标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Authorities in Siparia have launched a criminal investigation into a violent bar altercation that resulted in a 41-year-old man sustaining multiple stab wounds during the evening of December 27th.

According to official police reports, medical personnel at the Siparia District Health Facility alerted local law enforcement approximately at 8:30 PM after the severely injured victim was admitted with penetrating wounds to his cranial region, lower back, upper extremities, and thoracic area. Medical assessment revealed the patient had developed a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) due to the severity of his injuries, necessitating an imminent transfer to Point Fortin Hospital for specialized trauma care.

The investigation faced initial hurdles as detectives were unable to interview the stabbing victim directly, as he remained under heavy sedation to manage trauma and pain. Subsequently, the victim’s brother arrived at the Siparia Police Station providing crucial background information. He disclosed that his sibling had returned to their Queen Street residence around 5:00 AM after socializing at a drinking establishment along Coora Road, already exhibiting the stab injuries. The brother explained that he delayed seeking medical attention until approximately 7:00 PM when the victim began experiencing intensified pain, at which point he transported him to the healthcare facility.

Law enforcement officials are continuing their active investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violent incident, attempting to reconstruct the events that transpired at the Coora Road bar and identify potential suspects involved in the assault.

In a significant policy shift, Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe has committed to reevaluating the ministry’s stance regarding a pivotal 2023 High Court ruling concerning state support for children disabled by the Zika virus. This development follows public appeals from the Zika Foundation of TT and affected families.

The case centers around Davyn Ragoo, born in February 2017 with microcephaly resulting from Zika virus infection. In May 2023, High Court Judge Joan Charles delivered a landmark 34-page judgment upholding a judicial review lawsuit filed by Davyn’s mother, Kavita Ramkissoon-Ragoo. The ruling declared that the State had failed in its constitutional duty to provide adequate support and specialized healthcare for disabled children, specifically violating Section 4(a) of the Constitution guaranteeing the right to life.

Justice Charles’s judgment mandated several immediate actions: provision of urgent specialized healthcare for Davyn, financial assistance to the family, implementation of proper disability management protocols within three months, and payment of damages including aggravated damages for constitutional rights violations.

The previous Health Minister, Terrence Deyalsingh, had announced intentions to appeal the judgment but reportedly took no subsequent action. Families affected by Zika-related birth defects reported receiving none of the court-ordered compensation or support services.

Dr. Karen Sohan, head of the Zika Foundation, emphasized that affected families seek not financial assistance but practical support measures. “These are modest needs,” she noted, “but they carry immense significance in easing daily burdens and preserving dignity” for families caring for children who cannot walk or talk.

Minister Bodoe responded via WhatsApp message, stating: “The health and well-being of our nation’s children remains very high on the agenda of this government and the Honourable Prime Minister. I will review this matter with the legal team to determine whether any further course of action is indicated.” His statement referenced the recent rededication of the Couva Children’s Hospital as evidence of the government’s commitment to children’s healthcare.

The MV Logos Hope, renowned as the globe’s largest floating book exhibition, has made its seasonal berth at Scarborough Harbour, Tobago, marking a significant cultural event for the Caribbean region. The vessel, which commenced its stay on December 19, will remain accessible to the public until January 2 before transitioning to Port of Spain for a month-long engagement from January 3 through February 3.

Operated through a collaborative initiative between international charitable organization GBA Ships and Operation Mobilisation, this unique maritime bookstore boasts an extensive collection exceeding 5,000 literary works. The inventory encompasses diverse genres including children’s literature, fiction, non-fiction, academic references, and educational materials, with a notable representation of publications featuring Christian themes.

The floating cultural center is maintained by an international volunteer crew representing approximately 60 nationalities, creating a multicultural environment for visitors. During its Tobago deployment, the ship welcomes guests daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with final admissions concluding at 9:00 PM. The facility will observe temporary closures on December 25 and January 1 in recognition of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day celebrations.

Admission pricing is structured at $5 for general entry, while complimentary access is granted to children under twelve years of age and senior citizens aged sixty-five and above. All visitors must present valid tickets for entry, with minors requiring adult supervision. The vessel accommodates both cash and electronic payment methods, and prospective visitors have the option to reserve specific time slots through advanced online booking systems.

This visit marks a continuation of the ship’s engagement with the region, following its previous port call in Tobago during 2024. The Logos Hope has established itself as a recurring educational and cultural attraction throughout Trinidad and Tobago, offering unique literary access before proceeding with its international voyage itinerary.

A comprehensive underwater recovery operation continues to search for the remains of Pete Phillip, a 45-year-old Well Services Ltd employee presumed dead following the partial collapse of Rig 110 in the East Soldado Field of the Gulf of Paria in December 2024. Despite four separate diving expeditions conducted last week, search teams have yet to locate any trace of the missing worker.

The prolonged recovery process has left Phillip’s family in emotional limbo as they approach the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. His widow, Candacy, received official updates from Well Services Petroleum Company Ltd confirming the unsuccessful search efforts. The family recently held a memorial service at their La Romaine residence to commemorate the anniversary while maintaining hope for eventual closure.

