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New COVID 19 infections cause panic

Two new infections have caused panic and forced the closure of branches of the Pennywise Cosmetic stores in Port of Spain.

Fears also extended to the El Socorro branch of the First Citizens Bank.

A visit by a contact of 1 of the 2 new cases caused a shutdown of Pennywise Cosmetics at the Long Circular Mall and Charlotte Street in Port of Spain yesterday.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram said yesterday the positive patient had symptoms of the virus for about a week before she sought medical attention.

But in that week the 63-year-old woman moved around in public spaces, including Pennywise.

He said the local infection should not cause panic.

The branches of the cosmetic store were closed for sanitisation exercises and are to reopen today.

The Ministry of Health last evening confirmed another positive case.

This brings the country total to 141.

The Ministry said the latest case is not imported and investigations into the origin of the infection are taking place.

Since Monday, 4 people were confirmed positive.

Last night Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley called on the public to follow the Public Health Regulations.

Dr. Rowley said there are some who return to the country and are refusing to go into quarantine.

He also said gatherings are being held which could lead to a spread of the virus.

Dr. Rowley was speaking at a political meeting in Tunapuna.

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Public Utilities Minister resigns

Robert Le Hunte

A rift within the cabinet leads to the resignation the Public Utilities Minister, Robert Le Hunte.

Mr. Le Hunte tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley last Friday, the day after a verbal fight at the weekly Cabinet meeting.

On Saturday Dr. Rowley accepted the resignation.

In a release yesterday Mr. Le Hunte confirmed his departure from the Cabinet, saying it was the result of professional conflict on policy positions.

Reports are today saying, that conflict is linked to a proposal Mr. Le Hunte submitted to the Cabinet, about restructuring the Water And Sewerage Authority.

The 1.5 billion dollar proposal caused contention between the Prime Minister and Mr. Le Hunte.

According to Mr. Le Hunte, with his resignation he has given the Prime Minister the opportunity to proceed in a manner which allows the government to achieve its objectives.

The former Minister said he remains committed to the ruling Peoples National Movement and he continues to serve as Party Vice Chairman.

Mr. Le Hunte is also the Vice Chairman of the Road to Recovery Committee tasked with resetting the country’s economy post COVID-19.

Also yesterday a release from the Minister of Communication confirmed the resignation and the Prime Minister’s acceptance.

The release said the Prime Minister is in the process of making the necessary adjustments consequent to Mr. Le Hunte’s resignation.

Mr. Le Hunte assumed the position of Public Utilities Minister in September 2017.

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AUTONOMY FOR TOBAGO OR ELSE…

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has been warned.

Give Tobago its autonomy in 2026 or else.

The warning was issued by the Chief Secretary Farley Augustine.

During the Tobago People’s Party’s meeting in Mt. Gomery on Monday evening, Mr. Augustine underscored Tobago’s time for their long awaited autonomy is now.

The chief secretary reassured Tobago that there would be no compromise, on this matter.

Addressing the lack of control over T.H.A employees, the head of the T.H.A had important news for male contract employees.

The chief secretary said, it was time the paternity leave issue be enacted.

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SAID TO BE A DOOMED RELATIONSHIP FROM THE START…A WOMAN IS KILLED AND HER BOYFRIEND COMMITS SUICIDE.

Police are convinced domestic abuse would have led to the deaths of a Claxton Bay couple.

The two are 43-year-old Angel Lutchman and 29 year old Shazard Mohammed.

It is believed Mr. Mohammed fatally stabbed Ms. Lutchman and then hanged himself at the home they shared on, Abraham Street Pranz Gardens Claxton Bay.

The woman’s brother mark told reporters they had a violent relationship.

He told reporters in July police were called to the house, but Ms. Lutchman did not wish to pursue action against Mr. Mohammed.

Mark Lutchman said, it is yet another lesson from the first sign of abuse people need to get out.

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GOVERNMENT GUIDED BY POLICY…

The prime minister is again telling the nation her government can guide policy, but cannot interfere with wage negotiations.

She says, that is with the chief personnel officer.

Yesterday, reporters seeking further clarification on the now contentious ten percent wage offer approached Kamla Persad Bissessar.

