Grieving man in poison drama Hours after newlywed wife’s death...

By Susan Mohammed susan.mohammed@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Jan 14, 2014 at 9:27 PM ECT

Story Updated: Jan 15, 2014 at 9:15 AM ECT

AFTER the sudden death of his newlywed wife on Monday, Riaz Karim climbed into her bed, hugged the body and said he, too, wanted to die, according to his relatives. 

Karim, 34, was yesterday being treated at hospital for poisoning, which happened hours after his wife, Avianna Karim, died.
The cause of her death could not be determined in an autopsy yesterday. Pathologist Dr Hughvon Des Vignes has said that a cause of death will be given after the results of toxicology tests are known.
Avianna Karim, 24, a Technical Education teacher at Parvati Girls’ Hindu College, was pronounced dead at a doctor’s office in Penal.
Last year Karim began lecturing at the San Fernando campus of College of Science, Technology  and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT),  after earning a degree at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. 
The couple were married on September 1 last year, and lived with his father, Zainool Karim, at Banwarie Branch Trace, San Francique Road, Penal. 
“Whenever you saw one, you saw the other. Avianna was a very nice person, who laughed a lot and was always playing with the nieces and nephews. He (Riaz Karim) always had the children around him too, buying snacks for them and making them happy,” said Karim’s sister, Patricia Mohammed. 
Karim’s father said he saw his daughter-in-law in the kitchen at around 6.30 a.m. on Monday. 
“I glimpsed her in the kitchen. As I was walking into the kitchen they walked out,” the father said.  Karim’s relatives said yesterday they were shocked by the death of his new wife, and by his death wish. 
Sheriffa Karim, Karim’s sister-in-law, who was also at the doctor’s office, said he was devastated: “Riaz was not talking to anyone, he was just crying and crying (after learning of his wife’s death). He said he was going to get his wallet and just walked out. No one knew where he was going.”
She said he returned within half an hour and went into the room where his wife’s body lay on a bed. 
“The doctor told us to leave the room, and Riaz was alone in the room. He was sitting on the floor, then he went up to the bed and hugged her up. A short while later, we were standing outside the room when we heard vomiting. The doctor rushed into the room and looked at him. The doctor told us to take him to the hospital,” said Sheriffa Karim. 
Corporal Rambajhan of the Penal CID is investigating.


For more info:http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Grieving-man-in-poison-drama-240204081.html

This is so unfortunate... :( It remind me of Romeo and Juliet but a Trini version.

O, Christmas Tree...

Tis the Christmas season and nothing says it more than a Christmas tree. During the festive season, it is usually the main focal point in our home.

Whether big or small, thick and full or sparse and slender, Christmas trees come in a variety of sizes and shapes. From the Carolina Fir to the Russian Pine, Windsor Pine and Shelton Fir, finding the perfect Christmas tree for some people is just as important as buying the presents that would be placed around the base of it.
With Christmas just weeks away, the Express visited Excellent Stores and All In One in Port of Spain recently to see what they had in store and to offer some tips when buying a Christmas tree.
Supervisor at All In One, Anne Ayoung Chee said, “We carry trees from 1ft to 9ft. In Trinidad many people tend to go for more traditional looking trees. Christmas trees that are fuller and dark green in colour are very popular.”
She noted when buying a Christmas tree, it is best to find one that is good and sturdy and easy to assemble.
In Trinidad, it is not customary to use an actually tree, however in other parts of the world, a Christmas tree is usually an evergreen conifer such as spruce, pine or fir. 
In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.
These trees are not usually found in abundance in Trinidad; however there are artificial Christmas trees that are made to resemble which can be purchase at almost any variety store and are usually made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Christmas trees are a central part of Christmas celebrations around the world. Decorated with lights, bows, candy canes, streamers, tinsel and other holiday trinkets, Christmas trees today are usually very colourful and also quite elaborate. 
The website, http://www.history.com/topics/history-of-christmas-trees credits Germany with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it. It states that in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes, some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood were scarce.
It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. 
To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.
Christmas trees have also been known as the “Yule-tree” and in some parts of the world it was believed that these evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.
For more Info:http://www.trinidadexpress.com/featured-news/O-Christmas-Tree-234328611.html
 By Kimoy Leon Sing

