The Court of Appeal has reversed a 2023 High Court decision, mandating the State to compensate retired Coast Guard volunteer David Tannis with $346,836.05 for unpaid salary adjustments tied to his post-retirement service. Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, alongside Justices of Appeal James Aboud and Ricky Rahim, ruled that Tannis was contractually entitled to revised pay rates negotiated for established Defence Force ranks, even though these adjustments were finalized after his volunteer service concluded. Justice Rahim, who authored the unanimous decision on November 14, emphasized that an implied contractual term linked Tannis’s remuneration to increases granted to comparable ranks in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), in line with a Cabinet-approved methodology established in 1980. Tannis, who served as a marine surveyor in the Volunteer Defence Force from May 24, 2004, to May 23, 2012, had his pay aligned with that of a petty officer and later a chief petty officer. However, he only received adjustments for the 2005–2007 period, with subsequent increases for 2008–2010 and 2011–2013 approved four years after his contract ended. The Appeal Court found the trial judge ‘plainly wrong’ in dismissing Tannis’s claim, noting the State’s failure to file a defense or challenge key evidence. The court highlighted that the 1980 Cabinet Minute established a methodology linking volunteer pay to TTDF rates, making it clear that Tannis should benefit from comparable pay increases. While the court rejected Tannis’s request for exemplary damages, it awarded general damages of $346,836.05 for breach of contract, with interest at 2.5% per year from June 16, 2016. The Attorney General was also ordered to cover the prescribed costs of the claim.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Young parranderos face off in El Dorado
The vibrant sounds of parang music filled the air at El Dorado East Secondary School on November 15, as the National Parang Association of Trinidad and Tobago hosted the primary school category of its Junior Parang Festival 2025. Under the theme ‘Somos Un Solo Pueblo’ (We Are One Village), 25 primary schools showcased their musical prowess in two key categories: Tribute to Icons and the musical face-off. The event highlighted the rich cultural heritage of parang, a traditional Trinidadian music genre, while nurturing the next generation of parranderos. Among the standout performances, Isoke Morgan led the Sacred Heart Girls’ RC School parang band, while Dominic Gooding and the Sacred Heart Boys’ RC parang band captivated the audience with their spirited renditions. The festival also featured a chac chac player, whose rhythmic beats added a dynamic flair to the performances. On November 16, the spotlight shifted to 15 secondary schools competing for top honors in the same categories. The Junior Parang Festival continues to be a celebration of unity, creativity, and cultural pride, fostering a deep appreciation for Trinidad and Tobago’s musical traditions.
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San City Steel Symphony hosts Culture on Carib Street
San Fernando is poised to host an electrifying cultural festival on November 15, as Carib Street becomes the epicenter of music, dance, and artistic expression. The event, titled ‘Culture on Carib Street – 12 Hours of Culture,’ is an expanded version of the annual Children’s Jamboree, now encompassing a broader audience and a diverse array of performances. From 11 am to 11 pm, attendees will be treated to a rich tapestry of indigenous art forms, including pan, kaiso, extempo, soca, chutney, parang, spoken word, and masquerade, all accompanied by the rhythmic beats of engine rooms, tassa, and African drums.
Traditionally held in August, the event has been rescheduled to coincide with San Fernando’s 37th anniversary as a city. ‘This year, we aimed to create an inclusive experience for everyone—children, adults, and all culture enthusiasts,’ said Aquil Arrindel, manager of the San City band.
The day kicks off with a lively children’s program featuring bouncy castles, games, and performances by notable young talents such as Junior Calypso King Xhaiden Darius, dancer Ariella Rishana Jugoon, extempo artist Kevan Calliste, and the Presentation College Drummers. Spoken-word artist Colleen Cleghorn and mas presentations by Cari Vog Kids and Anra Bobb and Friends will also grace the stage.
