Carib Scope

博客

  • Blue Christmas for teachers, city workers: Only back pay for PSA

    Blue Christmas for teachers, city workers: Only back pay for PSA

    A brewing crisis over back pay disbursements has exposed deep divisions between Trinidad and Tobago’s government and public sector unions. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo confirmed on December 5th that only Public Services Association (PSA) members would receive partial back pay before Christmas, leaving other unions empty-handed despite previous agreements.

    The announcement, made outside the Red House before a House of Representatives sitting, immediately drew fierce criticism from union leaders. Contractors and General Workers Trade Union president Ermine De Bique-Meade expressed profound disappointment, accusing both Tancoo and Chief Personnel Officer Dr. Daryl Dindial of “playing games with the lives of workers” at the San Fernando City Corporation.

    Simultaneously, TT Unified Teachers’ Association president Crystal Ashe appealed directly to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for intervention, referencing her frequent claims of unparalleled affection for the nation’s workers. Ashe emphasized that teachers had honorably accepted a five percent salary increase for 2020-2023 back in April, yet nine months later, no payment mechanisms had been established.

    The situation grew more contentious when Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar addressed the Lower House later that day. While reaffirming her government’s commitment to paying PSA members their promised ten percent settlement—including a Christmas cash advance against the $3.8 billion total arrears—she notably omitted any mention of other unions’ pending agreements.

    This selective approach has created widespread frustration among workers who made financial commitments based on government assurances. Union leaders argue that the delayed payments effectively diminish the purchasing power of earned wages, particularly concerning during the holiday season when financial pressures intensify. The developing situation suggests growing tensions between the administration and public sector workers that may escalate without prompt resolution.

  • Blue Christmas for teachers, city workers

    Blue Christmas for teachers, city workers

    The Trinidad and Tobago government faces mounting criticism from trade unions over its selective approach to back pay disbursements, with only Public Services Association (PSA) members receiving promised payments before Christmas. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo confirmed on November 5 that no arrangements had been made for other unions to receive portions of the $3.8 billion in outstanding back pay owed to public sector workers.

    The announcement has sparked outrage among union leaders representing thousands of workers. Contractors and General Workers Trade Union (CGWU) president Ermine De Bique-Meade expressed profound disappointment, accusing both Tancoo and Chief Personnel Officer Dr. Daryl Dindial of ‘playing games with the lives of workers.’ She revealed that members had made financial commitments based on previous assurances of pre-Christmas payments.

    Similarly, TT Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) president Crystal Ashe appealed directly to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for intervention, questioning the government’s prioritization of PSA agreements finalized mere days before the December 2 announcement while leaving other unions waiting since April ratifications. Ashe emphasized that teachers, curriculum officers, and school supervisors are experiencing genuine financial hardship due to the protracted delays.

    During Friday’s House of Representatives sitting, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar reaffirmed her government’s commitment to the PSA agreement, promising a ten percent settlement and partial back pay distribution before Christmas. However, she notably omitted any mention of other trade unions’ outstanding agreements, leaving many workers facing what union leaders describe as a ‘bleak, blue Christmas’ despite previous government assurances.

  • Soca Sliders close off Park City leg with 7th place finish

    Soca Sliders close off Park City leg with 7th place finish

    The Trinidad and Tobago national bobsleigh team, affectionately known as the Soca Sliders, completed the Park City segment of the North American Cup with a seventh-place finish in the four-man event on December 4th. Competing at Utah Olympic Park, the quartet consisting of pilot Axel Brown alongside athletes Xaverri Williams, Shakeel John, and De Aundre John registered a combined time of 1 minute and 36.68 seconds across two heats.

    The team demonstrated remarkable consistency during their runs, recording 48.33 seconds in the initial heat followed by a marginally slower time of 48.35 seconds in their second attempt. Despite their steady performance, the Trinidadian squad found themselves positioned midway among the 14 competing teams in the final standings.

    Jamaica’s bobsleigh team continued their dominant streak by capturing the top spot with an aggregate time of 1:35.91, edging out second-place Brazil by a mere 0.05 seconds. Canada secured the third position on the podium with a time of 1:36.52, rounding out the top three finishers.

    The Park City competition series yielded varied outcomes for the Trinidad and Tobago delegation. Earlier in the week, the two-man team featuring Brown and De Aundre John achieved a seventh-place tie with Israel on November 30th, followed by a notable silver medal performance the subsequent day. In the initial four-man event on December 3rd, a different lineup including Micah Moore secured a fifth-place extended podium finish before concluding the Utah leg with their seventh-place result.