Story Created: Dec 3, 2013 at 9:01 PM ECT

Story Updated: Dec 3, 2013 at 9:01 PM ECT 
   

Have you gotten your Christmas Tree yet... Christmas is fast approaching... :) 

(CNN) -- Fireworks boom, bulbs flash, and flames flicker as tens of millions of people across the globe celebrate the beginning of the Festival of Lights.

Diwali -- from the word Deepavali, meaning "row of lights" -- is observed by Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities, who celebrate for five days in autumn to mark the victory of light over darkness.

This year, the festival begins on November 3, with splashes of color, lighting displays and blaring parties set to greet Diwali's arrival.

Celebrated for centuries across much of the Indian subcontinent, Diwali is now exploding: spreading the promise of wealth, knowledge and happiness to new communities across the world.

From India

For the Diwali newcomer, photographer Roy del Vecchio expertly captures the outsider's inauguration into the festival -- snapping the delighted face of a man who had invited him to join the celebrations on his roof.

I do celebrate Diwali, more for the spirit of the festival, rather than its religious implications
iReporter Samarjit Mazumdar

39-year-old del Vecchio says he had traveled to Rajasthan to see the festival, when the man holding the sparkler had invited to join him and his sons to light fireworks and share traditional sweets.

More CNN Celebrates: Halloween -- Some of you are pretty twisted

Fireworks are said to drive away evil spirits and, at this time of year, many Hindus will also clean the house and light small oil-burning lanterns to attract Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth into the home.

But the celebration is anticipated with excitement by many across India -- as well as neighboring Sri Lanka and Nepal -- regardless of religious beliefs.

"I do celebrate Diwali, more for the spirit of the festival, rather than its religious implications," says iReporter Samarjit Mazumdar from Bangalore, India.

To the World

Mazumdar captured one of Diwali's traditional symbols: a Swastika assembled from marigold flowers, which symbolizes peace, the 32-year-old explains.

But this year's celebrations are likely to be anything but peaceful, with an explosion of Diwali parties lighting up cities across the world.

Read: 10 things India does better than anywhere else

The Hindu Festival of Diwali

Diwali 2012 around the world

Recent years have seen Diwali parties pop up in locations from Ontario, Canada to Melbourne, Australia, where traditional Diwali celebrations mix with showcases for Indian food, music, dance, and film.

From Singapore's Little India district to rural Somerset, UK, iReporters have sent pictures of Diwali lights shining out.

Meanwhile in Guyana, a huge motorcade rolls through the capital Georgetown -- as captured by Guyana native Amanda Richards.

The country's 200,000-strong Hindu population line the route and often wait for hours to see the parade pass by.

Richards says she's already planning where she'll go to wait for this year's motorcade -- and join the millions of others across the world hoping to catch a glimpse of the lights.

For more info:http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/01/world/the-lights-of-diwali/index.html

Happy Divali everyone may the blessings of mother laxmi overcome you all.

Mopping up continues after Diego flooding

Many residents affected by inclement weather

By Carla Bridglal
By carla.bridglal@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Sep 13, 2013 at 11:32 AM ECT

Story Updated: Sep 13, 2013 at 6:34 PM ECT 

Residents of Diego Martin are slowly beginning the arduous task of cleaning up after heavy rains early this morning caused massive flooding through the region.

From as early as 2 a.m. the Diego Martin River broke its banks, spewing silt and other debris onto the Diego Martin Highway. Residents living along the river were trapped by the ravaging floodwaters that rose rapidly, ranging from several inches to almost five feet in some areas.

Some of the hardest hit places included Simon Street, Hillaire Street, Jean Avenue, Chumamonka Avenue, Savannah, Green Hill Village, Tomato Trace North, Vanderpool Lane and St Lucien Road.

