In a world increasingly burdened by challenges, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Yet, it is crucial to hold onto hope and extend a helping hand to one another. Renuka Ria Maraj, in her heartfelt letter to the editor, shares a poignant poem that serves as a beacon of light amidst the darkness. Her words remind us of the power of kindness, goodwill, and unity in addressing the world’s pressing issues. Maraj’s poem emphasizes the importance of being ‘salves’ in a ‘world of bruises,’ urging us to restore common courtesy and champion peace and righteousness. She highlights the marginalization of vulnerable voices and the unchecked dominance of big business, which often prioritizes profit over planetary well-being. Maraj’s message is clear: silence in the face of injustice leads to chaos, and it is our collective responsibility to speak out and act before it is too late. Her poetic plea resonates as a call to action, encouraging individuals to become ambassadors of hope and agents of positive change.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Tornado terror
A devastating tornado struck northwest Trinidad on October 7, causing widespread damage in Westmoorings, ripping off roofs, and leaving hundreds without power. The incident, captured on phone cameras, triggered panic and traffic chaos, though fortunately, no injuries were reported. The tornado’s formation was linked to soaring temperatures and shifting air columns, as predicted by the Met Service earlier in the month. This natural disaster occurred just days after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s controversial speech at the United Nations General Assembly, where she criticized global climate change efforts as “blackmail” by developed countries and accused activists of an “antagonistic approach.” Her remarks, which also praised climate-sceptic Donald Trump, marked a stark departure from her predecessor’s pragmatic stance on environmental issues. The tornado has reignited debates over Trinidad and Tobago’s climate policies, particularly in light of the government’s continued reliance on hydrocarbon extraction. While the ruling UNC and opposition PNM spar over funding for the Met Service, the incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive environmental policy reset. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s upcoming budget presents an opportunity for the administration to prioritize diversification and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, as the country faces increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
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Resilience lesson from Gaza
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) report on Gaza, released on October 2, paints a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. Over two years of relentless conflict have left Palestinians grappling with severe injuries, inadequate healthcare, and widespread devastation. The report highlights that 42,000 Gazans are living with life-altering injuries, including damage to the face, eyes, head, limbs, and spinal column, with many suffering from thermal burns. The WHO has recommended medical evacuations for specialized treatment outside Gaza, but the feasibility of such measures remains uncertain due to ongoing restrictions on humanitarian aid and the blockade of essential supplies.
Pregnant women in Gaza face dire conditions, giving birth to premature and underweight babies outside healthcare facilities. Even if these children survive, they are likely to inherit the biological scars of war, with environmental factors such as exposure to toxic chemicals, malnutrition, and psychological stress altering their genes. This phenomenon, observed in the descendants of Holocaust survivors and Vietnamese children exposed to Agent Orange, underscores the long-term impact of conflict on future generations.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, global citizens continue to advocate for Palestinian rights. Recent protests in New York and across Europe have called for a permanent ceasefire, the release of detained activists, and an end to the transfer of arms to Israel. The Global Sumud Flotilla, named after the Arabic word for resilience, symbolizes the steadfastness of Palestinians and the international community’s commitment to their cause.
As the world watches, the question remains: how will Palestinians rebuild their lives amidst the ruins? Their infrastructure, healthcare systems, and schools have been destroyed, and the psychological trauma will require extensive rehabilitation. Yet, the resilience of the Palestinian people serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s capacity to endure and fight for justice.
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Dragon licence to do what?
In a significant policy reversal, the United States government has reinstated the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license, permitting operations in Venezuelan waters to explore the Dragon and Manakin-Cocuina gas fields. This decision comes months after the license was initially revoked, marking a notable shift in the US approach to Venezuela. However, the timing of this move raises questions, given the escalating tensions between the Nicolás Maduro administration and the former US President Donald Trump’s government. Earlier this year, the Trump administration had placed a $50 million bounty on Maduro, further straining bilateral relations. The US military buildup in the region, widely perceived as an effort to oust Maduro, has created an unstable environment for business operations. Additionally, the hostile rhetoric exchanged between the governments of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) and Venezuela has further complicated the situation. Amid these challenges, the feasibility of accessing these hydrocarbon resources remains uncertain. The reinstatement of the license prompts a critical question: Is it more detrimental to lack an operating license or to possess one that cannot be utilized effectively?
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New HRIZONs in Trinidad and Tobago for young tech talent
In a bold move to bridge the gap between global technology demands and local talent, HRIZONS Caribbean has established a thriving hub in Trinidad and Tobago. Spearheaded by Cassandra Patrovani, Managing Director of HRIZONS Caribbean, the initiative began with a candid conversation at a 2023 tech conference. Patrovani challenged Jim Newman, founder of HRIZONS, on the lack of knowledge transfer to the Caribbean despite years of operations in the region. This frank exchange sparked a collaboration that has since transformed into a dynamic workspace at Albion Plaza, Port of Spain, where young professionals are delivering high-quality, billable work for international clients.
The initiative leverages Trinidad and Tobago’s existing frameworks, including the Special Economic Zone and the On-the-Job Training (OJT) programme, to nurture talent from institutions like the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). By March 2024, HRIZONS had partnered with the Ministry of Labour and InvesTT, recognizing the region’s potential as a cost-effective alternative to traditional tech hubs like India and Colombia.
Starting with a rigorous selection process, 100 students were narrowed down to seven finalists, all UTT graduates, who began operations on January 6, 2024. Dubbed the ‘Magnificent Seven,’ these young professionals are now handling back-end technology and front-end client interfaces. By May, the team expanded to include a UWI graduate preparing to take over the IT leadership role. As of September, 12 employees, all under 25, are driving business development efforts.
