Category Archives: General T&T

General T&T, PNM, Politics, UNC

Executive President, yes…elected by the people

16 Comments

By Raffique Shah
August 23, 2009
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com

Raffique ShahListening to well-informed people, some of them respected intellectuals, argue against a system of government that allows for an executive president, intrigues me. They invariably pursue their arguments using fancy-words-work, but essentially they are little different to the barely-informed masses, who, on the eve of Trinidad and Tobago adopting a republican constitution in 1976, cried “bloody murder” over that minor change in our system of governance.
Continue reading Executive President, yes…elected by the people →

Caribbean, General T&T, International, Sports

Berlin 2009: Men’s 4x100m Relay Final

17 Comments

Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

Jamaica Wins Gold, Trinidad & Tobago Sliver

GOLD: Steve Mullings, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell (Jamaica) 37.32

SILVER: Darrel Brown, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callander and Richard Thompson (Trinidad and Tobago) 37.62

BRONZE: Simeon Williamson, Tyrone Edgar, Marlon Devonish and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Britain) 38.02
Continue reading Berlin 2009: Men’s 4x100m Relay Final →

Caribbean, PNM, Politics, UNC

Rudi wanted to lead PNM

6 Comments

By George Alleyne
August 19, 2009 – newsday.co.tt
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com

Basdeo PandayThe scarcely concealed leadership battle in the United National Congress (UNC) between the Party’s Political Leader, Basdeo Panday, and one of its Deputy Political Leaders, Jack Warner, as to which of them will command the UNC in the immediate days ahead is not uncommon to Caribbean politics.
Continue reading Rudi wanted to lead PNM →

Crime in T&T, Politics, Security, Violence

Rid the ranks of rogues, Commissioner

6 Comments

By Raffique Shah
August 16, 2009
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com

PoliceACTING Police Commissioner James Philbert and his senior aides must be commended for their recent initiatives to clean up the Service. The exposure of one or more corrupt officers at the St Joseph Station, their identities yet to be determined, is but the proverbial drop in the bucket. But at least it restores some public confidence in the police hierarchy.
Continue reading Rid the ranks of rogues, Commissioner →

General T&T, PNM, Politics, UDeCOTT

The Israel Khan affair

3 Comments

Newsday Editorial
Saturday, August 15 2009
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com

Israel KhanIt was an imperative that Israel Khan should have recused himself from the Uff Commission of Inquiry into Udecott and the Construction Industry. The ten-page letter which he issued to Udecott’s attorneys some days ago appeared to pre-judge the personalities and the issues before the Commission. As a Commissioner, Mr Khan should not have been giving vent to such opinions prior to having them stated in the body of the eventual Commissioners’ Report.
Continue reading The Israel Khan affair →

Finance, General T&T, Politics, Security

Answers needed on helicopters

5 Comments

Newsday Editorial
August 13, 2009 – newsday.co.tt
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com

HelicopterThe first deal under consideration began back in November 2005. Prime Minister Patrick Manning, on a visit to Israel, announced that he had met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and had discussed the issue of crime with his host. Then, in a television interview, Mr Manning stated that the talks with the Israelis might include the acquisition of four armed helicopters as well as patrol boats. He said that the Israeli Air Force used armed helicopters and he had initiated discussion to “effect a transfer”.
Continue reading Answers needed on helicopters →

General T&T, Health

Good health from Maracas to Brazil

1 Comment

By Derren Joseph
August 11, 2009
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com

TrinbagoniansLast Saturday, there was a fun-run from the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain to Maracas Bay. I only found out about it the Wednesday before, but I instantly knew I had to do it. The chance to experience the rising sun while running along the North Coast Road is something I could not turn down–even though it meant missing the regular 7-8 mile Saturday morning run with the Mall Crawlers (our running group). It exceeded my expectations. When driving along the North Coast Road, the view is amazing enough, but to savour it while running slowly along the road is truly memorable.
Continue reading Good health from Maracas to Brazil →

Culture, Entertainment, General T&T, Tourism

If only pan music were the food of love…

27 Comments

By Raffique Shah
August 09, 2009
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com

SteelpanEver so often I wish I can forget the sad state of my country and instead enjoy the luxury my columnist-colleague Keith Smith does. I can see Keith’s eyes “open wide”, blurting out: “Luxury? What luxury? Dis man mad or what?” No, I’m not mad. Over the past week, to use one example, Keith has focused on his community, Laventille, on the tenth anniversary of its pan festival, a feast I enjoyed in its early years, but which, sadly, I have not attended for maybe five years.
Continue reading If only pan music were the food of love… →