Newsday Editorial
Wednesday, May 4 2016 – newsday.co.tt
RONALD RAMDASS, 50, had been here before. As he stood in the dock of the San Fernando Magistrates Court, he weighed his legal options. The magistrate, Brahmanand Dubay, read out the charge: possession of marijuana. It was a charge with which Ramdass was all too familiar. According to court officials, he had more than 20 convictions for larceny and drug offences.
Continue reading Deal with it, Dr Rowley
Newsday Editorial
Monday, April 25 2016 – newsday.co.tt
WHEN things get tough, Governments always turn to the usual scapegoats. The remarks of Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh are a classic case of shooting the messenger.
But this tack damages democracy as much as it undermines the credibility of the Government.
Continue reading Abortion a matter of public interest
TTUTA president urges reform
By JOEL JULIEN
Monday, April 25, 2016 – guardian.co.tt
The partnership between the church and the state at our schools must be dismantled as it is detrimental to our country, president of the T&T Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) Devanand Sinanan has said.
Sinanan said the Constitution defines this country as a “secular state” and therefore questioned “why should the state give monies to certain religious bodies to perpetuate their faith?”
Continue reading Dismantle church, state partnership
Experts on Imbert’s IMF, World Bank move
By Shaliza Hassanali
Saturday, April 23, 2016 – guardian.co.tt
There was no need for Minister of Finance Colm Imbert to engage officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to provide advice on T&T’s fiscal policy.
This was the view yesterday of developmental economist Dr Ralph Henry and former minister in the ministry of finance Mariano Browne, following Imbert’s announcement on Thursday that World Bank officials are in T&T to assist and advise the Government on pressing matters, including a review of expenditure in all key areas.
Continue reading No need for outside help
By Azard Ali
April 18, 2016 – newsday.co.tt
A CENTRAL Trinidad doctor is being investigated by police for performing an abortion on a 16-year-old girl. Detectives from the Chaguanas CID said the doctor is facing imminent arrest as Section 56 of the Offences Against the Persons Act, states a person is guilty of an indictable offence if he or she uses an instrument to procure the miscarriage of any woman.
Continue reading Doctor under investigation for abortion
Newsday Editorial
April 13, 2016 – newsday.co.tt
THE GOVERNMENT is proposing a seven percent levy on online purchases. Shoppers have described the move as unfair, but Minister of Finance Colm Imbert has defended it, saying it would ease foreign exchange pressures, reduce revenue leakage, and divert buyers to local products. But not so. The levy is one tax too many.
Continue reading E-shopping levy not a right click
By Raffique Shah
April 05, 2016
Posted: April 10, 2016
What I established last week was that Trinidad and Tobago, like most small island states that were once colonised by imperial powers, relies heavily on imported foods for its sustenance.
All our staples-grains (wheat, rice, maize), dairy products (milk, cheese, butter), sugar, edible oils, white potatoes, beans and pulses-come from abroad, mainly North America, the EU, Australia and New Zealand.
Continue reading Descent into imports-dependence
Deyalsingh’s tough message after austere mid-term budget
By Adrian Boodan
Sunday, April 10, 2016 – guardian.co.tt
It’s time that nationals grow up and take some responsibility for T&T, says Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh.
Deyalsingh was at the time fielding questions from the media when he attended a health and fitness fair hosted by the Couva Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce, on Saturday, at the Chamber’s building at Camden Road.
Continue reading Grow up, take responsibility
By JANELLE DE SOUZA
April 10, 2016 – newsday.co.tt
The seven percent levy on online purchases of goods and services scheduled to take effect by September will probably not slow down online shopping simply because local prices are too high.
Some regular online shoppers to overseas retail companies questioned the move by the Government to further tax online shoppers as they already pay a 20 percent duty and Value Added Tax on these items when they arrive in the country.
Continue reading Online shoppers: 7% tax unfair
By Raffique Shah
April 03, 2016
Recently, there has been much noise over Trinidad and Tobago’s capacity to produce the foods that we eat.
I use the word “noise” instead of discussion or debate because so much of what is said and written is uninformed.
Continue reading Doomed to importing foods