National Security Minister Stuart Young confirmed today that Trinidad and Tobago’s borders as well as bars, clubs, theatres, betting houses, churches and dining-in areas at restaurants will remain closed until 30 April 2020. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh made the amendment to the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus] Regulations yesterday. The …
Read More »Daly Bread: The continuing downward spiral, why Govt is out of its depth on Venezuela
It is readily apparent that, as predicted, the registration process for migrant Venezuelans is taking the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago into much deeper commitments than those anticipated. Credible estimates put the number of Venezuelan migrants here at 40,000. A 14-day registration process—if well patronised by half that …
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 …
Read More »Daly Bread: Trinidad and Tobago’s dangerously intertwined worlds
The Judiciary remains in an unstable state but the Attorney General has stayed in denial and keeps making dangerously short-sighted statements. In its recent decision, the Privy Council expressly reserved its position on whether quorum provisions in legislation outside of the Constitution could save all acts of an improperly constituted …
Read More »Dear Editor: Senior citizens being denied departure tax exemption due to dual citizenship
“Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago who are 60 years and older are exempt from paying the airport usage fees, usually called Departure Tax. But a recent instruction to the airlines by the legal department of the Immigration Office has modified this privilege and I think wrongly so. “The airlines have …
Read More »Young: Sankat will be treated like normal deportee; returns to Trinidad after US$909 fine
“I wish to state that all arms of our law enforcement that deal with returning deportees have been notified and are prepared to receive Mr Sankat, in the usual course of a returning national who has been deported…” Minister of National Security, Stuart Young, issued the following press statement on …
Read More »Daly Bread: Dominica, mwen regret ca; why we must help traumatised regional brothers
Dominica, I am sorry. I choose to say that in the patois of the headline of this column, consistent with the linguistic expression of Dominica’s national motto: Après Bondi, C’est la Ter—After God, it’s the Earth. Now, after Hurricane Maria, Dominica’s beloved Earth is a debris dump—its fertility disrespected by …
Read More »Dear Editor: Anger, outrage, myopia, convenient excuses and inconvenient truths
“It is our right to express anger when there is inequity in the responses to the cries for help. It is our right as citizens and taxpayers to challenge the use of public funds and to question corruption and inefficiency. “It is also our right to speculate over the misappropriation …
Read More »Dear Editor: CARICOM, community, law and the PM’s invitation to Dominicans
“The public consternation caused by the Government’s decision also calls our value system into question. As all Caribbean people can attest, anywhere you travel in the world, you are guaranteed lodging in the home of some friend or family. Hospitality is as Caribbean as sun, sea and sand. “Furthermore, for …
Read More »Getting in touch with mortality; on Deborah John, Hurricane Maria and self-delusion
One thing that is more fake than fake news is VVIP status in Trinidad and Tobago—but sadly we pay out of the Treasury for the political and social botox that supports the fake status. Within the past fortnight, five Caribbean islands have been devastated and half a dozen others have …
Read More »Clarke: God is good! WASA employee nears Soca Warriors debut but says sabbaths are off-limits
FC Santa Rosa captain Keron Clarke could be nearing a dream senior international debut for Trinidad and Tobago after being promised a new passport on Monday morning. The 31-year-old forward, who competes in the second tier Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) competition, was called up by Soca Warriors head …
Read More »“Dem tun fool”: Daly on Caribbean relations and crossroads at the Law Association
Currently, as has happened in the past, race talk has surfaced in the aftermath of a change of Government. Part of the problem is the widespread use and abuse of statutory corporations and so-called state enterprises as the vessels through which illegitimate or corrupt activity flows. When an election is …
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