Africa, Caribbean, Cuba, General T&T, International, Media, USA

Ralph Maraj’s Myopia

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By Dr. Selwyn Cudjoe
October 22, 2014

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeRECENTLY, I had a lively debate with Ralph Maraj on Cuba and its successes on i95 FM Showdown programme. Mr Maraj insisted that nothing good could come out of Cuba because Cuba has failed as a socialist society and there is “no freedom in that country”. I tried to convince him that Cuba has emerged as a leader on the world stage in areas of health care and education and there is little crime to speak of in that country. He insisted that Cuba was worthy only of condemnation.
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Africa, General T&T, Health, International, Politics, Security

Ebola: panic paralyses nation

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By Raffique Shah
October 19, 2014

Raffique ShahPort of Spain, November 31, 2014: Reports that two persons stricken with the deadly Ebola virus were identified and isolated, one at the capital city’s general hospital, the other at the Mount Hope facility, have paralysed Trinidad and Tobago, literally shutting down the country.

There is an eerie silence across the country, at least those parts that this reporter reached by car, restricted as I was since petrol stations, like most essential services, ceased to function last Friday when rumours that Ebola had arrived sent the nation into panic.
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General T&T, India, Schools

CAPE TECTONICS AT HILLVIEW

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Stephen KangalStatement Made by Mr. Stephen Kangal at the Function held to Honour The Forty-One National Scholarship Winners of Hillview College on Wednesday 15 October 2014 at Hillview College, Tunapuna

Mr. Principal Mr Leslie Mahase Chaplain of the College, Rev. Adrian Seunarine, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Senator the Honourable Kevin Ramnarine, The Honourable Rudranath Indarsingh MP, Minister in the Ministry of Finance and the Economy, Mr. Ranjit Boodhoo, Chairman of the Administrative Committee of Hillview Colllege, Mr.Shivan Ramroop, Hillview PTA Rep., Mr Fareed Ali, Secretary of HOBA, Members of Straff of Hillview College, National Scholarship Awardees, Parents, Students, other guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
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General T&T, Race and Identity, Racism Watch

The Responsibility of Intellectuals

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By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
October 16, 2014

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeLast Saturday I attended the launch of Sat Maharaj: Hindu Civil Rights Leader of Trinidad and Tobago, a biography written by Kumar Mahabir. Although I did not read the book (it was not available at the time) I could see the enthusiasm and joy that emanated from an audience that had come to embrace Sat as their personal hero. I attended the function to congratulate Sat for having placed, via Mahabir, a partial account of his life.
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Environment, General T&T, Health, People's Partnership, Politics, Protest, UNC

PM visits Dr Kublalsingh at St Clair Medical Centre

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Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar*STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE*
*KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR SC*
*PRIME MINISTER OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO*

October 12, 2014

I have been informed that Dr Wayne Kublalsingh was admitted to St Clair Medical Centre for observation and medical checks.
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Environment, General T&T, People's Partnership, Politics, Protest

Wayne’s Choice

17 Comments

By Raffique Shah
October 12, 2014

Raffique ShahWayne Kublalsingh’s second hunger strike has bared the good, the bad, and the very nasty sides of his fellow citizens, although I feel certain none of this surprises the environmental activist whose dogged pursuit of his goals puts many of us to shame.

One does not have to agree with Wayne to admire the man. I have stated before, I do not know whether his opposition to the Debe to Mon Desir section of the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway is justified, if the alternatives he proposes are better. Like most people, including Wayne, I support the construction of a highway that will make commuting in Deep South Trinidad easier.
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Crime in T&T, General T&T, Law, Media, Opposition Party, People's Partnership, Politics, Security

Truth be told

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By Suzanne Mills
October 10 2014 – newsday.co.tt

Armoured Personnel CarriersWhat I’m about to say will likely be deemed harsh, but it is my view that MPs serving in hotspot communities should not ask for or receive armed security and should definitely not be more protected than the residents who live in their constituencies and face the same threat from criminals as they do. It can also be argued that an MP who is guarded is less likely to do his or her best to bring crime under control and that until politicians stand the bounce for their misguided policies, they should not be spared from having to look over their shoulders.
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India, International, Media, Race and Identity, Racism Watch

Update: African students recount racist attack in India

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African students from Noida recount mob attack horror


Niharika Lal, TNN
Oct 6, 2014, 03.15PM IST – timesofindia.indiatimes.com

The brutal attack on three African students at Rajiv Chowk Metro station hit headlines last week, reopening debates on racism experienced by Africans in the city. There is no official version yet of what the students – Yohan Koumba Daouda and Mapaga Yannis, both students of Amity Institute of Information Technology, and Guira, a first year BBA student of Sharda University – had done to incite the attack. One of the witnesses, who posted a video of the incident on YouTube, reportedly said that they were accused of ‘misbehaving with female passengers’ by making lewd comments at a woman on a train. Another report said that in the rush to board a train on the Yellow Line, one of the students was pushed aside. He apparently made a comment against Indians in protest, which then angered some passengers.
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General T&T, Media, People's Partnership, Protest

Pay heed, Madam PM

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By Keith Subero
Octobeer 06, 2014 – trinidadexpress.com

The Prime Minister, should be “so advised” that before she makes any other statements on Dr Wayne Kublalsingh’s hunger strike, she should re-examine the Dr James Armstrong independent report on the Debe to Mon Desir section of the Point Fortin Highway.
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Elections, General T&T, People's Partnership, PNM, UNC

Minority May Decide

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By Raffique Shah
October 05, 2014

Raffique ShahPollster Nigel Henry’s projection that the results of the 2015 general elections will likely be a “statistical dead heat” is in keeping with the trend that emerged post-1986, after the PNM lost its electoral supremacy.

Every election since 1991 has been a tight race between the PNM and the UNC in whatever form or combination the latter contested the polls.
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