The HRIZONS Caribbean model emphasizes flexibility, with core office days from Tuesday to Thursday and the ability to work across time zones. Patrovani highlights the importance of adaptability, noting that employees often adjust their schedules to meet the demands of global clients, such as those in Japan. The physical office space fosters collaboration, with teams currently working on projects for Yamaha and preparing for SAP certification exams.
SAP, a cornerstone of HRIZONS’ operations, is a challenging yet essential platform for international business. Patrovani underscores the need for mindset shifts and behavioral changes to effectively adopt such technologies. She also calls for a broader transformation in HR practices, urging professionals to integrate technology and finance into their strategic discussions.
Jim Newman views HRIZONS Caribbean as a pivotal step in the company’s growth, emphasizing its dual focus on client service and talent development. By offering opportunities to work on advanced platforms like SAP and Microsoft, HRIZONS is not only delivering innovative HR solutions but also cultivating the next generation of tech professionals in the region. The partnership with the OJT programme has been particularly rewarding, creating meaningful career pathways and contributing to Trinidad and Tobago’s economic development.
As HRIZONS Caribbean continues to expand, its impact on both the local tech ecosystem and the global business landscape is poised to grow, setting a new standard for talent development and innovation in the Caribbean.
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The cost of neglecting vision, a global burden we can prevent
World Sight Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of October, serves as a stark reminder of the global burden of vision impairment and blindness. Coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) under the Vision 2020 initiative, this day aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) mission to improve global eye health. The campaign emphasizes the critical need for accessible eye care and urges individuals, communities, and policymakers to prioritize vision health. Despite its importance, over a billion people worldwide suffer from preventable or treatable vision problems, highlighting a pressing global issue.
Vision is our most dominant sense, influencing education, employment, safety, and independence. Yet, the WHO reports that 2.2 billion people globally experience visual impairment, with at least one billion cases being preventable. Common causes include uncorrected refractive errors, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease. The consequences of poor eye health extend beyond individuals, creating economic, social, and emotional challenges that ripple through families, communities, and nations.
Economically, uncorrected vision problems cost the global economy over $400 billion annually in lost productivity. Socially, undiagnosed vision issues in children lead to academic struggles, while adults face job loss and the elderly experience depression and social withdrawal. These challenges are exacerbated by limited access to care, particularly in rural areas, and the rising global demand for eye care due to population growth and aging societies.
In Trinidad and Tobago (TT), the situation mirrors global trends. Diabetes, a leading health concern, contributes to diabetic retinopathy, a major cause of vision loss. Additionally, the Caribbean region faces high rates of glaucoma, often undetected until irreversible damage occurs. Poor vision also impacts road safety and education, with children falling behind academically due to uncorrected refractive errors.
Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach: regular eye exams, healthy lifestyles, community screenings, and policy changes to ensure affordable and accessible eye care. World Sight Day underscores that protecting vision is not just about eyesight—it’s about enhancing education, employment, safety, independence, and dignity. By prioritizing eye health, we can alleviate a global burden and improve lives worldwide.
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Driving transformation: Budget blueprint for a resilient economy
As Trinidad and Tobago (TT) approaches fiscal year 2025/2026, the nation stands at a pivotal juncture. The TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TT Chamber) has unveiled a transformative budget blueprint titled ‘Unlocking TT’s Next-Generation Economy,’ aimed at addressing the vulnerabilities of an economy overly reliant on oil and gas. With hydrocarbons contributing 32% of GDP and 75% of export earnings while employing only 5% of the workforce, the Chamber emphasizes the urgent need for diversification and resilience. The blueprint outlines seven strategic pillars: Agriculture and Food Security, Economic Diversification, Government Efficiency, Human Capital Development, Health Sector Reform, Public Safety and Justice, and Digital Transformation. Agriculture, currently contributing less than 1% of GDP, is highlighted as a critical area for reducing the TT$7.3 billion food import bill and enhancing national security. The Chamber proposes a structured three-year plan to develop priority crops like breadfruit, hot peppers, and cassava, supported by Caricom’s 25 by 2025 initiative. The creative industries, including music, film, and fashion, are identified as high-growth sectors with significant export potential. To sustain this momentum, the Chamber calls for stronger intellectual property protection, targeted export promotion, and improved access to financing. Professional services, ICT, marine services, and niche tourism are also seen as key areas for growth. The Chamber advocates for government efficiency through digitized customs management, VAT refund fast-tracking, transparent foreign exchange policies, and a universal payment interface. Human capital development is prioritized with expanded youth employment tax incentives, increased tertiary education tax deductions, and a national STEM roadmap. Health and public safety reforms include diversifying NCD treatment procurement, introducing a sugar tax, and modernizing eHealth legislation. The Chamber’s digital transformation agenda includes a national e-ID system, updated data protection laws, and an AI policy framework, with the Start-Up T&T initiative modeled after Chile’s successful program. The Chamber’s message is clear: TT must embrace bold reforms and public-private collaboration to build a sustainable, competitive, and inclusive economy.
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Why CAL grounded Montego Bay, Kingston to Ft Lauderdale routes
Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) has announced the discontinuation of its flights between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica, effective November 2. This decision is part of the airline’s broader network optimization strategy, aimed at enhancing sustainability and operational efficiency. The routes, which were resumed in December 2024 and March 2025 using a leased Boeing 737-800NG, failed to achieve breakeven load factors despite targeted promotions and discounted fares.