The reaction from first responders and emergency crews, including the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, the Diego Martin Regional Corporation (DMRC), the Fire Services and the Army, was swift.

Member of Parliament for Diego Martin Central Dr Amery Browne and members of his constituency office were out as soon as the rains began, Browne told the Express.

DMRC chairman Anthony Sammy, who arrived with Blue Range, Diego Martin resident Justice Minister Emmanuel George, also said he and his crews were out as soon as the rains began, in anticipation of flooding.

The men spoke to the Express around 4 a.m., arriving with an emergency crew that had been called to assist the evacuation of a home for the elderly—GH and DD’s Sanctuary— in Chumamonka Avenue that had become flooded. The residents were safely moved to higher ground within the compound.

Despite first responders’ best efforts, the damage to property by floodwaters was severe.

The frustration of the Jemmot family—who live across the road from Sanctuary—was palpable.

The family said it was the third time this year that they had to face floods, but nothing tangible was being done, just politicians talking.

The Jemmots did not sleep that night. Having learnt from experience, they began moving valuables to higher ground, from the moment the rain started. Food waters crested at about 2 a.m. to almost a foot above ground.

At Sanctuary, manageress Gail Trancoso said she received a phone call from the night nurse at around 1 a.m. in distress about the rising waters. By the time she arrived from her home in Valsayn, she said, the water had already seeped into the building.

She and her staff had already begun evacuating some of the 12 affected residents at the home by the time the first arrived, but she was promised assistance to sanitise the area as soon as possible. That was imperative, she said, because there were some residents who have health concerns and require a disinfected environment.

“Right now our priority to make sure life and limb are safe, and it is very positive that there have been no reports to the contrary,” Browne said.

Sammy said the army had been called in to help clear the highways in time for people to make it to work. George, using his connections from his previous incarnation as Minister of Works and Infrastructure said he had already contacted the Director of Highways to assist with clean-up operations.

After leaving Sanctuary, the Express travelled with two emergency volunteers from the area to some of the more distressed areas like Simon Street and Hillaire Street. By then, the floodwaters had mostly subsided from its peak of almost four feet, as evidenced by water marks on walls and fences.

In homes however, the water damage was evident, with men bailing out their living spaces with buckets. The flood waters had appeared so quickly, some of the residents were still in various stages of undress as befitting a night of rest, instead having to deal with personal disaster.

Driving through the different areas, media crews eventually caught up with Sammy and George again. Sammy said the highway for the most part clear, with some residual silt that was being washed away by Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) crews. 

“With this type of rain there is bound to flooding. The river courses are clear. We have a three-month cycle for cleaning the drains under our purview, and I would say about 95 per cent are cleared. The courses are clear, it’s the volume (that’s the issue),” he said.

Sammy added that he had invited three Venezuelan engineers to come to Diego Martin to plan a comprehensive programme to deal with the flooding problem in the area.

For more info: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Mopping-up-continues-after-Diego-flooding-223629771.html

After a so call, successful budget in Trinidad and Tobago... Floods had been rapidly increasing throughout Trinidad... I hope everyone be cautious on the roadways... 

Happy 51st Independence Trinidad and Tobago

Tomorrow the 31st August will be 51 years of Independence. Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from Great Britain on August 31st, 1962. At midnight on 30th August, 1962, the Union Jack (British flag) was lowered and the Trinidad and Tobago flag was raised for the first time. Bells tolled and sirens rang out to herald the birth of the newly independent nation.
Today, Independence Day is celebrated with military-style parades held at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain and in Scarborough, Tobago. In Trinidad, the parade is inspected by the Head of State, The President. 
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO is diverse in race and cultures. The first people to inhabit the land we the Caribs and Arawaks. When the Spaniards came they found the the land was fertile but had no gold, so they captured the natives to work the land. When the natives had lost numbers due to illness and strain the African slaves were brought trough the famous middle passage. They toiled in slavery for many years until they gain freedom, and many left to work there own lands. The east Indians were indentured to work the lands and later the Chinese and that is why our land is so colourful. It is said people from all corners of the world can be found on our islands.
 