    The North American Cup circuit now progresses to its next stage scheduled for Lake Placid, New York, commencing January 2nd, where the Soca Sliders will continue their international bobsleigh campaign.

  • Beginner’s croissant dough recipe

    Beginner’s croissant dough recipe

    The delicate art of crafting perfect croissants—long considered the domain of professional patisseries—has been made accessible to home bakers through a comprehensive guide by Naomi Anderson, founder of Trinidad’s Unicakery workshop. This culinary breakthrough centers on mastering laminated dough, the foundational technique behind French viennoiserie.

    The critical success factor lies in temperature management of butter, which must maintain a precise state between firmness and flexibility. When incorporated correctly, butter creates steam during baking that separates dough layers into the characteristic airy, flaky texture. Anderson emphasizes that butter that’s too cold will fracture and compromise layer integrity, while overly soft butter will assimilate into the dough rather than creating separation.

    Anderson’s beginner-friendly recipe utilizes standard ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, salt, milk, eggs, and two cups of butter divided into precisely measured portions. The process involves creating a basic dough ball followed by systematic incorporation of butter blocks through a series of rolls, folds, and chilling cycles.

    The technique demonstration shows butter being divided into eight portions, formed into rectangular blocks through pounding between parchment sheets, and systematically enveloped by dough through multiple laminations. Each cycle requires 20-minute chilling intervals to maintain optimal butter consistency.

    This versatile dough foundation enables creation of multiple pastry varieties including classic croissants, chocolate-filled variations, or Danish pastries. Anderson stresses that gentle handling during rolling preserves the carefully built layers that define quality pastries.

    With twelve years of professional pastry experience, Anderson has transformed Unicakery into a Port of Spain culinary education hub specializing in specialty desserts and hands-on workshops. Her approach demonstrates that patience and precise temperature control can yield bakery-quality results in home kitchens, empowering enthusiasts to elevate their baking capabilities through structured technique mastery.

  • Nalis receives Audience Choice Impact Award

    Nalis receives Audience Choice Impact Award

    The National Library and Information System Authority (Nalis) of Trinidad and Tobago has achieved significant recognition for its groundbreaking efforts in promoting accessibility. The institution was honored as a finalist for the 2025 Inter-American Development Bank President’s Award for Innovation in Service Excellence (Praise) in the Citizen External User Experience Category for its transformative Marrakesh Project.

    During the prestigious awards ceremony hosted at the President’s House on November 26, Nalis received dual honors: their official finalist certification and the distinguished Audience Choice Impact Award within their category. This special recognition, determined by the judging panel, acknowledges the project’s exceptional potential to create meaningful positive change for Trinidad and Tobago’s citizens.

    The Marrakesh Project represents a critical advancement in educational accessibility. As the legally authorized entity under the Marrakesh Treaty, Nalis holds the exclusive mandate within Trinidad and Tobago to produce materials in accessible formats including Braille, audio, and large print publications. This initiative specifically serves students who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled.

    Beyond domestic impact, the project contributes significantly to global accessibility efforts. Nalis systematically converts local educational materials and shares these resources through the international Accessible Books Consortium (ABC), enabling worldwide access to Trinidad and Tobago’s literary and educational content.

    The recognition followed a rigorous selection process. A dedicated Nalis team comprising Helen Johnson, Director of Information Networks Division, and Donna Hall-Comissiong, Librarian IV, presented the project directly to the IDB’s judging panel on October 7. Nalis emerged among 12 finalists from various government ministries and departments, all demonstrating exceptional citizen impact across two primary categories: Internal User Experience and External Citizen Experience.

    Now in its eighth iteration, the IDB’s President’s Awards continue to highlight excellence and innovation within Trinidad and Tobago’s public sector, showcasing initiatives that significantly enhance citizen services and operational efficiency. The 2025 top honors in the External User Experience Category were awarded to the Ministry of Education for its First Year Infant Registration System TT (FIRSTT) project, while the North West Regional Health Authority secured the Internal User Experience award for implementing a Comprehensive Health Information System.

  • Sorrel, ginger – the flavours of Xmas

    Sorrel, ginger – the flavours of Xmas

    As the Christmas season envelops the Caribbean, vibrant tray vans overflow with fresh sorrel blossoms awaiting preparation, while abundant ginger roots stand ready for transformation into traditional beverages. This festive period traditionally involves crafting homemade wines from local ingredients like sorrel, ginger, and tropical fruits. However, these culinary endeavors often result in leftover ingredients that inspire creative culinary innovation.

