Is it too late to post this? Our 9-day memory cycle kicked in already? I was thinking we should forget cricket and football and make chess our favourite game, like it is in Russia. For one thing, it will teach us to think several moves ahead. And another thing, we …
Read More »Noble: Playing chess with The Dragon; Dr Rowley’s gas gamble
“For any developing economy dependent on a single export commodity, powerful economic and political forces, both domestic and external, qualify the choices open to governments and structure their incentives. “[…] It is tempting to put the blame on poor leadership and examples of questionable public policy. In the end, governments …
Read More »The story of Parang: Venezuela’s musical gift that makes Trinbagonians feel at home
The raucous sound of cuatro and maracas spills from a variety store in Arima. A woman in a long wrap skirt stands nearby, hips swaying in time. Behind her, whistling along, a street vendor measures out bags of the bright red sorrel that will flavour his customers’ Christmas drinks. A …
Read More »Demming: T&T can benefit by setting aside xenophobia and using systematic integration
Why would a person willingly give up their family, job and community to embark on an illegal, dangerous journey to another country? In the case of the Venezuelans, it’s because they are generally running away from unbearable, life-threatening circumstances. Our leaders are publicly pretending not to know that conditions in …
Read More »Caricom denounces ‘acts of aggression’ by Venezuela against Guyana
The following is a statement from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) about the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. The territorial dispute, which dates back to an 1899 arbitration, is being heard by the International Court of Justice. The disputed area, west of the Essequibo River, is nearly two-thirds of modern-day …
Read More »Dr Browne: T&T will not vote in OAS motions on Venezuela
In a media release, Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne said that the government would continue to participate in meetings of the Organisation of American States (OAS), but not in motions put forth by representatives of Venezuela. This comes after T&T absented itself from a vote which …
Read More »Caricom’s shame! How Jamaica, Haiti and Bahamas orchestrated ‘unfounded’ attack on T&T over Venezuela migrant crisis
“[…] It’s difficult for me to understand, much less find justification, for why Jamaica, the sitting chair of the OAS Permanent Council at the time, failed to rule on whether to allow Guaidó’s agent to level unfounded charges directly accusing the T&T government of culpability in the Venezuelan tragedy. “[…] …
Read More »MSJ: ‘Hypocritical’ USA and OAS smell end game in Venezuela, respect democratic process!
“[…] We note that the European Union has been totally silent with respect to the voter suppression in the US and the attempts, which have failed so far, by Donald Trump, Michael Pence, Mike Pompeo and other top Republicans to carry out a veritable coup d’etat in the US by …
Read More »Daly Bread: Accountability without insult—can minister Browne be the ‘new normal’
The reported threat posed to Trinidad and Tobago by the floating storage offshore vessel, the Nabarima, moored in nearby Venezuelan waters has been of concern for nearly two months. The Nabarima contains over one million barrels of crude oil, in storage on it. The vessels’ condition was reported on internationally …
Read More »Moonilal: We’re not with PM on Venezuela gasoline drama; FITUN: Opposition MP is ‘cowardly and desperate’
MP Dr Roodal Moonilal: “[…] I was of the view that, if true, this assistance rendered [by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley] to the regime of Nicolas Maduro… was an affront to the community of free nations and further posed a risk that Trinidad and Tobago could be met with …
Read More »Daly Bread: Bienvenidos reality and wriggle room; impact of Venezuela concessions
There is considerable confusion about the status of fleeing Venezuelans crowding into Trinidad and Tobago with more confusion to come. Some have gained entry through legal points of entry, but many have breached the conditions of their permitted admission, such as by working without the appropriate permit or overstaying the …
Read More »Game of Groans: Stewie and Gary-ios get unwelcomed help from Easter visitor as invading force grows in numbers
Scene: Westeros, Diego Martin. The rulers of the seven kingdoms meet for an uneasy alliance in the face of an external menace that has threatened their very way of existence with their exotic tongues, bizarre work ethic and tasty empanadas. Gary-ios, Commissioner of the Unsullied-By-Work Force—otherwise known as the TTPS—paints …
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