Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh says the reopening of the Supreme Court Building in San Fernando is high on his list of key and urgent deliverables since taking the top judicial office.

With the longstanding closure of the Supreme Court Building still affecting court users, the Chief Justice reiterated the Judiciary’s commitment to resolving the issue.

"We at the Judiciary intend to work alongside those who control public funds to have that iconic Supreme Court building in San Fernando reopened for business in the shortest possible time."

Chief Justice Boodoosingh outlined his vision for a more efficient and responsive judicial system, emphasising fairness and timely justice as central priorities.

"I hope to lead a judiciary which sees the just and fair hearing and determination of cases within a reasonable time as our core function and duty, one that is collegiate, efficient and responsive to the needs of society. The Judiciary's team will work with the ASL to address the issues which confront Southern lawyers and citizens who access our services in this part of the country."

The Chief Justice made his remarks at the Assembly of Southern Lawyers (ASL) Christmas Dinner. Describing the event as a homecoming, Justice Boodoosingh recalled his early entry into the field and reminisced about persons within the legal fraternity who offered him nurturing, mentorship, and opportunities.

He said that while the profession has expanded, these values should remain imperative.

"I say all of this to make the simple point: that opportunities came to me in this profession through strangers, people I did not know before, and many of you senior lawyers here have also given opportunities to strangers, people you did not know before. That is something that I hope can continue, and we can go from strength to strength in building our profession."

The Chief Justice hopes the Assembly of Southern Lawyers and the Judiciary will continue to build trust and confidence within the judicial system, underlining its importance to the democracy of this country.

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Former Caribbean Airlines (CAL) Chief Executive Officer Garvin Medera has “returned home,” taking up the post of Digicel CEO for the Atlantic Region.

The Digicel Group announced the appointment on Monday, describing it as a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing transformation.

Medera is no stranger to the organisation. He previously served as Chairman of the Digicel Foundation and as CEO of Digicel Play before moving on to Caribbean Airlines Limited.

In a statement, Digicel praised Mr. Medera as a respected Caribbean leader whose experience at both Digicel and CAL has equipped him with a deep understanding of the company’s culture, operations, and long-term development goals.

Mr. Medera first took up the CAL top job in 2017 and resigned in October 2025.

The Digicel Atlantic Region includes Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.

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Practical donations continue to be assembled by various interest groups and NGOs across Trinidad and Tobago for Jamaica, following the passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which left widespread destruction in its wake.

However, SEWA International Trinidad and Tobago is trying something a bit different.

Sewa President Revan Teelucksingh says their bucket concept came about after reviewing the supply chain process and thinking about the most practical delivery method, keeping in mind that everyone in Jamaica has been affected, including port workers.

"We are not collecting random items, but we are building a very specific kit that is based on the need list that has been provided from CDEMA. And this kit also fulfils all the requirements that are required for transport and the logistics. So what happens is when you have to put all of these items together, you'll find that you have to find boxes. Rainfall, it gets wet, somebody lift up the box, the whole thing fall apart, people could put drugs in them. There are so many considerations."

The bucket, he notes, is not just about efficient packaging.

"This bucket has almost $400 worth in food items and like medication, over-the-counter stuff, things that you require that are all on the needs list for Jamaica right now. And these buckets – COTT hopes to gather enough funds to produce one thousand of these buckets. So the value is going to be 400,000 plus, right, that we're going to be sending in a container towards Jamaica. We're very happy to announce through our partnership with the Supermarkets Association and all the other stakeholders, many of the distributors, people are giving us the items way below what they sell to even some of the supermarkets."

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The Government is working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) to strengthen the country’s national multi-hazard early warning system, a crucial step as Trinidad and Tobago continues to face periodic exposure to natural hazards such as earthquakes, coastal storms, flooding, and land slips.

Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen says these hazards mean that a National Multi-Hazard Early Warning System would be a lifeline for the country.