She was attending the rededication of the Children’s Hospital in Couva.

It was last week; Prime Minister Persad Bissessar saw it necessary to speak in the parliament, about the growing tensions between the Chief Personnel Officer and the Public Services Association.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar suggested that heated exchanges are understandable, but there must be respect from all sides.

The prime minister sees this wage issue as a carefully managed stimulus for the country

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A FORMER PSA LEADER SAYS FALISHA THOMAS IS GOING DOWN….AND SHE HAS BEEN HOODWINKED….

A former public services association president says, the chief personnel officer cannot be blamed for what is taking place with the 10% negotiations.

PSA President Felisha Thomas has dubbed the CPO as the chief personnel obstructionist as she seeks to get back pay, for her members before Christmas.

Today, Jeniffer Baptiste primus says, Ms. Thomas is pointing fingers in the wrong direction regarding cash payments for back pay.

Mrs. Baptiste primus says Ms. Thomas should know the CPO follows instructions from the minister of finance

Finance Minister Dave Tancoo is today quoted as saying, the 3.8 billion dollar back pay in still being negotiated.

Mrs. Baptiste Primus said, this morning Ms. Thomas signed a partial agreement, and she must tell her members what it contains.

Mrs. Baptiste Primus said, unions do not negotiate with government officials.

She believes Ms. Thomas was hoodwinked, by all the goodies she received from the government.

According to Mrs. Baptiste Primus, Felisha Thomas sold out public workers.

Speaking on TV6’s Morning Edition programme today, Mrs. Baptiste Primus said, it appears the PSA team did not know what it was signing.

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3.4 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF MARIJUANA FOUND IN THE WEST…

Police are yet to make any arrests after over 3 million dollars worth of marijuana, arms and ammunition are discovered in Glencoe.

The find was made during a coordinated joint exercise, involving the TTPS and members of the Defence Force.

In a statement the TTPS says, over 31 kilogrammes of cannabis were found during an intelligence-led, anti-crime operation between 6:00 am and 2:00pm yesterday, in forested areas off upper La Horquette Valley Road, Glencoe.

It says, extensive searches were conducted on both the eastern and western sides of the valley, approximately two miles into the forested terrain.

On the eastern side, officers discovered a blue barrel containing 7 packages of marijuana, 30 rounds of 12-gauge cartridges, 13 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, 220 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, 1 extended magazine, and 1 glock speed loader.

Further searches on the western side of the area uncovered another barrel containing, 17.04 kilogrammes of compressed cannabis.

The total weight of the seized narcotics is 31.20 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of $3.4 million dollars.

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ANCEL ROGET WARNS THOSE TAKING AIM AT THE GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER PERSAD BISSESSAR…

Meanwhile, President General of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union, Ancel Roget is giving his full support to parliamentary secretary, in the Ministry of Public Utilities Clyde Elder and the Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste.

Some has criticized recent statements made by the two.

Their statements followed the outcome of ten percent negotiations, for public servants.

Mr. Roget said, the two comrades are correct and they have his support.

He is also issuing a warning to critics, of the government he is a part of.

Mr. Roget was part of a commemoration of the closure of the, Petrotrin refinery.

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COCAINE FOUND IN BOXES OF CAKE MIX AT THE ARTHUR NR ROBINSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT..

Two women are now in police custody after they were allegedly found in possession of cocaine at, the Arthur NR Robinson International Airport.

The cocaine, packaged in boxes of cake mix was found on Tuesday.

The arrests and discovery were made by officers of the Special Investigations Unit, while conducting routine duties at the airport, paying special attention to passengers scheduled to board a flight destined for Frankfurt, Germany.

Police are said to have stopped and interviewed a 27-year-old woman from Arima, and conducted a search of her luggage, where, hidden among items of clothing were six boxes of cake mix.

Upon further examination, the white powdery substance inside the boxes was found to be cocaine.

The officers say another passenger, a 20-year-old woman from Arima bypass, Arima, was also interviewed.

A search of her luggage revealed five similarly packaged boxes, which likewise contained cocaine.”