The complex salvage operation has progressed through multiple phases, with initial stabilization work only commencing in November due to delayed equipment arrival from a U.S.-based contractor and necessary approvals from regulatory bodies including the Environmental Management Agency and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries. Company representatives indicate the search will continue intensively once the damaged rig structure is fully lifted from the water.

Phillip’s legacy includes his five children, youngest among them Javon, born two months after the accident and given the middle name ‘Pete’ in honor of his father. While the family attempts to move forward with life, including celebrating Christmas together, relatives have expressed profound dissatisfaction with the pace of the recovery process, noting that bureaucratic delays have prolonged their anguish.

A prominent women’s rights advocate has expressed profound dismay over PriceSmart’s female cashiers being compelled to seek Industrial Court intervention regarding their employers’ refusal to provide seating accommodations. Hazel Thompson-Ahye, in a compelling editorial letter, revealed that the hearing for this workplace dispute has been scheduled for March 2026—a timeline she considers unacceptably delayed for addressing what she characterizes as a fundamental dignity issue.

The controversy underscores deeper societal insensitivities toward women’s needs in the workplace, according to Thompson-Ahye. She draws parallels to a previous successful advocacy effort where she and other women secured seating for cashiers at Massy Group during an annual general meeting. This earlier victory demonstrated corporate responsiveness to humane working conditions when properly confronted.

Thompson-Ahye’s personal history with Massy Group informs her perspective. She recounts how the company supported her family after her father’s blindness at age 47, continuing his salary until all children completed their education and found employment—a testament to corporate compassion she believes should extend to all workers.

The letter further details her persistent advocacy for gender representation, including challenging the absence of women on Neal and Massy’s board. While eventually successful, the process revealed entrenched resistance masked as opposition to ‘tokenism.’

Thompson-Ahye concludes with an urgent appeal to PriceSmart management, particularly during this season of goodwill, to provide seating immediately rather than awaiting court proceedings. She calls upon fellow advocates to join her in demanding dignified working conditions for female cashiers, emphasizing that physiological differences require accommodation without compromising equality.

A devastating fire on December 26th completely destroyed both the residence and business of a Princes Town family, leaving them without home or livelihood just after Christmas. The incident occurred at the St Julien Road property where 49-year-old Brian Chadee lived with his wife and daughter.

Fortunately, all family members were away from the premises when the blaze ignited, alerted by a neighbor who spotted smoke from a nearby hill. Chadee recounted rushing to the scene only to find his woodworking workshop already engulfed in flames. Despite attempts to control the fire using a garden hose, inadequate water pressure hampered his efforts.

Neighbors quickly organized a bucket brigade in a collective attempt to contain the spreading fire until professional firefighters arrived. Unfortunately, the flames had already reached the main house by the time emergency services intervened.

The property held significant sentimental and financial value for the family. Chadee had inherited the home from his grandmother decades earlier and had substantially refurbished the structure over the years. The adjacent workshop represented a $200,000 investment in specialized tools and materials used for the family’s furniture-making business, which served as their primary source of income.

The complete destruction has left the family facing immense challenges. ‘We have no tools, we have nothing. We have no material, nothing,’ Chadee expressed regarding their business prospects. Currently staying with nearby friends, the family acknowledges the temporary nature of this arrangement.

While the Princes Town Regional Corporation’s Disaster Management Unit has provided initial assistance including mattresses, and the local councilor has visited, the family remains open to community support as they await the fire service’s official investigation results before beginning rebuilding efforts.

The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service has significantly enhanced its operational capabilities through a substantial donation from the US Embassy, featuring two refurbished specialized vans and construction materials for a new whelping facility. The official handover ceremony occurred on December 17 at the Youth Transformation and Rehabilitation Centre in Golden Grove, Arouca, where dignitaries witnessed demonstration exercises by the canine unit.

The refurbished vehicles, purpose-built for the Prison Service’s canine division, and the newly established whelping station represent a strategic investment in institutional security and breeding infrastructure. The breeding facility now enables the unit to maintain and expand its canine population in a controlled, secure environment.

In addition to the transportation and breeding infrastructure, the embassy contributed operational equipment including a mist blower, brush cutter, pressure washer, washable dog pads, and enrichment toys for the animals.

The ceremony attracted high-ranking officials from both nations, featuring Commissioner of Prisons Carlos Corraspe, Deputy Commissioners Hayden Forde, Curtis Guy, and Elvin Scanterbury, alongside US Embassy representatives Chief of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Kelley Whitson, Saleem Boochoon, and Nathan Johnson. Debbie Jacob, a Newsday columnist and longstanding supporter of prison services, also attended the event.

Commissioner Corraspe highlighted the significance of bilateral cooperation, stating: “Today marks a celebration of the relationship between the US Embassy and the TT Prison Service. The Canine Unit represents one of our exemplary divisions, and the US Embassy has made substantial contributions to its development.” Addressing unit officers, Corraspe emphasized their “critical role in national security” and their responsibility for safeguarding both the prison system and broader community.

Whitson expressed strong interest in deepening institutional ties and anticipated ongoing collaboration between the two entities. The partnership reflects mutual dedication to capacity building, rehabilitation initiatives, and public safety enhancement, reinforcing a cooperative framework built upon mutual respect and sustained diplomatic engagement.