As the afternoon progresses, the focus shifts to adult performers and renowned steel orchestras. Music aficionados can anticipate performances by 12-time Panorama champions Desperadoes, alongside Siparia Deltones, Tornadoes, Birdsong, Kalomo Kings, and the host band, SanCity. The evening lineup includes extempo maestro Abebele, calypsonians Impulse and Ras Kommanda, soca star College Boy Jesse, Blaka Dan, Chutney Soca champion Daddy Chinee, and the Los Alumnos De San Juan parang band.
Arrindel highlighted the transformation of the venue, with the car park between Presentation College and the SanCity panyard now paved and serving as the main arena. The space will feature two stages, tents, food vendors, and a bar, ensuring a festive atmosphere despite the rainy season. ‘This is a must-attend, entirely free cultural experience,’ Arrindel promised.
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Customs and Excise seize $11.2 million in ganja, meth
In a significant blow to the illicit drug trade, the Customs and Excise Division has confiscated narcotics worth over $11 million in a series of coordinated operations over the past week. The seizures included 38.998 kilograms of marijuana, eight ampoules of fentanyl, one vial of ketamine, and 0.606 kilograms of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The marijuana alone has an estimated street value of $9,737,800, while the MDMA is valued at $1,515,000.
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Sobers: US troops to return to Trinidad and Tobago for joint military training
The United States military is set to return to Trinidad and Tobago next week for a joint training exercise with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF). The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will participate in the drills, which are scheduled from November 16 to 21. This marks the second such exercise in just over a month, following a similar engagement in October that saw the USS Gravely dock in Port of Spain. The exercises, which will span both rural and urban environments, aim to enhance military-to-military collaboration, focusing on equipment familiarity, tactical training, and professional development. US military assets, including helicopters, will be utilized during the operations, which are planned primarily for dusk and nighttime. Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers emphasized the importance of these exercises, stating, ‘Steel sharpens steel,’ and highlighting their role in strengthening the TTDF’s capacity to combat illegal drugs and weapons. However, the exercises have drawn criticism from Venezuela, which accused Trinidad of facilitating US military aggression. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has placed his military on high alert and mobilized civilian militias in response. US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz defended the exercises, stating they align with US Southern Command’s mission to promote regional stability and counter transnational threats. Meanwhile, former officials and critics have raised concerns about the timing and scale of the exercises, with some suggesting they may be a precursor to broader military actions in the region.
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Last dash for ‘Nash’: Molino to retire after final World Cup qualifier
Kevin “Nash” Molino, the talismanic captain of Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s football team, has declared that the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bermuda on November 18 will mark his final appearance in national colors. The 35-year-old striker made the emotional announcement during a post-match interview with the TT Football Association (TTFA) on November 14, following the team’s elimination from World Cup contention after a 1-1 draw with Jamaica. Despite scoring a late equalizer in that match, Molino acknowledged that the team’s World Cup dreams had been dashed. Molino, who initially retired from international football in September 2023, was recalled to the squad a year later and has since been a key figure in the team’s campaign. He described his decision to step away as deeply personal, citing years of immense pressure and physical strain. Molino emphasized his pride in representing Trinidad and Tobago and expressed optimism for the team’s future under head coach Dwight Yorke. He urged young players to maintain the right mindset and attitude, believing the team has the potential to become a formidable force. Molino also highlighted the positive changes within the TTFA, including improved professionalism and fan engagement, which have revitalized interest in the national team. As he prepares for his final match, Molino remains focused on the collective success of the team, rejecting any notion of personal failure and instead framing his journey as a valuable learning experience for the next generation.
