Renowned artist Karen Sylvester is set to unveil her latest exhibition, ‘Somewhat Familiar,’ at Studio Joli in St James, Trinidad, starting October 18. The showcase will feature Sylvester’s signature lush landscapes and intricate details, which have cemented her reputation as a master of her craft. Drawing inspiration from her childhood along the banks of a river in Trinidad’s Northern Range, Sylvester’s works are a heartfelt tribute to nature and her homeland. Despite lacking formal training, she has honed her skills through meticulous observation, blending sketches, photographs, and vivid memory recall to transform physical landscapes into evocative emotional experiences. Since 1993, Sylvester has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions both locally and internationally. Beyond her artistic pursuits, she is deeply committed to community engagement, contributing to art auctions, environmental conservation, and educational initiatives. Her works are celebrated in the National Museum and private collections worldwide. ‘Somewhat Familiar’ will run until October 30, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in her art and rediscover their appreciation for the natural world. For more details, contact Studio Joli at 705-7907 or visit their website.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Penny referred to Privileges Committee for saying Speaker biased
In a significant development within Trinidad and Tobago’s political landscape, Deputy Speaker Dr. Aiyna Ali has referred Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles to the Committee of Privileges. This decision stems from a matter of privilege raised by Couva South MP Barry Padarath, following the opposition’s walkout on October 10 and a subsequent media release criticizing the conduct of Speaker Jagdeo Singh. Dr. Ali announced the referral on October 17 during a session of the House of Representatives, after Beckles had contributed to a debate. Padarath’s complaint alleged that the media release, issued under the Opposition Leader’s banner, sought to undermine the independence of the House and constituted constructive contempt. Dr. Ali, after thorough research, concluded that a prima-facie case of contempt had been established, prompting the referral. Beckles, in her defense, had accused Speaker Singh of rejecting urgent questions and Prime Minister’s Questions filed by the Opposition, failing to adhere to established precedents for supplemental questions, and applying standing orders in a biased manner that favored the government.
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Acting CoP: Murder spike not enough reason to extend SoE
Acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin has stated that any decision regarding an extension to the current state of emergency (SoE) will be deferred until the substantive Commissioner of Police (CoP), Allister Guevarro, returns from official duties. Guevarro is currently attending the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual conference in Denver, Colorado, and is expected to resume his role on October 23. The SoE is currently set to expire on October 28. Benjamin emphasized that while there has been a noticeable spike in murders this month, particularly in the North Eastern, Northern North, and Central divisions, this alone does not justify extending the emergency measures. He highlighted that the overall murder toll for the year stands at 299, significantly lower than the 501 recorded during the same period in 2024. Benjamin acknowledged the recent increase but stressed that policing strategies are being adapted to address the situation. He noted that the police are focusing on hotspots and priority offenders, especially with a long weekend approaching. Benjamin also pointed out that a decision of such magnitude should not be driven by panic, as statistics indicate a usual uptick in murders during the latter half of the year. He assured that the police are prepared to intensify operations, particularly as the Christmas season approaches, to curb the rise in crime.
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Trini Cooking with Natasha adds creative twist to Divali sweets
For Natasha Laggan, a renowned food content creator and culinary influencer, Divali transcends the boundaries of a mere festival—it is an emotion, a sensory experience that defines her identity. Born into a Trinidad and Tobago family of Indian descent, Laggan’s earliest memories of Divali are steeped in the flickering glow of deyas, the aromatic allure of ghee and geera, and the joyous laughter echoing from the kitchen. These moments not only shaped her love for food but also cemented her connection to her cultural roots.
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Couva attorney charged with 10 fraud offences
A 38-year-old attorney, Shalini Dhanipersad, appeared virtually before Master Kaleisha Ambrose Persadsingh in the South Masters Court on October 16, facing ten counts of fraud. The charges include five counts related to forged valuation reports and five counts involving falsified Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) invoices. Dhanipersad, a resident of Mc Bean Village, Couva, was granted bail set at $250,000 with a surety and is scheduled to return to court for a status hearing on November 13. The charges were filed under Section 9 (I) of the Forgery Act, Chapter 11:13. The allegations stem from incidents on January 27, 2023, when Dhanipersad allegedly submitted forged documents at the Stamp Duty Section of the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) in Port of Spain. The documents included five forged valuation reports, purportedly prepared by two chartered valuation surveyors and a property consultant, concerning properties in Mc Bean Village and Endeavour, Chaguanas. Additionally, she is accused of submitting forged WASA invoices, one of which falsely indicated an outstanding balance of $108, while the actual invoice showed a balance of $9,857.50. These documents were allegedly used to support draft deeds of conveyance for lands in Couva and Chaguanas. The charges were laid by Adesh Ramdeo, a Criminal Tax Investigator at the BIR’s Criminal Tax Investigation Unit. The State was represented by Cpl Mohess, while defence attorney Taradath Singh appeared for Dhanipersad.
