标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a significant community development initiative, Brightstar Lottery has substantially enhanced educational opportunities for residents of The Casa de Corazon Children’s Home in Sangre Grande through its comprehensive After School Advantage (ASA) programme. The organization recently celebrated the new school term by ensuring children at the facility returned with strengthened computer skills and improved digital readiness.

During the December vacation period, Brightstar staff volunteers dedicated their time to revitalizing the home’s computer laboratory while bringing seasonal cheer to the children aged 7-16. This holiday engagement built upon substantial technological investments made earlier in June 2025, when the company conducted minor renovations and donated new desktop computers equipped with specialized digital learning software to create a secure, child-appropriate learning environment.

The technological upgrade features a strategic partnership with education technology provider Age of Learning, granting children complimentary access to the ABCmouse Early Learning Academy platform. This comprehensive digital programme is specifically designed to bolster early literacy, numeracy, and fundamental educational skills.

Shavindra Tewarie-Singh, People & Transformation Regional Senior Manager for the Caribbean, emphasized the program’s significance: “We maintain that consistent access to quality learning tools coupled with positive support can fundamentally alter a child’s developmental trajectory. Our team derived immense satisfaction from spending the holiday season decorating the home, contributing gifts, and sharing a Christmas meal prepared by Brightstar staff while simultaneously facilitating digital literacy training.”

Tewarie-Singh further noted: “Most crucially, we aimed to reassure the children of our ongoing encouragement and support throughout their academic journeys. We take considerable pride in the meaningful investments channeled through the ASA programme at Casa de Corazon, which we believe will generate lasting educational opportunities.”

This initiative represents part of Brightstar’s broader Sustainable Play programme, with ASA serving as the organization’s flagship community project dedicated to ensuring student access to digital learning centers while developing future-ready knowledge and skills. The company continues to champion education, digital literacy, and youth empowerment initiatives throughout communities across Trinidad and Tobago.

In a dramatic confrontation highlighting the dangers of online marketplace transactions, Trinidad and Tobago police eliminated two suspected bandits and apprehended two others during an intelligence-driven sting operation in St. Joseph on January 16.

The operation, conducted by the North Central Division with support from a specialist unit, targeted criminals exploiting Facebook Marketplace to lure victims through fraudulent vehicle sales. Undercover officers arranged a meeting along Mt Hope Road posing as potential buyers, responding to advertisements investigators believed were designed to orchestrate robberies.

According to official TT Police Service (TTPS) statements, four men approached the officers at the designated location and declared a robbery. The situation escalated when suspects opened fire on plainclothes officers, triggering an immediate armed response. Police returned fire, striking three suspects while the fourth accomplice fled the scene.

Two wounded suspects succumbed to their injuries after being transported to Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. The third injured suspect remains hospitalized under police surveillance, while one suspect was apprehended at the scene without injuries. Law enforcement recovered two firearms as evidence from the confrontation.

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro issued stern warnings to criminals exploiting digital platforms, stating: ‘Expect to meet officers who are trained, prepared and ready to act decisively and within the law. We will continue to confront criminality with lawful, measured and decisive action.’

The TTPS has intensified public advisories regarding online transaction safety, urging citizens to verify identities, insist on secure meeting locations, avoid attending transactions alone, and report suspicious activity immediately. Commissioner Guevarro added that anyone harboring the escaped suspect would ‘feel the full brunt of the law.’

Investigations continue as authorities work to dismantle criminal networks operating through digital marketplaces.

No Carnival experience in Trinidad and Tobago is truly complete without sampling the nation’s iconic street foods—particularly the world-renowned Maracas shark and bake and flavorful hot fish pies. These beloved local delicacies, elevated by the distinctive chadon beni sauce, are sought after by both visitors and residents alike.

For those eager to recreate these authentic flavors at home, acclaimed local chef Wendy Rahamut provides accessible recipes that capture the essence of Trinidadian culinary tradition. Notably, she recommends substituting shark with sustainable fish alternatives due to ecological concerns and the pronounced ammonia content in shark meat.

The Maracas Fish and Float recipe features firm fish fillets marinated with chives, chadon beni, garlic, and lime juice, then fried in coconut oil. The accompanying “float” dough combines flour, yeast, sugar, and shortening, formed into rounds and deep-fried until golden.

For Carnival fish pies, a flaky dough encases a savory filling of steamed fish, potatoes, fresh herbs, garlic, and spices, shallow-fried to perfection. Both dishes are traditionally served with a vibrant chadon beni pesto—a blend of shadow beni leaves, Spanish thyme, garlic, hot pepper, lime juice, and olive oil.

These recipes not only offer a taste of Trinidad’s Carnival spirit but also enable home cooks to avoid crowded vendors while enjoying authentic, handcrafted versions of these national favorites.