标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a significant judicial ruling, the High Court has rejected a medical doctor’s attempt to advance his judicial review claim against the Children’s Authority without the agency’s defense. Justice Robin Mohammed delivered the comprehensive written decision that simultaneously denied the Authority’s motion to dismiss or suspend proceedings, ensuring the constitutional challenge will be heard on its substantive merits.

The case originated from the Children’s Authority’s August 16, 2022 decision to remove the physician’s two minor children following allegations of abuse. The doctor subsequently filed a fixed-date claim on December 21, 2022, contending the removal was unreasonable, arbitrary, and violated his constitutional rights to due process and family life under sections 4(b) and 4(c) of the Constitution.

Justice Mohammed characterized the doctor’s request for undefended proceedings as ‘draconian’ in nature, noting that such relief effectively amounted to a default judgment—expressly prohibited in fixed-date claims under Civil Proceedings Rules. However, the court demonstrated judicial flexibility by granting the Authority’s application for extended filing deadlines, acknowledging confusion regarding whether the agency qualified as ‘the state’ for procedural purposes, compounded by staffing transitions within its legal team.

The court determined that while the Authority missed the standard 28-day response window, the delay was relatively brief and unintentional. Justice Mohammed emphasized that the public significance of child protection matters and the seriousness of constitutional allegations warranted hearing the Authority’s evidence. ‘The prejudice to the claimant of a short further delay is outweighed by the greater prejudice to the administration of justice in deciding such a claim without the defendant’s evidence,’ the judgment stated.

Additionally, the court rejected arguments that the judicial review constituted an abuse of process or improper collateral attack on prior Children’s Court and Court of Appeal decisions that had upheld interim wardship orders. The ruling distinguished the current proceedings as addressing distinct public law and constitutional issues regarding the lawfulness of the initial removal—matters not previously adjudicated.

The court also denied an alternative application to stay proceedings pending parallel Family Court actions, reasoning that such suspension would unjustly delay resolution of constitutional complaints without advancing judicial efficiency. The Authority must now file its response affidavit within 21 days, with the case scheduled for case management conference on February 5. Costs determinations were reserved pending final resolution of the substantive claim.

A remarkable 2,300-mile peace pilgrimage from Texas to Washington DC is underway, led by 24 Buddhist monks accompanied by their rescued canine companion, Aloka. The journey, which commenced on October 26 with an anticipated February arrival, represents a powerful spiritual mission advocating for global compassion and non-violence.

The monks’ adopted dog, Aloka—a Sanskrit name meaning ‘light’ or ‘radiance’—has become an unexpected symbol of their message. Originally a stray from India, this ordinary-looking dog now embodies the extraordinary capacity for compassion that defines their mission. His presence alongside the orange-robed monks has created touching moments that resonate deeply with those following their journey.

The pilgrimage took a dramatic turn on November 19 when a pickup truck collided with the monks’ escort vehicle, resulting in life-altering injuries to Venerable Phra Ajarn Maha Dam Phommasan. The accident necessitated the amputation of one of his legs. Remarkably, Phommasan responded with immediate forgiveness and compassion toward the driver, inspiring medical staff and fellow pilgrims alike.

Paradoxically, this tragedy brought unprecedented attention to their cause. Phommasan noted that before the accident, their peace movement received little recognition. Now,沿途 communities are gathering to offer gifts and emotional support, many moved to tears by the monks’ dedication in a world increasingly characterized by division and conflict.

The article draws parallels to local infrastructure challenges in Trinidad and Tobago, noting the dangerous conditions for pedestrians on poorly lit roads without adequate sidewalks. The commentary argues that true compassion must extend to urban planning, creating safe spaces for vulnerable road users before organizing symbolic peace walks.

While celebrating the monks’ inspirational journey, the piece concludes with a pragmatic call to action: communities must first ensure basic safety for pedestrians before embarking on symbolic peace marches, emphasizing that practical compassion begins with protecting citizens from becoming road fatality statistics.

The Trinidad and Tobago government’s management approach for Carnival 2026 has triggered widespread discontent among cultural stakeholders, creating operational challenges and financial strain across the festival ecosystem. While Cabinet approved $2.3 million in funding for 145 unsponsored steelbands—providing $20,000 to conventional bands and $10,000 to single bands—this minimal support fails to address the systemic issues plaguing the cultural sector.

The disruption extends to educational institutions, where school steelbands received inadequate notice about the relocation of finals to Skinner Park. This sudden venue change forced many school bands, dependent on community steelband equipment, to withdraw due to insurmountable transportation logistics. In response, Pan Trinbago introduced an under-19 category for Sunday’s Junior Panorama competition, prompting several school bands to rebrand and participate in this alternative event.

Simultaneously, Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin has initiated an audit into the National Carnival Commission’s (NCC) financial management. Concerns emerged after the state entity expended its $141 million budget allocation plus a $200 million loan against mere $11 million gate receipts. This spending pattern barely covers interest on the NCC’s accumulating $178 million debt, raising questions about the commission’s fiscal responsibility and the nebulous economic benefits traditionally attributed to Carnival.

Despite these challenges, creative communities demonstrate resilience. The National Dance Association of TT revitalizes traditional arts by reintroducing limbo to the national calendar with “Doh Fraid De Fire,” marking the first national limbo competition in nearly twenty years. Meanwhile, local committees like Couva’s Carnival Committee actively seek corporate sponsorship to supplement inadequate NCC subventions, exemplified by Thursday’s crowning of Nyasa Semper as Miss Central Trinidad.

The overarching issue remains the absence of coherent strategy and meaningful consultation with vulnerable stakeholders. The government’s current approach resembles attempting to steer a massive vessel with abrupt, uncoordinated movements rather than implementing measured, strategic course corrections supported by verifiable economic data and transparent planning.

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.