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Judge stays lawsuit on SoE regulations on police detention powers
In a significant legal development, Justice Frank Seepersad of the High Court has suspended proceedings in a constitutional challenge against the Emergency Powers Regulations, 2025, awaiting a ruling from the Privy Council on a related case. The decision, delivered on October 16, highlights the judge’s concerns over the extension of detention powers to police officers, which he deemed “inherently inconsistent and wholly unnecessary.” However, Justice Seepersad acknowledged that his hands were tied by a prior Court of Appeal decision upholding the constitutionality of a similar provision under the 2011 regulations. The current case, brought by Mozam Edoo, challenges Regulation 13(3), arguing that it violates the separation of powers by granting police officers, as members of the executive, the authority to perform judicial functions. Justice Seepersad emphasized the importance of the matter, warning against administrative inefficiencies within the state’s civil law department and expressing alarm over the state’s previous non-appearance in court. He stressed that the court would not tolerate delays in cases concerning citizens’ rights. The judge also noted that the issue should not be left unresolved until the end of the current state of emergency, declared on July 18 and extended by parliament for three months, as it would render the matter “academic.” The case will remain in abeyance until the Privy Council delivers its ruling.
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Divali Nagar highlights
The National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) launched its annual Divali Nagar festival on October 11 at the Divali Nagar compound in Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago. This year’s theme, ‘Loka Sangraha – Welfare of the World,’ underscores the universal principles of Hindu philosophy and their relevance in today’s global society. The festival, a vibrant celebration of Indian culture and traditions, featured a series of captivating performances and rituals. Among the highlights was Ishana Ramjit of the Shiva Ghana Organisation, who opened the event with a traditional deya ceremony. Over the following days, the Nagar came alive with performances by pannist Sunanda Mohip, devotional aarti rituals, and cultural showcases by children from the Sunil Ramsook Music Academy and members of Sathyam’s Dance Academy. President Christine Kangaloo graced the event on October 15, engaging in discussions with NCIC president Surujdeo Mangaroo during her tour. Newsday photographers Angelo Marcelle and Grevic Alvarado documented the festivities, capturing the essence of this cultural extravaganza.
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Food vendors robbed minutes apart in Central Trinidad
In a span of less than ten minutes on the evening of October 16, two food vendors in Chaguanas and Freeport fell victim to brazen robberies carried out by armed assailants. The incidents, which occurred at 10:55 pm and 11:04 pm respectively, involved suspects who fled the scenes in a similar silver-colored vehicle, raising questions about a possible connection between the crimes.
In the first robbery, a 43-year-old man from Trincity was targeted while he was at Darwish Arabian and Local Cuisine along the Chaguanas Main Road. Three men emerged from a silver Nissan AD Wagon, with one brandishing a firearm and another wielding a cutlass. Fearing for his safety, the victim handed over the cash register, which contained an undisclosed amount of money. The suspects quickly returned to their vehicle and sped away.
Just nine minutes later, a 34-year-old food vendor from Chase Village was approached by three men while conducting sales along Southern Main Road. One of the assailants was armed with a gun, and they demanded cash and valuables. The victim was searched, and $300 was taken from his pockets before the suspects escaped in a waiting silver wagon.
Authorities from the Chaguanas and Freeport Police Stations, including PC Mendoza and PC Dickson, are actively investigating the incidents. However, the police have not yet confirmed whether the two robberies are linked. The use of similar vehicles and the proximity in time and location have sparked speculation about a coordinated effort by the perpetrators.
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St Mary’s College cricket library opens
In a landmark move to blend education with sports, St Mary’s College has inaugurated a state-of-the-art cricket library at its Serpentine Road campus in St Clair. The facility, housed within the college’s Cricket Indoor Nets, aims to foster a deeper understanding of cricket’s rich history and techniques among aspiring players. The opening ceremony saw the presence of notable figures, including West Indies wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva, current St Mary’s cricketers Dariel Deonarine and Ryan Yearwood, and cricket coach Aaron Kurbanali. Also in attendance were former teacher Rudy Balwant, Bevon Julien, son of the late West Indies legend Bernard Julien, and Reshawn Guevara, Bernard’s nephew. The library was made possible through the generous donation of over 150 books and magazines by alumnus and cricketer Nasser Khan. Coach Kurbanali emphasized the library’s role in educating young cricketers about the golden era of West Indian cricket and its heroes. As part of their training, students will engage in research assignments utilizing resources such as coaching manuals by cricketing greats like Garfield Sobers, Malcolm Marshall, and Bryan Davis, ensuring their holistic development in the sport.
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Budget: new ideas, old strategies
In the aftermath of Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s budget presentation, reactions have been mixed, with some praising it as a ‘people’s budget’ while others remain sceptical of its long-term viability. The budget, which shifts financial burdens from the working class to banks, insurance companies, and landlords, has been described as a political solution to a complex economic problem. However, critics argue that this approach merely redistributes costs rather than addressing systemic issues.