"The government will, in our next steps, continue to push forward with finalising the national MHEWS policy, expanding the public alert notification system, strengthening linkages between ODPM, TEMA, in Tobago, Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, and various scientific agencies."

Minister Ameen notes that the government will work to make the system community-centred.

"We will be training more Community Emergency Response Teams, volunteers nationwide. We will be ensuring that early warnings are accessible, they are inclusive, and they are multilingual. We will be securing sustainable financing for long-term resilience."

Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Homeland Security, Dr. Simone Titus, described what they expect the system to look like.

"Our vision for Trinidad and Tobago is the operationalisation of a fully integrated, multi-hazard early warning system across various Ministries and Agencies but functioning as one seamless, data-driven and community-centred unit."

Minister Ameen and Dr. Titus gave their remarks at the opening ceremony of a forum to discuss and implement the national early warning system.

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Medical practitioners and experts gathered at the UWI Inn and Conference Centre on Saturday with the common goal of sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and advancing understanding in the field of epilepsy.

At the 2025 Caribbean Epilepsy Conference, consultant and neurologist Dr. Sherry Sandy said women with epilepsy are still facing barriers rooted in old beliefs and modern-system failures.

Today, she said the challenge looks different but is just as serious, as she noted that women with epilepsy are still being issued high-risk medication, while safer options remain widely unavailable.

"And so that's largely because you still have persistent global high-risk use of medication. I don't know how often phenytoin is used in Montreal, Calgary, or Texas, but it's very prevalent here. You know, it's still widely used and largely because of our limited availability to treat status epilepticus. So most patients come in they get not even IV phosphatidin but IV phenytoin, and then they tend to remain on the phenytoin because it's easy to titrate."

Dr. Sandy said women remain under-represented in research, leading to gaps in global data and treatment recommendations.

Also at the conference was Adult Epileptologist Dr. Dang Nguyen, who warned that choosing an anti-seizure medication is not a one-size-fits-all decision.

"So anti-seizure medication choice is not benign and can have profound consequences. So what can happen when you don't choose the right drug? So first, inappropriate drug selection increases seizure recurrence and thus increase the risk of hospitalisation, emergency room visits, SUDEP risk. Delaying seizure control can also worsen cognitive and psychosocial burdens, outcomes, and delaying optimal treatment may also delay surgical evaluation."

With more than 30 medications now on the market, Dr. Nguyen said a structured, evidence-based approach is critical to prevent avoidable harm.

The Caribbean Epilepsy Conference is aimed at advancing care through shared knowledge, multidisciplinary dialogue, and evidence-based practice.

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It’s not every day a global sports icon opens a restaurant, but on Saturday evening, Brian Lara revealed “277” – a space at the Millennium Lakes Golf and Country Club designed to deliver an elevated dining experience shaped by his own personal journey.

The launch brought together sports personalities, business leaders, and personal friends.

From the décor to the menu, every detail reflects the excellence and precision associated with Lara’s career.

He said: "I want people to come here, I want them to feel like they're at home, I want them to feel like the food is great, the ambience is great, and I want them to leave feeling that, 'Wow!' I was entertained, and I got something that I didn't expect.'"

While the name nods to his iconic 277-run stand, a landmark innings that redefined his career, Lara said the concept behind the restaurant runs much deeper.

"It was the time that I started to feel like I belong. I had the confidence. I finally had that identity in cricket, you know. People sort of recognised me, and it's what I want to achieve with the restaurant. It's my first restaurant. So, I want to achieve the fact that, listen, when you come here, you feel like you belong."

Inside the kitchen, the culinary team steers the menu toward elevated flavours with modern techniques and an unmistakable Caribbean influence.

Executive Chef Charles Withers said the restaurant promises a balance of elegance, creativity, and premium quality, an approach that the chefs say mirrors Lara’s relentless pursuit of greatness.

