标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a landmark property rights decision, High Court Justice Margaret Mohammed has ruled in favor of Arima landowner Trevor Kerry in his protracted legal battle against the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) regarding mineral extraction rights on disputed lands within the San Carlos Estate.

The court determined that Kerry holds legitimate entitlement to conduct quarrying operations for stone, sand, gravel, clay, earth, and similar minerals across two designated lots (D and G) at the estate. This judicial clarification concludes years of contentious negotiations and correspondence between the parties concerning electrical infrastructure installation and maintenance on the properties.

Legal representatives Nirad Samnadda-Ramrekersingh and Richard Freeman successfully argued that Kerry’s ownership, established through a chain of deeds originating in 1959, conferred comprehensive mineral extraction privileges. They demonstrated that T&TEC had erroneously interpreted the definition of ‘mines and minerals’ within the historical documentation, incorrectly including materials specifically excluded from the original contractual language.

T&TEC’s defense team, led by Keith Scotland, SC, and Asha Watkins-Monsterin, maintained that Kerry’s claim lacked legal foundation and attempted to revisit matters settled in previous 2020 litigation involving adjacent San Carlos parcels. However, Justice Mohammed’s meticulous examination of historical conveyances and prior judicial determinations revealed critical distinctions.

The court established that a pivotal 1959 deed between Stollmeyer Ltd and Frank Kerry granted only an undivided half-share of mineral rights specifically limited to petroleum, bituminous, and hydrocarbon substances. Crucially, common quarry materials including stone, sand, clay, and gravel were expressly excluded from this conveyance and remained within the claimant’s uncontested ownership rights.

Furthermore, the judgment clarified that through subsequent acquisitions, Kerry obtained Stollmeyer Ltd’s retained mineral half-share plus the explicit right to ‘dig and get’ mineral materials from the lands. This entitlement extends beyond his owned parcels to other estate areas, contingent upon appropriate compensation to other beneficiaries for extraction activities conducted on their respective parcels, as stipulated in the original 1959 agreement.

Trinidad and Tobago is confronting a severe youth mental health crisis characterized by escalating rates of suicide, self-harm, and emotional distress among children. Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon has issued an urgent nationwide appeal for immediate intervention from all sectors of society, declaring the well-being of the nation’s youth to be at critical risk.

The Archbishop’s warning precedes a pivotal national briefing titled ‘The Urgency of Now: A National Call to Save Our Children,’ scheduled for January 19 at the Archbishop’s House in Port of Spain. This event, organized by the Samaritan Movement—a trauma-response initiative established by the Archdiocese of Port of Spain—aims to address what organizers describe as an escalating emergency affecting children across educational institutions.

Darrion Narine, programme manager of the Samaritan Movement, corroborated the severity of the situation, stating that the country has reached a breaking point. Based on their fieldwork across primary and secondary schools, the movement has documented an alarming surge in student distress, with both overt cries for help and silent suffering becoming daily occurrences. Educators and school administrators report being overwhelmed by the scale of the problem.

Disturbing data collected by the movement reveals that in a sample group of 48 students, 40% disclosed engaging in or contemplating self-harm behaviors. Narine emphasized that these statistics represent real children—sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters—whose suffering demands immediate action rather than bureaucratic delays.

The upcoming briefing will convene mental health professionals, educators, and faith leaders to address multiple critical aspects: the growing evidence of trauma in schools, the long-term consequences of inaction on communities, and the church’s potential role in providing healing and hope. Organizers stress that this event transcends a typical press conference, serving instead as a rallying cry for comprehensive societal response.

The Samaritan Movement is advocating for the government to declare the situation a national emergency and prioritize trauma-informed educational approaches and community care systems. Simultaneously, they’re calling on private sector entities to fund mental health initiatives that reach directly into schools and homes. Civil society organizations and faith communities are being urged to mobilize networks of care and mentorship, while parents and citizens are encouraged to create supportive environments where young people feel safe to share their struggles.

In a significant community development initiative, Brightstar Lottery has substantially enhanced educational opportunities for residents of The Casa de Corazon Children’s Home in Sangre Grande through its comprehensive After School Advantage (ASA) programme. The organization recently celebrated the new school term by ensuring children at the facility returned with strengthened computer skills and improved digital readiness.

