标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In the wake of the tragic discovery of 74-year-old Doodhani ‘Mary’ Sooknanan’s decomposing body at her Edinburgh 500 residence, Chaguanas East MP and Minister of People, Family Development and Social Services Vandana Mohit has issued a forceful condemnation against violence targeting senior citizens. Speaking at a UNC press conference on January 11, Minister Mohit emphasized that while specific details of the ongoing investigation remain undisclosed, her government maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward elder abuse and called for collective action to protect vulnerable elderly populations.

Simultaneously, Minister Mohit presented a comprehensive overview of her ministry’s substantial social welfare initiatives, vehemently denying allegations of reduced grant funding. She confirmed that all January 2026 social services grants were processed and disbursed by January 1, acknowledging only a minor delay attributable to technical issues at the National Insurance Board.

The minister revealed that approximately $3 billion in pension payments has been distributed to 100,000 senior citizens through these programs. Between May and December 2025, the government allocated millions in social assistance, including $60 million through the food support program (benefiting 275+ new recipients), over $1 million in home repair grants, and $4 million in disaster relief assistance.

Notable innovations include the inaugural implementation of temporary food card support, with Members of Parliament across all 41 constituencies receiving 60 food cards valued at $550 each for distribution during the Divali season. This initiative expanded during Christmas with 250 food cards per constituency, representing a $5 million investment.

Minister Mohit announced forthcoming reforms to the standard means test assessment, promising modernization that would enhance fairness and better reflect contemporary socio-economic conditions. Additional initiatives include examining child poverty studies, developing a $5 million women’s health fund to address period poverty, and creating structural support systems for disabled citizens.

The ministry is also addressing administrative backlogs through collaboration between NIB and the Immigration Division, with formal mechanisms currently in development. In sports infrastructure, Cabinet has approved designs for an inclusive sporting arena to complement the National Therapeutic and Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities, which began preliminary operations in December 2025 and is scheduled to open fully after staffing and equipment finalization.

After 32 years of operation and a remarkable journey from startup to market leader, Newsday newspaper has announced its permanent closure. The publication, which began in 1993 and achieved the status of Trinidad and Tobago’s highest-selling newspaper within two decades, succumbed to what management describes as ‘a perfect storm’ of industry challenges.

The closure represents more than just the failure of a single publication—it symbolizes the severe pressures facing traditional print media globally. Unlike larger media conglomerates that can absorb losses across diversified portfolios, Newsday operated as a standalone entity with no corporate safety net to cushion year-on-year financial declines that have become endemic throughout the industry.

Multiple converging factors contributed to the newspaper’s demise. The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a significant blow as nationwide shutdowns caused advertising revenue to plummet dramatically. However, management emphasizes that the pandemic was merely one element in a complex crisis that developed over more than a decade.

Financial pressures mounted from multiple directions: raw material costs, particularly newsprint—the company’s largest expense—skyrocketed over the past ten years. Maintenance expenses for specialized printing equipment also increased substantially as manufacturers of crucial components went out of business due to industry contraction.

The company also faced substantial legal challenges, emerging victorious from a prolonged court battle that reached the Privy Council level but left the organization over $3 million out of pocket. Despite winning costs at every judicial level, the slow pace of assessment procedures meant the company could not collect awarded funds while continuing to bear operational expenses.

Consumer behavior shifts proved equally damaging. When Newsday increased its cover price from $2 to $3—still less than the cost of a local doubles snack—40% of readers abandoned the publication. This rejection came despite the hundreds of staff working around the clock to deliver news coverage.

Most devastating has been the advertising collapse: print advertising revenue declined by 75% over the past decade, creating an unsustainable financial model when combined with rising production costs.

In its farewell message, Newsday expressed pride in its legacy of ‘unwavering independence’ in serving the public and gratitude to loyal readers and dedicated staff who worked tirelessly for over two decades. The publication concluded with a warning about democracy itself being under threat when media organizations face existential crises, encouraging continued support for journalists and media colleagues throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

The Trinidad and Tobago football community is confronting a devastating crisis as multiple young football talents have fallen victim to gun violence, prompting urgent calls for systemic reform. Within the past year alone, several promising players have been killed, including 27-year-old former national under-17 footballer Tekay Hoyce, 17-year-old Arima North Secondary player Zwade Alleyne, and 19-year-old Caledonia footballer Jayden Moore among others.

TT Football Association president Kieron Edwards has identified inadequate career pathways and insufficient salaries as fundamental contributors to this tragedy. Edwards emphasizes that current compensation in the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) fails to provide a viable livelihood, with many players earning wages that cannot support basic living expenses. “When you look at some of the salaries these young men are working for, they can’t look at it as a career,” Edwards stated in a January 11 interview.

The association is now pursuing comprehensive restructuring to establish clear professional pathways, collaborating with international bodies for investment and engaging with government authorities. Edwards highlighted the timing is particularly appropriate as a Joint Select Committee prepares to examine the social impact of sports programs on youth delinquency and crime reduction on January 21.

