Elections, Finance, General T&T, People's Partnership

Reckless endangerment

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By Terrence Farrell
Aug 14, 2015 – trinidadexpress.com

FinancialWhat has been the impact on energy sector revenues of the fall in oil and gas prices? Data published by the Central Bank indicates that in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, energy sector revenues have declined by $3.3 billion or 27.5 per cent. Total Government revenues declined by only 1.7 per cent because the proceeds of the tax amnesty and NGC special dividend helped to offset the fall in oil revenues.
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Crime in T&T, Elections, General T&T, People's Partnership, UNC

An issue more important than crime

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By Raffique Shah
August 8, 2015

Raffique ShahWE columnists are on a roll during “elections season”, but in my 34 years of writing commentaries, I have never enjoyed a long, scandalous, comical campaign as the current one.

It’s so good, or bad (depending on one’s perspective), readers have taken to telephoning or emailing me with suggestions as to what I should address.
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Elections, General T&T, Media, People's Partnership, Politics, UNC

PM’s powder puff question time

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By Keith Subero
August 04, 2015 – trinidadexpress.com

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-BissessarIf the Prime Minister, her PR handlers, and state-owned CNMG television intended to produce 90 minutes of absurd theatre then they should claim last Thursday night a “brilliant success”.

The concept of the Theatre of the Absurd is recognised for its seemingly meaningless and repetitious dialogue. Its plots are usually confusing, empty, disjointed, unrealistic, and intended in some way to identify futility in the human condition.
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corruption, Court, Crime in T&T, Elections, ILP, Law

Wet brown paper could cut Jack

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By Raffique Shah
August 02, 2015

Raffique ShahIN days of old here in Trinidad, people one or two generations ahead of mine used an adage, “when yuh crooked, wet brown paper could cut you”.

The word “crooked” in that context usually meant “a run of bad luck”, although in the instant case of Jack Warner, to whom it now applies, it could be a double-entendre. And if wet brown paper could cut you, then you were really deep in the doo-doo.
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Elections, General T&T, Media, People's Partnership, UNC

Blunder after plunder: Kamla discusses Reshmi, LifeSport and Vikings in odd Q&A

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By Mr. Live Wire
Friday 31, July 2015 – wired868.com

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar“Have you ever seen a TV show called Vikings?” Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar asked Dr Morgan Job, who was one of her three interviewers last night.

‘Vikings’, in case you don’t know, is an Irish-Canadian television drama that is not short of historical inaccuracies but big on sacking and plundering. It was a simpler time when tendering policy was usually “take what you can carry” and ship captains never asked to see CVs.
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Crime in T&T, General T&T, International, Media, USA

U.S. Says T&T Police and Immigration Officers Involved in Sex Trafficking

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2015 Trafficking in Persons Report

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: TIER 2 WATCH LIST

United States State Department
Office To Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
July 27, 2015 – state.gov

United States State DepartmentTrinidad and Tobago is a destination, transit, and possible source country for adults and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor. Women and girls from the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Venezuela, and Colombia are subjected to sex trafficking in brothels and clubs, with young women from Venezuela especially vulnerable.
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Crime in T&T, General T&T, Murder

Questions over jailbreak

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By Raffique Shah
July 25, 2015

Raffique ShahTRUST Trinidad and Tobago to make history of a most dubious nature at a time when most countries similarly endowed are forging ahead in positive ways.

Last Friday’s jailbreak, in which three high-risk prisoners escaped by shooting their way out of one of the most secure prisons in the Caribbean, was historic in the sense that it was the first of its kind in the country, and maybe even in the region.
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Crime in T&T, General T&T, Law, Media, Murder

11 charged with Seetahal’s murder

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Newsday
July 25, 2015 – newsday.co.tt

Dana SeetahalDeputy Commissioner of Police Glen Hackett today confirmed that 11 persons have been charged with the murder of Senior Counsel, Dana Seetahal.

Hackett was addressing a press conference at the Police Adminstration Building, Edward Street, Port-of-Spain.

The 11 charged are, Rajaee Ali, his brother Hamid Ali, Devaughn Cummings, Ricardo Stewart, Earl Richards, Stephan Cummings, Ishmael Ali, Kevin Parkinson, Leston Gonzales, Roget Boucher and Gareth Wiseman
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General T&T, Health, Law, Media, People's Partnership, UNC

Volney lands job at Health Ministry

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By Sue-Ann Wayow
July 22, 2015 – trinidadexpress.com

Herbert VolneyFORMER Minister of Justice Herbert Volney who was fired in September 2012 by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for his role in the Section 34 fiasco, was hired several months ago by the Ministry of Health as a legal consultant.

Volney was working for a monthly salary of between $25,000 and $30,000.

The Sunshine newspaper first reported on Volney’s new position, and gave his monthly remuneration as $30,000.
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