    Beyond the conventional drinks, these seasonal flavors can be reinvented through various gourmet applications. The ginger-orange-sorrel relish presents a sophisticated condiment combining sorrel petals with citrus, spices, and fresh ginger, boiled to perfection for preservation. For main courses, sorrel glaze elevates short ribs with a complex sweet-spicy profile incorporating pepper jelly, balsamic vinegar, and warm spices.

    Mixology enthusiasts can explore sorrel-based cocktails including a elegant spritzer combining sweetened sorrel with Prosecco and lime, or reinvented mojitos blending mint, rum, and sorrel with soda water. The traditional ginger beer preparation method involves natural fermentation of grated ginger with cloves and lime in sun-warmed bottles.

    Seafood offerings feature prominently with gingery grilled kingfish fillets marinated in sesame oil, soy sauce, and aromatics, served alongside fresh tomato salsa incorporating cilantro, hot pepper, and lime. These culinary innovations demonstrate how traditional Christmas ingredients can be transformed into contemporary gourmet experiences while honoring Caribbean culinary heritage.

  • Naparima get past St Augustine 1-0, inch closer to potential SSFL triple crown

    Naparima get past St Augustine 1-0, inch closer to potential SSFL triple crown

    Naparima College secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against St Augustine Secondary in the Coca-Cola Intercol semifinal at Ato Boldon Stadium on December 5, keeping their ambitious triple crown pursuit alive. The decisive moment arrived in the 55th minute when star striker Riquelme Phillips converted a penalty kick with clinical precision, slotting the ball into the lower right corner as goalkeeper Tyrese Henry dove in the opposite direction.

    The match showcased contrasting styles, with Naparima dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities throughout the contest. Phillips, along with attacking midfielder Jacob O’Reilly and winger Arron Raymond, consistently threatened St Augustine’s defense with penetrating runs and multiple attempts on goal. However, Henry delivered an exceptional performance between the posts, making several crucial saves to keep his team in contention.

    St Augustine, nicknamed the ‘Green Machine,’ mounted intense pressure in the final 15 minutes, displaying remarkable resilience despite being outplayed for much of the match. Captain Giovanni Hospedales led the offensive surge alongside Elijah Baptiste and substitute Jayden Solozano, but they struggled to break through Naparima’s organized defensive wall comprising Antonio Hills, Elijah Edwards, and Sebastian James.

    The penalty decision proved controversial, awarded after an in-swinging corner bounced awkwardly and struck St Augustine defender Mikel Murray on the arm. Despite the setback, St Augustine’s late aggressive push nearly produced an equalizer, creating tense moments for Naparima coach Angus Eve on the sidelines.

    With this victory, Naparima moves one step closer to achieving a historic triple crown, having already secured the SSFL league title and South zone Intercol championship earlier this season.

  • Marcia Griffiths thrills 1st Saturday Night Live at Sky Ultra Lounge

    Marcia Griffiths thrills 1st Saturday Night Live at Sky Ultra Lounge

    The inaugural edition of the Saturday Night Live concert series launched triumphantly at Sky Ultra Lounge in St Andrew on November 29, headlined by a masterful performance from reggae icon Marcia Griffiths. Dressed resplendently in white, the 76-year-old songstress commanded the stage with an hour-long set that seamlessly blended classic hits with profound audience engagement.

    Griffiths commenced her performance by inviting attendees closer to the stage, opening with a nostalgic trip through The Wailers’ catalog with renditions of ‘Put It On,’ ‘Duppy Conqueror,’ and ‘Mellow Mood.’ She transitioned effortlessly into what she termed the ‘national anthem’ – ‘Dreamland,’ a seminal recording from her work with producer Sonia Pottinger.

    The musical journey continued with a string of her signature tracks including ‘I Shall Sing,’ ‘Fire Burning,’ and ‘Land of Love.’ Demonstrating remarkable versatility, Griffiths delivered a soul-stirring interpretation of Nancy Wilson’s ‘(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am’ that garnered overwhelming audience applause. A highlight emerged with her cover of Christine McVie’s ‘Everywhere,’ the track that introduced her to a new generation of dancehall enthusiasts in the 1990s.

    In a poignant tribute to her musical roots, Griffiths dedicated the final segment of her performance to Bob Marley, honoring ‘the brother who took reggae to the four corners of the world.’ She delivered powerful renditions of ‘Buffalo Soldier,’ ‘Iron Lion Zion,’ and a Nyahbinghi-inspired ‘Redemption Song,’ concluding her set with the Bunny Wailer-penned ‘Electric Boogie’ – her most commercially successful hit.