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Rhythm of Culture by UWI dance community
The Winifred Attwell Auditorium at Queen’s Hall came alive on November 7 and 8 with the two-day dance extravaganza, *Rhythm of Culture*. This event, part of the Legacy Year Celebration, paid tribute to Hazel Franco, the founding coordinator of the UWI Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA) Dance Unit. The production showcased 28 distinctive pieces, blending Caribbean heritage with Indian, modern, hip-hop, and contemporary dance forms, creating a dynamic dialogue between tradition and innovation. Choreographed by a talented ensemble including Deon Baptiste, Bridgette Wilson, Sherma Burke, Colin Rampersad, Terry David, Kizzy Murray, and others, the performances were a testament to the diversity and vitality of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape. Students from the BA and certificate programs, alongside community dancers, brought these pieces to life. Deboleena Paul, the dance unit coordinator, emphasized that dance transcends artistic expression, serving as a profound connection between body, mind, spirit, and emotions. Rooted in the ancient concept of Nitta Yoga, the festival highlighted the unifying power of art to inspire, transform, and nurture the next generation of artists. The final night concluded with an electrifying bongo performance by the Caribbean dance degree class, leaving the audience dancing and clapping in rhythm.
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Youth Transformation and Rehab Centre make basketball return
The Youth Transformation and Rehabilitation Centre (YTRC) marked a significant milestone with their return to competitive school basketball at the Elevate 3×3 Secondary Schools Basketball Championship. The event, held at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua on November 14, saw YTRC re-enter the fray after years of absence from formal competition. Historically a dominant force in the East Zone Secondary Schools Basketball League, YTRC has previously clinched multiple zonal titles and represented the zone at national championships. Their participation in this year’s tournament underscores their commitment to using sports as a transformative tool for youth development. In recent years, YTRC has integrated 3×3 basketball into its rehabilitative framework, organizing events like the R³ 3×3 Invitational tournament to foster teamwork, discipline, and leadership among its residents. The Elevate 3×3 Championship, a national tournament, features top young talent across four divisions: Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 male, and open female. YTRC will compete in the Under-20 and female categories, showcasing players from their active basketball programmes. The TT Prison Service, which oversees YTRC, continues to emphasize the role of structured sports and education in rehabilitation, viewing athletics as a powerful catalyst for personal growth and societal reintegration.
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Operation Festive Shield launched for Xmas, Carnival
In a proactive move to combat crime during the festive season, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has unveiled its Christmas and Carnival crime prevention initiative, dubbed ‘Festive Shield.’ The program was officially launched through community walkabouts led by senior TTPS officials and local government representatives in Arima, Tunapuna, and San Juan. During the Arima event, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rishi Singh, alongside Superintendents Maynard-Wilson and McKenzie, joined Arima Mayor Balliram Maharaj in engaging with residents to address their crime-related concerns.
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From scratch: The joy of baking
Baking at home offers a therapeutic escape and a delightful way to spend your time. This weekend, why not dive into the world of baking from scratch with some mouth-watering recipes? Here are a few to get you started:
**Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread**
This recipe combines the rich flavors of chocolate with the natural sweetness of bananas. Start by mashing two large overripe bananas and mixing them with coconut oil, eggs, and brown sugar. Combine flour, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and tonka bean, then stir into the banana mixture. Add cocoa powder to a portion of the batter and swirl it into the main mixture before baking at 350°F for 50 minutes.**Traditional Sponge with Lime Meringue Frosting**
For a classic treat, prepare a sponge cake by creaming butter and sugar, then adding eggs, vanilla, and milk alternately with sifted flour. Bake in greased pans at 350°F for 35-40 minutes. Top with a lime meringue frosting made by beating egg whites, adding a sugar syrup, and incorporating lime peel.**Coconut Lime Crunchies**
These cookies are a zesty delight. Mix melted butter, sugar, grated coconut, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, vanilla, and lime zest. Roll into balls, press gently, garnish with cherries, and bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes.**Date Walnut Bran Muffins**
Combine all bran cereal with buttermilk, then mix with sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, walnuts, cinnamon, vanilla, eggs, dates, and vegetable oil. Spoon into muffin tins, top with a butter, walnut, flour, and sugar mixture, and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.These recipes are perfect for a cozy weekend baking session, offering a variety of flavors to satisfy any sweet tooth.