

    The conflict has now reached Trinidad’s Industrial Court as an official trade dispute, though progress remains stalled. First Vice President Sati Gajadhar-Inniss revealed that PriceSmart has failed to submit required evidence or arguments, pushing the next potential hearing to March 2026. The company maintains that without specific legislation mandating seating, no obligation exists to provide such accommodations.

    PriceSmart’s corporate stance suggests seating might interfere with cashiers’ ability to handle merchandise—a position the union characterizes as lacking compassion. Ramlogan-Jodha countered, “The issue of seating should not be a matter of law. It is a matter of choice and all it calls for is some heart.”

    This labor dispute emerges against the backdrop of PriceSmart’s substantial financial success. The American retailer reported $1 billion in fourth-quarter revenue for fiscal 2025 with $31.5 million net income, culminating in annual revenues approaching $5.27 billion. The company continues expanding its global footprint of 56 warehouse clubs, recently acquiring properties in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic for new locations set to open in mid-2026.

    OWTU officials plan to extend their advocacy campaign to all PriceSmart branches across Trinidad. Meanwhile, attempts by Newsday to obtain comments from PriceSmart’s human resources and industrial relations departments on December 19 proved unsuccessful, with managers at multiple locations declining to address the concerns.