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Just about 25% of students of the Rose Hill RC Primary School are said to have returned to their classes after the shooting incident of more than a week ago.

Yesterday the school reopened with the promised a heavy presence of police officers and soldiers.

But parents and guardians are reported to be hesitant to send their young ones to the school.

Last week infants and their teacher had to drop to the floor for safety because of rapid gunfire not too far away from the school.

There was a temporary closure of the Laventille school as a result and the authorities vowed to provide more security.

Those who went to school yesterday began their day with prayer.

Not for the first time in the past week Member of Parliament Keith Scotland visited the school.

The Education Ministry has vowed to provide counseling to those who may have been traumatised by the incident.

The United States State Department has again updated its travel advisory to Trinidad and Tobago.

On Tuesday the department told its citizens to reconsider travel to this country.

Trinidad and Tobago now has a Level 3 advisory listing.

In October the advisory was at number 2.

That meant visitors should exercise extreme caution.

The city of Port of Spain was given a level 4, meaning do not travel.

Now the level has moved to 3.

The travel listing was re-issued with updates on crime and security.

It tells Americans reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago and exercise extreme caution due to terrorism and kidnapping.

It says some areas here have increased risk.

U.S. government personnel are prohibited from travelling to areas such as Port of Spain, Laventillle, Beetham, Sea Lots and Cocorite.

Under the country summary it is stated that violent crime, such as murder, robbery, assault, home invasion and sexual assault are common.

The advisory also refers to gang activity as being common.

Residents in parts of Sangre Grande are still mopping up and baling out water from their homes after major floods.

Many residents are said to have lost their belongings because of the floods yesterday.

Councilor for Sangre Grande northwest Nassar Hosein says some residents blame the flooding on a private housing development behind Ajim Baksh Trace.

Very early in the morning the water began rising in areas such as Savi Street, Riley Avenue, Adventist Street and parts of Ojoe Road.

Councilor Hosein said yesterday the flooding was the most significant he has seen in some areas.

Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, Anil Juteram said earlier the situation is worrying.

He said there is need for help.

The MP for Toco/Sangre Grande, Roger Monroe, is reported as saying a team from the Ministry of Works visited the private development to see what was happening.

There were also landslides in Grand Reviere and Matelot.

Local Government Minister Faris Al Rawi assures steps are being taken to deal with the situation.

Meanwhile, the MET service yesterday upgraded its riverine flood alert from yellow to orange level.

The major river levels across the country were put above 80 percent capacity.

Smaller watercourses were also at critical levels.

The MET service said periods of rainfall will likely continue over the next 36 to 48 hours.

This will result in further elevation of the river levels.

At 2:51pm yesterday the MET service said there is a high risk to public safety, livelihood and property.

The adverse weather alert is now at yellow level.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert is called upon to explain why his government is implementing a tax amnesty.

The Financial Bill 2022 moved to the Senate yesterday and Minister Imbert said it was fast tracked to allow for the amnesty.

He told of the hardships of businesses during the public health measures of the pandemic.

He said this amnesty is special.

But in response United National Congress Senator Wade Mark raised some questions.

Mr. Mark said it seems as if a trend is developing.

The amnesty starts on November 14^th.

Trinidad and Tobago records 2 more deaths due to COVID-19.

This now brings the total number of deaths in relation to the virus to 4,257.

In its latest update the Ministry of Health says there are also 95 new infections, bringing the total positive cases to 231.

Twenty-seven persons are said to be hopitalised in relation to COVID-19.

The Ministry also says the rolling 7-day average of new positive cases is 14 and the rolling 7-day average for new deaths is less than one.

All deaths and infections reported are for the period November 2^nd to 8^th.

The National Security Minister says at least 4 murders have occurred using legal firearms.

This as the Senate debates an Opposition sponsored motion on the failure of the government to effectively address the rise in serious crime in Trinidad and Tobago.