    The evening culminated with a heartfelt birthday celebration as organizers presented Griffiths with a cake commemorating her 76th birthday, which she had celebrated on November 23.

    Supporting acts Space Kat and Lloyd Parks with We The People Band delivered commendable opening performances, with the latter serving as the backing band for all artists. Event promoter Roderick Graham expressed immense satisfaction with the debut event, noting: ‘We implemented an extensive setup to create a beautiful ambiance. The overwhelming positive feedback and expressed satisfaction from attendees perfectly aligned with our initial vision.’

    The concert series continues with its second installment scheduled for December 27 at the same venue.

  • Pablo YG x UglyAndz Tek A Shot

    Pablo YG x UglyAndz Tek A Shot

    Emerging dancehall sensation Pablo YG has joined creative forces with London-based rapper and actor UglyAndz for a compelling new collaborative single titled ‘Tek A Shot.’ The track, scheduled for release through VP Records on November 28th, represents a strategic musical departure that blends contemporary dancehall rhythms with subtle R&B influences.

    Produced through the collaborative efforts of Tevin ‘YGF’ Richards and Danville ‘Phantom Beatz’ McNeal, the composition showcases a more melodic and measured approach to modern dancehall. The recording session took place in London earlier this year, coinciding with Pablo YG’s inaugural UK performance, marking a significant milestone in the young artist’s international career trajectory.

    At just 21 years old, the Ocho Rios-native artist has rapidly ascended to become one of dancehall’s most promising talents. His career gained substantial momentum following a breakthrough performance at Sting 2022 and the subsequent success of his hit single ‘Rich N Richer.’ Pablo YG’s artistic credibility has been reinforced through endorsements from industry heavyweights including Kai Cenat and legendary artist Buju Banton, alongside collaborations with established acts such as Skillibeng, Valiant, and Kranium.

    His professional portfolio includes notable appearances at premier events including Reggae Sumfest, a feature in the Supreme x Clarks fashion campaign, and two prestigious International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA) in 2024 for Best Teen Entertainer and Most Promising Entertainer. Additionally, his participation in the ‘4 Shooters Only From the Block’ series established a viewership record as the most-watched Jamaican installment to date.

    UglyAndz brings his multifaceted talents from North West London, where he has developed a parallel career as an actor, content creator, and musician. The artist gained international recognition through his portrayal of ‘Twosie’ in Netflix’s globally top-ranked series ‘Supacell,’ while simultaneously maintaining a successful music career highlighted by his hit ‘Yo Bunny,’ which has exceeded 100 million streams on Spotify.

  • Jamaica Zoo animals survive

    Jamaica Zoo animals survive

    LACOVIA, St Elizabeth – Defying a trio of devastating setbacks, Jamaica Zoo is undertaking a vigorous recovery effort with plans to partially reopen its doors by December 19. Operator Paul Fearon confirmed that despite the severe impact of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck on October 28, all animals are secure and accounted for.

    Amidst the sprawling, underutilized lands of St Elizabeth’s agricultural parish, Fearon is leading extensive clean-up operations. The zoo, which features a lion, spider monkeys, parrots, and educational exhibits, suffered structural damage including collapsed roofs and non-functional stalls. Fearon emphasized the unique challenges of managing a zoological facility through crises, stating, ‘Operating a zoo is a perishable item. It is not like a supermarket where you can simply close the door and turn off the lights.’

    The zoo’s disaster preparedness protocols proved vital to animal safety. Fearon explained their strategic design: ‘The back of the building has three walls, so debris cannot penetrate. Behind the building is our drainage. Long before the storm, we had an animal security plan implemented.’

    However, the path to recovery remains arduous as the institution contends with compounded challenges from Hurricane Beryl (2024) and the lingering effects of COVID-19 shutdowns. Fearon described the consecutive blows as ‘a real struggle’ that has stretched resources thin.

    While acknowledging visits from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Fearon expressed disappointment with the limited governmental support. ‘After Beryl, Government agencies came and promised help, but those pledges were not honored,’ he revealed, calling for greater priority on environmental and recreational infrastructure.

    Beyond entertainment, Fearon highlighted the zoo’s educational mission, noting its annual program that brings thousands of children under 10 free of charge. ‘We have visitors from across Jamaica who come for the educational aspect regarding both animals and plants,’ he stated.

    With 20 power saws and four debris-removal trucks operating simultaneously, the restoration is progressing. Fearon commended his dedicated staff who ‘commit themselves despite their personal problems’ and remains cautiously optimistic about the phased reopening schedule that will return Jamaica Zoo to its role as a national educational resource.