标签： Trinidad and Tobago

A devastating fire erupted on November 4 at a two-storey residence on Pooran Street in Williamsville, leaving ten individuals, including three children, without a home. The blaze originated on the first floor, which contained two bedrooms, and rapidly consumed the upper level. Fortunately, all family members were on the ground floor preparing lunch when they heard a loud explosion-like noise, prompting them to evacuate immediately. ‘We are grateful that no one was injured or killed,’ said Rasheana Ali, a resident of the home. The family, which includes Ali’s husband, their son, her parents, two sisters, their spouses, and an unmarried sister, lost all their belongings in the fire. Ali’s mother, Elaine Mohammed, who is battling cancer, experienced a panic attack during the incident and required medical attention due to elevated blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Firefighters responded within 20 minutes and managed to contain the fire, though the ground floor sustained water damage and structural weakening. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with initial speculation pointing to a flammable substance such as perfume. Local officials, including Princes Town MP Dr. Aiyna Ali and Councillor Vincent Raghoo, visited the site and pledged support for the family. The disaster management unit provided three mattresses, but the family’s long-term housing arrangements are still undetermined. Raghoo has urged the public to assist in rebuilding efforts. The financial impact of the damage is yet to be assessed.

Last Friday, the nation was thrown into a state of widespread panic as unverified rumors of a potential attack or war spread rapidly across social media and traditional news outlets. This led to the premature closure of schools, businesses, shops, and offices, causing massive traffic congestion on roads and highways. Grocery stores saw a surge in panic buying, with items like toilet paper becoming highly sought-after. Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin revealed that the police executive, relying on information from these platforms, decided to cancel the leave of all officers. This reaction to unverified information highlights a concerning dependence on media sources for critical decision-making. The incident raises questions about the role of social media in spreading misinformation and the adequacy of the police’s response mechanisms in such scenarios.

A legal dispute involving a Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) staff sergeant has escalated to the Court of Appeal, following a 2023 High Court ruling that dismissed his challenge against the Chief of Defence Staff’s (CDS) decision to block his promotion. Staff Sergeant Russell Reyes contends that Justice Nadia Kangaloo erred in her judgment, arguing that the CDS overstepped legal boundaries by rejecting a recommendation for his promotion to Warrant Officer Class II. Reyes maintains that the disciplinary infraction cited against him was a “spent” conviction and should not have influenced the decision, as it was no longer part of his service record under military law. He also highlighted an unreasonable delay in addressing the disciplinary matter, which further complicated his case. Reyes first challenged the CDS’s decision in 2022, filing a judicial review application with a certificate of urgency, as he was nearing his mandatory retirement date of January 25, 2023. Had he succeeded, he would have remained in the Defence Force until 2026. However, Justice Kangaloo ruled in October 2023 that Reyes was still under probation when his disciplinary reprimand expired, rendering him ineligible for promotion. She also affirmed that the CDS acted within his authority to deny the promotion in the operational interest of the TTDF. In his appeal, Reyes argued that the judge miscalculated key dates and misinterpreted the CDS’s authority under the Defence Act. He emphasized that his severe reprimand, imposed in March 2021, was “spent” by November 2021, months before his promotion recommendation in early 2022. Reyes is seeking to have the High Court’s ruling overturned, reinstatement to the rank of Warrant Officer Class II, or compensation for lost pay and benefits. His attorney, Arden Williams, argued that the CDS unlawfully intervened in the promotion process, which is an administrative function under the Defence Force Act. Williams also questioned whether the CDS was acting as the designated officer for the Defence Council, which oversees the TTDF’s command, administration, and discipline. The Appeal Court judges have requested additional submissions on the presumption of regularity regarding the CDS’s actions, with a ruling expected after further consideration.