"I would like to see the 277 fitting in as kind of a beacon, kind of a light of warmth, of hospitality, of love, of tenderness, of taking care of people and, and their bellies, you know. We want to invite everybody through our doors, whether it's industry, whether it's athletes, whether it's just any, you know, regular Joe Schmoe coming off the street. We want to sit them down, we want to take care of them with food, and we would also like to be able to mentor."

Another Executive Chef, Kyle Ali, said they also seek to approach their kitchen operation in a manner that distinguishes them in the industry.

"Dealing with farm-to-table, with sustainability, we're dealing with reaching out to the purveyors, the farmers, the local suppliers, you know, trying to utilise what we have in Trinidad and Tobago, from the region, from the waters."

General Manager at 277 Restaurant, Marvin Holder, described “277” as a fresh energy in the local hospitality scene, blending genuine warmth and the legacy behind the name.

"Basically, what we're here for is not to really sell food or drinks, but to sell an experience. We want the local clientele, likewise the foreign clientele, to come by and see what we've put together."

Restaurant Manager Marvin Harry noted that Lara’s mentorship played a significant role in how he now guides his team at the restaurant.

"Mr. Lara is a mentor to me. He is a world-class leader, of course, and I learnt a lot from him in terms of mentoring my staff and motivating my staff in the right direction."

Among the attendees, many were struck not just by the cuisine but by the overall ambience of the space.

Joni Smith said: "My first impression when I walked through the doors was par excellence. I mean, everything seems so pristine, sophisticated."

For Khadijah Holder, the food stood out as one of the evening’s highlights.

"The food is impeccable. The choice of menu is different. Something different from what I've experienced here in Trinidad."

And so, trading runs for reservations, Brian Lara begins a new innings, one that pays tribute to his legacy while offering something fresh to the nation he continues to inspire.

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The Paediatric Ward of the Scarborough General Hospital has received a colourful and vibrant facelift.

The refurbishment of the Paediatric Ward to offer a more child-friendly atmosphere was the vision of the Tobago House of Assembly’s Secretary of Health, Dr. Faith Brebnor. With the support of the Chinese government, it was realised.

Secretary Brebnor noted that the partnership with the Chinese government is a reflection of what true international relations involve.

She added that the new colourful space will benefit all who use it, including staff and patients.

“Children don’t only need medicine. They need comfort, they need colour, they need warmth, they need joy because those are the things that really get them well, you know. The medicine – that is what the big people think, but those who understand child psychology recognise how important it is to have those other areas. For parents and caregivers, this is often the face of some of the most anxious and uncertain moments, and a kinder and more welcoming space just like this reduces fear and supports healing.”

Deputy Head Counsellor for the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Yang Han, expressed that the Tobago House of Assembly and the Chinese government share a common vision in focusing on the well-being of citizens. Hence, the refurbishment of the paediatrics ward was a project they readily embraced. The Chinese government also donated wall wrap stickers and furniture.

“This newly refurbished paediatrics ward will offer a more safe, child-friendly and accessible experience for Tobago’s families and the children in need. Just now I have noticed a slogan of the TRHA, ‘People Caring for People’; allow me to share that the Chinese government adheres always to people-centred philosophy for our own development, and the Chinese government values deeply social wellbeing for the people.”

Artists Chris Thomas and Avie Bacchus, the masterminds behind the murals, said they aimed to include both the Chinese and Trinidad and Tobago’s culture in the paintings.

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In this edition of Entertainment On Now, artistes Miguel Maestre and Kash take center stage as they talk about their latest music, artistic growth, and what fans can expect next. Their feature showcases the rising pulse of local entertainment and the creative energy driving their work.

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Ariane Farrell, Team Lead of the Investigation & Intervention Unit, discusses the important partnership between I CAN and the Children’s Authority. She highlights how the collaboration strengthens child protection efforts, enhances investigative support, and ensures timely intervention for vulnerable children and families across the country.

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