In his response Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said the matter of murders is one of concern to him.

The Leader of the Opposition bench in the Upper House Wade Mark moved the motion.

He insisted people in this country are living in fear.

Mr. Mark said it is expected to get worse.

But Minister Hinds said murders are on the increase but all other serious crimes are not.

Nevertheless Independent Senator Dr. Varma Deyalsingh is calling on the government not to punish people for seeking to legally arm themselves.

He said yesterday everyone should be given an equal opportunity to own a firearm and get proper training.

The House was debating the Finance Bill 2022 which increased certain fees relative to FULs.

More criticisms are leveled against the Minister of National Security following his statement on the shooting incident near the Rose Hill R.C. Primary School in Laventille.

Fitzgerald Hinds has been criticised for his explanation, which sought to quell anxieties over the exchange of gunfire near the school last week.

The Joint Trade Union Movement says the National Security Minister should be fired.

At a news conference yesterday JTUM President Ancel Roget said Mr. Hinds’ statement made the students at the school seem unimportant.

The school reopens today after the forced closure one week ago.

Police have said there will be a significant presence near the school to ensure the safety of the community.

And while the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association says it welcomes strategies put in place by the State to re-assure the safety of pupils and teachers, the union says it was not involved in any discussions relating to the situation.

The rapid gunshots forced infants at the school to hit the floor for their safety.

The children remained on the classroom floor until the explosions subsided.

On The Morning Show on i95.5fm yesterday newly elected President of TTUTA, Martin Lum Kin said by law the association should have been consulted.

He said TTUTA welcomes all strategies including the proposed counseling for students and teachers and a military presence.

But he said it must be sustained.

Mr. Lum Kin said the association remains committed to the protection of the school population.

Newly crowned Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Aché Abrahams is assured she has the support of the entire nation as she prepares to compete at the upcoming international beauty pageant.

The encouragement comes from Minister of Social Development and Family Services Donna Cox.

In a release Minister Cox tells the beauty queen that donning the sash of Miss World Trinidad and Tobago will be a life-changing experience as she no longer lives for herself, but for the 1.4 million she will now represent and that she will be supported.

According to Minister Cox, apart from the franchise holders and sponsors, Ms. Abrahams will be supported by thousands of persons known and unknown to her, all of whom are deeply vested in her success, but most of all, she will be supported by her friends and family.

Minister Cox tells the pageant winner on her shoulders will rest the hopes for another world crown.

She wishes Ms. Abrahams all the best, as she begins her reign and she encourages her to be a woman of strength.

Ms. Abrahams, who competed, as Miss Maracas Valley at the 50th edition of the show on Sunday evening will represent Trinidad and Tobago at the next Miss World Pageant.

This year’s competition saw a total 17 young women from across both islands vying for the title.

The students and teachers of the Rose Hill Government RC School return to the classrooms tomorrow.

They are being assured their safety will be intact.

Acting Police Commissioner Macdonald Jacob yesterday said his officers are on the case and every step is being taken to secure the school and its population.

His assurance came during another visit by officials.

The school shot into the spotlight last week when an exchange of gunfire forced infants to hit the floor for their safety.

Guided by their teacher the children remained on the classroom floor until the explosions subsided.

National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds was in the Laventille area again yesterday.

He feels confident the police are doing their best.

Police have stepped up surveillance in the area.

Students of the Tranquility Government Secondary School have been suspended following a fight, which saw the principal on the ground, in a failed attempt to break it up.

The Principal Margaret Robinson was not hurt.

Education Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby Dolly says depending on the student’s disciplinary history their parents would receive expulsion-warning letters on their return to school.

Video recording of the fight have been shared on social media showing mainly female students in the fight.

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association, Martin Lum Kin says the incident was unfortunate.

Mr. Lum Kin also has some words of caution to teachers who try to part fights involving students. Minister Gadsby Dolly says a report from the principal is expected today