标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The Editor: Fireworks have long been a source of celebration, but their adverse effects on hospitals, doctors’ offices, elderly and children’s homes, businesses, residential communities, and zoos are increasingly alarming. The Emperor Valley Zoo has highlighted the detrimental impact of fireworks’ loud noise levels, which not only distress animals in the zoo but also pets and their families. Numerous accounts detail the difficulties faced by both animals and their owners. Within minutes of fireworks starting, smaller birds exhibit intense fluttering and often die, while other animals show visible signs of trauma. Dogs, with their superior hearing, become frantic due to the echoing noises. Imagine being unexpectedly subjected to such loud blasts—people are left scrambling to comfort their distressed pets. In 2019, the zoo reported the tragic death of a small male kangaroo from shock and trauma caused by fireworks in Queen’s Park Savannah. This incident underscores the urgent need for action. For years, there have been public calls for a complete ban on fireworks. However, if fireworks must continue, they should be strictly regulated. For instance, they should only be allowed on certain public holidays and at specified times, such as between 11:30 PM and 12:30 AM on Old Year’s Night. This would give animal owners time to prepare their pets for the inevitable noise. Additionally, fireworks celebrations should be relocated from social hubs to large, sparsely populated venues. The advent of silent fireworks in 2025, which only illuminate the sky, offers a promising alternative that would be welcomed by the majority of people—and undoubtedly by animals as well. Our animals and the families they are part of cannot continue to endure this suffering. Ishmael Tarouba via e-mail.

In a series of coordinated anti-crime operations across Trinidad, law enforcement agencies have successfully seized illegal firearms, ammunition, and narcotics, marking a significant step in curbing criminal activities. The operations, conducted under the banner of ‘Operation Steadfast,’ targeted high-risk areas and known offenders in the Southern Division, while highway patrol officers in the north-east also made critical arrests.

Trinidad and Tobago’s justice system is facing a profound crisis, marked by systemic inefficiencies and a loss of public trust. Citizens witness daily the consequences: prolonged case delays, unresolved high-profile murders, and a remand population that overcrowds prisons while victims’ families await justice. The root of the problem lies in structural deficiencies, exacerbated by the Privy Council’s Pratt ruling, which mandates a five-year limit on executions for death row inmates. This ruling, intended to prevent cruel and inhuman delays, has inadvertently led to the commutation of sentences for convicted killers due to the system’s inability to process appeals promptly. Notorious cases, such as the 2021 abduction and murder of Andrea Bharatt, the unresolved 1998 killing of 11-year-old Akiel Chambers, and the 2014 assassination of Dana Seetahal SC, have further exposed chronic weaknesses, including lost evidence, prolonged committals, and delayed prosecutions. These failures are well-documented in media reports, court proceedings, and official statements, highlighting under-resourced prosecutors, outdated case management, and poor evidence-handling practices. To address these issues, urgent reforms are needed: publishing transparent case-backlog data, strengthening the Office of the DPP, modernizing digital evidence systems, empowering oversight bodies, creating a special review unit for cold cases, and bolstering witness protection. Justice must not depend on wealth or influence; every delayed indictment and lost exhibit erodes confidence in the rule of law. If Trinidad and Tobago is serious about security, equality, and democracy, fixing the judiciary must be the highest priority. Parliament must act before more families are denied justice.

Coconut, a tropical treasure, is celebrated for its remarkable versatility in culinary applications. From its early stages as a source of refreshing coconut water to its mature form, which yields coconut jelly and dried flesh, this nut is a cornerstone of both sweet and savory dishes. Freshly grated coconut enhances candies, baked goods, and savory recipes, while coconut milk or cream adds a silken texture and distinct flavor to ice creams, desserts, soups, and curries. Despite the availability of processed coconut products like tinned milk and powdered forms, nothing surpasses the richness of freshly made coconut milk. A simple method involves blending grated coconut with hot water, straining it through a cloth, and squeezing out the milk, yielding about one cup per coconut. This process leaves behind a dry husk, ensuring maximum extraction. Beyond coconut, the article also highlights classic recipes like cassava pone, a baked delicacy combining cassava, coconut, pumpkin, and spices, and coconut-fried shrimp served with a zesty orange dip. These dishes showcase the coconut’s ability to elevate flavors and textures, making it an indispensable ingredient in diverse cuisines.

The Catholic community in Trinidad and Tobago is currently immersed in the Jubilee of Hope, a three-day festival running from October 10 to 12 at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya. The event, themed ‘Hope in Christ,’ underscores the Jubilee Year’s message of renewal, reconciliation, and the church’s mission to spread hope. The festivities began with a Eucharistic procession from St Charles RC Church in Tunapuna to the Centre of Excellence, symbolizing unity and faith. Archbishop Jason Gordon, addressing the attendees, emphasized the importance of charity, urging participants to bring non-perishable items for distribution to the less fortunate. ‘This act of giving is a beautiful reflection of who we are as Catholics,’ Gordon remarked. The event also saw the presence of notable figures, including government ministers Barry Padarath, Kennedy Swaratsingh, and Vandana Mohit, as well as Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, who joined the celebrations on October 11. The Eucharistic presence remains at the Centre of Excellence throughout the festival, serving as a focal point for worship and community gathering. The Jubilee of Hope not only celebrates faith but also reinforces the church’s commitment to social responsibility and communal support.