For more Info:  http://www.bubblews.com/news/1038913-happy-51st-independence-trinidad-and-tobago

Proud to be a Trini!!!! I have successfully completed secondary school and I am on my way to try and obtain F1 to 3 in ACCA... Hopefully one day can become a Certified Accountant. And maybe get a job in sweet Trinidad and Tobago.

Cory Monteith Died of Mixture of Heroin and Alcohol: Coroner

Cory Monteith, whose body was found in a Vancouver hotel room over the weekend, died of a "mixed drug toxicity" of heroin and alcohol, authorities say. 

"At this point there is no evidence to suggest Mr. Monteith's death was anything other than a most-tragic accident," the BC Coroners Service says in a statement released Tuesday. 

Police spokesman Constable Brian Montague said, "There was evidence in the room that was consistent with a drug overdose." 

He did not reveal what that evidence was, but that it was believed Monteith was alone when he died. The actor had been out earlier with three other people. Their identities were not revealed but Montague said they were two women and a man. 

The cause of the Glee star's death at age 31 was determined by an autopsy and toxicology tests. An investigation by the coroner continues, but Montague said the police portion of the investigation is completed.

RELATED: Lea Michele Is Grieving with Cory Monteith's Family

"Mr. Monteith's family has been made aware of the circumstances surrounding the death," the Coroners Service says. "On behalf of family members, the BC Coroners Service asks that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time." 

The Canadian native completed a month-long stint in a treatment facility for substance addiction in April and had been open about his lifelong struggles with substance abuse. 

It's still unclear what happened after Monteith arrived in Canada and checked into the Fairmont Pacific Rim on July 6. He and his manager dined on Thursday night with Maureen Webb, the co-founder of Project Limelight Society, who said the actor "looked so good, so healthy." 

Police say that the next night, Monteith and the three people left his hotel room and that the actor returned alone at about 2:15 a.m. Saturday. A hotel staff person found his body shortly after noon when Monteith didn't check out. 
 By MIKE FLEEMAN AND CHAMP CLARK

07/16/2013 at 04:55 PM EDT

RIP!!! This is so unfortunate... However youths can use this as a story to learn from and understand why drugs and alcohol is not good.

Ministry to release SEA results toda

By Joel Julien joel.julien@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Jul 3, 2013 at 10:45 PM ECT

Story Updated: Jul 4, 2013 at 6:34 AM ECT 

TODAY is the day.

The results of the 2013 Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination are scheduled to be released this morning.

And the over 18,000 pupils who wrote this year’s exam are hoping to match the success of Rebecca-Ann Jattan from last year.

Jattan, who was a pupil of  Canaan Presbyterian school in Duncan Village at the time, was named the top performing SEA pupil for 2012. 

Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh is expected to visit the top three pupils today.

“Principals have been instructed to collect results from District Offices at 8 a.m. for distribution to parents/students of their respective schools at 9 a.m. (today),” a release from the Education Ministry stated yesterday.

A total of 18,039 pupils wrote the May 9 exam, which comprised of Language Arts and Mathematics.

This year’s examination was not without its fair share of controversy as concerns were raised about a specific question on the Mathematics paper.

Question 35 stated: “$8.25 was shared between Pam and her sister Rita in proportion to their ages. 

Pam is 12 years old and Rita is 8 years old. 

(a)  Express their ages as a ratio in its SIMPLEST form. (1 mark)

(b)  Calculate the amount of money EACH girl receives. (2 marks)”.

The controversial question was eventually excluded from the assessment of pupils following complaints from teachers, principals and parents that ratio and proportion were not part of the syllabus.

The format for release of the results will remain the same as last year with placement slips from the school, the ministry’s website at www.moe.gov.tt and text messages. 

For those receiving text messages, the information will include the name of the school, the pupil, as well as the date of  registration for the school.

A link on the ministry’s website will take users to a results page where candidates and their parents can access results either by entering the name of the primary school attended or the names of the secondary schools selected as their choices. 

Congrats to all SEA students!!!!