Former national women’s coach Jamaal Shabazz offered a contrasting perspective, asserting that professional football represents “a very narrow path” that requires individual assessment of financial viability. Shabazz noted that some TTPFL players earn between $5,500 and $9,000, comparable to many factory workers’ take-home pay of $4,000-$4,500 after taxes.

Both leaders agree that addressing the crisis requires multifaceted solutions beyond football. Shabazz emphasized that criminal activity affects all societal sectors and called for politicians to ensure equitable distribution of state resources, stating that unequal allocation makes them “criminals too” in their own right. He advocated for strategic discussions with those involved in criminal activities to better understand root causes.

The football community now seeks sustained investment in sports infrastructure, particularly in high-risk areas like La Horquetta where the establishment of La Horquetta Rangers and facility improvements have already demonstrated positive impact. Edwards stressed that investment must be continuous rather than limited to World Cup years, describing sports as “a vehicle to not only inspire the country but to save lives.”

The highly anticipated 36th edition of the St James Children’s Carnival, scheduled for February 8, faces significant financial challenges that threaten its continuation. This beloved junior masquerade parade, which draws hundreds of young participants and thousands of spectators along Western Main Road, St James, requires urgent sponsorship to proceed.

Organized jointly by the St James Community Improvement Committee and the St James Children’s Carnival Committee, the event has historically relied on funding from the National Carnival Commission’s Regional Carnival Committee with additional support from local businesses. Despite persistent financial obstacles, organizers are working diligently to preserve this cultural tradition.

This year’s celebration, themed ‘Colour Wee Carnival,’ features multiple competitive categories including King & Queen of the Bands, Band of the Year in various size divisions, Male & Female Individual of the Year, Best Use of Local Materials, Best Traditional Mas, and the special Yvonne Mungal Challenge Trophy open category.

Registration opened on January 12 at 16 Ranjit Kumar Street, St James, with additional forms available at TTCBA’s secretariat in Queen’s Park Savannah and Crosby’s on Western Main Road. The registration deadline is February 2, with no late entries permitted.

The event’s historical significance was highlighted by former NCC chairman Winston Peters, who in 2020 emphasized that the carnival provides children with “an extra day to jump, exhibit, palance and ramajay.” Former NCC CEO Colin Lucas further noted that children’s carnival ensures the cultural tradition continues “from one generation to another.”

The St James Children’s Carnival has grown to become an integral component of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival celebrations, now rivaling adult events in both costume artistry and attendance. With over 50 registered bands and 200+ individual participants, the event serves as both cultural preservation and community building opportunity, bringing together families, friends, and visitors for a day of creative expression and celebration.

Trinidad and Tobago’s recently enacted 2025 Summary Offences Amendment Act, designed to regulate fireworks usage through permit requirements, faces substantial criticism for its inherent contradictions and inadequate enforcement mechanisms. While the legislation aims to protect vulnerable populations and animals, experts identify significant flaws that may undermine its intended purpose.

The amendment mandates that fireworks users obtain permits from the police commissioner, yet creates explicit exemptions during national holidays at 8-9 PM and on Old Year’s Eve from 11:30 PM to 12:30 AM. These waivers directly conflict with the legislation’s protective goals, as they authorize heightened fireworks activity precisely when traditional celebrations like Divali, Christmas, and Old Year’s observances occur—periods when pyrotechnic usage traditionally peaks.

Environmental and health concerns present additional challenges. The law permits fireworks usage within 0.5 kilometers of sensitive areas including hospitals, farms, forests, parks, and zoos, potentially exposing humans and animals to dangerous pollutants. Scientific evidence indicates that fireworks emit strontium, barium, and aluminum particles that can trigger respiratory issues such as coughing and breathing difficulties. A 2020 Environmental Management Authority survey confirmed that fireworks exposure causes sleep deprivation, irritability, and anxiety in humans, while animals experience panic, trauma, and habitat displacement.

The amendment’s enforcement mechanisms appear particularly insufficient. Violators face mere $450 fines—a sum unlikely to deter dedicated fireworks enthusiasts—while permits cost only $100, making legal compliance relatively inexpensive. This contrasts sharply with the United Kingdom’s model, which imposes fines equivalent to thousands of dollars for illegal fireworks usage.

Legal experts question whether the amendment will achieve meaningful change, noting that Trinidad and Tobago already had fireworks regulations under the Explosives Act. The Supreme Court of India’s recent recognition that fireworks bans often create unpoliceable informal economies raises relevant concerns about enforcement practicality in the Trinidad and Tobago context.

Commentators suggest that rather than implementing potentially redundant legislation, the government should convene a parliamentary joint committee to comprehensively examine human-induced noise and air pollution impacts on all living creatures. Such dialogue should include environmental NGOs, religious groups, and industry stakeholders to develop more effective solutions grounded in intelligent discourse rather than political expediency.