Last week, the incumbent Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, pronounced that The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has fallen from its scientific research mission. At the time, he was celebrating The University of The West Indies’ 75th and 70th anniversary of its Seismic Research Centre (SRC) (Express, June …
Read More »Vaneisa: Municipal Corporations matter; the importance of Local Gov’t
The last time local government elections were held on 2 December 2019, there were 139 electoral districts. On 14 August, there will be 141, to be contested by 373 candidates—barring any withdrawals. Only 34.7 per cent (374,878) of the electorate (1,079,976) cast their ballots on that occasion. It is not …
Read More »Daly Bread: No Quan Do; Gov’t employing “spurious reasoning” for NiQuan secrecy
There are three shocking characteristics displayed by some of our rulers and their satellites whom we have had to endure during the last two decades. These are disrespect for accountability, scorn for ordinary people and an absence of humanity. Last week, these characteristics combined in a manner as cruel as …
Read More »Noble: Central Gov’t in its present format doesn’t work—oh, gorm, man! Lead, nah!
Disappointment and impatience cloak our land in the run-up to the Local Government elections. Oh, Gorm Man! When will we get serious about our life, children, and future? A Lloyd Best quote captures our dilemma, which is the appalling lack of imagination and gravitas to tackle our nation’s problems: “[…] …
Read More »Daly Bread: Supernovas lob Grenade for Pan, despite difficulties
Pan music has always said to me “let me love you” and I have responded “I will love you for a thousand years”. Last Sunday, in the Savannah, the melodic single pan bands performing in Pan Down Memory Lane category preceded Pan in the 21st Century and lyrics like those …
Read More »Noble: Heritage Stabilisation Fund Vibes—context needed urgently
“Grave fiscal irresponsibility!” was former Central Bank governor Jwala Rambarran’s characterization of the announcement of a US$900 million loss by the Heritage Stabilisation Fund (HSF). Invoking a dog whistle, he continued by saying that this spoke to the “incompetence of the Board”. Roodal Moonilal reminded us of Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissesar’s …
Read More »Vaneisa: In this land of immigrants, Trinbagonians should show compassion to Venezuelans
Our national boast is a beautiful one. Here in this republic of the new world, we are perhaps one of the earliest examples of a truly cosmopolitan nation. We’ve co-existed relatively peacefully for centuries, and over time, I’d say we have assimilated far more than we’ve rejected. And we are …
Read More »Ford: Panday’s trying to rewrite history with “maliciously misconstrued misstatement” on Dr Williams
“[…] Dr Eric Williams was referring to people who preceded Basdeo Panday that were moving mountains to divide the country in an obscene manner to get the support of the East Indians at home and abroad–all in the quest for political power based on race. “[…] When Panday talks about …
Read More »Dear Editor: Community policing can be “effective strategy”; but here’s why it’s not working yet
“[…] Communities are diverse, and their needs and challenges can vary significantly. Addressing complex social issues such as poverty, drug abuse, mental health, or gang violence requires a holistic approach involving multiple agencies, organizations, and resources beyond the scope of traditional policing. “[…] Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of community …
Read More »Daly Bread: Into the political hereafter; as Opposition Leader shows up Govt response to Privy Council
There is a new example of political truth being stranger than fiction. It is that it takes two very wobbly Attorneys General to make a distrusted Opposition look good. When it was not trying to pretend that the outcome of the recent case in the Privy Council (the PC) was …
Read More »Vaneisa: Indifference has a cost; public servants must serve the people
Boorish, sexist, callous and unsympathetic responses to complaints sum up the way the public generally feels treated when they approach our state institutions. A few examples might show how widespread it is. At a recent community crime meeting in Warrenville hosted by the TTPS, residents from Cunupia and Warrenville spoke …
Read More »Daly Bread: Was AG looking for VAR? At least, Prime Minister responded sensibly
As football fans know, VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee. This is the additional refereeing team that uses technology located immediately adjacent to the field of play to assist the match referee to review, when necessary, certain match-changing decisions. These decisions include goals, penalties and direct red-card incidents. I thought …
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