标签： Trinidad and Tobago

As the highly anticipated Tobago Carnival approaches, scheduled for October 24 to 26, concerns over transportation logistics have taken center stage. THA Minority Leader Kelvon Morris has urged Caribbean Airlines (CAL) to increase daily flights to accommodate the surge in demand for the event, now in its fourth year. Speaking at a media conference on October 15 at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort, Morris revealed that CAL’s management has declined to add new flights, despite the overwhelming interest in the carnival. He called on the Chief Secretary to intervene, emphasizing the importance of ensuring smooth travel for attendees from Trinidad and beyond. Reports indicate that hotels, villas, and guesthouses are nearly fully booked, with hoteliers expressing concerns that visitors may struggle to reach the island due to limited transportation options. In response, The Port Authority has announced additional roundtrips on the TT Spirit ferry between October 22 and 29, with four inter-island vessels operating outside their regular schedules. Dexter Sandy, president of the Tobago October Carnival Association (TOCO), had previously appealed for increased air and sea transport to support the event, highlighting the need for collaboration with Caribbean Airlines and the TT Inter-Island Ferry. The carnival’s official events, including the Monarchs of Mas, Pan Omega, and the Parade of Bands, are expected to draw significant crowds, further underscoring the urgency of addressing transportation challenges.

A tragic shooting in Brasso Village, central Trinidad, has left a family in mourning and a community in shock. On October 15, 20-year-old construction worker Christopher Ricardo “Ricky” Joseph was killed when gunmen opened fire at a house along Caparo Valley Brasso Road. His brother, Colly Joseph, 23, and two teenagers, Jerryl Ganness, 15, and Darias Shadrack, 16, were also injured in the attack. The incident occurred around 2 am inside an unfinished wooden structure on the compound of Darias’s relatives. Villagers reported hearing gunshots and later discovered Christopher’s body with multiple bullet wounds. The wounded were initially taken to the Chaguanas Health Centre before being transferred to Mt Hope Hospital. Christopher’s mother, Marsha Joseph, 45, who is visually impaired, recounted her last conversation with her son, who had called to express his love for her just hours before his death. She described Ricky as a reserved individual who, despite his interest in gangster music, was not involved in criminal activities. The family has faced tragedy before, with Marsha’s uncle, Rajindra “Syo” Ramcharan, 33, being shot and killed in February. Christopher’s father, Smith Joseph, 65, who suffered a stroke in 2020 and had a leg amputated, urged the police to fully commit to solving all crimes. The family is now seeking justice for Christopher’s death and his brother’s shooting, expressing their faith in divine justice if the legal system fails. The shooting is believed to be drug-related, and police investigations are ongoing. This incident adds to the growing concern over the rising crime rate in Trinidad, with 299 murders recorded so far this year, including more than two dozen in the past two weeks. Despite the ongoing state of emergency, the monthly murder toll for October has surpassed last year’s figures, highlighting the urgent need for effective crime control measures.

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense promise in transforming crime prevention, offering tools like predictive policing and enhanced detection of illicit activities. Yet, the high costs associated with developing and implementing such technologies, particularly in smaller economies like Trinidad and Tobago (TT), raise critical concerns about affordability, transparency, and the potential for misuse or overreach. The debate centers on whether the benefits of AI can truly outweigh these risks.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has been exploited by various sectors, including food, freight, and utilities, as a pretext for unjustified price hikes. These opaque practices, designed to manipulate public perception, mirror tactics reminiscent of former US President Donald Trump’s dismissal of climate change as a ‘con job.’ Such economic manipulation erodes purchasing power and exacerbates financial strain on individuals and families.

On the environmental front, a glaring inconsistency persists. While some global leaders champion green energy initiatives, major economies like China, Iran, Russia, and Iraq continue to rely heavily on coal and fossil fuels, perpetuating the climate crisis. This dichotomy highlights the intricate interplay between economic interests and environmental sustainability in global energy politics.

Ultimately, whether addressing AI, economic exploitation, or climate policy, the need for transparency, responsible leadership, and strategic planning is paramount. Misinformation and distractions only hinder progress, benefiting a select few while burdening the majority. The call for clarity and genuine action has never been more urgent.

Gordon Laughlin, via e-mail

The 2025 Budget marks a historic milestone by addressing period poverty, a critical issue framed by global and local feminist activism as a matter of public health, human rights, and gender equity. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo highlighted the detrimental impact of period poverty on health and education, particularly for those unable to afford menstrual hygiene products. St Lucia has already taken proactive steps by allocating US$250,000 to support students in need. In response, the finance minister proposed a Women’s Health Fund with an initial $5 million, aimed at launching a pilot program to distribute free menstrual kits in educational institutions and provide menstrual health education to various groups, including men and boys, to foster inclusivity and dismantle stigma. The fund also seeks to address the broader spectrum of menstrual health needs, such as access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and privacy. This initiative builds on previous efforts, such as the removal of VAT on menstrual products in 2001, which recognized these items as basic necessities. The budget also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive sexuality education in schools to empower adolescents with knowledge about their bodies and reproductive health. Organizations like Feminitt and Crown Her TT have been instrumental in advocating for menstrual equity, recommending measures such as a ‘period card’ and increased research on menstrual inequity. The 2025 Budget represents a significant win for people who menstruate, particularly girls and women, and underscores the importance of youth-led activism in shaping state policies.

A violent home invasion in Maloney Gardens has left a nine-year-old boy and his father hospitalized with gunshot wounds. The incident occurred in the early hours of October 15, when the father, awakened by loud banging on his front door around 4 am, initially mistook the noise for a police visit. As he prepared to open the door, two masked assailants forcefully entered the apartment. Sensing danger, the father rushed into his son’s room, but the gunmen pursued him and opened fire, striking both victims in the legs. Emergency services promptly transported the injured pair to a nearby hospital, where they are currently in stable condition. Authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack and are urging anyone with information to come forward.