Police reported the seized packages weighed 11.757 kg, with an estimated street value of TT$16,388,564.00 and that investigations are continuing.

Meanwhile, police have said a male suspect is assisting the investigations in Trinidad after they seized marijuana, with a street value of TT$4.4 million on Wednesday.

According to the cops they had intercepted a vehicle travelling westbound along the, Churchill Roosevelt Highway on the outskirts of the capital, Port of Spain, where t a search resulted in the discovery of 40 packages of compressed Colombian “creepy” marijuana, weighing 20.74 kilogrammes.

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THE OPPOSITION PNM WANTS GREATER TRANSPARENCY FROM THE PRIME MINISTER REGARDING HER MEETING WITH GENERAL DAN CAINE…

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, had a whirlwind meeting in Port of Spain.

The two leaders yesterday, reaffirmed the partnership between the countries.

The meeting was held at the diplomatic centre and it is said, the prime minister and the joint chief of staff, also discussed shared priorities for regional security and stability.

 A release from joint staff spokesperson Joseph Holstead, also noted that they exchanged views on challenges affecting the Caribbean region, including the destabilizing effects of illicit narcotics, arms, and human trafficking, and transnational criminal organization activities.

The chairman emphasized that close cooperation between the two nations, directly contributes to safeguarding regional security.

General Caine expressed, appreciation for the country’s continued leadership and partnership in advancing mutual objectives.

He reaffirmed that the US remains committed to working closely with Trinidad and Tobago to address shared threats and deepen collaboration across the region.

The prime minister also issued a brief after the talks describing them as, excellent.

In a statement posted on x, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar described the talks as  “excellent” saying, that both Trinidad and Tobago and the North American country “continue to share a strong and enduring partnership”.

Chief whip Marvin Gonsalez, wants greater transparency from the prime minister.

The opposition official said, there is a vacuum created when there is no information.

Mr. Gonsalez was addressing a news conference yesterday.

General Caine’s visit came as the United States President Donald Trump has ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean Sea, ordering an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean, as part of his effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels.

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FREAK ACCIDENT ALONG NORTH COAST ROAD IN MARACAS CLAIMS THE LIFE OF ONE WOMAN…

The woman killed in a freak accident along the North Coast Road in Maracas, is Natalia Noel.

Reports say, the vehicle plunged several feet down a precipice.

The driver was injured.

The tragedy occurred around 1.30pm, yesterday during heavy rains.

The mini-bus, which plies the North Coast route from Port of Spain, was making its way between the Maracas lookout and the Spring Bridge, when a large tree suddenly toppled onto the road.

The impact knocked the vehicle off the carriageway, and over the edge.

Several motorists who witnessed the crash stopped to help, and contacted police and fire officials.

Fire service search and rescue officers from the Santa Cruz fire station responded, along with crews from the San Juan fire station, the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the ministry of rural development and local government’s backhoe team.

Rescuers were able to retrieve the injured driver and passenger from the wreckage; both were taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital where Mrs. Noel died.

Emergency teams used chainsaws to cut the fallen tree into sections, before clearing the road.

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PSA PRESIDENT UPSET OVER DELAY IN THE START OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CPO…

A report today that the president of the Public Services Association, is not pleased with what she sees as a delay, in the start of talks with the chief personnel officer.

Felisha Thomas is quoted as saying, “something doesn’t seem right”.

Up to last week Ms. Thomas was confident CPO retired commander Dr. Daryl Dindial, would have invited the union to commence negotiations in the days ahead.

It was a major promise of the ruling United National Congress, during the election campaign earlier this year.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, told the parliament during the budget presentation he was given the go-ahead to have the CPO, commence talks.

Ms. Thomas, who wants negotiations and subsequent payments completed by Christmas is quoted as saying, the CPO seems to be delaying the matter.

She said, she has written to the CPO and has proposed today, tomorrow, Thursday and Friday for the talks.

According to Ms. Thomas, she is yet to receive an acknowledgement of the letter.

However, she promised to press on this week.

Ms. Thomas told the guardian newspaper, it seems as though the CPO’s office is now stalling to come to the table and offer ten percent.

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