During the December vacation period, Brightstar staff volunteers dedicated their time to revitalizing the home’s computer laboratory while bringing seasonal cheer to the children aged 7-16. This holiday engagement built upon substantial technological investments made earlier in June 2025, when the company conducted minor renovations and donated new desktop computers equipped with specialized digital learning software to create a secure, child-appropriate learning environment.

The technological upgrade features a strategic partnership with education technology provider Age of Learning, granting children complimentary access to the ABCmouse Early Learning Academy platform. This comprehensive digital programme is specifically designed to bolster early literacy, numeracy, and fundamental educational skills.

Shavindra Tewarie-Singh, People & Transformation Regional Senior Manager for the Caribbean, emphasized the program’s significance: “We maintain that consistent access to quality learning tools coupled with positive support can fundamentally alter a child’s developmental trajectory. Our team derived immense satisfaction from spending the holiday season decorating the home, contributing gifts, and sharing a Christmas meal prepared by Brightstar staff while simultaneously facilitating digital literacy training.”

Tewarie-Singh further noted: “Most crucially, we aimed to reassure the children of our ongoing encouragement and support throughout their academic journeys. We take considerable pride in the meaningful investments channeled through the ASA programme at Casa de Corazon, which we believe will generate lasting educational opportunities.”

This initiative represents part of Brightstar’s broader Sustainable Play programme, with ASA serving as the organization’s flagship community project dedicated to ensuring student access to digital learning centers while developing future-ready knowledge and skills. The company continues to champion education, digital literacy, and youth empowerment initiatives throughout communities across Trinidad and Tobago.

In a dramatic confrontation highlighting the dangers of online marketplace transactions, Trinidad and Tobago police eliminated two suspected bandits and apprehended two others during an intelligence-driven sting operation in St. Joseph on January 16.

The operation, conducted by the North Central Division with support from a specialist unit, targeted criminals exploiting Facebook Marketplace to lure victims through fraudulent vehicle sales. Undercover officers arranged a meeting along Mt Hope Road posing as potential buyers, responding to advertisements investigators believed were designed to orchestrate robberies.

According to official TT Police Service (TTPS) statements, four men approached the officers at the designated location and declared a robbery. The situation escalated when suspects opened fire on plainclothes officers, triggering an immediate armed response. Police returned fire, striking three suspects while the fourth accomplice fled the scene.

Two wounded suspects succumbed to their injuries after being transported to Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. The third injured suspect remains hospitalized under police surveillance, while one suspect was apprehended at the scene without injuries. Law enforcement recovered two firearms as evidence from the confrontation.

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro issued stern warnings to criminals exploiting digital platforms, stating: ‘Expect to meet officers who are trained, prepared and ready to act decisively and within the law. We will continue to confront criminality with lawful, measured and decisive action.’

The TTPS has intensified public advisories regarding online transaction safety, urging citizens to verify identities, insist on secure meeting locations, avoid attending transactions alone, and report suspicious activity immediately. Commissioner Guevarro added that anyone harboring the escaped suspect would ‘feel the full brunt of the law.’

Investigations continue as authorities work to dismantle criminal networks operating through digital marketplaces.

No Carnival experience in Trinidad and Tobago is truly complete without sampling the nation’s iconic street foods—particularly the world-renowned Maracas shark and bake and flavorful hot fish pies. These beloved local delicacies, elevated by the distinctive chadon beni sauce, are sought after by both visitors and residents alike.

For those eager to recreate these authentic flavors at home, acclaimed local chef Wendy Rahamut provides accessible recipes that capture the essence of Trinidadian culinary tradition. Notably, she recommends substituting shark with sustainable fish alternatives due to ecological concerns and the pronounced ammonia content in shark meat.

The Maracas Fish and Float recipe features firm fish fillets marinated with chives, chadon beni, garlic, and lime juice, then fried in coconut oil. The accompanying “float” dough combines flour, yeast, sugar, and shortening, formed into rounds and deep-fried until golden.

For Carnival fish pies, a flaky dough encases a savory filling of steamed fish, potatoes, fresh herbs, garlic, and spices, shallow-fried to perfection. Both dishes are traditionally served with a vibrant chadon beni pesto—a blend of shadow beni leaves, Spanish thyme, garlic, hot pepper, lime juice, and olive oil.

These recipes not only offer a taste of Trinidad’s Carnival spirit but also enable home cooks to avoid crowded vendors while enjoying authentic, handcrafted versions of these national favorites.