“[…] Trinidad and Tobago is not only impacted by the economic consequences of Covid-19; but as an oil-and-gas exporting country, the economic, financial and social consequences have been further compounded by the dramatic drop in oil and gas prices. The worldwide demand for crude oil has crashed in the context …
Read More »Daly bread: A more fearful future; soaring crime, falling oil prices and coronavirus
We washed and put away our sailor costumes last weekend. That induced a stronger nostalgia than usual for the carefree days of Carnival generally and, in particular, for Carnival Tuesday as All Stars sailors. The nostalgia was a brief antidote to the keen awareness that murders—albeit unrelated to Carnival—remained an …
Read More »Gilkes: Youth don’t need approval to be agitators, kudos to that outspoken CIC student
At a post-budget discussion this week, a St Mary’s College student chided a panel of present and former government officials, including Public Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte and Public Administration Minister Allyson, for how they handle youth issues. In the following guest column, Corey Gilkes comments on the public debate …
Read More »Daly Bread: Our true potential in the creative industries; what gov’ts continue to miss in culture and tourism
In last Monday’s budget statement, there were glaring omissions common to the two brief statements relating to the creative industries and tourism respectively. The following is the sum total of what was said about the creative industries sector: “Carifesta XIV, hosted by Trinidad and Tobago, underscored the strides we have …
Read More »Being disabled in T&T; how the Disability Grant serves as a poverty trap
The Government in its 2019 Budget statement announced with great fanfare that the Disability Grant has increased from $1,800 to $2,000. A little extra cacada from the government always sounds good, not so? Let’s put this into real perspective. I asked Tyron Bishop, disability advocate, to talk about this his …
Read More »Dear Editor: The Penal Papers; a satirical response to proposed doubles taxation
“The aloo pie vending bourgeoisie, the saheena ladies and lords, the noblemen who sell nuts and fruits in traffic—all hiding in plain sight—are the wealthiest of all. Even Anthony Bourdain wasn’t invited to their houses for dinner! “[…] Ever wondered why there are 30 different doubles vendors called ‘D Original’? …
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